Plus, plan your eclipse watch now.
 
04.03.2024 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Weather

72º | 60% chance of precipitation | Sunrise 7:06 a.m. | Sunset 7:47 p.m. | Full Weather Report | Traffic Report
 

A Message From Our Team
Ding, ding, ding. That’s the sound of two $500 cash prize winners. Congratulations to randomly-selected subscriber, Debra R., and our current top referring subscriber, Joey P. Didn’t win this time? Stay tuned for more giveaways.
 

📚 The limit (of services) does not exist

Check out more than books at the library
A brick sign showing Charlotte Mecklenburg Library's SouthPark regional branch in front of the brick building and parking lot.
The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has 22 open branch locations across the county, with the Main branch under construction in Uptown. | Photo by CLTtoday
Did you know April 7-14 is National Library Week? To showcase the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and all it has to offer, we’re sharing services you may not know about.

First, you need a library card. Mecklenburg County residents can get a library card for free. If you live nearby, a card comes with an annual fee. Pro tip: be sure to bring your photo ID or driver’s license + a piece of mail with your address (like a utility bill).

If you want a card but don’t live or own property in Mecklenburg County, you can apply for a non-resident card. Online applications are available and there is a $45 annual fee.

Without further adieu, here are some services they provide to the community:

Libby and Hoopla

Having a library card means free access to Libby and Hoopla. Hoopla has a catalog of audiobooks, eBooks, movies, music, graphic novels, and comics.

Libby is similar to Hoopla. It offers free eBooks, digital audiobooks, and magazines.

Both are available in your favorite app store for downloading onto phones, tablets, and computers. Editor’s note: you will need to make an account to access available content.

A person standing in front of a table with someone smiling behind it, providing information on the library's offerings.

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library offers more than books, eBooks, audiobooks, and movies.

|

Photo via Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

Conversation Clubs

Many libraries across the county have informal group meetings called “Conversation Clubs.” During this event, people meet at the library and converse in another language.

“I would say English and Spanish are our biggest clubs” says Chantez Neymoss, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s Senior Program Manager. “We do have Arabic at our Independence library branch. We also have a club for American Sign Language.”

If speaking to others is overwhelming, you can learn on your own through Transparent Language. This is similar to Duolingo. It gives users the chance to listen, read, write, and speak in 110 languages.

Book Clubs

Did you know the library offers pre-built book club kits? Each kit contains 10 books and discussion questions for your next club meeting. The bags can be requested at any library location, just like requesting a regular book.

“A lot of our book clubs we do virtually, so you can join from zoom,” says Neymoss. “We actually have people that join our book clubs and other events from all over the world. They found us during the pandemic and just enjoy talking with other people from different countries in different cities.”
Check out 6 more
Asked

What’s your favorite item to check out at the library?
A. Books - I love turning those pages
B. Movies - I always find the best films
C. Music - I’m always listening to something
D. Audiobooks - The dramatic readings give me chills
E. eBooks - It’s easier than carrying stacks of books
F. Other
Turn the page
Events
Wednesday, April 3
  • Immersive Garden Mornings | Wednesday, April 3 | 9-10:30 a.m. | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Rd., Belmont | $20-$30 | Connect with nature while enjoying a leisurely morning in the garden.
  • Eggspectation - Ribbon Cutting Event | Wednesday, April 3 | 10-11 a.m. | Eggspectation, 14815 Ballantyne Village Way Ste. #150, Charlotte | Celebrate the grand opening of this new dining spot while sampling an extensive menu.
  • Charlotte StrEATs Uncorked | Wednesday, April 3 | 6-9 p.m. | Johnson & Wales, 801 W. Trade St., Charlotte | $65-$75 | Sample North Carolina wines while local chefs serve regional dishes.
  • Lauren Graham | Wednesday, April 3 | 7:30 p.m. | Booth Playhouse, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte | $0-$34.50 | The “Gilmore Girl” is celebrating the launch of her new book “Have I Told You This Already?” with a sold-out crowd.
Thursday, April 4
  • Yoga for Wellbeing | Thursday, April 4 | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Union West Regional Library, 123 Unionville-Indian Trail Rd., Indian Trail | Embrace the calm of the library while stretching your body and mind during this monthly event.
  • Elle King | Thursday, April 4 | 8 p.m. | The Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd., Charlotte | $53 | The “Ex’s and Oh’s” singer will have you singing and dancing at this intimate venue.
Friday, April 5
  • Carolina BBQ Festival 2024 | Friday, April 5 | 6 p.m. | Victoria Yards, 209 E. 7th St., Charlotte | $75-$199 | Your mouth will water as you try barbecue from 15 pitmasters cooking for a cause.
  • Science on Screen | Friday, April 5 | 6-9 p.m. | Discovery Place Science, 301 N. Tryon St., Charlotte | $0-$14 | Enjoy a captivating discussion with experts followed by a screening of “Apollo 13" in the museum’s theater.
  • Theresa Caputo Live: The Experience | Friday, April 5 | 7:30 p.m. | Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte | $54.75-$104.75 | Prepare for goosebumps as the medium brings her sass, wit, and skill to the stage, connecting the audience with loved ones from beyond.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
News Notes
Weather
  • Severe weather is possible Wednesday morning. WCNC Charlotte Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich says there’s a chance for damaging winds due to an approaching cold front. The storm is expected to move out of our area after 9 a.m. (WCNC)
Community
  • Sustain Charlotte is working to grow bicycle lanes around the city. The organization is collecting signatures to ask the City of Charlotte to increase its budget for bicycle programs from $4 million to $10 million. The money would be used to build 10 bike lanes every year, finishing the network by 2040. (WCNC)
Announced
  • Switchyards, an Atlanta-based co-working company, will open two locations in the Queen City. The office at 1125 Belmont Ave. will open Thursday, May 16. The office at 4000 Monroe Rd. in Oakhurst will open Thursday, June 6. Memberships will include meeting rooms, bottomless coffee, and access 24 hours a day.
Closing
  • Pour one out for our friends. Weathered Souls is closing its South End taproom. The brewery was the first Black-owned brewery in the Queen City when it opened in November 2022. Last call will be Saturday, April 6, 12-7 p.m. (WCNC)
Concert
Shop
  • Louis Vuitton is now open at SouthPark Mall. The store was under renovation for six months. The expanded store now features women’s and men’s clothing, a new facade, and on-site leather hot stamping. (Charlotte Observer)
Real Estate
  • Talk about curb appeal. Rack Room Shoes CEO Mark Lardie sold his Eastover home for $3.3 million. Lardie and his wife bought the home in June 2017 for $1.9 million. The French Renaissance-style, five bedroom, five and two-half bathroom home is already under contract. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Feel Good
  • Charlotte Douglas temporarily added a miniature horse to its volunteer canine crew. Kiwi is part of Stampede of Love, a nonprofit organization that spreads awareness about animal therapy. The temporary addition was part of an April Fools’ Day prank that left travelers smiling.
Sports
  • All eyes are on the Tar Heels’ roster following the end of the team’s NCAA run. Who will stay and who will go? Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Tar Heels with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
    Edu
    • Want to spend a week in the mountains learning a new skill? This summer, join other adults of all ages just outside of Asheville for Warren Wilson College’s Mountain Institute for Lifelong Learning, offering 25-week-long intensive workshops about arts, crafts, writing, natural science, history, and multimedia. Learn more + register.*
     
    Outdoors

    🌒 Total Partial eclipse of the heart

    Make the most of the partial eclipse
    FTW-Total Solar Eclipse
    Check out these prime viewing spots for the total solar eclipse on April 8. | Photo by NASA/Aubrey Gemignani
    On Monday, April 8, a total solar eclipse, known as the Great North American Eclipse, will briefly leave millions of people in the dark. Charlotte will experience a partial eclipse, which means 80% of the wonder will grace our skies.

    You’ll need special eclipse glasses to watch without damaging your eyes. Look for glasses rated by the American Astronomical Society. The films are darker than those of regular sunglasses and will protect your eyes.

    There are opportunities around Charlotte to see the spectacle:
    • Discovery Place Science, 301 N. Tryon St., Charlotte | Eclipse glasses will be available to general admission guests and members.
    • Lake Norman State Park, 1412 State Park Rd., Statesville | A limited supply of eclipse glasses will be available.
    • Grandfather Mountain, 2025 Blowing Rock Hwy., Linville | The first 100 guests get a pair of glasses with admission.
    If you want to head to a local park, find an area with little tree cover, like Freedom Park or Romare Bearden Park.

    The next solar eclipse will be in 2044. The next eclipse where Charlotte will experience darkness will be in May 2078.
    The Buy
    A variety of snacks for runners and bikers. The Fuel Goods Collection offers boxes filled with food that will fuel your lifestyle.
    Answered

    Last Friday, we asked “Do you want an MLB team in Charlotte?” and here’s what you said:
    A brown, leather glove holding a baseball with green stitching with the words "CLT Today" in the middle.

    Could Charlotte be home to a new MLB team? Just read our pitch.

    |

    Graphic by 6AM City


    Our readers overwhelmingly want an MLB team in the Queen City.

    Steven J. said “I’ve always been a huge baseball fan! There are no MLB teams in the east between DC (Washington Nationals) and Atlanta (Braves). Charlotte is the perfect home for a new team.”

    Julia A. said “I love the Knights, but would love even more to take our team to the next level. Plus, it’s good visibility for the city!”

    So, the readers have spoken. Only time will tell if Charlotte will get its chance in the sun.
    Share CLTtoday
     
    ReferralGIF1-CLT (1).gif

    Share the good news. Get rewarded.

    Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

    {{profile.vars.rh_reflink_29}}
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email

    {{profile.vars.rh_totref_29}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.
    Claim your rewards
     
    6AM City In-house
     
    The Wrap
     
    Headshot of CLTtoday author Maria Delgado

    Today’s edition by:
    Maria
    From the editor
    Off Leash at the Whitewater Center did not disappoint! My partner and I took one of our dogs and he absolutely enjoyed it. Highly recommend if you own dogs and want to enjoy the sunshine.

    A dog running along a trail off-leash, with his tongue out.
    Missed our previous newsletter?     ›
    Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback     ›
    Advertise     ›
    Shop     ›
     
     
    Feedback on Today's Newsletter

    Did you like today’s newsletter?

    😍 Loved it 🙂 Solid effort 😞 Changes needed
     
     

    Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

    Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

    Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

    P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

    ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY