Warning signs of my heart attack #GoRedForWomen #NationalWearRedDay

 13th Annual National Wear Red Day

 Heart disease and stroke kill 1 in 3 women, yet it’s 80% preventable.

Today, I am wearing red for Go Red for Women®, and hope you are too. I was very disappointed none of the Charlotte news anchors wore red today. Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States.   

I go to the doctor regularly. No one has ever told me I was at risk for a heart attack. Not knowing the signs of heart disease could have cost me my life.

Four 'Dads added to Rangers 40-man roster

Texas buys contracts of Mendez, Mazara, Sadzeck, and Leclerc

The Texas Rangers, parent club of the Hickory Crawdads, have purchased the contracts of four former 'Dads, with Yohander Mendez, Nomar Mazara, Connor Sadzeck, and Jose Leclerc all being placed on the team's 40-man roster.

'Dads give fans deal, chance to win $250

Fans register for $250 giveaway with every ticket book bought

The Hickory Crawdads want to give away some extra spending money this Holiday season, with the team awarding $250 in cash to one lucky fan that purchases a 2016 ticket book. 

Crawdads Fall Fling today begins at 11am

Annual free event includes turkey raffle, hayrides, ticket deals

The Hickory Crawdads annual Fall Fling is scheduled for today, Saturday, Nov. 14. The autumn event runs from 11 am - 1 pm at L.P. Frans Stadium.

The family-friendly event is free to the public. It will be a lot of fun.

County seeks help with Backpack Program

Children we see every day may be going going home to nothing to eat. Would you feed that child if you knew they were hungry? Sure you would. That's what the Backpack Program is about. It's to feed the kids when they go home so they don't go hungry. 

Family fun at the NASCAR Hall of Fame today

Family fun begins at 10am at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte today. You can meet the new mascot of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Champ The Cheetah, and get your photo taken with him, and NASCAR Hall of Fame Club Members and more. 

Rookie Racers Kids Club members get their photos free.

Crawdads reveal redesigned logos

'Dads to sport new logos, jerseys, and hats in 2016 

The Hickory Crawdads have revealed their re-branded team identity, with a complete slate of redesigned logos, lettering, numbers, jerseys, and hats for the 2016 season. The refreshed look was created by Studio Simon, with the company combining the Crawdads traditional logos with new imagery and colors to create a brand-new look for the team. 

Race for the Cure has been canceled #raceforthecure #komencharlotte

CHARLOTTE, NC - "Susan G Komen Charlotte regrets to announce the cancellation of this year's Race for the Cure, out of caution and due to the effects of hurricane Joaquin. 

Hickory Crawdads win SAL Championship

The Hickory Crawdads won the 2015 South Atlantic League Championship tonight, as the 'Dads defeated the Asheville Tourists 5-1 to sweep the best-of-5 series and claim their first SAL title since 2004.

Crawdads Barkley Baseball Camps Free Clinic is April 25; Paid camp July 14 - 17

The Hickory Crawdads and Barkley Baseball School are teaming up to provide fans with both a free, one day clinic and a four-day, paid camp this season at L.P. Frans Stadium.

Five win a Dick Stevens Jerky Starter Pack 12/19

Dick Stevens Starter Pack Giveaway

Win some Dick Stevens Jerky, made in Charlotte, N.C.

Hosted by: Life in a House of Testosterone

Co-Hosted by: Heartbeats ~ Soul Stains | Libby’s Library | Deliciously Savvy | Simply Sherryl | Mrs. Kathy King

Animal Bliss | The World of Contest Patti | A Little Bit of Everything | Dreaming of Leaving

Food should do more than fill you up. It should fuel your body, your life, your adventures. Dick Stevens builds the snacks that inspire your adventures. and it's made in Charlotte, N.C.

Emergency funding needed ASAP to send packages to our troops #OperationNorthState

 Fifth Anniversary of Operation North State

Many North Carolina deployed troops serving our country will get a welcomed taste of home for Christmas. But, your help is immediately needed.

Since Oct. 2010, Operation North State (ONS) founder and chairman, Terry Snyder, has worked to get N.C. products to members of our Armed Forces who are deployed worldwide. Last year ONS mailed 500 boxes to our servicemen and women. 

Zootastic Park fall fest, costume contest 10/25

There will be snow cones, cotton candy and ice cream for you to purchase. There will be games for the children, and a bouncy house. Buy a bracelet for $5 and you can play all the games and collect candy as prizes.

Dress in costume for the competition for ages 0-3 years, 4-9 years, 10-15 years, and 16-adult. There will also be a family competition for whole families dressed up.

American Girl Store to open in Charlotte 10/11

American Girl Charlotte Grand Opening

Discover the newest American Girl store, coming soon to Southpark Mall in Charlotte. You and your girl are invited to join in the fun during our grand-opening weekend. She’ll enjoy free crafts, exciting activities, and doll drawings, and receive a free gift just for attending. Gifts are available while supplies last.

Panthers win so you get a dozen Original Glazed Krispy Kreme for $3.99 today

On the Monday after the Panthers win a game, you win too. You can buy a dozen of Krispy Kreme Original Glazed Doughnuts for $3.99. 

This deal is for participating N.C. and S.C. Krispy Kreme stores today only. 

Go Panthers! 

Hurry, first 10 readers get 2 free passes to see Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles tonight 8/6

Paramount’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Barbara's Beat has been offered 20 passes to give away to our readers for an advance screening of the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie coming to theaters on Aug. 8. 

Free screening information:

Where: Regal Stonecrest, in Charlotte, NC

Date: Today, Wed., Aug. 6

Time: 7.30pm

August Sales Tax Holiday repealed in NC

With N.C. families having a hard time making ends meet already, the repeal of the August Sales Tax Free Holiday  was the last thing we needed. Shopping for school is very expensive. Not to mention as soon as our kids return to school they bring home a list of things they need, envelopes for picture money, and letters asking for donations for the classroom. Let's not forget about the lunch and breakfast accounts, too. 

Maybe we need to petition the NC to reinstate the tax-free holiday. Has anyone started a petition or know how many signatures would be needed?

Free Chicken #McBites tonight in Hickory area

McDonald's wants to say "Thank You" to customers in the Charlotte area, as well as the Hickory Metro. They are inviting customers to join a Chicken McBites Event tonight to sample it's product.  

Customers can get a free snack-size order of Chicken McBites from any of the area McDonald's restaurants from 5-8 p.m. McBites are juicy bites made with chicken breast meat, in three deliciously poppable sizes.

Call prior to going to check for participation.

Free Crawdads ticket to Saturday's game 7/5

Red Out Night: Fans can get a FREE ticket to Saturday's (7/5)

game by wearing red to the ballpark for the Crawdads Red Out Night! 

Crawdads host the All-Star Game at 7pm

55th Annual SAL All-Star Game

The 55th annual South Atlantic League All-Star Game will be held tonight at 7pm.

Come early for a free Fan Fest at L.P. Frans Stadium beginning at 2pm. There will be inflatables, music, and the All-Stars will be signing autographs!