Answer the call of public service. Attend the Women In Emergency Services Recruitment Fair and see how you can serve the community by joining the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Charlotte Fire Department or Mecklenburg Emergency Medical Services Agency (MEDIC). You can learn about becoming a police officer, firefighter or emergency medical technician as well as hear about the numerous support positions available in each department.

Saturday, February 2nd
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Police and Fire Training Academy
1770 Shopton Road
Charlotte, NC  28217

For more information call 704-943-6265 or visit http://answerthecall.charmeck.org.

Searching for ways to strengthen your neighborhood?  Register for Community University, a training program with classes and course topics designed to increase the knowledge and skills of neighborhood organizations.  Residents are encouraged to enroll in classes scheduled for Winter 2008.

For more information, including class topics, locations and registration, visit http://neighborhoods.charmeck.org or call 704-336-2061.

The NCDOT and CATS will hold a Citizens Informational Workshop to present TIP Project # U 209-B – Widening of US 74, Independence Boulevard from Albemarle Road to Idlewild Road. The project will include adding additional lanes, safety improvements and extending the busway.

The workshop is scheduled for:
Tuesday, February 12th
5-8 p.m.
Eastland Mall Activity Room
5471 Central Ave.
Charlotte, NC
(Enter Eastland Mall through Entrance E by the upper deck parking area at the former Belk Store)

Representatives will be available to provide information, answer questions and accept comments in an informal setting. Interested citizens may attend at their convenience during the above hours. The meeting is an open-house format.

For questions about the project, contact Wilson Stroud at 919-733-7844 ext. 310.

"Law & Order" and "CSI" may be two of the most popular television programs today. But you can go "behind the badge" with CMPD to learn what it REALLY takes to be a police officer. You will receive hands-on training, participate in open discussions and take part in demonstrations designed to foster an understanding of how the CMPD works with local communities so you can help your own community better address quality of life and safety issues.

CMPD's Citizen's Academy is now accepting applications for the Spring 2008 session that begins Tuesday, March 4^th. Classes are held Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6 to 9 p.m. throughout the duration of the 10-week session.

Individuals are selected from all areas of Mecklenburg County, and efforts are made to include members of the business and religious communities, as well as, local community leaders, elected officials and media representatives. Each application is reviewed by departmental personnel, and each applicant is subject to a general background check. Final selection of participants rests with the Chief of Police. All applications must be submitted by Friday, February 22^nd.

For more information call the Training Academy at 704-432-1631. You can register online at the Citizen's Academy Registration Form.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is changing the name of the Animal Control Bureau to Animal Care and Control to better reflect its work and mission. The name change is consistent with what other bureaus are doing nationally to more clearly communicate the responsibilities the bureau has for compassionate care of animals and the regulatory control services that contribute to public safety. Animal Care and Control has many programs that focus on education, prevention, pet management and animal health concerns. One example is the Humane Society of Charlotte and Animal Control received grants for spay/neuter awareness education and the ability to offer free clinics.

CMPD will be phasing in the new name as uniforms, equipment and signage need to be replaced.

For more information visit CMPD or Animal Care and Control's websites.

The Charlotte Department of Transportation is working to better understand the biggest contaminant in our air: car pollution. Specifically, CDOT is conducting a study to learn about driving habits to help address Charlotte air quality issues.

Volunteers will plug a small device into the lighter or 12V outlet in their car and just drive the way they normally do for two weeks. It's that simple. For those with more than one car in their household, two or three cars can be fitted with the device. Installation of the device is free, does not use any gasoline, and only takes a minute.

For more information on how to participate, contact Eldewins Haynes, Air Quality Specialist for CDOT, at 704-336-7621or ehaynes@ci.charlotte.nc.us. New volunteers will be needed every two weeks so please do not hesitate to get involved!

Your neighborhood may be eligible to receive funding through the City's Neighborhood Matching Grants Program.  Grants up to $25,000 are awarded to eligible neighborhoods organizations and business associations for certain projects.

The next application deadline is Monday, March 17, 2008.  To apply, a representative from the organization must attend one of the following pre-application workshops:

January 28th (Mon) Beatties Ford Library 6-8:30 pm
February 2nd (Sat) Independence Library 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
February 5th (Tue) Sugar Creek Library 6-8:30 pm
February 9th (Sat) West Boulevard Library 9:30 am - 12:00 pm

Tune in this week for a look ahead at plans to extend the LYNX Blue Line to the Northeast Corridor. Also, hear about a new report showing record growth for Charlotte Douglas International Airport in 2007.