Tommy Tomlinson has written a local column for the Charlotte Observer since 1997. He was a finalist for the 2005 Pulitzer Prize in commentary. You can reach him at 704-358-5227 or email ttomlinson@charlotteobserver.com.
Flowers. That's the go-to gift for Mother's Day, the one thing that you don't have to worry about being the wrong size or violating the diet or making her glare at you across the table when you thought she needed a new skillet.
The North Carolina polls closed at 7:30 p.m. The first cheer at Jillian's went up at 7:31.
100 VOTES Forget about race. You would think we'd all be worn out by now.
For months now, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have made speeches, dropped in at barbecue joints and blasted e-mails to N.C. voters, aiming for their support in Tuesday's primary.
Their best work is an inspiration Meet our community's quiet heroes, who get to see Springsteen tonight This was not a beauty contest. But the people who won do beautiful things.
Laura Hankins left a message on our phone Tuesday night: "It's just been a really strange day."
Bob Johnson can't understand why Charlotte won't show him some love.
Every so often a little story says something big. Here's one about cheap gas in Wilmington.
My buddy Joe called Wednesday from the Billy Graham Parkway, having just flown in from Texas. Problem is, he wasn't supposed to be in Charlotte. He was supposed to be in Atlanta.
Friday is the last day to nominate unsung heroes of the Charlotte area for free tickets to the Bruce Springsteen concert at Time Warner Cable Arena on April 27.
Tommy Tomlinson: When they would send the truck down our street to spray for mosquitoes, sometimes I would run behind it.
Cindy Salerno came here with a scar. It happened on a New Orleans street in those surreal first days after Katrina hit.
Tommy Tomlinson: Bobby Frasor was shooting 0-for-50 and Roy Williams was laughing. 
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We spent a few hours in airports last weekend. Even before 9-11, airports were a sealed world, the passengers like bugs in a Mason jar.
So I spent Thursday afternoon watching seven games on the first day of the NCAA men's basketball tournament.
And if it's a funny old world, mama, where a little boy's wishes come true Well I got a few in my pocket and a special one just for you.
On Friday I drove from uptown out to UNC Charlotte. It's about nine miles. It only seems like a million.
This is where the CIAA Tournament begins. Not on the court. In hotel lobbies all over Charlotte, where old men and women peel back the years.
Most of the rational world has given up on Michael Jackson. This year, unbelievably, he turns 50.
We had forgotten all about it. My wife was inside getting ready for bed and I was wheeling the garbage can to the curb. Then I happened to look up.
There's tension in Charlotte between natives and newcomers -- especially if the newcomers are from up North.
I'm going to set this up quick and get out of the way. On my blog, Tommy's Table, I asked readers on Thursday to sum up Charlotte in exactly six words.
Y'all did it again. We had another amazing year with Project Joy, thanks to all of you who gave your money and your gifts and your time.
Millions of little girls want a pony for Christmas. Bob Hogan wanted a donkey.
Frank DeGeorge had no idea what his son down in Charlotte had sent him for Christmas. A book of some kind, maybe.
Tommy Tomlinson: Two best things about the new light-rail trains: big windows, and the long view.
