Waxhaw names first main street manager

Posted on July 25, 2015 by crystalogormanwrites

The Charlotte Observer

Union County News

Posted on July 24, 2015

  • White’s former job was in Charlotte
  • New job hope to enhance town’s unique qualities

BY CRYSTAL O’GORMAN

Correspondent

Waxhaw’s historic downtown district was built in 1889 and the 360 acres within it have remained a cornerstone of character for the town.

According to Lisa Hoffman, Waxhaw’s events and promotions manager and former interim main street manager, Waxhaw’s downtown has set it apart from other neighboring communities and will provide a valuable opportunity for businesses and residents, with the insight of a full-time main street manager.

This month Waxhaw Town Manager Warren Wood announced James Curtis White has been hired as the town’s first main street manager. White’s role will be to work with the N.C. Main Street Center’s main street program. That program requires that main street communities work to build economic development while preserving the historic downtown community.

White said he is enthusiastic about his new position.

“Lisa (Hoffman) and the main street advisory committee has a great vision and I will work within that context to build on what is already there,” he said.

Waxhaw has been a part of N.C. Main Street Center’s small main street communities since 2009 and recently upgraded to the main street program. The upgraded designation was based on population growth and changes to state regulations.

The main street state program is governed by the N.C. Main Street Center and is funded by the North Carolina Department of Commerce. The program derived from the National Main Street Center program that was developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the 1980s to ensure the revitalization of historic main street communities across the country. Waxhaw is one of 61 main street communities in North Carolina.

The Main Street program is managed on a four-point approach: organization of civic and business groups; promoting downtown by making it the prime location for town events; designing infrastructure and environment in a way that enhances historic elements; and working with current businesses to remain successful while diversify the area with new businesses that provide entertainment and a cultural presence.

Hoffman has cultivated more than 40 residents and business owners who volunteer on one of the four main street committee advisory boards that respectively study and act on the four-point approach system.

Hoffman said $194 million dollars in retail sales leaves the Waxhaw community annually. Of that, $30 million goes to the food service industry and another $50 million to purchases outside of town. A survey asking town residents what they’d like to see in Waxhaw came up with the following list: a bakery, microbrewery, wine shop, specialty food stores, a sporting goods store and a florist.

Hoffman said this information will help White establish the right “in-fill development.”

White said it’s all about finding the right balance between the town’s character, the available space, current zoning laws and meeting the needs of the community.

White has spent the last couple years working as Northeast Services Area Leader with Neighborhood and Business Services for the City of Charlotte. He said he worked in a region with diverse needs and interests. He has worked in Central Avenue, Plaza Midwood, NoDA, Eastland area, the North Tryon corridor, and most notably with the Northeast corridor light rail extension partners.

“I want to help make Waxhaw a destination place,” he said. “I will work to achieve that within the context of the Downtown Vision Plan and the Main Street program by supporting things that make Waxhaw so unique.”

Crystal O’Gorman is a freelance writer: crystalogormanwrite@gmail.com.

LEARN MORE:

Stay updated on Waxhaw’s Main Street program by visitingwww.waxhaw.com/index.aspx?nid=177.

Posted in Achievements and Awards, Charlotte Observer, Civic and Government News, Newspaper, Traditional Journalism, Union County Weekly | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

‘Menopause: The Musical’ coming to Charlotte, supports breast cancer research

Posted on July 20, 2015 by crystalogormanwrites

South Charlotte Weekly

Posted by on July 17, 2015 in News

Characters joke about the physical, emotional and mental symptoms associated with menopause during the play, which takes center stage in Charlotte on Oct. 1 through 3. Tickets cost $45 to $50 and benefit Susan G. Komen. Photo courtesy of Aurora

Kathi Glist, director of “Menopause: The Musical,” believes she directs a show that inspires and comes alive in the hearts of all women.

Charlotte theatergoers will have the opportunity to participate in the inspirational experience Glist raves about Oct. 1 through 3 at Blumenthal Performing Arts McGlohon Theater.

The show comes to Charlotte in partnership with Susan G. Komen and Celebrate the Tatas, known as “The Survivor Tour,” to raise awareness and provide financial support in the fight against breast cancer.

“Menopause: The Musical” brings together a cast of four women from different walks of life who are all experiencing the “change of life.” The women meet at a shopping department’s bra sale and the show takes audience members through their shopping day, where the characters find commonalities and forge friendships – all the while, finding humor in their hot flashes, mood swings and other menopausal symptoms.

Glist said familiar tunes from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s are lyrically transformed into a musical parody that aligns with the story, such as when Mary Wells’ anthem “My Guy” turns into “My Thighs” and pokes fun at the physical changes that happen to women’s bodies when going through menopause.

Glist feels the story provides an honest, yet funny, depiction of the realities of menopause and the significance of women supporting one another through it.

“It’s not uncommon for a woman to strike up a conversation with another woman that she doesn’t know and discuss intimate details of her life,” she said. “It’s an integral part of the way women are wired.”

Jeanie Linders wrote the story having no prior production experience. Linders was, however, going through menopause and wanted to share her life experiences in a fun, lighthearted way. Glist said the rawness from her writing and desire to bring women together through menopause is evident in the script and transcends the stage to the audience.

“Women in the audience become the fifth character – shouting out lines and adding to the story,” she said. “Women leave the show with a feeling of camaraderie and even men leave the show with a better understanding and appreciation for what women go through.”

Glist said the show formed a partnership with Susan G. Komen last year, as a way to continue raising awareness for women’s issues. She said charitable causes have always been a part of the show; in the past they’ve made donations to support ovarian cancer and rebuild homes after Hurricane Katrina.

“Breast cancer is so rampant,” she said. “It is important that we committed to this cause.”

GFour Productions pledged to donate $50,000 to Susan G. Komen and also donate $2 from each ticket sold to support breast cancer research and services in the cities where it’s performed.

Glist and GFour Productions picked up “Menopause: The Musical” during its second year of production in 2002; it has since been produced for the last 13 years in 13 countries and 250 cities, and viewed by more than 11 million people.

Visit http://www.gfourproductions.com/show/18 for more information on “Menopause: The Musical.”

Posted in Entertainment/Creative Arts, Health and Wellness, Newspaper, South Charlotte Weekly, Traditional Journalism | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Weddington firefighters to make statement with Declaration

Posted on July 4, 2015 by crystalogormanwrites

The Charlotte Observer

Crystal O’Gorman

July 04, 2015

1942 lithographic replica of the Declaration of Independence on view

The Providence Volunteer Fire Department is hosting a public viewing of a 1942 lithographic replica of the Declaration of Independence at Hemby Station during July.

A special celebration was planned for Hemby Station, at 5025 Hemby Road, on the Fourth of July. Actor John Sexton of Monroe was to act as President John Adams and read the Declaration.

John “JB” Houston IV loaned PVFD the prized replica, along with a varnished wooden plaque of the U.S. Constitution, made by his mother, Betty Houston, a local artist and owner of BBH Arts and Crafts. Betty Houston made the plaque in the 1970s.

John Houston has a vast personal collection of historical documents and artifacts accumulated over more than 25 years.

“This is a great opportunity to show my support for Providence Volunteer Fire Department and share a piece of history with the community,” he said.

Houston said he purchased his copy of the Declaration of Independence from a Sportsman’s Guide catalog 25 years ago and kept it sealed in a plastic tube for 23 years before having it framed and displayed in his home.

This document is a replica of the Declaration created by Theodore Ohman, a Czech immigrant who used a photograph and copper engraving of the original document to design the replica. Copies similar to Ohman’s can be seen at Mooresville’s public library, and archived at the Library of Congress.

“We want to draw attention to our nation’s history while continuing to support a fire department that’s served our community for 61 years,” said John Houston III, Houston’s father and a PVFD board member.

With the July Fourth event, the Houstons have taken action to support the PVFD in a time of need. PVFD currently is pursuing legal action against Weddington for terminating its 10-year fire service agreement with the town after less than two years into the contract.

The Weddington Town Council voted 2-1, with Mayor Pro Tem Don Titherington absent, to cancel the FSA with PVFD and start a new contract with Wesley Chapel, during a special meeting April 28.

During the historical celebration July Fourth, the Houstons planned to give out “The Freedom Collection,” a book that contains copies of documents including the Pledge of Allegiance, the Gettysburg Address and the Bill of Rights, in exchange for $15 donations to benefit PVFD. Individual copies of the aforementioned documents, as well as T-shirts, also were available in exchange for donations.

The Houstons said they will continue to support the station and hope a new contract is struck, as the current contract is set to expire at the end of July.

PVFD Chief Kenny Schott said he was grateful the station could provide an educational experience for the community. “This is huge for us and for the citizens of Weddington, as we reflect on the Fourth of July and all that our forefathers fought for and achieved,” he said.

“We would love to do this every year – and we plan to be here every year to do it.”

Posted in Charlotte Observer, Civic and Government News, Events and Galas, Newspaper, Traditional Journalism | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

CMPD Chief Monroe bids farewell at Hood Hargett Breakfast Club

Posted on June 23, 2015 by crystalogormanwrites

South Charlotte Weekly

Posted by on June 22, 2015 in News

Monroe addresses retirement, the department’s standing

Chuck Hood (left) discusses CMPD Chief Rodney Monroe’s success in Charlotte. Crystal O’Gorman/SCW photo

More than 50 residents dined at The Palms at Phillip’s Place in SouthPark on June 4, a Thursday, during the Hood Hargett Breakfast Club’s farewell luncheon to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) Chief Rodney Monroe.

Monroe announced his resignation on May 18, adding he would officially step down on July 1. Monroe addressed attendees about the current state of the police department, and his reasons for retiring from the force.

“After seven years, now is a good time,” he said. “Your department and the city are in good hands and in a good state.”

Monroe has served in law enforcement for 36 years, spending 15 years as chief of police in three cities. Monroe added he is leaving to spend more time with his family.

“Finding the right time (to retire) is hard,” he said. “The suddenness came after a long deliberation with my family and I decided to retire now, especially since things are going well with the police department.”

The majority of his speech addressed the current state of the police department, where he reflected on the department’s efforts to rely on technology, as well as become more involved in the community.

Monroe cited the Democratic National Convention, held in Charlotte in 2008, as a catalyst for upgrading technology, which has continued to be a great resource benefiting the department by saving man hours and using resources more wisely.

“Camera access in public views allowed us to put that program on steroids to a tech system that allows tag readers and shot spotters to have 22-hours per day of crime surveillance,” he said.

There are 100 license plate readers throughout the city that help locate stolen automobiles, according to Monroe. He said car theft crime has decreased by 69 percent in seven years since the department began using this technology.

“When I first came here, people were more concerned about having their cars broken into and stolen and homes broken into than violent crimes,” said Monroe.

He also remarked how shot spotters use technology that pinpoints the sound of a gunshot to within a small proximity of its expected location.

“We get 10 to 15 calls per sound of a gunshot and it takes time to track down where it comes from, but the shot spotter gives the precise location and helps us pool our resources better,” he said.

Monroe believes the most valuable change the department has moved toward is becoming more community-focused. Under his leadership, the department started focusing on a division-centered model versus a central approach, making each division, such as South or University, the main connection to its corresponding community.

“Every community has different needs and conditions,” he said. “Every division can stand out on its own by making one person responsible for every neighborhood – having someone focused on your community level allows us to be more responsive to the community,” he said.

Monroe also mentioned the department’s community outreach efforts, where the police department works with local service providers to help repeat offenders get the help they need to prevent the cycle of crime.

Two of the department’s officers helped an 18-year-old boy, who had 17 arrests and dozens of charges, receive treatment for drug addiction. After his recovery, he got accepted to and eventually graduated from Central Piedmont Community College.

“Community outreach is important,” Monroe said. “We need to be out there everyday trying to understand what’s going on and working to prevent future problems.”

Monroe concluded he felt leaving while the department was at the “top of its game” was a good decision and he believes his replacement, which he said could be announced in the coming weeks, should come from within the department.

“We’ve been able to develop people to be the future one in charge,” he said.

Hood Hargett Breakfast Club members gave Monroe a standing ovation as the club’s owner, Chuck Hood, hugged Monroe and complimented him on a job well done.

The Hood Hargett Breakfast Club is a business development and networking group of more than 300 business and civic leaders at more than 48 events each year.

Jenn Snyder, executive director of the group, said Monroe has been active with Hood Hargett for the longevity of his time with the force.

“It’s a tremendous honor and we are forever grateful that he took the time to fit this into his schedule during his last 30 days as chief of police,” she said.

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One Voice chorus celebrates 25 years

Posted on June 23, 2015 by crystalogormanwrites

South Charlotte Weekly

Posted by on June 22, 2015 in News

Sotto Voce is an auditioned ensemble branch of One Voice, which is all-inclusive and doesn’t require auditions. Photo courtesy of One Voice

One Voice, a non-profit LGBT community choral group, continues to build on its mission to bring acceptance and understanding for the LGBT community through music.

“Music transcends – everybody loves music and the message in that music,” said Dan Cadle, president of One Voice.

Cadle said the group, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, continues to make an impact in the greater Charlotte community – something it has aimed to do since its formation in 1990.

Dan Kirsch, a former member of the Gay Men’s Chorus in Philadelphia, formed the group as the city’s first chorus dedicated to lesbian and gay people. Cadle joined in 1994 and said he was immediately impressed by the level of talent and leadership, but group members were often cautious about “coming out” to the larger community.

“People were very cautious and would only have their first names or initials printed (media and advertisements),” he said. “We had school teachers and professional people and people who were involved in regular churches that had real fears about job security and backlash.”

Despite the concern, several progressive churches and many community members regularly supported One Voice. Cadle mentioned how Myers Park Baptist and Holy Trinity Lutheran churches became normal practice and performance locations. He also said as word grew about the group’s talent, community members who were not directly involved with the group – such as friends and family members – became regular patrons at performances.

“When they come and see faces that they (community attendants) may or may not recognize – some people fit stereotypes and some don’t,” Cadle said. “It removes the stigma of the unknown.”

The group grew audience appeal while simultaneously doubling in membership. Since it’s inception, Cadle said the group also has grown to rally around bisexual and transgender people, but is quick to point out there’s still room for growth.

“We cannot talk about LGBT issues without recognizing the disheartening challenges faced by the transgender community, especially with the two recent local suicides,” he said. “We ‘ve come a long way, but we have a long way to go.”

One Voice currently has around 70 members with 17 identified as straight ally members, meaning they don’t belong to the LGBT community. Cadle said this has led to the personal transformation of many LGBT members who battled with their own homophobia. He said when someone who is straight stands and sings with an LGBT-labeled group and does not fear being labeled themselves, it encourages those who identify as LGBT to release their fears about discrimination and have the courage to be proud of themselves.

“A lot of the LGBT community want instant acceptance,” he said, “but it took us so long to accept ourselves. It takes time for it to sink in.

“We are always constantly struggling to be better.”

Cadle said One Voice also provides community outreach on LGBT issues. The nonprofit partnered with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library in the past to give a concert rendition of the children’s book, “Oliver Button is a Sissy,” as well as handing out free copies of the book to attending families. The book and concert addressed bullying, a prominent challenge for LGBT community members and children.

Cadle also mentioned partnerships with Urban Ministries and Time Out Youth, creating awareness through a documentary about the large LGBT homeless population – specifically youth and young adults who’ve been abandoned by family and friends because of their sexual orientation and gender identity, he said.

To celebrate 25 years, One Voice is preparing for its final concert of the season – a three-night performance of “Hollywood Squares: The Speakeasy Edition.” Performances take place Thursday through Saturday, June 18 through 20 at 8 p.m. at the Charlotte Ballet, located at 701 N. Tryon St. in uptown Charlotte.

Cadle said the show follows the plot of the famous television game show “Hollywood Squares,” featuring Drag Queen Barbara Burning Bush as the talk show host. Two audience members are selected as contestants who work to answer questions about the performance via business-sponsored squares, while also aiming to win the game show by getting a row of X’s or O’s. In between a contestant question and answer session, One Voice chorus and its ensemble group, Sotto Voce, will perform various songs from the prohibition era.

Cadle boasted the performance would be filled with costume changes, featuring suspenders, suits and flapper dresses, along with choreography and audience participation.

Gerald Gurss, artistic director of One Voice for seven years, said the prohibition era lends itself to an array of musical genres such as Broadway, country and jazz. Some examples of songs that will be performed include: “Hard Knock Life” from “Annie,” Duke Ellington and Beyonce Knowles mashup “It Don’t Mean a Thing/Single Ladies,” “Love is Here to Stay” by Gershwin and “Cell Block Tango” from “Chicago.”

Gurss feels One Voice “pioneers understanding for LGBT people” by finding commonalities through music.

“Our chorus is young, old, black, white, gay, straight, transgender, religious, secular, novice and professional,” he said. “It’s more than an excellent choral organization – it’s family.”

Visit One Voice at http://www.onevoicechorus.com to learn more about the group and purchase tickets for upcoming performances.

Posted in Entertainment/Creative Arts, Human Interest, Newspaper, South Charlotte Weekly, Traditional Journalism | Tagged , , | Leave a comment