Yet even more water tower lameness

See my earlier posts on the topic here and here, but this water tower nonsense continues unabated. Waxhaw has apparently gone junior high and there was apparently nothing we could've done to stop it.

Earlier today the original recipe Waxhaw Watertower shared the following:

I've decided when I get 500 friends I will switch to friends only. So get on board while you can. Additionally, at midnight on Tuesday, if you are friends with any other of the Watertowers, you'll be blocked from this one. Sometimes you have to make choices. I'm just nudging you along. That is all.

How is this lame? Well, just the idea that someone wants to offer commentary on Waxhaw but only to the first 500 doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. If you're so eager to share your opinion on various Waxhaw-related tidbits, why limit it? And why require friendship?

And only to those who aren't friends with the other unoriginal Water Towers that have appeared since? The epitome of 'if you're friends with them, you can't be friends with me?' 

And not to let the other Water Towers off the hook, Waxhaw Water Tower II once again outed REDACTED as the original Waxhaw Water Tower this evening and once again deleted it, with the unfortunate side effect of deleting some of my well-thought out and supremely witty Facebook comments. If it's not clear, I don't like it when that happens.

Why out someone as the original Water Tower and then delete the post? And do this two nights in a row? It does not compute, but it sure does irritate.

At this point, I'd like nothing better than to have all of the Water Towers on Facebook outed so they can be properly and publicly shamed. I'm thinking of something along the lines of what happens to Homer in the Stonecutters episode of The Simpsons. Sorry I couldn't find a video link, but I'm thinking of something along the lines of this:

Number One leads the blindfolded Homer to the next test.

Number One: This ritual is called...Crossing the Desert.
             [Homer gets paddled on the butt by Hibbert, Skinner,
            Brockman, Krusty, Moe, Quimby, and Willy in succession]
Number One: And this, we call the Unblinking Eye.
             [he gets paddled by the same people in reverse order]
     Homer: Hey...have you ever noticed that the Crossing the Desert is
            a lot like the Unblinking Eye.  And it's _exactly_ like the
            Wreck of the Hesperus.
Number One: And now, the final ordeal: the Paddling of the Swollen
            Ass...With Paddles.

Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue.
 


UPDATE 6/20/13: I've been contacted by someone who was outed by Waxhaw Water Tower II (and duly recorded on this blog) and been threatened with legal action if I did not remove their name. While I'm not certain what legal liability I have with regards to this, as a courtesy to said individual I have removed his name for the time being while I follow up. Fixed a small typo at the same time too.

More watertower madness?

In a follow-up to an earlier post, tonight the Waxhaw Watertower II (WWTII) outed REDACTED as Waxhaw Watertower I (WWT). You following me?

I have no idea if this is accurate or not, but literally seconds after I saw the Facebook post, the WWTII page was no longer available.

In conclusion, I'm getting too old to keep up with this ****.

UPDATED 6/21: Removed a name temporarily due to a legal threat.

Waxhaw cheerleading fracture?

Kristina McDaniel and Rori Burke used to operate the Waxhaw Flyers cheerleading organization. (And to those of you who followed this link, yes, this web page is far too busy.)

If I'm not mistaken, my understanding is this pair got their start via the WAA (Waxhaw Athletic Association) and then left to start the Waxhaw Flyers much to the WAA's chagrin. Per a recent Facebook update to Jim Black's Land of the Waxhaws, it appears Kristina may have now split off to start her own group, Spirit Extreme All Stars.


Assuming I'm reading this right (a big if as I daresay I don't stay up-to-date on the local cheerleading scene), this is good news for local consumers of cheerleading as more options are available for their girls.

But a small part of me can't help but wonder if this may have something to do with the unfortunate incidents that came to light in March of this year with regards to Chad Blume, the Waxhaw resident who faces charges of sexually exploiting a minor and taking indecent liberties with a child and who also happened to be a volunteer photographer for the Waxhaw Flyers.

Like I mentioned in tonight's earlier post, the Blume case is one of those stories where an update is sorely needed.

UPDATE 6/26: A belated update, but I received an email from a representative of the Waxhaw Flyers chalking this up to "creative differences" and not the unfortunate Chad Blume situation. Good luck to both businesses!

Waxhaw mayor charged with DWI

As most of you have heard, Mayor Daune Gardner was recently charged with a DWI among other things.

Per a Enquirer-Journal article:

Waxhaw police arrested Mayor Daune Gardner of Waxhaw early Monday morning with a .18 Blood Alcohol Level.

In addition to the driving while impaired charge, Gardner has also been charged with speeding and driving left of center on NC 16 in Waxhaw.

Later in the article, it is discovered that the mayor's earlier run-in with driving under the influence in Lancaster County 2008 was ultimately expunged. I'd always wondered what had happened with that.

The problem with these types of stories is that the media rarely follows up on the ultimate conclusion. For example, there was never any follow-up on Waxhaw's infamous marijuana growing, gun-collecting dentist.

The Union County Weekly has a bit more of a follow-up:

Gardner apologized to commissioners and Waxhaw citizens at the town’s board meeting Tuesday, June 11, calling Monday’s arrest “embarrassing” and saying she hopes the town can work together to move past these issues.

“I would like to apologize to you, the people of Waxhaw, my supporters and friends, the board and the staff,” she said.  “It is a private challenge that I face, and I will be addressing that in a private manner.  I hope that each of you is able to forgive me for the condition that I have put us in with my actions.  I hope that we can move forward and work together for the betterment of our community.”

The town won’t move forward without taking some steps to address Gardner’s alleged actions, first. Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday night to audit the mayor’s town credit card expenses and suspend her credit card use until the audit is finalized. Gardner will be put on a reimbursement system like other members of the board for now.

Commissioners will begin the process of censuring Gardner during their next meeting.  The censure process is a formal reprimand from a government body that serves as little more than an embarrassing slap on the wrist and carries no loss of power or authority.  Town councils don’t have the power to remove mayors in North Carolina.

We'll see what comes of all this.

Waxhaw Watertower goes viral?

In recent weeks, some person or persons has taken on the persona of the Waxhaw water tower and created a Facebook page in which he/she/they can sound off on Waxhaw. To the delight of some and the consternation of others would not be an understatement.

For the purpose of this write-up, I will presume there are multiple proprietors of the page since it'd be easier to maintain anonymity in a small town if this were the case. And based on early accounts, they were claiming to be male and female at different points of time. They've built up a pretty sizable audience of 400+ people thus far, a number of whom are rather active commenters.

 It is worth noting that I was Facebook friends with Waxhaw Water Tower (WWT) for a week or so to make it easier to see their Waxhaw-related posts before I realized that this essentially gave them access to all my Facebook posts. After events of the last year in Waxhaw, letting some anonymous person(s) see pictures of my family was unacceptable so I unfriended them. WWT did have a public page though so I could still check for updates manually.

Within the last 24 hours, public access to WWT's posts appears to have been removed, so I can no longer access them. (UPDATE: Late this evening I now see a couple new posts of his, but all posts and conversations up to that point are still disappeared.) Therefore, everything below is my recollection of what I read, so all the details may not be 100% accurate. I find it strange that they'd lock it down when they clearly seem to be cultivating an audience, but what do I know about how a water tower would behave?

The first day consisted of a number of negative early posts about various aspects of town, ranging from the harmless to unusually and unnecessarily slanderous (accusing the proprietor of a local business of literally being in bed with the police because of some sort of sidewalk sale).

A mention of a vague embarrassing moment regarding the mayor would later prove fortuitous to the operators of the page given the mayor's recent DWI arrest.

This early negativity seemed to split Waxhaw (or at least the portion of Waxhaw active on Facebook) between those who were unhappy with all the complaining, but likely more upset about the gossipy posts by the anonymous proprietors and those just lapping it up. A number of criticisms followed, which seemed to have an effect since they soon thereafter began making some positive comments that continue to this day. Nothing terribly significant, but thrown little bones about how Maxwell's Tavern is good and Commissioner Joyce Blythe did a good job at the town's Memorial Day ceremony.

Another immediate response was for others to set up alternative positive-only Waxhaw Facebook pages such as 'What's Up Waxhaw.' I suspect the community banter will be lacking in this group since bad things about Waxhaw are to not be discussed here.

Later responses included:

* A Water tower adult beverage currently available at the Main Street Grill.

* A Waxhaw Water Tower II (WWTII) Facebook page has been created. I would've gone with Son of Waxhaw Watertower personally but to each his own. In this new Facebook page, they quickly outed REDACTED and some co-conspirators as the original WWT. But within 24 hrs, these posts were removed. Kowtowed into silence by the accused? Perhaps we'll never know.

Who knows what next week will bring? Perhaps the bigger question is whether this blogger will even still be active enough to comment on it. If the lateness of this post is any indicator, don't count on it.

UPDATE 6/21: I am told my recollection as to the business WWT slandered was incorrect so I have updated accordingly. I have also removed the name of the rumored WWT temporarily due to a legal threat. 

Obama looking to register Waxhaw voters

If there's any local Obama supporters left after the Supreme Court ruled Obamacare was a promise-breaking tax increase to end all tax increases, he's having a voter registration event on the 4th in Waxhaw.

It's at or begins at the Food Lion in Waxhaw. See here for the details.

And given the sheer number of emails I get exhorting me to donate to his campaign, I would be surprised if they weren't also collecting money, so if you haven't already coughed up your $3, perhaps the 4th would be a good time if you want him around for another four years.

That's assuming you haven't graciously offered up some of your wedding or graduation gifts in tribute already.

Gatsby Gala

The Museum of the Waxhaws has added another fundraising event to its social calendar -- the Gatsby Gala in Monroe.

The details:

Saturday, June 2, 2012
7:00pm until 10:00pm


THE HENRY HALL WILSON HOUSE, 1301 E. FRANKLIN ST. MONROE NC
   
1920's Themed Casino Night with Dancing and Live Music by Walter Phillips and Jan Ringeling. Heavy Hors D'oeuvres and Cash Bar with Raffle Prizes and Casino Games in An Authentic Upscale 1920's-Era Venue.

$75 per person
Access our online ticket sales via our website
www.museumofthewaxhaws.org
or call the museum at 704.843.1832
Wear your best "Roaring 20's" party attire!

At $75/person and $150/couple, a little rich for my blood, but since as far as I know, I have no Roaring 20's attire, it might be for the best.

But for those of you with extensive wardrobes and looking for something to do...
 

Saturday evening bingo fundraiser at Cureton

There's a bingo fundraiser for the Perez family Saturday evening at the Cureton Clubhouse in Waxhaw. In January 2012, Robert Perez was diagnosed with an inoperable Stage 4 Glioblastoma (brain cancer) and will soon lose his health insurance.

I cannot attend due to a previously scheduled engagements, but at $10 per 3 cards, I should be looking for someone to play three cards for me. In fact, all of Waxhaw should be playing three cards given that price and the cause.

For more info or to donate, his friends have set up a web page.

DrumStrong

I noticed on my way home from work that they're setting up for DrumStrong again. I'm not real familiar with this event, but it seems to draw a lot of people each year and they support various cancer initiatives.

I'm not sure if this falls within the jurisdiction of Waxhaw or not, but either way it's close enough.

It's not too late to register for those looking to participate. See their page for all the details.

For those that have attended in the past, what are the odds that Paper Jamz drums will be used in the 30-hour non-stop drum circle? Just wondering.

Spring Fest over

Another festival has come and gone. I didn't make it until Sunday, so our day was rain-shortened. The kids got to do most everything they came to do, my wife got to make her rounds through the artists and vendors, and I got my sno cone.

Is it just me or does it seem to rain every Sunday on Waxhaw festival weekends?

La Strada Pizza and Pasta Groupon

There's a Groupon up right now for La Strada Pizza and Pasta in Wesley Chapel. It expires in a little under 4.5 days, although it says a limited quantity is available so I guess it could end sooner.

It's essentially a $10-for-$20 deal. See here for all the gory details.

Of note, La Strada is supporting Siler Presbyterian's July Jamaica Mission Trip. A percentage of each bill on Sundays goes directly to support the mission trip if you mention Siler Presbyterian. While the Groupon is good into November, the mission trip is in July, giving you some idea as to when you'd need to dine there in order to provide support.

It's like killing two birds with one stone: getting a meal at a discount while supporting a good cause. But perhaps killing two birds with half a stone is the more accurate analogy.

Details of the the La Strada Groupon are here if the aptness of this last metaphor is what sold you.

Open mic at the museum

Jim Black of "Land of the Waxhaws" (LotW) fame is trying to organize some open mic time for politicians, voters and businessmen over at the Museum of the Waxhaws tomorrow afternoon. Per a Facebook update:

ATTENTION...ATTENTION...ALL POLITICAL CANDIDATES..BUSINESS PERSONS..

OPEN MIC FRIDAY AT 1:00pm AT MUSEUM OF THE WAXHAWS...LIVE TV BROADCAST ON LOTW...WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE RUNNING FOR OFFICE??? WE SEE THEIR SIGNS...IF YOU KNOW A POLITICIAN, LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY CAN GET A FREE CONVERSATION...REPUBLICAN..DEMOCRAT...INDEPENDENT..LIBERTARIAN..COME ONE..COME ALL..FIRST COME...FIRST TALK...

Could this quickly morph into Waxhaw's first poetry jam? If so, it could be the most-watched LotW ever.

Larson remains with WBT

Per a Charlotte Observer article, he's signed a contract for an indeterminate amount of time. The nitty gritty:

A week after surprising his listeners with the news that WBT-AM (1110) had told him his contract would not be renewed, mid-morning host Keith Larson and the station came to terms late Wednesday on a new agreement to keep him on the air.

Neither Larson nor Rick Feinblatt, WBT’s general manager, would discuss the terms or length of the contract that keeps Larson in the station’s weekday 9 a.m. to noon spot.

Good new for him and Waxhaw. And I suppose maybe for those who want to hear more crazy tales about his neighborhood.

Town charrette nearly completed

We got a flyer in the mail a while back advertising another Waxhaw design charrette where interested townsfolk and designers go to try to help determine the direction Waxhaw is heading and to brand the town.

The full schedule is here if you're hoping to catch the two closing sessions. If you were hoping to get more of a heads up from me on the charrette, then you seriously miscalculated.

Upon receiving the flyer, my eye was inexplicably drawn to the three daily pin-up sessions. While I'm sure the town planners went in a different direction, there are few better ways to induce male involvement in a design charrette than to incorporate pin-up models.

Display some of the classic artwork of Elvgren or Vargas and just think about the community involvement! Or if you want to go big, you can bring in a painter and model to watch the artwork get created in real-time and make a festival out of it.

Sky High Sports Groupon

There's currently a Groupon deal for Sky High Sports that essentially gets you two hours of trampoline time for the price of one. Sky High Sports is the place in Pineville with wall-to-wall trampolines.

Some of the specifics:

$9 for two hours of jump time for one person Monday–Thursday (up to an $18 value).
$12 for two hours of jump time for one person Friday–Sunday (up to a $24 value).

The deal expires November 3, 2012 and lasts for another day and a half.

View the deal for all the details.

My kids have been talking about going there for ages, so I picked a couple up for them to use during the summer doldrums or sooner if circumstances require.

Waxhaw-Indian Trail Road now closed

Not really breaking news for those of you who've driven through town recently, but Waxhaw-Indian Trail Road out of Waxhaw is now closed through mid-November.

Union County Weekly has the blurb that spawned this blurb.

Sitting here hungry

And I've just decided how badly Waxhaw needs a Steak n' Shake. South Blvd is far too long to drive to get to one.

Steak n' Shake would quickly get the upper hand in the Waxhaw fast food wars if such a thing exists.

I'd be remiss in not mentioning other benefits, such as the money saved by Waxhaw parents since kids eat free on weekends.And then there's the milkshakes...

Victims of Communism Day

I'll get back to Waxhaw in my next post, but Ilya Somin over at the law blog Volokh Conspiracy has been recognizing May Day as Victims of Communism Day, a way to commemorate the 80-100 million victims of communism. And given the astronomical figures of those killed, it seems something worth remembering.

I've barely cracked open my copy of the Black Book of Communism, but it's the go-to book to learning about the tragic multi-millions who've died in pursuit of the communist dream.

Keith Larson's 10th anniversary ride

Keith Larson had his 10th anniversary motorcycle charity ride this weekend. From what I can gather, there was a pretty large shindig planned with bounce houses et al. in Waxhaw at the end of the ride. Pictures and video are available at Keith's page at WBT.com

They were set to arrive in Waxhaw around 3pm but the aforementioned block party prevented me from checking it out.

In other Larson news, it appears he will soon no longer have a show on WBT, per a Charlotte Business Journal article and a Charlotte Observer article. I haven't had a chance to listen to his show for years, but generally enjoyed his show on the occasion I got to listen. Back in the day, he did Keillor-esque snippets regarding Waxhaw which I found interesting even before moving here. Combine that with an a good taste in music and similar philosophies, and I was a regular listener when the opportunity allowed.

Alas, I haven't listened in years since my job isn't amenable to listening to 3 hours of radio during the day, nor do I have an extra three hours to download and listen to the daily podcasts. I've always wondered if continues to highlight Waxhaw.

My favorite (and honestly the only one I recall specifically for obvious reasons) was when he talked about the prevalence of secret or not-so-secret swingers in his Waxhaw neighborhood, the crux being that he and his wife were never invited to the gatherings if my memory serves. No idea if it was true or not, but I'm sure it made life interesting in his neighborhood for a little while.

Anyone have any ideas if Keith Larson has still been talking about Waxhaw on his show in recent years?

Waxhaw Pub Crawl

The Waxhaw Pub Crawl went down this weekend. My lack of blogging means there was nary a word about it from my end. But the Waxhaw Social Club, which hosts the event, was kind enough to provide a detailed rundown of the evening in an earlier post.

I've reproduced it here so it's easier to find:

Well, geez, it looks like you missed the 2nd Waxhaw Pub Crawl as well! We had posters on each of the pub windows and inside the establishments for nearly 2 months (as we did the first time). And the venues were handing out our flyers for months, too.

We posted frequently on the FaceBook pages of the participating bars (plus our own FB group: Waxhaw Social Club), additionally we have our own website at www.waxhawsocialclub.com. Finally, we had a great article come out in the Union County Weekly several days ago that many people saw and then came out to the crawl for some fun.

Last year we had around 50 people show up, and this year we had 85-90 and we raised money for Project2Heal, another terrific local Waxhaw charity. We raised $1,030 in proceeds that will go to Charlie Petrizzo's endeavor of donating highly trained Labrador retrievers to special needs kids.

Most importantly, we injected a great amount of money into the local Waxhaw economy and the pubs are telling us that they had one of their best night's ever or more than doubled their normal Saturday night take.

We began at 5PM at The Main Street Grill/Icehouse Saloon who roped off the entire parking lot and had a bluegrass band, BBQ pork plates and cold beers outside as well as in. Then we had the entire outdoor patio at Maxwell's, and then we headed to SouthSiders where they had an outdoor keg ready for us with their new UFO/Harpoon beer. Finally we ended with karaoke at the Stuffed Olive. The party went on until 2AM!

Given the size of the pubs we visit, 85-90 people is truly the max that they can hold comfortably (given that they have other patrons there at the same time having dinner, etc). So, we worked a bit to manage the size of the crowd to not be excessive.

Hey, there's always the 3rd Waxhaw Pub Crawl for you to get a shot at! Stay tuned! 

The missus and I failed to attend, mostly because we had a neighborhood block party scheduled at the same time. The Pub Crawl had a better turnout, but the block party was nothing to sneeze at either. I would bet there were no glow sticks at the Pub Crawl.