Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Jon Scheyer Named Duke Men's Basketball Special Assistant

Former Blue Devil Captain Jon Scheyer has been named Special Assistant on the Duke University Men's Basketball team.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Chimerix to Present at the 12th Annual Needham Healthcare Conference


 Chimerix, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing novel, oral antivirals in areas of high unmet medical need, announced that Kenneth I. Moch, its President and Chief Executive Officer, will present a company overview at the 12th Annual Needham Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. ET at the Westin New York Grand Central Hotel in New York City.

Coffee Shop and Bar To Open Downtown

Matt Victoriano is planning to open Intrepid Life Coffee & Spirits, a coffee shop and bar in about 2,000 square feet at 106 W. Parrish St. downtown as a means to help veterans.

NCCU Launches Program to Foster Entrepreneurship


North Carolina Central University launched a venture challenge called Eagle SOARS (Socially Applicable and Responsible Solutions) with the goal to promote leadership in public service and entrepreneurial thinking across campus.

Friday, April 26, 2013

Durham Resident Named "Community Champion"

David Hoffman of Intel was recognized by the Triangle Business Journal's 2013 Corporate Counsel Awards as the "Community Champion."

Duke Tapped for Economic Impact Study of High Point Market

The High Point Market Authority has contracted with researchers at Duke to conduct an updated economic impact study to highlight the importance of the event to the local and state economy.

Duke Names New Director of the DeWitt Wallace Center

Philip Bennett, the Eugene C. Patterson Professor of the Practice of Journalism and Public Policy, has been named director of the DeWitt Wallace Center for Media and Democracy at Duke University. His two-year appointment will begin July 1.

Durham's Triangle Startup Factory Launches New Business in the Outer Banks


Durham's Triangle Startup Factory has launched VacationFutures, a online wholesale rentals marketplace, in the Outer Banks.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Bar Lusconi Opens in Downtown Durham


Located between a shoe repair shop and an attorney’s office, the wine and beer bar Bar Lusconi has opened in a 600-square-foot space on East Main Street.

Award-Winning Historian Named Director of Center for Documentary Studies at Duke

Wesley C. Hogan, a historian widely honored for her documentary work on the civil rights movement, has been named the new director of the Center for Documentary Studies (CDS) at Duke University.

Self-Help Awarded Tax Credits in Federal Program to Spur Investment

Self-Help Ventures Fund in Durham has been awarded $25 million in tax credits that it can, in turn, use to try to attract private capital investments in low-income or distressed areas. The institution was one of three in the state awarded a slice of $120 million in New Market Tax Credit authority from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund.

Dickeys Celebrates Fifth Anniversary in Community With Free Sandwiches

Dickey's Barbecue Pit  is hosting a customer appreciation event to celebrate 5 years of serving mouthwatering barbecue to the community. On Thursday, April 25 at 11:00 a.m., Dickey's in Durham will offer free Pulled Pork Big Barbecue sandwiches until 2 p.m. as a thank you to loyal customers.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

McKinney Tapped as Ad Agency for Royal Canin’s U.S. Business


Durham-based McKinney was named as the advertising agency-of-record for pet food provider Royal Canin’s U.S. business, according to a news release sent Monday.

Duke Study Finds Early Markers for Patients at Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease


An amino acid commonly found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients has been discovered in the spinal fluid of people without dementia whose close relatives were diagnosed with the disease, according to a study led by Duke University researchers.

Maitland Method Moves to Broad St.


Personal training studio Maitland’s Method has moved to 719 Broad St. A ribbon cutting is planned for April 27 from 4-5pm.

Duke Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative Expands Leadership Team

Two Duke University strategists, J. Gregory Dees and L. Gregory Jones, have joined the Duke Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative leadership team, initiative director Eric Toone announced Monday.

Monday, April 22, 2013

Duke Women's Golf Takes 18th ACC Title

The Duke Women's Golf team has won its 18th ACC Title. No. 3 Duke posted daily totals of 293, 292 and 297 en route to a 24-stroke victory at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C.

Duke Extends Women’s Basketball Coach McCallie’s Contract Through 2018-19 Season

Duke has extended women’s basketball coach Joanne P. McCallie’s contract through the 2018-19 season.

RTI Lands $96 Million Project


RTI International, a Durham nonprofit research institute, has been awarded a $96 million contract with the Australian Agency for International Development. The contract is for work to strengthen public policy research and research institutions in Indonesia.

Architecture Firm Announces Promotions

The Freelon Group announced that Teri S. Canada, John Foley, Dennis Freeland, and Janene Winstead have been promoted to senior associates.

New president, new office location for DTW Architects


DTW Architects & Planners has announced that Robert Sotolongo has taken over as president of the firm following the retirement of John Thompson. Paul Young, who has 14 years of experience with the firm, is joining Sotolongo as a partner. The firm relocated its offices to Gregson Street at the first of the year.

Cleantech device from NCSSM students wins national prize


A North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics team is among the four winners in a national business development competition for high school students. AirCOM won in the 2013 Spirit of Innovation Challenge’s cybertechnology and security category. The team developed an ozone-level measuring mobile electronic detection device that can be affixed to a car or carried by a person.

Friday, April 19, 2013

Miel Bon Bons Moves to Durham

Miel Bon Bons, a bakery that sells specialty cakes and chocolates, will relocate to Durham at University Drive, next door to Nana's, in June.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Duke Names Five Professors Bass Teaching Fellows


Five Duke professors with outstanding research and undergraduate teaching skills have been selected to join the ranks of the Bass Teaching Fellows. William Donahue will be the Bishop-MacDermott Family Professor of Germanic Languages and Literature, Maurizio Forte will be the William and Sue Gross Professor of Classical Studies, Lisa Keister will be the Gilhuly Family Professor of Sociology, Anita Layton will be the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Associate Professor of Mathematics and Pei Zhong will be the Anderson-Rupp Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science.

Durham’s Main Street Getting $25M Apartment Project

Charlotte real estate developer Crescent Communities expects to break ground in mid-June on another major apartment community in central Durham, a $25 million project called Crescent Main Street.

MetaMetrics Launches New Quantiles.com and Summer Math Challenge

MetaMetrics(R) , developer of The Quantile(R) Framework for Mathematics, released a new and improved version of its website Quantiles.com, which improves Quantile Framework. The Quantile Framework provides a way to describe a student's mathematical achievement and the difficulty of specific mathematical skills and concepts in order to better match a student with appropriate learning materials.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Former Durham Golf Center Purchased


The former Durham Golf Center property on 4343  Garrett Road has been sold to Terry A. Wethington for $800,000. He said he doesn't have any plans for it yet, but it won’t be used as a golf center.

Sharky Eat & 8 Opens in Durham

An eatery called Sharky Eat & 8 has opened up in place of the Durham Pizza Restaurant at 4707 Hillsborough Road in Durham in a small strip shopping center that also houses a gas station.

Durham's Appia Raises $5 Million

Appia, the Durham-based technology company that builds and runs mobile app stores, announced Wednesday that it has secured $5 million in debt financing from a Maine-based venture capital firm.

Durham's Hillside Student Named Duke University’s Durham Student of the Month.

Hillside High School Senior Marius McAllister has been named Duke University’s Durham Student of the Month.

Durham Academy Student Wins National Achievement Scholarship


Durham Academy's Anica Green has won the National Achievement Scholarship. This scholarship is given to 800 black American high school seniors and the awards, which total more than $2 million, are funded by grants from 34 corporations and professional associations, as well as the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Chimerix Raises More Funding

Durham-based Chimerix announced Tuesday that it sold an additional 1.098 million shares of common stock after its underwriters chose to exercise their option to buy those shares in the drug development company.

Duke Launches Student Online Transaction Service

PayWithIvy.com, a new payment system was introduced at Duke University and supported by Duke Student Government in February. Ivy was created by Zach Abrams, Trinity ’07, and Sean Yu, formerly a mathematics and computer science double major who left Duke as a junior to focus his energy on creating Ivy with Abrams.

Triangle Greenways Plans Future Tail in Eastern Durham


The Triangle Greenways Council announced Tuesday that it acquired another 22 acres of forest and wetlands along Chunky Pipe Creek in eastern Durham County for a future trail.

BioCryst Flu Drug Moves Closer to FDA Filing

BioCryst’sinfluenza treatment Peramivir is a step closer to a filing with the Food and Drug Administration after a meeting with the government agency.

Mechanics & Farmers Bank Selects Loan Portfolio Provider


Mechanics and Farmers Bank (M&F Bank), has selected LenderLive Network Inc., a domestic-based, end-to-end mortgage services provider, to service the bank's loan portfolio.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Duke Signs Memorandum of Understanding with India’s Centre for Wildlife Studies

Duke University, acting through the Nicholas School of the Environment, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Centre for Wildlife Studies in Bangalore, India, to collaborate on research and educational programs.

Durham's Dilweg Companies Expands to Raleigh


Durham investor,the Dilweg Companies of Durham paid $2.8 million for Shoppes at Greenway retail center in north Raleigh.

Defense Contractor Plans to Open Durham Facility

Virginia-based Nuvotronics plans to open a 40,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Durham along with 10,000 more square feet of cleanroom space.

Duke Arts Annex Gets Makeover


The new Duke Arts Annex has received a "makeover." The Gattis Street building, near East Campus, holds rehearsal, studio, and programming spaces for student artists and organizations. The new multi-colored murals were designed in a collaboration with Raleigh-based artist Matt Curran and Duke students in the Visual Arts Committee.

Paulson Returns to Duke Medicine as Chairman of Radiology

Erik Paulson will return to the Duke University School of Medicine as chairman of the Department of Radiology, after serving as professor and chairman of the Department of Diagnostic Radiology at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

NCCU Business School Maintains Accreditation


The N.C. Central University School of Business has maintained its business accreditation by AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business).

Monday, April 15, 2013

BASF plans show additional RTP office expansion

The German chemical company BASF is preparing for a possible additional expansion in the Research Triangle Park, with the addition of a 139,644-square-foot office building called the “G wing addition” and a 7,920-square-foot maintenance building. That would be in addition to the company’s existing approximately 400,000-square-foot facility that it has on 125 acres on Davis Drive in the park.


Durham Bulls Introduce ‘Bull Durham’ Characters


The Durham Bulls have unveiled racing mascots named after the characters from the movie "Bull Durham."  Nuke LaLoosh, Crash Davis and Annie Savoy are featured names.

Golden Belt Announces Summer Concert Series

Golden Belt will celebrate its fifth anniversary with a series of free outdoor concerts beginning Friday, May 17.

Straw Valley Market in Works


The organizers of a farmers’ market at Straw Valley are looking for vendors of farm or garden products, handmade crafts, or baked goods. Straw Valley is the contemporary development off U.S. 15-501 sandwiched in beside New Hope Commons.

Friday, April 12, 2013

Duke, Coventry form Patient-Centered Partnership


Duke University Health System and Coventry Health Care of the Carolinas announced a health benefit plan for employers that will be powered primarily by Duke’s network of primary and specialty-care physicians.

Quintiles Announces Contract with Bristol-Myers Squibb


Durham's Quintiles, a company that provides contract services for drug companies including management of clinical trials, has a five-year deal with the global biopharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb.

VA Technology Company Opens Manufacturing Facility in Durham

Nuvotronics, a Virginia-based radio frequency hardware and defense technology company, is opening a 40,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Durham on Presidential Drive.

V's Kitchen Relocates to Research Triangle Park

V's Kitchen has moved to Durham's Presidential Park West shopping center at the intersection of T.W. Alexander and Miami Boulevard. This Southern restaurant was previously located on Wake Forest Highway.

Chimerix shares rise in early trading after IPO

Shares of Durham's Chimerix Inc. are climbing after the biotech drugmaker's IPO priced at $14 per share, valuing the company's stock offering at $102.5 million.

Ultra-slim Contact Lens Refresh Card wins Duke Start-Up Challenge

The $50,000 grand prize of the 14th-annual Duke University Start-Up Challenge was awarded to Refresh Innovations—the maker of an ultra-slim, all-in-one contact lens case and solution package

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Two Duke Students Selected as Truman Scholars


Patrick Oathout and Jacob Tobia, juniors at Duke University, are among 62 students selected this year as Truman Scholars.Truman Scholars are chosen on the basis of their leadership potential, high academic achievement and a commitment to a career in public service and advocacy sectors.

Library fund drive halfway to $1.5 million goal


With half the money already in hand, the Durham Library Foundation formally opened a $1.5 million fundraising campaign Friday with an advance in automation.

$6 million for Durham company to develop on-farm lab system


Durham-based Advanced Animal Diagnostics has secured $6 million in venture financing.

BioCryst Receives Bird Drug Approval in China


Durham's BioCryst's Bird-flue drug has recently been approved for use in China.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Durham Police Chief Makes Promotions

Durham Police Chief Jose Lopez has announced the promotion of five officers, including one deputy chief, one assistant chief, one captain, one lieutenant and one corporal.

NC School of Science and Math to compete in National Science Bowl

Durham's North Carolina School of Science and Math is the only school in the state to earn a spot to compete in the National Science Bowl this month in Washington, D.C., according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Level Homes Plans to Open in Durham


Level Homes, a Louisiana home building company has plans to open a new community this year in Durham.

Pleiades Gallery Opens


After completing renovations and getting final approval from the city, Pleiades Gallery is open for business. Move-in day for the fine art gallery, which is located at 109 E. Chapel Hill St., was Friday, April 8.

Bull City Coworking Joins League of Extraordinary Coworking Spaces

The League of Extraordinary Coworking Spaces, the leading nationwide network of coworking spaces in North America, has added Bull City Coworking to its growing network.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Square 1 Bank Expands Services


Square 1, the Durham-based bank which focuses on the venture capital industry and related businesses is rolling out Square 1 Asset Management. It's designed to service corporations and institutional investors with cash management solutions.

Durham's SMT Spawns New Company


SportsMEDIA Technology, the Durham company probably best known for it’s yellow line that indicates a first down on Sunday Night Football, has created a new company to focus solely on creative design, called (n+1)designstudio.  This company will have 25 employees, leaving about 100 employees remaining at SMT.



Chimerix Scheduled to Go Public This Week

Durham's drug-development company Chimerix Inc. is readying to go public on April 11 and will trade under the Nasdaq symbol CMRX when – and if – it makes its debut. The initial offering is being priced at $13-$15 per share.


Consulting Firm Hires Business Development Associate


Hill, Chesson & Woody, a health and welfare benefits brokerage and consulting firm, has announced that the firm has hired Nathaniel Banks as a business development associate.

Friday, April 5, 2013

Solar Tech Firm Semprius Aims to Raise $4M


Solar technology firm Semprius has raised $2.1 million in a fundraising effort that could reach up to $4 million, according to securities filings.

Duke Health sets up insurance system for Triangle firms

Duke University Health System and Coventry Health Care of the Carolinas said Thursday that they have formed a health benefit plan for Triangle employers. The Carelink-Duke Medical Home plan, available in Durham, Alamance, Orange, Granville, Person, Vance, and Wake counties, will include Duke's nine affiliated hospitals, more than 250 primary care and more than 650 specialty care practice locations.

Two Duke Students Named 2013 Goldwater Scholars


Two Duke University juniors Kushal Seetharam and Yaohua Xue have been selected as scholars by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program. The one- and two-year scholarships will cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, room and board up to a maximum of $7,500 per year.

Duke Startup Challenge Begins Thursday

Thirteen teams of entrepreneurs behind ideas for new start-up businesses are slated to pitch their businesses Thursday in the 14th annual Duke Start-Up Challenge.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Summer Concert Series Begins at CCB Plaza May 9

Downtown Durham Inc. will launch its free “Find Your Cool” Summer Concert Series at CCB Plaza May 9 at 7 p.m.

Durham Engineer Joins IBM Fellows Program

The IBM Fellows program, which recognizes technology innovators within Big Blue’s ranks, now includes a Jason McGee, a Durham engineer who specializes in cloud technologies.

Honduran Restaurant Opens


La Cacerola CafĂ© & Restaurant: A Honduran restaurant opened Friday at 2016 Guess Road, the former location of Kabob and Curry House.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Preservation Durham Supports 'City Center' Building

Preservation Durham has voiced support for a proposed 26-story building that will be built in Downtown Durham.

The Parlour to Open Today In Durham

Aprill 3, the Parlour ice cream shop will open its brick and mortar location at 117 Market St., right by the Bull statue in Downtown Durham! The Parlour's hours are noon to 10pm Tuesday-Sunday.

Chimerex Poised for Public Offering


Durham drug-development company Chimerix, which could go public as early as next week, is anticipating that Wall Street will value the business at more than $300 million.

Brothers Vilgalys Expands to Charlotte


Brothers Vilgalys Spirits is expanding. The Durham distillery announced that it will start selling its Lithuanian honey liqueur in Charlotte.

Monday, April 1, 2013

Fullsteam Recognized as "American's 10 Best Brewery Visits"

The Daily Meal has recognized Durham's Fullsteam brewery as "American's 10 Best Brewery Visits."

Durham Farmers' Market Announces Spring Hours


This Saturday, the downtown Durham Farmers’ Market is returning to its weekly summer hours of 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. April 17, the Wednesday Market is opening for its sixth season. The Wednesday Market is open weekly from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Foster's Market to Launch Food Truck

The Durham location of the gourmet food market and cafĂ© Foster’s Market is launching a food truck called “Fosters on the Fly.”

Durham-based M&F Reports Continued Profitability



The Durham-based parent company for Mechanics and Farmers Bank reported Friday that the bank continued its long history of profitability last year with earnings of about $104,000.