🌱 Veterans Get Free Meals + Urban Farms Tackle Food Insecurity

Hey, 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 around town. In today's briefing, you'll find news about these stories and more...

• Urban farms in Mecklenburg County tackle food insecurity around the Queen City.
• Free meals for veterans on Nov. 11.
• Community organizations provide much-needed repairs to homes in Hidden Valley.

But first, today's weather:

Nice with some sun. High: 75 Low: 62.

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Here are the top seven stories in Charlotte today:

1. Apparently, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected more than people's health. "A recent report released by the National Assessment of Educational Progress reveals a staggering decline in math and reading skills among the nation’s fourth and eighth grade students. Specifically, the share of fourth-graders and the share of eighth-graders who are considered proficient in reading each fell by 3 percentage points since 2019, the last time the standardized test was administered. While there is no single explanation for the trend, experts attribute the historic decline primarily to the disruptions stemming from the pandemic," 24/7 Wall St.-Charlotte reports. (24/7 Wall St. - Charlotte)
2. "Over 1.6 million North Carolinians have to travel a long way to get to their nearest supermarket. They live in what’s known as food deserts, where finding affordable healthy food options can be a struggle. That’s the case for about 15% of Mecklenburg County’s population. Mason Olonade is the farm manager at Three Sisters Farm and Market in Charlotte’s West Boulevard neighborhood. It’s one of at least five urban farms in Mecklenburg County that’s helping tackle food insecurity by increasing access to fresh, local food around the Queen City," Spectrum News reports. (Spectrum News)
3. "Mac’s Hospitality Group is treating veterans to free meals at all its Mac’s Speed Shop locations, plus its SouthBound restaurant in Charlotte on Veterans Day. ... At all Mac’s locations, each veteran can enjoy a Free Lil Pig, hickory-smoked, pulled-pork BBQ sandwich, with their choice of one side, from a selection ranging from mac ‘n cheese and cheddar grits to fried okra and collards. At Mac’s sister restaurant SouthBound, each veteran can get two free Carnitas Tacos and a side of rice and beans. In order to get the free meal, you just show your Veteran ID Card and purchase one beverage," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
4. "The DIRT Motorsports 2022 racing season comes to an official close this weekend, when big-block modifieds, Outlaw sprints and late models join forces for a tripleheader program at the Charlotte (North Carolina) World Finals. Over $600,000 in prize money has been posted for the four-day program which got underway Wednesday night. Each of the three classes will run a pair of preliminary features and Saturday night all three divisions will be in action on the 4/10th-mile clay oval," Syracuse reports. (syracuse.com)
5. "A Charlotte man who held up three businesses with a BB gun was sentenced Wednesday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina said. Charlotte resident John Gaddy, 35, was sentenced to 10 years after pleading guilty to Hobbs Act robbery in June. Records showed that last spring Gaddy was armed with a BB gun and robbed three businesses in Huntersville, Troutman and Stanley," CBS17 reports. (CBS17.com)
6. "A four-year-old boy has died from a gunshot wound in southeast Charlotte. ... Officers responded to calls regarding the incident around 7:30 p.m. near 1900 Charleston Place in southeast Charlotte. A four-year-old was found suffering from what they initially described as a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was transported to an area hospital where they were later pronounced dead," WGHP FOX8 Greensboro reports. (WGHP FOX8 Greensboro)
7. The Hidden Valley neighborhood has experienced extremely high levels of economic and housing disparities, "making it difficult for families to stay in their homes. Saundra Smith had moved from West Palm Beach to Charlotte to take care of her father. ... Upkeep became difficult, even with help from her grandson and she feared she would have to abandon her home and community. Two community organizations, Ferguson and Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte, have come together to help provide much needed repairs to the Smith's home as well as other homes in Hidden Valley," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)

Today in Charlotte:

• Charlotte Regional Farmers Market (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
• Charlotte Career Fair at Charlotte Works (11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.)
• Weekend Live Music and Food Truck at Blue Blaze Brewing (6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
• Journeys of Faith Film Premiere in The Revel Room (6:0o p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)
• Art After Dark: Power of the Pen at Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture (6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.)
• Back to the 80s: Throwback Cover Bands at The Music Yard at SouthBound (7:00 p.m.)
• Charlotte Checkers event at Bojangles Coliseum (7:00 p.m.)
• TK Kirkland show at The Comedy Zone (7:00 p.m.)
• Corrado Comedy Show at Angela's Pizzeria at Angela's Pizza & Restaurant (7:30 p.m.)
• Mat Kearney: The Acoustic Trio Tour at Knight Theater (8:00 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has partnered with federal agencies for a crackdown on illegal gambling. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department via Facebook)
• Our #ArtPopCLT Cities Program jury is currently in-session for the final round of selections for the Class of 2023! We can’t wait to see the final class! Artists will be notified on or by November 13. (ArtPop Street Gallery via Instagram)
• We know there are many in our community in need of help feeding their families! The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department wants to do our part to help! (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department via Facebook)
• Battalion Chief Jeffrey Richardson and Engineer Rob Griffin were selected as the 2022 Charlotte Fire Firefighters of the Year. (Charlotte Fire Department, Charlotte NC via Facebook)
• You can join in on the celebrations of the day by seeing live streams of Company classes from around the globe, sneak peeks of upcoming performances and the beauty of the art form of dance. (Charlotte Ballet via Facebook)
• GIVEAWAY: Enjoy more concerts with a CSO subscription! Enter to win a Create Your Own series for you and a friend. "Like" Charlotte Symphony and tag who you’ll bring! The winner will be announced on 11/8. More subscription info here >> http://bit.ly/cso-cyo (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• The Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade returns to light up Tryon St. on Nov. 23 at 5:30 p.m.! Bring your friends and family. (Charlotte Center City via Facebook)
• Charlotte Ballet’s artistic team is considering dancers of all genders with strong classical and contemporary technique to fill positions with Charlotte Ballet’s Professional Company immediately...(Charlotte Ballet via Facebook)
• #CMPD received $2.5 million as part of an ongoing grant to fund the National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI). The CMPD is putting these resources to work, testing and re-testing more than 1,000 sexual assault kits...(Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department via Facebook)
• We are hosting a job fair with openings in transportation, school nutrition, warehouse services, custodial services and after-school care on Nov. 8 at Ardrey Kell High School. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• Rhiannon Giddens joins the Charlotte Symphony for our annual Gala Concert! Don’t miss this special one-night-only event featuring the Grammy-winning musician. Secure your seat today! >> bit.ly/csorhiannon (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• Become part of the show in "Jackie Robinson: A Game Apart." The interactive show invites audience members on stage for a once in a lifetime experience. Join us on Nov. 12 for a free, exclusive backstage tour at 2:00 p.m. (Children's Theatre of Charlotte via Facebook)
• We take a moment to show compassion and support for families experiencing the anxiety of premature births by observing Prematurity Awareness Month in November. Approximately 11% of all births are preterm, and is a rising trend. (Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte via Facebook)
• Join Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte on Giving Tuesday for some brews! Wear your 2022 Sport A Shirt, bring pop tabs, or donate a wish list item and get entered for raffle prizes! (Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte via Facebook)
• Fall is for planting, selecting, and maintaining woody ornamentals! Join us on Nov. 9 at 1:00 p.m. as local gardener Hallie Walker teaches how to make a good garden selection, plant it properly and keep it healthy. (Charlotte Mecklenburg Library via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next 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