Morning Minute: Monday, November 30, 2020

News About Town: The Board of Commissioners will meet tonight to discuss possible revisions to COVID restrictions in establishments in Matthews. The discussion is prompted by dramatic increases in COVID-positive cases (10,000 more cases in the last 2 ½ weeks) in Mecklenburg County with a prediction of exponential growth. The Governor’s Order sets the minimum restrictions and enforcement, and at a recent COVID-19 Policy Group meeting, the County Manager and Health Director proposed more restrictive standards; the Board will discuss these suggestions.

The meeting agenda is available online. Once again, the meeting will be conducted remotely. To watch live, the meeting is available via Zoom (link here, meeting starts at 7 pm, Monday, November 30). A livestream of the meeting will also be available via the Town of Matthews YouTube Channel. To listen live, call toll free 888-788-0099 and enter meeting ID 926 2337 2645. For more information, visit the town website.

News Around Town: In September, the NCGA provided COVID-relief grants of $335 for North Carolina families with Children. If a family filed taxes last year and met the requirements, they should have received a check. If a household did not file taxes, such as those who make less than $20,000 annually, they may be unaware of the need to apply to receive these funds. Charlotte law firm Robinson Bradshaw filed a complaint and won to reopen and extend the application period through December 7. Apply online.

Don’t Forget! Sponsor a teacher at COS Kids to show how much we appreciate their dedication to children during the pandemic. Sign up to sponsor a teacher for the week or donate gift cards to grocery stores, Target, or WalMart . Every donation will brighten the season for these essential care givers.

Morning Minute: Wednesday, November 25, 2020

News About Town: The Town of Matthews Parks and Rec Department has a new, two-part music class for little ones taught by Ms. Kathy of the Music Makers. The classroom is a pressure- and judgement-free zone where kids can participate in holiday sing-a-longs, movement and dancing, instrument playing, puppets and visuals, and holiday musical games. This class is geared towards children ages 2-5 and is on Thursdays, December 3 and 10 at 11 am, or December 4 and 11 at 11 am. Pre-registration is required and space is limited.

Image via the Town of Matthews Parks, Rec, and Cultural Resource Department

News Around Town: The LEGO Truck is coming to Matthews this Friday, November 27. Find the vending machine style truck at Matthews Reserve (1315 Cameron Matthews Dr., Matthews, NC 28105) from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. The special vending machine-style truck offers a COVID-friendly way to deliver free minibuild sets (one for you and a friend!), share demos of different builds, and get a sneak peek of exclusive sets at LEGO retail stores. There will be photo opps and more, and for each LEGO ornament built and posted to social media, The LEGO Group will donate a full-sized kit to a child in need of play—helping 1,000,000 children.

One Good Thing: Show a caregiver appreciation by sponsoring a COS Kids teacher this holiday season. The teachers as COS Kids have been present throughout the pandemic, ensuring clean and safe facilities for the children of first responders, essential workers, and families who can’t work from home. Sign up to sponsor a teacher for the week or donate gift cards . Any action will show appreciation and be appreciated!

Morning Minute: Tuesday, November 24, 2020

We’re interrupting our regular news for a special project.

In the spring, the Beacon collected donations for the Matthews HELP Center. Now that it's the holiday season, we're sponsoring a Teacher Appreciation Week at C.O.S.Kids! 

The staff at C.O.S. Kids have been giving it their all throughout the pandemic. In fact, when schools made the decision to go all virtual, Sue Sproat, the Director for the child care facility, was the person to organize the community to make sure children weren't slipping through the cracks.

I was chatting with Sue about how we can show our appreciation. They have 50 staff members, so this will be a big effort, but Matthews has a huge heart and I know we can do it! 

From Sue, "The wonderful staff at C.O.S.Kids has persevered through all the upheaval this year to nurture children and provide developmental, social and emotional support when it was needed the most. We have been open throughout the pandemic, from caring for the children of essential workers at the beginning of the shelter-at-home orders, to expanding our services to include the remote learning for our school agers.  They have taken on all the challenges we have asked of them.  Safety precautions keep them segregated to their classrooms and unable to congregate or share their day with their co-workers.  This can feel very isolating and lonely.  We would love to show them our respect and appreciation for the difficult and crucially important job they do!”

Via Unsplash user @Superkitina

We will collect items on December 11 and 12 for surprises the week of the 13th. (If you'd like to be a collection site, let us know!) Sign up here. 

Monday: "Warm a heart"- send in card or note letting your teacher know just how thankful we are for all that they do for the children of our community, "shower your teacher with flowers"- You can either bring in flowers, draw/make flowers, bring a houseplant.

Tuesday: $20 gift card for groceries. 

Wednesday: "Safety first" Reusable cloth masks (even better if it’s holiday/winter-themed) and hand sanitizer--spend $10 or less

Thursday: “Self Care day"- bring items for pampering self care--bath bombs, luxurious soap or lotion, a pair of cute, warm socks or gloves. Get creative, have fun! $10 or less

Friday: $20 Gift Card for a little bit of shopping. Amazon, Walmart, Target are suggestions

Have questions? Would you like to provide gifts for one day rather than all five? Every bit helps!

Justice - A cinquain by Lorraine Stark

Justice

Justice

a delicate

balance tipped by lies will

reconstruct itself when the truth’s

spoken

By Lorraine Stark

Image via Unsplash @tingeyinjurylawfirm

Morning Minute: Friday, November 20, 2020

News About Town: If you work the late shift, be aware of upcoming road closures for East John Street under the I-485 bridge. The road was closed last night (Thursday, November 19) and will be closed again tonight between the hours of 11:00 pm and 5:00 am as part of the I-485 widening project. Interstate access ramps will remain open, but the portion of the road under the bridge will be closed, blocking through traffic. To avoid the closure, use Independence Blvd as an alternate route.

One Fun Thing: The Matthews Playhouse is bringing reality TV to Matthews. Join the Playhouse and host Chris Melton for The Masked Singer (Junior!) tonight (Friday, November 20) at 7:30 pm. The Playhouse will stream the event, and three finalists, from a pool of more than twenty contestants, will compete to be the Masked Singer!

Watch on Facebook Live or the Playhouse YouTube Channel then vote for your favorite singer during the livestream. Each vote is a pledge for a $5 donation, and a portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to Common Heart, an area non-profit that fosters volunteer community action to address specific issues of hunger and poverty located in Indian Trail NC.

Morning Minute: Thursday, November 19, 2020

News About Town: The November 23 Board of Commissioners meeting agenda is available online. To watch live, the meeting is available via Zoom (link here, the meeting starts at 7 pm, Monday, November 23). A livestream of the meeting will also be available via the Town of Matthews YouTube Channel. To listen live, call toll free 888-788-0099 and enter meeting ID 979 5617 4700. For more information, including the process for public comment, visit the town website.

Interesting items include pursuing private partnerships to fund town goals such as a future dog park at Purser-Hulsey Park. Several transportation items are on the agenda, such as an interesting maneuver required to enter Fullwood Station, an update of the Mobility and Parking Plan, and amendments to the Comprehensive Transportation Plan.

News Around Town: When all other holiday plans have gone awry, gingerbread houses stand true. Have no fear, the Matthews Chamber of Commerce is still hosting their annual Gingerbread House Contest. Drop off your entry at the Chamber (210 Matthews Station Street) anytime between December 1 to December 4 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm for judging on on Saturday, December 5 at 12 pm. The earlier the drop off the better, space is limited and this is an increasingly popular holiday tradition. Houses will be on display at the Matthews Welcome Center (the Chamber HQ) from Dec 5 to 30 (10 am to 4 pm weekdays and Saturdays) for the public to view, free of charge.

Morning Minute: Wednesday, November 18, 2020

News About Town: Just because there’s a pandemic doesn’t mean Santa time is canceled. Matthews Parks and Rec has socially-distanced appointments available for Photos with Santa, but time slots are limited (Santa’s a busy guy) and registration is required.

Other annual Town holiday events look a lot different this year; there’s no big tree lighting, and the Nutcracker ballet wasn’t possible. Channel your inner-Liberace, grab all the decorations from the attic, a staple gun (don’t quote us on that—check your DIY best practices manual), and outdoor lights. Rev up the generator, stock up on seasonally appropriate inflatables, and deck your house for the holidays...you may just win a prize. Ready, set, Griswold!

Image via the Town of Matthews

News Around Town: The Mecklenburg County FY2022 Resident Budget Priority Survey is now open (through December 23). This survey is a chance for residents to participate in the budget process and to prioritize dollars allocated toward education, affordable housing, recreation, and the environment. While you’re at it, try out the Budget Simulator, a hands on way to see the complexities of creating a balanced budget. Check out the survey online, request a paper copy at area libraries, or text the word “budget” to 1-833-686-1234 to receive and complete the survey via smartphones.

Tyleen’s Tasty Food presents Keto Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Just in time for dessert season, Tyleen has the recipe to fill all your pumpkin spice cravings on a Keto diet. Dig in and enjoy without the sugar crash of Thanksgivings past.

Keto Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

From Tyleen’s Tasty Food

This recipe includes 3 layers- the crust, a pumpkin filling, and a cheesecake swirl, meeting all your dessert desires in one serving.

Crust Ingredients:

• 2 eggs

• 7 tbsp butter

• 3⁄4 cup coconut flour

• 1⁄4 cup Monkfruit brown sugar sweetener

• 2 tsp of vanilla

Method of Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Combine all ingredients in a food processor until a dough forms.

Spread dough on a greased 9x13 pan and bake for 5-7 minutes.

Cheesecake Filling Ingredients:

• 8oz cream cheese°

• 1⁄4 cup sour cream

• 2 large eggs

• 1 Tbsp vanilla (I love vanilla so I used a Tbsp, you can use less)

• 1⁄4 cup Monkfruit sweetener

Method of Preparation:

Mix ingredients together in a food processor until smooth.

Add the cheesecake layer on top of the cooked crust and bake at 350°F for 8 minutes. Remove from

oven and let cool for 5 minutes.

Pumpkin Filling Ingredients:

• 2 eggs

• 1 cup milk or heavy cream (depending your on calorie needs)

• 1-2 cups cooked pumpkin (approx. 1 small pumpkin roasted or you can used canned)

• 1⁄4 cup Monkfruit brown sugar sweetener

• 1 tsp of cinnamon*

• 1⁄2 tsp salt*

• 1⁄2 tsp of ginger*

• 1⁄4 tsp of ground clove*

  *Or you can use pumpkin pie spice

• 1 tsp of vanilla (again here you can use more)

Method of Preparation:

Add the pumpkin layer on top of the cooled cheesecake and bake an additional 45-55 minutes at 350°F.

Remove from the oven and let cool completely before you enjoy- unless you are the kind of person that

likes hot cheesecake, in that case, dig right in!

Morning Minute: Tuesday, November 17, 2020

News About Town: The Silver Line Task Force has wrapped up a ten-meeting review of the future light rail in Matthews, concluding their activities with a general consensus for where the tracks should go in Matthews. Task Force Chair Bill Stevens presented the Silver Line Alignment Recommendation to the Board of Commissioners on November 9. Last night Andy Mock, the CATS project manager for the Silver Line, presented the scorecards from the Task Force. These cards give an overview of important aspects in the decision-making process, providing insight into the priorities of decision making for the Task Force. The Board will participate in a series of presentations, tours, and opportunities for public input over the next 5 months, and will vote to approve a preferred alignment in March of 2021.

Image via Unsplash photographer @markolson

News Around Town: Your Mom’s Donuts is dishing out Thanksgiving flavors this week via DaFCD (Donuts as Flavor Carrier Device). Try out the Sweet Potato Casserole (count it as a vegetable), Chocolate Pecan Pie, or the can’t-go-wrong Pumpkin Pie. Feeling more adventurous? Try the Cranberry Goat Cheese with Sage Sugar donut.

Thanksgiving Feasts? No Sweat! Meals Made in Matthews

Image via Unsplash photographer @priscilladupreez

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and if you’re knee-deep in safety precautions, let the local restaurants do the heavy (food) lifting.

• Fullwood Market has holiday dessert offerings in single servings from the pastry case. Might as well get one of each so you can do a dessert taste-test before fully committing.

• Mac’s Speed Shop offers whole, slow-smoked turkeys and sides. Mac’s needs 48 hours to prepare. They’re also giving away a full Thanksgiving dinner to a family in need. Know someone who would truly be thankful for a feast this year? Nominate them here.

• Mario’s Italian Restaurant offers fully cooked boxed meals for two for $35. Call to to schedule your pickup or delivery time for Tuesday the 24th or Wednesday the 25th. Orders must be placed by Monday the 23rd at 10 PM.

• Moe’s has a similar option to Mac’s—a whole, smoked turkey with citrus cranberry sauce for $50. Sides are also available. Don’t need a whole bird? Get a family pack for $55, which includes two pounds of turkey breast meat, three sides, and cornbread. Orders must be placed by November 23.

• Santé has a full Thanksgiving menu to go. Order online; be sure to add an appetizer and a bottle of wine for one stop shopping.

Who did we miss? Know a Matthews business serving up Thanksgiving delights? Send us a note and we’ll add them to the list.

Morning Minute: Monday, November 16, 2020

News About Town: The Matthews HELP Center elves are busy organizing the 2020 Matthews Gives Back Holiday Toy Drive and they need your help. Donate new, unwrapped toys for children 1-12 and gift cards for teens 13-18. This year, give from a distance by shopping the HELP Center’s Amazon wish list (using Amazon Smiles is even better). The deadline to donate is Dec. 12th.
If you or someone you know needs support this holiday giving season, apply online (before December 11) through the HELP Center. Gifts will be distributed to registered clients mid-December.
Matthews Gives Back is sponsored by the Town of Matthews, Matthews HELP Center, Matthews United Methodist Church, and other local nonprofits.

News Around Town: Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and if you’re knee-deep in safety precautions, let the local restaurants do the heavy (food) lifting.

• Fullwood Market has holiday dessert offerings in single servings from the pastry case. Might as well get one of each so you can do a dessert taste-test before fully committing.

• Mac’s Speed Shop offers whole, slow-smoked turkeys and sides. Mac’s needs 48 hours to prepare. They’re also giving away a full Thanksgiving dinner to a family in need. Know someone who would truly be thankful for a feast this year? Nominate them here.

• Moe’s has a similar option to Mac’s—a whole, smoked turkey with citrus cranberry sauce for $50. Sides are also available. Don’t need a whole bird? Get a family pack for $55, which includes two pounds of turkey breast meat, three sides, and cornbread. Orders must be placed by November 23.

• Santé has a full Thanksgiving menu to go. Order online; be sure to add an appetizer and a bottle of wine for one stop shopping.

Who did we miss? Know a Matthews business serving up Thanksgiving delights? Send us a note and we’ll add them to the list.

Morning Minute: Friday, November 13, 2020

News About Town: On Monday, November 16, the Board of Commissioners will meet via Zoom to discuss the LYNX Silver Line. CATS Silver Line Project Manager Andy Mock will present the CATS scorecard to the Board, which was presented to the Silver Line Task Force in October. To call in using iPhone one-tap, call US: +16465588656,,95412263467# or +13017158592,,95412263467# or call toll free 888 788 0099.

(Huge thanks to Dimple Desai for the Veterans Day Celebration pic!)

News Around Town: On Wednesday, Novant Hospital announced the organization is raising their minimum wage to $15 an hour. According to a 2019 Fact Sheet, the Winston Salem-based medical provider employs more than 1,600 physicians and over 29,000 employees at over 640 locations. Throughout the system, this raise benefits more than 2,000 team members and will be effective January 2021. The Matthews location employs approximately 1,000 total salaried and hourly staff.

One Good Thing: Pick up a gun lock from Matthews PD (1201 Crews Road) tomorrow, November 14, from 10 am to 1 pm. Locally organized by Captain McGuirt as part of Project ChildSafe, Cops With Locks provides free gun locks and teaches safe and responsible gun ownership. Other departments participating are the Pineville PD, Mint Hill PD and Stallings PD.

Baby Boomers - A poem by Lorraine Stark

Baby Boomers

Baby boomers
Wore bloomers
Plain old boxer shorts
T.V. trays
Frozen dinners
Bay of Pigs
Khrushchev’s blast
John & Robert Kennedy
Martin Luther King
Hear the Beatle’s sing
Give peace a chance.

Man on the moon
Woodstock
Marijuana, LSD
Make love not war
Hell no we won’t go
Vietnam’s useless war
Agent Orange
Raid bug strips.

The pill
Roe verses Wade
Feminist movement
Bras burning
Lesbian and gay rights
Chicago riots
Aids and HIV epidemic
Poodle skirts
Bell bottoms
Play-doh, Jackie O
In schoolyards
Voices singing
Acapella.

Greenwich Village
The Village Gate
On Broadway
“HAIR”
Harry Krishna
GTO’s the Bug
Circus Boy, Lassie
Ed Sullivan,
The Twilight Zone,
The Million Dollar Movie
Chock full o’Nuts
That heavenly coffee.

Brill crème and Dippity Doo
The scent of Ambush
And Canoe
Doe eyes
Twiggy Lashes
Tip toe through the tulips
Archie Bunker
Toilets flushing
Maude and the Golden Girls
Cheesecake is the answer
Mr. Rogers, Miss Piggy
The Muppets
Captain Kangaroo
Lucy and Ricky too.

Under desks hiding
Awaiting the sound of
Siren’s all clear
Boy I’m grateful
To have lived through
All of this
And to remember in my
Middle bliss
Make Love not war.

By Lorraine Stark

Photo via Unsplash photographer @clemono

Morning Minute: Wednesday, November 11, 2020

News About Town: During the regular Board of Commissioners meeting this past Monday, the Board voted to allow Lat Purser & Associates to withdraw their application for rezoning on the property at Weddington and Trade Street. Typically rezoning requests are accepted or denied. Withdrawing allows the same property to come before the board within a year, whereas a denial would prohibit another rezoning application for that one-year time period.

News Around Town: Veterans Day offers abound around Matthews. Offers vary and service members should have a valid Military ID, Military Dependent ID, or form of Veteran ID to receive these offers. We’ve sourced this info from the Veterans Affairs office and local websites, but please double check availability before visiting.

Academy Sports – Academy is offering 10% off to veterans and first responders for Veterans Day.

Backporch Treasures at Matthews HELP Center – Offering 10% off purchases throughout the month of November to veterans, military, and their families.

Bed, Bath, & Beyond – On Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, veterans, active duty military, and spouses will receive 25% off in-store purchases.

Bonefish Grill offers veterans, active duty military and immediate family members receive 10% off their check year-round.

Chicken Salad Chick – To show their appreciation, all veterans and active military will receive a free Chick Special and drink. Valid at all locations on November 11, 2020 for service members in uniform or those with a valid military ID or DD214

CiCis Pizza – To show gratitude and support for the men and women who dedicate their lives to our country, Cicis is offering a FREE Adult Buffet to all veterans and active-duty military personnel on Wednesday, November 11, 2020.

Cracker Barrel – On Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, Cracker Barrel will offer all U.S. military veterans a complimentary slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola® Cake when dining at any Cracker Barrel location nationwide.

Dunkin’ – On Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, veterans and active duty military will receive a free donut of their choice, no purchase necessary, at participating locations.

Golden Corral – Active and former military members who have served in the US Military can pick up a promotional card during the month of November, redeemable for a FREE thank you meal. Promotional cards can be redeemed through May 31, 2020.

Home Depot - The Home Depot offers a 10% military discount on in-store purchases on select items on Veterans Day. All veterans are eligible and must provide a DoD-issued ID, a DD214 or a Veterans Driver’s License.

IHOP – Veterans and Active/Reserve service members can receive a free Red, White, and Blue pancake stack or breakfast made-to-order at IHOP on Wednesday, November 11; offer is good till 7 p.m.

Krispy Kreme – Veterans and active duty service members receive a free donut and small coffee on November 11.

Logan’s Roadhouse – Veterans and active duty service members receive a free meal Veterans Day between 3p-6pm from the American Roadhouse meals menu at participating locations.

Lowe’s –  Lowe's is proud to offer 10% off eligible purchases every day to active military personnel and veterans. Exclusions apply.

Metro Diner – As a thank-you, all veterans and active-duty military will receive 50% off a meal of their choosing on November 11, 2020.

Office Depot Office Max – Veterans, Active Duty Military Personnel, Retirees, Reservists, and their dependents will receive a 25% discount on in-store purchases November 11 through 13.

Outback Steakhouse celebrates all servicemen and women, police officers, firefighters and all first responders with 10% off* their entire check all day, every day (with valid state or federal service ID). Servicemembers and first responders get a free Bloomin’ Onion® and Coca-Cola® product on Wednesday, November 11.

Precious Restorations – In honor of Veterans Day, Precious Restorations is offering 20% off all vinyl inventory for any veteran or currently active military servicemember. Sale starts Veterans Day and runs through Saturday, November 14.

Publix - As a small way to show our gratitude, veterans, active military personnel, and their families are invited to save 10% on groceries on Wednesday, November 11, 2020. Some exclusions apply.

Red Lobster – Dine-in veterans and active duty military can receive a free appetizer or dessert from a select menu on Wednesday, November 11, 2020, with a valid military ID or proof of service.

Romano’s Macaroni Grill – This Veterans Day, 11/11, all veterans and active military receive a free Mom's Ricotta Meatballs + Spaghetti with military ID.

Starbucks – Veterans, military service members and military spouses receive a free tall hot brewed coffee on Veterans Day at participating locations.

Target – U.S. active-duty military personnel, veterans and their families save 10% on their Target purchase on Veterans Day, in stores or online.

Walgreens is offering a 20% discount on regular priced, in-store purchases November 11 through 15 for military personnel and veterans.

Wendy’s - This Veterans Day, visit your local Wendy's and enjoy a free small breakfast combo. No purchase necessary (6:30am-10:30am).

Morning Minute: Tuesday, November 10, 2020

News About Town: Tomorrow, November 10, the American Legion Post 235 will hold the annual Veterans Day Celebration at 11 am at Stumptown Park. The event will include the unveiling of the expanded veteran’s memorial at the rear of the park. Mayor John Higdon will award Steve Wilfong, a Matthews resident and Navy veteran who served two tours in Vietnam as a Counter Insurgency Specialist from 1966 to 1969, the Veteran of the Year Award from the Matthews Veterans Advisory Committee. The program will last approximately one hour. Masks and social distancing are required.

News Around Town: Election day was seven days ago. Although ballots will trickle in through the twelfth here in NC (as decided by the Board of Elections and allowed by the Supreme Court), here are some 2020 General Election numbers for NC according to the NC State Board of Elections:

Of 7.36 million eligible voters, 5.49 million ballots were cast (including absentee, early voting, and provisional). Of those, 4.6 million absentee votes were cast (3.6 million one-stop early voting, 977,186 absentee by-mail) and 41,766 provisional ballots were cast. Voter turnout was 74.6%, as compared with 69% in the 2016 general election.

Don’t Forget: If you run a small retail business in Matthews, we want to feature you. Send a product shot, and a link to your shop (must be in 28105) and we’ll feature your item in our daily photo. Send it to renee@matthewsbeacon.com and we’ll get it scheduled.