Carolina Woman Magazine

Mary Poole

Poyner Spruill will be the presenting sponsor for this year's Collectors Gala, to be held Saturday, Nov. 17. The event's focus is art, including a chance to bid on local artwork in live and silent auctions as well as to purchase pieces displayed throughout the building. The gala benefits Artspace exhibitions, educational programming, and community outreach to children and adults in difficult circumstances.
Mary Kay Kennedy joined the nonprofit as a development assistant. She provides support for special events and manages gallery membership.
Artspace received funding from organizations including the N.C. Arts Council; Capstrat's employee-led community involvement program, the Boomerang Society; Target; the Mary Duke Biddle Foundation; and the City of Raleigh Arts Commission.

Lolette Guthrie and Pringle Teetor, owner/artists at the Hillsborough Gallery of Arts, are featured in a show of new work there called "Meditations," which runs through Oct. 21. Guthrie presents her paintings and Teetor her blown glass.

Heather Allen, owner of Capital H. Creative, an artist management agency in Raleigh, announced the signing of painter Pete Sack and photographer Jim Millay.

Michelle Normand, president of the Western Wake Artists' Studio Tour, announced its preview dates for this year. The preview exhibition, at the Halle Cultural Arts Center, in Apex, takes place Oct. 12 to 26. The opening reception is Oct. 12. Both are free. On exhibit are paintings, drawings and photographs as well as works in felt, fabric, glass and mixed media. The exhibition offers a preview of pieces that will be shown by those participating in the studio tour in November.

The work of Lisa Stroud, which is bold and dramatic contemporary mixed media, and Catherine Martin, which is expressionistic realism, is on display through Oct. 12 in an exhibit called Contemporary Expressions at Nicole's Studio & Art Gallery, in Raleigh.

Pamela Gutlon, owner of Outsiders Art & Collectibles, in Durham, announced that the exhibit from the Coalition Ingé nu Self-Taught Artists Collective, in Philadelphia, runs through Oct. 26.

Lori Holcomb McClaren, Ph.D., was named director of online programs. McClaren previously served as an assistant professor of instructional technology at N.C. State University, in Raleigh.
Courtney Lindsey Frye is the new accounts payable and purchasing coordinator. Frye, who graduated from the university in 2005, previously was its admissions counselor and financial aid advisor.
Brittany Gilliam, who lives in Cary, is a new admissions counselor. Before joining the university, Gilliam served as a counselor and graduate assistant during her undergraduate and graduate studies.
Paula A. Wolf has been named an adjunct faculty member and is teaching one of the university's public policy courses. Wolf serves as a contract lobbyist, representing organizations in front of the N.C. General Assembly as well as the executive branch of state government.

Joy Kasson, professor and former chair of the American studies department at UNC-Chapel Hill, received the university's prestigious Thomas Jefferson Award. The annual award recognizes a faculty member for her personal influence and performance of duty in teaching, writing and scholarship. UNC faculty members nominate candidates for the honor, which carries a cash prize. A faculty committee chooses the recipient.

Dr. Kisha Daniels, an associate professor in the School of Education at N.C. Central University, in Durham, received an Endeavour Executive Award from the government of Australia. Daniels was recognized for her research on the use of service-learning as a teaching strategy. She's spending the fall semester in Australia, working with faculty at the University of Western Sydney to promote the inclusion of service-learning techniques in their education programs, with a particular focus on marginalized populations.

Dr. Hiller Spires, professor at N.C. State University's College of Education, in Raleigh, and fellow at the university's Friday Institute, worked this summer with teams of teachers in planning ways to help their students become digitally literate. Spires believes students must be able to create content and critically analyze information, not just surf the Web.

Olympic medalist Abby Johnston, a student at Duke University, threw out a ceremonial first pitch prior to a Durham Bulls baseball game last month. She also signed autographs for fans on the concourse during the game. Johnston, 22, captured a silver medal in London in the women's synchronized 3-meter springboard diving competition along with partner Kelci Bryant.

Two Triangle students took top honors at the highly competitive summer internship program at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park. Bridget Mayer, a third-year veterinary student at N.C. State University, won for her work involving analgesics and rodents. The top high school award went to Diana Dayal, of Enloe High School in Raleigh, for her work on flame retardants.

Meagan L. Bulloch, CPA was promoted to manager in the audit practice of Langdon & Co., in Garner, which provides accounting, tax, audit and consulting services in North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia and Florida. Morgan D. Norris, CPA was promoted to senior accountant in the tax department.

Twyla Hutchins, health management officer with Hill, Chesson & Woody, of Chapel Hill, made the list of the top 100 registered nurses in North Carolina as selected by The Great 100. The firm is a health and welfare benefits brokerage and consultant.

The Women of Broad Street, owners and managers of local businesses and organizations, held a grand opening of their building at 721-731 Broad St., Durham. They are Pamela Gutlon of Outsiders Art & Collectibles, Jodee Nimerichter of the American Dance Festival, Amy Tornquist of Hummingbird Bakery, Nancy McKaig of Step and Satya Tara of Samadhi Shala.

Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming opened in Cary, noted two of the owners, sisters and Cary residents Rachel Karaman and Elise Karaman. The nationally franchised store offers full- and self-service grooming as well as pet food and supplies.

Laura A. Schoppe, president of Fuentek, an Apex-based consulting firm that provides intellectual property and technology transfer services, announced that the firm has expanded to include consultants in Washington, D.C. The relocation of Fuentek's Danielle McCulloch, a senior technology transfer consultant, helps the company meet the needs of clients in and around the nation's capital.

Tara Onthank and Gina daRoza, two of the owners of Rising Sun Pools & Spas, which has been providing customers with pools, spas and aquatic accessories for more than 40 years, announced that the company was recognized in Pool & Spa News' annual national rankings. Rising Sun Pools & Spas, with offices in Raleigh and Garner, was 30th in builders, seventh among top social networkers and third in customer service.

Amy Tornquist opened Hummingbird Bakery, in Durham. Tornquist is the owner/chef of Watts Grocery and Sage & Swift Gourmet Catering, both in Durham.

Jeanie DeGroff, author of the cookbook "Everyone Brings Something to the Table," will present during a fun evening at Wine and Design in Wake Forest on Nov. 3. Appetizers from DeGroff's book will be served along with wine while participants create art. Proceeds benefit the Raleigh Rescue Mission.

Lesley Stracks-Mullem, owner of Durham-based Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours, announced that it has launched a food blog, Tasting Carolina, at www.tastecarolina.wordpress.com. The firm offers walking tours of the Triangle, Greensboro and Winston-Salem in which participants visit five to seven restaurants to enjoy innovative food that's locally sourced.

Nutritionist Elisabetta Politi, RD, MPH, CD discussed the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet during Being Well, a monthly series of talks on wellness at Irregardless Café , in Raleigh. Politi, who's originally from Italy, is the nutrition director at the Duke Diet & Fitness Center.

Diane Tighe, director of catering and conference services, received the Certified Professional Catering Executive designation from the National Association for Catering and Events.
Danielle Massey was named catering sales manager. She's responsible for pre-planning and on-site services for the property's banquet facilities and special event venues.

Sally Webb

Rachel Thompson was promoted to global chief operating officer.
Dorothy Bedor is the new vice president of business development.

American Express OPEN and Facebook selected The Produce Box, a produce delivery company, in its annual small-business competition. The Produce Box, which started five years ago in the Raleigh home of stay-at-home mom Courtney Tellefsen, has grown to help more than 40 North Carolina farmers deliver their fresh produce to front porches across the Triangle, Wilmington and Winston-Salem.

Breana Lai, MPH, RD, LDN, a chef and culinary supervisor in the cooking school at Southern Season in Chapel Hill, launched Satiate: Nutrition-to-Table. The firm specializes in nutrition counseling, consulting and meal preparation.

Cheryl Lundquista, a resident of Wake Forest, won a trip to Italy by entering her Italian-inspired recipe for Indulgence Bread Pudding on Real Women of Philadelphia's Delicious Dream Trips contest. The contest was sponsored by Philadelphia Cream Cheese.

New members of the Domestic Violence Commission of the N.C. Council for Women, based in Raleigh, were sworn in. The N.C. General Assembly has appointed each person to serve a two-year term. District Court Judge Sharon T. Barrett of Buncombe County delivered the oath to, among others, District Court Judge Susan Bray, Guilford County; Marjorie Menestres, Wake County; and Mary Catherine Steven, Surry County.

The N.C. Center for Women in Public Service held its graduation ceremony for the annual Women in Office Institute. The organization prepares women for elected and appointed offices in North Carolina. The graduates are: Kyla Block, Megan Boler, Michelle Drake Denning, Renee Hango, Tharesa Chadwick Lee, Charlotte Mitchell and Angelicia Simmons.

Gov. Bev Perdue and Keith Crisco, secretary of the N.C. Department of Commerce, traveled to Japan as leaders of a delegation to the high-profile Southeast U.S./Japan annual joint meeting in Tokyo. While in Japan, Gov. Perdue and officials with the Commerce Department met with export clients as well as prospects considering new investments.

Mayor Nancy McFarlane proclaimed September "International Month." The proclamation recognizes the diversity of national origins and cultures in Raleigh, where the foreign-born population almost doubled between 2000 and 2010. The annual International Festival draws 30,000 visitors to the Raleigh Convention Center each September.

Members of the N.C. Commission of Indian Affairs, based in Raleigh, were sworn into office. They included Chassidy Hall of the Meherrin Indian Tribe. Commission members are selected by their respective tribes and associations.

Dottie Burch, an attorney who heads the Equine Law Practice Group at Raleigh's Ragsdale Liggett, was appointed chair of the Equine Law Subcommittee of the American Bar Association's Animal Law Committee.

Shirley Pruitt, an attorney and registered nurse who's a partner in Yates, McLamb & Weyher, a Raleigh-based litigation firm, was the keynote speaker at the September meeting of the Coastal Carolina Chapter of the Association of Operating Room Nurses. Her address covered key areas of concern to nurses in medical malpractice.

Lisa Gullette, owner of Cary-based design firm CreatiVisibility, announced that it took silver in the Summit Creative Award international competition. The firm won for its website redesign for the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation out of Boise, Idaho.

Margaret Cowan Albert, partner and general manager of Engine, a brand creation agency, was appointed to the board of the Triangle American Marketing Association as vice president of membership.

Suzanne Rousso, artistic director of Mallarmé Chamber Players, announced that the first concert of its 29th season of performances, Chamber Music for the People!, was presented last month in Durham. The Durham-based group is a flexible ensemble of professional musicians.

"Nina Simone...What More Can I Say?" an exhibit and play honoring the soul singer and North Carolina native, opened last month at UNC-Chapel Hill. The exhibit of rare photographs of Simone's awards, personal letters and other documents is at the Sonja Haynes Stone Center.

Dena G. Birks, event coordinator of the Foundation of Hope for Research and Treatment of Mental Illness, announced that the Thad and Alice Eure Walk for Hope and the Run for Hope take place Sunday, Oct. 14. The Walk for Hope is a 10k, 5k or 1 mile walk from the Angus Barn through Umstead State Park, in Raleigh. The Run for Hope is a USA Track & Field certified 10k or 5k that takes the same route. At the conclusion of the walk and run, there's a celebratory festival with food, music and prizes.

Tammy Laurence was named vice president of workplace giving for the United Way of the Greater Triangle. In this role, Tammy works closely with corporations, municipalities, school systems, universities, hospitals and small businesses to support their efforts in creating a strong, healthy community by investing in United Way.

Lorraine Stephens of LorraineSpeaks.com worked with members of Women in Networking at the Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce on developing successful speeches and presentations.

Tracey Gritz, owner of The Efficient Office, received the Rising Star Award from the National Association of Women Business Owners at its annual installation gala, held at the Governor's Mansion in Raleigh.

Lucy Daniels Center, in Cary, announced the featured artist and chefs for Expressions: A Celebration of Food and Art, a benefit that will be hosted by The Umstead Hotel and Spa, in Cary, on Nov. 9. The center is the area's largest nonprofit provider of mental health services for children. The Umstead is co-owned by Ann Goodnight.

FemCity Raleigh, the local chapter of Femfessionals – a nationwide business community of women, announced that founding member Caron Hodges was appointed to its board of advisors as community outreach chair.

M/I Homes, of Raleigh, hired Sabrina Fields to represent its sales force in Stonebridge and Greystone Gabels. Fields, a licensed real estate broker, is a member of the Triangle Sales and Marketing Council of North Carolina and the Home Builders Association of Raleigh/Wake.

Kerry Thompson joined Ashton Woods Homes, in Raleigh, as the community sales manager.

August delivered a close competition for Agent of the Month honors. When the books closed, Kim Crump, a buyer's agent, broke a four-way tie to earn the title.
Brenda Miller, listing manager, earned a designation as a Certified Distressed Property Expert.
Leah Bonzo joined the administrative staff.

Kim Skiba was hired as Fonville Morisey Relocation's business development manager and Long & Foster's corporate housing manager. Skiba, a Triangle native, has 15 years of experience in the relocation and corporate housing industry.

New research at N.C. State University, in Raleigh, shows that exposure to the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) early in life results in high levels of anxiety by causing significant gene expression changes in a specific region of the brain called the amygdala. The researchers also found that a soy-rich diet can mitigate these effects. Dr. Heather Patisaul, an associate professor of biology at the university, is the lead author of a paper describing the work. BPA, a chemical used in a wide variety of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, is found in consumer products such as food containers.

An autism researcher at the UNC School of Medicine was awarded a $12.6 million grant in the latest round of funding from the National Institutes of Health's Autism Centers of Excellence (ACE) research program. Dr. Linmarie Sikich, associate professor of psychiatry and director of the Adolescent and School-age Psychiatric Intervention Research Program, will establish the ACE SOARS Network to develop and test treatments for autism spectrum disorders. Sikich will direct the ACE SOARS Network and provide overall project coordination.

A multi-university research team led by N.C. State University, in Raleigh, is developing methods to create two-dimensional (2-D) materials capable of folding themselves into three-dimensional (3-D) objects when exposed to light. The effort, which is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation, is inspired by origami and has a broad range of potential applications. They range from electronics to high-volume manufacturing to the delivery of humanitarian relief. Dr. Jan Genzer, Celanese professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at N.C. State, is the primary investigator.

Azuli Skye, a social-selling jewelry company founded by Deborah McNaughton, of Apex, was featured in Direct Selling News as a Young Company of Focus. The article highlights the journey that McNaughton took in building her business from scratch.

Lois Cozart, owner of My Girlfriend's Closet, an 8-year-old women's consignment boutique in Apex, said it has moved one block to the Salem Street Promenade, 219 N. Salem St. (behind Common Grounds Coffee House).

Sherry Gentry-Gasper, of Cisco IT, received the C-LEAD leadership award for her execution in Oracle platform migration & application upgrade.

Researchers developed a software tool to prevent performance disruptions in cloud computing systems by automatically identifying and responding to potential anomalies before they can develop into problems. Dr. Helen Gu, an assistant professor of computer science at N.C. State, is co-author of a paper describing the research.
The university is leading a national nanotechnology research effort to create self-powered devices to help people monitor their health and understand how the surrounding environment affects it. These devices could transform health care by improving the way doctors, patients and researchers gather and interpret important health data. The Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Advanced Self-Powered Systems of Integrated Sensors and Technologies (ASSIST) is headquartered on N.C. State's Centennial Campus. Dr. Veena Misra, professor of electrical and computer engineering at N.C State, is its director.

Vivienne Benesch directs "Red," the Tony Award-winner for best play, through Oct. 7.
Dominique Serrand directs a world-premiere adaptation commissioned by PlayMakers of "Imaginary Invalid" by Molière from Oct. 24 through Nov. 11.

Karen O'Brien, assistant professor of Dramatic Art at UNC-Chapel Hill, will speak on Conor McPherson's place in Irish dramatic literature on Nov. 10th at the company's Murphey School, in Raleigh. The lecture is part of its Lobby Series.
Lisa Grele Barrie, president and CEO of the North Carolina Theatre, in Raleigh, hosted a lecture at the Murphey School on musical theater as a unique American art form.

Jeri Lynn Schulke, artistic director of ArtsCenter Stage, in Carrboro, announced its 2012-2013 season, which highlights new works with an emphasis on historical themes. There's the Southeast premiere of two productions, "All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914" and "Walt," as well as its participation in a nationwide festival, "44 Plays for 44 Presidents." Also appearing at the venue are The Monti, Sacrificial Poets, N.C. Comedy Arts Festival, UNC's Pauper Players, Transactors Improv, and the Playwrights Roundtable. Rounding out the year are new offerings from A/V Geeks, No Shame Theatre and Transactors for Families.

Amie Sharrits, MD, was promoted to medical director of the Easter Seals United Cerebral Palsy North Carolina and Virginia. Easter Seals is a nonprofit that provides support and care for people with disabilities and mental health issues.

WakeMed Health & Hospitals said it opened a primary care office in Morrisville, where Tiffany Lowe-Payne, DO, offers a comprehensive range of family medicine services.

A collaborative research effort by scientists at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Duke University and University College of London in the UK sheds new light on alcohol-related birth defects. The project, led by Kathleen K. Sulik, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies at UNC, could help enhance how doctors diagnose birth defects caused by alcohol exposure in the womb. The findings also illustrate how the precise timing of that exposure could determine the specific kinds of defects.

Stephanie Zizzo, a certified personal coach, hosts personal development workshops at Wake County Public Libraries. "Strategies for Staying Positive" takes place Oct. 15 at Cameron Village Regional, Raleigh. "Create an Environment for Success" takes place Oct. 16 at West Regional Library, Cary. The series is free but requires registration.

Sydney Brown, a sixth grader at Centennial Campus Middle School, was selected as the North Carolina representative of the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge sponsored by the White House and first lady Michelle Obama.

Lisa Feierstein, RN, BSN, MBA, who is co-founder of Raleigh-based Active Healthcare/IntegraSleep, spoke at the monthly meeting of the diabetes support group at Duke University Health System. She discussed the link between diabetes and sleep apnea.

Ethos Clinical Group, a Cary-based clinical research organization with a focus on women and minority populations, sponsored Becky Sansbury as a presenter for the Lotus Survival Foundation's Mind, Body and Soul Retreat for women affected by breast cancer. Sansbury, an expert in crisis recovery and director of community relations at Ethos, facilitated "Hope Breaks" throughout the event.

On Oct. 27, the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America hosts its annual Youth Fall Fest for children ages 7 to 17 who are living with inflammatory bowel disease. The youth session is led by Meghan Fox, LRT/CTRS, CCLS, a recreational therapist for N.C. Children's Hospital. The adult session is led by Dr. Sandra Kim of UNC-Chapel Hill and Dr. Nancy McGreal of Duke Hospital.

Judy Goldman reading from her book "Losing My Sister: A Memoir" at Quail Ridge Books and Music, in Raleigh, on Oct. 4.
Alice Osborn ("After the Steaming Stops") reading as part of First Friday at The Art of Style, in Cameron Village Shopping Center, Raleigh, on Oct. 5.

In addition to Judy Goldman, October visits by authors to Quail Ridge Books and Music, the Raleigh store owned by Nancy Olson, include Zelda Lockhart, Pam Durban, Amy Hill Hearth, Betty Birney, Stella Suberman, Lisa Alther and Marjorie Galen.

Wake County Libraries and Parks, Recreation and Open Space celebrated 30 years of tall tales and fascinating yarns at the annual Storytelling Festival last month at Oakview Historic County Park, in Raleigh. Featured performers included storyteller Donna Washington. Local storytellers included Dasie Roberts, Priscilla Best, Charlotte Hickam and actors from Raleigh Little Theatre.