“The Law of Forgiveness,” a book by Raleigh life coach Connie Domino, MPH, RN, was published by Berkley Trade Paperback Original. Through 10 easy guidelines, Domino says, she teaches that “the essential key to achieving your goals lies in tapping into the power of personal forgiveness.”

Durham Art Guild’s 55th annual juried art show passed out honors. The 1st prize, of $1,000, was given to Cynthia Mollenkopf of Cary for her piece “Getting Out of My Own Way,” a hand-felted, three-dimensional sculpture. The 2nd prize, of $500, was given to Heather Gordon of Durham for her meticulous drawings entitled “Don Quijote,” “Metamorphoses” and “Mrs. Dalloway.” The Solo Show Award went to Sarah Burris of Durham for her “Creature” series. Burris will have a solo show in the 2010-2011 exhibit season. Honorable mentions went to Eleanor Edwards-Smith of Durham for her portraits in oil and Margaret Carey Lutz of Durham for her narrative watercolors.

Dancing Moon Books & Gifts, one of the leading independent, New Age bookstores in the southeastern United States, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Cherry Lea, owner of the Raleigh shop, says it has remained at the leading edge of providing personal service to those searching for answers about their life’s purpose, exploring their spiritual journeys or researching information on natural healing techniques.

“Voices of Multiple Sclerosis: The Healing Companion: Stories for Courage, Comfort and Strength,” includes 33 stories that provide an earnest portrayal of life with this degenerative disease. Two are from women in the Triangle. They are Rachel Pollock, who serves as resident costume crafts artisan for PlayMakers Repertory Company and lectures at UNC-Chapel Hill, and Judi Chatowsky, who works at UNC's Kenan-Flagler Business School. Net proceeds from the book’s sales go to The Healing Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the education and support of those living with life-threatening and chronic illnesses.

Lisa Hughes was promoted to executive vice president of McKinney, the Durham-based ad agency.

Howard, Merrell & Partners, a Raleigh-based ad agency, announced the promotion of Karen James to senior media planner and buyer as well as the addition of Lisa Malawer to the traffic department, Heather Gapusan as a digital analyst and Katie Gurgainus as an account executive.

Jill Welle joined Pierce Group Benefits in Holly Springs, a provider of employee benefit packages, as marketing specialist.

Kelly Conrad joined Clean Design, a branding and design agency, as client service lead. Natalie Perkins is president of the firm, which is based in Research Triangle Park.

Elizabeth Johnson became of counsel in the Raleigh law office of Poyner Spruill. Johnson's practice focuses on privacy, information security and records management. Poyner Spruill has offices in Charlotte, Raleigh, Rocky Mount and Southern Pines.

Vaco Raleigh, an executive placement and consulting firm, announced:
• Suzanne Meiler joined the firm as director of Design and Gaming, where she’s responsible for serving clients in the design, gaming, eLearning and media professions. 
• Crystal Suazo, CPA, a partner at the firm, provided job-search tips to members of the Raleigh chapter of the American Society for Quality during its professional development dinner last month.

Lorana Price, CEO of Holy Cow Branding in Cary, will be a judge for the Stevie Awards for Sales and Customer Service. The awards recognize the accomplishments of sales, customer service and call/contact center professionals worldwide. 

Fuentek, a consulting firm in Apex that provides intellectual property and technology management services, announced:
• Debora Good joined the company as a technology transfer consultant.
• Laura A. Schoppe, president, led a webinar for the Conrad Foundation, a nonprofit that provides students with the tools, resources and technologies necessary to be innovators.

Mary Michele Little, style expert and image consultant with One Chic Mama of Raleigh, is mentoring with entrepreneur Ali Brown as part of Ali ’s Millionaire Protégé Club.

Judy Smith, president of Smith Seal of N.C., noted that the Raleigh company has received the 2009 Geared Towards Growth Award from the Parker Hannfin Corp. for being a top performer in the East Region. Smith Seal offers hydraulic and pneumatic seals, O-rings, gaskets and packings, in addition to distribution, consultation, problem solving and product design.

Barbara Dokulil joined BJAC, an architectural firm offering professional services for specialized, complex institutional projects. BJAC is one of the largest woman-owned architectural design firms in the Southeast, with offices in Raleigh and Charlotte.

HPG Wealthcare Advisors, a Raleigh-based collaboration of financial professionals, received five awards during the 1st Global National Conference. Firm members Lori Matus and Holly Jones were recognized for achievements in wealth management and excellence in client service.

Rock, paper, scissors - Salon & Gallery, the brainchild of hairdressers Jenean Hart, Jenni Snyder and Laura Butler, opened in downtown Durham. The venue is a combination hair salon and art gallery.

Lynn Nacewicz joined Raleigh’s Exhibit Resources, an exhibit design agency, as an account coordinator.

The Town Council of Chapel Hill selected Donna Bell to fill a vacant seat on the body. She is serving the last two years of former Council member Bill Strom, who resigned in August.

Gov. Bev Perdue appointed Gale Adcock of Cary to the Blue Ribbon Task Force on the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees. Adcock is the director of corporate health services for SAS Institute in Cary. She is also a member of the N.C. Board of Nursing and the Cary Town Council.

The Raleigh City Council approved 12 nominees, including Cindy Szwarchop, a senior planner at Stewart Engineering, to the initial Unified Development Ordinance Advisory Group. The group will provide guidance as Raleigh revises its zoning, site plan and subdivision ordinances into a Unified Development Ordinance.

The Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce announced that its 2010 board of directors includes Marsha Basloe of Durham’s Partnership for Children, MaryAnn E. Black of Duke University Health System, Sherry DeVries of the Durham Arts Council, Shelly Green of the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau, Yolanda Williams Rabun of IBM, Tarsha Rowland of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of N.C., Kim Saunders of M&F Bank and Lisa Yarborough of SunTrust Bank.

Shirley Bell, chairman of the State Employees Credit Union Foundation board of directors, presented a $500,000 check from the foundation to Hospice of Wake County. The money will be used to construct SECU Healing Gardens, a peaceful, reflective area to benefit patients and their families. The newly completed Hospice and Palliative Care Center in Raleigh serves five North Carolina counties.

Diabetes Management Solutions, home of The Diabetes Bus Initiative, received one of nine GlaxoSmithKline IMPACT Awards of $40,000 at an awards ceremony held at Glaxo-SmithKline in Research Triangle Park. The organization’s founder and CEO, Kim Hanchette, was on hand to accept the award. The Diabetes Bus Initiative provides free diabetes education and support services in underserved areas of central and eastern North Carolina.

The Cornucopia House Cancer Support Center, based in Chapel Hill, elected new officers for its board of directors. Retired Navy Captain Charlotte Leidy takes the reins as board secretary. New board member Pegi Brady, vice president and city executive with BB&T, serves as treasurer. Joanne Zimmer was elected immediate past chair, a new officer position. Joining the board for a three-year term is Lois A. Boynton, an associate professor at UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Cara Phillips, IIDA, and Candice Carter, IIDA, both of Phillips Architecture of Raleigh, are serving additional terms as officers on the board of directors of the Carolinas chapter of the International Interior Design Association.

Susan Brown, owner of Staging by Dee’s Design in Durham, was accepted as a member of the Decorators' Alliance of North America, a professional organization that promotes excellence in the field of interior decorating.

Brandy Barnes, founder and executive director of the nonprofit DiabetesSisters, based in the Triangle, announced:
• The international pharmaceutical company Sanofi-aventis pledged $20,000 to the organization's 2010 efforts to improve the health and quality of life of women with diabetes.
• The first-ever Weekend for Women Conference, hosted by DiabetesSisters and Taking Control of Your Diabetes, is scheduled for May 22 and 23 in Raleigh.

Pretty In Pink Foundation, a nonprofit that provides financial resources for uninsured and underinsured North Carolinians who are diagnosed with breast cancer, announced that Pink Heals, a traveling tribute to women across the nation, made a stop in Raleigh and gave the foundation a check for almost $4,000. Pink Heals is a nonprofit group composed of firefighters, police officers and other men who drive pink fire trucks and wear pink turn-out gear to demonstrate their cause, “Care Enough to Wear Pink.” The Raleigh Fire Department hosted The Pink Heals Tour when the group stopped at Triangle Towne Center in Raleigh.

Linda Dickert, director of new home marketing for The Builder and Developer Marketing Group of The Stone Agency, announced that it is the advertising agency of record for the Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County.

Cathy Rosebaugh-Jennings, president of Alterna Home Solutions, has expanded her network to include national senior-focused real estate professionals, providing seniors the ability to experience a seamless transition to the Triangle. Through her network, Rosebaugh-Jennings can serve as a resource for seniors moving to the Triangle and adult children who are assisting their parents with a move.

RE/MAX UNITED-New Homes Services announced that Jennifer Fitzgerald is the marketing coordinator for K. Hovnanian Homes.

WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women With Heart Disease, noted that local graduates from the WomenHeart Science & Leadership Symposium at Mayo Clinic have returned to the Triangle with an eye toward becoming community leaders on women and heart health. They are Tunisia Bullock, a grad student in music at East Carolina University; Jan Rowland, an artist in Cary; and Laura Haywood-Cory of Durham. These three join a corps of 465 inspirational women from across the country to be honored with the WomenHeart Champion title.

Karen Albright, president of BodyLase Skin Spa in Cary, announced the following new offerings:
• Xtreme Lashes Semi-Permanent Eyelash Extensions, which are single strands of synthetic lashes that are applied to natural lashes.
• ZERONA, a noninvasive body-slimming treatment designed to reshape the body, reduce target areas and tone loose skin.

Citysearch, the online local guide, named Blue Lotus Yoga and Movement Arts, owned by Jill Sockman, its 2009 "Best of Citysearch for Workout, Yoga" winner in the Spa and Beauty category in Raleigh. 

Nancy McFarlane, president of Raleigh’s MedPro Rx, a provider of specialty pharmacy services, announced that Vanessa Pironio joined the firm as a clinical/sales/marketing assistant.