🌱 Local Principal Boosts Reading Scores + CLT Suite Hilton Renovated

Good morning, everybody. It's me, Alexis Goring, your host of the Charlotte Daily — here to tell you everything that's fit to print about what's happening in town these days. Today's briefing includes news about:

• A local music teacher is uses digital music to inspire young minds and foster creativity
• A local principal and his team find ways to boost reading scores
• Atrium Hospitality completed a renovation of the Hilton Charlotte Airport in North Carolina

But first, today's weather:

Some sun, then clouds. High: 59 Low: 35.

Here are the top five stories in Charlotte today:

1. "A Charlotte music teacher is using digital music to inspire young minds and foster creativity. From the drums to the keyboards, this sound is music to teacher Lafouji Alexander’s ears. Growing up, Alexander remembers music always being a part of his life. Three years ago, Alexander wanted to bring a music program to Invest Collegiate, a charter school in Charlotte. But the Title I school simply didn’t have the budget to provide all the students with individual instruments. So Alexander got creative, building an orchestra using synthesized sounds through keyboards," Spectrum News reports. (Spectrum News)
2. "Five people were killed and 25 others were injured when a gunman opened fire at an LGBTQ club in Colorado Springs, Colorado, over the weekend, police said. The suspect, Anderson Lee Aldrich, 22, is facing five murder charges and five charges of committing a bias-motivated crime causing bodily injury, court records show. One of the victims in the Club Q shooting is a Charlotte native. Barrett Hudson posted a video on Facebook from the hospital, saying he was shot multiple times during the massacre," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
3. "It’s been a little over a year since Principal Travares Hicks took the reins at Tuckaseegee Elementary School in Charlotte. For years, Hicks says Tuckaseegee has been on Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools' low-performing schools list, and the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t help. Once Hicks arrived at the school in August, he jumped right in. Hicks says one of the biggest challenges at the school was student reading scores. Over the last year, Hicks and his team have found ways to boost scores, not just by reading in the classroom, but encouraging kids to pull out a book whenever they have free time," Spectrum News reports. (Spectrum News)
4. "Atrium Hospitality announced the completion of a property-wide renovation of the 275-suite Hilton Charlotte Airport in North Carolina, giving the property 28,300 square feet of meeting space. The hotel’s two-year capital improvements spanned shared areas, guest suites, and event spaces. The Hilton Charlotte Airport’s updated look is functional with redesigned public areas and guest suites with modern fixtures, wood finishes, and textiles in soothing grays and blues," LODGING Magazine reports. (LODGING Magazine)
5. "The Charlotte City Council is expected to vote on the fate of the Cotswold Chick-fil-A Monday after months of traffic complaints in the area. City leaders have been reviewing a petition asking to demolish the existing Chick-Fil-A establishment and replace it with a drive-thru-only location. Chick-fil-A traffic jams are nothing new...The Cotswold and South End locations also cause congestion in busy areas, particularly during breakfast and lunch hours," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)

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Today in Charlotte:

• Sprouts Farmers Market (7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.)
• Charlotte Regional Farmers Market (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
• International Truck of Tacos at the Everett Building (11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.)
• The "Where Should We Vegan?" Dinner Tour at Camp North End (6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Who's Hiring In The Charlotte Area? Browse New Local Jobs (Charlotte Patch)
• No Liar Here: The Carolinas Are Two Of The Most Honest States (kiss951.com)
• North Carolina Is One Of The Best States For Independent Contractors (kiss951.com)
• Here's the Thanksgiving food you can bring through airport security (WCNC.com)
• Thanksgiving is around the corner! As reminder, schools will be closed Nov. 23- Nov. 25. For employees, offices will be closed Nov. 24 and Nov. 25. Have a great holiday! (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• Enjoy Christmas favorites like "Sleigh Ride," "The Christmas Song," & "The Toymaker" at Holiday Brass & Organ. Nov. 29 at First United Methodist Church. Tickets just $15! >> bit.ly/holidayorgan (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• Charlotte Pride is hiring! We're looking for a thoughtful communications professional with LGBTQ and event planning experience to join as our Communications Manager. (Charlotte Pride via Facebook)
• As we prepare for a day of giving thanks, Brave Step would like to thank our awesome volunteer, Sharon Jordan, who was awarded the North Carolina Governor's Volunteer Award for her contributions to our mission. (Brave Step via Facebook)
• Last week, we felt the giving spirit from UNC Charlotte's Kappa Kappa chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. They generously donated over 110 supply items in addition to $1,000 to help combat summer slide in Charlotte. (Charlotte Freedom School Partners via Facebook)
• Holidays and breaks are made for adventures. Grab a title from our Popular Reading Books to check out before you head out. (UNC Charlotte Atkins Library via Facebook)
• Need to contact 3-1-1? Remember, you can submit your request on the CLT+ app and the web 24 hours/7 days per week! https://servicerequest.charlot... (City of Charlotte Housing & Neighborhood Services via Facebook)
• Join us on the first Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at Spandex City Comics for the Graphic Novel Club for Adults! Mountain Island Library Branch will be partnering with Spandex City to bring this program to you. (Charlotte Mecklenburg Library via Facebook)
• "Discover the Digital in Digital Studies" event was awesome! Be sure to explore Area 49 and all it has to offer. https://bit.ly/3UOgsnh (UNC Charlotte Atkins Library via Facebook)
• My hot water heater just went out. Any suggestions on an honest company to replace it? The first quote was $10k. Now it's down to $7k. Does it really cost that much? (Nextdoor)
• LOST DOG! I have a missing German Shepherd. His name is Brutus. He is 10 months old. Brutus is an all black German Shepherd, well trained, groomed, and tempered. If you have any information on him or his whereabouts please contact me. (Nextdoor)
• My granddaughter has asthma. She nine years old. Do you know of a good asthma doctor? Also: Do you know if Dr. Jamison Satterfield is still practicing? I need good pediatrician. (Nextdoor)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Tuesday. 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