Charlotte
Colorful Characters
2008 10Best Bet - Award Winners
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SOUTHPARK. Flamboyant, bleached-blond wrestling legend Ric Flair is known for his showmanship, his career longevity, his feuds with other wrestlers, and his signature cry of "Wooo!" While you can spot him on TV frequently, to catch him in person, make a beeline to Phillips Place, a pedestrian-friendly shopping village. Queen City celebs may be eyed here any day of the week, and Ric himself has been seen enjoying a glass of red at the Dean & DeLuca Wine Room (704-552-5283). More athlete sightings? You can't even keep track of all the Panthers players who chow down on noodles at P.F. Chang's (704-552-6644) especially on a Saturday night.
UPTOWN. Now that Hollywood has discovered how photogenic the Queen City is, more and more features are being filmed around Charlotte, and seeing celebrities is becoming quite common. George Clooney and Renιe Zellweger, on break from shooting Leatherheads, and singer/actress Mandy Moore have been seen enjoying meals at Ruth's Chris (704-338-9444) or just down the way at Morton's (704-333-2602). And, of course, the residual debates range from what cuts they ordered to whether or not they're good tippers.
CORNELIUS. Sure, sushi is popular. But so is the Lake Norman area, especially with the race car drivers who call it home. This strip mall joint is a hit with NASCAR drivers like Jimmie Johnson and his family, who've been spotted enjoying edamame and California rolls more than once. Keep your eyes peeled with the loud rock and roll, TVs in every corner, and great food, you never know who you might spot.
SOUTHPARK. Sit at Nordstrom's E-Bar tables long enough and you're bound to see a famous face, maybe even Mrs. North Carolina America 2007 herself, Kathryn Hancock Stuart, ducking out of Salon Cielo & Spa. Elsewhere, you might catch a certain star Carolina Panthers wide receiver playing with his kids on the escalator or local radio personality Brotha Fred (96.1, The Beat) loaded with shopping bags. Your best course of action? Find a cappuccino and people-watch away.
UPTOWN. From fall through spring, the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats play home games at their eponymous arena, an Uptown highlight since it was completed in 2005. If you're lucky, you may catch a glimpse of Michael Jordan, managing owner of the franchise, stopping by to check on the progress of this year's squad. In addition to pro hoops, the arena hosts a variety of big names from the world of music, including Kenny Chesney, Beyonce, Josh Groban, and U2.
CORNELIUS. Situated right on Lake Norman, this is the place to be no matter what day of the week it is. Specials on Tuesday night bring out NASCAR crews with $1.50 Coors Light draft, 50-cent wings, and $1 domestic drafts. Don't let your beer goggles fool you that really might be Jeff Gordon's crew chief on the stool next to you!
MYERS PARK. Want to talk politics? If you're lucky (and connected) you can give Mayor Pat McCrory a pat on the back at this ritzy, old-money country club. McCrory, mayor of the Queen City since 1995, has reduced crime, developed the city's 25-year transportation and land-use plan, and helped the city adjust to the 20% growth it's experienced since he first took office. Keep it peaceful on the greens though let the man (and everybody else) enjoy the game!
PARK ROAD. Charlotte is rooting for its local band, Simplified. The Press Box is the group's home base when members aren't traveling up and down the Southeastern Coast promoting the new CD, Smile. Serving a rare combination of rock, reggae, country, jam, and more, Clee, Chris, Tim, and Chris are headed for a future playing huge crowds. Enjoy them while the seats are still cheap! Check out the action at www.simplifiedmusic.com.
BALLANTYNE. The most exclusive resort in town, Ballantyne reels in the "big ones" with its topnotch service and stately Presidential Suites. Gwen Stefani stayed in the plush privacy of the resort after a May 2006 concert, and the cast of The Fantastic Four movie (Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, Ioan Gruffudd, and Michael Chiklis) once rested their heads here after attending the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway.
UPTOWN. Arguably one of the most popular players on the current Panthers squad (although QB Jake Delhomme might take exception to that), Smith is a cornerstone of the team's season-to-season success. The explosive player is a touchdown waiting to happen, and his highlight-reel runs and returns make him an easy fan fave. Julius Peppers, similarly popular, hails from Bailey, NC. He graduated from UNC (where he also played hoops) and has gone on to become one of the most celebrated defensive players in the history of the franchise. See Smith, Peppers, and Delhomme at their best at Bank of America Stadium, an open-air tribute to football and a place of reverence for Carolina football fans in two states. We all love to people-watch, to catch glimpses of celebs, and to brag that we saw so-and-so. This category showcases citizens who've made their mark on a town. Here, you'll uncover coffee shops where local politicians gather, corners where quirky street performers show off, and places that have lively shop keepers or dynamic chefs on staff. Discover where these famous folks hang out, where they work, what they eat, and even more that you didn't even know you'd want to know!
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We all love to people-watch, to catch glimpses of celebs, and to brag that we saw so-and-so. This category showcases citizens who've made their mark on a town. Here, you'll uncover coffee shops where local politicians gather, corners where quirky street performers show off, and places that have lively shop keepers or dynamic chefs on staff. Discover where these famous folks hang out, where they work, what they eat, and even more that you didn't even know you'd want to know!
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