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.