The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is joining with departments from the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County to host the 2008 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Festival of Safety on Saturday,
October 4. Events will be held at three separate Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation locations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Come out to learn how to keep your community safe and healthy. There will be community resources available in addition to interactive displays and prizes, including the chance to win tickets to a Charlotte Bobcats game.

Saturday, October 4
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Arbor Glen Recreation Center and Park (1520 Clanton Road, Charlotte)
Jetton Park (19000 Jetton Road, Cornelius)
Marion Diehl Recreation Center (2219 Tyvola Road, Charlotte)

Fire Prevention Week marks the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and is a way to keep the public informed about the importance of fire safety. The 2008 national theme, "Prevent Home Fires" encourages you to regularly check your home for potential dangers that can put you and your family at risk. The Charlotte Fire Department reminds you to prevent home fires by following these safety tips:

• Make sure you have a working smoke alarm and  test it monthly
• Never leave food cooking on the stove or in the oven unattended
• Keep space heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn
• Turn off space heaters before you leave the room or go to bed
• Always keep matches and lighters in a locked cabinet, out of the reach of children
• Report all fires to the fire department without delay and from a safe location
• Plan and practice a fire escape plan with everyone in your home

For a complete list of CFD's fire safety activities scheduled during Fire Prevention Week and the month of October visit www.charlottefire.org or call Fire & Life Safety Education at 704-336-3970.

Join the Big Sweep, the annual clean up of lakes and creeks, on Saturday, October 4 from
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Last year more than 600 volunteers picked up eight tons of debris. Help us make it bigger and better in 2008!

You can volunteer at an existing site, or get your own group together and clean up a creek in your neighborhood. Don't forget to report your results online. Contact Erin Oliverio by e-mail erin.oliverio@mecklenburgcountync.gov or phone 704-336-5595 to register and participate at one of the Big Sweep locations.

The fall planting season has arrived, and recent rainfall has brought relief to our surface water supply. Due to these recent developments, outdoor water use restrictions have been temporarily amended to allow twice-per-week outdoor water use through November 30, 2008 for all Utilities customers.

The current water restrictions, in effect until November 30, 2008, are as follows:

Lawn watering, residential car-washing and pool/fountain filling are permitted no more than two days per week, according to the following schedule.

The following are permitted (OK) water uses:

• Customers with odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
• Those with even-numbered addresses may water on Thursdays and Sundays.
• Customers may use drip irrigation, hand-held hoses with nozzles or containers at any time to water trees, shrubs and flower beds.
• Pressure washing and fountain operation are permitted at any time.

Because the drought is not over just yet, our community must remain prepared to adjust restrictions again as needed. For more information or water conservation tips, please visit www.cmutilities.com or www.saveyourwater.org.

City of Charlotte's Neighborhood Development Department will offer Morrison Regional Library as a new training location for Community University classes in October.

Morrison Regional Library,
7015 Morrison Boulevard
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 2 – Neighborhood Organizing
Wednesday, October 8 – Inside the Quality of Life Study
Tuesday, October 14 – Neighborhood Networking

All workshops are free and open to Charlotte residents. Register at the Community University web site or e-mail neighservs@ci.charlotte.nc.us.

Customized Training – If your neighborhood has a specific need, e-mail neighservs@ci.charlotte.nc.us to arrange for a customized training workshop. To see a list of topics, visit the Neighborhood Development web site.

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. Courses are intended to engage, inform and equip participants with the training and assistance needed to help them improve and maintain their communities.

What's most important to you? Expanding bus service? Building Rapid Transit? Installing more benches and shelters? CATS is in the process of establishing its budget for the next two years and wants to hear from you. Members of the community are encouraged to attend a public meeting to learn more about the CATS budget process and share transit service ideas for the community.

Note: the same information will be shared at each meeting.

Tuesday, October 7:
Center City
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Francis Auditorium,
Main Library
310 N. Tryon Street

East Charlotte
6 – 8 p.m.
Memorial United Methodist Church,
4012 Central Avenue

Thursday, October 9:
North Charlotte
6 – 8 p.m.
Sugar Creek Library,
4045 N. Tryon Street

Tuesday, October 14:
South Charlotte
6 – 8 p.m.
Fellowship Hall,
Park Road Baptist Church
3900 Park Road

Thursday, October 16:
University City
6 – 8 p.m.
Cambridge Corporate Center,
10101 Claude Freeman Drive
*Traveling westbound on Mallard Creek Road, go past Claude Freeman Drive and take immediate left just before flashing emergency signal. Follow signs to North Wing Entrance.

For more information about the meetings or transit service near the meeting locations, contact 704-336-RIDE or visit www.ridetransit.org.

Job University workshops are free and available to residents along the West Boulevard corridor. Classes will be held at Charlotte Housing Authority Southside Homes in the Family Self Sufficiency Building (326 Benjamin Street). Classes include:

• CPCC Job Skills Lab
• Stepping Strong into a First Impression
• All Aboard the Career Cruiser
• Managing Conflict & Other Job Skills
• Get Your Money Straight
• Creating Balance
• Graduation & Job Fair

For more information or to register, e-mail jobuniversity@gmail.com or call 704-605-5432. 

Job University was created by the West Boulevard Community Roundtable to help corridor residents gain employment skills. The City of Charlotte has been a collaborative partner of this project in an effort to enhance City services along the Westside.

Job University is made possible by:

• City of Charlotte, Vision Charlotte Initiative
• Central Pediment Community College
• Charlotte Enterprise Community, Inc.
• Charlotte Area Fund, Inc.
• Charlotte Housing Authority
• Jacob's Ladder Job Center, Inc.
• MeckCARES
• Ron Fisher, Independent Consultant
• Stratford Richardson YMCA

The City of Charlotte Neighborhood Matching Grants program is offering a special grant for tree banding projects. Neighborhoods located in the cankerworm infestation problem area may be eligible for this grant. Organizations interested in applying for funding should attend one of the following workshops:

Wednesday, October 1
6:30 – 8 p.m.
Independence Library,
6015 Conference Drive

Saturday, October 4
9:30 – 11 a.m.
Old City Hall,
600 East Trade Street

Tuesday, October 7
6:30 – 8 p.m.
Freedom Regional Library,
1230 Alleghany Street

Monday, October 13
6:30 – 8 p.m.
Hickory Grove Recreation Center,
6709 Pence Road
*Adjacent to Hickory Grove Elementary School

The Neighborhood Matching Grants program will award funds up to $3,000 to eligible neighborhood organizations to help support neighborhood tree banding projects. Last year's banding efforts and this spring's aerial spray effectively reduced cankerworm populations; however, they still exist and put area trees at risk. Continued tree banding is strongly encouraged because banding efforts are most effective when populations are low.

The application deadline is Monday, November 3. For more information or to check your organization's eligibility, contact Tracy Greene at 704-336-3955 or visit the Neighborhood Matching Grants web site.

Eligible entities include organized neighborhood associations, business associations and neighborhood-based community development corporations operating in neighborhoods with median household income up to $64,219. Those located in the areas of highest infestation may also be eligible.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is observed throughout the month of October. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department wants to remind you that no one has a right to hurt you. Domestic violence is a crime. If you are in an abusive relationship and concerned, look at information about actions domestic violence victims can take and to get information on agencies that can help you. You can receive information and referrals by visiting CMPD's Domestic Violence Unit web site or calling 704-336-2811.

The Government Channel brings you this week's edition of City Source on Thursday, October 2 at 7 p.m. where you'll find information about strengthening your community, the Plaza Midwood Bus Club and how Solid Waste Services uses technology to better serve you.

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. You will also see how the North Division is combating larceny from cars and follow an auto theft unit detective while he investigates vehicle thefts in Charlotte.

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.