Matthews-Mint Hill - Carolina Weekly Newspapers

CommunityKara Lopp/MMHW photoNews Briefs(continued from page 11)Problem propertygets quick fixOne of the Matthews propertiesnamed last week during town commissioners’discussion about tackling highgrass and other nuisance violations hasbeen fixed.Grass and weeds in the front of theformer Colchester Place Garden &Nursery, 10812 Monroe Road, were cutthis week by property owners after townofficials received complaints on theproperty and the lot for sale next door,Planning Director Kathi Ingrish said.Matthews Commissioner Jeff Milleralso requested the Colchester propertybe addressed.Commissioners are mulling overwhether to fill the vacant position ofcode enforcement officer left vacantwhen Henry Snyder retired last month.The town’s tight budget meant keepingthe position unfilled.Planning Department employees arein charge of handling nuisance complaintsnow.Mayor Jim Taylor says hiring a fulltimeemployee needs serious consideration.Commissioners also may consideraltering the nuisance complaint processto ensure a faster clean-up time.Got a complaint? Report suspectedMatthews code enforcement violationsby calling 704-847-4411, ext. 234 ore-mail planning@matthewsplanning.org. qCMS buses prepfor studentsMore than 1,096 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools buses were on theroads this week, giving drivers a chanceto practice their routes before studentsfill the seats Aug. 25.New this year are CMS shuttle stopsfor full magnet middle and high schools,a press release from CMS said. Parentswill be responsible for getting studentsto and from the shuttle stops at designatedCMS schools. CMS will pick upand drop off students at the assignedshuttle stop, a change that is expectedto save CMS more than $3.5 million,the release said.Parents should check the locationof their child’s bus stop before schoolstarts. To make bus riding a breeze,CMS encourages parents to:• Walk to and from your child’s busstop to become familiar with its location.• Ensure that your child arrives attheir stop 10 to 15 minutes before thebus is scheduled to arrive.• Tell children to cross the street infront of the school bus after the stoparm and hazard lights come on.• Remind children to tell the busdriver if something is dropped near thebus.• Remind children to tell a schooladministrator or police officer aboutany disruptive behavior or suspiciousactivity at bus stops.Parents with questions about transportationor a bus stop should call thetransportation office at 980-343-6715.For other Back-to-School information,visit the CMS Web site at www.cms.k12.nc.us.qChildren’s hospitalgets welcomedonationThe Levine Children’s Hospital nowhas another $50,000 to use towardstudying pediatric cancers.The donation was made by HyundaiMotor America as part of the company’sHyundai Hope on Wheels tour.Dr. Javier Oesterheld, director of theDevelopmental Therapeutics Programat Levine Children’s Hospital, will usethe funds to conduct clinical trials onthe safety and effect of new chemotherapeuticagents in pediatric cancers.“The long-term goal of our programis to become the preeminent pediatriccancer center in the southeasternUnited States for children who needaccess to cutting-edge medications,”Oesterheld said. qFoundation hopesto top fundraisinggoal MondayThe Lupus Foundation of America,Piedmont Chapter, hopes to putt itselfover the $300,000 fundraising totalMonday, Aug. 23 at south Charlotte’sCedarwood Country Club.The group has raised $280,000 inthe past 10 years, and expects to toptheir goal with the 10th annual Linksfor Lupus tournament. More than1.5 million Americans have a form oflupus, according to the foundation.For more on the tournament andfoundation, visit www.lupuslinks.org.The Lupus Foundation of America,Piedmont Chapter, is located at 4530Park Road in south Charlotte. qAN INVITATION TO FAMILIESOF WARTIME VETERANS & SURVIVING SPOUSESA Second Invitation!TO FAMILIES OF WARTIMEVETERANS & SURVIVING SPOUSESSATURDAYSEPTEMBER 18, 201011:00 A.M.Wartime Veteransmay qualify for up to$1,644 monthlyand Surviving Spousesmay receive up to$1,056.WILLOW GROVE10043 IDLEWILD RD.MATTHEWS, NC 28105PRESENTED BY A PROFESSIONAL MEMBER OF THE©AAWV2010Page 18 • Aug. 20-26, 2010 • Matthews-Mint Hill WeeklyDonD nnasnnn onaoScS hochlhooooolMiss Donna’s Schoolof DancingTap • Ballet • Jazz • Hip HopClasses Start ~ August 16th • Ages 2 to TeenServing Charlotte Since 1956BeginnersAges 2, 3 & 4FREE Aug. & Sept.Twins pay for 1,get 1 FREE!Matthews ~ 704-847-33221707 Sardis Road N, Matthews, NCwww.MissDonnasSchoolofDancing.comBoys 1/2 Price3 SIBLINGS payfor 2 get 1 FREEwww.matthewsminthillweekly.com