Keep Charlotte Starched came into this world in the Summer of 2008 when Tom Low of Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company was finishing an interview with Citistates' Curtis Johnson on the topic of Charlotte's growth in the last 10 years and where we are heading. Tom showed him his newly purchased hat emblazoned with "Keep Austin Weird," and said he was trying to figure out what Charlotte's version would be.

Curtis jokingly suggested "Keep Charlotte Starched," and everyone laughed, but Tom keep thinking the slogan might just fit Charlotte's predominant culture. Not in just a boring or satiric way, but with enthusiasm and a sense of fun.

We say it is time that we stopped trying to be something we are not and just go ahead and embrace our inner starchiness. With all the current events affecting our quality of life,