Briefing for Monday September 14: NoDa Brewing to mountain goat runners

Local politics is seriously starting to remind me of House of Cards. First there was the obvious parallel between Francis Underwood and our mayor Dan Clodfelter. Underwood, thrust into the presidency without being elected, promised he wouldn’t run again. Clodfelter also took office without being elected, after Patrick Cannon resigned. Word is that he also promised he wouldn’t run for mayor, but here we are.

Now Jennifer Roberts is saying she’s the victim of unfair attacks. One of them criticizes her for sending her son to private school. Sounds similar to what happened to Jackie Sharp in the debate in season three. In case you forgot, the Charlotte mayoral primary election is tomorrow.

VITALS

Today’s Weather: 78. Sunny. No rain. 
Today’s Stat: 9,631. Early voting ballots cast this year in Mecklenburg County. That’s up 42% from the number of early voters last year.
Today’s Job: Digital Communications Manager at the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. Apply.
Today’s Charlottean: Tin T. Nguyen, for his pro bono work helping Central American immigrant children in Charlotte [Price/Observer].

ORIGINALS

The new NoDa Brewing facility, explained [Wells]
An insiders look at the new digs, which will let Charlotte’s preeminent beer company to expand production. The new space has four times as many barrels in the brewhouse and a lot of the work that was once manual will now be automated.

Voting: How to look like you know what you’re doing even though it’s your first time [Chiou]
Seriously, you have no excuse for not voting tomorrow. Stop what you’re doing, open up your calendar app, and figure out what time you’re going by the polling place Tuesday. 

Windy Hill Orchard: Yes to hard cider and doughnuts, no to apples [Levans]
This place is popular. Katie was the victim of a blink-and-you-missed-it picking season, but loved all the other stuff this place has to offer. I’ll vouch for the apple doughnuts. Also be on the look-out for their awesome festival next month.

Meet the mountain goat runners of Charlotte [Dunn]
These guys are on a whole ‘nother level of running. The Charlotte Running Club is in it to win it, and they dish on where they train to conquer the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Inside Revolution Park Sports Academy (12 photos) [Levans]
This gym and athletic complex on Remount Road is only $12 per month. Gorgeous facility. Boxing, track, etc. Check it out.

Restaurant Review: Hot Taco opens today in South End, here’s how it tastes [Smith]
I’ve been to Greek Isles a lot and always ordered the lamb gyro. This new place opens in its spot and it looks impressive. Margarita me, please.

What will happen this month when a Charlottean gets to meet the pope and the president? [Broadwell]
Antonia “Neet” Childs has a huge opportunity this month when she travels to Washington D.C. to meet with world leaders. She also has a super important and compelling story to tell about surviving human trafficking to become a business and culinary success.

Dads unite: Every Charlotte school should be harnessing father power [Dunn]
All Pro Dad is really on to something with its program to get more fathers involved in schools. But they’re only at a handful of our public school district’s 168 schools. Let’s get on this.

Live the life you want: Meet kādifit [Maddrey]
Neat twist on group exercise classes. Plus a huge heaping of inspiration. I’ve always wanted to try boxing, too, so maybe I should stop by.

TALKING POINTS

Moe’s is giving away free queso this week [Instagram]. Happens on Thursday. Seven locations in Charlotte. Don’t miss it. 

Luke Kuechly is out after suffering a concussion [Fowler/Observer]. Charlotte’s favorite linebacker took a nasty looking hit. No word yet on how long he could be out. Get well soon, Luke. The Panthers won, though! First time Cam Newton has won a season opener as a pro.

Look at this interception by a South Meck High player [Twitter]. Speaking of football, this is a “holy cow” type play from Moryah Johnson to seal an overtime victory over Myers Park High. Get this on SportsCenter, seriously.

Five people hurt in shooting at the Music Factory [WSOC]. This was Friday night and a couple bystanders were hurt. Three people have been arrested. 

My legs are still kind of sore from the weekend. Hope yours are, too. Get after it.

– Andrew