AMERICAN RED CROSS

Central North Carolina chapter: 4737 University Dr, Bldg 3,

919-489-6541, website

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Learn how to save a life and gain other skills that can come in handy in an emergency:

• Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED—Saturday, December 4, 8:30am–1:30pm, classroom, $110

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• Adult CPR/AED-BL—Monday, December 6, 9–9:45am, online + classroom, $84

• Adult First Aid/CPR/AED-BL—Monday, December 6, 9–10am, online + classroom, $105

• Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED-BL—Monday, December 6, 9–10:45am, online + classroom, $126

• Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED—Saturday, December 11, 8:30am–1:30pm, classroom, $105

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• Adult CPR/AED—Tuesday, December 14, 9am–noon, classroom, $84

• Adult First Aid/CPR/AED—Tuesday, December 14, 9am–3pm, classroom, $105

• Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED—Tuesday, December 14, 9am–3:30pm, classroom, $126

• Adult CPR/AED-BL—Saturday, December 18, 9–9:45am, online + classroom, $84

• Adult First Aid/CPR/AED-BL—Saturday, December 18, 9–10am, online + classroom, $105

• Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED-BL—Saturday, December 18, 9–10:45am, online + classroom, $126

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• Adult CPR/AED-BL—Monday, January 3, 9–9:45am, online + classroom, $84

• Adult First Aid/CPR/AED-BL—Monday, January 3, 9–10am, online + classroom, $105

• Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED-BL—Monday, January 3, 9–10:45am, online + classroom, $126

• Adult CPR/AED-BL—Monday, January 3, 11:45am–12:30pm, online + classroom, $84

• Adult First Aid/CPR/AED-BL—Monday, January 3, 11:45am–12:45pm, online + classroom, $105

• Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED-BL—Monday, January 3, 11:45am–1:30pm, online + classroom, $126

• Adult CPR/AED—Wednesday, January 5, 9am–noon, classroom, $84

• Adult First Aid/CPR/AED—Wednesday, January 5, 9am–3pm, classroom, $105

• Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED—Wednesday, January 5, 9am–3:30pm, classroom, $126

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• Adult CPR/AED-BL—Monday, January 10, 9–9:45am, online + classroom, $84

• Adult First Aid/CPR/AED-BL—Monday, January 10, 9–10am, online + classroom, $105

• Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED-BL—Monday, January 10, 9–10:45am, online + classroom, $126

• Adult CPR/AED-BL—Monday, January 10, 11:45am–12:30pm, online + classroom, $84

• Adult First Aid/CPR/AED-BL—Monday, January 10, 11:45am–12:45pm, online + classroom, $105

• Adult & Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED-BL—Monday, January 10, 11:45am–1:30pm, online + classroom, $126. 

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Here are some online-only classes being offered right now; take them at your convenience:

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• Adult, Child, and Baby First Aid/CPR/AED—$35

• Adult First Aid/CPR/AED—$35

• Babysitting Basics—$45

• Bloodborne Pathogens Training for Tattoo Artists—$35

• Child and Baby First Aid/CPR/AED—$35

• First Aid for Opioid Overdoses—$20

• Psychological First Aid: Supporting Yourself and Others During COVID-19—$20

• Returning to Work During COVID-19: Safe Work Practices—$20.

ANIMAL PROTECTION SOCIETY OF DURHAM

2117 E Club Blvd 919-560-0640, website:

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APS of Durham (2117 E Club Blvd) offers dog and cat food (and kitty litter) for pet owners in the City of Durham/Durham County facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for more info about the Pet Pantry and the link to the online application. You’ll need to be able to pick up your order after being approved and letting them know when you’re available.

If you’re able to help, you can help APS of Durham by donating funds to one or more of their projects: the Pet Pantry (mentioned above), Adoption Assistance (reduction of adoption fees for people in need; covers exams, deworming, immunizations, microchipping, spay/neuter surgeries, heartworm testing (for dogs), and FLV/FIV testing (for cats)), Spay/Neuter service (lessens overpopulation, which can lead to neglect and abandonment), Heartworm Treatment service (gives dogs a second chance to be adopted), or Tiffany/Lifesaving Medical Treatment (helps provide resources for specialized medical treatment instead of giving up on animals with treatable conditions).

BOOK HARVEST RAPID RESPONSE CENTER

2501 University Dr, 252-497-2665, website:

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Need books for your kids? The Book Harvest has outdoor bookshelves filled with culturally inclusive books for young people from preschool through high school age. The shelves are accessible 24/7 and you’re invited to browse and choose books to take home (and keep).

CITY OF DURHAM

Click on the calendar below to see all of the City of Durham committee, subcommittee, commission, board, and other meetings for the month of December.

CITY OF DURHAM — SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT

You can drop off Household Hazardous Waste on weekdays 7:30am to 4pm, and Saturdays 7:30am to noon, at 1900 E Club Blvd. They'll take paint, used motor oil, pesticides, fertilizers, pool cleaner, strong cleansers, stains, varnishes, and fluorescent bulbs. If necessary, wrap the containers with newspapers to absorb spills and place them cardboard boxes for safe transport. For individuals only, not commercial users. Call the City of Durham—Environmental Resources Department at 919-560-4381 or visit City of Durham—Household Hazardous Waste for more info.

CITY OF DURHAM—WATER MANAGEMENT

The City’s Department of Water Management is giving away “Fat Trapper” kits to help keep fats, oils, and grease (including meat juices, salad dressings, and condiments) from clogging up the pipes and causing backups. Included in the kit is a plastic fat trapper receptacle, an aluminum resealable bag, and a metal strainer. Click here to fill out the form for having one mailed to you (you can request a receptacle only, refill bags only, or the whole kit).

CITY OF DURHAM and DURHAM COUNTY

Durham residents who fell behind in their rents and are facing evictions because of COVID-19 can now apply for the Durham Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).  (This is the combination City of Durham/Durham County program that got $9.6 million in federal funding to help Durham residents who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.) ERAP is managed by the Durham County Department of Social Services, and you and get more info (in both English and Spanish) and put in your application by clicking here.

If you’re accepted into the program, you’ll get assistance for up to 12 months, which includes both arrears and forward rent and utilities. If you need even more help, you might be able to get assistance for an additional 3 months. Public housing residents and those who get housing subsidies can get rental assistance to cover any portion of rent and utilities that they pay themselves. (Utilities include electricity, gas, water, sewer, wastewater, trash removal, fuel oil, and sometimes internet.)

​To be eligible for ERAP, someone in the household must be unemployed, have had their pay cut, and/or in danger of becoming homeless; the household incomes at or below 80% of the AMI (area median income, which in Durham is a bit more than $80,000/year for a household of three).

DURHAM COUNTY

Click on the calendar to see all of the Durham County committee, commission, advisory council, and other meetings for the month of December.

DURHAM COUNTY LIBRARY

website:

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The Main Library has had its grand opening, and now all of the libraries are open during regular hours (see below)*. Be sure to wear your face mask; your temperature will be checked at the door. The meeting and study rooms, water fountains, and one-on-one computer help are unavailable at this time, and in-person programming (special events) aren’t in the works just yet. (You can still visit the website and put books, CDs, and DVDs or reserve to be picked up later.)

• Main Library—300 N Roxboro St, 919-560-0100

• East Regional Library—211 Lick Creek Ln, 919-560-0203

• North Regional Library—221 Milton Rd, 919-560-0231

• South Regional Library—4505 S Alston Ave, 919-560-7410

• Southwest Regional Library—3605 Shannon Rd, 919-560-8590

• Stanford L Warren Branch Library—1201 Fayetteville St, 919-560-0270 (closed for extensive repairs through the end of 2022)

• Bragtown Family Literacy Center—3200 Dearborn Dr, 919-560-0210.

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Here are the current walk-in hours:

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• Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays 9:30–8pm (all libraries except Bragtown)

• Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 9:30am–6pm (all libraries except Bragtown)

• Bragtown hours: Mondays 1–8pm, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 10am–6pm.

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* Stanford L Warren is closed for extensive repairs and is scheduled to reopen in early 2023.

DURHAM COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH

414 E Main St, 919-560-7600, website:

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If your organization will be putting on a special event that’s open to the public, personnel from the County can set up a Popup COVID-19 Vaccination Station. They’ll check their schedule and see if they can accommodate your request. Contact Annette Carrington at 919-323-1214 or acarrington@dconc.gov for more info.

DURHAM COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

414 E Main St, 919-560-8000, website:

DSS has a mobile app, which you can use to complete and send applications for Food & Nutrition Services, Work First benefits, and Medicaid. You can also send documents for Crisis/Emergency Assistance applications. Grab your cell phone and go to dssmobile.dconc.gov. You’ll need to enter your date of birth and either your social security number or county case number. The DSS Mobile App is a secure website. By using the camera on your cell phone, you’ll be able to “Click It! Snap It! Send It!” and save lots of time and effort.

DURHAM CRISIS RESPONSE CENTER

206 N Dillard St, 919-403-6562 (English), 919-519-3735 (español), website:

Anyone experiencing domestic or sexual violence can always have someone to talk to, and when ready, can get help with taking steps to finding a solution. These helplines are available 24/7; if email is preferred, write to crisisline@durhamcrisisresponse.org.

DURHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT

602 E Main St, emergency 911, nonemergency 919-560-4600, Crimestoppers 919-560-1300, website:

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The PAC (Partners Against Crime) meetings, where you can share information on what’s happening in your community, learn about City and County programs, services, and events, have continued online during the pandemic with virtual meetings on Zoom. (Click here and type in your address if you’re not sure which police district you live in.)

Here’s the PAC meeting schedule:
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• PAC 1—3rd Saturday (December 18, January 15), 9:30am; click here to join at meeting time

• PAC 2—2nd Monday (December 13, January 10), 6pm; click here to register for the next meeting

• PAC 3—2nd Saturday (December 11, January 8), 10am; click here to join at meeting time

• PAC 4—2nd Saturday (December 11, January 8), 10am; click here to join at meeting time

• PAC 5—2nd Thursday (December 9, January 13), 6pm; click here to join at meeting time.

Keeping up with what’s happening in your community is easier if you subscribe to your local PAC’s listserv. Send an request via email by writing to:

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• PAC 1: Regina.Mays@yahoo.com

• PAC 2: City-of-Durham-PAC-2+subscribe@googlegroups.com

• PAC 3: PAC3-members+subscribe@googlegroups.com

• PAC 4:  DurhamDistrict4PAC@gmail.com

• PAC 5:  Kevin.Jones@durhamnc.gov.

Contact info for each PAC for sharing information and asking questions:

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• PAC 1:  Regina Mays and Mr Chavis, write to Regina.Mays@yahoo.com

• PAC 2:  Zion Tankard and Rebecca Redd-Jolly, write to PAC2LeadershipTeam@gmail.com; subscribe to the Pac2Durham Facebook page; click here to visit the PAC 2 website

• PAC 3:  [vacant], write to PAC3LeadershipTeam@gmail.com

• PAC 4:  Harold Chestnut and LaManda Pryor, write to DurhamDistrict4PAC@gmail.com

• PAC 5:  [vacant], write to Kevin.Jones@durhamnc.gov.

DURHAM SOUP

Durham SOUP, the microgrant program that’s cosponsored by NC IDEA and Forward Cities is back! Local entrepreneurs will compete for a pot of funds, with the winner taking home $1,000 or more. Here’s how it works: Durhamites attend a dinner at Provident1898 (411 W Chapel Hill St, Suite c2) on Tuesday, November 16, at 6:30–7:45pm. Four competitors will talk about their business ideas and will join the diners as ideas get bandied back and forth; these budding entrepreneurs’ project concepts will be judged for creativity and usefulness for their targeted communities. If you’d like to attend and participate in this fun event, click here to get your ticket(s) (suggested donation $10). 

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Here are the four competing projects:

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• Zoey’s project is Da Kine’s Kava, a nonalcoholic bar promoting relaxation and stress relief in Durham

• Chaundrea’s project is the Dream Health Resource Center, a telehealth-based counseling program for women in rural North Carolina

• Nydia’s project is Enluz, a wellness advocacy series of workshops for residents in low-income communities

• Meredith’s project is Orcharrd, a friendship and dating app that prioritizes small business and local experiences.

DURHAM TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE’s SMALL BUSINESS CENTER

Chesterfield Building, 701 W Main St, Suite 203, 919-536-7241 x4505, website:

Durham Tech’s Small Business Center offers classes, seminars, and webinars for aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs who want to ensure their success in business. Here are a few of the free seminars. Additional free seminars from small business centers across the state are listed here:​

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• How to Turn Your Hobby/Talent into a Business—Wednesday, December 1, 6:30–8pm; click here for more info and to register

• Use YouTube to Grow Your Business: Grow with Google—Thursday, December 2, 6–7pm; click here for more info and to register

• Creating a Nonprofit, pt 3: Nuts and Bolts of Grant Writing—Thursday, December 2, 6–7:15pm; click here for more info and to register

• Black Business Momentum: YouTube Advertising to Double Your Sales in 2022—Thursday, December 2, 6–8pm; click here for more info and to register

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• How to Buy and Rent Your Own Property—Monday, December 6, 6:30–8:30pm; click here for more info and to register

• The Business of Farming Series: Drones and Agriculture—Tuesday, December 7, 6–8pm; click here for more info and to register

• Dream, Dare, Believe, and Do—Tuesday, December 7, 6–8pm; click here for more info and to register

• Access to Capital for Your Small Business—Wednesday, December 8, 1–2:30pm; click here for more info and to register

• Split-Test Everything with Google Optimize to Find the Best Results—Wednesday, December 8, 3–4pm; click here for more info and to register

• 3 Market Analysis Priorities to Drive Profitability—Wednesday, December 8, 6–8pm; click here for more info and to register

• If Disney Ran Your Business—Thursday, December 9, 1–3pm; click here for more info and to register

• Prepare Like Your Life Depends on It: How to Write a Business Plan—Thursday, December 9, 6–8pm; click here for more info and to register

• Business in the Climb Accelerator Series (Week 2, Session 3): Finding Your Niche in the Numbers—Thursday, December 9, 6–7pm; click here for more info and to register

• Business in the Climb Accelerator Series (Week 2, Session 4): Setting Your Financial Goals and Benchmark—Thursday, December 9, 7:05–8:05pm; click here for more info and to register.

GoDURHAM / GoTRIANGLE

GoDurham website, GoTriangle website:

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GoDurham and GoTriangle are offering free shared rides to and from COVID-19 vaccination appointments. Call GoDurham at 919-560-1551 or GoTriangle at 919-485-7582 to schedule your ride at least 24 hours in advance. (I was given the hint that afternoon spots fill up quickly; try your best to get a morning appointment.)

NORTH CAROLINA READING SERVICE

211 E Six Forks Rd, Suite 103, Raleigh, 919-832-5138, website:

The North Carolina Reading Service (formerly known as the Triangle Radio Reading Service) helps blind and visually impaired people keep up with the news and entertainment worlds. Volunteers read local news stories, editorials, obituaries, books, and advertisements from a variety of publications. They also read special programs that discuss specific topics like education, tech tips, and legal matters. Users can then listen via their smartphone and tablet apps, the NCRS website, or with any “Alexa”-enabled device.

Listeners who don’t have internet access can borrow specially tuned receivers free of charge. Donations to NCRS help cover the average price of $70 per receiver, and some listeners make donations if they’re able to. Click here to see the various ways of enjoying the broadcasts and to see the list of podcasts included with the service. Visit the website if you’d like to make a monetary donation or if you’d like to be a volunteer reader.

SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives)

website:

SCORE offers free, live webinars that are designed to help entrepreneurs plan for success and improve their prospects of running successful businesses. The local SCORE office is in Chapel Hill and they serve Orange, Durham, and Chatham counties. Free mentorships and a wealth of resources are also available. Here are the webinars on offer for this month:

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• Win Customers with Your Website—Thursday, December 2, 1pm; click here for more info and to register

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• What’s Next for Small Businesses as COVID-19 Capital-Relief Funds Wind Down?—Tuesday, December 7, 1pm; click here for more info and to register

• Conversion-Boosting Strategies: Simple Changes that Can Help Grow Online Sales—Thursday, December 9, 1pm; click here for more info and to register

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• The New Must-Have Marketing Strategy for 2022—Tuesday, December 14, 1pm; click here for more info and to register

• Google My Business for Home-Based Business Owners: Get Found Without Using Your Home Address—Thursday, December 16, 1pm; click here for more info and to register

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• Critical Questions and Information Needed to Do Proper Business Planning—Tuesday, December 28, 1pm; click here for more info and to register

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• 2022’s Hottest Businesses, Markets, and Trends—Wednesday, January 6, 1pm; click here for more info and to register.

WESTER AUCTION & REALTY

website:

Wester will hold another round of Northgate Mall Online Auctions on Wednesday, December 8, 6pm. Items from several stores, including storage shelving, sales counters, bathroom fixtures, lighting, and much more have been auctioned off to the highest bidders through the year and will continue until everything is sold. The in-person walk-through to view items will take place from 10am to 2pm earlier that day and the auction will be held online at 6pm.