Indian Trail Weekly Feb. 28, 2020 by Charlotte Media Group

Inside: Arrest made in bank robbery • Page 2A

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The rate debate continues Rushing, Becker weigh in on water rates, 4-5A

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BY THE UNION COUNTY WEEKLY

Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 • Vol. 1 • No. 8

ABOUT US P.O. BOX 1104 Matthews, NC 28106 (704) 849-2261 justin@cmgweekly.com unioncountyweekly.com

Rate hikes prompted Williams to run for office by Kayla Berenson kayla@cmgweekly.com

David Williams never saw himself running for office. But after the Union County Board of Commissioners voted to increase water rates, Williams knew he had to step in. Williams When Williams learned of the vote Dec. 2, he assumed another Republican would step up to challenge incumbents Richard Helms and Frank Aikmus in the March 3 primary election. He called the Union County Board of Elections daily to find out if any Republicans filed. He stopped by the office after work to ask one last time on Dec. 20.

“When the clerk said no, I hesitated and I said, ‘all right, well let’s do this,’” Williams said. With frustrations rising regarding increasing water rates and growth throughout the county, Williams believes he has a good chance in the election. “These issues are coalescing into a perfect storm,” Williams said. “We have the primary on March 3. Water rates increased Feb. 1 and they’ll increase again Jan. 1 of next year. So really, the political dynamic couldn’t be better for a candidate that is challenging two incumbents in a primary.” Williams said people in the eastern and central parts of the county have waited on county water for “decades.” He said they have been bypassed in favor of more residential development, which

frustrates residents. As a result, residents in the Rocky River Basin have relied on private wells that contain arsenic and contaminated stormwater. Williams said these people have been told they are not going to get county water. Williams said he has done his research to find a better alternative than raising water rates. He said the current plan the commissioners rely on, the Yadkin Plan, would not bring water to the county until 2024 at the earliest. He believes his ideas will bring the county water sooner and cheaper. If elected, his first order of business would be to request an increase in the county’s interbasin transfer (IBT) allowance from the state’s water regulator. He said the state water regulator see WILLIAMS, Page 4A

Justin Vick Managing Editor

Manager search off to a good start

RALLY CRY

Sun Valley freshman Zachary Moore reacts after crossing the finish line victoriously after winning the NCHSAA 3A indoor track and field 55-meter wheelchair state championship with a personal-best time and a state record for a freshman. Photo courtesy of Dan Loughlin of N.C. Runners.com

Sun Valley student realizes potential, wins state track title by Andrew Stark andrew@cmgweekly.com

INDIAN TRAIL – Zachary Moore's love of football led the freshman to help out this season with the Sun Valley team. People around the school noticed as Moore made his daily trek traversing the campus in his wheelchair. “He was the manager of the football team and would wheel out (to) the field (and) back to school every afternoon by himself in the heat!,” Spartan coach Keith Mason tweeted. “True (heart).” Jayy Pierre, a 2014 Sun Valley graduate who has returned to Indian Trail to work at Sun Valley Middle, helps the football team and coaches the track and field teams. He would notice Moore on those hot days, too. Pierre said he’s trying to restore the

Spartan track program back to where it was when he starred there, so he’s always looking for athletes. And he didn’t hesitate when he made his pitch. One day, Pierre asked Moore to try his hardest in the 55-and 100-meter races that he had measured off on the track. On the first attempt, in the heat of summer and with no training, it was like Moore was a natural. “He had beat the 55 time from last year, but he did not quite beat the 100,” Pierre said. “I said, ‘Wow, this kid is really something special.’ so I kept talking to him. We have lifting Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 6 a.m. He was hesitant at first, but it’s honestly been history since then.” On Feb. 15, Moore literally made see TRACK, Page 3A

Sun Valley track and field coach Jayy Pierre saw something in Zachary Moore and convinced him to come out for the team. Andrew Stark/ITW photo

Union County teacher brings nature into classroom MONROE – Jamie Dunleavy became the first teacher in Union County to earn the Environmental Education Certificate, according to Union Academy. Dunleavy completed the certification through instructional workshops, outdoor experiences, teaching and a community partnership project all totaling more than 200 hours. The fourth grade teacher built an outdoor classroom as part of the project.

“While we are fortunate to have walking trails, we needed a space for students to be able to gather to learn immersed in the natural world,” Dunleavy said. “With our recent construction, we had many felled trees available for use as bases for the benches. I wanted to repurpose these tree trunks so that they could not only support seating but pique the students’ curiosity. The trunks are examples of nature decomposing and the

relationship between living things where you can find evidence of rot as well as patent leather beetles, fungi and other organisms.” Dunleavy has been working to incorporate environmental education more into her classroom. “I can’t wait for warmer weather to arrive so that my students can immerse themselves in the natural world as often as possible in our classes,” Dunleavy said.

CMPD Animal Care & Control

Orphaned Animals Available for Adoption

8315 Byrum Drive animals.cmpd.org

FREDDY

Michael Regan, secretary of the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, visited Union Academy recently to present fourth grade teacher Jamie Dunleavy with an Environmental Education Certificate. Photo courtesy of Union Academy

Name: Freddy ID: A1163679 Age: 2 years Weight: 48 lbs Sex: Neutered Date of Arrival: 1/7/2020 Adoption fee: $10 Vaccinations: Has all required vaccinations

COSITA

'm encouraged by the selection of Raymond Allen as the interim town manager. He's easily the most experienced leader Indian Trail has ever had in this role. For two cycles now, the Indian Trail Town Council has promoted an engineer to serve as the interim town manager and then promoted that person to lead the town permanently. And both instances ended badly. That's not to say we shouldn't value our engineers. I think it speaks more to how this council ought to consider candidates with more experience managing a town. Allen earned the Order of the Long Leaf Pine for his 28 years of service to Albemarle. He's also maintained order for towns like Wadesboro and Norwood as they searched for permanent managers. I was also encouraged by some of the remarks town board members made in regards to Allen's appointment. Mayor Michael Alvarez said leaders don't want to rush into making a decision on a permanent hire. My advice to the town board would be to soak up as much knowledge as you can from Allen without draining him of his day-to-day work. I would ask Allen about his relationship with the Albemarle City Council over the years. What were some of the most tense moments he had in interactions with the council? How did he handle them? What's his philosophy on a town council's interaction with the town manager and staff? What are the skills and expertise a high functioning town manager should have by his fifth or 10th year doing the job? Such feedback from a seasoned manager could help council members adjust their approach in how they handle staff conflict. It could give them better insight into the skills they should look for during interviews. The next town manager will navigate through some pretty exciting waters. The town is seeing a lot of market demand from the development community and could potentially connect to Charlotte's light rail system. It's important the council does its due diligence in selecting a hardworking, thoughtful and effective leader who it can trust not just with its staff, but also Indian Trail's future. Name: Cosita ID: A5095315 Age: 5 years Breed: Shorthair Sex: Neutered Date of Arrival: 1/24/2020 Adoption fee: $10 Vaccinations: Has all required vaccinations

CMPD Animal Care & Control also holds an adoption event

the first Saturday of each month at the SouthPark Mall located at 4400 Sharon Road

Page 2A • Indian Trail Weekly • Feb. 28, 2020

IN THE KNOW PHOTO OF THE WEEK STAY CONNECTED • Instagram: @itncweekly • Twitter: @itncweekly • Like us on Facebook • Web: www.unioncounty weekly.com • E-edition: issuu.com/car olinaweeklynewspapers

Three Union County homeschool youths placed at the Christians in Theatre Arts Secondary Festival recently at Anderson University in Anderson, S.C. Mary Elizabeth Johnson and Caleb Wheeler (center) won gold medals for their Duo Musical Theatre presentation of “Anything You Can Do” from “Annie Get Your Gun.” Mary Elizabeth won a gold medal for her Musical Theatre Solo work and a silver medal for her Shakespearean monologue from “The Taming of the Shrew.” Devon Bradford (left) won a bronze medal in Musical Theatre Solo work. All three perform in the musical “Holiday Inn” with Eagles’ Wings Studio on Feb. 28 and 29 at Halton Theatre at Central Piedmont Community College.

MOST POPULAR STORIES • Simpson: The facts behind rising utility rates • Cc: Emails show tension at the top • Indian Trail council appoints interim town manager • Democrat hopes to add fresh perspective to county commission • Brundrett wins Citizen of Quarter

TWEETS OF THE WEEK • “A LOT of phenomenal teams from @UCPS_MonroeNC will be ready! Let’s go! – NCHSAA final high school basketball playoff pairings released #TeamUCPS” – Andrew G. Houlihan (@AGHoulihan) • “Manners Meal underway! A collab bet Culinary Acad &CTE Bus &Marketing! Ss arrived for restaurant reservation, engaged in polite conversation at table, ordered, enjoyed their meals& calculated an approp tip... Great prep!” – Porter Ridge High (@PorterRidgeHSNC)

UPCOMING EDITIONS • March 6: Summer Camps #2 • March 13: Home Improvement

PUBLISHER Adrian Garson adrian@cmgweekly.com BUSINESS MANAGER Rebecca Jensen rjensen@cmgweekly.com MANAGING EDITOR Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com NEWS EDITOR Karie Simmons karie@cmgweekly.com SPORTS EDITOR Andrew Stark andrew@cmgweekly.com CONTENT PRODUCER Kayla Berenson kayla@cmgweekly.com ART DIRECTOR Kylie Sark art@cmgweekly.com ADVERTISING Charlotte Conway Kate Kutzleb Julie Foras adsales@cmgweekly.com PRESS RELEASES justin@cmgweekly.com

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Union County Public Schools will be considering mobile classroom needs for the upcoming year, as well as the cost and time it takes to move them. ITW file photo

School board hasn't ruled out asking for bond referendum by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com

MONROE – Union County Public Schools could ask county commissioners to not only offer more flexibility for next year’s fiscal budget but also to place a bond referendum on the November 2020 ballot to address future construction needs. The school board and county commission held a joint meeting on Feb. 24 to discuss UCPS’s budget, but Superintendent Andrew Houlihan explained how there are still a lot of unknowns thanks to the state. “We are operating under a very challenging time – a historical time – in this state due to the lack of a new budget from the state that is reflective of the current needs of Houlihan school systems,” Houlihan told commissioners. School board members have been lobbying state lawmakers and the governor to strike a budget compromise that would give the district more financial clarity. In the meantime, UCPS is operating on last year’s state budget. The district is dealing with increases in services, enrollment and staffing as it absorbs increases in costs such as benefits and retirement. And they’re not hearing much from Raleigh about next year’s fiscal budget, Houlihan said. “We have been working this year internally to make some hard decisions and have been very aggressive about saving as much and being as conservative as we can with our budget,” Houlihan assured commissioners. Union County Public Schools operates with funding from the county, state and federal governments, so if the district could eventually request more from the county to bridge any gaps. “We’re not here today to tell you that we need something but going down this road even further may put us in a situation where we need to make that request,” Houlihan said, noting this hasn’t gotten to crisis mode yet. UCPS also shared an outline of its 10-year capital needs with commissioners, prompting County Manager Mark Watson to ask if the school board projected the need for a bond referendum in November. “We would like to begin having discus-

Heintel

Merrell

Watson

sions about a referendum whether it's this year or two years,” school board member Kathy Heintel replied. Watson cautioned the school board about making the request too late in the year. “Planning is everything,” Watson said. “As soon as we can have those numbers and know the desire of the board of education, the sooner we can begin our preparation for what we need to do, which is going to be extensive on our end. The board of commissioners needs to also have the opportunity to evaluate those recommended requests.” School board chairwoman Melissa Merrell mentioned the long-range needs of the district haven’t changed since last year. She remembers the school board discussing the need for the $54 million bond in April and May 2016, as well as asking the county to put the referendum on the November ballot in June of that year. “We are getting ever so close to finishing those seven projects that were on the bond in 2016,” Heintel said “Within budget,” Merrell added. The school board is likely to focus a bond referendum on some of the county’s aging high schools. Mark Strickland, assistant superintendent for administration and operations for UCPS, explained that school staff felt upgrading high schools to be among the greatest longrange needs because they are big-ticket items that aren’t getting cheaper. “Several of our high schools are 60-plus years old and have had various renovations and additions over the years,” Strickland said. “They are not comparable to the five newer high schools.” Strickland told commissioners there was some concern over the timing and costs of future construction as a couple of North Carolina school districts have experienced higher costs than anticipated for their projects. County Commissioner Stony Rushing said it’s important to examine the enrollment projects, particularly on the western part of the county.

NEWS BRIEFS Sheriff's deputies nab bank robbery suspect INDIAN TRAIL – A Charlotte man accused of robbing the SunTrust Bank is in Union County Jail. David William Plyler, 59, of Charlotte, faces a number of Plyler criminal charges, including common law robbery, following the Feb. 20 robbery, according to the Union County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office said the suspect entered the bank at 4 p.m. wearing a hat, sunglasses and possibly a fake beard. Deputies found his gray Nissan Versa near the scene and attempted a traffic stop but Plyler fled, officials said. The chase went through I-485, Pineville and U.S. 521. It ended in Lancaster County when Plyler rammed a patrol car with his vehicle, officials said.

Sheriff’s office investigates threat after social media post INDIAN TRAIL – The Union County Sheriff’s Office met with a teen referenced in a social media post, as well as her family, regarding a kidnapping and verified she was safe. The sheriff’s office described the incident as a “custody issue” not a kidnapping.

AARP discusses changes to driver licenses, ID cards MONROE – The Union County AARP Chapter 5164 convened Feb. 25 to discuss the state’s new driver licenses and identification cards.

A guest from the local DMV explained where to go, what to take and when to do it. Future meetings will be held on March 24, April 28, May 26 and Aug. 25 Call President Bea Colson at 704-221-0192.

UCPS addresses bullying MONROE – Union County Public Schools is rolling out its Bullying Prevention 101 series at multiple schools. Superintendent Andrew Houlihan said the forums will educate stakeholders, including parents, teachers, students and the community, about bullying and social-emotional health similar to its forums on opioid abuse in 2018. Presentations will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 5 at Forest Hills High, March 10 at Sun Valley High, March 12 at Parkwood High, March 17 at Cuthbertson High and March 19 at Piedmont High. Each presentation will be the same.

Optimist Club of Weddington sponsors oratorical contest WEDDINGTON – The Optimist Club of Weddington is encouraging area students to speak their minds about the topic “Just Imagine a World without Boundaries” as part of the Optimist International Oratorical Contest for 2019-20. The deadline to register is March 12. The contest is open to students under age 19 as of Oct. 1, 2019 Students can learn more about the contest by contacting their school or emailing greg babineau@gmail.com.

Indian Trail Weekly • Feb. 28, 2020 • Page 3A

TRACK (continued from page 1A)

history by winning the 55-meter wheelchair division indoor state championship by beating Jesse Carson High’s William Fuller with a personal-best time of 16.47 seconds, a freshman state record. Moore also finished second in the wheelchair shot put division, falling 1.25 feet short of Fuller’s personal-best toss. The image captured of Moore crossing the finish line, a fist pumped in victory, is one of triumph and determination. “It felt really good,” he said. “Finally all of the hard work I’ve been putting in is starting to show. I think it really hit me toward the end of the race." Bad news gets worse Moore was born with Spina Bifida, a birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord don't properly form together. At age 4, and despite doctors' beliefs, Moore was walking. Then during spring break of his sixthgrade year, he went in for a tethered cord release, a procedure to separate the spinal cord from tissue that holds it in place. During that surgery, pressure dropped to his legs. “He had very little feeling in his legs to begin with,” said his father, James Moore. “They told us he’d never walk, but he started walking at 4. You could tell it wasn’t a normal walk, but he could walk and was good to go. He had scoliosis. In the procedures so they could put the rods in his back, they had to release the scar tissue from when he was born. That caused more nerve damage, so he lost even more ability to feel his legs. “You go to the hospital and they tell you the worst-case scenario is this or blah, blah, blah. Well his was the worst case. It hit us like a ton of bricks just like it hit him. It was rough.” Moore said seventh grade was

especially tough. High school, too, until that day he and Pierre struck up their first conversation about track and field. Sun Valley supports their champ Once Moore dedicated himself to the sport, he dove in. “I learned something watching him because he’d fall down and he’d fall down all of the time growing up,” James Moore said. “But it’s a perseverance kind of a thing. He knows he’s going to fall down, but he gets up and keeps at it.” With his determination in full throttle and Pierre pushing him hard, Moore won every 55 wheelchair race he entered this winter and won all of the shot put events until the final, too. At the state meet, his 10 feet, 4 inch throw was a personal best, but just short of doubling up state titles. “Zach is the perfect example of adaptation,” Pierre said. “I know it was hard for him. I heard he didn’t have that many friends and things like that, but now he has so many people that are coming up to him, talking to him and telling him congrats. Everyone goes out of their way to help Zach on the track team. They know he’s not just a wheelchair athlete, he’s their teammate." Moore’s photo and accomplishment flooded social media after his state title win. On his first day back from school, students and faculty lined the entrance clapping for and congratulating Moore. “It’s a heartwarming thing to see the school come out for that,” James Moore said. “This is so awesome to see him transition from sitting on the bed to being fully active with the football team and now doing something for himself.” Achievement inspiring others Pierre said he has worked in an adaptive wheelchair league, but never one-on-one with a wheelchair track athlete. Pierre made it clear he wasn’t always going to take it easy on him. “We work out and lift weights

with the football team,” Pierre said. “Everyone will look at me and ask me why I’m pushing Zach when I am pushing him hard, but I said I don’t see the problem. I’m going to push him just like I would any of my other athletes because I expect greatness from them.” He knew Moore didn’t have a racing wheelchair and had never been trained, but Pierre dove in just as hard as ever. “Honestly, not many people would take the risk with Zach because it was going to be a lot of extra things, but I said that’s OK because at the end of the day the impact I’m making hopefully it will be able to last a lifetime," Pierre said. And now this championship has led Moore to thinking he’d like to continue this and get as far as he can. They offer college scholarships for wheelchair athletes, and a freshman already winning states with a new N.C. record time to his name is a good start. The need for new equipment Without a racing wheelchair, Moore isn’t able to turn well enough and safely enough to stay in his lane for longer distances on the track. Racing chairs have three wheels, including one up front and a steering mechanism riders control to turn. They’re helpful, but expensive. Friends of the family set up a GoFundMe.com page for Moore with a goal of raising $3,000 for the wheelchair, which can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $6,000. Donations exceeded the goal within a week. With that kind of backing, Moore’s confidence and goals on the track have grown. “I’ve seen it growing as he’s been going and just by being a part of a team,” James Moore said. “I think they can maybe even come together more as a team when they sort of have someone they can rally around.”

Early voting coming to close by Kayla Berenson kayla@cmgweekly.com

North Carolina residents will cast their votes for local, state and national candidates March 3 in the primary election, but early voting has been underway since Feb. 13. Several sites in Union County have been open throughout early voting, which ends Feb. 29. While many residents may only be voting in the Democratic presidential primary, some local and state candidates canvassers stood outside early voting sites, hoping to speak to voters about the other names on the ballot. Union County commissioner candidates Frank Aikmus and David Williams have frequented early voting locations, including the Union County Public Library, according to Williams. Kristin Jacumin, who serves as the county’s director of elections, wrote in an email that the library is usually the busiest early voting site.

In the 2018 midterm election primary, 6,052 Union County residents voted during the early voting period out of 18,125 voters. Out of the 46,567 Union County voters in the 2016 presidential primary, 13,855 cast their vote during early voting. As of Feb. 24, there have been 6,628 early voters in Union County. Residents who wish to vote but missed the Feb. 7 registration deadline still have the opportunity to register until early voting ends. In order to register during early voting, voters must bring their proof of North Carolina residency to an early voting site and can register and vote that day. Want to vote? A list of approved forms to prove residency can be found at www.ncsbe.gov/Voting-Options/ One-Stop-Early-Voting. For Union County early voting locations and hours, visit gis-web. co.union.nc.us/early-voting/.

Club endorses Aikmus

The Hornet’s Nest Republican Men’s Club has endorsed Frank Aikmus for re-election to the Union County Board of Commissioners. Aikmus was first elected as a commissioner in 2012. “Knowing many in this group personally and their commitment to conservative values, I am honored that they chose to endorse me,” Aikmus said. Aikmus has spent the past 22 years of his career in the banking and finance industry. He serves as the senior vice president at American Bank located in Monroe.

He has used his business background to provide steady focused leadership, according to the club. “Frank has depth and breadth of knowledge and experience on the issues facing the citizens of Union County,” said Dan Barry, president of the club. He sponsored the resolution to declare Union County a Second Amendment Sanctuary County and has advocated for tax cuts. The club has endorsed other candidates, including Thom Tillis (U.S. Senate), and Craig Horn (state education superintendent).

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Page 4A • Indian Trail Weekly • Feb. 28, 2020

WILLIAMS (continued from page 1A)

approves the transfer of water between basins, which, in this case, would include the Catawba River Basin and the Rocky River Basin. Currently, Union County operates on a 5 million gallon per day IBT from the Catawba to Rocky River. “That is an incredibly small IBT allowance,” Williams said “This is shocking, but Union County has never petitioned our state water regulator for an actual, honest-to-goodness interbasin transfer from the Catawba to the Rocky River. We’re operating on a grandfathered IBT that’s been around since the 1970s or the 1980s. Union County has done a lot of growing since then.” Union County would not be the first to request an increase. According to Williams, the state water regulator approved an increase of 14 million gallons a day to Mecklenburg County and increases to Concord and Kannapolis. He would like to request an allowance of at least 10 million gallons a day. He said this would allow the county to bring its water from where it has it to where it needs it. Getting approval for an IBT of this size is a process that takes three to five years, possibly longer, according to the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality's website. Union County has considered requesting an IBT allowance increase in the past but did not see it as a “sustainable, viable option,” said Hyong Yi the county's public works administrator. Yi said there are many state and federal regulations, and the Catawba River is a “highly stressed resource” because 18 public water utilities in the Carolinas use it as their source for drinking water, including

Waxhaw 1315 N. Broome St. 704-243-2024

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Charlotte. Yi also said the current Yadkin Regional Water Supply Project is a more sustainable project in the long-term to meet the county’s current and future water demands, and the 2020 and 2021 water rate increases are being used to fund the project because no tax dollars are used for public utility projects. Williams also hopes to address and manage the growth in Union County. Though he is not against growth, he would like to see the county support more commercial development so that residents can live, work and spend their money in the county, rather than traveling to Charlotte to do so. Though there are challenges in the county, Williams still sees its strengths. He said there is a lot of talent in Union County and it has a rich history and heritage. He said this provides a good balance when looking toward the future. While Aikmus and Helms have previously served on the board, Williams believes his experience as a lawyer and a former investment advisor separate him from the two. Williams said he can not only read and understand contracts, but also interpret financial statements, which allows him to ask valuable questions. “I’m not saying these gentlemen don’t have experience and don’t bring a lot to the table in terms of understanding county business, but I think I bring a very different kind of perspective and a different background, which is sorely needed,” Williams said. “We very much need a commissioner who will ask great questions, and I am very well prepared to do just that.” Want to learn more? Visit www.citizensforwilliams.com or his Facebook page, Citizens for Williams.

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Don’t drink the Kool Aid when it comes to water rates by Rick Becker

Reader submission

As with almost anything political, [Jerry] Simpson's diatribe contains some truth along with a whole lotta misdirection and spin. Simpson is correct that the utility rate increase really is much less of a “big deal” than certain people are making it out to be. Since this huge and growing system operated for 11 years with no increases and then only 6.5% annual increases for three years and a future 31% for the next two, the total increase of 50.5% actually will have occurred over a 16-year period, for an average annual increase of 3.16%. That's actually fairly reasonable. Now, Simpson has been on the board of county commissioners since 2010, so why he sat back and allowed zero rate increases for seven years isn't adequately explained in this manifesto, so "inquiring minds" might need to ask: Since you're now so gung-ho to raise rates now, where were you while costs were increasing and not being addressed, Mr. Simpson? But the bottom line is, the big "sticker-shock" rate increase really isn’t what its critics make it out to be; it is simply a political "red-herring" thrown out to confuse voters to back another one of “Stony's Cronies,” candidate [David] Williams, who is running on this issue as Rushing's handpicked puppet. Yes, I admit it: I actually agree with Simpson on something. There is where my agreement ends, though. Simpson keeps talking about excessive and irresponsible growth in Union County, even claiming that the 40% growth between 1970 and 1990 (2% per year … we should be so lucky to only be seeing 2% per year noawdays) was the problem when the real problem started around 1990 with the election of developers, Realtors, builders, land investors and other members of the “development food chain” to the board of county commissioners and to a few municipal boards. I moved to Union County in 1987, buying an existing house on 3.5 acres in the woods at a time when most of Union County still stuck to its 1-acre minimum lot size and didn't provide massive water and sewer infrastructure so that developers and land investors could get rich by building massive high-density subdivisions on one-10th-acre lots. It was an OK place to live then, and development still took place – for a while – on large “country” lots with lots of charm. And while Simpson himself didn't become part of the problem until 2010, he's certainly signed on to exacerbate the problem, approving high-density rezonings of county-regulated land like the recent abomination of a 600-house disaster on Potter Road between Wesley Chapel and Mineral Springs. That mess is just the tip of the iceberg, though. Union County has been approving high-density rezonings for years,

and all of the current BOCC members have been on board this "No Developer Left Behind" runaway freight train. And while some municipalities – specifically Waxhaw and Indian Trail – shoulder quite a bit of blame for some of the WORST overdevelopment disasters in the past 20 years where Union County didn't control the zoning, the BOCC made dang sure that it sent massive water and sewer lines into those municipalities to allow the municipalities to rezone for their developer cronies (usually big campaign donors). Union County has been guilty of gross malfeasance in its development policies, and for Simpson to put the innocent look on hie e-face and ask "who, me???" when confronted with condemnation by a rightfully enraged public is misleading spin (to put it most kindly). His whine about the $750 million Union County (taxpayers) spent on all those shiny new schools in the west is just more spin: I live in "the west" and none of that $750 million flowed into schools serving my town (not that I would have wanted it to), yet my neighbors and I have been paying on those bonds for 20 or 30 years while the people moving here and filling up those schools are just paying for their first year! Our schools were fine in 1990 and they would have remained fine if the Union County Board of County Commissioners hadn't turned our county into a developer-feeding trough. So let's not let David Williams and Stony Rushing deflect citizens' attention into a made-up “scandal” over water and sewer rates, but neither should we fall for Simpson's claim of all innocence and purity like yesterday's new-fallen snow. The problem is, Union County taxpayers have been stuffing money into the pockets of developers and land investors for decades, and Union County commissioners have been the ones shoving their hands into our pockets and pulling out those piles of money to hand to their developer cronies. The cost of the new schools, the devastating traffic congestion, the declining environmental quality and – worst of all -- the massive property tax increases over the past 30 years could have been less severe if only Union County commissioners had been looking out for county residents instead of developers and land investors. Now we have commissioners like Simpson telling us that there's nothing they could have done to prevent this growth and expecting us to relieve him of responsibility for the resulting problems … while he's still approving even more rezonings for more irresponsible high-density development. An old expression about me feeling water hitting my leg while he's telling me “it's raining” comes to mind. Rick Becker wrote this in reply to a Union County Weekly Facebook post promoting Union County Commissioner Jerry Simpson’s article, “The facts behind rising utility rates.”

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Indian Trail Weekly • Feb. 28, 2020 • Page 5A

A response to Simpson's 'facts behind rising utility rates' Union County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Jerry Simpson recently wrote to the Union County Weekly about “The facts behind rising utility rates.” I would like to examine some of those facts and respond. - Stony Rushing, Union County commissioner In his letter, Chairman Simpson wrote: “From 2007 to 2017, the county’s water and sewer utility operated with no increase in rates. Beginning in 2017, rates were increased 6.5% annually.” Not true. Rates have been raised annually since 2012 not 2017.

Chairman Simpson then wrote: “Union County rates will still be consistent with other counties and municipalities in the region.” Not true. We will have one of the highest rates in our region. Well above Anson, Cabarrus and Mecklenburg counties.

Chairman Simpson wrote: “Do a fact check, no Environmental Impact Statement has been done, no property has been sited or purchased, and no funding has been approved for the construction of a Lower Crooked Creek sewer plant! Sewer drives growth!” Misleading. To serve 23 million gallons of new water, a sewer plant will be required to return that water to the Rocky River Sub Basin. New sewer capacity will also be required to meet the growth projections promised to the Environmental Management Commission to obtain the Yadkin Inter Basin Transfer. If we do not meet those projections, we can lose the IBT. UCPW has estimated the budget for this plant at $122 million. The recently passed increases will cover the cost of the sewer plant.

Chairman Simpson also informed us that: “From 1999 to 2007, Union County built 22 new school facilities primarily in the western edge of the county at a cost of $490 million.” Very true! UCPS built 22 new school facilities for almost half the projected cost of the Yadkin Project and other associated sewer infrastructure. Yet Chairman Simpson is opposed to school bonds and has voted against them. How many new schools will be needed to support thousands of new homes built in northwestern Union County where the Yadkin water will be pumped and Lower Crooked Creek Sewer Plant will be built? Will Chairman Simpson support new school bonds? The one fact that I have learned from six years dealing with the Yadkin project is that it is rooted in deception. From those who it was intended to serve, cost of the project, the timeline of completion, available alternatives and with several other factors, nothing has been factual. Which brings me to the untrue statement that we will own the source. We will only own hundreds of million dollars in infrastructure that if the Environmental Management Commission “determines that information in the record relied upon in making its Findings of Fact, pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 143-215.22L(k), was erroneous, incomplete, or otherwise contained material misrepresentations, misstatements, or misinterpretations” we can lose the ability to draw water from Lake Tillery.

Page 6A • Indian Trail Weekly • Feb. 28, 2020

What type of relationship do you have with your phone? Whether you’re married or single, chances are there’s another significant other in your life you engage with even more regularly – your phone. A growing number of people consider their phone an extension of themselves. For others, their device is more like a best friend or even a soul mate. For the rest of us, our device functions as a kind of semi-sentient presence we happen to spend a vast amount of time with. if you’re curious about your relationship with your phone, T-Mobile shares five common types: 1. The Codependent Partner Consider this: nearly three out of every four Americans keep their phones within five feet at all times. What’s more, one study found that 46% of us check our phones before we get out of bed in the morning, and 75% keep our phones powered up 24 hours a day. It’s no wonder then that many people separation anxiety when they’re away from their phone. A classic symptom of codependency. 2. The Nagging Spouse It’s time to wake up. Your conference call is coming up in 10 minutes. Time to stand up and move a little. Reminder: Pay utility bill. Your screen time is up 50% from last week. With the constant barrage of alarms, reminders and notifications our phones deliver each day, you’d think we’d been married to them for years. But unlike an actual nagging spouse, you can always turn notifications off or manage them to mitigate stress. 3. The Love/Hate Smartphones. We hate them when they take so much of our attention and love them for making our lives endlessly easier the next. This love/hate relationship can serve as a source of both stress and serenity, loneliness and connection. Like any relationship that pings from one extreme to the other, for this to work in the long run, it’s important to remember you need a steady dose of good to balance out the bad, and even search for middle ground when possible. (That’s what “silent mode” is for, right?) 4. The On-Again, Off-Again In an attempt to be more present, you’ve probably ditched your phone before, or at

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least tried. Maybe you lasted a full 44 days phone-free. Maybe it was a weeklong separation, a weekend away or simply a phonefree dinner out with friends. Whatever your breakup history, chances are you and your phone have gotten back together again — likely many times. Don’t feel like a failure! While it’s nearly impossible for many of us to call it quits with our phones for good, there are a few healthy steps you can take for a digital detox every so often. Plus, as they say, distance makes the heart grow fonder! 5. The (Almost) True Love Our phones are easy to fall in love with — who else answers any and every question we may have, helps us find rides, order food, play music and seemingly exist to endlessly entertain us? But there can be such a thing as too much phone love, especially when it interferes with real human relationships. As much as we rely on our phones, making sure they don’t take priority over the people we love means that any relationship you have with your device will be a healthier one. Remember to use that phone for its primary purpose — connecting with others.

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Regional Section • Feb. 28, 2020 • Page 1B

8 ways to celebrate

Saint Patrick’s Day You can bet your lucky charms that restaurants and bars across the region will serve green beer and Irish-inspired dishes in honor of St. Patrick's Day. But you can also find more immersive experiences that promote community and culture. Here's a heads up on eight major events and festivals being planned for St. Patrick's Day.

UCW file photos

Charlotte St. Patrick’s Day Parade Jim Mannix, president of the Notre Dame Club of Charlotte, will serve as the grand marshal for the 24th annual parade. He'll be joined by pipe bands, dancers, drum lines and beauty queens. More than 135 entries will participate. The parade starts at North Tryon and 9th streets. It continues south to 3rd Street, where it takes a left and marches down 3rd Street to Caldwell Street. • When: 11 a.m. March 14 • Where: Uptown Charlotte • Details: www.charlottestpatsday.com

Shamrock Crawl We haven't received anything official about the sixth annual festival, but hot spots along downtown Matthews, such as Carolina Beer Temple, Seaboard Brewing, The Loyalist Market and Grace O'Malley's Irish Public House, are already making plans in anticipation for the celebration. The Carolina Beer Temple, Seaboard and The Loyalist will have Irish brews, while Grace O'Malley's will have DJ Moe rocking the patio. We'll keep you updated as more details emerge. • When: Times vary March 14 • Where: Downtown Matthews • Details: www.facebook.com/MatthewsSham rockCrawl St. Patrick’s Weekend Party Details are beginning to form like a beautiful glass of Guinness in regarding Mary O’Neill’s annual St. Patrick weekend. Lipstick on a Pig and Smokin' Gunn are among bands that will be rocking the Irish pub. South Charlotte Dog Rescue will be among the vendors at the event. • When: March 13 and 14 • Where: 116 W. North Main St., Waxhaw • Details: www.maryoneills.com

Charlotte St. Patrick’s Day Festival Come for the parade but stay for the festival. The Charlotte Goes Green/St. Patrick’s Day Festival features more than 60 vendors selling arts, crafts, food and drink. The event includes live music, Irish dancers and a Celtic Kidz Zone. • When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 14 • Where: South Tryon Street from 3rd Street to Levine Avenue of the Arts, Charlotte • Details: www.charlottestpatsday.com Murder Most Green Murder Mystery The Charlotte Murder Mystery Company brings a fun whodunit to Treehouse Vineyards. Make your reservations today to help solve the mystery of who killed Patrick Flaherty, the owner of a 100-year old plant nursery. Tickets cost $20, which include a drink. • When: 3:30-6 p.m. March 15 • Where: 301 Bay St., Monroe • Details: www.treehousevineyards.com Celtic Festival The eighth annual Celtic Festival attracts musicians, dancers, bagpipers and warriors. It’s a great place to check out historic encampments, as well as watch traditional competitive games. Food trucks and craft beer will be available. Admission costs $9 for ages 13 and older, $8 for ages 6-12 and 62 and older, free for ages 5 and younger. • When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 14 and 15 • Where: Latta Plantation, 5225 Sample Road, Huntersville • Details: www.lattaplantation.org

Green River Revival There's probably not a better venue to celebrate St. Patrick's Day than a green river, but that's one of several reasons to check out the U.S. National Whitewater Center. The festivities kick off with the Color Me Green 5K Trail Run. They continue with yoga and live music from Joslyn & The Sweet Compression and Lee Fields & The Expressions. • When: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. March 14 • Where: 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy., Charlotte • Details: www.usnwc.org St. Paddy's Fest! You're going to get more than a night of green beer at a place named Grace O'Malley's Irish Public House. The restaurant is planning a week's worth of activities in celebration, including the Shamrock Crawl on March 14, a parking lot party with music and bounce house on March 15, Irish trivia on March 16, St. Patrick's Day Party on March 17 and the Whisk[e]y Club of Matthews tasting Jameson on March 18. • When: Various times March 14-18 • Where: 157 N. Trade St., Matthews • Details: www.gomalleys.com

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Regional Section • Feb. 28, 2020 • Page 2B

DINING SCORES Health departments in Mecklenburg and Union counties inspected these restaurants Feb. 14-20: Lowest Scores • Crossroads Grill & Bar, 5250 Old Charlotte Hwy., Monroe – 90 Violations include: Certified food protection manager wasn’t available; employee salad was stored above ready-toeat foods; microwave and meat slicers weren’t clean; lettuce and tomatoes in top of prep cooler weren’t cold enough; menu did not have proper disclosure statement; and foods in prep unit weren’t date-marked. • Tienda Y Taqueria Romeros, 405 Sutherland Ave., Monroe – 90.5 Violations include: Certified food protection manager wasn’t available; several pans of cooked meats and grilled onions/peppers in steam table weren’t held hot enough; several bags of previously cooked meats in cooler didn’t have date marks; and beef stomach chunks were thawing in pot stored directly on floor. Indian Trail • Chick-fil-A, 13801 E. Independence Blvd. – 99 • Panera Bread, 14035 U.S. 74 – 97 • Smoothie King, 208 Postage Way – 93 • Wendy’s, 13810 E. Independence Blvd. – 94 Matthews (Union) • Harris Teeter (deli), 5920 Weddington-Monroe Road – 99 • Harris Teeter (meats/seafood), 5920 Weddington-Monroe Road – 100 • Hot Wok, 5943 Weddington-Monroe Road – 99.5 Matthews (Mecklenburg) • Baltimore Crab Cake Company (mobile food), 131 E. John St. – 98 • Good Cup, 435 N. Trade St. – 98.5 • The Loyalist Market, 435 N. Trade St. – 98 Monroe • Claws, 812 N. Charlotte Hwy. – 93 • Compare Foods (meat market), 1600 Skyway Drive – 97 • Compare Foods (produce), 1600 Skyway Drive – 97.5 • Crossroads Grill & Bar, 5250 Old Charlotte Hwy. – 90 • Mr. Tokyo, 2239 W. Roosevelt Blvd. –96 • Papa John’s Pizza, 1620 E. Roosevelt Blvd. – 91.5 • Tienda Y Taqueria Romeros, 405 Sutherland Ave. – 90.5 Stallings • New Asia Market, 4400 Potter Road – 95 • New Asia Market (meat market), 4400 Potter Road – 99 Waxhaw • Cork & Ale, 113 E. N. St. – 98.5 • Frontier Meats, 8303 Lancaster Ave. – 98.5 • GRITS Home Cookin’, 7909 Lancaster Ave. – 94 • Harris Teeter (deli), 8157 Kensington Drive – 96

Above left: Tricia Green has brought new and refurbished furniture to her store, Magnolia on Main. Above right: The store, located at 130 S. Main St. in Monroe, features work by Maureen Boone, who makes items out of spoons. Lee Noles/UCW photos

Making old new again

Magnolia on Main focuses on new, refurbished furniture a color Green describes as farmhouse white. “I went to Sherwin-Williams and I told them what I wanted. No eggshell white, but white, white,” said Green, who trimmed the outlying walls with black and has a chandelier hanging from the ceiling. “It just works.” The rural theme continues in the store as Green used shiplap to decorate a back wall behind the cash register. The exterior siding is a nod not only to Joanna Gaines, who inspired Green with her television show of a modernized farmhouse-style, but also to Green’s grandparents. Green remembers driving to her family’s farm in Alabama from her native Ohio to spend time each summer walking the grand front porch, roaming the white farmhouse with its black shudders and eating meals at the nine-foot farmhouse table. “It’s something I never forgot about,” Green said. Green continues the strong family bond as her two sons are also involved in the business. Colin is 19 years old and manages Magnolia on Main. Chad, 26, helps on the weekends. The family even got the store ready as Colin painted and Coy placed the shiplap and laid down the flooring. Green’s mother, Ginger, came up with the name of the store. “It’s neat,” Green said of having her family in-

by Lee Noles Contributor

MONROE – Tricia Green loves doing what she calls “picking.” The Union County resident travels to flea markets, auctions and yard sales finding deals on old pieces of furniture she redecorates with energetic colors. Green recently brought her passion for making old things new again to Monroe by opening Magnolia on Main. The store brings an eclectic style of farmhouse and urban decorum that features new and reclaimed furniture as well as clothing and jewelry that Green says fit the small-town atmosphere Monroe exudes. “We are trying to give everyone a different style,” Green said. The store’s opening happened almost by chance when Green and her husband, Coy, stumbled upon the empty building after finishing dinner at a local restaurant. It was then, Green realized she had found the place to build her idea of combining urban farmhouse with a rustic vibe that defines her other business. Green started The Farmhouse Market in Indian Trail five years ago and wants her new business in Monroe to build on its popularity. She is doing it by matching urban themes of industrial lighting and weathered metal with walls painted

volved. “It’s nice to have your kids there.” The store features two artists in addition to Green’s refurbished furniture. Rustic Attitude was started by Maureen Boone, who creates necklaces, bracelets and other accessorized items from spoons. Lori Hofmeister is an artist who helps Green with painting the furniture as well as displaying her own work in the store. The two use Dixie Belle paint, which is supplied by Jill DeBerry, who runs the Willow Tree and Company out of Rockingham. Green not only sells the paint but she can also advise customers on how to apply it to their own furniture. Green has gotten the word out through Instagram, and her Facebook account has close to 500 followers since the store’s opening on Feb. 8. The buzz on social media is all well and good but Green is more interested in the face-to-face service she embraces. “It’s not just a customer coming through the door, but a repeat customer who becomes a friend,” Green said.

Want to go?

Magnolia on Main operates Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 130 S. Main St. Call 704-635-7057 for details.

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Stop by at our Open House on March 14

SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2020 Volunteering at the Queen’s Cup is a fun way to enjoy the races and support the Alzheimer’s Association of Western North Carolina. All volunteers get a T-shirt, lunch, drinks, and the chance to win some great prizes from our volunteer raffle. We have approximately 10 Friday set-up positions and 260 race day positions. Most positions require that one be mobile and out in the elements, and all volunteers must be 16yrs or older.

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Page 3B • Feb. 28, 2020 • Regional Section $12 at the door and $10 online. Children 12 and under are free. www.charlottespringho meandgardenshow.com Various times; 800 Briar Creek Road, Charlotte

THINGS TO DO Feb. 28

Feb. 28-March 8

Community Theater The Union County Playmakers present “Bedtime Stories (As Told By Our Dad Who Messed Them Up)” at the Monroe Crossing Mall. Future shows are at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 29, March 6, March 7, as well as 2:30 p.m. March 8. Tickets range $1215. https://unioncountyplay makers.org/ 7:30-9 p.m.; 2115 W. Roosevelt Blvd., Monroe

Home Show The Southern Spring Home Feb. 29 Polar Plunge & Garden Show offers ideas The 2020 Special Olympics for enhancing your living environment on two weekends Union County holds a Polar at the Park Expo and Confer- Plunge at Cane Creek Park. ence Center. Show hours are Register in advance: $30 for 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and minors and $50 for adults. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. https://bit.ly/38zsrgr 9:30 a.m.; 5213 Harkey Sundays, Feb. 28 to March Syndication Sales Corporation Road, Waxhaw 1 The and New MarchYork 6 to Times 8. Parking 620and Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018 costs $8 a concession Call: 1-800-972-3550 Grand Opening area will For sellInformation snacks and For Release Wednesday, July 10, 2019 Renew Med Spa celebrates drinks. Tickets for adults are

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28 Loan letters

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14 Mideast federation, for short

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March 1 Hunger Walk Common Heart holds its third annual Hunger Walk at Crooked Creek Park. www. CommonHeartHungerWalk. org or 704-218-9060. 1:30-4:30 p.m.; 5900 Oakwood Lane, Indian Trail Pub Poker Deuces Pub Poker pres-

Edited by Will Shortz

Crossword ACROSS

its grand opening with a celebration that includes demonstrations. Free tickets are available on www.eventbrite. com. 704 843-0226 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; 408 E. S. Main St., Waxhaw

51 The People’s Princess, familiarly 54 English churchyard flora 55 Title girl in a 2001 Oscarnominated French comedy 56 Beehive State native 57 River of northern France 58 Big superhero film of 2017 59 It’s divided by the 38th parallel: Abbr. 60 Some fundraising grps.

26 29 34

DOWN 1 Without delay 2 Setting for a Pirates of the Caribbean ride 3 ___ Noah, host of “The Daily Show” 4 Wooed à la Don Giovanni 5 Participated in a bee 6 Low-lying areas 7 European of the Iron Age 8 Heavy ankle-high shoe 9 Danger in a uranium mine 10 Prefix with conscious or catastrophe 11 Landon who lost to F.D.R. in 1936 12 Surely, informally 15 Bad artist to re-sign to a record deal 17 Thrifty

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PUZZLE BY RICH PROULX

20 Quick Draw ___ (Hanna-Barbera character) 23 Follow 24 Blade with a bell guard 25 Miraculously effective medicine 27 Brother of Moses and Miriam 30 Loud, as trumpets 31 Sour candy 32 Domain of the Queen of Hearts

33 Subdivision of a subdivision 34 “La Vie en Rose” singer 36 Raise 38 He said “Just because a man lacks the use of his eyes doesn’t mean he lacks vision” 39 Big name in customer satisfaction surveys 41 Stranded during the winter, say

43 Response to “Look!” 44 Mother of Calcutta 45 Gives some lip 47 Havens 48 Have a loan from 50 Three Stooges laugh sound 51 Counselor’s subject 52 “I love,” to a Latin lover 53 Like F.D.R.: Abbr.

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.

ents Monday Night Pub Poker at Lounge 74. 704-494-9445 7-10 p.m.; 6443 Old Monroe Road, Indian Trail

March 3-8 Consignment Sale The Green Jeans Consignment Sale returns to the Levine Senior Center. Sale hours are 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. Visit the website for special shopping events and discounts. www. greenjeanssale.com Various times; 1050 Devore Lane, Matthews

March 20 Senior Expo Charlotte Media Group presents the Thrive Over 55 Senior Expo at Christ Covenant Church. The free event features more than 60 vendors, free food and opportunities to connect with community resources and agencies serving older adults. Register to attend through www.eventbrite.com or by calling 704-849-2261. Email kate@cmgweekly.com to become a sponsor. 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; 800 Fullwood Drive, Matthews

LOUD&LIVE Feb. 28 • Beantown Tavern: Mark Starnes and the Boys • Coyote Joe’s: Scotty McCreery • Fillmore: KRS-One; Gogo vs. Old School Hip Hop Bash ft. Kid Capri • Mac’s Speed Shop: McKinney Gap • Neighborhood Theatre: Reel Big Fish, Big D and the Kids Table & Keep Flying • Rooftop 210: Yo Gotti • Southern Range: Act Two and JJ Langes Beatz • Stooges Pub: Action Jaxxon • Trail House: U-Phonik • Treehouse Vineyards: Russell N’ Woods Duo • Vintner’s Hill: River Ratz • Visulite: Abacab the Music of Genesis

Feb. 29 • Belk Theatre: Diana Ross • Beantown Tavern: Apple Brothers • Fillmore: Yo Gotti • Kristophers: Karaoke • Mary O’Neill’s: Two of Us • McGlohan Theatre: Kindred Family Soul • Moochies Tavern: Coconut Groove Band • Neighborhood Theatre: Downtown Abby & The Echoes and Ellis Dyson & The Shambles • Pour 64: Karaoke • Rooftop 210: Fabolous; Trey Songz • Stooges Pub: Action Jaxxon, Smilin’ Dogs & Bakkwoodz • Sweet Union: Radio Flyer Bluegrass Band • Trail House: Kids in America • Visulite: The Dirty Doors

March 1 • Fillmore: Jacquees • Oak Room: Lil Boosie & Stunna • Visulite: Audrey Mika w/ Souly Had

March 2 March 3 • DreamChaser’s: Music Bingo • Fillmore: Rufus Du Sol • Whiskey Warehouse:Ellie Morgan

March 4

March 5 • Bistro D’Antonio: Will Lee • Carolina Beer Temple: Open Mic w/ Nathan Davis • Jekyll & Hyde: Jaxx & Jacks • Pizza Peel (Matthews): Music Bingo • Visulite: Jason Moss and the Hosses

Venues Charlotte • Belk Theater:130 N. Tryon St. • Coyote Joe’s: 4621 Wilkinson Blvd. • Fillmore: 820 Hamilton St. • McGlohan Theatre: 345 N. College St. • Neighborhood Theatre: 511 E. 36th St. • Oak Room: 200 E. Bland St. • Rooftop 210: 210 E. Trade St. • Visulite: 1615 Elizabeth Ave. • Whiskey Warehouse: 1221 The Plaza Indian Trail • Sweet Union: 13717 E. Independence Blvd. • Trail House: 6751 Old Monroe Road Matthews • Beantown Tavern: 130 Matthews Station St. • Jekyll & Hyde: 316 N. Trade St. • Kristophers: 250 N. Trade St. • Mac’s Speed Shop: 142 E. John St. • Moochies Tavern: 15060 Idlewild Road • Pizza Peel: 110 Matthews Station St. Mint Hill • Pour 64: 4410 Mint Hill Village Lane • Stooges Pub: 13230 Albemarle Road • Vintner’s Hill: 7427 Matthews-Mint Hill Road Monroe • Southern Range: 151 S. Stewart St. • Treehouse Vineyards: 301 Bay St.

• Belk Theater: Joe Bonamassa

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Regional Section • Feb. 28, 2020 • Page 4B

How my son inspired me to become an author by Dennis L. Morrow Contributor

The Breakaway Music Festival is coming to Charlotte later this year. Photo courtesy of Breakaway Festival

Breakaway Music Festival coming to Charlotte CHARLOTTE – The Breakaway Music Festival has announced its complete 2020 calendar, which includes a weekend in Charlotte (Sept. 11 and 12). The music festival offers attendees industry-leading headliners right into their backyards while providing a solution to rising festival prices. “Our mission has always been to provide real fans with a true music festival experience, at a price they can actually afford,” co-founder Adam Lynn said. Stay tuned for lineups and programming in the next couple of months. Past bookings have included Kendrick Lamar, Halsey, Khalid, Wiz Khalifa and Diplo. Visit www.breakawayfestival. com/ for details.

Museum explores African American history CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte Museum of History presents more than 250 years of history and culture at the African American Heritage Festival. Aside from tours of the Alexander homesite, the community can watch demonstrations, musical performances and check out exhibits. Participants include A Sign of the Times, Opera Carolina and the gospel singer Jett Edwards. The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 29 at the museum, 3500 Shamrock Drive. Visit www.charlottemuseum. org or call 704-568-1774

All my life, starting in elementary school, I struggled with reading. Much of the assistance available to children now was not available to me back then. I had no way to understand this issue and there was little to do to correct the situation. Because I couldn’t read very well, I directed my education to learning numbers and equations. Eventually finding my niche with engineering. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical/aerospace engineering. I finished my education with an MBA in sales and marketing. My reading skills never got better. I was a stranger to books. Finally, in my adult life I found the patience to read books like “The Hobbit,” and “Lord of the Rings” by J. R. Tolkein, “Centennial” by James Michener and other books. It was slow reading but I thoroughly enjoyed the books. I never dreamed of writing books. Engineering and then sales and marketing became my professional career. My son, Steven, sent me a couple of screenplays he had written. After reading them, I got interested in the art of screenwriting. I went to the bookstore and bought some books on how to write a screenplay and my writing career took off. I wrote a screenplay called “The Tree House,” eventually I renamed it “Alliance of the Quad.” I took it to a Screenwriter’s Convention in Hollywood and was told the ideas in the screenplay were unique, interesting and would make a terrific movie. However, the movie would be quite expensive so I would have to create an audience before a movie could be made. I needed the write the book (books). I went back to the bookstore

and bought some books on how to write books. I began the journey that eventually created the five-book series, “Alliance of the Quad.” Now I want to inspire young readers – the ones that can read well, but more importantly the ones who struggle with reading. “The Alliance of the Quad” is a book series that is mesmerizing and captivating. The young reader will get swept up into the story quickly and be transported to faraway places and distant times as they read. They will learn how magical, captivating and mesmerizing reading can be. They will also learn about life’s lessons. My ultimate hope is that I can invite, motivate, encourage, inspire and transport the young and old into a world of magic, time travel and excitement. At the same time imprint the values and importance of reading in their lives. One way I am trying to do this is to give lectures on reading and writing to middle school students. This has been received quite well and my hope is it will inspire the young people I come in contact with. I am forever grateful for this gratifying opportunity. Meet the author Author Dennis Morrow has a book-signing event scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. March 7 and 8 at The Book Lady, 3513 W. U.S. 74, Monroe. Call 704-2820646 for details.

Above: Author Dennis L. Morrow admits that reading didn't come naturally for him. Screenplays from his son inspired him to begin writing. Photo courtesy of Dennis Morrow Right: The cover of Morrow’s book, “Alliance of the Quad: The New Alliance Volume 1.”

About the series

Dennis L. Morrow's “Alliance of the Quad” is a five-book series about four 15-year-olds that learn they were born into a line of powerful wizards that have taken on the responsibility of defending the world against the tyrannical rule of the Evil Queen Torron of the underworld. The temptations of evil affect each of the four Alliance members as they prepare themselves to fight the impending battle for control of the world.

Montes continues directing despite near-death experience by Kayla Berenson kayla@cmgweekly.com

PINEVILLE – The phrase, “the show must go on” has never rung truer to Pineville Players director Eva Montes, who was hit by a car and hospitalized prior to her show’s opening. Three months after the accident, Montes is still in a wheelchair. She was walking and got hit by a car in November, causing her to fly 30 feet. Montes said she crushed her left arm and left leg and broke her back, vertebrae and ribs. “It’s a miracle I’m alive, let alone directing a play,” Montes said. Despite all of the injuries she incurred, Montes will be able to walk again. Her passion for directing and her love for the upcoming play, “Down To Earth,” kept Montes going throughout her recovery. “Down to Earth” is a comedic play set in the 1940s. It follows two angels who descend to Earth to pick up two elderly souls. Trouble ensues when a third angel tags along to cause some mischief. Montes said she knows audiences will enjoy the play and its surprise ending. She has directed hundreds of shows, but “Down to Earth” is the first she is directing a second time. Something drew her back to this play, even before the accident. “It’s a play about angels, and I really feel like in real life, my angels protected me because I should be dead,” Montes said. After the accident, one of the new actresses in “Down To Earth” asked Montes if the show would be canceled.

Directing “Down to Earth” hit home for Eva Montes. The Pineville Players production is about angels coming to earth to pick up souls. Montes was badly injured after getting hit by a car. Photos courtesy of Pineville Players

“I may not be able to walk, but my mouth still moves,” Montes told her. “I would have to be in a coma for me not to be directing.” The process of directing, however, has presented many challenges. Montes said she and her actors used the conference room at the rehabilitation center for rehearsals after the accident. She also can’t move around as much in the wheelchair and has people drive her to rehearsals. She has also put strain on her right arm from moving it so much without the use of her left arm, which is still broken. Montes said for other shows, she has been able to get the word out by driving to local businesses and nurs-

ing homes to advertise, but she has not been able to for this show. Through all of the challenges, she said the actors and members of the community have been “more helpful than ever.” She admitted there have been times she has broken down and cried about the situation. “It’s been challenging and humbling,” Montes said. “It’s been tough, but the show’s going to go on.” Want to watch? The Pineville Players presents “Down to Earth” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 and 29, as well as 2:30 p.m. March 1, at The Hut, Johnston Drive. Tickets are available at www. pinevilleplayers.com.

Regional Section • Feb. 28, 2020 • Page 5B

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Regional Section • Feb. 28, 2020 • Page 6B

NEW BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT:

Calvin’s Craft Cookies turns used brewery grains into dog treats by Karie Simmons karie@cmgweekly.com

CHARLOTTE – Breweries only use grains like barley, oats, wheat, millet, rye and rice in the first step of the beer-making process – when they’re soaked in water to extract sugar. Some of what’s left is donated to local farmers, but a lot still goes to waste. Not any more. Eric Westerduin and Sheera Bursch, co-founders of Calvin’s Craft Cookies, are upcycling those grains into nutrient-packed treats for dogs. The Charlotte-based duo has been making the treats since January thanks to used grains donated from Pilot Brewing, Town Brewing Co., The Unknown Brewing Company, Divine Barrel Brewing and The Suffolk Punch. The treats are peanut butter flax flavor and made of brewer’s grains, unbleached all-purpose flour, peanut butter and cinnamon. There is no meat, fillers or preservatives. The next flavor for release is apples and cheese. Calvin’s Craft Cookies are packaged in recyclable aluminum cans that each contain approximately 45 cookies and retail for $8.99 online and at breweries, veterinary clinics, pet grooming salons and pet supply stores across the Charlotte region. Every month, 15% of proceeds are donated to a different local animal rescue group. Westerduin said he came up with the idea for Calvin’s Craft Cookies (named after his mini dachshund) after winning a contest to brew his own beer at Unknown Brewing Company. That’s when he learned about the beer-making process and what happens to all the leftover grains. “I thought, there must be a better way to reuse these grains and recycle them because they’re still so nutritious,” he said. An entrepreneur with a background in business and finance, Westerduin has started a handful of small businesses

over the years. He works at Suite Plants, a company he co-founded in 2012 that’s based in Charlotte and manufactures custom living plant wall systems for indoor and outdoor spaces. Bursch is the director of marketing at Suite Plants but was a veterinary technician and veterinary nurse for many years. Before agreeing to join Calvin’s Craft Cookies, Bursch said she took a hard look at the grains that would go into the treats from a veterinary health standpoint. “During the brewing process, they’ve taken out the sugar and what you’re left with are these really nutritious grains,” Bursch said. “They have protein. They have fiber. They have carbs. They’d be really good dog treats. Plus, the grains they get for craft breweries are such high quality.” As soon as Bursch and Westerduin got their hands on some brewer’s grains, they began experimenting in their own kitchens and testing variations of treats on their dogs. It didn’t take long to nail down the final recipe. “That was the key,” Bursch said. “If the dogs didn’t like it, it wasn’t going to work out.” When it came to packaging, they knew they wanted Calvin’s Craft Cookies to be different. Westerduin said most dog treats sold in stores are packaged in single-use plastic bags, which didn’t fit with their sustainable and eco-friendly brand, so they decided to do beer cans instead. Not only are the cans aluminum and recyclable, but they’re also eye-catching at local breweries and pet stores. “I think we’re in the position where if breweries had a box of Milk-Bones behind the bar, no one would care, but they see the cans and they’re like, ‘Oh my God!’” Westerduin said. Jeff Hudson, who owns Pilot Brewing in Plaza Midwood with his wife, Rachael, said grains are one of four main ingredients of beer. The grains are soaked in water to extract sugar and the sugary liquid is used later in the fermen-

tation process to make alcohol. After the liquid is drained, the grains are set aside and the beer-making process continues. Hudson donates his spent grains to farmers who use them to feed livestock, but he was happy to also give some to Bursch and Westerduin. “It really was no sweat,” Hudson said. “They only use so little, so it’s not hard to share it with people like that.” Bursch and Westerduin said the breweries have been generous, and that’s helped with production. Since starting Calvin’s Craft Cookies earlier this year, Bursch said they’ve been doing everything themselves, from picking up the grains to making, canning and delivering the treats. It’s manageable now, she said, but they may have to find a co-packing facility in the future to handle the demand. “Hopefully, we grow enough to need that,” Bursch said. “Charlotte is such a craft brewery and dog-friendly city, this should be a home run for us,” Westerduin said.

Above: Calvin’s Craft Cookies can be found at several locations across the region, including Baxter Veterinary Clinic (1152 Stonecrest Blvd., Tega Cay, S.C.), Mane Street Horse & Pet (7915 Lancaster Hwy., Waxhaw), Pet in the City (9600 Monroe Road, Charlotte) and Woof ‘n Hoof (7710 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill). Visit www.calvinscraft cookies.com for more locations. Below: Eric Westerduin (left) and Sheera Bursch (right) are the co-founders of Calvin’s Craft Cookies, a Charlotte-based startup that makes sustainable dog treats using spent grains from local breweries. Karie Simmons/UCW photos

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