🌱Chef Introduces New Dinning Concept + South End Station Art Project

Hello, hello. Alexis Goring here with your Thursday edition of the Charlotte Daily, filled with all the things you need to know about what's going on locally. Including updates on...

• A federal jury convicted a Charlotte man for his efforts to defraud NC's Medicaid program.
• Chef Jamie, with 5th Street Group, presents new concept to make high-end restaurants more accessible.
• CATS seeks professional artists in the U.S. to integrate art into the South End Station.

But first, today's weather:

A couple of showers. High: 63 Low: 45.

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Here are the top five stories today in Charlotte:

1. "A federal jury has convicted a Charlotte man for his efforts to defraud North Carolina's Medicaid program out of millions of dollars over the course of three years. Donald Booker, 57, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, violating the Anti-Kickback Statute, money laundering conspiracy and money laundering. A co-conspirator — 54-year-old Delores Jordan of Louisville, Ky. — pleaded guilty to her role in the scheme and was convicted of healthcare fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
2. "5th Street Group announced its launching of a companywide promotion, ‘Economy Gastronomy.’ The menu is formatted as a three-course menu with a fixed, value-driven price. Chef Jamie, with 5th Street Group, said he hopes this new concept will make their restaurants more accessible to the community. ... Chef Jamie said he's hopeful this will bring in people who don't normally dine at their restaurants," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
3. "The City of Charlotte is continuing to expand transportation options in the region and the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is seeking professional artists living and working in the U.S. to integrate art into the South End Station. The deadline to apply to the Request for Qualifications is Jan. 20. ... Artists will work collaboratively with the project team to incorporate their designs into the construction bid documents. The finished art will be fully integrated into the site. CATS is seeking artists who are accustomed to engaging with local communities in an effort to ensure that the art is accessible and meaningful to the public," City of Charlotte Government reports. (charlottenc.gov)
4. Local restaurants have special offers for couples who desire a nice way to celebrate Valentine's Day! "From fine dining and three-course meals, Valentine’s Day meals are going to be good for you. Food Gressing is naming all of the deals to find in Charlotte for Valentine’s Day 2023. Whether or not you want Italian or a steakhouse, you have the opportunity to enjoy it all this year. This year, if you’re staying in the city then enjoy Valentine’s Day at some of these great spots," K104.7 reports. (K104.7)
5. "On December 28, a 31-foot female humpback whale was found dead on North Core Banks in North Carolina. ... Cape Lookout National Seashore was given permission to take parts of the humpback whale. It collected a 4-foot section of the baleen from the whale’s mouth and one of the whale’s front flippers. These parts will be processed then put on display at the Harkers Island Visitor Center," WCCB Charlotte reports. (WCCB Charlotte)

Today in Charlotte:

• Charlotte Regional Farmers Market (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
• Lecture Series: How to Grow a Garden at Wing Haven (10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.)
• Art Tour: Discovering Color at Apple SouthPark (11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)
• Young Adult Bible Study & Community Group | Virtual Event (4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
• NoDa Fit Run Club at Charlotte Strength (5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Jumpstart your fitness goals for 2023 (WCNC.com)
• Eric Church is bringing his tour to Charlotte this summer (WCNC.com)
• Losing a job can be devastating! (WCNC.com)
• We're excited to celebrate a member of the Classroom Central family. Join us in congratulating Mixed Media Artist and High School Art teacher Tina Vincent (also the beautiful wife of Jon Vincent, our Warehouse Coordinator)! (Classroom Central via Facebook)
• Returning home is always a better feeling than leaving. We're sending this lovely couple to pick up their new baby and return home after 22 nights at RMHC of GC. Congratulations! You can learn more...(Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte via Facebook)
• More and more #ArtPopCLT Class of 2023 artwork is popping up around Charlotte! Cities Program sponsor, Awedience Media, showcases our local artists on digital displays in shopping centers all around the city. (ArtPop Street Gallery via Instagram)
• We are heartbroken to learn of the death of Kristie Crowder, a young woman who was killed in a wreck with a car while riding her bike in Charlotte’s Plaza Midwood neighborhood on Thursday. There are far too many traffic-related deaths...(Sustain Charlotte via Facebook)
• Choreographer Spotlight // Meet Innovative Works Choreographer Jennifer Archibald!⁠ ⁠ Jennifer Archibald is the founder and Artistic Director of the Arch Dance Company and Program Director of ArchCore40 Dance Intensives. (Charlotte Ballet via Facebook)
• Please help us welcome our newest addition to the Brave Step team ... Timarah Chisolm. Timarah will be spearheading outreach to survivors in underserved and/or marginalized communities, and she brings a wealth of community...(Brave Step via Facebook)
• Indulge us as we salute our awesome board president, Caleb Holloway. The Mecklenburg County Bar awarded Caleb the 2023 Julius L. Chambers Diversity Award for his outstanding efforts to champion diversity and inclusion in Mecklenburg...(Brave Step via Facebook)
• We are in URGENT need of furniture polish to keep everything shining! Visit our House #Amazon link below to help or drop off donations at the House 7 days a week between 8 & 8. #WishListWednesday (Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte via Facebook)
• Never too early to RSVP for one of our favorite events of the year! Sport A Shirt, Share A Night 2023 is underway! (Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte via Facebook)
• Choreographer Spotlight // Meet Innovative Works Choreographer Helen Simoneau! Helen Simoneau is a choreographer, teacher and Guggenheim Fellow (2021). She has been commissioned by the Ailey School...(Charlotte Ballet via Facebook)
• Skiptown Dog Grooming has Next Day Availability! Skiptown has a grooming service that’s easy to book. We usually have availability for next-day appointments. (Patch Neighbor Posts)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today. I'll see you soon!

— 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