SPECIAL REGIONAL EDITION:
Matthews - Mint Hill Union County & South Charlotte
Friday, Jan. 4, 2019 • Vol. 12 • No. 1
ABOUT US P.O. BOX 1104 Matthews, NC 28106 (704) 849-2261
justin@cmgweekly.com matthewsminthillweekly.com
ART CLASSES
WHAT'S INSIDE:
Senators' sights Bishop, Johnson explain 2019 focuses, 4-5A
Rockin’ arenas Major sports events coming this year, 1B
Dimple Ajmera fills out paperwork to become a candidate for the Charlotte City Council in 2017. 2019 marks another election this year. File photos
Lingering storylines 11 big issues bubbling into 2019 Commissioner Stony Rushing raised a valid concern about the need for constituent services in our district. One of the strengths of Congressman Robert Pittenger's team was their ability to cut through red tape when it came to helping veterans, seniors or low-income people navigate the federal system. Perhaps we'll see a lengthy investigation.
by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
2018 is over, but electric scooters, mumble rap and porch pirates will persist. So will several big issues affecting our region. Things we'd like to leave in the past, such as the October school shooting in Matthews or political divisiveness, will continue to manifest until we solve the root cause of these problems. Here's 11 big issues that we'll continue hearing about this year. Congressional drama We're two months removed from the November 2018 election and the Ninth District still doesn't have a representative in U.S. Congress. Republican Mark Harris had more votes than Democrat Dan McCready, but the state hasn't
Above: Community members take part in a march for immigrant rights in Charlotte. Mecklenburg County may see an increased ICE presence in the coming year. Below: Matthews Police Capt. Stason Tyrrell talks to reporters after the fatal shooting at Butler High School. Schools in Mecklenburg and Union counties are working to ensure such tragedies never happen again.
certified the results yet due to concerns about questionable absentee ballots in Robeson and Bladen
counties. Union County boldly called on the state to certify the results.
Charter schools I believe charter schools will continue to be debated on multiple fronts in the coming year. Locally, it will be interesting to see if Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will continue to look at charter schools more like competitors or if they'll begin to view them as partners. see FUTURE, Page 3A
Queen’s Feast Restaurant Week promotion returns, 4B
Follow us We’re growing more social by the day, 6B
INDEX Classifieds..............................................................5B Calendar....................................................................3B Faith....................................................................................3B Sports.............................................................................. 1B Puzzles........................................................................ 6B
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Page 2A • Special Regional Edition • Jan. 4, 2019
NEWS BRIEFS
IN THE KNOW
charities throughout the region. The Charlotte chapter’s 2018 contributions represent an increase of more than $88,000 from last year’s mark. The chapter has raised more than $13 million to support children since 1982. “It’s a true privilege to distribute these funds to 100 local charities who work hard year-round to make a major impact on the lives of children in need,” Chapter President Marcus Smith said. Speedway Children’s Charities has awarded over $55.3 million over the years to nonprofits throughout the nation.
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CONTACT US PRESIDENT Jonathan McElvy
The bubble machine was on at the right time Dec. 23 as fireworks went off at Bank of America Stadium at the start of the the last home game of 2018 for the Carolina Panthers. The NFL franchise finished the year at 7-9 after a seven-game losing streak, during which quarterback Cam Newton injured his throwing arm. Justin Vick/File photo
Jennifer McCormick turns X-rays into inspirational works of art. Photo courtesy of Mint Hill Arts
PUBLISHER Adrian Garson MANAGING EDITOR Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
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MINT HILL – Jennifer McCormick, a certified medical illustrator, transforms X-rays of injuries into images of healing and hope. After a second career teaching figure drawing and animation at the International Fine Arts College in Miami, she founded Art for Law & Medicine Inc., which provides medical demonstrative evi- McCormick dence for attorneys and their clients. McCormick said a grant from The Marianne Oberg Foundation for the Spiritual Arts allowed her to explore spirituality in a way she had not done before. The results of her exploration will be the focus of the Mint Hill Arts exhibit, “There is Healing in a Story: An Invitation to Spiritual Art.” View the gallery 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, Jan. 23 to Feb. 22, at the Mint Hill Arts, 11205 Lawyers Road. The opening reception, which is open to the public, will be held 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 25.
PRESS RELEASES justin@cmgweekly.com
Expressway travelers to receive first invoice
• The Ballantyne announces New Year’s events • Governor appoints Novant Health VP to minority health council • Homebrewer launching Pineville brewery • Fuzzy’s Taco Shop continues growth • Dominion Realty Partners breaks ground on 29-story tower
NEWS EDITOR Karie Simmons karie@cmgweekly.com
TWEETS OF THE WEEK
CONTENT PRODUCER Paul Nielsen paul@cmgweekly.com
SPORTS EDITOR Andrew Stark andrew@cmgweekly.com
• “Stop waiting to feel like it and do it anyway.” – Mel Robbins @(melrobbins) • “It takes 12 weeks to truly master a habit. Discover how to reach true success by creating powerful habits.” – Tony Robbins (@TonyRobbins)
ART DIRECTOR Kylie Sark art@cmgweekly.com
UPCOMING EDITIONS • Jan. 18: Arts & Entertainment
HAPPY NEW YEAR We're making New Year's resolutions just like you. Let us know what you'd like to see in our papers in 2019 by emailing, tweeting or messaging us on social media.
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Mint Hill Arts displays medical illustrator's spiritual art
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MONROE – Commuters who have driven on the Monroe Expressway since its Nov. 27 opening without an NC Quick Pass transponder account will soon receive a bill in the mail. Invoices are generated about 30 days after traveling on the 18-mile toll road and will be mailed to the address of the registered vehicle owner. State-mandated late fees will be assessed for bills not paid by the due date. Customers who want to avoid receiving bills in the mail can sign up for a transponder to save up to 35 percent on tolls. Visit www. ncquickpass.com or call 877-769-7277 for details.
Disaster loans are available in Union County ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration announced Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations as a result of flooding and wind caused by Hurricane Florence from Sept. 14 to Nov. 21. The loans are available to eligible farm-related and nonfarm-related entities in Union County that suffered financial losses as a direct result of the disaster. Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-6592955 or emailing disastercustomerservice@ sba.gov. Applications can be downloaded from www.Disasterloan.sba.gov.
Speedway Children’s Charities gives $1M to 100 organizations CONCORD – Speedway Children’s Charities announced its Charlotte Motor Speedway chapter distributed $1,040,350 in grants to 100
Alzheimer’s Association offers workshop for early detection CHARLOTTE – The Alzheimer’s Association – Western Carolina Chapter will host a workshop, “Know the 10 Signs: Early Detection Matters.” Attendees will learn how to recognize common signs of Alzheimer’s and other dementias; how to approach someone about memory concerns; the importance of early detection and benefits of a diagnosis; tests and assessments for the diagnostic process, and Alzheimer's Association resources. The program will take place 6:30 to 8 p.m. Jan. 10 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 3016 Providence Road. Registration is strongly suggested to ensure space for all attendees. Register at http://bit.ly/ALZJan10. Call 800-272-3900 for details.
Charlotte's air pollution plans help win climate challenge CHARLOTTE – Bloomberg Philanthropies added Charlotte to its Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge for its plans to reduce air pollution. The two-year $70 million program will accelerate efforts to tackle climate change for 20 cities. “We were looking for cities with ambitious and realistic plans to cut emissions in ways that improve people’s lives, and mayors committed to getting the job done,” said Mike Bloomberg, UN special envoy for climate action. Charlotte City Council passed Dec. 17 the Strategic Energy Action Plan to reduce per capita carbon dioxide emissions from 12 tons to less than two tons by 2050.
Charity for people with disabilities closing CHARLOTTE – The Arc of Mecklenburg County will close its doors after 65 years. No final closing date has been announced, however, the organization will cease regular business Feb. 1 at the latest. Heather Nodeland, president of The Arc of Mecklenburg County’s board of directors, attributed the organization’s closing to diminishing grant funds and financial support. “The Arc of North Carolina has two offices in Charlotte, and along with our chapter serving the counties of Union and Cabarrus, we will ensure that families have resources to help them navigate the path they are following,” Executive Director John Nash said.
USO greets traveling soldiers CHARLOTTE – The USO of North Carolina ensured more than 3,000 service members enjoyed snacks, entertainment and hand-written cards Dec. 18 as they passed through Charlotte Douglas International Airport on their first trip home for the holidays. USO of NC partners, such as WGU North Carolina, Community Coffee, USAA, Verizon, Coca Cola Bottling Corporation and Albemarle Corp., provided a welcoming environment for the soldiers heading home from basic training at U.S. Army Base Fort Jackson. Visit Matthews-Mint Hill, Union County and South Charlotte Weekly websites for more news each week.
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Special Regional Edition • Jan. 4, 2019 • Page 3A
FUTURE (continued from page 1A)
The state granted the towns of Matthews, Mint Hill, Huntersville and Cornelius the authority to open and operate charter schools, which prompted CMS to give those towns an ultimatum: build or miss out on future CMS construction. Leaders from CMS and the towns have started meeting to study demographics and the school district's logic behind drawing school boundaries. More broadly, people will continue to debate the effectiveness and inclusiveness of charter schools compared to their traditional counterparts. The state approved a handful of charter schools in Mecklenburg and Union counties in 2018, most notably Apprentice Academy High School, which opens in 2019 in our coverage area of Union County. County leadership Mark Watson begins his tenure as Union County manager in 2019. Human resource directors typically don't stand in the forefront of county government, given the nature of their jobs. It will be interesting to see if he's more vocal or authoritative than his predecessor, Cynthia Coto, during commissioner meetings. Watson has the advantage of running an organization with veteran department heads, many of whom he has known for a long time. While the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners has been dominated by Democrats for years, this marks the first term in decades that Democrats hold all of the seats. Members have publicly said that just because everyone is a Democrat doesn't mean there won't be disagreements among the board. I'm curious to see if Commissioner Vilma Leake continues to hold grunges against colleagues Pat Cotham and Ella Scarborough or if she'll play nice this term. Republican National Convention Even though the Republican National Convention isn't scheduled to arrive in Charlotte until August 2020, a lot of groundwork will go into preparing the region for hosting such an undertaking – especially with today's volatile political climate. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has already rolled out a series of workshops designed to establish common ground among the city's various demograph-
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles has advocated that city leaders focus on making housing more affordable in the city. File photo
ics. Security will be a key element to the region's planning. CMPD will likely request more funding in terms of manpower and equipment, while working with neighboring jurisdictions as it did during the Democratic National Convention in 2012. Republican groups in Mecklenburg and Union counties will recruit heavily for the event, while Democrats, Libertarians and some unaffiliated voters will call on others to join planned protests. A lot of the chaos will depend on what President Donald Trump says leading up to the event. Will he run again? If so, will he represent the Republican Party or maybe cash in his name recognition to start his own political party? Affordable housing Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles pushed the city to increase the Housing Trust Fund from $15 million to $50 million. The Housing Trust Fund helps secure affordable new construction and rehabilitated homes. The decision went before voters, who approved the measure at the ballot box in No-
Second Look
“I already have hearing aids, thanks anyway.” This is a common phrase I hear from people as they swiftly detour around my booth at health fairs in town. This is usually a response after I have asked them if they have had their hearing tested lately. If I can keep their attention long enough to ask the follow-up question, “how are they working for you?”, then they will sometimes open up with a smattering of issues ranging from the comfort of the device in their ears to difficulty hearing in a noisy place. I hear about these stories so often and have pondered how to possibly help them. Their hearing aids might only be a year or 2 old and they are not at all interested in purchasing different equipment. Luckily, I run
an independent clinic with access to hundreds of hearing aid software programs. When someone bought hearing aids elsewhere, I have generally charged $65 to adjust them, but I am offering a “Second Look” for free. I will look at your settings and fit, and will make recommendations or programming adjustments to help you stay in your current hearing aids. The hearing aids that you chose are only part of the equation. I would argue that software programming is even more important. If you know someone who is not happy with their current aids, please refer them to my “Second Look” program so that we can be sure that their aids are fit as well as possible for them!
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vember by 68 percent. Throughout 2018, leaders with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education and Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners have also expressed a desire to contribute toward a solution to the crisis. Affordable housing has also trickled into discussions among the Matthews Planning Board, which launched a subcommittee to examine owner-occupied homes and rental properties in town. Will these groups work together in 2019 to address the region's growing problem? Expect it to come up a lot from political campaigns. Kemba's contract Kemba Walker was third in fan voting for the Charlotte Hornets' 30th Anniversary Team this year, trailing only 1990s players Alonzo Mourning and Dell Curry. There's no question, he's the face of the franchise. And after a 60-point performance earlier this season, national media began to see Walker as an All-NBA caliber player, which could play a huge role in his contract negotiations with the team at the end of the season. Would Charlotte be willing to pay Walker a max contract even though the team has only made the NBA Playoffs twice during his first seven years? What if he qualifies for an even more expensive supermax contract for clinching All-NBA honors? The Hornets were below .500 as of Dec. 31. Management has until Feb. 7 to decide whether to trade Walker for assets that could make the team more competitive or begin a rebuild. If a trade doesn't happen, Walker may opt to play with another team. This is a pivotal year for the future of the franchise. Immigration debate Will President Donald Trump be successful in fulfilling a promise to build a wall along the Mexican border? If so, who will pay for it? Immigration is a divisive issue among Trump supporters and haters. Locally, Sheriff Garry McFadden pulled Mecklenburg County out of the 287(g) program on his first day of office, opting to use his resources on preventing serious crimes and improving public safety in the community. Last month, ICE Field Office Director Sean Gallagher described McFadden's move as "an open invitation to aliens who commit criminal offenses that Mecklenburg County is now a safe haven for persons seeking to evade federal authorities.” Gallagher promised a more visible ICE presence in Mecklenburg as a result. N.C. Rep. Scott Stone urged McFadden to reconsider, noting it forced ICE to make arrests in public rather than the controlled environment of jail. Don't be surprised to see a few generic protests pop up locally based on national happenings. School safety School districts in Mecklenburg and Union counties didn't just start talking about how to keep students safe after the fatal shooting three months ago at Butler High School in Matthews. School districts were already moved by the Feb. 14 high school shooting that killed 17 people in Parkland, Florida. Students organized walkouts to inspire more agressive gun laws, while school boards sought higher budgets for security protocols. After the Butler shooting, school districts had very public discussions about school safety. Expect those discussions to resume as school boards put together their annual budgets in the spring and make formal budget requests to county commissioners through June. I have no doubt that school districts will seek more tax dollars to add
support staff and safety tools. Community cohesiveness South Charlotte Partners is inviting leaders from homeowners associations and property management groups to a conversation with Charlotte Planning Director Taiwo Jaiyeoba on Jan. 10 at the Ballantyne Hotel. This meeting is an opportunity to bring leaders together to discuss south Charlotte growth trends. If South Charlotte Partners can continue to cultivate relationships with HOA and property management firms, there may come a point in the near future when the region could be ready for a municipal tax district. Center City Partners and University City Partners are examples of tax districts that work toward increasing economic development of their regions. Similar tax boundaries could be drawn around SouthPark or Ballantyne. While this may be too ambitious right now, I do anticipate discussions between city staff and council about how to give community groups more of a voice in development. Tariq Bokari, who represents SouthPark on the council, mentioned during the council's Dec. 17 meeting that there's a need for a better resource for community groups to negotiate in a meaningful way with petitioners on zoning projects. Express lanes With the Monroe Expressway out of the way, expect major milestones for other express lane projects in the Charlotte region. 2019 will see the opening of the I-77 project and the start of construction for the I-485 project. Express lanes allow drivers to voluntarily pay for a more reliable commute. Pricing fluctuates based on the number of vehicles in the lanes. Those who use the lanes can pay the toll via a transponder or via a mailed bill. Transportation leaders have said the electronic tolls protect the lanes longer than merely adding general-purpose lanes. An express lane will go in the median of I-485, between I-77 and U.S. 74, in each direction. Three smaller projects are associated with I-485: widening of Ballantyne Commons Parkway Bridge in Charlotte and improving John Street and Weddington Road interchanges in Matthews. The I-77 project will have two express lanes added from Uptown Charlotte to Exit 28 in Cornelius, as well as one express lane between Cornelius and Mooresville. Municipal elections The election of new leaders often sheds light on issues that need to be addressed over the next two years. Several mayoral races in 2017 were thrilling, including Vi Lyles vs. Kenny Smith in Charlotte, Paul Bailey vs. Larry Whitley in Matthews and Elizabeth Callis vs. Bill Deter in Weddington. Some communities saw major overhauls, like Charlotte, Indian Trail and Waxhaw, while others saw maybe one new face, if any, like Mike Cochrane in Mint Hill and Amanda Fuller in Wesley Chapel. Campaigning kicks off with the filing period, which is when candidates turn in their official paperwork. 2017 was notable due to Matthews Mayor Jim Taylor removing his name from the ballot on the last day of filing. Former Stallings Mayor Lynda Paxton made noise in Union County when she decided to run for an open town council seat. In 2019, I'm interested to see if Democrats take over the Charlotte City Council like they have the county government. Will Republicans continue to hold all the seats on the Matthews board? Will elder statesmen, like Mint Hill Mayor Ted Biggers or Indian Trail Mayor Pro Tem David Cohn, commit to another term? Stayed tuned!
Page 4A • Special Regional Edition • Jan. 4, 2019
Bishop embraces bipartisanship, strives to keep taxes low by Paul Nielsen paul@cmgweekly.com
CHARLOTTE – District 39 Republican N.C. Sen. Dan Bishop is hopeful the General Assembly will be able to work in a bipartisan manner when the 2019 session convenes next week in Raleigh. Bishop was elected to a second term in the State Senate last November when he defeated Democratic challenger Chad Stachowicz 53 to 47 percent, winning by over 5,000 votes. Bishop won the Republican primary over challenger Beth Monoghan with 71 percent of the vote. Bishop bucked a trend in Mecklenburg County as three N.C. House Republican incumbents lost re-election bids while Republican Jeff Tarte was ousted from his Senate seat in November. That means Bishop will be the only Republican from Mecklenburg County in the General Assembly when the 2019 session starts Jan. 9. Bishop said he attributed his re-election to being “plain spoken” and honest with voters on where he stands on the issues. “My view has always been, I don’t hide who I am,” Bishop said. “I don’t seek to endlessly modulate or copy someone else’s position to try and chase the last vote. My view is that I am a conservative and that conservative principles are best for opportunities and for liberty and prosperity, particularly if they are followed in a disciplined way. I am as plain as an old shoe, as they say.”
Statewide, Democrats ended the Republican’s super-majorities in each chamber which means the GOP no longer has the ability to override vetoes from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper on straight-line party votes. That makeup means the two parties need to find common ground on issues as Republicans control the N.C. Senate 29-21 and the House of Representatives 65-55. Since taking office, Cooper has vetoed 28 bills and 21 have been overridden by the General Assembly. It takes 30 votes in the State Senate and 72 votes in the House to override a gubernatorial veto. “I am certainly willing and eager to do things on a bipartisan basis,” Bishop said. “I have been pretty dismayed at the absence of bipartisan spirit. Everything seems to be fraught with partisan antagonism, and it is not very encouraging in terms of signs of bipartisanship. But I think the way it is going to work is if there is no cooperation from the governor’s mansion or inclination to work together, we probably won’t accomplish much. On the other hand, there is much to be accomplished and many things need attention. I’m willing to proceed on a bipartisan basis and I am hopeful to see that reciprocated.” Last month, Bishop was a leading voice as the General Assembly enacted a new voter ID law after voters added an amendment to the state’s constitution requiring a voter needs an acceptable identification to be able to cast a vote. In addition to IDs issued by the
DMV and county election boards, the new law counts college and university identification cards as acceptable forms of identification among several others. Some forms of expired identification cards would be allowed and any identification card that was valid when the holder turned 65 is also an acceptable form of identification. Free voter photo ID cards will be available upon request from the county board of elections office. Equipment will be provided by the state and every county board of elections is required to begin making ID cards available to voters no later than May 1, 2019. If a voter can’t produce an acceptable form of identification when voting, they will be given a provisional ballot. That ballot would count if the voter can produce an acceptable ID at least a day before the county’s votes are certified. Gov. Cooper vetoed that voter ID bill and a separate elections bill but the General Assembly overrode both vetos, allowing both bills to become law. One of election law’s provisions ended a twoyear battle between Cooper and the GOP-dominated General Assembly over control of the state’s elections board. Another provision in the election’s legislation keeps campaign finance investigations confidential until evidence is presented to back up any charges. Two years ago, the General Assembly changed the law that had given the governor’s political party the majority on local and state
boards that oversee elections to a bipartisan elections board. Cooper sued and eventually won his lawsuit against the measure. The legislation largely returns elections, ethics enforcement and lobbyist reporting to how they were before the General Assembly changed them just before Cooper took office after the 2016 general election. “The veto (of Voter ID) was kind of astonishing,” Bishop said. “The people after all voted to do it via a constitutional amendment and the statute that was passed really bends over backwards. Just about any accommodation that anyone can imagine has been made. In fact, the governor nor the Democrats had an articulate objection to the statute. They think voter identification is a bad thing but the people spoke to the contrary.” Cooper said in his veto statement the Voter ID bill will make it harder for certain groups of people to be able to vote. “Requiring photo IDs for in-person voting is a solution in search of a problem,” Cooper said. “Instead, the real election problem is votes harvested illegally through absentee ballots, which this proposal fails to fix. In addition, the proposed law puts up barriers to voting that will trap honest voters in confusion and discourage them with new rules, some of which haven't even been written yet. Finally, the fundamental flaw in the bill is its sinister and cynical origins: It was designed to suppress the rights of minority, poor and
“
elderly voters. The cost of disenfranchising those voters or any citizens is too high, and the risk of taking away the fundamental right to vote is too great, for this law to take effect.” Voters in November also passed a constitutional amendment that caps the state income tax rate at 7 percent. Bishop said the Republican-led General Assembly has consistently lowered taxes since taking control in 2013. The personal income rate is now at 5.25 percent while the corporate rate is now at 2.5 percent, which is the lowest among Southeastern states that have a corporate tax. Bishop said the lowering of tax rates has benefited the state’s economy tremendously, and he will work to keep that trend going. “The results have been outstanding as we have had revenue surpluses,” Bishop said. “People think that when you are cutting tax rates that you are not going to have the revenues that you need. We have had revenue growth throughout as the tax reforms have been aimed at improving economic performance. When you have an economy that performs better, you generate more revenues from that and this has played out throughout a series of years very well. We have had revenue surpluses every single year since 2015 and we are going to have another one this year. We are $100 million ahead of revenue projections for this fiscal year. Other states are starting to emulate us. This has been a tremendous success for the Republican General Assembly.”
I don’t seek to endlessly modulate or copy someone else’s position to try and chase the last vote. My view is that I am a conservative and that conservative principles are best for opportunities and for liberty and prosperity, particularly if they are followed in a disciplined way. I am as plain as an old shoe, as they say.”
- N.C. Sen. Dan Bishop
Important news
for Union County residents on Medicare. As a result of Hurricane Florence, the North Carolina Insurance Commissioner has granted an extended Special Enrollment Period for Union County residents through January 7th, 2019. This means you still have time to enroll in a new Medicare Advantage plan from Teal Premier for 2019.
Union County residents: Call 1-855-844-3665 (TTY: 711)
8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week through January 7th for more information and to enroll. Or visit TealPremier.com/SEP to enroll online.
Teal Premier, a product of Care N’ Care Insurance Company of North Carolina, Inc., is a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Teal Premier depends on contract renewal. Calls will be answered by a licensed sales agent/broker. This information can be made available in other formats or language. Please call Teal Premier for assistance at 1-833-338-8325 (TTY: 711), seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (EST). Teal Premier complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. H9808_19_205_M
Special Regional Edition • Jan. 4, 2019 • Page 5A
Johnson anticipates cooperation in first Senate term by Paul Nielsen paul@cmgweekly.com
MONROE – During his fouryears as a Union County commissioner, Republican Todd Johnson worked to improve the county’s infrastructure while keeping taxes low and eliminating government waste. When the opportunity to take those priorities to the state level arose, Johnson jumped at the opportunity to run for N.C. Senate District 35 seat that represents most of Union County. Johnson defeated Democratic challenger Caroline Walker 62 to 38 percent last November and the local businessman will take his seat in the Senate on Jan. 9. He has a clear direction for his first term. “Just driving on the roads in Union County, it doesn’t take you long to figure out that our population has outgrown our infrastructure in terms of our roads,” Johnson said. “The Monroe Bypass is a nice start. But the secondary roads in the more heavily populated parts of the county need some attention and need a champion to go fight for the money that we have grown into. “It takes way too long to get between certain places. I will try and make that a priority. We send a lot of money to Raleigh, and we don’t get a whole lot back.” Johnson served as a county commissioner from 2010 to 2014. He said that experience will help him as a legislator in Raleigh. He replaces fellow Republican Sen. Tommy Tucker, who retired after four terms in the General Assembly. “I was involved with local politics as a county commissioner and I know a lot of the things we tried to
get done we had to go through the state to get things done for Union County,” Johnson said. “When the opportunity arose when Sen. Tucker announced his retirement, I just felt that a lot of things we hadn’t been able to accomplish in Union County that maybe I could serve in a state capacity and get those things accomplished.” Johnson said the top three issues he will work on when the General Assembly convenes will be education, transportation and jobs. Johnson is president of Johnson Insurance Management and he said that experience will help him in Raleigh. “Those were the three issues we kept hearing over and over during the campaign,” Johnson said. “Having two kids in public schools, public education is important to me. Being a small business owner in Monroe, I understand the job market and realize we have to have large industry and small businesses. We need to support them so they can bring in jobs for our economy.’’ Johnson will be one of 13 new state senators and both houses of the General Assembly will have a different look as Democrats broke the Republican’s super-majority in both chambers. Democrats gained six seats in the N.C. Senate and 10 seats in the House, which means the Republicans no longer have the ability to override vetoes from Gov. Roy Cooper on a straight party-line vote. Republicans will control the State Senate 29-21 and the House 65-55. Johnson said he expects that both Republicans and Democrats will come together on issues that benefit the state in the coming session of the General Assembly.
“I really do think we will work together,” Johnson said. “I have been through one orientation and I have met all the members of the State Senate. The freshmen senators that I have met with and sat down with during these orientations were all together. Every single person said, ‘work together, get along, get things done, focus on the 90 percent that we agree on and we can work on the 10 percent.’ Unfortunately, and I am not knocking the media, that is what you hear about, the 10 percent we don’t agree on and not the 90 percent that we agree on. “I didn’t realize all the unanimous votes there are on legislation that is supported by both parties. It doesn’t get reported on because it is not flashy and exciting. We are going to have to work on some things and compromise. I look at it as an opportunity.” Johnson praised the New Voter ID law that was enacted last month but said more election reforms, especially in absentee voting, may be needed. The state has refused to certify the results in the N.C. 9th Congressional race that Republican Mark Harris won by 905 votes over Democrat Dan McCready last November after alleged irregularities in absentee voting in two counties in the district surfaced. The North Carolina Board of Elections will hold a public hearing on the matter on Jan. 11 and the board could go as far as order a new election in the 9th District, which stretches from south Charlotte to Fayetteville and includes all of Union County. “Absentee voting was originally designed for hard-ship purposes,” Johnson said. “Folks that are de-
Todd Johnson, who will represent N.C. Senate District 35, chats with Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey (right) during a campaign event. Johnson expects to focus on transportation, jobs and education during his first term. File photo
ployed, folks that are shut-ins and can’t get out of the house, folks that are in a nursing home and can’t get to the voting site. I don’t want to hinder voting, but it is obvious there are issues. Way too many people died to protect this right and we need to protect the integrity of it.” Tucker was co-chair of the powerful Senate Finance Committee and was a leading voice in the Senate so Johnson knows he has big
shoes to fill. “I even mentioned that in the presence of Sen. Tucker, and he corrected me really quick,” Johnson said. “He said, ‘Don’t try to fill anyone’s shoes, be your own self and fill your own shoes, listen a lot, learn and create relationships and get a long with people.’ From what I have seen in the Senate, the opposing parties get along great and it is going to be exciting to be a part of that.”
GOP recruiting volunteers regionally for RNC in 2020 for local Republicans as the party prepares to host the 2020 Republican National Convention in Charlotte. Charlotte was awarded the 2020 RNC last summer. The Republican National
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Committee announced back in October that the convention will be held Aug. 24 to paul@cmgweekly.com 27, when the party is expected to nominate President Donald Trump for a second term. CHARLOTTE – With eyes on August The convention is expected to have a 2020, this coming year will be a busy one huge economic impact on Charlotte and the surrounding counties, as nearly 50,000 visitors could attend the convention. It is expected that many events will be held outside of Uptown, including at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Charlotte hosted the Democratic National Convention in 2012 and is now one of 10 cities to host both conventions. “This is an exciting time for the region,” said N.C. Sen. Todd Johnson, a Republican elected to represent most of Union County. “The economic impact is going to be monumental.” The Mecklenburg County Republican Party has been tasked with finding around 8,000 volunteers to help staff the convention and the hundreds of events that will surround the convention. Mecklenburg County Republican Party vice-chair Sarah Reidy-Jones said the party has already started signing up volunteers but that effort will pick up steam next Dr. Michael Smith month. Improve Your Health by Healing YourNaturopathic Gut! Physician • Acid Refluxfor the RNC have Several top positions Empowering been filled but the party is waiting until Re• Allergies publican National Committee chairwoman People to Better Your digestive tract is the Chronicis Pain Ronna• McDaniel re-elected head of the Health foundation for your body’s health.Since 2005 party later this month. That vote is basical• Diabetes Constipation, bloating, IBS, acid ly a formality as President Trump has asked reflux, Crohn’s, Colitis, fatigue, McDaniel to stay on asDisorders head of the party • Digestive brain fog, hormonal imbalance, Dr. Michael Smith through 2020. and more can be healed by healing Naturopathic Physician • Acid Reflux Stress your gut! Come hear digestive “We• are kind ofManagement in a holding pattern until Empowering health expert, Dr. Michael Smith, • Allergies Ronna• McDaniel re-elected as chairman Thyroidis Disorders speak how to heal your gut of the RNC,” Reidy-Jones said. “At that People toabout Better and avoid invasive procedures and • Chronic Pain Women’ Health point,•they will start sstaffing up and makHealth Since medications! 2005 ing more plans. That is when the RNC will • Diabetes make its committee appointments as well. Dr. Michael Smith Join us for this free dinner presentation. • Digestive Disorders They have hired the COO and a couple of Naturopathic Physician Appointments Available CarolinasNaturalHealth.com Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at 6:30pm other positions.” • Stress Management Harper’s at Carolina Place, Reidy-Jones said the Mecklenburg Coun11059 Carolina Place Parkway | Pineville, NC ty Republicans are working with local GOP • Thyroid Disorders organizations throughout the region to find Seating is limited and reservations are required. 704-708-4404 • Women’s Health volunteers. Call to reserve a seat for you and a guest: “Our sole job for the convention is getWe look forward to seeing you there! ting the volunteers,” Reidy-Jones said. “The
RNC does the actual operations of the actual convention. We have a lot of volunteers right now. We have volunteers from all over North Carolina and South Carolina and the whole region. We are collecting that information but we are putting them to work with other projects for the party.” While the official convention is just four days, events surrounding it will begin as early as the week before the convention as people, including media members from around the world, start flocking to the Queen City. The host committee, which is made up of local business and civic leaders, expects to raise $70 million to fund the convention and Charlotte 2020 Host Committee CEO John Lassiter said the convention will be good for Charlotte and the region.
and AvidXchange have each made major job announcements in recent weeks. Honeywell plans to move its headquarters to Mecklenburg County, creating 750 jobs over the next six years, including 150 positions based in New Jersey. The Fortune 100 firm will bring more than $248 million in investment by the end of 2023. Honeywell blends physical products with software for solutions that improve buildings, supply chains, utilities and aircraft. Cognizant will expand its operations in
vesting an estimated $5 million. Cognizant, which is ranked 195 on the Fortune 500, provides information technology, consulting and business process services. It employs more than 960 people locally. AvidXchange will expand its Charlotte headquarters, creating 1,229 jobs and investing $41 million in Mecklenburg County. The firm specializes in automating invoice and payment processes for mid-market companies.
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Update on congressional race Local Republicans may also have to gear up for a special congressional election if the state orders a new election for the 9th Congressional District, which stretches from southern Mecklenburg County to Fayetteville. Mark Harris defeated Democrat Dan McCready by 905 votes in the November election but the state refused to certify the results after alleged irregularities in absentee voting in two counties in the district surfaced. The North Carolina Board of Elections will hold a public hearing on Jan. 11 regarding the board’s investigation into absentee ballot irregularities in the district. The board initially announced during a meeting in November that they would hold the public hearing prior to Dec. 21. The new date means that Harris will not be seated when Congress reconvened on Jan. 3. McCready withdrew his concession speech he gave the day after the election after the alleged irregularities surfaced. Reidy-Jones said that if the board goes as far to order a new election, she expects that the general election would be held sometime in August. “It could be pushed to August, which is crazy,” Reidy-Jones said. “That’s a darn shame for the residents of District 9.”
Acid Reflux • Allergies • Chronic Pain Virtual Appointments Available CarolinasNaturalHealth.com Diabetes • Digestive Disorders Stress Management City announces expansions, relocation Thyroid Disorders • Women’s Health CHARLOTTE – Honeywell, Cognizant Charlotte, creating 300 new jobs and in-
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Page 6A • Special Regional Edition • Jan. 4, 2019
SPORTS Special Regional Edition • Jan. 4, 2019 • Page 1B
Kyle Busch takes the checkered flag at the Coca-Cola 600 on May 27, 2018, at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Sarah Crabill/Getty Images
Sports events that will keep Charlotte arenas rocking by Paul Nielsen paul@cmgweekly.com
CHARLOTTE – Charlotte will again be the site of major professional and amateur sporting events. Below are some of the more prestigious events that will be coming to the Queen City in 2019. NBA All-Star Game Feb. 15-17, Spectrum Center The 68th annual NBA All-Star Game returns to the Queen City with more than 150 events, some of which are ticketed. Individual tickets to the NBA All-Star Game do not go on sale. While the NBA Celebrity All-Star Game is already sold out, tickets are still available for the Mountain Dew Ice Rising Stars Game on Feb. 15 at the Spectrum Center. The game features the NBA’s top rookies and sophomores. NBA All-Star at The Epicentre runs Feb. 15 to 17 from noon to 7 p.m. and is free to the public. Activities include player appearances, art and memorabilia displays, apparel customization and panel discussions. Visit www.nbaevents.com for tickets. CIAA Basketball Tournament Feb. 25 to March 2, Charlotte The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, the nation’s oldest African American athletic conference, will showcase its 13-member institutions, including its newest, Claflin University. The 24-game tournament tips off in Bojangles’ Coliseum on Feb. 25 and continues through Feb. 27. The action moves to Spectrum Arena on March 1 and culminates in the men’s and women’s championship games on March 2. Ranked No. 3 among the most attended and anticipated NCAA events, the CIAA Basketball Tournament brought over 150,000 fans to Charlotte in 2018 during the week of competition with an economic impact of $50.5 million.
Queen’s Cup brings the pageantry and thrill of watching thoroughbred horse race to Mineral Springs. Photo courtesy of Queen’s Cup
WWE Smackdown Live Feb. 26, Spectrum Center WWE Smackdown Live is coming to Charlotte as the sports entertainment promotion prepares for its peak pay-per-view season. The event follows one month after the Royal Rumble and could lay the groundwork for major storylines heading into FastLane on March 10 and Wrestlemania 35 on April 7. Some of WWE’s top performers may be competing, including the WWE Champion Daniel Bryan, “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles,
The Miz, Shinsuke Nakamura, “The Man” Becky Lynch, the Queen City’s own Charlotte Flair and many more. Visit www.spectrumcentercharlotte.com or www.ticketmaster.com for tickets. ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament March 12-16, Spectrum Center The Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball tournament returns to Charlotte during a season in which the conference is among the most competitive in the nation. Duke, Virginia, Florida State, Virginia
Tech, North Carolina and North Carolina State were nationally ranked heading into 2019. Rosters include NBA-caliber talent, such as Duke's Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett. Tickets are available at several ticket agencies. Queen’s Cup Steeplechase April 27, Brooklandwood Race Course Some of the best horses, trainers and jockeys see EVENTS, Page 2B
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Page 2B • Special Regional Edition • Jan. 4, 2019
The Wells Fargo Championship brings world-class golfers like Tiger Woods to Quail Hollow Club. File photo
EVENTS (continued from page 1B)
will be on hand for the 24th edition of the Queen’s Cup. And the tailgating options keep getting better at one of the top sporting and social events in the Southeast. A crowd of nearly 20,000 attended last year’s Queen’s Cup. The event benefited the local Alzheimer’s Association for the fifth-consecutive year. The Queen’s Cup has donated more than $800,000 to various charities over the years. The nonprofit Queen’s Cup is part of the National Steeplechase Association and one of around 30 races scheduled across the country from March to November. Visit www.queenscup.org/tick ets/ for tickets. Well Fargo Championship April 29 to May 5, Quail Hollow Club Jason Day is expected to return to the Wells Fargo Championship to defend his 2018 title, and many of the world’s top golfers are expected in the field of one of the
PGA Tour's top tournaments. Charlotte resident Johnson Wagner finished in a tie for 13thplace last year, while Quail Hollow resident Webb Simpson, who won the 2018 Player’s Championship, tied for 22nd. The Wells Fargo Championship, on behalf of Champions for Education, gave more than $1.5 million in donations last year to Charlotte-area organizations. In 16 years, Champions for Education has contributed $22 million to charities. Visit www.wellsfargochampion ship.com/tickets/ground-tickets for tickets. NASCAR All-Star Race & Coca-Cola 600 May, Charlotte Motor Speedway The Monster Energy NASCAR Series arrives in Charlotte for back-to-back weeks of racing with the All-Star Race on May 18 and the Coca-Cola 600 on May 26. Kyle Busch won the Coca-Cola 600 in 2018. He won the pole and led 378 of 400 laps in winning all four stages of the race. During Coca-Cola 600 week-
end, the NASCAR Xfinity Series will hold its Alsco 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Monster Energy NASCAR Energy Series will return to the speedway Sept. 29 for the Bank of America ROVAL 400. Visit www.charlottemotor speedway.com/events/ for tickets. Gold Cup Soccer June 23, Bank of America Stadium The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football announced last fall that top-ranked Mexico is the seeded team in Group A that will play in a Charlotte doubleheader as part of the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup. The schedule will be announced later this year once all nations have qualified via the Concacaf Nations League Qualifier. To date, six of the 16 national teams scheduled to participate have qualified for the tournament, those being the countries that participated in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Hexagonal qualifier round, which are Costa Rica, Honduras,
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The CIAA Basketball Tournament not only brings quality college basketball to Charlotte, but it also attracts alumni events and weekend parties. Photo courtesy of CIAA
Mexico, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago and the U.S. Visit https://thisisours.goldcup. org for tickets. Belk College Kickoff Classic Aug. 31, Bank of America Stadium The second Mack Brown era of North Carolina football will begin in the Queen City when the Tar Heels face South Carolina in the Belk College Kickoff Classic. The 67-year-old Brown coached the Tar Heels from 1988 to 1997, and his last two teams finished in the top 10 nationally. He went on to spend 16 seasons at Texas, where he won the national championship in 2005. Brown left Texas in 2013, and had been working in broadcasting before being named the head coach at North Carolina in November. Visit www.belkcollegekickoff.
com/tickets/ for tickets. Belk Bowl December, Charlotte Charlotte has hosted a college football bowl game since 2002, and it has been called the Belk Bowl since 2011. The game will again be played in 2019 with teams from the ACC and SEC squaring off. There has been speculation that a third conference could be added to the mix of participating conferences. The date for the 2019 game has not yet been announced. Virginia defeated South Carolina in the 2018 Belk Bowl on Dec. 29 at Bank of American Stadium. FanFest coincides with the bowl, giving fans the chance to tailgate, as well as take in some live music, food and drink prior to kickoff.
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Special Regional Edition • Jan. 4, 2019 • Page 3B
THINGS TO DO Jan. 4
Chamber Luncheon The Matthews Chamber of Commerce holds its First Friday Lunch Connect networking event at Crepe Bistro. Call 704-847-3649 for details. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; 1605 Galleria Blvd., Charlotte Family Night The Matthews Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resource Department presents Crews Family Fun Night at the Crews Recreation Center. The event includes entertainment and food. The highlight for this program is karaoke night. Call 704-708-1289 for details. 6 to 9 p.m.; 1201 Crews Road, Matthews Shag Club Bopper's Shag Club hosts a night of shag and line dancing with DJ Roger Holcombe. The Re-Up Party, which is for adults 21 and older, takes place at Mecklenburg Shrine Club. Members get in free with purchase of 2019 membership ($25). The cover costs $7 for guests. Light appetizers will be provided. Wine, beer and soft drinks are available to buy. 7 to 11 p.m.; 5200 Mecklenburg Shrine Club Road, Charlotte Square Dance Western Style Square Dance Clubs invites new, interested dancers of all ages to an open house at Weddington Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. Call Theresa Rutz at 704-763-6961 or Harvey Hess at 704-516-6503 for details. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., 13901 Providence Road, Weddington
Jan. 5
Polk State Historic Site. Call 704889-7145 for details. 11 a.m. to noon; 12031 Lancaster Hwy., Pineville Life Lab Learn more about some of the many invertebrates that call the lab home at Discovery Place Science. The weekly event is Invertebrates of the Life Lab. General admission costs $17 with discounts for children (ages 2 to 13) and seniors (60+). Call 704-372-6261 for details. 11 a.m.; 301 N. Tryon St., Charlotte DNA Origami Create a double helix DNA model and learn about the way DNA gets its shape at Discovery Place Science. General admission costs $17 with discounts for children (ages 2 to 13) and seniors (60+). Call 704-372-6261 for details. Noon; 301 N. Tryon St., Charlotte Winter Walk Join a naturalist on the Paw Paw Nature Trail and see what winter has to offer Discovery Place Nature's Back Deck. Admission costs $8. Members and children 2 and younger get in free. Visit www.na ture.discoveryplace.org or call 704372-6261 for details. 12:30 p.m.; 1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte
Jan. 6
Author Event Joyce Cooper, a retired public school teacher, talks about her latest novel, “High School Stories: Life Interrupted,” at Park Road Books. Call 704-525-9239 for details. 2 to 4 p.m.; 4139 Park Road, Charlotte
Bird Walk Discovery Place Nature holds a bird walk around the museum and Freedom Park. Look and listen for seasonal and resident birds found this time of year. Admission costs $8. Members and children 2 and younger get in free. Visit www.na ture.discoveryplace.org or call 704372-6261 for details. 10:15 a.m.; 1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte
Jan. 8
12th Night Ron Vinson, executive director of the Presbyterian Heritage Center, discusses the origins of Twelfth Night in “12th Night: The Vanishing Holiday” at the President James K
Jan. 9
Square Dance Western Style Square Dance Clubs invites new, interested dancers of all ages to an open house at Walkersville Presbyterian Hall. Contact Theresa Rutz at 704-7636961 or Harvey Hess at 704-5166503 for details. 7 to 9 p.m.; 6204 Brady Road, Waxhaw
Chamber Luncheon Michael Reddington, of Wicklander – Zulawski & Associates, headlines the Matthews Chamber of Commerce’s monthly chamber
business luncheon at Christ Covenant Church. Registration costs $15 for chamber members and $20 for others. Call 704-847-3649 for details. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; 800 Fullwood Lane, Matthews Chamber Luncheon The Union County Chamber of Commerce holds its Let’s Do Lunch networking event at City Barbeque. Members pay for their own lunch. Call 704-289-4567 for details. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; 1514 Galleria Blvd., Charlotte Ophelia the Opossum Join a Discovery Place Nature educator and get nose-to-nose with Ophelia the Opossum at the museum's Dragonfly Theatre. Admission costs $8. Members and children 2 and younger get in free. Visit www.nature.discoveryplace. org or call 704-372-6261 for details. 12:30 p.m.; 1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte Lupus Support The Lupus Foundation of America, North Carolina Chapter offers support groups for those living with lupus and their caregivers at Myers Park Presbyterian Church (Room F102). Visit www.lupusnc.org or call 877-849-8271, ext. 1 for details. 1 to 2:30 p.m.,1073 Providence Road, Charlotte
Jan. 10
Ribbon Cutting Signarama celebrates its grand opening with a Union County Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting. Call 704-835-1123 for details. 11 to 11:30 a.m.; 10615 Industrial Drive, Pineville Friendly Coffee New Friends of Carolina, a social group for women new or native to the Carolinas, holds a free welcome coffee for new and perspective members at the Matthews Women's Club. Visit www.new friendsofcarolina.com for details. 11:15 a.m.; 208 S. Trade St., Matthews Business Networking The Matthews Chamber of Commerce holds its Business After Hours networking event at Carolina Beer Temple. Call 704-847-3649 for details. 5 to 7 p.m.; 131 Matthews Station St., Matthews Author Event Hank McGovern talks about his latest book, “A Suicide Note of Hope,” at Park Road Books. Call 704-525-9239 for details. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; 4139 Park Road
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hanksgiving was an incredible, yet humbling experience for me. We loaded up the freezer truck with thousands of turkeys due to the generosity of so many people. Distributing those turkeys and Thanksgiving food boxes was an amazing experience. But by Wednesday before Thanksgiving, I was wiped out. That night I chewed out the manager at Bass Pro Shop. On Thanksgiving morning, I didn’t wish the kitchen crew a happy Thanksgiving. I yelled at them for the music they were playing on the radio. I even had words with a community guest who was sneaking food out of our dining room. It wasn’t one of my better days. Someone said it revealed my character deficiencies and Jesus never handled people that way. I disagreed. He did call people a bunch of blood-sucking vipers. That wasn’t good Dale Carnegie, “How to Win Friends and Influence People.” I chatted with a clinician who agreed it wasn’t a character issue. As we both discussed, my adrenaline was depleted. I wasn’t even running on fumes. My tank had no gas and not even any fumes. It was empty. I wanted to know, “How do you go the distance when you are totally exhausted and not get cranky with people.” I didn’t want to be Moses who wandered the wilderness for 40 years and then chewed off the head of the children of Israel by striking the rock instead of speaking to the rock. Water still flowed but God wasn’t pleased with him. In fact, he was banished from entering the promised land. I will confess to you. I am a workahol-
ic. I don’t drink, do drugs or cheat on my wife. There is a sense of relief that comes over me when I get into the office. In fact, I took the strength finders test twice and it confirmed my top strength is responsibility. I would say “super responsible.” I also face the reality that my 95-plusyear-old mother who lives with us has Alzheimer’s and requires 24-hour care. To get away, even for three days, is a monumental scheduling task of home health aides and family members to be with her overnight. The Serenity Prayer begins with, “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.” Reality is, I won’t be able to do an overnight vacation. Rather than complain about it, I will take some “staycations.” I looked at each quarter and scheduled time off. I have to do it now before people get on my calendar. Whether I go to a park and fly a kite or go to the lake for the day and fish, it becomes a chance for me to take care of me, so I can help others (notice, I didn’t say take care of others). There is a reason the stewardess asks you to put the oxygen mask on yourself first before you put it on your child. If you take care of yourself first, you’ll have the strength to take care of your loved one. If you put it on your child first, you may both die. Let me ask you to pause before you get too far into 2019 and take a look at your calendar. Build in some time to recharge your batteries. Maybe you only have two weeks’ vacation. Use one to get away for a week. Use the other five days to take some long weekends. See if you can include holidays to maximize the time off. Be creative. As my mother would say, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” I’ll be back soon. Until then, live well my friend. The Rev. Tony Marciano is the president/ CEO of the Charlotte Rescue Mission. Visit www.charlotterescuemission.org for details.
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Page 4B • Special Regional Edition • Jan. 4, 2019
DINING SCORES Health departments in Mecklenburg and Union counties inspected these restaurants Dec. 14 to 20:
Lowest scores
The Gallery Restaurant offered pork, pork belly and scallops on its summer menu. Photo courtesy of The Ballantyne, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Charlotte
Queen's Feast features 133 regional restaurants CHARLOTTE – Queen's Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week returns Jan. 18 to 27 with 133 restaurants in nine counties offering threecourse, prix fixe dinners for $30 or $35 per person. Since 2008, the semi-annual promotion has helped introduce foodies to restaurants across the region, including establishments in Mecklenburg, Union, Cabarrus, Rowan, Iredell, Lincoln, Gaston, Catawba and York counties. Charlotte Restaurant Week is designed to drive trial business at mid- to high-end restaurants by extending a good value to diners as incentive to experience establishments and their menus. The 10-day promotion helps drive business during normally slower periods for the restaurant industry. The January 2019 event features more than a dozen first-time Queen’s Feast participants, including Dilworth Tasting Room and the new Bistro La Bon in Cotswold. Diners can visit www.CharlotteRestauran tWeek.com to view the list of participating restaurants and their Queen’s Feast menus. Reservations are strongly recommended to ensure seats during prime dining times.
Pineville • Global Restaurant, 314 Main St. • Harper's, 11059 Carolina Place Pkwy. SouthPark/Foxcroft • Aqua e Vino, 4219 Providence Road. • BAKU, 4515 Sharon Road. • Bar Marcel, 3920 Sharon Road. • Brio Italian Mediterranean, 4720 Piedmont Row Drive. • Bulla Gastrobar, 4310 Sharon Road. • Cafe Monte, 6700 Fairview Road. • Corkbuzz Restaurant & Wine Bar, 4905 Ashley Park Lane. • Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House, 4725 Piedmont Row Drive. • Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, 3920 Sharon Road. • Harper's, 6518 Fairview Road. • Maggiano's Little Italy, 4400 Sharon Road. • McCormick & Schmick's Steaks & Seafood, 4335 Barclay Downs Drive. • Oak Steakhouse, 4777 Sharon Road. • Paco's Tacos & Tequila, 6401 Morrison Blvd. • Red Rocks Cafe, 4223 Providence Road. • Ruth's Chris Steak House, 6000 Fairview Road. • Toscana Ristorante Italiano, 6401 Morrison Blvd. • Upstream, 6902 Phillips Place. • Village Tavern, 4201 Congress St. • WP Kitchen + Bar, 6706 Phillips Place Court.
Cotswold • Bistro La Bon, 274 S. Sharon Amity Road. • Mezzanotte, 2907 Providence Road. Dilworth • 300 East, 300 East Blvd. • Bonterra Dining & Wine Room, 1829 Cleveland Ave. • Dilworth Tasting Room, 300 E. Tremont St. • Dolce Ristorante, 1710 Kenilworth Ave. • Fiamma, 2418 Park Road. • Fran's Filling Station, 2410 Park Road.
South Perimeter/Ballantyne/Waverly • Civetta Italian Kitchen + Bar, 7828 Rea Road. • CO, 7416 Waverly Walk Ave. • Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, 7716 Rea Road. • Gallery Restaurant, 10000 Ballantyne Commons. • Mickey & Mooch - Arboretum, 8128 Providence Road. • New South Kitchen & Bar, 8140 Providence Road. • Pearlz Oyster Bar, 7804 Rea Road. • The Porter's House, 7417 Waverly Walk Ave. • Stone Mountain Grill, 15719 Brixham Hill Ave. • Ted's Montana Grill, 7404 Waverly Walk Ave. • Via Roma, 7416 Waverly Walk Ave. • Vine American Kitchen, 13735 Conlan Circle.
Indian Trail • The Trail House, 6751 Old Monroe Road. Matthews • Sante' Restaurant, 165 N. Trade St. Quail Hollow • Ilios Noche, 8426 Park Road. Park Road Shopping Center • Burtons Grill & Bar, 1601 E. Woodlawn Road. • Rocksalt, 512 Brandywine Road.
Waxhaw 1315 N. Broome St. 704-243-2024
Matthews 11100 Monroe Rd. 704-841-2025
• Carolina Ale House, 7404 Waverly Walk Ave., Charlotte – 87 Violations include: Employee ate over prep counter; employee picked up paper off ground then put on gloves without washing hands; unwashed produce was stored over ready-to-eat food in walkin cooler; debris was on slicer; cheese, pasta, tuna, meatloaf and chicken weren't held cold enough; and french onion soup and chili not date marked. • Ming Fu, 115 W. John St., Matthews – 87 Violations include: Employees didn't have knowledge of responsibility of reporting symptoms; sushi chef donned gloves without washing hands; sushi chef's bare hand touched cucumber at sink; sushi chef prepped ready-to-eat foods in hand sink; prepped raw pork stored over open readyto-eat spring rolls in walk-in freezer; cooked chicken in top of prep unit wasn't cooled quickly enough; sashimi wasn't date marked; and sushi wasn't marked properly. • Rock Store Express, 13801 Providence Road, Weddington – 88 Violations include: Raw chicken stored above raw beef in walk-in cooler, raw pork chops stored above potatoes in walk-in cooler; chicken wings didn't reach final cook temperature of 165 degrees; pork chops in hot hold display case measured 115 to 125 degrees and needed to be re-heated; and multi-use utensils were in bad repair.
Charlotte (28209)
• Carmella's Pizza Grill, 1513 Montford Drive – 94 • Mocco Bistro, 4004 South Blvd. – 96 • Roasting Company, 1601 Montford Drive – 95 • The Flour Shop, 530 Brandywine Road – 99.5
Charlotte (28210)
• Asian Wok, 10715 Park Road – 91 • Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse, 4725 Piedmont Row Drive – 97 • McDonald's, 8560 Park Road – 90 • Whole Foods Market meat, 6610 Fairview Road – 97
Charlotte (28211)
Charlotte (28270)
• Domino's Pizza, 7211 E. Independence Blvd. – 95 • Food Lion deli, 9848 Monroe Road – 99 • Hungry Howie's Pizza & Subs, 1707 N. Sardis Road – 95 • New Zealand Cafe, 1717 Sardis Road N. – 94 • Tony's Pizza, 1605 Galleria Blvd. – 96
Charlotte (28277)
• Amaravati, 8145 Ardrey Kell Road – 90 • Bojangles, 6308 Providence Farm Lane – 98.5 • Cajun Yard Dog, 8036 Providence Road – 96.5 • Cantina 1511, 7708 Rea Road – 96 • Chili's Grill & Bar, 8136 Providence Road – 92.5 • Circle K, 15620 Don Lochman Lane – 95.5 • Duckworth's Grill & Taphouse, 14015 Conlan Circle – 95.5 • Get Fit Foods, 14825 Ballantyne Village Way – 97.5 • Kabob Je, 7828 Rea Road – 92 • On the Border, 10710 Providence Road – 95.5 • Publix deli, 11222 Providence Road W. – 98.5 • Red Chillez Indian Grill, 14027 Conlan Circle – 93.5 • Stone Mountain Grill, 13728 Conlan Circle – 94 • Subway, 10822 Providence Road – 98.5 • Ted's Montana Grill, 7404 Waverly Walk Ave. – 96.5
Indian Trail
• 131 Main, 5970 Fairview Road – 95 • Chick-fil-A , 4400 Sharon Road – 91 • Felix's Empanadas, 3500 Latrobe Drive – 95 • Harris Teeter seafood, 6701 Morrison Blvd. – 99 • Maggiano's Little Italy, 4400 Sharon Road – 93 • Magnolia's, 3500 Latrobe Drive – 96 • The Cheesecake Factory, 4400 Sharon Road – 92.5 • Yafo Kitchen, 720 Governor Morrison St. – 94
Charlotte (28226)
• 7-Eleven, 7511 Pineville-Matthews Road – 92 • Circle K, 9716 South Blvd. – 93.5 • Flip-A-Los, 7629 Pineville-Matthews Road – 99 • Hawthorne's NY Pizza & Bar, 4100 Carmel Road – 96 • Jade Dragon, 7741 Colony Road – 93.5 • K&W Cafeteria, 8652 Pineville-Matthews Road – 95 • Tavern 51, 8700 Pineville-Matthews Road – 95
Charlotte (28227)
Road – 95 • Big Al's Pub & Grubberia, 9306 Albemarle Road – 94 • Burger King, 7002 Matthews-Mint Hill Road – 98 • Chili's Grill & Bar, 2521 Sardis Road N. – 96 • China Saute, 9248 Albemarle Road – 95.5 • Circle K, 7225 Albemarle Road – 98 • Circle K, 8910 Albemarle Road – 95 • El Sazon Latino, 7012 Albemarle Road – 91 • Fortune Cookie III, 7211 E. Independence Blvd. – 96 • Jersey Mike's, 7309 E. Independence Blvd. – 97 • King of Spicy, 8829 E. W.T. Harris Blvd. – 94 • La Luna 2, 8829 E. W.T. Harris Blvd. – 95 • Perry's Deli, 6727 Wilgrove-Mint Hill Road – 98.5 • Pho Huong Que Restaurant, 7211 E. Independence Blvd. – 99.5 • Subway, 9044 Lawyers Road – 94.5 • Taco Bell, 8812 Albemarle Road – 96
• Arby's, 6200 Wilson Grove
• Cathy's Coffee, 606 Indian Trail Road – 100 • Chokh Di Noodle House, 14015 E. Independence Blvd. – 96.5 • DJ's Diner, 88 Dale Jarrett Blvd. – 95 • El Cafetal, 4409 Old Monroe Road – 95 • Harris Teeter deli, 6610 Old Monroe Road – 96 • Hickory Tavern, 6455 Old Monroe Road – 95.5 • Jet's Pizza, 5124 Old Charlotte Hwy. – 100 • McDonald's, 303 Unionville-Indian Trail Road – 96.5 • MOD Pizza, 6720 Old Monroe Road – 97 • Omega Coney Island Family Restaurant, 3901 Old Monroe Road – 97 • Popeyes, 13800 E. Independence Blvd. – 95 • Sweet Union Brewing Co., 13717 E. Independence Blvd. – 100
Lake Park
• Puerto Vallarta Mexican Restaurant, 6120 Creft Circle – 100
Matthews
• 7-Eleven, 2700 Old Monroe Road – 96 • Applebees, 9616 E. Independence Blvd. – 97.5 • Ben Thanh Vietnamese Restaurant, 1806 Windsor
Square Drive – 97.5 • Bojangles, 11137 E. Independence Blvd. – 94 • Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins, 3114 Fincher Farm Road – 100 • Food Lion market, 9848 Monroe Road – 100 • Harris Teeter, 1351 Chestnut Lane – 97 • Hibachi Buffet Sushi & Grill, 9925 E. Independence Blvd. – 96 • Lam's Kitchen, 1369 Chestnut Lane – 90 • Mama's Pizza & Pasta, 15080 Idlewild Road – 99 • McDonald's, 9607 E. Independence Blvd. – 98 • Moe's Original Bar B Que, 111 Matthews Station St. – 95 • Publix meat market, 3110 Fincher Farm Road – 98.5 • Red Bowl Asian Bistro, 3122 Fincher Farm Road – 95.5 • Subway, 2935 Weddington-Matthews Road – 99 • Umami Sushi & Grill, 200 E. Matthews St. – 90
Mint Hill
• Papa John's Pizza, 7032 Brighton Park Drive – 95.5 • Stooges Pub & Grub, 13230 Albemarle Road – 99 • Vintner's Hill, 7427 Matthews-Mint Hill Road – 96
Monroe
• Chili's Grill & Bar, 2861 W. U.S. 74 – 95 • Chipotle, 2335 W. Roosevelt Blvd. – 100 • East Coast Wings and Grill, 5140 Old Charlotte Hwy. – 91.5 • Jefferson Street Deli, 107 E. Jefferson St. – 98 • Jin Jin, 221 E. Franklin St. – 98.5 • Jud's, 1603 W. Roosevelt Blvd. – 99 • O'Charley's, 2412 W. Roosevelt Blvd. – 95 • Olive Garden, 2983 Monroe Way – 98 • Quik Trip, 603 W. Roosevelt Blvd. – 98 • Sonic Burger, 1243 W. Roosevelt Blvd. – 96 • Taqueria El Paraiso, 1709 Walk-Up Ave. – 92.5 • Taqueria Los Altos, 813 E. Roosevelt Blvd. – 91 • Taqueria Veracruz, 4420 U.S. 74 W. – 96.5 • The Skinny Cook, 1643 W. Franklin St. – 95 • The Spot, 1513 Concord Ave. – 96.5 • Tropical Smoothie Cafe, 2335 W. Roosevelt Blvd. – 100
Pineville
• Conga's Cuban Cuisine & Bar, 11025 Carolina Place Pkwy. – 96.5 • Harper's Restaurant, 11025 Carolina Place Pkwy. – 90 • Machu Picchu Restaurant, 315 S. Polk St. – 92.5 • Sam's Club market, 11425 Carolina Place Pkwy. – 99.5 • Sam's Club seafood & sushi, 11425 Carolina Place Pkwy . – 98.5 • Sam's Club Cafe, 11425 Carolina Place Pkwy. – 97.5 • Waldhorn Restaurant, 12101 Lancaster Hwy. – 97.5 • Zafran Kabab Palace, 212 N. Polk St. – 93
Stallings
• Athens Pizza, 2920 Old Monroe Road – 100 • New Asia Market, 4400 Potter Road – 97.5
Waxhaw
• 701 Main Restaurant, 701 W. South Main St. – 100 • Broome St Burgers, 203 N. Broome St. – 99 • El Vallarta Mex Express, 1201 N. Broome St. – 93 • Emmet's Social Table, 401 E. South Main St. – 99 • Mary O'Neill's Irish Pub, 116 W. North Main St. – 96.5 • Maxwell's Tavern, 112 E. South Main St. – 99.5 • McDonald's, 2532 Cuthbertson Road – 96.5 • Ming Fu, 8139 Kensington Drive – 94.5 • Provisions Waxhaw, 107 W. South Main St. – 97.5 • Stack's Kitchen, 1315 N. Broome St. – 95.5
HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
SETH BENNETT CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN
Bennett was named the Hoodie’s House Hoops Classic Tournament Most Valuable Player after scoring a game-high 22 points and leading the Knights to a 5439 win over Long Island Lutheran in the championship game. Bennett leads the 13-1 Knights in scoring with over 16 points per game.
Are you a coach and know an incredible athlete you’d like us to feature? email us at Andrew@cmgweekly.com
STEPHANIE WATTS NORTH CAROLINA BASKETBALL The former Weddington star was awarded a commemorative game ball after scoring her 1,000th collegiate point. At Weddington, Watts scored 2,566 career points and averaged 23 points, nine rebounds, five assists, five steals and 2.5 blocks per game during her standout career.
ALEX TABOR COUNTRY DAY
Tabor scored a team-high 15 points and made the all-tournament team after leading the Bucs to a 53-49 win over Gaston Christian in the championship game of the WNC Holiday Basketball Classic. Tabor and the Bucs are off to a 12-4 start this season.
Special Regional Edition • Jan. 4, 2019 • Page 5B
Wanting to run a classified ad? CALL 704-849-2261 Monday - Friday. We accept credit cards.
Barnhardt Landscaping & Design
MISCELLANEOUS HERO MILES - to find out more about how you can help our service members, veterans and their families in their time of need, visit the Fisher House website at www. fisherhouse.org Acorn Stairlifts. The AFFORDABLE solution to your stairs! **Limited time -$250 Off Your Stairlift Purchase!**Buy Direct & SAVE. Please call 1-800211-9233 for FREE DVD and brochure. AVIATION GRADS WORK WITH JETBLUE, BOEING, DELTA, AND OTHERS- START HERE WITH HANDS ON TRAINING FOR FAA CERTIFICATION. FINANCIAL AID IF QUALIFIED. CALL AVIATION INSTITUTE OF MAINTENANCE 1-866-724-5403 SWITCH & SAVE EVENT from DirecTV! Packages starting at $19.99/mo. Free 3-Months of HBO, starz, SHOWTIME & CINEMAX FREE GENIE HD/DVR Upgrade! 2015 NFL Sunday Ticket Included with Select Packages. Some exclusions apply - Call for details 1-800-421-2049
MERCHANDISE FOR SALE WE ARE BUYING; Comics, Vinyl LP’s, Military items, Antiques, Collectibles & More. Stop by Precious Restorations in Downtown Matthews 315 W. John St. Tues-Sat. 104. 704 965-0074 or visit preciousrestorations.com. Address 2701 Kilborne Dr. Charlotte, NC 28205
• Paver Walkways, Patios • Retaining Walls • Fire Pits
• Stove Vaneer Work FREE • Landscape Lighting 3D RENDERING • Tree/Plant Installation OF YOUR PROJECT with signed contract - $850 value • Grading/Drainage Solutions
Free estimate over 22 years experience Licensed & Insured • All credit cards accepted
704-321-1600
www.barnhardtlandscaping.com
Sr. Manager, Systems Analysis (Charlotte, NC) sought by AXA Equitable Life Insurance Co. to formulate & implement optimizing methods to develop & interpret information that assists Company in ensuring adherence to Governance, Risk & Compliance rqmts. Req: Bclrh dgr or for equiv in Comp Sci, MIS, Comp Engrg, Elec Engrg or rltd fld & at least 3 yrs of exp as a Compliance Analyst, Consultant or rltd position invl review & analysis of compliance & info security policies w/in ISO and NIST framework. 3 yrs of exp must incl: ISO 27001; Web Technologies, .NET Technologies; System & Internet security; HTML 5.0. Direct applicants only. Refer to job code AK1642 & send resume to M.Berkowsky, AXA Equitable Life Insurance Co, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10104. EOE M/F/ D/V.
SERVICES General Painting Company—Affordable painting services! $80.00 per room. Our services include painting, sheet rock, installation, popcorn removal and repair, wall paper removal, pressure washing, handyman, light plumbing and electrical. We appreciate our cli ents. FREE ESTIMATES: (980)214-6048
PERSONALS REWARD FOR RETURN OF LOST RING Ladies gold & diamond ring with great sentimental value lost 12/22 in Matthews Target, Marshalls, Harris Teeter area.
For Service Directory advertising information e-mail Kate@cmgweekly or call 704-849-2261
HOLIDAY ORGANIZING AND DELIVERY
Kelly’s Painting
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Local & Long-Distance Moves Commercial & Residential Moves Packing & Unpacking Junk Removal Veteran Owned & Operated
(704) 619-0253
Ken Kelly Owner/Operator setamitsE eerF
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A+ BBB | DOT:A2998402 | NCUC: 4646 CALL TODAY FOR QUOTE! (704) 907-1777
FREE ESTIMATES • INSURED
Home Repair Neat, suoeClean, truoC Meticulous, dn& a eRemodeling miT-nO On-Time ,suoluciand teM Courteous ,naelC ,taeN Ken35Kelly 20-9Tile 16 )-40Wallpaper 7( (704) 619-0253 ylleK neK Ceramic Owner/Operator setamto itsERoof eerF& Carpet Free rotaEstimates repO/renwO Repairs KellysPainting@carolina.rr.com moc.rr.an& iloPlumbing rac@gnitniaPsylleK Paint - Minor Electrical Flooring - Carpentry - Bathrooms AND MORE!
704-560-5299 Call Mitch
BF Construction Services and Light Grading
Repair & Replacement of: • Roofing • Siding • Gutters • Deck & Patio Repair/Paint • Carpentry • Rotten Wood Repair
Over 20 years experience | All work is guaranteed
704-918-6248 • mctoolmanservices@gmail.com www.mctoolman.com Roof to Floor and SO MUCH MORE...
Your Home Exterior Specialists
• Trail Building • Light Grading
• Trachoe • Concrete Demo • Bush Hogging • Small Trees Cut • Footings
704-622-6460
or call Betty
980-240-7358
• RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL • SERVICE/PANEL UPGRADES • NEW WIRING • LIGHTING & OUTLETS • 120 & 240 VOLT CIRCUITS • TROUBLESHOOTING & REPAIR • INSPECTIONS & VIOLATIONS • FREE ESTIMATES
Specializing in Frameless Showers/Mirrors, Vinyl Replacement Windows & Foggy Broken Windows
704.573.3117 sales@dakotaglass.biz www.dakotaglass.biz
See us on Facebook and Instagram
TOP CASH FOR CARS, Call Now For An Instant Offer. Top Dollar Paid, Any Car/Truck, Any Condition. Running or Not. Free Pick-up/Tow. 1-800761-9396
FINANCIAL
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Licensed & Insured • Free estimates
Call now for a FREE lime application included in any aeration package purchased!
• Lawn mowing • Landscape design and installation • Core Aeration and over seeding • Fertilization and weed control • Clean ups • Mulch and pine needle installation • Leaf removal NOW SCHEDULING SEEDING AND CORE AERATION
VEHICLES FOR SALE
Beware of loan fraud. Please check with the Better Business Bureau or Consumer Protection Agency before sending any money to any loan company.
od
980-622-7833
For Service Directory advertising information e-mail Kate@cmgweekly or call 704-849-2261
Want to place a classifieds in the Weeklies? Call for prices (704)849-2261
• PAINTING • ROT REPAIR • PLUMBING • FLOORING
Jerry@dunlapconcrete.com www.dunlapconcrete.com
For Service Directory advertising information e-mail Kate@cmgweekly or call 704-849-2261
PART TIME NEWSPAPER DRIVERS NEEDED - Candidates must have a clean driving record, proof of auto insurance and be able to lift 50-75 lbs. Additionally, the ideal candidate can work Thursday, Friday, or both and can make a long-term commitment to grow their workload and earnings. Must be able to pass DMV background check. For more information, please contact: adsales@ cmgweekly.com
Experienced s Insured s Reliable
Jerry Dunlap (Dunlap Brothers)
Your ad here for as low as $50 a week
HELP WANTED
Tony DeMarzo
38 Years of Experience
Your ad here for as low as $50 a week
704-502-3489 or 704847-3376
DeMARZO
HOME REPAIRS & IMPROVEMENTS
n
Call Bill
(704) 909-7561
Licensed • Bonded • Insured
Fall is around the corner!
Stamped Concrete • Decorative Concrete Driveways Basements • Carports • Patios • Sidewalks Concrete Repair • Slabs • Block and Brick Work Renovations • Roofing • Room Additions • Decks
Custom Glass Specialist
TIM BALOGH starelectric.Tim@gmail.com
704-254-5381
CONCRETE WORK •••I G W T •••
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Fully Insured • 20 Years Experience • Senior Discount
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**We are licensed and insured** **We have been in business for 20 years**
STAR ECTRIC EL
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• Small Dump Truck • Skid Loader
The handy Man
• ELECTRICAL • CERAMIC TILE • KITCHEN/BATH RENOVATIONS
• Tractor HELP WANTED
Your ad here for as low as $50 a week!
NOW HIRING Delivery Drivers! For our Union County Routes. Weekly Routes Available. Contact us at adsales@cmgweekly.com for details.
704-254-1321 clontslawncare@gmail.com
Your Best “STOP” For A Drip From a drip to a leak, turn to the Weekly Classifieds to turn those headaches off.
Call to advertise (704) 849-2261
Page 6B • Special Regional Edition • Jan. 4, 2019
Our newspapers will build on this year’s progress newsroom, but it wasn't easy. senior citizen expos in March and Sports editor Andrew Stark September, as well as a women's missed the first quarter of 2018 empowerment lunch in May. Justin Vick due to his cancer battle. We hired Stone Theatres began sponsorManaging Editor longtime sports editor Paul Nielsen ing a monthly Arts & Entertainment to fill in during Andrew's absence section in the spring. Those speand retained Paul to write news cial sections, combined with our and sports when Andrew returned high school football and basketball Flipping through a year's worth of in April. season previews, summer camp weeklies recently, my mouth began My beloved MacBook died soon guides and glossy private school watering more than it does when I after. I've replaced her with Lenovo, magazine, allowed us to create stare at a Waffle House menu after but she is quirky and shuts down on more specialized content than ever New York Times Syndication Salesbefore. Corporation an adventurous Saturday night. The I me unexpectedly. 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018 can just taste opportunity ... and it's The nature of our work changed We opened the doors to five colFor Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 juicy! as our company began hosting lege interns and provided mentorFor Release Tuesday, April 3, 2018 2018 was an eventful year for our community events. We organized ship for a high school graduation
Crossword ACROSS 1 On VHS, say 6 Symbol in the middle of a Scrabble board 10 Nile viper 13 The “S” of NASA 14 Many a summer cottage locale 15 Engagement at 20 paces, maybe 16 Garment that might say “Kiss the cook” 17 Philosopher who said “Man is by nature a political animal” 19 “Montage of a Dream Deferred” poet 21 Pa Clampett of “The Beverly Hillbillies” 22 Ex-G.I. 23 Firebugs’ felonies 24 Vicodin, e.g. 27 Fitting 28 Sunshine unit
29 “The Interpretation of Dreams” writer
R A I T T
W H A R F
A E I O U
M A S T N E
F S O M L O I L L O O D W E T E R A R S M S E K R I E D E S O N A L L W S Y
A I R K I S S
A L L I N
34 Dictator Amin 35 “HAHAHA!,” in texts
61 ___ Park (Edison’s lab site)
39 “Dream Caused by the Flight of a Bee Around a Pomegranate a Second Before Awakening” artist
62 Special intuition, for short
D O R U U R S E P L U S
45 Singer Carly ___ Jepsen
T E S H
64 Early PC platform
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51 Remarks around cute babies
4 Class for a future M.B.A.
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52 “All I Have to Do Is Dream” singers
5 Mao’s successor
S I N K I V O A W N I E R E O R H O G U E T E E
P L A N E T
H E I G L
O T O T I N S L E
C L D E G I A R A N E L W O R U G H P Y O M N E
R O U N D
O U S T S
S T R A P
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8 In the same mold as, with “to” 9 Mold anew
48
25 Iowa college town 26 Common sushi order 27 Superdry
11 Singer/actress Gomez
31 Medicineapproving org.
12 ___ v. Ferguson (1896 Supreme Court ruling)
32 Epitome of stupidity
20 “Frozen” reindeer
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36 Ingredient in Worcestershire sauce
37 What Lindbergh famously did from New York to Paris 38 Jar tops 40 Many A.C.L.U. staffers 41 News item that its subject never reads 42 Come out 43 Businesses that tend to be busiest at the starts and ends of months
reaching new audiences through our website and social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. This has to go beyond sharing the same link on every platform. We have to focus on engaging with the different audiences that each platform attracts. The challenge is doing this without spreading ourselves too thin and compromising our print publications. We're adding new resources and tools to help us do this. Feel free to like and subscribe!
LOUD&LIVE Jan. 4
Jan. 10
• Beantown Tavern: Coconut Groove Band • Evening Muse: Taylor McCall & Grasshats • Milestone Club: Lonely Jones • Queens South: Joe McCourt • Stooges Pub: Porter Blue • Sweet Union: Crystal Fountains • Tin Roof: Jay Taylor & Hitman Bruh • Treehouse Vineyards: DJ Mex • Visulite: Jerry Garcia Band Cover Band
• CharBar No. 7 (Matthews): Music Bingo • Coyote Joes: Winter Jam 2019 • Fillmore: Lake Street Dive w/ Mikaela Davis • Pizza Peel (Matthews): Music Bingo • Small Bar: Open mic • The Trail House: Music Bingo • Tin Roof: Outshyne
Jan. 5
Charlotte • Coyote Joes: 4621 Wilkinson Blvd. • Evening Muse: 3227 N. Davidson St. • Fillmore: 920 Hamilton St. • Milestone Club: 3400 Tuckaseegee Road • Neighborhood Theatre: 511 E. 36th St. • Spectrum Center: 333 E. Trade St. • Tin Roof: 210 E. Trade St. • Underground: 920 Hamilton St. • Visulite: 1615 Elizabeth Ave.
Venues
• Dunwellz: Music Bingo • Evening Muse: Joe’s Truck Stop & Danny Burns • Fillmore: Face 2 Face • Fox’s Alley: Monkeytime Band • Growler USA (IT): Kris Atom • Stooges Pub: Hardwired • Sweet Union: RC Acoustic • Tin Roof: Blue Monday & DJ Duplex • Underground: Chicago Rewired & Reo Survivor • Visulite: The Dirty Doors
Indian Trail • Growler USA: 6443 Old Monroe Road • Sweet Union: 13717 E. Independence Blvd. • The Trail House: 6751 Old Monroe Road
Jan. 6 • Tin Roof: DJ Holla • Underground: State Property
Jan. 7
PUZZLE BY ROSS TRUDEAU
30 Opposite of soar
18 John of “Do the Right Thing”
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10 Orwell or Wells
15 Feet, slangily
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2 Food symbolizing America
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47 Where Red Square is
7 Fortuneteller’s deck
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6 Roofing material
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No. 0227
1 Org. with a 3.4ounce container rule
56 States of emergency
C O U N T
63 Beans high in protein
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42 National bird of Australia
B L O C
59 Chow 60 Show deference to an entering judge, say
33 Macho sorts
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE A M A S S
57 Self-evident truth
Edited by Will Shortz
project. We did all of this with a skeleton crew – a crew capable of adjusting to expedited deadlines whenever a hurricane or winter weather threatened the completion of a given week's edition. While I feel accomplished, I'm not satisfied. Our newsroom has to aggressively expand our brand beyond our distribution map. With 80 percent of our copies going directly to homes, some of which have been receiving our newspapers for several years, we have to continue
44 Depleted 48 Grouch 49 Bohemian 50 Sprays (down) 53 Pizazz 54 U.S. soccer great Mia 55 Strikes (out) 58 Rapper ___ Def
Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 7,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year). Read about and comment on each puzzle: nytimes.com/wordplay.
21 Kid around
• Evening Muse: Open mic w/ Emmy Law • Milestone Club: Nuclear Tomb • Neighborhood Theatre: The Monday Night Allstars • Stooges Pub: Open mic
Matthews • Beantown Tavern: 130 Matthews Station St. • CharBar No. 7: 3118 Fincher Farm Road • Pizza Peel: 110 Matthews Station St. • Small Bar: 4320 Potters Road
Jan. 8 • DreamChaser’s Brewery: Music Bingo • Evening Muse: Stefen Micko • Spectrum Center: Justin Timberlake • Tin Roof: DJ Payne • Visulite: Frution
Mint Hill • Dunwellz: 7110 Brighton Park Drive • Pour 64: 4410 Mint Hill Village Lane • Stooges Pub: 13230 Albemarle Road Monroe • Fox’s Alley: 1901 Skyway Drive • Treehouse Vineyards: 301 Bay St.
Jan. 9 • Beantown Tavern: Chuck Johnson Duo • Evening Muse: Caroline Cotter & Maya Beth Atkins • Neighborhood Theatre: John Nemeth • Pour 64: Music Matchup
Waxhaw • DreamChaser’s Brewery: 115 E. North Main St. • Queens South: 1201 N. Broome St.
Dove Internal Medicine - Union West
Here to care for you, close to home. We’re happy to announce that we are now accepting new patients at Atrium Health’s Dove Internal Medicine - Union West. As your healthcare partner, we’re here when you need a physical exam, sick visit or help managing chronic conditions. We also offer specialized care services, including for women’s health and men’s health, skin conditions, a full service lab and same day appointments. Whatever care you need, we’ll help you find it close to home.
Call 704-246-2800 today to schedule an appointment. NEW PATIENTS WELCOME
• Most health insurance plans accepted • Same-day or next-day sick visits available
Andrew Kindel, MD
Dove Internal Medicine - Union West | 6030 W. Highway 74, Suite D | Indian Trail, NC 28079 Office hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday AtriumHealth.org/Dove-Internal-Medicine
Taisiya Netrebko, MD
Maleah Simpson-Meek, PA