🌱 FabFest Pays Tribute To The Beatles + Local Man Died In Ukraine War

Hello, Charlotte! It’s me, Alexis Goring, your host of the Daily. Here’s what you need to know about what’s happening in town.

First, today’s weather:

A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 92 Low: 76.

Here are the top five stories in Charlotte today:

1. FabFest, a “tribute to the Fab Four” (The Beatles) is held annually in Charlotte. According to WCNC, “fans gathered from across the universe at Central Piedmont Community College‘s Parr Center and the Knight Theater on Friday and Saturday to celebrate the music made famous by those four lads from Liverpool. FabFest 2022 featured performances from touring Beatles tribute bands, a concert from Micky Dolenz of the Monkees, an art contest, vendors selling Beatles merchandise, a Beatles cover song contest, movie screening rooms, guest speakers and an array of activities.” (WCNC.com)
2. The City of Charlotte wants transit-oriented neighborhoods with basically no paved parking spaces. City leaders want people to travel by bus, light rail or walking instead of driving. However, there is an issue. According to WBTV, “Despite the fact that Charlotte wants to be less car-reliant, the city, in overhauling its development regulations, is still requiring developers to include a minimum number of parking spots in many new projects, especially those near residential neighborhoods. Some leaders feel the city’s not ready to completely erase its minimum requirements for spaces.” (WBTV)
3. Luke Lucyszyn, a man who lived in the Carolinas, died fighting in the war in Ukraine last week. According to WBTV, a mother said her son was killed fighting in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine last week. He graduated from West Brunswick High School in North Carolina and moved to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina before traveling to Ukraine. Kathy Lucyszyn, mother of Luke, said he “had grandparents who were born in Ukraine and he had also noticed how much help the people of Ukraine needed.” Kathy said that was the reason why her son went overseas to help the Ukrainians fight. (WBTV)
4. According to WFAE, “a statewide initiative aimed at increasing access to mental health services for children and youth launches this week. The NC Voices Amplified program plans to recruit and train individuals with lived mental health challenges as specialists in every North Carolina county.” This initiative is meant to help address the mental health crisis that is prevalent in youth. WFAE reported, “The coronavirus pandemic exacerbated challenges that already existed, including increasing rates of depression and suicidal behavior in youth.” (WFAE)
5. According to WBTV, “an 18-year-old wanted by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police for a deadly northeast Charlotte shooting earlier this month was arrested Monday morning after leading York County, S.C. deputies on a chase.” Police reported that Angel Manuel Basurto-Mendoza was identified as a suspect in the death Vladimir Antonio Garcia. WBTV reported that,”Basurto-Mendoza was arrested shortly after 9 a.m. on July 25 by York County Sheriff’s deputies following a vehicle chase into the county.” (WBTV)

Today in Charlotte:

• North Mecklenburg Farmers Market (7 a.m. to noon)
• Center City Green Market (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
• Mall Walkers’ Breakfast (9 to 10 a.m.)
• Food Truck Lunch in Southpark at Fairview Plaza (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
• The Bulb Mobile Markets @ Grier Heights Community Center (4 to 5 p.m.)
• Karaoke Night at Picture Project CLT Selfie Museum (5 to 8 p.m.)
• EXPLORE: Beginner Guitar Workshops – Arts & Science Council (5:30 to 7 p.m.)
• Big Green Egg Southern Cooking in Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen (6 to 9 p.m.)
• Open Mic Night at Jambox (6:30 to 9 p.m.)
• Ed Bassmaster performance at The Comedy Zone (7 p.m.)
• Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift at The Barrel Room at Triple C Brewing (7 p.m.)
• Kristin Randles – Norah Jones Tribute at Middle C Jazz (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• A HUGE thank you to some great restaurants, organizations and individuals who provided meals for our free summer programs for kids: Camp Ignite and Camp Hornet’s Nest. (Charlotte Fire Department, Charlotte NC via Facebook)
• Found a rabbit! Contact 704-631-8512 (CMPD Animal Care and Control via Facebook)
• You will never be without friends at Summer Camp, especially with our incredible Teaching Artists. (Children’s Theatre of Charlotte via Facebook)
• As is mentioned in this article from Axios Charlotte, we’re advocating for *zero* parking minimums for new developments within 700 feet of transit stations. Why? Parking minimums drive up the costs of building affordable housing…(Sustain Charlotte via Facebook)
• Only 1 week left to BOGO 50% OFF holiday performances with your CSO! Save on tickets for immersive family-friendly concerts, like Holiday Pops & Cirque de Noël, when you buy before July 31. Learn more >> bit.ly/csoholidays (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• Preparing our children for the future. Aᴘᴘʟʏ Nᴏᴡ! >> https://bit.ly/3zXElkF (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools via Facebook)
• A proclamation from Queen Charlotte for Summer Break: Alas, ‘tis the end of summer, and I’m here to claim completion prizes for the whole family. My tiny arms will be absolutely stuffed with quality children’s literature! (Charlotte Mecklenburg Library via Facebook)
• One year ago, 24-year-old Alexis Wilkins was hit and killed by a driver who fled the scene in the 500 block of Mallard Creek Church Road. The search continues for the driver who ended her life. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department via Facebook)
• Is your neighborhood looking for help? Sign up for our Neighborhood Board Retreat happening on August 20. The Retreat is an opportunity for you to connect with your neighbors and work together to bring about positive change. (City of Charlotte Housing & Neighborhood Services via Facebook)
• We’ve noticed an influx of stray cats and kittens around our house. Are there any rescues that trap, spay/neuter and release them? Or what is the best way to help them and keep them from reproducing? (Nextdoor)
• Adorable cat found in Ballantyne at Estates of Ballantyne. He had an injury on his back leg which looks like a snake bite. I took him to the vet and got antibiotic and pain med shots and flea medication (and no microchip). (Nextdoor)
• I’m selling my Gold’s Gym exercise bike! Please DM if you are interested in buying it. Pick up ONLY. No delivery available. (Nextdoor)
• Please help me find my cat. He’s a ginger color male. He lives outside. (Nextdoor)
• Calling all Instacart and/or personal grocery shoppers! I am curious to hear people who do this for money their opinion. (Nextdoor)