🌱 Budding Filmmakers Show Their Work + CMPD Honors Slain Officer

Good morning, neighbors! It's me, Alexis Goring, your host of the Charlotte Daily — back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town these days. Including news about...

• Budding filmmakers recently gathered at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture to show off their recent hard work.
• The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department honored the life and service of Officer Mia Goodwin on Thursday morning with a memorial procession along Interstate 85 and W.T.
• New details obtained by Queen City News show the mother of missing 11-year-old Madalina Cojocari believed her husband put the family in danger.

But first, today's weather:

Windy with clouds breaking. High: 48 Low: 15.

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Here are the top five stories in Charlotte today:

1. "Budding filmmakers recently gathered at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture to show off their recent hard work for family and friends...The Envision Me Film Showcase, supported by the Gantt Center, was the culmination of 12 weeks of work by 18 students from Julius Chambers High School. They focused on various aspects of documentary filmmaking. The students produced their own short films, presented during the Showcase, highlighting personal struggles and triumphs," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
2. "As folks spend the holidays with family and friends, local non-profits are reminding us of all of our neighbors in need...In the week leading up to Christmas, the organization gave out thousands of toys collected from the Angel Tree program and the Magical Toy Drive...SHARE Charlotte partners with more than 400 nonprofits, and connects them with generous community members looking to give back," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
3. "With frigid temperatures on the way, many people are already taking the first steps to get their homes ready. Replacing a burst pipe is something most can’t do and calling in someone to fix it could cost big bucks. Not to invite problems of the past, Smith was shopping down at Blackhawk Hardware looking to protect her home from the freezing temperatures.Smith was picking up a faucet insulator which she hopes will take care of the issue...However, covering outside faucets is just the first line of defense. Experts said homeowners should disconnect their garden hoses because they’ll freeze and then back up into the pipe. It’s also important to keep the pipes in the home as warm as possible," WBTV reports. (WBTV)
4. "New details obtained by Queen City News show the mother of missing 11-year-old Madalina Cojocari believed her husband put the family in danger. Following a bond setting Tuesday, newly obtained Mecklenburg County court records showed that 37-year-old Diana Cojocari had a visit from a detective concerning Madalina’s whereabouts after she reported the young girl missing. Cojocari told the detective Madalina’s backpack and some of her clothes were missing from the home, she did not have any friends that she would stay with, and being from Moldova, she did not have any family in the area. She also told the detective that she had been in touch with family in Moldova, and despite them advising her to contact the police, she didn’t. Cojocari reported her daughter missing December 15th," WGHP FOX8 Greensboro reports. (WGHP FOX8 Greensboro)
5. "The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department honored the life and service of Officer Mia Goodwin on Thursday morning with a memorial procession along Interstate 85 and W.T. Harris Boulevard, one year after her passing. Officer Goodwin tragically died in the line of duty near I-85 and W.T. Harris Boulevard when she and three fellow officers were struck by a truck on December 22, 2021. CMPD confirmed Goodwin is the first female CMPD officer to be killed in the line of duty," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)

Today in Charlotte:

• Charlotte Regional Farmers Market (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
• Gingerbread Lane at the Ballantyne Benefitting Levine Childrens Hospital (11:00 a.m.)
• Christmas at the Billy Graham Library (11:00 a.m.)
• Winterfest at Carowinds (5:00 p.m.)
• JAZZ ROOM Holiday Edition: Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Swing at Belk Theater (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Bojangles rewarded Rama Road Elementary teacher, Alicia Biel, with a $500 "BO-nus" for the holidays! She was chosen by leaders in Charlotte for her commitment to her school, passion for learning and continuous impact...(Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• Seventh-graders at James Martin Middle participated in a Holiday “Book Launch” Extravaganza. The aspiring authors dressed up for the occasion, as they finalized their first e-books. Students showcased their masterpieces...(Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• Another historical home-turned-restaurant is decked out for the holidays! Is the McNinch House on your bucket list of Uptown restaurants? FUN FACT: the circa 1892 Queen Anne-style home once belonged to Victorian-era...(Charlotte Center City via Facebook)
• Mariah Carey "All I Want For Christmas" Bringing In Millions (WCCB Charlotte)
• Wildfires could be helping North Carolina wildlife population (WCNC.com)
• Taco Bell Tests 3 New $2 Grilled Chicken Burritos In Charlotte (Chew Boom)
• We’re thrilled to announce a generous matching gift to the CSO! Through Dec. 31, contributions to the CSO will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $25,000, by CSO Trustees Dr. & Mrs. Milton Berkman. Give today >> bit.ly/donatecso (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• Thank you, Rev. Janet Garner-Mullins, for your support! We plan to keep going strong in 2023. As a nonprofit, support from the community is essential. Will you help us reach our year-end fundraising goal of $20,000?...(Sustain Charlotte via Facebook)
• In an homage to the American spirit, guest conductor Kwamé Ryan leads the CSO in Copland’s Symphony No. 3, Korngold’s Violin Concerto, & Adams’s Short Ride in a Fast Machine, Jan. 13 and Jan. 14 at Belk Theater. (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• Message me if you know this dog who followed me home! She's in my backyard right now for safe keeping. (Nextdoor)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll see you again next Wednesday (Dec. 28). Merry Christmas!

— Alexis Goring

About me: My name is Alexis A. Goring. I'm an East Coast Girl with a pulse for people, news and feature stories! I've worked as a freelance writer/editor/proofreader in the media industry for 15 years. I'm also a published author, experienced blogger, and founder of Writer at Heart Editorial Services. Visit my website for more details about me and my work. Here's the link: https://alexisagoring.jimdofree.com.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Charlotte Daily? Contact me at charlotte@patch.com