10-15-10 Derita-Statesville Road Community Org. Newsletter

10-15-10 Derita-Statesville Road Community Org. Newsletter
DSRCO PO Box 26382 CHARLOTTE, NC 28221 Your Voluntary Annual Membership ($10 for families; $20 for businesses, groups, neighborhoods) helps make our work possible. We are grateful to the many individuals, families, neighborhoods, HOA's, businesses, churches, and groups who provided us with operating funds this past year.
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This month, DSRCO has received Dues contributions from
Nathaley McElrath
Les Lemley
We appreciate your continued support. Thank You!
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Saturday, Oct. 16th
Annual Holiday Craft Bazaar
9:00am – 3:00pm, University City United Methodist Church
3835 West WT Harris Blvd. (corner of Harris Blvd. and Sugar Creek Rd.)

Don’t miss this annual tradition! There will be a wide variety of handmade items for sale as well as breakfast, lunch, and bake sale! If you would like to rent a table at the bazaar, contact Phyllis Ginder at 704-921-0926. Cost for an eight foot table is $30.
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Saturday, Oct. 16th
ALL Candidates Forum
University City Regional Library on WT Harris Blvd, 2 pm

The NorthEast Coalition invites all candidates for office to present their platform for office at The University City Regional Library on WT Harris Blvd at 2 pm. Please rsvp so that we may schedule you for time considerations.

Claire Green Fallon -President- North East Coalition
704-596-8288 cgftjf@aol.com
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Sunday October 17th
Church Hymn Choir Celebrates 21st Anniversary
Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church, 2901 Oneida Road

Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church Hymn Choir will be celebrating their 21st choir anniversary on Sunday October 17, 2010 @ 3:00 pm. Guest choirs will be participating from NC, and SC. Everyone is invited to come out and be a part of this great celebration.

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Monday, Oct. 18th
Red Cross Blood Drive
9:30am – 2:00pm; Walk-in donors welcome!
University City United Methodist Church
3835 West WT Harris Blvd. (corner of Harris Blvd. and Sugar Creek Rd.)
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Wednesday, Oct. 20th
Business Professional Fellowship Event
5:00 – 8:00pm, University City United Methodist Church
3835 West WT Harris Blvd. (corner of Harris Blvd. and Sugar Creek Rd.)

This event offers a relaxing chance to meet business professionals of the UCUMC family! There is no selling at the event, but plenty of free food (while supplies last) and giveaways from each business.
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Thursday, Oct. 21st
Monthly DSRCO Neighborhood Leaders' Meeting
7pm, Derita Presbyterian Church, 2230 West Sugar Creek Rd.

The DSRCO Board, Neighborhood Leaders and interested residents meet to discuss issues, needs of the community, re-zoning requests, area crime and programs to create a better Quality of Life for families in our area. This is an Open Meetng, everyone is invited.

This group not only serves as Omsbudsmen for our area, but maintains this twice monthly newsletter as way to keep everyone better informed.
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20th Century Fox movie I AM...
Derita Presbyterian Church, 2230 W. Sugar Creek Rd.

We will be screening the new movie I AM... the movie that changes everything
in October on the following dates/times:

- Friday, October 22 @ 7 pm.
- Saturday, October 23 @ 2 pm.
- Friday, October 29 @ 7 pm.
- Saturday, October 30 @ 2 pm.

Check out movie trailers at: www.IAMthemovie.com Call the church office to reserve
your free tickets – 704-597-1122. (Age appropriate—13 and above)
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Saturday, Oct. 23rd
Youth Yard Sale – Bazaar - Flea Market – Bake Sale
Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church, 101 West Sugar Creek Rd.
8 am. – 12 pm.

We have Tables to Rent ($10). In this economy it seems that everyone could use some extra cash. If you have something to sell and would like to join the Youth on October 23rd, please contact Donny Raborn (704) 649-1480.

(Tables Limited - Reserve your table today!). If you want to bring your own tables, we just ask that you make a donation

What you sell is your cash, however a donation would be very much appreciated. All participants will be asked to help with advertising and clean-up. This will be an outside event, weather permitting. COME ALL!!!
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Saturday October 23th
Fall Festival
Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church, 2901 Oneida Road

MT. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church will be hosting a Fall Festival from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Everyone is invited to come out and bring the whole family with you for this fun occasion. There will be lots of fun, food, games, and Trick or Treat bags for the kids.
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Saturday, Oct. 23rd
6th Annual Matthews Rotary Bluegrass Festival
Chili Cook-Off, Bike Ride + 5K Race
8:30am - 3pm, Stumptown Park, Downtown Matthews
Details on-line: Events@MatthewsRotary.org
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Friday, October 29th
Reformation Day Fall Festival
Prosperity Presbyterian Church (Gym), 5533 Prosperity Church Road
6 - 8pm, Rain or Shine (in our gym)

Wear your favorite costume and come to our family-friendly fall festival, Learn about the significance of Reformation Day in church history and help us celebrate with an evening full of fun.

We will have HAYRIDES, a PUPPET SHOW, lots of GAMES, FACE PAINTING, CRAFTS, HOT DOGS, SNACKS, DRINKS, PRIZES, CAKE WALKS for parents, CANDY for the kids, and more! Activities will take place in our gym, so make plans to join us rain or shine! Parking and all event activities are completely FREE! No reservations or tickets needed Call 704-875-1182 for more details.
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Saturday. Oct 30th
Fall Festival
Williams Memorial Presbyterian Church, 4700 Beatties Ford Rd.

5:00pm --- Join us for a wiener roast, games, face painting and more!
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Saturday, October 30th
Halloween Costume Party
7pm, Da Bears Den, 5400 Nevin Rd., (704) 598-8418


featuring: Sound Investment DJ-VJ/Karaoke
Costume requested, but not mandatory.
Prizes, snacks, giveaways, drink specials. See you all there!
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Saturday, Oct. 30th
4th Annual Runway 5K Run
Details on-line at CharlotteAirport.com
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Sunday, Oct. 31st
FALL FESTIVAL
6pm, Oak Grove United Methodist Church, 6440 Old Statesville Rd.

Games, Candy & Prizes, Hot Dogs, Cake Walk, Hay Ride. Fun for the Family and a safe evening for the Community. Come Join Us!
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Every Sunday
Sugaw Creek Historical Schoolhouse Tours
Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church, 101 Sugar Creek Road West

Free Tours Every Sunday 3 - 5pm
From May until October
“Come by and learn a little history!”
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Tuesday, Nov. 2nd,
Choose Candidates & Make Decisions

Don't Forget To Vote!

Charlotte citizens will vote on $203.6 million in transportation, neighborhood improvement and affordable housing bonds. The bonds are a part of City Council’s adopted Capital Investment Plan and, if approved by voters, will not require a tax increase.

The three questions are listed separately on the ballot. You may vote for $156.6 million in Transportation & Road Improvements. You may chose to support the $32 million for Neighborhood Improvement. $15 million is being sought for Affordable Housing
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Saturday, Nov. 6th
The “Amazing Race”
to be held in and around uptown Charlotte

The “Amazing Race” promises to be a challenging and FUN event. I want to make you aware of an opportunity to support the scholarship fund for Therapeutic Recreation summer camps! These funds are increasingly necessary to help children, teens and adults with disabilities to attend summer experiences offered through the Therapeutic Recreation Section of Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation Department.

For details, E-mail: Karen.Howard@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
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Saturday, Nov. 13th
Derita Fall Fiesta

will be held at the Derita Presbyterian Church, 2230 W. Sugar Creek Road
12 Noon -5 pm. Mark Your Calendar, Come join your neighbors as we celebrate fall.

Free Games, Food, Country Store, Attic Sale, Hay Rides

Sponsored by Cole Memorial United Methodist Church, Derita Baptist, Derita Presbyterian, Freedom Ministries, Turning Point Academy, Greater Temple of Faith
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Saturday, Nov. 20th
UMW Holiday Bake Sale & UMYF Yard Sale
Oak Grove United Methodist Church, 6400 Old Statesville Rd.

8am - 12 Noon. Lots of activity, whether you're looking for a homemade cake, pie, tray of cookies or brownies, cupcakes, ready-to-thaw casserole. There will be sausage & biscuits with coffee or hot chocolate inside. Outside, there will be all sorts of tools, furniture, gently used furniture and other items in the Methodist Youth Yard Sale.

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What your Neighbors are saying

Ultimate Panthers' Fan Package
The Allen Tate Company , "Preferred Realtor of the Carolina Panthers," is giving away the Ultimate Fan Package. This includes four lower-level tickets and four field passes to the Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta game on December 12th; a signed and framed Carolina Panthers jersey; and a 50-inch LG Plasma HDTV.

Registration is easy. Simply go to www.allentate.com/theresamcdonald and click on the Panthers Ultimate Fan Package link on the left side of the page. Complete the registration form and you’re done.

You’re also welcome to forward this e-mail to your family and friends and encourage them to enter the contest as well. They must live in NC or SC; be 18 years of age or older at the time of registration; and have a valid e-mail address. Limit one entry per person. No purchase is required. Registration ends at midnight on November 18, 2010, and the winner will be announced on or before December 1, 2010.

And if there’s anything I can help you with, please feel free to call or e-mail me. It’s always great to hear from you.
Theresa McDonald, Realtor 704 236 9340
Theresa.Mcdonald@AllenTate.com
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Downtown Derita Park?
Read your article about the West Sugar Creek Rd. widening (intersection project) across from Turning Point Academy (former Derita Elementary School). With these building being removed and other work happening along the railroad track, I am wondering if this might be an opportunity to create a small Downtown Derita Park, like the one beside the railroad tracks in Cornelius?

The space there has landscaped with shrubbery and flowers, benches and even some ornamental lighting. This might be start of some "aesthetic clean-up" along the track here in Derita? It might lend itself well to the "Village of Derita" community re-identification that you folks were discussing some months back.
--- Jeff King, Royal Oaks Neighborhood
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Hotel Key Cards
If you travel or stay at hotels. Always take along a small fridge magnet. You will need to use it before you leave your hotel for home.... to erase info stored on that magnetic stripe:
a. Customer's name
b. Customer's partial home address
c. Hotel room number
d. Check-in date and out dates
e. Customer's credit card number and expiration date!

When you turn key cards in to the front desk your personal information is there for any employee to access by simply scanning the card in the hotel scanner. An employee can take a hand full of cards home and using a scanning device, access all of the information onto a laptop computer and go shopping at your expense.

If you have a small magnet, pass it across the magnetic stripe several times.. Then try it in the door, it will not work. It erases everything on the card.
--- submitted by Gary & Linda Hylton
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Charlotte Rotary Club Organizing
The Matthews Rotary Club has started the process to charter a new Rotary Club: Charlotte International Rotary Club US They have had the first two meetings and are now looking for additional potential members to be part of the Charter Members of this new Club. If you are interested in finding out more about this Rotary Club. please call Bryant Eckert at 704-335-2387 or bryant.eckert@usbank.com

There is also a University City Rotary Club currently meeting. For info, Contact: thurstonstclair@aol.com
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CMPD Officers Brief Neighborhoods

Sgt. Jermiah Blow & Ofc. Mike Travis have been making the rounds at Crime Watch meetings in Response Area 3. CMPD recently caught up with a suspect they know was connected with a couple of break-ins . . . Well, quite a few break-ins, if you look at the pile of items recovered. But they could only connect the two incidents because folks had not taken time to record serial numbers or to engrave numbers on the items that had been stolen.

"I can't say it enough," said Ofc. Travis. "Make a list of the serial number on your computer, electronics, power tools and other expensive items. We want to be able to identify them and return them to you when we recover them."

They also alerted Nevin & Allen Hills residents that street signs at the Lake Rd @Cindy Lane intersection are being moved to better direct the traffic flow and improve safety. Officers will be watching the intersection more closely to insure that drivers obey the STOP signs.

The neighborhood intersection at Allen Rd. South @ Allen Rd. East was recently converted to a 4-Way STOP to help reduce speeders and prevent accidents. In just the first month, Officers have written 25 tickets for traffic violations, 11 of them to folks who live within the neighborhood. Still, the Officers heard complaints about drivers breezing across the narrow streets which have neither curbs nor sidewalks. Since last week's CW meeting, Patrol Cars have been seen more frequently.
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We invite the Derita Community
to check out the new Derita Presbyterian Church ... contemporary worship, praise band, culturally relevant messages. Derita is a changing church in a changing community. If you are seeking a spiritual community or looking for a new, fresh way to worship and serve, then we welcome you to Derita Church.

Worship service at 9:30 a.m., Sunday School immediately follows worship. JOIN US! Derita Presbyterian Church, 2230 W. Sugar Creek Road
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Saturday, Oct. 23rd
BBQ Fundraiser for Judge Tim Smith
11 am until… at the Home of David and Jeree Current
5700 Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road, 704-393-5084


Wood-smoked BBQ and all the trimmings! LEXINGTON STYLE! Plate and 2 sides or 2 Sandwiches and 1 side --- Only $9! Includes drink Vegetarian options will be available, please let us know in advance.

Party Pack of 12 tickets only $100!
Free delivery within 10 miles on orders of 10 plates or more!

For Tickets, call David Current (704) 393-5084, Jackie Smith (704) 619-2121 or Chad Smith (704) 807-5497 or purchase on-line at www.judgetimsmith.com.

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Who said "There's NO FREE LUNCH?"
You can EAT FREE at Maria's Grill with a $10 Gift Certificate
provided by these Derita Businesses

Call Paul of North Carolina, LLC.
Do you have a house that needs a lot of things fixed to make life simpler?
That's what I do. Projects handled one by one.
home 704-596-4937 cell 704-574-0994
Call_Paul@bellsouth.net

Corley Controls
Heating - Cooling - Electrical
We are Your Neighborhood Heating and Air Conditioning Specialists
Family Owned and Operated --- We Service ALL Makes & Models
info@corleycontrols.com 704 598-2677


Daniel B. Hefner Plumbing Co.
A Family Tradition since 1919
Quality Plumbing Services through 4 Generations
Residential - Commercial & Gas Lines
www.danielhefnerplumbing.com 704 598-3703


Derita Reporter Printing Service
Carbonless Forms, Letterheads, Business Cards, Envelopes
2600 Allen Road South 704 806-3813 Pls Lv Msg
deritarep@aol.com


Joe Sailers R B C Insurance
Phone -- 704-661-8275 joe.sailers@rbc.com
Specialist in Life, Health, Disability, and Supplemental Insurance
R B C has great Annuity Rates


Keziah's Furniture Outlet
Quality Furniture & Closeouts at Discount Prices
2914 Gibbon Road 704 596-7427
www.keziahsfurniture.com


Theresa McDonald. Realtor
Help Me Sell Derita. -- Charlotte's Best Kept Secret
theresa.mcdonald@allentate.com 704 236-9340


Ultimate Protection Insurance
& Financial Solutions, LLC
Sal Pierre-Louis -- Licensed Independent Insurance & Benefit Consultant
"As an Independent Insurance Agent
I have access to all the top insurance carriers in North Carolina"
"Let me be your advocate and shop around for you"
phone:704-241-2654 email: ultimateprotectionnow@yahoo.com


Wesley E. Sinclair, CCM
Sales and Service Representative
Mutual of Omaha Insurance Co.
Liberty Mutual Insurance Co.
Medicare Supplements Long Term Care Life Insurance
Critical Illness Disability Insurance Annuities
Auto - Home - Renters - Boats
wesesinc@hotmail.com 704 560-1861

Sign Up for the FREE Weekly Drawings at Maria's Grill starting this week!
Winners will be notified each Monday by email

1st Week Winner --- Corey Westbrook
2nd Week Winner --- Stefanie Spake
3rd Week Winner --- D.W. Lindsey
4th Week Winner --- James Locklear
5th Week Winner --- Johnny Harris
6th Week Winner --- Ralph Duncan
7th Week Winner --- Willie Mason

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DoodyCalls of Charlotte
Fall Pooper Scooper Special (
expires: Oct 31, 2010)

Not been able to clean your backyard all summer?
Let DoodyCalls help you take control of your backyard before you aerate/seed.

Initial/One Time Yard Cleaning
1 dog - 23.00
2 dogs - 25.00
3 dogs - 28.00
4 dogs - 30.00

1.800.DOODYCALLS (366-3922)
www.DoodyCalls.com

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Have a Community Project you want to complete
but don’t have the tools to do it?

Take advantage of the free Historic Northwest Community Tool Shed. The Community Tool Shed provides Charlotte residents, neighborhoods and community organizations with resources to beautify and maintain their communities.

Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation has awarded a $14,000 grant to the City of Charlotte for the purchase of an inventory of tools ranging from hammers, ladders and paint brushes to power drills, sanders and pressure washers. For a complete listing of tools included in the Historic Northwest Community Tool Shed and information on how to reserve the tools for your next project, visit http://nbs.charlottenc.gov or call 704-336-2175.
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The Derita Lions Club
meets 2nd & 4th Monday of each month at Maria's Grill

Join us for dinner and find out what our Club is doing here in the Community, and in conjunction with other Lions Club within the our District & across the State.

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Finding Help for Jackson
Our neighbor Maggie Sewell is on a campaign of her own. Recently she heard about 3 year-old Jackson Laskowski, the middle child of three Harrisburg boys, who had been diagnosed with Stage IV Liver Cancer. His best chance at life is a liver transplant later this year. Maggie hopes to raise funds locally to help this cash-strapped family who have already lost one son. You can read more about Jackson at: www.caringbridge.org/visit/jacksonlaskowski

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Derita Business Directoryhttp://good-times.webshots.com/album/564074079xONVEq

Businesses and Service Providers working here in our area can save you time and money, and helps support our local economy.

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Your Questions and Some Answers

Q. Last Sunday, The Charlotte Observer printed a short note about CDOT plans to widen West Sugar Creek Rd. to 4 lanes from Mallard Creek Rd. to Lynn Lee Circle. Do you have any details and when will construction start?

Yes, there is a plan, but it has been shelved for the foreseeable future. A $250,000 study was done in 2003 to determine the need, suitability and approximate cost --- but the analysis team hired by the City of Charlotte determined that with the amount of traffic to be diverted by the completed Graham Street Connector (North Graham St to Mallard Creek Rd.) widening was not needed. That study predicted the reduced traffic count on West Sugar Creek Rd. would be somewhere around the 1980's traffic level. DSRCO questioned their projections at the time and you all have witnessed the daily traffic congestion that has continued in the months that have followed.

Again, there is a Widening plan, but there is no funding for the project or a projected timetable.

Further development along Old Potter's Rd, and the huge Griffith Lakes development project (still in limbo) might well bring the plan back into play, but not anytime soon. The plan, as drawn, called for a 4-lane road with bikeways, sidewalks, lights & curbing --- which is why residents nowadays get "the deaf ear" when they plea for sidewalks along the current West Sugar Creek Rd.

Karen Sullivan's article (in The Charlotte Observer) explained mostly how NCDOT is now purchasing right-of-ways for the Graham Street Connector. Negotiators are working to acquire the first 62 land parcels that would have "utility claims." (Where power poles or underground pipes might have to be moved or installed). With that done, the acquisition team would move on to the remaining 70 properties affectedby the road construction & road widening project.

(Some of it might take more negotiating than you might think. --- For instance, the proposed route takes the front porch & parking are at the Derita American Legion Building, so NCDOT only wants to buy their building, but not the two acres
behind it --- which will then become land-locked by NCDOT's plan to prohibit driveways.)

More details on the Sugar Creek widening plan at:
http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/epm/Projects/Transportation/Roads/Pages/Sugar%20Creek%20Road%20Widening.aspx
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Q. Can you give us an update on the Gibbon Road Sidewalk Project that is tied to the CATS North Commuter Rail Station? Is there any additional word on a sidewalk from Crater Park into downtown Derita?

"The City of Charlotte constructs sidewalks through multiple programs such as the Sidewalk Program, Neighborhood Improvement Program and others. Developers also build sidewalks as neighborhoods are constructed. Currently, about 1,900 miles of existing streets do not have sidewalks. Through its programs, the City of Charlotte builds approximately 20 to 30 miles of sidewalk each year depending on funding availability.

"City of Charlotte staff reviews sidewalk needs with inquiring Charlotte residents each day. Sidewalk requests are placed on a list and are scheduled for construction based on priority level and available funding. The Sidewalk Program received $15 million in funding from the 2008 Neighborhood Improvement Bonds, which is helping to construct approximately 16-20 miles of sidewalk citywide. Sidewalk requests remaining on the Priority List but not yet in process are dependent on future bonds or other sources of funding. "The Derita-Statesville Road Community Org. has requested additional information regarding their sidewalk requests. The following speaks to their inquiry:


1) Nevin-Gibbon-Sugar Creek Sidewalk
"This project is planned to install sidewalk on the north side of Nevin Road from Alpine Lane to Gibbon Road, the southwest side of Gibbon Road from Nevin Road to West Sugar Creek Road, and fill in several gaps on West Sugar Creek Road at an estimated cost of $1.3 million. Given the cost, the City had the opportunity to apply for federal matching funds and received notice in July that the funds were approved. By receiving federal funds, the Sidewalk Program can implement additional citywide projects. The funds are planned to be disbursed (subject to continued authorization of the Federal Transportation Bill program that would fund this sidewalk) in July, 2014. The City intends to move forward with the project at that time.


2) Gibbon Road Sidewalk
"This project is highly ranked on the sidewalk priority list. The limits of this proposed sidewalk are the southwest side of Gibbon Road between Nevin Road and Brawer Farm Road. The estimated cost is $2 million. Given the substantial cost of installing sidewalk on two-lane roadways that are targeted for future upgrades such as widening or other improvements, funding for this sidewalk is dependent on future bonds and other City funds apart from the dedicated Sidewalk Program. City staff needs to review possible implementation of this project and how it might be funded through a combination of City programs.
----- Allison C. Brickey, P.E.
City of Charlotte
Engineering & Property Management
Project Coordinator
abrickey@ci.charlotte.nc.us
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Q. My son plays football for Derita Athletics and really enjoys it. But I have some concerns about the group and how they manage their money. DAA has lots of kids in the program, but they say money is tight. I offered to help them
raise funds for field improvements and other things, but they have been reluctant to discuss their finances with the parents.

Derita Athletics has been providing an excellent youth sports program for the our area since 1958. They have always worked hard to keep the costs low enough that no child gets turned away, even to the point of providing scholarships when needed. Even with he troubled economy and sponsorships down this year, that remains the case.

To remain in Pop Warner, an organization must field 8 teams; Derita has 9. League egistration is $1601 per team --- plus the added expenses of repairing and replacing uniforms & equipment, maintaining the field, paying for medical & security personnel. till Derita's registration fee this year is only $150 per player, while most organizations charge $250, according to the current President, Tonya Faison.

"Yes, we are operating on a very tight budget this season, but our focus right now has to be on the Players and their season." says Faison. "After the season is over, we'll have time to sit down with parents, go over our records, and discuss ways that we can raise funds to prepare for next season."
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RENT TABLES & CHAIRS
for that family reunion, birthday party, backyard barbecue, block party, yard sale. 8 ft. long wood Tables, $5 each. Metal folding chairs, .50 cents each. Liberal pick-up policy. Leave a message, 704 806-3813 or deritarep@aol.com

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Anyone got firewood for sale? Send me an email at deritarep@aol.com
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Today's Funny
(from our FREE Friday Funny Mail --- You can receive it each week. Lots of jokes, cartoons, & funny pics sent in by our readers. Just send your request to deritarep@aol.com )

Directions
A German, looking for directions in Paris, pulls up to a bus stop where two Americans are waiting.

"Entschuldigung, sprechen Sie Deutsch?" he asks. The two Americans just stare at him.

"Parlez-vous français?" he says.

The two continue to stare, so the German tries again "Parlate italiano?"

No response. "¿Hablan ustedes español?" Still nothing. Frustrated, the German guy drives off.

The first American says, "You know, we should learn a foreign language."

"Why?" asks the other. "He knew four languages, and it didn't do him any good." --- from Reader's Digest