Issuu

South Charlotte SouthCharlotteLifestylePubs.com

JUNE 2017

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The Men's Issue

FIRE UP THE GRILL: SHRIMP, STEAK AND SUNSHINE

CONTROL BEYOND THE KITCHEN. Jenn-Air brand unifies high performance with elegant design through liberating connectivity and distinctive design elements. Our Jenn-Air ® connected wall oven complements the connected home with a companion mobile app, available for either iOS or Android devices, that now Works with Nest, so you can stay in control of your kitchen and your home – no matter where you happen to be. jennair.com ®/™ ©2017 Jenn-Air. All rights reserved. Requires WiFi and account creation. App features and functionality subject to change. Subject to Terms of Service available at jennair.com/connect. May not be supported by all wireless carriers or handsets. See terms and conditions at jennair.com/terms. Message and data rates may apply. Apple logo and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc.

Charlotte 704-568-7600 | Huntersville 704-896-9626 Pineville 704-527-5510 | Matthews 704-708-4223 Outlet Center 704-708-4223

Expires August 31, 2017.

Lifestyle Letter

JUNE 2017

Welcome, gentlemen, to your issue.

PUBLISHER

Charlotte is a city teeming with restaurants, sports and destinations curated just for you—just like this issue. From kitchen gadgets to the ultimate steak grilling guide, this one’s for you. We sat down with the guys at Charlotte mainstay Cajun Queen to get a taste of their famous BBQ Shrimp recipe, the perfect dish for a guy’s night in (page 16). But if you want to go out—and with June’s promise of sun-soaked days and warm nights, why wouldn’t you?—head Uptown. Not to a bar or brewery (although we wouldn’t begrudge you those destinations either), but to a baseball game. They call it America’s favorite pastime, but it could just as easily gain the epithet “Summer’s Calling.” Is there anything more symbolically summery than a warm hot dog, a cold beer and the sound of a ballgame?

Richard Mellert | Richard.Mellert@LifestylePubs.com George Zorrilla | George.Zorrilla@LifestylePubs.com EDITOR

Emily Glaser | Emily.Glaser@LifestylePubs.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Robert Ernie Adler, Wesley Brown, Emily Glaser, Roni Fishkin, Zachary Setzer, Swell Décor CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Buren Foster/Charlotte Knights, Charlotte Symphony, Good Stuff Creative, The Mango Market, Rodney Scot Photography, Ben Sherill, Studio A Photography, Laura Wolff/Charlotte Knights

It’s summertime, fellas. Enjoy it. Emily Glaser

CORPORATE TEAM | Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

CHIEF SALES OFFICER

Emily Glaser, Editor

| Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DIRECTOR OF MARKETING ART DIRECTOR OPERATIONS MANAGER

| Sara Minor | Janeane Thompson

EDITORIAL MANAGER EDITORIAL

AD MANAGER

AD COORDINATORS

| Chad Jensen

South Charlotte Lifestyle | June 2017

| Melanie Carlisle

EXECUTIVE ACCOUNTANT APPLICATION ARCHITECT

SouthCharlotteLifestylePubs.com PHOTOGRAPHY BY THE MANGO MARKET

| Cyndi King, Jessica Sharky, Dana Rudolph

PUBLISHER SUPPORT

WEB DEVELOPERS

JOIN US

| Megan Seymour

| Cyndi Harrington, Andrea Thomas Alicia Huff

LAYOUT DESIGNERS

ON THE COVER Cajun Queen’s BBQ Shrimp

| Nicolette Martin

| Victoria Perry, Lindsey Howard

SENIOR AD DESIGNER

Editor Emily Glaser with the Knights' Chris O'Dowd.

TALK TO US

| DeLand Shore | Brad Broockerd

| Randa Makeen

| Michael O’Connell

| Hanna Park, Scott Lavigne

P.O. Box 12608 Overland Park, KS 66282-3214 Proverbs 3:5-6 South Charlotte Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of South Charlotte’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in South Charlotte Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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Departments

Good Times

Around Town

Renovate & Refine

Culinary Creations

Travel Destination

Financial Buzz

Realty Report

Tech Savvy

Lifestyle Calendar

Parting Thoughts

16 The Queen Cityâ€™s Cajun Queen

In the Kitchen With Our Favorite Cajun Cooks

20 Summerâ€™s Favorite Pastime

The Charlotte Knights Hit a Home Run

28 Connected Kitchens

Modern Conveniences for the Kitchen

Good Times

SEED20

SEED20 is Social Venture Partners’ annual program to identify, spotlight and support our region’s most innovative nonprofits, providing twenty social entrepreneurs with two months of coaching. Ten finalists took to the stage to pitch their ideas for social change to an audience of over 900! PHOTOGRAPHY BY RODNEY SCOT PHOTOGRAPHY.

3rd Annual Levine Children’s Gala

This spring the 3rd Annual Levine Children’s Gala welcomed over 500 guests to the campus of Carolinas Medical Center. In addition to celebrating Levine Children’s Hospital’s 10th anniversary, the event raised record net proceeds of $2.4 million to benefit the hospital. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GOOD STUFF CREATIVE

Gala Emcee, actress and model Angie Harmon pictured at the Gala with her daughters

The star of the show was 4-year-old Aydan, a heart transplant survivor and Levine Children’s Hospital patient

Levine Children’s Gala Committee Member Greg Olsen and Levine Children’s Hospital patient Ben Aguallo

American Authors, guest entertainment for the Levine Children’s Gala

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TASTE OF CHARLOTTE Sip, sample and sup June 9 through 11 in Uptown at the annual Taste of Charlotte. This three day festival features over 100 samples from area restaurants, live music and entertainment, cooking demos, street performances, vendors and kid’s activities. Since 1999, six blocks of Tryon turn into a foodie’s paradise every summer for this family-friendly festival. The best part? Admission is free! Attendees can purchase festival coins for restaurant samples, beverages and kid’s activities at the festival or online. If you feel like burning off a few of those extra calories, sign up for the 4th Annual Race to the Taste 5K on Saturday morning. TasteOfCharlotte.com

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SUMMER POPS Our favorite summertime tradition returns this month with the Charlotte Symphony's CONTINUED >

South Charlotte Lifestyle | June 2017

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South Charlotte Lifestyle | June 2017

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Around Town

(CON TI N U ED)

Summer Pops! This year's Pops will feature a four-concert series and a Celebrate America! special event. From Hollywood favorites to jazz numbers to patriotic tunes accompanied by fireworks, these concerts are crowd-pleasers. Held at Symphony Park at Southpark Mall each Sunday in June and as well as Saturday, July 1 at 8:15 pm, these concerts send off the heat of summer with pizzaz. Gates open at 5 pm and performance preludes begin at 7 pm. This season will also include hors d’oeuvres and beverages, as well as chef-curated picnic baskets, from Reid's Fine Foods. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit CharlotteSymphony.org. Photograph courtesy of Viking Cruises

MANN TRAVELS TO HOST RIVER CRUISE SERIES OF CONSUMER EVENTS By now, most travelers are familiar with the concept of river cruises. Guests onboard these vessels experience the beauty of the smaller waterways of Europe and Asia in convenience and comfort—with no packing and unpacking. That said, awareness and continued education of the trends within this exciting segment of the travel industry continue to maintain high demand. With the continued interest in river cruising top-of-mind, Mann Travels has partnered with Viking Cruises to host a series of consumer events so that clients from multiple geographical markets can learn more. Upcoming river cruise events that Mann Travels and Viking currently have organized include: Tuesday, May 2 at 6 pm at Providence Country Club; Thursday, May 4 at 6 pm at Rock Hill Country Club; and Tuesday, June 27 at 6 pm at Rock Barn Country Club & Spa. Space is limited at all locations, and reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. You may reserve your spot for any of these events by calling 1-800-343-MANN (6266) or by sending an email to rsvp@manntravels.com. June 2017 | South Charlotte Lifestyle

Renovate & Refine

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Culinary Creations

The Queen City's “W Cajun Queen

e’ve been here so long that people feel at home,” says Tim Freer, partner and manager of Cajun Queen. And he’s right.

The New Orleans-inspired eatery is as much a part of the fabric of Charlotte as our neighborhoods and sports teams.

ARTICLE EMILY GLASER

When the restaurant first opened its doors in 1985, it was as much

PHOTOGRAPHY THE MANGO MARKET

a product of coincidence as passion. Sid Godfried had the idea of opening a Cajun restaurant; chef Howard Winter was looking for a job in a kitchen. Together, along with Chef William Wessling, they opened Cajun Queen. Over the years the men behind the restaurant have shifted, as has the restaurant itself. Partners now include Freer, Chef Wessling, and Gottfried’s son, Robert. The nearly century-old bungalow the restaurant calls home—the building will celebrate its centennial next year— has undergone renovations and additions, including a rooftop patio. But there are plenty of things that haven’t changed, and that’s how they like it. “We’ve had live music every night for 30 years. In Charlotte, that’s really special,” says Freer. Another thing that hasn’t changed much? The menu. Over the past 30 years, the chef has only made minimal adjustments to the menu. “We’re just so consistent because it works,” notes Freer. Every night of the week you’ll find regulars dotted at the tables around Cajun Queen; they order the same dish every time because they know it’s delicious. “If it’s not broken…” Freer suggests with a laugh, and it’s true. The menu has worked consistently over the past three decades because it’s good. So good, in fact, that you might be tempted to make one of their favorite recipes at home. Chef Wessling shares their classic BBQ Shrimp recipe.

CONTINUED >

South Charlotte Lifestyle | June 2017

June 2017 | South Charlotte Lifestyle

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Culinary Creations

(CON TI N U ED)

BBQ SHRIMP INGREDIENTS

2 t BBQ seasoning 2 T vegetable oil 15 shrimp, peeled and deveined (or for a New Orleans twist, leave the shell on) 1/2 c chicken or vegetable stock 1/2 c light beer (Chef’s pick? Milwaukee’s Best) 2 T Worcestershire sauce Handful diced scallions 2 T butter 1 T chopped garlic RECIPE

In a hot nonstick sauté pan, add vegetable oil. When the oil is hot, add BBQ seasoning, Worcestershire, garlic and shrimp. Sauté the shrimp until almost cooked through, then add chicken stock, beer, butter and scallions—in that order. The stock and beer will deglaze your pan, then the butter melts into the broth. When the butter is melted, the shrimp should be done. Feel free to adjust the recipe and measurements to your taste! June 2017 | South Charlotte Lifestyle

South Charlotte Lifestyle | June 2017

m e m r’s u S F

P e a t s i t r i m o v a

INTRO

t’s a pastime of tunes. Childhood rhymes of cracker jack and baseball bats. Melodious

rally cries and catcalls. The soft whistle of a bat swishing through air and the staccato crack of the ball. It’s a song we all love—the song of baseball. For little boys, loving baseball is as American as apple pie, the striped forms of baseball legends towering in imagi-

nations, on cards and in stadiums. And for grown men, the nostalgic love of the game is rooted in those same silhouettes, stretched long by the arch of summertime’s late sun. Some associate the game with those Northern regions, with lifelong rivalries and the roughened call of “batta’” and “bawl.” But here in Charlotte, in the heart of the South and the heart of our city, baseball breathes its deepest breathes ARTICLE EMILY GLASER PHOTOGRAPHY LAURA WOLFF/CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS

and finds its truest forms. Here the feelgood, wholesome sport of yesteryear finds fresh roots in the chivalrous, and aptly-named, Knights.

CONTINUED >

June 2017 | South Charlotte Lifestyle

SUMMER’S FAVORITE PASTIME (CON TI N U ED)

FAST FACTS ABOUT CHARLOTTE BASEBALL • Sure, you know the tumultuous history of the Charlotte Hornets—the basketball team, that is. But the first Charlotte Hornets were actually a professional baseball team (the city’s first) founded in 1892. • Baseballs may be thrown around Uptown these days, but for 50 years they found their home in Dilworth at Calvin Griffith Park (which would eventually become Crockett Park). • For more than a century baseball has been an integral thread in the patchwork of Charlotte sports—except for the mid-70s, when all our teams disbanded. The new team, the “Charlotte Pines,” never came to fruition. But wrestling promoter Jim Crockett, Jr. brought the sport back in 1976. • Think we’re done with the Hornets connections? Hardly. In 1987, George Shinn—the founder of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets—bought the local baseball team from the Crocketts and, in 1988, christened them the Knights. • The Knights have been affiliated with several major league teams over the years, including the Orioles, Cubs, Indians, Marlins and, since 1999, the Chicago White Sox.

CHRIS O’DOWD

HOW DID YOU FIND BASEBALL?

My dad worked in the game for over 35 years, so it wasn’t as much ‘I found baseball’ as it found me. When you work in baseball, I would say your whole family’s lifestyle is determined by what you do in the game—it’s not a 9-5 job. I was at spring training, being homeschooled from like the age of 6 to 10. It would be odd for me not to have baseball as a part of my life in some capacity. Bu

AT WHAT POINT DID YOU DECIDE BASEBALL WASN’T JUST GOING TO BE A PART OF YOUR LIFE, BUT THAT YOU WANTED TO DO THIS PROFESSIONALLY?

s te

r/ C

h a rl

It wasn’t anything I ever questioned or gave extended thought to, it’s just… I’m here to do

o t te K n i g h t s

it. On the field is a lot better than being in the stands, so I’ve always wanted to have the uniform on as long as I can. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PLAYING FOR CHARLOTTE?

About two weeks! [laughs] What typically happens is you move wherever the big league affiliate sends you. And so this time of year, if they say you’re going to Charlotte, you move here for as long as they tell you… What makes it home is all the guys here with you. Everyone here is in the same boat as you. They’re most likely not from Charlotte. We have the same schedule, so you really come together and that’s like your family for six months of the season. SO FAR WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT THE CITY?

I like the energy. It seems like it has a very youthful presence. There are also a lot of new, clean areas to explore and be a part of. And the stadium is probably, if not the nicest in minor league baseball, one of the top couple. We live at the stadium for the most part, so that’s really all that matters. 22

South Charlotte Lifestyle | June 2017

THIS SUMMER'S CALENDAR

Thirsty Thursdays every Thursday mean $3 domestic drafts and $1 small sodas at BB&T Ballpark through the whole season. With Friday Night Fireworks, start the weekend with a bang at BB&T Ballpark! The Knights will host 11 post-game firework shows on Fridays throughout the 2017 season. Kids Run the Bases after every Sunday home game (12 and under).

ABOUT THE STADIUM

Baseball has had many homes here in Charlotte, from Dilworth to nearby Fort Mill, but now it

seems the Knights have found their true home—or rather, castle—in Uptown. Just a block away from the Panthers’ Bank of America Stadium, when BB&T Ballpark opened in 2014 it established our downtown as one of the preeminent sports destinations in the Southeast. With breathtaking views of the Charlotte skyline and top-of-the-line amenities, like Dugout Suites and Luxury Lounge areas, this is—as O’Dowd said—the nicest minor league ballpark in the country. But more than its swanky facade and unparalleled views, the new location offers accessibility and attendance that the old facilities couldn’t offer. Whereas old games required a lengthy drive out of town, now it’s easy to leave the office, don your cap and walk right into the game. Families can make day-long excursions of a game, exploring the bustling Uptown before pausing for pics with Homer, the friendly, not fearsome, dragon mascot. Plus the stadium’s proximity to our finest restaurants and bars make a Knights game a perfect entreé to date night—or guy’s night out.

At All American Mondays, the Ballpark hosts special events like $1 Hot Dogs and Bark at the Ballpark presented by Sahlen's. SkyShow CLT— the

biggest

fireworks

show in the Southeast— lights up the 4th of July. On Father's Day, June 18, kid's can enjoy a pre-game catch on the field with dad.

CARSON BLAIR

HOW DID YOU FIND BASEBALL?

Probably when I was five years old and my mom put a toy bat in my hands, back in the t-ball days. [My mom] was a big fan growing up. We always went to the Astros games, she had season tickets, so that’s probably where it started. I didn’t even really have to make a decision, I just kind of grew up liking it.

through baseball, and then when scouts came around and started talking about draft and all that stuff, it starts getting in your head a little like, ‘ok, this is a legitimate option.’ So it was really my senior

Probably senior year of high school. At that point, my goal was really just to pay for my college

YOUR LIFE, BUT THAT YOU WANTED TO DO THIS PROFESSIONALLY?

AT WHAT POINT DID YOU DECIDE BASEBALL WASN’T JUST GOING TO BE A PART OF

s te

r/ C

h a rl

o t te K n i g h t s

year when I realized this could be a legitimate career already. SO FAR WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT THE CITY?

Well, I don’t have a car [laughs], so my knowledge of Charlotte is literally the path between my apartment and the field, but there’s been some great restaurants. I know a lot of the area is beautiful. Downtown is nice because it’s all walkable, so I’ve been able to walk a few places. I like that this is a smaller field, at the same time in a bigger Southern city. WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT PLAYING WITH THIS TEAM?

It’s awesome so far, I’m still getting to know everybody (I’m new to the organization). I’m coming from the Texas Rangers last year, so I’m still getting to know all the guys and they’ve been awesome, welcoming me with open arms. Baseball players are all similar characters, so we mesh really well. June 2017 | South Charlotte Lifestyle

Travel Destination

he mighty Danube flows through the

THE MIGHTY

heart of central Europe. Its 1,795 miles

DANUBE ARTICLE RONI FISHKIN

travel from east to west, flowing through 10 countries including Hungary, Austria, Slovakia and Germany. Vacationers flock to this destination because of the vast selection of itineraries that feature large cities, such as Budapest and Vienna, along with the small towns and villages that dot the coastline. The growing interest in European River Cruising has made the Danube even more popular, and dozens of river cruise ships call the river home throughout the season. One popular itinerary begins in Budapest, with its iconic Parliament building, the magnificent Chain bridge, interesting local markets, historical sights and, of course, the thermal baths and spas. From Budapest, visitors alight in places of interest like Bratislava in Slovakia, Melk with its historic monastery, and Vienna and Linz in Austria. A visit to Salzburg reminds you the hills are most certainly “alive with the sounds of music” in this part of the world, where the famous movie and Von Trapp family story is a source of pride and visitors can see shows and concerts featuring the popular music. Nearly all river cruises will sail toward Germany next and stop in the town of Passau, where there is a view of the Three Rivers, the spot where the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers all converge. The cobblestone streets of Passau also offer a fun place to ride bikes, and many river cruise ships now have them on board to borrow for the day. Cruising the Danube is an almost yearround activity; there are only a few winter months that ships stop sailing. Spring and summer are magnificent in this picturesque region, especially in the

DANUBE TRIVIA

vineyard-dotted Wachau

The Danube is not blue, despite the name of the

Valley. Christmas market

famous Johann Strauss’ waltz—it’s actually more

cruising is also extremely

of a murky grey-ish color. But the waltz is the pop-

popular, and millions of

ular, if unofficial, anthem of the area nonetheless.

people descend on the town squares in central European cities to shop

for handmade ornaments, trinkets and other Old World souvenirs. The weather can be cold and the wind a bit blustery, so make sure a coat and scarf are part of your packing list! A Danube discovery cruise is filled with history, culture and relaxation—with a bit of sausage, schnitzel and strudel thrown in! 24

South Charlotte Lifestyle | June 2017

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Fly for $495 air for 8-14 day cruises When you book by July 31, 2017

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To receive this offer you must book with code: EWUMANN. Terms & Conditions: Offer valid through July 31, 2017. New bookings only and it is non-transferable. Fly Free to Europe on 2018 sailings 15+ days and longer. $495 air per person for 8-14 day sailings. Emerald staterooms (Category D & E) are excluded from the offer. Includes taxes with a max ticket amount of $1400 per person. A non-refundable initial deposit of $500 per person is required at the time of booking, with full payment required 90 days prior to departure. A secondary non-refundable deposit of $1,500 per person is due prior to air ticketing. Emerald reserves the right to ticket the airfare upon receipt of deposit. Economy Air only on Emerald Waterways’ choice of airlines and routes. Fly from Emerald’s top 25 U.S. These offers are not combinable with any other offer or promotion except for Travel Show & Agent Training vouchers. Taxes & port charges are included in the price. Offer may be extended, canceled or withdrawn at any time without notice. 2018 itineraries, hotels and inclusions are subject to availability and may change. Pricing listed on ad is subject to change based on availability. Contact Emerald Waterways for the most up to date pricing. For full terms and Ad Code: 17_EW117, April 2017 conditions please contact Mann Travel or Emerald Waterways. ©Emerald Waterways 2017 | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | One Financial Center, 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02111.

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Financial Buzz

QU E S TI O N S ABOUT "M Y O UR E S TAT E PL AN

y situation is very simple. I just want to make sure that

if something happens to one of us, the other gets everything. If something happens to both of us, the kids get everything." It's the classic opening. Estate planners hear it every week. After a few follow-up questions,

ARTICLE ZACHARY SETZER

many people find that their situation is not quite as simple as they thought and that they would, in fact, like to do more than the bare minimum to protect their legacy. Here are some of the follow-up questions a good planner will ask before

Some occupations are riskier than others.

E xp

OF LAWSUITS?

r Ou

1. ARE YOU AT INCREASED RISK

er t !

concluding that your situation is simple.

If you are a licensed professional or business owner (or both), one mistake, one lawsuit, could wipe you out. It is critically important

costs are decimating estates across the

to combine best practices and adequate

country. The key to protecting assets from

insurance coverage with appropriate legal

these expenses is to plan ahead—at least five

structures to maximize protection and mini-

years ahead. While there are crisis planning

mize risk of loss of your personal assets.

tools available to protect some assets at the

There is an especially nasty surprise waiting

last minute before going into the nursing

for licensed professionals who depend solely

home, they are more expensive and often

upon their business's status as a PC or PLLC;

less effective than prospective planning.

those structures do not protect you from liability for your own malpractice.

4. HAVE YOU EVER KNOWN ANYONE WHO WAS DISINHERITED?

2. DO YOU HAVE SIGNIFICANT ASSETS IN

Scenario: Mom and Dad are married. Mom

RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS?

dies and leaves everything to Dad. Dad remarries.

While most inherited assets are not taxed

Dad dies and leaves everything to Stepmom.

as income, non-Roth retirement accounts

Almost everyone has seen this scenario

are. Under the default rule, these accounts

first hand. What often happens next is

must be drained within five years of death,

Stepmom changes her will to leave every-

and the beneficiary owes income tax on

thing to her own kids, disinheriting Dad's

every dollar. So not only is there a huge tax

kids. If Mom and Dad had seen this com-

bill, but the tax deferral terminates.

ing, they easily could have used Bloodline

Alternatively, the beneficiary can leave the assets invested, tax deferred, for their remaining

Protection measures in their estate plan to make sure their kids were not disinherited.

life expectancy. They take a distribution every year and leave the rest to grow. This technique

5. WINDFALL OR LEGACY?

can increase the lifetime value of these accounts

Usually, an inheritance is a check that goes

by five to fifty times, depending on the age of the

into the bank. It's a one-time windfall. The end.

beneficiary. But it takes planning to make sure

With just a bit more planning, an inheri-

they follow this plan rather than the default.

tance can be a multigenerational legacy protected from the beneficiaries' creditors,

3. ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THE PROSPECT OF LONG-TERM CARE COSTS LATER IN LIFE?

The average cost of nursing home care in North Carolina is $6,300 per month. These 26

South Charlotte Lifestyle | June 2017

predators, divorces, lawsuits and even bankruptcies—all without restricting control and access. Consider the Golden Rule and ask yourself, "Which would I rather receive?"

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June 2017 | South Charlotte Lifestyle

Tech Savvy

CONNECTED KITCHENS

f you’ve watched television in the last few months, you’re aware of Amazon Alexa and her competitors that make the vision of a connected

home a bit clearer. Technological advancements in areas such as voice control and artificial intelligence are enabling manufacturers of home lighting, climate control systems and home theater equipment to carve out their place in the “connected home.” However, a recent McKinsey survey of approximately 3,000 households shows that the market is far from saturated and that companies from all industries have a growing opportunity to establish the need for their products and services while integrating with other devices like wearables and smartphones. So it makes sense that appliance manufacturers would seek a role in this ecosystem. Whether it’s through proprietary mobile apps that take control of appliances out of the kitchen and into the palm of a customer’s hand, or integration with existing technology such as Works with Nest or Amazon Alexa, connected appliances are moving beyond the infancy stage. What exactly does this mean for consumers? When asked for their ideas about a connected appliance, consumers may think whimsically of Star Trek or The Jetsons. While the first generation of connected appliances can’t deliver a fully automated meal, they are no longer a futuristic idea. Connected appliances are available today and offer meaningful ways to change the customer’s experience. Jenn-Air is one manufacturer that demonstrates this integration with a connected wall oven that offers remote control via a proprietary app and the ability to interact with the Nest Learning Thermostat. “By working with Nest, we can add peace of mind and comfort to a long list of the connected wall oven’s capabilities and performance features,” says Brian Maynard, director of marketing for Jenn-Air. “The combination of a dedicated, fully featured app and Nest intelligence takes our powerful connected wall oven to a whole new level of innovation.” As appliances embrace this technology, they will have to address a broader need rather than their traditional product definition while still ensuring that the appliance continues to provide value that goes beyond its connected features. Says Maynard, “Consumers aren’t asking appliances to cook their meal for them, so at this stage in our connected journey, we win when the customer becomes excited about using the features they already enjoy in a more accessible, frictionless way.” Other ways that connected appliances are seeking to change the consumer’s experience are through the ability to coordinate service calls with a factory-trained technician and to facilitate the replacement of consumables such as water filters.

South Charlotte Lifestyle | June 2017

June 2017 | South Charlotte Lifestyle

June Lifestyle Calendar

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JUNE 3 QC FEMME FEST PLAZA MIDWOOD QC Femme Fest celebrates the women of Charlotte, regardless of age, profession or orientation, and brings them together in a symbol of support.

JUNE 9 LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISING RECEPTION THE HARVEY B. GANTT CENTER FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN ARTS & CULTURE The Legacy Scholarship Fundraising Reception will launch the Dr. Bertha Maxwell-Roddey Scholarship Endowment at Johnson C. Smith University.

JUNE 11 THE CLASSIC BLACK CINEMA SERIES: SIREN OF THE TROPICS THE HARVEY B. GANTT CENTER FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN ARTS & CULTURE This film series exposes the community to the vast artistic value of black film with films like 1927's Siren of the Tropics, a tale full of love triangles.

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South Charlotte Lifestyle | June 2017

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Lifestyle Calendar

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JUNE 15 GENDERED: AN INCLUSIVE ART SHOW OPENING MINT MUSEUM UPTOWN Gendered will open to the public on June 16 and be on view until July 21 with additional programming to be announced in conjunction with the show.

JUNE 15 ARTBREAK LEVINE CENTER FOR THE ARTS ArtBreak tours are free, thirty minute guided tours each third Thursday of each month at Mint Museum Uptown, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and the Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture.

JUNE 18 FIRE TRUCK FESTIVAL NORTH CAROLINA TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM The second N.C. Transportation Museum Fire Truck Show celebrates firetrucks with a festival and parade.

JUNE 21 THE LONGEST DAY CHARLOTTE On the summer solstice, the Alzheimer’s Association encourages you to do your favorite activity in support of ending Alzheimers.

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Parting Thoughts

STEAK DONE WELL

(Not Well Done)

ARTICLE ROBERT ERNIE ADLER, HEAD SMOKEMASTER AT ERNIE'S BBQ

rilling season is here and nothing tastes better—or feels better to cook—than a good steak. Preparing that favored meat well

proves your position as the official grill master. It might be intimidating, but with a few tips you won’t be afraid to fire up the grill and feast. Here are the four simple steps to grilling a steakhouse quality steak:

1. QUALITY

is integral. If you don’t begin with a good cut of meat, you’re not going to end with a good steak dinner. Quality

selections are USDA Prime, Choice, and Select, which refer to the marbling (the amount and saturation of good fat throughout the meat). Prime has the best marbling and is the most expensive, then Choice, then Select. Fat and marbling give meat it’s great flavor and keeps it moist during cooking. Go big and get Prime!

2. CUT

is the next decision, and that means deciding what beef type to buy. The cut refers to the type of beef you’re buy-

ing, such as NY Strip, Porterhouse, Filet Mignon or T-Bone, which all come from the loin area, and Rib Eye, which comes from the rib area. These are the best cuts for steak. I recommend a thicker cut, at least 1” thick up to 2” maximum

3. SEASON

12-24 hours ahead with some sea or Kosher salt and cracked pepper, or use your favorite steak seasoning.

You don’t want to overpower the natural taste of the beef with a powerful seasoning or too much of it, but you do want to draw those natural flavors out of the meat before slapping it on the grill.

4. GRILLING

First know how the temperature of your steak correlates with your desired result: 120 rare, 140 medium, 160 well.

NOW IT’S TIME FOR I always grill using the reverse indirect sear method to get a perfect THE MAGIC:

steak. Here’s how that works:

1. Heat your grill to 300 degrees, keeping one burner off, and put the

steaks above that burner. 2. Occasionally insert a meat thermometer horizontally into the

meat. When within 15 degrees of desired temperature, turn on all the burners, heating the grill to 500 degrees. 3. After a few minutes, using tongs (never use a fork!), turn the

steaks 45 degrees, then flip and repeat. 4. When close to desired temperature, remove and let rest for 10 min-

utes. You’ll have beautiful grill marks, a perfect sear and consistent doneness inside. With a little practice, you’ll be as good as the pros. For catering, grilling ideas or to schedule a home grilling class, just call us at Ernie’s BBQ at 704-577-1777 or check out ErniesBBQ.com. You can also see me on WBTV and WCNC throughout the month with grilling ideas. 34

South Charlotte Lifestyle | June 2017

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