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Community Corner

🌱 Local Chick-fil-A Backlash + No Parking At This Apartment Complex

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Charlotte.

Alexis Goring, Neighbor
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Hi all. I'm back in your inbox this morning with everything you need to know about what's happening these days in Charlotte.

First, today's weather:

Humid; heavy p.m. t-storms. High: 89 Low: 73.

Here are the top five stories today in Charlotte:

  1. According to WCCB Charlotte, "a North Carolina Chick-fil-A is facing major backlash after asking for volunteers to work the drive-thru, and be paid in chicken. The Washington Post reports that the restaurant's now-deleted Facebook post claimed you could get five free entrees per hour worked. The location, in Hendersonville, said the "volunteer-based opportunity" was for people who think Chick-fil-A may be a good fit for them." A Chick-fil-A corporate spokesperson said the volunteer program "was not endorsed by Chick-fil-A, Inc." (WCCB Charlotte)
  2. According to Fox 46 Charlotte, "Mecklenburg County moved to the highest CDC COVID-19 Community Level Friday as county health officials report a continued increase in the number of positive cases. Mecklenburg County Public Health officials said the latest increase is likely driven by the Omicron BA.5 variant. The new variant appears to be more contagious and more resistant to immunity from vaccines or previous COVID-19 cases." According to county officials, if you're in public indoor spaces, you really should wear a mask. (Fox 46 Charlotte)
  3. Now that the elections are behind them, city council members want to vote on a zoning law that's proven to be controversial. According to WCNC, "before a new city council is sworn in in September, Charlotte's current council has one remaining heavy lift on the agenda: a vote on the city's Unified Development Ordinance. In Charlotte's recent municipal elections, Republicans ran heavily against the UDO, a sweeping set of regulations designed to guide the city's future development. ... The UDO has been years in the making and has split council members." (WCNC.com)
  4. According to Spectrum News, The Joinery, which is a "new apartment building in Charlotte could help alleviate congestion on the city's roadways." This building is a six-story, 83-unit structure located off the LYNX Blue Line light rail in Charlotte's Optimist Park neighborhood. There is no place for residents to park cars on site of this apartment building. Spectrum News reported that "Dianna Ward, executive director for Charlotte Joy Rides and a public transit advocate, believes at the rate Charlotte's growing, commuter habits need to change. Ward admits apartments like The Joinery aren't for everyone." (Spectrum News)
  5. Students who are enrolled in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will return to class on Aug. 29. However, there are parents who want to know why school isn't starting sooner. According to WCNC, "many parents have reached out to WCNC Charlotte's VERIFY team to find out why CMS is getting such a late start this year. The number of questions led to CMS posting about it on Facebook, explaining it's the latest start in district history and that the district can't control it. CMS will welcome students back into their classrooms on Aug. 29, but it's not their choice. It's actually state law." (WCNC.com)

Today in Charlotte:

  • Annual Tomato Tasting and Best Tomato Competition (9 to 10:30 a.m.)
  • Storytime LIVE! at Kiddie Academy of Harrisburg (10 a.m.)
  • Brunch & Book Launch Event at Courtyard by Marriott Charlotte Northlake (11 a.m.)
  • Children's Story Time at That's Novel Books (11:30 a.m. to noon)
  • Independence Regional Spanish Basics (noon to 1 p.m.)
  • R with Soul Food Tour | Lunch Tour at Camp North End (noon to 3 p.m.)
  • Gantt Summer Camp Showcase - Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture (3 to 5 p.m.)
  • Speed Dating Charlotte at Novelty House (7 to 9 p.m.)
  • Jacob Davis Martin performance at The Evening Muse (7:30 p.m.)
  • The Collection performance at Visulite Theatre (7:30 p.m.)
  • Science Friday LIVE! with Ira Flatow (8 p.m.)
  • R&B Kickback Concert at Ovens Auditorium (8 p.m.)
  • Saturday Night Improv Show at the VAPA Center (8 to 9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

  • Working with your best friend is a luxury Officer Simpson has every day. K9 Officer Levi loves praise after a job well done and chasing a ball attached to a rope. Get to know this CMPD team that loves serving Charlotte. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department via Facebook)
  • Three of our Company dancers have taken on roles at the heart of Charlotte Ballet's summer programming, our Summer Intensive! Amelia Sturt-Dilley is entering her eighth season with Charlotte Ballet. (Charlotte Ballet via Facebook)
  • Grammy Award-winning pop artist DAYA will headline this year's Charlotte Pride Festival, with opening entertainment from Siena Liggins, on the Charlotte Pride Main Stage, presented by Truist. (Charlotte Pride via Facebook)
  • As soon as September, the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) could be seeking approval to move forward with a design refresh of the Red Line. (Sustain Charlotte via Facebook)
  • Only a few days remaining to save BOGO 50% on this season's holiday experiences with your Charlotte Symphony! Use code XMASJULY22 to save on tickets for Holiday Pops, Cirque de Noël, and more only through July 31. >> bit.ly/csoholidays (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
  • Streets are getting deadlier for pedestrians. We need them to be safer for everyone. UNC Charlotte Urban Institute recently covered this troubling trend. We continue to advocate for more amenities like sidewalks and protected bicycle lanes. (Sustain Charlotte via Facebook)
  • We are looking for cafeteria employees. APPLY HERE>> https://bit.ly/3nnTG6L or email lunch@cms.k12.nc.us for more details. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
  • I'm looking for adult friends who like to hang out and do normal stuff. No, not hiking, not yoga, not standing in the heat for no reason. (Nextdoor)
  • I am thinking about putting up one of the little library boxes in my yard so that people can get books. What do you think? (Nextdoor)
  • I'm ISO contractor that does home additions. Looking to add onto current home. Any recommendations are appreciated. (Nextdoor)
  • Does anyone know this cat that has light green eyes? She/he is very hungry and I am sometimes able to feed it but this cat is very skittish. (Nextdoor)
  • Found dog! This German shepherd mix girl was wondering in front of my yard with no collar or tag. She is very friendly. Currently chilling on my porch. (Nextdoor)
  • Does anyone know if a place where they do siding for free or low cost? I have to get my cat spayed, and I cannot afford the ridiculous prices out there. (Nextdoor)
  • Free women's clothes anyone? Hygiene items maybe you would like to donate to good use? Sizes 11-14 and Large/XL shirts, size 9 shoes as well. Can pickup in Charlotte area. (Nextdoor)

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You're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow for another 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 Daily? Contact me at charlotte@patch.com

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

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