Axios Charlotte

May 27, 2021
Hello, Thursday. It's Michael.
- Weather folks say the thermometer will hit 92 again. Seems like we're stuck on 92, so here's the No. 1 song from this week in 1992. It'll stick, too.
š Happy birthday to our Axios Charlotte members, including U.S. Rep. Alma Adams (happy 75th!), and Julie Edwards, Nicole Joseph and Kathryn Pruess.
Today's Smart Brevity count is 1,058 ā a 4-minute read.
1 big thing: Your Charlotte summer bucket list
Put Morelia Gourmet Paletas on your list. Photo: Symphony Webber/Axios
Last summer, that hot season of solitude, our annual bucket list was all about ways to enjoy the city while maintaining a distance. This year, we're back with more energy than ever for all that Charlotte has to offer.
The state of play: The season offers two strong sports bookends ā the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend, and the Duke's Mayo Classic on Labor Day weekend.
Axios' Symphony Webber compiled a list of things for you to accomplish in the time between the two, including:
šŖ River Jam at the Whitewater Center, of course
ā± The updated lakefront park in Rock Hill, or the Quarry at Carrigan Farms
šØ Immersive Van Gogh art show
š² 24 Hours of Booty
š³ļøāš Charlotte Pride, which starts in August and lasts several months this year
š¦š š And of course: Ice cream! Farmers' markets! Fireworks!
Full story: Summer bucket list 2021: 30 things to do this summer
2. Vaccine etiquette at work
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Most of us aren't used to our employers having access to our medical information. But the pandemic has changed that, at least as it pertains to vaccines, Axios' Paige Hopkins reports.
What's happening: HIPAA protections don't apply to COVID vaccines, so employers can ask whether you've been vaccinated before returning to work.
- And although they can require that you get vaccinated before coming back into the office (or whatever your workplace might look like), most are simply strongly suggesting it.
- However, many companies are offering incentives for vaccinated employees. Often, they make getting a vaccine during the workday easier.
What they're saying: "The main thing that most organizations are trying to figure out right now is how to really strike the balance between what's legally permissible and what's best for the health of employees and customers," Cliff Scott, a professor of organizational science and communication studies at UNC Charlotte, tells Paige.
What to expect: ScottĀ shared some other ways employers are handling employee vaccinations as they return to the office.
- Employers may ask workers to upload their vaccination cards into a company system.
- In some workplaces, vaccinated employees can opt out of daily COVID screening questionnaires after they've shown proof of vaccination.
- Mask policies vary by company, but some are allowing vaccinated employees to go without them.
Of note: Employers shouldn't ask unvaccinated employees why they haven't gotten a vaccine.
Full story: What employers can and can't ask you when returning to in-person work
Fresh openings from the Job Board
š New job,Ā who dis?
- Surgical technicianĀ at OrthoCarolina.
- Assistant venue operations managerĀ at Blumenthal Performing Arts.
- Learning delivery specialist, customer experienceĀ at Robinhood.
- Office coordinatorĀ at Panoramic Farm.
- Sous chef & cooks at 800° WOODFIRED KITCHEN - Phillips Place.
- Mortgage associate ā loan officer fast trackĀ at Rosegate Mortgage.
- Social media coordinatorĀ at Tiny Horse.
- Customer service at Charlotte Progressive Dentistry.
- Corporate partnership sales managerĀ at The Charlotte Checkers.
- Healthcare recruiterĀ at FlexCare Medical Staffing.
Want more opportunities? Check out ourĀ Job Board.
Hiring? Post a job.Ā
3. County commission supports keeping money from CMS
CMS headquarters. Photo: Michael Graff/Axios
In a straw vote yesterday, county officials voted in favor of withholding $56 million from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools until the system presents a plan to solve racial achievement gaps by 2024, WBTV reports.
Why it matters: The system says the loss of funds will trickle down to students and potentially exacerbate inequities the county says it wants to solve.
The other side: The county commission, which is made up of former school board members, says it's time CMS is held accountable for the disparities.
What's next: Commissioners will vote on the final budget this Tuesday.
4. #PlayforTJ
Greg Olsen retired as a Panther earlier this year. Photo: Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images
Former Panthers tight end Greg Olsen says he's been overwhelmed by support this week after he announced that his eight-year-old son T.J.'s heart "is reaching its end."
- "We are currently working through the process to determine our next steps, which ultimately could lead to a heart transplant," Olsen said in a Twitter thread Monday.
The big picture: T.J. was born in 2012 with a rare heart condition. He's survived three open-heart surgeries and has lived on a modified heart since then, Olsen said.
- Olsen and his wife Kara founded the HEARTest Yard, which helps families going through similar circumstances.
- They've become fixtures in Charlotte ā Greg's a pretty tough youth sports coach, and they're regularly seen at restaurants around town.
- When sharing the news of his son's turn, Greg started a hashtag #playforTJ
Greg's former team has jumped to his side this week.
- "This is one of those times that's not really explainable," Christian McCaffrey said. "T.J.'s one of the best little kids in the world. ... We are all here for the Olsen family. And I know the entire North Carolina-South Carolina community is as well."
Fighting food waste in your own kitchen
Alivia McAtee/Axios
Hungry HarvestĀ is a produce delivery service on a mission to fight food waste, but they know the fight doesn't stop at your doorstep.Ā
Here areĀ three ways you can reduce waste (and stretch your $) in the kitchen:Ā
- Blitz broccoli and cauliflower stalks in a food processor to make a rice substituteĀ
- Roast peeled carrot skins to make crispy veggie chipsĀ
- Cook kale stalks and add them to salads for an extra crunchĀ
Check out more root-to-stem ideasĀ and snag your first box of Hungry Harvest produce (yup, they deliver to CharlotteĀ š).
Pro tip: get 50% off your first harvest with the code AXIOSCLT.Ā
5. What to do for MDW
Sunsets at the Whitewater Center keep getting better as summer goes on. Photo courtesy of the U.S. National Whitewater Center
It's race weekend at the speedway, but if that's not your thing, we have a few other options for you.
š· A little jazz with Tracy Hamlin at Middle C Jazz Club. Friday, 7pm. Details.
šāāļø A Saturday morning trail race at the Whitewater Center. Details.
š§āāļø Yoga on a yacht at Lake Norman. Saturday, 11am. Details.
š Hard lemonade festival at Brewers at 4001 Yancey. Sunday, 11am-8pm. Details.
šŗšø And head to Waxhaw for the Rotary Club's Flags for Heroes display.
Full story: 17 things to do this Memorial Day weekend
6. Speed reads: Catch up quick
The Old Well at UNC. Photo: Getty images
šø Longtime Charlotte Observer photographer David Foster III ā "a cigar-chomping, Tar Heel-loving bear of a man" ā died this week.
Tributes came in from all over: former colleagues, the Panthers, Hornets, Knights, Salvation Army of Charlotte, and many others.
- ThƩoden Janes has a really nice tribute to him here.
š 1,619 UNC alums and students listed their names in a two-page advertisement to show support for Nikole Hannah-Jones, the author of the 1619 Project who was turned down for tenure last week. (Observer)
The loop (we're keeping you in it)
š News you can useĀ from our super cool, very important Axios Charlotte partners.
- Explore South EndĀ in a new way duringĀ South End Blooms, powered by Center City Partners and CLT is Creative. Now through June 15, new art experiences from local creatives will pop up in public spaces and businesses every weekend.
- šĀ Catch trains, not feelings this summer. Check out theĀ current ticket dealsĀ and scope outĀ possible routes.
7. A big first pitch for Gastonia's Honey Hunters
Magic Johnson at a gala in 2019. Photo: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images
Magic Johnson is headed to Gastonia tonight to throw the honorary first pitch on opening night for the Honey Hunters, the town's new pro baseballĀ team.Ā
Context: The basketball legend and businessman owns SodexoMAGIC, a food and beverage service company that partnered with Velocity Cos. to provide the team's concessions this year.
- Velocity Cos. is owned by Brandon Bellamy, who also owns the Honey Hunters and is the only Black majority owner of a pro baseball team in the U.S.
What to watch: The Honey Hunters promise to be a lot of fun this year with plenty of promotions.
- And they'll even teach a few history lessons. They're named after Ransom Hunter, Gaston County's first freed slave and Black landowner, Axios' Katie Soloff reports.
Details: The Honey Hunters play the Lancaster Barnstormers at 6:50pm. Tickets are available here.
8. 1 cool thing on a hot week: Dole Whip

Emma tells me Dole Whip will be the treat of the summer. Or at least one treat of the summer.
- It's a pineapple-and-vanilla soft serve with a cult following, and it'll be on the menu at The Royal Tot when it opens in a few months.
Want it now? Look for the Hula Whip truck, or head up to L&L Hawaiian Grill in Concord.
š Just a friendly reminder to all the Charlotte newcomers and those who've forgotten: If you're driving on I-85 around Concord at all this weekend, prepare for traffic around the Coca-Cola 600.
Thanks to everyone for reading.
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