How does it work? CLEAR uses WiMAX technology, a new wireless broadband that provides fixed and fully mobile internet access.  Now you can stop worrying if your favorite coffee shop has Wi-Fi and forget about paying for internet at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. CLEAR takes care of all your internet needs and does so 4 times faster than your old 3G network. The main difference: 3G was designed for phones; 4G was designed for internet. Whether on a cell phone or a lap top, in your living room at home or at a bus stop across the country, CLEAR wireless internet keeps you connected to high speed internet.

What does CLEAR 4G coverage mean for Charlotte residents?  It means you no longer have limitations on your internet experience. Check out the wide variety of packages CLEAR offers and take a simple quiz that registers your preferences to select the CLEAR package that’s right for your needs. CLEAR offers a variety of modems, mobile devices, and accessories that are easy to install and feature the latest WiMax technology. The best part about these wireless gadgets is they’re pretty cheap considering all they have to offer. Bring your laptop for the carpool line; stream a movie from the park, or video chat with your mom across the country.  CLEAR lets Charlotte residents bring the internet with them wherever they go.

Court 6 is a new condominium complex located at the corner of East Sixth and North Davidson Street.  The beautiful skyline view along with a courtyard located in the middle of the building are just a few of the amenities of this location.

230 South Tryon is a brand new condo complex, built in 2008, right in the heart of downtown.  Each unit in the 13-story high rise has its own balcony so you can enjoy the weather and the beautiful city around you from the comfort of your own home.  A pool, fitness center, billiards room and internet café, make this an unbeatable downtown home.

If you want to stay near downtown but in an area that is slightly more secluded, consider Fifth and Poplar.  This gated community really is its own little village, complete with a pool, putting green and recreation area for residents to enjoy.  There is even a Starbucks and a supermarket.  Once you move in here, you may never want to leave.  But when you do decide to go exploring around your new home, you will find yourself in walking distance of restaurants, parks, and libraries.

Restaurants

Whether you’re looking for a quick business lunch, a fun dinner with friends, or a romantic evening for two, the EpiCentre has the right restaurant for you. We recommend trying the casual American cuisine at BlackFinn, the Asian delicacies at Enso, the dramatic views and culinary genius at Mez, and the loving atmosphere at Wild Wings.

Shopping

Fashion, accessories, technology, the shops at EpiCentre have it all. Find something hot to wear to the bars at Revolution designer boutique, find the latest trends at Belle Ville’s European Boutique, or pick up any necessary trinkets at CVS. While you’re at it, stop by the Fudgery to try some handmade fudge, fresh squeezed lemonade, or hand dipped apples.

Entertainment

Welcome to the party. The EpiCentre is full of exclusive night clubs, neighborhood pubs, and bustling bars. Start the night at Whiskey River where you can watch live music performances, sip on nightly drink specials, and ride the mechanical bull (yes, mechanical bull).  After the show, head over to Aloft Hotel and w xyz bar—Charlotte’s new hot-spot for mixing and mingling. On Thursdays, make sure you hit up StrikeCity for “Strike and the City” where you can bowl, sip martinis, and have a great time.

1. Reed Gold Mine: Jackpot! This historical site showcases America’s very first documented gold find in the United States.  The best part—many of the underground tunnels have been restored for [free] guided tours. There are multiple nature trails and picnic areas open to the public, or you can sift for gold yourself for just $2.
2. Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve: If you’re sick of the bustle of the city, this is the place for you.  This expansive park, located in Mecklenburg County, is the perfect place for fishing, hiking, sightseeing, or simply relaxing. Bring the kids for a picnic and take the dog for a walk in the parks family friendly environment.
3. North Carolina Transportation Museum:  Imagine what our world would be like without fast and easy transportation. This spunky museum showcases just how important transportation has been to our country in the past. The museum, which used to be part of the Southern Railway, features an authentic train depot, antique automobiles, a Roundhouse with 25 locomotives, and dozens of rail cars.
4. James K. Polk Memorial Site: James Polk was the 11^th president of the United States, and his parents lived right here in Charlotte, North Carolina. Watch videos on Polk’s contributions and tour the land once owned by his family—all authentic, all for free.
5. UNCC Botanical Gardens: The Universities beautiful gardens are opened seven days a week during daylight hours for your viewing pleasure. Experience all the diversity, beauty, and education the gardens have to offer.

Tavern on Park: If you’re looking for a great place to watch your favorite team and want outstanding service, Tavern on Park is for you. The Park Road bar and restaurant has DIRECTV, so they’ll be broadcasting nearly every major sporting event of the year. Plus, the owner and staff are super accommodating. If the big game is on a Sunday, be sure to ask about their mimosa special – $16 for all-you-can-drink.

Stool Pigeons: This uptown bar is one of the best in the city, but it requires some planning on the day of a big game. Tables fill up fast so think about getting there early to reserve a table for your friends. Stool Pigeons also has a super affordable menu and great daily drink specials, making it the perfect place to spend game day.

Buffalo Wild Wings: This is a great place to watch a game and kick off your Friday or Saturday night. Located in the heart of Epicenter, Buffalo Wild Wings broadcasts the biggest games of the year and is always packed with a fun crowd.

Fox & Hound: This uptown bar offers great drink specials and is known for its wide selection of tasty bar food. And nearly every seat has a view of one of their many big screen TV’s so it’s an ideal place to watch sports. They also have pool tables and $2 draft beer on Tuesdays, if you’re looking for a fun weeknight out.

Your living room: Okay- this isn’t exactly a bar, but we understand that you might not want to leave your house. Sometimes sitting 5-feet away from your 42-inch plasma is the best way to watch a game. Fortunately, DIRECTV delivers the same sports coverage to your house that they do to your favorite bars. So you can drink beer, eat pizza and wear your favorite team jersey without anyone judging you.

For the flavor-obsessed: You can find the city’s most delicious flavored coffee at Dilworth Coffee – hands down. And our personal favorite is the Roasted Caramel Vanilla. With 11 locations throughout the Charlotte area, Dilworth Coffee delivers the feel of a neighborhood coffee shop, with the variety of beverages you’d expect at a national chain. They change their flavors every day and offer free refills on their smallest coffees after 5 p.m.

Couple coffee-drinkers: Caribou Coffee on East Blvd. offers the perfect setting for a daytime date or late-night cup of coffee. The popular coffee shop boasts tons of outdoor seating and is within walking distance to some great restaurants. The Atlanta-based chain also offers some surprisingly strong blends at affordable prices.

Bookworms and studiers: The Starbucks on the corner of Scott Avenue and East Blvd. is your best bet. Not only is this place enormous, it also has dozens of comfy chairs and large tables. But be wary on the weekends when large groups get together to chat. It can be a little distracting. Starbucks charges for wireless internet, but thanks to CLEAR – a new high-speed internet provider in Charlotte – you can get online without paying Starbucks. The CLEAR USB plugs into your laptop so you can get high-speed Internet across the city and at any of the coffee shops on our list.

For everyone: The top pick in the city goes to Smelly Cat Coffee House in NoDa. Whether you show up for the great environment (music and artwork from local artists) or for the delicious desserts and espresso, this funky coffee shop has something for everyone.

It goes something like this: Guy in a tie, late 30s, walks through a keyman-style building extolling the virtues of sharing a coffee pot and receptionist with a half-dozen strangers.  He exchanges smiles and nods with the other “self-employeds” as he spins through the modern chic office/set.

“You work for yourself, but you have people to bounce ideas off of,” he says.  “You have clerical support, a copier and coffee, too!”  But best of all: you don’t work with or for these people.  You’re a self-employed, independent, freewheeling, up-by-your-bootstraps kind of honcho!

It looked – and sounded – kind of cool.  As someone who works in an industry ripe for start-ups and freelancers, I found this little community of symbiotic self-starters rather appealing.  And with a recession still raging out there, you have to think this cadre of workers will continue to grow as corporate America struggles to rebuild its workforce.

But I’m not sold on The New Workplace.  Call me sloppy – but the idea of working in PJs will never lose its luster.   You wake, you walk to couch, you turn on computer, you work.  And with the emergence of high-speed, portable wireless Internet services, you can take it on the road – to the park, the coffee shop, the barbershop, poolside, beachside, barside – you name it.  Or, you can hang at the house – TV on, security system armed and your business booming from the comfort of your living room.

Don’t get me wrong, the shared workspace concept works for a lot of people.  A self-employed friend of mine recently leased space in a New Workplace-kind of building in Mooresville, and it suits her.  The Charlotte area has quite a few of them, in fact.  Financial services professionals seem particularly attracted to them because of the mind-share opportunities between the vast specialists in their field.  And with the added benefit of creating a professional front on a low-frills operation, The New Workplace is practically a necessity for that segment.

But writers across the Queen City continue to hold onto their worn bedroom slippers, fraying bathrobes and the ability to complete five loads of laundry in a single workday.  It may not be “The New Workplace”, but it sure is a recognizable one.  And I’m a proud supporter.

To live in the Queen City is to drive in it, and with average commute times creeping over 20 minutes, Charlotte residents are spending more time than ever on the road.  Here are three on-board technologies keeping local drivers comfy and connected:

On-the-Go Internet
Thanks to CLEAR 4G wireless coverage in Charlotte, local drivers don’t have to go off the grid every time they hit the road. Charlotte is one of only a handful of cities who have access to CLEAR 4G technology, which offers wireless Internet at speeds 4 x faster than the 3G you have on your phone. This technology essentially turns the city into one giant wireless hotspot – so you can plug a USB into your laptop and get broadband speeds in your back seat!

Navigation
It doesn’t take long for newcomers to Charlotte to feel at home. It also doesn’t take long for newcomers to Charlotte to get lost on the winding, self-intersecting roads all with the name Sharon. That’s why on-board navigation is a must-have for Charlotte drivers. GPS devices like the Garmin Nuvi and the Magellan RoadMate are local favorites, both with intuitive touch screens and detailed mapping. And unlike printed maps, navigation systems are updated in real-time to reflect the constantly evolving Charlotte landscape.

On-Board TV
Charlotte is a family-friendly town, which means SUVs and minivans packed with kids are a common occurrence on the roads. While DVD players do a great job of keeping young ones quiet in the back seat, Mom and Dad might want to add a little variety to the entertainment menu. New in-car satellite TV packages can do the trick – providing access to live TV just like you’d get at home!   Check out companies like DIRECTV for mobile options that cater to passengers of all ages.