Taiwo Jaiyeoba Has A Quick Smile, an Infectious Laugh and a Long-Term Plan

A Quick Smile and a Long-Term Plan for Charlotte

How well do we know our city’s leaders? We know what they do, but do we have insights into who they are? This week’s Biscuit Podcast gives us unique insight into the man behind the plan — the City’s 2040 plan — Taiwo Jaiyeoba, city planner and assistant city manager. Following last Friday’s CreativeMornings/Charlotte meeting, Matt Olin & Tim Miner recorded a can’t-miss conversation with Taiwo about his journey to the US from Nigeria and his love for the Queen City.

Inspired by Halloween, Andy Goh asks Charlotteans what scares them about the city and takes us on his journey through Hola Charlotte and Festival of India, which took over Tryon Street together last weekend. Dig in!

PHOTO CREDIT: Seed20

Time is Running Out to Plant Your SEED

If you’re planning on applying to be a member of the SEED20 Class of 2020, you better get on it. Applications are due on 10/31 to be part of this training/fundraising program. New and established nonprofits alike are invited to apply. For those selected, coaching starts in January and will culminate in SEED20 OnStage, where the 10 finalists will present for a chance to win $20,000, like Foster Village did this year. (Pictured above.) Apply to be part of the SEED20 Class of 2020.

Been Caught Muraling …

In Charlotte, it’s mural time. Talking Walls is in full swing and freelance artists are undertaking work of their own in surprising places. Walking around Uptown this week, we bumped into Sydney Duarte – AKA @traveling_gypsy – starting a new mural on the side of the Spirit Square. The project was commissioned by Charlotte Center City Partners and is Sydney’s take on perspective. When finished, it will feature a figure inspired by a friend of hers from Norway and the quote “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” She expects to be finished Sunday morning, culminating in an event on-site at 11am open to the public.

Pictured above: @traveling_gypsy and @smashton

Time To Put It All On The Table

We all have thoughts about the future of Charlotte. But, are we ready to put them on the table? Well, the time is Oct. 23.

Led by Leading on Opportunity and supported by the Knight Foundation, this year’s On The Table discussions will center on “Finding Home: Where Do I Belong?” Participants are asked to explore what it means to feel at home in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.

There are breakfasts, lunches, dinners and coffees popping everywhere in Charlotte next Wednesday, but our Biscuit bakers will be taking part in a morning discussion led by Leading on Opportunity at the Carole Hoefener Center at 615 East 6th Street. Please join us & share your thoughts.

Dr. OJ’s Got The Juice

We’ve got a juicy secret for you … we know where to get the best OJ in town. In March, Akeem Streater – AKA Dr. O.J. – decided to provide Charlotte with a simple, fresh and healthy path to wellness — by bottling fresh organic orange juice and lemonade. Each morning, Dr. O.J. wakes up to make a fresh batch of juice using a cold-press juicing method that allows the juices to retain the maximum amount of nutrients and flavor from the fruit. We caught up with him about how he got started and what he’s planning next.

Doctor Biscuit’s orders: Read up, then drink up.

According to the Charlotte Observer, a man visiting the Outer Banks last month recorded a cluster of 14 glowing orbs in the sky while crossing the Pamlico Sound on a ferry. Replies to his posted video were split as to whether the lights were bona fide UFOs or just flares used by the military. Since the Tar Heel State is one of the most active places in the country for UFO reports, we decided to get some insightful quotes from the stock photos below.

Charlotte’s new Mistress of Music, Joni Deutch, has dropped another audio exploration of the Queen City music scene on the latest intallment of her podcast, Amplifier on WFAE. This week, she spent time with CLT hip hop mainstay, Elevator Jay. You can dig into his music on Soundcloud. We’re pretty much hooked on Jay’s jam, “Blank” featuring III and Lute … and that’s what we’ll be listening to all day long.

On Thursday, Oct. 17, the co-working community of Hygge celebrated four years in Charlotte at a very special Zero Night. A crowd of 200+ packed Not Just Coffee Jay Street (part of Hygge’s fourth location) to hear short talks from Gerard Littlejohn, Julia Fay, Josh Jacobson, Keia Mastrianni, Tamara LaValla, Garrett Tichy on why they’re grateful AF. If you weren’t able to join in, no worries. We were and we’re happy to give you a little taste of the good stuff that was shared.

“I don’t think opportunity is funded. It’s created. It is a gift. What are you going to do with the opportunity in front of you? How can you create opportunity for someone else?” – Gerard Littlejohn
“I have a seat at the table. And, I bring people with me. ” – Gerard Littlejohn
“I was going to have to be my best friend — the soother I wanted to hear.” – Julia Fay on conquering her fears
“I love sweater vests. It’s an amazing day.” – Josh Jacobson
“I’m terrible at celebrating. That’s time I could use to get started on more shit.” – Tamara LaValla
“This city has loved me in a way I can never repay.” – Garrett Tichy

What’s the last thing you’d expect to see in a bookstore? We’ll give you a second to answer… if you said a single propeller airplane being piloted by two giant stuffed bears, then you are oddly specific and have likely been to Book Buyers in Plaza Midwood. The #OGclt book shop has graced the Plaza since 1999. If you’re in the market to buy or sell used books and want a store with charm, a bit of history, and a pair of bookstore cats that roam the aisles, then Book Buyers is the place for you.

This Queen City exploration is powered by OrthoCarolina.

Don’t go around hungry, y’all. If you missed the last batch of The Biscuit, don’t worry. We’ve kept it warm for you. We build our Biscuits for maximum freshness. Our Oct. 15 batch addressed Matt’s passion for the A LOT that Charlotte’s got, an update on the Park Terrace sign and cats and dogs living together. So, basically, mass hysteria. Click here to dig in, y’all.

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