Today’s column might read a bit different. My writing routine was interrupted.

No. 1

Here’s my annual rant about waiting until Christmas to celebrate Christmas. I’m not talking about Christmas Made in the South or the Southern Christmas Show. Those are festivals made to give you decorating and entertaining ideas. You have to do those in advance.

My gripe is that stores fill up with Christmas items before Halloween, the major radio station starts playing nothing but Christmas music, and one of my favorite TV channels, “Hallmark Mystery,” is already playing Christmas movies.

Walmart is already full of Christmas stuff. Many other stores are following suit or will soon follow, flooding the sales floors with Christmas items.

I understand their goal is to sell more. I don’t have to like it. Bah, humbug!

I turned on the TV the other day to watch “Matlock,” as I often do in the afternoon while I write. It’s easy to follow. Andy Griffin is funny. I can take a break and watch the last 10 minutes for the best part.

But Andy wasn’t there. It was some sappy small-town girl who comes home from the big city for Christmas and realizes she should be with the small-town guy. Flip the sexes if you want the plot for the next movie.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy these movies during the Christmas season, which is the day after Thanksgiving until Dec. 26.

And have you even noticed that these movies rarely mention Jesus? Isn’t Christmas supposed to celebrate the Messiah’s birth?

That reminds me of a joke I heard. Did you know that Mary was going to name him Joseph? That was until she stubbed her toe and shouted “Jesus!”

No. 2

Get your Santa hat out. Christmas comes to the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, where the 45th annual Christmas Made in the South runs this weekend, Oct. 23-25.

The holiday shopping event brings together hundreds of artists and craftspeople offering handmade gifts, seasonal decorations, jewelry, pottery, artwork, home décor, and specialty foods. It’s a chance to start Christmas shopping early while supporting independent artisans.

Highlights include handcrafted jewelry made with colorful dichroic glass, silk clothing, fabric bags, nature photography, and one-of-a-kind works of art. Visitors can watch artisans demonstrate their skills, browse gourmet food offerings and enjoy entertainment throughout the weekend.

Santa Claus will also make an appearance, and youngsters are encouraged to bring their Christmas wish lists. A holiday buffet will be available during the three-day event.

The show will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the arena, 4751 N.C. 49 North in Concord.

Admission is $10 for adults; children 12 and under are admitted free. Parking is free, and a hand stamp allows visitors to return all three days with a single admission.

For more information, visit madeinthesouthshows.com/greater-charlotte-detail.

No. 3

Good news. You know all those containers that say “recyclable” can be recycled – at least most of them.

Concord and Kannapolis have expanded residential recycling programs thanks to technology upgrades and increased processing capacity at Mecklenburg County’s Amble Drive Materials Recovery Facility, where we process recyclable materials.

The improvements include 16 advanced optical sorters that better identify and separate materials moving through the facility, allowing more types of containers to be recycled.

Newly accepted items include plastic cups and lids, fruit and produce containers, clear plastic clamshell packaging, deli and salad containers, bakery trays, microwaveable meal containers, yogurt cups and dairy tubs. Paper beverage cups, including those used for coffee and fast-food drinks, can also go into recycling carts.

These additions join previously accepted materials such as plastic bottles, jugs and jars; cardboard, paper and cartons; metal cans; and glass bottles and jars.

Remember these should be clean, so rinse them out if there is still food.

There are still restrictions. Plastic bags, wraps, straws, Styrofoam, batteries, shredded paper, textiles, and garbage cannot be recycled. Keep cords, hoses, and ropes out of recycling carts because they can tangle in processing equipment.

The city reminds residents to keep recyclable items clean and dry and place them loose in their carts, not inside plastic bags.

Residents can check whether specific items are recyclable, find their collection schedules, and sign up for reminders through the city’s free CARTology app.

No. 4

Carolina Mall is walling up at least four empty stores, including the former Elizabeth’s Treasure, the Belk annex, and the former Books A Million. I can’t remember what was in the other space. It’s just off the center court (where Santa will soon set up).

Maybe new stores are coming. I don’t know yet. But with the holiday season around the corner, the sheetrock façade looks better than a dark, empty former store.

Carolina Mall is putting sheetrock walls across the openings of four former stores. This is the former Elizabeth’s Treasures. Photo by Mark Plemmons.

Thank goodness the Mall hasn’t gone into Christmas mode yet.

Up next for Carolina Mall is Halloween.

Its annual Malloween celebration is Saturday, Oct. 31, starting at 6 p.m., and lets families enjoy Halloween trick-or-treating indoors.

Children are invited to wear their costumes and collect candy from participating retailers while supplies last. The mall will also give away a $100 gift card to a store of the winner’s choice, with the winner announced Halloween night.

Carolina Mall is located at 1480 Concord Parkway North in Concord. Those interested in entering the gift card drawing can visit https://mailchi.mp/0633f29fc16d/carolina.

No. 5

Concord’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting is set for Friday, Nov. 20. City of Concord photos.

Are you looking for something to do? Here are some of the things we’ve found around the area.

Saturday, Oct. 24 — Hometown Authors, Homegrown Stories: The Friends of the Midland Library will host its inaugural local authors event from 2-5 p.m. at Bethel Elementary School, 2425 Midland Road in Midland. More than a dozen authors representing fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, romance and other genres will participate. Visitors can meet authors, hear readings and purchase books. Vendors and food trucks also are planned. Admission is free. Information: friendsofthemidlandlibrary.org.

Saturday, Oct. 24 — Jack O’ Lantern Jaunt: The 25th annual Jack O’ Lantern Jaunt takes place at Frank Liske Park in Concord. The fun run begins at 5 p.m., followed by the 5K at 5:30 p.m. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes, with a best-dressed award planned. The first 275 registered runners will receive a finisher medal.

Saturday, Oct. 24 — Fall Safe Disposal: Cabarrus County will hold a special collection event at West Cabarrus High School, 4100 Weddington Road in Concord, giving residents an opportunity to dispose of eligible unwanted household materials. Readers should check county guidelines for accepted items before attending.

Sunday, Oct. 25 — Sip & Script: Cabarrus Brewing Company, 329 McGill Ave. NW in Concord, hosts a brush-lettering and pumpkin-lettering workshop from 3:30-5 p.m. in the CBC Lounge. Cost is $68 per person.

Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 22 — Carolina Renaissance Festival: The Carolina Renaissance Festival continues at its village, 16445 Poplar Tent Road, along the Huntersville-Concord border. The festival features jousting knights, costumed villagers, falconry, live entertainment, games, food and an artisan marketplace. Gates are open from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Tuesday, Oct. 27 — Swing Dance Lessons: Cabarrus Brewing Company hosts an evening of swing dancing from 7-9 p.m. at Gibson Mill in Concord.

Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 29-31 — World Short Track Championship: The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway hosts three days of racing featuring short-track competitors from across the country.

Thursday, Oct. 29 — Cabarrus Brewing Run Club End-of-Season Party: Cabarrus Brewing Company celebrates the conclusion of its run club season with a gathering from 7-9 p.m. in the taproom.

Friday, Oct. 30 — Trick or Treat on Main Street: Harrisburg plans a family-friendly Halloween celebration at Harrisburg Park featuring candy, games and other seasonal activities. Check the town’s event calendar for final details.

Friday, Oct. 30 — Downtown Concord Candy Crawl: Downtown Concord’s Halloween celebration brings trick-or-treating and seasonal activities to participating downtown businesses. Check downtown organizers for times and participating locations.

Saturday, Oct. 31 — Touch-a-Truck: Cabarrus County Active Living and Parks hosts its annual Touch-a-Truck from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center in Concord. Visitors can explore trucks, emergency vehicles, construction equipment and other machinery while meeting the people who operate them. A low-sensory period without sirens or flashing lights runs from 9-10:30 a.m., followed by a helicopter landing between 10:45 and 11 a.m. Admission is free, with parking $10 by credit or debit card only.

Saturday, Oct. 31 — Kids Candy Crawl: Cabarrus Brewing Company hosts a Halloween celebration from 4-8 p.m. featuring a candy crawl and a table-decorating contest. Emory and Erika’s Spooky but Not So Scary Spooktacular is scheduled from 5:30-7 p.m., with a free character meet-and-greet continuing until 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 31 — Nightmare at the Mill: City Club at Gibson Mill in Concord is scheduled to host a Halloween celebration in partnership with Epic Event Rentals.

Nov. 4-7 — World of Outlaws World Finals: The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway hosts four days of racing featuring leading dirt-track competitors.

Nov. 11-22 — Southern Christmas Show: The Southern Christmas Show returns to The Park Expo & Conference Center, 800 Briar Creek Road in Charlotte, for 12 days of holiday shopping and entertainment. The annual tradition features Christmas decorations, gifts, apparel, jewelry, specialty foods and seasonal displays. Information: southernchristmasshow.com.

Friday, Nov. 13 — Kannapolis Tree Lighting Ceremony: Kannapolis kicks off its holiday season at 6:30 p.m. at Village Park, 700 W. C St., with its annual tree lighting and holiday festivities.

Nov. 13-Dec. 30 — Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express: Village Park in Kannapolis transforms into a holiday destination with thousands of lights and the popular Winterland Express train.

Nov. 20-Jan. 3 — Speedway Christmas: Charlotte Motor Speedway hosts its annual drive-through holiday light display.

Friday, Nov. 20 — 29th Annual Concord Tree Lighting Ceremony: Concord kicks off its holiday season at 6 p.m. in downtown Concord with its annual tree lighting ceremony.

Saturday, Nov. 21 — 98th Annual Concord Christmas Parade: The parade will begin at 2:30 p.m. at the intersection of Church Street N and Lake Concord Road.

Saturday, Nov. 21 — The Geekery Market: The Cabarrus Arena & Events Center hosts The Geekery Market beginning at 10 a.m., featuring artists, makers, collectibles and pop-culture merchandise.

Dec. 5-6 — Christmas Festival at Cabarrus Brewing: Cabarrus Brewing Company and Cabarrus Festivals plan a two-day holiday festival at the brewery in Concord.

Saturday, Dec. 12 — Kannapolis Christmas Parade: The annual parade brings floats, marching bands, performers and Santa Claus through downtown Kannapolis.

Dec. 18-20 — A Christmas Carol: The Swanee Theatre in downtown Kannapolis is scheduled to present a stage production of the Charles Dickens holiday classic.

Don’t see your event? Coming Up in Cabarrus helps readers find fun and interesting things to do throughout the area. To submit an event for consideration, email plemmons.mark@gmail.com.

If you have anything for the Friday Five or something I can rant about, email Plemmons.mark@gmail.com or text me at 704-786-0001.

The Cabarrus Compass

Friday Five: It's not Christmas yet – Jesus!