"Remember, Act, Celebrate" is the theme for a series of local, public events being held to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  For a list of scheduled events, click here. 

With the exception of the Prayer Breakfast and the Charlotte Symphony Daybreak of Freedom, all events are free and open to the public.  For more information, call 704-336-5271.

In observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, the City will operate according to the following schedule:

City offices will be closed on Monday, January 16.

Solid Waste Services will not collect garbage, recyclables or yard waste on Monday, January 16.  Collection services will operate on a one-day delay for the week.

For information on Charlotte Area Transit System's (CATS) holiday schedule, click here.

The Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT) will hold public workshops from January 24 – 28 to gather input from residents for a Pedestrian and Bicycle Neighborhood Connectivity Study. CDOT is asking for public involvement to help identify citywide projects that can enhance connectivity for bicycle and pedestrian access within Charlotte neighborhoods.

For more information, including workshop schedules, click here.

Did you know that three out of four neighborhoods in Charlotte are eligible for up to $25,000 in funds through the Neighborhood Matching Grants Program?  The program awards funds to neighborhood-based organizations for projects that will make neighborhoods better places to live, work, play and do business.

The next application deadline is March 15.  To apply, a representative from the organization must attend one of the following pre-application workshops:

February 7, 6 – 8:30 pm, West Blvd. Library, 2127 West Blvd.
February 15, 6 – 8:30 pm, Beatties Ford Library, 2412 Beatties Ford Rd.
February 18, 9:30 am – Noon, Carmel Rd. Library, 6624 Walsh Blvd.
February 23, 6 – 8:30 pm, University City Library, 301 E. WT Harris Blvd.

For more information, including program guidelines, call 704-336-2349 or click here.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services and Mecklenburg Soil & Water Conservation District are pleased to offer rain barrels and tree seedlings at significantly reduced prices during their annual sale:

Saturday, January 21
9 am – Noon
700 N. Tryon St.

Prices for rain barrels range from $60 to $100.  To pre-order your rain barrel, call 704-336-RAIN or email savetherain@yahoo.com.  All rain barrels must be pre-ordered by January 16.

Tree seedlings also will be on sale.  Purchase 10 pines for $5 and hardwood seedlings for $1 each.  All trees are sold first come, first serve.

For more information, visit www.mecklenburgconservation.com.

It's that time of year again … SAFE KIDS Charlotte-Mecklenburg seeks volunteers for their Annual Child Car Seat Clinic.  Please mark your calendar to participate in the signature life saving event:

Saturday, February 18
10 am – 1 pm
Eastland Mall, 5471 Central Ave.

Volunteers will be needed from 9 am – 3 pm.  Opportunities include:

• Greeters
• Traffic Directors
• Scribes
• Baby Wranglers
• Runners
• Interpreters

All volunteers will receive a T-shirt, lunch and other goodies.  To volunteer, contact Jo Provost by February 4 at 704-336-8377 or jprovost@ci.charlotte.nc.us.

Tune in to The Government Channel – Cable 16 for the latest government news and information.

City Source – Thursday, January 12 at 5:30 pm
Find out the results of an evaluation survey done on the City's Safe Speed program.  Also, take a look at the proposal to bring baseball back to Center City.

To learn more about The Government Channel, visit http://govchannel.charmeck.org.