Briefing for Wednesday November 4

In case you missed it, Democrat Jennifer Roberts is now the mayor of Charlotte. She defeated Republican Edwin Peacock by 3,500 votes. Roberts took to Twitter saying, “The positive politics of expanding opportunity and optimism prevailed!” After last night, the mayors of North Carolina’s three largest cities – Charlotte, Raleigh and Greensboro – are all women.

Andrew covered some stats for us. Turnout at the polls was not good with less than 15 percent of people showing up to cast their votes. But fundraising was near an all-time high. Mayoral candidates Roberts and Peacock raised $919,579.86 between the two of them. Only $600,000 was raised back in 2013 between Peacock and Patrick Canon. Read his full breakdown of the biggest surprises in this year’s election results.

VITALS

Today’s Weather: 67. Isolated showers. 40% chance of rain. 
Today’s Stat: 35. Median age of residents in Mecklenburg County.
Today’s Job: Interior Designer at Stephens Office Systems Inc. Apply.
Today’s Charlottean: Connor Newman, farm operations manager at Hodges Family Farm, which has been in operation for 100 years.

ORIGINALS

The 25 most important people in Charlotte’s startup community [Williams]
This is a solid list of the names you need to know when navigating Charlotte’s startup world. Ted covers everyone from investors to entrepreneurs who make the risky world of starting your own business work here in Charlotte. Shout out to Jeff Brokaw’s tattoos, Hannah Levinson’s signature red lipstick and Ric Elias’ basketball skills.

Where to eat brunch in Charlotte based on your current emotional state [Levans]
It’s time to start making your weekend brunch plans because it takes at least four days via group chat to wrangle a whole group for a Sunday Funday outing. Use this handy guide to make quick decisions about where to eat brunch if you’re hungover, stressed about impressing someone’s parents, entertaining your whole family or avoiding human contact. I mapped out 12 circumstances that dictate your weekend food destination.

Why I’m joining the Axios Charlotte team [Wilson]
We’re excited to announce the expansion of our team with the addition of Chief Operating Officer Cristina Wilson. Cristina was formerly the editor of Carolina Bride magazine and recently launched her own podcast. She is smart and talented and we are thrilled to add her skills to Team Agenda.

What you need to know about Dilworth’s newest grocer: Fresh Market [Dunn]
The Greensboro-based grocer is about to open its sixth Charlotte-area store in the old Black Lion on East Boulevard. They’re great for fresh deli items and produce but have a smaller selection of packaged goods. Catch $2.99 deals on Tuesdays and $6.99 deals on Saturdays. Let the Charlotte grocery wars rage on.

Charlotte’s diabetic champions and 3 events to check out for Diabetes Awareness Month [Dubbeld]
There are an estimated 170,000 people living with diabetes in the Charlotte metro. Three local events will help raise money and awareness for the disease. Check out the Walk to Stop Diabetes on November 7, the JDRF Hope Gala on November 14 and the Disco for Diabetes also on November 14.

CLT Playlist: Live music picks for November 4 – 8 [Gassaway]
I still feel left out after missing CHVRCHES last week. According to my social feeds, all of Charlotte was there. Check out 38 shows to catch this week, including Danny’s top picks: The New Mastersounds at Neighborhood Theatre tonight and Slightly Stoopid at The Fillmore on Saturday.

TALKING POINTS 

The story behind the protestors at the Panthers game on Monday night [Roberts/Observer]. A man and woman rappelled from the upper deck at Bank of America Stadium to protest BofA’s financing of Dominion Resources’ planned liquefied natural gas export facility in Cove Point, Maryland. The two were arrested for the stunt but a spokesperson from their organization, We Are Cove Point, says it was executed flawlessly.

Carly Fiorina was at the Panthers game [Staff/Observer]. The Republican presidential hopeful graduated from high school in Durham, which may explain her tie to a North Carolina team.

South End development meeting is tonight [Historic South End]. Historic South End invites residents to “have more impact than sharing your frustrations on social media.” A planning expert will give advice on how citizens can impact the development process. Kicks off at 6:30 p.m. at Byron’s.

Windsor Jewelers sold the first Patek Philippe minute repeater in North Carolina [Agenda/Instagram]. The wristwatch sold for – hold onto your butts – $613,000. My heart stopped when I originally misheard the price as $63,000. The line starts at $12,000 and up. 

RuRu’s Tacos + Tequila rolled out a new brunch menu last weekend [Agenda/Instagram]. I chatted with the GM at their 1-year anniversary party on Monday night and she said the inaugural brunch was packed despite the rain. Get your fill of breakfast tacos, breakfast burritos and breakfast quesadillas Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 3 p.m.

Did you have a heart attack yesterday when Twitter changed its “favorite” star to a “like” heart? I like it. Gold stars all around. Or red hearts. Whatever. Anyway, go forth and drink coffee, the only thing getting me through this rainy week.

– Katie