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https://www.thenerdelement.com/2024/09/29/nfl-week-4-picks-and-week-3-prediction-updates/

Good evening everyone! Today I want to discuss which picks I got correct and which one I got wrong! So, let’s get started, shall we?! I predicted that the Packers would beat the titans 31-20, but the final score was 30-14 Packers over the Titans. I was pretty close with that prediction. I predicted that the Vikings would beat the Texans 31-27, but the final score was 34-7 Vikings over the Texans. I predicted that the Chiefs would beat the Falcons 34-19, but the final score was 22-17 Chiefs over the Falcons. I predicted that the Ravens would beat the Cowboys 36-23, but the final score was 28-25 Ravens over the Cowboys. The Ravens almost blew another big lead, but they held on. I predicted that the Bills would beat the Jags 37-21, but the final score was 47-10 Bills over the Jags in a huge blowout.

I predicted that the Saints would beat the Eagles 35-30, but the final score was 15-12 Eagles over the Saints. I predicted that the Chargers would beat the Steelers 24-17, but the final score was 20-10 Steelers over the Chargers. I predicted that the Bucs would beat the Broncos 34-26, but the final score was 26-7 Broncos over the Bucs. I predicted that the Dolphins would beat the Seahawks 28-25, but the final score was 24-3 Seahawks over the Dolphins. I predicted that the Cards would beat the Lions 38-31, but the final score was 20-13 Lions over the Cards. A lot of players got hurt and the Cards offense just could not get going despite the defense trying to help out the offense. I predicted that the 49ers would beat the Rams 23-17, but the final score was 27-24 Rams over the 49ers. The Rams came back from the deficit without their star wide receiver Cooper Kupp and kicked a game-winning field goal. I predicted that the Bengals would beat the Commanders 24-23, but the final score was 38-33 Commanders over the Bengals.

Overall, I have gotten 5 out of 12 picks correct!!! Now, let’s get to the NFL week 4 picks, shall we?! The first game I will predict is the Rams @Bears game. I think the Rams will beat the Bears 27-13. The next game I will predict is the Vikings @Packers game, the divisional rivalries. I think the Vikings will beat the Packers 31-25. The next game I will predict is the Steelers @Colts game. I think the Steelers will beat the Colts 34-17. The next game I will predict is the Broncos @Jets game. I think the Jets will beat the Broncos 35-17. The next game I will predict is the Eagles @Bucs game. I think the Bucs will beat the Eagles 29-20. The next game I will predict is the Commanders @Cards game. I think the Cards will beat the Commanders 27-20. The next game I will predict is the Pats @49ers game. I think the 49ers will beat the Pats 34-21. The next game I will predict is the Chiefs @Chargers game, the divisional rivalries. I think the Chargers will beat the Chiefs 23-20. The next game I will predict is the Bills @Ravens game on Sunday night football. I think the Ravens will beat the Bills 31-30. The last game I will predict is the Titans @Dolphins game and the Seahawks @Lions game on Monday night football. I think the Dolphins will beat the Titans 31-23 and the Lions beat the Seahawks 31-21.

So, what do you guy’s think about the NFL week 4 picks?! I would love to hear your thoughts and comments down below!

Stay tuned for NFL updates.

The post NFL Week 4 Picks and Week 3 Prediction Updates appeared first on The Nerd Element.

https://www.blackenterprise.com/meet-the-chefs-cooking-up-a-culinary-renaissance-in-charlotte/

Charlotte, NC, has long been a hub for sports, culture, innovation, and business. Located 165 miles southwest of Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina, Charlotte is home to the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets, the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, the MLS’ Charlotte FC, and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. It’s also one of the largest financial centers in the U.S. However, outside of sports and finance, the city is gaining recognition for its rich and diverse restaurant scene. As more visitors explore this Southern gem, Black-owned eateries have become essential stops, not only because of their flavorful dishes but also for the stories behind each establishment.

Black-owned restaurants in Charlotte are at the forefront of a culinary renaissance that celebrates African American heritage through food while also adding modern twists to classic dishes. So, whether you’re a tourist looking for a weekend getaway or a Charlottean seeking new experiences in the city, the Queen City (QC) offers an array of options, from traditional soul food to contemporary fusion eateries.

BLACK ENTERPRISE spoke to five restauranteurs in Charlotte about their love for the QC and how their food contributes to the city’s thriving community.

MERT’S HEART & SOUL

If you’re looking for a good, down-home southern comfort meal, then look no further than Mert’s Heart & Soul. Established in 1998, the restaurant is known for its Gullah-inspired dishes like shrimp and grits, creole red beans and rice, and salmon cakes. In addition to high-quality products and delicious food, owner James Bazzelle says southern hospitality and great service are what keep hungry customers coming back.

“We stress to our employees [to make] everybody feel like they’re going to the Auntie’s house,” he told BLACK ENTERPRISE.

Several high-profile celebrities including Kevin Hart and President Barack Obama, along with local theater groups, athletes, and coaches have enjoyed the restaurant’s low country-style cuisine. It was also featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, a TV show that spotlights small, family-owned eateries.

Located in a prime Uptown location, Bazzelle said that his community involvement and philanthropic efforts have also played an important role in his restaurant’s success and longevity.

“We do a lot in the community. Matter of fact, a few hours ago we did a cooking demonstration at the library,” he said. “[If] anybody asks us to help any way we can, we do. We usually donate to all the fundraisers for public schools and back-to-school [drives]. We provide meals for a mentor group every week. We also provide meals for a homeless kids’ center,” he continued. “We just try to be involved in any way we can in the community.”

Location: 214 North College Street, Charlotte, N.C. 28202

THE HEART OF CHARLOTTE

Four-time James Beard nominee Chef Gregory Collier and his business partner and wife, Subrina, are the driving force behind the culinary explosion in Charlotte. Originally from Memphis, the couple arrived in the QC in 2019 with the dream of opening a restaurant. Today, the couple hosts a food festival and owns three popular Charlotte eateries under the umbrella of their company BayHaven Restaurant Group: Uptown Yolk, Leah & Louise, and 3^rd and Fernwood. Not only are they part of the food movement in Charlotte, but they’re also two of the most sought-after names in the hospitality and food service industries.

Uptown Yolk puts a modern twist on breakfast and brunch favorites. The restaurant, which closed during the pandemic and reopened last year at Vantage South End, is known for perfecting classic breakfast dishes like their irresistible, fluffy pancakes and their bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich. Plus, it includes a full-service bar. Subrina adds that they’ve poured just as much love into the menu as they did the restaurant’s décor, which pays homage to the Memphis Design Style created by the Memphis Group, a popular design style that blends Art Deco with pop art.

“The design there is Memphis Art Deco. The original Memphis Milan design is what you see, like color blocking.” Uptown Yolk also pays tribute to the Colliers’ Memphis roots by including Tennessee zip codes in the design of the tiles and other “things specific to Memphis, Tennessee,” says Subrina.

Location: 1220 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, N.C. 28203

Leah & Louise, a nationally renowned Southern comfort food restaurant, was named in tribute to Greg’s late sister and grandmother. Since its opening in 2020, the self-described “modern juke joint” has paid homage to Southern culinary traditions by reimagining classic dishes, ingredients, and techniques, all while honoring their rich heritage. Among its standout offerings is the Mud Island, a blackened catfish served with smoked catfish stew, pickled field peas, and rice grits—a dish so celebrated that Vice President Kamala Harris personally requested it during her visit in January.

Location: TBA (The restaurant is relocating to Charlotte’s Historic West End neighborhood.)

Their newest restaurant, 3rd & Fernwood, is a Southern seasonal restaurant with an all-day menu that includes dishes like hambone grits, braised beef meatloaf, pan-seared trout with roasted okra gravy, and candied yams.

Location: 1100 Metropolitan Ave #170, Charlotte, N.C. 28204

BEYOND AMAZING DONUTS

Beyond Amazing Donuts (B.A.D), a small batch donut shop in the Montford neighborhood, puts a creative spin on donuts. The menu features six staple flavors that range from classic treats like the raspberry sprinkle donut and the sweet and creamy vanilla glaze known as “The O.G. Donut” to unique pastries like the brown butter with sorghum carmel donut and the savory black garlic everything donut. Owner and chef Jasmine Macon says her goal is to get patrons to reimagine the classic sweet.

“I want to expand people’s understanding of what a donut can be by experimenting with both traditional and non-traditional flavors, blending sweet and savory elements,” she told BE in an email.

Macon opened B.A.D. in 2022 after she stepped down as the pastry chef at Leah & Louise. Along with putting a fresh spin on donuts, she sees the pastry shop as a vehicle to build community and foster human connections.

“I named my business Beyond Amazing Donuts [because] my love for these pastries goes beyond just how good they are. I want to cultivate a space where everyone can connect, release, and become part of a larger story.”

Macon’s love for baking stems from childhood, after her grandmother encouraged her to experiment with cooking.

“My passion for baking emerged early on. I had several Easy-Bake Ovens and was always experimenting in the kitchen. That’s when I knew an eatery was the path for me.”

Macon, a native of Thomasville, North Carolina, moved to Charlotte and “fell in love with the city” after enrolling in Johnson & Wales University in 2008. “I knew I could comfortably plant my roots in the Queen City.”

Now, her ultimate goal is to leave a legacy in the QC that brings people together and promotes unity.

“I want to be remembered as a giving and considerate person—not without flaws or annoyances—but someone who genuinely sought to offer true connection through donuts.”

Location: 1730 Abbey Place, Charlotte, NC 28209

CUZZO’S CUISINE

Cuzzo’s Cuisine is a popular Charlotte restaurant known for Southern fare and comfort foods like red velvet waffles. It is owned by cousins Chef Andarrio Johnson and Anglee Brown, who launched Cuzzo’s as a food truck in 2014 before opening the first of three brick-and-mortar restaurants in 2016.

Paying homage to their South Carolina roots, Chef Johnson infuses his dishes with Gullah Geechee culture and flavor. His specialty dishes are his award-winning Shrimp and Grits and his Lobster Mac and Cheese.

“My number one dish is my Shrimp and Grits. I won the best Shrimp and Grits in the city from Charlotte’s Best,” he said. “Everybody here in Charlotte loves my lobster mac and cheese.”

Outside of running Cuzzo’s, Chef Andarrio teaches underserved youth from 10 to 15 years old how to cook and eat healthy through his nonprofit Culinary Connection.

“I got a nonprofit [where] I teach kids how to cook and eat healthy. And I got cooking classes for kids. I do it like once every two months. It’s called Culinary Connection. So, anytime a customer shops with Cuzzo’s Cuisine…some of that proceed goes to one of my nonprofits.”

Culinary Connection began after Johnson started providing free meals for children during the pandemic.

“Cuzzo’s Cuisine has been feeding kids for free since COVID 2020 started. And we just never stopped. And that’s what made me start my nonprofit at the time.” He added, “The community really will support you as long as you support them.”

Locations:

Charlotte Premium outlet Food Court located at 5428 New Fashion Way, Charlotte, N.C.

9601 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28262

BIRD PIZZERIA

Bird Pizzeria is not just one of the best pizza joints in Charlotte, it’s one of the best pizzerias in the country, according to The New York Times.

Owners Kerrel and Nkem Thompson opened Bird Pizzeria as a pop-up restaurant in October 2020 before establishing the shop in December 2021 in Charlotte’s Optimist Park neighborhood. But pizza has been part of the husband-and-wife’s love story long before they opened a pizzeria. In fact, they enjoyed pizza on their first date, proving that “love at first slice” is, indeed, a thing.

“When we started, we had no staff, just us, and Nkem was pregnant,” says Kerrel. “Everything you see is only what we could do, little by little. People can feel that when they come. It’s real. We have the most diverse customer base throughout every sort of demographic coming every week. We’re really for the people. Can’t complain about our music selection either!”

At Bird, the pizzas are made to be shared and feature browned caramelized crusts. Seasonal toppings like dandelion pesto and local mushrooms are also offered. Nkem describes the style of their pies as “East Coast artisanal,” explaining that they’re reminiscent of the pizza Kerrel grew up eating in Cleveland. “It’s a combination of all the little things Kerrel gathered over the years from different experiences that he loved with hints of childhood nostalgia,” she told BE in an email.

 In addition to delicious pies – and a great playlist, Nkema says their faith has played a major role in Bird Pizzeria’s success.

“The Lord has led us through this whole thing. We’ve been committed to the process and only doing as much as we could do throughout each step. It’s been such a gift to serve so many folks and to be received so well.”

Location: 510 E 15th St, Charlotte, NC, 28206

Discover more Black-owned businesses and start planning your trip to Charlotte at charlottesgotalot.com.

https://www.blackenterprise.com/nations-first-black-country-club-75k-grant/

The first Black-owned and operated country club in the United States is restored thanks to a $75,000 grant.

Shady Rest Country Club in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, the nation’s first and oldest Black-owned country club, is one of 30 sites chosen to receive $3 million in grant funding to preserve its significance in Black history. In July, NPR reported that the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, a program under the National Trust for Historic Preservation, granted $75,000 to the country club to support its restoration efforts.

Originally constructed in the mid-1700s as a farmhouse, the building was later converted into a tavern and eventually became the Westfield Country Club. In 1921, a group of Black investors under the Progressive Realty Company Inc. acquired the property. It transformed it into the Shady Rest Country Club, creating a haven for sports and leisure for Black Americans at a time when racial segregation was the norm.

The funding will help the Preserve Shady Rest Committee, which has been working to restore the country club since the group’s 2013 formation.

“It’s history. Plain and simple. Period. History,” Sylvia Hicks, the former chairperson of the committee, said of the significance of preserving the clubhouse.

Throughout its history, Shady Rest welcomed numerous sports icons, including John Shippen Jr., the nation’s first professional and Black golfer, and Althea Gibson, the groundbreaking Grand Slam-winning tennis player who was the first Black woman to break the color barrier in international tennis. Shady Rest’s influence extended beyond sports, becoming a lively after-hours destination for East Coast entertainment. Musicians would perform at its basement nightclub, Villa Casanova, after their shows in New York City.

Bobby Mendelson is carrying on a family tradition as he regulars Shady Rest to play golf with his 6-year-old son, Leo, a pastime he used to enjoy with his father when he was a young boy. Mendelson sees the work done to restore the country club and is eager to see more.

“I think it’s really important to the history of the town and the area,” he said. “Not to mention, in this case, civil rights, and I think it gives us pride in the area. And honestly, it’s really nice. It’s important to remember those kinds of important things and to feel good about them.”

Brent Leggs, executive director of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, notes the immense demand for preservation funding. The Action Fund must be highly selective. Since 2018, it has invested $27 million in supporting 304 heritage sites.

“Since inviting proposals, the Action Fund’s National Grant Program has received 6,169 funding proposals requesting $709 million,” Leggs said.

This year’s grant recipients represent various regions, sites, and stories from California to Georgia and Minnesota to Texas.

“We work with external partners like the Association of African American Museums or the Hutchins Center at Harvard University to help us evaluate the competitiveness and to select our grantees,” Leggs explained. “We are often looking for diversity of geography, of archetypes and stories.”

As for Shady Rest, Tom Donatelli, the current chair of the Shady Rest committee, says the funding will be used for “engineering and architecture” restorations, including the top floors of the building and The Villa Casanova.

https://nerdist.com/article/wednesday-crocs-stomp-clogs-tim-burton-jenna-ortega/

Is there anything better than clogs? Yes, Crocs clogs! And if it couldn’t get any better, they are Wednesday-themed. These shoes are perfect for fans of the hit Netflix series or the show it’s based on, The Addams Family. The shoes are in the iconic Crocs style with raised platforms and are available now on the Crocs website.

The Crocs are full of details straight out of the Tim Burton show. Starting off, the clogs are all black with a couple of white accents, matching the gloomy color palette of the show. On the Crocs itself is a molded white collar mimicking the one worn by the titular character, played by Jenna Ortega. The ankle straps have ominous markings adorning them, adding to their gothic theme.

Two exclusive Jibbitz come with a pair of clogs. One is Thing, Wednesday’s trusty severed hand companion, and her iconic black cello that she regularly plays while trying to drown out her bubbly werewolf roommate, Enid Sinclair. The Jibbitz are 3-dimensional, popping off the shoe’s glossy black upper. In the inner sole of the Crocs are markings Wednesday holding an umbrella with the show logo, so there is no forgetting who this shoe is for.

The collaboration between Crocs and Wednesday comes at the perfect timing, as the spooky season begins. These Crocs can definitely help add a chic yet eerie vibe to any outfit. The shoes are unisex and come in both men’s and women’s sizes. On the Crocs website, the clogs currently retail for $89.99. Season two of Wednesday is set to release on Netflix in 2025.

The post Crocs releases WEDNESDAY Stomp Clogs for Spooky Season appeared first on Nerdist.