Mecklenburg County Blog - Building relationships through stories that illustrate who we are, what we do and how your tax dollars help our community.

Public Health For a Better Community

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April 20, 2021 7:06 pm

7 min read

Recently, Public Health professionals have been in the spotlight for their work around the COVID-19 pandemic. You’ve heard all about the testing sites, call centers, and vaccination clinics. They’re also the ones on the other end of the phone (or screen) answering your questions about the virus – how can I protect myself? What should I do if I think I have COVID-19? Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe? (Yes, it’s safe and effective! Learn more here.) They are real life HEROS, and our community owes them all a huge THANK YOU!

The reality is, Public Health professionals track epidemics every day, and while the job isn’t always as glamorous as Hollywood would suggest (have you seen Contagion!?), it is an essential public health service. It’s one of 10 essential services, in fact.

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Around Town Arts & Culture Environment Give Back Recreation Resources

Staycation Activated

Jameil Weldon

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March 31, 2021 8:45 pm

6 min read

Written with contributions from the Public Information Department

staycation
n. a vacation spent in one’s home country rather than abroad, or one spent at home and involving day trips to local attractions.

I know what you’re thinking. “I’ve avoided travel for a year and I’m ready to GO!” Me too, reader. Me too. BUT if we’re going to be here, let’s make the most of it. I’ll give you a money back guarantee right here, right now if you’ve done everything on this list.*

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Careers Recreation

Parks By Design: Profile of Director W. Lee Jones

Nicole Nolen

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February 26, 2021 9:22 pm

5 min read

Written by Amy Rogers

Growing up in urban Richmond, Va., Lee Jones couldn’t have imagined the path that would lead him to a career in architecture and ultimately, the directorship of the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department.

As a boy, he noticed the concrete buildings around him were cold in winter and hot in summer. In middle school, he was selected to take part in “A Better Chance,” a government program that sought out promising minority students and funded their education at the country’s most exclusive college preparatory schools. Jones chose Groton School in Massachusetts.

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Around Town Health and Human Services

Mask Up! Wall of Fame

Nicole Nolen

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February 15, 2021 8:41 pm

1 min read

Phone, wallet, keys, mask. The Centers for Disease Control recommends a mask anytime we are in public, at a gathering, or around other people. We know it’s one of the best ways for us to protect our health and our families. But, it’s also one of the best ways for us to support our community and the local economy!

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Uncategorized

4 Things to Know About Senior Nutrition

Tammy Thompson

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February 11, 2021 4:18 pm

3 min read

person from our senior nutrition program wearing a mask standing on a sidewalk with a clipboard and pen, handing a bag of food to an elderly person in a car

There’s an important resource in our community that a lot of people are missing out on. If you’re 60 years or older you could be getting free, healthy, prepared meals through Mecklenburg County’s Senior Citizens Nutrition Program. More than 2500 residents participate in the program now, but many more are eligible. Think you or someone you know may qualify? Here’s what you need to know:

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Careers

Leveling Up Skills with the County

Jameil Weldon

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January 22, 2021 9:12 pm

2 min read

A portrait of school health nutritionist Sahsine Davis wearing a red dress smiling brightly at the camera

Health staff at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools have become a crucial part of Mecklenburg County’s COVID-19 prevention team. School Health Nutritionist Sahsine Davis has helped students with nutrition-related health problems for the last 14 years. She talks to them one-on-one about how to make changes in their eating habits and lifestyle. She’s also provided group education for students, parents and the community over the years to help them live healthier. And her work continued even after she started working virtually in March 2020.

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Resources

LOL, 2020

Jameil Weldon

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December 31, 2020 7:28 pm

3 min read

Last year, I merrily wrote a blog with things to do in 2020 for under $20. Five of the 10 things on the list were significantly different or impossible for most of the year. Half. Lol, 2020. You got us! 😕 BUT! We did manage to complete the census with greater participation than in 2010. 🎉

Without making any grand plans for 2021, here’s a new, pandemic-proof 🤞🏾 list of budget-friendly activities this year. (I do not intend to jinx us but also apologize in advance if I accidentally do.)

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Around Town

Festive Streets: Best in Snow!

Jameil Weldon

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December 22, 2020 8:48 pm

3 min read

Get out your maps and hop in your virtual sleigh to find these festive holiday streets in Mecklenburg County. I’ll warn you right now, it’s more than you think. WAY more!

Arguably, the most festive place in Mecklenburg County is Pineville. It’s in the name! (There are also Pine Lane and Pine Tree Drive in Charlotte, Pine Ridge Drive in Cornelius, Pineridge Drive and Pine Springs Court in Huntersville, Pine Road in Davidson and Pine Chase Lane in Matthews.)

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Careers

Making Cents of One Park and Recreation Job

Jameil Weldon

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November 5, 2020 2:27 pm

2 min read

Spraygrounds, playgrounds, greenways, computers, masks? When you think of Park and Recreation, you probably don’t think too much about human resources or technical compliance. Your eyes might’ve glazed over just hearing those words but come back! Senior Fiscal Administrator Lorraine Bias describes her department as “the heartbeat of Park and Recreation.” Wow!

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