#FiveForFriday: A Morning Minute News Round Up

This #FiveForFriday Morning Minute News Round Up is for the week of April 15 through April 19, 2019.

News About Town: Watch out for falling speed limits. Several roads in Matthews will have reduced speeds: Sam Newell, Charles Street, Sardis Road, and Weddington Road. Sam Newell at Crestdale Middle School will become a 25 mph school zone. Trade Street currently picks back up to 35 mph leaving town past the greenway crossing. The 25 mph limit will extend beyond the crossing to allow safer pedestrian access to and from the greenway. East Charles St is currently 35 in a portion of the road but will, instead, be 25 mph along the entire length, even after the name change to Tank Town. NCDOT suggested a change on Sardis Road to 40 mph, five mph less than the current posted limit. Speed limits on portions of Weddington Road will be reduced to 35 mph, making the length of the road 35 through to the county line. The City of Charlotte oversees this portion of the road.

News Around Town: IRS scam calls seem to be on the rise once again. One of our readers wrote and warned us about them, then several other people said they’d had the same call in the past couple of days. We asked Officer Aycock with the Matthews Police about the calls and what to do. He graciously explained. The scam starts when someone calls (Red Flag 1) saying they’re from the IRS and demand immediate payment. They usually ask for it payment to be made on a prepaid card (Red Flag 2). The IRS likes to communicate old school, via snail mail. Odds are good they’re not going to be calling. They’re also not going to tell you how to pay, they want their money and aren’t going to specify mode of delivery. Think it could be the IRS? Hang up and call the IRS yourself.

News Around Town: On the theme of continued learning, the Levine campus of CPCC (2800 Campus Ridge Rd, Matthews) is expanding their weekend course offerings, this fall. High-demand classes will be offered more frequently on weekday evenings, Fridays, and Saturdays to meet student need.

News About Town: The Town of Matthews recently purchased 11 new Cardiac Science G5 Defibrillators for the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Program, thanks to a $15,000.00 grant from Novant Health. The older defibrillators these replace were heavier with outdated parts. “When Novant Health found out that we were looking at ways to start upgrading our AEDs, they immediately asked how they could help,” said Matthews Police Chief, Clark A. Pennington. “It’s such an overwhelming feeling when you have community partners that are willing to help provide lifesaving equipment to our officers. We all benefit when our officers have the best tools possible.” Novant stated it’s crucial for these machines to be available for police in emergency response roles. Accessibility and response time dramatically increase chances of survival for a person who experiences sudden cardiac arrest.

News About Town: Want to learn more about town functions and have the time to invest on a weekly basis? Matthews 101 applications should be live shortly. Matthews 101 is a 6-week course that will teach you the ins and outs of local government. You’ll tour both the police station and fire station (no comment which one is more fun), learn about municipal finances, how streets are managed and maintained, and more. The deadline to apply is August 26, and while we usually wait closer to the day-of to post things, seats for this course go quickly. Have you taken Matthews 101 and want more? The League of Women Voters provide a Civics 101 course that covers county level operations.

Morning Minute: Friday, August 2, 2019

News About Town: Want to learn more about town functions and have the time to invest on a weekly basis? Matthews 101 applications should be live shortly. Matthews 101 is a 6-week course that will teach you the ins and outs of local government. You’ll tour both the police station and fire station (no comment which one is more fun), learn about municipal finances, how streets are managed and maintained, and more. The deadline to apply is August 26, and while we usually wait closer to the day-of to post things, seats for this course go quickly. Have you taken Matthews 101 and want more? The League of Women Voters provide a Civics 101 course that covers county level operations.

News Around Town: Join Matthews PD on Tuesday, August 6th at 6:00 pm for National Night Out. The event, held at Town Hall, gives members of the community the opportunity to get to know their local law enforcement as well as their neighbors.

One Fun Thing: Artists, crafters, and snack vendors, this one’s for you. The Matthews Chamber is taking applications for their annual ArtWalk & MusicFest, formerly known as Artfest. The festival will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2019 from 10 am - 6 pm. The town green (in front of Town Hall) will be filled with creative wares ready for perusal and purchase. Live music will play on stage and beer will be available for purchase. Get your application in now!

#ThrowbackThursday: August 9, 2007

With permission, The Beacon is archiving past issues of Matthews Record (also called Matthews News and Record and The Matthews Record) articles online. Throwback Thursday articles will include relevant content still facing Matthews today. This story was originally published August 9, 2007, and written by Janet Denk.

Always from the heart

Miss Edith is a writer. She never knew that about herself.

As a matter of fact, Edith Smith is still not convinced, even at the tender age of 99 years young, that she has much to say. But she enjoys words, listens intently and loves the company of other conversationalists — qualities that any writer worth their salt should possess. Edith Smith possesses them in spades.

“She’s remarkable,’ said fellow Happy Times Club member Barbara Stowers. ‘She lives in her home, still cooks and cleans for herself and writes letters to church members. She doesn’t drive, but she likes to get out,’ Stowers added. ‘And she’s ready to go when you call on her.'“

Both women were at the Levine Senior Center last Thursday for lunch and a special presentation by resident historian Caldwell Russell.

“That woman is one of my favorite ladies,” Russell said as the two hugged and caught up on the latest news. Miss Edith brags on Russell, recalling the day, many years ago, that he met her at the Matthews United Methodist Church door and welcomed her inside.

“He just brought me right down in the front row where he was sitting and held my hand the whole time. He’s my good, good friend.”

In this day of emails, text messages, and one minute-wisdom, Miss Edith corresponds the old-fashioned way.

By writing letters.

With pen and ink on paper.

Birthdays, condolences, congratulations, thanks, get well, or just a note to someone know God loves them.

“I just say what’s in my heart,’ she explained about her personal ministry. ‘Sometimes I can get carried away when I get to writing. But, I can’t help it. I suppose that’s just the way I am.”

Born in Virginia in 1908, Miss Edith moved to Charlotte to be with her son, Sam and his family. She has 3 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. She was married for 64 years. Her husband passed away several years ago. Longevity, she claims, comes from her mother’s side. “I have one surviving cousin — Ginny — who’s 101 years old. Last time I spoke with her I said, ‘Did you ever think it would just be you and me one day?’”

The beautiful smile fades for just a minute. Then it’s gone and Miss Edith regales the visiting reporter with tales of cows and cousins and springhouses and grandparents and carefree days on her family’s farm. Miss Edith wrote her memoirs in an essay that was published in the Charlotte Observer years ago.

“It was an essay contest and I couldn’t believe mine got picked!,’ she recalls. ‘Oh, I’m just bragging a little now. But, I saw my name in print and I was just thrilled.”

Now, Miss Edith can thrill others by sharing her words on a card, or maybe a letter. But always, from the heart.

Morning Minute: Thursday, August 1, 2019

News About Town: The Town of Matthews recently purchased 11 new Cardiac Science G5 Defibrillators for the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Program, thanks to a $15,000.00 grant from Novant Health. The older defibrillators these replace were heavier with outdated parts. “When Novant Health found out that we were looking at ways to start upgrading our AEDs, they immediately asked how they could help,” said Matthews Police Chief, Clark A. Pennington. “It’s such an overwhelming feeling when you have community partners that are willing to help provide lifesaving equipment to our officers. We all benefit when our officers have the best tools possible.” Novant stated it’s crucial for these machines to be available for police in emergency response roles. Accessibility and response time dramatically increase chances of survival for a person who experiences sudden cardiac arrest.

News Around Town: Calling all veterans! Starting later today (August 1) and continuing on the first Thursday of each month, Team RWB, Veterans Bridge Home, and Dog Tag Technologies invite you and your families to enjoy free yoga. Classes will be held on the second floor of the Community Center (100 East McDowell St) starting at 6:30 pm. An elevator, if needed, is just past the front desk on the ground floor

One Fun Thing: Huge gaffe around Beacon HQ, we missed National Mutt Day. Mutts are our MO, so to all the mixed breed pupsters out there, we salute you. For all you craft brew drinkers, today is National IPA Day, so grab the closest pale ale and raise a pint to all the fabulous mutts of Matthews.

Morning Minute: Wednesday, July 31, 2019

News About Town: Matthews Parks and Rec has some new classes starting this fall. There will be tango lessons, and yes, it takes two, but you don’t have to have a partner to register. There's also the Art of Yoga, where you learn to apply yoga principals to your daily life. Don't miss Kids Ukulele and Adult Ukulele (separate classes), Total Body Strength & Tone, and more. There are also classes lined up for homeschoolers, including several courses working with clay, apparel design, and computer graphics. Find more info here.

News Around Town: On the theme of continued learning, the Levine campus of CPCC (2800 Campus Ridge Rd, Matthews) is expanding their weekend course offerings, this fall. High-demand classes will be offered more frequently on weekday evenings, Fridays, and Saturdays to meet student need.

One Fun Thing: This weekend is your last chance to get The Local Scoop in Matthews (until next summer? hint hint? The Local Scoop are you reading this?) Stop by Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (noon til nine each day) in their pop-up location behind Moe’s BBQ on Trade Street and get a scoop or three. They’ll have dutch chocolate, vanilla bean, strawberry sorbet with local strawberries, brownie batter and cookie monster at first, but will rotate as they sell out. The Local Scoop supports local farmers, so their batches are small. Whatever you get, it’s going to be good.

2810[high]5: Free Dates in Matthews

On a budget for the summer? Here are 5 FREE dates you can and your plus one can do right here in Matthews. Bonus points if you take a selfie and tag @matthewsbeacon with the #MatthewsDateNight!

PDA in front of PDA - Did you know that the giant heart sculpture outside of Stumptown Park is called “Public Display of Affection”? (If you read this Beacon article from 2018 you do!) What better excuse to demonstrate your affection than to do so in front of iconic Matthews public art piece. (This writer strongly encourages you to keep your PDA rated G).

Checkers at Country Place Park- You and your better half can enjoy the sunshine and decide once and for all who is the board champion. Country Place Park, near Matthews United Methodist church has 3 tables with checkerboard tops for public use, as well as a pollinator garden and bee themed art. Feel like it’s not a free date because you have to go buy your own checkers pieces? Save yourselves some bottle caps from your not-free-dates and make yourself some bottle cap checkers.

Walking Tour - Did you know the Matthews has its own FREE self-guided walking tour you can follow? Print out the tour, put on your walking shoes, and take turns narrating the history and culture as you travel around town.

Lecture at the Library - The library has more to offer than just free books (though that’s still pretty awesome). They also offer opportunities to hear talks on subjects like earth friendly way to greenifying your lawn, how to relax through mindfulness and meditation, or a chance to read, write, and discuss poetry. 

Volunteer - One of the best ways to strengthen the bonds of an existing relationship is to commit to a shared activity-like volunteering. Matthews has over 55 nonprofits just registered with the Chamber of Commerce, many of which would eagerly appreciate four extra hands. Help HAWK maintain their garden at Squirrel Lake Park, sort donations at the Matthews Help Center food pantry or help build a home with Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity. 

Morning Minute: Tuesday, July 30, 2019

News About Town: Love Matthews kicked off last Friday at Food Truck Friday. The theme of the first week is "Love where you live!" Write what you love about Matthews on the big M at the gazebo in front of town hall and post on Facebook why you #LoveMatthews. Other fun activities include free yoga at Stumptown Park and a self guided, selfie-centric art walk. #LoveMatthews: all the more reason to Love Matthews!

Image via 501st Legion website

News Around Town: IRS scam calls seem to be on the rise once again. One of our readers wrote and warned us about them, then several other people said they’d had the same call in the past couple of days. We asked Officer Aycock with the Matthews Police about the calls and what to do. He graciously explained. The scam starts when someone calls (Red Flag 1) saying they’re from the IRS and demand immediate payment. They usually ask for it payment to be made on a prepaid card (Red Flag 2). The IRS likes to communicate old school, via snail mail. Odds are good they’re not going to be calling. They’re also not going to tell you how to pay, they want their money and aren’t going to specify mode of delivery. Think it could be the IRS? Hang up and call the IRS yourself.

One Fun Thing: The Carolina Garrison of the 501st Legion is coming to Matthews. If you find yourself pulling for Vadar over Luke and championing the intergalactic villains of Lucas Films (registered trademark), get your geeky self to the Matthews Library this Saturday (August 3) from 1 pm til 3 pm. Stormtroopers will be there in exquisitely detailed uniforms, regaling the community with their knowledge of and dedication to the Galactic Empire.

Morning Minute: Monday, July 29, 2019

News About Town: Watch out for falling speed limits. Several roads in Matthews will have reduced speeds: Sam Newell, Charles Street, Sardis Road, and Weddington Road. Sam Newell at Crestdale Middle School will become a 25 mph school zone. Trade Street currently picks back up to 35 mph leaving town past the greenway crossing. The 25 mph limit will extend beyond the crossing to allow safer pedestrian access to and from the greenway. East Charles St is currently 35 in a portion of the road but will, instead, be 25 mph along the entire length, even after the name change to Tank Town. NCDOT suggested a change on Sardis Road to 40 mph, five mph less than the current posted limit. Speed limits on portions of Weddington Road will be reduced to 35 mph, making the length of the road 35 through to the county line. The City of Charlotte oversees this portion of the road.

Image via Unsplash

News Around Town: Matthews-based Harris Teeter recently hosted another fundraiser for the United Service Organizations (USO) by asking customers to round-up the total of their purchases. By asking for change, the grocery store chain raised $1.7 million for the USO to further their mission of serving military families.

One Fun Thing: We’ve mentioned opportunities to see the Tank Town: A Good Place to Live exhibit a few times already. If you haven’t gotten to the Matthews Heritage Museum to see it, you’re in luck. It’s on display for an extended period through October 5. Prior to the 1980s, the community of Crestdale was surrounded by Matthews but not incorporated. Before school desegregation, community children attended school in a shotgun school house and the Matthews Colored School. The area is still home to two historically black churches: Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist and United House of Prayer for All People. Learn about these essential institutions as well as the community settled by emancipated slaves after the Civil War. Museum hours are Thursday through Saturday from 10 am- 4:30 pm Admission is $4 for adults, $2 for children 10 to 17, and free under 10. (Pro Tip: Saturday, August 3 is free entrance to the museum, but your admission supports the museum’s research and exhibits.)

Morning Minute: Friday, July 26, 2019

News About Town: There’s a new mural going up soon in downtown, this time on the side of the Planet Ballroom building (189 N. Trade Street). The mural, created by Matthews artist Carol Hambridge, will be printed on vinyl and adhered to the building. The design is a throwback to earlier times in Matthews and a reflection on the American dream.

Image via Matthews Community Farmer’s Market

News Around Town: We’re officially near the end of summer as today marks one month until the first day of school. Recent upheaval in CMS may cause some concern about the coming year, but local principals assure parents that students remain their number one focus. Start watching for those back to school sales!

One Fun Thing: It’s tomato tasting time at the Farmer’s Market! If you’ve never been to this annual favorite, the market sets up tables with plates for tasting. You’ll get a chance to try tomatoes of all sizes and varieties and then vote on your favorite. If you’ve never fully realized the nuances of tomato flavor, this is your opportunity. This Saturday, 9 am - 10:30 am at the Matthews Community Farmer’s Market, 188 N Trade St, Matthews.

Morning Minute: Thursday, July 25, 2019

News About Town: We’re a day late for Who are they Wednesday (WATW), but it’s worth an encore. The Matthews Police Department have made a YouTube compilation of security camera portraits in hopes the perps of crimes against Matthews businesses might be recognized or found. Some images are blurry blobs, but most are legible. Even if you don’t know the people, it’s also oddly entertaining to play Guess Where They Were.

News Around Town: Queen’s Feast Restaurant Week is going on, and two Matthews restaurants are participating. Now through Sunday, Sante and Bonefish Grill are each offering three-course dinners for $35.

One Good Thing: Road trip planned across the country? You can blog your way to Washington state and back, and you won't have to worry about extravagant data fees. Now available through the Matthews Library (and other branches), you can rent a portable hot spot device and access high speed internet anywhere there's a cell phone signal. At $20 for one week ($35 for 14 days, $50 for 21 days), you can hop online to post videos of the picturesque scenery, catch the latest sportsing, or let your kids while away the hours on YouTube.

Morning Minute: Wednesday, July 24, 2019

News About Town: At Monday's Board of Commissioners meeting the Board voted to approve an 11% pay increase for the Town Manager. With this increase, the pay rate is $163,780. This pay increase follows a 6% pay increase for FY 2018/19 and a 3% increase for FY 19/20. The pay increases are to achieve a pay rate in the 60th percentile range. According to a 2018 pay classification study, the Town Manager's salary in the 60th percentile should be within $113,410 - $175,270.  

News Around Town: Always dreamed of being in a parade? Rent that classic convertible, practice your royal wave, and email matthewsaliveparade@gmail.com for all the essential information on getting into the Matthews Alive parade. This year's theme is Attitude for Gratitude, and if your float depicts something you're grateful for you can get your float fee reimbursed. Applications close on August 1st, so the clock is ticking.

One Good Thing: This Saturday, bring nonperishable food items to Backyard Birds (in Matthews Festival by the Dairy Queen) for Common Heart, a grassroots food pantry in Indian Trail. As a thank you, Backyard Birds will give you a 20% discount on one item (not including coffee and seed) and provide a donation of 10% the sale to Common Heart. If all of that giving and receiving isn't enough, Common Heart is dollar-for-dollar matching donations now through July 31, so that 10% of your purchase will become 20%. 

Morning Minute: Tuesday, July 23, 2019

News About Town: Mayor Paul Bailey, Mayor Pro Tem John Higdon, and Jason Majewski have filed for the Matthews mayor’s seat. With three candidates in the ring, there will be a primary on Tuesday, October 8. According to the State Board of Elections, "in a non-partisan election, if the number of candidates for the contest is greater than twice the number of seats to be elected, there will be a primary election. The primary will trim the number of candidates down to twice the number of seats." That said, Matthews will have elections once a month for the last quarter of 2019: September 10 (Congressional District 9), October 8 (Matthews Mayoral primary), and November 5 (Matthews Mayor and Board of Commissioners).

The proposed mural mural by Charlotte arts nonprofit Wall Poems

News Around Town: Tomorrow, Wednesday, July 24, Dilworth Coffee at Plantation Market (3016 Weddington Rd #600), is hosting a tasting event. Stop by the shop at 9 am to try samples of Honduran coffee, learn the stories behind the beans, and enjoy the flavor of this lesser-known, exciting source of coffee.

One Fun Thing: Kale Farms (3232 Kale Lane) is hosting their second Farmer’s Market pop-up this Saturday. Stop by the farm to grab some fresh veggies, learn about sustainable small-scale homesteading, and support local businesses. Saturday, July 27, 10 am - 2 pm.

Creature Feature: OH! Opossums (They’re the Rodent You Love to Hate)

“An Opossum hath an head like a Swine, and a taile like a Rat, and is the bigness of a Cat. Under her belly she hath a bagge, wherein shee lodgeth, carrieth and sucketh her young”

— Captain John Smith

Via Unsplash

Yes, they’re ugly and they hiss like cats and dash out in the middle of the road and made you almost swerve into a tree that one time because they decided to play dead. We’ve all got that story.

But really, you have it all wrong. For one thing, they’re good to have around. Honestly. You’ll see why in a minute. And they’re opossums, not possums. Possums are a completely different animal that live down under. Opossums aren’t even rodents. They’re marsupials. 

There are actually several dozen different species of opposums, but the one we are used to seeing is the Virginia opossum, or common opossum. They were dubbed “opossum” by Captain John Smith of Jamestown Colony, Virginia, from the Algonquin name “apasum”, which means “white animal”. Captain Smith wrote that “An Opossum hath an head like a Swine, and a taile like a Rat, and is the bigness of a Cat. Under her belly she hath a bagge, wherein shee lodgeth, carrieth and sucketh her young".

Opossums are originally from South America, but they migrated north about 3 million years ago during the Great American Interchange when previously isolated North and South American species migrated across the newly formed Isthmus of Panama. Genetic research suggests that all of today’s living marsupials actually originated in South America--the opposum is just the only marsupial one to have thrived in the United States and Canada.

Via Wikipedia

In case you’ve forgotten your middle school life science lessons, Google’s dictionary says a marsupial is “a mammal of an order whose members are born incompletely developed and are typically carried and suckled in a pouch on the mother's belly.” So opossums are one of the animals who carry around their babies in a pouch like kangaroos. Baby opossums are born after a mere 11-13 day gestational period. Mothers give birth to as many as 20 babies at one time that are so small, all 20 of them could fit into a teaspoon! Fewer than half of them typically survive, many never even reaching the pouch. As the babies get older, they start to move in and out of their mother’s pouch and will often ride on her back as she hunts.

Let’s talk about that playing dead thing real fast, before we get into why opossums are so great, since that’s the one thing everyone “knows” about them. “Playing possum” is actually an involuntary defense mechanism on the part of the opossum. When it becomes extremely afraid, it enters a catatonic state, making it appear dead, and less appealing for predators. But opossums actually have no control over when it happens.

Okay. So why do we like opposums? Besides the fact that they’ve been around since the dinosaurs, have a prehensile tail that they can use to wrap around tree limbs (though it is a misconception that they hang upside down), and have more teeth than any other North American land mammal--50 to be exact. 

If you’re still not swayed, here are the reasons why opossums really are good guys. First, they’re little tick vacuums. They eat the ticks that try to feed on them and they eat the ticks that try to feed on us. One opossum can eat as many as 5,000 ticks each season. And ticks aren’t the only pest opossums take care of for us. They eat cockroaches, snails, rats, mice, dead animals, over-ripe fruit, and snakes (including venomous ones like copperheads and rattlers). They’re pretty much Mother Nature’s yard exterminator.

Via Wikipedia

“But what about rabies”, you ask? “I saw one foaming at the mouth--it was clearly sick”. Any mammal can get rabies. However, it’s extremely rare for an opossum to contract rabies. It is believed that their lower body temperatures, between 94 and 97 degrees, makes it difficult for the virus to survive. While it is possible to contract other diseases from an opossum, as long as you do not attempt to pet or get too close to an opossum (or any wild animal for that matter), and you do not handle any dead opossums directly, your likelihood of contracting a disease is extremely slim. (Oh, and the foaming at the mouth thing? That’s another of the opossum’s natural defense mechanisms. By excreting excess saliva, other animals think it is sick and will leave it alone). 

And if all of that is not enough to convince you, how about the fact that their blood contains a peptide that can neutralize snake venom? With further research, their blood might help scientists develop a universal anti-venom, saving lives all over the world.

If that doesn’t change your opinion of opossums from despised, rodent, road-kill to beloved, potential super-hero, yard exterminator, I don’t know what will. 

Morning Minute: Monday, July 22, 2019

News About Town: Tonight’s Board of Commissioners meeting will be a busy one. Topics include allocating funds for the handrails on town hall, the tree replanting for the Taft development, adding part-time desk officers to the patrol unit to meet the needs of the police department, and an 11% pay increase for the Town Manager.

The proposed mural mural by Charlotte arts nonprofit Wall Poems

News Around Town: As planning for widening Idlewild progresses, Matthews is taking the opportunity to brainstorm access to Stevens Creek Nature Preserve. The preserve is a 281 acre a preserve in Mint Hill that abuts the Matthews boundary northeast of I-485 and Idlewild Road. Hear from the town and give input Thursday, July 25 from 4-7 p.m. at Poplin Elementary School (5627 Poplin Road Indian Trail, NC 28079). The event is also an NCDOT meeting to provide info on the widening and modifications of the existing I-485 interchange.

One Good Thing: Registration is open for Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church’s First Annual Leukemia/Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma 5k Walk/Run for the Cure. The event, in honor of Pastor Larry Whitley, begins at 9 am on September 21. Registration closes August 31. Participants are asked to wear orange during the 5k to raise leukemia awareness.

Morning Minute: Friday, July 19, 2019

News About Town: In 2013 the town council approved a text amendment for the Unified Development Ordinance that created the current procedure for approving murals in Matthews. The amendment, created with the intent to have the Parks and Rec Advisory Committee approve public art, was unanimously approved by the commission, several of whom are current members (Paul Bailey, Jeff Miller, Kress Query, and John Urban). At the time Bailey clarified he, “doesn’t want the perception that the policy could be changed simply to avoid putting up a certain mural. He wants to be sure the language is defensible, and to do that everyone needs to know who is doing what throughout the approval process.”

Since that time, Park and Rec has installed seven murals and as many sculptures.

In May, after thirteen months of planning and coordinating, the Parks and Rec Advisory Committee was ready to move forward with the botanically themed design by Charlotte arts collective Wall Poems. The design includes a poem by NC farmer and Poet Laureate AR Ammons.

The agenda item was pulled from the May 28, 2019 council meeting at the beginning of the meeting. During public comment one Charlotte resident/Matthews business owner noted lack of public input on the project and felt the the design was inappropriate for the location.

This Monday, the board will receive information on a new process for public art approval. The agenda does not mention whether the new process will replace the 2013-3 Text Amendment.

The proposed mural mural by Charlotte arts nonprofit Wall Poems

News About Town II: Today is the last day to file for candidacy in Matthews. So far there are three mayoral candidates: Paul Bailey, John Higdon, and Jason Majewski. For commissioners: Ben Bash, Dave Bland, Allen Crosby, Barbara Dement, Renee Garner, Gina Hoover, Ken McCool, Jeff Miller, Mark Tofano, John Urban, and Larry Whitley have filed.

News About Town (Amended): In yesterday’s morning minute we incorrectly stated "Blythe Construction" is working on the Trade St. The contractor is Blythe Development.

One Good Thing: Need to get out of the house for some grown up time tonight? Charlotte Allstars Gymnastics (11011 Monroe Rd, Matthews) is hosting open gym tonight fro 6 to 9 pm. Drop the kids off and go find something fun to do (or sit and stare off into space and enjoy the quiet?) while they bounce, tumble, and fill their bellies with pizza. The cost of $20 ($15 for members) is less than that of a babysitter. Time to hit the clubs.