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Catawba Valley
A grand reopening of the only biodiesel fueling site in the four-county Catawba Valley area will be at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.
The Cupboard Express-Exxon on N.C. 127 North in Hickory's Viewmont section had stopped selling biodiesel partly because of volatile fuel prices. Now the station will again sell B-20 biodiesel, a blend of 20 percent biodiesel, 80 percent regular diesel. The fuel is made by Foothills Bio-Energies in Lenoir and distributed by Bumgarner Oil of Hickory.
Local officials will mark the reopening in a ceremony and give out an educational brochure on biodiesel. Kenyon Kelly, president of event sponsor Catawba Valley Heritage Alliance, said studies show that the alternative fuel reduces environmentally harmful vehicle emissions.
Gastonia
The “Gears Grillin' & Gaming” fall festival will be held from 10a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Rotary Pavilion in Gastonia.
A classic car show is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., free gaming pavilions from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and a Battle of the Bands from 4 to 8 p.m. BBQ will be for sale.
The festival is sponsored by Gastonia Downtown Development Corp., the Downtown Business Alliance and the city of Gastonia.
Lincoln County
Medical Center-Lincoln is hosting a community groundbreaking ceremony today to mark the start of construction on an $85 million hospital.
The event will be on a 64-acre campus on McAlister Road across from the Boger City Fire Department.
The community event will offer Med-Center Air Helicopter tours, a community blood drive by Boger City Fire Department, children's activities and light refreshments.
Hickory
The Humane Society of Catawba County and Church Without Walls will bless animals at 11 a.m. today at the society's no-kill shelter, 3224 20th Ave. S.E. in Hickory.
They invite the public to bring their pets and children for the event. There will be a worship service, followed by a blessing for each animal in attendance. Shelter animals will receive a special blessing.
Animals should be brought in carriers or on leashes.
The society asks that people attending consider donating an item from its wish list, which can be found at www.catawba humane.org.
Details: 828-464-8878.
How to contact us
Let us know of news, events, story ideas or just comment on this section – e-mail hickory@ charlotteobserver.com. Reach editor Dan Duffey at dduffey@charlotteobserver.com, 704-868-7734 or Neighbors of Gaston/Catawba, 407 E. Long Ave., Gastonia, NC 28054.
