ECA 4-20 by Elizabeth Community

ECA Officers Sarah Crowder President 704 502 7866 Greenway Avenue sarahcr@bellsouth.net Evan Kettler Vice President 704 577 4901 North Laurel Avenue evan.kettler@gmail.com Phil Grennan Secretary 269 598 3718 Greenway Avenue phil@grennanconsulting.com Danielle Kleinrichert Treasurer 704 804 1509 Pecan Avenue danielle@neatbooks.co Eric Davis Past President Traffic Chair 704 776 3013 Greenway Avenue ericadavis0123@gmail.com

Regan Miller At-large 704 333 1700 East 8th Street regan.miller12@gmail.com Cherie Swarthout At-Large 704 517 6582 Sunnyside Avenue swarthoutc@queens.edu Lisa Yagla Social Chair 704 807 1862 Pecan Avenue lyagla@gmail.com Robert Zabel Elizabeth 8K Road Race Chair 917 873 8028 Pecan Avenue nycrcz@yahoo.com Officer L. Beimel CMPD neighborhood community coordinator 704 336 2878 lbeimel@cmpd.org

ECA Board Members

M VOLUNTEER M

West Bryant Communications Chair 704 898 5044 East Fifth Street west.bryant@gmail.com

The ECA Newsletter

Taylor Robbins Business Liaison 980 226 1380 Oakland Avenue taylorwrobbins@gmail.com Paul Freeman Beautification & Trees 704 491 5656 East Fifth Street / paul@ freemanlandscapearchitecture.com Anne Lambert At-large 704 589 9146 Hawthorne Bridge Court chickspeare@hotmail.com John F. McBride Newsletter 980 254 7367 East Eighth Street john.f.mcb@gmail.com 2 THE PEOPLE PAGES

elizabethcommunityassociation @gmail.com

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 McBride editor Tricia Fisher circulation czar Susan Green editorial assistant and proofreader Little Shiva designer Sir Speedy printer Got a story or photo idea? Want to buy an ad? Email newsletter@ elizabethcommunity.com.

ECA annual meeting raffle winners Everyone who entered or renewed their ECA membership between Aug. 1 and the close of the annual ECA meeting held virtually on Sept. 17 was automatically registered to win $100 of gift cards to Elizabeth businesses. Winners were chosen at random. Current board members were excluded. Congratulations to the following ECA members who each won $100 worth of gift cards to Elizabeth businesses: Rob Carr, Lauren Gomez, Kathy Haight, Kurt Knaak, Marie McDaniel, Taylor Robbins, Melissa Strahley On the cover A beautiful red tail hawk perches on a railing at Independence Park. Human animals aren’t the only creatures who love our neighborhood. Look for Jenna Macfarlane’s article on our growing urban zoo elsewhere in this issue. Photo by John McBride. On the back cover On a walkway in Independence Park near the Rose Garden, intrepid photographer Kris Solow spotted a reminder we would all do well to follow. Look for Kay Minor’s rumination on a year for the absurd elsewhere in this issue.

ANNOUNCING

A Merry Meandering of Elizabeth Walking Holiday Festival You are cordially invited to join us Sunday, Dec. 20 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for an evening of merry stops throughout the neighborhood. Watch for an Elizabeth Families email for more information.

Sarah Crowder Greenway Avenue sarahcr@bellsouth.net

Elizabeth Love Maddrey Clement Avenue elovemaddrey@ gmail.com

Kelsey Ripley North Laurel Avenue kelsey.ripley@ hearttutoring.org

Jenna MacFarlane East Eighth Street jenna@ jennamacfarlane.com

Kay Minor East Eighth Street gardenbelle@ icloud.com

Kris Solow East Fifth Street kjsolow@gmail.com

contributors As part of the continuing CityLYNX Gold Line streetcar project, the intersection of Hawthorne Lane and East 5th Street was closed on Nov. 5, a day after Election Day. However, the original closure date was Oct. 28 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a week before Election Day. Several ECA board members recognized that two polling places are close to that intersection and knew that closing that intersection could cause problems for people trying to vote. They worked with the city to postpone the closure. Photo by John McBride

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From the president: If you enjoyed the Pumpkin Wall, thank a volunteer by Sarah Crowder Last year on the same date I wrote my first “from the president” column for the ECA Newsletter. I closed that column with a description of all the events planned for 2020: The Elizabeth 8K, Progressive Dinner, Easter egg hunt, Pumpkin Wall and holiday party. I also said, “And we’ll be ready for whatever comes next, whatever it may be.” Famous last words! 2020 sure happened, didn’t it? It still feels like a massive time out, with COVID sending us all to our homes instead of a corner. We lost most of the anticipated events, but because of creative and determined people in Elizabeth, we were still able to sponsor the first-ever graduation parade and pull off an incredible Pumpkin Wall.

with home workshops), and pumpkins carved at homes all over the neighborhood instead of the usual carving party. The grand lighting ceremony on Halloween eve was moving; I was not the only person with tears in their eyes. The theme of “Together” was perfect for this time and the crowds (socially distanced) showed how hungry we are for connection and community. John Short led the team that put up and took down the wall. If you missed working in the misty morning of Nov. 1 in the mud disassembling the wall and loading the pieces onto trucks for storage, you missed a great time! I’m actually serious. Please thank John and Lisa, their patient spouses and everyone else who worked on the Pumpkin Wall. It builds on a longstanding tradition, starting with the Woodpeckers in 2004. Missed your chance to help? There’s always next year’s wall – and the upcoming outdoor holiday festival on Dec. 20. It’s in the planning stages at press time, but when the call goes out for volunteers, please say yes. With Lisa in charge, it is guaranteed to be amazing. Who says a bunch of Southerners can’t party outside in December?

Awesome and talented ECA social chair Lisa Yagla led the team, making the wise decision to move the wall to a more open and accessible location on the corner of Laurel and Greenway so visitors could maintain social distance. Thank goodness for that vacant lot! With the new location, visitors from all over You’ll notice a lot of new board could safely experience the spirit members listed in this edition of of our neighborhood. We had new letters courtesy of Lisa’s dad the newsletter. At the first-andhopefully-only virtual annual (we all love retired engineers 4

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meeting in September, we said goodbye to Beth Haenni, Kelly Jaworski, Mel Sizemore, Paul Shipley and our intern Kathryn Haenni. Earlier in the year, Sal Kafiti and Max Gilland had also resigned and were replaced by Anne Lambert and Phil Grennan. Cassandra D’Alessio resigned in June, so we waited to fill her seat at the annual meeting. That’s a ton of wisdom and experience to lose. But the good news is that amazing neighbors answered the call to serve. Already off and running are our new board members: Danielle Kleinrichert, who’s taking over as treasurer. Danielle runs a bookkeeping business and is well positioned to manage our financials. Regan Miller, who is in

an at-large position. Regan recently retired as chief district court judge for Mecklenburg County and has lived in the neighborhood for many years. He has a great perspective and contacts, and we are fortunate to have him! Cherie Swarthout is also in an at-large position. She recently moved back into the Sunnyside part of the neighborhood after a brief time away from her original home on lower Fifth. She is the athletic director at Queens University and brings great experience and connections. Taylor Robbins is manager at Earl’s Grocery and is serving

We will miss her but are so happy As more species move in, concern for those no Eric can step into this role. longer in our urban zoo You can read more about by Jenna MacFarlane all the new board members elsewhere in this newsletter. As human interaction has I am thankful that West shrunk, questions about my Eric Davis is returning to Bryant, Paul Freeman, Phil backyard have broadened. When the board in the past-president Grennan, Evan Kettler, Anne I step out of my door, I often feel position. We are so happy to have Lambert, John McBride, Lisa I’m entering an urban zoo. his experience and knowledge. Yagla and Rob Zabel are still on Bunnies scatter as a doe munches He’s also taking over as traffic the board, working hard for our on a neighbor’s garden. A fox committee chair because of one neighborhood. darts across the walking path. more change: Jessica Meyer left Occasionally a coyote will You may get tired of hearing the board in November as she it, but I’ll say it again: ECA board saunter down the train tracks is leaving the neighborhood. behind my house. members are passionate and Jessica did a terrific job managing traffic and established committed volunteers. It is a During phone calls, west coast valuable contacts with city staff. privilege to serve with them. friends remark on the concert of

in the business liaison position. Taylor brings a fresh perspective, enthusiasm and much needed connections to our business community. Be sure to say hello when you stop by Earl’s!

Infographic by Jenna Mac Farlane THE PEOPLE PAGES

Just as bear sightings in local shopping malls have grabbed headlines, blue jays have flown the coop. “It’s really about what we’re not seeing at this point,” said Doug Shoemaker, a neighbor and UNC Charlotte Director of Research and Outreach. Shoemaker warned of the catastrophic loss of pollinators and the need to curtail mosquito spraying services. “A third of our calories are dependent on pollinators,” he said. “Scientists are calling it insect Armageddon.” I wondered how much blue jays were affected by the loss of pollinators. Chris Matthews, Division Director for Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, clued me in on that topic and the overarching theme. The answers below are part of an email exchange and are edited for length.

birds singing in the background. “What?” I ask. “Don’t you have the same thing?” “Nope,” comes the standard reply. They listen in stunned silence as I describe Charlotte’s noisy, wild nightlife. And it’s not human, I tell them. 6

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Why do bears end up in city limits? “Habitat is slowly

shrinking, so bears will more often be found where people live. In general, people are messy, creating all kinds of opportunities to unwittingly provide food sources. Unsecured trash cans, dumpsters, composting piles, gardens and some of the horticultural plants we use – all of these provide food sources.” Is the majority of change in what we’re seeing (more animals year-round) due to land development and lack of predators? “Those two

the loss is likely associated with cat predation and loss of trees such as oaks and other nut-producing species (a large portion of a jay’s diet). Some estimates put the decline between 20% and 30% over the past 30-40 years.”

factors are part of the equation. We’re also seeing less diversity. We see more deer, coyote, raccoon, opossum, rabbit and squirrel. The more common species do well with humans. As we plant similar yards and lose open spaces, we’re creating a homogeneous habitat only appealing to certain wildlife species. As for diversifying wildlife, it’s all about habitat. Unfortunately, I don’t think we’ll ever recover in Charlotte due to all the development.”

On the subject of our beloved outdoor cats: “The

Do bat houses keep the mosquito population at bay?

Chris, where have the Blue Jays gone? “In our area,

photo by John McBride

impact wildlife at a far greater level than cats, but since most cats are co-located with humans, the combination is significant.”

topic can be challenging for some. I would invite folks to review the research so they can decide for themselves. Keep in mind though that humans

“Bat boxes (houses) present an interesting challenge. Unlike bird boxes, which will likely be quickly inhabited, bats have extremely narrow criteria by

which they choose a location to Meet ECA board volunteer Eric Davis roost. These criteria are poorly understood. Putting up a bat box isn’t likely to result in bats living Editor’s note: Eric Davis was in them.” elected to the post of Past President at the annual meeting in September. Some studies show our pollinators are down by 70% We asked him to tell us a little to 90%. What can residents about himself. Eric Davis do to help? “Pollinator gardens Q: What do you do for a living? are great. Folks can get their yards certified as wildlife habitat A: I manage a technology division at Wells Fargo. which is a small but good step A: We’ve lived here for nine to take.” One reference: www. wonderful years. Q: What do you do in your charlottewildlife.org.” spare time? Q: From where did you move? To create a bio-diverse A: My favorite hobby is playing A: We moved from uptown and pollinator-friendly yard, bluegrass music with my friends, Charlotte, where we had lived Elizabeth gardener Kay Minor which has obviously been for over a decade. Elizabeth was had these tips: impacted by the pandemic as far out into the suburbs as we • Reduce the footprint of grass. (we’ve gotten pretty creative were willing to move! I love that I with social distancing and can bike to work and places like • Stagger heights of plants. technology to keep the jamming Trader Joe’s and the YMCA. • Introduce a shallow water going). In addition, I really enjoy Q: Why Elizabeth? feature; two inches of water all the beautiful greenways and and a “beach” helps. neighborhoods we are blessed to A: When our family was looking have access to from Elizabeth. to move out of downtown, we • Stack wood in small bramble visited all the inner ring of piles for nesting and shelter. Q: Tell us about your family. communities such as Dilworth, • Plant local native and A: My wife Michele and I have Plaza Midwood and Wesley butterfly-friendly host plants. been married for 27 years. We Heights in addition to Elizabeth. started out in Minnesota, but Two things cemented our desire After the exchanges with moved to Charlotte more that 25 to raise our family in Elizabeth: Chris and Kay, I visited a local nursery and watched in wonder years ago, so we feel like natives The passion Elizabethans have for their neighborhood and as bees flitted between a variety now. Michele and I have two the fact we found a house on of plants, completely oblivious to great kids. Cameron is in 7th grade and enjoys martial arts and Greenway Avenue that felt like my wide eyes. “Butterfly bush,” go-karting while Erica Rose is in home the moment we first walked said the associate, pointing to the purple flowers. “You’ve seen 5th grade and loves horse riding in. We actually put in an offer just hours after the showing! For those, I’m sure.” I knew the bush, and aerial gymnastics. We also have two “four-legged children,” those of you that know Michele sure. I’d seen them around, Taz, our black Manx cat and and me, we are NOT impulsive but I’d never understood their Caramella, our rescue puppy. decision-makers, so this was WAY significance. I planted one that out of character for us. Luckily, it Q: How long have you lived in afternoon and now wait for my was a great decision. Elizabeth? winged neighbors to find me. THE PEOPLE PAGES

Q: How did you come to volunteer for the ECA? A: I was very active in the Third Ward Neighborhood Association while living uptown so I’ve always been interested in volunteering in neighborhood associations. But the real reason I initially joined the ECA was Beth Heanni introduced herself even before we closed on our home and started her polite hard sell on joining the ECA!

• Transportation and parking.

Q: Favorite Elizabeth moment?

A: Like I said earlier, Elizabeth is a magical place so I have TONS of wonderful memories like the 5th Street haunted house, years of ECA social events, the kids stampeding to hunt Easter eggs and front porch conversations with neighbors. That being said, my favorite Elizabeth moment The reason I’ve continued to was the neighborhood reaction contribute to the ECA, though, is to the May, 2020 thunderstorm that I truly believe that Elizabeth that devastated 5th Street. is a magical neighborhood. In People were out within how many communities can minutes providing emotional you walk to meet your friends and pragmatic assistance to for dinner at great restaurants, neighbors that were impacted. have your kids bike safely in It was a terrible situation, but it the streets and be only minutes deepened my appreciation for away from big city amenities? community I live in. This magic doesn’t happen by accident. Maintaining, evolving Q: One thing you wish everyone knew about you. and growing Elizabeth requires a wide range of individuals to A: I’m always looking to meet new contribute their ideas, passion friends and make music. So if and time. Volunteering in the you are interesting in some front ECA is a great way to participate porch picking, just let me know! in guiding Elizabeth’s future (and it’s a heck of a lot of fun, too). Meet ECA board volunteer Danielle Kleinrichert Q: What do you think are the three most important issues facing Editor’s note: Danielle Elizabeth today? Kleinrichert recently became A: While I believe the particular treasurer for the Elizabeth details may change over time, Community Association. We asked I believe long-term that the her to tell us a little about herself. three most important issues every community faces are very Q: What do you do for a living? consistent: A: I’m a small business owner and • Land use and zoning. the founder of Neatbooks, LLC. 8

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Danielle Kleinrichert

• C ommunity cohesion and social capital.

Q: What do you do in your spare time? A: Gardening, cooking, anything wine related, volunteering in the community. Q: Tell us about your family. A: My husband Guillermo and I are the proud parents of Felix, Oscar, Bernie and Clemmie, fourand three-legged dogs and cats. Q: How long have you lived in Elizabeth? A: We just celebrated 10 years in Elizabeth this past September. Q: From where did you move? A: Fort Lauderdale/Miami. Q: Why Elizabeth? A: Walkability, urban life and front porches. Q: How did you come to volunteer for the ECA? A: Friendly peer pressure! Q: What do you think are the three most important issues facing Elizabeth today? A: Gentrification, traffic and loss of tree canopy.

Q: What do you think are the three most important issues facing Elizabeth today?

Q: Favorite Elizabeth moment? A: Every day is a good day in Elizabeth! Q: One thing you wish everyone knew about you. A: My passion for animals – I’m a huge advocate of adopting! Meet ECA board volunteer Regan Miller Editor’s note: Regan Miller recently became an at-large board member of the Elizabeth Community Association. We asked him to tell us a little about himself.

Regan Miller

Q: How long have you lived in Elizabeth? A: I have lived in Elizabeth for over thirty years. Q: From where did you move? Q: What do you do for a living? A: I am a native Charlottean A: I am a retired state chief but lived in Washington, D.C. district court judge for for a year before returning to Mecklenburg County. Therefore, Charlotte. I moved to Elizabeth I am technically unemployed after seeing the error of my ways but have been engaged in by living in the SouthPark area completing a number of home for a year. improvement projects until Q: Why Elizabeth? my errors require that I call A: We chose Elizabeth because an expert to competently do we had a few friends who the work. I have a speed-dial lived in the neighborhood, list of carpenters, electricians, plumbers, etc., who are listed as its central location provided convenient access to our places my emergency contacts. of employment, and at the time Q: What do you do in your housing prices had not exploded spare time? as they have now. A: See above. I also like to Q: How did you come to volunteer play tennis. for the ECA? Q: Tell us about your family. A: I have admired the professional career of ECA board A: I am married to an president Sarah Crowder since accomplished psychologist, she arrived in Charlotte, and said Hannelore Bragg, and we have a daughter, Morgan Miller, who “yes” to her invitation to join the lives nearby in the Grier Heights board as a way of supporting her leadership. neighborhood.

A: There will continue to be economic pressure on the neighborhood to change its character as the value of the real estate continues to increase. Businesses have already determined that taller buildings are the best investment strategy and will lure us with promises of mixed use buildings that will only increase traffic. Moreover, our trees will continue to die or become a hazard during storms, and maintaining our canopy will need long-term creative solutions. Q: Favorite Elizabeth moment? A: My favorite Elizabeth moment was the first time I saw the Pumpkin Wall, which on that occasion spelled out the name of a presidential candidate. Q: One thing you wish everyone knew about you. A: I have sat at counsel’s table on the winning side of an argument before the U.S. Supreme Court that established the right to a jury trial in employment discrimination cases. Meet ECA board volunteer Taylor Robbins Editor’s note: Taylor Robbins recently became business liaison for the Elizabeth Community Association. We asked him to tell us a little about himself. THE PEOPLE PAGES

Taylor Robbins

A: I’m always looking for affirming ways to give back to my community. I’ve wanted for a long time to volunteer for the ECA all the while building both community and connection with my peers and neighbors.

Cherie Swarthout

Q: What do you think are the three most important issues facing Elizabeth today? A: The traffic/construction has been a big pressure point. Q: What do you do for a living? Along with the seemingly quiet A: I am in food and beverage Elizabeth Avenue. Finally the lack management. I currently manage of young people that reside in Earl’s Grocery. When I am not at our neighborhood. the shop I lean into my coaching Q: Favorite Elizabeth moment? and consulting business. A: I have been a long time lover Q: What do you do in your of the great Elizabeth Pumpkin spare time? Wall. This year was no exception. A: In my spare time I’m reading, Together we can do all things. outdoors, traveling, cooking and lately pickling a lot of vegetables. Q: One thing you wish everyone knew about you. Q: Tell us about your family. A: One thing I want people folks A: I have a wonderful partner to know about me I have deep Daniel McCall. The very best appreciation for Dali, the arts dog Loki. You’ll see us all three and a love for Gummy Bears and walking in the neighborhood craft cocktails. often. Meet ECA board Q: How long have you lived volunteer Cherie in Elizabeth? Swarthout A: Six years. Q: From where did you move? A: Destin, FL. Q: Why Elizabeth? A: Elizabeth has a lot of history, it’s walkability, and the overall community connection. Q: How did you come to volunteer for the ECA? 10

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Q: What do you do in your spare time? A: Spare time?? Spending time with family and friends is my priority when not working. Q: Tell us about your family. A: My partner Irene and I live on Sunnyside Avenue and we have two children, Mattison, 13 and Zuri, 9. Mattie is in eighth grade at Piedmont Open IB Middle School and Zuri is in fourth grade at Myers Park Traditional Elementary. Irene works at UNCCharlotte in the environmental health and safety field. Q: How long have you lived in Elizabeth? A: I have lived in Elizabeth since 2003 with a two year hiatus. We just purchased our home and are thrilled to be Editor’s note: Cherie Swarthout back in a neighborhood that recently became an at-large board is so welcoming, friendly and member of the Elizabeth Community engaged! Association. We asked her to tell us a Q: From where did you move? little about herself. A: I am originally from Michigan Q: What do you do for a living? and moved to Charlotte from A: Director of Athletics at Queens Bloomington, IL after a 10-year career at Illinois State. University of Charlotte.

Yard Yak: In a year like no point our individual compasses other, a salute to us all of compassion toward a greater A: Originally it was the schools by Kay Minor good. We pick up groceries for the and diversity that drew me to elderly. We walk someone’s dog. Elizabeth. What brought me/us 2020. A year for the absurd. We plant a garden to share. As back are the wonderful people Elizabethans, it’s who we are. and the sense of community that The unimaginable manifest. Weariness in mind, body and you feel instantly. While adapting, we change in spirit pervades us all and yet unexpected ways. With ample Q: How did you come to volunteer together we have survived opportunity presented, we can for the ECA? 100% of our worst days. learn to be patient, relearn the Unpredictability is the A: I have admired and been the art of listening, or fine tune our backbone of trauma. Most of recipient of such great work of priorities of possibilities for the the ECA for many years. However us thrive within a pattern, a future. schedule, a routine of repetitive small kids and a busy career behaviors no matter how didn’t allow me to engage at a Regardless of circumstance, higher level. Looking forward to mundane. Like a compass that 2020 has been a year we have supporting everyone in the same points us in the right direction, endured together, bonded by take away our rituals of habit manner that my family has felt our common humanity in all the and we feel lost. Thrust into a supported over the years. unnerving drama and messiness, kind of limbo, a no-mans land of but also in the infinite capabilities Q: What do you think are the instability and unbalance. of love as well. A salute to us all three most important issues facing for showing up daily and doing So we hunker down together Elizabeth today? like veterans of an invisible war. the best we can for each other. It A: Moving to Sunnyside: doesn’t get any better than that. We rally our better angels to HAWTHORNE BRIDGE! Preservation of the wonderful Do you recognize anyone from the 1949 first grade class at Elizabeth community we have. Growth and School? Doug Micheal of Charlotte submitted the photo in hopes you do. That’s him in the second row, third from right. The teacher is Mrs. Frick. progress are going to occur and can lift up our neighborhood if it You can email Michael at dougmichaelnc@hotmail.com. Photo courtesy of Doug Michael aligns with the core values of the community. Q: Why Elizabeth?

Q: Favorite Elizabeth moment? A: Too many to count. From the Easter egg hunt, to Halloween nights, to the Elizabeth 8K, to simply taking a walk in the neighborhood and talking to neighbors. Q: One thing you wish everyone knew about you. A: Sparty On! (Don’t mess with my Spartans!) THE PEOPLE PAGES

Heart Tutoring: An opportunity for Elizabethans to make a difference by Kelsey Ripley

by helping schools use volunteers as tutors. Volunteers commit to one hour a week to work one-on-one with an elementary school student who is performing below grade level in math.

What a school year this has been, fellow Elizabethans! As we navigate the new world of virtual This year, Heart Tutoring is learning, I am excited to share going virtual! Alongside teachan update on an organization a ers, principals and families, few of our neighbors have been Heart Tutoring has adapted its involved with recently. curriculum and program model to allow students and tutors to Heart Tutoring is a local work together virtually this year. non-profit whose mission is Using video conferencing and an to ensure that all elementary interactive whiteboard platform students develop the strong called Jamboard, students and foundation in math and tutors can work through math enthusiasm for academics content together each week. needed for long-term success

Students are also receiving math resource kits in the mail filled with math materials to use during tutoring as well as games to keep practicing at home. Individualized attention is critical for all students, and we know that especially this year students need regular connection and encouragement. Thanks to more than 1,200 volunteers that have signed up to virtually support students (including some of our neighbors), Heart Tutoring is able to continue providing weekly support to elementary students at their level. Heart will be partnering with school sites across Charlotte, including Billingsville Leadership Academy and Cotswold Elementary. As I walk around our neighborhood, I can see evidence of our lives adjusting to challenges and changes we have had to face this year. I see recess happening in front yards, Zoom calls on the back porch, kindness displayed on hand-written signs stapled to telephone poles. Thank you to my fellow Elizabethans involved in organizations like Heart Tutoring and thank you all for all that you are doing to support one another in these challenging times.

The house at the end of Ranier Avenue was torn down recently. While it was still standing, it could be seen, barely, among the kudzu-covered trees from the 8th Street connector to Bascom Street. PhotoTHE by Elizabeth LovePAGES Maddrey PEOPLE 12

To learn more about donating to or volunteer with Heart Tutoring, visit hearttutoring.org or email me at kelsey.ripley@ hearttutoring.org.

At Laurel and Greenway, a mighty wall for all rises So many events have been cancelled this year. Not the Great Elizabeth Pumpkin Wall. The16-year Halloween tradition was held despite restrictions and brought a flash of normalcy to a beleaguered populace. It was different. The wall went up on a vacant lot. There were no carving parties. The timeline was compressed. But we had it. And for that, we owe a debt of gratitude to these folks: • J ohn Short for organizing, building and deconstructing the wall, along with his team of Josh Barnhardt, Teddy

•

• •

•

Koch, Jo Ann Pabst, Johanna Ludowese and Neal Menefee. Phil Grennan for securing the location, organizing clean-up and hosting a pumpkin pickup spot. Sarah and Bruce Crowder for helping to clear the site, disassemble the wall and clean up the pumpkins. Logan Brafford, Jessica Berube and Alicia DePalma for stringing the letters. Kim and Barrett Mallos for providing power. The indomitable Hardin Minor for being the MC and for commandeering Byron Baldwin’s truck. David Clair for crafting new letters.

• P hil Yagla for designing the letters and signage, helping to build the wall and hosting a pumpkin pick-up spot. • A nn Menefee and Claire Short for sign painting. • M el Sizemore for lighting the pumpkins and helping with clean up. • K athy Donner for organizing the farmer pick up of the carved pumpkins. • S impson’s Produce on Kings for discounted pumpkins. And, last but not least, when you see ECA social chair Lisa Yagla, let her know how much you appreciate her efforts pulling it all together during a pandemic. Photo by John McBride

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The very human tendency to see face-like structures in inanimate objects is known as pareidolia (pronounced para-doleeia) and, fortunately for our intrepid photographer Kris Solow, is perfectly normal. Once you start itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to stop. Here are a few examples from around the neighborhood.

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Above: The Novant Health Claudia W. and John M. Belk Heart and Vascular Institute and Agnes B. and Edward I. Weisiger Cancer Institute opened to patients Oct. 12 at the corner of Fourth Street and Queens Road. The $165.9 million, 260,000-square-foot building has seven stories and provides services to diagnose and treat heart and vascular conditions and cancer. There is also an eight-story dedicated parking deck for patients and visitors. Below: Another stately old Elizabeth tree was taken down in October. This one, at the corner of Bay and Lamar, was diseased. Photos by John McBride

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THE BUSINESS SECTION

POLITICS THE BUSINESS 2017 â&#x20AC;&#x201C;SECTION GET INVOLVED!