National HIV Testing Day, 2016: Could We Really End HIV/AIDS As We Know It?

"GREENSBORO, N.C. (June 21, 2016) - National HIV Testing Day will be marked on Monday, June 27^th, with testing events and a public awareness campaign throughout Guilford County and nationwide. As Triad Health Project (THP) commemorates 30 years of service to people affected by HIV/AIDS, that organization highlights great potential for positive change in the coming few years. Advances in treatment and major new developments in prevention, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, put the ability within our grasp to reduce the number of new HIV infections to zero.

“We have understood for some time now that effective treatment of people with HIV greatly reduces the spread of the disease,” says Ken Keeton, THP’s interim executive director, “but one of most exciting, and largely unsung new developments is the discovery that one drug, Truvada, which for years has successfully been used to treat HIV infection, is also highly effective in preventing infection in HIV-negative people who are exposed to the virus. This needs to be a major new tool in our prevention toolbox.”

Recent clinical trials of Truvada have showed as high as 85 to 100% effectiveness in preventing HIV infection when taken daily as PrEP. “PrEP is an exciting new development that can make a major contribution to stopping the spread of HIV,” says Dr. David Wohl of NC AIDS Training and Education Center (NC-ATEC) at UNC Chapel Hill, an organization working to promote PrEP use in NC. “However, we are finding it to be seriously under-utilized and under-prescribed in our state. We encourage people who are interested in using PrEP to protect themselves against HIV infection, to learn more about this breakthrough treatment. We will also provide training and support to physicians who want to start providing Truvada as PrEP to their patients.”

“Make no mistake, HIV continues to affect our community, with some communities, such as African-American men who have sex with men, bearing a disproportionate share of the burden, and we are committed to bringing all resources to bear to end this epidemic,” says Keeton. “We are working toward a greater coordination with the medical community to expand the availability or PrEP and HIV testing, while deepening our long-standing partnerships with the Guilford County Health Department, Piedmont Health Services and Sickle Cell Agency, and the Nia Community Action Center to reach deeply into our communities to provide HIV testing and education. We feel that by doing all this as a committed, compassionate community, we really can get to zero new infections.”

THP will be offering free, confidential testing for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia on June 27^th, from 1pm to 7pm at their offices at 801 Summit Ave. in Greensboro. They offer these free screenings weekly on Monday evenings from 5-7pm and Wednesday afternoons from 1-3pm.

For more information about PrEP, visit the North Carolina AIDS Training and Education Center website at http://www.med.unc.edu/ncaidstraining. For information about free HIV testing near you, go to www.hivtest.org or call Triad Health Project at 336-275-1654.

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About Triad Health Project

Founded in 1986 by a group of friends who banded together in support of other friends who were newly diagnosed with HIV and lacking any system of support, Triad Health Project has evolved into Guilford County’s only HIV/AIDS service organization.  Triad Health Project works to fulfill its mission of providing practical and emotional support to individuals infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS, and educates those at risk and the community at large about HIV/AIDS.  THP currently provides direct care and support services to over 550 people in the community who are living with HIV/AIDS, and education and free and confidential testing for over 2,000 additional people every year."

- A Press Release

Triad Goodwill Hiring Event Jan. 19

Triad Goodwill Pays $9/hour for Entry-Level

January 19 Hiring Event for Full and Part Time Employment

"Triad Goodwill is recruiting full & part-time staff for their stores in Guilford County and beyond. This Hiring Event will be held on Tuesday, January 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 1235 South Eugene Street in Greensboro. Park across the street at the church and use the “Resource Center” Entrance. Call 336-275-9801 for more information.

Entry-level production-based positions at Triad Goodwill start at $9 per hour with the potential to make $9.25 after 90 days. They are also hiring for Retail Management, Supervisory Staff and Truck Driver I. Bilingual (English and Spanish) workers are encouraged to apply. To speed up the process, job seekers should apply in advance at http://triadgoodwill.iapplicants.com/searchjobs.php.

Additional Information:

·         Click the Fast Pass logo on TriadGoodwill.org to print, complete, and bring the registration form to the event. This will save time and allow applicants to get right in line upon entry.

·         Bring your resume and dress professionally. Arrange for childcare in advance.

·         Contact Triad Goodwill career centers directly for an appointment with a Certified Professional Resume Writer to create or update your resume for free…from GED to PhD!

·         For additional information visit TriadGoodwill.org, LinkedIn, Facebook (subscribe to Events), Instagram, and Twitter. We Put People To Work!

About Triad Goodwill:

Triad Goodwill (Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina, Inc.) promotes the value of work by providing career development services and work opportunities for people with employment needs. In the past year, Triad Goodwill served 17,179 people in the community and helped place 3,556 workers in competitive employment. 85 cents of every dollar earned at Triad Goodwill’s retail stores goes into job training for residents of the Triad. TriadGoodwill.org"

- A Press Release

Gridiron Battle Kicks Off Second Year of Guilford Cup

"Employees and elected officials representing the City of Greensboro and Guilford County will meet at 11 am Sat., Oct. 17 at Jaycee Park, 3802 Jaycee Park Dr., for the second annual Guilford Cup football game. The gridiron meeting will be the first of multiple sporting events between the two government entities in the battle for the 2015-16 Guilford Cup.

During the inaugural year of competition between the City and County in 2014-15, the City scored victories in all three competitions – besting the County in football, 18-12, in basketball, 72-58, and in softball, 19-11. This year’s football game will also serve as a collection point for food to be distributed through the United Way. In lieu of paid admission, spectators are asked to bring two nonperishable or canned food items.

Greensboro City Councilman Jamal Fox and Guilford County Commissioner Ray Trapp developed the idea of bringing representatives from the two organizations together on the athletic field. “This is a way of breaking down the walls and barriers, perceived or real, that exist between the two governments,” says Fox. “It’s also a fun way to network, provide some excitement for employees, and gives residents a chance to cheer on their governmental leaders.”

“Sports have a way of bringing people together and that’s what the Guilford Cup idea is really about, finding some common ground and spending time with one another,” says Trapp. “I believe that the fellowship we have on the playing field will translate into the workplace. A good-natured rivalry may lead to stronger working ties which will benefit our community in numerous ways.”

More information about the Guilford Cup is online at www.greensboro-nc.gov/guilfordcup."

- A Press Release

HIGH POINT EXPERIENCES ECONOMIC GAINS FROM TOURISM IN 2014 OVER 2013 WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR SO MUCH MORE

County Spending by Domestic Visitors

Increases according to State Records

           

            "HIGH POINT, N.C., Aug. 12, 2015 –   High Point was a big winner in the state’s announcement of economic development generated by tourism last year.  Groups across the city agreed that they experienced similar increases but added that a strong core city would even more dramatically impact those numbers.

            According to Visit North Carolina, domestic visitors to and within Guilford County spent more than $1.263 billion in 2014, a 4.71% increase from 2013.  This generated employment for 12,760 people totaling $306,870,000 in payroll, $63,240,000 in state tax receipts and $28,260,000 in county tax receipts.

            “In a local survey of High Point organizations engaged in tourism, verified there were increases across the board, and not all of the credit goes to the few weeks of Furniture Market” says Tim Mabe, CEO of the High Point Convention & Visitors Bureau.  “Much of the increase is due to the year-round visitors coming to High Point as a destination such as High Point University, the bi-annual ITMA fabric show "Showtime", and an increasing number of furniture showrooms open to the public.

            “However, many of those visitors, are staying overnight and eating in restaurants in Greensboro due to a lack of infrastructure in the core city that appeals to them. These events, like Furniture Market are all, of course, a great benefit to our entire region and state,” he says.  “Think of the possibilities of how much more of a direct benefit these events could be to High Point if we could capture the visitor’s entire experience. Further, if we developed our core city area with restaurants, retail shops, entertainment and meeting facilities, High Point would be poised to become established as a great destination for all kinds of activities year-round that attract tourists, amateur and youth sporting attractions and meeting groups.  To take full economic benefit of our location, we need the infrastructure in the core city to capture more than our fair share of the economic benefit associated with visitors and tourists.”

            Last year, the HPCVB worked with 78 groups totaling 147,646 people who came to High Point for meetings and other events, thereby generating a tourism impact of $40.9 million.  An estimated 30,000 consumers shopping for home furnishings come to the Home Furnishings Capital of the World™ every year.  In addition, the High Point Market attracts roughly 75,000 marketgoers each April and October. High Point University attracts more than 80,000 visitors annually. 

            “Hotels like the Marriott Courtyard regularly tell us they have a waiting list.  Occupancy at the Radisson High Point grew modestly in the last year but could be so much more if we populated the area in the core city with more amenities and things to do, for both our visitors as well as for our citizens, “ he says. “We have the backbone for what it takes to capture our fair share of the tourism dollars in the Piedmont Triad area.  Now we just need to make this revitalization our top priority for economic development.”

Tourism impact highlights for 2014:

•      The travel and tourism industry directly employees more than 12,760 people in Guilford County. 

•      The travel and tourism industry directly employs more than 12.76 million people in Guilford County. 

•      Total payroll generated by the tourism industry in Guilford County was $306,870,000.

•      State tax revenue generated in Guilford County totaled $63,240,000 through state sales and excise taxes, and taxes on personal and corporate income. Approximately $28,260,000 in county taxes were generated from sales and property tax revenue from travel-generated and travel-supported businesses.

            Gov. Pat McCrory announced in May that visitors to North Carolina spent a record $21.3 billion in 2014, an increase of 5.5 percent from 2013. These statistics are from the “2014 Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties.” The study was prepared for Visit North Carolina by the U.S. Travel Association.

            “All eight regions of the state had spending growth of 4 percent or more and 90 percent of the state’s counties saw direct tourism employment growth from 2013 to 2014,” says Wit Tuttell, executive director of Visit North Carolina. “As the sixth most visited state in the country, tourism continues to be major driver of economic development across North Carolina.”

Statewide highlights include:

•      State tax receipts as a result of visitor spending neared the $1.1 billion mark in 2014. The figure represents 4 percent in growth over 2013’s $1.0 billion.

•      Visitors spend more than $58 million per day in North Carolina. That spending adds more than $4.6 million per day to state and local tax revenues (about $2.9 million in state taxes and $1.7 million in local taxes).

•      The travel and tourism industry directly employees more than 200,000 North Carolinians. 

#       #       #

About the High Point Convention & Visitors Bureau:

         The High Point Convention & Visitors Bureau (HPCVB) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote and encourage economic development in High Point through travel and tourism. The CVB works closely with meeting planners to bring events to High Point and to enhance their experience here, providing white glove assistance with event planning tasks including registration, transportation, and coordination among various venues. These services ensure that every group event will be successful down to the last detail because we want each visitor to make yourself at home. Established by state legislation in 1984, the HPCVB is an independent 501(c) 6 nonprofit organization funded by a self-imposed three percent room occupancy tax on local hotels. No taxpayer funds - city, county or state-are used to fund the HPCVB. The new Visitors Information and Welcome Center is located at 1634 N. Main St., High Point, N.C. For more information, visit www.highpoint.org."

- A Press Release

Working to End Homelessness: The IRC and GUM

Local Groups Work to End Homelessness in Greensboro

"Guilford County is home to one of the two largest pockets of concentrated poverty in North Carolina. Greensboro Urban Ministry (GUM) and the Interactive Resource Center (IRC) are critical allies stabilizing those in crisis, providing different and essential services.

On any given night, there are approximately 900 people experiencing homelessness in Greensboro. This means that every single night there are more people experiencing homelessness than there are available shelter beds.  While always a concern, this situation becomes critical when the temperatures drop to life-threatening levels.

This winter, the IRC—a day resource center—has created additional shelter space on these dangerously cold nights.  The IRC does not have the funding to cover this additional service to the community. To help the IRC deliver this service, GUM is contributing $620 to the IRC for each night of overnight shelter provided, or roughly half the cost of the operation. “Both of our agencies are committed to protecting our most vulnerable neighbors,” says the Rev. Mike Aiken, Executive Director of GUM.

For more than 50 years, GUM has provided supportive services to help people help themselves in their struggle to break the cycle of hunger, poverty and homelessness.  In 2014, GUM provided overnight shelter to more than 1,500 clients in the Weaver House and in the GUM-operated Winter Emergency shelters. The agency served more than 200,000 meals, collected and distributed more than one million pounds of food, and provided emergency financial assistance to more than 2,200 households. More than 88 households and 117 individuals were re-housed and supported with case management through GUM programs.

The IRC serves over 200 people a day through their regular day operations. The IRC provides critical services including access to medical care, showers, laundry, mail services, a computer lab, jobs programming, educational classes, as well as serves as an incubator for community led programs to address poverty.  When the night shelter opens, the small IRC staff is flexed to operate a 24-hour facility. “It is a matter of heart and conscience that has caused us to go beyond our primary mission of providing essential day services and open as an emergency night shelter.  There is a population in Greensboro that has no place to go at night and while that is always difficult, this weather makes sleeping unsheltered life-threatening,” says IRC Executive Director Michelle Kennedy. “We have to open.”  The IRC adopted a “white flag” approach this winter, making overnight shelter available to anyone who needs it when the temperature drops below 25 degrees. 

We ask that the community take time to better understand the issues contributing to the rise in poverty in Guilford County and to support the efforts of GUM, the IRC, and other similar organizations to build a stronger community."

- A Press Release

Price of Homes Sold Increase Almost 9% in Guilford County

Greensboro, NC – The seasonally adjusted average home price in Guilford County in October 2014 was $183,208, an 8.6% increase over October 2013’s average of $168,652 according to monthly figures prepared by Dr. Donald Jud of Jud & Associates for the Greensboro Regional REALTORS® Association.  Existing home prices in this cycle bottomed in January 2012 and have since risen 20.8%.  

In October 2014, the Time on Market (TOM) was 88.8 days, 4.4% less than it was in October 2013.  Over the past 12 months the TOM has declined and the spread, which shows the ratio of selling to listing prices, has risen, indicating less discounting in the market.

Sales of existing, single-family homes in Guilford County increased during last month compared to the previous month.  A total of 423 units sold in Guilford County in October 2014 and 414 sold in September 2014.  The number sold was higher by 2.1% compared to the level of sales recorded in September 2014, and was 4.1% above the number sold during October one year ago.

The inventory/sales ratio, which indicates the number of months to clear the current inventory of homes on the market, was 6.1 months, 3.2% less than the previous month.

“We have had ten months of price increases since January 2014 and seven months of quantity gains since April 2014 indicating a stable market,” said Marian Stafford, president of Greensboro Regional REALTORS® Association. “Interest rates are at record lows and more product is coming on the market since sellers are listing their homes as prices are rising. Whether buying or selling, work with a Greensboro REALTOR® who can help you navigate the process.”

The Greensboro Regional REALTORS® Association, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support its members in their business pursuits by promoting the highest professional ethics and being the primary provider for quality services, education and real estate information in the market area."

- A Press Release

Applications Due by November 17 to Compete for Grants for Arts Projects

"Greensboro, NC - ArtsGreensboro is accepting applications for the 2014-2015 Regional Artists Grant program. The application deadline is 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 17, 2014. ArtsGreensboro (AG) coordinates the Regional Artists Grant program on behalf of a consortium of five counties: Alamance, Caswell, Guilford, Randolph and Rockingham. Funding is provided by the North Carolina Arts Council and matched locally by participating Arts Councils.

Grants for Regional Artists are designed to support exceptionally talented visual, performing, literary and interdisciplinary artists at all stages of their careers to pursue projects that further their professional artistic development. Eligible artistic disciplines include music (both classical and contemporary), dance, visual arts (painting, photography, sculpture and pottery), film/video, drama and literature.  Applicants must submit artistic work samples and provide a narrative case for support.

Regional Artists Grants are open to artists living in Alamance, Caswell, Guilford, Randolph and Rockingham counties. To be eligible, an artist must be at least 18 years of age and cannot be a student enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program in their art form. Applications may be downloaded from ArtsGreensboro's website at www.artsgreensboro.org or by contacting ArtsGreensboro at 336-373-7523 ext 245.

Regional Artist Grants provide important financial support and recognition for Triad area artists. In 2013-2014, Regional Artist Grants totaled $18,039 to 13 regional artists. This cooperative effort fosters relationships between arts organizations while also encouraging networking between Triad artists.

With an annual budget of nearly $2.8 million, ArtsGreensboro is a catalyst for innovation to build recognition and support for the arts. Through the 17DAYS Arts & Culture Festival, power2give, and other opportunities like the National Folk Festival, ArtsGreensboro is driving the health and vitality of our community through support for arts education, celebrating the diversity of Greensboro, and supporting economic impact through excellence in arts programming. Visit www.artsgreensboro.org for more information. "

- A Press Release 

City and County Set for Gridiron Battle

"Employees and elected officials representing the City of Greensboro and Guilford County will meet at 11 am Saturday, September 20 at Jaycee Park, 3802 Jaycee Park Dr., for fun, fellowship, and football. The gridiron meeting will be the first of three sporting events between the two government entities in the battle for the Guilford Cup.

Greensboro City Councilman Jamal Fox and Guilford County Commissioner Ray Trapp developed the idea of bringing representatives from the two organizations together on the athletic field. “This is a way of breaking down the walls and barriers, perceived or real, that exist between the two governments,” says Fox. “It’s also a fun way to network, provides some excitement for employees, and gives residents a chance to cheer on their governmental leaders.”

“Sports have a way of bringing people together and that’s what the Guilford Cup idea is really about, finding some common ground and spending time with one another,” says Trapp. “I believe that the fellowship we have on the playing field will translate into the workplace. A good-natured rivalry may lead to stronger working ties which will benefit our community in numerous ways.”

Teams comprised of employees and Council/Commission members will kick off the Guilford Cup with the flag football game September 20. That event will be followed by a basketball game later in the fall and a softball game in the spring of 2015. A points system is being developed based on winners of the athletic events and volume of donations to the selected nonprofits that will receive charitable contributions in lieu of entry to the events. The government team with the most points will be awarded the Guilford Cup.

Residents and spectators interested in attending September’s football game are asked to bring donations for the Teachers’ Supply Warehouse. A list of items requested by Teachers’ Supply Warehouse and information about the game is online at www.greensboro-nc.gov/guilfordcup."

- A Press Release

Price of Homes Sold Increase Almost 4% in Guilford County

"The seasonally adjusted average home price in Guilford County in May 2014 was $175,157, a 3.7% increase over May 2013’s average of $168,982 according to monthly figures prepared by Dr. Donald Jud of Jud & Associates for the Greensboro Regional REALTORS® Association.  Existing home prices in this cycle bottomed in July 2012 and have since risen 11%.  

In May 2014, the Time on Market (TOM) was 100.8 days, 5.1% more than it was in May 2013.  Over the past 12 months the TOM has risen but the spread, which shows the ratio of selling to listing prices, has also risen, indicating somewhat less discounting in the market.

Sales of existing, single-family homes in Guilford County decreased slightly during last month compared to the previous month.  A total of 340 units sold in Guilford County in May 2014 and 351 sold in April 2014.

The inventory/sales ratio, which indicates the number of months to clear the current inventory of homes on the market, was 7.6 months, up from 7.2 months in April 2014.

"Our market is improving,” said Marian Stafford, president of Greensboro Regional REALTORS® Association. “The price of homes sold has risen consistently over the last several months, so potential buyers should not wait too long to make that offer.  Work with a Greensboro REALTOR® to help you navigate the process.”

The Greensboro Regional REALTORS® Association, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support its members in their business pursuits by promoting the highest professional ethics and being the primary provider for quality services, education and real estate information in the market area."

A Press Release

No controversy expected from Guilford County Board of Elections

Local Republican-controlled election boards across North Carolina — especially in Elizabeth City, Watauga County and even right in Forsyth County — are being watched closely due to attempts to alter or limit access to voting. But in Guilford County, there's no gawking press or outraged public, just a quiet, calm meeting in a large room at the old county courthouse. As the three-member board met last week, with lone Democrat Dot Kearns participating on speakerphone, the biggest "controversy" was whether to reappoint a long-serving Democratic chief precinct judge who said he was unsure he wanted to continue in the position.

[Republican board members Don Wendelken and Kathryn Lindley voted not to reappoint him but to continue discussing the issue with him in case he decided to keep serving. Kearns said he should be appointed and could choose to step down instead.]

L to R: Don Wendelken, who ran unsuccessfully for county commissioner last year, Board Chair Kathryn Lindley and Elections Director Charlie Collicutt last week.

As the board aimed to appoint judges and chief judges for precincts throughout the county, the main problem arose from previous appointees declining to serve and both the local Republican and Democratic parties failing to provide a sufficient list of names to fill all of the vacancies. In several instances at the board's meeting last week, the three members elected to take no action. 

We'll continue to watch the Forsyth and Guilford County Election Boards, but at least for now, all's quiet on the eastern front (of our coverage area, that is).

Breakdown: How new NC voting laws will affect you

The North Carlina General Assembly has passed so much legislation recently that many of our heads are still spinning. Voter ID is among the most publicized changes to state law, but do you have any clue how it will affect you or what the changes actually are?

Here's a quick overview of what the state legislature passed and when those changes will be implemented. Below, we've included a document that runs through the new requirements in more detail. The short story: You probably won't be impacted by new voting laws for the Greensboro or Winston-Salem city council elections this fall.

The only change that begins in 2013, according to Guilford County Elections Board Director Charlie Collicutt, is  pre-registration for people who are 16+. The previous law allowed people who were 16 or 17 to register to vote beforehand and the elections board would hold their registration until they were legally allowed to vote. Pre-registration will end on Sept. 1, though anyone who is signed up before that date will remain in the queue.

The changes will be implemented more fully at the beginning of 2014, including the elimination of same-day registration. Collicutt said 6,000 people in Guilford County used same-day registration in 2012 (which is more than some other elections because there was a presidential race). The 17-day early voting period will be reduced to 10 days, but a late amendment to the bill requires election boards to be open for the same number of early voting hours. Collicutt said the hours requirement wouldn't be difficult to meet, forcing them to either add sites and/or hours to the site over the 10 days. In 2012, 160,000 people voted early in Guilford County, about twice as many as Election Day, Collicutt said.

There's been some confusion about whether the NC General Assembly eliminated Sunday voting, which opponents said would disproportionately disenfranchise black voters. Collicutt said the early voting restrictions don't limit specific days but reduce the overall number of days, as far as he knows.

Voter ID will take full effect in 2016, but in 2014 election boards will ask voters who don't volunteer specific identification to produce one. If a voter doesn't have one, the new law requires board employees to provide them information on what ID will be required in 2014 and have them sign an affidavit that they received the information, Collicutt. To be clear, you will still be able to vote without an ID in 2014, but the board will provide voters without one information on how to obtain proper ID for 2016.

The state legislature also mandated that elections boards use voting machines that produce paper ballots in 2018. Guilford County uses electronic machines, but Collicutt said the board would probably be buying new machines around that time anyway.

"If I had to replace it right now it'd be about $2.5 million up front, plus the recurring cost of paper," Collicutt said, adding that he can't predict the cost of new equipment in 2018.

Read more about North Carolina's new voting laws here:

A guide to NC's new voting laws by YESWeekly

Incumbent Paul Daniels withdraws from School Board race

Guilford County School Board member Paul Daniels sent YES! Weekly the following message this afternoon to announce his withdrawal from the upcoming election race:

"I have decided, after much prayer and contemplation and many conversations to withdraw from the race for BOE District 5.  I am very thankful for the opportunity the wonderful people of Guilford County have given me to serve our students, teachers and others, but it is time for me to move on.  I have a very busy law practice, a family and many more mountains to climb.  I wish the best to Linda Welborn and the other members of the board who work so hard to improve education in Guilford County."