Thomas Jefferson Didn’t Know Jack (Captain James Jack, That Is …)
Charlotte’s sanitation workers keep us from being a mess.Trash and recycling collection is a difficult job. And the job has been a lot harder these past few months as we are all at home generating more garbage, more empty Amazon boxes and more yard waste after we mow our lawn for the millionth time because we’ve run out of things to do. We appreciate the hard work and dedication that our city’s sanitation workers are putting into their jobs. We know it’s often a thankless job. So, we want to say that we see you, we respect you, and we thank you. Now, we are asking for the Charlotte creative community to help us say “Thank you,” too. For this week’s challenge, we want you to create a sketch of a graphic thanking the sanitation workers who have kept our streets clean. They’re helping keep us healthy while putting their own health at risk, and for that, we should all be grateful. If we like your sketch, we’ll commission you to complete the graphic and give you a $50 honorarium. To be considered, please send a sketch of your idea to us by 11pm this Sunday, May 24. It doesn’t have to be complete. Just a simple idea that will translate well on social media. We’ll pick from there and work with you on a final graphic. For more guidelines and information about how to submit your idea, click here. All good things, Tim Miner, Matt Olin & Porter Metzler (Social Media Scoundrel)
Charlotte Is Creative This QC Creative Challenge is supported by Charlotte Center City Partners and Charlotte SHOUT.
Creative Challenge Winner: The Downs Family Thanks Teachers
Speaking of our weekly Creative Challenges … Two of our Queen City creative heroes — Andrea and Jesse Downs — answered our creative challenge call to thank teachers by showing our community love for educators across the city. They painted a message encouraging educators to “Teach On!” on the rock at South Mecklenburg High School with their son, Josh. Andrea and Jesse both work at Providence Day School. Andrea is also the founder of the ongoing art project, Airing Out the “Dirty” Laundry, which was just scheduled for a summer exhibition at the Mint Museum. Please share this with the teacher in your life to tell them: THANK YOU for all you do! The weekly creative challenge is sponsored by @cltshout.
Dan Nance Paints the Past to Life
To celebrate May 20, 2020 – Meck Dec Day – Tim Miner spent 5 minutes with Charlottean and historical illustrator, Dan Nance, about growing up in Charlotte and pursuing a life that blends his love of history and art.
CLT Pride Heads OnlineAs we reported a few weeks ago, Charlotte Pride and Charlotte Black Pride made the difficult decision to cancel its annual events scheduled for July and August. With that announcement, they pledged to create online experiences. The first of those, “Spring Spotlight,” launched on Monday of this week, with digital events addressing daily themes of art, poetry, music and drag/DJ taking place through Saturday, May 23.
Lauren Russell SHOUTs from the Rooftops by Singing on Her Porch“Oh, the lovely Queen City of Charlotte! We are resilient. We will get through this one day at a time. Don’t lose faith yet!”
In anticipation of Charlotte SHOUT! later this year, we’re asking Charlotte musicians to film themselves performing songs within earshot of the neighbors. In this edition of “SHOUTing from the Rooftops,” Lauren Russell, a mezzo-soprano who performs with Opera Carolina, sings “I’ll Be Here” from the musical Ordinary Days. Of the song, Lauren says, “it’s a beautiful piece about being able to accept the position of where you are now and being able to move on.” 
EDITORIAL: Life as a Co-Parent During a Pandemic“There is no better time than right now to start rebuilding trust or creating even more trust where it may already exist. Turn your detour into a clear path. It will continue with you through this chapter and beyond and as we all establish our new normals.”
Like many in Charlotte, Jennifer Olin, is dealing with the effects of COVID-19 while having to get creative about how she and her ex-husband manage to co-parent their two children. She reached out to share her experience with us.
Don’t Believe Thomas Jefferson’s Hype …
Happy Meck Dec Day! We’re proud that declaration of independence from England started right here in the Queen City in 1775. Thomas Jefferson may have doubted the existence of the Meck Dec, but … hmmmm … what motivation would “TJ” have to cast aspersions about whether or not it was real? Let’s think … 😉
This photo was taken in 1960 by SH Kress and is preserved in the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room’s image collection. Its caption reads: “This bronze marker is located at the Square to commemorate two significant events in Mecklenburg County’s history. The inscription reads, `Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, May 20, 1775 and the Battle of Charlotte September 16, 1780.’” And, now, for the “REAL” history they don’t teach you in school …
We’re not saying Thomas Jefferson was right. We truly believe the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence and the Mecklenburg Resolves were written. After all, presidents have visited for past May 20 celebrations in Charlotte and the date is on the North Carolina flag for crying out loud. What we ARE saying is … it never actually made it to Philadelphia. It’s time to share the ugly truth … the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence was lost because Captain Jack rode a T. Rex to Philly instead of a horse. The beast’s tiny arms just weren’t strong enough to hold on to the historic document. Sadly, James didn’t deliver jack. Sorry, May 20 Society. We can’t let this cover-up continue.
We wanted to learn a new skill or two while we’re stuck at home but so far the only thing we’ve learned is that you can’t turn off the “Are you still watching?” prompt on Netflix. Yes, Netflix. We are still watching. You don’t have to call attention to it. After a recent lunch pick-up at 300 East, we’ve been inspired to give learning a new skill another go. This plethora of paper cranes has us wanting to try the art of origami. We’ll let you know how it goes, but for now, we’re going to enjoy a meal from this #OGclt eatery that has called East Boulevard home since 1986. Anyone want to have a Zoom “business lunch” that involves a little paper folding and a lot of sweet potato ravioli and crabcakes? This Queen City exploration is powered by OrthoCarolina. Directions: 300 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203 Explore other “Where Are We in CLT?” destinations here.
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