President Barack Obama is no stranger to late night talk shows and yesterday (Tuesday) he added “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” to the list of talk shows he’s appeared on. The segment aired last night and was taped as part of the president’s visit to UNC-Chapel Hill, filming in Memorial Hall before a live audience. The opening of the show featured several shots from UNC-CH’s campus and area with Fallon making several references to Carolina and even donning a Carolina …
North Carolina Weekend
For the week of April 26 on UNC-TV’s “North Carolina Weekend,” take it outside at the French Broad River Festival in Hot Springs. Enjoy crafted works, wine and more at the Sanford Pottery Festival in Sanford. Step back in time at Blandwood Mansion in Greensboro. Explore the Pamlico House Bed & Breakfast in in Washington. And tempt your tastebuds at Battistella’s in Raleigh. (Please note: listings are subject to change.) “North Carolina Weekend” is exclusively underwritten by the N.C. Division …
State partners with MerleFest for 25th annual music festival
The Division is partnering with MerleFest organizers to promote travel to and within the state in conjunction with the 25th anniversary the Wilkesboro event. Merlefest is included in featured event listings on VisitNC.com, as well as in weekly Events eBlasts running since February. The eBlasts have more than 75,000 subscribers. During March and April, the Division awarded tickets to Merlefest on Twitter Trivia Tuesdays occurring bi-weekly at @VisitNC. The Division, along with Welcome Center staff, is also staffing a booth …
N.C. to mark National Travel & Tourism Week, recognize strength of industry’s economic impact
North Carolina will recognize National Travel & Tourism Week next month with a range of events locally and statewide designed to highlight the contributions of the travel and tourism industry to the state’s economy. Local communities and businesses are encouraged to mark the period from May 3 through May 17 with events to showcase to policymakers and citizens the integral role tourism plays in the economies all 100 counties in North Carolina. Visitors traveling to and within the state of …
Finalists announced for Best Dish in North Carolina competition
Twenty-five restaurants have been selected to compete this summer in the Best Dish in North Carolina competition. The finalists will represent one of two regions within the state in either the fine or casual dining category. Each region will have a single judge who will be responsible for choosing that region’s winners in both categories. Competition finalists are required to feature the dish or combination of courses in their restaurant for at least a four-week period running between May and …
Thursday Open Line
Reminder, be sure to come to downtown Henderson tonight for the Meet Me In The Street festival for some free live music! The Wenatchee Valley in Washington is decked out with millions of blossoms as a backdrop for the state’s 93rd annual Apple Blossom Festival, beginning tomorrow. An estimated 100,000 people will enjoy events including parades and a carnival and, of course, lots of apples, along with applesauce, apple butter, and apple pies. Apples are a perennial American favorite — we …
Richard Brand: The Other Side
We have been told long enough that if you say the same thing over and over, pretty soon people will believe it. So I guess that means that you have to object to those messages ever time in order to try to prevent those words from becoming the perceived reality. Like there is a constant drum beat that President Obama is not a citizen of the United States. The “Birthers” keep trying to deny his birth in Hawaii. Their advantage …
Michael Bobbitt: Notes From The Peanut Gallery (City Council April 23, 2012)
Recognitions and Presentations After completing their preliminary activities the Council meeting started with introduction of the Leadership Vance Class of 2012. The members of the class stood and introduced themselves. The Council followed the pattern set by the school board and mimicked by the county commissioners. No quid pro quo introduction of themselves just a polite nice to have you here tonight, next item on the agenda. Mr. Mike Ciriello’s assistant presented a high level summary of the COG’s or …
Vance County Cooperative Extension Canning Workshop May 3rd
Vance County Cooperative Extension will sponsor a Canning demonstration for beginning canners, “Can It Safely”, on Thursday, May 3, from 2 until 4 p.m. Pre-registration fee of $4 should be paid by check to arrive at Vance County Extension Center, 305 Young Street, Henderson, NC 27536 by Tuesday, May 1. Call 252-438-8188 or email mary_jones@ncsu.edu for more information.
Butterfield Expresses Condolences on the Passing of Dr. LeRoy T. Walker
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) released the following statement today on the death of Dr. LeRoy T. Walker: “It is with deep sadness that I express my condolences to the family of my friend, Dr. LeRoy T. Walker. A transcendent leader in both athletics and academics, Dr. Walker achieved things few people would even dare to dream. “Dr. Walker rose to prominence while at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), where he founded and led the university’s winning …
Meet Me In The Street Thursday Afternoon
Make plans this Thursday, April 26th at 5:30PM to 8:30pm to come to the first “Meet Me In The Street” event of the year in downtown Henderson with “THE KONNECTION BAND”. A free event for the entire family! The second event will be held on Thursday, May 31, 2012 with The Entertainers. Finally The Castaways will help us round out the season on Thursday, September 13,2012. All three events will be held on Breckenridge and Wyche Streets which will be blocked off. Harris …
Taking out Stafford Loans to help pay for college? You could owe an extra $1,000 unless Congress takes action soon.
Right now, interest rates on new subsidized loans will double on July 1 and more than 7 million students around the country will rack up an average of $1,000 of extra debt each. Congress has the power to stop that from happening. Unfortunately, so far, Republicans in Congress have voted to let those rates go ahead and double in order to pay for tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires. President Obama knows that’s not acceptable. Today, higher education isn’t a …
FDIC and SBA Team Up to Offer Financial Education and Mentoring Support to New and Aspiring Entrepreneurs
WASHINGTON – The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and U.S. Small Business Administration today announced new resources to support small businesses across the nation. Acting Chairman Gruenberg and SBAs Associate Administrator for Entrepreneurial Development Michael Chodos released Money Smart for Small Business, a training curriculum for new and aspiring business owners. Developed in partnership between both agencies, this curriculum is the latest offering in the FDIC’s award-winning Money Smart program. Money Smart for Small Business provides an introduction to day-to-day business …
Wednesday Open Lines
Many automobile license plates herald the scenic wonders of the various states, others contain words giving a glimpse of the driver’s personal preferences. New York was the first state to require license plates on motor vehicles 111 years ago this month. At the time, there were just under 15,000 rudimentary automobiles in the entire country, traveling over muddy roads without a license for the driver or the automobile. Now, there are more than 246 million cars, trucks, and buses zipping …
NC Senate Wants Merit Pay, End to Teacher Tenure
North Carolina’s public school teachers would see employment tenure eliminated, but become eligible for performance bonuses under an education reform package rolled out Monday by Senate Republicans. The public school initiatives were unveiled by Senate leader Phil Berger, who said most of the ideas should draw broad support because they are designed to make students better equipped to graduate from high school and avoid costly remedial classes at universities and community colleges. The price tag for the package would require …
Fund Raiser and Bike Ride for Willie Joe Edwards April 28th
On April 28th, beginning at 11am until done, there is a fundraiser and bike ride benefiting Willie Joe Edwards. There are plates of 1/2 chicken and sides for $7.00. The bike ride entrance is $20.00 and starts at “The Bar”, leaving at 12 Noon from 6763 Raleigh Road, Kittrell, NC. Also offering delivery of plates if you order 10 plates or more with advance tickets. They are also hosting a 50/50 ticket drawing at the bar. Please call 252-425-1899 for …
Butterfield to Join President Obama in Push to Extend Cuts to Student Loan Interest Rates
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) will travel with President Obama tomorrow to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as the President makes his push to Congress to extend current interest rates on a federal loan program for low- and middle-income undergraduate students. Without the extension more than 7 million borrowers with Stafford student loans will see their interest rates double on July 1 from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent, which could cost thousands of dollars …
Three Artists Represent VGCC in State Exhibition
The 2012 North Carolina Community Colleges Art Exhibition is officially open for public viewing in Raleigh, and it includes three works representing Vance-Granville Community College. A painting by Nancy Pittard of Oxford and quilts by Lynn Patiky of Oxford and Peggy Stocks of Manson were selected to take their place among the 203 pieces of art by students and employees from colleges across the state. The artwork includes self-portraits, woven tapestries, pottery, quilts, acrylics, watercolors, sculptures, metal-working and more. All …
VGCC Students Succeed in Competition at State PBL Conference
Members of the Vance-Granville Community College “Chi Beta Chi” chapter of the Phi Beta Lambda business student organization recently attended the 58th Annual PBL State Leadership Conference. At the conference, held April 12-14 in Charlotte, students from North Carolina universities and community colleges attended seminars and participated in various business-related competitions. All VGCC student members in attendance placed in the top eight in at least one event, bringing home numerous individual trophies as well as awards or recognitions for the …
Tuesday Open Line
I noticed dueling articles Monday with “Most N.C. hospitals are slim on charity care” at the Charlotte Observer and “North Carolina’s urban hospitals pile up the cash” at the N&O. Nonprofit hospitals such as Caldwell Memorial are exempt from property, sales and income taxes. In return, they are expected to give back to their communities, largely by providing care to those who can’t afford it. These institutions were created with charitable missions. But many don’t look or act like nonprofits …