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Following the announcement of her sixth studio album, Deeper Well, set to be released on March 15, pop country star Kacey Musgraves will hit the road for an international tour, coming to Charlotte’s Spectrum Center on December 5. Deeper Well follows Musgraves’ 2021 release Star-Crossed, and 2018’s Golden Hour, which won her the Grammy for Album of the Year.
Musgraves released a new single, “Too Good to be True,” with the tour announcement, following the title track from the forthcoming album, “Deeper Well,” on February 8. She also collaborated with fast-rising country singer-songwriter and musician, Zach Bryan, in 2023 on the song, “I Remember Everything,” debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and winning the Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance.
Musgraves will be joined by Los Angeles indie folk rock band Lord Huron and progressive bluegrass/folk outfit Nickel Creek for the Charlotte date with Father John Misty and Madi Diaz in select cities. This will be the first stop for Musgraves in North Carolina since 2019’s Oh, What a World Tour.
There’s not a whole lot to preview since everybody saw what just happened, for better or worse. We did a preview for this matchup two days ago and then the game went really, really poorly. The Hornets are now 0 for 3 against the Bucks this season with every game being decided by over 30 points. They’re clearly overwhelmed by the Bucks size and talent, and that’s not likely to change over the course of two days.
With that in mind, here are a few goals the Hornets can strive for tonight. All of these would be firsts for a game they’ve played against the Bucks this season:
Score 100 points
Hold the Bucks to less than 120 points
Lose by fewer than 30 points
Make at least 28% of their 3-point shot attempts
If the Hornets can do a few of those things, it’ll at least be a watchable game.
On a bigger scale, the Hornets have to figure out their offense. According to Cleaning the Glass, the Hornets have offensive ratings of 85.7, 96.9, and 83.1 in non-garbage time minutes of their last three games. Those rank in the first, seventh, and first percentiles respectively of all games this season. The defense has been elite since the new guys got here. The offense had been passable in the first few games but fell off a Cliff during the post-All Star Game road trip. Perhaps a return home is all they need to rediscover their rhythm, but the return home being against the Bucks definitely quells any optimism for that.
Probably the best thing the Hornets have going for them tonight is that the Bucks have beaten them so easily in their previous meetings that they won’t get up for the game and take the Hornets seriously. If that happens and the Hornets are able to jump out to an early lead, they’ll put the Bucks into one of the hardest positions in sports–good team trying to flip the switch midgame. Players often try to overcorrect after starting slowly and falling behind to an inferior team and end up struggling to get on track. Maybe that happens tonight, but probably not.
Happy Leap Day! And welcome to March! There’s something refreshing about switching our calendars to a new month, especially when a new season lies ahead. While the city begins to bloom with color, events also begin to pick up as the QC prepares for a busy summer ahead. This week, channel your inner food critic by casting your vote for the best Hot Chicken in Charlotte, shop at the multiple pop-up markets, celebrate Anniversaries at Gilde Brewing and Charlotte Beer Garden, satisfy your sweet tooth at a Donut Festival, and much more.
Leap Thirsty Terrarium Thursday Workshop Thursday, February 29, In honor of Leap Day, build your own Leap Thirsty Terrarium with PlantHouse. The workshop includes an overview of air plant care and terrarium assembly, as well as all the air plants and decor to make a terrarium that is one-of-a-kind and ready to display. Choose between a 6″ or 8″ bubble ball terrarium at check out.
Trivia at Suffolk Punch SouthPark Thursday, February 29, 7p Mindless Minutia is hosting weekly trivia at Suffolk Punch SouthPark every Thursday starting at 7 p.m.
South End Gallery Crawl Friday, March 1, 6 – 9p Stroll the streets of one of Charlotte’s artsiest neighborhoods and enjoy local art in all forms including galleries, murals and installations. Make a night of it with dinner or drinks at one of South End’s many restaurants and breweries.
Charlotte Edit Sale Pop-Up Wednesday, February 28 – Sunday, March 3 The Edit Sale is here! Shop pre-loved designer clothing, bags, shoes, accessories, and more all weekend long at Camp North End. Visit their Instagram page for more information!
Maker’s Market Pop-Ups March 1 – 3 Shop till you drop all weekend long at the various Maker’s Market Pop-Ups all around town! For event locations and times, see image above. This is a great chance to sip, shop and support local craftspeople and businesses while having a great time.
CLT Hot Chicken Week March 1 – 10 Take a bite out of Charlotte’s Hot Chicken scene on this 10 day journey to find the best hot chicken sandwich in the QC. Participating restaurants including Dave’s Hot Chicken, Bossy Beulah’s, Vicious Biscuit, The Penguin, and more will offer their specialty hot chicken sandwiches at a fixed price (not including sides, tax, or gratuity). You’ll also get to cast your vote on who you think made the best Hot Chicken in town!
Charlotte Beer Garden 4th Birthday Celebration Sat, March 2 – Sun, March 3, 10am – 2am Charlotte Beer Garden is turning four, and they want you to join them in celebrating. All three floors and four bars will be ready, with craft cocktails and 436 taps. There will be cold drinks and good food, a magician from 1 – 3 p.m., live music by the The Friends Band from 3 – 7 p.m., and samples and giveaways from local breweries.
Gilde Brewery Anniversary Party Saturday, March 2, 11a – 11p Celebrate two years of Gilde at their Anniversary Party happening this Saturday! Expect lots of Steinholding, keg tapping, mechanical bull riding, axe throwing, cold bier, delicious food, and much more. This event is free to attend.
The Notorious BRUNCH at Resident Culture Brewing Saturday, March 2, 2 – 5p If you’re a Biggie Fan or even a 90’s HipHop fan, you don’t want to miss out on this Notorious brunch. DJ Red will be running all your favorite Biggie Records and some RARE Cuts + 90’s NY HipHop and R&B. To stay on theme, there will be Biggie-themed Brunch and Cocktail specials that’ll feature T-Bone Steak, Cheese Eggs & Welch’s Grape.
Charlotte Indepence Fan Fest Saturday, March 2, 2p Charlotte soccer fans should head over for a family-friendly, fun-filled afternoon at the Independence home, American Legion Memorial Stadium. Cheer on the Jacks during a preseason friendly and get pumped for the start of the 2024 season. There will be bounce houses, yard games, face painting and more.
Jazz at the Garden featuring Greg Manning Saturday, March 2, 6 – 8p Head to Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden for Jazz at the Garden featuring Pianist/Keyboardist Greg Manning. Greg will be joined on stage by Grammy-recognized guitarist Scott Marvill and Freeport Jazz Band. Jazz in the Garden will be held inside the Great Hall. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $49/person and can be purchased here.
Charlotte Ballet DANCING WITH THE STARS Saturday, March 2 At the Knight Theater, start times depend on your ticket/donation/vote$ amount. With this Gala, you ‘vote’ for your chosen dancers HERE and in doing so, purchase your $250 or $400 ticket. With a $400 ticket, your entry is at 6:30pm for cocktails, performance, after party and with a $250 ticket your entry is at 8pm for the performance and after party.
The 4th Annual CLT Donut Festival Sunday, March 3, 1 – 5p Charlotte’s sweetest festival is back! Donuts are all the rave here, but there will also be other sweet treats from Charlotte’s favorite bakeries to enjoy. This year the event benefits SAVE A NUT “For Testicular Cancer Awareness” at www.SaveaNut.org. Come out for a donut or two, and stay for the music, lifestyle vendors, and goods from other local artisans and artists.
Dogs! A Science Tail Exhibition Now through May 5 Dog lovers, this one’s for you. Experience first-hand how dogs smell, hear, and see the world around them at Dogs! A Science Tail Exhibition at the Discovery Place Museum. From archeology to veterinary science, this is your chance to explore a variety of disciplines and experience the world from a dog’s perspective through hands-on exhibits. Tickets can be purchased here.
Final Day of DO Portugal Circus March 3, 2024 It’s the last day to experience the awe-inspiring magic of the Do Portugal Circus, a family event suitable for all ages that you truly do not want to miss. The show takes place at Route 29 Pavilion in Concord, NC. Tickets can be purchased here.
CHARLOTTE, N.C.– Charlotte transportation was a hot topic earlier this week at the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance Meeting. North Carolina House Speaker, Tim Moore, made comments comparing Charlotte to Atlanta. WCCB Charlotte’s Lauren McDonald talked with Charlotte city councilman, Ed Driggs, about the city’s Strategic Mobility Plan.
Leap day falls on Feb. 29, 2024. We VERIFY why it usually comes around every four years and if it is known in some places as “Bachelor’s Day.”
February is already the odd month out of the year, with 28 days as opposed to the 30 or 31 days in the other 11 months.
But, during a leap year like 2024, the shortest month of the year gets an extra day. This day, which is always tacked on to the end of February, is commonly referred to as leap day.
2024 is a leap year, which means this year there will be a Feb. 29. We are VERIFYING three facts about leap day, including whether Julius Caesar started it and if it always happens every four years.
THE SOURCES
QUESTION #1
Did Roman dictator Julius Caesar introduce leap day?
THE ANSWER
Yes, Roman dictator Julius Caesar introduced leap day.
Those extra hours are the reason why we have a leap day approximately every four years.
Jim Sowell, Ph.D., director of the Georgia Tech Observatory, said in an article published by the university that the creation of leap year can be traced to Roman dictator Julius Caesar.
Around the same time as Caesar’s rule, Egyptian astronomers could see that the Earth’s orbit was very close to 365.25 days, according to Sowell.
He established that every fourth year would be a leap year, adding one more day to February. This is the basis of the Julian calendar, Sowell says.
“Without leap day, the dates of annual events, such as equinoxes and solstices, would slowly shift to later in the year, changing the dates of each season. After only a century without leap day, summer wouldn’t start until mid-July,” the JPL says on its website.
QUESTION #2
Do leap years always happen every four years?
THE ANSWER
No, leap years do not always happen every four years. Years that are divisible by 100 but not by 400 are skipped.
WHAT WE FOUND
Leap years typically come every four years, but that is not always the case.
In the late 1500s, astronomers realized that the solar year isn’t exactly 365.25 days.
“After hundreds of years using the Julian calendar, spring had begun moving into winter. The Catholic Church did not want the celebration of Easter to occur in the winter,” the article published by Georgia Tech says.
To fix the problem, Pope Gregory XIII established the Gregorian calendar in 1582. It skipped 10 days in October of that year to right the discrepancy and specified new criteria for leap years, according to the article published by WSU.
Under the Gregorian calendar, every year that is divisible by four is a leap year – with an exception. Leap years divisible by 100 are skipped unless they’re also divisible by 400.
For example, 2000 was a leap year, but the years 1700, 1800 and 1900 were not, according to the National Air and Space Museum. The next time a leap year will be skipped is 2100, the museum says.
According to the National Air and Space Museum, adding a leap day every four years would actually make the calendar longer by 44 minutes. Over time, this would cause the seasons to drift.
QUESTION #3
Is leap day also known in some places as “Bachelor’s Day,” when women can propose to men?
THE ANSWER
Yes, there is an Irish tradition known as “Bachelor’s Day” or “Ladies’ Privilege” that allows women to propose to men on leap day.
WHAT WE FOUND
While anyone can propose to whomever they want, an Irish tradition called “Bachelor’s Day” or “Ladies’ Privilege” allows women to propose marriage to men on leap day “in a reversal or traditional gender roles,” Encyclopedia Britannica explains.
It is said the tradition began in 5th century Ireland, when it wasn’t socially acceptable for women to propose to men.
Legend has it that St. Brigid of Kildare complained to St. Patrick that women had to wait far too long for men to propose, IrishCentral.com says. The two are said to have struck a deal to allow women to propose to men on leap day, according to timeanddate.com.
According to the legend, Brigid then dropped straight to her knee and proposed to Patrick, who declined. He is said to have given her a kiss on the cheek and a silk gown to soften the blow.
The validity of this folktale is dubious since Brigid would have been a child when St. Patrick died, manuscript assistant Lynn Niedermeier wrote for Western Kentucky University.
The Scots are said to have passed a law in 1288 that allowed a woman to propose marriage on leap day and that any man who declined the proposal would have to pay a fine, according to IrishCentral.com. That fine could range from a kiss to a payment for a silk dress or a pair of gloves.
However, it’s worth noting that “historians have searched the books in vain for the much-cited Scottish law,” Niedermeier wrote.
A special prosecutor said the deputy who shot and killed Sylvester Selby in Manteo on Oct. 3 will not face charges. But Selby’s family and the prosecutor disagree with what body camera video shows in the case.
The family’s lawyers are asking federal officials to investigate what happened in the shooting.
What You Need To Know
The Dare County deputy who shot and killed Sylvester Selby in Manteo Oct. 3 will not be charged
A special prosecutor said the shooting was justified
The Selby family, through their lawyers, disputed the special prosecutor’s account of what body camera video showed
The family’s lawyers are asking federal officials to investigate the case
The prosecutor contends Selby, 44, ran down a set of stairs with a knife and lunged at officers. The family said Selby, who already had a stab wound to the chest, stumbled down the stairs and fell over a bicycle before he was shot, according to the family’s lawyers. Deputy Edward Glaser shot Selby twice more as he tried to get up, the lawyers said.
Sylvester Selby, 44, was shot and killed by a Dare County deputy Oct. 3. (Courtesy the Selby family)
“The use of deadly force appears reasonable under the circumstances, and Deputy Glaser was justified under North Carolina law in that it appeared that it was necessary to kill in order to save himself or others from death or great bodily harm,” said special prosecutor Charles Spahos.
Spahos was appointed to take over the case after a request for an independent special prosecutor from Dare County District Attorney Jeff Cruden.
“Some factual statements that were made inside the report, for example about Mr. Selby running towards the officer. They disagreed with that. That was not the case. As well as the allegation of some type of lunging,” said Harry Daniels, a civil rights attorney representing the family.
The family sued the Dare County Sheriff’s Office and Glaser, the deputy, in December.
The body camera video has not been made public. In North Carolina, body camera video from law enforcement cannot be made public without an order from a judge.
Chantel Cherry-Lassiter, another attorney, said she was with the family last year when they watched the body camera video.
“Mr. Selby was not coming down the steps in a threatening manner, nor was he running towards the officers,” she told Spectrum News 1. “The facts that are listed in the report are not accurate.”
In his report, the special prosecutor said Glaser and a sergeant with the sheriff’s office went to a home in Manteo for a trespassing call, where Selby was allegedly “trespassing and tearing stuff up inside of the residence.”
When the deputies got to the single-wide trailer, the homeowner who called police was outside, and the officers called for Selby to come out, the report said.
The special prosecutor said Selby eventually came out carrying a large knife and had blood on his shirt. The report said he ran down the steps at the deputies, and then Glaser shot him. Selby fell to the ground.
The deputies told Selby to stay on the ground, but he tried to get up again, the report said.
“Mr. Selby is on his hands and knees, leaps to his feet, and lunges at Deputy Glaser. Deputy Glaser, who had attempted to back away from Mr. Selby, fires two more rounds, striking Mr. Selby again,” according to the special prosecutor.
But the lawsuit filed in the case, and the response filed by the sheriff’s office, tell the story in a different way.
Selby was carrying a kitchen knife when he came out of the home. He stumbled down the stairs and tripped over a bicycle, according to the federal lawsuit. Glaser shot Selby as he fell, the lawsuit said.
Glaser shot Selby two more times as he tried to get up from the ground, according to court filings.
A filing by the sheriff’s office in the civil suit agreed with that summary.
The lawyers for Selby’s family said they will ask the federal Department of Justice to investigate the shooting.
“Based on what was said and what was told, it appears that an outside agency needs to come in to evaluate this shooting and determine if criminal charges should be brought,” Daniels said.
“Based on what transpired, what happened, it was adequate enough, the facts there alone to charge Glaser with the criminal charge of unlawfully killing Mr. Selby,” he said.
SPECTRUM NEWS 1 SPECIAL REPORT: POLICE SHOOTINGS IN NORTH CAROLINA
Indie dream pop band Cigarettes After Sex have announced 2024 tour dates along with a new album, X’s, set to be released July 12 through Partisan Records. Following the release of the new single, “Tejano Blue,” the Texas shoegaze band have unveiled domestic and international dates that kick off in June (Bonnaroo) and culminate in 2025, making one stop in the Carolinas (Raleigh on September 11 at PNC Arena).
The new single, “Tejano Blue,” is inspired by frontman Greg Gonzalez’s roots in El Paso, listening to Tejano music as a child.
“You could go to a lot of the bars in the city and hear artists like Selena, Los Ángeles Azules, and La Mafia playing over the speakers,” Gonzalez said in a statement. “Years later when I was living in New York City I finally started listening to Selena’s “Como La Flor” at the same time that I was also listening to a lot of Cocteau Twins. I had the idea then to try to combine both of their sounds…connecting with the music that I heard around me in my youth.”
X’s will be the first album release for the band since 2019’s Cry, which followed their debut self-titled album in 2017. Cigarettes After Sex last performed in North Carolina (Charlotte and Carrboro) in 2018.
With nearly 750 stores in 30 states, Scooter’s Coffee is known for its espresso drinks, fruit smoothies, baked-from-scratch pastries and its signature drink, the Caramelicious.
About Scooters
The first Scooter’s Coffee franchise in North Carolina opened in Monroe in 2020, according to a news release from the company.
The company has since added three locations in the Charlotte area — Lincolnton, Monroe and Indian Trail.
A grand opening date for the Denver store has not yet been announced.
This story was originally published February 28, 2024, 11:20 AM.
Related stories from Charlotte Observer
Evan Moore is a service journalism reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate.
Matthews Concert Band presents several concerts throughout the year, free to the public. Donations are accepted.
Upcoming Concerts
Winter Concert: Let’s Dance Thursday, March 7, 2024 7 p.m. Fullwood Theatre, Matthews Community Center 100 McDowell Street, Matthews, North Carolina Free, but donations appreciated
Featuring dance tunes…
Aram Khatchaturian: Sabre Dance
John Wasson: Big Band Tribute (Goodman, Miller, Ellington, Herman & Basie)
Eric Osterling: Beguine for Flutes
Jerry Bock, arr. Hearshen: Symphonic Dances from “Fiddler on the Roof”
John Moss: Clarinet Hoedown
Duke Ellington, arr. Custer: Duke Ellington!
Aaron Copland, arr. Longfield: Excerpts from “Appalachian Spring”
Leonard Bernstein: “America” from West Side Story
Spring Concert: From the British Isles Tuesday, May 7, 2024 7 p.m. Fullwood Theatre, Matthews Community Center 100 McDowell Street, Matthews, North Carolina Free, but donations appreciated
H. Walford Davies: Royal Air Force March Past
Malcolm Arnold: Prelude, Siciliano and Rondo
Percy Grainger: The Immovable Do
John Philip Sousa: Rose, Shamrock and Thistle
Frank Ticheli: Amazing Grace
Gustav Holst: Second Suite in F
Frederick Loewe: Selections from “My Fair Lady”
Memorial Day Ceremony Monday, May 27, 2024 9:30 a.m. Stumptown Park 120 S Trade Street, Matthews, NC Free
Matthews Concert Band will perform before the American Legion’s annual Memorial Day Ceremony, paying homage to the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.
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Upcoming Events in the Charlotte area
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Matthews Concert Band Winter Concert
When
March 7, 2024 @ 7:00 pm
What
Matthews Concert Band Winter Concert
Where
Matthews Community Center
100 W McDowell St Matthews,NC
When
May 7, 2024 @ 7:00 pm
What
Matthews Concert Band Spring Concert
Where
Matthews Community Center
100 W McDowell St Matthews,NC
When
May 27, 2024 @ 9:30 am
What
Matthews Concert Band: Performance before Memorial Day Ceremony
There’s nothing we love more than exploring the dining scene in Charlotte, but it’s no secret that going out to eat a lot gets expensive. That’s why we’ve rounded up this list of daily dining specials around the Queen City, so you can enjoy a meal out any day of the week without breaking the bank.
Link & Pin South End $5 Happy Hour Food Menu ~ House Burger with hand-cut fries, Backyard Burger with hand-cut fries, Mini Ahi Tuna Tacos, Brussels Sprouts, Candied Jalapeno bacon, Hummus Trio, Truffle-Garlic Fries, Crispy Oysters. 4PM — 6PM.
North Italia: Food deals like $15 pizza, $12 white truffle garlic bread, $7 zucca chips, and more; Monday — Friday, 3PM — 6PM.
Port City Club: Burger and taco specials; Tuesday — Thursday.
Napa on Providence & Napa at Kingsley: $9 cast iron meatballs, sliders, margarita flatbreads and truffle fries served at the bar; Sunday — Thursday, 4PM — 6:30PM.
Eddie V’s: Food deals like $11 mini filet mignon sandwiches, $9 truffle tartar, $20 yellowtail sashimi and more; Sunday — Thursday, 4PM — 6:30PM.
Aura Rooftop: $3 off all food items; Monday — Wednesday, 3PM — 6PM.
The Pump House: $10 smoked chicken wings, pimento mac and cheese balls, potato chips, nachos, brussels sprouts and truffle fries in the bar; Sunday — Thursday, 4PM — 6:30PM.
Drift on Lake Wylie: Drift & Sip specials like $12 meatballs and $15 spinach and artichoke crab dip in the bar; Sunday — Thursday, 4PM — 6:30PM.
All Duckworth’s locations Takeout specials available every day for carryout ONLY:
2 LARGE 1-TOPPING PIZZAS + 24 WINGS $50
1 LARGE 1-TOPPING PIZZA + 10 WINGS $25
2 LARGE 1-TOPPING PIZZA + 2 – 32 OZ. CROWLER $25
1 LARGE 1-TOPPING PIZZA + 1 – 32 OZ. CROWLER $15
Author’s Note: This article was written by Alex Maloney. You can find more of her Charlotte-related content on Instagram, @slicesandsushi.
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RALEIGH, N.C. – Governor Roy Cooper announced $1.3 million in grants to 42 public school districts and public charter schools across North Carolina to expand access to healthy school breakfast for more than 51,000 students. The NC Innovative School Breakfast Grants were funded through federal funds directed by the Governor in October 2023.
“Our public schools not only provide safe places for children to learn, but also healthy meals for students who sometimes face food insecurity at home,” said Governor Cooper. “These grants will help more public schools provide breakfast for children in the classroom so they can start their day ready to learn and be successful.”
Public schools provide free- or reduced-price meals for children and nearly 60% of North Carolina public school students qualify for free- or reduced-price meals. Many children rely on these school meals for daily nutritional needs. Nearly 1 in 6 children in North Carolina live in households without consistent access to food.
These grants are part of the Governor’s ongoing commitment to public education. Governor Cooper has declared 2024 the “Year of Public Schools” and is spending this year highlighting North Carolina’s strong public schools, teachers and staff across the state to show the positive impacts of a well-funded public education system on the state’s economy and communities.
The school districts and charter schools receiving grant funds use the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) to make school meals available to all students at no cost to their families. These districts and charter schools, which represent 258 public schools, were selected through a competitive grant program managed by the Carolina Hunger Initiative and the North Carolina Alliance for Health.
“School meals are an instructional intervention,” said Lou Anne Crumpler, Director of the Carolina Hunger Initiative. “From reducing chronic absenteeism to improving reading achievement, small changes in how school breakfast is served can make big impacts on student success. We appreciate Governor Cooper’s commitment to providing access to healthy breakfast at school to more students.”
“We know that hungry kids can’t learn,” said Morgan Wittman Gramann, Executive Director of the NC Alliance for Health. “These grants enable schools to find creative ways to make sure that every child has the nutrition that they need to focus on learning.”
The NC Innovative School Breakfast Grants will go to school districts and charter schools that implement innovative school breakfast models to expand student participation in school breakfast. These models include Breakfast in the Classroom, Second Chance Breakfast, and Grab and Go Breakfast. Innovative school breakfast models have been shown to increase school breakfast participation, especially among students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Research shows that eating a healthy school breakfast and lunch improves student attendance, discipline, and academic performance.
The 42 grant awardees include school districts and charter schools statewide, from Cherokee County Schools in the west to Tyrrell County Schools in the east. Funds will be used to purchase kitchen equipment to increase meal prep capacity and serving equipment to more easily and efficiently distribute meals to students. Some programs have already started, and others will begin in the next school year.
All the selected schools participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program, a federal program that provides free meals for all students in schools with high percentages of low-income and at-risk students. Many are participating in CEP for the first time this school year. These grants will allow districts to gain maximum access to federal reimbursement funds for free meals for students. Even when meals are available to students at no cost, barriers such as stigma, time, and location can prevent students from eating breakfast.
The selected school districts and charter schools are:
Durham indie synth-pop duo SylvanEsso and Psychic Hotline (an indie label founded by Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn of SylvanEsso and their manager, Martin Anderson) have announced a new event, Good Moon, coming to Durham Bulls Athletic Park Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1. Good Moon will feature sets by Seattle indie folk rockers Fleet Foxes, Minnesota indie rock band Hippo Campus, Chicago post-punk band Dehd, psychedelic electronic cumbia duo Reyna Tropical, and Raleigh’s Truth Club.
The two-day event will also host on-site pop-up shops and activations with afterparties on both nights at PS37 with DJ sets by Made of Oak (Nick Sanborn) and Suzi Analogue. Good Moon follows SylvanEsso’s three-day festival at Historic Durham Athletic Park in 2022, which saw over 12,000 attendees featuring Little Brother, Yo La Tengo, Indigo De Souza, Gus Dapperton, and Mr. Twin Sister.
Weekend passes (starting at $147) to Good Moon (May 31 – June 1) at Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham, North Carolina are now on sale at GoodMoonNC.com.
The prices for a Dave’s Single, Baconator or classic Frosty dessert could fluctuate based on demand under a new plan that the Wendy’s chief executive mentioned during an earnings call earlier this month.
The Ohio-based fast food company, which operates about 7,100 restaurants in the U.S., plans to start testing its dynamic pricing menu next year.
What You Need To Know
Wendy’s will experiment with dynamic pricing on its menu in 2025
The fast food chain announced the plan during an earnings call earlier this month
The dynamic pricing plan is part of a $20 million investment the company is making in digital menus
Wendy’s operates about 7,100 locations in the U.S.
It’s one component of a $20 million digital menu investment that will enable Wendy’s operators to experiment with altering prices based on how much traffic they have. The company also plans to change its menu based on time of day.
“We are making a significant investment in technology to accelerate our digital business,” a Wendy’s spokesperson told Spectrum News.
One of the benefits of the investment “will be the flexibility to change the menu more easily and to offer discounts and value offers to our customers through innovations such as digital menu boards, which will roll out in some U.S. restaurants.”
The spokesperson said it expects the move to drive traffic by “providing value during slower parts of the day.”
Starting in early 2025, Wendy’s will also test AI-enabled menu changes and so-called suggestive selling, where customers are offered recommendations based on factors such as weather.
A Charlotte couple has a unique experience. Instead of owning a home, they choose to rent.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — For many North Carolinians, renting a home is their only option since they don’t have enough money for the down payment of a home. However, a former homeowner is sharing with WCNC Charlotte a unique perspective: Choosing to rent rather than capitalize on their home equity.
Bernadette Joy is the eighth of nine children born in New York to first-generation Filipinos. After getting a good education and getting married, following the American dream led her to Charlotte.
“We’re like, ‘Wow, it’s so clean here and people keep calling me ma’am,’” Joy exclaimed.
“But more recently, in the last couple of years, we decided to sell all of our property and go back to renting, which sounds crazy,” Joy admitted.
They’re now renting a 1,200-square-foot, two-bedroom apartment for $2,500 a month. They were spending $3,400 a month on their four-bedroom home and maintenance. They also kept a contingency fund for unexpected issues. Now they don’t have to keep that contingency fund since those issues go to the property manager. The old home was bigger, but that came with tradeoffs.
“We spend no time at Home Depot or Lowe’s anymore,” Joy explained.
“We go to a lot of concerts, which are all five minutes away from where we live now,” she said.
Joy is not worried about not having the potential appreciation of an owned home. Joy said their investment portfolio is a lot more diversified now, still with their eyes on the prize, which is retirement.
“When I was owning a home, I’d often neighbors casually saying, ‘Oh, your grass is a little high today,’” Joy recalled. “‘I’m like, ‘Sorry, I was in Korea for four weeks.”
For now, she said flexibility is priceless.
Joy said she doesn’t have anything against homeownership and at some point, they will settle down again. But for now, Joy and her husband are happy renting an apartment, in an ideal location, and within their means. This frees them up to focus on their own business venture and a lot more traveling.
WCNC Charlotte’s Where’s The Money series is all about leveling the playing field in the Carolinas by helping others and breaking down barriers. WCNC Charlotte doesn’t want our viewers to be taken advantage of, so we’re here to help. Watch previous stories where we ask the question “Where’s the Money” in the YouTube playlist below and subscribe to get updated when new videos are uploaded.
This FAMILY TO DO in CHARLOTTE series is sponsored by CEENTA.
Are you still looking for family getaway for spring break coming up? One of the best things about living in Charlotte is that we have so many wonderful areas to visit all within a short drive. Whether you’re looking for the beach, mountains, city, or anything in between all are accessible and short drive from Charlotte.
Today we’ve got you covered with a list of driveable family-friendly options all within 4 hours of Charlotte. Use this list for an easy spring break or bookmark it for trip ideas all summer long.
Blowing Rock/Boone, NC
With beautiful mountains, hiking, and lots of family-friendly activities Boone and Blowing Rock are an excellent choice if you like to explore the outdoors.
Driving distance from Charlotte: 2 hours
Photo from Facebook
Family-friendly things to do in Boone & Blowing Rock:
Grandfather Mountain Wildlife and Nature Park
Mystery Hill
Memorial Park Playground in downtown Blowing Rock
Hiking: Price Lake Loop or Beacon Heights
Grandfather Mountain Winery
The Children’s Playhouse
Tweetsie Railroad Wild West Theme Park (closed until April 6th)
Family-friendly dining in Boone & Blowing Rock:
Lost Province Boone
Coyote Kitchen Boone
Town Tavern Blowing Rock
Greenville, SC
Greenville has a lot to offer families especially their Zoo, Children’s Museum and the very unique Airport Runway Park where kids can play and watch airplanes take off.
Greensboro is an easy day trip or there is plenty to do over a few days stay. The Greensboro Science Center is absolutely amazing and there are several other fun kid activities to enjoy.
Atlanta offers one of the best aquariums in the country plus an excellent zoo, children’s and science museum, Lego Discovery Center, and great parks. There is so much to do for families making it a great trip option.
Home to the popular Dollywood Theme Park, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg have lots of family-friendly activities. Anakeesta, Ripley’s Aquarium and hiking in Smokey Mountain National Park are a few of our favorites.
Family-friendly things to do in Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge:
Dollywood Theme Park
Anakeesta
Ripley’s Aquarium
Smokey Mountain National Park
Legacy Mountain Ziplines
Toy Box Mini Golf
Family-friendly dining in Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge:
Dolly Parton’s Stampede
Sunliner Diner
Mama’s Farmhouse
The Pottery House Cafe
Benett’s Pit BBQ
Smith and Son Corner Kitchen
Hilton Head, SC
Hilton Head is an extremely family-friendly beach town and has lots of options of activities if it ends up being too cool to get in the water or play on the beach.
Distance from Charlotte: 3 hours
Family-friendly things to do in Hilton Head:
The Beach
Shelter Cove Center Playground
Coligny Shopping Center including Celebration Park Playground
Harbor Town at Sea Pines
Ride Bikes
Sandbox Children’s Museum
Pirate Cruise
Sea Pines Petting Zoo
Family-friendly dining in Hilton Head:
Skull Creek Boathouse and Dockside
Hudson’s on the Docks
Posideon
Hilton Head Ice Cream
Day Trip Ideas for Nearby Family Fun:
North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, NC
Riverbank Zoo in Columbia, SC
Crowders Mountain State Park
Lake Norman State Park
NC Transportation Museum in Salisbury, NC
Schiele Museum in Gastonia
Greensboro Science Center in Greensboro, NC
Kaleideum Children’s Museum in Winston Salem, NC
Qubein Children’s Museum in High Point, NC
Catawba Science Center in Hickory, NC
Great Wolf Lodge in Concord, NC
Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates, P.A. (CEENTA) has nearly 140 providers in almost 20 locations bringing specialty care to the community. CEENTA provides comprehensive pediatric and adult eye, ear, nose and throat care, and highly specialized care, too.
Cabela’s, at 1000 Cabelas Drive, Fort Mill, South Carolina, is offering a free seminar — Introduction to Turkey Hunting — on Sunday, March 3, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The class will cover hunting gear, calls, decoys and much more.
It’s open to all ages.
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It’s also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
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Upcoming Events in the Charlotte area
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