Severe thunderstorm watch 739 is in effect until 1100 pm edt for the following locations Nc ., North Carolina Counties Included Are: Alexander, Alleghany, Anson, Ashe, Avery, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Caswell, Catawba, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Gaston, Guilford, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Union, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin.

For more weather: http://www.wsoctv.com/tu/5zxa veYMN.html

"The Tale of the Three Trees" Music Camp

PROSPECT BAPTIST CHURCH

502 Prospect Church Road
Albemarle, NC 28001
Chruch - 704-982-5284
Parsonage - 704-986-2176

"The Tale of the Three Trees" Music Camp
July 21 - July 24, 2008 with Friday, July 25 being the grand finale of Music Camp when the children present "The Tale of the Three Trees." (for children who have completed kindergarten -fifth grade). 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Pre-register by picking up a registration form at the church office, M-Th until 2:00 p.m. or register the day of Music Camp.

Arts Council Seeks Entries for The Cape Fear Valley Health System Acquisition Exhibition
Creation, Art Show Offers Up to $40,000 in Purchase Awards

Fayetteville - The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County is seeking entries for Creation, an acquisition exhibition for The Cape Fear Valley Health System. Artwork from this show will be closely reviewed and juried for purchase and placement in Valley Pavilion, the newly constructed addition to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. Up to 20 pieces of art may be selected for purchase with the total amount of the award ranging from $30,000 to $40,000.

Open to artists 18 years of age and older residing in North or South Carolina, individuals may submit a maximum of four pieces of two-dimensional works of art. All art must be submitted in jpeg format via cd/dvd/usb jump drive along with a nominal entry fee by 5 p.m., June 18 at the Arts Council, 301 Hay St. One quality jpeg must be submitted for each piece of artwork. Applications and more information about the show can be found at www.theartscouncil.com or by calling (910) 323-1776.

Representatives from the arts community and Cape Fear Valley Health System will make the selection of works for exhibition and for purchase. All art must be properly wired and ready to hang. Sawtooth hangers or works deemed too fragile to withstand presentation in a public facility will not be accepted. Large scale works may not exceed five feet by 6 feet and all works must be for sale.

Creation will open to the public at 7 p.m. on July 25 during Fourth Friday activities at the Arts Council with the awards presentation at 8 p.m.

ANNUAL ICE CREAM SOCIAL

This year's ice cream social will be Friday, August 1 at 2pm. We will have ice cream with all the fixins. The Forever Young Choir, the choir is made up of individuals that live at assisted living facilities, will sing for us. The cost is a $1.00 donation per person. Grandchildren are invited to come with an adult. Please RSVP by Friday, July 25.

Locust Presbyterian Church - VBS

July 25 from 7-9 p.m. and July 26-27 from 4-9 p.m.
Rainforest Adventure
Locust Presbyterian Church 607 West Main street Locust.

For more information 704-888-6354

RED CROSS ISSUES URGENT CALL FOR ALL BLOOD TYPES

Albemarle, NC-- While temperatures and fuel prices continue to rise this summer, the American Red Cross reports that the blood inventory levels are so low it is unable to sufficiently meet the demand of local hospitals. While there is a constant need for all blood types, donors with type O positive, O negative, A positive and A negative are asked to take an hour to donate right away.

It is especially crucial for donors with type O blood to donate within the next few days. Type O is the most common blood type and is used extensively by hospitals. Type O blood donors are considered universal red cell donors because their blood can be given to most other blood types in emergencies when there is no time to type a patients blood. Hospitals commonly experience an increase in traumas during the summer, making the need for type O blood even greater.

People often forget that the need for blood never takes a vacation, says Robert F. Fechner, chief executive officer, American Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region. Blood donations always decline during the summer months, but blood is used to treat area hospital patients every day. Unless donors respond immediately, hospitals may need to cancel elective or non-emergency surgeries.

In the summer, blood shortages often occur because individual donations decrease, along with the number of organizations that are able to sponsor blood drives. The absence of high school and college blood drives also contributes to this annual drop in donations because these drives account for approximately 20 percent of all donations in the Carolinas Region.

We want to make the donation process as convenient as possible for those who take time out of their day to help save lives. In order to avoid waits at our donor centers and blood drives, we ask that donors call to make appointments to give blood, adds Fechner.

The American Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region needs approximately 1,600 people to donate blood and platelets each weekday to meet the needs of hospital patients. Most people who are age 17 or older and weigh at least 110 pounds are eligible to give blood every 56 days. There is no substitute for blood, and the only source is from volunteer donors.

To schedule an appointment to donate or for information on the location of blood drives, call1-800-GIVE-LIFE (448-3543) OR 704 982-0070 or visit www.redcrossblood.org

Swat-A-Litterbug!

Littering North Carolina roadways is not an acceptable behavior - never has been! Some people simply need to be informed and reminded that their littering, whether deliberate or unintentional, can end with their personal commitment to stop.

In order to communicate to people who litter (litterbugs), NC DOT is asking every citizen to assist us in our educational effort to ensure a cleaner and safer North Carolina roadway system.

Let DOT know when a person is littering by contacting their Office of Beautification Programs through the Swat-A-Litterbug process:

E-mail DOT: On-line Swat-A- Litterbug form to report a litterbug Mail in a Swat-A-Litterbug card. (To obtain Swat-A- Litterbug cards, call 1-800- 331-5864.)
Call DOT's Customer Service Office at 1-877-DOT-4YOU (1- 877-368-4968).
Upon receipt of the litterbug information, they will:

Notify the vehicle owner of the littering offense . Inform the vehicle owner of the penalties for littering. Urge the litterbug to stop littering.
A formal notification is signed by the Colonel of the State Highway Patrol. This letter helps NC DOT educate and remind citizens of their civic responsibility to protect the environment.

The Swat-A-Litterbug Program is an educational effort administered by the Office of Beautification Programs within the North Carolina Department of Transportation. It provides every citizen an opportunity to be an active participant in ensuring the roadways of North Carolina are kept clean, beautiful, and safe.

Gross! What's In YOUR Kitchen Sponge?

What comes to mind when you think of a clean kitchen? Shiny waxed floors? Gleaming stainless steel sinks? Spotless counters and neatly arranged cupboards? You can have all that and still have a filthy kitchen... The most unsanitary spot in the kitchen can be a sponge or dishrag. University of Arizona researchers tested sponges and dishrags collected from 1,000 kitchens in five major American cities. In some cities, one out of five sponges had salmonella bacteria, which can cause food poisoning, gastrointestinal inflammations, typhoid fever, and other maladies.

At least two-thirds of all sponges tested contained some form of bacteria that could make a person sick. In fact, researchers found more bacteria in some kitchen sinks than in flushed toilets.

What's in that sponge or rag? Five major causes of food-borne illness, like salmonella, E.coli, campylobacter, clostridium perfringens, and staphylococcus. More than 7 million Americans a year are hit with those bacteria, making them feel as if they've been struck with the flu or worse.

To combat the problem, researchers suggest first getting a new germ-resistant sponge, which they found dropped the amount of bacteria in a kitchen area by 99.9 percent.

You can also microwave your sponge. Researchers at the University of Florida found that two minutes of microwaving a damp sponge on full power killed or inactivated more than 99 percent of bacteria, viruses or parasites, as well as spores. "People often put their sponges and scrubbers in the dishwasher, but if they really want to decontaminate them and not just clean them, they should use the microwave," said Gabriel Bitton, a professor of environmental engineering who led the study. Before you zap your sponge in the microwave, remember this:

Microwave only sponges or plastic scrubbers that do not contain steel or other metals.
Make sure the sponge or scrubber is wet, not dry. Two minutes should be enough to kill most disease-causing germs.
Be careful in removing the sponge from the microwave because it will be hot and should not be handled immediately after zapping. A truly "clean" kitchen--one that ensures safe food-- relies on more than just looks: It depends on safe food practices. In the home, food safety concerns revolve around three main functions: food storage, food handling, and cooking.

For example, what is the temperature of your refrigerator at home? Is it 50° F? 40° F? A temperature of 40° F or less is important because it slows the growth of most bacteria. The temperature won't kill the bacteria, but it will keep them from multiplying, and the fewer there are, the less likely you are to get sick.

The US Food and Drug Administration offers a quiz to see how well youre doing in your kitchen. Can your kitchen pass the food safety test?

VETERAN'S CLUB

The Veteran's Club will meet at 9:30am on Thursday, July 31 at the Sr. Center for coffee and donuts. A $1 donation is requested. Please call to register by Friday, July 25.

Benefit Planned

A benefit to help cover medical expenses for Rev. Charles and Linda Goodman will be held August 1, in the family life center of Open Door Baptist Church, 24639 NC 49 South, Richfield.

1/2 Chicken Barbecued Plates, slaw, chip, bread and cake. $7.00.
Christian Cooking Convoy will provide the chicken.
Dine-in or deliveries will be available
For more information call Allen Freeman 704-244-9957

Sales Tax Holiday

Sales Tax Holiday, G.S. 105-164.13C provides an exemption for certain items of tangible personal property sold between 12:01 A.M. on the first Friday in August and 11:59 P.M. the following Sunday. For 2008, the dates are Friday, August 1st through Sunday, August 3rd. Clothing, footwear, and school supplies of $100 or less per item; school instructional materials of $300 or less per item; sports and recreation equipment of $50 or less per item, computers of $3,500 or less per item; and computer supplies of $250 or less per item will be exempt.

Clothing accessories, jewelry, cosmetics, protective equipment, wallets, furniture, items used in a trade or business, and rentals are not covered by the exemption and will be subject to the applicable tax.

CPR Re-Certification Course

The American Red Cross, Stanly County Chapter, a United Way Agency, will offer an Adult, Infant & Child CPR Re-Certification course on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 5 & 6, 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., at the chapter office located at 243 West Main Street, Albemarle. Participants must possess a current CPR certificate. For more information or to enroll, call 704 982-0070 weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Jean Hendley
Executive Director
Stanly County Chapter
American Red Cross
243 West Main Street
Albemarle, NC 28001
T 704 982-0070
F 704 985-1709

20A Judicial District is Offering FREE TRAINING

August 20 -- The 20A Judicial District is offering FREE TRAINING from 9:00 a.m. until noon (registration begins at 8:45 a.m.) in the Dennis Auditorium (Kelley Building) at Stanly Community College, 141 College Dr., Albemarle. The topic will be "Safe Surrender Law." Please RSVP by August 8, by calling Tenelle Hann, family court administrator, or e-mailing her at Tennelle.W.Hann@nccourts.org.
Include the name of the participants, the agency and a contact number.

Blood Drive Schedule

Wednesday, July 23, 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Stanly Regional Medical Center,
Family & Education Center
301 Yadkin Street, Albemarle
For an appointment call Ben Jolly 704 984-4380

Tuesday, July 29, 3:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Norwood Baptist Church
143 Anson Ave., Norwood

Thursday, July 31, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
City of Albemarle Employees at
Fire & Police East Community Bldg.
1610 East Main Street, Albemarle

Tuesday, August 12, 2:30  7:00 p.m.
Stanly County Family YMCA
427 North 1st Street, Albemarle
For an appointment call 704 982-1916

Monday, August 18, 9:30 a.m.  2:00 p.m.
Monarch (formerly Arc Services)
350 Pee Dee Avenue, Albemarle
For an appointment call 704 986-1543

Monday, August 18, 2:30  7:00 p.m.
First Lutheran Church
230 South 2nd Street, Albemarle

Donors must be 17 years of age, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, provide photo ID and be in general good health.

CPR & First Aid Course

The American Red Cross, Stanly County Chapter, a United Way Agency, will offer Adult CPR/AED (Automated External Defibrillation), Monday, August 4, 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.; First Aid, Monday, August 11, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.; Child CPR/AED plus Infant CPR, Monday, August18, 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. All classes will be held at the chapter office located at 243 West Main Street, Albemarle. For more information or to enroll, call 704 982-0070 weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Jean Hendley
Executive Director
Stanly County Chapter
American Red Cross
243 West Main Street
Albemarle, NC 28001
T 704 982-0070
F 704 985-1709

CPR & First Aid Course

The American Red Cross, Stanly County Chapter, a United Way Agency, will offer Adult CPR/AED (Automated External Defibrillation), Monday, August 4, 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.; First Aid, Monday, August 11, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.; Child CPR/AED plus Infant CPR, Monday, August18, 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. All classes will be held at the chapter office located at 243 West Main Street, Albemarle. For more information or to enroll, call 704 982-0070 weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Jean Hendley
Executive Director
Stanly County Chapter
American Red Cross
243 West Main Street
Albemarle, NC 28001
T 704 982-0070
F 704 985-1709

New Immunization Requirement for 6th Grade Entry

A new vaccine is now required for students entering 6th grade, beginning this August. The rule change will also apply to those entering college or university for the first time.

The new rule states that a booster dose of Tdap vaccine is required for:

All students in public school who:
are entering the 6th grade on or after August 1, 2008 and have not had a tetanus/diphtheria vaccine in five years or more All students who attend private, non-traditional or home schools and who:
are 12 years of age on or after August 1, 2008 and five years or more have passed since the last tetanus/diphtheria vaccine Anyone enrolling in college or university for the first time:
on or after July 1, 2008, 10 or more years have passed since the last tetanus/diphtheria or tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis vaccine has not been received within the past 10 years
This rule change also effects mumps vaccine. Students are now required to receive a second dose of mumps vaccine before enrolling in school, college or university for the first time.

Tdap is a vaccine that provides protection against three diseases: tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (commonly called whooping cough). Parents should contact their childs doctor to schedule an appointment to receive this vaccine. Buncombe County parents may also take their child to the Buncombe County Health Center for the vaccine without an appointment. Because Tdap is required, there is no cost for the vaccine, although your doctor may charge a small fee to give the vaccine.

Your childs school will need to have a copy of an up- to-date vaccination record on the first day of 6th grade. You will have 30 days from the first day of school attendance to present the required immunization record for your child. If proof of vaccination is not provided by the end of the 30 calendar day period, the child will be suspended from school until they provide proof of immunization.

Do not delay! Make sure your child is ready and up-to- date on their vaccinations before the start of the 6th grade school year.

For more information, call your childs doctors office, the Buncombe County Health Center at 250-5096 or visit www.immunizenc.com.

Kids and water: Drowning is preventable

RALEIGH - The warm days of summer are here, and more and more people are cooling off in pools, ponds lakes and the ocean, or enjoying other water sports like boating. But along with the fun comes a tragic rise in the number of drowning deaths of children, including several in North Carolina over the last week.

A 5-year-old boy drowned in a Hoke County pond last Friday, and a 2-year-old boy died in an above-ground pool in Chatham County on Saturday. And on Tuesday, an 11-month-old baby drowned in his home bathtub in Robeson County, underscoring how quickly a tragedy can occur when children are in or around water.

More than one in four fatal drowning victims are children 14 and younger, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Boys are much more likely than girls to drown, and racial and ethnic minority children are at significantly higher risk of drowning than white children are.

In 2006, 23 North Carolina children ages 0-17 drowned, and many more suffered water- related injuries (2007 data is not yet available). Near- drowning can cause brain damage that may result in lasting disabilities ranging from memory problems to leaving a child in a permanent vegetative state.

"We can help prevent future deaths by making sure we take the right lessons from these tragedies," said Leah Devlin, State Health Director.

"The more we study these deaths, the more we realize that drowning is very preventable," Devlin said. "Over and again, we have found that children who died by drowning were not being supervised. Whether the children who died were toddlers who fell into swimming pools, teenagers having fun in a lake, or babies in bathtubs, adults were not around or were not paying close attention to make sure the children were safe."Also, in nearly all N.C. drowning deaths, the children were not wearing life jackets, or approved personal flotation devices.

"Drowning is quick and quiet. If you have watch over a child around water, the most important thing to remember is supervision, supervision, and supervision," Devlin said.

She offered the following CDC tips for preventing drowning and other water- related injuries:

* Designate a responsible adult to watch young children while in the bath and all children swimming or playing in or around water. Adults should not be involved in any other distracting activity (such as reading, playing cards, talking on the phone, or mowing the lawn) while supervising children.

* Use U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices for children who are fishing, wading, swimming, or simply playing near water.

* Do not use air- filled or foam toys, such as "water wings", "noodles", or inner-tubes, in place of life jackets (personal flotation devices). These toys are not designed to keep swimmers safe.

* Always swim with a buddy. Select swimming sites that have lifeguards whenever possible.

* Avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming, boating, or water skiing. Do not drink alcohol while supervising children.

* Learn to swim and teach children to swim. Be aware that the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend swimming classes as the primary means of drowning prevention for children younger than 4. Constant, careful supervision and barriers such as pool fencing are necessary even when children have completed swimming classes.

* Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). In the time it might take for paramedics to arrive, your CPR skills could make a difference in someone's life. CPR performed by bystanders has been shown to improve outcomes in drowning victims.

* If you have a home pool, install a four-sided fence that completely separates the house and play area of the yard from the pool area. The fence should be at least 4 feet high. Use self-closing and self- latching gates that open outward with latches that are out of reach of children. Also, consider additional barriers such as automatic door locks or alarms to prevent access or to notify you if someone enters the pool area.

* Remove floats, balls and other toys from the pool and surrounding area immediately after use. The presence of these toys may encourage children to enter the pool area or lean over the pool and potentially fall in.

* Know the local weather conditions and weather forecast before swimming or boating. Strong winds and thunderstorms with lightning strikes are dangerous.

* Use U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets when boating, regardless of distance to be traveled, size of boat, or swimming ability of boaters.

* At the beach, know the meaning of colored beach flags and obey those warnings.

* At the beach, watch for dangerous waves and signs of rip currents (water that is discolored and choppy, foamy, or filled with debris and moving in a channel away from shore). If you are caught in a rip current, swim parallel to shore; once free of the current, swim toward shore.

Horses need to be vaccinated for EEE and West Nile Virus

CONTACT:
Dr. Tom Ray, director of animal health programs NCDA&CS Veterinary Division (919) 733-7601

RALEIGH - Frequent periods of wet weather over the past few months could make for a potentially dangerous summer and fall for North Carolina equine. The wet weather, coupled with a mild winter, means North Carolina could experience a heavier-than- normal mosquito season, which increases the risk of mosquito-borne diseases in horses and donkeys, including diseases that mosquitoes can spread to humans.

"The best way to protect both humans and animals is to plan now to reduce the breeding grounds for mosquitoes and reduce exposure," said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. "Equine owners can also vaccinate their animals against two diseases that are now endemic in North Carolina - West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis."

Horse owners should talk with their veterinarians to immediately start the vaccination protocol. Both vaccinations initially require two shots, 30 days apart, for horses that have no prior vaccination history. Neither vaccination fully protects the animal until several weeks after the second shot, so it is important to vaccinate as early in the mosquito season as possible. State Veterinarian Dr. David Marshall recommends a booster shot of each vaccine be given every six months in Eastern North Carolina because of the extended active mosquito season.

North Carolina has had no reported cases of EEE or WNV in the past two years, but other Southern states are seeing cases this year. In Florida, there have been 45 reported cases of EEE in horses, and all have been fatal. There have also been eight reported cases in Georgia.

State officials think a number of factors contributed to a two-year decline in the number of cases in North Carolina, including an increased number of vaccinations, increased natural immunity among healthy horses and favorable weather conditions. However, Marshall cautions equine owners against letting their guard down based on a decline in cases the past few years, especially considering the cases in Florida and Georgia this year.

"The best way to prevent these possibly fatal diseases is to vaccinate horses against them. The cost of prevention easily outweighs the cost of treating a sick animal," Marshall said. "I encourage horse owners to continue to take measures to protect their animals despite the perception that the threat may have lessened."

Symptoms of WNV in horses can include loss of appetite and depression, fever, weakness or paralysis of hind limbs, convulsions, impaired vision or hyperexcitability.

Symptoms of EEE, also known as "equine sleeping sickness," include impaired vision, aimless wandering, head pressing, circling, inability to swallow, irregular staggering gait, paralysis, convulsions and death.

People, horses and birds can become infected from a bite by a mosquito carrying the diseases, but there is no evidence that horses can transmit the virus to other horses, birds or people through contact.

Mosquitoes can breed in any puddle that lasts for more than four days, so removing any source of standing water can reduce the chance of exposing animals to WNV or EEE. Keeping horses in stalls at night, using insect screens and fans and turning off lights after dusk can also help reduce exposure to mosquitoes. Insect repellants can be effective if used according to manufacturers instructions.

NCDA&CS Public Affairs
Division, Brian Long,
Director
Mailing Address:
1001 Mail
Service Center,
Raleigh NC 27699-1001
Physical Address:
2 West Edenton Street,
Raleigh NC 27601
Phone: (919) 733-4216;
FAX: (919) 733-5047

CMA Music Festival Special Will Air Sept. 8 on ABC

A two-hour special titled CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock will air Sept. 8 on ABC. Filmed in Nashville, the special will be hosted by Taylor Swift, Kellie Pickler and Julianne Hough. Featured performers include Trace Adkins, Rodney Atkins, Bucky Covington, Billy Ray Cyrus, Faith Hill, Hough, Alan Jackson, Jewel, Miranda Lambert, Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Swift, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson and Dwight Yoakam.

Begin Pasture Renovation with Soil Testing

RALEIGH  Throughout North Carolina, many pastures are still in decline due to last years drought. Now that weve had some rain, its time to start turning that situation around. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler urges anyone planning to renovate cool- season pasture grasses in the fall to begin that process by submitting soil samples now.

At the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services soil testing lab, sample turn-around time is shortest during summer months. From the time samples arrive at the lab, analysis takes two weeks or less. Soil reports are immediately posted online at www.ncagr.com/agronomi.

The primary reason for soil testing now is to get the lime recommendation. If lime is applied in June, then there will be sufficient time for it to raise soil pH before pasture renovation in the fall. Proper soil preparation now will help ensure the success of re- seeding efforts in September.

To collect a representative soil sample, follow these basic guidelines: For each sample, collect 15 to 20 cores from random locations within a uniform 5- to 15- acre field. Collect cores to a depth of 4 inches. Mix these cores well in a plastic bucket, and then use this mixture to fill the soil sample box. For additional instructions, contact an NCDA&CS regional agronomist or visit www.ncagr.com/agronomi/uyrst. htm#info.

The best way to apply lime will depend on the amount recommended in the soil report. For 1.5 tons or less, surface application is acceptable. If the report recommends more than 1.5 tons and the pasture cannot be tilled, then surface- apply 1 ton of lime and apply the rest the following year. However, if tillage is an option, the best approach is to mix the entire amount of lime thoroughly into the soil. Incorporation of lime into the soil will give the new stand of grass a better chance of withstanding dry conditions.

For advice on soil testing and pasture nutrient needs, visit www.ncagr.com/agronomi/rahome .htm and contact the NCDA&CS regional agronomist serving your county.

NCDA&CS Public Affairs
Division, Brian Long, Director
Mailing Address:
1001 Mail Service Center,
Raleigh NC 27699- 1001
Physical Address:
2 West Edenton Street,
Raleigh NC 27601
Phone: (919) 733-4216;
FAX: (919) 733-5047

LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR SENIORS

Legal Aid of NC provides free legal advice and assistance to eligible senior adults in Stanly County. Seniors can call this toll free number (1-877- 439-3480) for help. Seniors must be 60 years old and older and be a US legal resident to be eligible for this free service.

Albemarle High School Class Reunions: 1983, 1984

A reunion for AHS of 1983 and 1984 is being planned for October 24, and 25. Contact John Teal (83) at 704-651-7520. Joy Burris (84) 704-791-2850.

Albemarle High School Reunions 1988

Albemarle High School of 1988 is planning its 20 year reunion. If you or someone you know is a member of this class, send all contact information to Cindy Brewer Megson at 704-516-0784

Call to Artists--Public Arts competition--Greenville, NC

Call to Artists (Request for Qualifications)

Emerge Gallery & Art Center, Rivers & Associates, Inc., and the City of Greenville

West 5th Street Gateway Project: Eppes Memorial Marker

Project Budget: $50,000 75,000

Eligibility Open to all professional artists currently residing in North Carolina.

Qualifications

Artists must have experience working with public arts projects. Collaborative submissions are welcome.

Project Intent Emerge Gallery & Art Center in partnership with the City of Greenville and Rivers & Associates, Inc. is seeking an artist to create a permanent public artwork for the C.M. Eppes Memory Marker as part of the City of Greenvilles West 5th Street Gateway Project. A dialogue between the selected artists and the project committee will influence site selection for the artwork and its design. Approaches that include gateway concepts representing the entrance to the original high school and a retaining wall representing imagery or concepts about the former C.M. Eppes High School are encouraged.

The selected artist will be commissioned to create the C.M. Eppes Memory Marker.

Three semi-finalists will be selected from the pool of applicants to submit a conceptual framework for the C.M. Eppes Memory Marker. One artist will be selected and will be commissioned to create the C.M. Eppes Memory Marker.

Semi-Finalist Requirements and Payments

Each semi-finalist will be required to visit Greenville, N.C. twice during the selection process. On the first visit, each artist will meet with the design committee, visit the site, visit with the Eppes Alumni, and present a 30-minute presentation of their work. During the second visit, semi-finalists will be interviewed and will present a concept(s) to the selection committee and the community. The semi- finalists will receive a flat rate $1000 honorarium, as well as travel, and lodging, if required.

Finalist Project Budget:
$50,000$75,000

For the artwork (gateway and wall) including artist design fee, travel, lodging, materials, fabrication, installation, and all associated costs.

Questions/Follow Up

Questions about this project should be directed to Holly Garriott at (252) 551-6947 or holly@emergegallery.com.

Site Information

The former C.M. Eppes High School site is where the proposed C.M. Eppes Memory Marker will be installed, as part of the West 5th Street Gateway Project, a two block streetscape improvement project funded by the City of Greenville.

For additional information about the W. 5th Street Gateway Project and the C.M. Eppes Memory Marker please visit: www.emergegallery.com/publica rt or e-mail holly@emergegallery.com or visit the West 5th Gateway Project at www.greenvillenc.gov/urbandev elopment.

Responsibilities of the Selected Artist

· Meet with the Design Team on an as needed basis in order to plan and implement, and evaluate the project in a professional manner.

· Maintain appropriate insurances with necessary riders.

Selection Process

The committee will consist of the Executive Director of Emerge Gallery & Art Center, the Urban Planner for the City of Greenville, the head of the project team from Rivers & Associates, a professional sculptor/East Carolina University sculpture professor, and may include Eppes Alumni and other city staff and elected officials.

The above committee will review images and other submitted materials, select three semi-finalists, and eventually one artist for the artwork production.

Initial Selection Criteria

· The artists professional qualifications.
· Proven ability to undertake projects of the described scope.
· Artistic merit as evidenced by JPEGS and other supporting materials.
· Strength of conceptual approach as outlined in letter of intent.
Application Guidelines (Incomplete submissions will not be accepted)
· Required submission form (attached).
· A one to two page typed letter of interest addressing all of the above selection criteria including interest in potentially creating the C.M. Eppes Memory Marker.
· A current resume.
· Up to 20 digital images. Digital images must be submitted as JPEG format. These images may also be placed in a PowerPoint presentation. Each file must be named with the artists surname and image number to correspond to an image list (e.g. 01_Smith). Clearly mark the CD with your name.
· An annotated JPEG list including title, media, dimensions, budget, descriptive information, and numbered according to number on slides or CD images.
· A self-addressed, appropriately sized, and stamped envelope for the return of materials if desired.
Mail to: Emerge Gallery & Art Center
Attn: Holly Garriott
404 S. Evans St.
Greenville, NC
27858

June 10, 2008 Project announced
July 15, 2008 Submission deadline for RFQ
By August 1, 2008 Initial artist selection
September 2008 Finalists site visits
November 2008 Finalists presentations of concept renderings
December 2008 Contract signed with selected artist
Month TBA: 2009 Artwork installed
Emerge Gallery & Art Center, The City of Greenville, and Rivers & Associates, Inc. reserves the right to refuse any or all submissions, to refuse any finalist, to waive informalities in proposals or procedures, or to withhold the award of a commission should it be determined that submissions are not adequate, or for any other reason prior to a written contractual arrangement being reached.

Public Health Officials: Hot Cars and Kids are a Deadly Combination

RALEIGH  Warm weather is here, and with that comes more time outdoors, lots of opportunity for exercise and health benefits&and increased risks for children that unfortunately go hand- in-hand with the best of the season. With these risks in mind, state public health officials are urging parents and other caregivers to not leave children in cars.

"The death of a child in a hot car is a tragedy that doesnt have to happen, said State Health Director Dr. Leah Devlin. "The temperature inside a car can heat up very quickly, and a child left in a car is at great risk for heat-related death. No one should ever leave a child in a parked car  not even for a few minutes."

On a warm, sunny day, even at temperatures as mild as 60 degrees, a closed vehicle can heat up to dangerous levels in a matter of minutes. During the summer months, the temperature inside a parked car can reach more than 120 degrees in as little as 10 minutes. Direct sunlight and a dark- colored car further speed the process.

Heat exhaustion can occur at temperatures above 90 degrees, and heat stroke can occur when temperatures rise above 105 degrees. If not treated immediately, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke.

Since 1999, 13 North Carolina children have died of hyperthermia after being left by parents or caregivers in hot cars.

All caregivers should follow these tips concerning children, cars and heat:

Never leave your child in an unattended car, even with the windows down. Check to make sure all children leave the vehicle when you reach your destination, particularly when loading and unloading. Dont overlook sleeping infants.
Make sure you check the temperature of the child safety seat surface and safety belt buckles before restraining your children in the car.
Make sure that unoccupied cars are locked, so that children dont accidentally become trapped.

Six Months Later: Revisiting Commitments to Eat Smart, Move More

RALEIGH  Last January, on the heels of the successful Eat Smart, Move More& Maintain, dont gain! Holiday Challenge, thousands of North Carolinians made New Years resolutions to eat better, be more physically active, and achieve a healthy weight. But, most of those resolutions were abandoned by mid-February. Now, six months later, the summer is a great time to get back on track towards accomplishing those goals.

During the month of July, local health departments and cooperative extension agents will be encouraging people to revisit their resolutions or make new mid-year resolutions through the Revisit Your Resolutions campaign. This campaign is part of the Eat Smart, Move More NC movement and was developed by the N.C. Division of Public Health.

This is a way to remind people of their resolutions, get them back on track, and re-establish their commitment to these goals, said Marie Shelton, healthy weight communications specialist at the N.C. Division of Public Health. Oftentimes, we dont realize that making a change in our lives is a process that takes time. It is not uncommon to fail the first time we try. The important thing is to try again. We had great success with helping people to maintain their weight over the holidays last year and are hoping that this campaign will give them a little push to stay or get back on track.

A little push was all people needed last November when the Eat Smart, Move More& Maintain, dont gain! Holiday Challenge enrolled over 3,500 people from across the state, country and world. Ninety-seven of North Carolinas 100 counties were represented, along with 23 other states and two other countries. Of those participants, 84 percent maintained their weight during the holidays& and more than half of the other participants reported actually losing weight.

The Revisit You Resolutions campaign will provide tips for getting enough sleep, eating more fruits and vegetables, getting more physical activity, choosing better drinks, and eating smart and moving more while on vacation.

Eat Smart, Move More NC is a statewide initiative that seeks to reverse the rising tide of obesity and chronic disease among North Carolinians by helping them to eat smart, move more and achieve a healthy weight. More information is on the Web at www.EatSmartMoveMoreNC.com.

N.C. Records First La Crosse Cases of 2008

RALEIGH  State public health officials today announced the seasons first two case of the mosquito- borne illness La Crosse viral encephalitis (LAC). The two patients  children from Haywood and Transylvania counties  are recovering.

These cases are an unfortunate reminder that we all need to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites, State Epidemiologist Jeffrey Engel said. In addition to La Crosse, mosquitoes are carriers of eastern equine encephalitis, West Nile virus and other diseases. Thankfully, it is fairly easy for people to protect themselves by applying mosquito repellants and making their home or work environment less attractive to mosquitoes.

La Crosse symptoms occur from a few days to a couple of weeks after being bitten by an infected mosquito. These symptoms include fever, headache, nausea and vomiting. In more severe cases, convulsions, tremors and coma can occur. Children under 16 years of age and the elderly are the most susceptible to the disease.

While other mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile virus are found across the state, LAC is largely confined to western North Carolina and is the states most common mosquito-borne disease. State officials recorded 10 LAC cases in 2007. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) records about 70 cases each year. The disease is rarely fatal, but a Transylvania County child died as a result of infection in 2001.

Steps that people can take to make their homes less mosquito-friendly include:

* Remove any containers that can hold water;

* Keep gutters clean and in good repair;

* Repair leaky outdoor faucets and change the water in bird baths and pet bowls at least twice a week; and

* Check window and door screens.

These guidelines can be applied almost anywhere, such as work sites, church playgrounds and ball fields.

People can also protect their families from mosquito bites by using mosquito repellants. The CDC recommends several repellants, including DEET, picaridin, and oil of lemon eucalyptus. According to the CDC, oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under 3. Consumers should look for products that contain the CDC-recommended ingredients and follow all label instructions. (www.cdc.gov/Features/WestNil eVirus/)

People can also fight the bite by wearing light- colored long pants and long- sleeved shirts and by reducing time spent outdoors, particularly in early morning and early evening hours when mosquitoes are most active.

For additional information regarding mosquitoes and ticks, please visit: www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/arbov irus/ and www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/phpm/ index.htm.