City of Charlotte offices will be closed on Labor Day, Monday, September 1.

Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) will operate on a Sunday schedule.

Solid Waste Services will provide collection according to the normal schedule.

Come out to the Second Annual Animal Kneads Day fundraiser at the Great Harvest Bread Company on Sunday, August 24. Anyone who donates $10 will take home a fresh loaf of bread! All proceeds raised will be donated to the Animal Care & Control's Spay & Neuter Fund. The fund allows Animal Care & Control to offer free surgeries in Mecklenburg County and is solely supported by private donations and grants.

Sunday, August 24
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Great Harvest Bread Company,
901 South Kings Drive

For more information visit the Great Harvest Bread Company or the Animal Care & Control web site.

The Community University September workshop schedule is now available. Classes will be held at the Hickory Grove Recreation Center located at 6709 Pence Road in Charlotte from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 4 – Developing Vision and Mission Statements
Tuesday, September 9 – Financial Management for Neighborhoods
Wednesday, September 17 – Methods of Neighborhood Communication
Monday, September 22 – Increasing Participation and Teambuilding 

All workshops are free and open to Charlotte residents. You can register online at the Neighborhood Development web site or send an e-mail to neighservs@ci.charlotte.nc.us.

Community University is a neighborhood capacity building program dedicated to providing high quality training to Charlotte residents to improve the strength and vitality of neighborhood organizations and the overall quality of community life. The courses are intended to engage, inform and equip participants with the training and assistance needed to help them improve and maintain their communities.

The Small Business Opportunity Program is hosting a Benefit Kick-Off event Thursday, August 28 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center Lobby (600 E. Fourth Street). Small businesses throughout Charlotte are invited to learn more about the Small Business Opportunity Program and its new enhanced benefits including:

• Doing business with the City
• Educational opportunities
• Professional association membership sponsorship
• Networking opportunities

The City of Charlotte has a long history of creating and implementing economic development strategies to support and encourage local business growth at all levels. The purpose of this Small Business Opportunity Program is to develop a goal based, good faith efforts small business utilization program, and conducting small business outreach.

A new partnership with Project Intern will also be introduced at the event. Project Intern is a web-based program that will pair certified Small Business Enterprises with interns for projects.

The growing number of housing foreclosures is a major issue nationally and locally. A web site containing information about foreclosure and educational resources is available for individuals and families facing foreclosure in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area. For more information visit the Neighborhood Development's Foreclosure Resource Center web site.

The City's news show airs Thursday, August 21st at 7 p.m. on The Government Channel—Cable 16. You can also view the shows online at www.charmeck.org by clicking on The Government Channel logo.