WIZS Radio Local News Audio 02-08-24 Noon
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Amid the sports leagues, yoga classes, chess clubs and bingo that the Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department offers throughout the year, there are a couple of events aimed directly at youth in middle and high school that are coming up, and Youth Services Outreach Specialist Lauren Jones said they’re both going to be a lot of fun.
There’s always something going on that is offered through the rec and parks department, Jones said, but teams are forming now for a Teen Trivia competition, scheduled for 12 noon on Saturday, Feb. 17.
Five-member teams will square off to answer questions about R&B and hiphop music from 2023, she told WIZS co-host Bill Harris on Wednesday’s TownTalk.
Middle school teams will compete against each other and high school teams will do the same.
“We hope to have at least six teams – three per age group,” Jones said, “but we’ll make it work with however many we get.” The trivia competition will take place at the Youth Services Building, which is housed in the former Eaton Johnson gym.
Winners will get to choose gift cards as prizes, she said.
The rec and parks department has hosted a similar trivia event before, but there’s a new event planned for April 6 that Jones said she hopes will fill a void in the social lives of middle- and high school-aged students.
It’s called the Spring Break Bash and the theme is a Hawaiian luau. The middle school luau will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and the luau for high schoolers is from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
To be admitted, each student must present his or her third quarter report card.
“We’re not worried about the grades,” Jones said, adding that the report card simply verifies that the person is enrolled in school. And it’s not just for Vance County students, she added. Anyone can attend, so long as they present their report card.
Rec and parks program planners had noticed a lack of school-sponsored parties and social gatherings (prom and athletic events notwithstanding), and Jones said this is one outlet for young people to come together in a safe environment to socialize.
Visit https://henderson.nc.gov/departments/recreation_and_parks/index.php for details on all the programs and events the HVRPD offers.
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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.
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Midnight Blue Martial Arts takes center stage in the Business Spotlight on Tuesday’s TownTalk and owner Kimberly Harris invites the community to join her at the karate studio on Saturday afternoon for a Valentine’s Sip and Shop event.
This is the second year for the event, Harris said, which will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the studio, located at 101 N. Garnett St.
Midnight Blue, celebrating 25 years of providing classes in the area, has been in its downtown location since 2008, she said.
The karate studio will be filled with more than 25 vendors from across the area, featuring handcrafted items from jewelry to personalized Valentine’s Day cards for that special someone in your life.
During the pandemic, Harris said she turned to sewing to help keep her busy since she couldn’t get back into the studio to teach.
That pastime turned into something bigger and she took her new business on the road to some vendor fairs. She decided to host her own last year, and this year’s event features some return vendors, as well as new vendors who wanted to get in on the fun.
Bun on the Run will be parked out front and Sadie’s is bringing delicious hot chocolate.
Folks familiar with the karate studio will know that there’s a Black Belt Wall featuring each student who has achieved that level of proficiency.
“We take a picture (of them) in front of the American flag,” Harris said, which serves to motivate students to keep working hard toward their goal.
The students range in age from 2 to 68, but everyone learns a key element through the classes they take: being respectful.
Call 252.767.8398 to learn more about Midnight Blue Martial Arts Academy, LLC or visit https://hendersonkarate.com/
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Hannah Shaw loves kittens.
She’s written numerous books – about kittens – and fosters the fuzzy little furballs whenever she can.
So it’s not surprising that the online influencer calls herself “The Kitten Lady,” and helps to educate the kitten-loving public at https://www.kittenlady.org/
Shaw spoke by telephone from her home in California Tuesday with WIZS co-host Bill Harris in observance of February as National Cat Health Month.
“Any time anything seems a little bit off with our pets, going to the vet is a great idea,” she said, noting that cats’ generally stoic nature may serve to mask a medical issue.
Plus, any cat owner will tell you they’re notorious for hiding when they don’t feel their best.
About 15 years ago, Shaw lived in the Triangle area and first became involved in animal rescue.
The author of the book “Tiny But Mighty” said she started helping shelters in the area with the kittens.
“Things have improved since that time,” she said, but she added that there’s still much work to be done to reduce the unwanted kitten population.
The most obvious way to reduce the unwanted pet population is for owners to spay or neuter their pets.
But, Shaw said, more than three-quarters of all kittens born are born on the streets – that is, nobody owns them.
A whopping 3 million cats find their way to shelters each year, which can put a strain on resources to provide. Many will be euthanized; others will be adopted or go to foster homes.
But during their time in the shelter, they need food, medical care and kitty litter.
Lots of kitty litter.
One litter manufacturer, Cat’s Pride, has a program called “Litter for Good” that donates cat litter to shelters. According to its website, https://catspride.com/litterforgood/, they’ve donated more than 37 million pounds of litter on their way to a goal of 50 million.
Shaw said she’s witnessed pallets of litter being delivered to shelters. “It frees up so much of the budget” for other needs,” she said.
Learn more about Shaw at her website
https://www.kittenlady.org/about.
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Perry Memorial Library is offering up some special treats during February, from classic movies in the history room to chocolate fondue and meeting Henderson’s mayor, Melissa Elliott.
During Black History Month, patrons can enjoy watching a curated movie list, said Melody Peters, youth services director.
As part of African American and the Arts programs, the library will show movies on Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Peters said on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!
“It’s a great opportunity to get folks into the building,” she said, and to let the community know “we’re more than books.”
Young people will get a chance to meet Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott at the Kids Connect session on Feb. 27 at 4 p.m.
Elliott, the city’s first Black and first female mayor, will share a story with the group and then take questions from her young audience. Peters said she always has been interested in ways to get children interested in local government, and Elliott’s visit is a good start.
Next Tuesday, Feb. 13, the monthly Life Hack program kicks off at 4 p.m. and combines creating a found object art project with chocolate fondue. Some folks may ask why? Peters turns it around and says: “Why not?”
Discover the complete listing of events, activities and programs the library offers at https://www.perrylibrary.org/
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