🌱 Santa Paws Seeks Homes For Pets + New Law Against Retail Theft

Hello all. I'm back with your new edition of the Charlotte Daily. Here's everything you need to know about what's happening these days in town, including...

• North Mecklenburg Animal Rescue is hosting its annual Santa Paws event this weekend.
• Charlotte's Vision Zero Action Plan aims to have zero deadly crashes in the city by 2030.
• New law seeks to stop organized retail thefts in North Carolina.

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy with a few showers. High: 63 Low: 39.

Here are the top four stories today in Charlotte:

1. "A special holiday event is giving the community the chance to make a difference for animals looking for their forever homes North Mecklenburg Animal Rescue is hosting its annual Santa Paws event this weekend, giving pet owners the opportunity to have their furry friends' photos taken with Santa. ... The proceeds will make sure each four-legged friend is happy and healthy before they hopefully find a forever home," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
2. "Seven people have been killed in crashes on Charlotte's roads in the last week. ... These deadly crashes come as the holiday season gets started in the Carolinas and CMPD is encouraging all drivers to take precautions to ensure a safe trip wherever they're headed. CMPD is a partner to the city of Charlotte's Vision Zero Action Plan, a $17.1 million initiative that aims to have zero deadly crashes in the city by 2030. ... Angela Berry, the project's manager, said deadly crashes in Charlotte are on the rise with an average of 70 per year. (WCNC.com)
3. "The J.T. Williams neighborhood in north Charlotte already looks much different than it did a month ago. The small brick homes have been painted white, the parking lot has been paved and workers have spread fresh mulch and planted small shrubs. The biggest difference, however, is the emptiness. Homes that once held families, friends and individuals who were able to afford the cheap rent now sit empty. ... The few remaining residents are struggling to find new homes. That's because the community was purchased in June by investors who began telling residents to move out so they could make over the community and raise rents by as much as double," WFAE reports. (WFAE)
4. "Organized retail thefts are on the rise nationwide. ... Officials recently released a video of three people taking $21,000 in goods from an Ulta Cosmetics store. A new North Carolina law is sending a message to criminals. ... The law says if people conspire to commit a crime, it’s a Class H felony for any amount exceeding $1,500 in damage. The class of felony correlates with the amount of merchandise stolen," CBS17 reports. (CBS17.com)

Today in Charlotte:

• Charlotte Regional Farmers Market (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
• 4th Annual Holiday Spectacular (11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.)
• Family First: Alla Prima Portraits - Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture (12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.)
• A Cappella Christmas at St. Stephen United Methodist Church (2:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.)
• The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical at McColl Family Theater (3:00 p.m.)
• 2nd Annual Jingle Jam Toy Drive at Five Points Plaza (4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
• Winterfest at Carowinds (5:00 p.m.)
• Charlotte Checkers vs. Lehigh Valley Phantoms at Bojangles Coliseum (6:00 p.m.)
• Charlotte Hornets vs. Milwaukee Bucks at Spectrum Center (6:00 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Holiday Hosting Must-Haves (WCNC.com)
• Comedian Tommy Davidson stops by CLT2day (WCNC.com)
• Charlotte businesses welcome ACC championship game (WCNC.com)
• Notre Dame Coaches on the Road: Parker Heading to North Carolina (247Sports)
• We are proud to congratulate Marcellus Turner (MT), Charlotte Mecklenburg Library CEO & Chief Librarian, on being named as one of the 2022 Charlotteans of the Year by Charlotte magazine. Click the link to read the full story. (Charlotte Mecklenburg Library via Facebook)
• The federal Affordable Connectivity Program (AFP) allows qualifying families to obtain free or reduced internet connectivity services to the home for approximately $30 per month. Sixty-eight CMS schools will continue to participate. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• THIS WEEKEND: Experience Conductor Laureate Christopher Warren-Green’s world-renowned interpretation of Handel’s Messiah with the Charlotte Symphony. Dec. 2-4 at Knight Theater. Get tickets >> bit.ly/csomessiah22 (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• Since Nov. 27, the CMPD's Major Crash Unit has investigated collisions totaling seven fatalities. The holidays are a busy time out on the roads. Please be mindful when behind the wheel. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department via Facebook)
• Experience stunning aerial feats, mind-boggling contortions, and jaw-dropping juggling acts accompanied by festive favorites from The Nutcracker, Snow Maiden and more at Cirque de Noël! Dec. 21 - Dec. 23 at Knight Theater. (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• Nutcracker season is here! Company dancers Rees Launer, Isabella Franco and Amelia Sturt-Dilly share what makes Nutcracker so special each year. (Charlotte Ballet via Facebook)
• CSO brass sounded nothing short of magical last night at First United Methodist Church! Our Holiday Brass & Organ concert with outstanding organist Evan Currie was a wonderful way to get in the holiday spirit. (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• Now until Dec. 26, you can vote for our RMHC of GC gingerbread house at The Ballantyne Hotel, 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, during the popular Gingerbread Lane event. Entry #10. (Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte via Facebook)
• Ring in 2023 in Uptown! CLT NYE, presented by Ally, is back on New Year’s Eve beginning at 8:00 p.m. on South Tryon St. at Levine Avenue of the Arts! Celebrate the new year with live music, activations brought to you by Coca-Cola Bottling...(Charlotte Center City via Facebook)
• The Winter Wonderland Shop was in full swing today, filled with young, happy shoppers and helpful volunteers. This event brings us holiday cheer each year. Thank you, First Horizon Bank and Wells Fargo, for helping! (Children's Theatre of Charlotte via Facebook)
• Ready for Family Literacy Night? Blast off with us tonight from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. for an evening of "out of this world" activities the entire family can enjoy. Stop by any Charlotte Mecklenburg Library branch to participate...(Charlotte Mecklenburg Library via Facebook)
• Give the gift of music with three show-stopping concerts for $99! Share the iconic music of The Beatles and James Bond, PLUS the blockbuster movie Raiders of the Lost Ark with the score performed LIVE! >> bit.ly/cso3for99 (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow 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