VGCC Announces Four New Classes for Food Truck Entrepreneurs

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College’s Mobile Food Truck Entrepreneurship classes return to the college’s Main Campus in Vance County starting in January with four new seminars on food service.

Sponsored by VGCC’s Small Business Center, students can take all or as many of the classes they choose. Each of the free classes is scheduled in Building 7 on Main Campus on a Monday evening in the months of January through April.

Above: Ray Chow is the founder of Hibachi Xpress and Catering by Ray.

Ray Chow, founder of Hibachi Xpress and Catering by Ray, will again serve as the instructor for the series. A graduate of N.C. State University, Chow started Hibachi Xpress restaurant in Cary and expanded to three locations, as well as managing some of his family’s other restaurants in the Raleigh and Wilmington areas. He has worked in restaurants since he was seven years old.

Seven years ago, Chow expanded his restaurant and catering business with the addition of a food truck to participate in different festivals and large gatherings. The popularity of food trucks has grown, and, in 2014, Hibachi Xpress shifted focus towards catering and the food truck business, moving away from the brick and mortar stores.

Chow is also a co-founder of “foosye,” a startup tech company building innovative technology applications tailored to the food truck industry.

The first in the series — “Let’s Get Cooking:  Food Truck or Restaurant?” — will explore the differences in what it takes to start a food truck or a restaurant and continue operating one successfully. The Jan. 14 seminar is designed for those who want to realize their passion to be a small business owner in the food service industry.

The second seminar — “The 10 Hats of a Food Service Entrepreneur” — is being held on Feb. 11. Just because a person has a passion for cooking doesn’t mean he or she will be successful at owning a food truck or restaurant business, Chow said. This seminar will detail the many roles or “hats” entrepreneurs have to be able to juggle to succeed in business.

Above, the Hibachi Xpress food truck is owned by Ray Chow, who will be the instructor for the four VGCC Mobile Food Truck Entrepreneurship classes in January through April.

The March 11 workshop will be devoted to “Food Service Marketing: Your Customers Can’t Buy From You If They Can’t Find You.” Those exploring the food service industry will have an opportunity to learn various ways to market their food business to improve their chances of success.

On April 8, the topic of “Keeping Your Food Truck Business Running” will take a closer look at the need for flexibility and proper planning. “Imagine putting wheels on a restaurant you built,” said Chow. “There are things that will fall, slip, break down, move or not work when you add in the mobility of a food truck operation. Learn how things will end up on the floor when you arrive at your destination when not properly secured or planned.”

Participants in the program will also be required to sign up as clients of the VGCC Small Business Center, which is free of charge.

The deadline to register for each class is one week prior to the date of the class. For more information and to register, contact the VGCC Small Business Center at (252) 738-3240 or smallbusiness@vgcc.edu.

Waste Industries Christmas & New Year’s Pick Up Schedule

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-Information courtesy Esther J. McCrackin, City Clerk, City of Henderson

Waste Industries will be closed Tuesday, December 25, 2018, in observance of Christmas and Tuesday, January 1, 2019, in observance of New Year’s Day. For the time period of December 25-28, 2018, and January 1-4, 2019, regularly-scheduled pick up will be delayed by one day.

For additional information on the holiday schedule for the Vance Granville branch,  please visit the Waste Industries website by clicking here.

Granville County Public Schools

Granville Board to Hold Special Meeting on School Closure/Consolidations

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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

NOTICE TO PUBLIC AND PRESS

The Granville County Public School’s Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Thursday, December 20, 2018, at 5:30 p.m., at the Central Service Building, 101 Delacroix Street, Oxford, NC.

The purpose of the meeting is for the Board to deliberate and discuss the information gathered through study and public hearings on the school district budget shortfall and possible closure of Joe Toler – Oak Hill Elementary School and the consolidation of Mary Potter Middle School and Northern Granville Middle School.

GCPS to Encourage Winter Reading with ‘Books for Break’ Initiative

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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

Granville County Public Schools is celebrating reading and readers during this winter break with Books for Break, a literacy initiative of GCPS. GCPS is committed to growing strong readers and, therefore, allocated funds to purchase a book for every student in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 3rd grade.

Students will receive a book on the last day before break (Monday, December 17 for students on the year-round calendar, and Thursday, December 20 for students on the traditional calendar) to keep and enjoy at home. At GCPS, we want our students to continue to read and practice the reading skills and strategies they are learning in class. Providing our youngest readers a book is one small way to encourage them to continue reading during winter break.

WHO: Students in Pre-K through 3rd grade

WHAT: Books for Break, a literacy initiative of Granville County Public Schools

WHEN: Monday, December 17 (year round)

              Thursday, December 20 (traditional)

WHERE: All Granville County elementary schools

WHY: To encourage students to continue reading during winter break

National Weather Service

Elevated Flood Risk for All of Central NC Through Early Next Week

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-Information courtesy Brian K. Short, Director of Emergency Operations, Henderson-Vance County Emergency Operations and Ready NC

Flash flooding and river flooding are expected for all of central North Carolina through early next week.

Periods of heavy rain are expected during this time. Flash flooding will be possible, especially in urban areas and the usual poor drainage areas.

River flooding is possible on many of the main stem rivers. Melting snow may aggravate the situation and increase the risk of flash flooding and subsequent river flooding.

Storm total rainfall amounts of 1.5” to 2.5” are expected, with locally higher amounts possible Friday through Saturday. The heaviest rain is expected Friday evening through Saturday morning.

Overall, minor flooding is expected on most main stem rivers, with the potential for the greatest rises along portions of the Neuse and the Cape Fear Rivers.

Granville County Public Schools

Public Hearing on Possible Middle School Consolidation Slated for Dec. 18

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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

NOTICE TO PUBLIC AND PRESS

The Board will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, December 18, 2018, at 5:30 p.m., at Mary Potter Middle School. The purpose of the meeting is for the Board to address calendar adjustments due to recent inclement weather, review highlights of the study of potential consolidation of Mary Potter Middle School and Northern Granville Middle School, and address Board member questions regarding the potential consolidation.

The Board will also meet in a Closed Session for Attorney-Client Privilege in accordance with N.C. General Statute 143.318.11 (a)(6), 143-318.11 (a)(3), 143.318.11 (a)(5) and Section 115C-321 on this evening.

At 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 18, 2018, at Mary Potter Middle School, the Board will hold a public hearing on the possible consolidation of Mary Potter Middle School and Northern Granville Middle School. Members of the public wishing to speak on this topic may sign up beginning at 6:30 p.m. Each speaker who has signed up prior to 7 p.m. will be given the opportunity to address the Board on this topic for up to four minutes.

Dywanda Pettaway

Clerk to Board of Education

Granville County Chamber of Commerce

Nominations Requested for Granville’s 2019 John Penn Citizen Award

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— Information courtesy Granville County Chamber of Commerce | Ginnie Currin, Executive Director ~ 919-693-6125 ~ ginnie@granville-chamber.com

The Granville County Chamber of Commerce’s Recognition Committee announces that the committee is accepting nominations for the 2019 John Penn Citizen of the Year Award.  This prestigious award, named for Granville County’s signer of the Declaration of Independence, is presented at the Chamber’s Annual Membership Banquet.  The 2019 event will be held Monday, January 28, 2019, in the Civic Center at Vance-Granville Community College.

Nomination forms may be obtained at a Chamber office or may be downloaded from the Chamber’s website, www.granville-chamber.com.

This award was designed to recognize a person(s) for outstanding service to the community. Past recipients include Dr. Joseph Colson, Mrs. Robinette Husketh, Hubert Gooch, Rev. G. C. Hawley, Mrs. Gladys Satterwhite, Hugh Currin, Sr., Rev. Harrison Simons, Tom Speed, John Mackie, Dr. Roy Noblin, Dr. David Noel, John K. Nelms, J. J. Medford, Mrs. Mildred A. Jenkins, Tom Johnson, Mrs. Virginia Tuck, L. Clement Yancey, Mrs. Nancy W. Darden, Leonard M. Dunn, Mrs. Carlene Fletcher, Hubert L. Cox, Leonard Peace, Sr., Marshall Tanner, Harold Sherman, Boyce Harvey, Paul Kiesow, Ms. Johnsie Cunningham, Stan Fox, Doan and Bette Laursen, Dr. John B. Hardy, Jr., L. C. Adcock, Jim Crawford, Xavier Wortham, Dr. Richard and Julia Ann Taylor, Gary Bowman, James “Lump” and Mary Ann Lumpkins and Laura Gable.

Nominations are due Wednesday, January 2, 2019. 

Formal invitations will be mailed to Chamber members.  Persons interested in attending may contact one of the Chamber’s offices – wanda@granville-chamber.com, 919.693.6125; tawheeler@granaville-chamber.com, 919.528.4994.

There’s Still Time to See a Christmas Parade! Stem’s Annual Event to be Held Dec. 15

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-Information courtesy Stem Christmas Parade & Festival Facebook page

There is still an opportunity to see a local Christmas parade this holiday season! Stem’s annual Christmas parade starts promptly at 12 p.m. on Saturday, December 15, 2018.

Line up will begin at 11 a.m. on School Street.

This year, the parade route will begin on School Street, cross over Old 75 and proceed down W. Talley Ho Road becoming E. Talley Ho Road and ending at Hopkins Street.

Come out and enjoy the festivities!

Duke Energy

Duke Energy Down to Fewer Than 30 Outages in Aftermath of Winter Storm Diego

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-Information courtesy Tanya Evans, District Manager, Duke Energy

The sun is shining (finally!) in NC, and that means this should be a great day for MELTING SNOW and ICE! We are wrapping up the few remaining outages in our region. At this time, we are down to fewer than 30 outages affecting 250 customers across my 10-county district.

Estimated restoration times for the remaining customers have been posted to our website.

We deeply appreciate the patience our customers have shown, and we’re doing all we can to restore every customer as fast as possible. Unless conditions change dramatically, this will be my final update regarding Winter Storm Diego.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy Outage & Safety Info

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From Duke Energy Progress

Safety reminders

· If you plan to use a generator due to a power outage, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure safe and proper operation. Operate your generator outside. Never operate it inside a building or garage.

· Don’t use grills or other outdoor appliances or equipment indoors for space heating or cooking, as these devices may omit carbon monoxide.

· Check and restock your emergency kits with flashlights, batteries, bottled water, non-perishable foods, medicines, etc. Also, ensure a portable, battery-operated radio, TV or NOAA radio is on hand.

· Stay away from power lines that have fallen or are sagging. Consider all lines energized as well as trees or limbs in contact with lines. Please report downed power lines to Duke Energy.

· If a power line falls across a car that you’re in, stay in the car. If you MUST get out of the car due to a fire or other immediate life-threatening situation, do your best to jump clear of the car and land on both feet. Be sure that no part of your body is touching the car when your feet touch the ground.

· If you are driving and encounter emergency responders or other roadside work crews, remember to MOVE OVER, it’s the law in North Carolina and South Carolina, and a good practice for all drivers.

· Don’t use outdoor appliances or equipment indoors for space heating or cooking, as these devices may omit carbon monoxide. The following are symptoms of CO poisoning:

· Flu-like symptoms

· Headache

· Drowsiness

· Ringing sensation in the ears

· Nausea

· Blurred vision

· Chest pains

· Light-headedness or dizziness

· If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, open doors and windows, leave your home / business and consult a physician.

Reporting outages

Customers who experience an outage during the storm have multiple ways on how to report it:

· Text OUT to 57801 (standard text and data charges may apply)

· Call the automated outage-reporting system at 800.POWERON for Duke Energy Carolinas customers and 800-419-6356 for Duke Energy Progress customers.

· Report an outage or view current outages online at www.dukeenergyupdates.com

· Duke Energy also will provide updates on its social media channels to keep customers informed if significant outages occur:

· Duke Energy on Twitter: www.twitter.com/DukeEnergy

· Duke Energy on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DukeEnergy

Stay inside, safe and warm.