News About Town: The eight-day Jewish celebration of Hanukkah began yesterday, November 28, and ends on December 6. This year, the Town of Matthews has partnered with ZABS Place and Chabad of Charlotte for a Menorah Lighting Ceremony on Tuesday, November 30 at 5:30pm at the Town Hall Green, 232 Matthews Station St.

News Around Town: While there won’t be an official “lighting of the trees,” Novant’s 13th Annual Festival of Trees opened yesterday. The trees are available for in-person viewing in the Novant Health Matthews Medical Center lobby, 1500 Matthews Township Pkwy. Sixteen trees were decorated in sparkling fineries by area businesses, organizations, and nonprofits then donated to the hospital for this fundraising auction. Proceeds benefit the Matthews HELP Center, the Matthews Free Medical Clinic, and the Levine Senior Center. Learn more about the inspiration behind the trees, see photos, and more on Facebook. Bid online here. The auction runs through December 12, 2021. Please follow social distancing and masking guidelines. 

One Fun Thing: Matthews Fire & EMS is going above and beyond to help save lives this holiday season. Make an appointment online then stop by Fire Station #1, 236 S. Trade St., this Thursday, December 2, between 11am and 7pm and give blood through OneBlood of the Carolinas. All donors will receive a fleece blanket and an eGift card.