Thursday, July 28, 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.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

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.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

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.

Monday, July 25, 2011

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.

Friday, July 22, 2011

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.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

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.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

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.

Monday, July 18, 2011

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.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

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.

Monday, July 11, 2011

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.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Duke Employee Commits to Commute By Bike

Steve Hinkle, a chaplain with Duke Chapel's InterVarsity graduate and faculty ministries, was named New Belgium Brewing Company's Tour de Fat car-bike swap winner. Hinkle made a "gentleman's agreement" to switch to all-bike commuting and otherwise not drive until July 2012.

Durham Tech Fire Academy Receives Donated Fire Engine

Bethesda Volunteer Fire Department has donated one of their reserve fire engines to the The Fire Academy, Durham Tech's 30-year-old firefighter training and certification program.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Duke University Names New Additions to Board of Trustees

Duke University has announced the addition of six new members to its Board of Trustees: Allyson Duncan, a judge on the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals; Gerald Hassell, president of BNY Mellon; Bill Hawkins, former chairman and chief executive officer of Medtronic Inc.; Betsy Holden, senior adviser to McKinsey & Co.; the Rev. Ashley Crowder Stanley, executive director of the Transition Into Ministry program; and Robert Penn, president of three privately held independent oil and gas production companies

Triangle Raw Foodists Emerges from the Durham Cookery

Matthew Daniels and Jane Howard Crutchfield have launched Triangle Raw Foodists, a web-based delivery service with food truck aspiration, from The Cookery.

Nanataco to Open in Rockwood District

Scott Howell of Nana's has announced plans to open Nanataco, a Mexican restaurant venture, in the Rockwood District location later this month.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

NC Council of Community Programs Honors The Durham Center's Director

Ellen S. Holliman and Earl Phillips of The Durham Center Managing Behavioral Health and Disability Services were honored by the NC Council of Community Programs. Holliman, area director for The Durham Center, received the 2011 Allan D. Spader Award. Phillips, The Durham Center's board chair since 2009, received the 2011 Area Board Leadership Award.

The Durham Striders Win Big at Youth National Championships

The Durham Strider Track Club took 56 athletes to compete against more than 2,000 athletes from across the country at the USATF Youth National Championships June 29-July 3 in Myrtle beach, S.C. The Striders took home 112 medals, won 13 national championships, set four national records and had 52 of 56 athletes finish in the top eight in the country, making them All-Americans.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Republic of Fun Relocates to Golden Belt

Republic of Fun, a Durham-based mobile and social network game development company, will relocate to 3,000 square feet of custom built office space in Building 6 of Golden Belt.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Senior PharmAssist Announces New Board Members, Officers

Senior PharmAssist, a nonprofit medication assistance program for Durham seniors 60 and older, welcomes five new members to its board of directors: Amy R. Csorba of Duke University Medical School; Stephen C. Dedrick of Eshelman School of Pharmacy, UNC-Chapel Hill; David J. Halpern of Community Care of North Carolina; Randolph Mills Jr. of Durham County Alcoholic Beverage Control Board and Lincoln Community Health Center; and Rosa J. Nolen of UNC-Chapel Hill. Senior PharmAssist has elected the following board officers for Fiscal Year 2012: Dr. Margaret “Maggie” Gradison, president; Marie H. Sappenfield, vice president; Evester B. Bailey, treasurer; and Cheryl L. Lloyd, secretary. Richard M. Burton and Marqueta Welton will also serve on the executive committee.

Northgate Mall Welcomes New Tenants

Northgate Mall has signed deals to bring in a new restaurant, Mad Burrito, as well as several new retail properties including: We Play Global, Zouhair Bouchra and a Hello Kitty kiosk.

National Endowment for the Arts Names Robert Ward Lifetime Honors Recipient

Composer Robert Ward, a past professor of music at Duke University and the man who helped bring "Carmen" to Brightleaf Square, has been named a Lifetime Honors recipient by the National Endowment for the Arts. Ward  is among four honorees who will receive awards for their achievements in opera at an Oct. 27 ceremony in the Herman Center for the Arts in Washington, D.C.