Axios Charlotte

Our recent work-life balance survey reveals Charlotte is burned out.

Why it matters: Over half of our 2,000+ respondents say they work too much.

By the numbers: 46% say they work more now than before the pandemic.

• Most took ten days or less of paid time off in 2021.

Here are some tips from local leaders to avoid burnout:

• Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles recommends focusing on what brings you peace and happiness. For her, that's time with her family.
• "Dead head time" helps Munro Richardson, Read Charlotte executive director, something he adopted at his wife's suggestion.

💭 My thought bubble: Laura Vinroot Poole's tip to unwind by watching the cheesiest, lowest-rated Christmas movie speaks to me.

Full story: Survey says: Charlotte is burned out. 10 local leaders share what helps them

Fast-casual Indian restaurant IndiGrille is opening in early 2022 in Charlotte, Axios' Laura Barrero reports.

• The eatery will offer Indian fare at affordable prices.

Why it matters: There's nothing like it here, owner Sid Maheshwari says, comparing it to Chipotle or Shake Shack, but for Indian food.

"When you go to a traditional Indian restaurant, you have to commit to one thing because you get giant portions," he notes. "We're going to have smaller portions at a lower cost so people can try different things."

Context: This is Maheshwari's first restaurant, but he's no stranger to the kitchen.

• His parents, who immigrated to the United States when he was two years old, taught Maheshwari to cook, and have stayed connected to their Indian culture through the ingredients in their kitchen.

Full story: Scoop: Fast-casual Indian restaurant called IndiGrille is opening in Charlotte

The developer rebuilding the historic Excelsior Club told Axios' Danielle Chemtob that a shortage of parking on site is the roadblock to moving forward with the project.

What's happening: Kenwood Investments purchased the landmark in late 2019 for $1.3 million, announcing plans to bring the property back to life with a restaurant, hotel and entertainment venue.

• But there isn't enough parking on the site to accommodate those uses, threatening the status of the project, Kenwood CEO Darius Anderson said.
• "If we can solve the parking problem, we'll move aggressively forward," he told Axios. "If we can't solve the parking problem, we'll have to go back to the drawing board and look at other options."

Why it matters: Charlotte has a reputation for tearing down its history, and especially so when it comes to Black landmarks.

• The Excelsior, dating to 1944, was the only social club for Black professionals in Charlotte, and served as a cultural and political hub for years.

Full story: Parking stands in the way of bringing the Excelsior Club back to life

🔥Fresh openings from our Job Board.

1. Police officer at Town of Matthews.
2. Store director at J.Crew, SouthPark.
3. Back-end development supervisor at Union.
4. Executive assistant at Honeywell.
5. Technical support specialist at FanConnect.
6. Personal assistant – part time at Parker & Scout Properties.
7. Marketing coordinator at POS Nation.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board. Hiring? Post a job. 

🏫 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Earnest Winston ordered clear backpacks for all high school students in the wake of a Michigan school shooting and several instances of guns on campus. He told families on Friday that schools face a "crisis of student aggression." (WFAE) 

🏛 An N.C. appeals court blocked enforcement of parts of a trial judge's recent order that demanded $1.75 billion in taxpayer funds be spent to address public education in North Carolina. (AP)

🏒 If you're going to the Charlotte Checkers game on Saturday, Dec. 11, bring a stuffed animal. The Checkers and Novant Health will donate them to local nonprofits for children during the holidays.

🏈 The Panthers fired offensive coordinator Joe Brady. (Twitter)

🎤 Kane Brown's performance in Charlotte left people with burning questions. (Charlotte Observer)

It's a stacked lineup from Axios' Symphony Webber this week:

🧘‍♀️ Sip & stretch today with instructor Sydney Duarate at Billy Sunday from 4-6pm. Your $25 ticket includes a yoga class and a take-home mat, bites and cocktails.

🎁 Take a holiday tour in Historic Rosedale Dec. 7 from 1-2pm. Your $18 ticket gets you the tour and refreshments at the end.

🎄 Make a wreath at Birdsong Brewing Co. Dec. 8 from 4-9pm. A $10 ticket includes supplies for the workshop.

🎤 Sing your heart out at Jingle City Pop-up Bar: karaoke night on Dec. 9. Head to The Tavern from 5pm until midnight. Tickets are $15.

Weekday planner: 26 things to do in Charlotte this week

News you can use from our partners.

• 🥵 Do you love spicy food? The pros at Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates broke down how that spice affects your senses.
• From storm damage to mold remediation, Best Cleanup can handle just about any restoration job. Request a free estimate.
• Goodwill’s Holiday Gift Guide has unique ideas for everyone on your list. Plus, your gifts will help people in the community launch new careers (talk about the gift that keeps on giving). 

Charlotte Douglas International Airport ranks around the middle of the pack, scoring 796 out of 1,000 points in airport satisfaction, according to J.D. Power.

Context: N.C. Public Interest Research Group released a study of U.S. Department of Transportation data from January 2016 to August 2021 comparing complaints and late flights for ten U.S. airlines and 16 of the nation's busiest airports, including Charlotte.

By the numbers: In August, Charlotte ranked top five for on-time flights and 77% of flights at Charlotte in August departed on-time, according to the study.

• American Airlines ranked fourth of ten airlines on-time arrivals this August at 74.4%.

Of note: American Airlines canceled thousands of flights over Halloween weekend, leaving thousands of frustrated customers, Axios' Katie Peralta Soloff reported.

December is special for many reasons, including films.

• Every year, my sister and I watch "While You Were Sleeping." For whatever reason, it's the movie that was always on while we decorated the tree as kids, and we will quote Sandra Bullock line-for-line.

Here's what our team is watching:

"'The Holiday' (my favorite movie, period) and 'Home Alone' are probs my top two. But there are like six runners-up." -Bri

"Absolutely love 'Elf' and 'Love Actually.' Hidden gem pick: 'Mrs. Santa Claus,' a musical I watched over and over again as a kid." -Emma

"I love 'Happiest Season,' and we always watch 'It’s a Wonderful Life' at least once a year." -Danielle

"'Love Actually' and 'The Family Stone' are my favorites." -Katie

"'How the Grinch Stole Christmas'!" -Laura

"'National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation'!" -Michael

"My family and I love watching 'A Christmas Story'!" -Symphony

What are your favorites?

• Reply to this email and let us know.