Morning Minute: November 29, 2018

News About Town: No Shave November is coming to a close so it’s time to pick a winner. There are two categories: Beards and Goatees. (Anybody else feel like that’s also probably their after work basketball teams?) Simply go to the Town of Matthews Police department’s Facebook page and decide which is your favorite goatee and which is your favorite beard. “Like” your choices and they’ll tally the results. The winners get a free shave from J.R The Barber.

News Around Town: The Arts and Science Council is taking applications for their Culture Blocks program and Matthews creatives are encouraged to apply. The purpose of Culture Blocks is to connect the community through arts, science, and history experiences. More information is available on the Arts and Science Council website.

One Fun Thing: The U-nique Boutique, 11500-F East Independence Blvd Matthews, is hosting a holiday decorating workshop this Sunday, December 2, at 6:30 PM. Learn tips and tricks on how to decorate a mantle, a buffet, and a lantern. The cost of the workshop is $25. To reserve a spot, please call the store at 704-844-9768.

Morning Minute: November 14, 2018

News About Town: It’s time once again for Coffee with a Commissioner. Head out in the rain and meet three of our Council Members at 10 AM at Brakeman’s Coffee for a chance to chat. Conversation is led by the attendees at these events, so come ready with all the Matthews questions you’ve been wondering about.

News Around Town: If you see a particularly hairy looking male police officer around town don’t worry, nobody’s joining ZZ Top. Thirty two Matthews Police officers are participating in No Shave November. Each officer donated $25 to participate and those funds will be donated to Zero Cancer Foundation, a prostate cancer patient advocacy and public awareness group. Check out the Zero Cancer site to learn more and donate.

One Good Thing: Aside from our obvious obsession with bacon, we at the Beacon also love handmade goods and small businesses. Are you a crafter, baker, candlestick maker? Manicurist or masseuse? Got something that would make a great gift? We have a gift guide for the smallest of businesses at the best of prices: $15! Message us or email Norah about advertising in our Hyperlocal Holiday Gift Guide.

Morning Minute: October 24, 2018

News About Town:  During last night’s council meeting the Board looked at and discussed the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resource Advisory Committee’s recommended annual tourism grants. Recipients are Charlotte City Ballet, Matthews Athletic & Recreation Association, the Matthews Chamber, Matthews Kiwanis Club,  NC Youth Rugby, and Matthews Playhouse.  With half of the Chamber’s request granted, the committee spokesman explained the requested amount for the organization was not granted because the Chamber received funds from the town as a Departmental Operation line item in the fiscal year ‘19 budget. The Board requested reconsideration by the committee on their decision.

News Around Town: Love it or leave it, Nextdoor is tuned into the community at large. They’ve just opened the 2018 Neighborhood Favorites Survey and want to know what members think of area businesses. Categories include, but are not limited to restaurants, nail salons, florists, and auto mechanics, most of which have several Matthews options. Too bad there’s no option for “Matthews-centric Online Newspaper”.

One Fun Thing: Get those obliques working by belly dancing with Nayna tonight and every Wednesday at Rhythm Dance, 120 W Matthews Street in downtown Matthews. Nayna teaches the essentials (including footwork, figure 8s, shimmies, arm and hand movement) in this basics course that’s suitable for all levels.  7:30-8:30 PM, $20 per class or $60 for a four week session.

Morning Minute: October 23, 2018

News About Town:  We all know better than to drink and drive, but may not put it into practice. Last week the Matthews Police Department made five DUI arrests. Following a nationwide trend, DUI arrests are down in Matthews, possibly due to the increasing convenience of Uber and Lyft services and other transit options.

News Around Town:  Fullwood Animal Hospital Spay Neuter Clinic is hosting their annual Feline Spay/Neuter Day tomorrow, Wednesday October 24, 2018. Prices are $65 to neuter (male) and $95 to spay (female). With limited spaces available book ahead 704-545-2235 to secure a spot for your cat. Rabies vaccination must be current and are an additional $12 if needed.

Image courtesy the Town of Matthews

Some Fun Things: Join the Town of Matthews for a “Not-So-Spooky Halloween” at Stumptown Park, Saturday, October 27th, 5:00 PM. to 9:00 PM. Dress in costume if you feel so inclined, there will be trick or treating with area businesses set up throughout the park. Free family-friendly activities include face painting, carriage rides, and all the sweet treats you can imagine For some, the clown entertainment (Curley) will be enjoyable. A showing of the movie “Halloweentown” begins at dusk.

Morning Minute: October 19, 2018

News About Town:  The National Police Bloodhound Association is bringing the real life paw patrol to town Sunday, October 21 through Thursday, October 25. K-9 unit handlers from all over the country will use Matthews as their training grounds for those five days.

News Around Town: All these beautiful old hardwood trees shed a lot of branches and twigs during the last two storms. Republic and the public works department are still working diligently to get everything picked up. They’ve got their a-game on, the Town Manager on stick duty, and the big trucks revved. Wave hi and say thank you as they continue clean-up duty. In the meantime maybe a fire pit and s’mores are in order? You know, for the sake of the community.

Some Fun Things: Don’t forget the Mt Moriah BBQ Fundraiser today and tomorrow, the final performances of The Hundred Dresses, and the special menu at The Bellé Grille for Charlotte Black Restaurant Week.

Matthews Morning Minute: October 9, 2018

News About Town: The Town Council meeting went late, as all council meetings with planning portions do. The council discussed a variety of topics from officially recognizing Community Planning Month to addressing speeds, pedestrian safety, and the crosswalk between Matthews Station Street and Brakeman’s. Joe Padilla, Executive Public Policy Director for REBIC, and Bob Henderson, the lawyer for the Brigmans (who own most of the undeveloped property in the Entertainment District Small Area Plan), politely requested the town defer approval of the Small Area Plan Overlays. The board approved the deferral.

News Around Town: On Monday a vehicle crash on South Trade Street caused a natural gas leak. Matthews Police Department, Matthews Fire and EMS, and Matthews Citizen Volunteers were called to the scene. For a lengthy time South Trade was closed from Country Place Drive to Main Street. Matthews PD rerouted cars to Fullwood Lane and East John Street during the clean up.

One Fun Thing: Kids in Nature Day is back this Saturday, October 13 from 10 AM til 1 PM at Squirrel Lake Park. Join Habitat and Wildlife Keepers, the Town of Matthews, and the NC Wildlife Federation for fishing, STEM activities, learn about animals and enjoy all sorts of nature exploration. Be prepared to have fun and get dirty! Squirrel Lake Park, 1631 Pleasant Plains Road, Matthews, NC.

Morning Minute: October 4, 2018

News Around Town: About 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime and though the odds of men developing breast cancer are less common, it does happen. Early detection through regular checkups is paramount in the fight against breast cancer. This year the Matthews Police Department is doing their part to raise awareness by wearing custom Pink ‘n Blue tee shirts under their uniforms (with permission from the Chief, of course) for October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

If you want to help their efforts, the shirts are also available for the public for purchase (cash only; small to XL $16, XXL are $18) with proceeds going to the Novant Health Mobile Mammography Unit to help fund checkups for women who can not afford them.

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Matthews police will have a pop of color in their uniforms this month to draw attention to the need for early breast cancer screenings. Photos courtesy of the Matthews Police Department.

“Many women who are diagnosed have no known risk factors. Screening mammography, recommended annually starting at age 40, or younger if you are at high risk, is the best tool we have for early detection.”

— Roland Bibeau

News Above Town: In a cruel weather joke, temps will reach 90 today. If you have a good relationship with Autumn will you ask it to please come back to Matthews? We’re looking forward to a looooong visit.

The seasons may be confused but the sky is on point.

News About Town: This week a jury in Rowan County Criminal Superior Court found Gerardo Juarez, a Matthews resident, guilty of four counts of felony trafficking (heroin by possession and transportation) and one count of felony conspiracy to traffic (heroin by possession and transportation). Judge David Hall sentenced Gerardo Juarez to two consecutive sentences (totaling at least 37.5 years) and ordered a mandatory minimum fine of $500,000. Juarez and Darya Sergeyevna Borovskaya, also a Matthews resident, were arrested in an undercover operation in Salisbury in 2017.

One Fun Thing: Join the Matthews Library for Family Storytime today (and every Thursday through the end of the month) at Squirrel Lake Park! One of talented Matthews librarians will be on-hand telling stories, singing songs, and leading activities. Squirrel Lake Park, 1631 Pleasant Plains Rd, Matthews, NC 28105. Meet at shelter A.