Talking Charlotte -- and the Many Things to Do Here -- on 'Charlotte Talks'

I was a guest on Charlotte Talks on WFAE 90.7 FM yesterday morning, alongside fellow writer/journalist (and friend) Sarah Crosland. The show's topic was Stuff All Charlotteans Should Do, and it was derived from Sarah's new book, 100 Things to Do in Charlotte Before You Die, and Charlotte magazine's August cover story, "50 Things Every Charlottean Should Do," of which I was one of the writers.

During the hour-long radio show, host Mike Collins asked us about many of the numerous activities, events, and places that made our respective publications' lists. He engaged us in conversations that shed insight into just how vibrant this city is--the many great places to eat, drink, play, explore, be entertained, and more. It was fun talking about things to do in Charlotte, which is something I often do both in my work and personal life.

You can listen to the podcast of the October 13 episode by clicking here (or here on iTunes).

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Ryan Lochte Eats 10,000 Calories... In One Meal!

Ryan Lochte ate in one sitting what you probably ate total the last three days.

The 11-time Olympic medal-winning swimmer (including five golds) shared a photo on Twitter Monday afternoon, showcasing what he was about to eat for, what I presume was, lunch. He offered the caption: "#Streamlining in preparation for my 10,000 calories. Let’s see your best pose. @swimtoday #funnestsport." It was talked about today on ESPN's Pardon The Interruption (near the end of the show, which is how I found out about it; h/t).

As most of you in Charlotte probably know, Lochte moved to the Queen City last October to train with the renowned SwimMAC Carolina and its Team Elite, which is filled with several past Olympic champions and current and future contenders.

You're wondering how far above the recommended daily caloric intake Lochte is, right? Well, according to websites like WebMD and CalorieKing, someone of Lochte's demographic (male, 6 feet, 2 inches tall, 195 pounds, age 29--he turns 30 on August 3) who lives an active lifestyle, should consume about 3,000 calories a day to maintain his weight. Of course, he's extremely active as a world-class swimmer, so it should be expected that his caloric intake would be off the charts. Professional swimmers (i.e. Michael Phelps) are known to consume high amounts of calories to keep up with the extreme amounts they burn when rigorously training.

Lochte's rather active on the social scene as well. Two Saturdays ago I spotted him, and his good friend and fellow Olympic swimmer and Charlottean Cullen Jones, at Vault nightclub at the EpiCentre. He's also a regular at Oak Room in South End. That's why back in December, on my Dusk Till Dawn blog, I included him in my year-end list of "Biggest Moments in Charlotte’s Nightlife and Social Scene in 2013."

Play hard, work hard... or as Lochte would say, jeah!

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Second Annual Cam Newton 7 v 7 Football Tournament June 26-27; Championship July 11-12

The Cam Newton Foundation brings its Second Annual 7 v 7 High School Football Tournament to Charlotte this week, June 26 and 27. The tournament series began at the end of last month in Atlanta, then went on to Birmingham, and now it's Charlotte's turn, with the games taking place at Hough High School. It's open to the public to attend, admission is $3 per person, and proceeds will benefit the Cam Newton Foundation. So, this is your chance to see some of the area's best high school football players compete, while supporting a foundation that does a lot to aid and lead youth programs in Charlotte (where Cam lives and plays for the Carolina Panthers) and in Atlanta (his hometown).

Cam Newton performs drills with high school players at last year's Charlotte tournament.
Photos credit: Cam Newton Foundation

Each city features several teams of high school players that registered weeks in advance (teams consist of up to 20 players and four coaches), and--new this year--the top two teams from each city, along with select others, will play in the CNF 7v7 championship on July 11 and 12 at Nation Ford High School, just across the Charlotte border in Fort Mill.

Hough High won the Charlotte tournament last year, receiving $2,500 for the school's athletic department, and the second- and third-place finishers received $1,500 and $1,000 respectively. Team trophies and individual awards were also given.

Below is a short video recap from last year's Charlotte tournament, at which Cam was actively involved. "I wanna see unbelievable talent, I wanna see unbelievable sportsmanship, and I wanna see unbelievable swag," said the Panthers' star quarterback.

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Music Box Lunch Series and Free Fitness Sessions at Romare Bearden Park

Romare Bearden Park is a beaut, and has quickly proven to be a great addition to Uptown Charlotte. Operated by Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, and open since last fall, the urban park is really coming into its own, both in popularity with visitors and the programming it offers.

Credit: Derrick Montgomery/Flickr

There are three event series that have recently kicked off at the park that you'll be interested in, and each is free and open to the public, scheduled through September.

Music Box Lunch Series: Taking place Tuesdays and Fridays, noon to 1:30 p.m. Bring your lunch, grab a seat on a bench or at one of the patio tables, and enjoy live performances by local musicians and bands.

Party in the Park Series: Each Wednesday, 5:30-8:30 p.m., bring your folding chairs or blankets and get comfortable on the lawn after work, as local and regional bands perform live.

Fitness Program: This series is the most surprising--in a good way--because it's common to find music series going on at city parks, but to see a program that's addressing physical fitness is awesome. A variety of fitness sessions are offered Monday through Thursday, such as yoga/pilates, boot camp, and zumba.

Credit: James Willamor/Flickr

Credit: Instagram @paulbunyunbeardgang

As you can see from the photos I've embedded above, visitors of Romare Bearden Park (located at 300 S. Church Street, and across from the new BB&T Ballpark) often share their experiences on social media. You'll find several captivating photos posted on Instagram and Flickr.

Go to romarebeardenpark.charmeck.org for complete details, and follow on Twitter @rbeardenpark.

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Read About It: Jimmie Johnson and His '6 Pack'

I had the pleasure of interviewing six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson for the May/June issue of Where Charlotte. It's the cover story, and you can read the article online by clicking here. You'll find the issue distributed throughout the Charlotte area (hotels, visitors centers, tourists attractions, and conveniently in the newsstands along the streets in Uptown) beginning next week.

The first question I asked Jimmie was about keeping his drive and competitiveness this season, now that he's won six championships. But before I asked him that question (in these Grown People Talking blog posts where I tout my published work, I like to give you a little anecdote that's not in the story), I said to him: "When I think of six championships, the first person who comes to mind is Michel Jordan." I then proceeded to tell the guy who could potentially become the winningest NASCAR driver ever, in terms of championships, that he should connect with Michael Jordan to make a special "6 Rings" edition of the Air Jordan sneakers. Sneakerheads are familiar with the 6 Rings kicks. And hey, it's not a stretch--both JJ and MJ reside in Charlotte.

Jimmie simply chuckled, and replied with a gracious thank you. He's truly one of the most humble superstars I've ever talked to. I believe that his humility comes across in the interview. He's also a fitness fanatic, which is not common with NASCAR drivers. You wouldn't think that a sport in which the athlete is literally sitting down for about four hours would require one to be physically fit--back in the early days of NASCAR, the drivers were known to have beer guts and chain-smoke cigarettes. Drivers have a different image today, though, but I don't think fitness is a part of it (their pit crews work out tremendously nowadays, however). Perhaps if more NASCAR drivers ran, biked, swam, and worked out as much as Jimmie Johnson, they'd be able to catch him.

Also, the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, founded by Jimmie and his wife Chandra, have launched their first-ever Wellness Challenge, with four upcoming events in the Charlotte area:

• Jimmie Johnson Foundation 5K Run and Family Fun Walk, April 27
• Lake Norman Excursion Cycle/Run, July 12
• Jimmie Johnson Foundation Cane Creek Sprint Triathlon, August 19
• Lake Davidson Sprint Triathlon, September 7

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National Volunteer Week Underway, Culminates Locally With Hands On Charlotte Day

I didn't realize this was National Volunteer Week (April 6-12) until I saw a couple of tweets last night on the topic. It's held annually in April, but the week ranges from year to year--sometimes it's near the beginning of April, sometimes at the end--so it tends to creep up (read the Presidential Proclamation for National Volunteer Week 2014). But now that I know--and you know--that it's underway, what are we going to do about it?

Fortunately, in Charlotte, we have Hands On Charlotte, a nonprofit volunteer service organization that makes it easy to get involved in the community throughout the year. HOC coordinates volunteers to help homeless families, guide at-risk youth, tutor disadvantaged children, feed the hungry, care for the environment, and more. The organization keeps a running calendar of volunteer events, in partnership with other local organizations, for which you can sign up.

Photos credit: facebook.com/handsoncharlotte

And its own signature community service event is Hands On Charlotte Day, taking place for the 22nd year, this Saturday, April 12. On HOC Day, as many as 1,000 volunteers spend the day working on projects across the city, ranging from sorting donated clothing and landscaping Charlotte schools to clearing neighborhood debris and repairing nature trails. If you want to participate, you need to register by April 10; and the sooner you register, the more likely you are to get the service project you want. Children and teenagers are allowed to participate at many of the volunteer projects, so you can make it a philanthropic outing for the whole family (pull those brats away from the Xbox).

You'll only have to spend about three hours of your time Saturday morning volunteering, and then you can spend that afternoon at VBGB Beer Hall and Garden for the "after-party" with other HOC Day volunteers.

You'll find all the details at handsoncharlotte.org.

According to Points of Light:

National Volunteer Week is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities. It’s about demonstrating to the nation that by working together, we have the fortitude to meet our challenges and accomplish our goals. National Volunteer Week is about taking action and encouraging individuals and their respective communities to be at the center of social change – discovering and actively demonstrating their collective power to make a difference.

Amen to that.

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Fitness Crawl February 4-10 in Charlotte -- Act Fast

On my Dusk Till Dawn blog, where I write about Charlotte's nightlife and social scene, I'm used to posting details about bar crawls. There's usually at least one taking place just about every other week throughout some part of Charlotte. But a few minutes ago, on Facebook, I learned of a crawl that's a lot more unique and that many of us could stand to participate in. It's Fitness Crawl, taking place this week, February 4-10, in Charlotte.

Creative Loafing is putting on Fitness Crawl, guiding you to a week of free fitness classes and workouts at several Charlotte gyms and kickboxing and yoga studios. If you want to attend, sign up ASAP--some of the classes have filled up--by visiting FitnessCrawl.com.

SouthComm Inc., the parent company of Creative Loafing, has brought Fitness Crawl to five cities where it owns publications, including Louisville, Kansas City, Cincinnati, and Nashville, with Charlotte being the final city on the schedule, as far as what's currently posted.

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NASCAR Drivers, Family Members, and Fans Turn Out to Support 5Kahne

The Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday may have been a night race that ended around 11 p.m., but that didn't stop several NASCAR drivers and team members, and hundreds of fans from getting up early Sunday morning in support of a great cause. Kasey Kahne and his nonprofit organization hosted the Fourth Annual Kasey Kahne Foundation Five Kahne 5K and Kids Dash at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Uptown.

The 5Kahne (what an awesome name, right) began near the NASCAR Hall and ran a circular route along McDowell, Morehead, Mint, and Stonewall streets. If you were in the vicinity you might've seen NASCAR drivers like Kahne, his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, and others. Several of the NASCAR drivers' wives, girlfriends, children, and other family members, as well as journalists who cover the sport, also participated.

Below are photos from the event that were shared on Twitter and Instagram.

Kasey Kahne and ESPN NASCAR reporter Marty Smith address the crowd.

Credit: @KaseyKahneFndn

Registration is now open at the @NASCARHall. #5Kahne @GreatClips pic.twitter.com/wwSbNzGOAE
— KaseyKahneFoundation (@KaseyKahneFndn) October 13, 2013

It may be a little rainy and cold, but the @KaseyKahneFndn #5Kahne is about to get under way! 👏 pic.twitter.com/nkgs0kVHud
— Kirby Johnson Gordon (@kirbyannjohnson) October 13, 2013

Its time for a different kind of Sunday race - @kaseykahne kicks off the #5Kahne in uptown #clt! pic.twitter.com/R24C5NMeXj
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) October 13, 2013

Oh yeah! He's in that crowd too! @kaseykahne @KaseyKahneFndn #itsallaboutthekids! #5Kahne pic.twitter.com/PGMwIjFe7f
— NASCAR Hall of Fame (@NASCARHall) October 13, 2013

Almost start time and of course, #GoHawks. #5Kahne pic.twitter.com/yUlknfkIg6
— KaseyKahneFoundation (@KaseyKahneFndn) October 13, 2013

Do you spot a special supporter on the #5Kahne start/finish line? Hint: He's sporting some @jjfoundation48 gear! pic.twitter.com/6hPXB1g1Uh
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) October 13, 2013

The runners are just about to take off at the #5Kahne ! pic.twitter.com/alvln4Ldk8
— Great Clips Racing (@GREATracing) October 13, 2013

And big thanks to @AndrewDoud for the encouragement and @dianneg for being there at the finish line @NASCARHall pic.twitter.com/DoJjCqGCBX
— Alan Cavanna (@CopaCavanna) October 13, 2013

Fun morning. Won my age division with a 22:06. @KaseyKahneFndn #5Kahne pic.twitter.com/tTMZbnvumu
— Alec Fairbaugh (@AlecFairbaugh) October 13, 2013

Awesome morning at the #5Kahne, great to run with #TeamJJF. Negative splits and felt fantastic! pic.twitter.com/8nq9PQ6ACa
— Lauren Murray (@LaurenAMurray1) October 13, 2013

Had such a great day supporting @KaseyKahneFndn at the #5Kahne & the Kids Dash! What an awesome event! pic.twitter.com/Qj1Vvy9wW2
— Mandi Hamlin (@MandiHamlin) October 13, 2013

Awards ceremony about to begin, great turn out and a great run by our competitors. pic.twitter.com/E5nV5Yqfv9
— KaseyKahneFoundation (@KaseyKahneFndn) October 13, 2013

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Beware of Booty This Weekend

As an FYI, in case you weren't aware and would happen to be driving in the area, the annual 24 Hours of Booty is taking place this weekend (July 26-27) in Charlotte in the Myers Park neighborhood. More than 1,200 bicyclists are expected to ride the original "Booty Loop" as they raise money for cancer research and survivorship.

I commend the people who have the endurance to ride bikes for an extreme number of hours--they'll circle the 2.85-mile route through the picturesque neighborhood numerous times. Many of the participants divide the 24-hour ride into teams and they're able to take breaks, but the ride still requires a lot of energy. It's not all sweat though. Bootyville is set up, serving as the event headquarters and offering three meals and a midnight pizza party, snacks, energy bars, water and sports drinks, along with an expo area with vendors/sponsors.

Even if you aren't riding, you're invited to come out and cheer along the route (donations accepted too). Visit 24hoursofbooty.org for more details.

If you're looking for more things to do this weekend in Charlotte, remember to check out my Dusk Till Dawn blog where I've put together a big list of social events and parties.

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Charlotte Man — Survivor of 'Miracle on the Hudson' — to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro to Benefit Education

I read a press release this morning that I thought would be interesting to share. Below is an excerpt.

In January 2009, Barry Leonard was a passenger on USAirways Flight 1549, involved in an incident that became known as the Miracle on the Hudson. The incident made Leonard take stock in his life and reevaluate his bucket list, which now includes an August 2013 climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro with his son Matthew and two good friends, Richard and Matthew Gershen, another father-son team.

Barry Leonard and his son Matthew.

"After the plane crash, I better understood the importance of time, but also the importance of doing things today and not waiting until tomorrow," said Leonard, a Charlotte resident who is president/CEO of home textiles company Welspun USA. "I always thought these things would be what I will do 'someday' but that has all changed."

Leonard's climb will help raise funds for the Kilimanjaro Education Foundation, a nonprofit volunteer organization with a mission to provide African children the same educational opportunities as children in developed countries. Funds raised from his climb will help build school facilities and also furnish library books to a new library an hour outside of Arusha.

With an August climb scheduled, Leonard has begun training in earnest, riding a stationary bike and running on a treadmill. He has also started hiking in the local hills of North Carolina to be followed by hiking Mount Mitchell, which is the tallest mountain in the U.S. east of the Mississippi River. 

"There are things you want to do together in life with a son and this is one of them," he said. "Since the plane crash, I've gone through a lot of stages. I know a lot of people say 'it was four years ago, that should be behind you,' but I'm in a search for spirituality stage. For me that is a huge part of what this climb is all about."

As you probably know, the plane from US Airways Flight 1549 is now the signature exhibit at Carolinas Aviation Museum. I chronicled its arrival to the Charlotte museum back in June 2011, when I met several of the survivors who attended the homecoming reception. A year later, the once-little-known museum completed a renovation to showcase the Miracle on the Hudson exhibit, in a manner befitting of its notoriety. Then in February, Carolinas Aviation Museum received the coveted Smithsonian Institution affiliation, a designation that fewer than 180 of the country's 18,000 museums have.

Miracle on the Hudson Exhibit. Credit: facebook.com/ft1549

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Run For Your Life to Host 'Runners for Boston' Memorial Runs in Charlotte on Monday, April 22

Run For Your Life, the Charlotte sporting goods chain that specializes in selling running shoes and organizing local races, is hosting memorial runs this Monday, April 22 to show support for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings. “Runners for Boston” is a free, casual run taking place all over the country Monday evening, and Run For Your Life is organizing a run beginning at 6:30 p.m. at each of its four Charlotte stores: Dilworth, SouthPark, Piper Glen, and University.

Runners are encouraged to wear the Boston Marathon’s signature blue and yellow colors, or any Boston Marathon apparel. Also, a limited number of commemorative Runners for Boston T-shirts can be purchased Monday for $20, with 100 percent of the money going to The One Fund Boston, Inc., which was announced by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Tom Menino to help the people most affected by the tragic events that occurred in Boston on April 15.

Credit: facebook.com/TheBostonMarathon

Store managers at Run For Your Life, a name that takes on new meaning after this week's tragedy, will provide routes and leaders for the group runs. If you plan to participate Monday, you should arrive before 6:30 p.m.

Several Charlotteans competed in last Monday's Boston Marathon, including at least one who was severely injured in the bombings. Among other local ties, Andrew Collier, a machinist in the Concord-based Hendrick Motorsports engine department for the leading NASCAR race teams, is the brother of Sean Collier. Sean is the MIT police officer who was shot and killed in Cambridge Thursday night, believed to have been committed by the alleged Boston bombers, brothers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.

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My First Time: Hiking Crowders Mountain, Dining at Azteca Mexican Restaurant

Even though we're less than one month into the winter season, over the weekend you would've thought it was spring in Charlotte. Saturday and Sunday each surpassed 70 degrees, and I know a lot of people took advantage of the great weather.

Personally, Andrea and I went hiking at Crowders Mountain State Park in Kings Mountain on Saturday. She'd gone a few times before, but this was my first time. It was obvious that the unseasonably warm weather had brought out plenty of hikers, as the trails were busy with people of all ages, including many with their children and dogs. But if you're going to climb to the top of the mountain, which we did, prepare for a workout. It was worth the burn in my legs to enjoy the fresh air and to be able to look out over several surrounding cities and towns from the mountaintop.

After about two hours on the trail, we'd certainly worked up an appetite. Crowders Mountain is just outside of Gastonia and since we'd have to pass through Gastonia en route back to Charlotte, we decided to find a place there for a late lunch/early dinner. Franklin Boulevard in Gastonia is home to a lot of retail stores and restaurants--you'll actually find some locations of franchises we don't have in Charlotte. But if I was going to eat in Gastonia on a rare occasion, I didn't want it to be at some big chain restaurant.

There are several Mexican restaurants along Franklin Boulevard, and we sort of picked one out of the hat and went to Azteca Mexican Restaurant (1863 W. Franklin Blvd.). It was a good choice, as we encountered good food, good margaritas, and friendly service. To elaborate, I had the largest margarita I'd ever been served (that's the normal size, and it costs only $7.25) followed by one of the largest dinner plates I'd ever seen.

A margarita fit for an Aztec king.

Complimentary chips and salsa.

Two tacos and an enchilada with rice and re-fried beans.

This cool painting was on the wall above our booth.

There are three other locations of Azteca Mexican Restaurant in the area: two in Charlotte--one on Woodlawn Road and one in north Charlotte--and a Matthews location. Visit aztecarestaurantcharlotte.com for more details.

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Free Tennis Lessons for Beginners

MatchMaker Tennis is offering free tennis classes for beginners throughout the summer. The next session is this Saturday, 10 a.m. at Freedom Park in Dilworth, 1900 East Blvd. The classes are open to adults and all you have to do is sign up on their website and show up with a tennis racquet. Visit www.matchmakertennis.com for more details or go directly to their events calendar.

I attended this MatchMaker Tennis class last summer (that's me on the far left). Gotta work on my form. Photo via matchmakertennis.com.

This Saturday, the instructor will be teaching the serve and forehand; next Saturday, it's the backhand and volley. I attended a couple of classes last summer and really enjoyed it. Tennis is certainly a sport of skill, but you'll be comfortable at these beginner classes because most of the other attendees are just as uncoordinated and green as you. Plus, this could be a way for you to get in some exercise. If you're more seasoned or want to become more active, you should consider becoming a member of MatchMaker Tennis, for $15 a month, and you can participate in leagues, clinics, social events, and more.

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Nourishing North Carolina Launches In Mecklenburg County

Last Tuesday I attended the launch of Nourishing North Carolina, a new statewide community garden program that seeks to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables in the 100 counties in the state. Sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and the North Carolina Recreation and Park Association, Mecklenburg County was chosen as the first county, and the site is Winterfield/Sheffield Community Garden, located next to Winterfield Elementary School in east Charlotte.

According to BCBSNC, more than 30 percent of children ages two to four years old in North Carolina are considered overweight or at risk for becoming overweight. Two-thirds of the state’s adults are considered obese or overweight. This program helps to address these alarming obesity rates. Many communities in Charlotte don't have easy access to fresh fruits and vegetables. You'd be surprised how many low-income people do the majority of their grocery shopping at convenience stores, where fresh produce isn't among the offerings. Or some just have never been taught healthy dietary methods.

Winterfield/Sheffield Community Garden is the first to benefit from this new program.

Another great thing about this program is the garden is being maintained by neighbors and students, so they're also learning how to garden in addition to learning to choose a healthier diet. About 25 community members and 80 Winterfield Elementary students tend the garden weekly, and they had it in great shape when the public was invited out to Tuesday's launch.

Nourishing North Carolina is expanding to all 100 counties over the next three years, with plans to eventually provide 190,000 pounds of produce, enhancing the nutritional value of nearly 150,000 meals, and leading 17,000 hours of physical activity through garden maintenance.

Click here for the Nourishing North Carolina website, where you'll find more details including garden locations. You can also "Like" it on Facebook.

Below is a slideshow of photos I took at the launch event (or click here to view).

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Town Hall Meeting this Saturday to Address Childhood Obesity in the African-American Community

The Links, Incorporated, a national organization of professional women of color, is hosting a town hall meeting on "Addressing Childhood Obesity in the African-American Community." The event takes place this Saturday, April 2, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at The Mint Museum Uptown (500 S. Tryon St.).

The Charlotte Chapter and the Crown Jewels Chapter of The Links are holding this town hall meeting as part of the national initiative their organization created to address obesity in children and families. The town hall meeting is meant to not only educate those in attendance, but to also offer opportunities for the community to get involved in tackling this serious health issue. A panel of local leading health professionals in the areas of education, health, food and nutrition, physical fitness, mental health, and social services will each discuss obesity issues prevalent in African-American youth.

A continental breakfast/lunch will be served and door prizes will be given away. There will also be a "Biggest Loser Contest." Confirmed speakers include: Mayor Anthony Foxx; Barbara Pellin, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools; Cheryl Emmanuel, Mecklenburg County Health Department; Gardner Hawkins, Melange Health Solution; Rodney Adams, Department of Social Services; Eric Watson, Food Lion; Reggie McAfee, Cross-Country for Youth; and Dr. A.Q. Queen, UNC Charlotte.

The Links, Incorporated has formed a National Commission on Childhood Obesity Prevention and unveiled a policy brief, "Childhood Obesity in the African-American Community: Issues and Policy Recommendations from an African American Perspective," by Dr. Jada Moore Ruffin; a children's activity book; and The Kid's Editon, a curriculum designed to help chapters plan the program content of childhood obesity programs. The organization has received corporate support for these efforts, including a $35,000 grant from Wells Fargo to support community outreach related to childhood obesity, and the W. K. Kellogg Foundation contributed a grant of $300,000 to assist with documenting the prevalence of obesity amongst African-American children. Find out more about this initiative at www.linksinc.org.

If you have any questions about Saturday's event, contact Tiffany L. Jones, publicity chair, at 201-304-2933 or digitaldivasinc@gmail.com.

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Up Against the Ropes...Course

Yesterday I wrapped up my weeklong position at a summer leadership camp for rising ninth graders. It was a lot of fun and a rewarding experience for both the students and staff, enhanced by the fact that we spent the final day of camp at Xtreeme Challenge, a ropes course facility in Monroe.

Xtreeme Challenge offers high and low ropes courses, and our group of 22 did the low ropes. We conquered The Challenge Walk, which is 12 interconnected activities, and as the site leader instructed us: "For the next two hours you aren't supposed to touch the ground." The challenge in many of the obstacles was to not fall off because if you touched the ground your team would be penalized one point. The overall purpose of the challenge is to promote team building, and you'd be surprised what lessons you could learn trying to figure out how you and your teammates are going to make it across a row of drawbridges or swinging on ropes like Tarzan.

Xtreeme Challenge is a good idea as an activity for anyone ranging from youth groups to corporate staffs. Adults, if they're brave enough, would want to try the high ropes courses, which include activities that are suspended 24 feet in the air and a 300-foot zip line that races across a lake. Visit www.xtreemechallenge.com for more details.

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