Northwest Observer | Jan. 8 - 14, 2016 by pscommunications

Jan. 8 - 14, 2016

bringing the local news home to northwest Guilford County since 1996

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Looking back: local news highlights from 2015 As is tradition, we begin 2016 with story highlights and updates to some of the most noteworthy issues the Northwest Observer covered in the previous year; look for more story highlights and updates in our Jan. 15-21 issue.

Fit for occupancy

OAK RIDGE – The saga that unfolded among CMT Commons, which operates CrossFit, the Town of Oak Ridge and the Oak Ridge Historic Preservation Commission was undoubtedly one of the most ongoing and contentious series of stories to appear in the Northwest Observer during 2015. The friction stemmed from CMT Commons’ non-compliance with a conditional certificate of appropriateness (COA) the HPC approved in 2012, which paved the way for the company to build a 12,350-square-foot fitness facility in the town’s historic district. The HPC issued CMT Commons a temporary Certificate of Occupancy (CO) on Sept. 12, 2012; simultaneously, the company’s representatives were instructed to come back to the HPC the following month with suggestions for addressing several design elements that had been modified and remained unresolved. The commission issued its conditions for the COA on Oct. 23, 2012, and CrossFit held its grand opening four days later. The COA conditions were based

File photos |

CrossFit, I-73 construction and Congressman Coble: Three of the top stories the Northwest Observer covered in 2015.

on an illustration of the CrossFit building that CMT Commons’ representatives had submitted with its COA application. Town officials said they viewed the illustration as an elevation – and thus an official depiction of the building’s details – and took issue with building features that were not consistent with the depiction. CMT Commons’ representatives, who maintained the depiction was an artist’s rendering and never intended to be a final, detailed elevation, appealed the conditions. The appeal was heard by the town’s Board of Adjustment on March 13, 2013, and the board voted unanimously to uphold the historic commission’s decisions. With the conditions of the COA not satisfied, a long battle between the Town and CMT Commons ensued. The issue was taken through

the Guilford County Superior Court system, but after hearing delays, court appearances, and a judge urging the two parties to continue trying to work out their differences, the Town and CMT Commons were still at odds. Last June, the Town notified CMT Commons that civil penalties were accruing daily due to the non-compliance with town ordinances, and CrossFit was instructed to immediately vacate its building and bring it into compliance. CrossFit owners contended that some of the compliance items were not economically feasible, and downright unreasonable. By July, with CrossFit still occupying the building, the Town threatened to have the power cut off. A month later, CrossFit owners and HPC members informally met, and after more discussions between

...continued on p. 25

IN THIS ISSUE News in brief.............................................. 3 Your Questions .......................................... 5 Bits & Pieces .............................................. 6 Pets & Critters ............................................ 7 A look back at local critters.................... 8 Pet Adoptions ..........................................10 High School Sports ..................................11 Student Profiles ........................................12 Youth/School news .................................14 From frontlines to sidelines .....................15 Community Calendar .............................18 Crime/Incident Report ........................... 20 Creative Colfax crocheter .....................21 Grins & Gripes ......................................... 22 Letters/Opinions ..................................... 23 Guilford County Animal Shelter ............ 24 Classifieds ............................................... 27 Index of Advertisers ................................31

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NEWS in brief

EXCUSES ARE

Public input sought for Land Use Plan OAK RIDGE – A public hearing on the updated Land Use Plan was scheduled for the Oak Ridge Town Council meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 7, at Town Hall on Linville Road. The Oak Ridge Future Land Use Plan Update Steering Committee was to present the new plan, and following the public hearing, the council was expected to consider its adoption. Following more than a year’s worth

SO LAST YEAR!

of meetings and discussions, the committee proposes allowing lots with densities up to two units per acre within the town core, which is centered at the N.C. 68/N.C. 150 intersection and has a radius extending 3/4 mile. The suggested change in density is an effort to offer an additional housing option for empty-nesters and young families, and is appropriate for the walkable town core for which Oak Ridge is striving.

Upcoming town council meetings NORTHWEST GUILFORD – The Summerfield Town Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 12, at Summerfield Community Center on Centerfield Road. Agenda items will include discussions on a water and fire protection study, the fiscal year 20162017 budget calendar, and the venue for Founders’ Day 2016.

The Stokesdale Town Council will meet at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 14, at Town Hall on Angel Pardue Road. Agenda items may include staffing Town Hall as Town Clerk/Finance Officer Carolyn Joyner prepares to retire; the presentation of a task list for town hall employees; and a public records request policy.

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Candidates ﬁle for 2016 election With the 2016 election cycle beginning with the Primary Election on Tuesday, March 15, candidates had until Monday, Dec. 21, 2015 to file for office. All seats on the redistricted Guilford County Board of Education are up for grabs, in what will be the board’s first partisan election. Northwest-area schools will be spread among four districts (see News Briefs in the Dec. 11-17 issue for the breakdown), and candidates for those districts are: Angelo Kidd (D), Brian Pearce (R) and Pat Tillman (R) in District 3; Paul Daniels (R) and Linda Welborn (R) in District 4; Darlene Garrett (D) and Mary Cath-

erine Sauer (R) in District 5; Khem Denise Irby (D) and Ed Price (R) in District 6; Alan Duncan (D) and Alan Hawkes (R) for the at-large seat. County Commissioner Jeff Phillips (R) in District 5 has no opponent. Hank Henning (R) will run against Rick Forrester (D) in District 6.

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Running unopposed are incumbents N.C. District 26 Senator Phil Berger (R) and N.C. District 62 Rep. John Blust (R). In U.S. House of Representatives District 6, incumbent Mark Walker (R) faces Bruce Davis (D), Pete Glidewell (D), Chris

... continued on p. 4

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 Guardianships  Small business start-ups and contracts  Real estate –

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attorneybillbarbour.com JAN. 8 - 14, 2016

NEWS in brief

...continued from p. 3

Hardin (R) and Jim Roberts (D). U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R), whose six-year term is set to expire, has filed for reelection. Kevin Griffin (D), Sean Haugh (L), Larry Holmquist

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phone: (336) 644-7035 fax: (336) 644-7006 mail: PO Box 268, Oak Ridge, NC 27310 office: 1616 NC 68 N, Oak Ridge M-F 9am-2pm (or by appointment)

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JAN. 8 - 14, 2016

The deadline to register to vote in the Primary Election is Friday, Feb. 19.

Homeowners advised to test for radon

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(R), Deborah Ross (D), Chris Rey (D), Deborah Ross (D), and Paul Wright (R) are also Senate hopefuls.

GUILFORD COUNTY – As cold weather sets in and houses are sealed, it’s a good time to test for radon – an odorless, colorless natural gas emitted from the decay of uranium found in rocks, soil and building materials like concrete.

992 tests showed a high rate of 22.6.

In recognition of January as National Radon Action Month, county residents can obtain a free home radon testing kit, available on a firstcome, first-served basis, from Guilford County’s Division of Public Health, on the third floor at 1203 Maple Street, Greensboro – or by calling (336) 6413771.

The website ncradon.org has a limited kit supply, and lists organizations that have them as well. Once the free kits are gone, the site will offer the $15 kits at a reduced price of $5.34.

Need-to-know, fun-to-know and good-to-know info for northwest-area residents, all in one place

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For more info about radon, visit www.epa.gov/radon.

MEET THE COLD WITH CONFIDENCE

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that if a test reveals a radon rate of 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter), measures be taken to reduce the rate.

In zip code 27409, with 115 tests, the highest level found was 11.2; in zip code 27410, 1,257 tests revealed a high of 52.4; and in zip code 27455,

LATE JANUARY

Each year nearly 22,000 people die from radon-induced lung cancer. Roughly 54 percent of those diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer are expected to live no more than five years after diagnosis.

The North Carolina Cooperative Extension is also offering kits at its office, 3309 Burlington Road, Greensboro – or by calling (336) 641-2400.

According to the EPA, since 1996, 359 radon tests have been done in Oak Ridge, with the highest level in a home being 41.3 pCi/L. In Stokesdale, 134 tests were done, with 40 pCi/L being the highest level found, and in Summerfield, 550 tests were done, with 28.3 being the highest level found.

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Ask about special financing 7101 US 158, Stokesdale • (336) 643-7397 NEW SYSTEM INSTALLATION • SERVICE • REPAIR See your independent Trane dealer for complete program eligibility, dates, details and restrictions. Special financing offers valid on qualifying equipment only. All sales must be to homeowners in the United States. Void where prohibited. The Home Projects® Visa® card is issued by Wells Fargo Financial National Bank. Special terms apply to qualifying purchases charged with approved credit at participating merchants. The special terms APR will continue to apply until all qualifying purchases are paid in full. Reduced Rate APR: Monthly payments of at least 1.75% of the purchase balance are required during the special terms period. No Interest if Paid In Full within 15 Months: Regular minimum monthly payments are required during the special terms period. Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date at the APR for Purchases if the purchase balance is not paid in full within the promotional period. For newly opened accounts, the regular APR is 27.99%. The APR will vary with the market based on the U.S. Prime Rate. The regular APR is given as of 1/10/2014. If you are charged interest in any billing cycle, the minimum interest charge will be $1.00. The regular APR will apply to certain fees such as a late payment fee or if you use the card for other transactions. If you use the card for cash advances, the cash advance fee is 5.0% of the amount of the cash advance, but not less than $10.00. Monthly payment if shown based on $7,100 purchase.

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your QUESTIONS

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Curious about something?

Open enrollment for individual health insurance is here:

Submit your questions about topics relevant to the northwest area

November 1, 2015 through January 31, 2016. Visit myhealthplannc.com today.

online: nwobserver.com e-mail: questions@nwobserver.com What is going on with the new medical building on Summerfield Road that a chiropractor in town has built? It appears as if it was finished months ago, yet no one is occupying it. Cyndi Brown, wife of Summerfield Family Chiropractic’s Dr. Rod Brown, explained that construction of the building took longer than expected because of the extensive amount of engineering for septic and well required for a commer-

cial structure inside the town core where utilities are not available. “Dr. Brown has used the highest standards to make this project ecofriendly and energy efficient,” Cyndi said. “We are working with the Town of Summerfield on approval of our landscape plan and for the final Certificate of Occupancy. The inside is nearly complete and we expect to open before the end of January. One medical office space is still available for lease. We appreciate everyone’s interest in the new building. It will be worth the wait!”

336-273-3944 www.ncfbins.com

Guilford County/Battleground 2800 Battleground Ave Greensboro, North Carolina 27408

Aaron Speight, LUTCF, FSS

Greg Sheppard

Ray Shaffner, LUTCF, FSS

Keith Robinson

Kelly Hampton

Liz Bryant

Agency Manager

Agent

Senior Agent

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Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO

Summerﬁeld Family Chiropractic hopes to be in its new building, located at the corner of Auburn Road and Summerﬁeld Road, by the end of this month.

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JAN. 8 - 14, 2016

BUSINESS notes

New owners at Elizabeth’s Italian Restaurant

Although Tony Coppola has closed the doors on Elizabeth’s Italian Restaurant in Oak Ridge, the restaurant is set to reopen as early as next week under new ownership. Gianni and Adrienne Coppola and Jeff and Deanna Ragan have purchased the restaurant and will open as Elizabeth’s Italian Oak Ridge brought to you by Blue Naples Italian Restaurant in Madison, N.C. Tony’s brother, Gianni, and his

wife Adrienne will be familiar faces at the Oak Ridge restaurant. The couple worked at Elizabeth’s before venturing out on their own to open Blue Naples in Kernersville. They later sold that restaurant and opened another Blue Naples in Mayodan, which has since relocated to a larger space in downtown Madison. The new owners are extremely excited about the opportunity to serve the people in the Oak Ridge area.

Join us this New Year!

“This is our home, and we’ve wanted to come back to this restaurant for a long time,” says Gianni. “We are looking forward to seeing everyone again and being able to provide them with authentic Italian food and great service.” Adrienne says the restaurant’s menu will be very similar to what it has been, with one noticeable exception – the bread, which is the same as that served at Blue Naples. “We’re proud of our bread,” she

Easter retires from Gladwell

GREENSBORO – Rita Easter retired from Gladwell Insurance Agency, located on Friendly Avenue in northwest Greensboro, just before Christmas. She joined the agency in February 2000, bringing with Easter her nearly 30 years of insurance experience as a commercial lines underwriter at Ohio Casualty Insurance Company in Greensboro.

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“Her loyalty and insurance expertise have been great assets to our agency and to our clients. She has been like family and she will be greatly missed,” said a spokesperson for the agency. “The staff of Gladwell Insurance wishes her the very best for her future.”

Precious Memories First Wednesday each month 2:30 pm • Main Sanctuary Our special service for those coping with dementia and other impairments, as well as their loved ones and caregivers. It lasts 25-30 minutes and is followed by refreshments.

www.oakridgeumc.org

JAN. 8 - 14, 2016

Easter and her husband Maynard are blessed to have sons, grandchildren, siblings and other family members close by. She plans to spend time with her family, to continue to serve and sing in her church, and just relax.

BITS & PIECES

(336) 643-4690 2424 Oak Ridge Road, Oak Ridge, NC 27310

says. “It’s homemade Italian bread, baked fresh daily. It’s very popular and we sell it by the loaf.” While the new Elizabeth’s owners hope to open next week, Adrienne says the exact opening date has not been determined. Residents of Oak Ridge, Gianni and Adrienne have four children: Jessica, 17, Laena, 13, Ernesto, 8 and Orsola, 6. The Ragans live in Stokesdale with their daughter Hannah, 15, and son Colin, 10.

Photo courtesy of Northern Elementary

On Monday, Dec. 14, many Northern Elementary 5th graders performed Music Man Jr. at school. Music teacher Jeannine DuMond gave much time and energy after school to pull the program together with the young actors.

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January 2016 a monthly feature of the Northwest Observer

Parade of Pets

Stokesdale resident Bonnie Ramba’s Christmas present was Festus, an 11-year-old rescue she adopted in December. Bonnie says Festus is the best gift ever!

The Stokesdale Holiday Parade on Saturday, Dec. 12, was the place to be for pets and their people.



Ph ot os

rte sy N of

lie ata Wur z

 These Oak Ridge canines, Louis and Levi, enjoy being pampered by their owners David and Melissa Nishan.

g id

ios

(and so do our readers!)

Photo c o ur

tes y

of Str a

We love your photos

tud eS

Send your pet/animal photos to photos@nwobserver.com Or, have a newsworthy animal story? editor@nwobserver.com

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

JAN. 8 - 14, 2016

Looking back on our pets and critters

by ANNETTE JOYCE Over the past year, we’ve introduced you to a number of area animal lovers and their pets. As we look back, we thought you might be interested in what’s been happening with a few of these featured pets and critters.

Bearded dragon still a major attraction In our Feb. 6, 2015 issue, we wrote about Blade, a bearded dragon that evolved into the unlikely mascot for HorsePower Therapeutic Learning Center after the organization’s executive director, Jan Clifford, adopted the reptile from her grandson and started bringing him into the office. Jan was excited to discover that Blade was not only fun to have around, but that he served as a “real icebreaker” for many of the potential clients who visit HorsePower’s office. “We have kids who come in and

they’re shy and feeling out of sorts. Once they see Blade, they open up,” she says. “Autistic kids especially need to have something to interact with and Blade provides that.”

want to go? For more information about the fundraiser on Feb. 13, or to purchase tickets at $40 each, contact HorsePower at (336) 931-1424.

Jan says the 6-year-old dragon continues to mesmerize clients and volunteers of all ages.

Haley Graves Foundation to the rescue

“We recently had two young girls who came to ride, and afterwards they wanted to meet Blade,” she says. “(At first) they didn’t want to touch him, but after they met him they couldn’t leave until they did. He just continues to bring out the confidence in everyone.”

In our May 1, 2015 issue, we caught up with three ladies who share a passion for rescuing dogs and making sure they have loving homes. As board members of the Haley Graves Foundation, Tammy Graves, Becky Gering and Vickie Long have put in countless hours to reach this goal.

These days, when Blade is not entertaining or interacting with the people around him, he spends his time closely observing what’s going on in the HorsePower office. At present, that involves lots of activity geared towards the organization’s largest fundraiser, the annual Gala and Silent Auction, which will take place Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Center Point at

Tammy started the organization a few years ago after the passing of her nearly 16-year-old beagle, Haley. Although Tammy has fostered over 500 animals, Haley was special and had stolen

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Hamilton showroom in High Point. “It’s a great night with food, music, refreshments and an opportunity to bid on all types of auction items while helping to cover the cost of our riding program,” says Jan.

In 2015, the group completed 78 adoptions, helped provide medical care for 23 animals, sponsored 47 rescue fees, fed 770 animals and provided funds for 24 spays and neuters. Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO

Blade, a bearded dragon, reigns supreme at the HorsePower headquarters in Colfax.

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Along with rescuing and fostering dogs, the foundation helps current owners find ways to keep their beloved pets. Best Friends Food Pantry was established for owners to get food for their pets if they can’t afford it. The foundation has also helped people with vet bills, arranged for boarding when needed, and paid for dogs to be spayed and neutered.

Your pet’s well-being is our primary concern.

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her heart. Wanting to give back, Tammy found the opportunity with the Haley Graves Foundation.

her care after her new neighbors, who recently moved from Sweden, noticed an injured chicken on the side of the road. Not knowing who to call, the neighbors contacted the sheriff’s department, who gave Lowrey a call.

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After getting the call, Lowrey did what she does best – she went to collect the hen and nurture it back to health. “If there’s ever an animal in need, I’ll always go after it,” she says. Along with a horse and hen, there’s also been another addition to the Barrow family. A gift for her younger sister, Bailey, Buddy the hedgehog showed up under the tree Christmas morning and has been entertaining the family with his antics ever since.  Photo by William Jarrett

Though Lowrey has a full schedule with school, work, and taking care of and training her many animals, she’s recently taken on another endeavor. She’s working with her collie, Dixie, to become certified as a therapy dog. Once certified, Lowrey hopes to be able to take Dixie to visit nursing home patients.

Grady, a chocolate Lab rescued by Jason and Vickie Long, appears in an ad in Our State magazine.  Photo by Bailey Barrow

Lowrey Barrow and her “dream” horse, Skye.

While interviewing for the May article, Vickie brought along Grady, a chocolate Lab puppy that she and her husband Jason had recently adopted. Since then, Grady has gained a bit of fame as a model. You’ll see him in an ad in the January issue of Our State magazine. He’s the stunning canine balancing in the canoe handcrafted by Jason. Not a bad life for a rescue dog.

For the love of animals We introduced you to Lowrey Barrow and her many critters in our Nov. 6, 2015 “Pets and Critters” section. Unable to turn her back on any needy animal, Lowrey’s the one whose family and friends goodnaturedly refer to her as Elly May Clampett, the daughter in the TV show “The Beverly Hillbillies,” who was constantly bringing home every critter in need. A junior at UNC-Greensboro and a part-

time employee at Lake Brandt Veterinary Hospital, Lowrey, who turns 21 next week, lives with her family in Stokesdale. When we first spoke with her, her myriad of animals included two dogs, two cats, two pot-bellied pigs, six hens and six roosters. At the time, she mentioned her dream was to one day add a horse to her growing animal family.

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“For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted a Paint,” says Lowrey. “Having a horse has been my goal my whole life.” Days after that article appeared in November, Lowrey’s dream came true. When she heard about some people who had to quickly find a new home for their 9-year-old horse, Lowrey jumped on the opportunity. She is now the owner of Skye, a gorgeous male brown-and-white Paint with striking blue eyes. Along with Skye, Lowrey has also picked up another chicken, Hona, which is Swedish for “hen.” Hona came under

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Welcome to

A weekly section in the Northwest Observer focused on our local youth and the adults who positively impact them.

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

2015 HAECO Invitational Basketball Tournament

Northwest Guilford’s women’s team wins championship by L.A. LOGAN

NORTHWEST GUILFORD WOMEN (12-0) No. 1 Northwest Guilford started the annual HAECO Invitational Basketball Tournament with an impressive 83-27 win over No. 8 Grimsley. Savannah Neas scored a game-high 17 points and everyone on the team scored at least 2 points.

“We did a good job making the extra pass,” said head coach Darlene Joyner. “We did a good job balancing the floor and playing very unselfish basketball.” Hayley Barber and Neas combined to score 30 points in the second round

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NORTHWEST GUILFORD MEN (9-2) No. 2 Northwest Guilford forced 25 turnovers, including 15 steals, in their first round win over No. 7 Page, 78-60. Head coach Lee Reavis said his team is at their best when their defense creates turnovers for the offense. “We pressured Page’s ball handlers, which translated to easy opportunities for us,” he said. “I was happy with our energy and effort.” Tre’ Turner and Jaylen Gore combined for 37 points and 7 steals.

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After trailing by 5 points in the fourth quarter against No. 3 Dudley, Northwest came back behind Thomas Hennigan’s 26 points to advance to the HAECO championship game for the second year in a row and face No. 1 Greensboro Day School.

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68-55 victory over No. 4 Dudley. “In the second half, we did a better job of attacking gaps,” said Joyner. “We didn’t settle for outside shots.” Northwest, who has appeared in 10 championships in the last 13 years, faced No. 2 Page in the final matchup of the tournament. And for the second time this season, Northwest shut down Page 47-32, claiming the school’s fifth HAECO championship. Barber posted 11 points and 6 assists and was named the HAECO tournament MVP for the second consecutive year. “It was awesome,” said Barber. “We felt like we had to prove a point, and we made a statement.” Joyner moved into second place in all-time championships with five wins. Cayla King and Morgan Pointer were named to the all-tournament team.

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Northwest Guilford guard Hayley Barber totaled 33 points and 11 assists throughout the 2015 HAECO Invitational Basketball Tournament. Barber was named MVP after Northwest defeated Page 47-32 in the championship game. Photo courtesy of Andy Gore

GDS led at halftime 36-28 and never looked back, claiming an 81-60 championship win. “They jumped out to an early 23-13 lead by the end of the first quarter and controlled the game for the majority of the evening,” said Reavis. “We were able to cut into their lead in the third quarter, but we were unable to get any closer than 7 points in the second half.” Turner, who had 20 points and 4 steals, and Hennigan, who had 10 points, were selected to the 2015 HAECO Invitational All-Tournament Team.

NORTHERN GUILFORD MEN (8-5, 4-1) No. 4 Northern Guilford placed fourth after going 1-2 in the 2015 HAECO Invitational. Andy Pack knocked down five

three-pointers and scored a game-high 22 points in the first round win over No. 5 Ragsdale, 51-47.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

...continued on p. 26

JAN. 8 - 14, 2016

STUDENT PROFILES Thanks to the coaches and teachers at Northern and Northwest High Schools for their student recommendations and input, which make it possible to recognize these talented, dedicated students for their accomplishments in academics, athletics and cultural arts.

Hometown: Summerfield

COLE PETERSON,

WILL EVANSLYNCH, junior

Plans after high school: Attend Western Carolina University or UNC-Chapel Hill

Role on the track team: Varsity runner Hometown: Summerfield Toughest class: American History Plans after high school: Become a nurse Extracurricular activities: Frisbee Club Most admired athlete: Steve Prefontaine (international track star, 1972 Olympic athlete) Favorite sports team: New England Patriots Favorite food: Homemade popcorn Favorite band/musician: The Black Keys Favorite movie: “Pulp Fiction” Any siblings? Four sisters and a brother. Best vacation ever: Traveling to the coast with my mom Years lived in Northwest area: Eight and a half Dream job: Running professionally at Nike in Oregon Interesting fact about yourself: “I have a hyphenated last name (Evans-Lynch).” One thing you would change about school: “Fix the garbage food at our cafeteria” Nickname: “Will” Pre-performance rituals: “We typically talk over pre-race strategies and warm up together.” Coach Dan Clevenger’s comments on Will: “Will is an exceptionally hard worker and has a passion to improve every aspect of his running. I expect Will to be one of our leaders, leading younger runners by example this year and next.”

Extracurricular activities: Running, singing, playing guitar, acting, cross country and outdoor track and field

Hometown: Kernersville Toughest class: AP Government Plans after high school: Swim in college Extracurricular activities: Club swimming Most admired athlete: Christian McCaffrey (running back for Stanford University) Favorite sports team: Duke Favorite food: Mashed potatoes Favorite band/musician: Drake Favorite movie: “Batman: The Dark Knight” Any siblings? A twin sister Best vacation ever: Disney World Years lived in Northwest area: 17 Dream job: Financial advisor

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Role on the team: “I run varsity and in track I run the 1600 meters and the 3200 meters.”

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Interesting fact about yourself: “I have a growth deformity on my chest that looks like a horn.” One thing you would change about school: “Provide more interesting classes” Nickname: “Cole Speederson” Pre-performance ritual: “I move my thumbs around the starting block during the long whistle.” Coach Czamille Chrisp’s comments on Cole: “Cole is an outstanding member of the team. His swimming abilities are those of a champion; he is knowledgeable, competitive and a force to be reckoned with. Cole is an unforgettable athlete with a promising future in the sport of swimming.”

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Toughest class: AP Calculus

Most admired athletes: Benny and David Melville (brothers) Favorite sports team: Philadelphia Eagles Favorite food: Popcorn Favorite musician: Ed Sheeran Favorite movie: “The Breakfast Club” Any siblings? Yes, three – Ally, David and Benny Best vacation ever: Royal Caribbean cruise last year during spring break Years lived in Northern area: Almost 11 Dream job: “I’d love to be a singer/songwriter.” Interesting fact about yourself: “I love writing songs, and I’m hoping to make an album soon.” One thing you would change about school: “I would get rid of senior projects. It’s a good experience, but it is too stressful.” Nickname: “Char,” “Charlie,” “Charles” and “Charizard” … “I have a lot of nicknames!” Pre-performance rituals: “I always wear my lucky socks and listen to my running playlist before a race.” Coach Thanh Ngo’s comments on Charlotte: “Charlotte started taking running more seriously when David, her brother, entered high school last year; her youngest brother, Benny, is now a freshman, and

Charlotte went all in this summer with her training. Doubling, almost tripling her volume and workload from last summer, she became an instant varsity member during cross country season and has big goals heading into track season. We’ll see where all that training takes her on the track, but I have no doubt that it’ll be spectacular.”

NORTHERN

Basketball

JACK EMERICK, senior

Position on the team: Power forward

Interesting fact about yourself: “I play tennis.”

Favorite book: “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”

Pre-game rituals: A good meal and hot shower

Best vacation ever: New York City

Coach Bill Chambers’ comments on Jack: “Jack came to Northern basketball four years ago, the same year I did. He has been a varsity player that entire time and has developed into a force. He posts and scores down low, rebounds well, plays good defense and, above all, plays with great intensity and heart. Jack was an all-conference player last year and will be in the running for Player of the Year this season.”

Dream job: Business owner

NORTHERN

Hometown: Charlotte

Basketball

Toughest class: AP Government Plans after high school: Play college basketball Extracurricular activities: Playing tennis

SKYLAR SHUFORD, senior

Most admired athlete: Khalif Wyatt (former Temple basketball player)

Position on the team: Shooting guard

Favorite sports team: Temple

Toughest class: AP Chemistry

Favorite food: Chicken tenders

Plans after high school: Study fashion and design at NC State

Hometown: Greensboro

Favorite band/musician: Taylor Swift

Years lived in Northern area: Nine Interesting fact about yourself: “I’m left handed, but I shoot basketball with my right hand.” One thing you would change about school: Starting time Nickname: “Sky” Pre-game rituals: Pray and team chant Coach Kimberly Furlough’s comments on Skylar: “Skylar is the hardest working player in our program, always gives her best effort and has a great attitude. She is unique because she can run every position on the floor. She’s such a huge asset to our team!”

NORTHERN

Jazz Band

SAVANNAH ALBRIGHT, junior

Extracurricular activities: Hang out with friends

Instrument: bass

Most admired athlete: Skylar Diggins

Toughest class: Pre-calculus

Best vacation ever: Wild Dunes

Favorite sports team: UNC Tar Heels

Years lived in Northern area: 13

Favorite food: New York Pizza

Plans after high school: Four-year university and study abroad

Dream job: Temple commentator

Favorite musician: Adele

Extracurricular activities: Basketball

Favorite movie: “Cop Out” Any siblings? One brother, Sam, and a sister, Elyssa

Hometown: Summerfield

(play at church), Girl Scouts, marching band, volunteer at the Greensboro Science Center, spring track, leader for the Campus Life Club at the middle school Most admired person: “My mother” Favorite actress: Jennifer Lawrence Favorite food: Grilled cheese sandwich Favorite style of music: “I don’t have a favorite, and listen to many different styles of music.” Favorite movie: “Soul Surfer” Any siblings? One brother Best vacation ever: Going to the beach with best friend Years lived in Northern area: 17 Dream job: Musician or park ranger Interesting fact about yourself: “I have a pet turkey.” Nickname: “Savvy” Role: Bass player One thing you would change about school: The amount of students who go to art-related events hosted by the school Pre-performance ritual: Pray Band director Ed Kimbrough’s comments on Savannah: “Savannah is a really fine bass player. She has performed with the jazz band and marching band for three years and has been selected for AllCounty Jazz Band, All-County Band and participated in the NC Governor’s School program for music. She is the rock of the rhythm section in the jazz band.”

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JAN. 8 - 14, 2016

youth / school NEWS

NWHS wins State Art Showcase

Northwest ﬁeld hockey teams raise $1,788 for cancer research

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Apple

The Northwest High School varsity and JV ﬁeld hockey teams presented a check for $1,788.20 to Kathy Secrist of Earlier.org at the teams’ end of season banquet on Nov. 20. The charity supports research for a test detecting breast cancer at its earliest stages. The athletes sold pink ribbon items and asked for donations weeks before their “Play for the Cure” home game on Oct. 5. The teams wore pink socks and pink jerseys emblazoned with the name of someone affected by breast cancer. A 50/50 rafﬂe raised money that night, and the Earlier.org car was on hand for signatures from donors.

NORTHWEST GUILFORD – Northwest Guilford High School was named state champion at the 2015 State Art Showcase by the North Carolina Association for Scholastic Activities.

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The fourth annual event featured artwork from more than 150 students across the state, who had already received top honors in their regions. Eight Northwest students were featured at the showcase. Lauren Castillo earned first place in Painting and Best in Show for her painting, “Falling in

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Northwest High’s award-winning artists are, from left, (front) Sharon Slakter, Lauren Castillo, Grace Liberatore, (back) Jaykishan Patel, Tamara Lee, Luke Johnson, Natalie Whitehead and Noah McCormick.

Dr. Stephen Hunter

Love,” and Sharon Slakter took first in Collage for “Food for Thought.” “I could not be more proud of these amazingly talented students,” says visual arts teacher Amber Bryant. “I am very fortunate to not only teach at a wonderful school but to have the opportunity to teach the most innovative and gifted students. Being their art teacher has become a dream job; I truly enjoy helping and inspiring them to become the best artists they possibly can be each day.”

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“I take a lot of pride in my work, it’s my passion and I love doing it,” says Castillo. “My personality and art style go hand and hand; it’s what makes me, me. I believe if you are determined your passion can one day become your career.” Other students featured were Grace Liberatore for her drawing “First Sight,” Tamara Lee for her print “Traveling the World,” Jaykishan Patel for his mixed media “Tree of Beauty,’” Noah McCormick for his photo “White Stone,” Natalie Whitehead for her computer-generated work “Nature Becomes Her” and Luke Johnson for his sculpture.

Johnson’s art to be published SUMMERFIELD – Gabrielle Johnson of Summerfield has been selected to have her drawing, “Looking Out,” published in the 2015 edition of Celebrating Art, a Johnson hardbound book of accomplished artists. Gabrielle is a senior at Northern Guilford High and received an ‘honorable mention’ in the 2014 News & Record Holiday Gift Wrap competition.

From the

frontlines to the sidelines

A regular feature of Youth Sync that introduces our readers to some of the teachers, coaches, volunteers, administrators and other staff members who are positively impacting our youth in northwest Guilford County.

challenging subjects. He first missed the high school experience of going to football games…but he now plays homeschool soccer.”

Stokesdale resident Martha Nance Van Eerden studied early childhood education and worked at Wesleyan Academy as an assistant kindergarten teacher for several years, later serving as a K–12 substitute teacher when her and husband Scott’s older children were school-age. She has homeschooled their youngest son, Nathaniel, since he was in kindergarten. He is now 16 and in 11th grade.

“Make sure you and your child are best suited for learning together. View it as a commitment to be taken seriously. Register with NC Division of Non-Public Education (www.ncdnpe.org). Utilize resources and support networks.”

1. Why did you decide to homeschool? “Nathaniel was a younger kindergartener. I wanted to see how he’d do with me teaching him the basics, thinking [it was temporary]. He thrived…and I felt he was getting the best education from me.” 2. Did you have concerns or fears? “My biggest were that as he got older, he’d miss daily socialization or I may not be best able to teach him more

3. What does someone need to homeschool?

4. How is a typical day structured? “Nathaniel usually begins first thing each morning. Typically, we’ll complete a full school day in three hours. We’ve used Switched On Schoolhouse curriculum since sixth grade – it’s online and thoroughly covers subjects. We’ve become more flexible with high school, but assignments have predetermined due dates; the system is the enforcer, although I keep tabs on his progress and grade some essay questions and projects. Now that he has his driver’s license, he’s not allowed to drive unless he’s caught up!”

Photo courtesy of Martha Van Eerden

Martha Van Eerden has homeschooled her 16-year-old son, Nathaniel, since he was in kindergarten.

5. What do you wish people knew about homeschooling? “With academic achievement, we can tap into the same college benefits as public/private schools. With increased athletic opportunities – Nathaniel’s homeschool soccer team won the National Homeschool Championship title in October – we are looked at for sports recruitment as well. It’s a misperception that homeschool students are socially awkward and unprepared for ‘real life.’ The vast majority are incredibly social, well adjusted, polite and very equipped for adulthood – maybe even more so.” —Emily-Sarah Lineback

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JAN. 8 - 14, 2016

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TUESDAY, JAN. 12  Summerfield Town Council |The town council will meet on Jan. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Summerfield Community Center, 5404 Centerfield Road. More info and agenda: www.summerfieldgov.com.

 Senior Luncheon | Senior Resources of Guilford will sponsor the Second Tuesday Senior Luncheon, a free catered meal for ages 60 and up, on Jan. 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The luncheon, which will include a fun, informative program, will be held at Shady Grove Wesleyan Church, 119 Bunker Hill Road, Colfax. More info: (336) 754-2106 or ruraloutreach@senior-resources-guilford.org.

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THURSDAY, JAN. 14  Merchants of Oak Ridge | MOR, a non-profit organization of over 50 local businesses in and near Oak Ridge, will meet on Jan. 14 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Oak Ridge Town Hall, 8315 Linville Road, Oak Ridge. More info: Mickey Tingen, (336) 693-8446 or micktingen@aol.com.

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 Veterans’ Coffee | A veterans’ “coffee” event will be held on Jan. 14 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Outback Steakhouse in Four Seasons Town Centre in Greensboro. This is an opportunity for local veterans to connect, share stories, and enjoy free coffee and donuts. More info: Don Timmons, (336) 331-1309.

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WEDNESDAY, JAN. 13  Marine Corps | The Marine Corps League Detachment 1314 will meet on Jan. 13 at 6 p.m. at the Moose Lodge, 1250 E. Mountain St., Kernersville. More info: Commandant Les Leamons, (336) 329-9085, Joe Vodenichar, (336) 455-1394, neverforget@NWT1314.com, or www.nwt1314.com/DoNC.html.

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 Senior Luncheon | Senior Resources of Guilford will sponsor the Second Thursday Senior Luncheon, a free catered meal for ages 60 and up. The luncheon, which will include a fun, informative program, will be held on Jan. 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Stokesdale UMC, 8305 Loyola St. More info: (336) 754-2106 or ruraloutreach@senior-resources-guilford.org.  Stokesdale Town Council | The town council will meet on Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. at Stokesdale Town Hall, 8325 Angel Pardue Road. More info and agenda: www.stokesdale.org. FRIDAY, JAN. 15  Senior Expo | Well-Spring Services will hold this free event on Jan. 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church, 410 North Holden Road, Greensboro. Come hear presentations on aging, memory and dementia, and receive information and resources. For a list of vendors and to register online, visit www.acecare.org/event/senior-expo. More info: nreynolds@well-spring.org or (336) 545-5442.

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SUNDAY, JAN. 17  Narnia Play | Bring the entire family to enjoy a live performance of “The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe” on Jan. 17 at 6:30 p.m. at Oak Ridge UMC, 2424 Oak Ridge Road. Admission is free, but a love offering will benefit Good Samaritan Ministries of Stokesdale. More info: info@oakridgeyouththeatre.com.

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JAN. 8 - 14, 2016

CRIME / INCIDENT report The District 1 Sheriff’s Office has recently responded to the following incidents in northwest Guilford County. ALCOHOL/DRUGS

stopped on U.S. 158 in Stokesdale.

Dec. 19 | A 16-year-old Summerfield resident was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and breaking and entering after officers found him inside a home on Polo Farms Drive in Summerfield. The homeowners were on vacation when a neighbor called them after spotting activity at the home. A 15-year-old Greensboro resident also found inside the home was released into the custody of his parents.

Dec. 21 | A Summerfield resident was charged with possession of heroin, simple possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia after the vehicle in which he was riding was stopped on N.C. 150 for traveling left of center. The driver, an Oak Ridge resident, was charged with possession of marijuana. However, a more thorough search at the county jail revealed he was concealing heroin, which led to additional charges of trafficking heroin and possession of a controlled substance on jail premises.

Dec. 19 | Three Summerfield residents, ages 16-17, were cited for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia after their vehicle was stopped on Polo Farms Drive in Summerfield by officers investigating a burglary in progress (see above). The drugs were found during a probable-cause search of the vehicle. Dec. 20 | A Stokesdale resident was charged with driving while impaired and having a concealed gun after/while consuming alcohol after his vehicle was

Dec. 21 | A Summerfield man was charged with possession of marijuana after officers recognized him driving on Haw River Road as someone with outstanding warrants for felony larceny. Dec. 23 | An Asheboro resident was charged with driving while impaired after deputies found him passed out on a moped on Bryan Boulevard in northern Greensboro.

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What’s in your purse? Jan. 1 | A Stokesdale woman was charged with larceny after allegedly stuffing her purse with deli chicken, deli ham, potato wedges, Swiss cheese, barbecue sauce, banana pudding, ranch dressing, mayonnaise, chocolate chip cookie dough, bread, dinner rolls, and a rotisserie chicken. She was apprehended after leaving Food Lion on N.C. 68 in Stokesdale without paying for the items. The value of the items was $51.27. Dec. 23 | Two residents of Stokesdale were cited for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia following a report of a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of CVS Pharmacy in Oak Ridge. Dec. 23 | Two residents of Summerfield were charged with possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia after their vehicle was stopped on U.S. 158 after deputies discovered the driver’s license was suspended. The drugs were found during a consent search. Dec. 26 | A Greensboro resident was cited for possession of marijuana following a report of a suspicious person on Angel Pardue Road in Stokesdale. Dec. 26 | A Stokesdale resident and a Madison resident were each cited for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia after suspicious activity was reported in the parking lot of a business on U.S. 158 at Ivan Street in Stokesdale. Dec. 27 | Two residents of Walnut Cove were cited, one for possession of marijuana and the other for underage consumption of alcohol, after deputies stopped a suspicious vehicle on Belews Creek Road in Stokesdale. Jan. 3 | A Greensboro resident was charged with resisting arrest and driving while impaired after deputies found him operating a pickup truck stuck in a ditch in front of Ridgewood Swim and Tennis Club on James Doak Parkway in northern Greensboro. The truck had struck a light pole and damaged approximately 50 yards of grass before becoming stuck. The N.C. State Highway Patrol

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charged him with leaving the scene of an accident and driving with a revoked license. Additionally, an outstanding warrant was served for assault inflicting serious injury.

ARSON Dec. 22 | A Rhode Island resident was charged with felony arson of personal property and misdemeanor injury to personal property following a fire at Woods of Terror on Church Street in northern Greensboro. Property damaged included two golf carts, a Ford Explorer, mattresses, a refrigerator and personal items belonging to other Woods of Terror employees.

ASSAULT Jan. 2 | A resident of Palomino Ridge Court in Summerfield reported that his brother allegedly picked him up and threw him on the floor, breaking the victim’s shoulder in three places. The brother was arrested in connection with the aggravated assault.

BURGLARY Jan. 1 | An unknown person broke into Carolina Landscape Associates on U.S. 220 in Summerfield around 5 p.m. by kicking in the rear door of the building, causing the alarm to be activated. Nothing appeared to be missing. Deputies found a cellphone near the business and traced it to a former employee who lives in Greensboro, who was later arrested after a brief chase in which he rammed a Greensboro Police vehicle. He was charged with breaking and entering.

...continued on p. 26

Colfax crocheter creates snowﬂakes started crocheting the delicate snowflakes to give to her grandchildren for their Christmas trees, which this year shared their evergreen branches with crocheted icicles. Mary slides a floral box across the table and tips off the top. She reaches in and retrieves about 20 snowflakes. “I like to do one of each pattern, so no two are alike… but sometimes if there’s one I like, I’ll do a couple,” she says, spreading them all over the table, reaching into the box to grab another pile of the 100 or so snowflakes from within.

Photos by Gerri Hunt/NWO

Mary Nelson (left) of Colfax makes a minuscule snowflake by crocheting fine white thread; (right) just like real snowflakes, the crocheted ones for her grandchildren’s Christmas trees are unique.

by GERRI HUNT COLFAX – Mary Nelson holds a minuscule doily gently between her thumb and middle finger, then pulls a large ball of fine white thread close – and a page of instructions closer. Glancing down at the pattern, she deftly begins to crochet, steadily rotating what will become a tiny, two-inch snowflake. Mary works from her kitchen table on Ballard Road in Colfax, down the road from the house where she was born – where Gene Stafford lives now – and up the road from the farm where she and her family later moved in with her grandmother. Mary, her three sisters and three brothers had to do a lot of chores on the farm, like chopping weeds out of the tobacco and corn patches, picking beans, cucumbers and watermelons, and canning food. “We pulled tobacco, and we’d hand

it to Mama. She would put it on a stick – we didn’t have stringers like now – and handed them up to Daddy in the barn to place on tier poles,” says Mary. “Daddy and my family, we always had tobacco, and Grandma would get balls of tobacco twine and crochet with that.” Mary was about 11 or 12 when her grandmother taught her how to crochet, although she put down her hook for many years after getting married in 1958 and raising four children. “I picked it up again, and in the last two years, I’ve concentrated on it a lot,” she says, noting that she has notebooks of patterns she has collected for the snowflakes, doilies and flowers. And sometimes, she’ll settle on a doily pattern, but stop after crocheting the very center – making a beautiful little snowflake. In the last couple of years, Mary has made baby blankets, and fingerless gloves for the Kidney Foundation. She

flakes, she hand washes and starches them. “I put a sheet on the ironing board and pin all the points in place to dry,” says Mary. “It takes quite a bit of pins because there are so many points. I used 500 pins one time!” Running out of room on the ironing board, she folded a sheet several times and laid it at the foot of the bed. “It worked out good, but the sheet was so dense I couldn’t get the pins through it,” she says with a laugh. “So I finally bought stronger, longer pins.”

“I like doing each one of them but if it’s too challenging, I just start something else,” said Mary.

With so many beautiful pieces, Mary set up a booth at the Colfax Persimmon Festival in 2014 and 2015 to sell them.

But she faced a challenge of a different sort recently.

“This is what I want to do. I want to stay inside and work on it when I want, and do it as long as I want to,” she says.

When Mary finishes several snow-

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JAN. 8 - 14, 2016

GRINS and GRIPES Delighted or dismayed by something in your community?

Share your thoughts in online: nwobserver.com

40 words or less

e-mail: grinsandgripes@nwobserver.com

Grins & Gripes are published based on available space and editor’s discretion.

GRINS to...

 My family, friends, neighbors and NWHS teachers and students for supporting Northwest’s Leadership class and donating to my Christmas family.  Dr. Karen Nasisse and her caring staff at Northwest Animal Hospital for generously housing the stray dog that was hanging around Oak Ridge Military Academy until a rescue group could be located.  My chair committee, which makes sure there are chairs put up every Sunday at Oak Ridge United Methodist Church. I am

humbled by your faithful giving and always with a smile!  The ladies at Food Lion in Stokesdale who make our family shopping experiences enjoyable. Marie, Sheila, Cori, Kim and Vickey always remember us and greet us like friends!  Denise, for tracking down the hit-andrun driver who recently hit my sister and me on U.S. 220 North. God bless you and your family. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  Rachel (who works at the Food Lion in Summerfield) for her brilliant Christmas

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“rap” when I was in the checkout line. If she can’t make you grin, there’s something wrong with you!  The cookie bakers, the kids who made tree ornaments, the families who donated food and all the volunteers who donated your time and help in setting up and cleaning up Light Up The Night in Oak Ridge on Dec. 12.  All the awesome folks on Spotswood Road who had their houses lit up for Christmas. We’re new to the neighborhood, and our kids loved it every time we drove home!  All the trustworthy, dedicated civilian personnel who keep our airports, borders and shipping ports safe in these scary times. They are unsung heroes in tiring, stressful jobs who do their best, protecting us and foiling plots of criminals and terrorists.  The hardworking staff and writers of the Northwest Observer who keep us entertained and informed all year long. So glad you’re here producing our NWO each week, and especially during local elections!  Terri Johnson (for requesting Stokesdale Town Council rename its “Holiday” parade). It should be a “Christmas” parade! I am disgusted by this new way of taking Christmas out of Christmas.  The gentleman who works the drivethrough window at McDonald’s in Oak Ridge. No matter how busy, he always greets you with a smile and a kind word.  The stranger who paid for our lunch at the Chinese restaurant in Oak Ridge on the Sunday before Christmas. Thanks so much for your kind act, and may God bless you!  Northern Guilford students who put together gift bags for distribution to patients at Cone Health Cancer Center (at Wesley Long Hospital) on Dec. 18. Your kindness touched many and brought smiles to a lot of deserving people. Kindness matters!  The numerous people who put out Christmas lights this year. We really enjoyed them, and thank you for sharing the holiday cheer!  The Northwest Observer and the town of Stokesdale! My wife and I moved here

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10 years ago, and you have all made it feel like home for us. God bless all of you!  Sheila at Food Lion in Stokesdale for always being so friendly. My two-year-old son loves to see her and visit her there at “Sheila’s house.”  Austin at Piedmont Auto Sales in Stokesdale for going above and beyond on a holiday weekend to help us with our daughter’s car that we recently purchased. Thank you for the excellent service – you treated us like family and we appreciate it greatly.  Kathy at Summerfield CVS for taking the time to speak with my son and me about medication to help with a stuffy nose and cough. Kathy has always taken time for her customers and is the best!  HomeStyle (John Hagen), who installed our Beam central vac system. Very professional, thorough and courteous. We highly recommend them!  The Stokesdale Fire Department for allowing community festivities in the fire station yard for the Stokesdale Christmas Parade. Your cooperation and hospitality helped the parade to be the best parade yet!  The staff at Summerfield Farms for helping make our daughter’s wedding day last month a perfect one. What a beautiful venue inside and out, combined with a helpful, courteous and caring team to care for us while we were there!  Ava and Katie. I don’t know who you are, but your anonymous Christmas card was the most beautiful one our family received. Thank you for the thoughtful gift. Happy New Year!  The incredible first responders who faithfully serve and protect, all year long and at all hours, with great personal sacrifice. Thank you to police, sheriff, highway patrol, fire and rescue and hospital staff, EMTs and 911 personnel.

GRIPES to...  The driver of the silver pickup who, on Dec. 15, used the turn lane at the intersection

of N.C. 68 and U.S. 158 in Stokesdale to pass a tractor trailer and car. I had to swerve to miss hitting you head on!  The Town of Oak Ridge. This project at the corner of Linville Road and 150 has taken entirely too long – it should have been a week-long project. The town has how much money in reserves? For how much we pay to live here, we expect a little more.

Editor’s note: After receiving this gripe, I contacted Oak Ridge Town Manager Bruce Oakley for more information about this project. Oakley first clarified that the project is being constructed and paid for by NCDOT, not the Town of Oak Ridge. “The improvements to the intersection are being made in a way that will allow for the town to install sidewalks at a future date,” Oakley said. “As for the construction timeframe, I can’t speak for NCDOT, but I assume the wetter than normal weather has caused a delay in the completion of the project.”

 The CVS Minute Clinics in Oak Ridge and Summerfield for being neither fast nor efficient. Long wait times (up to two hours on two different occasions) and indifferent and/or unfriendly employees – and all I needed was an updated tetanus shot!  The Airframe SUV driver who passed me on a double yellow line in the active school zone near Oak Ridge Elementary on Dec. 16. Your disregard for safety and the law is going to hurt someone – or worse – one day.  The unkindness of Halloween trick-ortreaters who shattered our nice wooden bowl against a tree while we accompanied our children around the neighborhood. It was left full of candy for everyone. We felt so sad when we came home. Editor’s note: This gripe was submitted last week after a reader discovered it had been held captive in her Outbox since just after Halloween.

 Drivers who don’t turn their headlights on at dusk, especially since it is almost dark when most of us leave our jobs each day. Driving this time of day is dangerous enough with your headlights on!

 The Horseshoe Lane resident who once again shattered a quiet Saturday afternoon – this time, the day after Christmas – by firing off hundreds of rounds of extremely loud gunshots throughout the afternoon.

 Northwest High School teachers who assign projects and tests that are due soon after winter break. It takes away from family time and puts pressure on those who travel or just need down time. Please give these kids a break!

 Liberal Democrats who can’t understand their plans (bringing terrorists here, taking away our guns, and giving everybody free stuff) are ruining our country. Put Bernie or Hillary in office and it may be our final election as the USA.

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LETTERS/OPINIONS Submit your editorials (maximum 350 words) online: nwobserver.com e-mail : editor@nwobserver.com mail: Opinions, PO Box 268, Oak Ridge, NC 27310 Include your name, a daytime phone number where you can be reached and name of community in which you live.

How to get involved A great thing about Oak Ridge is that we are big enough to have things like our wonderful park, but small enough that government is close to the people. With the start of the New Year, I encourage you to consider taking advantage of that by volunteering to be a member/alternate on one of Oak Ridge’s committees or boards. As a citizen volunteer you can have a direct impact on issues that concern you and your neighbors. As all of us on Town Council have said at some point, “our volunteers make our job much easier by the advance work they do on issues that come before us.” Most committees and boards meet once a month. Even if you can’t serve on them, please attend meetings whenever

you can; all the committee and board meetings are open to the public and members welcome your input. Another opportunity for you to serve on a less-frequent basis is to give the invocation at the start of Town Council meetings. Giving an invocation is an option for all citizens of Oak Ridge, or you can sponsor someone to give the invocation. And finally, don’t forget that Town Council has two citizen comment sessions during each monthly meeting which gives you an opportunity to speak freely about just about anything. For more details, call Oak Ridge Town Hall at (336) 644-7009 or visit www.oakridgenc.com. Jim Kinneman The writer is a member of the Oak Ridge Town Council

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Guilford County Animal Shelter: The buck stops nowhere? by ANNETTE JOYCE Editor’s Note: This article is a continuation from our Dec. 18 issue. In July, the Guilford County Sheriff’s Department began an investigation into complaints against the Guilford County Animal Shelter uncovering some of the most horrific cases of animal abuse imaginable. Seriously injured dogs and cats sat for days in pens without medical treatment. From a legal point of view, there were issues of financial misappropriation. In addition, rescue groups and volunteers reported excessive difficulty in working with shelter management, and Marsha Williams, the former executive director for both the Guilford and Davidson County shelters, was accused of nepotism. As a result of the investigation, Guilford County took over operation of the shelter and booted the United Animal Coalition, the organization that had been operating the facility since 1998. Three former employees – Williams, her daughter Dana Williams-King and

Marissa Studivent – faced misdemeanor animal cruelty charges. While the investigation uncovered all kinds of wrongdoing, the Guilford County District Attorney’s Office has announced that it would not file charges against the three former employees due to a lack of sufficient evidence. Meanwhile, Davidson County is moving forward with its prosecution of felony charges against the three. At a hearing on Nov. 30, that case was continued. In Guilford County, the sheriff’s office is continuing to investigate potential misappropriation of donations and county funds, and charges may be forthcoming. As the story continues to play out, we wanted to know what our readers thought about this situation. “I think this is appalling that there are no criminal charges being filed against the management of the Guilford County Animal Shelter. Do our laws need to be changed to allow prosecu-

tion of management of our animal shelters when these kinds of abuse and neglect are detected? What about video cameras being installed so these animals are provided a safe environment while they are boarded in an animal shelter?” Sylvia Pegg Kernersville “It is outrageous that some of the animals were allegedly treated so cruelly. I am glad the shelter is under new management, and it should continue to be monitored more closely.” Julie Packard, DVM Bel-Aire Veterinary Hospital Greensboro “Whatever happened to ‘The Buck Stops Here’? I am assuming all the people in the position of accepting and assessing the conditions of animals received into the custody of the animal shelter are ‘employees’ or ‘staff members’ and not volunteers. “Someone (an individual person) receives a specific animal into custody of the animal shelter. That person (if

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not the director) reports to someone else at that facility. There are reports filled out and initialed or signed by the person accepting the animal. I find it hard to believe that it would just be someone’s word against the word of another. Where was the paper trail? Are there not surveillance cameras in that facility? Is it not the manager or director’s ‘responsibility’ to ensure systems are in place, and that they are being followed? “I think responsibility failed at several points in the process. Certainly each and every individual who did not ‘step up’ and be an advocate for a suffering animal is guilty in this case. I have read reports about ‘intimidation’ and ‘fear of losing a job position’ as a response for the lack of action from some individuals. I cannot imagine the fear of losing a job position outweighing the compassion needed to help a suffering animal. “I am hopeful that with greater effort, a thorough review of all evidence available, including interviews of people who dropped off the animals, can identify individuals who should have been an advocate for those that desperately needed one. Makes my blood boil!” Danny R. Yanusz Oak Ridge

LOOKING BACK ...continued from p. 1

the fines or respond in writing. Last month, at the request of the company’s attorney, the Town agreed to extend the deadline by 30 days; the new deadline is Jan. 16.

the parties and town staff, HPC eventually approved an amended COA in September.

On the road again

At the Oct. 1, 2015 Town Council meeting, HPC Chair Ann Schneider announced CrossFit had fulfilled all of its amended COA requirements, the facility had been inspected, and the Town had okayed the issuance of a permanent CO. One issue still remained unresolved, which related to the civil penalties CMT Commons accrued while it continued to operate in non-compliance with the town’s ordinances. On Nov. 12, the Town filed a civil action lawsuit in the Guilford County Superior Court in an effort to collect those unpaid fines. The lawsuit involves two separate code violations with a total fine of $29,750. In the first incidence, CrossFit was charged with violating Section 30253(2) of the Oak Ridge Code of Ordinances for development inconsistent with a permit; this fine was $14,375. The second violation involved Section 30-297 of the town ordinances for failure to cease use of a building for which a temporary certificate of occupancy has been revoked; this fine was $15,375. CrossFit was given 30 days from the date the lawsuit was recorded to either pay

NORTHWEST GUILFORD – A swath of new roadway is making a path across the northwest area, as the North Carolina Department of Transportation leads the construction of I-73. Scheduled for completion in April 2017, the new $200 million, 9.4-mile, four-lane interstate will begin at the existing Joseph M. Bryan Boulevard/Airport Parkway interchange, cross over N.C. 68 and back, and end at U.S. 220 near the Haw River. Simultaneously, U.S. 220 is being widened from Horsepen Creek Road to Winfree Road in Summerfield. In October 2015, the contractor of the $96.2 million project was granted an extension, putting the target completion date at June 19, 2017.

’Waggle tails’ prohibited NORTHWEST GUILFORD – From February to September, citizens and leaders in northwest Guilford County fought to keep twin trailers off N.C. 68, a two-lane highway with no shoulders, a high traffic volume and a high accident rate. Public hearings were held at council meetings and citizens were urged to speak out against the allowance of tandem trailers on the roadway. The issue stemmed from a trucker who requested the North Carolina Department of Transportation allow twin trailers on N.C. 68 from I-40 to U.S. 220. Unless specifically authorized by NCDOT as a designated route, twin trailers, which can each be up to 28 feet long, are prohibited from traveling on state highways in North Carolina.

N.C. 150 will also be straightened from the Henson Forest community to Brookbank Road, and widened from Summerfield Town Hall to N.C. 68 in Oak Ridge.

Stokesdale Deputy Scott Casey contacted 14 companies with operations in Colfax, Kernersville and Greensboro that employ or contract with drivers of trucks hauling twin trailers to remind them of the law prohibiting these vehicles on state highways, and to let them know he and others in law enforcement would be issuing citations to violators.

Further north, the U.S. 220/N.C. 68 interchange was extracted from the original construction contract and rebid, in an effort to have the $14 million project completed as timely as the I-73 project.

In August, NCDOT denied the request to allow twin trailers on N.C. 68. The question then became, who enforces the ban? N.C. Highway Patrol’s Motor Carrier Unit is ultimately respon-

Part of Brookbank Road in Summerfield was shifted to the north, and there are plans for a bridge spanning I-73.

sible, but all law enforcement officers can enforce the law that limits the size and load of vehicles.

On the frontlines NORTHWEST GUILFORD – In the leadership arena, perhaps the biggest news of the year was the death of longtime Congressman Howard Coble on Election Day, Nov. 3. Coble was well-loved in the area, where he was Oak Ridge Councilman George McClellan’s mentor, and rode in the Stokesdale Holiday Parade every winter. Coble, who was 84 at the time of his death, was first elected to Congress in 1984 and served 30 years. He retired in January 2015. More locally, it was a surprise to many when Ray Combs stepped down after 12 years as mayor of Oak Ridge in July, and retired from the town council altogether in November. Combs cited the desire to travel extensively with his wife in his decision to leave the council. And in Summerfield, when one-term Mayor Tim Sessoms chose not to run for reelection, former mayor Mark Brown ran for election and returned to the mayor’s seat in December after defeating then Councilwoman Elizabeth McClellan.

“Looking back” will continue in our Jan. 15 issue.

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Visit our showroom for FREE estimates! Greensboro: 312 Dougherty St • 574-2755 www.prostoneusa.com

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www.gladwellinsurance.com The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

JAN. 8 - 14, 2016

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

...continued from p. 11

Interim head coach Derek Hodge credited his team for playing solid defense and quality team basketball.

Mercedes Wampler, Kelly Lomax and Sami Furlough each scored 9

“We held them to shoot 35 percent for the game,” he said. “Andy’s hot shooting kept us in it in the first half, while Jarrett Boyd’s free throws put the game away down the stretch.

In the second round, Northern came up short to No. 1 Greensboro Day, 52-40. Jack Emerick and Pack combined to score 29 out of the team’s 40 points.

UP NEXT | Northern was scheduled to travel to Northeast Guilford on Tuesday, Jan. 5, to host McMichael at home on Wednesday, Jan. 6, and to travel to Morehead on Friday, Jan. 8.

at Northern Guilford Middle School.

Jan. 3 | A Summerfield resident reported being threatened in the parking lot of the Early Times Bar on U.S. 158 in Stokesdale.

Dec. 19 | A Stokesdale resident reported that sometime between 2 and 8:20 p.m. an unknown person stole a Massey Ferguson tractor, a farm trailer and a disc plow from property on Springdale Meadow Drive. The value of the stolen items is $1,100.

Dec. 20 | A resident of Timber Pegg Drive in Summerfield reported that sometime overnight, an unknown person smashed a mailbox, slashed tires and keyed the driver’s door of a pickup truck parked in front of the victim’s home, causing $1,400 worth of damage. Dec. 30 | The soccer field at Ridgewood Swim and Tennis Club, on James Doak Parkway in northern Greensboro, sustained $2,000 in damages to the grass and turf after an unknown person drove a black Jeep Liberty through it at 3:45 p.m.

“The schedule this year has given us a challenge every night,” said Hodge. “We’re getting used to having to battle each time out.”

NORTHERN GUILFORD WOMEN (8-5, 3-2)

THEFT

No. 3 Northern Guilford women swept past No. 6 Ragsdale 63-44 in the first round of the HAECO Invitational. Photo courtesy of Andy Gore

In her first game back after sitting out for two weeks with a foot injury, Elissa Cunane scored a game-high 21 points and pulled down 16 rebounds.

Northern Guilford guard Andy Pack scored a team-high 15 points in a 52-40 loss against Greensboro Day in the second round of the 2015 HAECO Invitational Basketball Tournament.

Head coach Kimberly Furlough said it was awesome to have Cunane back on the court, but noted her team learned valuable lessons when Cunane was sidelined. “We hated playing without her, but we got better as a team,” she said. “We get better and add her to the mix, and that’s a good thing for us all the way around.”

...continued from p. 20

COMMUNICATING THREATS

PROPERTY DAMAGE

With the loss, Northern played No. 3 Dudley for third place. Emerick led the Nighthawks with 22 points and 13 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to keep his team from falling to Dudley 58-48.

JAN. 8 - 14, 2016

points in the game against Dudley.

CRIME/INCIDENT REPORT

“Alec Hildreth played a big role, changing shots and grabbing 11 boards.”

Nighthawks fell to Dudley 56-47. Cunane had 13 points and 17 rebounds, her third double-double in three games.

Dec. 18 | A resident of Lisa Lane reported a man he knows stole $2,500 worth of tools. A resident of Old Mill Road in Summerfield was arrested. Dec. 18 | A student’s $350 black and silver iPhone 5S was stolen from a locker around 3:45 p.m. by an unknown person

Cunane continued to be a force in the paint with 18 points and 13 rebounds against No. 2 Page Pirates on the second day of HAECO. However, the Pirates edged out the Nighthawks 53-45, which set up a third-place game against No. 4 Dudley. Plagued by 20 turnovers, the Lady

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

Dec. 24 | A resident of Belews Creek Road in Stokesdale reported an unknown person stole a $500 four-wheeler from the victim’s carport. Dec. 26 | A resident of Colgate Road in Stokesdale reported the break-in of a neighboring home’s outbuilding that contained furniture and wood flooring. A Kernersville man and a Wilmington man and woman were cited and released on the scene. Dec. 26 | A resident of Strawberry Road in Summerfield reported the theft of a $10 North Carolina Confederate flag from the victim’s back porch railing. Dec. 28 | Lomax Construction on Norcross Road in Colfax reported that between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Dec. 25 an unknown person stole $100 worth of diesel fuel from a pickup truck and $200 worth of scrap metal.

District 1 Sheriff’s Office 7506 Summerfield Road (336) 641-2300 • Monday - Friday www.guilfordcountysheriff.com

Capt. Yousef Sansour

in emergency dial 911

 AUTOS / CYCLES

 EMPLOYMENT

1997 YAMAHA ROYAL STAR motorcycle, $3,500; 1972 Harley police bike, $5,500; 1999 Harley Road King, $8,500; 1968 Torino GT, $18,000. All excellent condition. (336) 643-9197.

GSC School Nutrition is hiring COOKS, SERVERS, AND CASHIERS! School Nutrition Services will host two hiring expos – Pearce Elementary on Thursday, January 21, and Jamestown Middle on Friday, January 22. No walk-ins. All interviews by appointment only. Go to www.gcsnc.com, click on the Human Resources tab and apply online. If you are selected for an interview you will be contacted with an appointment time and location.

ELECTRICIAN NEEDED with strong commercial and residential experience. Must be detail-oriented, a good communicator, self-directed and have a neat/clean appearance. We are a growing business specializing in commercial and residential electrical contracting and solar renewable energy. Clean driving record and drug screen required. Must know the NEC. Call Balex Electrical, (336) 202-5758, or send resume to admin@balexelectrical.com.

 EMPLOYMENT PIANIST: Summerfield Methodist Church has immediate opening for P/T pianist. Send resume to: SUMC, PO Box 639, Summerfield, NC 27358 or email office@ summerfieldumc.com.

Place online at

DEADLINE: Monday prior to each issue

NEED HELP? Call (336) 644-7035 ext. 10 Mon - Fri • 9am -2pm

INDEX Autos / Cycles for Sale ................. 27 Employment ................................ 27 Homecare Available ................... 27 Save the Date ............................. 27 Home Services ....................... 28-29 Misc. Services.............................. 29 Misc. for Sale ............................. 29 Misc. Wanted ............................. 30 Pets & Animal Services ............... 30 Real Estate .................................. 30

Large Baptist church in Greensboro seeking RECEPTIONIST. Answer telephone calls and questions related to ministry information. Greet members and guests at front desk. Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite with church database experience preferred. Perform general office duties as required. F/T with benefits. Hours: MondayThursday, 8am-5pm; Friday, 8am-1pm. Must be able to work with all types of people. Send resume and salary requirements to employment@lawndalebaptist.org. Large Baptist Church in Greensboro seeking MINISTRY ASSISTANT. Answer telephone calls and questions related to ministry information. Greet members and guests and handle clerical tasks as a part of ministry. Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Publisher, with church database experience preferred. Perform other general office duties as required. F/T with benefits. Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8am5pm, Friday, 8am-1pm. Must be able to work with all types of people. Send resume and salary requirements to: employment@ lawndalebaptist.org. The Town of Stokesdale is seeking qualified applicants for the position of TOWN CLERK to manage the daily operations of the town. For more information, visit the “JOBS” link on the Stokesdale website. SpringHill Suites by Marriott is now looking for a HOTEL MAINTENANCE WORKER. Please stop by 6006 Landmark Center Blvd., Greensboro, to apply.

P/T ADMIN. ASSISTANT. Computer skills including exp. with Word and Excel. Customer service, answer phones, modify docs, maintain electronic filing system, data entry. Please send resume and contact info to sadjusters@triad.rr.com. REGISTERED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN or exp. Veterinary Assistant needed for busy small animal practice. FT/PT. Competitive salary and benefits. Apply in person: 1012 Hwy. 150W, Summerfield, NC, 27358. www.theahlb.com. SALES ASSOCIATES – Boone Fabrics seeks individuals with proven retail background. Interior design/decorating experience a plus. Some Saturdays, NO NIGHTS or SUNDAYS. Send resume with salary requirements to sales@boonefabricsnc.com or PO Box 369, Colfax, NC 27235. Boone Fabrics seeks a P/T BOOKKEEPING OFFICE ASSOCIATE. Must have proven computer, payables/accounting experience and be comfortable working independently. For immediate consideration, send resume and salary requirements to PO Box 369, Colfax, NC 27235 or email sales@boonefabricsnc.com. WoodmenLife is seeking a PROFESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE. Generous compensation plus bonus opportunities and exceptional benefits for those who qualify. Training and professional sales tools provided. Does your income match your talents and efforts? Don’t wait for corporate America to recognize your worth. Contact Frank Bruno, recruiting sales manager, (336) 643-4115 or 337-8473.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

HIRING? Place your employment classiﬁed online at www.nwobserver.com.

 HOMECARE AVAILABLE GENTLE, LOVING CAREGIVER available for F/T or P/T employment. References available. Call Gerri, (336) 423-1420.

 SAVE THE DATE Opening Friday, Jan. 8, 2016 – SARA’S ON CHERRY Consignments and More. New and used vintage items. Located at 144 Cherry Street, Suite #2, Kernersville. (336) 209-6373. Stop in and see us! Come tour the SOUTHERN LIVING SHOWCASE HOME, located at 8540 Linville Road, Oak Ridge, January 15-30, Wednesdays through Sundays, 12n-5pm. See display ad on page 15 for more information. The Oak Ridge Youth Theatre will perform THE LION, THE WITCH & THE WARDROBE on January 17 & January 24, 6:30pm, at Oak Ridge United Methodist Church, 2424 Oak Ridge Road. FREE ADMISSION! A love offering will be collected to beneﬁt the Good Samaritan Ministry of Stokesdale. Visit www. oakridgeyouththeatre.com for information. WINE & DESIGN at Spring Arbor, Thursday, Jan. 21, 6:30-8pm, featuring teaching artist Lia Miller. See display ad on page 19 for more details.

...continued on p. 28 JAN. 8 - 14, 2016

home services cleaning

home services

OLD SCHOOL

MAID 2 GLIMMER – Maid Cleaning Premier cleaning service with Amazon Local. Call (336) 441-8388, Maid2Glimmer.com. EXPERIENCED HOUSEKEEPER. Dependable, references available. (334) 750-9063. SANDRA’S CLEANING SERVICE, Affordable, experienced, guaranteed svc. 423-3196. CHRISTIAN MOM needs work cleaning houses, running errands. Will clean to fit your budget. Pet taxi/pet sitting also avail. References. Call Laura Bennett, 231-1838. ANA’S HOUSECLEANING. Good references, free est., 25 years exp. 309-0747. CRYSTAL CLEAR WINDOW CLEANING, gutter cleaning, pressure washing. Fully ins. www.windowcleaningnc.com. 595-2873. CastleWorks WINDOW CLEANING Includes gutters, pressure washing, chandeliers and other high ladder work. Fully insured and bonded, free estimates. (336) 609-0677. www.castleworkswindowcleaning.com.

decorating EXPERIENCED INTERIOR DECORATOR & personal furniture shopper will help you with style, color, shopping & furniture placement. E-mail appeninc@gmail.com or call Ann Appenzeller, (336) 314-1411.

HOME REPAIR, LLC

Home Improvement & Repairs Lisa & Jerry Potkay, Oak Ridge Bathroom Remodeling | Additions | Decks

(336) 669-7252

oldschoolsjhr@triad.rr.com www.oldschoolsjhr.homestead.com BBB Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics 2014

Professional, Honest, Reliable

MARIA’S CLEANING SERVICE. Free estimates, guaranteed service. 937-5231.

APPLIANCE REPAIR – Call Mr Appliance. A step above the rest! (336) 609-5707. GARY’S HANDYMAN HOME SERVICES “Providing value for the home-ownership experience.” Gary Gellert, serving NC’s Piedmont Triad area. Garygellert@gmail.com, (336) 423-8223. GREENERTIMES SMALL ENGINE Sales & service center. 9428 NC Hwy. 65, Stokesdale. Call (336) 312-3844 mobile or (336) 548-9286 office.

grading / hauling ANTHONY’S GRADING & HAULING Excavating, land clearing, demolition, dirt available. Zane Anthony, 362-4035. PEARMAN QUARRY HAULING Fill dirt, gravel, sand rock, mulch & more. Joel Richardson, (336) 803-2195.

Flooring

GAULDIN TRUCKING, grading & hauling, bobcat work, lot clearing, driveways, fill dirt, gravel, etc. 362-1150.

CARPET REPAIRS & RESTRETCHING Licensed/insured. 643-6500.

BRAD’S BOBCAT. Debris removal, grading/ hauling, gravel/dirt, driveways. 362-3647.

general repair & services

lawn care / landscaping

JLB REMODELING, INC. Home repair, maintenance & handyman service. Licensed & insured. Competitive rates. Call 681-2902 or www.jlbremodeling.com.

BOBCAT WORK, bushhogging, and tractor work. Brad Mills, (336) 382-1505.

GENERAL HOME REPAIR, bathroom repair, small/odd jobs. 644-8710, 708-0522.

Jan. 8 - 14, 2016

STEVE NEWMAN TREE SERVICE. Free est. Lic/Ins. 30 yrs. exp. Bucket truck & chipper, total cleanup. Selective thinning & lot clearing. 24-hr. ER svc. OR, NC. 643-1119.

home services

STUMP GRINDING – FREE ESTIMATES Big or small. George Joyce, (336) 382-3860.

BRAD’S BOBCAT. Mulching, landscaping, driveways, gravel, concrete work. 362-3647.

WILSON LANDSCAPING, INC. Complete lawn care & landscaping. NC lic. irrigation contractor. 20 years exp. Hardscaping, fertilization & weed control. (336) 399-7764.

GUZMAN LANDSCAPE & MAINTENANCE Pine needles, mulch, leaf removal, tree pruning, complete lawn maintenance. 655-6490.

ORTIZ LANDSCAPING – Complete lawn care. Trimming, cleaning, planting & mulch, gutter cleaning, patios & pavers, waterfalls, retaining walls, sidewalks, stonework. Residential and commercial. (336) 280-8981. TRACTOR FOR HIRE Bush hogging, grading, brush/tree removal, food plots and more! (336) 207-6632. ARBOR MASTERS TREE SERVICE Total tree removal, storm damage cleanup, shrub and tree pruning. Bobcat work and more. Free estimates. Licensed & insured. Call Joe at 643-9157.

Want to reach our readers? (all 25,000+ of them?) Call (336) 644-7035, ext. 10, or email advertising@nwobserver.com for advertising information. ALL-SEASON STUMP GRINDING. Owner Alan Winfree. Free est. Call 382-9875.

Get. Be. Stay. Connected.

facebook.com/NorthwestObserver

masonry MASONRY CONCEPTS, brick, block, stone, concrete & repairs. Free estimates. (336) 988-1022, www.masonryconceptsgso.com. SOUTHERN STYLE concrete & landscapes. How about a new patio or fire pit? We can help with all of your outdoor living and entertainment spaces! Fire pits, driveways & sidewalks, patios and more! Give us a call at (336) 399-6619 for all your concrete and landscape needs.

misc. services & products

AREA STUMP DUMP. Yard waste, concrete, etc. Fill dirt available. 602-5820. FAY’S LAWNCARE & LANDSCAPING Tree and leaf cleanups. Bed reconstruction, pine needles & mulch Reasonable and honest. Call Taylor, (336) 464-5215. CAROLINA STUMP & TREE SERVICE Complete tree service, $1 million liability, workman’s comp. Rick & Judy, 643-9332. CarolinaStumpAndTreeServices.com. GREGORY’S BOBCAT SERVICE Land-clearing, grading, landscape construction, debris removal. Licensed and insured and honest! “Leave the Dirt to Me!” (336) 362-6181.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

GAS LOGS, WOOD STOVES & INSERTS, fireplaces, sold, serviced and repaired. Call Don Hill, (336) 643-7183. LOW-COST GARAGE DOORS – Repair and sales. 35 years exp. (336) 215-2800.

 HOME SERVICES

 MISC. SERVICES

PAINTING & DRYWALL

POWER WASHING

JLB REMODELING, INC. Remodeling and additions. Fully insured. NC GC license #69997. Free estimates. Call 681-2902 or www.jlbremodeling.com.

NORTHWEST ART FRAMING Fine, affordable framing. “Completely satisﬁed every time” – Joe in Summerﬁeld. Steve Maloy, owner. Call for appt., (336) 644-1911.

BEK Paint Co.

PRESSURE WASHING, gutter & window cleaning. Call Crystal Clear. Fully insured. www.windowcleaningnc.com. 595-2873.

David & Judy Long, owners

REMODELING / CONSTRUCTION

Residential & Commercial

(336) 931-0600

BEKPaintCompany.com • References Available • Licensed & Insured • All Work Guaranteed

CINDY’S PAINTING – Interior painting, wallpaper removal. References & free estimates available. (336) 708-9155. PAINTING INTERIOR & EXTERIOR 32 years exp. Sheetrock repair. No job too small. Insured. Call Brad Rogers, 314-3186.

The Northwest Observer 13,200 copies every week! Direct-mailed to every mailbox with an Oak Ridge, Summerﬁeld and Stokesdale address, and available for pick-up at 70+ area businesses. Call us for advertising info!

PLUMBING BRANSON PLUMBING & SOLAR No job too small! Experienced, guaranteed. Lic/Ins. Call Mark for savings. 337-7924. JDB PLUMBING. Repair, remodel, well pump. Lic/Ins. Accepts all major credit cards. Ofﬁce 656-0019, cell 382-6905. WEBSTER & SONS PLUMBING, Inc. (336) 992-2503. Licensed, insured, bonded. 24/7 service. Plumbing, drain cleaning, well pumps. Give us a call, we do it all! Go to www.webstersplumbing.com for more info.

BELEWS CREEK CONSTRUCTION Kitchens/baths, custom decks, garages, siding, dock work, windows, rooﬁng specials, rotted wood. Sr. disc., 35 years exp. 362-6343.

ON-TARGET

CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, INC. Roof Replacements / Repairs Siding & Windows Custom Decks / Porches General Home Repairs Remodeling / Painting

Tc. GicEes, In ARerv -Tction S OCoNnstru

STILL PERFECTION PAINTING Reliable, skilled, affordable. Painting, pressure washing, handyman services. Scott Still, 462-3683 or stillperfectionpainting.com.

KEITH SMITH CONSTRUCTION 30 years experience. Specializing in room additions, garages, vinyl siding and windows, painting, ceramic tile, laminate, hardwood and linoleum ﬂoors, and remodeling of all kinds. No job too small. Free est. Call 644-1943 or cell 362-7469.

31 yrs exp • Workmanship guarantee • Insurance specialists

(336) 644-1580

FREE Estimates Insured & Dependable

ORTIZ REMODELING – Total restoration & home improvement. Drywall, painting, kitchen cabinets, interior trim & more. Free estimates. (336) 280-8981. RENOVATION WORKS INC. New construction, remodeling, kitchen and bath, additions, decks & patios. Call (336) 427-7391 or www.myrenovationworks.com. TRIPP SMITH CONSTRUCTION, LLC. Licensed General Contractor with college degree in construction management and over 18 years of experience. We specialize in additions, remodels, garages, decks, sunrooms, new construction, residential & commercial. No job too large or too small. Free Estimates. Call or email, 399-4894, tripp@trippsmithconstruction.com.

Services TM Construction , INC

BUILDING | RENOVATIONS | ADDITIONS

Horse barns | Fences | Shelters

644-8615 office 508-5242 cell Licensed & insured NC Gen. Contractor #72797

ROOFING A.L. CORMAN ROOFING INC. Res. roofing specialist serving Guilford Cty. area since 1983. Member BBB 25+ years w/ A+ rating. cormanroofinginc.com, 621-6962. CLINARD & SON ROOFING, LLC Residential roofing, rubber flat roofs, roof coating, metal roofs. 30 years experience. Now accepting all major credit cards. Call 643-8191 or 580-3245.

 MISC. SERVICES SAM’S AUTO BODY SHOP. Any type of body work. 45 years exp. (336) 347-7470. MARKETING ASSISTANCE for any size business! If you’d like to reach all of northwest Guilford County in a well-read, trusted weekly publication, the Northwest Observer might be a great option for you! Call (336) 644-7035, ext. 10, or email advertising@ nwobserver.com to learn more! MAISY DAISY FLORIST INC. 7779-B US Hwy. 68, Stokesdale (beside Oliver Diesel), maisydaisyﬂorist.com, (336) 441-8611. Flowers, wreaths, & gifts for all occasions, as well as free local delivery! COMPUTER REPAIRS – ITBASICS.COM Inside Mailboxes & More, Oak Ridge Commons. (336) 643-0068.

The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

available here

We carry moving & shipping supplies

(336) 643-9963 • 8207 B & G Court, Stokesdale

 MISC. FOR SALE COMING UP AT GOLDEN ANTIQUES Book sale, January 8-16; Glassware (Pyrex & Corningware) sale, January 17-23. 341 Ram Loop, Stokesdale (turn on Simpson Road off Hwy. 220). (336) 949-4958. BUNK BED SET with drawers. Top twin, bottom full-size. Very good quality, mattresses included. Hutch and dining set also available. (336) 686-7247. FIREWOOD FOR SALE, oak & hickory. Pick up or delivery. (336) 643-9332. WAREHOUSE MALL, INC. NOW OPEN! Antiques, collectibles, vintage toys. New vendors welcome. 305 E. Bodenhamer Drive, Kernersville. Monday-Saturday, 10am-6pm, Sunday, 1-6pm. SEASONED FIREWOOD, delivered and stacked. 1/2 cord, $80. Call 686-6373. ALL NEW MATTRESS SETS. Still in plastic, w/ warranty. Twin, $99; Full, $109; Queen, $129; King, $191. Can deliver, layaway available. Mattress Outlet. 992-0025. SEASONED OAK FIREWOOD, $80/pickup load, delivered & stacked. (336) 253-7615.

...continued on p. 30 JAN. 8 - 14, 2016

 MISC. WANTED

 REAL ESTATE

$$$ – WILL PAY CASH up to $200 for your junk or wrecked vehicle. 552-0328.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

HOMES FOR SALE

OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE in Oak Ridge. Mini suites to full suites; 100 to 1,000 sq. ft. available. For info, call (336) 643-7577.

Looking to downsize in style? OPEN

 PETS & ANIMAL SVCS. ANIMALS AVAILABLE FREE TO GOOD HOME – black and white male and gray and white female kittens, about 11 mo. old. Neutered and all shots, paperwork included. (336) 996-8464. Kernersville, near First Christian Church.

GROOMING

Basic baths to designer clips 10+ years

grooming experience

7251 US Hwy 158 Ste. B, Stokesdale

Leslie Livengood • (336) 441-2266 Check out our Pet Pages on page 10 for animals looking for a forever home. Other places to look include the Guilford County Animal Shelter, www.myguilford.com/animal-shelter; Red Dog Farm, www.reddogfarm.com, or see page 48 in your 2015 northwest FINDER for many other rescue groups in our area.

Place your

classified ad

online at

for just $4 per line Deadline is the Monday before each Friday’s issue

JAN. 8 - 14, 2016

Classiﬁeds are $4/line per issue, and can be placed online at www.nwobserver.com. The deadline is Monday.

BEAUTIFUL MOBILE HOME in clean, quiet MHP near intersection of 158/220. Two bedrooms, 2 full baths. House pets less than 25 lbs. OK. $550/mo. (336) 908-6553. HOME FOR RENT – OAK RIDGE, 3BR, 2BA, 1611 sq. ft., renovated home in Weatherstone. FP, tankless water heater, 2-car garage, storage building & fenced yard. (336) 215-7958.

CLASSIC CUSTOM ESTATE

HOUSE in historic Sunset Hills, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2-5pm, 1814 Madison Avenue, near Friendly Shopping Village. Elegant and updated Cape Cod, 3BR, 2BA, 2,209 sq. ft. home on .27-acre lot. Beautiful landscaping and fenced yard. Remodeled kitchen and bathrooms. Must see! Visit www.1814MadisonAvenue.com.

HOMES FOR RENT

 REAL ESTATE

SELLING OR RENTING? Get the word out in 13,200 copies of the Northwest Observer! In print weekly, online 24/7, direct-mailed to

7304 Autumn Lake Drive For the buyer that appreciates over-the-top quality, this custom home is spacious and timeless. Almost 7,000 SF of perfection in Summerfield/Northern schools. 3.92 private acres with 4-car boat/garage storage. Sellers offering $75,000 pool allowance to complete this estate. Offered at $1,324,999.

Nancy J. Hess nancy.hess@bhhsyostandlittle.com (336) 215-1820

over 11,000 mailboxes and available at 70+ business locations.

OPEN HOUSE: Sun, Jan 10 • 2-4pm

SUMMERFIELD, 3BR, 2BA on over an acre. $950/month, dep. req. (336) 423-8169.

RENTAL HOME NEEDED WANTED: Small house to rent, suitable for Christian male senior citizen living on Social Security and one dog. Personal and credit references available. Call Lee, (336) 965-0221.

HOMES FOR SALE HOME FOR SALE, 2BR, 1BA, 2-car garage plus several large barns and outbuildings on 4.52 acres. 8415 W. Harrell Road, Oak Ridge. $275,900. (336) 668-2626.

5605 Fairlawn Drive, Summerfield This house qualifies for the low-income USDA Direct Loan program – call me today for details! Stop paying rent and own your home! 3BR/1.5BA with hardwoods. All appliances remain. No HOA dues and Northwest school district. $144,900

5005 Lindenwold Drive, Summerfield Custom all-brick home – make it your new home for 2016. 4BR/3BA plus bonus and computer rooms with closets. So many choices for BR locations. A must-see.

Bobbie Gardner

Chandra Tippett

CRS/GRI/ EcoBroker Relocation Specialist

chandra@triadhomesales.com (336) 749-7977

(336) 382-5939

Realtors, get your listings in front of over 26,000 readers in northwest Guilford County by placing Real Estate Showcases here The Northwest Observer is delivered to over 11,000 mailboxes every week and is available at 75 local businesses Contact us at (336) 644-7035 ext. 10 or advertising@nwobserver.com before noon Monday to schedule your ad The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

display advertiser index thanks to all the

advertisers who partnered with us to bring you this free community resource A/C & HEATING Stokesdale Heating & Air.......................4 Velocity Air, Inc. ..................................21

ACCOUNTING Carlotta Lytton, CPA, PA ....................19 Samuel Anders, CPA, MSA, PC ...........18

ART / KARATE / DANCE Mike Carr Karate ................................12 Northern Arts LLC ..............................19

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES Prestige Car Wash ..............................17

CHIROPRACTIC CARE Summerfield Family Chiropractic ........18

CHURCHES

LEGAL SERVICES

First Baptist Church of Summerfield ....23 Oak Ridge United Methodist Church ....6

Attorney Bill Barbour ............................3

HAIR CARE / NAILS / TANNING

Forsyth Pediatrics, Oak Ridge .............17 LeBauer Healthcare ...........................14 Northwest Family Medicine ................ 11 Oak Ridge Physical Therapy ...............17 Summerfield Family Eye Care .............18

Great Clips .........................................16 Melda’s Hair Design ...........................18 POSH Hair Studio ...............................19

HEALTH & FITNESS Alpha Weight Loss ..............................10 SNAP Fitness ........................................3 YMCA of Greensboro .........................13

HOME PRODUCTS & SERVICES House of Stars ....................................10 Maria Adams Designs ........................15 ProStone, Inc. .....................................25

INSURANCE Gladwell Insurance Agency .................25 North Carolina Farm Bureau ................5

MEDICAL / EYE CARE / PT

ORTHODONTICS

Olmsted Orthodontics ........................16

PET SERVICES

Bel-Aire Veterinary Hospital ..................8 Critter Company ...................................9 Kings Crossing Animal Hospital ..........18 KPS – Kelly’s Pet Services ...................19 Northwest Animal Hospital ..................10 Oak Ridge Animal Hospital ..................8 Veterinary Hospital at Oak Ridge.........19 Westergaard Kennels.............................9

REAL ESTATE / MORTGAGE

A New Dawn Team at KW .................18 Bobbie Gardner, Keller Williams...........30 Chandra Tippett, BHHS .....................30 David Nishan, McLean Mortgage .......12 Nancy Hess, BHHS ............................30 Ramilya Siegel, Allen Tate ..................23

RESTAURANTS

Bistro 150 ........................................... 17 New York China Restaurant ................20 Rio Grande, Oak Ridge ......................16

RETAIL

Bi-Rite Food Center ..............................2 Gigi’s Flowers & More .........................18 Goodwill Industries .............................16 Priba Furniture & Interiors ...................32

RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

Spring Arbor .......................................19

YOUTH SPORTS

Oak Ridge Youth Association .............14

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The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996

8 th ANNUAL EDITION

That’s how many times your ad will appear in northwest Guilford County

every week

Advertise with us (336) 644-7035, ext. 10 advertising@nwobserver.com

JAN. 8 - 14, 2016

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

Postal Patron

Oak Ridge, NC Permit No. 22

PO Box 268, Oak Ridge, NC 27310 • (336) 644-7035

ECRWSS

“Combine your favorite color with tasteful white for a fresh, updated look.” Priba Design

Upscale furnishings at discounted prices Superior customer service

www.pribafurniture.com | 210 Stage Coach Trail, Greensboro | (336) 855-9034 | M - F 9am - 6pm | Sat 9am -5pm