Life Church has withdrawn its rezoning application after falling short of getting a favorable recommendation from the Matthews Planning Board.
Church leadership wanted to expand its campus at 3321
Matthews-Mint Hill Road from 327 seats and 97 parking spots to
Too much?
Lawmakers examine property taxes, 2A
Clean cups
Inspectors evaluate area restaurants, 1B
Healing poetry
Author explores grief in new book, 3B
530 seats and 194 parking spots.
They proposed two building additions with the first phase consisting of a 15,400-squarefoot expansion. A 2,000-squarefoot addition would come later.
Town commissioners were expected to discuss the project April 13, but Pastor Brent Watts emailed the planning staff a few hours before the meeting to withdraw.
“We appreciate the work that has gone into this but feel this
Justin Vick
by
justin@charlottemediagroup.org
MATTHEWS – Town commissioners closed the public hearing for the Four Oak Builders project on April 13, sending the rezoning application to the Matthews Planning Board to review.
Four Oaks Builders wants to rezone 409 West John Street from residential to office use. Currently, a rental home sits on the 0.42-acre property. The goal is to develop an office building.
Matthews: Beats n’ Bites
Towns across Mecklenburg and Union counties have started offering free concerts that will continue through the summer. Here is a roundup of the concerts:
Beats ‘n Bites combines music and food trucks into spring and fall community events at Stumptown Park. The park opens for the event from 5 p.m. to about 8:45 p.m. Music starts at 6 p.m.
• Sept. 12: TBA Sept. 26: TBA Oct 10: TBA
Matthews: Fullwood Amp’d
April 24: Darren Deese May 29: Robyn Springer (Anita Baker tribute)
• Oct 24: TBA Details: matthewsnc.municipalone.com/pview. aspx?id=21003&catid=567
Unlike the other concerts highlighted here, Fullwood Amp’d is an indoor experience that charges for tickets, but it is a unique offering for a town. This used to be known as the Color of Jazz series. Concerts start at 7 p.m. at the Matthews Community Center. Tickets cost $15.
• June 5: Petty Rewind (Tom Petty tribute)
• Aug. 14: REO Survivor (REO Speedwagon, Survivor and Loverboy tribute) Details: matthewsfun.recdesk.com/
Town Planner Nadine Bennet said the original request was for a two-story, 5,400-square-foot office building.
“At the time, the board of commissioners really just felt that it was too large and didn’t fit in well with the surrounding properties,” Bennett said.
The applicant has since reduced the size of the building to 4,500 square feet and reoriented the building.
Steve Singleton, of Urban Design Partners, described his client, Chris Duncan of Four
is the wise course of action for us at this time,” Watts wrote. “Our board voted unanimously yesterday on this.”
While town staff recommended approval, the proposal did not receive a favorable recommendation from the Matthews Planning Board on March 24. Commissioners factor feedback from the planning board into their decisions.
Community/Page?pageId=41682
Mint Hill: Family Fun Nights
• June 20: Bailey Marie Band
• July 18: Vinyl Live
• Aug. 15: Crystal Aria
• May 16: Pluto for Planet
• Sept. 19: Unknown Artist
Details: minthillevents.org
April 30: Nate Randall
May 7: Dustin Yager
• May 14: Matthew Church
May 21: Scoot Pittman
May 28: Lisa DeNovo
Details: pinevillenc.gov
Oaks Builders, as a family man who has lived in the area for more than 30 years.
“He’s not just a developer trying to flip a site,” Singleton said. “He is the property owner, and his intent is to develop this for his office, for his company’s business office, and then also other occupants as well.”
Four Oaks Builders applied for the rezoning in January 2025. Since then, the company has updated its site plan six times.
Singleton explained how his team incorporated feedback
Church withdraws rezoning application
Towns offer outdoor concerts
Mint Hill Veterans Memorial Park is the place to catch concerts held during Family Fun Nights and Music & Brews. Family Fun Nights will include a children’s zone, food trucks and games on June 20, July 18 and Aug. 15. There are two Music & Brews concerts on May 16 and Sept. 19 that allow concert-goers to buy beer with ID. All events take place from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Matthews misses audit deadline
by Justin Vick justin@charlottemediagroup.org
MATTHEWS – Matthews received a clean audit report for the 2025 fiscal year but the town will have to explain why the Local Government Commission did not receive the materials in time.
“The audit report was not submitted to the LGC in a timely manner, which resulted in an audit finding and a financial performance indicator on the LGC’s data input sheet report,” according to Jill Vang, an accountant with Martin Starnes & Associates. “This report is submitted along with the audit report to the LGC.”
Vang told commissioners April 13 that the town must issue a response with explanations or corrective actions to the LGC within 60 days of her audit presentation. Town Manager Melia James said staff will present commissioners with a corrective action plan during their May 26 meeting.
Outside of that, the audit presentation was routine.
Pineville: Music on Main Pineville Parks & Recreation has launched the latest season of Music on Main. Catch the concerts from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Pineville Town Hall lawn.
“We issued an unmodified opinion, which is a clean opinion, the best one that you can get,” Vang said. “It means that we found no material misstatement that led us to believe the financial statements would be misleading to others.” Vang’s presentation focused on the fund balance, general fund and the top three sources of revenues and expenses year over year.
Quick Hits
• Isabella Collins and David Wieser have joined the Matthews Planning Board as alternate members.
• Tenell Staton and Brian Stoll have been elevated to voting roles on the Matthews Board of Adjustment.
Rental home site may be redeveloped into office building
from town commissioners and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Landmarks Commission to come up with a concept that complements the look of the neighborhood without overpowering the McLaughlinBost House, a historic home dating back to the late 1800s.
Some of the changes to the structure include a reduced height from 39 to 34 feet, narrowed driveway, hipped roofline, window shutters, and a dormer on the front facade.
“We believe we’ve addressed a
lot of the concerns – a lot of the scale, massing, size,” Singleton said. “We think we’re a lot closer to a residential look and feel with the front porch and scale of the building.
“We believe this project is a good investment in the town, something new, something fresh, something attractive. So we believe this is going to be a good product.”
Commissioner John Urban said he thought the project is better
Town staff used this image in a January presentation to show the location of the church site.
Photo courtesy of Town of Matthews
see OFFICE, Page 3A
Beats n' Bites, Family Fun Nights and Music & Brews are popular events across the region. CMG file photo
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Lawmakers discuss rising property taxes
by David Beasley Contributor
(The Center Square) – Limits on the future increases of property tax levies through a constitutional amendment took a step April 15, gaining the approval of a committee in the North Carolina House of Representatives.
The amendment does not specify exactly how the Legislature would limit property tax hikes. It would be determined by legislators if the amendment is approved.
“Over the last decade, homeowners across our state have been confronted with significant increases in property tax bills,” Rep. Brian Echevarria, a Republican from Cabarrus County, told the Select Committee on Property Tax
Reduction and Reform. “The trend of increased property tax bills has continued and our people are anxious about it. Our neighbors need our advocacy here.”
It is the Legislature’s duty to put “guardrails” in place to stop spiraling property taxes, he added.
Property tax increases since 2020 have been nearly double the overall rate of inflation, the legislator said.
“The key policy question before us is not whether local governments need revenue – they do, and that is not in dispute,” Echevarria said. “We all know fire trucks do not run on goodwill.
We also know that the current property tax structure allows property tax increases to become disconnected from taxpayers’ capacity and predictability.
The question this committee is answering is whether North Carolinians should be protected from continual, unsustainable, unpredictable property tax increases.”
Rep. John Blust, R-Guilford, questioned why the proposed amendment doesn’t compel the Legislature to impose a cap on property taxes instead of just limiting future increases.
“That to me is saying it’s always going to be an increase,” he said. “It’s just going to make the increases go a little slower.”
In some counties, the increases “have almost gotten out of control,” the legislator said.
“A cap keeps it from getting even worse,” he said. “I do think we should not be signaling that you can always increase, because that just gets you to a horrible situation slower. I think we need
an overall cap, like we have for the income tax, a constitutional cap that says this is the most this municipality or county can milk this one tax source.”
Homeowners who purchased their houses decades ago have property tax bills soaring. The equity in their homes is not liquid – meaning it can be easily withdrawn and spent on something else, Blust said. Property taxes, on the other hand, have to be paid each year in cash.
“They are being taxed basically on a long-term capital gain, a lot which was inflationary,” Blust said. “We need to think of them first. I understand the counties and municipalities need revenue. But people should be secure in their houses. That’s as basic American Dream as it gets.”
Injunction halts TV station merger Agreement
by Alan Wooten Contributor
would have affected Charlotte channels WCNC, WJZY
(The Center Square) –Acquisition by Nexstar of Tegna involving television affiliates in the Charlotte, Greensboro and Virginia Tidewater market stretching into eight northeastern North Carolina counties will remain on hold and in litigation in part pursued by North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson.
A $6.2 billion acquisition set to take effect this month, already approved by the Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice last month, was stopped by a preliminary injunction. The April 17 ruling from Chief District Judge Troy Nunley in the U.S. District Court for the
Eastern District of California in Sacramento is being appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco by litigators for Nexstar and joint defendant Tegna. Nunley reasons the merger could reduce competition in dozens of local markets. And, retransmission fees for consumers could rise.
Nexstar would add NBC affiliate WCNC in the Charlotte market to already owning Fox affiliate WJZY and add CBS affiliate WFMY in the Greensboro/High Point/ Winston-Salem market to already owning Fox affiliate WGHP.
“This is another big antimonopoly win, coming right on the heels of our Ticketmaster win,” Jackson said. “We sued
to stop this merger because it would hand one company 228 television stations reaching roughly 80% of American households, more than double the FCC’s 39% national ownership cap. You can’t concentrate that much media power in one company.
“This ruling freezes Nexstar and Tegna as separate companies, with separate management and separate newsrooms, while the court hears our full case.”
He says by owning two stations in the market, “it can threaten to black out two of your four major channels at once if your provider won’t pay the new price. Your cable or satellite company will have no real choice but to pay. That cost goes directly onto your monthly bill.”
3 REASONS
of
and additional
Jackson cites an example in Indianapolis to make the point of reduced newsrooms. There, the Fox and CBS affiliates are owned by Nexstar, and those two stations share anchors, reporters, new directors and websites.
“That pattern is central to the deal’s economics,” Jackson says. “Nexstar’s chief financial officer told investors the overlap stations are ‘an area where there’s a significant portion of those synergies.’ The synergies are valued at about $300 million.”
Plaintiffs are DirecTV and the states of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, New York, Oregon and Virginia in addition to North Carolina. Nexstar Media Group and Tegna are defendants.
Drought worsens in North Carolina
(The Center Square) – Four of 554 wildfires starting since a statewide burn ban went into effect were the result of lightning strikes, says the North Carolina agriculture commissioner. The state’s drought is expected to continue through the bulk of April. In the most recent update, all 100 counties are minimum in a moderate drought with extreme or exceptional drought in 16.7% of the state, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
That’s up from 9.6% a week earlier on March 31. Preliminary data indicates 152 of the 554 wildfires were caused by human activity. The state has issued 150 citations for illegal burning.
– Alan Wooten
NEWS BRIEFS
Mint Hill seeks sidewalk agreement with NCDOT
MINT HILL – Town commissioners have authorized the town manager to executive an agreement with the N.C. Department of Transportation on a sidewalk project.
Justin Williams, an engineer with the town, broke down the project into three segments in a staff memo:
• Bain School Road (0.75 miles)
– Completes the sidewalk along Bain School Road between Gait Drive and N.C. 218, connecting to Bain Elementary School and the Mint Hill Community Center.
• Lawyers Road (0.73 miles)
– Completes the sidewalk along Lawyers Road between Thompson Road and N.C. 51.
• Truelight Church Road (0.9 miles)
– Completes the sidewalk along Truelight Church Road between Lawyers Road and Wilgrove-Mint Hill Road.
“NCDOT will monitor the project to ensure compliance with federal regulations and disperse funding, therefore the town must execute an agreement with NCDOT to govern this relationship,” Williams wrote.
The town received a Federal Highway Administration grant for up to $3.699,350 for the project. The design phase starts in 2027.
Police department donates SUV to another agency
MINT HILL – The Mint Hill Police Department will be donating a Ford Explorer to the Misenheimer Police Department.
The SUV was going to be sold on Gov Deals anyway but Mint Hill
OFFICE
(continued from page 1A)
now after incorporating feedback from the board.
“I do appreciate the efforts you made,” Urban told Singleton during the public hearing. “You insinuated or did talk about the lengthy time period on this project, but it is a downtown core project. The board didn’t know at the time it first came in here, but they knew it didn’t fit, and so that’s why it took longer. I think that time and patience bears out a better result.”
The planning board will discuss the project April 28.
Police Chief Joseph Hatley told commissioners in a memo that the Misenheimer agency needed a patrol vehicle. “With the Ford Explorer having installed equipment, donating the entire vehicle absent vehicle striping to Misenheimer Police Department will negate having to pay to remove old and antiquated equipment,” Hatley said.
Prices increase on Mint Hill
memorial program
MINT HILL – The Town of Mint Hill has increased fees of its park bench and tree memorial program due to rising material costs. The cost of park benches went up from $1,500 to $2,100. Tree and plaque memorials increased from $450 to $800.
The community can buy a memorial to honor someone who lives or has lived in Mint Hill at landmarks like Founders Park, Veterans Memorial Park, Wilgrove Park and the new Mint Hill Community Center. The town has received 16 bench orders and one tree order since the program launched in 2029, according to Assistant Town Manager Steve Frey. Learn more about the program at minthill.com
Mint Hill Community Center offers summer camp
MINT HILL – The Mint Hill Community Center has opened registration for a new summer camp program. The camp is designed for ages 5
CHURCH
(continued from page 1A)
Lisa Sanchez, who chairs the planning board, said her colleagues reviewed site plan elevations and the proposed stormwater management system.
“There was a lot of discussion about the stormwater runoff and neighboring properties,” Sanchez told commissioners April 13. “The applicant said that they were committed
to 10. It takes place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays from June 15 to Aug. 14 at the center. The weekly rate costs $300.
Registration opened to Mint Hill residents April 13. A kid can be signed up for one preferred week.
Beginning April 27, Mint Hill residents can register for multiple weeks. There are no restrictions on registration beginning May. 11. Expo offers resources to seniors, underserved
MATTHEWS – Matthews Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resource is partnering with ChoiceGuard Senior Advocacy on the Seniors & Underserved Resources Expo.
Older adults can get information on financial, health, housing and other relevant topics.
The free event starts at 10 a.m. May 27 at Crews Recreation Center, 1201 Crews Road, Matthews. On the web: matthewsfun.com
Art on display for May
MATTHEWS – Matthews Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resource announced May exhibits being displayed in town art galleries:
• McDowell Arts Center (123 E. McDowell St.): Collage Collective Fabric Art Show
• Matthews Town Hall (232 Matthews Station St.): Gerry Orsi
• Matthews Community Center (100 E. McDowell St.): Matthews Artists Guild & The Collage Collective On the web: matthewsfun.com
to adding the stormwater management to the conditional notes, reducing their lighting and returning to the board of commissioners with the elevations of the future phase.” She also mentioned the church offered to “consider ways to block the HVAC disturbance.” A town staff memo said the church was willing to reroute water runoff from a neighboring site and install a stormwater pond that met 50-year-storm standards.
Arts Delivered partners with Matthews parks & rec
MATTHEWS – Arts Delivered is offering pottery and clay classes through Matthews Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resource in May and June at the McDowell Arts Center. An Adult Clay Class for beginners and intermediate levels takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, May 7 to June 25. Matthews residents pay $200. Others pay $210.
Arts Delivered is also offering the following Saturday clay classes on May 2 and June 6:
• Pre-K Glaze: 8-8:45 a.m. for ages 3-6 with an adult. The class costs $15.
• Family Clay Workshop: 9-10 a.m. for ages 6 and older with parents. The class costs $15.
• Pottery Play: 10:15-11:30 a.m. for adults. The class costs $25. Register for classes at matthewsfun.com. The McDowell Arts Center is located at 123 E. McDowell St.
Babysitters can get certified
MATTHEWS – Matthews Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resource will offer a babysitter certification course. Youth ages 10 to 17 will learn how to take care of babies, toddlers and older children as well as topics like choking. The Babysitter Certification Course takes place from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. June 6 at Crews Recreation Center, 1201 Crews Road, Matthews. Registration costs $65. Register at matthewsfun.com.
CONCERTS
(continued from page 1A)
Pineville: Rock’n & Reel’n
The Town of Pineville presents a Rock’n & Reel’n series that alternates between a concert and outdoor movie screening. Most concerts start at 7 p.m. at Pineville Lake Park. The Charlotte Symphony performs at 8:30 p.m. June 25.
June 12: Face 2 Face (Billy Joel/Elton John tribute)
• June 25: Charlotte Symphony
• July 10: 20 Ride (Zac Brown Band tribute)
Adults with special needs can take art class
MATTHEWS – Michelle Blackman is offering art classes for adults with special needs through Matthews Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resource.
Art with Michelle takes place 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, May 5 to June 2, or Fridays, May 1 to June 5, at the McDowell Arts Center, 123 E. McDowell St. Classes cost $150. Email michelleblackman20@ gmail.com before registering.
Blackman leads art classes
MATTHEWS – Michelle Blackman is offering drawing and painting classes for adults through Matthews Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resource.
• Adult Acrylic Painting takes place from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays, May 6 to June 3, for $125.
• Adult Drawing Classes (graphite pencil) take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays, May 6 to June 3, for $100.
Classes take place at McDowell Arts Center, 123 E. McDowell St. Register at matthewsfun.com.
Parents get night off
MATTHEWS – Matthews Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resource is giving parents a night off.
Parents can take advantage of Date Night Drop-Off from 5 to 9 p.m. May 8 at Crews Recreation Center, 1201 Crews Road. Registration costs $10 for a child (ages 6 to 13) and $5 for additional siblings. Register at matthewsfun.com.
• Aug. 14: The Return (The Beatles tribute) Details: pinevillenc.gov/ government/departments/ parks-recreation/rockin-reelin/ Waxhaw: Jammin' By the Tracks The Town of Waxhaw’s Jammin’ By the Tracks series returns to the Community Corner.
• June 12: Party Parrot Band (Jimmy Buffet tribute)
• Aug. 7: Petty Rewind (Tom Petty tribute)
• Sept. 18: Darren Deese Details: waxhaw.com
CALENDAR
April 24
Creating with Books Children ages 2-5 engage in hands-on activities during Creating with Books: Springy Things Party at Matthews Library. cmlibrary. org/locations/Matthews
11 a.m.-noon; 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews
Bingo Mint Hill Community Center hosts bingo. Players can drop in at any point during the program. minthillevents.org
1-3 p.m.; 11524 Bain School Road, Mint Hill
Beats ‘n Bites
Darren Deese performs country music during the Beats ‘n Bites series at Stumptown Park. The Town of Matthews series runs through May for spring. Area food, dessert trucks and craft beer will be available. Music starts at 6 p.m. Bring a chair or blanket. matthewsnc.gov/specialevents
5-9 p.m.; 120 S. Trade St., Matthews
Teen 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
Bike Night Independence Harley-Davidson hosts a Bike Night with live music, food trucks and other activities. independenceharley.com
6-9 p.m.; 9205 E. Independence Blvd., Matthews
Community Theater
Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts presents “The Velveteen Rabbit” from April 24 to May 3 at the Matthews Community Center. Adult tickets range from $16 to $20. Seniors, military, students and children pay special rates. matthewsplayhouse.com
7:30 p.m.; 100 E. McDowell St., Matthews
April 25
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
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/Mint-Hill
9:30-10 a.m.; 6840 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill
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
Kids in Nature
The community celebrates Earth Day with STEAM activities, fishing and other outdoor activities during Kids in Nature Day at Squirrel Lake Park. The event is a partnership among Habitat and Wildlife Keepers, the Town of Matthews, and NCWF’s Great Outdoors University. matthewsnc.gov
10 a.m.-1 p.m.; 1631 Pleasant Plains Road, Matthews
Art Festival
Mint Hill Events presents Tina Ross Afternoon in the Park at Mint Hill Veterans Memorial Park. The art festival will include artists and musicians. Leave pets at home. minthillevents.org
10 a.m.-4 p.m.; 8850 Fairview Road, Mint Hill
Plant Adoption
Constructive Plant Rescue brings native plants to Backyard Birds for people to take home. constructiveplantrescue.org
The third annual Community Heroes Festival supports Claire’s Army and Go Jen Go Foundation at Carolina Beer Temple. The festival includes superhero characters, crafts, face painting, games, music and vendors.
Noon-4 p.m.; 215 N. Ames St., Matthews
Landing Market Handcraftedmarketclt presents The Land Market at The Hangar. The event includes 40plus shops, food trucks and other activities. handcraftedmarketclt.net
Noon-5 p.m.; 251 N. Trade St., Matthews
Community Theater Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts presents “The Velveteen Rabbit” from April 24 to May 3 at the Matthews Community Center. Adult tickets range from $16 to $20. Seniors, military, students and children pay special rates.
matthewsplayhouse.com
2 or 7:30 p.m.; 100 E. McDowell St., Matthews
Community Theater Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts presents “The Gin Game” at the Matthews Ballroom. Tickets cost $50, which include heavy hors d’oeuvres and two drink tickets. Drinks start at 6 p.m. The performance starts at 7 p.m. matthewsplayhouse.com
7 p.m.; 189 N Trade St., Matthews
April 26
Badminton Matthews Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resource offers open play badminton at Crews Recreation Center. The schedule for open play includes an advanced session (adults only) 10 a.m.-noon; beginner session (adults only) noon2 p.m.; and family session (youth and adults) 2-4 p.m. Advance registration is required. Play costs $3 per person. matthewsfun.com
10 a.m.-4 p.m.; 1201 Crews Road, Matthews
Community Theater Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts presents “The Velveteen Rabbit” from April 24 to May 3 at the Matthews Community Center. Adult tickets range from $16 to $20. Seniors, military, students and children pay special rates. matthewsplayhouse.com
2 p.m.; 100 E. McDowell St., Matthews
Tea Party
Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts hosts a tea party in conjunction with its production of “The Velveteen Rabbit” (April 24 to May 3) at the Matthews Community Center. The event includes rabbit characters, finger foods, tea and other activities. Recommended for ages 5 and older. Tickets cost $25. matthewsplayhouse.com
3:30 p.m.; 100 E. McDowell St., Matthews
April 27
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
9:15-9:45 or 10:15-10:45 a.m.; 230 Matthews
Station St., Matthews
Older Fitness
Adults ages 50 and older take a Stay Active & Independent For Life (SAIL) fitness class that focuses on balance and strength at Crews Recreation Center. matthewsfun.com
1:30-3 p.m.; 1201 Crews Road, Matthews
Teen Crafternoon
Teens create crafts during Teen Crafternoon at Mint Hill Library. Register in advance at cmlibrary.org/locations/Mint-Hill.
3:15-4:15 p.m.; 6840 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill
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
3:30-4:30 p.m.; 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews
Battleship
Children can drop in to play Battleship at the Mint Hill Community Center. minthillevents.org 4-6 p.m.; 11524 Bain School Road, Mint Hill
Book Club Readers talk about what they’re reading at the Mint Hill Community Center. minthillevents. org 6-8 p.m.; 11524 Bain School Road, Mint Hill
April 28
Veterans Cafe Veterans can meet others at the Mint Hill Community Center. minthillevents.org
9-11 a.m.; 11524 Bain School Road, Mint Hill
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
10 a.m.-noon; 1201 Crews Road, Matthews
Marvelous Math Children ages 3-5 engage in math-themed stories and activities during Preschool Storytime: Marvelous Math at Matthews Library. Register in advance at cmlibrary.org/locations/Matthews. 2-2:30 p.m.; 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews
April 29
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 10:15-10:45 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 3:30-4:30 p.m.; 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews
April 30 Craft & Chat Artists and crafters can socialize while working on projects at the Mint Hill Community Center. minthillevents.org
9 a.m.-noon; 11524 Bain School Road, Mint Hill
Park Storytime Children listen to stories and songs during Mint Hill Family Storytime at Mint Hill Veterans Memorial Park. cmlibrary.org/locations/MintHill 10-11 a.m.; 8850 Fairview Road, Mint Hill
Park Storytime Children listen to stories and songs during Storytime in the Park at Squirrel Lake Park. cmlibrary.org/locations/Matthews 11-11:30 a.m.; 1631 Pleasant Plains Road, Matthews
DINING SCORES
FEATURE IMPACT
Making health-conscious decisions with your at-home menu doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require commitment and a little more foresight at the grocery store. Simple adjustments to overall eating patterns, like building your plate around produce, powerful proteins and whole grains, can encourage better health.
Nutritious meal-planning can be easy, affordable and delicious – and it all starts with a little balance. Consider this advice from the American Heart Association’s Healthy for Good initiative, nationally sponsored by the Egg Nutrition Center, to adequately round out a healthy plate.
Fill Half Your Plate with Fruits and Veggies Loaded with nutrients, fresh produce is a perfect place to start each plate. Fill about half your plate with combinations of bananas, strawberries, blueberries, sweet potatoes, peas, carrots and more of your favorites. To boost variety with each meal, look for fruit and veggie blends or step out of your usual routine and try something new.
Grocery tip: Frozen fruits and veggies are often cheaper and just as delicious as their fresh counterparts. It’s frozen right after it’s picked, locking in freshness for a longer shelf life. Just be sure to avoid products with added salt or sugar.
Carve Out a Quarter of the Plate for Powerful Proteins
Healthy food isn’t just fuel. It should be easy and nourish you, too. Look for versatile solutions that provide a protein power-up like skinless chicken breast, no-salt-added beans, low-sodium tuna, tofu or eggs.
High-quality protein from foods, along with a balanced diet and regular exercise, can help support the muscles in your body. Eggs are an example, along with lean animal protein and some plant-based proteins. According to the American Heart Association’s guidelines, healthy people can include up to one whole egg daily, and up to seven per week, as
Photo courtesy of
Sale helps monarch butterflies
by Justin Vick justin@charlottemediagroup.org
MATTHEWS – The Matthews Appearance and Tree Advisory Committee is planning its annual Milkweed for Monarchs Plant Sale, an event designed to help the monarch butterfly population flourish.
Committee member Debbie Foster said someone asked the town a few years ago to do something about the decreasing number of monarch butterflies in Matthews. They came up with a plan to sell milkweed, which the butterflies use to lay their eggs and feed.
Foster said the committee ensures the milkweed comes from locally grown sources that are free from chemicals.
Elaine Griff of Griff’s Greenhouse and Nursery in Lancaster, Brenda Dills of Adventures in Herbs in Stallings and Lisa Tompkins from Carolina Heritage Nursery in Waxhaw have supported the sale over the years.
“If it’s grown in New York, even if it’s native here, it’s not going to do very well,” Foster said. “It hasn’t been hardened in our environment. So we made sure that these were grown right around here.”
Foster said they use two types of milkweed. The first is a common milkweed that can grow about four to six
feet tall. The other is a butterfly weed that grows orange blooms.
“You’ve really got to have both of those things if you’re going to successfully support them in your yard,” Foster said. “They’re not just used by monarch butterflies. They are used for other things as well, and a lot of other native insects, but it’s a great thing.”
Foster added milkweed to her yard last year and saw more than 50 monarch butterflies hatching. Prior to that, she had only seen two monarch butterflies passing through in nearly 30 years.
This year’s milkweed sale will start at 8 a.m. June 6 in the parking lot of Matthews United Methodist Church, 800 S. Trade St.
The town supports the committee’s efforts with $1,000 each year, which the committee pays back from the sale.
Foster told town commissioners on March 23 some ways in which they could expand the project, such as partnering with the N.C. Department of Transportation to incorporate milkweed into native plants that go in highway medians and right-of-ways.
She also suggested putting the plants in parks around town.
“Can you imagine a huge swath of these plants and all of the butterflies that it would attract?” she asked commissioners.
“That would be an amazing sight.”
Counseling center seeks rezoning to move
by Justin Vick justin@charlottemediagroup.org
MINT HILL – Sheila Maitland has applied for rezoning to convert the house at 4419 Wilgrove-Mint Hill Road into a professional office.
Maitland owns Relationship Enrichment Center, a company specializing in counseling. Her staff offers couples, marriage and family counseling. They also treat addiction, anxiety, depression, trauma and other issues.
The company has been operating in Matthews for the past five years. It is currently at 10590 Independence Pointe Pkwy. Maitland bought the Mint Hill property in October 2025, according to Mecklenburg County land records.
“My intention is to move the practice to this house and be able to see clients from there,” Maitland told the Mint Hill Board of Commissioners during the April 9 public hearing. No one from the public spoke for or against the proposal during the public hearing. Commissioners didn’t push back on the idea, but a couple of them asked questions.
Commissioner Twanna Henderson asked about the number of staff working in the office. Maitland replied that she had six employees, including herself. Five of those employees would work in the office.
She submitted a site plan that would have 10 parking spaces. The plan calls for an addition to the house and a second story to the garage.
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Retired pastor compares God’s love to a hug
CHARLOTTE – Retired pastor Gus Succop’s children’s book, “The Easter Hug,” shows readers the many ways God’s love is expressed and how it compares to how we show love to one another.
The book follows siblings Anna and Charlie as they develop an ageappropriate understanding of Easter and its meaning. In Sunday school, they learn that the many things we experience every day, like the sun or the blue sky, are exemplary of God’s love. God’s divine love for the world is everywhere we look, which Anna imagines as God giving the world a giant hug.
As a retired Presbyterian pastor, Succop’s experience has helped him understand that expressing weighty theological concepts such as the Resurrection without mentioning God’s love can be complex for children.
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Jurors find Ticketmaster, Live Nation guilty of monopoly
by Alan Wooten Contributor
(The Center Square) – Jurors on April 15 found Live Nation and subsidiary Ticketmaster guilty of illegal monopoly in North Carolina and other states.
“This was one of the biggest antitrust cases in years,” said Attorney General Jeff Jackson, successor to former Attorney General Josh Stein who joined the state into a litigation with more than 30 other prosecutors. “When the United States Department of Justice announced in March that it had cut a deal with Live Nation and Ticketmaster behind the backs of the attorneys general, I rejected their secret deal because it failed to address sky-high ticket prices for concertgoers. We wanted the jury to hear the evidence and see what consumers have known for years.
“Every fan who’s watched prices pile up on a concert ticket just got proof they were
LOUD & LIVE
right to feel mistreated by a monopoly. That’s exactly what was happening.”
Officially known as United States v. Live Nation Entertainment and filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, plaintiffs told Judge Arun Subramanian anticompetitive practices involved the venues, retaliation threats and market dominance. The trial was six weeks and went forward even after the Justice Department blindsided fellow plaintiffs with a settlement that states, including North Carolina, rejected.
“Today’s verdict confirms that Live Nation has been running an illegal monopoly in the ticket market, abusing concertgoers and artists,” Jackson said.
“The case will now head to a second phase where the judge will decide the appropriate remedies to break Live Nation’s hold on the live entertainment industry and restore competition, and our office will stay on the side of bringing prices down for consumers.”
CHARLOTTE – Debut
author Lauren Griffin ties together the themes of heartache, treasured memories and healing in her poetry collection “Nocturnes and Saudade.”
Griffin describes the collection as “a compilation of seven years’ worth of my personal endeavor to name and process life’s seasons of grief and upheaval.”
Separated into three parts, the collection first walks through the past and the anguish memories can bring, before transitioning into fond recollection. Finally, Griffin looks forward to the peace of dreams and the promises of
Poetry collection explores grief
healing.
The title has roots in both Middle English, with nocturnes meaning “of the night,” and Portuguese, with saudade meaning “indolent; dreaming wistfulness.”
“My favorite parts of the writing process were the moments when the words and phrases simply cascaded from the overflow of my heart,” Griffin said. “There was, in those moments, a true sense of emotional release and catharsis.”
Griffin lives in Greenville, South Carolina, where she works as a nurse practitioner in pediatrics. Poetry, for her, is a way to name and honor those turbulent feelings and to transform them into something beautiful.
Griffin hopes “Nocturnes and Saudade” will offer understanding to those in
the same place of sorrow. “I desire that readers will find solace in knowing that they are not alone in the most painful places and have freedom to experience every emotion as deeply and for as long as is necessary to be carried gently into whatever is to come,” she said.
By “offering a vocabulary for [her] wounds,” and “creating story out of brokenness,” Griffin reworks the lessons of her personal narrative, exemplifying how the storms of our hearts – when brought to life through poetry – can provide both understanding and healing to ourselves and others. Released by Warren Publishing, “Nocturnes and Saudade” can be ordered at warrenpublishing.net as well as amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and bookshop.org.
Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce members have much to do this week
CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce hosts Coffee with the Chamber, a Public Policy Meeting and a ribbon cutting.
• Members mingle during Coffee with the Chamber from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. April 28 at The Place UMC, 6729 Old Mount Holly Road, Charlotte. Register in advance.
• David Howard, chair of the Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority, talks about the organization’s role in planning future transportation initiatives during the
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chamber’s Public Policy Meeting from 5 to 6:30 p.m. April 28 at Envision Charlotte, 932 Seigle Ave., Charlotte. Register in advance.
Members celebrate the grand opening of The Magnolia Assisted Living & Memory Care with a ribbon cutting from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 29 at 7416 Quail Ridge Drive, Charlotte. The ribbon cutting starts at 12:30 p.m. Register in advance. Visit charlotteareachamber.com to learn more about the chamber and its events.
s you get older, your risk for some eye diseases may increase. However, there are steps you can take to keep your eyes healthy – and it starts with taking care of your overall health.
Set yourself up for a lifetime of seeing your best with these eight tips from the experts at the National Eye Institute in honor of Healthy Vision Month:
1. Find an eye doctor you trust. Many eye diseases don’t have any early symptoms, so you could have a problem and not know it. An eye doctor can help you stay on top of your eye health. Find an eye doctor you trust by asking friends and family if they like their doctors. You can also check with your health insurance plan to find eye doctors near you.
2. Ask how often you need a dilated eye exam.
Getting a dilated eye exam is the single best thing you can do for your eye health. It’s the only way to find eye diseases early, when they’re easier to treat – and before they cause vision loss. Your eye doctor will decide how often you need an exam based on your risk for eye diseases.
3. Add more movement to your day. Physical activity can lower your risk for health conditions that can affect your vision, like diabetes and high blood pressure. If you have trouble finding time for physical activity, try building it into other activities. Walk around while you’re on the phone, do push-ups or stretch while you watch TV or dance while you’re doing chores. Anything that gets your heart pumping counts.
4. Get your family talking about eye health history. Some eye diseases – like glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration – can run in families. While it may not be the most exciting topic of conversation, talking about your family health history can help everyone stay healthy. The next time you’re chatting with relatives, ask if anyone knows about eye problems in your family. Be sure to share what you learn with your
