Blue in Bloom
Small petals
form clusters
pompous against
green leaves
not too big
mind you not
too small just
enough to make
you notice and
sigh in awe
from puffy
masterpieces
against a brick
garden wall
blue in bloom
hydrangeas
By Lorraine Stark
Image via Unsplash by @tunamayoongirl
News About Town: There is a regular (still remote) Board of Commissioners meeting tonight at 7 pm. Watch via Zoom or on the Town of Matthews YouTube Channel. You may also listen by phone by calling 888-788-0099 (Toll Free) or 877-853-5247 (Toll Free) and entering meeting ID 963 5053 1665. The meeting will include a COVID update from Emergency Operations Center Commander and Town Fire Chief Rob Kinniburgh. Later in the meeting, the Board will review several zoning issues, which were delayed from previous months.
News Around Town: Mecklenburg County, in partnership with area businesses, is giving away two million free face masks. If you need one, they’re available in Matthews at Brace YMCA (3127 Weddington Road) Monday-Friday: 6 am to 1 pm, 4 to 8 pm, Saturday: 7 am to noon, Sunday: Noon to 4 pm.
One Good Thing: Silver Star Community, Inc. is hosting a fundraiser bocce ball tournament and lunch on Saturday, July 18 from 1 to 6 pm at the Star of St. Matthews Masonic Lodge #566. The event will raise funds to continue restoration of two former Rosenwald schools, one of which is now the masonic lodge (124 Morris Road). Silver Star plans to move the second school, the historic Siloam Rosenwald School, to the campus of the Charlotte Museum of History. For more information, visit the Facebook event page.
News About Town: Let’s look at COVID-19 numbers. We last Reported numbers on June 12. As of 4:30 pm on July 2, Mecklenburg County has had 11,803 cases and 150 deaths. (Wake County has the second most number of cases at 5,453 and 49 deaths.) Within the 28105 zip code 311 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and 17 have died. Two congregate living facilities have had outbreaks. Carrington Place is now stable, while Royal Park Rehabilitation and Health Center has an ongoing outbreak with 16 staff positives, and 70 resident positives and 10 deaths. NC has had 68,142 cases, 912 current hospitalizations, and 1,373 deaths. Not all cases of COVID-19 are tested, so this does not represent the total number of people in North Carolina who have or had COVID-19. (Data source: NC Department of Health and Human Services.)
News Around Town: COS Kids (226 W. John St.) suffered destruction on their playground from the tornado earlier this year. Since then, the preschool has used the opportunity to renovate portions of the space. Most recently, Kiwanis Club of Matthews and Matthews United Methodist Global Impact and Handyman Ministry worked together to create a substantial post and beam outdoor learning facility.
One Good Thing: If you’re staying home this July 4, check out the start of the penumbral lunar eclipse around 8:23 pm. Despite sounding like riveting Mel Gibson/Tina Turner film, the Thunder Moon Eclipse in full effect is fairly subtle. A discerning eye may see it in full around 12:29 am.
News About Town: Homeowners in Matthews may see a reduction in their next insurance bill. North Carolina Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey recently completed a routine Insurance Public Protection inspection. Matthews Fire & EMS Department received a Class 2 rating. The improved rating puts Matthews in the top 3% of effective fire, rescue, and EMS departments in North Carolina. The inspection examines staffing levels, equipment and equipment maintenance, communications capabilities, and availability of a water source.
One Good Thing: Don’t want to “lose the learning” over the summer? The library is offering tutoring for school aged kids. Through Virtual One-on-One Tutoring and Enrichment, librarians will provide tutoring, encouragement, and access to library resources for free. Register online.
News Around Town: The pandemic may have caused a few hiccups in the building process, but it hasn’t kept Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity from providing safe and affordable homes in Matthews. Join GMHFH, and homeowners Mackey and Yvette on Facebook Live at 10 am on Saturday, July 11 to celebrate virtually. RSVP and congratulate two of Matthews’ newest residents!
One Good Thing: NCDOT is broadening their definition of transportation with the Great Trails State Plan. This five-year, statewide plan will connect every county in NC through existing trails. NCDOT is accepting public input to identify the network of shared-use paths and trails through September 30, 2020. Provide feedback by taking an interactive map survey and a 10-question survey. (Yep, you can take both!)