STALLINGS – Mayor David Scholl cast the deciding vote April 13 to break a 3-3 tie and approve a mixed-use development that will bring up to 118 townhomes and two commercial buildings off Stevens Mill Road. The project, known as Stevens Village, will be divided into two areas. The commercial portion,
which could include a drive-thru and gas station, will be along Idlewild Road and Stevens Mill Road. The townhomes will sit between the commercial buildings and the Shannamara neighborhood.
Residents raised concerns during the March 9 public hearing about traffic, site design, intensity of use and compatibility with the surrounding area, according to the staff report.
Mayor Pro Tem Brad
WINGATE – Union County is moving forward with constructing a new facility aimed at boosting the agricultural economy and expanding opportunities for entrepreneurs. The Union County Food Innovation Center, formerly known as the Building Agricultural Resources and Nutrition, or “BARN” project, will serve as a hub for food production, distribution and business development.
County leaders celebrated the groundbreaking on March 31. The 25,000-square-foot center on Julia May Baker Road is expected to take about 18 months to complete. It will be used for commercial development of new food products and commercial catering only.
The official opening is expected in the summer of 2027. Once completed, it will provide a commercial kitchen and professional workspace for licensed businesses and entrepreneurs who are not yet positioned to invest in a brickand-mortar location.
Officials describe the project as a one-of-a-kind initiative that sets Union County apart.
“By combining agricultural resources with economic development strategies, we are confident this center will create long-term benefits for our small businesses and consumers,”
Union County Commissioner Brian Helms said.
The center is a result of partnerships with Wingate University, Town of Wingate and N.C. Cooperative Extension Union County Center.
MONROE – A 16-year-old girl accused of making online threats about violence at her school told investigators that “she was just bored,” according to the Union County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office received multiple calls regarding an online threat of mass violence at Forest Hills High School.
Detectives began investigating a post made on April 3 from the Instagram username “school.shooter17” and traced the IP address to a 16-year-old student at the high school.
Detectives gathered sufficient information to charge the student on a juvenile petition with communicating threats of mass violence on educational property, according to the sheriff’s office. She was taken into custody April
Richardson said he was puzzled by the opposition. He joined council members Steven Ayers and Mike Couzens in supporting the rezoning.
“What’s been puzzling is that many in the community have been in favor of an existing property development plan that allows grocery store retail within a smaller setback right against your homes,” Richardson said.
He noted that Stevens Village includes a 50-foot buffer and
“These collaborative partnerships have been essential in bringing the vision to life and ensuring that the project will be sustainable,”
Deputy County Manager Patrick Niland said.
N.C. Cooperative Extension will regularly use the center to support farmers and food producers.
“The food innovation center
8 and placed in the Cabarrus Youth Development Center.
“The Union County Sheriff’s Office takes all threats of violence, especially those targeting our schools extremely seriously,” the office posted on Facebook. “Let this serve as a clear warning: Any individual who chooses to make threats or attempt to create fear and chaos in our community will be held accountable.”
Stallings Police Department investigating fatal collision
STALLINGS – The Stallings Police Department is investigating a traffic collision that killed a motorcyclist.
Officers responded to a collision at about 6:22 p.m. April 8 at the intersection of Stallings Road and Guion Lane
Mayor breaks tie in Stevens Village vote
fence between the townhomes and Shannamara, creating a better transition between the neighborhood and the proposed commercial uses. He also said the townhomes would generate less traffic than a fully built-out commercial development.
“Being a Shannamara resident, I echo Brad’s concerns that longterm having the buffer being the commercial project is not ideal, to put it bluntly,” Scholl said before casting the tie-breaking vote.
County breaks ground on innovation center
represents the continued growth, development and evolution of agriculture in Union County,” said Andrew Baucom, director of N.C. Cooperative ExtensionUnion County Center. “This new facility will be the first of its kind in North Carolina, a space that provides access and opportunity for both the agricultural producer and the business entrepreneur.”
Authorities trace school threat to teen
involving a Toyota Tacoma and a HarleyDavidson motorcycle.
Officers found the motorcycle driver, Nelson Lee Graves, had serious injuries. Bystanders began life-saving measures before EMS took over. Graves was later pronounced deceased.
The Stallings Police Department said preliminary information shows the Toyota Tacoma entered the intersection against a red light.
The driver cooperated with investigators, according to authorities. Police continue reviewing witness statements and evidence from the scene. No charges have been filed.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police at 704821-0300.
Council members Graham Hall, Jon Van de Riet and Laurie Wojtowicz voted against the rezoning. Hall said the project did not align with the town’s land-use plan. Van de Riet said it conflicted with the town’s economic development plan. Wojtowicz cited vagueness and inconsistencies regarding landscaping elements such as trees and berms.
by Justin Vick justin@charlottemediagroup.org
MARVIN – Village leaders are considering a slightly lower property tax rate for the 2026-27 fiscal year but not necessarily at the expense of ignoring future road maintenance.
The Marvin Village Council held its first budget work session of 2026 on April 6. Village Manager Christina Amos presented a nearly $3.7 million general fund budget with a 5.3-cent tax rate. Residents currently pay a 5.63-cent tax rate. Amos explained that the village can’t go below a 5-cent tax rate if leaders want to continue receiving Powell Bill funding from the state for local road maintenance.
“This is our first initial stab at the budget,” Amos told the council. “I’m sure you all will have some questions, some recommendations and what we’ll do from here is go back to the drawing board and make those changes. And at the next budget work session, we’ll go over those changes.”
Council Member Bob Nunnenkamp proposed the idea of reducing the tax rate by 3% instead of 6.3%.
“I think I know what we all want to accomplish,” Nunnenkamp said. “If possible, we want a lower budget, and people are concerned about taxes. I get that. The one thing that concerns me is if we reduce our tax base too much, then the opportunity or the need to take budget increases in the future might be greater than if we didn’t take as much of the tax reduction.”
Council Member John Baresich said shifting the tax rate from 5.6 cents to 5.3 cents would allow a million-dollar home to save about $30 per year on their tax bill. While Amos was going through her presentation, Mayor Pro Tempore Angel Martin identified a couple of line items she would like to see increased. One of those was $200,000 for fog sealing, a technique used to fix cracks in pavement.
The other item was $150,000 for a new savings account to help pay for restorative road maintenance about 10 years from now. The amount is a placeholder until an ad hoc committee recommends a final number.
Amos reminded the council that adding to these amounts would require cuts elsewhere in the budget or a tax increase.
Finance Director Jill Carilli said she would need a dollar amount from the council.
“If you as a consensus can tell me how much you all feel comfortable putting in that maintenance and how much you all want to try to save in restorative, I will try to make it happen,” Carilli said. “But I need numbers to be able to move forward.” Baresich said he’d like to see how road maintenance would be affected if they
County leaders expect the Union County Food Innovation Center to enhance food distribution networks and serve as a catalyst for innovation and job creation. Renderings courtesy of Union County
STAY CONNECTED
• Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @mmhweekly. @ucweekly, @southcltweekly, @weekly waxhaw and @itncweekly
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
LEFT: Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles shares a laugh with Eugene A. Woods, CEO of Advocate Health. MIDDLE: David and Nicole Tepper were recognized for their continued support of Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital. RIGHT: Actor Rob Lowe takes center stage with Luke Kuechly, who will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August. Photos courtesy of Atrium Health Foundation
Rhinestone Cowboy lit up the stage with an energetic ensemble featuring a fusion of Nashville soul and modern pop hits. Photo courtesy of Atrium Health Foundation
Audit: Choosing Tito's vodka 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 ontime 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 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 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
Looking for family's life insurance policy?
by Alan Wooten Contributor
When a loved one dies, family members have a number of things they must do. In addition to making funeral arrangements, survivors must take care of the loved one’s estate to the best of their ability. Family members often wonder if their loved one had a life insurance policy.
While the staff at the Department of Insurance can’t help you probate a person’s will, we can help you locate a lost life insurance policy. The service is free and helps locate benefits from life insurance policies or annuity contracts purchased in North Carolina.
You can find the Lost Life Insurance and Annuity Service on the Department of Insurance’s website at ncdoi.
gov. Scroll down and click the link that says, “Locate a lost life insurance policy.” After agreeing to the terms and conditions, you will be asked to provide some information about yourself and the deceased.
If you’re having trouble or need assistance, you can call our tollfree number at 855-408-1212 to speak with one of our consumer specialists. Please call between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays.
The program works. Last year, the tool helped North Carolinians obtain $65.9 million in claims from life insurance policies that had been lost. In 2024, North Carolinians obtained $70.5 million in life insurance benefits. In 2023, the service found $65.9 million in benefits.
People purchase life insurance policies for several reasons. They may want to:
• Allow a surviving spouse to
continue having a comfortable standard of living. Make retirement more comfortable.
Provide for a child’s education.
• Pay for funeral expenses.
Pay for medical bills.
Pay off a mortgage so surviving family members don’t have to worry about having a roof over their heads.
• Pay off other outstanding debts.
Whatever the reason for taking out a life insurance policy, beneficiaries expect to receive those benefits when a loved one dies.
The life insurance policy may have been taken out years or decades ago. Families may have moved over the years. The policy may have been misplaced or accidentally thrown away. Searching through a safe, desk
drawers or filing cabinets may yield no results.
Fortunately, this tool is available to help families during difficult times. Losing a loved one is difficult enough.
You may want to keep our tollfree number handy in case you have other questions regarding insurance.
Mike Causey serves as North Carolina insurance commissioner.
MARVIN
(continued from page 1A)
maintained the current tax rate.
Carilli said that it’s doable to increase fog sealing to $250,000 and restorative maintenance to $200,000 within the current tax rate with some rounding out of the budget.
Amos asked if there was consensus around bringing a budget to the next session (May 4) that maintains the current tax rate and applies additional revenues toward road maintenance.
“I think that’s a good idea, but I also like it the way it was presented,” Council Member Bob Marcolese said.
Baresich also liked the idea.
“I’d like to see it because I don’t know that it’s real instructive, if we’re only cutting the average tax bill by $30 or $40 and then just having to come back next year to raise it twice or three times that,” he said. “I think we’d want to be more planningminded than that – rather than reactive.”
STALLINGS
(continued from page 1A)
Couzens said the conditional rezoning gave the town leverage to secure improvements to the project. The developer agreed to about a dozen conditions following the March 9 hearing, including one added shortly before the vote prohibiting a convenience store from operating 24 hours a day.
Other conditions include:
• Limiting the convenience store to eight multi-product fuel dispensers.
• Allowing no more than two drive-through windows.
• Capping townhome height at 35 feet.
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
Community Theater The Union County Playmakers present “Boeing, Boeing” at Benton Heights Elementary Performing Arts Center. The production continues through April 19. Tickets cost $20.94 for adults, with discounts for seniors, students and children. Buy tickets at unioncountyplaymakers.org.
7 p.m.; 1205 Cherry St., Monroe
Trivia Night MOR Events & Entertainment hosts a Trivia Night around the theme of the classic NBC comedy “The Office” at Middle James Brewing. A food truck will be available at 4:30 p.m. middlejamesbrewing.com
7 p.m.; 115 E. North Main St., Waxhaw
April 18
Litter Sweep The Town of Waxhaw hosts a Litter Sweep. Volunteers meet at the Community Corner Water Tower before dispersing. Supplies are provided. waxhaw.com
8 a.m.-1 p.m.; 115 McDonald St., Waxhaw
Estate Planning Legal Aid of North Carolina leads a program on estate planning at Union West Regional Library. uclnc.org
10-11 a.m.; 123 UnionvilleIndian Trail Road, Indian Trail
Family Storytime
Southwest Regional Library offers a Family Storytime. uclnc. org
10:30-11 a.m.; 1720 Cuthbertson Road, Waxhaw
Earth Day Waxhaw Parks & Recreation hosts an Earth Day Celebration with crafts and a mural painting at Waxhaw Downtown Park. Register in advance at waxhaw. com. 1-3 p.m.; 301 Givens St., Waxhaw
Dungeons & Dragons A Dungeons & Dragons club learns how to play and create a character at Southwest Regional Library. uclnc.org 1-4 p.m.; 1720 Cuthbertson Road, Waxhaw
Movie Series Dowd Center Theatre screens “Matilda” as part of the April Movie Series. Admission costs $2
at the door. monroenc.org
5 p.m.; 120 S. Main St., Monroe
Community Theater The Union County Playmakers present “Boeing, Boeing” at Benton Heights Elementary Performing Arts Center. The production continues through April 19. Tickets cost $20.94 for adults, with discounts for seniors, students and children. Buy tickets at unioncountyplaymakers.org.
7 p.m.; 1205 Cherry St., Monroe
April 19
Community Theater The Union County Playmakers present “Boeing, Boeing” at Benton Heights Elementary Performing Arts Center. Tickets cost $20.94 for adults, with discounts for seniors, students and children. Buy tickets at unioncountyplaymakers.org.
2:30 p.m.; 1205 Cherry St., Monroe
April 20
Senior Fit Club Julie Eichler leads a fitness class for older adults (55 and older) at the Waxhaw Recreation Barn. Registration costs $10-$12. Register in advance at waxhaw. com.
9:30-10:15 a.m.; 5412 WaxhawMarvin Road, Waxhaw
Bookmarks
Children ages 3-5 learn about TinkerCad and create a bookmark during 3D Printed Bookmarks at Union West Regional Library. uclnc.org
4:30-5:30 p.m.; 123 UnionvilleIndian Trail Road, Indian Trail
Battle Bots Teens work with Sphero Battle Bots at Southwest Regional Library. uclnc.org 5-6 p.m.; 1720 Cuthbertson Road, Waxhaw
April 21
Storytime
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.”
Chef honors grandmother through pasta-driven concept
Lady Funari is a new concept from B-Side Group, the team behind VINYL and The Story of Mi Cariño. Southwick Architecture created renderings of the interior. Photos courtesy of NiceDay
CLASSIFIEDS
IT Project Manager (Pineville, NC) F/T. Dvlp & implmt IT processes, policies, & procedures to set up efficient workflows & streamline operations. Work closely w/ other depts to understand their IT needs & integrate solutions that support overall business goals. Dvlp detailed project plans, incl scope, timelines, & budgets, to ensure clear project direction & objectives. Efficiently allocate resources, incl personnel & technology, to optimize project outcomes. Identify & address skill gaps w/in the team to enhance performance & project success. Execute IT projects to ensure they meet business objectives & are completed on time. Identify potential risks early in the project lifecycle & dvlp mitigation strategies to address them to minimize disruptions & maintain project timelines. Maintain open lines of communication w/ stakeholders to keep them informed about project progress, challenges, & opportunities. Translate business demand into technology requests, & back to ensure understanding across all levels. Lead project meetings & facilitate effective communication among team members to ensure alignment & progress. Monitor project performance using appropriate tools & techniques to ensure adherence to plans. Proactively address any issues or conflicts during the project lifecycle & maintain a positive working environment. Ensure projects are completed w/in budget by monitoring expenses & making necessary adjustments. Drive improvement efforts related to each IT project to minimize costs & provide better overall solutions that improve business efficiency. Conduct post-project evaluations to identify areas for improvement & apply lessons learned to future projects. Ensure all IT activities comply w/ industry standards & regulations to maintain quality & security. Quickly adapt to changing priorities of the dynamic environment to keep IT initiatives aligned w/ strategic objectives. Stay updated on industry trends & emerging technologies relevant to the business for informed decision-making. Perform other duties as reqd. $68,349.00/ yr. Bach’s deg in Mgmt or Business Administration or closely related, + 24 months of exp in job offered or as or closely related position. Email resume to: Knapp USA, Inc., Attn: Paul Knapp, CEO at pknapp@knappconnectors.com.
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
f
Tokyo megabank takes $76M lure, will join Charlotte lineup
(The
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.
