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 22, 2018

News About Town:  News About Town: The Matthews Board of Commissioners meets tonight at 7 PM for their second session this month. Topics to be covered include the design of the North Trade and Matthews Station Street intersection, the plans for the I-485 interchange at Weddington Road, and the formation of the Matthews Committee on Education. Sign up for Public Comment outside the Hood Room prior to the meeting if you wish to speak on any town issue

Photo by Norah Burke

News Around Town: Looks like things are getting spooky in Matthews! There are lots of events to get you in the Halloween spirit this week, including a Costume and Candy Crawl on Thursday at the Matthews Township Shopping Center (formerly Matthews Festival, 1811 Matthews Township Parkway). The event is free for children 12 and under. There will be face painting, balloon artists, a costume contest, and – of course – candy. The event runs from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Image courtesy Matthews Township Shopping Center

One Fun Thing: Weird holiday alert! October 22 is National Eat a Pretzel Day, International Caps Lock Day, National Color Day, and National Nut Day! CELEBRATE THEM ALL BY EATING A MULTICOLORED PEANUT BUTTER PRETZEL.

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.

Morning Minute: October 18, 2018

News About Town: The Matthews Police have been working hard to keep our town safe. This past Tuesday Vice and Narcotics Detectives saw a drug deal occur outside a house on Newburg Lane. After the buyer left, officers pulled him over, found heroin then later returned to search the Newburg Lane home. Two men were arrested and charged with possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

News Around Town: The Bellé Grille, 3022 Weddington Rd. Suite 100, is one of 17 restaurants participating in Charlotte Black Restaurant Week. The week-long celebration aims to bring new patrons and greater exposure to area black-owned restaurants. At the Bellé Grille, you can choose from entrees like fried chicken and red velvet waffles, the Belly Buster burger, or smoked turkey ribs among other options. Enjoy meals priced at $10 or $20 or $50 for two meals now through Sunday, October 21.

One Important Thing: Before you vote, get to know the six constitutional amendments on the ballot this year. When you get to the polls you’ll have chance to vote for or against each of the amendments. Many groups have weighed in on the amendments, including the National Association of Social Workers,  NC Center for Nonprofits, and NC Realtors.

Morning Minute: October 17, 2018

News About Town: Thanks to Hurricane Michael (and Florence before) Republic Services is still behind with yard waste pick-up. Please be patient as they catch up with the overwhelming amount of compostables they’re collecting. Once again Public Works will assist in the collection. Make sure you follow the rules for easy collection: Leaves and grass clippings must be bagged in clear bags (tied) or other bags (left open) so the driver can see the contents. Branches and limbs smaller than five-inches diameter must be cut into lengths shorter than four feet and stacked in small piles. Please don’t leave yard debris in the gutter or street.

News Around Town: Mattress Firm, the largest specialty mattress retailer in the US, filed for bankruptcy protection last week and announced it is closing 700 stores nationwide. The retailer will close over 200 stores immediately, including two stores in Matthews. The company wasted no time and began moving product out of stores over the weekend. Two stores in Matthews will close: one near Harris Teeter (1834 Matthews Township Parkway) and another beside the now-vacant HH Gregg Store in the Windsor Square shopping center (9901 E. Independence Boulevard).

Photo courtesy Carolina Shows

One Good (and Fun) Thing: Matthews-based Carolina Shows produces Christmas Made in the South every October. In conjunction with our interview, they’ve offered 2 pairs of tickets for a giveaway for our readers! Want to enter? Comment below or on our Facebook post. We’ll draw a winner Thursday!

Morning Minute: October 16, 2018

News About Town: As Halloween approaches faster than you can say “boo”, it’s time to think about carving gourds into all manner of faces. (Pumpkins seem way easier to carve than beets or turnips.) The Town of Matthews wants to see what you make. Enter your creation in the Town’s Pumpkin Contest by dropping off your carved, painted, or decorated Jack O’ Lantern in the Park and Rec office behind the Free Clinic, 196-B S. Trade St., on Oct. 25 or 26. Entries will be separated into two age groups (16 and under, 17 and up) for judging. Winners will receive season tickets to Carowinds.

News Around Town: Early voting begins Wednesday! Stop in at the Matthews library and cast your ballot for the 2018 elections. Polls are open from 7:00am to 7:00pm on Wednesday, with additional schedule information available here. Not registered? No problem! North Carolina offers “One Stop” early voting where citizens can register and vote at the same time. You’ll need proof of residence (find a list of acceptable documents here). Post your “I Voted” selfies on our Facebook page!

One Good (and Fun) Thing: The Matthews Library needs your help for programming! Though they have a wide variety of classes on the schedule they’re looking for new and exciting classes to add. Have a mastery of Dungeons & Dragons? Want to explore the wonders of vermiculture? They want to know what you want to learn! Email Stephanie Lucas with your ideas.

Matthews Morning Minute: October 15, 2018

News About Town: The Crews Road Rec Center floor has been refinished and is ready for play. Lingefelt Flooring sanded, sealed, striped, and polyurethaned the floor to a shiny new finish. The lengthy process started in August and is now cured and ready for open gym.

Photo courtesy of Zac Lingefelt, Lingefelt Flooring.

News Around Town: The McKee Road Extension Public Meeting is this evening. From 4 until 7 PM NCDOT will be on-hand at Pleasant Plains Baptist Church Family Life Center (3316 Pleasant Plains Road) to answer questions and provide preliminary information about the segment of McKee that will connect Pleasant Plains Road to East John Street.

Comments will be received at tonight’s meeting. If you prefer a direct contact, email NCDOT Division Project Team Lead Sean Epperson or call 704-983-4400. You may also submit comments in writing to 716 W. Main Street, Albemarle, N.C., 28001. Submit comments prior to October 29, 2018.

Matthews Morning Minute: October 12, 2018

News About Town: The rain in Matthews stays mainly in the drain…or sometimes not. If you can, please make sure the storm drains near you are clear of debris. Make sure yard waste bags are off the curb so water can flow freely. Republic Services didn’t collect trash or recycling yesterday, so they will operate on on a one-day delay. Public Works will continue to aid Republic with yard waste collection.

Photo by Norah Burke

News Around Town: School is out for the second day in a row and now we’re all secretly hoping it doesn’t snow this year.

Lots of Good Things: There are a lot of activities this weekend, so let’s recap, shall we?

Butler High School Softball Team Yard Sale: Proceeds will benefit Make A Wish Foundation and the school softball program. Cash-only. Saturday, October 13, 9 AM til 1 PM, 2308 Heathershire Lane, Matthews .

Fire Department Recruiting Fair and New Truck Wet Down:  236 Trade Street, Matthews. Saturday, October 13th, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM. The department will “wet down” their new truck as a way to kick off its service. Also tour the station, see the gear they use up close, gain hands-on experience, and learn about becoming a Volunteer Firefighter, Emergency Medical Technician, Fire Corp member, or Explorer.

Kids in Nature Day sponsored by HAWK: Saturday, October 13 from 10 AM til 1 PM at Squirrel Lake Park, 1631 Pleasant Plains Road, Matthews, NC. 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.

Matthews Animal Clinic 50th Anniversary: Saturday, October 13 from 2:00-5:00 PM. 10600 Monroe Road, Matthews. They’ll have food, fun games, giveaways, and hospital tours. 

Morning Minute: October 11, 2018

News About Town: Matthews Police are asking residents to re-familiarize themselves with flash flood safety. Do not drive through flooded areas. We’ve already gotten a fair amount of rain and will receive more. The saturated ground in combination with wind from Hurricane Michael may make for a tricky driving conditions. Please allow ample driving times and expect delays. If you come to an intersection without power to the traffic lights, please treat it as a four-way stop. NCDOT has tips on their website (including everyone’s favorite song). Follow Matthews Police and Fire/EMS for updates on local conditions.

News Around Town: Matthews Animal Clinic is celebrating their 50 Year Anniversary this year. What started out as a mixed animal care clinic (farm, equine, and family pets) by Dr. Allen Cleveland, Matthews Animal Clinic opened when Matthews was still very much a small town. . Now the clinic employs 10 veterinarians and a staff of over 50 employees.

One Good Thing: If you didn’t make it out to the talent show last night, there’s another way to support the students this weekend. Butler High School Softball Team is having a yard sale this Saturday. Proceeds will benefit Make A Wish Foundation and the school softball program. The cash-only sale will have loads of the usual yard sale goodies and you just might find the perfect Halloween costume! Saturday, October 13, 9 AM til 1 PM, 2308 Heathershire Lane, Matthews .

Matthews Morning Minute: October 10, 2018

News About Town: At Monday’s council meeting, Mayor Paul Bailey opened discussion about excessive speeding and pedestrian safety in downtown Matthews. The board brainstormed ideas for deterring speeders - including the addition of traffic furniture, new, higher visibility crosswalks, and increased police presence. So if you’re traveling down Trade or John, heads up! The speed limit is 25 so slow down, enjoy our town! Help keep our town pedestrian friendly.

News Around Town: The Matthews Elementary Boosterthon has been postponed for two days, but don’t fret, hump day can still be fun. For a mere $5 you might discover the next big star to come out of Matthews! The Butler High School Talent Show is tonight in the school auditorium, starting at 7 PM. 1810 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Matthews.

Photo by Norah Burke

One Good Thing: IT’S GIVEAWAY TIME!! Mount Moriah Church is having their fundraiser/BBQ next weekend (the 19th and 20th) and we’re excited to support our friends in the community.

Two winners!! We’ve purchased 2 dinners for 2 to giveaway to our readers! Comment on our Facebook post: what’s your favorite way to enjoy BBQ...chicken? Pork? Are you Team Tomato Sauce or Team Vinegar? We wanna know.

Entries close Friday at midnight. We’ll notify winners early next 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 8, 2018

News About Town: The Board of Commissioners will meet at 5:30 with Glenn Harbeck, Community Planning Director for Wilmington, NC, for a special meeting to discuss the draft vision statement for the Town. The draft vision statement is a summary of the Desired Future and Unwanted Future residents listed at the Vision for Matthews community discussion this past April. This document will be an update to the 2005 Our Vision, Our Town document. After the 5:30 meeting is the regular Town Council meeting at 7:00 PM. As usual, if you’d like to speak about general issues at the Council meeting you must sign up on the sheet outside the Hood Room doors prior to the meeting starting.

If it’s going to be stormy like the current prediction, just stare at these perennial sunflowers in that brilliant sky.

News Above Town: The Weather Channel says storms, but not until the kids are getting out of school. Temperatures will get up to 82 and things look likely to be overcast.

News Around Town: I know it feels too early to think about the holidays, but November 3 the Charlotte City Ballet will perform Prelude to the Holidays at the Matthews Community Center, 100 East McDowell Street, Matthews. They’ll have two performances, 1 and 4 PM, on November 3. After each performance, they’ll have cupcakes and a meet and greet with the dancers. Take our word for it, get your tickets now. They’re also posting updates as they practice and prepare, so follow them on Instagram @charlottecityballet #charlottecityballet.

One Good Thing: Have a-hankerin’ for some smoked hog? If you have kids, Monday evening is the perfect time to dine at Moe’s, 111 Matthews Station Street. When you dine in on Monday after 4 PM, kids eat free. If you’re not in the mood for pork, Moe’s Monday special is a blackened salmon sandwich. Consider dinner taken care of.

Morning Minute: October 5, 2018

News Around Town: The agenda is online for Monday’s Board of Commissioner’s meeting. The applicant for the rezoning of 269 South Trade Street, a project which has made recent news, has asked for deferral until November 12. If the Board denies the deferral they will vote whether to rezone the property. The board will vote on whether to approve the overlay of the 3 small area plans.

News Above Town: The Weather Channel has been pretty accurate this week, at least temperature-wise. They do keep saying cloudy skies and I keep seeing gorgeous Carolina blues dotted with happy clouds. Hopefully pretty skies again tomorrow, but temps will still be in the low 90s.

News About Town: The Hundred Dresses opens at Matthews Playhouse next week. Based on the Newbery Honor-winning book of the same name, The Hundred Dresses tells a tale of Wanda Petronski, a girl who has one faded blue dress but claims to have a hundred dresses at home. Wanda is mocked by her classmates until her father pulls her from school. This story of bullying is timely for Bullying Prevention Month, and the Playhouse is sure to do an outstanding job. Tickets sell quickly for Playhouse productions and this play will be no different.

One Fun Thing: We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again: you don’t want to miss COS Kids’ Blues & BBQ tonight. Tickets are $35 per person and include food and beverages as well as live music. The best part is that the event funds a child care program for limited- income single parents. (Bonus points if you recognize Norah and introduce yourself!)

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.