Wake Dedicates County Home Cemetery Memorial

On Thursday, August 19, 2010, Wake County dedicated a memorial at the site of the former Wake County Home Cemetery. The cemetery was part of the Wake County Home that opened in 1915 and housed elderly, mentally ill and sometimes underprivileged residents. The Home also provided hospital services for some.

The memorial is made up of two stone benches and a ground-level stone plaque that honors approximately 290 citizens who were laid to rest on the cemetery site between 1915 and 1976.

The Home was situated on 25 acres and boasted steam heat, electric lights, sewerage, and hot and cold running water.

The Wake County Home closed in June 1979, but was renovated and reopened in 1981 as the Wake County Community Services Center. It was deemed an historic property in 1991.

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Power IT Down Day is Friday

Power IT down day 2010 is this Friday, August 27, 2010. To participate, simply remember to power your computer and printers down at the end of the business day on Friday.

The safest way to turn a computer off is by clicking on the Windows start button in the lower left of the screen and then clicking the red button for “shut down.”

Power IT Down Day began in 2008 when industry information technology (IT) leaders decided to create a way to encourage responsible energy consumption. This national awareness day challenges individuals to power down to conserve energy, reduce costs and create a daily habit of responsible energy consumption.

Power IT Down Day 2009 saved enough energy to power the homes of 77 U.S. families for an entire month. Because Power IT Down Day 2010 falls on a Friday even more energy could be saved simply by powering down at the end of the day and before the weekend.

Go to www.powerITdown.org to sign up for Power IT Down Day reminders. You can also send invitations to your friends to participate.

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Walgreens Health Initiatives Offers Free Glucose Meters

Free blood glucose meters are now available to any employee who is enrolled in the Walgreens Prescription Drug program. Program participants can choose between two brand name meters: Accu-Chek or One-Touch.

For more information on how to obtain a free glucose meter, download the brochure or visit the benefits section of the Wake Employees website.

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Emergency Shelter Worker Training Available

Wake employees are invited to attend a training course for Ready When the Time Comes, a collaborative effort that trains employees to work in an emergency shelter during a natural or man-made disaster.

A morning and an afternoon session will be offered at the Commons Building on Monday, September 20, 2010, and employees can register to attend by completing an on-line sign up form . The course includes instruction on mass care, bulk feeding and shelter operations. Seating is limited to 65.

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Second Annual Longleaf Festival at Harris Lake County Park

Employees are invited to bring their families and friends to Harris Lake County Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 28, 2010, for the 2nd annual Longleaf Festival. Attendees can enjoy free popcorn while participating in activities such as:

• a hay-wagon ride to a 64-acre Longleaf Pine restoration area
• educational exhibits and talks
• kids games
• visiting with live animals
• pine needle basketry
• crafts

Traveling Teacher Shows will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., as well as a fiddle performance by special guest, Mara Shea, from 1 to 3 p.m. 

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Volunteers Needed for Master Recyclers Program

Environmental Services is looking for volunteers 18 years of age and older, who are interested in recycling and environmental education, to participate in the new Master Recyclers program. Master Recyclers will help educate youth and families in Wake County on the benefits of recycling, while learning about recycling and solid waste in the county.

Employees are welcome to participate, and can visit the Master Recyclers website for more information or to request an application. Volunteers will be given an orientation and training on their volunteer duties.

Students in grades 9 through 12 who are also interested in becoming involved in an environmental program can apply for the Environmental Services Youth Council. Council members will learn about environmental issues and policies in Wake County, earn community service credit, and may advise departmental staff on existing and future youth programs. Participants will serve a term of one year, and will meet monthly between October and May. The deadline for applications is Friday, September 10, 2010.

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Project School Buddies Provides Supplies for Back-to-School

Project School Buddies is a seasonal outreach effort that provides school supplies to underprivileged students in kindergarten through grade 12.

To help students prepare for the school year, citizens were invited to purchase requested items from a local retail partner and deposit them into donation stations at those retail locations. On August 14, 2010, volunteers packed hundreds of items that were collected and distributed them to school-age children throughout the County.    
While Project School Buddies is a seasonal outreach project, there is a need for the following items year-round:

• Backpacks
• Paper
• Pens and Pencils
• Highlighters
• Report Covers
• Binders
• Notebooks
• Scissors
• Crayons
• Erasers
• Folders
• Book Covers
• Tissues
• Weekly Planners

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Family History Library Microfilm Now Available at Olivia Raney Library

The Olivia Raney Local History Library now offers microfilm from the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, for anyone interested in completing family history projects. By offering the films, the library has become an Affiliate of the Family History Library and can provide access to worldwide records.

A Wake County Library card is required, and microfilm must be viewed within the library on one of five available readers. Both printed and digital copies can be made from a microfilm.

Learn to search for microfilm by going to The Family History Center Library Catalog Overview.
 
Requests for microfilm can be made by e-mailing the library or calling 250-1196. Each request must include a name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, Wake County Public Library card number, the title of the record and the microfilm number. There is a limit of four requests, each with a four-week loan and renewal period.  

The Olivia Raney Library is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information, call the Olivia Raney Local History Library at 250-1196.

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Summer Health and Safety Series: Clean Hands

Keeping hands clean is one of the most important ways to prevent sickness. Kids and adults should practice routine hand-washing to avoid spreading germs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers the following tips:

When washing hands with soap and water:

• Wet hands with warm, clean running water and apply soap
• Rub hands together for 20 seconds to make a lather -- scrub all surfaces
• Rinse hands well under running water
• Dry hands using a paper towel or air dryer

Wash hands:

• Before and after preparing food
• Before and after eating food
• After using the toilet
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
• Before and after tending to someone who is sick
• After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
• After handling an animal or animal waste
• After handling garbage
• Before and after treating a cut or wound

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