I and my fellow sports fans and political junkies are truly in the dog days of summer.
Locally, Charlotte City Council remains on its summer recess, which has forced me into covering committee meetings.
On the state level, with the NCGA not set to convene again until next week, my attention this week was drawn to Wednesday’s meeting of the the State Water Infrastructure Authority (yes, that’s a thing and it’s really important), which allocated $244 million in federal and state funding for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects spread around dozens of counties and municipalities across the state.
Even baseball is on pause for the All-Star Break, but I digress. This is Good News Friday, and there’s plenty of good news occurring around the Tar Heel State, beginning in Asheville.
Etsy Craft Catalyst Initiative to benefit western NC artists
On Tuesday, Gov. Josh Stein visited the Center for Craft headquarters in Asheville to celebrate that organization’s partnership with e-commerce site Etsy in launching the new Craft Catalyst Initiative. The financial infusion will directly benefit local artists, small businesses, makers, and others who contribute to Asheville’s cultural scenes.
Over the next three years, Etsy will invest $10 million in the creative economies of Asheville and four other cities identified as “craft hubs,” providing funding to 20 nonprofits in those areas.
The first round of the Craft Catalyst Initiative will see 20 nonprofits receive $100,000 each. The four organizations named in the Asheville/Western NC cohort are Haywood Community College Professional Crafts Programs, North Carolina Glass Center, Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual, and Toe River Arts.
“As the Center for Craft celebrates its 30th anniversary, partnering with Etsy to recognize the value of craft organizations marks a particularly significant milestone,” said Stephanie Moore, executive director at Center for Craft. “In an increasingly AI-driven and digitized world, human connection through craft is more essential than ever. This initiative will fortify craft’s place by investing in the spaces, relationships, and infrastructure that encourage artists, sustain creative careers, and strengthen communities across the country.”
New habitat protects fish in NC’s largest lake
The North Carolina Wildlife Federation (NCWF) this week unveiled its plans to add needed structural habitat to Lake Norman’s aquatic ecosystem, supporting numerous fish and other aquatic species.
On July 21, NCWF organizers will begin installing 48 FishHouse ExoForm reef structures near Lake Norman’s most heavily used public fishing piers. The structures are designed to increase habitat complexity and will represent the first freshwater deployment of this state-of-the-art habitat improvement technology, according to a release from NCWF.
The largest lake in North Carolina, Lake Norman was created with a mostly even bottom structure and limited natural habitat complexity, as is the case with most large reservoirs around the country. The structures are meant to make up for the lack of submerged vegetation, woody debris, and rock formations that support aquatic life.
“Healthy fisheries depend on structure,” said Billy Wilson, NCWF board member and president of the NCWF Lake Norman Wildlife Chapter. “In reservoirs like Lake Norman, that structure is largely missing. Adding complex habitat where fish naturally feed, shelter, and reproduce helps rebuild the foundation of the entire aquatic ecosystem.”
Civil rights icons honored on Greensboro sit-ins anniversary
The International Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro will mark the 66st anniversary of the successful conclusion of the Greensboro civil rights sit-ins on Saturday with its annual fundraising gala. The museum on Thursday announced the full slate of six civil rights icons who will be honored at the Koury Convention Center.
Renowned public relations specialist and consultant Dr. Robert “Bob” Brown will receive the Alston/Jones International Civil & Human Rights Award. Born into poverty in High Point in the 1930s, Brown worked his way up to become someone the Washington Post called “a world-class power broker,” as told in his memoir, You Can’t Go Wrong Doing Right: How a Child of Poverty Rose to the White House and Helped Change the World.
Other honorees include Greensboro native and Hall of Fame ABA and NBA player Robert McAdoo; late civil rights activist and former United Way of Greater Greensboro president Neil Belenky; the Honorable Irving Allen, nephew to one of “the A&T Four;” Dr. Virginia Williams, a member of “the Royal Seven” who protested at the Royal Ice Cream Parlor in 1957; and longtime public servant and community organizer Mitzi Allen, who will be honored with the Lifetime Community Service Award.
