CHARLOTTE - Tryon Medical Partners has expanded into Union County with a new office in Waxhaw.
Practice leaders celebrated its first Union County location with a ribbon-cutting July 28 and a $2,500 donation to the Downtown Waxhaw Association. The 4,800-square-foot office is located at 1621 South Providence Road, Suite 370.
“Tryon is so fortunate to have patients from all over the Charlotte region who sometimes travel great distances to stay connected to their care teams,” said Dr. Robert Brownlee, president of Tryon Medical Partners. “We are humbled by their commitment to
WHAT'S INSIDE:
our practice and hope that opening this office will serve them and many new patients in the Union County area.”
Tryon Medical Partners Waxhaw will offer internal medicine services, led by Dr. Luis Bendezu, an internal medicine physician who has cared for patients since 1995. He provides primary care with clinical interests including preventive medicine, hypertension, cholesterol management and chronic disease care. Bendezu is supported by advanced care practitioner Sydney Foley. Both are accepting new patients.
“Our goals for growth are ambitious because the demand
MONROE – The City of Monroe reduced its water conservation measures from Stage 2 Mandatory Conservation to Stage 1 Voluntary Conservation on July 27. Recent rainfall has improved water levels across the city’s reservoirs. Water supply conditions include:
• Lake Twitty has reached full pool and began flowing over the dam.
CHARLOTTE – 24
Foundation has raised more than $1.6 million to date through this year’s 24 Hours of Booty.
The charity cycling and walking event helps support cancer survivorship and patient navigation programs.
The fundraiser brought together more than 900 registered participants and 85 teams from 22 states and three countries who cycled, walked, ran or rucked July 24 and 25 through Charlotte’s Myers Park neighborhood. Hundreds of volunteers supported the event.
• Lake Lee is close to full pool, with water now spilling through the boards at the top of the dam.
• Lake Monroe is more than seven feet below full pool but continues to recover.
• The city will continue pumping the large quarry to maintain the full pool level of Lake Lee. The large quarry pump and pipe will remain in place through September. The
“Celebrating the 25th edition of 24 Hours of Booty was a powerful reminder of what this community can accomplish together,” said Katherine Murphy, executive director of 24 Foundation. “Every rider, walker, runner, rucker, volunteer, cancer survivor, donor and supporter played a role in helping ensure cancer patients and survivors have access to the navigation and supportive oncology programs and services they need during
for Tryon’s unique care model is there,” said Lindsay Muns, CEO of Tryon Management Group, the team that provides administrative and operational support for Tryon Medical Partners. “Primary care is just the beginning of what we envision for Union County. We’re excited to bring Tryon’s exceptional care closer to home for our neighbors here.”
Since last fall, the organization has added a primary care sports medicine subspecialty, Mohs surgery for patients with skin cancer, as well as enhanced gynecological services like EmpowerRF and Mona Lisa Touch.
On the web: tryonmed.com
city is reviewing possibilities for its long-term use. With the increased water supply, the city is able to ease mandatory restrictions, though residents and businesses are still encouraged to limit outdoor watering to the early morning and late afternoon.
“The recent rainfall has provided a welcome improvement to our water supply,” City Manager Mark
Physicians expand to Union
Stay the course
Monroe returns to Stage 1 water conservation restrictions
Watson said. “While we are pleased to return to voluntary conservation measures, we encourage everyone to continue using water responsibly. Our community’s conservation efforts, combined with these improved conditions, have helped strengthen our water system, and we remain focused on long-term water reliability.” On the web: monroenc. org/2026drought.
Charlotte med spa opens in Waxhaw
CHARLOTTE – Plumped has opened a second location at 216D W. North Main St. in Waxhaw. The Charlotte-based med spa invested more than $600,000 in the new 2,480-square-foot location, which used to house a hair salon. The Waxhaw location opened July 27 after nearly eight months of remodeling.
A grand opening celebration is planned for Aug. 13. Plumped will maintain its headquarters on West Morehead Street in Charlotte.
“Opening in Waxhaw marks an important step in Plumped’s growth and brings our services closer to clients across South Charlotte,” founder Kristin Cabeda said.
“We built this practice by pairing technical precision with individualized care, and this expansion gives us the capacity to help more people achieve their aesthetic and lifestyle goals while maintaining that standard.”
The med spa will also launch its new wellness and longevity division designed to support medically supervised weight management, peptide therapy, vitamin injections, IV nutrient therapy and advanced laboratory testing.
The Waxhaw location will offer many of the same advanced aesthetic treatments available at Plumped’s Charlotte location, including radiofrequency treatments, injectables, chemical peels and microneedling.
Before founding Plumped, Cabeda was the lead injector at a Charlotte med spa and worked as a physician assistant. She has previously worked in cardiology and critical care medicine.
“We are particularly excited about adding new services to our already extensive offerings,” Cabeda said. “By combining advanced laboratory testing with physician-supervised weight management, peptide therapy, vitamin injections and IV nutrient therapy, the wellness and longevity division will provide patients with additional personalized pathways to improving their health, energy and overall well-being.”
On the web: plumpedclt.com
Brandi Stroud, Bernard Arthur, Dr. Luis Bendezu, Melissa Linker, Dr. Robert Brownlee, Lindsay Muns, Susanna Wedra, Pam Micosky and Daniel Farris celebrate the opening of a new Tryon Medical Partners office in Waxhaw.
Photo courtesy of Tryon Medical Partners
NEWS BRIEFS
Drivers face charges after crash
MATTHEWS – Two drivers face charges after a fatal crash earlier this month.
Patrol officers with the Matthews Police Department responded to a four-vehicle crash, which included a motorcycle, at about 9:34 p.m. July 1 at the intersection of East John Street and McKee Road.
Matthews Fire and EMS responded to the scene and attempted life-saving measures on the motorcycle driver, Jonathan Tyler Hill, 40, of Monroe. Hill was pronounced deceased at the scene.
One person was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Matthews Police Department’s traffic safety unit presented findings of its investigation to the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office, which determined there was probable cause to charge two drivers involved in the crash.
The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office arrested Xiukuai Zhang, 46, of Matthews, July 20 on charges of felony hit and run resulting in death.
The Union County Sheriff’s Office arrested Ryan Faulkner, 59, of Stallings, July 20 on charges of misdemeanor death by vehicle and failure to yield the right of way.
Sheriff’s office seizes 101 kilograms of methamphetamine
MONROE – The Union County Sheriff’s Office worked with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on an operation that led to the seizure of 101 kilograms of methamphetamine.
The agencies received information about a large shipment of methamphetamine coming into Union County and arrested multiple people believed to have ties to a Mexican drug trafficking organization, according to the sheriff’s office.
Man faces identity theft charges
WEDDINGTON – South State Bank alerted authorities about a man who visited the bank a day prior trying to open a business account using different identification documents.
Deputies identified the man as Yongxin Lin. Investigators determined that Lin had been opening business accounts at numerous locations across North Carolina. He had nine different ID and three cell phones, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies arrested Lin on charges of identity theft, money laundering and possession/ manufacture of fraudulent forms of identification.
SBI arrests CMPD officer
CHARLOTTE – An officer with the CharlotteMecklenburg Police Department is under investigation.
The State Bureau of Investigation told CMPD on June 18 that Officer Seth Elliott improperly accessed the FLOCK system and CJLEADS for
non-law enforcement purposes.
CMPD placed Elliott on leave June 22, revoking his access to criminal intelligence information, pending the outcome of the SBI investigation.
The SBI arrested Elliott on July 29 on charges of illegally accessing a government computer. CMPD placed Elliott on unpaid administrative leave that day pending the outcome of the internal investigation.
CMPD does not own or operate any flock cameras or devices but has an agreement with FLOCK that allows officers to access FLOCK devices of other agencies and entities.
“The public expects and deserves the highest level of integrity from every officer who wears the CMPD badge,” CMPD Chief Estella Patterson said. “Misusing law enforcement technology or accessing confidential information for non-law enforcement purposes is a betrayal of the public’s trust and a violation of everything this profession stands for. We will not tolerate that kind of misconduct, and anyone who violates that trust will be held fully accountable.”
Pineville man sentenced to prison
CHARLOTTE – A Pineville resident was sentenced July 21 to 151 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for distributing methamphetamine, according to U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson.
Law enforcement began investigating 54-year-old Terry Detroit Page for drug trafficking in and around Charlotte. Investigators seized narcotics, drug paraphernalia and two firearms, including a rifle, while executing a search warrant of his home.
Ferguson thanked the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department for its help.
Investigation leads to seizure of 11.5 pounds of fentanyl
MONROE – The Union County Sheriff’s Office received information recently that someone would be transporting narcotics from Los Angeles to Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Investigators determined the narcotics were coming to Monroe.
Narcotics detectives and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives located the suspect in Monroe and seized 11.5 pounds of fentanyl, according to the sheriff’s office.
Officers arrested Daniel Farfan on charges of trafficking opium or heroin and felony maintaining a dwelling for the use, storage or sale of a controlled substance.
“The seizure of this large quantity of fentanyl is a significant accomplishment in our ongoing efforts to protect the citizens of Union County,” Sheriff Eddie Cathey said. “I want to thank our narcotics unit, the ATF and all of the investigators involved for their dedication, hard work and commitment to holding those responsible accountable.”
HELP Center registering golfers
MATTHEWS – The Matthews HELP Center has opened registration for its 15th Annual Golf “Fore” Families Tournament at 10 a.m. Sept. 21 at Emerald Lake Golf Club.
The tournament includes a driving range, silent auction and Captain’s Choice tournament.
Proceeds help the nonprofit support local families facing crisis.
Sponsorships are also available. Register in advance at matthewshelpcenter. org/events.
Brabson makes dean’s list
MARYVILLE, Tenn. – Jacob Brabson, rising senior from Matthews, has been named to the dean’s list for the spring 2026 semester at Maryville College.
To qualify, a student must have earned a term grade-point average of at least 3.60 for the previous semester’s coursework, with no grade below “C.”
Brabson, a member of the Maryville College men’s soccer team who played at Butler High School, joins more than 300 dean’s list honorees who strive to “do good on the largest possible scale,” a call to action woven into the fabric of the college.
McGinn reacts to fundraising lead
CHARLOTTE – Stacie McGinn reported $275,000 in cash on hand as of June 30 for her campaign for State Senate District 42, which was more than the $240,000 reported by Sen. Woodson Bradley, according to McGinn’s campaign.
About 80% of McGinn’s contributions were from Mecklenburg County, which was more than Bradley, the campaign said.
McGinn released the following statement:
“I am truly grateful for the tremendous support my campaign received from local contributors this quarter, to help fund our mission to bring common sense leadership to State Senate District 42.
"Since my launch, I have remained focused on real solutions to the issues that North Carolinians care most about: lowering costs, increasing public safety, standing up for parental rights in education, while improving proficiency in math and reading in public schools, as well as policies that allow North Carolina’s economy to continue to thrive.
Despite her claims of being ‘Team Normal,’ Woodson Bradley consistently sides with the most far-left voices in her party. In 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom canvassed for Nicole Sidman and Bradley here in the Charlotte area.
“This campaign report is just another example of how she’s out-of-step with the values and priorities that are most important to the voters of North Carolina and District 42. We don’t need California progressives advising us how to run our state.”
Christmas Show rolls out tickets CHARLOTTE – Tickets are now on sale for the 59th annual Southern Christmas Show. The show brings together hundreds of specialty merchants from Charlotte and across the country offering gifts, holiday décor, gourmet foods and one-of-a-kind finds. The event return to The Park Expo and Conference Center from Nov. 11 to 22. Advance tickets start at $20 for adults and $12 for children ages 6-12 through Nov. 10 at SouthernChristmasShow.com.
Shopping center seeks amendment MINT HILL
Town of
has moved a
to the
Festival
to Aug. 13. Mint Hill Festival Limited Partnership wants to amend the conditional zoning plan at 6904 Matthews-Mint Hill Road to allow an addition to the existing shopping center building and provide a sign package, according to the application filed June 11. The public hearing was scheduled for July 9 but deferred to Aug. 13 at the applicant’s request.
Firm pulls rezoning application MINT HILL – Brandon Shreves has withdrawn a rezoning application to develop a commercial building on three acres at 7503 Matthews-Mint Hill Road. The application, filed in September 2025, sought a front setback greater than 25 feet and a curb cut along the frontage of the 3-acre property. The board was scheduled to decide on the rezoning in June but it was put off until July 9 at the request of the applicant.
Quick Hits
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is fixing up asphalt and upgrading HVAC systems at Billingsville Elementary Schools this summer. • Butler, East Mecklenburg and Providence high schools won awards from the N.C. Scholastic Media Association for their yearbooks. Providence also won awards for its literary magazine while East Meck’s newspaper also won awards.
• Morgan Murchison, of Charlotte, was among more than 9,100 students, to earn degrees from the University of WisconsinMadison in May 2026. Murchison earned a Doctor of Law (Juris Doctor).
•The Charlotte Post named retired counselor Mary Towe as Educator of the Year. Towe’s career includes stops at Ardrey Kell and Providence high schools.
• Lawrence He, of Providence High, earned a Northeastern University scholarship through the National Merit Scholarship Program.
• Thomas Morrow, of Myers Park High, earned a Colorado College scholarship through the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Audit shows the cost of odd-year elections
by Alan Wooten Contributor
(The Center Square) –Municipal elections in 91 of 100 North Carolina counties in 2025 collectively cost $8.4 million for the 822,000 ballots cast, a new analysis says.
The roughly 10 bucks a ballot had extremes of $1,517.80 for each of the five ballots cast in tiny Camden County and $5.83 for the nearly 221,000 counted in heavily populated Mecklenburg County. The performance audit from the office of state Auditor Dave Boliek broke down the average cost per vote to $126 for small counties, $23 for mediumsize counties, and $14 for large counties.
“At the end of the day, elections are local, and this audit breaks down how much it actually costs to run an oddyear election,” Boliek said.
“Our team performed this work in an effort to clearly identify to taxpayers and policymakers across the state that substantial resources are required to run fair and free elections in our state.”
Far more of the state’s more than 7.8 million voters will be participating this year in the midterm election cycle. Absentee ballots go into the mail Sept. 4. North Carolinians will choose a U.S. senator, all 14 members of the U.S. House, and all 170 members of the General Assembly in addition to a fair number of local races.
Charts (right) are exhibits in State Auditor Dave Boliek's report, "Cost of Odd-Year Municipal Elections 2025." They show how the costs of elections are spread out among Union County's towns.
Personnel ($5.1 million) was the biggest driver in costs. Operating costs ($2.1 million) and use of building and space ($1.1 million) were other significant factors borne by participating municipalities and special districts.
Mecklenburg, second largest to Wake County at more than 1.2 million, had the most ballots cast at 1 in 4 of the total state number and absorbed nearly $1.3 million in costs. The 220,805 votes were roughly one-third of the 2024 election’s 580,321.
Counties getting under $9 a ballot in addition to Mecklenburg were Beaufort, Guilford, Cabarrus, Iredell, Pamlico, Lenoir, Transylvania, Wilkes, Alamance, Johnston and Cumberland.
All-You-Can-Ride Wristband Night in the CARNIVAL
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6:00pm - Sponsor Exhibits, & Food Vendors open
Main Stage
6:30- 8:00pm – The Entertainers
8:30-10:00pm – Electric Avenue, 80s MTV Exper. Saturday, Sept 5 10am-10pm
9:30am - The Matthews Alive Parade through downtown Matthews!
n war, alliances often prove decisive. But as Sun Tzu observed nearly 2,500 years ago, allies can often be more trouble than they are worth. “We cannot enter into alliance with neighboring princes,” the Chinese general wrote in his “Art of War,” “until we are acquainted with their designs.”
In other words, it is perilous to assume that the interests and goals of potential allies are entirely consonant with your own. The British empire learned this lesson during the American War of Independence. At first, they figured they’d subdue the unruly New Englanders before other American colonists could come to their
aid. They figured wrong. By early 1776, British officials had devised a different strategy. They would send a large force south, where multitudes of Loyalists would flock to their banner and take the Carolinas, Georgia and eventually Virginia off the board. Then they would capture the bustling port cities of New York and Philadelphia, leaving the American rebels with few options other than indecisive insurgency or abject surrender. It made more sense than hunkering down in Boston. But it was, in the end, unsuccessful. The southern campaign flopped. And after taking New York in 1776 and Philadelphia in 1777, they discovered that most Americans either didn’t much care or – correctly,
in the latter case – judged the British occupation to be temporary rather than permanent.
Why did the southern campaign flop? I’ve written extensively about the plucky Carolinians who defeated a Loyalist column at Moores Creek Bridge in early 1776 and a British amphibious assault on Charleston in June 1776. But here’s another reason the plot didn’t succeed: it relied on allies who did not share Britain’s wartime goals.
I’m speaking of a pro-war Indian faction who came to be called the Chickamauga Cherokees. After the Lexington and Concord, when British agents traveled north from Florida with guns, ammunition and big promises, some Cherokee leaders were wary. They’d gone to war with American
militias in the past and paid dearly. On the other hand, some younger chiefs and warriors were open to attempting a violent settlement of their land disputes with Americans who’d journeyed over the high mountains to settle in what are now northeastern Tennessee and southwestern Virginia.
Just to be clear: these were land disputes, not military conquests. Most of the Americans thought they’d paid for the homesteads they settled. Most of the Cherokees rejected the authority of chiefs who sold the land, or disputed that it had been sold for permanent settlement rather than leased for occasional hunting.
As late as spring 1776, the pro-war faction remained a minority of Cherokees. Then two delegations arrived, a
British one from Pensacola and pro-British chiefs from northern tribes, led by Shawnee hero Cornstalk. They proved persuasive.
A Cherokee chief named Dragging Canoe pledged to attack within weeks. Others followed his lead. Unfortunately for the British, Dragging Canoe didn’t confine his attacks to the enemies they wanted him to attack: Patriot settlements on the eastern side of the mountains, in the Carolina backcountry. After all, those folks weren’t on Cherokee lands! Instead, Dragging Canoe and his raiders focused on the nearby white settlements on the Holston, Nolichucky and Watauga rivers. Only some of these settlers were full-throated Patriots. Most wanted to stay out of the Revolutionary War.
A few even had Loyalist sympathies.
The Cherokees had early
FRI. SEPT 4th
6PM-10PM The Entertainers 6:30-8:00pm
Electric AvenueThe 80s MTV Experience 8:30pm-10:00pm
EARLY OPEN: 5pm All-You-Can-Ride Wristband Night at the Carnival!
successes. But 250 years ago, nearly 200 warriors under Dragging Canoe assaulted a settlement on the Long Island of the Holston River, in modernday Kingsport, Tennessee. A comparable force of Carolinians repulsed the attack, leaving 14 Cherokees dead and Dragging Canoe himself grievously wounded. After this July 20, 1776 battle of Island Flats, many previously neutral Americans joined the Patriot cause. They devastated dozens of Cherokee towns. And the British gained nothing of consequence. Alliances are tricky things.
John Hood is a John Locke Foundation board member. His books “Mountain Folk,” “Forest Folk” and “Water Folk” combine epic fantasy with American history (FolkloreCycle.com).
SEPT 7th
SAT. SEPT 5th 10AM-10PM
Parade 9:30am 2nd yr-“NEW” route Kids’ Stage, & Small Shops open Bluegrass & Country on The Main Stage 4:30pm-8pm The American Ride Toby Keith tribute 8:30pm-10pm
REGIONAL
Murder on the Menu
CHARLOTTE – Fans of whodunnits will have another one to solve in the fall with “Clue: Murder on the Menu,” an immersive murder-mystery dining experience based on the Hasbro board game.
Guests witness the crime and are pulled into solving it during performances from Oct. 9 to Nov. 22 at Blume Studios, 904 Post St. Tickets go on sale July 24 at BlumenthalArts.org.
The experience is created by Right Angle Entertainment, the producers behind “Clue: A Walking Mystery” and “The Magicians Table,” which concluded a run at Blume Studios in the spring.
“We’re excited to return to Charlotte following the incredible response to ‘The Magicians Table,’ and bring ‘Clue: Murder on the Menu’ to Blume Studios for its world premiere,” said Kevin Hammonds, writer and director of the show. “Charlotte audiences have consistently embraced immersive, interactive storytelling, and we’re thrilled to debut another experience in a market where audiences have been so supportive of this type of entertainment.”
Guests step inside a dinner party gone wrong, where a murder interrupts the night and every table becomes part of the case. Throughout the evening, six iconic suspects interact directly with attendees, offering clues and assigning secret missions that might alter the course of the investigation. Select guests may even be chosen for confidential roles within the story.
Just like the game, each performance features a new combination of murderer, weapon and room, ensuring that no two evenings are exactly alike.
“Blume Studios was created to break
FOOD BITES
down the traditional barriers between audiences and performers, and ‘Clue: Murder on the Menu’ is an excellent example of that vision,” said Tom Gabbard, CEO of Blumenthal Arts.
“Theatergoers, murder mystery fans, foodies and first-time guests aren’t just observing the story; they’re in it, navigating a world of twists, deception and hidden clues. And for Charlotte to be the first city in the world to unravel this investigation is something we’re incredibly proud of.”
What comes with a ticket
All tickets grant access to the event, beginning with a cocktail reception featuring passed hors d’oeuvres, followed by a chef-curated three-course meal prepared by Chef Craig Barbour of Roots Catering.
VIP Individual Tickets include preferred seating, one complimentary beer or wine with dinner and a special one-on-one interaction with suspects, where one of the table guests is sent on a special mission.
The Signature Case Experience offers a private table for up to 10 guests with premium seating and a dedicated server. It includes a complimentary cocktail served in a commemorative glass, exclusive in-show private experiences with the cast that reveal an extra clue and additional one-on-one interactions with the suspects.
Tickets for preview performances on Oct. 9 to 15 start at $115.65. The experience lasts about 2 to 2.5 hours and is recommended for ages 8 and older. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Golden Corral supports
Project Healing Waters
RALEIGH – Golden Corral has launched a fundraising campaign benefiting Project Healing Waters, a nonprofit that uses fly fishing and outdoor recreation as a therapeutic intervention for veterans and activeduty military personnel.
The nationwide campaign, which runs through Aug. 23, builds on the success of last year’s inaugural fundraiser, which helped cover the core program costs for more than 400 participants.
“When guests round up at the register, they are helping create moments of healing that reach far beyond the plate,” said Lance Trenary, CEO and president of Golden Corral.
DINING SCORES
Quick Hits
• Matthews Alive recently announced some of the food vendors participating in the Labor Day Weekend festival, including Apostle ‘Que, Bubbajack’s BBQ, Hungry Howie’s Pizza, International Truck of Tacos, KO Food Truck, Little Taste of Chicago, Party in a Pita, Rolling Out, Say Cheese 518, Steak Boys and The Grub Barn.
• Ballantyne Chipotle recently opened at 13855 Conlan Circle. The restaurant will employ about 30 people.
• Ashley Manley, author of “The History Between,” recently spoke with the Read Between the Wines book club at Cellar & Ale in Matthews.
• Emmet’s Social Table in Waxhaw has added Coconut Mojito, Pomegranate Mule, Raspberry
Margarita and Strawberry Hugo Spritz to its summer drink menu.
• Maxwell Tavern in Waxhaw has gone on vacation through Aug. 3.
• Nothing Bundt Cakes is offering Lemon Raspberry through Aug. 30. It features bright lemon cake perfectly paired with raspberry puree.
• McDonald's has introduced protein badges for 17 menu items on its app. For example, the badges
Opera Carolina designates general director
CHARLOTTE – Opera
Carolina has appointed Maestro Stefano Vignati, music director and principal conductor, to the role of general director.
The organization said Vignati continues to bring
and new opportunities to the organization through his extensive international collaborations and artistic leadership.
Recently, Vignati conducted the Puccini Festival Torre del Lago production of "Turandot" during a landmark tour of China, inaugurating the centennial
celebrations in Xiamen, Chongqing and Wuhan in the presence of the Honorable Christopher L. Green, Consul General of the United States in Wuhan.
This summer, he will conduct the Orchestra of the Teatro Carlo Felice di Genova at the prestigious Lerici Music Festival, leading the world premiere of “Per Mare,” a symphonic work by composer Roberto Di Marino.
The 77th Season Opera Carolina’s 77th Season
opens on Sept. 11 with Mozart’s “Requiem” at the Knight Theater, presented in partnership with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and Charlotte Master Chorale. The performance commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Twin Towers tragedy.
In November, Opera Carolina presents Gian Carlo Menotti’s “The Medium” at the Halton Theater, starring mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves, in one of opera’s most compelling psychological dramas.
In January, Opera Carolina’s
Picture book helps children cope with being the new kid
CHARLOTTE – Starting at a new school can feel overwhelming, especially when it seems like everyone else already belongs.
In her newest picture book, “Ellie’s Community,” children’s author Danielle Price explores anxiety, friendship and finding the courage to be yourself.
Published by Warren Publishing, this addition to the Ellie series follows a young elephant as she navigates her first day at a new school and discovers how kindness can transform an intimidating situation.
After moving over the summer, Ellie is about to begin her first day at West Berry School. Nervous and missing her old friends, Ellie walks into a building filled with unfamiliar faces and quickly realizes she is the new student. Feeling like she stands out in every possible way, Ellie struggles with the fear that she doesn’t belong. But when she meets a friendly rabbit named Chad – and the rest of West Berry’s unofficial
welcoming committee – she learns that everyone faces similar challenges and that friendship can make even the biggest worries feel smaller.
“My inspiration for writing ‘Ellie’s Community’ came directly from the children I met while visiting classrooms,”
Price said. “Whenever I asked what Ellie’s next adventure should be, the overwhelming response was that she should attend a new school. Changing schools is something many children experience, and I wanted to create a story that helps them manage those feelings while also encouraging them to be a friend to someone who may need one.”
“Ellie’s Community” offers children practical examples and strategies for coping with anxiety while emphasizing the importance of inclusion and compassion.
Inspired in part by Price’s own childhood experiences with anxiety, the story also pays tribute to her late friend Chad Hite, whose kindness and commitment to building
community helped shape the character of Chad the rabbit.
“Ellie’s Community” reminds readers that while new experiences can be intimidating, friendship and kindness can help children find their place.
Through Ellie’s journey, children discover they are never alone when they support one another.
Want the book?
“Ellie’s Community” can be ordered on amazon. com, bookshop.org, barnesandnoble.com or warrenpublishing.net.
third annual Gala A Night to Remember at Belk Theater, celebrates the beauty of opera through an evening of love duets and special guest artists.
In February, the company presents its annual Lift Every Voice, celebrating the contributions of African American composers and artists.
The spring season culminates in Giuseppe Verdi’s “La Traviata” at the Belk Theater under the baton of Vignati, in conjunction with the 22nd annual “Bella Notte” Grand Gala.
In June 2027, the season welcomes the eighth edition of the “Marcello Giordani” International Voice Competition, presented in collaboration with the International Lyric Academy and Marcello Giordani’s wife, Wilma Ahrens. This competition will bring some of the world’s most promising young opera singers to Charlotte. Visit operacarolina.org for information, tickets and donations.
Meck ABC Board to host series of in-store job fairs
CHARLOTTE – The Mecklenburg County Alcoholic Beverage Control Board invites job seekers to attend in-store job fairs Aug. 4 and 5 to fill part-time sales associate positions at ABC Spirits stores throughout the county.
The job fairs will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. at the following locations:
• ABC Spirits Store 5, 2915 Wilkinson Blvd., Charlotte
• ABC Spirits Store 28, 6318 Providence Farm Lane, Charlotte
• ABC Spirits Store 29, 9920 E. Independence Blvd., Matthews
• ABC Spirits Store 30, 13720 Steelecroft Pkwy., Charlotte
Applicants are encouraged to complete an employment application and bring a current resume for the opportunity to participate in on-site interviews with hiring managers. Mecklenburg County ABC is recruiting for part-time positions at the following store locations:
• Store 5 – Wilkinson Blvd.
• Store 12 – Morrocroft (SouthPark)
• Store 14 – Commonwealth (off Central Avenue)
• Store 16 – Arboretum
• Store 23 – Whitehall
• Store 27 – South End
• Store 28 – Waverly
• Store 29 – Matthews • Store 30 – Steele Creek
Part-time sales associate positions offer competitive pay with several shifts available, making them an excellent opportunity for individuals seeking supplemental income, including stay-at-home parents, veterans, retirees and college students ages 21 and older.
“Our team members are the face of Mecklenburg County ABC Board, delivering customer service while supporting our mission of responsible alcohol sales and community stewardship,” said Keva Walton, CEO of Mecklenburg County ABC Board. “These job fairs provide an opportunity for candidates to meet our team, learn about our organization and explore a rewarding part-time career serving Mecklenburg County.”
The August job fairs mark the beginning of a broader hiring initiative. Additional in-store job fairs will be held in September and October to support staffing needs across the Mecklenburg County ABC retail system. On the web: meckabc.com/careers
LOUD & LIVE
Conrad to take over North Carolina Business Court
RALEIGH – Chief Justice Paul Newby designated Adam M. Conrad to serve as chief judge of the North Carolina Business Court, effective Aug. 1. Conrad has served on the court since 2016 and maintains chambers in Charlotte. He has authored numerous court opinions and has played an important role in the court’s development. He will oversee the administration of the court while continuing to manage a complex business case docket.
Before joining the bench, Conrad practiced law in the private sector, focusing on intellectual property, constitutional and other civil matters. He clerked for Justice Clarence Thomas at the Supreme Court of the United States, and Judge David Sentelle at the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
Chief Business Court Judge Michael L. Robinson and Judge Julianna Theall Earp will retire from the North Carolina Business Court, effective Aug. 1.
Femelle doctors selected as speakers for convention
CHARLOTTE – Femelle Gynecology & Wellness owners Dr. E. Nicole Parson and Dr. Tiffany Bates were selected as panelists at the 2026 National Medical Association Convention and Scientific Assembly on July 28 in Puerto Rico.
The symposium convenes national leaders to explore medical education, physician workforce development, research, community health and economic opportunity.
Parson and Bates were set to participate
in the session, “Building Wealth, Strengthening Care: Investing in Physicians Serving Communities with the Greatest Needs.” They’ll discuss how independent, community-based medical practices can expand access to care while strengthening the economic and social fabric of their communities.
“Physician ownership gives doctors the authority to build care models that are responsive, sustainable and rooted in the needs of their communities,” Bates said.
“At Femelle, that has meant creating more time for patients, integrating services and making decisions with long-term access and trust in mind.”
Kinney earns engineer license
CHARLOTTE – Austin Kinney has earned his professional engineer license in North Carolina.
Kinney is a designer in Thomas & Hutton’s Charlotte office with five years of experience in civil engineering. He supports projects from preliminary engineering and permitting through design and construction administration, with experience spanning industrial, commercial, municipal and institutional developments.
His project portfolio includes manufacturing facilities, industrial parks, distribution centers, higher education and public infrastructure throughout North Carolina.
Kinney is also a member of the Home Builders Association of Greater Charlotte.
Charlotte Area Chamber events
CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce hosts Connect After 5. • Members mingle during Connect After 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 6 at Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas, 1701 N. Graham St., Suite 100, Charlotte. Members
get in free. Others pay $25. Register in advance.
Visit charlotteareachamber.com to learn more about the chamber and its events.
Matthews Area Chamber events
MATTHEWS – The Matthews Area Chamber of Commerce hosts Coffee with the Commissioners.
• Jessica Tullar, president and CEO of the chamber, facilitates Coffee with the Commissioners with two commissioners from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Aug. 7 at Enzo’s Italian Market, 130 Matthews Station St., Matthews. Register in advance.
Visit matthewschamber.org to learn more about the chamber and its events.
Mint Hill Chamber events
MINT HILL – The Mint Hill Chamber of Commerce hosts Coffee Connections.
• Members network during Coffee Connections from 8 to 9 a.m. Aug. 7 at Green Leaf Apothecary & Café, 3555-1 MatthewsMint Hill Road, Suite 1, Matthews. Register in advance.
Visit minthillchamberofcommerce.com to learn more about the chamber and its events.
Quick Hits • The Charlotte Latin American Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for the inaugural Golf Classic on Oct. 26 at Raintree Country Club. The chamber is accepting registration for up to 20 teams. Early-bird pricing cuts off Aug. 23.
• Five Rack Room Shoes associates have been awarded renewable $2,000 scholarships through the company in partnership with Scholarship America. The annual program helps associates continue their education while recognizing their academic achievements and future aspirations.
Atrium Health invests $2.38B in community benefit in NC
CHARLOTTE – Atrium Health invested $2.38 billion in community benefit across North Carolina in 2025, according to the health system.
Atrium Health is part of Advocate Health. The North Carolina investment represents a portion of Advocate Health’s $6.27 billion in community benefit in 2025.
“At Atrium Health, caring for our communities extends beyond providing quality, compassionate care within our walls,” said Steve Smoot, president of the North Carolina and Georgia division at Advocate Health. “It means addressing the barriers that can stand between a person and their health, whether that’s housing, transportation or access to care close to home. Through strong community partnerships and investments where they matter most, we
remain committed to supporting patients and their families with the resources and services they need.”
Atrium Health also provides free and discounted care for patients with limited financial resources, as well as delivering undercompensated care for those covered by Medicare and Medicaid.
Atrium Health directs its community benefit investments toward improving access to care, supporting physical and behavioral health and addressing basic needs such as food and housing.
“Our community benefit investment reflects how we show up for the communities we serve,” said Kinneil Coltman, Advocate Health’s chief consumer and social impact officer.
School of Medicine’s future physicians start medical journey
CHARLOTTE – The incoming MD students at Wake Forest University School of Medicine are receiving their white coats during ceremonies in Winston-Salem and Charlotte. As these future physicians of the Class of 2030 begin their medical education, they arrive with different life experiences, motivations and visions for the care they’ll provide to patients.
Yet, for the 48 incoming students at the medical school’s Charlotte campus and 145 students at the Winston-Salem campus, a common thread runs through their decisions to pursue medicine: a desire to make a difference in the lives of the patients they serve.
For Nneayo Okabuonye, that calling began at home in South Holland, Illinois.
“From a young age, I remember always playing doctor, looking up surgeries on YouTube and annoying my mom by asking her how the medicine she gave me knew where to work,” said Okabuonye, who is studying in Charlotte.
In her early teens, that curiosity developed into a desire to pursue a career in medicine, when she witnessed a family member battle illness.
“The physicians who cared for them brought clarity during a difficult time by showing me what dedication to finding answers and compassion for patients truly looked like,” Okabuonye said. “From that experience, I knew I wanted to become a physician who balances curiosity with genuine compassion and an unwavering dedication to helping patients find answers.”
Winston-Salem campus MD student Garikoitz Gainza was inspired to pursue a career in medicine when his own health challenge changed the direction and tune of his life. After moving from Madrid, Spain to Orlando, Florida, as a child, Gainza’s mother noticed that he had poor hearing. She would often speak to him, and he would not respond or would give a delayed response. In school, the condition led to poor academic performance. As a concert violinist, he sometimes missed cues or notes because he couldn’t hear them.
Under the care of an ear, nose and throat specialist, Gainza received the diagnosis and surgery that changed everything. He received ear tubes to allow the fluid to drain, and he could finally hear again. He was able to interact better with the world around him, his grades improved and his violin playing peaked.
“I believe that because of this surgeon, the outlook of my life was changed forever,” he said. “My goal is to change the lives of my patients the way this surgeon changed my life. I hope to become the kind of physician who listens with empathy, sees the person beyond the diagnosis and leaves every patient with the same sense of hope and possibility that my physician gave me.”
Before enrolling in medical school, both students gained formative experiences that shaped the physicians they hope to become.
Okabuonye worked as a patient care technician in a dialysis clinic on Chicago’s South Side. She saw adult patients of all ages, many of whom faced not only kidney disease but additional challenges, like transportation barriers and food insecurity. Okabuonye learned how finding even one thing in common with patients can build trust and make all the difference.
“Dialysis isn’t an easy process, so seeing a patient smile at one of my jokes while I was cannulating them or hearing them share stories about their families reminded me that I was making a difference,” she said. “I hope to carry those same qualities forward by listening carefully, building trust and advocating for my patients, both inside and outside the exam room.”
Music taught Gainza to be relentless, disciplined and hardworking – qualities he passed on as a violin tutor at a nonprofit that provided free music education to children from underserved communities. This experience prepared him for his future career.
“Music has also taught me communication, compromise and mentorship skills, which I believe will translate well with my future career in medicine,” Gainza said. “Beyond providing excellent medical care, I hope to be a steady source of reassurance and hope, helping my patients feel confident that they are never facing their challenges
The students are ready for the demands of medical school.
After donning their white coats for the first time, they are united in purpose to become physicians who reflect the very tenets of Wake Forest University School of Medicine: to improve health through education, research and patient care while training future healthcare leaders. While their stories are just beginning, each student carries the same promise to use medicine to serve others.
“I hope to bring compassion, unwavering advocacy and dedication to every patient I care for,” Okabuonye said. “I’m looking forward to immersing myself in everything there is to learn, both clinically and academically. I’m also excited to build meaningful relationships with my classmates and become part of a supportive medical school community.”
“I’m excited to develop the skills needed to care for patients during some of the most challenging moments of their lives and to learn from faculty, mentors and classmates who share a commitment to excellence and service,” Gainza said. “Most of all, I look forward to growing into the kind of physician who combines clinical expertise with empathy to make a meaningful difference in the lives of my patients.”
Before enrolling in Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Nneayo Okabuonye worked as a patient care technician in a dialysis clinic in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Advocate Health
Okabuonye
Conrad
Avocado and
Everyone is talking about protein these days whether watching their weight or managing a disease like type 2 diabetes. However, fiber and healthy fats are nutrients many people are overlooking. The latest reports show most Americans already meet or exceed recommendations for protein while nearly all (about 95%) do not eat enough fiber, and many people consume too much saturated fat versus unsaturated fat, according to the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. Prioritizing ways to get more fiber and healthy fats on your plate could be key to managing weight and type 2 diabetes goals this summer.
One food that makes it easier to invest in your health, according to nutrition experts: avocados.
A growing body of research and materials from Avocados – Love One Today, a science-based resource, suggests fresh avocados offer weight management benefits, help with type 2 diabetes management and are good for blood sugar management.
According to a study* of more than 27,000 adults published in the journal “Internal Medicine Review,” people who ate just over half of an avocado per day weighed 7.5 pounds less, had smaller waist sizes and tended to have healthier overall eating habits, including higher intakes of fiber and healthy fats, compared to people who didn’t eat avocados. Among the list of benefits, this delicious and healthy fruit uniquely contains fiber and healthy fats in each nutrient-dense bite which slows digestion, helping you feel satisfied and fuller longer which can help you consume fewer calories overall. In fact, if you’re using a GLP-1, avocados are one of the foods to add to your menu to make small meals feel more filling and satisfying while supporting nutrient needs.
Scientists also recently took a second look at the largest study* about avocado consumption to-date involving close to 1,000 adults, per the journal “Current Developments in Nutrition,” and found that consistently eating one avocado
every day for six months (no other diet changes required) significantly reduced dietary glycemic load (GL) by nearly 14 points, a metric that evaluates how what you are eating is affecting your blood sugar levels. GL may be an important consideration in the management of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes. By slowing digestion, fiber and healthy fats also support stable blood sugar levels. There are many ways to enjoy avocados, including chopped, sliced, mashed, blended, in baked goods or even frozen. Avocados add flavor, variety and nutrition across the day. Try these recipes for Avocado and Blueberry Chia Pudding, Avocado Breakfast Bowl with Leafy Greens for your next breakfast or snack.
*Remember: Small, consistent food choices can add up over time. Research suggests regularly eating avocados may support weight management and blood sugar targets while providing the fiber and healthy fats that many Americans are overlooking. These studies were supported by the Avocado Nutrition Center. While these findings are encouraging, the studies highlighted show an association, not cause and effect, and thus more research is needed to confirm these findings in other populations. To explore evidence-based avocado nutrition information, along with practical tips and easy recipes, visit Avocados – Love One Today, a leading resource for avocado nutrition information.
1/2 avocado, 2 tablespoons pickled red onion and 3 tablespoons dressing. Reserve remaining dressing in refrigerator.
Charlotte Master Chorale announces 76th season
– The Charlotte
CHARLOTTE
Master Chorale announced a 2026-27 season with stories of community, empathy, remembrance and shared purpose.
The 2026-27 season also welcomes the inaugural Young Singers of Charlotte, a new tuition-free high school ensemble directed by AJ Calpo. The ensemble will make its debut in several performances throughout the season.
“I’ve always believed that building good people is just as important as building good musicians,” Calpo said. “That’s why I ask my students to thank their neighbors at the end of every rehearsal. It’s a small tradition
that reflects something much bigger: music is about listening, supporting one another and creating community. I’m excited to bring that same spirit to the Young Singers of Charlotte as we begin this inaugural season.”
That spirit of community and belonging extends throughout the Chorale’s 2026-27 season, “Connected,” which explores the many ways music unites people across generations, experiences and backgrounds.
The season ranges from Mozart’s “Requiem,” presented in collaboration with Charlotte Symphony and Opera Carolina as a living memorial marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks,
to modern works including David Lang’s “poor hymnal” and Kyle Pederson’s multi-movement “A Vision Unfolding.”
Audiences can also experience the Charlotte Sings! Community Concert, the Charlotte Lessons & Carols and large-scale masterworks, including Fauré’s "Requiem."
The chorale will also continue its longstanding artistic partnership with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra in performances of Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 9” and Poulenc’s “Gloria,” while collaborating with Charlotte Ballet for Brahms’ “Liebeslieder Waltzes,” featuring dance performances in a variety of styles.
“In a world that often feels divided and increasingly isolated, music reminds us that we were never meant to stand alone,” said Kenney Potter, artistic director of Charlotte Master Chorale.
“This season is a celebration of community, belonging and the extraordinary power of voices coming together. Every concert invites audiences to experience stories of compassion, joy, healing and shared purpose, and to discover that harmony is more than music. It is a way of living.”
Season subscriptions and passes are available now. Individual concert tickets will go on sale Sept. 1. On the web: charlottemasterchorale.org.
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