a place called home
APRIL 2016
Mesean Maxwell was asked by his employer to do some repairs and maintenance on a house. What was seen as a place in disrepair by others, Mesean saw as one he could call home. The longer he worked on the house, the more he was moved to speak with his employer about purchasing it. After several months, he did ask, but he had no idea what his next step in the home ownership process should be. Mesean’s employer referred him to Prosperity Unlimited, Inc. (a Department of HUDapproved housing counseling agency) to help guide him through the steps to home ownership. Because Mesean had always managed his life without credit, Prosperity helped him to properly acquire and manage the right type of credit. This would build his credit score to meet lender guidelines for acquiring the best mortgage loan. Prosperity was also able to assist him in meeting his savings goal. “The process was so much smoother, having someone who is trained in the process to examine how not only to get a good loan, but to get the best possible loan available,” Mesean says. Prosperity determined Mesean was eligible for three down payment assistance programs. After choosing the two best options, he will receive $20,000 to help with his down payment and closing costs. Purchasing a house is not an easy process; regulations related to employment stability, credit and other underwriting guidelines are required. By seeking professional assistance, Mesean became well equipped to work with a loan officer and his house payment will be less than his current rent, placing him in a good position to save more for other items.
Fair Housing Workshop Learn the steps TO home ownerSHIP
April 26 • 6-8 pm • Doors open at 5:30 pm A light meal will be served from 5:30-6:15 pm The Laureate Center – Kannapolis City Hall, 401 Laureate Way SPONSORED BY City of Kannapolis, Cabarrus County, NC Housing Coalition, Prosperity Unlimited, Inc. • • Drawing for a $100 Gift Certificate at 6:15 pm • • To reserve your seat: Louise Mack: 704-933-7405; lmack@prosperitycdc.org Sherry Gordon: 704-920-4332; sgordon@kannapolisnc.gov
The City of Kannapolis 401 Laureate Way | Kannapolis, NC 28081 704.920.4300 | www.kannapolisnc.gov
Baseball is All About the Fans The Kannapolis Intimidators are offering plenty of new and returning programs this season! “It is going to be about the fans and enhancing their experience at the ball park,” Intimidators General Manager Randy Long says. Star Wars® and Disney® fan nights will include costume contests and appropriate musically-themed postgame fireworks shows as well as character appearances and giveaways. One fan will win $2,500 towards a Disney® vacation. Fans can also look for new and exciting options at the concession stands, including more healthy choices. Fans will have the option to gain half-priced reserved admission on Get Healthy nights by doing exercises, such as jumping jacks, at the gate. Get Healthy Kannapolis Nights are April 22, May 27, June 24, July 15 and August 20. Kannapolis resident nights return on Mondays evenings for city residents with proof of address. Family packages include tickets, food and drinks. Call 704-932-FANS (3267) or visit intimidatorsbaseball.com for tickets.
Follow the City on Facebook (facebook.com/cityofkannapolis) and Twitter (twitter.com#Kannapolis) for regular updates and more ideas for fun.
Kannapolis Prepares for 4th Jiggy with the Piggy Festival
I
n 2013, City of Kannapolis Deputy Manager Eddie Smith came up with the idea to host a barbecue competition sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society (KSBS).
That first year, 54 teams entered the competition (more than twice the average number for a first-year event), which ran simultaneously with VIllageFest. Last year, the number of participating teams grew to 81 and the entire festival was rebranded as Jiggy with the Piggy.
That’s why, a couple of years ago, the festival added a “people’s choice” event that includes top prizes in the categories of wings and pork. Forty to 50 teams will participate and the Kannapolis Rotary Club and Cannon Memorial YMCA will provide the manpower to help serve the public.
Now, with the North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC) providing more than enough space for the event, 100-plus arts & crafts vendors and more than 15,000 people expected to attend, the festival has fast become one of the premier events for the region. It’s the second largest KCBS competition on the East Coast and a great way to enjoy a May weekend in North Carolina.
Barbecue connoisseurs will enjoy 10 wings for $10 on Friday night or 10 servings of pork for $10 the following day. They will then select their favorites and the winners will walk away with a trophy and $200.
A competitive barbecue participant himself, Smith says, “Of course, it wouldn’t be a barbecue festival without
an opportunity to sample some of the meats being smoked all weekend.”
The purse for the overall competition is slightly larger this year at $18,250, with $2,000 going to the Grand Champion, $1,500 to second place and $1,000 going to the winner of each individual category continued on page 2
2016 Jiggy with the Piggy Schedule Tuesday, May 3 Jiggy with the Piggy 5K (runkannapolis.com) • Dress in your best piggy outfit for prizes! Friday, May 6 8 am-5 pm: BBQ Competition Teams Arrive 5 pm: Festival Opens Food, Arts & Crafts, Carnival Rides continued from page 1
(ribs, chicken, beef brisket and pork). In addition, the highest scoring local team (Cabarrus or Rowan County) will receive a cash prize of $250. Bring the whole family and enjoy a weekend in Kannapolis that’s full of food, festivities and fun! For more information, visit www.jiggywiththepiggy.com.
7 pm: People’s Choice Wings Begins (While Supplies Last) $10
Calendar of Events APRIL 9 Kannapolis Cruise-In Downtown: 1-7 pm
Saturday, May 7 7 am: YMCA All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast ($5 at Kannapolis YMCA)
9 Run Kannapolis – Feeding Frenzy 5K: Downtown
9 am: Festival Opens Food, Arts & Crafts, Carnival Rides 10 am-2 pm: Kids Zone Activities 12 Noon: People’s Choice Pork Challenge Begins (While Supplies Last) $10 Concert: Fantastic Shakers
Police Department Offers Home Security Survey Springtime is upon us and members of the Kannapolis Police Department would like to encourage residents to identify their home’s vulnerability to crime. One tool is a home security survey. The survey focuses on a number of key areas, which include exterior landscaping, lighting, windows and doors.
Concert: Emily Minor
12 Noon-1:30 pm: BBQ Competition Judging (Research Campus)
8 pm: Family Movie Night – Cars 2 NC Research Campus Presented by 600 Festival
2 pm: People’s Choice Pork Challenge Ends 3-5 pm: Coconut Groove Band
Some of the specific questions on the survey include:
8:15 pm: Concert – Darrell Harwood 9 pm: People’s Choice Ends 9:45 pm: Fireworks
5 pm: BBQ Awards Ceremony (Laureate Center)
From the roadway or exterior landscape: • Are house numbers visible from the roadway for emergency service personnel such as police, fire and ambulance? • Are the entry points, doors and windows obstructed by shrubs or trees?
Festival Ends
Spring Has Sprung! A great way to get out and spend time with your family is to come to Village Park and ride the Rotary Express, which will begin running for the summer season on Saturday, April 2. It will run on weekends only through May, then will open every day through the summer. Weekend hours are Saturdays from 10 am to 7 pm and Sundays from 12 noon to 6 pm. All of our park picnic shelters are also available to rent, with a variety of sizes to accommodate any type of party or reunion. The shelters in all of our parks are in close proximity to their playground and restroom facilities.
Windows: • Are wooden windows pinned on both sides from the inside? • Are aluminum windows fitted with a secondary locking device? Doors: • Are all external doors metal or at least solid core construction? • Are the doors equipped with deadbolt locks with at least a one-inch throw? If you would like a member of the police department to conduct a complete home security survey, please call us at 704-920-4000 or contact Sergeant David Zienka at dzienka@kannapolisnc.gov.
23 Run Kannapolis – Strides for Stroke 5K: Downtown 26 Parks & Rec Road Trip – Biltmore Blooms (Asheville, NC): 9:30 am-10:00 pm $50 per person (Lunch NOT included!) Registration and fees due by April 13 30 Kaleidoscope Cultural Arts Festival – Downtown: 12-5 pm
MAY 14 Parks & Rec Road Trip – Charlotte Knights (Charlotte, NC): 4:30-10:00 pm, $20 per person (Lunch NOT included!) Registration and fees due by April 13 31 Parks & Rec Road Trip – Queens Landing (Mooresville, NC): 10:30 am-4:00 pm, $25 per person (Lunch NOT included!) Registration and fees due by April 27
E-Commerce Sites Moved to New Police Department
Important Information Regarding Paying Your Utility Bill If you would like to pay your utility bill in person, please go to our new Customer Service location in the new City Hall – Police Headquarters at 401 Laureate Way, Kannapolis. You can also pay your utility bill online at www.kannapolisnc.gov or by mailing it to P.O. 1190, Kannapolis, NC 28081.
Lighting: • Does the addition of security lighting give your home a perimeter of light around it all night? • Is the lighting motion activated?
14 Parks & Rec Road Trip – Historic Johnson Farm (Hendersonville, NC): 9 am-6 pm $25 per person (Lunch NOT included!) Registration and fees due by April 1
The E-Commerce Safe Zone parking spaces have been relocated to the new Kannapolis Police Department located at 401 Laureate Way. The designated parking spaces are located in the parking lot on the north side of the building. The spaces are marked with signs, yellow striping and are under 24-hour video surveillance. We encourage anyone completing transactions with people you’ve met on ebay, craigslist, and other online services to use these secure spaces. City Hall – Police Headquarters, 401 Laureate Way
2016 Jiggy with the Piggy Schedule Tuesday, May 3 Jiggy with the Piggy 5K (runkannapolis.com) • Dress in your best piggy outfit for prizes! Friday, May 6 8 am-5 pm: BBQ Competition Teams Arrive 5 pm: Festival Opens Food, Arts & Crafts, Carnival Rides continued from page 1
(ribs, chicken, beef brisket and pork). In addition, the highest scoring local team (Cabarrus or Rowan County) will receive a cash prize of $250. Bring the whole family and enjoy a weekend in Kannapolis that’s full of food, festivities and fun! For more information, visit www.jiggywiththepiggy.com.
7 pm: People’s Choice Wings Begins (While Supplies Last) $10
Calendar of Events APRIL 9 Kannapolis Cruise-In Downtown: 1-7 pm
Saturday, May 7 7 am: YMCA All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast ($5 at Kannapolis YMCA)
9 Run Kannapolis – Feeding Frenzy 5K: Downtown
9 am: Festival Opens Food, Arts & Crafts, Carnival Rides 10 am-2 pm: Kids Zone Activities 12 Noon: People’s Choice Pork Challenge Begins (While Supplies Last) $10 Concert: Fantastic Shakers
Police Department Offers Home Security Survey Springtime is upon us and members of the Kannapolis Police Department would like to encourage residents to identify their home’s vulnerability to crime. One tool is a home security survey. The survey focuses on a number of key areas, which include exterior landscaping, lighting, windows and doors.
Concert: Emily Minor
12 Noon-1:30 pm: BBQ Competition Judging (Research Campus)
8 pm: Family Movie Night – Cars 2 NC Research Campus Presented by 600 Festival
2 pm: People’s Choice Pork Challenge Ends 3-5 pm: Coconut Groove Band
Some of the specific questions on the survey include:
8:15 pm: Concert – Darrell Harwood 9 pm: People’s Choice Ends 9:45 pm: Fireworks
5 pm: BBQ Awards Ceremony (Laureate Center)
From the roadway or exterior landscape: • Are house numbers visible from the roadway for emergency service personnel such as police, fire and ambulance? • Are the entry points, doors and windows obstructed by shrubs or trees?
Festival Ends
Spring Has Sprung! A great way to get out and spend time with your family is to come to Village Park and ride the Rotary Express, which will begin running for the summer season on Saturday, April 2. It will run on weekends only through May, then will open every day through the summer. Weekend hours are Saturdays from 10 am to 7 pm and Sundays from 12 noon to 6 pm. All of our park picnic shelters are also available to rent, with a variety of sizes to accommodate any type of party or reunion. The shelters in all of our parks are in close proximity to their playground and restroom facilities.
Windows: • Are wooden windows pinned on both sides from the inside? • Are aluminum windows fitted with a secondary locking device? Doors: • Are all external doors metal or at least solid core construction? • Are the doors equipped with deadbolt locks with at least a one-inch throw? If you would like a member of the police department to conduct a complete home security survey, please call us at 704-920-4000 or contact Sergeant David Zienka at dzienka@kannapolisnc.gov.
23 Run Kannapolis – Strides for Stroke 5K: Downtown 26 Parks & Rec Road Trip – Biltmore Blooms (Asheville, NC): 9:30 am-10:00 pm $50 per person (Lunch NOT included!) Registration and fees due by April 13 30 Kaleidoscope Cultural Arts Festival – Downtown: 12-5 pm
MAY 14 Parks & Rec Road Trip – Charlotte Knights (Charlotte, NC): 4:30-10:00 pm, $20 per person (Lunch NOT included!) Registration and fees due by April 13 31 Parks & Rec Road Trip – Queens Landing (Mooresville, NC): 10:30 am-4:00 pm, $25 per person (Lunch NOT included!) Registration and fees due by April 27
E-Commerce Sites Moved to New Police Department
Important Information Regarding Paying Your Utility Bill If you would like to pay your utility bill in person, please go to our new Customer Service location in the new City Hall – Police Headquarters at 401 Laureate Way, Kannapolis. You can also pay your utility bill online at www.kannapolisnc.gov or by mailing it to P.O. 1190, Kannapolis, NC 28081.
Lighting: • Does the addition of security lighting give your home a perimeter of light around it all night? • Is the lighting motion activated?
14 Parks & Rec Road Trip – Historic Johnson Farm (Hendersonville, NC): 9 am-6 pm $25 per person (Lunch NOT included!) Registration and fees due by April 1
The E-Commerce Safe Zone parking spaces have been relocated to the new Kannapolis Police Department located at 401 Laureate Way. The designated parking spaces are located in the parking lot on the north side of the building. The spaces are marked with signs, yellow striping and are under 24-hour video surveillance. We encourage anyone completing transactions with people you’ve met on ebay, craigslist, and other online services to use these secure spaces. City Hall – Police Headquarters, 401 Laureate Way
a place called home
APRIL 2016
Mesean Maxwell was asked by his employer to do some repairs and maintenance on a house. What was seen as a place in disrepair by others, Mesean saw as one he could call home. The longer he worked on the house, the more he was moved to speak with his employer about purchasing it. After several months, he did ask, but he had no idea what his next step in the home ownership process should be. Mesean’s employer referred him to Prosperity Unlimited, Inc. (a Department of HUDapproved housing counseling agency) to help guide him through the steps to home ownership. Because Mesean had always managed his life without credit, Prosperity helped him to properly acquire and manage the right type of credit. This would build his credit score to meet lender guidelines for acquiring the best mortgage loan. Prosperity was also able to assist him in meeting his savings goal. “The process was so much smoother, having someone who is trained in the process to examine how not only to get a good loan, but to get the best possible loan available,” Mesean says. Prosperity determined Mesean was eligible for three down payment assistance programs. After choosing the two best options, he will receive $20,000 to help with his down payment and closing costs. Purchasing a house is not an easy process; regulations related to employment stability, credit and other underwriting guidelines are required. By seeking professional assistance, Mesean became well equipped to work with a loan officer and his house payment will be less than his current rent, placing him in a good position to save more for other items.
Fair Housing Workshop Learn the steps TO home ownerSHIP
April 26 • 6-8 pm • Doors open at 5:30 pm A light meal will be served from 5:30-6:15 pm The Laureate Center – Kannapolis City Hall, 401 Laureate Way SPONSORED BY City of Kannapolis, Cabarrus County, NC Housing Coalition, Prosperity Unlimited, Inc. • • Drawing for a $100 Gift Certificate at 6:15 pm • • To reserve your seat: Louise Mack: 704-933-7405; lmack@prosperitycdc.org Sherry Gordon: 704-920-4332; sgordon@kannapolisnc.gov
The City of Kannapolis 401 Laureate Way | Kannapolis, NC 28081 704.920.4300 | www.kannapolisnc.gov
Baseball is All About the Fans The Kannapolis Intimidators are offering plenty of new and returning programs this season! “It is going to be about the fans and enhancing their experience at the ball park,” Intimidators General Manager Randy Long says. Star Wars® and Disney® fan nights will include costume contests and appropriate musically-themed postgame fireworks shows as well as character appearances and giveaways. One fan will win $2,500 towards a Disney® vacation. Fans can also look for new and exciting options at the concession stands, including more healthy choices. Fans will have the option to gain half-priced reserved admission on Get Healthy nights by doing exercises, such as jumping jacks, at the gate. Get Healthy Kannapolis Nights are April 22, May 27, June 24, July 15 and August 20. Kannapolis resident nights return on Mondays evenings for city residents with proof of address. Family packages include tickets, food and drinks. Call 704-932-FANS (3267) or visit intimidatorsbaseball.com for tickets.
Follow the City on Facebook (facebook.com/cityofkannapolis) and Twitter (twitter.com#Kannapolis) for regular updates and more ideas for fun.
Kannapolis Prepares for 4th Jiggy with the Piggy Festival
I
n 2013, City of Kannapolis Deputy Manager Eddie Smith came up with the idea to host a barbecue competition sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society (KSBS).
That first year, 54 teams entered the competition (more than twice the average number for a first-year event), which ran simultaneously with VIllageFest. Last year, the number of participating teams grew to 81 and the entire festival was rebranded as Jiggy with the Piggy.
That’s why, a couple of years ago, the festival added a “people’s choice” event that includes top prizes in the categories of wings and pork. Forty to 50 teams will participate and the Kannapolis Rotary Club and Cannon Memorial YMCA will provide the manpower to help serve the public.
Now, with the North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC) providing more than enough space for the event, 100-plus arts & crafts vendors and more than 15,000 people expected to attend, the festival has fast become one of the premier events for the region. It’s the second largest KCBS competition on the East Coast and a great way to enjoy a May weekend in North Carolina.
Barbecue connoisseurs will enjoy 10 wings for $10 on Friday night or 10 servings of pork for $10 the following day. They will then select their favorites and the winners will walk away with a trophy and $200.
A competitive barbecue participant himself, Smith says, “Of course, it wouldn’t be a barbecue festival without
an opportunity to sample some of the meats being smoked all weekend.”
The purse for the overall competition is slightly larger this year at $18,250, with $2,000 going to the Grand Champion, $1,500 to second place and $1,000 going to the winner of each individual category continued on page 2