Matthews Morning Minute: September 28, 2018

News About Town: If you’ve driven down Fullwood Lane recently you might have seen the message board about the town lowering the speed limit. On October 1, 2018 the speed limit will be reduced from 45 to 35. This change came about based on the Public Works Department’s recommendation to the Town Council, who then voted to lower the speed limit.

Don’t say they didn’t warn you.

News Above Town: Afternoon showers and temps in the mid-80s. Speaking of mid-eighties, the high humidity puts Motley Crue #hairgoals well within reach.

News Around Town: Early voting begins October 17, 2018. Polls will be open at the Matthews Library for early voting, but the Matthews location is currently short-staffed. The Mecklenburg Board of Elections pays $12 per hour and the application can be found here. Please contact Marti Duncan (mduncan36@carolina.rr.com) for more information.

Native plants attract all types of pollinators.

One Good Thing: Backyard Birds in Matthews Festival has a busy Saturday planned. First they’re hosting Lisa Tompkins, owner of Carolina Heritage Nursery, with a native plant sale. Lisa will be on- hand to answer your questions about plants appropriate for your particular yard. Then Debbie Foster, Habitat Steward, Central Carolinas Master Naturalist, Audubon Ambassador, and contributing Beacon writer will be explaining the simple steps toward creating a wildlife habitats. Saturday, September 29, 2018, 11 AM til 1 PM; full details here.

Matthews Morning Minute: September 27, 2018

News About Town: If you’re already making plans for the weekend, make time to meet the Matthews Board of Commissioners for coffee and conversation this Saturday (September 29) at 9:00 a.m. at Bruegger's Bagels (1905 Matthews Township Parkway). These gatherings are a great way to bend an ear of our local leaders and get the firsthand scoop on things going on with the Town of Matthews.

Native asters to brighten a humid day.

News Above Town: The Weather Channel says there’s a 90% chance of rain so grab the closest umbrella.

News Around Town: While we’re on the subject of the weekend, this Friday is the last Food Truck Friday of the season. You can’t go wrong with any of the trucks, but our friend Lynn sings high praise for Yummi Banh Mi. The Entertainers will get you dancing after you’ve filled up your belly. If you’re a drinker and plan on visiting the beer tent, bring your ID, they card. Trucks start serving at 5 and event goers will already be in line.

One Good Thing: Matthews is a town with a giving heart, as evidenced by the incredible nonprofits based in our town. Thompson Child and Family Focus is one such nonprofit. Founded in 1886 as an orphanage, Thompson now serves at-risk children and families from four campuses. Using therapy, education and prevention-based care, in 2017 Thompson served 12,811 clients and provided 225 full-time jobs.

Matthews Morning Minute: September 21, 2018

News About Town: Responding to a request from N.C. State Emergency Management, Matthews Police Department sent four officers to assist Fair Bluff, NC with recovery efforts from Hurricane Florence.

Eventually a total of 18 of Matthews’ Finest will travel to Fair Bluff, a small town still reeling from Hurricane Matthew.

News Above Town: Don’t get too excited, but temps will reach a mild 86 degrees today. Is that fall calling from the distance?

News Around Town: Chris Sottile, the man about town whose personality is as robust as the cheese he mongers, will be doing the final chef demo of the season at the Farmer’s Market this Saturday, September 22.  Be there by 8:50 to get a good seat, the demo starts at 9.  A trio from WDAV's Classical Harvest Concert Series will serenade the main market while you peruse peppers, while Nick Tutwiler, a fourteen-year-old fiddler, will entertain the tailgate section.

One Good Thing: If you’re looking for a way to help, local fire departments are collecting food, bottled water, hygiene products, and cleaning supplies for areas hit hard by Hurricane Florence.

Loose items should be boxed and labeled for quick identification and processing. Deliver donations to the Matthews Fire Department, Idlewild VFD, or Mint Hill Fire & Rescue by September 30.

More Than A Minute, September 13, 2018

CMS schools are closed today and tomorrow so some of the campuses can house Hurricane Florence evacuees.

In lieu of our regular Morning Minute we’ve put together a list of fun things to do with your kids during the extra-long hurrication.

1. Visit the Matthews Library, 230 Matthews Station Street, before the hurricane gets here and stock up on books.

2. While you’re there, head upstairs and see the Town Hall. The Board of Commissioners and Mayor likely won’t be there, but the reception area is an impressive room appointed with local art and historical items.

3. Stay parked and walk over to Edible Art, 130-H Matthews Station Street. During hurricane breaks it’s perfectly normal to have cake for brunch. (Edible Art opens at 11.)

Edible Art at Matthews Station is, in fact, an aesthetic feast.

4. The next block over from Matthews Station Street is Charles Street. Stop by Karrousel Kids, 120 East Charles Street, for a new board game. 

5. Continue up Trade Street to Renfrow’s* for some sand bags (because you never know), farm fresh veggies (to balance out the cake), and cold weather vegetable plants. Create a temporary indoor garden for green relief during what looks to be very grey days ahead.

6. Stop by Zab’s Place, 101 North Trade Street, Matthews, for Pinterest-worthy upcycling ideas and a fancy outfit for a Hurricane Tea Party. 

7. Once you’re back in your car, head to Your Mom’s Donuts, 11025 Monroe Road, for either a snack or to stock up on sugar-laden bribes.

8. If the kids are all hopped up on sugar, drop them off for some play time. Charlotte Allstar Gymnastics and Cheerleading, 11011 Monroe Road, Matthews, is hosting open gym hours from 1:00-3:00 PM, both September 13 and 14 for five year olds & up. Cost is $10/child.

Later, when you’re stuck in the house: 

1. Make a rain gauge. 

2. Don your new Zab’s Place outfit and have a Hurricane Tea Party. Invite your neighbors, too!

3. Scrounge around for some socks and make a  puppet show with stuff around your house.

4. If there’s power, use the free, downloadable  movies from the library's website to your advantage. 

A few cancellations to consider: 

• Matthews 101 postponed from September 13 to September 20.

• Jekyll & Hyde Taphouse’s Halfway to St. Paddy’s Day celebration is postponed from September 14 & 15 to September 21 & 22.

• Backyard Birds visit from the Raptor Center scheduled for September 15 is cancelled.

• Matthews Community Farmers Market is cancelled for September 15. 

• Matthews UMC Fall Consignment Sale (September 15) is cancelled.

*Renfrow’s is a sponsor of the Beacon, but they did not ask for inclusion in this article, we just think an indoor garden is a good idea when the world outside is rainy and blustery.

Matthews Morning Minute: September 6, 2018

News About Town: The Cottage Greenway Project goes before the Board of Adjustment next Thursday (Sepember 13). Town Public Works department has recommended construction of a private road for the subdivision. According to the Town’s Unified Development Ordinance, all streets must be dedicated public. The quasi-judicial Board of Adjustment must determine several findings before approving or denying the request for variance.

News Above Town: The Weather Channel says we’re heading back to the 90s, but don’t start singing Pearl Jam yet. The evenings take us back to the low 70s.

News Around Town: It’s time for the September First Thursday Matthews Crawl. Check out the vendors on the green in front of town hall, then hit up Moe’s BBQ for a Thanksgiving Sandwich or $1.25 ribs.

One Fun Thing: The monarchs are here! Monarchs migrate in the spring and again in the fall. It’s not quite fall, but a few have been spotted around town on their way to Mexico. How’d they know Matthews is a pit stop on the Butterfly Highway?

Matthews Morning Minute: September 5, 2018

News About Town: Just on the heels of the John Street widening project, NCDOT unveiled their plans to widen Highway 51 between Sardis Road and John Street. This is the first phase of a widening plan that will extend to Mint Hill. NCDOT’s goal is to improve traffic flow with the most current designs, including a continuous flow intersection. Neighbors through the corridor are left with uncertainty about their homes.

News Above Town:  The Weather Channel shows highs in the upper 80s and lows around 70. Don’t turn off the AC yet.

News Around Town: Baked Well’s made-from-scratch Cookies for Claire satisfy your sweet tooth and your desire to do good deeds. Fifty percent of each cookie sale goes to Claire’s Army, a non-profit that supports families fighting childhood cancer and your desire to do good deeds. (Image from Baked Well’s Facebook page)

Open Tuesday thru Sunday, 7 AM - 2 PM; 10915 Monroe Rd. Suite D, Matthews

One Fun Thing:  Head out to the Sportsplex for an international match as Charlotte Independence hosts six-time Liga MX champions, Club Santos Laguna.

Wednesday, September 5, 2018; 7:30 PM until; 2425 Sports Parkway, Matthews;  $30+.