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DPAC Tops with Travelers, Again

2013-05-22T16:09:00.002-04:00

DPAC, Durham Performing Arts Center in Durham, NC was honored today with an award it has won before, the Certificate of Excellence from travel website TripAdvisor.

Given that Trip Advisor has more than 50,000,000 worldwide visitors per month and is the world's largest travel website and online travel guide, winning this certificate is a significant achievement. This prestigious award puts DPAC in the top 10% of all businesses and organizations worldwide listed on the site.

The center's fifth season featured over 185 performances with attendance expected to total 350,000 guests by the time the season draws to a close next month. General Manager Bob Klaus said "Of the many accolades DPAC has received since opening, this is the one of which we are the most proud. We love hearing from our guests, and TripAdvisor is one of the very best national forums for visitors to weigh in on their experiences. "

"Service has always been a major focus at DPAC, and it shows in the experience that both residents and visitors alike share when they attend an event. The staff are committed to exceeding their guests' expectations in every way possible," said Shelly Green, President and CEO of the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Since its opening in 2008, DPAC, the Durham Performing Arts Center, has become the center for live entertainment in the Triangle. Recognized for its contemporary design, DPAC features 2,700 seats, intimate sightlines and state-of-the art sound and video. Listed four times in the top 10 in Pollstar magazine’s annual worldwide theater attendance rankings, DPAC is currently the #5 ranked theater in the U.S.

Read the story about DPAC winning this award last year here and learn more about the arts in Durham here. Season tickets are on sale now for the 2013-14 season which includes the blockbuster, The Book of Mormon.

This Week at the Durham Farmers' Market Wednesday Market

2013-05-22T11:19:00.000-04:00

WHAT'S NEW AT MARKET?
Part of my job as Market Manager is visiting the Market member's farms and businesses. Every year, as a way to preserve the integrity of the Market and ensure to our customers that our vendors are growing and producing everything that they are selling, the Board of Directors randomly selects a handful of our member's farms and businesses to visit. Occasionally, I get to go on one of these visits. During these visits we see the crops that they are bringing to Market growing in the fields; we see the animals that they are raising; we see and talk about their methods of production - farming, baking, crafting, etc; and we see their productions facilities and store rooms. We periodically check on these things to make sure that everything and above board so that you can KNOW that when you shop at the Market you are getting the locally raised and produced food and goods that you were promised.

During these visits, while looking at the technical parts of the farm and business, we (the visitors) also often get to hear stories about the history of the farm and the farmer's connection to the land. On farm visits we usually learn about the lay of the land, the watershed and irrigation and often talk about soil health, crop rotation, inputs and farming methods. And on almost all types of visits, we often get to hear about the motivation for why the farmer farms, the baker bakes, the crafter crafts. I can speak from experience when I say, there is nothing prouder than a farmer in her fields or a cook in his kitchen. (PS - Farm Tours are a great way to get to see the farms and hear the stories too!)

This week, I had the chance to see two farms - Lil Farm and Abanitu Farm. I saw them both after the rain and near dusk and they were each lush, productive and beautiful. One thing that I saw on both farms were vines FILLED with Sugar Snap Peas! I'm sure that lots of farms are now flush with Sugar Snaps. These peas are only in season for the short few weeks during the brief the window between spring and summer. As soon as it gets hot, peas fade away until next year. So, during this short pea season, make sure you get to enjoy them before they disappear! They are good in so many ways - in salads, in stirfrys, or straight from the box that you bought them in!

One way that you can briefly extend the season is by making Refrigerator Sugar Snap Pea Pickles. These pickles don't get processed and sealed, so they aren't "shelf stable", they have to stay in the fridge to stay fresh and they can last for a month or two. Below are a couple of recipes that I've enjoyed in the past. I hope you enjoy them too!
Quick & Easy Pickled Sugar Snap Peas from LearnToPreserve.com
Quick Pickled Sugar Snap Peas from SeriousEats.com

See you at the market!
Erin Kauffman
Market Manager
Follow the Market on Facebook and Twitter

Available Wednesday!
Fruits: Strawberries
Vegetables: FAVA BEANS, ZUCCHINI, SUGAR SNAP PEAS, Asparagus, Asian Greens (Bok Choi, Tat Soi, Mizuna), Arugula, Beet Greens, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Cucumbers, Collards, Culinary Herbs including Cilantro, Thyme, Oregano, and Greek Oregano, English Shelling Peas, Fennel, Green Garlic and Garlic Scapes, Green Onions, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, New Potatoes, Pea Shoots, Radishes, Salad Mix, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Summer Squash, Greenhouse Grown Tomatoes, Turnips
Meats: Beef, Chicken, Duck, Goat/Chevon, Pork
Eggs: Chicken and Duck Eggs
Flowers: Iris, Sunflower, Agrostemma, Snapdragons and mixed Bouquets
Plants: Vegetable and Herb Seedlings, House Plants, Landscaping Plants
Specialty Items: Creamed Honey, Mustards, Flour, Yellow & White Cornmeal, Grits, Goat and Cow Milk Cheeses, Baked Goods - Breads, Pastries, & Pies, Preserves, Gluten Free Baked Goods, Fermented Items, Nut Butters, Pasta, Tempeh, Herbal Teas, Herbal Salves,
Crafts: Wood Crafts, Pottery, Goats Milk Soaps

Bracket Released for 2013 ACC Baseball Championship at the DBAP

2013-05-20T10:29:00.003-04:00

Until now, it has been a mystery. Who will the Durham Bulls meet in the 2013 ACC Baseball Championship at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park?

Well fans, wonder no more.

The Atlantic Coast Conference today announces the bracket for the 2013 ACC Baseball Championship to be hosted at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park May 22-26. Pool-play is headlined by a local match up between top seeded North Carolina and No. 4 seed NC State on Saturday night at 7:00pm.

Under the pool-play format, each team will play one game against each of the other three opponents in its division Wednesday through Saturday (May 22-25). The two teams with the best records within their respective division brackets will advance to the title game on Sunday, May 26, with the winner earning the ACC’s automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.

UNC (47-8, 21-7) earned the No. 1 overall seed and will head up Division A. The Tar Heels will be joined by fourth-seeded NC State (42-13, 19-10), fifth-seeded Clemson (39-17, 18-12) and eighth-seeded Miami (35-21, 14-16).

Florida State (44-11, 20-10) earned the No. 2 overall seed and will be joined in Division B by third-seeded Virginia (45-9, 22-8), sixth-seeded Virginia Tech (35-19, 15-14) and seventh-seeded Georgia Tech (33-24, 15-15).

Game times Wednesday through Saturday are set for 11:00am, 3:00pm and 7:00pm. Sunday’s championship game will begin at 1:00pm.

Single-game tickets and full tournament passes are available now at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park box office, by phone at 919.956.BULL or online.

For more information about the ACC Baseball Tournament in Durham, visit this site.

Durham Outpaces Nation in Creative Vitality

2013-05-17T15:48:00.000-04:00

Durham, NC continues to outpace the nation, the state of North Carolina and a benchmark group of 10 similarly-sized communities in the Southeast when it comes to its creative economy.

From a study produced by WESTAF and recently released by the Durham Arts Council (with assistance from DCVB), the Creative Vitality Index - 2011, provides a numeric expression of the health of the creative economy in both profit and not-for-profit sectors.

The report is composed of two major sections. One focuses on jobs created by, or in support of for-profit and non-profit arts-related enterprises. The other measure reflects a community's participation in the arts.

Where the baseline score is 1.0 nationally, Durham scored 1.25; meaning it outpaces the state by 25%. It also outperformed the State of North Carolina by 93% and its Southeast comp set by 69%.

An important takeaway from the study is that Durham's Creative Economy supports 7,335 jobs, a figure that has grown 22% throughout the past five years.

The report was presented at the Creative Entrepreneur Expo in Durham on May 16th. The event was an opportunity for aspiring artists and entrepreneurs to connect with resources and get information necessary to launch new arts-related business projects, or hone and enhance those that already exist.

The Creative Entrepreneur Expo was presented by the Durham Arts Council, the City of Durham Office of Economic & Workforce Development, the Durham Cultural Advisory Board, the Durham Small Business Advisory Council, and the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Durham is also home to the highest percentage of creative class jobs in the US, according to Dr. Richard Florida in a report posted on TheAtlanticCities.com. Read more about that report here.

Other stories on Durham's Creative Vitality Index:

February 16, 2011 - Durham Looks Good with Creative Vitality Index
October 29, 2010 - Durham's Creative Vitality Index

This Week at the South Durham Farmers' Market

2013-05-17T14:01:00.001-04:00

This Week at the South Durham Farmers Market

Music by Scott Boggs 8:30am - 11:30am
Education: Join Maia Wirth of Open Arts in Morrisville, NC for nature-themed kids activities, storytelling, and more!
9am - 12pm
Featured this week: asparagus herbs, strawberries, greens, broccoli, rainbow chard, flowers, bread and more

Locopops at SDFM
If you're going to quit your day job and focus on something totally loco, it should hopefully be something that makes you and other people happy. And that's exactly what Summer Bicknell, founder of Locopops, did. Summer's first paleta (Mexican popsicle) shop only came to be in Durham by pure chance- she stopped in Durham to fill up her tank with gas, loved what she saw, and decided to stay. Ever since that fateful day she has worked hard to make the people of Durham and the greater Triangle area smile with her delicious summertime treats.

What makes us happiest to have Locopops as a part of the market is Summer's commitment to keeping Locopops local. Read more here!

O, Artichoke
There are so many new vegetables available at SDFM right now, but none as curious as the green and ancient artichoke. Artichokes have been around so long that Roman philospher Pliny the Elder called them, "one of the Earth's monstrosities," - yet, he and his friends could get past appearances long enough to eat them with gusto. This might be due the fact that the Romans considered artichokes to be a delicacy and an aphrodisiac (the Romans could throw quite a party). At SDFM, we feel particularly special to be able to get these delicious Mediterranean lovelies over the next few weekends at market.

How to Buy: Look for firm, heavy, medium-size artichokes. To test for freshness, squeeze the artichoke and listen for a squeaky sound (we can't make this up!). Avoid those that look dry, have split leaves, or heavy browning. Baby artichokes are just smaller versions of the same plant, but are a little easier to prepare.

How to Store: Fresh artichokes can be refrigerated in a plastic bag for up to five days; wash just before cooking.

How to Eat:

If the artichokes have little thorns on the end of the leaves, take a kitchen scissors and cut of the thorned tips of all of the leaves. This step is mostly for aesthetics as the thorns soften with cooking and pose no threat to the person eating the artichoke.
Slice about 3/4 inch to an inch off the tip of the artichoke.
Pull off any smaller leaves towards the base and on the stem.
Cut excess stem, leaving up to an inch on the artichoke. The stems tend to be more bitter than the rest of the artichoke, but some people like to eat them. Alternatively you can cut off the stems and peel the outside layers which is more fibrous and bitter and cook the stems along with the artichokes.
Rinse the artichokes in running cold water.
In a large pot, put a couple inches of water, a clove of garlic, a slice of lemon, and a bay leaf (this adds wonderful flavor to the artichokes). Insert a steaming basket. Add the artichokes. Cover. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer. Cook for 25 to 45 minutes or until the outer leaves can easily be pulled off. Note: artichokes can also be cooked in a pressure cooker (about 15-20 minutes cooking time). Cooking time depends on how large the artichoke is, the larger, the longer it takes to cook.

Simply dip white fleshy end in melted butter or sauce (find some sauces here). Tightly grip the other end of the petal. Place in mouth, dip side down, and pull through teeth to remove soft, pulpy, delicious portion of the petal. Discard remaining petal. Do this until you arrive at the "heart", discard the fuzzy portion or "choke", and then enjoy the heart by dipping it in a sauce or placing it in a jar with olive oil, lemon juice and spices and place in refrigerator to marinate. Use in a salad or sliced on bread.
Find artichokes at Parker Farm & Vineyard this Saturday, and artichoke plants from Four Leaf Farm, with more vendors to supply them in the coming weeks!

This Week at the Durham Farmers' Market

2013-05-17T13:45:00.003-04:00

The next few weeks are what I like to call "almost summer". The mornings feel like spring and the afternoons feel like summer. In "almost summer", there are all kinds of summer things starting to come into the market -- cucumbers, beans, zucchini, potatoes, fava beans and soon cherry tomatoes, blackberries, blueberries and peaches will start to show. At the same time, the temperatures are still cool enough that spring crops such as spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, strawberries, peas and lettuce abound! The almost summer season is when the variety of items available at the market is at its absolute peak!

At all times of year, I try to keep track of what is left on farmers tables at the end of the Market. Recently, there has been lots of lettuce left over. This is mainly due to the sheer volume that is available. So, in the interest of eating in season and supporting local farmers, below I've shared an interesting recipe for Lettuce Soup! Lettuce Farmer Mark Hockney from Tiny Farm brought this recipe to my attention last year and it is a great way to enjoy the seasons bounty in a very creative way!

It is also that time in strawberry season when the berries are getting sweeter, juicier and more abundant. At my house, that means it is time to make strawberry jam. So, this morning, with a strawberries that I got at the Wednesday Market and some rhubarb from my freezer, I'm working on making a small batch of strawberry rhubarb jam with a recipe that I found on the Food52 blog. Strawberries at the Market is easy to find, but it you are looking for rhubarb, you'll need to get to market extra early because it sell FAST!

In exciting canning and food preservation news, the Durham Farmers' Market was chosen with 29 other market's in the country to participate in the Discover You Can Learn Make Share canning education program!! This summer, DFM will be holding canning demonstrations and workshops to help people learn to can and make canning recipes using fresh local produce to enjoy and share with friends all year long. The Farmers' Market Coalition and Jarden Home Brands have provided DFM with the tools to support canning education programs that illustrate the simple steps of safe home canning processes! Shanna and I are currently working on planning a series of workshops and demonstrations with our Market's great canners. Starting next week, we'll have information at Market about the workshop schedule and information on home canning.

See you at the Market, bright and early!!
Erin Kauffman
Market Manager

Recipe of the Week

Lettuce Soup from LocalKitchenBlog.com

Ingredients
3 TB Butter
1 Medium Yellow Onion, Diced
4 Scallions, trimmed and diced
4 garlic scapes, chopped or 2 cloves of garlic diced
2 TB coarsely chopped parsley
2 TB coarsely chopped chives
1 TB fresh thyme leaves
2 Heads Lettuce, end trimmed and coarsely chopped
2 medium Red Potatoes, diced and peeled
3 cups Chicken Stock
1/4 cup Heavy Cream plus extra for garnishing
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Method
1. In a medium Dutch oven or soup pot, heat butter over medium flame until foam subsides. Add onion, scallions and garlic scapes; sauté over medium-low heat until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. Add parsley, chives and thyme; sauté for 1 minute. Add lettuce, stir and sauté until wilted, about 1 - 2 minutes. Add potatoes and stock; cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer and cook, covered, until the potatoes are very tender, about 10 - 15 minutes.

2. Process the soup with an immersion blender or transfer in batches to a blender or food processor. Add cream, salt & pepper: taste and adjust seasonings. Simmer for another 5 minutes or so, to heat through and reduce to desired thickness. Serve hot, garnished with a swirl of cream, scattered thyme leaves and fresh chives.

Upcoming Events and Spring Schedule

Saturday May 18th: Master Gardener Volunteers, 8am-Noon. The Master Gardeners come every third Saturday of the month and are available to answer your gardening questions.

Saturday May 25: Farmer Foodshare Benefit concert with the youth band from Emanuel Iglesia Church! The music will be located in the Leaf starting at 10am. More information soon!

Wednesday May 29: Storytime with Cynthia Raxter, 3:30-5:30pm. Local storyteller Cynthia Raxter will be at Market telling stories to little (and big) kids about growing up on a farm in western NC.

Fresh this Week....
FRUITS: STRAWBERRIES
VEGETABLES: FENNEL, GARLIC SCAPES, A Few FAVA BEANS, A Couple of ARTICHOKES, CAULIFLOWER, CUCUMBERS BROCCOLI, ZUCCHINI, GREENHOUSE GROWN RED PEPPERS, Asparagus, Asian Greens (Bok Choi, Mizuna, Tat Soi), Arugula, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Collards, Greenhouse Grown Cucumbers, Dandelion Greens, English Shelling Peas, Fresh & Dried Herbs (Cilantro, Dill, Mint, Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Parsley), Green Onions, Green Garlic, Gourds, Jerusalem Artichokes, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Mustard Greens, Napa Cabbage, Potatoes, Pea Shoots, Radishes, Salad Mix, Shiitake Mushrooms, Spinach, Sugar Snap Peas, Sweet Potatoes, Swiss Chard, Greenhouse Grown Tomatoes, Turnips, Turnip Greens, Vitamin Greens and more
MEATS AND EGGS: Beef, Bison, Chicken, Duck, Goat/Chevon/Cabrito, Lamb, Pork, Veal, Rabbit
Duck Eggs & Chicken Eggs
CHEESES: Fresh and aged cow and goats milk cheeses.
FLOWERS & PLANTS: VEGETABLE and HERB SEEDLINGS including tomatoes; FLOWERS: Peonies, Dutch Iris, Agrostemma, Batchelors Buttons, Sweet William, Icelandic Poppies; Landscaping Plants, House Plants
SPECIALTY ITEMS: Creamed Honey, Flour, Cornmeal, Grits, Baked Goods including Pies, Breads, Cookies & Pastries, Fermented Foods, Beer, Wine, Jams, Jellies, Pickles, Preserves, Pastas, Perogies, Wool
CRAFTS: Pottery, Jewelry, Handmade Baskets, Woodwork, Photographs, Hand-dyed Clothing and other items, Handmade Clothing, Goats Milk Soaps, Body Butters, Lotions, Yarn, Roving, and much more...

Produce availability depends on weather conditions

An Unfinished March in Durham

2013-05-16T16:03:00.000-04:00

Durham, NC was the site of many important events in American Civil Rights history. The Unfinished March is a collection of commemorations of those events related to the pursuit of Civil Rights Equality. That pursuit is ongoing, hence The Unfinished March. There are several events occurring in Durham to help remember the important victories of the past.

May
Saturday, May 18, 3 pm, Hayti Heritage Center
“Just Friends That You Never Knew”: A Personal and Historical Glance at Durham’s Integration of Public Facilities presented by Judge Willis Whichard. Co-sponsored by Durham County Library and St. Joseph Historical Foundation

June
Saturday, June 8, all day, Historic Stagville, 5828 Old Oxford Highway
Celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation through cultural
experiences, music, games, crafts and food.

Sunday, June 23, 3 pm, Durham County Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro Street
Civil Rights Stories, 1963 & Durham Civil Rights “Pop-up Museum.” Presented by Eddie Davis. Look back at Durham’s history at critically important events that changed the local civil rights landscape a half century ago. Co-sponsored by the Durham County Library and the Museum of Durham History.

For more information about Durham history, visit www.durham-nc.com.

SEEDS Hosts 5th Annual Pie Social May 19

2013-05-16T15:34:00.002-04:00

SEEDS, Durham’s educational community garden will host the 5th Annual Pie Social on Sunday, May 19th from 1-5pm at the Pavilion at Durham Central Park. The SEEDS Pie Social benefits the Durham Inner-city Gardener Program, a youth-driven entrepreneurial leadership program.

For a $10 suggested donation, guests receive four tastes of delicious sweet and savory pies that are meat-filled, vegetarian and gluten-free. All of the pies are donated by local restaurants and home bakers. The goal is to raise $5,000 to support salaries for four youth leaders.

Sponsors include Acme Food & Beverage Co., Counter Culture Coffee, Daisy Cakes, Durham Catering Co., Guglhuph Bakery, Joe’s Diner, La Volta, Lilly’s Pizza, Locopops, Nana’s, Organics and Sounds, Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse, Rise Biscuits and Donuts, Rue Cler, Scratch Bakery, Starting Fresh, The Duke Campus Farm, The Farmer’s Daughter, The Washington Duke Inn and more. Visit their website to view a complete list of sponsors.

Families and friends are welcome to attend and explore the nearby SEEDS Garden of Eatin’.
This will be a low waste event and guests are encouraged to bring their own plates and utensils and be rewarded with an extra ticket. There will be live music throughout the event by DJ Pappy. Tickets can be purchased in advance online, or in person on the day of the event.

This year is the first annual “Best of Pie” Contest sponsored by RISE Biscuits and Donuts bakery and local chef Tom Ferguson of Durham Catering Company. The “Best of Pie” Contest is open to all bakers, professional and amateur alike. The fee to enter is $10-25 sliding scale and the best pie will win a $500 cash prize. This year’s judging panel is Phoebe Lawless of Scratch Bakery, Sean Lilly Wilson of Full Steam Brewery, Nick Hawthorne-Johnson of The Cookery and one DIG youth.
All contestants must pre-register online.

For more information click here, or contact Alexis Mastromichalis at 919-683-1197, or by email.

Visit Durham online to plan a visit in person.

NCCU Awards More Than 700 Baccalaureate Degrees

2013-05-15T16:46:00.003-04:00

Durham's North Carolina Central University broke a record last weekend. A record-breaking number of students graduated from the esteemed university.

North Carolina Central University awarded more than 700 bachelor’s degrees on Saturday, May 11, in ceremonies at O’Kelly–Riddick Stadium. But before the graduates walked across the stage to collect their diplomas, they were challenged by veteran broadcast journalist and entertainer Ed Gordon to “start the journey to success today.”

Gordon, currently the host of the nationally syndicated radio program “WEEKend With Ed Gordon,” led the BET network’s coverage of the 2012 election, and has worked as a correspondent for CBS, NBC’s “Today” show and NPR. He replaced the scheduled commencement speaker, CNN correspondent and anchor Fredricka Whitfield, who was ill.

“The effect you have on others’ lives,” Gordon said, “is how you measure your success. Greatness follows success. Success is born of preparation. And preparation is initiated by a dream.” But he cautioned also that success “is hard work — it will not come knocking at your door. Wishing and hoping is not a game plan for success.”

Chancellor Charles Becton joined Gordon in congratulating the graduates and, in keeping with NCCU tradition, he publicly recognized a few of the graduates for their accomplishments and their success in overcoming obstacles.

He praised Shawn Muslim, a mother of 10 who graduated with honors with a B.S. in physics, who had first enrolled in college more than 30 years ago. Over the years, as life and parental duties intervened, she has operated a school for her children and others focused on Islamic values, opened a mental health center, and opened her own home to many families who were facing hardships. She also had a goal of completing her own college degree before any of her children did — and she did so by several hours: Her oldest daughter, Sajaa Waheed, graduated later in the day with honors from Meredith College.

Becton also recognized Korey J. Mercer, who graduated with a B.A. in political science. Active throughout his four years at NCCU as a volunteer and student leader, Mercer was one of 35 graduating members of the first cohort of the Centennial Scholars Program. Established in 2009, the program is designed to improve retention and graduation rates of male students by providing mentoring, networking, advising, leadership and training opportunities. It has since grown to include more than 400 students.

Four faculty members were honored during the ceremony. Susan E. Hauser, associate professor in the NCCU School of Law, received the UNC Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching. NCCU awards for teaching excellence were presented to Dr. Lorna E. Grant, assistant professor in the Department of Criminal Justice; Dr. Alisha D. Malloy, assistant professor in computer information systems in the School of Business; and Dr. Lisa Paulin, assistant professor in the Department of Mass Communication.

According to preliminary figures from the NCCU Registrar's Office, the university awarded 712 baccalaureate degrees at the ceremony on Saturday. At the commencement exercises on Friday, 246 master's degrees and 162 law degrees were conferred. The unofficial total of 1,120 degrees awarded this spring is a record for NCCU, exceeding the previous record of 943 in May 2012. When combined with the 597 degrees awarded in December 2012, the total for 2012-13 academic year is 1,717 — also a record, topping the 2011-12 total of 1,550.

Discover more about Durham, NC online.

NCCU Awards Master's and Law Degrees to More Than 400

2013-05-15T16:44:00.002-04:00

North Carolina Central University has released hundreds of eagles into the wild. The wild job market, that is.

The Durham, NC University awarded graduate and professional degrees to more than 400 students on Friday, May 10, in ceremonies at McDougald–McLendon Gymnasium. In a spirited commencement address, Johnnie C. Taylor Jr., president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, urged the graduates to take charge of their careers, and he provided some personal perspective and specific tips on how to do so.

“After you graduate should be when you really start learning,” he said. “You must become an expert in your chosen profession.” An essential part of career management, he said, is to find mentors who can provide guidance and advice, and, just as important, a sponsor — the person in a position to make promotions and advancement happen. “You should review your career annually,” he said. “You need to ask, ‘Is this still working for me?’ If it’s not, you need to develop a plan. There’s nothing wrong with moving on.”

Taylor is an attorney by training who worked in the private sector for many years as an executive and counsel before joining the Thurgood Marshall College Fund in 2010. The fund is a philanthropic organization that raises tuition and scholarship money for students attending public historically black universities, medical schools and law schools throughout the United States. Named for the late Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American to serve on the high court (1967-91), the fund has awarded more than $200 million in scholarships and other support since its founding in 1987.

Taylor concluded by urging the graduates to “avoid the ‘isms’ ” — racism, sexism and all other forms of discrimination. “Someone in this life will discriminate against you,” he said. “Succeed in spite of it. Discrimination exists, just as gravity exists. But in spite of gravity, planes take off and trees grow. Gravity is omnipresent, but it’s not omnipotent.”

For more information about Durham, NC visit this site.

Durham County Library Hosts Scratch Day Event

2013-05-15T10:14:00.003-04:00

Scratch Day isn't about back scratching. Nor is it about making food from scratch. But it is about creating digital blocks and sharing projects with an online community in Durham.

The Durham County Library will host a Scratch Day event to introduce young patrons to a programming language designed just for them. Created by Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab, Scratch allows people to create interactive stories, games, animations, music and art. This hands-on event will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 18 at East Regional Library, 211 Lick Creek Lane.

Scratch projects are created by snapping together digital blocks, as one would snap together LEGO bricks or puzzle pieces. Projects can then be shared with an active online community consisting of hundreds of thousands of registered members. Community members regularly comment on projects to ask questions and give feedback, create galleries of related projects, download projects to study their construction and remix downloaded projects to be re-shared online.

Scratch Day is a worldwide network of gatherings, where people come together to meet each other, share projects and experiences, and learn more about Scratch. The library will provide flash drives pre-loaded with Scratch software, and some workstations will be available, but patrons are encouraged to bring their own laptops if possible.

For more information about the event, call 919-560-0214 or visit online. Durham County Library encourages Discovery, connects the Community and leads in Literacy. As a department of Durham County Government, the library furthers Goal 1 of the county’s Strategic Plan by enhancing cultural, educational and creative opportunities. For more information about the library, visit this website.

Learn more about exciting events in Durham.

This Week At the Durham Farmers' Market Wednesday Market

2013-05-15T09:20:00.000-04:00

WHAT'S NEW AT MARKET?
Over the last week, I've seen a few things come to the Market in small quantities. I've seen fennel, broccoli raab, and radicchio on several tables. This weekend, I saw 2 artichokes, a handful of fava beans and a few bunches of rhubarb! These small quantities are a sign that more is growing in the sun warmed fields and soon to be on the way to Market.

This spring has been unusually cool and wet. These factors have meant that crops that are usually plentiful at this time of the season are slowly creeping into market this year. It is not just the cool temperatures of the past month that have contributed to slow crop growth. The wet weather of February and March kept farmers out of their fields during the critical times when they needed to prepare the ground for planting and start planting seeds and seedlings. So, some crops got into the ground later than normal and the cool weather has kept them growing slowly. Most crops are coming in to market a little bit later than normal. But, if the cool weather continues, that may mean that some ephemeral spring crops, strawberries and sugar snap peas for example, may stick around for longer than usual.

These are the joys and the risks of farming! With every season, there are a different set of factors that farmers have to take into account. While crops are coming in at a different rate than in past seasons, the weather has been glorious and comfortable and as an added bonus, ponds and streams used for irrigation are getting full for later use. So, really, there isn't much to complain about, it is just a different season.

TOMORROW AT MARKET
Anne Everitt, of Triangle Food Fight, will be back at Market tomorrow doing another Quick Dinner From the Market cooking demonstration! Tomorrow, starting around 3:30, she'll demonstrate how to make Mexican Confetti Grain Salad, which is a filling salad made with quinoa or rice and lots of fresh vegetables. Tastes and recipes will be available.

See you at the market!
Erin Kauffman
Market Manager
Follow the Market on Facebook and Twitter

Available Wednesday!
Fruits: Strawberries
Vegetables: NEW POTATOES, SUMMER SQUASH, SUGAR SNAP PEAS, FENNEL, ENGLISH SHELLING PEAS, GARLIC SCAPES Asparagus, Asian Greens (Bok Choi, Tat Soi, Mizuna), Arugula, Beet Greens, Beets, Carrots, Culinary Herbs including Cilantro, Thyme, Oregano, and Greek Oregano, Greenhouse Grown Cucumbers, Green Garlic, Green Onions, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Pea Shoots, Radishes, Salad Mix, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Greenhouse Grown Tomatoes, Turnips
Meats: Beef, Chicken, Duck, Goat/Chevon, Pork
Eggs: Chicken and Duck Eggs
Flowers: Iris, Ranunculus, Agrostemma, Snapdragons and mixed Bouquets
Plants: Vegetable and Herb Seedlings, House Plants, Landscaping Plants
Specialty Items: Creamed Honey, Mustards, Flour, Yellow & White Cornmeal, Grits, Goat and Cow Milk Cheeses, Baked Goods - Breads, Pastries, & Pies, Preserves, Gluten Free Baked Goods, Fermented Items, Nut Butters, Pasta, Tempeh, Herbal Teas, Herbal Salves,
Crafts: Wood Crafts, Pottery, Goats Milk Soaps

Durham County Library Presents Civil Rights Talk at Hayti

2013-05-15T09:05:00.002-04:00

As the saying goes, "Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it." Thanks to the efforts of the Durham County Library, Durham won't soon forget its past.

The Durham County Library will present, "A Personal and Historic Glance at Durham's Integration of Public Facilities" given by given by Durham native, historian and former NC Supreme Court Justice Willis Whichard. The talk will take place Saturday, May 18, at 3:00 pm at the Hayti Heritage Center. Whichard will speak about the Civil Rights protests and their aftermath in Durham.

This event will also commemorate the 50th anniversary of the civil rights protests that began May 18, 1963, in Durham. These protests resulted in great strides in rights for Durham’s African Americans. Participants in the 1963 events who attend this program will be recognized. This event is sponsored by the Durham Library Foundation.

For more information about African American history in Durham, click here.

Maggiano’s Little Italy Presents “Father’s Day 5K Run/Walk” at Southpoint

2013-05-15T09:04:00.001-04:00

Combine Durham-style generosity, Italian food, running, and what do you get? A 5K held at the Streets at Southpoint.

Maggiano’s Little Italy announced that it will host its first annual Father’s Day 5K Run/Walk at The Streets at Southpoint in Durham on Sunday, June 16. 100% of the proceeds generated from the event will benefit Make-A-Wish® Eastern North Carolina. The event begins with a 1 mile fun run and 100-yard dash for kids at 8:30 am. The 5K run/walk will start at 9 am. Registration is now open.

“Father’s Day is the perfect time to host our first 5K event,” said Todd Crisson, General Manager, Maggiano’s Little Italy in Durham. “It provides an opportunity for families to get together to honor their fathers while helping Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina bring joy to local children courageously facing life-threatening medical conditions.”

From April 25 through July 3, 2013, all Maggiano’s restaurants across the country will encourage their customers to “Eat-A-Dish for Make-A-Wish” to help raise money for Make-A-Wish. The campaign will run 10 weeks long in celebration of the 10th Annual “Eat-A-Dish for Make-A-Wish” campaign. Since the program’s inception in 2004, Maggiano’s has donated $3 million to Make-A-Wish. During the 2012 campaign, Maggiano’s donated $700,000 and hosted 65 wish enhancement parties.

About Make-A-Wish
Make-A-Wish® Eastern North Carolina grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. Founded in 1986, the chapter serves all medically eligible children who reside in the 49 counties east of the Orange / Alamance county line. With the help of more than 200 volunteers, including the Board of Directors, Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina has granted more than 2,600 wishes since its inception. More information is available on the chapter's website.

Discover more about Durham, NC.

Walk With Lemurs Now Open at Duke Lemur Center

2013-05-14T14:14:00.002-04:00

Here's a little known fact; Durham, NC is home to the largest group of lemurs outside of Madagascar. Now, visitors can take a walk with these precious primates as they leap from branch to branch with a baby on their back, chew on grass or chow down on grapes.

Photo by DCVB

Starting this month tour guests can walk past a locked fence and into the woods where lemurs run free in parts of Duke Forest at the Duke Lemur Center. This experience is only available May 1- October 15 and allows visitors to get up close and personal with some of the world’s most endangered animals.

The animals at the Duke Lemur Center consist exclusively of prosimian primates. The Lemur Center houses three groups of living prosimians; lemurs of Madagascar, lorises of Asia and galagos (bushbabies) of Africa.

The Walking With Lemurs Tour is a 60-minute guided tour for a maximum of eight people. The cost is $95 per person and is available for ages 10 and up. Cameras are encouraged, as this experience offers views of the animals unlike any other.

The Duke Lemur Center also offers a variety of other tours to meet ranging interests. Tours can be arranged in advance by calling the center at 919-401-7240.

About the Duke Lemur Center
The Duke Lemur Center was established in 1966, and today is home to the world's largest collection of lemurs outside of Madagascar. Located on 85 acres next to Duke University, the center houses about 250 animals representing 15 species of rare and endangered lemurs, along with lorises from India and Southeast Asia and bushbabies from Africa.

For more interesting things to do and see in Durham, NC visit this site.

Scavenger Hunt for History Fun on May 18 at Durham Historic Sites

2013-05-14T12:19:00.001-04:00

Kids love the game Hide and Go Seek, so it's only natural that they would also love scavenger hunts. In Durham, kids can get connected to history as they search for clues about famous residents, locations and more.

Durham’s three state historic sites will offer kids free fun with a scavenger hunt for history on Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Historic Stagville, Duke Homestead and Bennett Place State Historic Sites are partnering for this family friendly event. A booklet with clues for the scavenger hunt will be available at each site, and answers will be discovered at all sites.

A clue at Historic Stagville might be: The Bennehan House was built in two sections. The original section was built in ______. The second story was added in _______.

At Bennett Place the clue might be: The two generals who met at Bennett Place were _____ and _____.

Duke Homestead will take visitors on a tour of the site and museum from the perspective of Washington Duke, and allow youth to meet the Duke family and solve clues as well.

Young and old can practice the skills of a sleuth and have a fun adventure while learning about great families and events in North Carolina, and win buttons representing the sites as prizes.

Bennett Place, Duke Homestead and Historic Stagville are within the Division of State Historic Sites in the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources.

About the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources
The North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources (NCDCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state’s cultural resources to build the social, cultural and economic future of North Carolina. Led by Secretary Susan W. Kluttz, NCDCR’s mission to enrich lives and communities creates opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history and libraries in North Carolina that will spark creativity, stimulate learning, preserve the state’s history and promote the creative economy. NCDCR was the first state organization in the nation to include all agencies for arts and culture under one umbrella.

Through arts efforts led by the N.C. Arts Council, the N.C. Symphony and the N.C. Museum of Art; NCDCR offers the opportunity for enriching arts education for young and old alike and economic stimulus engines for our state’s communities. NCDCR’s Divisions of State Archives, Historical Resources, State Historic Sites and State History Museums preserve, document and interpret North Carolina’s rich cultural heritage. NCDCR’s State Library of North Carolina is the principal library of state government and builds the capacity of all libraries in our state; developing and supporting access to traditional and online collections such as genealogy and resources for the blind and physically handicapped.

NCDCR annually serves more than 19 million people through its 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, the nation’s first state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the N.C. Arts Council and the State Archives. NCDCR champions our state’s creative industry that accounts for more than 300,000 jobs and generates nearly $18.5 billion in revenues. For more information, please call (919) 807-7300 or visit online.

Learn more about Durham history online.

Duke University Announces Reginaldo Howard Memorial Scholarship Awards

2013-05-14T12:16:00.003-04:00

Four incoming Freshmen at Duke University will be resting easy in their student housing in Durham.

Duke University has awarded four incoming freshmen with the prestigious Reginaldo Howard Memorial Scholarship, which covers full tuition, room, board and mandatory fees for eight semesters.

The full value of each scholarship is more than $220,000 over four years. Duke University provides this award annually to first year students of African heritage who have a demonstrated a serious commitment to academic achievement, leadership, community involvement and social justice.

The Reginaldo Howard Memorial undergraduate scholarship is named for the first black student body president at Duke, who died in a car accident in 1976.

For more information about the incoming class of “Reggie” Scholars, visit the scholarship’s new website at reggies.duke.edu

This year’s recipients are:

Matthew Carter Alston of Clarkston, Ga., a graduate of Academe of the Oaks in Decatur, Ga., and son of Stacey and Ronald Alston.
Justin Olivier Bryant of Johns Creek, Ga., a graduate of Northview High School in Duluth, Ga., and son of Jacqueline Royal-Bryant and Colin Bryant.
Chidinma Hannah Nnoromele of Richmond, Ky., a graduate of Model Laboratory School in Richmond Ky., and daughter of Salome and Patrick Nnoromele.
Azeb Yirga of Glen Allen, Va., a graduate of Henrico High School in Henrico, Va., and daughter of Mariam Alemayehu and Solomon Yirga.

For more information on Durham, NC visit this site.

Durham Hosts Downtown Open Space Plan Open House

2013-05-14T12:01:00.004-04:00

Wide open spaces contribute to the overall feel of a city and can either make it feel crowded or pleasantly open. That's why the City of Durham wants to hear from residents as it makes city planning decisions.

The Durham City/County Planning Department is hosting an Open House for the Draft Recommendations to the First-Ever Downtown Durham Open Space Plan on Thursday, May 16, 2013, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Temple Building at 302 W. Main St. Durham, N.C. 27701.

Fast Facts:

Since 2010, the Durham City-County Planning Department has been creating the first-ever Downtown Open Space Plan to address the open space needs in downtown Durham.
Next week’s open house will be the fourth public meeting to review the draft recommendations for downtown open space. These recommendations include proposed new open space sites, improvements to existing parks and plazas, and policy recommendations for large, private development’s open space requirements.
For additional information on this plan, click here or contact Tom Dawson with the Durham City/County Planning Department at (919) 560-4137, ext. 28224 or by email.
Notice Under the Americans with Disabilities Act: Persons who require assistance should call (919) 560-4197, TTY (919) 560-1200, or email no later than 48 hours before the event.

About the Durham City-County Planning Department
The Durham City-County Planning Department is the planning agency for the City and County of Durham. The department works with the community to develop long-range and special area plans containing policies to direct growth. Guided by the City’s Strategic Plan, the department helps to make Durham a great place to live, work and play by working to create a strong and diverse economy, and thriving and livable neighborhoods. For more information, click here.

Click here for more information about Durham.

Duke Announces University Scholarship Awards

2013-05-14T11:29:00.002-04:00

Seven high school graduates, including two international students, have been named winners of the prestigious University Scholarships at Duke University.

The University Scholars Program was created in 1998 with a gift from Duke alumna Melinda French Gates and her husband Bill Gates, through the William H. Gates Foundation. The program is designed to stimulate an interdisciplinary, inter-generational community of scholars.

The full value of each scholarship is estimated to be more than $220,000 over four years and covers full tuition, room, board and mandatory fees. The award is given to financially deserving students who represent a range of personal and intellectual backgrounds and share an excitement for original research, collaborative thinking and innovative scholarship.

This year’s recipients are:

Minjia Jennifer Chang, of Miller Place, NY, a graduate of Miller Place High School in Miller Place, and daughter of Xiaoping Zhang and Xiangyun Cheng.
Zachary Dean Heater, of Indianola, IA, a graduate of Indianola High School in Indianola, and son of Janna and Darren Heater.
Greg Lyons, of Medfield, Mass., a graduate of Medfield High School in Medfield, and son of Cathy and Michael Lyons.
Ryan Christopher Meingasner, of Loxahatchee, Fla., a graduate of Seminole Ridge Community High School in Loxahatchee, and son of Monique and Thomas Meingasner.
Tamra Meron Nebabu, of Lorton, Va., a graduate of Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, Va., and daughter of Misrak Ayele and Nebabu Aynealem.
Muhammad Khizar Qazi, of Rawalpindi, Pakistan, a graduate of Roots School System in Islamabad, and son of Najma Qamar Khan and Qazi Muhammad Naim.
Sakura Takahashi, of Yokohama, Japan, a graduate of Saint Maur International School in Yokohama, and daughter of Kaori and Masayuki Takahashii

For more information about the incoming class of University Scholars, visit the scholarship’s website at www.usp.duke.edu.

For more information about Durham, NC visit www.durham-nc.com.

Most City of Durham Offices Closed for Memorial Day

2013-05-14T11:29:00.001-04:00

On Memorial Day in Durham, even the city workers will have the opportunity to have a day off to remember fallen armed forces.

Most City of Durham offices will be closed Monday, May 27, 2013, in observance of Memorial Day. Police, fire, and rescue services for life-threatening or in-progress emergencies may be reached by calling 911. Non-emergency problems or concerns may be directed to (919) 560-4600. The City will operate under normal business hours on Tuesday, May 28. Residents are asked to take note of the following changes in City services and programs.

Solid Waste, Recycling, Yard Waste, and Bulky Item Curbside Collections
The City’s Solid Waste Management Department will be closed on Monday, May 27. Collection for all services, including solid waste, recycling, yard waste, and bulky items, will be delayed by one business day for the entire week. Collections for yard waste and bulky items on Friday, May 31 will instead occur on Monday, June 3. For more holiday schedule information, click here.

Waste Disposal and Recycling Center
The City's Waste Disposal and Recycling Center (Transfer Station) will be closed on Monday, May 27. It will reopen under its normal schedule on Tuesday, May 28. For more information, click here.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center
The City's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center is normally closed on Mondays. It will open under its normal schedule on Tuesday, May 28. For more information, click here.

Durham Parks and Recreation
Durham Parks and Recreation (DPR) will close its administrative office, all recreation centers, and all neighborhood centers on Monday, May 27. DPR’s recreation centers will operate under normal schedules on Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26. City lakes will be open regular hours Friday through Monday. The administrative office will reopen under its normal schedule on Tuesday, May 28. For more information, click here, “like” on Facebook, or call (919) 560-4355.

Durham Area Transit Authority
On Monday, May 27, Durham Area Transit Authority (DATA) and DATA ACCESS will operate on its Sunday service schedule in which hourly service is provided from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The Bull City Connector will operate on its Holiday schedule in which service is provided every 25 minutes from 7:20 a.m. to 10 p.m. Due to the construction underway on Main Street, the Bull City Connector route will also be affected until September 2013. For a detour map, click here. DATA’s administration office will be closed on Monday, May 27 and will reopen under its normal schedule on Tuesday, May 28. For more information on DATA and DATA ACCESS, click here, “like” on Facebook or call (919) 485-RIDE. For more information on the Bull City Connector, click here, “like” on Facebook, or “follow” on Twitter.

Durham One Call
Durham One Call will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 24 and will be closed on Monday, May 27. The Center will reopen under its normal schedule on Tuesday, May 28. However, residents may complete an online service request by visiting the City’s website, or by leaving a message at (919) 560-1200. Durham One Call will forward all requests for City services to the appropriate department on the next business day. For information about the City’s holiday schedule and the services that may be affected, residents should contact Durham One Call at (919) 560-1200 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, visit the website,“like” on Facebook, or “follow” on Twitter.

For more information about Durham, visit www.durham-nc.com.

Breaking News - Pit Master Ed Mitchell Announces Durham Restaurant Opening Fall 2013

2013-05-14T11:09:00.004-04:00

Durham continues its meteoric ascension as a food destination of note - and the list of reasons continues to grow. Named as the Tastiest Town in the South by Southern Living Magazine, Durham is now getting another food luminary to put roots in the ground here.

Ed Mitchell, nationally celebrated as a BBQ pit master expert, and who made the Raleigh restaurant The Pit a national focal point, is opening 'Que in Durham in the Fall of 2013. Interestingly, The Pit, with which Mitchell is no longer involved, is opening a location in Durham this year, as well.

‘Que will be located on the ground floor of the new Diamond View III building and feature patio seating and other amenities alongside lunch and dinner menus starring Mitchell’s authentic whole-hog, pit-cooked ‘Q. The restaurant will have a nice list of features.

• About 150 seats inside with more on a patio
• Casual lunches starting at around $10 and slightly more formal dinners starting at around $15
• Locally produced hogs and vegetables
• A full bar as well as a deep and diverse wine cellar

While Ed Mitchell’s ‘Que’s offerings will make it a standout in the Southeast, Mitchell – who’s been feted on the Food Channel among other media - is just as excited about the location.

“There’s a shared heritage between what I’m doing with BBQ and what’s happening at American Tobacco Campus that makes this unique,” Mitchell said. “North Carolina was built in large part on the Golden Leaf and on BBQ. We’re adding new twists to that heritage. American Tobacco Campus is now a center of 21st century innovation. Ed Mitchell’s ‘Que will feel just as fresh while delivering the best BBQ around.”

Mitchell added that while he has become an international BBQ ambassador to connoisseurs everywhere (recently traveling to Australia), he is eager to establish American Tobacco as a destination for whole hog-lovers from around the state and the world.

Michael Goodmon, vice president of real estate for Capitol Broadcasting Company (which owns ATC), echoed that sentiment: “We’re thrilled that an icon like Ed Mitchell is bringing not only his talent for outstanding BBQ to American Tobacco but a whole lot of new and longstanding fans with him. We always shoot for the best, and with Ed, we’ve got it.”

Local food is a big deal in Durham, so much so that there is a list of locally-owned restaurant that users of Facebook can follow so as not to miss any of the information those restaurants share on the social media platform. It can be accessed here. Once open, 'Que will be added to the list. For information about all the dining options in Durham, visit this site.

This story will be updated as additional information becomes available.

Lewis Black Returns to DPAC Oct 17

2013-05-13T11:23:00.004-04:00

Back in black is taking on a new meaning in Durham in October, and unfortunately for AC/DC fans, it does not involve the band or that seminal album.

It does, however, involve laughing.

Comedian Lewis Black will return to DPAC, Durham Performing Arts Center, on Thursday, October 17 at 8pm.

Tickets go on sale Friday, May 17 at 10am. Friends of DPAC may place their orders on May 16.

“I can't wait to see what our leadership isn't going to accomplish next.” - Lewis Black

Lewis Black, Grammy Award-winning stand-up comedian, is one of the most prolific and popular performers working today. He executes a brilliant trifecta as stand-up comedian, actor and author. Receiving critical acclaim, he performs over 200 nights a year to sell out audiences throughout Europe, New Zealand, Canada and United States. He is one of a few performers to sell out multiple renowned theatres including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Brooks Atkinson Theatre, New York City Center, the Main Stage at the Mirage in Las Vegas and most recently a sold out Broadway run at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in NYC.
His live performances provide a cathartic release of anger and disillusionment for his audience. He is a passionate performer who is a more pissed-off optimist than mean-spirited curmudgeon. Lewis is the rare comic who can cause an audience to laugh themselves into incontinence while making compelling points about the absurdity of our world.

Lewis Black came into national prominence with his appearances on The Daily Show in 1996. Those appearances on The Daily Show led to comedy specials on HBO, Comedy Central, Showtime and Epix. In 2001, he won the Best Male Stand-Up at the American Comedy Awards. He has released eight comedy albums, including the 2007 Grammy Award-winning "The Carnegie Hall Performance." Lewis Black won his second Grammy Award for his album "Stark Raving Black." Lewis has published three bestselling books, Nothing’s Sacred (Simon & Schuster, 2005), Me of Little Faith (Riverhead Books, 2008) and I’m Dreaming of a Black Christmas (Riverhead Books, 2010).

For more events and things to do in Durham, visit the Durham Event Calenda

PARADOXOS Coming to Durham June 6-7

2013-05-13T09:25:00.001-04:00

Durham's entrepreneurial scene is getting more entrepreneurial as it finds a way to thrive in the hectic mix of creativity and intellect that have become so embedded in Durham's brand. An event coming in June is an attempt to harness the potential inherent in that mix, and in true Durham style, it's quite likely to be amazing.

The first PARADOXOS, a two-day festival celebrating the power of ideas, collaboration, and what's to come will take place in Downtown Durham on June 6 and 7, 2013. Topics will include entrepreneurship, technology, food, beer, health, science, sports, arts, pets and music.

Where the Triangle was once dominated by a single industry, now the area's character depends on the flourishing of many. From music to tech and food to research, what unites all of our thinkers and doers is a willingness to dream big and a determination to turn ideas into reality. Despite all the creativity and ingenuity floating through the Triangle air, there has never been an opportunity for all ideas to converge in one place, under one roof. That is, not until now.

Thursday will kick off at Carolina Theatre with Triangle Startup Factory’s pitch day. Hear pitches from today’s entrepreneurs, also known as tomorrow’s success stories. They’ll tell us about their companies and the genius of their innovative ideas.

The festival will then move outdoors to CCB plaza. Here, some of the area’s most innovative companies will be paired alongside local breweries. Festivalgoers will be able to interact directly with entrepreneurs and thought leaders over a brew. The space will convert to a concert to celebrate the area’s eclectic tastes.

The Next is a series of short and medium length presentation talks on Friday about future perspectives on an array of topics that impact locally and globally. It will be held in Fletcher Hall at the Carolina Theatre. Speakers are already confirmed in the areas of public health, the arts, technology, agriculture and digital publishing.

The festival will conclude with sponsored block parties and music events around Durham’s center.

Visit the Durham Event Calendar for more events, festivals and things to do in Durham.

Third Friday Art Walk At Golden Belt May 17

2013-05-10T12:45:00.000-04:00

It's not every day that visitors can attend an art walk that includes listening to a spoken word poetry show in a creative reuse center with filmmakers of an upcoming documentary. But in Durham, this is just a normal third Friday event.

Third Friday Durham is a monthly art walk and this month's offerings on May 17 from 6-9 pm at the Golden Belt Arts complex have much to offer.

Third Friday at The Scrap Exchange
The Scrap Exchange along with the filmmakers of the upcoming documentary film "Truth Underground" will be presenting "Friends and Family" a Green Gallery show in support of the spoken word poetry film. The event will take place in Durham, at The Scrap Exchange. Poets from the spoken word poetry team, The Sacrificial Poets, along with local student poets from Durham-Chapel Hill and Carrboro city schools will be presenting.

Read more about the film on the Southern Documentary Funds website and about the filmmaker's fundraising efforts on the Clarion Content's website.

Third Friday at Liberty Arts
Liberty Arts Sculpture Studio & Foundry will host a gallery show, "“Mighty Fresh.” Visitors can see live demos, stroll through the gallery, meet the artists and sidle up to the newly "scavenged" bar.

Liberty Arts is a collaborative nonprofit arts community that reflects the dynamic and diverse personality of Durham, NC. Liberty Arts believes in community outreach and encourages visionary thinking.

Visit the Durham Events Calendar for more unique things to do in Durham.

Three NC Seniors to Receive Trinity Scholarship Awards from Duke

2013-05-10T12:40:00.005-04:00

Three North Carolina students won't be going too far away for college, but they will have much to discover in Durham at Duke University.

Three graduating North Carolina high school seniors will receive Trinity Scholarships from Duke University, which each carry a value of more than $220,000 over four years and cover most of the costs to attend the university.

Duke created the Trinity Scholarships with the support of its North Carolinian alumni to honor the university's origins as Trinity College in Randolph County, N.C.

These scholarships are awarded on a rotating basis to some of the most gifted students residing within specific geographic areas of North Carolina.

This year's scholarships and recipients are:

The Plato and Betty Wilson Trinity Scholarship has been awarded to Katherine Tate Cottam of High Point, N.C., a graduate of High Point Central High School in High Point, and daughter of Evelyn and Richard Cottam;
The Robert Ketner Trinity Scholarship has been awarded to Zackery Wayne Reavis of Greensboro, N.C., a graduate of Western Guilford High School in Greensboro, and son of Tina and Roger Reavis;
The Four-County Area Trinity Scholarship has been awarded to Lucy Elizabeth Laird, of Oak Ridge, N.C., a graduate of Northwest Guilford High School in Greensboro, N.C., and daughter of Patricia and David Laird.

For more information about Durham, NC, where great things happen, click here.