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.*
Continue ReadingWritten 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.
Continue ReadingPhone, 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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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:
Continue ReadingMecklenburg County is a human services organization. That means our number one goal is to serve the people who live in our area, especially when they need it most. We’ll walk you through just a few of the County’s many services you need to know about.
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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.
Continue ReadingLast 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.)
Continue ReadingGet 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.)
Continue ReadingSpraygrounds, 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!
Continue ReadingIf you live in a neighborhood like mine, with lots of large, old trees (and therefore, lots of leaves), you know there are a couple different approaches to fall clean-up. Which neighbor are you?
Do you diligently rake your yard each weekend? Do you leave a small, neat row of yard debris and leaf bags (the neatest little row in the neighborhood, in fact) lining the street for pick-up? Or do you wait until the very last leaf has fallen off the tree and spend one epic Saturday raking them all into a giant leaf pile (the biggest, best leaf pile in the neighborhood)? And then one back-breaking Sunday bagging it all up?
Both approaches work, but the devil is in the detail. Let’s talk about the right way to do it so you can have the undeniable edge over all your neighbors this year.
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