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Bragg passing leadership torch at shelter Kathy Bragg is retiring as CEO of the Community Shelter of Union County, opening the door for Chief Operating Officer Melissa McKeown to take over in December. During Bragg's nearly 10 years as CEO, the shelter added resources and programming, such as rapid rehousing, to help people experiencing hunger and homelessness. The nonprofit grew from five employees to 40 full-time and temporary employees. Its operating budget has also increased from $300,000 to $3.2 million, which
By the numbers Last year, the Community Shelter of Union County provided emergency shelter amounting to 27,177 nights to 493 people, helped move 104 households into independent living, served 73,946 meals and provided 354,411 pounds of food. Bragg
McKeown
includes $1.7 million in short-term, restricted COVID-related grants. Bragg led a $4.7 million capital campaign that resulted in a two-building facility that opened in 2019. The facility tripled the size of the previous building, expanding beds from 29 to 90 and dining
hall capacity from 40 to 120. The expansion also allowed for a family wing to accommodate parents and children. Prior to leading the shelter, Bragg served as executive director of the Union County chapter of the American Red Cross. She has served on various boards,
Fencing club aims to bring new energy to niche sport
by Justin Vick
justin@cmgweekly.com
by Karie Simmons
Union County Public Schools is already bracing for a massive subdivision proposed between New Town and Willoughby roads that has not yet been vetted by the Union County Planning Board. The school board's facilities committee discussed Oct. 15 options they could take if Park Place and its 2,110 residential units are approved. The bulk of the project would fall within the Sun Valley cluster with part of it in the Parkwood cluster. School board member Christina Helms recommended the district reassign the subdivision out of the Sun Valley cluster. “I would like to see it move to either Monroe or Parkwood,” she said. “I just can't see us putting that many kids possibly at Sun Valley even though the numbers should drop to 90% in Sun Valley. Indian Trail is really booming right now.” Helms was referring to enrollment capacity at the high school once the 2016 bond project is complete. School board member Kathy Heintel updated the committee on enrollment figures for affected schools within each cluster: • Rocky River Elementary is at 82% capacity, Sun Valley Middle is at 91% and Sun Valley High is at 95%. • Western Union Elementary is at 60% capacity, Parkwood Middle is at 82% and Parkwood High is at 76%. • Walter Bickett Elementary is at 70% capacity, Monroe Middle is at 80% and Monroe High is at 70%. Currently, there are 5,062 residential units planned for the Sun Valley cluster, Heintel said.
Tributes have poured in for Morgan Garrett, who died in an aircraft crash Oct. 23 in Alabama. Garrett, an ensign with the U.S. Coast Guard, graduated from Weddington High School in 2015. The school wrote on its Facebook page: “Warrior Nation has been shook to our core – Morgan embodied EVERYTHING we think of as a Warrior.”
F
Parkwood High School may become the home of the Wolf Pack (Parkwood 'Pack) after a school board committee endorsed a recommendation from school leaders based on a student survey. Find a link to the story on our Facebook page. (@ucweekly)
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“As an adult, it’s one of those sports where you pick up the weapon and you think, ‘I wish I would have known about this as a kid.’” • Chris Bernard Triple Threat Fencing
encing has been around for centuries but has yet to reach the level of popularity of other sports. You wouldn’t know it stepping into Triple Threat Fencing Academy in Indian Trail, where world-renowned coaches are sharing their skills and new students are joining every day. The fencing club has been at 130 B K-Line Drive off Old Monroe Road for over 20 years, albeit under a different name and ownership. When the original club closed last year, a small group of parents agreed to take over the lease and clean up the space so their kids could continue fencing. Among those were Chris Bernard and his wife, Amy. Their 13-year-old son, Bodin, has been fencing for five years. Their 11-year-old daughter, Kate, picked up the sport three years ago. The club draws its students from Union County, Matthews, Mint Hill, Ballantyne and south Charlotte – areas that are currently underserved when it comes to fencing academies. Had parents not kept the club going, Chris Bernard said many of the students would
see SHELTER, Page 2A
UCPS braces for large subdivision
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including the NC Coalition to End Homelessness, Union County Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Central Carolina’s Regional Executive Council and Union Symphony. The chamber recognized Bragg
have b e e n faced with giving up the sport altogether. “There was really nothing else for them down here and for some of these kids, fencing is all they do,” he said. Bernard began learning to fence shortly after opening Triple Threat Fencing. It didn’t take him long to realize why his children love it so much. “As an adult, it’s one of those sports where you pick up the weapon and you think, ‘I wish I would have known about this as a kid,’” he said. During a fencing match – called a bout – fencers compete one-onone with bladed weapons. Each fencer tries to score on their opponent by touching them with their weapon, while also trying to avoid see FENCING, Page 2A
see SUBDIVISION, Page 2A
Lagging renovations at Sun Valley irk school leaders by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
School board members who frequently discuss construction and renovations expressed frustration Oct. 15 with ongoing work at Sun Valley High School. The 2016 bond project was supposed to be competed by September but it continues to linger much to the chagrin of board members Kathy Heintel and Christina Helms. Their concerns centered on the student experience. Heintel pressed administrators during the Oct. 15 facilities committee meeting on when they expected completion of the project, noting the board gets asked about it daily. UCPS Facilities Director Dave Burnett didn't have an answer. Burnett submitted a memo to the facilities committee on May 21 explaining how the
“
There are seniors waiting to paint their parking spaces and they're waiting and waiting and waiting. So when is that going to be able to happen?”
contractor expected to turn over the stadium, dining, kitchen, admin area and CTE building during the summer break. He mentioned Oct. 15 that the contractor had experienced some rain delays and encountered drainage issues at the stadium. “We were delayed weeks getting kids into the school,” Heintel pressed Burnett. “There are seniors waiting to paint their parking spaces and they're waiting and waiting and waiting. So when is that going to be able to happen?” Burnett replied that repaving the student parking lot was not part of the scope of the work. It would cost an additional $320,000
• Kathy Heintel, UCPS Board
if the school board wanted to go in that direction. He said they would need to look at their priorities. Heintel countered that the committee was not hearing a request to have that discussion that particular day, so when? “Can we make sure they we are staying on top of this, calling them on at least a weekly basis, because this has been dragging on far too long – far too long,” Helms advised. “With everything that has gone on at Sun Valley, we need to make sure that especially these seniors have something to look forward to come second semester, which in a
high school experience includes high school sports. I want to make sure we are calling them at least on a weekly basis to get an update and put pressure on them to make sure the job is getting completed because enough is enough. I'm tired of talking about it.” Heintel said the new parts of the building look nice, but they just have to get the project over the goal line. “As we moved forward with bond projects and things like this, it's important to remember how difficult is it to renovate an older building,” Heintel said. “Replacing Forest Hills and replacing parts of Parkwood and Piedmont is the way to go instead of trying to renovate these buildings. It's just not in anyone's best interest to keep doing this. Every time we get somewhere we find something else that needs to be done – over and over and over again.”
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Page 2A • The Weekly • Oct. 30, 2020
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FENCING
SHELTER
(continued from page 1A)
(continued from page 1A)
being touched by their opponent’s weapon. The name Triple Threat Fencing is a nod to the three weapons used in modern fencing: the foil, the épée and the saber. The foil is a light thrusting weapon that targets the torso. Points are scored only when the tip touches the opponent. The épée is like the foil, but heavier. The entire body is a valid target and all hits must be with the tip of the blade. Bernard thinks épée is the most strategic of the three. “You’re baiting your opponent into doing something, setting them up and then taking advantage,” he said. The saber is a light cutting and thrusting weapon that targets the entire body above the waist, except the hands. Unlike the others, hits with the entire blade and tip count. The weapons are not sharp, but for safety reasons fencers wear full protective clothing and a metal mesh mask during bouts. They also wear a body cord that connects to an electronic scoring device that detects when a weapon touches an opponent. Triple Threat Fencing offers foil, saber and épée classes taught by top fencers and coaches from around the world. Épée coach Dmitry Krupp has coached competitive fencing at the highest levels of international competition and holds a Master of Sports in Fencing, the highest coaching classification. A native of Ukraine, Krupp has worked with many top fencers and coaches, including two-time U.S. National Team Fencer Alexander Abend. Krupp also coached at the Ukraine Olympic Training Center. Sean Givens is nationally rated in all three weapons, but teaches foil at Triple Threat Fencing. He has competed at a national level and medaled at national tournaments. Saber coach Boris Khurgin will join Triple Threat Fencing in November. Khurgin started fencing in 1971 and coached at the Fenc-
in 2012 as Businesswoman of the Year. “My career has truly been a labor of love,” Bragg said of her 30 years in public service. “It has allowed me to build capacity in several nonprofits that serve Union County citizens. I am both grateful and honored to have had the opportunity to combine my business skill sets with a purpose to help others throughout my career.” She looks forward to retirement with husband Chris Bragg and spending more time with their children and grandchildren. McKeown joined the shelter as part-time bookkeeper in 2010 and worked through several roles before becoming chief operations officer in 2017. That experience makes her the perfect choice for CEO, according to board chair Penny Hefner. “Melissa has helped us transition from a long-term transitional shelter into a broad emergency services program that encourages rapid rehousing into independent living,” Hefner said. “She understands our mission, not only intellectually but also with her heart.”
ABOVE: A fencer lunges at his opponent, who attempts to block the attack. BELOW: Épée coach Dmitry Krupp instructs a student during a practice bout at Triple Threat Fencing Academy. Karie Simmons/CMG photos
ing School of Olympic Reserve in Ukraine. He was a national men's saber coach at the 2008 Junior and Cadet World Championships in Italy and coached at several academies in New York, including Manhattan Fencing Center where the U.S. Men's Saber Olympic Team trains. Classes at Triple Threat are for students ages 8 and up and at all levels. They are held in the evenings Monday through Thursday and during the day on Saturdays. Students learn the fundamentals of fencing, as well as footwork, technique, balance, reflex, hand-eye coordination, hand speed and how to lunge. Protective clothing and weapons are constantly sanitized, but students are encouraged to bring their own if they can. Bernard said there are many benefits to fencing. For starters, it’s physical. Fencers expel spurts of energy when they lunge to score, working their arms and legs. “By the end of class tonight, these kids will be drenched and they’ll be huffing and puffing,” Bernard said. It’s also cerebral, as winning a bout relies heavily on strategy. “It’s watching your opponent and reacting and planning your moves,” Bernard said. “It’s really a mental chess game.” “It’s perfect for kids who don’t necessarily gravitate toward one of the standard sports,” he added. Unlike soccer, basketball and
SUBDIVISION (continued from page 1A)
football, fencing is a niche sport. Bernard said it’s often easier for fencers to stand out and receive college scholarships. Plus, it’s safe for those worried about COVID-19, Bernard said. “When you’re fencing, you’re kind of naturally distanced because you’ve got the mask on and you’re six feet apart,” he said. “This is a great way to get out into a safe environment and into physical activity.” Learn to fence Call 704-996-0819 or email info@triplethreatfencing.com to schedule a free trial class at Triple Threat Fencing, located at 130 B K-Line Drive in Indian Trail. Visit www.triplethreatfencing.com for more information.
“The Monroe cluster is typically more level,” Heintel said. “It doesn't have the declines or the increases that we see in other clusters. It's kind of steady all the time.” School board member Mike Helms suggested the Parkwood cluster might be the better option distance-wise, but the committee ultimately decided to bring the issue to the full school board to discuss where it should be reassigned. After the school board gives its initial feedback, the facilities committee will review the proposal one more time for a final recommendation. The school board could then decide on the measure as early as December.
Blue Ballot Candidates for Union County Blue Ballot Candidates for Union County Election Day: Election Day:November November 3rd 3rd 2020 2020 Early Voting: October 15-31st 2020 2020 Early Voting: October 15-31st
From the Main Street of Monroe to the Main Street of Marshville, to the railroad tracks of Weddington, to the parks of Indian TrailMain and stretching the family farms Unionville the Main Street of Monroe to the Streetthrough of Marshville, tointhe railroad tra to your backyards we are a slate of your neighbors that represent the Union County gton, to the parksParty. of Indian and stretching through the family farms in Un Democratic Our goalsTrail as your candidates are the following; affordable healthcare, expanded Medicaid, public ensuring everythat resident can earn a living your backyards we arefunding a slate of schools, your neighbors represent thewage, Union Cou funding essential Infrastructure projects, public transportation for Union County, and protectocratic Party. Our goals as your candidates are the following; ing and sustaining our environment. We wish to enhance the quality of life for affordable Union County health provide schools, unity insteadensuring of partisanship. Localresident supports Local. ded Medicaid, residents fundingandpublic every can earn a living
essential Infrastructure projects, public transportation for Union County, and Congressional District 9: Cynthia Wallace NC Senate 35: Jose Santiago sustaining ourDistrict environment. We wish to enhance the quality of life for Union NC Senate District 36: Marcus Singleton residents and provide unity instead of partisanship. Local supports Local. NC House District 55: Gloria Harrington Overcash
NC House District 68: Erica McKnight NC House District 69: Pam De Maria sional District 9: Cynthia Wallace Superior Court District 20B: Hunt Gwyn District Court Judge: Tiffany Wilson te District 35: Jose Santiago Union County Board of Commissioners: Marty Moffat te District 36: Marcus Singleton Union County School Board at Large: Claudia Sandoval
e District 55: Gloria Harrington Overcash For Early Voting Sites please go to unioncountyncelections.gov For a quick download of our blue ballot use this link: http://bit.ly/Ucdpblueballot e District 68: Erica McKnight Paid for by Union County Democratic Party e District 69: Pam De Maria Court District 20B: Hunt Gwyn Court Judge: Tiffany Wilson ounty Board of Commissioners: Marty Moffat ounty School Board at Large: Claudia Sandoval For Early Voting Sites please go to unioncountyncelections.gov For a quick download of our blue ballot use this link: http://bit.ly/Ucdpblueballot
The Weekly • Oct. 30, 2020 • Page 3A
North Carolina voters turn out in record numbers by Kari Travis
Carolina Journal News Service
RALEIGH – North Caro.ina is breaking voting records already, experts say, with a stunning early turnout far exceeding 2016’s voter record. The reasons vary, says Michael Bitzer, a political science professor at Catawba College. It could be voter intensity, loyalty or enthusiasm. It could be concerns about coronavirus. It could be increased hours for early voting. Whatever the reason, it’s still unclear what the turnout means for election results. Early voting runs through Oct. 31. As of 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, nearly 3.5 million North Carolinians have voted, about 2,684,192 in person. Another 811,430 cast absentee ballots. Generally, experts count on roughly 70% or 72% of voters to participate, said David McLennan, a political science pro-
Residents vote early at the Wesley Chapel Volunteer Fire Department. Photo courtesy of Union County
fessor at Meredith College. With 7,327,029 registered voters, it’s possible North Carolina will collect about 5.2 million ballots by the time polls close Nov. 3. That’s an increase of 500,000 over 2016’s 4.7 million vote total, Bitzer tweeted Tuesday. During general elections in 2008, 2012, and 2016, North Carolina has typically seen a voter increase of
300,000. The high turnout is a national trend. Americans have cast more than 66 million early ballots, national outlets reported Tuesday, more than 19 million pre-election votes than were cast in 2016. If North Carolina’s electorate is 5.2 million, then two-thirds of the vote has already been cast, Bitzer said. The state could see as many as
4.9 million ballots finalized during early voting. Chris Cooper, a political science professor from Western Carolina University, agrees with Bitzer’s projections, expecting the state to reach 4.9 million votes before election day. “Clearly there’s enthusiasm not just for voting, but for voting early,” Cooper told CJ. Absentee votes are an important indicator of partisan loyalties this election, Cooper said. In 2016, Republicans cast more absentee votes than Democrats. This year, the pattern has reversed. Data from Oct. 23 show Democrats hold 41% of all accepted absentee votes. Republicans 30%, and unaffiliated voters 29%. The early vote usually favors Democrats, Cooper said, and that’s held true so far in the 2020 cycle. But Republican turnout surpassed that of Democratic voters a few times in the past week.
Select early voting totals
Mecklenburg (thru 10/27) All sites: 285,675 Ardrey Kell High: 8,537 BofA Stadium: 9,787 Bojangles Coliseum: 9,639 Butler High: 8,070 Carmel Commons: 11,487 Community House Middle: 8,414 Independence High: 10,406 Matthews Elem.: 8,141 Myers Park High: 10,161 Providence High: 9,716 South Meck High: 8,210 Spectrum Center: 6,667 UNCC Belk Gym: 9,962 Wells Fargo SouthPark: 7,117 Union (thru 10/25) All sites: 59,018 Hemby Bridge VFD: 8,364 Marvin Ridge High: 7,275 Mineral Springs VFD: 7,304 Monroe High: 9,196 Rea View Elem.: 4,637 Stallings VFD: 8,927 Wesley Chapel VFD: 7,577
North Carolina among top business tax climates in U.S. by Nyamekye Daniel
Companies get incentives
Contributor
(The Center Square) – North Carolina has one of the best business tax climates in the country, according to the Tax Foundation's 2021 State Business Tax Climate Index. The state ranked 10th out of 50 states for its overall business tax climate for 2021. It is an improvement from its ranking of 15th last year. The index compares states on more than 120 variables in the five major areas of taxation: corporate, individual income, sales, unemployment insurance and property taxes. “States with more competitive tax systems score well in the Index because they are best suited to generate economic growth,” Tax Foundation researchers wrote. North Carolina received an overall score of 5.51 out of 10 for its business climate. Contributing to that score was its corporate tax, where the state received 6.09 points and
Here's a look at companies receiving a combination of local and state incentives. Each entry shows the number jobs and level of investment each company is making. • Hamilton Drywall Product: 34 jobs and $5 million in Monroe (Oct. 14) • Retirement Clearinghouse LLC: 300 jobs and $4.1 million in Charlotte (Aug. 11) • Centene Corporation: 3,000 jobs and $1 billion in Charlotte (July 1) • Microsoft Corporation: 430 jobs and $23 million in Charlotte (2019)
ranked fourth in the U.S. below only South Dakota, Wyoming and Missouri. North Carolina's top corporate tax rate is 2.5%. The state ranked third for its corporate tax in last year's index. The Tax Foundation also ranked North see TAX, Page 4A
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There’s no better time to catch up on the sex offenders living in the neighborhood than Halloween, the very holiday in which kids have traditionally knocked on doors and asked for candy. The N.C. State Bureau of Investigation maintains a registry that allows users to see where registered sex offenders live, as well as photos and conviction information. You can type in an address to see where offenders live within one, three or five miles of a location. For instance, five offenders live within a one-mile radius of the Park on Wilgrove in Mint Hill. Two of those offenders were convicted of indecent liberties with a minor, with the most recent conviction 13 years ago. Two other men are on the registry for convictions that occurred more than 30 years ago. Not counting incarcerated people, Mecklenburg County has 1,014 offenders, including 916 in Charlotte, 18 in Matthews, seven in
This screenshot of the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation's sex offender registry shows that four offenders live within one mile of Chestnut Square Park in Indian Trail. Three of them were convicted of crimes involving minors.
Pineville and two in Mint Hill. Among south Charlotte zip codes, 28210 has 25, 28226 has 19, 28211 has 17, 28277 has 13, 28209 has six and 28270 has four. Union County has 249 sex offenders, including 140 in Monroe, 23 in Waxhaw, 21 in Indian Trail, 16 in Wingate, 23 in Marshville,
TAX (continued from page 3A)
Carolina one of the best states for its unemployment tax rate. With a score of 5.5, the state ranked 10th out of 50 states – the same spot as last year. The state's base unemployment tax rate is 1.9%. North Carolina ranked 16th for its individual tax rate of 5.25%, with a score of 5.71 out of 10. The state and average local sales tax rates combined is 6.98%, which placed North Carolina 22nd out of 50 states. The state's lowest ranking was 26th for its property tax. State and local property tax collections per capita in North Carolina are $974. Despite its high ranking, Tax Foundation analysts criticized North Carolina for its use of tax incentives to attract businesses to the state. The Tax Foundation cited North Carolina's 2004 deal with Dell Computers for
11 with Matthews addresses, two in Stallings, two in Mineral Springs and one in Weddington. While the registry is designed to empower people with information, it shouldn’t be used to harass others. Visit https://sexoffender. ncsbi.gov for details.
$240 million in tax credits and grants in exchange for a new assembly plant in Winton-Salem. The plant closed within four years without fulfilling its job creation and economic contribution targets. North Carolina ended its grant incentive agreement with Deutsche Bank in July because the financial institution failed to uphold its end of its 12-year incentive deal. In 2015, the bank promised to hire 250 local employees for its Cary facility in exchange for $3.4 million in grants. The company failed to reach its employment goal. “State lawmakers are mindful of their states' business tax climates, but they are sometimes tempted to lure business with lucrative tax incentives and subsidies instead of broad-based tax reform,” the Tax Foundation wrote. “A far more effective approach is the systematic improvement of the state's business tax climate for the long term to improve the state's competitiveness.”
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The Weekly • Oct. 30, 2020 • Page 5A
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COMMUNITY The Weekly • Oct. 30, 2020 • Page 1B
BBB research shows spike in online purchase scams Scams related to online purchases, already on the rise in 2019, spiked further following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new research by the Better Business Bureau. A staggering 80.5% of consumers reporting online purchase scams in 2020 lost money. That figure has been creeping up from 71.2% in 2015, when BBB began collecting data. Online purchase scams ranked among the top three riskiest scams for the last three years, according to
the 2019 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report that was published in March 2020. Shortly after the report was released, COVID-19 shut down businesses, forcing people to socially distance and increase their online presence. The organization measures fraud using the BBB Risk Index, a multidimensional approach to evaluating scam risk that considers three elements: exposure (prevalence of a scam type), susceptibility (the likelihood of losing money when exposed to a scam type), and monetary loss
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(the median dollar loss reported for a particular scam type). With the coronavirus pandemic expected to continue for the foreseeable future and more people potentially being targeted by online scams, BBB launched a new study to better understand how online purchase scams happen, who is targeted, the overall impact of them and how BBB can help people avoid losing money while shopping online. “This was something we had to examine more closely,” said Tom
Bartholomy, president of BBB Serving Southern Piedmont and Western NC. “People will continue to actively shop online in order to reduce their exposure and keep their families safe. As this virus continues and circumstances change, scammers will try to take advantage.” The 2020 Online Purchase Scams Report examines findings from an August 2020 survey of 1,549 U.S. and Canadian consumers reporting online purchase scams to BBB Scam Tracker. The top reason people lost mon-
ey to this type of scam was the enticement of a sales price. Scammers offered high demand products at a significantly reduced dollar amount, which then increased the desire to purchase the item. Following the coronavirus outbreak, the second biggest motivating factor to search and purchase items online was availability. Early in the pandemic, supplies such as hand sanitizer, toilet paper, cleaning products and masks were in see SCAMS, Page 3B
Building a better CLT
W
hen I was a kid, my mother was passionate about making sure the larger family of cousins, aunts and uncles always stayed connected. She organized the family to make sure we didn’t lose touch with one another. Labor Day was especially important as we gathered with cousins we don’t normally see. While they were a distant relative, they were family. As I started my own family, we worked hard to maintain the same traditions. As my children became young adults, they wanted to do other things rather than come over for a Labor Day cookout. I obliged, but it broke my heart. This past Labor Day, my middle child said he was coming over. I was elated. I don’t see as much of him as I’d like so this was important. But the day before the holiday, he changed his plans and wasn’t coming over to the house. A few days before, a friend of the mission called me about a mother whose daughter was interested in enrolling in Charlotte Rescue Mission’s women’s program, Dove’s Nest. I told her to give her my cell number and she could call me anytime. Labor Day was hot. I’m trimming hedges. I don’t enjoy trimming the hedges. I’m not in a good mood. It was more like a Saturday than a holiday to me. Then my phone rings. It was the mother my friend talked to me about. She asked me to explain the program so she would understand what her daughter would experience. I didn’t want to talk to her or anyone else. I was annoyed about the hedges and that my son wasn’t coming over. While all this was swirling through my head, she kept pressing me for answers. Finally, I said to her, “It is all on our web page. Just go to www.charlotterescue mission.org and click on Dove’s Nest. It will tell you everything you want to know. She quietly said, “Thank you,” and the call ended. On Tuesday, I received the following email from my friend, “I wanted to apologize. I think I may have misunderstood something in our conversation last week about the mom and daughter I talked to you about. I thought you said I could have the mom call you to talk about it before her daughter called the admissions line. So I gave her your number and told her to call you and to let you know that she was the one I had told you about. The mother said she talked to you yesterday. I’m so sorry if I gave her incorrect instructions. I hope you’ll forgive me. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do about see FAITH, Page 3B
Photos courtesy of Bank of America
Bank of America recognizes two nonprofits as Neighborhood Builders Bank of America has recognized Charlotte Bilingual Preschool and Loaves & Fishes as 2020 Neighborhood Builders awardees for the Charlotte market. The nonprofits were selected for their efforts addressing economic mobility issues, specifically by providing enhanced early childhood learning and combating community food insecurity. Each organization receives a $200,000 grant. The program also provides relevant skills development and topics to help nonprofit leaders address current and future community challenges. “Our local market selection committee was incredibly impressed by Charlotte Bilingual Preschool’s and Loaves & Fishes’ scope of impact, strength of leadership and strategic thinking,” said Charles Bowman, Charlotte market president of Bank of America. Charlotte Bilingual Preschool provides dual-language early childhood education to Spanish-speaking children. It supports families with parenting classes, too.
“Bank of America’s $200,000 investment in a Latinx-led and Latinx-serving organization comes at the perfect time as we pursue an aggressive strategic plan with community-wide impact,” stated Banu Valladares, executive director for Charlotte Bilingual Preschool. “Our programs provide comprehensive early childhood education solutions, designed with our families, to overcome the educational, social, racial and economic challenges facing Charlotte’s Spanish-speaking children from economically marginalized families.” Loaves & Fishes provides nutritionally balanced groceries to those in a short-term crisis through a network of 41 emergency food pantries throughout Mecklenburg County. “For 45 years, we have been helping our neighbors in need,” said Tina Postel, executive director of Loaves & Fishes. “This year, in particular, we had to pivot quickly to serve the increased volume of those struggling with food insecurity in a safer, more efficient manner.”
Wingate agreement opens more doors for future healthcare students According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, more than 53,000 students applied to medical schools last year, but fewer than 22,000 were accepted. Wingate University and the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine signed an affiliation agreement recently to help create more opportunities for well-qualified students to find a new pathway into healthcare when they are passed over for a seat in med school. “What we understand is that some of these well-qualified students, who are graduates of the VCOM Master of Biomedical Science program and are not offered medical school admission, would prefer to continue to pursue a healthcare career,” explained Wingate President Rhett Brown. “So we are
VOTE
setting aside 16 seats in our four health sciences graduate programs and 10 more in a master’s of public health program that we’re exploring for next year.” Those 26 slots will be earmarked for VCOM MBS grads not offered med-school admission or other VCOM students looking for a different health career track. “We believe many of these students would be excellent candidates for admission to our pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapy and occupational therapy programs or for public health, which we are looking to add,” Brown said. John Rocovich, VCOM chairman, signed the agreement, by which the medical school is bound to provide students in its Master of
Biomedical Science program with information about Wingate. VCOM will also provide Wingate with the academic profiles of students leaving VCOM and applying to a WU health science program. The agreement is the latest in a number of joint efforts between VCOM and Wingate. Already, Wingate students with an eye toward medical school can qualify for a guaranteed interview program if they have a high enough GPA, score well on the Medical College Admission Test and complete at least 100 hours each of healthcare volunteer work and community service. VCOM also offers an early-acceptance see WINGATE, Page 3B
Engineering A Stronger, Safer North Carolina
AMY BYNUM for NC House 105
• Born and raised in Charlotte • Endorsed by the Charlotte Observer, the NC Troopers Association, former NC Governor Pat McCrory, and Dan Bishop, US Congressman District 9 • Bachelor of Industrial Engineering, Georgia Tech • Secretary, Mecklenburg County GOP
To learn more about Amy’s priorities, visit
voteamybynum.com
Page 2B • The Weekly • Oct. 30, 2020
Gobble the Turkey helps author make bestseller list
DINING SCORES
Christina Kessler’s self-published things to be thankful for. It truly is not where, every day.” children’s book, “The Gratitude that hard!” Landing on the Best Seller list on Game,” recently became an Amazon The book follows two children, Amazon was no small task, given the Best Seller in two different categories Grace and Graham, as they collect current challenges. It took a lot of in the first day it was released. gratitude feathers for their friend, emails to get the word out, Kessler “I took a simple Gobble the Turkey. said, noting she reached out to friends, idea, a paper turkey on “It’s been a tough year, for so many families and associates. a piece of poster board people,” she said. “I truly believe that The book has an accompanying and created a story to gratitude can be found everywhere, in prop, Gobble the Turkey. Part stuffed teach children about everything. My hope with this book is animal, part collection jar, Gobble is how to find gratitude that other people will develop a grati- a physical reminder to look for gratiKessler in their lives,” Kessler tude practice that helps themSales in their tude. Kessler says he is a labor of love. The New York Times Syndication Corporation Eighth New York, N.Y.to10018“The Gratitude Game” is available said. “I started this journey as a way 620own lives.Avenue, Our family looks forward For Information to help my own children, who were Gobble coming toCall: visit1-800-972-3550 us every year, on Amazon or at www.christinamkes For Release Tuesday, 24, 2019 very small at the time, how to look for but we now look for December gratitude everysler.com.
Health departments in Mecklenburg and Union counties inspected these restaurants Oct. 16 to 22:
Edited by Will Shortz
Crossword ACROSS 1 Feeling at the Grand Canyon, say 4 Curse 11 Music sales largely replaced by streaming, in brief 14 Get along well (with) 15 Scuba diver’s need 16 MSN alternative 17 Roadside assistance org. 18 Grounder that squeezes between two infielders, in baseball slang 19 Genetic inits. 20 E.M.T.s may insert them 21 “Treasure Island” writer’s monogram
22 American ___ (beetle target) 23 Chronic drinker’s ailment, informally 24 Salary after deductions 26 Book after Song of Solomon 28 Narrow waterway 29 Had a base, as a runner in baseball 33 Courtroom V.I.P.s 34 *Cartoon billionaire 37 Bronzer in a bottle 38 Cliff’s edge 40 Grassy plain 43 Lingua ___ (common tongue) 44 Swimming 46 Something an opera singer and a rancher have 47 Pace 48 Lab eggs 49 :’-(
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE M O D E M
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27 Put on a pedestal 30 F.B.I. worker: Abbr. 31 Home of the kraken 32 Every, in an Rx 35 Roughly 1.5, in a standard shot of alcohol 36 Widen 38 Great technical skill 39 Went wild
Charlotte (28209) • Harris Teeter (deli), 5030 Park Road – 97 • Harris Teeter (seafood & meat market), 5030 Park Road – 96.5 • Shake Shack, 1605 E. Woodlawn Road – 98 • Wendys, 4335 Park Road – 96 Charlotte (28210) • Asian Wok, 10715 Park Road – 91 • Jimmy Johns, 8912 Pineville-Matthews Road – 98 • Showmars, 9925 Park Cedar Drive – 95
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DOWN 1 Not for the first time 2 Finchlike birds that build intricate nests 3 Like a bungee cord 4 Hummus and guacamole brand 5 *1971 role for Gene Wilder 6 You are, in Spain 7 Had 8 “Great manners you’ve got!” 9 *U.S. leader who said “Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?” 10 Contract details 11 Heart-related 12 Terse response to “Rough day?” 13 Mark separating lines of poetry 25 Dissecting grammatically
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Lowest Scores • Little Caesars, 2515 W. Roosevelt Blvd., Monroe – 90.5 Violations include: Dough mixer and rounder had food residue on them; chicken wings in hot holding cabinet didn’t have time stamps; flies were in dish room and in sanitizer buckets; and personal cups were on prep table. • New China Taste, 8112 Idlewild Road, Matthews – 90.5 Violations include: Employee turned off faucet with bare hands; shelf blocked hand sink; containers of wings were stored on top of one another without a barrier in between; and food containers were not marked by date.
41 “Oh yeah? Give me a single example!”
51 Apothecary’s weight
42 Theoretically
52 “Heads up!,” to a golfer
Charlotte (28211) • Dairy Queen, 108 S. Sharon Amity Road – 97 • Dunkin Donuts, 4920 Old Sardis Road – 97 • Libretto’s Pizza, 3500 Latrobe Drive – 98 • Momo Station, 3500 Latrobe Drive – 97.5 Charlotte (28226) • Fresh Market (market), 7625 Pineville-Matthews Road – 95 • Los Paisas Restaurant, 8318 Pineville-Matthews Road – 99 • Panca Peruvian Street Food, 7510 Pineville-Matthews Road – 97 • The Rusty Onion Pizzeria and Pourhouse, 6654 Carmel Road – 97 • Walmart, 8322 Pineville-Matthews Road – 99.5 • Wingstop, 8334 Pineville-Matthews Road – 97
53 Skating leap 45 Something worn by the 54 Skin abnormality answer to each starred clue, as represented graphically in this 57 “Fifth quarters,” in sports: Abbr. puzzle’s grid
Charlotte (28227) • American Deli, 7309 E. Independence Blvd. – 92.5 • Bojangles, 9075 Lawyers Road – 97 • Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar, 2530 Sardis Road N. – 96.5 • Halal Food Cart II Desi Kati Rolls, 7308 E. Independence Blvd. – 96 • King Crab Juicy Seafood, 7401 E. Independence Blvd. – 95 • Los Reyes II, 7308 E. Independence Blvd. – 97 • New China Taste, 8112 Idlewild Road – 90.5
50 iPhone purchases
Charlotte (28270) • Tony’s Pizza, 1605 Galleria Blvd. – 91
43 *“A jolly happy soul,” in a holiday song
59 Soak (up)
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.
Charlotte (28277) • The Blue Taj, 14815 Ballantyne Village Way – 98 • Burger 21, 14825 Ballantyne Village Way – 97
• Cafe Moka, 7416 Waverly Walk Ave. – 95 • Chili’s Grill & Bar, 9730 Rea Road – 94.5 • Genghis Grill, 11324 N. Community House Road – 96.5 • Harris Teeter (deli), 15007 John J Delany Drive – 96.5 • Mahana Fresh, 14815 Ballantyne Village Way – 95 • Publix (seafood), 11222 Providence Road W. – 99 • Shake Shack, 9824 Rea Road – 98 • Starbucks, 5361 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy. – 97.5 • Wendy’s, 11640 Providence Road – 93 Indian Trail • Cactus Rose Cafe, 633 Indian Trail Road S. – 97.5 • Starbucks, 6701 Old Charlotte Hwy. – 99 • Zaxby’s, 13967 East Independence Blvd. – 93.5 Matthews • Costco Food Court, 2125 Matthews Township Pkwy – 99.5 • Greco Fresh Grille, 3335 Siskey Pkwy. – 96 • Harris Teeter (deli), 3100 Weddington Road – 97.5 • McDonalds, 11620 Waverly Center Drive – 95 • Qdoba Mexican Grill, 3321 Siskey Pkwy. – 96 • Red Bowl Asian Bistro, 3122 Fincher Farm Road – 93 • Sam’s Club (meat market), 1801 Windsor Square Drive – 99 Mint Hill • Harris Teeter (deli), 7036 Brighton Park Drive – 98.5 • Harris Teeter (meat/seafood), 7036 Brighton Park Drive – 98.5 • Harris Teeter (produce), 7036 Brighton Park Drive – 99.5 • Harris Teeter (Starbucks), 7036 Brighton Park Drive – 100 Monroe • Duke’s Grill, 1114 Concord Ave. – 97 • Food Lion (produce), 100 E. Sunset Drive – 96 • Little Caesars, 2515 W. Roosevelt Blvd. – 90.5 • Olive Garden, 2983 Monroe Way – 97.5 • Reyes Grocery (El Ranchero Supermarket), 322 N. Sutherland Ave. – 95 • SPI Express, 2623 Sikes Mill Road – 92 • Spiro’s Hilltop Fish Fare & Steakhouse, 1602 Roosevelt Blvd. E. – 95 • Subway-Circle K, 2226 Lancaster Hwy. – 92 • Sunshine Xpress, 1828 N. Charlotte Ave. – 94 Pineville • Zygma European Groceries & Deli Store, 212 N. Polk St. – 99 Stallings • Carnitas Mexican Guanajuato, 7900 G Stevens Mill Road – 98.5 • Mama’s Pizza & Pasta, 15080 Idlewild Road – 99 Waxhaw • Capricci’s True Italian, 109 W. S. Main St. – 92 • Taco Bell, 2517 Cuthbertson Road – 97
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The Weekly • Oct. 30, 2020 • Page 3B
SCAMS (continued from page 1B)
short supply. According to the survey, more than half (53%) of the respondents said they weren’t aware they were a target of a scam until they didn’t receive the product they ordered. Consumers who lost money to online purchase scams reported the following platforms as the place where they saw the product: Facebook, Google, a direct merchant website, Instagram, or pop-up ads on social media when they were actively shopping. According to survey respondents, out of the 57% who did not research the website or business via an independent source before making a purchase, more than four out of five lost money. The report highlights those who are most at risk for online purchase scams. Individuals ages 35 to 44 were more susceptible and likely to be victimized, while younger consumers are more susceptible than older adults. However, older adults tend to lose more money than younger adults for online
purchase scams. This falls in line with findings across all scam types. In addition, service members, military spouses and veterans were more likely to fall victim than non-military consumers and reported losing significantly more money to online purchase scams. “These critical findings can help guide our scam prevention outreach to those most vulnerable to these scam types,” Bartholomy said. “Online purchase scams don’t just affect those who lose money. For every victim who lost money, that meant less income to buy groceries, pay the utility bill and for some the loss of personal information that could lead to identity theft.” Survey results reinforced that consumer education in relation to online shopping is a critical component of fighting back against these scammers. Those who were aware of online purchase scams prior to being targeted were less likely to lose money (77%) than those who were not aware (82%). On the web: www.BBB.org/OnlinePur chaseScams.
Life is Good at Waltonwood
(continued from page 1B)
that. My sincerest apologies for that.” I was speechless for a number of reasons. I had forgotten my commitment to be available to her friend. But more importantly, she followed the exact outline from Scripture when you are in
WINGATE (continued from page 1B)
program, Rocovich Scholars, that targets minority students, those with low socioeconomic status and those from medically underserved areas. If they complete volunteer work and maintain high grades, they can sidestep the MCAT and have a provisional acceptance
take instead of mine. Perhaps the foundation for a good friendship begins by keeping short accounts with one another. I’ll be back soon. Until then, live well my friend. The Rev. Tony Marciano is the president/CEO of the Charlotte Rescue Mission. Go to www.charlotterescue mission.org for details.
to VCOM as early as their sophomore year at Wingate. Further, Wingate students who pursue a post-baccalaureate in VCOM’s MBS program, gain a preferred admissions status to the medical college. “Our relationship with VCOM has greatly benefited many of our pre-med students over the years,” Brown said. “We want to return the favor and give VCOM students preferred admission to the leading healthcare educator in western North Carolina.”
ATTENTION INDIAN TRAIL RESIDENTS Bulk & E Waste Pick Up
Now welcoming new residents! Waltonwood offers an abundance of life enrichment opportunities along with time-saving services and amenities so your days are free to spend doing the things you enjoy most with the people you love. Interactive dining experiences Forever Fit wellness programs | Life Enrichment programs Housekeeping, maintenance & personal care services
P ROVIDENCE
conflict with someone else. It begins with, “If you have something against your brother, go to them.” She did. She didn’t put me on a prayer list. She didn’t write me out of her life. She didn’t get ugly about me on social media. She came directly to me. She could have thrown me under the bus. Instead, she turned it around as if it were her mis-
FAITH
See scheduled picked up dates below: *No reservations Required* Items are picked up curbside on regularly scheduled recycle day
GREEN RECYCLE WEEK- NOVEMBER 2-6 ORANGE RECYCLE WEEK- NOVEMBER 9-13 SHREDDING OF DOCUMENTS
Limited in-person tours are available for Independent Living by appointment. Video chats also available. 704-753-7045
Independent Living, Assisted Living & Memory Care 11945 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28277
November 7 - 9am-1pm
Carolina Courts/ Chestnut Sq Park 320 Chestnut Pkwy **limit 5 boxes/household
If you have any questions regarding what is accepted and how to prepare items please call GB USA at 704-708-5872 or Indian Trail Town Hall at 704-821-5401 Also, the list of acceptable and unacceptable items is online at www.indiantrail.org on the solid waste page
Waltonwood.com | SinghCareers.com
Leather Sale
BRADINGTON YOUNG
Plus, Final 2 Days Of Our Buy More Save More Sale!
BrandSource Credit Card Citi MERCHA Program NFULL T PORTBY A NO INTEREST IF PAID IN JAN. 1,C2022* L ENHAN BrandSource Creditcharged Card Program on purchases of $599 or more. Interest will beJu to your account from theEMENTS ly 2011,92022. LauWith approved purchase Th dateif the balance is not paid in full by January nch co CitiisMERCHANT PORTAL ENHANCEMENTS
mmu nicdetails. ation pro credit. See stores for May be combined with any other vi not 1) promotions. s noti31, Invoice Num fica offers or Valid Oct. 1 d-eDec. 2020. tion of
enhanceme 2) Promo Se ber Inclusion 07/17/1 nts to the Fr 9 launch eedom Pay arch Functio Portal which nality 07/24 include: /19 launch 1) The settle m ent report w of enhancements to the Freedom Pay Portal which include: This communication provides ill now inclu inform ation. Thnotification de an ‘Invoic e ‘I07/17/19 nvoice numlaunch e number’ co 1) Invoice Number Inclusion letters ber’ field is a or numbers lumn for bett requirement in that field. er reconcilia num at the point 2) Promo Search Functionality launch When transa ber from that 07/24/19 tion of sales of sale transa ction settles, particular sa ction and ca the settleme le. n include n t report will BRADINGTON-YOUNG NEW nowof shosales w invoice 1) The settlement report will now include an ‘Invoice number’ column for better reconciliation
July 2019 Launch
CUSTOM LEATHER SEATING
voice numbe r’ Column field is a requirement at the point of sale transaction and can include information. The‘In‘Invoice number’ letters or numbers in that field. When transaction settles, the settlement report will now show invoice YOU CHOOSE THE STYLE number from that particular sale.
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Page 4B • The Weekly • Oct. 30, 2020
H U M A N A M E D I C A R E A D VA N TA G E P L A N S
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Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal. Other Providers are available in our network. Provider may also contract with other plan sponsors. Important! At Humana, it is important you are treated fairly. Humana Inc. and its subsidiaries comply with applicable Federal Civil Rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, ancestry, marital status or religion. ATTENTION: If you do not speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-844-224-8993 (TTY: 711). Español (Spanish): ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-844-357-9121 (TTY: 711). 繁體中文 (Chinese): 注意：如果您使用繁體中文 ，您可以免費 獲得語言援助服務 。請致電 1-844-224-8993 (TTY: 711) 。 Y0040_GHHKTYSEN_M
The Weekly • Oct. 30, 2020 • Page 5B
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1B
ber may rememAnome of you sports editor, that our has been battling drew Stark, June 2017. since to throat cancer w hasn’t been able s, While Andre in recent month office work in the sit still. He’s written conhe just can’t and compiled aseveral storiesthree weekly newsp e. tent for our during his absenc week pers each d through interviewing g cancer I’ve learne people battlin are too dozens of of this disease that the effectssustained by a single be a costly fight strong to Often, it’s ual. endure. individ family must that an entire the work of organi That’s why Sandbox is so ims The zations like Sandbox helps familie and emoportant. The on practical, social with their so they can focus . tional needs n overcoming cancer their childre in this work so much ds from We believe ng procee Work donati that we are ral Women @ ased our inaugu the Ballantyne-b to helped eon has Lunch Sandbox charity. The 5,000 families since more than Women 2011. with the Our intent eon is to celebrate Lunch unity, as well @ Work our comm it most. I women in who need the as help those that you will leave have a feeling inspired. feeling luncheon
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Inside:
Crime.................. .................. .................. Classifieds .................. ....... 2A .................. .................. Calendar .................. ....... 5B .................. .................. Faith .................. .................. ............. 6A .................. .................. Sports .................. ...........4B .................. .................. .................. Puzzles .................. ..... 1B ..................
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believed Preston. said he singer Blake Shelton unner in County musicated Charlotte be a frontr Baird to Shelton elimin Strom from the competition. all Jaron guys for 13 epresident “Thank you rt that has on the April “The ng suppo his team the hit show the amazi way from isode of NBC flooded my y with ‘The Voice.” med “Gre- start of my journe d April tweete Strom perfor Mars during Strom ’ a few Voice, Bruno ers. “I have , which nade” by out round t each 4 to follow g up and can’t the knock comin agains all in s you shows singer Pryor and meet pits two n preferred wait to see other. Shelto ion of “Will It person.” rendit s by Billy Baird’ in Circles” Go Round
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burden CHARLO and TTE – discovered stress,” Pura been a Kare polic with PTS was that I was nda said. “Wh years when e officer in em Puranda D and exces at I pote upside down his world Salisbury for had Pura sive burn ntially dealing was sudd eight chan nda knew . out.” he enly flipp After ge, ed a licen so he returnedhad to be an went froma moment of agent of sed profe poor judg being dicti ssion to school the com munity a well-respected ment, he ma ons specialist al counselor to become , clinical two indic to facin and certi profession officer g se ad tm fi
CHARLO leads area TTE – Cove nations schools with nant Day in the seven four School th annu nomial High known Musical Thea ter as The The Chri Blumey Awa Awards, stian scho rds. nominati rison Chasons for Best ol earned Actor (Har e), Best Jones), . Photo Best Featu Actress (Kell s court (Tori Win er red esy of SDH ing Actre sky) and Best Performer its prod ss (Elizabeth Supportuctio Bryan) for Blumenth n of “Mary recognize al Performin Poppins.” will inclu winners in g Arts will a of the nomde performan show that ces by inees at at Belk 7 p.m. some able at Theater. Tickets May 20 or 704- www.Blumenth are avail372alArts.org The prog 1000. ram celeb in high rates scho “While ol musical theatthe best er. are part competition and awar the Blumof the process, ds working ey Awards is getting to really abou together sical,” Blum to t enthal create a muGabbard Presi night can said. “Everyon dent Tom for what feel the colle e there that and paren these students,ctive pride ing hard ts have achieved teachers to in work put their er.” shows toget hSeveral othe nized, inclu r schools were recog • Inde ding: tions for pendence had Best ActreBest Actor (Max nominaSupportin ss (Jada Eve) Becker), ueva) for g Actress (Isab and Best 25th Ann its productio ela Villann ual Putn Bee.” am Co. of “The Spelling
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Page 6B • The Weekly • Oct. 30, 2020
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