Due to inclement weather, and to ensure collection of essential garbage services, all yard waste, recyclables and bulky item collection for the week will be suspended. Solid Waste Services collection will continue to operate on a one-day delay for the entire week, according to its normal holiday schedule, with Friday customers receiving service on Saturday, January 24.

To honor the Carolina Panthers for a great season, Animal Care & Control is hosting a cat-only adoption gala Saturday, January 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Shoppes at University Place located at 9001-1 J.M. Keynes Drive (on the corner of W.T. Harris Boulevard and North Tryon Streets).

The Neighborhood Matching Grants program awards funds up to $25,000 to eligible neighborhood organizations to help support projects that improve neighborhoods. Project categories are: neighborhood improvement; crime and public safety; organizational development; and educational, recreational and cultural initiatives.

The next Neighborhood Matching Grants program application deadline is Monday, March 16. Interested organizations must send a representative to one of the pre-application workshops listed below.

Thursday, January 29
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Freedom Regional Library,
1230 Allegany Street

Wednesday, February 4
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Sugar Creek Library,
4045 N. Tryon Street

For more information on the Neighborhood Matching Grants program, call 704-336-2061 or visit http://neighborhoods.charmeck.org.

Eligible organizations include neighborhood associations, business associations and neighborhood-based community development corporations that have been organized for at least six months and are in neighborhood statistical areas with median household income not exceeding $64,219.

The transition to digital television may mean you're getting a new TV. If so, what should you do with your old TV? Getting rid of it is simple and you have several options:

• Call 311 to schedule a bulky item collection. When you call, be sure to tell the operator you have a TV to be collected. The operator will provide you with a collection date. Place the TV at the curb no earlier than 24 hours prior to the scheduled collection—placing the television at the curb any earlier could result in a minimum $50 fine.
• Schedule a collection online at http://curbit.charmeck.org. Click the schedule bulky items online link from the homepage and follow the scheduling directions on the site.

You may also drop your TV off at one of the full-service recycling facilities or donate it to Goodwill or the Salvation Army. To find the center closest to you, visit www.wipeoutwaste.com.

For more information about the digital transition, visit www.dtv.gov. Learn more about how to dispose of your TV in an environmentally-friendly way at http://curbit.charmeck.org.

Professional storytellers from the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County will read to large groups of children in the Eastland Mall food court (5471 Central Ave.) on Saturday, February 7 from 1 to 3 p.m. The Stories from Around the World event is part of the Big Read literacy initiative sponsored by the City of Charlotte's Weed & Seed Program, PLCMC and through the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture.

Parents will have the opportunity to visit exhibit tables and learn about the importance of literacy, library services, and various City and County programs.

For more information about Stories from Around the World or the Weed & Seed program, call 704-336-8404.

Burst pipes can quickly lead to property damage, significant water loss and subsequent high bills. Save money this winter, take the time to protect your plumbing using these cold weather tips from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities:

• At night, open cabinet doors below sinks to allow warmer room air to circulate around plumbing.
• Insulate pipes in unheated parts of your home. Save on energy costs by insulating your hot water heater.
• Turn off automatic lawn sprinkler systems!

For the entire list of Cold Weather Plumbing Tips, click the link at www.cmutilities.com.

The Government Channel brings you the latest City Source episode on Thursday, February 5 at 7 p.m. where you'll learn about renovations taking place at Hall House and how the City is helping provide housing to the homeless. This episode also features Council Member Anthony Foxx, Charlotte's historic Hermitage Court neighborhood and CATS service changes that go into effect in March.

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