🌱 World's Largest Coloring Page + Temporary Open-Air Market Location

Hello, Charlotte! I'm Nicole Fallon-Peek and I'm filling in for your usual curator Alexis for the next week or so. Please note that your newsletters may be a bit lighter during this time. Now, here are all the most important things to know about what's happening locally.

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First, today's weather:

A t-storm around in the p.m. High: 90 Low: 70.

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Here are the top three stories in Charlotte today:

1. IDEAworks, a new exhibition by Crayola, aims to set the Guinness Record for the world's largest coloring page. The massive vinyl display measures 1,040 square feet. Over 250 children came to Charlotte to color the page with upwards of 1,000 Crayola Jumbo crayons. (Charlotte Observer)
2. Charlotte Councilman Tariq Bokhari has announced a temporary location for an open-air market shuttered by the city in February. The market, previously located on Central Avenue, will be held in multiple parking lots between 6th and 9th Streets and between Brevard and Caldwell Streets. Though the spot has only been secured for this Saturday, Bokhari said he believes the city is close to finding the open-air market a permanent home. (Charlotte Observer)
3. A natural gas odor spread throughout Charlotte yesterday morning, affecting residents in NoDa, Uptown, and South End. Later that morning, Piedmont Natural Gas reported the smell was not due to a gas leak, but a leak of the smell additive mercaptan. According to chief meteorologist Brad Panovich, the foul scent was exacerbated by the warm, dense air trapping everything under it ⁠— including the mercaptan. (WCNC.com)

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Today in Charlotte:

• Watermelon Day At Charlotte Regional Farmers Market (11:00 AM)
• Top Grilling Tips From Certified GrillMasters At Firebirds Wood Fired Grill (11:00 AM)
• Friday Night Hangout, Virtual Event - Hosted By Time Out Youth (5:00 PM)
• Blue Man Group At Belk Theater - Blumenthal Performing Arts Center (8:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Looking for a new home without leaving the area? Check out the latest homes for sale in and around Charlotte. (Charlotte Patch)
• Sustain Charlotte reminds the community that the City Council and mayoral elections will be held on Jul. 26 — not in November — this year. Early voting is open now, so make your voice heard! (Sustain Charlotte via Facebook)
• It's Christmas in July! Charlotte Symphony is offering 50 percent off on tickets to beloved holiday experiences, including The Polar Express in Concert, Cirque de Noël, and the all-new Holiday Pops. Purchase tickets online using promo code XMASJULY22 through Jul. 31. (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)

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More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• SAT Master Strategies In-Person Class (July 17)
• Top 10 Divorce Mistakes and How to Avoid Them – Vesta's Charlotte, NC Hub (July 20)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday. I'll see you around!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.