Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

VGCC offers Business Accelerator course for entrepreneurs

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The Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center is offering a new six-part course, “From Idea to Open: The Business Accelerator,” on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., starting Sept. 9, in Building 7 on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County.

The instructor for the course will be Chisa Pennix-Brown, CEO of Lady Bizness, based in Greensboro. Pennix-Brown has over 15 years of experience in business coaching, community outreach, and social media insight. She holds a master’s of business administration (MBA) degree and has served as president of the Piedmont Triad Chapter of the National Black MBA Association. She helps to reassess strategic priorities and develop a clear plan of action contributes to leadership effectiveness and improved performance for executives and CEOs of businesses.

“Opening a business takes a lot of energy and planning,” Pennix-Brown said. “For those that have a great idea and want to turn it into a business to make money with immediate results, they need a program that is geared to go from ‘Idea to Open’ in a short amount of time.” Pennix-Brown said that the Business Accelerator is a specially-designed, “boot camp-style” course for serious entrepreneurs.

Upon completion of the course, attendees will receive a Business Accelerator Certification and “can expect to have a completed strategic, financial, marketing, and business plan,” she added. “This program is unique as attendees will have one-on-one access with professionals in the legal, accounting, insurance, financial, graphic design, and marketing industries to complete their business vision.”

Classes are scheduled for Sept. 9, Sept. 16, Oct. 14, Oct. 21, Nov. 4 and Nov. 18.

The cost of the course is $70.

Registration can be completed online at www.vgcc.edu/schedules/small-business-center. The deadline to register is Aug. 29.

For more information, contact Tanya Weary at smallbusiness@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3240.

–VGCC–

Water Main Break on Raleigh Road near First Street

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There is a 12” water main break on Raleigh Road near First Street.  Customers along this area and streets off of Raleigh Road may experience little to no water pressure.  Crews are working to make the repair; however, until the broken water main is fully exposed there is not enough information available to determine the time frame in which the water will be turned back on.  As soon as this information is available we will update this announcement.

VGCC Practical Nursing graduates receive pins

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Vance-Granville Community College honored 16 students who have completed its one-year Practical Nursing program during a pinning ceremony on Aug. 2 in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus. Upon receiving diplomas, graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the national exam for licensed practical nurses (NCLEX-PN).

Among the graduates recognized at the ceremony were Victoria Adesina, Christine Atieno and Kristen Clay, all of Durham; Melissa Liming of Franklinton; Christina Basnight, Frank McGhee, Jr., Antonea Nowell and Katlyn Waddell, all of Henderson; Amy Bass of Louisburg; Frances Beddingfield of Oxford; Veronicah Nyakego of Raleigh; Mariana Ascencio and James Simpson, both of Roxboro; Rashida Washington of Stem; Rachael Basham and Gabrielle Hernandez, both of Wake Forest.

In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Levy Brown, the college’s interim vice president of academic affairs, congratulated the students on completing the rigorous program, which included precepting rotations at local health-care facilities. “With their completion of the Practical Nursing program, we are excited to watch these graduates go out into the world as Vanguard nurses,” Brown said. “Having come this far, many members of this class plan to continue their education in our LPN to ADN Transition program, for licensure as an RN, and then continue for a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. Several would like to obtain a Master’s degree in order to work as Nurse Practitioners.”

VGCC Nursing Department Chair Erica Jastrow added her congratulations to the graduates on their success. “With success comes great responsibility,” she said. “These students will have the responsibility of preparing for a challenging licensing exam, and then keeping their patients safe, caring for them as if they were their own family members, and working with their team members to create a positive work environment. I am confident that they will accept these responsibilities and will excel in them.” She thanked students for their dedication and their family members and friends for supporting the graduates.

Antonea Nowell, the class president, made remarks on behalf of her fellow students. “To our faculty, we extend a special ‘thank you’ and a debt of gratitude for helping us reach our goals to become nurses,” Nowell said. “I want to congratulate my classmates. I feel honored to have been able to grow with you. We pushed through, encouraging and inspiring one another along the way. Some of us had to work full-time jobs, raise our children and travel over an hour to class, but we overcame every obstacle to make it to this moment that marks the beginning of our future.”

Kathy Bray, a longtime VGCC clinical nursing instructor and registered nurse, served as the guest speaker. She told the graduates that the mission of the nurse has three important qualities: caring, advocacy and empathy. “Caring begins with caring for yourself,” Bray advised. “If you’re not taking care of yourself, physically, emotionally and spiritually, chances are you will not be able to give optimal care to others.… Don’t forget the little things. That’s what patients and families and remember. Always greet your patient with a smile.”

Of the second component, advocacy, Bray said: “You may be called upon to provide emotional support. Outside of their families, you may be the most trusted person in the eyes of the patient.” Finally, she said that “empathy is the ability to understand another’s experience, to communicate and confirm that understanding to the patient, and then act in a helpful manner. Empathy begins when a nurse takes his or her profession seriously. The empathetic nurse views nursing not as a job or a task, but as a service to others.”

The ceremonies concluded with the graduates receiving their distinctive pins, roses and lamps. Finally, instructor Crystal Senter led the group in reciting the “Florence Nightingale Pledge” by candlelight.

–VGCC–

 

Significant Closures Coming to I-85

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RALEIGH – As work to improve I-85 accelerates, several closures and detours are coming over the next week to Vance and Warren counties.

On Tuesday Night, August 8, between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM, Southbound I-85 will be closed north of Oine Road.  Traffic will be detoured by law enforcement to Wise Road (Exit 233), then south along U.S. 1/158 and back on to I-85.

I-85 Southbound will be closed on Wednesday August 9 near mile marker 215 from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM.  Law enforcement will be on hand to detour motorists along Flemingtown Road and U.S. 1/158.

On Thursday, August 10, there will be a closure of I-85 Southbound near Manson Road (mile marker 233) from 9:00 PM until 6:00 AM Friday.  A detour by law enforcement will guide motorists west along Ridgeway-Drewry Road, then turning left on to Manson-Drewry Road and following that back to I-85.

From 5:30 PM Thursday, August 10 to 6:00 AM Friday, August 11, crews will install girders for the I-85 Southbound bridge at Flemingtown Road.  Flemingtown Road will be closed and a signed detour will be in place taking Northbound I-85 motorists along U.S. 1/158, Lee Avenue/Jacksontown Road, and Jackson-Royce Road to get to Flemingtown.  Those trying to get to I-85 Northbound from Flemingtown Road should follow the reverse of that route.

Finally, Starting Monday, August 14 both the on and off ramps for I-85 Southbound at Wise Road will be closed for 60 days.  Southbound I-85 motorists wishing to get to Wise Road will proceed to Ridgeway-Drewry Road (Exit 226), exit and get back on I-85 Northbound, then take Northbound off ramp at Wise Road (Exit 233).  Those wishing to get on to I-85 Southbound from Wise Road will be detoured to Rooker Dairy Road heading south to Oine Road, then to US1/158 and right onto Ridgeway-Drewry Road to get back onto I-85 southbound.  Drivers will be able to utilize the Oine Road ramps once they reopen in September.

These temporary closures are part of a five-year project to repair the deteriorating I-85 road surface, and repair and replace bridges to create safer conditions for travelers.  All closures are weather dependent and subject to change.  Motorists are still advised to use I-95, I-40, and U.S. 64 instead of I-85 when traveling between the Triangle and Richmond.  For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on Twitter.

Computer-aided design course offered at VGCC

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Vance-Granville Community College has scheduled a “CAD with Solid Edge” course, to be held Monday through Thursday, Aug. 29 through Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. until noon, on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County. Grant funding from the NC TechHire program can help eligible area residents pay for this training.

Solid Edge is a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software program, produced by Siemens PLM Software, which is used in a variety of industries, including advanced manufacturing.

This course introduces students to basic three-dimensional solid modeling and design software. Topics include basic design, creation, editing, rendering and analysis of solid models, and creation of multi-view drawings. Upon completion, students should be able to use design techniques to create, edit, render and generate a multi-view drawing.

Solid Edge is a portfolio of affordable, easy-to-use software tools that address all aspects of the product development process – 3D design, simulation, manufacturing, data management and more, thanks to a growing ecosystem of apps. Solid Edge combines the speed and simplicity of direct modeling with the flexibility and control of parametric design – made possible with synchronous technology. With Solid Edge, students can learn to create and print 2D drawings from 3D solid models and send solid models to a 3D printer.

The instructor for the course is Peter M. Robinson.

Students may become certified through Siemens upon passing the credentialing exam.

The cost of this course is $187 plus the cost of the textbook and the exam.

The course is approved for funding through the NC TechHire grant that VGCC received last year as part of a consortium of four community colleges. Area residents between the ages of 17-29 may qualify for grant funding, which can pay for registration fees, course fees, and certification fees.

Registration can be completed online at www.vgcc.edu/schedules/occupational-extension-schedule. The deadline to register is Aug. 22.

For more information, contact Sara Lloyd at 252-738-3433 or lloyds@vgcc.edu.

–VGCC–

Microsoft Office training courses scheduled at VGCC

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Microsoft Office software training courses are set to be offered soon at Vance-Granville Community College, and grant funding from the NC TechHire program can help eligible area residents pay for them. These courses are offered in a “hybrid” format, with some coursework online and some on VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County.

The “Microsoft Office Specialist I” course is scheduled to start Aug. 24 and continue through Nov. 2. The on-campus meetings are set for Thursdays from 5:30-8:30 p.m. This course introduces students to word processing (Microsoft Word) and presentation (Microsoft PowerPoint) computer applications. The deadline to register is Aug. 18. The cost of the course is $187.

“Microsoft Office Specialist II” is scheduled to be held from Sept. 11 through Nov. 13, with on-campus meetings on Mondays from 6:30-9:30 p.m. In this course, students learn how to create and use spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel) and databases (Microsoft Access). The deadline to register is Sept. 4. The cost of the course is $187.

Upon completion of these courses, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the role and function of computers and the ability to use the computer to solve problems.

These courses are approved for funding through the NC TechHire grant that VGCC received last year as part of a consortium of four community colleges. Area residents between the ages of 17-29 may qualify for grant funding, which can pay for registration fees, course fees, and certification fees.

Registration can be completed online at www.vgcc.edu/schedules/occupational-extension-schedule.

ICYMI: N.C. SBI and Virginia State Police Coordinate Marijuana Eradication Operation

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RALEIGH – A joint North Carolina-Virginia marijuana eradication operation July 25-26 yielded more than 800 plants seized in Granville, Vance and Warren counties. Two stolen vehicles were recovered as well. On the north side of the state line, the Virginia State Police seized 25 plants and 20 guns. Charges are pending on one individual. 

North Carolina’s State Bureau of Investigation and the Virginia State Police coordinated the multi-agency operation that took place along the border of the two states.

“The partnerships we have at the state and local level and with our partners to the north made this operation successful,” said Lynn Gay, assistant special agent in charge of the SBI’s Capitol District.  “No one agency brought more to the table than another.  It was a group effort, and everyone’s input helped achieve our goal of putting illegal growers out of business.”

The N.C. State Highway Patrol, the N.C. National Guard and the SBI provided aerial surveillance. Other participants included the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and the sheriffs’ offices from the three counties.

“In my years of being with the Virginia State Police, I have never seen a joint eradication operation between the two state bureaus to include local departments on both sides of the state line,” said Fst. Sgt. Tony Barksdale of the Virginia State Police. “I deem the operation a success and praise the efforts put forth by all agencies involved.” 

“The season is not over for the Marijuana Eradication Program,” Gay said. “We have agents trained to spot grow operations from the air and we will be back.”

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McGregor Hall Announces Acts, Introduces Series Packages for 2017-2018

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McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center is introducing discounted series packages with more than a dozen shows scheduled for the 2017-2018 season.

Series tickets go on sale Monday, July 31, with Grammy-winning Country Artist Lorrie Morgan, a Motown revue, a new stage play by a renown African-American playwright, four Christian acts, a Christmas “spectacular” and a local production of the Tony-winning musical “Hairspray” highlighting performances.

“This season, McGregor Hall gives patrons the option to purchase packages in order to save money and enjoy more entertaining experiences,” said John Wester, chairman of the center’s board of directors. “Our board has worked with the community to schedule monthly performances for every taste.”

Three series have been scheduled:

McGregor Live! will feature six shows: Lorrie Morgan, with 14 Top 10 Country music hits, on Oct. 8; “Hairspray,” performed and produced with local talent, on Oct. 27-29 and Nov. 3-5; the Christmas Wonderland holiday spectacular, Dec. 5; world-renowned magician and mentalist Joshua Lozoff, Jan. 6; Al Stewart, known for the Top 10 hits “Year of the Cat” and “Time Passages,” and his band, the Empty Pockets, Feb. 17; and the original Eagles tribute band, Hotel California, March 16. The six-show package, with a regular price of $160 if purchased individually, is priced at $125.

Heritage! will offer five shows: the Gulf Coast soul-band The Suffers, Sept. 21; “Hairspray,” Oct. 27-29 and Nov. 3-5; a new stage play, “Daddy’s Boys,” by North Carolina African-American playwright Garrett Davis, Jan. 13; the Masters of Soul Motown Revue, March 3; and Rod of God with comedian Roderick Allison, April 14. The five shows will be available for a package price of $100, which is $25 off regular ticket prices.

Joy! will feature three shows featuring five well-known Christian artists and groups: Dove- and Grammy-award winning Jason Crabb, Nov. 12; Karen Peck with New River, Feb. 23; and the Talleys with Tribute, April 7. With a regular ticket price of $75, the three-show package will be reduced to $50. Those purchasing the Joy! series can also add on the Christmas Wonderland show for a reduced price of $20.

All three series will have the option for spreading payments over four quarterly installments.

The series packages can be purchased online at any time at www.McGregorHall.org, by calling the Box Office at (252) 598-0662, or by visiting the Box Office at 201 Breckenridge Street in Henderson. When purchasing tickets online, patrons should make sure they are purchasing tickets through McGregor’s secure and trusted purchasing platform, eTix. The Box Office is open on Tuesdays through Fridays from 1 to 5 p.m. Patrons can save online fees when ordering directly with the Box Office staff.

McGregor Hall plans to bring back the popular Music at McGregor! series later in the season for patrons who enjoy classical and chamber music.

As additional entertainment options become available during the season, McGregor will be adding shows to the performance lineup. Individual tickets will be available for sale during the season, too.

Patrons will be given the opportunity to become “Friends of McGregor” with donations above and beyond the cost of series packages. “These gifts help McGregor Hall with such projects as educational outreach to area schools,” said Wester.

McGregor Hall volunteers will also be reaching out to area businesses and organizations for sponsorship opportunities through the center’s “Performances” magazine and other promotional initiatives.

“The strength of McGregor Hall is community support,” said Wester. “This support comes in many ways — attendance at events, donations, sponsorships and volunteering, among just a few. We are excited to offer these series and discounts to help more patrons be able to enjoy the great entertainment McGregor is bringing to our community.”

McGregor also offers facility rental options. The theater and the gallery are available for hosting special events for businesses, schools, civic groups, churches and other organizations.

N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center Selects Three Communities for Downtown Revitalization

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Raleigh, N.C. – The N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center selected Asheboro, Dunn and Henderson for the Center’s Downtown Associate Community program, Secretary Anthony M. Copeland announced today.

The towns will receive up to three years of downtown technical assistance services from the Center, beginning in September. These communities may have the opportunity to receive official Main Street designation if they successfully complete the program and demonstrate that they have met the requirements of the N.C. Main Street program within the three-year time frame.

“All North Carolina communities depend on a healthy and vibrant downtown to attract businesses small and large,” said Secretary Copeland. “This program will help Asheboro, Dunn and Henderson become even stronger candidates for new jobs and expansion.”

The Downtown Associate Community program launched in May 2015 and provides communities interested in downtown revitalization with the tools to build a sustainable organizational foundation. North Carolina communities must start with this program to become a designated N.C. Main Street community. The competitive selection process takes place every other year.

“We are excited to work with these communities and look forward to helping them strengthen their downtown revitalization efforts moving forward,” said N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center director Liz Parham. “The Downtown Associate Community program offers strategic economic development planning and organizational development that will provide long term sustainability for the community’s revitalization initiative.”

As with all programming offered by the N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center, the Downtown Associate Community program is based on the Four-Point Approach® methodology, a comprehensive process developed by the National Main Street Center® that focuses on organization, design, promotion and economic vitality.

For more information about N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning programs, visit www.nccommerce.com/MainStreet or contact Liz Parham, director of the N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center, at (919) 814-4658 or lparham@nccommerce.com.

VGCC Culinary program moves to new scheduling format

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The Vance-Granville Community College Culinary Arts program is changing the way it schedules core courses when the fall semester begins on Aug. 14. Culinary courses will now be taught in eight-week sessions rather than in the traditional 16-week semester format.

“One benefit of the eight-week format is that our students will have more concentrated time in each specific lab,” explained VGCC Culinary Arts Program Head/instructor Chef Teresa Davis. Even though each individual course will be completed in fewer weeks than under the former schedule, the amount of instructional time spent in each course will be the same. A baking class might meet for three hours each week instead of one hour, for example, allowing students to continue their training rather than waiting several days between classes.

“We think that this schedule should make it easier for many students to schedule their classes around their jobs and other responsibilities, along with any Work-Based Learning opportunities that they may have,” Davis added.

Four courses will be offered during the fall semester’s first eight-week mini-term, from Aug. 14 through Oct. 11: Sanitation & Safety (CUL-110), Baking I (CUL-160), Culinary Skills II (CUL-240) and Pastry & Confections (CUL-280).

Then, two other courses will be offered from Oct. 12 through Dec. 11: Culinary Skills I (CUL-140) and Global Cuisines (CUL-230).

The Culinary Arts degree program, based at the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, prepares students to assume positions as trained culinary professionals in a variety of settings, including full-service restaurants, hotels, resorts, clubs, catering operations, contract foodservice, and health care facilities. In addition to the associate degree, VGCC offers certificates in “Basic Baking” and “Restaurant Hospitality.” Eligible high school students can enroll in Basic Baking through the Career & College Promise program.

For more information about the Culinary Arts program, contact Chef Teresa Davis at davist@vgcc.edu or (919) 690-0312.

Recent VGCC Culinary Arts graduate Hayya Wright of Louisburg prepares a dish in the kitchen at the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, where the program is based. (VGCC photo)