NEWS BRIEFS
CCCC offers grantwriting workshop
PITTSBORO — CCCC’s one-day workshop, Introduction to Grantwriting, is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4, at the main Pittsboro Campus.
Students will learn the basics of writing grants in a hands-on setting, including how to set and maintain a workable grant cycle, identify possibilities in the business community, and apply good storytelling practices to elevate a successful program. The cost is $71.60; students should bring a bagged lunch and their computer. Register online at www.cccc.edu/ecd/find-classes/index.php?PublicationDepartment=Creative%20Writing.
CCPHD restarts virtual QuitSmart classes to help residents quit tobacco use
PITTSBORO — The Chatham County Public Health Department is offering the QuitSmart program this fall to help Chatham County residents quit using tobacco.
Tobacco use is “the leading preventable cause of death and disease in the United States,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with approximately 480,000 Americans dying each year from tobacco-related illnesses, and more than 16 million Americans suffering from at least one disease caused by smoking. Use of tobacco products such as cigarettes, vapes/electronic cigarettes, smokeless tobacco like chew or dip, cigars and pipes can contribute to cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and increases risk for tuberculosis, certain eye diseases and problems of the immune system including rheumatoid arthritis.
According to the 2021 Chatham County Community Assessment, one in nine adults in Chatham County say they use any tobacco product (11.2%), with the most common form being cigarettes (8.2%), followed by cigars (1.9%) and vapes/electronic cigarettes (1.1%).
The free virtual classes will start with an information session on Oct. 6, followed by three meetings. All sessions will be virtual and led by a trained and nationally-certified instructor. Participants will also receive:
• 2 weeks of nicotine replacement patches
• QuitSmart materials
• Support from other participants
• Personalized pre-quit and 12-week quit plan
All sessions are held on Zoom from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on:
• Thursday, Oct. 6
• Thursday, Oct. 13
• Thursday, Oct. 27
• Thursday, Nov. 3
Those who have questions or want to sign up for the class should email Program Lead Anna Stormzand at anna.stormzand@chathamcountync.gov or call the CCPHD office at 919-542-8271 and let them know you want to sign-up for the October QuitSmart classes. They can also learn more at www.chathamcountync.gov/quitsmoking. The registration deadline is Wednesday, Oct. 5.
To learn more about the Chatham County Public Health Department, visit www.chathamcountync.gov/publichealth and www.facebook.com/chathamhealth. More data on Chatham County tobacco use and other health topics can be found in the recent 2021 Chatham County Community Assessment at www.chathamcountync.gov/healthreports.
Silk Hope Ruritans plan Oct. 21 blood drive
The Silk Hope Ruritans will host a blood drive at the Silk Hope community building at 4221 Silk Hope Rd., in conjunction with the American Red Cross, from 2:30 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21.
Tractor Supply unveils remodel at Siler City location
SILER CITY — Tractor Supply has announced the completion of a remodel of the entire store at the Siler City location that will transform the shopping experience for local customers.
The enhanced store features an improved layout for convenient and accessible shopping as well as a new Customer Service Hub with upgraded digital tools to help customers find what they need. Additionally, customers can now shop from an expanded assortment of apparel, tools, hardware, pet food, animal feed and more.
“At Tractor Supply, we constantly work to improve the customer experience, from product offerings to in-store features,” said Jon Deoliveira, district manager of the Siler City Tractor Supply store. “These exciting upgrades have completely transformed our store, making it an even better option for customers shopping for Life Out Here. We are excited for customers to visit our new space that now features more products than ever before, including our new apparel department, expanded feed and food selection and broader tool assortment. We know that customers will love these upgrades as much as we do, and we hope to share them with both familiar and new faces from the Siler City community.”
With these enhancements, the Siler City Tractor Supply continues to serve the needs of homeowners, livestock and pet owners, gardeners, hobby farmers, ranchers, tradesmen and others. Tractor Supply customers can shop from a wide range of products including workwear and boots, equine and pet supplies, zero turns and riding mowers, pet food, lawn and garden supplies, power tools, fencing, welding and more.
The Siler City Tractor Supply store, at 100 Siler Crossing, is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. To learn more about Tractor Supply Company, visit TractorSupply.com. For information on Tractor Supply’s Neighbor’s Club loyalty program, please visit NeighborsClub.com.
WEBB Squared to present report on Black entrepreneurs in Chatham County, rural N.C. counties
PITTSBORO — WEBB Squared (Wealth through Entrepreneurship for Black Businesses) will present a ground-breaking report on the status of Black Entrepreneurs in Chatham County and rural counties in North Carolina.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, at the Chatham Agriculture & Conference Center. Tickets can be purchased online at webbsquared.org.
In Chatham County and rural counties across the state, the racial wealth gap is wide, but little documentation has been compiled. This presentation will aggregate critical and cutting-edge data across a range of social and economic indicators to highlight the impact of centuries of policies and practices that remain as barriers to opportunities.
Its purpose is to raise awareness and cultivate conversations about these barriers and explore opportunities to develop ecosystems that support Black entrepreneurs living in rural counties in North Carolina. The report also will establish a baseline from which to measure progress to stem the tide of wealth inequality so that these entrepreneurs can start, grow, sustain and scale their businesses, create jobs, hire employees, and improve economic household and community conditions.
For more information, click on “events” at webbsquared.org.
For more information, contact Stephanie Terry, executive director, at stephanie@webbsquaredorg or by calling 919-225-6187.
For event or registration information, contact Rinnie Orr, associate director, at rinnie@webbsquaredorg or by calling 919-357-2759.