SoundPure Acquires Raleigh-based Indoor Storm

Durham specialty music equipment and guitar store, SoundPure LLC,  has acquired Raleigh-based guitar shop Indoor Storm. Indoor Storm will move its employees and inventory to SoundPure’s Durham location at 808 Washington St by the end of January.

Longtime Durham Diner Closes

Paschall’s Café, a small restaurant located on Holloway Street has closed. The diner-style hot dog and hamburger restaurant was opened and operated by the Paschall family for more than 19 years.

Gragg Promoted to DPAC's Senior Director of Marketing

Rachel Gragg has been promoted to the position of Senior Director of Marketing for Durham Performing Arts Center. Gragg previously held the dual role of Director of Marketing of Concerts and Director of Public Relations. DPAC's outgoing marketing director, Linda Charlton, has taken the position of vice president for marketing and audience development at the N.C. Symphony.

"Voice of Cameron Indoor Stadium" Passes Away at Age 78

Duke men's basketball public address announcer and the "Voice of Cameron Indoor Stadium" for 40 years, Art Chandler has passed away at the age of 78. Chandler announced his first gave in 1970 and retired from the position at the close of the 2009-10 season. In his four decades at the scorers table, Chandler saw four national championship teams, 12 ACC Tournament champs and a plethora of All-Americas. Arthur C. Chandler Jr., MD, was also a longtime Duke medicine faculty member.

Rev. Cayer to Become Lead Minister of Eno River Unitarian Universalist

The Rev. Deborah Cayer will become lead minister at Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship during Installation Weekend in February 2012. Cayer has served as the congregation's assistant minister for Spiritual Development since June 2011 and will be the fourth lead minister of Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship since it was founded in 1966.

Durham Nonprofits Win American Tobacco Christmas Tree Challenge

Durham-based nonprofits TROSA, The Scrap Exchange, the Durham Economic Resource Center, Trips for Kids, the Coalition to Unchain Dogs were among the winners of American Tobacco's second annual Christmas tree challenge. The winners were chosen from the 59 Triangle nonprofits that participated in the Christmas tree decorating contest. Prizes ranged from $1,000 to $2,500 and were judged by fans and special judges.

Durham's KeySource Bank to Merge with Bank of North Carolina

Durham-based KeySource Commercial Bank will merge with Thomasville-based Bank of North Carolina. KeySource bank was founded five years ago to serve small and mid-sized organizations based in the Triangle. The deal is expected to close in Spring of 2012.

Durham-Based Lab Rats Studios to Release First Game Via Apple App Store

Durham-based game developer Lab Rats Studio will release its first game, M.U.S.E., through Apple's App Store. The action game will sell for $5.99 for use on the iPhone, iPad or iPad touch. Lab Rats Studio is the first company to finish a game through Durham video game accelerator program, Joystick Labs.

Eight Durham Girls Earn Scouting's Highest Honor

Eight Durham girls have earned the Silver Award, Girl Scouting's highest honor: Emma Voorhees, Megan Chiang, Sejal Mahajan, Casandra Keesee, Kylie Verbiest, Sujuta Kishnani, Lyndsey Hannah, Safiya Jennings, and Ariana Nicholson. They are all members of are all members of Durham Girl Scout Troop 514.

Eight Duke Faculty Elected to American Association for the Advancement of Science

Five scientists from Duke University Medical Center and three from Duke University have been elected fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). They are recognized for scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications. The AAAS fellows are:

Richard Brennan, Ph.D., chair of the Duke Department of Biochemistry; Bryan Cullen, Ph.D., professor of molecular genetics and microbiology; Mariano Garcia-Blanco, M.D., Ph.D., professor of medicine and professor of molecular genetics and microbiology; Sue Jinks-Robertson, Ph.D., professor of molecular genetics and microbiology; Donald McDonnell, Ph.D., Glaxo-Wellcome Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology and chair of the Duke Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology; Ingrid Daubechies, Ph.D., James B. Duke Professor of Mathematics; Xinnian Dong, Ph.D., professor of biology, for her research on the interactions of plants and microbes; and Dan Kiehart, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Biology.

Bulls Broadcaster Joins the Tampa Bay Rays

Durham Bulls broadcaster Neil Solondz has been named the Tampa Bay Rays' new pre- and postgame radio host. Solondz has been with the Durham Bulls, Tampa Bay's Triple-A affiliate, since 2004.

Ingram to Serve Second Term on Board for Southern Association of Colleges

Bill Ingram, president of Durham Technical Community College, was appointed to a second term on the Board of Trustees for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

New Bar 'Surf Club' Opens at 703 Rigsbee

Durham's newest bar Surf Club has opened at 703 Rigsbee, next door to The Bar and up the street from Motorco, Fullsteam and Geer Street Garden. Surf Club is owned and operated by Rhys Botica of popular Durham bars Whiskey, Bull McCabes and The Federal.

Retiring Sheriff Honored With State's Highest Civilian Honor

Retiring Durham County Sheriff Worth Hill was awarded the state's highest civilian honor, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, by Gov. Beverly Perdue. Hill's retirement will be effective January 1, 2012; his service to Durham county was just three years short of five terms.

Stern Promoted to CEO of Bell & Howell

Bell & Howell President Leslie F. Stern has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer and will replace George Marton whose retirement will become effective December 31, 2011. Bell & Howell is headquartered in Durham and is a leading provider of solutions and services for paper-based and digital messaging solutions.

Blue Devils Offensive Line Coach Returns to Ole Miss

After four seasons as offensive line coach and running-game coordinator for Cutliff's Duke Blue Devis, Matt Luke will return to his native state of Mississippi to join the Rebels coaching staff at Ole Miss as offensive line coach.

Justice Stevens to Speak at 2012 Duke Law Hooding Ceremony

Supreme Court Associate Justice John Paul Stevens, who served 35 years on the court before retiring in June 2010, will be the speaker at Duke Law’s annual hooding ceremony honoring the Class of 2012. The ceremony will take place at 5:15pm on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

NCCU Awards 608 Degrees at Fall Commencement

N.C. Central University awarded 608 bachelor's, master's and law degrees at its Fall commencement. John Silvanus Wilson Jr., executive director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, delivered the commencement speech.

Carolina Friends School Student Wins 'Best in High School Designer Craft' Title

Durham local and Carolina Friends School student, Nick Shear, won the title of Best in High School Designer Craft from the Carolina Designer Craftsmen Guild for the spruce-top guitar he made as his sophomore end-of-year experience project.

'Boho on 9th' Boutique Opens on Ninth Street

Boho on 9th, a clothing boutique and gift store, has opened on the second floor at 704 Ninth St. The store is located above Wavelengths Salon and is under the same ownership.

38 Durham Public Schools Educators Earn Certification

Thirty-eight Durham Public Schools teachers earned certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in the month of November. The total number of credentialed educators in the district is now 361.

SugarCRM to Open Durham Office

SugarCRM, a California-based customer relations management software company is opening an office in Durham. The Durham office, located at 4307 Emperor Blvd., Suite 120, will open with 12 employees and focus on sales and support services.

Cousin to Become New Chairman of Durham Committee

Former County Commissioner Phil Cousin will replace Lavonia Allison as the chairman of the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People.

Triangle Parkway Open, Toll-free Until Jan. 3

The Triangle Parkway opened today as the state's first toll road. The road, which will be toll-free until Jan. 3, connects I-40 at N.C. 147 in Durham County with N.C. 540 in Wake County, cutting through Research Triangle Park.

NCCU Law School Dean to Return to Private Practice

The dean of N.C. Central's law school, Raymond Pierce, will step down from his role to return to private practice. Under Pierce's leadership, applications to N.C. Central's law school tripled and alumni donations increased.

Duke Chapel Dean to Step Down

The Rev. Dr. Samuel Wells, dean of Duke Chapel since 2005, will step down from his role to become the vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields in London early next summer.

Trustee Pledges $25 Million Gift to Duke University

Jack Bovender, vice chair of the Board of Trustees, and wife Barbara have pledged a $25 million gift to Duke University. The funds will be distributed among the Fuqua School of Business ($10 million), Trinity College of Arts & Sciences ($10 million) and the School of Nursing ($5 million).

Fish House to Open in Former Shabu Shabu Location

The Fish House, a restaurant and wine bar serving primarily grilled fish such as swordfish, salmon, tilapia and tuna, is opening at 4020 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. The Fish House is a new venture by the owners of Shabu Shabu which closed in October; the Fish House will open in the same location.

Duke Professor to Receive Modern Lanuage Association Lifetime Achievement Award

Duke University's Professor of Comparative Literature and Romance studies, Fredric Jameson, will receive the sixth Award for Lifetime Scholarly Achievement from the Modern Language Association (MLA). Jameson has won acclaim for his work as a cultural theorist and literary critic, in particular for his work on Marxism. 

Marsalis Music Releases Harry Connick Jr.'s "The Happy Elf"

Branford Marsalis' record label, Marsalis Music, has just released the holiday album "The Happy Elf" by the Harry Connick Jr. Trio as part of the label's "Connick on Piano" collection.

Big Daddy's Grill Now Open Downtown

Big Daddy’s Grill has opened at 508 N. Mangum St and is open for lunch daily except Sundays.

Claymakers to Become Nonprofit in 2012

Central Park arts organization Claymakers, which offers classes in clay and ceramics, will become a nonprofit organization at the start of the new year.

Duke AIDS Researchers Awarded $37.2 Million Gates Foundation Grant

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awarded three grants totaling $37.2 million to Duke University Medical Center researchers for HIV projects in collaboration with the AIDS Vaccine Discovery program.

Healthy Families Durham Receives $320k Grant

Healthy Families Durham, a home-based family support program of the Center for Child and Family Health, has received a $320,000 N.C. Division of Public Health grant. The funds will expand the program’s reach by about 45 percent, adding 45 additional families to the 130 families the nonprofit now serves.

Durham Committee Chairwoman Steps Down

Lavonia Allison has stepped down as chairwoman of the Durham Committee on the Affair of Black People. Elections for new Durham Committee officers is scheduled for Dec. 8.

Duke Women's History Center Gifted $1 Million

The Sallie Bingham Center for Women’s History and Culture at Duke University has received a $1 million donation from women’s health care pioneer, political activist, and journalist Merle Hoffman. The donation will increase programming expenses and grant funding to the center, which is a national leader in research on women’s history and culture.

Happy Third Anniversary to DPAC!

Today marks the third anniversary of the opening of the Durham Performing Arts Center in Downtown Durham. Since November 2008, DPAC has welcomed over 1 million guests and over 100+ performers with over 150 sold out performances to date.

Avaya to Add 135 Jobs in Research Triangle Park

New Jersey-based global communications company Avaya Inc. will add 135 jobs as part of an expansion of the company's existing offices in Research Triangle Park. Plans include the creation of a marketing and sales center, including a new video collaboration studio.

Duke Honored for Support of Minority-Owned Businesses

Duke University was honored with the "Public Sector Corporation of the Year" award from the Carolinas Minority Supplier Development Council for its commitment to expanding economic opportunities for minority-owned businesses.

Duke Lemur Center Manager Nominated for World's Leading Award for Animal Conservation

Charlie Welch, conservation manager at Duke University's Lemur Center, is one of 29 conservationists worldwide to be nominated for the biennial Indianapolis Prize, the world’s leading award for animal conservation. The award brings a prize of $100,000 and the Lilly Medal, an original work of art.

Durham School of the Arts Wins D'Addario Music Foundation Grant

The Durham School of the Arts has received a $2,500 grant from The D’Addario Music Foundation to restring and tune instruments for the school’s music programs. The grant will provide guitar, violin, viola, cello and double bass strings as well as other tuning and instrument care accessories that teachers and students use to maintain high-quality sounding instruments in the Guitar and Strings program.

White House Official to Deliver Fall NCCU Commencement Address

John Silvanus Wilson Jr., executive director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, will deliver the commencement address at N.C. Central University’s fall graduation. The ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. on Dec. 10.

Golden Belt's "Cordoba Center for the Arts" Granted Historic Landmark Status

The Golden Belt Manufacturing Co. property at 800 Taylor St, the "Cordoba Center for the Arts," has been approved for Durham Historic Landmark status by the Durham City Council. The building, which houses arts nonprofits The Scrap Exchange, Liberty Arts and the ReUse Warehouse, is located next to mixed-use complex Golden Belt Arts.

Spicy Green Gourmet Cafe & Catering Now Open

Spicy Green Gourmet Cafe & Catering is now open in their new location at the intersection of S. Miami Blvd and T. W. Alexander Drive at 2945 S. Miami Blvd.

City of Durham, Durham Police Dept. Recognized for Communications Excellence

The North Carolina Association of Government Information Officers (NCAGIO) recognized the City’s Office of Public Affairs with first place awards for its 2010 Street Bond Voter Education Campaign and its “Creating Connections” – 2010 Year in Review video. The Durham Police Department also won a second place award for its 2010 annual report, “Behind the Badge.”

Whole Foods to Unveil Renovations

Renovations to The Whole Foods Market in Durham at 621 Broad Street are nearly complete. The final phase of expansion is slate to be unveiled this week. Renovations called for the addition of 8,000 square feet of space to include an expanded produce section, bulk and dairy sections, expanded bakery area and kitchen to allow for new items, custom cakes, and more in-house production of breads, additional café seating, updated restrooms and an expanded hot bar.

Cosmic Glow Golf to Open at Northgate Mall on Nov. 25

Cosmic Glow Golf, a glow-in-the-dark mini golf course, will at Northgate Mall on Nov. 25. The 18-hole course is constructed with glow-in-the-dark fluorescent paint that glows under black lights, according to the release, and also has light-up golf balls.

Hibachi Restaurant 'Jumbo China' Now Open

Jumbo China, a Chinese restaurant serving food prepared on a hibachi grill, opened at 1839 Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway.

McKinney Promotes Rigney to Director of Insights and Analytics

Durham-based advertising agency McKinney has promoted Heather Rigney to director of insights and analytics. Previously, Rigney was business consulting and analytics manager for Howard, Merrell & Partners before she coming to McKinney as associate director of insights and analytics earlier this year.

BAM Architecture Studio Opens Durham Office

BAM Architecture Studio has opened its first office outside of New York City in Durham at 807 E. Main St., Building 5.

World Overcomes Christian Church Hands Out 1,300 Turkeys to Area Families

The World Overcomers Christian Church handed out approximately 1,300 turkeys in Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill as part of their annual turkey giveaway. Last year, the church served about 1,000 people total. This year the church has added Chapel Hill to its donation list and may serve as many as 1,500.

Bread Bakery 'LOAF' Opens at 111 W. Parrish St

Durham's newest bakery, LOAF, has opened at 111 W. Parrish St. LOAF products, approximately 35 different types of breads as well as cookies and croissants, have been sold at the Durham Farmers' Market for about three years.

Watts Street Baptish Church Pastor to Retire

The Rev. Mel Williams, pastor of Watts Street Baptist Church for 23 and a half years, will retire in Spring 2012. Williams plans to continue his work in the community with End Poverty Durham.

Hillandale Course Leaders Receive Hugo Germino Sports Ambassador Awards

Roy Clark, Hillandale’s golf course superintendent of 41 years, and Hillandale golf pro, Karl Kimball, were each honored with a Hugo Germino Sports Ambassador Award. Named for the late sports editor of the old Durham Sun, the award honors unsung community members who have left vital footprints in the community through athletics.

Duke Law School Dean Reappointed for Second Five-Year Term

Duke Law School Dean David Levi has been reappointed to serve a second five-year term as dean. Levi has served both as dean and professor of law since joining the Duke School of Law faculty in 2007.

Quincy Jones Joins Zenph Advisory Board

Twenty-seven time Grammy-winner Quincy Jones has joined saxophonist Branford Marsalis and jazz bandleader Gordon Goodwin on Zenph Sound Innovations' artists advisory board.

Bull Street Gourmet & Market to Open Thursday

Bull Street Gourmet & Market will open on Thursday, November 17 in their new location in Hope Valley Square at the crossroads of Old Chapel Hill Road and Shannon Road. The gourmet grocery store will feature specialty food, wine, exotic cheeses, local products as well as prepared food items throughout the day.

Bronto Software Recognized with NCTA 21 Software Company of the Year Award

Durham-based Bronto Software has received the NCTA 21 Software Company of the Year Award from the North Carolina Technology Association. The annual NCTA 21 Awards recognize outstanding contributions that information technology companies and individuals have made over the past year to the industry, community and state.

Ingram Named Chair of Research Triangle Foundation Board

Former GlaxoSmithKline executive Robert “Bob” Ingram has been elected chairman to the board of directors of The Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina, the nonprofit group that manages and develops Research Triangle Park.

Bob Geolas Named CEO of the Research Triangle Foundation

Bob Geolas, the executive director of Clemson University Clemson University has been selected by the Research Triangle Foundation board to become the new president and CEO of the Research Triangle Foundation beginning the week of Nov. 28. The Research Triangle Foundation is the owner and manager of the 7,000-acre Research Triangle Park which is home to more than 170 companies employing more than 38,000 workers.

New Chair, Vice Chair Appointed to Fuqua School Board

Bob McDonald, CEO, chairman of the board and president of Procter & Gamble, Co. has assumed the role of chairman of Duke University's Fuqua School of Business’ Board of Visitors. Ron Nicol, senior partner and managing director of global practices for Boston Consulting Group and Fuqua ’86, has assumed the position as the board’s vice chair.

Jake's Wayback Burgers to Open Northgate Mall Location Nov. 11

Jake’s Wayback Burgers will open in its new Northgate Mall location slated on Nov. 11.

Durham Scout Earns Eagle Rank at Age 13

Jonathan Huml of Durham has earned his Eagle Scout rank at the age of 13 - an achievement that typically isn't accomplished until the age of 17. Huml is a member of Troop 424 and is the youngest Scout to earn an Eagle rank.

Durham Runner Wins City of Oaks Marathon

Durham resident and Duke exercise physiologist, Mitch VanBruggen won the fifth annual City of Oaks Marathon held in Raleigh. VanBruggen's time was 2:29:33; he was formerly a college runner competing for St. John's University.

Durham Engineering Company HadenStanziale Named NC's Firm of the Year

Durham engineering and design company, HadenStanziale, has been named Firm of the Year in North Carolina by the NC Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. The award recognizes excellence in design over an extended period of time. Durham Bulls Athletic Park, Southpoint Mall and Erwin Square are among HadenStanziale's local projects.

Thomas, Ferguson & Mullins, L.L.P. Named to National List of Best Law Firms

Durham attorneys Thomas, Ferguson & Mullins, L.L.P. have been honored in the 2011-12 U.S. News Media Group Best Lawyers list of “Best Law Firms” for 2011-12.

Duke Field Hockey Coach Named ACC Coach of the Year

Duke field hockey head coach Pam Bustin has been named Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year. In her first season with the Blue Devils, Bustin led Duke to an 11-6 regular season record and secured the No. 3 seed in the upcoming conference tournament. In her 15 years as a head coach, Bustin has also earned MAC and BIG EAST Coach of the Year recognition.

Bull City Co-working to Open Nov. 8 in Downtown Durham

Durham's newest shared workspace for independent professionals, Bull City Co-working, is schedule to open November 8. Bull City Co-working is a locally funded start-up located on Main Street in Downtown Durham.

Duke University Names New Vice Provost for Academic Affairs

Duke University has named Keith Whitfield its new vice provost for academic affairs, effective immediately. Whitfield, a professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, a research professor in the Department of Geriatric Medicine and co-director of Duke's Center on Biobehavioral and Social Aspects of Health Disparities, is a psychologist and expert on aging among African Americans.

Outsiders Art & Collectibles Celebrates 2 Years

Outsiders Art & Collectibles, Durham’s only gallery focusing on southern outsider (self-taught) art, will celebrate it’s 2 year anniversary with an exhibition of work from two emerging outsider artists, “The Masking Tape Guy” Bart Schultz and Outsiders’ newest addition, Chris ‘Milk’ Hulburt on Wednesday, November 2 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at 718 Iredell Street in Durham. The event is free and open to the public.

Duke Researchers Awarded $6 Million Grant for Child Obesity Initiative

A group of Duke researchers, lead by Eric Finkelstein, associate research professor at the Duke Global Health Institute and deputy director at Duke-National University of Singapore Graduate Medical School, have been awarded a $6.28 million grant for their efforts in the battle against childhood obesity.

Bella's Cuisine Opens at Corner of Guess and Carver

A new restaurant, Bella’s Cuisine, has opened at 3218 Guess Road on the corner of Guess Road and Carver Street. The restaurant blends American cuisine with modern, traditional and Hispanic influences.

Spring Valley Elementary Leader Named DPS Principal of the Year

Spring Valley Elementary School Principal Barbara Parker has been named Durham Public Schools Principal of the Year. Under Parker's leadership, R.N. Harris Elementary and Spring Valley Elementary have seen dramatic increases in test scores. Spring Valley received the district’s first-place Leadership Excellence Award for achieving the highest percentage of scorecard growth goals and the Leadership Excellence Award for the most improvement in meeting goals from 2009-10 to 2010-11.

King Named New Durham Postmaster

Michael King, has been named Durham's new postmaster. A postal employee of 23 years, King replaces Dominic Camasso, who retired last year.

McKinney Wins Ruby Tuesday Creative Account

Durham advertising agency McKinney has won a new client, Ruby Tuesday. The Maryville, Tenn.-based chain restaurant joins McKinney's roster of clients which include Nationwide Insurance, Sherwin Williams and Lenovo.

Duke Graduate School Dean to Step Down

Duke University Graduate School dean and vice provost, Jo Rae Wright, will step down from her position on Friday due to an ongoing battle with breast cancer. David Bell, senior associate dean of the Graduate School, will serve as interim dean until a successor is secured.

Increased Ridership for the Bull City Connecter

The Bull City Connector's average weekday ridership is regularly in the over-1,600 range, an increase over the 1,400 to 1,500 range that marked the end of the 2010-2011 school year.

Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano Visits Duke's Sanford School of Public Policy

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is in Durham today to speak to Duke's Sanford School of Public Policy. Napolitano will speak of the challenges of preventing terrorism, securing borders, enforcing immigration laws, safeguarding cyberspace and preparing for disasters while protecting the privacy and civil rights of Americans.

Museum of Life and Science's 20-Year-Old Black Bear Dies

The Museum of Life and Science is mourning the loss of Ursula, the museum's oldest black bear. The 20-year-old bear came to the museum on October 30, 1991 as a 9-month-old cub.

Seventh Season of 'Basketball and Beyond with Coach K' Debuts Tonight

The seventh season of Coach Krzyzewski's weekly SiriusXM show, Basketball and Beyond with Coach K, will debut tonight at 7pm ET on Mad Dog Radio, channel 86.

Kueber's Open Durham Goes Live

Gary Kueber, author of the Endangered Durham blog and chief operating officer at Scientific Properties, has launched 'Open Durham' an original, highly interlinked online resource about the people, places and history of Durham.

Durhamite Wins Best of Newcomers at NC State Fair Pie Championship

Britt Brostrom of Durham won the best of the newcomers category at the N.C. State Fair's pie-baking championship with her grandmother's Concord grape pie. The pie took third place overall.

Durham Foodie and Avett Brothers Cellist a Guest on The Splendid Table

Avett Brothers cellist and Durham foodie, Joe Kwon will be a guest on the October 14th edition of NPR's The Splendid Table to discuss the restaurants that have made an impression on him over the years one of which is Durham's Watt's Grocery.

Rubenstein Library Produces Guide to Civil War Resources

To commemorate the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, Duke University's Rubenstein Library has produced a guide to Civil War resources that highlights the library's rich collections. Special sections describe manuscript and print material related to military history, medicine, women, African Americans, literature, and music in the Rubenstein Library, as well as other library guides and relevant databases and websites.

New Durham Walmart to Open October 26

Walmart will open its new store at 1010 Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway on October 26. The Durham store Walmart's 140th to open in North Carolina.

The Special Event Company Wins Two ESPRIT Awards

The Special Event Company, a strategic event and meeting management company based in Durham, received two ESPRIT awards from the International Special Event Society (ISES) for the production of the Duke Children’s Health Center 10th Anniversary Donor Dinner and the Mint Museum Charlotte wine pairing dinner.

Sequenom to Open Office In RTP, Create 242 Jobs

California-based life sciences company Sequenom Inc. plans to open a new laboratory in the Research Triangle Park which will create 242 jobs in North Carolina.

Films by Three Duke Profs Premiere at New York Film Festival

Works by three Duke faculty members premiered at the New York Film Festival's “Views From the Avant-Garde,” a series which showcases experimental and innovative films: David Gatten's The Matter Propounded, of Its Possibility or Impossibility, Treated in Four Parts, Erin Espelie's Silent Springs and Josh Gibson's Kudzu Vine.

Shodor Honored with 2011 Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence

Shodor has been honored with the 2011 Alfred P.Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility for its use of flexibility as an effective workplace strategy to increase business and employee success. Shodor is a national resource for computational science education based in downtown Durham.

Hillside New Tech High School Honored for 100% Graduation Rate

Hillside New Tech High School was one of 23 North Carolina schools honored for achieving a perfect graduation rate for 2010 with an induction into the “100% Graduation Club" by State Superintendent June Atkinson, Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton and state school board Chairman Bill Harrison.

Straw Valley Cafe & Wine Shop Now Open

Straw Valley Café & Wine Shop is now open at 5420 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, Suite D near the New Hope Commons shopping center. The cafe sells fair trade coffee, chocolates, baked goods, wine and beer.

NC Central Recognizes Battle of the Bands Director as Honorary Eagle

Adrian Carroll, director of the 9th Annual Official High School Battle of the Bands, has been chosen by the North Carolina Central University Athletic Department to become an Honorary Eagle for his work in promoting academics as well as musicianship. Carroll will serve as the Honorary Captain for the coin toss at the October 15th football game against Morgan State.

Duke Doctors Honored for Contributions in Mental Health Field

Duke University psychiatry faculty, Jeffrey Swanson and Marvin Swartz, have been selected to receive the 2011 Carl Taube Award from the Mental Health Section of the American Public Health Association. The award is presented to scholars who have made significant career contributions in the field of mental health research and treatment.

Duke Engineer Named 2011 Senior Fellow in the Energy & Climate Parnership of Americas

Ana Barros, an engineer at Duke University, has been named a 2011 Senior Fellow in the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas program, which is organized by the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.

Chief Deputy Mike Andrews to Succeed Hill as Sheriff

Chief Deputy Mike Andrews has been named the successor to Sheriff Worth Hill who will retire at the start of 2012. Andrews is a three-decade veteran of the Durham Country Sheriff's Office; he was unanimously voted into the Sheriff role by the Durham County Commissioners.

Blog Advertising Agency Blogads To Relocate to Downtown Durham

Blogads, a Carrboro-based blog advertising company will move its offices to 201 W. Main St. in downtown Durham effective early January, 2012.

Rep. David Price to Receive Caldwell Award for Long-Time Support of Humanities

U.S. Rep. David Price, the former Duke professor of political science and public policy who has represented the university’s district in Congress for all but two of the past 25 years, will be honored with the 2010 John Tyler Caldwell Award for his long-time support of the humanities. The North Carolina Humanities Council, a statewide nonprofit and affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, presents the Caldwell Award annually. The honor pays tribute to “individuals whose life and work illuminate one or more of the multiple dimensions of human life where the humanities come into play: civic, personal, intellectual, and moral.”

Riverside Gifted $75,000 in Equipment from Carolina Panthers

Riverside High School received $75,000 in weight room equipment from the Carolina Panthers. The gift was one of four grants worth a total of $250,000 that the NFL team is giving to teams across North and South Carolina.

BayerCrop Science Consolidates R&D Efforts to RTP

BayerCrop Science is consolidating its R&D operations at its North American headquarters in Research Triangle Park. The producer of crop protection, nonagricultural pest control and other products, is remodeling its location at 2 T.W. Alexander Drive in Durham County to accomodate the consolidation.

Wireless Generation to Open Office in Durham

The New York-based company Wireless Generation is opening a Durham office in a 12,600-square-foot space in the American Tobacco campus. The educational software provider plans to hire 60 workers locally for the new office.

National Campus Ministry Awards Top Honors to Duke Wesley Fellowship, Rev. Dr. Copeland

The National Campus Ministry Association recently recognized The Duke Wesley Fellowship with its 2010 Campus Ministry of the Year award. The Rev. Dr. Jennifer E. Copeland, United Methodist Chaplain for Duke University and executive director of the Duke Wesley Fellowship, was recognized for Outstanding Ministry in Education. 

McKinney Promotes Russell to Chief Innovation Officer

McKinney has named Jim Russell to the new position of partner/chief innovation officer. Russell joined McKinney in 2003 as the agency's director of digital strategy and has since created the structures that helped reinvent McKinney as the first major agency to integrate digital into existing disciplines.

Bull City Burger & Brewery Launches “Grade A Burger for Good Grades”

Downtown Durham's Bull City Burger and Brewery will reward smart and hardworking kids who earn all A’s and B’s on their report cards with a free burger, fries and a drink as part of their “Grade A Burger for Good Grades” program. Eligible elementary, middle and high school students must show an original copy of their report card to a BCBB manager before ordering. A combination of A’s and B’s or equivalent is required, and burgers must be claimed within 30 days of the issuance of the report card.

Durham Tech Names New Board Members

MaryAnn Black, a former member of the Durham Board of County Commissioners, has been elected the new chair of the Board of Trustees of Durham Technical Community College. John Burness, a former administrator at Duke University, will serve as vice chair of the Durham Tech board.

Duke Anesthesiologist Places in Bronze Level of US Dance Championships

Duke anesthesiologist Jennifer Fortney has returned to Durham from the United States Dance Championships with a second-place finish in the bronze level of the nine-dance championship.

Metaphysical Shop Thamaturgy 777 is Now Open

The metaphysical shop Thaumaturgy 777 is now open at 711 Iredell St. off Ninth Street. The shop sells candles, incense, herbs, oils, and other items used by people who are Pagan, Wiccan, or who practice magical arts. It also offers tarot readings, spiritual services, and guitar lessons.

Reliable Cheese Doubles Southern Offerings for American Cheese Month

Reliable Cheese, downtown Durham's artisanal cheese shop, is recognizing American Cheese Month by doubling their selection of Southern Cheese from the 10 they typically have on-hand to 20 cheeses.

Kornbluth to Serve Duke as Vice Provost of Academic Affairs

Vice dean for research at the Duke University School of Medicine, Sally Kornbluth, has been promoted to vice provost of academic affairs. Kornbluth became the vice dean of research in 2009 where she participated in interdisciplinary projects with various schools and institutions across the university. Kornbluth succeeds John Simon who left Duke to become the provost at the University of Virginia.

Chef Shane Ingram Parts With [ONE] and G2B, Returns to Four Square

Chef Shane Ingram  has cut ties with Chapel Hill restaurant [ONE] and new Durham gastropub G2B. Ingram has instead returned to his original post at the helm of fine dining restaurant, Four Square Restaurant in Durham.

Duke's Baldwin Auditorium to Undergo $15 Million Renovation

Duke University's Baldwin Auditorium is set for a $15 million renovation to include infrastructure improvements, acoustic upgrades, new seats and amenities.

Bennett Place Historic Site Awards William M. Vatavuk Scholarship

Bennett Place State Historic Site has awarded the William M. Vatavuk Scholarship to Jessica Hoover on the basis of her high GPA and application essay on the significance of the historic Bennett Place farmhouse.

Durham Public Schools Names New Administrators

The Durham school board announced the hirings of two administrators: Michael Fuga as the principal at Rogers-Herr Middle School and Tina Hester as the school district’s assistant superintendent of human resources.

Co-Founder of Durham's Iconic Dillard's Bar-B-Q Passes

Geneva Dillard, who co-owned Durham's iconic Dillard's Bar-B-Q with her husband, Sam Dillard, passed away on Sept. 17 at the age of 89. Geneva Dillard received the Spirit of Hayti Heritage Legacy Award for Dillard's Bar-B-Q in 2011. In 2008, she was honored with the Mahogany Dime Award for Excellence in business and entrepreneurship.

Duke Recognizes Major Contributions at Founders Day

Duke Trustee Emeritus Karl von der Heyden and long-time chemistry professor James Bonk will receive the University Medal for Distinguished Meritorious Service at Duke University's annual Founders' Day Convocation. The University Medal is one of the university's highest awards. Other honorees this year will include music professor Anthony Kelley and alumna and trustee emerita Wilhelmina Reuben-Cooke among other distinguished faculty. 

Four Duke Scientists Receive NIH Director's Innovator Award

Four Duke researchers have won the 2011 National Institutes of Health Director's New Innovator Award: Seok-Yong Lee, David Tobin, Nicholas Buchler and Charles Gersbach. The award recognizes researchers at the start of their career, when they may not yet have the preliminary data required to receive traditional NIH funding.

Duke Law's AIDS Legal Project Receives Ford Foundation Grant

Duke Law School’s AIDS Legal Project has been awarded a $150,000 grant from The Ford Foundation to launch a research and advocacy initiative directed at the impact of HIV and AIDS in the South.

Plumlee and Kelly Named Blue Devils Captains

Forwards Miles Plumlee and Ryan Kelly have been named Duke Blue Devils team captains by their coaches and teammates.

Manbites Dog Theater Enters 25th Season

Upon entering its 25th season, Manbites Dog theater founders Jeff Storer and Ed Hunt estimate the theater has staged about 1,800 performances. The 2011-2012 season will feature four regional premieres in the company series, four world premieres in the company's Other Voices series, and a festival of short films.

Friendly City Civitan Club Honors WWII Vets

Durham World War II veterans George Poe, Clarence Tippett, Harold Bizzell, Homer Riley and Ralph Denson were recognized for their military service by the Friendly City Civitan Club. Many of the veterans in the Civitan club room had known each other in Durham even before World War II nearly 70 years ago.

Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce Honors Businesses, Organizations for Excellence

The Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce honored the following organizations during their annual Business Excellence Awards dinner:

The Durham Literacy Center, Urban Ministries of Durham, Park West Barber School, Southern Energy Management and the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club received Business Excellence Awards.

Time Warner Cable Business Class's Justin Lyle-Purdy received the Connector of the Year Award; The King’s Daughters Inn was presented the Sustainability Award for its triple-bottom line sustainable efforts; The first-ever Entrepreneur of the Year Award was presented to Thundershirt Company; IBM and its employees were honored with the Duke Energy Citizenship & Service Award for their volunteerism in the Durham community.

Alfred P. Sloan Awards for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility were presented to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, American Journal Experts, LLC, Deloitte, the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau, Hill, Chesson & Woody Employee Benefits Services, ICF International, McKinney, Rho, Inc., Shodor Education Foundation and the U.S. EPA – RTP Campus.

Tip-Top Cycles Opens on Ninth Street

Tip-Top Cycles, Durham's newest bike shop, has opened at 624 Ninth Street next to Bruegger’s Bagels and under the Zola Craft Gallery. The shop sells refurbished bicycles as well as biking accessories and repair services.

Durham 911 Center Receives International Re-Accreditation

The Durham Emergency Communication Center has been re-accredited for the third time as an Emergency Medical Dispatch Center of Excellence, the highest distinction awarded by the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch (NAED). The Durham Emergency Communications Center is dedicated to promoting, preserving, and protecting the safety and security of all residents and visitors in Durham. The center provides 24-hour, seven-day-a-week 911 access to residents, visitors, and user agencies in and around Durham County.

Ribbon Cutting Marks Official Opening of Downtown Durham Dog Park

The Downtown Durham Dog Park in the Cleveland-Holloway neighborhood officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The 10,000 square-foot park is Durham's third dog park. All dogs must be registered with Parks and Recreation to play in the park.

Cuban Steakhouse Gregoria's Kitchen to Open Thursday

The latest addition to Durham's restaurant scene, Cuban steakhouse Gregoria’s Kitchen, will open on Thursday at 2818 Chapel Hill Road.

Mez Places Second in Best Dish NC Contest

Mez placed second on Best Dish NC's list of the Best Casual Dining for the Eastern Piedmont/Coastal Region. Best Dish is a statewide regional contest of the best menu items created by chefs that use local products and ingredients.

Durham Tech Turns 50

Durham Technical Community College will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a free and open event hosted on the college's main campus on Friday, September 16 from 2 to 5pm.

Dain's Place, Bull City Burger and Brewery Named to WRAL List of Best Burgers in Triangle

Two Durham restaurants were selected for WRAL's Triangle-wide list of the "Best Gourmet Burgers." Bull City Burger and Brewery was selected for its Over Easy burger with tomato and aioli; Dain's Place made the list for its Dainer burger with lettuce, tomato, 1000 Island, bacon, sauteed onions and cheddar.

Duke Welcomes New Associate Vice President for University Development

Duke University has named Stephen Bayer to the position of associate vice president for university development. Bayer will manage the Office of University Development staff, which raises philanthropic support for Duke’s highest priorities. Bayer joins Duke from Swarthmore College where he has worked in development and alumni relations for the past 10 years.

Huffington Post - 10 Best College Rivalries

"Even though this is a football-centric list, there's no way to ignore this legendary hoops rivalry. While the two schools annually meet on the gridiron... really, all of the good stuff goes down on the hardwood. At Duke, students camp out for tickets in the "Krzyzewskiville" tent city up to two weeks before the big game. School officials have even installed wi-fi and ethernet ports to help students stay on top of school work. 2011 Football Game day: November 26 2012 Basketball Game days: February 8, March 3"

- The 10 Best College Rivalries, Huffington Post

School House Apparel Recognized as 2011 Outstanding Woman-Owned Small Business

Rachel Weeks, Duke University graduate and founder of Durham-based collegiate apparel company School House, has been recognized for a 2011 Outstanding Woman-Owned Small Business by The SCORE Foundation, a national small-business-oriented nonprofit association.

Duke Christens MFA Program Home

Duke officially christened the home of Duke's newest multidisciplinary offering, a Master's of Fine Arts in Experimental & Documentary Arts. The program's 6,500-square-foot facility, a rehabbed former carpentry shop, includes a ground floor workspace, office and conference room, a vast, and an upper-level digital work room. Duke's inaugural MFA class of 15 will be joined by 15 more next year.

Kryzyzewski Among New Inductees into Duke Athletics Hall of Fame

Duke University will induct five new members into the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday, September 9 including: Ben Bennett (football), Jenny Chuasiriporn (golf), Bobby Hurley (basketball), Mike Krzyzewski (coach) and Vanessa Webb (tennis).

Insomniac Games Named to Triangle Business Journal List of Area Game Developers

Durham's Insomniac Games was named to Triangle Business Journal's "Top 5 List: Triangle Video Game Developers".

Bell & Howell Selects Durham as Global Headquarters

Bell & Howell, the maker of automated mailing equipment, has selected Durham as its global headquarters. The company has had a facility in Durham since 1997. The site houses a call center, customer service center, training center and corporate offices with a total of 250 employees.

Appia Names New Executive Chairman to Board of Directors

Durham-based technology company Appia has named Craig Forman its new executive chairman to the company's Board of Directors. Forman has served in leadership roles at EarthLink, Yahoo, CNN, TIME and WHERE.

East Durham to Benefit from $1 Million in A.J. Fletcher Foundation Grants

The A.J. Fletcher Foundation announced it has invested more than $1 million in unrestricted grants and loans to East Durham. Working in partnership with East Durham Children’s Initiative (EDCI), the Foundation’s grants and loans will further EDCI’s mission to provide a pipeline of services from “cradle to career” for the children and families of East Durham.

Bell and Howell Appoints New President

Leslie F. Stern has been appointed as President of Bell and Howell. The developer of mailing equipment and software technologies for innovative mailing, document management and postal solutions is headquartered in Durham, NC.

Frey Joins EvoApp

Kip Frey has been named President and CEO of EvoApp, a Durham-based business intelligence and analytics company co-founded by 22 year-old Joe Davy.

Lebanon Volunteer Fire Dept. Celebrates 40 Years

The Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department, based in the rolling countryside north of Durham, will celebrate its 40th anniversary next Saturday at Ridgecrest Baptist Church.

Durham Convention Center Re-opens After Renovation

The Durham Convention Center has re-opened after undergoing a $6.9 million renovation. Improvements to the facility include an upgrade of the HVAC system, a new kitchen, the replacement of the building's roof and renovations to interior spaces.

NCSSM Alumni Announce Endowment for Student Entpreneurship and Research

N.C. School of Science and Mathematics alumni, Taylor Brockman and Jud Bowman, announced the creation of the Bowman-Brockman Endowment for Entrepreneurship & Advanced Research and an initial gift of $100,000. The grant program will assist "super creative" NCSSM students in funding in three key areas: entrepreneurial projects, research projects, and travel to academic competitions.

Durham Companies Named to Best Places to Work List

Triangle Business Journal named eight Durham-based companies to their annual list of 'Best Places to Work in the Triangle':  NetApp, EMC Corporation, Bronto Software, Clarkson Consulting, Alston & Bird, BioAgilytix Labs, Evoapp Inc., and Relevance Inc.

Bull City Records, Locopops Get Neighborly on Hillsborough Road

Bull City Records has moved from Ninth Street to the storefront at 2600 Hillsborough Road once inhabited by Locopops. The pops shop has relocated to another storefront within the same shopping center.

Durham Designer to Appear on "All American Handyman"

Durham's Howard Eason, owner of HE Designs, is one of 20 contestants to appear on the second season of "All American Handyman." The show premiers Sunday, September 4 on the HGTV network.

Durham Bull Named International League MVP

Durham Bulls infielder Russ Canzler has been named the International League's Most Valuable Player.

The Special Event Co. CEO Named an Industry Innovator

The Special Event Company CEO Sally Webb has been named one of the event industry's most influential innovators by Special Events Magazine; Webb was featured in the July-August issue of the magazine. The Special Event Company is a strategic event and meeting management company based in Durham.

Durham Tennis Pro Qualifies for U.S. Open... Again

Durham’s Michael Yani has qualified for the U.S. Open for the fourth time since turning pro in 2003. A four year star while playing for Duke, Yanni has also played in the 2010 French Open and the 2009 Wimbledon.

Former Blue Devil Returns Joins Women's Basketball Coaching Staff

Duke University announced that former Duke star Joy Cheek will join the Blue Devils women's basketball coaching staff as an assistant coach. Since leaving Duke, Cheek has played in the WNBA in 2010 and professionally in Poland.

The Herald-Sun Launches We Are Durham Magazine

The Herald-Sun has launched We Are Durham Magazine, a glossy magazine to be published quarterly. The magazine will focus on community content as well as newcomer information. Civic clubs, faith organization, government-related group, schools, nonprofits and the arts will be represented.

World Overcomers Church Revives Durham School Library

In last week of August, more than 70 members of the World Overcomers Christian Church have donated their time to improving the library at Y.E. Smith Elementary School. The church contributed about 1,600 titles in addition to making physical improvements to the facility including painting, cleaning, repairing and replacing.

Durham Composer Awarded NC Arts Council Fellowship

Durham composer Eric Hirsh is among the 2011-2012 recipients of the North Carolina Arts Council Artist Fellowship Award. Hirsh will receive a $10,000 fellowship to support creative development and the creation of new work.

Duke Director of Dining Services Resigns

Jim Wulforst, Duke University's director of dining services, has resigned after 15 years of service. Rick Johnson, assistant vice president of housing and dining, will oversee Duke Dining in the interim as Duke conducts a national search for a new director.

Former NCCU Nursing Dept. Chair Returns to Lead During Period of Expansion

Betty Pierce Dennis, who chaired the Nursing Department at N.C. Central University from 1999 to 2004, has returned to chair the department as it heads into a period of expansion in a new, state-of-the-art teaching facility. Before her return to NCCU, Dennis was a professor of nursing and dean of the Division of Nursing at Dillard University in New Orleans. She was also the director and a professor at the Minority Health and Health Disparities Center, a collaboration between Dillard and Louisiana State University funded by the National Institutes of Health.

NCCU Welcomes New Business School Dean

N.C. Central University has named D. Keith Pigues the new dean of the School of Business. Pigues previously held executive positions at PlyGem Industries, CEMEX, RR Donnelley, ADP and Honeywell International. An adjunct professor at UNC's Kenan-Flagler Business School, Pigues taught courses in leadership and corporate leadership development. Pigues was named one of Black Enterprise Magazine's top executives in marketing and advertising for 2011.

Liberty Arts Relocates to Cordoba Building Near Golden Belt

Liberty Arts, a nonprofit metal sculpting organization, has moved operations to the Cordoba Building near Golden Belt. The Cordoba Building is the new home of former Liberty Warehouse neighbors, The Scrap Exchange. Liberty Arts will continue to host demonstrations in the George Watts Hill Pavilion at Durham Central Park.

Farmhand Foods Wins "2011 Best Slow Money Business" Competition

Farmhand Foods won Slow Money's" 2011 Best Slow Money Business" competition, a nation-wide search for the top small food enterprise that embodies the Slow Money Principles. As the winner, Farmhand Foods has been awarded a full pass to the Slow Money National Gathering in October.

Dean of Duke's Sanford School of Public Policy to Step Down

Bruce Kuniholm, the founding dean of Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy, will step down at the end of this academic year. Kuniholm played was a key role in transforming the Sanford Institute into a full-fledged school. He has overseen Duke's public policy programs since 2005, when he was named director of the Sanford Institute of Public Policy.

Blue Devils Welcome New Field Hockey Head Coach

Duke University welcomes new Blue Devil's field hockey head coach, Pam Bustin. Bustin comes to Duke from Louiville where she had become a six-time regular season conference champion in her 13 years as head coach. Bustin was also an assistant coach for the 2008 United States national team, the first U.S. team to qualify for the Olympics since 1996.

L'Uva Enoteca Now Officially Open

Chef Jim Anile's new restaurant L'Uva Enoteca has officially opened in their American Tobacco Campus location at 406 Blackwell Street.

Former DPS Band Member Responds to Plea for Instruments

National Pawn owner Bob Moulton has donated more than 100 instruments and an additional $2000 for repair and maintenance to Chewning Middle School’s band program. Moulton's gift came as a response to Chewning band director Kyle Crudup's plea for community members to donate instruments. Moulton is a former member of the Neal Middle School, Lowe’s Grove Middle School and Southern High School bands.

Perlman Named Executive Director of Duke Integrative Medicine

Adam Perlman has been named executive director of Duke Integrative Medicine. Perlman was previously the executive director of the Institute for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

Durham Food Trucks Compete to Become America's Favorite

Durham-based food trucks Pie Pushers, Kokyu BBQ, Blue Sky Dining and Only Burger are nominees in the Food Network's Great Food Truck Race. The food truck to receive the most votes through September 12 will be named America's favorite.

Kip Frey Departs Zenph Sound Innovations

Kip Frey has stepped down from his role as CEO at music-technology company Zenph Sound Innovations. Co-founder John Q. Walker will step in as the interim CEO.

Durham Senior Games Ambassador to Bear Torch During State Finals

Senior Games Ambassador Louise Gooche of Durham has been named the official Torchbearer for the 27th North Carolina Senior Games State Finals' "Celebration of the Games." Gooche has been involved with the Senior Games since 2000 and is the founder of the Durham Senior Divas 'N Dudes Cheerleaders.

NCCU Welcomes New Men's Basketball Hires

NCCU assistant basketball coach John Moseley has been promoted to associate head coach. Brian Kloman formerly of Pikeville College in Pikeville, KY and Wes Pifer of St. Andrew's Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, have also joined the NCCU coaching staff.  Peter Quinn, formerly of Newberry College in South Carolina, has been named the Eagles' director of basketball operations.

NC Gay & Lesbian Film Festival to Expand to 10 Days in 2012

In 2012, the N.C. Gay & Lesbian Film Festival will expand from four days to 10 days, and will include more films and events.

Former Duke Star Joins National NBA-WNBA Campaign Against Diabetes

Former Duke Blue Devil and WNBA all-star, Alana Beard, has joined former NBA stars Walt Frazier and Chris Dudley as a spokesperson for Dribble to Stop Diabetes. The national multimedia campaign was developed by the NBA, WNBA, the NBA Developmental League, the American Diabetes Association and Sanoli-Aventis US to encourage fans to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle as a preventative measure against diabetes.

Duke University Welcomes First Hindu Chaplain

Duke University has named Usha Rajagopalan its first Hindu Chaplain. Fluent in Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam, Rajagopalan graduated from Annamalai University in India and the University of Maryland. In her new role, Rajagopalan is charged with counseling Hindu students and representing the Hindu Students Association in university programs.

Auxiliary to the Durham Academy of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy Hosts 18th Annual Legacy Luncheon

The Auxiliary to the Durham Academy of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy will honor Durham leaders at its 18th Annual Legacy Luncheon Aug. 20, noon at the Durham Hilton Hotel. Auxiliary members are the spouses of Academy members which is comprised of minority physicians, dentists and pharmacists in the Durham community. Sharon Elliott-Bynum and Joyce C. Nichols, P.A. will receive Legacy Awards for their dedication to helping underserved residents in Durham. Elliott-Bynum and her late sister founded Healing with CAARE, Inc in 1995. Nichols was the first formally trained female physician assistant in the country. She established two rural clinics in the northern Durham County area of Bahama and Rougemont.

Duke Professor Writes Inaugural Posting for Huffington Post's New Black Voices Site

Duke University's Mark Anthony Neal, Professor of Black Popular Culture in the Department of African and African American Studies, wrote an inaugural posting for Huffington Post's new Black Voices site entitled "Jumping the Broom to Equality."

Former Blue Devils QB Ben Bennett Inducted Into ACC Football Legends Class of 2011

Former All-America quarterback Ben Bennett will represent Duke University as a member of the 2011 ACC Football Legends class to be honored at the league's championship game in Charlotte on December 3. Bennett quarterbacked the Blue Devils from 1980-1983 - he graduated as the NCAA's all-time leading passer and currently ranks sixth on the league's career passing chart.

Durham Entrepreneurial Businesses Among North Carolina "Companies to Watch"

Durham-based entrepreneurial businesses Spoonflower, BioAgilytix Labs, Chimerix, Expression Analysis, Geomagic, Replay Photos and Riley Life Logistics have been named to the list of 25 North Carolina "Companies to Watch" by CED, a Durham nonprofit.

Duke University Sees Record Numbers of Applicants for Class of 2015

Duke University saw a record 29,526 applications for the class of 2015, an increase of 10.5 percent from the previous year. Of the students accepted to Duke 43.6 percent intend to enroll. In 2010 that percentage was 41.5 percent and in 2009, 40.8 percent. Duke officials consider this year's 2.5 percent increase part of a significant trend and an indication that things are continuing to move in a positive direction.

Durham City Planning Supervisor Earns NCAZO Member of the Year

The North Carolina Association of Zoning Officials (NCAZO) has selected Durham City Planning Supervisor Grace D. Smith, AICP, CZO, as the 2011 Member of the Year. The award is presented to an active NCAZO member who has distinguished themselves by loyalty and dedication to the association’s affairs. Smith is the first member in the organization’s 30-year history to be awarded both the NCAZO Zoning Official of the Year in 2009 and the NCAZO Member of the Year in 2011.

King's Daughters Inn Becomes the First All Apple Computer Hotel in the US

The King's Daughters Inn is the first all Apple Computer hotel in America; mini mac computers are in every room.

Duke Divinity Professor Wins Book Award

Willie Jennings, associate professor of theology and black church studies at Duke Divinity School, has been selected to receive the Award for Excellence in the Study of Religion from the American Academy of Religion for his book, The Christian Imagination: Theology and the Origins of Race (Yale University Press, 2010).

NFL Signs NCCU and Duke Players

With the NFL lockout lifted, N.C. Central defensive lineman Teryl White and Duke guard Brandon Harper joined the professional league's rookie pool for the St. Louis Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars, respectively.

Teach for America Selects Fehrman for Regional Executive Director Role

Teach for America has appointed Durham's Robyn Schreyer Fehrman as the executive director of its Eastern North Carolina region. Fehrman was previously the community program officer at the Triangle Community Foundation and is a recipient of the Triangle Business Journals's 40 under 40 Leadership Award.

New Food Truck on the Scene: Meet Chirba Chirba Dumpling

Chirba Chirba Dumpling, an Asian street fare food truck specializing in Chinese dumplings, has become the newest addition to Durham's mobile food offerings.

Kismet Crackers Graduates from The Cookery to Whole Foods

Durham food entrepreneur, Gordon Stella, will begin selling her biscotti-like product Kismet Crackers at local Whole Foods Stores. Stella began her business at Durham's commercial kitchen and 'culinary incubator' The Cookery.

Boys & Girls Club Competes for Pepsi Refresh Funding

The John Avery Boys & Girls Club is competing for $50,000 in Pepsi Refresh funding for its football and cheerleading programs; the Club is currently in 42nd place out of 300 competitors. The community can support the Boys & Girls Club's efforts by voting for the project at  http://www.refresheverything.com/jabgc, by texting 107499 to 73774 or by dropping off Pepsi bottle caps at 808 E. Pettigrew St. Voting ends July 31, 2011.

Duke Political Scientist Wins Best Textbook Award

Duke political scientist Paula D. McClain received top honors for her textbook "American Government in Black and White" from the American Political Science Association. McClain's book was named the Association's best textbook of 2010 in the race, ethnicity and politics category.

NCCU Names Debbie Thomas New Provost

North Carolina Central University has named Debbie Thomas provost of the university. The provost is NCCU's chief academic officer with responsibilities to include overseeing deans, department chairs and faculty.

City of Durham Honored for Alternative Transportation Efforts

The City of Durham was recently recognized for outstanding alternative transportation efforts, including free transit service on the Durham Area Transit Authority (DATA) and the Bull City Connector as well as bike racks, compressed work weeks, and teleworking, at the Annual Triangle Commuter Awards event held by the area GoTriangle Transportation Demand Management Coordination Program.

"Main Street" Filmed in Durham, To Be Released Sept. 9

“Main Street,” a Magnolia Pictures production that was filmed in Durham in 2009 and starring Colin Firth and Orlando Bloom, will be released Sept. 9.

Durham to Get Second Round of Bull City Startup Stampede

The Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Durham, Inc. are launching a second round of Bull City Startup Stampede, an initiative to bring more entrepreneurs and start-up companies to downtown Durham. The Stampede will run from Sept. 16-Nov. 18; applications are due by Aug. 12.

Bull City Little League All-Stars Claim State Championship

The Bull City Little League All-Stars, a select team of 9- and 10-year-olds, won the state championship after beating Rowan County's all-star team in Brevard, NC.

DPS Retiree Joe Parker Elected to Civitan International's Highest Post

Joe G. Parker has been elected to the Civitan International's highest post, the 2012-2013 President which is preceded by a year of service as the 2011-2012 Civitan International president-elect. Parker became involved with the Civitans 13 years ago after retiring from Durham Public Schools.

Fuqua School Dean Assumes New Business Development Role for Duke Kunshan University

Blair Sheppard, who has served as dean of Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business since 2007 will step down on Aug. 1 to assume a new role in fundraising and business development for Duke Kunshan University. Deputy Dean William Boulding will serve as Fuqua School Dean in the interim for two years as Duke conducts an international search to fill Sheppard's vacated position.

Top Ranked Pitcher Debuts for Durham Bulls

Matt Moore, the 22 year-old left-hander ranked as the top pitching prospect in all of baseball by Baseball America and ESPN, will debut at tonight's Durham Bulls game.

Duke University Golf Course Welcomes New Staff

Bill Weeks has joined the Duke University Golf Club staff as the new Course Superintendent and Darin Garrett has joined the staff as the new Varsity Golf Specialist.

Durham Retiree Wins World Seniors' 800 Title

Retired Durham dentist Maurice McDonald won the men's 70-74 title in the 800 meters at the World Masters Athletics Championships in Sacramento, Calif., with a time of 2:34.37, with more than a 2 seconds lead on the runnerup.

Lincoln Health Center Director to Retire After 40 Years of Service

After four decades as director of Lincoln Community Health Center, Evelyn Schmidt will retire in the fall. Schmidt has represented Lincoln since 1971, shortly after the health center opened.

President Obama Appoints Duke Professor to Humanities Council

Duke Professor Cathy Davidson was one of five new members appointed by President Barack Obama to join the National Council on the Humanities, a 26-member advisory board within the National Endowment for the Humanities. Davidson is the Ruth F. DeVarney Professor of English and John Hope Franklin Humanities Institute Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at Duke. She was also Duke's first vice provost for interdisciplinary studies.

The Cupcake Bar Sets Sites on Downtown Durham Location

The owners of The Cupcake Bar, a delivery cupcake business currently based in Cary, aim to open a retail location in the Five Points area in downtown Durham with construction slated to begin in September.

Daisy Cakes To Open Storefront in Downtown Durham

Durham pastry truck Daisy Cakes has confirmed plans to open a brick and mortar space near the Durham Farmers' Market tentatively in late Fall.

N.C.Central University Launches Transfer Tuesday

N.C. Central University has launched a new recruitment program, Transfer Tuesday, to support the University's increased emphasis on attracting, enrolling and helping highly motivated transfer students. NCCU also plans to inaugurate a new university chapter of Tau Sigma, the national honor society for transfer students.

DSA Student Selected for Prestigious Grammy Camp

Durham School of the Arts rising senior Mary Weitz has been selected to be one of just 35 high schoolers to participate in the first-ever New York City Grammy Camp. The Grammy Foundation's highly selective camp gives participants access to music industry heavyweights and experience with the entire creative process of making music.

Delta Sigma Theta Alumnae Chapter Honors Wanda Page

The Durham Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority presented the Merrick-Fisher-Spaulding Award, its highest honor, to Wanda Page for outstanding service to the community.

Arm Wrestling Fundraiser a Win for Girls Rock NC

The League of Upper Extremity Wrestling Women of Durham (LUEWWD) hosted over the weekend at Casbah raised $4,580 for Girls Rock NC.

Happy China Sushi & Bar Now Open

Happy China Sushi & Bar has officially opened in their 2505 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd location.

The Tavern Now Open for Lunch

The Tavern, located in the Ninth Street District, has announced that it will now be open for lunch daily at 11:30am.