November 2019 - Kannapolis Matters

Kannapolis Christmas Events Begin November 23 A Kannapolis Christmas will officially kick off at Village Park with the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m., Saturday, November 23. The Celebration continues through the Christmas Holiday season with the Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express.

S Gaugers group also returns this year with their popular model trains on display.

The Winterland Express train runs every evening from November 23-December 30 (closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) from 6-9 p.m. on Sundays-Thursdays, and from 6-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Ride the train through the park, enjoy more than 250,000 Christmas lights, make s’mores and more.

Admission to the park and viewing of the lights is free; tickets to ride the train and carousel are $2 per person per ride. The park is located at 700 West C Street in Kannapolis.

Again this year, kids of all ages will be able to visit Santa in his studio each night. The park will also feature performances from our very own Kannapolis Singing Bears, who will entertain your family with a Christmas carol performance. The Atlantic Coast

On various nights, local community groups and musicians will perform your favorite Christmas songs. Children will also have an opportunity to create ornaments and enjoy activities in the Children’s Zone.

Events during the month-long celebration: • November 23: Tree Lighting Ceremony – 6 p.m. at Village Park, 700 West C Street. Celebrate the start of the Christmas season in Kannapolis with the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Enjoy live music and entertainment, kid’s activities and fireworks. Free admission.

• December 14: The 81st Annual Kannapolis Christmas Parade, presented by Cannon Pharmacy, begins at 6 p.m.

This special nighttime parade travels through the streets of downtown Kannapolis and usually lasts until 7:30 p.m. If you are interested in participating in the parade, and for a complete schedule of events, visit kannapolisnc.gov/christmas.

YARD WASTE REMINDER Our contractor cannot collect trash with yard waste mixed in. Please remember to put yard waste and loose leaves at the curb, not in your trash bin. Loose Leaf Collection season is underway until March 6. For more information about how to dispose of items and to find your collection schedule, visit kannapolisnc.gov/yardwaste or download the CARTology app in the Apple and Google Play stores.

RECYCLING GLASS UPDATE In July, we announced that glass was no longer acceptable in curbside recycling bins. We have negotiated with our vendor, and we are glad to announce that glass will once again be accepted in your yellow recycling carts. Thank you for recycling!

THE CITY OF KANNAPOLIS 401 Laureate Way | Kannapolis, NC 28081 704.920.4300 www.kannapolisnc.gov

Calendar of Events

NOVEMBER 2019

NOVEMBER Mother/Son Superhero Event 6-8 p.m. | City Hall

3

Fall Back 5K 1:30 a.m. | Downtown Kannapolis

9 Kannapolis Cruise-In | 1-7 p.m.

NCRC 10

Kannapolis Receives Gifts of Public Art

T

he City of Kannapolis has received two special gifts. The estate of Dr. Harold Cook, and Lynne and Wally Safrit, have donated funds to purchase two pieces of sculpture. Both sculptures have been placed on West Avenue as part of the new streetscape.

N.C. artist Tom Risser created both pieces using stainless steel. The Dancers was donated by the late Dr. Harold Cook. The eight-foottall sculpture captures two people dancing; it is located near the intersection of West Avenue and Laureate Way.

West Avenue Soundstages 1-3 p.m | West Avenue

13 Loop the Loop Hydration Station & 18 4-7 p.m. | West Avenue 15

Mystery Theater | 5:30 p.m.

Laureate Center

16

Fire Station #2 Open House 10 a.m.-noon | 819 Richard Avenue

23 Annual Tree Lighting with Fireworks | 6-10 p.m. | Village Park 24- Winterland Express and 30 Celebration of Lights

6 p.m. | Village Park (Closed on Thanksgiving Day) 28

Thanksgiving Day City offices closed in observance

DECEMBER

The Dancers

Lynne and Wally Safrit have donated a sculpture entitled Relever, which means “To Rise.”

In ballet, Releve is one of the seven dance movements. This ten-foot-tall piece captures the fluid movements of a person dancing. It is located at the West B and West Avenue intersection.

These two sculptures are the first pieces of public art in downtown Kannapolis.

Follow the City on Facebook (facebook.com/cityofkannapolis), Instagram @KannapolisNC, LinkedIn (linkedin. com/company/cityofkanapolis), Nextdoor (nextdoor.com/Kannapolisnc.gov), Snapchat @KannapolisNC and Twitter @Kannapolis for regular updates and more ideas for fun.

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Continued on page 2

1- 30

Winterland Express and Celebration of Lights 6 p.m. | Village Park (Closed December 24-25)

7

Frostbite 5K | 10 a.m.

Downtown Kannapolis

14

Christmas Parade | 6 p.m.

Downtown Kannapolis More at kannapolisnc.gov

Continued from page 1

Two other sculptures by Risser have also been added to the West Avenue streetscape: Smiley, on loan from the artist, and Complex It, purchased by the City.

These two pieces are also made of stainless steel that has been purposefully aged by the artist. Both are whimsical and fun. They are located close to the intersection of West Avenue and Vance Street.

At eight feet, Smiley is sure to be an Instagram favorite with children and adults alike. Complex It is ten feet tall and has brilliantly colored panels that are meant to capture the sun’s rays.

Relever

Smiley

Complex It

City of Kannapolis Announces Historic Designation and Improvements for The Gem The City of Kannapolis is pleased to announce the Gem Theatre has been added to the National Register of Historic Places and the City will invest $1.5 million to improve this important community treasure. The Gem Theatre property was part of the City’s purchase of Downtown property in 2015.

City staff members have worked diligently to complete the one-year process, which involved authenticating the age of the building and its unique architectural elements.

The National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate and protect America’s historic and archeological resources. There are currently 95,000 properties that have been identified as historic and worthy of preservation in the U.S.

Happy Birthday to Our Water Department!

It’s been 35 years since the City began providing water services. In 1989 the City purchased the Fieldcrest Cannon dam, water treatment plant and 3,500 acres of property on Second Creek in Rowan County. The purchase was made following the City’s incorporation in 1984 and has provided a system of quality drinking water for residents since that time.

Being listed on the National Register is the first step in obtaining historic tax credits, which may help fund future improvements to the theatre.

While the City worked to garner the historic register designation, City staff surveyed residents and completed assessments on the Gem Theatre structure. More than 4,000 people responded to the survey and asked for improved bathrooms and seating.

The building assessment brought to light the fact that a new roof and new HVAC systems were needed. The City invested in a new roof in the spring of this year. The new HVAC systems and handicap bathrooms will be added this winter.

Additional improvements to the theatre lobby and seating areas will be in future improvement phases when funding is available.

Monthly Environmental Tip We’re in the season of cooking for friends and family. Remember not to put your FOGs (fats, oils and grease) down the drain. They can clog and damage pipes. Pour them into a container and put them in the trash.

From left: Jeannie Childers, Pam Phifer and Ginger Overcash

During our recent celebration with our Public Works and Utility Billing staff, we were able to recognize three employees who have been with us for more than 30 years: Jeannie Childers, 51 years; Pam Phifer, 32 years; and Ginger Overcash, 40 years.

Preparing Your Holiday Turkey It’s hard to beat the speed and flavor of deepfrying a turkey, but turkey fryers have the potential to cause fire and serious injury. For these reasons, the Kannapolis Fire Department advises against using them.

If you do plan to deep-fry your holiday bird, be sure you know how to safely use the fryer, and take these precautions to protect yourself, guests and home: • Keep outdoor fryers off decks, out of garages and a safe distance away from trees and other structures.

• Make sure the turkey is thawed and dry before cooking. Ice or water that mixes into the hot oil can cause flare-ups.

• Watch the weather. Never operate a fryer outdoors in the rain or snow.

• Place the fryer on a level surface, and avoid moving it once it’s in use.

• Leave two feet between the tank and burner when using a propane-powered fryer.

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid overfilling. Oil can ignite when it makes contact with the burner.

• Choose a smaller turkey for frying. A bird that’s eight to ten pounds is best; pass on turkeys over 12 pounds.

• Never leave fryers unattended.

• Purchase a fryer with temperature controls, and watch the oil temperature carefully. Cooking oil that is heated beyond its smoke point can catch fire.

If you notice the oil is smoking, turn the fryer off.

• Turn off the burner before lowering the turkey into the oil. Once the turkey is submerged, turn the burner on.

• Wear goggles to shield your eyes, use oven mitts to protect your hands and arms, and keep a grease-rated fire extinguisher close by.

• Skip the stuffing when frying turkey and avoid water-based marinades.

• Keep children and pets away from the fryer at all times.

• Once finished, carefully remove the pot from the burner; place it on a level surface and cover to let the oil cool overnight before disposing.

• Opt for an oil-less fryer. This uses infrared heat, rather than oil, to cook the turkey.

Register Now! The Frostbite 5K returns this year at 10 a.m. on December 7. A great time is always had by all as participants enjoy the chilly weather and run/walk to get warm. Monies from this run benefit the YMCA Scholarship Fund. Register at runkannapolis.com.

Continued from page 1

Two other sculptures by Risser have also been added to the West Avenue streetscape: Smiley, on loan from the artist, and Complex It, purchased by the City.

These two pieces are also made of stainless steel that has been purposefully aged by the artist. Both are whimsical and fun. They are located close to the intersection of West Avenue and Vance Street.

At eight feet, Smiley is sure to be an Instagram favorite with children and adults alike. Complex It is ten feet tall and has brilliantly colored panels that are meant to capture the sun’s rays.

Relever

Smiley

Complex It

City of Kannapolis Announces Historic Designation and Improvements for The Gem The City of Kannapolis is pleased to announce the Gem Theatre has been added to the National Register of Historic Places and the City will invest $1.5 million to improve this important community treasure. The Gem Theatre property was part of the City’s purchase of Downtown property in 2015.

City staff members have worked diligently to complete the one-year process, which involved authenticating the age of the building and its unique architectural elements.

The National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate and protect America’s historic and archeological resources. There are currently 95,000 properties that have been identified as historic and worthy of preservation in the U.S.

Happy Birthday to Our Water Department!

It’s been 35 years since the City began providing water services. In 1989 the City purchased the Fieldcrest Cannon dam, water treatment plant and 3,500 acres of property on Second Creek in Rowan County. The purchase was made following the City’s incorporation in 1984 and has provided a system of quality drinking water for residents since that time.

Being listed on the National Register is the first step in obtaining historic tax credits, which may help fund future improvements to the theatre.

While the City worked to garner the historic register designation, City staff surveyed residents and completed assessments on the Gem Theatre structure. More than 4,000 people responded to the survey and asked for improved bathrooms and seating.

The building assessment brought to light the fact that a new roof and new HVAC systems were needed. The City invested in a new roof in the spring of this year. The new HVAC systems and handicap bathrooms will be added this winter.

Additional improvements to the theatre lobby and seating areas will be in future improvement phases when funding is available.

Monthly Environmental Tip We’re in the season of cooking for friends and family. Remember not to put your FOGs (fats, oils and grease) down the drain. They can clog and damage pipes. Pour them into a container and put them in the trash.

From left: Jeannie Childers, Pam Phifer and Ginger Overcash

During our recent celebration with our Public Works and Utility Billing staff, we were able to recognize three employees who have been with us for more than 30 years: Jeannie Childers, 51 years; Pam Phifer, 32 years; and Ginger Overcash, 40 years.

Preparing Your Holiday Turkey It’s hard to beat the speed and flavor of deepfrying a turkey, but turkey fryers have the potential to cause fire and serious injury. For these reasons, the Kannapolis Fire Department advises against using them.

If you do plan to deep-fry your holiday bird, be sure you know how to safely use the fryer, and take these precautions to protect yourself, guests and home: • Keep outdoor fryers off decks, out of garages and a safe distance away from trees and other structures.

• Make sure the turkey is thawed and dry before cooking. Ice or water that mixes into the hot oil can cause flare-ups.

• Watch the weather. Never operate a fryer outdoors in the rain or snow.

• Place the fryer on a level surface, and avoid moving it once it’s in use.

• Leave two feet between the tank and burner when using a propane-powered fryer.

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid overfilling. Oil can ignite when it makes contact with the burner.

• Choose a smaller turkey for frying. A bird that’s eight to ten pounds is best; pass on turkeys over 12 pounds.

• Never leave fryers unattended.

• Purchase a fryer with temperature controls, and watch the oil temperature carefully. Cooking oil that is heated beyond its smoke point can catch fire.

If you notice the oil is smoking, turn the fryer off.

• Turn off the burner before lowering the turkey into the oil. Once the turkey is submerged, turn the burner on.

• Wear goggles to shield your eyes, use oven mitts to protect your hands and arms, and keep a grease-rated fire extinguisher close by.

• Skip the stuffing when frying turkey and avoid water-based marinades.

• Keep children and pets away from the fryer at all times.

• Once finished, carefully remove the pot from the burner; place it on a level surface and cover to let the oil cool overnight before disposing.

• Opt for an oil-less fryer. This uses infrared heat, rather than oil, to cook the turkey.

Register Now! The Frostbite 5K returns this year at 10 a.m. on December 7. A great time is always had by all as participants enjoy the chilly weather and run/walk to get warm. Monies from this run benefit the YMCA Scholarship Fund. Register at runkannapolis.com.

Kannapolis Christmas Events Begin November 23 A Kannapolis Christmas will officially kick off at Village Park with the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m., Saturday, November 23. The Celebration continues through the Christmas Holiday season with the Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express.

S Gaugers group also returns this year with their popular model trains on display.

The Winterland Express train runs every evening from November 23-December 30 (closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) from 6-9 p.m. on Sundays-Thursdays, and from 6-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Ride the train through the park, enjoy more than 250,000 Christmas lights, make s’mores and more.

Admission to the park and viewing of the lights is free; tickets to ride the train and carousel are $2 per person per ride. The park is located at 700 West C Street in Kannapolis.

Again this year, kids of all ages will be able to visit Santa in his studio each night. The park will also feature performances from our very own Kannapolis Singing Bears, who will entertain your family with a Christmas carol performance. The Atlantic Coast

On various nights, local community groups and musicians will perform your favorite Christmas songs. Children will also have an opportunity to create ornaments and enjoy activities in the Children’s Zone.

Events during the month-long celebration: • November 23: Tree Lighting Ceremony – 6 p.m. at Village Park, 700 West C Street. Celebrate the start of the Christmas season in Kannapolis with the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Enjoy live music and entertainment, kid’s activities and fireworks. Free admission.

• December 14: The 81st Annual Kannapolis Christmas Parade, presented by Cannon Pharmacy, begins at 6 p.m.

This special nighttime parade travels through the streets of downtown Kannapolis and usually lasts until 7:30 p.m. If you are interested in participating in the parade, and for a complete schedule of events, visit kannapolisnc.gov/christmas.

YARD WASTE REMINDER Our contractor cannot collect trash with yard waste mixed in. Please remember to put yard waste and loose leaves at the curb, not in your trash bin. Loose Leaf Collection season is underway until March 6. For more information about how to dispose of items and to find your collection schedule, visit kannapolisnc.gov/yardwaste or download the CARTology app in the Apple and Google Play stores.

RECYCLING GLASS UPDATE In July, we announced that glass was no longer acceptable in curbside recycling bins. We have negotiated with our vendor, and we are glad to announce that glass will once again be accepted in your yellow recycling carts. Thank you for recycling!

THE CITY OF KANNAPOLIS 401 Laureate Way | Kannapolis, NC 28081 704.920.4300 www.kannapolisnc.gov

Calendar of Events

NOVEMBER 2019

NOVEMBER Mother/Son Superhero Event 6-8 p.m. | City Hall

3

Fall Back 5K 1:30 a.m. | Downtown Kannapolis

9 Kannapolis Cruise-In | 1-7 p.m.

NCRC 10

Kannapolis Receives Gifts of Public Art

T

he City of Kannapolis has received two special gifts. The estate of Dr. Harold Cook, and Lynne and Wally Safrit, have donated funds to purchase two pieces of sculpture. Both sculptures have been placed on West Avenue as part of the new streetscape.

N.C. artist Tom Risser created both pieces using stainless steel. The Dancers was donated by the late Dr. Harold Cook. The eight-foottall sculpture captures two people dancing; it is located near the intersection of West Avenue and Laureate Way.

West Avenue Soundstages 1-3 p.m | West Avenue

13 Loop the Loop Hydration Station & 18 4-7 p.m. | West Avenue 15

Mystery Theater | 5:30 p.m.

Laureate Center

16

Fire Station #2 Open House 10 a.m.-noon | 819 Richard Avenue

23 Annual Tree Lighting with Fireworks | 6-10 p.m. | Village Park 24- Winterland Express and 30 Celebration of Lights

6 p.m. | Village Park (Closed on Thanksgiving Day) 28

Thanksgiving Day City offices closed in observance

DECEMBER

The Dancers

Lynne and Wally Safrit have donated a sculpture entitled Relever, which means “To Rise.”

In ballet, Releve is one of the seven dance movements. This ten-foot-tall piece captures the fluid movements of a person dancing. It is located at the West B and West Avenue intersection.

These two sculptures are the first pieces of public art in downtown Kannapolis.

Follow the City on Facebook (facebook.com/cityofkannapolis), Instagram @KannapolisNC, LinkedIn (linkedin. com/company/cityofkanapolis), Nextdoor (nextdoor.com/Kannapolisnc.gov), Snapchat @KannapolisNC and Twitter @Kannapolis for regular updates and more ideas for fun.

1

Continued on page 2

1- 30

Winterland Express and Celebration of Lights 6 p.m. | Village Park (Closed December 24-25)

7

Frostbite 5K | 10 a.m.

Downtown Kannapolis

14

Christmas Parade | 6 p.m.

Downtown Kannapolis More at kannapolisnc.gov