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SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY EDITION |
From the Council Office of Steve Rao
November 25, 2022
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Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes. | |
Thanksgiving
I hope all of you enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving, ate plenty of food and are enjoying time with your family and friends. Congrats to my heroes, my Mom and Dad for celebrating their 55th Anniversary tomorrow!
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Hometown Hero Alert:
Dr. Priya Kishnani wins NC Science Award.
(See Hometown Hero Section)
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UNC opens more beds for kids as flu, RSV cases surge.
Raleigh Christmas Parade lacks safety screening.
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IMPORTANT CARY AND MORRISVILLE UPDATES: | |
No Farmers Market this weekend, resumes next week. | |
Town of Cary Council Application
Town of Cary Council Applications are open for Council Member Ya Liu’s Seat. Deadline is Friday at noon at www.townofcary.org.
Requirements:
- 21 years old.
- Live within District D Town Limits.
- Willing to serve until 2023 Fall Elections.
- Not a current Town of Cary Employee.
- Disqualifying Factors: (No Sex offenses, felonies or misdemeanors and pending cases)
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BLASTING AT SOUTHPORT DRIVE :
Be advised that blasting will occur on Wednesday, Nov. 23, beginning at 10 a.m., at 218 Southport Drive.
Blasting will occur within 150 feet of McCrimmon Parkway. Travelers may need to find alternate routes if roads are closed during blasting operations.
Permits are good for 60 days. Blasting could occur within 60 days from this date. For questions or concerns contact the Morrisville Fire/Rescue Department at 919-463-6122.
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THANKS FOR A GREAT TURKEY TROT!
Thanks to everyone who came out to the Turkey Trot! Great to kick this off with Mayor Cawley! I want to thank Sid Cardoza from Inside Out Sports, Orange Fitness Theory and all the Volunteers! A great time and 8K!
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Nov 27 - Radio NYRA
Tune in on Sunday at 4 pm for a guest appearance by SBA Southeast Regional Administrator Allen Thomas. 99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM! Live at www.radionyra.com.
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Dec. 2 Holiday Tree Lighting 6 pm and Indian Creek Trailhead.
(across from 100 Town Hall Drive, Morrisvile, NC 27560)
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Book your Call with Santa Claus for Dec 7th 6 pm to 8 pm!
Dec 2nd is Deadline!
See This Week in Morrisville Section!
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DEC 8th is WINTER WHITE GOODS COLLECTION
The Winter White Goods collection day will be Thursday, December 8. Registration is required and must be received by Monday, December 5, at 5 p.m. at https://bit.ly/MSVWhiteGoods
Items to be collected include washing machines, dryers, freezers, refrigerators, dishwashers, water heaters, stoves/ovens, and dehumidifiers. Microwaves should be dropped off at the South Wake Landfill, 6130 Old Smithfield Road, Apex.
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Remember, Saturday, Nov. 26th is Small Business Saturday! Support your Small Businesses!
I will be visiting small businesses on Saturday!
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Shop small. Shop local. Shop Morrisville.
In partnership with the Morrisville Chamber of Commerce, we present the 2022 Holiday Gift Guide that is free to download for all community members and visitors: https://bit.ly/2022ShopMorrisvilleGuide
Join me in supporting Small Businesses, who need our help to get their companies back on track in a post covid economy.
Many small businesses in Morrisville and the Triangle are having tough times. Park West businesses have had many challenges, with Hickory Tavern closing last month.
Small Businesses are vital to our economic growth in North Carolina. There are 964,000 Small Businesses in our state, employing over 1.7 million and representing 99% of all businesses in the state.
American Express cares deeply about communities and believes small businesses are at the core of every neighborhood. That's why — in the midst of the recession in 2010 — they created Small Business Saturday® on the Saturday after Thanksgiving to encourage people to Shop Small and bring more holiday shopping to small businesses.
NEIGHBORHOOD CHAMPIONS
In an effort to support their local communities, organizations across the country sign up to serve as Neighborhood Champions. These supporters bring their community together with events and activities on Small Business Saturday and throughout the year.
They're not alone. In 2011, business associations, nonprofit trade groups, municipalities, and public officials start to unite, forming a Small Business Saturday Coalition to encourage everyone to Shop Small.
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SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS: | |
If you have a business and you want me to visit you and highlight your company, please email me at sr@steverao.com. I will be dropping by small businesses on Saturday between 11 am and 1 pm | |
Inside Out Sports
Thanks to Sid Cardoza for running a very successful sports company, Inside Out Sports, a destination for many of our top runners, and triathletes! We also thank him for hosting another very successful Turkey Trot.
Insights from Sid:
https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/549414760532828
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BUSINESS OF LIFE COACHING AND CONSULTING
The Business of Life Coaching and Consulting is a service and education company. They specialize in helping clients create a legacy that aligns with their deepest values through strategic planning. They also teach clients how to create their legacy through real estate development while using a portion of their Airbnb profits toward charitable giving. Check them out at businessoflifecc.com
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Priya Kishnani, MD, MBBS, Chen Family Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics and chief of the Division of Medical Genetics at the Duke University School of Medicine, received one of North Carolina’s highest civilian honors, the North Carolina Award, on November 15 for her contributions to science.
She has treated patients and conducted groundbreaking basic and clinical research for close to 30 years. Her innovative contributions translate laboratory science into treatment for people with lysosomal storage disorders, glycogen storage diseases, Down syndrome and other rare inherited diseases. As the lead principal investigator, Kishnani designed and conducted clinical trials that led to the first-ever FDA-approved treatment for Pompe disease. More recently, she was a member of a multi-national team that used an enzyme replacement therapy to treat a fetus for infantile-onset Pompe disease — a first in the world.
“Dr. Kishnani is a great example of Duke’s strong focus on the intersection of science and medicine, where health professionals and scientists are discoverers who break new ground that impact patients,” said Mary E. Klotman, MD, dean of Duke School of Medicine. “She also represents our commitment to giving back to the communities we serve. I am so pleased to see our state recognizing her many contributions as an outstanding citizen and physician-scientist.”
The North Carolina Award was created by the General Assembly in 1961 to recognize significant contributions to the state and nation in the fields of fine arts, literature, public service and science.
“These individuals have enriched North Carolina and our nation through their extraordinary accomplishments,” said Reid Wilson, secretary of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. “Each of them has enhanced the lives of North Carolinians through their lasting achievements in the arts, literature, sciences and public service.”
Since the award’s inception, more than 250 notable men and women have been honored by the state of North Carolina. Past recipients include Selma Burke, William Friday, James Taylor, Etta Baker, Charles Kuralt, Maya Angelou, Lee Smith and Branford Marsalis.
In 2021 two Duke faculty members, Tim Tyson and Blake Wilson, received the award. Tyson was honored for his literature on issues of culture, religion and race associated with the Civil Rights Movement, while Wilson was cited for his pioneering work in the development of the cochlear implant, which has restored hearing to millions of people around the world.
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Suicide Prevention Line to 988 |
On Saturday, July 16, the U.S. will transition the 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to 988 – an easy-to-remember three-digit number for 24/7 crisis care.
The lifeline, which also links to the Veterans Crisis Line, follows a three-year joint effort by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to put crisis care more in reach for people in need.
Starting tomorrow, simply calling or texting 988 or chatting https://988Lifeline.org will connect you to compassionate care and support for mental health-related distress. #988Lifeline
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Join us on Radio Nyra on Sunday at 4 pm for our interview with HSS on Darsana Exhibit. 99.9HD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
Join us on Radio Nyra Sundays at 4pm for interesting interviews with local thought leaders
99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
Great Radio Nyra interview with North Carolina Asian Americans Together on elections!
https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/692128012047450/?t=21
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Great US Open Roku TV Interview with Andy Andrews!
https://youtu.be/-Uy7aX-M2AI?t=79
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On the Porch with Randy Voller on WCHL 97.9 FM!
https://chapelboro.com/?s=on+the+porch
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WPTF Steve O'Bryan show on the Dream Act and DACA!
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Get with the Program with Gary Jones!
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Tune in on Friday at 7 pm and Sunday at 4 pm to PBS Carolinas Black Issues Forum for our engaging discussions on trending topics!
Engaging Discussion on PBS Carolinas Black Issues Forum on Affirmative Action, Election Security and other matters.
Link to the show:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BIOR-ih-Fg
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Nov 22 Morrisville Council Meeting Highlights | |
Highlights from the November 22, 2022 Morrisville Town Council meeting include:
- Church Street Park Amenity Expansion
- Annexation of Properties Located Along Watkins Road
- Fall Advisory Committee Appointments
- Fund Balance Update
- 2022/2023 Legislative Advocacy Agenda Development
- Capital Investment Program (CIP) Policy
For details visit bit.ly/3VjD0vW
#LiveConnectedLiveWell
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This Week in Morrisville: Nov 28th - Dec 4th | |
Register Your Child to Receive a Call from Santa
Has your little one been naughty or nice? Register to have Santa Claus give them a call. All calls will be made on Wednesday, Dec. 7, from 6-8 p.m. While Santa will leave a message if no one answers, please note that no makeup calls will be made. If you have multiple children who would like a call from Santa, please fill out separate forms for each child. Santa calls are intended for children 10 and under.
Please submit forms by 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, to receive a call from Santa!
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Morrisville to Host Tree Lighting Ceremony December 2
Join us as we kick off the holiday season with the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 2, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Indian Creek Trailhead, 101 Town Hall Drive. Santa Claus and the Town Council will count down the lighting of the tree, followed by more fun and entertainment. Trader Joe’s will also be sharing seasonal beverages. Limited parking will be available in the Town Hall parking lot, and a shuttle will be running from Cedar Fork Community Center, 1050 Town Hall Drive. Shuttle service is encouraged.
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Menorah Lighting to be Held at Indian Creek Trailhead December 22
The Town of Morrisville will set up a menorah at Indian Creek Trailhead, 101 Town Hall Drive, and light it every night of Hannukah (Dec. 18-26). On Dec. 22, at 5:30 p.m., Rabbi Yisroel Cotlar will perform a Menorah Lighting Ceremony at the outdoor menorah. The public is invited to attend.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Offered on November 30
Wake County Public Health is sponsoring free COVID-19 vaccination clinics throughout the region. On Nov. 30, a vaccine clinic will be offered at the Western Health and Human Services Center (Wake County), 111 James Jackson Ave., Cary, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. No appointment is required. Vaccines are available to adults and children, free of charge. No identification or insurance is needed. Click here to get details about the vaccines offered or to find other free vaccine clinics.
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Morrisville Youth Invited to Enter Stormwater Photo Contest
Calling all amateur high school-age photographers! Help us achieve our goal of increasing public education regarding stormwater, showcase your talents, and win a gift card by entering the 2022 Town of Morrisville Stormwater Photo Contest. This year’s theme is “We are all downstream.” The deadline for entries is Wednesday, Nov. 30. Click here for more information, official rules, and an entry form.
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Residents Invited to Complete Survey on Morrisville Parks before November 30
The Town of Morrisville Community Enhancement team wants your input on which parks and amenities are the most important to you. Your feedback may be used to influence maintenance practices at various parks and greenways across Morrisville this winter. We appreciate any time you can provide in answering this survey, which can be found here. The survey will close on Nov. 30.
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Landscape Renovations Completed at Luther Green Building at Shiloh Park
Landscaping renovations have been performed on the Luther Green building at Shiloh Park, 922 Church St. An overgrown landscaping bed had surrounded the building, including invasive nandina plants and large Ligustrum bushes that required extensive pruning, and one crape myrtle that had become unhealthy. Renovations began in late October of 2022 and finished on Nov. 17. The bushes and tree were removed, top soil was added, and new plants were installed, including an emperor Japanese maple, knockout roses, a Cherokee chief dogwood, and more.
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Morrisville Senior Center Hosting Christmas Lunch and Gift Exchange December 13
The Morrisville Senior Center (MSC), 4117 Davis Drive, is hosting a catered Christmas luncheon and white elephant gift exchange on Dec. 13, from noon-3 p.m. The organization Performance Edge will provide entertainment, and Christmas music will be playing. The cost is $9 for residents and $11 for non-residents. Participants are asked to bring a funny or impractical gift in the spirit of the white elephant exchange. The value of gifts is limited at $10. Click here to register for the luncheon by Dec. 6.
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Applications Now Being Accepted for Community Police Academy
Residents are invited to apply for the Community Police Academy, an eight-week program designed to give participants a working knowledge of the Morrisville Police Department. It is intended to increase transparency and enhance understanding between the community and the police. The academy will be held on Tuesday nights from Jan. 10 to Feb. 28. Meetings will be held at the Fire Station No. 1 training room from 6-8 p.m. Participants must be age 21 or older and must live or work in the Town of Morrisville. Background checks will be done on all applicants. Click here for more details and to apply by Dec. 16.
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Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center Hosting 'Maintain, Don't Gain' Program for Holidays
The Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center (MAFC) is hosting its annual community challenge to help participants maintain their weight and stay healthy through the holiday season. “Maintain, Don’t Gain” will run through Jan. 6, and it will include fitness classes, fitness challenges, and regular weigh-ins. Everyone who completes the challenge will be entered into a drawing for prizes, which include personal training sessions, a one-month membership, special entry into classes, and swag. Those who wish to participate must register at the front desk at the MAFC, 1301 Morrisville Parkway, by Nov. 21.
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Now Hiring: Join the MAFC Team
The Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center is currently recruiting for the following positions:
- Senior Aquatics Specialist (FT)
- Marketing & Membership Coordinator
Both positions provide benefits. Learn more and apply here. The Town is offering financial incentives for part-time lifeguards who can work during the day in the off-season. Experienced swim instructors, as well as, day and early evening desk staff are needed. Learn more and apply here.
Free Lending Library Installed at Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center
The Town of Morrisville has a new lending library! The Dedicated to Our Community North Carolina (DOC NC) volunteer group created and installed a wooden lending library at the Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center over this past weekend. The DOC NC team has pledged to build, paint and install several little libraries on different locations within Morrisville. Stop by the new library and pick up a book on your way to getting your exercise in!
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Now Hiring: Join the Public Works Team
The Town of Morrisville Public Works Department has three exciting career opportunities open now. Join one of only three North Carolina municipalities with an American Public Works Association (APWA) accredited Public Works Department. We are looking for individuals to serve in our Streets Maintenance, Athletics Maintenance, and Grounds Maintenance divisions. For more information click on the following links:
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Public Invited to Provide Feedback on Proposed Wake Rapid Bus Transit Extensions
The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) is seeking comments on the Wake BRT: Rapid Bus Extensions Study draft results and recommendations. Public engagement is an essential part of this study, which will evaluate and recommend rapid bus routing for extensions to both of the planned Western and Southern Corridors. The planned Western Corridor will connect downtown Raleigh to downtown Cary, and the proposed extension includes the area between Cary and the Research Triangle Park.
CAMPO is requesting comments on the study’s draft results and the recommended alignment for the Western Corridor extension. Members of the public are invited to visit the study website to view a handout summarizing the draft results and recommendations at WakeBRTExtensionsStudy.com. Comments can be provided by email at WakeBRTExtensions@publicinput.com or by phone at (855) 925-2801, using code 7804. The deadline for submitting comments is Dec. 16.
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Morrisville Smart Shuttle Service is Now Operating! |
The Morrisville Smart Shuttle, the Town’s newest public transit service, allows riders to request a pick-up or drop-off from one of 15 nodes, or stops, located around the Town using the Smart Shuttle application on their smartphone.
Watch this short video on how to use the Morrisville Smart Shuttle App by clicking here!
The service runs seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, and from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Additional details on the Morrisville Smart Shuttle visit TownofMorrisville.org/SmartShuttle
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Winter Hours to Start for Western Wake Farmers' Market
The Western Wake Farmers' Market (WWFM) will start its winter hours on Dec. 3. The market, which offers healthy and fresh food and goods from small and local businesses, will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Saturday at the Healthy Food Hub, 280 Town Hall Drive. The market will be closed on Saturday, Nov. 26. Visit http://wwfm.ag/ to see a complete list of local vendors and shop local.
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Fire Station 3
Signed the Beam and New Fire Station 3!
My Insights on Fire Station 3:
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Spiritual and Emotional Health Symposium
Thanks to TAHTS for hosting Spiritual and Emotional Health Symposium at BAPS!
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Small Business Listening Tour: | |
This week I continued by Small Business Listening Tour with visits to a few Small Businesses. Send me an email at sr@steverao.com to book a Business Listening visit to your company. | |
GLOBAL AND NATIONAL UPDATES: | |
Biden Extends Student Loan Freeze Despite Lawsuits
The White House has put student loan repayments on hold again, saying that the delay will let courts rule on the Democrats' plan to forgive some debt.
The pause on repayments had been due to expire in December for the first time since the Covid pandemic began.
It is now being extended until 30 June 2023 - the eighth time that the US education department has delayed requiring student loans to be repaid.
President Joe Biden said his student loan forgiveness plan is 100% "legal".
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THE LATEST NEWS AND WEEK AHEAD | |
Russian strikes have knocked out water and power in Ukraine.
• The details: About two-thirds of Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, is without heat and about 50% of homes don’t have electricity, as of early today. Fifteen regions are having water supply problems.
• Why it matters: Temperatures are dipping below freezing in parts of the country, and millions are expected to leave their homes in search of warmth and safety.
China is fighting one of its biggest coronavirus outbreaks of the pandemic.
• What we know: A record 31,656 infections were reported yesterday. Major cities including Beijing and Guangzhou have ordered residents in some areas to stay home.
• Why is this happening? China’s strict “zero covid” strategy means most of its 1.4 billion people have never been exposed to the virus, leaving them with no natural immunity.
Elon Musk said he plans to bring back all banned Twitter accounts.
• When? The reversal would begin next week, according to the platform’s new owner. Users are banned for things like violent threats, harassment, abuse and misinformation.
• Why it matters: This would be “existentially dangerous,” one expert said, and help bring on a “free-for-all hellscape.” But it’s not clear whether Musk has the practical capacity to do this right now.
It’s Black Friday, but today will look different than it used to.
• Why? Stores started having sales much earlier this year. That’s partially because they wanted to avoid last year’s supply chain issues and now have way too much stuff to sell.
• So, what can you expect? Discounts on a wider range of products — but watch out for return fees and high shipping costs. We have a full guide here.
Florida is still struggling to clean up from Hurricane Ian.
• Why? The deadly storm, which hit nearly two months ago, left behind enough debris to fill the Empire State Building 22 times.
• Where will it go? Temporary dump sites, then larger landfills. But it will probably take months, cost billions of dollars and could have environmental impacts.
• The bigger picture: Costly disasters like this one will probably become more common as climate change accelerates.
The U.S. men’s soccer team plays England at the World Cup today.
• What to know: A win against the Group B favorite would be a huge step for the U.S. toward the knockout stage. A tie or loss would probably set up a must-win game against Iran on Tuesday.
• How to watch: The game kicks off at 2 p.m. Eastern time and will be live on Fox Sports and streaming services. Follow our coverage of today’s matches here.
A British Paralympian will become the first astronaut with a disability.
• What to know: The European Space Agency has chosen John McFall, a 41-year-old doctor and medal-winning sprinter, to join its next class of astronauts, it announced this week.
• Why this matters: The ESA hopes this is the first step toward sending a “parastronaut” to space.
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Pardoned Turkeys returning to NC State for a cushy retirement
It always makes for a cute Thanksgiving photo opportunity.
The President is presented with two turkeys for the holiday and then quickly issues a pardon, sparing the birds from the holiday dinner table.
I’ll be honest, I never really thought much about what happens after that. It turns out that quite a lot happens, and this year it will happen in North Carolina.
North Carolina State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) will be the new home for the official National Thanksgiving Turkey and its alternate after President Joe Biden was presented with the National Thanksgiving Turkey at the White House on November 21.
This will be NC State’s first time serving as the home of the National Thanksgiving Turkey.
It’s a long running tradition that goes back 75 years, to 1947. That’s when the Federation presented President Harry Truman and the White House with the first live turkey.
In a sense, you could say the 2022 National Thanksgiving Turkeys will be coming home after the festivities. The birds are North Carolina natives, raised at Circle S Ranch in Monroe by Ronnie Parker. Parker is the chairman of the National Turkey Federation.
Following their visit to the White House, the two turkeys, Chocolate and Chip, will reside in 100-square foot climate-controlled pens at NC State’s Lake Wheeler Road facility, where university poultry specialists and students will care for the birds.
“We’re honored and excited for the opportunity to care for the National Thanksgiving Turkey and his ‘wingman,’” said Peter Ferket, Interim Head of the Prestage Department of Poultry Science in CALS. “We’ve prepared a first-class retirement home for our fine-feathered friends to live out their days in fame and comfort."
NC State is one of only six poultry science departments in the nation.
“NC State is home to some of the world’s top poultry and animal agriculture experts and facilities,” said John Dole, Ph.D., Interim Dean of the CALS. “We deliver excellence in teaching, research and extension to meet the industry’s needs and grow our state. The birds couldn't be in better hands.”
Faculty and students are also working on a bio-secure mobile coop, which will make it possible to transport the turkeys for public viewing and educational outreach at events such as the North Carolina State Fair and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Farm Animal Days.
“The most important part of this whole partnership is the education component,” said Jesse Grimes, the NC State Extension turkey specialist who will help care for the famous birds. “These turkeys will help us educate students and inform the public about modern farming practices, North Carolina agriculture and the importance of the poultry industry.
Agriculture is North Carolina’s top industry, generating more than $90 billion each year. North Carolina ranks 2nd in the nation in turkey production and 1st in total poultry production. The poultry industry accounts for 150,000 jobs across more than 5,000 farms in North Carolina.
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RALEIGH PARADE DID NOT FOLLOW GUIDELINES
After a train slammed into a Texas veterans’ parade in 2012, killing four people and injuring a dozen more, the National Transportation Safety Board urged local governments to overhaul the protections for parade-goers and participants.
Chief among its recommendations: requiring parade organizers to submit a written safety plan that includes, among its essential components, provisions for driver and vehicle screening.
The city of Raleigh, now grappling with its own parade tragedy, didn’t follow that advice.
The City does not set safety guidelines for events of this nature,” spokeswoman Sarah Baker told The News & Observer in response to the newspaper’s request for documents describing the safety standards that applied Saturday’s Christmas parade.
Neither police nor fire officials inspected the vehicles or floats that participated, department spokesmen said.
Police have identified faulty brakes as the “proximate cause of death” for an 11-year-old dancer killed at the parade.
They charged Landen Christopher Glass, a 20-year-old who previously danced with the same troupe, with several misdemeanors and traffic infractions.
Glass, who the warrant says works on car safety systems, towed a float for CC & Co. Dance Complex with a GMC pickup that had several after-market alterations.
He has a lengthy history of driving infractions, including skipped inspections, in his home state of Virginia, The News & Observer previously reported.
The city’s investigation of what went wrong “will include a comprehensive evaluation of the City’s current guidelines and review of State safety recommendations regarding parades and special events,” Julia Milstead, another spokeswoman for the city of Raleigh, said in an emailed statement Wednesday.
Best-practice recommendations
The single page of guidelines that lays out Raleigh’s requirements for event-related emergency plans asks organizers to detail how they will respond to severe weather, medical emergencies, evacuations and any “special hazards.”
It says plans for large-scale events must be “extensive.”
But neither the city’s guidelines nor the template it has posted online ask organizers to address all the elements the NTSB said were must-haves.
The federal agency identified those crucial ingredients as “risk mitigation and contingency planning, with provisions for communication among event participants and other stakeholders; safety briefings for event participants and other stakeholders; driver and vehicle screening; safe float operation; and notification of railroads or other entities with control over possible hazards.”
Raleigh’s guidelines focus on the first item in the list. They are silent on the rest.
Other best practices for local governments go beyond the NTSB’s 2013 recommendations.
Following the federal agency’s call to action, the National Association of Counties, the National League of Cities and the International City/County Management Association together drafted a document listing what they consider “critical elements.”
Its special event guidelines say event organizers must turn in an emergency action plan. But nowhere in the city’s parade permit ordinance, policy, guidelines or plan template is there any mention of screening drivers or vehicles.
They also recommended that written plans provide for vehicle and driver screening and suggested that police had a role to play too.
Law enforcement officers should provide “guidance to determine minimum age and other safety requirements or training for drivers, especially those that are pulling the extra length and load of a large float,” the associations said.
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UNC HOSPITALS ADDING MORE BEDS TO RESPONDSTO RISE IN FLU AND RSV CASES
An influx of flu and Respiratory Syncytial virus, or RSV, cases in children is causing UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill to open up more beds.
A release from UNC Health on Thursday said the main hospital building recently created a “Pediatric Surge Unit” on its sixth floor in order to provide more care space for children suffering from the common respiratory illnesses. Six more beds became available thanks to the unit on Wednesday, with the aim of providing some relief to UNC Children’s Hospital, which is at capacity from flu and RSV cases to young patients.
Across both North Carolina and the United States, the flu and RSV has surged more than normal during the early winter months — especially among children. According to the state Department of Health and Human Services’ latest weekly report, more than 9,000 North Carolinians have returned positive flu tests since October 8, with 23 total flu-related deaths reported as well. One of those deaths was a pediatric patient. Meanwhile, the state department reports more than 800 new RSV cases in North Carolina last week, with more than 1,000 tallied in the first week of November.
Locally, UNC Health reported 430 total flu cases and 185 total RSV cases at the Chapel Hill hospital campus last week.
“The Pediatric ICU in Chapel Hill remains very busy, and is often full,” said Alan Wolf, the director of news for the UNC Health system. “Our UNC Children’s clinical team continues to work tirelessly to make sure kids who need critical care can get it.”
Wolf said this is the first time such an expansion has been necessary for pediatric cases. While the Pediatric Surge Unit opened at six beds this week, UNC Hospitals may add more as necessary. Current projections of this surge in flu and RSV cases lead the hospital to estimate that expansion unit to be on operation around six weeks, according to Wolf.
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Tune in on Friday at 7 pm and Sunday at 4 pm to PBS Carolinas Black Issues Forum for our engaging discussions on trending topics!
Please watch for the Black Issues Forum on UNC-TV! Fridays at 7 pm and Sundays at 4 pm!
Engaging Discussion on PBS Carolinas Black Issues Forum on Affirmative Action, Election Security and other matters.
Link to the Show:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BIOR-ih-Fg
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PBS NC
- Fridays at 7 p.m. (premiere)
- Sundays at 4 p.m.
- Thursdays at 1:30 a.m.
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NC Channel
- Fridays at 8:30 p.m.
- Saturdays at 1:30 a.m.
- Sundays at 6 p.m.
- Mondays at 12 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.
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Sunday at 4 pm for our Radio Nyra Interview |
Join us on Radio Nyra on Sunday at 4 pm for our interview with HSS on Darsana Exhibit. 99.9HD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
Join me every Sunday at 4pm for a new show. 99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
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NC Tech Association AWARDS Nov 29th 6 pm Raleigh Convention Center! | |
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Dec 2 Holiday Tree Lighting 6 pm Indian Creek Trail!. | |
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Radio NYRA
Join me Sunday 4 PM on Radio NYRA for another update on local issues.
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99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM! Listen at www.radionyrausa.com!
99.9FM HD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
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Join us every Friday on World Edition at 10 am for the Great America Project Panel where we discuss how we rebuild Americas' image with leaders from around the country and world.
OFFICIAL International Broadcast Media
Public Open Dialogue TV is a worldwide multilingual, multi-demographic network focused on inspiring, educating and entertaining the global community. We provide unique programming in areas not covered by traditional media, and provide a platform for the audience to engage with those shows. Formerly IBMTV.
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Council Member Rao holds office hours on Friday from 12:00-1:00 PM by appointment only at 100 Town Hall Drive in Morrisville.
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Council Member Steve Rao
Town of Morrisville
Dedicated to transforming Morrisville into an ideal place to work and raise a family!
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