Carolina Wildlife Conservation Center is rehabilitating fox kits this spring. | Photo via Carolina Wildlife Conservation Center
Chances are you’ve never been part of a baby shower as wild as this one.
As spring brings new life,Carolina Wildlife Conservation Center (CWCC) is hosting a virtual baby shower now through Monday, April 28. The event aims to help purchase specialized formula, food, and medications for dozens of baby animals, including red fox kits, Virginia opossums, eastern cottontail rabbits, and eastern box turtles.
Keep a close eye on rabbit nests in your backyard this spring.
Photo via Carolina Wildlife Conservation Center
Wildlife warriors
Since opening in 2019, CWCC has rescued over 10,000 wild animals from across North Carolina. Sick and orphaned critters are rehabilitated with the goal of being returned to the wild.
Spring is the busiest time of year for CWCC, assquirrels, rabbits, raccoons, foxes, opossums, and deer have their babies around springtime, making it CWCC’s busiest time of year.
Food for thought: CWCC anticipates supporting over 1,000 baby animals in 2025.
Easter Centerpieces: DIY Floral Arranging Class | 4:30-6 p.m. | Lovingly Charlotte | $103+ | Learn the fundamentals of floral design before impressing your dinner guests with an eye-catching centerpiece.
SouthPark After 5 | 5-9 p.m. | Symphony Park | Cost of purchase | SouthPark’s weekly outdoor party is back with live music, food trucks, and hands-on art experiences for everyone.
Fine Wine Tasting: Thomas Brown Wines | 7-8:30 p.m. | Southern Spirits, Indian Land, SC | $20 | Spend an evening sipping rich flavors and aromas crafted by the renowned winemaker, Thomas Brown.
Tianyu Lights Festival Charlotte | 7:30 p.m. | 8111 Concord Mills Blvd., Concord | $17+ | Be dazzled by 25 larger-than-life, handcrafted luminous art installations.
Saturday, April 19
Goat Yoga | 10-11 a.m. | Graham Cabin at Dairy Barn Entrance, Anne Springs Close Greenway, Fort Mill, SC | $34+ | We’re not kidding — soothe your mind and body with goats all around you.
Charlotte Grilled Cheese Festival | 1-4 p.m. | SouthEnd Station | $20 | What could be more fun than cheesy bites and mingling with your favorite people?
Salute To Heroes Hockey | 3 p.m. | Bojangles Coliseum | $18+ | Watch Charlotte Fire and Medic facing off against CMPD and the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office in a friendly game honoring fallen first responders.
Charlotte FC vs. San Diego FC | 7 p.m. | Bank of America Stadium | $40+ | Watch the Crown play for a home turf win against their West Coast rival.
Winston-Salem in bloom: Your spring road trip itinerary
Presented by Visit Winston-Salem
From historic landmarks and rich museums, to innovative art exhibits, festivals, and dining, Winston-Salem has something for everyone. | Photos provided by Visit Winston-Salem
Spring fever have you itching for a getaway? Winston-Salem is brimming with history, art, culture, and delectable dining — and it’s only a short drive from Charlotte.
It’s impossible to see and do everything Winston-Salem has to offer in one weekend, so we started an itinerary to help you make the most of it:
Stretch your legs at Reynolda House Museum of Art, one of Southern Living’s 25 Best Places to Go in the South this year, and experience the iconic gardens in full bloom
The Katie Blessing Center is breaking ground on an upcoming pediatric and adolescent behavioral health facility in East Charlotte next Tuesday. The center at 5516 Central Ave. promises 48 acute inpatient beds and a six-chair behavioral health urgent care. It’s anticipated to open in spring 2026.
Development
Opinions are mixed about bringing a 62-home development to a nearly 167-acre property along Weddington Road. Some neighbors expressconcern about its potential impact on local wildlife, especially a pair of nesting bald eagles. City leaders will vote on the project’s future on May 12. (WCNC)
Shop
Camp North End’s farmers market returns Wednesday, April 23 on the Ford Green Turf. Every Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m., visitors can eat, shop, and explore from 15+ local farmers, ranchers, food artisans, crafters, and retailers. The markets run through October.
Try This
Lovin’ Life Music Fest launched its 2025 mobile app ahead of the festival taking over First Ward Park May 2-4. The free app is available on iOS and Android + provides a full schedule, personalized itinerary, and an interactive map for stages, food and beverage vendors, restrooms, and merchandise. Need more help? Check out our City Guide.
Ranked
Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center is one of the top 100 hospitals in the country. The hospital also received the 2025 Everest Award for achieving the most significant long-term growth over five years — one of 17 hospitals in the country to do so, and the only hospital in North Carolina.
Number
4.8 million — that’s how many REAL IDs have been issued since May of 2017 in North Carolina. To date, just about 50% of NC drivers have them. The looming May 7 deadline has caused long lines at NCDMVs statewide. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Sports
Learn more about the Panthers’ draft options with The Athletic’s Joe Person. Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Health
Remember when back surgery sounded terrifying? Good news — that’s old news. Thanks to major tech advances, today’s treatments are far less painful and way more effective. Even better: You can help prevent back pain altogether with a few simple tips.*
Featured Deal
Calling all small business owners. Features in our 2025 Parents Gift Guide are now 20% off. Secure a spot for your business’s product or service by using code PGG2025 at checkout.
More tiny homes are being sent to Helene survivors in Western North Carolina. | Photo by CLTtoday
Six months after historic and destructive flooding, the Charlotte-area response continues to help Western North Carolina recover from Hurricane Helene.
Charlotte-based Lowe’s announced a $2 million investment to continue supporting disaster recovery efforts, with an additional $1 million to build additional temporary homes needed to reach remote and rural parts of the state.
You may remember Lowe’sraced to build and deliver tiny homes to survivors before Christmas Eve. The response led to the creation and deliveryofmore than 20 tiny homes for people still in need.
Each tiny home comes with a functioning kitchen, bathroom, and bunk beds.
And that’s not all. On Friday, May 2, Lowe’s will reopen its East Asheville store, just seven months after flood damage from Helene forced the location to close its doors, and more than 100 of the store’s original employees will return to the store they call home.
The Buy
Really cute waterdrop earrings, with one pair of gold and one pair of silver for $12.99. The minimalist earrings hug ears + look heavy while feeling surprisingly lightweight.
The Tony Award-winning musical “Kimberly Akimbo” is now playing at Belk Theatre in Uptown and I got a backstage pass performance. Keep a close eye on Instagram for my interview with the cast.
