Union Presbyterian Seminary Opens Doors with Renown Scholars Peterson and Branch

Union Presbyterian Seminary will open its doors, at no cost to the
public, to present lectures with Eugene H. Peterson and Taylor Branch
as resources to local congregations and the wider seminary community.

Union Presbyterian Seminary, Charlotte campus, will present pastor,
scholar, author, and poet Eugene H. Peterson. Best known for his
contemporary translation of the bible, The Message, Petersen will give
a lecture on October 9th as part of their Faith Seeking Understanding
Event.

In addition, Union will present Pulitzer Prize winning author and
historian Taylor Branch, at the Richmond campus on October 26th as
part of the Great Speaker Event. Branch's works include a trilogy
chronicling the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. The King Years, and a
book on Bill Clinton, The Clinton Tapes: Wrestling History With The
President, based on several taped conversations with Clinton during
his two terms in office.

Both events will continue Union's proud history of presenting
contemporary religious thinkers to their respective seminary
communities. These events invite people from all walks of life to
engage in theological discourse in matters of faith and praxis.

Union Presbyterian Seminary (formerly Union-PSCE) offers graduate
degree programs on campuses in Richmond, Va., and Charlotte, N.C., and
through the Extended Campus Program, to prepare men and women for
Christian ministries. Founded in 1812, it is one of ten theological
seminaries of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.

Charlotte Regional Realtors See Closings Decline

Charlotte Regional Realtor® Association reports on the residential
real estate market in this region based on Carolina Multiple Listing
Services, Inc. (CMLS).

The number of closings for July 2010 (1,968) decreased 11.5 percent
compared to closings in July 2009 when closings totaled 2,223. The
average sales price for July 2010 ($217,320) was up slightly (2
percent) over July 2009's average sales price ($212,977), and was up
less than one percent over the June 2010 average sales price of
$215,559. The average listing price of homes sold in July 2010
($247,660) was up 2.7 percent over last month's average listing price
of $241,039, and was up 3.8 percent from July 2009's average listing
price of $238,629.

The residential pending contracts figure reported in July 2010 (1,802)
was down 23 percent compared to July 2009 (2,341), and was down 4
percent over last month (1,880).

New residential listings in July 2010 totaled 5,092. The average
number of days a property was on the market from the time it was
listed until it closed (list to close) was 142.9, which is about a day
faster than last month. The average number of days a property was on
the market (days on market), excluding the days the property was off
the market or pending, was 105.6 days, or nine days faster than last
month.

In July 2010, the Carolina Multiple Listing Services, Inc. (CMLS)
underwent a system conversion. CMLS staff has done everything
possible to ensure the accuracy of this month's stats; however, as
with any new system, we may discover very slight anomalies that will
require adjustments and corrections over time.

For more residential-housing market statistics, visit the
association's website at www.CarolinaHome.com and click on "Community
Data." For an interview with Association/CMLS President Lyn Kessie,
please contact Kim Walker.

The Charlotte Regional Realtor® Association is a trade association
that leads, educates and equips members to be productive. It provides
more than 7,300 Realtor® members with the resources and services
needed to conduct ethical, professional, successful and profitable
businesses. The association is dedicated to being the region's primary
resource for residential real estate information. The association
operates the Carolina Multiple Listing Services, Inc. (CMLS), which
has approximately 8,000 Subscribers and is the private cooperative
Realtors® use for access to tens of thousands of residential listings
in a 10-county service area, including the high-growth Charlotte area,
as well as listings outside this service area.

24 Hours of Booty Raises Over $1 Million in Latest Event

24 Hours of Booty, Inc., which runs the Official 24-Hour Cycling Event
of the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the only national 24-hour road
cycling charity event in the country, today announced that over
$1,080,000 has been raised to date for the Ninth Annual 24 Hours of
Booty that took place in Charlotte on July 30-31.
"While it wasn't the first year we broke the million-dollar mark, it
was the first time we did so prior to the event. We couldn't have
achieved this milestone without the tremendous support from everyone
involved, including Queens University of Charlotte for serving as the
host site and to the Myers Park neighborhood for accommodating us and
cheering on our riders throughout the event," said Basil Lyberg,
executive director of24 Hours of Booty.
In its nine-year history, more than 7,500 riders have raised $4.8
million to help fight cancer. Funds raised from the event will
support The Lance Armstrong Foundation, The Keep Pounding Fund at
Carolinas Medical Center, the Brain Tumor Fund for the Carolinas and
the Be The Match Foundation.
On July 30-31, 1,200 participants from 24 different states rode in
Charlotte's Myers Park neighborhood along the famed "Booty Loop" to
help stop cancer in its tracks. The non-competitive charity event that
brought in riders of all ages and skill levels featured Cathy Bessant,
head of global operations and technology at Bank of America, Sir Purr
of the Carolina Panthers as its official starters. 24 Hours of Booty
Founder Spencer Lueders; Tonia Bendickson, WBTV; Chris Brewer; Lance
Armstrong Foundation, Dr. Jeffrey Kneisl; Medical Director of
Blumenthal Cancer Center at Carolinas Medical Center; and Denicee
Becker, a brain tumor survivor, were featured in the Opening
Ceremonies program.
Added Lyberg, "Kudos to our family of amazing participants, sponsors,
volunteers and staff who each play an essential role in this event and
in making a huge difference in the fight against cancer."
When not riding, participants hung out in "Bootyville" (a.k.a. the
Queens University of Charlotte Athletic Fields) for camping, food and
fun. The event also included entertainment and a "Survivor Hour"
program to honor cancer survivors. 24 Hours of Booty was supported by
more than 200 volunteers, 20 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
representatives stationed along the course at all times, and by the
Queens University of Charlotte Police Department.
Carolinas Medical Center's Blumenthal Cancer Center served as the
presenting sponsor of the event and other sponsors included: Silver-
level sponsors: Big View Diner and Nolen Kitchen, Clear Channel Radio
Charlotte, Integraphx, Jostens, Mountain Khakis, Queens University of
Charlotte, Robinson Thinks, Trek, vitaminwater, and WBTV New 3. Bronze-
level sponsors: Andrew Blair's, Bicycle Sport, Diamond Springs
Water,Donald Haack Diamonds & Fine Gems, Giordana Custom, Great
Harvest Bread, HMS Worldwide, Medi Weightloss Clinics, Something
Classic Catering & Cafe, Total Cyclist, Yakima, and Zoës Kitchen.
Value-in-kind sponsors: American Italian Pasta Company, Blue Bell Ice
Cream, Carolina Green Foodservice Supply, Endurance Magazine, Fuel
Pizza Café, Green Mountain Coffee, The Melting Pot, REI, and Time
Warner Cable.
Top fund-raiser award winners included:
· Top Team: Bank of America – $72,553
· Top Fundraiser: Sandy Morgart, Bank of America – $21,502
· First Runner Up Individual Fundraiser: Chuck Cullen, Team
Gita – $20,260
· Second Runner Up Individual Fundraiser: Chris Moffat,
MojoRiding – $17,280
· First Runner Up Fundraising Team: Team Gita – $59,263.26
· Second Runner Up Fundraising Teams: MojoRiding – $51,031.22
About 24 Hours of Booty
24 Hours of Booty, Inc. – which runs the Official 24-Hour Cycling
Event of the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the only national 24-hour
road cycling charity event in the country – is a registered 501(c)(3)
non-profit charity located in Charlotte that provides extraordinary
cycling events that are safe, fun, and open to all levels of cycling
ability. Its mission is to conduct 24-hour cycling events that
increase public awareness, funds, and support for the Lance Armstrong
Foundation and local cancer organizations. Local organizations
include The Keep Pounding Fund at Carolinas Medical Center and the
Brain Tumor Fund for the Carolinas in Charlotte, the Ulman Cancer Fund
for Young Adults in Columbia, Md., and Children's HealthCare of Atlanta.
In addition to the Charlotte event, 24 Hours of Booty will also host
the Second Annual 24 Hours of Booty of Columbia, Md. at Gateway
Business Park "Booty Loop" on Aug.28-29 and its inaugural event at
Stone Mountain in Atlanta on Oct.2-3. For more information, call
704-365-4417 or visit www.24hoursofbooty.org.
Get updates and the inside scoop about 24 Hours of Booty! Follow us on
Twitter at www.twitter.com/24hoursofbooty and become a 24 Hours of
Booty "fan" on Facebook.

Photo Credit:

Courtesy of Patrick Schneider Photography

Hood Hargett Breakfast Club Raises Almost $26,000 for Scholarships

Hood Hargett Breakfast Club raised almost $26,000 for the Liz Murray
Scholarship Fund during its annual Casino Night fundraiser.

The nonprofit organization's Liz Murray Scholarship Fund awards eight
student athletes from the Charlotte-area with a combined $13,000
toward their college educations. Hood Hargett Breakfast Club has given
more than $180,000 to more than 150 local high school students.

"Casino Night is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we're
thrilled with the level of support we received," said Jenn Snyder,
executive director of Hood Hargett Breakfast Club. "This will allow us
to give some very deserving students a head start with their college
educations."

The July 29 event at Hampton Inn & Suites SouthPark at Phillips Place
featured live music, a silent auction and Las Vegas-style games.

About Hood Hargett Breakfast Club
Hood Hargett Breakfast Club is a "category exclusive" business
development organization that hosts networking events throughout the
year for its members and guests. The goal of these events is to
provide success-minded business owners with first-class venues to
entertain their clients and prospects. These opportunities to develop
new business relationships, and enhance existing ones, are key to the
ongoing success of Hood Hargett Breakfast Club and its members. For
more information, visit www.hoodhargettbreakfastclub.com.

Dr. Karen Horne Joins Staff Of Charlotte's Randolph OB/GYN

Dr. Karen Horne, an obstetrician-gynecologist who recently completed her residency at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, will join the physician staff of Randolph OB/GYN, one of Charlotte's leading obstetrics and gynecology practices, in October.

Horne has won numerous honors in her educational career, including graduating magna cum laude from Clemson University in 1998 and being named Outstanding Chief Resident at UT Medical Center earlier this year.

"I am delighted to be joining one of the top OB/GYN practices in the Carolinas," Horne said.  "I look forward to establishing close relationships with my patients as we journey through life changes together as women.  In addition to preventative medicine and routine obstetric and gynecologic care, I am experienced in high-risk obstetric care, hormonal and natural contraception, as well as repair of urinary incontinence and pelvic floor prolapse."

Horne and her husband Patrick are expecting their second child August 25, and she plans to start serving patients in early October.

"We have a wonderfully diverse and congenial group of physicians," said Dr. John McNamara, a senior physician at Randolph OB/GYN. "So we worked hard to find someone who has not only outstanding professional credentials but also exceptional personal qualities that will be an ideal complement to our team. We are very pleased Dr. Horne will be joining us and working as our partner for years to come."

Randolph OB/GYN was founded in 1976 in its Randolph Road location and currently serves thousands of patients there as well as offices in Cornelius and the EpiCentre in uptown Charlotte. Personal attention and caring for each individual is one of the practice's core values. For more information visit www.RandolphOBGYN.com.

Charlottean publishes new cyber-thriller, "Storm"

STORM is a new cyber-thriller by Dave Pearson of Charlotte that
uncovers the undisclosed worlds of computer hackers, cyberterrorists
and Special Operations with exceptional realism. Pearson's first book,
which required extensive research, focuses on the secret military
internet, the Intelink, NSA hackers and cyberterrorism. STORM is the
first book in Pearson's cyber-thriller series.

In STORM, the Intelink—the secret U.S. Intelligence Communities'
intranet—is under attack by a rogue group of hackers, known as STORM.
Recruiting the talent of super-hacker Dutch, STORM journeys to
Compound Five, a combat training facility of the U.S. Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency (DARPA), to attack the Intelink. This is not
the hack Dutch had anticipated, as he finds himself alongside the
STORM hackers pitted against a special unit of Navy SEALs in a
struggle to stay alive.

"Navy SEALs, NSA expert hackers, and DARPA (U.S.Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency) are involved in an attack on the Intelink
(the secret U.S.Intelligence Communities' intranet) by a global rogue
group of hackers. It's hard to tell fact from fiction. STORM is an
electrifying, cyber-security thriller that launches onto a real
battlefield."
— MG Paul E. Vallely, U.S. Army (Ret.), Chairman, Stand UpAmerica

"A great read that hits the ground running and keeps the pace from one
page to the next. Dave Pearson's action, scenarios, and glimpses of
today and tomorrow rival both Clancy and Cussler!"
— CDR Pete Berardi, U.S. Navy (SEAL)

"STORM indeed! An adrenaline-accelerating Cat-Five ride on land and
sea, in the air, and surging through cyberspace, at one point pitting
computer-hacking paramilitaries against U.S. Navy SEALs."
— Lt. Col. W. Thomas Smith Jr. (S.C. Military Dept.), author,
columnist, former U.S. Marine

"Dave Pearson's first novel is a heart pounding, reality packed thrill
ride through a STORM of intrigue, high-tech hacking and Spec Ops
training. Jock up and enjoy the ride!"
— CDR Mark Divine, U.S. Navy (SEAL-Ret.), founder, NavySEALs.com and
SEALFIT.com

"Dave Pearson has delivered an unforgettable one-of-a-kind adventure.
With distinctive realism, STORM takes you on a thrill ride filled with
cyber-terrorism and Special Ops. This high-tech international tale is
a Mach-3, edge-of-your-seat, cyber-thriller. Must read!"
— LTG Thomas G. McInerney, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), author of Endgame,
FOX News military analyst

STORM
By Dave Pearson
Stand Up America Publishing
Aug. 12, 2010 / $19.50 (Trade Paperback) / Thriller
ISBN: 978-0-615-35997-7

Cherryville woman crowned Mrs. International 2010

Mrs. Southeast of Cherryville, N.C., Shannon Devine, 35, was crowned
Mrs. International 2010, Saturday, July 17 at the 23rd Annual Mrs.
International Pageant in Skokie, Ill. The two-hour event, held at the
North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, featured 51 contestants
competing in three categories, including interview, fitness-wear and
evening gown. Devine, who also won the Most Photogenic award, was
crowned Mrs. International by her husband, Jason, before a packed
audience, which included her 2 ½-year-old daughter Halle-Grace.

In keeping with International Pageants' platform-focus and dedication
to highlighting women's accomplishments through community support,
Devine will spend her year as Mrs. International 2010 supporting the
National Council for Adoption (NCFA). Devine's only child was adopted
by her and her husband in Vietnam on September 1, 2008. They
recognize this date each year with their own "Family Day"
celebration. As part of Devine's work with NCFA, she will head a task
force to re-open adoptions of Vietnamese children to U.S. families,
and hopes to spend time with her daughter in her native country
promoting adoption.

"This was the first time I've competed in a pageant as a mother, and
my daughter really put things in perspective for me," said Devine. "I
realized that the most important part of the International Pageant
system is their devotion to family values. Strong values are what
this crown is all about. It's not about winning a crown, but what
you're going to do with it."

Devine is a 1997 graduate of Appalachian State University in Boone,
N.C. and currently works as a sales manager for Genzyme corporation, a
world leader in biotechnology. Devine also volunteers for many other
local organizations, including LifeShare of the Carolinas and Susan G.
Komen for the Cure. Devine is part of the Angela's Army team that will
participate in the 2010 Susan G. Komen race in Charlotte, N.C. in
memory of her cousin Angela Wike and her grandmother, whom both lost
their battles with breast cancer this past spring. Additionally,
through her role as Mrs. International 2010, she will support the
American Heart Association's Go Red for Women movement, for which
International Pageants, Inc. has a national alliance.

The Mrs. International Pageant is the only platform- based system and
is owned and operated by International Pageants, Inc., which also
operates the Miss and Miss Teen International competitions. Mrs.
International showcases married women 21 to 56-years-old and includes
their husbands as an integral part of the event. For more information
visit www.mrsinternational.com.

FINAL RESULTS:
First runner up: Mrs. Oklahoma International, Heidi Ducato,
of Jenks, Okla. Her platform is the American Heart Association's Go
Red for Women campaign.
Second runner up: Mrs. Florida International, Donna Brown, of
Parkland Fla. Her platform is the National Kidney Foundation.
Third runner up: Mrs. Utah International, Janine Marquardson,
of Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Her platform is organ donation through
the Donate Life organization.
Fourth runner up: Mrs. Southeast Asia, Zereana Jess-Huff of San
Antonio, Texas. Her platform is the World Federation on Mental Health
(WFMH).

NO SWIMMING ADVISORY LIFTED FOR PORTION OF LAKE NORMAN

Cornelius, NC – The NO SWIMMING advisory that was issued on July 22,
2010 for a portion of Lake Norman has been lifted.

The "no swimming" advisory was issued after approximately 240 gallons
of sewage discharged to Lake Norman during the evening of July 21,
2010 at Peninsula Club Drive. The spill was caused by a private
contractor who accidentally bored through a sewer main at 18619
Peninsula Club Drive. The discharge was stopped by Charlotte-
Mecklenburg Utilities on July 21, 2010 and all repairs have been
completed.

Water samples were collected from the lake yesterday by Charlotte-
Mecklenburg Storm Water Services staff. The laboratory results of
those samples indicate that levels of fecal coliform bacteria are well
below 200-colonies/100 ml, which is the level determined to be safe
for swimming.

Charlotte's Top Online Questions Revealed by ASK.com

From questions about the city's origins to the Panthers' chances for
success in 2010, people in Charlotte have a ton of questions about
their beloved Queen City – questions that have undoubtedly shifted and
changed as the city has experienced growth to reflect the most
pertinent ponderings on locals' minds.

Ask.com, a question and answer site that receives more than 1 million
specific questions everyday, has been monitoring these ponderings for
the past month and is now revealing the top-10 questions asked about
Charlotte.

How many do YOU know the answers to???

Top Questions Asked about Charlotte on Ask.com

1. What county is Charlotte, North Carolina in?
Charlotte, North Carolina is located in Mecklenburg County.

2. What is the population of Charlotte, North Carolina?
The population in Charlotte is approximately 756,912.

3. Who owns the Charlotte Bobcats?
Hall of Fame basketball player, Michael Jordan, is the majority owner
of the Charlotte Bobcats.

4. What is there to do in Charlotte?
Charlotte has something for everyone, from major sporting events to
historic Carolina charm. Charlotte also boasts major shopping centers
like SouthPark Mall and Concord Mills, as well as "NoDa" (Arts
District north of Uptown), where you'll find an assortment of cool
galleries and a hot lineup of live bands performing almost every
evening.

5. What is the closest beach to Charlotte?
The closest beaches to Charlotte, North Carolina are Wrightsville
Beach in North Carolina, and the Isle of Palms, Folly Beach andMyrtle
Beach in South Carolina. The nearest beach would be around a 4 hour
drive from Charlotte, which is about 178 miles fromMyrtle Beach.

6. Why is Charlotte called the Queen City?
The city is named for Charlotte Sophia of Mecklenburg-Strelitz in
Germany, who became the bride of England's King George III. In 1768,
founders named it "Charlotte Town" in an attempt to win favor with the
crown.

7. Will the Carolina Panthers be super bowl material this season?
Most experts put them in the middle of the pack, with odds of winning
the super bowl ranging from 30/1 to 55/1.

8. Are Justin Bieber concert tickets sold out in Charlotte?
Tickets for the August 8th show at Time Warner Cable Arena in
Charlotte are sold out. However, there are still plenty of tickets
available via third party resale sites.

9. How much are tickets to the NASCAR Hall of Fame?
Adult tickets are $19.95. Tickets for children are $12.95.

10. When is the next Charlotte Restaurant Week and how much does it
cost?
Charlotte Restaurant Week is going on now - Friday, July 16 - Sunday,
July 25, 2010. The cost is $30 for a 3-course prix fix dinner menu.

Kings Mountain native needs lung transplant

Kings Mountain native Terri Mullis deBruin needs a lifesaving lung
transplant, and volunteers are planning a spaghetti supper to help
with the expenses.

In 2004, deBruin first noticed troubling symptoms, such as redness and
swelling in her hands. She saw a rheumatologist and was later
diagnosed with systemic scleroderma, an autoimmune disease causing her
immune system to attack her body, especially her lungs. Doctors say a
lung transplant is her only hope.

A lung transplant costs approximately $450,000. Even with health
insurance, deBruin faces significant medical expenses. For the rest of
her life, she will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection
medications. The cost of post-transplant medications can range from
$2,000 to $5,000 per month, and they are as critical to her survival
as the transplant itself.

Once she receives her transplant, she must temporarily relocate more
than 200 miles from her home to be closer to the transplant center in
Pittsburgh, adding to her financial strain.

To overcome these financial challenges, deBruin turned to the National
Foundation for Transplants (NFT) for assistance. NFT is a nonprofit
organization that helps transplant patients raise funds to pay for
transplant-related expenses.

Friends and family are planning a spaghetti supper Saturday, July 31
from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at David Baptist Church, 2300 David Baptist
Church Rd. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children 6 and
younger and includes spaghetti, salad, bread, dessert, tea and water.
For more information, please call Tiffany Mullis at 704-300-9989.

To make a donation in honor of deBruin, please mail a tax-deductible
gift to the NFT Delaware Lung Fund, 5350 Poplar Ave., Suite 430,
Memphis, TN 38119. Please be sure to write "in honor of Terri deBruin"
in the memo line. Secure donations also can be made online at www.transplants.org
. Donors should click on "Patients We Help" to locate deBruin.

NFT is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization based in Memphis, Tenn. that
has been helping transplant patients overcome financial obstacles
since 1983. NFT provides fundraising expertise and advocacy to
transplant patients by organizing fundraising campaigns in the
patients' own communities. In the past 27 years, NFT has helped
generate more than $56 million to assist patients with their expenses.

NFT currently assists more than 1,000 transplant candidates and
recipients nationwide. For more information about NFT, please call
800-489-3863 or visit www.transplants.org.