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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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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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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It's #GivingTuesday -- Recommended Charlotte Organizations to Support

I don't remember if I heard of GivingTuesday last year when it launched. But now in it's second year, this national day of giving's message is all over the place--as it should be. Founded by a NYC-based nonprofit organization, GivingTuesday is intended to remind us that it is important to give during this holiday season, and it strategically takes place following what has become national shopping days (and oftentimes acts of greed): Black Friday and Cyber Monday. So today, Tuesday, December 3, is GivingTuesday.

Credit: facebook.com/GivingTuesday

This charitable campaign got a big boost this year when the United Nations Foundation joined as an official partner. Nonprofit organizations--big and small--are participating all around the country. Below I've listed a few Charlotte-based groups that would be deserving of your support, should you decide to give today. For each of these, I've either been involved with the organizations and/or know some of the key people behind them. And they run the gamut, from helping the homeless and impoverished to working with youth, education, and improving health. Donations can be given online at each of the organizations' websites.

Organizations listed in alphabetical order.

Charlotte Rescue Mission
Founded in 1938 (celebrating 75th anniversary), this organization has a long history of reaching out to the homeless and those battling addictions. Its mission is to minister the good news of Christianity to individuals caught in the crisis of poverty, hopelessness, or addictions by meeting their spiritual, physical, and emotional needs. charlotterescuemission.org

Communities In Schools of Charlotte-Mecklenburg
An affiliate of the national Communities In Schools network, the nation’s leading dropout prevention organization, its mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. As a result, our youth will be better equipped to find meaningful employment, lead productive, gratifying lives, and become contributing members of society. cischarlotte.org

Crisis Assistance Ministry
An independent nonprofit agency, it focuses on preventing homelessness and preserving dignity for Charlotte-Mecklenburg's working poor by providing assistance with rent, utilities, clothing, and furniture. crisisassistance.org

EmpowHERment, Inc.
Provides mentorship, talent development, and advocacy programs for girls and women throughout the Charlotte region. It started a few years ago as an annual summit, then last year became a fully developed nonprofit organization. You can support its efforts and have an enjoyable evening at EmpowHERment's First Birthday Celebration on Thursday, December 12 at UNC Charlotte Center City. Click here to buy tickets. empowherment.com

Freedom School Partners
FSP's mission is to engage, educate, and empower children to succeed in school and in life through quality, year-round educational enrichment programs. Provides quality summer Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools programs for students in grades K-12 throughout Charlotte’s communities. freedomschoolpartners.org

Queen City Mobile Market
Working to improve food access one neighborhood at a time. The mobile market will roll out on a mission to make sure everyone enjoys fresh produce regardless of their zip code in Charlotte and the surrounding area. qcmobilemarket.com

The Red Pump Project
A nonprofit organization that raises awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls through education, and open dialogue about the issues that surround sexual and reproductive health. The Fifth Annual Red Pump/Red Tie Affair takes place this Saturday, December 7 at The Hart Witzen Gallery in Charlotte. Click here to buy tickets. theredpumpproject.org

Learn more about GivingTuesday by visiting givingtuesday.org, at facebook.com/GivingTuesday, and Twitter @GivingTues | #GivingTuesday. You're also encouraged to post an #UNselfie--a photo showing where and why you gave to a charity.

UNselfies. Credit: @UTAFoundation

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Final Weekend to Vote for Robin Emmons to Be CNN Hero of the Year

Robin Emmons, the Charlotte woman who is founder and executive director of Sow Much Good, not only was selected as a 2013 CNN Hero in September, but a month later she was announced as one of the 10 finalists for CNN Hero of the Year. As a finalist, she gets $50,000 to continue the great efforts of her nonprofit organization, Sow Much Good, which works to eliminate urban food deserts in the Charlotte area by providing access to fresh fruits and vegetables (72,000 people in Charlotte lack access to fresh produce), and educating people about healthy lifestyles.

If Robin is chosen as the CNN Hero of the Year, she'll win an additional $250,000 to support her cause. This is the final weekend to vote, which you can do once each day--voting ends this Sunday, November 17 at 11:59 p.m. Visit cnnheroes.com and you'll find details on all of the finalists as well as the "Vote Now" tab (or click here to vote).

Click here to see more photos of Robin in the CNN Heroes Facebook album. 

The 10 finalists will appear on the internationally televised Seventh Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute, premiering Sunday, December 1, 8 p.m. on the CNN networks. The Hero of the Year will be announced at that time.

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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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You Should Know: 'Coal Ash Chronicles' -- Help Fund the Documentary

I didn't know what coal ash was until I met Rhiannon Fionn a few years ago. That's part of the problem, and she's part of the solution. Rhiannon, or Rhi as many call her, is an independent journalist who lived in Charlotte for several years before relocating to Seattle, and who has spent years reporting on the environmental issues and health problems being caused by coal ash. Now, she and her team are seeking your help as they raise funds to complete a documentary they've been traveling the country to film as part of their "Coal Ash Chronicles" project.

Coal ash is formed after coal is burned to generate electricity, which is a process done by many utility and energy companies. Coal ash is said to be this country's second-largest, mostly unregulated waste stream, and the materials contain heavy metals and radioactive elements, which often end up in the air, rivers, and lakes.

Credit: Coal Ash Chronicles

Rhi has been writing about this problem and doing investigative reporting on it for years. Locally, you may have seen her stories on coal ash in Creative Loafing, as well as an award-winning article she wrote for Charlotte magazine.

After traveling with a group to Washington D.C. to educate Congressional representatives about coal ash and how it's affecting communities, Rhi created Coal Ash Chronicles. Now, her team, which consists of about 20 contributors and volunteers, including other Charlotte-based journalists, photographers, videographers, and creative types like Desiree Kane and Kevin Beaty, as well as others from around the country.

They've recently launched an Indiegogo campaign, with the goal of raising $50,000 to complete their documentary. Watch the seven-and-a-half-minute video below, which shows people telling compassionate stories of how coal ash has affected their lives.

Rhi has put more than 60,000 miles on her car as she's traveled the country documenting these stories. She's stopping in Charlotte this week to host an event about the documentary (details below).

Support Coal Ash Chronicles

• Fundraising campaign: www.indiegogo.com/projects/coal-ash-chronicles

• Website: CoalAshChronicles.com

• Twitter: @Coal_Ash

• Facebook: CoalAshChronicles

Meet the Coal Ash Chronicles Crew
Thursday, September 26
Come out and meet Rhiannon Fionn and several members of the film crew, and learn more about the documentary and the impact of coal ash. Cupcrazed Cupcake Bar is supplying tasty cupcakes, and there'll be music and a cash bar. 6 p.m. Free. Dilworth Billiards, 300 E. Tremont Ave., dilworthbilliards.com.

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Robin Emmons, of Sow Much Good, Is a 2013 CNN Hero

For the last few months, one each week, CNN has been unveiling its 2013 CNN Heroes--"everyday people changing the world." Thousands of submissions were sent in from around the globe, and 24 people have been chosen as heroes (a few more are left to be revealed). This week's CNN Hero is Robin Emmons, founder and executive director of Sow Much Good, a nonprofit organization that's working to eliminate urban food deserts in Charlotte by providing access to fresh fruits and vegetables, and educating people about healthy lifestyles, among other things.

I've seen and read about Robin's work for the last couple of years, and she and her team have done a great job of spreading their message and reaching the people who most need their help. But as the CNN article on Robin points out, more than 72,000 people in Charlotte lack access to fresh produce. So she has a lot of ground to cover, just in this city alone. And they're doing it. The video below shows a few examples of how Sow Much Good, now with 200 volunteers, has grown more than 26,000 pounds of fresh produce for local underserved communities.

It's one thing to not eat healthy because that's your choice, but it's another to eat unhealthy foods because you can't afford or don't have access to better food. That's often the case for people in low-income neighborhoods, who end up eating most of their meals from dollar menus at fast food restaurants, and do much of their grocery shopping at gas station convenience stores.

On Thursday, October 10, CNN will reveal the Top 10 CNN Heroes of the year, with each receiving $50,000. As you've likely seen in years past, the top 10 will be featured on the CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute telecast this fall, and the person selected as CNN Hero of the Year will receive an additional $250,000 to continue his/her work. During the tribute show, the heroes are each introduced by celebrities.

Let's hope that Robin Emmons is selected as one of the top 10. But even being chosen as one of the 24 heroes is already an incredible accomplishment. Get all the details by visiting CNNHeroes.com.

Sow Much Good, sowmuchgood.org, facebook.com/SowMuchGood, twitter.com/SowMuchGood.

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K-Ci and JoJo Need (To) 'Knock It Off'

If you're fans of K-Ci & JoJo, you'll be delighted to see that the brothers are making new music again. They released a new single, titled "Knock It Off," about three weeks ago, and on Thursday they dropped the music video for the song.

"Knock It Off" is a good re-introduction for K-Ci & JoJo onto the music scene. The song has an uptempo, two-step-worthy beat, and sounds like the kind of tune that will get played often on adult contemporary/R&B stations. The video is in black-and-white, set in a 1920s era (or some period close to it), seemingly to convey that K-Ci & JoJo make timeless music. It's the first single from their forthcoming album, My Brother's Keeper, which is scheduled to be released on September 24. It will be their first new studio album since 2002.

Yes, it's hard to be that it's been more than a decade since the brothers from Monroe, who at times have lived in Charlotte, have released a new album. During their absence from the new-releases shelves, their record labels have put out several greatest hits and compilations of their work, taking advantage of the fact that many people love their ballads, such as "Crazy" and the undeniable wedding anthems "All My Life" and "This Very Moment." And I'm not even going to get into the legacy they created as one-half of the 1990s chart-topping R&B group Jodeci.

While K-Ci & JoJo have continued to tour here and there over the years, the reason you haven't gotten much new music from them during the past decade (in case you didn't know) is because of the well-documented substance abuse issues they've had. I thought things were finally about to turn around for them in 2010 when I interviewed them for a Creative Loafing article published that October, a week before the premiere of their reality TV show, K-Ci & JoJo...Come Clean. In addition to talking about their new show, they told me about where they were in their lives and careers. After the show debuted on TV One, I was one of the fans who watched each week as they showcased their struggles with alcohol and drugs, addressed problems with their families and within their personal lives, and tried to convince music executives that they were getting their act together.

But no new, officially released music came for nearly three years, until now. K-Ci & JoJo seem to still have their great voices; let's just hope they have their health and sobriety. As with many legendary musicians that have taken a lot of time away from what made them adored by millions of fans, they're going to have to work hard to recapture the audiences who grew up with them--fans will always want to hear K-Ci & JoJo's classics, but will they want to hear the new stuff? And they'll need to capture the attention of the younger audience who probably have danced to one of their songs at a wedding, but don't actually know much about them. 

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You Should Know: All We Want Is LOVE

A few weeks ago, I received an email with details on an upcoming event that sounded like it would be a good fit to include on my Dusk Till Dawn blog's list of weekend events, so I did (it took place last Friday). The event, held at Bubble, was a fundraiser, and I especially like to help spread the word on events that support good causes. I'd never heard of the organization the event was supporting, called All We Want Is LOVE, but the brief details I read about it showed it to be a noble cause. All We Want Is LOVE (Liberation Of Victims Everywhere) is a nonprofit organization, based in Charlotte, that works to end human trafficking and sex slavery. Last night, the organization's founder, Jillian Mourning, appeared at the 2013 Do Something! Awards, broadcast live on VH1.

VH1 partnered with DoSomething.org, the country’s largest not-for-profit for young people and social change, to present the awards ceremony. Jillian was one of five finalists up for the Do Something Award Grand Prize, a $100,000 grant for the winner's community project or organization. They are "five 'do-gooders,' 25 and under, who are in the trenches, creating substantial change in our world," the organizers said. The five finalists each represent incredible organizations and important causes: Sasha Fisher (Spark Microgrants), Daniel Maree (Millionhoodies Movement for Justice), Jillian Mourning (All We Want Is LOVE), Lorella Praeli (United We Dream), and Ben Simon (Food Recovery Network).

The two-hour Do Something! Awards show, hosted by Sophia Bush and featuring performances by Sara Bareilles and J. Cole, was attended by numerous celebrities. It also honored stars Patrick Dempsey, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jennifer Hudson, LL Cool J, and Kelly Osbourne for their charitable work. But the show closed out with the presentation of the $100,000 prize winner, with each of the five finalists on stage. After millions of votes by the public, Daniel Maree was announced as the winner for his Millionhoodies Movement. The other four finalists will each receive a grant of $10,000. Watch the video below of the award presentation.

Last night's award show should go a long way to helping these great organizations get the recognition and support they deserve. It's what propelled me to write this blog post, and to hopefully lead more people to support All We Want Is LOVE, in particular.

The organization, according to their website, combats human trafficking in all forms, but their main objective is on sex trafficking, by focusing their efforts on the physical liberation, emotional liberation and rehabilitation, and aiding the victims back into society, as well as increasing global awareness on the issue. They fund established groups with parallel goals in liberating and rescuing victims from modern day slavery. These include groups that are rescuing victims from brothels, offering them shelter and safety, providing them with basic education, and aiding in reintegration into society.

All We Want Is LOVE founder Jillian Mourning. Photos credit: facebook.com/AllWeWantIsLove

Jillian, a Charlotte resident, model, and graduate of UNC Charlotte, has an incredible story of her own. When she was 19, she was raped and became a victim of sex trafficking for six months. Not only is she brave for sharing her story, but she turned tragedy into triumph when she started this organization in July 2012.

A lot of people tend to view human trafficking as something that's only a problem in foreign countries, but it happens more in the U.S. than you might think, particularly the sex trafficking of teenage girls and young women.

Visit All We Want Is LOVE online for more details on this great organization and how you can get involved: www.allwewantislove.org, facebook.com/AllWeWantIsLove, twitter.com/WeWantL_O_V_E.

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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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Post a Selfie in Support of #ISF3Wishes and Childhood Cancer Awarness

I don't think I've ever posted a "selfie" before. So, if I'm going to go the popular, smart-phone/social-media-propelled route of vanity, it may as well be for a great cause. The Isabella Santos Foundation has launched its 3 Wishes campaign to raise awareness for childhood cancer.

The Charlotte-based nonprofit's namesake is the late Isabella Santos, a remarkable seven-year-old girl who died last summer from a rare form of childhood cancer called neuroblastoma. ISF was founded in 2009 by Isabella's parents while their little girl battled the disease. In just a few years, the foundation has raised more than $350,000 for neuroblastoma research and other children’s cancer charities.

Isabella Santos. Credit: facebook.com/IsabellaSantosFoundation

Now, with the 3 Wishes campaign, you can honor the memory of this beautiful little girl by doing something you probably often do: Post a selfie. But take it a step further by including three wishes you would want to see realized by children battling cancer.

My 3 Wishes are:

• That princesses get kisses.

• You'll always have reasons to smile.

• Outgrow your "Proud Cancer Survivor" T-Shirt.

You're asked to post your selfie on Twitter, Instagram, and/or Pinterest and use the #ISF3Wishes hashtag; and post it on ISF's Facebook page. Spread the word too, particularly to your friends who have social media accounts full of selfies (you know who you are).

In my list of wishes, I got the idea for the first one from a touching video ISF recently created about Isabella's life. Shortly after the three-minute mark, there's a scene taken from the Santos's home videos showing Isabella, who looked like she was only about four years old at the time, telling her little brother Grant that: "Princesses need kisses."

I've seen several creative #ISF3Wishes posts, created by parents (with artistic abilities far better than me) and many featuring children close to Isabella's age, such as this one on Facebook:

Visit www.isabellasantosfoundation.com and follow on Twitter @TheISFoundation.

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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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Olympians Gabrielle Douglas, Aly Raisman, and Jordyn Wieber Turn Gangnam Style into Gymnamstyle

The popularity of South Korean pop star PSY's "Gangnam Style" song and dance doesn't seem to be slowing down. His video on YouTube has gained more than 750 million views in four months, and you probably saw PSY perform a special mash-up with MC Hammer at the American Music Awards Sunday night. Now there's another genre-blending performance of it.

Olympic gold medal-winning gymnasts Gabrielle Douglas, Aly Raisman, and Jordyn Wieber were in Charlotte last week for a taping of Kaleidoscope, a nationally televised event that brings together a star-studded cast of musicians and champion athletes in a tribute to cancer survivors. Kaleidoscope, which is presented nationally by Carolinas HealthCare System's Levine Cancer Institute, will air on CBS this Sunday, November 25 at 5 p.m. (directly following the NFL game).

While Gabby, Aly, and Jordyn were in Charlotte, they made a few stops around the city, including the Levine Cancer Institute, Ten Park Lanes, and Cheer Extreme Charlotte, and they also ventured out across the state to North Carolina State University. The Kaleidoscope organizers decided to have the Olympic darlings dance to "Gangnam Style" or, as they're calling it, #Gymnamstyle, with the backing of groups at the different locations. The video was released yesterday.

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Grand Opening of Pizza Fusion in Charlotte this Saturday; Win Free Pizza for a Year or for Life

There have been so many new openings lately in Charlotte's dining and nightlife that it's almost hard to keep up. But who doesn't like a big grand opening event, right? Pizza Fusion is holding its grand opening this Saturday, November 3 and they're giving away a bunch of cool stuff.

Based in Boca Raton, Florida, Pizza Fusion has opened its first North Carolina location at the Metropolitan here in Charlotte, at 1055 Metropolitan Avenue, suite 140, pizzafusion.com/charlotte. The franchise touts itself as "an organic, socially responsible pizza restaurant," and it is a welcomed addition to Charlotte's rapidly expanding restaurant scene (several restaurants have opened at the Metropolitan this year alone).  

Pizza Fusion's new location at the Metropolitan. Credit: facebook.com/PizzaFusionCharlotte

Saturday's grand opening event, taking place 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., features some of the biggest giveaways I've seen. Pizza Fusion Charlotte will host a drawing to randomly select 50 guests from those in attendance at its grand opening and 10 Facebook entrants (click on the Free Pizza tab) to win free pizza for a year. Plus, one lucky guest in attendance will be selected at random to receive free pizza for life. Sign me up!

The event will also feature free pizza and drinks, including organic beer and wine, and entertainment for kids and adults. Drex and Maney, hosts of the morning show on KISS 95.1 FM, will broadcast live, playing the latest top-40 hits while giving away free concert tickets and other prizes. Guests will also receive free Pizza Fusion T-shirts, souvenir BPA-free eco-cups, eco-wristbands, stickers, and other prizes from local businesses. The grand opening will also feature a charity raffle for two bicycles, courtesy of Queen City Bicycles, with all proceeds from the raffle going to Camp CARE (Cancer Ain't Really the End), which provides a camp and other year-round activities for children affected by cancer and their families in the Charlotte area.

Pizza Fusion serves an organic and all-natural menu of pizza, sandwiches, salads, and desserts, as well as local craft beer and sustainable wine selections. The restaurant also serves an assortment of vegan and gluten-free menu items. Its ownership says Pizza Fusion is the number one green franchise in North America. Founded in 2006, there are now locations in Florida, Colorado, New Jersey, Nevada, Ohio, and, most recently, North Carolina. Coincidentally, all but one of these are swing states, but, thankfully, there doesn't seem to be any politics going on here. Just organic pizza and booze.

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'How Can They Be Good Enough to Have Sex with but Not Be Good Enough to Marry,' Asks Charlotte Pastor in Provocative Sermon

I was surfing through my Twitter timeline Friday night when I saw someone tweet about Church Girls Rock at Have Life Church. Both the name of the event and church sounded interesting, so I looked around the web to learn more about them (see, I'm not always partying on a Friday night). Have Life is a burgeoning church and ministry in Charlotte, and it held Church Girls Rock Weekend this weekend (#ChurchGirlsRock), featuring speakers, concerts, and sermons over three days. I told a friend about it Friday night, saying it sounded like something she'd be interested in attending. She then looked them up herself and sent me the link to a great YouTube video.

Pastor Shomari White, of Have Life, preached a series last month on "Love, Sex & Relationships." That's not an uncommon theme in church sermons today; in fact, it's probably becoming more prevalent as churches try to combat the images of this increasingly sexual world we live in. In the 11-minute video the church posted, Pastor White addresses the pitfalls of sinful sexual activity and premarital sex, and when he's not making you laugh or gasp in the sermon, he's probably making you think about your wrongdoings.

He spares no one, from teens ("It's better for me to shock them than you to be shocked to find out your daughter is being passed around by the football team.") to adults ("Don't cry another day that some dude you slept with dumped you. He's a sinner and that's what sinners are supposed to do. Don't be mad that you went half on a baby with a dummy.") to senior citizens ("You think you put grandma in the retirement home to knit sweaters; she's dropping it like it's hot.").

Do yourself a favor and watch this video.

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Charlotte Organizations Hosting Free Workshops to Honor National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day this Saturday

See the press release below and please support this important cause.

RAIN’s Trinity Project, The Red Pump Project, and CW Williams Community Health Center invite mothers, daughters, and girlfriends of the Queen City to come out for free self-empowerment, HIV/AIDS awareness and education workshops, and HIV/AIDS testing Saturday, March 10 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 501 N. Tryon Street (click here to register). In addition to scheduled workshops, attendees will be motivated by the words of keynote speaker Kimberly Jowers, author of The Heart of Perfecting My Space (PMS)!

Ladies attending are encouraged to wear (or bring) a pair of red pumps to enter the Red Pump Shoe Contest, hosted by The Red Pump Project, a nonprofit organization that raises awareness and education about HIV/AIDS specifically aimed at women and girls. Photos of those in the contest will be posted on The Red Pump Project’s Facebook page. The Red Pump Project’s Facebook friends will vote for their favorite pair of pumps and the top five with the most likes will participate in the Red Carpet Walk Off. The crowd will choose the final winner, who will receive a Red Pump Gift Pack.

“HIV/AIDS is a serious public health issue,” said Geneva Galloway program director of Community Services at RAIN. “More importantly, it is a serious health issue for women, particularly women of color.” 

According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2009, 57 percent of total new HIV infections among women were among black women and 18 percent were in Latina women. The rate of new HIV infections among black women was 15 times as high as that of white women and more than 3 times as high as that of Latina women during that year. The reasons why black and Latina women are more affected by HIV and AIDS than that of other racial and ethnic groups are not directly related to race or ethnicity, but rather to the circumstances that place these women and girls at greater risk of becoming infected with HIV. These circumstances may include stigma, fear, discrimination, and limited access to high-quality health care.

“Limited access to high-quality health care plays a major role in why minority women are impacted by the effects of HIV/AIDS at higher rates,” said Elizabeth Kirk, program manager for CW Williams’ HIV/AIDS Program. “Many times some providers will not provide care for those infected with HIV/AIDS. CW Williams provides comprehensive health care for women, infants, children, and youth who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. We provide services to those with and without health insurance, making sure they receive comprehensive quality primary and infectious disease care.”

CW Williams will be on-site to provide information on their HIV/AIDS Program and other health services. 

This event is just one of many that will be held around the country to honor National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on March 10, a national awareness day coordinated by the Office on Women’s Health (OWH), within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its goal is to encourage people to take action in the fight against HIV/AIDS and raise awareness of its impact on women and girls. This National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, OWH is partnering with the Greater Than AIDS campaign and asking, “What’s your deciding moment?” According to Greater Than AIDS, deciding moments are everyday opportunities to take action against HIV, whether it is getting tested, talking with friends and family, using condoms, practicing abstinence, or taking medications as directed.

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The Charlotte Observer's Baron Davis Oucho Typo!

I wanted to share this really quickly after seeing it pointed out on Twitter by my friend Larken Egleston (@Larken). Apparently, in today's edition of The Charlotte Observer, there's a painfully hilarious typo in the sports section. In the "Bobcats Gameday" brief about the Charlotte Bobcats vs. New York Knicks matchup tonight, there's a short paragraph that reads as follows:

Ex-Charlotte Hornet Baron Davis signed with the Knicks after being cut by Cleveland under the amnesty clause. Davis is recovering from a herniated dick.

In the print newspaper that was distributed today via tens of thousands of copies throughout the Charlotte area, there's a typo that refers to Baron's, err, man part instead of the disk in his back.

If Baron actually had a hernia in his penis, I'm sure getting back to playing basketball would be the last thing on his mind. The oucho typo has been corrected in the online version of the article, but not before someone pointed out the mistake in the comments section.

This photo, which is currently Baron's Twitter avatar, lends itself to a facetious caption in light of the aforementioned news clip.

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'Charlotte, Get Your Move On!' Friday and Saturday

"Charlotte, Get Your Move On!" is a youth-focused initiative dedicated to improving the overall health and quality of life for Charlotte adolescents by empowering them to make positive behavioral decisions. Led by Teen Health Connection, this Friday and Saturday, April 8 and 9, the organization is holding events for the community.

Friday's event is a Community Performance taking place 7:30 p.m. at Elevation at Blakeney (8835 Blakeney Professional Drive). The entire family is welcome to attend this event, which features a performance by InnerACTIONS, a teen educational outreach project from California that uses a blend of film and live performances to deliver positive messages and thought-provoking ideas about the pressures youth face today. Not only will you see the InnerACTIONS crew perform hip-hop dance, skits, and live music, but the event will also feature Charlotte-area youth dancers. Admission to this event is free, and it should be noted that mature themes will be presented (suicide, alcohol/drug use, and bullying) so it may not be appropriate for young children.

Click on flyer for larger view.

On Saturday, CGYMO presents a Youth Conference from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Northwest School of the Arts (1415 Beatties Ford Road). The conference will focus on "Prevention Thru Inspiration," and will feature a performance by InnerACTIONS. There will also be breakout sessions with professionals in fields such as music, fashion, journalism, auto mechanics, web design, photography, horticulture, and more. The goal of the sessions is to help attendees discover and explore inner passions, including youth leadership. The conference is free to all teens, but pre-registration is required (click here). Lunch as well as T-shirts and goodie bags will be provided.

Click on flyer for larger view.

For more details on Charlotte, Get Your Move On! and the upcoming events, visit www.teenhealthconnection.org.

Below is a video clip of InnerACTIONS performing.

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