We may be apart, but we’re still TOGETHER. PHOTO CREDIT: Steven Lamar We may be apart today, but we’re in this together.The picture above makes us very happy and a little sad, too. It was taken by photographer Steven Lamar at the most recent meeting of CreativeMornings/Charlotte. It was an incredible morning where Charlotteans from across the city gathered to celebrate our collective creativity and to listen to Winston Robinson share his experiences as Queen City native. It was a great day. We were together. The last week feels like a year. No lie, there’s a lot weighing us down. There’s a great deal of uncertainty ahead. And, unlike 9/11 or a natural disaster, we can’t huddle together, hug one another, dry tears, high five or even share a meal in silence. We have to manage it by being physically apart from each other. But, we’re not alone. As we move through this “Now Normal” (this is not the “new normal” … we refuse to say that), we can’t lose sight of the fact that we are bound together. We’re creatives. We’re Charlotteans. We’re human beings. And, if our species didn’t have the stuff it takes to survive the difficulties life thows at us, we’d have never made it this far. We can do this if we remember that “we” extends far beyond 6 feet and 10 people. We have to move past “me” and embrace “we.” We can. We will. The alternative is not an option. You don’t have to look far to find bad news today. But, you won’t find it here. Charlotte Is Creative and The Biscuit are devoted to giving you information that reminds you that you can still laugh, there is a lot of good at work in our city and that indulging your #CreativityInCaptivity is just what the doctor ordered right now. Tell us what you’re doing. We’ll share it. Your story might be JUST the thing someone else needs to see to remember they’re part of an incredible family of Charlotteans and they have something to give, too. We’re in this with you. You’re not alone. And, someday soon, we’re going to give you a big ol’, bone-rattling bear hug. (What can we say, we’re huggers … and we’re just holding yours in the bank right now for safekeeping.) All good things, Tim Miner and Matt Olin
Charlotte Is Creative 
Kris Reid Cares About the Local Food System
by Josh Jacobson As executive director of Piedmont Culinary Guild, Kris Reid is committed to building the local food economy. Over the last few weeks, you can imagine that her world — and those of Guild members — has changed in all-too-familiar ways. For years, her nonprofit has spearheaded grassroots efforts in the region’s food economy, helping members share resources, educating consumers and shining a deserving spotlight on the growing foodie scene here. As a leader, she is in battle mode today, working to find ways to help Guild members and the food economy stay upright in an upside-down market.
Ways to Support Charlotte’s Food Economy…
SkillPop Moves from In-Person to Online 
SkillPop, a Charlotte-based company that produces live expert-led micro-classes on a wide array of topics, has launched a new platform to offer online experiences, SkillPop Anywhere. Much of the first round of offerings sold out in a matter of hours, but SkillPop Anywhere has already released new opportunities for online engagement.
Get That Beer To Go PHOTO CREDIT: Divine Barrel Brewing With the weekend upon us and taprooms across the Queen City closed, many Charlotte-area breweries — like Divine Barrel pictured above — are offering curbside service where you can grab cans and crowlers of your favorite brews. We recommend checking your favorite breweries’ social feeds to see their hours before making the trek.
More Good News to Know…Our media “bestie,” Charlotte Ledger, offered up a helpful story with pro tips about how to work from home … and stay married … from a vertan remote worker. Foundation for the Carolinas and United Way of Central Carolinas have announced the creation of the COVID-19 Response Fund to “help those individuals and families in Mecklenburg County most impacted by the pandemic, with a special emphasis on supporting families struggling with homelessness and housing instability.” The fund is slated to issue grants to nonprofits working to meet existing needs. Though classes have been suspended, the cafe at Community Culinary School of Charlotte is still open for takeout 10:30 am – 2:00 pm Monday – Friday. To place your order, call 704-375-4500. Unpretentious Palate is starting an online Happy Hour tomorrow featuring Brian Lorusso, bartender at Dogwood Southern Table. Tickets are $10. Charlotte-based Oh! Script Paper Company is offering a deal on handwritten greeting cards to loved ones. For $2, they will handwrite a custom message of your choice, pay postage and mail the company. Quarantine Couch, a brand new podcast by Charlotte creatives, Perrine, experiential event maven, and Will Jenkins (AKA Simplisticphobia), photographer and co-owner of BLKMRKTCLT, about what creatives are doing at home launched yesterday. Their first guest is Dupp & Swat owner, Davita Galloway. Bold Music Lessons is now offering online instruction to support their instructors and give their clients a creative outlet. Here’s an example.
We do live in challenging times and there is plenty of tough news all of us must consume every day. But, we’re committed to laughing and finding the lighter side of life. It’s there and we’re here to share. PLEASE share these with someone who needs a smile today … and you know someone who does. 
Janeta Jackson’s Not Throwing Away Her ShotQuick out of the gate, actress and singer, Janeta Jackson, dropped a hilarious, Covid-19-inspired Hamilton parody called “Hamiltine” on YouTube. Janeta is well known in Charlotte for her portrayal of Mary Poppins at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte and this winter’s performance at Billie Holiday for Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte. Take a minute to watch and giggle. Trust us, you’ll be humming this all day.
Business on the screen. Party behind the scenes.Move over business casual, there’s a new fashion sensation sweeping the nation – the ZOOMullet! In the world of video conferencing, it’s only what’s above the waist that matters. Your colleague can see if you’re multi-taskin’, but they can’t see if you’re downstairs relaxin’. The ZOOMullet is business above the waist and a party below the belt.
3 Things Keeping Us Smiling“Biscuit Bakers” Matt Olin and Tim Miner appeared on WBTV’s QC@3 yesterday to share three things about the creative life of Charlotte that still have them smiling (and laughing). WBTV is a media partner of The Biscuit.
Rachael Green’s Quaran-Tini
We promise, we’ll get back to food in the next batch of The Biscuit, but this is too good not to share. Charlotte mixologist extraordinaire, Rachael Green has used her social distancing time to concoct … The Quaran-Tini, a local libation with honey, lemon, thyme, fresh ginger and Conniption Gin. Get the recipe here, shake up and enjoy responsibly. P.S. Rachael is offering a cocktail class about Prohibition-Era cocktails for under 10 people on April 1. Details are here. Send Us Your Home Cooking Home Runs!Please, share your favorite easy recipes with us! Local recipes are greatly appreciated!
Faux Five #2: Flawlessly Logical
Right now, we need to keep our hands to ourselves so those around us can … ummmm … live long and prosper. So, it’s only logical that we turn to Mr. Spock for our second “Faux Five” alternative to hand shaking (in real life or online). For those of us who are geeks, this should already be a reflex. For those who are new to this hand gesture, don’t worry. Being labeled a “geek” is the least of your problems right now. Plus, it comes recommended by Congress. Got a “Faux Five” to recommend? Send us a GIF, video or photo right here!
With museums and cultural institutions closed across Charlotte, we’re more grateful than ever for Charlotte’s incredible collection of murals. Get outside for fresh air and fresh art. One of the newest murals on the scene is Kyle Mosher’s just inside the parking deck at The Alexan, Optimist Park. It’s cool enough on first blush, but look closesly at the negative space underneath. Look familiar? Yep. Kyle confirms that this work has a silhouette of mischeivous cartoon legend, Woody Woodpecker. (P.S. Seeing this work is a perfect excuse to get take-out from an Optimist Park vendor.) Directions: 1009 N Caldwell St, Charlotte, NC 28206 This Queen City exploration is powered by OrthoCarolina.
Explore other “Where Are We in CLT?” destinations here.
Don’t go around hungry. If you missed the last batch of The Biscuit, don’t worry. We’ve kept it warm for you … and full of satisfying Southern sassiness. Click here to dig in, y’all.
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