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Sundae Art Gallery to open in downtown Concord

Sundae Art Gallery to open in downtown Concord

The Sundae Art Gallery is opening in Concord with the kickoff of their “Second Fridays” series from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, June 14.

The first group show, entitled “Eight way from Sundae,” will feature eight artist graduates and their instructors from the Artist in Rendition program of Braitman Studios in Charlotte.

The gallery plans to host a new art event on the second Friday of each month.

“We want to bring in high quality artists who have “found their voice” but are still selling art that is a great value,” gallery manager Pete Brown said. “We will have guest curators to help us in the selection process.”

Brown added, “Concord and area residents have always enjoyed the downtown Art Walks, sponsored by the Cabarrus Arts Council, which occur on Friday nights five times a year.

Who wants to Go Pro with Steve Smith?

Who wants to Go Pro with Steve Smith?

Every year, thousands of young football fans dream of breaking the huddle with hero Steve Smith. Showmars, a proud sponsor of Steve Smith’s Football ProCamp, is making that dream a reality for four Charlotte-area children this summer.

Showmars is giving away four spots to the 2013 Steve Smith Football ProCamp. Football fans can sign up by filling out an entry form at any of Showmars 28 Charlotte-Metro locations.

ProCamp is a youth athletic camp for children in grades 1- 8. Established in 1998, the camp provides thousands of youth the opportunity to attend camp with their sporting heroes. At the camp, attendees learn football fundamentals and meet children their own age with like interests.

This year’s ProCamp event will be held at Ardrey Kell High School on Monday, June 10, and Tuesday, June 11.

Team Kenseth reacts to the penalty, JJ strikes a pose, must be Parker's Points!

Team Kenseth reacts to the penalty, JJ strikes a pose, must be Parker's Points!

CONCORD - Yeah, you knew this was coming.  Adrian Parker, business manager for Matt Kenseth, had to cool down a few days before he could respond!  His thoughts on the Gibbs penalty are thought provoking, but he's also weighing in on so much more, let's get to it!

CAN THE PUNISHMENT FIT THE CRIME? It’s a question that will be asked a lot over the next week, as Penske Racing will have their final appeal on Tuesday, May 7, for violations at Texas, a day before Joe Gibbs Racing has their first appeal on Wednesday, May 8, for a violation on the No. 20 car at Kansas.

The latter hits a little close to home. It’s been covered ad nauseam so I’ll refrain from recapping. Bob Pockrass, who writes for the Sporting News, wrote a good opinion piece about the infractions and penalties here: http://bit.ly/ZZxdxG

In my opinion, once it is determined there is an infraction then it should come down to a couple of questions that need to be taken into consideration when levying the punishment:

1.     Did the team gain a competitive advantage?

2.     Can the conclusion be made that the team intended to gain a competitive advantage?

If the answer to both of those questions is the same, then that should determine how big of a hammer NASCAR swings at the ruling. “Yes” being a sledge and “no” being a tack.

Local man graduates basic military training in Texas

Local man graduates basic military training in Texas

Air Force Airman Adam C. McMillen graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

McMillen is the son of Kenneth and Jeneen McMillen of Porters Court, Concord.

He is a 2012 graduate of Hickory Ridge High School, Harrisburg.

Former poet Laureate brings poetry to life at Rowan-Cabarrus

Former poet Laureate brings poetry to life at Rowan-Cabarrus

Former North Carolina Poet Laureate (2010) Cathy Smith Bowers will bring poetry to life at the Rowan-Cabarrus Literary & Fine Arts Festival on Monday, April 8.

When Cathy Smith Bowers began her career as a poet, she did not intend to make people laugh or cry but that is exactly what she’s done. Smith Bowers has transformed what it means to listen to poetry; her keynote presentation is a blend of performance poetry and stand-up comedy.

Kannapolis Dr. sets Catawba scholarship in honor of late wife

Kannapolis Dr. sets Catawba scholarship in honor of late wife

SALISBURY - A new endowed scholarship established at Catawba College memorializes Anna Katherine Gregory Vance, a 2003 alumna who died in April 2011.  The Scholarship was established by her husband, Dr. Shawn L. Vance of Kannapolis.

Preference for the scholarship will be given to female, Christian students who major or minor in political science or dance.  Anna majored in political science and minored in dance at Catawba.  In 2001, she was also one of the co-founders of the Delphinian Society at Catawba, a campus organization dedicated to providing academic, service and social opportunities for females.

A special Parker's Points: NASCAR Victory Lane from the inside

A special Parker's Points: NASCAR Victory Lane from the inside

CONCORD - Well now he's done it.  Just a very few races into the 2013 Sprint Cup season and who do we find in Victory Lane?  Our own Adrian Parker!  Well, Matt Kenseth had a little something to do with it.

Adrian Parker is the former fleet of foot flash from South Rowan High School, a Catawba College grad, a PR guru extraordinaire for some of NASCAR's top drivers, the communications director for Charlotte Motor Speedway, and now serves as business manager for Matt Kenseth, who just happened to wheel his Dollar General into Victory Lane at Vegas this past week.

So, that means we get a special insider's look at what it means to win!  Enjoy.  AP, it's all you:

AP: OK… about 36 laps to go when the green flag flies. Thanks to a gutsy call by crew chief Jason Ratcliff, my main man, Matt Kenseth is finally out in front for the first time all day in clean air, so let’s see how this goes.

Despite spinning the tires and getting tapped by his old teammate Carl Edwards on the restart, Matt hangs onto the lead and begins pulling away from the second place car of Brad Keselowski.