A bold project is underway to construct 17 tiny homes to be delivered and installed before Christmas Eve to families in Western North Carolina ravaged by Hurricane Helene.
“Lowe’s actually started as a small business in Western North Carolina. For us to be able to give back to the community has been really important,” said Julie Yenichek, Lowe’s Sr. Director, Community Relations.
City Editor Jack, here. I had the opportunity to peek inside one of these tiny (and quite cozy) homes. Each home is 8-by-16 ft, complete with a kitchen, full bathroom, two full-sized beds, and running electricity. Great effort has been made to make each temporary shelter feel like a real home, with furnishings and decor curated by the Lowe’s design team.
Van Jams Songwriter Round | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Town Brewing | Free | Grab a drink and join this monthly showcase spotlighting local musicians.
Carolina Shag Beach Dance Lessons | 6:30-7:45 p.m. | Recreation Center - Providence Baptist Church | $10+ | Swing and learn the upbeat beach dance that originated in the Carolinas.
Tosco Music Holiday Party | 7:30 p.m. | Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts | $22+ | Celebrate an evening of music, featuring classic and contemporary songs of the season.
Tuesday, Dec. 17
A Very Merry Uptown Market | 4:30-9 p.m. | The Market at 7th Street | Cost of purchase | Shop for gifts from local and Western North Carolina vendors + taste wine flights and get photos with Santa and the Grinch.
Jumpman Invitational | 7 p.m. | Spectrum Center | $59+ | Feel “March Madness” a bit early, featuring the men of Florida vs. North Carolina + the women of Michigan vs. Oklahoma.
Pickleball Open Play | 12-2:30 p.m. | Recreation Center - Providence Baptist Church | $3 | Show friends your pickleball skills while having fun at these indoor courts.
Novels & Needles Meet-Up | 6-7 p.m. | That’s Novel Books | Free | Join fellow story lovers to discuss trending books while knitting and crocheting.
“Charlie Brown Christmas”| Times vary | Middle C Jazz Club | $32+ |Experience the classic multi-platinum album played in the spirit of The Vince Guaraldi Trio.
National homebuilder D.R. Horton Inc. recently purchased 97 acres of land along Waxhaw Highway for $7 million. The builder’s plan for the land remains TBD. D.R. Horton is among Mecklenburg County’s largest single-family homebuilders. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Closing
After 13 years in business, NoDa Brewing Co. will close its original Charlotte taproom at the end of the year. The brewery opened at 2229 N. Davidson St. in October 2011 and plans to expand in other locations — including a $5 million expansion for its flagship location at 150 W. 32nd St. which was completed earlier this year. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Transit
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster will request a $2 million budget from state lawmakers to fund a feasibility study on how to improve Carowinds Boulevard Corridor on Interstate 77. The study intends to kickstart efforts for a new interchange and more travel lanes to ease traffic congestion. (WSOC)
Cause
Vintage cargo transport plane “The Spirit of Freedom” is flying donated gifts from Lincolnton, NC to Toys For Tots organizers in Asheville (Hey, AVLtoday) for the holiday season. The Douglas C-54 Skymaster was used to drop supplies to civilians behind the Berlin Wall after World War II and is now one of only two left flying in the US. (Queen City News)
Health
Duke Health plans to acquire Lake Norman Regional Medical Center in the new year. The acquisition includes a 123-bed acute-care hospital, emergency care, labor and delivery services, cardiology, and outpatient imaging. (WCNC)
Arts
Iconic painting “The Sugar Shack” by NC native Ernies Barnes is now on display at The Mint Museum Uptown’s gallery until June 2025. The colorful painting depicting a scene from a 1952 segregated music hall in Durham, NC was the cover art for Marvin Gaye’s 1976 album “I Want You.” (The Charlotte Observer)
Eat
Prepare to taste nostalgia. Resident Culture Brewing Co.'s South End location is adding Harper’s Restaurant’s beloved chicken supremes to the menu. The iconic Queen City dish can be ordered from 3 to 10 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday. Harper’s Restaurant closed its popular SouthPark location back in July.
Try This
Framing memories this holiday season? Today is the last day to place custom framing orders at Framebridge in time for Christmas. Brick and mortar locations are now open in South End and Myers Park. Keep a close eye on Instagram to see CLTtoday’s experience.
Sports
The Panthers were favored to win against the Dallas Cowboys, but they came up short losing 30-14 at home. Go beyond the field for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Trending
Speaking of the Panthers... the team is partnering with American streetwear brand Golf Wang, owned by musician Tyler, the Creator. “Panthers by Golf” features t-shirts, bomber jackets, and sweatshirts for purchase. Apparel is now live to shop, and just in time for the holidays. (WCNC)
Feel Good
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Shop
These best-selling men’s flannel pajama pants are comfortable, warm, and soft to the touch. Hello, new favorite pants of the season.*
Category
History
❄️ It’s s(no)w laughing matter
Fortunately for tropical weather lovers, big snow storms aren’t common in the Charlotte area. | Photo via WCNC
Raise your hand if you remember Charlotte’s great snowfall of 2004.
ICYMI (or were just a wee snowflake at the time), here’s what happened: Snow started falling around 12 p.m. February 26, 2004, and the city came to a standstill when everyone left work and school at the same time. Another wave of snow fell that night into February 27.
It was a record setting storm, with 11.6 inches of snow falling in Charlotte — the third largest one-day total on record. The snow accumulation at Charlotte Douglas International Airport was 13.2 inches — the third biggest in city history.
Here are some more snowtable fast facts about Charlotte’s relationship with snow days.
A pair of high waisted joggers. They’re constructed with ultra-soft modal fabric, making them perfect for casual hangouts with friends + family over the holidays.
An incredible shout out to Lowe’s and the company’s partners for offering CLTtoday a tour to see their tiny home project. It will make all the difference for so many families this holiday season to have a refuge in the wake of Helene. Keep a close eye on Instagram today for a full tour inside one of these tiny homes.
