Charlotte Real Estate Agent Brian Belcher

Whether you're a Charlotte native, a transplant or a newcomer--we all want to know what's the "Best of the Best." The 2007 BOB Awards by Charlotte Magazine let you know what restaurants, establishments, shows, venues, events, etc. were the most awesome in the Queen City for 2007. Check it out and let us know whether you agree! If not, offer up some selections of your own!

Ikea is coming, but it can't get here fast enough for the thousands of Charlettoneans who have eagerly been awaiting it since the signs went up on the interstate in 2006. Though we still have one year of waiting before any Ikea purchases don't involve a treck to Atlanta or the most expensive shipping costs you've ever heard of, the prospect remains on-time for a Spring 09' opening and frankly, worth the wait.

If you simply can't live without all things Swedish and affordable, visit www.ikea.com.

Renowned local filmaker and director John Schwert (Among Brothers) is looking for a place to shoot and extras to fill the scenes of his new film, In/Significant Others. His company, Fourth Ward Producations will begin filming within the next couple of months.Schwert is looking for several different types of locations in Charlotte--including a diner or coffee shop, restaurant or bar with a view of the Uptown skyline, a pair of apartments or duplex with a rear screen door and a home with a side porch. If you've always wanted to be in a movie in some way, shape or form--and you've got a location or personality that you feel fits the descriptions listed above--email Mr. Schwert at jschwert@4wproductions.com.

If you drive around town this weekend and perhaps feel like Charlotte is a bit more crowded than usual--don't be surprised! Approximately 165,000 people will attend the six-day CIAA SOULabration being held in the Queen City for the third year in a row.

The SOULabration is centered around the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association's Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament (www.theciaa.com). The CIAA is an NCAA Division II athletic conference of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and includes schools such as Elizabeth City State, Virginia State, Johnson C. Smith and Livingstone.

But the SOULabration is about much more than just basketball. It's an full blown cultural festival featuring performances by some of the biggest African American names in show business including Steve Harvey (A Charlotte resident), CeCe Winans, Fabulous, Bow Wow and Omarion, Tiffany Evans and another Charlotte resident Mugsy Bogues.

In addition to all the shows at the VIBE soundstage and the CIAA basketball games at Bobcats Arena, just about every major restaurant and club will be hosting a party for various constituencies. The new LYNX system will be running consistently throughout the tournament and will certainly help the traffic flow around Uptown.
Sound like a good time? For tickets and information on the entire CIAA Tournament and its countless activities visit: www.ciaatournament.org