South Charlotte Weekly Jan. 15, 2021 by Charlotte Media Group

Inside: State health department spent $480M to fight COVID-19 • Page 2A

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Sterling Elementary strives for connections by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com

Emily Miles describes the past 10 months as an absolute roller coaster. The award-winning principal credits her staff at Sterling Elementary School for adapting to each twist, turn and loop endured during the COVID-19 pandemic. The challenge of transitioning between remote and in-person learning is compounded for schools like Sterling that have higher populations of low income families. Sev-

eral don't have internet access. “The social-emotional piece is really crucial to our students' success,” Miles said. “We really need to make sure kids are connected.” The school recently received a $50,000 donation from Travelers to help staff buy Chromebooks for students learning remotely. The donation was part of an employee-led campaign that raised $250,000 for schools. Not only that but the insurance company's employees will virtually volunteer in partnership with Ju-

nior Achievement of Central Carolinas to provide financial literacy lessons to students, according to Rita Ortiz, community relations director. Sterling Elementary's relationship with Travelers has developed over the years, Miles said. Prior to the pandemic, Travelers staff donated time to serve as substitutes in classrooms so teachers could take some time to enjoy a luncheon. Miles has dedicated family/school advocates that work with Sterling's partners in the community to figure

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out what's best for students. “I have to have the right people to help foster those relationships and not just, 'yeah, drop off some school supplies,'” Miles said. “We really meet ahead of time to be intentional around what we need.” Ortiz said the staff at Travelers is happy to meet the needs of Sterling Elementary School. “They believe in giving the care and the love that Emily has described to these students,” Ortiz said, “especially during this time, where connection does matter.”

Developer gets apology

Retired boxer wins first pageant, 2A

Weddington mayor embarrassed by how Ballantyne icon was treated by Justin Vick

Gravy? Veggies?

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What toppings are on your waffles?, 3A

Got antiques? ‘American Pickers’ wants to see them, 3A

lot of these adults just want to be a part of society. It’s not about the money.” Bear Food’s jumbo gourmet peanuts are cooked by

Weddington Mayor Elizabeth Callis and other town leaders publicly apologized to Ballantyne visionary Smoky Bissell on Jan. 11 after his Bissell development team was subject to an aggressive line of questioning Dec. 21 from planning board chairman Brad Prillaman. Callis received a letter from Bissell on Jan. 2 saying that he was withdrawing his rezoning application for Roots Farm, an agricultural-based project that would have guaranteed 70% open space on 214 acres off Providence Road. “I was listening to the meeting and I must say that I was embarrassed of the behavior of the chairman,” Callis said during the Jan. 11 town council meeting without mentioning Prillaman by name. Callis said Prillaman overstepped his authority by hushing colleagues on the planning board, undermining Planning Director Lisa Thompson by questioning the rezoning process and being disrespectful to the Roots Farm development team. “Every applicant that presents an idea to this town should be afforded the same courtesy and respect regardless to one's opinion,” she said. “It was clear the chairman had an opposing view of the project. It is

see NUTS, Page 5A

see APOLOGY, Page 5A

Miller Brydon stops by Bear Food twice a week to help label tins and pack orders. Photo courtesy of Bear Food

Peanut company provides job training for special needs adults by Karie Simmons karie@cmgweekly.com

School choice Start planning now for next year, 4A

Clean forks See inspection scores from area eateries, 4B

The story of Bear Food peanuts is as much about Mac Brydon as it is about his best friend and older brother, Miller. Miller has Down’s Syndrome. He’s smart, strong, funny and a great dancer, but was never given a springboard Brydon into life like Brydon had. After Miller graduated from Ardrey Kell High School, he struggled to figure out his next steps. Brydon, 22, said this is the typical story for many people with special needs across the country, the majority of which are unemployed. He wanted to change that, so he created Bear Food — a hand-cooked gourmet peanut company that gives people with disabilities a chance to learn job skills and responsibilities. “People with special needs are more like us than not,” Brydon said. “Miller has dreams. He has goals. A

Unity has Providence Chargers back on top by Andrew Stark andrew@cmgweekly.com

Fresh start Rev. Tony wants you to clean your house, 1B

Bear Food sells hand-cooked jumbo gourmet Virginia peanuts in a variety of flavors like cajun-spiced, dill pickle, jalapeño and butter toasted.

Providence Day girls basketball coach Josh Springer has been at the school for the past 14 years, usually leading the Chargers to state championships as they have won 13 of the past 16 NCISAA titles and 17 overall. At his first basketball camp, he remembers seeing El Ferguson arrive every day wearing a tennis skirt. From that 4-year-old, Ferguson has blossomed into a four-year varsity player and the team’s second-leading scorer and best 3-point shooter. Ferguson remembers that time, too. “Growing up, I always looked up to them,” Ferguson said of the Charger championship-winning teams who have come before

her. “I remember seeing Tiffany Mitchell play and thinking how cool she was. Growing up, it was my dream to be on the Providence Day girls basketball team. Whenever I played, my goal was to get to the girls basketball team. Ninth-grade year, coach Springer gave me a really good opportunity to play on the varsity team and I remember it was awesome. “With the strong tradition we have here, it’s an honor to play for this team.” Ferguson arrived as a freshman on the 2017-18 squad that ended its season without a state title, dashing a string of seven straight state championships. As a sophomore, Ferguson and the Chargers had another great year, but were again stopped short of their see CHARGERS, Page 5A

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Page 2A • The Weekly • Jan. 15, 2021

Atrium Health opens new COVID-19 clinical trial STAY CONNECTED • Twitter and Instagram: @mmhweekly. @ucweekly, @southcltweekly, @weekly waxhaw and @itncweekly • Like us on Facebook • E-edition: issuu.com/car olinaweeklynewspapers

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Atrium Health will participate in a phase 3 COVID-19 investigational vaccine clinical trial. The trial will test the safety and effectiveness of NVX-CoV2373, developed by Novavax, a late-stage biotech company. “Atrium Health is the only site in the region offering the Novavax clinical trial,” said Dr. Christine Turley, vice chair of research at Atrium Health Levine Children’s. “We’ve been extremely thorough and diligent in reviewing many clinical trials, and are pleased to participate in a phase 3 clinical trial of a promising COVID-19 vaccine candidate. We also know that, with almost 8 billion people on the planet, there will need be more than one FDA-approved vaccine for COVID-19, so we are prepared to launch multiple, additional trials in the near future.”

“There are many people who are worried for their own health, and this trial may give them an early benefit. They may have a family member who is considered high-risk, or who cannot participate in a trial. Some people are just altruistic – they believe that vaccines are important, that working together to turn the page on the pandemic through a vaccine is important, and they want to contribute to a cure.”

• Dr. Christine Turley

Atrium Health Levine Children’s.

People who join Atrium Health’s vaccine registry may be invited to participate in the NVXCoV2373 trial, as well as additional COVID-19 vaccine trials that Atrium Health may open. To date, the registry has an estimated 4,000 people enrolled; of which, 250 may be invited to participate in the Novavax trial. Turley anticipates a strong, favorable response from the Charlotte community in the trial.

“There are many people who are worried for their own health, and this trial may give them an early benefit,” Turley said. “They may have a family member who is considered high-risk, or who cannot participate in a trial. Some people are just altruistic – they believe that vaccines are important, that working together to turn the page on the pandemic through a vaccine is important, and they want to contribute to a cure.” Participants will randomly receive

either the investigational vaccine or placebo in two doses, 21 days apart. Two-thirds of volunteers will receive the vaccine candidate and one-third will receive a saline-based placebo. Participants will be financially compensated for their time. The trial will operate out of two Atrium Health locations in the Charlotte area, along with a mobile program. Atrium Health is part of the COVID-19 Prevention Network, which aims to enroll thousands of volunteers in large-scale clinical trials. The network is supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health. Call 833-451-1188, visit AtriumHealth.org/COVIDVACCINE or email STRIVEVaccineRegistry@ atriumhealth.org for details about the NVX-Co trial or Atrium Health’s COVID-19 research registry.

N.C. health dept. spent $480M to fight virus by Nyamekye Daniel Contributor

(The Center Square) – The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has spent nearly $480 million in federal aid in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A large portion of the aid provided by Congress to states in March was spent on coronavirus testing and contact tracing in North Carolina. About $6.8 million of the funding is available to continue the public health services in 2021, officials said. “Although much of the attention has understandably moved to vaccines, we are still very much in the midst of this pandemic,” Susan Gale Perry, NCDHHS chief deputy secretary, said Tuesday during a Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Medicaid and North Carolina Health Choice meeting. “We are still very much in the midst of delivering on some of the bread-and-butter strategies to slow the spread of COVID-19 that we need to continue until we get vaccinations at a rate that would allow us not to do so,” Perry said. The General Assembly allocated the funds to NCDHHS from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. North Carolina received more than $4 billion in direct aid for its Coronavirus Relief Fund. States had until

the end of 2020 to spend the funding, but federal lawmakers extended the deadline to Dec. 31, 2021. NCDHHS has spent $125 million from the CRF in administering tests and tracking COVID-19 cases statewide. Local health departments set up 750 testing sites and provided 7 million COVID-19 tests. NCDHHS also has provided 500,000 rapid antigen tests, launched an exposure notification app and hired 1,560 contact tracers. The agency's second-largest expense was mental health and crisis services. Officials said they employed more than 400 community health workers that helped 180,000 North Carolinians with medical, behavioral and social services. NCDHHS spent $75 million on its behavioral health response efforts, according to its most recent spending projections. In recent months, North Carolina has spent additional CRF funding on isolation support services for COVID-19 patients and homelessness prevention and to support historically marginalized communities and offset costs for Medicaid dental providers. The state delivered more than 26,000 meals, relief payments or medical care to 5,500 households who needed to isolate or quarantine because of COVID-19, officials said.

Meck issues COVID directive Mecklenburg County Public Health Director Gibbie Harris issued a directive on Jan. 12 through Feb. 2 that includes the following actions: 1. Only leave your home for essential activities and remain at home between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., unless an exception as set forth in the Governor's Executive Order. 2. Utilize full-virtual options for work, school and any other activity where in-person activity is not required. 3. Avoid leaving your home if you are over 65 or at high-risk for developing serious illness. 4. Avoid any non-essential travel. 5. Avoid gathering with individuals that you do not live with. 6. Wear, a cloth face covering, wait six feet apart and avoid close contact, and wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer. 7. Quarantine and get tested if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19. 8. Answer the call and participate in contact tracing to protect against further spread if you receive a call or text from Mecklenburg County Public Health. 9. Get a flu shot and get the get the COVID-19 vaccine, when it is available to you. The directive comes as Mecklenburg County reports an average of 900 cases per day in mid-January.

NASCAR driver makes big donations to Humane Society Growing up in Mexico, Daniel Suárez's father would often bring home stray animals to nurse them back to health. His father would get the animals, often dogs, the veterinary care they required and then find each animal a new home with the help of friends and family. That generous spirit was passed on to Daniel, who became a NASCAR driver and supporter of Humane Society of Charlotte. Suárez, who drives the No. 99, helped raise $30,000 for the nonprofit throughout

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to further its mission of improving the lives of companion animals and the people that love them. Suárez and Piquet toured the Humane Society of Charlotte on Jan. 6 and decided to adopt a cat they named Nicky. Want to help? The ongoing pandemic has added additional stress on the Humane Society of Charlotte's resources. Visit https://humanesocietyofcharlotte.org/ to learn how to help.

Flock knocks out first pageant

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the NASCAR season as part of the Coca-Cola Chug for Charity program. The program allows NASCAR drivers to earn money for their favorite charities. Suárez and his partner, Julia Piquet, reached out to the Humane Society of Charlotte in late 2020 to announce he was donating money earned during the 2020 NASCAR season to the charity. They live in the Charlotte region with their own rescue dog, Emma, and are excited about the prospect of partnering with the local charity

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Retired boxer Carrie Flock has won a new title – Ms. NC America’s United States. And she didn't have to punch anyone in the face to earn it. Instead, she wowed judges with style, grace and her energetic personality. Flock competed as Ms. Mint Hill in the Jan. 9 pageant. This was her first time competing in a pageant. In a nod to her ring attire, Flock wore a royal blue evening gown and fitness attire. During the interview portion of the competition she was asked, “What do you believe is the biggest misconception to gun violence in America?” Flock replied safety. She said if people were trained how to properly store and use a gun, especially around children, then there wouldn't hear as much about unfortunate losses. Even her 4-year-old granddaughter won the crowd over during complete silence when she yelled, “I love you, Nana.” Her platform is the nonprofit Women of the Carolinas Fight Life, a group that instills self-love, confidence and empowerment through physical, spiritual and mental programs. Visit www.wotcfl.org for details. “When I first started boxing, I’ve always wanted to inspire and encourage young girls and women that they are capable of anything,” she said. “Now that I've entered into pageantry, I especially want all ages of girls and women to know you can get dirty and still be pretty, too. You can be tough and

Winning her first pageant means Carrie Flock gets to compete at her second pageant at the state level. Photo courtesy of Carrie Flock

classy, have on tennis shoes one minute then throw some heels on the next.” Flock will compete in August for the national title against other state holders. To help with fundraising email her at Carrie. boxing@gmail.com.

The Weekly • Jan. 15, 2021 • Page 3A

REGIONAL BRIEFS Their stores sell brands such as Clarks, Columbia, Crocs, Skechers, Steve Madden, Timberland and Tommy Hilfiger, and branded athletics such as Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Vans and Converse. Look for SHOE DEPT. to open early in 2021.

Salvador makes history by taking oath Photo courtesy of Cineflix

'American Pickers' to film in North Carolina Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz plan to film episodes in March of the hit History series “American Pickers” in North Carolina. The documentary series follows the pair as they hunt for valuable antiques and learn the stories behind them. Mike and Frank have seen a lot of rusty gold over the years and are always looking to discover something they’ve never seen before. “American Pickers” is looking for leads for extraordinary items. If you or someone you know has a large, private collection or accumulation of antiques the Pickers can spend the better part of the day looking through, send your name, phone number, location and description of the collection with photos to americanpickers@cine flix.com or call 855-OLD-RUST. The show says it follows COVID-19 guidelines and protocols for safe filming as outlined by the state and CDC. It will re-schedule if conditions change for the worse.

Goodman named president of BSI Builder Services Lind Goodman has been named president of BSI Builder Services, the new home sales and marketing division of Allen Tate Companies. Goodman has more than Goodman 30 years of real estate and new construction expertise, including 16 years with BSI, most recently as sales manager for the Charlotte region. She has held numerous sales, management and training positions with top homebuilders and developers in the Charlotte region throughout her career. “Lind has mastered the challenges of growing onsite sales while satisfying the builder community,” CEO Pat Riley said. “She is the recipient of many local and national awards and knows how to coach new home sales like no other.”

Photo courtesy of Metro Diner

Metro Diner rolls out savory waffle dishes Metro Diner is introducing dishes next week that feature savory meals on top of waffles pressed from stuffing. The restaurant's new Stuff N’ Waffles dishes start at $10.99. They include: • Beef Tips Waffle: Seasoned, seared beef tips and mushrooms in brown gravy, over creamy mashed potatoes and a homemade waffle pressed from stuffing. • Sausage Gravy & Chicken Tenders Waffle: Two buttermilk marinated fried chicken tenders topped with sausage gravy, over a homemade waffle pressed from stuffing, with sweet and spicy sauce on the side. • Creamy Chicken & Veggies Waffle: Tender chicken, carrots, celery and corn in a cream sauce, over creamy mashed potatoes and a homemade waffle pressed from stuffing. Metro Diner has locations in Charlotte (8334 Pineville-Matthews Road) and Matthews (10412 E. Independence Blvd.). On the web: https://metrodiner.com/

Charlotte Rescue Mission adjusts to COVID After a COVID-19 outbreak, Charlotte Rescue Mission's men's campus (Rebound) has closed admissions until the Mecklenburg County Health Department clears us to reopen. All residents who have tested positive will be quarantining in the county isolation hotel for 14 days. No hospitalizations have been necessary at this time. Residents who tested negative will be tested again and monitored for symptoms. Program activities are on hold. "While we are saddened to close admissions for the time being, we believe it is necessary to keep current and future residents safe and healthy," said Trina Fullard, chief programs officer. "Once our campus is cleared by the health department, we look forward to continuing to serve the Charlotte community as we have for the past 83 years."

Shoe retailer finds spot at Galleria Shopping Center SHOE DEPT. is leasing 6,200 square feet at the Galleria Shopping Center, according to Weingarten Realty. The store features branded footwear, accessories and bags for men, women and children with the ease of shopping in a customer-friendly environment with associates who will assist in finding the right shoes.

DeAndrea Salvador took the oath of office Jan. 4 becoming the youngest Black woman to ever serve in the N.C. Senate and the youngest senator in the upcoming biennium. Salvador, who represents District 39, said she is focused in the months ahead to help us come out of the pandemic more united than when it began. “These are challenging times, and in the biennium ahead, I plan to find commonsense agreements to help our community recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Salvador said. “I will work towards robust economic recovery, stronger support for our schools, as well as strive to connect our community to well-paying jobs, improved access to clean energy, and to keep environmental and racial justice at the forefront.”

N.C. Sen. Johnson receives committee assignments N.C. Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger appointed N.C. Sen. Todd Johnson to serve on six committees for the current biennium. Johnson will serve as co-chair of commerce and insurance as well as appropriations on Ag/NER. He's also a member of the transportation, finance, health care and rules committees. The N.C. General Assembly will formally convene Jan. 13 at noon. “I remain grateful for the trust and confidence Union County citizens have given me,” Johnson said. “While the challenges of 2020 still remain with us, so does North Carolina’s strong economic policies and leadership that will continue moving North Carolina forward.”

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Tolls increase for drivers on Monroe Expressway Toll rate increases went into effect Jan. 1 for the Monroe Expressway. The North Carolina Turnpike Authority Board adopted schedules of incremental annual toll rate hikes for the Monroe Expressway based on the financing requirements for the project. The cost increased six cents to $2.66 for customers with a transponder traveling the full length of the Monroe Expressway. The cost went up nine cents to $4.10 for bill-bymail customers. Toll revenue is used to pay off bonds sold to fund the construction of the project, as well as fund road maintenance, including repairs, mowing and winter weather preparation and response. Drivers can get a free NC Quick Pass transponder that can be used on all toll facilities in North Carolina and saves travelers 35% compared to the bill-by-mail rate. Visit DriveNC. gov for details.

Rack Room Shoes streamlines shopping experience Rack Room Shoes will bring the operating functions of subsidiary, Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse together with its own, beginning first quarter 2021. When complete, customers will be able to earn loyalty points through one program, shop one Ecommerce site and have the ability to pick-up, return and exchange merchandise at either of the brands locations. Mark Lardie, president and CEO of Rack Room Shoes, called the strategy “an extraordinary opportunity” for its brands.

Chick-fil-A donates $50,000 to food bank Charlotte-area Chick-fil-A restaurants donated 10% of each mobile order placed from Nov. 16 to 21 in the drive-thru to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina to help end hunger in the region. At the end of the promotion, $46,000 was raised. Chick-fil-A rounded the donation up to $50,000. Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina can distribute seven pounds of food for every dollar raised. The donation will help it get 350,000 pounds of food to children, families, seniors and veterans served by its partner agencies.

Weiland awarded SCORE Charlotte’s top award SCORE Charlotte awarded its highest honor, the Dick O’ Brien Award for 2020, to Jim Weiland in recognition of his over nine years of volunteer service, including two years Weiland as chapter president. Weiland, of Waxhaw, serves as assistant district director for the state SCORE group. Weiland is a 43-year veteran of IBM with over 32 years in management. He serves on the board of directors of Union County Entrepreneurs. SCORE Charlotte consists of 93 active or retired leaders who provide free confidential mentoring. It is a resource partner of the Small Business Administration. Its offices are located within SBA offices in the SouthPark area. On the web: www.Charlotte.SCORE.org Want more news? Visit www.thecharlotte weekly.com for daily updates.

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3 things parents don’t want to miss for next school year by Andrew R. Campanella National School Choice Week

Yes, it’s January, not June, and you may feel like you’re finally settling into a routine during a challenging school year. But as the saying goes, “The secret to getting ahead Campanella is getting started.” Despite the disruptions of COVID-19, January is the ideal time to check in with your child about your school choice and start planning for the 2020-21 school year. That’s why National School Choice Week takes place the last week of January. Each year, the public awareness effort features thousands of independently planned community activities that help parents in Charlotte and across the nation learn more about school choices and prep for the next school year. As families and teachers in North Carolina celebrate the week with 1,352 virtual events and activities from Jan. 24 to 30, don’t miss doing these three things to start planning

now for an extraordinary school year: Talk to your child You see your child every day and know what makes them happy, nervous or inspired. But make time during School Choice Week to speak with your child about their current school experience. What are they learning? What would they change? What are they doing when they feel happiest? If you talk to other parents about their school choice, remember: What’s important to you and your child in a school may be different than what’s important to your neighbor – and that’s okay. One family may prioritize a school’s location; another may consider a school’s language offerings or extracurriculars more important. Be confident in what matters most to you and your child in a school. Know your options You might know your child better than anyone else, but you may not know all the school options in your area. Here in North Carolina, there are a variety of educational

options available including: traditional public schools, charter schools, magnet schools, online academies, private schools and homeschooling. North Carolina's students with disabilities, or whose families meet certain income guidelines, can qualify for state-run scholarships. If reading this helped you learn something new about education options in your area, share that knowledge. A simple conversation with a neighbor about school options could transform their child’s life. Find and celebrate your community Starting in January gives you plenty of time to consider new schools. Even if you’re not sure a school is for you, learning more via a call or visit may surprise you. Look for what seems to motivate the students and teachers. Is it an environment you could see your child thriving in? Or, maybe you already love your current school and plan to stay. If so, use this time and your child’s feedback to make a simple plan to truly invest in your school choice. Maybe you’ll volunteer at the school once a

month. Maybe you’ll supplement classroom learning with monthly museum trips, or use Khan Academy one evening a week to help your child’s fill in their weak spots in math. At the end of the day, navigating the K-12 education process is an adventure – celebrate it! Use School Choice Week to spread positivity about your school on social media or send a thank you note to a teacher. Spreading positivity can start a domino effect, reminding teachers of their love for education and inspiring other parents to be more engaged. A child’s learning environment is one of the single-biggest influencers of their life, and it’s worth putting in the time to find a great school fit. Whether it’s finding a new school or showering your current school with love, now is the time to start deciding what school choices to make next. A nationally recognized advocate for children and families, Andrew R. Campanella serves as president of National School Choice Week, the world's largest-annual celebration of opportunity in education.

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The Weekly • Jan. 15, 2021 • Page 5A

APOLOGY (continued from page 1A)

certainly well within his obligation as a board member to share that view. It is not however acceptable to present that view in a way that is disrespectful, degrading and undermines the intent of the applicant.” Bissell envisioned an open farm concept on the 214-acre site with an inn, market barn and single-family homes on 40,000 square foot lots. The commercial uses were designed to provide a self-sustaining source of income to support preservation.

Bissell and his wife, Margaret, had a conversation about how she wished there was more common space in Ballantyne. They got to thinking about New York's Central Park, which he described as “the absolute best piece of property in America.” That's what inspired Roots Farm. Prillaman sought more specifics. He wanted to prevent subsequent owners of the property from converting the site into less desirable uses as well as have a plan in the event the project went “belly up.” His recommendation that

the Roots Farm team put certain commitments in writing prompted a very direct response from Bissell during the meeting. “I told the mayor this last week: We don't want to go anywhere where we are not wanted,” Bissell said. “If you don't trust us and need all that in writing, we can make this short order tonight.” Bissell's team stayed, however, until the discussion wrapped up just after two hours. The planning board was scheduled to revisit the rezoning request on Jan. 14 until Bissell withdrew the application.

NUTS (continued from page 1A)

a supplier using a time-honored Virginia recipe that’s been handed down by generations. Peanuts come in 12 and 22-ounce tins, but the company also offers corporate gifting and private labeling for wholesale clients. Flavors include jalapeño, Cajun-spiced, peanut brittle, lightly salted and butter toasted, but the most popular are dill pickle and bear mix (cheddar sticks, sesame sticks, Georgia pecans, almonds, peanuts. cashews, toffee covered peanuts and a special seasoning). Miller’s favorite is the double-dipped chocolate peanuts. “He’s obsessed with the chocolate and somehow whenever he eats them he gets chocolate all over his face,” Brydon said. “I don’t know how he does it.” The idea for Bear Food came while Brydon was studying entrepreneurship at Mercer University in Georgia. Brydon grew up dreaming of playing Division I basketball and after graduating from Carmel Christian School, he got a spot on the Mercer Bears. However, by the end of his sophomore year he knew a career in basketball wasn’t for him. Brydon said he fell in love with Mercer, the staff and the friends he made there. He wanted to stay but needed to find a way to pay for school. That’s when he started Bear Food – inspired by his mother who 24 years ago created her own successful gourmet Virginia peanut company while living in Chicago. “When I moved down to Georgia, people didn’t really know about Virginia peanuts,” Brydon said. “They only knew about Georgia pecans.” Bear Food got off the ground after Brydon submitted his idea to the Mercer Innovation Fellowship competition. His pitch won him office space in the school’s startup incubator for two years and he hired special needs employees to help label tins and pack orders. After Brydon graduated in December 2019, he moved Bear Food’s office to Matthews. Miller

Mac Brydon said his older brother, Miller, struggled to figure out his next steps after graduating from Ardrey Kell High School. Bear Food's mission is to create more work opportunities for special needs adults. Photo courtesy of Bear Food

comes by twice a week to help out. The company has also worked with special needs adults at Rainbow Express Ministries in Matthews. Participants helped label peanut flavors by placing a gold sticker on a specific colored area of the tin. A lifetime of experiences with the special needs community has taught Brydon that many in this population just need a chance or an experience to learn job skills, and that’s what he’s doing at Bear Food. It’s a way to provide training, encouragement and that sense of purpose that we all need, he said. “Talk about a group that has more happiness in their hearts than anyone that I’ve ever seen,” Brydon said. “It brightens my day, it brightens their day and people who support us know they are supporting that community, so it's a win-win for everybody.” Want some nuts? Order online at www.bearfood.biz and follow @bearfoodpeanuts on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected.

CHARGERS (continued from page 1A)

ultimate goal. Last season, the Chargers once again broke through, defeating top-seeded Greensboro Day in the title game behind the strength of six seniors, four of whom started. “Losing my freshmen and sophomore year, it made last year even better and especially with us being the underdogs,” Ferguson said. This year, despite the mass graduation of key starters and contributors, this team is anything but underdogs as they enter the conference portion of their schedule this week. After defeating Wesleyan Christian on Jan. 5 behind Taylor Sanchez, the team’s only other senior alongside Ferguson, posting her first career double-double. With the win, the Chargers are 13-1 overall, ranked third in the state and within the top 80 teams in the nation according to Maxpreps.com. But this team has no Mitchell, now of WNBA fame, or any of the other greats who have won Gatorade Player of the Year honors and whose banners adorn the walls of the Mosack Athletic Center’s walls. And that’s just fine with them. “We have a lot of people that do a lot of things well,” Springer said. “We’ve played 13 games and I think we’ve had five or six people lead us in scoring and we’ve had a number of different players lead us in assists and rebounds. We’re not the most physically imposing team in the pre-game warm-ups and quite frankly I think they like it that way.” Sophomore point guard Chandler Brooks is the team’s only returning starter. Like Ferguson, she’s a Providence Day “lifer” with 12 years at the school. She can and does guard all five positions on the court, leads the team in charges taken and is a creative playmaker leading the Charger attack. “Chandler’s basketball IQ is out of this world,” Springer said. “She’s about the most selfless player I’ve ever coached. She can play the whole game, not shoot and go, ‘That was a lof of fun.’ We’re trying to get her to be more selfish and shoot it, but she

really makes us go on both ends of the floor.” Another key sophomore, Jordyn Latter, leads the Chargers in scoring and rebounding. Latter went from being a thorn in the Chargers side as a member of the Ridge Road Middle School team that won the NBA AllStar Weekend Junior National Middle School championship in part by beating Providence Day en route to the title. Since she’s become the team’s best player after serving as a spark plug off the bench last year. “She plays with an incredible fearlessness,” Springer said. “We asked her to guard the other team’s best player last year and still do and she doesn’t care if they average 40 points or four. She’s just a relentless competitor and she’s coupled that by her improved skills. She’s become a much better finisher at the rim, a much better free throw shooter and a much better rebounder, which we need tremendously.” While only Latter and Ferguson average double figures, seven Chargers average four or more points per game and have made nightly contributions such as freshman Sophie Levine hitting a game winner in a 51-50 win over Camden on Jan. 30. “At any given point, any of us can score 20 points or not score 20,” Brooks said. “That makes us really hard to play against because on any given night anyone of us could have a good game.” While the Chargers are obviously talented on the court, Ferguson said the success comes from more than just that. “We’ve worked really hard,” she said. “No matter how fast or tall the other team is, we’re just hard workers. We’re going to push them until they’re exhausted and weak and we can take it from them. If we can keep working hard, we’ll bring our best. “But it goes beyond just basketball. We’re all friends, we all like each other and I think that shows on the court. We share the ball well and we work well together. There is no one player who is the best. There’s good passers who get shooters the ball, point guards who can get the ball into the post and our chemistry is so strong. That's what makes us great.”

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Thrive over 55 The Weekly • Jan. 15, 2021 • Page 1B

Thrivers face challenges in 2021 by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com

Many of us have enough on our plates when it comes to maintaining happy, healthy homes, but these 10 Charlotte-area leaders over 55 face multi-million-dollar challenges in the coming year that affect entire communities of people. • Jeep Bryant: The president of the Arts & Sciences Council will try to keep arts and cultural programming at the forefront of people's minds at a time

Driggs

Dunlap

Lyles

when a lot of people don't have the disposable income to give. • Ed Driggs: The region's standard-bearer for conservative values has been cautioning Democratic colleagues on the Charlotte City Council making

McLaurin

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large investments without detailed analysis. Does he have the energy and patience for another reelection campaign? • George Dunlap: The chairman of see THRIVERS, Page 3B

Richard Helms takes the oath of office in December for a third term on the Union County Board of Commissioners. Photo courtesy of Union County

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Another way to re-start in the new year

Vaccinations for older adults still in short supply

Dorothy Counts-Scoggins, who made history in 1957 by being the first Black student to attend an all-white school in Charlotte, was among the first patients over the age of 75 to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Photos courtesy of Atrium Health by Justin Vick

“We are hopeful that we can continue to open additional appointments up depending on the vaccine supply that we receive and the number of phase IA appointments [front-line health care workers] that are filled.” • Meg Sullivan medical director for Mecklenburg County

justin@cmgweekly.com

trium Health, Novant Health and Mecklenburg County Public Health continue to vaccinate front-line health care workers and people over the age of 75. Each organization started vaccinating the general public by appointment last week. Mecklenburg County has administered 3,700 doses of vaccine through Jan. 8 and scheduled 4,000 people through the end of

the month, according to Meg Sullivan, medical director for Mecklenburg County. “We are hopeful that we can continue to open additional appointments up depending on the vaccine supply that we receive and the number of phase IA appointments [front-line health care workers] that are filled,” Sullivan said. This week, for example, the health department expects to get 1,950 doses of the vaccine.

uring December, we all make New Year’s resolutions. We resolve to do something that will change our lives in the new year. Maybe we will lose weight or begin to exercise. Perhaps we will read through the Bible. We start out with the best of intentions. The first few days of January, we are committed to this idea. But it’s hard doing something that’s not in our routine. Most people forget about their resolutions by Jan. 15 and life gets back to normal. This year, I’ve made a few resolutions myself. It’s too soon for me to report on them. I’ll keep you posted on how I’m doing. There is something I’d like you to do. I want you to clean house. You’re probably thinking that I want you to give up resentments and bitterness. That’s a good thing to do. However, I have another idea. Clean your house. Not just your heart, I mean your house. Start with your closet. What clothes are you not wearing that you just won’t let go of. I looked inside my closet and wondered why I was holding onto something I haven’t worn in several years. In fact, I didn’t even know I had a certain T-shirt. The idea came when I looked around my garage. It has been years since I cleaned it out. Things are piling up along the side of the walls. The space in my garage is shrinking. I started to remove the things I no longer needed. Then came December 23. A friend came over to show me the train set she had purchased from a neighbor for her grandson. She was so proud. She wanted me to look at the wiring and make sure it was safe. It was a 50-year-old Lionel set. It is

see VACCINE, Page 2B

see FAITH, Page 3B

Health council weighs cost of Medicaid expansion in N.C. by Nyamekye Daniel The Center Square

(The Center Square) – A partial Medicaid expansion could cost North Carolina more than a full expansion, a state policy adviser estimated Jan. 8. States have the option to raise the income eligibility requirement for Medicaid to open the taxpayer-funded program to more participants. Gov. Roy Cooper and other Democrats have pushed for raising the eligibility threshold from 42% of the federal poverty level to 138%, the maximum allowed

under federal law. Republican lawmakers have rejected the proposal, offering a broader program with work requirements and premiums, among other alternatives. Twelve percent of the state’s population remains uninsured, and many of them live below the poverty level, a rate that could be rising in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Julia Lerche, the chief actuary and policy adviser for North Carolina's Medicaid program, said a full expansion could cost the state $400 million less than a partial expansion. “It would cost the state more to cover a partial expand of Medicaid

and only cover half the people,” Lerche told members of Cooper’s North Carolina Council for Health Care Coverage on Jan. 8. Raising the income requirement for the state and federally funded program would increase the federal share of the cost for the program. The federal government currently covers 67% of the state’s Medicaid program, while a full expansion would raise the federal share to 90%. Lerche said with the income line above 138% of the poverty level, the state’s cost could be about $500 million in three years, with federal offsets in other programs. However, with the income threshold at

100%, the state could spend $900 million in three years. States have asked the federal government to cover the full share of the cost with a partial expansion. Both President Donald Trump and former President Barrack Obama's administrations have rejected the requests. The council also explored the cost of improving health care access for North Carolinians on Jan. 8. Health officials said 46% of residents received health care coverage from their employer, 18% were covered under Medicaid, 15% received Medicare assistance, 7% used the individual marketplace and 2%

were covered through the military. The council also is considering extending Medicaid coverage for specific groups, such as pregnant mothers and parents of foster children. Also up for discussion is a marketplace reinsurance program, which Lerche said would reduce premiums for higher-income populations and cost the state $163 million. Other options, such as offering small business tax credits, could be less costly but would vary based on participation. Still, association health plans that allow small businesses to join together to offer coverage for their employees would incur zero cost for the state.

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Page 2B • The Weekly • Jan. 15, 2021

Will your kids squander their inheritance?

Tips to prevent squabbles and sprees

VACCINE (continued from page 1B)

Novant Health has administrated just over 15,000 vaccines to team members through Jan. 9, including 6,500 from the greater Charlotte market, according to Sidney Fletcher, chief clinical officer for Novant Health. This represents about half of the staff that have received vaccinations. Novant Health has been vaccinating patients 75 and older in Charlotte and Winston-Salem, reaching about 1,400 people. Fetcher said Novant Health hopes to administer 1,000 vaccines per week, depending on supply. He said about 6,900 people are scheduled for appointments to receive the vaccine. Atrium Health opened vaccination locations in Cabarrus, Lincoln and Union counties this week. Gary Little, of Atrium Health, said it's important for people to continue to stay at home, wear masks and avoid gatherings as well as get vaccinated when it is their turn. “That's how we get through this,” Little said. “We're doing everything we can to meet the need but as long as people still act irresponsibility, then it's going to be a losing battle for any health system in the entire

Photos courtesy of Atrium Health

country.” Officials from Atrium Health, Novant Health and Mecklenburg County said Jan. 11 that they haven't had to throw out a dose yet due to a missed appointment. They are still vaccinating staff, so they usually have a pool of people to vaccinate.

Wealth is wonderful for families to have, but it can be lost quickly if those handling the money aren’t prudent. It’s estimated that 70% of wealthy families will lose their wealth by the second generation, and 90% will squander it by the third, according to a study by the Williams Group wealth consultancy. Fortunes collapse because of family squabbles and other mistakes that could have been avoided with proper planning, said John Smallwood, president of Smallwood Wealth Management and author of “It’s Your Wealth – Keep It: The Definitive Guide to Growing, Protecting, Enjoying, and Passing On Your Wealth” “Enduring wealth, the kind that transcends generations, boils down to teaching family members at an early age the principles of saving and hard work,” Smallwood said. “When these principles are emphasized, preparing the next generation for responsible financial management has a decent chance of being successful. “But strategically optimizing family wealth for generations also comes down to communication between the generations, and there seems to be a real disconnect between the generations when it comes to talking about wealth. And there is a fundamental misunderstanding of how to pass money well. Saving and protecting multigenerational wealth requires alignment among all family members.” Smallwood offers these three tips to help families protect and grow their wealth across generations: • Open conversation between generations. Money is often a subject that families avoid, and as a result family members don’t understand how to protect and grow the wealth that has been worked for. “It requires open communication with family members, addressing topics that are personal in nature,” Smallwood said. “The successful families I’ve worked with over the years have

had a willingness to be open with each other about the wealth that they’ve created. The more open the conversation, the better future generations will be able to avoid pitfalls and traps that place wealth under attack.” • Learn wealth-sustaining/growing financial strategies. Smallwood emphasizes that preserving wealth from generation to generation is about education and the protection pieces that are put in place. That may require a financial planner, but with each generation having different financial philosophies and priorities, it’s first up to the parents to emphasize the importance for the next generation to sustain financial growth. “The baby boomer generation, much of which is now retiring, usually had steady jobs and an abundance of material niceties,” Smallwood said. “Since then, there’s a generation that has seen tremendous growth in incomes and lifestyles. Kids born into that lifestyle have become accustomed to it. But when those kids try to leave the nest, they’re shocked to find out just how much money it takes to run a household.” • Pay special attention to tax ramifications. “Historically, estate taxes have been known to devastate wealth,” Smallwood said. “It’s impossible to know what the trends will be in the future. And maybe you’ve accumulated a lot of your own personal wealth, then inherit money on top of that. Then you could end up in a higher tax bracket. With poor planning, you could be looking at 40 to 50% drains of wealth over multiple generations. Financial planners can help you be strategic and set up layers of asset protection – wills, revocable trusts, spousal lifetime access trusts, life insurance – in order to protect inherited money for you and following generations.” “Protecting wealth from all financial pressures should be the foundation of any wealth plan,” Smallwood said. On the web: www.johnlsmallwood.com

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The Weekly • Jan. 15, 2021 • Page 3B

An adjacent pandemic for older adults: debilitating loneliness by Paul Weiss The Oasis Institute

As the executive director of a national nonprofit that promotes healthy aging, I have wondered if the masses sheltering in place during the COVID-19 pandemic might create some awareness of how older adults live all of the time. Our team spreads awareness about the ongoing crisis older adults face as their world becomes smaller in post-retirement life. Aging adults experience the loss of spouses, partners, family and friends, coupled with personal physical limitations that shrink the footprint of their former lives. Now, while vaccines seem to promise a light at the end of the tunnel, that flicker of hope is overshadowed by the ugly fact that we can’t undo what has been done. No vaccine will bring back over 300,000 dead Americans. It won’t bring back the time we’ve missed with aging parents, grandparents and great-grandparents – many of whom feel depressed and discarded as we approach the grim milestone of a full year of life in a pandemic. Data has shown that the effects of COVID-19 on lower-income, people of color and essential-worker communities are starkly worse than for other populations.

However, no population has been more impacted than older adults. Age-bias and ageism have been shocking, particularly when casually expressed as “choices between the economy and the lives of older adults” by our leaders. It has never felt more vital to implement a mission grounded on the concept of older adult vitality and purpose. When the pandemic hit, Oasis fasttracked a new virtual center with online courses led by instructors from across the country, making it possible for anyone in the U.S. to participate. Using an online platform and video conferencing, we have been able to provide older adults with social connection and enrichment as they continue to shelter in their homes. We wish we could reach everyone. Older adults, particularly at lower income levels, are most impacted by the digital divide, with limited access to in-home high-speed internet and capable devices. The lack of confidence and knowledge to use socially connecting apps and services is also particularly challenging for aging Americans. As I consider the challenges faced by Oasis participants across the country, I am also grounded in my own experience. As the primary caregiver for my parents – one in a memory care facility and the other living independently at home – I have a personal

window into the effects of the pandemic. I moved my mother out of our family home of 55 years mid-pandemic and she is now absorbing the changes. My dad lives in a memory care home – the result of the cruel decline of cognitive ability. Like so many in independent and assisted senior living situations, my dad is intermittently on “lockdown.” We cannot visit, and staff does not have the technological support or time to help us connect virtually. Combine these limitations with hearing loss, aphasia and memory compromise, and even a simple phone call becomes a challenge. This “tale of two parents” is a perfect example of how Oasis can help older adults through the pandemic and beyond. My mother takes Oasis virtual classes to connect with friends and meet others with similar interests. My father, who is increasingly lonely, confused and feeling distant, is at the most isolated point of his life – and a virtual course is not an option for him. When I consider the tens of thousands of older adults Oasis serves, I see both ends of the continuum in my parents. The damage of 2020 cannot be undone. Even older adults who have been lucky enough to stay well will forever remember this as a year lost – a year they didn’t see children or grandchildren, a year they didn’t spend

with friends, a year where regular social interaction was replaced with loneliness and disconnection. COVID-19 contact tracing reveals that we are truly only a few degrees of separation from everyone in our community. This disease preys on our very core-characteristics of survival – the interconnected environment of every community. It is not in our nature to be alone; thus, it is difficult to make the choice to be lonely in others’ best interests. Now as we seem to be on course to end this pandemic, I urge you to remember how it felt. Remember the pain of isolation-- and remember that a vaccine won’t make that pain go away for older adults. Older adults are not expendable, and like the rest of us, their souls are nourished through connection. If the pandemic served any purpose, I hope it was to shed light on the fact that we need each other – at any and all ages. Now that we have all experienced a bit of the isolation older adults face, we owe it to them more than ever to make sure the last years of any human’s life are filled with connection, companionship and purpose. Paul Weiss serves as president of The Oasis Institute. Visit https://www.oasisnet.org/ to learn more about the nonprofit.

FAITH

THRIVERS

(continued from page 1B)

the same three-wire track I grew up with. We have home movies of my father setting up a train set in our basement. Did I say it was 50 years old? I looked at the wire from the transformer to the terminal track. It was very thin, too thin to handle the current. Then there was the matter of the train switches. They weren’t connected to the toggle switch that changed the direction of the train. I would have to experiment to get it right. What would I use? I went to the garage and pulled out a three-yearold train transformer. I hooked up some jumper wires to the track, then hooked up the toggle switch and it worked. I told her to take my transformer with her when she visited her grandson for Christmas. I didn’t want the 50-year-old transformer to go up in a cloud of smoke when the insulation inside cracked and a ball of fire came blazing out of it. I went back into the garage and located a box that had modern Lionel track. I cleared off the dining room table and laid out the track showing her how to use this new type of track with the three rails encased in plastic. I packed up the track and the transformer

the Mecklenburg County commissioners will oversee tense conversations with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education over next year's budget while also dealing with a commissioner who doesn't participate at meetings. • Gibbie Harris & Dennis Joyner: The public health directors for Mecklenburg and Union counties will try to encourage a COVID-weary community to social distance and avoid mass gatherings as more people get vaccinated. • Richard Helms: The chairman of the Union County Board of Commissioners will oversee a new board that is divided on the county's long-term water strategy and has engaged in light bickering on other issues. • Michael Jordan: The gover-

Rev. Tony says to get rid of what you no longer need.

in a box and told her to take it all with her. What was the outcome? I cleaned out some things from my garage. My friend had the comfort of using a modern track with her grandson. A 4-year-old enjoyed a Christmas morning with the safety of both a modern transformer and track. What do you need to get rid of? I’ll be back soon. Until then, live well my friend. Rev. Tony Marciano is the president/CEO of the Charlotte Rescue Mission. He is available to speak to your group. Go to www.charlotterescuemission.org for details.

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nor of the Charlotte Hornets has his most exciting NBA team to watch in several years; however the pandemic has closed the Spectrum Center to fans and a lot of locals don't have FOX Sports Southeast. • Vi Lyles: The Charlotte mayor is trying to gain support from neighboring towns, such as Matthews and Mint Hill, for its longrange transportation planning, which ties into the city's upward mobility strategies. • Michael McLaurin: Indian Trail's town manager has foreshadowed with elected officials about the need to have discussions about long-term capital projects to facilitate fast growth. • Mark Watson: The Union County manager will likely shape discussions between the county commission and a resentful Union County Board of Education over long-term school growth and the need for a school bond.

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Page 4B • The Weekly • Jan. 15, 2021

DINING SCORES Health departments in Mecklenburg and Union counties inspected these restaurants from Jan. 1 to 7:

• The Waterman Oyster Bar, 2729 South Blvd. – 98

Charlotte (28210)

Lowest Score

Chili's Grill & Bar, 2861 W. U.S. 74, Monroe – 86 Violations include: Multi-use pans and utensils had food particles and and stickers on them; shredded cheese, cooked onions, ranch, turkey, roast beef and jalapeno sausage weren't held cold enough; three opened gallons of milk didn't have date mark; and piping under pre-wash sink in the dish area was leaking.

Charlotte (28209)

• Harris Teeter Starbucks. 2717 South Blvd. – 98.5

• Mi Tierra Colombian Restaurant, 10405 Park Road – 95.5 • Panera Bread, 5940 Fairview Road – 97 • Park Place Restaurant, 10517 Park Road – 96

Charlotte (28211)

P R O V O

P I L E S

A D W S N I P A N E H A S I M A M O U O R C M E E

S P A C E C A D E T P S S T

M A D L M I A B R E L E A I C A C T A N T

E G R E T S

27 Disposable 59 It begins on Ash drink receptacle Wednesday popular at parties 60 7’1” Shaquille 31 For 62 March Madness quartet … or, 32 Mine cart collectively, the contents second parts of 33 Cutting-edge 17-, 25-, 37- and technology? 51-Across? 35 Masters of 64 Creator of Yertle meditation the Turtle 65 Treasure cache 37 So-called “millennials” 66 General at Gettysburg 40 White-feathered wader 67 Made a mistake 42 Squander 68 Health teacher’s subject, 43 New Deal inits. informally 44 Dungeons & 69 Consumed Dragons monster 47 Copycat’s drink order 51 Keyboard shortcut for “undo,” on a PC 54 Ireland, to an Irish poet 55 Stow, as cargo 56 Birds’ bills

A L F I E

O Y W E L L P T A C H A O W E

L S O W U M A L S A M O N A P T H I P L S T A A I N V E E S M I E N

Charlotte (28227)

• China Saute, 9248 Albemarle Road – 98 • Halal Food Cart III, 7308 E. Independence Blvd. – 97.5

Charlotte (28270)

• Domino's Pizza, 1830 Galleria Blvd. – 99

Charlotte (28226)

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE A T B A Y

N. Wendover Road – 94 • Publix (meat market), 4425 Randolph Road – 97 • Publix (seafood), 4425 Randolph Road – 99 • Rollicious Ribs, 3500 Latrobe Drive – 99 • Thai House, 110 S Sharon Amity Road – 95 • The Fresh Market (deli), 4207 Providence Road – 97 • The Fresh Market (produce), 4207 Providence Road – 100 • Wendy's, 6555 Morrison Blvd. – 98

• Caring Hearts Of America Catering, 3500 Latrobe Drive – 98.5 • Chipotle Mexican Grill, 4400 Sharon Road – 97.5 • Brueggers, 8706 Pineville-MatThe New York Syndication Sales • Hunan Express, 901 Times N. Wendover thews Road – 93 Corporation Road – 93.5 • Food LionN.Y. (produce), 7400 Can620 Eighth Avenue, New York, 10018 • Leroy Fox,For 705 Information S. Sharon Amity Lane – 98 Call:dlewyck 1-800-972-3550 Road – 98.5 • McDonald's, 8824 Pineville-MatFor Release Tuesday, March 2020 • Los Pinos Mexican Restaurant, 911 thews Road –3, 97.5

Crossword ACROSS 1 Sigh of satisfaction 4 Longtime SeaWorld attraction 9 University of Florida athlete 14 Less than forthcoming 15 Yakked and yakked 16 Get hitched hastily 17 “The wart stops here” sloganeer 19 Suit coat feature 20 “Cimarron” novelist Ferber 21 Impolite looks 23 Leonardo da Vinci’s “___ Lisa” 24 Zoom up 25 Civil rights activist with a Harlem thoroughfare named after him

• Panera Bread, 3207 Pineville-Matthews Road – 97 • Skrimp Shack, 8328 Pineville-Matthews Road – 98.5 • Zoe's Kitchen, 7631 Pineville Matthews Road – 95.5

A N N A I D L E T H R E A T

R O C K Y R O A D

T E H E E

O U T T A

O N T O P

S L U R P

E S S H T O K E A N E

DOWN 1 What a keycard provides 2 Jinx 3 Book with psalms 4 Sign indicating a sold-out performance 5 Transport by truck 6 Actress Hathaway 7 Internet connection device 8 Do a Christmas morning activity 9 Solidify 10 San Antonio mission 11 Branch of mathematics concerned with Möbius strips and Klein bottles 12 Body scan for a claustrophobe

Charlotte (28277)

• 7-Eleven, 5200 Piper Station Drive – 91.5 • Amazing Wok, 16049 Johnston Road – 99.5 • Another Broken Egg Cafe, 11324 N. Community House Road – 98.5

Edited by Will Shortz 1

19 21

22 25

24 28

Indian Trail

35 38

• Bojangles, 13812 E. Independence Blvd. – 98 • KFC, 13900 E. Independence Blvd. – 99 • Rossini`s Pizza Pasta, 13803 U.S. 74 W. – 99.5

55 60

No. 0128

• Arbys, 9923 Sandy Rock Place – 97.5 • Arooji's Wine Room, 5349 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy. – 94.5 • Bad Daddy's Burger Bar, 15105 John J Delaney Drive – 98 • Brown Bag, 5231 Piper Station Drive – 96 • Buona Vita, 3419 Torringdon Way – 98 • Chopt Creative Salad, 9844 Rea Road – 96 • Eggs Up Grill, 6414 Rea Road – 97 • Get Fit Foods, 14825 Ballantyne Village Way – 97.5 • Harris Teeter Starbucks, 11135 Golf Links Drive – 97.5 • Hazelnuts Creperie, 9830 Rea Road – 94 • Inizio Pizza Napoletana, 10620 Providence Road – 96 • Jade Villa Asian Bistro, 14815 Ballantyne Village Way – 97.5 • Lifetime Athletic Life Cafe, 11220 Golf Links Drive – 96.5 • Malaya Kitchen, 8200 Providence Road – 96 • Oggi Ristorante Italiano, 16646 Hawfield Way Drive – 98.5 • Panera Bread, 11630 Waverly Center Drive – 94 • Portofino's Italian Restaurant, 8128 Providence Road – 97.5 • Smashburger, 7804 Rea Road – 93 • Subway, 10822 Providence Road – 95.5 • Sugar Handmade Gourmet Donuts, 11914 Elm Lane – 98.5 • Sushiya Japan, 8200 Providence Road – 94 • Tropical Smoothies Cafe, 11318 N. Community House Road – 98.5

56 61

54 57

59 63

• Char Bar No. 7, 3118 Fincher Farm Road – 95 • Hibachi Buffet Sushi & Grill, 9925 E. Independence Blvd. – 95.5 • Sam's Club (deli/bakery), 1801 Windsor Square Drive – 98.5 • Somi Sushi, 3104 Weddington Road – 97.5

Mint Hill

• Happy's Grill, 9229 Lawyers Road – 93

PUZZLE BY TRENTON CHARLSON

13 Takes a breather 18 One with a shortened sentence 22 Camera type, in brief 26 State animal of South Dakota 28 Synagogue singer 29 Function 30 ___ capita 34 Like most vegetables at a salad bar

Matthews

36 Personal identity 37 Majesty 38 Parlor ink, for short

57 Fort ___ (gold depository)

48 Colored part of the iris

• BJs Wholesale Club (commissary/ rotisserie), 11715 Carolina Place Pkwy. – 99 • Buca Di Beppo/Tyga Bites/Mr. Beast Burger/Wing Squad, 10915 Carolina Place Pkwy. – 97 • Captain D's, 10601 Centrum Pkwy. – 96 • Firehouse Subs, 9101 Pineville-Matthews Road – 98.5 • Sam's Club (market), 11425 Carolina Place Pkwy. – 99.5 • Sams Club (seafood/sushi), 11425 Carolina Place Pkwy. – 98.5 • Sam`s Club (cafe), 11425 Carolina Place Pkwy. – 98.5 • TLC Wings & Grill, 9101 Pineville-Matthews Road – 94

Stallings

• Harris Teeter (Starbucks), 1351 Chestnut Lane – 100 • Harris Teeter (meat/seafood), 1351 Chestnut Lane – 99.5

Wesley Chapel

• Brooklyn Pizza Parlor, 6400 Weddington Monroe Rd – 98 • Sabor Latin Street Grill, 5945 Weddington Road – 97 • Subway, 5922 A-11 Weddington-Monroe Road – 95.5 Visit www.thecharlotteweekly.com for scores from previous weeks.

52 Poke fun at

40 Fence off

46 Chin dimples

Pineville

50 Menu selection 53 Kinshasa’s country, formerly

45 Stick up

• Bi-Lo Deli, 1642 Dickerson Blvd. – 93.5 • Bi-Lo Produce, 1642 Dickerson Blvd. – 99.5 • Bojangles, 555 E. Roosevelt Blvd. – 98.5 • Chili`s Grill & Bar, 2861 W. U.S. 74 – 86 • Compare Foods (deli), 1600 Skyway Drive – 98.5 • Compare Foods (meat market), 1600 Skyway Drive – 98.5 • Compare Foods (produce), 1600 Skyway Drive – 99 • El Ranchero Supermarket, 322 N. Sutherland Ave. – 92.5 • Johnny Tomatoes, 5250 Old Charlotte Hwy. – 99 • New China Restaurant, 1684 W. Franklin St. – 98.5 • Publix (meat market), 5132 Old Charlotte Hwy. – 100 • Publix (seafood), 5132 Old Charlotte Hwy. – 98.5 • The Skinny Cook, 1643 W. Franklin St. – 92

49 Ballroom dance that originated in France

39 Suffix meaning “approximately” 41 Awful pun

Monroe

58 Put money in the bank 61 You’ll trip if you drop it 63 Took the reins

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.

Brown Bag, which opened near Ballantyne in 2018, scored a 96 during its most recent inspection. CMG file photo

Jay Bell, Reptiles 101 will be at Backyard Birds Saturday, January 16th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm Jay Bell, founder of Reptiles 101, offers a hands-on presentation focussing on distinguishing between harmless and venomous species of reptiles. Bring your family and cameras to experience the animals that he will be bringing.

Enjoy a unique learning experience that you’ll never forget!

20% OFF One Item

Backyard Birds adheres to the state mandates for Covd-19

SATURDAY ONLY January 16th only. Excludes seed.

1819 Matthews Township Parkway Suite 800 | Matthews, NC 28105 Phone: (704) 841-9453 | thebirdfoodstore@gmail.com www.TheBirdFoodStore.com

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The Weekly • Jan. 15, 2021 • Page 5B

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DeMARZO

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704-254-5381

980-622-7833

Piano Instruction -Quality, highly experienced teacher and performer -Ballantyne area •Beginners thru college level •Creative and innovative techniques •Development of performance skills including performing opportunities

Pat Moehring 704-564-4275

Locally Owned & Operated • Weekly, Bi-Weekly • 1-Time Cleaning • Move-In/Outs • Reliable & Affordable Service by Trained Professionals • Bonded, Licensed, Insured • All Equipment & Supplies Provided • Residential & Commercial • 18 Years of Experience

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NOW HIRING Delivery Drivers! For our Union County Routes. Weekly Routes Available. Contact us at adsales@cmgweekly.com for details.

EDUCATION & INSTRUCTION FALL REGISTRATION Sharon Baptist Church Weekday School, www. mysharon.org, 6411 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC 28210 is now registering for their Fall 2021 Preschool Program. Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy: Sharon Baptist Church Weekday School admits students regardless of race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to the students at the school. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in administrations of its educational policies, admissions policies, and other school-administered programs.

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GARAGE SALE

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Page 6B • The Weekly • Jan. 15, 2021

C G Charlotte Media Group

Recalibrate. Reimagine. Recover. Call us today to receive a complimentary market analysis of your home. Sign with us and receive a $500 credit at closing.

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