Morning Minute: Friday, December 21, 2018

News About Town: The Board of Commissioners typically holds council meetings on the second and fourth Mondays of every month. Since the second meeting for this month would fall on Christmas Eve, the Board voted on October 22 to cancel the meeting.

News Around Town: College football’s Early Signing Period runs from December 19 kicked off the Early Signing Period for college football (it runs through December 21). Here in Matthews, Keyon Lesane signed with NC State (go Pack!!). The commitment was no surprise, Lesane verbally committed several months ago, but during his junior year, the Butler student had ten different colleges making offers. Also during Early Signing, Andrew Tuazama of Jireh Prep signed to Syracuse.

One Fun Thing: The Poperazzi is coming to town! Though many of us are still waiting for Santa, we should also prepare for post-2018 fun. Poperazzi, a Las Vegas trio, bring the song and showmanship of the Vegas Strip to Matthews. They’re performing two shows (Saturday, December 29 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 30 at 3:00 p.m.) in the Fullwood Theater at the Matthews Community Center. General Admission tickets are $15 and are available here for Saturday and here for Sunday.

Matthews Morning Minute: September 6, 2018

News About Town: The Cottage Greenway Project goes before the Board of Adjustment next Thursday (Sepember 13). Town Public Works department has recommended construction of a private road for the subdivision. According to the Town’s Unified Development Ordinance, all streets must be dedicated public. The quasi-judicial Board of Adjustment must determine several findings before approving or denying the request for variance.

News Above Town: The Weather Channel says we’re heading back to the 90s, but don’t start singing Pearl Jam yet. The evenings take us back to the low 70s.

News Around Town: It’s time for the September First Thursday Matthews Crawl. Check out the vendors on the green in front of town hall, then hit up Moe’s BBQ for a Thanksgiving Sandwich or $1.25 ribs.

One Fun Thing: The monarchs are here! Monarchs migrate in the spring and again in the fall. It’s not quite fall, but a few have been spotted around town on their way to Mexico. How’d they know Matthews is a pit stop on the Butterfly Highway?

Matthews Morning Minute: September 5, 2018

News About Town: Just on the heels of the John Street widening project, NCDOT unveiled their plans to widen Highway 51 between Sardis Road and John Street. This is the first phase of a widening plan that will extend to Mint Hill. NCDOT’s goal is to improve traffic flow with the most current designs, including a continuous flow intersection. Neighbors through the corridor are left with uncertainty about their homes.

News Above Town:  The Weather Channel shows highs in the upper 80s and lows around 70. Don’t turn off the AC yet.

News Around Town: Baked Well’s made-from-scratch Cookies for Claire satisfy your sweet tooth and your desire to do good deeds. Fifty percent of each cookie sale goes to Claire’s Army, a non-profit that supports families fighting childhood cancer and your desire to do good deeds. (Image from Baked Well’s Facebook page)

Open Tuesday thru Sunday, 7 AM - 2 PM; 10915 Monroe Rd. Suite D, Matthews

One Fun Thing:  Head out to the Sportsplex for an international match as Charlotte Independence hosts six-time Liga MX champions, Club Santos Laguna.

Wednesday, September 5, 2018; 7:30 PM until; 2425 Sports Parkway, Matthews;  $30+.

Welcome to the Beacon!

Norah Burke, Co-Founder and Business Manager

Six months ago we sat down and talked about our experiences in Matthews. After Norah's campaign for Town Council last year and Renee's foray into community activism, we knew there was a need for better communication. We decided to launch The Matthews Beacon as an online "paper" with contributing Matthews writers and photographers and a Matthews-specific focus. Why so hyper-local? There is a specific brand of pride that goes with living in Matthews. It's not just another suburb, and we're not the cookie cutter suburbanites of the '50s. Matthews is a diverse town with a rich history, one locals work diligently to maintain amidst modern pressure for growth and development.

We asked ourselves: "What is Matthews' identity?" Is it the agrarian history, the meandering neighborhoods, could it even be the traffic? How has Matthews remained

“We asked ourselves, “What is Matthews’ identity?” How has Matthews remained Matthews, snuggled right up against the largest city in North Carolina? Most importantly, where can you find the amazing stories and individual voices of the people who make up the Matthews community?”

Matthews, snuggled right up against the largest city in North Carolina?  What is the structure of our town government and how can we share what we've learned about the complexities that keep things running? Where can you go for in depth, unbiased information about local issues? Most importantly, where can you find the amazing stories and individual voices of the people who make up the Matthews community?

We'll publish unique posts daily.  Expect to start the day with a few small bites about what's going on in our Matthews Morning Minute series. Throughout the day we'll publish short segments, pieces that will introduce you to your neighbors. We'll present feature stories and town news, cover local events, and provide an examination of important issues of Matthews in one central place.

Between Norah's experience in business management and Renee's creative talent and 10+ years of blogging for self-promotion, we hope to provide an interesting, quality alternative newspaper focusing solely on Matthews.

A Peek into the Chamber's Auto Reunion & Motorcycle Show

Look for Mint Hill resident George Haynie, and his 1965 Chevy Pickup, "Tweedy Bird," in place in the no-parking zone at the roundabout in front of Matthews Public Library this Saturday.

Winner of the 2016 Best In Show Award at the Matthews Auto Reunion and Motorcycle Show, you'll find him and dozens of other competitors showing off their antique automobiles during the 28th Annual Matthews Chamber of Commerce Auto Reunion & Motorcycle Show on Monday, September 3rd 2018 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm