TIMES: Wed, March 10 6:30pm

COST: $0

Dr. Peter Gorman, Superintendent of CMS, and Eric Davis, Chairman of CMS Board of Education, respond to the question, "What would CMS look like if the faith community pulled its support?"

Providence United Methodist Church
2810 Providence Rd
Charlotte, NC 28211
704-714-9365

Sardis Weekday School Consignment Sale

Sardis Presbyterian Church

ORGANIZATION: Sardis Weekday School Consignment Sale

TIMES: Sat, March 13 7:00am

COST: Free after 8am

Children's consignment sale with maternity items. Sale 8- 12 and half price items 2:30 - 2:30. Early bird sale is from 7-8am and $2 fee goes to missions.

Sardis Presbyterian Church
6100 Sardis Road
Charlotte, nc 28270

Sardis Weekday School
Consignment Sale
6100 Sardis Road
Charlotte, NC 28270

Community Blood Center of the Carolinas Public Blood Drive

Charlotte Checkers

ORGANIZATION: Community Blood Center of the Carolinas

TIMES: Sat, March 13 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

*Please note the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas has implemented a new weight requirement for blood donors -- it has changed from 110 pounds to 120 pounds

More public drives can be found by logging on to the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas Web site at www.cbcc.us. You can also donate at the Charlotte Blood Center, located at 4447 South Boulevard or at 1212 Spruce Street in Belmont.

Call (704) 972-4700 to make an appointment.

Free game ticket and t-shirt to all donors!

Charlotte Checkers
Time Warner Arena
Charlotte, NC 28202
704-972-4700

Community Blood Center of the Carolinas
4447 South Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28209
704-972-4700

14th Annual Charlotte Goes Green Festival

Uptown Charlote - Tryon St. between 3rd & 1st St.

ORGANIZATION: Dyer Hart Productions

TIMES: Sat, March 13 10:00am - 6:30pm

COST: Free

The 14th Annual Charlotte Goes Green / St. Patrick's Day Festival will be held on Tryon Street between 3rd & 1st St. in Uptown Charlotte on Saturday, 3/13/2010 from 10:00am - 6:30pm. The festival will feature live Irish music, Irish Dancers, Irish, Celtic and other vendors, a large Children's amusement area and plenty of food & drink. There is no admission charge for the festival. Come join us where everyone goes after the parade!

Uptown Charlote - Tryon St.
between 3rd & 1st St.
300 S. Tryon St
Charlotte, NC 28202
803-802-1678

Dyer Hart Productions
2061 Marquesas Ave.
Tega Cay, SC 29708
803-802-1678

15th Annual Puppethon

Saturday, Mar 13 7:00p at University City United Methodist Church, Charlotte, NC HIS HANDS Puppets of University City United Methodist Church will present their 15th Annual Puppethon on Saturday, March 13 at 7:00PM and Sunday, March 14 at 3:00PM. The group will perform many favorite songs from the past 15 years! This fun event for all ages is free; a love offering will be taken to benefit the group's summer mission tour.

University City United Methodist Church
3835 W. W.T. Harris Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28269
(704) 369-8006

Protect Yourself Against Norovirus Infection

RALEIGH  Recent outbreaks of norovirus  a common and unpleasant gastrointestinal illness  have sickened teenagers at a conference in Raleigh and many other people across the state in long-term care facilities, schools and child care centers, restaurants, and other settings.

Noroviruses are very contagious. The virus is present in the stools and vomit of sick people during illness and for a few days after they recover. People can get sick through direct contact with a person who has the virus, by touching contaminated surfaces, or by eating food or drinking liquids that have been contaminated with the virus. Noroviruses cannot be seen, smelled or tasted in food.

Noroviruses are tough to kill, said Dr. Megan Davies, State Epidemiologist. The most important way to prevent spread is thorough hand- washing using soap and water. Hand sanitizers are not effective against norovirus.

The symptoms of norovirus illness include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and some stomach cramping. Some people may also have fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and a general sense of tiredness. The illness begins suddenly, and the infected person may feel very sick. In most people, the illness lasts for about 1 or 2 days. However, some  especially young children and the elderly  can quickly get dehydrated and might require medical care or even hospitalization. There are no specific medications to treat norovirus.

What can you do to protect yourself and your family? Follow these simple measures:

· Wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially after toilet visits and before preparing, serving or eating food or drink. Hand sanitizer gels are not effective against norovirus.

· Clean up vomit and diarrhea immediately.

· Stay home when sick.

· Do not prepare food when sick and for at least 48 hours afterward.

Many commonly used disinfectants are not effective against norovirus. Cleaning with a dilute bleach solution is recommended to disinfect surfaces after an episode of illness.

For more information about norovirus, see the Division of Public Health Web site at www.ncpublichealth.com. More detailed information about cleanup in private homes and in other settings can be found on the Division of Environmental Health Web site at www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/ehs/d fp_fooddefense- epidemiology.htm.
Contacts: Carol Schriber, N.C. DHHS Public Affairs Office, 919-733-9190

More tobacco cessation services now available for state employees, teachers

RALEIGH  North Carolinians covered by the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees now have additional help quitting tobacco, thanks to a cooperative effort by the N.C. Division of Public Health, the N.C. Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission, the State Health Plan and QuitlineNC, the states free telephone tobacco-use cessation service.

Tobacco use is a leading cause of a number of chronic diseases  such as cancer, lung disease and heart disease  that are life- threatening and costly to residents and to the state. Helping tobacco users quit is not only essential for employees health, it is also one way to reduce costs by preventing some of the adverse health consequences that result from tobacco use.

State Health Plan members can now receive at least eight weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy patches by calling QuitlineNC at 1- 800-QUIT-NOW, said State Health Director Jeff Engel, M.D. This combination of telephone coaching and medication can more than triple a tobacco users chance of quitting successfully, compared to trying to quit on his or her own. The Plan provides health care coverage for more than 661,000 state employees, teachers, state university and community college personnel, retirees and their dependents.

The new services reflect the recommendations of the U.S. Task Force on Community Preventive Services, which recommends that employers provide support to help employees quit, including cessation services and reducing the out-of-pocket cost for cessation medications such as nicotine replacement therapy. The Task Force is an independent, non-federal body of public health and research experts convened by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to review research and make recommendations based on scientific evidence.

As outlined in the Plans Comprehensive Wellness Initiative, we are committed to supporting our members in meeting their wellness goals, said Jack W. Walker, executive administrator of the State Health Plan. Coaching and medication combined represent a best practice in the support of tobacco cessation. For Plan members, these cessation services will make quitting both easier and less expensive. The savings will ultimately also extend to the State Health Plan and taxpayers.

Working with QuitlineNC to reach adult smokers who want to quit is both effective and cost-efficient, said Charles Willson, MD, chair of the North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission, which provides funding support to QuitlineNC. We applaud the State Health Plan for providing this valuable service to their members  it is both essential for employee health and good for the bottom line.

Any North Carolina resident can call QuitlineNC toll- free at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1- 800-784-8669) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Services are free and available in Spanish and English, with other translation services provided as needed. Quit Coaches are trained to help people of all ages who are ready to quit cigarettes or other tobacco products. Learn more at www.quitlinenc.com.

New lead-based paint regulations protect residents, workers

RALEIGH  North Carolina now has stronger rules requiring the use of lead-safe work practices and other actions to prevent lead poisoning when lead-based paint is disturbed during renovation and remodeling work. Exposure to lead can be harmful to both children and adults.

Lead-contaminated dust, particularly from old paint, is the most significant source of lead exposure for children. Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead- based paint. Lead-based paint was used in more than 38 million U.S. homes until it was banned for residential use in 1978.

Lead exposure can cause reduced IQ, learning disabilities, developmental delays and behavioral problems in young children.

In late January, the State of North Carolina was authorized to administer and enforce a Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Program. The North Carolina program, to be administered by the state Division of Public Health, has been certified to be at least as protective as the Environmental Protection Agencys RRP program and to provide adequate enforcement.

The N.C. RRP program, like the EPAs, mandates that contractors, property managers and other paid workers doing renovations, construction or repairs in homes and child-occupied facilities built before 1978, must be trained and certified, and must use lead- safe work practices. They are also required to provide the lead pamphlet Renovate Right; Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools to owners and occupants before starting renovation work in those buildings. This EPA publication is also available on-line at www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovat erightbrochure.pdf.

We are very appreciative of North Carolinas leadership role in preventing lead poisoning by ensuring that work that disturbs paint is done in a lead-safe manner, said Stan Meiburg, acting administrator for EPA Region 4. Renovators and rental property owners play a big part in protecting children from lead-based paint hazards in their homes.

If you are doing your own renovation work in your own home, you can learn more about protecting your family from lead-based paint and EPAs lead program at www.epa.gov/lead or by contacting the National Lead Information Center at 800- 424-LEAD (5323).

For more information about North Carolinas new certification and training program, including applying for certification or locating training, visit the state Web site at www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/lead. html or contact the North Carolina Lead Program at (919) 707-5950. The Web site also has a list of certified contractors, painters and renovators.

BBB Warns Consumers about Local Online High School

CHARLOTTE, N.C.  Today, the Better Business Bureau issued a consumer warning about Nation High School, a privately-run, online study program based in Charlotte. Consumers from 17 states have filed 29 complaints with the BBB against Nation High School in just the last eight months. Of these 29 complaints, Nation High School (BBB Grade F) has failed to respond to 20 of them. Additionally, more than 1,700 consumers have contacted the BBB to inquire about Nation High School during the same time period.

Complaints filed with the BBB focus on the schools advertising and sales practices, refund policies, and customer service issues. Nation High School charges fees which range from $150- $800 depending upon the GED or diploma program that the student pursues. However, complainants reported that they have not received the diplomas and certificates after paying the requisite fees and completing the online study course. Complainants have also reported that they have been unable to reach Nation High School officials to obtain refunds of the fees paid, or to find out why they have not received their degree or GED certificate.

Its unfortunate that students who are trying to better their lives by completing their education are being taken advantage of, said BBB President Tom Bartholomy. Complainants are telling us that Nation High School appears to be a diploma mill where you pay for a piece of paper that turns out to be worthless.

Complainants further allege that Nation High Schools advertising and sales practices are misleading. On the schools website (www.nationhighschool.com), Nation High School promotes that its programs are accredited. However, complainants question the validity of Nation High Schools accreditation based on their experiences after applying to colleges.

Victor Moore of Charlotte wanted to further his education, so he completed Nation High Schools study program and paid $250 for his degree. As he applied to colleges, he found out that his Nation High School degree was not accepted. In his BBB complaint, Moore said that college admissions officials told him that Nation High School was red- flagged as a school that was not properly accredited.

The BBB recommends that you do your homework and check businesses out before you contract with them by visiting www.bbb.org or calling (704) 927-8611 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Nation High School contact information - President, Stephen ONeal, 3141 Piper Lane, Suite E, Charlotte, N.C., 28208, (704) 727-8505 or 1-(888) 727-8505. Link to Nation High Schools BBB report: http://www.bbb.org/charlotte/ business-reviews/schools- home-study/nation-high- school-in-charlotte-nc- 218555

Identity Theft: How a Cropsey Became a Gifford

Mint Museum of Art

TIMES: Sun, Nov. 22 - Sat, March 27

COST: $10 adults; $8 senior citizens and college students; $5 youth ages 5- 17; free for children ages 4 and younger.

Identity Theft focuses on the Mint Museums most important Hudson River School painting, Sanford Robinson Giffords Indian Summer in the White Mountains. It was, for many years, attributed to Jasper Francis Cropsey and titled Mount Washington from Lake Sebago, Maine. Ila Weiss, a Gifford scholar, questioned the authenticity of its artist. Recently, conservation work revealed a Gifford signature and a date beneath Cropseys signature. This amazing turn of events created a wonderful opportunity for the museum to share a number of fascinating issues.

The exhibition features other works by both Cropsey and Gifford to serve as points of comparison and contrast. Along with documented paintings by Cropsey of Mount Washington, and photographs of both Mount Washington and the White Mountains. Compare signatures on the Museums painting with those of the other paintings in the exhibition and enlarged photographs of each artists signature taken from other paintings of the period. See examples of 19th century auction catalogues, that helped bolster the new identity of the Museums painting.

Mint Museum of Art
2710 Randolph Road
Charlotte , NC 28207
704-377-2000

South Boulevard: March 5,2010 - April 2, 2010

South Blvd. between Arrowood Rd. and Sweden/Sharon Lakes Roads will be reduced to one lane in each direction 3/5/2010 - 4/2/2010 CATS WILL be affected Closed for installation of medians on South Blvd. for the future left turn lane. Q? Contact Bill Greentaner at 704-336-7308

Public review and comment period announced on states Infant-Toddler Federal Grant application, policy proposals

RALEIGH  The North Carolina Division of Public Health, Early Intervention Branch announces public review of and comment on three items:

The states federal Part C grant application under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA); proposed policy on fees, billing and reimbursement; and proposed policy on Infant- Toddler Program (ITP) records.
The application and the proposed policies are available for public review, as required by law, at www.ncei.org, March 3  April 1, 2010. The public may comment on the items April 2  May 1, 2010.

The grants are non- competitive awards available only to U.S. states and territories and not to individuals, families or local agencies. The U.S. Office of Special Education Programs offers the grants to help states and territories provide coordinated statewide systems of comprehensive, multi-disciplinary, interagency programs of early intervention service for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. The application describes how funding will be used to provide supports and services to children and their families.

Proposed changes for the fees, billing and reimbursement policy are in the following areas:

the criteria used to apply the Sliding Fee Scale; the formula for calculating payments made to contracted community providers after insurance plans have paid benefits; and non-payment and collection of debt owed to the ITP.

The ITP records proposed policy primarily has three changes:

reduction of time for maintaining childrens ITP records from 21 years to 5 years after a childs third birthday; a definition for personally identifiable information; and removal of a listing of ITP required forms.

From April 2 to May 1, comments on the grant application and the two proposed policies may be made by:
Email to: ei.publiccomment@dhhs.nc.gov;

Fax to: Part C coordinator at 919-870-4834; or Letter: c/o Part C Coordinator, Early Intervention Branch, 1916 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1916.

REGISTER NOW FOR 'RODNEY'S GREAT KIDS TRIATHLON' APRIL 17 AT MECKLENBURG COUNTY AQUATIC CENTER

We invite kids, ages 17- under, who enjoy swimming, biking and running to register now for the 13th annual Rodney's Great Kids Triathlon. Registration runs now through Apr. 17 and costs $20 (before April 9, but $25 April 10-April 17). Register in person at the Aquatic Center in uptown Charlotte or mail form to the Aquatic Center, 800 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Charlotte 28202. (no online registration) There have been some changes to this year's event. Kids ages 8- under will do one lap on both the bike course and the run course.

SIGN-UP NOW FOR CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG SENIOR GAMES; FOR HEALTH AND FITNESS: LET THE FUN BEGIN IN 2010!

Seniors, age 55 and better, are invited to register now for fun and fitness in the 2010 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Senior Games, Apr. 20- Jun. 12. Senior Games include 46 athletic events: swimming, golf, tennis, 3 on 3 basketball, racquetball, badminton, track and field, croquet, spin casting, horseshoes and shuffleboard etc. Also non-athletic events: basket weaving, jewelry, knitting, needlework, pottery, quilting, stained glass, weaving, woodworking, sculptures, water colors, essays, poems, dance, and more. Seniors in Mecklenburg and surrounding counties may participate here with events at many Park and Rec venues. Register through Apr. 1, $10 entry fee, plus added fees in some events.

N.C. Health Leaders Promote Testing to Stop Spread of HIV and STDS

RALEIGH - Several counties in North Carolina are seeing a significant increase in sexually transmitted diseases, particularly syphilis. In Forsyth, Wake, Wayne and Mecklenburg counties the number of syphilis cases from January through September 2009 was at least double the number in the same time period in 2008, according to the latest quarterly North Carolina HIV/STD Surveillance Report from the states Division of Public Health.

In an effort to combat this increase, the state is redoubling its efforts to increase education, outreach and testing.

Statewide, a total of 684 cases of early (infectious) syphilis were reported in the state for the first nine months of 2009, nearly twice the number in the same time period last year. From January through September 2008, 359 cases of early syphilis were reported in North Carolina.

"We are very concerned about this serious increase in early infectious syphilis," said Evelyn Foust, director of the N.C. Communicable Disease Branch. "We want persons who are sexually active to be tested and to respond to possible symptoms by going to the doctor earlier, rather than later."

The Division of Public Health has partnered with local health departments to offer free testing for sexually transmitted diseases. Health teams comprised of staff from the local health departments and the Communicable Disease Branch are offering testing at stationary locations and are going door-to-door in communities across the state. Health educators are also conducting outreach events to educate the public on sexually transmitted diseases, particularly in areas with substantial increases in sexually transmitted diseases.

Large-scale testing events are also being held. In August, Forsyth County had a large-scale door-to-door community testing effort during which more than 600 people were tested. A large testing event is planned in Wayne County for Friday, Nov. 6.

The Communicable Disease Branch has sent a Public Health Alert about the increase in syphilis to local health directors and health care providers. One key message is that people who contract syphilis, which is a preventable and easily treatable STD, are at increased risk of getting HIV. To help reverse the current disease trends, health providers and clinicians are being asked to increase their screening efforts to assure that people with HIV and or syphilis are diagnosed and treated early in their disease.

"Sexually transmitted diseases are not affecting one specific group of people," said Foust. "It is important that anyone who is sexually active know their HIV and STD status in order to protect their health and the health of their partner. If you have not been tested for HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases, contact your health care provider or your local health department and ask for a test," she said.

The quarterly North Carolina HIV/STD Surveillance Report contains the most recent case statistics about syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV and AIDS for each quarter in the current year. It has statewide summaries of reports with breakdowns by sex, age group and race/ethnicity, as well as summaries of reports for each county. To view the report, visit www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/hiv/s tats.html. To get information on testing and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, visit www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/hiv/p roviders.html.
Contact: Carol Schriber, DHHS Public Affairs Office, 919-733-9190

College Students Urged to Get H1N1 Vaccination

RALEIGH  State Health Director Jeffrey Engel strongly urges young adults, including college students and teens, to get their H1N1 vaccinations before returning to campus from the winter break. According to statistics gathered by the N.C. Division of Public Health, people of college age are the least likely to be immunized against H1N1.

More than 495,000 students are enrolled in colleges in North Carolina. Vaccination efforts to date have reached just over 60,000 people between 19 years old and 24 years old statewide. Campus immunization campaigns appear to have reached just a fraction of that number. The latest estimates indicate that fewer than 13 percent of the H1N1 vaccine doses provided by the state went to traditional college- age students.

Our young people are our greatest resource, and we want to make sure they remain healthy, Dr. Engel said. The holidays are a perfect time for parents to ensure that their teens and college students are vaccinated against H1N1.

As of Dec. 15, North Carolina had reported 76 deaths from H1N1. While pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses, and young children are most at risk for complications, this strain of flu has had a disproportionate impact on young, healthy people.

We have good supplies of H1N1 vaccine on hand, Engel said. The peak of seasonal flu is approaching in late January. Getting both vaccinations now is the best way to protect yourself and your family against both seasonal and the H1N1 virus.

For updated information on vaccination clinics near you, visit flu.nc.gov.

N.C. Public Health receives funds for worksite wellness and tobacco cessation

RALEIGH  Gov. Bev Perdue today announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $5.4 million to North Carolina to support public health efforts to reduce obesity, increase physical activity, improve nutrition, and decrease smoking  the four most important actions for combating chronic diseases and promoting health.

Making North Carolina a healthier state is a priority for Gov. Bev Perdue, in terms of both quality of life and from a statewide economic standpoint.

Having healthy, well- educated people will lower health care costs, increase productivity, and provide the best workforce in the country, said Gov. Perdue. All of those things are the best incentives to attract new and relocating businesses to North Carolina, Perdue said.

The award to North Carolina is part of $119.5 million going to the states as the first of several initiatives that make up the comprehensive prevention and wellness initiative, Communities Putting Prevention to Work, which is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

North Carolina will be allotted $3.8 million over two years to reduce and prevent obesity across the state by improving opportunities for physical activity and access to healthy foods. Another $1.6 million is to be used for the N.C. Quitline telephone service, tobacco use prevention, and other programs to help people quit tobacco.

A focus of the funding is creating sustainable changes in work and community environments to support healthy lifestyles. North Carolinas efforts will involve many public and private partners at the state and local levels. A statewide worksite wellness initiative will encourage employers to make sustainable changes, such as establishing employee wellness policies to support healthy behaviors. Wellness experts from the public and private sectors will be part of a statewide Worksite Wellness Collaborative that promotes best practices and supports North Carolina employers in implementing comprehensive wellness programs.

The grants couldnt have come at a more critical time. In North Carolina, more than half of all deaths occur earlier than expected. Many of these premature deaths are related to chronic diseases that can be prevented or managed through physical activity, healthy eating, and avoiding tobacco use and exposure.

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in North Carolina. An estimated 13,000 North Carolinians ages 35 years or older die each year from smoking-related causes. Poor nutrition and lack of adequate physical activity comprise the second leading preventable cause of death in the state. Two-thirds of North Carolina adults and one-third of our children are overweight or obese, putting them at increased risk of illness and death from coronary heart disease, type II diabetes, stroke, and several forms of cancer.

Poor eating habits and inactive lifestyles are at the root of so many of our health issues, including high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer  even arthritis and injuries, said State Health Director Jeff Engel, MD. These problems are largely preventable. We as a state must make it easier for people to eat smart and move more. The ARRA grants will allow North Carolina to continue its momentum in addressing tobacco use, exposure to secondhand smoke, and reducing obesity.
Contacts: Carol Schriber, N.C. DHHS Public Affairs Office, 919-733-9190