The Art in the Garden sculpture invitational takes place May 2 and 3 as well as May 9 at the studio and gardens of Tinka Jordy and Mark Donley in Hillsborough. The 21st annual show and sale premieres work for the outdoors by nationally recognized and local artists.

The Umstead Hotel and Spa, in Cary, presents the mixed-media glass work of N.C. artist Madonna Phillips May 8 to 14.

Hillsborough's spring garden tour is May 16-17. The event features 12 gardens plus many displays of art and informative sessions. Linda Schmitt is the chairwoman of this event.

Karol Tucker and Lori White present their paintings at the Village Art Circle in Cary through May 23. Tucker shows a series of profile portrait studies while White shows lake landscapes.

Cynthia Mollenkopf presents her hand-felted wearables at the Cary Gallery of Artists in a show that runs through May 26.

Margaret Griffin, a sculptor, and Linda Kimball, a mixed-media artist, display their work in "Artist Unleashed" at Local Color in Raleigh through May 30.

Gallery C in Raleigh, owned by Charlene Newsom, hosts the "The Best of North Carolina 2015" through May 31. Works in a variety of mediums are included in the exhibit.

Kate Whetten was reappointed director of the Center for Health Policy and Inequalities Research, which is part of the Duke Global Health Institute in Durham. Whetten is a professor of public policy, nursing, community and family medicine and global health.

Sara Turner, a chemistry doctoral student at UNC-Chapel Hill, is a winner of the 2015 Graduate Education Advancement Board Impact Award, which recognizes graduate students for contributions to the state of North Carolina. Turner has developed an adhesive that could help in automated production processes.

Three women were honored at the UNC-Chapel Hill Campus Y with the University Award for the Advancement of Women. The award is given to individuals who have supported women on campus, elevated the status of women or improved campus policies for them, promoted women's recruitment and retention, or promoted professional development for women. Receiving the award were: Terri Phoenix, director of the LGBTQ Center; Maegan Clawges, UNC senior; and Carmen Samuel-Hodge, research assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition at the Gillings School of Public Health and School of Medicine.

WomenNC, a nonprofit in Cary, held an event last month that reflected on the global status of women. Prior to it, WomenNC's 2015 fellows from UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke University, N.C. State University and Meredith College attended the United Nation's 59th annual Commission on the Status of Women.

Carolina Advanced Digital in Cary contracted with NASA to provide computer technologies, high-end scientific and engineering processing capabilities, and network equipment. "Earning this contract award in the year we celebrate our 30th year in business is especially gratifying," said Susan Jabbusch, executive vice president and co-owner.

Melissa Holland, of Durham, launched BeliBea, a maternity bra line designed to make nursing and pumping more manageable.

Erickson Advisors, a family-run wealth management firm founded by Linda P. Erickson, expanded its operations with a new office in Durham. Lauren Erickson leads the Durham location.

Mannix & Associates in Cary is celebrating its sixth year providing long-term-care senior placement, home health and facility consulting. Ursula C. Mannix is the president of the firm.

Emily Parks, owner of Organize for Success in Raleigh, offered new packages to better meet the productivity needs of busy professionals and corporate teams. These packages are designed to provide new business owners with the tools needed for a solid foundation.

Regina Petteway was selected to serve as the human services director of Wake County. Petteway began working for Wake County in 1993. She has held a variety of positions, including assistant health director and director of community initiatives.

In Raleigh, retired Chief Justice Sarah Parker was awarded with Meredith College's 2015 Woman of Achievement. Parker was chief justice of the N.C. Supreme Court from 2006 to 2014.

The N.C. Board of Transportation added five new members to its board, including Sandra Fountain and Tracy Dodson, who were sworn in for four-year terms last month in Raleigh. Nineteen men and women from across the state make up the board, which works with staff members in the department to make decisions about transportation priorities.

Raleigh Downtown Farmers Market kicks off its sixth season on May 6 with a Pig Pickin' Celebration. Katie-Rose Tuttle is the special events manager of the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, which produces the event.

The 45th annual Youth Legislative Assembly was held in Raleigh. The YLA is a mock general assembly where N.C. high school students meet to draft bills, engage in debate and vote on mock legislation. The following honors were announced:

• Mary Katherine Falgout of Durham received the Outstanding Committee Chairman Award.
• Kierra Bailey and Velencia Giles of Garner received the Outstanding Service Award.
• Mikayla Entrekin of Durham received the Outstanding Delegate Award.

The Ivy Hill Foundation presents its Pink Pearls Extravaganza on May 16 in Chapel Hill. The event includes a shoe fashion show, buffet lunch and silent auction. Proceeds support the foundation's community programs and scholarships for college-bound students from Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Pittsboro. Chanda Douglas-Ward is the president of the Ivy Hill Foundation for the Mu Omicron Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Durham Alumnae Delta House hosted its annual golf tournament fundraiser last month at The Crossings Golf Club in Durham. Proceeds of the event support the Durham community. The committee chairs were Kim Williams and Lisa King.

The Chatham Unit of the League of Women Voters of Orange, Durham and Chatham Counties sponsored a public forum last month on Chatham County economic development. Dianne Reid is president of the Chatham Economic Development Corp., a nonprofit that provides support to businesses throughout the county.

SAFE Haven for Cats held its 11th annual Tuxedo Cat Ball last month. Pam Miller is the executive director of the organization. Proceeds from the event are being used to rescue and adopt animals and to provide low-cost spay and neuter services.

The Lucy Daniels Center hosts its second annual Inside Out 5K Run/Walk for Children's Mental Health on May 2. Clarenda Stanley-Anderson is the director of development at the Cary-based nonprofit, which provides educational programming to support health development and literary skills for Triangle kids. The event is followed by a ribbon cutting for the organization's new Therapeutic Teaching Garden.

Jen Kirkman performs at Goodnights Comedy Club in Raleigh from May 14 to 16.

Midtown Bluegrass Series: Sunday Ramble in the Park returns to North Hills, and Vickie Vaughn band plays on May 17.

Regina Carter, a jazz violinist, came to the Triangle in March for a private session with the top musicians of Kidznotes, a Triangle-based nonprofit that provides students with free music instruction.

N.C. Opera presents "Opera in the Pines" on May 9 at the Koka Booth Amphitheater in Cary. D'Ana Lombard and Sarah Mesko are featured singers.

The Carolina Theater in Durham presents:

• May 2 - Lila Downs, a singer
• May 9 – Lisa Lampanelli, a comedian
• May 12 – Lisa Loeb, a singer/songwriter
• May 18 – Shelby Lynn, a singer/songwriter

The ArtsCenter in Carrboro hosts many events this month, including:

• The Barefoot Movement, Noah Wall and Hasee Ciaccio, on May 1
• Shannon Whitworth, songwriter/singer, on May 28

Vanessa Mouton was named branch leader of the Allen Tate Company's Searstone office in Cary. Mouton has more than 11 years of real estate experience.

Fonville Morisey Realty announced:

• Ebony Gorum in the Brier Creek office and Nan McBean in the Falls office joined the firm as full-time sales associates.
• The company awarded three women the title of top listing and listings sold associates for 2014: Debbie Van Horn of Cary, Kim Pardue of Garner and Veneta Ford of Garner.
• Four women earned the title of top team for 2014: Viki Pace-Smith and Cindy Doan of Chapel Hill, Cara Pierce of Raleigh, and Angela Drum of Raleigh.

Anquonette Stiles, a chiropractor, is the newest addition to the Verve Holistic Health practice in Raleigh. Stiles serves as associate doctor and director of research.

Dale Sandler, Ph.D., received the Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service. Sandler is a senior researcher and head of the Epidemiology Branch at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park.

Barbara Savoldo, M.D., Ph.D., joined the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center to help launch clinical trials. Savoldo's research focuses on Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which are the two types of blood cancer marked by the uncontrolled growth of certain white blood cells.

The Osteoarthritis Action Alliance, a group of public health leaders committed to elevating osteoarthritis as a national health priority, is now based at the Thurston Arthritis Research Center in the UNC School of Medicine. Leigh F. Callahan, Ph.D., is director of the organization.

Dr. Nzingha White joined the practice of family practitioners at Chapel Hill Primary Care.

The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary, owned by Ann Goodnight, offers three new services: Valmont facial, Jurlique brightening vitamin C facial and Decleor red island ritual body treatment.

Elizabeth Oliver of Apex received honorable mention in the 2015 Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize for her story "Just Wait."

Teresa Assenzo, a Raleigh teacher and artist, illustrated the new children's book "Creatures in the Kitchen," which was published by TW Publishing.

Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, owned by Jamie Fiocco, announced its author events for this month, including:

• May 11 - Sarah Dessen, "Saint Anything"
• May 12 - Jessica Hopper, "The First Collection of Criticism by a Living Female Rock Critic"

Quail Ridge Books & Music in Raleigh, owned by Lisa Poole, announced its author events for this month, including:

• May 8 - Cokie Roberts, "Capital Dames"
• May 14 - Christmas Abbott, "The Badass Body Diet"
• May 18 - Mary Robinette Kowal and Marie Brennan, Historical Fantasy Reigns
• May 21 - Mary Kay Andrews, "Beach Town"
• May 23 - Jill McCorkle, "Every Father's Daughter"
• May 26 - Lee Mims, "Saving Cecil"