N. C. Commerce Sec. Keith Crisco Visits Union County, Praises Local Innovations STALLINGS, N.C.. Dec. 18, 2009 – Keith Crisco, N.C. Commerce Secretary, on Thursday praised innovations in economic development and technical manufacturing in Union County, as he visited CEM Corporation in Stallings in connection with the Union County Partnership for Progress. Crisco had high praise for CEM Corporation, a global leader in microwave-based scientific technology, where he held a 10 a.m. press conference. “Here’s a company that started from zero right here in a garage, has doubled in size in the past five years to $70 million in annual

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Mecklenburg County’s efforts to reduce litter and increase recycling awareness have garnered national recognition. Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful, a division of Mecklenburg County Solid Waste Services, has earned the 2009 President’s Circle Recognition Award from Keep America Beautiful, KMB’s parent organization. The President’s Circle award goes to Keep America Beautiful affiliates that promote community beautification by tuning in to the community’s individual needs, maintaining an active advisory council, participating in training opportunities and upholding high standards of accountability to the national organization. Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful’s efforts include: ● Its tailgate recycling program, a community partnership that encourages Panthers fans to recycle

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Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) continues to hold open registration for its JobsNOW, fast-track, professional and career enhancement programs through January 9, 2010. Dislocated workers or others looking for new career opportunities are encouraged to enroll in these classes which help individuals complete job training in six months or less. CPCC offers more than 15 JobsNOW programs that focus on a variety of in-demand fields such as education, healthcare and sustainable technologies. The programs are open to any individual paying tuition. Persons who qualify for Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funding as a dislocated worker or meet the WIA Adult Services

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Who: Charlotte Douglas International Airport and US Airways What: Inaugural event for first departure to Honolulu, Hawaii When: Thursday, December 17, 2009. Event begins at 7:30 a.m. Where: Charlotte Douglas International Airport, far end of Concourse D. Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is owned and operated by the City of Charlotte. Serving more than 34 million passengers in 2008, CLT is ranked 8th nationally in airport operations and 14th in passengers. Seven major carriers, 14 regional carriers and two foreign flag carriers offer 620 daily flights from CLT with nonstop service to 128 destinations, including 29 international locations.

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Mecklenburg County government offices and agencies will be closed on Thursday, December 24, and Friday, December 25, for Christmas and on Friday, January 1 for the New Year holiday. This includes all units of the Department of Social Services, Tax Office, Elections Office, Register of Deeds Office, and Land Use and Environmental Services Agency. DSS Holiday Weekend Closures: Saturday, November 28, 2009 Saturday, December 26, 2009 Saturday, January 2, 2010 Health Department: The Health Department will be closed on Thursday, December 24 and Friday, December 25, for Christmas, and January 1 for New Year’s. Substance Abuse Services Center (Detox): Open

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The Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA) and the Water Environment Federation (WEF), in cooperation with the North Carolina Water Environment Association, will present “Odors and Air Pollutants 2010,” March 21-24, 2010, in Charlotte, NC. As communities grow in size and population, more municipal, industrial, and agricultural facilities are confronted with issues related to odors and air emissions. Held every two years, this conference will bring together environmental professionals from around the world to discuss the latest developments in odor and air emissions management, foster informed decision-making, and encourage the use of innovative technologies. “Odor impacts from a wastewater treatment

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The National Board for Professional Teacher Standards (NBPTS) has announced that 221 CMS teachers have earned National Board Certification this year. The district, ranked second nationally with newly certified teachers, now has 1,439 National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) on staff. Click herefor the list of CMS teachers earning their 2009 National Board certification. According to NBPTS, North Carolina is ranked first with the highest number of teachers achieving 2009 National Board Certification (1,509) and is ranked first in the total number of teachers who have achieved certification over time (15,695). CMS is ranked first among North Carolina school districts for

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The Renaissance Charlotte SouthPark Hotel helped raise over $500 with its “Jar Wars” campaign where guests and staff could turn their excess change into points and paper money to benefit Levine’s Children’s Hospital. According to Assistant General Manager, Joseph Blewitt, “Sarah Miller, who is on our Engineering staff came up with this great idea to turn something we probably all have sitting at home into actual dollars to help our community and make it a brighter Christmas for the Children of Levine.” Sarah along with her Renaissance Charlotte SouthPark co-workers continued their holiday fund-raising efforts by also working with the

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More than 100 volunteers and donors were on hand tonight to watch Ronald McDonald himself light “The Living Trees,” officially kicking off the holiday season at the future site of the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) of Charlotte. With this year’s holiday season now in progress, RMH of Charlotte officials are already looking forward to hosting the event next year inside the House. That’s because an official groundbreaking is expected to occur the week of January 25, 2010. “The RMH will become a place for families to be with other families that are dealing with life-threatening situations,” said Mona Johnson-Gibson, Executive

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CHARLOTTE – 24 Hours of Booty, Inc., which runs the Official 24-Hour Cycling Event of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, announced today that registration for The Ninth Annual 24 Hours of Booty in Charlotte will officially open on Monday, Jan. 4, 2010. The annual charity cycling event – 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 p.m. Friday, July 30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 31, 2010. Event registration will be capped at the first 1,200 registrants. Carolinas Medical Center’s

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