🌱 Local Taproom Goes 'Green' + Charlotte FC Signs Premier Player

Good morning, friends! It's Monday in Charlotte and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town. In today's Daily, we have these stories and more:

• Charlotte taproom finding new ways to “go green.”
• NC self-taught artist turned 100 and produced more than 10,000 paintings along the way.
• Charlotte FC signs player with a decade of Premier League experience.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 56 Low: 30.

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Here are the top four stories today in Charlotte:

1. "Out having a drink might not make much of a difference in most cases, but the owners of the Hoppin’ brand hope to change that. Through a partnership with Skoot—a corporation committed to offsetting carbon emissions—the goal is to plant more trees and go green. For every ounce poured from the tap, Hoppin' will donate one cent. Then for every 50 cents raised, a tree will be planted. ... The digital forest is like a live dashboard that allows you to see how many trees have been planted and it also shows the carbon offset and how it's helping the ecosystem. The work of tree planting will also provide jobs and money for those in other countries to support their families," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
2. "Melva Lopez turned 100 recently, but she’s not done creating. The self-taught artist has lived in Fayetteville for more than 70 years and produced more than 10,000 paintings along the way. ... She began to draw and paint when she was in sixth grade. ... Watercolor was her first love, but as Melva got older, she added oil and pastels to her repertoire, dabbling in charcoal sketches and pottery along the way," WFAE reports. (WFAE)
3. "Business Facilities magazine has recognized North Carolina as the 2022 ‘State of the Year’ in economic development for the second time. The magazine, a preeminent publication on economic development and business recruitment around the U.S., also awarded the Tar Heel State this honor in 2021. In awarding this top honor, Business Facilities magazine analyzes indicators of economic development, including industry growth, job creation, capital investment, education and business climate," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
4. "Charlotte FC announced on Saturday that the Club has signed Ashley Westwood to a contract, after more than a decade of experience playing in England’s Premier League. The deal ties Westwood, a midfielder, to the team until 2024 with a Club option for 2025. Westwood has made 286 career Premier League appearances over 10 total seasons with stints at Burnley FC and Aston Villa, scoring 12 goals and adding 32 assists. In the 2018-19 season, he was named Burnley’s Player of the Year by both his teammates and supporters," WBTV reports. (WBTV)

Today in Charlotte:

• Mock Interview for Teens | Virtual Event (4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
• Independence Regional English Learners Book Club (6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.)
• ShawtyFit Low Impact Workout at Social Status Charlotte (6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.)
• Monday Music Bingo at Harris Teeter Riverbend Village at Harris Teeter (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Charlotte Fire is looking to hire certified Firefighter/EMT with a minimum of three years of experience. Applicants will attend an accelerated 14 week academy class regardless of previous education or experience.(Charlotte Fire Department, Charlotte NC via Facebook)
• Welcome to Lightning Alley! When there is danger on the horizon, the crews at this firehouse are ready to answer any call. (Charlotte Fire Department, Charlotte NC via Facebook)
• While we normally call Charlotte's highways, city streets, and public spaces our home, we're thrilled to announce that our ArtPop Cities Program Class of 2023 will be presenting in a collective gallery show!⁠ ⁠(ArtPop Street Gallery via Instagram)
• Since coming to Charlotte this year, Panthers center Bradley Bozeman and his wife Nikki have made an amazing impact on the community. The Bradley and Nikki Bozeman Foundation immediately reached out to CMPD. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department via Facebook)
• "It’s an exciting program that you definitely don’t want to miss." Guest conductor Kwamé Ryan introduces the program for Copland Symphony No. 3, Jan. 13 and Jan. 14 at Belk Theater. BOGO 50% OFF with code WINTER through Jan. 11! (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)

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Events:

• Top 10 Divorce Mistakes and How to Avoid Them - Vesta's Charlotte, NC Hub (January 11)
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That's it 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