South Charlotte Living October 2011

LIVINGLiving the Good Life OCTOBER 2011

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Also Inside: Destination: A Tale of Two Zoos!Have some Fun at the NC & Riverbanks Zoos!

LIVINGSouth CharlotteSouth Charlotte

Creating a Legacy

by Protecting and Preserving

Nature

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� sclivingmag.com • OCTOBER 2011 OCTOBER 2011 • sclivingmag.com �

8 • Creating a Legacy by Protecting and Preserving Nature

14 • Destination... A Tale of Two Zoos The North Carolina & Riverbanks Zoo are great places to spend the day!

22 • Prepare Your Yard and Garden for Winter 25 • Spooks & Hoots in the Month of October!

26 • From the Fat Man: Carry Out at Jack’s Pizza!

29 • At your Service

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October2011 8

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Publisher - David Simms, Jr. 3122-100 Fincher Farm Rd. Suite 216 Matthews, NC 28105 704-443-8216 www.SCLivingMag.com Art Direction/Graphic Design - Katie Kidd Advertising - [email protected] Office - 704-443-8216

Advertising Sales - Chuck Sheridan 704-345-8608 Jason Brown 704-907-1540 Carlton Peade 704-957-0819 Betsy Green 704-280-1370

Contributing Writers - Nancy Moore, The Fat Man

Cover Story - Nancy Moore

Photography - Mama Luca Media, Lorayn DeLuca

E-mail submissions and ads - [email protected]

South Charlotte Living reserves the right to deny anyadvertisement or listing that does not meet South Charlotte Living standards. Submissions are welcome, butunsolicited materials are not guaranteed to be returned.South Charlotte Living assumes no responsibility forinformation, products, services or statements made byadvertisers or editorial contributors. All rights reserved.Reproduction in whole or in part without writtenpermission from the publisher is prohibited.

October 2011Living the Good life

Tell us what you think! Let us know what you want to see in future issues!Q

SCL

Since the beginning of the year we have had festivals to go to. We helped you find a destination to go to on the day trips. We even helped you decide where to go out to eat one night. I get emails about what your favorite parts of the magazine are and let’s keep those coming. We may be a big magazine but we run like a small business and care greatly about our readers, sponsors, and advertisers. This issue is special for the Fat Man because unlike other restaurant reviews, the Fat Man chose to do take out food for the first time ever. I actually tried his review myself and it was spectacular. I am now a regular at that location so be sure to check it out and maybe I will see some of you there. We also have some spectacular photos of the local Zoos as well as a nice review of them. The weather is starting to cool down here and there so be sure to plan a trip soon while the weather is perfect for a visit. Have a great October and I will see you in November!

I love the fall. I love it because of the smells that you speak of; and also because things are dying, things that you don’t have to take care of anymore, and the grass stops growing.— Mark Van Doren

Publisher, South Charlotte Living

David Simms, Jr.

Photos by: Lorayn DeLuca, M

ama Luca M

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Imagine living in the 1800s when vacant land was plentiful, landowners owned everything they could see, and backyards were filled with wildlife. Life wasn’t

easy for early settlers, but I’m sure they didn’t complain too much about their surroundings – clean air and water, lush foliage, and birds and animals in their natural habitat.

While the twentieth century brought convenience, it also brought malls and fast food joints to the landscape. This new fast lane way of life, coupled with air, noise, and light pollution, caused many people to seek a place that would temporarily allow them to “get away from it all.” Whether a cabin in the mountains or a shack on a quiet beach, many people enjoy owning their personal open space.

It’s mine! All mine!

When we make a purchase – either a car or a house, even jewelry – we want to protect it. We insure it, we perform routine maintenance, and we keep it clean. It’s ours, it belongs to us, and we want to take care of it. The same is true of land, even if it’s vacant land. There’s a sense of ownership of the surroundings, not only of the ground. As Maria Von Trapp said in The Sound of Music, “I could never get lost up there. That’s my mountain.” We all know that Maria didn’t really own the mountain, but she knew and loved it well enough to call it hers.

As we are all well aware, large tracts of vacant land are hard to come by. Developers set their sights on a piece of property based on its location and build what they can. But what about restricting development on the land you own? How can you, as a landowner, preserve and protect what you own now for future generations (whether or not they are your descendants)?

Land trusts and conservation easements

Many people choose to protect their land with the assistance of a land trust. There are two definitions of a land trust. One is that it is a nonprofit organization

dedicated to the protection and preservation of land. The other is the relationship between a landowner and a trustee whereby the trustee holds legal title to the property while the landowner maintains all rights and privileges of property ownership, i.e., they still live on the property, or collect rent for it, they maintain the property, and they can will the property.

Companion to the land trust is a conservation easement, sometimes called a conservation agreement. The conservation easement is the written

document, a legally binding contract, between the landowner and the trustee. (The agreement can also be between the landowner and the municipality, county, city, or state.) The landowner promises to keep the land in its natural condition (no further development) and the trustee promises to enforce the agreement and monitor the property. This agreement imposes certain restrictions, which are agreed upon by the parties, on the property. Such restrictions may include future development. The easement “runs with the land,” meaning that it does not terminate upon the landowner’s death. It is encumbered on future property owners. It’s important to note that a conservation easement does not turn private property into public property.

There’s also a tax benefit related to conservation easements. Many landowners receive a federal income tax deduction. The easement must be perpetual (running with the land) and exclusively for conservation purposes. In addition

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Creating a Legacy by Protecting andPreserving Nature

By: Nancy MoorePhotos: Lorayn DeLuca, Mama Luca Media

Whether a cabin in the mountains or a shack on a quiet beach, many people enjoy owning their personal open space.

10 sclivingmag.com • OCTOBER 2011 OCTOBER 2011 • sclivingmag.com 11

to the federal tax deduction, North Carolina residents may qualify for a Conservation Tax Credit. Conservation easements may also qualify for reduced property taxes and an estate tax credit.

A case study

In 1937, John Kauffman, a Florida citrus farmer, bought just over 14 acres in Highlands, North Carolina, at a cost of $90 per acre (about $1,300). John’s daughter, Julie Watson, was five years old at that time and has wonderful memories of making the two-day drive from Florida to Highlands – in a 1936 Chevy, no less.

John purchased the land with the intent that it would be the family’s summer retreat and had an 1,800 square foot cabin built on the property for a whopping $900. Granted, it’s not insulated or winterized, but it has a kitchen, four bedrooms, a slate front porch, and a chimney made from local rock. It was, and still is for Julie’s children and grandchildren, the perfect getaway.

The cabin was built without electricity and John, being an industrious man and utilizing the waterfall behind the cabin, built a generator that relied on a water wheel for energy. Julie remembers the many times she and her two brothers had to clean leaves out of a screen that was over the water wheel to keep it moving.

Protecting her interest

Recognizing the need, and benefit, of preserving her childhood retreat, Julie began working with the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, an organization established in 1883 for the purpose of protecting and preserving the Highlands area. In 1909, when the Highlands community was worried

a developer might set his sights on Satulah Mountain as the location for a hotel, the Trust collected $500 and bought 56 acres on the mountain. Today, visitors to the area enjoy a completely unobstructed view of the mountain. The view from the summit, at 4,543 feet, is breathtaking with its view of mountains in three states. The climb affords hikers sights of dwarfed white oaks, some of which are over two hundred years old. One has to wonder if those trees would still be standing if the property had been in the hands of a developer.

Keep in mind that Julie’s not preserving it for her family, per se, but, rather, she is protecting it for future enjoyment. Since the easement runs with the land, Julie’s family may decide to sell the land and the buyer would be subject to the same restrictions.

So why is she doing it? For many reasons: to protect the land from development, to prevent subdividing the land, to protect the flora, fauna, and wildlife on the property, and to protect the water quality in the area. Highlands is in the Upper Cullasaja River watershed and, as in all watersheds, the water quality is closely monitored.

A side note: While driving, you may have seen signs that indicate the area’s watershed. You may have wondered, “What is a watershed?” or “Why do I have to know that?” A watershed is an area of land that ‘feeds’ the water running under it or off of it into a larger body of water, such as a lake. Eventually, the water flows into a larger body of water. Protecting a watershed is important because whatever gets into the watershed will be carried into the larger body of water, which could be the source of a community’s drinking water or a popular fishing spot. If

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Watson Family Cabin: Highlands, NC- amazing 14 acres with peaceful 12 ft. waterfall in this

awe-inspiring little corner of the world.

Julie Watson is protecting her land for more than just her family. It is for the future enjoyment of it, and to protect the natural habitat and the quality of the water. Photo by Nancy Moore.


[ ]

Conservation means the wise use of the earth and its resources for the lasting good of all men. – Gifford Pinchot

the water in either of these locations becomes contaminated, the water may become unsafe to drink and the wildlife could die.

Julie’s property is home to a large population of hummingbirds, many unique species of birds, and other wildlife. There are several waterfalls on the property, including an almost 12-foot fall behind the house. The heavily wooded land contains several walking paths. This could describe parcels of property all over the world, but this one belongs to Julie – the memories made belong to her and her family. Julie’s daughter, Jennifer, remembers spending the entire month of August, year after year, in Highlands. Walking the property, climbing trees, sliding down rocks wet from the waterfalls, playing games, and observing birds and animals in their natural habitat. John established the legacy; Julie is continuing it.

Highlands, NC

If you were to draw a line from New York to New Orleans, and a second line from Chicago to Savannah, the lines would intersect at Highlands, NC. Founded in 1875 by developers Samuel Kelsey and C.C. Hutchinson, the two believed that this central location would surely become the hub of the aforementioned trade routes. Needless to say, Highlands didn’t become a trade mecca. Its year-round population totals 924 and swells to 10,000 – 15,000 seasonally. Its claim to fame is that it is the highest incorporated town east of the Mississippi.

If you’d like to visit Highlands, take I-85 South to US-74 West towards Kings Mountain/Shelby. Merge onto I-26 West and exit onto US-64 West towards Hendersonville. Stay on 64, traveling through Hendersonville, Brevard, Cashiers (pronounced ‘cashers’), and finally into Highlands. The trip takes between 3-1/2 – 4 hours. While there, pick up a waterfall map and scout out the more than twenty waterfalls in the area. Or hike Whiteside Mountain, take in the views from the Satulah Mountain summit, and visit the Horse Cove Poplar tree – the second largest tree in the state and the third largest in the East.

Visiting Highlands is a great way to enjoy all of nature and its surroundings. Just take a deep breath and relax. (

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Left: Old Edwards Inn & Spa: European style retreat located in this vibrant town on the southern plateau of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Cyrus International Restaurant- Chef/Owner Nicholas Figel introduces destination quality cuisine, who takes his inspiration from peasant foods & traditional around the world. Each day a new regional menu is prepared in the open kitchen from their own farm harvested organic vegetables. Freshest fish in the region arrives from the coast each day. Dry Falls: 4 miles from Highlands town. A short walk from highway US64/28, where a path goes behind the 75 ft. mesmerizing waterfall.


Geographically speaking, we are very fortunate to live in this area and to have access to culture, art, sports, etc. Another reason is our proximity to two wonderful zoos.

As a child, I wasn’t too crazy about zoos – the animals were in cages and the zoo smelled terrible. My first visit to a zoo as an adult was the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, South Carolina, and my initial thought upon entering the zoo was, “Wow, zoos have really changed!” And they have.

Both zoos are about a two-hour drive from Charlotte. The North Carolina Zoo is located in Asheboro on an almost 1,500 acre tract of land in the Uwhar-rie Mountains. The Zoo recently pur-chased an additional 500 acres for ex-pansion. It is the largest ‘walk through’ natural habitat zoo in the world and one of only two state-owned zoos in the United States. It is also the first zoo in the world where the animals reside in a recreation of their natural habitat.

What began as research – feasibil-ity, desirability, and location – in 1967, culminated with the official opening of the North Carolina Zoo on August 13, 1976. The zoo’s first residents were two Galapagos tortoises. They arrived in 1973 and lived in temporary quarters until the zoo opened.

Riverbanks Zoo may seem small in comparison. The zoo itself is on 170 acres and the botanical garden is on an additional 70 acres. The zoo packs a lot into the comparatively smaller space: over 3,000 animals in the zoo and more than 4,200 species of native and exotic plants in the garden. It also holds a rich history in the textile industry and the Civil War. Riverbanks has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973 and the land on which it sits dates back to the early 1800s. A trail runs from the botanical garden toward the zoo and passes the Saluda River Factory ruins. The factory was constructed of granite around 1830 and was one of the largest cotton mills in the South. The factory was destroyed first by General Sherman’s troops and, after being rebuilt, for a second time by accidental fire in 1884. One of the most impressive features of the factory that is still standing is the keystone arch. Visit the Saluda Factory Interpretive Center to see how the arch

was constructed and has remained intact all these years.

The botanical garden opened to the public in 1995. Along with the original Walled Garden, there is the Bog Garden, the Dry Garden, the Old Rose Garden, and the Shade Garden. Each is equally as beautiful, but each offers something unique to see. Be sure to check out the “Century Plant” located in the Dry Garden. If it’s blooming, block your nose.

What is there to see at the zoo?

The North Carolina Zoo has ap-proximately 1,100 individual specimens representing more than 200 species spanning two ‘regions’ – North America and Africa. Animals and birds include gorillas, ostriches, alligators, rhinoceros-es, ducks, flamingoes, puffins, chimpan-zees, lemurs, roadrunners, grizzly bears, and, of course, lions.

Wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared to walk. There are over five miles of trails through the two regions, so plan to spend anywhere from four to six hours in order to see the entire zoo. Within the park, there’s free tram and bus service. There’s also a free parking lot shuttle, which provides transporta-tion from one entrance to the other.

When you arrive you’ll receive a visi-

tor’s guide that includes animals, exhib-its, and trail names, as well as information about the restaurants and attractions. Be sure you ask for the Art at the Park Guide. In addition to the animals, the North Carolina Zoo is home to 57 pieces of public art, most of which are permanent exhibits.

The zoo is open year-round and closed on Christmas Day. It opens every day at 9 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. April through October and 4 p.m. November through March.

The Riverbanks Zoo has more than 2,000 animals represent-ing more than 350 species. Although not as large, land-wise, there is a lot of walking and a lot to see. If you walk the foot bridge to the botanical garden (a tram is available), be prepared: it’s uphill once you cross the bridge. Plan on spending the day

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By: Nancy MoorePhotos: Lorayn DeLuca, Mama Luca Media & NC Zoo

DestinationA Tale of Two Zoos


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Carolina Veterinary SpecialistsCarolina Veterinary Specialistsin order to see the entire zoo and garden. There’s also the River-banks Farm where visitors can see barn owls, cows, llamas, and goats, and learn about farm life.

Housed within the award-winning Aquarium Reptile Com-plex is a 55,000 gallon Pacific coral reef tank. If you’re there at the right time you may see divers feeding its inhabitants. Riv-erbanks residents include grizzly bears, baboons, tigers, koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, and penguins.

Walk or take the tram across the Saluda River Bridge from the zoo to the botanical garden. From the bridge you’ll see the original granite abutments and supporting pier foundations of the State Road Bridge. This is all that remains of the covered bridge that crossed the Saluda River after it was burned in Febru-ary 1885 by Confederate troops protecting the city of Columbia from General Sherman and his troops.

Riverbanks Zoo is open year-round and closed on Thanksgiv-ing and Christmas days. Daily hours are 9a.m. to 5p.m., with extended spring/summer weekend hours of 9a.m. to 6p.m.

What is there to do at the zoo?

Both zoos have special events throughout the year. The North Carolina Zoo will celebrate fall every Saturday during the month of October, culminating with its Boo at the Zoo program on October 29 and 30.

In addition to seeing and learning about the animals, the North Carolina Zoo has an endangered species carousel, a gi-raffe deck with a treetop view allowing visitors to get up close and personal with giraffes, and is hosting “Dora & Diego’s 4-D Adventure” in its theatre. These three attractions are available at a minimal extra cost or can be purchased with a ‘combo’ ticket. Also available are birthday party packages, camps for children in entering first through eighth grades, sleepovers for children ages 7 through 12, and projects aimed at high school seniors.

Like its neighbor to the North, Riverbanks has an endan-gered species carousel. It also has a train, climbing wall, pony rides, and koala and kangaroo walkabouts. Riverbanks sponsors special events throughout the year and is winding up 2011 with

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The most important thing is to preserve the world we live in. Unless people understand and learn about our world, habitats, and animals, they won’t understand that if we don’t protect

those habitats, we’ll eventually destroy ourselves. – Jack Hanna


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its own Boo at the Zoo (October 14–16 and 21–30) and Lights Before Christmas (November 19 through December 30). It’s recommended that you purchase tickets early for each of these events. Riverbanks offers day camps during spring break and winter break to children ages 5 through 10, and overnight visits for virtually any age.

“I’m hungry!”

After a long walk a snack, or full meal, is probably in order. The North Carolina Zoo has two restaurants, both of which are open during park hours. The Wilderness Café in the North America Plaza and the Junction Springs Café, located at the Junction Plaza. The restaurants have similar menus: hot dogs, burgers, deli sandwiches, chicken tenders, drinks, and desserts. The Wilderness Café serves Starbucks coffee and ICEEs.

Snack bars are located throughout the park and are open April through October. They serve ice cream, cotton candy, popcorn, pretzels, and hot and cold beverages. You can also get an origi-nal Nathan’s Famous hot dog at their stand in North America. There are food and beverage carts throughout the park on the trails. These carts are cash only.

Riverbanks Zoo’s Kenya Café is open year-round and serves burgers, chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, chicken tenders, BBQ sandwiches, salads, and deli sandwiches. Seasonal snack bars are located throughout the park and serve ICEEs, pretzels, funnel cakes, popcorn, ice cream, pizza, and nachos. The Coffee Hut is located at the front gate and serves Starbucks coffee.

Souvenirs!

No trip to the zoo is complete without purchasing a trinket to take home. The North Carolina Zoo has three gift shops. Purchases provide financial support to the zoo, as well as fund conservation and research initiatives in North Carolina and throughout the world. Riverbanks has three seasonal gift shops, with one serving double duty as an ice cream shop, and one year-round gift shop.

Tickets and memberships

Tickets to the North Carolina Zoo are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors 62 and older and college students, and $8 for children ages 2 through 12. Add $4 to these rates if you’d like to include the carousel, giraffe deck, and Dora & Diego’s 4-D Adventure.

Membership in the North Carolina Zoo Society is available either online or at the zoo. The Society is a private 501(c)(3) organization that is dedicated to supporting the missions of the Zoo. Member benefits include free admission to the NC Zoo for 12 consecutive months and free or discounted admission to more than 150 zoos and aquariums nationwide. Members are also invited, at a reduced cost, to special behind the scenes events, such as breakfast with the giraffes and wine and cheese with the elephants.

Tickets to the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden are $11.75 for adults, $10.75 for seniors 62 and older and military personnel,

and $9.25 for children ages 3 through 12. The admission price includes the zoo and garden. The zoo also offers a wrist-band for $20, which gives you unlimited access to rides and attractions.

Membership to the Riverbanks Zoo is similar to the North Carolina Zoo Society. The Riverbanks Society is a private 501(c)(3) organization that supports the zoo and garden. Members get free admission every day for a year, free guest passes, and discounts on special events and programs. The zoo also hosts members only after-hours events at intervals throughout the year.

Both zoos are accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, meaning that they meet or exceed professional standards. This is quite impressive, considering that fewer than 10% of the approximately 2,400 animal exhibitors li-censed by the United States Department of Agriculture are AZA accredited.

Of note

The North Carolina Zoo and Riverbanks Zoo are equipped to provide access to the special needs population. Both zoos are handicapped accessible and rent wheelchairs, if necessary, and both allow service animals, provided they are properly leashed.

Driving to the zoo

If you’re interested in visiting the North Carolina Zoo, from Charlotte take I-85 North to exit 96, US-64. Turn right onto US-64 East, then right onto NC-159 South/Zoo Park-way, and left onto Zoo Parkway to the parking lot. There are variations using NC-49 and I-485, so if either of these is more convenient for you, look into it.

Faces you find at Riverbanks Zoo!This page from left to right: Grizzly Bear, African Crowned Crane, Amur (Siberian) Tiger, Western Lowland Gorilla, and Black-footed Cat. Pages 16 & 17: Galapagos Tortoises and Toco Toucans.Turn the page to peek at some of the stars at the North Carolina Zoo!

• The Western Lowland Gorilla is protected under the Endangered Species Act. They are diurnal (active in the daytime) animals, living in groups of up to 30 with a single dominant male silverback. In the wild, gorillas feed on ground plants, leaves, bark, stems, roots, vines and bamboo. Sometimes young gorillas will climb trees and throw fruit down to older gorillas.

• The Amur, or Siberian, tigers are the largest living cat. Males tigers weigh 396-673 pounds and females weigh 220-367 pounds.

• Giraffes communicate by grunts, snorts and soft whistles; calves will also bleat. In addition, giraffes will call to each other infra-sonically, making noises too low for human ears to detect.

• During the Pleistocene era, giant tortoises lived on the mainland of North and South America, even in what is now South Carolina. But, they were quickly eliminated after the arrival of humans; some can weigh up to 900 pounds.

Find out more at:www.riverbanks.org or www.nczoo.org

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To visit Riverbanks Zoo, take I-77 South to SC-277 toward Augusta/I-20. From there, take US-76 West/Elmwood Avenue and onto I-126 West. Take the Riverbanks Zoo exit, turning left onto Greystone Bou-levard (crossing over I-126). Left onto Wildlife Parkway and into one of the park-ing lots. There are two main areas of the zoo and each has its own entrance. The Africa entrance is closed in winter months, although the area itself is open.

Enjoy and don’t forget the sunscreen! (

Creatures of the North Carolina Zoo!This page from left to right: Crevice Lizards, Elephants, Polar Bears, Bald Eagle, Grizzly Bears and American Alligator. Photos courtesy of N.C. Zoo.


Remove all the dead plants, and turn over the soil us-ing a rototiller from your local rental store, adding a layer of natural fertilizer like leaf clippings, grass clippings, or compost. Don’t make the layer too thick. These materials will help provide some additional nutrients to the soil as they break down over the winter months.

Fall is a great time to plant bulbs for early spring flow-er decorations. Cultivate the soil by churning it up and adding a bit of compost or other fertilizer. Plant the bulb, water it, and mark it so you don’t accidentally dig it up early in the spring while preparing your garden for an-other season of growing.

Renting lawn and garden equipment washes away the worry of having to maintain and store it, leaving more room in your basement, garage, and garden shed, and affording you more time to enjoy your backyard and pe-ruse gardening catalogs and magazines as winter arrives and you dream for the first sign of spring.

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Snow, ice, freezing temperatures, and other elements of winter are not far off. You’ve enjoyed your back-yard all summer long, but now it’s time to get every-

thing prepped to handle the upcoming cold weather.

Preparing your lawn, shrubbery, and gardens for the winter months can help ensure you’ll be able to enjoy your landscaping as soon as the temperatures warm next spring. By renting the right equipment to successfully handle those jobs, you’ll save time and free up space for all of your home beautification projects.

Tree trimming and planting - The fall months offer the perfect opportunity to plant and trim trees. If you’re planting, make sure to give the new trees plenty of water in the weeks leading up to the first hard frost. Also, make sure your established trees receive a good supply of water, especially if the end-of-summer weather has been hot and dry.

Tree trimming allows you to remove dead branches and limbs, as well as growth that may be blocking your patio, sidewalk, and driveway, or hanging over the roof of your house. If the tree is quite large in size, consider renting a tree trimmer to reach the high branches. When you’re

done, rent a wood chipper to make mulch for next year’s garden with the branches and limbs you’ve trimmed. A brush cutter can help clear away ground clutter.

Give your lawn some life with lawn aeration and dethatching. If your lawn is showing signs of run-off and thinning, it can mean the dirt is very compacted, and needs aeration to allow water and nutrients in. Aerator rental is an option to perforate your lawn with small holes, giving the grass a chance to refresh and thicken prior to the winter freeze. This will help give your lawn a beautiful green look next season.

Dethatching is a lawn care option to help your lawn grow thick and lush come spring. Roots, dead stems, and clippings often get trapped between the soil and the green vegetation, blocking the soil from receiving water and nu-trients. Stop at your local rental store for a thatcher, which will slice through the dead materials, lifting them up and out of the way. The American Rental Association’s Rent-alHQ.com helps you easily find your nearest rental store.

Prep your gardens - both floral and vegetable - to help minimize the work you’ll have to do in the spring.

Prepare Your Yard and

Garden for

Winter


OCTOBER2011EVENTS10/1Stumptown Skirmish... Not just a battle of the bands, its a musical uprising! the 1st Annual Stumptown Skirmish Champion will be voted in by The People’s Choice on October 1st. Help Presbyterian Hospital Matthews attain their goal to raise awareness & funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! Bring your family & friends to come enjoy an afternoon Face Painting, crafts, kids activities, food, raffles and much more! All Ages Welcome! Check out www.matthewsfun.org

Also check out: ArtFest Matthews 10/1-10/2 on The Green @ Matthews Station!Visit www.matthewschamber.com/artfest

10/7The Bug Ball @ Daniel Stowe Botanical GardenGet ready to enjoy a great evening of family fun! The 4th year of the Bug Ball fundraiser, promises to be bigger and better than ever. Children and adults are encouraged to don their wings and come dressed as their favorite bug to enjoy family activites and games, special foods, a silent auction and more! Advance

registration is required by calling 704-829-1290 or emailing [email protected] to request an invitation. Find out more at DSBG.org.

10/8Oktoberfest 2011 @ the Metrolina Expo, 2PM-9PMLive music, local breweries, great food... it’s Oktoberfest, need we say more?Check out www.charlotteoktoberfest.com

10/14-10/16 & 10/21-10/30Boo at the Zoo from 6PM-9PMRiverbanks’ Halloween spook-tacular features a trick-or-treat trail, nightly costume parade, mysterious maze, marshmellow roast, haunted carosel rides, creepy creature encounters and more! Tickets are $6 for members and $8 for the general public. Get more information and buy your tickets in advance online at www.riverbanks.org!

10/22Whitewater River Jam Fall Finale Feat. Sam Bush

6PM outdoor concert at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Come out with friends & family to experience an incredible sunset over the Catawba with great music, food and drink. The patio at the River’s Edge Bar & Grill is the place to be! This is a ticketed event. Find out more at usnwc.org/

Find out what’s going on in your community!• matthewsfun.com • charlottesgotalot.com •

Mama

.com

LucaMedia


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Most of the time I enjoy nothing better than finding that perfect restaurant and basking in the ambience of all that they have to offer. I love the atmosphere, someone to bring me my food and drinks and enjoying pleasant conversation with friends without having to worry about cleaning up afterward.

That being said you can’t eat at a nice restaurant in your boxers and t-shirt. Well you could but it may scare the other patrons and earn you some dirty looks. So here’s the dilemma: I want something great to eat, but I also want to be super casual. What to do, what to do? I could cook something but that means work, ah I got it, carry out!

Now in South Charlotte there is no shortage of great carry out places – some of which have dining inside as well. After a particularly long day a few weeks ago, I felt the need for carry out. I just wanted to relax, get comfortable, turn on the TV and enjoy something good to eat.

I discovered a wonderful place purely by accident. I had planned to stop by the ABC store and pick up a little something and there it was... screaming at me: “over here, over here!” A little place called, Jack’s Pizzeria in Indian Trail. As I stepped inside, I could hear the sounds of a typical Italian family working together.

Better still, was the aroma of fresh Italian breads and sauces mingling with one another and wafting toward me as the door closing behind me caused the air to swirl about. I walked up to the counter and right away a small

sign caught my eye, today’s special “eggplant pizza”, I love eggplant anything!

However, not all of my family feels the same way about eggplant, so I perused the menu knowing I was going to order a pizza anyway. Pizza is the most perfect carry out food ever. Jack’s has something I haven’t seen since I left Baltimore many years ago, a large pizza that is truly a large pizza, 20 inches, none of this calling a 14” pizza a large pizza.

So, guess what I ordered? Yup, a 20 incher, I had to order ½ pretty plain but the other half I did it my way as Elvis would say. The toppings I chose were meatballs, eggplant, onions, & garlic. Stop cringing and trust the Fat Man, this combination is awesome. Jack knows how to do eggplant, very thin slices, lightly breaded and fried to perfection.

Next time I visit there I will have the eggplant parmesan since the eggplant was so good on the pizza. The ambiance for dining in is your typical mom and pop place in a strip mall; so it is not a special occasion date place. However, it is a great place to bring the family and have a good meal for a reasonable price.

So for all you folks that miss that pizzeria from New York, or Baltimore, or similar places... this is the place for you – and you know who you are – right about now you are nodding your head and remembering that little place on the corner that was truly a mom and pop place just like

The Fat Man carries out!

Jack’s. The place complete with the handwritten signs asking for your patience while everything is cooked to order, and letting you know that it is family owned and operated.

When you stop by tell them the Fat Man sent you, you never know you may see me there. I’ll be the guy with the eggplant parm and a big smile on my face. I just learned that Jack’s Pizza also delivers! And, check out their website letting you know about all of their delicious specials. (

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Jack’s Pizza5850 Independence Blvd. Indian Trail, NC704 684-5755www.jackpizzanc.com

Grab a Bite!

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Matthews Internal Medicine

Did you know allergiesare the 6th leading cause of

chronic disease in the United States, costing $18 billion annually?

A simple blood test can measure an extensive variety of allergens

and help you enjoy summer – instead of battling allergy season!

• Ask how our medical professionals can help you!

• Accepting new patients and affiliated with most insurance carriers.

• Manage your complex, ongoing disorders such as heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritis and diabetes.

• On site lab & x-ray for your added convenience!

Eugene Sangmuah, M.D., Gregory Busse, D.O., Sandy Glaspell, Practice Mgr., Eliza Sangmuah, M.D.

Committed to excellence and creating healthier lives in our community.

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101 E. Matthews St., Suite 200 Matthews, N.C. 28105Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 704-246-3936

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South Charlotte Living October 2011

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