Straw hat
old shirt, old shorts,
some tears, who really cares,
while weeding away the past for
today
By Lorraine Stark
Image via Unsplash @ilerstoe
Morning Minute: Wednesday, April 8, 2020
News About Town: This past Friday Mayor John Higdon posted a new video online. Watch his message for Matthews here.
News Around Town: For the gardeners—we haven’t crossed the no-frost threshold, but we’ll get there next week (April 15). What does that mean? It’s getting too warm to sow seeds for cool weather crops, so start planning where your ‘maters, cukes, and squash are going to go.
One Good Thing: Take a break and breathe. A few days ago the Matthews Free Clinic shared a step-by-step for breathwork, a common method to ease tension:
Sit or lie down in a comfortable position.
Close your eyes and place a hand on your stomach.
Breathe in slowly through your nose for four seconds.
Pause, hold your breath for four seconds.
Breathe out slowly through your mouth for six seconds. Try puckering your lips to slow your exhalation.
Repeat for at least two minutes.
Morning Minute: Tuesday, April 7, 2020
News About Town: Trash collection will not pick up yard waste and bulk items in order to to allow field social distancing at county facilities. Household trash and recycling pick up will continue on a regular schedule. Yard waste should not be put in trash or recycling cans, but can be dropped off at full-service waste facilities for a nominal fee. County Recycling Centers and Foxhole Landfill will be closed this Friday, April 10, through Sunday, April 12.
News Around Town: It’s chick season at Renfrow’s. Customers are flocking to the downtown business as early as 8:30 am, even though orders aren’t taken until 9. Expect these first few Friday shipments to sell out quickly. This week there is a 12-chicks-per-customer maximum, which will probably be in place until demand eases.
One Fun Thing: Tonight the moon will be the closest the it gets to the earth all year -- provided the clouds cooperate. It’s gonna be big and it’s gonna be bold; it’s the Super Pink Moon. Get out there and howl.
Morning Minute: Monday, April 6, 2020
News About Town: NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has issued a burn ban for Mecklenburg County. The ban started April 3 at 5 pm, banning burning yard waste (already not allowed in Matthews) and campfires. Portable gas stoves or grills are still allowable.
News Around Town: If you’ve been sewing masks but don’t know where to donate them, CMS Schools need some for food services workers. Want more information? Email board member Carol Sawyer for further details.
If you need printed packets of K-3rd grade materials for your CMS student, they are available from local lunch program pick-up sites today (Monday, April 6) from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. For Matthews residents, the closest two locations are Greenway Park Elementary and Crown Point Elementary.
Morning Minute: Friday, April 3, 2020
News Around Town: April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Livable Meck understands that home isn’t always a safe place for children, and getting help can be especially difficult during extended times away from school. For those who need support, Livable Meck Partners Safe Alliance and Pat's Place Child Advocacy Center are still serving the community. Safe Alliance's HOPE Hotline (980-771-4673) is staffed 24/7 and anonymous.
Parents rejoice! CMS student packets will NOT be available for pick up tomorrow (Friday, April 3). As we hear more we’ll update you.
Tie a purple ribbon around the old oak tree (or new mail box.). Novant Health is asking the community members to tie a purple bow in front of their homes to show community-wide support of those in the medical care field. share photos by tagging @NovantHealth and #thankyounh on your social media outlets of choice.
Morning Minute: Thursday, April 2, 2020
News About Town: Since the shooting of Mr. Brett Thomas Butler on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, the Matthews Police Department was investigating the incident. Through collaboaration with CMPD, the FBI Violent Criminal Task Force, Stallings Police Department, Monroe Police Department, and the Union County Sheriff’s Office, police were able to identify, locate, and apprehend the person responsible, a17-year-old male, yesterday, April 1, 2020.
Don’t Forget: We have art prompts from Eileen Schwartz (@healingartforcaregivers). Don’t forget to follow along and post it to your Insta, use #Art_stayathome to share your creation. Don't have an Instagram account? Post it on our Facebook page and email it to Eileen at eileen@healingart4caregivers.com.
News Around Town: Missing your favorite classes at the Community Center? Matthews Parks and Rec Department made a handy dandy list of teachers who have online resources available (see image below).
Morning Minute: Wednesday, March 32, 2020
News About Town: Hired by the Town of Matthews, Blythe Construction will begin repaving select town-owned roads this month. Moore, Bubbling Well, Kimway, Matthews Plantation, and a portion of Reverdy are included on the project list. To see the full list of roads on the schedule, visit the town website.
From the County: Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools will begin fourth-quarter content no later than Monday, April 6. Learning packets will be available for each pre-kindergarten through third grade student at local school lunch sites. For Matthews, Crown Point Elementary is the closest site. Work will also be available to print at home from the CMS website. Your child’s school will provide additional information.
From the State: Thursday, April 2 at 6 pm, tune in to learn about the local response to Coronavirus. Representatives Rachel Hunt, Wesley Harris, and Brandon Lofton are hosting COVID-19 Town Hall, with special guest Roland Bibeau, President of Novant Health Matthews Medical. Register here.