2810[high]5: A dog-gone good time

A Barking Boutique: Looking to pamper your pooch? Treat them to a spa day at the Barking Boutique where they offer services ranging from a full groom, mini groom, or nail trim. Once Fido is clean and beautiful, treat them to a delicious snack from the “Barkery Buffet”, with doggie-safe, human-grade decorated treats.

(Image via Facebook)

Bruster’s Ice Cream: We all know the dog days of summer are coming, and our 4-legged friends deserve a break from the heat as well. Bring Fido by Bruster’s Ice Cream for a free doggie sundae, complete with a dog treat on top.

(Image via Brusters.com)

Neighborhood Feed and Tack: Don’t let the name fool you, Neighborhood Feed and Tack is for more than just your barnyard companion. They offer popular and healthy pet food and supplies for your dog, cat, or rabbit. Prefer the company of a more exotic animal? Neighborhood Feed and Tack can order specialty food for your elephant or earth worm.

(Image via Facebook)

Seaboard: With ample outdoor space, you and your well-behaved pupper are always welcome on the massive patio at Seaboard. Ask for a refreshing bowl of water, and you and man’s best friend can both enjoy a cold one.

(Image via Facebook)

VeloPops: Matthew’s newest dessert locale also offers a delicious frozen snack for your puppy pal: PupPops! Made with a rawhide stick, dogs can enjoy their PupPop from end to end.

(Image via Instagram)

Morning Minute: Friday, March 22, 2019

News About Town:  Monday night’s council meeting will see the introduction of a new, especially furry member of Matthews Police Department as the town welcomes a new police canine. The council is also expected to approve retiring police pup Castor’s sale to his human partner, Officer Kevin Osuch, for the sum of $1. Castor has served Matthews for more than seven years and is surely looking forward to a relaxing retirement. They’re good dogs, Matthews.

News Around Town: For the flower lovers (and growers) out there, according to Renfrow Farms we’re smack dab in the middle of peak tulip season. With another week of tulips blooming here in Matthews, this is your chance to get locally grown ones either at the Farmer’s Market or Renfrow Hardware.

One Good Thing: If you like ukulele lady perhaps you’d like to be a ukulele person too? The Music Makers (Kathy and Justin) are starting a 10 week Beginners Ukulele course at the Community Center starting Thursday, March 28. Join the fun, learn some tunes, and strum your way to musical confidence

Bethany Salisbury: Capturing Pets in Paints

Photo of Bethany Salisbury courtesy the artist

“I’m lucky to be able to do [this work]. It’s been my passion since I was a kid. I love animals and I love to paint.”

Bethany Salisbury, 31, of Matthews, knows a thing or two about pets and pet portraits. That would be nearly 900 things to be exact – the number of pet portraits painted by Bethany in the last handful of years.

A commercial artist, illustrator, and designer, Bethany has had much success with her pet portraiture, illustration and traditional paintings. And, while it is “80% dogs,” it’s also cats, rabbits, horses, birds, elephants, goats, a few ferrets, and sometimes people.

The series "Beer Dogs" will soon be on display at Temple Mojo in downtown Matthews. Photo by Cyma Shapiro

Since her mainstay is on social media, and with online orders, her clients come from all over the world (Australia, Africa, Hong Kong, to name a few places) and throughout the country. “I get a lot of repeat customers,” she said. “Many buy these for gifts.”

A childhood spent at art camp and in private art lessons, with minimal TV watching and maximum encouragement to create, combined with a love of animals led her to do just that: create paper dolls, make graphic novels and comic books about dogs.

“I’ve always grown up with animals,” she said.

The series "Beer Dogs" will soon be on display at Temple Mojo in downtown Matthews. Photo by Cyma Shapiro

While she captures the often impassioned and enamored looks of her subjects - “I think dogs are expressive,” she said. “I think it’s kind of second nature (to intuit their) emotions” - she is also not immune to the whiles of animals, herself. Bethany and her husband are the proud owners of one Miniature Long Haired Dachshund, Mochi, and an Australian Cattle Dog named River.

“I’m lucky to be able to do [this work]” said Bethany. “It’s been my passion since I was a kid. I love animals and I love to paint.”

Morning Minute: November 19, 2018

News About Town: The numerous projects along South Trade Street seem never-ending, in part because there have been several different projects which began in a streaming time line. Currently, NCDOT is working on the expansion of S. Trade Street , a project which was expected to be complete in September 2018. First with a few delays and now colder weather, some of the unfinished items cannot be completed until the spring of 2019. Construction should be complete soon after.

The greenway tunnel under the widened portion of South Trade is a separate project. The tunnel construction will begin after the completion of the road widening (spring 2019) and is being managed by Mecklenburg County.

News Around Town: For those who have noticed the name change on the Coveris signs, TC Transcontinental Inc. purchased the company in May of this year. Coveris, 700 Crestdale Rd, a business previously held by Coveris Holdings S.A. (headquartered in Chicago, Illinois) and produced flexible plastic and paper products (think bags, pouches, and rolls of paper or shrink wrap). TC Transcontinental (headquartered in Montreal Canada) is a flexible packaging printer for many different industries from food packaging to battery wraps. The TC Transcontinental facility in Matthews will create the same flexible paper and plastic products as before the purchase.

One Good Thing: If the cost of vaccines for your pets seems prohibitive, Neighborhood Feed is hosting a low cost vaccine clinic this coming Sunday, November 25, from 1:30 until 3 PM. Through The Pet Stop mobile clinic, state-licensed veterinarians will be on-hand to administer single or multiple vaccines for cats and dogs. Get your pet in tip-top shape for the month of partying ahead.

The Precious Pooches of Matthews

Pawsitively Matthews was this past Saturday in Stumptown Park and we were on the scene to get puppy kisses and photos of the precious pooches. Around 40 pet-centric vendors were set up, including Companion Parrots Rehomed and several dog rescues. Matthews Police did a demonstration with their canine unit as well. We’re pawsitive the event was a success.

Daisy is available for adoption.

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