Morning Minute: Friday, May 24, 2019

Memorial Day Weekend News: Hooks-Orr American Legion Post #235 will have a display of war memorabilia in the Hood Room of Town Hall (232 Matthews Station St.) both today and tomorrow (May 24 and 25, 11 am to 2 pm). Items from WWI, WWII, Vietnam, and the Korean wars will provide a sobering reflection as we kick off Memorial Day weekend.

In honor of those who died in service, all Matthews Veterans are welcome to join the Legion for a free breakfast on Saturday, May 25 at the Masonic Lodge (184 S Trade St ) from 8 am to 10 am.

Legion Post 235 will also hold their Annual Matthews Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 27 at 11:00am. Join the Legion at Stumptown Park to honor Matthews' service members who made the ultimate sacrifice and to watch the unveiling of a new sculpture honoring all Matthews veterans.

In other Memorial Day news, Matthews Talks will honor soldiers who died in war. Check out the site Monday morning to see a special video memorializing five fallen soldiers who had ties to Matthews.

At 3 pm on Monday, take one minute to observe the National Moment of Remembrance. This moment was established by Congress as an act of national unity every Memorial Day.

One Good Thing: It’s no secret we love us some Grace O’Malley’s (helloooo fish and chips rinsed down with a pint of Guinness). It seems lots of other people do, too, leaving the Irish restaurant understaffed for dinner. If you’re a rock star line cook looking for evening shifts, this is your chance. The position is full time and they offer very competitive wages. Is this job for you? Brush up on your brogue and apply.

Morning Minute: Friday, March 15, 2019

News About Town: Matthews residents have a new park option. The playground equipment at Rice Road Park, a 9.5 acre parcel at 2530 Rice Road, has been installed and is ready for play! The work recently finished, Phase I, included driveway access into the park, an on-site walking trail, one sidewalk connection from Rice Road into the park, playground facilities, parking lot, lighting, benches, and picnic tables, as well as landscaping. According to the Town’s Facebook page, Phase II of the park will include a picnic shelter, additional seating, and enhanced natural areas around the walking trail.

News Around Town and One Good Thing: This Saturday is the Shamrock Crawl, the biggest bar crawl Matthews has to offer. Things can get pretty rowdy later in the day, so if you’re looking for a more family-oriented celebration, you have a few options. Come on down to the Loyalist for the Shamrock Pop Up, we’ll have a table set up and some fun goodies. You can even purchase a Beacon membership! Stop by from noon til 3 p.m. and support local artists and your favorite local news source. Grace O’Malley’s will open their doors Saturday at 10 a.m. to host a day of Irish fun. Try some chef-created Irish fare for lunch and stay for the DJ on the patio, starting at 1.

Celebrating sober? Good Cup will have coffee and kombucha during the pop up at the Loyalist. Stumptown Station always offers an array of mocktails (and O’Douls if you’re hankering for the taste of beer). 

If you’re coming to town for the bars, know how you’re getting home.

• Designate that driver first thing. Have a plan and stick with it so you can have fun and not worry.

• CATS buses run through Matthews (schedule here), and if you don’t have a pass you’ll need exact change ($2.20).

• Ride with Uber, but before you go out make sure you have an account. Same goes for Lyft. You don’t want to be a few drinks in and trying to figure out technology. (That also goes for texting exes. Put the phone away.)

Morning Minute: Tuesday, February 26, 2019

News About Town: This is your monthly reminder to stay connected and engaged with your local officials Tomorrow (Wednesday, February 27) is Coffee with a Commissioner. This time the meeting is from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Brakeman’s. Hopefully some of you 9-5ers can make it.

Then Saturday, March 2, at 8 a.m. at Miki’s Restaurant is your chance to Meet the Mayor.

Take the opportunity to catch up on what was discussed at last week’s Planning Conference and Town and State Day at the Legislature.

News Around Town: Thai Tamarind (Matthews Festival) closed its doors this past Sunday after four years in Matthews. Tamarind opened as an Indian restaurant (in the same location) and, after several years, switched to a Lao/Thai street food menu. The restaurant was popular and known as a hidden Matthews gem by Charlotte-area critics.

One Fun Thing: Tomorrow (Wednesday, February 27, 2019) stop by Edible Art Cake Shop in Matthews Station between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. for a ribbon cutting with the Matthews Chamber of Commerce. Edible Art is a Myers Park mainstay and recently opened their second shop in Matthews near Town Hall. They offer cake by the slice, as well as cookies, and other beautifully decorated, edible delights.

Morning Minute: Monday, February 25, 2019

News About Town: At tonight’s Council Meeting (7 p.m., Town Hall) Former Councilman Reverend Larry Whitley will be approved to become a voting member of the Planning Board. Larry has served on the Planning Board as an alternate member since February 2018. Prior to serving, Rev. Whitley served two years on Matthews Town Council and is the only African American elected to Town Council to date.

News Around Town: If you’ve driven through downtown lately you may have seen a flurry of renovation work happening at the old Cafe 157 location. A new restaurant is moving in, Grace O’Malley’s. If the name wasn’t clue enough, the fare is a modern take on Irish pub food with many ingredients from local farms. (H/T to Kim Stuart O’Shea for the info.)

One Fun Thing: This Friday, March 1, jump online early to snag your tickets for Lunch with Easter Bunny. On Friday, April 12, bring your kids (ages 2 to 5) and camera for an afternoon of fun with the one and only Easter Bunny! Mr. Bunny will be hoppily posing for photos with the little ones. Tickets are $10 per person — available online or at the Matthews Community Center. The following day, Saturday, April 13, Mr. Bunny will be joined by his Mrs. for posing with kids (both the 4-legged and 2-legged kinds) from 10 a.m. til 1:00 p.m. For more information call 704-321-7275.