First Headache Treatment Center Opens in Charlotte

It is estimated that 80 percent of headaches may be caused by dental
force related issues, which means if you suffer from chronic headaches
it might be time to visit...the dentist? Yes, if the dentist is
equipped with the most advanced diagnostic equipment and treatment
techniques like Dr. Robert L. Harrell at Charlotte Headache Center,
the first and only clinic of its kind in the Carolinas.

According to the National Headache Foundation, over 45 million
Americans suffer from chronic, recurring headaches. About 20 percent
of children and adolescents also have significant headaches. And,
according to the American Migraine Foundation, 36 million Americans
(about 12 percent of the population) suffer from migraine headaches.
One-in-four households in America have a member with migraines.
Migraines are three times more common in women than men, with
migraines affecting 30 percent of women over a lifetime.

Many people who suffer from headache problems have spent significant
time and money looking for a solution. They have visited multiple
health care professionals and tried various medications and therapies
without much relief. However, using a new cutting-edge technology
called TruDenta, Dr. Harrell is able to quickly pinpoint a patient's
problem and alleviate the pain.

In fact, it was the dramatic success Dr. Harrell experienced after
implementing the TruDenta system into his dental practice, Adult
Dentistry of Ballantyne, that led him to open Charlotte Headache
Center. Through this dedicated clinic, he is able to focus exclusively
on treating patients with chronic headaches and migraines,
temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, neck pain, earaches, tinnitus
(ringing in the ears) and sleep apnea.

In this video: http://youtu.be/ptJ4yrmfPEo, Dr. Harrell talks about
Charlotte Headache Center and the phenomenal results he has achieved
using the TruDenta system. The following links will take you to
powerful video testimonials from two former Charlotte Headache Center
patients who are now living pain free: http://youtu.be/0FBoIb_r6Zc | http://youtu.be/LBV_NGVHby8
.

In this informative Q&A, Dr. Harrell answers some of the most commonly
asked questions about the Charlotte Headache Center, the TruDenta
system and what patients can expect during treatment.

Q: Dr. Harrell, when a patient who has suffered from migraines or
chronic headaches comes to you, what is done initially to determine
what could be the source of their symptoms?

A: The new technologies we use allow us to screen patients using a
digital bite force analyzer to measure the different dynamic forces in
the mouth (musculature, joints, teeth) to pinpoint imbalances. This
allows us to determine the type of treatment or combination of
therapies that might be needed.

We also use a computerized tool that measures the cervical range of
motion and identifies dysfunction or disability in the muscles of the
head and neck. In a 15-minute screening appointment we can quickly
rule in or rule out whether the patient's headaches are related to
improper or imbalanced forces.

Q: Does the program involve pain, needles or drugs?

A: No. In fact, it's exactly the opposite. There is no pain whatsoever
with our treatments. The TruDenta treatments are conservative and non-
invasive and the program is specifically designed to help get patients
off drugs. Most clients report that the therapies are very relaxing
and most experience pain relief after just one or two treatments.

Q: Can you give us an example of the kinds of treatments you might
perform on a chronic headache sufferer?

A: Because headache and migraine sufferers have many sensitivities
that can trigger pain, our treatment plans are designed to be slow,
conservative and effective. We use a combination of FDA approved
medical devices to reduce inflammation and restore blood flow in the
muscles and temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

Additionally we use low-level cold laser therapy to help restore
energy at a cellular level. We also use a specially designed mouth
orthotic that helps restore normal function in the TMJ and then
selectively correct the bite imbalances with the aid of our digital
bite analysis system.

What really makes this system unique is the blend of treatments:
neuromuscular sports medicine -- targeting muscles and nerves --
combined with advanced dental treatments targeting TMJ dysfunction and
bite imbalance.



Q: What kind of results have you seen?

A: The results have been amazing. We have treated a number of patients
who have been plagued with severe headaches and migraines for more
than 10 years, robbing them of countless hours of their lives every
week. These patients are crying in my office desperate for help. When
you can completely take away their pain in a matter of weeks, it
becomes a life-changing experience for the patient. As a health care
professional, the ability to help clients become free of pain is the
most rewarding part of my practice.



Q: What else can the TruDenta technology and training you have
received be used for?

A: The TruDenta system is not only effective on patients with TMJ
problems, but also patients who clench or grind their teeth or have
tinnitus (ringing of the ears). We can also help patients who are
suffering as a result of head or neck injuries from sports related
traumas, falls or car accidents.



Q: Is treatment affordable? Are there options to pay for it? What
about insurance coverage?

A: We strive to make the cost of care affordable, with treatments
ranging from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars
depending on the number and types of treatments needed. Certain
insurance plans cover the treatment and financing is available.



Q: How can people find out more about the TruDenta system?

A: Visit our website at CharlotteHeadacheCenter.com or call
704-540-5850 to schedule a 15-minute screening appointment to see if
we can help.



Dr. Harrell is available for interviews, comments and clarifications.

You can call him directly via cell phone at 704-650-7112.



Charlotte Headache Center, 7820 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Suite 103,
Charlotte, NC 28277

> PHONE: 704-540-5850 | WEBSITE: http://CharlotteHeadacheCenter.com
>

Davidson College & PNG Reach Agreement on New Pipeline Route

Davidson College and Piedmont Natural Gas have reachedagreement on the
route a new PNG pipeline will take across college property. The 5,100-
foot section that crosses the college's land will be part of a 127-
mile line supplying natural gas to Duke/Progress Energy's Sutton power
plant inWilmington.

Davidson officials learned in late January of PNG's original planned
pipeline route, and at that time raised concerns about the significant
damage it would cause to the college's ecological preserve. The
preserve covers about 1/3 of the college's 600-acre property and is
the site of frequent scientific investigations by professors and
students.

The two parties entered into negotiations at that time, and have now
reached agreement on an alternate route for the pipeline that runs
mostly adjacent to an existing utility corridor on college property.
Toward the southern end of the college's property, the route will turn
eastward and cross pastureland before exiting college property.

The agreement with the college gives PNG a new easement that ranges in
width between 65 and 70 feet, which is in addition to the existing 40-
foot easement that PNG already has on college property. By running the
new easement along the existing energy corridor rather than through
the ecological preserve, damage to the most sensitive areas of the
preserve is avoided. After construction is complete, trees will be
replanted along portions of the easement within the ecological
preserve to further minimize the long-term effect of the project.

Construction is expected to begin in late fall, and continue through
early spring. It will affect some parts of the college's cross country
trails, and the college will work to maintain as much access to the
trails as is safely possible during the construction period.

Back To School Bash Set For Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, in partnership with the
Greater Enderly Neighborhood Association, Community Alliance and
Project Safe Neighborhoods, will host a Back to School Bash to help
students in all grade levels to prepare for the upcoming school year.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug.11,
2012, at the Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center, 2921 Tuckaseegee Road
in Charlotte.

Participants will be able to pick up free school supplies, network
with other students, receive information from several local vendors
providing discounts for uniforms, haircuts, dental care and other
items and enjoy refreshments and activities. Students in grades other
than high school should be accompanied by an adult.

The Back to School Bash is sponsored by Wells Fargo and Verbatim.

For additional information, contact the center at 704-432-3048.

Showmars Partners with WSOC School Tools for August

The first day of classes for students usually means fresh pens and
pencils, a shiny new book bag and back to school shopping trips. For
many however, that is not the case. In Mecklenburg County, more than
half of all students are economically disadvantaged and many of those
students will show up empty handed on the first day of school in August.

In honor of 30 successful years of business in the Charlotte area,
Showmars, a local favorite, is partnering with WSOC TV for the 16th
annual School Tools Campaign.

School Tools is the largest school supply drive in the area helping
thousands of local kids receive the school supplies they desperately
need to start a productive year at school. The campaign runs for the
entire month of August. Last year alone School Tools helped gather
more than 472,000 school supplies for local students in more than 20
counties.

A School Tools barrel is located at each of the 28 Showmars
restaurants. School supplies including pens, pencils, glue sticks,
markers and book bags are gladly accepted. Donations can be delivered
to any store and dropped into the barrel. Monetary donations can also
be made onwww.school-tools.org.

Showmars serves fresh, made-to-order food fast in a casual, family-
friendly environment. With a diverse mix of Greek, Southern and
American flavors, Showmars caters to a wide customer base with
signature items such as gyros, Souvlaki, pita burgers, fresh salads
and its famous World's Best Fillet of Flounder. Founded in Charlotte
in 1982, Showmars has proudly served the southeast for 30 years. With
its reputation of offering a broad selection of quality food at a
great value, exceptional customer service and a comfortable
atmosphere, it's easy to see why everybody loves Showmars!

One-of-a-Kind Playground to be Built in Charlotte in One Day Using Volunteers

As part of Mayor Anthony Foxx's Healthy Children; Healthy Family and
Youth Engagement Convention Legacies, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg
Housing Partnership (The Housing Partnership), Humana Inc., KaBOOM! (a
national non-profit organization that has built more than 2,100
playgrounds), Charlotte in 2012, and volunteers will join forces on
Saturday, Aug. 4 to build a one-of-a-kind, multi-generational
playground in Charlotte at the Village of Rosedale Apartments.

The customized playground, funded primarily by Humana (a leading
health and wellness company), along with a contribution from The
Housing Partnership, was created with personal drawings and input from
local community members – from children to seniors – and will be built
in six hours!

Humana is proud to help create a lasting neighborhood legacy that
promotes healthy play and well-being.The unique space will have senior-
focused and adult elements, such as fitness stations and walking
paths, to promote good posture, balance and flexibility – as well as
more traditional, kid-friendly equipment to build a truly multi-
generational space. The project will also create an outdoor recreation
area to inspire play and healthy living for years to come.

The current playground equipment at the Village of Rosedale Apartments
is worn and in need of replacement. The new playground and multi-
generational exercise stations will effectively address these needs,
providing youth with an age-appropriate area to play, as well as
opportunities for seniors to interact further with each other and the
community.

Humana is excited to partner with KaBOOM! to build a new space for
local residents of all ages/abilities; encourage physical activity and
overall health and well-being; and provide a diverse community
gathering area. Hundreds of volunteers and community members will roll
up their sleeves to build the new, 2,640-sq.-ft., playground from
start-to-finish in one day in a fun, old-fashioned barn raising – with
a playful twist!

The project is one of 18 playgrounds being built by Humana and KaBOOM!
across the U.S. in 2012.

WHEN Saturday, August 4, 2012
WHERE Village of Rosedale Apartments
3925 Tiffany Rose Place
Charlotte, NC 28206

· 8:30 to 9 a.m. Kick off ceremony and
volunteer deployment
· 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Best viewing of
playground construction
· 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Final
construction phase and adjustments
· 2:30 to 3 p.m. Ribbon-cutting
ceremony to dedicate new play area
(Note: all times approximate)

The Charlotte in 2012 Convention Host Committee is a non-profit, non-
partisan organization established by the city of Charlotte to fulfill
obligations of the master contract with the Democratic National
Convention Committee. In addition to those obligations, Charlotte in
2012 works to engage the citizens Charlotte and the Carolinas through
business and civic opportunities, ensure that the Convention leaves a
positive lasting legacy, and tell Charlotte and the region's story to
the nation and the world. For more information, visit us online at www.charlottein2012.com
.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership, Inc.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership, Inc. (The Housing
Partnership) is a broad-based, private, nonprofit housing development
and financial corporation with goals supporting home ownership, stable
neighborhoods, and communities blending market rate and affordable
housing in the City of Charlotte. In addition to its home ownership
counseling, lending, and community revitalization work, The Housing
Partnership has created exceptional developments and neighborhoods in
various parts of Charlotte including Springcroft at Ashley Park,
Rivermere, The Gables at Druid Hills, and Park at Oaklawn. For more
information, visit www.cmhp.org.

Humana
Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is a leading health
care company that offers a wide range of insurance products and health
and wellness services that incorporate an integrated approach to
lifelong well-being. By leveraging the strengths of its core
businesses, Humana believes it can better explore opportunities for
existing and emerging adjacencies in health care that can further
enhance wellness opportunities for the millions of people across the
nation with whom the company has relationships. For more information,
visit www.humana.com.

KaBOOM!
KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to saving play. Children
today spend less time playing outdoors than any previous generation, a
fact that is having disastrous consequences on their health,
achievement levels, and overall well-being. To fight this play
deficit, social entrepreneur Darell Hammond founded non-profit KaBOOM!
in 1996 in Washington, D.C. with a vision of creating a great place to
play within walking distance of every child in America. Since then,
KaBOOM! has mapped over 89,000 places to play, built more than 2,100
playgrounds, and successfully advocated for play policies in hundreds
of cities across the country. KaBOOM! also provides communities with
online tools to self-organize and take action to support play on both
a local and national level. Hammond chronicles the founding of the
organization and the importance of the cause of play in his The New
York Times Best Seller KaBOOM!: How One Man Built a Movement to Save
Play. The book details how businesses and communities can work
together to save play for children across the country. All author
proceeds support KaBOOM!. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., KaBOOM!
also has offices in Chicago and San Mateo, Calif. For more
information, visit www.kaboom.org.

Celebrating Ceramics: Potters Market Invitational set for September 15 in Charlotte

A taste of Seagrove, the Catawba Valley, and other well-known centers
of North Carolina pottery will visit Charlotte when the 8th annual
Potters Market Invitational sets up its tent on the grounds of Mint
Museum Randolph on September 15.

Forty outstanding North Carolina potters have been invited to
participate in this year's event, presented by the Delhom Service
League, an affiliate group of The Mint Museum dedicated to the support
and study of ceramics. The event typically lures over 1,200 collectors
and enthusiasts, many of whom line up hours in advance of the opening
to make sure to gain access to the day's best treasures.

"We are thrilled to have this opportunity to share our enthusiasm for
this important art form with the Charlotte community and the region,
and to give residents a chance to engage with some of our state's most
significant artists and their work," said Lee Abbott, chairperson of
this year's Potters Market. "The Mint Museum already boasts the
largest collection of North Carolina pottery in the United States, and
we look forward to future opportunities to put a strengthened focus on
ceramics at Mint Museum Randolph."

A $10 admission fee includes access to the event, running from 10 a.m.
to 4 p.m., as well as admission to both locations of The Mint Museum
(admission is reduced to $8 after 2 p.m.)*. The event is still selling
$100 individual sponsorships which grant early admission at 9:15 a.m.
and a greater chance to acquire the most-desired items. For $150,
individuals can also be admitted to a Potters Party being held Friday,
September 14 from 7-9 p.m. at Mint Museum Randolph, where they will
have the opportunity to mingle with the potters.

PMI tickets go on sale online Aug. 1 at mintmuseum.org/delhom-service-
league.html, or are available at the door. More information is
available at 704.337.2010 or by emailing PottersMarketInvitational@gmail.com
. The event also includes live folk music and pottery-making
demonstrations. Funds raised go toward acquisitions of pottery and
library materials for the museum.

The honorary chair of this year's market is Herb Cohen, a league
member whose work is featured in the exhibition Sophisticated
Surfaces: The Pottery of Herb Cohen, on view at Mint Museum Randolph
through January 6, 2013.

Also on view at Mint Museum Randolph through January 6 is the
exhibition A Thriving Tradition: 75 Years of Collecting North Carolina
Pottery, which contains many significant acquisitions obtained through
the help of the Delhom Service League and its individual members. An
example is a ceramic sculpture of a rabbit, "Alice Goes to
Washington," by Carol Gentithes, which contains images of Barack
Obama, Martha Stewart, George W. Bush, Jay Leno, and other figures
emblematic in current culture. "Like a classical language, the
vocabulary that I create has many layers of meaning. I leave it with
the viewers to derive their personal interpretations," Gentithes has
said of her work. Gentithes is one of this year's participating
potters, who also include Judith Duff, designer of a vase purchased at
the 2009 Potters Market Invitational that became the primary image for
this year's event; and Ben Owen III of the legendary Owen and Owens
families of North Carolina potters. First-time participating potters
this year include Julie Wiggins, Steven Abee, Ross Edwards, Becky and
Steve Lloyd, Joy Tanner, Alex Matisse, and Frank Neef. A complete list
of potters is available at mintmuseum.org/happenings/18/delhom-service-
league-8th-annual-potters-market-invitational.

Recently, Mint Museum Randolph opened two more permanent-collection
exhibitions that illustrate the depth and breadth of the Mint's
ceramics collection: Classically Inspired: European Ceramics Circa
1800, and American Ceramics, 1825-1875. Find more information about
them in the attachment.

Corporate sponsor for this year's Potters Market Invitational is
Subaru South Boulevard. Top-level individual sponsors are Bill
Musgrave, Betsy Brand, Herb Cohen and José Fumero, Jane M. Conlan, and
Sarah Belk Gambrell.

*Note: Visitors must purchase their PMI ticket first in order to gain
free museum admission on the event date.

ABOUT DELHOM SERVICE LEAGUE

Delhom Service league is an affiliate group of The Mint Museum
dedicated to developing interest in ceramics by studying the work of
experts and by supporting the ceramics collection of The Mint Museum.
It is named for M. Mellanay Delhom and her outstanding collection of
historical pottery and porcelain, which entered the museum's
collection in 1965. The league offers monthly programs that are open
to the public, on the third Tuesday of the month from September
through May, and holds study and research classes on Monday
afternoons. The league, consisting of both potters and ceramics
enthusiasts, supports acquisitions of pottery and library materials
for the museum.

ABOUT THE MINT MUSEUM

As the oldest art museum in North Carolina, and the art museum with
one of the largest collections in the Southeast, The Mint Museum
offers its visitors inspiring and transformative experiences through
art from around the world via innovative collections, ground-breaking
exhibitions, riveting educational programs, and profound scholarship.
The Mint Museum is a non-profit, visual arts institution comprised of
two dynamic facilities: Mint Museum Uptown and Mint Museum Randolph.

Located in what was the original branch of the United States Mint,
Mint Museum Randolph opened in 1936 in Charlotte's Eastover
neighborhood as the state's first art museum. Today, in a beautiful
park setting, intimate galleries invite visitors to engage with the
art of the ancient Americas, ceramics and decorative arts, fashion,
European and African art, among other collections. Resources include a
reference library with over 18,000 volumes, a theater featuring
lectures and performances, and a museum shop offering merchandise that
complements both the permanent collection and special exhibitions.

Mint Museum Uptown houses the internationally renowned Craft + Design
collection, as well as outstanding collections of American,
contemporary, and European art. Designed by Machado and Silvetti
Associates of Boston, the five-story, 145,000-square-foot facility
combines inspiring architecture with cutting-edge exhibitions to
provide visitors with unparalleled educational and cultural
experiences. Located in the heart of Charlotte's burgeoning center
city, Mint Museum Uptown is an integral part of the Levine Center for
the Arts, a cultural campus that includes the Bechtler Museum of
Modern Art, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and
Culture, the Knight Theater, and the Duke Energy Center. Mint Museum
Uptown also features a wide range of visitor amenities, including the
240-seat James B. Duke Auditorium, the Lewis Family Gallery, art
studios, a restaurant, and a museum shop. For more information, visit
the NEW mintmuseum.org.

Internationally acclaimed artist Nacho Carbonell at work inside Mint Museum Uptown

Internationally-acclaimed artist Nacho Carbonell is working in the
atrium assembling his work Wood Branches, Diversity n. 17 (prototype),
2010 (shown in photo). Carbonell will be assisted by Paloma Castaño
Sanchez, an emerging fashion and textile artist. They are scheduled to
complete the work by Monday July 30.

Carbonell's work is one of six to be featured in the Mint's "Vote for
Art" project, a one-of-a-kind election taking place within the walls
of Mint Museum Uptown.

"Vote for Art" is aimed at educating the public on both the electoral
process and the process of building a world-class collection for
Charlotte and the region. Six specially-chosen works of art will be on
view in the museum, and the public can cast votes on their three
favorites. The museum will acquire the three winners and add them to
its permanent collection. The other five works will be installed
within the museum in coming weeks.

Voting opens on September 1 to coincide with the beginning of the
Democratic National Convention – and to allow the DNC delegates the
first opportunities to cast votes, as they do during the nation's real-
life electoral process. Mint Museum Uptown, which is normally closed
to the public on Mondays, will be open FREE all day on September 3,
Labor Day, to coincide with CarolinaFest, a day-long party for the
Democratic National Convention visitors to be held along Tryon Street.
All visitors to the museum through September 7 will be offered ballots
and the opportunity to cast votes. Voting then closes after the DNC
and reopens October 1, running through November 9.

Election Day, November 6, will be a free admission day from 10 a.m.-9
p.m. so any interested voters can come to the museum to vote for art
after they travel to the polls to vote for their candidates (the
museum is always open for free from 5-9 p.m. each Tuesday). And unlike
the Board of Elections, the Mint does not require voters to be 18 –
children will be offered their own opportunities to cast ballots.

A committee consisting of curators and representatives of three of the
museum's affiliate groups nominated the six works of art. The
Founders' Circle, Mint Museum Auxiliary, and Young Affiliates of the
Mint will collaborate on the project's culminating event, the Ballot
Ball, on November 9. At that gala, to be held at Mint Museum Uptown,
the winners will be unveiled. Ticket registration for the Ballot Ball
will begin September 1.

The Mint is in the process of discussing sponsorship of the project
with local and national corporations. Each sponsor will contribute a
sum toward the purchase of the works, and will be recognized on a
large banner in front of Mint Museum Uptown, which will appear prior
to the DNC and remain on view through the Ballot Ball, allowing the
corporations to receive a lucrative marketing opportunity in addition
to contributing toward this philanthropic project. Sponsors will also
be permanently recognized within the museum as the donors of the works
of art. Those interested in becoming a sponsor can contact May Nixon
at May.Nixon@mintmuseum.org.

During the project, voters must be inside the museum to cast a vote;
no online voting will be allowed, although an overview of the project
is available on mintmuseum.org and visitors may use the website's
+INSPIRING button to show support for their favorites.

Only one ballot will be permitted per visit, but patrons can make
multiple visits throughout the run of the project if they wish to cast
multiple votes for their favorite candidates. For non-members of the
museum, admission must be paid for each visit unless it is during the
museum's scheduled free hours. (See a complete news release about
"Vote for Art" and descriptions of all six works of art here:http://www.mintmuseum.org/news/vote-for-art-your-view-your-vote)
Extreme experimentation with materials and ideas is central to the
work of Nacho Carbonell (known internationally as simply Nacho). The
distinct gravel-, thorn-, or branch-covered surfaces of the combined
desk forms in the Diversity series suggest a demographically diverse
neighborhood and made Nacho the star of the 2010 Salone di Mobile in
Milan. The chairs are handmade by a small team of assistants using
laborious processes in Nacho's studio in Eindhoven, The Netherlands;
he is assembling Diversity n.17 inside Mint Museum Uptown himself.
Nacho graduated from the Spanish University of Cardenal Herrera-CEU
and the prestigious Design Academy, Eindhoven. He was nominated
Designer of the Year in 2009 by the Design Museum, London, and
designated as Designer of the Future by the Design Miami / Basel
committee later that same year.

"With a reputation as an innovator in his use of various media,
techniques, and as a provocateur par excellence, Nacho is one of the
hottest young designers of the moment," said Annie Carlano, the Mint's
director of craft and design.

ABOUT THE MINT MUSEUM

As the oldest art museum in North Carolina, and the art museum with
one of the largest collections in the Southeast, The Mint Museum
offers its visitors inspiring and transformative experiences through
art from around the world via innovative collections, ground-breaking
exhibitions, riveting educational programs, and profound scholarship.
The Mint Museum is a non-profit, visual arts institution comprised of
two dynamic facilities: Mint Museum Uptown and Mint Museum Randolph.

Located in what was the original branch of the United States Mint,
Mint Museum Randolph opened in 1936 in Charlotte's Eastover
neighborhood as the state's first art museum. Today, in a beautiful
park setting, intimate galleries invite visitors to engage with the
art of the ancient Americas, ceramics and decorative arts, fashion,
European and African art, among other collections. Resources include a
reference library with over 18,000 volumes, a theater featuring
lectures and performances, and a museum shop offering merchandise that
complements both the permanent collection and special exhibitions.

Mint Museum Uptown houses the internationally renowned Craft + Design
collection, as well as outstanding collections of American,
contemporary, and European art. Designed by Machado and Silvetti
Associates of Boston, the five-story, 145,000-square-foot facility
combines inspiring architecture with cutting-edge exhibitions to
provide visitors with unparalleled educational and cultural
experiences. Located in the heart of Charlotte's burgeoning center
city, Mint Museum Uptown is an integral part of the Levine Center for
the Arts, a cultural campus that includes the Bechtler Museum of
Modern Art, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and
Culture, the Knight Theater, and the Duke Energy Center. Mint Museum
Uptown also features a wide range of visitor amenities, including the
240-seat James B. Duke Auditorium, the Lewis Family Gallery, art
studios, a restaurant, and a museum shop. For more information, visit
the NEW mintmuseum.org.

Former Cop, Charlotte Pastor, Working to Save Marriages in Crisis

Marriage is the norm for Christians with 84% tying the knot according
to The Barna Group. But sadly, divorce rates among born again
Christians are virtually indistinguishable from non-believers with
about 1 in 3 going through a split. While most marriage books are
designed to help marriages improve, Marriage Triage: A Guide to
Healing for the Hurting Spouse (Ambassador International; June 2012;
$12.99, paperback) is geared towards spiritual survival for couples in
crisis.

> Marriage Triage includes a "quick start guide" for the hurting
> spouse that reminds them of God's grace, encourages them to document
> their feelings and explains how to endure through the crisis. Geared
> towards either the offender or the offended spouse, author Steve
> Goode draws from his 11 years in law enforcement and time as a
> marriage and counseling pastor. "This book will provide a simple,
> but systematic way for a husband or wife to walk through their
> suffering, and honor Christ in the process," explains Goode. "This
> is the book that they must first read in order to stop the
> temptation to react irresponsibly and un-Biblically in their
> circumstances."
>

Stephen Goode serves as Director of Biblical Counseling and Senior
Adult Ministries at Northside Baptist Church in Charlotte, North
Carolina. He graduated from Trinity Bible College and Theological
Seminary with a B.A. in Biblical Counseling. Steve hosts The Biblical
Counseling Moment, which fans downloaded more than 100,000 times from
iTunes in 2011. He served 11 years in North Carolina as a sworn police
officer for the Greensboro Police Department where he has extensive
experience working closely with families in crisis. Stephen and his
wife April have been married for 17 years and they have two children.

To learn more about the author and his book Marriage Triage, visit www.stephengoode.com
. For interview requests please contact publicist Alison Storm at media@emeraldhouse.com
.

'Salute Our Troops' Campaign Raises $1 Million, Stops in Charlotte August 26-29

The Kangaroo Express "Salute Our Troops" caravan will be stopping in
Charlotte from Sunday, August 26 through Wednesday, August 29. In just
the first three weeks of its "Salute Our Troops®" campaign, Kangaroo
Express has already raised $1 million for the USO, Wounded Warrior
Project and six state-based military support organizations.

The Pantry, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTRY), the leading independently operated
convenience store chain in the southeastern United States, today
announced that it raised $1 million in just the first three weeks of
its "Salute Our Troops®" campaign. Through The Pantry's more than
1,600 Kangaroo Express stores across 13 states, store guests and
communities have enthusiastically demonstrated united support for
military personnel and their families.

Every penny of the $1 million raised can be attributed to incremental
dollar donations made at Kangaroo Express checkout counters. The
overwhelming response so early in the campaign will inspire more
donations throughout the summer. Donations from the campaign will
support the USO, lifting the spirits of America's troops and their
families; Wounded Warrior Project, honoring and empowering injured
servicemen and women; and six state-based military support
organizations.

In its inaugural year, the 2011 Salute Our Troops campaign raised $2.5
million dollars, breaking fundraising records for many beneficiary
organizations, including the largest grassroots fundraising initiative
in the USO's 70-year history. In that year, the $1 million milestone
was reached after five weeks of fundraising.

"As soon as it seems that the generosity and enthusiasm from our
guests and employees to the Salute Our Troops campaign is at its peak,
we are in awe as they reach one step higher. Reaching our goal so
early truly could not have been possible without these individuals,
especially our valued employees, who are devoted to sharing the Salute
Our Troops mission to customers every day," said John Fisher, senior
vice president of marketing, merchandising and restaurant operations,
Kangaroo Express. "We are thrilled that our employees and customers
share our constant appreciation for these great military cause
organizations."

The six state-based organizations benefiting cover five states
throughout the Southeast and include the Enlisted Association of
National Guard of Tennessee Auxiliary Soldier Airman Relief Fund Inc.,
Florida National Guard Foundation, Georgia National Guard Family
Support Foundation, North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen
Assistance Fund, South Carolina Military Family Care Association, and
the United States Veterans Corps based in North Carolina.

Salute Our Troops celebrations started in Jacksonville, Fla., and will
continue to be held at Kangaroo Express stores throughout the
southeastern United States led by the Salute Our Troops Caravan.

Celebrations include custom patriotic vehicles and the Salute Our
Troops Command Center, where store guests will add their own voice of
gratitude with "shout outs" of pride and appreciation. Many will be
showcased on the Salute Our Troops website at www.KESalute.com to
share with troops and families around the world.

For more information, and to find a celebration near you, visit the
Salute Our Troops website at www.KESalute.com.

About The Pantry and Kangaroo Express
Headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, The Pantry, Inc. is the leading
independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern
United States and one of the largest independently operated
convenience store chains in the country. As of May 7, 2012, the
Company operated 1,607 stores in thirteen states under select banners,
including Kangaroo Express®, its primary operating banner. The
Pantry's stores offer a broad selection of merchandise, as well as
fuel and other ancillary services designed to appeal to the
convenience needs of its customers.
For more information, visit www.kangarooexpress.com.

With more than half of our stores located within 25 miles of a
military installation, Kangaroo Express has supported the military and
their families for many years, most recently raising $2.5 million for
the USO, Wounded Warrior Project and local military support
organizations as part of its summer-long "Salute Our Troops®"
fundraising campaign.

"Political Animals" to Invade Uptown Charlotte's EpiCentre

The campaign trail gets a little wilder this summer when Discovery
Place and the EpiCentre bring a nonpartisan contest to Uptown
Charlotte, offering a chance at victory for anyone willing to get in
the race.

Beginning July 30, a total of 24 specially-marked donkey and elephant
toy animals will be hidden throughout the EpiCentre and its resident
businesses. Each 'political animal' will be redeemable for two
tickets to Discovery Place, including entry to the National Geographic
Crittercam: The World Through Animal Eyes exhibition, plus two tickets
to Discovery Place's Charlotte Observer IMAX ® Dome Theatre to see
polar bears frolic in To The Arctic or the dinosaurs roar in Sea Rex..
(Note: The IMAX tickets are not valid for The Dark Knight Rises.)
The scavenger hunt, open to the public, offers a game-changing
opportunity to get involved in the culture and excitement of Discovery
Place, one of the state's most visited and beloved educational
destinations, while exploring the heart of the Democratic National
Convention's host city.

"Animals have a rare view of the world, whether they are penguins,
sharks, sea lions, elephants, donkeys or any other creature. The
Crittercam exhibition gives visitors the opportunity to see the world
the way animals do " said John Mackay, president and CEO of Discovery
Place, Inc. "This scavenger hunt is an entertaining way for us to let
the public see the way we can combine fun, education and science
during the advent of the DNC in Charlotte."

Showcasing the ongoing research of National Geographic's Crittercam, a
scientific video- and data-gathering tool safely worn by wild animals,
the Crittercam exhibition at Discovery Place invites visitors to see
the world through animal eyes. Encompassing more than 20 years of
scientific invention and research collaborations, Crittercam has
uncovered stunning insights into animal life. The exhibition will be
at Discovery Place through September 16.

The twelve donkeys and twelve elephants will be secured in hidden and
visible locations throughout the EpiCentre and each will be tagged
with information about how to redeem the animal for Discovery Place
and IMAX tickets. To level the playing field, Discovery Place will be
offering daily social media clues on Facebook (facebook.com/
discoveryplace) and Twitter (@discoveryplace). The contest will
continue until all 24 animals have been captured. For more information
call 704.372.6261 x300 or email info@discoveryplace.org.

"As a longstanding partner in Charlotte's arts and culture scene, we
are excited to be in the "epicenter" of national events that will
surround the region in the coming months," said Mackay. "And, if
you're wondering what the odds of finding tickets are…well, I would
speculate that it will all come down to turnout."

About Discovery Place
One of the top hands-on science museums in the nation, Discovery Place
provides ever-changing, entertaining facilities that engage people in
the active exploration of science and nature. The Museum brings
relevant, contemporary science to life through groundbreaking
exhibitions, interactive educational programming and hands-on
activities. Nearly a half-million people from all over the United
States engage with Discovery Place and its IMAX Dome Theatre each year.

Discovery Place is located in uptown Charlotte at 301 N. Tryon
Street. Convenient parking is available in the Museum's parking deck
– the Carol Grotnes Belk Complex – at the corner of Sixth and Church
Streets. For more information about Discovery Place, call
704-372-6261, visit www.discoveryplace.org or connect with Discovery
Place on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Discovery Place Inc. owns and operates Discovery Place, Charlotte
Nature Museum and Discovery Place KIDS and is supported, in part, with
funding from the Arts & Science Council.