Kathleen Purvis

Charlotte cartoonist in final 3 on 'Strip Search'

obscriticalmass.blogspot.com — In the end of April, The Charlotte Observer published an article about cartoonist Abby Howard, who grew up in Charlotte and is competing on "Strip Search," a reality game show for web cartoonists. At age 20, Howard is the youngest of a dozen cartoonist summoned to participate in the challenges.

Bill Spoon's on TV

helendining.blogspot.com — Bill Spoon's shows up July 31 on the Travel Channel's new "BBQ Crawl," in which Canada's Danielle Dimovski travels the barbecue competition circuit through the South. There's a double-episode kickoff July 3, featuring Texas, then a Texas to Arkansas swing; Spoon's is in the "Atlanta to North Carolina Crawl," along with Midway BBQ in South Carolina, and the Bone-In Artisan truck in Columbia.

Help Community Culinary School with Whole Foods day

obsbite.blogspot.com — If you're planning a shopping trip to Whole Foods, put June 25 on your calendar: That's 5% Day to support Community Culinary School of Charlotte. CCS is a terrific Charlotte resource. A culinary program for people who are chronically unemployed or coming back from hard times, it trains people for jobs in food service.

Charlotte News Panthers Bobcats Sports Banking

charlotteobserver.com — Charlotte-area credit unions have seen an increase in phone calls and new members in the last two weeks as people upset about new fees at big banks look for new places to park their money. Outbound lanes of Providence Road near Rea Road are expected to be closed for about a half-hour.

You can cook pasta at lower heat

charlotteobserver.com — Q: I see TV chefs cooking pasta at scarcely a simmer. Is this just done for TV or am I doing it wrong when I boil pasta? Stoves in TV studios are notoriously low on power (as I've learned from experience when I've cooked on them).

Janelle Monáe Enlists Prince and Miguel for 'The Electric Lady': Exclusive

billboard.com — Janelle Monáe's upcoming sophomore album, "The Electric Lady," will include guest appearances by Prince and Miguel.