Rock Creek, NC, News and Community Information

Gibsonville junk car rules won't be changed

import — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0400

The Board of Aldermen decided not to change the town's junk car ordinance, but instead to more strictly enforce the rules.

Town residents can have one covered car in the backyard. All other unused or unregistered cars must be enclosed in a building.

"I think the ordinance is fine," Alderman Mark Shepherd said. "I just think we need to look at the enforcement side."

The board discussed the potential danger of Town Planner Brandon Parker inspecting yards and trying to enforce the code.

The police probably will accompany Parker if he requests assistance.

Gibsonville mayor favors buses

import — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0400

GIBSONVILLE -- Mayor Lenny Williams is pushing for public transportation systems that could serve the town's residents.

He and several town aldermen traveled to Hickory on Friday to learn more about the town's bus system. Patrick Harman, chairman of the Community Council Public Transit Task Force, organized the trip.

Williams is supporting Harman's push to develop a bus system serving towns across Alamance County, with a hub in Burlington.

Every year, more people move to the area and traffic gets more congested, Williams said.

Gibsonville planning board pushes need for quicker communication

import — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0400

The planning board wants to increase communication with the Board of Aldermen.

At the planning board meeting Thursday, Chairwoman Kathy King expressed the need for action on several other issues, as well.

She suggested having one liaison from the planning board and Board of Aldermen to attend one another's meetings.

King said the board doesn't hear about what happened with its recommendations until after the minutes from the aldermen's meeting are approved, about a month later.

"I think there's got to be some way to be hearing from them," she said.

Triad math school opens

import — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0400

Nearly 300 students filed into Greensboro's newest charter school, Triad Math and Science Academy, for their first day Tuesday.

"For the first year, we wanted 268," principal Hakan Orak said.

Last week, the school's population was already up to 277.

TMSA is the county's fourth charter school. Charter schools are public schools governed by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, not the local school system.

"We're in Guilford County, but we're not a Guilford County school," Orak said.

'Girlfriend trip' to Biltmore a success

import — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0400

A few years ago, my daughter, Hannah, and I started talking about taking a "girlfriend trip" together.

At first, the idea of the two of us taking off alone was more of a joke, but the idea took hold, and we both decided it really was something we wanted to do.

Two weeks ago, we finally made good on our plans and headed out of town right after my daughter finished work. We drove west on I-40 until we reached our destination, Asheville.

Get your birth listing in the News & Record

mgrossman — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:24:21 -0400

In August, 2008, we changed the way we handle birth announcements.

Instead of receiving listings from the hospital, we have shifted control to the parents. We'll run your free listing - which includes the baby's name - within 60 days of your baby's birth. For a fee, you can even include a photo and additional information.

The form for both is online here (.pdf)

Calendar

bwebb — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0400

FundRAISERS

Ongoing

Southern Triad Missions needs new appliances, clothing and household items for families in need. Make checks payable to Southern Triad Missions and mail to P.O. Box 1906, High Point, NC 27261-1906. 888-6091.

System maximizes use of rainwater

import — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0400

BURLINGTON -- A new family business wants to hook up buildings, including homes, to a free water source: the rain.

Innovative Water Solutions sells and installs rainwater harvesting systems.

"A lot of people are just using it for backyard gardens, irrigation," said co-owner Neil Kistler. "Your plants will thrive on it."

The company sells tanks, which can be above ground or buried, that connect to gutters and collect water running off a building's roof. A filter separates debris from the water.

Whitsett council addresses slow traffic signal

import — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0400

At the Whitsett Town Council meeting Aug. 12, town officials discussed a slow traffic signal and other minor issues.

Responding to a resident's comment at the meeting, the board discussed the programming of the traffic lights at the intersection of N.C. 61 and U.S. 70.

People waiting to turn left onto U.S. 70 are waiting for long periods of time for the light to change.

The town is checking with state transportation officials about the issue.

In other news from the meeting:

l the council voted to renew its contract with CPA Bobby Massey.

Lion's Club isn't just for grandpas

import — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0400

Amanda Johnson-Morrow knows many people think the Lions Club is only for older men.

But the Gibsonville club's new president, who happens to be 27, wants to change that image and help membership grow.

"It's a great place for fellowship, and at the same time ... it gives you a sense that you're doing something for the community," she said.

The Lions Club focuses on improving quality of life for others, locally and globally.

Crafty crafters create surprises

import — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0400

Rankin Crafters began Jan. 28, 1986, when a group of women from Rankin Baptist Church in Greensboro gathered for the first time in the fellowship hall of the church.

They met with the initial interest of learning to quilt. While it took many years, each member ended up with a quilt made by the group as a whole.

Sometimes members would bring their own craft projects from home to work on while they visited with the others. Ideas and talents were shared as they worked with their hands, sharing from their hearts.

Calendar

bwebb — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0400

FUNDRAISERS

Ongoing

Soccer players to get new field at Moricle

import — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0400

Gibsonville's young soccer players soon will have a new practice field at Moricle Park.

At the Aug. 4 meeting, the Board of Aldermen approved the Parks and Recreation Department's request to build the 50-by-90-yard field.

For the 10th straight season, the soccer program has grown, but the town doesn't have enough fields to accommodate practice time for all the teams -- 27 last year.

The capital reserve fund will pay for the $15,000 project. The fund is made up of fees developers must pay to build in town.

Trading places: a dog's life

import — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0400

This week, Linda Vestal's dog, Bayley has stepped in to write her column.

Dear Christopher,

This is your loving dog, Bayley.

While you were away at Memaw's house this afternoon, I decided to find out what it was like to be you for the day. You always look like you are having fun, while all I get to do is sit and watch from the floor below.

Mobile clinic could help animal overpopulation

import — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0400

Last year, 8,600 dogs and cats entered the Burlington Animal Services shelter. More than 6,000 were euthanized, their bodies dumped at the landfill.

The shelter, which serves all of Alamance County, can't keep up with the number of stray, abandoned and surrendered animals. And each year, the intake number increases.

"We're in a crisis situation," said Greg Seel, assistant chief of police in Burlington.

Merchants give aldermen an earful in Gibsonville

import — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0400

Downtown merchants had a lot to talk about with the Board of Aldermen on Aug. 4.

The board continued discussion again on the issue of annual business privilege licenses, perhaps for the final time.

This year's budget includes an increase from $10 to $50 for retail businesses.

Several retail business owners spoke against the amount of the increase.

Bennie Leach, who owns Sherry's on Main, said some nearby towns and cities base their license costs on sales.

Dropouts getting a second chance