Jackie Marshall's Birthday at Nolen's Kitchen

Superior Court Judge Nominee Eric Montgomery

@Landmark Forum in action

Olive Garden Menu Tasting Tweet Up

"Mr.and Mrs. Olive Garden"

What fun we had at the Tweet Up for the Olive Garden’s new menu.

Food bloggers abound in Charlotte

It was our first Tweet Up so we were excited to try to win one of the many gift cards they were giving out for prizes if you had the best or the most tweets. Sorry to say we did not win this time. Maybe next time.

Polenta Shrimp

There were about 20 of us media folks there and they served us eleven of their new menu items. OMG, it was a lot of food and I have to say every dish was amazing. 

Bucatini with Sausage Meatballs

 Of course we all had our favorites, mine being the Bucatini with Diavolo Sauce and Sausage Meatballs, prepared to perfection, and served impeccably by the waitstaff at hand. 

Roasted Tomato Caprese Salad

There is also a gluten free menu. One of the guests at our table was gluten intolerant and she had a wonderful time tasting their gluten free items. If you are counting calories the Garlic Rosemary Chicken was fabulous at under 575 calories. 

Garlic Rosemary Chicken

 
I have been to many different Olive Gardens and what comes to mind is the great service and never being disappointed in the food. It is always good and this new menu proves that, “The best is yet to come.”

Service wilh a very big smile

We had a lot of fun with the wonderful food and really good wines to taste paired with the different dishes. It was a celebration. For more information, visit www.olivegarden.com or call 1 800 248 4935.

More items from the new menu:

Crispy Risotto Bites

Artichoke Fritti

Rockin' and Racin' at the NASCAR Hall of Fame

Good vibrations were heard in the NASCAR Hall of Fame as the new Rockin' and Racin' exhibit opened with some rock and roll music, the drivers and the cars on hand to tell the story of how the two have played together for the last fifty years.

Leonard Wood, Mike Curb and Ned Jarrett

The reception was perfectly planned to announce the opening of the exhibit in the Great Hall. 

Vibrations on ice

Artists, record producers and racing tycoons were all there, as well as lifetime members of the Hall of Fame.

Lifetime members invited to event

On display were guitars, records, uniforms, helmets, trophies and seven gorgeous cars that truly rock. Among them is Marty Robbins' 1964 late model Plymouth and Dale Earnhardt’s 1980 Chevrolet #2 car sponsored by record executive Mike Curb, present at the event. 

Mike Curb

Of course the food and drinks flowed and the band “Loose Lugnuts” were really good, cute too.

The Loose Lugnuts

The exhibit explores four primary areas of interest including "Racers Who Rock," "Rockers Who Race," "Rocking the Track" and "NASCAR in Song." Carefully curated with the help of music industry influencers like Scott Borchetta and Mike Curb as well as music artist Brad Arnold of 3 Doors Down among others, the exhibit features more than 40 artifacts that truly rock.

Painted art

Among them are trophies, guitars, records, driver uniforms, helmets and more as well as seven music-related vehicles, the largest number ever on display in the Great Hall.

Hello, Beautiful!

In addition, the exhibit features a digital jukebox with NASCAR-themed music and other unique artifacts like Ron Hornaday Jr.'s KISS-themed driver uniform, Rusty Wallace's Goo Goo Dolls helmet, trophies adorned with Elvis, and Sam Bass-designed trophy guitars.

Our lovely hostess

Yours truly Rockin and Rollin

The Rockin' & Racin' exhibit will be on display through the end of the year. General admission tickets to the NASCAR Hall of Fame can be purchased by calling (877) 231-2010 or at nascarhall.com

Admission is $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for seniors and military, $12.95 for children 5-12 and free for children younger than 5. Memberships are available starting at $125. 

Elvis always

The NASCAR Hall of Fame is open daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. For more details, visit nascarhall.com. Updates are available at facebook.com/nascarhall or by following @NASCARHall on Twitter.