The 14th Annual Neighborhood Symposium will be held Saturday, May 16 at the Charlotte Convention Center. Charlotte's Neighborhood Symposium is a forum designed to bring together residents and other leaders who share a goal of building a better community. The event features workshops, speakers, exhibits and other activities that provide participants opportunities to learn about services and resources, as well as share ideas for improving and maintaining neighborhoods.

Saturday, May 16
7:45 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Charlotte Convention Center,
501 S. College Street

This year's focus is on the City of Charlotte Neighborhood Policy, which covers nine key objectives for improving and sustaining neighborhoods, including safety, accessible transportation, economic development and nuisance-free environment. Participants will learn about neighborhood policy and related implementation strategies through various workshops and a community forum. A parallel track for youth will focus on civic involvement and other topics.

Attendance is free; however, pre-registration is required. To register, call 704-336-2061 or visit http://neighborhoods.charmeck.org. Don't delay – registration deadline is Friday, May 8.

Come out Friday, May 8 to the 12th Annual Twilight 5K Road Race & Walk to benefit the Right Moves for Youth club. The club provides local students the encouragement, support and resources necessary to be successful students while fostering a sense of belonging and peer support.

The course runs through uptown Charlotte, and is one of the only evening races in town. Individuals, teams and families are invited to participate. The race begins at 7 p.m. followed by a Free Fun Run for children beginning at 8 p.m.

Friday, May 8
7 p.m.
Wachovia Atrium,
301 S. Tryon Street 

For more information and to register online, visit www.active.com or www.rightmovesforyouth.org.

Whether you are pedaling to better health, to save money, for cleaner air, to lose weight or to have fun – the "Wheels of Opportunity" are spinning during the ninth annual BIKE! Charlotte event.

The Charlotte Department of Transportation, CATS and Charlotte Sports Cycling are coming together to host one of the healthiest events in town. The events for 2009 BIKE! Charlotte start Friday, May 1 and run through Sunday, May 11. The event agenda includes bicycle-related activities and promotions to encourage families, friends and colleagues to break out the bike and integrate cycling into their daily routines.

The 10-day event begins early at the Dowd YMCA with the Tarheel Cyclists 50K bike ride at 5 a.m., and kicks into high gear with the Mayor's Ride/Bike to Breakfast in Uptown Charlotte at 7:30 a.m. For more detailed information on the week of events visit the BIKE! Charlotte web site.

Register today for Community University. CU 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 necessary to help improve and maintain their communities.

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

Wednesday, May 6 – Gang Awareness
Monday, May 11 – Good Neighbor Program
 
All workshops are free and open to Charlotte residents.  To register, visit neighborhoods.charmeck.org and click on the CU icon 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 neighborhoods.charmeck.org. Please note that a minimum of ten participants is needed for a customized training.

Law enforcement agencies throughout the nation, including the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) will participate in a number of planned events to honor police officers who have been killed in the line of duty. You are invited to attend the Fraternal Organization of Police Auxiliary's candlelight service and the Mecklenburg County Peace Officers Memorial Service to honor the 33 fallen officers from Mecklenburg County law enforcement agencies.

Friday, May 8
8:30 p.m.
Fraternal Organization of Police Auxiliary Candlelight Service
Sharon Memorial Park,
5716 Monroe Road 

Tuesday, May 12
12:00 p.m.
Mecklenburg County Peace Officers Memorial Service
CMPD Headquarters,
601 E. Trade Street

The Government Channel brings you the latest City Source episode on Thursday, May 7 at 7 p.m. The week's episode highlights the Youth Job Connection, a partnership between Goodwill Industries of Southern Piedmont and Charlotte City government. The program provides financial education, customer service and job readiness training to local youth preparing for their first job interviews. You'll also learn about the economic impact of the CIAA basketball tournament and features an interview with Councilmember Susan Burgess.

For your convenience, you can view episodes of City Source online at www.charmeck.org by clicking on The Government Channel logo.