Morning Minute: Tuesday, September 17, 2019

News About Town: In the happiest of news, missing Matthews teenager Vanessa Romero has been found and is back home with her family.

News Around Town: Since coyotes mate in early spring, their young are born in mid- to late- spring. Right about now, mid-September, those pups are looking to move out on their own. That means they’re looking for new homes and new sources of food. Will they find it in your yard? Coyotes are omnivores, so while keeping your cat indoors is a wise idea, so is cleaning up the overgrown zucchini from your garden. If you see a roadrunner, watch out for falling anvils.

One Good Thing: Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) Executive Director Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, Rabbi Dr. Daniel Roth from Israel, and Palestinian-American Aziz Abu Sarah will be at Matthews United Methodist (801 South Trade St.) on Tuesday, September 24, bringing the message that Peace is Possible. As part of a Pilgrimage to Peace speaking tour, the three will engage in a multifaith dialogue and touch on the reality of life in Israel and Palestine. The program starts at 7 pm in the church sanctuary.

Morning Minute: Monday, September 16, 2019

News About Town: Hendrick Automotive is building new dealerships along Independence and needs a place to dump some dirt. Fortunately for them, the company owns 28 + acres near the Levine CPCC campus. In 2007, however, they rezoned that property and the agreement included a statement that any land disturbing activity on the site would require town approval. In order to grade the property, possibly cut down trees, and add fill dirt, Hendrick needs Matthews Board of Commissioners approval. The issue will come before the Board on September 23 at the regular town council meeting (7 pm, Town Hall).

News Around Town: If you have kids in CMS schools, they must be caught up on their required vaccines and all updated paperwork must be submitted to the school by September 24 to continue attending. The last Big Shots Immunization Clinic provided by the county is this Saturday, September 21. Call and schedule an appointment with the Mecklenburg County Health Department at 704-336-6500 if your child's immunization record is not up to date. Click here for more info on the CMS policy regarding immunizations and physical exams.

One Good Thing: Last week was National Suicide Prevention Week, and we missed the opportunity to provide some valuable resources. Locally, Novant Matthews offers Mental Health First Aid training. Learn to listen, notice signs, and simple actions to get appropriate help to those who need it. Also, the county has a mental health Crisis Intervention Team composed of first-in-line responders to mental health crises. Their website has a comprehensive list of local mental health resources.

#FiveForFriday: A Morning Minute News Round Up

This #FiveForFriday Morning Minute News Round-Up is for the week including September 9 through 13, 2019.

News About Town: It’s time for another Town Council meeting. On the agenda is a Proclamation for making the week of September 17 Constitution Week, a few rezoning items, and the possible addition of two more speed/ message board trailers for the Police Department. The Board will, once again, consider revitalization projects through tourism dollars in preparation for the 2020 Republican National Convention.

News About Town: Matthews Police have issued an alert for a missing child. Talayeh Diann Joel (DOB - 08/14/2003), was last seen in the 2500 block of Fitzpatrick Ln. on Sunday, September 8, 2019, at approximately 11:00 p.m. She is 5’ 3” tall, about 110 lbs, with brown eyes and brown, curly shoulder length hair. She may be wearing tie-dyed Crocs.

Update on yesterday’s missing person report: Talayeh Joel has been safely found. Matthews teen Vanessa Romero, last seen one week ago today, is still missing.

News Around Town: After a two-year campaign, Congressional District 9 has a new representative. North Carolina lawyer and State Senator Dan Bishop will be singing Bye Bye Bye to the NC General Assembly all the way to Washington.

Image via NC Historic Sites website.

News Around Town: In honor of September 11, Hemby Bridge firefighter Tyler Kaul took to the Brace YMCA Stairmaster. Kaul dressed in full turnout gear to climb 120 floors, representing the number of stories climbed by emergency responders in NYC on 9/11.

Image via Brace YMCA Facebook

News About Town: On July 6, 2019, at approximately 1:10 am, Matthews police officers responded to a shooting at Paces Commons Apartments. Jonathan Swierski of Monroe died on the scene, resulting from a gunshot wound. Since then, the Criminal Investigations Division investigated the incident and released a determination today that no charges will be filed. The Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office agreed that no charges should be filed.

According to police, the evidence showed the gun discharged during a physical altercation among several people. Evidence and corroborating witnesses provided insufficient proof whether this individual ever intentionally pointed the gun at anyone.

Creature Feature: Charlotte’s Web

“Before you get the napalm out, let me take a moment and explain why you should just let Spidey hang out. ”

What is it about just the very thought of spiders that makes our skin crawl? Just imagining their many little legs scurrying along is the stuff of nightmares for many. And the bigger they are, the more terrifying they are.

Which means that many of you would rather burn your house down than let an Argiope aurantia take up residence.

Don't know which spider I'm talking about? You've probably seen the large, lanky Yellow Garden Spider lurking around your yard in the mid to late summer. In fact, her large size and bright (dare I say beautiful) golden color make her hard to miss.

What? That thing is living in my garden? You may have just shrieked and run for your blow torch. But before you get the napalm out, let me take a moment and explain why you should just let Spidey hang out.
Yellow Garden Spiders are large, orb-weaving spiders, which means they weave circular webs. They have a vast territory and can be found all throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Central America. Female spiders average between 0.75 and 1.1 inches in length, while males tend to only be about a third of that size. The big (dare I say beautiful again) ones you see are the females, with black coloring on the tops of their abdomens decorated with symmetrical patches of bright yellow. Towards the abdomen, the legs are reddish-brown and black towards the ends. Male spiders look similar, with brown all over their legs and much less yellow.

“While they don’t write words, Yellow Garden Spiders weave a complex zig-zag pattern into their webs. They even have an additional claw on each foot to help them in their web-weaving activities. (While most spiders have two claws per feet, the Yellow Garden Spider has three.)”

Which means, yes, they can likely be found living in your garden. But that’s actually a good thing, especially if you are a fan of tending to and caring for plants. Yellow Garden Spiders catch and eat insects in their web-many of which are pests that would happily munch away at your plants.

Yellow Garden spiders are also real-life Charlottes (you know, from Charlotte's Web. I hope I didn't lose you there). While they don’t write words, Yellow Garden Spiders weave a complex zig-zag pattern into their webs. They even have an additional claw on each foot to help them in their web-weaving activities. (While most spiders have two claws per feet, the Yellow Garden Spider has three.)

These patterns are called stabilimenta (or stabilimentum for an individual pattern). Producing silk for webs is a huge metabolic drain on spiders, which leads scientists to believe that stabilimentum surely must serve some purpose, but no one knows quite what that purpose is. Initially, scientists believed that stabilimenta served to give the webs stability (thus the name), but it's more accepted today that its purpose is to either increase or decrease web visibility, attract prey or a mate, or simply be a means to use up excess silk.

Interestingly, these spiders actually eat the central portions of their webs each night, allowing them to reabsorb the proteins in the silk back into their bodies and create more the next morning. They may also take in nutrients from tiny bits of insect stuck to the web.

At the end of summer, females produce three to four eggs sacs containing 300-1,400 eggs. The sacs look similar to paper bags and females will weave them into their webs to keep them safe over the winter. Each sac can release up to 1,000 spiderlings, but most won't survive into adulthood.

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Yellow Garden Spiders are venomous, but they are unlikely to bite unless they are provoked. If you grab one protecting its egg sac, it will bite, but the result in humans is little worse than a wasp sting. The venom is used to paralyze prey and also predigests its prey's insides.

While they may not be as useful in your yard as say, an opossum, the Yellow Garden Spider is unlikely to cause any harm. So maybe you should give Charlotte a break before you burn her web down.

Morning Minute: Friday, September 13, 2019

News About Town: On July 6, 2019, at approximately 1:10 am, Matthews police officers responded to a shooting at Paces Commons Apartments. Jonathan Swierski of Monroe died on the scene, resulting from a gunshot wound. Since then, the Criminal Investigations Division investigated the incident and released a determination today that no charges will be filed. The Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office agreed that no charges should be filed.

According to police, the evidence showed the gun discharged during a physical altercation among several people. Evidence and corroborating witnesses provided insufficient proof whether this individual ever intentionally pointed the gun at anyone. 

News Around Town: If you haven’t noticed, it’s been hot and muggy outside. Weather reports showed a record 98 degrees yesterday. There may be some relief in the next few weeks when highs are in the 80s. Pollen levels are low, but mold spore counts are high. Repeat After Beacon: Fall is ten days away.

One Fun Thing: It’s time once again for Date Night Drop Off. Head over to Crew’s Road Rec Center (1201 Crews Road Matthews) at 5 pm and leave the kids to run amok under the supervision of Park and Rec (very qualified) employees. They’ll feed your kid and entertain them while you take a little time to regroup. Kids ages 6-13 are welcome; pickup is at 9 pm. Cost is $10 child with $5/for each additional child in a group.

Morning Minute: Thursday, September 12, 2019

News About Town: Town Council once again discussed ways to use tourism dollars to prepare for the Republican National Convention. The board approved $84,000 in projects, which includes replacing aging banners, adding landscaping and planters throughout the town, and additional flower baskets further down Trade St. toward Stumptown Park. 

Image via Brace YMCA Facebook

News Around Town: In honor of September 11, Hemby Bridge firefighter Tyler Kaul took to the Brace YMCA Stairmaster. Kaul dressed in full turnout gear to climb 120 floors, representing the number of stories climbed by emergency responders in NYC on 9/11. 

One Fun Thing: Happy National School Picture Day? Probably created by the industry, the celebration for immortalizing awkward youth falls on the Second Thursday in September. How does one join in the fun? Post your favorite school pics on social media and tag them #NationalSchoolPictureDay. Make sure you @MatthewsBeacon, too, because we want in on the fun as well. 

Side by Side

Side by side they stood
A mirror of the other
A passing equal to,
One’s mother, one’s father.
Now both are gone
We face the void
Silence accompanies the wind.
There is no hand left to join the other
Their beauty remains in our hearts
A couple has died side by side,
Our meeting was as brief as a hummingbird’s pause.

By Lorraine Stark

Morning Minute: Wednesday, September 11, 2019

News About Town: First, a quick update on yesterday’s missing person report: Talayeh Joel has been safely found. Matthews teen Vanessa Romero, last seen one week ago today, is still missing.

News Around Town: After a two-year campaign, Congressional District 9 has a new representative. North Carolina lawyer and State Senator Dan Bishop will be singing Bye Bye Bye to the NCGA all the way to Washington.

One Fun Thing: There are two more Food Truck Fridays this year. This Friday, September 13, the line up includes Maki Taco, Cuzzo’s, Roaming Fork, and Cremoso Cheesecake among other favorites. The fun (and food) starts at 5 pm at Stumptown Park. The last event of the season will be September 27. Let your belly plan accordingly.

Morning Minute: Tuesday, September 10, 2019

News About Town: Matthews Police have issued an alert for a missing child. Talayeh Diann Joel (DOB - 08/14/2003), was last seen in the 2500 block of Fitzpatrick Ln. on Sunday, September 8, 2019, at approximately 11:00 p.m. She is 5’ 3” tall, about 110 lbs, with brown eyes and brown, curly shoulder length hair. She may be wearing tie-dyed Crocs. Call 704.847.5555 or 911 with any information regarding her whereabouts.

News Around Town: If you tried to get on I-485 yesterday around 11:30 but ran into a police barricade, rest easy knowing there wasn’t a major emergency. Vice President Mike Pence flew into Charlotte-Douglas yesterday on Air Force 2 then traveled down I-485 to get to Wingate University to speak on behalf of Congressional candidate Dan Bishop. 

One Fun Thing: Fans of mayonnaise rejoice—Chicken Salad Chick opens tomorrow at Sycamore Commons (2233 Matthews Township Parkway, Suite G). Block off your lunch hour and head on over; they’re giving away chicken salad for a year! (It’s not all mayonnaise and chicken, there are plenty of other options, including a pimento BLT that sounds more southern than saying “y’all” as well as soups and desserts.)

Morning Minute: Monday, September 9, 2019

News About Town: It’s time for another Town Council meeting. On the agenda is a Proclamation for making the week of September 17 Constitution Week, a few rezoning items, and the possible addition of two more speed/ message board trailers for the Police Department. The Board will, once again, consider revitalization projects through tourism dollars in preparation for the 2020 Republican National Convention.

News Around Town: If you haven’t been following the saga of Bart on NextDoor, let us catch you up. Bart is a foster labradoodle who got away from his new foster family three weeks ago in the Settler’s Landing subdivision. He’s been seen throughout the neighborhoods off Highway 51, most recently off Elizabeth Lane. He’s wearing a blue collar with an orange leash attached. Bart spooks pretty easily, so don’t catch him or chase him, but if you do see him, call or text Jane at (917) 696-5416.

One Fun Thing: September is National Library Card Sign-Up month! A library card opens the door to far more than books - there are more than 100 online resources accessible with your library card. From newspapers to new languages, it’s a gateway to a whole world of knowledge! CLICK HERE to sign up for a Library Card.

#FiveForFriday: A Morning Minute News Round Up

This #FiveForFriday Morning Minute News Round Up is for the week including September 3 through 6, 2019.

News Around Town: We reported two weeks ago to be careful about algae; at the time, there were no confirmed instances in Matthews. Last week it was announced that the highly-toxic cyanobacterial algal bloom was detected in the Squirrel Lake pond. It is essential to observe the “No Swimming” signs. Please keep pets out of the water.

News About Town: The Pita Kebab property sale took a sharp left when the financial schedule was put to the vote. Rather than creating a payment schedule, the Board voted 6-1 (Higdon opposed) to schedule an appraisal on the property. Currently, the town states the property could be redeveloped or become parking, but has no immediate use of the property. Council deferred the payment schedule decision until September 9.

News About Town: Jazz fans rejoice! This winter, Parks and Rec will host a Cool Vibes Winter Music Series in the Fullwood Theater at the Community Center. The cool vibes will be especially strong during the concerts when the Community Center becomes a speakeasy, with era-appropriate decor and staff dressed in 1920s apparel. No need for bathtub gin, you can purchase beer and wine. The two scheduled dates are January 10 and March 13, 2020.

News About Town: This past Tuesday evening an aggressive raccoon was reported on the 2700 block of Briar Trail Ct. (near Matthews Charter Academy). The raccoon was removed by animal control and later tested positive for rabies. So far, there have been no reports of human exposure. If you or a pet may have come into contact with the rabid rascal, call the Mecklenburg County Health Department immediately at 704-614-6512 or 704-589-3242. If your pet is not up to date on its rabies vaccine, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Control offers free rabies vaccine clinics the second Saturday of every month.

According to the NC Department of Public Health, there were 14 cases of rabies in 2018, and eight confirmed cases in 2019, including a rabid cat found near Novant Hospital Matthews.

News Around Town: This news bit we're hoping is no longer relevant by publishing time. A Matthews teen is missing, and Matthews Police want your help in finding her. 15-year-old Vanessa Romero was last seen yesterday morning at her home on Ablow Dr. in Matthews.

According to the police, she is an Hispanic female, 5'08" tall, weighing approximately 200 lbs., with dark red hair, and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black tank top, a long black knit sweater, grey spandex shorts, and black air Jordan shoes with silver and pink on them. She could be in the Union County area riding in a white 2013 Honda Accord (four-door) with a North Carolina registration plate number of FJL-7670.

If you see Vanessa, please call 704.847.5555 or 911.

Morning Minute: Friday, September 6, 2019

News About Town: This past Tuesday evening an aggressive raccoon was reported on the 2700 block of Briar Trail Ct. (near Matthews Charter Academy). The raccoon was removed by animal control and later tested positive for rabies. So far, there have been no reports of human exposure. If you or a pet may have come into contact with the rabid rascal, call the Mecklenburg County Health Department immediately at 704-614-6512 or 704-589-3242. If your pet is not up to date on its rabies vaccine, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Control offers free rabies vaccine clinics the second Saturday of every month. 

According to the NC Department of Public Health, there were 14 cases of rabies in 2018, and eight confirmed cases in 2019, including a rabid cat found near Novant Hospital Matthews. 

News Around Town: This news bit we're hoping is no longer relevant by publishing time. A Matthews teen is missing, and Matthews Police want your help in finding her. 15-year-old Vanessa Romero was last seen yesterday morning at her home on Ablow Dr. in Matthews. 

According to the police, she is an Hispanic female, 5'08" tall, weighing approximately 200 lbs., with dark red hair, and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black tank top, a long black knit sweater, grey spandex shorts, and black air Jordan shoes with silver and pink on them. She could be in the Union County area riding in a white 2013 Honda Accord (four-door) with a North Carolina registration plate number of FJL-7670.

If you see Vanessa, please call 704.847.5555 or 911.

One Fun Thing: Have a ballet-lover in the family? The Matthews Ballet has auditions tomorrow for the Nutcracker. Auditions are separated by age: 6 through 8 year olds (11:30 - 12:15 pm), 9 through 11 year olds (12:30 - 1:30 pm), and 12+ (1:30 - 2:30 pm). Contact Amanda with Matthews Ballet with any questions: ukmiz@aol.com.

Morning Minute: Thursday, September 5, 2019

News About Town: Jazz fans rejoice! This winter, Parks and Rec will host a Cool Vibes Winter Music Series in the Fullwood Theater at the Community Center. The cool vibes will be especially strong during the concerts when the Community Center becomes a speakeasy, with era-appropriate decor and staff dressed in 1920s apparel. No need for bathtub gin, you can purchase beer and wine. The two scheduled dates are January 10 and March 13, 2020. 

News Around Town: We’re in peak hurricane season, and thankfully it looks like Dorian won’t visit Matthews. As Tropical Storm Fernand stews off the Gulf of Mexico and a Tropical Storm Warning is in place for a portion of Texas, let’s revisit some hurricane preparedness resources. First off, if you have to have a Pop Tart in the morning, go ahead and stock up. Along with water, strawberry Pop Tarts are in high demand when hurricanes loom. Sign up for any readiness alerts here. Also, according to ready.gov, have enough food and water for at least three days. Check your medications and refill any necessary prescriptions; have on hand a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies. 

One Fun Thing: Want a trip to Jamaica without the price tag? Head on over to the Levine Senior Center on September 14 for the Karen Dale Foundation’s Caribbean Gala. The gala includes a cocktail hour, a meal of Jamaican, Trinidadian, and Haitian cuisine, and, of course, a steel drum band. The foundation itself focuses on the health care needs in the Caribbean Region, as well as educational support for children of Caribbean heritage here in the US. Proceeds from this event will go toward purchasing medical equipment for St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital. For all the details, visit their website. 

Morning Minute: Wednesday, September 4, 2019

News About Town: The Pita Kebab property sale took a sharp left when the financial schedule was put to the vote. Rather than creating a payment schedule, the Board voted 6-1 (Higdon opposed) to schedule an appraisal on the property. Currently, the town states the property could be redeveloped or become parking, but has no immediate use of the property. Council deferred the payment schedule decision until September 9.

News Around Town: It doesn't feel like it, but we promise Fall is on its way and Halloween won't be far behind. Starting to feel festive? Hiding a passion for terror? Unleash your inner ghoul and audition to be a part of the Matthews Playhouse's Halloween Haunted Trail. Auditions will be held September 16 and 17 from 6:30 pm to 8:00. Sign up on their website and let the scary times roll!

One Fun Thing: After a four day weekend of whirlwind festivities, we've got just the thing to recover: Yoga in Stumptown Park. Join Elinore Edvi-Miller this Friday at 9:30 am. Bring $5, a mat, and a bottle of water (hydrate!) and enjoy a session of yoga surrounded by the beautiful greenery that is Stumptown Park. The one-hour session is appropriate for all levels. 

CBD: The Shop

“As I learned doing the research for what was supposed to be one article but instead turned into three, CBD is a complex subject. ”

I walked into Get Me Some Green in the Hoods CrossRoad Shopping Center in the same way I’m sure many of their customers do: with a head full of misconceptions. Admittedly, I hadn’t hit the books (Google) yet on the science and the history of CBD, so my expectations for a CBD store were a little more headshop/bud bar than health food store.I had imagined glass cases and shelves full of different CBD products - pills, vaporizers, gummy bears, and baked goods all for my choosing.

But in reality, Get Me Some Green had some classy wooden shelves with a sparse selection of pills, smokable hemp located in glass cookie jars behind the register, and a small assortment of creams and roll-ons. Oh, and one small jar of CBD gummies. They do have a green accent wall though behind the register, which livens up the place. The vibe is much more health food store than trendy bud bar.

Heather and Eric Wiskes, the owners of Get Me Some Green, say there is a very good reason there shop is set up that way: they want their customers to feel comfortable inside of their store. All of their customers. They want to have a place where you are comfortable to bring your kids-a place where your grandparents would be comfortable to shop. 

“We’re not a Walmart for CBD, we have very specific products for very specific reasons”

— Heather & Eric Wiske

Heather and Eric’s goal is to help demystify CBD and the plants that it comes from and to help our community understand the potential health benefits. That’s why they say the only offer their trusted brands to their clients. "We're not a Walmart for CBD, we have very specific products for very specific reasons.” 

In creating a space that’s comfortable for everyone, Heather also wants potential customers to feel alright walking into the shop and asking questions, even if they don’t buy anything. She says her bottles are all on display because she wants her clients to feel secure in picking them up and looking at them, even if they know nothing about CBD, or everything they thought they knew was wrong. “We’re on a mission to provide education and high quality products, both local and national, to really demystify the plant to help the whole community.” 

And of course, she wants everyone to stop buying their CBD from the gas station. “Every business has their specialty. Gas stations know their gas. I know my CBD...I always encourage people first get educated before you go buy it. I don’t care where you buy it, but get educated. So if you want something in a specialty arena, go to that specialty store and get educated. And I’m not the only one in the area. There’s a couple of others that are really highly educated but do your due diligence. Anything you’re going to put into your body, do your due diligence.”

After leaving her shop and doing the research for this article, I can understand Heather’s insistence on wanting to educate the community. As I learned doing the research for what was supposed to be one article but instead turned into three, CBD is a complex subject. But hopefully now you know that all those stores aren’t trying to get you high, where its been all your life, and that if you have more questions, you can go ask Heather at Get Me Some Green (or one of the other CBD shops. Just not the gas station.)