Charlotte’s Discovery Place Launching School Camp at Two Locations

Charlotte Stories
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Charlotte’s Discovery Place Launching School Camp at Two Locations

As families with school-aged children gear up for this unprecedented academic year, Discovery Place is ready to assist.

Through our new full-day School Camp program, children in grades K-5 can attend school virtually from Discovery Place Science or Discovery Place Nature. In quiet spaces, under the supervision of our dedicated team members, students will participate in their classroom lessons and work on their daily assignments.

The program aims to ensure kids remain focused and on task throughout the virtual school day as well as providing them with basic educational assistance when needed.

“We are excited to serve as a resource for families in our community by providing a learning environment that sets kids up for success during this challenging time,” said Discovery Place Vice President of Learning Experiences Heather Norton. “Additionally, knowing that school field trips will not be offered during this time, our School Camp provides access for Museum exploration and experiential hands-on learning.”

Following the virtual school day, science will take center stage as staff members provide grade-appropriate science enrichment activities that align with topics in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools curriculum.

Several procedures and protocols are in place to address the health and safety of our School Camp community as it relates to COVID-19.

School Camp runs from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday beginning August 31. For more information or to enroll a child, visit Discovery Place Science or Discovery Place Nature online.

The Oldest Person In America Will Celebrate Her 116th Birthday In Charlotte This Weekend

Charlotte Stories
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The Oldest Person In America Will Celebrate Her 116th Birthday In Charlotte This Weekend

The oldest living person in America is about to celebrate her 116th birthday right here in the Queen City.

Hester Ford was born on August 15, 1904, in Lancaster, South Carolina and moved to Charlotte in 1953 where she began working as a nanny for 2 Myers Park families.

She currently has 12 children, 48 grandchildren, 108 great-grandchildren, and at least 120 great-great-grandchildren.

Two of her grandchildren are now planning to host a massive drive-thru birthday celebration this weekend.

Last year, Ford became the oldest living person in America after the tragic passing of New York City’s Alelia Murphy. She is just 2 years younger than the oldest person in the world, Japan’s Kane Tanaka, according to the Gerontology Research Group.

Happy birthday Hester Ford!!

Famed Actress Viola Davis Now Owns South Carolina Plantation Where She Was Born

Charlotte Stories
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Famed Actress Viola Davis Now Owns South Carolina Plantation Where She Was Born

Legendary actress Viola Davis (best know for her roles in Fences, The Help, Widows, and Doubt) has just announced that she now owns the South Carolina plantation where she was born.

Davis was born in a tiny home on South Carolina’s Singleton Plantation back in 1965, where her family worked as sharecroppers, planting and harvesting cotton for the plantation owners.

Now, 55 years, she just announced that she now owns the entire plantation;

Viola has won an Oscar, Academy Award, Golden Globe, Primetime Emmy, and 87 other awards so far in her powerful career.

One of her most recent projects was making a full-length documentary about the recent Charleston shooting with legendary NBA star and Davidson graduate Steph Curry. The documentary is call ‘Emanuel’ and it tells the story of the nine Black churchgoers who were murdered by a white supremacist at the Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston.

US Dept of Labor Finds Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) Guilty of Violating FMLA

Charlotte Stories
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US Dept of Labor Finds Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) Guilty of Violating FMLA

After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), the Transit Management of Charlotte Inc. – operating as Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) – has reinstated and paid one employee $21,998 in back wages for violating requirements of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Investigators determined the public transit operator wrongly assessed disciplinary “attendance points” against the employee for missed work time the employer should have recognized as FMLA-qualifying time off. CATS subsequently wrongfully terminated the employee for excessive absences once enough points had accumulated. To resolve the violation, the employer reinstated the worker, paid back wages for the time that the employee would have worked and restored the employee’s medical benefits.

“The Family and Medical Leave Act provides employees with critical workplace flexibility, protecting their jobs when they, or an eligible family member, need care for a serious health condition,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Richard Blaylock, in Raleigh, North Carolina. “The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to protecting employees’ FMLA rights, and to helping employers understand their responsibilities. We encourage all employers to reach out to us with questions, and to use the many resources we offer to avoid violations like those found in this case.”

The Department offers numerous resources to ensure employers have the tools they need to understand their responsibilities and to comply with federal law, such as online videos and confidential calls to local WHD offices.

For more information about the FMLA and other laws enforced by the Wage and Hour Division, contact the Division’s toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Information is also available at www.dol.gov/agencies/whd.

WHD’s mission is to promote and achieve compliance with labor standards to protect and enhance the welfare of the nation’s workforce. WHD enforces federal minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping and child labor requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act. WHD also enforces the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, the Employee Polygraph Protection Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, wage garnishment provisions of the Consumer Credit Protection Act and a number of employment standards and worker protections as provided in several immigration related statutes. Additionally, WHD administers and enforces the prevailing wage requirements of the Davis-Bacon Act and the Service Contract Act, and other statutes applicable to federal contracts for construction and for the provision of goods and services.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

Is investing in an auction property a good option?

Robert Tilman
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Is investing in an auction property a good option?

Apart from the traditional channels of buying a property, there are many new alternative options where you can buy a suitable asset. Nowadays, more and more people are investing in auction property. It is an excellent option to buy a property at auction, but to strike a good deal; you need to understand how property auction works. There are various channels through which you get to know about auction property.

Sometimes you may get information through online government websites, and even real estate agents keep track of assets that go for an auction. However, the only downside that auction property has is that you do not get to explore it before buying it. If you find it a risky venture to invest in an auction property, then go for those real estate properties that allow house inspection before bidding. Do not go forbidding in haste. You must understand the auction rules and regulations before bidding and closing a deal.

Is buying auction assets sensible?

If you are thinking of buying a property in an auction, you want to get an excellent property at a reasonable discount. To ensure this, you must understand the claims, check for the occupants, and liens before finalizing a deal. It is true when you buy a property through traditional channels; you have to face fierce competition. The fierce competition comes from experienced investors and a large number of interested buyers.

Many people do strike a good deal at the auction, but you have to be very vigilant about the details of the property that goes for sale. You might make a mistake of bidding more than the real worth of the property. Many people go wrong because they have limited knowledge about a property put up for auction. However, if you are careful, you might make a proper deal closure by buying a property below the market value. It would be best if you were very prudent when it comes to bidding for the auction property. It is necessary to do your homework before you go for offering for any property.

Some people believe that if you are buying an auction property, it has to be a good deal. However, many property experts have negated this myth and said that some auction properties are a good deal, and there are cases where some auction properties are a big mistake on the part of the bidders. However, to avoid making a mistake when buying a property at auction, you must primarily understand whether you want to stay in that property or take it for investment.

How to find a useful asset in an auction?

You can either directly contact the government about auction properties or keep a check on the government websites. You may even check auction property sites to find a good deal. However, be very careful when you purchase auction properties online because, most of the time, the information given online is not accurate.

You may even get in touch with local real estate agents like Carolina Buyer, who act as valuable and reliable resources for information on auction property. However, you should recheck the details of the real estate broker because their main motive is to sell the property as they get a commission. So you have to be careful with evaluation before you make the final purchase.

Are There Other Cannabinoids Found In CBD Oil? A 2021 Guide for UK CBD Consumers

Robert Tilman
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Are There Other Cannabinoids Found In CBD Oil? A 2021 Guide for UK CBD Consumers

You’ve likely heard that THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the most prevalent cannabinoid found in the hemp plant, followed by CBD (cannabidiol), which comes in second. Cannabidiol or CBD is the main ingredient found in CBD oil, but it is rarely alone. Unless you are using a CBD isolate product (these still contain carrier oils), chances are your CBD is being accompanied by other cannabinoids found in the hemp plant.

Using the whole plant, broad-spectrum, or full-spectrum approaches when extracting CBD is gaining popularity amongst manufacturers. Why, you ask? Because these approaches include the extraction of a wide array of the other cannabinoids, flavonoids, terpenes, oils, and waxes as well as CBD.

When these components are combined together with CBD, the result is what is known as the entourage effect, a term which you may have heard if you’ve been researching products.

The entourage effect refers to the effects that users of CBD products feel are heightened because all or most of the naturally occurring phytochemicals of the plant are present in the product. There are more than 40 cannabinoids extracted during the broad-spectrum and full-spectrum extraction processes, as well as a wide range of flavonoids, terpenes, waxes, and oils.

We’ve collaborated with the CBD oil enthusiasts at Hypothesis Journal to bring this guide to you.

Which Cannabinoids Are Commonly Present?

The most prevalent cannabinoid in CBD oils is by far and large cannabidiol (CBD), but it’s usually accompanied by friends. Here are the four main cannabinoids other than cannabidiol (CBD) that are frequently found in products available for purchase today:

Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)

THCV, or tetrahydrocannabivarin is of a similar structure as that of THC. Their main difference is that they have a different carbon side chain. Another way you may hear them referred to each other is the term homologous which is a scientifically technical term that means they have similar structures but also at least one area they differ.

In relation to THCV and the way it works within the endocannabinoid system in our bodies, it actually has an antagonising effect on one of the receptors. THCV lowers the effect of other cannabinoids on the CB1 receptor in the system. This sounds negative but it actually acts as a moderator.

Cannabichromene (CBC)

Cannabichromene, or CBC, is derived from cannabigerolic acid or CBGA within the hemp plant. It is common for different cannabinoids to share the same point of origin as each other. In CBC’s case, that point of origin, the CBGA, is also shared with both THC and CBD.

Behind THC and CBD, CBC is the third most commonly found cannabinoid in plants within the cannabis genus. Although its point of origin is shared with that of THC and CBD, the way CBC acts inside the body is not. It is known to have a low rate of success bonding to CB1 receptors within the endocannabinoid system. It is more likely to adhere to two other receptors found outside of the ECS known as TRPV1 and TRPA1.

These transient receptors’ are known to monitor and respond to temperature changes. Cannabinoids interacting with receptors outside of the endocannabinoid system is an intriguing point and merits a whole other area to be explored by scientists.

This is just another reminder that research into the effects of cannabinoids and how they interact with our bodies is ever-developing and in its infancy. There is so much more to discover.

Cannabigerol (CBG)

As mentioned in the previous section, cannabigerolic acid, or CBG acid, is the source point of several different cannabinoids found within the hemp plant. Take away the acidic portion, and you have cannabigerol (CBG). CBG is present in much lower amounts than the other main cannabinoids in this list.

CBG is non-psychotropic, meaning it does not supply the feeling of being high or stoned to users like the psychotropic properties in THC do. Instead, it shares that non-psychotropic status that CBD has.

Research into cannabigerol is still needed, but since it shares properties with the point of origin of the top three cannabinoids, it’s a sure thing that interesting data awaits researchers. Nutra CBD, a CBD oil company located in Netherlands uses CBG as their second most prominent cannabinoid in their “CBD olie” product range.

Cannabinol (CBN)

CBN is a psychotropic element that doesn’t naturally occur in hemp plants… it is created with some outside help. It’s created by the oxidation of THC. When THC is exposed to the air, it degrades and will eventually end up CBN. 

While found more commonly in older hemp plants, CBN is almost always present in CBD oil at low levels. This is because when hemp is harvested and stored (sometimes in bales), oxidation occurs and voila, you have CBN.  

Canna tetra menes and ols… isn’t terminology fun? While their names are often very similar, each of these four main cannabinoids found in CBD oil are unique in their own ways. 

Understanding all of the top cannabinoids and how they interact with one another as well as how they act in our bodies is an important science for manufacturers in the CBD industry. It’s also important information for consumers! The more you know about CBD, the better off your experience will be when choosing products, figuring out proper dosing for you, etc. If you arm yourself with knowledge, you are more likely to find a product that gets you your desired effect.

The internet is full of information about CBD and it can be hard to judge what sites are reputable. Blessed CBD is a small family-run business that offers high quality CBD. If you need more information regarding CBD oil products, how to use CBD, the difference between hemp and marijuana, visit their website’s FAQ section. 

You’ll find answers to those questions and more. BlessedCBD has third-party lab reports readily available on their site so you can see yourself the level of quality they offer in their products.

Or you can go directly to their web shop to buy their CBD oils, creams, capsules and gummies.

#1 CBD Oil UK recognition and awards won by Blessed CBD (2021):

 

North Carolina Mayor Dies From COVID-19

Steve
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North Carolina Mayor Dies From COVID-19

The beloved mayor of a small town in North Carolina has just passed away from complications related to COVID-19.

Washtington, NC mayor Mac Hodges was first confirmed to have the virus on July 15th and battled with it for nearly 1 month.

Hodges daughter Beth announced the sad news yesterday, saying;

“Our family has been completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of prayers and support during this journey. Mac Hodges earthly journey ended this afternoon. Words cannot express how much he meant to us. He lived the best kind of life, one filled with a family that adored him and so many friends near and far. He loved Washington, the Pirates, and the beach. Wherever he went, people who met him smiled and loved him. This was true in the hospital as well. He quickly became a favorite up there.

We know people love us and want to be there for us but we ask that you give us some space and time to grieve. We believe it is most important during this time of COVID to practice social distancing and the use of masks. We are not ready for visitors at this time.”

NC Governor Cooper stated his condolences in a twitter post, saying;

“I’m grateful to have worked with such a strong leader and ECU supporter who made a real difference in the lives of many.”

 

Google Arts & Culture Celebrates Charlotte for the First Time on Its Global Platform

Steve
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Google Arts & Culture Celebrates Charlotte for the First Time on Its Global Platform

Today Google announced its partnership with 13 world-class Charlotte institutions to bring the city’s culture–past and present–online on its Google Arts & Culture platform and app at g.co/ExploreCharlotte. For the first time, anyone in the world can engage with these organizations across the city in one digital location. While many are unable to travel, they can visit the page and discover everything from decorative arts at the Mint Museum, performances from the Charlotte Symphony, contemporary art from Goodyear Arts, Civil Rights history from the Levine Museum of the New South, and race cars at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

“We are thrilled to showcase Charlotte’s rich culture, history of innovation and thriving art scene for everyone to explore online at Google Arts & Culture,” said Simon Delacroix, U.S. Lead of Google Arts & Culture. “From its fascinating museums to its delightful culinary scene to its achievements as a business hub, Charlotte is captivating. Thanks to our 13 local partners, the world can go to one virtual  destination to experience this outstanding city.”

“We all know the value that arts and culture can add to a growing city like ours and we appreciate when others show interest in what we’ve established,” said Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles. “I really appreciate Google’s willingness to showcase our thriving arts community and to celebrate what it means to be uniquely Charlotte.”

Charlotte is the first city in the American south and third in the U.S. to be featured in Google Arts & Culture’s global initiative to capture and share the unique culture of cities. Along with Kansas City and Milwaukee, Charlotte joins European cultural hubs on the platform including Milan and Naples, Italy, Lyon, France, and Hamburg, Germany.

“Charlotte’s diverse and inclusive culture has so much to offer. From Charlotte and Davidson’s James Beard Award nominated chefs to the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts & Culture, so much is captured on this site for our state and world to enjoy, “ said Congresswoman Alma Adams. “I am proud that Google Arts & Culture chose to celebrate the crown jewels of the Queen City.”

Google Arts & Culture partnered with 13 local organizations to bring over 3,000 artworks and artifacts from Charlotte institutions online, curated into over 50 stories to allow anyone to explore Charlotte’s culture and history. The project also includes a 360 tour of the Levine Museum of the New South.

The 13 partners have brought together their stories and expertise to share the city’s cultural DNA. On the platform, visitors can:

“The Arts & Science Council (ASC) is proud to be a partner in the Google Arts & Culture Charlotte project, which celebrates all aspects of arts and culture in the Queen City, including our community’s vibrant public art collection,” said Jeep Bryant, ASC president. “From innovative works at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, including one of the largest digital artwork in the world, to lifting up artists of color and their contributions to the collection, this project provides a compelling way for people to learn how public art connects to our region’s rich history.”

Google Arts & Culture Charlotte partners include: the Mint Museum, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts & Culture, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), Levine Museum of the New South, NASCAR Hall of Fame, Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Arts & Science Council, Atkins Library at University of North Carolina, Charlotte, Goodyear Arts, Carolina Raptor Center, Charlotte Symphony, and the McColl Center for Art + Innovation.

Now, anyone, anywhere can experience Charlotte by downloading Google Arts & Culture’s Android or iOS app or by visiting Google Arts & Culture.

Cooper To Accept $300 Federal Unemployment Benefits and Add $100 From NC Trust Fund

Charlotte Stories
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Cooper To Accept $300 Federal Unemployment Benefits and Add $100 From NC Trust Fund

This afternoon, NC Governor Roy Cooper began the process to accept the $300 weekly federal unemployment benefits that President Trump promised in his memorandum last week.

He also sent a letter to NC House Speaker Time Moore and Senator Phil Berger directing them to increase unemployment benefits by $100 “from North Carolina’s Unemployment Trust Fund and not the remaining federal Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) money.”

“North Carolina has among the worst state unemployment benefits in the country but you have failed to remedy that in the middle of this pandemic,” he Cooper stated in the letter. “Extend state unemployment benefits to at least 24 weeks (it’s now the lowest in the country at 12 weeks) and increase the maximum weekly state benefit to at least $500 (it’s now $350).”

The entire letter reads:

Dear Mr. Speaker and Mr. President Pro Tempore:

    I am in receipt of your letter from yesterday requesting I take steps to secure unemployment payments to North Carolinians per the terms of President Trump’s executive order. My administration has already begun preparing the application for the payments.

     Let me be clear. I refuse to let North Carolinians suffer because Congress and the President have been unable to get the job done and you have failed to help the unemployed.

     Congress and the President should approve the full federal supplement of $600 per week in unemployment compensation. While I appreciate your new-found interest in helping people who are unemployed through no fault of their own, you as legislators should do more.

    North Carolina has among the worst state unemployment benefits in the country but you have failed to remedy that in the middle of this pandemic. When you return on Sept. 2, you should extend state unemployment benefits to at least 24 weeks (it’s now the lowest in the country at 12 weeks) and increase the maximum weekly state benefit to at least $500 (it’s now $350).

    As we await federal guidance for the new federal $300 per week benefit, I encourage the President and Congress to agree on more reliable help for the unemployed and to replenish the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund being used for this temporary aid. In the interim, North Carolina should fund its $100 state share from North Carolina’s Unemployment Trust Fund and not the remaining federal Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) money. With no federal help in sight, CRF money should be reserved for additional critical pandemic needs like helping small businesses, schools and health care.

    I look forward to working with you on behalf of North Carolina residents as we fight this pandemic and rebuild our state’s economy

    With kind regards, I am

Very truly yours,

 

Roy Cooper

Charlotte Just Relaunched The Small Business Recovery Grant Program

Charlotte Stories
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Charlotte Just Relaunched The Small Business Recovery Grant Program

The City of Charlotte announced on Monday that the Open for Business Access to Capital Small Business Recovery application has reopened until 5p.m. on Aug. 30. The program has been expanded to include any local small business that has already received funding from the Paycheck Protection Program, Golden LEAF, the City’s Micro Business Relief Fund or other government sources. Businesses that have already applied do not need to reapply.

Through its most recent round of grantmaking, the city issued $3.8 million in grants to 362 local small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, the program has issued more than $8 million to 753 small businesses throughout Charlotte neighborhoods.

Applications and eligibility requirements are available at fftc.org/CLTCityGrant. The program aims to distribute $30 million in federal CARES Act funding to small businesses as part of the City of Charlotte’s Open for Business initiative. Foundation For The Carolinas serves as the administrator and grantmaking partner for the effort.

“We started by addressing the needs of small business owners who were really struggling with no other assistance, and now we are including those businesses that are in need of additional help,” said Charlotte City Councilman James Mitchell Jr. “We’re finding that the need is great, and one grant payment is sometimes not enough to keep these small businesses going.”

Funds are issued as grants – that do not have to be repaid – in sums of $10,000 for businesses with five or fewer employees and $25,000 for those with between 6 and 25 employees. Small businesses must be headquartered within Charlotte city limits and must have been affected by the pandemic.

The City and FFTC have conducted robust outreach efforts to inform small businesses in neighborhoods throughout Charlotte of the opportunity and how to apply. Businesses receiving grants have ranged from convenience stores to small restaurants, hair salons, florists and more.

“When schools first shut down, it was really tough for us, because school translations make up a large part of our business,” said Ron Ponton, owner of PSquared Linguistics, which received a $10,000 grant from the program. “Thankfully, the Access to Capital Small Business Recovery Grant will help me keep my dream alive. The extra financial cushion will allow me to keep my office and staff running for when things open back up to normal.”

To qualify, a small business must:

  • Be headquartered within the Charlotte city limits
  • Employ 25 or fewer employees (including part-time, if reported on company’s W-3)
  • Have been established before Jan. 1, 2020
  • Have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Have gross sales for 2019 of at least $30,000 and less than $2 million
  • Not be currently engaged in bankruptcy proceedings

Grants will continue to be issued every two weeks. The Access to Capital Small Business Recovery Program aims to provide funding rapidly, accessibly and equitably for Charlotte’s diverse small business community. Applications are selected randomly by a software algorithm from the applicant pool for review and are not reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. However, the likelihood of receiving a grant increases the earlier an application is received because it will be available for selection each day. Businesses only need to apply once.

Applications are available in English, Spanish, Nepali, French, Chinese and Vietnamese, and will be accepted through 5 p.m., Aug. 30. For a complete list of criteria and to apply, visit fftc.org/CLTCityGrant. In addition, a customer service team can be reached at cltcitygrant@fftc.org or 704.998.6499.

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