CIAA tickets and parking pass for sale

I have 1 booklet of tickets, section 221, Row L, Seat 18 for sale for $125.00. This is for the whole tournament Monday-Saturday. I can be reached at rlewis555@carolina.rr.com or 704-248-1376
Ronald

Mr. Hart,
Please post that I have two CiAA Basketball Tournament Books for sale. Each priced at $225. The seats are in Section 117, terrific floor views. I can be reached at williamjsin@aol.com and 703-981-0585.
Jay

And here's a reader offering a parking pass:
I have a parking card for an uptown parking deck that can be used for $100 for the week with a $20 deposit.
I can be contacted at d_greenhouse@hotmail.com or 704-779-4261.

Any others with tickets or parking passes for sale, post them in the comments section below or email me at khart@charlotteobserver.com

JCSU vs. Shaw women on Fox Sports

Hey, CIAA fans. Check out the Johnson C. Smith women vs. Shaw on television Saturday, February 16. It will be televised on CSTV and Fox Sports Net. Time Warner Cable subscribers in the Charlotte area can turn to channel 40 (Fox Sports) or channel 139 (CSTV) to watch the game. Tip-off is scheduled for 12:05 p.m.

Use the following link to watch the game live via the internet.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH GAME LIVE!

Townhome, room for rent during CIAA

If you can't a find a hotel rate to your liking or you'd just rather stay at a house or condo, a couple of readers offer these options:

I live in a towmhome on the eastside of charlotte not far from uptown, and if anyone is interested in renting a room i have one for rent for the week of ciaa conference, i can be contacted at 704-713-8587.

Hi Kelvin,
My name is LaTasha and I’m new to Charlotte. This will be my first CIAA, pretty excited. Wanted to let you know that if you know of anyone looking for a place RIGHT uptown, I’ve got a townhome available for $375/night. It can accomodate up to four people. It’s on Fifth and Poplar, really nice. lcartersolo@yahoo.com

From Ice:
I live in charlotte and I have a house that I rent out normally but will be using to house tournament watchers, I still have room left. If more people would come up with alternative living arangements for each others maybe hotels would lower their prices based on the new competition.919-491-5566

If anyone else has homes, apartments or rooms to rent, put your contact info in the comments section below or email me at khart@charlotteobserver.com

Hotel rates an issue already

As the CIAA draws near, the price of hotels always goes up. But one curious reader has checked into whether the prices are up higher for CIAA week than they will be for the ACC tournament. The ACC tournament is actually March 13-16, so the rates he or she checked for March 5-9 are not comparable. But it would be interesting to see if the rates are lower during the ACC tournament. Hmmm

Hello Mr. Hart:
A conversation about hotels raising their prices during the CIAA sparked a debate on whether hotels have a right to raise their rates when an influx of people are visiting Charlotte.

Which brought up the question whether the hotels would charge more during CIAA weekend than they would during the ACC weekend.

My curiosity peaked, so I did some research by performing an internet search of hotel rates from Wednesday, February 27 through Sunday, May 2nd and compared them with hotel rates from Wednesday, March 5th through Sunday, March 9th.

Many of the hotels were already sold out CIAA weekend, however, two hotels (Doubletree-Gateway and Hilton Executive Park) had availability and the rates for CIAA were drastically higher ($100-$150).

This result makes me wonder what pricing has already been sold to CIAA attendees. I called the Doubletree and their first response was that it's a longer stay; when I clarified the hotel stay was for the same days and same amount of days; I was referred to the voicemail of the Sales Office.

Is it price gouging?

Anonymous

JCSU men and women win

Men
The Golden Bulls ran their winning streak to three games Tuesday with
an 85-57 CIAA win against Virginia State at Brayboy Gym to remain in
second place in the West Division behind St. Augustine’s. J.C. Smith
(14-7, 8-5) put together one of its best efforts of the season,
connecting on 63.5 percent of its shots, including a torrid season-
best 70.4 percent in the second half. Herb White

Women
Virginia State took an early five point lead over the Lady Golden Bulls but their efforts would not last long as JCSU pulled away late in the first half and never looked back en route to a 70-50 victory. JCSU’s record improved to 14-7, 10-3 in league play.
JCSU took a double-digit lead capitalizing on 19 Lady Trojan turnovers. The Bulls quickly turned that into 19 points. By the time the first half was over with, JCSU controlled a 13-point lead, 37-24. Kristene Kelly

JCSU vs Virginia State, 7:30 tonight

Johnson C. Smith takes on Virginia State tonight at 7:30 at Brayboy Gym. Smith has won its last 3 our of 4 games, including a win over perennial power Virginia Union.

The Golden Bulls' most recent win was an overtime victory Saturday against Livingstone. Virginia State is also coming off a win last Saturday against St. Paul's.

Rules for buying CIAA tickets TODAY

From JCSU

A limited number of ticket booklets for the CIAA basketball tournament will go on sale at Johnson C. Smith at 7 a.m., Friday, Feb. 1 at Brayboy Gym. Tickets must be purchased in person at the gymnasium or by calling one of four telephone numbers set up for ticket sales: (704) 378-1087, (704) 378-1278, (704) 378-1083, and (704) 378-1145. Once allotted tickets are sold, the telephone sales lines will be closed.

Ticket prices: $275; $175; $100; $50 (students).

These are the rules that will govern the orderly and timely sale of CIAA tickets. There will be no deviations from these rules during the sale process.

1. Access to the campus will be through the Martin Street entrance, with parking in the Jack S. Brayboy Gymnasium parking lot.
2. The gates will open at 5 a.m.
3. Security will oversee the formation of an orderly line outside the gymnasium.
4. The doors of the gymnasium will be opened at 7 a.m. Ticket sales will commence immediately thereafter.
5. The university will make available a limited number of tickets to purchase over the telephone. The university is not guaranteeing that calls will get through immediately because of the anticipated call volume. Please do not leave voicemails. You must speak with a person. The university will start taking telephone calls at the same time the gymnasium opens for walk in purchasers at 7 a.m. These tickets will be mailed to the purchaser for an additional fee to cover shipping and handling.
6. Once the allotted tickets for telephone sales are sold, the telephone lines will be immediately shut down.
7. Tickets to be sold at the Jack S. Brayboy Gymnasium will continue until all tickets are sold. Once all tickets are sold, the doors will close.
8. Student tickets will be sold in conjunction with the general public tickets. 9. Cash, credit cards and debit cards (with the Visa or Mastercard logos) will be the only accepted form of payment. No money orders, checks or bank drafts.
10. The university will not guarantee that seating will be together. Tickets that are on hand will be sold regardless of where the seating is located within the Bobcats Arena.

Why not cover CIAA like the ACC?

Each week, I'll answer some reader questions about the CIAA tournament. Here are a few of them:

QUESTION: Hey, here’s an idea, why not cover the CIAA like it’s a sporting event. The Observer leaves me cold with it’s coverage of the CIAA. It’s more than a party. Are you all going to cover the ACC the same way as you all cover the CIAA? Anonymous

ANSWER: True, it is more than a party. The games are the reason the tournament exists. And we do cover the games. But you must admit the CIAA is an experience that no other tournament can match. The fellowship, the cultural events, the $27 million it brought in last year.Meanwhile, the ACC is all about the games. UNC and Duke are national powers. When they lose, their fans go home too. Not so at the CIAA.In fact, most of the e-mails I get about the CIAA are about the parties and events surrounding it. Haven’t gotten one yet asking about an ACC party.

QUESTION: I find it interesting that on the (charlotte.com) sports page, both UNCC and Davidson have team pages, but JCSU does not... I think it would not only draw more attention to Smith, but also to your website as people who went to Smith can easily read about what’s going on sports wise... What would it take to get Smith a link on the Sports page? Lance Albright

ANSWER: Good question. We set up team pages as the interest level and coverage of the team grows. For instance, we just started the Davidson team page 3 months ago because of all the national interest and stories about Stephen Curry. News coverage dictates a lot of it because you wouldn’t want a team page and not have lots of stories on the page. That would look skimpy. By those standards, I agree it may be time to start a JCSU and/or CIAA page year-round. So stay tuned.

QUESTION: How about going to a JCSU game and actually write about something you know?!?! It’s really sad how you’re being pimped by this paper. Anonymous

ANSWER: That’s cold. I’ve been following the CIAA standings for much of the season. Myself and the guys at the McCrorey YMCA talk CIAA hoops all the time. And I plan to go to the JCSU vs Livingstone game this Saturday.
I would go to more games, but I work weeknights at the paper. You know, it’s hard out here for a pimp.

Tickets go on sale at JC Smith on Feb. 1

A limited number of ticket booklets for the CIAA basketball tournament will go on sale at Johnson C. Smith University at 7 a.m., Friday, Feb. 1 in the Jack S. Brayboy Gymnasium on the university campus.

Tickets must be purchased in person at the gymnasium or by calling one of four telephone numbers set up for ticket sales - (704) 378-1087, (704) 378-1278, (704) 378-1083, and (704) 378-1145. Once allotted tickets are sold, the telephone sales lines will be closed.

Entrance to the gymnasium parking lot for ticket purchasers is restricted to the Martin Street gate, which will open at 5 a.m. on Feb. 1. Gymnasium doors will open at 7 a.m.

Prices for the tournament booklets are $275, $175, and $100. Individual game tickets are not available. Cash, credit card, or debit card payments only will be accepted. For more information, check the JCSU Website at www.jcsu.edu for more information.

CIAA players to watch as tournament approaches

When the CIAA tournament starts, make sure you check out Bowie State because they tell me point guard Carlos Williams is worth the admission.

He's the spark that's got Bowie State breathing down the neck of perennial CIAA power Virginia Union, who's holding on to first by a thread in the Eastern Division.

Williams was recently named one of six Division II finalists for the Bob Cousy Award, which honors the nation's top point guard. The list includes point guards from all NCAA levels.

Williams, a senior from Louisville, Kentucky, leads the CIAA in Assists per Game (6.4), ranks second in CIAA Assist/Turnover Ratio (2.17), first in team Free Throw Attempts (52), Free Throws Made (39) and Steals (19). The finalists will be announced on Feb. 1 and the winner will be presented with the award at the NCAA Men's Final Four in San Antonio Texas on April 7.

Mens' Player of the Week
Anthony Hilliard, ECSU, Jr., Guard, 6-3, 205, Fayetteville, NC.
Notes of interest: With his career high 42-point performance against Lincoln, Hilliard became the first Viking since 2004 to score 1000 career points. He followed that with 23 points, 16 rebounds and 5 assists against Fayetteville State, helping the Vikings remain undefeated at home this season.

Womens' Player of the Week
Celeste Trahan, ECSU, 6-2, Center, Senior, Stockton, CA.
Notes of Interest: Besides her 32-point, 16-rebound, 4-block performance in a two-point loss to Fayetteville State, Trahan registered a 25-point, 24-rebound, 4 block game against Columbia Union College on January 16th. She now has 76 career double-doubles and is 74 points and 90 rebounds shy of 2,000 points and 1,500 rebounds in a career, which would make her the first ever to do so in NCAA Division II women's basketball history.

Read more about other CIAA players, coaches and team standings at http://www.theciaa.com/

It's official: CIAA is here through 2011

The CIAA will indeed be in Charlotte for another three years.

That came straight from CIAA commissioner Leon Kerry Thursday during a press conference at the Convention Center. Watch the video.

"The next three years it's going to be Charlotte. We're working on that. Will we put it up for bids in the next few years, I don't know, probably... Things you gotta watch for is hotels. We're trying to get great rates from the hotels. Fans drive here, gas is high, you gotta pay tipping, you gotta pay for parking. But the good thing about Charlotte is the new rail system, you can ride in... Sometime in February we'll submit a deal to be in Charlotte through 2011."

Kerry also said ticket sales are going well.

"We still got about 2,000 upper-level seats, 100 box seats... They're still selling tickets at the individual schools. My office has sold over $1 million in tickets already. So ticket sales are ahead of schedule, compared to last year."

Other highlights from the press conference:

- Entertainment will feature gospel great CeCe Winans and rapper Chingy.

- The Steve Harvey Morning Show will return. (Big hit last year).

- Golf tournament at Ballantyne.

- The CIAA's official Web site will show tournament game highlights.

For the complete list of events and dates, go to http://www.ciaatournament.org/

Comments, questions: Post them below. Thanks

News about CIAA Tournament Thursday

The CIAA tournament will be here before you know it, back for its third straight year in the Queen City.

And so am I, back to provide a running dialog with the fans about all things CIAA.

I know it’s a little early, but I’ve already gotten questions from some of you about this year’s tournament, which runs Feb. 25-March 1.

For instance:
Question: Did Charlotte get the CIAA tournament for 2009-2011??
Gail A. Hoggard, Atlanta.

Answer: Not yet, but CIAA Commissioner Leon Kerry said in September that he wants to make Charlotte the CIAA’s permanent home. It won’t be official until other cities are allowed to bid on it.

The answers to some of your questions may be answered Thursday when CIAA and city organizers hold an 11 a.m. news conference at the Charlotte Convention Center.

The press release says they’ll discuss ticket sales, new CIAA events, national artist appearances and an MLK community event, among other things.

So stay tuned. I’ll keep you posted.

If you have questions or comments, you can put them in the comments section below. Thanks.

After-party with The Spinners

I ate breakfast with The Spinners. Well, not exactly.
We were in the same room at an after-party in their honor. They were mingling. I was eating. But I'm sure they ate too, eventually.

At first, I didn't know what to expect of this party at the Wadsworth House on Summit Avenue. It's a beautifully restored two-story frame house in the historic Wesley Heights neighborhood, just west of uptown. It's 4,500 sq. ft. and rented out for meetings, parties and wedding receptions.

I was invited to party with The Spinners after their Saturday night concert at Charlotte Convention Center. The 1 a.m. affair was hosted by the Charlotte Music Awards. But when I walked in, there was a Groove Phi Groove party going on.

The woman at the door made it perfectly clear: Don't eat the Grooves' food and don't drink their liquor. The Spinners party is upstairs.

But they were running late, so I went up to check it out. Great, they're serving breakfast. Eggs, bacon, sausage, grits, pancakes. I ran into a couple of Grooves I know, including Taylor, an emergency room doctor who graduated from Duke. You can pledge Groove at Duke?

About an hour has passed and still no Spinners. I've been mingling with others who've been waiting, too. There was the lady whose favorite Spinners song was actually a song by the Whispers. The guy in a pin-striped suit and hat who sings Sinatra at private parties and nursing homes. The Groove who gave me a beer.

Just as we were about to give up on the Spinners, their limo arrives. A crowd followed them upstairs. I took some pictures, shook hands with two of them and told them how much I loved "Sadie" and "Rubberband Man."

Then it was time to go. But first, one more trip to the breakfast bar.

Almost partied with almost Nelly

When your day begins at 6 a.m. Friday and ends at 4 in the morning, you know Saturday is going to be hazy. But it'll be that way for thousands of others, too.

After going to the "Steve Harvey Morning Show," I went to the arena to catch some games and talk to CIAA fans and snap their photos. Then I hit a couple of fish fries. Shout out to the Imani Chapter of Eastern Star #396. The fish sandwich and chicken basket hit the spot. After that I returned to work to write about the events of the day. The newspaper won't pay me if I don't.

I leave there about 9 p.m., dragging. But I'll have to find some energy before I get home. My wife and out-of-town guests wouldn't have it any other way. So we toast to the weekend and prepare for an evening of partying in the Queen City.

However, the women were taking too long to get dressed. So my brother-in-law, Matthew, and I set out alone. We'd been together much of morning so I know he's tired too. The highlight of his day was when a motorist flagged us down because they thought Matt was Nelly, the rapper. That's Matt pictured at top.

It's now 1 a.m and the uptown traffic is bumper-to-bumper. We decide to park at the newspaper and walk to a party at the Hilton, where about 200 people were hanging out in the lobby. It costs $40-$60 to go upstairs to the party, unless you're a VIP. You mean like my brother-in-law, Nelly?

Didn't work. By now my wife is calling on the cellphone to find out where we are. They're just leaving the house at 1:30. We meet up with them, then all decide it's too late to party, but we can always get something to eat.

We'll try it again tonight.

Steve Harvey Morning Show woke us up Friday

Ruben Studdard awakened a sleepy crowd at the Charlotte Convention Center this morning. And they were sleepy with good reason. Many of them had been in line since 3 a.m. to make sure they got a seat for the 6 a.m. "Steve Harvey Morning Show," which featured Ruben.

I stood in the back with the stragglers. We arrived around 6:30, just in time to hear Ruben belt out a couple of tunes. He sounded great. Then Harvey invited members of the audience to come on stage and sing. They didn't sound great. Actually, one of them was OK.

Off to the side of the stage was a sign-up table for aspiring JET Magazine swimsuit models. Don't get too excited, guys. They were just taking their information and head shots, fully clothed. But I shot some photos anyway.

Two people who applied were Lewis Steward (they need male models too) and his girlfriend Tukesia Garner of Trenton, N.J. They're in the picture above. Steward, who's from Philadelphia, asked me what I thought his chances were. I told him pretty good.

He was starting to get his hopes up, then realized I wasn't the JET photographer. My bad.

Swimsuit models and fashion shows, oh my!

You gotta love this job.
After watching basketball and talking to CIAA fans for half the day, I come back to the office and get another assignment: Cover the JET Magazine swimsuit model search Friday morning.

JET is asking aspiring models to bring their best headshots and swimsuit photos to the Charlotte Convention Center during a live broadcast of the Steve Harvey Morning Show. The show starts at 6 a.m., which is way earlier than I normally rise. But hey, I'm a trooper.

The swimsuit photos will be used in a calendar, an extension of the popular Beauty of the Week feature. Yeah, you know the second-most famous centerfold of all time. The one that always appears on page 42.

If that's not enough, I later learn that I'm also suppose to cover the CIAA fashion show Saturday.

OK, if I must.

Should Charlotte bid on CIAA Tournament Again?

There's a rumor floating around Bobcats Arena that Charlotte officials are not planning to bid on bringing the CIAA Tournment back after 2008, when our contract expires. Apparently it was a false alarm. They haven't said what their plans are.

But after talking with some of the local fans, I was surprised at how mixed opinions are on the matter. Some love the tournament being here. It's one of the biggest events of the year and it's right in our backyard. No travel involved. You have access to all the happenings and when it's over, you can retreat to the comforts of home. But enough about me.

Others say they liked it better in Raleigh because the RBC Center has a hugh central parking lot, instead of the scattered parking of uptown Charlotte. It simply was easier to come and go. And they liked getting away for the tournament, like a vacation. And I'm sure out-of-towners are split, too.

But for those who make the decision on whether to bid, it'll boil down to money. How much does the CIAA add to the local economy? Last year, local restaurants and bars said they didn't make nearly as much money as they had expected. But on the other hand, it's more than they would've gotten with any other tournament taking place this week. And the ACC Tournament doesn't start till the following week.

If they want my opinion (and I'm sure they do) I'd at least wait until this year's CIAA Tournament is over before deciding.

What do you think? Should we try to bring it back after 2008? Why or why not?

Invite me to your party, please

The CIAA Tournament starts today and I was up like a kid on Christmas morning. It's going to be a busy day. Gotta get an Observer-issued laptop and camera so I can write about the fans and take their photos. Then I'll attend several inner-office meetings where the bosses will tell me to write about the fans and take their photos. This will take up much of the day.

After that, I'm going to hit the streets looking for CIAA color. I know it's early but as you can tell by our lengthy calendar of events, folks are getting their party started already. I don't mean the big celebrity-studded galas. Those will be covered by my friend and colleague Tonya Jameson, who's "Paid to Party" year-round. In fact, just last week I asked TJ how we were going to cover all these huge bashes. Surely we'll have to split the list down the center. No, she said. She'll cover the big parties. Kelvin, you cover the house parties and cookouts and stuff.

Who does she think she is? Does she think I'd be intimidated because I'm pretty much paid NOT to party? You think I'm scared? Uh oh, here comes TJ...

As I was saying, I'm going to the house parties and cookouts and stuff. But I'll need your help. Anybody having a CIAA party, fish fry, BBQ, whether it's at a house, park or street corner, drop me a line with the location so I can come by and take some photos of you and publish them throughout the week.

I know you're thinking: "What a shameless way to get a meal." And you're right. But I also have unlimited space to write about how good your food was. Trust me, nobody puts their stamp of approval on some ribs like me.

Go Party But Don't Miss The Hoops

Q: Khart, I'm driving up to Charlotte from Ohio to kick it at the parties down there. I didn't attend last years festivities but I went to the Raleigh-Durham Tournament three times in the last six years. I lived in Durham years ago so i had no problem getting around there but now that it's in Charlotte I hope I don't miss the livest parties. I must confess I have never seen one basketball bounce or the arena at the tournaments but don't tell my wife that. I'm bringing the crew and at least 4 first timers so if you know about a Diddy party or a celebrity smash, let me know where it's going to be between Mar 1st-3rd. I'm like you, I need that long drive back to Ohio to get my mind right. Counseling is in order. Any info you provide I'd apprciate. MC

A: First of all, Uncle Merle, I know that's you. But I won't tell Aunt Edna. Anyway, I'm glad you're coming to the show this year, but if you haven't seen any of the games, you don't know what you're missing. There's some major talent in the CIAA. It's produced NBA players such as Charles Oakley, Ben Wallace and Ronald "Flip" Murray, to name a few.

In fact, just this week an ACC alum who went to last year's tournament was telling me how surprised he was at the skill level. However, he decided not to buy CIAA tickets this year. He said he'll wait till the losing teams' fans leave and just buy their tickets for cheap. Sorry, dude, this isn't the ACC. Nobody leaves till the weekend's over.

But if it's parties you want, there are way too many for me to list for March 1-3. So I'll just list a few that I'm planning to hit. The rest you can find on www.charlotte.com:
March 1

• '80s R&B: Coca-Cola presents Showtime At The Apollo with special guests Boyz II Men. 10 p.m. Charlotte Convention Center, $30. http://www.ticketmaster.com/, 704-522-6500.
• HAPPY HOUR: The Alphas host the 2nd Annual Phrozen Hour with complimentary hors d'oeuvres and free draft beer while it lasts. The place is small, and the party was packed last year. Get there early and grab a table. 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Brevard Court Sundries, 145 Brevard Court. Free.
• KAPPA HOUR: Joins the Kappas for Kappa Kocktail Hour. Drink and appetizers specials. Speciality drinks are: The Diamond Martini, Krimson Punch and The HurriKane. 4 p.m. Zink. Free.
  March 2
• RISE AND SHINE: Steve Harvey Morning Show featuring guest performer Anthony Hamilton. 6 a.m.-10 a.m. Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College Street, 704-339-6000, http://www.charlotteconventionctr.com/. Free.
• LEGENDS OF HIP-HOP: EPMD kicks off its reunion tour in Charlotte. After-party hosted by "The World's Greatest Entertainer," Doug E. Fresh. Sponsored by Sol Kitchen, Crown Royal and VH-1. 9 p.m. Amos Southend, 1423 S. Tryon St. $30. 704-377-6874; http://www.charlottevibe.com/, www.amossouthend.com.
• CELEBRITY PARTY: NFL players, Grammy nominated artists, actors and models are expected for the Supreme Clientele party. 10 p.m. Dilworth Neighborhood Grille, corner of McDowell and Morehead. $20. 800-807-7602. http://www.revolutionaryentertainment.net/.
  March 3
• OLD SCHOOL R&B: Maze featuring Frankie Beverly will perform at Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd.{confirmed}, 704-335-3100. $50-$60. www.ticketmaster.com.
• LIVE MUSIC: Digital Divas presents a jazz and R&B trio at their party Dream. Sponsored by Jack Daniels. 10 p.m. Blue restaurant. (corner of Fifth and College.) $10-$15. 201-304-2933,{confirmed} or tiffany@digitaldivasinc.com.
• GO-GO GREAT: Dynasty5 presents the 2nd Annual Chuck Brown After Party & Show. Wind-me-up Chuck did his thing last year. Don't miss it this year. 9 p.m., Hilton Charlotte Center City,. 222 E. Third Street, 704-377-1500. $30-$60. http://www.dynasty5.com/.
  

The Anticipation Is Killing Me

Next Monday the CIAA Basketball Tournament tips off again in Charlotte and I can hardly wait. Last year's tournament was so much fun that I almost went into withdrawals when it was over. It was hoops everyday and parties every night. I was hanging out with old friends and classmates and staying up so late that going to bed was like a pit stop. If CIAA '07 is anything close to last year's, I'm going to need counseling.

Tourney officials say it'll be even better. For starters, there are more musical acts and more daytime events for kids and folks who want to enjoy the festivities and still go to work the next day.

Another improvement will be more parking closer to Bobcats Arena. Charlotte's "Tournament Village" approach puts fans in walking range of many uptown restaurants, hotels and party venues. But walking range is relative. If you wear Hush Puppies and hit the treadmill everyday, you can walk. If you're wearing $400 stilettos, then probably not.

Beginning this week, I'll be blogging about any news leading up to the tournament, including on-the-court happenings as it relates to the tournament brackets. Right now, Virginia Union (the defending champs) are tops in the Eastern Division; Fayetteville State is leading the West with Charlotte's own Johnson C. Smith a close second.

Once the games begin Feb. 26, I'll be there writing about the sights and sounds. I'll interview people in the stands and fans on the street and answer any questions or comments about the CIAA, the city, places to eat or drink, or anything else. Got any CIAA-related photos? Email them too. I'm at khart@charlotteobserver.com.
And if you see me at the games, holler at me.