The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) will host two public workshops in July to get your input on station locations as well as the Sugar Creek Road and North Carolina Railroad light rail alignment alternatives.

Thursday, July 10
6 – 8 p.m.
Oasis Shriners Center,
604 Doug Mayes Place

Tuesday, July 15
6 – 8 p.m.
Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church,
101 West Sugar Creek Road

CATS will present the same information at both meetings. For more information about the meetings or for bus routes nearest the meeting locations, contact 704-336-RIDE or visit www.ridetransit.org.

Join Michael Barnes, Charlotte City Council District 4 representative, to properly destroy and dispose of sensitive and confidential information at the Saturday, July 19 community Shred Event. This is an opportunity for citizens to learn about the dangers of identity theft and tips to help prevent incidents of identity theft.

Saturday, July 19
10 a.m. — 1 p.m.
Smokey Bones Barbeque & Grill,
8760 J.M. Keynes Drive

The City of Charlotte Weed & Seed Program, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation and MeckCares are sponsoring the first Eastside Back-to-School Festival. The festival will feature information on services for students and families geared to prepare children for academic success throughout the school year, including after school programs, local school information and family assistance programs.

Entertainment and educational sessions will also be provided and prizes will be given to participants.

Saturday, August 2
Eastland Mall,
5471 Central Avenue

For more information about the Eastside Back-to-School Festival or Weed & Seed programs, call 704-336-8404 or 704-336-8409.

NASCAR Hall of Fame road improvements are bringing major changes to the I-277/Caldwell Street intersection beginning Thursday, July 10 at 7 p.m. and are projected to last until Tuesday, July 15 at 9 a.m. Expect delays in this area at this time. The Charlotte Department of Transportation suggests commuters consider riding the LYNX Blue Line or CATS busses to avoid congestion.

On Thursday, July 10 at 7 p.m., the I-277 north bound access to College Street and South Boulevard will close overnight until 6 a.m. the following day. During the closure, use the Kenilworth Avenue exit. Church Street access to I-277 north bound will also close overnight until 6 a.m. the following day. Use Third Street to access I-277 during the closure.

For the complete list of traffic alerts and a map showing closures and detours related to July's NASCAR Hall of Fame road improvements visit the traffic updates web site.

In addition to payments made in person or through the mail, the City of Charlotte offers several other convenient ways to pay your water bill. Cruise through the drive-thru pay stations at Old City Hall, 600 East Trade Street, drop off you payment at drop boxes located at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, 600 East 4th Street and the Adam Service Center, 4150 Wilkinson Blvd. or save the gas by paying online at the EZ Pay web site.

The next Charlotte City Council meeting will be Monday, July 28 at 7 p.m. in the Meeting Chamber of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center. The meeting will be aired live on The Government Channel—Cable 16 and streamed live at www.charmeck.org. Visit the Charlotte City Council web site for the entire 2008 meeting schedule, minutes and agendas.