They’re the types of services you rarely think about until they’re truly needed. Much like electricity for your home or gasoline in your vehicle, most North Carolina residents may take their garbage and recycling collection or even debris removal for granted under ordinary circumstances, but after a severe storm or hurricane, these are the services vital to beginning the recovery and revitalization process. “Following a powerful hurricane strike, one of the most essential needs for a community to begin recovery is the removal of debris and the reliable return of its most vital services,” said Randall Essick, manager for Waste

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If you operate a business in Charlotte or Mecklenburg County, you are required to obtain a license and renew it every year unless the business is specifically exempted by law. Business licenses are authorized by the State of North Carolina and are considered a license for the privilege to do business within a local tax jurisdiction. Businesses are required to renew their business license on or before July 1st of each year (with the exception of taxi cab drivers and beer/wine licenses). Renewal forms were mailed last week. Payments received or postmarked by the United States Postal Service after July

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REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.), a retail co-op providing quality outdoor gear and clothing, helps Charlotte-area families reenergize their summer adventures with fun and friendly programs, events, products and resources. REI’s Family Adventure Program (formerly the Passport to Adventure program) helps adults and children explore the outdoors together. To get started, families can visit an REI store or REI.com for free adventure journals, filled with games, activities and outdoor diaries. Parents can also discover an online resource of local kid-friendly hike and bike trails recommended by REI employees, in addition to activities for their kids designed to inspire an interest in

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InChem Corporation of Rock Hill, S.C., a leading supplier of custom and specialty chemicals to some of the world’s leading corporations, has launched a new website at www.InchemCorp.com to promote its global chemical business. “Our company is best known for supplying phenoxy resins to major manufacturers of adhesives, coatings, electronic products, composites, abrasives and more,” said Steve Crownshaw, president of InChem Corporation. “We currently have a website at www.phenoxy.com created several years ago to support our phenoxy resins business, particularly from a technical perspective.” “But in recent years we have expanded significantly, producing a wide range of custom, contract and

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Mecklenburg County government offices and agencies will be closed on Monday, May 31, for Memorial Day and open on a normal schedule Tuesday, June 1. 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, May 29. CharMeck 311 is available for assistance 24 hours a day, and seven days a week. Mecklenburg County Substance Abuse Center (Detox) is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Department of

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Lake Norman Wine and Food Festival’s Acting Executive Director, V. Tom Gardner, shared a preview of the local favors attendees will have a chance to savor at the upcoming festival. In addition to the dozen confirmed wineries, six restaurants also plan to participate in the event, June 5-6, 2010, at Kenton Place in Cornelius, NC. Up to three signature dishes will be provided by each of the restaurants, allowing attendees to try several small servings with event tickets. Participating restaurants currently include: Brooklyn South Neighborhood Pizzeria, The Creole House on Main Street, Dressler’s Restaurant, Kernel T’s Korn Krib, Mayo’s Ristorante

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Wingate University recently held a two-day community give-away event called Don’t Dump, Donate to assist local human services organizations and support the University’s recycling efforts. Before students left campus at the end of the school year, they donated their unwanted items from their campus residence halls instead of throwing them in the dumpsters. Some 214 students volunteered 438 hours of community service collecting items such as furniture, clothing, shoes, books, food and appliances. The event benefitted 50 clients from 13 local agencies who came to campus May 5 to select free items. Students collected voluntary donations for electronics which raised

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – E.R. Plumbing Services of Charlotte has launched a new website at http://www.erplumbingservices.com to provide more helpful information to existing and new customers about its broad range of services. “We’re proud of our growing business, serving commercial and residential customers in both North and South Carolina since 1997,” said Dave Parker, president. “As a further demonstration of our commitment to outstanding service, we now offer to meet customers at their home or business any time of the day or evening at no additional charge. This is a huge convenience as we work around customers’ schedules instead of expecting

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The City of Charlotte is accepting applications for the Multi-Family Energy Efficiency Retrofit Grant, designed to reduce energy use and costs in existing apartment complexes. The program is open to owners of apartment complexes within the City’s Business Revitalization Geography, including its five priority corridors; Wilkinson/Freedom, Rozzelles Ferry, Beatties Ford, North Tryon, and Eastland area. Under the grant, energy efficiency retrofits and renovations can include: · new lighting · HVAC replacement · weatherization of units · retrofits to accommodate a multi-family recycling program · installation of Energy Star appliances · energy efficient lighting and thermostats · low-flow showerheads · tank

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Wingate University awarded an Honorary Doctorate degree to Rick Hendrick during the University’s 114th Commencement on May 8. Hendrick owns several NASCAR stock car teams as well as Hendrick Automotive Group. Wingate University recognized Hendrick for his dedication to the Haiti relief efforts. For one month, he flew his plane daily from North Carolina to Haiti and back to deliver food, water, medical supplies and medical personnel. On return flights the flight team brought orphaned children to safety and care in the United States. Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a private four-year institution of 2,159 students offering active learning

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