Hurricane Helene landed in Florida one week ago and quickly turned its wicked wand toward western North Carolina. By the end of last Friday, it was gone, and the sun was out to show us the hell it'd left.

Why it matters, now and going forward: For the communities in this beloved region of our state, there will be a Before Helene and an After Helene. But the entire state of North Carolina will be part of the "after."

• Some people who lived in the mountains Before Helene are already trying to enroll their kids in other local schools, others might be at the restaurant table next to you tonight, or in the checkout line behind you.
• Displaced humans without a home or even a town to put it in, calling themselves the fortunate ones.

Reality check: The main thing that matters now, still, are the lives of the missing.

• The storm had killed 200 people across the Southeast as of Thursday afternoon, AP reports, making Helene the deadliest hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland since Katrina, CNN says.

The bottom line: The hashtag #WNCstrong is trending. And they are strong, these mountain people.

Keep reading ... One week after Helene in North Carolina: Photos

💼 Check out who's hiring on our Job Board.

1. Registered Nurse, RN - Critical Care at Rowan Medical Center at Novant Health.
2. Research & Evaluation Analyst at The Leon Levine Foundation.
3. Property Manager at MetCap Commercial.

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The Savannah Bananas will bring Banana Ball to Charlotte during their 2025 World Tour.

Why it matters: It's the first time baseball will be played at Bank of America Stadium, which is one of two NFL stadiums to host the wacky dancing baseball team.

State of play: The 40-city tour will stop in Charlotte on June 7. The Bananas face the Party Animals. Game time is TBD.

• If you're unfamiliar with the Bananas, think of them like the Harlem Globetrotters but for baseball.

What to expect

During an intense presidential election, preparing for and safely executing candidate visits has become a regular expectation of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Why it matters: Candidates are eager to show face in the battleground state of North Carolina. But that comes with unprecedented challenges in 2024.

• Rallies are drawing huge turnouts, protests are a regularity on the sidelines and threats are on the rise. Former President Trump has survived two apparent assassination attempts.

The intrigue: Special Agent in Charge Jason Byrnes of the U.S. Secret Service Charlotte Field Office explains it's always a compromise to protect candidates.

Learn how the two agencies work together

🎤 Maxwell's concert last night kicked off 45 events in 90 days at Spectrum Center, Donna Julian, HSE executive vice president & Spectrum Center general manager, told reporters Thursday. (Axios)

🛍 Local clothing brand Girl Tribe Co. is closing its SouthPark store this weekend. (Instagram)

🍨 Dairy-free ice cream shop Seemingly Overzealous is expanding to Plaza Midwood this November. (Axios)

🧘‍♂️ Daybreaker, a global event that hosts early morning dance parties, yoga, and fitness classes will return to Charlotte on Oct. 18. (Daybreaker)

🧘🏻‍♀️ The Coterie Wellness Studio in Wesley Heights will add a second studio room in early 2025. (Instagram)

🍽 Salted Melon has new dinner offerings and seasonal cocktails at its South End location, per a press release.

📷 The union for striking dockworkers said last night they'll return to work at U.S. ports, including at the Port of Wilmington, after reaching an agreement with the United States Maritime Alliance to extend their contract through Jan. 15. (Axios)

🚍 CATS' Blue Line and Gold Line service will be suspended beginning at 2am on Saturday, Oct. 19, through 4am on Monday, Oct. 21, for preventative maintenance.

• Bus bridges will be in place during the suspension of service. Normal service will resume at 5am on Monday, Oct. 21, CATS said in a press release.

📆 Upcoming events around the city.

• Charlotte FC vs CF Montreal at Bank of America Stadium on Oct 5: Don't miss The Crown's final home match of the regular season. It's Fan Appreciation night, so arrive early to score a limited-edition t-shirt and be ready to party all match long. $35.
• Fall Fitness Series on the SouthPark Loop at The Colony Apartments Every Monday this October, get moving on the SouthPark Loop with a free community workout. Join trainers from RockBox Fitness on October 7 to work on your functional fitness and boxing skills.
• An Evening with Sphinx Virtuosi at Belk Theater on Oct 9: Experience the vibrant future of symphonic music with Sphinx Virtuosi. In a rare showcase, this electrifying ensemble performs alongside your CSO, led by Conductor Laureate Christopher Warren-Green. $16+.
• Trivia for Change: Are You Election Ready? At James B. Duke Memorial Library on Oct 9: Think you're ready for the upcoming elections? Join YWCA Central Carolinas, The Charlotte Post, and the League of Women Voters Mecklenburg County for an engaging voter education trivia night.
• Autumn Elegance: Fall Beauty Event at Dermatology, Laser & Vein Specialists of the Carolinas on Oct 9-10: Join DLVSC for a fabulous fall beauty event and enjoy spectacular savings on popular services like Botox, fillers and device treatments. Pre-pay available, appointments are recommended.
• Confluence Carolinas 2024 at AvidXchange Music Factory Oct 9-11: This multi-day conference and showcase festival is a can't-miss for anyone in the Southeast connected to the music industry, including fans.
• Fall Plant Sale at Wing Haven's Nursery Oct 10-12: Shop a wide variety of local favorites and unusual plants assisted by our knowledgeable staff and volunteers. All proceeds benefit Wing Haven's gardens and programs.
• GiGi's Playhouse of Charlotte Annual Gala at The Ballantyne Hotel on Oct 11: GiGi's Playhouse of Charlotte is an achievement center for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Join them for a heartwarming evening of fun and entertainment in support of a great cause.
• The Complete History of America (Abridged) at Cain Center for the Arts on Oct 11-12: Newly updated for the 2024 election, the Reduced Shakespeare Company returns with a hilarious take on 600 Years of History in 6000 seconds. $35-$55.
• Leading People Who Are Different From You at Wake Forest Charlotte Center on Oct 18: Part of the Certificate in Leadership Series, this 1-day program provides participants with the knowledge and tools to understand and effectively lead people who are different from them. $950.

Want more things to do? Check out our Event Board.

Hosting? Purchase an Event Listing.

This week's edition of Hot Homes features houses for sale in popular neighborhoods like Wesley Heights and Plaza Shamrock.

Zoom in: The three-story condo pictured above, for example, is within walking distance to Bank of America Stadium.

• At 1,077 square feet, it has two bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.
• Other notable features include its fireplace, hardwood floors and balcony.
• It's listed for $410,000.

More hot homes: 4 houses for sale in Charlotte ranging from $410K to $1.6M

Blue Door, an upscale cocktail lounge from the owners of Trio in South End, opens in South End today.

What they're saying: "We're just a couple in our 30s that sometimes feel a little old in South End," owners Eric and Kate Gussin tell Axios. Blue Door is for people who can relate to that feeling.

See inside