Morning Minute: Monday, March 1, 2021

News About Town: The Matthews Community Center and McDowell Arts Center are re-opening for programs, rentals, and activities today (March 1). Although the County Health Directive has expired, previous guidelines are still in place: masks and social distancing are required in both facilities. Arrive slightly early to complete a health screening and temperature scan. Class registration is required (no drop ins) to maintain small class sizes. If you need any assistance registering for a program, please give the Community Center staff a call at 704-321-7275.

Image via Unsplash

News Around Town: Navigating road projects in the region can be complicated, but many roads lead back to the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO)--at least in terms of planning and funding. The CRTPO compiles regional projects submitted by local municipalities, scores them according to data, gathers public input, and determines if they fit the goals of the Organization. If the project meets the criteria, the project may make it into the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). A large part of the MTP is the project list, which identifies priority projects of all transportation modes for the next twenty or so years.  Each of the jurisdictions within CRTPO’s planning area had an opportunity earlier this year to submit projects for consideration. These projects will soon be evaluated and opened to the public for prioritization input. This is the perfect opportunity to dive right into everything that is local transportation.

One Good Thing: If you’re still not ready for in-person activities, the county website is chock full of resources to keep you entertained. Orchid killer? They’ve got tips to green up your thumb. Kids need to calm down? There’s an asana for that. Need to practice your Cupid Shuffle? Line it up! See what they’ve got here.

Morning Minute: Thursday, February 25, 2020

News About Town: The cupola at Town Hall has been under repair for the past couple months. As that work finishes up, the lights in the dome will get an upgrade, too. The Board of Commissioners voted (6-1) to have color changing lights installed in the cupola at a cost of $20,723. The lights will have computerized controls for easy programming. Lights may be added around the front frieze and clock in the future.

Image via Matthews HELP Center Facebook

News Around Town: It’s not quite spring, but Backporch Treasures, 119 N. Ames St., has been doing their fair share of spring spiffying. Staff and volunteers spent the day packing up the winter items and restocking with spring goods. Fully refreshed in time for the weather to provide a hint of seasons to come, the thrift boutique reopens today at 10 am. For the month of February, the boutique is offering a 10% off discount to grocery store employees.

I Can See - A poem by Lorraine Stark

I Can See

Tiny flowers
sprout in hours
after showers
from spring’s rain fall

On rows of white
the sun casts light
till day meets night
when the owl calls

My garden sleeps
the willows weep
till the sun creeps
and babies crawl

Upon dews tears
they lose their fears
sweet little dears
like flowers small

By Lorraine Stark

Image via Unsplash @mercoledi

Morning Minute: Tuesday, February 23, 2020

News About Town: Matthews is getting a new E-One Typhoon Heavy Rescue truck from Fire Connections Incorporated at a cost not to exceed $800,000. This truck will replace the department’s twenty three year old American LaFrance, a heavy rescue truck made by a now-defunct business. Suffice it to say, finding replacement parts for the current truck is a difficult and lengthy process. This new truck will take between 350 Fire trucks are built to spec, and this new truck is no different--once the contract for purchase is signed, it will take between 350 and 375 days for the manufacturer to deliver. If you’re interested in what this truck may look like, E-One has YouTube tours of similar trucks.

Image via Unsplash creative LVDWIG.

News Around Town: During COVID, the Levine Senior Center (1050 Devore Ln, Matthews) has been serving up hot lunches to area seniors. Each Friday, seniors over the age of 50 are invited to drive on through the parking lot between noon and 1:30pm (or until the food runs out) to pick up a to-go meal. The center also sets up a puzzle and book exchange to add a little pandemic entertainment to the service. The facility is following county guidelines and has remained closed for in-person activities at the facility, but will offer the annual AARP Tax-Aide program by appointment. Find out more here.

One Good Thing: Registration is open for the annual Blessed Assurance Golf Tournament. As the primary fundraiser for the adult day care, the golf tournament directly supports disabled veterans, seniors, and other adults with Alzheimer’s, or dementia. The event is scheduled for April 22 at Old Sycamore Club in Mint Hill. The program will last all day, starting with breakfast at 9am and a shotgun start at 10:30 am. Dinner will be served following the tournament. Registration starts at $100 per person, with corporate packages and hole sponsorships available as well.

Morning Minute: Monday, February 22, 2020

What’s Happening Around Town: There are two more opportunities to weigh in on Mecklenburg County’s budget. The county budget covers health and human services, some arts funding, some education dollars, criminal justice and public safety, and more. The county is hosting two more virtual budget workshops this year. Participate on February 24 (6pm), and 27 (9:30am). Register here.

Play with $2B imaginary dollars here.

Tune into the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) LYNX Silver Line Public Meeting this Thursday, February 25 at 5:30pm. The virtual meeting is your chance to learn about the Silver Line and give input for potential refinements to the proposed light rail project. CATS staff will cover preliminary recommendations for the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) and what factors led to the refinements already made. For more information, visit ridetransit.org/LYNXSilverLine.

Matthews Kiwanis are hosting a fundraiser on Tuesday, March 2 at Mooyah Matthews. Stop by Mooyah between 4 and 8pm, and when you place your order let them know you’re supporting Kiwanis. If you use the app, use code MatthewsFun to let them know your order supports Kiwanis. The funds the organization raises will go to efforts by the local chapter to support youth in Matthews through efforts like their Terrific Kid program.

One Good Thing: If your place of employment participates in workplace giving campaigns consider hosting a fundraiser for the United Service Organization (USO). The USO’s “Dollars for Duty” campaign in the month of May will support programs and services for active military service members and their families across the entire southeast region. For more information or to participate, contact Sandy Barnett.

Morning Minute: Thursday, February 18, 2021

News About Town: The Board of Commissioners meeting agenda is available online. The meeting starts at 7 pm, Monday, February 22. The Board will meet via Zoom (link here, meeting ID 950 3721 0068). To listen live, call toll free 888-788-0099 and enter the meeting ID 950 3721 0068. A livestream of the meeting will also be available via the Town of Matthews YouTube Channel. For more information, including the process for public comment, visit the town website.

Items of note:
The Board will receive a CMS update from Southeast Learning Community Superintendent Dr. Tangela Williams. There are also eight items under new business (12 A. through H.) that include considering an ordinance revision to allow sport bow and arrow use by permit as well as a review of 2020 crime statistics.

Image via Unsplash contributor @neonbrand

News Around Town: Mecklenburg County is hosting budget workshops online this year, one of which is tonight; other dates include February 20, 24, and 27. Register here to rank the importance of budget lines and learn more about how funds are distributed.

Don’t Forget: Get a free COVID test today at Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist (381 Crestdale Road) with the Atrium Mobile COVID Testing Unit from 8 am to 2:30 pm.

The Town blood drive is today at Town Hall, 232 Matthews Station Street, from 10am to 2:30pm.

Morning Minute: Wednesday, February 17, 2021

News About Town: On Thursday, February 11, Matthews Police stopped a man speeding on Independence. During the stop the officer noticed drug paraphernalia and called in a K9 unit. The man, a Stallings resident, was carrying a variety of illegal narcotics and paraphernalia and was arrested on-scene. The driver now has a lengthy list of charges against him: possession of Drug Paraphernalia; Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Distribute Schedule I; Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Distribute Schedule II; Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Distribute Schedule VI; and Possession with Intent to Sell/Distribute Marijuana.

Image via Atrium

News Around Town: Matthews resident and author Dr. John Reaves recently published his second book,, COVID-19: When Life Comes at You Fast. This collection of ten essays invites the reader to think more deeply about their own COVID-19 experience and learn universal truths about both ourselves and others. Learn more about the author here.

One Good Thing: Tomorrow, February 18, Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist (381 Crestdale Road) will once again host the Atrium Mobile COVID Testing Unit from 8 am to 2:30 pm. The testing clinic is drive-through--just answer a few questions, get a swab up the nose, and get a text with your results a few days later. For the safety of employees and others, please wear a mask.

Don’t Forget: The Town blood drive is tomorrow, too.

Flirting - A cinquain by Lorraine Stark

Flirting

Polly

pretty baby

speak to me, you turn me

on with your squawks that ruffle my

feathers

By Lorraine Stark

Image via Unsplash @swimstaralex

Morning Minute: Monday, February 15, 2021

News About Town: Several advisory board meetings are coming up over the next two weeks. The Appearance/Tree Committee Remote Meeting meets tonight at 7pm. The Transportation Advisory Committee meets Thursday (February 18) at 7 pm. On Tuesday, February 23, the Planning Board and the Cultural Diversity Committee both meet at 7pm. Don’t forget the Town-hosted Red Cross Blood Drive on February 18 from 10am until 2:30pm. Also, the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is hosting a virtual meeting about the Silver Line on February 25 at 5:30pm.

News Around Town: Tomorrow evening (February 16, at 7pm), join area church leaders, Duke University’s Bishop William Willimon, and facilitator Tonya Rivens to virtually discuss “The Carolinas’ Last Lynching.” In 1947, the lynching of Willie Earle in Pickens, SC attracted international attention when an all-white jury exonerated Earle’s confessed killers. The national scandal that followed led to the formation of the nation’s first Civil Rights Commission. This is the eleventh Community Forum on Racial-Bridge Building hosted by a growing collective of Matthews churches, including Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist, Matthews Presbyterian, First Baptist Church of Matthews, Cross & Crown Lutheran, and Matthews United Methodist. Questions can be submitted via text during the event. Watch on Matthews UMC’s YouTube.

Morning Minute: Friday, February 12, 2021

News About Town: Charlotte Water will complete water line work along Matthews Station Street and Depot Lane next week. Repairs will be made on Old Depot Lane and Matthews Station Street starting on Monday, February 15. Work should be complete by the end of the week. Follow detour signs to avoid further delays.

Image via Unsplash @laurabriedis

News About Town: On Wednesday, January 27, 2021, a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of East Independence Boulevard and Matthews Mint Hill Road. The victim, forty year old Melanie Lynn Haynes, was taken to the hospital by ambulance. On February 6, Ms. Haynes succumbed to her injuries.

According to pedbikeinfo.org, an NCDOT pedestrian/bicyclist crash data website, there were 23 ped/bike incidents in Matthews in 2019, two of which were fatal (search results for Matthews).

One Fun Thing: Two Matthews mainstays were recently named in a Top 5 Antique Shops in Charlotte. Both Antique Alley and Precious Restorations were listed in the national news blog, Kev’s Best, as two of the best places to shop for antiques in the area*. Give both businesses a well-deserved congratulations and a big ol’ thank you for bringing such wonderful attention to what Matthews has to offer! (*We’ll  let Kev’s knowledge of town boundaries slide.)

Morning Minute: Thursday, February 11, 2021

News About Town: On Tuesday night, after a lengthy discussion around safety measures and risk, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education announced students will begin the process of returning to in-person learning next week. Elementary, K-8, and some differently abled students will return to in-person learning during the week of February 15th for two days a week; Wednesdays will still be remote for all students. Middle and high schools will return the following week.

Many charter and private schools have remained open and will continue to do so.

On Wednesday, Governor Cooper announced school administration, teachers, and support staff will be eligible for the coronavirus vaccine starting February 24 as the first eligible in Group 3.

Image via Unsplash @austin_pacheco

News Around Town: The vacant Family Dollar Headquarters on Monroe Road will soon host a new tenant.

The Silverman Group, a NJ-based real estate firm, bought the 354,518-square-foot building for $10.5 million. After renovations and upgrades, the building will be rebranded as the Eastside Logistics building.

Potential uses for the industrial site include distribution and light manufacturing.

One Fun Thing: For the senior set feeling the need for a little literary entertainment, the Library on Call has something just for you. Dial-a-story short story, joke, or poem at (980) 331-7700; make your selection, and enjoy! Options for Spanish are available. Find out more by clicking here.

Morning Minute: Tuesday, February 9, 2021

News About Town: Yesterday morning the Police Department held the annual Officer, Civilian, Volunteer of the Year Award Ceremony. Chief Clark Pennington presented plaques and $50 gift certificates to each recipient. Citizen Volunteer John Willis received the Volunteer of the Year award for his dedication to serving the town through responding to more than 800 volunteer-appropriate calls, directing traffic, and leading Stop the Bleed training. Crime Analyst Amanda Bruner was hired in 2019 and has worked with officers, investigators, and command staff on a number of cases. Officer of the Year was awarded to Officer Don Warren. Officer Warren received an Intermediate Law Enforcement Certificate in 2020 and is the school resource officer at Crestdale Middle and serves as a training coordinator for the police department.

News Around Town: Because of COVID and other everyday hardships, many Mecklenburg County residents are faced with the choice between heating their home or buying necessities. Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services can help. The department oversees the county’s Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP), which provides funds to eligible households to help with the payment of their immediate home energy needs. Applications will be accepted through March 31, 2021 and payments are a one-time direct-to-the-vendor payment. For more info on criteria and how to apply, visit the county website or can call 704-336-3000.

One Fun Thing: Carolina Impact, a weekly regional news show, recently interviewed Commissioner Ken McCool about his experience running for and serving on the Board of Commissioners. Learn more about Commissioner McCool here.

At Ray's Café - A poem by Lorraine Stark

At Ray’s Café

At Ray’s Café
Where lights are low
And lovers whisper
Between the flickers
Of candles glow
One mile up
On an old dirt road
At Ray’s Café.

By Lorraine Stark

Image via Unsplash @itfeelslikefilm

Morning Minute: Friday, February 5, 2021

News About Town: The Board of Commissioners meeting agenda is available online. There are several Planning and Zoning Related Actions to be voted on for approval or denial during the upcoming meeting.  :

•  Zoning Application 2020-717/Idlewild Senior Living to change the zoning classification from R-15 (a single-family designation) to Residential/Industrial Conditional Use (R/I[CD]) at 9832 Idlewild Road and further to accommodate a 128 unit senior living facility. This Item was deferred from January 11. Minor changes have been made since the January meeting. Updated plans can be found here.

• Zoning Application 2020-720/Lowe’s to change the existing Business/Shopping Center (w/over 100,000 sq. ft.) Conditional Zoning (B1[SCD]) conditions in the Sycamore Commons shopping center, 2115 Matthews Township Parkway, to allow the construction of a 3,000 square foot enclosed addition with a 1,500 square foot equipment storage area to the existing Lowe’s building. Clarifications can be found in this memo.

•  Zoning Application 2020-721/text amendment to amend the text to the UDO regarding open space requirement of the Concentrated Multifamily (C-MF) zoning district. Some clarification and compromise was made at the previous Board meeting as is summarized in the 2020-721 memo.

•  Zoning Application 2020-723/Harkey to change the zoning classification from R-12 (single-family) to R-12 MF (CD) at 2026 Matthews-Mint Hill Road to allow for a combination of single-family, townhomes, and duplexes. Five units will be priced at 80% area median income, creating a more affordable housing option in Matthews. More details here. 

• Public Improvement Variance allowing the replacement of a storage building that is approximately 3 or 4 feet into a SWIM buffer. Details here.

• Public Improvement Variance – Fiorenza/Four Corners requests the elimination of a sidewalk/multi-use path along Sam Newell Road and curb and gutter on Lakeview Circle in exchange for deeding an eight-acre piece of the parcel to the town for future park use. The multiuse path and curb and gutter were part of the original rezoning agreement.

As a reminder, an early meeting starts at 5:30 pm and the regular meeting starts at 7 pm, Monday, February 8. The Board will meet via Zoom (link here, meeting ID 938 8104 5575). To listen live, call toll free 888-788-0099 and enter the meeting ID 938 8104 5575. A livestream of the meeting will also be available via the Town of Matthews YouTube Channel. For more information, including the process for public comment, visit the town website.

Image via Unsplash @sincerelymedia

News Around Town: The Town of Matthews is hosting a Red cross Blood Drive at Town Hall on Thursday, February 18 from 10 am to 2:30 pm. Not only does the Red Cross always need blood and plasma, giving during the pandemic can be especially helpful. According to the Red Cross website, "The American Red Cross is testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. As part of that effort, plasma from whole blood donations that test positive for COVID-19 antibodies may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions.” If you’ve received the Coronavirus vaccine, know the brand of vaccine you received when you go in for your donation time. For more information on COVID and donating blood, visit the Red Cross site. Schedule your donation time online (search for MATTHEWSTOWN under “Find a Drive” to streamline the process.

Morning Minute: Thursday, February 4, 2021

News About Town: The Board of Commissioners meeting agenda is available online. An early meeting starts at 5:30 pm and the regular meeting starts at 7 pm, Monday, February 8. The Board will meet via Zoom (link here, meeting ID 938 8104 5575). To listen live, call toll free 888-788-0099 and enter the meeting ID 938 8104 5575. A livestream of the meeting will also be available via the Town of Matthews YouTube Channel. For more information, including the process for public comment, visit the town website.

The 5:30 pm meeting will be an info sharing session about the Independence Blvd. widening project. During the first meeting of the month the Board discusses planning and zoning items. There are several public hearing items as well as several items to be voted on for approval or denial during the upcoming meeting.

Public Hearings include 2020-722/Capital Independence, a mixed-use development near Highway 51 and Independence Blvd. The public hearing for this project was opened in January but continued until this meeting so the developer could make changes based on feedback. Application 2020-724/Park Place Matthews Phase 3 is a request for a sixth townhome on a parcel on Sadie Drive that has been approved for five townhomes. Application 2020-725/Moore is requesting feedback for the development of eight duets (sixteen units) on a parcel on Pleasant Plains. The Planning Department believes this public hearing should be postponed until March 8.

News Around Town: The Butler High School Band had a bit of bad luck lately—it was stolen on Christmas day, found, then stolen again last month. The second time around the trailer was involved in an accident and requires over $2,000 in repairs. The Butler Band Boosters is holding a raffle for a year of Chick-fil-A to pay for the repairs. Every $10 raffle ticket purchased will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win the Grand Prize* of 52 Chick-fil-A $10 gift cards! That's one gift card for every week of the year - a $520 value! All the necessary deets are here.