Jane Borden learned quickly that Southern gentility has no place in the big city. As a New York City newbie, she mistook a stranger’s sidewalk litter as lost treasure and tracked him down to return the item. He was neither grateful nor amused. 

Jane, a Brooklyn hipster slash North Carolina debutante, has contributed to Saturday Night Live, New York Times Magazine and Comedy Central. Her debut book I Totally Meant To Do That is a compilation of hilarious essays on the culture clash between her pampered Southern roots and bohemian New York lifestyle. As Jane strives for New York City’s elusive approval (she was hit by a car when exiting a taxi), she sends love to her hometown of Greensboro, North Carolina from North of the Mason-Dixon line. 

Jane will be in Charlotte for a book signing at Park Road Books on Sunday, March 20 at 1:30 pm. I Totally Meant To Do That has been featured in Marie Claire and Vanity Fair, and received cover praise from Ed Helms and Amy Poehler. 

Click here to listen to Jane read an excerpt from the book. For more details about Jane Borden and I Totally Meant To Do That, visit: http://www.janeborden.com/

Check out this Washington Post article from last fall The Bust in the Boomtown the Banks Built, a detailed account of the rise and fall of Charlotte banks and the impact on our city. The article is written by former Charlotte Observer reporter Binyamin Appelbaum.

Disconcerting statistic from the story: “In Charlotte, the number of people served by the soup kitchen at Urban Ministry, a local charity, has increased 22 percent since August 2007, while the number of private airplanes arriving and departing from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport has dropped by 38 percent.”

Read the article on over at the Washington Post.

As a challenging year for non-profits draws to a close, the U.S. National Whitewater Center (USNWC) and Urban Ministries, a homeless assistance center in uptown Charlotte, recently partnered for a unique event.

On December 3, a group from the Urban Ministries arrived at the USNWC for an afternoon of activities on the high and low ropes courses. Individuals recovering from substance abuse (part of the Saber program), participated in exercises that encourage leadership and team development. Each Saber participant receives three months of intensive outpatient treatment followed by six months of aftercare including job training, meditation, anger management, yoga and housing.

On a beautiful day at the USNWC, the group quickly learned the importance of trusting each other on a blindfolded walk to the low ropes course. After maneuvering low ropes obstacles, they elevated their challenge to a dramatic tight rope walk. Starting from a 32 foot high platform, the entire group met their goal of walking across the tight rope, harnessed in safely but still taking a giant leap of faith.

The Saber program’s integrated approach to substance abuse recovery yields a 43% success rate after nine months, exceeding the national average of 20% for other substance programs. With experiences like the Whitecenter Center excursion to cultivate mind and body, the Sabre program offers people struggling with substance abuse a greater chance at healing.

photo: Tree & J Hensdill; view this photo on Flickr

After the Panthers’ dismal playoff loss to the Cardinals last season and 0-3 start this year, I contemplated jumping off the Cardiac Cats bandwagon. I shared the frustration of many fans that the team looked totally out of sync, and had no desire to witness yet another brutal defeat. So on Sunday, I set out to watch the game against the Redskins with a “que sera sera” attitude after weeks of yelling at the TV. I stayed calm if disinterested for most of the first half, dividing my focus between swiffering the kitchen floor and sneaking peeks at the game. But after watching the Panthers’ display of heart on the field, I abandoned the cleaning gear and my half-hearted attempt to become a fair weather fan.

Before moving to Charlotte, I didn’t know the difference between a touchdown and a safety. But then I arrived in the Queen City in fall 2003, just in time for football season and the Panthers’ thrilling run to the Superbowl. My first home in Charlotte in 3^rd Ward was right in the midst of the action, directly across from the team practice field and Ericsson (as it was named at the time) Stadium. Moving from San Francisco where the 49ers stadium is located south of the city, I was amazed at the energy and excitement the team brought to uptown. Soon I was swept up in the momentum of the winning season, watching entire games with my football fanatic friends and actually understanding (most) of the action.

After my experiment in aloof football watching last weekend, I realized that cheering for the Panthers is an integral part of my life in Charlotte. Despite my New England roots, the Panthers (not the Patriots) inspired me to view the Superbowl as more than just a reason to make baked brie. Hopefully, this week’s win will revitalize the team and keep John Fox et al from joining Jake Delhomme on the Craigslist want ads. Win or lose, I look forward to an exciting ride, and will keep my fingers crossed that good Jake is back for an extended stay.