FOR SINGLE, HOMELESS WOMEN, A DOOR WILL SOON OPEN

When the doors swing open at My Sister's House next month, 26 single,
homeless women with a burning desire to change their lives will be
able to walk through and settle in for a while. At this transitional
women's center, clients can access services that will enable them to
overcome the circumstances that led to their homelessness.

My Sister's House Transitional Living Center is scheduled to
officially open in early March 2010. MSHTLC is a program of the
Friendship Community Development Corporation (FCDC), a nonprofit
organization dedicated to revitalizing and stabilizing the communities
along the Beatties Ford Road corridor through affordable housing,
education programs, supportive services and economic development.

"The face of homelessness has changed with the economic times," says
Iris Hubbard, Director of My Sister's House. "Homeless single women
now include teachers, nurses, college graduates, PhD graduates,
veterans, young women who have aged out of foster care, grandmothers,
daughters and sisters."

The women who will call My Sister's House home may be transitioning
from substance abuse rehab, family crisis situations, physically
abusive situations, loss of income and housing, homeless shelters or
other high risk situations. At My Sister's House, these women will
receive intensive case management, individual and group support, life-
skills training, mental health assessments, medical services,
financial literacy education and job training.

"Our goal is to help them successfully transition to safe
environments, gainful employment, affordable homes, and self-
reliance," says Hubbard.

My Sister's House grew out of a partnership between the FCDC and The
Salvation Army Center of Hope temporary shelter project for single
women. Since 2007, the FCDC has helped to alleviate the overflow from
the Salvation Army by hosting temporary shelters ranging from two
weeks to one month. Realizing a growing need in this area, the FCDC
Board of Directors decided to continue the program permanently as My
Sister's House.

This new Transitional Living Center will be housed at 3239 Beatties
Ford Road in a facility donated to the program by Friendship
Missionary Baptist Church. The Salvation Army Center of Hope will
initially provide the screening for the clients, and Fill My Cup, a
nonprofit adult literacy program, will offer GED classes on the FCDC
campus from August to May.

For more information, contact:

Iris Hubbard, Program Director, 704-391-6683

C. Jennifer Coble, Executive Director, 704-391-6697

Mecklenburg County in Top 25 Healthiest North Carolina Counties, Says New Report

Mecklenburg County is in the top tier of counties with the highest
health outcomes and health factors in North Carolina, according to a
new report released today by the University of Wisconsin Population
Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The County
Health Rankings are the first to rank the overall health of the
counties in all 50 states – more than 3,000 total – by using a
standard formula to measure how healthy people are and how long they
live.

North Carolina's healthiest counties include Mecklenburg, Wake,
Cabarrus, Union and Catawba. Counties in our area with the poorest
health include Anson, Richmond and Montgomery. The healthiest of North
Carolina's counties are clustered in the piedmont and mountains; the
least healthy counties are sprinkled primarily in the southern
Piedmont and eastern regions of the state.

"This report shows us that there are big differences in overall health
across North Carolina's counties, due to many factors, ranging from
individual behavior to quality of health care, to education and jobs,
to access to healthy foods, and to quality of the air," says Patrick
Remington, MD, MPH, associate dean for Public Health, University of
Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. "For the first time,
every person can compare the overall health of their county to the
health of other counties in North Carolina, and also see where the
state needs to improve."

Mecklenburg County ranks 5th in mortality (length of life) and 9th in
morbidity (quality of life) and in the top 21 in health behaviors,
clinical care, and social and economic factors. Ongoing issues with
air quality in the County directly affected the physical environment
score, bringing down Mecklenburg's total ranking.

"We are pleased that the overall health status puts us in the top
twenty-five counties in the state," says Mecklenburg County Health
Director Wynn Mabry. "There are, however, many areas where we are
working to bring things to a higher level."

The online report, available at www.countyhealthrankings.org, includes
a snapshot of each county in North Carolina with a color-coded map
comparing each county's overall health ranking. Researchers used five
measures to assess the level of overall health or "health outcomes"
for North Carolina by county: the rate of people dying before age 75,
the percent of people who report being in fair or poor health, the
numbers of days people report being in poor physical and poor mental
health, and the rate of low-birth-weight infants.

The report then looks at factors that affect people's health within
four categories: health behavior, clinical care, social and economic
factors, and physical environment. Among the many health factors they
looked at: rates of adult smoking, adult obesity, binge drinking, and
teenage pregnancy; the number of uninsured adults, availability of
primary care providers, and preventable hospital stays; rates of high
school graduation, number of children in poverty, rates of violent
crime, access to healthy foods, air pollution levels, and liquor store
density.

The University of Wisconsin's Remington says it's easier for people to
lead a healthy lifestyle when they live in a healthy community – such
as one that has expanded early childhood education, enacted smoke-free
laws, increased access to healthier foods, or created more
opportunities for physical activity. "We hope this report can mobilize
community leaders to learn what is making their residents unhealthy
and take action to invest in programs and policy changes that improve
health," he adds.

For more information, please visit www.countyhealthrankings.org or www.meckhealth.org
.

Karen Premo Photography Opens Boutique Studio in Fort Mill

Karen Premo Photography, a natural light lifestyle photographer for
babies, children, high school seniors and families in the Charlotte
metro area, has recently opened a boutique studio in Fort Mill to
accommodate her growing business.

Karen has been photographing her clients in their homes and outdoors
for the past three years. This new studio, full of large bright
windows, provides clients another option for their customized portrait
sessions. Using minimal props and unique natural backdrops, Karen's
studio work keeps the subject at the heart of the image to create
artistic images that tell a story.

"The studio will offer the same casual approach as my outdoor
sessions, but with a fresh and contemporary style," said Premo.
"Portraits in natural light allow my clients' vivid personalities and
loving relationships to shine through by capturing their spirit in the
most comfortable setting."

Karen Premo Photography creates professional artistic portraits of
babies, children, high school seniors and families using the beauty of
natural light. Each session is customized for the client so that
photos capture their life, their love and their story. In addition to
standard sessions, Karen Premo Photography offers special programs for
a baby's first year and high school seniors. Karen Premo Photography
is located at 2848 Pleasant Road, Suite 113, Fort Mill, SC 29708.
For more information, please visit www.PremoPhoto.com or call (803)
802-7070.

DMR Architecture Partners with Boys and Girls Club to Build a Better Future

The folks at DMR Architecture (www.dmra.biz) arranged a very special
trip to Charlotte's EpiCentre to help the youngsters at The Boulevard
Home Salvation Army's Boys and Girls Club to explore the mysteries of
architecture. Architects from the firm, which designed the EpiCentre,
have been meeting with the kids to discuss what an architect does, who
makes up a design team and how buildings are designed. Then they took
the children on a VIP tour of the EpiCentre and the underground
parking explaining how it was built. The tour was followed by bowling
and pizza sponsored by Strike City.

"The children were very curious about the details of the EpiCentre
architecture and their questions were fascinating," says Kristen
LeCrone, director of marketing for DMR Architecture. "They wanted to
know how many windows there are and how much concrete it took to build
the structure. They were interested in everything about it."

DMR Architecture got involved with the Boys and Girls Club as a result
of their community outreach program "Doughnut Fridays." DMR partners
with The Salvation Army to deliver doughnuts one Friday each month to
one of their communities. One of those Friday deliveries was to the
Boulevard Home Boys and Girls Club. DMR team members quickly realized
they wanted to bring more to the kids than doughnuts and began working
with them to spark their interest in architecture.

"It would be wonderful if this experience inspired the children to
stay in school and pursue professions such as architecture," says Eric
deNeve, managing partner for DMR Architecture.

Continuing their work with the Boulevard Home Club, DMR is going to
stage a design competition for the children. They will work in teams
to design and prepare a final presentation of a predetermined building
type.

About The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte
Serving Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Union Counties since 1904, The
Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte is prepared to meet the needs of
the community with 15 centers of service and five Thrift Stores with
services ranging from emergency assistance, sheltering, eight Boys &
Girls Clubs, adult rehabilitation and disaster relief.

About DMR Architecture
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., DMR Architecture is a firm
comprised of creative and LEED accredited professionals with extensive
experience in a wide range of projects including corporate facilities,
assisted living, mixed-use developments, retail centers and
renovations of all kinds and uses. For more information, visit www.dmra.biz
or call 704-372-0116.

Community Blood Center of the Carolinas Teams Up with Adam Tanskley Foundation

The Community Blood Center of the Carolinas (CBCC) announced today
that it has formed a partnership with the Adam Faulk Tanksley
Foundation to help raise awareness about the importance of blood
donation in the community and about pediatric cancer.

"During Adam's treatment, he received numerous blood and platelet
transfusions, which were given on a weekly, and sometimes, daily
basis. Through this experience, we became more aware of the need and
importance of blood and blood products as a means to implement
appropriate treatment plans. The supply of blood needed just for Adam
was great," said Sharon Tanksley, mother of five-year-old Tanksley,
who was diagnosed with Stage IV Anaplastic Wilms' Tumor in Jan. 2008.
"It is hard to imagine how much blood a hospital would need to care
for all patients. We are determined personally and as an established
foundation to do our part to ensure all patients have access to blood
if and when they need it!"

As part of the collaboration, CBCC and the foundation will co-host
four blood drives this year on the following Saturdays from 9:00
a.m.-2:00 p.m. – March 20, May 29, Sept. 25 and Dec. 11. The blood
drives will take place at Harrison United Methodist Church located at
15008 Lancaster Highway in Charlotte. Visit www.cbcc.us/donate or call
704-972-4700 for more information.

Added Sharon Tanksley, "We hope everyone will take part in giving of
themselves and donate blood with the Community Blood Center of the
Carolinas to support our efforts."

"It is an honor for all of us at CBCC to partner with Adam Tanskley
and the foundation that bears his name," said Martin Grable, president
and CEO of Community Blood Center of the Carolinas. "Adam's spirit,
'Fights Like a Gator', exemplifies the battle patients young and old
wage in our community every day. Through the foundation, Adam's spirit
will give hope to others and raise awareness of the need for blood.
Local patients in our hospitals need blood daily for their treatment
of cancer, cardiovascular disease, transplants and trauma. We meet
their needs through the generosity of local donors. We all have the
power to heal, it's in our blood."

About the Adam Faulk Tanksley Foundation
The Adam Faulk Tanksley Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit
corporation established solely to make a difference in the lives of
children and their families affected by pediatric cancer. By raising
funds and bringing awareness through fun and uplifting events, our
mission is to help find a cure for pediatric cancer. The Foundation
has recently committed $500,000 to Levine Children's Hospital. The
contribution will directly impact the hospital's ability to provide
local access to high-level clinical trials and cancer-related studies
for its pediatric cancer patients. For more information, visit www.chompchildhoodcancer.org
.

About Community Blood Center of the Carolinas
The Community Blood Center of the Carolinas is an independent, locally-
managed, non-profit community blood center providing more than 90
percent of the blood supply to the 14 area hospitals that serve 11
North Carolina and three South Carolina counties. The Center's mission
is to be the steward of a community resource, lifesaving blood. CBCC
is strictly a blood center, completely focused on gathering red blood
cells, platelets and plasma from volunteer donors to save local lives.
Every drop of blood collected stays here to help people in our
community.

The Community Blood Center of the Carolinas is a member of America's
Blood Centers, a group of 76 independent blood centers that supplies
50 percent of the country's blood. It subscribes to a community-based
blood banking philosophy. That means community donors know that the
blood they give stays in our community first -- helping family
members, friends and neighbors. Excess supply is shared with other
communities when needed. For information on blood drives near you,
visit www.cbcc.us or call (704) 972-4700. You may also donate blood
at CBCC, located at 4447 South Boulevard in Charlotte, 1212 Spruce
Street in Belmont or at 600 Hospital Drive in Monroe.

Become a "fan" of the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas on
Facebook or follow us on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/CommBloodCtr.

CPCC’s Institute for Entrepreneurship to offer two free seminars the week of March 8

The Institute for Entrepreneurship at Central Piedmont Community
College announces two free seminars for the week of March 8:

Wednesday, March 10, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Institute for
Entrepreneurship, Central Campus

From Corporate World to Entrepreneur: How to Make the Transition SBX
7892-502
From your corporate desk, have you ever daydreamed of running your
own business? This seminar outlines the path from corporate America to
entrepreneurship. What is it really like to run a business? How do I
decide the best business for me? How much money is it going to take?
Where do I find the financing I need? How much money can I potentially
make? These questions and more will be answered in this seminar.

Thursday, March 11, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Matthews Library, Matthews, N.C.

Business Plan Basics SBX 7805-502
Turn your business ideas into a solid plan for financing and long-term
success. Attending this seminar will only be the start of a process
that helps commit your great ideas to paper. It will provide you with
a good general overview and basic understanding of the components of a
typical business plan: how marketing, operations and finance are
interrelated and more.

To register, visit www.cpcc.edu/e-institute and/or call 704.330.4223.

The Institute for Entrepreneurship at CPCC is a member of the Small
Business Center Network (SBCN) comprised of 58 Centers throughout
North Carolina. The objective of the SBCN is to increase the success
rate and the number of viable small businesses in North Carolina by
providing high quality, readily accessible assistance to prospective
and existing small business owners and their employees

Central Piedmont Community College is the largest community college in
North Carolina, offering close
to 300 degree and certification programs, customized corporate
training, market-focused continuing
education, and special interest classes. CPCC is academically,
financially and geographically accessible

to all citizens of Mecklenburg County. In 2002, the National Alliance
of Business named CPCC the

Community College of the Year for its response to the workforce and
technology needs of local employers and job seekers through innovative
educational and training strategies.

Charlotte Checkers Assist 24-Hour Charity Cycling Event in Facing off Cancer - March 14

24 Hours of Booty, Inc. – which runs the Official 24-Hour Cycling
Event of the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the onlynational 24-hour
road cycling charity event in the country – and the Charlotte Checkers
are teaming up for the "Second Annual Booty Day" event when the hockey
team takes on the Gwinnett Gladiators at Time Warner Cable Arena on
Sunday, March 14, 2010 at 2:00 p.m.

24 Hours of Booty team Six Degrees is organizing the "Booty Day"
event, which will include a $1,000 check presentation to team captain
and partnership organizer Mike Flanagan for 24 Hours of Booty and a
table at the game with 24 Hours of Booty give-away items. To further
support 24 hours of Booty, The Checkers are offering discounted $20
Attack Zone tickets for $15 of which $6 per ticket will do directly to
24 Hours of Booty. Individuals can purchase tickets through www.gocheckers.com/fundraisers
using login and password BOOTY.

"We had a blast last year and look forward to this year's 'Booty Day'
with the Charlotte Checkers," said Basil Lyberg, executive director
of24 Hours of Booty. "We appreciate all that the Checkers and Team Six
Degrees are doing to support our mission and the fight against cancer."

About Charlotte Checkers
The Checkers are currently in their 17th season of play in the ECHL
and have made the playoffs in five straight seasons. The team will
look to challenge for a Kelly Cup Championship this season, their last
in the ECHL, before beginning play in the American Hockey League in
2010-11. There are 10 games on the schedule for the month of March,
including the annual "Pink in the Rink" and "Salute to Heroes" games.
For more information please visit www.gocheckers.com or call
704-342-4ICE.

About 24 Hours of Booty
24 Hours of Booty, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit charity
located in Charlotte that provides extraordinary cycling events that
are safe, fun, and open to all levels of cycling ability. Its mission
is to conduct 24-hour cycling events that increase public awareness,
funds, and support for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and local cancer
organizations. Local organizations include the Keep Pounding Fund at
Carolinas Medical Center, the Brain Tumor Fund for the Carolinas in
Charlotte, and the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults and Johns
Hopkins Medicine in Columbia, Md.

The Ninth Annual 24 Hours of Booty in Charlotte 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. In addition, 24 Hours of Booty will also
host the Second Annual 24 Hours of Booty of Columbia, Md. at Gateway
Business Park "Booty Loop" on Aug.28-29 and its inaugural event in
Atlanta on Oct.2-3.

In 24 Hours of Booty's eight-year history, more than 6,000 riders have
raised more than $3.7 million. This year's event in Charlotte included
1,200 riders from 24 different states, and more than 250 volunteers.
Also in 2009, 24 Hours of Booty, Inc. raised more than $1 million with
events in Charlotte, N.C. and in Columbia, Md.

Get updates and the inside scoop about 24 Hours of Booty! Follow us on
Twitter at www.twitter.com/24hoursofbooty and become a 24 Hours of
Booty "fan" on Facebook.

LGA Hires Vice President of Public Relations Lauren Sammerson

Underscoring its reputation as one of the Southeast region's leading
advertising, marketing and public relations firms, Luquire George
Andrews (LGA) today announced it has hired Lauren Sammerson as vice
president of public relations. The appointment provides additional
senior resources for LGA's clients and supports the agency's continued
growth.

As vice president, Sammerson will provide senior-level counsel on the
development and execution of strategic public relations initiatives
for clients including BB&T and Mölnlycke Health Care.

"Lauren has worked on major brands and brings the perfect mix of
corporate and agency experience to LGA," said Judi Wax, LGA's
executive vice president / director of public relations. "We feel
fortunate to have her on our growing PR team."

Sammerson brings a wealth of financial services experience to her new
role with LGA. Most recently, she worked as a senior communications
specialist and corporate spokesperson for Lincoln Financial Group in
Greensboro, N.C., where she managed financial communications including
mergers and acquisitions, issues management, media relations and
foundation relations.

Prior to Lincoln Financial, Sammerson was a communications manager for
ING DIRECT Bank, overseeing media relations, community sponsorships,
financial literacy programs and internal communications to increase
product and brand awareness.

Her previous agency experience includes working with a leading
marketing communications firm in Wilmington, Del. – RT&E Integrated
Communications Agency – on brands such as DuPont, General Electric,
Delaware Lottery and the YMCA.

A graduate of the University of Delaware, Sammerson earned a Bachelor
of Arts degree in communications and a Master of Business
Administration (MBA). She received her Accreditation in Public
Relations (APR) through the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
in 2004.

FEBRUARY 19: DEADLINE TO PAY COUNTY TAXES BEFORE PUBLICATION IN THE NEWSPAPER

About 54,000 Mecklenburg County property owners who have not yet paid
their 2009 real and personal property tax bills will soon have their
names and the amount they owe published, as required by state law, in
The Charlotte Observer if payment is not received by Friday, Feb. 19,
2010.

Each tax bill published will be charged an additional fee for the cost
of the advertisement. That fee is in addition to interest charged for
late payment. Taxpayers are urged to pay their delinquent taxes as
soon as possible.

Delinquent taxpayers run the risk of having their North Carolina state
income tax refund seized to pay off their County property taxes.
Mecklenburg County participates in the N.C. Debt Setoff Program, which
authorizes the Tax Collector to submit the delinquent tax amounts of
taxpayers to the State. The State distributes income tax refund money
to the County to satisfy the tax debt. The Tax Collector is also
empowered to garnish funds, levy (seize and sell) personal property,
and foreclose on real property to satisfy unpaid taxes. These actions
are taken after the delinquent date and are not contingent on the
advertisement of delinquent taxes.

There are several ways to pay your tax bill:

Online: Visit http://paytax.charmeck.org and use your credit card,
debit card or eCheck.*
By phone: Call 1-877-533-0072 and use your credit/debit card.*
By mail: Mail your check using the return envelope in your tax bill.*
In person: Pay in person between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.:
● Robert L. "Bob" Walton Plaza, 700 East Stonewall Street.
● West Service Center, 4150 Wilkinson Blvd.

* Make checks payable to the Mecklenburg County Tax Collector. A
convenience fee is assessed when using the credit/debit/eCheck option.
Credit/debit/eCheck payments are not accepted when paying in person.

Taxpayers with questions about their bill, property listings or real
estate valuations can call CharMeck 311. Taxpayers calling from
outside Mecklenburg County should dial 704-336-4600. More information
is also available at http://tax.charmeck.org.

Corder Philips Appoints Chandra as Account Coordinator

Corder Philips, a creative public relations and marketing firm, is
pleased to announce the hire of Shruti Chandra as account
coordinator. Before her hire, Chandra interned with Corder Philips in
the account services department. (Note to editor: for a photo of
Chandra, please visit http://corderphilips.com/pr/shrutichandra.jpg.)

"Shruti flourished and exceeded our expectations during her
internship," said Burt Philips, managing director at Corder Philips.
"Her project management skills and high energy made her an exceptional
asset to our team. We are excited to see her take her development to
the next level."

In her new role, Chandra will assist in website development and
strategic planning for clients such as Childress Klein and American &
Efird. Chandra will also manage social media for the agency as well
as support various new business projects.

Prior to joining Corder Philips, Chandra most recently worked in
marketing communications at HeelHorn Partners, a venture capital firm
in Charlotte. Chandra also brings national marketing experience having
worked on brands including Kraft, Starbucks, Pfizer and Bristol-Myers
Squibb while a project manager at Addison Whitney in Charlotte.

An active member of the advertising industry community, Chandra serves
as secretary of Ad2 Charlotte, an organization of young media and
advertising professionals where she is currently involved in the
planning of the Charlotte 2010 ADDY Awards & Gala Show.

Chandra received her B.A. in psychology from the University of
Missouri and her MBA in marketing from University of North Carolina at
Charlotte.

About Corder Philips

Founded in 1983, Corder Philips has assisted a broad range of clients
in supporting critical business and organization goals through
creative and targeted marketing programs. The firm offers a variety
of communications services tailored to its clients' needs including
research, planning, public relations, interactive, brand development,
and media.

Recycling in Post Offices Expanding

More than 200,000 tons, and counting. That's how much paper, plastics
and other waste the U.S. Postal Service recycled in 2009, representing
a decrease in its greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 1.67
million barrels of oil.

An integral part of that undertaking is the Post Office Box Lobby
Recycling program which is expanding to include an additional 2,435
Post Offices, including those in a number of U.S. national parks. That
brings the total number of participating sites to more than 8,064, an
increase of 150 percent from 2005, when the Post Office Lobby
recycling effort started. This program is based on the success of
similar mail recycling programs in the northeastern part of the United
States, which began more than 10 years ago.

Postal customers are being encouraged to "read, respond, recycle"
their P.O. Box mail in Post Office lobbies as a convenient and
environmentally responsible alternative to taking it home to discard.

"Lobby recycling helps divert paper waste from landfills, eliminating
greenhouse gas emissions from solid waste disposal," said Deborah
Giannoni-Jackson, vice president, Employee Resource Management. "In
2009, the Postal Service sold raw materials from recyclables,
diverting them from landfills, making us greener and producing a
positive impact on our bottom line."

Secure recycling bins in Post Office lobbies are locked and the
opening is slim –– about the width of a magazine, so the mail, and
customer privacy, are ensured. P.O. Box customers are encouraged to
open their mail (read), take whatever action is necessary (respond)
and place the rest of it in the bin (recycle). A complete list of
participating "Read, Respond, Recycle" Post Offices can be found at
usps.com/green on the recycle page by clicking on Earth911.com. Type
the word "mail" in the search engine for a list by ZIP Code.

"This Post Office Box recycling program is part of a comprehensive
approach to mail production, delivery and recycling that helps create
a sustainable future for generations to come," said Sam Pulcrano, vice
president, Sustainability. "It makes it even easier for Post Office
Box customers to go green by recycling their discarded P.O. Box mail
right at the Post Office."

Pulcrano added, another way customers can go green is with 100 percent
recyclable Postal Service packaging supplies. The Postal Service is
the only mailing and shipping company to earn Cradle to Cradle™
certification for the environmentally friendly design and health
standards of Priority Mail and Express Mail supplies, and Ready Post
envelopes, tape and labels. Priority Mail and Express Mail supplies
are free to the customer and can be delivered at no charge. They can
be ordered from the Post Office that's always open, 24 hours a day,
atusps.com/green. Visit usps.com/green for the latest information
about all the Postal Service's green initiatives, tools and products.

P.O. Box Lobby Recycling is one more way the Postal Service is
demonstrating its commitment to environmental stewardship, Pulcrano
said. The Postal Service has won more than 75 environmental awards,
including 40 White House Closing the Circle, 10 Environmental
Protection Agency WasteWise Partner of the Year, Climate Action
Champion, Direct Marketing Association Green Echo, and the Postal
Technology International Environmental Achievement of the Year, 2009.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and
relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its
operations.

A self-supporting government enterprise, the U.S. Postal Service is
the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation,
150 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes. The Postal
Service receives no tax dollars. With 36,000 retail locations and the
most frequently visited website in the federal government, the Postal
Service relies on the sale of postage, products and services to pay
for operating expenses. Named the Most Trusted Government Agency five
consecutive years and the sixth Most Trusted Business in the nation by
the Ponemon Institute, the Postal Service has annual revenue of more
than $68 billion and delivers nearly half the world's mail. If it were
a private sector company, the U.S. Postal Service would rank 26th in
the 2008 Fortune 500.

High school basketball games affected by winter weather forecasts

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will operate on a normal schedule on
Friday, Feb. 12, 2010. After-school events and activities are not
expected to be affected by the winter weather forecasts, with the
exception of high school basketball games.

Both girls' and boys' junior varsity basketball games are
canceled tonight and will not be rescheduled.
· Girls' varsity basketball games will begin at 4:30 p.m.
Doors open at 4 p.m.
· Boys' varsity basketball games will be played immediately
after the girls' games.
· The Union Academy games scheduled at Phillip O. Berry
Academy of Technology have been canceled.

High school athletic directors and principals will continue monitoring
weather conditions throughout the evening and will make any additional
scheduling decisions on a case-by-case basis.

Parents with specific questions about events happening at their
child's school tonight should call the school.

Reminder: Monday, Feb. 15, is a regular school day. It was originally
scheduled as a teacher workday, but was changed to a regular school
day to make up for the Feb. 1 snow day. Students and staff should
report to school at the regular time.

Charlotte DOT Prepares for Winter Weather

The Charlotte Department of Transportation weather services provider
is predicting snow flurries to begin in Charlotte around 2 p.m. today
(Friday) with a total of 1 to 3 inches predicted by Saturday morning.

CDOT Street Maintenance is currently loading 31 salt spreaders and the
salt brine trucks. The brining of primary routes and bridges will this
morning and continue throughout the day and night until complete. The
31 salt trucks will be ready to mobilize once the snow begins. The 31
trucks will run throughout the day today and through the night and
Saturday morning if necessary.

The Charlotte Department of Transportation's (CDOT) more than 400
employees work together to ensure we accomplish our mission to provide
safe and efficient transportation systems that support economic
vitality and quality of life for Charlotte residents and visitors.
Well-paved streets with lighting, safe and accessible sidewalks,
bicycle lanes, neighborhood traffic programs and efficient
intersections are examples of how CDOT is "Connecting Charlotte."

Peter Max in Charlotte - EXHIBIT FEATURING MASTER PAINTERS

Artist Peter Max's latest retrospective features over 100 pieces of
his art, including original paintings, drawings, and limited-edition
prints. The subject matter of the work ranges from the well known
"Cosmic" images, to his famous iconic paintings, such as the "Statue
of Liberty," and "Flag with Heart" and the newest edition, the
portraits of Picasso, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and Da Vinci. See it at
Wentworth Gallery, SouthPark Mall, Charlotte, Saturday Feb. 20, from 6
to 9 p.m.

Peter Max and his vibrant colors have become part of the fabric of
contemporary culture. Max has been referred to as a Pop icon, Neo
Fauvist, Abstract Expressionist and America's "Painter Laureate" --
having painted for the last six U.S. Presidents and various Heads of
State. With more than a hundred one man museum exhibitions worldwide
including the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, Staatliche Kunsthalle
Museum in Berlin and most recently the El Paso Museum of Fine Art,
Tennessee State Museum, and De Young Museum in San Francisco, Peter
Max is one of America's most well known and most collected artists.
ART IS AVAILABLE FOR ACQUISITION
For details call: 704-365-2733

Humane Society of Charlotte Announces "Adopt-A-Sweetheart"

Throughout the month of February the Humane Society of Charlotte will
feature several "sweetheart" animals available for adoption through
the third annual Adopt-A-Sweetheart Month. Our sweethearts will be
available to approved adopters at a discount off the regular adoption
price throughout February and for free on Sunday, February 14.

Specific animals will have a red heart displayed on their cage cards,
denoting that the animal can be adopted at the discounted price. "This
event allows us to feature some of our wonderful animals at the
shelter and helps encourage those looking to adopt," said Kristi
Perman, Assistant Executive Director.

The regular fee for each featured animal will be reduced by $50, with
the exception of Valentine's Day when the entire fee will be waved.
The discount adoption fee includes all vaccinations, spay/neuter
surgery, 30 days of free pet insurance and a microchip.

"Valentine's Day is February's biggest holiday and we hope many people
looking to adopt will give one of our sweethearts a new forever home,"
Perman said.

Please visit our Web site, www.humanesocietyofcharlotte.org, or come
to our shelter to see animals available for adoption.

About the Humane Society of Charlotte:
The mission of the Humane Society of Charlotte is to bring love and
hope to all animals by ensuring the humane treatment of companion
animals through adoption, spay/neuter and education. Our vision is to
place all animals in safe and loving homes. The Humane Society of
Charlotte provides low-cost spay and neuter surgeries for cats and
dogs to reduce pet overpopulation throughout the Carolinas. The no-
kill of adoptable animal's organization provides pets with the love
and attention they need to live happy and healthy lives while awaiting
a new home. The Humane Society of Charlotte is a non-profit
organization that relies solely on private donations to achieve its
mission.

2700 Toomey Avenue,
Charlotte, NC 28203
704-377-0534
www.humanesocietyofcharlotte.org

FREE BUTTERMILK PANCAKES TO BENEFIT LEVINE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL ON FEBRUARY 23 AT IHOP

In celebration of National Pancake Day, IHOP restaurants nationwide
will offer each guest a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes in an
effort to raise awareness and funds for Children's Miracle Network
hospitals.
This year, IHOP is hoping to stack up more donations than ever before,
with a goal to raise $1.75 million, for a total of $5 million five
years with its National Pancake Day fundraising effort. To find a
local IHOP or to donate online, visitwww.ihoppancakeday.com.
For every delicious short stack of buttermilk pancakes served on
National Pancake Day, IHOP guests are invited to make a donation to
the Children's Miracle Network. Donations made at IHOPs in the
Charlotte area will benefit the Children's Miracle Network program at
Levine Children's Hospital.
WHEN: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2010, 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
WHERE: Participating IHOP restaurants nationwide.
Fun Facts From National Pancake Day 2009:
· Pancake lovers donated nearly $1.5 million to children's
charities, far exceeding the fundraising goal.
· IHOP served more than 2.5 million free pancakes on National
Pancake Day 2009.
· All of the free pancakes served on National Pancake Day would
create a stack more than 20 miles high.
· Since the inception of National Pancake Day in 2006, IHOP has
raised more than $3.25 million and given away more than 6.1 million
pancakes to support charities in the communities in which it operates.
· National Pancake Day 2009 was IHOP's largest one-day event in
the company's 51-year history.
ABOUT IHOP
For 51 years, the IHOP family restaurant chain has served its world
famous pancakes and a wide variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner
items that are loved by people of all ages. IHOP offers its guests an
affordable, everyday dining experience with warm and friendly service.
The first IHOP opened in Toluca Lake, Calif. in 1958, and as of
September 30, 2009, there were 1,433 IHOPs in 50 states,Canada and
Mexico. IHOP restaurants are franchised and operated by Glendale,
Calif.-based International House of Pancakes, LLC and its affiliates.
International House of Pancakes, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN).
***NOTE: For centuries, the English have 'flipped' for pancakes in
celebration of Shrove Tuesday, which heralds the beginning of fasting
during Lent. Long ago, strict rules prohibited the eating of all
dairy products during Lent, so pancakes were made to use up the supply
of eggs, milk, butter and other dairy products . . . hence the name
Pancake Tuesday. IHOP introduced "National Pancake Day" (which always
takes place in February) as a tribute to the centuries old tradition,
but more importantly thank guests for their patronage and give back to
the community.

NewPoint Learning Center Opens New Location in Denver, NC

NewPoint Learning Center (www.newpointlearning.com) is pleased to
announce the opening of its newest franchise location in Denver, NC,
at 3130 North Highway 16. The Owner and Center Director, Ginny
Wirzbicki, is looking forward to being able to serve the needs of
students in the Lincoln-Catawba area, as well as portions of North
Mecklenburg and Iredell County. The opening of this new center will
make it possible for NewPoint Learning Center to serve all of the
areas around Lake Norman with centers already established in Davidson
and Mooresville.

"We're very excited about Ginny, who was a former tutor for our
Davidson center, opening up a NewPoint location in Denver," says Dr.
Mary-Margaret Kantor, Regional Support Director for NewPoint. "She is
very dynamic and enthusiastic, and we're thrilled to have her as the
newest member of the NewPoint family."

Ginny Wirzbicki's background includes a mix of marketing, education
and the arts. After working as an advertising account executive and
marketing director, she returned to school to obtain a Bachelor's
Degree in English and taught 10th grade English for Charlotte-
Mecklenburg Schools. She also works with Measurement, Inc., and
Educational Testing Service (ETS) on the essay and open-ended portions
of the End-of-Grade Tests for various states throughout the nation.
Her experience working with both students and the companies that
administer these tests affords her a unique ability to assist students
with the skills needed to meet or exceed their grade level requirements.

According to Wirzbicki, "Every child should have the opportunity to
reach his or her full potential, and I believe that NewPoint's
philosophy of, not just customizing, but individualizing a program for
each student will make that possible for every student who walks
through our door. I'm really looking forward to working with our
students; when I was a dance teacher, nothing was more fulfilling than
seeing a child's delight at mastering something new or challenging."

NewPoint Learning Center's services include tutoring, homework help,
SAT and ACT preparation, and college planning. The company, formerly
part of The Davidson Center, has been providing education services in
Davidson for over 10 years and began expanding in 2008 with locations
currently in North Carolina, Tennessee, and coming soon to South
Carolina.

For further information about the NewPoint Learning Center in Denver,
please call Ginny Wirzbicki at 704-489-4888. For further information
about NewPoint Learning franchises, call Smita Quinn at 704-895-4000.

SouthWood Signage Grant Awarded to Charlotte Rescue Mission

SouthWood Corporation (www.southwoodcorp.com), which provides image-
conscious signage and graphics for clients nationwide, has awarded a
$5000 "Identifying Our Community" Grant to Charlotte Rescue Mission.
The grant includes the design, fabrication and installation of signage
at their location at 907 West First Street.

Charlotte Rescue Mission provides residential programs for homeless,
jobless men and women with alcohol and drug addiction issues. "This
signage grant from SouthWood will allow us greater exposure and
clearer identity within the community and with the men and women we
serve," says Rev. Anthony Marciano II, executive director of Charlotte
Rescue Mission.

The award to Charlotte Rescue Mission is the sixth in a series of
grants to be awarded by SouthWood to nonprofits in the Charlotte area.
SouthWood's Identifying Our Community Grant program will grant a total
of $100,000 worth of signage and services to eligible nonprofit
organizations to install new signage or upgrade existing signage to
create a positive environment. Grants will be awarded in quarterly
$5000 increments to a different nonprofit every quarter.

"Our community has been a vital part of SouthWood's success over the
last 40 years and it is with sincere pleasure and excitement that we
have this opportunity to give something back," says Amy Spang,
spokesperson for SouthWood Corporation. "We hope this grant initiative
makes our community a better place for all its citizens."

Grants are awarded based on the eligibility criteria listed below.
· Organization must be a 501 (c) (3)

· Organization must be located in Mecklenburg County

· Organization must be able to show how it will significantly
benefit from this grant and how it will further serve its mission

· Organizations applying to upgrade existing signage must
show significant issues with existing signage

Organizations may submit applications to SouthWood through www.southwoodcorp.com
. Applicants may also call 704-588-5000 x149 to obtain an application
via fax or U.S. Mail. Applicants must provide six photos of their
current (or proposed) signage and its location relative to roads,
buildings and driveways. Logos, graphic standards guide or brand
artwork must also accompany the application.

The application deadline for the next SouthWood Identifying Our
Community Grant is April 15, 2010. The next grant recipient will be
chosen at the end of April.

About SouthWood Corporation
SouthWood specializes in the creation and implementation of image-
conscious custom signage and graphics. SouthWood will design, plan,
build, install and manage the project from concept to completion for
clients throughout the U.S., Caribbean and beyond. Founded in 1970,
SouthWood has earned a reputation for helping clients figure out what
they need, getting it done right and on time, and providing service
and quality that generate referrals and repeat business. Call
800-727-6884 or visit www.southwoodcorp.com for more information.

BASS FISHING LEAGUE NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION TO HOST EVENT ON LAKE NORMAN

The FLW Bass Fishing League is headed to Lake Norman Feb. 13 for the
first of five stops in the North Carolina Division series. As many as
400 pro and co-anglers will be competing for top awards of up to
$8,000 and $3,000, respectively.

"There has been a lot of rain in the area which has really muddied the
water," said FLW Tour pro Chris Baumgardner of Gastonia, N. C., who
has two top-10 finishes including a win at Lake Norman. "Anglers will
want to look for the 'hot holes' and fish slow and shallow. Ramsey
Creek and near the 150 Bridge should be full of fish as the water
tends to be a little warmer in those areas. Crankbaits around rocks
should work well."

Anglers will take off from Midway Marina located at 8693 Highway 150
East in Terrell, N.C., at 7:00 a.m. Weigh-in will be held at Midway
Marina as well beginning at 3:00 p.m. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free
and open to the public.

Bass Fishing League competition is a 24-division league circuit
devoted to weekend anglers, that offers even bigger prizes to regional
championship qualifiers and those who make it to one of the longest-
running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-
American presented by Chevy. Top winners in the BFL can move up to the
American Fishing Series or even the FLW Tour.

ABOUT FLW OUTDOORS
FLW Outdoors, named after Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of
Ranger Boats, is the largest fishing tournament organization in the
world offering anglers worldwide the opportunity to compete for
millions over the course of 189 tournaments in 2010. FLW Outdoors has
also taken fishing mainstream with FLW Fantasy Fishing awarding the
largest prizes in the history of fantasy sports. FLW Outdoors
memberships are available featuring numerous benefits including
Player's Advantage. For more information about FLW Outdoors and its
tournaments, visit FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000. For more
information about FLW Fantasy Fishing, visit FantasyFishing.com.
FLWOutdoors.com

The Duke Mansion Opens for Weddings

The Duke Mansion, a grand historic estate and bed-and-breakfast inn,
is now available to brides as one of the most luxurious and memorable
wedding venues in Charlotte.

For years, Charlotte brides and their families asked proprietors of
The Duke Mansion if weddings or wedding receptions could be hosted
there. And for years, the answer was no.

But thanks to support from its neighbors in Myers Park, The Duke
Mansion is now open for Charlotte weddings and wedding receptions.
Brides can make their entrance down the elegant spiral staircase, over
the marble hallways where the famed Duke family once walked, and into
classic, picture-perfect gardens or stately, sun-filled great rooms.

The historic non-profit inn and meeting place is now accepting
reservations for weddings and wedding receptions of up to 150 guests.
"This has been one of our most requested services," says Cyndee
Patterson, president of The Lynnwood Foundation, which operates the
mansion. "We are so happy to be able to accommodate brides with this
wonderful facility. We're very grateful to our neighbors who have
permitted this expansion of the mansion's services."

Along with a stunning venue, The Duke Mansion provides on-site
culinary services from Executive Chef Harrison Booth and his team.
Booth is former executive chef for Bank of America Executive Dining,
as well as former chef for the well-loved Lotus Bar and Eatery.

With 20 guest rooms individually decorated with antiques, The Mansion
offers everything the bride, groom, and their families need under one
roof. The bridal party and guests can spend the night in The Mansion
before the festivities begin and use our facilities to help prepare
the bride in grandeur.

Built in 1915 and tripled in size by its most famous owner, James
Buchanan Duke, The Duke Mansion has been home and host to leaders of
the 20th century. Duke's most lasting legacies including Duke
University, Duke Energy, and the Duke Endowment took shape at the
home. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Mansion
is now operated as a nonprofit with all proceeds being used to
preserve and protect this community treasure.

To book The Duke Mansion for your Charlotte wedding or wedding
reception, call 704-714-4400. To see photos of The Mansion, visit http://www.dukemansion.com/

DSS PROVIDES TRANSPORTATION HELP FOR UNDEREMPLOYED

The Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services (DSS) is
currently taking applications for a program that assists low-income
residents with the transportation costs of going to and from work and
work-related activities. Grants from the Employment Supplemental Fund
Program and the Transitional Transportation Fund awarded by the state
of North Carolina Department of Transportation will fund this program,
which provides mileage reimbursement and bus passes to individuals who
meet the following eligibility criteria:

· Must be employed or enrolled in a job-training program
· Must provide pay stubs or verification of work-related
training in the past 30 days
· Must bring photo identification
· Income must fall within 200 percent of the federal poverty
guideline
· Must provide proof of a valid N.C. license and N.C. vehicle
registration if applying for mileage reimbursement
· Must have valid vehicle insurance and be current with county
taxes if applying for mileage reimbursement.

The application must be completed by a social worker, case worker or
staff from referring agencies who partner with DSS to accept
applications. This program is funded through June 30, 2010. Please
note that funds may be exhausted prior to June 30, 2010.

Residents may apply in person at our two locations:
Kuralt Centre, 301 Billingsley Road
Valerie C. Woodard Center, 3205 Freedom Drive
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. – noon

Residents may also apply at the following public library branches:
February 2 – West Boulevard Library, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
February 3 – Plaza Midwood Library, 1–3 p.m.
February 9 – Belmont Center Library, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
February 11 – Sugar Creek Library, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
February 15 – Scaleybark Libarary, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
February 20 – Main Library, 1 p.m. – 6 p. m.
February 23 – Independence Regional, 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
February 27 – Freedom Regional, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

To learn more about the program and to find out whether or not you
qualify, please contact the Department of Social Services at
(704)336-3000.

Ten CMS magnet schools win national recognition

Ten Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools received merit awards from Magnet
Schools of America. Collinswood Dual Language Academy, Davidson IB
Middle, Piedmont Open IB Middle, Randolph IB Middle, Smith Academy of
International Languages and Idlewild Elementary were named 2010
Schools of Excellence.

Magnet Schools of America recognizes schools that show a commitment to
high academic standards, innovative curriculum, successful efforts in
desegregation and diversity, and delivering quality services to
students.

Four other CMS magnets were named Schools of Distinction: Myers Park
Traditional, Oakhurst Elementary, Oaklawn Language Academy and
Tuckaseegee Elementary.

"Our teachers, students and staff work hard to ensure high-quality
magnet programs across the district," said Jeff Linker, director of
magnet programs. "It is a major accomplishment to have 10 of our
magnet schools recognized for excellence."

Only 54 schools nationwide were named Schools of Excellence, including
14 in North Carolina. Seventy-three schools across the United States
were named Schools of Distinction, including 15 in North Carolina.

This was the first time Tuckaseegee Elementary, Myers Park Traditional
and Randolph IB Middle schools applied for the award. Tuckaseegee
Elementary Principal Dayna Sanders said her staff was surprised but
thrilled to learn they had won on their first try.

"Tuckaseegee is tucked away off I-85 and it isn't in a well-known part
of Charlotte. This award makes us shine and lets everyone know we are
just as competitive as any other program in CMS or in America," she
said. "We have scholars who have the potential to be and do whatever
they want because we provide that rigorous curriculum."

This is the fifth year in a row Idlewild has been recognized. Oakhurst
has won awards for four years in a row, and Oaklawn was recognized for
the past three years.

All 10 of the CMS winners will be recognized at the national Magnet
Schools of America conference, which is being held in Florida in May.
The six Schools of Excellence will have displays in the exhibit hall,
and will go on to compete for additional honors and possibly monetary
awards.

Colgate-Palmolive Awards Starlight Fun Center to Charlotte's Levine Children's Hospital

Colgate-Palmolive has awarded a Starlight Fun Center™ to Charlotte's
Levine Children's Hospital as part of its annual "Show the Love"
online challenge – an interactive campaign that engages the public in
awarding Starlight Fun Centers™ to children's hospitals throughout the
country.

Starlight Fun Center™ mobile entertainment units feature a Sharp
AQUOS™ LCD TV, DVD player and Nintendo Wii™ gaming system to provide
hours of fun and distraction to pediatric patients and their families.
For children who may be facing surgery, enduring long outpatient
treatments or fighting loneliness after hospital visiting hours have
ended, Starlight Fun Centers™ provide a comforting break.

In celebration of its 20 year partnership with Starlight Children's
Foundation, Colgate expanded this year's "Show the Love" online
challenge. In addition to awarding one Starlight Fun Center™ to each
of the 20 participating hospitals, Colgate will be donating one
Starlight Fun Center™ every day throughout the month of February.

Show the Love and help Charlotte's Levine Children's Hospital receive
an additional Starlight Fun Center™ by voting online every day at www.colgate.com/showthelove
!

"Show the Love" Online Challenge Details
Now through Sunday, February 28, 2010 consumers can visit www.colgate.com/showthelove
to vote for their local participating hospital. The participating
hospital to receive the most online votes by 12:00AM EST , each day
will be awarded a Starlight Fun Center™.

Each participating hospital is eligible to receive a maximum of three
Starlight Fun Centers™. A total of 48 Starlight Fun Centers™ will be
awarded through this year's "Show the Love" online challenge.
Additional rules and restrictions are available on Colgate.com.

Colgate-Palmolive Celebrates 20 Year Milestone
Colgate-Palmolive proudly celebrates its 20th year of partnering with
Starlight Children's Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to
helping seriously ill children and their families cope with the
challenges that accompany prolonged childhood illness.

During the two-decade partnership, Colgate has donated more than 1,190
Starlight Fun Centers™ and more than $8 million to Starlight to
promote Starlight's mission and help improve the lives of young
patients and their families.

"Sport a Shirt" Fund-raising Campaign For Ronald McDonald House

The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) of Charlotte is looking for area
businesses to participate in its upcoming 2010 "Sport a Shirt, Share a
Night" Fund-raising campaign.

Participating Charlotte-area companies will encourage their employees
to purchase a RMH T-shirt for $10 and wear them on Friday, April 23,
2010. The purchase of one $10 T-shirt will cover a family's donation
for a night's stay at the RMH while their child is receiving medical
treatment at area children's hospitals. Last year, the RMH of
Charlotte sold more than 4,100 T-shirts, raising more than $41,000.
The goal is to sell 7,000 T-shirts this year.

"Even though it costs approximately $70 to host a family for one night
at a House, families are asked for a donation of $10 a night," said
Mona Johnson-Gibson, Executive Director of RMH of Charlotte.
"Sometimes, even this amount is a financial burden for families;
however, the RMH never turns a family away because of their inability
to pay. That's why we are inviting area businesses to participate in
this unique and special fund-raiser to help our families."

Businesses and their employees are asked to support this fund-raiser
by following two easy steps:
· Designate Friday, April 23, 2010 as "Sport a Shirt, Share a Night"
Day, where employees are encouraged to wear their RMH T-shirts.
· Have a company appoint a team coordinator. The coordinator will
encourage others to make a $10 donation in exchange for a T-shirt. The
coordinator is responsible for accepting donations, submitting the
company's T-shirt order form, picking up the T-shirts in April and
distributing them to participating employees. Completed order forms
are due Friday, March 12, 2010.

For more information about the 2010 "Sport a Shirt, Share a Night"
Fund-raiser, call (704) 335-1191 or email
charlottesportashirt@gmail.com.

About the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte
Currently, Charlotte is the only major U.S. city that does not have a
RMH. The RMH of Charlotte is scheduled to open in late 2010 and will
serve the families of children being treated at Levine Children's
Hospital and Hemby Children's Hospital. Located on the 1600 block of
East Morehead Street on land donated by Carolinas Medical Center, the
House will feature approximately 35,000 square feet of living space
complete with 28 bedrooms (one family per bedroom/suite), providing
more than 10,000 nights for the families. It is also scheduled to have
a community kitchen, great room, learning center, playground and
sitting porch, and construction has begun. The RMH of Charlotte is an
independent 501(c)(3) charity managed by a local board of directors
which will oversee construction and operation of the home. The cost of
building and operating the RMH of Charlotte will come primarily from
individual and corporate donations. The RMH of Charlotte will be
funded, constructed and operated by the Charlotte community. The
mission of the RMH of Charlotte is to provide the families of children
being treated in area medical facilities with a safe, affordable and
caring "home away from home." For more information on RMH of
Charlotte, visit www.rmhofcharlotte.org.

Yn Wine Café Announces This Month's Emerging Artists Schedule

Yn Wine Café has released February's line-up for its popular Emerging
Artist Series.

There is no cover charge, doors open at 5 p.m. and the show begins at
7 p.m. Here is the complete schedule for the month of February (please
note, there is no show on Feb. 7):

Feb. 14 - Carrie Marshall & Chris Harris
Carrie Marshall
With Carrie's expressiveness and sincerity, she captivates listeners
with the depths of her rich voice. Her poetic, faith-based pop is
sometimes laced with classical piano undertones and her original works
range from tender, piano-based ballads to rhythmic pop rock. Carrie
began putting her poems to music in her teens, desiring to "paint
truth with words and melodies." She quickly found that audiences
resonated with her music as she shared her songs wherever she could
find an audience. Carrie's new album, "Redemption," is a reflection of
what God taught her while navigating the troubled waters of her life.
"Redemption" takes the listener on a journey from struggle to hope.

Chris Harris
Chris is a guitarist, vocalist and songwriter living in Charlotte.
Born in the Blue Ridge Mountains and raised in the Pacific Northwest,
Chris was enthralled with the sounds of soul moving music – whether it
be jazz, country, blues or rock n' roll. He taught himself guitar and
began his musical journey by endlessly spinning old records and
replicating the vocal and guitar lines from popular musicians. Mixing
his own brand of grassroots "soul stew," Chris gravitates towards
songs with great lyrics, good rhymes and moving melodies. Chris is a
member ofNashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI).

Feb. 21—Kevin Marshall & Allen Shervelle
Kevin Marshall
Kevin has been a singer, songwriter and guitar player in Charlotte
since the early 1980s. He was the front man for the Charlotte band,
The Wax Gurus, for eight years, but now is playing mostly original
songs with some eclectic covers. He partnered with Jason Switzer, a
multi-talented musician who plays guitar, mandolin and lap steel guitar.

Allen Shervelle
Allen is a songwriter from Charlotte who writes pop country, pop rock
and Christian rock music. He uses his 1990s rock influence melodies
and marries them with today's country lyrics. Allen has played drums
since he was 13, and picked up guitar along the way to write songs.
His dream is to write songs with the hopes of inspiring and giving
people something to feel good about. For the last two years, Allen has
traveled to and from Nashville honing his craft. He has written songs
with Marc Alan Barnette and Brandon Maddox, even assisting in a song
with Barnette called "Less Is More" that features Motown bassist Bob
Babbitt.

Feb. 28—Liz Howell, Dave Petty & Jackie Moseley
Liz Howell & Dave Petty
A resident of Charlotte, Liz began playing guitar and writing songs
when she was a teenager. After partnering with Tyger Wade in 2004,
they released their debut folk-country self-titled CD in 2006 on
CDBaby. Their second CD, released in 2007, has a rich, bluesy feel.
Recently, Liz went solo, but has teamed up with Dave to write a few
country songs. Also a Queen City resident, Dave has been playing the
local coffeehouse scene for more than 10 years. His sound has been
described as country driven by rock progression with The Eagles,
Radney Foster and Pat Green as influences. Both Liz and Dave are
members of the NSAI, and have recently entered their works into CMT's
song contest.

Jackie Moseley
Performing and playing music has been party of Jackie's life since she
was three. Her mother was a big believer in music and dance study, and
her first memory of performing came at the age of 5 when she performed
for her family. Her parents converted an old gas station into a lounge
where they performed skits and music. She has played the piano since
she was eight and taught herself to play guitar at the age of 13
giving her a way to express things that otherwise stayed on the
inside. Some of her influences are Joni Mitchell, Eric Clapton, Heart
and Stevie Wonder.

For more information about the Emerging Artist Series, please contact
Sasha Rabon by calling (704) 724-6150 or emailingsrabon@131-main.com.

About Yn Wine Café
Yn Wine Café, located at 1315 East Blvd., Charlotte, is a true Napa
Valley wine bar in the heart of Dilworth. It has a collection of award-
winning wines, daily drink specials and small plates of delicious
light fare including Espresso Rubbed Tuna, Tender Short Ribs and Fresh
Shrimp Rolls. Yn Wine Café's hours of operation are Sunday from 5 to
11 p.m.; Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.; and Friday
and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Yn Wine Café is owned and operated
by Captiva Restaurant Group who also own and operate 131 Main
Restaurants, an upscale casual dining restaurant serving updated
American classics with an emphasis on fresh food with four locations
in North Carolina, including one in Dilworth. Based in Cornelius, NC,
Captiva was founded in 2004 by its three principals: Joe Douglas
(CEO), Michael Vaughn (COO) and Chris Carlsen (CFO). For more
information, visit www.yn-cafe.com.