Wayfinders to Help NCCU Eagles

Durham is a unique for many reasons - among them is the helpful nature of the people who help to make it the place where great things happen. So engaged are Durham's citizens that there is an organized group they can join to volunteer at events and cultural facilities. It is called the Durham Wayfinders.

For sports fans, this group just got a whole lot more attractive. The NCCU Athletics Department is teaming up with the Durham Wayfinders to provide help at the schools athletic events. “NCCU Athletics will start using the Durham Wayfinders to assist with many of the home games on campus.” said George "Bulldog" Smith, NCCU's Assistant Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Development.

Those interested in being a part of this initiative are encouraged to attend a meet and greet in McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium from 6 to 7PM on July 11th; parking is available in Latham Parking Deck.

Wayfinders is a program open to people interesting in volunteering their time in the community. People aged 16 years or older can sign up to be a Wayfinder by clicking here.

Durham Food Trucks Are 'Serious Eats'

As both the foodiest spot in the Triangle and the birthplace of the area's mainstream mobile food scene, Durham continues to garner national attention. This time Durham's local food trucks are at the center of this attention.

In the national food blog, Serious Eats, six of the eight trucks highlighted in the story "North Carolina: Our 8 Favorite Food Trucks" are from Durham. Only Burger, the first of the Triangle's food trucks, is featured. The Parlour, Chirba Chirba, Pie Pushers, KoKyu and Sympathy for the Deli are also among Serious Eats' favorites. Durham culinary incubator The Cookery also gets credited as integral to the Triangle food truck explosion.

As Durham's culinary culture continues its rise to prominence, folks like Serious Eats give props where props are due.

Durham Seeks Nominations for 2012 Golden Leaf Awards

Having Durham be a beautiful place is important to many.  In fact, people in Durham think appearance should be a high community priority by a ratio of almost four to one.  For those that do feel that way, now is the time to mobilize.

Residents who think there are certain Durham properties that have outstanding curb appeal are now invited to nominate those properties for the 2012 Golden Leaf Awards for Community Appearance.

The Durham City-County Appearance Commission and Keep Durham Beautiful, Inc., in association with the Environmental Affairs Board, are seeking nominations from the community for properties that raise the bar for excellence in design and maintenance in Durham. These awards are given to highlight the value that Durham puts on community appearance.

The deadline to submit nominations for this year’s award is Monday, July 30, 2012. Nominations may be submitted in the following categories:

•    Small Scale Residential Properties Award will be given to new construction, renovation, or restoration of a single-family house or residential building containing four units or fewer.

•    Large Scale Residential Properties Award will be given to new construction, conversions, or improvements to a multifamily residential property or mixed-use property incorporating residential units.

•    Commercial Properties Award will be given for new construction, renovation or adaptive reuse of non-residential properties.

•    Community Properties Award will be given for projects that enhance the appearance and livability of highly visible public areas including churches, schools, parks, and other projects providing community services.

•    Landscape Award will be given for landscape, hardscape, or garden projects at least one year old, which have consistently maintained high standards of upkeep and appearance.

•    Keep Durham Beautiful Award will be given to a volunteer or group of volunteers for projects, programs or events that impact a Durham community or neighborhood, and address Keep Durham Beautiful’s mission to support volunteer efforts to (1) beautify the natural environment (2) prevent or reduce litter and/or (3) reduce waste through reducing, re-using or recycling.

•    Sustainable Properties Award will be given for projects creating a sustainable built environment by incorporating green building principles in the planning and development of projects. Projects must document these principles in the areas of energy, design, site, water, and building materials.

•    People’s Choice Award will be given to one project selected by public vote from the nominees under consideration for the above award categories.

Visit the Durham Golden Leaf website to review the complete list of categories, submission criteria, and nominations forms.

Prepare for the Fourth of July at Durham Farmers' Market

Watermelons have arrived at Durham Farmers' Market just in time for the Fourth of July! This week a couple of farmers have reported that they will be bringing their first watermelons of the summer.  Be sure to get to the Market early for a good selection. Along with melons, there will be a plentiful amount of corn, tomatoes, squash, peaches, berries and fresh cuts of meats for grilling.

Another reason to get to the Market early? BEAT the HEAT! The next couple of days will be H.O.T.  WRAL's weather forecast predicts temperatures will get to 106 today and 105 tomorrow with a heat index of 115! If the temperature does get to 106, it will be the highest temperature EVER recorded at RDU. During heat waves like these, farming is not an easy line of work. Durham Farmers' Market's farmers definitely take precautions when it is this hot - they tend to do their field work early in the morning and late, they take breaks and drink lots and lots of water. 

Its not just the farmers who need to stay cool. Growing vegetables and fruits in extreme heat can be difficult. As soon as a vegetable is picked off the plant, it starts starts to lose water and deteriorate. Farmers work hard to preserve the freshness of their vegetables so that you, the consumer, get the highest quality possible. When a farmer harvests in the summer, they work to get the field heat out of the crops and cool them down as quickly as possible. Sometimes this means dunking a freshly harvested vegetable in cool water, covering them with wet towels or burlap, setting the crops in the shade, or transferring them to a cooler as quickly as possible. The hotter the temperatures, the more tricky it can be to keep the veggies and fruit in their top form for Market. Animal farmers also have to work extra hard in the heat to keep their animals cool, hydrated and healthy.

Along with the aforementioned Fourth of July picnic fixin's, there will be plenty of cold water available at the Market Info table in the center of the Pavilion. Be sure to stay hydrated. A couple of tents will be set out on the lawn so there are more shaded areas for resting.

Upcoming Events
Wednesday JULY 4th - WEDNESDAY MARKET WILL BE CLOSED
JULY 14th - NC 10% Campaign Event with a demo by Katie and Justin Meddis from the soon to open Rose's Meat Market and Sweet Shop
JULY 21st - ANNUAL TOMATO TASTING!  Chef Shane Ingram from Four Square Restaurant will be our host!

Fresh this Week
VEGETABLES:  JALAPENO PEPPERS, EDAMAME,  Arugula, Beets, Beans (Green, Yellow, Roma, Filet), Cabbage, Celery, Chinese Cabbage, Cherry Tomatoes, Corn, Collards, Cucumbers, Dandelion Greens, Eggplant,  Fennel, Frisee, Fresh Herbs (Basil, Cilantro, Mint, Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Parsley),  Green Onions, Garlic, Gourds, Mustard Greens, Kale, Lettuce, Leeks, Peppers - Sweet, Hot and Padron, Potatoes, Okra - Red and Green, Onions (Red, Yellow, Cippolini), Pea Shoots, Peppers (sweet), Salad Mix, Shiitake Mushrooms, Sweet Potatoes, Swiss Chard, Summer Squash, Tomatillos, Tomatoes, Turnips, Turnip Greens, Zucchini
FRUITS: WATERMELON!, Cantaloupe,  Raspberries, Peaches, Blackberries, Blueberries, last few Strawberries, 
MEATS AND EGGS: Beef, Bison, Chicken, Duck, Goat/Chevon, Lamb, Pork, Duck Eggs & Chicken Eggs
CHEESES: Fresh and aged cow and goats milk cheeses.
FLOWERS & PLANTS:  Lilies, Lisianthus, Gladiolus, Sunflowers, Zinnias,  Godetia, Black-Eyed Susan, Echinacea, Mixed Bouquets, Vegetable & Herb Seedlings, Landscaping Plants, House Plants
SPECIALTY ITEMS: New Crop of FLOUR, RAW HONEY, Pecans, Cornmeal, Grits, Baked Goods including Pies, Breads, Cookies, Pastries, Beer, Wine, Jams, Jellies, Pickles, Preserves, Wool
CRAFTS: Pottery, Jewelry, Stained Glass Art, Handmade Baskets,  Woodwork, Photographs, Hand-dyed Clothing and other items, Handmade Clothing, Soaps, Yarn, Roving, and much more...

Mining for Benchmarks

This a re-posting of an article on Bull City Mutterings, the blog by Reyn Bowman, President Emeritus of the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau.


"Mining for Benchmarks"
Bull City Mutterings
Reyn Bowman

Compared to the national average for how people perceive where they live, residents of Durham, North Carolina, where I happen to live, are seven times more likely than the national average to believe that living here today is better than it was five years ago and more than a third less likely to believe things have worsened over that period.

That is one of the take-aways gleaned from comparing results from two scientific surveys taken a few months apart, one on behalf of the American Planning Association (APA) and the other by the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB), the community’s marketing agency.

Mining secondary studies is an important way to leverage primary research even further, but it is absolutely crucial to establishing benchmark perspective.

I felt comfortable using the two surveys to develop a benchmark because wording of the questions’, statistical reliability and anonymity were so similar.

In an example of “reverse mining,” DCVB had posed similar questions including this one to help mine benchmarks from the Knight Foundation's Soul of the Community study, subtitled “Why People Love Where They Live and Why It Matters.”

But the benchmark from the APA survey could also be compared against the results of a bi-annual satisfaction survey begun a few years ago by the local government for the City of Durham which differs from the nearly two-decade annual DCVB survey because it excludes Durham residents who do not live in the city limits and is heavily promoted as a survey conducted by and for city government.

Respondents to that survey agreed by 6 to 1 that the city was moving in the right direction.  When the goal is harvesting benchmarks, the relative anonymity of the surveys can have an effect as well as whether they are written or telephonic.

Durham County is basically a single one city county so when DCVB anonymously asks all Durham residents to rate the community as a visitor destination the results are favorable by nearly 8 to 1 but when city government openly poses the question to just city residents, the response drops to 5 to 1, which is still favorable.

The difference could be that the opinions of city residents differ from Durham residents as a whole or because written surveys can be less top of mind or because respondents interpret city to mean only certain specific areas or even because people may answer answer if they know who is behind the question.

Both surveys are reliable and equally valuable but considerations must always be made when selecting a benchmark.

Often surveys such as APA’s yield results that can shed light on broader issues.  When asked which leaders would be best to implement change (respondents could check all that applied,)  neighborhood representatives and business professionals tied at 43% each, both nearly 1 1/2 times greater than elected leaders at 26%.

I guess, if this were viewed on a national level, that this is favorable to both President Obama, once a neighborhood organizer, and also to Mitt Romney, once a private equity capitalist, but not so much that they both have held elected official.

But on a more serious note, in Durham, where neighborhood activism is strong, it may be why so many were stunned when the City Council levied a special tax on Downtown when it purportedly had the support of only 6% of those effected, and why so many now are steamed that anyone who opposed this special tax has been arbitrarily and questionably blackballed from serving on the quasi-public board that will administer this tax.

Blackballing may be is common in politics but it has no place in the administration of public or quasi-public organizations or in neighborhoods improvement.

Mining surveys such as APA’s can also provide comic relief – 92% say that things work better with a plan, 79% agree that community planning is needed but 20% don’t want it funded by tax revenue – 62% rank water quality a priority (5th highest) but failing I guess to connect the dots, storm water is rated a low priority.

A nice result for those of us who work with unique sense of place is that having “locally owned businesses nearby” rates as the number one factor for an “ideal community.”  The APA survey also validated why so many places fail to grasp the importance of aesthetics, one of the key drivers of community attachment in the Knight study.

Those communities and their organizations that mine data for insightful decision making are way ahead of the curve, while those that also mine every piece of secondary research are close behind; but the few who still do everything possible to suppress research, well they don’t have a clue!

Durham’s Drinking Water Continues to Meet High Quality Standards

Durham residents should be on the lookout for the City of Durham’s 2011 Water Quality Report, arriving in their mailboxes beginning this week. 

The report, “Water: A to Z,” details the City’s water quality analytical results from January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2011, and shows that Durham’s drinking water was in full compliance with all state and federal drinking water quality standards. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency requires water systems with more than 25 connections to compile an annual report for distribution to customers. 

“We are very pleased to share with our customers the good news about the on-going high quality of the drinking water we provide and other information about the water treatment process and delivery system,” said Don Greeley, director of the City’s Water Management Department. In addition to information mandated by state and federal regulations, the report also contains updates about upgrades and improvements to the City’s water treatment facilities.

Approximately 125,000 copies of “Water: A to Z” have been mailed to local postal customers in an effort to reach all Durham water customers, including those living in multi-family housing that may not receive water bills. Copies of the report will be made available throughout the year to residents and visitors at public facilities, community centers, and during community events. The report is also available online. 

A Distillery in Durham

It's true that Durham is where great things happen. Great food, great beer, great art, and so many more things that the list could get obnoxiously long. However, one thing that Durham does not have is great liquor. Yet.

Domino, meet finger.

Coming soon, The Brothers Vilgalys Baltic-Style Spirits will be bottling a product called krupnikas, a Lithuanian honey and spice liquor. While there are many variations of this in the world, Rimas Vilgalys thinks his balanced and complex rendition will be popular when folks get to taste it. "There's a lot to like in this drink -- it's strong, but also very sweet and smooth going down, without any alcohol 'bite' to speak of. After a sip, the spices come to life and linger as the drink leaves a gentle and warm burn behind. It has enough complexity, sweetness, and smoothness that almost anyone can enjoy it," he says.

Still in the early stages of development, but at least now with a home on Ramseur Street to begin producing this beverage, the company is still procuring permits (they're close, Vilgalys says) and has a great vision that puts the company well in line with Durham's values. Local sourcing, sustainability at every turn, and carbon neutrality are all part of the grand scheme.

Durham is just the right place to launch this business, according to Vilgalys. "I really think that Durham is the perfect place for Brothers Vilgalys. I've been very impressed with how much the downtown area has changed since growing up here. The atmosphere in Durham is hugely supportive towards small start-ups like this, and there's a lot of success stories that I draw inspiration from. The Durham business owners I've spoken to have been enormously helpful and supportive, as have the local officials that I've dealt with so far."

Until they start making their own alcohol, they won't technically be a distillery, but that will hopefully come soon, according to Vilgaly.  To help with funding, the company has formed the Founders Club for those who want to support the effort monetarily.  Another form of support is the interest and ear of the public.  To that end, in addition the website, they have a blog and a Facebook page whereon updates will be placed.

12/9/12 UPDATE:  This product is close to launch and is only waiting on it's label approval.  Rimas Vilgalys posted this video today of the company's new bottling machine at work.

Durham Farmers' Market Welcomes Summer

Happy Summer! On Wednesday, we reached the summer solstice - the longest day of the year and the official start to summer! This week, right in time for summer, the first free-stone peaches came to Durham Farmers' Market. For the past couple of weeks, summer vegetables have been trickling into the Market. Last Wednesday, while we are still enjoying the last of the springtime veggies - carrots, fennel, lettuces, etc, the tide has turned and now everywhere you look you can see eggplant, cucumbers, squash, beans, potatoes, blackberries, blueberries, and a growing number of field grown tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, cantaloupes, tomatillos, corn and more. It won't be long before we start seeing watermelons at the Market!

Martha Mobley, Quinton Leonard IV & Steve Troxler
The Durham Farmers' Market is proud to be the home of a brilliant diversity of farms. Farm sizes range from 1 acre to 1000 acres. For some, farming is a second career while others have been farming all of their lives. Some farmers have recently purchased the land on which they are farming while others are farming on land that has been in their families for generations. This week, Steve and Martha Mobley's farm was recognized as a Century Farm. The Leonard Family Farm (which is the home to their farm - Meadow Lane Farm) has been in Martha's family for generations. It has changed a lot over the years, but one thing has remained constant - it has remained a working farm operated by members of the Leonard Family for over 100 years. Congratulations Steve and Martha!

Also remember, the Wednesday Market will be CLOSED on the FOURTH of JULY! The Saturday Market's surrounding the 4th will be open as scheduled and the Wednesday Market will return to it's normal schedule the following week, July 11th, 3:30 to 6:30pm

Upcoming Events
JUNE 23rd: Chef in the Market - Adam Rose, Il Palio
Chef Rose will be preparing Spaghettini Primavera.  Pesto made from, Chef de Cuisine Isaiah Allen's, Rocky Run Farms' basil and market vegetables.  Chef will be rolling pasta on site! During his demo, the folks from Il Palio will have a drawing for a $100 gift certificate to the restaurant.
JULY 14th - NC 10% Campaign Event with a demo by Katie and Justin Meddis from the soon to open Rose's Meat Market and Sweet Shop
JULY 21st - ANNUAL TOMATO TASTING!  Chef Shane Ingram from Four Square Restaurant will be our host!

Fresh this Week
VEGETABLES:   PADRON PEPPERS, TOMATILLOS, OKRA  Asian Greens,  Arugula, Beets, Beans (Green, Yellow, Roma, Filet), Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Chinese Cabbage, Cherry Tomatoes,  Corn, Collards, Cucumbers, Dandelion Greens, Eggplant, Escarole,  Fennel, Frisee, Fresh Herbs (Cilantro, Mint, Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Parsley),  Green Onions, Garlic, Green Garlic, Garlic Scapes, Gourds, Mustard Greens, Kale, Lettuce, Leeks, Potatoes, Onions (Red, Yellow, Cippolini), Pea Shoots, Peppers (sweet) Radicchio, Radishes, Salad Mix, Shiitake Mushrooms, Sweet Potatoes,  Snow Peas, Swiss Chard, Summer Squash, Tomatoes, Turnips, Turnip Greens, Zucchini
FRUITS: CANTALOUPE,  Red Raspberries, Logan Berries, Peaches Dewberries, Blueberries, last few Strawberries, 
MEATS AND EGGS: Beef, Bison, Chicken, Duck, Goat/Chevon, Lamb, Pork, Duck Eggs & Chicken Eggs
CHEESES: Fresh and aged cow and goats milk cheeses.
FLOWERS & PLANTS:  Lilies, Gladiolus, Sunflowers, Zinnias,  Godetia, Black-Eyed Susan, Echinacea, Mixed Bouquets, Vegetable & Herb Seedlings, Landscaping Plants, House Plants
SPECIALTY ITEMS: New Crop of FLOUR, RAW HONEY, Pecans, Cornmeal, Grits, Baked Goods including Pies, Breads, Cookies, Pastries, Beer, Wine, Jams, Jellies, Pickles, Preserves, Wool
CRAFTS: Pottery, Jewelry, Stained Glass Art, Handmade Baskets, Gourd Birdhouses, Woodwork, Photographs, Hand-dyed Clothing and other items, Handmade Clothing, Soaps, Yarn, Roving, and much more...

Durham Arm Wrestlers to Raise Funds for Crisis Center

Durham is never at a loss for great entertainment.  Be it traditional, or not, there's always something interesting to see in the place where great things happen.  Tomorrow night is no different.

The League of Upper Extremity Wrestling Women of Durham (LUEWWD) heeded the recent call from Durham Crisis Response Center (DCRC) for the public to help the non-profit raise $20,000 required to address the most immediate repairs needed for its crumbling facility. DCRC, the only agency in Durham County that works with survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse, will not make these repairs at a cost to the services they provide to families in crisis.

LUEWWD is a Durham-based group focused on raising funds for local nonprofits serving women and girls via the amazing spectacle of women's arm wrestling. LUEWWD has raised $23,000 since its inception in June 2010.

On June 16th at Fullsteam Brewery starting at 8:30 p.m., LUEWWD will host a fundraising event on behalf of DCRC.  It will be a local live viewing of SuperCLAW, a national ladies’ arm wrestling championship held in Charlottesville, VA. Eight arm wrestling leagues from across the US will be fighting to bring more pride and an equal share of the total funds raised back to their respective beneficiaries. Fierce yet comical, “Ze Dirty Butcher” will be representing Durham. The live-streaming of SuperCLAW begins at 9:00 p.m.

Admission is free. Donations are welcomed through a 50/50 raffle, “Buy a Shingle,” and auction of a SuperCLAW poster to be signed by the national arm wrestler. For a fair price, friends can challenge friends to accept the fate of the Moshi Moshi Stalemate Wheel, with chances to hula-hoop, thumb-wrestle or play full-body rock paper scissors. Attendees will also be able to challenge DCRC board members to a spin of the wheel. In addition, Fullsteam will donate $1 for every pint purchased.

“We were thrilled when LUEWWD offered to raise money for the structural repairs,” said DCRC Board Chair Ingram Hedgpeth. “The June 16th event will provide an opportunity for the Durham community to support an issue that pervades every neighborhood, largely unnoticed and unspoken, until an event like this focuses our communal compassion on families who have experienced domestic violence.”

More details about supporting the local party to cheer on DCRC and “Ze Dirty Butcher” are available at online. Learn more about DCRC and donate at here.

Invertivoria Culinary Experience at Museum of Life & Science's Sprout Cafe

The Museum of Life and Science in Durham is hosting an opportunity for adults to play after hours, and to tantalize their taste buds by taking part in an “invertivoria” culinary experience during the Summer Solstice After Hours 21+ event on Wednesday, June 20. Chefs at the Museum’s new Sprout Café will serve-up a four-course meal prepared with conchs, insect skewers, giant sago worms and more. 

Not into “invertivoria”? Well there is so much more at this event. Dancing shoes are a must because there will be a contra caller and live music. You can also build with bamboo, take a psychedelic train ride, watch the sun set over the wetlands and visit with the Museum’s black bears and red wolves and so much more.

Food trucks will also be onsite.

The Summer Solstice event is part of the Museum’s adult 21+ series which also includes the very popular Science of Beer event on September 13. These events sell out quickly. Learn more and purchase tickets online.

Cool Summer Nights at DPAC

To beat the heat of those sunny summer days, DPAC, Durham Performing Arts Center, is proud to present nine superstar events June through August that will feature something for everyone. Tickets are on sale now for the 2012 Cool Summer Nights Series, featuring Grammy® Award-winning artists, Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, and one-of-a kind talents.

The series will feature:

- An Intimate Night with R&B Superstar Anita Baker – June 17
- Summer’s Can’t Miss Bluegrass Show with Vince Gill – June 24
- Crosby, Stills and Nash in their First Ever Intimate Theater Setting – July 8
- Back by Popular Demand, Jackson Browne – July 22
- World’s Leading Guitar Showman, Ted Nugent – August 9
- Comedy’s Most Outrageous Night, Kathy Griffin – August 10
- A Country Legend, George Jones – August 18
- VH1’s 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock, Meat Loaf – August 19
- Summer’s Hottest Ticket, Duran Duran – August 21

“We are thrilled with the star talent and diverse events that will take the DPAC stage this summer as part of our Cool Summer Nights concert series,” said Emily Dahl, DPAC’s Marketing Director of Concerts and Comedy. “From R&B to bluegrass, hard rock to comedy, Cool Summer Nights at DPAC promise an escape from heat and humidity, offering an intimate evening indoors with your favorite artists. I hope you join us!”

Tickets sold separately for each event and are available through the following outlets:
•         On DPAC's website
•         DPAC Ticket Center: 919.680.2787, 123 Vivian Street, Durham, NC
•         Ticketmaster / Ticketmaster Charge by Phone at 800.982.2787
•         Ticketmaster outlets including Wal-Mart

Celebrate Father's Day with Durham Farmers' Market

It's Father's Day weekend!  What does that usually mean? Father's Day cookout or Father's Day brunch. Durham Farmers' Market will be stocked with lots of great things to cook up for Dad this weekend. With so many grilling holidays on the horizon, the Market's meat farmers will be sure to stay fully stocked with things for the grill! This weekend, visitors to the Market will start to see more corn, cantaloupes and field grown tomatoes. While there aren't any watermelons yet, they are expected to show up before the Fourth of July. If Dad isn't into cooking out, there will be lots of other great things for Dads: soap, flowers, pastries and cards among others.

A Note about Berries...
STRAWBERRIES: This year has been one of the longest strawberry seasons that the Market's farmer's can remember. One farmer noted that this week was his 12th week of strawberries. The cool weather this June has kept the plants producing week after week. He went on to say that it takes about a 5 days straight of 90 degree weather for the berries to fully stop producing. As the season has progressed, the number of strawberries coming to the Market has decreased. While its expected that every week will be the last for strawberries, yet a couple of farmers have reported that they are expecting to have strawberries for two more weeks.

BLACKBERRIES: While the expectation has been that the strawberries will disappear, the Market has been anticipating the onslaught of blackberries. While they have appeared, the blackberry crops haven't been as prolific as in past years. A few friends have reported that their favorite secret blackberry picking spots don't have many berries this year. Last week, one farmers mentioned that the late frost that in June came right around the time that the blackberries were starting to bloom and the vines haven't yet recovered from it. The unseasonably delightful weather has likely also slowed their ripening. So, if you see blackberries at the Market, pick them up because there might not be many this year!


Fresh this Week....
VEGETABLES:  Padron peppers, Tomatillos, Okra, Asian Greens, Arugula, Beets, Beans (Green, Yellow, Roma, Filet), Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Chinese Cabbage, Cherry Tomatoes,  Corn, Collards, Cucumbers, Dandelion Greens, Eggplant, Escarole,  Fennel, Frisee, Fresh Herbs (Cilantro, Mint, Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Parsley),  Green Onions, Garlic, Green Garlic, Garlic Scapes, Gourds, Mustard Greens, Kale, Lettuce, Leeks, Potatoes, Onions (Red, Yellow, Cippolini), Pea Shoots, Peppers (sweet) Radicchio, Radishes, Salad Mix, Shiitake Mushrooms, Sweet Potatoes,  Snow Peas, Swiss Chard, Summer Squash, Tomatoes, Turnips, Turnip Greens, Zucchini
FRUITS: Cantaloupe,  Red Raspberries, Logan Berries, Peaches Dewberries, Blueberries, last few Strawberries, 
MEATS AND EGGS: Beef, Bison, Chicken, Duck, Goat/Chevon, Lamb, Pork, Duck Eggs & Chicken Eggs
CHEESES: Fresh and aged cow and goats milk cheeses.
FLOWERS & PLANTS:  Lilies, Gladiolus, Sunflowers, Zinnias,  Godetia, Black-Eyed Susan, Echinacea, Mixed Bouquets, Vegetable & Herb Seedlings, Landscaping Plants, House Plants
SPECIALTY ITEMS: New Crop of FLOUR, RAW HONEY, Pecans, Cornmeal, Grits, Baked Goods including Pies, Breads, Cookies, Pastries, Beer, Wine, Jams, Jellies, Pickles, Preserves, Wool
CRAFTS: Pottery, Jewelry, Stained Glass Art, Handmade Baskets, Gourd Birdhouses, Woodwork, Photographs, Hand-dyed Clothing and other items, Handmade Clothing, Soaps, Yarn, Roving, and much more...

American Dance Festival Kicks Off 79th Season

Twenty years after starting at American Dance Festival (ADF) as an intern, Jodee Nimerichter launches the festival's 79th season this weekend as the festival's director. For the previous 43 years, the ADF was lead by Charles Reinhart who retired in 2011. Reinhart was in charge of the festival when it moved to Durham in 1977 at the invitation of then Duke University President Terry Sanford.

Under Nimerichter's leadership, the festival boasts an outstanding line-up of performances and activities including seven ADF commissioned world premieres, two US premieres and eight ADF  company and choreographer debuts.

The 2012 season opens tonight with a one-night-only performance of Doug Elkins & Friends' Fräulein Maria at DPAC - Durham Performing Arts Center. The Opening Night Fête will continue on to Parizäde for food, wine and more dancing. Proceeds from the party will benefit ADF Educational Programs. See the ADF web page for ticket information.

The 2012 American Dance Festival continues through July 28 with performances at DPAC and Reynolds Theater, Duke University. Go to ADF's calender online, and see the DPAC and Duke Ticket Office for tickets.

The Peddling of the Bulls?

Updated - June 17, 2013:
The Peddling Bulls are now hiring.  See their website for more information, or read on:

"Want to do your part to keep the party going in Durham while staying fit, having fun, and making some bread? Look no further, this Wednesday from 12noon to 5pm Peddling Bulls of Durham Bike-Taxi is having an open house at 506 N. Mangum to find energetic and customer service oriented Bike-Taxi drivers to join our Peddler Network to help us peddle and pedal. 

Peddling Bulls is a Durham focused and Durham based Rickshaw cooperative which gives licensed members access to its fleet of traditional pedicabs, trailers, and business system. Already have a bike? Put on a uniform and grab a trailer and get in business! 

If you believe you're capable of riding around folks throughout the Bull City in a safe, efficient, and timely fashion, please RSP by leaving a voice mail for Mike Valentine at (919) 371-8837. Join us in our mission to make Durham more pedestrian friendly. Hope to see you this Wednesday. 

Original Post:
Durham is fast becoming a bike friendly city with a profusion of bike shops, cycling clubs and installed bike racks.  So then the next logical step in the progression is bike cabs, right?

Right.

Enter the Peddling Bulls Bike Taxi Service, a new Durham based company endeavoring to make the city more pedestrian-friendly.  Downtown Durham is already celebrated as a foot-traffic friendly place by the website WalkScore.com, whereon addresses in that district rank very high.

The Peddling Bulls ownership recognize Durham's commitment to environmentally friendly transit solutions, like the Bull City Connector, and that the growing economy make a perfect venue for the company to provide pedicab services to both residents and guests.

These pedicabs are a convenient transportation option and are looking forward to shuttling fans to and from activities from ball games to performance, and more.  They are also working to offer partnerships with local businesses through promotional, or service-based, opportunities. The company is also pleased to provide new employment opportunities in Durham.

The company was founded out of love for Durham, according to founder Michael Valentine.  He hopes that Peddling Bulls will become yet another attractive aspect of this evolving community.

For more information, find the Peddling Bulls online, on Twitter, or Facebook.

The Best of Both Seasons at Durham Farmers' Market

More summer time veggies will show up at Durham Farmers' Market this week. OKRA and TOMATILLOS are now in season! Add them to the growing list of summer veggies at Market - squash, cucumbers, eggplant, potatoes, green beans, yellow beans, roma beans and the first few field tomatoes. It's starting to feel like summer. The great thing about this time of year is that there's the best of two seasons to choose from! Tomorrow, look for lots of summer AND spring veggies and fruits to choose from.

With the arrival of okra and the bounty of cucumbers and green beans, it's time to start some pickling plans. The following are a couple of links to recipes for pickles to try this summer.

Bill Neal's Pickled Okra Recipe
Dilly Beans from Food in Jars

A huge congratulations goes out to two Market vendors who were voted "Best in the Triangle" in the Independent: Chapel Hill Creamery for Best Local Cheese Producer and Fullsteam for Best Local Beer, Brewery and a few other accolades.

Shout outs to all of the local business who support the Market and local farmers who won in different categories. Chefs and staff from these restaurants are regularly seen around the Market picking up produce and goods: Toast, Watts Grocery, Geer Street Garden, Pops, Guglhupf, Lantern, Dos Perros, Locopops, and Vin Rouge! And a high five to all of the finalists - too many to list - but way to go everyone!

Finally, Durham Farmers' Market is sad to report that member, Betty Vollmer, wife of John Vollmer of Vollmer Farm, passed away last week. Here is a link to Betty's obituary and a profile of Vollmer Farm and their story from the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association website.


Fresh this Week....
VEGETABLES:   TOMATILLOS, OKRA  Asian Greens,  Arugula, Beets, Beans (Green, Yellow, Roma, Filet), Broccoli, Broccoli Raab, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Chinese Cabbage, Cherry Tomatoes,  Corn, Collards, Cucumbers, Dandelion Greens, Eggplant, Escarole, Fava Beans, Fennel, Frisee, Fresh Herbs (Cilantro, Mint, Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Parsley),  Green Onions, Garlic, Green Garlic, Garlic Scapes, Gourds, Mustard Greens, Kale, Lettuce, Leeks, Potatoes, Onions, Pea Shoots, Peas, Peppers (sweet) Radicchio, Radishes, Salad Mix, Shiitake Mushrooms, Sweet Potatoes, Sugar Snap Peas, Snow Peas, Swiss Chard, Summer Squash, Tomatoes, Turnips, Turnip Greens, Zucchini
FRUITS:  Red Raspberries, Logan Berries, Dewberries, Blueberries, last few Strawberries, and PEACHES
MEATS AND EGGS: Beef, Bison, Cornish Game Hens, Chicken, Duck, Goat/Chevon, Lamb, Pork, Duck Eggs & Chicken Eggs CHEESES: Fresh and aged cow and goats milk cheeses.
FLOWERS & PLANTS:  Asiatic Lilies, Gladiolus, Sunflowers, Zinnias, Mixed Bouquets, Vegetable & Herb Seedlings, Landscaping Plants, House Plants
SPECIALTY ITEMS: RAW HONEY, Pecans, Flour, Cornmeal, Grits, Baked Goods including Pies, Breads, Cookies, Pastries, Beer, Wine, Jams, Jellies, Pickles, Preserves, Wool
CRAFTS: Pottery, Jewelry, Stained Glass Art, Handmade Baskets, Gourd Birdhouses, Woodwork, Photographs, Hand-dyed Clothing and other items, Handmade Clothing, Soaps, Yarn, Roving, and much more...

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan to Highlight Job Creation Opportunities for North Carolina Businesses at NCCU

Tomorrow, June 6, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan will travel to North Carolina Central University to highlight federal contracting opportunities for local small business.
 
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan will give keynote remarks at the USDA Small Business Training and Matchmaking conference sponsored by the USDA and North Carolina Central University to discuss steps to increase small business contracting within the federal government, and subsequent job creation.  The event is open to the public.

The event starts at 9 AM and takes place in the Miller – Morgan Building Auditorium at 1801 Fayetteville Street.  Those interested in attending can register here.

Workshop topics include:
                        Doing Business with USDA
                        Small Business Administration/Procurement Technical Assistance Centers
                        Doing Business with General Service Administration and Homeland Security
                        Small Business Administration/Procurement Technical Assistance Centers
                        Federal, Local and Industry Resources
                        Food Commodity Contracting Opportunities for Rural America

UPDATED: A Heaping Portion of Media Coverage

Durham is a place for food lovers - this is widely known. Despite the loss of culinary icon, The Magnolia Grill, last month, there are plenty of places in Durham that are generating buzz (and drinks and food) that will surely make folks look forward to great meals in the place where great things happen.

Below are two three links to articles that show off some of Durham's great food places. Recently, journalists from Southern Living and the NY Post have spent time here, and their articles indicate they had a mighty good time.  The latest addition is a piece in the Oxford American.

Read the NY Post piece by Jennifer Ceaser. Ceaser hit some high spots in Durham on her visit, including some of Durham's most notable fine dining establishments, and one of it's high end watering holes. This is an example of a journalist making the most of a visit to Durham.

Read the Southern Living Piece by Graham Averil. This article is about the Best Burgers in North Carolina. Two of them can be found in Durham.  Read on and see which ones made the cut.

Read the Oxford American piece by Erin Sroka.
Sroka is from Durham, and this piece is about Dame's Chicken and Waffles. Forewarned is forearmed, it's like to make you very hungry.