Morning Minute: Monday, April 8, 2019

News About Town: Tonight the Town Council meets, first in the Jordan Room at 5:30 to review workload analysis for the Police Department, then in the Hood Room of Town Hall for a Board of Commissioners meeting (7 p.m.). Tomorrow (Tuesday, April 9) the Environmental Advisory Committee meets at 7:00 p.m. at the Public Works Facility (1600 Tank Town Road). Wednesday the Parks, Rec, and Cultural Resources Advisory Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Community Center.

News Around Town: As the weather warms and outdoor activities pick up, so will snake sightings. Many snakes are beneficial to have around, eating mice and other snakes. If you find one in your home or garage that needs removing, Carolina Waterfowl of Indian Trail will come to Matthews and remove it. Text and send a photo of the snake to 704-684-9247 for help.

One Good Thing: Interested in learning American Sign Language or brushing up on existing skills? Head on over to the Matthews library from 3-4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9th and join professional ASL interpreter Rebecca Wilson for the ASL Conversation Group. The group is an informal gathering for signers of all levels to learn the basics and practice their skills.

Morning Minute: Friday, April 5, 2019

News About Town: It is once again time to Meet with the Mayor! Mayor Paul Bailey will be at Miki’s Restaurant (1819 Matthews Township Pkwy) tomorrow (Saturday, April 6, 8 a.m. until 9 a.m.) and he’s ready to answer your questions and chat about what’s going on in Matthews. Get there early and have breakfast or drop in to listen.

Catch up on the news over a hot cup of Beacon.

News Around Town: Students from the Matthews Playhouse School of Theater will perform in their first productions of the season this weekend. The productions are cast exclusively with students from the Playhouse's year long theater classes, and these performances are the result of the year's training. Friday night or Saturday afternoon catch the kid friendly 101 Dalmatians. Saturday night and Sunday afternoon the students will perform Anne Frank and Me. Tickets can be purchased online, over the phone, or at the box office: https://matthewsplayhouse.com/shows/upcoming-shows/school-of-theatre

One Good Thing: This Saturday, from 9 a.m.until 1 p.m., Butler High School (1810 Matthews Mint Hill Road) will be transformed into Hillman College (for those who have forgotten Dwayne Wayne and flip-up glasses, the college from the sitcom “A Different World.”) In its third year, The Hillman Experience is an opportunity for students to learn about Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). There will be a pep rally that includes step and a marching band, a panel discussion about the HBCU Experience, and a college fair.

Morning Minute: Thursday, April 4, 2019

News About Town: The agenda is online for the Monday (April 8) Town Council Meeting. There are dogs on the agenda! At the beginning of the agenda is an introduction of retired Police K9 Castor, and later, under the Consent Agenda, the Town Council may approve the retirement of Police K9 Willow and sale to his/her handler. Also, the Entertainment District Small Area Plan Overlay is once again on the agenda. 

The Virginia Frazier Celebration Tree on Sadie Drive is blooming.

News Around Town: Niche.com, a website dedicated to giving insight on places to live, recently unveiled their ratings of suburbs around Charlotte. Matthews received #5 in most desirable Charlotte suburb, #23 for most diverse suburb, and #10 in best suburb to raise a family in the Charlotte area.

One Good Thing: Picked through a blind audio audition, thirteen ensembles (over 600 students) will participate in Charlotte Concerts’ A Musical Showcase Competition on Monday, April 8. From Matthews, Crestdale Middle School’s 7th Grade Band has been chosen to participate. The showcase will be held at Belk Theater in Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Charlotte.

Morning Minute: Wednesday, April 3, 2019

News About Town: Matthews Police Department's own Captian Roy Sisk recently completed the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy (Class # 275). The course is a 10-week intensive at the FBI training facility in Quantico, Virginia. Captain Sisk started in January and finished in mid-March. Content included law, behavioral science, forensic science, understanding terrorism and terrorists’ mindsets, leadership development, communication, and wellness. Less than one percent of US law enforcement officers complete this training and Captain Sisk brought what he learned back to Matthews to share with the department.  

News Around Town: Windstream Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries have filed voluntary petitions for financial reorganization under Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection. Operations are expected to continue as normal, and employees will continue to receive their usual pay and benefits. Windstream is one primary internet service provider for Matthews.

One Good Thing: This Sunday support local artists at the McDowell Arts Center (123 East McDowell St.). Students from Eileen Schwartz's art groups, Art for Veterans and The McDowell Group, a special group with talent, will have their work on display and some items will be for sale.