Briefing for Monday August 17: Diamonds to pizza

Yesterday I was getting ready to leave the Dowd Y parking lot when I noticed a car turning left out of the lot where I wanted to turn right. “Ugh,” I thought. “Look at this guy trying to turn left just to get in my way like he owns the place. We’ll be here all day.” Before I could even roll my eyes, he turned left, I turned right and everyone was on their merry way. Something was nothing.

In road rage as in life, sometimes we think someone simply going their own way will in turn get in our way when, in the end, they don’t slow us down at all. Live and let live. Drive and let drive. You know. Anyway, ready for that morning commute? 

VITALS

Today’s Weather: 92. Mostly cloudy skies. 0% chance of rain.
Today’s Stat: $938. Average rent in Charlotte this year, up $230 since 2010. [Portillo/Observer]
Today’s Job: UX Designer at TIAA CREF. Apply.
Today’s Charlottean: Munro Richardson, executive director of Read Charlotte, for working to improve literacy rates in Charlotte schools [Dunn/Observer].

ORIGINALS

Secret Shopper: Buying an engagement ring at Diamonds Direct
Ted and I pretended like we were getting engaged and asking his parents to foot the bill. Christy, our Diamond Expert, deserves a medal for putting up with us for 13 minutes. I tried on rings ranging from $7,000 to $89,000. It was one of the weirder days of my life.

An obituary to the summer of hurry up and slow down
Gi wrote a lovely retrospective on her kids’ loss of interest in adventurous explorations around Charlotte as they age. In an attempt to slow the end of summer, she shares 15 things they used to love to do when they were younger.

Local chefs to participate in Queen City Food Fight: A Culinary Throwdown on August 30th
Five chefs representing Piedmont Culinary Guild will battle five chefs from the NC Chapter of the American Culinary Federation. Teams will create three courses that will be scored by the audience and a panel of judges. Tickets are $85 and will likely sell out.

5 Charlotte people making Charlotte more Charlotte-y
Do you know Tonya Russ Price, Bob Peters, Amy Herman, Brian Stockholm and Chris Hunt? You should because Ben says they’re among a growing legion of “damn-fine creatives” making Charlotte a cool place to live.

Is the Charlotte ad agency with the most growth potential the one you don’t know?
Ted is floored by the expertise and success of AC&M, a 22-person ad agency specializing in Hispanic marketing, soccer marketing and social media marketing. The operation launched in a startup incubator at Wake Forest while senior leader Jaime Carena was in school. I’m just thrilled I knew about them and Ted didn’t.

Pizzeria Omaggio opens tomorrow at The Metropolitan
Miami restaurateur Daniel Siragusa says the alleged “Midtown pizza curse” ends on Tuesday. While he says he doesn’t do authentic Neapolitan pizza, the Rome native is bringing real deal Italian-style pizza to Charlotte in a casual, counter service restaurant. I’ll be busting the doors down to try it.

First Wind Cycling is now open in South End
The indoor cycle studio features destabilized bikes that tilt and lean to more closely replicate a real road ride. They’ll also offer small group fitness, personal training and barre classes.

Incubus vs. Deftones: Pick a side
Deftones and Incubus shared the same stage at PNC Music Pavilion a few weeks ago and Erin says this combination just didn’t work. She’s #teamincubus all the way. I’m team #joshgrobanpandorastation. Send me hate mail.

List of all six SouthPark hotels with rates
No, you probably don’t want to vacation in SouthPark, Charlotte local. But let’s say your out-of-town friend from college has a job interview there and you don’t want them crashing on your couch. Send this list.

TALKING POINTS

Charlotte area Purple Heart recipients honored at reception [Perlmutt/Observer]. More than 80 veterans wounded while serving in the U.S. military were honored at a dinner hosted by the Purple Heart Foundation of North Carolina at Le Meridien.

Charlotte’s first Pride Festival since the Supreme Court legalized gay marriage draws huge crowds [Observer]. Rainbow flags (and a few protestors) filled the streets all weekend, culminating in the parade on Sunday. See video footage from The Observer.

New open-air market coming to former Eastland Mall site [Peralta/Observer]. The market launched Saturday and will host vendors each week through the fall and hopefully winter. Co-founder Theodore Williams says the goal is to make it “more than just a flea market.”

Crime is on the rise in Charlotte [Hanson/Observer]. Violent crime is up 12.3%, property crime is up 5.6% and homicides are up an alarming 40% over last year. 

Panera debuts delivery service in the Charlotte area [Thomas/CBJ]. Some 300 part-time employees have been hired to serve as delivery drivers, and the order minimum is $5. Bread bowls on demand.

VBGB owners announce plans for sister concept at NC Music Factory [Thomas/CBJ]. The 12,600-square-foot space called 8.2.0 will feature a karaoke lounge, retro arcade games and multiple bars. But will there be pretzel bun burgers? The people must know!

Since the week is just starting, you have plenty of time to schedule this muffin, this pizza and these doughnuts into your life. You’re welcome.

– Katie