Rick Thames | Editor

Our journalists don't set out to win awards. They simply love what they do and are driven to do their best, day after day.

There were two kinds of bags at the Salvation Army’s Christmas Bureau when it opened 10 days ago. Those that bulged with gifts for needy children and those still creased and folded. That is, had it not been for many of you. Reader contributions to the Observer’s Empty Stocking Fund helped the Salvation Army put something inside all of those bags. And the good news doesn’t stop there.

I don't remember the year. But I will never forget the tears. They belonged to our mother.

Mention the arts in Charlotte and many people immediately think of events at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center or exhibits at the newly opened museums at the Levine Center for the Arts.

You can tell a lot about what matters to The Charlotte Observer simply by looking through the pages of Living Here.

One of the best features about our newly designed Web site, CharlotteObserver.com, is that you get a chance to comment on virtually every story and column we post.

More than 2 million people visit Charlotte.com every month. Never been? Better hurry.

Most of the newspapers we printed today have a slightly different look and feel.