News briefs: Lake Wylie woman joining Pet Palooza in Charlotte

Tourist tax application deadline April 15

York County is accepting grant applications for Accommodations and Hospitality Tax projects.

The application deadline for advertising and marketing projects is April 15 for FY 2016 funding. The grants may be accessed at yorkcountygov.com/departments/manager/Grants/default.aspx.

All applicants will need to provide projection of how tourism would be impacted from the project in the application.

Call 803-684-8503 for more information.

Wylie woman joining Pet Palooza

Carol Butler of Lake Wylie will be Madam Catalyst at the Humane Society of Charlotte’s biggest fundraiser Pet Palooza 10 a.m.-3 p.m. April 18 at Independence Park.

Butler will read animal cards, and sell handcrafted wands and staffs.

Butler has studied animal cards since the 1980s for personal entertainment. She began Madam Catalyst in 2012 in a series of short plays at Theatre Charlotte as a playwright and to raise money for feral cats she cares for in her Lake Wylie neighborhood for 15 years. She has spayed and neutered more than 45 cat.

Readings cost $25 for a three-card reading.

CAAC Gala April 23 at garden

Clover Area Assistance Center’s major fundraiser gala is 6-10 p.m. April 23 at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road.

This year’s theme is Red, White, Blue, and You. The event includes an open bar, and live and silent auctions including Memory Foam mattress set, Disney, Panthers and Knights tickets, plane rides and Lake Wylie sunset cruises.

Tickets cost $150 each. Call 803-222-4837 or email karencaac@bellsouth.net to request an invitation. The event is limited to 200.

Boating safety classes scheduled

The York County Sheriff’s Office Lake Enforcement Unit and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources have scheduled several boating safety courses to be held 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Law Enforcement Training Center, 92 Stoneybrook Drive.

Dates are April 25, June 20, July 18 and May 16.

There is no charge for the class. The minimum age for participants is 12. Instructors suggest bringing a No. 2 pencil, a highlighter pen, plus snacks and a beverage.

To register for the class, visit dnr.sc.gov.

Register for writers workshop

The Rock Hill Chapter of the South Carolina Writers Workshop will present the ninth annual Writers Intensive Workshop April 25 at Grace Lutheran Church, 426 Oakland Ave. This year’s theme is Writers’ Secrets Uncovered.

Each participant may choose four of 24 sessions, a panel discussion and optional critiques. Sessions are presented for beginning writers through published authors and include many genres. As an added bonus, participants will get the opportunity to meet other writers and professionals in the industry.

Registration is 8:30-9 a.m. Cost is $30 for nonmembers, and $25 for SCWW members and students age 16 and older. Lunch is included in this daylong event. Space is limited.

Visit rockhillscww.org to select your sessions.

Walk for Wishes April 25

Make-A-Wish South Carolina will host its third annual Walk For Wishes on April 25 at Cherry Park.

The event opens at 9 a.m., with a walk beginning at 10 a.m. Following the walk, participants are encouraged to stay and enjoy the local entertainment.

In addition to the walk, Walk For Wishes will offer music and snacks. Children will be able to take part in activities from balloon animals to face painting to glitter tattoos. Star Wars Storm Troopers will be on site for photo opportunities.

Walkers who raise $100 or more will receive a Walk For Wishes T-shirt. Top fundraisers and teams will be recognized and awarded prizes at the awards ceremony.

For more information, visit walkforwishessc.org or call 864-250-0702.

Police holding Operation Medicine Drop

The York County Sheriff’s Office and law enforcement agencies in York County are teaming up with the York County All On Board Coalition for Operation Medicine Drop 2015.

Residents are asked to drop off unwanted or unused medications this month at any of these locations: York County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Mill, Clover, Tega Cay, Rock Hill or York police departments.

Habitat for Humanity named brand of the year

Habitat for Humanity has been named the “Brand of the Year” in the social services nonprofit category in the 2015 Harris Poll EquiTrend study, an annual survey that measures the brand equity of an organization in the U.S.

This year’s study marks the first time Habitat for Humanity has been recognized as a top ranked brand in its category.

“We believe this award provides great validation that our vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live is shared broadly by both our supporters and our community,” said Tim Veeck, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of York County.

The announcement by the Harris Poll comes at a time of immense growth for the global nonprofit housing organization. During its 2014 fiscal year, Habitat for Humanity served more than 300,000 families – about 1.6 million people in more than 70 countries – through home construction, renovations and critical home repairs or increased access to improved shelter through products and services. Founded in 1976, Habitat’s global mission is made possible thanks to the hands and hearts of more than 2 million volunteers and the financial support of its many generous donors.

To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit yorkcountyhabitat.org.

Walk to End Lupus needs volunteers

The Lupus Foundation of America North Carolina Chapter needs 100 volunteers to help at its 14th annual Walk to End Lupus Now: Charlotte May 16 at Central Piedmont Community College – Belk Plaza, 425 North Kings Drive.

Volunteers are needed anytime between noon-9:30 p.m. Event-day roles include: site set-up, registration, parking, kids area, first aid, support and gear vehicles, food and beverage, finish line cheerleaders, and breakdown. Volunteers will be given a T-shirt and meal.

Visit lupusnc.org or call 877-849-8271, ext. 4.

Register for Boat Poker Run

Lake Wylie Rotary Club’s annual Boat Poker Run will be May 16.

Registration and first stop is at T-Bones on the Lake area 11 a.m.-noon. Second stop is Harbortowne Marina noon-1 p.m. Third stop is Long Cove Marina 1-2 p.m. Fourth stop is Commodore Yacht Club 2-3 p.m. The fifth and final stop is T-Bones on the Lake with all boats back by 4 p.m.

Each Hand costs $15. You do not need a boat to play. You may go to T-Bones and buy a complete hand to participate.

There will be prizes for first and second best hands, and for worst hand. Proceeds go to Alzheimer’s research. Rain date May 30.

For more information, call 704-674-2525 or 704-968-8844, or visit lakewyliepokerrun.org to register.

CHS class of ’85 plans reunion

Clover High School class of 1985 is looking for classmates for the 30-year reunion.

Classmates can send contact information to cloverclassof1985@yahoo.com or call 704-582-0781.

Artists may apply for exhibitions

The Arts Council of York County is accepting applications for 2016 gallery exhibitions.

Each year the council presents eight exhibits. Artists wishing to be considered may submit the following to Mike Gentry, gallery manager for the Arts Council: $20 application fee (nonrefundable); 10 hi-res jpeg images submitted on CD or DVD (Mac or PC formatted discs); inventory lists, with titles, sizes and mediums; resume; and written proposal for exhibition and/or artist statement.

All entries must be submitted by 5 p.m. May 1. Artists may submit work as a group or individually. Notification of acceptance will be provided via email. Submission packets will not be returned. Works that sell while on exhibit at the Center for the Arts are subject to a 40 percent commission fee by the Arts Council of York County.

For information, call 803-328-2787, email arts@yorkcountyarts.org, or visit yorkcountyarts.org.

This story was originally published April 3, 2015 at 9:15 AM with the headline "News briefs: Lake Wylie woman joining Pet Palooza in Charlotte."