News feed – Page 64 – CHARLOTTE AREA NEWS

Free Family Event July 14 at the President James K. Polk State Historic Site

The President James K. Polk State Historic Site will showcase the art of free family fun on July 14 in the second of the three-part popular summer program “2nd Saturdays.” The theme for July 14 at The President James K. Polk State Historic Site in Pineville, NC is “Breaking the Mold: Mixed Media Creations.” This program will focus on the process of creating utilitarian and decorative objects from wood, metal, and clay. Visitors will watch a blacksmith demonstration, learn about the art of woodworking, and meet with local potters. The craft area will give visitors an opportunity to try their

Trash & Recycling July 4 Collection Schedule

The City of Charlotte Solid Waste Services will provide garbage, recycling, yard waste and bulky item collection services according to the normal schedule on Independence Day, Wednesday, July 4. Residents are reminded of the following tips to ensure collection: · Bag all garbage before placing it in the garbage rollout cart · Please do not bag recyclables before placing them in the recycling rollout cart · Trimmings from shrubs and trees must be no longer than 5 feet in length and no larger than 4 inches in diameter · Yard waste should be separated in piles small enough for one

Hot Temperatures are Dangerous for Pets – Here are safety tips

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Animal Care & Control Division is reminding pet owners that it’s once again the time of year we hear fireworks, firecrackers, thunderstorms and experience hot temperatures! Please be mindful how this affects your pets as the 4th of July holiday approaches and summer thunderstorms and heat waves roll through our region. “July 5th is the busiest day of the year at animal shelters. Dogs are found miles from their homes, confused, disoriented, and exhausted. People call hoping to locate a missing dog that, terrified, crashed through a window, jumped a high fence, or broke its leash

Register Kids for Youth Soccer or Flag Football in July

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation invites parents with children interested in playing soccer, ages 4-6, 7-8, 9-10 and 11-12; or flag football, ages 4-6 and 7-8 to register for the upcoming fall coed recreation season. Space is limited, so register early! Birth certificate is required for proof of age determined as of August 1. Registration fee is $65, which includes league play and uniform. The deadline for individual players to register is Tuesday, July 31. League play runs September to October with practices beginning in August. Game sites for Flag Football will include E.B Moore Park, Sugaw Creek Park and

Cooling station opens as temperatures climb in Charlotte area

A cooling station will open now through Sunday to provide relief from the extreme heat expected throughout the weekend in the Charlotte area. Volunteers with the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army will be on hand to provide water, light snacks (no meals) and a cool place to stay. The cooling station is located at the Homeless Resource Center in the Hal Marshall Annex, 618 North College Street. Hours are noon through 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Hours on Monday are to be determined based on developing weather conditions. The Charlotte Fire Department and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management urge everyone

Showmars Gives $300,000 to Levine Children’s Hospital

Showmars, the Charlotte-based Greek restaurant chain, is proud to partner with Levine Children’s Hospital through a $300,000 donation. “For the past 30 years Showmars has experienced an astonishing amount of support and we are extremely grateful to our friends, family and community. To celebrate our 30th anniversary we want to continue to give back to our community and we are honored to partner with the Levine Children’s Hospital,” said the Showmars Team. On Thursday, June 28, at 11 a.m. Showmars presented Levine Children’s Hospital with a check at the Partnership for Pediatric Hearts Press Announcement. Pictured in the attached image

County Announces Closings for 4th of July

Mecklenburg County Government offices and agencies will be closed Wednesday, July 4, for the Independence Day holiday. 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 Agency. Mecklenburg County Substance Abuse Center (Detox) is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Department of Social Services Care Line (704-336-CARE or 704-336-2773) operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week to receive reports of suspected abuse or neglect of children, the elderly or disabled adults. The Health Department, Main Library

Charlotte novelist to celebrate release of new thriller at Park Road Books July 11

Charlotte novelist Mark de Castrique will celebrate the release of his new thriller, The 13th Target with a book signing at Park Road Books in Charlotte (4139 Park Road, Phone: 704-525-9239) on Wednesday, July 7, 2012 beginning at 7:00 PM. The event is free and open to the public. A tense, timely and provocative thriller set during an age of Wall Street corruption, financial meltdowns, and the downgrading of the U.S. credit rating, The 13th Target takes aim at the secretive Federal Reserve. Long the target of conspiracy theorists, the Federal Reserve controls the nation’s money supply. But who controls

Community Blood Center of the Carolinas Needs Donors to Fill Supply

The Community Blood Center of the Carolinas (CBCC) has announced that there is a shortage of blood in the community, especially the O blood group (O positive and O negative types), and is urging O donors to donate blood as soon as possible. “While much of the country is facing a summer shortage, our local community is also in short supply and we expect this to continue as we approach the July Fourth holiday,” said Martin Grable, president and CEO of the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas. “Summer is a particularly difficult time for all blood centers, supply drops

Charlotte Council members Autry, Howard, Kinsey, Mayfield and Mitchell Release CIP Reduction Proposal

The Charlotte City Manager’s recommended $926.4M CIP is supported by a 3.6 cent property tax increase. A new CIP proposal from several Council members reduces the CIP to $797.4 million ($129.0M reduction) and reduces the property tax rate increase to 3.16 cents. To achieve the reduction, this proposal would defer consideration of a 2018 bond cycle – and any associated funding components – to a future CIP discussion. In other words, the CIP would cover three bond cycles (2012, 2014, and 2016) instead of four (out to 2018). A summary of the changes to achieve the reduction are outlined below: