Children are more than twice as likely to be hit and killed by a car on Halloween as any other night of the year. Here are some tips to keep everyone safe this Halloween:

• Safely cross streets, don't cross between parked cars.
• Walk on sidewalks or paths, children under the age of 12 should always trick or treat with adult supervision.
• Carry flashlights and wear reflective items if you will be trick-or-treating in the dark.

For a complete list of Halloween safety tips, visit the Safe Kids web site www.safekidscharmeck.org.

Bring your family, friends and neighbors to the Family Fun Day at the U.S. National Whitewater Center on Saturday, October 18. The whole family can enjoy free rock climbing, music, children's activities, workshops, giveaways and parent information booths. Parking and admission is free from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and there will be discounted fees for rafting. 

Saturday, October 18
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
U.S. National Whitewater Center,
820 Hawfield Road, Charlotte

Family Fun Day is presented by Parent University, a community collaborative led by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, to help parents become full partners in their children's education. Contact Parent University at 980-343-0318 or e-mail info@cmsparentuniversity.org for more information.

Animal Care & Control will be hosting a pet adoption event this Saturday, October 18 at The Shoppes at University Place. Orphaned animals available for adoption will be on site for interaction with you in hopes of becoming your new furry family member!

Saturday, October 18
2 – 7 p.m.
The Shoppes at University Place,
9009-1 J.M. Keynes Drive
*Corner of W.T. Harris Boulevard and North Tryon Street

Later this month Animal Care & Control will host the Howl-O-Ween 2008 event at Ramsey Creek Park. Microchips will be available for an $8 donation, and free rabies shots will be offered by Huntersville Animal Services.

Saturday, October 25
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Ramsey Creek Park,
18441 Nantz Road, Cornelius

Visit the Animal Care & Control web site for event information and to learn more about free services available to the animals of Charlotte and the surrounding areas.

The transition to digital television may mean you're getting a new TV. If so, what should you do with your old TV? Getting rid of it is simple and you have several options:

• Call 311 to schedule a bulky item collection. When you call, be sure to tell the operator you have a TV to be collected. The operator will provide you with a collection date. Place the TV at the curb no earlier than 24 hours prior to the scheduled collection—placing the television at the curb any earlier could result in a minimum $50 fine.
• Schedule a collection online at http://curbit.charmeck.org. Click the schedule bulky items online link from the homepage and follow the scheduling directions on the site.

You may also drop your TV off at one of the full-service recycling facilities or donate it to Goodwill or the Salvation Army. To find the center closest to you, visit www.wipeoutwaste.com.

For more information about the digital transition, visit www.dtv.gov. Learn more about how to dispose of your TV in an environmentally-friendly way at http://curbit.charmeck.org.

There's nothing scarier than a sewer backup in your home. The onset of wetter weather and the holiday cooking season are two prime ingredients for sanitary sewer overflows in our community. In fact, grease poured down drains caused more than half of all overflows last year — more than 200 of them in the public sewer system alone.

Protect your household and our water quality by properly disposing of fats, oils and grease.

Pour grease into a lidded container, and throw it in the trash. Take larger quantities to a Mecklenburg County recycling center. Visit www.cmutilities.com for more details, and call 704-621-0854 if you'd like to schedule a speaker for your homeowner's association.

Mark your calendar for the 2nd Annual Runway 5K Run/Walk, hosted by the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport on Saturday, October 25 beginning at 8 a.m. The Runway 5K will take place at one of the nation's most unique locations and busiest airports. Awards will be presented in a variety of categories.

Pre-register now to receive a reduced rate. You can register online at www.charlotteairport.com.

Proceeds benefit LifeSpan's Community Activity and Employment Transitions (CAET) Program. LifeSpan transforms the lives of children and adults with developmental disabilities by providing education, employment and enrichment opportunities.

On November 4, Charlotte citizens will vote on $227.2 million in transportation, neighborhood and affordable housing bonds. No tax increase is needed for the bonds.

The $170.2 million transportation bond will include:

• $84.7 million for major road construction projects
• $70.5 million for a combination of transportation improvements, infrastructure, and enhancements
• $15.0 million for new residential and thoroughfare sidewalks

The $47 million Neighborhood Improvement Projects bond will provide new and reconstructed infrastructure such as curb and gutter, sidewalks, streetscape and storm drainage in neighborhoods showing signs of distress such as Enderly Park, Ponderosa, McCrorey Heights, Hidden Valley and Plaza Shamrock, Eastland, and Double Oaks.

The $10 million Affordable Housing Bond monies will be used to support the City's Housing Trust Fund, which will leverage private dollars to increase the development of affordable housing for low and moderate-income families.

For more information on these bonds as well as updates on projects funded by previous City bonds visit citybonds.charmeck.org.

The Government Channel brings you this week's edition of City Source on Thursday, October 16 at 7 p.m. where you'll get an in-depth look at the City bond package and the CMS Parent University classes.

Tune in to CMPD Today on The Government Channel, Wednesdays at 8 p.m. this month and learn how to prevent vehicle-related crimes and how to protect your car and belongings from being stolen from your car.

CMPD Today is a television show that gives you an inside look at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

For your convenience, you can also view the shows online at www.charmeck.org by clicking on The Government Channel logo.