Archive for the ‘Other Organizations’ Category

Walnut Creek Greenway Tours

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

Tours to Explore the Capital Area Greenway System from Lake Johnson to the Walnut Creek Wetland Center and Beyond

Benson Kirkman and Anne Franklin, with the help of Bill Flournoy and Norman Camp, are organizing a series of tours that will provide early information-gathering in preparation for an annual celebration of Walnut Creek which will begin in September 2011. They’d like to build a cadre of people who know the whole trail first-hand. Get involved early, plan to join them for all or several of these tours.

They’ll be exploring opportunities and challenges for anyone who travels the path.
Some sections are unfinished. We hope that our efforts may result in the completion of the Walnut Creek Greenway from Lake Johnson to the Neuse River. The largest features are Lake Johnson, Pullen Park, the Dorothea Dix Campus, Chavis Park, and the Walnut Creek Wetland Center. One major tributary’s path is also included.

They’ll provide maps, other tools, and a snack. You should wear comfortable clothes and shoes and carry a water bottle or whatever drink you like. Some tours will include travels by car. Your job will be to do notes, photographs, or drawings to share that capture what you notice during the walk.

The tours are ‘rain or shine’ events unless there is a major storm.

Please call or email Anne Franklin about which tours you will attend: 919-829-5851 or annesfranklin@mindspring.com. They will appreciate a 24 hour notice if you are unable to attend any tours to which you commit. Let them know if they may assist with accessibility.

October 24, 2009, 9:00 – 11:30 am
Meet at the Walnut Creek Wetland Center, walk to the confluence of Rocky Branch and Walnut Creek near the CAT Bus Garage and return.

October 31, 2009, 9:00 – 11:30 am
Meet at the fishing piers on Lake Raleigh on NCSU’s Centennial Campus. This will combine walking and driving and end back at the piers.

November 7, 2009, 9:00 – 11:30 am
Meet at the CAT Bus Garage, walk along Rocky Branch, through the Dix Campus and through the NCSU Main Campus. We’ll shuttle back to the start point.

November 14, 2009, 9:00 – 11:30
Meet at the Walnut Creek Wetland Center, walk east to Rose Lane and return.

November 21, 2009, 9:00 – 11:30 am
Meet at the Lake Johnson Boat House, walk to Trailwood Drive and return.

Thanks to Anne Franklin for submitting this information and organizing these explorations of the Walnut Creek greenway system.

Shred-a-thons on October 17, 2009

Saturday, October 10th, 2009

This message brought to you on behalf of North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper.

Local sponsors are donating their time and resources to sponsor free shred-a-thons in your area. Identity Theft tips will also be available. Shred-a-thons are a perfect way to destroy old tax records, checks, employment records or credit applications. You do NOT need to remove staples and paper clips from the documents. It usually takes about 10 minutes to drop off your documents and get them shredded.

RALEIGH – SHRED-A-THON (Wake County)
BBB National “Secure Your ID” Day
Saturday, October 17, 2009 from 8:30am – 1:00pm
Ridgewood Shopping Center, Raleigh
On the corner of Wade Avenue and Ridge Rd.
Local Sponsors: Better Business Bureau Foundation, ProShred

APEX – SHRED-A-THON (Wake County)
Saturday, October 17, 2009 from 10:00am – 2:00pm
Apex Town Hall
73 Hunter Street, Apex
Local Sponsors: Attorney General Roy Cooper, Apex Police Dept., A Shred Ahead

Please pass along this information to co-workers, neighbors and friends. It is a free service offered to help prevent identity theft.

Late Sept & Early Oct Shred-a-thons

Thursday, September 24th, 2009

Information from Attorney General Cooper Shred-a-thons:
Local sponsors are donating their time and resources to sponsor a free shred-a-thon in your community. Identity Theft tips will be provided. Shred-a-thons are a perfect way to destroy old tax records, checks, employment records or credit applications. You do NOT need to remove staples and paper clips from the documents. It usually takes about 10 minutes to watch the documents shred. This event is free to the public although local sponsors may be encouraging donations.

Please pass along this information to co-workers, neighbors and friends. It is a free service offered to help prevent identity theft.

CARY – SHRED-A-THON (Wake County)
Saturday, October 3, 2009
10:00am – 2:00pm
Crossroads Plaza
Walnut Street and US 1, Cary
Local Sponsors: NBC-17, Shred-It, NC Attorney General Cooper, Goodwill Industries

RALEIGH – SHRED-A-THON (Wake County)
Saturday, September 26, 2009
10:00am – 2:00pm
Tryon Place
Tryon Road, Raleigh
Local Sponsors: NBC-17, Shred-It, NC Attorney General Cooper, Goodwill Industries

WAKE FOREST – SHRED-A-THON (Wake County)
Saturday, September 26, 2009
10:00am – 2:00pm
Heritage Sub-division, Wake Forest
Local Sponsors: NBC-17, Shred-It, NC Attorney General Cooper, Goodwill Industries

UPHA 2009 Candidates Forum Q&A

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

At last evenings candidates forum, September 14, 2009, hosted by University Park Homeowners Associations (UPHA), over 50 citizens attended to learn more about Raleigh City Council At-Large, District D, and Mayoral candidates for the upcoming election on October 6, 2009.  Each candidate gave a brief introduction to themselves and why they are running for City Council.  Moderator Mike Reider then presented each candidate with questions from the audience.   Don’t forget to see the additional resources at the end (or share your own tools to help others in the comments).

Candidates in attendance

At-Large

District D

Mayor

Questions and answers

Disclaimer, the following is my best effort attempt to capture the questions and answers from the candidates.  I invite anyone in attendance or the candidates themselves to post any updates or corrections by contacting me or in the comments.  The questions are paraphrased to get right to the topic.

Q: Transportation: What are the first steps needed to bring light rail and bus services to Raleigh (to catch up to with Charlotte)?
A: Meeker

  1. Approve the first phase plan for additional bus services (75 new buses)
  2. Get the ½ cent sales tax passed (a county decision) which will probably occur this time next year

Q: Financing: How does Raleigh raise funding for the Little River reservoir project?
A: Enloe
Bring economic develop to downtown and all of Raleigh; it’s a shame that we have minor league baseball in Durham and Zebulon [and not Raleigh].  What about pursuing an NBA franchise for downtown Raleigh?  Sports are businesses.  General increase in revenues in downtown Raleigh can help raise the needed funds.

Q: Financing: How do we improve roads, pay down debt, save money, and lower taxes at the same time?
A: Hudson
Focus on looking through goals to cut areas in public works, i.e. look for things like no idol policies to cut fuel costs.  Look for cheaper vehicles (extend the use of vehicles where we can).  Not just use bonds to fund parks, look for state/federal money to use a mixture of funds.

Q: Entrepreneurship:  How will your entrepreneurial experience serve Raleigh?
A: Kunz
Had a privileged upbringing.  Had a dream, to start his own business.  There is risk involved.  The  entrepreneur spirit is not dead, but it’s not being cultivated.  One objective is to look more in-depth at the budget.

(more…)

City council candidates forums

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009

Are you ready to cast your ballot on Tuesday October 6, 2009? Wait, there’s an election? Yes, there is. Political signs are popping up around the district and the city. Municipal elections for Raleigh City Council and the Wake County Board of Education, seats that probably effect your everyday life the most at the local government scene, will be up for grabs. For City Council, you get a chance to vote on four seats: Mayor, District D, and two at-large seats.

Voter information

Wake County Board of Elections – www.wakegov.com/elections/. Note: September 11, 2009 is the last day to register or update your registration for this years election.

Candidates forums

There are several candidates forums being held in September. This is a great chance for you to get to know the candidates better and understand where they stand on certain issues.

Raleigh City Council Candidate Forum
Thursday, September 10, 2009
6:30 – 8:30 p.m., doors open at 6:15 p.m.
Temple Beth Or, 5315 Creedmoor Roadd, Raleigh
Sponsored by: WakeUP Wake County &
League of Women Voters of Wake County

UPHA Candidate’s Forum
Monday, September 14, 2009
Forum starts at 7:00 p.m.
Brooks Ave Church of Christ
(corner of Brooks Ave and Rosedale)
District D, At-Large, and Mayoral candidates will be in attendance

Shred-a-thon September 12, 2009

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009

Local sponsors are donating their time and resources to sponsor a free shred-a-thon in your community. Identity Theft prevention tips will be available. Shred-a-thons are a perfect way to destroy old tax records, checks, employment records or credit applications. You do not need to remove staples and paper clips from the documents. It usually takes about 10 minutes to watch the documents shred.

Please pass along this information to co-workers, neighbors, and friends. It is a free service offered to help prevent identity theft. Brought to you in part by North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper.

Raleigh (Wake County) Shred-a-thon
Saturday, September 12th
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Villas at Centerview
(Take Jones Franklin exit off I-440. Head South on Jones Franklin. Take right onto Centerview.)
1310 Silver Sage Drive, Raleigh
Local Sponsors: Villas at Centerview, Shred-It

All aboard for the Hillsborough CAC Trolley Tour & Open House

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

This Sunday, July 12th, 2009, jump aboard for the Hillsborough CAC Trolley Tour & Open House.

  • 1st Trolley Tour departs @ 3 p.m.
  • 2nd Trolley Tour departs @ 5:30 p.m.

The Trolley Tours will feature the Pullen Park, Cameron Park, Cameron Village and West Morgan neighborhoods as well as NC State.  Tours will be guided by folks from our neighborhoods.  Both Trolley Tours will depart from the parking lot across from the Velvet Cloak Inn, 1505 Hillsborough St. Each tour will last approximately an hour.

Between tours, the Hillsborough CAC and folks from all four neighborhoods will host an Open House from 4 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. at the AFL-CIO State offices at 1408 Hillsborough St.  Stick around after the first tour or come early for the second tour to enjoy food, refreshments and neighbors!

Kids welcome!   The tours and the open house event are free, however, due to limited trolley space we ask that folks RSVP for the tours.  Contact Gail Brock to RSVP for the trolley, and please specify which tour you plan to attend.

For any additional questions or to volunteer to help with the event, call Ana Duncan Pardo at (919) 818-5933.

Hatem & Kane Call for Bold Leadership

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009

On Thursday, July 2, 2009, Emerging Tar Heel Leaders and WakeUP Wake County hosted a forum on “Growth and Development in the Triangle” at Sitti in downtown Raleigh. The expectations 40-50 people blossomed into over 100 folks, and the forum was moved into the courtyard outside. Panelists included Greg Hatem of Empire Properties, John Kane of Kane Realty, Mitch Silver, City of Raleigh Planning Director, and Melanie Wilson, former Wake County Planning Director. Each panelists provided their perspective on numerous growth issues. The message was clear from Hatem and Kane – if the growth issues we are talking about today are to be handled with a planned, sustainable approach, we need strong, bold leaders to start making wise decisions that aren’t being made today.

Hatem mentioned that developers like Kane and himself have local interests and want to see Raleigh succeed as our capital city and become a better place for all citizens. (more…)

Nearby Checkpoint Collects 76 Citations

Sunday, June 21st, 2009

According to an article on WRAL, a checkpoint at Lake Wheeler Road and Tryon Road issued 15 DWI’s and 76 citations:

Law enforcement agents issued 76 citations against motorists at a checkpoint in southern Raleigh Friday night.

Read the full article at: Fifteen cited for DWI at Raleigh checkpoint

Raleigh Shred-a-thon Set for June 9, 2009

Saturday, June 6th, 2009

RALEIGH – SHRED-A-THON (Wake County)

Tuesday, June 9, 2009
12pm – 2pm
AT&T Office
1201 Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh

Local Sponsors: Attorney General Roy Cooper, AT&T, Iron Mountain