ANNOUNCEMENTS from April 14, 2009:
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ANNOUNCEMENTS from April
21, 2009:
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ANNOUNCEMENTS from April 7, 2009:
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Natheley McElrath announced that she had $25 tickets for the Black
Women's Caucus' 26th annual Blackberry Brunch on June 27 at Zion
Renaissance Conference Center, 3165 Zion Renaissance Ln.
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Toni Freeman announced that Mecklenburg Citizens for Public Education
would sponsor a summit on public education on Tuesday, April 21 at 7:30
a.m. featuring Miami Herald columnist Leonard Pitts at the Crowne Plaza
Hotel, 201 S. McDowell St. Cost is $45 per person or $400 for tables of
10. A panel after Pitts' speech will include District Judge Rickye
McKoy-Mitchell, Chamber President Bob Morgan, CMS Supt. Peter Gorman and
Pitts. Register at www.mecked.org/EducationForum.asp
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Ken Koontz announced that DVDs of "The Mountaintop: Five Historic Days,"
the WENS-TV Inauguration Week video coverage, are now available for
sale. See Koontz for pricing details.
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Roslyn Allison Jacobs announced that Mecklenburg Citizens for Public
Education would hold a free community workshop on Thursday, May 14 on
"basics of school testing and accountability, the rewards and
consequences associated with school and district-wide performance, and
how testing and accountability inform CMS administrative and school
board staffing, operational and policy decisions." The session will be
from 5-7:30 p.m. in Room 324 at the McColl School of Business, Queens
University of Charlotte, 1900 Selwyn Ave. More info:
www.mecked.org/SaveTheDate.asp.
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Mary Klenz announced that the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Women's Summit
Political Action Team would present "A Woman at the Table: A Better
Feast for All" on Tuesday, April 28 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at McKnight Hall,
UNC Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd. Cost is $20 ($30 after April
20) and covers parking, lunch and materials for a discussion of "linking
public policy and personal action." Registration closes Thursday, April
23. More info: http://www.womenssummit.uncc.edu/feast.html
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Anna Hood announced that the Charlotte Chapter of the National
Association of Negro Business & Professional Women's Clubs would honor
County Manager Harry Jones on April 18 at its 32nd annual Founders' Day
at Zion Renaissance Conference Center, 3165 Zion Renaissance Ln. See
Hood, Sarah Coleman, or Sarah Stevenson for tickets.
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Joel Ford announced that the Mecklenburg Democratic Party would hold its
annual convention at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 18 at Elizabeth
Traditional School. Keynote speaker is mayoral candidate Anthony Foxx.
Ford said a "special guest" would introduce Foxx.
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Thomas Moore announced that he would organize another chorus from
participants at the Democratic Party Convention, to perform during the
convention.
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Mary McCray announced that the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Association of
Education has money for six $750 one-time scholarships for graduating
high school seniors who aspire to be teachers. She said that they thus
far had no takers for the scholarships. McCray said the group also had
no takers for three scholarships to help teacher assistants in the
process of becoming licensed teachers. "We want to give this money
away," McCray said. Persons interested in receiving application forms
should call the CMAE office at 704-374-0609 and ask for the David Butler
scholarship application.
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Michael Sexton sent in an announcement that today's Domestic Violence
Lunch & Learn session is about the New Beginnings Program, which offers
employment and training resources to survivors of domestic violence.
Lunch & Learn is at 12:30-1:30 p.m. today, Tuesday, April 7 at St.
Peter's Catholic Church Education Center, 507 S. Tryon St.
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Michael Sexton passed along an announcement that Domestic Violence 101
programming will be offered at four library branches during April,
"facilitated by local domestic violence professionals and will include
information about domestic violence, local data and local community
resources." The dates and times of the remaining sessions during April:
Tuesday, April 14, 7-8:30 p.m., North County Regional Library, 16500
Holly Crest Ln, Huntersville.
Wednesday, April 15, 4:30-6 p.m., Independence Regional Library, 6000
Conference Dr.
Thursday, April 23, 7-8:30 p.m, Steele Creek Branch Library, 13620
Steele Creek Rd.
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Donna Jenkins (Dawson) Taylor sent in an appeal for financial support
for Inspire the Fire, a nonprofit headed by Dennis Reed Jr. that
encourages artistic expression of young people. More info:
www.inspirethefire.org. To watch the YouTube movie of a 2008
performance: www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1kyzS-aCxg&feature=related
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Donna Jenkins (Dawson) Taylor passed along an announcement that the
University Jaguars Coaching staff is taking registrations for players
ages 8-13 for their Junior League Football teams. More info:
www.universityjaguars.org.
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Donna Jenkins (Dawson) Taylor passed along an announcement from Eshe
Glover that GoodWorks Media Group is accepting applications for the
first GoodWorks Youth Awards to recognize "outstanding work in the areas
of diversity, education and the environment by young people in the
Mecklenburg County region." "We are committed to encouraging and
recognizing outstanding youth-led activities that set an example for
improving our community in these three focus areas,'' said Rahman Khan,
president of GoodWorks Media Group. "Through the GoodWorks Youth Awards
we hope to encourage youth to continue doing good works now and in the
future.'' Youth in grades 6-12, enrolled in public, private or home
school in the Mecklenburg County region, who has initiated an activity
that began after April 2008 in one of the following areas, may apply for
recognition: Creating a better and more sustainable environment;
Enhancing or developing effective educational efforts; or Building or
sustaining groups that are more appreciative of and sensitive to
diversity. "The activity must not solely benefit a family member or be
for an IB or a school-mandated service requirement." The deadline for
applications is April 17 and an awards ceremony will be held in
Charlotte on May 29. More info: www.goodworksmediagroup.com.
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Donna Jenkins (Dawson) Taylor passed along an announcement from H.E.L.P.
Lead organizaer Chris Bishop that the Youth Job Connection, a
partnership involving Helping Empower Local People, Goodwill Industries
and the City of Charlotte, has identified over 500 potential job
opportunities for youth for summer employment. "Many of those positions
are targeted for rising seniors through the Mayor's Youth Employment
Program which has been merged with the Youth Job Connection." Online
registration: www.youthjobconnection.com. Walk-in services are available
from 12-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 12-4:30 p.m. on Friday at Goodwill,
2122 Freedom Drive, 704-332-0271.
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Ann Rosser, an Americorps volunteer with Hands On Charlotte, announced a
new three-year neighborhood focus initiative in Thomasboro-Hoskins to
develop neighborhood programs and identify neighborhood leaders.
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Marilyn Marks announced an organizational meeting of the Charlotte/Metro
Food Policy Network for Tuesday, April 28 at 4 p.m. at the Mecklenburg
County Health Department multipurpose room, 249 Billingsley Rd.
Facilitator is Carol Hardison, executive director of Crisis Assistance
Ministry. Marks added that her Society of St. Andrew would be gleaning
strawberries in area fields in two weeks.
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Ken Koontz announced that DVDs of "The Mountaintop: Five Historic Days,"
the WENS-TV Inauguration Week video coverage, are now available for
sale. See Koontz for pricing details.
--
Johnnie Collins announced that she is collecting wearable adult and
children's shoes for the private Ivy Hall Foundation and would collect
shoe donations at the April 21 Forum. The shoes will be redistributed to
needy families.
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Anna Hood announced that the Charlotte Chapter of the National
Association of Negro Business & Professional Women's Clubs would honor
County Manager Harry Jones on this Saturday, April 18 at 11 a.m. at its
32nd annual Founders' Day at Zion Renaissance Conference Center, 3165
Zion Renaissance Ln. See Hood, Sarah Coleman, or Sarah Stevenson for the
$40 tickets or to make tax-deductible donations in support of the Anna
B. Hood Scholarship Fund, which will be present five scholarships to
area youth.
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Michael Sexton sent in an announcement of a march at The Square in
uptown Charlotte this Thursday, April 16 at 12:15 to mark the shooting
death of Yolanda Nikkia Hill, 41.
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Harvey Boyd, creator of the Mecklenburg County seal, invited comments on
his website, www.harveyboyd22.com. Send e-mail to
[email protected].
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Michael Sexton sent in an announcement of a free training, "What Men
Need To Know,'' presented by the Domestic Violence Speakers Bureau on
Tuesday, April 21 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Child & Family Services
Center, 601 E. Fifth St.
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Michael Sexton Sexton passed along an invitation to Crime Victims'
Rights Week Awards Luncheon at noon on Thursday, April 30 at Mount
Moriah Primitive Baptist Church, 747 W. Trade St. Speaker is Police
Chief Rodney Monroe. Cost is $15 by calling Shirley Rutledge at
704-338-3119.
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Michael Sexton sent in a reminder to register for the Avon Walk the
Course Against Domestic Violence scheduled for 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday,
April 28 at Quail Hollow Club in connection with the Quail Hollow
Championship. Registration is at
www.walkthecourseagainstdv.org.
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Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Chairperson Molly Griffin sent this e-mail
on Sunday, April 19 as a follow-up to her April 7 presentation to the
Forum:
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I am enclosing responses to the questions I could not answer when I was
at the Tuesday Morning Breakfast forum. I am sorry it has taken me this
long to respond, but due to spring break it took me longer to get the
answers than I had anticipated.
1. Why are we spending $1,000,000 on band uniforms in this difficult
budget year?
When a new school opens, band uniforms are purchased through the
capital budget. In other cases, we replace uniforms on a rotating cycle
from the operating budget, typically replacing uniforms for 1 - 2
schools. The costs for the last 4 years are reported below. In some
cases, uniforms are purchased by a booster club at a school, and these
are not included in the figures below.
2009 - Waddell - $23,585.39 (partial replacement)
Hopewell - $48,261.43
2008 - West Meck $40,122.23
2007 - Vance $ 44,000.00
2007 - Garinger $38,674.35
Ardrey Kell $ 44,235.40 (New school - capital
expense)
Mallard Creek $ 54,231.93 (New school - capital
expense)
The differences in the amounts are based on the size of each schools
band.
We are not opening a new high school next year, so we can anticipate an
expense in the $40,000 range.
2. Why hasn't Dr. Gorman met with parents at Lincoln Heights?
There has clearly been poor communication in this situation. Staff
has tried to set up a meeting. There is some disagreement over the
first attempt, but I have an e-mail from Joel Ritchie to a Lincoln
Heights parent leader dated April 3, offering to meet on Tuesday April 14
at 3:30. On April 13, the parent responded that this time was not
convenient for the parents. Staff will try again to set up a meeting,
but as you can tell from his on-line schedule it may take awhile to find
a good time. I am glad to report that Lenora Shipp, the principal at
Sedgefield Elementary, has been assigned to Lincoln Heights as
principal. She has a very successful record of improving student
achievement at Sedgefield, and I expect she will achieve great things at
Lincoln Heights.
3. Why has the person hiring substitutes been laid off?
CMS will continue to need substitutes, and there will be a person
designated to handle this process.
4. Why can't CMS broadcast on a non-cable channel?
We are in the process of evaluating CMS-TV in connection with the
difficult budget situation. We are considering consolidation and other
options. I have shared with Dr. Gorman the concern over the
availability of the broadcast on a non-cable station.
As always, I enjoyed the chance to talk with the members of the Tuesday
Morning Breakfast Forum. I hope to see you soon.
Molly Griffin
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Ken Koontz announced that DVDs of "The Mountaintop: Five Historic Days,"
the WENS-TV Inauguration Week video coverage, are now available for
sale. See Koontz for pricing details.
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Sarah Stevenson announced free bus service to a May 16 event in
Washington, D.C. marking the 55th anniversary of Brown vs. Board of
Eduction. Sponsor is the Education Equality Project co-founded by the
Rev. Al Sharpton and NYC Schools Chancellor Joel Klein. Buses will leave
Charlotte at 3 a.m. May 16 and return to Charlotte at 9 p.m. For
details: Sadrita Davis, 980-253-4491 or [email protected]; Gogi
Raeford-Turner, 704-536-1201 or [email protected]; or John Williams,
704-298-00084 or [email protected].
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Sarah Stevenson and Ken Koontz announced the death last Friday of
Lucille Mungo "Mama Ceil" Lynch. Rosary will be held this Friday, April
24, at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church on Statesville
Avenue at 1235 Badger Ct. Funeral will be Saturday, April 25 at 11 a.m.
at St. Patrick's Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Rd E.
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Laura McClettie announced that the Census had people available to
provide presentations and workshops to explain how groups can make the
best use of Census data, as well as to raise awareness about the value
of being counted in the 2010 Census.
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Sylvia Grier announced that the Genesis Project Family Wellness Center
would present a Health Expo on Saturday May 2 from 9 a.m-1 p.m. at 5736
N. Tryon St., Suite 203.
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A flyer circulating at the Forum announced a day of prayer and thanking
event tied to President Obama's First 100 Days, on Sunday, April 26 at 3
p.m. at The Square at Trade and Tryon Streets downtown or at New
Bethlehem Baptist Church, 2001 Catherine Simmons St.
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Michael Sexton sent in announcement of a free training, "What Men Need
To Know,'' presented by the Domestic Violence Speakers Bureau at 6-7:30
p.m. today, April 21, at the Child & Family Services Center, 601 E.
Fifth St.. Speaker is Tony Porter, co-founder of A Call To Men.
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Michael Sexton sent in a reminder that it is not too late to register
online for the Avon Walk the Course Against Domestic Violence scheduled
for 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28 at Quail Hollow Club in connection
with the Quail Hollow Championship. Registration is at
www.walkthecourseagainstdv.org.
ANNOUNCEMENTS from April 28, 2009:
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Next week at the Forum: Mecklenburg County Manager Harry Jones.
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Sarah Stevenson announced a conference this afternoon, April 28, from
1:30-3:45 p.m. at Gethsemane AME Zion Church, 531 Campus St., to explore
how faith communities can participate in the federal stimulus package.
Lunch is at 12:30. For more information, contact Sarah Coleman.
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Sarah Stevenson said N.C. Rep. Tricia Cotham announced a video-linked
public hearing on the state budget to be held by the Appropriations
Committee of the N.C. House. The session will be held at the N.C. Museum
of History and at 10 community college sites statewide, including at an
unannounced location at CPCC. To participate, go to CPCC tonight from
6-9 p.m.
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Anna Hood announced that the Presbytery of Charlotte would bestow on
Sarah Coleman an Outstanding Older Adult award at noon on Tuesday, May
12, at Covenant Presbyterian Church's Fellowship Hall, 1000 E. Morehead
St. Tickets are $8. Checks payable to the Presbytery of Charlotte are
due Monday, May 4, and can be sent to Anna Hood.
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Roslyn Jacobs announced that Mecklenburg Citizens for Public Education
would hold a public workshop on Thursday, May 14 from 5-7:30 p.m. on
understanding school testing and accountability systems. Speakers are
Charity Bell, executive area director of the CMS West Learning Community
and former principal of West Mecklenburg High; Kendall Jordan, director
of public policy research at Raleigh-based N.C. Forum; and Jonathan
Raymond, chief accountability officer for CMS.
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Jackie Edwards Walton announced the opening this morning at 10 a.m. of
First Tee of Charlotte Learning Academy at the Revolution Golf Course,
2661 Barringer Dr.
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Ken Koontz announced that Wednesday would mark the end of the first 100
days of the Obama Administration. He encouraged people to watch and read
analyses of the milestone. He added that DVDs of "The Mountaintop: Five
Historic Days," the WENS-TV Inauguration Week video coverage, are still
available for sale. See Koontz for pricing details.
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Darrin L. Rankin announced that he would kick off his candidacy for
Charlotte City Council at-large at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 30, at the
Government Center downtown.
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Gwen Forney announced that Billingsville Elementary at 124 Sykland Ave.
off Randolph Road in Grier Heights is seeking African-American
professionals to participate as speakers at a May 28 Career Day.
Speakers will be assigned 20 minutes with a class sometime between 8
a.m. and 11 a.m. Persons interested may contact Gwen Forney.
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Laura McClettie announced that the U.S. Census has people available to
talk to groups about Census 2010, that workers are now verifying
addresses and that the Census would next be hiring managers to open
additional offices throughout North Carolina.
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Lucy Bush Carter announced that Friendship Trays was launching a new
gardening program. "Bruce Parker has given us space and we've got beds
and we're planting, and our goal is to teach and to provide fresh foods
for the folks we're serving and, if we have an abundance, for other
groups that serve, so we're getting our hands dirty.''
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Sarah Coleman announced a conference at Johnson C. Smith University on
May 16 about writing proposals to get money for groups. Information: See
Sarah Coleman.
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Michael Sexton sent in a listing of community events marking Crime
Victims' Rights Week, April 26 to May 2. Events include the AVON
Foundation walk in conjunction with this week's Quail Hollow
Championship (registration: www.WalkTheCourseAgainstDV.org or call
866-646-2866); the Crime Victims Rights Luncheon on Thursday, April 30,
at noon at Mount Moriah Primitive Baptist Church, 747 W. Trade St.,
speaker Police Chief Rodney Monroe (information, 704-432-1568); and
several events on campus at UNCC.
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Donna Jenkins (Dawson) Taylor sent in an announcement from
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Officer Lisa K. Speas of "REVolution
161" for middle school youth on Friday, May 1 from 6:15-10:30 p.m. at
Southwest Middle, 113426 Steele Creek Rd. sponsored by Steele Creek
Youth Network, CMPD, Good Shepherd UMC, Christ the King, and LifePointe
CC. Adult volunteers work with sixth- through eighth-graders. RSVP if
you can volunteer to [email protected].
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Donna Jenkins (Dawson) Taylor forwarded an announcement from the Foxboro
Tigers Youth Organization of an event on Saturday, May 2, from noon-3
p.m. at 6210 Old Pineville Rd. Free food. Registration for summer camp
will be June 12 and spaces are limited. Information: Joshua Hawkins.
president, Foxboro Tigers Youth Organization Inc., 980-226-2539,
[email protected], and website www.leaguelineup.com/ftyo
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On April 21, Forum participant Legal Services Pro Bono Coordinator Sindy
Neagle Maxwell wrote to say goodbye, writing that she had "become a
victim of the poor economy and will be leaving." On April 28,
Legal Services of Southern Piedmont Executive Director Ken Schorr wrote
to publicly thank Maxwell for her services over the last year and a
half. "She placed many individual client cases with volunteers for both
Legal Services of Southern Piedmont (LSSP) and Legal Aid of North
Carolina (LANC). This pro bono service is an important complement to the
representation that our legal staffs provide. The budgetary strain and
layoffs at LSSP reflect the downturn in the economy and its effect on
our funding sources. LANC has also experienced this stress, with a
hiring freeze since November 2008 and other stringent reductions. Both
organizations are struggling to find money to replace attorneys who
leave or to continue the work with fewer staff. We must continue the pro
bono work with both LSSP and LANC as demand for our services increases,
also due to the recession. Sindy's responsibilities have been reassigned
to Rabia Javaid. Rabia has been working with LSSP as a Paralegal
Advocate in the Consumer Protection and Legal Services for the Elderly
Programs. She has an LL.B. from Islamabad School of Law and an LL.M.
from the University of Houston Law Center. She has taken and is awaiting
results from the New York Bar exam, but is not eligible to sit for the
North Carolina Bar exam. Rabia is enthusiastic about her new assignment
and looks forward to working with each of you in the future. You can
reach Rabia on her direct line at 704-971-2584 or by email at
[email protected]."
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The Forum welcomes all persons to its meetings
beginning at 8 a.m. most Tuesdays of the year
at the West Charlotte Recreation Center, 2222 Kendall Drive, Charlotte, NC
down the hill from West Charlotte High School.