The Bluegrass Gathering Spot on Saturday Nights from 6:00 - 11:00 pm. This is FREE and is located on Hwy 18 South between Shelby and I-85 (1/2 block from the Sundrop Plant.) Call 704-713-4787 for more info. “No Alcohol” Ya’ll come out and hear local and booked bluegrass bands. Refreshments available, taking donations, and catering by Hot Dog Chefs.

South Mountains State Park Programs

7/31 – “Animals of the South Mountains” – Join a Park Ranger and learn about the many animals that call South Mountains home. The program will begin at 11:00 am in the Visitor Center auditorium. 

7/31 – “Birds of Prey” – Join a Park Ranger at the Visitor Center at 2:00 pm and learn about some of the birds of prey found in the South Mountains. You will learn about the distinguishing characteristics of these animals, and find out why they are called birds of prey.

8/1, 8/8, 8/15, 8/22, 8/29 – “Tree ID Hike” – Sunday – 11 am. Join a Park Ranger for a 1.0 mile hike along the Hemlock Nature Trail. Tree identification will be the focus of this hike. Meet at the Jacob Fork Parking Area

8/7, 8/28 – “Birds of Prey” –  Join a Park Ranger at the Visitor Center at 2:00 pm and learn about some of the birds of prey found in the South Mountains. You will learn about the distinguishing characteristics of these animals, and find out why they are called birds of prey.

8/7 – “Animals of the South Mountains” – Saturday – 11 am. Join a Park Ranger to learn about the many animals that call South Mountains home.  The program will begin at 11:00 am in the Visitor Center auditorium. 

8/8, 8/15 – “Black Bears: Majestic Creatures of the Wild” – Sunday – How dangerous are black bears? Can we coexist? Why are black bears so unique? What should I do if I see a black bear? The program will begin at 2:00 pm in the Visitor Center.

8/14 – “Bats” – Saturday – Are bats blind? Do they fly into your hair? Do they turn into vampires? Join a Park Ranger at the Visitor Center at 11:00 am to learn some Bat facts and have an opportunity to view some Bats.

8/14 –“The Roles and Responsibilities of a NC State Park Ranger” – What does a Park Ranger do on a day to day basis? Meet in the Visitor Center auditorium at 2:00 pm.

8/21 – “The 10 Essentials” – Saturday – What items should you always carry with you when hiking?  Meet a Park Ranger at the Visitor Center at 11:00 am to learn about the “10 Essentials”.   

8/21 –“Creatures of the Night” – Meet in the Visitor Center auditorium at 2:00 pm to learn about some of our local nocturnal creatures. Note: This program will NOT have any live specimens.

8/22 – “Animals of the South Mountains” – Sunday – 2 pm. Join a Park Ranger to learn about the many animals that call South Mountains home.  The program will begin at 2:00 pm in the Visitor Center auditorium.

8/28 – “What’s in the Water?” – Saturday – 11 am. How many different kinds of critters live in the river?? Join a Park Ranger in the stream to turn over some rocks and learn more about what you might find there. Come prepared to get wet!!  Meet at the Visitor Center at 11:00 am.

8/29 – “Element of Disguise” – Sunday – 2 pm. Can you see me now? Kids, join a Park Ranger for a program on animal camouflage.  Learn how both predators and prey use the true art of camouflage for survival. Meet at the Visitor Center at 2:00 pm.

South Mountains State Park, 3001 South Mountains Park Avenue, Connelly Springs, NC  28612. (South Mountains State Park is located south of Morganton off of old Highway 18.) We welcome the community to join us for our monthly educational interpretive programs. Call the park office at (828) 433-4772 or www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/somo for more information. 

Council On Aging/Neal Senior Center

7/30 – Monthly Covered Dish Luncheon –  Friday at Council on Aging/Senior Center, 100 T.R. Harris Drive, Shelby – 11:30 am - 1:00 pm. Everyone is invited, just bring your favorite dish and join in all the fun. Please contact the Senior Center at 704-482-3488 if you plan to attend. Everyone must bring a dish; donations will be accepted and appreciated to cover the cost of tea, cups, plates, etc.

8/12 – Coming in August – Birthday Party/Ice Cream Soda –  August 12 at 1:30 pm – COA/Senior Center, 100 T.R. Harris Drive, Shelby – 704-482-3488. Call the Senior Center if you would like to donate a churn of ice cream, cake or cookies. Cost: $3.00 per person. No charge for anyone making a donation. 

Boys & Girls Club Summer Day Camp

    The Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland County has a limited number of openings for the last month of the 2010 Jack Schweppe Summer Day Camp. Registrations, first-come first-served are being held weekdays, 8 AM to 5:30 PM. at the Boys & Girls Club building, 412 West Sumter Street, directly behind Shelby Middle School in Shelby. Day Camp runs weekdays, 8:00 AM until 5:30 in the evening with the program schedule varying daily. Campers participate in structured daily Club activities in which they are placed with children of like age. The program is open to all boys and girls, rising first graders through age 14. Financial Assistance is available with regular Day Camp session fees based on a sliding scale according to income. For more information on the Boys & Girls Club Summer Day Camp, stop by the Club building at 412 West Sumter Street or call 704-471-CLUB (2582), weekdays 8 AM to 5:30 in the evening.

Partnership for End-of-Life Issues

“Funeral Home Tours” – Tour includes a look into the embalming room (optional), a visit to the selection room, and presentation by a funeral service professional discussing pre-needs, pre-planning, cremation, and ways to memorialize your loved ones.

Stamey Funeral Home – Fri., Sept. 3 at 10:00 am – 846 E. Stagecoach Trail, Fallston.

Cleveland Funeral Services – Wed., Oct. 6 at 10:00 am – 2518 W. Dixon Blvd., Shelby.

For more information on Journey, please contact Len Byers at 980-487-3855.

Cleveland County Memorial Library

Now-7/30 – Water Your Mind – READ, Adult Summer Reading Program: Cleveland – Don’t let your mind dry up this summer. Cleveland County Library System. Register and use your book review prize entry forms to enter into weekly drawings for fabulous prizes! Some of these prizes include: a Fatz Café coupon book worth $20.00, a Ruby Tuesday’s Gift Card, where there is a new Sunday Brunch from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., an Alston Bridges Barbecue dinner for two coupons, an Arnold’s Jewelry Store Gift Set, and much, much more. Registration begins June 14th. So Water Your Imagination this summer and READ! For more information, please contact Kimberly Logan, Adult Services Librarian at 704-487-9069, ext. 238.

Now-8/5 – Make A Splash @Your Library Children’s Summer Reading Program - June 14-August 5, 2010, 10:00-11:00 AM – The theme for the week of July 11th is High Seas Adventure. The program is for children ages pre-school to 6th grade will meet every Wednesday. Children will read books on their reading level and the books must come from the library. For more information, please contact Barbara Wakefield, Children’s Librarian at 704-487-9069, ext., 233.

8/12 – Morning Book Club – Thursday – 10:30 am - 12:00 pm. – Come join the Library Morning Book Club. The book for August is Pearl of China by Anchee Min. Everyone is invited to attend. For more information, please contact the Cleveland County Memorial Library at 704-487-9069.

Cleveland County Arts Council

“Home - it’s where the Art is” – July 26th - 30th – Summer Art Camp – 3rd grade and up.

“A Day in the Life of Cleveland County” – Exhibit: Now through - July 29th – You’re invited to the Opening Reception. This is a viewers choice competition, come vote for your favorite photograph.

“Shavings & Thrums” – A juried exhibition that seeks to showcase a wide range of outstanding works related to fiber and wood media. Contemporary, innovative and traditional works created with fiber or wood as the primary media are welcome. Entry deadline: July 30.

“Art and it’s many uses” – Aug. 2nd - 6th – Summer Art Camp – 4 & 5 year olds.

“Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” – Aug. 9th - 13th – Summer Art Camp – 1st - 8th graders.

“Made for Each Other” – September 9 – October 14 – A Juried Art Exhibition Featuring Ceramic Cream & Sugar Sets.

American Red Cross Bloodmobile

JULY 2010 OPEN & CLOSED BLOOD DRIVES

DONOR APPEAL!!  0 NEG AT CRITICAL LOW

(Please call for an appointment --- LESS WAITING TIME!)

7/29 – Thursday – American Red Cross (20) – 2:30 pm – 6:30 pm – 1333 Fallston Road, Shelby, NC. Free Cleveland Mall Chick fil-A Coupons. For appointment call Carrie at 704-487-8594.

7/30 – Friday – Wal-mart (25) – 12 Noon – 4:30 pm – 705 E. Dixon Blvd., Shelby, NC.

JULY CPR CLASS SCHEDULE

7/29 – Thursday – Infant & Child CPR – 6:00 pm

You have to prepay and register before day of class!

1333 Fallston Road, Shelby, NC

704-487-8594

Hospice Cleveland Co. – Upcoming Events

8/3, 10, 17, & 24 – Reflections – Wednesdays – 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm – This grief support group meets for six weeks in the morning and is most beneficial if all sessions are attended. No cost and open to anyone who has lost a loved one. Please RSVP to ext. 166 if you plan to attend. Kings Mountain Hospice House, 321 Kings Mountain Boulevard, Kings Mountain, NC.

8/5, 12, 19, & 26 – Reflections – Thursdays – 10:30 am - Noon – This grief support group meets for six weeks in the morning and is most beneficial if all sessions are attended. No cost and open to anyone who has lost a loved one. Please RSVP to 704-487-4677, ext. 166 if you plan to attend. Hospice Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC.

9/21 – Memory Bear Workshop – Tuesday – 9:00 am - Noon or 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm – Participants will have the opportunity to make a teddy bear out of a loved one’s shirt or other article of clothing. Children are welcome if accompanied by an adult. Please RSVP to ext. 166 if you plan to attend. Hospice Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC.

10/16 – Yard Sale – Saturday – 7:00 am - 11:00 am – Rib Sale and Music: 10 am - 1 pm. Donate your new or gently used items to Hospice Cleveland County and support a great cause. Items can be dropped off Monday-Friday from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm until Wednesday, October 13th at Hospice Cleveland County. No clothing please!  Shop and enjoy live music by Rock Springs Bluegrass and BBQ ribs by Skip Warrick, while they last. For rib pre-orders call 704-487-4677. Hospice Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC.

Family Swim Theme Nights at City Park

   Family Swim – Now thru Aug. 19 – Tuesday and Thursday nights from 7:30 - 9:30 pm. The cost is $1.00 (12 and under and 55 and over); and $2.00 (13 and over). Theme nights will be on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. On July 22 - Beach Night; and Aug. 12 - Team Night. Please visit www.cityofShelby.com/parks or visit us on facebook.

Hospice -- Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A®

    Spirit Night will be held at Chick-fil-A (Shelby location, beside Wal-Mart) Thursday, July 29 from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. 10% of sales will be donated to benefit Hospice Cleveland County. Bring your family, neighbors and friends to dinner!. 

9th Annual Truck and Tractor Show

    This is our 9th Annual Truck and Tractor Show. A Good day of Family Fun Entertainment, Saturday, July 31, to be held at Brad Wike’s Farm, Blackburn Bridge Road, Lincolnton NC, 8 am - 4 pm. All Make, Models and Years are Welcome. Admission $5-Adult, Kids 12 & under free, Percentage of Admission fee going to American Cancer Society. www.bradsclassictrucks.com.

Burns High School FFA Fundraiser

    Burns High School FFA will be having a hotdog sale on July 31, 2010 beginning at 10am until at Casar Fire Department in Casar, NC. Hotdogs with all the trimmings and drinks will be sold. All proceeds will go to travel expenses for team competitions throughout the school year. 

The Broad River Rage Baseball Team

    The Broad River Rage is looking for an experienced pitcher for a traveling baseball team. Tryouts will be held Saturday, July 31st at Crest Middle School from 10am-12noon. If interested, you must contact Eric Peeler BEFORE the tryout date at 704-472-1822. ALSO, Broad River Rage Baseball Fundraiser: Order your Boston Butt, Slaw & Sauce for only $35. Great for Labor day. Orders must be place by August 18th. Pick up or delivery will be Saturday, August 28th. Please contact Cyndi Morrison at 704-692-0542 morrisoncyndi@yahoo.com or Eric Peeler 704-472-1822. 

Citizen’s Police Academy

    The Shelby Police Department is currently taking applications for our Citizen’s Police Academy scheduled to start August 5th, 2010. This will be an eight-week class that will meet each Thursday from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at the Excel Youth Academy located at 706 Julius Street. The classes are designed to educate citizens on how our police department operates on a daily basis. Due to the sensitive nature of police work, a background check will be conducted to ensure you meet our eligibility requirements. You must meet te following requirements: • Must be at least 18 years of age • Live, work or attend school in Shelby, NC • No felony convictions • No misdemeanor convictions within the past three years. The Chief of Police may waive any of the requirements. If interested, please pick up an application inside the Shelby Police Department at the Cleveland Mall or at Shelby Police Department’s main office located at 311 S. Lafayette Street, Shelby, NC. Please feel free to contact Lt. Rick Stafford at 704-482-4899 or 980-721-2234 for further information.

Free Pest Control Program / Fire Ants

    There will be a Free Pesticide, Free Pest Control Program/Fire Ants on Thursday, August 26 at 1:00 pm at the Neal Senior Center, 100 TR Harris Dr., Shelby. Randy Hoyle will be the Instructor. Pre-Registration is required. For more information, contact Lisa Abernethy at 704-482-3488. 

Foothills Bridal Fair at Cleveland Mall

   Foothills Bridal Fair – Sunday, August 8th at Cleveland Mall in Shelby, NC from 12 noon – 4:00 pm. This wedding expo will feature interactive exhibits, fashion show, giveaways, live entertainment, and much more. The Foothills Bridal Fair serves Cleveland, Rutherford, Polk, Gaston and Lincoln Counties. Brides may pre-register at www.foothillsbridalfair.com. Sponsored by Time-Out Management and Foothills Bridal Magazine. Any business interested in participating as an exhibitor should contact Time-Out Management at 704.214.9799.

Life Enrichment Center Adult Day Care

   The first Tuesday and third Tuesday regular  caregiver support groups at Life Enrichment Center will  meet together on Aug. 10 for a special meeting. If you regularly attend, call for location and time: 704-484-0405. Those wishing to join a dementia support group are invited to the September meetings: at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7, at the Life Enrichment Center in Kings Mountain and at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 21, in Shelby. For more information, please call Debbie at 704.739.4858 in Kings Mountain or Linda at 704.494.0405 in Shelby.

Kings Mountain Historical Museum

The Kings Mountain Historical Museum is pleased to announce the opening of What Did Our Ancestors Wear?, the exhibit will run will run through August 21, 2010.  Many examples of clothing, accessories, undergarments from the 18th to mid 20th century.  Featuring a “dress-up corner” for children to try on reproduction clothing and have their picture taken. The Museum is located in the Old Post Office at 100 East Mountain Street, Kings Mountain, NC  28086.  Our hours are Tuesday - Saturday from 10:00 - 4:00.   Free Admission.  For more information please call 704-739-1019 or check our web site www.kingsmountainmuseum.org

4th Annual Masonic Golf Tournament

    Casar Lodge 579 will hold the 4th Annual Masonic Golf Tournament on Saturday August 28, 2010. Check in at 7am, shotgun start at 8am. Captains Choice 200.00 per team. All proceeds will go to support the Masonic Childrens Home and the Masonic and Eastern Star Home. For more information call Eric Newton 704-692-8503.