Morning Minute: Monday, March 18, 2019

News About Town: News About Town: It's a big week for meetings in Matthews government. Tonight from 6:00pm until 9:00pm the BOC will hold a special meeting to interview candidates for the Matthews Committee on Education. The Tree & Appearance Committee will also meet this evening, at 7:00pm at the Community Center. Early Thursday morning the Economic Development Advisory Committee will meet at Town Hall to discuss opportunities related to the 2020 RNC, hear 2019 business summit updates, and consider wireless broadband proposals. Thursday evening the Transportation Advisory Council will meet at 7:00pm at Public Works, 1600 Tank Town Road. All meetings of advisory boards and committees are open to the public.

While many were busy celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day, we were focused on Saint Gertrude, the Patron Saint of Cats.

News Around Town: An investigation is underway for the repeated vandalizing of Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church. The church, behind Town Hall, has had several instances of graffiti painted on the building. Investigators are looking into the vandalism further, Matthews Police have increased surveillance in the neighborhood, and the church has installed additional surveillance cameras.

One Good Thing: Stop by Stumptown Park March 30 (after Kiwanis Pancakes, of course) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the 2nd annual Charlie’s Carnival, hosted by Charlie’s Heart Foundation. Started in April 2018, Charlie’s Carnival raised over $15k in donations to fund their first project: A Glimmer of Hope — Charlie’s Watering Hole. The carnival, in celebration of the life of Charlie Holt, will have games, crafts, activities for all ages, a silent auction, and local food trucks. Proceeds will benefit the foundation and its mission "to enhance the lives of children and families in areas of need through sustainable living, financial and health education."

Morning Minute: Friday, January 4, 2018

News About Town: If you’re not familiar with Town Advisory Boards, these boards provide an opportunity for community members to play a role in the creation of town-wide policy. Advisory Boards discuss relevant topics and provide a consensus opinion to the Board of Commissioners. The Board of Commissioners takes the consensus under consideration for their decision-making. Applications for the following Boards are being accepted through January 30, 2019:

Appearance and Tree Board promotes activities and programs which enhance the visual characteristics of Matthews  in order to make Matthews a cleaner, greener, and more aesthetically pleasing community. 

Board of Adjustment is a quasi-judicial board that interprets town ordinances and policies for unique situations or special cases related to the town Zoning Ordinance. 

Committee on Education the most recently formed Advisory Board, acts in an advisory capacity to the Town Board on matters of interest and importance to students and parents.

Cultural Diversity Council (CDC) fosters a climate of mutual respect, greater communication, and  among the many diverse groups and communities in Matthews in order to create a more culturally competent community.

Economic Development Advisory Committee  markets the Town to assist economic development through the retention, expansion, and attraction of businesses for a robust economic base in Matthews.  Planning Board* makes recommendations on land development plans and regulations from a citizen standpoint. 

Transportation Advisory Committee assists in the development of a master transportation system plan which includes transit, road location, pedestrian and bike paths, traffic calming measures, and more.

Veterans Advisory Committee  (MVAC) promotes a strong, inclusive, and cooperative relationship between the Town of Matthews and service members, veterans and their families. 

News Around Town:  Save the date for the Third Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, Peaceful March & Commemorative Worship. Sunday, January 20, meet at Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, 381 Crestdale Road, at 2:00 p.m. for a brief program about civil rights. From there, the group will walk to Town Hall. Monday, January 21, Mt. Moriah will host a community fellowship at 8:00 a.m. followed by a commemorative service at 10:00.

One Fun Thing: This one’s for the kids! Charlotte Allstars and Gymnastics, 11011 Monroe Road, is hosting their first Friday Night Open Jump of the year. Drop off your kids from 6:00 til 9:00 p.m. for a well-supervised evening of bouncing and tumbling while you go enjoy some grown up time. 

Morning Minute: November 21, 2018

News About Town: The Matthews Police and Fire Departments are teaming up for the first annual “Matthews Public Safety Year In Review”.  Because our emergency response departments look at Matthews in three zones, there will be three meetings: North, Middle, and South. Each meeting will be a town-hall style and is a prime opportunity for anyone who is ever in Matthews to learn about public safety in 2018 and what to expect from the departments in 2019. Meeting dates and locations are listed on the Town’s website.

News Around Town: The Matthews Help Center has launched their 2018 HOPE Fundraising Campaign to continue serving Matthews-area residents in-need with financial assistance and counseling. The HELP Center does not apply for government funding, so their $1.3 million budget relies on sales from Backporch Treasures (the thrift store), grants, and donations. This season The Leon Levine Foundation will match all NEW donor gifts between now and December 31st. To contribute, donate online at www.matthewshelpcenter.org or mail a check to PO Box 91 Matthews, NC 28106.

Special Election Update: Following Tuesday's recount, Rachel Hunt has been declared the winner in the NC House District 103 race. In the end, just 68 votes separated Ms. Hunt and Mr. Brawley, making the case for the importance of every single vote.

One Good Thing: If you haven’t seen our call for artists and businesses all over the internet, we’re working hard behind the scenes to bring you a Hyperlocal Holiday Gift Guide. The Good Cup and The Loyalist Market are hosting a Hyperlocal Small Business Saturday Pop-Up event and have offered our Hyperlocal Holiday Guide participants the opportunity to join. Stop by on Saturday, November 24, from noon till 3 PM in the courtyard beside the market and shop small in Matthews.

Morning Minute: November 20, 2018

News About Town: Want to be more involved in the future of Matthews? The town is seeking board members for the Transportation Advisory Committee, the Matthews Committee on Education (Matthews residents only), and the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Advisory Committee (Matthews residents only). These boards meet monthly and examine issues to be presented to the Board of Commissioners for consideration. Contact Lori Canapinno, Town Clerk, at 704-708-1222 with questions. To apply: complete an application and submit it to Lori via email (lcanapinno@matthewsnc.gov). The deadline to apply is November 30, 2018. 

News Around Town: The Matthews Community Farmers’ Market wrapped up the main season this past Saturday. Luckily we have one last chance to get some locally grown meats and veggies for the Thanksgiving table. Today, November 20, visit the Thanksgiving market from 4 until 6 PM in the main market area. The selection won’t be the full scale we’re used to on Saturday mornings, but there will be plenty of leafy greens, sweet potatoes, artisan bread, and desserts. (Hello pumpkin pie, I’ve been waiting for you.) There has even been a whisper of fresh tomatoes still coming in. November 24 there will be no Saturday market, then they’ll reopen for winter hours (8 til 10 AM) every Saturday through March.

One Good Thing: The Kiwanis Club of Matthews is having their annual Christmas Tree Fundraiser. Proceeds from the tree and wreath fundraiser are used to improve “the lives of children one community at a time.” Wreaths are $25 each and trees start at $25. Further details can be found on the Kiwanis website.  Kiwanis Club of Matthews sponsors everything from college scholarships to grocery store gift certificates for single parents to afford a Thanksgiving feast. The deadline to order is November 21, 2018.

Please note: The order form has an incorrect date. We’ve verified with the Kiwanis Club that the last day to order is November 21, 2018.