🌱 Popular Festival Returns + Social Media Trend Causes Car Thefts

Good morning, Charlotte! It's me, Alexis Goring, your host of the Patch newsletter. Let's get this Friday started off right with a quick review of everything you need to know about what's happening these days in town, including updates on:

• The Charlotte St. Patrick's Day parade and festival returns to Uptown Charlotte.
• A social media trend circulating online is to blame for a nationwide uptick in car thefts.
• Charlotte FC and The Soccer Tournament announced the Club will field a team in the inaugural, $1 million winner-take-all soccer tournament later this year.

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy with a touch of rain. High: 62 Low: 40.

Are you a business owner or marketer in Charlotte who wants to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales? If that's you, then I invite you to see how our newsletter sponsorships combine our local audience reach with your expertise to attract new customers. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top seven stories today in Charlotte:

1. "After a three-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Charlotte St. Patrick's Day parade and festival returns to Uptown Charlotte. Celebrations were canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, then again last year when the organizer became ill. The new organizer, Rory Wall, told WCNC Charlotte when he learned the celebrations were canceled for a third year, he decided he was going to step into the role to continue the Charlotte tradition," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
2. "Jennifer Everett is the woman behind the whirlwind evening called "Queens March." It's a night that starts with a food and music-filled social hour and culminates in a story told through fashion, music, dance and spoken word. The best part: all the artists are women. ... She said she started this concept in 2019 as a way to recognize local talent of all kinds with a parade of the best Charlotte culture has to offer," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
3. "Adam Wurtzel went to Camp North End to discover all they have to offer, including the 90s themed “Be Kind, Rewind” movie series. First, “Up ‘n Adam” got a true 90s flashback, when he met with Camp North End’s Kadeeja Janneh to find out how “Be Kind, Rewind” came about. Then, all great movies need snacks, but not necessarily popcorn! Wurtzel went to one of the property’s food vendors, Babe & Butcher to design one of their award-winning charcuterie boards. Next, we got a preview of two of Camp North End’s newest retail shops located in the Keswick Platform of the venue," WCCB Charlotte reports. (WCCB Charlotte)
4. "The artist, Malu Tan, has lived in many places. She was born in the Philippines, moved to London in adulthood, crossed the Atlantic to New York City and now lives and works here in Charlotte. Like many Charlotte transplants, Tan is no stranger to the transitory feelings of nostalgia and longing for a familiar place. “I hope that my installation will remind viewers of the importance of finding joy in the present, even when they are far away from home,” Tan expressed. Tan was inspired by the story of Queen Amytis who was lonely and missed her homeland," WCCB reports. (WCCB Charlotte)
5. "A social media trend circulating online is to blame for a nationwide uptick in car thefts. A recent report released by the National Insurance Crime Bureau shows car thefts surpassed one million in 2022. The last time the U.S. saw that many car thefts in one year were nearly 15 years ago. ... But not all cars are being targeted equally. Typically, victims of car theft are left in a state of shock when their vehicle is no longer where they left it, but Gonzalez says his 2019 Hyundai would eventually be targeted," CBS17 reports. (CBS17.com)
6. "Charlotte FC and The Soccer Tournament announced the Club will field a team in the inaugural, $1 million winner-take-all soccer tournament later this year. TST is a 7v7 tournament at WakeMed Stadium in Cary, NC from June 1-4, and CLTFC is the first Major League Soccer club to enter the competition. Tickets will go on sale to members of TST's waitlist prior to being made available to the general public, and TST will unveil its group stage draw on May 4," Charlotte FC reports. (Charlotte FC)
7. "A former North Carolina congressional candidate pleaded guilty Wednesday to a federal campaign finance violation related to a loan from a family member that prosecutors said was falsely portrayed in campaign reports as originating from her own personal funds. Lynda Bennett, 65, of Maggie Valley, entered the plea to one count of accepting contributions in the name of another in U.S. District Court in Washington, according to a U.S. Justice Department news release and court documents. Bennett's sentencing is set for June 20. Bennett's plea agreement said attorneys in the case have jointly recommended probation for the crime, which is a felony," WFAE reports. (WFAE)

Today in Charlotte:

• Charlotte Regional Farmers Market (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
• YMCA Annual Book Drive at Dowd YMCA (8:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.)
• Love & Hiking Date For Couples (Self-Guided) at Irwin Creek and Stewart Creek Greenway Trailhead (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
• Pop Up Picnic Park Date for Couples! (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
• Charlotte Black Love Matchmaking & Networking hosted by Invitation Homes Carolinas (6:00 p.m to 10:00 p.m.)
• Pablo + Igor w/ Charlotte Symphony Orchestra at Knight Theater (7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.)
• Key Glock's Glockoma Tour at The Fillmore Charlotte (8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• How to pick a therapist that works best for you (WCNC.com)
• Country star Jake Owen to headline Speed Street (WCNC.com)
• Charlotte Roller Derby Season is underway (WCNC.com)
• To all of our community members that own a Hyundai or Kia, we have a special announcement for you: This Saturday, March 11, CMPD’s Metro Division is hosting a steering wheel lock giveaway. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department via Facebook)
• Congratulations Charlotte Firefighter James McHutchon on being sworn in as a United States citizen today. Originally born in Manchester, United Kingdom, McHutchon had his Green Card issued in January 2017. (Charlotte Fire Department, Charlotte NC via Facebook)
• Congratulations to Candice Brown, our School Social Worker of the Year from Palisades High School! We were honored to have Pachovia Lovett, School Social Work Consultant from the NC Dept. of Public Instruction. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• Congratulations to our Mallard Creek High School student, Aria Lane, for receiving the Maverick Award and a $1,000 scholarship from Spectrum, presented by Representative Cummingham!(Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• #WomensHistoryMonth Spotlight: CSO assistant concertmaster Kari Giles and violinist Jenny Topilow. With their shared passion for community collaborations, you can see them perform at BOOM Charlotte. (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• The City of Charlotte now accepts passport applications on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. A new passport acceptance office is located in Suite 159 of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, 600 E. Fourth Street. (City of Charlotte Government via Facebook)
• The award-winning book "The Night Diary" comes to life on our stage for its world premiere on March 10. Broadway World Charlotte has featured our press release. Read what the creatives of the show have to say. (Children's Theatre of Charlotte via Facebook)
• SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, March 11, the annual Charlotte St. Patrick’s Day Parade returns! This year’s parade will feature various marching bands, drill teams, and a pack of Irish Wolfhounds making their way down Tryon Street. (Charlotte Center City via Facebook)
• With the continued rise in vehicle thefts involving Hyundai and Kia vehicles, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Metro Division is continuing its effort to help curb this trend. This Saturday, March 11. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department via Facebook)
• Katrina Standfield, Fiberess Fine Art and Textiles, is an interdisciplinary Panamanian-American artist who desires to elicit a multi-sensory experience through her work. Engaging the audience's desire to investigate and play is integral. (ArtPop Street Gallery via Facebook)
• We are so excited to welcome Allie Larkin as our signature author for Community Read 2023. Join us for a virtual discussion with her on March 21 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss her book "The People We Keep" and the theme of friendship. (Charlotte Mecklenburg Library via Facebook)
• The trees are blooming! Love these snapshots of Tryon St. taken by @fromchiwithlove! #uptownclt #exploreclt #charlottenc #discoverclt #uptowncharlotte #axiosclt #charlottesgotalot #thingstodoclt" (Charlotte Center City via Facebook)
• As your kids partake in spring sports, don't miss out on this excellent resource from Stop It Now! They offer a comprehensive tip sheet on sexual safety in youth sports including talking to coaches who show inappropriate interest in kids. (Brave Step via Facebook)
• Experience the powerful and moving melodies of Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 2, performed by the CSO & Charlotte Master Chorale. March 24 and March 25 at Belk Theater. Get tickets >> bit.ly/mendelssohn2 (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• Highland Renaissance Academy held “Career Day” this week! Students from kindergarten to 5th grade had the opportunity to learn from physical therapists, doctors, paramedics, firefighters, and reporters about their jobs. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• EXTENDED nomination period ends FRIDAY! Go to sustaincharlotte.org/awards to make a Sustain Charlotte Awards nomination by 3/10/23. Do you know a person, building project, business, government agency, young leader. (Sustain Charlotte via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• MickeyTravels — (Visit website)
• CyberMax iPhone Repair — (Visit Website)
• Add your business here

You're all caught up for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at charlotte@patch.com