Leadership Catawba

Leadership Catawba will educate participants on key issues Catawba County is currently facing and introduce them to the leaders who are charged with solving them.  The program will also engage participants in activities related to these key issues; strengthen leadership skills needed to be an effective and influential leader; and build relationships that will enable participants to be informed, concerned and involved leaders in Catawba County.  Participants will be challenged to organize and execute a gropu service project of their choice that positively impacts our county.

Leadership Catawba will conclude with a special graduation luncheon where each participant will receive  a diploma.

Leadership Catawba Quick Facts:

• Each year, the program pulls together a maximum of 25 people of diverse backgrounds and experiences who have demonstrated leadership potential throughout our community.
• Leadership Catawba is a 6-month program, consisting of one full day and one half day session per month, starting in August and concluding in Feburary.
• The program will kick-off in August with a full-day team building retreat at the US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte.
• Each participant will graduate with approximately 16 hours of personal leadership training from Dr. Jimmy Atkins, Professor of Strategic Leadership with Mountain State University.
• Participants will be challenged to organize and execute a group service project of their choice that positively impacts our county.
• The program will conclude with a special Graduation Luncheon at Catawba County Club where each participant will recieve a diploma.

Event Location

America’s 78 million baby boomers comprise 28 percent of the population but carry more than 50% of the purchasing power.  This number ranges from $2.1 trillion to $2.3 trillion.  Unlike younger consumers, they’re not interested in spending money on the latest trends but instead purchasing goods and services to enhance their health conscience lifestyles.

The rise in the number of our older population has an impact on the demand for several types of consumer goods and services, such as health care, health-related products, travel, and entertainment.  Those 55 and older account for the fastest growing segment of the Hickory Metro Region’s population according to the 2010 Census Report compiled by the Western Piedmont Council of governments in August of 2011.  The senior market sector must be a priority as we plan for the success and growth of our region in the next decade.  Careful consideration for this growing demographic will position and prepare us for positive results when caring for our aging population.

Showcase your goods and services at the first ever PRIME of Life Expo!

Click Here to view map and make booth selections. When you register, list your thee booth choices in the comments section.  We cannot promise, but will do our best to accommodate one of those choices.

Third Place: Peter Lohr, Advanced Hydrogen Technologies Corporation
Plans to penetrate an existing half-billion dollar market with its new oil free technology. AHTC aims to eclipse the competition of add-on power enhancers such as turbo and blower systems by offering a hydrogen based add-on motor that provides additional acceleration to any vehicle. Business Team consultant: Tom Shea

Do you live in Catawba, Burke, Caldwell, or Alexander county and have the next best business idea? Do you own an exsisting business with cumulative revenues of less than $350,000? PLEASE APPLY TO BE ONE OF OUR 2012 TOP 10 FINALISTS!

All finalists will have the opportunity to write a formal business plan, present your plan to a panel of angel investors, recieve hours of one-on-one business mentoring, and compete to be named one of our top three finalists and receive up to $10,000 to assist you with your future business expenses!

Public swimming will be available Monday through Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Thursday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission is $1 for children ages 0-5, $2 for adults ages 62 and older, $3 for children ages 6-17, and $4 for adults ages 18-61.

Groups such as daycares, summer camps, school classes, clubs, and others are welcome to the pool for $3 per child, with a minimum of 12 children. Group reservations are required by contacting the Newton Recreation Center. Group swimming begins at 10:00 a.m.

The pool is also available to rent for private use on the weekends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturdays and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays (two-hour rentals). Newton residents will be charged $75 per hour, while non-residents will be charged $125 per hour. In addition, renters must pay for the required lifeguards’ pay (two to four lifeguards at $10 per hour).

Punch passes are also available to allow frequent swimmers to save money. For youths ages 6-17, 15 passes are $30 and 25 passes are $50; adults ages 18-64, 15 passes are $50 and 25 passes are $75; and adults ages 65 and older, 15 passes are $25 and 25 passes are $40.

No alcoholic beverages will be allowed at the pool. Children ages 0-3 must wear some type of flotation device, and no diapers will be allowed. Infants must wear plastic undergarments.

Water aerobics and beginner swimming classes are also scheduled this summer.

For more information, or to schedule a group event, contact the Newton Parks & Recreation Department at (828) 695-4317.

Newton Mayor Anne P. Stedman said she is excited that the City is being honored with this prestigious historic designation. “The City of Newton is proud to have our downtown historic district listed in the National Register of Historic Places. This distinction encourages reinvestment in our downtown area, and will serve as a catalyst for the continued revitalization of downtown Newton,” Mayor Stedman stated. “I believe this is another step in the right direction as we strive to attract visitors, citizens, and businesses to the City of Newton.”

The Newton Downtown Historic District is roughly bounded by 2nd Street, North Forney Avenue, A Street, and North Ashe Avenue, comprising most of the central business district. The new Historic District is anchored by the 1924 Courthouse building, which is already listed on the National Register. The 1924 Courthouse now serves as the home of the Catawba County Museum of History. The Newton Downtown Historic District is comprised of 58 buildings, 50 of which are designated as a “contributing resource” by the State Historic Preservation Office. A “contributing resource” or “contributing property” is any building, structure, or object which adds to the historical integrity or architectural qualities that make the historic district significant.

In October of 2010, Newton City Council and then-mayor Robert A. Mullinax directed City staff to pursue a National Register nomination for downtown Newton. At its December 8, 2010 meeting, the City Council approved the hiring of Clay Griffith of Acme Preservation Services to prepare the study and National Register application. After a year-long study and review period, the State Historic Preservation Office and the National Register Advisory Committee recommended acceptance of the Newton Downtown Historic District nomination. Dr. Jeffrey Crow, the North Carolina Historic Preservation Officer, approved the nomination for submission to the National Park Service in early March.

Newton already has these National Register historic properties: Catawba County 1924 Courthouse; Self-Trott-Bickett House (331 S. College); Bost-Burris House (end of Radio Station Road); Foil-Cline House (406 South Main Avenue); Grace Reformed Church (201 South Main Avenue); Long, McCorkle, and Murray Houses (1300 block of North Main Avenue); North Main Avenue Historic District; and St. Paul’s Church and Cemetery

There are more than 85,000 listings of historic buildings, structures, sites, objects, and districts in the National Register across the United States and its territories. The State of North Carolina has over 2,700 historic places listed on the National Register, of which about 500 are historic districts. “The National Register is a vital tool in the preservation of North Carolina’s historic resources. North Carolina is a leader in the nation’s historic preservation movement,” said Dr. Jeffrey J. Crow, Deputy Secretary, North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources.

Each year, the National Park Service receives new National Register nominations from all across the country from applicants who are seeking the prestige, financial benefits, and protections that National Register designation provides for their properties. The listing of a property in the National Register places no obligation or restriction on a private owner using private resources to maintain or alter the property. Over the years, various federal and state incentives have been introduced to assist private preservation initiatives, including tax credits for the rehabilitation of National Register properties.

For more information on the National Register application process, visit http://www.hpo.ncdcr.gov/. To view the many North Carolina locations that are on the National Register, visit http://www.hpo.ncdcr.gov/NR-PDFs.pdf.

The fundraiser, chaired by John Rambo, and conducted with the participation of the entire club was an outstanding success, exceeding fundraising goals established by the board. A near capacity crowd was entertained for approximately three hours. At the conclusion the judges announced the winners:

Thanks to Jeff Hartman for the video.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Six average-looking, unemployed Buffalo steelworkers on the verge, figure out a daring plan to get themselves out of debt and make amends with those they love. They decide to form a Chippendales-style male strip act after seeing their wives go wild for the real thing. Pushing through fears, building self-esteem, and rediscovering the importance of friendship and family, they overcome their inner demons and find strength in their camaraderie.

Buy Tickets Online

www.hct.org or call 828.327.3855
$16 adults, $14 seniors
$7 students
Rated R (for language and nudity)

Join in the fun on Thursday, May 17, 2012. Check out the new businesses participating in the crawl and visit with your favorites. Remember all art work is for sale, so please support these local artists and businesses.

The crawl begins at 5:00 pm with the Kick-Off Party and continues to 8:00 pm.

1. Full Circle Arts and Taste Full Beans Coffeehouse join together to bring you the Kick-Off Party in their new location at 29 Second Street NW. The Photography Exhibition will be on display along with artworks by Full Circle Arts member’s artwork. Cheryl A. Brinn will bring a smile to your face with her tunes on guitar and flute.
2. After the party, grab a map and “Get Crawling”! Take a left from FCA and cross the street to stop by Boyd & Hassell I-C, Inc in the Wells Fargo Building located at 200 First Avenue. Boyd & Hassell will be featuring the oil paintings of David Wheatley. See what Boyd & Hassell might have to offer you and make sure to thank them for sponsoring the Spring Art Crawl.
3. Just down the street, at 227 First Avenue NW, stop in the Healthy Home Market and see the acrylic artwork of Travis Maddox. While there, try one of their fabulous fruit smoothies!
4. New to the Crawl and downtown Hickory is Hatch’s Sandwich Bar. Hatch’s is on the corner at 268 First Avenue NW. They will feature the woodworking art of Herb Shepler, who will have humidors, boxes, small tables and more. Get you a menu from Hatch’s before you leave!
5. Leaving Hatch’s, cross the street and travel up Third Street to Larry’s Music and Sound, where the Music & Sound Teaching Studio is located, will host musician Brent Avato. Brent is a solo vocal and acoustic guitar act that is always a unique experience. Brent performs original songs as well as original renditions of songs by other select artists. He will perform outside in front of the studio.
6. Wander on down the Square to 264 Union Square and into Gym, Dance Cheer, who is hosting Andy and Hildy Atkin. This couple has a variety of artwork, from paintings to jewelry. Both are accomplished artists and work individually and together on projects.
7. To the left from Gym, Dance, Cheer, stop by Thad and Louise at 252 Union Square. This business is also a new addition to the art crawl and will feature the photography of Melissa Hager, box signs by Pigs in a Blanket, local artists Paulina Moscoso and Shelby Etress, an up and coming artist from Atlanta, Georgia.
8. Another left will take you to the Hickory Wine Shoppe at 238 Union Square. In addition to a wine tasting, the Hickory Wine Shoppe will feature the jewelry of Charles Kismo.
9. Left again, and visit with Jeramie Jones, spray paint artist in the area in front of Bisque ‘n Beads. Jeramie will fascinate you with his creative art works using only spray paint and a few tools.
10. Outside of the Olde Hickory Tap Room, at 222 Union Square, the Hickory Museum of Art will host an entertaining and educational experience for young crawlers. Come back by after the Crawl, when the Tap Room will have music by Dead End Parking.
11. The Crushed Olive will feature the custom designed mixed metal jewelry of Ellen Ball. The Crushed Olive is located at 216 Union Square.
12. Jason Outlaw and Rosalie De Fini Outlaw of Outlaw Pottery Studio, School, Gallery & Supplier will be doing wheel-throwing demonstrations in the Flag Court on the east end of Union Square. Stop by to meet the artists, watch the Outlaws transform a lump of clay into a vessel, and talk to them about how you can get your own hands dirty by taking pottery classes.
13. Near the corner of Union Square and Second Street NW listen for C. Neil Scott filling the evening air with the soulful sounds of his saxophone. Then, head across the railroad tracks and down to 215A First Avenue SW, to the Photography Studio of Fanjoy/Labrenz. Sally and James’s studio will be filled with their photography and other art objects.
14. Out the door and to the left is the Jackson Group. This newly remolded turn of the century building will host Lynn King with her traditional and non traditional pottery, the sculpture of Harold Humphrey and the mixed media art of Kathy Dubois.

Make Downtown Hickory your destination on Thursday, May 17, 2012 for the Downtown Hickory Art Crawl.

The Downtown Hickory Art Crawl is hosted by the Hickory Downtown Development Association and sponsored the City of Hickory, “Life Well Crafted” and The United Arts Council of Catawba Council, who is committed to advancing the cultural life of Catawba County through grants, marketing, fundraising and facilities management.

For more information on The Hickory Downtown Development Association, membership, businesses, events and downtown Hickory, please call 828-322-1121 email info@downtownhickory.com.

Please visit the website, www.downtownhickory.com.

“Donald Davis is among the most popular figures on today’s storytelling circuit.”

Saturday, May 12th
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Patrick Beaver Memorial Library Lawn
SALT Block

Rain or Shine-inclement weather site in the library. Free and open to the public.

Clater-Kaye Theatreworks “Tell Me a Tale”- 10:00

Donald Davis-10:30

Musical Storyteller Sharon Clarke-11:30

Refreshments for sale.

For more information, call 304.0500 ext. 7271.

Brittain demonstrated innovative leadership in the midmarket IT space for a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) project, replacing the traditional personal computer (PC) with a completely virtualized computing environment, at Hickory Public Libraries. The overall estimated cost savings for the City of Hickory in replacing the PCs with the VDI equipment is $338,000 over ten years.

“I am honored and humbled to be a finalist from among so many worthy IT leaders. Receiving such recognition from a national organization for simply trying to perform my duties for the City of Hickory is amazing,” said Brittain.

The SearchCIO-Midmarket.com 2012 IT Leadership Awards recognized the midmarket’s innovative CIOs. They received almost 500 nominations, which were whittled down to 40. The distinguished panel of CIO and former CIO judges, Harvey Koeppel, Niel Nickolaisen and Scott Lowe, then awarded each nominee points on a scale of 1-10 for cultural innovation, technological advancement, business harmonization, green IT and customer experience.

All finalists received certificates honoring their contributions, as well as VIP invitations to IT insider networking and leadership events throughout the country.