Union County Weekly

Union County

Indian Trail moves toward decision on town hall page 3

Happy Holidays!

The Union County Weekly staff reflects on their favorite Christmas and Hannukah memories Starts on page 10

Serving Indian Trail, Marvin, Stallings, Waxhaw, Weddington and Wesley Chapel

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Volume 9, Number 52 • Dec. 24 to 30, 2014

Weddington High School seasonal sponsorship program supports 65 kids

by Josh Whitener josh@unioncountyweekly.com

Spreading hope for the holidays

WEDDINGTON – When Weddington High School sophomore Caroline Horne discussed launching a club to mentor children from a local Boys & Girls Club chapter last year, she had no idea she would pave the way for bringing Christmas cheer to dozens of children in need across Union County.

Now in its second year, the Weddington Mentors Club has between 75 and 80 active members, who spend at least one afternoon each week volunteering at the branch of the Boys & Girls Club of America that meets at Monroe Middle School.

Weddington Mentors recently united with other Weddington High School organizations, including the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society and student government, to support 65 students from the Boys and Girls Club through a sponsorship program called “Hope for the Holidays.”

“Just hearing how (the students) don’t have much (for Christmas) – that’s what sparked (the idea),” Caroline said. “We want them to be able to have the same Christmas that the kids in Weddington and other places get to have.”

Weddington Mentors was launched last year with

Photo courtesy of Caroline Horne

(see Hope for the Holidays on page 12)

Staple of Union County Christian community shuts its doors

by Ryan Pitkin ryan@unioncountyweekly.com

Thursday, Dec. 18 marked the end of local programming at WRCM 91.9 New Life radio station after 21 years of broadcasting from Union County.

Columbia International University (CIU), which owned the station, announced in October that it would be selling WRCM, along with two other stations under its ownership, to the Educational Media Foundation, which runs

the nationally syndicated K-Love Radio Network.

K-Love will continue to run Christian programming on the station, but it will be the same programming heard by the station’s 18 million listeners across the

country, as opposed to the local stories and personalities listeners have become accustomed to in the past two decades.

Union County resident and loyal listener Julie Simpson said she was “heartbroken” (see New Life on page 4)

INDEX: News Briefs, 6; Crime Blotter, 7; Scores, 8; Education, 12; Honor Roll, 13; A&E, 16; Calendar, 18; Sports, 20; Classifieds, 23

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Page 2 • Dec. 24 to 30, 2014 • Union County Weekly

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News

Indian Trail moves toward decision on town hall

by Ryan Pitkin ryan@unioncountyweekly.com

INDIAN TRAIL – The Indian Trail Town Council hopes to make a decision at their next meeting on who will build a new town hall complex at the corner of Matthews-Indian Trail Road and Chestnut Square Parkway.

At its meeting on Dec. 9, the town council heard pitches from two contractors and briefly discussed both options, but pushed a decision back to its next meeting, on Jan. 13, 2015, when they can discuss it at length.

Councilmembers voted in September to approve a 20-acre piece of land across from the new Chestnut Square Park as the new location for a town hall. A current proposal shows a twostory building that measures between 20,000 and 25,000 square feet that would hold a council chamber, an open lobby entrance, staff offices, media rooms and conference rooms.

Joe Fivas, town manager, said the new building would give the town more room for staff, but also for organizations such as homeowners’ associations, Boy and Girl Scout troops and others. “We have a real lack of space for organizations,� Fivas said. “This helps and it also helps meet the needs for

future expansions of town facilities.�

Some residents at past public hearings expressed concern about how the town is going to pay for the new facility. Fivas said the price tag could run anywhere between $4 and 7 million.

Mayor Michael Alvarez, who said he expects the cost to be between $6 and 8 million for construction, not including the increase in operational and facilities costs, believes the council is trying to push the project through without listening to the taxpayers who will be funding it.

Alvarez said that if the town were to vote on the issue and approve it, he would be behind it, but that he cannot speak in favor of the project as it’s currently being presented. “Regardless of what I think, a project of this magnitude should be left to the people in a referendum,� Alvarez said. “If the people want a building that big, so be it, but it will require a tax increase somewhere down the road; there’s no way around it.�

Alvarez said he would be in favor of constructing a smaller building with room for expansion as the town grows in the future.

Indian Trail currently has nearly 37,000 residents and is the second-

Public feedback suggested a “traditional, yet modern feel� for the new building. Rendering courtesy of Indian Trail

largest town in Union County. The current community room where council meetings are held can sit approximately 75 people. The community room in the proposed building would hold between 100 and 200 people.

There are currently two construction companies vying for the right to begin building the complex: Choate Construction and Edifice, Inc., both of which are Charlotte-based. Representatives of each company were able to address the council on Dec. 9, giving a rundown of their companies’ histories and why they would like to

Health& Wellness

work on this project.

One representative from Choate Construction said that of the many projects he has worked on over the years, he puts a very select few framed pictures of the results on his office walls, but he could tell from looking at the proposal sketches that this project would be “one for the office wall.�

Representatives of each company answered brief questions from the council, such as Councilmember David Drehs’ questions regarding how (see Indian Trail on page 5)

2015

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Union County Weekly • Dec. 24 to 30, 2014 • Page 3

News

New Life (continued from page 1)

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when she heard the Wingate-based station would be closing its doors for good. “It’s very disheartening,� Simpson said. “That’s the only station out there for us locally, to hear all the encouraging stories and things. It’s sad because they were in our own community and to actually know some of them, it made a difference in so many of our lives.�

Simpson said she has heard about K-Love and will continue to listen, at least for a trial period, because she enjoys having a contemporary Christian radio station right at her fingertips that doesn’t need to be changed when kids are in the car.

Earl Bradshaw, lead pastor at Mill Grove United Methodist Church, said he has been a listener since the first day the station began broadcasting and his church had donated to the listener-supported station for 15 years.

He said he feels “saddened, but it’s not a tragedy,� as he is already a fan of K-Love from times when he has listened to it while traveling. He said that WRCM has been crucial to the local Christian community due to the work they did with local churches and the affordable concerts they hosted every year. “It was the first contemporary Christian radio station in the area, and it helped transform the way we worship in our church,� Bradshaw said. “It’s a big impact because our worship teams listen and get ideas from the people there.�

CIU Broadcasting began in 1976 with the founding of WMHK in Columbia, South Carolina, when area businessmen approached CIU for assistance in bringing a Christian radio station to the midlands of South Carolina, according to a news release announcing the sale. CIU expanded its reach to Union County and the Charlotte area with the New Life station by creating WRCM in 1993. Together, the award-winning stations reached over 350,000 listeners weekly in the Carolinas.

The October deal gave K-Love control of WMHK, WRCM and Boiling Springs, North Carolina-based WRZM, which

broadcasts to Shelby, North Carolina and upstate South Carolina and was founded in 2014.

In the release, K-Love President and CEO Mike Novak, expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to continue the heritage of the CIU stations. “K-LOVE has partnered with and been supportive of WMHK, WRCM and WRZM for years and has seen their impact in the communities they serve,� Novak said. “We look forward to working hard to continue the tradition, while bringing what we have to offer to listeners throughout the Carolinas."

CIU will no longer have a broadcasting branch, and the money from the sale will go towards the general endowment for scholarships at the Christian-based college, Bob Holmes, CIU spokesperson, said. “We are now concentrating on the education aspect of the university,� Holmes said.

In the release, CIU President Dr. Bill Jones elaborated on the school’s reprioritization of funding.

"CIU will be in a stronger position to focus on its core purpose of educating students from a biblical worldview,� Jones said. “Meanwhile, the radio stations will become part of an expanded outreach in the Carolinas with an owner who can continue their growth in the rapidly changing broadcast environment."

U.S. Rep. Robert Pittenger, who represents North Carolina’s 9th congressional district issued a press release of his own on the day that WRCM shut its doors. Pittenger said he had worked with the station on ministry and charitable events in the community. “For 21 years, the staff of New Life 91.9 has used their radio ministry to positively impact lives in the Carolinas, including providing supplies for mothers facing unplanned pregnancies, connecting listeners with encouragement and counseling as they grieved or struggled with a loss,�

Pittenger said in the release. “(They have) spread hope by participating in the ‘Power to Change’ evangelistic outreach campaign, and organized community efforts to supply shoes for needy children in our

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Page 4 • Dec. 24 to 30, 2014 • Union County Weekly

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News Rendering courtesy of Indian Trail

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Indian Trail (continued from page 3)

each company treated veterans, an issue that Drehs cares deeply about.

There have been past public hearings regarding the issue, and residents are always welcome to address council at each meeting regarding their concerns about any issues in the town, but Alvarez believes a referendum vote for the whole town would be the only way to truly receive the response they need.

“A project of this magnitude being put together in less than 180 days and

with such an extreme price tag could very well be stretching us very thin financially as a town,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez pointed out that he will only have a vote in the case of a tie between councilmembers, but that he will “use (his) microphone” at the upcoming meeting in an attempt to dissuade councilmembers from acting too quickly regarding the project.

Still, it is a cause he does not feel confident in accomplishing.

“The choice is not mine,” Alvarez said. “(Councilmembers) have already made up their mind, and there’s no turning back.”

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Union County Weekly • Dec. 24 to 30, 2014 • Page 5

News Union County Weekly

News Briefs

10100 Park Cedar Drive, Suite 154 Charlotte, NC 28210 Phone: 704-849-2261 • Fax: 704-849-2504 www.unioncountyweekly.com

Local Brownie troop fills stockings for the less fortunate

EDITORIAL Features Editor

Layout Editor

Josh Whitener

Liz Lanier

Asst. Sports Editor

Art Director

Hannah Chronis

Maria Hernandez

News Writer

A&E Editor

Courtney Schultz

Dee Grano

News Writer

Faith Columnist

Ryan Pitkin

Rev. Tony Marciano

On Dec. 10, local members of Brownie Troop 3045 of Union County filled stockings for less fortunate girls of similar age in Union County.

The troop members, all of whom are third graders at Antioch, Indian Trail or Weddington elementary schools, filled 16 stockings with supplies meant for girls 6 to 8 years old bought with donations from their families. The stockings were then delivered to the Union County Christmas Bureau to be given, along with stockings filled by other volunteers in the area, to children in need in Union County on Christmas morning. “They were real excited to help out and to know that these were going to girls right here in our county,� said troop leader Leslie Williams.

Troop 3045 tries to do volunteer work in the community at least once every two months, and recently ran a lemonade stand to help fight children’s cancer and done work with Levine Children’s Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House, Williams said.

ADVERTISING Charlotte Conway Adrian Garson

DISTRIBUTION Manager Mike Kochy PUBLISHER Associate Publisher Randi Trojan Founder Alain Lillie Advertising: adsales@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

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Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.

New phase of construction set to begin at Crooked Creek Park INDIAN TRAIL – Construction workers are set to start building two new additions to Crooked Creek Park in 2015. They will break ground soon on a destination playground and dog park, according to the Indian Trail newsletter.

The playground will offer some one-of-

Brownie Troop 3045 with stocking they filled for children in need. Photo courtesy of Leslie Williams

a-kind amenities for children that can’t be found in any other parks in Union or Mecklenburg counties, Jason Tryon, assistant director of Indian Trail Parks and Recreation, said in the newsletter.

Features include a zip line, a reproduced “fallen tree� climbing structure tunnel and a tree house structure with a bridge connecting the two tree structures together. “This playground will serve as one of the many ways Indian Trail’s Parks and Recreation Department will be on the cutting edge of the industry by offering education and programming for all residents,� Tryon added.

The town is currently working on a final design for the dog park, with construction expected to start in January and be completed by summer 2015, according to the newsletter. Crooked Creek Park also will provide residents with a paved walking and biking trail. The trail will be approximately three-quarters of a mile long.

Crooked Creek Park is located near Sardis Elementary School on UnionvilleIndian Trail Road.

Indian Trail in search for new member of ABC Board INDIAN TRAIL – The town of Indian Trail is accepting applications to fill a vacancy on its ABC Board.

All applicants interested in serving on the board will need to have the recommendation or non-recommendation of the board chair.

It also is recommended that they attend at least one board meeting before being considered by the town council, according to the town’s appointment procedure.

New applicants will then be interviewed by the town council, which will vote on an appointment.

All applications must be submitted no later than Jan. 16, 2015.

The ABC Board meets on the third Thursday of each month at the Indian Trail Civic Building at 100 Navajo Trail.

For more information visit www. indiantrail.org, contact Peggy Piontek at townclerk@admin.indiantrail.org or call (704) 821-5401.

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Page 6 • Dec. 24 to 30, 2014 • Union County Weekly

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News Union County Weekly

Crime Blotter The following people were arrested in western Union County between Dec. 18 and 23, according to the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

Hemby Bridge • William Liles, 8300 block of Idlewild Road: Assault on a female. Dec. 23

Indian Trail • Kaela Baucom, 4700 block Baucom Helms Drive: Failure to appear. Dec. 19 • Stephen Sullivan, 5800 block of West Highway 74: Assault on a female. Dec. 20 • Tyrell Wardell, 6100 block of Stoney Ridge Road: Assault on a female. Dec. 20 • Tony Starnes, 4000 block of Fincher Road: Violation of a domestic violence protection order. Dec. 20 • Kathleen Randall, 4300 block of Moser Circle: Felony breaking & entering. Dec. 20 • Jamie Hood, 4700 block of Jacquelyne Drive: Failure to appear. Dec. 20 • Andrey Moroz, 1000 block of Fort Clapsop Court: Assault on a female. Dec. 20 • Michael Staton, 5800 block of Autumn Trace Lane: Probation violation. Dec. 21 • William Gipson, 5500 block of Friendly Baptist Church: Injury to real property. Dec. 22

• Kelly Osborne, U.S. 74 near Smith Farm Road: Driving while impaired. Dec. 22 • Kenneth McCauley, 5900 block of White Cliffs Drive: Resisting/delaying/obstructing an officer. Dec. 23

Waxhaw • Montgomery Crittenden, Five Forks Road, no address listed: Felony possession of cocaine. Dec. 20 • Jim Morgan, 200 block of South Church Street: Simple possession of schedule VI controlled substance. Dec. 21 • Nathan Gibson, 4600 block of Waxhaw Marvin Road: Interfering with emergency communication. Dec. 21 • Shea Mackey, 1200 block of North Broome Street: Shoplifting. Dec. 22

Weddington • Craig Owsley, Hemby Road, no address listed: Driving while impaired. Dec. 18 • Matthew Floyd, 600 block of Ennis Road: Felony breaking & entering. Dec. 19 • Benjamin Jackson, 1800 block of Cox Road: Driving while impaired. Dec. 19 • Rachel Gertzman, 3600 block of North Twelve Mile Creek Road: Possession of marijuana. Dec. 21 • Andrew Moore, 3900 block of Matthews Weddington Road: Felony possession of heroin.

Dec. 22

Wesley Chapel

• Anthony Goss, 6000 block of Weddington Road: Failure to appear. Dec. 19

• Walmart, 2101 Younts Road: $397 electric riding toy stolen from business. Dec. 22

Vandalism/Hit-and-run The following crimes were committed in western Union County between Dec. 18 and 23, according to the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

Indian Trail Home/Business Break-ins • 4000 block of Moser Circle: Handguns, cash, jewelry and ammunition, worth $2,160 total, stolen during home break-in. Dec. 18 • 5600 block of Poplin Road: Jewelry, video games, laptop, money, DVDs and pillow case, worth $2,540 total, stolen during home break-in. Dec. 18 • 6000 block of Warwagon Drive: Nothing listed as stolen in home break-in. Dec. 22

• 100 block of Navajo Trail: Damage done to Nissan Altima in hit-and-run. Dec. 19 • 7700 block of Russell Road: $25 damage to Volkswagen Jetta in burning incident. Dec. 20 • 6700 block of Old Monroe Road: $220 damage to tires of Toyota Tundra in vandalism incident. Dec. 21 • 5500 block of Friendly Baptist Church Road: $500 damage to front door of home in vandalism incident. Dec. 21 • 4000 block of William Clark Trail: $300 damage to residential properties in vandalism incident. Dec. 22

Financial Crimes/Fraud • 5500 block of Poplin Road: Diverting utility use. Dec. 18

Vehicle Break-ins • 1000 block of Phar Lap Road: Gift cards stolen from vehicle during break-in. Dec. 21

Property Theft • 2101 block of Younts Road: $10 license plate stolen from car. Dec. 18 • 1000 block of Crismark Drive: Cellphone and purse stolen during armed robbery. Dec. 20 • 7800 block of Idlewild Road: $400 cellphone stolen. Dec. 21 • 4100 block of Less Traveled Trail: $4,500 enclosed trailer stolen. Dec. 22

Miscellaneous • 3600 block of Wesley Chapel Road: Possession of marijuana. Dec. 21 • 5000 block of Sandstone Lane: Possession of drug paraphernalia. Dec. 21

Marvin Vandalism/Hit-and-runs • 200 block of Cattle Ridge Road: $600 damage to mailbox in vandalism incident. Dec. 21 (see Crime Blotter on page 8)

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News

Crime Blotter (continued from page 7)

Waxhaw Property Theft • 8100 block of Mandeville Court: $1,000 locator wand stolen from Piedmont Natural Gas employee. Dec. 19 • 7600 block of Sims Road: $200 purse containing checkbook, credit cards, Social Security card and identification. Dec. 21 • 600 block of Sherman Place: $10 wallet containing credit cards, identification and

$140 cash stolen. Dec. 21 • 1800 block of Waxhaw Indian Trail Road: $900 Suzuki vehicle stolen. Dec. 22

equipment and flat screen television, worth $3,000 total, stolen and $200 in damage done to rear door in business break-in. Dec. 20

Miscellaneous • 4600 block of Waxhaw Marvin Road: Interfering with emergency communications.

Dec. 21

Weddington Home/Business Break-ins • Country Haven Swim & Racquet Club, 4315 Weddington Matthews Road: Stereo

Financial Crimes/Fraud • 2400 block of Cherrywood Lane: Obtaining property by false pretenses. Dec. 19

Hit-and-runs/Vandalism • 4000 block of Blossom Hill Drive: $300 damage to Nissan Xterra in vandalism incident. Dec. 20

Union County Weekly

Restaurant Scores The Union County Health Department inspected the following dining locations from Dec. 17 to 22.

Lowest Scores: • Bob Zip Asian Kitchen, 1369 Chestnut Lane, suite A, 28104 – 92 Violations included: Owner’s covered drink stored on wok spice cart; trash cans, dish machine racks and buckets placed in front of hand sinks; raw, shelled eggs stored above cabbage heads in walk-in cooler; raw, frozen chicken stored above raw beef and raw meats stored above uncooked egg roll wraps in walk-in freezer; knives, tongs and ladles stored with food debris; multiple foods stored in cooler beyond seven day expiration date; cleaned buckets and lids stored on drink crates where potential contamination could occur during floor cleaning; some equipment not approved for restaurant use; and general cleaning needed.

All Scores:

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28173 • Heritage Food & Drink, 201 W. South Main St. – 95 • Maxwell’s Tavern, 112 E. South Main St. – 98.5 • McDonald’s, 2536 Cuthbertson Road – 92.5 • Ming Fu, 8139 B Kensington Drive – 93.5 • Starbucks, 9700 Rea Road – 99 • The Stuffed Olive, 1201J N. Broome St. – 96

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28104 • Bob Zip Asian Kitchen, 1369 Chestnut Lane, suite A – 92 • Carnitas Mexican Guanajuanto, 7900 G Stevens Mill Road – 95.5 • Greco Fresh Grille, 6400 Weddington Monroe Road, suite G – 97.5 28079 No restaurants inspected this week.

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28110 • Bojangles, 555 E. Roosevelt Blvd. – 96 • Cook Out Restaurant, 1410 W. Roosevelt Blvd. – 98.5 • Five Guys, 2833 W. Roosevelt Blvd.

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28112 No restaurants inspected this week.

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Page 8 • Dec. 24 to 30, 2014 • Union County Weekly

16646

About the grades…

Restaurants are given grades of A for scoring at least 90, B for 80 to 89 and C for 70 to 79.

The state revokes permits for restaurants that score below 70. www.unioncountyweekly.com

2015

EDITORIAL CALENDAR

Health & Wellness (Content-focused Issues) As the largest newspaper group covering southern Mecklenburg and Union counties, there’s no better medium to get your message in front of our 120,000 verified and affluent readers than by advertising in 4 of our most popular issues of the year.

Each of our 2015 Health & Wellness issues will be packed with hyperlocal stories covering the latest trends in healthcare, powerful featurestories of courageous battles and efforts of local organizations to raise awareness for the many great causes and needs in our community.

Issue dates: January 30 April 24 July 31 October 2

Summer Camp Guide (Content-focused sections) Eager to find just the right happy campers? The Weekly’s Summer Camp Guides are the perfect fit. These special sections offer a costeffective advertising vehicle, coupled with helpful camp editorial content, to reach your target market during this peak camp registration period.

Issue date:

Home Sales

Back to School

(Monthly section)

(Content-focused issue) It’s back to the books and basics with advertisements in our must-have back-to-school issues. Featuring the latest college guidance tips, school system updates and education trends, our two back-to-school issues are resources you won’t want to miss.

Issue date:

August 14

February 6 and 20 March 6 and 20 April 3 and 17

2nd Issue of the Month

Whether it’s branding, listings, open houses, or mortgage rates and offers, our monthly Home Sales section is a perfect fit. In the second issue of every month, each newspaper publishes home sales for its coverage area. Space is very limited, so don’t miss out and call to reserve your space today for this monthly section dedicated to your industry … home sales.

Performing Arts Preview 2015-2016 (Special pullout section) Our informative guide is your best yearlong resource for the hottest performances in the Charlotte area. With summaries of the year’s must-see theater, dance and music performances, our Performing Arts Preview is a must for every Queen City cultural arts enthusiast.

Issue date:

September 25 South Charlotte, Union County and Matthews-Mint Hill 55,000 circulation

Culinary Corner (Monthly section) 1st Issue of the Month

South Charlotte Weekly’s popular Culinary Corner is published the first issue of every month and written by Charles Jenkin, a South Charlotte resident and host of WBT’s This Show is Cookin’. Culinary Corner is one of the bestread sections in South Charlotte Weekly and generates a plethora of reader feedback each month.

Arts & Entertainment (Bi-monthly section)

2nd & 4th Issues of the Month

When it comes to reaching the performing arts crowd, this must-read section delivers the best reader demographics in the Charlotte market.

From local performances to the national stage, we’ve got the arts community covered.

For advertising please call 704-849-2261 or e-mail adsales@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com. www.unioncountyweekly.com

Union County Weekly • Dec. 24 to 30, 2014 • Page 9

News

Christmas: It grows on you A tale of two religions

by Ryan Pitkin ryan@unioncountyweekly.com

One may assume that Christmas means more for a child than for an adult, but it’s been my experience that the holiday becomes more meaningful as you mature.

Ryan Pitkin Sure, running down the steps on Christmas morning and seeing the presents laid out under the tree was a feeling that no child lucky enough to experience it will ever forget. But as I get closer to 30 years old, I can’t help but be thankful that I now look forward to Christmas for family reasons as opposed to materialistic ones.

For nearly 20 years, my family has taken turns hosting a Christmas Eve party with the two families of my closest childhood friends. As children, we boys would fill a large plate with as many Chick-fil-A nuggets as we could take from the spread and run off to whatever room hosted

video games, discussing what sort of presents we hoped to rip open come sunrise.

I’ve now hosted the party in my own home for three years running and, while the same three families have stayed close and attend each year, it’s noticeably a better experience as all in attendance have grown into adults who appreciate each other’s company.

I now look forward to all of the siblings around my age, who in the past decade have flown the coop and started lives of their own, joining with the parents, who each have had such an integral, individual impact on each younger person’s childhood in the room, and simply catching up on what the last year has brought for all of us, good or bad.

I now look forward to my sister coming down from her home in the mountains – only two hours away, but seemingly further at times – to spend the weekend in Charlotte, beginning with that night.

Sure, some gifts will be exchanged the following morning, but everyone’s mind will be far from that on Christmas Eve, and that’s the way it should be.

by Courtney Schultz courtney@unioncountyweekly.com

This year marks the first year I won’t be waking up in my parents’ home on Christmas morning.

The past four years I’ve scurried home after grueling exams to the welcoming arms Courtney Schultz of home-cooked meals, tinsel around the tree and endless cups of eggnog.

After graduating college this past May, I moved out on my own to an apartment with the responsibility of decorating my place, among others.

Some people might find my holiday decorations a bit befuddling because I am Jewish, but I have a tall Christmas tree glimmering in my apartment window.

I grew up in a household of tolerance and acceptance. My father is Jewish and my mother is Christian, so we always celebrated holidays from both religions, which means the “most wonderful time of year” meant Hanukkah and Christmas in my household.

My elementary-school-aged self

thought that celebrating both holidays just meant more presents, but as I matured I realized both Christmas and Hanukkah share similar meanings.

To me, both holidays commemorate miracles of God: the birth of Jesus is a Christmas miracle, and the oil in the menorah burned for eight days, when the oil was only expected to last for one day (another miracle).

The holiday time should be a reminder of all of the everyday miracles in each other’s lives. The small blessings we experience each day, such as getting the last one of your favorite muffins at Dunkin Donuts or finding $5 in an old pair of jeans.

That’s why I proudly decorate my apartment with a tree, lights, poinsettias and other traditional Christmas decorations. Because they remind me to think of the little things that make up the great parts of my life. They are part of the tradition of acceptance that I grew up with and remind me of the love and compassion revolved around the holiday season.

Of course, I have my menorah on my table as well, but no decoration defines or takes away from the spirit of the holiday season: the season of being thankful.

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by Josh Whitener josh@unioncountyweekly.com

Christmas Eve is going to be strange this year.

Ever since I can remember, we’ve gathered each year on the evening of Dec. 24 at my grandfather’s house. Our ChristJosh Whitener mas Eve traditions begin with a fingerfood dinner, followed by an annual reading of the Nativity story as told in Luke 2.

Then we pass out presents and find out who drew whose name, while the kids eagerly tear into a plethora of toys, games and goodies. After several hours of laughter and enjoying one another’s company, we bid farewell to PePaw (yes, that’s what we call him – you might chuckle, but to us it’s practically his God-given name) and make the short drive from Belmont to McAdenville to see the countless displays of dazzling Christmas lights.

It’s been my favorite Christmas tradition from the time I was a child, eagerly awaiting Santa’s arrival, to adulthood, waiting with anxious excitement to “help Santa” bring gifts to my own kids.

But that tradition as we’ve known it

won’t take place this year.

My 84-year-old PePaw suffered a series of health issues from August to mid-October, and my family was forced to make the tough decision of placing him in an assisted living center. His house was emptied and placed on the market, and will no longer serve as the warm centerpiece behind so many holiday traditions, the biggest being Christmas Eve. My heart aches when I think about not spending Christmas Eve at my PePaw’s house; when I realize my 4-month-old son, Aiden, will never experience Christmas Eve at his Great-PePaw’s; when I face the reality of the new normal.

But in the midst of the sadness, I’ve found hope and joy. We still have my PePaw. We’ll still celebrate with each other, just at a different place. The rest of our traditions will remain the same.

Home isn’t a building. This might sound cliché, but home truly is where the heart is.

The classic “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” was written about soldiers serving overseas during the holidays, and carries the powerful message of no matter where you are, your heart can still be home.

Let’s all take a moment this season to forget the trimmings, trappings and holiday stress and cherish what truly matters: those we hold dear.

Merry Christmas.

Celebrating Change

by Hannah Chronis hannah@unioncountyweekly.com

Each Christmas Eve, my two sisters and I join our parents and celebrate the evening at Grandma Dockery’s house.

My dad is one of four boys and the only one with Hannah Chronis children, so we’ve been spoiled from a young age – unapologetically raking in presents from our adoring aunts and uncles and soaking up compliments of how wonderful we are (though, as the years have passed, we’ve begun to realize that our relatives are undoubtedly biased after watching home videos that captured our onceproclaimed “cuteness” as just annoying tweens craving attention).

When I was 9 years old, my Uncle Kenny looked at my sisters and me and said, “You know, before you know it, you girls will be bringing boys home on Christmas Eve.” I laughed. And laughed and laughed and laughed. What a ridiculous thought!

I would never bring a boy to Grandma’s house. This was my family and my www.unioncountyweekly.com

Christmas Eve, and heaven forbid someone else coming in and getting more attention than me! It was ludicrous.

But here we are, many years and many Christmases later and just like every year, things have changed.

On Nov. 8, I got married. My last name changed from Dockery to Chronis and for the first time in my life, I’ll be bringing a “boy” home for Christmas and deep into Dockery territory – a thought that would’ve made my 9-year-old-self cringe. But family means something a little different this year. Familial boundaries I once so rigidly defined are now fluid and flexible. My sisters are now his sisters. My grandma is now his grandma, and I’m beginning to realize that sharing family is a beautiful thing.

My hope and prayer this year is that family can mean a little something different to all of us this holiday season.

Whether you’re celebrating with a new baby or without a loved one, embrace the change and embrace the family you make for yourself. Tradition is beautiful and cherished, but change can be, too – if we let it.

And though life undoubtedly looks a little different this year than it did last, or when you were a child, it really is wonderful.

Carolina Weekly Newspaper Group is looking for a few

good drivers who are available to deliver our award-winning newspapers Thursdays, Fridays or both. As with the drivers who have been with us for more than a decade, each new hire will train on one (1) small route for a week or two. Upon satisfactory completion of training, new drivers will be given new routes, as they become available, to grow their earnings.

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Candidates must have a clean driving record, proof of auto insurance and be able to lift 50-75 lbs. Additionally, the ideal candidate can work Thursday, Friday, or both and can make a long-term commitment to grow their workload and earnings.

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Union County Weekly • Dec. 24 to 30, 2014 • Page 11

News

Hope for the Holidays (continued from page 1)

about 25 members who worked with the Boys & Girls Club at Monroe Middle, a local chapter of a national organization that provides programs and activities outside of the standard school hours and curriculum that “promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence,” according to its website.

Volunteers from Weddington Mentors – which has now tripled in membership – have provided everything from assistance with homework and passing out snacks to helping with special activities, such as Boy Scouts and Girls on the Run – and sometimes, Caroline said, simply sitting and talking to the kids.

“I think it’s honestly just getting to spend time with the kids (that’s) literally changed my life,” she said. “The time you get to spend with the kids is just so rewarding, and it makes you so grateful for your life.”

An average of 60 to 70 kids 5 years old through eighth grade attend the Boys & Girls Club at Monroe Middle, Caroline said. She originally thought Weddington Mentors would be sponsoring about 30 kids through Hope for the Holidays, but the group ended up with a request for more than twice that amount.

Weddington Mentors teamed up with students from Weddington’s National Honor Society, and the two groups together were able to sponsor 62 children. Members of the Science National Honor Society sponsored the three remaining children, and the Weddington student government put together “goody bags” for each of the receiving children.

Sponsoring a child involved purchasing an entire outfit – shirt, pants, shoes and coat – as well as up to three items on the individual child’s wish list. Wish list items included everything from additional clothes to jewelry, basketballs and soccer balls, games, drawing notebooks and more.

Students received their gifts, along with a dinner and a surprise visit from Santa, at Weddington High School on

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Wednesday, Dec. 17. Caroline said between the students in the clubs who helped sponsor the children and those who volunteered at the Dec. 17 event, the majority of the school played some kind of role in helping with Hope for the Holidays.

“About three-fourths of the school had some part in this thing,” Caroline said. “We opened it up to the school, (asking classes), ‘Can you donate wrapping paper, bows, random toys?’ If they didn’t have a (direct) part in sponsoring (a student), they brought in toys, wrapping paper and other things.”

Caroline said she and the school are pleased with the success of Hope for the Holidays and plan to make the program an annual endeavor.

“It just goes to show how much people are willing to give and help others out, especially around the holidays,” she said. “It also shows how a little idea can go from being so small to this huge, school-wide event that everybody was able to help with and make a difference.”

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Education Union County Weekly

Honor Roll Hemby Bridge

Elementary School A Honor Roll Third grade: Kaleb Bigham, Collin Cheema, Kayla Gillis, Maggie Green, Dustin Keeffe, Katrin Malovana, Taylor Maus, Christian Milhone, Madison Pham, Madison Pressley, Whitney Ray, Eva Sloan and Toby Winardi.

Fourth grade: Addison Ball, Joshua Bernadis, Abby Chew, Marissa Cukro, Billy Giustiniani, Allison Greenwalt, Ava Guild, Noah McIntyre, Maya Nikolayenko, Lauren Schwarz, Michael Sheraden, Justin Shumaker, Julia Zayachkowsky and Stephen Zayachkowsky.

Fifth grade: Alexa Berkwits, Dominic Conry, Zachary Gotro, Nathan Ladimir, Hannah McIntyre, Natalie Travis, Emarie Tucker and Isabella Tufano.

A/B Honor Roll Third grade: Jase Albertini, Bella Blakeslee, Tess Brico, Mariana Bustamante, Sarah Caruso, Austin Curry, Adam Cassidy, Julia Coffey, Natalia Costa, Juliet Cukro, Ethan Foust, Jacob Fowler, Helena Guerrero, Timothy Gustafson, Avery Hammersmith, Ella Hart, Kiara Hines, Jackson Hirsch, Avalyn Jackson, Daniel Kennedy, Katherine Kivlan, Sean McDevitt, Megan McLary, Sidney Mouzon, Owen Urbain, Arya Patel, Jacob Pierce, Caroline Player, Hannah Priles, Caleb Simmons, Nadia Smihal, Reagan Stanley, Addison Sullivan, Nicholas Tolan, Ella Williams, Brynn Wilson and Aaron Wright.

Fourth grade: Emma Countyrman, Alexa Fusco, Kimberly Haines, Kiersten Helms, Landon Jewett, Kennady Lalley and Amberlea Sitler.

Fifth grade: John Alexander, Ana Karen Aristizabel, Kate Augustine, Madison Barnes, Landri Bigham, Brielle Borbolla, Alexa Bossert, Carson Brackenbush, Jasha Brooker, Lucy Burch, Hannah Caruso, Maya Charlton, Aiden Chew, Justin Collins, Shauna Currie, Hunter Dubar, Preston Etheredge, Bryce Freeman, Jack Green, Brooke Gustafson, William Hart, Aaron Hough, Benjamin LaVigne, Risden Long, Christian Natali-Gergich, Hunter Newstreet, Owen OíKeef, Janella Olaleye, Lucky Pallone, Jeremy Palma, Jack Papiernik, Ashni Patel, David Pavlyuk, Jackson Ray, Chris Rice, Darby Sayball, Kendall Shumaker, Nathaniel Stout, Eriana Tucker, Avery Turpin, Makayla Wheelock and Jayden White.

kensington Elementary School A Honor Roll:

Vivianna Albert, Garrett Allen, Agnaeya Arora, Zack Attieh, Elliott Banks, Mya Beard, Madison Behnke, Quincy Bialobrzeski, Katelyn Briggs, Ryan Brown, Jackson Cagle, Abigail Champion, Christian Chapman, Mackenzie Chizmadia, Samantha Chrusniak, Madison Clark, Ariana Cordero, Hayden D'Allaird, Kira Dannaker, Zain Dawood, Ryan Ding, Catherine Douthit, Mia Gemignani, Delaney Gingrich, Daniella Gladden, Marisa Gonzalez, Katelyn Granger, Laura Green, Lily Hancock, William Jennings, Yaphet Kebede, Caitlin Kornberg, Sara Krajcovic, Gabrielle Lassiter, Maria Lightfoot, Paige Maher, Eva Marryat, Luke Matthews, Enzo McIntyre, Margaret Miller, Reagan Mohl, Riley Mohl, Victor Montalvo, Kate Murray, Lauren Neciuk, Connor Nelson, Riley Nichols, Dylan Notaro, Aidan Oates, Mya Parker, Haylee Prime, Nora Roman, Anna Ryan, Ethan Scisciani, Leah Seik, Mallory Sepe, Jacob Sherrill, Raegan Sherrill, Emilie Shooman, Dylan Sinople, Lauren Sweeney, Robert Tillotson, Kaylee Truesdale, Georgia Weaver, Meredith Wesolek, Ruby Williams and Presley Worf.

A/B Honor Roll:

Gabriella Abbott, Mathew Almeida, Amanda Amos, Elise Austin, John Bagdasarian, William Bajus, Vaughn Beard, Alexa Behnke, Alexis Bell, Tyler Bopp, Ava Bosley, Aaron Bowman, Kaleb Brigham, Bentley Brooks, Ava Brown, Jamahl Brown, William Bryan, India Burke, Daniella Carrillo, Ainsley Caspers, Seth Cohen, Carson Collie, Lauren Collie, Francesca Corona, Joseph Craig, Vivek Crowe, Catherine DeCarlo, Jackson Del Bosco, Anthony Dickinson, Emery Donlan, Melina D'Rozario, Riley Eanes, Emma Edmonds, Cameron Enos, www.unioncountyweekly.com

Eli Ernst, Greyson Evers, Esteban Ferrer, Robert Figueroa, John Franz, Isabelle Gallardo, Lauren Gemignani, Ella Gingrich, Hannah Green, Vincent Grippa, Alex Haire, Serena Halawani, Corban Hall, Joshua Handley, Dylan Hardgrove, Ruth Hatfield, Carson Hegele, Olivia Hellow, Quinn Hilligoss, Megan Hintze, Jackson Hively, Alexander Hodel, Isabela Hoechster, Blake Houff, Xiao Huang, McKenna Huthert, Mason Jacobus, Meghan Jennings, Brian Jeong, Richard Johnson, Emily Joyner, Meredith Kennedy, Ashley Kim, Matthew Kirk, Aiden Komito, Davis Kroeger, Benjamin Kusherman, Sydney Laddin, Dominic Lamb, Maya Lupo, Samir Machaalani, Michael Mann, Olivia Margulies, Kiley McGee, Megan Misiak, Charli Montalvo, Sang Nguyen-Ly, Alex Nyman, Evan O'Donnell, Jack O'Meara, Charles Osei-Duro, Brady Prewett, Dawson Prewett, Makayla Prewitt, Ryan Quas, Aidan Quintana, Veena Rachakonda, Devin Reed, Nathan Rios, Brendan Ryan, James Salicco, Malorie Sammons, Daniel Sanchez, Max Sanfilippo, Leilani Sarmiento, Supreya Saxena, Maxwell Serna, Kenedi Sheriff, Lilly Sherman, Morgan Sherrill, Nicholas Sholar, Olivia Simon, Emma Skibbie-Slawinski, Claire Sofsian, Madison Soler, Charles Spellings, Jillian St. Hilaire, Meredith St. Pierre, Parker Steedly, AnnaBelle Stewart, Ella Stewart, Michael Stroz, Noreen Sullivan, Darby Swafford, Ella Swafford, Bradford Sweeter, Ainsley Swift, Natalie Taylor, Ross Thompson, Luke Thoms, Taylor Truesdale, Caison Turner, Kyndall Upchurch, Camryn Voss, Kathryn Wahab, Hayden Ward, Emma Weldon, Sienna Weldon, Brandon Wey, Rachel White, Grace Wilkins, Peyton Williams, Ethan Zimmerman, Collin Zmolek and Charlie Zollinger.

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Union County Weekly • Dec. 24 to 30, 2014 • Page 13

Education Union County Weekly

Honor Roll Marvin Ridge middle school A Honor Roll Sixth grade: Nour Abodabba, Zaid Ahmed, Samantha Angeli, Rebecca Ankenbruck, Isabella Ashi, Jake Atlas, Alex Baja, Lucas Barbu, Madelyn Baucom, Isabelle Bay, Reagan Baylog, Maxime Beaulieu, Lyndsey Bigham, Carter Blankner, Rachel Brewer, Anna Bryson, Madeline Buff, Carsyn Burns, Emily Burns, Nathan Calamas, Annabelle Chang, Mateo Checa, Lynn Check, Lucas Chepul, Tyler Cherry, Andrew Chinn, Brandon Clarke, Annabella Cotugno, Hayley Currens, Neal Damani, Matthew Davis, Jenna DePollo, Cambrie Dewulf, Dylan Dipasupil, Katherine Dobos, Isabella Dolan, Jack Downes, Emma Drake, Lucas Dunker, Michael Eisenberg, Kaitlyn Fetter, Grace Fletcher, Camryn Ford, Michael Fox, Kayla Gordon, Xavier Gorman, John Gouin, Naomi Green, William Gross, Melinda Harrison, Colin Headrick, George Holevas, Kori Horten, Claire Hussey, Ian Hutter, Cole Jackson, Madeline Jacobsen, Alexander Kappos, Holden Kern, Elliot Kerry, Abigail Kersten, Ethan Kersten, Ashley Kiker, Ramesses Kitchen, Megan Klingenberg, Paige Klingenberg, Hadley Ladue, Rigopoula Lahanas, Jack Lannagan, Shaelyn Lavalle, Brooke Lavelle, Camille Letamendia, Sainasri Macha, Shriya Madhavaram, Isabella Maffei, Hannah Manning, Ryan Marr, Erin Martin, Julia Mattson, Kyleigh McCoy, Sullivan McDermott, Elli McTamney, Jake Mead, Alexis Metro, Jacob Montano, Keeli Morgan, Sarah

Motteler, Anton Muccia, Gavin Murphy, Amelia Myers, Sandra Myers, Aditya Nair, Livia Olsen, Benjamin Palmer, Alexandra Papageorge, Rebekah Poskie, Ashton Rains, Zyncli Ramirez, Julia Raykovicz, Olivia Reasons, Carter Rhule, Elizabeth Rose, Matthew Rosser, Nathan Saltzman, Prateek Sanisetty, Madelyn Schoen, Paige Sciolino, Gavin Scotto, Timothy Seabolt, Matthew Semcesen, Aaron Shelton, Siddharth Sivaram, Brian Smith, Landon Smith, David Soliman, Michele Sperduto, Keshav Srivenkatesh, Jack Steury, Ava Stewart, Aidan Sunris, Nicole Tanguay, McKenzie Tano, Alyssa Tauro, Audrey Thomas, Chloe Thomson, Parnikaa Thumu, Autumn Tucker, Leah Wang, Kinsey Wasko, Ashley Wiederspiel, Kendall Wilson, Lauren Wilson, Russell Wong, Sarah Wuerslin, Kyle Young, Robert Young, Roberto Young, Kelsea Yount and Max Zdimal.

Seventh grade: Christian Alston, Dahlia Bagley, Julia Barhydt, Ethan Basinger, Mark Bauer, Michelle Berglass, Blake Berrey, Sahil Bhave, Ally Bigham, Riley Blackmer, Carter Blessing, Sarah Budds, Kendall Byers, Alexandra Calder, Marguerite Carsten, Daniel Casella, Gabriella Castro, Delaney Caulder, Kaitlyn Cole, Daniel Cook, Sarah Cuddy, Joyce Deng, Kaitlyn Duckett, Ana Eleta, Jonah Elkins, Abigail Emanuel, Colin Erb, Sameeha Fatima, Emma Friese, Caitlin Fromm, Justin Fuss, Ethan Garrety, Anthony Giocondi, Janet Green, Patrick Gregson, Connor Hill, William Hodges, Erin Holden, Joshua Holmes, Camilla Horn, Lauren Huffstetler, Kinnereth Huxtable, Sophia Imhof, Alexandra Jacob, Rashi Jagani, Laura Jeniski, Esther Kang, Silpitha Kapireddy, Ryley Keefe, Casey Kelly, Nicolette Kim, Jackson Klein, Olivia Kovach, Jonathan Lambert, Jacob Laube, Annie Le Baron, Nathaniel Lee, Neal Lemon, Manasi Londhe, Lauren Lovitt, Sophia Lukavsky, Pallavi Maladkar, Tyler Maple, Jackson Marky, Rebecca Mastrangelo, Grace Mayer, Darcy McGehee, Alexander Morrell, Evan Myers, Conrad Nelsen, Daniel Neuman, Isabel Neumann-Rivera, Patrick O'Brien, Grace O'Carroll, Joshua Offenheiser, Jacob

Parvin, Maya Patel, Sonia Patel, Harrison Paul, Zachary Penny, Franklin Pippin, Samantha Podewils, Larson Preisser, Matias Rosado, Huda Sait, Shreya Sawant, Anna Scalise, Kiersten Schachner, Elizabeth Schupp, Parker Sciolino, Brooke Sevchik, Paige Sevchik, Madison Skinner, Suzanne Smith, Madeline Soik, Tyler Stanton, Jack Stephen, Christopher Sutherland, Aarushi Talesara, Ellie Tidwell, Kelly Tieu, Colby Trumbo, Grace Villanueva, Madeleine Walker, Fiona Wallace, Macy Warren and Alexandra Zettlemoyer.

Eighth grade: Maytee Akkaramongkolrojn, Lauren Alexander, Rachel Alford, Lauren Araya, Yuna Asano, Lauren Barnette, Nathan Beard, Aniya Blanton, Jason Blizzard, Noah Bowman, Meredith Cheek, Gabriella Chiarenza, Brooke Davis, Jessica Davis, Thomas Drake, Laura Duerrich, Jamie Dunbar, Chase Fiedor, Ailey Finn, Alyssa Fullmer, Nicholas Gagis, Samantha Garrett, Sydney Geada, Evelyn Glukhoman, Iniya Gnanakkumaran, Madison Graveline, Shane Gravelle, Dylan Greer, Julia Gundlach, Tucker Hadley, Grace Haller, Amanda Hambright, Sara Hardwick, Lindsay Harrison, James Hartley, Kylie Heilferty, Anthony Hinton, Ana Ingram, Thomas Jackman, Anna Jacobsen, Maryann Jarnagin, Lauren Johansen, Lacy Johnston, Jamie Jordahl, Adriana Jordan, Ismail Khaderi, Christian Kiley, Emily Laatsch, Kristen Lavelle, Sophie Lorenzo, Anya Lukavsky, Julia McCabe, Sarah McCann, Mackensie McDonough, Colin McEvoy, Konstantine Melissaris, Julia More, Mina Mowlavi, Spencer Nally, Sarah Overby, Dheeraj Pannem, Alexandra Parvin, Jacob Plutt, Colin Price, Brooke Randall, Margaret Roma, Hannah Rose, Evan Rosen, Julius Rowe, Lauren Sabogal, Ann Sawyer, Blake Schorr, Melanie Semcesen, Madelyn Starr, Saisahana Subburaj, Ashton Texas, Isabelle Titus, Ava Torrise, Makenzie Treinen, Andrew Utesch, Sohni Uthra, Nicolette Vallat, Lauren Van De Wal, Anna Walter, Isaiah Williams, Blake Wood, Elyse Wood and Maggie Young.

Sardis Elementary school A Honor Roll

Third Grade: Olivia Chandler, Garrett Dokter, Annystin Farmer, Madison Hilkert, Megan Jones, Grant Palmroos, Kaleb Prater, Guianella Saavedra, Aaron Smith, Aaliyah Spivey and Eshan Srivastav.

Fourth Grade: Xander Leyva.

Fifth Grade: Gabriel Hepka, Calen Jordan and Tanner Montgomery.

A/B Honor Roll Third Grade: Ashly Angeles-Hernandez, Kathryn Arce, Jeshua Castro, Gabriel Gonzalez, James Grady Emanuel Hernandez, Karina Rodriquez, Autumn Russell, Nyla Scruse, Nick Williams and Madison Wilson.

Fourth Grade: Logan Baines, Ashlee Bardsley, Destyni Calabrese, Davis Efird, Heidi Gomez Nava, Bethany Helms, Natalie Helms, Lesslie Hernandez, Kayla Hoover, Karmen Hughes, Ryley Hunter, Abby Hupko, Kyra Jordan, Rachel McConkey, Ethan Murphy, Katrina Norris, Noah Ohlson, Ashanty Olivan, Jihwan Park, Isabella Plyler, Robbie Pohorence, Ruden Rivera, Natalia Rodriguez, Barbie Rosenbaum, Caitlin Saunders and Andrew Young.

Fifth Grade: Ryan Battaglia, Nathan Caldwell, Jastin Farmer, Sierra Gurley, Grace Krenz, Gina Marcell, Alexandra Martino, Nate McCoy, Sarah Myers, David Oden, Adrianna Santos Rubio, Caroline Sierra Rey, Ethan Watts, Jazzmyn Zamora and Daw Zei.

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Call (704) 849-2261 or e-mail adsales@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com Page 14 • Dec. 24 to 30, 2014 • Union County Weekly

www.unioncountyweekly.com

2015

SPORTS CALENDAR

Football Previews 2015 (Special pullout section) The absolute must-read section of the year, our unrivaled football preview sets the standard with highlights of high school football teams in southern Mecklenburg and Union County, covering more than 40 private and public schools.

These special pullout issues provide an in-depth resource for readers all season long, including feature stories, schedules and team rundowns before the season’s first touchdowns.

Issue dates:

August 21 Southern Mecklenburg 38,000 circulation August 28 Union County 17,000 circulation

Basketball Preview 2015 (Special pullout section) As the leader in high school sports coverage, our boys high school basketball preview is highly anticipated each year. The special pullout issue provides an in-depth resource for readers all season long, including feature stories, schedules and team rundowns before the season’s first tipoff.

Issue dates:

November 13 Southern Mecklenburg 38,000 circulation

Super Teams (Seasonal) The best of the best high school athletes are recognized for their season’s achievements. In addition to the rankings, the player of the year is highlighted with a feature story.

Issue dates: Football January 9 Swimming (Girls & Boys) March 13 Basketball (Girls & Boys) March 20 Golf (Boys) June 5 Track & Field (Boys) June 12 Track & Field (Girls) June 19 Tennis (Boys) June 26 Lacrosse (Boys) July 3 Lacrosse (Girls) July 10 Soccer (Girls) July 17 Softball July 24 Baseball July 31 Golf (Girls) November 20 Cross-Country (Girls) November 27 Cross-Country (Boys) December 4 Tennis (Girls) December 11 Volleyball (Girls) December 18 *Dates subject to change.

For advertising please call 704-849-2261 or e-mail adsales@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com. www.unioncountyweekly.com

Union County Weekly • Dec. 24 to 30, 2014 • Page 15

Arts & Entertainment

Trash, treasure and treat Dulce Tavares turns discarded items into art

by Dee Grano ae@unioncountyweekly.com

“When it came time to pick a career, I thought, ‘No one can make money making art,’” said mixed-media artist and Matthews resident Dulce Tavares.

As a child growing up in Brazil, Tavares drew and molded clay, but set aside art to pursue science. She forged a career as a professor of microbiology and immunology, until she and her family moved to the United States 18 years ago.

When her academic credentials failed to transfer to American academia, Tavares reinvented herself – a knack she has turned into a full-time job in art.

After moving to Charlotte in 2001, Tavares worked in a day care center, where she befriended a boy whose mother asked Tavares to paint a mural for him. Tavares reproduced the cover of a greeting card she found in his room to rave reviews. Then, the referrals for more murals started coming in – requests for jungle animals, sports stars and fairy tale characters that adorn the lower school of Charlotte Latin.

Knowing what appeals to children and sparks their imagination is second nature to Tavares. She started teaching classes at the Matthews Community Center seven years ago. Her first success was a puppetry summer camp, for which she made a proscenium from a big cardboard box, curtains and rope.

“The kids had a blast,” recalled Tavares, who calls her work as a teaching artist “really rewarding.”

“Dulce is able to translate her expertise as an artist into teaching points for the children,” said Colten Marble, cultural recreation manager for the town of Matthews, who organizes classes and camps for the Center. “She always comes to me with awesome ideas for keeping her classes

fresh and relevant.”

Tavares launched a new camp called “Zen Adventures,” a full-day experience with yoga, dance and activities in “upcycling,” where kids turned recycled materials into art. She offered as part of the camp homemade “raw food” snacks, like smoothies, ice cream and “sushi” made with crushed cauliflower instead of rice. Though the sweet stuff was more popular with the children, the camp broadened their horizons.

“Kids are authentic, spontaneous and unafraid of criticism or judgment,” Tavares said. “Expanding their knowledge improves their lives and creates awareness to parents.”

In addition to teaching kids at the Matthews Community Center, the SOAR Academy for home-schoolers and the Behailu Academy in NoDa, Tavares has been invited to return to Brazil to teach her puppetry program.

As she challenges her students, Tavares also challenges herself. She was one of nine artists selected from the region this fall to participate in the Arts & Science Council’s (ASC) Community Supported Art (CSA) project, for which Tavares had to create 50 unique pieces of art.

She opted to make three-dimensional sculptures she called “Alien Plants,” quirky combinations of recycled bottles, unused earplugs and toothpicks, used light bulbs and other found objects. She covered each piece in papier-mâché and embellished them. She painted them with vibrant colors in her trademark folk-art style and created custom boxes for each.

This prolific experience was a growth opportunity for Tavares, a self-proclaimed perfectionist who admits to painting over something completely if it does not meet her expectation. Her attention to detail is reflected in her work.

“The first person I try to please is myself,” said Tavares.

“I have to look at it and say, ‘I love it.’”

“Dulce’s work shows that you can breathe a second life

SPORTS WRITER WANTED Carolina Weekly Newspaper Group is looking for a dedicated, enthusiastic community journalist to cover high school sports in Mecklenburg and Union counties.

REQUIREMENTS The right candidate should:

t IBWF FYQFSJFODF JO DPNNVOJUZ KPVSOBMJTN BOE DPWFSJOH high school sports t LOPX UIF TPVUIFSO .FDLMFOCVSH 6OJPO BSFB t IBWF QIPUPHSBQIZ FYQFSJFODF t CF GBNJMJBS XJUI "1 TUZMF t CF nFYJCMF UP XPSL OJHIUT BOE XFFLFOET t BOE CF DPNGPSUBCMF XPSLJOH VOEFS EFBEMJOFT

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Candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, list of references and a portfolio showing their recent work to Alain Lillie at alain@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com.

Page 16 • Dec. 24 to 30, 2014 • Union County Weekly

into something,” said John Horne, the ASC Cultural & Community Investment program director who is charge of the CSA program. “She creates beautiful art that connects emotionally with people and evokes a reaction.”

Tavares became a teaching artist last year at the Harvey B. Gantt Center, where she taught “batik,” a technique of manual wax-resist dyeing applied to cloth where she used homemade stamps to create beautiful patterns. She taught a workshop earlier this month on “eco jewelry,” where students made earrings from scraps of plastic and “faux” wood blinds. Tavares also works part-time in the paint department at Lowe’s Home Improvement, where she collects discarded materials for her projects.

“They call me the garbage lady,” Tavares joked.

Her artwork is proof it’s never too late to turn what is seemingly nothing, into something extraordinary.

View Tavares’s murals at her Flickr page www.flickr.com/ photos/muralsbydulce. Register for a 2015 summer camp with Tavares at the Matthews Community Center, at www. matthewsfun.com. Summer camp registration starts Feb. 1.

STAFF WRITERS WANTED Carolina Weekly Newspaper Group has open positions in the newsroom. The group publishes the South Charlotte Weekly, Union County Weekly, MatthewsMint Hill Weekly, and The Pineville Pilot from our south Charlotte newsroom.

REQUIREMENTS These positions will be responsible for writing content for three weekly papers and one monthly paper in the Charlotte region.

The right candidates should be prepared to write eight to 10 articles a week, take photos, copyedit and participate in weekly budget meetings to give input on story ideas from our editors. These positions will cover a variety of topics, ranging from government coverage to feature writing. The candidates should be versed in AP style; comfortable working mornings, evenings and weekends; and have experience covering community news. Candidates should submit their resume, cover letter, references and three to five published articles.

Candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, list of references and a portfolio showing their recent work to Alain Lillie at alain@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com.

www.unioncountyweekly.com

12/18/14

Arts & Entertainment

Union County Weekly

Arts & Entertainment News & Notes

Union County artists receive Regional Artist Project Grants The Arts & Science Council (ASC) recently named the 2015 Regional Artist Project Grant recipients, and two Union County artists were among the chosen few.

Arlynn Zachary received $2,000 to purchase a MacBook Pro laptop, and Peter Godshall received $2,000 to purchase a Wacom Cintiq Companion, according to a news release.

The grant program is a joint effort between the Arts & Science Council and arts councils in Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Rowan, Rutherford and Union counties in North Carolina and York County, South Carolina. The program also receives support from the North Carolina Arts Council and Blumenthal Endowment.

Thirty-one established and emerging artists of various disciplines were awarded grants this year. The Regional Artist Project provides funds for individuals and groups of unincorporated artists, to help them pursue projects that further enhance their artistic development and education.

Funds can be applied to admission to a professional development experience, or can be used to purchase or rent equipment. “Individual artists are the ones who shine the light on all of the things that make our region unique,� ASC President Robert Bush said in the news release. “These project grants enable many of the talented artists that live in and are invested in our communities to continue to pursue their artistic visions, which benefits us all.�

Recipients competed for the grants and were selected by 11 regional panelists. The program is open to artists in all disciplines – including film, performing arts, literature and visual arts – and provides up to $2,000 per recipient. This year’s 31 recipients were selected from 117 applicants, who requested a total of $196,358.

The grant program had $50,290 in available funds.

Find more information at www. artsandscience.org.

Silent Images releases end-of-year video Matthews-based nonprofit Silent Images recently released its end-ofwww.unioncountyweekly.com

year video, a short production created to say “thank youâ€? to its supporters. “This year we turned the cameras on ourselves to offer you a lighter video and a little more insight into the heart of our team,â€? Silent Images founder David Johnson said in a news release. â€œâ€Ś If you watch the video until the end, you will be rewarded with some fun and embarrassing outtakes...it was good for my team and I to be reminded how difficult it is to be on the other side of the camera.â€?

Silent Images served more than 130 charities in 2014, the release said. The nonprofit works locally, nationally and globally, using still and video footage to tell stories of hope in the midst of oppression, poverty and hardship.

View the end-of-year video at vimeo.com/114029797. Find more information about Silent Images at www.silentimages.org.

Community School of the Arts and Charlotte Children’s Choir to merge Community School of the Arts and the Charlotte Children’s Choir will merge as of Jan. 1, 2015.

Through the merger, Charlotte Children’s Choir will become a part of the Community School of Arts, and its choral program will continue under its current name, according to a news release. “The decision to merge stems from both organizations’ shared commitment to providing the best in accessible arts education to meet the needs of the community. This merger will provide students of both programs with new educational and performance opportunities, as well as create synergies and growth opportunities for the combined organization,� the organizations said in a news release.

Community School of the Arts was founded in 1969, and the Charlotte Children’s Choir was established in 1986. Find more information about the organizations at www.csarts.org or www.charlottechildrenschoir.org.

Send arts and entertainment news items to ae@unioncountyweekly.com.

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Union County Weekly • Dec. 24 to 30, 2014 • Page 17

Calendar 12.29.14 and 12.30.14 Monday & Tuesday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Holiday Sports Camp Parents of children ages 4 to 15 years old can register their children for both or just one day at Carolina Courts playing basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, kickball, relay races and more. The cost is $37.50 per child. For more information or to register, visit www.carolinacourts.com or call 704-882-1115.

Carolina Courts, 240 Chestnut Pkwy., Indian Trail 1.02.15 Friday 7 p.m.

Waxhaw Line Dancers This club gathers every Friday night at 7 p.m. Lessons start at 7:30 p.m. and last approximately 60 to 90 minutes, followed by open dancing. For more information, call 704559-9808.

Waxhaw American Legion Hall, 801 E. South Main St., Waxhaw

1.02.15 Friday 10 a.m.

Book Club

1.03.15 Saturday 8 to 9:45 p.m.

Cup of Humor Night

1.06.15 Tuesday 9 to 11:30 a.m.

Community Clinic

Attendees will discuss “The Rescue” by Madison’s Coffee hosts a monthly “Cup of Humor” night, Community Health Services of Union County Nicholas Sparks. in which local comedians take the stage to crack up the will offer health screenings for blood pressure, When confronted by raging fires or deadly crowd. A local comedian organizes the event and signs up blood sugar, cholesterol and hemoglobin. For accidents, volunteer fireman Taylor McAden different comedians from Charlotte and the surrounding cholesterol screening, patients need to fast for feels compelled to take terrifying risks to area to entertain attendees each month while they enjoy 12 hours prior to the test. Be sure to drink water save lives. But there is one leap of faith a hot drink or relax with a beer or glass of wine. even while fasting.

Taylor can't bring himself to make: he can't fall in love.

Madison’s Coffee House, 7878 Idlewild Road, Indian Monroe Crossings, 2115 W. Roosevelt Blvd., Trail Monroe Union West Regional Library, 123 Unionville-Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail 1.06.15 1.08.15 Tuesday Thursday 1.02.15 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

5:45 p.m.

Friday MOMS Club Book Club First Fridays in Waxhaw MOMS Club of Indian Trail is a support group for part-time Attendees will discuss “The Honk and Holler and full-time stay-at-home mothers who live in zip codes Opening Soon” by Billie Letts. A wheelchairOn the first Friday of each month, 28079 and 28110. They will host a chapter meet and bound Vietnam veteran opens a restaurant businesses and restaurants in downtown greet at Madison’s Coffee House on Jan. 6 from 10 after returning from war. When a vibrant young Waxhaw stay open late and often offer a.m. to 11 a.m. MOMS Club has monthly meetings woman enters the cafe, she changes the lives special discounts. Free carriage rides that feature speakers, discussions and other activities. For of the regulars forever. are available to the public. Each month, more information, visit www.momsclubofindiantrail.com. themed events and offerings take place in Waxhaw Library, 509 S. Providence Road, the historic downtown district.

Madison’s Coffee House, 7878 Idlewild Road, Indian Waxhaw Historic Downtown Waxhaw Trail

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Expires 2/27/15. Valid for new customers who have not received a propane delivery from Suburban Propane in the last 15 months. Propane customers must sign a fuel service agreement that is subject to credit approval. Fuel credit applied to your account and may not be redeemed for cash. Tank change out special applies to standard installation of above ground tank not to exceed 1,000 gallons.

Customer is responsible for removal of competitor’s tank. Not to be combined with any other offer. No duplicates. Valid at Suburban Propane participating locations. Other restrictions may apply.

Page 18 • Dec. 24 to 30, 2014 • Union County Weekly

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Calendar 1.08.15 Thursday 7 to 9 p.m.

Speak Up Spoken Word Open Mic Beginning in January, this event will be held on the second Thursday of each month.

Hosted by Faye Fulton and Linda Goodman, Speak Up Spoken Word Open Mic welcomes storytellers, poets, comedians, singers, writers and musicians who wish to have a 10-minute slot at the microphone.

Waxhaw artist Ken Halstead is the first featured speaker.

Anyone seeking more information can call Faye Fulton at 704-421-3220 or email her at ffulton50@gmail.com.

UCCAC building, 120 N. Main St., Monroe 1.09.15 Friday 3 p.m.

Free Movie Screening There will be a showing of the action film “Guardians of the Galaxy� in the Griffin Room of the Monroe Library.

A group of interstellar outlaws team up to save the galaxy from a villain who seeks ultimate power in this comic book space adventure from Marvel Studios. The movie is rated PG-13. All ages are welcome and registration is not required.

Monroe Library, 316 E. Windsor St., Monroe 1.09.15 Friday 9:30 p.m.

Too Much Toni A band of six people from Salisbury, North Carolina, with a passion for a wide variety of music will play live for patrons of the Bonfire Bar & Grill in Indian Trail.

Too Much Toni plays a wide variety of music covering music from the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s and new hits. Genres will include rock, pop, beach, oldies, country and more.

Bonfire Bar & Grill, 6751 Old Monroe Road, Indian Trail

Dec. 29 www.unioncountyweekly.com

FINAL WEEKS

1.10.15 Saturday ‘James and the Giant Peach’ Auditions The Ballantyne Performance Company, for children in second through 12th grades, will rehearse a touring production and then take that production on the road in the local community. Young performers gain training and discover the challenge of touring a production. Program tuition is $325. Auditions are held through appointment only. For more information, call 704-341-4281.

Morrison YMCA, 9405 Bryant Farms Road, Charlotte

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1.10.15 Saturday 6:30 p.m.

Open Mic Nights Indian Trail community development specialist Susan Didier and poet Kym Gordon Moore began the monthly Open Mic Nights at the Indian Trail Cultural Arts Center in 2013 and the event has been growing since.

The poetry nights have had as many as 65 attendees and often feature a diverse range of artistic expressions, such as poetry reading, musical performances, Shakespeare readings and personal reflections by published authors.

The Cultural Arts Center, 100 Navajo Trail, Indian Trail

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Send us your events!

Want to see your event covered in our community calendar? Let us know about it! Send an email to news@unioncountyweekly. com with all pertinent information. Be sure to include the date, time, cost to attend and a description of the event.

Please send events at least two weeks in advance for the best chance of being included in the calendar. Items are not guaranteed publication, as we consider factors like relevance to the community and how close the event is to our coverage area.

der: Event Remin Hill Church rest Fo @ e Ev Christmas 5:00pm

Wednesday, December 24 @ 5:00p Cuthbertson High School 1400 Cuthbertson Road Also, join us for our December series The Father, Son and Spirit of Christmas SUNDAYS @ 10A

www.foresthill.org

Union County Weekly • Dec. 24 to 30, 2014 • Page 19

Sports

Union County Weekly’s Girls Tennis Super Team P layer of the Year: Heidi Swope, Weddington

Coach of the Year: Rodney Little, Parkwood

Sarah Parker, Cuthbertson

Carra Clemons, Cuthbertson

Heidi Swope, Weddington

Parker, the Cavs No. 1 seed, finished the season with an 8-5 record and placed third in the regional tournament. Named an all-conference selection, Parker qualified for the Class 3A state tournament.

Clemons only dropped three singles matches this season, finishing the year 8-3 and 4-2 in conference play and was named an all-conference selection.

Swope capped off another successful season and finished her senior year undefeated in conference play as the Warriors No. 1 player. After claiming two state titles, Swope was unable to compete in this year’s tournament but finished the year undefeated in conference play.

Hannah scott, Marvin Ridge

Rachel Zubrinsky, Marvin Ridge

Kaley Williford, CATA

Just a sophomore, Scott played line 3 singles and No. 1 and 2 doubles all season. She finished the conference with an undefeated record and was named an all-conference selection, winning the conference doubles’ tournament with partner Meredith Emery and placing second in regionals before making it to the second round of the state tournament.

Zubrinsky again lined up at the No. 1 seed for the Mavs this season, where she finished with a 12-10 singles record playing at the toughest spot. The all-conference selection qualified for the state tournament in singles.

The Rocky River conference champion capped off another successful season. Last year, she advanced to the state tournament in doubles with partner Rachel Nance. This season, Williford played at the No. 1 spot and qualified for the state tournament as an individual.

Second Team:

Charlotte Ulehla, Weddington

Meredith Emery, Marvin Ridge

Caytie Clemons, Cuthbertson

Hayley Hinson, Weddington

Hannah Scott, Marvin Ridge

Morgan Wetherbee, Weddington

Swope’s legacy continues

by Hannah Chronis hannah@unioncountyweekly.com

Weddington tennis star Heidi Swope entered her senior season ready to fight for a second straight individual singles’ state championship knowing that a win would cap off an already illustrious high school career.

During her sophomore campaign, the No. 1 seed Swope and doubles’ partner Emma Yates finished the regular season with an undefeated record before making it to the Class 3A doubles’ championship final where they rallied back from a 4-6 first set loss to win the next two sets and the crown.

As a junior, Swope came into the season ready for a new challenge. Still occupying the Warriors’ top spot, Swope didn’t drop a singles match in conference play, effortlessly won the Western Regional championship and went on to compete in the Class 3A singles state final, where she grabbed her second ring, beating Cox Mills’ Sarah Jiang, 6-3, 6-0.

So when her senior season started, it looked as though Swope would easily make history and enter an elite class of athletes to win three state championship rings.

Just as she had the past three seasons, Swope breezed through conference play and finished with another unblemished record and entered the Western Regional

tournament with a No. 1 seed.

But an unexpected turn of events kept Swope from finishing the tournament, leaving her unable to compete for another state crown.

“I couldn’t finish out regionals or states because of my grandfather’s health,” Swope explained. “It was really hard. I was competing and we got a call saying he was having heart problems and my parents said, ‘We’re going to go see him but you can stay and play.’ But I knew what I had to do. Even if I did stay, my mind wouldn’t be focused.”

Despite it being her senior season and last change to win another state title, Swope decided to put family first and end her chance of winning the state championship again.

“It was really hard for me,” she said. “But I knew in the long run I would be happier going to see him than playing in my fourth state run. It was hard, but I’m happy.”

Even with a less-than-ideal finish to her tennis career, Swope still will leave Weddington as one of the most decorated tennis players to come through Union County.

During her four years at the No. 1 seed, Swope only dropped one singles’ match and for the second year is the Union County Weekly Girls Tennis Player of the Year.

“Even with what happened, it’s been an awesome year,” Swope said. “I’m really going to miss it. I had so much fun with the

Page 20 • Dec. 24 to 30, 2014 • Union County Weekly

Heidi Swope is the back-to-back Union County Weekly Tennis Player of the Year. Photo courtesy of Heidi Swope

girls and they have a ton of fight in them.

We all bonded and had a ton of fun.”

But Swope’s tennis career isn’t nearly finished. She’ll continue at Appalachian State in the fall. The three-star recruit and No. 8 ranked player in North Carolina according to www.tennisrecruiting.net received interest and offers from several Division I programs including Davidson, Elon, Furman and N.C. State but decided on the Mountaineers after an official visit.

“When I first went to App in February, I thought, ‘I don’t know how I’m going to

feel about this. I don’t like cold, I’m not a mountain girl.’ But my mom encouraged me to see it all and I did,” Swope said. “You name it, I’ve been there. I bounced around and wanted to see my options but when I went up there and met the team, I knew it was the right choice for me. The homecoming parade was that day and the coach let me ride in it. I verbally committed that day.

“I couldn’t be more excited for what’s to come. It’s going to be great and I’m ready for a new challenge.” www.unioncountyweekly.com

Sports

sports shorts

by Hannah Chronis hannah@unioncountyweekly.com

All-State football honors announced NCPreps.com announced their 2014 all-state recognitions on Dec. 19.

Cuthbertson wide receiver BJ Muckelvene was named an all-state selection. Muckelvene was the Cavs leading receiver and finished his senior season with 1,509 yards and 23 touchdowns, helping lead them to the Class 3A Western Regional final.

Keith Duncan Four-star recruit Keith Duncan, Weddington’s kicker, was named to the all-state team. Punter Marion Watson of Marvin Ridge rounded out the list of Union County selections. Watson was ranked as Maxpreps.com No. 1 punter in the nation and led Class 3A schools in field goals this season.

Porter Ridge football players named allconference Several Porter Ridge athletes were named to the 2014 Southwestern 4A all-conference team. On offense, lineman Phillip

Agbesi and wide receivers AJ Barrette and Bryan Newsome were named all-conference selections.

On defense, defensive backs Bryson Traywick and Chase Suznevich received the honor.

Independence coach Joe Evans was named the 2014 Southwestern 4A Coach of the Year.

Tripp breaks school record Six-foot-six senior forward Cameron Tripp made Piedmont High School history on Dec. 19 in the Panthers 65-52 loss to Scotland. Tripp became Piedmont’s all-time leading scorer with 1,138 points in his career.

Tripp is averaging 16.7 points and 13.1 rebounds in the Panthers 3-8 start to the season. He’ll play football at Harvard University in the fall.

Metrolina Christian edges Hickory Grove The Metrolina Christian boys basketball team put up 19 points in the third quarter to beat Hickory Grove, 55-48, on Dec. 20 and improve to 8-5 on the season.

Kyle Kiser shot 55 percent from the floor to put up 11 points in the win. Kiser had help from senior Hakeem Rowe, who put up 11 points, and Chandler Rivers who scored 10.

Six-foot-five forward Emeka Nwanko led the rebounding effort with 17 and led the Warriors in steals (five) and blocked shots (four). Nwanko leads the Warriors in scoring this season, averaging 19.5 points per game and 17.7 rebounds.

With the win, Metrolina improved to 4-1 in Metrolina Athletic Conference play. They travel to Hilton Head Prep on Dec. 29.

boys basketball s up e r 7 1) Weddington (8-2)

2) Cuthbertson (8-2) 3) Porter Ridge (7-2) 4) Sun Valley (6-4) 5) Forest Hills (4-4) 6) Metrolina Christian (8-5) 7) Monroe (2-3)

girls basketball su p e r 7 1) Weddington (8-1) 2) Monroe (7-0) 3) Cuthbertson (8-3)

Girls Basketball Player of the Week: Na’jla Bibb, Piedmont

4) Porter Ridge (5-2)

The 5-foot-11 sophomore center put up 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the Panthers 50-48 win over Parkwood on Dec. 18. Bibb’s averaging 10.5 points on the season and 9.5 rebounds.

5) Piedmont (6-2) 6) Sun Valley (6-4)

Boys Basketball Player of the Week: Chris Grovanz, Cuthbertson

Grovanz, a 6-foot-5 sophomore forward, shot 67 percent from the floor and had a career-high 21 points in the Cavs 73-44 win over Central Academy on Dec. 16.

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Apply online, www. salemleasing.com or visit Salem NationaLease at 900 Crafters Lane. Pineville, NC 28134. 011615 Looking for great pay, local schedule, and excellent benefits?

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LOST DOG! Lawyers Road & Mill Grove Road, Union County Miscellaneous or Meck County. Rat EARN YOUR High Terrier. 4 years old.

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Cats cradle boarding beautiful 5 star cats only kennel. Huge sunfilled suites, 3 levels, climbing tree. Pickup/ delivery. 20% Senior discount. For rates and requirements call 704.771.6052 www.

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Com. 072514 PROVIDENCE PET SITTING is licensed, insured, and pet CPR/ First Aid certified. We have been lovingly caring for pets for over 10 years. Contact us at 704-591-7274 for more info. 101014

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HELP: LOST DOG, \”Dotty\”, Australian Cattle mix, 7yrs, 35lbs.

Lost 8/1/14, Rea Rd. Black/White, black patch right eye. pink/ grey collar. Contact Kim 704-763-3661.

Her loving family misses her very much!

No. 1111 No. 1111 8

7

may have fallen off. He has seizure. Call Cindy – 704-614-5600.

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Union County Weekly • Dec. 24 to 30, 2014 • Page 23

Back Surgery WARNING!

Spinal Stenosis and Bulging, Herniated, and Degenerative Discs Charlotte, NC -- In a 2002 issue of Neurological Focus, a peer-reviewed article was published by a Dr. Michael D. Martin, MD et al. in which the third sentence states: “The disc itself is active tissue that contains significant mechanisms for self-repair.” That article was published by a neurosurgeon and written directly for neurosurgeons.

Symptoms Are NOT The Problem

The treatment that is provided at the Charlotte Spine and Pain Relief Center is revolutionary and is specifically designed to artificially re-create the pump mechanism in the discs which allows the spinal discs to heal and repair. The best part of the treatment is that it uses no drugs, no injections, and no surgery. Plus it’s painless and many patients fall asleep while undergoing the treatment.

Now the symptoms of pain, numbness, and tingling that most experience with bulging, herniated or degenerative discs are NOT the problem. The definition of a symptom: “something that indicates the existence of something else.” It is just like the dashboard of “The Disc Itself is Active your car telling you that something is wrong Tissue...” (brake lights out, engine needs to be checked, overheating, etc.) Those lights that appear in The amount of treatment needed to allow So what does that really mean to us? It your car dash are NOT the problem. You can the discs to heal and repair varies tells us that the disc itself does have a God- remove the lights surgically or put a piece of from person to person and can only be determined after a detailed neurological given ability to heal and repair if provided and orthopedic evaluation. We do NOT the proper mechanisms for self-healing. accept everyone for treatment and will let There is a specific mechanism inherent in you know if we can accept your case for each of the spinal discs called the “pump treatment. mechanism of disc nutrition” (see Fig 1).

When this mechanism is not working Dr. Helmendach, DC at the Charlotte Spine properly, the spinal discs will begin to die and Pain Relief Center will do a spinal disc causing bulges, herniations, and eventually severity examination to determine the spinal stenosis. extent of your disc damage for only $70 (normally $150). This examination will The spinal disc is one of the very few tissues consist of a detailed neurological evaluation, in the body that does not have a direct extensive orthopedic testing, and a detailed You wouldn’t ignore your car’s check engine blood supply for circulation. The only way analysis of the findings of your evaluation. light...so don’t ignore your health. that the disc gets the circulation of water, He will sit down with you and go over your oxygen and nutrients for self-repair is via this specific disc pump mechanism. What duct tape over the lights but the problem condition with you in complete detail. You happens when you decrease circulation will NOT be fixed...the problem is still will know exactly what is causing all your pain (or other symptoms). in any type of tissue, whether it be animal present. tissue, plant tissue or human tissue? Exactly, it begins to become weak and degenerate. Let’s take a look at a plant for example...if Dr. Helmendach will be offering this thorough the leaves on a plant begin to turn brown, spinal disc severity examination from now would you say that the brown leaves are the until Friday, January 9th, 2015. plant’s problem? Of course not, the leaves turning brown is just a condition that is Call 704-284-7408 to make an appointment telling you that there is something wrong with Dr. Keith Helmendach, to determine with the plant. The plant is unhealthy and if your spinal discs can be treated. needs water and nutrients. You could spray paint the leaves green but it just covers up NOTE: Charlotte Spine and Pain Relief the condition. The underlying problem still Center is located in Charlotte, NC at exists and will continue to produce brown 7215-A Lebanon Road. leaves until you fix the actual problem.

Accepting most major insurance for new patients In your spine, when the pump mechanism including Blue Cross Blue Shield and Medicare. of disc nutrition fails, the disc will begin Federal beneficiary restrictions may apply.

Figure 1: Proper anatomy of the discs and the pump mechanism of disc nutrition.

to degenerate and become weak. This weakness in the disc is what produces the bulging, herniated, and degenerative discs.

IF YOU DECIDE TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL TREATMENT, YOU HAVE THE LEGAL RIGHT TO CHANGE YOUR MIND WITHIN THREE DAYS AND RECEIVE A REFUND.

Call 704-284-7408 Page 24 • Dec. 24 to 30, 2014 • Union County Weekly

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