CMS will hold two summer commencement ceremonies for graduates on Tuesday, Aug. 3. The ceremonies will be held at Bojangles’ Coliseum (2700 E. Independence Blvd.) at 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Here are the schools participating in the graduation ceremonies: 9 a.m.: Ardrey Kell, Phillip O. Berry Academy, Butler, Cato Middle College, East Mecklenburg, Hawthorne, Hopewell, Mallard Creek, Providence, South Mecklenburg, Vance, Waddell and West Mecklenburg. 11:30 a.m.: Garinger Community of Schools, Harding University, Independence, Myers Park, North Mecklenburg, Northwest School of the Arts, Olympic Community of Schools, Performance Learning Center and West Charlotte. Commuters and guests should be aware

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The School Nurse Association of North Carolina (SNANC) has joined the Voices of Meningitis campaign to urge parents to vaccinate preteens and teens in Charlotte against meningococcal disease, a rare but serious bacterial infection that can cause meningitis and take the life of a child in just a single day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other leading medical groups recommend vaccination for preteens and teens 11 through 18 years of age, and college freshmen living in dormitories. Yet despite these public health recommendations, only 30 percent of adolescents 13 through 17 years of age have been

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The Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department invites active retirees, empty nesters and boomers to sign-up now for “Summer Leisure and Learn 2010.” Classes are 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. each Tuesday throughout the month of July. This is a series of fun and informative programs for seniors, ages 50 and up, at William Davie Park Conference Center, 4635 Pineville-Matthews Road. The programs include guest speakers and seminars on: • Cooking demonstrations to watch and taste the results. • Technology 101: Learn how to choose the best cell phones, digital cameras and televisions from experts in the field. • American

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Arthur Rutenberg Homes, Inc., America’s largest franchise network of custom homebuilders, has officially confirmed its move into North Carolina with the announcement of its first two independently owned homebuilding company franchises in Charlotte – Paragon Homes of Charlotte, Inc. and Southern Inspirations LLC, confirmed Art Rutenberg, company founder and chairman. Charlotte will serve as the homebuilding company’s Carolinas Regional headquarters. Arthur Rutenberg Homes also confirmed its plans to become a leader in custom and luxury homes in key markets throughout the Carolinas, and has already committed significant resources towards this goal, including the development of the Southern Design Collection and

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The Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services (DSS) will be making changes to its existing transportation service for senior citizens (60 years and older) and Medicaid customers, effective August 1, 2010. These changes are necessary to continue to provide vital transportation services in a cost effective, safe manner. Seniors and Medicaid Transportation recipients who are eligible for DSS Transportation Services will no longer be able to take taxi cabs as a primary mode of transit, but will need to use the Charlotte Transportation System’s (CATS) fixed route bus or rail service. Those wishing to use this service will be able

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Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation invites parents with children interested in playing soccer (ages 4-6, 7-8 & 9-10) or flag football (ages 4-6, & 7, 8) to register for the upcoming fall co-ed recreation season. Space is limited, so register early. Birth certificates are required for proof of age, determined as of August 1, 2010. The registration fee is $55 per child, which includes league play and uniform. The deadline for individual players to register is Saturday, July 31. League play runs September to October with practices beginning in mid-August. Teams interested in registering must do so by Wednesday, July

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Rock Hill, SC – The 2nd Annual Miles For Marines is a fun filled family event that includes a 15K (Crucible) and 5K (Double-Time) trail race held in honor of all who have served with the U.S. Marine Corps. All proceeds of the event will go to benefit the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund . For children ages 10 and under who want to participate, there will be a 1-mile (Run for a Marine), which gives a child the opportunity to select from a list of injured Marines currently at Walter Reed Hospital and run a mile for them. Children’s

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Mecklenburg County government offices and agencies will be closed on Monday, July 5, for Independence Day and open on a normal schedule Tuesday, July 6. This includes all units of the Department of Social Services, the Tax Office, Elections Office, the Register of Deeds Office, and the Land Use and Environmental Services Department. The Department of Social Services will also be closed on Saturday, July 3. CharMeck 311 is available for assistance 24 hours a day, and seven days a week. The Department of Social Services Care Line (704-336-CARE or 704-336-2273) operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week

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On June 1 the Hope House Foundation began a new trained volunteer program called RAYS of Hope, an acronym for (Resident Advisors at Your Service). The program is under the direction of Val Daye, their newly hired program director for Hope House. Beginning in March, Daye branded, organized, recruited, trained and scheduled the 60 community volunteers from faith-based congregations and organizations in the Lake Norman area who are now monitoring the facility under Daye’s direction. Established in 2004, Hope House Foundation provides a comfortable home environment and support services for single unaccompanied women or women with children (boys up to

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Rethink how you dispose of that empty aerosol can. And that orange juice carton. And that broken plastic toy. Beginning next month, recycling as we know it in Mecklenburg County is changing – for the better. Starting July 1, you can recycle more items than ever. The expanded list of recyclable materials includes plastic bottles and jugs, margarine and yogurt containers, buckets, milk and juice cartons, and hair spray and deodorant cans. These items are in addition to those you have traditionally recycled: cardboard, soda cans and bottles, newspaper, etc. Some items are still not recyclable in your curbside containers,

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