Charlotte Prowler Magazine MAY 2015

KANNAPOLIS, NC MAY 8, 2015

MAY 21-23, 2015

PRO LACROSSE AT AMERICAN LEGION MEMORIAL STADIUM

Lacrosse fans are ecstatic that spring has sprung and the Charlotte Hounds will again take the field in Midtown Charlotte. The team is fast becoming THE family favorite for pro sports outings. Lacrosse is fast, dynamic and has just enough edge to keep the oohs and ahhs coming. With reasonable ticket prices, a seriously awesome fan experience and now...the new Charlotte Foxes line-up, who can say just how fanatical Charlotteans will become about Pro Lacrosse? Prowler Magazine has frequently hosted fun day tailgates where kids play lacrosse, adults sip craft beverages and live music sets the stage for an afternoon match that delivers pro sports excitement. We encourage readers to mark your calendars for an upcoming game and enjoy an afternoon under the Carolina blue skies with your friends and family. For info: www.CharlotteHounds.com

Sunday, May 3 5:00 PM EST Hounds @ Outlaws Sunday, May 10 1:00 PM EST Bayhawks @ Hounds Saturday, May 16 7:00 PM EST Hounds @ Machine Saturday, May 23 7:00 PM EST Cannons @ Hounds Saturday, May 30 7:00 PM EST Lizards @ Hounds Friday, June 05 7:30 PM EST Machine @ Hounds Saturday, June 20 7:00 PM EST Hounds @ Lizards Saturday, June 27 7:00 PM EST Outlaws @ Hounds Friday, July 03 7:30 PM EST Hounds @ Launch Saturday, July 11 3:30 PM EST Launch @ Hounds Friday, July 17 7:30 PM EST Hounds @ Rattlers Saturday, July 25 7:00 PM EST Hounds @ Bayhawks

O N T H E P R O W L | C R E AT I V E C U I S I N E

AWESOME ASIAN AT EIGHT RESTAURANT

SO COOL SUSHI AT NCMF These days in Charlotte if you want to open a restaurant, you have to do it all – delicious food, exceptional service, and gorgeous décor. Make it a memorable experience for every diner, or – don′t waste your time.

In Charlotte, you can trace a lot of the credit for raising the bar on dining back to one man – or rather one team – restaurateur Alex Myrick and his executive chef Gene Briggs.

Look at their accomplishments so far: Blue, not only Charlotte’s first and best jazz bar, but a long-term survivor of Uptown′s fine dining wars (smoked the competition); Osso, a lovely, stylish spot in the NC Music Factory, which has become a favored gathering spot for the city’s fashionistas (have you tried the pizza?); Texicali, across the courtyard from Osso, proving that Briggs and Myrick can carry off a casual eatery in style, with perhaps the most colorful décor in town, along with awesome margaritas and of course, that Tarantino vibe. Plus the club has established itself as a great place to salsa several nights a week.

Now, with the opening of Eight, serving Asian fusion and sushi, Myrick and Briggs have done it again.

S TO R Y A N D A R T R E N É E W R I G H T

Your first impression, as you walk into Eight for the first time, is Wow! The décor is literally a feast for the eyes with huge painted murals in the Japanese pop art/ street graffiti style. Occupying a long narrow brick room across the hallway from Osso, the bar is overlooked by a modern image of the Buddha. The long sushi/cocktail bar makes an immediate visual impression, constructed of small colorful chips of … what? We asked the bartender. Pieces of skateboards!

There’s actually a story being told in the décor – the journey of sushi from boat to table. Wood from the docks and rope shelving holding bottles highlight the one end of the room. Below the bar, you can trace the story of the Last Emperor. At the far end, a marvelous mural of a geisha samurai by local artist – and rising star – John Hairston dominates the room.

But décor doesn’t make a restaurant, food does. Here Chef Briggs, working with chef de cuisine Andrew Agnotti, has exercised his extensive and expert knowledge of what Charlotteans like to eat to assemble a menu of winners, adapted from cuisines in the Far East. As much as possible the restaurant uses local products with an emphasis on freshness. The menu offers plenty of spicy options, especially

in several vegetarian dishes so important to diners in Charlotte.

The sushi is beautiful and huge, not to mention fresh and tasty. A huge number of small plates (labeled dim sum on the menu) provides lots of choices for under $12. The list of entrees offers inspired versions of Chinese and Japanese rice bowls and noodle dishes, as well as Thai curries.

In addition to great food, and fun cocktails including an alcoholic version of bubble tea, Eight offers a service we haven’t encountered elsewhere. We were greeted with an unfamiliar set up on the bar. Each place had a little lacquered box with a shot glass sitting inside. Clearly not a piece of art, but what is it for? We found out on our second, less hectic, visit when we ordered a shot of sake from Eight’s extensive selection of designer rice wines (served cold).

Our bartender filled the shot glass to the brim, then kept right on pouring as the sake overflowed into the box. It’s a presentation found in Japan, we found out, that represents abundance and generosity. It’s proper to sip the excess sake straight from the box.

With the opening of Eight, Myrick accomplishes something important for the city’s nightlife. Eight, along with its sister restaurants Osso and Texicali, all just steps apart, make the NC Music Factory a dining destination in Charlotte, in addition to a nightlife hotspot. Which is fine with us – we love creative reuse and lovely old brick buildings – and there’s always lots of free parking at the Factory.

It doesn’t hurt that each of these spots

LE MERIDIEN BRINGS EUROPEAN STYLE TO CHARLOTTE

With the opening early this year of Le Meridien, Charlotte joined the elite destinations around the world that can boast of a branch of this unique upscale family of resorts. The property on McDowell Street, formerly the Adam’s Mark, The Blake and, most recently, a Sheraton, enjoyed a complete makeover that cost upwards of $10 million that has completely transformed the hotel.

Originally established by Air France in Paris back in the 1970s, the Le Meridien hotel family honors its European heritage with an emphasis on contemporary design, artistic experiences and the encouragement of social interaction. The hotel’s new open floor plan includes the Meridien Hub, a reimagined lobby where guests can gather, converse, use social media and enjoy espresso and French pastries. Welcoming bars bracket each end of the lobby, serving craft cocktails and local beers.

A 24-hour playlist, curated by popular Parisian collective Nouvelle Vague, provides the hotel with a unique contemporary soundtrack, featuring bossa nova beats. Even the room key cards are more than they seem, offering free entrance to the Mint Museum Uptown.

Le Meridien brings European style to Charlotte With the opening early this year of Le Meridien, Charlotte joined the elite destinations around the world that can boast of a branch of this unique upscale family of resorts. The property on McDowell Street, formerly the Adam’s Mark, The Blake and, most recently, a Sheraton, enjoyed a complete makeover that cost upwards of $10 million that has completely transformed the hotel.

Originally established by Air France in Paris back in the 1970s, the Le Meridien hotel family honors its European heritage with an emphasis on contemporary design, artistic experiences and the encouragement of social interaction. The hotel’s new open floor plan includes the Meridien Hub, a reimagined lobby where guests can gather, converse, use social media and enjoy espresso and French pastries. Welcoming bars bracket each end of the lobby, serving craft cocktails and local beers. A 24-hour playlist, curated by popular Parisian collective Nouvelle Vague, provides the hotel with a unique contemporary soundtrack, featuring bossa nova beats. Even the room key cards are more than they seem, offering free entrance to the Mint Museum Uptown.

Le Meridien carries its devotion to the finer things in life through in its new restaurant. Named Evoke, this fresh entry into Charlotte’s cuisine culture offers USDA Prime and Certified Black Angus beef in a variety of cuts, including a 21-day dry aged NY Strip. But this is much more than a steakhouse.

Carefully crafted dishes range from house made pastas to “crudos,” dishes featuring raw fish that eclipse the idea of sashimi. Try a Peruvian ceviche or scallops seasoned with orange and fennel. And don’t miss the amazing Yellowfin Tuna crudo, draped in unagi sauce and miso aioli.

Cocktails are equally unique, with each offering bearing the signature of the expert bartender that created it. Paired with an appetizer of fried oysters, giant and juicy, they make cocktail hour an artistic experience in itself.

Charlotte’s Le Meridien is a member of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, giving guests access to the popular Starwood rewards program. The hotel’s bars and restaurant are open to the public daily. For more information, visit www.lemeridiencharlotte.com.

includes dishes in a wide range of prices, and offers great happy hours and daily drink and food specials. You can have sushi, tacos, and pizza – all gourmet quality – as you drift from bar to bar. All are welcome, and there’s something here for everyone.

Look around at Eight and you’ll see one symbol repeated over and over, a circle with two brush strokes inside. It’s the Japanese symbol for the number eight, considered the luckiest number of all by Oriental cultures.

(Remember the Beijing Olympics, which began on 8/8/08?) Let’s hope the future will prove propitious for Charlotte’s Eight Sushi Asian Kitchen. It certainly deserves it.

For more information on Eight visit www. eightcharlotte.com

Le Meridien carries its devotion to the finer things in life through in its new restaurant. Named Evoke, this fresh entry into Charlotte’s cuisine culture offers USDA Prime and Certified Black Angus beef in a variety of cuts, including a 21-day dry aged NY Strip.

But this is much more than a steakhouse.

Carefully crafted dishes range from house made pastas to “crudos,” dishes featuring raw fish that eclipse the idea of sashimi. Try a Peruvian ceviche or scallops seasoned with orange and fennel. And don’t miss the amazing Yellowfin Tuna crudo, draped in unagi sauce and miso aioli.

Cocktails are equally unique, with each offering bearing the signature of the expert bartender that created it. Paired with an appetizer of fried oysters, giant and juicy, they make cocktail hour an artistic experience in itself.

Charlotte’s Le Meridien is a member of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, giving guests access to the popular Starwood rewards program.

The hotel’s bars and restaurant are open to the public daily. www.lemeridiencharlotte.com.

BOB SAGET The Aristocrats Champ May 15-16 FRIDAY LIVE! AT THE FACTORY 5/8: ROBERT RANDOLPH AND THE FAMILY BAND 5/15: WHO’S BAD - THE ULTIMATE MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE 5/22: CRACKER 5/29: MISTERWIVES 6/5: SHOVELS & ROPE 6/12: NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS 6/19: COWBOY MOUTH 6/26: SURFER BLOOD COMEDY ZONE TONE-X MAY 3 CINCO DE MAYO OPEN MIC MAY 5 BOTTOMS UP MAY 6 JOSH BLUE MAY 7-9 JIM BREUER MAY 10 WYATT CENAC MAY 13 BOB SAGET MAY 15-16 CINDY KAZA MAY 18 JOE ZIMMERMAN MAY 19 JOHN CRIST MAY 20 BRUCE BRUCE MAY 21-24 ILIZA SCHLESINGER MAY 28-30 THE FILLMORE MAY 1 ZOSO MAY 3 RICH HOMIE QUAN MAY 10 BLUE OCTOBER MAY 12 CIARA MAY 13 NIGHTWISH W/DELAIN MAY 15 MIGOS MAY 16 NICO & VINZ MAY 17 CMT NEXT WOMEN OF COUNTRY: JANA KARMER, KELSEA BALLERINI MAY 19 MINISTRY MAY 27 TECH N9NE SMALL BAR 5/8 CHRIS SANCHEZ UPTOWN AMPHITHEATRE JOHN FOGERTY MAY 6 NEEDTOBREATHE MAY 9 EARTH WIND FIRE MAY 31 B

Home and Away Ga me s For You r C h a rl otte Kn igh ts 4/28/2015, 7:05 PM, Toledo vs. Charlotte 4/29/2015, 11:05 AM, Toledo vs. Charlotte 4/30/2015, 7:05 PM, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre vs. Charlotte 5/1/2015, 7:05 PM, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre vs. Charlotte 5/2/2015, 7:05 PM, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre vs. Charlotte 5/3/2015, 2:05 PM, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre vs. Charlotte 5/5/2015, 6:35 PM, Charlotte at Columbus 5/6/2015, 6:35 PM, Charlotte at Columbus 5/7/2015, 10:35 AM, Charlotte at Columbus 5/8/2015, 7:00 PM, Charlotte at Toledo 5/9/2015, 7:00 PM, Charlotte at Toledo 5/10/2015, 2:00 PM, Charlotte at Toledo 5/11/2015, 7:05 PM, Louisville vs. Charlotte 5/12/2015, 7:05 PM, Louisville vs. Charlotte 5/13/2015, 12:05 PM, Louisville vs. Charlotte 5/14/2015, 7:05 PM, Louisville vs. Charlotte 5/15/2015, 7:05 PM, Syracuse vs. Charlotte 5/16/2015, 7:05 PM, Syracuse vs. Charlotte 5/17/2015, 2:05 PM, Syracuse vs. Charlotte 5/18/2015, 6:35 PM, Charlotte at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 5/19/2015, 6:35 PM, Charlotte at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 5/20/2015, 10:35 AM, Charlotte at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 5/21/2015, 7:05 PM, Charlotte at Lehigh Valley 5/22/2015, 7:05 PM, Charlotte at Lehigh Valley 5/23/2015, 6:35 PM, Charlotte at Lehigh Valley 5/24/2015, 1:35 PM, Charlotte at Lehigh Valley 5/25/2015, 7:05 PM, Columbus vs. Charlotte 5/26/2015, 7:05 PM, Columbus vs. Charlotte 5/27/2015, 7:05 PM, Columbus vs. Charlotte 5/28/2015, 7:05 PM, Columbus vs. Charlotte 5/29/2015, 7:05 PM, Lehigh Valley vs. Charlotte 5/30/2015, 7:05 PM, Lehigh Valley vs. Charlotte

5/31/2015, 2:05 PM, Lehigh Valley vs. Charlotte 6/2/2015, 7:05 PM, Charlotte at Durham 6/3/2015, 7:05 PM, Charlotte at Durham 6/4/2015, 7:05 PM, Charlotte at Durham 6/5/2015, 7:05 PM, Norfolk vs. Charlotte 6/6/2015, 7:05 PM, Norfolk vs. Charlotte 6/7/2015, 2:05 PM, Norfolk vs. Charlotte 6/8/2015, 7:05 PM, Charlotte at Pawtucket 6/9/2015, 7:05 PM, Charlotte at Pawtucket 6/10/2015, 12:05 PM, Charlotte at Pawtucket 6/11/2015, 4:05 PM, Charlotte at Buffalo Double Header 6/13/2015, 7:05 PM, Charlotte at Buffalo 6/14/2015, 1:05 PM, Charlotte at Buffalo 6/16/2015, 7:05 PM, Pawtucket vs. Charlotte 6/17/2015, 7:05 PM, Pawtucket vs. Charlotte 6/18/2015, 7:05 PM, Pawtucket vs. Charlotte 6/19/2015, 7:05 PM, Indianapolis vs. Charlotte 6/20/2015, 7:05 PM, Indianapolis vs. Charlotte 6/21/2015, 2:05 PM, Indianapolis vs. Charlotte 6/22/2015, 7:05 PM, Charlotte at Syracuse 6/23/2015, 7:05 PM, Charlotte at Syracuse 6/24/2015, 7:05 PM, Charlotte at Syracuse 6/25/2015, 7:05 PM, Charlotte at Syracuse 6/26/2015, 7:05 PM, Charlotte at Rochester 6/27/2015, 7:05 PM, Charlotte at Rochester 6/28/2015, 1:35 PM, Charlotte at Rochester 6/29/2015, 7:05 PM, Charlotte at Norfolk 6/30/2015, 12:05 PM, Charlotte at Norfolk 7/1/2015, 7:05 PM, Charlotte at Norfolk 7/2/2015, 7:05 PM, Gwinnett vs. Charlotte 7/3/2015, 6:05 PM, Gwinnett vs. Charlotte 7/4/2015, 7:05 PM, Charlotte at Gwinnett

For more information on Knights Home Game Promotions and Team Gear Visit www.CharlotteKnights.com

THE PROWLER PREVIEW

BY BEN COGGINS

Quali Hollow Country Club in South Charlotte has delivered legendary golf.

Photos by Scott Williams.

THE MONTH OF MAY Is such a great time in Charlotte. Two weeks later than usual this year, we will have the Wells Fargo Championship & The NASCAR SPRINT ALL-Star Race on the same weekend in the Queen City, The kickoff to the MEGA-WEEK begins on Thursday with the Wells Fargo Championship at the Quail Hollow Club. Two years after spending $6.5 Million in renovations, the staff at the Quail Hollow Club have the course and greens in phenomenal shape for May.

THE GREEN MILE The finishing three holes at Quail Hollow have been among the toughest finishing holes on the PGA Tour since this event began. Many years the 16-17-18 stretch has held the #2 spot, behind Muirfield Village Golf Club (Memorial Tournament) as the toughest on TOUR. Last year, only Merion (US Open) had a tougher finishing three holes. The par-three 17th hole AVERAGED 35 tee shots finding the water in the first ten years of this event, or almost 9 per day. The finishing par-four 18th hole has only had one champion (Rory McIlroy) make birdie on Sunday in regulation.

The ten-year average handicaps for each of the closing holes are 4(16)2(17)-1(18).

Sixteen was realigned prior to the 2014 event, with the green pushed 80 yards left and down, bringing water into play on the now 508 yard par-four. Sixteen was still the 4th toughest hole on the course, yielding three more birdies but eight more double bogeys. The water in play to the left of the green makes sixteen a great risk-reward hole for the players. The Green Mile Village has been constructed here, providing views of the 14th & 15th fairways, and great viewing of the 16th & 17th hole. This has long been my favorite spot on the course to see action and many more have now been turned onto this area.

THE PARTICIPANTS The move back two weeks could play havoc with player’s scheduling. It has become a fixture to watch the Kentucky Derby at Quail Hollow as players are

finishing up their Saturday rounds.

The World Golf Championship- Cadillac Match Play is taking place at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco on the first weekend in May, which has been the Wells Fargo date in recent years.

The week after San Francisco is The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Florida. Wells Fargo is the next weekend and the weekend after that is the European Tour’s Flagship event, The BMW PGA Championship in Wentworth England. The first weekend In May was an ideal re-entry into competitive golf for many players after Augusta. Now there are four great events in a row and I am not sure how many of the Top Ranked players in the World, if any, will participate in all four. That is a lot of mileage both physically and mentally to put oneself thru in a month by trying to play all four events.

Phil Mickelson has enjoyed playing here, making the cut in all 11 starts at the Wells Fargo Championship. Rory McIlroy has played well here, but has been the focal figure with the European PGA Championship. We are still uncertain with the status of Tiger Woods and what his schedule will be for the remainder of the 2015 season after Augusta.

Predicting a winner for this event is extremely difficult. J.B. Holmes, while averaging a field best 333.9 yards in driving distance, overpowered Quail Hollow last year to win. How many people knew who Derek Ernst was before last year at Quail Hollow? The six champions prior to Holmes were all in their 20’s, with the exception of Lucas Glover who was 31 in 2011 when he won.

There has never been a repeat winner at Quail Hollow, but could 2015 be that year?

Ben Coggins is a valued contributor to Charlotte Prowler Magazine, On The Prowl eNews and longtime blogger for Southern Sports Journal including his fan-favorite column “Coggins Noggin”.

For information and tickets visit www.wellsfargochampionship.com

Charlotte’s two hundred year history is steeped in descent, independent spirit, reinvention, and opportunity.

From iron ore and gold mining, to cotton and tobacco farming, textile manufacturing, hydroelectric power generation, transportation and banking, Charlotte’s entrepreneurial spirit has always found ways to reinvent itself as time has changed and the “Can-Do” spirit of our founding fathers is still very much alive in Charlotte today. Charlotte sprang from the convergence of two native Indian trading routes, The Nations Ford Trail south to Charlestown South Carolina and the

Great Trading Path heading north to Virginia. The area was originally home to The Catawba Indian Nation with 6 villages spread along the banks of the Catawba River. In the 1750’s settlers and fur traders followed the well-established Catawba Trails and began settling in the Carolina back country.

In 1755 Thomas Polk and his wife Susannah Spratt Charlotte’s first settlers built their home near the cross roads of the two historical trading routes, at the current location of Trade and Tryon Streets.

by Greg Greenawalt AUTHOR OF DESTINATION CHARLOTTE THE BOOK WWW.DESTINATIONCHARLOTTETHEBOOK.COM WWW.TWITTER.COM/DESTCHARLOTTE

Thomas Polk was the great uncle of James K. Polk our 11th President of the United States who was born in Mecklenburg County on November 2, 1795. In 1760 residents incorporated the fledgling community as Charlotte’s Town in Honor of Queen Charlotte the bride of King George the III of England with the hope that the king would award them with a county courthouse.

In 1762 Mecklenburg County was named after the queen’s birth place Mecklenburg Strelitz, Germany. Tryon Street in uptown Charlotte is named after Lord William Tryon the British

appointed royal provincial governor who rigorously enforced British laws and rule in the Carolinas back country from 1765-1776.

Today the corners of Trade and Tryon Streets are marked with four bronze statues by artist Raymond Kaskey. The female mill worker with a bonnet represents: INDUSTRY. The miner pouring gold over the head of a banker represents: COMMERCE. The

lady uplifting a baby represents: THE FUTURE. The rail road worker with the hammer represents: TRANSPORTATION. Two significant historical events that helped to shape Charlotte’s Independent Sprit were the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence and the Battle of the Bees.The Mecklenburg Resolves or Declaration was the result of the many years of brutal enforcement of British rule and taxes by the British provincial Governor Lord Tyron and the Carolina backcountry citizens growing intolerance. The Mecklenburg Declaration was the first declaration made in the 13 colonies.

On May 19, 1775 Col. Thomas Polk the commander of the county militia called a meeting at the county courthouse in Charlotte to discuss the British situation with local representatives. A communication was received that day detailing the bloody battles that had just occurred up north at Lexington and Concord which infuriated the representatives. They developed a Resolve later called a Declaration that dissolved all allegiances to the British crown and laws, and they declared themselves free and independent people.

The Resolve was read on the steps of the Mecklenburg county courthouse on May 20, 1775 and was given to Captain James Jack to deliver to the North Carolina state representatives for presentation to the Continental Congress. Even though the North Carolina state representatives approved of the Resolve they did not present it to the Continental Congress as congress was still in hopes of negotiating a treaty with Britain at that time.

Today, May 20th is called Mec-Dec day in Charlotte and the date of May 20th 1775 appears on the North Carolina State flag. Another important event that helped to shape the Charlotte’s Can Do spirit was the Battle of the Bees that took place during the southern campaign of the American Revolution War on September 26, 1780.

British General Cornwallis marched his troops into

Charlotte to set up his regional headquarters near the Intersection of Trade and Tryon Streets and occupied the log cabin of our first settler Thomas Polk. On October 3, 1780 a British garrison of approximately 300 men set out from Charlotte to plunder local farmers looking for supplies and livestock to steal. The local patriot militia was informed of the supply garrison’s movement and set up an ambush at the McIntyre farm on the road to Beatties Ford approximately seven miles from Charlotte.

The Militia hid in the surrounding wood while British troops

Queen Charlotte

plundered the McIntrye farm. The patriots turned over several bee hives on the farm which infuriated the bees who severely stung the British soldiers in their bright red uniforms and caused them to retreat from the area. Later, renamed the Battle of the Bees, General Cornwallis wrote in his diary that Charlotte is an agreeable village in a damn rebellious country and that the Counties of Mecklenburg and Rowan were more hostile to England than any other in America, a hornet’s nest of resistance.

The hornets’ nest symbol is frequently used with many organizations in the Charlotte area today to continue to show our independent spirit including the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department on the police officers shield and the local Girl Scout council is named the Hornets’ Nest Council.

Charlotte History 1767 Andrew Jackson is born in Waxhaw near the South Carolina Border and becomes the 7th President of the United States in 1829.

1799 Conrad Reed discovers a 17 lbs. gold nugget in Cabarrus County at Little Meadow Creek starting the Carolina gold rush.

1828 Jonathon Humphrey Bissel purchased interest in the McComb Gold mine and brought new mining technology to the area. Bissel later established the General Mining and Manufacturing Association.

Bissel’s ancestor Howard C. Smoky Bissel would become the developer of the Ballantyne suburb of Charlotte.

1831 Christopher Bechtler an immigrant watchmaker and jeweler established a private mint in Rutherford County and from 1831 1850 produced over $1million in gold coins.

1837 The Charlotte branch of the US mint opens, stamping $5.00 Gold Eagle and $2.50 Quarter Gold Eagle coins. Over $10 million in gold coins were stamped at the Charlotte mint between1837-1861.

1840 John Springs and 3 other appointed envoys of the Governor of South Carolina successfully negotiate the Treaty of 1840 with the Catawba Indian Nation which gave the South Carolina government thousands of acres of Catawba land in exchange for land in Haywood County near the Cherokees. The Governor granted John Springs title to his 1,100 acre plantation called Springfield. Springs was an early investor in the areas first cotton mills and built his fortune through cotton and textiles.

1852 The first passenger train and first telegraph office open in Charlotte.

1856 The first gas lights illuminate Charlotte streets and homes.

Brunch

FAVORITES WITH NEW FLAVOR Directions

SKILLET QUICHE

ASPARAGUS-MUSHROOM-BACON Ingredients 6 oz bacon, diced 1/2 pound asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces 4 oz baby bella (cremini) mushrooms, sliced

4 oz shredded Swiss cheese 1 1/2 cups whipping cream 4 large eggs 1/4 teaspoon salt Freshly ground black pepper

BRUNCH CREPES CREAMY STRAWBERRY

Directions

Place the eggs, milk, water, melted butter, flour, and salt in the pitcher of a blender; blend until smooth. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or non-stick skillet over medium heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 2 tablespoons for each crepe.

Tip and rotate pan to spread batter

as thinly as possible. Flip over when the batter is set and the edges are beginning to brown. Cook until the other side begins to brown. Stack finished crepes on a plate, cover with a damp towel and set aside. Blend the cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth.

Position oven rack to center position. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Butter a 10inch pie plate. Heat a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir bacon in the hot skillet until crisp, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove bacon and drain all but 2 tablespoons grease from skillet. Cook and stir asparagus and mushrooms in the remaining bacon grease until asparagus is tender, about 5 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and toss bacon into asparagus mixture. Spread asparagus-bacon mixture into the prepared pie pan. Sprinkle Swiss cheese over mixture. Whisk cream, eggs, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Pour egg mixture over asparagus-cheese mixture. Bake in the preheated oven until quiche is set and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes.

Ingredients

3 eggs 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup water 3 tablespoons butter, melted 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon lemon zest 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup heavy cream, whipped 4 cups sliced strawberries

Gently fold in the whipped cream. To serve, fill each crepe with 1/4 cup sliced strawberries and 1/3 cup of the cream cheese filling, roll up and top with a small dollop of the cream cheese filling and more sliced strawberries.

Fontina Spinach

Artichoke

Pasta AM Hash INGREDIENTS 6 slices cut bacon, chopped 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 cloves garlic minced 8 oz cremini mushrooms 1 teaspoon dried dill 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon red pepper 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/4 teaspoon salt 16 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed 12 oz marinated artichokes hearts, drained 1 pound angle hair pasta 8 oz fontina cheese, half diced, half shredded 6-8 eggs 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream Lots of chopped parsley INSTRUCTIONS Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta, prepare according to directions. Drain, set aside. Preheat oven to 374 degrees F. Heat large skillet over medhigh heat, cook bacon until crispy. Remove to paper towel-lined plate. Remove all but one tablespoon of bacon fat from pan, add olive oil and heat over high heat. Add garlic, sauté for 30 seconds.

Add mushrooms in a single layer. Don't stir! Let them sizzle until they caramelize on bottom, about 2 minutes.

When bottoms are caramelized, toss once and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add dill, oregano, crushed red pepper and pepper. Stir in thawed spinach and artichokes and gently stir everything to combine.

Cook another 2-3 minutes until heated through. Add half of the pasta, the cubes of fontina and a drizzle of olive oil, toss well, adding in more pasta if desired. Create small wells for eggs and carefully crack eggs into wells.

Sprinkle eggs with salt and pepper and add remaining shredded cheese. Drizzle cream over eggs. Place whole skillet in oven and bake until whites are just set but yolks are runny, about 15 minutes. To brown cheese a bit more turn the broiler on for 30 seconds. Remove from oven and add crispy bacon.

Garnish with parsley.

STILL HUNGRY? See more at www.ProwlerMagazine.com.

FOUR TASTY TREATS WITH A BITE

A DASH OF FIREBALL WHISKY DOES THE TRICK

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BY LORI SCOTT

Boston Cream Pie 1 oz Vanilla Vodka 1 oz Chila Orchata Rum 1 oz Fragelico 1 oz Fireball Whisky 1/16 oz Godiva Liquer

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Creme Brulee Martini 1.5 oz Vanilla Vodka .75 oz Hazlenut Liquer 1.5 oz Fireball Whisky .5 oz Cointreau 1 oz Half/Half In a shaker, add ice, shake and strain.

Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Martini

Caramel Apple Pie

1.5 oz Marshmallow Vodka 1.5 oz Chocolate Liquor 1.5 oz Fireball Whisky .5 oz Cream .5 oz Milk Chocolate Shavings

2 oz Caramel Vodka 1 oz Apple (Dr. Apple) 1 oz Fireball Whisky Whipped Cream Ground Cinnamon

For More Cocktails Please

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