More than 50 female artists are participating in this year's open studio tour put on by the Orange County Artists Guild. It takes place on the weekends of Nov. 3 and 4 as well as Nov. 10 and 11. The women are opening their studios to the public, and they're showing and selling paintings, pottery, glass art, fabric, prints, jewelry, garden and fine art sculpture, furniture and more.

The Western Wake Artists' Studio Tour takes place Nov. 9 to 11. The art on display includes painting, drawings and photographs as well as work in felt, fabric, glass and mixed media. The artists include Connie Belton, Beth Carrington Brown, Aimee Cuthrell, Jane Hanck, Christine MacLellan, Michelle McElroy, Cynthia Mollenkopf, Cindy Morefield, Wendy Musser, Brenda Priest, Jean Scholz, Ana Sumner, Nanci Tanton, Dorothy Vester, Sandra Wills and Deborah Younglao.

Raleigh artist Marina Bosetti recently launched her expanded, redesigned website and online gallery at BosettiArtTile.com. Bosetti's work can be seen there and in her Boylan Heights studio/showroom. The annual Bosetti Art Tile Studio and Showroom open house and holiday gift sale takes place Nov. 30. In addition, her pieces can be viewed this month at the Raleigh Artists and Authors Showcase on Nov. 10, the NCSU Holiday Craft Fair on Nov. 17 and the Carolina Designer Craftsmen Guild Expo on Nov. 23 to 25.

The Cary Gallery of Artists features the work of Sarah Sheffield (watercolors and oils) and Lynn Patton (painted porcelain) through Dec. 24. The reception is set for Nov. 30.

Raleigh artist Nicole White Kennedy worked with the Carolina Ballet for more than a year to create paintings that honor the company. "The Carolina Ballet on Canvas" runs through Dec. 29 at Nicole's Studio & Art Gallery. The reception is Nov. 1. A portion of the sales will be donated to the Carolina Ballet.

Artspace, the nonprofit visual arts center in Raleigh, announced its 2012-2013 board of directors, including Andrea Nixon of PNC Bank, Libby Staub of The Mahler Gallery, Laura Robinette and Kim Spinello of PricewaterhouseCoopers, Paris Alexander and Susan Soper of the Artspace Artists Association, Jessica Cunningham of Novella Clinical, Lisa Dixon of Womble Carlysle Sandridge & Rice, Dr. Irma McClaurin of McClaurin Solutions, Amy Baker and Suzanne Whitmeyer.

Several artists recently opened studios at Golden Belt Arts in Durham. They include Elisabeth Newton, Rhody Adair, Alyssa Hinton and Nina Strohminger.

Margaret DeMott, the director of artist services for the Durham Arts Council, presented four merit awards during CenterFest's juried art show. Basketweaver Jean Yao received best in show. Jeweler Barbara Umbel received the second place ribbon. The Citizen's Choice Award went to jeweler Melissa Lowery.

Debra M. Townsley, Ph.D., president of William Peace University, in Raleigh, was named to serve on the NCAA Division III Recruiting Working Group. The 13-person panel is evaluating alternative recruiting models for participating Division III colleges.

Communities in Schools of North Carolina, a nonprofit based in Raleigh, announced that founding director and president/CEO Linda Harrill will step down at the end of this year. She'll transition to serve the organization as senior advisor of education and innovation. The consulting firm of moss+ross has been retained to assist with the president/CEO search.

Joanne Forbes, MBA, FLMI, principal at Hill, Chesson & Woody, received the 2012 Human Resources Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the N.C. Society of Human Resource Management State Council. Forbes' Chapel Hill-based health and welfare benefits brokerage and consulting firm designs, manages and implements employee benefit programs.

Jess R. McLamb, president of Roper Bookkeeping, in Raleigh, announced that Marianne Ward became a Certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor. Ward, who joined the firm earlier this year, works with retailers, attorneys, contractors and other service providers.

Sepi Asefnia, president and founder of SEPI Engineering & Construction, which is based in Raleigh, announced that the firm has been named to Inc. magazine's 2012 Inc. 5000 List. Her company provides civil engineering and planning services to private and public sector clients across the Southeast. Inc magazine's list highlights SEPI Engineering & Construction as a top corporation within its industry, ranking the company 19th in growth among engineering firms.

Pat Sprigg marked 20 years of leadership as president and CEO of Carol Woods, a retirement community in Chapel Hill. In addition to leading Carol Woods, Sprigg has been involved in senior issues on local, state and national levels. The nonprofit, which opened in 1979, is home to 460 older adults.

Wake Tech culinary student JoAnn Rey traveled to Germany last month to help represent the United States in an international culinary competition featuring more than 1,500 chefs representing more than 45 countries. The Internationale Kochkunst Ausstellung (IKA) International Culinary Art Competition is known as the "Culinary Olympics." Rey, a resident of Garner, was one of four apprentices chosen to work alongside National Team USA.

Chef Elise Johnson was the speaker at last month's Triangle Ladies Power Lunch, in Raleigh. Johnson is known for her TV cooking segments, "Cooking With Elise," blog at www.CookingWithElise.com and working as chef spokesperson for BJ's Wholesale Club.

At The Irregardless Cafe & Catering in Raleigh, Jill Staton Bullard, founding director and CEO of the Interfaith Food Shuttle, in Wake County, talks about "Healing the Hungry Among Us" on Nov. 6 from 7 to 8 p.m. Her appearance is part of the restaurant's series on Being Well: Monthly Talks on Wellness.

Lynn Davis Minges, the assistant secretary of tourism, marketing and global branding for the N.C. Department of Commerce, was named Career Woman of the Year by the Raleigh chapter of Business and Professional Women. Having served in progressive leadership roles within the department for nearly 20 years, Minges provides strategic direction for the state's tourism, film, sports and wine industries. She chairs the National Council of State Tourism Directors; is secretary of the executive committee of U.S. Travel; is a member of the U.S. Tourism Policy Council and Leisure Advisory Council; and serves on the executive board of Travel South USA.

Sixteen judicial candidates in the November election were part of the Junior League of Raleigh's Judicial Panel and Reception, which took place last month at the Center for Community Leadership.

In Raleigh, Gov. Bev Perdue:

• Joined female advocates to speak about findings from a new study on how women in the state are doing. The 2012 Status of Women in North Carolina study is the first comprehensive examination since 1996. The complete report is scheduled to be published in January.
• Delivered the keynote address at the 69th annual N.C. NAACP state convention. The event focused on strategies to protect voting rights and progressive public policy.

Campbell Law School, in Raleigh, announced:

• Megan West was named director of alumni relations and annual giving at the school. A 2010 Campbell Law graduate, West most recently served as an associate attorney at Martin & Jones in Raleigh.
• A delegation of students, alumni, faculty and staff from the school attended the annual meeting and conference of the N.C. Society of Health Care Attorneys, which took place in Chapel Hill. Amy Flanary-Smith, an assistant professor at the law school, addressed the conference to introduce both keynote speakers – Tara Larson, chief clinical operations officer with the N.C. Division of Medical Assistance, and Tracy Hayes, special deputy attorney general with the N.C. Department of Justice.

Ten women were named to the board of the Raleigh Public Relations Society, a professional development organization for Triangle communications professionals. They are:

• Stephanie Llorente (Butterball), president
• Kelly Hubbard (Largemouth Communications), vice president
• Crystal Roberts (Mountaintop Productions), secretary
• Eva Hornak (S.T. Wooten), treasurer
• Christa Leupen (S&A Cherokee), membership chair
• Lauren Brown (S&A Cherokee), publicity chair
• Lindsay Priester (Rountree Communications), awards chair
• Margot Horgan (Clairemont Communications), banquet chair
• Mallory Russell (Hope Community Church), member at large
• Katy Burgwyn (Marbles Kids Museum & IMAX Theatre), member at large and immediate past president

Natalie Perkins, president of Clean Design, a branding and design agency in Research Triangle Park, said the firm has been engaged by Manchester Animal Hospital in Spring Lake, N.C. Clean Design is providing branding for the extension of the animal hospital's pet rehabilitation and therapy clinic, which is slated to open next summer.

Brooke Rouse joined MMI Public Relations, in Raleigh, as administrative assistant.

Amber Frasketi, president of the Raleigh-Durham chapter of the American Advertising Federation, said it has selected the Conservators' Center as the recipient of the 2012-2013 public service advertising campaign. Each year, the organization partners with one of the area's colleges or universities to develop and implement a campaign for a nonprofit.

Yolanda Rabun, the Triangle's soulful jazz singer, will open for the Isley Brothers at the Durham Performing Arts Center next month. Her Christmas CD is coming out the middle of this month.

Eleanor Kinnaird and Ida Friday were among those recognized at the ArtsCenter Honors last month. They were singled out for decades of contributions to the nonprofit teaching and presenting organization, based in Carrboro. The event, which was held at The William and Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education at UNC-Chapel Hill, featured a performance by singer Janis Ian.

The Mallarme Chamber Players, a flexible ensemble of professional musicians, is presenting a new series of concerts for children and their families. The concerts, held in Kirby Horton Hall at Duke Gardens, educate and entertain. The music is interspersed with narration and explanation to give concert-goers the opportunity to learn about instruments and musical concepts. "These concerts are really for people of any age who would like to hear chamber music performed without having to commit themselves to a two-hour concert," says Suzanne Rousso, who is artistic director of Mallarme.

Last month, Queen Latifah, the award-winning actress and singer, headlined a fundraising gala for the Durham Crisis and Response Center. "An Evening With the Queen" took place at the Durham Hilton. The nonprofit group works with the community to end domestic and sexual violence through advocacy, education, support and prevention.

Billie Redmond, CEO of Coldwell Banker Commercial TradeMark Properties, based in Raleigh, was named to the board of directors of Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina. The nonprofit grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to better their lives through hope, strength and joy.

Kim Lewey, co-owner of Lewey Landscaping & LawnCare, was named president-elect of the 2012-2013 board of directors for the Great Raleigh chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners. Lewey has served on the board for four of the past five years in various positions, including director of corporate relations and director of community relations.

Cornucopia Cancer Support Center welcomed Robin L. Kellogg, of Raleigh, as its new director of development. Kellogg is working with Mary Lawrence, the group's president and CEO, to develop and direct sustainable fundraising efforts for Cornucopia, which is based in Chapel Hill. Kellogg most recently served as executive director of the Foundation of Hope for Research and Treatment of Mental Illness, in Raleigh.

The Tammy Lynn Center for Developmental Disabilities, in Raleigh, recognized longtime volunteer Wendy Hardy. Since 2009, Hardy has been helping at the reception desk or in human resources, providing clerical assistance where she is needed.

InterAct, a nonprofit, United Way agency that provides safety, support and awareness to victims and survivors of domestic violence and rape/sexual assault, announced that the following events took place last month:

• Jazzy evening in support of WomenNC and InterAct, which included a silent auction and raffle, live music and festive cuisine. WomenNC is a nonprofit originating from the UN Commission on the Status of Women and the UN International Treaty Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. The group leads North Carolina youth to eliminate injustice against women and girls.
• Second annual Family & Friends Day to honor the memory of Jammie S. Street, who died due to domestic violence while dropping her children off in a church parking lot
• Domestic Violence Information Fair, which was hosted by the Wake County Domestic Violence Task Force
• Domestic Violence Awareness Month Inter-Faith Vigil
• "Miss Representation" movie screening and Town Hall event
• The grand re-opening of InterAct's Pass It On Upscale Thrift Store

FemCity Raleigh, a professional women's group, and Benefacting, a Triangle nonprofit, teamed up to launch the "FEM it Forward" campaign. For the campaign, FemCity Raleigh members use www.Benefacting.org to volunteer time or donate goods to raise money for local charities, such as Boys and Girls Clubs, Fight for 1in9 and Stop Hunger Now.

Pretty in Pink Foundation, a nonprofit based in Raleigh, received more than $3,600 from MacGregor Downs' Breast Cancer Classic Golf Tournament. The money was raised during a golf tournament held last month at the country club. A breast cancer-related tournament has been held there for 17 years.

Jennifer Fair, senior account executive at MMI Public Relations, in Raleigh, joined the board of directors for Triangle Family Services. The nonprofit helps families and individuals overcome life's challenges by providing them with the tools needed to move away from crisis and into more stable and healthy life situations.

Independent Animal Rescue, a nonprofit based in Durham, is hosting Shop for the Animals, an afternoon of fun and shopping to support the group's foster and rescue programs. The event takes place Saturday, Nov. 10, at the Clubhouse at Lake Hogan Farms, in Chapel Hill.

SAFE Haven Cat Shelter & Clinic, based in Raleigh, received a $51,000 grant from PetSmart Charities to help sterilize cats in Zebulon. Through the shelter's clinic, SAFE Care Spay/Neuter is offering free sterilizations for any pet living in the 27597 zip code. The two-year initiative is called "Operation Kitty Saver." All spay and neuter surgeries will be performed by Dr. Betsy King, director of the SAFE Care Feline Spay/Neuter Clinic.

The Animal Protection Society of Durham named Deirdre Callahan the volunteer of the month in September. The nonprofit, which runs the Durham animal shelter, said Callahan "is an amazing volunteer who is dedicated to assisting at the front desk, promoting cats for adoption, and helping to keep the cat page on our website up-to-date."

Fonville Morisey Realty, a Long & Foster Company, announced:

• Renee Daniels is the new relocation director for the Triangle. Daniels works closely with Camille Mims, who was recently promoted to regional director for Southern Virginia and North Carolina.
• Stephanie Gaither-Harris joined the firm as a full-time sales associate in Durham's Croasdaile office.

Last month, a diverse group of those in the home industry volunteered their time and talent to improve the physical condition of a Carrboro home in the sixth year of Fix-A-Home. Fix-A-Home is a community service project sponsored by the Greater Chapel Hill Association of Realtors. Volunteers work to rebuild or remodel defective areas, improving the interior and exterior of the home. Fix-A-Home is supported by local brokers and businesses, including Maggie Bowers of Accessible Professionals, Zee Hudson of Sherwin Williams, and Caroline E. Shillito of emma delon Kitchen and Bath.

Chatham Habitat for Humanity, based in Pittsboro, welcomed two AmeriCorps members who joined its staff to help in Habitat's work to build and repair decent and affordable housing. Emily Wimbish, of Raleigh, and Tonya Dunlap, of Siler City, have committed to serve full-time with Habitat for Humanity over the next year.

Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D., director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) in Research Triangle Park, recently unveiled its strategic plan. The institute's vision is to provide global leadership for innovative research that improves public health by preventing disease and disability. Birnbaum thanked those who participated in the strategic plan's creation. Representatives from several local institutions joined with hundreds of other scientists and public health advocates from around the country to help develop the plan. Environmental health experts from Duke University, GlaxoSmithKline, N.C. State University, Quintiles, UNC-Chapel Hill and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency contributed ideas to the framework, which gives NIEHS its scientific direction for the next five years.

New research from N.C. State University and two other colleges finds that parental involvement is a more significant factor in a child's academic performance than the qualities of the school itself. "Our study shows that parents need to be aware of how important they are, and invest time in their children – checking homework, attending school events and letting kids know school is important," says Dr. Toby Parcel, a professor of sociology at N.C. State University and co-author of a paper on the work.

The Woman's Club of Raleigh is presenting "All Dressed Up...with places to go!", a fashion show featuring winter and holiday clothing from Saks Fifth Avenue, in Raleigh, as well as a luncheon and auction. The fundraiser takes place Friday, Nov. 2. Proceeds will benefit Dress for Success and other Woman's Club projects.

Susan Libfraind, of Wardrobe Consulting in Raleigh, spoke at two events for Dress for Success, the nonprofit that provides interview suits, confidence boosts and career development to low-income women.

Taylor Jones, Lauren Simmons and Jill Batten, of Posh the Salon, in Durham, completed the glo-minerals glamour workshop presented by Kate McCarthy, national makeup artist for glo-minerals.

Vanessa Aricco was named the new social media/digital marketing manager at BP Studios, a web development and marketing design firm, in Morrisville.

Prue Meehan, of Chapel Hill, launched a website, The Women of Substance (TWOS) at www.thewomenofsubstance.net, to address the topic of alcohol and drug addiction among affluent women.

Melanie Halloran joined Technology Associates, in Cary, as support services manager. The firm provides computer support, network services and IT consulting in the Triangle as well as Burlington, Greensboro, Fayetteville, Wilmington, Charlotte and Rocky Mount.

Laura Tratnik, an actress who recently relocated to North Carolina, appears at Burning Coal Theatre Company, in Raleigh, in Conor McPherson's "Shining City," on Nov. 1 to 18. Tratnik, who's from Germany, was a company member of the legendary Berliner Ensemble.

PlayMakers Repertory Company, in Chapel Hill, announced:

• Its world premiere of a new adaptation of Moliere's "Imaginary Invalid" continues through Nov 11. The play is directed by Dominique Serrand.
• The holiday show, "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play," begins Nov. 28.

Davis Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics, in Raleigh, continues its "Surgeons Give Support" program through Nov. 2. The program provides gently used bras to women in need. The garments are donated by the practice's plastic surgery patients as well as other women in the area. "We are asking our patients and women in the local community to stop by and drop off a gently used bra they no longer wear to help women who do need them," says Gretta Handley, patient care coordinator at Davis Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics. Women who donate a bra receive a gift from the practice.

The Free Your Feet Project is holding a free foot assessment and shoe fitting on Nov. 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the UNC Physical Therapy clinic, in Hillsborough. Qualified attendees receive a full foot evaluation, one pair of shoes and information about maintaining healthy feet for life. The Free Your Feet Project, a joint program of the UNC Division of Physical Therapy Faculty Clinic, North Carolina Physical Therapy Association, FootCentric and other businesses and organizations, seeks to alleviate the financial burden of therapeutic footwear and medical assessment for families in need.

Ping Fu, who lives in Chapel Hill, wrote her memoir, "Bend, Not Break," which is coming out in January. Fu is the founder and CEO of a global technology company based in Morrisville, an Inc. Magazine Entrepreneur of the Year, and a member of President Obama's National Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Her memoir is a powerful testament to the resilience and strength of the human heart and spirit. She grew up as a child worker under Chairman Mao's regime during the Cultural Revolution in China. When her university thesis on female infanticide was leaked from the Chinese press to the international press, she was imprisoned and then exiled. She was an immigrant worker, teaching herself English and math. Later, she became a pioneering software programmer, entrepreneur, CEO and U.S. citizen.

The N.C. Writers' Network announced:

• The fall conference takes place Nov. 2 through 4 at the Embassy Suites, in Cary. Along with a weekend of workshops, registrants can choose from three master classes: Creative Nonfiction (led by Elaine Neil Orr); Fiction (led by Jill McCorkle); and Poetry (led by Kathryn Stripling Byer). Raleigh's Alice Osborn, an editor and author, is speaking on writing for the web and on book reviews.
• Beth Copeland reads as part of Raleigh Open Mic night at Royal Bean Coffee House on Nov. 1.
• Alice Osborn reads as part of the Artists and Authors Showcase at Bosetti Art Tile Showroom and Studio, in Raleigh, on Nov. 10.
• Valerie Nieman participates in an author's panel at the Eva H. Perry Regional Library, in Apex, on Nov. 10.
• Angela Davis-Gardner reads from "My Bookstore: Writers Celebrate Their Favorite Places to Browse, Read and Shop" at Quail Ridge Books & Music, in Raleigh, on Nov. 14.

Wake County Public Libraries announced that Book Feast programs in early November feature cookbooks, food discussions, movies and authors. They're free but registration is requested by calling the host library. Go to www.wakegov.com/libraries/events for locations and more information. The events include:

• Nov. 6 at 10:30 a.m. – Cooking by the Book: A Food Demonstration by Carol Colburn
• Nov. 7 at 6:30 p.m. – Buttermilk and More: Cooking With Debbie Moose
• Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. – It's Better With Buttermilk! with food writer Debbie Moose
• Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. – Movie from the book "Julie & Julia"
• Nov. 10 at 10:30 a.m. – Book Brunch: Bring a Book to Recommend and a Dish to Share
• Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. – Remembering Julia Child — Book Discussion & Sample Desserts

Also, this month, the libraries are hosting lectures and workshops on the art of writing. Write On @ Wake Public Libraries includes:

• Nov. 10 at Eva Perry Regional Library – Authors Belea Keeney, Robin Greene and Val Nieman on writing and publishing
• Nov. 11 at East Regional Library – Author Deborah Fletcher Mello on "Telling a Great Story"
• Nov. 14 at North Regional Library – "Publishing 101" with Amanda Faber
• Nov. 15 at West Regional Library – Authors Stacy Cochran and Alice Osborn: "Writing a Good Blog"
• Nov. 18 at East Regional Library – Author Alice Wisler: "Creating Memorable Characters"
• Nov. 19 at Southeast Regional Library – Shaw University's Dr. Shannon Jonas on "Everyone's a Poet"
• Nov. 19 at East Regional Library – Author Tiphani Montgomery: "Find Your Inspiration"