News About Town: The Town has posted the agenda for Monday night’s meeting. Several items of note include official observation of the School Choice Week, which runs January 20 through 26. The Planning Conference agenda also contains an item related to school choice: Consider inviting charter schools to locate in town, town to consider an in-kind contribution.

News Around Town:  After announcing plans to consolidate headquarters in Virginia, Dollar Tree is being encouraged to sell Family Dollar. Two-percent owner Starboard Value (a hedge fund) believes the sale of Family Dollar would improve the value of Dollar Tree.

One Fun Thing:  The fifth annual ASC Connect with Culture days are Jan 25 and 26. Though there is not a culture hub in Matthews this year, the Matthews Playhouse  is participating at the Charlotte History Museum on Saturday, the 26th. Actor Lakeetha Blakeney will perform an excerpt from her one-woman show, Sweet Jenn: A Living Exhibit. Lakeetha will perform the full show on the Fullwood Stage at the Matthews Community Center in February of this year.