BALLANTYNE | wire NEWS CUES
Candidate Forum, Chili Cook-off Oct. 9 The Ballantyne Breakfast Club hosts its second annual Ballantyne Area Candidate Forum and Chili Cook-off on Saturday, October 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the North Community House Field (corner of Community House Road and Ballantyne Commons Parkway).
According to Ray Eschert, president of the club, this year's event promises to be even bigger and better, with over 20 candidates for Congress, state legislature, county commission and judicial seats, as well as more cook-off participants, including the sheriff's department, the Ballantyne chapter of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Steve Moore Chevrolet and the Morrison Family YMCA.
"This is the only political rally in all of southeast Charlotte," says Eschert, noting that the goal of the event is to build recognition among political officeholders of the Ballantyne voting constituency and the issues that concern those who live and work here.
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Candidates will arrive at the staging area at 10:30 a.m. for the forum, followed by the chili cook-off, which features free samples from over 20 groups and restaurants. This year, a representative from Johnson & Wales University will serve as cook-off judge. The family- friendly event is free and open to the public. The club asks attendees to show their support for the community by bringing a canned food donation to the Second Harvest Food Bank. More info: www.ballantynebreak- fastclub.com.
July 4th Bike Parade Draws Crowd Several hundred families joined Ballantyne Village and the
Ballantyne Rotary Club for the July 4th Bike Parade. The ride was held on July 3 since the holiday fell on a Sunday this year. Fire Station 32 led the parade with decorated bikes and strollers. The most patriotic, most creative and best bikes of the day won prizes. The Highway 17 Rotarian Band performed, and Kilwin's and Smoothie King handed out ice cream and smoothies. Mrs. North Carolina, Cynthia Griner, attended the parade with her family.
Inspire! Ballantyne Masquerade & Art Gala Oct. 22-24
The 3rd Annual Inspire! Ballantyne Masquerade & Art Gala is the weekend of October 22-24. Proceeds benefit the annual giving campaign at the Morrison Family YMCA.
The festival kicks off
Friday with a gala from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Providence Country Club. The gala will feature live entertainment, heavy hors d'oeuvres, cash bar and a mix of both silent and live auctions. Auction items will consist of local art pieces and items from some of Ballantyne's favorite businesses. Dress is semi- formal, and masquerade attire is encouraged but
optional. The gala is open to adults age 21 and over. Inspire! Ballantyne events — which include art booths and music — follow on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday afternoon from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The activities are at the Morrison Family YMCA and open to the community. To learn more, visit www.ymcacharlotte. org/morrison/programs/ specprogram/inspire.aspx.
CELEBRATING TEN YEARS 2000-2010
UPS Ballantyne Stores Sponsor Race for the Cure Jay Patel, owner of the UPS Charlotte co-op, has announced that the three Ballantyne- area stores
Jay Patel will serve as local presenting continued on page 16 FALL 2010