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Food
🍸 Sleigh the season
There’s something extra festive about a gingerbread cookie in a drink. | Photo by CLTtoday
It’s that time of year, Queen City. Cocktail bars and restaurants around Charlotte are hosting pop-ups, offering bites, drinks, and local gifts to sleigh the holiday season.
Santa’s Favorite Watering Hole | Wednesday, Nov. 12-Sunday, Jan. 4 | Vinyl | The music-themed restaurant and cocktail bar boasts muted yet over-the-top decor, sparkling lights, ornaments everywhere, and a rock-and-hip-hop holiday soundtrack to pair with festive cocktails.
The SS Sippin Santa has docked at The Royal Tot.
Photo by CLTtoday
Sippin’ Santa | Monday, Nov. 17-Wednesday, Dec. 31 | The Royal Tot | Order crafted cocktails in themed tiki mugs, like a shark with a hat, nutcracker, and more — plus, you can buy a mug to take home.
Holiday cocktails | Friday, Nov. 28-Tuesday, Dec. 30 | Nuvole Rooftop TwentyTwo | Savor the flavors of the season while being surrounded by the twinkling lights of the Charlotte skyline.
Santa’s Shed | Thursday-Sunday through Sunday, Dec. 28 | The Goodyear House | Try festive cocktails, s’mores, and families have the opportunity to write letters to Santa before his visit on Dec. 9.
A large mixed-use development could be coming to East Charlotte. Republic Development Group proposed an estimated $300 million, 35-acre project that will include housing, office space, retail, a hotel, and greenway enhancements near Briar Creek, Independence, and Monroe roads. There’s no timeline on the project yet.
Transportation
The Metropolitan Transit Commission had its first meeting since voters approved the new transit sales tax. The meeting looked at how CATS is performing and what needs to improve, including tap-and-go payment technology, digital transfer flexibility, and pass programs. (WCNC)
Job
Fit Precast, an industrial concrete products manufacturer, will build its headquarters in Gastonia, creating 125 jobs. The new manufacturing facility is expected to open at the end of 2027.
Quoted
“It’s safe to say I bleed Carolina Panthers blue.” The Panthers and country star Luke Combs teamed up for a limited-edition merch collection curated by the Huntersville singer. All net proceeds from the vintage-inspired line will go to Western North Carolina charities, including Manna Food Bank, Second Harvest, and Samaritan’s Purse.
Travel
American Airlines is launching two new routes starting in February. The airline will take off from Charlotte Douglas International Airport and head to Shenandoah Valley Airport and Greenbrier Valley Airport. (The Charlotte Observer)
Sports
Speaking of the Panthers... Will Sunday’s game bring the Panthers another step closer to the playoffs? Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Is joint pain slowing you down? Novant Health invites you to take a quick Orthopedic Health Risk Assessment to learn what’s causing your discomfort and explore treatment options available near you. Take the quiz + get back to moving with confidence.*
Are you taking advantage of all the savings opportunities for adults ages 50+? This list of tips can support your continued saving and help build additional wealth.*
Category
Cause
❤️ Help fight food insecurity
Food Lion supports the Nourish Up Food Lion Feeds Pantry with donations, equipment, and volunteers. | Photo by Paul Lange
Looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community? Supporting local food banks is one of the most direct ways to help neighbors who may be facing food insecurity.
Here are six food banks in the area where your donations — whether they’re food, funds, or volunteer hours — can make a difference.
This nonprofit’s mission is to deliver nutritious food to neighbors through the largest network of food pantries in North Carolina. Volunteer to be a driver for their Meals on Wheels program, or donate to the cause.
ourBRIDGE for KIDS
If teaching or planning events is your passion, ourBRIDGE serves as an after-school and family support group that helps refugee and immigrant families and children.
Lifetime language learning in Babbel’s biggest sale of the year, with access to all fourteen languages 65% off for Black Friday. Think: Bite-sized lessons, easy-to-grasp grammar, bingeable podcasts, and interactive speaking practice, all simple to fit into your everyday routine. Fuel your own curiosity or grab the 65% off deal as a holiday gift for a loved one.*
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Thanksgiving is near, and preparing can be quite the undertaking. As for a Charlotte-inspired side dish, 38% voted for mac and cheese, 34% chose collard greens, and 21% said sweet potato casserole best represents the QC. Hopefully this poll gave you some inspo.
I think it’s so cool that Luke Combs helped curate the Panthers’ new merch. Personally, I’m eyeing this T-shirt — the retro vibes of the font and logo are calling my name and a space in my closet.
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