🌱 Giving Kitchen Helps Workers In Need + YMCA Opens Teen Tech Center

Hi all. Alexis Goring here with your Wednesday edition of the Charlotte Patch newsletter, filled with all the local information you need to know right now. Including updates on...

• Food service workers were hit hard during the pandemic. Giving Kitchen is helping them out.
• A new teen tech center is opening soon at the McCrorey YMCA.
• Heart-Shaped Bo-Berry Biscuits are on the Bojangles menus for a limited time only.

But first, today's weather:

Mild with variable cloudiness. High: 67 Low: 50.

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Here are the top five stories in Charlotte today:

1. "It's no secret that the immediate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic hit just about everyone hard. From healthcare workers to teachers, it seemed like the shutdowns that came with the virus' first sightings in 2020 made major impacts across the board. One group of workers, in particular, was especially hit by job shutdowns: food service employees, who often were without jobs for months at a time. But the waiters and cooks and bartenders who make a night out in Charlotte possible now have a resource to tap into: Giving Kitchen," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
2. "A new teen tech center is opening Tuesday at the McCrorey YMCA. According to a news release, the tech center is designed to allow teenagers to have access and to explore the world through technology. Within this space, teens are able to participate in mentorships, collaborative and individual projects, training and workshops with the help and support of The Clubhouse Network. The Best Buy Tech Center is designed for teens between the ages of 13-18 years old and is completely free to use after registering," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
3. "Independence Park’s $5.9 million facelift is expected to be complete in mid-March. As you move along 7th Street or Hawthorne Lane in Elizabeth, you can see signs reading “PARK CLOSED.” But you can also see new paths, which will ultimately connect the park to Little Sugar Creek Greenway," WBTV reports. (WBTV)
4. "A passenger has died following injuries sustained in a crash that happened back in October in south Charlotte, police said. According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, the crash involving four vehicles happened on Oct. 25, 2022, at the intersection of Ballantyne Commons Parkway and Ballantyne Medical Place," WBTV reports. (WBTV)
5. "Warming hearts and tummies across the Southeast, Heart-Shaped Bo-Berry Biscuits ® are returning to Bojangles menus thtough Feb. 19," WCCB Charlotte reports. (WCCB Charlotte)

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Today in Charlotte:

• Charlotte Regional Farmers Market (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
• Wednesday Night Live: Passport to Europe (5:00 p.m.)
• Galentine's Glam & Glow Event at Palestra Boutique Spa (6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)
• Skate and Date (6:30 p.m.)
• Gianmarco Soresi show at The Comedy Zone (7:00 p.m.)
• Candlelight: Valentine's Day Special ft. "Romeo and Juliet" | Hosted by The Barrel Room at Triple C Brewing (7:00 p.m.)
• Carrie Underwood's Denim and Rhinestones Tour at Spectrum Center (8:00 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The Charlotte and ArtPop community lost a dear friend and creative with the passing of Class of 2015 ArtPop artist Deborah Triplett. Through a lifetime as a professional photographer, Deborah captured not just photographs...(ArtPop Street Gallery via Instagram)
• Prog for Wishes is a music charity event for Make-a-Wish (WCNC.com)
• Charlotte Hornets Now Have Their Own Oreo Cookie (V101.9)
• Dave's Hot Chicken opening 2nd Charlotte location (WCNC.com)
• "Barbequeterie" for the Big Game (WCNC.com)
• COMMUNITY LOVE DAY! There was a lot of love spread this morning when Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools staff and students at Charlotte Metro School invited us for community love day. (Charlotte Fire Department, Charlotte NC via Facebook)
• Today is an Early Release Day for CMS. School will dismiss three hours earlier than designated bell schedule end times. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• Opening weekend was a success! From our post show Mix & Mingle to the premiere of two new works on our stage and the Charlotte premiere of our Artistic Director’s own work, we couldn’t have asked for a better first performance of 2023. (Charlotte Ballet via Facebook)
• Congratulations to Audrey Diaz, an 8th Grader at Crestdale Middle School, for receiving a Scholastics Gold Key Award. "This is a very competitive and highly regarded competition and this recognition couldn't be more deserved." (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• Our family keeps getting bigger! Today, we welcomed the creatives and cast for “The Night Diary” as they began rehearsals. We can’t wait for audiences to see this show in March. (Children's Theatre of Charlotte via Facebook)
• Join us for an educational workshop today at 7:00 p.m. to understand property rights and corporate buyer deterrence opportunities for individual property owners and HOAs. The workshop will include rights...(City of Charlotte Government via Facebook)
• CSO bassoonist Joshua Hood is back on WDAV this month to host Lift Every Voice! Tune in on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. to enjoy this annual #BlackHistoryMonth program. (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• Meet our Dancing with the Stars of Charlotte Stair Pairs! The stage is set for another year of our Gala, and the Queen City just got even more royal. This year’s theme is A Royal Fête so we’ll be in our most royal attire for an evening...(Charlotte Ballet via Facebook)
• We love sharing partners who have a for our cause. Throughout February, stop by Common Market Southend and pick up one of the daily specials. A portion of daily special sales benefits our mission! Thank you, Common Market! (Brave Step via Facebook)
• “Franck went through this life as a dreamer.” Step into a dreamland with the Charlotte Symphony’s performance of Franck’s Symphony in D minor, Feb. 24 and Feb. 25 at Knight Theater. Get tickets >> bit.ly/csobruchviolin (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• It's #SchoolCounselorWeek! Do you aspire to foster academic achievement, personal/social development and career development in the next generation? Join the CMS team and apply for a school counselor role today...(Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• Congratulations, Alicia Moss! Alicia Moss, teacher at J.M. Alexander Middle, is one of five North Carolina educators who received the Governor's Educator Discovery Award from Gov. Roy Cooper. The award is given to public...(Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• This Superbowl Sunday we hope you think about Zaire as you're watching your favorite team! Board Member, Marnie Schneider, has a close connection with the Philadelphia Eagles, and shared her football...(Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte via Facebook)
• Be our Valentine and host a lovely Valentine's Day dinner for RMHC of GC families. Our families love to celebrate! Feel free to create a theme for your dinner and decorate our dining room. (Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte via Facebook)
• In case you missed it last week, East Meck Fine Arts teacher Tina Vincent was featured on Spectrum News! Tina's artwork is currently featured on billboards around the city as a part of the ArtPop Street Gallery installation! (Classroom Central via Facebook)
• One study found that students working on math problems by hand outscored their digital counterparts on a single homework assignment by about 13 points. Kids in Need Foundation Bottom Line: Paper is a hard-to-get commodity...(Classroom Central via Facebook)
• Are you a part of a service organization or a group that wants to get involved in the community? Take the first step and be a team captain for RMHC of GC's Sport A Shirt campaign. (Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte via Facebook)
• A proud Emperor meets two mischievous swindlers in The Emperor’s New Clothes! The CSO & Grey Seal Puppets bring the beloved children’s tale to life, Feb. 18 at Knight Theater. Get tickets >> bit.ly/csonewclothes (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• Are you interested in learning another language? The Global Languages Endorsement is the right option for you. Learn more about the Global Languages Endorsement CMS offers. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today! See you tomorrow morning for your next update.

— 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at charlotte@patch.com