🌱 NC Ranked As Most Affordable Place + Rail Service Breaks Record

Hello, Charlotte! I'm here in your inbox today to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on in town, including news about:

• The Humane Society Of Charlotte's Ties & Tails Gala silent auction is now open.
• Despite inflation, North Carolina ranked as the most affordable place to live.
• The Bank of America Neighborhood Builders Signature Program helps non-profits.

But first, today's weather:

Nice with plenty of sunshine. High: 80 Low: 54.

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Here are the top five stories today in Charlotte:

1. The Humane Society Of Charlotte's Ties & Tails Gala silent auction is now open! "The Humane Society of Charlotte has great packages including trips, theater tickets, and awesome artwork along with lots of items for your four-legged friends. Support the lifesaving work of the Humane Society of Charlotte by making a monetary donation. Join HSC on Sunday, October 16 for Sunday Scaries: Special Reading Buddies Session from 1 PM – 2 PM at HSC’s Animal Resource Center. It’s Trick or Treat with the animals but with a twist – you’re giving out the treats!" WCCB Charlotte reports. (WCCB Charlotte)
2. North Carolina’s passenger rail service has broken a ridership record! "Governor Roy Cooper says more people rode the N.C. Department of Transportation’s intercity passenger rail service in September than any previous month in the 32-year history of the NC By Train service. The Carolinian and Piedmont trains handled 48,488 passengers last month, which marks an increase of 32% over the average pre-pandemic monthly ridership levels from 2014 to 2019. The service is operated by Amtrak," according to Governor Roy Cooper. (Office of Governor Roy Cooper)
3. Despite inflation setting record highs and fears of a recession and looming, "a just-published study by HowToHome ranked North Carolina as the most affordable place to live with the greatest availability of six-figure jobs. ... Essentially that the two North Carolina cities that rank 1 and 2 on this list have the lowest cost of living while also having a high availability of jobs making over $100K. So your money will go farther living here than any other large metro in the country. No wonder people are flocking to Charlotte and Raleigh," K104.7 reports. (K104.7)
4. "The Charlotte Hornets will celebrate the opening of the 2022-23 NBA season with the annual Hornets Tipoff Tour presented by Dr Pepper. Hornets players, Hugo and the Honey Bees will swarm various areas of the Charlotte community on Monday, October 17, to mark the start of the regular season. The Hornets begin the 2022-23 campaign on Wednesday, October 19, when they visit the San Antonio Spurs. ... Following a private event with several players at Coca-Cola Consolidated’s corporate headquarters, the day’s public festivities begin at the Domino’s location at 2515 Park Road, where players will make pizzas and engage with customers from 3-4 p.m.," NBA reports. (NBA.com)
5. "The Bank of America Neighborhood Builders Signature Program helps non-profits. ... This morning we're joined by Bank of America, a bank guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better. They also develop strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations to improve our community. That's where the Neighborhood Builders Signature Program comes in," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)

Today in Charlotte:

• Isabella Santos Foundation 5K For Kids Cancer (8:00 a.m.)
• Charlotte Congenital Heart Walk at Frank Liske Park (9:00 a.m.)
• Charlotte Parent School Fair at Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas (10:00 a.m.)
• Fall Festival at Madison Perk Coffee Bar (11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.)
• Hola Charlotte Hispanic Heritage Festival (12:00 p.m.)
• One Paper Crane performance at The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery (6:00 p.m.)
• Noel and Maria at Middle C Jazz (9:15 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• October is #DomesticViolenceAwarenessMonth. CMPD Domestic Violence Victim Advocate Stephanie Escobar does amazing work connecting DV victims with resources. She was just nominated by the Jamie Kimble Foundation...(Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department via Facebook)
• National Principals Month is an opportunity to celebrate our principals for their visionary leadership and tireless pursuit of success for their students, staff and community. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• Congratulations to everyone who was honored at Charlotte Fire’s annual awards and promotional ceremony. From exceptional actions to heroic responses, we are in awe of those who serve in our ranks. (Charlotte Fire Department, Charlotte NC via Facebook)
• CALLING Senior High STUDENT ARTISTS!⁠ ⁠Our Cities Program features one high school senior artist per year to have their work showcased on public media space, to receive a scholarship, and to kick off their higher education. (ArtPop Street Gallery via Instagram)
• On Oct. 15 to Oct. 16, the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) LYNX Blue Line and the CityLYNX Gold Line will be CLOSED for annual maintenance. LYNX Connector and CityLYNX Connector bus service will provide service along both routes. (City of Charlotte Government via Facebook)
• Battalion 2's Firehouse 40 is a triple threat of power housing an engine, tanker and ladder. The unstoppable force behind this firehouse and crew is another reason why Charlotte Fire is the beast. (Charlotte Fire Department, Charlotte NC via Facebook)
• Did you know CMS has 41,640 Hispanic students enrolled in the 2022-23 school year? During Hispanic Heritage Month, it's been awesome learning Hispanic traditions and cultures from so many countries! (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• Folk music meets classical and opera at An Evening with Rhiannon Giddens! The MacArthur Genius Grant recipient joins the Charlotte Symphony for our annual Gala Concert, Nov. 5 at Belk Theater. Get tickets >> bit.ly/csorhiannon (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• Experience the springtime morning air in France, dazzling gardens of Spain, and the sunny Austrian countryside with the Charlotte Symphony at Beethoven’s Pastoral, Oct. 28 and Oct. 29 at Knight Theater. Get tickets >> bit.ly/csobeet6 (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• Charlotte has never seen something like 'Under the Lights.' Imagine choosing between a rock show and a ballet, but instead, you get both. Director of Charlotte Ballet II Christopher Stuart and John Carter Cash... (Charlotte Ballet via Facebook)
• Service doesn't have to be big and grand to make a meaningful impact. Miles attended our Small Fries event and learned about collecting pop tabs. He presented the idea of collecting tabs to his class...(Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte via Facebook)
• Congratulations to the 44 book clubs that qualified for the drawing for the Judy Goldman Book Club Kit generously donated by Park Road Books. The winner is Sarah's Donut Shoppe! (Charlotte Mecklenburg Library via Facebook)

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That's it for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with 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