Morning Minute: Monday, November 9, 2020

News About Town: The Board of Commissioners will have several public hearings at the meeting tonight, including the Buvermo Investments (2020-717) senior living facility proposed for 9832 Idlewild Road and a text amendment change for selling items outdoors at the Home Depot (2020-719) on Matthews Township Parkway. The Board will accept several zoning actions (Zoning Application 2020-720, Zoning Application 2020-721, Zoning Application 2020-722, and Zoning Application 2020-723), which means discussion around these items will begin during the January 11, 2021 Board of Commissioners meeting. The Board will vote on several zoning actions, including:

News About Town continued:

• Zoning Application 2020-715/Williams Business Properties: The property at the corner of Trade and Weddington. The developer is proposing a 98 unit multi-family rental development.

• Zoning Application 2020-716/text amendment: A text amendment change to the Unified Development Ordinance to allow independent living facilities as a permitted use in the R/I Zoning District when associated with a conditional site plan.

• Zoning Application 2020-718/Harley Davidson: A change in zoning conditions to allow for the façade of the Harley Davidson building and parking area to be renovated. The new design includes an outdoor sound stage.

• Public Improvement Variance : A request to delete some items generally required with development, such as curb and gutter and a sidewalk. This variance is in conjunction with the next bullet point.  

• Site Plan Approval 1935 Rice Road: A redevelopment of property from a daycare to mixed-use retail, medical, and office spaces. Commissioner John Urban recused himself at the October 12 meeting as his firm is working with the applicants on this project.

One Good Opportunity: 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.

Circles of Dreams by Lorraine Stark

Circles of Dreams

Beneath my magnolia tree

a gentle breeze kept

making invisible circles

around me.

I did not understand at first-

and then I realized it was

gathering dreams, hitchhiking

on the perfect breeze pursuing

their chance to find out their end

and I bid each one success as I

stood beneath my magnolia tree

I watched her white saucer flowers

catch their tears of happiness and

I knew each passenger of the wind

reached their destination

By Lorraine Stark

Image via Unsplash photographer @brunonw

Morning Minute: Thursday, November 5, 2020

News About Town: The Board of Commissioners meeting agenda is available online. After trying a hybrid in-person/remote meeting, the Board will return to an all-remote format. To watch live, the meeting is available via Zoom (link here, the early meeting starts at 5:30 pm and the regular meeting starts at 7 pm, Monday, November 9). 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 968 3891 0803. For more information, including the process for public comment, visit the town website. A 5:30 pm meeting is scheduled to hear from the Silver Line Task Force.

News Around Town: One positive coming out of this pandemic is an easier accessibility to events outside of Matthews without having to pay for parking! This Saturday, November 7 at 4 pm, tune into the kickoff celebration of the World L!t Street Food Festival and connect with leaders in the Charlotte area's international food and music scene, international performing artists, and the community at large. The virtual festival continues through November 14. Register here.

Matthews Cooks: Green Rice

Greetings from Matthews Cooks! We’re submitting original recipes from our own kitchens and sharing the adventure with Matthews Beacon readers. If you’d like to add your own, please send them to renee@matthewsbeacon.com , and she’ll forward them to me (Vivian). When you send in recipes, add your family story, if there is one. It can add new dimensions to a dish. Please do not use recipes from cookbooks, as we need to respect copyright laws. If you first got a recipe from a book, then changed it over the years to suit your kitchen, that would be fine.

“I grew up cooking with my mother, Ukrainian grandmother, and aunts, since I was tall enough to see the kitchen counter. They sometimes used recipes, but more often had family recipes and methods learned from observation. We all loved garlic, lots of herbs and spices, and strong flavors. If your preference is for milder food, just reduce the quantity of flavorings and enjoy.”

— Vivian’s Victuals

Green Rice from Rose

2 ½ cups uncooked long grain rice (I use brown rice)
4 cups boiling water
1 tsp salt
1 cup sliced celery
1 cup chopped parsley
¾ cup thinly sliced green onion
2 TBSP butter
Salt & pepper to taste

Add rice to boiling salted water, reduce heat, cook until water is absorbed. Stir in vegetables, cover and continue cooking until water is all gone, and the vegetables are still crisp. Season to taste, add butter, toss lightly.

Morning Minute: Wednesday, November 4, 2020

News About Town: Last night the Board of Commissioners began a 21 Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge with guidance from the Cultural Diversity Committee. Follow along to build your own habits by using the resources online. The second discussion among the two boards will take place next Tuesday, November 10, at 6:30 pm. The public is welcome to listen in.

News Around Town: Join the Matthews Chamber of Commerce for a slightly different type of holiday celebration this year. The Chamber is hosting Matthews Home for the Holidays Passport: Shop. Play. Eat. & Win! Local, a program to highlight businesses and nonprofits alike. Pick up your passport from the Chamber office (210 Matthews Station St.), and get it stamped at participating locations. Make a purchase or grab a goody bag (each location has their own requirements) and return your completed passport to the Chamber office by 5pm on December 4 to be included in the drawing. On December 5th, the Grand Prize Winner of up to $1,000 will be announced via Facebook Live. If you are a Matthews business, find out how to get involved here.

Morning Minute: Tuesday, November 3, 2020

News About Town: Applications are open for the Round II of the Matthews CARES Act Funding Relief Program. These grants are to encourage and support the Matthews business community’s economic challenges created by the COVID pandemic between March 1 and October 31, 2020. A complete grant application with all required additional documents must be received by 12:00 pm on Monday, November 16 in order to be considered. Completed applications and supporting materials should be emailed to matthews@matthewsnc.gov or dropped off marked ATTN: CARES Act Grant – Round II to Matthews Town Hall (232 Matthews Station Street Matthews, NC 28105). Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

Image via Unsplash

News Around Town: The application deadline for Mecklenburg County’s HOMES Program has been extended to Friday, Nov. 13. The Helping Out Mecklenburg’s Homeowners with Economic Support (HOMES) Program has been extended through next Friday, November 13. This program offers assistance to low to moderate income qualified Mecklenburg County homeowners by providing financial assistance for mortgage and rent relief through the County Assessor’s Office, the Office of the Tax Collector and the Department of Social Services.  Find the application online or request a paper application by phone, 980-314-4226 or by visiting the County Assessor’s Office lobby at 3205 Freedom Drive, Suite 3500, Charlotte.  

Morning Minute: Monday, November 2, 2020

News About Town: Several advisory board meetings are coming up over the next two weeks. The Veteran’s Advisory Committee and the Silver Line Task Force both meet this Wednesday (November 4) at 7 pm. The following week the Matthews Committee on Education (November 10, 6:30 pm), Environmental Advisory Committee (November 10, 7 pm), and the Parks, Rec, and Cultural Advisory Committee (November 11, 6:30 pm) will meet.

News Around Town: The fuzz is about to get fuzzy. Matthews Police are once again participating in No Shave November by loosening official shave policy standards. To participate, each officer must donate $40 to Zero Prostate Cancer Run/Walk - Charlotte, a prostate cancer patient advocacy and public awareness group. At the end of November, look for pics of the participants and vote on Facebook for the best beard and goatee.

Don’t Forget: CATS buses will be free on election day!