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).