Bobcats arena the best?

Did you hear that according to Pollstar magazine, the Charlotte Bobcats Arena has been nominated as one of the best new concert venues of the year. Winners will be announced in Vegas Feb. 15.

In past blogs, I've written about us being excluded from other national list. We finally got some major recognition from a respected publication, but I have a feeling some Charlotte concert-goers don't think the new Bobcats arena should be so highly regarded.

I saw the Rolling Stones there, and I had a good time, but I've heard from several people who aren't impressed. The biggest complaint is overpriced food, which is expected, and bad acoustics.

Urban Vixen, who saw U2 in Houston, said the sound was muffled at the Charlotte show, and the Edge's guitar wasn't crisp and lacked depth. At the Dolly Parton concert, Urban Vixen said you could barely hear Parton's vocals.


What do you guys think? Have you been to the new arena and do you think it should be considered one of the best in the country?

No alcohol for New Year's? No way!

I don't know if you heard, but Charlotte Center City Partners announced that vendors will not be selling alcohol on the streets for the big Downtown Countdown. Instead Charlotte Center City Partners wants revelers to go to restaurants, hotels and clubs for their alcohol fix. The keepers of Uptown also asked the news media to remind all the lushes that it is illegal to walk around with an open container of alcohol unless they're on private property or in a closed festival area with an alcohol permit. Apparently, the beer-coozie clutching Panther's and Bobcats fans think they're on Bourbon Street.

Moira Quinn of Charlotte Center City partners says the NYE switch is so that Downtown Countdown doesn't steal alcohol sales from businesses. She assured me that the NYE change doesn't mean alcohol won't be sold at other uptown street events. She also says the open container law is old school.

I'm a little bummed about the alcohol-free countdown, but I'm even more disappointed about the open container law reminder. Walking around with cups of beer or Bloody Mary is part of the ballgame tradition. You tailgate with friends and carry your cocktail or brewski from the asphalt party to the gate. Then you guzzle your drink before you go inside. It's all part of the game-day ritual, like players taping up their ankles. Ball games are special events. It's not like people are drinking beer on the streets uptown every night.

Partiers, am I the only who thinks the city is being a bit too uptight? Post your comments below. (P.S. no cursing, your post will be rejected.)

No Menage? No Forum? We stink -- again

OK, I know some of you doubted the credibility of the Axe deodorant survey showing Charlotte was one of the worst cities to hook up in, but guys we got slighted again.

This time by the respectable Nightclub & Bar trade magazine. They published their Top 100 bars and clubs in the U.S. and guess what - we're not in it. But guess who at least got a shout out -- Raleigh! Their Long Branch Saloon got a mention, but didn't make the top 100 list either.

Click here for the Top 100 Nightclubs and Bars for 2006. The list is in alphabetical order.

Here's a sample:
1. 115 Bourbon Street Pub (Chicago)
2. 32 Degrees Street Pub (Philly)
3. AJ's (Destin, Fla.)
4. Ampersand (New Orleans)
5. Ava Lounge (New York)
6. Aria (Boston)
7. Avala and Spider Club (L.A.)
8. Beach Bar at the W. Hotel (San Diego)
9. B.E.D. (Miami)
10. Billy Bo's Texas (Fort Worth, Texas)

Considering the Coyote Ugly's in New York and Jillians in Dallas made the list, I decided to call Tad Wilkes of Oxford Publishing, which publishes Nightclub & Bar to find out the deal, and if Charlotte sucks.

Wilkes was kind enough to explain that the bars were chosen for their innovativeness, uniqueness to the market and/or revenue. He assured me however that we're a great party town.

"We have not intentionally left Charlotte out," Wilkes said. We definitely don't think Charlottee sucks. I know that there are some good bars there, I can't think of them off the top of my head."

What do you guys think about this latest slight? Are we really lying to ourselves -- does Charlotte's nightlife really stink? If not, what clubs and bars should have made this list? Post your comments below.

Sippin' on some syzzurp

Wow, some of you got downright rowdy last week when I asked about diversity uptown. Some people stayed on topic and seriously tried to address the issue. Others slammed me for race baiting (and other things). To whoever posted that I should ride off into the sunset with my butch wife on my motorcycle, that sounds so romantic. Thanks sweetie. Speaking of which, for some reason a couple of you went on this whole gay tangent. I can see homosexuality being part of the discussion of diversity uptown, but when did you know you were gay conversation threw me. What was that about?
Anyway, as the Community Relations Committee's investigation of Menage continues, I'm sure we will return to the topic of diversity uptown. FYI: any comments that insult or slander a person (other than me) or club by name will be removed as soon as I see it. That's not cool, especially if you don't have the guts to include your name and e-mail address.
Alright, on to this week's topic.
I know people think I have the coolest job ever, but I met a woman who gets paid to drink scotch. For real.
Marcy Ruderhausen is a master of scotch, and last week she conducted a scotch tasting at Morton's to introduce Johnnie Walker Green. Ruderhausen also schooled me on the basics, such as scotch is whiskey made in Scotland (Duh) and how to drink the liquor.
And just because a scotch has an older age date, for example a 12-year Dewars, doesn't mean you'll like it better than a 10-year Talisker. Age ain't nothing but a number.
If you're new to scotch or whiskey, the first thing to figure out is if you like it smoky or not. It's kind of like fruity versus dry wine. When tasting Ruderhausen suggests sampling several different kinds at one sitting, and sampling them neat (straight).
First, sniff the liquor, then sip it. See what flavors you notice and how you like the taste. Using a straw, add a couple of drops of water. Sniff it, and then taste it again. See how the water changes the character of the liquor. Drink some water and then try the next scotch.
Ruderhausen let us try a yummy drink called the Gold Digger (She ain't messin' with no broke, broke...Just kidding). It's a shot of Johnnie Walker Gold and a shot of Godiva chocolate liquor. Oh my goodness.
Okay, enough talk about drinking. Time to party.

Diversity uptown

The accusations of racial discrimination at Menage couldn't have come at a worse time for the city. In three months, Charlotte will host the CIAA tournament and thousands of African Americans are expected to be here for a week of partying.
Whether the accusations are true or not, they reinforce an existing perception among some African Americans that blacks aren't welcome uptown. The issue of diversity uptown surfaced last month, when I wrote about a poll showing that Charlotte is one of the worst places to hook up. Several people complained that uptown isn't diverse.
So, I'm putting the question out there to you. To me uptown's nightlife is more ethnically diverse today than it was five years ago, from Phil's Deli to Crush to the Forum, you see range of ethnicities partying.

No More Have A Nice Day Cafe

This weekend I have to pour out a little liquor for my homey -- Have A Nice Day Cafe.
The popular College Street nightclub closed after Halloween weekend because business was slow, said BAR Charlotte manager Joe Salamino.
The folks at Bar Management group, which ran the club, blamed the customer drought on the nearly four month shut-down of the club last year when the roof of the Hut collapsed, and forced Have A Nice Day to close. Salamino said business never picked up after that.
I think Have A Nice Day Cafe fell victim to increased competition. It was competing for the same dollars as BAR Charlotte, Dixie's and Buckhead Saloon.
Bar Management group plans to keep the lease and is trying to figure out how to replace Have A Nice Day Cafe. They won't do anything until the first of the year, Salamino said.
So, what do you think should go in there?
I'd like to see a place for people over age 40. I get emails all the time from people in that age range looking for a nice place to go. Another cool Latino club like Salamandra would be great too. And of course, I'm always pushing for a true hip-hop club.
What do you think? Post your suggestions below.

Got the hook up?

Hellooo, party people.

Welcome to the Humpday edition of Paid to Party. Along with my blog about nightlife stuff, you'll also find links to Paid to Party Humpday and a guide to weekend activies.

This week's blog topic is living single:
I wanted to follow up the blog I wrote a couple of weeks ago asking whether Charlotte was the pits for singles. We ranked in the bottom 25 in an Axe survey of best cities to hook up. Party peeps, man did that item strike a nerve. You guys blew up the blog with comments about how the city stinks for single people. Now, I'm wondering where is the best place to hook up here?

I've always had good luck in the clubs, but last Thursday I tried something different. I was the guest bachelorette on WLNK's Matt & Ramona show.

It was weird.

I love Matt & Ramona, but talking to callers about what I like in a woman made me feel desperate. And I'm not even pressed like that. Just last week, Just Woo Me added its name to the list of groups doing the Speed Dating thing, and V101.9 rejuvenate its V Singles Connection.

Here's my thing, if I felt desperate on the Matt & Ramona show, I'm wondering if speed dating, personals and dating services really work.

What do you think? Why or why not? And if you don't use matchmaking services, where is the best place to hook up in Charlotte? Post your replies below.

Charlotte's the pits for single

Forget landing a NASCAR museum or passing school bonds, we've got bigger problems here. I've never been one to lack a date, so I was stunned to read a new survey showing that Charlotte stinks for singles.

According a national survey by AXE deodorant, Charlotte ranked No. 65 in "AXE's Best Cities for Hooking Up in America." We ranked so low, we could've been in the Top 25 for worst places to hook up. That dubious honor went to Birmingham, Ala.

No. 1 hook up city? Seattle, Wash.
How can you even tell if a shorty is cute, underneath all that rain gear? Heck, even Raleigh-Durham ranked ahead of us (They'd better thank all the drunk college coeds).

I know Charlotte is great for couples and families, but it can't be that bad for singles.

What do you think? Is Charlotte one of the worst places to hook up, and if so why? Post your comment below.

Top 25.
1. Seattle, WA
2. Honolulu, HI
3. San Francisco, CA
4. Austin, TX
5. San Diego, CA
6. Portland, OR
7. Providence, RI
8. New York, NY
9. Denver, CO
10. Baltimore, MD
11. Oakland, CA
12. Buffalo, NY
13. Los Angeles, CA
14. Rochester, NY
15. Dallas, TX
16. Tacoma, WA
17. Milwaukee, WI
18. Boston, MA
19. Fort Worth, TX
20. New Orleans, LA
21. San Antonio, TX
22. Salt Lake City, UT
23. Oklahoma City, OK
24. Phoenix, AZ
25. Raleigh-Durham, NC

Who let the air out? Roo roo

In today's Paid to Party column, I wrote about how uptown basically died after the Rolling Stones concert last Friday. My theory was that Stones' fans went home after the show because it was past their bedtime, and partiers who usually go uptown on a Friday night didn't, for fear of traffic congestion and parking hassles. Read the Paid to Party column

A couple of readers called me offering theiropinionss as well. One avid uptown supporter who has season tickets to the N.C. Dance TheatreCharlottee said she's angry that parking decks that used to be free now charge a fee after 5 p.m.

Another reader said he tried going out after the concert, but he wasn't feeling it. The club catered to their regular audience and not Stones fans. Neither of the two clubs he checked out played Stones music or even rock.

So, what's up? Why do you think uptown was deadish after the concert last week? Post your comment below.

Make Ron Artest wear a kimono

If NBA commissioner David Stern really wants to make fans feel more comfortable, he should require players to wear kimonos.

Sounds ridiculous? So is the newly required dress code, which feels like an ageist and bigoted decision by Baby Boomers who can’t relate to the young black men of the hip-hop generation who now dominate the NBA.

Read my Sunday Arts column. Also read Tom Sorensen's column.

Then tells us what you think by posting your comments below.

Goodbye Charlotte Coliseum

Ever since the Rev. Billy Graham dedicated the $52 million facility in August 1988, the Charlotte Coliseum has given us some rockin’ good memories -- from the scoreboard smashing to the ground that same month to housing Hurricane Katrina victims this summer. Read Tonya's Top 10 list of acts at the Coliseum. What shows did we leave out?

To post your favorite moments click on the "comments" link below.

Stones right act for arena debut

Initially, I was bummed U2 wasn’t the first act to perform at the arena, but after seeing the Rolling Stones on Friday, I realized they were a perfect fit. Arms stretched to the ceiling, fists pumped in the air and throats were screamed hoarse as Mick Jagger kicked the show off with "Start Me Up." The band’s hard-charging, beer-toasting, scream-’til-you-cry rock was just right on opening night. It was feel-good music with fist-in-the-air attitude for an arena that was built on time and within budget.
My favorite part of the show was the tribute to Ray Charles when Jagger sang Charles' hit "Night Time is the Right Time." Keith Richards sat on the drum stand, smoking a cigarette and playing his guitar while Jagger wailed as if Charles' spirit had taken him over.

What did you think of the show and the new arena? Click on the "Comments" link below to share your thoughts.

Boo uptown

What’s up people? I’ve been missing for a while, but some stuff uptown drove me out of seclusion.
What is the deal with uptown? First the city begs us to come and enjoy the nightlife, then they do everything they can to make hanging out a hassle.
Tryon Street is a war zone with cops on every corner to stamp out the evil, evil cruisers and those scary kids in their oversized T-shirts. Turning onto Tryon Street is harder than merging onto I-77 South during rush hour.
But here’s the latest: the city is considering charging to park uptown 24-7.
In the words of Lil’ Jon – "WHAAAT?!"
Doreen Szymanski of the Charlotte Department of Transportation wants me to set the record straight: there are no proposals or meetings scheduled to discuss the topic. Researchers, however, are looking into how other cities do it.
Hmm. No real plans yet, just research. Sounds like a good time to let the Charlotte Department of Transportation and elected officials know: paying to park uptown in the evenings stinks.
I mean, come on! Many parking decks and lots already charge in the evenings and more plan to start capitalizing on the anticipated traffic from the arena opening. The city could at least resist the urge to be greedy. Gas prices are already sky high, and it’s impossible to hang uptown without dropping a wad of cash, anyway.
At least offer a grandfather clause to the people brave enough to go out uptown before there was an entertainment district. Give them a free parking pass for helping make uptown what it is today.

NV update

In my exhaustion last night I forgot to mention the lineup for NV nightclub this weekend. If you're going, '80s one hit-wonder Shannon ("Let the Music Play") will perform Friday, and DJ Robert Rodriguez will spin high-energy dance music on Saturday. Big hair and thongs requested for Friday, but I say rock 'em Saturday too.

The force is with you

(TONYA JAMESON, Charlotte Observer)
You were supposed to be the chosen one! Star Wars fan ready for the final installment at Birkdale Village on Wednesday.

I had the lamest crowd at Star Wars tonight. Cinema 8 at Birkdale Village was as quiet as a library when the opening line (Long ago, blah, blah) flashed on the screen. At Regal Stonecrest, where my roommate saw the movie, he said people cheered as soon as the blue words appeared on the screen. And fans got even rowdier when R2-D2 was putting the smackdown on a couple of droid bullies. Another friend called from Chicago and said there was a light saber battle in his cinema. Next time, I'll screen hop.

"Revenge of the Sith" is the best of the three prequels. It's as good as "Return of the Jedi," my least favorite of the originals. It takes "Sith" way too long to show what I really wanted to see: Anakin Skywalker embrace the dark side, fight Obi-Wan Kenobi and become the man in black. During Skywalker's journey to evil I noticed plenty of similarities between the power hungry jedi and President Bush, as well as the United States and the Republic. (More on that in a later arts column.) When Anakin and Obi-Wan were spanking the bad guys the movie flowed well. It sputtered with stilted dialogue and Yoda's gibberish. Talking backwards does not wise one make. Oh, and pay attention to Chancellor Palpatine. He gets way too much of a rush being around Anakin when the dark side of the force is working its mojo.

Look me up tomorrow. I'll give you the scoop on the grand opening of Rick's Cabaret, formerly Club 2000.

What's to envy?

(TONYA JAMESON, Charlotte Observer)
Cirque de Cornelius: The trapeze artist above the bar drew plenty of stares at Club NV on Wednesday.

After sitting in traffic on I-77 N. for about an hour on Wednesday, I finally arrived at NV nightclub about 10:15 p.m. The first thing I saw inside the club at Exit 28 was a guy on stilts and a dude on the dance floor playing with those Chinese stick things. I drifted toward the bar in desperate need of a cure for my traffic irritation. Before I could order a drink, I noticed a woman suspended above the bar on a rope trapeze.

I ordered my drink and soaked in the place. NV is the latest club to launch in the space previously occupied by Funky Buddha and Vertigo. I never went to Funky Buddha, but layout in NV was similar to the one at Vertigo. It felt like the new owners put on a fresh coat of blue paint, hung some abstract art and tossed in several additions to give the club a posher feel. The music on Wednesday was soulful house with splashes of progressive.

When you walk in there's a huge circular bar on the left and the dance floor is in front of the bar. On the other side of the bar is a raised area, about the height of a stage, with sofas, chairs and cocktail tables. That area was my favorite part. It felt like were sitting on a throne looking down on everyone else. To the rear of the club across from the dance floor is a swanky VIP area seperated by curtains. Each section has its own flat screen TV. Nice touch.

There's also an upstairs with a balcony. It has a small bar, several pool table and several larger flat screen TVs. There's also an exclusive VIP area with one-way glass that looks down on the dance floor. I hear a couple of NASCAR guys were in that private VIP the other day.

I didn't see any big-time race car drivers on Wednesday, but I did bump into Eric McCoy of Red Door, DJ Niz and Rich Saner, who helped organize the bartender's ball. I loved the music on Wednesday. It's a nice club, but it's not worth me driving up from Charlotte, and I'm not sure how this club is going to do in the Lake Norman area. On Wednesday, NV felt like a dress shoes striped shirt club in a flip-flops and shorts community. I wasn't the only person making that observation on Wednesday. Several people I spoke to said they like the club, but they didn't know how it would do north of uptown.

As Rob Mason and several of his friends said, when people in the Lake Norman area want to get dressed up they come to Charlotte. NV's a nice spot and with a few tweaks to accommodate a more casual crowd it could be just the right club for the burbs.

Ride or die chick

(TONYA JAMESON, Charlotte Observer)
We're here. The Wednesday night bike crew parks at Hooters for an evening of wings and things.

Aaaahhhh. The wind whipped through my helmet asI hurtled toward a curve that beckoned me to lean harder and go faster. This is riding, I thought as I zoomed around Iredell County on Wednesday night.

After weeks of my bike being in the shop, I hooked up with my buddies for the weekly Wednesday night dinner ride. About 14 of us started at Interstate Cycle in Cornelius for about an hour of twisties through Mooresville, Davidson and we finished in Statesville at Hooters. I've been riding my Suzuki GSX-R 750 to work ever since I got it out of the shop a few weeks ago, but I haven't had time to ride with the fellas. Thankfully, they were patient with me tonight since I was, and have always been, slower whipping around the country curves than they are. Much love to Troy, the clean up man, who never rides my rear in frustration. (If you're sportbike rider, come on out. The group meets each Wednesday at Interstate Cycle on Exit 28.)

Unfortunately, I couldn't stay for dinner at Hooters. I zipped down to Charlotte for a quick shower, and now I'm off to the grand opening of club NV in Lake Norman, off Exit 28.

Good looking out

Thanks to top notch investigative reporters, I now know that the weekly poker tournaments in local bars such as Angry Ale's and Stool Pigeons may be illegal. Although, participants don't pay to play, some of these tournaments used to -- notice I wrote "used to" -- give out prizes, such as food coupons. Plus those cool poker tables are a no-no. An Alcohol Law Enforcement person told the scandal-uncovering news team that the agency would look into the tournaments.

Lighten up. No one's putting their kid's college fund up to play. The tournaments are a way for strangers to get together, play poker, drink a few brews and form new friendships. I appreciate the interest of hard-working journalists and the ALE in protecting us from the evils of card-playing. But I know somewhere in the region a waitress is serving alcohol to minors, and that deserves more attention than Texas Hold 'Em at Angry Ale's.

Chasing Tiger

Tiger Woods smacked the ball, teeing off at hole #10. A crowd of people huddled near the ropes and they were at least four deep. All I saw were backs and bottoms. I headed down the fairway hoping to get a better spot for Tiger's next shot.

I spotted Observer photographer Patrick Schneider jog-walking down the fairway. Schneider wielded a camera with a giant lens and an even bigger tripod, but he brushed past fans as if he were empty-handed. I dipped in behind Schneider hoping I could angle past fans for a closer glimpse of Tiger. Schneider broke into a jog-sprint. I'm too cool for that. I'll see El Tigre on television.

Well, golf fans. I'm out of here.

Frozen drinks anyone?

(TONYA JAMESON, Charlotte Observer)
Come and get it.

Kevin Corley looked lonely standing behind the frozen lemonade stand behind Green No. 3. Bystander scurried past his stand as if looking at the yellow monstrosity would make them colder. Not a prime assignment for Corley, a first-time volunteer, but he didn't mind.
"I'm not selling ice cream," he said. "I'm selling tropical dreams."
The people who were selling ice-cold Buds and Michelobs selling more. Ooh, I gotta go. A couple of guys said Tiger Woods is here and they're going to find a good spot on the putting green. (Actually, I have to find the putting green.)

No. 1 salad maker baby

(This ain't no bag salad: Tonya Jameson hooking up the buffalo chicken salad in the clubhouse.)

Okay, I wasn't that great but at least Chef Lou Piuggi didn't kick me out of the kitchen in the Quail Hollow clubhouse. If you eat the buffalo chicken salad at the tournament today, chances are I hooked it up for you. I put my foot in it. (Not really health inspector people, that's just a term for saying a I did a good job.)

Actually, the real cooks did all the work, I simply dumped the salad onto the platters and tried to make it look pretty. It wasn't easy. I had to pile the salad just right so it didn't fall on the tomatoes grimacing the outside of the platter, but I couldn't mold the salad because it needed to look natural. Plus, I had to be careful not to touch my salad plastered fingers on the edge of the platter because it would take more time to wipe the edges off. All this to the soundtrack of clanging pots and loud-talking staffers. (Note: Chef Lou doesn't yell, he talks loudly.) Chef Lou was like the Phil Jackson of the kitchen, imploring me to relax. Apparently, I was gritting my teeth and holding lettuce in a death grip. At home I empty the lettuce mixture from the bag into a bowl and in the words of Chef Emeril "Bam!"

After my salad-making adventure I chopped pineapples with a knife that my Wal-Mart steak knife look like that little blade in a grooming kit. Chef Lou schooled me on the art of cutting. I thought I knew how to work a knife since I'd recently watched "Kill Bill." Chef Lou showed me how to relax my wrist and coax the knife through the pineapple instead of forcing it. "There is no knife," I mumbled to myself.

Get out the way

(TONYA JAMESON, Charlotte Observer)
Corey Hayes blocks off the walkway as a golfer crosses. Wish I could get that kind of service on Tryon Street.

A stickup at Quail Hollow?

Get this. I'm walking along trying to figure this golf thing out when a bunch of volunteers throw their hands up in the air near hole #10. I freeze. Is someone behind me with a gun? Where's Mr. Incredible when you need him? Then I realize the volunteers want us to shut the heck up because a golfer was getting ready to hit the ball. I slowly reach into my pocket and pull out my pen.

Back up off me

Chef Lou (right) sneaks a peek at Tonya Jameson's salad-making skills inside the clubhouse kitchen.

Breathe and stop

Compass Chef Lou Piuggi (center) teaches Tonya Jameson to become one with the knife in the clubhouse kitchen.

Rebel planet

The area in front of the clubhouse at Quail Hollow looks like the rebel base on the planet Hoth in the "Empire Strikes Back." Golf carts, media trucks, shuttles and other vehicles zoom in and out of the parking lot like X-wings zipping into a hanger. Play has started and volunteers in bright yellow jackets are making last minute preparations, grabbing water, jackets and anything else they'll need for the day.

Stickup: Photographic evidence

Quiet! Someone's hitting the ball. (Tara Dellinger)

(TONYA JAMESON, Charlotte Observer)

Rain rain go away

It's cold and drizzling. Boo. Still, fans are already sitting in the stands watching golfers practice and waiting for the 7:15 a.m. start.

Unleash the lasers

(TONYA JAMESON, Charlotte Observer)
Jim and Betsy Malcolm and Russ Settles (right), volunteers for three years, man the laser at Hole No 2. Shot Link uses those lasers to record ball statistics. The information is then transferred to the media and television announcers.

I can do that

Ugh! I just missed seeing Tiger and Vijay Singh at the putting green, but now that I'm here I really don't understand the big deal. This dude was telling me that Tiger only stayed out there for a few minutes, but Singh was out there for a half-hour hitting the same putt over and over again. He even used some kind of contraption to keep his putter straight. I don't get it. The putting green is a small green field and it's flat. Miniature golf has hills and obstacles, now that's challenging.

Go Wizards!

I know, I know this blog is supposed to be all about golf, but I just got home from the Wachovia Championship media party and saw my hometown team the Washington Wizards beat the Chicago Bulls with a buzzer beater. Yaaayyyy.
Okay, back to golf. If you haven't been to the Belle Acres Golf and Country Club on South Boulevard, I suggest you find a friend who has a membership. The 14-year-old pub is deceiving. It doesn't look like much from the outside and the inside looks like a junky sports bar, but that's what makes it cool. There's all kinds of sports memorabilia and photos on the walls and ceiling. (No, the Mellow Mushroom in Noda wasn't the first place to hang cool stuff on the ceiling.) The place feels like a neighborhood diner -- for the ballas only.

Let's get it started

I don't know much about golf other than Tiger Woods is the man, but I do know how to have a good time. I'm heading out to the Wachovia Championship Media Party to suck down a few brews and hang with my fellow media peeps. Thursday morning, I'll be at the championship looking for the best food, rowdiest people, weirdest voluneers, most stressed chef and coldest beer. If you've got any suggestion on where to hang holla' at your girl. tjameson@charlotteobserver.com