The recipients of the 2011-2012 Ella Fountain Pratt Emerging Artists Grants were announced:
- The Durham Arts Council recipients include Diane Daniel for literature, Notasia DeRubertis for film, Laurel Ferejohn for literature, Anne Gregory for painting, Christine Hager-Braun for craft, Hope Marasco for music and Kristin Taylor for dance.
- The Orange County Arts Commission recipients include Sasha Bakaric for craft, Gracelee Lawrence for sculpture and Anita Woodley for drama.
- The Chatham County Arts Council recipients include Drucilla Pettibone for craft.
The Hillsborough Gallery of Arts "Ebb & FLow" exhibit, featuring the work of local artists, runs through March 25. Among the works on display are Linda Carmel's "Pinot Grigio"; Jude Lobe's "Morning View" and Chris Graebner's "The Other Shore."
Cary Gallery of Artists announced its featured artists for March, including Ann Howe, of Cary, who is showcasing her piece "Autumn Along the Blue Ridge," a work in oils, and Emily Lee, who is displaying her stylistic pottery.
Beverly McIver's paintings are on display at the N.C. Museum of Art, in Raleigh, through June 24. The exhibit, "Reflections: Portraits by Beverly McIver," highlights work with her family as well as self-portraits.
The work of Raleigh's Megan M. Cutter is on display at Sertoma Arts Center in the exhibit "Leaving Traces: Diving From the Nest," which centers on outdoor photography.
The Sunflower Studio & Gallery in Wake Forest announced:
- Gail O'Neil is the guest artist from March 9 through April 12. She mainly works in acrylics and oils and focuses on landscapes, flowers and a variety of fruits and vegetables.
- Bekah Haslett, a member of Wake Forest Area Artists, is the guest artist through March 8. She focuses on landscapes, flowers and oversized vegetables and fruits.
Local artists Tarrah Huff and Shawnda Rossi are scheduled to present their work at Local Color Gallery in Raleigh on March 2.
Ashley Memory, of Chapel Hill, is scheduled to read from her novel "Naked and Hungry" at 7 p.m. on March 22 at Asheboro Public Library.
Quail Ridge Books & Music, owned by Nancy Olson, announced the following book readings events:
- Lauren Oliver's "Pandemonium" on March 4
- Margot Livesey's "The Flight of Gemma Hardy" on March 7
- Barbara Hemphill's "Organizing Paper @ Home: What to Toss and How to Find the Rest!" on March 11
- Shana Corey's "Here Come the Girl Scouts!: The Amazing All-True Story of Juliette 'Daisy' Gordon Low and Her Great Adventure" on March 13
- Ally Carter's "Out of Sight, Out of Time" on March 17
- Rachel Hawkin's "Spell Bound: A Hex Hall Novel" on March 17
- Julie William's "A Rare Titanic Family" on March 18
Wynetta Lee was appointed dean of the School of Education at N.C. Central University in Durham.
Odessa Hines was named the new director of public relations at Shaw Univeristy in Raleigh.
William Peace University, in Raleigh, announced:
- Carol T. Nye, Ph.D., is the new business faculty and program coordinator for business, human resources and leadership.
- Debra M. Townsley, Ph.D., president, was a panelist in a discussion during Leadership Raleigh Education Day, sponsored by the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. The discussion focused on the challenges of maintaining a competitive advantage in a global economy.
Alison Rabil, assistant vice provost and director of financial aid at Duke University, in Durham, received an award from N.C. Independent Colleges and Universities for her project "Independent College Access Network," whose goal is to enable access to higher education for lower-income and disadvantaged students.
Lydia P. Olander, director of the Ecosystem Services Program at the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions at Duke University, in Durham, received an award from the International Center for Research in Agroforestry for her project "Quantifying Agricultural Greenhouse Gases in Developing Countries."
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, based in Research Triangle Park, recognized Triangle scientists for expert knowledge in the field of toxicology. Earning their certification for the Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology were: Danielle Carlin, Ph.D., a health scientist administrator; Xiaoqing Chang, Ph.D., a visiting fellow in the NTP Biomolecular Screening Branch, Minerva Mercado-Feliciano, Ph.D., an Intramural Research Training Award fellow; and Cynthia Ryder, Ph.D., a toxicologist in the NTP General Toxicology Group.
Raleigh law firm Ragsdale Liggett announced:
- Ashley Campbell, an attorney, was made partner.
- Melissa Brumback, an attorney, was named the chair of the 10th judicial district grievance committee.
Lynn Steinberg, of Chapel Hill, launched Goodies for Gifts, an online food directory that links customers with local mom-and-pop food shops across the country.
Britney Wallace, owner of B. Wallace Design & Construction, was chosen to be president of the Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange & Chatham Counties.
Your Special Day Weddings and Special Events, in Raleigh, announced:
- Shawn Schindler, owner, is serving as logistics chair of the American Heart Association's Triangle Heart Ball this year.
- Amanda Frystock, recent graduate of N.C. State University, is the company's newest wedding consultant.
Hope Hills, Ph.D., president of the Circle Consulting Group in Durham, announced that the firm will provide the additional service of executive and career coaching for individuals.
Tapati Bose, of the architectural firm BJAC in Raleigh, received her architectural registration.
Lynn Cummins was chosen to be an assistant studio manager at Sew Fine II Window Treatments and Interior Design in Durham.
Lois Cozart, owner of My Girlfriend's Closet in Apex, announced the shop's expansion and the addition of a Couture Studio for designer shoes, clothes and handbags.
In Raleigh, Gov. Bev Perdue announced the appointment of members of the state's Judicial Nominating Commission, including: Janice Cole, of Hertford, an attorney who previously served as the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina; Judy Hunt, of Blowing Rock, co-owner of Kohler Enterprises Real Estate, who's a former member of the N.C. House of Representatives; Anne-Marie Knighton, of Edenton, who's the town manager; and Jane Whilden, of Asheville, who's a former member of the N.C. House of Representatives.
Linda Carlisle, secretary of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, was named to the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board.
Deanna Mitchell, site administrator of the State Capitol in Raleigh, announced that the Mary Duke Biddle Foundation and the N.C. Humanities Council awarded grants that will allow the recording of the oral histories of those who have been in charge of upkeep and maintenance of the executive mansion.
Patty Briguglio, president of MMI Public Relations in Raleigh, announced that it received an honorable mention from the MarCom Awards, a competition based on concept, writing and design of print, visual, audio and web materials and programs, in the pro bono category for "Four Guiding Principles," a video produced for Wake School Choice.
Katie Pollard, of Raleigh, was named director of recruiting and public relations for the Raleigh office of AXA Advisors, a life insurance company.
Chekea Bush, public relations and media representative for Redress Raleigh, announced that the fashion show will be held April 20. The show is the area's largest display of environmentally conscious fashion design.
Libbie Hough, founder of Hillsborough marketing firm Communication Matters, announced its name change to Comma.
Meredith College alumna and 2012 commencement speaker Gretchen Holt Witt, of Raleigh, was named the 2011 National L'Oreal Women of Worth honoree. Witt is the co-founder of Cookies for Kids' Cancer, a nonprofit that uses bake sales to raise awareness of pediatric cancer and generate funds for the cause.
Maria Hernandez was appointed director of development of the Animal Protection Society of Durham. She is responsible for overseeing the fundraising efforts of the organization, which educates the public about proper treatment of animals, promotes spay/neuter programs and helps find adoptive homes for the animals in its care.
WomenNC congratulated this year's North Carolina university fellows, who presented their research at the United Nations 56th Commission on the Status of Women in New York City. They are:
- Anuja Acharya, a senior at N.C. State University, who's majoring in political science and English
- Abby Bouchon, a junior at UNC-Chapel Hill, who's majoring in biology
- Hannah Nemer, a sophomore at UNC-Chapel Hill, who's majoring in peace, war and defense, and international American studies
- Mariamawit Tadesse, a senior at Meredith College, who's majoring in business administration and economics
- Becca Bishopric, an N.C. State University graduate with a degree in interdisciplinary studies: global public health and biology.
Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce announced:
- The following were elected to its board of directors: Linda Prentice Cohen, of Chapel Hill, vice president of publications at the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; Margot Carmichael Lester, of Carrboro, owner of The Word Factory, a strategic communications and content agency; and Shannon Reaves, senior vice president of Harrington Bank in Chapel Hill.
- Helen Antipov, of Comfort Keepers of Durham and Chapel Hill, was selected as 2011 Chamber Ambassador of the Year.
- Bernadette Pelissier, chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners, received the 2011 Chair's Award for Public-Private Partnership.
Marya McNeish, development director at The Women's Center, in Chapel Hill, announced the organization's merger with the Family Violence Prevention Center of Orange County.
Angela Connor, vice president and director of media at Capstrat, a marketing firm, was appointed to the board of directors of DHIC, a Raleigh-based nonprofit that serves lower-income individuals in the Triangle and provides education for first-time home buyers.
The Lucy Daniels Center, in Cary, announced:
- Clarenda Stanley was chosen as the new director of development and communications.
- The following joined the board of directors: Mary Blodgett, vice president of The Body Shop; Kim Williams, chief operating officer of N.C. Advocates for Justice; Deshelia Watson, senior analyst at Credit Suisse; and Ginny Allen, marketing and business development manager at Williams Mullen's three N.C. offices.
Jenn Hyatt, director of development at the CORRAL Riding Academy, a Cary-based nonprofit committed to improving the lives of at-risk teen girls and rescued horses, announced that it received funding from the Triangle Community Foundation.
Danielle Oldziey, dance director of the Infuzion Dance Program, announced that the group staged a dance charity event to raise money for the homeless through the Durham Rescue Mission.
Jeannine Sato, executive director of Durham Connects, announced that the group is now operating from the Center for Child and Family Health, which is located in the N.C. Mutual Life Building in downtown Durham. Durham Connects has been providing home visits by nurses to parents of newborns since 2008.
Holly Hagino, a member of the 2012 steering committee for the fourth annual Raleigh Walk for Lupus Now, announced that this year's walk will be April 22.
Phyllis York Brookshire, senior vice president of Raleigh-based Allen Tate Realtors, was named 2011 Realtor of the Year by the Raleigh Regional Association of Realtors.
Linda Craft & Team Realtors announced:
- Buyer's agent Kim Crump was named Rookie of the Year for 2011.
- Buyer's agent Muriel Bijeau was named Agent of the Year for 2011.
Realtor Linda Lee transitioned to consulting and real estate referrals at Linda Lee Realty Group.
Virginia Kraus, M.D., Ph.D., professor of rheumatology and immunology at Duke University in Durham, published the results of a study that showed osteoarthritic knee joints are in a constant state of repair, while hip joints are not.
Claudia Conty Chambers, of Raleigh NC Yoga, announced the addition of Issy Benitez as a yoga instructor.
Nancy Davison, licensed acupuncturist and physical therapist, is scheduled to host a workshop on managing back and neck pain on March 10 at the Team Nimbus Center in Raleigh.
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