News feed – Page 72 – CHARLOTTE AREA NEWS

Meck County’s 2012 State of the Environment Report Goes Live

How’s the air out there? Is the water getting better? Are we recycling as much as we could be? The verdict on all of the above, according to a new online resource unveiled by Mecklenburg County this week, is mixed, but encouraging. The 2012 Mecklenburg County State of the Environment Report (SOER) — which assesses the County’s progress in air, water, land, and waste management – is now online at http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/LUESA/soer/Pages/default.aspx The semiannual report takes an honest, comprehensive look at what we have accomplished environmentally since 1987. The bad news is the air we breathe in could still be better,

Local Alzheimer’s advocates head to DC to appeal to Congress

Six Charlotte area residents will participate in the Alzheimer’s Association Advocacy Forum in Washington, D.C., April 23-25. Greg and Laura Mercer, Dr. Bryan Connell, Dr. Jon McKinsey, William Scurry and Teresa Hoover along with other advocates from across North Carolina, will join hundreds of people with the disease, caregivers and family members from across the nation to engage in the democratic process and directly appeal to their members of Congress about Alzheimer’s disease. The Advocacy Forum will include a keynote address from Health and Human Services Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius, a candlelight tribute rally, educational sessions and updates on research and

Frenzel Properties Holds Benefit Concert for A Child’s Place on May 11

Frenzel Properties, a boutique residential real estate firm serving the greater Charlotte area, is holding a benefit concert with country and bluegrass band Simpler Times to support A Child’s Place, a local nonprofit that is helping to erase the impact of homelessness on children and their education. The concert will be held at Andrew Blair’s (1600 Montford Drive, Charlotte, NC 28209) on Friday, May 11 from 7:30 – 10:00 p.m. The concert is $10 per person with 100 percent of the admission going to A Child’s Place’s My Place summer day camp program for rising first through fifth grade students.

Charlotte’s Toni L. Freeman to Be Named President of The Association of Junior Leagues International

The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc., has announced that Toni L. Freeman of Charlotte will be named in June as AJLI President for a two-year term as head of one of the largest, most effective women’s volunteer organizations in the world. Ms. Freeman, a former President and VP of Finance of the Junior League of Charlotte, has also taken active leadership positions at many Charlotte-area nonprofits. She is currently Chief Operating Officer of The Mint Museum, the oldest art museum in North Carolina and home of one of the largest art collections in the Southeast. “Toni is a strong

CMS Board of Education extends offer to Morrison

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education has preliminarily selected Dr. Heath Morrison from three finalists for the superintendency. Contract negotiations are currently under way and once complete, the Board will vote at a regular meeting to officially approve the hire of Dr. Morrison and his contract. Dr. Morrison is presently superintendent of schools in Washoe County (Reno), Nevada. He began his career in Maryland, working in Charles and Montgomery counties as a teacher and administrator, before taking the Reno job in 2009. He, CMS administrator Ann Clark and Memphis City Schools leader Dr. Kriner Cash were the finalists for the CMS

LKQ Corporation invests in Charlotte

Chicago-based LKQ Corporation, the largest nationwide provider of aftermarket and recycled collision replacement parts for automobiles and trucks, has established a major distribution center in Charlotte. LKQ recently leased the former FedEx facility at 1001 Carrier Drive off I-85 in north Charlotte. The 156,000 sq. ft. complex consists of shop, office and terminal buildings on 52 acres and will serve as the company’s base of operations for the Carolinas. Bill Mowry of Prime Equities represented LKQ during lease negotiations. Lester Osborn of Piedmont Properties represented the landlord. LKQ’s Charlotte operation continues the publicly traded company’s expansion throughout North and Central

Oaklawn Language Academy PTSA Gives back to the Charlotte

With today’s economy, homelessness is at an all-time high and the PTSA at Oaklawn Language Academy is joining the fight against homelessness. Oaklawn Walks for Life is about improving lives, not only in helping to make someone’s life better but also teaching the students at Oaklawn a life lesson about caring for others. Students, parent, neighbors, and the community of Charlotte will participate in a 3k walk/run. The walk-run will begin at 9 am on April 14, 2012. Register by April 10, 2012 and receive a discount. Early registration is $15.00. Register the day of the event at 1810 Oaklawn

Premier Festivals Announce Summer Music Festivals in Charlotte and Myrtle Beach

Premier Festivals is pleased to announce the summer lineup of festivals featuring some of the biggest acts in Christian and Gospel music set in family-fun locations from the beach to amusement parks. Festivals include Beach Blast, JoyFest, Rock the Park, Wonder Jam, KingsFest, SpiritSong, HeartFest, and PointFest. The 2012 festival season kicks off in May with Beach Blast in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Fans have the opportunity to experience the live music from all their favorite artists. Tickets are on sale now for the festivals. Date Festival Location May 19, 2012 Beach Blast Myrtle Beach, South Carolina May 26, 2012 JoyFest

Mark Kramer Promoted to EVP at The Inspiration Networks

Mark Kramer has been promoted to the Executive Vice President, Media Operations and Technology Services as announced today by David Cerullo, CEO of The Inspiration Networks. In this position, Kramer will continue to fulfill his role as President of MediaComm, with expanded oversight of network operations. “Mark has a proven track record of outstanding management, particularly in all phases of media production,” said Cerullo. “His experience and insights have helped shape the overall operations for our family of networks. His commitment to excellence has been demonstrated through hundreds of projects for our organization, as well as for clients served by

The Zucchini 500 Returns to Kannapolis April 21

The City of Kannapolis is preparing for the return of the Zucchini 500, the event that gives kids a chance to “put the produce to the metal” by building cars made out of vegetables and racing them on a 16-foot track. On Saturday, April 21, from 1:00-5:00 p.m., kids of all ages are encouraged to head to 2011 Sprint Cup Champion Tony Stewart’s race shop to build their own pinewood derby-style race cars. The “souped-up” zucchini cars will be competing for titles like “Fastest Car” and “Most Nutritious”. Winners will receive prizes like Stewart Haas items, racing tickets, and Gem