"The Dry Grass Of August" by Anna Jean Mayhew

Reviewed by Jessica Stafford

Charlotte Area News Book Editor

"The Dry Grass of August" takes us back to a time in our very own Charlotte and explores the complicated relationship between blacks and whites on the eve of Brown vs. Board of Education. It is an honest look at the feelings of people involved from all perspectives.

Charlotte author Anna Jean Mayhew makes her debut into literature with this heart wrenching story. It was long journey to create this book, but for this reader it was worth the wait. Her use of dramatic irony tears at the heart as the reader makes their way into the inevitable. Her protagonist, 13 year old June, finds herself in a whirlwind of social change. While her family seems to be happy and successful, the real heart and rock of the family is in their maid Mary.

The story is full of Charlotte references from Queens Road West to Daddy Grace. Mayhew compiled a large amount of research to accurately convey the time period and culture of the story. Her research stretched from the Carolina Room at the main branch of the Charlotte Public Library (a resource that I can personally recommend as being wonderful) all the way to Washington, DC to see an exhibit on Brown vs. Board of education. Her attention to accuracy does not go unnoticed; as you read the 1950s seems to fill your mind in culture and setting. It is one of those books that you get so engrossed in that the summer setting of the story makes you forget that we are actually in the middle of winter.

She created characters that are so vivid that they are living lives that make the readers question what their own response would be in the face of social injustice – if they would have the same audacity or naivety. Even cameo characters have a realism to them that goes to the old saying "there are no small roles."

"Delta Magazine" recently named "The Dry Grass of August" as one of the top 5 books of 2011 and the book just had its 8th printing. If you have not read this book yet it is a must! Then you will be ready for the next book she is currently working on, "Tomorrow’s Bread."

The Dry Grass of August (Kensington Books; $15.00; April 2011)

Before going through a drive through for lunch again, consider a gourmet lunch that will make your taste buds burst but not your budget. At The Artisan Restaurant, a student- run restaurant at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Charlotte, you can savor lunches created and prepared by culinary students whose sights are set on culinary perfection. Tasty entrees range from $8 to $10, and you can choose from additional items such as soups, salads and desserts. In addition to having lunch at The Artisan, your tips are going towards a culinary scholarship fund. It's the best way to help yourself, and help others.

Students attending The International Culinary School are put under fire as they approach the end of their education by working in the school's The Artisan Restaurant. The restaurant is all a part of a class called A La Carte, and for many of the students, it's the first time they have sautéed and grilled for paying customers – but you would never know it from sitting in the newly redesigned dining room.

The Artisan Restaurant is located within The Art Institute of Charlotte near the Yorkmont Farmers Market at Three LakePointe Plaza, 2110 Water Ridge Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28217 and offers lunch service Monday through Friday from 11:30am to 1:00pm.

The restaurant operates under the guidance of Chefs Jess Cochran and Maria Marquez and is known for its commitment to quality products, sourcing many of its ingredients from local farmers. "People ask what it's like to operate a restaurant exclusively with culinary students- it does have its challenges, but the students always rise to the occasion," said Chef Cochran. "The Artisan Restaurant is Charlotte's best kept secret. We offer an outstanding value, and I think we are serving food that's on par with other trendy spots in town."

For the winter term, the students are featuring a Southwestern cuisine menu which can include a three-course lunch for $13.95. Some examples of menu items include Southwestern Caesar salad, Crispy Poblano Chicken, Black Pepper Crusted Venison, and sweet Apple Empanadas.

Large lunch parties and corporate lunch parties are encouraged to make reservations by calling 704.357.5900. As the menu changes on a quarterly basis, customers are encouraged to call for a menu.

The Art Institute of Charlotte offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Culinary Arts Management, an Associate of Applied Science degree in Culinary Arts, a Baking and Pastry certificate and an Art of Cooking certificate.

The Art Institute of Charlotte is one of The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu), a system of more than 45 educational institutions located throughout North America. The Art Institutes schools provide an important source for design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals. Several institutions included in The Art Institutes system are campuses of South University. See aiprograms.info for program duration, tuition, fees, and other costs, median debt, federal salary data, alumni success, and other important info.

The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes is North America's largest system of culinary programs, offered at over 35 Art Institutes schools. The Art Institutes schools provide an important source for design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals. Several institutions included in The Art Institutes system are campuses of South University. See aiprograms.info for program duration, tuition, fees, and other costs, median debt, federal salary data, alumni success, and other important info.

Abigale Corrigan has a resume that stretches a mile long. It reads as if she has been in the "industry" for years, yet the Northwest School of the Arts student is only 13 years old. This Sunday, Jan. 29, at 9 p.m., Abigale "Abby" will star in the Hallmark Premiere "A Smile as Big as the Moon" on ABC.
The movie, which stars Sex & the City character, John Corbett, is based on the memoir by teacher Mike Kersjes in the 1980′s. It gives an inside look into the way one educator empowered special needs students by fighting for them to go to Space Camp, a competitive education program at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. The students, who were often bullied by others, find compassion and respect from everyone. Abby plays "Lisa Burke," a 14-year-old special needs student in the ninth-grade. She said the character has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), attention deficit disorder (ADD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and bi-polar disorder.

Like a true professional, she found herself prepared and ready for the filming of the movie which took place in Wilmington, N.C., and Alabama. She said the key is to, "read everything and develop my character. What she looks like, what she sounds like. I look at the script and study it."

The eighth-grade student is all about business when it comes to her acting career. Abby and her friend, Matt Mitchell, opened their own nonprofit theater group, "Treehouse Acting Company." It is an opportunity they created to help expose young kids to the stage in local theater.

Ultimately, her goal is to be on Broadway and star in lots of films, however she is still taking it one step at time looking to perfect her craft before aiming to perform in shows like "Rent." Abby said she will complete her studies at NWSA and then attend North Carolina School of the Arts or The Juilliard in New York City.

Although Abby is a busy working girl, she is still an everyday kid.

"I think I am different, but I think everyone here at Northwest is different. I found that I belong here. We're a unique group of people who are fearless!" said Abby. "But on the weekends … I just like to hang out with friends and have water fights.

Davidson College will host the Rev. Dr. Barbara Brown Taylor as its 2012 Staley Distinguished Christian Lecturer on Tuesday, February 7. Her talk is titled "Learning to Walk in the Dark: The Ancient Way of Unknowing," and will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Duke Family Performance Hall. The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required.

Dr. Taylor is the Butman Professor of Religion at Piedmont College in Demorest, Ga. She also taught for many years on the faculty of Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Ga. Ordained as an Episcopal priest in 1982, she served as Rector of Grace-Calvary Episcopal Church during the 1990s. In 1996 she was named one of the twelve “most effective” preachers in the English-speaking world by Baylor University.

Dr. Taylor has authored many articles and twelve books on Christian spirituality, including the New York Times bestseller An Altar in the World (2009), Leaving Church: A Memoir of Faith (2006), The Luminous Web: Essays on Science and Religion (2001) and The Preaching Life (1993). She was votedGeorgia Author of the Year in 2006.

Dr. Taylor received her B.A. in Religion from Emory University and her Masters of Divinity from Yale Divinity School. She has also been awarded the Doctor ofDivinity degree from various institutions, including Wake Forest University, the University of the South (Sewanee), and Yale Divinity School.

Her Staley Lecture at Davidson College will be based on the book she's currently writing, the thesis of which is that darkness has gotten a very bad name among religious people, when it is in fact where Goddoes some of God's best work. Additional information may be found at www.davidson.edu/religiouslife or by calling the Office of the Chaplain at 704-894-2423.

Davidson is a highly selective independent liberal arts college for 1,800 students located 20 minutes north of Charlotte in Davidson, N.C. Since its establishment in 1837 by Presbyterians, the college has graduated 23 Rhodes Scholars and is consistently regarded as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country. Through The Davidson Trust, the college became the first liberal arts institution in the nation to replace loans with grants in all financial aidpackages, giving all students the opportunity to graduate debt-free. Davidson competes in NCAA athletics at the Division I level, and a longstanding Honor Code is central to student life at the college.
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Walmart has announced it is expanding its Race Time 2012 program to give fans more accessibility to discounted race tickets, driver appearances and fan events at stores, a greater selection of authentic NASCAR merchandise and a special sponsorship of Bill Elliott at the Coke Zero 400.

Walmart's Race Time program, launched last year as the largest retail promotion in NASCAR history, gives fans authentic merchandise and fan events at Walmart stores in every NASCAR Sprint Cup series race market. This year, Walmart has more than tripled the number of companies offering displays of authentic merchandise, doubled the number of fan events at stores and increased the race markets where the $99 Walmart Family Track Pack will be offered.

"Our mission is to bring accessibility and affordability to NASCAR fans," said Rand Waddoups, Senior Director, Entertainment Properties and Brands, Walmart. "We know our customers love NASCAR, so we are going to be a one-stop shop where they can save on discounted family tickets and authentic merchandise, as well as meet some of their favorite drivers."

The goal for Elliott, who was voted NASCAR's Most Popular Driver 16 times and is one of NASCAR's Top 50 Drivers of all time, is to qualify and compete at the Coke Zero 400. He will also visit Walmart stores with his show car before select races.

Steve Phelps, chief marketing officer of NASCAR, said, "Our expanded partnership with Walmart allows us to further engage and excite our fans and bring exceptional value. NASCAR fans can now visit a single destination to stock up on all of their favorite NASCAR merchandise, tickets and race-day snacks."

Walmart's Race Time 2012 program specifics include:
• Elliott appearances at Walmart stores throughout the racing season leading up to the Daytona race on July 7, giving fans a chance to meet him in person.
• In participating race markets, Walmart will offer a $99 Walmart Family Track Pack that includes four discounted race tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas and a race program. The package saves fans more than $100 and will be available online at Walmart.com as well as in Ticketmaster kiosks in selected Walmart stores.
• NASCAR fan events at stores in every race market throughout the season will feature real stock car race displays, special appearances by professional drivers and racing simulator machines.
• Participating stores will offer authentic NASCAR T-shirts, racing flags and other NASCAR branded merchandise, as well as tailgating food and beverages.

The $99 Walmart Family Track Pack will be available for the following Carolina races and others nationwide:

· Dodge Challenger 500, Darlington, S.C. – May 12, 2012
· NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Charlotte, N.C. – May 19, 2012
· Coca-Cola 600, Charlotte, N.C. – May 27, 2012
· Bank of America 500, Charlotte, N.C. – Oct. 13, 2012

For additional details, visit Walmart.com/NASCAR.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at over 10,000 retail units under 69 different banners in 28 countries. With fiscal year 2011 sales of $419 billion, Walmart employs 2.2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://walmartstores.com, and on Facebook at http://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.

Mecklenburg County families interested in placing their child in a Pre-Kindergarten program can come to an information session to learn about Charlotte-Mecklenburg NC Pre-K, a child-centered, literacy-based program. The program is open to children in Mecklenburg County who will be age 4 on or before Aug. 31, 2012. Participants will learn of locations and program requirements. They'll also receive an overview of daily operations, including curriculum, meals and transportation.

Spanish language interpreters will be at each event.

Date Time Location
Thursday, Jan. 26 5:30 p.m. Beatties Ford Road Library (2412 Beatties Ford Road)
Tuesday, Jan. 31 4:30 p.m. Hickory Grove Library (5935 Hickory Grove Road)
Wednesday, Feb. 8 6 p.m. Independence Regional Library (6000 Conference Drive)
Thursday, Feb. 16 6 p.m. University City United Methodist (3835 West WT Harris Blvd.)
Tuesday, Feb. 21 5:30 p.m. West Boulevard Library (2157 West Blvd.)
Wednesday, Feb. 29 5:30 p.m. Steele Creek Library (13620 Steele Creek Road)
Tuesday, March 6 5:30 p.m. ImaginOn (300 East Seventh Street)

Nominations are being sought for the 33rd annual Police Community Relations Awards sponsored by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations. The award recognizes officers and work teams from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department who have made outstanding contributions to the improvement of police community relations in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area.

Officers will be judged on their involvement in helping the community understand the police function and the citizens' role, demonstration of extraordinary efforts in the area of crime prevention, and involvement in aiding neighborhoods in handling special problems.

Nominations may be made by citizens in the patrol area, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools personnel, groups and individuals. Nominations may be submitted by writing, requesting a nomination form OR visiting our website, crc.charmeck.org, and completing a form online. Deadline for submitting nominations is Monday, April 2.

Nominations will be reviewed by a committee made up of members of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations Committee. Officers selected will be honored at an awards ceremony on Thursday, May 17.

In honor of American Heart Month, Showmars will offer two special promotions during the first two weeks of February to help spread women's heart-health awareness and raise funds for the American Heart Association.

Beginning Monday, January 30, continuing through Friday, February 10, Showmars will donate $1 from every large Greek Salad sold in each of its restaurants to the American Heart Association. Showmars' signature large Greek salad is a bed of fresh romaine and iceberg lettuce with sliced tomatoes, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, pepperoncini and red onions. Guests can also add grilled chicken or Gyro meat.

In addition, the restaurant will also sell American Heart Association Red Dress pins for $5 apiece from January 30 through February 10. Anyone who purchases a Red Dress pin will receive a coupon for $2 off their next visit to Showmars, valid through the end of February. All 28 Showmars locations in North and South Carolina will participate in the Go Red promotion.

Cardiovascular disease claims the lives of nearly 500,000 American women each year, yet women were unaware of the risks. To dispel the myths and raise awareness of heart disease as the number one killer of women, the American Heart Association created Go Red For Women in 2004 – a passionate, emotional, social initiative designed to empower women to take charge of their heart health. Additional information about Go Red for Women is available at GoRedForWomen.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 over 25 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!

Queens University of Charlotte and The Ivey® , the adult day care center in Charlotte's Southpark area, invite caregivers to "Caring for the Elderly," a series of programs that will provide valuable information and training for family members and other caregivers of aging loved ones. This collaboration was inspired by the growing number of adults in the Charlotte community who care for aging family members in their home or in an assisted living facility. The speakers and trainers are leaders in their fields.

"Caring for the Elderly" is a series of five sessions held on Saturday mornings in March from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants will leave with powerful tools to ease their caregiving experience. Topics will vary each week, and sessions will include time to meet and share ideas with other caregivers. Participants may register for individual sessions or all five for a more comprehensive overview.

"Caring for the Elderly" March 2012 Schedule:
3/3: Elder Care Options and Reducing Relocation Stress
3/10: Taking Care of Finances and Estate Planning
3/17: Understanding Medicare, Living Wills and Hospice & Palliative Care
3/24: Strategies for Handling Caregiver Burnout
3/31: Communicating with Healthcare Providers, Including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease

View the full program schedule and register at www.queens.edu/elderly-care. For participants registering by January 31, the cost is $20 per session or $100 for all five. After that, the fees are $29 per session or $125 for all. The sessions will meet at the Queens Sports Complex & Conference Center at 2229 Tyvola Road in Charlotte.

As part of this partnership, The Ivey adult day care center at 6030 Park South Drive will open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. to allow registered participants of the series to drop off elderly family members for a special rate of $20 per person each Saturday. Advanced registration for adult day care is required by calling The Ivey at 704-909-2070. Breakfast and lunch are provided. To view photos of The Ivey, visit www.theivey.com.

About Caregiving in Charlotte
There are more than 66 million family caregivers in the United States – nearly 30 percent of the entire U.S. population. Seven out of 10 of these people are caring for older adults, and most of the caregivers are women, according to a 2011 ABC World News report. In a 2005 local study, Mecklenburg County's aging and family caregiver populations mirror those in the national studies.

Caring for aging parents can be a full-time job, often taking an emotional, financial or even physical toll on the caregiver. Caregivers often have busy schedules, families, and jobs of their own. The constant stress can take up to 10 years off the caregiver's life.

About Queens University of Charlotte
Queens University of Charlotte is a private, co-ed, Presbyterian-affiliated comprehensive university with a commitment to both liberal arts and professional studies. Located in the heart of historic Charlotte, Queens serves approximately 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students through its College of Arts and Sciences, the McColl School of Business, the Wayland H. Cato, Jr. School of Education, the James L. Knight School of Communication, Hayworth College for Adult Studies and the Andrew Blair College of Health which features the Presbyterian School of Nursing. For more information, visit www.queens.edu

About The Ivey
The Ivey® is a not-for-profit adult day care center that provides daytime services for people living with Alzheimer's and other types of memory loss, social isolation, or physical frailty due to stroke, Parkinson's, and similar illnesses. The Ivey offers socialization, engaging activities, meals from a Johnson & Wales-trained chef, and healthcare monitoring from an on-site registered nurse. The Ivey's services allow caregivers to hold jobs, continue friendships, and refresh from the responsibilities of providing constant care. For more information, visit www.theivey.com .

Dance from North Carolina Dance Theatre and fashion from Neiman Marcus unite for the fifth annual Runway for the Ballet on Saturday, February 11. Runway for the Ballet is presented by Carolinas Medical Center and Shumaker, Loop and Kendrick, LLC.
Runway for the Ballet takes place in the intimate performance venue, The Patricia McBride & Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux Center for Dance on North Tryon Street in uptown Charlotte.

The shows "Heart & Soul" theme is an exciting blend of fashion and dance, highlighting upcoming 2012 fashions from sponsor Neiman Marcus, interspersed with vignettes from Dance Theatre's popular shows. Dancers from Dance Theatre will also serve as the models for the fashion show.

Scott Provancher, President of the Arts & Science Council and Sonya Barnes, CEO of Harris & Barnes, Inc, will emcee this event.

Presented in two stylish shows, the 4 p.m. matinee provides fun and fashion for all ages, complete with a pre-show reception including complimentary drinks and hors d'oeuvres. Then, at 8 p.m., find your most stylish outfit and celebrate a night out at our evening performance and post-show reception. Don't miss this night of high-fashion, fun and dance with gourmet fare from Best Impressions Catering

"Runway for the Ballet's fifth year continues to celebrate the marriage of dance and fashion in one of Charlotte's premier arts events. This is an exclusive opportunity for guests to experience dance, view Neiman Marcus spring 2012 high fashion looks and give back to North Carolina Dance Theatre at a stylish event," said Runway For The Ballet 2012 co-chair Chelsea Cote

NC Dance Theatre's young professionals group, Opening Night Insiders, is organizing the event and all proceeds will benefit NC Dance Theatre. Tickets include show admission and a reception. VIP tickets are also available for both performances and include prime VIP seating, exclusive cocktail and gift bags.

Raffle tickets are available for this event for $10 each and prizes include a $1,000 Neiman Marcus shopping spree, an overnight stay at The Ballantyne Resort, wine tasting and a custom painting.

Runway for the Ballet Details:

Date: Saturday, February 11, 2012

Matinee: 4 PM Reception/5 PM Show

VIP - $55, General - $40, Children 16 and under- $25

Late Show: 8 PM Show/9:15 PM Reception

VIP - $75, General - $50

Location: Patricia McBride & Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux Center for Dance, 701 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, N.C.

Tickets: $40-$75; Order tickets from www.ncdance.org/runwayfortheballet or call 704.372.0101

About Opening Night Insiders
Opening Night Insiders, NC Dance Theatre's Young Professionals group for individuals 21-45 years of age, provides young professionals with an interactive experience with North Carolina Dance Theatre throughout its season. Membership to ONI provides access to discounted tickets to opening night performances, exclusive networking opportunities, private receptions with the artists, invitations to VIP events and the opportunity to get an inside look at the performances by meeting with choreographers, dancers and guest performers. To join and for more information please visit ncdance.org/OpeningNightInsiders.

About North Carolina Dance Theatre
North Carolina Dance Theatre is a Charlotte-based ballet company focused on performing, inspiring and educating through artistically excellent programming. Led by internationally acclaimed President and Artistic Director Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, NC Dance Theatre is known for its strong dancers and versatile repertoire, ranging from classical ballet to bold, contemporary works. In June 2010 NC Dance Theatre moved to the Patricia McBride & Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux Center for Dance in Uptown Charlotte. The Center houses the Company's administrative offices, rehearsal space and School of Dance. For more information visit ncdance.org.
North Carolina Dance Theatre is supported, in part, with operating support by the Arts & Science Council. Dance Theatre is also supported by individuals, corporations, and local and national foundations, the North Carolina Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.