Carolina Woman Magazine

Artspace, in Raleigh, announced:

Lisa Stroud, of Cary, and Kiki Farish, of Durham, are two of the featured artists in the 2011-2012 biennial three-person exhibition, "Marked," that will run through Jan. 14.
Tricia McKellar, of Fuquay Varina, showcased the wonder of the Southern landscape in her exhibition, "Water and Light," last month.

Heather Gordon's latest work, "Hear & Now," is on display at the Durham Arts Council galleries through Jan. 12. "Hear & Now" explores issues such as geography, location, memory and shape.

The Cary Gallery of Artists announced the following as its January/February featured local artists:

Jill Ciccone Pike presents coastal scenes in oils and watercolors in her exhibitViews From the Shoreline.
Cynthia Mollenkopf presents her felted creations and alternative life forms.

Outsiders Art & Collectibles joined Guglhupf Bakery, Café and Patisserie to host the third annual Christmas Market, last month. The featured Durham artists included:

Sandra Elliott, an interior designer and painter
Erica King, a fiber artist and graphic designer
Libby Lynn, an Encaustic painter
Jena Matzen, a jewelry designer and metal smith
Jackie MacLeod, an artist who specializes in metal work
Tarish Pipkins, a multifaceted artist
Lurena Williamson, a doll maker
Lisa Veronica Wood, a sculptor and painter

Melissa Essary, dean of the Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, in Raleigh, announced that Chief Justice Sarah Parker of the Supreme Court of North Carolina was awarded the Judge Robinson O. Everette Award for legal excellence.

Kelly Hogan, Ph.D., professor at UNC-Chapel Hill, was given a Spirit of Inquiry Award by the John W. Pope Center for Higher Education Policy, for her course "Principles of Biology."

Kristen Swanson, Ph.D., dean and alumni distinguished professor at the UNC-Chapel Hill Nursing School, presented alumni awards to the following, in November:

Maj. Gen. Patricia Horoho - Alumna of the Year Award
Linda Cronenwett, Ph.D. - Honorary Alumna Award
Meg Zomorodi, Ph.D. - Graduate of the Last Decade
Jennifer Bland - Carrington Award for Community Service

Michelle Simonson, head women's cross-country coach at William Peace University, in Raleigh, will also serve as the first head men's cross-country coach.

Heidi Lassiter Permanent Cosmetics received the 2011 "Best of Raleigh" award from the U.S. Commerce Association in the catagory of Beauty and Cosmetics.

Allison Moriarty, vice president of sales and marketing of M/I Homes' Raleigh division, announced that Mary Ellen Posedel was named top selling agent for the Silver Lake Bluffs community for the month of October.

Jennifer Erwin joined Royal Oaks Building Group, in Cary, as closing coordinator.

Paula Fullerton and her staff at Sew Fine II, in Durham, were welcomed into the Hunter Gallery Network.

MMI Public Relations, in Raleigh, announced:

Caitlin Russell joined the firm as an account executive.
Emily Packard joined the firm as an assistant account executive.

Sepi Asefnia, president of SEPI Engineering and Construction, in Raleigh, announced the opening of a new office in Wilmington, N.C.

Dottie Burch, partner at Ragsdale Liggett, a law firm, in Raleigh, announced:

She was re-elected to serve a second term on the board of directors for the N.C. Horse Council.
She was a featured speaker at N.C. State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Jennifer Amster, a principal of BJAC Raleigh, an architectural firm, spoke at the GreenNC Symposium and Expo, in Durham, last month.

Terry Spicer, wedding planner and CEO of Spiced Elegance, in Raleigh, held the Spiced Elegance Jazzy Bridal Showcase in November. The proceeds went to My Sister's House, an organization that supports victims of domestic violence.

Becky Blake, a local restaurant partner for Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, in Raleigh, announced that it is now offering small plates, for lighter, healthier dining.

Wake Technical Community College noted the following instructors and students in the Baking and Pastry Arts program who created gingerbread houses for Triangle Family Services, a nonprofit that helps families in need:

Santa's Culinary School," by instructors Caralyn House, Kelly Bellmore and Norma Miller
An English Manor," by students JoAnn Rey, Rachel Smith and Sue Chaploney
Santa's Animal Rescue," by student Karen Gray

Madison Whitley, market manager for Western Wake Farmer's Market, in Cary, announced that the Pre-Christmas Market was a success. The market featured seasonal produce, meat, eggs, honey, sweets and more.

Gov. Bev Perdue and her husband, first gentleman Bob Eaves, participated in the annual Christmas Tree Lighting, in Raleigh, last month.

In hopes of encouraging healthy holiday eating, the Durham County government's talk show, "In Touch with Durham County," featured these local nutritionists last month:

Nekeidra Morrison, family & consumer science extension agent for the N.C. Cooperative Extension Center, in Durham County
Kelly Warnock, communications health promotion program manager for the Durham County Public Health Department

Mayor Nancy McFarlane, of Raleigh, formed a committee to oversee technology and communication.

Megan Henderson, of Looking Glass Communications, in Raleigh, announced that the company was named the agency of record for public relations and creative marketing for Waste Industries USA, a solid waste services company, in Raleigh.

Jenny Taylor, owner of Red House Group, a marketing and design firm, in Raleigh, announced that Rodica Simon was named senior graphic designer.

Amanda Kenaan announced the opening of WhiteCoat Designs, which specializes in medical marketing. Her firm offers website and print design along with branding and messaging services for Triangle-based practices.

Leslie Ann Jackson was named program associate for scholarships and grant-making at the N.C. Community Foundation, in Raleigh.

Amber Koonce, a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill, started a nonprofit organization called "BeautyGap," which provides dolls of color for girls in West Africa.

Bebee Bason Lee was appointed president of Junior Achievement of Eastern North Carolina, a nonprofit organization based in Raleigh.
Marjorie Menestres, executive director of SAFEchild, a child-abuse prevention agency in Wake County, announced that SAFEchild collected books to raise money for its abuse prevention efforts.

Rachel Green Baranski, youth theater coordinator of Applause! Cary Youth Theatre, announced that teenage participants performed readings of their own plays as part of the Applause! Drama Workshop series last month.

Katie Paxton, a UNC-Chapel Hill graduate and a MFA candidate in the Professional Actor Training Program at UNC, played the role of Honey in the Playmakers Repertory Company performance of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"

Nancy Lambert, executive director of the Raleigh Chamber Music Guild, announced that the UNC-Pembroke Faculty Brass Quintet will perform Jan. 8 at the N.C. Museum of Art, in Raleigh, and the Turtle Island Quartet will perform Jan. 28 at the Stewart Theatre at N.C. State University, in Raleigh.

M/I Homes, in Raleigh, announced:

Melyssa Kemp was promoted to new home sales consultant for the Evan's Farm community in Cary.
Heather Derr was promoted to new home sales consultant for the Ballentine community in Chapel Hill.

Linda Craft & Team, Realtors, in Raleigh, announced:

Diane Norman, realtor, was September agent of the month.
Kim Crump, realtor, was October agent of the month.

Fonville Morisey Realty, in Raleigh, announced:

Jo Ellen Munsee was a chair for its 2011 Fix-A-Home Community Service Project.
Renee Smith was named associate manager of the Lochmere office in Cary.

Kathy Beacham, president of Luxury Home Marketing Group, in Raleigh, announced that Lindsay Taylor, of RE/MAX Preferred Associates, in Raleigh, is a new member of the group.

Gina Miller of RE/MAX United, in Cary, was elected to the board of directors of the Raleigh Regional Association of Realtors for the 2012-2013 term.

Connie Rogers-Newcome, president of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, in Cary, announced that, in partnership with the V Foundation for Cancer Research:

It awarded a $1 million grant to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
It awarded a $100,000 research grant to the Colorado Cancer Center to fund the effort to prevent breast cancer.

WakeMed Health & Hospitals announced that the following have joined Wake Specialty Physicians:

Dr. Rosa Messer and North Wake Internal Medicine
Dr. Anita Wilson and Knightdale Family Practice
Dr. Daphne Cates and Holly Springs Medical Center

Leah Brown, president and CEO of A10 Clinical Solutions, a research and clinical-care company, in Cary, announced that it was ranked 48 out of 100 on the Forbes America's Most Promising Companies List.

Cate Tiernan, an author from Durham, released the second novel in her Immortal Beloved trilogy, "Darkness Falls," this month. She will sign books at Quail Ridge Bookstore, in Raleigh, on Jan. 28.

Tonya Peele, a nutrition educator and food blogger, of Wake Forest, offered recipes and healthy eating tips from her recent book, "Quick Wins for Healthy Eating," for the Nash County Health Department, last month.

Joyce Sparling and her husband Fred, of Rocky River, in Chatham County, discussed their new book, "North to Nunavut," last month, at McIntyre's Books, in Pittsboro.