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Game On at Bull City Burger and Brewery

2012-03-01T16:52:00.000-05:00

Talk with Seth Gross, proprietor of Bull City Burger and Brewery (BCBB) and you'll realize he is, to quote Yogi, "smarter than your average bear." He's college educated with a bachelors degree in biological science, a classically-trained chef, a certified Sommelier and voracious consumer of knowledge who loves to share what he knows.

He's also game...who can talk a good line of bull. Read on - it makes sense.

A common modern definition of the word game is: one who is willing to try something new. Enter the aforementioned Mr. Gross. In this gaming month of March (ya know, with its Madness and whatnot) he brings his customers on a culinary journey to strange and exotic places. Lucky for them, the trip is far less than the price of a plane ticket to South America or Australia.

In celebration of their first anniversary, the spirit of adventure, curiosity, and for the most daring of eaters, BCBB is having some fun creating burgers from exotic meats commonly enjoyed in other cultures. In each case they will be showcasing the meat and pairing it with complementary spices and flavors. Nearly all of these meats have been sourced from the US (nope, not the Kangaroo) from reputable and humane suppliers. So, if alligator, ostrich, iguana, buffalo, venison, antelope, wild boar, and kangaroo tickle your fancy, the hit up BCBB's Facebook and Twitter accounts to see which they are serving.

So, game meats for burgers. Check. But where's the bull - any one of the five that will be hidden?

Well, that's a remarkably good question with a not-so-simple answer. BCBB begins their second annual Golden Bull scavenger hunt on Monday, March 5th. Clues are given on the website, Facebook and Twitter (the hashtag is #bcbbgoldenbull for all you savvy tweeters out there) for the location of five hidden Golden Bulls. When a bull is found it must be claimed for the prize - free burgers, fries and drinks, one a week, for a year.

The contest is modeled after the one in the movie Willy Wonka where children search for golden tickets. This contest is open to anyone 18 or older. Full details and rules are on the website and can be found by clicking on the golden bull on the BCBB's home page. According to Gross, "The purpose of the contest is not only to promote the restaurant and brewery, but also to promote downtown Durham and like-minded businesses, public places, landmarks and historic markers. No business knows they are hiding a golden bull until it is found. The bull hiders are very tricky people and the clues are challenging."

Bull City Burger is a restaurant and brewery that embodies the farm-to-fork philosophy. It is one of many in Durham that do. Click here for more information about dining in Durham, and have fun while game hunting for bull.

Oh, this is just too easy...

Durham Publishes Strategic Plan Progress Report

2012-03-01T11:56:00.000-05:00

Among the ways that Durham appeals to both visitors and residents alike is that it is a real place with grit, soul and authenticity in all quarters. A testament to that is the degree of openness with which local government business is conducted.

Durham residents looking for more information on how the City of Durham is doing on reducing crime, revitalizing neighborhoods, or providing access to safe and affordable housing can now view the interactive website or download the Strategic Plan Progress Report that contains this information and much more.

As part of its continuing commitment to transparency and accountability, the City has published this report to give an update on how it’s achieving the goals and initiatives outlined in the City’s first-ever Strategic Plan. Approved by the City Council in April 2011, the Strategic Plan is the City’s business plan, which establishes priorities and objectives for the organization and defines selected actions and activities within the financial limits set by the City Council. The interactive and printable progress report is now available on the City’s website and is updated each February and August.

According to City Manager Tom Bonfield, publishing updated data every six months helps to fulfill the City’s promise to be transparent and accountable to Durham residents, which is vital in being a well-managed city. “Since this plan impacts annual budgets and daily operations, it’s important that the administration stays on track with sound measurements of progress, and that we share that progress with the City Council and Durham residents,” Bonfield said. “Since this plan drives the way we do business, residents can be informed every step of the way on how we’re doing, what’s working, what’s not working, and our plan for fixing the areas that need improvement.”

The interactive site and progress report allows residents to easily view advances made on citywide measures and initiatives as well as view positive and negative trends. The progress report delves into each of the City’s five goals ― Strong & Diverse Economy; Safe & Secure Community; Thriving, Livable Neighborhoods; Well-Managed City; and Stewardship of City's Physical Assets. Under each goal, the report details the outcome measures, objectives and intermediate measures, and initiatives and tasks for that specific goal to show how the City is doing in achieving the goal as well as provide information as to why it matters, an improvement plan to impact results, and numerous charts and graphs to show data and trends.

Some specifics in this progress report include information on the Part 1 property crime rate, which is the number of property crimes per 100,000 residents, is currently at or above the target. Property crimes in fiscal year 2010-2011 decreased 8.3 percent from the previous fiscal year to 4,878 per 100,000 in population. Additional specifics in the report include information on the increase in voluntary code compliance as defined in the Thriving, Livable Neighborhoods goal. The initiative to implement a boarded vacant properties remediation program is also at or above target.

To date, of the 25 total outcome measures in the plan, nine are meeting or exceeding target, eight are slightly below target, one is below target, and the remaining seven have a target pending or no current data available. Of the 30 total objectives, 10 are meeting or exceeding target, five are slightly below target, zero are below target, and 15 have a target pending or no current data available. Since the most recent report in August 2011, 14 initiatives have been added to the plan for a new total of 51, up from the original 37 when the plan first debuted in the spring 2011.

Booch, Beer and Sustainable Business

2012-03-01T11:42:00.002-05:00

There are so many "Durham" things about this story. It's about sustainability, equality, great food and drink, and even mass transit. It's the sort of story that makes people love Durham even more...and research shows the love for Durham is at an all time high.

On March 7th, 2012, from 6:00 – 8:00pm, Slow Money NC is holding a “Booch, Beer and Sustainable Business Gathering” at Ninth Street Bakery. Several local business entrepreneurs – including Ninth Street Bakery - will kick off the evening by showcasing their upcoming expansion ideas to potential Slow Money lenders.

Frank Ferrell Serves Up Bull City Booch at Nintth St. Bakery

“In June of 2010,” recalls Carol Peppe Hewitt, co-founder of Slow Money NC, “we made the first Slow Money loan of $2000 to an aspiring baker in Pittsboro, NC. Since then dozens of ordinary people throughout NC have made similar low-interest loans to sustainable farmers, restaurants that serve local food, a beekeeper, a gluten-free baker, a local produce distribution company, and more. To date these Slow Money loans, that range from $500 to $5000, now total over $100,000.”

Slow Money NC also formed an Investor Club that continues to break new ground in building resilience in local economies across the state, bringing the total local investment to over half a million dollars.

Bryan McGannon, from the American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) in Washington, DC will be on hand at the event to talk about how North Carolina sustainable businesses and their organizations can collaborate to build a more vibrant, just and sustainable local and national economy. Like Slow Money NC, the ASBC supports innovative financing solutions to transform our economy while working to shape public policy in that direction.

Ninth Street Baker has been operating in Durham since 1981. This year they added beer on tap, cider, Bull City Booch (their signature kombucha), an expanded menu, and extended their hours at the East Chapel Hill Street location in Downtown Durham. They, too, seek a Slow Money loan to add an outdoor deck to host more events.

“Making small, affordable loans to local food projects, and helping others do the same, is a way to greatly expand that impact. Frank has been giving to his community for decades. Now it’s time to give him something back,” added Hewitt.

Durham has a national reputation for being a great place for start-up businesses and entrepreneurs, in part because of strong community support. Learn more about the latest effort to entice new start-up businesses to come to Durham here. Nationally, Slow Money has a goal of one million people investing 1% of their money in local food systems within the decade.

Group Challenges New Billboard Rules in Court

2012-03-01T11:26:00.000-05:00

The Duke Environmental Law and Policy Clinic yesterday filed a lawsuit in Wake County Superior Court on behalf of the North Carolina non-profit group Scenic NC. The suit is a challenge to recently issued rules allowing billboard companies to clear cut trees on the state's roadways in order to increase the visibility of billboards.

The lawsuit asks the court to set aside temporary rules issued earlier this year on the basis that the rules violate the state's Administrative Procedures Act (APA). "The public was deprived of the opportunity to speak on these rules, which changed mid-stream at the request of the industry," said Reyn Bowman, of Scenic NC. The APA requires that agencies must re-issue rules if they are substantially changed from what was sent to public hearing.

Despite the substantial public outcry against these rules and the critical impact they will have on communities statewide, there were no public hearings in parts of the state that will be most severely affected. "It is important that citizens have adequate opportunity to weigh in on these rules which will substantially and negatively impact the landscape and scenic beauty of this state," added Bowman. “A recent poll conducted by Public Policy Polling indicates that more than 80% of North Carolina voters surveyed said they opposed removing more trees so that billboards could be seen for longer distances.

The temporary rules as initially noticed by the state's Department of Transportation required the billboard companies to re-plant when more than 60% of the vegetation is cleared. In response to objections from the industry, the final rules removed that requirement. The temporary rules enacted in January do not require replanting even if all trees are cut down.

The temporary rules are due to go into effect on March 1 to implement a controversial measure passed by the NC General Assembly this year. The NC Department of Transportation estimates that several hundred thousand trees could be destroyed, and that the value of the public’s sacrificed trees will be $12 million.

NCCU Celebrates Women

2012-03-01T11:16:00.004-05:00

Equality is an important concept in Durham, NC. The city played a critically important role in the Civil Rights movement, and is widely known as an open and accepting haven where everyone is welcome.

North Carolina Central University is offering further manifestation of those brand values by celebrating Women’s History Month with events throughout March. This year’s theme is “New Visions of Culture and Society,” and events include a keynote address by Dr. Elizabeth Clark-Lewis, professor of history and director of the Public History Program at Howard University, on Monday, March 26, at 6 p.m. in the Hubbard–Totton Auditorium. Clark-Lewis will speak from the topic “Black Women in American History and Culture: Carolina Culture in Motion.”

Dr. Elizabeth Clark-Lewis

Clark-Lewis has taught courses on African-American women, women in the United States, African-American history, history of the District of Columbia and the history of African-Americans in Pennsylvania. As director of Howard’s Public History Program, she also has offered courses on museums and archives, oral history, historic preservation and a seminar in the field. She has published books and articles on these subjects, among them “First Freed: Emancipation in the District of Columbia” and “Living In, Living Out: African-American Domestics in Washington, D.C.” She is the winner of the Letitia Brown Prize in Women’s History.

Clark-Lewis also was the project director and producer for the PBS documentary film “Freedom Bags,” which won the Oscar Micheaux award. Her work has been supported by research grants from the National Park Service, the National Endowment for the Arts, D.C. Arts and Humanities Council, several private and corporate foundations, the state of Virginia, WETA Channel 26 [PBS] and Howard University.

On Monday, March 19, filmmaker and writer Lana Garland and Lenora Helm Hammonds, co-director of the NCCU Vocal Jazz Ensemble and Community Director, will present “The Art of Collaboration: Women's Work in the Creative Arts” at 6 p.m. in the B.N. Duke Auditorium.

That will be followed by a lecture from Michelle Lanier, director of the African-American Heritage Commission, “Artistry in Bloom: African-American Women Artists of North Carolina,” on Wednesday, March 21, at 11 a.m. in the Hubbard–Totton Auditorium

The month-long celebration will end with a presentation by civil rights activist and former chair of Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, Dr. Lavonia Allison. Allison will speak from the topic, “The Struggle for Civil Rights in Durham” on March 29 at 4 p.m. in the Edmonds Classroom Building, Room 207.

The list of events also includes lectures and panel discussions by NCCU faculty members and students.
The 2012 Women’s History Lecture Series honors Dr. Helen Gray Edmonds, first African-American woman in the United States to serve as dean of a graduate school. Edmonds served as dean of graduate studies at NCCU and chair of the Department of History. For a full list of events, visit NCCU's website. For a complete list of events happening in Durham, visit the Durham Community Event Calendar.

DCVB Passes Resolution to Halt Temporary Rules for Billboards

2012-02-29T16:06:00.000-05:00

In a regularly scheduled board meeting of the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau, a resolution was passed in support of asking Governor Beverly Perdue to halt the temporary rules related to Senate Bill 183 that were enacted by the state’s Department of Transportation.

While fully recognizing that many tourism sector businesses in North Carolina utilize billboards, the DCVB also weighed the impact this would have on Durham’s appearance and unique sense of place.

Wib Gulley, Chair of DCVBs Board of Directors commented, “This is not a simple issue, and it is not that one side is for billboards and the other side is against them. But there are a lot of people who value their community’s appearance, see it as a key asset, and believe that the passage of these rules will hurt people and businesses whose jobs depend on the state’s scenic beauty.”

Durham passed billboard ordinances in 1984 which banned any new billboards from being erected and relegated existing billboards to a nonconforming use status. In 2010 both the City and County of Durham separately and independently upheld the existing ordinances.

Passage of SB183 and the temporary rules enacted will effectively preempt local vegetation protection ordinances like these which were put in place to protect the viewshed, screen traffic noise from adjoining neighborhoods and protect motorists from dust and other pollutants from industrial sites.

See also:
Group Challenges New Billboard Rules in Court
Natural Scenic Beauty?
Durham Residents Support Billboard Ordinance

Urban Ministries of Durham’s 6th Annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser Takes Place March 8th

2012-02-29T11:30:00.000-05:00

Durham was recently ranked as the most tolerant city in America - it is a town that takes care of its citizens - in part because its citizens take care of one another. The annual Empty Bowls fundraiser is a great example of how.

The annual battle for the “Best Soup in Durham” will take place Thursday, March 8th from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Durham Armory (220 Foster Street). Urban Ministries of Durham (UMD) will hold its sixth annual Empty Bowls event presented by RTI International to raise much-needed funds to help UMD serve over 200,000 meals a year to those in need. New to this year’s event is an after party hosted by Fullsteam Brewery (726 Rigsbee Avenue) and Motorco (723 Rigsbee Avenue) at 8:00 pm featuring live music and a food truck round-up.

Empty Bowls features chefs from some of Durham’s finest restaurants such as blu seafood and bar, Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse, Revolution, Watts Grocery, Whole Foods Café, Toast, Thrills from the Grill, L’Uva, Saladelia Café, Guglhupf and Mad Hatter’s Café and Bakeshop. The chefs will present their tasty soups and battle for the title of “Best Soup in Durham.” Tickets are $30 each and include a one-of-a-kind keepsake bowl created by local artisans at Claymakers, Clayworks Guild, Carrboro Clay, Havenhill Studios and Durham Arts Council. There is also a $15 ticket available for attendees who just want to sample soup only. Children six and under can attend for free.

The “People’s Choice” award will be voted on by attendees and the “Judge’s Choice” award will be voted on by a panel of local celebrity judges including Locopops owner Summer Bicknell, Parker and Otis owner Jennings Brody, WTVD news anchor Tisha Powell, Fullsteam Brewery owner Sean Wilson and Independent Weekly editor Lisa Sorg. Frank Stasio, host of “The State of Things” on WUNC will be the evening’s emcee.

The after party at Fullsteam Brewery keeps the fundraising going with a food truck round-up featuring Pie Pushers, Will & Pops, The Parlour, Chirba Chirba, Klausie’s Pizza, Only Burger and The Sausage Wagon. Each truck will debut an “exclusive new dish” suitable for a bowl with 10% of their proceeds being donated to UMD.

“We are so pleased to see this annual event grow to include even more businesses and members of the community,” said UMD Executive Director Patrice Nelson. “The demand for food, clothing and shelter continues to climb and the generosity of everyone involved with this event is inspiring and much appreciated.”

Last year’s event sold out with close to 800 attendees bringing in close to $30,000 for UMD. Due to the popularity of the event, attendees are encouraged to order tickets prior to the event. To purchase tickets, stop by UMD at 410 Liberty Street or visit Urban Ministries of Durham's website.

Really Small News?

2012-02-28T12:23:00.002-05:00

The creators of the Bull City Startup Stampede are back at it with a new project. It's a really big deal and a great opportunity for the winner. The exposure will be massive and the financial value is big. It's just that the space is, well, small.

Really small.

The Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Durham, Inc. are partnering once again to bring entrepreneurs to downtown Durham, this time through an initiative called The Smoffice. A national competition, The Smoffice will provide one startup with six months of free space in “The World’s Smallest Office” as well as a free six-month lease on a downtown condo.

The Smoffice will be located in the storefront window of Beyu Caffe, a prominent coffee shop on Main Street. “We are excited to be working with Dorian (owner of Beyu) as we think entrepreneurship and coffee make a great pair,” said Adam Klein, Startup Strategist at the Durham Chamber. “We like the energy of the crowd that spends time at Beyu Caffe and think this location will give the winning entrepreneur an easy opportunity to meet and mingle with fellow entrepreneurs and Durham’s business leaders.”

The Smoffice design was created by Center Studio Architecture and constructed by McDonald York. The winning entrepreneur will enjoy a custom built desk as well as free furniture from CBi and a tablet. In addition to the commercial space, the winner will get to enjoy downtown Durham around the clock with a free condo at Mangum 506.

“Downtown Durham powers startups and we want to give The Smoffice winner as much exposure and time in Durham as possible,” said Downtown Durham Inc.’s Director of Marketing Matthew Coppedge. “We are quickly becoming a significant startup hub and The Smoffice gives us a great chance to continue to feature entrepreneurs and the kind of energy and creativity they drive in a downtown environment. This initiative will show that one does not need the best or fanciest space to launch a successful company, but rather be surrounded by a stimulating environment and people.”

The Smoffice winner will also receive technical assistance from startup experts in legal, accounting and marketing. Perhaps most important, the winner will be networked with the 70 other startups that call downtown Durham home.

Applications for The Smoffice open on Leap Day, February 29 and close Friday, March 30. Interested applicants can learn more at www.thesmoffice.com or on Twitter @thesmoffice. Applications should include a one page business plan along with a 60 second You Tube video detailing why the startup should win The Smoffice space. The Smoffice winner will be announced on Friday, April 13 and the winner will arrive in Durham and open The Smoffice on Monday, April 30. Website design for The Smoffice was provided by Kompleks Creative.

Durham is a great place for big ideas, big personalities and big businesses...but they all started someplace (ugh.) small.

NC Central's Ties of Honor

2012-02-27T13:13:00.001-05:00

Durham is a place where high value is placed on bringing younger generations up in an environment where there is a great deal of opportunity laid out before them. Mentor programs exist in all corners of the community, including Durham's North Carolina Central University - one of the city's two universities. There is an example of this ideology tonight.

In the interest of preserving a skill that some would say is dying, Chancellor Charlie Nelms will teach the art of the necktie to undergraduate male students this evening at 6PM in the Alfonso Elder Student Union.

Bowties and neckties are an essential component of the well-dressed professional man's wardrobe. For that reason, NC Central University faculty and staff neckwear experts will give away new and gently used neckties and bowties to undergraduate males.

Those interested in donating items for the event can contact Deidre Kelly at 530-7814. The public is encouraged to attend the educational event, however, ties will only be presented to current students.

The Student Union is directly across Nelson Street from the parking lot at Nelson and Fayetteville Streets where ample free spaces will be available.

Durham Distributor Adds More Craft Beer

2012-02-27T11:38:00.001-05:00

Craft beer is a big deal in Durham. A really big deal. With two breweries opened in as many years bringing the total to three in town, and rumors of more on the way, Durhamites love all things made with integrity. Craft brewers rely an awful lot on integrity, so the marriage between the two (Durham and beer) is likely to be blissful for years to come. Even one of the leading publications on the subject is produced right here in Durham: few lovers of beer don't know about All About Beer magazine.

Now Durham distributor Harris, Inc is even more serious than ever about distributing craft beers. Says Jay Harris, President and Head Coach of Harris, "Aviator Brewing Co. is an outstanding compliment to our local craft beer portfolio, offering styles that retailers and beer lovers are truly pining for in the Triangle market."

True, Aviator isn't a Durham brand, but is locally made just down the road in a neighboring community. If rising tides lift all boats then having their product be as celebrated as it is and sold here in the place where great things happen can only be good for all beer lovers and brewers. Right? As it is, Harris distributes Durham-made Triangle Brewing Company beers.

Harris, Inc. recently modified their Durham facility to handle the growing thirst for local and craft beer. The company employs 60 people in Durham and has annual sales of $30 million.

Durham Family Theatre Presents: “The House at Pooh Corner” A Musical for All Ages

2012-02-27T10:57:00.001-05:00

In a community motivated by things that are genuine and authentic, the arts are a really big deal. Just such a place, Durham, NC is home to many theaters producing and hosting performances and artists from the local to the international mega-stars. With thirteen theaters, the largest of which is the fourth most attended theater in the US, Durham is a true focal point for performing arts in North Carolina and the Southeast.

Cast of "The House at Pooh Corner"

In the play “The House at Pooh Corner,” presented by Durham Family Theatre, written by A.A. Milne and adapted by Betty Knapp, Pooh and Friends gather in the Hundred Acre Woods for a Mergency Meeting called by Christopher Robin. Eeyore needs a house before the blizzard arrives. Piglet is afraid of nearly everything and Tigger bounces into the Woods with Unexpected Consequences! All the while, Christopher Robin, Pooh and Friends sing the most lively and beautiful songs with music put to A.A. Milne’s hums by H. Fraser-Simson.

Presented on March 9, 10, 16, 17 at 7:00 pm and March 10 & 17 at 1:00 pm at Whitford Hall in Duke Memorial United Methodist Church (504 W Chapel Hill Street), tickets are available on Durham Family Theatre's website.

Durham Family Theatre presents plays and classes for all ages year-round. As diversity is important in Durham, their mission is to create a multi-racial, multi-ethnic, inter-generational community-based theatre, reaching into and being fed by Durham's neighborhoods, where amateurs and professionals of all ages, races and economic status can gain skills that lead to meaningful careers and relationships while creating engaging, exciting, transforming theatre.

“The House at Pooh Corner” is presented through arrangements with The Dramatic Publishing Company.

Picked Bits of History in Durham, NC

2012-02-25T16:57:00.000-05:00

When Steve Martin (yes, the arrow-through-the-head, “wild and crazy guy” former SNL star, internationally-known comedian, actor and author) takes the stage at DPAC – Durham Performing Arts Center on June 3 with the Steep Canyon Rangers, he will play the banjo; it is an instrument he has mastered over decades of practice and play.

But whatever does this have to do with history, you ask? A lot – sit tight.

Durham is home to many interesting collections. There are deep and rich archives in the two university libraries here at Duke and NCCU, an amazing collection of early Americana at the Patterson’s Mill Country Store, the world’s largest collections of low brass instruments.

And banjos.

Not just any banjos, either. Durham is home to the world’s largest privately held collection of Gibson flathead five-string Mastertone banjos made between 1930 and 1942. Seven of the approximately 140 known to exist in the world are here.

Esoteric? Perhaps – but as the forbearer to which most current banjos owe their design, the collection is important. In fact, owner Jim Mills considers himself a guardian of these instruments.

As a professional musician, six time Grammy winner and six consecutive year recipient of the International Bluegrass Music Association Banjo Player of the year (the most ever), Mills is, very quietly, and international star in his own right who knows his stuff about banjos. To the frustrated musicians reading this: he taught himself to play and for the 14 years he played with Ricky Skaggs many considered him one of the best in the world. His collection of awards certainly lends credit to that opinion.

Mills operates a store and showroom here – almost a museum with its memorabilia and products for the serious banjo player. Open by appointment only, aficionados will find parts, music, whole instruments, and lots of history…even an image of the aforementioned Mr. Martin who purchased one of his banjos from Mills.

Mills is, if nothing else, humble. His business, career and collection of instruments are the result of continued hard work. Only about 200 of the Gibson Mastertone banjos that Mills collects were ever made, and the collection is quite valuable. According to Mills, “These are considered the Stradivari of banjos” as he referenced the most valuable and respected violins ever made. He’d never admit it, but Mills and his banjo collection are a treasure equally valued here in Durham, where great things happen.

Bicycle Racing Returns to Durham

2012-02-24T16:25:00.002-05:00

Durham is known for many supremacy in many sports. If the cycling community has its way, the road racing will soon be another. The Ninth Street Derby will be held on Sunday February 26, 2012.

The Ninth Street Derby is a day of criterium bicycle racing for collegiate teams of the Atlantic Collegiate Cycling Conference (ACCC) and for the community at large. Duke Cycling and Pedalgogy Coaching Services will present the event on Sunday February 26 from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm. Competitors will turn laps on a half-mile rectangle encompassing the Ninth Street District on Ninth, Perry, Iredell, and Markham Streets.

Collegiate racing kicks off with a beginner's event at 9:00 am and culminates at 1:00 pm with a 30-mile event for the fastest collegiate athletes on the east coast. Duke Cycling will look for a strong showing in defense of its 2011 regular-season ACCC team title. Duke student Matthew Rinehart, the 2011 ACCC individual champion, will be a favorite contender against strong squads from UNC, NC State, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, East Carolina, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, and the US Naval Academy.

Community races begin at 2:15 pm and climax at 4:30 with the feature event for professional and elite amateur racers. State and national champions will join a field motivated by $500 in prize money.

"Criterium bicycle racing is a lot like NASCAR," said Rusty Miller, race promoter and Duke Cycling Head Coach. "The spectacle for crowds is pure speed and the constant possibility of pile-ups" as racers sprint around city streets in a tight pack and jostle for the best drafting positions. Competitors will reach speeds in excess of 35 mph in pursuit of the Derby title, he said.

Durham's cycling community is growing rapidly with events like this and a well organized cadre of enthusiasts. Soon Durham could be known as the place where great cycling happens - let's just see what happens on Sunday. Go Duke.

First Responders For Durham's Community Appearance

2012-02-24T12:08:00.000-05:00

The subject of appearance is on the minds of many in Durham, NC these days with the impending removal of trees around billboards here and statewide. A new law that goes into effect on March 1 will permit billboard owners to clear cut to the ground more than a football field of all trees and shrubs from in front of their signs.

Appearance is a big part of a community's image. In a recent poll, by a margin of about 4 to 1, Durham residents agreed or strongly agreed that appearance should be a high community priority.

Read on for an interesting piece by DCVB's President Emeritus, Reyn Bowman, on a way that the City of Durham quietly responds to this concern everyday and continues to try and deliver the promise that Durham is where great things happen.

"First Responders For Community Appearance"

Bull City Mutterings

Reyn Bowman

Durham North Carolina's tiny 8-member Rapid Response Impact Team is the hidden force behind much of what is often credited only to neighborhood associations or organizations like Keep Durham Beautiful.

Headed by Durham native, Daryl Hedgspeth, as part of the City’s Neighborhood Services Improvement Department, the Impact Team was responsible in the past calendar year alone for:

Removing nearly 9000 instances of graffiti and related symbols and scripted words.

Removing 324 displaced shopping carts that had been driven away from the sites where they belong only to be abandoned and left to junk up roadsides and trails.

Removing more than 1100 illegal dump sites created by people, both residents and nonresidents who travel to Durham to work, who couldn't be troubled to properly dispose of the refuse.

Mowing 344 "weedy lots" and cleaning up debris from another 243 sites, nearly 746 tons in all.

In addition, the Impact Team facilitates individual neighborhood cleanup initiatives such as “big sweep” efforts focused on waterways as well as cleanup preparation for, urban gardens, clearing neglected right-of-ways, and dealing with costly-to-remove up huge bills such as paint and hydraulic fluids spills.

The Impact Team is also most likely the group that quietly distributes and retrieves barricades for parades, fundraising walks and runs, festivals and other community events. They also supervise a team of two dozen young people over the summer it picked up 9 tons of litter in just eight weeks.

Given the fact that Durham residents gave only two failing grades to their community, including one for inattention to general appearance, the Impact Team’s remarkable effort is one area not yet scaled to the size of the task it faces.

This remarkable group doesn't get the attention it should because to do so would be to draw attention to neglect and raise questions about why community appearance is given such high priority among residents, but receives far too little attention from those in governance.

Residents who mount volunteer cleanup efforts in neighborhoods and along streams and trails or spy graffiti or illegal dumping or weedy lots or debris that are threatening the community’s well-being, including public health and safety, should call or e-mail Durham One Call for assistance but it is likely the Rapid Response Impact Team that they will thank in the end.

City of Durham Makes Changes To Water Beginning Today

2012-02-24T11:39:00.000-05:00

Durham residents may notice a slight change in the taste and color of their water throughout the month of March. Beginning today through April 1, 2012, the City of Durham will temporarily stop adding ammonia as a part of the water treatment disinfection process in order to meet an annual state and federal water requirement.

During this time, only chlorine will be used for disinfection. The City’s Water and Sewer Maintenance Division will also begin flushing the entire water system to allow chlorine to disperse throughout the system. System flushing will begin on Sunday, March 4 and will be conducted Sundays through Thursdays between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. to minimize the impact to customers. During the three-week flushing process, staff will start working in the north and south sides of the city and progress toward the center of the city.

During this process, residents may also notice slight discoloration in their water when crews are working in their neighborhoods. Residents receiving kidney dialysis treatment as well as aquarium and pond owners should continue to take special precautions to remove traces of ammonia and chlorine from the water prior to using it. Residents should also check their water before washing white clothing. If water discoloration occurs, customers should run their water for a few minutes until it becomes clear. If water discoloration persists, contact the Water and Sewer Maintenance Division of the City’s Water Management Department at (919) 560-4344.

Durham has been using chloramination as the disinfection process since January 2002. Chloramination uses both ammonia and chlorine to disinfect water and reduces the formation of disinfection by-products in the water distribution system. City water treatment plant staff will resume adding ammonia into the disinfection process on April 1, 2012.

Several other neighboring water providers, including Cary, Raleigh and the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA), will be carrying out the same temporary disinfection process change and system flushing during this time period.

For more information on the disinfection process, contact the City’s Water Management Department at (919) 560-4381. Questions related to the flushing program should be directed to the City’s Water and Sewer Maintenance Division at (919) 560-4344. Information about the City’s water treatment and disinfection process may also be found on the City’s website.

Oh Say Can You Sing? Bull to Host National Anthem Auditions

2012-02-24T10:27:00.000-05:00

If you can sing, then the Durham Bulls would like to hear you. Literally.

The Durham Bulls will hold auditions for National Anthem singers for the 2012 season on Saturday, March 10th from 10:00am until 12:00pm at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

Participants may enter through the front gates and register upon arrival to perform on a first come, first serve basis. Singers may leave at the completion of their audition and will be contacted later as the Bulls choose those who will perform at limited, select dates during the 2012 season.

National Anthem performers will have one minute and thirty seconds to perform the Star Spangled Banner. Lyrics must be memorized and performed in a "traditional style".

For additional information on singing the National Anthem at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park or if you have a group interested in performing, please contact Andrew Bryda at 919.687.6545 or by email.

The Durham Bulls open 2012 International League play at home on Thursday, April 5th when they host the Gwinnett Braves. Season ticket and mini-plan packages are now available on the Durham Bulls website or by calling 919.956.BULL.

Staying Fresh with Durham Farmers' Market

2012-02-24T10:24:00.004-05:00

Each week, the Durham Farmers' Market's farmers come with their trucks filled with beautiful vegetables, fruits, meats, cheeses, flowers, you name it. All of the farmers aim to bring the freshest food possible. Because we see them for such a short time during the week, it can be hard to remember how much work it takes to get ready for a market day.

The day before Market is often a long one. Fresh vegetables can be the most labor intensive and difficult to bring to Market. As soon as a vegetable is plucked from the field, it begins to deteriorate. Post-harvest handling and care is critical to preserve the freshness, flavor, and nutrients in the vegetables that you see and buy at the Market. Our farmers' chief concern in post harvest handling is to keep the product cool, minimize moisture loss and bruising. Because of their hard work to transport the vegetables from the field to the Market, the Market is filled with fresh, tasty vegetables each week.

Here are a few tips to help you preserve the freshness and flavor of the vegetables when you bring them from the Market into your home.

Greens, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts: Store in the refrigerator in a sealed plastic bag. Putting these greens directly into the fridge can cause them to get limp and tasteless. Putting them in a plastic bag helps them to retain moisture and flavor.

Beets, Carrots, Radishes, Rutabagas, Turnips: When you get home, cut off their leafy greens, make sure they are clean and store them in a closed plastic bag in the refrigerator. Leaving the greens on can cause them to get limp and lose their sweetness. Beet greens, turnip greens and radish greens are all edible (and tasty), so don't throw them away! Store them just like other greens.

Cilantro and Parsley: Snip the bottom of the stems off and make sure the leaves are dry. Fill a jar with an inch or two of water and place the stem ends in the water. Loosely cover with a plastic bag and store in the fridge.

Shiitake Mushrooms: Store in a paper bag. Fold the top of the bag over and store in the fridge. Storing mushrooms in plastic isn't a good idea because moisture will cause them to deteriorate very quickly.

Green Onions & Green Garlic: Snip the roots off and store in a plastic bag in the fridge. A farmers shared last week that leaving the roots on can draw moisture out of the onion causing them to go limp.

Tomatoes: DON'T STORE IN THE FRIDGE! Refrigeration causes damage to the membranes of the fruit walls, causing them to become mealy and tasteless. Tomatoes are best stored at room temperature on the counter.

Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Winter Squash: Store in a cool dark place like in a paper bag in the coolest cabinet in my kitchen - not the fridge.

Fresh this Week....
Vegetables: RHUBARB, GREEN GARLIC, BRUSSELS SPROUTS, Asian Greens, Arugula, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Cress, Cilantro, Collards, Dried Herbs, Frisee, Fennel, Green Onions, Gourds, Jerusalem Artichokes, Mustard Greens, Kale, Lettuce, Greenhouse Grown Peppers, Pumpkins, Radishes, Salad Mix, Shiitake Mushrooms (fresh & dried), Sweet Potatoes, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Greenhouse Grown Tomatoes, Turnips, Turnip Greens,
Meats: Beef, Bison, Chicken, Duck, Goat/Chevon, Lamb, Pork. Look for whole cuts, sausages, hot dogs, jerky, liver pate and more!
Flowers & Plants: Daffodils, Tulips, Anemones, Icelandic Poppies
And: Honey, Pecans, Chicken and Duck Eggs, Flour, Cornmeal, Wines, Fresh and Aged Goats and Cows Milk Cheeses, Baked Goods - Pies, Breads, Cookies, Pastries, Gluten Free Items, etc; Beer, Wine, Jams, Jellies, Pickles, Preserves
Crafts: Pottery, Jewelry, Gourd Birdhouses, Woodwork, Photographs, Hand-dyed Clothing and other items, Handmade Clothing, Soaps and much more...

Produce availability depends on weather conditions

Bull City Grid Iron Classic is Back in 2012

2012-02-23T16:55:00.000-05:00

Three years ago, Duke University and North Carolina Central University agreed to play a football game at Duke University's Wallace Wade Stadium. The idea was for the two universities to create an opportunity to engage with each other and Durham in community service and sport. Thus was born in 2009 the Bull City Gridiron Classic.

The event included a pep rally in the old Durham Athletic Park, some Habitat for Humanity projects with students from the two Universities, a picnic in Blue Devil Alley, a great football game, and an even better half time show.

In 2012, the two schools have once again arranged their schedules to allow another game - and another Bull City Gridiron Classic scheduled for September 15th. According to Casey Steinbacher, president of the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce (GDCC), "Preparations for this year's game are starting much earlier in hopes of engaging more of Durham’s community partners in helping plan and carry out this exciting event."

Those interested in participating in this event can email the Chamber here.

Durham's Museum of Life & Science Soon to Sprout

2012-02-23T16:53:00.000-05:00

Good food in Durham is about as important as good times. Come March, both can be had here at the Museum of Life and Science when a new café, with a new look, new menu and new ownership opens for business.

After meeting with several local restaurant owners who expressed interest, the Museum chose to award the contract to Tom Meyer. Meyer got his start in the restaurant business locally as an employee at Durham's vaunted Nana's, the owner of which, Scott Howell, has recently been nominated for a James Beard Foundation Award for his culinary excellence. Meyer later became involved with Durham's The Original Q Shack in 2003 and now owns The Q-Shack in Raleigh and Green's Restaurant at UNC Hospital. He is no longer involved with Durham's The Original Q Shack.

“We decided to award the contract to Mr. Meyer because of his commitment to quality service and emphasis on preparing healthy meals that are made using ingredients from local farmers,” says Shawntel Landavazo with the Museum, project leader of the café selection process.

Buying local is the basis of Meyer’s business model. "Foods grown in their unique climates take on the characteristics, or 'tastes' of their places. In North Carolina, we are blessed with a huge assortment of wonderful produce, meats and artisan producers,” says Meyer. The company’s product procurement plan focuses on buying locally when available and regionally when seasons or supply changes.

The buy local message will not only be part of the taste experience, but part of the overall patron experience. Future plans include teaching visitors about the benefits of buying local and to show how food goes from the farm to the table. Implementing exhibits about composting and water reuse and a seasonal garden are currently being discussed between Meyer and the Museum. Programs which focus on the benefits of local produce may also take place in the future.

So what will you find in this new café? Well you won’t find a microwave or chefs opening a can of beans with a can opener. Instead you’ll find fresh collard greens, sweet potatoes, cabbage and an assortment of meats that are free of steroids, pesticides and preservatives and meals that are never cooked in hydrogenated oils.

Vegetarian and gluten free options will be available. And if you suffer from food allergies, the new café includes a prep area where meals can be specially made to eliminate the risk of cross contamination. According to Landavazo, meals will not only be healthy, but reasonably priced and delicious.

The new Sprout café is scheduled to open its doors to the public in March. Learn more about dining options in Durham here.

Durham Chefs on Beard Foundation Short List

2012-02-22T15:08:00.000-05:00

Accolades for Durham, NC's culinary culture show no signs of slowing. Consistently featured as a top place in the US to eat, visit, relocate, and retire, Durhamites already know what all the fuss is about. For those still learning about this great place known for its diversity, openness and creativity, here’s yet another reason to take note.

The James Beard Foundation Awards announced the 2012 semifinalists and Durham's nationally acclaimed local chef culture is represented well. Scott Howell of Nana’s (a semifinalist last year as well) is a semifinalist in the Best Chef in the Southeast category, Sean Lily Wilson of Fullsteam Brewery is up for Outstanding Wine & Spirits Professional and Magnolia Grill looks to bring home Outstanding Restaurant honors.

Considered the Oscars of the food world, The James Beard Foundation Awards honor excellence in restaurants, chefs, wine service professionals, cookbook authors and food journalism each year. Without a doubt, Durham has found its place on the James Beard Foundation map.

From mobile food to some of the nation's most celebrated fine dining, Durham is a place where people turn for variety and quality. Learn more Durham related food awards by searching the keyword "food" on the Durham Accolades website.

Volunteering at DCVB

2012-02-21T11:30:00.000-05:00

Erma Bombeck said it well with this: "Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation's compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and just plain loving one another."

In Durham, a place that highly values such attributes, that quote is especially resonant.

The Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official marketing agency of Durham, North Carolina. Its funding comes from a portion of the occupancy tax paid by those who stay in one of Durham's nearly 10,000 hotel rooms, as well as support from stakeholders who endorse the bureau's publications. It uses those funds exclusively to forward the objective of promoting visitation to Durham - a job made easier by volunteers. To DCVB, marketing the community is a labor of real affection, and having community members on hand to help those visiting the place is especially important.

"We have amassed thousands of hours with volunteers in our 22 years of work in Durham, and we're truly thankful for every one of them," said Shelly Green, DCVB's President and CEO. "Every time I get a chance to meet and talk with our volunteers, I am struck by their passion for this place...and it makes my job that much more enjoyable. Our volunteers really make this place so special."

Currently, DCVB has openings for five volunteers to work in its Visitor Information Center at 101 E. Morgan Street on the Downtown Loop. The opportunity is ideal for people in retirement and stay-at-home parents with children who are in organized care. Not only is volunteering an opportunity to stay active and interact with people, but it's also a chance to be easily within walking distance of Downtown's shops, restaurants and bakeries, as well as the free-to-ride Bull City Connector.

Those interested in volunteering at DCVB should contact Carolyn Carney, the organization's Director of Visitor Services.

Durham Bulls Fan Fest 2012 Kicks Off New Baseball Season

2012-02-21T11:04:00.003-05:00

Among the many ways Durham, NC is known is by the ever-inspiring moniker City of Champions, and the hometown Durham Bulls are a great contributor to that reputation. So every year as Winter's (wimpy, this year) grip loosens and the sun's rays warm the earth a bit, thoughts turn to baseball.

As Spring Training camps open for Major League teams, a new baseball season has arrived in Durham and the Triangle. To kick off the season, the Durham Bulls will host Fan Fest 2012 on Friday, March 2nd and Saturday, March 3rd from 11:00am to 2:00pm at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The annual event serves as the opening day of ticket sales, giving fans their first opportunity to purchase individual game tickets.

During Fan Fest 2012, fans will have exclusive access to one of the most celebrated ballparks in Minor League Baseball when they can take batting practice and play catch on the field at the DBAP. The Bulls box office will be open during the event, selling tickets for individual games including Opening Day on April 5th and the 4th of July fireworks extravaganza. By purchasing at least one ticket to a 2012 regular season Bulls game at Fan Fest, fans will get a free lunch at the concession stands.

A special Pepsi Ticket Package will be available at Fan Fest 2012, including four tickets to any regular season Bulls game, four Bulls caps and four six-packs of Pepsi for only $48.

Other events scheduled for Fan Fest 2012 include:

Wool E. Bull posing for pictures and signing autographs
Up to 50% off selected Bulls merchandise in the Ballpark Corner Store, including select fitted caps
Full range of inflatables for young Bulls fans to enjoy
Select-a-Seat event highlighting available season ticket and mini-plan seat locations

The Durham Bulls open 2012 International League play at home on Thursday, April 5th when they host the Gwinnett Braves. Season ticket and mini-plan packages are now available on the Durham Bulls website or by calling 919.956.BULL.

Marry Durham Celebrates One Year

2012-02-20T14:12:00.002-05:00

Last year on March 19, 2011, over a two thousand citizens formally vowed their commitment to Durham at the Marry Durham Celebration. One year later, Marry Durham will be hosting an Anniversary Party to commemorate and renew the commitments made to Durham.

The free family-friendly celebration will include a parade, local entertainment, a kid’s area, and
food trucks. Sponsored by Motorco, the bar…Durham, Surf Club, Lloyd’s Lounge, and
Fullsteam, the event will offer entertaining options for everyone to enjoy the celebration in the
Warehouse District.

As was true last year, Marry Durham will be about more than just fun. The goal of the Marry
Durham Anniversary Celebration is to remind Durhamites of their vows to keep the streets clean
and safe, protect natural resources, shop locally, support the arts and local non-profit
organizations, cherish diversity, and elect responsible leaders. As with last year’s event
donations will be accepted. The original five non-profits along with 10 new invitees will be
onsite soliciting donations from the guests. General donations will be collected to fund
community based projects proposed by the nonprofits.

Carl Kenney, who officiated last year’s ceremony shared this in a recent column - "The Marry
Durham celebration allowed us a chance to say what we all had been thinking... We say we love
our diversity. We love our local shops and take care of this world we love so much. We vow to
do better at celebrating the arts. We hold our leadership accountable. (We're not a community
that throws stone at people for being different. We throw them at people who throw the
stones.) That day was like no other." This year’s event seeks to remind citizens of their vows
and introduce them to new organizations.

Marry Durham’s Anniversary Celebration will be held on Saturday, March 17th, from 2:30-
5:30pm, on the 700 Block of Rigsbee Avenue (between W. Geer & Corporation Streets).

Natural Scenic Beauty?

2012-02-17T14:55:00.000-05:00

North Carolina has long been known as a place of natural scenic beauty. It's one of the main reasons this is the sixth most visited state in the US.

However, a new law passed by the general assembly could change all that.

New rules allow for clear cutting trees in a 340 foot zone around billboards in cities and in a 380 foot zone in rural area. These supersede ordinances passed by individual communities such as Durham, which has very strict rules in place. As it currently stands, outdoor advertising companies will be able to cut down trees starting in March, without any replanting requirements or recompense for the lost trees.

Scenic North Carolina, a state-wide nonprofit, has passed a resolution asking Governor Purdue to halt this before the irreparable loss of $12 million worth of publicly-owned trees.

(DCVB's President & CEO serves as Secretary-Treasurer of Scenic North Carolina.)

Municipalities such as Durham and Charlotte are weighing in on this, as is the Sierra Club, and the NC Metropolitan Mayors Coalition, of which Durham Mayor Bill Bell is chairman.

So what does this mean specifically for Durham, a community that values appearance and a sense of place? Here are some photos and examples prepared by the NC Department of Transportation.

The first shows a view of the Durham Freeway with its current bank of trees shielding an industrial plant. To the left is a section of mature Leland Cypress trees planted as a screen to protect the view shed.

The photo below shows a 400 foot cutting zone, which was originally proposed, but then reduced to 340' or 380' depending on the location. This particular billboard is a dual facing billboard, meaning the cut zone is 680'; 340' in each direction.

So right here in Durham, on 147, we are likely to have the length of more than two football fields clear cut of all these trees along the public's right of way, with no replanting and no compensation given to the public. In return we get to have a very complete view of a billboard (lower left hand corner of the image below) and the backside of...well see for yourself.

Satellite view of 147 from Google Maps

Green Garlic at Durham Farmers' Market: Spring is Near!

2012-02-17T11:28:00.001-05:00

The Durham Farmers' Market manager keeps a list of what is available at the Market from week to week. This past weekend, she stumbled upon green garlic near the end of the Market and got really excited about it. Not only is green garlic a sign that spring is quickly on the way, who doesn't love garlic?

Depending on the climate, garlic spends about 7 months in the ground to transform from seed to maturity. Garlic seeds are the actual cloves of garlic. One clove turns into a full bulb of garlic that contains 10-20 cloves. Garlic gets planted in the fall, mulched, and depending on the harshness of the winter, starts putting up greens in late winter or early spring. At this point, it looks a lot like green onions, it is about at the half way point in its maturity, it hasn't started to separate into individual cloves.

In a couple of months, you'll see some green garlic that has just started to separate. In late spring, early summer - around June - fully mature garlic bulbs will start coming to Market. Farmers sell it as fresh garlic at this point. Fresh garlic is very flavorful and contains a lot of moisture. Farmers, then, harvest their crop and "cure" it, by hanging it in very specific temperature and humidity settings. This lets the husks dry out a little bit and preserves the garlic and actually intensifies the flavor of the garlic. Cured garlic has a good shelf life and in the right conditions can last into the winter.

Wondering what to do with green garlic? Use it just like you would use regular garlic - in stirfrys, omelettes, roast it, you name it. It will give you that garlicky flavor you've been looking for since the cured garlic ran out at the Market a few months ago.

Garlic Fun Fact: Garlic has more carbohydrates than almost any other vegetable - including potatoes. That explains why it is so sweet when you roast it!

Fresh this Week....
Vegetables: GREEN GARLIC, BRUSSELS SPROUTS, Asian Greens, Arugula, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Cress (Creasy Greens), Cilantro, Collards, Dried Herbs, Frisee, Fennel, Green Onions, Gourds, Jerusalem Artichokes, Mustard Greens, Kale, Lettuce, Greenhouse Grown Peppers, Pumpkins, Radishes, Salad Mix, Shiitake Mushrooms (fresh & dried), Sweet Potatoes, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Greenhouse Grown Tomatoes, Turnips, Turnip Greens,
Meats: Beef, Bison, Chicken, Duck, Goat/Chevon, Lamb, Pork. Look for whole cuts, sausages, hot dogs, jerky, liver pate and more!
Flowers & Plants: Daffodils, Tulips, Anemones, Icelandic Poppies
And: Honey, Pecans, Chicken and Duck Eggs, Flour, Cornmeal, Wines, Fresh and Aged Goats and Cows Milk Cheeses, Baked Goods - Pies, Breads, Cookies, Pastries, Gluten Free Items, etc; Beer, Wine, Jams, Jellies, Pickles, Preserves
Crafts: Pottery, Jewelry, Gourd Birdhouses, Woodwork, Photographs, Hand-dyed Clothing and other items, Handmade Clothing, Soaps and much more...

Produce availability depends on weather conditions