News Around Town: May is National Bike Month! To encourage more residents to get out on two wheels Mecklenburg County’s Park and Recreation Department, in collaboration with Public Health’s Active Living and Injury Prevention team, has launched a series of virtual educational programs. They aim to increase and improve opportunities for physical activity with a focus on bicycle and pedestrian safety.

Residents can visit the County’s YouTube page for helpful videos. The two-minute video on riding on roads without a bike lane is particularly helpful, but also check out the tutorials on the proper helmet fit and fitting a bike.

One Good Thing: If you haven’t heard of the FCC’s EBB, maybe it’s time you did. The Emergency Broadband Benefit is a Federal Communications Commission program to alleviate the financial strain of cell phone and internet costs during the pandemic. Recipients must meet one of five eligibility requirements, apply for acceptance with the FCC program, then must contact their preferred service provider to select an Emergency Broadband Benefit eligible service plan. Charter/Spectrum and Windstream are both listed as participating providers.

Don’t Forget:

• Transit Oriented Development Series with CATS: Setting the Stage for TOD in Small and Big Cities, Thursday, May 20, 1-2:30pm, register here.  

• Moxie Mercantile (159 N. Trade St.) grand opening celebration, Saturday, May 22, 10am - 6pm, with music, champagne, and lots of shopping. The shop will open its doors May 18 at 11 am.

• Milkweed for Monarchs Plant Sale, Saturday, May 22, 9-11am.

• Transit Oriented Development Series with CATS: TOD: Building Equity as Part of Transit & TOD, Thursday, May 27, 1-3pm, register here.