Finalists for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2009 awards in the Carolinas announced

CHARLOTTE, NC – Ernst & Young LLP is pleased to announce the
finalists for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® award in the
Carolinas. This group of outstanding entrepreneurs was selected by an
independent judging panel made up of regional business, academic and
community leaders. The winners will be revealed at a gala event on
June 18, 2009 at the Westin Charlotte.

"Entrepreneurs contribute so much to our economy and the fabric of
this nation," said Kent Geer, Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The
Year Program Director for the Carolinas. "These finalists help our
region create jobs, while encouraging community growth, development
and innovation. We are pleased to honor them."

The Carolinas finalists for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year
award in 2009 are:

· Jerry Barker, President - Ocular Systems, Inc.

· Steve Bell, Founder and Chairman - Bell Partners Inc.

· John Cato, Chairman, President & CEO - The Cato Corporation

· Thomas Coble, President and CEO - Coble Trench Safety, Inc.

· Steven DeCarlo, CEO - AmWINS Group, Inc.

· Joe Elphick, Owner - 3C Packaging

· Edward Fritsch, President, CEO & Director - Highwoods Properties

· Vain Garg, President & CEO - Tranzyme Pharma

· Carl Guidice, CEO - SOI

· Eric Hillman, CEO - Europa Sports Products

· Roland Johnson, CEO - Piedmont Pharmaceuticals

· Henry Kaestner, Co-founder & Executive Chairman -
Bandwidth.com, Inc.

· Rich Lee, Founder and CEO - Hosted Solutions

· Philip Maung, Founder & CEO - Hissho Sushi

· David Morken, President & CEO - Bandwidth.com, Inc.

· Bob Salvin, CEO - Salvin Dental Specialties, Inc.

· Frank Spencer, President & CEO - Cogdell Spencer, Inc.

· Michelle Tunno Buelow, President and Founder - Bella Tunno

· Stephen Wiehe, President and CEO - SciQuest, Inc.

Ernst & Young is also pleased to honor Mr. Leon Levine, Founder of
Family Dollar Stores with the distinguished Lifetime Achievement
Award. The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an individual
whose extraordinary entrepreneurial achievements, creativity,
leadership and vision has established a new industry that enhances the
rapid growth of the world economy. The recipient of the Lifetime
Achievement Award must also contribute to community and national
affairs through company and/or personal initiatives. The award will
be presented to Mr. Levine by Michael Marsicano, President and CEO of
Foundation For The Carolinas.

Regional award winners will be eligible for consideration for the
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009 national awards. Winners
in numerous national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst
& Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award winner, will be announced at
the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California, on November 14,
2009. The awards are the culminating event of the Ernst & Young
Strategic Growth Forum, the nation's most prestigious gathering of
high-growth, market-leading companies.

This year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program celebrates its
23rd anniversary. The program has expanded to recognize business
leaders in over 135 cities in 50 countries throughout the world.
Awards are given to entrepreneurs who demonstrate extraordinary
success in the areas of innovation, financial performance and personal
commitment to their businesses and communities.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The
Year awards are pleased to have the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
and SAP America as national sponsors.

In the Carolinas, sponsors include King & Spalding, Bowne and Business
Leader Media.

Contact information

To make reservations for the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards gala on
June 18, 2009, contact Amanda Dudley of Ernst & Young at +1 704 331
1925 or Amanda.dudley@ey.com by June 11, 2009. Tickets are $200 per
person. For more information about the program, please visit www.carolinaseoy.ey.com
.

About Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year® Awards Program

Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award is the world's most
prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The award makes a
difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity
among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people
who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As
the first and only truly global award of its kind, the Ernst & Young
Entrepreneur Of The Year® award celebrates those who are building and
leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them
through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 135
cities in 50 countries.

About Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and
advisory services. Worldwide, our 135,000 people are united by our
shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a
difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider
communities achieve their potential.

For more information, please visit www.ey.com.

Mooresville Team Launches Innovative "One Race, One World" National Tour May 13

"One Race, One World" Launches National Tour
May 13 To Involve Minority Youth In Motorsports

MOORESVILLE, N.C. – The challenge of involving minority youth in
motorsports is being addressed with an innovative "One Race, One
World; Racing for Diversity" national kart racing and educational tour
aimed at involving minority youth in motorsports, beginning at The Pit
Indoor Kart Racing in Mooresville May 13 and May 21. The first race
will be at 5 p.m. on May 13, with a preview news conference for the
media at 1 p.m.

"The goal of One Race, One World is to provide a safe and fun
motorsports environment coupled with activities that today's youth can
relate to, while seeking minority talent that can be nurtured for
future growth," said Terrance Cox, president of Activersity, one of
the event's co-sponsors. "Historically there have been very few
African-Americans, Hispanics or other minorities in the automotive
racing world, and this has been a concern to many people, especially
in light of their achievements in other sports. We are trying to
address this gap with an innovative program appealing to youth in a
number of ways."

One Race, One World was created by Activersity, a Cornelius marketing
firm specializing in diversity programs, and by The Pit in
Mooresville, a 100,000-square-foot indoor kart racing track and family
entertainment center at 346 East Plaza Dr. off Highway 150 in
Mooresville, the largest indoor kart racing track in the nation. Buck
Baker Racing School of Charlotte is the official driving school and
instructional resource for the program.

"We are excited to participate in this national program to expand
participation in kart racing worldwide and to attract more minority
youth, ages 8 to 15," said Matthew Thompson, co-owner of The Pit. "We
are in discussions with kart racing sites in Boston, Chicago, Las
Vegas, Phoenix and elsewhere to extend the program after it launches
here. Eventually we hope to link up with kart racing facilities in
Europe as well."

In addition to the national tour, One Race, One World; Racing for
Diversity will include:

· Specially recorded music by youth artists in several genres,
available for free download at the website www.OneRaceOneWorld.net and
on MySpace.com

· A series of 60-second videos on YouTube explaining information
about motorsports, how to change oil, how to put on a helmet, how to
get strapped into a race car, and more

· The Touch Program, which places race cars and equipment on
tour so young participants can physically touch the race products and
sense the excitement of racing

· Educational programs and seminars

· Mia Wishing Well - A charitable program that grants wishes to
children across the world

· Global Giving - Products from sponsors and race teams will to
be given to children

· Scholarship Fund - Grants scholarships to children to further
their educations

· Rising Star - Denotes a young adult for these children to
aspire to

"The first 2 events at The Pit will have 30 participants on each day
that will be coming from the Boys and Girls Club of Greater
Charlotte", Thompson said. "In addition to receiving training and
competition in the go-karts, the kids will be treated to motorsports
seminars by Joe Gibbs Racing developmental drivers, Penske Racing
technology experts and the BRAKES Foundation representatives. And
they'll get to meet ARCA driver, Jeff Boyer."

The media preview at 1 p.m. Wednesday will feature participation by:

· OROW representatives Terrance Cox, Don Towne and Matt Thompson

· Boys & Girls Club youth members, counselors, and director
Napoleon Crowell

· Young Kaos and Wavy Space – local musicians featured in the
OROW program

· Representatives of the Buck Baker Racing School

· Jeff Boyer – ARCA driver

· OROW Touch Program equipment and and other motorsports products

One Race, One World (OROW) had an informal preview of The Touch
Program at Oprah Winfrey's Boys and Girls Club in Jackson, Miss., on
April 24th. OROW provided Information and education on the
motorsports industry, along with Larry Veal of "Be-MOE Positive" as a
guest speaker. Also joining in was Thomas Heavey of Buck Baker Racing
School, teaching these youth about the many aspects and opportunities
the motorsports industry holds.

Terrance Cox spoke on the numerous job opportunities and the need to
introduce minorities to the motorsports industry. "The young people
were very excited about this program as were many parents," Cox said.
"Kids were very attentive, enthusiastic and full of questions
regarding motorsports."

All of the children who attended were asked to sign a tire, which will
be sent to Oprah Winfrey, along with a photo album from the event.
Another event is being planned at Oprah's Boys and Girls Club with
hopes Oprah will attend, Cox said.

"This partnership with One Race, One World is a perfect fit for Buck
Baker Racing School," said Thomas Heavey, marketing manager of the
school. "Buck Baker himself founded our program 29 years ago with the
idea of helping young drivers get started in stock car racing. Former
students of our school include Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman
and many more. We are very excited about this partnership and look
forward to making this a growing relationship."

For more information visit www.OneRaceOneWorld.net;
www.Activersity.com; and www.MeetMeAtThePit.com .

---###---

[Media Contact: Buck Lawrimore, 704-332-4344, Buck@Lciweb.com

The Pit Indoor Kart Racing Contact: Don Towne, 704-799-3470, dontowne@pitentertainment.com

Buck Baker Racing School Contact: Thomas Heavey, 704-453-9328, BuckBakerRacing@Gmail.com
]

Patriot Festival May 23 in Charlotte

Salute Our Military Heroes at Charlotte's Patriot Festival in Symphony
Park

Charlotte -- Join the fun Memorial Day weekend as we salute our military
heroes - the men and women who serve our country. Experience an
activity-filled day, Saturday, May 23 from 11 am - 7 pm, with your
friends
and family with live music, kid fun area, military vehicles, fire
trucks and
special military maneuvers scheduled throughout the day. It's all at
Symphony Park at SouthPark Mall.

The Patriotic Parachute Team will perform at 2pm. Rufus, the official
mascot
of the Charlotte Bobcats, and Sir Purr, the official mascot of the
Carolina
Panthers, will be there for photos. Former NFL Carolina Panthers
defensive
end Mike Rucker will be there signing autographs. Enjoy seeing
representatives from all branches of the military, humvees, military
bands
and Honor Guard.

A special ceremony honoring nine* Congressional Medal of Honor
recipients
will begin the day's festivities with Congresswoman Sue Myrick. Mayor
Pat
McCrory will give a tribute to our Fallen Angels from the Carolinas
who have
given their lives serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, followed by a 21-gun
salute and taps at the end of the day's activities. All combined with
live
bands, food and activities for the whole family to enjoy. Shake hands
and
thank our military heroes in person. Wear your patriotism on your
sleeve and
show your support.

Bands scheduled to play are Thom Crumpton with WIZDOM, Too Much
Sylvia, Phil
Harmonic and the Blue Notes, Howl at the Moon dueling pianos and
military
bands.

Spend the day and buy lunch or dinner from Picnic People Western
Carolinas.
The menu includes quarter-pound cheeseburgers, Carolina pulled pork
sandwiches, veggie burgers and jumbo all-beef hot dogs. Beer and wine
will
be available, along with sodas, and so will cotton candy for the kids.

Tickets are $5.00. Children 5 and under are free. Tickets available on
line
at www.patriotgala.com and at the gate.

The Patriot Festival is the sister event to Charlotte's premier black-
tie
event, the Patriot Gala, which will be held Saturday, November 7, 2009
at
Quail Hollow and features Bob Woodruff of ABC News.

Money raised at the Patriot Festival goes to support these charities -
Fisher House Foundation, America Legion Unit 270 Angels in Iraq and
Angels
of Mercy, Hope for the Warriors, USO of Charlotte, North Carolina,
Wounded
Warrior Project and the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

*The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an
enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the
Armed
Services of the United States. Generally presented to its recipient by
the
President of the United States of America in the name of Congress, it is
often called the Congressional Medal of Honor. In the history of the
Medal
there have been 3,447 recipients of which 97 are alive today. The eight
Congressional Medal of Honor recipients scheduled to appear include John
Baker, Joe Marm, Rudi Hernandez, Bob Howard, Gary Littrell, Hector
Cafferata, Charles Murray, Len Keller and Robert Patterson. For more
details
on these honorees, visit www.cmohs.org.

For more information on the Patriot Festival, please contact Debbie
Williams, 704/846-8960.

###

MECKLENBURG COMMUNITY IS ON A MISSION: TO HARNESS THE POWER OF RENEWABLE ENERGY

STORM WATER SERVICES MOPS UP AFTER ONE FLOOD, PREPARES FOR MORE

Charotte workshop by Betsy Jordan, student of Deepak Chopra

Charlotte , N.C. - Do you find that you make choices based on what
other people want rather than what is in your best interest? That you
always need more information or worry all night? That people don't
take you seriously even though you have much wisdom to share?

We all know our region is going through tremendous change. You may
have been laid off or perhaps you've unhappy in your job but can't
find another in this challenging environment. Maybe your relationships
are crashing and burning. It may feel like others are designing your
life and you're in reaction.

How can you change course?

Come to "Understand Yourself as The Creative Change Master in Your
Life," a one-day workshop on Saturday, May 16, 10 am to 4 pm, at
Ballantyne Resort, 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway. Motivational
coach Betsy Jordan will facilitate this powerful workshop, designed
to give you the keys to maximize your creativity and goals. The
workshop is based upon Jordan's book, Seven Absolute Keys to Create
Anything. You'll learn how to see solutions in the midst of
challenges and how to take breakthrough action on your dreams. You'll
learn, in short, how to be the architect of your own life.

While developing a training program to educate business people on the
use of intuition in the workplace, Betsy Jordan became fascinated with
the mind-body connection. In 1992, through The Chopra Center founded
by Deepak Chopra, she became one of the first mind/body educators in
the country.

"With more than 2000 hours of training, coaching and workshop
leadership, I've distilled all that I've discovered and experienced
into my training. My workshop is designed to support you in using your
powerful creativity and living life authentically," she says. "I want
to help you cause your dreams to happen."

The full-day workshop costs $ 150. To register or find out more,
visit www.directcreativity.com or call 910/431-1556. Jordan and staff
will send workshop materials in advance and talk with you about your
goals beforehand to make sure you get the most out of the workshop. #