Axios Charlotte

May 29, 2021
Hello, Saturday. It's Michael.
- π Today's weather: A friendly cold front offers a break from the 90s. Down to 82Β° and a slight chance of rain today.
- π Happy birthday to Axios Charlotte members Valerie Beck, Dustin Howie, Meagan Soffera, Crystal Sundaramoorthy, Robin Williams and Yolanda Williamson.
Today's newsletter is 566 words β a 2-minute read.
1 big thing: πΊπΈ Memorial Day in NC
Downtown Waxhaw. Photo: Paige Hopkins/Axios
North Carolina ranks fifth among U.S. states for largest military presence, with nearly 1,000 active-duty personnel for every 100,000 citizens, according to 24/7 Wall St.
Why it matters: That's a source of pride, but it also carries the gravity of loss: Many of us know people who've died in service.
- So for all the good things going on this weekend, we shouldn't lose sight of what the holiday really means. Here's to all who've served and sacrificed most, and big love to the families who carry on.
Looking for something to do? Check out the Flags for Heroes display in Waxhaw, put on each year by the Waxhaw-Weddington Rotary Club.
2. Around the Crown 10K back in full
Photo: Courtesy The Littlefield Co.
The Around the Crown 10K will take place in person and at full capacity on Sunday, Sept. 5, race organizers announced Friday.
Why it matters: Almost 5,000 runners participated in the inaugural event in 2019, but the 2020 race had to pivot to time trials instead due to the pandemic, Axios' Katie Peralta Soloff reports.
- Many runners are looking forward to a return to the 6.2-mile course through the streets of Uptown and on the inner beltway of 277.
Details: You can sign up for $45 via aroundthecrown10k.com. The price increases to $50 on July 31.
3. Editors' picks: Our favorite things we ate in May
Eight + Sand's pizzas. Photo: Bri Crane/Axios
Our staff eats stuff. We have a range of food expertise, with some who can take a single bite and identify most of the ingredients, and others who just know what they like when they taste it (me).
- Maybe you'll find an idea for yourself among our list of favorites from May.
Pan-style pizzas from Eight + Sand
- The good word: "So far we've done three pan-style (crisp edge red, crisp edge white garlic, and loaded potato) and the crispy hot chicken stone-baked pizza. All were delicious."Β β Bri Crane
Birria Ramen from Maria's Mexican Restaurant
- A good word: "Maria's is known for their popular birria tacos. Now they've added noodles to the birria broth and made the perfect Mexican-inspired ramen (careful, it comes piping hot). Pro tip: Order a birria taco to dip in the ramen." β Paige Hopkins
Grilled pineapple on a stick from Full Circle food cart
- A good word: "The cart's menu is inspired by owner Caleb Dickerson's time in Southeast Asia with tropical scratch-made popsicles, grilled pineapple and more. I ordered the grilled pineapple on a stick, sprinkled seasoning inside its plastic bag and devoured it." β Emma Way
Full story: Our 6 favorite things we ate this month
4. Your thoughts on the week's most-read stories
The new Myers Park home of Lindsay and Brandon Edgerton took home this year's prize. Photo: Christina Hussey, courtesy of Maggie Crandall
2021 Home of the Year [108K+ views]
- "Omg omg I've dropped cookies on that doorstep πππ." β @alicecpn via Instagram
Ohio's Saucy Brew Works to expand in Charlotte with a huge brewpub and Airbnb [5,500+ views]
- "Ohio taking over CLT!!!!" β @jenlicis via Instagram
30 coolest things to do in Charlotte this summer [8K+ new views]
- "Looks so good for this heat π₯." β @mana4u_ via Instagram
5. In-person graduations
Photo: Getty images
CMS is having in-person graduations this year, and I've been loving the first rounds of pictures coming out of them. All smiles and hugs and eyes toward the future.
- Lots more to come this week around the Bojangles Coliseum, Ovens Auditorium and Charlotte Convention Center.
Of note: CMS is also posting a series of "senior stories" from graduates who are telling what it was like to spend their last year of high school navigating the roller coaster of pandemic learning.
- They'll make you proud.
Quote of the week: "The child I am helping might just be me." That's from Eric Carle, creator of the iconic children's book "The Very Hungry Caterpillar." Carle died this week at 91 years old.
- I remember two books most of all from my mother's nightly reading sessions with us β Carle's caterpillar book and Don Freeman's "Corduroy." In my house now, our son reaches for the "Little Blue Truck" each night.
- What's your favorite children's book? Hit reply and tell us.
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