Blogs Now Part of City Website!

With the relaunch of the City’s new website, the Kannapolis blog has been integrated into the website. Now you can read blog posts on www.cityofkannapolis.com/my-community/blog. If you are signed up to receive email updates on the old blog, you will automatically be and signed up for email updates on the new blog; no need to sign up again. If you would like to receive email updates about new posts, go to www.cityofkannapolis.com/newsletters (or go to any page on the website and click the yellow “Subscribe” button on the top left) to sign up.

We hope you find the new website easy to use and would be happy to hear any feedback you have about it!

Looking for Money for Your Business?

RCCC’s Small Business Center is offering a free seminar on Tuesday 6:30-8:30pm to help people improve their chances for finding business funding. Learn more about the different types of funding available, the benefits and drawbacks, the dos and don’ts of looking for money, your best options if you’re a new or existing business, and what to do today to prepare for a lender.

Here are the other upcoming free seminars.

• Thu, Feb 16 – Just Send Me a Proposal, 6:30-8:30pm
• Tue, Feb 21 – Online Marketing Tools, 6:30-8:30pm
• Thu, Mar 1 – Starting an Online Business, 6:30-8:30pm

Go to the Small Business Center website to get more details on the seminar topics and locations.

Win a Free Registration

Do you or someone you know want to start a business? The Small Business Center is also offering an in-depth course that gives entrepreneurs step-by-step instructions on how to start a small business. The class, “Starting a Business-From Concept to Launch,” begins Monday, Feb. 13 and continues each Monday through April 16. The 22.5 hour course will help participants identify their strengths as an entrepreneur and assess the feasibility of their business idea. The class will meet 6-8:30 p.m. at RCCC’s Cabarrus Business & Technology Center in Concord. Cabarrus Economic Development will sponsor the first ten participants.  Register by February 9th.

UNC Seminar Series Starts Tuesday

The UNC Nutrition Research Institute is kicking off a series of seminars highlighting the work of the NC Research Campus with its Frontiers in Nutrition Seminar Series. The seminars will be held at the Core Lab on Tuesdays from February 7 to March 6, 7:00pm to 8:30pm (with the exception of a seminar on Mon Feb 13).

The sessions are free, but seats are limited and registration is required. If you are unable to attend in person, you can join the webcast at www.uncnri.org/webcast.

Read more about the seminars below, or go to the NRI website to see the many opportunities to learn more about health and nutrition.

 

February 7, 2012
“Diet and the Risk of Cancer” Steven Zeisel, M.D., Ph.D., NRI Director Gain insights into how diet affects your health — what you eat may help determine if you live a long, healthy life, and reduce your risk for diseases like cancer. Dr. Zeisel, international leader in nutrition research, leads the field of nutritional individuality. He specializes in how the nutrient choline impacts brain development and cognition.
Monday*, February 13, 2012
“Gut Microbes: a Trillion Tiny Friends for Life” Melanie Spencer, Ph.D. Learn how the many microbes in your GI tract influence everything from your immunity to nutrition absorption rate, as well as their critical role in your health. Having earned a doctorate in bioinformatics, Dr. Spencer, now at the NRI, explores the role of bacteria in nutrition and human metabolism. *Note this session will be held on Monday, February 13. All other sessions held on Tuesdays.
February 21, 2012
“The Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)” Philip May, Ph.D. Did you know that up to 5% of children in the U.S. may suffer from cognitive and behavioral problems caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol? Dr. May will explain FASD and how the mother’s drinking patterns and other factors may lead to different outcomes in children. Dr. May, NRI Research Professor and leading expert in FASD, works to fully define the disorder, helping to decrease the overall percentage of impacted children.
February 28, 2012
“Obesity: It’s Not Easy Being Lean” Andrew Swick, Ph.D. Ever wonder why you can’t keep those extra pounds off? Dr. Swick’s research unravels why it is difficult for some to lose and maintain a reduced weight as well as potential causes of obesity, including your environment and the importance of energy balance. Dr. Swick, Director of Obesity and Eating Disorders at the NRI, is an expert on how the gut controls food intake and the regulation of energy expenditure.
March 6, 2012
“Why Diets Don’t Work: Myths, Mysteries, & Truths” Karen Corbin, Ph.D., R.D. Fact or fiction: There is an ideal diet that will maintain your optimal health. Learn how nutrients, genetics, and other factors can make your ideal diet less of a mystery. At the NRI, Dr. Corbin, a Registered Dietitian and Research Assistant Professor, investigates the role of nutrition and genetic components in obesity and fatty liver disease.

February Activities & Events

Many opportunities to learn and have fun are coming up in February. Here are just a few brought to you by Cabarrus County and other groups.

Kannapolis Branch Library

Paranormal Night

Do you find yourself wondering if there is life after the Twilight or the Sookie Stackhouse series?  Come enjoy a spooktacular night where we can recommend paranormal titles you can really sink your teeth into. Paranormal Night is Thursday, Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. at the Kannapolis branch of the Cabarrus County Public Library. Free. Call 704-920-1180 or visit the library website for more details.

Valentine’s Day Authors Visit

The Kannapolis branch of the Cabarrus County Public Library (850 Mountain St.) is hosting three inspirational romance novelists on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. Area writers Dora Hiers, Myra Johnson and Jennifer Hudson Taylor will talk about their writing experiences and books and answer questions from the audience. Free. Call 704-920-1180 or visit the library website for more details.

Health and Nutrition

Free Yoga at the Kannapolis Farmers Market

For the month of February, free yoga classes will be offered at the Kannapolis Farmers Market on Thursday afternoons. Classes will be held on February 2, 9, 16 and 23. Enjoy Chair Yoga from 4:30 pm to 5:15 pm, and from 5:45 pm to 6:45 pm Yoga Basics. Chair yoga is a form of yoga performed while sitting in a chair or leaning on a chair for support and is the gentlest form of yoga. Both classes provide the full range of health benefits yoga is known for including improved flexibility, strength, concentration and posture. Bring a mat if you have it, but there will be extra mats available as well.

The Farmers Market is open at 120 West Ave on Thursdays 3pm to 6pm. The indoor market offers fresh fruits, vegetables, honey, hams, jams, jellies, baked goods and the work of local artisans.

Living with Diabetes Class

The Cabarrus County Department of Aging is sponsoring a free, six-week Living Healthy with Diabetes workshop on Thursday, Feb. 2 from 9:30 a.m. – noon at the West Cabarrus YMCA, 5325 Langford Ave. in Concord. The program will help people with diabetes manage their health and maintain an active lifestyle. Registration is required. Call 704-920-3484 or go to the website for more details.

Learn to Cook Smart, Eat Right

Learn new, quick and easy ways to prepare food in four, hands-on classes at the Cook Smart, Eat Smart series. Classes begin Monday, Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. at NC Cooperative Extension – Cabarrus Center, 715 Cabarrus Ave. in Concord. Cost is $40 and includes a cookbook and special gifts. Register at www.cabarruscounty.us/reservepartner or call 704-920-3315 or 704-920-3322.

Other Fun Activities

Valentines Venture at North Cabarrus Park

Bring your sweetheart to North Cabarrus Park, 760 Orphanage Road in Kannapolis, on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 1-3 p.m. for a Valentines Venture. You’ll use a GPS to search for materials you’ll need to make a craft. Open to ages 5 and older. Cost is $5. Register by Thursday, Feb. 9 at www.cabarruscounty.us/reservepartner and type in “Valentine” in the class search box. Call 704-795-4492 or go to the website for more details.

Historic H.J. Peeler House Opens

Last week, a bit of Kannapolis history was brought back to life. The H. J. Peeler house at 101 S. Ridge Avenue has been restored and reopened. Kannapolis resident and business owner Jamison Lee purchased the 1923 home and spent the last seven years restoring it. It is now available for lease for professional office space, special events, and meetings.

Mayor Misenheimer and Jamison Lee at the Peeler House ribbon cutting

The home is the first Kannapolis mill village home to be on the National Register of Historic Places. The property was also formerly used by Lady’s Funeral Home. Jamison paid attention to every historical and architectural detail to restore the home – truly a labor of love!

For pictures and more information about the history of the property and lease information, go to www.hjpeelerhouse.com. You can also read more in the Independent Tribune article.

Congratulations Mayor Bob!

At Friday’s Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce annual meeting, Kannapolis Mayor Bob Misenheimer received the Chamber’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his years of public service as an educator and elected official. In addition, the Mayor was surprised with a videotaped message from Governor Bev Purdue bestowing upon him the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. Mayor Bob joins a long list of distinguished North Carolinians to receive the award, presented to individuals who have a long history of service to the state.

The Mayor was recognized for his contributions as an educator, serving for 36 years as a teacher and elementary and high school principal. Appointed to Kannapolis City Council in 1989, he has served for 22 years on City Council, serving as mayor for the past seven years. Mr. Misenheimer also volunteers regularly at CMC-NorthEast. He is a member of New Gilead Reformed United Church of Christ where he has been treasurer for 30 years and has served in various leadership positions including deacon, elder and chair of the church and ministry commission.

Concord Mayor Scott Padgett also received the Chamber’s Lifetime Achievement award and the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. Congratulations to both mayors!!

Also at the meeting, the City of Kannapolis received the Chamber’s 2012 Sustainability Award for the installation of two pumps at the Kannapolis water treatment plant, resulting in a cost savings of approximately $40,000 annually. Read this blog post to learn more about the project.

DNC Prequalification Process Open for Subcontractors

The application process is now open for subcontractors interested in securing a part of the work of renovating the Time Warner Cable Arena for the Democratic National Convention coming in September. The type of work involved relates to construction (electrical, carpentry, painting and wall covering, drywall, IT/cabling, metal framing and millwork), remodeling (acoustical panel ceilings, fencing and barricades, scaffolds, platforms, handrails), and related work on the Arena (removal, storage and reinstallation of arena seating; construction cleaning and post convention custodial work; and the rigging, transportation and storing of materials, both on site and off).

Read the Charlotte Business Journal article for more details or go to the Vendor Directory to register. The deadline for subcontractors to submit prequalification forms is March 1.

Are You Ready for Some Football?

The famed Concord-A.L. Brown high school football series is not the only gridiron rivalry between the cities of Concord and Kannapolis.  On Saturday, January 14, employees of both cities will join forces for some friendly competition and to raise awareness and funds for United Way of Central Carolinas.  The public is invited to attend this fun, family event and join the cause to help those in the community who need it most.

The cities, whose employees are in the midst of organizational United Way campaigns, will face off at Kannapolis Middle School in two flag football games on Saturday, beginning at 1:00 p.m.  The first game will feature teams of less experienced but equally spirited athletes; the second game at 2:30 p.m. will have players seeking a more competitive environment.  There are no age or gender restrictions, and the only requirement for the players is employment with their respective city.

Admission to the game will be free, but attendee donations to United Way will be accepted.  In addition, food and beverage concessions will be sold with proceeds going to United Way.

City of Kannapolis coworkers have supported the United Way through volunteer efforts with United Way agencies and monetary contributions for several years. This year, Kannapolis’ “Get in the Game” campaign is designed to unite employees from Concord and Kannapolis and build relationships to better serve our communities.

United Way of Central Carolinas unites donors with local nonprofits, and makes both sides of that relationship more effective.  By partnering with over 90 health and human services agencies, United Way ensures that donations have the broadest possible impact, because no single agency can meet the community’s diverse needs. And by efficiently raising funds for each of these agencies, United Way reduces the overhead that each nonprofit would incur if they had to run their own corporate campaigns. Furthermore, some agencies leverage United Way funding – and the credibility that goes with it – into additional funding.

Come out and cheer us on!

CMC-Kannapolis Emergency Facility Opening

Another exciting happening this Saturday is the open house for the CMC-Kannapolis emergency facility next to the Fieldcrest Cannon baseball stadium on Lane Street. The $17 million facility is a freestanding 24-hour emergency care center affiliated with CMC-NorthEast and staffed by the same group of ER physicians.

Services available at CMC-Kannapolis include:

• a 24-hour emergency care center
• a full-service imaging center with CT scanner and ultrasound capabilities
• observation beds for patients who need may need extended examination and treatment
• laboratory services
• quick, convenient access for outpatient services

Click here to learn more about the facility and services.

The open house will be noon until 3pm on Saturday, with public tours, food, and activities for children. The address is 2711 Lane St, where the former Church of God was located.

CMC-Kannapolis will be open for business on January 16. This is great for emergency healthcare access for local citizens and also helps to support the business environment in Kannapolis.

Incorporate Local Food into Your 2012 Goals

For those who are making changes to their lifestyles as part of your annual goal setting, you might also think about incorporating a commitment to increase the proportion of your food that comes from local sources. Local food is fresher (due to reduced transport time), supports the state and regional economy, and can be more environmentally sustainable. It also helps establish a connection and appreciation for where your food comes from and what it took to get it here.

Your local options include:

• Indoor market on Thursday afternoons (3-6pm) in downtown Kannapolis at 120 West Ave (old Cannon Towel building).
• Winecoff market on Saturday mornings (8am-12pm) at 518 Winecoff School Rd.

Click on the NC Farm Fresh website for a list of other farmers markets. Grocery stores sometimes note which produce are grown locally as well. Happy new year and happy eating!