NASCAR, Transformers, Megan Fox, and Saturday's Race

There's a cool promotion going on with this Saturday's NASCAR race at Lowe's Motor Speedway. "Watch on October 17 as Ryan Newman and Jeff Gordon take the battle of the Autobots and Decepticons to the racetrack in Charlotte live on ABC at 7 p.m.," the promotion reads. "With Newman in a specially designed Optimus Prime car and Gordon in his custom Megatron car, the Transformers adventure will be taken to a new level."


As you can see, Newman and Gordon are helping making the popular Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen movie, which comes out on DVD next week, close to reality. It's only natural since they drive cars at upwards of 200 mph, and when they crash it often looks like something out of a scene from the movie.

For the contest, you can vote--now and during the race--on which side you think will win this battle. You'll be entered into a chance to win a VIP trip to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway to meet Newman and Gordon. Or you could win a copy of the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen DVD signed by Megan Fox. Now if they would've reversed this prize package--offer autographs from Newman and Gordon, and given a chance to meet Fox--then I would be all over this contest.

Click here for more information.

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Raleigh Is 'Smartest City;' Charlotte 16th

Earlier this week, TheDailyBeast.com released its rankings of "America's Smartest Cities," from first to worst. The popular news and blog site ranked metropolitan areas--the cities and their suburbs--of 1 million people or more, which gave them 55 in all. So being ranked number one means your city is the smartest, and being ranked 55th means your city is the dumbest. Raleigh, North Carolina wins the honor of being ranked America's Smartest City.

In creating the rankings, The Daily Beast divided the criteria into two halves: half for education, and half for intellectual environment. The education half encompassed how many residents had bachelor’s degrees (35 percent weighting) and graduate degrees (15 percent). The intellectual environment half had three subparts: nonfiction book sales (25 percent), the ratio of institutions of higher education (15 percent), and the percentage of eligible voters who cast ballots in the last presidential election (10 percent).

About number-one ranked Raleigh-Durham, which has a metro area population of 1,578,527, The Daily Beast writes: "Raleigh-Durham has just about every intangible useful in attracting and developing a smart populace: It’s a university hub, including two of the nation’s elite schools (Duke, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and North Carolina Sate University), and those schools led to one of the nation’s great technology incubators (Research Triangle). On top of that, Raleigh, as the state’s capital, attracts engaged political minds, as well."

Break out the foam fingers, Raleigh is number one.

Rounding out the top five on the list of smartest cities are San Francisco, Boston, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Denver.

Charlotte, with a metro area population of 1,701,799, ranked a not-too-shabby 16th. "Charlotte, home of Bank of America and Wachovia, may be taking a recessionary licking, but its above-average citizenry positions it to bounce back," The Daily Beast surmises. "Charlotte scored high in bachelor’s degrees per capita, but its strongest showing was in the voter-participation category. A commitment to civic duty shouldn’t come as a surprise from a patriotic city like Charlotte. British Revolutionary War General Charles Cornwallis was so put off by Charlotte’s nationalistic fervor that he called the city 'a hornet’s nest' and unwittingly became the only 18th-century military figure to name an NBA franchise."

Other notable rankings: New York, 13th; Chicago tied with St. Louis for 24th; Los Angeles tied with Pittsburgh and Richmond for 27th; Greensboro tied with Jacksonville for 37th; and Las Vegas at 54th: "A city that prides itself on sin performs predictably for each of our intellectual-based criteria."

And arriving in the caboose is Fresno, California at 55th. "The race to the bottom wasn’t even close. The largest city in California’s San Joaquin breadbasket, Fresno, had deficiencies across the board. College education (less than 20 percent of the local population have four-year degrees), graduate studies, academic institutions (not much besides Fresno State), book purchases, voter engagement—it ranked in the worst 5 percent in almost all of our categories. Problems with gangs and crystal meth tend to deter the best and brightest."

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Read About It: You Should Listen to Tavis Smiley

Syndicated radio and TV host Tavis Smiley is leading a free event on financial empowerment today at the Charlotte Convention Center. The Nationwide On Your Side Tour event starts at 10 a.m. and will include guest speakers and seminars aimed at educating you on how to make good decisions regarding your finances (click here for more info on the event).


Last week, I got the opportunity to interview Smiley for Creative Loafing. If you've ever heard him speak, then you know he's a fast-talking (not Michael Eric Dyson fast, though), truth-telling, politically active, and socially conscious man who doesn't bite his tongue. I didn't even have to ask him many questions, because he knows what he's trying to convey, particularly to African-Americans. He's bringing a message of accountability. And unlike many African-Americans, he has no qualms about criticizing President Barack Obama. But like it or not, Smiley is fair and rather objective in his criticism. He would probably congratulate Obama on winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

Click here to read my interview with Smiley on Charlotte's Creative Loafing website.

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Events for the Weekend: October 9-11

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.

Friday, October 9

Prowl Pep Rally
Come out and celebrate with other Carolina Panthers fans in preparation for Sunday’s home game against the Washington Redskins. Enjoy free food, happy hour drink specials, cornhole, and there will be chances to win tickets to the game. Celebrity NFL bartenders will also be on hand. 5-9 p.m. Free. BlackFinn (inside the EpiCentre), 210 E. Trade St. www.blackfinncharlotte.com.

Frolic
Talk of the Town, the group that brought you the long-running, popular Friday Afterwork Rendezvous, has a new event it’s hosting on the second and fourth Friday of the month. Mingle with young professionals while enjoying great music. 8 p.m. Free. Apostrophe Lounge, 1440 S. Tryon St. www.apostrophelounge.com.

The Civil War: New York vs. The South
Whether you’re from one of the Five Boroughs or the Carolinas, come represent your hometown. DJ Skillz will be playing the best in hip-hop and R&B from those regions. Drink specials include $5 Crown Royal, cosmos, and watermelon and apple martinis. Presented by SolFusion Charlotte. 10 p.m. Free until 11:30 p.m.; $10 and up after. Kiss Lounge, 204 W. Woodlawn Rd. www.thesolkitchen.com.

Saturday, October 10

Nationwide On Your Side Tour with Tavis Smiley
The popular syndicated TV and radio host leads this daylong event that focuses on financial empowerment. There will be seminars and guest speakers, and lunch will be served. Hosted by Power 98's Janine Davis. Doors open 9 a.m.; event starts 10 a.m. Free. Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College St. www.nationwide.com/tavistickets.

Ciao, Italia! Festival
This annual event, now in its 13th year, celebrates Italy’s rich culture, traditions, arts, wine, and cuisine. Enjoy nonstop music while you dine and peruse displays from vendors. Menu includes the event’s famous sausage and pepper sandwiches, along with pasta, pizza, Italian ice, pastries, and more. Wine, beer, soft drinks, cappuccino, and espresso will also be served. Presented by The Christopher Columbus Italian Club of Charlotte. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. $3; children 12 and under free. Wachovia Atrium, 401 S. Tryon St. www.italian-club-charlotte.org.

Origami with Christine Navarro
Be entertained while you check out Charlotte’s newest lounge. The night will feature art and the vocal talents of Christine Navarro, who was voted Charlotte’s Best Female Vocalist. Music also by DJ Nat Eichler. 9 p.m. Cost varies. Dharma Lounge, 1440 S. Tryon St., suite 105 (facing Summit Avenue). www.dharmacharlotte.com.

Marquee Saturdays (weekly event)
It’s Charlotte’s hottest Saturday night party at this newly revamped nightclub. Enjoy the large dance floor, plentiful seating, and large outdoor patio. DJ Complete spinning in the main room while DJ Wonz mixes it up on the patio. 9 p.m. Cost varies. To get on the guest list, email halo@myhom.com before 3 p.m. Saturday. Halo, inside the N.C. Music Factory, 820 Hamilton St. www.haloclt.com.

Sunday, October 11

Panthers vs. Redskins Tailgate and Viewing Party
The Panther faithful will be joined by the legion of Redskin fans that live in the area. Tailgate from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot, then come inside to watch the game on one of several flatscreen TVs. Music by DJ Dex, and food provided by Bodricks BBQ. Presented by Executive Entertainment and B-Different. Ladies free before 1 p.m.; gentlemen free before 12:30 p.m. Bentley’s RSVP, 305 W. Fourth St. www.bentleysrsvp.com.

PLAY: The Overtime Edition
With many people being off from work Monday for Columbus Day, this is sure to be a live and sexy party. The collaborators putting on the event usually draw a large crowd. Music by DJ DR. 10 p.m. $10 and up; free until 10:30 p.m. Luna Lounge, 521 N. College St. www.thesolkitchen.com or www.lunacharlotte.com.

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Bobcats Holding Open Practice

The Charlotte Bobcats are holding an Open Practice on Thursday, October 15 beginning at 6:30 p.m. It's a free event, but to guarantee entry you're asked to register for tickets online. The process (Ticketmaster) takes only a few minutes and you can even print the tickets at home. This is your chance to see what the team (and the Lady Cats) looks like as the regular season approaches. Complimentary popcorn and soda will be served.


Click here for tickets. Visit www.bobcats.com for more info.

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