voyager12

Ideally, more thought would have been given to transforming the asphalt sea into a mixed use green friendly development. But we don't live in a city that values innovative development a great deal. The blight that is there now will be replaced with big box blight, it will bring life to that spot but will be an island unto itself and not a great harbinger of growth to come.

I do hope it's overturned. McCrory's pragmatic attitude did not prevent him advocating for light rail. Vetoing this project is just his way of trying to burnish his fiscal conservative cred with voters for the next governors race.

There is going to be an Out parade on Oct 11th at 11am. Coinciding with National Coming Out Day and The Equality March in DC. I believe the route will be through Uptown. Additional ways to be visible beyond the yearly festival is important as we continue to strive to make Charlotte more gay friendly. Our march over Prop 8 attracted a large crowd of participants. We got beeps of support and no insults. Most people on the street looked at us like we were aliens from outer space. Perhaps having more frequent activities will make people cognizant and more comfortable with our existence in this town. No doubt Michael Brown and the Concord crew are reading about it in Q-Notes too and will show up to transform us into heterosexuals. Did not take the last time info @ outparade.blogspot.com

We urban elitists on this rarified site may find it wanting but the majority of Charlotteans don't care or think it's looks perfect. To me the whole streetscape just has a sad air. It came across as pure facade, almost a stage that could be picked up and moved. I got this reaction because there really is nothing to it, as the redevelopment is stalled. There's no "there there" to back up the remodel. The current small strip of restaurants is great but it all just pales in comparison to the original plan. I am going to Charleston next month, and am going to come back with another serious case of urban envy

Checked out Cafe Central last night. A new bar/restaurant in the former gay community ctr in PM. Basic menu and reasonable prices with continental fare, sparse but laidback and cool atmosphere. We just had turkey burgers which are hard to screw up but I would go back and try something else. They were pretty empty and the place seems to be relying on word of mouth. There is great loyalty in that neighborhood to good local joints so I think they have a shot at making it.

I had the swiss muesli yesterday for breakfast at RF Charlotte. It was great and they have made good use of the space. The smoothie I had was awesome but adding that on brought my total to $12 for breakfast which is not the norm for me. Might just get juice next time. Still have to check out the lunch menu.

I was only at Pride for an hour in the AM, so I missed Foxx's speech. There was also no mention of it any press I read. No doubt it's progress to have a mayoral candidate be supportive of city employee non-discrimination. The economic excuse on DP's is a well worn one. Former City Manager Pam Syfert consistently used it to oppose any discussion. Walton feels the same way. If we do get to that debate there is nationwide evidence that proves the cost to be minimal. I know there are several openly gay employees working for the city. Some in high ranking positions. As a group they have worked toward changing the status quo from the inside. It's not good enough to point to them and say "see, no problem". The law needs to be in place. There seems to be stronger support for doing employee protections. Get that done first and build on it. And with the County Commission likely to move forward on DP's for county employees in the Fall, perhaps we can get some momentum going to inspire the lagging Charlotte City Council. We need GLBT community members and straight supporters to really come in force for the public hearings on County DP's. There was strong turnout for the CMS bullying debate and we prevailed. Yesterday, Nashville passed a fully inclusive city non-discrimination ordinance for city employees.

I happily stand corrected. Quite refreshing to hear.

The MECKPAC Pre Election party is a week from tomorrow at The Morehead Inn. $25 min to get in the door. I am not going. Too busy trying to raise my own funds to give them anything. None of their endorsed candidates deserve any money anyway. At any rate, I do hope MECKPAC really is tougher on them on this go round. At least our local opponents are vocal in their dissaproval of us. We know where they stand. In contrast to our "supporters'" who besides Jennifer Roberts refuse to go on the record for us. Won't show their faces at Charlotte Pride, won't even bring us up in discussion, like Helms and Roberts did to get county employee protections passed. But they take donations and proceed to completely ignore us until the coffers run dry again. Waste of time. Period . Exclamation Point ! ( I have said all this in person and email too) Tomorrow is another community roundtable at the Center. Discussion will be focused on how religion impacts the lives of Charlotte's LGBT community. 6:30 Bring snacks to share!

Funny, I was going to mention Picasso's makeover too, but you all beat me to it. The new color is a great improvement. Makes the block much less drab. Never have ventured into Picasso's since it seemed so dark and dingy. And not a real fan of sportsbars in general, maybe I will try it now.

Durham City Council unanimously approved a resolution supporting same sex marriage last night. Here in Charlotte we can't even our so called allies on Council to say the word gay or even pass an employee non-discrimination policy. When the marriage support resolution was presented the Charlotte City Council said nothing at all. It was stone cold silence. Just another example of how our "worldclass" and largest city in the Carolinas is so backwards and pathetic when compared to Columbia, Charleston, Durham, Carrboro,Chapel Hill, Asheville, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem. All of the aformentioned have at least one equal rights ordinance on the books. Charlotte continues to proudly bat a zero.

Although I don't go to bars much, having a concentrated area would be cool. I can't believe gay bar connectivity is not the top issue in city elections this year. Where are their priorities? I still think gay bars are needed as safe zones where on can feel comfortable engaging others without fear of getting verbally harassed or worse, especially here in a conservative region.

I heard this weekend that Liason is closing, has closed for good and/or is moving to a new location I have not gone in quite awhile. They have been struggling for years. Petra's and to some extent Tutto Mundo have taken quite a share of Liasons clientele. Plus the house has gotten increasingly rundown and shabby looking. Given how long they have been in Dilworth, their possible closure is sad since it serves as a lonely reminder of the neighborhood's pre-gentrification, alternative past. Most of all, I hope the pink house gets some much needed TLC, with some work it could look great again. MECKPAC is continuing to interview candidates regarding their positions on local gay rights issues. At the outset of each meeting, it's made clear that one's personal moral or religious beliefs are irrelevant. What MECKPAC wants to know is whether they will acknowledge their responsibility to separate private viewpoints from impacting upon decisions affecting public policy for all. The latter reallly speaks to my stance on this subject. I could really care less whether someone thinks I am immoral or evil or whatever. That's their right. No one, now or in the future is being denied their right to dissaprove of homosexuality. We should in return be accorded the same equity when it comes to civil law. Unfortunately, those arrayed against us can't grasp the concept and inherent decency of staying true to one's personal belief but not denying us the right to disagree and live our lives in equality.

^ Thanks for the suggestion. I drove to TJ's today through the deluge to find out that the garage has a pretty nasty flooding issue. A whole row of cars against the far wall was being slowly encircled. The section in front of the entrance was also washed over. Kind of reminded me of my time at The College of Charleston, my neighbors used to bring out the kayaks and rafts and paddle down the streets. Not nearly as bad in this case but still a major inconvenience.

Speaking of the overall project...anyone heard news lately? With the economic doldrums I don't expect much but I am trying to stay optimistic. So many proposals have come and gone: movie theatre, condos, apts, supermarkets, what now?

My neighbor and I walked to Trader Joes from Dilworth this week. They have done a nice job of encouraging pedestrian use along Stonewall. The hike back crossing Morehead to Kenilworth is still quite nasty,narrow,unlit ,and trash strewn. No wonder we never encounter any other ped shoppers. Maybe the sidewalk revitalization for this stretch is somewhere in the longterm plans. Currently, it's definitely not an inviting option for those who otherwise would make a habit of walking to Met. Going down Morehead and up Kings is another option but the most direct route should get priority and some sidewalk TLC.

^ Bummer, the execution of some of the city plans around here sure do a great job of not acknowledging that we are a city. Guess I will still have to drive to Birkdale and walk around to pretend I am in a city

Noticed this week that the three quads across Park Rd from me in Dilworth all have units up for rent. If you want live in Dilworth cheap ( usually are 1 bdrs in the mid 6s) like old buildings and don't need frills, I would check them out. One listing has been on the market for ages....the apt in our place rented pretty fast but we have the best quad on the block of course

EBG's new spot next to 131 Main is moving along, not sure when they are supposed to be done. CHS's latest statements have described Bruggers/Caribou as a neighborhood amenity and there are no current plans to demo it anytime soon. Hope this remains the case, it's the most popular and largest hangout spot in the neighborhood. Last I heard Cantina is moving sometime next year, the manager has been looking to stay in the immediate area. Luigis Pizza is going into the vacant spot at the end of the HT strip in KC. Used to be Italian Village Pizza which failed rather quickly good luck to them.

I would be shocked if the Epicurean curse was ever lifted...who knows. Just hope that whatever goes in there someday is executed better than Latta Pavillion, which is such a mediocre soulless box IMHO. A development that truly embraces the sidewalk with a nice indie mix of retail and res would be awesome and a huge boost to that stretch of East. Maybe it would help to offset the eventual loss of Cantina,Brueggers/Caribou/East Boulevard Bar and Grill and more when CHS finally pulls the trigger.

The ads for the The Vyne still insist on describing their location as in the center of Plaza Midwood. That's not even a stretch which is common in marketing but a complete falsehood. It's a nice bike ride or walk down Briar Creek to Commonwealth and up to Thomas. Guess I can't blame them for trying...but any prospective residents not familar with the area are bound to be dissapointed.

I think those are just signs advertising yet another "closeout"sale for 1315 across the street. That place has more closing sales than a rug dealer.

I noticed tonight that a bar has opened in the former LGBT Center/White Rabbit location. Anyone have details? Also, slams are being presented in the front space.I am glad some life is returning to the spot. Although I am still annoyed about the community ctr losing such a great high visibility location. Given how dead much of the complex is, I wonder if the developers regret not being more flexible with the rent they were offering for it to stay.

^ Sounds like a great idea, I wish I could help but being a relative newcomer I don't know much NoDa history or have any pics. Will ask around though. I do know that Amelies's 24/7 is manna from heaven for those of us with weird and random work schedules

^ There is someone in particular I am friends with already. But I always seem to chicken out at the last minute when thinking of broaching the subject. Relationships that spring from friendships can be just perfect or perfectly awful. I don't know, I will think on it some more. Although that's what people tell me to stop doing and just ask. The worst that can happen is he says no and it's briefly awkward. Oh enough about me I went to the "Voices of Honor" forum @ the uptown library last night. The program travels the region featuring soldiers discharged under DADT. Before last night, the issue seemed abstract but hearing about the turmoil and pain it engenders in real time, hit home in a big way. Jennifer Roberts was there along with Dan Murray. Nancy Carter also attended. The two incumbents facing challengers that represent districts housing the most politically aware gay residents in the city start appearing at our events during election season. Patsy Kinsey was at the LGBT "Conversations" at the Levine last month. How shocking.