Issuu

STAY CONNECTED

• Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @mmhweekly. @ucweekly, @southcltweekly, @weekly waxhaw and @itncweekly

CONTACT US

PUBLISHER

Adrian Garson

adrian@cmgweekly.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com

ADVERTISING

Charlotte Conway charlotte@cmgweekly.com

Subscribe to our free email newsletter to stay on top of everything we are publishing in print and online, as well as what we’re sharing across our social media platforms. Visit one of our websites for a link to subscribe.

Caregivers: Seek help navigating dementia before a crisis

CHARLOTTE – The Ivey has a message for caregivers: Prioritizing your own health early while caring for a loved one living with memory loss is non-negotiable. It’s wise, protective and the best gift you can give yourself and the person for whom you care.

Caring for a loved one with memory loss is emotionally and physically demanding, siad Lynn Ivey, CEO and founder of e Ivey, the nonpro t center she established in 2008 to honor her parents.

“It is not uncommon for caregivers to turn to us at a crisis point, when they’re already exhausted and overwhelmed,” she said. “While we’re always here to help, there is so much more support and strength available when caregivers begin their journey with self-care in mind.”

Caregiving can be isolating, but it is a universal issue: everyone in their lifetime will receive or give care.

ere are 105 million caregivers in

BUSINESS BRIEFS

UCPS to host non-instructional career fair

MONROE – Union County Public Schools is hiring for several roles, including bus drivers, school nutrition sta , custodial team members and afterschool sta .

e district will host a career fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 21 at the UCPS Professional Development Center, 721 Brewer Drive, Monroe.

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, meet employees and apply for open positions. Hiring managers will be on-site to discuss job openings and assist with applications.

On the web: ucps.k12.nc.us/Page/7893

Charlotte Area Chamber events

CHARLOTTE – e Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce will o er member orientation and a program on imposter syndrome.

• The Women in Business group partners with the Mental Health America of Central Carolinas on a program about imposter syndrome from 9 to 11 a.m. May 12 at the Dilworth Center, 2240 Park Road, Charlotte. Register in advance. Chamber members get in free. Others pay $25.

• The chamber offers orientation to new or prospective members from 9 to 10:30 a.m. May 15 at e Launch Factory, 2459 Wilkinson Blvd., Charlotte. Register in advance.

Visit charlotteareachamber.com to learn more about the chamber and its events.

Latin American Chamber events

CHARLOTTE – e Latin American Chamber of Commerce will hold an online business seminar and business luncheon.

• The chamber offers a seminar, Building Business Credit: Position Your Business for Growth, “ from 6 to 8 p.m. May 12 on Zoom. Register in advance for the free seminar.

• Gov. Josh Stein talks about business and talent during a luncheon from noon to 2 p.m. May 15 at Mint Museum Uptown, 500 S. Tryon St., Charlotte. Register in advance. Visit lacccharlotte.com to learn more about the chamber and its events.

Matthews Area Chamber events

MATTHEWS – e Matthews Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual golf tournament as well as Business After Hours and Women in Business events.

• The chamber hosts its annual golf tournament from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 12 at Olde Sycamore Golf Plantation, 7500 Olde Sycamore Drive, Mint Hill. Register in advance.

• The Women in Business meet for networking from 5 to 7 p.m. May 13 at Green Room Remedies at Get Me Some Green, 3555 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Matthews. Members get in free. Guests pay $10. Register in advance.

the United States who are actively caring for someone who is aging, ill or disabled.

If you’re a caregiver, it might seem inconceivable that you’d prioritize creating a self-care action plan, Ivey said, but it’s about weaving small, meaningful habits into your day so you can stay well while giving care.

“Caregiving is a 24-hour job,” Ivey said. “Stress and burnout occur because of constant focus on the safety, health, supervision and entertainment of a loved one resulting in neglect of their own health, depression, anxiety, sleep problems, guilt and worry.”

Acknowledging it’s challenging to do, caregivers can start with a mindshift, Ivey said. Accept that you can’t do it all, and that’s OK.

“You are human,” she said. “Let go of the guilt when you need to step away or ask for help.”

e Ivey’s Respite Club is a restorative opportunity to create routine for caregivers and those living with

• Members mingle during a Business After Hours from 5 to 7 p.m. May 15 at Your Best You Medical Spa, 300 E. John St., Matthews. Register in advance.

Visit matthewschamber.org to learn more about the chamber and its events.

Mint Hill Chamber events

MINT HILL – e Mint Hill Chamber of Commerce will host its Monthly Member Luncheon.

• The chamber holds its Monthly Member Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 13 at Olde Sycamore Golf Plantation, 7500 Olde Sycamore Drive, Mint Hill. Registration costs $18 for members and $24 for others. Register in advance.

Visit minthillchamberofcommerce.com to learn more about the chamber and its events.

Pineville NC Chamber events

PINEVILLE – e Pineville NC Chamber of Commerce holds its Co ee and Roundtable event.

• Curt White, general manager of Carolina Place Mall, discusses his work during the Co ee and Roundtable event from 8 to 9:30 a.m. May 14 at Hilton Garden Inn Charlotte Pineville, 425 Towne Centre Blvd., Pineville. Register in advance.

Visit pinevillencchamber.com to learn more about the chamber and its events.

Union County Chamber events

MONROE – e Union County Chamber of Commerce holds a Public Policy Luncheon, ribbon cutting and member orientation.

• Members celebrate the grand opening of Caribou Co ee with a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. May 9 at 301 W. Roosevelt Blvd., Monroe. Register in advance.

• N.C. Department of Transportation leaders explain road funding and infrastructure needs during a Public Policy Luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 14 at Union County Agricultural Center, 3230 Presson Road, Monroe. Members pay $25. Others pay $35. Register in advance.

• New members learn how to get the most out of their membership during Get Plugged In from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. May 15 at the Union County Chamber, 903 Skyway Drive, Monroe. Register in advance.

Visit unioncountycoc.com to learn more about the chamber and its events.

Waxhaw Business Association events

WAXHAW – e Waxhaw Business Association will host an update on the town.

• Waxhaw Mayor Robert Murray gives an update on the town from 7:30 to 9 a.m. May 21. Register in advance.

Visit waxhawbusinessassociation.org to learn more about the association and its events.

memory loss. Four days a week, 1-5 p.m., the experts at e Ivey provide socially engaging, educational and memory-enhancing activities in a supervised environment for those living with memory loss.

e bene ts of Respite Club are often apparent after the rst week of participation, sometimes the rst visit, Ivey said.

“Caregivers get a break – a chance to have lunch with friends, visit the mall, run errands or read a book – knowing their loved one is safe, engaged and cared for in an environment tailored to their needs,” she said. “It’s restorative for all involved.”

e Ivey’s Respite Club reinforces connection for caregivers and those with memory loss. Isolation increases caregiver burnout, Ivey said, and a community is created around regularly engaging at e Ivey.

“Emotional solidarity is created by interacting with those having a similar lived experience,” Ivey said.

e Ivey provides a Family Caregiver Navigation team dedicated to providing hope, comfort and compassion, in addition to o ering four free monthly support groups. It has the resources to o er assessments, care plans, education, training, and counseling and can help to coordinate in-home care, physical therapy, and other necessary resources. Visit theivey.com/programs/respite-club for more information.

Senate next to tackle elimination of DEI in government

By Alan Wooten Contributor

(The Center Square) – Diversity policies in state government would be eliminated if legislation passing the North Carolina House of Representatives becomes law.

Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI, known also as House Bill 171, is in the Senate’s Rules Committee after clearing the lower chamber 69-45. No Democrats supported it. No Republicans were against it. Union County

Republican David Willis was a sponsor of the bill.

“Bureaucracy has grown, not to serve but to sort, dividing people by race, sex, background and calling it progress,” Rep. Brenden Jones, R-Columbus, said in his oor speech for the bill he authored. “It puts an end to the idea that the background should outweigh ability. It stops public jobs, promotions and contracts from being awarded based on political agendas, and it restores the principle that should have never been lost: Can you do the job? Did you earn it? Are you quali ed?” He told the chamber the proposal will ensure hiring and promotion decision based on quali cations. He also took time to explain it will not ban Black History Month, Pride Month or any cultural celebrations; rather, he said, “it explicitly protects them.”

“It bans unequal treatment funded by the public,” Jones said.

Rep. Robert Reives, D-Chatham, leader of the minority party in the chamber, on the oor said, “Rep. Jones said, ‘We value diversity.’ But the rst line of this bill says, ‘an act eliminating diversity initiatives.’ You cannot value what you are seeking to eliminate.”

e bill says, “No state agency shall promote, support, fund, implement, or maintain workplace diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), including using DEI in state government hirings and employment; maintaining dedicated DEI sta positions or o ces; or o ering or requiring DEI training.”

e Senate has passed bills banning DEI in higher education and K-12 schools.

Rep. Loften weighs in

Brandon Lofton, who represents parts of south Charlotte in the N.C. House, explained why he voted against House Bill 171 in his newsletter.

“It’s based on stereotypes instead of facts. It enacts sweeping consequences for vaguely de ned concepts. It turns its back on the legacy of those who sacri ced to expand opportunities for all North Carolinians.

“In 2022, a bipartisan House committee consisting of nine Republicans and three Democrats explored ways to encourage more opportunities for women and underrepresented minorities in STEM elds. is committee found that doing so ‘will help maintain a strong economic workforce in the State.’

“In other words, this bipartisan committee found that diversity is good for our state’s economy. Yet, just three years later, we are at risk of turning our back on this common sense notion.”

Brandon Lofton

The Station breaks ground in downtown Matthews

MATTHEWS – Brahm Investments broke ground April 30 on The Station, a mixed-use development at 126 Matthews Station St.

e groundbreaking brought together business and community members to celebrate the start of a project poised to energize the town center with new commercial, professional and social spaces.

e project will include:

• Five ground-floor retail bays (1,050 to 1,700 square feet) ideal for restaurants, cafés or boutique shops;

• Modern second-floor Class A office suites, complete with a shared lounge, conference space and welcoming lobby; and

• Third-floor office space and the town’s rst rooftop bar-restaurant.

The groundbreaking ceremony featured remarks from Mayor John Higdon, Town Manager Becky Hawke, Matthews Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jessica Tuller and project developer Mumukshu “M.B.” Brahmbhatt. Brahmbhatt shared his vision for the site as a hub where commerce and community converge. “ is isn’t just a building project; it’s a platform for connection,” he said. “We’re building more than just walls and windows. We’re building a place for relationships, growth and community to thrive.”

Brahmbhatt serves on the board of the Matthews Help Center and has contributed to several nonpro t e orts, including BAPS Charities, Matthews Free Medical Clinic, Rotary Club and Habitat for Humanity. During the pandemic, he spearheaded the Matthews Helping Matthews campaign, which raised over $100,000 to support local families and businesses.

e ceremony started with a traditional Maha Pooja, a ceremonial rst turning of the soil, and a community luncheon, highlighting the project’s blend of tradition and progress.

CATS from 1A

how much more of the Silver Line could be built out toward Matthews if the sales tax revenue cap on transit was raised from 40% to 45%. He also suggested Better Bus initiatives outlined in the transit plan could be funded by a di erent funding source than the sales tax.

However, his colleagues on the Metropolitan Transit Commission did not budge.

“We've already done extensive public engagement on the four options and I think having even a conversation around an additional scenario I think will confuse the public after all the work that sta has done on that,” Mecklenburg County Manager Dena Diorio said. “I think that would be unfair

SERVANTS HEART from 1A

standing nonprofits with a rich history of fighting hunger that joined forces to create Nourish Up in 2021.

“I could not have ful lled the many requests for food and household essentials in 2020 and 2021 without Angie,” said Rochelle Williams, social worker for Servant’s Heart. “When times seemed uncertain during the government shutdown, Angie faithfully showed up and helped me to prepare up to 20 – 25 pantry orders every week. With her help, every order was processed and prepared e ciently. To this day, Angie continues to be someone that shows up for others. Through sunshine, rain and snow, Angie faithfully volunteers in our assistance programs, every week, to ensure that

May 9 Job Search

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Matthews Library offers one-on-one help during Job Search Assistance. Register in advance. cmlibrary.org/locations/ Matthews 10-11 a.m.; 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews

Date Night Drop-O

Matthews Parks, Recreation & Cultural

Resource hosts a Date Night Drop-O at Crews Recreation Center. Parents can get a night out while their kids (ages 6-13) play games and sports as well as work on arts and crafts. Pizza and drinks are available. e cost is $10 per child with $5 per additional sibling. Register in advance at matthewsfun.com.

5-9 p.m.; 1201 Crews Road, Matthews

Cruise-In Muscle cars are on display during the Cruise-In on Main Street in Monroe e event continues on the second Friday of each month.

6-8 p.m.; North Main Street, Monroe

Bike Night

Independence Harley-Davidson presents a Bike Night with DJ Capree, food, and giveaways.

6-9 p.m.; 9205 E. Independence Blvd., Matthews

Matthews Summerfest

Matthews Summerfest features live music, street food, small shops, craft beer and a carnival atmosphere at Stumptown Park.

e Catalinas (6:30-8 p.m.) and Spiderwebs (8:30-10 p.m.) perform on the rst day of the two-day festival. matthewsnc.

gov 6-10 p.m.; 120 S. Trade St., Matthews

Stand Up Comedy

Jesse Jones performs stand-up comedy during Ames After Dark at e Mezzanine at Carolina Beer Temple & Ames Street Marketplace. Tickets cost $25. Get them on eventbrite.com.

7 p.m.; 215 N. Ames St., Matthews

Community eater e Union County Playmakers present “Big River” at 7 p.m. May 9, 10, 16 and 17 as well as 2:30 p.m. May 11 and 18 at Benton Heights Elementary School Performing Arts Center. Tickets cost $18.86 for adults and $16.78 for seniors and students.

Buy them at unioncountyplaymakers.org.

7-9 p.m.; 1205 Cherry St., Monroe

May 10 Family Storytime

Children, ages 0-5, engage with stories and songs through Family Storytime at Matthews Library. cmlibrary.org/locations/

Matthews 9:30-10 a.m.; 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews

Musical Storytime Opera Carolina leads a Musical Storytime with stories and song at Mint Hill Library. Register in advance at mlibrary. org/locations/Mint-Hill

to all the public engagement work that's already taken place.”

Diorio said the county would also not support any additional conversation that would take away funding for the plan’s Better Bus program.

Leaders from Cornelius, Huntersville and Pineville dittoed Diorio’s remarks.

“I'm a little frustrated that we're saying we have to do this because we've done a lot of work on this,” Higdon said. “ is is a 100-year decision and yes I'm incredibly frustrated because every town in the county is getting what they want except for Matthews. Everybody else is fat and happy and Matthews is getting the short end of the stick and that's not right.”

e Metropolitan Transit Commission is expected to

no family goes without food and necessary household essentials.”

Since 2020, Servant’s Heart has served as one of Nourish Up’s 16 fullsize food pantry distribution sites. In 2024, Servant’s Heart distributed $95,301 in food assistance; and $44,140 of that was through its partnership with Nourish Up. Caroway was honored at Nourish Up’s Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast, which was attended by well over a hundred people, including Servant’s Heart Founder and Executive Director Kim Rhodarmer.

“ e dedication and consistency Angie brings to Servant’s Heart is admirable,” Rhodarmer said. “It is an honor to be partnered with Nourish Up and to witness Angie compassionately serving our clients.”

9:30-10:30 a.m.; 6840 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill

Paws to Read Children, ages 5-11, read to a volunteer therapy dog at the Matthews Library. Sign up for a 15-minute session upon arrival. Registration opens 15 minutes before the first session. cmlibrary.org/locations/ Matthews 10-11 a.m.; 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews

Chess Club Children, ages 5 and older, as well as their families, meet for Chess Club at the Mint Hill Library. ey’ll get to try out strategies to win. cmlibrary.org/locations/Mint-Hill

3-4 p.m.; 6840 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill

Matthews Summerfest Matthews Summerfest features live music, street food, small shops, craft beer and a carnival atmosphere at Stumptown Park. Next Level Band (2:30-4 p.m.), Smokey Jones & The 3 Dollar Pistols (4:30-6 p.m.), Blackwater Band (6:30-8 p.m.) and Captain Mike & e Shipwrecked (8:3010 p.m.) perform on the second and last day of the festival. matthewsnc.gov 6-10 p.m.; 120 S. Trade St., Matthews

May 12

Baby Storytime

Children, ages 0-2, engage in stories and songs during Baby Storytime at Mint Hill Library. Registration opens 30 minutes before the event. cmlibrary.org/locations/ Mint-Hill

9:30-10 a.m.; 6840 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill

Family Storytime

Children, ages 0-5, engage with stories and songs through Family Storytime at Matthews Library. Register at the train desk within 15 minutes of the program starting. cmlibrary.org/locations/Matthews

10:15-10:45 or 11-11:30 a.m.; 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews

Conversation Club

Matthews Library hosts an Intermediate Spanish Conversation Club for Pretteens and Teens with games and activities. cmlibrary.org/locations/Matthews

1:30-2:30 p.m.; 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews

Paws to Read

Children, ages 5-11, read to a volunteer therapy dog at the Matthews Library. Sign up for a 15-minute session upon arrival. Registration opens 15 minutes before the first session. cmlibrary.org/locations/ Matthews

3:30-4:30 p.m.; 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews

Book Club e Far Horizons Book Club discusses “Whiskey Tender: A Memoir” by Deborah Jackson Taffa. The club is for adults. cmlibrary.org/locations/Matthews

5:30-6:30 p.m.; 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews

Trivia Shep’s Bar & Grill holds a trivia night with prizes adn drink specials. shepsbar.com

7-10 p.m.; 8111 Fairview Road, Mint Hill

May 13

Family Storytime Families engage with stories and songs through Family Storytime at Mint Hill Library. Registration starts 30 minutes in person before the start of the event. cmlibrary.org/locations/Mint-Hill 10:15-10:45 or 11-11:30 a.m.; 6840 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill

Family Storytime Children, ages 0-5, engage with stories and songs through Family Storytime at Matthews Library. Register at the train desk within 15 minutes of the program starting. cmlibrary.org/locations/Matthews 10:15-10:45 or 11-11:30 a.m.; 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews

Community Choir Matthews Senior Adult Community Choir presents a concert, “In Whom We Trust,” at Matthews United Methodist Church. 11 a.m.; 801 S. Trade St., Matthews

Movie Trivia Panzú Brewery hosts a trivia night around the theme of the rst six “Star Wars” movies. panzubrewery.com/ 7-8:45 p.m.; 7251 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill

May 14 Baby Storytime

Children, ages 0-2, build language and socialization skills in Baby Storytime at the Matthews Library. Register for the event 15 minutes before the program. cmlibrary. org/locations/Matthews 9:15-9:45 a.m.; 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews

Preschool Storytime Children, ages 3-5, engage in stories and songs during Preschool Storytime at Mint Hill Library. Registration opens 30 minutes before the program starts. cmlibrary. org/locations/Mint-Hill 11:15-11:45 a.m.; 6840 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill

Baby Storytime

Children, ages 0-2, learn literacy skills through Baby and Toddler Storytime at Matthews Library. Register at the train desk within 15 minutes before the start. cmlibrary.org/locations/Matthews 11:15-11:45 a.m. or noon-12:30 p.m.; 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews

Paws to Read

vote on the CATS recommendations toward the end of the month. Approval of the plan may not mean doom for light rail in Matthews.

The recommendations from CATS ruled out the idea of replacing the Silver Line light rail project with Bus Rapid Transit. e recommendations also call for

employment centers across Charlotte, e Matthews is well-positioned to become a agship community for the area.”

e development will feature three, four- to ve-story residential buildings offering a mix of one-, two- and three-story oorplans with a four-level parking garage and a clubhouse.

Resident amenities include an outdoor pool, dog park, tness center, a business center with coworking space and a retail cafe.

e project’s design draws inspiration from surrounding structures in the town, incorporating sleek modern architecture to align with the fabric of Matthews.

A core piece of the project is its direct connection to a four-mile bike and

CATS to study and evaluate options to extend light rail for the Silver Line East. is would include other funding opportunities.

CATS also identi ed several ways the bus system would be improved in Matthews, Mint Hill and east Mecklenburg areas:

• Monroe Road/East John

Bike Night Shep’s Bar & Grill presents a Bike Night with live music and drink specials. shepsbar.com/ 6-9 p.m.; 8111 Fairview Road, Mint Hill

Information Session e Town of Matthews holds a Community Information Session for the future Discovery Place Kids Matthews at 7 p.m. at Matthews Town Hall. e meeting is also available on Zoom. matthewsnc.gov 7 p.m.; 232 Matthews Station St., Matthews

May 15 Baby Storytime

May 16

Food Truck Fridays Food Truck Fridays, presented by Hand Crafted Market, features food trucks, live music, vendors and a beer tent at e Hangar. 5-9 p.m.; 251 N. Trade St., Matthews

Spaghetti Dinner e Rotary Club of Matthews holds its Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser at Idlewild Baptist Church. e dinner costs $15. No carryouts. 5:30-8 p.m.; 12701 Idlewild Road, Matthews

May 17 Mental Health Fair Matthews United Methodist Church and Agape Christian Counseling hold a Mental Health Fair with workshops, brunch, co ee, resources and giveaways. is is a free community event. 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., 801 S Trade St, Matthews

Family Storytime

Children, ages 0-5, engage with stories and songs through Family Storytime at Matthews Library. cmlibrary.org/locations/ Matthews 9:30-10 a.m.; 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews

Family Storytime Families engage with stories and songs through Family Storytime at Mint Hill Library. Registration starts 30 minutes in person before the start of the event. cmlibrary.org/locations/Mint-Hill 9:30-10 a.m.; 6840 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill

Street would become a priority bus corridor with signal priority and enhanced stops.

• Routes for Independence (17) and Monroe Road/ John Street (27) would be improved to a 15-minute or better frequency.

• Two Express routes would see increased frequency with midday service: Matthews (64X) and Lawyers Road (40X).

• Microtransit would

serve areas of CPCC Levine Campus, Brace YMCA, Downtown Matthews and Windsor Square as well as Matthews-Mint Hill Road and Lawyers Road.

• East Mecklenburg would also see an expansion of bus stop amenities, such as shelters and benches.

• All routes in east Mecklenburg would be improved to 30-minutes or better frequency.

walking trail that provides convenient access to downtown Matthews. Additional outdoor features include a 7,500-square-foot terrace system with 35,000 square feet of ample green space with public seating.

NRP Group has also commissioned the installation of

public art near the entrance of the clubhouse.

“Placemaking is a key pillar of this development,” Mochizuki said. “ e inclusion of plaza spaces, a multi-level terrace system and semi-public amenity areas were thoughtfully planned to encourage connection among residents as well as the broader Matthews community. These spaces are designed to accommodate everything from everyday gatherings to public events and concerts, helping to foster a vibrant, activated environment that brings people together.”

This chart, taken from a CATS presentation on its transit plan update, shows how projects within the CATS Transit Plan will be implemented over time. Photo courtesy of CATS

This chart, taken from a CATS presentation on its transit plan update, gives specifics on the LYNX Silver Line that Mayor John Higdon is working to preserve.

Rendering courtesy of Studio Schafer and The NRP Group

REGIONAL

Veteran maestro takes conductor role for Opera Carolina

CHARLOTTE – Maestro Stefano Vignati has taken on the role of music director and principal conductor for Opera Carolina.

Vignati, whose career spans nearly three decades, joined Opera Carolina in 2022. He debuted in Charlotte in 2023 conducting Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro,” a collaboration with the International Lyric Academy.

In his new role, Vignati will conduct at least one mainstage production per season and will play a key role in shaping the musical direction of the company.

“I am honored to be appointed music director and principal conductor of Opera Carolina,” Vignati said. “It is a privilege to work alongside this visionary team and to contribute to the company’s bright future.”

Vignati is set to return to the podium for a new production of Puccini’s double bill, “Suor Angelica” and

“Gianni Schicchi,” to open the 2026 season. With a repertoire of more than 60 operas and an extensive symphonic catalog, Vignati has conducted across Italy, Switzerland, the U.S., Canada, Bulgaria, China, Serbia, Germany, Slovenia, the Republic of Macedonia, Croatia and Russia. In the past two years, he has led performances with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the St. Petersburg Philharmonic.

“I am excited to continue to work alongside and learn from such a tremendously talented artist,” said Shanté Williams, general director of Opera Carolina. “Maestro Vignati has delighted audiences around the world, and it has been a joy to watch him carry out the work that we value at Opera Carolina, developing the next generation of Opera talent and patrons. His cultivation of artists as young as 7 and as seasoned as 70 will help usher us into our next 75 years.”

Looking ahead, Vignati

The Happy Fits singer: ‘The

heart always finds a way to win’

CHARLOTTE – The Happy Fits announced a worldwide tour this year, including a Nov. 2 stop at The Underground.

The indie/rock group just released a new single “Everything You Do” along with a new video.

“I read somewhere that the amount of married U.S. adults dropped from 67% in 1990 to 53% today,” frontman Calvin Langman said. “At the same time, over 50% of millennials are taking on multiple jobs and ‘polyworking.’

“I’m no data scientist, but why is it so damn expensive to be in a relationship these days? Maybe it’s just my social circles and algorithm, but there’s a shared feeling amongst the hoi polloi of being overworked, underpaid and underloved. It’s not that we don’t want to be in relationships, it’s just that we simply can not a ord to love. ‘Everything You Do’ is my own internal battle of ghting for my heart vs. being practical and rational. Knowing me, the heart always nds a way to win.”

Since their 2018 debut, e Happy Fits have released three studio albums and generated 300 million streams.

May 9

• Amos’ Southend: Honestav

• Char Bar No. 7 (Mint Hill): Jay Mathey

• Evening Muse: The Brothers Gillespie; Elijah Cruise

• Great Wagon Road Distillery: Carrie Ann

• OMB Ballantyne: Rich and Single

• OMB LoSo: Knights of Flannel

• Ovens Auditorium: Victor Manuelle

• The Amp Ballantyne: Journeyman

• The Courthouse Self-Pour Beer & Wine: Chance Howland

• The Fillmore: Grentperez

• The Trail House: Don’t Blink

• The Underground: Grentperez

• Visulite Theatre: Runaway Gin

May 10

• Bank of America Stadium: Billy Joel & Sting

• Bojangles Coliseum: Joe, Musiq Soulchild and Eric Benét

• Dowd Center Theatre: September

• Evening Muse: Austin McNeill; 3rd Street

will also represent Opera Carolina as music director at international venues.

His future engagements include: 2 Concerts at the New York City Opera (June), Verdi’s “Falstaff” at Teatro Comunale di Vicenza (August), Verdi’s “La traviata” at the Taormina Opera Festival (August), Bizet’s “Carmen” at the New York City Opera (September), Mascagni’s “L’Amico Fritz” at the Festival Mascagni in Livorno (September) and 2 Concerts with the Orchestra Sinfonica del Friuli Venezia Giulia (July).

“Opera Carolina has a rich history of artistic excellence and I am looking forward to the dawning of this new era,” said Carol Kendrick, chair of the Opera Carolina’s board of directors. “Maestro Vignati becomes the rst Italian (naturalized in the U.S.) to hold this prestigious position in Opera Carolina’s 75-year history.”

Band and The Great Indoors

• Grapes Bistro and Wine Bar: Josey Wails

• Home Brew Taproom & Tunes: J&J Duo

• Local Logic: Adam Daniels

• Mary O’Neill’s Irish Pub: The Leftoverz

• Moochies Tavern: Dusk Till Dawn

• Neighborhood Theatre: Perpetual Groove

• OMB Ballantyne: Motel Soap

• OMB LoSo: Barnstormers

• Middle James Brewing: Beth Gatlin

• Moochies Tavern: Hardwired

• Neighborhood Theatre: The Connells

• OMB Ballantyne: Knights of Flannel

• Peddlers Paradise Bartique: Adam Daniels

• PNC Music Pavilion: Billy Idol

• Stooges Pub & Grub: The Deep Shallow Band

• Symphony Park: Sol Fusion & Simplified Trio

• PNC Music Pavilion: Primus, Puscifer & A

Perfect Circle

• Stooges Pub & Grub: Little Johnny Trailer

Trash

• The Amp Ballantyne: Michael Franti & Spearhead

• The Courthouse Self-Pour Beer & Wine:

Dylan Ray

• The Trail House: Static Pool

• The Underground: G-Eazy

• Visulite Theatre: Love It To Death

May 11

• Home Brew Taproom & Tunes: Nate

Randall

• Neighborhood Theatre: Five for Fighting

• Ovens Auditorium: Kenny G

• The Fillmore: Jacquees & Dej Loaf

• The Underground: Malcolm Todd

• The Union Exchange: Carrie Ann

May 12

• Amos’ Southend: Psychedelic Porn

Crumpets

• Evening Muse: Open mic

• Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre: Sturgill

Simpson

May 13

• Bank of America Stadium: Shakira

• Neighborhood Theatre: GA-20 + Zach

Person

• PNC Music Pavilion: Pierce the Veil

• Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre: Sturgill

Simpson

• The Underground: Arch Enemy North

May 14

• Evening Muse: Peter & Brendan Mayer

• Peddlers Paradise Bartique: Open mic

• The Amp Ballantyne: Yacht Rock Revue

• The Fillmore: The Crane Wives

• The Trail House: Pluto for Planet Duo

• The Underground: Memphis May Fire

May 15

• Amos’ Southend: Dollar Signs

• Char Bar No. 7 (Mint Hill): Mark Pelfrey

• Evening Muse: Eliot Bronson

• Neighborhood Theatre: The Bones of J.R.

Jones

• Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre: Teddy

Swims

• Symphony Park: On the Border & Landslide

• The Amp Ballantyne: Wilco

• The Underground: Pop Evil

• Visulite Theatre: Brett Dennen

May 16

• Amos’ Southend: Ride the Lightning

• Char Bar No. 7 (Mint Hill): Remington

Cartee

• Evening Muse: bodie

ª Franklin Court Grille: Dose of Ocean

• Grapes Bistro and Wine Bar: Matthew

Ablan

• Mac’s Speed Shop (Matthews): Nowcat

• Mary O’Neill’s Irish Pub: Analog Crash

• The Fillmore: Marilyn Manson

• The Trail House: Coconut Groove Band

• Visulite Theatre: Joe May

Live Music Venues

Charlotte

• Amos’ Southend: 1423 S. Tryon St.

• Bojangles Coliseum: 2700 E. Independence Blvd.

• Bank of America Stadium: 800 S. Mint St.

• Evening Muse: 3227 N. Davidson St.

• Neighborhood Theatre: 511 E. 36th St.

• OMB Ballantyne: 15025 Bowl St.

• OMB LoSo: 4150 Yancey Road

• Ovens Auditorium: 2700 E. Independence Blvd.

• PNC Music Pavilion: 707 Pavilion Blvd.

• Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre: 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd.

• Symphony Park: 4400 Sharon Road

• The Amp Ballantyne: 11115 Upper Ave.

• The Fillmore: 820 Hamilton St.

• The Underground: 820 Hamilton St.

• Visulite Theatre: 1615 Elizabeth Ave.

Indian Trail

• Grapes Bistro and Wine Bar: 6461 Old Monroe Road

• The Trail House: 6751 Old Monroe Road

Matthews

• Mac’s Speed Shop (Matthews): 142 E. John St.

Mint Hill

• Char Bar No. 7: 7312 Town View Drive

• Stooges Pub & Grub: 13230 Albemarle Road

Monroe

• Americana Beer Co.: 222 N. Main St.

• Dowd Center Theatre:

ª Franklin Court Grille: 232 E. Franklin St.

• Home Brew Taproom & Tunes: 215 S. Main St.

• Iron Thunder Saloon & Grill: 608 W. Roosevelt Ave.

• Local Logic: 128 S. Main St.

• Peddlers Paradise Bartique: 105 W. Franklin St.

• The Courthouse Self-Pour Beer & Wine: 217 N. Hayne St.

• The Union Exchange: 2022 New Town Road

Pineville

• Middle James Brewing: 400 N. Polk St.

Stallings

• Moochies Tavern: 15054 Idlewild Road Waxhaw

• Great Wagon Road Distillery: 122 W. North Main St.

• Mary O’Neill’s Irish Pub: 116 W. North Main St.

Maestro Stefano Vignati has conducted music all over the world.

Photo courtesy of Opera Carolina

The past year, The Happy Fits saw the addition of two new members: guitarists Raina Mullen (formerly of Ghost Light and American Babies) and Nico Rose (formerly of The Gooms). Anna Koblish photo

Help me fight insurance fraud

By Mike Causey Contributor

insurance fraud:

recovered $22.1 million in fraudulent expenditures. We’ve made progress. But there’s much more to be done.

One of my top priorities as your insurance commissioner continues to be fighting insurance fraud. Since taking o ce in 2017, I have more than tripled the number of fraud investigators, hired a legal team to help prosecute insurance fraud offenders and formed alliances with other state and federal agencies to ght fraud.

The investment is paying off. Last year, our Criminal Investigations Division made 406 arrests, obtained 218 convictions and

One alarming study by the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud shows a disturbing trend regarding public attitudes about insurance fraud.

The study found that 15% of Americans do not view insurance fraud as a crime. That, applied to the United States population, would amount to about 50 million people questioning the criminality of fraudulent acts.

Younger consumers are more likely to think insurance fraud is acceptable, with 37% of younger Americans between the age of 18 and 44 saying they do not believe it’s a crime. Many, the study found, do not believe that insurance fraud a ects them, and they also believe

there is a low risk of being caught. Insurance fraud affects every American who pays insurance premiums. Some estimate that 20 cents on every premium dollar goes toward o setting the cost of fraud.

A 2022 study conducted for CAIF found that insurance fraud costs consumers $308.6 billion a year. at amounts to $3,800 a year for a family of four. at’s slightly less than $1,000 per person.

If you think insurance fraud doesn’t affect you, you might want to reconsider. It a ects you every time you pay an insurance premium.

Insurance fraud is de ned as the intentional providing of false or misleading information, or withholding of material information, as a part of an insurance transaction.

Here are some examples of

(produce),

(deli), 13639 Providence Road – 100

• A motorist who didn’t have collision insurance could have a crash, call their insurance company to add collision coverage and then claim the wreck occurred after the collision coverage was added.

• Someone could rent a moving truck and stage an accident with a friend. en they’d fake an injury to collect on the trucking company’s insurance.

• A worker could fabricate an injury or exaggerate a legitimate injury to claim additional workers’ compensation money.

• A homeowner or renter could sell expensive jewelry to a pawn shop and then le a homeowners’ or renters’ insurance claim, saying the jewelry was stolen.

• A policyholder could misrepresent information on an insurance

application to obtain a lower premium.

• Someone could create fraudulent healthcare provider invoices on a computer to obtain payments for care they did not receive.

• A provider could bill the insurance company for services not provided, or upcharge for services that were provided.

I need your help ghting insurance fraud. If you suspect insurance fraud, you may anonymously report it by calling the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division at 919-807-6840 or toll free from anywhere in North Carolina at 888-680-7684.

You may also report it online at www.ncdoi.gov.

Mike Causey serves as insurance commissioner of North Carolina.

It sounds really bad; it tastes really good

By Tony Marciano Contributor

It started very innocently. I put a scoop of orange-flavored fiber into a glass of water. I stirred it well. It tasted good while also being good for me.

Then I added beet root powder to it. Beets have nitric oxide, which is healthy for you. It was a little bit di erent. Not my favorite beverage but tolerable.

I kept reading how important protein is to your diet. To the ber and beetroot, I also added a small scoop of chocolate- avored protein mix. All three were combined. It tasted like a chocolate strawberry shake. It was good. I really enjoyed it.

But sitting on the counter were the other items I was supposed to be taking every day.

To my orange avored ber, beet root powder and chocolate protein power, I added apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, and cayenne red pepper. It was actually quite di cult to stir. I needed to add just enough water so that it mixed but not so much that there was too much of it.

Remember, the rst three ingredients tasted like a chocolate strawberry shake. is tasted quite like that. It was as if the various ingredients cancelled out one another.

I told several people about this. ey just shook their heads in disgust. How could anyone drink that? It sounded nasty and they were not willing to try my new concoction. Yes, it sounded really bad. And it looked really awful. But it tasted OK. In the end, it was actually good for me. ere are things in our life that don’t look like fun but are actually good for us. Going outside barefoot and walking on the grass. It’s

more than letting the grass go between our toes. It’s the grounding that occurs.

When do you grow? When do you move yourself forward toward achieving your potential? It’s not in the easy moments of life. It’s when you push yourself to go to the gym or go for a walk when you’d rather be sitting on the couch, binge watching that show you’ve seen more times than you want to admit. What’s good for us isn’t easy. In the end, it’s de nitely worth it.

When I was in college, a friend bragged about taking a lot of 101-level courses. I remember his expression as he said, “ ey were all easy.” In a sense, they were like cutting butter with a hot knife. But you didn’t become a subject matter expert just taking a 101-level course. You had to progress to 102 level, 201 level and 202 level, etc. In my junior year of college, I had two 500-level courses. In one class, the professor said, “I’ve been paid. You can come if you want to or not. is is the date of the mid-term and the nal exam. is is the due date of the term paper. In the other class I learned you either studied for 24 hours and got an “A” or you were going to get an “F.” ere was no middle of the road. It wasn’t fun. I gave up my social life to pass those courses.

In my own Christian faith walk, God has not grown me on the mountain top, when the emotions were running high. He grew me in the valley when things were di cult and I couldn’t see two steps ahead of me. Don’t look at the challenges of life the way my friends looked at my concoction. ey thought I was crazy and missed out on something that was good for them.

I’ll be back soon. Until then, live well my friend.

Mike Causey

e Rev. Tony Marciano is available to speak to your group. DM him on Facebook.

Tony Marciano

The 05-09-2025 Edition of Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly