Summer 2021 Tenant Newsletter

10 HAPP - Y Notes 78th Tenant Summer Edition 2021 VACCINES The Johnston County Health Department is currently offering the Pfizer vaccine to anyone ages 12 and older Individuals under age 18 will need an adult present to receive the vaccine The Pfizer vaccine will require a 2nd dose 21 days after initial dose The COVID - 19 vaccine is free of charge for all individuals , regardless of health insurance sta - tus The Health Department will administer vac - cinations by appointment and on a walk - in ba - sis , while supplies last To schedule an appoint - ment visit takemyshotncgov to learn more about upcoming vaccine opportunities in John - ston County , visit johnstonnccom covid19 Please note , those seeking the vaccination should be aware that it ’ s not recommended for those who have had another vaccine within the previous 14 days In addition , those who have an active COVID - 19 infection or recent exposure to a person with the vi - rus , should put off receiving the vaccine until recovered and removed from quaran - tine Rental , Mortgage and Utility Assistance Available Starting May 1 , 2021 Johnston County has been awarded funding through a Community Development Block Grant and Cares Act Funds which assists Johnston County citizens who qualify with rent , mort - gage , electric , water and heating fuel The maximum benefit per household will not exceed 200000 for the duration of the grant The Johnston County Department of Social Services will begin taking applications for those who qualify on 5 17 21 by calling 919 - 989 - 5320 ATTENTION IF YOU HAVE A CHANGE You must fill out a change form OUR AGENCY HAS PROCESSED MULTIPLE PAYBACKS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT REPORTED UNEMPLOYMENT DURING AND AFTER PANDEMIC They are available online or by calling or coming by the office DO NOT EMAIL , MAIL OR LEAVE IN DROP BOX PAYSTUBS , BANK STATEMENTS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS WITHOUT EXPLAINING WHAT TYPE OF CHANGE IT IS OR WHAT IT ’ S FOR Email them to allisondunn @ johnstonnccom Local Jobs , Jobs , Jobs Amazon will bring 500 jobs to Johnston County at new distribution center in Smithfield These jobs offer a starting wage of 15 an hour plus benefits The center is expected to begin operations in 2022 Job search | Amazonjobs HAPPY SUMMER wwwamazonjobs Meet Our New Inspector Mr Teddy Bland has joined HAPP as Inspector He brings many years of experience , working since age 15 , including his 20 year tenure as Envi - ronmental Lieutenant for New York City Department of Sanitation , prop - erty manager for multiple commer - cial and residential properties , as well as a building contractor Mr Bland also became a licensed NC Realtor in 2015 and most recently completed a course in home inspec - tions He has always had a passion for working with people , both in the private and public sector Mr Bland resides in Clayton with his wife and three children whom ac - cording to Mr Bland , “ love living in Johnston County ”PageSUMMERTIME TIPS TO KEEP YOU AND YOUR HOME COOL 1 BLOCK OUT THE SUN Keep blinds closed during the day to keep sunlight from heating up the inside of your home Close off parts of home you do not use 2 SET THE RIGHT TEMPERATURE Set your thermostat to 72 or 73 degrees while you are home Turn it up to 78 de - grees when not home Also make sure you or your landlord changes your filters often 3 LET THE AIR FLOW You can create a natural flow of cooler air in the rooms you use Close the doors of rooms not in use , but keep other doors open to ensure the air flows to where you need it most 4 GO THE RIGHT DIRECTION Not all apartments home have ceiling fans but if you do have fans , make sure the blades are going in the right direction During the summer , blades should be moving counterclockwise to cool your rooms 5 KEEP EXTRA HEAT OUT Try using an Instapot or Crock Pot to cook meals inside to reduce the heat from the oven Also , grill out as much as possible 6 OPT FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY Replace your light bulbs with more energy - efficient options such as LED bulbs LED bulbs do not generate as much heat as regular bulbs 7 EXHAUST YOUR FAN OPTIONS Use your exhaust fan in your bathrooms and kitchen as well They can remove hot air from your home , allowing the air conditioner to work much faster 8 BRING IN THE NIGHT AIR Take advantage of the cooler night air by opening your windows at night to allow the cool - er air inside 9 COOL DOWN YOUR BEDDING Use cotton sheets if possible , as they are cooler than other materials 10 FOCUS ON YOU Wear lightweight , loose fitting clothing Take a cool bath or shower Place a cold washcloth on your neck and wrists Drink something ice - cold to stay hydrated June 5 , 2021 – Fiesta de Raiford on Raiford St , form 9 00 - 1 00 Vendors , entertainment , dancing and Gritos Contest 919 - 975 - 1411 Movie In the Park at Smithfield Community Park , 600 E Booker Dairy Rd , Smithfield , from 6 30 - 9 00pm , Bring lawn chairs or blankets , snacks and food Movie starts at dark 919 - 934 - 2148 Nature Play Dates 6 5 21 , 7 10 21 , 8 28 21 at Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center , 6601 Devil ’ s Racetrack Rd , Four Oaks , Tuesday at 9 30 Saturday at 12 30pm , play in natural play area , bubbles , sand toys and more 919 - 938 - 0115 West Johnston Fire Department Community Day 5503 Old Fairground Rd , Benson , 11 00am - 4 00pm , bouncy houses , water slides , interactive smoke house and hot dog lunch June 10 , 2021 , 7 8 21 , 8 12 21 , 9 9 21 Sundown Downtown Concert Series Ben - son Singing Grove , 400 E Main St , Benson , Free music concerts , 919 - 894 - 3825 June 11 , 2021 , 7 23 21 , 8 2021 , 10 22 21 , Movie Night in the Grove , 400 E Main St , Benson , starts at dusk , bring blankets or lawn chairs , 919 - 894 - 5117 June 18 , 19 , 2021 301 Endless Yard Sale , huge yard sale along Hwy 301 , runs through different towns and counties , 7 00 - 5 00pm , antiques , rare finds , deals and more , 919 - 989 - 8667 June 18 , 21 , 6 19 21 , 7 10 21 , 8 14 21 , 9 11 21 , through Dec , Stepping Into the Past , Tobacco Farm Life Museum , 709 N Church St , Kenly , 10 00am - 2 00pm , Displays and demonstrations of traditional arts , crafts and trades , 919 - 284 - 3431 for more information June 25 , 21 , 6 26 21 , 6 27 21 , 100sth State Annual Singing Convention Benson singing grove , 406 E Main St , Benson , features professional and amateur gospel sing - ers , 919 - 894 - 4389 for more information July 4 , 2021 Archer Lodge 4th of July Celebration , 14094 Buffalo Rd , Archer Lodge , from 6 00 - 10 00 pm , live music , food trucks , fireworks - bring your lawn chair or blanket , 919 - 550 - 1738 July 5 , 2021 , Celebrate Cleveland , 9046 Cleveland Rd , JCC Campus , Clayton , pancakes , parade , food trucks and fireworks , 919 - 989 - 1909 July 4 , 2021 Benson July 4th Celebration Benson Singing Grove , 400 E Main St , Benson , 6 00 - 10 00pm , music , dancing and fireworks ACTIVE HURRICANE SEASON North Carolina State University researchers have predicted the hurricane season will be ac - tive this summer with possibly 15 - 18 named storms in the Atlantic Ocean Possibly a few of those will be major hurricanes so always be pre - pared The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June1 – November 30 DON ’ T FORGET TO FILL OUT YOUR RECERTIFICATION PACKET , PRO - VIDE NECCESARY DOCUMENTS AND SEND BACK BY THE DUE DATE … OR RISK YOUR ASSIS - TANCE BEING TERMINATED Page