Excerpt from N.C. Sen. Natasha Marcus’s Dec. 15 newsletter report on a visit with the children in Pack 58 in her district: “I talked with the scouts about what it’s like to serve in the NC General Assembly and answered their (very good) questions about how government works. My favorite question was: ‘Why do we have to wait until we’re 18 to vote?’”

Upcoming Events

Jan. 8: General Assembly Delegation Bipartisan Constituent Listening Session, 6:30 p.m., Cornelius Town Hall Community Room, 21445 Catawba Ave.

Jan. 13: MLK Holiday Parade, Tryon Street. Weekend event details here.

Feb. 8: Pride Magazine’s Pride Awards luncheon, from 11 a.m., Westin, 601 S. College St. Individual online tickets $324.21.

Feb. 17: For The Struggle annual benefit gala and awards ceremony, 6 p.m., Orchid Banquet Hall, 521 Little Rock Rd. Tickets $100 here.

March 5: Primary Election Day.

March 6: Council for Children’s Rights Spring Luncheon, noon-1:30 p.m. Camp North End, 701 Keswick Ave. #110.

March 7: C.W. Williams Heath Center’s 6^th Women’s Health & Doctor Recognition Luncheon, noon-1:30 p.m., Hilton Uptown Charlotte. Tickets $50 here.

March 24: Possible date of 3-on-3 basketball tournament, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Jewish Community Center.

April 29-May 4: Diamond Tours trip with Dr. Blanche Penn and Tonia Cherry to Biloxi and New Orleans, $770.

June 24-27: Diamond Tours trip with Dr. Blanche Penn and Tonia Cherry to Amelia Island, St. Augustine and Jacksonville, Fla., $480.

July 29-Aug. 3: Diamond Tours trip with Dr. Blanche Penn and Petronila Clark to Memphis, $765.

Sept. 2-6: Diamond Tours trip with Dr. Blanche Penn and Petronila Clark to Savannah, Jekyll Island and Beaufort, S.C., $765.

Oct. 14-16: Diamond Tours trip with Dr. Blanche Penn and Venitra White-Dean to Charleston, $480.

Candidates, Elected Officials, Etc.

Jeff Jackson 12-14 12-17

Joyce Waddell 12-17

Governments, Nonprofits, Etc.

City Startup Labs 12-19

Council for Children’s Rights 12-17

League of Women Voters 12-17

NC Administrative Office of the Courts 12-15

Profound Gentlemen 12-18

Sol Nation 12-14 12-15

UNCC Urban Institute 12-15