Morning Minute: Thursday, July 16, 2020

News About Town: On Monday, July 20 at 7 pm, the Board of Commissioners will hold a remote special meeting. This meeting will include an update from CMS Board Chair Elyse Dashew regarding the decision to use the B Plus plan for the 20/21 school year. Staff will present a proposed use for a vacant lot owned by the Town in the Matthews Station development. Staff will also present an update on the Crestdale Road multiuse path.

Watch via Zoom or listen by phone by calling 888-788-0099 (Toll Free) or 877-853-5247 (Toll Free) and entering meeting ID 993 1253 5550.

News Around Town: Yesterday, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board sat down with Superintendent Earnest Winston to hear from CMS staff as well as area medical experts in order to vote on the arrangement for the 20/21 school year. After an afternoon of both technical difficulty and lengthy debate, the Board ended with a vote 7-1-1 for Plan B+. Plan B+ includes two weeks of in-person learning on a staggered schedule to allow for adequate social distancing. After those initial weeks, all learning will be remote. Remote learning will consist of online class time with teacher’s instruction as well as independent study.

One Fun Thing: Matthews artists, Good Cup needs your talent! Send examples of your wildflower-inspired art to goodcupcoffee@gmail.com and it may end up on a mobile mural. This call is for Matthews residents only, and submissions close July 31.

Morning Minute: Wednesday, July 15, 2020

News About Town: At Monday’s Board of Commissioner’s meeting, NCDOT presented an update on the South Trade Street Bridge project. The presentation can be viewed here (begins around 2:10). Originally let on December 6, 2017, the project was expected to be complete in September of 2018. If the weather cooperates, the road may be operating in its new pattern in approximately two and a half months. Other tasks must then be completed, such as work on the sewer line. The project should be complete by spring of 2021.

News Around Town: Yesterday Governor Cooper outlined options for North Carolina schools this coming school year. Today the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board will review the Governor's Executive Order regarding Guidance for School Reopening. Follow along on Facebook to hear decision-making discussions around remote learning and the CMS Reopening of Schools Plan.

One Good Thing: If you missed the virtual dedication of Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity’s 113th home, you can see both the dedication and a tour of the home online. Habitat will begin construction on its next home toward the end of the summer.

Blue in Bloom

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

Morning Minute: Monday, July 13, 2020

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.

Morning-Minute: Friday, July 3, 2020

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.

Morning Minute: Thursday, July 2, 2020

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.

Morning Minute: Wednesday, July 1, 2020

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!)

Morning Minute: Tuesday, June 30, 2020

News About Town: Matthews Fire and EMS train around the clock to continually improve skills and preparedness. Recently the department trained with Resurrection Fire-Rescue Training on the tower outside Station 1. Queue the Backdraft soundtrack, the department caught the exercises on video.

News Around Town: CMS Board of Education has called a special meeting for July 1 at 7 pm. Watch on Facebook to follow the discussion on the reopening of schools.

One Good Thing: Need new duds? Backporch Treasures at the HELP Center has 50% off clothing with yellow tags. Score!

Haiku—Tempting

Haiku—Tempting

Outside Dante’s heat

Children splashing in the pool

Ice-cream has no chance

By Lorraine Stark 

Image via Unsplash by @squishtine

@squishstine

Morning Minute: Monday, June 29, 2020

News About Town: The second meeting for the Silver Line Task Force is Wednesday, July 1. Andy Mock and Jenna Nichols from CATS will present information about the Locally Preferred Alternative, its risks and benefits, and a timeline of the process. The meeting is available for viewing via Zoom. Click here to join from your phone or computer, or call 888-788-0099 (Toll Free) or 877-853- 5247 (Toll Free) and enter meeting ID 951 6538 6425.

News Around Town: Get your steps in and learn some history at the same time. The Matthews Heritage Museum (232 N. Trade St.) has placed brochures for a walking tour of Matthews in their Little Free Library. There’s also a driving tour if four wheels is more your speed.

One Fun Thing: We love dishing the local news, but the real news is ice cream. The Local Scoop, aka locally owned ice cream geniuses, use locally sourced ingredients as often as possible. The Local Scoop has moved in behind Moe’s BBQ (111 Matthews Station St.) for the summer, making Matthews significantly cooler.

Morning Minute: Friday, June 26, 2020

News About Town: The intersection of N. Trade Street and Matthews Station Street will be undergoing construction to improve pedestrian safety. In 2017, the Board of Commissioners approved the project to move forward to design.

The construction contract was approved earlier this month by the Board of Commissioners (Bland, Garner, Miller, Whitley, Urban in favor of; Higdon and McCool opposed), the project estimate is $351,202.00 including contingencies. The low bidder, Boggs Construction Inc., will raise the intersection, extend the curb, and create hi-visibility crosswalks, in addition to recently installed lighting improvements. 

Surveyors were out on Monday, June 22, signaling the beginning of construction which should last through mid-August. One lane in each direction will remain open during the majority of construction. Alternate routes for cars and pedestrians.

News Around Town: Today (Friday, June 26, 8 am - 4:30 pm) is your last day to pick up plants from Renfrow’s before the popular downtown hardware store closes for their annual week of vacation. If you miss the opportunity, check out the Farmer’s Market on Saturday. Wear your mask, pick up some freestone peaches, but save your money for some plants for your own pollinator garden. While you’re there, check out the patio area for garden inspiration. The market is part of the Butterfly Highway, a native plant pollinator habitat. 

One Good Thing: Reader (and Matthews resident) Nancy Callaway reached out to let us know she’s made masks which are available at the Harris Teeter pharmacy at Matthews Festival. Nancy asks that those who take a mask also make a donation to Special Olympics North Carolina in order to offset the nonprofit’s economic hardship during the COVID pandemic.

Morning Minute: Thursday, June 25, 2020

News About Town: After Monday’s resolution by Matthews Commissioners to support county-wide face coverings (read it in full here), on Tuesday, the County Commissioners created a mandate for Mecklenburg. Not all towns within the county agree to the mandate, making enforcement difficult. On Wednesday, Governor Cooper issued an Executive Order for the requirement of facial coverings where physical distancing is impossible. The Governor also extended Phase 2 for an additional three weeks.

News Around Town: Paceline Inc., a provider of fabrics for medical products, is adding ear loops to their inventory. The Matthews manufacturer added machines dedicated to produce ear loop fabric specifically going to surgical mask manufacturers.

One Fun Thing: All that talk about masks, if you’re looking for one ZAB’s Place (100 N. Trade) has upcycled fabric masks available in the shop or online.

Morning Minute: Wednesday, June 24, 2020

News About Town: During Monday’s meeting, the Board of Commissioners voted to support the county should it decide to make mask wearing a requirement. The resolution (read it in full here) follows CDC recommendations for masks indoors and in certain circumstances where physical distancing is difficult. According to Mayor Higdon, “The Centers for Disease Control have determined wearing a face covering is a useful preventative measure to slow the spread of COVID-19. While the town will not actively enforce compliance, it is my hope our citizens will respect their neighbors and tolerate the minor inconvenience of wearing a face covering when in situations where social distancing cannot be honored." 

On Tuesday, the County Commission approved a mask mandate though details are still unclear.

Recent recommendations from the World Health Organization and Stanford Medical, among other significant bodies in the medical community, confirm the importance of face coverings in reducing the spread of COVID-19.

News Around Town: If you’re looking for easy-to-grow plants to attract pollinators, native species are right on up there. Try flowers like purple coneflower, black eyed susan, common milkweed, New England aster, and common coreopsis. These are found in most area gardening centers, just make sure they haven’t been treated with neonics, a commonly used insecticide, which may defeat the purpose in attracting pollinators.

One Fun Thing: She may be living in Memphis now but Liz Brasher will always be a part of Matthews.

Morning Minute: Tuesday, June 23, 2020

In honor of National Pollinator Week, we’re highlighting Matthews pollinators in the news!

News About Town: Did you know the Town deliberately plans for healthy pollinator populations? In 2019, the Tree and Appearance Board revises the list of approved plantings for the Unified Development Ordinance (154.607.14). This list was revised to remove invasive species and consists predominantly of native species and provides additional options for developers when preparing landscape plans for development in Matthews.

News Around Town: If you haven’t been to Country Place Park lately, you should go. Not only is the pollinator garden in full bloom, but there’s new art to be seen. Gardener Martha Krauss’ talented neighbors and her niece kindly donated hand-painted rocks that double as plant markers. Learn about the plants and celebrate public art in one of Matthews’ most bee-utiful public parks.

Flapping

Flapping

Sheets on clotheslines as
Seagulls soar against a
Backdrop of blue skies
Listen, hear them flapping
Their freedom as they
Dance with the wind

By Lorraine Stark

Image via Unsplash by @tq_photos