City Connections E-newsletter

July 25, 2011

Applications Available for BetterBuildings Energy Efficient Program

Police Department Moves to Former IRS Building

Community Receives Tree Planting Grant

July Spotlight Shines on Fire Department

This month's Spotlight program, produced by Channel 13, features insight into the Fire Department's training program and facilities and upcoming 9/11 tribute.

Drama Center and Guilford County Schools Present Macbeth

The Drama Center and Guilford County Schools present Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth at 5:30 pm July 28-30, at Barber Park amphitheatre, 1500 Dan's Rd. The production is part of the Summer Arts Institute's Shakespeare in the Park series. Admission is free with donations accepted.

Guilford County teachers and Drama Center staff are coaching the cast, which is made up of local teenagers and adults. For more information, contact the Drama Center at 336-373-2728.

Sportsplex Hosts Zumba Fitness Parties in August

In collaboration with the City, RUSH Fitness Center hosts a series of Zumba fitness parties at the Greensboro Sportsplex, 2400 16th St. The cost is $5 per class for RUSH members and $10 for non-members. Pre-registration is encouraged. Minimum age to participate is 12. Class times are Saturday, August 6, 10-11 am and Wednesday, August 31, 6-7 pm. For more information, call 336-373-3272.

Natonal Night Out is August 2

National Night Out is a unique crime and drug prevention event sponsored by the Greensboro Police Department.

The community event strengthens neighborhood
spirit and policy community partnerships. National Night Out includes a variety of activities such as block parties, cookouts, visits from local police and fire departments, parades, flashlight walks, contests, and youth programs.

Historical Museum Hosts Free 3D Civil War Presentation on August 3

Local author Bob Zeller will narrate a digitized slide presentation of Abraham Lincoln and related Civil War subjects at 7:30 pm August 3 at the Greensboro Historical Museum, 301 Summit Ave. Reservations are required by calling 336-373-2610.

Paddle Days of August

Greensboro Watershed Parks hosts the annual "Paddle Days of August" at Lake Higgins from 8 am to 3 pm Saturday, August 13. This free event features kayak demonstrations, presentations, and displays by local paddling clubs and kayak retailers. A lake clean-up project kicks off at 8 am, followed by demonstrations at 10 am. Beginning at 11 am, presentations are slated every hour on topics such as kayak handling skills, rescue and recovery, and kayak fishing.
Paddle Days is co-sponsored by Parks and Recreation, local paddling clubs, Get Outdoors, and Earth Fare. For more information, call the Lake Higgins Marina at 336-373-3739.

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City Council Action Wrap-Up

City Council agenda includes energy-efficient grant, bids for landfill, and hiring of Interim City Attorney

At its meeting on July 19, Greensboro City Council paved the way for the City to continue moving forward with its BetterBuildings program. Council approved a quality assurance contractor for the $5 million program, which provides grants and incentives to residents throughout the city seeking to make energy-efficiency upgrades to their homes.

In other action, Council voted to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for the operation of the White Street Landfill. The RFP requires bids from companies to use the landfill for the collection of municipal solid waste for the remaining lifespan of the currently permitted phase III. Deadline for bids is August 5.

In addition, Council approved the hiring of Tom Pollard as Interim City Attorney. Pollard is a former City Attorney for the City of Wilmington, NC. He will lead the City's legal staff until a national search to find a new City Attorney is completed.

City Council's next regularly scheduled meeting is Monday, August 1, at 5:30 pm in the Council Chamber of the Melvin Municipal Office Building, 300 W. Washington St.

To view past meetings, visit City Council's video archive page.

Applications Now Available for BetterBuildings Energy-Efficent Program

$5 million grant to help lower enerygy costs

BetterBuildings

Greensboro residents seeking to make energy-efficient upgrades to their homes now have access to a federally funded program available through the City. The BetterBuildings program offers grant assistance and a rebate and incentive package to homeowners who make qualified upgrades that result in at least a 15 percent improvement in their home's energy usage.

The $5 million program allows the City to assist homeowners in making their homes more comfortable and healthy while lowering energy usage and cost. The program qualifies homeowners for a grant that will provide $2,000 worth of energy upgrades designed to lower energy costs by 15 percent. Lower income homeowners can qualify for the grant program, while those with higher incomes can receive a rebate on their energy assessment and other incentives. Duke Energy will also make $425 rebates available to the first 100 homeowners who do not qualify for the grant.

The grant provides for basic upgrades, such as insulation improvements and heating and air duct sealing. All participants in the BetterBuildings program will receive a complimentary introduction package that includes CFL light bulbs, a programmable thermostat, and low-flow shower heads. Homes receiving energy-efficient upgrades will be 'Home Performance with Energy Star' certified. To learn more about the program or download an application, visit the City's website or call 336-373-CITY (2489).

Police Department Moves to Former IRS Building

Greensboro Police Department division moves to improve efficiency

The Greensboro Police Department is moving its central division and headquarters, along with other support functions, to its new location on 320 Federal Pl, site of the former IRS building. The move is expected to make the City's central police division more efficient and effective.

The five-floor building is valued at approximately $20 million and is 100,000 square feet. The City is expected to receive the deed in September.

Kirkwood Community Awarded Tree Planting Grant

City grant beautifies neighborhood

The greater Kirkwood community is the recipient of the City's 2011 NeighborWoods Community Tree Planting Grant. The grant, created by Greensboro Beautiful Inc. and the City, provides up to 150 trees to be planted throughout select neighborhoods each year.

Residents in the Kirkwood neighborhood will work with the NeighborWoods project team members to choose the types of trees that will be planted, identify and train volunteers, and to select a tree planting day. The NeighborWoods program will provide the trees and mulch, and residents and Greensboro Beautiful volunteers will plant, water, and mulch the trees.

The NeighborWoods program was developed in 2003 as part of the City's comprehensive planning process to help replace trees destroyed by ice, wind, and development.

This year's program is sponsored by a $10,000 grant from United Parcel Service. To help further the work of Greensboro Beautiful and the City's Urban Forestry program, individuals are also encouraged to make private donations to Greensboro Beautiful's Tree Fund. Donations are tax-deductible, and will be used to purchase trees for planting throughout Greensboro and for educational materials. To make donations, call Greensboro Beautiful at 336-373-2199 or visit greensborobeautiful.org .