Answer the call of public service. Attend the Women In Emergency Services Recruitment Fair and see how you can serve the community by joining the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Charlotte Fire Department or Mecklenburg Emergency Medical Services Agency (MEDIC). You can learn about becoming a police officer, firefighter or emergency medical technician as well as hear about the numerous support positions available in each department.

Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Police and Fire Training Academy
1770 Shopton Road
Charlotte, NC  28217

For more information call 704-943-6265 or visit http://answerthecall.charmeck.org. 

Despite recent rainfall, our region is still in a record-breaking drought. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities continues to encourage residents to do more this winter to conserve water.

If dry conditions persist, increased water restrictions may be necessary this spring. Each of us can make a difference to help our community conserve water and maintain as much lake storage as possible.

• Install low-flow shower heads to conserve two to five gallons of water per minute.
• Upgrade toilets and use low-flush toilets, which can trim $90 from your annual water costs.
• Take shorter showers. If each Utilities customer shortened their shower by one minute a day, we'd save 2.5 million gallons of water each day.
• Place a bucket in the shower while the water warms to use for houseplants, pets and washing vegetables.
• Flush toilets only when necessary.
• Put food scraps in the trash rather than using the disposal.
• You can conserve water by running full loads of dishes in the dishwasher (vs. hand washing).
• Wash only full loads of clothes.
• Involve your family in coming up with more creative ways to conserve and reward good habits.

For the latest drought information and more water conservation tips, visit http://www.cmutilities.com.

Join neighbors from throughout the city for an enlightening and energizing day of community building at the 13th Annual Neighborhood Symposium. This event provides opportunities for neighborhood leaders and residents to share ideas, network and learn more about local resources available to strengthen Charlotte's communities.

Saturday, March 8
8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Charlotte Convention Center
501 S. College Street
Theme: Neighborhoods in Action: Developing Leaders for Stronger Neighborhoods

Call 704-336-2061 for more information.

Tune in Thursday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. to hear more about local Martin Luther King Jr. Day events, Animal Control's name change and a drought update.