South Charlotte Weekly June 3, 2022

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INSIDE ▼ Charlotte City Council adopts 2023 budget PAGE 5A Friday, June 3, 2022 • Vol. 15 • No. 22

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

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Huge sale Hazel SouthPark sells for $130.7M, 5A

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CMS starts bond journey by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com

CHARLOTTE – Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools hopes to convince county leaders to put a bond referendum on the November 2023 election ballot. To get there, CMS has launched a capital needs assessment, in which the district will outline potential construction projects. CMS will use feedback from district and county leaders as well as the public to create a capital investment plan. “The whole point of this process is start early, engage the communi-

ty, revise the product and move forward with the community’s plan,” according to CMS construction leader Dennis LaCaria. CMS is not starting from scratch. It has a wishlist of 125 potential projects that could be completed over the next 10 years at a cost of $5.3 billion. “That sounds like a lot – and it is – but a billion dollars also doesn’t go quite as far as it used to,” LaCaria told CMS’s bond oversight committee. “We delivered Rocky River and Hough High schools in 2010 for $52 million apiece. We are delivering substantially the same high

school at Endhaven and Johnston Road for $130 million. Nothing has happened but time and the cost of things.” CMS is looking at construction from an equity lens. Schools with classrooms or buildings that negatively affect learning, staff morale or community perception may get priority, LaCaria said. Factors include a lack of outside air quality and natural daylight, as well as ambient noise, impacted lines of sight and insufficient core capacity. Some of this was spurred by COVID-19. LaCaria said a project considered

for a renovation or addition in 2017 may now be designated as a replacement school based on that equity lens. Adrianne Johnson, a member of the bond oversight committee, expressed concern that relief for Community House Middle School was within five projects away from being included in the 2017 bond package. Now it ranks 19th. “Whether or not the Community House relief is No. 5 or No. 19, if it is above the line relative to the CIP – that’s the goal,” LaCaria said. see BOND, Page 5A

Blood drive sets single-day record Grads ready for new challenges

by Kristen Anderson Contributor

CHARLOTTE – OneBlood and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently joined together to host 19 simultaneous blood drives across Charlotte, western North Carolina, and northwestern South Carolina. The effort resulted in 378 successful donations of blood, making it the largest single-day blood collection drive ever for OneBlood in the Carolinas. Since each donation can help up to three people, potentially more than 1,100 lives were blessed. The need for blood is constant because it cannot be manufactured or stockpiled. A donation today is transfused into a patient within 48 hours. Organizations like the American Red Cross and OneBlood work together through their own donation sites and community-sponsored drives to gather the needed blood supply. Hospitals and medical centers then use that blood to save the lives of not only trauma and transplant patients, but also individuals needing blood products as part of their treatment for cancer, sickle cell disease or other medical conditions. “Blood donation is an easy way to make a tremendous impact in the community,” said Susan Forbes, senior vice president of corporate communication and public relations at OneBlood. Unfortunately, the number of blood donations nationally has decreased the past two years. “The pandemic has upended many of the traditional locations for blood drives,” Forbes explained. With so many businesses having their employees working remotely, and the cancella-

by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com

Amy Smith and her daughter, Brooke, donated blood at one of the 19 locations hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Photo courtesy of Melinda Nusbaum

tion of many public gatherings, the number of organizations hosting blood drives significantly declined. Recognizing this need, the Church of Jesus Christ organized the “Give as He Gave” blood drive at 19 of their meetinghouses in the region. “Saving the life of someone else through a blood donation is a beautiful way to remember the gift of the atoning sacrifice provided to us by the Savior,” said Elder Matthew Harding, a regional faith leader for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “People of faith look for opportunities to help their neighbors. We were happy to join

with OneBlood to help alleviate some of the blood shortages in our area by hosting these blood drives and encouraging people to participate.” Many individuals were inspired to take part in the “Give as He Gave” blood drive. In fact, 265 participants were first-time OneBlood donors. “I love donating blood because it’s a way I can serve my neighbor,” said Matthews resident Cheri Hendricks. Quoting a line from a favorite hymn, Hendricks continued, “Because I have been given much, I too must give.” On the web: www.oneblood.org

Snooze, an A.M. Eatery, opening in SouthPark CHARLOTTE – Snooze, an A.M. Eatery, will open its third North Carolina location June 15 in the SouthPark neighborhood. Started in Denver, Colo. in 2006 by two breakfast-loving brothers, Snooze specializes in innovative breakfasts made with responsibly sourced, fresh ingredients. The restaurant donates 1% of sales back to the community and raises money for nonprofits through annual events such as Pancake Day and Earth Day. The menu will feature Snooze’s signature Pineapple Upside Down and Blueberry Danish Pancakes, Benedicts like the

When we say we do 'breakfast but different,' we aren't just talking about our creative takes on pancakes. • David Birzon, CEO of Snooze

see GRADS, Page 5A

Habanero Pork Belly Benny, as well as sandwiches, omelets and breakfast tacos. Diners can customize their meals and taste their way through three pancake flavors with the Signature Pancake Flight or sample two Benedicts with the Benny Duo option. Plant-based plates (including Bravocado Toast and tofu scramble) are available, as are gluten-free-friendly options.

adver t ise

CHARLOTTE – School board member Sean Strain shook the hands of every graduate at the Levine Middle College High School commencement – except one. When daughter Caroline Strain’s name was called, he switched places with Principal Brian Bambauer so he could present her with a diploStrain ma and a big hug. This was one of several highlights of the ceremony May 26 at Ovens Auditorium. Not only was former CMS Teacher of the Year Kimberly Tuttle recognized along with several other faculty members for their work in preTuttle paring graduates for this day, but she also had the opportunity to watch her daughter, Morgan, receive a diploma. Morgan, who will study nursing at Winston-Salem State University, kicked off commencement by thanking those in attendance for their impact on graduates as they’ve faced challenges over the past two years. Other student speakers addressed those same challenges in their speeches. “For many of you, it may be your first time seeing me – I’m pretty sure y’all know the reason why,” 12th-Grade Valedictorian Archer Liu told classmates. “Junior year, everyone was online. So many faces squeezed onto one screen. Everything was on Zoom or some kind of variation of it. “Learning at home might not have been the best experience for some of y’all. … It would be so easy to lose motivation while doing all this high school and

The bar will be replete with morning cocktails, local beers and spiked coffee beverages. “When we say we do ‘breakfast but different,’ we aren’t just talking about our creative takes on pancakes,” CEO David Birzon said. “That also extends to how we source our food, treat our Snoozers (a.k.a. employees), tackle environmental initiatives and give back to our communi-

ties.” The location seats 113 and offers a large patio with an additional 48 seats. Want to go? Snooze serves patrons from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on weekdays and from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends at 4425 Sharon Road, Suite S170. On the web: www.snoozeeatery.com

in the

S O U TH C H A R L O T T E / U N I O N C O U N T Y / M A T TH E W S - M I N T H I L L / TH E P I N E VI L L E P I L O T

Upcoming graduations Most are at Bojangles Coliseum. Myers Park is at Spectrum Center. June 11 • Ardrey Kell: 7 p.m. June 13 • Providence: 8:30 a.m. • Myers Park: 7:30 p.m. June 15 • South Meck: 7:30 p.m.

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