🌱 Free Health Services For Underserved Communities + YMCA Struggles

Hello all. It's me, Alexis Goring, your host of the Charlotte Patch newsletter — here to tell you all the most important things happening in town these days. Including updates on...

• A new program in Mecklenburg County offers free services to Black and brown communities as North Carolina officials continue to tackle mental health issues statewide.
• Charlotte is home to some of the most active and successful YMCAs in the country but the organization isn’t bouncing back from COVID-19 in the way it needs to.
• The Carolina Panthers have found their stop-gap quarterback, agreeing to a two-year, $10 million contract with unrestricted free agent Andy Dalton.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 66 Low: 48.

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Here are the top four stories in Charlotte today:

1. "A new program in Mecklenburg County offers free services to Black and brown communities as North Carolina officials continue to tackle mental health issues statewide. Village HeartBEAT is seeking solutions to the mental health crisis and working to gain trust in high priority ZIP codes. Village HeartBEAT is using the new pilot program, Bridge to Better Mental Health, to provide support for Black and brown communities," WCNC.com. (WCNC.com)
2. "Charlotte is home to some of the most active and successful YMCAs in the country but the organization isn’t bouncing back from COVID-19 in the way it needs to. Now leaders are trying to figure out a new business model for this community staple. The YMCA is a Charlotte institution and it is about to celebrate 150 years," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
3. "One afternoon toward the beginning of the school year, Yolanda Taylor noticed a “Banned Books” table at a Wake Forest bookstore. A fair housing attorney, she quickly saw the display was filled with titles featuring marginalized people – like the Black eighth-grade protagonist of the graphic novel “Class Act,” by Jerry Craft. Taylor serves on the board of Rolesville Charter Academy, her 12-year-old daughter’s school. In the past two years, she’s seen more parents statewide challenging books used in classrooms or available in the library there, especially books focused on racism or racial disparities," WBTV reports. (WBTV)
4. "The Carolina Panthers have found their stop-gap quarterback, agreeing to a two-year, $10 million contract with unrestricted free agent Andy Dalton, according to two people familiar with the situation. One of those people, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the deal can’t be signed until Wednesday, said the deal includes $8 million in guaranteed money. The Panthers traded up last week to get the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft and are almost certain to use it on a quarterback — a position that has seen repeated turnover over the past five seasons in Carolina," WCCB Charlotte reports. (WCCB Charlotte)

Today in Charlotte:

• Charlotte Regional Farmers Market (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
• Pop Up Picnic Park Date for Couples at Frazier Park (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
• Open Mic Night at Knight Theater (7:00 p.m.)
• Comedy Open Mic at Resident Culture Brewing Company (7:00 p.m.)
• Thursday Trivia at Lucky Dog Bark & Brew Charlotte (7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)
• Elijah Rosario performance at The Evening Muse (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Some of our South Division officers and members of the CMPD’s Aviation and K-9 Units enjoyed time as special guests for Police Day at Calvary Child Development Center in south Charlotte Tuesday morning. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department via Facebook)
• Congratulations to our brilliant Math 1 scholars who were recognized at our board meeting for their outstanding achievements! Your hard work and dedication have paid off, and we couldn't be prouder! (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• Sally Fanjoy (@fanjoylabrenz) is a visual artist working primarily in photography, videography, and light - how it falls, reflects, transmits, and connects. (ArtPop Street Gallery via Instagram)
• Get your questions ready. We’re hosting an all-new CMPD Recruitment Live this Thursday, March 16 at 12:00 p.m. Can’t watch it in real-time? Check here after the event to watch the replay. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department via Facebook)
• THIS WEEKEND: The original Star Wars trilogy comes to a dramatic conclusion at Return of the Jedi in Concert! Experience the film with John Williams’s epic score performed live at Belk Theater. Get tickets >> bit.ly/csojedi (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• North Meck High School's got talent! From paintings to sculptures, their student art show was a wonderful display of creativity. #YouthArtMonth #MusicInOurSchools (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• #WomensHistoryMonth Spotlight: CSO Violinists Monica Boboc & Tatiana Karpova, & Cellist Marlene Ballena. Outside of the CSO, these ladies perform with Chamber Music for All, an ensemble co-founded by Monica. (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• On March 21, the Charlotte Symphony and JCSU Choir come together to perform an inspiring program, including James Weldon Johnson's Lift Every Voice and Sing, at Johnson C. Smith University. Get tickets >> bit.ly/cso-jcsu (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• A couple weekends back, the VAPA Center (@thevapacenter) in Uptown, Charlotte celebrated their 1-year anniversary with a day-long celebration of open studios, art displays, and speaking engagements. (ArtPop Street Gallery via Facebook)
• Colorful. Moving. Ambitious. The Charlotte Master Chorale joins your CSO to perform Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 2, "Hymn of Praise," March 24 & 25 at Belk Theater. Save 50% with code SING today! >> bit.ly/mendelssohn2 (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• The Charlotte Planning, Design & Development Department is hosting a series of workshops in 2023 to involve residents in shaping the development of 14 specific areas of the city. Learn more about...(City of Charlotte Government via Facebook)
• ImaginOn's parking deck will be closed this Thursday (3/16) and Friday (3/17) while the facility's HVAC system is repaired. ImaginOn will remain open during regular hours. For more information on parking at ImaginOn...(Charlotte Mecklenburg Library via Facebook)
• Want to learn how to use a 3D printer, laser cutter, or CNC routers? Sign up for upcoming trainings and workshops at https://bit.ly/3l2E2xg (UNC Charlotte Atkins Library via Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you around!

— Alexis Goring

About me: My name is Alexis A. Goring. I'm an East Coast Girl with a pulse for people, news and feature stories! I've worked as a freelance writer/editor/proofreader in the media industry for 15 years. I'm also a published author, experienced blogger, and founder of Writer at Heart Editorial Services. Visit my website for more details about me and my work. Here's the link: https://alexisagoring.jimdofree.com.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Charlotte Patch newsletter? Contact me at charlotte@patch.com