🌱 Street Gallery Helps Local Artists + Program Teaches Young Drivers

Hey, friends. It's me, Alexis Goring, your host of the Charlotte Daily — back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town these days. In this issue, you'll find news about:

• A nonprofit street gallery is working hard at helping local artists get more local eyes on their hard work.
• The B.R.A.K.E.S program is geared for young adults to teach them how to handle themselves when driving.
• The family of Cheslie Kryst, the late former Miss USA and Charlotte native who died by suicide last January, is partnering with the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) to launch the Cheslie C. Kryst Memorial Fund for Mental Health.

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy with a few showers. High: 57 Low: 48.

Business owners and marketers in Charlotte: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top six stories in Charlotte today:

1. The "Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe" program was born out of tragedy and is helping thousands of young adults. The B.R.A.K.E.S program is geared for young adults to teach them how to handle themselves when driving. Here with more is NHR Drag racing star, Doug Herbert. Car crashes are the number-one cause of death among teens in the United States. Every day car crashes end more teen lives than murder, cancer or suicide, and thousands of teens are hospitalized every year due to crashes. B.R.A.K.E.S. is on a mission to change that narrative," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
2. "The family of Cheslie Kryst, the late former Miss USA and Charlotte native who died by suicide last January, is partnering with the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) to launch the Cheslie C. Kryst Memorial Fund for Mental Health in honor of the first anniversary of her death. The Cheslie C. Kryst Memorial Fund for Mental Health aims to provide help to those facing mental health challenges," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
3. "Recently, a siren went off at the McGuire Nuclear Station, northwest of Charlotte. Both Duke Energy and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management said it was a false alarm and there was no emergency. Safety drills in the event of a nuclear emergency are not routine for most people. What should folks know to keep themselves safe? Meanwhile, nuclear energy is growing in importance in North Carolina. It is a major feature of the state's plan to go carbon neutral. That includes expanding licenses on existing plants and building new ones," WFAE reports. (WFAE)
4. "Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's Major Crash Unit are investigating a fatal crash involving a pedestrian in the University City Division. On Sunday, January 29 at approximately 1:56 a.m., officers responded to the 2400 block of West W. T. Harris Boulevard in reference to a motor vehicle crash call for service involving a pedestrian. Upon arrival, officers located a 2012 Ford F-450 tow truck and a pedestrian. Medic arrived on scene and pronounced the pedestrian deceased," City of Charlotte reports. (charlottenc.gov)
5. "A nonprofit street gallery is working hard at helping local artists get more local eyes on their hard work. Tina Vincent loves to show off her students’ various works of art. ... Vincent grew up in Zimbabwe, where she says people focused more on getting degrees in medicine or business, as opposed to fine arts. Still, she says her love for the arts kept her in the classroom — even into adulthood. ... Skills that Vincent built up and, when she finally got the hang of it, eventually gained the attention of Art Pop Street Gallery. The program is based in Charlotte and chose Vincent as one of 20 artists to feature their work on billboards and advertisements around the city this year," Spectrum News reports. (Spectrum News)
6. "Mecklenburg County Commissioner Pat Cotham is one of the most vocal critics of the Interstate 77 express toll lanes in north Mecklenburg County. Cotham’s car has a bumper sticker: “Stop I-77 Tolls. Widen I-77.” Her opposition didn’t stop the toll lanes from being built, but her populism was one reason she finished as the top vote-getting in five of the past six Commission elections. Cotham had been the county’s representative on the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization, which is debating whether to partner with a private company to build more express toll lanes, this time on I-77 from uptown to the South Carolina state line," WFAE reports. (WFAE)

Today in Charlotte:

• Training Camp Fitness Bootcamp at NoDa Brewing Company: North End (6:00 p.m.)
• Turn Up Tuesday | Dance & Fitness Classes at Northridge Middle School (6:45 p.m.)
• Open Mic Comedy Tuesday at Starlight on 22nd (7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.)
• The Professional Cheerleader Dance Technique Tuesdays at iDance Performing Arts Company (7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
• Night of Prayer and Worship at Hope Community Church (7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.)
• Neko Case performance at Knight Theater (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Congratulations to all our recent volunteers who reached their 1000 hours milestone! Pictured is Janis Cook and Marguerite Rupar, both very dedicated to our mission and always willing to help out...(Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte via Facebook)
• Crowders Mountain, other N.C. parks to get millions of dollars worth ... (WFAE)
• Charlotte Home to North Carolina's Best Breakfast Sandwich (K104.7)
• Charlotte North Carolina Wing Spot Makes Best Wings In Every ... (K104.7)
• Great international & domestic travel destinations (WCNC.com)
• Charlotte adds a new professional soccer team (WBTV)
• Our first On Tap at Midnight Mulligan Brewing was a success! We enjoyed fantastic works by Classical and Contemporary composers, like Mozart & Roger Zare, led by Resident Conductor Christopher James Lees. Thanks to all who joined us! (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• Gather the whole family for The Emperor’s New Clothes! The beloved tale by Hans Christian Andersen comes to the life with the Charlotte Symphony & Grey Seal Puppets, Feb. 18 at Knight Theater. Get tickets >> bit.ly/csonewclothes (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• Beginning Feb. 1, customers can request a free copy of one of the four 2023 Community Read titles to keep. Book pick up will continue while supplies last. Call or visit your local branch location for more information. (Charlotte Mecklenburg Library via Facebook)
• We can't wait for opening weekend of Innovative Works THIS FRIDAY! We're excited to announce opening weekend events that you can join after attending our first performances. (Charlotte Ballet via Facebook)
• "Vivid" (San Francisco Classical Voice) guest conductor Mei-Ann Chen leads your CSO in Bruch’s Violin Concerto, featuring Concertmaster Calin Ovidiu Lupanu. Feb. 24 & Feb. 25 at Knight Theater. Get tickets >> bit.ly/csobruchviolin (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• Thank you to WCNC Charlotte for coming to shine the light on the need facing our area teachers and students! (Classroom Central via Facebook)
• Last week was the launch of Greenways for All! It's a movement aimed at completing world-class trail systems in communities from Maine to Florida and beyond, attracting more people outdoors to connect with nature and each other...(Sustain Charlotte via Facebook)
• Take your Valentine out for A Tribute to The Beatles with Classical Mystery Tour & the Charlotte Symphony, Feb. 17 & 18 at Knight Theater. SAVE 50% on tickets for Saturday night with code WALRUS...(Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• Here are some How-To videos to help you get started this semester. https://bit.ly/3CFELwL Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube page to see more of our videos. (UNC Charlotte Atkins Library via Facebook)
• It's time for the training train. Want to learn how to use a 3D printer, laser cutter, or CNC routers? Sign up for our upcoming trainings and workshops...(UNC Charlotte Atkins Library via Facebook)
• Our urban design specialist, Eric Zaverl, was interviewed by Spectrum News 1 North Carolina about safety initiatives for pedestrians and people who ride bikes in Charlotte. Eric outlined a few improvements we'd like to see...(Sustain Charlotte via Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all good 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