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.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Hibachi-Express-Food-Truck.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-12-19 16:53:402018-12-19 16:53:40VGCC Announces Four New Classes for Food Truck Entrepreneurs
-Press Release, N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
The N.C. General Assembly has approved extending the deadline for the agricultural disaster relief program to Dec. 20. The bill now awaits Governor Roy Cooper’s signature.
Eleven additional North Carolina counties have received secretarial disaster declarations based on agricultural losses from Hurricane Florence or Tropical Storm Michael. These counties are Anson, Avery, Dare, Person, Tyrrell, Vance, Wake, Warren, Washington, Watauga and Yadkin. With these additions, 65 counties are now eligible for agricultural disaster relief through this program.
Six counties are still awaiting a secretarial disaster declaration, which would make them eligible to participate in the disaster assistance program. These counties are Davie, Franklin, Forsyth, Rockingham, Stokes and Surry.
“We don’t want to miss any farmers that are eligible for help through this program,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “To qualify for assistance, a farmer only needs to farm in a disaster-declared county. Payments from this fund will be based on county averages for loss and yield rather than individual losses.”
This assistance is available to farmers who suffered crop losses including apples, barley, corn, cotton, hay, industrial hemp, nursery crops, specialty crops, tobacco, peanuts, sweet potatoes, livestock, aquaculture and more.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsfbresize_0001s_0088_NC-Department-of-Agriculture-and-Consumer-Services-Logo.jpg.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-12-14 17:29:112018-12-14 17:29:11NC General Assembly Approves Deadline Extension for Agricultural Disaster Program
-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.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/national-weather-service-logo.jpg266504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-12-14 17:28:462018-12-14 17:28:46Elevated Flood Risk for All of Central NC Through Early Next Week
Hebron Methodist Church at 1361 Wise Five Forks Rd. in Macon, NC is holding their annual Christmas Candlelight service on Thursday, December 20, 2018, at 7:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
Contact Al Fleming at (252) 257- 1779 for more information.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/wizs_0003_Layer-1.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-12-12 16:53:392018-12-12 16:53:39Hebron Methodist Church Holding Annual Christmas Candlelight Service
You may report weather delays and cancellations by email to news@wizs.com or by text at 432-0774. Delays and cancellations will be posted on WIZS’ Facebook page.
Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington and Archie Taylor, chairman of the Vance County Board of Commissioners proclaimed a State of Emergency for the City of Henderson and County of Vance beginning Friday, December 7, 2018, at 5 p.m. The State of Emergency will be in effect for a period of four days unless rescinded by authorities.
General Emergency Protective Measures are in place. No public restrictions are in place at this time.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsfbresize_0001s_0063_H-V-Emergency-Operations.jpg.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-12-07 16:58:352018-12-09 09:08:37State of Emergency Declared for Vance County; Area Braces for Inclement Weather
Dr. Rachel M. Desmarais has been chosen as the next president of Vance-Granville Community College. With the final approval of the appointment by the State Board of Community Colleges on Dec. 18, she becomes the seventh president in the 49-year history of the college.
The VGCC Board of Trustees selected Dr. Desmarais on Wednesday, Dec. 5, following presentations by three finalists in a series of public forums from Nov. 30 through Dec. 4.
“The Board of Trustees has concluded Dr. Desmarais possesses the key attributes of an outstanding president that were identified in our search process,” said Danny W. Wright, chair of the board. “We are confident that Dr. Desmarais will provide: the visionary leadership to help our college expand and to promote economic development in our four counties, a powerful commitment to student recruitment and retention, the dedication to improving the lives of the people in our service area, the attention to facility planning and sustainability, and the articulation of our mission and vision to the college’s employees and the communities we serve.”
Dr. Rachel M. Desmarais, chosen as seventh president of Vance-Granville Community College.
The selection comes after a nationwide search that produced 89 applicants. She will begin work early in 2019.
The executive vice president and chief operating officer of Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem since 2015, Dr. Desmarais has been with Forsyth Tech in a variety of roles since becoming a department chair in 2002. Once a student at Forsyth Tech, taking Information Technology and Programming courses in 1994-1995, Dr. Desmarais became an adjunct instructor at the community college from 1996 to 1999 while also working in the private sector. She became the vice president of information services at Forsyth Tech in 2008 and moved to vice president of planning and information services in 2010 before assuming her current position.
She earned her doctorate of philosophy in instructional design and technology from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., in 2015 after getting her masters of science in information technology management from the University of North Carolina in Greensboro in 2003. She earned a bachelor of music degree in voice performance from Mars Hill College in 1992.
She was also among fewer than 40 aspiring and emerging community college presidents nationwide who were chosen for the Aspen Institute Presidential Fellowship for Community College Excellence in 2017-2018.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve and lead Vance-Granville Community College as its seventh president,” said Dr. Desmarais after being given the news on Wednesday night. “VGCC is a special place with students, faculty, staff, and board members who care for and take great pride in the college and community. I look forward to building on the strong value and culture already present in the college to cultivate a new shared vision for VGCC and its communities. Together, we will truly be Vanguards!”
Born in Sumter, S.C., while her father was stationed at Shaw Air Force Base, she moved to Alabama when her family returned home after the Vietnam War.
“I got to watch my dad march across the stage at Auburn University as an electrical engineer,” Dr. Demarais said. “My mother was a preschool teacher. I got exposure to education at a young age, and I saw the value of it.”
Her family found a new home in Orangeburg, S.C., for her father’s first job after college and then eventually Rock Hill, S.C., where she attended middle school and completed her secondary education.
Since her move to Mars Hill, N.C., at the age of 18 to attend college, she has remained in North Carolina, noting that her career has taken her from music education to an administrative assistant in manufacturing to information technology and ultimately to community college administration.
She still has a desire to teach and said she now blends that desire with her love of information and technology to help students find success in the classroom.
“I have a real passion for using data from our students to help them learn how to learn,” she said. “Students have jobs. They have their lives to lead while going to college. They have much to juggle. We have a responsibility to make sure that the education we offer them is as efficient and effective in its delivery as it can be.
“I’m really a strong believer in institutional effectiveness,” she added. “The data can be used as a tool to help our students succeed. We need always to use it as a positive tool. An educated society is a happier, more fulfilled society.”
Her work in the private sector includes a period from 1999 to 2002 when she worked with the Womble Carlyle Sandridge Rice law firm and later a subsidiary, FirmLogic, in Winston-Salem as a systems support manager and, later, project manager. She was assistant to the director of manufacturing and a systems analyst for Highland Industries in Kernersville in 1997-1999.
She also has been actively involved in community projects in the Winston-Salem area, including the United Way; Boy Scouts of America; Forsyth Futures, a non-profit community data research organization; WinstonNet Inc., a non-profit community technology initiative; the Center for Design Innovation; and the Board of Cooperative Ministries for the Southern Province of the Moravian Church.
Dr. Desmarais has an adult son, Ian, who is currently a biotechnology major at Forsyth Tech. Her younger son, Conall, who will be completing the eighth grade, is interested in attending an early college high school. Her husband, she said, plans to retain his job in the Winston-Salem area as he is able to do the majority of his work off-site.
The search process for the new president began in September when the Trustees selected the firm of Executive Leadership Associates (ELA) LLP of Emerald Isle to help the board create a profile of the ideal presidential candidate needed for VGCC, to guide the search process and to recruit and screen applicants. Applications and nominations were accepted beginning Oct. 8 with a deadline of Nov. 9.
Serving on the VGCC Trustees’ presidential search committee were Trustees Deborah Brown, chair; Herb Gregory, vice chair; N. Annette P. Myers, Abdul Sm Rasheed, Donald C. Seifert, Sr., and Sara C. Wester.
With the guidance of ELA, a consortium of former North Carolina community college presidents, the list of candidates was narrowed to five by the board’s search committee. On Nov. 19, at the regular bimonthly meeting of the board, the Trustees trimmed the list to three finalists who were invited to the college to meet with staff and faculty, county officials, chamber members and the public to participate in individual forums. Attendees were given the opportunity to provide input on each finalist via a form distributed at the forums or verbally to representatives of ELA in attendance.
The board met on Dec. 4 following the last of the interviews with candidates. A final decision on the selection was made at a continuation of that meeting, on Dec. 5, following the results of a vetting process conducted by the State Board of Community Colleges.
“After this carefully executed selection process, we believe Dr. Desmarais has the background and the experience to move us and our communities forward,” Trustee Wright said. “We do appreciate our two other finalists who showed such a strong interest in helping our college advance, and we owe much to the members of the public sector who also attended the forums and assisted us in this search process as well.”
The two other finalists were Dr. Quentin Johnson of Mooresville, vice president of Student Support Services at Guilford Technical Community College in Greensboro, and Dr. Melanie Thornton of Albany, Ga., vice president of academic affairs at Columbus Technical College in Columbus, Ga.
The new president succeeds Dr. Stelfanie Williams who left in August to become the vice president for Durham affairs at Duke University. Dr. Gordon Burns, retired president of Wilkes Community College, is serving as interim president for VGCC until Dr. Desmarais takes office.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Dr.-Rachel-Desmarais.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-12-06 16:56:422018-12-06 16:56:42Dr. Rachel Desmarais Chosen as Next President of VGCC
-Information and weather chart courtesy Brian K. Short, Director of Emergency Operations, Henderson-Vance County Emergency Operations and Ready NC
Below is a briefing slide from the National Weather Service regarding a significant storm system that will affect our area over the weekend. The storm is still a few days away, making a definitive forecast difficult, but all indications are that we could receive significant snowfall before the system moves out on Monday.
A mixture of rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow are possible depending on the timing and where exactly the low pressure tracks along our coast. Again, while nothing is certain, confidence is high that we could see a significant winter event with this storm.
We will continue to forward along additional information as it is received. Please visit www.weather.gov/raleigh anytime for updated information.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/national-weather-service-logo.jpg266504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-12-06 16:54:252018-12-06 16:54:25Forecasters Predict ‘Significant Snowfall’ for Area; When & How Much Still Uncertain
Alice Watkins, a 27-year member of the NC Alzheimer’s Association, called into Wednesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
While only one of several types of dementia, Alzheimer’s is, according to Watkins, “certainly the most prevalent.” Typically affecting those age 65 to 85, the currently irreversible disease is characterized by a progressive loss of memory and ability to complete everyday tasks.
“The two things that I always try to get people to understand about Alzheimer’s is that it is a form of dementia and that it is not a normal part of aging,” said Watkins. “We have found, through research, that the disease can start 20 years before noticeable symptoms appear,” Watkins said.
As the disease progresses, the afflicted may forget how to engage in tasks such as brushing their teeth or taking a bath. “Getting them to take a bath and taking their license away are two of the most critical things children of parents with Alzheimer’s have to deal with,” said Watkins. “They are accustomed to their parents being in charge and telling them what to do.”
Watkins cautions that not all issues with memory or the completion of tasks lead to a diagnosis of dementia. “Things that can be fixed, such as a vitamin B-12 deficiency or a urinary tract infection can often mimic signs of dementia.”
While deficiencies and infections can often be cured, currently Alzheimer’s cannot. “Alzheimer’s is the third leading cause of death and the most feared of the diseases in the United States,” Watkins said. “There is currently no cure.”
Watkins remains hopeful that one day a cure will be discovered and is encouraged by upcoming research efforts. “We are seeing more young researchers getting involved, exploring new avenues of research and examining how diseases link. We are also seeing more of an international effort to find answers.”
One branch of dementia research is currently focused on traumatic brain injury and its effect on the military, specifically. “Researchers are finding that more and more returning military personnel are suffering from traumatic brain injury and PTSD, and many of these cases are progressing into Alzheimer’s,” said Watkins.
Increased research, additional funding and getting people into clinical trials is the key to speeding up the process of finding both a cause and cure, Watkins believes.
“We are getting better with diagnostic tools. If we find one tool that can definitively say ‘this is Alzheimer’s disease,’ then we will be one big step ahead. Right now, there is not such a tool; instead, everything else is ruled out.”
Even with a “ruling out” diagnosis made, the only way to know for sure that the disease was Alzheimer’s is with an autopsy after death, said Watkins.
According to Watkins, groups such as UsAgainstAlzheimer’s based out of Washington, D.C., are responsible for Congress’ recent allocation of $425 million to Alzheimer’s research. “That brings the disease, for the first time, to $2.3 billion in research.”
That figure, while staggering, is still well below funding allocated for heart disease and cancer research.
“The part that is desperately needed in all of this is funding,” Watkins explained. “I encourage people to stay on top of this by checking in with Congressional leaders. Encourage them to look at acts like the Change Act that focuses on care being provided to these patients by families and the costs they incur.”
To hear the interview in its entirety, please click here.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Alzheimers-Assoc.-Logo.png265504Kelly Bonduranthttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngKelly Bondurant2018-12-05 16:55:592018-12-05 16:55:59Increased Alzheimer’s Funding, Expanded Research Methods Offer Hope for a Cure
“Every gift given through both the Logs for the Cause and United2gether campaigns between now and January 31, 2019, will go toward SBP’s efforts to rebuild homes for first responders and veterans throughout North Carolina who were impacted by Hurricane Florence,” said Ewell Smith, executive director of the Carolina Loggers Association. “While those affected have long since returned to work, the impact from this storm will be felt for years to come. The logging community in NC – one that was hit especially hard by the storm – is close-knit; we believe in giving back and paying it forward, and helping to kick-start the rebuilding process is the perfect place to start.”
“Recovery is a collaborative effort,” noted SBP co-founder and CEO Zack Rosenburg. “Through this partnership, SBP will be able to provide a predictable path home for disaster-impacted families of veterans and first responders in North Carolina. This is a great example of Americans rallying together for other citizens during times of great need. We believe that this partnership is an example of the seldom discussed, but ever-present ties that bind us together.”
“Growing up in Eastern North Carolina and seeing first-hand the devastation of Hurricane Florence was heartbreaking,” commented Paige Keselowski. “Immediately following the storm, we created the United2gether campaign to support first responders in affected areas. Teaming up with the Carolina Loggers Association and SBP USA on the Home for the Holidays program is a great way for us to continue our support of first responders and veterans that are still dealing with the impact of the storm.”
The Home for the Holidays program is actively seeking building products partners to assist in the rebuilding efforts. Please contact Carolina Loggers Association executive director Ewell Smith at esmith@ncloggers.com for more information.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Home-for-the-Holidays-Logo-2018.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-12-04 16:54:372018-12-04 16:54:37‘Home for the Holidays’ to Help First Responders & Veterans Affected by Florence
-Press Release, N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Farmers with damage from Tropical Storm Michael may be eligible for disaster assistance from the Hurricane Florence Agricultural Disaster Program of 2018. The $240 million bill approved today by the N.C. General Assembly would help farmers with storm damage and agricultural losses from both Hurricane Florence and Tropical Storm Michael.
The program will directly assist farmers who suffered losses to commodities planted but not harvested before Sept. 13, 2018, and livestock. The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will administer the program.
“With only two weeks left in the sign-up period, farmers cannot afford to wait to sign up for assistance,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “The application process takes about 30 minutes per farm and assistance is available through N.C. Cooperative Extension and the NCDA&CS disaster hotline at 1-866-6459403.”
The seven additional counties pending a federal disaster declaration include Avery, Vance, Wake, Warren, Washington, Watauga and Yadkin counties. With this addition, 61 of the state’s 100 counties would have received either a primary Presidential or Secretarial-disaster declaration.
“Both Hurricane Florence and Tropical Storm Michael had significant impacts to agriculture,” said Troxler. “Without this immediate assistance, it will be difficult for many farmers to continue operations.”
Initial estimates for crop damage and livestock losses to North Carolina’s agriculture industry from Hurricane Florence are estimated at $1.1 billion.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsfbresize_0001s_0088_NC-Department-of-Agriculture-and-Consumer-Services-Logo.jpg.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2018-11-30 16:58:252018-11-30 16:58:25Vance and Warren Counties May be Eligible for Agricultural Disaster Assistance
