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NEWSLETTER
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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
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
9:30-10 or 10:30-11 a.m.; 123 Unionville-Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail
Music Bingo Big Pop Productions hosts music bingo and trivia at e Trail House. bigpopproductions.com/
7-9 p.m.; 6751 Old Monroe Road, Indian Trail
May 14
Storytime Children, ages 2-5, build early literacy skills during a storytime at Union County Main Library. uclnc.org
9:30-10 or 10:30-11 a.m.; 316 E. Windsor St., Monroe
Storytime Children, ages 2-5, build early literacy skills during a storytime at Union West Regional Library. Uclnc. org
9:30-10 or 10:30-11 a.m.; 123 Unionville-Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail
Storytime
Children, ages 2-5, build early literacy skills during a storytime at Southwest Reigonal Library. uclnc.org
9:30-10 or 10:30-11 a.m.; 1515 Cuthbertson Road, Waxhaw
Music Bingo
Big Pop Productions hosts music bingo and trivia at Great Wagon Road Distilling. bigpopproductions. com/
Partnership paves way for shared school, museum & park space
by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
MATTHEWS – Town
Manager Becky Hawke has shared details of a partnership that could lead to Matthews Elementary School, a Discovery Place Kids museum and a downtown park sharing the same campus.
The plan involves Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools replacing Matthews Elementary School on its existing property with a new building that incorporates the Discovery Place Kids museum under the same roof. Once the school moves into the new space in 2029, the older building will be converted to a downtown park.
the school and museum.
e future park would be an add-alternate to the school’s construction bid package, according to Hawke.
“ at would allow us to get a hard cost of what that would require to make sure that would be feasible,” Hawke said. “If it’s not feasible financially, then that would be something that would be a phased approach that we can come back at a later date and develop that park.”
Another element of the partnership is that CMS would receive a portion of town property at McKee and Pleasant Plains roads for a future relief school.
Once the land swap boundaries are determined, town leaders have the option of developing a park on that property.
e event is free for residents. ere is a limit of ve boes of paper per household. indiantrail.org/626/Shred-Day
9 a.m.-noon; 315 Matthews-Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail
Kaleidoscope Fest
e Town of Waxhaw’s Kaleidoscope Fest highlights arts and cultures from around the world at Downtown Park. Main stage performances feature Afro-Caribbean, Bollywood, Irish, Tahitian/Hawaiian and technical-style dance as well as steel drums and an aerial performance. Food trucks of di erent cultures will also be available. waxhaw.com/our-town/ events/kaleidoscope-fest
10 a.m.-6 p.m.; 301 Givens St., Waxhaw Babies & Books Children engage in rhymes and songs during Babies & Books at Union West Regional Library. uclnc.org
10:30-11 a.m.; 123 Unionville-Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail
Anniversary Celebration Middle James Brewing Company celebrates the rst anniversary of its Waxhaw location with a steel drum, DJ and games. middlejamesbrewing.com/ Noon-10 p.m.; 115 E. North Main St., Waxhaw
May 13
Storytime Children, ages 2-5, build early literacy skills during a storytime at Union County Public Library’s Monroe branch. uclnc.org
9:30-10 or 10:30-11 a.m.; 316 E. Windsor St., Monroe
Storytime Children, ages 2-5, build early literacy skills during a storytime at Union West Regional Library. Uclnc.org
7:30 p.m.; 122 W. North Main St., Waxhaw
May 15 Co ee with Mayor Indian Trail Mayor David Cohn holds a Co ee with the Mayor at Bonterra Village Clubhouse.
9-10 a.m.; 2401 Bonterra Blvd., Indian Trail
Storytime Children, ages 2-5, build early literacy skills during a storytime at Southwest Reigonal Library. uclnc.org
9:30-10 or 10:30-11 a.m.; 1515 Cuthbertson Road, Waxhaw
Book Club e Page Turners Book Club discusses Fangirl by “Rainbow Rowell” at Union County Public Li-
brary’s Monroe branch. e club is for teens. uclnc.
org
6-6:45 p.m.; 316 E. Windsor St., Monroe
Outdoor Concert Trial by Fire performs music during the Hits After Six at Chestnut Square Park. Bring a blanket or lawn chair.
6-9 p.m.; 320 Chestnut Pkwy., Indian Trail
May 16 Food Trucks
Sunny Day Markets hosts Food Truck Fridays with food and drink, vendors, music and children’s activities at Crossing Paths Park. sponsorships@sunnydaymarkets.com
4-8 p.m.; 120 Blythe Drive, Indian Trail
Outdoor Concerts 80z Nation performs at e City of Monroe’s Music on Main series in downtown Monroe. Bring a chair or blanket. monroenc.org
6:30-9:30 p.m.; Main Street, Monroe
“ ere are so many positives to this project, it’s hard to think of any downside,” Hawke told commissioners April 28.
For starters, Hawke said the community will save 50% o of construction costs with the design, site development and construction of the replacement school and museum being combined into one project.
Hawke said the site will be designed in a way that allows for on-property queuing that gets vehicles o Trade Street.
e school and museum may get separate entrances to prevent tra c from one slowing down access to the other.
e project would also create a much larger Stumptown Park, which could lead to bigger events.
Town sta and CMS are currently getting appraisals and surveys done on the sites, which will help determine the exact boundaries for a land swap. The campus, including three adjacent town-owned sites, will be part of the planning for the replacement school. CMS will also manage the construction of
Mayor John Higdon and multiple commissioners expressed excitement about the project and credited town sta for their work on developing this partnership.
“Can you imagine going to an elementary school when you can just walk next door for a eld trip?” Higdon said. “Wow, that’s going to be so awesome.”
Hawke explained that town staff has been exploring the idea of adding a park to a portion of the Matthews Elementary School campus since summer 2022. Discovery Place approached the town about a partnership in fall 2023.
Commissioner Renee Garner sought assurances that the public would have an opportunity to learn about the project, ask questions and share concerns. Garner said she would not feel comfortable voting on any agreements until the public gets a chance to weigh in.
Hawke said she would try to schedule a public input session soon and mentioned there would be opportunities throughout the development
process for feedback. Town commissioners and school board members are expected to vote on formal agreements outlining the partnership and land swap during May meetings. Hawke described the downtown park as a replacement for Stumptown Park, which prompted Commissioner Mark Tofano to ask if Stumptown will remain a park. Hawke replied this would be a board decision and there has been conversations about the need for a bigger space for the downtown farmer’s market, among other approaches.
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
Now Accepting Reservations
RESERVE YOUR PLACE IN A THRIVING 55+ COMMUNITY
The Courtyards at Quail Park is now accepting reservations for a limited number of luxury ranch homes designed for active adults. This boutique 55+ community offers thoughtful design, low-maintenance living and an ideal Mint Hill location.
DESIGNED FOR COMFORT AND CONNECTION
Settle into a thoughtfully designed ranch home featuring abundant natural light, first-floor owner’s suites and your own private, garden courtyard—perfect for quiet mornings or gatherings with friends.
MORE TIME FOR WHAT MATTERS MOST
Leave the yard work and exterior upkeep behind. With lawn maintenance taken care of, you’ll have more time to do the things you love—whether that’s relaxing on your patio, traveling, staying active or simply enjoying life at your own pace.
A PEACEFUL SETTING CLOSE TO IT ALL
Ideally located in Mint Hill, The Courtyards at Quail Park puts you minutes from Fairview Park, local events at Mint Hill Veterans Memorial Park and nearby golf courses—so you can stay connected while enjoying a quiet retreat.
Landscape Maintenance Included. Private, Garden Courtyards. Lock & Leave Lifestyle. No Steps.* No Mower.
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.
