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EDUCATION Politics aside … Country Day Democrat, Republican unite local politicians, students for candidates forum by Anna Dykema anna@thecharlotteweekly.com Friendship supersedes political alliances for Charlotte Country Day School juniors Kevin Phelan and Ethan Blumenthal, who reside on opposite sides of the political fence. Despite their differences, the students worked together to set up an Oct. 16 candidate forum at their Carmel Road school featuring Charlotte’s eight at-large city council and two mayoral candidates, who were together for the first time – and within feet of the school’s ninth- through 12thgraders and staff. Phelan and Blumenthal, who relaunched Country Day’s Young Republican and Young Democrat clubs last year, constantly seek out opportunities to dig deeper into the political arena. The fact that the 17-year-olds can’t vote has little effect on their activeness. After all, just because they’re under 18 doesn’t mean the issues at stake in this year’s municipal elections don’t affect them, Phelan explained. “Even if you can’t vote, these are issues that affect us every day, especially at the local level,” he said. “It’s not just when you turn 18 that public transportation or road safety starts affecting you. Public transportation, road safety and the safety of the communities affects everyone, birth through life.” Committed to raising awareness of the issues among his schoolmates, Phelan, a Republican, began planning the forum this summer. “I thought it was important for our (school) community to get the candidates here, so the students that can’t vote can put a face to a name of who they would vote for, and to be able to hear what the candidates stand for in person, rather than on TV or on the radio,” he said. When school resumed in August, he approached Blumenthal, a Democrat, with the idea. After lobbing countless calls and sending myriad e-mails, they secured 100 percent participation from Charlotte’s atlarge city council and mayoral candidates. The two brainstormed questions, from how to keep Bank of America in the Queen City and how much money should be allocated to the arts to what compelled the Charlotte Country Day School students Kevin Phelan (left) and Ethan Blumenthal (right) set up a candidate forum at their school featuring Charlotte’s eight at-large city council candidates and mayoral candidates John Lassiter (second from left) and Anthony Foxx. candidates to run. Audience members had a chance to ask questions during a brief Q-and-A session. Each candidate had equal time to respond to questions, as well as 30 seconds for closing remarks. The opportunity to hear candidates’ stances on the issues was valuable, Blumenthal said. “Politics really does decide how we live our lives and how we will be able live our lives (in the future). It’s an important part of society,” he explained. “You have to know what is going on to be able to change things. No one thinks things are perfect; we always want something changed. So it’s important to know who’s the best (candidate) to change what you feel needs to be changed.” Seeing the candidates in person was an important element, Phelan said. “I thought it was important for our (school) community, to get the candidates here so the students that can’t vote can put a face to a name of who they would vote for – to be able to hear (more on page 19) Photo courtesy of CCDS A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXPERIENCE. EVERY DAY. 5800 S R • C, N C 28270 704.887.6000 • .. Providence Day School exists to inspire in its students a passion for learning, a commitment to personal integrity, and a sense of social responsibility. International Baccalaureate graduate Honor Council Special Olympics volunteer College of my choice UPPER SCHOOL (GRADES 9–12) OPEN HOUSE NOVEMBER 10, 1:30–3:00 P.M. RSVP (704) 943-4500 Charlotte Country Day School 1440 Carmel Road Charlotte, NC 28226 (704) 943-4530 Grades JK–12 / Tuition assistance available. www.charlottecountryday.org Page 18 • Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2009 • South Charlotte <strong>Weekly</strong> Nationally recognized for Academic Excellence Leader in Global Education • College-Preparatory • TK – 12 Admissions Open House Dates Sunday, November 1 at 2 p.m. | Wednesday, November 11 at 9:30 a.m. Multicultural: Tuesday, November 17 at 7 p.m. www.thecharlotteweekly.com
Dentist (continued from page 1) This Halloween, dentist Smita Warrier of Ballantyne’s Warrier Family Dentistry is taking some of that fear out of the year’s spookiest holiday by offering kids cash for their unwanted – or unneeded – loot. On Monday, Nov. 2, from 4 to 6 p.m., children can sell their candy at Warrier Family Dentistry, 16143 Lancaster Highway, for $1 per pound – and also put smiles on the faces of U.S. troops overseas. After the family-friendly event, Warrier Family Dentistry will send the candy, along with toothbrushes, dental floss and mouthwash, to Operation Gratitude, a nonprofit that assembles and distributes care packages for troops. Deciding what to do with the surplus candy was easy, Warrier said. “(Military service is) something that takes a lot of courage,” she said. “They work way too hard yearlong, and this is our way of saying thank you.” Yet she noted that the sweetest gifts the troops receive might not be the candy. “We’re planning to have cards here so that they children can write thank-you notes to the soldiers,” she said. “That way we’ll know that somewhere, someone will be smiling.” The cost of sending the donations and cards will be covered by Atlanta Dental, Warrier Family Dental’s supply company. Several Ballantyne-area businesses also stepped up to ensure the event is as much fun for parents as it is for children, office manager Lori Biscardi added. Lorenzo’s Pizzeria, Pei Wei Asian Diner, Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant, Rising Roll Gourmet and Posh Nails & Spa donated gift certificates for a raffle, and there also will be a chance to win one of two Oral B Professional Care Power toothbrushes toward dental work at Warrier Family Dentistry. Bagel Bin & Deli II, Dunkin’ Donuts, Panera Bread and Starbucks will donate food and beverages to the event. Since this is the first time she’s hosted an event like this, Warrier said she doesn’t have a clue how much candy she’ll collect – but the more the better, she added. She said she’ll shell out cash as long as the kids arrive with candy to sell. As an extra thank-you to the children, Warrier Family Dentistry will give away goody bags stocked with Dr. Fresh Firefly toothbrushes that light up for 60 seconds, the dentist-recommended time for brushing each arch; gift certificates for sandwiches at Ballantyne’s Sticky Fingers RibHouse; toothpaste; floss and Lance crackers. Warrier and Biscardi, dental assistant Rasheka McQueary and hygienist Carolyn Shelton plan to make the event – inspired by a similar event Warrier read about in a dental magazine – an annual tradition. “It sounded like a lot of fun, and Education something that we could do to help give back to the community. A lot of parents say their children receive way too much candy. They really don’t need it or even eat all of it,” she said. “This is a good way to keep kids healthier while giving them the chance to be part of (an event) that donates to a good cause. “It makes the children feel like they’re doing something good, and they’re also getting something in return. So it’s a winwin situation.” q For more information, visit www. warrierdentistry.com. Politics (continued from page 18) what they stand for in person, rather than on TV or on the radio,” he explained. Although their goal – to raise awareness of the issues and inspire students to take an interest in politics – was shared, Phelan and Blumenthal hoped to hear candidates address different issues. Blumethal said he’s most interested in issues that affect the arts and the environment; Phelan said job creation and attracting companies to Charlotte are his chief issues. They agree that improving transportation is a top priority, especially with the addition of the LYNX light-rail system, Blumethal said. “I live down Providence Road and see the congestion every day. Widening Providence Road and … (the fact that Interstate) 485 hasn’t even been completed yet are hotbutton issues right now,” Phelan added. Encouraging students to become invested in the issues today will make for a better tomorrow, Blumenthal said. “Maybe when you’re younger you don’t realize it, but … the arts, freedoms, whether or not your parents feel safe letting you ride your bike around the city, those issues are in many ways more important and will affect us more than some of the larger issues that get more discussion.” Uniting their schoolmates and teachers (more on page 20) When nearly 2,000 kids drop out of school every year, we fail too. educate Connecting at-risk students to the resources and relationships they need to be successful in school. collaborate Developing partnerships with every sector of the community to support our schools. graduate Making every effort to ensure that each child in our community graduates from high school – empowering them for a lifetime of success. 601 E. 5th Street, Suite 300, Charlotte NC 28202 t. 704.335.0601 f. 704.335.0697 Find out how you can help kids stay in school. Visit www.cischarlotte.org. CHARLOTTE MERCHANTS FOUNDATION www.thecharlotteweekly.com South Charlotte <strong>Weekly</strong> • Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2009 • Page 19
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