In celebration of Black History Month, Chatham Community Library will present the virtual performance, Tahira: Storytelling with a Purpose, at 2 p.m. Saturday via the library’s YouTube channel.
A repeat showing will air at 2 p.m. on Feb. 27.
Tahira is a storyteller, musician, vocalist, songwriter and spoken word artist whose high-energy performances delight listeners of all ages. She delivers unique performances of original works, as well as traditional African and African American folklore. Her programs blend story and music, and are often punctuated by soul-stirring vocals, rhythmic guitar and pulsating drumming.
An advocate of using the arts to bring about social change, Tahira believes that storytelling should inspire and educate. Her mission as an artist is “… to shed light in dark places to reveal the brilliance of the human spirit.”
Please contact the library at chathamlibrariesnc@gmail.com for additional information and to obtain a link to the performances.
This program is free and open to the public and is made possible by the generous support of the Friends of the Chatham Community Library.
The Silk Hope Ruritans will host a community blood drive with the American Red Cross from 2:30-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 17, at the Silk Hope Community Building, located at 4220 Silk Hope Rd. in Siler City.
For more information or to make an appointment to donate, call 919-742-5891 or sign up online at redcrossblood.org.
“The Silk Hope Ruritans are committed to strengthening our community and helping meet hospital and patient needs through blood donations,” said Jack Strum, chairman of the club’s Social Welfare Committee. “This blood drive is our way of giving staff, colleagues and neighbors an opportunity to help save lives.”
Blood is a perishable product that can only come from volunteer blood donors. With someone in the U.S. needing blood every two seconds, blood products must be constantly replenished, according to the Red Cross.
“We urge community members to donate blood and help ensure that patients in local hospitals have a supply of blood ready and waiting before an emergency occurs,” Strum said. “There’s no better feeling than knowing that your blood donation may give someone a second chance at life.”
According to the Red Cross, donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, A negative and B negative.
The mission of the Silk Hope Ruritan Club is to build community through “Fellowship, Goodwill and Community Service” in bringing the people of Silk Hope together through endeavors that improve their quality of life.
The Chatham 250 Historical Content group, which is part of the larger effort to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Chatham’s founding, is seeking histories of Chatham’s churches and faith communities.
Chatham 250 has more than 70 volunteers involved, representing folks and organizations from various professions and life experiences to showcase Chatham’s unique and inspiring history, focusing on the last 50 years. Their virtual collaborations over the last several months have led to an offering of Chatham’s best historical recounting in the areas of Agriculture, Creative Arts, Diversity and Community, Growth and Change, Natural Environment and Historical Content.
The “Churches and Communities Project” is inviting Chatham’s churches and other places of worship to share their church and community histories. If you’d like to share your church and community’s history to this project, please either:
• Complete this brief online survey: https://bit.ly/churchandcommunity
• Email chatham250thanniversary@gmail.com
• Call Hilary Pollan, Chatham 250 Project Manager, at 919-545-8408 for more information
SILER CITY — The Hispanic Liaison seeks to raise $14,000 by Valentine’s Day to continue supporting the Hispanic communities across Chatham, Alamance, Randolph and Lee counties.
The fundraiser, which began Feb. 1, has raised more than $9,200 so far, according to its Facebook page, and the Liaison needs just under $4,500 to reach its goal. The fundraiser ends Feb. 14.
“Our Latinx community has been severely affected by COVID-19,” said the Hispanic Liaison’s press release about the fundraiser. “Many families have lost work, are facing food insecurity, prolonged illness and are having a hard time making ends meet. The Hispanic Liaison is here to offer solace amid grief and help in times of adversity.”
Among other programs and operations, the funds raised will help the Liaison defend immigrant workers’ rights, fund the opening of the nonprofit’s first satellite office in Lee County and support the Liaison’s youth program, Orgullo Latinx Pride (OLP).
OLP, created in late 2017, supports 30 Latinx youth in Siler City and provides them with the necessary tools and assistance to pursue higher education. So far, 100% of OLP youth have gone on to college, many of them the first in their families to do so. During the pandemic, the program has provided emotional and academic support.
Anyone can donate through the Liaison’s Facebook, by mailing a check or money order to their office at 200 N. Chatham Avenue or by going to secure.actblue.com/donate/showthelove2021.
“It is only thanks to our generous donors that the Hispanic Liaison can be a beacon of hope for our community,” the Liaison’s staff members wrote on the organization’s Facebook page. “Please join us in protecting the health and safety of immigrant families.”
SANFORD — The Central Carolina Community College Accounting program has been recognized by Intelligent.com as having one of The Best Accounting Certificate Degree Programs for 2021.
CCCC was ranked No. 25 — Best For AIPB (American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers) Certification. See rankings at www.intelligent.com/best-accounting-certificate-degree-program/.
Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides, which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies.
“Our program is designed and taught based on industry needs. Our students learn the concepts needed on the job. They graduate with practice with real world applications and knowledge of tax, bookkeeping and payroll software,” said Martin C. Haley Jr., CCCC Lead Accounting Instructor. “It is nice to get recognition for our program. We have heard over the years how impressed businesses are with our students and their ability to hit the ground running because they know how to use the software.”
“I am happy to hear about the recent honor of receiving the AIPB Certification. It is a reflection on how well our students do in the profession once leaving our program,” said Erynn Stainback, CCCC Accounting Instructor.
The Accounting instructional program at CCCC focuses on many business functions and emphasizes learning Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
Courses/subject matter in the Accounting program include: Financial and Managerial Accounting, Income Taxes (Individual and Business), Payroll and Accounting Software, Economics and Financial Markets, Management and Human Resources and Business Law and Ethics.
“Maintaining relationships and connections make our program special. We believe it is important to establish good relationships with our community partners in order to provide our students with solid employment options after graduation,” said Stainback. “In addition, we communicate with N.C. State University on an informal and regular basis about opportunities such as the Student Networking Night and the NCACPA (North Carolina Association of CPAs) Summer Leadership Conference, which we have had CCCC students attend in the past.”
“Our program is tailored to give students practice and real world applications that are needed on the job day one of their career. They will be able to interview and convey to their future employers that they have the skills necessary to be successful,” said Haley.
Learn more about the CCCC Accounting program at www.cccc.edu/curriculum/majors/accounting/.
PITTSBORO — The Chatham County Board of Education has launched a survey seeking input on the characteristics, experience and skills desired in the district’s next superintendent. Board members want to hear from students, parents and community members. The survey is available in English and Spanish.
Survey responses are due by Feb. 19. The North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA) will compile and present the results at a March 8 board meeting. The NCSBA is helping to facilitate the Board of Education’s superintendent search process.
Chatham County Schools employees will receive a separate survey.
Local groups and organizations may submit written statements regarding the leadership qualities they would like to see in the next superintendent. Those statements should be mailed to: NCSBA, Attn: CCS Superintendent Search, 7208 Falls of Neuse Road, Suite 301, Raleigh, NC 27615; or emailed to jorourke@ncsba.org. The deadline to submit statements is Feb. 19.
Financial services firm Edward Jones has been named to Fortune magazine’s list of the World’s Most Admired Companies, a recognition of the most respected and reputable companies. The firm ranked No. 4 in the Securities/Asset Management industry category.
Of note was the firm’s industry rank in social responsibility (2) and people management, financial soundness and quality of management (3) categories.
“We’re proud to be recognized for the work we do every single day on behalf of our 7 million clients,” said Ken Cella, principal leading Edward Jones Client Strategies Group. “We’re driven by our sense of purpose, which is to partner for positive impact to improve the wellbeing of our clients and colleagues, and to work together to better our communities and society. Everything we do comes back to that clear purpose, and that’s what helps us perform better, earn deeper trust and confidence from our stakeholders, and have associates who are deeply committed to our work. We strive to help our clients realize opportunities in their own lives that go beyond what they thought was possible.”
For nearly a century, Edward Jones associates have been recognized for helping individual investors and families accomplish their financial goals, championing associates’ unique contributions and strengthening communities throughout North America.
All our life stories deserve to be told, written, and remembered. Now, Memoir Scribes will help you write yours.
The Chatham Council on Aging’s new program will use Memoir Scribes — young volunteers ready to get to know you and help write about your life — to put your story on paper. Talking about the events, challenges, and best moments of your life can be a meaningful way to recall all you have experienced.
How does it work? A meeting will be set with a Memoir Scribe to have a conversation about your life. The Scribe will then create a written booklet of your words for you to keep. There is no cost to participate and your conversation will not be shared with others.
Interested? Call the COA’s Senior Center to learn more and schedule your time with a Memoir Scribe. Please contact Jackie Green for more information at 919-542-4512 (ext. #227) or email her at Jackie.Green@chathamcoa.org.
The Friends of the Chatham Community Library has canceled its spring book sale, which was to have been held March 25- 27 at the library.
The reason for the cancellation is the continuing lockdown of government offices and businesses ordered by federal, state and local governments, which at this writing is expected to continue at least through the spring.
Each sale at the library raises nearly $20,000 for the benefit of the library and its operations.
Despite the cancellation of the spring book sale and the loss of additional revenue provided by it, the Chatham Community Library is making every effort to continue serving the citizens of Chatham County.
For example, in the last six months, the library staff has provided the community with curbside take-out and return service, plus reference and research services via phone and computer, and virtual educational and entertainment classes for all ages.
The Friends is planning to resume the spring and fall book sales when the pandemic is officially declared ended. Until that time, the organization continues to welcome cash, check or similar donations, plus new membership applications.
More information may be found on its website at friendsccl.org.
— CN+R staff reports