· Women and minority employees in state government were disproportionately nailed by budget cuts in 2011. Recently released data provided by the state show that 58% of those who lost their jobs in this past budget year were women, while women comprised only 47% of the state workforce. Forty percent of the laid-off workers were minorities, although they only comprised 34% of the state workforce.
- Black History Month: In 1964, Thebaud “T.” Jeffers helped break through the color barrier in North Carolina when he sat down and ate dinner at a Holiday Inn restaurant in Gastonia. Twelve years later in 1976, Jeffers became Gastonia's first black mayor, seven years ahead of Charlotte’s electing Harvey Gantt as the Queen City’s first black mayor.
- A former junkyard on North Graham Street has been transformed into 85 apartments for the homeless. A four-year effort by the Urban Ministry Center raised $10.5 million for Moore Place.
- Some residents of the Elizabeth community, meanwhile, are raising concerns about a proposal to build an 80-unit affordable apartment project in their neighborhood. A public meeting held last week on the project attracted more than 100 area residents, many of whom voiced concern Elizabeth is becoming a haven for the homeless.
· CMS students spend as many as 20 days a year taking standardized tests. How well students perform is also used to assess a school's performance. A few years from now, how well students perform on standardized tests could be a factor in teacher pay.
· Presbyterian Hospital has been working to improve the health of African Americans and Latinos in the Charlotte region. So far, more than 50 black churches and about an equal number of Latino congregations have joined the effort, dubbed Congregational Health Promoters.
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In a push to inspire greater local civic participation in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County government, the League of Women Voters plans to host a month-long series of seminars starting Feb. 13. Cost is $40. The tutorials will include info about local government, the courts and media. For registration, click here.
Mob scenes played out all across the Charlotte area recently. A new “fashion” athletic shoe, the $175 Air Jordan, caused near riots wherever they went on sale. They were being particularly sought by African American shoppers. This prompted some criticism from members of the local African American community, who believe priorities need realignment.
NASCAR, a sport synonymous with the Carolinas and especially Charlotte, is looking at possible layoffs in the wake of dwindling sponsorships. Home viewing has increased and the sport is still a local staple. But the current economy is making it harder to find companies willing to shell out $25 million to be a primary sponsor. That could lead to staff cuts.
Until recent history, the least healthy food stuff you could find at a hospital was on its own cafeteria shelf. But in an effort to improve the overall health of their workers, most Charlotte region hospitals have begun offering better choices for their employees, including fresh fruit and vegetables. They’ve also reduced the prices of the healthier items to encourage people to try them.
More than 4,700 homeless students are now enrolled in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, a 20% increase over the past five years. Charlotte non-profit A Child’s Place, since 1989, has been attempting to make a difference in their lives. The kids often need the very basics, including school supplies, clothing and snacks to take to school. For more information about how to help, click here!
Stories from the last week that caught our eye:
Santa came to a Lincolnton family in the form a TV crew. James and Devona Friday have fostered more than 30 children over the years. They were out shopping for a Christmas tree recently when the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” folks spotted them. The next thing they knew, the Fridays were being told their home would be getting a complete remodeling job all for free. Ho, ho, ho.
And still more giving, just in time for the holidays. HomeAid Charlotte, the charitable arm of the Charlotte HomeBuilders Association, recently remodeled the kitchen at The Relatives crisis center in Dilworth. The kitchen had seen little improvement since the home was built in the 1920s. It now has new appliances, countertops and floors, fresh paint, two computer desks and a big dining table.
While this is a season meant to be filled with joy, many find it a particularly tough time of year. That’s especially true for people dealing with grief. The Respite: A Centre for Grief & Hope is a new healing center for people dealing with all types of grief. The center, at 4919 Monroe Road, offers individual counseling, support groups, workshops, yoga, massage, personal training, nutrition counseling and art therapy.
Two African-American women were sworn in to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools board, bringing diversity to the board for the first time since 2003. The arrival of Ericka Ellis-Stewart, who was elected chairwoman, and Mary McCray, vice chairwoman, also means the number of Democrats on the board has increased to five from four. While it’s too early to say what the implications might be, both women have been harsh critics of the school system and promise to shake things up.
And organizers of the Democratic National Convention announced plans to seek “ambassadors” from all 100 N.C. counties They will be asked to spread the word about the convention in their respective communities in an effort to ensure the convention is indeed a statewide event.
With the holidays approaching, blood donations tend to tank. So Sunday, the American Red Cross and Presbyterian Hospital kicked off an effort to encourage more people to donate blood and platelets. The "12 Days of Giving" campaign runs through Dec. 15.
Almost 14,000 children in the greater Charlotte area being helped by the Salvation Army's Christmas Bureau. So far, 7,000 families have signed up to receive help from the volunteer-based program that provides gifts to low-income families.
The CMS school board wants to hear from the community about what people want in their next school superintendent. The district will hold six meetings this week at schools throughout Mecklenburg County to gather local opinion.
Panhandlers are proliferating Uptown and most of them are not homeless, Charlotte Center City Partners’ Michael Smith says. And local homeless services groups and shelters are on board with CCCP to help curb nuisance begging. Note cards with information about homeless resources will be distributed in Uptown restaurants and businesses. The campaign encourages people to hand a beggar one of those cards instead of cash.
Writer Ken Garfield explores why Levine Children's Hospital Chapel is a quiet place that offers comfort and hope. You can see the evidence in the messages left in a notebook to the tear-stained floor.
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Thebaud “T.” Jeffers. (Photo: Charlotte Observer)
Posted: February 7th, 2012 Lee Howard
