ECA 2-22 by Elizabeth Community

ECA Officers West Bryant President 704 898 5044 Kenmore Avenue west.bryant@gmail.com Evan Kettler Vice President 704 577 4901 North Laurel Avenue evan.kettler@gmail.com Lisa Yagla Secretary 704 807 1862 Pecan Avenue lyagla@gmail.com Danielle Kleinrichert Treasurer 704 804 1509 Pecan Avenue danielle@neatbooks.co Sarah Crowder Past President 704 502 7866 Greenway Avenue sarahcr@bellsouth.net

Regan Miller At-large 704 333 1700 East 8th Street regan.miller12@gmail.com Debbie Rubenstein Communications 704 998 9579 East Fifth Street debbie@flynnonline.com Cherie Swarthout At-Large 704 517 6582 Sunnyside Avenue swarthoutc@queens.edu

On the cover The orange ribbon attached to this stately loblolly pine in upper Independence Park means it has been marked for removal – and may in fact have been taken down by the time you read this. It stood near the corner of Hawthorne and Park. Other trees in the park are protected by portable fencing (below). Read more about the renovation of Elizabeth’s park elsewhere in this issue. Photo by John McBride

Robert Zabel Elizabeth 8K Road Race Chair 917 873 8028 Pecan Avenue nycrcz@yahoo.com Officer L. Beimel CMPD neighborhood community coordinator 704 336 3054 lbeimel@cmpd.org

ECA Board Members Eric Davis Transportation Chair 704 776 3013 Greenway Avenue ericadavis0123@gmail.com Lauren Gomez Membership Chair 704 728 2066 East 5th Street laurenmcjo@gmail.com Anne Lambert At-large 704 589 9146 Hawthorne Bridge Court chickspeare@hotmail.com

The ECA Newsletter

The ECA newsletter is published quarterly (March, June, September and December) and delivered to homes and businesses in the Elizabeth neighborhood of Charlotte. The production team:

John F. McBride Newsletter 980 254 7367 East Eighth Street john.f.mcb@gmail.com

John McBride editor

Marie McDaniel Social Chair 704 942 1971 Pecan Avenue Marie_McDaniel@PremierInc.com

Susan Green editorial assistant and proofreader

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Jeremy Deese circulation czar

Little Shiva designer The UPS Store printer

On the back cover After 37 years in Elizabeth, Sir Speedy has closed. On the print shop’s last day, Frank Kalian and John Gula reminisce behind the counter that always had a basket of paper pads and a bowl of mints. Read more about it elsewhere in this issue. Photo by Kris Solow

West Bryant East Fifth Street west.bryant@ gmail.com

Winn Maddrey Clement Avenue winnmaddrey@ me.com

Jessica Berube East 5th Street jessica@ therealswfl.com

Kay Minor East Eighth Street gardenbelle@ icloud.com

Sarah Crowder Greenway Avenue sarahcr@bellsouth.net

Jim Morrill Kenmore Avenue jmorrill634@ gmail.com

Eric Davis Greenway Avenue ericadavis0123@ gmail.com

Christopher Mullis Hawthorne’s Pizza chris@ hawthornespizza.com

Michael DePalma North Dotger Avenue michaeldepalma@ hotmail.com

Lolo Pendergrast East Eighth Street lolopendergrast@ gmail.com

Tommy Franklin Pecan Avenue tfranklin@ harristeeter.com

Jared Rorrer East 8th Street jared.rorrer@ gmail.com

Mary Kilburn Pecan Avenue misjosbc@aol.com

Kris Solow East Fifth Street kjsolow@gmail.com

Lisa Landrum runCLTrun runcltrun@gmail.com

Chuck Wicker Clement Avenue chuck@ churchinteriors.com

Robert Zabel Pecan Avenue nycrcz@yahoo.com

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From the President: The return of in-person neighborhood events by West Bryant Greetings friends and neighbors. I hope everyone was able to enjoy the spring in Elizabeth as much as I did. For many – including my family – it is one of the busiest times of the year. It feels like a last sprint before school ends for kids and the N.C. summer sets in.

year hiatus. More than 1,000 eggs were stuffed with treats by volunteers and hidden for children to find at Hawthorne Lane United Methodist Church, one of the many wonderful communities of faith located in Elizabeth. Our usual hosting location near the Rose Garden in Independence Park was not available due to construction, so it was a big deal that Hawthorne Lane UMC stepped up to help us make this event a success.

Last but certainly not least, is the Elizabeth 8K Road Race. I am writing this a few days prior to the actual event, but Rob Zabel and the Elizabeth 8K team have really pulled out all the stops this year for our first in-person race since 2019. If you missed the beer release party, know that it was great fun. My wife won me The month kicked off with a T-shirt, and I am pretty sure a new event – the Elizabeth that the name of the beer was Cleanup Day. This event was Running with the Devil? I had a brought to life thanks to the grand time listening to the dulcet creativity and efforts of ECA tones of the Smashing Briefcases treasurer Danielle Kleinrichert. including our neighbor – and It was even better attended an 8K race sponsor – Rob Hall than expected, and volunteers doing work on the drum kit. Back picked up many loads of trash in 2020, it was devastating for and debris. My own sons all involved when the Elizabeth discovered several “treasures” 8K was canceled due to the proving the old saying true. pandemic. This year, everyone Best of all, the event ended is going big for the return: The with good food, beverages, and Elizabeth 8K team, participants, conversation on the front porch volunteers and sponsors. Many at Hawthorne’s Pizza. I hope thanks to all involved for raising that we can do it again. the bar in 2022. Read more about the pickup day, the egg After that, it was on to the hunt and the 8K elsewhere in triumphant return of the this newsletter. Elizabeth Egg Hunt after a twoOne thing is certain: April was as busy with neighborhood events as it has ever been since I have lived in Elizabeth. This is a pretty amazing situation from my perspective, because it is also the first time the ECA has hosted in-person events since the pandemic began.

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Many volunteers have poured a lot of time and talent into these amazing events, and I am incredibly grateful. Give them a high five, or dap, or whatever embarrasses your kids the most when you see someone doing good things in our neighborhood. Elizabeth feels more alive than ever. Special hat tip to past ECA president Sarah Crowder for giving away at least 60(!) tomato plants to anyone who wanted them late in April. Seemingly small things make a difference! One exciting, longer project to keep an eye on for the remainder of 2022 is the continuing renovations in Independence Park. The egg hunt really accentuated the importance of this space as a place for us to gather as a community. We are about to enter the final phase of this project, and I am looking forward to the completion. The mere fact that there will be a bathroom is a huge improvement, but I also think that when completed the improvements will make a big difference in better connecting us all in and around the spaces in and around the park. Read more about the renovations elsewhere in this issue. Looking to do a good thing? One easy way you can help is to send me or membership chair Lauren Gomez an email if you meet a new neighbor (or if you are a new neighbor). We’ll drop off a new neighbor packet.

Enjoy the warm weather, tomatoes and everything else that comes with summer. Have an idea, comment or question? Please send me a note at president@elizabethcommunity. com. See you around the neighborhood.

Under a beautiful blue sky, the 36th annual race welcomed more than 900 runners on Apr. 30. Like any good host, the race had it all: friendly, welcoming people, music, food, beverages and ample room to run around and have some fun.

Elizabeth 8K Road Race returns with more than 900 runners by Lisa Landrum

The race committee, led by race director Rob Zabel, and the neighborhood went all out for our homecoming. The course stood in full, green goodness. The shade from the trees was a welcome relief to those racing as the sun shone in this fabulous

The Elizabeth 8K Road Race returned in person this year and it was like visiting an old friend.

neighborhood. The residents embraced runners by cheering, holding signs and even offering on-course mimosas. The support of the Elizabeth community is evident in this event. Sponsors abound, neighbors come out (if they aren’t running or volunteering) and even the dogs are happy to have other pups around. That feeling of being wanted, welcomed and encouraged is something runners truly value. Things that make this race stand apart from others pop

The band Smashing Briefcases played on the Devil’s Logic upstairs patio on Mar. 31 at the Elizabeth 8K Road Race kick-off celebration. The brewery’s “Running With The Devil” unfiltered Pilsner is the official beer of the Elizabeth 8K. Photo by Tommy Franklin 5

up from the beginning. The neighborhood’s very own The Big E Elvis welcomed everyone with his own style of enthusiasm. The national anthem was sung by a member of Opera Carolina, which calls Elizabeth home. The course itself is something to talk about. Not your average race route these days, the path took runners through roads that wind but also give you a chance to pick up some speed.

what you’re looking for, you can do that here. The winning male and female times were 26:54 and 31:35, respectively. The prizes for the top three and age groups were also above the standard run-ofthe-mill store gift certificate. Because of the support of generous sponsors like Harris Teeter, Hawthornes and ColsenKeane, award winners walked away with champagne, liberal gift cards and a handmade, custom leather pint glass coozie.

There wasn’t a lot of traffic to worry about as these neighborIn any race, once the runners hood streets are quiet, especially on race morning. If entering this start the best a race director race to see how fast you can go is can do is to hope for no lost

runners. Rob went the extra mile to ensure this – in the early morning hours, he walked and marked the course with his own directional arrows. There were police motorcycles and bike escorts from Spoke Easy leading the race. And our fearless CMPD and volunteers were at every turn, not only making sure runners were headed the correct way, but also encouraging and cheering them on. After the main event, the party was just getting started. The area for the post-race party was in the parking lot by Novant Health and large enough for runners,

The E Elvis, always PAGES drawn to a crowd, is ready to kick off the big race. Photo by Chuck Wicker THE PEOPLE 6 Big

Young ones get involved in the Liz Kids 8K Fun Run. Photo by Tommy Franklin

family, friends and sponsors to get comfortable. Devil’s Logic Brewing poured the beers, Start2Finish had the music and the Elizabeth 8K had the goods. Local neighborhood sponsors, like Harris Teeter, Novant Health, Queens Pharmacy, Lineberger Orthodontics and the new ISI Elite Training, had tables that invited runners to talk about what they do for our local community. TreesCharlotte gave out seedlings and local real estate agents like Rob Hall gave out snacks and water. There was food and fun that made all of us want to stay awhile.

Elizabeth 8K. You can sometimes find her running around the streets of Elizabeth, admiring the beautiful community that represents the best Charlotte has to offer. Thank you to the 8K sponsors and partners The Elizabeth 8K, in partnership with the ECA, would like to express our sincere thanks and gratitude for the tremendous support that our sponsors and partners provided to make this race possible. Presenting Sponsors

• Harris Teeter • Hawthorne’s NY Pizza & Bar • Novant Health

Charlotte has many, many races from which to choose. All Platinum Sponsors have their own mission. Few have their own personality and a true • Catalyst Financial Group feeling of Southern charm. The • Choate Construction Elizabeth 8K has both. • Coca Cola + Body Armor For the morning of Apr. 30, we • ColsenKeane Leather Goods were all Elizabethans, running & Provisions around, playing in the streets of • Elizabeth on Seventh by one of the best neighborhoods Crescent Communities in the city. It felt really good to • Devil’s Logic Brewing be back. • Freixenet Mionetto USA Lisa Landrum is the founder of • Hawthorne Lane United Methodist Church runCLTrun, a proud partner of the

• • • • • •

Herrmann & Murphy The Keith Corporation Lineberger Dentistry Queens Pharmacy Recover Brands Rob Hall at Pridemore Properties COMPASS • St. John’s Baptist Church • St. Martin’s Episcopal Church Gold Sponsors

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

BB+M Architecture Capco, a Wipro company Cluck Design Cross Conditioning Training Heather Claxton at Savvy + Co. Real Estate ISI Elite Training Lineberger Orthodontics Main Street Insurance Group Pet Supplies Plus Showmars The Spoke Easy Sunflour Baking Company Wilder Pantazis Law Group Partners

• runCLTrun • TreesCharlotte • Ken Magas Design THE PEOPLE PAGES

Well behind schedule, work continues on park renovation by Sarah Crowder As a neighborhood, we have watched, worried and bemoaned the amount of time it is taking Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation to finish the renovation of Independence Park. As a refresher, the county undertook the renovation of the park at the neighborhood’s request.

designed by John Nolen in 1906 on land that was originally the city reservoir. The playgrounds opened in 1914, followed in the 1930s by the Lillian Arhelger Memorial, the baseball stadium stone grandstand and Memorial Stadium, along with many of the stone walls. The Sunnyside Rose Garden, created by the Charlotte Garden Club in 1931, was a magnificent garden between the baseball fields and Memorial Stadium.

Planning began several years ago and the neighborhood was heavily involved. The renovation was long overdue. The park is the oldest public park in Charlotte,

Over the years, the park has been sliced and diced: Independence Boulevard (now Charlottetowne Avenue) cut through and displaced the rose garden,

Above L: Another tree in the process of being taken down near the intersection of 7th and Hawthorne. Photo by Mary Kilburn // Above R: A new retaining wall being added near where the playground was. Photo by John McBride // Many smaller trees werePAGES taken down in April. Photo by Winn Maddrey PEOPLE 8 THE

planted to improve stewardship of the plant material.

projects – primarily labor shortages. Kevin Brickman, the senior planner with Park and Rec who The design also includes new is in charge of the project, said restrooms with a rooftop pavilin early May that the entire projion. Much of the stone being ect is scheduled to be completed used for walls was saved from on Sept. 11, 2022. He has been Memorial Stadium reconstrucassured by the general contraction. All of the memorial plaques tor this is doable. will be retained, although some Brickman could not commit of them will be in different locato a schedule of when the park tions. Site plans and renderings would be open for reservations are available at the Park and Rec but anticipates that will follow capital projects website. in the fall of 2022. The ECA is Phase 1 was the renovation already percolating ideas for an of the ball fields, completed in opening celebration: be on the 2020. Phase 2 is the renovation lookout for info about that. of the lower park – the section between Hawthorne and the ball Colorful new mural fields. This is a massive construc- graces Independence and the Rec Center was built in tion project we’ve all witnessed. Park building by Lolo Pendergrast 1949. Over the next 20 years, Phase 3, renovation of the municipal buildings such as the upper Park, cranked up in Georgie Nakima wants Armory, Park and Rec offices and March. At this writing, trees are you to see yourself and your the storage facility were built. coming down and grading is set to begin, with installation of neighborhood in the massive Original plantings aged out mural she painted on the pale or overgrew and were sometimes hardscape and plant materials green sides of the Mecklenburg to follow. neglected. In 1989 Hurricane County Cooperative Extension Hugo uprooted numerous trees An ECA ad hoc committee building at Independence Park. and caused massive erosion. The made numerous recommendaSo you’ll see familiar playground, pavilions and stone tions about which trees and portrayals of beaming faces, walls were not well-maintained. shrubs should be removed. feathery sparrows, a towering While we did not get everything swing set, blooming roses, a As reported in last summer’s we asked for, we can report that speedy bicycle and all sorts of newsletter, the focus of the the large maple at the corner of vibrant colors splashed on the renovation is design, access Park and Charlottetowne lives cinderblock walls. It is a mural and sustainability. It’s an open on thanks to our intervention, rich in neon hues, with names concept that moves many of the along with the magnolias in the like mango orange, venom green, park “amenities,” (playground, upper park, near the current and teen spirit purple. After ball courts) to the edge of the parking lot entrance. Nakima was chosen to create the park and improves accessibility The project is well behind mural in 2021, she spent time and connectivity. Some trees and visiting the park to make certain shrubs will be removed and new schedule, due to many of the factors affecting all construction it represented the neighborhood. trees and ground plants will be THE PEOPLE PAGES

“I picked up a lot of the personality of the park, the different plants and the different animals,” Nakima said. “And I wanted to bring different faces together. Stylized work that joins all people together. The faces are meant to look like you.”

some 700 cans, along with three five-gallon drums of acrylic paint. She and her crew of muralists added sealant to the paints and covered the mural with another coat of sealant so it will “last forever.”

In several weeks of work, Nakima and the mural crew battled A lifetime artist and a muralist occasional wind gusts, at least one heavy rainstorm, dust from for the last four or five years, the adjacent park reconstrucNakima was commissioned by the Arts and Science Council and tion, paint shortages, morning cold and afternoon heat. “It’s a the Public Arts Commission to challenge,” she said, “but I enjoy design and paint the mural on what I do. It’s fun for me.” the park sides of the building. She projected her “public art” Just like the artwork she design on the building’s walls, created as a child, Nakima sketched an outline, then chose said mural work has given vibrant colors – “I love colors,” her the chance to stretch her she said – for the painting. artistic, expressive muscle. She’s completed seven other She said she selected mostly mural projects, some along the spray paint for its richness of city’s art and mural walks in pigment and durability, using

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Charlotte’s Historic West End, 5 Points, South End and East Town Market. She’s accepted commissions from the YMCA, Lending Tree and Credit Karma to create murals for their buildings. The Elizabeth mural was part of a two-year process from planning and designing to becoming a finalist to being selected for the project.

other young people that they can live out a dream of creating art. Elizabeth Traditional School students at recess often shouted from the ball fields up to Nakima on one of her three scaffolds to ask what she was doing. “They say, ‘You’re doing a great job.’ They say they like it.”

Transportation Roundabout: Progress on bike lanes by Eric Davis

“I want to ride my bicycle. I want to ride my bike.” For those of a certain age, these words bring the Queen song to mind, but in this weather, people of all ages Or they explained how they in Elizabeth can certainly share love to draw, even if they’re the sentiment. Luckily, Charlotte “I think it’s important that only 7-years-old. She said she continues to make progress in people feel empowered to remembered herself as that making biking safer and more do whatever they want,” said same inquisitive artist-in-train- convenient to a greater variety of Nakima, her lengthy braids ing years ago. “I didn’t know I’d destinations. coated in an orange spray paint be doing murals,” she recalled. from a day’s work. “A lot of us Charlotte Uptown CycleLink: “But I knew I’d be doing somewere raised to believe art is not In recent years, the city has thing. I knew I’d be creating.” a real job. But there are so many focused on building an uptown ways to enrich your senses.” You can find other bicycle network. The Uptown The neighborhood project Nakima murals at her website, CycleLink is the result of four has also helped Nakima convince gardenofjourney.com years of planning, public engage-

The Easter bunny was on hand for the Elizabeth Community Association’s Easter Egg Hunt on Apr. 9 at Hawthorne Lane United Methodist Church. Children of all ages enjoyed searching the grounds for more than 1000 eggs stuffed and placed by the bunny – with some help from a dedicated team of ECA volunteers. Photo by John McBride Inset: Ty Short, son of John and Claire Short of Elizabeth, discovered the coveted golden Easter egg at the ECA hunt. It entitles him and his family to a free pizza every week for a year at Hawthorne’s. Photo by PEOPLE Christopher PAGES Mullis THE 11

ment and an evaluation of every block and corridor in uptown. The initial result of that evaluation was the “Uptown Connects” study, which was published and presented to City Council in the summer of 2017.

the CharMeck Greenways site at: mecknc.gov/ParkandRec/Parks/ Greenways/Pages/default.aspx.

What, you want even more?!? If you want to explore more bicycle paths in the Queen City, click the ‘Interactive Cycling Map’ link on the Uptown CycleIf you haven’t been uptown recently, more and more streets Link page. This map shows the greenways, bike lanes, shared have protected bike lanes. The use paths, signed bike routes most recent ribbon cutting was on Apr. 16 for the 5th/6th Street and suggested bike routes protected bike lane which makes throughout the entire city. it even easier to travel from Be safe and have fun! Elizabeth to uptown. Volunteers bag trash To find current updates on neighborhood about the status and plans cleanup day check out the Uptown CycleLink by Michael DePalma program overview site at: charlottenc.gov/Projects/Pages/ UptownCycleLink.aspx.

On Apr. 2, the ECA’s environmental committee and Little Sugar Creek Greenway: 55 volunteers gathered together Easy access to the Little Sugar to help keep our neighborhood Greenway is one of the joys of the most beautiful place to live! living in Elizabeth. This urban The goal: Scour the alleys, gem can take you from NoDa parks, drains and public to the doorstep of Park Road walkways along 7th Street and Shopping Center. nearby, to clean up trash that Along the way you have your had been discarded. The 7th choice of parks to relax in, Street artery is one of the most including Freedom, Alexander prominent thoroughfares of our and Cordelia. If you need to run neighborhood, which makes errands, Target, Trader Joe’s and keeping it clean important, as more line the paths. If all this ex- those passing through will also ertion requires some re-fueling, appreciate the pride we have in the establishments in Midtown, our portion of the city. Park Road Shopping Center and In the handful of hours the NoDa provide an endless variety committee and volunteers of options. worked, 42 bags of debris and To learn more about Little trash were collected and propSugar Creek Greenway (and erly disposed of during Elizabeth other Charlotte Greenways), visit Cleanup Day. When the job was 12

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Ian Berke and his son Luke pick up trash along Lamar Avenue. Photo by John McBride

done, the ECA provided Hawthorne’s Pizza as appreciation for the effort of the volunteers, while Sweetwater Brewery provided drinks to quench the thirst of our adult helpers. The environmental committee would like to extend thanks to everyone who helped make this inaugural event a success: Keep Charlotte Beautiful provided the trash grabbers, bags and gloves for the volunteers. Hawthorne’s Pizza provided their patio area for the volunteers to meet for the event and then again for the post-cleanup celebration. And to every person who took part of their Saturday morning to clean the streets around where they live, the committee sincerely thanks you. Your commitment

to our neighborhood is exactly why living in Elizabeth is so special! Your enthusiasm will surely motivate others to make the effort to keep our streets and public spaces clean.

The HENF was established in 1984 when, like now, Elizabeth faced a wave of development activity then taking place in and around the heart of a growing and thriving city that threatened to upend our century-old Committee members Alicia neighborhood. The group DePalma, Jess Kimble, Craig recently regained its 501(c) Miller and Matt York planned and supported this event as well. (3) tax-exempt status and has begun seeking tax-deductible Plans are already in the works donations to support progress for another cleanup day in the towards achieving LHD. fall. Also, the “Trash Ambassador Program” is being finalized HENF Board Members and will be rolled out to the neighborhood shortly. Contact Danielle Kleinrichert at 704-804-1509 or dkleinrichert@gmail.com if you have interest in helping out with the committee, or would like to receive your own trash pickup kit so you can have the proper tools to keep Elizabeth beautiful any time you walk our streets. Reconstituted HENF moving forward on Local Historic Designation by Jared Rorrer Editor’s note: Jared Rorrer sits on the Historic Elizabeth Neighborhood Foundation (HENF) board. The HENF has been very active over the past several months. The board has been reconstituted and reenergized with an immediate focus: Carrying forward the recent efforts of an all-volunteer group of neighbors to establish Elizabeth as a Local Historic District (LHD).

Micki McDonough Lamar Avenue mickimcd@gmail.com

Craig Miller Louise Avenue craigmmiller@ hotmail.com

Heather Obleada Clement Avenue hobleada@gmail.com

Jeremy Deese East 5th Street jdeese@winstead.com

Monte Ritchey Clement Avenue mritchey@ conformitycorp.com

Greg Godley Clement Avenue gjgodley@gmail.com

Jared Rorrer East 8th Street jared.rorrer@ gmail.com

Jessica Kimble Pecan Avenue jessica.kimble12@ gmail.com

Clifton Settlemyer, president Clement Avenue csettlemyer@ carolina.rr.com

Patsy Kinsey Greenway Avenue pkinsey@ carolina.rr.com

Jill Settlemyer Sunnyside Avenue jill.settlemyer@ gmail.com

Ken Lambla East 8th Street KALambla@uncc.edu

Susan V. Mayer SVM Historical Consulting susan@ svmhistorical.com THE PEOPLE PAGES

We are happy to report that those donations are at work already. The HENF board unanimously approved the hiring of local historian Susan V. Mayer to refresh the property-by-property historic assessment initially completed by Tom Hanchett when, in 1989, Elizabeth was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The Gold Line streetcar, now running on Elizabeth Avenue and Hawthorne Lane, will likely hasten higher density and vertical development as city council seeks to maximize the benefits accruing from its investment in public transportation.

The impending Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and 2040 Comprehensive Plan This assessment is a required are adding to the development step in the formal application we pressures our neighborhood is must take to the Historic District facing. LHD remains the single Commission and City Council most impactful tool available to to establish our LHD. Following protect our historic community the assessment, we plan to from this multitude of external establish district boundaries forces and to guide future and begin community outreach development in a way that is and engagement efforts before more consistent with our existfinalizing our application. ing environment. Since the LHD effort began Our ongoing conversations nearly three years ago, the with neighbors suggest there pressures on our neighborhood have only increased. We see two magnificent century-old homes on East Seventh Street (including the former home to Royal Gardens) under immediate threat for demolition to make way for a planned 73-foot, six-story hotel, which could dramatically change the height and development precedent along East Seventh Street. Large and equally out-ofscale homes have been built on Clement Avenue, Greenway Avenue, East Fifth Street, Bay Street and others, viscerally impacting the pedestrian scale and charm of these streets and our collective sense of place. 14

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The movie “Porcupine,” based on Elizabethan Jenna MacFarlane’s experiences, was released Oct. 2, 2021. Photo by Jim Morrill

is reason for hope that we will succeed in preserving and protecting this great neighborhood. We know LHD has substantial support as shown by an informal survey of Elizabeth homeowners completed in 2020. Seventyfive percent of those surveyed indicated support for LHD. The HENF is now working diligently to engage all stakeholders to ensure awareness of the benefits from the same protections already in place in Plaza Midwood, Dilworth, Wesley Heights, Hermitage Court and other nearby communities. The HENF board encourages you to connect with us directly and share your perspective. We look forward to updating you as our progress continues. For Elizabethan, small ad leads to big changes – and a Hollywood movie by Jim Morrill It all started in early 2005 with an item buried in the Charlotte Observer’s classified pages. “SEEKING FAMILY,” the ad began. “Healthy, self-supporting, loving woman, 43, w/o family, seeking adoption by mature parents. Seeking to give/be accountable to a supportive family group.” For Elizabeth resident Jenna MacFarlane, the 12-line ad brought a whirlwind of national

attention. She appeared on TV talk and radio shows including Good Morning America. The next year her appeal was featured in Glamour magazine (glamour. com/story/adopted-parents).

the Observer story about it that soon followed. They included letters from would-be boyfriends and prison inmates. The one that caught her eye was from a Union County couple.

the Giddy Goat restaurant. “I was very, very immature. My emotional development had been stunted. I thought being part of a family would help me develop. It turned out to be true.”

Now a fictionalized version of MacFarlane’s story is onscreen.

Karen and Steve Kesler were in their 60s. Both had lost spouses and built a blended family with three grown children. They had room for one more.

Director Mike Cahill bought the rights to MacFarlane’s story more than a decade ago. His film opens with a disclaimer: “(A) surprising amount of what follows is true.” MacFarlane liked seeing her life fictionalized.

The movie, titled “Porcupine,” has played at film festivals around the country and as far as Japan. Vertical Entertainment, a distribution company, obtained the rights in May according to Variety magazine, and plans a summer release. Actress Jena Malone, who plays a character based on MacFarlane, has won glowing reviews for her performance. The Hollywood Reporter called the film “a touching… story of companionship.” McFarlane, 61, is a California native long estranged from her biological family. She says the problems stem in part from her parents’ estrangements from their own respective families. Though reconciliation efforts over the years failed, she says she’s now in touch with her biological father.

“By now you must have received many letters from families who want to ‘adopt’ you,” Karen wrote Jenna. “I am really impressed by your desire to be included in a loving family…. There is nothing better than the warmth of a happy, well-adjusted family. I wish you well in your endeavor to find the mom and dad you are looking for.” After a brief trial run, the Keslers became MacFarlane’s new family. Though not a legal adoption, there have been regular phone conversations, dinners and holiday gatherings. It was the family she’s been looking for. “I felt like I had not grown up,” MacFarlane said over tea outside

“He did a great job,” she says. “He hit an emotional truth that he wouldn’t have been able to do if he had tied the story line literally to my life.” MacFarlane has worked in marketing and retail. She’s also a writer. Her first self-published novel, “Hardware Stories,” is based on a former job at Blackhawk Hardware. She’s also written a yet-to-be published memoir. In the novel’s acknowledgements, she describes her latest avocation – though it could just as well be about her personal journey. “It’s never too late,” she wrote, “to become who I was meant to be.”

The idea for the classified ad came from an NPR story. It was about an elderly man in Italy who advertised his wish to be a “resident grandfather.” The story stuck with her. So in 2005, MacFarlane sifted through around a hundred responses to the ad, as well as

A group of Elizabeth kids held a bake sale at 5th and Laurel to benefit Ukraine. Proceeds went to a friend in Ukraine who’s delivering food and necessities there. From left : Leo Gomez, Frances Boyce, Kenzie Berube, Edie Fadel, Lincoln Berube and Rowyn Boyce. Photo by Jessica PAGES Berube THE PEOPLE

came in 2016. But David was the longest at 30 years. He retired 12-31-22 and wants to move to the Tennessee mountains. His sister has a place in the N.C. mountains where he will stay in the interim.

Frank Kalian shows the birdhouse that Jim Scancarelli painted to look like the Sir Speedy store. Photo by Kris Solow

After 37 years, farewell Frank, so long Sir Speedy by Kris Solow Sir Speedy has been in the neighborhood for 37 years, and closed its doors on Apr. 29. The print shop will be sorely missed as many heartfelt relationships were built throughout the years. I talked with owner Frank Kalian and asked what his plans were for the future.

Q: What memento from the store will you be taking home with you?

morning at 8:30 and coming to work. The daily grind, honestly, more than anything else, of running a business. It’s time to step back, relax and go on to chapter 3.

A: My friend Jim Scancarelli, the third main artist who since 1986 has continued Frank King’s classic newspaper comic “Gasoline Alley,” took a birdhouse that I have and painted it to look like the Sir Speedy store. Q: Do you know the future plans for this space when you leave?

A: Mr. Howard Smith of the former Studio Shop and owner of Travel, family, hobbies, new hobbies? the building will be bringing the A: All! Do a little traveling, go up space up to code and putting it up for lease. to New York to see family, and once Covid eases up I want to go Faded crosswalks, back to Europe. I’ve been to broken sidewalks, painful England, Amsterdam, Italy and potholes: Better call Q: What will be your fondest Munich. I’d like to go back and CDOT memories about working here? maybe do a river cruise or go by Kris Solow away for a long weekend and not A: Oh, I think, the people. have to worry about coming back The customers we had. Over the years I have silently on Monday. I have a little mounQ: What are you going to miss gotten the CDOT to do many tain place up by Blowing Rock the most? things in our neighborhood: and Boone that I like to go to and Connect sidewalk sections on A: The people, of course, and it’d be nice to stay up there and Park Drive, replace sidewalk keeping busy doing the10,000 chill for a week or more and not sections on Ridgeway near East things that go on every day: have to come back to the store. 7th that were four inches high, Pasting up art on the computer, Q: How long have David Guthrie, re-stripe crosswalks at Elizabeth copying, typesetting and running John Gula and you worked together? Traditional Elementary and, the business. A: I started with Danny Ross who most recently, replace sidewalk Q: What will you not miss? was the pressman when we had a sections in the 2000 block of East 5th Street. press. He passed in 2014. John A: (Laughter) Getting up every 16

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Q: And what is your chapter 3?

You too can help improve our neighborhood and the city by submitting requests to CDOT for things like potholes, run over yellow pylons, malfunctioning traffic signals, cracked pavement/sidewalks, upheaved sidewalk sections, faded crosswalk/road markings, recessed manhole covers that jolt your car – just to name a few. So if you see something like a stop sign laying on the ground, let CDOT know about it. The more eyes the better to keep our city and neighborhood safe for drivers and pedestrians. There are three ways you can submit service requests: Call 311, weekdays from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; download the free CLT+ app to your phone; or go to servicerequest.charlottenc.gov.

have a pothole hotline: 919715-7000. Potholes reported to NCDOT are required by N.C. law to be repaired within two business days of the report. Some state-maintained roads in Charlotte are Providence Road, Independence Boulevard, South Boulevard, Brookshire Boulevard, Monroe Road, Tryon Street, Matthew-Mint Hill Road, Freedom Drive and Morehead Street, to name a few. Before making a service request, take accurate notes of

the street name, nearest cross roads and block numbers so that you can accurately report it. You will also be asked if it is an inbound or outbound lane or a passing or curb lane so be aware of that, too. Regarding potholes, take note of the severity of the jolt to your car. The city is growing exponentially and CDOT does not have enough manpower to know the location of every repair needed on the approximately 2,500 miles of city-maintained

Repair work on this section of sidewalk on East 5th Street began after a call to 311. Photo by Kris Solow

When calling 311 have the operator repeat your request back to you to make sure they got it right. Keep in mind that requests may take months and sometimes, depending on the cost of the request, years to plan and get funding. Pothole requests are filled within 24 hours, weather permitting. Once reported, you are given a confirmation number and you can periodically call 311 for updates or send an email to charlottedot@charlottenc.gov. If your service request is about a state-maintained road, contact NCDOT at 877-368-4968, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or go to ncdot.gov/contact. They also THE PEOPLE PAGES

streets. And with 3,500 miles of sidewalks in Charlotte, a city inspector actually told me that the city relies on citizens to make reports. Let’s do everything we can to help CDOT make our city safer.

Among the items for sale at Charlotte Council of Garden Clubs’s annual plant and garage sale were a table of assorted house plants, including walking iris. The sale was held Apr. 8 and 9 at 1820 E. 7th St. Photo by John McBride

Yard yak: Invest in each other for payoffs beyond measure by Kay Minor While walking the neighborhood a few months ago I met a fellow Elizabethan pushing a stroller with toddler in tow. Saying hello and making eye contact with the small one I said, “I’m Kay, my name is just one letter of the alphabet.” “Which one?” replied the child.

learn-as-you-go, “winging it” process. I’ve given up the notion of modeling graceful behavior as a senior. Bland foods, leaky bladders, plus an unsteady gait are not for the faint of heart. Acceptance of my limitations has come with a humility born of necessity. I need other folks’ Last week, my good friend June help. It’s a fact. said she had just made pistachio Living in a community pesto, and I immediately asked enables us to share the burden “what kind of nuts did you use?” of life’s struggles. And triumphs. Pretending we always “have it “Uh, pistachio?” she said. together” creates a disconnect Getting older is a lot like among us all, and sharing going full circle in reverse. Some victories promotes oxytocin, the days it takes my senior friends hormone of loving another. and me multiple attempts to Investing in each other has finish a sentence, counting on exponential payoffs, the kind that each other’s brain to fetch a set in motion an expansive heart needed word. Often, words or beyond measure. To feel needed, names come much later, and we rejoice in recalling what was to feel we belong, is essential for temporarily forgotten. Of course the muscle between our ears, and our hearts. by then, most of us cannot remember the context of the What’s the best vitamin for original missing word. friendship? B 1. And being the There are no blueprints for navigating our golden years. Like caring for an infant, it’s a 18

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real U, young or old, perfectly imperfect, is the greatest gift you’ll ever give.

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