Holiday Open House at the Executive Mansion and Western Residence

Executive Mansion

Governor Perdue invites the public to visit the Executive Mansion – the People’s House – for a Holiday Open House Dec. 10-13. Visitors will have the opportunity to view the mansion’s beautiful decorations and enjoy holiday entertainment provided by musical and choral groups from across the state.

Schedule
• Thursday, Dec. 10 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. (Coinciding with the Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting)
• Friday, Dec. 11 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 12 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 13 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

No advance reservation is necessary but due to the popularity of this event, visitors should try to arrive at least an hour prior to closing. The Executive Mansion is located at 200 N. Blount Street. For questions regarding the Executive Mansion open house, visitors should call Capitol Area Visitors Services at 919-807-7950 or toll-free at 866-724-8687.

Western Residence

The Western Residence board of directors also invites visitors to the Asheville home to view its holiday decorations Dec. 5-6.

• Saturday, Dec. 5 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 6 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.

No advance reservation is necessary. The Governor’s Western Residence is located at 45 Patton Mountain Road. For questions regarding the Western Residence open house, visitors should contact Juleigh Sitton at 828-430-0054.

Fiber Manufacturer Brings 25 Jobs to Rockingham County

SANS Technical Fibers LLC, an international manufacturer of synthetic nylon filament and yarn for the high-performance, military, automotive and other markets, will expand its plant in Rockingham County. The company will invest more than $2.8 million and create 25 jobs in Stoneville. The announcement was made possible in part by a $60,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

“North Carolina remains a top choice for successful companies adapting to compete in a global marketplace,” Gov. Perdue said. “Our exceptional quality of life and skilled workforce continue to attract companies looking for the perfect location to expand and prosper.”

SANS Technical Fibers, headquartered in Gastonia, is a wholly owned subsidiary of AECI Limited of South Africa. AECI has consolidated its fiber-producing operations to the Stoneville plant, which currently employs about 100 people.
For information on company job opportunities, please contact: hr@sansfibers.com.




Source: Governor Perdue

Winter Safety Tips

Preparing your home and property for cold weather conditions and responding to them effectively can reduce some of the effects caused by winter's weather challenges. Experts agreethat the following measures can be effective in dealing with the effects of severe winter weather:

• Have your snow removal equipment serviced and ready for action.
• Have rock salt on hand to melt ice on walkways.
• Make sure your walls and attic are properly insulated.
• Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows.
• Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside.
• Have an ample supply of wood if you have a fireplace.
• Have safe portable space heaters available.
• Wrap water pipes in insulation or layers of old newspapers to keep from freezing.
• Let faucets drip a little to avoid freezing.
• Know how to shut off water valves.
• In case the power goes out, have disaster supplies on hand such as a flashlight & battery-operated radio (and extra batteries), a first aid kit and extra blankets & sleeping bags.
• Develop an emergency communication plan in case family members are separated from one another during a winter storm.
• Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, police, or fire department, and which radio station to tune to for emergency information

Winter Car Kit

Make sure to have these items in an accessible location in your car:

• Flashlights with extra batteries
• First aid kit with pocket knife
• Several blankets
• Plastic bags (for sanitation)
• Matches
• Extra set of mittens, socks, and a wool cap
• Small sack of sand for generating traction under wheels
• Small shovel
• Tool kit
• Booster cables
• Brightly colored cloth to use as flag

Know the Severe Weather Lingo!!

Know how the public is warned (via siren, radio, TV, etc.) and the warning terms for each kind of disaster in your community:

WINTER STORM WATCH
Be alert, a storm is likely

WINTER STORM WARNING
Take action, the storm is in or entering the area.

BLIZZARD WARNING
Snow and strong winds combined will produce blinding snow, near zero visibility, and deep drifts.

WIND CHILL
Seek refuge immediately.

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY
Winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous, especially to motorists.

FROST/FREEZE WARNING
Below-freezing temperatures are expected and may cause damage to plants, crops, or fruit trees.

Winterizing Your Car

I received some very helpful tips for winter and thought I would pass them along to you! So, for the next few days I will be posting winter tips for you to share!


Preparing your vehicle for the winter season is one of the most important keys to safe winter driving. Have a mechanic check the following items on your car before the temperatures drop.
• Battery
• Ignition System
• Lights
• Exhaust system
• Brakes
• Oil Level
• Antifreeze
• Thermostat
• Flashing hazard lights
• Heater
• Defroster
• Tires/tread
• Wipers and windshield washer fluid
Also, be sure to keep a windshield scraper and small broom for ice and snow removal, and maintain at least a half tank of gas at all times during the winter season.