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One of the most expensive houses in Charlotte history – $11 million – is at the heart of a three-way legal battle that resumes in August. The French chateau dream-house-turned-nightmare on Alexander Island in Lake Norman sits unfinished. The lawyers for homeowner Larry Hendricks (chief of Boyles Furniture), designer Leo Dowell and Elrod Construction are all pointing at each other in the dispute over construction and design. The court fight has been going on since late 2005. No word on how much will change as arbitration resumes.
Chamber gets in the swim
Speaking of the lake, the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce will host a forum Friday on a topic many Normanders have discussed for years – lack of public access and swimming. The LKN Chamber has long backed the right to dip your tootsies. Speaking on behalf of public access is Cornelius Mayor Jeff Tarte. This event is sponsored by Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World. www.lakenormanchamber.org
Instant veggie karma
Sick of hearing about toxic tomatoes only to find it's the jalapeno peppers that may be the culprits instead? Veggie guy Don Rosenberg of Instant Organic Garden in Charlotte says he has a good alternative: Grow your own. (Hey, I remember that in the '70s.) He says he can install the garden for you using weedless soil. www.instantorganicgarden.com
BofA dives into Olympics
Coolest local angle to the Olympics appears to be swimmer Cullen Jones, the former N.C. State star who has been living near Johnson & Wales and training here in town. BofA is backing him big time. The bank is also proud of its Hometown Hopefuls hospitality area for athletes' families. http://usolympicteambankofamerica.com. Also, Sports Commission honcho Bill McMillan heads to Beijing soon to help with PR.
This and that
Clarke Allen has added a culinary center to his 10,000-square-foot event space, CenterStage@NoDa. He'll have gourmet goodies and drinks for clients now. … Spencer Lueders is leading 24 Hours of Booty this weekend over at Queens U. – with a Maryland event coming up and the rumor of a Midwest and California event coming next year. … “Avenue Q” oughta be called “Revenue Q” from the looks of the packed Belk on opening night. Not since “Wicked” have non-ticketholders been so green with envy. And the R-rated puppets love us back, apparently. The cast told me backstage we are the best crowd they've played in a long time. Tip: Get tix for Sunday – while you can. www.blumenthalcenter.org
Send us items! That's Lucy and actress/puppeteer Anika Larsen from “Avenue Q,” now at the Blumenthal. Send business news tips to jelder@charlotte observer.com, or call 704-358-5032.
