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He rescued a lost dog and found a little fame. Here’s what he’s doing with it.

Jason Gasparik was desperate to find a lost dog’s owner when he took to a busy Ballantyne intersection with the dog and a cardboard sign. His act of kindness went viral. (Eben Patten Photography via The Charlotte Observer) (Eben Patten Photography)

CHARLOTTE, NC (Cristina Bolling/The Charlotte Observer) – Last month, much of Charlotte fell in love with Jason Gasparik after he reunited a lost dog with its owner by standing on a busy street corner with the dog a cardboard sign asking “Do you know this lost dog?”

On Friday, Gasparik’s tale lands him on “The Steve Harvey Show,” (at 3 p.m. on WBTV), and the media blitz stemming from his Good Samaritan act isn’t showing signs of slowing down.

Last week, Gasparik went to Hollywood to appear on Harvey’s show, as well as the Hallmark Channel’s “Home and Family” daytime TV show (both shows tape in Los Angeles’ Universal Studios).

The Charlotte Knights asked him to throw out the first pitch at one of their games last week (the Monday night game was rained out), and he’s been doing radio interviews with stations across the country.

“It’s like 15 minutes of fame, right? But every time I think it’s the 15th minute, some other article pops up somewhere, and all of a sudden the 14th minute is back into overtime,” Gasparik laughs.

To recap, Gasparik was driving through Ballantyne one Friday night in early March when he came across a family trying to rescue a dog that was clearly lost. He successfully loaded the dog into his car, and for the next two afternoons, he took her to the corner of Rea Road and Ballantyne Commons Parkway with a cardboard sign, looking for the owner.

Gasparik’s efforts went viral on social media, and before he knew it, he was getting interview requests from media outlets in faraway cities. He decided to use the attention to shine a light on the need for people to get their pets microchipped — and to register those chips. (Roxy was microchipped, but because the chip was not registered into a database, it wasn’t helpful in locating the dog’s owner.)

Soon after news broke of Roxy’s rescue, Gasparik created a gofundme page to spread the message of chip registration, and he says he’s already had discussions with companies like Walmart, Pods and Lowe’s about getting chip registration added to the to-do checklists they offer for people who are moving.

He’s also hoping to use the funds to pay the U.S. Postal Service to insert a flier about pet microchipping into the packets given out to people who register changes of address.

As for the “The Steve Harvey Show,” Gasparik says he didn’t know what to expect when he showed up at the studio to tape the segment last week, and indeed, Harvey’s approach was a little surprising.

Harvey spent much of the segment talking about Gasparik’s love life (he’s recently separated from his wife, and women have commented online about wanting to date him), while photos from Gasparik’s Instagram account flashed on a big screen in the studio.

“They were showing all these pictures of me and the dog and all the girls in the audience were oohing and aahing,” Gasparik laughs.

For as awkward as it may be to have his dating life discussed on national television, Gaspark says it’s worth it if it draws attention to chip registration. He says he’s encouraged by the many messages he’s gotten from people who read his story and reach out to say that it reminded them to register their pets.

“If that’s part of the conversation that leads into what’s this is really all about,” Gasparik says, “then I’m OK with that.”

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CATS seeking public feedback on increased south Charlotte presence

April 5, 2019 at 11:35 AM EDT – Updated April 5 at 11:35 AM

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) – New public transportation options may be coming to Pineville and Ballantyne and CATS wants public input on goals, constraints and opportunities related to this possibility.

Residents of Pineville and Ballantyne in particular have been invited to a series of public meetings that will look into ways in which public transit can be increased in these communities.

The first round of meetings will focus on introducing the possibility to residents while the second meeting will ask the public to contribute their own ideas before a final meeting concludes with recommendations for how to proceed moving forward.

Saturday, April 13

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LOAN ZONE: Roundup of this week’s middle market loans

● BERKADIA $19M for Brooklyn midrise

240 MEEKER

Berkadia announced $19.6 million in financing for 240 Meeker, a mid-rise multifamily property in Brooklyn. Senior managing director Stewart Campbell, of the firm’s Manhattan office, secured the financing on behalf 240 Meeker Avenue Corporation. The 10-year, permanent Fannie Mae loan features a 4.37 percent fixed interest rate and six years of interest-only payments. “The new loan financing provided a great long-term rate while maximizing proceeds and property cash flow with 72 months of interest-only payments,” said Campbell. Located at 240 Meeker Ave., the 46-unit post-war property features one- and two-bedroom floor plans with terraces or balconies in every unit. The building has a roof deck, laundry and on-site parking.

● HOULIHAN PARNES Local bank funds $30M Westchester acquisition loan

Houlihan Parnes tapped a local bank for an acquisition loan on their purchase of two Westchester office properties. The firm’s Andrew Greenspan and James J. Houlihan placed an acquisition loan and credit facility totaling $30,500,000 on 555-565 Taxter Road, Elmsford (pictured top). Houlihan said the properties were acquired as defaulted debt and through a foreclosure process. Located within Taxter Corporate Park, the properties were once owned by Keystone Property Group, which had purchased them as part of a $230 million portfolio deal with Mack-Cali in 2014, according to Westfair Online. 555-565 Taxter contains a total of 371,224 rentable square feet, which will be managed and leased by GHP Office Realty, the Houlihan Parnes affiliate. The properties are located two miles from the entrance of the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge and Saw Mill River and Sprain Brook Parkways. The interest only loan was placed with a local bank at an interest rate of 4.625 percent for an interim term. The loan features a $7 million line of credit to fund building capital improvements and Tenant improvement. The loan has a renewal option and flexible pre-pay schedule. The borrower was represented by Elizabeth Smith of Goldberg Weprin Finkel Goldstein, LLP, as attorney.

● MADISON REALTY CAPITAL $30M redirect at GEM Hotel

JOSH ZEGEN

Madison Realty Capital (MRC) closed $30.5 million of financing collateralized by the GEM Hotel, a luxury boutique hotel located at 300 West 22nd Street in Chelsea. The funds refinance previous debt and support Icon Realty Management’s business plan to reposition the hotel with an expanded marketing strategy and updated branding, coupled with strategic capital improvements to the property. “This deal provided MRC with the opportunity to refinance a successful and established hospitality asset with strong sponsorship and a new business plan aimed at making it even more competitive in the local market,” said Josh Zegen, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of MRC. The GEM Hotel is a five-story, 30,948 GSF four-star, luxury hotel that was constructed originally in 1912 as a residential property, and converted to hospitality use by the sponsor in 2007. According to MRC, Icon Realty plans to increase revenue by implementing an aggressive marketing strategy across internet booking channels, corporate accounts, along with a branding overhaul. A new capital improvement plan will also include room upgrades, lobby improvements and façade work. JLL’s Aaron Appel brokered the financing.

● DWIGHT CAPITAL Greenback for green buildings

BRANDON BAKSH

Dwight Capital closed on two green loans for apartment properties in Nevada and North Carolina. Dwight secured a $31 million loan on Tesora Apartments, a 231-unit complex in Las Vegas. Built in 2004, the project was able to obtain the Energy Star for Existing Buildings Certification with an Energy Star score of 96, thereby qualifying for HUD’s reduced Green MIP program. Dwight also secured a $41.17 million loan on the 270-unit Preserve at Ballantyne Commons in NC. That non-recourse fixed rate loan had a 35-year term with a flexible step-down prepayment schedule. “This was a big closing for Dwight Capital,” said managing director, Brandon Baksh. “We were able to achieve the National Green Building Standard certification despite the project needing a significant amount of capex to get there. We were able to use the necessary repairs to increase the appraised value of the project and our underwritten NOI. “This is the type of renovation HUD had envisioned with the green program and we are glad we are able to achieve a win-win for both the borrower and HUD.”

● ARBOR REALTY TRUST $38M to stay competitive

STEPHEN YORK

Arbor Realty Trust funded a Fannie Mae DUS loan in Norcross, GA. Fields at Peachtree Corners, a 490-unit multifamily property, received $38.6 million on a 12-year fixed rate term with a six-year interest only period, and a 30-year amortization schedule. Stephen York, of Arbor’s New York City office, originated the loan. “We were pleased to provide aggressive high-leverage financing, along with an attractive rate and maximum I/O, for our client,” said York. “The property was recently renovated thanks to a $3 million capital improvement plan. The new sponsors are planning continued renovations for more than 100 units and exterior enhancements to boost curb appeal. This will help the property remain well situated in the highly competitive Peachtree Corners submarket.”

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CalAtlantic Homes Unveils The Manor At Oakhaven, An Enclave Of 36 New Homesites In Charlotte’s Ballantyne Area

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — CalAtlantic Homes, one of the nation’s largest homebuilders, today announced the debut of The Manor at Oakhaven, an intimate collection of 36 homesites in the prestigious Ballantyne area of Charlotte, NC. The Manor at Oakhaven offers six innovative new home designs to choose from and competitive pricing for home shoppers seeking to establish themselves in this sought-after south Charlotte community. The public is invited to tour The Manor at Oakhaven during model home hours, Monday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Tuesday – Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

"Ballantyne is known for its charming residential lifestyle, best-in-class amenities and highly-acclaimed schools," said Darren Dupree, Charlotte Division President for CalAtlantic Homes. "The Manor at Oakhaven gives homebuyers access to all of these benefits, while offering stunning new home designs ideal for move-up buyers and growing families."

Homes within The Manor at Oakhaven range from 2,473 to 3,729 square feet, and contain three to five bedrooms and three to four baths. Home shoppers will have the choice of Traditional, Tudor or Craftsman exterior styles, creating a distinctive streetscape with trademark Southern charm. Pricing starts in the mid $400,000s.

These one- and two-story home designs add to CalAtlantic’s nearby Oakhaven and Estates at Oakhaven collections, offering new floor plan options while still retaining highly popular design elements. Upon entering the homes, home shoppers will be greeted by spacious and bright Great Rooms that flow seamlessly into gourmet kitchens. The space includes ample storage, an expansive center-island and a comfortable breakfast nook. All homes include a generous owner’s suite with a spa-inspired bath, and the option for a main-level guest suite.

Residents at The Manor at Oakhaven will enjoy easy access to I-485, a host of nearby Fortune 500 employers, and premier shopping, dining and recreation. This includes Ballantyne Village, Ballantyne Commons East, Stonecrest at PiperGlen and the Golf Club at Ballantyne, a public course offering year-round golf with the benefits of a private club. The Morrison YMCA is just one mile from The Manor at Oakhaven, providing health and wellness, swim and gym amenities. The Four Mile, McMullen and Lower McAlpine Creek Greenways are also within five miles of the community, offering miles of trails meandering through scenic wetlands with abundant wildlife. Children living in The Manor at Oakhaven will have the opportunity to attend Elon Park Elementary School, Community House Middle School and Audrey Kell High School, all part of the sought-after Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

To learn more about The Manor at Oakhaven, please call (704) 461-1670 or visit the Sales Center at 16633 Ardrey Place, Charlotte, NC 28277. For more information, visit www.calatlantichomes.com.

About CalAtlantic Group, Inc.

CalAtlantic Group, Inc. CAA, +4.00% one of the nation’s largest and most respected homebuilders, offers well-crafted homes in thoughtfully designed communities that meet the desires of customers across the homebuilding spectrum, from entry level to luxury, in 41 Metropolitan Statistical Areas spanning 17 states. With a trusted reputation for quality craftsmanship, an outstanding customer experience and exceptional architectural design earned over its 50-year history, CalAtlantic Group, Inc. utilizes its over five decades of land acquisition, development and homebuilding expertise to acquire and build desirable communities in locations that meet the high expectations of the company’s homebuyers. We invite you to learn more about us by visiting www.calatlantichomes.com.

Contact: Danielle Tocco National Vice President of Communications CalAtlantic Group, Inc. [email protected] Direct Line: 949.789.1633

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/calatlantic-homes-unveils-the-manor-at-oakhaven-an-enclave-of-36-new-homesites-in-charlottes-ballantyne-area-300448365.html

SOURCE CalAtlantic Homes

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Breaking Down the Wedge in Charlotte

The city has grown accustomed to two distinct sides of its own face: a division between haves in south Charlotte and have-nots everywhere else. But the lines between the poor and rich parts of Charlotte are eroding, and the poor are trying to find places to live anywhere they can

ONE, TWO, AND THREE AT A TIME, people emerge from the sunshine on an unseasonably warm February afternoon into the leasing office at Crest on Providence. They’re looking for somewhere to live. A young African-American couple peruses the brochures arranged in a Plexiglas rack near the door. “Greystar,” the man says, smiling as he catches the name of the complex’s property management company. “Nice.” Another young man in a dress shirt and tie leads the couple into an office.

In a room just off the entranceway, Shakira Weddington waits for another Crest employee to discuss the metrics familiar to renters: square footage, number of bedrooms, security deposit, rent. Weddington is 34 and also African-American; she works at Mount Holly Elementary School, south of the state line in Rock Hill. For a year, she’s rented an apartment for herself, her 10-year-old daughter, and seven-year-old son in east Charlotte, near Independence Boulevard and Albemarle Road. It’s fairly affordable, $1,050 for three bedrooms, and for a reason. “There’s a lot of violence happening there,” she tells me. “I want something that’s affordable but in a safer part of town.”

Weddington has made a deal with herself. She’s willing to pay a few hundred dollars more for an apartment in a better neighborhood with better schools. That’s why she’s looking at Crest, a complex on Providence Road just south of the Landsdowne neighborhood. The 473 units aren’t anything special, nothing like the luxury flats under construction along Providence and all over Charlotte. This complex was built in the late 1960s and early ’70s, when this side of town was practically country. So Weddington might be able to handle the higher rent.

During her tour, she checks out a three-bedroom apartment that rents for $1,427, a bit much but potentially workable. She could easily find more space for less money in another part of town. “But I don’t want to live on the west side of Charlotte in any way, shape, or form. I’d prefer the east side to that,” says Weddington, a Charlotte native who graduated from Providence High, not far from Crest. “South is really where I’d like to be.”

CREST AND ANOTHER COMPLEX, 574-unit Reserve at Providence, occupy a pocket of relatively affordable homes in the center of the most affluent part of the city, south Charlotte. The median household income in this Census tract was $31,908 in 2016, according to the most recent city Quality of Life data. The median household income for the tract just south of it: $92,235. Just north: $112,392. Just east: $119,313.

For at least a decade, planners, demographers, and community leaders have used a shorthand term for south Charlotte, a pie slice-shaped expanse from uptown Charlotte to the Union County and South Carolina lines and bounded generally by Interstate 77 to the west and U.S. Highway 74, Independence Boulevard, to the east: the Wedge. In general, the Wedge is where the rich white people live. They have better access to parks, jobs, supermarkets, their own vehicles, good schools. The rest of Charlotte—poorer, more racially mixed areas east, west, and north of uptown—take up everything else. On a map, it looks like a collar, or a towel draped around Charlotte’s neck. Officials and civic leaders call it the Crescent.

The division between Crescent and Wedge forms the foundation of discussions about the city’s unequal distribution of economic opportunity, especially since a 2014 Harvard University study ranked Charlotte last among 50 major American cities in economic mobility. “Charlotte-Mecklenburg has a deep history of segregation and discrimination that has manifested in community and neighborhood development over the years, and patterns of isolation that have evolved,” a community task force organized to fix the problem wrote in a widely publicized 2017 report. “Recent research indicates that this racial and economic segregation has deepened the gap in opportunity.”

Other research and anecdotal evidence suggest that the sharp lines on the Charlotte map between haves and have-nots have begun to blur—that it’s no longer a simple matter of the affluent south Charlotte Wedge and the struggling Crescent. The have-nots are scrambling to find pockets anywhere in Charlotte, or outside of it, where they might be able to scrape together enough resources to live and work.

The apartments at Crest and Reserve, in the heart of the Wedge, are what’s known as NOAH, or naturally occurring affordable housing. It’s not lost on either Weddington or the man who owns the company that owns Crest—where rents start at $785 per month for a one-bedroom, one-bath unit—that, compared to rents a decade ago, what’s considered affordable isn’t that affordable.

“We can always find tenants for these apartments,” says Daniel Levine, president of Levine Properties, which owns about 1,000 units in Charlotte and bought Crest in 2014. “It’s just a matter of price. In these better neighborhoods, people seeking safety or a better situation, they will find you.” Demand isn’t the issue. Other economic pressures are—a Charlotte housing market that’s exploded since it emerged from the recession in 2013 and a Mecklenburg County property tax revaluation this year that will reflect the boom in higher assessed values and tax bills for landowners, which tend to result in rent hikes.

“Let’s assume taxes go up 10 percent—and they’ll probably go up more than that, so the cost will go up $300 to $500 every unit, which will translate into a rent increase, just to break even, of about $25 to $42 a month. Now, for someone paying $790, that’s a lot of money,” Levine tells me. “We may not pass on everything in the first year, but I would imagine that within a couple of years, we’re going to have to pass all of that along. I hate it. But that’s just the cost of doing business in Charlotte-Mecklenburg today.”

New county commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell, shown here in Pineville, attributes her victory over incumbent Bill James in part to changing demographics.

THE CHANGES SHOW UP IN, among other things, political representation. In November, 11-term Republican county commissioner Bill James, an avatar of white conservatism in south Charlotte, lost his District 6 seat to Susan Rodriguez-McDowell, 55, a New York-born Democrat with Cuban and Puerto Rican ancestry. Rodriguez-McDowell attributed her victory in part to demographics. “(T)imes are changing, demographics are changing,” she wrote on her campaign page. “Our district has changed!”

We meet in the parking lot of a Panera Bread on Pineville-Matthews Road, N.C. Highway 51, the main east-west route through southernmost Charlotte. District 6 hugs the state line from the county’s eastern border to its western, and the bottom of the Wedge encompasses the heart of the district. The Panera serves as a handy meeting place for the new commissioner, who’s still adjusting to public service on this Friday afternoon in February. “It’s been wild,” she says as we climb into her Honda Accord hybrid. “Been pretty darn busy. On the go 24/7.” We head west on 51.

She’s taking me to the town of Pineville, in the southwestern corner of the Wedge. The median household income here is $48,125, lowest among the eight cities and towns in Mecklenburg County. (The next lowest is Charlotte, at $58,202.) One in five Pineville residents lives at or below the poverty level. Three years ago, Jane Shutt and a few friends founded Pineville Neighbors Place, a nonprofit that provides for the poor what Shutt calls the “three Fs”: food, furniture, and financial assistance. The offices and food pantry occupy a tiny house on Industrial Drive off 51.

Shutt, who’s lived in Pineville for 35 years, founded Neighbors Place after she noticed a growing number of people who sought help at Pineville United Methodist Church, where she worked as a music director. “One of the things I’ve heard most as I started doing this work is, when I would talk to somebody who doesn’t live here, they express surprise that there’s anybody down here who needs help,” Shutt tells me. “Because there’s a perception of sweet, nice little town, and (Interstate) 485, and (Carolina Place) mall, and Ballantyne, and they can’t believe anybody would be struggling down here.”

Nearly two-thirds of her clients are black, many of them elderly and disabled, and a number of them are recent transplants who have supplanted the old factory town’s working-class whites. Nellie White, who joins us at Neighbors Place, is 74 and a native of Springfield, Massachusetts, who moved to North Carolina from Florida in August to be close to her daughter.

That part has worked out, but little else has. White has relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, lives on a monthly $1,137 Social Security payment, and has trouble with the rules of her housing subsidy and the relative lack of services compared to Massachusetts and Florida. That’s why she wanted to talk to Rodriguez-McDowell, which she does, passionately, in a raspy, rapid-fire cadence. “Would you please tell me, where am I going to find a live-in aide? I’m new here. I don’t know anybody,” she tells the commissioner. “And if I did, who is going to pay the live-in aide? I have no money, and I do mean none. I thought I had checked everything out. I wanted to meet a politician so I could fight for senior rights.”

Another new Pineville resident sits next to her at the table. Sonia Moore, 60, moved to the area from the Bronx five years ago—again, to be close to family—and at first lived with her son in the complex that’s now known as Crest on Providence. When the lease expired, she wanted to find her own place. But she says her doctors advised against it because she suffers from severe asthma and shouldn’t live alone. Her condition ruled out any upstairs apartment, too. Moore and her daughter searched for eight months for an adequate first-floor unit she could afford until, in September 2016, one opened up in Pineville.

“That’s how we wound up down here. Which is fine,” says Moore, who uses a walker. “The only problem down here is if I need to go somewhere, I have to cross the streets, because I don’t drive, and if I have to call CATS special transportation ahead of time, they’re not reliable. I understand that Charlotte is growing faster than they anticipated and that they don’t have the personnel to help us, because a lot of seniors are moving here, and, like me, they don’t drive. We have to depend on the system.”

And communities within the Wedge typically haven’t offered the public services available closer to uptown because, until recently, they haven’t had to. Shutt says she’s perceived a widening gap in Pineville between the richest and poorest—enclaves of affluence in new communities, like the new McCullough subdivision nearby, isolated from the poor. Rising home values will likely widen that gap, says Shutt, who was astonished to learn from the county how much her own home a few miles away had appreciated.

“Our house is now worth $265,000,” she says—not extravagant for Ballantyne, but for a semi-rural spot off Lancaster Highway south of Pineville?

“And that was a jump of …?,” asks Rodriguez-McDowell.

“We built it 20 years ago for one sixty-five.”

“Wow. So are you happy about that?”

“Uh, no.” It’d be one thing if she was planning to sell, “but I’m not going anywhere. Where do you find affordable (housing)? Rents have gone up faster than wages have,” Shutt says. “People used to move (farther) out to try to find affordable, and it’s just not here.”

That’s not entirely accurate. It is here. Otherwise, White and Moore would have to live elsewhere. But Moore spends most of her meager income on housing, and White depends on Section 8 housing vouchers, which makes “affordable” a relative term. They get what they can from Shutt and her nonprofit. “I love Jane,” White says as she hugs Shutt and we leave. “She’s my angel.”

***

PLANNERS SPEND a lot of time staring at maps. Three of them gaze at one on a projection screen in the city planning offices, on the eighth floor of the Government Center uptown. Evan Lowry, a data whiz, knew I was coming to talk to them about the Wedge’s evolution, so he’s prepared this map and two others that display changes in racial composition and household income in 2010 and 2017.

“I was looking at the data earlier this morning,” Lowry says. We’re in the conference room with his fellow planners Garet Johnson and Rachel Stark. “What I found was … that these areas that I’ve circled here are becoming less segregated just over that small amount of time.” He’s drawn an oval around an area east of uptown that encompasses the Plaza-Shamrock and Commonwealth Heights neighborhoods, and another around the Wilmore neighborhood just west of uptown. Minority-rich neighborhoods in 2010, they’re growing whiter. He’s drawn two other ovals in what’s generally thought of as the Wedge, both south of I-485.

“In these northern areas”—Plaza-Shamrock, Commonwealth Heights, and Wilmore—“it’s going more from minority to white, and in these southern areas, it’s going more from white to minority,” Lowry says as he points at the screen. “And a lot of that, in the extreme southern area, that’s the Asian-Indian influence down there. That’s how I see the Wedge changing.”

The Planning Department is working on new comprehensive zoning and development ordinances, which it expects to submit for City Council adoption in 2021. They’re critical documents, expected to set templates for the city’s growth for the next half-century or more. But to guide Charlotte’s future, the planners have to grasp Charlotte’s present, and that’s transforming before their eyes.

It’s altered considerably just in the little more than five years that Ed Driggs has represented City Council District 7. It’s the city’s southernmost, including Ballantyne and the nucleus of the area Rodriguez-McDowell represents for the county. “There’s more affordable housing in my district than people generally appreciate,” Driggs tells me. He observes that the post-recession desire of the young and affluent for walkable neighborhoods near the city center has driven former Crescent residents into the suburbs, including those in the Wedge. “These changes,” he says, “are just happening all around.”

Back at the Government Center, I ask the planners what they might portend for the decades to come. They laugh. “I left my crystal ball on my desk,” jokes Johnson, a city planner in Charlotte for a quarter-century. “I can go get it.”

She turns serious. “‘Crescent and Wedge’ is a great way to tell the big story … But the Crescent isn’t homogenous. The Wedge isn’t homogenous. So we really have to dig a little bit deeper, and that’s what makes the work for the comprehensive plan more difficult,” she says. “Ten years ago, that duality might have been more pronounced. You can get caught up looking at those big swaths. But there’s more to it. It’s more nuanced—and changing.”

***

I CATCH UP with Shakira Weddington the week after we meet at Crest on Providence. She’s decided to look elsewhere. “What I really want is a four-bedroom, and the prices there are way too high,” she tells me. “I figure I could get a house for that. So I think I’m going to go the house route.”

She no longer has her heart set on south Charlotte. “I’m looking anywhere right now,” she says, “just seeing what pops up.”

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Ballantyne’s Hall Family Farm sold to Novant Health: 5 things to know Tuesday, March 19

CHARLOTTE, N.C. —

1. Hall Family Farm was sold for $21 million to make way for a new hospital in Ballantyne

Kelly Hall, who manages the farm with his wife, said they sold the 37-acre property to Novant Health earlier this month. Hall said they made the decision to sell to Novant because the congested area doesn’t need more apartments or townhomes. Instead, Novant has plans to build a new hospital.

They hope to have the $154 million facility open by 2023. It will include 36 beds, two operating rooms and a dedicated C-section OR.

As for the Hall farm, they’ll be opening an even bigger farm just a few miles down the road in Van Wyck, South Carolina. They hope to have their new 270-acre farm up and running by 2021.

“So, we do have a strawberry season coming up, that should be starting maybe around April 10th to the 15th," Hall said. "Things are looking really good, the plants are healthy, the weather is finally starting to cooperate. And then we’ll have one final pumpkin season."

2. He was struck and killed while walking. We don’t know his name

Authorities are asking for help in determining the identity of a man who was struck and killed by a vehicle in Jonesboro, Georgia.

According to the Clayton County Police Department, the incident happened in the area of Valley Hill Road and Mockingbird Trail on March 4.

The man is believed to have been between 14 and 19 years old. He was 5’6" and weighed between 160 and 190 pounds. Anyone with information on his identity is asked to call Sgt. Flaherty at 770-473-3932.

3. This South Carolina teen went viral by singing her McDonald’s order. She’s now a part of Blake Shelton’s team on "The Voice"

Cecily Hennigan went viral last fall after she posted a video singing her order at a McDonald’s drive-thru. Now, the 16-year-old from Conway is competing on NBC’s "The Voice."

She blew Blake Shelton away with her emotional performance of Jewel’s "Foolish Games" during Monday night’s blind auditions.

Forty-three more lots of a blood pressure medication have been recalled because of concerns they may contain trace amounts of a potentially cancer-causing impurity. It’s the latest in a series of recalls since last July, which has seen a spike in recent weeks.

Legacy Pharmaceutical Packaging, LLC, announced Friday it was recalling the lots of Losartan Tablets USP because they may contain N-Nitroso N-Methyl 4-aminobutyric acid (NMBA), a potential human carcinogen. Legacy said there was a possible process impurity or contaminant in an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), manufactured by another company, Hetero Labs Limited.

This now makes at least six blood pressure medication recalls due to potential cancer risk since February 22. The FDA said the impurities might be happening when specific chemicals and reaction conditions are present in the manufacturing process of the drug’s API (active pharmaceutical ingredients). It may also result from the reuse of materials, such as solvents.

A Hickory mother claims she found a recording device in the privacy of the tanning room at a Planet Fitness gym.

She handed it over and now police there are investigating.

The woman’s family told NBC Charlotte they haven’t gotten any answers from Planet Fitness or the Hickory Police Department. Last week, she went to a Hickory Planet Fitness to work out and tan, but inside the tanning bed room she says she discovered a hidden camera.

Planet Fitness says although a police report was filed, there is no proof the gadget was a recording device.

The national office responded to the incident with a statement.

"The privacy of our members is extremely important to us," McCall Gosselin, Planet Fitness VP of Communications, said in the statement. "As such, the local franchise group is working closely with the local authorities on this matter."

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Investigators believe bomb threats across Charlotte area could be mass hoax

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — The Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department is investigating after multiple unsubstantiated bomb threats were reported on Thursday, December 13.

Police nationwide were stretched thin responding to dozens of bomb threats that came in through emails in at least 21 states.

Investigators believe this might be a mass hoax. The threats all targeted apartments, government buildings, schools, churches and banks — several of which in the Charlotte area.

They threats asked for bitcoin in exchange for not detonating a bomb.

CMPD told WCNC the threats came in via email to businesses stretching from North Charlotte to Ballantyne around 1:30 p.m.

All the reported threats were found to be unsubstantiated by CMPD. The first report happened at The Vue in Uptown. The office reportedly received a spam email that a small bomb was hidden in the building. The email threatened that the device would detonate if the sender did not receive 20,000 bitcoin.

CMPD says they have responded to bomb threats at 16 different locations throughout the Charlotte area. All of the threats came in between 1:37 pm and 3:53 pm.

The threats were similar to others reported across the country this afternoon. No suspicious packages or devices were located at any of the locations.

The Charlotte locations are: 200 block of West Martin Luther King Boulevard, 200 block of North Pine Street, 1300 block of Baxter Street, 600 block of East 5th Street, 300 block of South Tryon Street, 3300 block of Rainbow Circle, 3100 block of Cullman Avenue, 4400 block of Taggart Creek Road, 1300 block of Continental Boulevard, 10000 block of Ballantyne Commons Parkway, 200 block of North College Street, 2200 block of Coronation Boulevard, 300 block of Doggett Street, 900 block of Culp Road, 3700 block of Glen Lake Road and 13400 block of South Ridge Road.

Anyone with additional information concerning these cases is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

The York County Sheriff’s Office is investigating three separate bomb threats, one off Public Works Drive in York and two in the Fort Mill area — one on Market Street and one on Springhill Farm Road. All three threats have since been cleared.The bomb threats were received via email.

"We are aware of the recent bomb threats made in cities around the country, and we remain in touch with our law enforcement partners to provide assistance," FBI Charlotte Division said in response to the threats. "As always, we encourage the public to remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious activities which could represent a threat to public safety."

Boone Police responded to multiple bomb threats Thursday afternoon. The following locations were responded to: the 800 block of State Farm Road, Blue Ridge Medical Offices, 2200 block of NC Highway 105, Ross Automotive, 100 block of Furman Road, Executive Arts Building.

All threats in Boone were received by via e-mail. None of these threats were credible, and all were perpetrated in a similar fashion as is reported nationwide.

Stick with WCNC for the latest on this developing story.

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Corvette buffs raise $51,000 for veterans …north county events

The North Coast Corvette Club in Carlsbad raised $51,000 at its seventh annual all-Corvette car show, which featured 240 corvettes. (courtesy)

PHOTO: The North Coast Corvette Club in Carlsbad raised $51,000 at its seventh annual all-Corvette car show, which featured 240 corvettes. The car show alone raised $14,000 and in addition, the club received a $7,000 donation from the Go Daddy Foundation of Bob and Renee Parsons and $30,000 donated by the Easterday Family Foundation. The funds will be distributed between the Semper Fi Fund based at Camp Pendleton supporting injured service members and their families and Cal Diego Paralyzed Veterans benefiting service members with spinal cord injuries. From left: Retired Marine Gunnery Sgt. Anthony Rios; Sandy Hendren, Semper Fi event manager; Gary Pebley, club president; Ruth Kurisu, master of ceremonies; Peter Ballantyne, executive director of Cal Diego; JD Duncan, car show chairman; and seated, Buddy Wachtstetter and his dog Lexus. The club is sponsored by Weseloh Chevrolet/Kia in Carlsbad. Visit northcoastvettes.org.

North County community events, news….

CARLSBAD

Free low-vision consultations

The Carlsbad Senior Center hosts the Braille Institute of San Diego for free low-vision consultations for adults 50 and older from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday at 799 Pine Ave. Community members who have low vision and eye glasses that are not fully effective can get a free appointment with a low-vision rehabilitation specialist to determine the correct magnification device to maximize remaining vision. Reserve at (760) 602-4650.

Housing presentation for seniors at center

The Carlsbad Senior Center will host a free Successful Aging in Place talk on “Housing Solutions for the Future” from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday for adults 50 and older at 799 Pine Ave. The discussion will include multigenerational housing and ways to optimize current property for aging in place with safety, comfort and additional income. Call (760) 602-4650.

ESCONDIDO

Walk for Animals fundraiser Saturday

The San Diego Humane Society holds its Walk for Animals fundraiser at 9 a.m. Saturday at Kit Carson Park, 3333 Bear Valley Parkway. The event includes a pancake breakfast, 2-mile walk, dog activities and vendor booths. Registration is at 7 a.m.; blessing of the animals is at 8:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 9 a.m. followed by the dog activities and vendor village from 10:15 to 11 a.m. Visit sdhumane.org.

Cellist, pianist perform Sunday at arts center

Cellist Thomas Mesa and pianist Ilya Yakushev perform at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido in the Center Theater. Mesa won the 2016 Sphinx Competition $50,000 First Prize and recently performed as soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl. Yakushev has performed at major venues on three continents and won many awards. Tickets are $35-$55; After-show meet and greet is $100. Visit artcenter.org.

Military officers group to meet Thursday

The Hidden Valley Chapter of Military Officers Association of America invites all military officers, active duty and retired, to attend its chapter meeting and luncheon at 11:30 am. Thursday at Marie Callender’s Restaurant & Bakery, 515 W. 13th Ave. The cost will be the price of menu selection. Reservations are required by 6 p.m. Monday at [email protected].

Library offers discount passes for museums

The Escondido Public Library in partnership with the San Diego Museum Council is offering half-price admission passes to more than 40 San Diego museums during San Diego Museum Month in February. Passes are good for up to four people and will work at all participating museums. Pick up passes from one of the library’s service desks through Thursday (while supplies last). Passes are valid for February only. Call (760) 839-5456.

California condor recovery topic of talk

The California Center for the Arts, Escondido and EcoLife Conservation present a lecture on the California Condor Recovery Program at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the center, 340 N. Escondido Blvd. Bill Toone, executive director and founder of EcoLife Conservation, speaks about one of North America’s most endangered birds, the California condor. Visit artcenter.org.

RANCHO SANTA FE

Yoga class with wine tasting set for Sunday

The Uncork & Unwind series hosted by the Spa at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe in partnership with Joyworks Network continues from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday at The Inn, 5951 Linea Del Cielo. The 80-minute yoga class with wine tasting benefits a different charity each month. Tickets are $40, with $5 of each ticket benefiting Breast Cancer Angels. Visit spauncorkunwind.eventbrite.com.

SAN MARCOS

Kiwanis pancake breakfast Saturday

The Kiwanis Club of Lake San Marcos will hold its 53rd annual Pancake Breakfast and Silent Auction with more than 100 auction items from 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday in Healy Hall at St. Mark’s Roman Catholic Church, 1147 Discovery St. Funds raised go to support scholarships that will be presented to area high school students later in the spring. Tickets are $7 in advance at (925) 348-3834 or $8 at the door. Visit lsmkiwanis.org.

‘Hair’itage’ play set for Sunday at Palomar

The North County African American Women’s Association presents the play “Hair’itage” at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Howard Brubeck Theater, Palomar College, 1140 W. Mission Road, in celebration of Black History Month. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. and there will be a stylist’s presentation at 2 p.m. Cost is $40; $30 for open seating. Purchase tickets at ncaawa.org.

Community forum on park improvements

A community forum on Trails and Walnut Grove Equestrian Park improvements is from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in Mary Connors Hall at Walnut Grove Heritage Park, 1952 Sycamore Drive. The meeting is hosted by the Twin Oaks Valley Equestrian Association and Horse Heritage Conservancy. Visit keepitequestrian.org.

Deadline nearing for city’s photo contest

The deadline for the city’s annual “Best of San Marcos” online photo contest is this weekend. Amateur and professional photographers can submit images that capture the best that San Marcos has to offer — natural beauty, recreational activities, points of interest and people enjoying the community. Photos will be accepted online through Sunday. Visit san-marcos.net/photocontest.

VISTA

‘Washday at the Adobe’ exhibit on display

The “Washday at the Adobe” exhibit runs through Saturday at Rancho Buena Vista Adobe Gallery, 640 Alta Vista Drive. The exhibit features laundry implements from long ago and was put up by the Gallery Friends of the Rancho with the Rancho Buena Vista Adobe chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Hours are 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Email [email protected] or [email protected].

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Inside Charlotte’s St. Matthew, the largest Catholic Parish in the U.S.

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) – It’s hard to say what 73 years-old should look like, but it is safe to say, we should all be blessed to wear it as well as Monsignor John J. McSweeney.

He’s playful with his church staff, quick-witted with visitors and always on the move. All of it necessary when you lead a parish like St. Matthew, a massive Catholic church that sits just outside the 485 loop in south Charlotte’s Ballantyne community.

What you can call it, is the largest Catholic Parish in the United States. 34,000 people call St. Matthew home.

"I say here, everyone is welcome and I really to do mean that when I say that," said McSweeney. "Now, because you’re welcome that doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll agree with all of your opinions, but we can certainly talk about it."

Msgr. McSweeney has lead the flock, of what he jokingly calls his ‘little country parish’ since 1999. 25 years earlier, in 1974, he had become the first priest ordained by the Charlotte Diocese.

McSweeney came later than many to the priesthood. He was almost 30, and as he puts it, very much a product of the 1960s. He gave up a career in funeral businesses and real estate to answer the call.

"It wasn’t a telephone call, it wasn’t lightning," said McSweeney. "I just knew I had to do some thing different."

He knew that would take him away from his home in upstate New York. He said it was best to get a clean break from what his life had been. It landed him in Charlotte and in the 42 years since, he’s had many different jobs within Charlotte Diocese.

No matter the job, one thing he’s always been is relatable, whether it’s blessing motorcycles and their riders, like he does every year, or playfully throwing questions at the church’s youngest children. It’s those personal connections that are part of the reason St. Matthew continues to grow at a rate of 7% a year.

"I get very uptight when people start saying this is the only way it can be, that is not the Catholic Church," said McSweeney. "The Catholic Church is universal. It’s unity is by its diversity."

He worries about the divisions within the church, debates over what is Catholic and what isn’t, who is more orthodox than others.

It’s not to say there is compromise going on in church doctrine. McSweeney says there isn’t. Members will tell you St. Matthew thrives because it spends less time talking about what people shouldn’t do and more about what they should.

In the Vatican II tradition, McSweeney says St. Matthew’s focus is finding the unique talent of each person and putting it to use for good, to serve others. The church has more than a hundred active ministries, many of them serving, clothing and feeding the poor.

"I always call it the smells and bells and that isn’t going to really attract anybody," said McSweeney. "But to be able to hold somebody’s hand that is hurting, listen to somebody that is hurting, or feed somebody, that I think, is a lot more important than the smells and bells."

Sound familiar? It’s been the focus of Pope Francis. Msgr. McSweeney said he is anxiously awaiting to hear his message for America.

"I’m full of anticipation, excitement," said McSweeney. "I would just say I’m hoping, praying, waiting to see how he might stir the pot a little bit."

He says Pope Francis has already had an impact on the church here in the United States. He is connecting mostly because of his gentle style.

The same could be said for the leader of the ‘little country parish’, who after 42 years on the job is still going strong.

"I could (retire)," said McSweeney. "I like what I’m doing and if the Pope can keep going at 78 (years old) I’ll try it for a few more days."

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Multiple bomb threats reported in WBTV area, across country

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) – Multiple bomb threats were reported in Charlotte and surrounding areas – as well as across the country – Thursday afternoon.

The threats began coming in to businesses in the WBTV area via email around 1 p.m. The emails stated that a “mercenary” hid a bomb in the building that would not “damage the supporting building structure" but would create “many victims” if detonated.

Threats like this were reported at businesses in Charlotte and across the country on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018.

In the WBTV viewing area, threats were made at State Farm Road, NC Highway 105, and Furman Road in Boone, Julian Road in Salisbury, Woodcrest Dr in Lincolnton, Public Works Drive in York, SC, and two in Fort Mill, SC – Springhill Farm Rd and Market St.

Officials in Iredell County, NC, Rock Hill, SC, and Lancaster County, SC, also confirmed they received threats in their areas but did not release further details.

West Martin Luther King Boulevard North Pine Street Baxter Street East 5th Street South Tryon Street Rainbow Circle Cullman Avenue Taggart Creek Road Continental Boulevard Ballantyne Commons Parkway North College Street Coronation Boulevard Doggett Street Culp Road Glen Lake Road South Ridge Road

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department issued a statement saying they were investigating “unsubstantiated bomb threats.” Other police departments in the WBTV viewing area tweeted about their investigations as well.

Dozens of people were forced to evacuate the Children and Family Services Center in uptown Charlotte Thursday. An employee at an agency located within the center received an email with a bomb threat, according to Shelley White, the executive director of the center.

“It looked like it was bogus, but you never know so you have to do your best to evacuate and make sure everybody’s safe,” said White.

Caitlin Donley was one of the people forced to evacuate the building. She said she wasn’t surprised to hear that a threat had been made.

“Unfortunately it is the world we are in today and I’m glad the police and building was very responsive and people are safe," said Donley. “So far nothing has been confirmed in terms of tragedies so I thinl we’re really lucky.”

“We are aware of the recent bomb threats made in cities around the country, and we remain in touch with our law enforcement partners to provide assistance,” the FBI said. “As always, we encourage the public to remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious activities which could represent a threat to public safety.”

“At this time, it appears that these threats are meant to cause disruption and/or obtain money,” the New York Police Department said. “We’ll respond to each call regarding these emails to conduct a search but we wanted to share this information so the credibility of these threats can be assessed as likely NOT CREDIBLE.”

Oklahoma City Police Department tweeted they were working a number of bomb threats in the area similar to those around the country.

As of 4:30 p.m., there was no official word on who may have sent the threats or how many in total were sent.

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Top Ten Places For An Unexpected Labor Day Getaway

Known as the unofficial end of summer, Labor Day is a prime time to embrace the long weekend and take the opportunity to explore a new city. From stylish suites for extended family, to fan-favorite attractions and local cuisine, Marriott International opens the door to cultural and undiscovered experiences this holiday for foodies, families, friends, and fans across the USA and from Canada to Mexico.

Le Méridien Denver Downtown

Foodie Nation Denver, CO – The city’s reputation as a foodie destination has evolved in recent years. From chef-owned restaurants to locally-sourced ingredients to appearances on national television shows, it is worth adding the city to your culinary wish list. Beyond the typical dining experience, plan a morning exploring the city’s coffee culture including some local roasts, and then spend the afternoon on the Denver Beer Trail. The city has more than 100 distilleries, breweries, and tap rooms. Finish the evening at the new Le Méridien Denver Downtown, which will offer aperitivo hour every day throughout the Summer, backgammon and rosé in The Lobbyist bar on Sundays, and vintage summer cinema on Mondays, all as part of Au Soleil: Summer Soiree by Le Méridien.

Charlotte, NC – Travelers can get a taste of Southern cuisine at The Ballantyne, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Charlotte. Enjoy a progressively Southern approach to new American cuisine at Gallery Restaurant, sip the hotel’s private beer selection with sweeping views at Veranda, or savor Afternoon Tea offered on select days. After a culinary tour, guests can enjoy resort-style amenities such as golf, spa, and pools or head out to see Charlotte’s 19th Annual Labor Day Parade.

Family Fun Anaheim, CA – Anaheim is synonymous with one of the most sought-after family experiences in the country: Disneyland! Families can end summer on a high note at the Anaheim Marriott, offering a seamless stay and park experience with the Discover Disneyland package, including accommodations, self-parking, shuttle for two adults and two kids to Disneyland, and $100 Disney Gift Card per night. Labor Day marks the start of Disneyland’s Halloween Season and traveling families can be the first to see what the park has in store.

Montréal, Canada– Families should look north for a stylish Labor Day getaway and check-in to one of W Montréal’s Wow Suites. The Bold Suites promotion includes food and beverage credits, which the family can use at the on-site fusion restaurant Nom Nom, or W Bartizan lounge. The whole crew can take advantage of the summer-to-fall weather with an Old Montréal Walking Tour, or head to one of the city’s famed museums and exhibits for an educational spin on the trip.

Atlanta, Georgia – Families who have been to Atlanta might be familiar with popular attractions like the Georgia Aquarium but should also consider exploring the College Football Hall of Fame, SCAD Museum of Art, and the Atlanta BeltLine. Get to know the Hollywood of the South and the unexpected in Atlanta with interesting neighborhoods like Inman Park, Decatur, and Virginia Highlands. Don’t forget to visit the Skyline Park at Ponce City Market for cool games, a huge slide, and views of the city. The apartment style suites at Residence Inn Atlanta Buckhead provide the extra space families need in addition to a complimentary breakfast buffet.

Friend-cations Cancun, Mexico – If capturing the tail-end of summer bliss is the wish, Marriott Cancun Resort can make the magic happen with its Wellness Beach Retreat package including breakfast, a beach cabana rental with fruit and water, and beautifying-spa treatments. With easy access from most major U.S. airports and attractive rates in the fall, Cancun is calling this Labor Day.

Phoenix, AZ – The active friend-cation has a home at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort for the September holiday weekend. From a friendly game of Pickleball and rounds at the WildFire Golf Club, to poolside reading and cocktails by the firepits, the fitness (and relaxation!) experiences are abundant at the resort. For the friends who are up for exploration, the property offers access to Cave Creek, where travelers will find an authentic western lifestyle experience and small-town charm.

Orlando, FL – Sunshine and warm temperatures await in Florida. An easy destination to reunite with friends due to the number of non-stop flights, the city offers more than just theme parks. Locals love downtown Orlando, including acclaimed dining, nightlife, culture, and shopping, and Aloft Orlando Downtown is close to it all and across the street from Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

Fan Travel Chicago, IL – The Windy City is a serious contender when it comes to playing host to major sporting events. For easy access to the action, the Courtyard Chicago Downtown/River North’s Sports and Concert Package includes overnight accommodations, passes for transportation, and a map of downtown for easy navigation to stadiums, parks, and more.

Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center

Grapevine, TX – Some of the best sports experiences take place in Texas including baseball, football and golf. Explore the sports scene over Labor Day weekend as well as local activities including SummerFest at Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center which is an annual event featuring family-friendly activities. The resort overlooks Lake Grapevine, the perfect place to sail, fish and kayak.

Explore travel destinations, activities and experiences with summer rates throughout the Americas: www.marriott.com www.spg.com

# # #

About Marriott International, Inc. Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 6,500 properties in 30 leading hotel brands spanning 127 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company also operates award-winning loyalty programs: Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.

CONTACT: Julie Rollend Marriott International (301) 380-0587 [email protected]

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