Christian Groups Not Urged to See New Jesus Docu-Drama

Local evangelical groups are expressing ambivalence about local filmmaker Earl Owensby's new docu-drama about the life of Christ. Unlike last year's sweeping support for Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, Owensby's film—built around his collection of religious paintings—has yet to gain widespread support from the faithful in Gaston County. "We're waiting for [James] Dobson or somebody to really get behind this," says Rev. Clay Faitken, Pastor of Mass Mobilization at Gastonia's Bethlehem Baptist Church. "If [Rick] Warren recommends this then we'll do it for sure. We always do whatever he tells churches to do." While local congregations recently joined together to distribute free copies of The Jesus Film on DVD to area homes, no such campaign is being planned for the Owensby project. But it could still happen, says Faitken. "Whenever there's an evangelical bandwagon, we're right on it."

Local TV Ads Powerfully Promote Illiteracy

Two recent ads on local television have successfully promoted illiteracy by using prominently placed misspellings to communicate their marketing messages. First, an ad on cable access promoting Hunter Huss High School's "FREE!!!" tutoring in math, science, and English was followed by this statement: "Tranpartation is available." The second ad came from perennial favorite Sonny Hancock car dealership, advertising its new 10-year/100,000-mile warranty on select vehicles. Replete with dramatic voiceover and large type on screen, the ad declares: "Now that's piece-of-mind!"

'Garden Parkway' To Be Renamed 'Billy Graham Parkway'

A proposed toll road through Gaston County got a boost this week when the N.C. Turnpike Authority endorsed the project along with three others. The so-called "Garden Parkway" would connect a 20-mile stretch between I-485 (near the Charlotte/Douglas Airport) to I-85 in Gastonia. Some have suggested the name of the toll road be changed from "Garden Parkway" to "Billy Graham Parkway," in honor of the world-famous evangelist and North Carolina's favorite son. "I know there's a 'Billy Graham Parkway' in Charlotte already, but that's no big deal," said John Culbertson, a Turnpike Authority board member. "We've got lots of roads around here that have the same name. In fact, we kind of enjoy naming different roads the same thing whenever we can."

Secret Starbucks Subject of Scrutiny

An investigative report earlier this week revealed top secret plans by the multi-national Starbucks® Corporation to infiltrate the Gaston County region by opening a covert coffeeshop on the campus of Belmont Abbey College. Reaction around the region was mixed. "It seems like a slippery slope," said one Belmont resident. "They start by offering Starbucks® coffee at one location, and before you know it, there's a full-blown Starbucks® on every block! But then again, with those Grande Caramel Frappucinos®, it could be a very delicious slippery slope ..."

Local Merchants Vie for Free Internet Consumers

The free Internet market in Gaston County has some new competition. According to signs and literature at the Panera Bread location which opened earlier this week on Franklin Boulevard in Gastonia, Internet access is available through a free wireless network, referred to as a "wi-fi hotspot" by some technologically savvy individuals. Fortunately for other "wi-fi"-enabled businesses, this location has not yet been added to some online directories. According to Yahoo!, other "hotspots" in Gaston County include both UPS Stores, the Fairfield Inn on Remount Road, and the Shogun Japanese Steak and Seafood Restaurant on Garrison Road. Only time will tell which businesses offering free "wi-fi" Web access will succeed, and which will fall by the techno wayside.

Radio Ads Help Reinforce 'Redneck' Stereotype

Gaston County's "redneck" reputation got a little help recently from a radio ad campaign for the upscale new Catawba Mills luxury loft condominiums in Belmont. The radio spots feature the interaction between an announcer and a "redneck" who is apparently looking to move out of the double-wide into something a little nicer. In one commercial, Catawba Mills' luxurious amenities such as individual patio/balcony for each condo are described by the "redneck" as "a great place to stick my plether couch." County officials believe this type of advertising serves to reinforce stereotypes about Gaston County residents. No sign yet as to whether the radio ad campaign was successful to overall sales at the new property.

Drag Racers Could Cause Thousands to Drive Off Franklin Boulevard

Kathey McCally claims she was nearly driven off the road Tuesday morning by two young drivers drag racing on Franklin Boulevard. Gastonia Police Sgt. Michael Lari says young drag-racing hoodlums will travel from 30 to 40 miles away to race on Franklin Boulevard. No word yet as to how many drivers on Franklin Boulevard are actually drag racers from outside of Gastonia, but some estimates say it could be as high as 13,000 a day.

13,000 Cars a Day Threaten to Drive Franklin Boulevard Into the Ground

According to research published today in the Charlotte Observer "about 35,000 cars travel daily on the road in front of [Franklin Square mall]. Franklin Boulevard was built to handle only 22,000 car trips per day in that area." Statisticians estimate that this study suggests Franklin Boulevard is potentially being overrun by 13,000 cars per day. If this dangerous trend continues, more than 4.7 million cars will have pounded the pavement in front of Franklin Square—literally driving it into the ground.