04-17-26 Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly

by Justin Vick justin@charlottemediagroup.org

MINT HILL – Arey Properties plans to develop Reynolds Farm, a 41-lot subdivision that could sprout million-dollar homes on 27.39 acres at 12128 Bain School Road.

The name of the neighborhood is a nod to the Reynolds family.

“It’s been in the family for at least two generations, and the current ownership group

Giving back Gala raises $3M for children's hospital, 2A

Paying homage

'Mommom' would love this restaurant, 1B

Let's cook Sweet solutions for grapefruit, 3B

is all in their 60s or older, and they’ve reached the point where, although they’ve had numerous chances to sell this in the past, they’ve held off,” Tim Arey told commissioners during the March 12 public hearing. “They didn’t really want to sell it to somebody that was going to try to squeeze too much in there.”

Arey Properties had to apply for conditional rezoning to incorporate more lots into the site plan. Commissioners approved the conditional rezoning April 9

by Justin Vick justin@charlottemediagroup.org

Mint Hill resident Daniel Laveck told town commissioners on March 12 that he had been struck in the arm by one of three electric bike riders the day prior on the sidewalk next to N.C. 51. Laveck called on police to increase enforcement and on commissioners to enact ordinances regarding e-bikes on sidewalks. He returned April 9 to bring up another concern.

Last month, I came here to discuss sidewalk safety after being struck by an e-bike rider on the sidewalk of 51. While I definitely don’t want to lose sight of solving that problem, especially since one such rider just struck a pickup truck just down the road in Matthews a couple weeks ago, I did want to bring up another facet of sidewalk safety, and that is

MATTHEWS – Town commissioners continue to discuss safety and security features at town hall.

They discussed on March 23 entering into a contract with TMT Construction to upgrade the front desk area and Hood Room dais. They approved a contract April 13.

Town Manager Melia James told commissioners that the discussion reflects growing concern among staff and previous board members since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We just live in a different world these days,” James said. “It is a little more volatile, and a lot of municipal buildings are moving to more secured measures to protect staff in the event of an active shooter situation.”

Commissioners decided in February to buy a metal detector for board meetings.

Mayor John Higdon mentioned that many communities in North Carolina are taking similar safety precautions.

“We want to err on the side of caution,” Higdon said.

While the front desk area was designed to be inviting to the public, James said it lacks protective barriers to protect staff during the day in the event of an active shooter. A memo she provided commissioners also mentioned the current setup allows for “unrestricted visual and physical access to personnel, equipment, documents and internal workspaces.”

the crosswalks at the 51 and Idlewild Road traffic circle.

A few weeks ago, I was riding bicycles with my 7-year-old on the sidewalk of 51, which is legal to do. And at the traffic circle, we always stop and wait to cross until cars yield. And this time, a car did yield. But while we were crossing, another car came flying up behind the first car, honking and trying to squeeze around, upset that they were having to wait. Thankfully, they could not get around or they would have surely hit us.

Normally, this would be the part where I segue into ideas for making those crosswalks safer. And I will get there, but first, there’s a little more I wanted to share.

I posted about this experience in a local Facebook group and was shocked by the large amount of negative comments acting like I’m the crazy one for even daring to try crossing at that traffic circle, especially

Dominic Marmo, safety and IT manager, echoed these sentiments.

“The front desk reception area does not align with modern risk management workplace

without any discussion.

Mint Hill zoning allows for 20,000-square-foot lots. Reynolds Farm will average about 16,500 square feet, ranging from 12,800 to 25,000. Green space with walking trails will be toward the west end of the property.

Arey Properties is working with Classica Homes on the project.

“The last five or six years, I have tried to align our firm with

Quick Hits

Subdivision could deliver million-dollar homes

Matthews leaders OK security upgrades

safety threat mitigation standards,” Marmo told the board. He showed them a rendering of the front desk set back in the mail room and behind ballistic-rated glass. The attendant will be able to talk to the public through a service window and intercom.

Ballistic paneling would be added to the dais to allow commissioners to “duck and cover as well as exit,” Marmo said.

• The Town of Matthews has been promoting lower 35 mph speed limits along McKee Road,

Mint Hill resident offers safety solutions

with my child, because of how dangerous it is, even though there is a crosswalk there.

Pleasant Plains Road and Weddington Road.

• Members of the Matthews police and fire departments played students and staff from Crestdale Middle School recently in a series of basketball games.

• The Mint Hill Police Department is registering players for its fifth annual Golf Classic. The May 20 event raises money for Special Olympics North Carolina. The agency raised $62,376 for Special Olympics North Carolina in 2025.

• Officers Randy Hinkson and Mikailia Baucom have joined the Mint Hill Police Department.

by Daniel Laveck Contributor by Justin Vick justin@charlottemediagroup.org

It just struck me that we have this infrastructure, the sidewalk of 51 and the crosswalks, that people are just deeming too dangerous to use.

I walk or ride my bike on the 51 sidewalk fairly regularly, and it’s not uncommon for me to not encounter a single other person using the sidewalk from Wells to Idlewild (roads). But between careless drivers and reckless, illegal e-bike riders, I guess I’m not that surprised.

My brother-in-law lives in Burlington, North Carolina, and also advocates for sidewalk safety and increased walkability and has had some success in getting his city to make changes, which I’m happy to discuss in more detail after.

Together, we’ve come up with a few ideas:

• No. 1, we could move the crosswalks 50 to 100 feet away from the circle to give drivers

more of a chance to see them. Because driving through there, you’re definitely very focused on other cars in the circle, and then there’s a crosswalk right there as you come out. If someone’s trying to cross, you don’t really have that much time to notice them and yield. I think the problem isn’t just drivers, but also the design of the circle itself.

• No. 2, I think we could add those flashing yellow lights, similar to what we just put up for the new Ezell Park, again, for more visibility. No. 3, I think we should lower the speed limits to 35 mph. All of the road speeds in that circle are 45 mph, and drivers seem to try to not to lose any speed through the circle. Again, reducing the time they have to notice and yield to pedestrians. I know whatever we do with that circle is going to involve

since

see SAFETY, Page 3A

MATTHEWS – The Matthews Police Department just received confirmation that it is on the right path. The agency earned a Law Enforcement Risk Management Review Certificate from the North Carolina League of Municipalities. Chet Effler, a public safety consultant with the league, described the process as a “comprehensive agency review of over 40 high-liability areas to ensure the agency adheres to best practices and industry standards.”

Areas include police pursuits, use of force, employment practices and training. Law enforcement agencies go through an in-depth policy review, an on-site assessment and observation of operations. Effler’s report on the Matthews Police Department spanned 84 pages. About 200 agencies have pledged to complete the risk review over the past decade but only 105 have completed it,

see POLICE, Page 3A

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Check us out online at thecharlotteweekly.com

Plan outlines affordable housing goals

CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte City Council held a public hearing April 13 for its Housing and Community Development Fiscal Year 2027 Annual Action Plan. The plan is required for federal funding but it also puts some goals on paper. Here is how the plan describes seven goals: Provide opportunities for homeownership – Develop and implement multiple strategies to increase homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income support households including but not limited to homeownership education, counseling, new home construction, neighborhood infrastructure and down payment assistance programs.

• Improve existing affordable housing stock – To mitigate the effects of growth and facilitate aging in place, Charlotte will invest in several activities to

improve existing multifamily and single-family housing stock. This includes a variety of housing rehabilitation projects and the acquisition of housing to preserve affordability.

• Increase the supply of affordable rental housing – Charlotte has an estimated 29,890 gap in housing for households at or below 80% of the median area income. The gap is especially pronounced for households below 30% and households with special needs. Charlotte will support rental housing through investments in new multifamily construction, land acquisition and supportive housing initiatives.

Provide temporary rental assistance – The City of Charlotte continues to experience significant numbers of households experiencing a crisis. The city will continue strategies that support housing stabilization for lowincome families and includes

programs that prevent the loss of a primary residence and various approaches to rental subsidies including short-term, long-term and lease-up assistance.

Increase neighborhood sustainability – The goal is designed to invest in communities to preserve affordable housing, improve health and support community institutions. These goals are met through a variety of housing, community development and public service programs. Provide programs to support persons with HIV/AIDS – HIV/ AIDS remains a serious concern in the Charlotte Mecklenburg area. The city will continue to work with Carolinas CARE Partnership and network of area agencies that provide support to households living with this disease. These agencies will continue to provide housing information services, supportive services, substance abuse treatment and

rental assistance as well as new and existing housing options to support the activities of daily living for these families. Provide assistance to households in crisis – It is evident from the data that many populations in Charlotte require special housing assistance. Homeless households and households at risk of homelessness can benefit from access to shelters, case workers and a variety of programs that assist in the access and affordability to housing. Other programs such as housing repairs facilitate aging in place for elderly households and mobility improvement for persons with disabilities.

Funding from four programs helps achieve these goals: Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnership, Emergency Solutions Grant and Housing Opportunities for Persons with HIV/AIDS.

Atrium Health Levine Children's Gala raises $3 million

CHARLOTTE – The 12th annual Levine Children’s Gala raised $3 million to benefit Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital.

Celebrities, athletes, philanthropists, community leaders and representatives of Advocate Health and Atrium Health Levine Children’s were among the 600 guests attending the gala March 28 at Bank of America Stadium.

Actor Rob Lowe served as emcee before a sold-out crowd and recognized many of Levine Children’s top supporters, including The David and Nicole Tepper Foundation, Leon Levine Family, The HEARTest Yard/The Greg Olsen Foundation, The Hendrick Foundation and PNC Bank.

Lowe shared the stage with Advocate Health leaders Steve Smoot, Callie Dobbins and Dr. Javier Oesterheld. They were joined by Levine Children’s patientchampions and Carolina Panthers legends Greg Olsen and Luke Kuechly.

Atrium Health Foundation board member Beverly Ladley received the Leon Levine Champion of Hope award and

was honored for her years of advocacy, volunteerism and investment in Levine Children’s. Her support, particularly through the Baby J initiative that honors her son, has made a lasting impact on Levine Children’s pediatric brain tumor research program.

The night’s theme, “Where hope shines,” emphasized the community’s role in providing a bright future for patients and families in the region.

REASONS

Audit: Choosing Tito's easy as ABC

by Alan Wooten Contributor

(The Center Square) – For North Carolinians at the liquor store, Tito’s Handmade Vodka is the overwhelming choice ahead of a 100% blue Weber agave tequila from Mexico.

State Auditor Dave Boliek’s office analyzed vendor performance requirements for the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission. Five contractually required key performance indicators reviewed for eight quarters showed on-time delivery and fill rate was not consistently met while cost metric, outstanding claims and safety performance were achieved.

The report confirms a taste for the hard stuff delivers a strong pour of dollars into the purse of taxpayers.

Public revenue generated by the ABC system in fiscal years 2024 and 2025, respectively, were $713 million and $696 million. The money goes into the General Fund for the state budget and then to counties and municipalities for alcohol education, law enforcement, rehabilitation and health services.

Leading the brands sold list were Tito’s Handmade Vodka 1.75 liters (165,250 cases) and Tito’s Handmade Vodka 0.75 liters (92,102). Don Julio Reposado 0.75 liters (92,060) was third, followed by Smirnoff 80 (PET) 1.75 liters (71,664) and Platinum 7X 1.75 liters (65,425).

High Noon Variety 12-packs, which include vodka, and Pinnacle Vodka 80

POLICE

(continued from page 1A)

Effler said. Matthews has done so multiple times.

“The chief and his staff prioritize this initiative, and they were wonderful to work with,” Effler said. “They were very open, transparent and receptive during the process.”

Effler led a brief presentation during the March 23 town commissioners meeting. He presented the chief with a plaque for completing the review and “proactively serving this community in a professional

gave the clear, unaged, distilled spirit of water and ethanol a share of six of the top seven choices by consumers. Fireball Cannon Whiskey was eighth.

The top ABC boards in the two fiscal years, measuring gross sales, were Mecklenburg County ($280 million), Wake County ($222.2 million), Greensboro ($80.8 million), New Hanover County ($72.6 million) and Triad Municipal ($66 million).

“North Carolina’s ABC System is a major source of state funding that comes with lots of intricacies, and our performance audit examined and provided layers of data behind that system,” Boliek said. “With key performance measurements holding the state’s alcohol distribution process to a high standard, this report gives a transparent overview of the supply, demand, costs and where some improvements can be made.”

Seventeen states regulate sale, purchase and distribution of alcoholic beverages. There are 171 ABC boards in the 100 counties that operate 452 retail stores serving individuals and businesses. LB&B Associates has the state contract for warehousing and distribution from facilities in Raleigh and Clayton.

The commission accepted the findings of the audit and recommendations. It cited the importance of the review for “valuable insight into solutions and opportunities for improvement.”

Area ABC Board’s 2024 and 2025 fiscal year stats

• Mecklenburg County: $280,085,705 in

manner while taking steps to minimize the risk to your citizens and officers.”

“Your chief communicated quite frequently with me,” Effler told commissioners. “As soon as he was in office, we started immediately working to finish this project. And he was very open and resourceful.”

Avens said the process is not one that can be done overnight. The Matthews Police Department has been engaged in the process since August 2025. It is renewed every three years.

“It’s very in-depth as far as

gross sales; 6,611,640 regular bottles sold

Indian Trail: $9,531,297 in gross sales; 335,094 regular bottles sold

• Monroe: $7,512,633 in gross sales; 281,988 regular bottles sold

• Waxhaw: $5,860,573 in gross sales; 191,482 regular bottles sold

Meck ABC appoints new captain of law enforcement division

CHARLOTTE – The Mecklenburg County Alcoholic Beverage Control Board promoted Cortney Bergin to captain of its Law Enforcement Division. She becomes the first female captain in the organization’s history.

Inspired by personal experiences growing up in a family affected by addiction, Bergin developed an early understanding of the importance of intervention, education and support systems. These values continue to guide her career in law enforcement today.

“Success isn’t just about where you land,” she said. “It’s about the hurdles you clear to get there. This role represents not just a professional achievement, but an opportunity to continue making a meaningful difference in the community I serve.”

Bergin joined the Mecklenburg County ABC Board Law Enforcement Division eight years ago and has since risen through the ranks, earning two promotions prior to her appointment as captain.

“Cortney’s promotion is a testament to her dedication, leadership and unwavering commitment to our mission,” said Kevin Stone, law enforcement chief.

looking at policies, practices and procedures to make sure that we are the best,” Avens said. “My goal as your chief is to be the best agency in Mecklenburg County.”

A memo to town leaders from Avens mentioned that the certificate results in cost savings toward the town’s property liability insurance.

“I’m so glad we hired Chief Avens,” Mayor John Higdon said after the presentation. “What an incredible addition to the town and you’ve got a great staff. We appreciate all of you.”

SAFETY

(continued from page 1A)

(continued from page 1A)

some of the more quality builders that are doing good projects and building a good product,” Arey said. “Not just the product – they’re delivering a lifestyle. They’re delivering to a customer that’s going to walk away with a happy experience.”

Brian Hall, owner of Classica Homes, said his firm has built 910 homes in the Charlotte area over the past 15 years. “When we talk about luxury living, luxury neighborhoods, it starts with timeless design,” Hall told commissioners during the hearing. “It starts with incredible floor plans. It starts with incredible architecture outside. But it’s not just that. It’s also that care. It’s also that lasting value.”

Hall described Reynolds Farm as a three-car, side-load neighborhood with four to six plans. He told commissioners this type of product has averaged in the $1.2 million range but it’s been moving into the $1.6 million range.

Houses will have multiple elevations and color schemes so the homes don’t all look the same.

Mayor Pro Tem Tony Long pushed back March 12 on the development team’s presentation about not having any masonry in their elevations, namely about surfaces that are going to have to be repainted 10 to 20 years from now.

Hall said Classica Homes offers a combination of brick, stucco and stone homes but the materials mix is dependent upon buyers. The company prides itself on quality materials and great craftsmanship.

Commissioner Patrick Holton asked the development team if they were going to make road improvements to Bain School Road. The team’s engineers are adding a right turn lane from each direction.

the line is right down the middle of that circle and probably NCDOT too. All that coordination may be challenging, but I think it is necessary, and I’m willing to help in any way that I can.

If you have any uncertainty about whether this is a problem that should be addressed, then I invite you, the commissioners, to join me on a random afternoon to try crossing out that traffic circle so you can see firsthand

how dangerous it is. I am not here calling for massive expensive projects, although I would not say no to more greenways. I just want the infrastructure we do have to be safe because if we aren’t willing to do that, then why do we even have it?

Mint Hill resident Daniel Laveck made these remarks during the Mint Hill Board of Commissioners meeting on April 9 at town hall.

Rev. Tony: I appeared in a commercial for insurance

by Tony Marciano Contributor

Iwas in church when the pastor asked us to help those experiencing homelessness. I stood up as the song of challenge was playing. Another song began to play in my heart. But it wasn’t, “All to Jesus, I surrender.” It was a song from my childhood. It wasn’t even a church song. It was a song from a cartoon show called “Mighty Mouse.” The song was “Here I come to save the day.”

I opened my eyes and looked around. I realized what I was about to do was noble and good. But it was about me. It was about my need to feel significant. It was about my need to feel important.

In the next few moments I lowered my hand. I sat down. I prayed God would raise up others to serve our homeless neighbors from a place of impacting lives and not making it all about them.

I’m codependent. What is that? It is a need to fix broken, hurting people. We have a desperate need to control our relationships, having experienced little security in childhood. We mask our efforts to control people and situations as “being helpful.” Ouch, that hurts.

What’s the commercial? An older white-haired man is helping first time homebuyers not be like their parents. In one commercial, they are at a checkout line in the grocery store. The new homeowner is explaining to the bagger how to stack items in the bag so eggs don’t get broken and bread doesn’t get crushed.

One day I’m entering my neighborhood and saw a young man wheeling a wheelbarrow that was loaded with leaves. He piled them at the curb for the city to pick up. The problem was the deadline to do that had passed and he would receive a fine for putting leaves at the curb. I was about to roll down my window (did I ever give away my age when

you “roll down” the window) and tell him he has to bag the leaves. Not in plastic leaf bags but in paper leaf bags. A voice came back and said, “That’s not your problem. Leave it alone.” I drove past him.

According to Dr. Natalya, empathy is asking if they need help, enabling is trying to fix problems without being asked. Empathy is offering support, while enabling is giving unsolicited advice. Empathy is offering a hand to help them stand. Enabling is carrying them so they never have to walk on their own. There’s a fine line between supporting someone and keeping them (and ourselves) stuck.

A friend admitted she was struggling in her marriage. I told her how I didn’t like how her husband treated her. She asked me why I didn’t say anything. I responded, “Unless I see domestic violence or am invited in to help someone’s marriage, I stay out.” She was surprised but understood.

It feels good to rescue someone. But in rescuing them from the consequences of their bad decisionmaking, they don’t mature and learn the important life lesson. We learn when we go through hard times and struggle (we don’t like that word).

It is in struggling that we mature (which is not being stoic, but helping someone achieve their Godgiven potential). A Scripture verse says suffering produces endurance (hang in there); endurance produces character (why do we do what we do) and character produces hope. We can’t go from suffering to hope without going through endurance and character.

If you ever find yourself singing the Mighty Mouse song, be like me. Lower your hand. Sit down. Ask God to send someone else.

I’ll be back soon. Until then, live well, my friend.

The Rev. Tony Marciano is available to speak to your group. DM him on Facebook.

CALENDAR

April 17 Bingo

Mint Hill Community Center hosts bingo. minthillevents.org

1-3 p.m.; 11524 Bain School Road, Mint Hill

Mash-Up Market Carolina Beer Temple presents a Mash-Up Market with handcrafted items, music and a food truck at Ames Street Marketplace. carolinabeertemple.com

1-5 p.m.; 215 N. Ames St., Matthews

UNO

Children drop in to play UNO at the Mint Hill Community Center. minthillevents.org

4-6 p.m.; 11524 Bain School Road, Mint Hill

Game Night Teens play board games, cards and other activities during a drop-in game night at the Mint Hill Community Center. minthillevents.org

6-8 p.m.; 11524 Bain School Road, Mint Hill

Mint Hill Rodeo

The Mint Hill Historical Society presents the Mint Hill Rodeo at McWhirter Rodeo Arena. Gates open at 6 p.m. Admission costs

$15 for adults, $5 for ages 4-12 and free for ages 3 and younger. The event continues April 18. 704573-0726

8 p.m.; 8201 Bartlett Road, Mint Hill

Bike Night Independence HarleyDavidson hosts a Bike Night with music, food trucks and games. independenceharley.com

6-9 p.m.; 9205 E. Independence Blvd., Matthews

April 18

Pickleball Matthews Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resource offers open play pickleball at Crews Recreation Center. Advance registration is required. Play costs $3 per person. matthewsfun.com

8:30-10:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m.12:30 p.m.; 1201 Crews Road, Matthews

Neighborhood Sale Residents in the Sardis Forest subdivision host a Neighborhood Yard Sale.

9 a.m.-1 p.m.; Sardis Road, Matthews

Family Storytime Children ages 0-5 engage with stories and songs through Family Storytime at Matthews Library. Register at the train desk within 15 minutes of the program. cmlibrary.org/locations/ Matthews

9:30-10 a.m.; 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews

Family Storytime Families engage with stories and songs through Family Storytime at Mint Hill Library. Registration starts in person 30 minutes before the event. cmlibrary.org/locations/MintHill

9:30-10 a.m.; 6840 MatthewsMint Hill Road, Mint Hill

Book Club The Books and Bae-gels book club discusses Tarah DeWitt’s “Savor It” at Matthews Library. Register in advance at cmlibrary. org/locations/Matthews.

10-11 a.m.; 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews

Paws to Read

Children ages 5-11 read to a volunteer therapy dog at Matthews Library. Sign up for a 15-minute session upon arrival. Registration opens 15 minutes before the first session. cmlibrary. org/locations/Matthews

10-11 a.m.; 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews

Denim & Diamonds

C.O.S.Kids presents its Denim & Diamonds fundraiser with barbecue dinner, drinks, live music and mechanical bull rides. Tickets cost $50 (discounts available for families). Buy tickets at coskidsmatthews.org/ denimdiamonds

6:30-9:30 p.m.; 226 W. John St., Matthews

Nature Cleanup Volunteers ages 14 and older meet up at Matthews Town Hall before dispersing around town for Love Matthews Community Cleanup Day. Register in advance at matthewsnc.gov/ lovematthews.

7:30-10:30 a.m.; 232 Matthews Station St., Matthews

LOUD & LIVE

REGIONAL

DINING SCORES

CHARLOTTE – B-Side Group plans to open a new modern pasta bar and caffè inspired by the life and cooking of Culinary Director Vince Giancarlo’s grandmother, Claire Theresa Funari.

Lady Funari will open this spring in the former Futo Buta space at 222 E. Bland St.

“Lady Funari was my father’s mother, my Mommom,” Giancarlo said. “She was the matriarch of a very strong Italian family, a true madrina. She’s the reason I fell in love with food, cooking and pasta.”

Claire’s presence, which was defined by long Sundays at the stove, feeding a full house and commanding the room with quiet authority, shaped Giancarlo’s approach to both cooking and hospitality.

“I’ve opened more than 10 restaurants throughout my career, but I always come back to pasta,” he said. “It’s my happy place. And it always brings me back to Mommom.”

Giancarlo has more than 20 years of experience. He has trained under Michelin-starred chefs in Los Angeles and led kitchens across Charlotte, including Supperland, Haberdish, Angeline’s, BAKU and The Jimmy.

He joined the B-Side team in 2025, first refining the culinary program at VINYL and then launching the kitchen at The Story of Mi Cariño alongside Executive Chef Hector González-Mora.

Known for his ingredient-first philosophy and technical approach, Giancarlo sees Lady Funari as a return to his roots and a refinement of his pasta program.

If Claire could see it today, Giancarlo has a clear picture of her reaction: “She’d cry, hug me a thousand times. Then she’d light a Virginia Slims cigarette and pour a little scotch to celebrate.”

The 1,600-square-foot restaurant, with seating for about 40 inside and 40 outside, will feature a culinary program designed to begin as an intimate evening experience, with plans to expand into daytime caffè service.

The inside will be refined with wood and marble appointments. The patio will be activated as a European-style outdoor café along the Rail Trail. At the center of the restaurant is an intimate pasta counter framing the open kitchen.

“Our pasta bar isn’t a buffet or build-

your-own experience,” Giancarlo said. “It’s about watching chefs cook and plate in real time. It’s an up-close look at the craft.”

The menu will focus on handmade pastas, locally sourced vegetables and light shareable plates, built around seasonal ingredients and traditional techniques.

Many dishes draw directly from Claire’s cooking, including Spaghetti & Blue Crab, a two-course experience inspired by a family tradition.

“She started gravy at six in the morning for a five o’clock dinner,” Giancarlo said. “Often driving to Jersey and back herself to pick up fresh blue crabs, then spending the rest of the afternoon simmering them in the sauce. We’d start with a plate of blue crabs coated in that gravy, then finish with spaghetti smothered in it, flecks of crab throughout. It was messy, it was perfect and it’s a memory we’re bringing to life here.”

The drink program will highlight Italian vermouth, amaro, wine, spirits and espresso.

“We want to stay as true as possible to Italian tradition in honor of Claire,” said Henry Schmulling, beverage director at B-Side Group. “We also have a few things up our sleeve that Grandma Claire may not have thought of, but would absolutely approve of.”

Creation Acres Montessori gets green light to grow

by Justin Vick justin@charlottemediagroup.org

MINT HILL – Town commissioners approved a conditional rezoning April 9 that will give Creation Acres Montessori more room to grow.

Founders Jasmine and Akeem Williams want to move the school from Lawyers Road to a 19.9-acre site at 6300 Allen Black Road, but they needed the land rezoned from residential to institutional use.

“While the land use plan designates the property as low-density residential, the proposed private school is consistent with this place type,” the Mint Hill Planning Board stated March 16 in its recommendation to commissioners.

“Specifically, the proposed rezoning aligns with the character of the area by prioritizing the preservation of open space

and utilizing a low-impact site plan that respects the surrounding residential/rural scale.

“The proposed school mirrors these standards by maintaining a low-intensity footprint similar to these permitted recreational amenities. Therefore, the rezoning request is deemed reasonable, in the public interest and consistent with the goals of the adopted land use plan.”

The Williams family sees opportunities for farm-based learning and outdoor education.

“It really is carrying on a legacy and keeping this beautiful property in Mint Hill,” Jasmine told commissioners last month. “There are lots of neighborhoods happening, lots of growth happening, and we would like to be a part of saving some of the original parts of the history.”

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Credit Karma, LLC seeks the following in Charlotte, NC:

Software Engineer IV (23125): Lead the design, development, and evolution of scalable product features and core platform microservices. Master’s degree required. Salary: $180,968/yr;

Business Operations and Strategy Manager (99950): Serve as a thought partner and sounding board to the leaders to help them drive data-driven decisions. Master’s degree and 2 years req’d. Salary: $160,801/yr; Growth Technology Manager (30762): Partner with marketing managers to execute omni channel campaigns using a state of the art proprietary marketing automation platform. Master’s degree and 6 months req’d. Salary: $137,571/yr; Sr. Trust & Safety Analyst (91173): Develop and implement fraud detection strategies and processes. Identify and source risk factors within data systems associated with fraud methods for testing and analysis. Master’s degree and 1 year req’d. Salary: $148,427/yr; Data Scientist II (79127): Extract and preprocess data to build predictive models that safeguard user experience and revenue conversion. Master’s degree req’d. Salary: $162,882.50/yr; Software Engineer III (52076): Contribute to our core services and data aggregation layer; meeting our need for scale, quality, and rapid iteration. Bachelor’s degree and 5 years req’d. Provide maintenance for our existing services. Salary: $207,278/ yr; Senior Software Engineer (80372): Participate in every aspect of the software development cycle as a member of a small cross-functional scrum team. Participates in software design discussions. Master’s degree and 4 years req’d. Salary: $206,443/yr; Marketing Analyst II (57454): Leverage marketing data to develop business recommendations that generate value. Generate hypotheses, identify gaps, and develop and implement strategies to optimize marketing channels. Salary: $106,000/yr.

To Apply: Submit resume on www.jobpostingtoday.com, using Job ID # following Job Title above. Background checks req’d. May telecommute from within normal commuting distance of the Charlotte, NC office up to 2 days per week.

CHARLOTTE – Bach Charlotte has started selling tickets to the seventh edition of the Charlotte Bach Festival. Classical music lovers can buy allfestival passes or tickets at bacharlotte. com. Events include:

• May 30: Gloria! Bach, Handel and Vivaldi, 7:30 p.m., Sandra Levine Theatre, Queens University of Charlotte.

• May 31: Organ Recital with Avi Stein, 3 p.m., St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.

June 1: Songs of Love and Desire, 7:30 p.m., Kathryn Greenhoot Recital Hall, Queens University of Charlotte.

June 2: Dall’Italia con amore, 7:30 p.m., St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.

• June 3: Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, 7:30 p.m., site to be determined.

June 4: Bach and the French Influence, 7:30 p.m., St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.

• June 5: Echoes of Bach, 7:30 p.m., St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.

June 6: Handel’s Theodora, 7:30 p.m., St. Mark’s Lutheran Church

• June 7: Organ Recital with Lester Ackerman, 3 p.m., St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.

Art show supports local history

MATTHEWS – The Matthews Historical Foundation has announced details for its third annual Matthews Fine Art and Craft Show. The event takes place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. April 24 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 25 at the Historic Reid House & Gardens, 134 W. John St., Matthews.

Donations support the Reid House and Matthews Historical Foundation. On the web: matthewshistoricalfoundation.com

As seasons change, to-do lists grow. At Waltonwood, we believe your time is better spent enjoying the things YOU want to do. We give you those options:

• A full Life Enrichment calendar — so every day feels like your own.

• Chef-prepared meals with seasonal menus and house-made desserts, so you never have to cook unless you want to.

• A variety of apartment styles to match your lifestyle — with limited availability, now is the time! Limited availability! Schedule a tour today. 704-246-8670

Independent Living, Assisted Living & Memory Care 11945 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28277 Waltonwood.com | SinghCareers.com

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Tokyo megabank takes $76M lure, will join Charlotte lineup

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by David Beasley Contributor

million into a second American headquarters in North Carolina. Charlotte, No. 2 banking center in America only behind New York City, was chosen by the Tokyo headquartered financial institution. An estimated $76 million incentive package helped with the lure – $70.3 million in the Job Development Investment

Grant program from the state, $1.3 million from Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, and $4.4 million in workforce training funds through the state’s community college system.

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group offers global banking, securities, leasing and consumer finance. It holds total assets of approximately $2.02 trillion to $2.06 trillion in U.S. dollars.

“As SMBC continues to grow substantially in the United States, Charlotte is a standout location for us to invest in North Carolina for the long term in a major expansion that will establish our roots in the community,” SMBC Americas

CEO Hirofumi Otsuka said in a statement. “A major financial services hub, Charlotte has a deep pool of talent that we will tap into and help build out as we position our bank for long-term success while contributing to the broader local economy.”

The company expects to add 2,000 jobs paying an average annual salary of $165,316. The state Commerce Department, in a release, said average pay in Mecklenburg County of $90,706. Economists question the effectiveness of financial incentives to businesses to expand or come to a new state. Context is encouraged when

wages are introduced because a few corporate leaders at a site can skew the average higher while the median wage would not have the same ratio.

“Japan is one of North Carolina’s top economic partners, and I’m honored to welcome another, leading Japanese company to our state,” Gov. Josh Stein said in a statement. Last month, a state board approved a $17.1 million grant for a private investment management company that plans to open an East Coast hub in Charlotte. Capital Group, headquartered in Los Angeles, will invest $60 million in the Charlotte office and

employ 600 people, the state said. SMBC has 150 offices in nearly 40 countries, employing 120,000 people worldwide. Its roots date back more than 400 years and it has been operating in the U.S. for more than a century.

Charlotte, with a long history as a banking and financial services hub, continues to be a magnet for new company headquarters. For the last two years, it has ranked second on Site Selection magazine’s list of best cities in the U.S. for corporate headquarters. Last year, it was selected for global or regional headquarters by Scout Motors, Maersk North America and Daimler Truck Financial.