Notorious for experiencing devastating floods, a portion of the Doral Apartments has now been purchased by Mecklenburg County and will be torn down. The Doral complex has 260 apartment units on 19 acres. The County purchased 128 of those apartments on eight acres of land for $3.1 million. The Doral Apartments, between Briar Creek and Monroe Road, has flooded six times since 1995 with damage topping $8 million. Eighty ground-floor apartment units flooded so badly during August 2008 that they were not repaired. Engineering studies in 2005 concluded there were no feasible options to prevent the apartment complex from repeatedly

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The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte will unveil its exclusive new Ben Owen Pottery Gallery on January 12, 2011, presenting custom pottery pieces from renowned North Carolina artist Ben Owen. The new retail setting will be open to the public daily and has been created to feature the work of an acclaimed contemporary potter whose pieces already highlight the hotel’s extensive contemporary art collection. Seventy of Ben Owen’s original pieces are currently on display throughout The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte, and the opening of his first gallery in the city will open up new access to hotel guests and local residents wishing to purchase his

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The City of Charlotte has announced that the historic Johnston and Mecklenburg Mills properties are for sale. The City is seeking a purchaser to redevelop the mill buildings on the site and provide a specified level of affordable housing as outlined in the Purchase and Sale Agreement. The City purchased the properties in January 2006 after a long history of development investments and rehabilitation efforts. A previous agreement to purchase the properties fell through in December 2008, when the contract obligations were not met. The properties will be sold as one parcel and are located at 3315-3327 North Davidson Street.

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Davidson College invites the public to celebrate Martin Luther King Day 2010 by attending a number of educational, musical and inspirational events at the college on Monday, January 17, and Tuesday, January 18. Monday’s events include a 9:30 a.m. “Walk for Change,” activities for youngsters, a free word poetry presentation, seminars on racial relations and matters of justice, and an evening gospel concert. Just one event will be held on Tuesday. Poet and social activist Nikki Giovanni will speak at 11 a.m. in Duke Family Performance Hall. There is no admission charge to attend any of the events. For more

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Mecklenburg County residents are reminded that property tax payments must be paid on or before January 5, 2011 to avoid interest charges. If mailed, the payment must be postmarked by the United States Postal Service, not metered, on or before that date. Residents are also reminded that County offices are closed on Friday, December 31. Those taxpayers who wish to pay taxes in person prior to the end of the year must do so on or before December 30. Property owners whose payments are received or postmarked after January 5 will be charged 2 percent interest for the month of

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Though the 12 days of Christmas aren’t even halfway over, practicality (and an ever-increasing shower of dry pine needles on the floor) sometimes calls for taking down the tree before the pipers start piping or drummers start drumming. Though you might be tempted, don’t burn that Christmas tree! Mecklenburg County Solid Waste and Recycling will recycle your tree for free, and turn it into useful mulch for sale. If you live within Charlotte city limits, place your tree by the curb on your regular yard waste collection day starting January 3, 2011 for pickup. Make sure all decorations have been

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Mecklenburg County government agencies and offices will be closed on Friday, December 24 and Monday, December 27, for Christmas, and on Friday, December 31, for the New Year’s holiday. This includes all units of the Department of Social Services, Tax Office, Elections Office, Register of Deeds Office and the Land Use and Environmental Services Agency. Health Department: The Health Department will be closed on Friday, December 24, Monday, December 27, and Friday, December 31. Night clinics for Christmas week for both Health Department locations will be moved to Monday, December 20. Substance Abuse Services Center (Detox): Open 24 hours a

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Keep Charlotte Beautiful (KCB), one of the nation’s first affiliates of Keep America Beautiful, is accepting applications for the 2011 Adopt a City Neighborhood Program. Any neighborhood within City limits is eligible to apply. KCB’s objective is to enhance the quality of life for Charlotteans by maintaining and improving the cleanliness and beauty of our City. The KCB committee works closely with neighborhood organizations and homeowners’ groups, as well as with area businesses, schools and local governments to achieve these goals. Every year, the KCB Committee members select a neighborhood to adopt and work with residents to provide a community

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During this holiday season, and into the New Year, drinking more water or replacing high calorie holiday drinks with water can save calories and even reduce weight. Most of us know that we need to drink water every day and that it is good for us, however during this time of parties, extra food around the house or office, and more stress, water in your diet is more important than ever. “Water is crucial to health and every system in the body relies on water to function normally,” says Allison Mignery, a dietitian with the Mecklenburg County Health Department. “Drinking

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– 24 Hours of Booty, Inc., which runs the Official 24-Hour Cycling Event of LIVESTRONG and the only national 24-hour road cycling charity event in the country, announced today that it will be kicking off registration for its three events, including the 10th Annual 24 Hours of Booty presented by Blumenthal Cancer Center in Charlotte, on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011 at 9 a.m. The annual charity cycling event in Charlotte – geared for teams and individuals and open to participants of all ages and skill levels – is scheduled to roll on the “Booty Loop” in Myers Park from 7

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