Work It Out -- Mecklenburg County Job Fair Sept. 9

​Whether unemployed or unhappy with the job you currently have, you (or someone you know) are probably looking for work. Well, put your suit in the cleaners, print copies of your resume, and get ready for this upcoming opportunity. Mecklenburg County is hosting a job fair on Tuesday, September 9, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Grady Cole Center (310 N. Kings Dr.).

The county is hiring for several positions, including library aide and assistant, IT programmers, vendor managers, social workers, nurses, maintenance and operations assistants, recreation specialists, and more. Click here for more details on the job fair, and you can find a list of current job openings here, which you can apply for online.

Credit: facebook.com/MecklenburgCounty

Mecklenburg County, which is comprised of Charlotte, Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill, and Pineville, surpassed one million residents in population last year, with the Queen City accounting for about 80 percent of that.

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Stephen Curry Is Either the New Generation's Ray Allen or Reggie Miller

If you haven't seen the highlight reel from Stephen Curry's video-game-like performance during the third quarter of the Golden State Warriors versus Denver Nuggets playoff game last night, stop what you're doing and watch it right now.

In a span of six minutes, Steph scored 22 points, including hitting off-balanced floaters and five three-pointers. Any basketball fan will tell you that the Charlotte native and former Davidson College star is one of the best shooters in the NBA. He set a record a week and a half ago when he concluded the regular season with the most three pointers in a single season in NBA history--his 272 three pointers surpassed Ray Allen's record of 269.

Congrats #CLT native @stephencurry30 on @nba record. MT @warriors: Corner 3 by Curry brings it up to 272! INFOGRAPHIC twitter.com/warriors/statu…
— Jarvis Holliday (@HollidayInk) April 18, 2013

And speaking of Ray, he's the player Steph seems to be compared to the most these days. They're both among the greatest shooters of all-time and arguably the best shooters of their respective generations--Steph is in his fourth NBA season, while Ray is in his 17th (sort of like how Kobe Bryant was beginning to rise as a young star in the league when Michael Jordan was on the tail end of his career). I got to see Steph and Ray play early on in each of their careers. I grew up in the same area in South Carolina as Ray, so when I was in middle school I attended many of his basketball games during his senior year when he led our Hillcrest Wildcats to the state championship.

It's natural to compare Steph and Ray because fans today have gotten to see them play in the league at the same time for a few years. But I think Steph's game is more like retired Indiana Pacers legend Reggie Miller, in that he will take over a game and take shots that most players wouldn't have the nerve--or skill--to attempt. The main difference between Steph and Reggie, the latter whom played several seasons against the former's dad, Dell Curry, is that Steph will bury threes all over your head while wearing a smile on his face (he has that nice guy persona), and Reggie used to shoot up your arena and taunt you (he seemed to love for you to hate him on the court).

But whether you're comparing Steph to Ray or Reggie, that's great company for the 25 year-old to be in.

The fans who watched Steph warm up before last night's game got an indication of the type of night he was going to have, when he hit a H.O.R.S.E.-like shot from behind the players bench. So the deep three pointers he hit during the game were a cinch.

Credit: @CorkGaines

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My First Time: Toast Cafe in Dilworth

I'll make this short and sweet. I ate at Toast Cafe in Dilworth for the first time on Sunday, and you should check it out if you haven't already. I enjoyed the brunch, and this time of year makes for great weather to dine on Toast's patio. There's also a location in Davidson. A few food pics below.

Complimentary cornbread with apple cobbler dressing.

What's brunch without mimosa? On special for $5.

I ordered the blueberry pancakes with bacon ($7.95) and a side of cheese grits ($2.25).

Toast Cafe, 2400 Park Road, 704-215-4166, www.toasthousecafe.com. Open daily for breakfast and lunch.

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Next Charlotte Restaurant Week—January 20-29, 2012

The semi-annual Queen's Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week returns for its Winter 2012 edition, taking place Friday, January 20 through Sunday, January 29. The CRW website, www.charlotterestaurantweek.com, went live today with the updated info and there are a record 101 restaurants participating.

Charlotte Restaurant Week began in 2008 and since then has been held each January (winter) and July (summer). I remember the first time I blogged about it here on Grown People Talking was in the summer of 2009, in which was its third installment--it featured a then-record high 71 restaurants and also marked the first time it spanned 10 days. Clearly, CRW has grown—the last one featured 92 restaurants—and it's now solidified as a culinary tradition in the city.

It's the same deal you love: participating restaurants offering a prix fixe, three-course dinner for $30 per person (not including tax and gratuity). Many restaurants will throw in a fourth course or glass of wine for the deal.

Fern, Flavors from the Garden is one of a dozen first-time participants in restaurant week.

Restaurant owners love the promotion because it draws in diners during what is typically slow periods, and brings them a lot of first-time customers whom they hope will become regulars. And we, patrons, love it because it's a chance to enjoy a great meal and evening out at a reduced cost. Hensley Fontana Public Relations & Marketing, which owns and executes Charlotte Restaurant Week, reports that the summer edition in July 2011 generated approximately 90,000 dinners and an estimated economic impact of more than $4 million in revenue.

While nearly two-thirds of the participating restaurants are located in the Uptown, Dilworth, SouthPark, and south Charlotte areas—understandably so because those areas have the most restaurants period—the list spans the entire Charlotte area. The Lake Norman/North Mecklenburg/Iredell County section of the list has grown the most, now featuring 17 restaurants.

There are also a dozen first-time participants, including Bernardin’s at Ratcliffe in Uptown; Campania Cafe in Davidson; Fern, Flavors from the Garden in Plaza Midwood; Waldhorn Restaurant in Pineville; Yama Asian Fusion in SouthPark; Jeffrey’s Restaurant in Mooresville; Osso Restaurant & Lounge at N.C. Music Factory (opened just last week); La Paz in the Metropolitan; and several others.

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Good Luck Stephen and Ayesha!

Stephen Curry and fiancée Ayesha Alexander are getting married this Saturday in Charlotte, where they both grew up. At ages 23 and 22, respectively, I hope these two young lovebirds have a long, happy future together. (And if the NBA continues its lockout, the couple might be able to enjoy a long honeymoon).

Photo via ThanksUSA.

Keep up with the soon-to-be-newlyweds on Twitter--@stephencurry30 and @ayeshaalexander--and see if they share any of their wedded bliss (or wedding jitters). Ayesha tweeted earlier today her excitement about her bachelorette party tonight.

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Clemson vs. Davidson Baseball Game Rain Delay Video Goes Viral

The Davidson Wildcats and Clemson Tigers baseball teams played on Tuesday. When rain caused a delay, the two teams decided to kill time by clowning around and thoroughly entertaining the fans in the stands. Clemson's athletics department recorded a six-minute video of the funny antics, and now the video has gone viral. In just the first two days of being posted on YouTube, it's garnered more than 200,000 views. And this morning, I saw clips of the video shown on both ESPN and MSNBC.

In the video below, players from Clemson and Davidson (but mostly Clemson) do everything from human bowling, curling, and playing mock football, to dancing, hunting for deer, and reenacting a war scene. And in actual sports news, Clemson went on to spank Davidson 19-0 once play resumed.

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Stephen and Dell Curry's NBA Commercial Proves Amazing Truly Happens

Over the last few years, the NBA's "Where Amazing Happens" promotional campaign has been one of the best ever in sports marketing. The latest project from it is called "Encouragement," in which there have been 30-second TV commercials featuring Kevin Durant, Amar’e Stoudemire, Steve Nash, and Chris Paul in sequences that put their pasts--usually showing them working hard perfecting their crafts--up against their presents. The latest commercial features two of the Currys, whom I've deemed Charlotte's First Family of Basketball.

Stephen with parents Dell and Sonya Curry. Younger brother Seth currently plays for Duke.

A few nights ago, the commercial premiered on TNT, featuring a young Stephen Curry, who is now in his second season with the Golden State Warriors, shooting hoops with his father, Dell Curry, during warm-ups before a game in 2000 while Dell was playing for the Toronto Raptors. According to a Dime Magazine interview with an executive for NBA Entertainment, a production assistant found the old footage of father-and-son-Curry. In the current clip, it's been meshed with footage of a child actor talking to young Stephen. "In 10 years, I'll be with my dad, and we'll be watching you," the kid says.

See the video below.

See more videos at www.nba.com/video.

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Events for the Weekend: September 17-19

Your best weekly list for parties, nightlife, social, and cultural events in Charlotte. This isn’t intended to be a complete list of everything that's going on, but instead are the events GPT recommends. Use contact/website info listed to verify event details.

Friday, September 17

Sip and Stroll: Art, Wine, and Music Festival (Sept. 17-18)
This two-day festival will span all three levels of the EpiCentre, where artists will set up booths displaying and selling artwork, and more than 20 wine vineyards present wine tastings. Areas will be reserved for kids to enjoy face painting and other activities, while live jazz performances are held (Friday: Innertwyned, 7 p.m. Saturday: Uniq’blend, 4 p.m.; Fifth & York, 7 p.m.). Friday, 12-10 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St. www.sipandstrollcharlotte.com.

End of Summer Nightlife Crawl
Celebrate the end of the season by barhopping Uptown. Locations include Corner Pub, Champions Sports Bar, Buckhead Saloon, Ed's Tavern, and Black Bear Saloon. You'll be transported on a party bus, where beer will be served. Presented by MyUptownFun.com and Pearl Vodka. Registration 6:30-7:30 p.m. $10. Corner Pub, 335 N. Graham St. wwww.myuptownfun.com.

Poetry Slam
SlamCharlotte brings you the best in performance poetry and featured artists each month. This installment features Kane "Novakane" Smego, George "G" Yamazawa, and Will McInerney. 8 p.m. $10. McGlohon Theatre at Spirit Square, 345 North College St. www.slamcharlotte.com.

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