Durham Skywriter November/december 2009

November / December 2009 vol 8, no 8

Covering events up to December 21

“Durham’s community paper”

love abounds at the North Carolina State Fair (photo by patricia A murray)

2  The Durham Skywriter — November / December 2009

Look for

every month at neighborhood and downtown stores, businesses, recreation centers, and libraries (5,000 copies per month; 300+ dropoff points throughout Durham) … and don’t forget to listen to Radio Skywriter every Saturday from 8:30 to 9am on WNCU / 90.7fm and wncu.org. For more info and to be a guest on the show, call us at 809-YOU2 or 270-8431

November / December 2009 — The Durham Skywriter  3



el-cheapo handy hints

patricia A murray

Y

ou can really save on your heating bills if you make sure your windows and doors are properly insulated. Run your hand along the edge of your windows, and be sure to check under your window sills. If you feel air, you’ve got a gap where air (air you’re paying to heat) is escaping. Get some caulk and close up those gaps; caulk usually comes in tubes that you place in a caulk gun (which is inexpensive and easy to use). If you don’t want to be bothered with caulk guns, you can buy caulk in toothpaste-type tubes or in string form, which you carefully unravel and then simply push into place.

multiprong outlets to be used for multiple strings of Christmas lights. My favorite plugs into the wall and has three downward-facing outlets that are designed to stay flat against the wall and behind furniture. Something like this can be real handy in the kitchen, where counter space can be at a premium. Now you can have room to connect three devices into one outlet (just don’t use them all at the same time). So, go down the holiday display aisles slowly and thoughtfully, thinking of ways to adapt things for your everyday use. Many of these items are only available this time of year.

You can also stick or tack weather stripping around your door frame; stick some under the door itself to get a good seal when the door is closed. Some people prefer to place some sort of air block (like a rolled-up towel or throw rug) in front of the door.

If your holiday cooking adventures keep setting off the smoke alarm, slip a shower cap over the alarm until you’re finishing cooking.

Now that the stores are putting out Christmas decorations, take the time to check out the seasonal electrical items. You can find devices this time of year that can be useful year ’round. One such item is a remote on/off device that’s designed for Christmas lights. You can use this same device as a remote readinglight on/off switch (now you can climb into bed and then turn off the light). Check out the simplified digital timers that are sold to be used with Christmas tree lights. These timers can be used for just about anything—shutting off the TV at night, starting the coffee maker in the morning, etc. Yet another item is one of those

If you’re going to have a guest this holiday season who uses a wheelchair, you can get an extra 2 inches clearance for your bathroom doorway without calling a contractor. Medical-supply stores carry a special door hinge that replaces the original—it allows the door to open wider to accommodate wheelchairs. A pair of these special door hinges costs around $20. Just in case we have a cold winter this year, go out and have a duplicate of your car keys made as soon as you can. That way, you can lock your car when warming it up on cold mornings (in order to deter theft). If we have a frost advisory, place something like carpet remnants over the windshield to avoid having to scrape ice the next morning. The Scrap Exchange

(548 Foster St, 688-6960) sells carpet squares that are just the right size. When bicycling on cold-weather days, trying putting your tongue on the roof of your mouth when breathing through your mouth. Your tongue will warm the air somewhat and will help keep your throat and lungs from feeling like they’re freezing. If you can’t remember the last time you changed the furnace filter, you should change it today. All kinds of dirt and soot are caught by the filter, which ensures that your furnace (and air conditioner) work at their peak. After a while it gets harder and harder for air to reach the furnace, and if the filter isn’t changed when it’s “full,” the furnace can break down (and you sure don’t want that to happen on the coldest day of the year). Supposedly, we’re supposed to have a cold winter this year, so it’s a good idea to start stocking up on supplies just in case an ice storm crops up and shuts off your electricity: Stock up on nonperishable food like canned meats and tuna fish, canned soup and stews, and energy bars; paper plates, cups, and plastic utensils; a few gallons of bottled water; flashlights and fresh batteries; battery-powered radio and alarm clock; and a first-aid kit. You might even want to invest in a solar cell-phone charger. While we’re talking about supplies, here’s a list of winter supplies that you can stash in the trunk: A bag of sand or kitty litter (extra weight for better traction, plus you can spread some under the tires if you get stuck on a (continued on page 4)

4  The Durham Skywriter — November / December 2009

el-cheapo handy hints (continued from page 3)

patch of ice); ice scraper; good-quality jumper cables; a small folding shovel; a blanket (if you’re really stuck and have to wait for help from AAA or a friend); a flashlight and fresh batteries; and a first aid kit. Drain your garden hoses so they won’t burst from freezing water on cold nights. If your air vents are in or close to the ceiling, be sure to clean the blades of your ceiling fans. You don’t want to turn on your furnace and have dirt and dust flying all around. If your skin is unbearably dry in the winter, consider getting a humidifier. Forced-air furnaces dry out the air you breathe as well as your skin. Also, put on moisturizer twice a day instead of just in the morning. At night, take a warm (not hot) shower and apply a generous amount of moisturizer while your skin is still moist. Your skin will feel much better and better able to handle winter without drying out. Go beyond the average hot milk + chocolate routine. Here’s an advanced recipe for 4 mugs of creamy hot chocolate: First, you’ll need: 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 3/4 cup sugar, a pinch of salt, 1/3 cup boiling water, 3-1/2 cups milk, 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/2 cup half-andhalf. Here’s what you do: Combine the cocoa, sugar, and salt in a saucepan. Slowly pour in the boiling water and bring everything to an easy boil while you stir. Simmer and stir for about 2 minutes; then, stir in the milk and heat until very hot but not boiling. Remove

from heat and add the vanilla. Add the half-and-half to cool your hot chocolate to drinking temperature. Send reminders about your holiday parties by phone free of charge! There’s an online service, DialMyCalls.com, that allows you to send 30-second messages to 25 people at one time. Go to the website, set up a free account, and enter your phone number. The service will then call you and have you record your 30-second message. Then, back at the website, you can type in the phone numbers you want the service to call, and the service takes it from there. The service is free because it’s subsidized by the paid service, which allows people to make an unlimited number of calls. Save big with coupons! Before going to the store, take a few minutes and print out coupons for your favorite products and save lots of cash. Go online and visit wow-coupons.com; at this website you can look for savings for groceries and retail (they also have free samples and rebates). Suppose you’re going grocery shopping: click on “Grocery” and then go down the list of manufacturers. If you click on “Colgate-Palmolive,” you’ll see that you can print out a coupon for $1 off on Colgate toothpaste. If you click on “Organic Valley,” you can print $1 off coupons for soy milk, organic milk, cheese, and other products. If you look around, you’ll find valuable coupons for Kellogg’s, Starkist, DiGiorno, Betty Crocker, Birds Eye, General Mills, Pillsbury, and other products. When you click on “Retail,” you’ll be able to scroll down all kinds of savings from stores/businesses including

Borders, World Market, CVS, Hertz, The Home Depot, Kohl’s, Lumber Liquidators, Office Depot, Sears, Target, and True Value. Offers change all the time, so it’s a good idea to check the website on a regular basis. You can even subscribe to a free online newsletter that will alert you to new savings. Now, go out there and save money! Take the family to one of the three best wintertime state parks in North Carolina: There’s Pettigrew State Park (in Creswell), Fort Macon State Park (in Atlantic Beach), and Hammocks Beach State Park (in Swansboro). They are all right by the beach and approximately 3 hours away.

The Durham Skywriter is published monthly (midmonth to midmonth) and is distributed throughout Durham, North Carolina. We bring information to our neighbors while looking at our city’s positive side. If you have any ideas, comments, suggestions, or want to advertise with us, please write to us at: The Durham Skywriter PO Box 25138 Durham, NC 27702 Call us at 919-809-YOU2 or 919-270-8431 Or send us email: [email protected] patricia A murray, publisher freedom clay, columnist Victor Gordon, contributor Skywriter logo by John Pinkney Subscribe for $15 per year. ©2009 NCskywriter All rights reserved.

November / December 2009 — The Durham Skywriter  5

Inspirational and Provocative Moments with freedom clay Durham Skywriter Readers, we are a few weeks shy of the winter and holiday season. It seems like only yesterday when I was writing positive affirmations to consider for the “traditional” New Year. Now, we are almost at the close of another year. This period can be a very distressing time for many, which can be attributed to the seemingly nonstop hustle and bustle, responding to feelings of loss or negative experiences associated with this season. Whatever recollection you may have that could unfavorably impact your state of being, embrace the space and move on, choosing activities that encourage your sense of peace and happiness. Durham Skywriter Readers, if you have been blessed to reflect upon your past, know that you have the power to create a wonderful and hopeful “present.”

Publisher’s pitch Wow, it’s almost Thanksgiving already ... where does the time go? It’s been a challenging year for just about everyone I know. There seems to be less money floating around, and I know so many people who are cutting back on business and personal expenses. And a lot of folks are putting off vacations and other things they used to take for granted ’til sometime later. Still, there’s a lot to be thankful for. We’re still here, aren’t we? If you’ve tuned to WNCU/90.7fm on Saturday mornings lately and have been missing Radio Skywriter, it’s because our time has been changed. Now, Radio Skywriter airs from 8:30 to 9am every Saturday. You can listen on your radio and your computer at WNCU’s website, wncu.org. And if 8:30 is a bit early for you, go to wncu.org the following Tuesday; you have a week to listen to the podcast. Soon you’ll be able to read the Durham Skywriter online! I’m working on a blog where you’ll be able to click on a PDF version of the latest issue. The online version will be identical to the printed version—so if you advertise in the Skywriter, your ad will be seen by many more people! (Actually, there will be one difference. The printed version of the Skywriter has only eight full-color pages—the online version will have full color on every page! The blog is under construction, but feel free to visit it at http://durhamskywriter.blogspot.com/ and let me know how it looks.

Wishing you and yours the very best during this season of cheer, I am freedom clay with a provocative moment.

As always, keep shooting me story ideas and names of people to interview, especially for On the Job, Durham Dynamos, and Radio Skywriter.

freedom clay can be contacted via email at [email protected].

Have a great Thanksgiving, and join me in giving thanks for another year! —patricia A murray

6  The Durham Skywriter — November / December 2009

JOIN RECYCLIQUE! Signed Photographs • Posters Custom Framing • Photo Printing

www.ThroughThisLens.com

Are you an artist or crafter, or handy w/ tools? Do you hate waste! We are a co-op of students & adults who transform used and waste materials into cool, useable, sustainable fair trade products. We share workshop space and resources; our goal is to assist our members to earn income while promoting education on sustainable lifestyles & resource limits. We make & sell artistically painted rain barrels, refurbished lamps, and we are designing prototypes for composters, chicken coops, solar space heaters, garden supplies, & educational toys. Recyclique is a project of YIKES!—You(th) Involved in Keeping Earth Sustainable— which sponsors cross-generational environmental education. Join us on Thursdays at 4-6pm. We are in East Durham at end of S Goley St, two blocks east of Alston Ave. Look for the ‘Environmental Education Training Center’ sign. More info/pics: www.yikeslink.blogspot.com. Or Contact: Sandy Smith-Nonini at [email protected] or Nyota King at [email protected] or call 919-957-1500.

Blue Coffee Café

University BP

202 Corcoran St Durham 688-CAFE (688-2233) Monday–Friday 7am–7pm • Saturdays 9am–3pm

1101 University Dr Durham 490-1265 or 489-7692 shop 489-0732 home

Dine in/Take out • Full expresso bar Breakfast & Lunch (vegans welcome!) Start the day with a biscuit or Krispy Kreme! Tasty baked goods • Phone in your order

Brake jobs • Used tires Engine work • Transmission work NCI inspections • Tune-ups • Towing

THROUGH THIS LENS PHOTO GALLERY | FRAMING | LARGE-FORMAT PRINTING

303 E Chapel Hill Street • 687-0250 between the Marriott & the Post Office

Tu–Fri 10:30–5:30 • Sat 10:30–4:00

Wireless Internet • WiFi

Gwen Mathews, proprietor

Visit us at our 2nd location at Northgate Mall! Mon–Sat 8am–9pm • Sun noon–6pm

Tony & Evelyn Henderson

Durham Upholstery 809 Midland Terrace Durham 682-8301 www.durhamupholstery.com Monday–Friday 7:30am–5pm Saturdays 9am–1pm

Reupholstery • Repairs • Refinishing • Restoring

.

also… Car Upholstery • Upholstery cleaning Car tops & covers • Expert antiques repair See our website for impressive Before & After photos We pick up and deliver Call today for your free estimate

discover @

Durham County Library

For individual homes • businesses • and government Roger R Brown, sales

November / December 2009 — The Durham Skywriter  7

New Visions of Africa r e s t a u r a n t

1306 Fayetteville St (next to WD Hill) Durham 687-7070 Monday–Saturday 11am–7pm • Sundays noon–6pm

Retail Store and Art Gallery creative reuse center – new items daily 50–75% off Monday–Friday 11am–5pm • Thursdays 11am–6pm Saturdays 10am–5pm • Sundays noon–5pm

$5.50 daily specials (rotating menu). You get: 1 meat, rice and a roll, 2 side dishes, and a beverage Same great food: Chicken • Beef • Turkey • Fish plus tasty desserts. Call in your order! Home of the Bean Pie, Halal Food, and

Party Kakes

Bring in your laptop computer • We have wireless Internet

Robinson’s Florist

Collins

2524 Apex Hwy (Hwy 55) • Durham Call for pickup & delivery 957-3460

100 S Alston Ave Durham 683-2598 www.collinsexxon.com

Tune-ups • Oil changes • Brake service 4-step fuel system cleaning • Transmission service Timing belts • Coolant flush • Brake service NC State inspection station • 24-hour towing Lee E Collins, Operator

Davenport Customs

we moved!

548 Foster St Durham 688-6960 www.scrapexchange.org

2305 E Club Blvd Durham 682-5627

$99 special: Window tint $99 especial: Polarisado de autos (pregunte por Oscar) Car alarms • Car audio • Car detailing Car TV • DVD & navigation Wheels & accessories • Window tinting grand opening special: CD player & install

only $99 (most vehicles)

Special price good through December 31, 2009

Monday–Thursday 6am–8pm Fridays 6am–until … Saturdays 7:30am–4pm Sundays 8am–6pm Down-home sausage biscuits Friday & Saturday mornings

5607 Hwy 55, Suite 105, in Bentley Ridge Durham 405-4140 www.ideascoffeehouse.com

Great Coffee … Great People … Great Ideas! Wireless Internet • WiFi

Flowers for special occasions Roses special • $14.99/dozen + tax cash & carry “Say how much you love them with flowers”

High Strung

violins & guitars • dulcimers • harps & ukuleles 1116 Broad St • Durham 286-3801 www.highstrungdurham.com also banjos

Sales • Rentals • Repairs Music lessons • Classes • Workshops LAYAWAY FOR THE HOLIDAYS–Pay 1/3 down,

and the rest anytime before Dec 21, and we will hold anything in the store until Dec 24

Speight’s

Auto Service Center 4723 Fayetteville Rd Durham 544-3735 or 544-3736 Monday–Friday 8am–6pm

All major repairs Specializing in tune-ups • Brakes • A/C Electrical systems • Cooling systems

8  The Durham Skywriter — November / December 2009

WORD … WORD … WORD … R



from the American Red Cross–Central North Carolina Chapter, 4737 University Dr, 489-6541, centralnorthcarolina.redcross.org:



Now you can take American Red Cross classes online and learn at your convenience. Each online class has a one-day classroom component (listed below), where you have to demonstrate that you can put your knowledge to use. Pay for the classes at the office or online: • Adult CPR/AED—Saturday, November 21, 9am–1pm or Tuesday, December 8, 5:30–9:30pm; $40 • Adult and Child CPR/AED and Infant CPR— Tuesday and Thursday, November 17 and 19, 5:30– 9:30pm or December 15 and 17, 5:30–9:30pm; $60 • Child CPR/AED and Infant CPR—Wednesday, December 16, 5–9:30pm; $50 • CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and Healthcare Provider—Saturday, September 26, 8am–6pm; $75 • First Aid with Child CPR/AED and Infant CPR—Friday, December 18, 8:30am–4:30pm; $60 • Pet First Aid—Saturday, November 21, 1–5pm or Saturday, December 12, 1–5pm; $35 • Standard First Aid—Friday, December 18, 1–5pm; $30 • Standard First Aid with Adult CPR/AED— Thursday, December 10, 9am–4pm; $60 • Standard First Aid with Adult and Child CPR/ AED and Infant CPR—Wednesday, December 2, 8am–6pm; $70.

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from Angelfood Ministries, angelfoodministries.com/states.asp?st=nc:

Several area churches are taking part in the Angel Food Ministries program, which helps families stretch their grocery budgets by providing a variety of fresh and frozen foods for $30. The Regular Box can feed a family of four for a week; you can get a variety of meats (hotdogs, pork roast, chicken, burritos, etc), soup, macaroni & cheese, vegetables, a dozen eggs, desserts, etc. There’s also a Senior/Convenience Box, where you pay $28 for 10



precooked, heat-and-serve meals, plus desserts. Call the participating church closest to you and ask about next month’s menu, or view it online by checking the website listed above.



Make your $30 payment (or $28 for the Senior/Convenience Box) (cash, check, EBT foodstamp card) by the first week of the month (call the church for the specific day and time). When you pick up your order, you should take a large box, cooler, or laundry basket to get your groceries home. There are no income restrictions; anyone can take part in this program. Here are the local churches; call for more info: • Church of God of Prophecy, 1727 Ed Cook Rd, contact: Sharon Estrada, 812-7177 • Monroe Christian Church, 1701 Sherman Ave (off S Alston), 688-0864 • Mt Level Missionary Baptist Church, 316 Hebron Rd, 477-3893 • River of Joy Worship Center, 3324 Wake Forest Hwy (Holloway St), 598-3305 • Victorious Praise Fellowship, 2116 Page Rd, 957- 7500

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from Durham Technical Community College/The Small Business Center, North Carolina Mutual Bldg, 400 W Main St, in the SOUTHBank Bldg, 686-3300, durhamtech.edu/html/current/noncredit/ sbccseminars.htm

Durham Tech’s Small Business Center offers classes and seminars in their new location to entrepreneurs who are planning or starting their own businesses. Here are a few—sign up now. Now that the classes are being offered free of charge, the seats might be filled faster than before. Additional classes and seminars are listed on the website:

• •

21st Century Phones = Savings for Small Business —Tuesday, November 17, 6–9pm; free; learn how to take advantage of the new VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) telephone technology. (at SOUTHBank) Thinking of Starting a Business?—Monday, November 23, 3–5pm; free; an overview for business startups, with information on resources for entrepre-

November / December 2009 — The Durham Skywriter  9

WORD … WORD … WORD …

neurs; call to register for this free seminar. (at SOUTH Bank)

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from the Museum of Durham History, museumofdurhamhistory.org:



A while back, people participating in the Durham Cultural Master Plan charrettes called for a history museum, and although a brick-and-mortar version isn’t in the works yet, there is now an online presence. A board of directors is now forming. Tom Krakauer, retired CEO of the Museum of Life and Science is chairman, and so far the board members include MaryAnn Black (from Duke University Health System’s Community Relations), Barker French (retired from Brinker Capital), Jane Goodridge (formerly from Preservation Durham), Lew H Myers (from The Freelon Group), Mike Schoenfeld (from Duke University’s Public Affairs and Government Relations), and Bill Shore (from GlaxoSmithKline’s US Community Partnerships). You can read about some of the upcoming events and exhibits, which include the current Celebrating the Arts in Durham moving exhibit of banners and the Durham Festival of Music, which will be held next fall. Also on the website is a collection of really nice historic photographs and a description of the Historic Inventory, a planned collection of artifacts relevant to Durham’s history.

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from the Piedmont Wildlife Center, 364 Leigh Farm Rd, 489-0900, piedmontwildlifecenter.org:

Here’s info on upcoming all-day camps for young people ages 5 to 14. You can download application forms from the website (piedmontwildlifecenter.org/images/Intersession CampRegistration.pdf ). • Survival in the Natural World Camp—December 21–24; $160; they’ll learn how local animals adapt and survive in the winter, and how we humans can learn to adapt some of their tactics for ourselves. They’ll also explore Leigh Farm Park and help care for and handle the “educational” animals. • Web of Life Camp—December 28–31; $160; they’ll

•

learn about the relationships among wildlife and people, and will work on special projects where they’ll help take care of the forest and explore the area looking at various nearby animals and plants. Animal Adventures Camp—January 4–8; (ask for cost); they’ll meet and learn about the responsibilities of caring for Miracle the frizzled dove, Kellogg the corn snake, Houdini the screech owl, and other animals from PWC. They’ll also build homes and habitats for wildlife, learn how to care for our wild neighbors, and discover how to attract wildlife closer to their backyards.

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from Welcome Baby, 721 Foster St, 560-7150, welcomebaby.org:



















A new program, Incredible Years for Parents with Babies, is for parents of infants up to one year old. They’ll learn better ways to interact positively with their children, how to read their babies’ cues and signals, the importance of touch and visual stimulation, the way their babies’ brains are developing, and how to sidestep frustration and tend to their babies’ needs. The Incredible Years is free of charge and will be a series of morning meetings from 9:30 to 11:30am starting January 6. Call Kimberly at 560-7319 to register; ask about childcare (it’s available at $2/child, $5 maximum). Another new program, Birth and Beginning Years (BABY), is for parents who are pregnant or with babies up to 4 months old. During a weekly series of meetings, they’ll learn how to prepare for labor and delivery; how to bathe, diaper, feed, and comfort newborns; and how to cope with the changes that come with having a new baby. This free program starts on January 8 and the group will meet from 10:30am–12:30pm. Call Patience at 560-7392 to register; ask about childcare (it’s available at $2/child, $5 maximum).

R Attention, nonprofit organizations and government agen-



cies: Send us information on your programs and initiatives for inclusion in the next issue of the Durham Skywriter.

10  The Durham Skywriter — November / December 2009

NeighborGoodies … neighborhood quips

The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics student Lanair Lett took home the top regional prize in the 2009 Siemens Competition in Math, Science, and Technology. His research involved figuring the relationship of a certain gene and the beta cells that produce insulin. He was joined by schoolmates Di Deng, Tian-Yi Jiang, Jinge Su, and Patrick Yang at the regional finals in Atlanta, Georgia. TianYi Jiang and Jinge Su were regional finalists in the individual category; Di Deng and Patrick Yang were regional finalists in the team category. They each won $1,000 in scholarship money. After winning top honors in the individual category in Region Six ($3,000 in scholarship money), Lett will go on to New York City to compete in the nationals on December 3. The Siemens Foundation started the Siemens Competition in 1998 in order to recognize the country’s best and brightest math and science students.

The North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Marching Sound Machine has traveled to Atlanta to compete in the Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB) five years in a row. That fact, plus their stellar reputation, caused officials from the Tournament of Roses Parade to invite them to march in the 2011 parade. Director of Bands Jorim E Reid was caught by surprise; he had wanted to see how to get the Marching Sound Machine to march in the huge New Year’s Day parade in Pasadena, California, but didn’t know that the invitation would come so soon. They will be making their sixth appearance at the HBOB this coming January, and will then prepare for some bigtime fundraising—they’ll have to pay their own way to get to Pasadena and back, plus expenses. NCCU will have to raise at least $2,000 per band member. Once the Marching Sound Machine arrives in Pasadena, they’ll get professional assis-

& tips …

tance with float preparation and they’ll get to perform at Bandfest a couple of days before New Year’s Day, 2011.

The City of Durham has been ranked number 32 in the USA’s Government Green Fleet program. Local governments were evaluated based on types of vehicles used, fuel and emissions, policy and planning, education of staff, and executive and employee involvement. A Fleet Forum, being put together by Government Fleet magazine, Triangle Clean Cities, and the 100 Best Fleets in North America© is being held here in the Bull City because the Environmental Protection Agency recognized Durham’s reputation for having one of the greenest government fleets in the country. (The Fleet Forum will be held on Saturday, November 20 at the City’s Fleet Management Department (1900 Camden Ave).) The City will receive an award at the forum, which starts at 9am.

The folks at Carolina Biofuels (1410 Cross St, 957-1505, carolinabiofuels.org) are hoping that the Durham Public Schools will consider operating their schoolbuses on biodiesel fuel, which would greatly reduce emissions and expose the students to less fumes during their commutes to and from school.

The North Carolina Justice Center presented commendations to several noteworthy people and organizations at the 11th annual Defenders of Justice Awards at a recent celebration at the American Tobacco Campus: for legislative advocacy: State Senator Floyd McKissick Jr of Durham & State Representative Pricey

Harrison of Greensboro; for policy research and advocacy: AARP North Carolina; for grassroots empowerment: Angaza Laughinghouse, president of the North Carolina Public Service Workers Union, UE Local 150; and for litigation: John Alan Jones and Chris Olson from Martin & Jones Attorneys at Law.

Hey, there’s a new filmmaker in town— Phil Ihed, who was born in Nigeria, is filming a feature film Congo Boy in the City. Many Triangle locales were used in this film, which is about an African man’s adventures in the USA. I got to see a couple of scenes while doing some looping (movie lingo for re-recording messedup audio)—and it looks good. Here’s a description of the movie, sent by the filmmaker (and main character): Congo Boy in the City is a movie based on the experience of Africans in America. It divulges the sufferings and pain of many Africans who struggle through thick and thin to be part of the American society. Playing the main character, Nlesi, Phil Ihed commenced the movie project in 2007 and will be completing it in late 2009. The movie involves well over 300 people with many international stars from Africa taking part. It was filmed in New York City, Chicago, and mostly Raleigh, North Carolina. Launching of the movie is scheduled for the third weekend of March of 2010. Many important dignitaries are expected to attend and the venue will be chosen and announced at a later date.

Send your positive news and announcements to us!

November / December 2009 — The Durham Skywriter  11

Skywriter

Action photos

enjoying the bumper cars at the North Carolina State Fair Donna Frederick, celebrates Halloween as Cinderella at The Play House on Ninth Street

Locopops on Duke University’s campus pays homage to the Blue Devils testing the new skatepark a week before it opened on November 7

photos by patricia A murray — see more pix at flickr.com/photos/durhamskywriter

12  The Durham Skywriter — November / December 2009

DJ Piddipat

your multicultural deejay

We add just the right accent for your special event R&B (including old skool) • rock/pop • jazz • classical • children’s music world music (including salsa/tropical, African, Brazilian, and music from the Middle East, México, Japan, and more …)

Join us at at the Durham Center for Senior Life (406 Rigsbee Ave) for the Swingin’ Seniors Club (age 55+) New Year’s Eve Party on Thursday, December 31, 2–4pm Call DJ Piddipat when you need a DJ for your birthday party, retirement party, bar/bat mitzvah, family reunion, or school party, etc. I also provide background music for art galleries, restaurants, and coffee houses.

Call 809-YOU2 today!

November / December 2009 — The Durham Skywriter  13

Abundant Enterprise Gregory and Lucy Williams

800 or 919 403-8060 www.gwilliams.peoplesway.com • [email protected]

14  The Durham Skywriter — November / December 2009

Zooom! The kids’ page

MaGiCaL bUrPiNg BoTtLe Here’s what you’ll need:

one 1-liter plastic bottle one quarter access to running water and a freezer OK, here’s what you do: Take the empty bottle and stick it in the freezer for an hour (you won’t need the top—you can throw it away). You’ll need an audience. Tell your friends to follow you into the kitchen because you can make a bottle burp. Run some tap water over the quarter and get it wet on both sides. Announce that you’re about to make a bottle burp. Take the bottle out of the freezer and immediately place the quarter over the opening. Be sure to cover the opening well. Now, step back and watch the bottle “burp”!

CrAcKeR sNaCkS

Are you tired of peanut butter and jelly on crackers? Try this: Spread strawberry jam on one cracker, spread cream cheese on another cracker … put ’em together and you’ve got a tasty treat!

cAmP fOr BaBysItTeRs The American Red Cross will hold a three-day camp for young people ages 11 to 15 who want to learn all they can about babysitting. You can earn a certificate in Child/Infant/CPR and First Aid. The camp, which costs $115, will be held Monday– Wednesday, December 21–23 from 9am to 3pm at the American Red Cross office, 4737 University Dr. Have your parent or guardian call 489-6541 for more information.

SEND US JOKES! SEND US RIDDLES! SEND US SCIENCE FAIR IDEAS! SEND US MONEY! (just kidding!)

Funny jokes of the month Ben: Why did Johnny start getting such low grades after Thanksgiving? Miles: Because everything’s marked down after the holidays! Fred: What happened when the turkey got into a big fight? Mark: He got the stuffing knocked out of him! Lucy: Patti:

How can you send a turkey through the post office? Bird-class mail!

Try to say this three times fast: Which wristwatches are Swiss wristwatches?

We love funny jokes and riddles! Send us one—if we use it, you’ll win a prize!

November / December 2009 — The Durham Skywriter  15

The Gates of Praise Christian Church (2524 Hwy 55, 4932480) held its Pastors Appreciation Celebration Service honoring Pastors Archie and Linda Smith in late October. Guest speaker Pastor Walter McLaurin addressed the congregation.

Urban Ministries of Durham (UMD) will sponsor their annual Rebuilding Lives Breakfast on Thursday, November 19, 7:30–9am, at the Washington Duke Inn (3001 Cameron Blvd). The breakfast gives prospective supporters and opportunity to discuss UMD programs and services. (UMD’s Community Café serves around 500 meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) to shelter residents, houses an average of 160 people every night in two shelters, provides addiction counseling, and operates a food pantry and clothing closet.) Urban Ministries of Durham will share a report on their financial efforts for the past year and plans for the upcoming year and beyond. If you’re interested in offering foundational support and would like to attend this special breakfast, RSVP to Deanna Kleiss at [email protected] or 682-0538 x35. (Learn more about the Urban Ministries of Durham at umdurham.org.

13–15. Contact Minister Wilcox at 688-7900 or Brian Scott at [email protected] for more information.

The Child Evangelism Fellowship–Durham Area Chapter will offer intermediate-level TCF (Teaching Children Effectively™) Levels 1 and 2 courses will be offered on Thursdays 6:30– 9:30pm and Saturdays 8:30am– 4:30pm, January 14–30, 2010 at the Durham Urban Center of Light (600 E Main St). These courses are designed for instructors who want to explore fresh approaches to evangelizing and teaching children.

the praise page

The Missions Committee of Temple Baptist Church (4504 Sterling Dr) is collecting toys for the Yates Association Toy Store (where low-income parents can buy toys for their kids super-cheap). Toys will be accepted through Sunday, November 29. Call 309-0050 or visit tbcdurham.org for more information.

Union Baptist Church (904 N Roxboro St, 688-1304, unionbaptist-durham.org) is sponsoring youth basketball teams. Boys and girls who’d like to play can play on one of the teams, which areorganized by age group: ages 7 and 8, 9–12, and

Judea Reform Congregation (1933 W Cornwallis Rd, 489-7062) carries a variety of menorahs, and handdipped Chanukah and Shabbat candles shopping at the Eisman Gift Shop during office hours (Monday– Thursday 8:30am–5pm and Fridays 8:30am–3:30pm) and on Sunday mornings during Religious School. Visit the website at judeareform.org for more information and calendar of events.

Anyone curious about Islam and wanting to visit a mosque is welcome to contact Jamaat Ibad Ar-Rahman (3034 Fayetteville St, 683-5593). When you first visit, you’ll be invited to watch a 20-minute powerpoint presentation on the basic beliefs and practices of Islam. After that, 15 minutes will be set aside for you to ask any questions you might have. Then you’ll be invited to share a meal. (By the way, women enter in the first door you come to when you enter the courtyard off Fayetteville St; men enter the second set of doors to the left.) If you’d like to see the congregation in prayer, arrive right after sunset (you’ll be asked to remove your shoes when entering the prayer area). Send us announcements from your church, mosque, or synagogue, and let us know if we can subscribe to your weekly bulletins. These are free listings.

16  The Durham Skywriter — November / December 2009

SCHOOL TOOLS Next Kitchen Table Conversation

Training in construction

At the next Kitchen Table Conversation, you can have your say about the next person the Durham Public Schools chooses for the next superintendent. Current superintendent Carl Harris starts his new job as deputy assistant secretary with the US Department of Education at the beginning of next year. (Chief operating officer H Hank Hurd is serving as interim superintendent.)

The new Holton Career & Resource Center (401 N Driver St) will be the site for training young people for various types of construction and design jobs. Durham Careers in Construction (DCIC)—a local nonprofit organization made up of construction professionals—will partner with the school’s construction program to provide materials, mentors, job shadowing and internships for Holton students.

The Durham Public Schools’ next Kitchen Table Conversation will be held on Tuesday, December 1, 7–8:45pm at the DPS Staff Development Center (2107 Hillandale Rd). This meetingis open to parents, guardians, and members of the community. The Board of Education has already begun the process of searching for the district’s next superintendent, but it needs to hear from DPS staff, parents and others who have in mind some attributes that the Board should look for in a superintendent. The participants will form small groups and will be led by facilitators who are trained to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to share their viewpoints and concerns. Refreshments will be provided, and Spanishspeaking interpreters will be available for translating and interpreting. Space is limited to 150. Register online by going to dpsnc.net (click on “Kitchen Table Conversation” on the left-hand side) or by calling 560-3652 by November 30.

Durham Careers in Construction provided the materials that the construction students will use in their first project, the design and building of storage sheds. Lisa Pineiro, from DCIC’s Technical Services announced that professionals from that organization will also help the instructors develop curriculum. Due to the relationship with Durham Careers in Construction, Holton students will get ample opportunities for putting their newfound skills to good, practical use. DCIC is not new to the Durham Public Schools; the group has partnerships with a number of schools, including EK Powe Elementary School, Brogden Middle School, Northern High School, and the Career and Design Academy at Southern High School. For more information about Holton’s construction training program, contact Gloria Woods-Weeks, principal, at 560-2219. Lisa Pineiro, from Durham Careers in Construction’s Technical Services, can be reached at 620-8909.

November / December 2009 — The Durham Skywriter  17

To your health Health notes The latest on flu vaccinations

The Durham County Health Department is holding regularly scheduled clinics for H1N1 flu vaccinations on Wednesdays while supplies last. The vaccines will be offered to high-risk persons, which include pregnant women, people caring for infants younger than six months old, young people six months to 24 years old, adults ages 25 to 64 with medical conditions and healthcare and emergency medical services personnel. Young people under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The H1N1 vaccination clinics have been held at the Durham National Guard Armory on (801 Stadium Dr). A free bus shuttle will run from the Durham County Health Department (414 E Main St) and back during clinic hours. “Regular” or seasonal flu vaccination are available at the Durham County Health Department on Fridays and Mondays, 8:30–11am and from 1–4pm. At press time, there is no injectable form available for babies ages 6 months through 35 months. The intranasal form (FluMist) is available for healthy people ages 2–49 years; pregnant women cannot get the intranasal form. You can get the latest information about upcoming H1N1 vaccination clinics by calling the H1N1 vaccine information line at 560-7882. You can also visit the Durham County Health Department website, durhamcountync.gov/departments/ phth, for information; click on “Information about Flu” on the left-hand side.

The Sisterhood Project (phase 2)

The Community Health Coalition is collaborating with the Susan G Komen for the Cure’s NC Triangle office to provide free mammograms for African-American women age 40 and older who are un- or underinsured. Historically, black women have waited much longer than white women in making appointments to check out problems that might lead to breast cancer. As a result, cancer is often diagnosed much earlier in white women, resulting in simpler solutions like lumpectomies (removing tumors). More often, black women end up getting mastectomies, losing part of (and sometimes the entire) breast, and dealing with more life-threatening situations. Contact the Community Health Coalition by calling 470-8680 or by sending an email message to healthcoali@ aol.com (the website address is www.chealthc.org). Appointments for free mammograms can be made for daytime or after-work hours, and in some cases, transportation is available.

Lincoln gets stimulus funds

The Lincoln Community Health Center (1301 Fayetteville St) will be getting more than one million dollars in federal economic stimulus funds for expansion. The Health and Human Service Administration will provide moneys for creating 15 new examination rooms, which should result in shorter wait times for patients in adult medicine and pediatrics. Once construction is underway, the work should take approximately 18 months to complete.

Radio Skywriter is now available via podcast!

If you can’t listen on Saturdays at 11am on WNCU/90.7fm or wncu.org,

ChoiceCutts Barber/Styling

208 Foster St (across from the Marriott) 680-3228 Durham Mon 10am–5:30pm, Wed 8:30am–5:30pm, Thurs 8:30am–6:30pm, Fri 8:30am–5:30pm, Sat 7:30am–2pm, 1st & 3rd Sun 1–5pm Follow our tweets at twitter.com/ choice_cutts

listen any time you want by listening to the podcast on wncu.org! Call 809-YOU2 to be a guest on Radio Skywriter!

and save!

Adult Cutts $12 • Teens (ages 13–17) $9 Children $7 • Shampoo $8 Walk-ins welcome! Looking for barber/stylist • Booths available

Check out our new website … Listen to our podcasts

www.wncu.org Morning Jazz • Afternoon Jazz • Evening Jazz 8-Track Flashback • Bonjour Africa Democracy Now! • Hallelujah Praise Jazz Focus • Radio Skywriter • Piano Jazz Tell Me More • Precious Memories & More Mastering Your Money • R&B Chronicles Reggae Scene • The Funk Show

November / December 2009 — The Durham Skywriter  19

Chicken Hut

Jareh Healthcare, Inc Personal Care Services / IHA / Sitter Companion • CAP services: adult, child, HIV

3019 Fayetteville St Durham 682-5697 Monday–Saturday 10am–6pm

Providing compassionate and dependable in-home care like family 24/7

Eat In • Take Out • Catering

Free initial home conference

Fried Chicken • Fish • Home-cooked vegetables Homemade desserts • Dinners cooked to your liking: Baked Chicken, Beef Liver, Chitlins, Oxtails Ribs (beef and pork)

Medicaid • Insurance • Private Pay

Lemonade & Sweet Tea by the gallon/half-gallon

Call 800-361-3354 for more information

Scott Custom Tailors 104 Morris St Durham 688-1917 Monday–Friday 7am–5:30pm Saturdays 8am–3pm

Custom-made slacks and suits Specializing in alterations for men and women Charlie Scott Jr

Daran Scott

Emajuan’s Concierge & Errand Services Errands • Grocery Shopping • Angel Food Delivery Open 7 days a week!

Call us for your holiday meal and gift delivery service! Call 638-6113 or visit us online at www.emajuans.com Let us do the small stuff!

The

Palace International restaurant and catering

1104-A Broad St Durham 416-4922 Tuesday–Saturday 11am–2pm : Lunch 5–10pm : Dinner Friday & Saturday Bar Open until 2am new! Sunday Brunch Buffet 11am–4pm $8 Vegetarians welcome We provide catering services 7 days/week for all types of functions & occasions

CNA-1 Training Certified by the State of NC / Bonded

Allen’s Wrench 606 United Dr (off MLK Pkwy) 361-0403 Durham www.allenswrenchnc.com Monday–Thursday 7am–6pm

tip of the month: Put the “freeze” on winter breakdowns. A coolant flush removes sediment and scaling from your antifreeze and restores pH balance (old antifreeze can eat away at your engine)

Clarence Allen, Jr, owner

New Bethel and LW Reid Apartments for Seniors age 62 and older No application fee • 1 BR • Laundry room Interior hallways • Rent based on income Handicap-modified units Callbox entry system Central heat / air On busline 2614 Crest St Durham 286-7896 Equal Housing Opportunity

20  The Durham Skywriter — November / December 2009

SENIORSCOPE Q News from the Council for Senior Citizens,

Durham Center for Senior Life, 406 Rigsbee Ave, 688-8247, councilseniorcitizens.org; activities are for men and women age 55+:



Develop strength and flexibility with a peaceful vibe in the Yoga class held in the Exercise Room on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9–10am and also on Thursdays, 6–7pm.



A new class, Mat Pilates and Dance, will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:30am–12:30pm. This is a full workout using dance moves, and is perfect for someone working downtown. The cost is $3/class; call for more information.



Enjoy the next Swingin’ Seniors Club’s social and dance party on a special day and time—Thursday, New Year’s Eve, 2–4pm! (The Center is closed on the days after Thanksgiving and Christmas, the days that the SSC would ordinarily be held). Count down the seconds and then dance to good music that you probably haven’t heard for a while—Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke, James Brown, plus line dances like the Electric Slide, Mississippi Slide, and the Cupid Shuffle— spun by Skywriter publisher Pat Murray (aka DJ Piddipat). It’s free!



Q News from the Durham Parks and Recreation

Mature Adults Office, Durham Center for Senior Life, 406 Rigsbee Ave, 354-2710; serving men and women age 55+:

The 1st annual Mature Adults Winter Bowling



Extravaganza will be held on Wednesday, December 2, 10:15–noon at the Village Lanes Bowling Alley (330 Hardee St, 682-9145). The discounted senior rate is $1 for shoes/game. Because this bowling party is being organized by the staff at WD Hill (Roger Hill, director), call 560-4292 for more information.



The 38th annual Senior Holiday Party will be held on Tuesday, December 8, 4:30–7:30pm, at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center (4700 Emperor Blvd, Page Rd exit off Hwy 40). Get gussied up and enjoy food, music, and dancing with special guest performers Lo-K-Shun. Tickets are $15 ($20 for out-of-towners); they can be purchased at the Durham Parks and Recreation office (400 Cleveland St) on weekdays from 8am to 5pm. This year, DPR will have everyone who buys a ticket fill out a client-intake form (they’ll ask for your name, date of birth, address, and email address). Transportation will be available from the Durham Center for Senior Life (406 Rigsbee Ave) and Campus Hills Park (2000 S Alston Ave); be sure to let them know when you buy your ticket.

Q News from the Durham County Cooperative

Extension, 721 Foster St, 560-0525, http://durham.ces.ncsu.edu:

Grandparents who are raising their grandchildren are invited to attend the next Grandparents Support Group meeting on Thursday, December 10, 6– 7:30pm, at the DPS Staff Development Center (2107 Hillandale Rd). This month’s topic will be Literacy and Family Activities. Call coordinator Peggy Kernodle at 560-0523 to reserve your seat.

November / December 2009 — The Durham Skywriter  21

As I began drafting this month’s Garden Shed column, my furnace turned on for the first time of the season. Late fall and early winter invariably brings a reintroduction to our oat closet or a car’s heater. And with daylight savings ending in only a few weeks, that winter solstice must be coming soon. But don’t get down. Here in central North Carolina, we have the good fortune of a long growing season. This means that it is time to get out there and plant something.

First on your fall to-do list

you try this winter project. I will be experimenting with it myself and likely reporting on th results in a future Garden Shed coulum.

Hypertufa is made up of equal parts peat moss, vermiculite (or perlite), portland cement, and sand. Using water to mix the ingredients in small batches, you can cover the inside or outside of plastic vessel, bowl, bucket etc. It is crucial that you prepare this mold with an oil (cooking spray) or plastic wrap. The hardened material will not scrape off easily; it can ruin glass and metal. After a curing process that can take several days or weeks, you have your planter. My web-surfing shows that it is a good idea to use a wooden dowel to make a drainage hole. if it is a large container, make more than one. If you want to make a bog garden container for moisture loving plants, then leave that step out.

the garden shed

Folks buy plants in the spring because they want to. The garden stores accommodate the spring fever because it makes good business sense. But the problem with that understandable impulse is that that those plants will need your constant attention in the summer. When we are stuck in the 90s for weeks on end—new leaves and hot sun mean that it is easy for your “new” landscape choices to wither. On the contrary, when you plant anytime between now and Christmas, you are giving your plants a head start. Their roots are growing as long as the soil temperature is above 50 degrees fahrenheit. Cool temperatures mean that you will not have to water as often. And on top of that, autumn is when a lot of nurseries are marking down their inventory. Take advantage of plant sales, ask questions of neighbors who also garden, and don’t forget to divide and give away any crowded perennials--a gap in your garden bed means that you have room to try something new.

with

Victor Gordon

Custom containers--do it yourself I had dinner with some neighbors the other evening when one of them asked me if I had ever used hypertufa. I hadn’t the slightest idea what they were talking about. So, like anyone else nowadays, I googled it when I got home. Hypertufa is a homemade material that you can use to easily make large and inexpensive planters that look like stone. In fact, “tufa,” is a porus rock that has its own place in rock gardening lore. It is not readily available, especially around here, but you can make fake tufa and have rustic looking containers for next spring if

I would reccommend using your favorite Internet search engine to brush up on the finer tips before you rush into this project--good luck and drop me an email if you have any success.

Flowers for your lawn Continue to plant bulbs. If you have trouble with trespassing deer, I have heard many folks say daffodils and jonquils are the one thing they will not eat. If you plant some of the early and small varieties in your lawn, their foilage may wither away just before you have to mow the grass in April. This allowance means that the tiny bulbs can keep their flowering promise for next year.The same technique can be used with sweeps of crocuses.

I would love your story ideas, comments or questions about what you read here. Send emails to [email protected]. Visit my blog: www.piedmontplots.blogspot.com.

22  The Durham Skywriter — November / December 2009

AJ’s Barber Shop the point setters

3031-A Fayetteville St (across from Food Lion) Durham 682-2418 Tuesday–Friday 8am–5pm Saturdays 7am–4pm

Congratulations, 2009 Graduates! You worked hard to earn your North Carolina High School Equivalency Diplomas (GEDs): Rodnika Benton Jason Eubanks Jasmine Jackson Jeremy Jarrett Joshua Jeffers Rebecca Johnson Bernice Leake Diamond Lloyd Sherrell McNeil Alexi Outlaw Monica Pettiford

Offering a clean, professional respectable shop Also women’s cuts, neck trims, & eyebrow arches André Johnson barber/manager

Brandon The Barber barber/stylist

Congratulations from the Achievement Academy of Durham 956-8918

achievedurham.org

Special Event Photography Have us take photos of your grand openings, dinners, banquets, Third Friday activities, and other special events. We can provide up to 125 photos on CDs or a flash drive for $125. Call patricia A murray today at 809-YOU2!

(We don’t do weddings;, but we can recommend an excellent photographer who specializes in weddings.)

November / December 2009 — The Durham Skywriter  23

Durham Green Flea Market 1600 E Pettigrew St • Durham 599-6166

Open every Saturday and Sunday, 7am – 4pm “If you have it, we can help you sell it” CDs & DVDs • Electronics • Clothes • Toys Fruits & Vegetables • Household items • Jewelry, etc

Vendor booths available at a low price!

BJ’s Business Services 810 Fayetteville St, Suite 105C Durham (Phoenix Crossing) 688-4114 www.bjsbusinesssvc.com • www.bjs.cceasy.com

Faxing • Obituaries • Copies • Notary • Resumés Brochures • Tickets • Business Cards • Flyers Color Copies • Wedding & Graduation Invitations

Hair Innovations 3035 Fayetteville St, Suite B Durham 697-6815 or 682-2418

Brand-new shop!

Henderson’s paint

• body • detail • towing

701 N Mangum St Durham 688-1976 Monday–Saturday 9am–6:30pm

Anthony Henderson, owner

cell: 201-9712

Sara’s Boutique Northgate Mall (next to Macy’s) Durham 286-2303 or 544-4420 [email protected]

Looking for a Shop Manager • Looking for Stylists 4 workstations Great location for walk-ins • Clientele preferred Located in NCCU area • Low start-up rent

Dinner Suits • Prom Dresses • Hats • Suits Mom’s Wedding Attire • Dyeable Shoes/Bags Ushers’ Suits • Pastors’ Robes by Murphy Quinceañera Dresses

Call today! Ask for AJ

“Relaxed shopping … Personalized service”

24  The Durham Skywriter — November / December 2009

ON THE JOB:

candy manufacturer This month we spoke with Anne Keller, the owner of Fancy’s Candy’s in Rougemont.

Q A

sell it. My dad was successful in business and I respected his opinion—he taught me how to look at my cost of production and figure out what I should charge for the final product.

What kind of candy do you make?

I make high-end toffees, and what I mean by “high-end” is that I use the very best ingredients to make a topof-the-line product.

Q A

Well, I visited A Southern Season, the gourmet food shop in Chapel Hill. I took samples and had a bigwig try one. She took one bite and said, “Just a minute.” She went and got someone else; they were so stunned and signed me up!

Here’s what happened—I was a new manufacturer and A Southern Season had a well-known brand and reputation for being the best. So we entered in a ‘private label’ agreement. So at A Southern Season my toffees have their label, and it’s called “Carolina Butter Crunch Toffee.” We have three types of toffee: white chocolate and pecan, dark chocolate and hazelnut, and milk chocolate and pecan.

I started out as a critical-care nurse at Duke and spent my last 11 years at UNC–Chapel Hill (a total of 18 years!). I loved my patients and the work—we did heart and lung transplants, etc, but something in me wanted to do something different.

So years go by, and when it came time for me to think about starting a business I remembered that toffee. I had always liked to bake, but had never tried making candy. My aunt had died by that time, but I had the recipe and thought I’d at least try to make some. My aunt’s husband was still alive, so I sent him a sample of my attempt at making the toffee and he said it was as good as my aunt’s toffee, if not better! And my parents up in Michigan told me that I must

How did you expand?

Q Wow, you started out at the top—so you don’t have to do any marketing? A You always have to do marketing!

How did you get started, and how did you come up with the recipe?

So one day my aunt out in California sent us some of her homemade toffees with walnets. I didn’t care for toffee or walnuts so I passed them on to my husband Kent. He put one in his mouth and his pupils dilated—he said, “You’ve got to try this!” We ate the whole box in an hour!

Q A

Q A

Where’s the candy made? Do you sell out of your house? Well, first I had to learn that making small batches is one thing, and that making large amounts for commercial purposes is a whole ‘nother thing. I ruined a whole lot of toffee before I did it right. I started out in my garage, which we converted into a small manufacturing plant. We had five and six employees in here at one time. Then we expanded and now the toffee is made by a larger candy manufacturer in Raleigh.

Now, when I sell my toffees in stores like Angus Barn, Fresh Market, and the International Market (annual trade show in Greensboro), I use my own labels and sell the candy under my own brand name Fancy’s Candy’s (my nickname is Fancy). We got the 2008 Best of Atlanta Award for best chocolate (at the International Market trade show) and put that on our labels–that’s also marketing. My son Bob MacCready and I came up with ‘Sin in a Tin’ and ‘Simply Sinfoil’ to put on the tins and 3- and 6-ounce bags. It’s fun to do something that makes your family proud and makes so many people happy!

November / December 2009 — The Durham Skywriter  25

Here in “Durham Dynamos” we introduce you to interesting young people in our fair city. Attention, parents/guardians and teachers: Do you know an outstanding kid (age 16 and under)? Contact us here at the Durham Skywriter!

Durham Dynamos Artemisa Gomez is age eight and is a 3rd-grader at Club Boulevard Humanities Magnet Elementary School. She has one sister, Abigail and two brothers, Gabriel and Ruben.

friend’s house, for a playdate with Camila and Buddy. She also likes to dress up her Barbie and Bratz dolls with her friends. Sometimes she dresses Coco like Santa Claus!

Artemisa’s favorite class is Music. She plays the xylophone and sings; in fact, she enjoys singing so much that she’s in the chorus at her church.

When she does her homework, Artemisa prefers everything nice and quiet so she can concentrate. Afterwards she plays soccer with her friends, dad, and brother Ruben (Gabriel got hurt, but he’s getting better).

Artemisa’s 2nd-favorite class is Spanish. She explains that she’s hispanic and like to speak both Spanish and English at home.

Artemisa Gomez

Artemisa sometimes takes her two dogs, Biggie and Coco to her mom’s Aaron Albright is 10 years old and is in the 5th grade at Club Boulevard Humanities Magnet Elementary School. He has one brother, Darelle and four sisters: Asia, Valacey, Ashley, and Genice. Aaron’s favorite class is Music because he loves playing the drums. He learned from his brother and cousin and has gotten so good that he sometimes plays for his church, the Greater Wall House of Miracles.

Aaron Albright

Aaron also enjoys Dance and PE. He likes to move—he learned dance moves from his mom and sister Genice.He can dance old school, gospel, and can even breakdance. Aaron also loves sports—he

Artemisa plans to become a soccer player when she grows up. She and her family likes to watch Mexican soccer on TV, and their favorite team is Cruz Azul. plays basketball and watches sports on TV with his dad. When he’s not in school, Aaron likes to study his Bible. He loves God and is a junior minister at his church. Aaron has been preaching since he was eight years old. He says that it takes a lot of study, prayer, and meditation. Aaron’s plans are to play basketball in high school, and then to become a preacher. He wants to bring people to God and help them as much as he can. Aaron explains that nobody’s perfect and you can have fun as a kid because God will forgive you for your mistakes, but you should always work to improve yourself.

26  The Durham Skywriter — November / December 2009

LEGAL EASE File your own visitation or custody lawsuit

North Carolina Central University’s Family Law Clinic will hold its next File It Yourself Clinic at the Legal Aid of North Carolina office (201 W Main St, 4th floor) on Friday, November 20, 3–4pm. Attendees will learn some basic family law and how to file their own visitation or custody lawsuits. A mediator can offer free help in getting you what you want without having to go to court. Call 530-7169 to reserve your spot; the cost to attend is $10. Visit nccu.edu/law/clinic/index. html to learn about NCCU’s various legal clinics. Next month’s File It Yourself date is December 18.

Download a domestic-violence survivor booklet The North Carolina Bar Association’s Young Lawyer Division has a useful booklet for people going through issues of domestic violence. The topics covered in this booklet include defining the crime of rape/sexual assault, when and how to call the police and how to prepare to deal with the court system; how to protect your children; defining ‘criminal trespass,’ ‘communicating threats,’ ‘stalking,’ and ‘harassing phone calls’; and how to get a domestic violence protective order. Some of the questions that the booklet tackles are: ‘What happens if the abuser violates the [protective] order?’ ‘What happens if you contact the abuser?’ ‘What if it’s not safe for me to stay in my home?’ ‘How does moving affect my child custody rights’ and ‘What do I do about my money and my important things?’ You can read this book online or you can print it out and read it later (keep in mind that it’s 33 pages). Go to http:// younglawyersdivision.ncbar.org/LegalResources/Publications/ Downloads_GetFile.aspx?id=6910, or simply go to the Young Lawyers section of the NC Bar Association website, Young

LawyersDivision.ncbar.org, and click on “2008 Domestic Violence Booklet” on the right-hand side.

An answer is on the way Milton C Jordan Sr has a passion for keeping ex-offenders from making the types of mistakes that will return them to prison. He served time himself, and said that the warden joked that he wouldn’t bother to have sheets on the bed changed because he expected Jordan to be returning soon. It’s been 46 years and Jordan is still out. He’s working on an educational project that’s designed to help ex-offenders change their way of thinking, to steer them away from old habits, and to get them to transform themselves from predators to contributors. “A Successful Life After Prison” will present thoughtful, straightforward, and useful concepts for ex-offenders (and their families and friends, who often are their enablers). Jordan says that, although he got along with the other inmates while he was serving his time, his mindset started to change when his release date got within reach. He started writing down his thoughts and his plans for changing his life and becoming a good citizen. Prison life lost its appeal, and his thoughts started to rise above his situation. By the time he was released, his criminal mindset had already changed, and he took on his new life as an already successful man. A Successful Life After Prison won’t work for every prisoner—only those who are ready to change. Visit miltonc jordansr.com and click on “koc-mpac” for a preview on the project. A Successful Life After Prison is scheduled to make its debut next year; we’ll keep you posted.

Attention, attorneys: Contact us so we can interview you about the latest legal issues (we won’t ask you to dispense legal advice).

November / December 2009 — The Durham Skywriter  27

SPORTIN’ LIFE Turkey Trot for the Special Olympics

A 5k run, walk, or trot fundraiser for the Special Olympics will start and end at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club (3001 Cameron Blvd) on Saturday, November 21, 9am. The course will run along the Washington Duke Trail on Duke’s West Campus. Check mbaa. fuqua.duke.edu/mbagames/turkeytrot. html for registration information.

Bounceback Kids

Suppose you knew a child with a serious medical condition who wanted to try his (or her) hand at sports. Should he go through life being told “you can’t do that”? Bounceback Kids is designed for young people ages three to 21 who want to participate in physical activities. Cancer, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, asthma, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses don’t stop Bounceback Kids from having a good time. As long as they have a doctor’s permission, members of Bounceback Kids enjoy carefully monitored sports-related activities and social events at least twice a month. Bounceback Kids is a nonprofit organization that offers individual and group instruction in basketball skills and fitness training. Noted basketballskills instructor Mike Zeillmann leads the b-ball sessions and licensed fitness trainers help the members with their movement and flexibility and teach workout routines. The basketball sessions are held at the Emily Krzyzewski

“Emily K” Center (904 W Chapel Hill St), and the workout sessions take place at Empower Personal Training (3211 Shannon Rd). The recreational and social activities allow Bounceback Kids to have fun while just being themselves. They go bowling, visit museums, learn how to cook, try their hand at drama, work on arts & crafts projects, and go to local sporting events. Parents and guardians of Bounceback Kids learn about local resources and services, plus they can gather information on planning for college. There’s no charge for any Bounceback Kids activities—all programs are open to members of Bounceback Kids and their brothers and sisters. An Open House will be held on Saturday, November 21, 11am–2pm, at the Emily K Center. Enjoy the food, meet some of the current participants and their parents, and see if Bounceback Kids is a good match for your child. Learn more about Bounceback Kids by calling 246-9100 or by visiting the website at bouncebackkids.org.

Bull City Classic

More than 80 Division I prospects and nationally ranked high school basketball teams will take part in the annual Bull City Classic November 27 and 28 at Mount Zion Christian Academy (3519 Fayetteville St). Tickets are $12; call 688-4245 for more info.

SPORTS

SHORTS

• Get some exercise by signing up for the Heels in Motion mall- walking program at the Streets at Southpoint (6910 Fayetteville Rd). The doors open at 8am Monday–Saturday and 11am on Sundays. At 8am on Wednes- day, November 25, you can enjoy a free breakfast at Chick- fil-A and listen to a health talk led by a representative from the Wellness Center at Meadow- mont. • Critical Mass bike rides are monthly outings for both casual and serious bicyclists interested in exercising with alternative and sustainable transport. These rides are held all around the USA. Durham’s Critical Mass starts at 5:35pm on the first Thursday— December 3—at Major the Bull in CCB Plaza, at Corcoran and Parrish Sts. • Attention, runners: There will be two Thanksgiving Day events you might want to check out: Gallop and Gorge 8k (and Lit- tle Turkey kids races in Carrboro; check cardinaltrack.com for more info. The Ridgewood Tur key Trot is a fundraiser in Ra- leigh for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (they’ll also have kids’ events). Check mseventsnc.com for more info.

28  The Durham Skywriter — November / December 2009

Personal info

Work experience

Of course, you start with your name and address on the top of the page. Don’t type the word resumé on top, though. Many HR (human resources) people hate that. Include your home telephone number, cell phone number (that is, if you want them to have it), and email address. It’s a good idea to give your prospective employers every way to contact you. If you’re working right now, you might be tempted to include your work number—but be careful! If you don’t want anyone at the job to know you’re job-hunting, then don’t do it. Instead, say in your cover letter that they can leave a message on your home answering machine (and find a way to check your messages during a break or lunch—or give them your cell number).

Most resumés are set up to describe the latest job first, with the dates, job title, company name, address, and telephone number. List the responsibilities of your job title, and be sure to to note how your company benefitted from your efforts. (For example, for an editor position you could say something like, “… was responsible for reworking the engineers’ reports and white papers so that they could be understood by audiences unfamiliar with engineering concepts.”) Use action words.

It’s not necessary to give your marital status or health information. And employers aren’t supposed to ask how you’re going to handle the job if you have kids.

Objective

build a strong resumé

You can name your objective if you know what job you’re going after. HR personnel tend to dislike objectives that are too general (for example: “I would like an exciting entry-level position that would allow me to use my skills”). Target a job title, and don’t forget to use the magic word “benefit” (for example: “… a sales position with a company that will benefit from my specialized knowledge of electronics and my ability to explain technical concepts to the average consumer”).

Qualifications Some people like to list their qualifications so that the prospective employers can see that they’ve got the right stuff to get the job done (for example: “Highly motivated, able to work alone and with a team, likes to see a job through …”). This can work for younger and/or less experienced jobseekers—this shows the employers that you might have the skills they’re looking for, even though you might not have lots of experience.

Don’t assume that everyone understands all the responsibilities of jobs you’ve had. And don’t be afraid to pump up your job. Instead of just saying, “Swept and mopped” or “Was the janitor,” you can say, “Swept and mopped hallways twice a day to keep them spotless and to make a good impression on our visitors.” That shows pride in a job well done.

Education List the high school (and college, if that applies) that you went to, and name any diplomas earned. If you didn’t finish school, you can use that common buzz word “attended.”

Most people list their “Work experience” ahead of “Education,” but if you’re just out of school, you can put Education first.

Extracurricular activities If you have outside activities that relate to your job or that show that you’ve got great character, list them. List community activities such as: volunteer tutor, active member of your block club or gardening club, participant in fundraising activities for your church or civic group. (Be careful about listing organizations with an emphasis on race or ethnicity.) If you don’t have much work experience, a nice summary of volunteer experience can set you apart from other, less experienced jobseekers. Give prospective employers every opportunity to see you as a positive person and possible asset to the company.

November / December 2009 — The Durham Skywriter  29

Surfing the Internet is fun, but it can cause you to lose track of time. So, in the interest of science and in saving you precious time, I thought I’d tell you about some fun sites I’ve encountered while gallantly giving up some of my own precious time.

freeshipping.com Have you ever spotted that “enter coupon code here” field when shopping online? Very often that coupon code allows the shopper to receive discounts on their shipping costs. Now, when you’re doing your holiday shopping online, you can go to freeshipping.com, choose the store you plan to be making your purchase from, get the coupon code, and then save on shipping (and sometimes getting free shipping!). Special sales are listed on this website as well. Some of the participating stores are Eddie Bauer, Old Navy, Nike, The Home Depot, The Gap, eBags, and Lane Bryant.

fuelmeup.com You can check gasoline prices around town by going to fuelmeup.com. Enter the city and state, or zipcode, and find the best place to fuel up your vehicle. You can also search by ‘mid,’ ‘super,’ and ‘diesel.’ While looking over the gas prices, you can also read what’s going on in the oil business: the price of a barrel, whether gas prices are going up or down, and recent trends.

primopdf.com

convertworld. com Now you can easily convert world currencies, metric weights/lengths, nautical miles, astronomical, and even shoe sizes into more familiar forms of measurement (and vice versa) at the convertworld.com website. Other areas you can explore include measurements of electricity, chemistry, motion, computers, energy, and mechanics. And if you’re more comfortable with languages other than English, you can do your conversions in Spanish, Arabic, German, Chinese, Japanes, French, Hebrew, and more.

high-tech hijinks

phonemyphone.com You no longer have to ask friends to call you to remind you of important appointments or to wake you up. Now, you can go to phonemyphone.com and set up a time for your computer to call your telephone. You can use this free service to wake up on time, find your missing cell phone, and if you’re desperate—to escape a boring meeting or make a getaway.

PDFs (portable document files) are universal and enable people to see documents that were created with programs other than the ones on their computers. Suppose you created a flyer in PageMaker and sent it to a friend. However, your friend doesn’t have PageMaker on her computer and she can’t open it. If you convert the document into a PDF file, then your friend can open it easily. So, here’s what you do: Go to primopdf.com and upload your document. It will then be converted into a PDF file and then emailed to you. This is a free service (but only comes in a PC version).

cuteoverload.com

Still photos and short videos of cute baby animals of all kinds and vivacious pets can be found on cuteoverload.com. Some of the situations are staged, but the cuteness is always real.

pdfpad.com Instead of running to specialty stores in search of musical staff paper whenever you’re struck by a fit inspiration, you can go to pdfpad.com, choose ‘staff paper’ and print out all you need. You can also print out sudoku sheets, and you can even get to choose from ‘easy,’ ‘challenging,’ ‘difficult,’ and for the ultimate challenge—‘blank.’ Monthly and one-page yearly calendars can be printed from the same site, as well as different types of graph paper for your mathematical and artistic adventures.

30  The Durham Skywriter — November / December 2009

NOVEMBER 18–22

Í Aaron Mills (former bassist for Cameo) will lead

weekly Jazz Jams on Sundays starting at 7pm at the Broad Street Café (1116 Broad St). Call 416-9707 or visit thebroadstreetcafe.com for more info.

Í You can drop off Household Hazardous Waste

on Tuesdays and Wednesdays noon to 6pm, Thursdays and Fridays 7:30am to 3pm, Saturdays 7:30am to 3pm, at 1900 E Club Blvd. They’ll take paint, used motor oil, pesticides, fertilizers, pool cleaners, strong cleansers, stains, varnishes, and fluorescent bulbs. If necessary, wrap the containers with newspapers to absorb spills and place them in cardboard boxes for safe transport. For individuals only—commercial users not allowed; call the City of Durham—Environmental Resources Dept at 560-4381 or visit durhamnc. gov/departments/solid/hazardous_waste.cfm for more info.

Í Overeaters Anonymous meetings are held on

Í

Tuesdays and Fridays, 12:30–1:30pm, at First Presbyterian Church (305 E Main St). Call Robin at 6833013 for more info. Meetings are also held on Saturdays, 10–11:30am, at Westminster Presbyterian Church (3639 Old Chapel Hill Rd). Call Harriette at 596-9543 for more info. Sunday meetings are held at 10:30am at the Structure House (3017 Pickett Rd). Call Judith at 929-9891 for more info. Welcome Baby’s Giving Closet operates out of their office in the NC Cooperative Extension building (721 Foster St) on Mondays from 9:30 to 11:10am. Parents can choose and take home clothing for their infants and toddlers up to age five. Call 560-7150 or check welcomebaby.org for more info.

Í The Young Marines of Raleigh/Durham meet

on Tuesdays, 6:30–8:30pm, at Durham Police



Headquarters (505 W Chapel Hill St). Positive young men and women ages eight to 17 are invited to sit in on the educational meetings that focus on the Dept of Defense drug-awareness program. The membership fee ($60 first month, which includes insurance, and $20/month afterwards) pays for the uniform, citizenship training, and transportation. Please note: This is not a recruitment effort for the Armed Forces. Call commanding officer Rocky Visconti at 544-7538 or check angelfire.com/nc3/ymrdu for more info.

Í English Country Dance sessions are held every

Thursday, 7:30–9:30pm, at the Freedman Center of Beth El Synagogue (1004 Watts St). Be sure to take soft, non-street shoes or dance in socks. $5 suggested donation; beginners are welcome. (Live music on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays.) Call 683-9672 for more info.

Í The MarVell Event Center (119 W Main St) pre-



Í

Í

sents TGIF!! every Friday from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Unwind at the end of the workweek with appetizers, music, and friends. Free admission; call 688-0975 for more info. The Durham Farmers’ Market is open every Saturday from 8am to noon and Wednesdays 3:30–6:30pm at the Pavilion at Durham Central Park (Foster and Corporation Sts). You can buy fresh produce, herbs, crafts, freerange eggs, cheese, homemade yummies, and you can even order antibiotic and hormone-free meats. Check durhamfarmersmarket.com or call 484-3084 to find out what’s in season. Be sure to check out the Durham Crafts Market right across the street; learn more at durhamcraftmarket.com. The next District 5 PAC (Partners Against Crime) meeting will be held at the Blue Coffee Café (202 N Corcoran) on Thursday, December 19, 5:30–7:30pm. Find out what’s going on in your neighborhood and learn about City/County services.

November / December 2009 — The Durham Skywriter  31

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The Duke University Wind Symphony will give a free concert in November 19, 8pm, at Baldwin Auditorium (119 Campus Dr, on Duke’s West Campus. They’ll play pieces by Persichetti, Bennett, Lo Presti, and others. Call 660-3333 for more info. Dr Beverly Guy-Sheftall, founding director of the Women’s Research and Resource Center, will discuss the accomplishments and legacy of Pauli Murray on November 19, 7pm, at Lyon Park (1313 Halley St). Pauli Murray was a writer, lawyer, civilrights advocate, and the first African-American female Episcopal priest. It’s free; contact Barbara Lau at 613-6167 or [email protected] for more info. (This is a Pauli Murray Project event.) Flit from venue to venue downtown during Third Friday on November 20, 6–11pm (depending on the venue). Enjoy art displays, live and recorded music, and snacks; participating spaces include the Durham Arts Council/Durham Art Guild, Bull City Arts Collaborative, Through This Lens, The Scrap Exchange, and others. You can pick up a map and schedule at any venue; check thirdfriday durham.com for more info. (This is a Third Friday event.) The Triangle Arts Mixer, cosponsored by Golden Belt, CAM/now, and The Cotton Room, will be held at the Golden Belt Complex (807 E Main St) on November 20, 6–9pm. Enjoy the artwork of elin o’Hara slavick and meet people from the North Carolina Symphony, North Carolina Ballet, Contemporary Art Museum (CAM), the North Carolina Museum of Art, and the Nasher Museum of Art. (This is a Third Friday event.) North Carolina Central University’s Jazz Ensemble will perform in concert with special guest artist, saxophonist Steve Wilson, on November 20, 8pm, at NCCU’s BN Duke Auditorium (Fayetteville and Lawson Sts). Tickets are $15 adults, $5 for NCCU students, and free for Durham Public School



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students. Call Ira Wiggins, director of Jazz Studies, at 530-7214 or the NCCU Department of Music at 530-6319 for more info. The Duke Djembe and Afro-Cuban ensembles will perform with special guest artist Michael Spiro at Baldwin Auditorium (119 Campus Dr, on Duke’s West Campus) on November 20, 8pm. It’s free; call 660-3333 for more info. The next District 1 PAC (Partners Against Crime) meeting will be held at the new Holton Career & Resource Center (410 N Driver St) on Saturday, November 21, 9:30–11:30am. Find out what’s going on in your neighborhood and learn about City/County services. Learn about the role Durham played in the Civil Rights Movement while taking the Civil Rights Legacy Walking Tour given by Preservation Durham on November 21. The 2-hour, 1-1/2-mile tour will start at the Durham Farmers Market in Durham Central Park (Foster St) at 10am. It’s free; call 682-3036 or visit preservationdurham. org for more info. Fayetteville Street Elementary School (2905 Fayetteville St) will be the site of a Job and Wellness Fair on November 21, noon–4pm (sponsored by District 4 PAC and the school). Take copies of your resumé and be ready for on-the-spot interviews; you can also improve your resumé, get health tips and take part in some health screenings. Childcare is provided. It’s free; call 956-5902 for more info. Art Chansky will talk about and sign copies of his book about UNC basketball, Light Blue Reign: How a City Slicker, a Quiet Kansan, and a Mountain Man Built College Basketball’s Longest-Lasting Dynasty at The Regulator Bookshop (720 Ninth St) on November 21, 7pm. Call 286-2700 or check regulatorbookshop.com for more info.

32  The Durham Skywriter — November / December 2009

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Durham Arts Council’s fall Durham Art Walk will be held at various downtown venues on November 21, 10am–5pm, and November 22, 1-5pm. It’s free! Pick up a map at the Durham Arts Council (120 Morris St) and enjoy art displays, musical performances, and poetry readings. Call 560-2787 or visit durhamarts.org for more info. The Duke Opera Workshop will present By Sondheim!, a musical revue of composer Stephen Sondheim’s musicals, television, and film productions, on Sunday, November 20, 3pm and 8pm, at Baldwin Auditorium (119 Campus Dr, on Duke’s West Campus). It’s free; call 660-3333 for more info. Join local artists and members of Pauli Murray’s family as they celebrate Pauli Murray’s Birthday Party on November 22, 3pm, at Lyon Park (1313 Halley St). (This is a Pauli Murray Project event.) A seasonal favorite, Handel’s Messiah SingAlong, will be held at Duke Chapel (Chapel Dr, on Duke’s West Campus) on November 22, 7pm. Free admission; you can purchase a score at the door and join in the choruses (solos will be sung by students and choir members). Welcome Baby’s next Car Seat Safety Workshop, will be held at the office in the NC Cooperative Extension building (721 Foster St) on November 21, 9–11:30am (noon–2:30pm in Spanish). This free workshop is for parents of young children who want to learn how to property install and use a car seat (they’re definitely not all the same). Depending on your income, you can buy a car seat for $10, $25, or $45. Call Patience at 560-7150 to reserve your spot; visit welcomebaby.org for more info.

NOVEMBER 23–29

Í The Durham JobLink Mobile Unit will be in the



Sears parking lot at Northgate Mall (1058 W Club Blvd) Monday and Tuesday, November 23 and 24, 8:30am-4pm. You can search for job leads, conduct job searches, and apply for jobs online. This is a free service; call 560-6880 for more info.

Í The Durham County Board of Commissioners’

next regular session will be held in the 2nd-floor Commissioners’ Chambers of the Durham County Administrative Complex (200 E Main St) on November 23, 7pm. The meeting agenda can be viewed two days in advance by checking co.durham.nc.us at home or any Durham County Library on the Thursday before the meeting, or at the signup table in the Commissioners’ Chambers on meeting day at 5pm. (You can also watch the meetings live on cable channel 8.) Call the Clerk to the Board’s Office at 560-0025 for more info.

Í The Durham County Board of Commissioners’

next regular session will be held in the 2nd-floor Commissioners’ Chambers of the Durham County Administrative Complex (200 E Main St) on Monday, November 23, 7pm. The meeting agenda can be viewed two days in advance by checking co.durham.nc.us at home or any Durham County Library on the Thursday before the meeting, or at the signup table in the Commissioners’ Chambers on meeting day at 5pm. (You can also watch the meetings live on cable channel 8.) Call the Clerk to the Board’s Office at 560-0025 for more info.

Í The Bethesda Ruritan Club (1714 S Miami Blvd)

Í

presents Monday Night Music, an open bluegrass/oldtime/country jam session with traditional acoustic instruments on November 23, starting at 7pm. Free admission; call 271-7594 or visit bethesdaruritanclub.com for more info. See landmark buildings and learn local history while taking the Architecture and the Urban Landscape Walking Tour given by Preser-

November / December 2009 — The Durham Skywriter  33



Í

vation Durham on November 28. The 2-hour, 1-1/2-mile tour will start at the Durham Farmers’ Market in Durham Central Park (Foster St) at 10am. It’s free; call 682-3036 or visit preservation durham.org for more info. The next meeting of the Durham InterNeighborhood Council will be held on November 24, 7pm, in the Herald-Sun’s community room (2828 Pickett Rd). Visit durhaminc.org for more info.

NOVEMBER 30–DECEMBER 6

Í The Durham JobLink Mobile Unit will be in the

Sears parking lot at Northgate Mall (1058 W Club Blvd) Monday and Tuesday, November 30 and December 1, 8:30am-4pm. You can search for job leads, conduct job searches, and apply for jobs online. This is a free service; call 560-6880 for more info.

Í The Duke Chorale’s Christmas Concert will be

Í

held on December 1, 7pm, at Duke Chapel (Science Dr, on Duke’s West Campus). Join in the Christmas carol sing-along. Arrive at 6:30pm if you want to hear the preconcert organ and carillon holiday selections. It’s free, but please bring a nonperishable food item for the needy. Call 6603333 for more info.

The Durham-Orange Genealogy Society will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, December 2, 7pm, in the Duke Homestead Tobacco Museum’s visitors center (2828 Duke Homestead Rd, 477-5498). Visit rootsweb.com/~ncdogs for more info.

Í Celebrate Christmas like it’s 1870 at the Duke

Homestead State Historic Site and Tobacco Museum (2828 Duke Homestead Rd) on Friday, December 4, 7–9pm. Enjoy a Duke Homestead Christmas with period decorations, caroling, hot apple cider, and treats. It’s free; call 477-5498 or visit nchistoricsites.org/duke/duke.htm for more



info.

Í The Durham Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday

Í

Í

Í

Pops Concert, featuring the Hillandale Children’s Chorus, will be held at the Durham Armory (220 Foster St) on December 4, 7pm. Tickets are $17.50 for the concert only and $22.50 if you’re having the dessert buffet (free for kids age 6 and under). Call 560-2736 or visit durhamsymphony. org for more info.

Light Up Durham presents the Lucky Strike Tower Lighting celebration on the American Tobacco Campus (318 Blackwell St) on December 4 starting at 7pm. The Big Show begins with performances by the Durham School of the Arts Concert Chorale and Advanced Middle School Chorus, the Morehead Montessori Magnet Elementary Chorus, and the Jammin Manatees from Club Boulevard Arts & Humanities Magnet School. You’ll be greeted by the Welkin Ringers (handbell ringers) and the entire campus will be decked out for the holidays. (Plus, they’re some how also promising snow!) It’s free, but don’t forget to bring a kid-friendly, nonperishable food item for the food drive. Call 595-5023 or visit light updurham.org for more info. Welcome Baby’s next Car Seat Safety Workshop, will be held at the office in the NC Cooperative Extension building (721 Foster St) on Saturday, December 5, 9–11:30am (noon–2:30pm in Spanish). This free workshop is for parents of young children who want to learn how to property install and use a car seat (they’re definitely not all the same). Depending on your income, you can buy a car seat for $10, $25, or $45. Call Patience at 560-7150 to reserve your spot; visit welcomebaby.org for more info. The Brightleaf Square Holiday Festival starts with a Caroling Party at noon on December 5, followed by a visit from Santa from 1:30– 2:30pm, face painting, live music, and more until

34  The Durham Skywriter — November / December 2009



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4:30pm. It’s free; Brightleaf Square is on Gregson and Main Sts. Call 682-9229 for more info.



The City of Durham’s annual Holiday Parade, featuring marching bands, mascots, horses, Santa, and more, starts at 4pm on December 5, winds around downtown, and ends at CCB Plaza (Corcoran and Chapel Hill St) for the Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5:30pm. It’s free; call Durham Parks and Recreation at 560-4355 for more info.

Í If you like science, check out Periodic Tables,

The Durham Chorale, directed by Melody Zentner and accompanied by Matthew Barnhill, will present its 22nd annual holiday concert, Lighting up the Holidays, on Sunday, December 6, 3pm, at the Durham Academy Lower School (3501 Ridge Rd). Tickets are $10.00 plus a nonperishable food item to be donated to Urban Ministries of Durham. Check durhamchorale.org for more info.

DECEMBER 7–13



Sears parking lot at Northgate Mall (1058 W Club Blvd) Monday and Tuesday, December 7 and 8, 8:30am-4pm. You can search for job leads, conduct job searches, and apply for jobs online. This is a free service; call 560-6880 for more info.

Í Join the Ukulele Jam at High Strung Musical

Instruments (1116 Broad St) on Monday, December 7, 7–9pm. All levels, including beginners and NPBs (never-played-befores) are welcome. It’s free; call 286-3801 or check highstrungdurham.com for more info.

Í Those interested in applying for FY 2010–11 grant

funds for their nonprofit agencies are invited to attend the Durham County Nonprofit Grant Funding Workshop at the East Regional Library (211 Lick Creek Lane, off Hwy 98) on Tuesday, December 8, 1:30–4:30pm. Learn about the

which are monthly talks about science in an informal setting (sponsored by the Museum of Life and Science), at the Broad St Café (1116 Broad St, 416-9707, thebroadstreetcafe.com). On December 8, 7pm, Dr. Sönke Johnsen, a biology professor at Duke University, will head up a talk about Hide and Seek in the Open Sea: Vision and Camouflage in Marine Animals.

Í The Really Terrible Orchestra of the Triangle

Í The Durham JobLink Mobile Unit will be in the Í

application timeline, policies, new performance measures, resources, and available grants. Call 560-0000 for more info.



will present its Really Terrible Holiday Concert on Wednesday, December 9, 7:30pm, in the Bryan Center’s Reynolds Theater (125 Science Dr, on Duke’s West Campus). Tickets are $7; call 684-4444 or visit tickets.duke.edu for more info. They ask that you also bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots (which donates gifts to low-income children in the community). (This is a Third Friday event.) The next District 5 PAC (Partners Against Crime) meeting will be held at the Mad Hatter (1802 W Main St) on Thursday, December 10, 5:30– 7:30pm. Find out what’s going on in your neighborhood and learn about City/County services.

Í The Church of Latter Day Saints (3902 Berini Dr)

will host a Nativity Celebration, with Christmas carols, a nativity scene with live animals, hot chocolate, cookies, and a gift December 11–13, 6:30– 9pm. It’s free; call 383-5799 for more info.

Í Celebrate Christmas like it’s 1870 at the Duke

Homestead State Historic Site and Tobacco Museum (2828 Duke Homestead Rd) on Friday, December 11, 7–9pm. Enjoy a Duke Homestead Christmas with period decorations, caroling, hot apple cider, and treats. It’s free; call 477-5498 or visit nchistoricsites.org/duke/duke.htm for more info.

November / December 2009 — The Durham Skywriter  35

Í Experience Christmas in the Carolinas During

the Civil War at the Bennett Place State Historic Site (4409 Bennett Memorial Rd) on Saturday and Sunday, December 12 and 13, 10am–4pm. The farm will be decorated in old-fashioned splendor, and they’ll have music, caroling, and refreshments. Free admission, but donations will be gratefully accepted; call 383-4345 for more info.

Í The

next District 3 PAC (Partners Against Crime) meeting will be held at Lyon Park (1313 Halley St) on December 12, 10am. Find out what’s going on in your neighborhood and learn about City/County services.

Í The

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next District 4 PAC (Partners Against Crime) meeting will be held at IR Holmes Sr Recreation Center at Campus Hills (2000 S Alston Ave) on December 12, 10am. Find out what’s going on in your neighborhood and learn about City/County services.

The Music Explorium (5314 Hwy 55) will hold its Family Rhythm Jam on December 12, 10–11am. All abilities are welcome; bring your own instrument (percussion, wind, or stringed) or borrow one from the store. The Adult Rhythm Jam starts at 8pm. The cost is $10/family; call 484-9090 or visit musicexplorium.com for more info. Learn some Durham history while taking the Tobacco Heritage Walking Tour given by Preservation Durham on December 12. The 2hour, 1-1/2-mile tour will start at the Durham Farmers Market in Durham Central Park (Foster St) at 11am. It’s free; call 682-3036 or visit preservationdurham.org for more info.

DECEMBER 14–20

Í The Durham JobLink Mobile Unit will be in the

Sears parking lot at Northgate Mall (1058 W Club



Í

Blvd) Monday and Tuesday, December 14 and 15, 8:30am-4pm. You can search for job leads, conduct job searches, and apply for jobs online. This is a free service; call 560-6880 for more info. Thinking about making the move from renting an apartment or house to becoming a homeowner? Attend the next series of Home Buyer Workshops sponsored by the City of Durham—Dept of Housing & Community Development (and coordinated by the Durham Affordable Housing Coalition). You can learn about first-time homebuyer assistance programs, how to work with a lender, the prequalification process, home inspections, the closing/settlement, and responsibilities involved with being a homeowner. Daytime workshops will be offered in the SOUTH Bank building (400 W Main St, Suite 408) Monday–Wednesday, December 14–16, 10am– 12:30pm, and the evening workshops will be held on the same days from 6 to 8:30pm. They’re free; call 683-1185 x41 or 800/735-2962 tdd/tty to register, and check dahc.org for more info.

Í The Durham County Board of Commissioners’

next regular session will be held in the 2nd-floor Commissioners’ Chambers of the Durham County Administrative Complex (200 E Main St) on December 14, 7pm. The meeting agenda can be viewed two days in advance by checking co.durham.nc.us at home or any Durham County Library on the Thursday before the meeting, or at the signup table in the Commissioners’ Chambers on meeting day at 5pm. (You can also watch the meetings live on cable channel 8.) Call the Clerk to the Board’s Office at 560-0025 for more info.

Í The Durham County Board of Commissioners’

next regular session will be held in the 2nd-floor Commissioners’ Chambers of the Durham County Administrative Complex (200 E Main St) on December 14, 7pm. The meeting agenda can be viewed two days in advance by checking

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38  The Durham Skywriter — November / December 2009



co.durham.nc.us at home or any Durham County Library on the Thursday before the meeting, or at the signup table in the Commissioners’ Chambers on meeting day at 5pm. (You can also watch the meetings live on cable channel 8.) Call the Clerk to the Board’s Office at 560-0025 for more info.

Í The Bethesda Ruritan Club (1714 S Miami Blvd)

Í

Í

presents Monday Night Music, an open bluegrass/oldtime/country jam session with traditional acoustic instruments on December 14, starting at 7pm. Free admission; call 271-7594 or visit bethesdaruritanclub.com for more info.

Learn about the role Durham played in the Civil Rights Movement while taking the Civil Rights Legacy Walking Tour given by Preservation Durham on December 19. The 2-hour, 1-1/2-mile tour will start at the Durham Farmers Market in Durham Central Park (Foster St) at 11am. It’s free; call 682-3036 or visit preservationdurham. org for more info. Welcome Baby’s next Car Seat Safety Workshop, will be held at the office in the NC Cooperative Extension building (721 Foster St) on December 19, 9–11:30am (noon–2:30pm in Spanish). This free workshop is for parents of young children who want to learn how to property install and use a car seat (they’re definitely not all the same). Depending on your income, you can buy a car seat for $10, $25, or $45. Call Patience at 560-7150 to reserve your spot; visit welcomebaby.org for more info.

DURHAM COUNTY LIBRARY There’s more to the library than books! Join in some of the activities listed below—they’re all free! Visit the library’s informative website at durhamcountylibrary.org for even more events and info. Please note: This year’s Durham Reads Together book is “Something for the Pain” by Dr Paul Austin.

Í Main Library, 300 N Roxboro St, 560-0130



(children’s unit 560-0130) Hours: Monday–Thursday 9am–9pm, Fridays 2-6pm, Saturdays 9:30am–6pm, Sundays 2–6pm

• Lapsit Storytime (0–23 months)—Mondays 10:30am; stories, fingerplays, and music. • Toddler Storytime (age 2)—Wednesdays 10:30am; stories, music, and crafts; parent and child only. • Group Time Storyhour (preschoolers–1st graders)—Thursdays 10:30am; stories, movies, and music; daycares and homeschools also wel- come; call to register. • Sketching in the Afternoon (ages 6–12)— Thursdays 3:30pm; drawing class. • Saturday Morning Tutoring (pre-K to middle school)—Saturdays 10am–1pm; Casey Gabriel helps with math, reading, and research reports; by appointment only, call to register. Special dates • Anime Club (teens)—November 19, 4pm; watch Japanese animation on a giant screen. • Saturday Matinee—November 21: Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Special; movie starts at 2pm. • Teen Advisory Group (teens)—December 3, 4pm. • Special Exhibit: Telling Our Stories Photogra- phy Exhibit—December 10–31; photos by 21 professional photographers from the collection of the North Carolina State Archives. • Young Harpists Concert—December 13, 3pm; Winifred Garrett and some of her students in concert.

Í Bragtown Branch, 3200 Dearborn Dr,



560-0210 Hours: Monday–Friday 2–6pm

• Homework Help (kindergarten, middle school, and high school)—Monday–Friday 3:30pm. special dates • Family Fun Friday—November 20, 3:30pm; play board games, watch a movie and have some popcorn. • Sweet Eats: Creative Treats for Teens—Novem-

November / December 2009 — The Durham Skywriter  39

• • •

ber 24, 3:30pm; make candy sushi, gingerbread houses, and more. Boogie Woogie Storytime (infant–age 2 and preschoolers)—November 25, 10:30am. Twist & Shout Storytime (infant–preschool)— November 30, 10:30am. Make & Take Crafts (preschool–middle school) —November 30, 3pm.

Í East Regional, 211 Lick Creek Ln (off

Holloway/Hwy 98), 560-0203 (children’s unit 560-0214) Hours: Monday–Thursday 9am–9pm, Fridays 2-6pm, Saturdays 9:30am–6pm, Sundays 2–6pm

• Storytime Blast for Preschoolers—Wednesdays 10:30am. • Rock-a-Bye-Baby Lapsit Storytime— Tuesdays 11:25am; call to register. • Precious Jewels Preschool Storytime (pre- schoolers)—Wednesdays 10:30am; stories, songs, and crafts; call to register. • Over Fifty Crowd (age 50+)—Tuesdays 10am; lively discussions about a wide range of issues, plus refreshments. special dates • Anime Movies—November 19, 6:30pm. • Board Games in Teen Room—November 21, 2pm. • County Wide Coupon Swap—November 21, 2pm. • Thanksgiving Craft—November 23, 11am. • Ballroom Dancing (age 30+)—November 24, 7pm; Michael Harris teaches popular ballroom dance steps.

Í McDougald Terrace Branch,

1101 Lawson St, 560-0240 Hours: Monday–Friday 2–6pm

• Homework Tutorial—Tuesdays and Thursdays 3pm. special dates • Creative Art Workshop—November 17, 2:30pm.

Í North Regional, 221 Milton Rd, 560-0231

(children’s unit 560-0232) Hours: Monday–Thursday 9am–9pm, Fridays 2-6pm, Saturdays 9:30am–6pm, Sundays 2–6pm

• Drop-In Storytime (preschool and kindergarten) —Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:30am; books, songs, and fun. • Baby and Me Lapsit Storytime (0–23 months) —Wednesdays 10:30am. • Chess Club (all ages)—Saturdays 2pm; all skill levels welcome. special dates • Cartooning with Casey (elementary and middle school)—November 18, 6pm. • Ballroom Dancing—November 19, 7pm. • Skill Toy Fridays (elementary–teens)—Novem- ber 20, 3pm; learn how to juggle. • Family Videogaming (elementary–middle schoolers)—November 28, 1pm. • Chess Club (teens)—November 28, 2pm. • Mahjongg—November 30, 1pm; learn how to play this strategic game. Parkwood Branch, 5122 Revere Rd, 560-0260 Hours: Monday–Thursday 9am–9pm, Fridays 2-6pm, Saturdays 9:30am–6pm, Sundays 2–6pm • Rhymetime (up to age 3)—Mondays 10:30am. • Storytime (ages 3–5)—Tuesdays 10:30am. • Miss Margaret’s Lapsitters (6–23 months)— Wednesdays 10:30 and 11:15am. • Knitting—Thursdays 7pm; learn how to knit; you can take a project you’re working on. • Teen Crafts/Chess (teens)—Saturdays 10am. special dates • Basic Meditation—September 26 and October 3, 7pm; learn techniques for eliminating stress, restlessness, and sadness. • Yoga for Stress Management—Mondays in October, 7pm; wear comfortable clothing and learn how to relax and relieve stress. (a Durham Reads Together event)

Í

40  The Durham Skywriter — November / December 2009

• •

Animé Club (teens)—September 9 [call for time]. Celebrate National Yoga Month—September 14 and 28, 7:30pm; learn basic yoga techniques; call to register.

Í Southwest Branch, 3605 Shannon Rd,



560-0290 Hours: Monday–Thursday 9am–9pm, Fridays 2–6pm, Saturdays 9:30am–6pm, Sundays 2–6pm

•

The Southwest Branch is closed while it’s being renovated and expanded and will reopen as Southwest Regional. For now, you can get books from the Bookmobile, which will be parked in the Parkway Plaza on University Dr, near Kmart on Tuesdays, 4:30–6pm, and the 2nd and 4th Fridays, 11am–12:30pm. You can order books online (go to durhamcountylibrary.org) and have them delivered to any branch library (but not the Bookmobile).

Í Stanford L Warren Branch,

1201 Fayetteville St, 560-0270 Hours: Monday–Thursday 9am–9pm, Fridays 2–6pm, Saturdays 9:30am–6pm

special dates • Toddler Storytime (kindergartners)—November 18, 10:30am.

DURHAM PARKS & RECREATION These are just a few programs (and not all of the parks are listed). Pick up a “Play More” newspaper at most parks or call the DPR office at 560-4355 for more info. Check into buying a PlayMore card—you can save money on classes and afterschool programs! PlayMore card prices: $20/individual, $35/two people, $10/teen.

Í East Durham Neighborhood



Center, 2615 Harvard Ave, 560-4278 Hours: Monday–Thursday 9am–9pm, Fridays 9am– 11pm, Saturdays noon–6pm

• • • •

E-magine That (ages 2–5)—Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am–noon; interactive reading program; free. Take 1 (ages 13–17)—Tuesdays and Thursdays 6–8pm; learn how to edit footage and produce your own TV show; free. In da Basement (ages 13–17)—Fridays 7–11pm; develop leadership, participate in discussions, and use the computers; free. Paper Chase (ages 13–17)—Saturdays noon– 2pm; learn how to be an entrepreneur by start- ing your own business or service like hair braid- ing, manicuring, and markup artistry; free.

Í Edison Johnson Recreation



Center, 600 W Murray Ave, 560-4270 (Aquatic Center 560-4265) Hours: Monday–Friday 8am–9pm, Saturdays 8am– 6pm, Sundays 1–6pm

• After School Program (ages 5–12)—Monday– Friday 3–6pm; homework, arts & crafts, and health & fitness; $132 through December 18, $120 for PlayMore cardholders. • Lifeguard Training Course (age 15+)—October 2–4 and 9–11; get certified as an American Red Cross lifeguard; $204, $185 for PlayMore card- holders. • Open Gym Wallyball (age 16+)—Monday– Friday 8–9pm, Saturdays 8am–6pm, Sundays 1–6pm; volleyball + racquetball; $3, $2 for Play- More cardholders. • Open Gym Racquetball (age 16+)—Monday– Friday 8am–9pm, Saturdays 8am–6pm, Sundays 1–6pm; $3, $2 for PlayMore cardholders. • Square Dancing (age 55+)—Tuesdays 9–11am; free. • Council for Senior Citizens Lunch (age 60+)— Monday–Friday 10am–1pm; bingo, socialization, and lunch; free, donations accepted. • Fit-N-Fun (age 55+)—Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 9–9:50am; free. special dates • Teen Nite (ages 13–17)—December 11, 7–10pm; free.

November / December 2009 — The Durham Skywriter  41

•

Friday Fun Night (ages 5–13)—December 18, 6–9pm; kids with and without disabilities enjoy playtime together; $8, $7 for PlayMore card- holders.

Í holton career & resource center,



401 N Driver St, 354-2750 Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:30am–9pm, Fridays 8:30am–11pm, Saturdays 8:30am–6pm, Sundays 1–6pm

• After School Program (ages 6–12 and 13-16) —Monday–Friday 3–6pm; homework, arts & crafts, and health & fitness; $132/month, $120 for PlayMore cardholders. • Dance Classes for Youth—Saturdays (ages 3 and 4) creative movement; (ages 5–7) ballet, modern, and African; (ages 8–12) step, combina- tion modern and African; free; call for times. • Photography—Saturdays noon–1pm, October 24–December 19; learn how to operate your camera and take great pictures; $20. • Potpourri Dance—Saturdays (call for time); low- impact fitness program; free. • Bars and Hooks (ages 13–17)—Mondays, Tues- days, and Fridays (call for times); compose and copyright your own music; free. • African Movement and Relaxation—Tuesdays (call for time); free. special dates • Sunshine Garden Meeting—December 12, 10:30am–12:30pm; Composting 101 workshop; free.

Í IR Holmes Sr Recreation Center at

Campus Hills, 2000 S Alston Ave, 560-4444 (Aquatic Center 560-4781) Hours: Monday–Thursday 6am–9pm, Fridays 6am– 8pm, Saturdays 8am–6pm, Sundays 1–6pm

•

Total Tot Time (ages 1–5)—Mondays and Wednesdays 10:15–11:30am; playing with parents and socialization with other tots; $3, $2 for PlayMore cardholders.

• After School Program (ages 5–12)—Monday– Friday 3–6pm; homework, arts & crafts, and health & fitness; $132 through December 18, $120 for PlayMore cardholders. • Recreational Swim—Monday–Friday 1–4pm; Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30–11am; Saturdays and Sundays 1–5pm; $4, $3 for PlayMore card holders. • Open Gym (ages 12–17)—Mondays and Wednesdays 4–6pm, Sundays 2–4pm and 4–6pm; basketball; free, but bring valid ID. • Tae Kwon Do (ages 6–17)—Mondays 6:30– 7:30pm; self-defense, stress management, and fitness; $40, $36 for PlayMore cardholders. • Adult Open Weight Room (age 18+)—Monday– Friday 8–10am, and Monday–Thursday 7–9pm; free. • Open Gym Basketball (age 18+)—Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 8–10am; also Sundays 4–6pm; take a valid photo ID; $3, $2 for PlayMore cardholders. • Open Court Racquetball (age 18+)—Sundays 1–5pm; Monday–Thursday 6am–9pm, Fridays 6am–8pm, Saturdays 8am–5pm; $3, $2 for Play- More cardholders. • Wellness Package—the new Wellness Center’s hours are: Monday–Thursday 7am–10am, 11:45am–1:15pm, 6–9pm; Fridays 7–10am, 11:45am–1:15pm, 6–8pm; Saturdays 9:30am– 1pm; Sundays 3–6pm; Monthly Fitness Package includes access to Wellness Center (weight room, etc), unlimited land aerobics, access to the gym when available, and unlimited racquetball. Monthly costs with PlayMore card: $30/indivi dual, $45/two people, $50/family. • Fit-N-Fun (age 55+)—Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30–10:15am; exercise to music; free. • Computer Literacy for Beginners (age 55+) —Tuesdays and Thursdays 10–10:50am; learn basic computer skills; free. • Senior Fitness (age 55+)—Tuesdays and Thurs- days 9–9:45am; free. special dates • Night Flight (ages 12–17)—December 18, 7–10pm; basketball, computer lab, arts & crafts; free, but bring valid ID.

42  The Durham Skywriter — November / December 2009

• •

Durham Aquatics School (ages 15–18)— Monday –Thursday 3–7pm, December 21–31 or Sunday–Thursday 9:30am–6pm, December 27– 31; get certified as a American Red Cross Life- guard; training includes CPR/AED for the Profes- sional Rescuer and First Aid; free. Intersession Camp (ages 5–12)—Monday– Friday 7:30am–6pm, December 21–January 8; sports, games, swimming, dance, arts & crafts, and more; $132/week, $120/week for PlayMore cardholders.

Í (Community Family Life &



• • • • • • •

Recreation Center at) Lyon Park, 1309 Halley St, 560-4288 Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:30am–9pm, Fridays 8:30am–11pm, Saturdays 8:30am–6pm, Sundays 1–6pm

Discover After School Program (ages 5–21)— Monday–Friday 2:30–6pm; for young people with developmental disabilities; athletic and educational activities; $132 through December 17, $120 for PlayMore cardholders. Explore After School Program (ages 13–21)— Monday–Friday 2:30–6pm; for young people with developmental disabilities; life skills, ath- letic and educational activities; $132 through December 17, $120 for PlayMore cardholders. Skip, Hop, Jump Toddler Program (ages 3–5) —Wednesdays 3:15–4:15pm; fun and educa- tional activities; free. Project TEAM (ages 13–17)—Monday–Thursday 4:30–7pm; Teach, Empower, Achieve, Motivate program focuses on academic enrichment, life skills, team exercise, and community service; free. Bars and Hooks (ages 13–17)—Thursdays 5–6pm; compose and copyright your own music; free. Modern Moves Modern Dance Class (ages 13–17)—Thursdays 5:30–7:30pm; learn ballet, lyrical jazz, and tap; free. Night Flight (ages 12–17)—Fridays 8–11pm; basketball, computers, arts & crafts, and dancing;

take a valid school or other photo ID; free. • Open Gym Basketball (age 18+)—Wednesdays 6–9pm; must have valid photo ID; $3, $2 for Play More cardholders. • Senior Striders (age 55+)—Tuesdays and Thurs- days 9:30–11:30am; walk with friends; free. • Mature Adults Basketball (age 55+)—Wednes- days 4–6pm; free. special dates • Holidays Around the World (ages 2–5)— Wednesday, December 9, 10am–12:30pm; enjoy songs, dancing, and storytelling about how holi- days are celebrated in other countries. • Teen Council (ages 13–17)—Friday, December 11, 5–6pm; meeting for developing fun and educational programming for young people; free.

Í TA Grady Neighborhood Center,





531 Lakeland St, 560-4280 Hours: Monday–Friday 9am–6pm

• • •

Busy Bodies (ages 3–5)—Wednesdays 10am– noon; preschoolers and parents exercise, make crafts, and listen to music; free. After School Program (ages 5–12)—Monday– Friday 3–6pm; homework, arts & crafts, and health & fitness; $132 through December 18, $120 for PlayMore cardholders. Early Risers (age 55+)—Tuesdays 10am–noon; relax with friends; free.

Í Walltown Neighborhood Center,



While the new center is being built, activities are being held at Northside Baptist Church, 1239 Berkeley St, 560-4296

• •

After School Program (ages 5–12)—Monday– Friday 3–6pm; homework, arts & crafts, and health & fitness; $132 through December 18, $120 for PlayMore cardholders. Early Risers (age 55+)—Tuesdays and Thursdays 9am–noon; relax and socialize; free.

November / December 2009 — The Durham Skywriter  43

Í WD Hill Recreation Center,

1308 Fayetteville St, 560-4292 Hours: Monday–Thursday 8am–8pm, Fridays 8am– 10pm, Saturdays 8am–6pm, Sundays 1–6pm

• After School Program (ages 5–12)—Monday– Friday 3–6pm; homework, arts & crafts, and health & fitness; $44 through December 28, $40 for PlayMore cardholders. • Tae Kwon Do (ages 5–12)—Thursdays 6–8pm; self-defense, stress management, and fitness; $40, $36 for PlayMore cardholders. • Hayti Youth for Progress and Enrichment (ages 13–17)—Fridays 6–8pm; cultural and aca- demic enrichment, leadership development; Call 687-7070 for more info; free. • Open Gym Basketball (age 18+)—Fridays 8–10pm, Sundays 4–5:45pm; $3, $2 for PlayMore cardholders. • Sharing Group (age 18+)—Thursdays 6-8pm; people with vision impairments share informa- tion and discuss challenges; free. • Capoeira (age 10+)—Tuesdays 6:30–8:30pm, November 24–December 29; AfroBrazilian mar- tial arts; $40, $36 for PlayMore cardholders. • Night Flight (ages 13–17)—Fridays 6–8pm; basketball, videogames, computers, arts & crafts; free, but bring a valid ID. • Healthy Walk to Fight Diabetes (age 55+)— Tuesdays and Thursdays 9–10am; free. • Council for Senior Citizens Lunch (age 60+)— Monday–Friday, 11am–1pm; bingo and dominoes, lunch; $1.10/day. special dates • Throw It in the Bag Teen Extravaganza— December 11, 7:30–10pm; preholiday party with refreshments; free.

Í Weaver Street Recreation Center,



3000 Weaver St, 560-4294 Hours: Monday–Thursday 9am–9pm, Fridays 9am– 11pm, Saturdays noon–6pm, Sundays 1–6pm



After School Program (ages 5–12)—Monday–

•

• • • • • • • • •

Friday 3–6pm; homework, arts & crafts, and health & fitness; $132 through December 18, $120 for PlayMore cardholders. Play Station (ages 2–5 + parent/guardian)— Thursdays and Fridays 10am–noon; arts & crafts, reading, computers, sports, and games; free. Saturday Happenings (ages 5–12)—Saturdays noon–6pm; PlayStation videogames, arts & crafts, computer lab, basketball; free. Girl Talk (ages 13–16)—Thursdays 6–9pm; make new friends and talk about fashion; free. Boys II Men (ages 13–16)—Wednesdays 6–7pm; talk about common interests, compete with other Durham recreation centers; free. Computer Lab (ages 13–16)—Mondays and Wednesdays, 6–9pm; free. Nightflight (ages 13–16)—Fridays 6–9pm; basketball, computer lab, music and dancing; free, but take valid ID. Open Gym Basketball (ages 13–16)—Tuesdays and Thursdays 6–9pm; free, but take valid ID. Early Risers (age 55+)—Tuesdays and Thurs- days 9:30–11:30am; relax with friends; free. Intermediate Computer Class (age 55+)— Wednesdays noon–1pm; free.

Í WI Patterson Neighborhood



Center, 2641 Crest St, 560-4560 Hours: Monday–Friday 9am–6pm

• • • •

After School Program (ages 5–12)—Monday– Friday 3–6pm; homework, arts & crafts, and health & fitness; $132 through December 18, $120 for PlayMore cardholders. Resource Center (all ages)—Mondays, Wednes days, and Fridays 1–2pm; computer lab; free. Computer Literacy for Beginners (age 55+)— Tuesdays and Thursdays 10–11:30am; free. Bingo (age 55+)—Fridays 10:30–11:45am; play and win a prize; free.



THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Í Sarah P Duke Gardens, 426 Anderson St, 684-

44  The Durham Skywriter — November / December 2009

3698, hr.duke.edu/dukegardens; gardening work shops are held in the Doris Duke Center; call 668-1707 or 1708 to reserve your spot: • Bow-Making Workshop—Nov 19, 2–4pm; learn how to make elegant bows for your holiday wreaths and gifts; $25, $15 for Friends. • Autumn in the Arboretum—Nov 20, 10am; enjoy a tour of the Culberson Asiatic Arboretum; free, but call to register. • Holiday Decorations Workshop—Dec 1, 2–4pm; learn how to turn flowers, fruits, and greenery into wreaths and centerpieces; bring a pair of garden shears; $55, $40 for Friends. • Walk on the Wild Side—Dec 3, 11am; tour the Blomquist Garden of Native Plants; free, but call to register.



directions, or check the website at morehead planetarium.org.

Í Enjoy a Night Hike through West Point on

the Eno Park (5101 N Roxboro Rd) and learn about the wondrous world of nature after dark on Friday, December 4, 8–10pm. It’s free; contact Chris Shepherd at Durham Parks and Recreation at 471-1623 or [email protected] to reserve your spot.

Í Learn the basics of Rock Climbing on Saturday,

December 12, 1–4:30pm. There’s a $44 fee ($40 for PlayMore cardholders), which covers transportation, admission to the climbing gym, equipment, and instruction. Be sure to take water and a snack. Call the Spruce Pine Lodge’s Adventure Office (2303 Bahama Rd, in Bahama) at 477-9918 or 560-4355 to reserve your spot.

rose.com; free gardening workshops with an emphasis on their specialty, roses—call to sign up: • Winterize Your Garden—Dec 4 and 11, 10am.



December 12, 7–9pm. The cost is $4, $3 for PlayMore cardholders; contact Chris Shepherd at Durham Parks and Recreation at 471-1623 or [email protected] to reserve your spot and get directions.

Í Look at the Starry Starry Night sky over Lake

HEALTH

Í Witherspoon Rose Culture, 3312 Watkins Rd (off Í Enjoy a Moonlight Paddle on Lake Michie on Hwy 15-501), 489-4446 and 490-0623, witherspoon



Michie on Friday, November 20, 8–10pm. It’s free; contact Chris Shepherd at Durham Parks and Recreation at 471-1623 or chris.shepherd@ durhamnc.gov to reserve your spot and get directions.

Í The

next Morehead Planetarium–sponsored Skywatcher Session will be held on Saturday, November 21, 6–8pm and Saturday, December 19, 5-7pm, in Eno River State Park’s Ebenezer Recreation Area. If the weather’s just right, you can expect to see Jupiter and the Moon (Mercury, Jupiter, and Neptune in December). However, if weather conditions cause you to think that the session might be cancelled, call 549-6863 to check. Call that same number for

Í Li-Lan Hsiang Weiss provides acupuncture ser

vices at a discounted rate at special Community Acupuncture Clinics at Health Touch (3500 Westgate Dr #504) on Wednesdays from 1 to 5pm. The sliding-scale fee ranges from $20 to $40. Acupuncture is often used to alleviate musculoskeletal pain and stress. Call 308- 8999 or send email to [email protected] for more info and to set an appointment.

Í The Daughters Concerned for Aging Relatives,

for caretakers of parents with Alzheimer’s and similar conditions, will meet on Wednesday, November 18, noon–1pm, in the Duke Clinic Bldg/ Duke South (in Room 3512 in the Blue Zone)

November / December 2009 — The Durham Skywriter  45



Park in Parking Deck I on Trent Dr; call Edna Ballard at 660-7510 for more info. (Another meeting will be held on December 20.)

Í The drop-in Duke Sports Medicine Saturday

Injury Clinic will be open on November 21, 8– 11am, at the Duke Health Center at Southpoint (off Herndon Rd). Members of the treatment team include orthopaedic and musculoskeletal specialists, physical therapists, and athletic trainers; athletes under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent. Be sure to take your insurance information; call 668-3087 for more info.

Í The



next Alzheimer’s Caregiver/Loved One Support Group meeting will meet on Tuesday, November 24, 10:30am–noon, Grey Stone Baptist Church (2601 Hillsborough Rd); call the Joseph and Kathleen Bryan Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at 668-2836 for more info. (Another meeting will be held on December 22.)

Í The next Chemotherapy Orientation Class will

be held on November 24, 11am–noon, in the Rauch Conference Room by Clinic 1A at the Duke Clinic on Trent Dr, off Erwin Rd. It’s free; call 613-6275 to register. (Additional meetings will be held on Tuesdays, December 1, 8, 15, and 22.)

Í The next Gastrointestinal & Pancreatic Cancer

Support Group meeting will be held on November 24, 2–3:30pm, in Conference Room 2993 in Duke Clinic on Trent Dr, off Erwin Rd. It’s free; call 684-4497 to register.

Í Learn how to get stress under control at the

Stress Management for Heart Health workshop on Tuesday, December 1, 7–8:30pm, at the Teer House (4019 N Roxboro Rd). It’s free; call 416DUKE to register.

Í An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be

held on Wednesday, December 2, 10am–2pm, at Durham Regional Hospital (3643 N Roxboro Rd). Call 470-6524 to set an appointment; walk-ins are also welcome.

Í Holiday Hurts, a special grief support group

meeting, will be held on Thursday, December 3, 6:30–8pm, at the Teer House (4019 N Roxboro Rd). It’s free; call 416-DUKE to register.

Í Learn how to take and share precious photos at

the Photographing Your Baby workshop, which will be held on Monday, December 7, 6:30– 8:30pm, at the Teer House (4019 N Roxboro Rd). It’s free; call 416-DUKE to register.

Í Learn how to deal with pain with medications,

herbal supplements, and behavior changes at the My Head Is Killing Me! Managing Headaches and Migraines workshop on Tuesday, December 8, 7–8:30pm, at the Teer House (4019 N Roxboro Rd). It’s free; call 416-DUKE to register.

Í The next Stroke Support Group Meeting will be

held on Monday, December 14, 1–2:30pm, in Durham Regional Hospital’s Private Dining Room C (3643 N Roxboro Rd). Call 470-7207 to register.

Í The next Alzheimer’s Disease Support Group Í The next Crohn’s and Colitis Support Group will be held on Thursday, November 26, 6:30pm,

in Duke Clinic/Duke Hospital South (in the 1stfloor Medical Center Boardroom in the 1107B Yellow Zone). You can park in Parking Deck I on Trent Dr; call Edna Ballard or Cornelia Poer at 660-7510 for more info.



meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 15, 6pm, in Café 1 of the Steadman Building on the Center for Living Campus (3475 Erwin Rd). It’s free; call 489-1950 to register.

Í The next General Loss Grief Support Group

46  The Durham Skywriter — November / December 2009



meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 16, 2–3:30pm, at the Teer House (4019 N Roxboro Rd). Discuss and express grief of loss of a family member or friend in a supportive environment. It’s free; call 416-DUKE to register.

MUSEUMS • GALLERIES • EXHIBITS

Í

Bull City Arts Collaborative, 401 B1 Foster St, 949-4847, bullcityarts.org Gallery hours: Wednesdays 3–5 and Third Fridays 6–9pm:

See wax in a whole new way by looking over the “encaustic paintings” in Celia Gray’s new exhibit, Empty and Full, which will be on display through December 31.

Í Hayti Heritage Center, 804 Old Fayetteville St,



683-1709, hayti.org Lyda Merrick Moore Gallery hours: Tuesday–Friday 10am–5pm and Saturdays 10am–3pm (call for Sunday hours or to schedule a tour); free admis- sion to gallery:



Jackie Merritt’s Color Me Blue: A Contemporary Portrait Of Blues Musicians will be on display through December 6. See lifelike drawings and painting of famous and not-so-famous blues musicians, including Etta James, Odetta, and Betty Carter.



Eric Kelly III’s exhibit, OBAMA the 44th President: The Face of Change, opens on December 10. See his bold, colorful paintings through January 31. Meet the artist at a reception on January 23



The North Carolina Jazz Ensemble presents its annual holiday concert, The Joy of Music, with special guest vocalist Brandi Q Hancock on Sunday, December 13, 4pm. (The preconcert reception starts at 3pm for ticket holders.) Enjoy swinging jazz arrangements of your favorite holiday classics.

Í Museum of Life and Science, 433 Murray Ave,



220-5429, ncmls.org Hours: Monday–Saturday 10am–5pm and Sundays noon–5pm; Admission: $10.85 for adults; $8.85 for seniors (age 65+) and active and retired military (with proper ID); $7.85 for kids ages 3 to 12; and free for kids age 2 and under. Group rate is $7 each for 10 or more. Wednesday is free day after 1pm:



Steve Gerberich‘s Holiday Springs and Sprockets—Art That Moves is back (through January 3)! See science at work and play when interacting with the mechanical marvels and artful wizardry. You can watch a video of Gerberich’s work by going to gerbomatic.com/motionclips.html.



The popular Santa Train leaves every 20 minutes from 5:20 to 8:20pm on December 4–6, 9–13, and 16–21. The ride ends with hot cocoa, snacks, and crafts. Tickets are $12 for everyone age 3 and up; kids under age 3 ride for free on a parent’s lap. (Tickets can be purchased on the website.)

Í Nasher Museum of Art, 2001 Campus Dr,

684-5135, nasher.duke.edu Museum hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday 10am–5pm; Thursdays 10am–9pm; Sundays noon–5pm; $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 non-Duke students with ID, free for young people age 15 and under; Thursdays 5–9pm is free for everyone (except for special ticketed exhibits); parking is $2/hour:

The Picasso and the Allure of Language exhibit consists of 60 works that examine Pablo Picasso’s relationship with writers and how language affected his art. The special prices for this exhibit are $10 adults, $5 kids age 7–17, and $15 for a guided tour.

Í The Scrap Exchange, 548 Foster St, 688-6960, scrapexchange.org Hours: Monday–Wednesday and Friday 11am–

November / December 2009 — The Durham Skywriter  47

5pm, Thursdays 11am–6pm, Saturdays 10am– 5pm, and Sundays noon–5pm; free admission:

The 6th annual Craftland feature creations made from recycled materials. Now you can buy one-ofa-kind, handcrafted holiday presents for loved ones and yourself.

Í Through This Lens, 303 E Chapel Hill St,



687-0250, throughthislens.com Hours: Tuesday–Friday 10:30am–5:30pm, Saturdays 10:30am–4pm (Third Fridays until 9pm); free admission:



A new exhibit by Jesse Andrews, Heroes and Hoodlums: Learning to Remember, shows ordinary folks in the South and looks at the final year in the life of a tobacco farm. Meet the artist at a reception on Friday, November 20, 6–9pm.



Peter Armenia’s new exhibit, Sacred Light–Asia: Recent Work in the Sacred Light Series, examines belief and what inspires it. Meet the artist at a reception on Friday, November 20, 6–9pm. Both exhibits are on display through December 31.

THEATER • FILM • DANCE • RADIO • TELEVISION

Í

WNCU/90.7fm, North Carolina Central University; listen online at wncu.org:

Be sure to listen to Radio Skywriter every Saturday from 8:30–9am on WNCU. Durham Skywriter publisher Pat Murray and her guests talk about community issues and let you know what's happening in the Bull City (and beyond). Don't forget your pen and paper—we might have just the information you need! If you miss the broadcast, you can go to wncu.org from the following Tuesday for at least a week and listen to the podcast.

READ ALL ABOUT IT! Durham/Triangle/Triad–area authors: Send us your latest book and information if you want to be featured in the Skywriter.

Pamela George and Walter Brown / “The North Carolina Alphabet” (published by Carolina Wren Press, 560-2738, carolinapress.org) A wonderful collaboration of two artists, The North Carolina Alphabet is a celebration of the Old North State through a letter-by-letter journey from A to Z. Pamela George’s scenes surrounding Walter Brown’s big, bold letters relates each letter to our state; for example, “E” is for eagle, “H” is for heron, and “T” is for tobacco farm. Pamela George is a retired psychology professor who taught at North Carolina Central University. She’s a painter and now owns P’Gale Fine Art Studio. Walter Brown is a professor emeritus and former dean of NCCU’s School of Education. He is a member of the Carolina Lettering Arts Society and the Triangle Calligraphers Guild. This book can help teach young children the alphabet, but the beautiful art will definitely please all ages.

NOW HEAR THIS! Durham/Triangle/Triad–area artists: Send us your latest CD and information if you want to be featured in the Skywriter.

Darius “Shack” Shackleford / “A Unique Experience” (available at shackydee.com) When he was four years old, young Darius Shackleford walked over to the piano and started singing and playing on the spot. He grew up playing sports but always found time to sing in church and with various groups. But he made the mistake of discovering drugs and got sidetracked for years, only to be rescued through his faith. “A Unique Experience” is a collection of original tunes that profess his love for God in an appreciative, mature mood. Shackleford, who lives in Snow Hill, and Raleigh musician Jimmy Brown play all of the instruments and obviously work together well. The music flows with a relaxed, smooth-jazz feel, which will appeal to grown folks who want to hear something positive with a nice groove.

The Durham Skywriter PO Box 25138 Durham, North Carolina 27702 [email protected]

Enigma

Guest spotlight All day long From dusk to dawn It took that turtle to walk a mile Though tired and hungry at the end Still on a journey to just begin On his face was a joyous smile Having taken all day long From dusk to dawn Just to walk a mile The rabbit could do it in just ten minutes The leopard in five minutes at best A bullet in seconds, both ways no less So why do you smile, I asked that turtle In a bewildered daze Then he said with that joyous smile To walk a mile it takes a snail two days

— patricia A murray Send us your poems, cartoons, commentary, photos, artwork, etc if you’d like to be in our “Guest spotlight.” Keep it positive, and keep in mind that we can’t return what you send us (so don’t send your only copy).