Even in this Internet world, many of us still receive printed catalogs through the mail, especially near the holiday season. The first such catalog — more of a flyer — was sent out by Montgomery Ward late this month in 1872. That first catalog consisted of only one page, featuring 163 items for mail order purchase. The idea was so successful that by 1904, the Ward’s catalog weighed in at four pounds. Montgomery Ward ceased producing its catalog in 1985, …
Month: August 2014
Motorists to Shift to New Lanes of I-440 East Tuesday Night as Fortify Project Moves Forward
RALEIGH – The Fortify Project to rebuild sections of I-440 and I-40 in Raleigh is expected to take another significant step forward this week. Three weeks ago, motorists on the I-440 West section of the project were shifted from the two outside lanes of the interstate to the newly rebuilt two inside lanes. Now, crews plan to make the same change for traffic on Tuesday night for I-440 East between the U.S. 64/264 Knightdale Bypass and I-40, starting at 11 …
White House: Update on the Situation in Iraq
On Saturday morning, President Obama delivered an update on the situation in Iraq from the South Lawn of the White House. The President detailed the progress of current American operations in Iraq, and spoke about what the operations mean for our country. Last week, U.S. forces began conducting targeted airstrikes against terrorist forces who were advancing on the city of Erbil, in addition to conducting humanitarian airdrops to Iraqi men, women, and children stranded in northern Iraq. Our forces have …
Tuesday Open Line
An invention that has had a profound impact on our use of fabrics and on the nation’s economy was patented on this date in 1851 — the home sewing machine, developed by Isaac Singer. The idea of the sewing machine — and some working models — went back to nearly a century before 1851. But Singer’s simple, sturdy machine was the first to be a commercial success. While far fewer people sew at home as avidly as was done in …
First-ever Honey Bee Day set for State Farmers Market Aug. 16
RALEIGH – The State Farmers Market will host Honey Bee Day on Saturday, Aug. 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The first-ever event will feature presentations on bees, beekeeping, pollination and honey. Locally made honey also will be available for sample and purchase. “Bees may be small in size, but their impact on agriculture is enormous,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Many of North Carolina’s crops rely heavily on the state’s nearly 25,000 honey bee colonies.” The N.C. Department …
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: Providing Opportunities for Our Veterans
Photo of the Week: During an Oversight and Investigations subcommittee hearing last week, I spoke with a panelist from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding the poor implementation of Obamacare. I was able to question the effectiveness of using taxpayer money for a program that has operated on an inconsistent and unpredictable basis. Click here or on the photo above to watch the exchange with the panelist. As you know, agriculture is a hugely important industry here in …
Monday Open Line
This date 33 years ago immediately preceded the dawning of a digital age milestone. On August 12, 1981, IBM introduced its model 5150 — which soon became known simply as the “PC.” There had been consumer computer models for some years before, such as the early Apple and Commodore, but the IBM machine marked a turning point in acceptance due to the manufacturer’s prestige. The company was famous for its pioneering, large mainframe computers, and even by 1984, barely over …
White House Weekly Address: American Operations in Iraq
In this week’s address, the President detailed why he authorized two operations in Iraq—targeted military strikes to protect Americans serving in Iraq and humanitarian airdrops of food and water to help Iraqi civilians trapped on a mountain by terrorists. This week, the President hosted about 50 African Heads-of-State for the first-ever U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, signed a bill to improve care for America’s veterans, and expanded flexibility for cell phone users.
City of Henderson City Council Regular Meeting Monday August 11, 2014
Henderson City Council Regular Meeting Monday, 11 August 2014 6:00 PM City Hall Council Chambers, 134 Rose Ave., Henderson, NC 27536 Download the full packet here: 20140811_coh_agenda_package I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IV. OPENING REMARKSIn order to provide for the highest standards of ethical behavior and Transparency in Governanceas well as provide for good and open government, the City Council has approved Core Valuesregarding Ethical Behavior1 and Transparency in Governance2. The Mayor …
Vance County Board of Education Board Meeting Monday August 11th, 2014
Vance County Board of Education will hold its board meeting in Henderson, N. C. 27536 on August 11, 2014 7:00 p.m. in the Administrative Services Center A G E N D A I. Call to Order II. Moment of Silence * III. Approval of Minutes * IV. Approval of Meeting Agenda V. Recognitions/Announcements VI. Comments from the Public (Citizens who would like to address the Board may do so by completing Form BDDH-E, Public Participation at Board Meetings. This …
Friday / Weekend Open Line
On this date 40 years ago, President Richard Nixon announced on a nationwide broadcast from the Oval Office his resignation, effective the next day. The resignation and departure from the White House was in response to the long building, wide-ranging Watergate scandal and the recent passage of likely successful articles of impeachment in the House of Representatives. Just 21 months earlier, Nixon had won re-election as President in one of our most notable landslides and still the largest margin of …
Vance County Public Schools – Breakfast and Lunch Provided to All Students
Beginning in the 2014-2015 school year, all students in Vance County Public Schools will be able to eat breakfast and lunch for free each school day. Students will still need to key in a (new) Meal ID number as they enter the cafeteria meal line. Snacks will be available for purchase. Money can still be placed on meal accounts. The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program provides the free meals and is a new reimbursement option for public school systems, available …
NC Cooperative Extension Gardening Updates, plus Farmers Markets
AUGUST ISSUE OF “THE GARDEN PATH” Another fine issue of the Garden Path newsletter, written and published by the Vance/Warren Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, is available at http://vance.ces.ncsu.edu/thegardenpath/ . You’ll find lots of timely tips! AT THE FARMERS MARKETS What might you find this week? Look for beets, cantaloupe, cucumbers, corn, eggplant, honey, okra, onions, peaches, peas, peppers (bell & hot), potatoes, squash, tomatoes, watermelon, zucchini and more! Note, selection may vary. UPCOMING EVENTS Pressure Canner Testing, Vance Farmers Market, Aug 13, 10 am to …
Vance County Public Safety Committee Meeting Notice
The Vance County’s Public Safety Committee is scheduled to meet Monday, August 11 at 4:00 p.m. in the County Manager’s Administrative Conference Room. The purpose is to discuss volunteer fire department matters.
Farmers market growth in N.C. among top 10 in the U.S.
North Carolina is among the top states when it comes to the growth of farmers markets, according to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. The USDA has launched a Farmers Market Directory, and North Carolina ranks No. 7 in growth, with 240 farmers markets. That’s up from 182 in 2010 – and from 86 in 2004. The USDA’s Luanne Lohr says the trend gives N.C. farmers greater access to venues to market their goods. She says regional food hubs have also …
North Carolina Main Street Communities Receive 2014 National Main Street Accreditation
The N.C. Department of Commerce, Office of Urban Development has announced that 20 North Carolina communities have achieved accreditation from the National Main Street Center for meeting the commercial district revitalization performance standards set by the National Main Street Center®, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Each year, the National Main Street Center and its partners announce the list of accredited Main Street® programs, which have demonstrated exemplary commitment to historic preservation and community revitalization through the …
Ideal Fastener Corporation to Expand Facility in Granville County
Ideal Fastener Corporation has announced it will be expanding its facility in Granville County. The company plans to create 155 jobs in Oxford by the end of 2019 and invest more than $5.7 million. Ideal Fastener Corporation is a privately held company established in 1936 and is the second-largest zipper manufacturer in the world. The company is involved in every aspect of the styling, technology and manufacturing of zippers. The company has more than 3,500 employees with six manufacturing facilities …
North Carolina Weekend
For the week of Aug. 7 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, “Collecting Carolina” looks at quilts at the Shelton House in Waynesville. Take to the trees at Navitat Canopy Adventures in Barnardsville. Tempt your taste buds at La Farm Bakery in Cary. Enjoy the great outdoors at Hammocks Beach State Park in Swansboro. And the “House Special” samples the fare at Quality Grocery in Raleigh. (Please note: listings are subject to change.) North Carolina Weekend is underwritten by the N.C. …
State sees first EEE cases of the year in horses
RALEIGH – Two horses have been confirmed this week as having died after contracting Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis within the past two weeks. EEE is a mosquito-borne disease that is preventable in equine by vaccination. The unvaccinated horses – an 18-month-old Paint from Carteret County and a 3-year-old Quarter horse from Bladen County – exhibited signs of generalized weakness, stumbling, depression and inability to stand or eat. The Carteret County horse was euthanized July 21, and the Bladen County horse died …
Thursday Open Line
On this date 50 years ago, the U.S. Congress passed one of its most controversial joint resolutions — one that was regretted in hindsight and overturned in January 1971. It was the so-called Tonkin Gulf Resolution, authorizing nearly unlimited military action in South Vietnam and leading to quick escalation of our involvement in that country. More than 9 million Americans served in the military during the nine-year Vietnam era, and nearly 2.6 million of them served in South Vietnam at …