One-of-a-Kind Playground to be Built in Charlotte in One Day Using Volunteers

As part of Mayor Anthony Foxx's Healthy Children; Healthy Family and
Youth Engagement Convention Legacies, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg
Housing Partnership (The Housing Partnership), Humana Inc., KaBOOM! (a
national non-profit organization that has built more than 2,100
playgrounds), Charlotte in 2012, and volunteers will join forces on
Saturday, Aug. 4 to build a one-of-a-kind, multi-generational
playground in Charlotte at the Village of Rosedale Apartments.

The customized playground, funded primarily by Humana (a leading
health and wellness company), along with a contribution from The
Housing Partnership, was created with personal drawings and input from
local community members – from children to seniors – and will be built
in six hours!

Humana is proud to help create a lasting neighborhood legacy that
promotes healthy play and well-being.The unique space will have senior-
focused and adult elements, such as fitness stations and walking
paths, to promote good posture, balance and flexibility – as well as
more traditional, kid-friendly equipment to build a truly multi-
generational space. The project will also create an outdoor recreation
area to inspire play and healthy living for years to come.

The current playground equipment at the Village of Rosedale Apartments
is worn and in need of replacement. The new playground and multi-
generational exercise stations will effectively address these needs,
providing youth with an age-appropriate area to play, as well as
opportunities for seniors to interact further with each other and the
community.

Humana is excited to partner with KaBOOM! to build a new space for
local residents of all ages/abilities; encourage physical activity and
overall health and well-being; and provide a diverse community
gathering area. Hundreds of volunteers and community members will roll
up their sleeves to build the new, 2,640-sq.-ft., playground from
start-to-finish in one day in a fun, old-fashioned barn raising – with
a playful twist!

The project is one of 18 playgrounds being built by Humana and KaBOOM!
across the U.S. in 2012.

WHEN Saturday, August 4, 2012
WHERE Village of Rosedale Apartments
3925 Tiffany Rose Place
Charlotte, NC 28206

· 8:30 to 9 a.m. Kick off ceremony and
volunteer deployment
· 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Best viewing of
playground construction
· 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Final
construction phase and adjustments
· 2:30 to 3 p.m. Ribbon-cutting
ceremony to dedicate new play area
(Note: all times approximate)

The Charlotte in 2012 Convention Host Committee is a non-profit, non-
partisan organization established by the city of Charlotte to fulfill
obligations of the master contract with the Democratic National
Convention Committee. In addition to those obligations, Charlotte in
2012 works to engage the citizens Charlotte and the Carolinas through
business and civic opportunities, ensure that the Convention leaves a
positive lasting legacy, and tell Charlotte and the region's story to
the nation and the world. For more information, visit us online at www.charlottein2012.com
.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership, Inc.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership, Inc. (The Housing
Partnership) is a broad-based, private, nonprofit housing development
and financial corporation with goals supporting home ownership, stable
neighborhoods, and communities blending market rate and affordable
housing in the City of Charlotte. In addition to its home ownership
counseling, lending, and community revitalization work, The Housing
Partnership has created exceptional developments and neighborhoods in
various parts of Charlotte including Springcroft at Ashley Park,
Rivermere, The Gables at Druid Hills, and Park at Oaklawn. For more
information, visit www.cmhp.org.

Humana
Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is a leading health
care company that offers a wide range of insurance products and health
and wellness services that incorporate an integrated approach to
lifelong well-being. By leveraging the strengths of its core
businesses, Humana believes it can better explore opportunities for
existing and emerging adjacencies in health care that can further
enhance wellness opportunities for the millions of people across the
nation with whom the company has relationships. For more information,
visit www.humana.com.

KaBOOM!
KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to saving play. Children
today spend less time playing outdoors than any previous generation, a
fact that is having disastrous consequences on their health,
achievement levels, and overall well-being. To fight this play
deficit, social entrepreneur Darell Hammond founded non-profit KaBOOM!
in 1996 in Washington, D.C. with a vision of creating a great place to
play within walking distance of every child in America. Since then,
KaBOOM! has mapped over 89,000 places to play, built more than 2,100
playgrounds, and successfully advocated for play policies in hundreds
of cities across the country. KaBOOM! also provides communities with
online tools to self-organize and take action to support play on both
a local and national level. Hammond chronicles the founding of the
organization and the importance of the cause of play in his The New
York Times Best Seller KaBOOM!: How One Man Built a Movement to Save
Play. The book details how businesses and communities can work
together to save play for children across the country. All author
proceeds support KaBOOM!. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., KaBOOM!
also has offices in Chicago and San Mateo, Calif. For more
information, visit www.kaboom.org.

Celebrating Ceramics: Potters Market Invitational set for September 15 in Charlotte

A taste of Seagrove, the Catawba Valley, and other well-known centers
of North Carolina pottery will visit Charlotte when the 8th annual
Potters Market Invitational sets up its tent on the grounds of Mint
Museum Randolph on September 15.

Forty outstanding North Carolina potters have been invited to
participate in this year's event, presented by the Delhom Service
League, an affiliate group of The Mint Museum dedicated to the support
and study of ceramics. The event typically lures over 1,200 collectors
and enthusiasts, many of whom line up hours in advance of the opening
to make sure to gain access to the day's best treasures.

"We are thrilled to have this opportunity to share our enthusiasm for
this important art form with the Charlotte community and the region,
and to give residents a chance to engage with some of our state's most
significant artists and their work," said Lee Abbott, chairperson of
this year's Potters Market. "The Mint Museum already boasts the
largest collection of North Carolina pottery in the United States, and
we look forward to future opportunities to put a strengthened focus on
ceramics at Mint Museum Randolph."

A $10 admission fee includes access to the event, running from 10 a.m.
to 4 p.m., as well as admission to both locations of The Mint Museum
(admission is reduced to $8 after 2 p.m.)*. The event is still selling
$100 individual sponsorships which grant early admission at 9:15 a.m.
and a greater chance to acquire the most-desired items. For $150,
individuals can also be admitted to a Potters Party being held Friday,
September 14 from 7-9 p.m. at Mint Museum Randolph, where they will
have the opportunity to mingle with the potters.

PMI tickets go on sale online Aug. 1 at mintmuseum.org/delhom-service-
league.html, or are available at the door. More information is
available at 704.337.2010 or by emailing PottersMarketInvitational@gmail.com
. The event also includes live folk music and pottery-making
demonstrations. Funds raised go toward acquisitions of pottery and
library materials for the museum.

The honorary chair of this year's market is Herb Cohen, a league
member whose work is featured in the exhibition Sophisticated
Surfaces: The Pottery of Herb Cohen, on view at Mint Museum Randolph
through January 6, 2013.

Also on view at Mint Museum Randolph through January 6 is the
exhibition A Thriving Tradition: 75 Years of Collecting North Carolina
Pottery, which contains many significant acquisitions obtained through
the help of the Delhom Service League and its individual members. An
example is a ceramic sculpture of a rabbit, "Alice Goes to
Washington," by Carol Gentithes, which contains images of Barack
Obama, Martha Stewart, George W. Bush, Jay Leno, and other figures
emblematic in current culture. "Like a classical language, the
vocabulary that I create has many layers of meaning. I leave it with
the viewers to derive their personal interpretations," Gentithes has
said of her work. Gentithes is one of this year's participating
potters, who also include Judith Duff, designer of a vase purchased at
the 2009 Potters Market Invitational that became the primary image for
this year's event; and Ben Owen III of the legendary Owen and Owens
families of North Carolina potters. First-time participating potters
this year include Julie Wiggins, Steven Abee, Ross Edwards, Becky and
Steve Lloyd, Joy Tanner, Alex Matisse, and Frank Neef. A complete list
of potters is available at mintmuseum.org/happenings/18/delhom-service-
league-8th-annual-potters-market-invitational.

Recently, Mint Museum Randolph opened two more permanent-collection
exhibitions that illustrate the depth and breadth of the Mint's
ceramics collection: Classically Inspired: European Ceramics Circa
1800, and American Ceramics, 1825-1875. Find more information about
them in the attachment.

Corporate sponsor for this year's Potters Market Invitational is
Subaru South Boulevard. Top-level individual sponsors are Bill
Musgrave, Betsy Brand, Herb Cohen and José Fumero, Jane M. Conlan, and
Sarah Belk Gambrell.

*Note: Visitors must purchase their PMI ticket first in order to gain
free museum admission on the event date.

ABOUT DELHOM SERVICE LEAGUE

Delhom Service league is an affiliate group of The Mint Museum
dedicated to developing interest in ceramics by studying the work of
experts and by supporting the ceramics collection of The Mint Museum.
It is named for M. Mellanay Delhom and her outstanding collection of
historical pottery and porcelain, which entered the museum's
collection in 1965. The league offers monthly programs that are open
to the public, on the third Tuesday of the month from September
through May, and holds study and research classes on Monday
afternoons. The league, consisting of both potters and ceramics
enthusiasts, supports acquisitions of pottery and library materials
for the museum.

ABOUT THE MINT MUSEUM

As the oldest art museum in North Carolina, and the art museum with
one of the largest collections in the Southeast, The Mint Museum
offers its visitors inspiring and transformative experiences through
art from around the world via innovative collections, ground-breaking
exhibitions, riveting educational programs, and profound scholarship.
The Mint Museum is a non-profit, visual arts institution comprised of
two dynamic facilities: Mint Museum Uptown and Mint Museum Randolph.

Located in what was the original branch of the United States Mint,
Mint Museum Randolph opened in 1936 in Charlotte's Eastover
neighborhood as the state's first art museum. Today, in a beautiful
park setting, intimate galleries invite visitors to engage with the
art of the ancient Americas, ceramics and decorative arts, fashion,
European and African art, among other collections. Resources include a
reference library with over 18,000 volumes, a theater featuring
lectures and performances, and a museum shop offering merchandise that
complements both the permanent collection and special exhibitions.

Mint Museum Uptown houses the internationally renowned Craft + Design
collection, as well as outstanding collections of American,
contemporary, and European art. Designed by Machado and Silvetti
Associates of Boston, the five-story, 145,000-square-foot facility
combines inspiring architecture with cutting-edge exhibitions to
provide visitors with unparalleled educational and cultural
experiences. Located in the heart of Charlotte's burgeoning center
city, Mint Museum Uptown is an integral part of the Levine Center for
the Arts, a cultural campus that includes the Bechtler Museum of
Modern Art, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and
Culture, the Knight Theater, and the Duke Energy Center. Mint Museum
Uptown also features a wide range of visitor amenities, including the
240-seat James B. Duke Auditorium, the Lewis Family Gallery, art
studios, a restaurant, and a museum shop. For more information, visit
the NEW mintmuseum.org.

Internationally acclaimed artist Nacho Carbonell at work inside Mint Museum Uptown

Internationally-acclaimed artist Nacho Carbonell is working in the
atrium assembling his work Wood Branches, Diversity n. 17 (prototype),
2010 (shown in photo). Carbonell will be assisted by Paloma Castaño
Sanchez, an emerging fashion and textile artist. They are scheduled to
complete the work by Monday July 30.

Carbonell's work is one of six to be featured in the Mint's "Vote for
Art" project, a one-of-a-kind election taking place within the walls
of Mint Museum Uptown.

"Vote for Art" is aimed at educating the public on both the electoral
process and the process of building a world-class collection for
Charlotte and the region. Six specially-chosen works of art will be on
view in the museum, and the public can cast votes on their three
favorites. The museum will acquire the three winners and add them to
its permanent collection. The other five works will be installed
within the museum in coming weeks.

Voting opens on September 1 to coincide with the beginning of the
Democratic National Convention – and to allow the DNC delegates the
first opportunities to cast votes, as they do during the nation's real-
life electoral process. Mint Museum Uptown, which is normally closed
to the public on Mondays, will be open FREE all day on September 3,
Labor Day, to coincide with CarolinaFest, a day-long party for the
Democratic National Convention visitors to be held along Tryon Street.
All visitors to the museum through September 7 will be offered ballots
and the opportunity to cast votes. Voting then closes after the DNC
and reopens October 1, running through November 9.

Election Day, November 6, will be a free admission day from 10 a.m.-9
p.m. so any interested voters can come to the museum to vote for art
after they travel to the polls to vote for their candidates (the
museum is always open for free from 5-9 p.m. each Tuesday). And unlike
the Board of Elections, the Mint does not require voters to be 18 –
children will be offered their own opportunities to cast ballots.

A committee consisting of curators and representatives of three of the
museum's affiliate groups nominated the six works of art. The
Founders' Circle, Mint Museum Auxiliary, and Young Affiliates of the
Mint will collaborate on the project's culminating event, the Ballot
Ball, on November 9. At that gala, to be held at Mint Museum Uptown,
the winners will be unveiled. Ticket registration for the Ballot Ball
will begin September 1.

The Mint is in the process of discussing sponsorship of the project
with local and national corporations. Each sponsor will contribute a
sum toward the purchase of the works, and will be recognized on a
large banner in front of Mint Museum Uptown, which will appear prior
to the DNC and remain on view through the Ballot Ball, allowing the
corporations to receive a lucrative marketing opportunity in addition
to contributing toward this philanthropic project. Sponsors will also
be permanently recognized within the museum as the donors of the works
of art. Those interested in becoming a sponsor can contact May Nixon
at May.Nixon@mintmuseum.org.

During the project, voters must be inside the museum to cast a vote;
no online voting will be allowed, although an overview of the project
is available on mintmuseum.org and visitors may use the website's
+INSPIRING button to show support for their favorites.

Only one ballot will be permitted per visit, but patrons can make
multiple visits throughout the run of the project if they wish to cast
multiple votes for their favorite candidates. For non-members of the
museum, admission must be paid for each visit unless it is during the
museum's scheduled free hours. (See a complete news release about
"Vote for Art" and descriptions of all six works of art here:http://www.mintmuseum.org/news/vote-for-art-your-view-your-vote)
Extreme experimentation with materials and ideas is central to the
work of Nacho Carbonell (known internationally as simply Nacho). The
distinct gravel-, thorn-, or branch-covered surfaces of the combined
desk forms in the Diversity series suggest a demographically diverse
neighborhood and made Nacho the star of the 2010 Salone di Mobile in
Milan. The chairs are handmade by a small team of assistants using
laborious processes in Nacho's studio in Eindhoven, The Netherlands;
he is assembling Diversity n.17 inside Mint Museum Uptown himself.
Nacho graduated from the Spanish University of Cardenal Herrera-CEU
and the prestigious Design Academy, Eindhoven. He was nominated
Designer of the Year in 2009 by the Design Museum, London, and
designated as Designer of the Future by the Design Miami / Basel
committee later that same year.

"With a reputation as an innovator in his use of various media,
techniques, and as a provocateur par excellence, Nacho is one of the
hottest young designers of the moment," said Annie Carlano, the Mint's
director of craft and design.

ABOUT THE MINT MUSEUM

As the oldest art museum in North Carolina, and the art museum with
one of the largest collections in the Southeast, The Mint Museum
offers its visitors inspiring and transformative experiences through
art from around the world via innovative collections, ground-breaking
exhibitions, riveting educational programs, and profound scholarship.
The Mint Museum is a non-profit, visual arts institution comprised of
two dynamic facilities: Mint Museum Uptown and Mint Museum Randolph.

Located in what was the original branch of the United States Mint,
Mint Museum Randolph opened in 1936 in Charlotte's Eastover
neighborhood as the state's first art museum. Today, in a beautiful
park setting, intimate galleries invite visitors to engage with the
art of the ancient Americas, ceramics and decorative arts, fashion,
European and African art, among other collections. Resources include a
reference library with over 18,000 volumes, a theater featuring
lectures and performances, and a museum shop offering merchandise that
complements both the permanent collection and special exhibitions.

Mint Museum Uptown houses the internationally renowned Craft + Design
collection, as well as outstanding collections of American,
contemporary, and European art. Designed by Machado and Silvetti
Associates of Boston, the five-story, 145,000-square-foot facility
combines inspiring architecture with cutting-edge exhibitions to
provide visitors with unparalleled educational and cultural
experiences. Located in the heart of Charlotte's burgeoning center
city, Mint Museum Uptown is an integral part of the Levine Center for
the Arts, a cultural campus that includes the Bechtler Museum of
Modern Art, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and
Culture, the Knight Theater, and the Duke Energy Center. Mint Museum
Uptown also features a wide range of visitor amenities, including the
240-seat James B. Duke Auditorium, the Lewis Family Gallery, art
studios, a restaurant, and a museum shop. For more information, visit
the NEW mintmuseum.org.

Former Cop, Charlotte Pastor, Working to Save Marriages in Crisis

Marriage is the norm for Christians with 84% tying the knot according
to The Barna Group. But sadly, divorce rates among born again
Christians are virtually indistinguishable from non-believers with
about 1 in 3 going through a split. While most marriage books are
designed to help marriages improve, Marriage Triage: A Guide to
Healing for the Hurting Spouse (Ambassador International; June 2012;
$12.99, paperback) is geared towards spiritual survival for couples in
crisis.

> Marriage Triage includes a "quick start guide" for the hurting
> spouse that reminds them of God's grace, encourages them to document
> their feelings and explains how to endure through the crisis. Geared
> towards either the offender or the offended spouse, author Steve
> Goode draws from his 11 years in law enforcement and time as a
> marriage and counseling pastor. "This book will provide a simple,
> but systematic way for a husband or wife to walk through their
> suffering, and honor Christ in the process," explains Goode. "This
> is the book that they must first read in order to stop the
> temptation to react irresponsibly and un-Biblically in their
> circumstances."
>

Stephen Goode serves as Director of Biblical Counseling and Senior
Adult Ministries at Northside Baptist Church in Charlotte, North
Carolina. He graduated from Trinity Bible College and Theological
Seminary with a B.A. in Biblical Counseling. Steve hosts The Biblical
Counseling Moment, which fans downloaded more than 100,000 times from
iTunes in 2011. He served 11 years in North Carolina as a sworn police
officer for the Greensboro Police Department where he has extensive
experience working closely with families in crisis. Stephen and his
wife April have been married for 17 years and they have two children.

To learn more about the author and his book Marriage Triage, visit www.stephengoode.com
. For interview requests please contact publicist Alison Storm at media@emeraldhouse.com
.

'Salute Our Troops' Campaign Raises $1 Million, Stops in Charlotte August 26-29

The Kangaroo Express "Salute Our Troops" caravan will be stopping in
Charlotte from Sunday, August 26 through Wednesday, August 29. In just
the first three weeks of its "Salute Our Troops®" campaign, Kangaroo
Express has already raised $1 million for the USO, Wounded Warrior
Project and six state-based military support organizations.

The Pantry, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTRY), the leading independently operated
convenience store chain in the southeastern United States, today
announced that it raised $1 million in just the first three weeks of
its "Salute Our Troops®" campaign. Through The Pantry's more than
1,600 Kangaroo Express stores across 13 states, store guests and
communities have enthusiastically demonstrated united support for
military personnel and their families.

Every penny of the $1 million raised can be attributed to incremental
dollar donations made at Kangaroo Express checkout counters. The
overwhelming response so early in the campaign will inspire more
donations throughout the summer. Donations from the campaign will
support the USO, lifting the spirits of America's troops and their
families; Wounded Warrior Project, honoring and empowering injured
servicemen and women; and six state-based military support
organizations.

In its inaugural year, the 2011 Salute Our Troops campaign raised $2.5
million dollars, breaking fundraising records for many beneficiary
organizations, including the largest grassroots fundraising initiative
in the USO's 70-year history. In that year, the $1 million milestone
was reached after five weeks of fundraising.

"As soon as it seems that the generosity and enthusiasm from our
guests and employees to the Salute Our Troops campaign is at its peak,
we are in awe as they reach one step higher. Reaching our goal so
early truly could not have been possible without these individuals,
especially our valued employees, who are devoted to sharing the Salute
Our Troops mission to customers every day," said John Fisher, senior
vice president of marketing, merchandising and restaurant operations,
Kangaroo Express. "We are thrilled that our employees and customers
share our constant appreciation for these great military cause
organizations."

The six state-based organizations benefiting cover five states
throughout the Southeast and include the Enlisted Association of
National Guard of Tennessee Auxiliary Soldier Airman Relief Fund Inc.,
Florida National Guard Foundation, Georgia National Guard Family
Support Foundation, North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen
Assistance Fund, South Carolina Military Family Care Association, and
the United States Veterans Corps based in North Carolina.

Salute Our Troops celebrations started in Jacksonville, Fla., and will
continue to be held at Kangaroo Express stores throughout the
southeastern United States led by the Salute Our Troops Caravan.

Celebrations include custom patriotic vehicles and the Salute Our
Troops Command Center, where store guests will add their own voice of
gratitude with "shout outs" of pride and appreciation. Many will be
showcased on the Salute Our Troops website at www.KESalute.com to
share with troops and families around the world.

For more information, and to find a celebration near you, visit the
Salute Our Troops website at www.KESalute.com.

About The Pantry and Kangaroo Express
Headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, The Pantry, Inc. is the leading
independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern
United States and one of the largest independently operated
convenience store chains in the country. As of May 7, 2012, the
Company operated 1,607 stores in thirteen states under select banners,
including Kangaroo Express®, its primary operating banner. The
Pantry's stores offer a broad selection of merchandise, as well as
fuel and other ancillary services designed to appeal to the
convenience needs of its customers.
For more information, visit www.kangarooexpress.com.

With more than half of our stores located within 25 miles of a
military installation, Kangaroo Express has supported the military and
their families for many years, most recently raising $2.5 million for
the USO, Wounded Warrior Project and local military support
organizations as part of its summer-long "Salute Our Troops®"
fundraising campaign.

"Political Animals" to Invade Uptown Charlotte's EpiCentre

The campaign trail gets a little wilder this summer when Discovery
Place and the EpiCentre bring a nonpartisan contest to Uptown
Charlotte, offering a chance at victory for anyone willing to get in
the race.

Beginning July 30, a total of 24 specially-marked donkey and elephant
toy animals will be hidden throughout the EpiCentre and its resident
businesses. Each 'political animal' will be redeemable for two
tickets to Discovery Place, including entry to the National Geographic
Crittercam: The World Through Animal Eyes exhibition, plus two tickets
to Discovery Place's Charlotte Observer IMAX ® Dome Theatre to see
polar bears frolic in To The Arctic or the dinosaurs roar in Sea Rex..
(Note: The IMAX tickets are not valid for The Dark Knight Rises.)
The scavenger hunt, open to the public, offers a game-changing
opportunity to get involved in the culture and excitement of Discovery
Place, one of the state's most visited and beloved educational
destinations, while exploring the heart of the Democratic National
Convention's host city.

"Animals have a rare view of the world, whether they are penguins,
sharks, sea lions, elephants, donkeys or any other creature. The
Crittercam exhibition gives visitors the opportunity to see the world
the way animals do " said John Mackay, president and CEO of Discovery
Place, Inc. "This scavenger hunt is an entertaining way for us to let
the public see the way we can combine fun, education and science
during the advent of the DNC in Charlotte."

Showcasing the ongoing research of National Geographic's Crittercam, a
scientific video- and data-gathering tool safely worn by wild animals,
the Crittercam exhibition at Discovery Place invites visitors to see
the world through animal eyes. Encompassing more than 20 years of
scientific invention and research collaborations, Crittercam has
uncovered stunning insights into animal life. The exhibition will be
at Discovery Place through September 16.

The twelve donkeys and twelve elephants will be secured in hidden and
visible locations throughout the EpiCentre and each will be tagged
with information about how to redeem the animal for Discovery Place
and IMAX tickets. To level the playing field, Discovery Place will be
offering daily social media clues on Facebook (facebook.com/
discoveryplace) and Twitter (@discoveryplace). The contest will
continue until all 24 animals have been captured. For more information
call 704.372.6261 x300 or email info@discoveryplace.org.

"As a longstanding partner in Charlotte's arts and culture scene, we
are excited to be in the "epicenter" of national events that will
surround the region in the coming months," said Mackay. "And, if
you're wondering what the odds of finding tickets are…well, I would
speculate that it will all come down to turnout."

About Discovery Place
One of the top hands-on science museums in the nation, Discovery Place
provides ever-changing, entertaining facilities that engage people in
the active exploration of science and nature. The Museum brings
relevant, contemporary science to life through groundbreaking
exhibitions, interactive educational programming and hands-on
activities. Nearly a half-million people from all over the United
States engage with Discovery Place and its IMAX Dome Theatre each year.

Discovery Place is located in uptown Charlotte at 301 N. Tryon
Street. Convenient parking is available in the Museum's parking deck
– the Carol Grotnes Belk Complex – at the corner of Sixth and Church
Streets. For more information about Discovery Place, call
704-372-6261, visit www.discoveryplace.org or connect with Discovery
Place on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Discovery Place Inc. owns and operates Discovery Place, Charlotte
Nature Museum and Discovery Place KIDS and is supported, in part, with
funding from the Arts & Science Council.

Annual 24-Hours of Booty Charity Cycling Event Spins Through Myers Park July 27-28

The 11th Annual 24 Hours of Booty presented by Levine Cancer Institute
starts on Friday, July 27 at 7:00p.m.; ends on Saturday, July 28 at
7:00 p.m., rain or shine. This is the Official 24-Hour Cycling Event
of the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the premier 24-hour road cycling
charity event in the country.

1,200 participants plus 250 reboot riders are expected to ride in the
11th Annual 24 Hours of Booty - a team-oriented event open to
participants of all ages and skill levels to raise funds for Levine
Cancer Institute, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, The Keep Pounding
Fund at Carolinas Medical Center and the Brain Tumor Fund for the
Carolinas and the Be The Match Foundation.

Here is the schedule:

FRIDAY, JULY 27
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
9:00AM-3:00PM – Venue/Event set up
Myers Park High School (near the football field; enter off of Colony)

2:00PM – Participant campsite set up in "Bootyville" (early set up
begins at Noon)
5:45-6:25PM – Opening Ceremonies in "Bootyville"
6:25PM – Police escort, pace car, Corvettes with cancer survivors,
survivors and riders line up and begin route to Start/Finish Line
6:55PM – Start/Finish Stage
• 18 Corvettes from the Charlotte Corvette Club will lead the event
transporting a cancer survivor in each car.
• Sir Purr of the Carolina Panthers will help lead the survivor lap
on his custom-made electric tri-cycle
• National Anthem
• Helmet Raising
7:00PM – Event Start
Midnight Pizza Party – Food Tent in Expo Area

SATURDAY, JULY 28
8:00-9:00AM – Survivorship Breakfast featuring Dr. Jeffrey Kneisl and
keynote speaker The Honorable Harry Jones, Mecklenburg County Manager
9:00-11:00AM – Pedicab rides for pediatric cancer patients and other
event participants
10:00AM – Reboot registration and packet pick up begins.

The three-mile course will be well-marked, barricaded and coned-off to
traffic around the course. Police officers will be stationed at all
major intersections to help direct cars, cyclists and pedestrians.

One lane around the "Booty Loop" will be closed for cyclists the
entire 24 Hours of the event. From 6:30PM Friday, July 27 until
6:00AM, Saturday, July 28, both of the northbound lands of Queens Road
west will be closed to traffic. Additional police will be placed on
the course to direct traffic around the course and to keep traffic
flowing as smoothly as possible.

Get updates and the inside scoop about 24 Hours of Booty! Follow us on
Twitter at www.twitter.com/24hoursofbooty and on Facebookat http://www.facebook.com/24HOB
.

Watch Out For Flooded Roadways - Turn Around, Don't Drown

Floods are the most common natural disaster in the nation and in
Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Heavy rain can overwhelm the drainage system
even when that system is properly functioning and maintained. Intense
rainfall can lead to flooded streets, yards and buildings, and can
send streams over their banks.

Flood safety<http://charmeck.org/stormwater/DrainageandFlooding/Pages/FloodSafety.aspx
> reminders from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services:

* Do not drive through floodwater. It takes only two feet of water
to carry a car or SUV from the roadway. Turn around, don't drown.
* Do not walk or play in floodwater. Only six inches of moving water
can sweep a person off their feet.
* If you see dangerous flooding, call 911. Flood emergencies should
be reported to local fire and police.
* If the flooding or drainage problem is not life-threatening, call
311.
* Even after the rain ends, streams may continue to rise for several
hours.
* Pay attention to flood watches and flood warnings. Be ready to
move to higher ground.
* Have an emergency supply kit<http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/checklist2.pdf
>.
* Floodplain maps<http://charmeck.org/stormwater/DrainageandFlooding/Pages/FloodplainMaps.aspx
> show areas with a specific risk of flooding. However, flooding can
happen outside of the floodzone.
* Floodplains<http://charmeck.org/stormwater/DrainageandFlooding/Pages/WhatAreFloodplains.aspx
> are part of a healthy creek system and are designed by nature to
flood.
* Heavy rain can cause any low-lying area of street to flood, even
if it's not near a creek or not in a mapped floodplain.
* Buy flood insurance<http://charmeck.org/stormwater/DrainageandFlooding/Pages/FloodInsurance.aspx
>. Homeowner's insurance does not cover flood damage.
* Build an ARK<http://charmeck.org/stormwater/DrainageandFlooding/Pages/BuildanARK.aspx
> - Awareness, Responsibility & Knowledge

Storm Water Services will continue to monitor rainfall and stream
depth during this storm with the Flood Information & Notification
System<http://charmeck.org/stormwater/DrainageandFlooding/Pages/FINS-FloodInformationandNotificationSystem.aspx
>. A dense network of local rain and stream gauges automatically
notifies emergency responders to the threat or actual danger of
flooding. Storm Water Services sources say Alexander Middle School has
received the most rain at this time--2.18 inches in about an hour.

For more information about preparing for flash flooding, visit: http://stormwater.charmeck.org
and click on "Drainage & Flooding."

Trace Adkins - Country Music Star Unveils Renovated Charlotte Community Center

Country music star Trace Adkins is rolling up his sleeves next week to
help revitalize Charlotte's Urban Ministry Center (UMC). After a
nationwide vote, the UMC was chosen to receive up to $50,000 worth of
much needed renovations from Drops of Good: The Maxwell House
Community Project.

The UMC offers vital services such as a soup kitchen, dental care,
showers and laundry, while also providing temporary shelter, substance
abuse treatment and education to the community in hopes of ending
homelessness. In partnership with Rebuilding Together of the
Carolinas, Maxwell House will renovate the multi-purpose room to
create more office space, upgrade the art studio and bathrooms,
replace broken doors and windows, and build new gardens and outdoor
seating.

Maxwell House launched year two of "Drops of Good" to inspire hope and
bring change to struggling neighborhoods by revitalizing crucial
community centers. Americans voted online and selected three of 10
deserving centers to receive the makeover of a lifetime, and the UMC
is one of the three selected.

Trace Adkins will lend a hand to volunteers and help unveil the new
renovations at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 24 at Noon.

For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities in
your area, please visit www.MaxwellHouse.com.

Pay Your City Water-Sewer Bill at Western Union Locations

There is a new way to pay your water and sewer bill. Recently, the
City of Charlotte partnered with Western Union to offer customers the
ability to pay charges on their City Services Bill at over 125
authorized Western Union locations in Mecklenburg County. For a
convenience fee of $1.50, residents can drop by an authorized Western
Union branch and make a payment.

"This new service gives our customers an additional payment option and
is part of our commitment to enhancing citizen service," said City
Revenue Manager Susan Walker. "The payments can be made at authorized
Western Union branches in the County and will include a $1.50
convenience fee."

Walker added that payments at these locations will include a two-to
three-day processing delay, so customers should be aware of the
additional time to avoid late payments. The City Services Bill also
includes charges for stormwater fees, as well as for water and sewer
service.

For more information on all payment options, visit www.cmutilities.com.

Jacob's Ladder Job Center, Inc. Makes Urgent Plea for Emergency Funding to Provide Continued Assistance to Unemployed

Jacob's Ladder Job Center, Inc. (JLJC) is in a financial crisis and
needs to raise $200,000 by August 15 to continue its mission of
putting people back to work, to keep their core program at The Plaza
operating and avoid layoffs.

"Unfortunately, due to a series of unexpected circumstances, Jacob's
Ladder Job Center is suddenly facing the most critical time in our
history so we are reaching out to the Charlotte community for
support," said Holly Cummings, who became Executive Director at the
end of March. "Through the leadership transition last year from a long-
term executive director to an interim and now to me, we missed out on
some key fundraising and grant opportunities. Coupled with the
economic downturn, I'm afraid the very future of our organization is
at stake and we are in dire financial need."

From its beginning 14 years ago as a response to the Welfare-to-Work
movement and chronic unemployment in inner city neighborhoods, to
serving all of Mecklenburg County and beyond, JLJC has provided job
readiness skills to prepare, primarily low-skilled, adults for their
job search. When the doors opened in 1998, unemployment was just over
2% and was considered at a crisis level – today the studies show
Charlotte's unemployment rate is at 9.5%. As a result, the program has
evolved from the growing demand and impact on the community to include
a month-long program and the addition of a second facility.

As a grassroots agency, JLJC is well known for their quality work and
has won several competitive, distinguished awards, including the Bank
of America Neighborhood Excellence Initiative, Women's Impact Fund,
the Harvard Alumni Charlotte Chapter High Performance Workplace Award,
and the LGA Goodstock Award. Between 2010 and 2011, JLJC served nearly
1,200 people, touting a program completion and hire rate of more than
70%.

Jacob's Ladder Job Center must raise $200,000 by August 17 to fund the
organization through 2012, giving them time to get back on track
financially, thus enabling them to keep their doors open, continue
services and avoid layoffs.

"The good news is once we are back on track, we will continue
operating at a bare-bones capacity, and continue to set in motion an
aggressive diversified fund-raising strategy to include grant
proposals and other existing and prospective benefactors already in
play that we believe will solve our funding shortages and restore us
to the level of financial solvency we have achieved in the past," says
Cummings.

Ways the public can support JLJC:

· Make a monetary donation
· Request a matching gift from your employer
· Become a voice…share this story with coworkers and employers,
friends, family, and neighbors
· Encourage your family, community and church foundation to
support this work
To help JLJC meet its immediate fund-raising goal, donations of any
amount can be made online from the JLJC home page athttp://www.jacobsladdercharlotte.org/
– click the yellow and blue donate button on the right column. Or
checks may be made payable to "Jacob's Ladder Job Center" and mailed
or personally delivered to Jacob's Ladder Job Center, 2304 The Plaza,
Charlotte, NC 28205. Additionally, credit card gifts may be made by
phone at 704-332-5822.
Cummings adds, "We appreciate the community's support in helping JLJC
remain vibrant and able to continue its mission of helping people
climb the economic ladder of success while building a stronger
community one person at a time."
About Jacob's Ladder
Jacob's Ladder Job Center, Inc. (JLJC) is a registered 501(c)3 non-
profit, which helps unemployed and underemployed people find and keep
living wage jobs. A member of the N.C. Center for Nonprofits, Jacob's
Ladder was founded in 1998 as a compassionate response to the Welfare-
to-Work movement and to chronic unemployment in Charlotte's low wealth
communities. For more information, visit www.jacobsladdercharlotte.org
or call 704-332-5822.

Follow Jacob's Ladder on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/jacobsladdercharlotte
, Twitter @JacobsLadderCLT and on YouTube atwww.youtube.com/
jacobsladderjobs.

See and Comment on New Floodplain Maps for Western Meck

Public meetings will be held next week to show draft floodplain maps
affecting more than 7,000 individual properties on Charlotte-
Mecklenburg's west side from Cornelius to Pineville.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services is redrawing floodplain
maps, sometimes called Flood Hazard Maps, for the entire county.
(Image shown is stock photo, not local.) The remapping is being done
in phases over several years. The newest set of floodplain maps is for
Phase 2. It includes western sections of Charlotte, Cornelius,
Huntersville and Pineville along with a small portion of Davidson.

Postcards have been mailed to thousands of property owners whose land
may be affected by the new, draft floodplain maps. The mailers invite
residents to one of three open house meetings where Storm Water
Services staff will meet individually with property owners, use
computers to show how the new maps might affect their property, and
answer residents' questions. Drop-in meetings will be held:

Huntersville – Monday, July 23, 6 to 8 p.m.

CPCC-Merancas (North) Campus, 11920 Verhoeff Drive


Center City – Tuesday, July 24, 6 to 8 p.m.
Hal Marshall Services Center (free parking), 700 North Tryon
Street, Charlotte


Pineville – Wednesday, July 25, 6 to 8 p.m.

The Hut Meeting Center, 413 Johnston Drive

Residents can also see the new, draft floodplain lines and make
comments or ask questions using an online, interactive map. The draft
maps for Phase 2 must go through local and federal review and are not
expected to take effect for regulatory (development) or insurance
purposes until 2014.

New floodplain maps for central and southeastern Mecklenburg County
(Phase 1) were shown to the public starting in 2010 and are currently
being reviewed by the federal government. Those maps are expected to
take effect in 2013. Updated floodplain maps for northeastern
Mecklenburg County (Phase 3) will be ready for public viewing in 2014
and will likely take effect in 2016.

The maps show land along larger creeks which has a specific risk of
flooding. In the regulated floodplain, new development and
redevelopment is restricted and most mortgage-holders must buy flood
insurance.

Donations needed to "Fill The Pantry" and feed homeless addicted men and women

The Charlotte Rescue Mission is calling on the community to help the
homeless and those in need, by donating food to fill our pantries at
Rebound and the new Dove's Nest. Local residents can help by dropping
off donations at either location between now and August 12th.

"The homeless are vulnerable and hungry throughout the year, not just
during the holidays and winter months." says Rev. Tony Marciano,
Executive Director of the Charlotte Rescue Mission. "A life-altering
change for someone in need can begin with just one meal."

The Charlotte Rescue Mission prepares over 400 meals a day. And even
more meals will be served as women and children start to fill up the
new Dove's Nest. Both Rebound and Dove's Nest will be looking to fill
their pantries with large, warehouse club sizes of kitchen staples
such as flour, cooking oil, coffee, tea, salad dressing, and sugar.
The Rescue Mission is also looking for items like paper towels and
toilet paper. For a complete list of items needed at both facilities,
log onto charlotterescuemission.org.

Charlotte Rescue Mission's Rebound men's program is located on 1st
Street in uptown Charlotte, diagonally opposite the Carolina Panthers
practice fields. The new Dove's Nest for women is located on West
Boulevard. Items can be dropped off anytime during business hours from
8:30am-4:30pm.

About Charlotte Rescue Mission

The Charlotte Rescue mission provides a free 90-day Christian
residential program for men and women who are addicted to drugs and/or
alcohol and are predominantly homeless.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Senior Centers Need More Fans

Due to the record breaking heat wave Charlotte is experiencing, the
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Senior Centers have run out of fans to
distribute to seniors across Mecklenburg County. The waiting list for
fans grows daily. Please support our seniors by making a financial
donation of $16 or by donating a new fan so that we can continue to
support the need for the 2012 Heat Relief Program. We can only extend
this year's program with the generosity of friends like you. Your
donation may save the life of a senior during this record summer heat

20" box fans move air that cools the body through the evaporation
process. Many seniors are too scared to open windows or use screen
doors to provide circulation to cool their homes and their bodies.
In addition, senior bodies do not cool as well as younger bodies;
individuals with COPD and congestive heart failure are more at risk
for hospitalization in higher temperatures.

You may send or drop off your donation at:

Tyvola Senior Center

2225 Tyvola Road

Charlotte, NC 28210

(704) 522-6222

Or visit our web – site www.cmseniorcenters.org

And make a donation on-line

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 hand at creating their own pottery. We also will have
local artists on hand to sell their work. The event is from 10:00 am
to 4:00 pm.

"2nd Saturdays helps folks make a little family history of their own
as they travel, whether it is for 'staycations,' 'quick trips' or a
longer vacation," said Site Manager Scott Warren. "We are proud to
share genuine North Carolina experiences along with a great get-away."

Summer travel again is expected to remain strong, and summer has been
the most traveled season in North Carolina. As many as 45 percent of
travelers in the state include culture and heritage when they travel.
Visitors seeking the rural, historic, or cultural experience will find
it at 2nd Saturdays.

Sponsored by the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, the 2nd
Saturdays series takes place at 37 State Historic Sites and museums on
the second Saturday of the summer months. The more than 100 events
across the state bring together history and authentic North Carolina
culture. Each site will have its own stylized theme. For a
completeschedule of events, go towww.ncculture.com. For information
call (919) 807-7389.

About the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources

The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources annually serves more than 19
million people through its 27 historic sites, seven history museums,
two art museums, the nation's first state-supported Symphony
Orchestra, the State Library, the N.C. Arts Council, and the State
Archives. Cultural Resources champions North Carolina's creative
industry, which employs nearly 300,000 North Carolinians and
contributes more than $41 billion to the state's economy.

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
person to carry

· Call 311 to schedule bulky items for collection

· Place collection materials curbside by 6:30 am on the day of
collection

· Place collection items within 2 feet of the curb. Please do
not block the sidewalk

· Allow 3 feet between your garbage cart, recycling cart, yard
waste, bulky items and obstacles such as vehicles, mailboxes, phone
poles, etc.


Also, residents will soon receive their new recycling calendar in the
mail. The calendar is already available online at http://recycleit.charlottenc.gov
.

For more information on the Curb It! program, please visit http://curbit.charlottenc.gov
or call 311 (704.336.7600).