Examiner.com article: McDowell Nature Preserve

The newest installment (issue 3) in the Charlotte parks and recreation series celebrates our continually beautiful spring weather and our brand new daylight time. The article details McDowell Nature Preserve, located in southwestern Charlotte. To read more about this fabulous green haven for outdoor enthusiasts of all types, click here.

Previous installments in this series detailed Four Mile Creek Greenway [et al.] and Park Road District Park.

Examiner.com article:: Charlotte parks and recreation series, issue 2: Park Road District Park

The calendar says it's still winter, but Puxatawny Phil might have this year about our early spring. So I'm celebrating our beautiful 70+ degree days with this installment (the first in a while) of my Charlotte parks and recreation series. Click here to read about Park Road District Park in south Charlotte, or visit the examiner.com/charlotte homepage where the article will be featured today and tomorrow.

Examiner.com article: The VanLandingham Estate

When people travel, they often turn to chain hotels for their stay, choosing a name brand name they trust. However, sometimes when staying in a new town or city, out-of-town guests want an experience that totally immerses them in the local culture and want to include a stay at a hotel with local charm and character. But these can be difficult to find and qualify.

My Charlotte hotels with charm and character series is designed to list, describe, and call out the qualities of unique properties in Charlotte, so that my out-of-town readers can choose one of these lovely boutique inns or hotels for their stay. Read the latest installment (issue 3) about Plaza Midwood's VanLandingham Estate here.

(The first installment of this series described the 60-room Dunhill Hotel, located in the heart of downtown at 6th Tryon Streets, and the second installment described Dilworth's Morehead Inn, owned by Unique Southern Estates like The VanLandingham).

Examiner.com article: New Discovery Place exhibit

"This morning, Discovery Place museum unveiled a new exhibit entitled RACE: Are we so different? that will remain open through May 8, 2011. The exhibit explains that race is merely “a recent human invention,” and that it is not defined by any particular set of physical traits or skin color, despite what mass media and common societal beliefs might tell us. ..."

I went yesterday to the media preview of this exhibit. I think it's worth seeing and is very educational - even for adults! Click here to read more details and see pictures of the exhibit.

Examiner.com article: The Harvey B. Gantt Center

The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture installed three new exhibits last Friday. To read more about the exhibits, their dates, and the Center itself, read my latest article here.

Examiner.com article: 2012 Democratic National Convention

For a while, four cities were finalists for the 2012 Democratic National Convention. They were: Minneapolis, MN; Cleveland, OH; St. Louis, MO; and my city, Charlotte, NC.

This morning, the Democratic National Committe officially announced that it would hold the convention in Charlotte. For details and the implications for and potential impact on Charlotte tourism, click here.

Examiner.com article: The Morehead Inn

When people travel, they often turn to chain hotels for their stay, choosing a name brand name they trust. However, sometimes when staying in a new town or city, out-of-town guests want an experience that totally immerses them in the local culture and want to include a stay at a hotel with local charm and character. But these can be difficult to find and qualify.

My Charlotte hotels with charm and character series is designed to list, describe, and call out the qualities of unique properties in Charlotte, so that my out-of-town readers can choose one of these lovely boutique inns or hotels for their stay. Read the latest installment (issue 2) about Dilworth's Morehead Inn here.

(The first installment of this series described the 60-room Dunhill Hotel, located in the heart of downtown at 6th Tryon Streets).

Examiner.com article: Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus

Charlotteans: THE circus (a.k.a. "The Greatest Show on Earth") is in town this week at Time Warner Cable Arena! Click here for more details including dates, showtimes, and how to get tickets.

Examiner.com article: NASCAR Hall of Fame's open-house days

The NASCAR Hall of Fame's open house event this week was a little interrupted due to inclimate weather. So great news, NASCAR fans and Charlotteans: you can still get to the Hall for free this Monday and Tuesday from 4pm-6pm as part of their extended open house event. Access this article for more details, a review of the Hall, and pictures!

Examiner.com News: Now on Foursquare...

In other news, Examiner.com can now be found on Foursquare! I'm super excited that Examiner.com is making these efforts to stay up-to-date and in touch by using as many social networks as possible - and those efforts have inspired me to do the same. Check out the 'My Pages' link list on the right sidebar and start following me on any one of the social networks that I am now a member of.

Examiner.com article: Charlotte 2010 tourism stats

The 2010 stats are IN - and they show a steady growth in the Charlotte tourism market. Read more here about recent hotel occupancy, amount of tourism dollars, and the future potential that tourism in Charlotte has.

Examiner.com article: Mint Museum family focus for 2011

The Mint Museums - both the Uptown and Randolph Road locations - are enhancing their family programs this year. Read more here.