approved a Level II Economic Development Incentive Grant on March 18
worth up to $114,000 for Southern Electrical Equipment Company Inc., to move operations from Mecklenburg County to the Monroe Corporate Center.
SEECO is a certi ed electrical transmission and substation equipment manufacturer with customers across the world. e company has been in business since 1920.
SEECO currently has locations in Mecklenburg County and Indian Trail,
which they plan to consolidate into a single 109,000-square-foot facility in Monroe.
“SEECO’s investment in Monroe is a commitment to innovation, job creation and long-term partnership with our community,” City Manager Mark Watson said. “ eir presence strengthens our manufacturing sector and reinforces Monroe as a hub for precision manufacturing.”
e company plans to invest $7 million to $10 million at the 15-acre site, creating 71 jobs with an average annual pay of $64,000 within three years. is investment also in-
SHOUT! will bring dozens of art installations and activities
CHARLOTTE – Uptown Charlotte will come alive with art, music, food and ideas as Charlotte SHOUT! returns April 4 to 20.
Produced by Charlotte Center City Partners and presented by Atrium Health and Bank of America, Charlotte SHOUT! is an annual celebration of the city’s art and culture.
Charlotte SHOUT! is a sensory feast for all ages, with more than 200 events and attractions taking place over 17 days in Uptown.
“Charlotte SHOUT! continues to elevate the vibrancy of Uptown, drawing hundreds
WAXHAW – The success of Downtown Waxhaw was on display during the 2025 NC Main Street Conference on March 11 to 13 in Mooresville.
e conference is focused on downtown revitalization and Downtown Waxhaw generated two awards.
e Town of Waxhaw and its partners received a 2024 Award for Merit in Design for the Best Outdoor Space Improvement for the Waxhaw Downtown Park. Former Town Manager Je Wells was also recognized as the 2024 Main Street Champion for his part in creating the Downtown Waxhaw Association.
During the award recognition, Main Street recognized the Downtown Waxhaw Park as a “transformative project that embodies innovation, inclusivity and community spirit.”
of thousands of visitors and creating unforgettable moments,” said Robert Krumbine, festival producer and chief creative o cer at Charlotte Center City Partners. “ is festival is a celebration of Charlotte’s creative spirit and its ability to bring people together through art, music, food and ideas. We can’t wait to see how this year’s lineup inspires and engages our community.”
e 2024 festival saw record engagement, with over 642,000 attendees and a $17.1 million direct spend economic impact for Uptown businesses. Artists, musicians and local entre-
Monroe OKs grant for Southern Electrical Equipment Company
cludes the potential for a workforce development partnership with South Piedmont Community College.
“In addition to hiring people fresh out of school and working with them to learn skills and trades, we’ve also worked with organizations… to help people get their lives together and move forward,” SEECO CEO and owner Andrew Panto said. “We like to become part of and grow with the community.”
SEECO plans to complete its renovation of the site no later than December 2025 and relocate all operations to Monroe. e city’s
Charlotte SHOUT! features 17 days of the arts, ideas
preneurs all bene ted, with $650,000 paid to local creatives and 28 food trucks serving festival goers. In addition, 1,200 students participated in educational and artistic activities. On the web: charlotteshout.com
New attractions for 2025 include:
• CanStruction – A live competition at Bank of America's Founders Hall where engineering and design industry groups create stunning CanArt sculptures using full cans of food, later
Waxhaw earns recognition for downtown
grant is worth up to $114,000 paid over a ve-year period.
“ e City of Monroe is thrilled to welcome SEECO home to the Monroe Corporate Center where they will have the resources, essential transportation, skilled workforce and economic incentives they need to thrive in today’s economy,” said Teresa Campo, Monroe’s strategic projects manager. “ is competitive incentive package a rms City Council’s strong commitment to fostering business growth and providing good paying jobs for our residents.”
A ‘cornerstone’ of Monroe Fire Department is retiring
MONROE – Greg Collins, deputy chief of operations for the Monroe Fire Department, is retiring May 1 after 30 years of service to the city.
Collins began his career with the Monroe Fire Department in 1995 as a public safety o cer. Over the years, he steadily progressed through the ranks, serving as a re engineer, lieutenant, captain, battalion chief, division chief of training and deputy chief of administration before assuming his current role as deputy chief of operations in 2021.
“The most rewarding part of my career has been watching others grow and succeed,” Collins said. “It has never been about personal recognition but rather about knowing that I played a role in improving our department, enhancing our response capabilities and ultimately saving lives. I’m grateful to have served alongside some of the best men and women in re service.”
e city said Collins played vital roles in advancing the Monroe Fire Department through his leadership and development of personnel, modernization of the re apparatus eet, planning and opening of Fire Station 6, which improved response times for residents in the upper northwest portion of the city, and lowering of the city’s re insurance rating to an ISO Class 1.
His leadership in emergency management also helped guide the city through major events, including hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Greg Collins has been a cornerstone of the Monroe Fire Department for many years,” City Manager Mark Watson said. “His contributions to emergency management, re operations and personnel development will continue to bene t the city long after his retirement.”
Fire Chief Ron Fowler expressed gratitude for Collins’ expertise and commitment to excellence.
“Greg Collins has sel essly and faithfully served the residents of Monroe where his personal integrity, professionalism and devotion to duty has been a tremendous example of public service,” Fowler said. “I am grateful for his years of service and pray that God will bless him with a long and happy retirement.”
Charlotte
to Uptown Charlotte. Photos courtesy of Charlotte Center City Partners
Story continues, see SHOUT! page 3A
Jeff Wells, assistant city manager in Monroe (pictured left at the Groundhog Day Economic Forum), received state recognition for his work as town manager of Waxhaw.
Photo courtesy of City of Monroe
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Union Academy FFA advances to national competition
RALEIGH – The Union Academy FFA Chapter had much to celebrate at the 2025 FFA Poultry Evaluation State Career Development Event.
Both the senior and junior teams earned rst place nishes. e senior team will advance to the National FFA Poultry Evaluation Career Development Event in Indianapolis.
During the Raleigh competition, students evaluated past production hens and market broilers, delivered oral reasons, graded eggs based on exterior and interior qualities, assessed chicken carcasses, identi ed retail parts and evaluated further-processed poultry products. e senior team also completed a written exam on poultry health management and embryology.
In addition to rst-place team nishes, multiple students placed in individual events:
• Senior division: Lindsay Van Art (first place), Aubrey Mekus (second place), Blake Carter (sixth
place) and Lacie Alexander (13th place).
• Junior division: Colton Alexander (second place), Levi Carter (eighth place) and Hannah Meyers (26th place).
e chapter recognizes Michael Alexander and Kaleb Pope for coaching and guiding the teams, as well as Tessa Burleson for her continued support.
Town Creek Park closed due to 12-Mile Creek debris removal
WAXHAW – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has started a debris removal project along 12-Mile Creek, including Waxhaw’s portion and tributaries.
This work is part of a countywide project involving all portions of the Waxhaw 12-Mile Creek to the South Carolina border.
e Army Corps of Engineers will have several access and removal sites along the creek within Waxhaw, including Town Creek Park and Harvey Clay Nesbit Trailhead for the Carolina read Trail.
Residents will see crews working in the waterways on foot, by boat or with drones overhead.
Inspection work has begun. Crews may include third-party contractors. ese contractors will identify themselves and have a representative from the U.S. Army Corp on site with them.
Equipment is being staged at Town Creek Park to facilitate the project and additional staging is being done at the Compost Facility.
The parks and recreation department has closed Town Creek Park and the trailhead at HC Nesbit Park to allow the US Army Corps to work and keep residents safe.
All work is scheduled to be completed by June 1.
Mint Hill Veterans Memorial Park to overflow with arts
MINT HILL – More than 40 local artists will display, demonstrate and sell their handmade items, including jewelry, paintings, pottery and textiles, during Tina Ross Afternoon in the Park. Butler High School (a cappella and choir), Legacy eater and Music Company, and School of Rock will perform during the event, which serves as a tribute to the late Tina Ross, a public servant with a love for the arts.
e event, sponsored by the Town of Mint Hill and EDIFICE, will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 26 at Mint Hill Veterans Memorial Park, 8850 Fairview Road.
On the web: minthillevents.org
Podcast celebrates 30 Years of recovery court
RALEIGH – e latest episode of All ings Judicial–Beyond the Bench, the judicial branch podcast exploring justice beyond the courtroom, celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Mecklenburg County Recovery Court.
e court has provided hope for people struggling with addiction, providing an alternative path that blends accountability with support.
is episode highlights the program’s lasting impact through the perspectives of Jessica Modra, program manager for the supportive treatment and engagement program, and John Barber, a Recovery Court graduate who shares his personal journey from addiction to recovery.
e conversation delves into the evolution of the program, the challenges and triumphs of its participants, and the crucial role of community support in the recovery process.
My charging cord was draining my phone
By Tony Marciano Contributor
I noticed my phone’s charging cord was beginning to be frayed. But it was still working, so I ignored it. I didn’t want to spend $5 on a new cord.
As time went on, I noticed the fray getting worse and worse. Yet, the charging was still working. I was saving a mighty $5.
One night I plugged it in and it didn’t make that funny noise. I wiggled the cord and it “dinged.” I was good. Another night saving $5. I got up in the middle of the night. When I checked my phone, it was at 75%. at’s odd; when I went to bed it was at 85%.
When I woke up that morning, it showed it was at 65%. Down
20% from when I went to bed. Not only was the cord frayed, but my charging cord was draining my phone. at’s not what charging cords are supposed to do. ey are supposed to bring energy, or can I say life, to a dying cell phone. Relationships can be like charging cords. A friend told me about going out on a date with a guy. ey were both in ministry so she felt their values were aligned. I asked her how it went and she said, “I felt drained by the end of the night.” Yes, they shared a similar life view. What happened on the date didn’t energize her to pursue another date. She was drained. She was exhausted. For whatever he did or didn’t do, said or didn’t say, similar to the charging cord on my phone, he drained her battery. You may have heard the expression called, “Debbie Downer.” is is a person with whom you come in contact with and because of what
they are saying, brings down the energy of the group. For example, they may feel they are a victim in life and want to tell everyone about their woes. ey may have had a bad day at work. Or they simply want to complain about life. Whatever they do, they drain you instead of charging you. ink about the person that you spend time with where you can be your absolute self. No, seriously pause and think about the last time you were with that person. ink about your own quirks. Who is that person that you can be your own quirky person? Not only do they accept you for it, but they love you while you are being quirky. You can be yourself and know that you are loved, valued and respected. at was something I experienced on the second date with my wife. As the old expression says, “I can be an odd duck.” On previous dates, I had to be someone I wasn’t just to get them to accept me. I don’t re-
member the details of the date with my wife, where we went or what we did. I do remember after the date thinking, “ at was di erent than anything I had ever experienced. I was myself and didn’t have to be something or someone else to be accepted.”
It's not just in romantic relationships; it’s with friends, family and co-workers. Who are the people when you leave their presence you feel energized? at the time that you spent with them went way too fast. It wasn’t just good; it was refreshing and delightful. Don’t take those relationships for granted. As my grandfather said, “If you have two, maybe three good friends in your life, you are a rich person.” I’ll be back soon. Until then, live well my friend.
e Rev. Tony Marciano is available to speak to your group. DM him on Facebook.
Don’t let spring injuries keep you from seizing the season
Spring brings warmer weather, blooming owers and an increase in injuries.
Novant Health-GoHealth Urgent Care sees an uptick in back pain, sprains, strains, fractures and other injuries each spring as people get outside and increase their activity levels.
e company o ers a few things to keep in mind to stay safe this season:
WARM UP: If you are just getting out there after a sedentary winter, take it slow. Warm up your muscles before any big activities.
We all hear about how stretching is important, but did you know the type of stretching matters? It’s better to use dynamic stretching, such as arm swings or leg swings, than static stretching, where you hold one position.
Consider small levels of activity to get back into the swing of things, such as hitting the driving range a few times before playing a full round of golf. Even if you’ve been working out regularly, consider that some sport-speci c muscles may not be at their peak. Movements like throwing, running or kicking are things that most people don’t do on a daily basis.
MOVE SMART: Back pain is a common complaint. About 80% of adults experience lower back pain at some point in their lives, according to the National Institutes of Health. While there are many causes, strains and sprains to muscles, tendons or ligaments are the common culprits.
Ryan Hagan, a physician assistant at Novant Health-GoHealth, said many back injuries are caused by twisting movements or exertion the body isn’t used to.
Use ergonomic movements that follow the body's natural motions and take breaks. Overuse can lead to more serious injury and pain.
ASSESS INJURIES: Sprains, strains and fractures are common injuries in warmer months. Sprains and strains are soft tissue injuries a ecting ligaments, muscles or tendons, and a fracture is a break in the bone. All are painful and have similar symptoms. Signs of sprains and strains include pain, swelling, bruising and trouble moving the injured area. ey can typically be treated at home with ice, rest and over-the-counter pain relievers. Gentle movement can also help prevent the sti ening of sprains and strains. But a fracture is a more serious injury that requires medical attention. It has
the same symptoms, but the pain may be more intense. You may also notice a limb deformity and an inability to put weight on the injury.
“Sprains are the most common injuries we see; ankle sprains are the main ones,” Hagan said. “Muscle and tendon strains pick up in the warmer months too, and they can happen anywhere from the football eld to the pickleball courts.”
And as always, remember to wear your helmet when you are doing anything on wheels – biking, skateboarding or motorized scooters. Helmets are very e ective at reducing serious injury. Assume drivers cannot see you and use caution.
Don’t forget to hydrate when the temperature rises. Dehydration reduces performance and puts you at risk of heat exhaustion and muscle cramps. Drinking 20 ounces of water two hours before exercise and another 10 ounces every 20 minutes can prevent dehydration. And electrolytes are great if there's more intense exercise lasting an hour or longer.
GET HELP: You should get help immediately if you are experiencing intense pain or have an injury that severely restricts movement. Seek help immediately if you
have a serious fracture where the bone is piercing the skin.
Injuries involving shhooks can be challenging to remove and bring risk of infection. Hagan suggests a visit to urgent care to make it easier on yourself, with a clean removal and wound treatment.
Urgent care is a great answer for many minor injuries. But head to the ER if the pain is so intense it’s causing vomiting or loss of consciousness.
“While many injuries typically get better with time and care, use good judgment if something feels o ,” Hagan said. “Getting care sooner rather than later can prevent more serious issues down the road.”
Novant Health-GoHealth o ers treatment for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries and o ers on-site X-ray services and diagnostic testing. ey are open 365 days a year, including holidays. Patients seeking care can be seen quickly and easily by either walking into any Novant Health-GoHealth Urgent Care center or through Novant Health-GoHealth's online “save a spot” tool, which allows them to secure a spot in line, check in and complete registration before arrival. Patients can be referred to physical therapists, orthopedists and other specialists at Novant Health if follow up care is needed.
Tony Marciano
SHOUT! from 1A
donated to Second Harvest to help feed the hungry.
• Queen’s Greens – A reimagined space at Wells Fargo Plaza featuring nine fully functional mini golf holes with obstacles designed by local artists.
• Oracle – Larger-thanlife in atable characters that interact with visitors using AI-powered voice features at ImaginOn. Talk with Apollo & Athena. Oracles from the Planet Claire have traveled across the universe to chat with you about love and friendship.
• EdgeFest – Artists create masterpieces live in a celebration of spray paint, local artists and community at First Ward Park.
• Mi Casa, Your Casa 2.0 – An interactive instal -
lation by Esrawe + Cadena featuring glowing red-frame houses with swings, inviting First Ward Park visitors to engage with public spaces in a unique way.
Returning attractions for 2025 include:
• Eggs on Parade, a baker's dozen of beautifully and uniquely designed, largerthan-life Easter eggs created by 13 di erent local artists at The Green.
• Pianodrome, the first amphitheater in the United States made completely out of 40 recycled pianos, will host concerts, piano lessons, and more inside the Wells Fargo Atrium.
• E/motion features interactive light up see-saws that mimic the sensations of surging water at First Ward Park.
• SHOUT! Lounge – Step into the SHOUT! Lounge,
April 4
Book Club
The Union West Morning Book Club discusses “I'm Glad My Mom Died” by Jennette McCurdy at Union West Regional Library. The club is for adults. uclnc.org
10-11 a.m.; 123 Unionville-Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail
Babies & Books
Children, ages 0-2, build literacy skills at a Babies and Books storytime held at Southwest Regional Library. uclnc.org
10:30-11 a.m.; 1515 Cuthbertson Road, Waxhaw
April 5
Imagineers Expo
Union County Public Library presents an Imagineers Expo at the Monroe branch. The event includes science, technology, engineering, art and math activities and demonstrations. uclnc.org
10-11 a.m.; 316 E. Windsor St., Monroe
Babies & Books
Children, ages 0-2, build literacy skills at a Babies and Books storytime held at Southwest Regional Library. uclnc.org
10:30-11 a.m.; 1515 Cuthbertson Road, Waxhaw
April 6
Puzzle Contest
Teams compete to see who can put together a 300-piece puzzle the fastest at Sweet Union Brewing. sweetunionbrewing.com
5 p.m.; 13711 E. Independence Blvd., Indian Trail
April 7
Children, ages 3-5, learn simple yoga poses and stretches during Tiny Yogi’s Yoga at Union County Public Library’s Monroe branch. uclnc.org
10-11 a.m.; 316 E. Windsor St., Monroe
Spacey Spheros
Teens recreate the solar system during Spacey Spheros at Southwest Regional Library. uclnc.org
5:30-6:30 p.m.; 1515 Cuthbertson Road, Waxhaw
April 8
Storytime Children, ages 2-5, build literacy skills at a storytime held at Union West Regional Library. uclnc. org
9:30-10 a.m. or 10:30-11 a.m.; 123 UnionvilleIndian Trail Road, Indian Trail
Storytime Children, ages 2-5, build literacy skills at a storytime held at Union County Public Library’s Monroe branch. uclnc.org
9:30-10 a.m. or 10:30-11 a.m.; 316 E. Windsor St., Monroe
WAXHAW from 1A
“We are thrilled to be recognized for the hard work and the impact of the downtown park,” said Dena Sabinske, parks and recreation director. “The park was possible thanks to the leadership of our elected o cials, town sta and community members and took more than 12 years to become a reality. is award is a celebration for all of Waxhaw.”
The Downtown Park opened in May 2024 during the Kaleidoscope Festival. It has since attracted 70,000 visitors.
Communities across the state also learned about the Downtown Waxhaw Association. Wells, who now works for the City of Monroe, was credited for championing the effort as Waxhaw town manager.
“The Downtown Waxhaw Association has been a game-changer in our ability to better support the businesses, property owners and visitors to Downtown Waxhaw,” said Ashley Nowell, business development director for the town and the director of the Downtown Waxhaw Association.
The Downtown Waxhaw Association operates in a quasi-public-private partnership model that brings together government leaders, business owners and community stakeholders to advance the goals of Downtown Waxhaw.
“It wouldn’t have been possible without buyin from the board of commissioners and the community,” Nowell said. “Jeff was instrumental in advancing this vision in his role as town manager.”
a nostalgic nod to the lively 1990s mall experience, reimagined with local air. Browse 16 artist-run shops, enjoy small bites, and experience live entertainment, face painting and interactive art.
• Temple of Change –At Bank of America Plaza, you will find the Temple of Change is an interactive art project designed to honor the changes in our world and personal lives.
Festivals inside the festival
Charlotte SHOUT! also features three festivals-within-the-festival:
• April 3-8, The Charlotte Ideas Festival, curated by The Charlotte Center for the Humanities and Civic Imagination, will showcase leading thinkers and innovators discussing today’s most important topics at Carolina
Theatre. Featured speakers include technologist Noelle Russell on the future of AI, astrophysicist and musician Matt Russo on the sounds of the cosmos and authors Ann Patchett and Kevin Wilson for a special evening conversation.
• April 4-5, Carolina BBQ Festival, organized by Sweet Lew’s BBQ and Let’s Meet CLT, offers tastings from top pitmasters, live music, local vendors and an onsite brick pit showcasing whole hog cooking, at Victoria Yards.
• April 12-13, Charlotte StrEATs celebrates the chefs and restaurants that highlight Charlotte’s culinary scene. StrEATs Uncorked will celebrate North Carolina wine on April 4th. Charlotte StrEATs is hosted by Unpretentious Palate and Carben Events at Gateway Village.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Science of Co ee
High Octane Creamery & Coffee explains how to make coffee during Science of Coffee at Union West Regional Library. uclnc.org
11 a.m.-noon; 123 Unionville-Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail
Puppet Play
Students in kindergarten through fifth grade watch a puppet show and create puppets during Puppet Play at Union West Regional Library. uclnc.org
4-5 p.m.; 123 Unionville-Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail
Science Explorers
Children in grades 3-5 do hands-on experiments in Science Explorers: Fizzy Hands at Southwest Regional Library. Register in advance at uclnc.org
5-6 p.m.; 1515 Cuthbertson Road, Waxhaw
Medicare 101 A coordinator from the Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program talks about Medicare during Medicare 101 at Southwest Regional Library. uclnc.
org
5:30-7 p.m.; 1515 Cuthbertson Road, Waxhaw
Trivia Night
Cappitoff Entertainment hosts a trivia night at Small Bar Matthews. Get tickets at eventbrite.com.
7-9 p.m.; 4316 Potter Road, Matthews
Trivia Night
Big Pop Trivia hosts a trivia night at The Trail House. thetrailhouseindiantrail.com
7-9 p.m.; 6751 Old Monroe Road, Indian Trail
Book Club
The Read with STEAM teen book club discusses “The Cruel Prince” by Holly Black at Southwest Regional Library. uclnc.org
4:30-6 p.m.; 1515 Cuthbertson Road, Waxhaw
Book Club
Evelyn’s Book Club discusses "Before The Coffee Gets Cold" by Toshikazu Kawaguchi at Union County Public Library’s Monroe Library. The club is for adults. uclnc.org
5:30-6:30 p.m.; 316 E. Windsor St., Monroe
April 9
Storytime
Children, ages 2-5, build literacy skills at a storytime held at Union County Public Library’s Monroe branch. uclnc.org
9:30-10 a.m. or 10:30-11 a.m.; 316 E. Windsor St., Monroe
Storytime Children, ages 2-5, build literacy skills at a storytime held at Southwest Regional Library. uclnc.org
9:30-10 a.m. or 10:30-11 a.m.; 1515 Cuthbertson Road, Waxhaw
Storytime
Children, ages 2-5, build literacy skills at a storytime held at Union West Regional Library. uclnc. org
9:30-10 a.m. or 10:30-11 a.m.; 123 UnionvilleIndian Trail Road, Indian Trail
Book Club The Lit & Latte Book Club discusses “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah at Sorella Coffee. uclnc.org
1-2 p.m.; 107 S. Main St., Monroe
Neighborhood Gardener
A Master Gardener talks about the top 10 native plants for your landscape during Neighborhood Gardener at Southwest Regional Library. uclnc.org
5:30-6:30 p.m.; 1515 Cuthbertson Road, Waxhaw
Easter Bunny Photos Stallings Parks and Recreation hosts Happy Hoppy Easter Bunny Photos in the Government Center lobby. ose that get a photo leave with a free printout.
5:30-7:30 p.m.; 321 Stallings Road, Stallings
April 10
Storytime Children, ages 2-5, build literacy skills at a storytime held at Southwest Regional Library. uclnc.org
9:30-10 a.m. or 10:30-11 a.m.; 1515 Cuthbertson Road, Waxhaw
Egg Hunt Indian Trail Parks and Recreation hosts its second annual Inclusive Egg Hunt for people of differing abilities. The event, held at Chestnut Square Park, includes crafts and photos with the Easter Bunny. itsparksandrec.com
6-7:30 p.m.; 220 Chestnut Pkwy, Indian Trail, Movie Screenings Dowd Center eatre presents a screening of “Big Fish.” Admission costs $2 at the door. dowdcentertheatre.com
7 p.m.; 120 S. Main St., Monroe
April 11
Cruise-In
Classic cars are on display during the Cruise-In on Main Street in Monroe The event continues on the second Friday of each month.
6-8 p.m.; North Main Street, Monroe
Easter Festival
Indian Trail Parks and Recreation’s Hop to IT features egg hunts, games, crafts and photos with the Easter Bunny at Chestnut Square Park.
itsparksandrec.com/
6-9 p.m.; 220 Chestnut Pkwy, Indian Trail
April 12
Litter Sweep
The Town of Indian Trail invites the community to pitch in at the Spring Litter Sweep at Indian Trail Town Hall. Volunteers, ages 14 and older, receive safety vests and supplies to help pick up litter. Register in advance at https://bit.ly/4093ofc.
7:30-11 a.m.; 315 Matthews-Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail
Farmers Market
The Waxhaw Farmers Market opens for the regular season. waxhawfarmersmarket.org
9 a.m.-noon; 27283 Waxhaw Pkwy., Waxhaw
Earth Day Waxhaw Parks and Recreation partners with the North Carolina Wildlife Federation Habitat Builders Chapter for an Earth Day Celebration at Waxhaw Downtown Park. Register in advance at waxhaw.recdesk.com.
10-11:30 a.m.; 301 Givens St., Waxhaw
Car Show e Union County Foundation presents a car show at the Union County Sheriff’s Office. The event includes music, food trucks and a raffle. unioncountysheri so ce.com
10 a.m.-2 p.m.; 3370 Presson Road, Monroe
Easter Eggstravaganza
Monroe Parks & Recreation hosts Easter Eggstravaganza, which features egg hunts, food, games and bounce houses, at Parks Williams Athletic Complex. Egg hunts start at noon for ages 3-5, 12:30 p.m. for ages 6-8 and 1 p.m. for ages 9-12. Call 704-282-4663 for details.
11 a.m.-2 p.m.; 2011 Ashton Ave., Monroe
Spring Fest Monroe’s Spring Fest features shopping, dining, live music and games in Downtown Monroe.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. downtown Monroe
Vintage Pop-Up
The Goldfinch Vintage holds its Spring Vintage Pop-Up with clothing, jewelry and decor at Sweet Union Brewing. A portion of the proceeds help a friend pay medical bills.
Noon-6 p.m.; 13717 E. Independence Blvd., Indian Trail
Cornhole Tournament
Four Baggers Cornhole hosts a bring your own partner cornhole tournament at Tap and Vine. tapandvinenc.com
7 p.m.; 6443 Old Monroe Road, Indian Trail
Indian Trail secures $6M for transportation improvements
INDIAN TRAIL – The Charlotte
Regional Transportation Planning Organization awarded the Town of Indian Trail on March 19 more than $6 million for two transportation-related projects.
Intersection improvements
The town was awarded $5,231,384 for improvements to the Indian Trail-Fairview Road/Younts Road/Stinson Hartis Road intersection. The project costs $10,462,768.
e town is responsible for the remaining 50% of the total. is intersection was one of three priority intersections identified in the town’s Transportation Master Plan, which the town council approved in November 2024. Improvements to the intersection will include realigning Younts Road to create a combined intersection with Stinson Hartis Road; removing the existing traffic signal and installing a new one at the combined
intersection; adding a dedicated left turn lane on Stinson Hartis Road; and installing high visibility crosswalks, ADA curb ramps and pedestrian signals.
Additionally, the project will construct 10-foot multi-use paths with pedestrian lighting along Younts Road and Stinson Hartis Road and construct a five-foot sidewalk along Indian Trail-Fairview Road to fill in the sidewalk gap.
This funding will be available in October 2027, with design beginning shortly after. e anticipated year for the start of construction is 2031.
Indian Trail Road improvements
The town received $1,321,600 from CRTPO to cover additional funding needed for construction and right-of-way acquisition costs for the Indian Trail Road Complete Street project.
e total funding needed to cover the costs is $1,652,000. The town will cover
$330,400 of the total cost as part of the funding agreement.
e funding was approved for improvements at the Matthews-Indian Trail Road and Indian Trail Road intersection.
Additional funding for Indian Trail Road improvements will be available in October 2025. The town will advertise the project to prospective bidders by the end of 2025.
About the funding
CRTPO allocates discretionary funds or grants to member jurisdictions on a competitive basis. Project selection is guided by the CRTPO-approved Discretionary Fund Policy Guide, which prioritizes regional projects that will utilize federal funds. CRTPO opened its call for projects last August. e town will provide additional information on these projects as they move forward. On the web: indiantrail.org.
Photo courtesy of Charlotte Center City Partners
Celebrate Spring’s Arrival with a Skillet Fish Fry
SHARIGATO will focus on hand-rolled sushi
CHARLOTTE – After relocating from Los Angeles to Charlotte and suddenly finding herself unemployed at the age of 60, Shari Lynne Robins was inspired to return to her restaurant roots.
Robins will open SHARIGATO, a hand-roll restaurant, at Joinery in the fall.
“I knew it was time to take matters into my own hands and bring my passion for Japanese and California cuisine to life here in Charlotte,” Robins said. “I believe food has to be craveable, and what I am trying to build at SHARIGATO is consistency across incredible avors so that people can’t stop thinking about coming back for more.”
Unlike traditional sushi restaurants that serve a variety of sushi, sashimi and rolls, SHARIGATO will focus exclusively on the handroll experience.
It will deliver high-quality, personalized and made-to-order hand rolls, served one by one, that customers can enjoy quickly while the rice is still warm and the nori remains crispy, creating the perfect crunchy bite. e streamlined menu makes ordering faster and more e cient.
Drawing inspiration from the iconic KazuNori, in Los Angeles and New York City, the 1,438-squarefoot restaurant at 420 E. 22nd Street will house a 24-seat bar where guests
can dine and watch what goes into crafting each hand roll.
To guarantee the optimal experience, SHARIGATO’s bar will operate on a rst-come, rst-served basis, with no reservations.
With limited sushi counter seating, the restaurant will also offer to-go and delivery options, aided by SHARIBOTO, a maki-making robot. SHARIBOTO will expand the restaurant’s menu, o ering travel-friendly, maki-style bites. ere will also be indoor and outdoor seating.
Charlotte-based Perry Poole
Architects is leading the design and architecture. e restaurant design will be minimalist yet vibrant, blending modern simplicity with handcrafted charm.
It will draw inspiration from French designer Charlotte Perriand and her appreciation for craft.
SHARIGATO is projected to hire 10 to 15 employees who will help create an engaging experience for guests sitting at the bar. Development updates, hours and opening information will be announced closer to the opening. On the web: sharigato.com.
SHARIGATO describes itself as a high-end, fast-casual sushi hand roll bar with Japanese-inspired snacks and drinks as well as beverages like draft cocktails, craft sakes, and beers. Photos courtesy of SHARIGATO
Database Administrator sought by Nucor Business Technology, Inc. in the Charlotte, NC location. Candidate must have a Bach’s or foreign equiv deg in Comp Sci, Info Systems, Electronic Engg or related tech’l deg & 5 yrs of exp managing large Oracle D/bases & Application Migrations on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). Exp must incl: Installation, con guration, upgrading & patching w/in Oracle eBusiness Suite (EBS) application environments; Oracle 12c to 19c architecture, upgrade & d/base dsgn & related Oracle technologies (Partition, TDE Encryption, etc.); Performance tuning, capacity planning & optimization of Oracle d/base environments; Implmtn, Application Maintenance/Support & Upgrades in Oracle Applications, WebLogic & con gurations; & Leveraging knowl of Oracle architecture & concepts incl General RDBMS, D/base tuning, SQL tuning, & D/base statistics for upgrades & installation. Certi cations reqd: Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Certi ed Architect Professional (2019 or later), Oracle Autonomous D/base Cloud Certi ed Specialist (2019 or later), AWS Certified Solutions Architect-Associate, Certified ScrumMaster (CSM). Partial Telecommuting permitted. To apply: please apply online at https://jobs.nucor.com/.
Software Engineer III, F/T at Truist Bank (Charlotte, NC) Deliver highly complex solutions w/ signi cant system linkages, dependencies, associated risk. Lead & perform dvlpmt e orts such as analysis, dsgn, coding/
LIVE MUSIC
‘Tu Boda’ singer coming to perform at The Fillmore CHARLOTTE – Oscar Maydon, a rising star in regional Mexican music, will embark on his rst-ever U.S. tour.
e 13-city U.S. tour includes a stop at
e Fillmore in Charlotte on Aug. 14. is comes as Maydon’s track “Tu Boda,” featuring Fuerza Regida, climbed to No. 5 on Spotify’s Top 50 Global chart and recently claimed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Regional Mexican Airplay chart
Produced by Live Nation, the Rico o Muerto Tour marks a new chapter in Maydon’s career, as he takes the stage in amphitheaters and an arena in Texas on his debut run in the States. Get tickets at LiveNation.com.
April 4
• Americana Beer Co.: Jeff Rogers
• Amos’ Southend: Joe Hero
• Blackfinn Ameripub: Beth Gatlin
• Home Brew: Jack Fontana
creating, & testing. Oversee & participate in testing, implmtn, maintenance, & escalated support of Truist’s most complex solutions. Must have Bach’s deg in Comp Sci, Comp Engg, Electrical/Electronics Engg or related tech’l eld + 6 yrs of progressive exp in s/ware engg or IT consulting positions performing the following: applying in-depth knowl in info systems & understanding of key business processes & competitive strategies related to the IT function to identify, apply, & implmt IT best practices; applying broad functional knowledge in reqmt gathering, analysis, dsgn, dvlpmt, testing, implmtn, & deployment of applications; planning & managing projects & solving complex problems by applying best practice; providing direction & mentoring less exp’d teammates; & utilizing exp w/: AWS, Terraform, Maven, Gradle, Docker, Angular 13/14, Java, Spring MVC, Spring Boot, HTML5, DHTML, CSS3, XML, Java Script, AJAX, Node JS, jQuery, Bootstrap, XML, SOAP, REST, Postman, GIT, MySQL, SQLServer, DB2, AWS Redis, Veracode, Splunk, DevOps & CICD, GitHub, ServiceNow, Rally & SonarQube. Position may be eligible to work in a hybrid remote model & is based out of & reports to Truist o ces in Charlotte, NC. Applicants must be able to work onsite at Truist o ces in Charlotte, NC at least 4 days/wk. Apply online (https://careers.truist. com/) or email resume to: Paige.Whitesell@ Truist.com (Ref Job# R0100663)
Tech, Developer SR II. Compass Group USA, Inc. Charlotte, NC. May telco 3-4 dys/wk
• Independence Harley-Davidson: Love
Bug Junkie
• Mac’s Speed Shop: Alan Barrington
• Moochies Tavern: Danielle Hewitt
• Neighborhood Theatre: Yonder Mountain
String Band
• OMB Ballantyne: Time Machine Band
• Southern Range Brewing Company:
Carrie Ann
• Stooges Pub & Grub: Action Jaxxon
• The Club House: Coconut Groove
• Treehouse Vineyards: David Grogan
• The Fillmore: Josiah Queen
• Visulite Theatre: Cosmic Charlie
April 5
• Americana Beer Co.: Gary Cassidy
• Amos’ Southend: Separate Ways
• Evening Muse: Pink beds
• Franklin Court Grille: GK Via and John Czerwinski
• Great Wagon Road Distillery: Dusty Live
• Home Brew Taproom & Tunes: Dose of Ocean
• Moochies Tavern: Save July
• Neighborhood Theatre: Tab Benoit
• Ovens Auditorium: Trisha Paytas
• Southern Range Brewing Company:
Vintage 37
• Stooges Pub & Grub: Shotgun Saints
• The Trail House: Wildmen from Borneo
• The Union Exchange: Smokin’ Gunn
• The Underground: Dean Lewis
• Visulite Theatre: Brightside
• Waxhaw Taphouse: Aerial View
April 6
• Moochies Tavern: Adam Daniels
April 7
• Evening Muse: Open mic
• Jukebox Pub: Open mic
• The Fillmore: Poppy
w/in comm dist of Charlotte, NC. Wrk in o 1-2 dys/wk. Dev enter apps to ensure hi qual of crit hc prod. M-F 8a - 5p, 40 hrs/wk + aft hrsas need. Reqs Bach / Mast in CIS, CS, Engg / Math / rel / equiv. Reqs w/ Bach 8 yrs, w/ Mast 6 yrs, SW engg exp incl w/ Bach 8 yrs, w/ Mast 6 yrs: Java prog; Spring frameworks; Hibernate JPA prog; w/ Bach 5 yrs, w/ Mast 3 yrs: Javascript prog; Micro Srvce arch & dsgn; REST / WebSrvce API Dev; Mod app piplines & DevOps proc; Agile w/ Scrum Proc; wrk w/ AWS Runtime Environs; Mod APM tools (Dynatrace, Splunk, AppDynamics, & CloudWatch). Hires sbmt to BG chck. Apply: res to: shared. talentacquisitionoperations@compass-usa. com & ref #115434
Technical Lead - SAP P2P/ ABAP/ Fiori. Compass Group USA, Inc. Charlotte, NC. May telco w/in comm dist of Charlotte, NC loc. Dsgn & dev crit & cmplx procmnt integr soln in SAP P2P, Fiori & OpenText VIM w/ ABAP. M-F, 8a - 5p, 40 hrs / wk. Reqs Bach in CS, CE, IT / rel / equiv. Reqs 7 yrs exp integr legacy non-SAP sys w/ SAP environs incl S/4 HANA, Fiori, ECC, SAP Soln Mgr, OpenText, SAP PO middleware, SAP SuccessFactors & SAP Gateway incl 5 yrs: ABAP app dev lang, AMDP proc & CDS views; OOD exp; web srvcs incl REST, SOAP, Odata srvcs & API mgmt; 3 yrs: Fiori/ HTML5 dev exp for SAP S/4HANA; SAP EWM & RF integr gen SAP UI app & dev exp (Enterp Portal, Fiori / sim); integr w/ SAP mod incl: POSDM, FI, MM, OTC, & IS-
April 8
• Amos’ Southend: Fame on Fire
• Evening Muse: Menastree
• Neighborhood Theatre: Squirrel Nut Zippers
• Ovens Auditorium: Blippi
• The Fillmore: Half Alive
April 9
• Home Brew Taproom & Tunes: Beth Gatlin
• Neighborhood Theatre: New Translations
• Peddlers Paradise Bartique: Open mic
• The Club House: David Porter
• The Fillmore: Awolnation
• The Trail House: Omari Duo
• The Underground: Nettspend
April 10
• Evening Muse: Nether Hour
• Neighborhood Theatre: Nicotine Dolls
• Spectrum Center: Trey Songz, Omarion & Bow Wow
• The Fillmore: Lane 8
• The Underground: Shordie Shordie
• Visulite Theatre: Tan and Sober Gentlemen
April 11
• Americana Beer Co.: Avery Creek
• Amos’ Southend: Modern Alibi
• Blackfinn Ameripub: Trace Casanova
• Evening Muse: The Forum and Homemade Haircuts; Bakalao Stars
• Evening Muse: BabyJake; Satellite Dog and Casual Cadenza
• Home Brew Taproom & Tunes: Dual Drive
• Local Logic: AJ Holt
• Moochies Tavern: 485
• Neighborhood Theatre: Tyler Rich
• OMB Ballantyne: Knights of Flannel
• Ovens Auditorium: Jim Jefferies
• Pineville Tavern: Mojo Stomp
Retail; CHARM & Foc Bld; & dev rep dev proc w/ spprt docs. Hrs sbmt to BG chck. Apply: res to: shared.talentacquisitionoperations@compass-usa.com & ref #115450
Solutions Architect, Schaefer Systems International, Inc., Charlotte. NC. Mst teleco fr anywhre in US. Drft concptn & code of SW sol. M - F 8a-5p w/ occ eve & w/e wrk. On-call in prim or sec dgree as needed. Reqs Bach/Mast in CS/Engg/rel/equiv. Reqs w/ bach 4 yrs, w/ mast 2 yrs SW dev exp incl (if bach 4 yrs/ if mast 2 yrs) use: Java/othr OOP lang; SQL DBs (Oracle, MySQL & SQL Server); matrl ow strat & WH proc, concepts & impl; transf log reqs to ows, layouts & dsg; Eclipse & Jenkins; Gerrit/Git; Dockers/cntanrs; TypeScript & Quarkus; Linux OS; Angular & Spring frmwrks; Bash & Shell scriptng. Reqs 20% US & intl trvl. Apply: res to: dahianna.thomas@ssi-schaefer. com & ref#116934.
Business Systems Analyst. Charlotte, NC. Analyze business, data processing problems, and user behavior. Develop use cases and test plans for implementation. Communicate with clients for software con guration needs. Reqd U.S. Degree: BBA in CIS or related. Salary: Minimum $77958.00 (SeventySeven ousand Nine Hundred Fifty-Eight US Dollars) per year. Send resume in duplicate: Ojash Shrestha, President, Novelty Technology LLC, 4845 Johnston Oehler Rd, Ste# D, Charlotte, NC 28269.
• Southern Range Brewing Company: Stratosphere
• Spectrum Center: Disturbed
• The Trail House: Grüv Soup
• The Underground: Nightly
• Visulite Theatre: Naked Giants
Venues
Charlotte
• Amos’ Southend: 1423 S. Tryon St.
• Blackfinn Ameripub: 14825 Ballantyne
Village Way
• Evening Muse: 3227 N. Davidson St.
• Neighborhood Theatre: 511 E. 36th St.
• OMB Ballantyne: 15025 Bowl St.
• Ovens Auditorium: 2700 E.
Independence Blvd.
• Spectrum Center: 333 E. Trade St.
• The Club House: 16709 Orchard Stone
Run
• The Fillmore: 820 Hamilton St.
• The Underground: 820 Hamilton St.
• Visulite Theatre: 1615 Elizabeth Ave.
Indian Trail
• Jukebox Pub: 5801 W. U.S. 74
• The Trail House: 6751 Old Monroe Road
Matthews
• Independence Harley-Davidson: 9205 E. Independence Blvd.
• Mac’s Speed Shop: 142 E. John St. Mint Hill
• Stooges Pub & Grub: 13230 Albemarle Road
Monroe
• Americana Beer Co.: 222 N. Main St.
• Franklin Court Grille: 232 E. Franklin St.
• Hayne Street Tavern: 109 N. Hayne St.
• Home Brew Taproom & Tunes: 215 S. Main St.
• Local Logic: 128 S. Main St.
• Southern Range Brewing Company: 151 S. Stewart St.
• The Union Exchange: 2022 New Town Road
• Treehouse Vineyards: 301 Bay St. Pineville
• Middle James Brewing: 400 N. Polk St.
• Pineville Tavern: 314 N. Polk St. Stallings
• Moochies Tavern: 15054 Idlewild Road
Waxhaw
• Great Wagon Road Distillery: 122 W. North Main St.
• Jekyll & Hyde: 216 W. N. Main St.
• Waxhaw Taphouse: 110 McDonald St.
Hailing from Mexicali, Baja California, Oscar Maydon, 25, is known for storytelling with a modern edge. Photo courtesy of Live Nation
