🌱 Valentine's Day Scammers Alert + Mint Museum Exhibition Sold Out

Morning, friends. It's me, Alexis Goring, your host of the Charlotte Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening in the community today. Today you'll learn about:

• Valentine's Day is right around the corner. Although this day is meant to show loved ones some extra TLC, many people around the country are getting scammed.
• The long-awaited Picasso Landscape exhibition at the Mint Museum Uptown is sold out for the opening weekend.
• North Carolina Democratic Party officials elected a new chair on Saturday.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and warmer. High: 66 Low: 36.

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Here are the top four stories in Charlotte today:

1. "Valentine's Day is right around the corner. Although this day is meant to show loved ones some extra TLC, many people around the country are getting scammed. It starts off simple enough. "The relationship starts, and you're just chatting back and forth, and then all the sudden they say let's take it off-site and text each other," Tom Bartholomy, president and CEO of Charlotte Better Business Bureau, said. Then it hits. "The first tell is people that ask for money, and it could only be a couple of hundred dollars, and that’s to see if this will work or not," Bartholomy said. From the latest data, $574 million was lost by Americans in 2021 because of these scams," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
2. "North Carolina Democratic Party officials elected a new chair on Saturday. The party's executive committee chose 25-year-old activist Anderson Clayton for a two-year term. Clayton is the Person County Democratic Party chair and president of the state party chairs’ association," WFAE reports. (WFAE)
3. "Coming off a double-overtime win on Thursday, men’s basketball recorded a dominant 67-43 win over the University of North Carolina-Charlotte on Saturday at home. Four players scored in double digits as North Texas (21-5, 12-3 Conference USA) took home its sixth straight conference win. The Mean Green shot a season-high 59.5 percent from the field. ... The Mean Green started 11-0 as graduate guard Tyree Eady and senior guards Tylor Perry and Kai Huntsberry each hit 3-pointers," North Texas Daily reports. (North Texas Daily)
4. "The long-awaited Picasso Landscape exhibition at the Mint Museum Uptown is sold out for the opening weekend. It's another successful traveling exhibition for Pauline Forlenza. Forlenza came from the financial world to become the director of the American Federation of Arts in 2012. She said she came into the position at a time when the industry was looking for diverse voices leading institutions," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)

Today in Charlotte:

• English Conversation Club | Virtual Event (3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
• Mock Interview for Teens | Virtual Event (4:30 p.m.)
• Library Codelab: Girls Who Code Club (5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.)
• Reading for Change: Trigger Points | Virtual Event (5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Welcome Asher to the Charlotte Fire family! Asher is a 5-month-old Aussiedoodle and will be part of the Charlotte Fire K-9 program. Asher is a therapy dog, and his biggest job will be working with our team. (Charlotte Fire Department, Charlotte NC via Facebook)
• CHARLOTTE FIREHOUSE 26 FEATURE! Built in 1989 on the southern tip of the city near its border with South Carolina, Station 26 serves a expansive alarm area. The crew at Firehouse 26 runs the line. (Charlotte Fire Department, Charlotte NC via Facebook)
• Looking for a way to give back and make an impact in the Charlotte community? Look no further!⁠ ⁠The ArtPop Street Gallery team and Board of Directors are looking for volunteers interested in joining our Events Committee. (ArtPop Street Gallery via Instagram)
• Join the SouthPark Regional Library staff on every 3rd Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. online for Read Bravely. Each month, this online banned books club discusses of a novel that has been challenged widely. (Charlotte Mecklenburg Library via Facebook)
• On Sunday, Feb. 19 at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., join the dancers of Charlotte Ballet II at our Center for Dance for a moving performance "As we Journey Through," choreographed by Ashley Lindsey! (Charlotte Ballet via Facebook)
• Meet Stepfon Portlock, school counselor at Mallard Creek High School, and check out his historically black colleges and universities...(Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• Thank you to these local groups for spreading love to our families with some Valentine's Day surprises! (Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte via Facebook)
• Today, Classroom Central honors the life of one of the most famous and prolific Black educators in American history: Booker T. Washington. Born into slavery, Washington, along with his family, was freed at the close of the Civil War. (Classroom Central via Facebook)
• Our job fair is less than a week away! Learn about all of the job openings available with our sponsors. Check out https://cltpri.de/3jFRs4c for more info. (Charlotte Pride via Facebook)
• Join us on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. for the Feminist Book Club! The Feminist Book Club meets monthly to discuss books written by women, for women and about women. All people are welcome. (Charlotte Mecklenburg Library via Facebook)
• AAA Carolinas is a sponsor of 2023 Sport A Shirt, Share A Night for RMHC of GC families. Thank you for your generous contribution to #KeepingFamiliesClose. Learn more about how to sponsor...(Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Singing Valentines (February 14)
• Little Sea Stars @ SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord (February 14)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Monday! I'll see you around.

— 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