3 things happening in NC: Duke Energy wants a big rate hike in your utility bill

As Duke Energy makes its case for a big rate hike, North Carolina hosts several public hearings about it. Here’s your chance to speak out.

Each week for this column, I look far and wide throughout North Carolina for the coolest events on the calendar with a geographic range that allows folks everywhere in the state to find something within a respectable drive. 

As a Charlotte-based journalist, I’m purposeful about looking past the many local promotions in my inbox to find interesting happenings in towns of all sizes from the mountains to the coast. That said, I did not have to look far this week to find what I believe to be the coolest thing happening in North Carolina. 

I live less than a half-mile from the Charlotte Museum of History, which this week will open “American Revolution: The Augmented Exhibition,” a traveling exhibit that leadership at the museum has worked for years to secure in observance of the USA’s 250th birthday. 

Last week, I got the opportunity to make that 13-minute walk to have a sneak peek at the exhibit, and I mean it when I say it’s worth a visit. Let’s take a deeper look at why it’s one of North Carolina’s “3 things happening in NC.”  

“American Revolution: The Augmented Exhibition” in Charlotte

Charlotte Museum of History, 3500 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte

Opens Tuesday, April 14

For many years, a large model showing a scaled-down version of Charlotte’s Uptown as it looked in 1775 has been the centerpiece of one of the largest gallery rooms in the Charlotte Museum of History. Their new exhibit allows patrons to step into that setting using video game technology and take a look around, as well as many other scenes related to the American Revolution. 

Making its East Coast debut on Tuesday, “American Revolution: The Augmented Exhibition” employs augmented reality technology developed by Histovery to allow visitors to scan their way into scenes they’re interested in. You can go to the Boston Tea Party or the Battle of Yorktown and walk the grounds.

A supplementary exhibit created by the museum brings visitors into more localized scenes such as the 1774 Alexander Rock House (Mecklenburg County’s oldest standing home, which you can tour on the property during your visit), King’s Mountain, Cowpens, and the Battle of Charlotte.

“American Revolution” will be on view at the museum until April 2027, the only opportunity for audiences in the Carolinas to experience it during that time. 

Read my in-depth reporting on the exhibit for Queen City Nerve here. 

The Charlotte Museum of History is hosting an interactive exhibit on the American Revolution using video game technology. (Photo via Charlotte Museum of History)

Beaufort Wine & Food Spring Fest

April 15-19

Various locations around Beaufort

Beaufort Wine & Food rings in springtime on the Crystal Coast with this annual festival comprising special events and culinary offerings from venues and establishments over five days in North Carolina’s third-oldest town. 

It all comes to a head with The Crown Jewel: Vin De Mer Tasting Event. “The headliner. The one everyone schedules their entire personality around. She’s loud, she’s yummy. Drift from table to table as beverages flirt their way into your favorites list and each bite shows up trying to impress you,” reads the website. 

Make sure to stick around for the Last Call, BW&F’s official after party at Backstreet Pub. But wait, there’s more! 

If you’re not scheduled to leave town ‘til Sunday, you might as well check out the Emerald Brunch, featuring Blazin’ Keys Dueling Pianos and Julia Golden, aka The Voice. Get the details about each and every event occurring throughout the week here. 

 

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Speak out on Duke Energy’s plans for a big rate hike

Dates and locations vary

This column isn’t all fun and games, and here’s an issue that affects all of us. 

As you’ve likely noticed, energy rates have been climbing, and now Duke Energy wants to bring them up even more. The electric power and natural gas company that serves all residential and commercial properties in North Carolina is proposing an 18% hike in its electric rates over the next two years. 

Video: Rep. Deborah Ross blasts Duke Energy’s plan for an 18% rate hike

The NC Utilities Commission will decide whether to approve the proposal later this year, but first they want to hear from the residents who will be impacted. This means you! 

A couple hearings were held early this month but more are scheduled, including at 7 p.m. at the Person County Courthouse in Roxboro on Monday and again the following evening at the Haywood County Courthouse in Waynesville. 

Check the full calendar for more upcoming meetings and have your voice heard. Note: Be sure the Description of Proceeding reads, “Application of Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC for Adjustment of Rates and Charges Applicable to Electric Service in North Carolina and Performance-Based Regulation,” as some of the hearings listed on the website calendar are unrelated to Duke’s proposed rate hikes.