Carolina Woman Magazine

On Mother's Day weekend, five established local artists – Luna Lee Ray, Cathy Kiffney, Jean LeCluyse, Mirinda Kossoff and Rebecca McLaughlin Neigher – host a show and sale at Luna Lee Ray's home studio and garden, in Chapel Hill. Each artist exhibits work at FRANK Gallery and in numerous other venues. Ray is a mixed-media artist and painter whose subject matter focuses on the natural world. LeCluyse's drawings and paintings are recognizable for their fine detail. Kiffney focuses on hand-built ceramic wall works, vessels and art tiles, based on her theme of an imagined Eden. Neigher works primarily in sterling silver with gemstones and pearls to create wearable pieces of art. Kossoff, also a jeweler, creates her pieces with fine silver and detailed textures, often mixing metals and stones.

CAM Raleigh announced: Over the past two years, CAM Raleigh has become the local source for ground-breaking contemporary art exhibitions and educational art/design programs in downtown Raleigh's Warehouse District. The contemporary art museum celebrates on May 10 with Arthouse 2013, a fundraiser, silent auction and party. Arthouse 2013 features a silent auction, video art installations, live performance art, beverages by local mixologists and innovative cuisine from award-winning chefs, including Ashley Christensen of Poole's Downtown Diner, Chuck's and Beasley's Chicken + Honey.

CAM Raleigh presents "Melanie Schiff: The stars are not wanted now, selected photographs | 2006 – 2012" on view May 17 to Sept. 1. This is the largest and most comprehensive presentation of Schiff's photographs to date. The exhibition illuminates ongoing concerns in the artist's investigations of light, atmosphere, place and landscape.

Mary Poole

Artspace Pop-Up transforms an unused retail space in North Hills Mall into an extension of Artspace. Artspace Pop-Ups are temporary, interactive art studios with a mission to broaden community awareness and access to the arts. The Artspace Pop-Up at North Hills, which runs through June 29, provides visitors with an opportunity to meet professional artists who are working in an open environment, conducting demonstrations and selling their work. Visitors also can explore their own creativity through make-and-take art activities.
Kristan Five and Rachel Nicholson are short-term visiting artists at Artspace through June 29. Five is a painter with a body of work stretching back over 20 years. Nicholson uses felt as her primary medium.

The ArtsCenter, in partnership with the town of Carrboro, presents a Spring Craft Fair in conjunction with the annual Carrboro Day festival on May 5 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Carrboro Town Commons. This free, outdoor event features a variety of handmade items for sale by local artists, including jewelry, pottery, apparel, accessories, soap and toys.

Three women are in a joint show at Cary Gallery of Artists. The exhibit highlights clay work by Jayne Cluggish, jewelry by Diane Starbling and "Marsh to Mountains," paintings by Wendy Musser. The reception is May 31 from 6 to 9 p.m.; the show runs through June 25.

Carol L. Folt, Ph.D., interim president at Dartmouth College and an internationally recognized environmental scientist, will become the first woman to lead UNC-Chapel Hill. Throughout her 30-year career, Folt has been an advocate for women in science and math professions and in academic leadership positions. "It is deeply humbling to be the 11th chancellor of the first public university in America, with its history of excellence, its living profile of accomplishment and its immense promise," Folt said after the UNC Board of Governors chose her. She added, "I need to tell you I am still fun to have dinner with even though I study things like arsenic and rice." Folt, 61, will assume her duties on July 1.

Environmental education programs that took middle school students outdoors to learn helped them close a gap in environmental literacy, according to research from N.C. State University, in Raleigh. The study showed that time outdoors improved minority students' ecological knowledge and cognitive skills, two measures of environmental literacy. "We are interested in whether outdoor experiences can be part of a catch-up strategy that can help in narrowing the environmental literacy gap for minority students," said lead author Kathryn Stevenson, a graduate student at N.C. State.

William Peace University, a private four-year university located in downtown Raleigh, announced its second phase of campus renovations, which will focus on the university bookstore and offices for student services and residential life and housing. Construction is expected to begin immediately and be completed this fall. Debra M. Townsley, Ph.D., president of the university, said, "These improvements have been carefully considered and are a wise decision for our institution."

Genevia Gee Fulbright, CPA, CGMA, president and CEO of Fulbright & Fulbright, CPA, PA, was the keynote speaker for a Raleigh luncheon hosted by the Accounting & Financial Women's Alliance. Her session was entitled "Transitioning From Worker to Boss."

Amy Kozlowski was hired as a benefits analyst at Hill, Chesson & Woody, a health and welfare benefits brokerage and consulting firm. The Research Triangle Park company designs, manages and implements employee benefit programs.

Cristen Vaughn, senior accounting and finance recruiter with Vaco Raleigh, an executive placement and consulting firm, spoke to students from Meredith College about finding accounting and finance jobs after college.

Laura A. Schoppe

The firm received two awards from the Carolina chapter of the Society for Technical Communication for its work for NASA. Fuentek received an Excellence Award for the NASA Glenn Research Center 2011 Technology Showcase website and a Merit Award for the "NASA's Economic Impacts: A 50 State Series" brochures.
The company's white paper "The State of Social Media in Tech Transfer: 2013 Survey Results and Recommendations" was released. Written by Fuentek senior consultant Danielle McCulloch and social media lead Nancy Pekar, the white paper presents the findings of an online survey of more than 100 technology transfer professionals designed to determine social media's role in their daily operations and its impact on their technology transfer office.
Schoppe served as a panelist for a webinar hosted by Technology Transfer Tactics on Open Innovation Best Practices for University Tech Transfer.

Tara Onthank, Michael Vassallo and Gina daRoza, co-owners of Rising Sun Pools & Spas, which has provided customers with pools, spas and aquatic accessories for more than 40 years, announced that the company won an inaugural Retailer of the Year Award from the N.C. Retail Merchants Association. The family-owned business, based in Raleigh, was chosen for its commitment to consistent community service and involvement, longevity and track record of success, as well as dedication to excellent customer service and development of strong client relationships.

Jane R. Brasier joined Advanced Energy as business development manager with the Transportation Initiatives Division. Brasier brings more than 20 years of experience working in the Research Triangle with high-profile engineering and architectural firms. Advanced Energy is a nationally recognized nonprofit with a mission to provide economic, environmental and societal benefits through innovative and market-based approaches to energy issues.

Innovative Talent Solutions, a Raleigh-based staffing firm, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Ashley Hunt founded the firm in 2003, after her career as a top recruiter at Accountants International. Innovative Talent Solutions specializes in accounting/finance and administrative support. Under Hunt's leadership, the firm has grown into one of Raleigh's top staffing concerns.

Natalie Perkins, president of Clean Design, a branding and design agency in Research Triangle Park, announced that Nancy Woody joined the agency as an account coordinator.

Kramden Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering hardworking, yet economically-disadvantaged students to cross the digital divide, announced a partnership with Looking Glass Communications, a Raleigh-based public relations and creative firm. Looking Glass will help increase awareness of Kramden's services and achieve its goal of refurbishing and awarding 3,000 computers in 2013. Megan E. Henderson is the owner of Looking Glass.

Emily Ballance, MEd., LPC, a professional speaker, was awarded the Certified Speaking Professional designation at the National Speakers Association annual conference in Indianapolis.

Mary Michele of One Chic Mama, in Raleigh, is holding a Mother's Day edition of her Discovery 101 workshop on May 25. The event is designed to help each woman maximize her style IQ and know what to wear.

Suzanne Libfraind, of Raleigh's Wardrobe Consulting, discusses the importance of reviewing one's closet and dressing for one's lifestyle at Debby's Hallmark on May 16.

Emily Parks, success strategist with Organize for Success, launched a series of monthly workshops in the training room at Lafayette Village's executive office suites. Parks is a technology expert for small-business executives and entrepreneurs.

Danielle Kaspar, director of community relations at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, announced that the Durham hotel is presenting A Day at the Derby on Saturday, May 4. Women can watch the Kentucky Derby TV coverage and race while enjoying brunch or afternoon tea paired with champagne or Triple Crown-themed cocktails. And the girls should rule with a Derby Day hat contest in the Fairview Dining Room.

Aimee Bridges, director of corporate relations at Rocky Top Hospitality, was named to the Greater Raleigh Merchant Association and Shop Local Raleigh's board of directors. Bridges, who has been with Rocky Top Hospitality for more than 10 years, has extensive culinary and hospitality experience. Bridges is responsible for overseeing all of the company's interaction and work with outside firms, vendors and local events. Additionally, she coordinates Rocky Top's charitable giving.

Hummingbird Bakery, in Durham, rolled out the welcome mat in true Southern style with Fridays on the Porch. Every Friday evening from 4 to 7 p.m., guests are invited to enjoy live music, a special menu and a selection of beers from Triangle Brewery, Big Boss Brewery, and Bull City Burger and Brewery. "We are excited to bring Fridays on the Porch to the Durham community," says owner Amy Tornquist. "We believe that this will be a way for people to relax after a long week with great food, drinks and live music; a family-friendly environment to kick off the weekends."

Lesley Stracks-Mullem

Tues., May 7 - TOPO Vodka Distillery Tour & Tasting and The Crunkleton (Chapel Hill)
Tues., May 14 - Durham Taquerias and LocoPops Tour
Wed., May 22 - Two Chicks Farm and Panciuto in Hillsborough

Rosemary Waldorf and George Cianciolo were recognized for their service as Chapel Hill 2020 co-chairs. Last month, they received the Key Volunteer Award (Group/Team category) and the Governor's Service Award (Orange County) (Group/Team category) at a ceremony hosted by the Volunteer Center of Durham, which helps to administer the program in Durham and Orange Counties. Also last month, they visited the Governor's Executive Mansion where they received a 2013 Governor's Medallion Award, one of only five in the state. Waldorf is project manager for Bryan Properties and former mayor of Chapel Hill. The team was nominated by the town of Chapel Hill for their extraordinary commitment to making Chapel Hill 2020 a plan that unifies the community and reflects its collective needs. Chapel Hill 2020 was the community visioning process that took place from spring 2011 to June 2012 to update the town's comprehensive plan.
The town earned recognition for excellence in public communications and outreach from the N.C. City & County Communicators Association, winning a first-place award in the Community Visioning category and a second-place award for Most Creative Activity With Least Dollars Spent. The awards were received by Sabrina Oliver, director of the Communications and Public Affairs Department, and Catherine Lazorko, public information officer.
Susan Brown was appointed director of the Chapel Hill Public Library, effective May 20. She's the former branch manager of the Carrboro Cybrary. Currently, Brown is the marketing director for the Lawrence, Kan., Public Library, where she also has served as adult services librarian. Previously, she was a reference librarian at the Cameron Village Regional Library, in Raleigh.
Ashley Jones was named the director of legislative affairs. Jones directs the department's legislative affairs work and advocates for the department's initiatives to members of the General Assembly. Jones, who has extensive government relations experience, was most recently director of government and external affairs for the Biofuels Center of North Carolina.

Allison Phillips joined the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau as a sales associate.

The Triangle Arthritis Walk takes place Sat., May 4, starting at 9 a.m. at Imperial Center Park in Research Triangle Park. The signature fundraiser for the Arthritis Foundation includes entertainment, refreshment, kids' activities, prizes and a health fair. There are 1-mile and 3-mile walks. Dogs are welcome. Arthritis Walk builds awareness for the debilitating disease and raises funds to drive arthritis research, education and life-improvement programs. It also continues the Arthritis Foundation's search to find a cure for the nation's leading cause of disability. For more information, visit www.trianglearthritiswalk.org.

Virginia Parker is the new vice president of development at Divers Alert Network (DAN), which is based in Durham. Her work focuses on increasing the resources available to advance the worldwide DAN mission in scuba diving safety and education through the DAN Foundation. Parker comes to DAN from Wake Tech Community College, where she developed and implemented a successful major gifts campaign. Parker has served in a wide range of senior-level management and leadership positions. In her new role at DAN, she has primary responsibility for all fundraising and development activities.

Raleigh's Joyce Prevette Brafford, an attorney and assistant director of the Center for Practice Management at the N.C. Bar Association, joined the board of directors of Education for Successful Parenting, a local nonprofit with a national reach that prepares today's teens for their future roles as parents.

The American Heart Association named congenital heart disease survivor Yolanda Dickerson, of Wendell, "Survivor Advocate of the Year." The national awards were announced at the association's annual congressional Lobby Day, "You're the Cure," in Washington, D.C. last month. The Survivor Advocate of the Year is given to one heart disease or stroke survivor who has made an exceptional commitment to advocating for federal and state policy priorities.

The Greater Carolinas Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society said almost 4,000 people came together last month at PNC Arena for Walk MS: Triangle. So far, Walk MS has raised more than $290,000, money that supports life-changing programs and cutting-edge research for those living with multiple sclerosis.

The League of Women Voters of Orange, Durham and Chatham Counties celebrates Law Day on May 1 with Cheri Beasley, associate justice of the N.C. Supreme Court. Beasley addresses the topic of women in the judiciary at 5:30 p.m. at Extraordinary Ventures, in Chapel Hill.

Life on a desolate island off the coast of Ireland is upended forever in Martin McDonagh's comedy, "The Cripple of Inishmaan," presented by Deep Dish Theater Company through May 18. The play concludes the company's 12th season at University Mall, in Chapel Hill. The cast includes Marcia Edmundson, Julie Oliver and Samantha Rahn. The design staff includes Pamela Bond (costumes) and Tori Ralston (properties). Jen Bauer is the stage manager.

Tammy Lynn Center

Durham-based Delta Rae, which fuses four-part harmonies with a rich Carolina soul. Dubbed as "Mumford & Sons meets Fleetwood Mac," the Alt-Pop band boasts four lead singers whose music incorporates all aspects of Americana including Gospel, Country, Blue Grass and Blues.
Chatham County Line, which combines a rock 'n' roll sensibility with bluegrass, folk and country, and after six albums in the United States, continues to gain fans far beyond North Carolina's borders.

American Dance Festival announced the schedule for its 80th season, which takes place in Durham in June and July. ADF presents a six-and-a-half-week series of modern dance performances and residencies by established companies as well as emerging artists from around the world. It includes 47 performances by 25 companies or choreographers, 11 ADF debuts, nine world premieres and one U.S. premiere. Taking the stage this summer are many of modern dance's biggest names, including Pilobolus, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Shen Wei Dance Arts, Brenda Angiel Aerial Dance Company and Trisha Brown Dance Company.

Golden Belt, in Durham, celebrates its fifth anniversary with a series of free, outdoor concerts beginning May 17. While technically Golden Belt is more than 100 years old (the campus is an historic and sustainable restoration of a former textile mill), the concert series celebrates Golden Belt's five-year development into a vibrant, multi-use campus. The concert lineup includes Kim Arrington (Neo Soul) on June 21.

Raleigh Little Theatre announced its 2013-2014 season, which includes two area premieres, revives the popular City Series of contemporary theaters, and celebrates 30 years of a holiday classic in "Cinderella." In the City Series, "Spring Awakening," a Tony Award winner from 2007, will be performed in the Sutton Theatre in October. "Caroline, or Change," the musical drama, also will be an area premiere. For the complete list of performances, visit www.raleighlittletheatre.org.

Simmie Kastner

The American premiere of "The Heretic" by Richard Bean (Sept. 9 to 26)
William Shakespeare's "(Three Man) Tempest" (Dec. 5 to 22)
The world premiere of Terry Milner's "The Jesus Fund," directed by Beth Gardiner (Jan. 30 to Feb. 16, 2014)
Goodrich and Hackett's modern classic "The Diary of Anne Frank," (April 3 to 20, 2014)

Marti Hampton, leader of Team Marti at RE/MAX One in Raleigh, earned the No. 1 ranking among RE/MAX Realty residential team leaders in the United States. In addition, she is listed as No. 3 among RE/MAX Realty's worldwide team leaders for total commissions.

Tara Kreider, vice president of TradeMark Properties, received the Million Dollar Land Sales Club award from the Triangle Commercial Association of REALTORS for the second consecutive year.

Kim Crump, a buyer's agent, earned the top spot among agents for February.
Ashley Rummage was hired as director of first impressions.

Jennifer Dumas joined Fonville Morisey Realty as a full-time sales associate of the Preston office, in Cary.

Women who had sufficient amounts of vitamin D were 32 percent less likely to develop fibroids than women with insufficient vitamin D, according to a study from researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park. Fibroids, also known as uterine leiomyomata, are noncancerous tumors of the uterus. Fibroids often result in pain and bleeding in premenopausal women, and they are the leading cause of hysterectomy in the United States. The study of 1,036 women ages 35 to 49 was led by Donna Baird, Ph.D.

They expect an above-average hurricane season for 2013. This year should see 13 to 17 named storms forming in the Atlantic basin. Of these, seven to 10 may grow strong enough to become hurricanes, and three to six may become major hurricanes, according to Dr. Lian Xie, professor of marine, earth and atmospheric sciences. His collaborators include Dr. Dorit Hammerling, postdoctoral research associate in statistics.

Higher temperatures found in urban environments are a key contributor to higher populations of insect pests called scale insects. This indicates that an increase in temperatures associated with global climate change could lead to a significant increase in scale insect populations. Scale insects are small pests that latch onto a plant and feed off of its sap, weakening and potentially killing the plant. "The scale insects in the hotter urban zones appear to have adapted or acclimated to the higher temperatures in urban environments," says Emily Meineke, a Ph.D. student at N.C. State and lead author of the paper. "Theoretically, that adaptation would also allow them to take advantage of warmer temperatures that may result from climate change."

Cary Gastroenterology's Women Center for GI Health, in Raleigh, opens May 1. Dr. Juliana Miller and Dr. Shannon Scholl are heading up the Triangle's first women's specialty clinic for gastrointestinal health care. Miller and Scholl, two of the seven physicians at Cary Gastroenterology, provide care, treatment and resources for women ages 18 and up. "Hormones impact and affect women's bodies and systems, resulting in the need for specialized treatments," notes Scholl. Emphasizing the importance of preventive care, Miller stresses colon cancer screening. "Colon cancer is the third-leading cancer killer of women in America. It is also the only cancer that is preventable. Routine screening colonoscopies starting at age 50 for women, age 45 for African American women, is our first line of defense."

Duke University Medical Center, in Durham, named a conference room after Anna's Angels, a Cary-based nonprofit that raises funds for Down syndrome research at Duke Children's Hospital. Anna's Angels, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, is named for Anna Merrills, the 11-year-old daughter of Michelle Pfeiffer Merrills and her husband, Andrew Merrills.

Amanda Gorecki

Sandy McManus, a registered nurse, was hired as cosmetic clinic director. McManus is responsible for overseeing all clinical operations.
The firm participated in Spa Week, a nationwide event focusing on personal health and wellness that's held every April and October.

Lisa Feierstein, RN, BSN, MBA, co-founder of Sound Sleep Institute, in Raleigh, says it now offers SHUTi, an online program to treat insomnia.

The annual Booksale and Festival of Reading, hosted by Wake County Public Libraries, takes place May 9 to 12 at the N.C. State Fairgrounds, in Raleigh. The annual event features more than 400,000 books for sale as well as activities and entertainment.

Local "celebrity-hero" readers and performers entertain children and families at Bookmarked! 2013, a celebration of books, music and the wonders of childhood that takes place May 4 from 9 a.m. to noon at The Commons at North Hills, in Raleigh. The event is hosted by Lucy's Book Club, a program of the Lucy Daniels Center, a provider of mental health services for children. Readers and performers include: Page Crawford, WNCN anchor; Jennifer Ormiston, Durham police officer; Tina Seldon Cash, vocalist and children's entertainer; Jennifer Garst, MD; and Pam Hartley, vice president of play experience at Marbles Kids Museum.

N.C. Poetry Society Poetry Series on the fourth Sunday of every month at 2 p.m. at McIntyre's Fine Books, Fearrington Village, in Pittsboro. McIntyre's hosts published members of the N.C. Poetry Society for reading and discussing their work. Open mic follows reading.
Jambalaya Soul Slam Academy on the third Sunday of every month from 4 to 6 p.m. at Hayti Heritage Center, in Durham. Writing and performance workshop facilitated by national spoken word artists.
The Code of Silence featuring Poet on Watch May 4 at 8 p.m., which is hosted by Amber Williams and Shaina Whitworth, in Durham. A potluck evening of poetry, performance, film, good food, drinks and laughter.
Amplified Voices Poetry Open Mic on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 7 to 9 p.m. at Amplified Art Gallery, in Raleigh. Wine and original poetry in an intimate setting with music-themed art on display.
Raleigh Open Mic Night on the first Thursday of the month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Royal Bean Coffee House, in Raleigh. Hosted by Maureen Sherbondy and co-sponsored by Main Street Rag Publishing Company.
Living Poetry book club on the second Sunday of each month from 2 to 4 p.m. at Cameron Village Library, in Raleigh.
Raleigh Write to Publish Group on May 18 at Quail Ridge Books & Music, in Raleigh. The first in a three-month series discussing novels from a writer's perspective, looking at character, plot, setting, style and theme.

Deborah Heath Watkins, an adjunct professor at N.C. Central University, in Durham, wrote a series of three books for beginning readers called "Read? Yes, I Can!"

Garner native Evelyn Hanks, 14, won Constituting America's "We the People 9*17" contest, where she was given the best essay award for her piece "America: Principled, Prosperous."