The EPICENTRE Gets Healthy This Month

The EPICENTRE isn't just home to shopping, entertainment and nightlife. It also houses a critical mass of health-conscious businesses that provide solutions to health challenges.

On Saturday, Jan. 26, from noon until 4 p.m. the EPICENTRE hosts the 'For Your Health!' event. Activities, prizes and demonstrations will transform the block into a health conscious learning center.

Kids Club Central will be on sight with kid friendly fitness actives. Zoomba, table massages and workout equipment demonstrations will be featured and prizes from Gold's Gym and EPICENTRE businesses will be given away throughout the day.

'For Your Health' is for everyone from fitness enthusiasts to health and fitness beginners. Key participants are Gold's Gym Elite, Fuel Juice Bar, Massage 101, Venice Beach Tan, Smoothie King, Center City Bike Program, First Charlotte Physicians and local sports icons including the Bobcats, Hounds and Checkers.

EPICENTRE is located at the corners of 4th & College Streets and College & Trade Streets in Uptown Charlotte.

EPICENTRE is the Southeast's hub for dining, entertainment, recreation, nightlife and hospitality. Featuring an innovative design and accommodating layout, EPICENTRE is home to over three dozen unique concepts encompassing over half a million square feet. The restaurants, shops and nightspots at EpiCentre are perfectly situated around an open air pavilion offering dramatic views of the Charlotte skyline. Located at the intersection of Trade and College Streets, EPICENTRE is in the heart of vibrant uptown Charlotte, just blocks away from prominent businesses and venues such as Bank of America Corporate Center, Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte Convention Center and the NASCAR Hall of Fame and Museum. Best of all, EPICENTRE is easily accessible from anywhere, including a convenient stop on the LYNX Blue Line.

Chicken Day at Charlotte Nature Museum Jan. 19 - Great for Kids

Count your chickens (before they cross the road?). In an eggs-cellent start to a new year, Charlotte Nature Museum's January Creature Feature: Chicken Day gives little cluckers the chance to meet fine feathered fowl on Saturday, January 19 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Such a rare opportunity might not fly with everyone, but visitors to this unique event will discover the variety of chickens and other barnyard birds.

Comb over an array of chickens at Chicken Day such as the Rhode Island red [Gallus gallus domesticus], America's most well known breed, and the 'rumpless' Araucana [Gallus sp.], which is missing a vertebrae, lacks a tail and lays blue eggs. Talk to local chicken owners about their birds and what it takes to raise a flock. Resplendent adult and baby Silkie chickens [Gallus gallus japonese silkie] will show off their black, blue, white and even lavender feathers, turquoise blue earlobes, five-toed feet and fur-like feathers.

Diversity is the norm among the feathered crowd. With distinctive features that make them all look very different chickens can be difficult to identify. From spurs and wattles to combs and ear tufts, learn more about this quirky domesticated fowl including the variety of sizes, shapes and colors of their eggs, and how they are an important part of local farming. Here's a fact that could make some fly the coop: chickens are actually omnivores and sometimes eat prey like small mice and lizards. Peck over all that chickens find tasty when they scratch around in the soil including worms, insects, seeds, grains, snails, slugs, fruits and vegetables, while exploring our new outdoor exhibit, Fort Wild.

Museum Naturalists will have chicken tidbits such as habitat information, nutritional requirements and tips on how to raise chickens in your own backyard. Visitors also can visit with a variety of newly hatched chicks and Museum fowl such as the Chukar partridge [Alectoris chukar], bobwhite quail [Colinus virginianus] and baby button quails [Coturnix sp.], all of which are closely related to the chicken.

Nest with us for Story Time including the titles "The Missing Chick" by Valerie Gorbachev, "Rosie's Walk" by Pat Hutchin and "Be Patient Little Chick" by Patricia Jensen. Fly by Dragonfly Theatre for the Puppet Show, "The Shadow Knows" and drop in to the Naturalist Lab to make crafty cardboard chicks.

Creature Features are monthly special events and include crafts, puppet shows, storytelling and refreshments (while supplies last). Creature Feature activities are free with Museum admission. Admission: $6 ages two and older, younger-than-two and Members are free. Parking is free. Charlotte Nature Museum is located at 1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte. Hours are: Tuesday-Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sunday noon – 5:00 p.m.; and closed on Monday.

Charlotte Nature Museum offers visitors the chance to get close to wildlife and walk among free-flying butterflies in Butterfly Pavilion, observe live animals inCreature Cavern, buzz by Insect Alley or just hang out in Our Big Backyard. Visitors can learn together during Workshops, Summer Camps and more. Daily programming including hands-on activities provide the opportunity for structured learning and informal play for kids of all ages. Charlotte Nature Museum is operated by Discovery Place, Inc.

City of Charlotte 2013 MLK Events Run Through Jan. 26

Charlotte-Mecklenburg will celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., one of history's greatest champions of peace, pluralism and diversity, with six events:

Memorial and Wreath-Laying Ceremony
Tuesday, January 15 at 12 p.m. at Marshall Park
Held in Marshall Park to commemorate the life and death of Dr. King, this year's event features community leaders Glenn Thomas and Jibril Huff, along with Charlotte City Council member LaWana Mayfield.

CMS MLK Art and Writing Contest Awards Ceremony
Thursday, January 17, 6:30 - 8 p.m. at West Charlotte High School
Now in its 19th year, the annual Art and Writing Contest is a district-wide competition of students' work. School winners will be recognized, and district-level competition winners will be announced. All first-place winners receive an honorarium and have an opportunity to share their work throughout the community starting on January 20.

City of Charlotte MLK Holiday Parade
Saturday, January 19, 11 a.m. at North Tryon & 9th Streets
The parade runs along North Tryon Street from 9th Street to Stonewall Street and features local high school marching bands, Junior ROTC, steppers, Greek letter fraternities and sororities, social and community service organizations, City and County elected officials and religious and community leaders. A special celebrity guest will serve as the parade marshal. The event is sponsored in part by the City of Charlotte, Food Lion, Coca Cola, Lance, Power 98 FM and V101.9. All top performances will be awarded prize money totaling $6,000.

Second Emancipation Proclamation Discussion
On Saturday, January 19, 2 p.m. at the Main Library, 320 N. Tryon Street
A discussion will be held on MLK, Jr. and the 2nd Emancipation Proclamation. In 1961 and 1962 Dr. King appealed to President Kennedy to issue a Second Emancipation Proclamation outlawing segregation in commemoration of the centennial of Lincoln's proclamation of 1863. He sent Kennedy a 75 page appeal on May 17, 1962 requesting a "national rededication to the principles of the Emancipation Proclamation and for an executive order ending segregation. This program will review the elements of this document and its influence on the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Holiday Prayer Breakfast
Monday, January 21, 8 a.m. at the Charlotte Convention Center
The H.L. McCrorey Family YMCA presents its 19th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast at the Charlotte Convention Center's Crown Ballroom. Tickets are $45 per person and are available at www.ez-tixx.com. Doors open at 7:15 a.m. Click here for details.

'Lincoln and the Emancipation' Lecture
Saturday, January 26, 2 p.m. at the Main Library, 320 N. Tryon Street
Dr. John David Smith will present a lecture "As firmly linked to 'Africanus' as was that of the celebrated Scipio": Abraham Lincoln, Emancipation, and the U.S. Colored Troops. Dr. Smith is the Charles H. Stone Distinguished Professor of American History at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where he teaches courses on the American South, the Civil War, and African-American slavery and emancipation.

County Announces Closings for MLK Day

Mecklenburg County government offices and agencies will be closed on Monday, Jan. 21, 2013 in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

This includes all units of the Department of Social Services, the Tax Office, Elections Office, the Register of Deeds Office and the Land Use and Environmental Services Agency Office.

Mecklenburg County Substance Abuse Center (Detox) is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Department of Social Services Care Line ( 704-336-CARE or 704-36-2773) operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week to receive reports of suspected abuse or neglect of children, the elderly or disabled adults.

The Health Department will be closed on Monday, Jan. 21, 2013.

The Main Library and all library branches will be closed on Monday, Jan. 21, 2013.

All Solid Waste administrative offices and facilities will be closed on Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, with the exception of Compost Central, which will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Park and Recreation administrative offices will be closed on Monday, Jan, 21, 2013.

Ray's Splash Planet will be open 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

The Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

All other facilities will be open normal hours.

Curb It! MLK Holiday Collection Schedule

The City of Charlotte Solid Waste Services will not collect garbage, recyclables, yard waste and bulky items on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 21. Collection services will operate on a one-day delay for the entire week with Friday customers receiving service on Saturday, January 26.

To ensure collection, residents are reminded to:

· Bag all garbage before placing it in the rollout cart. Do not overfill the cart.

· Remove food/liquid residue and lids from all recyclable containers before placing them in the recycling cart.

· Separate yard waste into piles small enough for one person to carry.

· Call 311 or visit http://curbit.charlottenc.gov to schedule bulky item collection.

· Place collection items curbside by 6:30 am on collection day. Please do not block the sidewalk.

· Remove garbage and recycling carts from the curb by midnight on collection day.


Residents can find additional item preparation information at http://curbit.charlottenc.gov.

NASCAR Races Back With A Bellamy Brothers Concert Hosted By Dale Jr.

Whisky River kicks off the 2013 NASCAR season with one of the hottest parties in the Queen City, hosted by none other than bar owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. On Wednesday, February 6, Whisky River will kick off the NASCAR season with a performance by The Bellamy Brothers.

All the way from Florida, The Bellamy Brothers are American pop and country music duo David and Homer Bellamy. Their 1976 crossover hit "Let Your Love Flow" was a No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100. The brothers have charted 20 No. 1 singles and more than 50 hits overall on the country charts. They have worked alongside popular artists such as Dolly Parton, George Jones, Tanya Tucker and Montgomery Gentry.

Tickets are $10 in advance and available at www.thewhiskyriver.com/charlotte. Doors open at 8 pm with 21 and up welcome.

Whisky River is located at EpiCentre, 210 E Trade Street in the heart of uptown Charlotte

Owned by NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Whisky River is one of Charlotte, North Carolina's most popular evening entertainment venues in the heart of the vibrant uptown scene at the EpiCentre. With its unpretentious charm and electrifying blend of live music performances, celebrity guests and dynamic DJs spinning everything from rock to country and more, Whisky River is the ideal destination for casual, feel-good fun. So grab your friends and get ready for a revved-up time at Charlotte's favorite place to unwind – Whisky River. Oh, and don't forget to take a ride on the famous, and always entertaining, mechanical bull – if you dare!

Campaign Underway to Get Hope Stout's Wish into Film Production

The legacy of Hope Stout, the spunky, 12 year old redheaded girl from Weddington, NC who asked that her wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation be that all the other kids have their wishes granted, remains today nine years following her death from a rare form of bone cancer. A screenplay about her selflessness and how she brought the Charlotte community together and helped raise more than $1 million in less than 4 weeks to grant those 155 wishes is currently being written by Academy Award-winning screenwriters Diana Ossana and Larry McMurty. Ossana won an Oscar for her screenplay in the film Brokeback Mountain and McMurtry is a Pulitzer Prize winning author of Lonesome Dove and Terms of Endearment. The goal is to get Hope's story into production this coming year during the 10th anniversary of her historic wish.

Through a grassroots campaign, the production company for Hope's Wish is working on a goal of at least $50,000 to help with the development costs necessary to get Hope's story to the big screen.

The campaign is being done through Kickstarter, a funding platform for creative projects. The goal is to raise at least $50,000 by February 2, 2013. Pledges to the campaign are only charged when the goal is reached on or before the campaign deadline. Pledges start at $25 and every donor will be acknowledged in the next printing of the book, Hope's Wish, as well as in the ending credits of the motion picture, which is based on the book. There are other prizes available at higher amounts including being an extra in the film and even serving as associate producer.

Campaign link: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/574934611/hopes-wish-a-movie-about-the-life-of-hope-elizabet

"When Shelby and I wrote the book, Hope's Wish, it was to honor our daughter who left this earth far too young as a result of cancer," said Hope's father Stuart Stout. "We knew the tremendous impact Hope made here in Charlotte and with Make-A-Wish, but little did we know her story would attract the attention of Hollywood producers and screenwriters. Producing an independent film, even an inspiring story like Hope's hasn't been easy, but we haven't given up. We have 100 percent faith in God that this will happen."

"Hope didn't back down from the challenge of raising enough money to grant the wishes of all 155 children at Make-A-Wish," Hope's mother Shelby Stout said about the $1.1 million raised in just four short weeks to grant Hope's wish. "She is our inspiration and we will be successful in making this movie about her life a reality. Any donation truly helps and will bring us that much closer to sharing our daughter's legacy with the world."

The amount raised via the Kickstarter campaign will go towards the necessary development costs of the film. An "A" list director and top level actors and actresses will be sought out with what will surely be an excellent script written by the talented Ossana and McMurtry. The Hope's Wish Hollywood-based production team is already talking to several major studios to ultimately fund the production of the film. Having quality talent attached to Hope's Wish will make it easier to accomplish.

The Kickstarter campaign began on December 19, the same day in 2003 when Hope did her now infamous interview with Keith Larson on his morning show on Charlotte's WBT. That interview started the ball rolling towards raising $1 million, the vast majority of which was realized with small donations by thousands of people. The Stouts are hoping her story will have the same result with Kickstarter.

Crime in CMS high schools declines in 2012

An annual report to state lawmakers shows decreases in the rate of reportable violent crimes in schools statewide and in high schools within Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. The 2011-2012 Consolidated Data Report also contains data about short- and long-term suspensions and expulsions statewide and by district.

"We're pleased to see our rate declining in high schools but we won't be satisfied until it's at zero for all schools," said Dr. Heath E. Morrison, superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. "We want our schools to continue to be safe places that are conducive to learning, and we will continue looking at ways to increase safety at schools."

Overall in CMS, the rate and the number of reportable acts increased for all schools in 2012, rising to 1,552, or 11.33 per thousand from 1,494, or 11.10 per thousand, in 2011.

However, for high schools only, there were 541 such reportable acts in 2011-2012, down from 641 a year earlier. The rate per 1,000 students for high schools also declined to 14.58 from 16.89 a year earlier. It was the third consecutive year of declines in both number and rate for CMS at high schools.

Statewide, the total number of reportable acts of crime and violence declined by 4.3 percent in 2011-2012 to 11,161 from 11,657 a year earlier. The rate of acts per 1,000 students also decreased by five percent, falling to 7.63 in 2011-2012 from 8.03 a year earlier. Schools are required to report 16 offenses that occur on campus or school property, including illegal possession of controlled substances or alcoholic beverages, weapons, assaults, rapes and homicide.

United Way Nearing Goal, Making Final-Month Push

United Way of Central Carolinas has raised $18.6 million of its fundraising goal of $21.2 million for 2012. This puts the annual campaign at 88 percent of goal with just over a month to go.

Based on early returns from corporate campaigns that began in the fall, United Way's projected shortfall was at $1 million as of mid-November, then $750,000 in mid-December. As of Jan. 10, at the current pace of donations, the campaign is projected at $499,963 away from its goal.

Strategies put in motion since the November projections include outreach to businesses new to the region, presentations at the leadership level in key businesses, board members making strategic calls to previous donors, and increased community awareness. The additional steps are closing the gap.

"The good news is that the gap is steadily shrinking - we've made significant progress in each of the last two months," said Jane McIntyre, United Way's executive director. "But with only five weeks left until our traditional Valentine's Day deadline, the current pace would still come up short. We've had a handful of great surprises in the last month - now we need a few more."

Among the recent surprises:

· After hearing news accounts about the campaign shortfall, PNC Bank delivered a check for $50,000 to United Way this week. The check was in addition to its employee campaign.

· In its first gift to United Way since coming to Charlotte, UTC Aerospace Systems contributed $25,000, also over and above its employee campaign.

· QuikTrip Corp., which recently opened a number of gasoline/convenience stores in the region, raised $87,304 in its first campaign for United Way of Central Carolinas - half from employee donations, half from a corporate match.

· Two individual first-time donors - one who recently relocated from out of state, the other a walk-in to United Way's new Cabarrus office in downtown Concord - contributed $20,000.
[note to editors: neither individual wishes publicity by name for this gift]

"Both of the check walk-ins were completely unexpected, great surprises," said McIntyre. "And the fact that new arrivals to the Charlotte region are donating five-figure amounts is a wonderful sign for both our local economy and United Way's direction.

"We're thankful for these new companies, new individuals, and all the consistent, year-over-year donors who we cannot take for granted. To close the remaining gap, we're going to have to keep getting the word out to all three groups."

Also this month, Cato Corp. contributed $300,000 for an endowment for United Way's new Collective Impact initiative to help at-risk children succeed in school and reach graduation - the most generous investment yet in Collective Impact. The endowment will fund professional development and training for employees of United Way partner agencies who provide services in early learning and K-12 after-school and summer academic support programs.

As a United Way Legacy Foundation gift - in which the $300,000 is preserved to generate annual funding in perpetuity - the amount is not counted toward United Way's goal, maintaining the campaign spotlight on funds that can be allocated to local United Way agencies in the current year.

The generosity of more than 50,000 United Way donors last year is helping over 350,000 women, men and children this year, but community needs are rising across United Way's three focus areas: Children & Youth, Housing & Stability, and Health & Mental Health. For details, review United Way's new annual report at www.uwcentralcarolinas.org/2012-annual-report.

For those not already participating in a United Way campaign, or those wishing to give more to help meet the goal, gifts can be made online at www.uwcentralcarolinas.org/give, or by calling 704-371-6392 to receive a pledge card in the mail.


About United Way of Central Carolinas
United Way of Central Carolinas focuses on three vital areas: Children & Youth; Housing & Stability; and Health & Mental Health. Through its 87 partner health and human services agencies, United Way creates long-lasting community change by addressing the underlying causes of problems, working in Anson, Cabarrus, Charlotte/Mecklenburg, Mooresville/Lake Norman and Union. To get help, or learn how you can help, call United Way's 211 hotline, or for more details, please visit www.uwcentralcarolinas.org

Understanding the Affordable Care Act - Rep. Pittenger To Host Seminar

The Affordable Care Act has been debated and litigated but has been largely upheld by the courts. President Obama's health care reform plan is now the law of the land.

To help small business owners, individuals, and healthcare providers prepare for the changes, Congressman Robert Pittenger is hosting an educational seminar on the Affordable Care Act. The purpose is to explain and inform, not to debate.

Mr. Mike Tanner, a senior fellow with the Cato Institute, has prepared a very thorough presentation that will answer these pressing questions:
· What does the Affordable Care Act mean to you and your business?
· Will your premiums go up?
· What about new taxes?
· Who will be impacted by the individual and employer mandates?

"While there is much that I oppose in the Affordable Care Act, the reality is that it's the law and each one of us needs to be prepared for the changes," said Congressman Pittenger. "A broad spectrum of organizations, including AARP, Carolinas Healthcare System, and Central Piedmont Community College have previewed the seminar, and we encourage you to attend this free event."

The Affordable Care Act seminar will be held Tuesday, January 29th, 8 a.m., at CPCC's Harris Conference Center. To register, go topittenger.house.gov/AffordableCareActPresentation or call Chris Sullivan at 704-365-6234.

Additional participants include Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte Chamber, Carolina Business Review, Presbyterian Hospital, AARP North Carolina, NFIB North Carolina, and Carolinas Healthcare System.