“The Nutcracker” doesn’t have a sequel, per se. 

The fanciful Christmas classic, however, does enjoy plenty of adaptations and reimaginings. Here’s a local one worth your time, North Carolina.

The Charlotte-based dance and performance outfit Caroline Calouche & Co. has been putting on “Clara’s Trip,” a continuation of the Nutcracker story, since 2011. As Cardinal & Pine contributor Ryan Pitkin writes, it’s a “contemporary, acrobatic” take.

In it, the titular character from the classical ballet spends an evening in the ER after spraining her ankle at a dance party. She dreams up all sorts of fun stuff, thinking about what could have been.

“Clara’s Trip” is one of three holiday parties—including a holiday flotilla in Southport—that make today’s edition of “3 things happening in NC.”

Charlotte cirque and dance outfit Caroline Calouche & Co. puts on a contemporary reimagining of “The Nutcracker.” (Caroline Calouche & Co. on Facebook)

Happy Monday, hope you’re staying warm, NC. Here’s what’s in today’s newsletter: 

Today’s view comes from the town of Blowing Rock, which caught some decent snowfall in the last 24 hours. 

If you’ve got snow pictures, we want to see them, NC. 

Cardinal & Pine is here to give North Carolinians straightforward, easy-to-understand reporting about what’s happening across the state. As our year-end drive continues through Dec. 16, reader support shapes what we’re able to cover in the year ahead.

Your contribution keeps this work free for everyone who turns to us.

The ephemeral pond at Wilmington’s Halyburton Park often dries up during drought and other dry periods. North Carolina’s isolated wetlands and areas that are wet only part of the year could lose protections under proposed new interpretations of what are considered “waters of the United States.” (USA Today via Reuters)

Our wetlands used to have a bad reputation. People saw them as a bad place to live, so preservation was never top of mind.

But wetlands are seriously underrated. They’re home to thousands of species. They help limit flooding. They control erosion. And they help maintain water quality. But in NC and elsewhere, the wetlands are often under threat. 

We’ve published a new report on a proposed new Trump administration rule that environmentalists say will weaken protections. 

“They are worried about what losing even more marsh areas could mean in a state that’s shown itself to be vulnerable to flooding from heavy storm events like 2016’s Hurricane Matthew and 2018’s Hurricane Florence − weather events that are expected to increase in coming years and decades thanks to climate change,” writes Gareth McGrath at the Wilmington StarNews.

Please read and share.

1. NC to launch Helene housing repair and rebuilding program in early 2026. NC Newsline

“Helene housing repair programs in NC will focus on single-family housing, multi-family housing, and workforce housing beginning in early 2026, Gov. Josh Stein says.”

2. Family sues Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools, saying free speech rights violated after Charlie Kirk assassination. WBTV

“Students painted rock with ‘Live Like Kirk’ message after his murder.”

3. Housing affordability in focus: NC lawmakers to consider property tax changes. WRAL

“Cities and counties set property tax rates, not the state legislature. But NC lawmakers plan to use 2026 to focus on ways to help struggling homeowners, without also forcing cuts to schools, police or other local government programs.”

(Shutterstock)

The Geminids shower is generally regarded as one of the highlights of the year for stargazers. 

This year, the show peaks around Dec. 13-14 in the early morning hours. You can expect around 75 meteors per hour, according to the Farmers’ Almanac. And North Carolina, as always, has some good spots to take it all in. 

We have a few things working in our favor this year. The moon will be only about 30% full at the shower’s peak, making your view better. Plus, we have plenty of rural destinations, especially in western and eastern NC, with certified “dark sky” locations. 

For more on the shower and where to watch it, click below. 

Do you want to support Cardinal & Pine’s mission while showcasing your products or services to an engaged audience of 200,000+ subscribers?

Contact advertise@couriernewsroom.com for more information.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Billy Ball. I’m an NC native and journalist. I tend to lean left on opinion, but I lean no way on facts. Today’s edition includes stories from Ryan Pitkin and USA Today via Reuters. It was edited by Paula Solis.

Cardinal & Pine is free for everyone. Your support makes our work possible.