Cary On the Move May/June 2010

Opulence of Southern Pines celebrated their Grand Re-Opening on March 11 at a new location within Saltbox Village at 1249 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary. Opulence is a retailer of luxury linens for bed & bath, accessories, lingerie, fragrance, and exquisite gifts, including corporate gifts. Visit Opulence of Southern Pines on FaceBook or www.OpulenceOfSouthernPines.com

Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice’s Raleigh office recently held a contest to raise money and collect food for the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. The contest raised almost $3,000 and resulted in the collection of over 150 pounds of food. Womble Carlyle has run such internal “food-raisers” twice yearly for several years now. The next contest will be “Pie in July”, when employees will compete in a pie contest.

Wake Tech gives Students a Jump Start - Western Wake Campus Offers New Summer Program. High school graduates who want to get a jump start on their college careers can begin taking classes this summer at Wake Tech’s Western Wake Campus in Cary. “Jump Start” is an intensive, six-week program that includes the classes most needed by new students in two-year associate degree programs. Classes will run Monday through Friday, from June 15 through July 27.

Lifetime Fitness of Cary presents “REACH FOR THE POWER WITHIN” at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre on May 22. Join us for an amazing Outdoor Yoga & Pilates class experience designed for all levels. Admission is free & entrance to the event is open to the public first come, first serve. Time: 8:30A -10A Life Power Pilates/10:30A -12P Life Power Yoga. Contact: Bianca Strzalkowski 460-8308 or bstrzalkowski@lifetimefitness.com.

J.M. Thompson Company has received the prestigious “North Carolina State Construction Merit Award” in recognition of their “superior professional services” for the construction of Wake Technical Community College’s Northern Campus Building D. It is noteworthy that the Wake Technical Community College Northern Campus is the first community college campus in the country to have completely “green” LEED certified buildings.

Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants Inc. has signed its first ever State Wide Area Development Agreement with a Franchisee, GMW Carolina, Inc. Dickey’s working with GMW Carolina, Inc plan to expand into major markets throughout North Carolina . The agreement covers not only selling franchises but also supporting them once they are opened.

Don and Lisa Frantz of Frantz Automotive Center were honored as one of Business Leader Media’s Top 50 Entrepreneurs award winners at a ceremony in Raleigh and were featured in the March issue of Business Leader magazine. They were also selected as Co-Grand Marshalls of the CarQuest Tech-Net 300 in Charlotte on Saturday, May 29.

Quality Staffing Specialists is very proud to announce that it has successfully completed a rigorous evaluation process and is now the first staffing company in North Carolina to be Green Plus Certified by the Institute for Sustainable Development.

Cary on the Move March/April 2010

SAS, the leader in business analytics, is No.1 on FORTUNE magazine’s annual “100 Best Companies to Work For” list. SAS was listed as one of the best for health care, child care and work-life balance. SAS has made the list all 13 years since it was first established in 1998. This is the seventh time SAS has been in the top 10 and the fifth time in the top five. FORTUNE Deputy Managing Editor Hank Gilman said “All 100 companies on our list are currently hiring, many of them aggressively, leading to more than 96,000 open job positions expected in the next year.”

Office Suites PLUS, a fully furnished office and virtual office provider, awarded three Raleigh/Cary, NC area employees with top honors at their Annual Awards Dinner in Lexington, KY on February 6th. The recognized employees were: Martha B. Card, Karen S. Wheless, and Michelle P. Benson.
Secure Enterprise Computing, Inc. announced that the company has successfully completed the PCI Security Standards Council Qualified Security Assessor testing process and are validated as compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). For more information, please visit www.pcisecuritystandards.org

ShutterBooth, a photo booth rental company based in Apex, NC, received WeddingWire 2010 Bride’s Choice Award™ for Photo Booth Rental. ShutterBooth is ideal for corporate events, trade shows, weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, high school dances/proms, parties, class reunions, fundraisers and virtually any event. For more information, call Neal Zipser at 919-255-2556 or go to www.shutterbooth.com.

Sculpture artists from across the nation are invited to participate in the 2010 Cary Visual Art Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, August 13, 2010 - June 24, 2011. Organized and presented by Cary Visual Art with the support of the Town of Cary, this exhibition offers established and emerging artists the opportunity to display their sculptures on the Town Hall Campus and throughout the heart of downtown Cary. Please visit www.caryvisualart.org for more information.

Grubb & Ellis Company, a leading real estate services and investment firm, today announced that Grubb & Ellis|Thomas Linderman Graham has been named Affiliate of the Year for 2009. Grubb & Ellis|Thomas Linderman Graham serves as the company’s affiliate throughout the Triangle region of North Carolina. The award is presented annually to the affiliate that ranks highest in all the areas measured, including quality of service, utilization of systems, tools and processes and participation in all other aspects of the affiliate program.
TRC Staffing Services is celebrating its 15th Anniversary of service to the Triangle. They are located at 2000 Regency Parkway in Cary. TRC provides temporary, temp-to-permanent and direct hire employees for a broad spectrum of companies.

Junior Achievement teaches students in grades K-12 the basics of business and economics. Our programs deal with real issues like workforce readiness, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship. We need your help to make this happen! To learn more, please contact Gerri Brodman, Program Coordinator: 919-210-1263 or gerri@juniorachievement.net.

Cary on the Move January/February

Jim Terrill, CMFC, of American Prosperity Group, a Retirement and Estate Planning firm, will be offering Savvy Social Security Planning: What Baby Boomers Need to Know to Maximize Retirement Income.   This free 45 minute presentation is designed to help Baby Boomer maximize their Social Security benefits.  Call Laura Smith at American Prosperity Group, 461-9998 to get the current schedule or request a presentation at your office. 

GlaxoSmithKline, in partnership with the Triangle Community Foundation, awarded nine recipients of the GlaxoSmithKline 1st Annual IMPACT Awards for providing access to healthcare.  Each of the North Carolina-based nonprofits serving the four county region of Chatham, Durham, Orange and Wake received a $40,000 award. The Lucy Daniels Center was cited for its efforts to provide mental health services to children in the Triangle and particularly for its programs focused on serving the underserved.

Hemophilia of North Carolina is hosting its annual “Hearts for Hemophilia” Casino Night on Saturday, January 23rd at the Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh.  Tickets and sponsorships are available online at www.hemophilia-nc.org.  It’s an exciting night of good fun and fast action for a great cause!  Tickets for the evening will include dinner & music by a quartet from the UNC Jazz Band, beer & wine, auction items, great prizes plus plenty of “funny money” play chips to test your luck at blackjack, roulette, craps and poker!  All proceeds benefit Hemophilia of North Carolina, a non-profit 501c3 organization dedicated to assisting people with bleeding disorders.

LM Restaurants (LMR) was recently recognized as the 12th fastest growing private company in the Triangle by the Triangle Business Journal.  Triangle Business Journal recognized the 50 fastest growing private companies in the Triangle at the 17th Annual 2009 Fast 50 Awards dinner on November 5th. LM Restaurants is the parent company of several award-winning restaurants on the East coast (www.lmrest.com).  Carolina Ale House, celebrating 10 years of business in 2009, boasts twelve locations (six locations in the Triangle, a NEW location in Wilmington, NC, a small outlet in Terminal 2 of RDU International Airport, two locations South Carolina and two in South Florida.)  Taverna Agora (Raleigh) is an authentic Greek restaurant and bar; Bentley’s at Crossroads (Cary) is a casually elegant steak and seafood concept located in Crossroads Plaza.

For a third year, Gifts & Decorative Accessories Magazine selected the 25 Gifted Retailers of 2009 from a group of great local merchants from the East Coast to the West. Cute Buttons Gift and Paper Boutique is listed among them. Cute Buttons Gift and Paper Boutique is located at 312 W. Chatham Street, Suite 203, downtown Cary, NC, 27511. (www.shopcutebuttons.com).
Publishing Executive magazine (www.PubExec.com) has named S&A Cherokee (www.sacherokee.com) as one of the “Best Magazine Publishing Companies to Work for 2009.” Based in North Carolina, S&A Cherokee publishes national and regional magazines such as Auto Remarketing, SubPrime Auto Finance News, Cary Magazine and Triangle East, as well as custom publications for external clients.

Cary on the Move – November/December 2009

Mathnasium’s Cary and West Cary locations received awards at the 5th Annual International Convention held July 19-20 in Las Vegas.  The Cary location was awarded runner-up for Multi-Unit Performance based on academic results and overall revenue and was named a Mentor Center. The West Cary location received an award for Best Environment and also received The Management System Award. Mathnasium is a Math Learning Center with 164 world-wide locations with 5 of those serving the Greater Triangle Region.

The Dorcas Thrift Shop, located at 1231 Maynard Rd., Cary, NC, is the major fundraising arm for the ministries of Christian Community In Action (CCA).  To better present the tradition of service to those who have supported or benefited from the CCA ministries, CCA has chosen to be known as DORCAS MINISTRIES. The mission of Dorcas Ministries is to assist those who face immediate financial crises in Cary, Morrisville and immediately adjacent areas by providing financial assistance, childcare scholarships, food and clothing. 

Liza E. Ellis, CIDA, has joined the Fanning Howey Raleigh office as Regional Office Marketing Manager. She will be using her management skills to keep Fanning Howey positioned as a leading planning and design firm, specializing in educational, religious, corporate, and retail. Fanning Howey, Architects-Engineers, maintains 9 offices nation wide, with local offices at 5001 Weston Parkway, Suite 201, Cary.

WBON and the Pretty in Pink Foundation hosted the “Honoring You” Fashion Show and Luncheon on October 7th in celebration of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Women Business Owners Network (WBON) of Cary is a non-profit organization comprised of women in leadership positions. Meetings take place on the first Wednesday of every month at the Matthews House in Cary.

Capital Associates, a full-service commercial real estate development and property management company, announces that a flu prevention program has been instituted in the majority of the 3.4 million square-feet of commercial space managed in the Triangle. This effort, aimed at avoiding the spread of the flu, includes enhanced cleaning procedures, signage in common areas and personal-care education.

The PHI Senior Olympics took place at the Glenaire Retirement Community on October 21. Competitors chose from a variety of activities ranging from sporting events such as chair volleyball, 50-yard swim and table tennis to others including ballroom dancing and Quiz Bowl, hosted by Mark Roberts, former WRAL traffic reporter and anchor.

TRC Staffing Services is celebrating its 15th Anniversary of service to the Triangle.  They are located at 2000 Regency Parkway in Cary.  TRC provides temporary, temp-to-permanent and direct hire employees for a broad spectrum of companies.

Cary On the Move - September/October Issue 2009

Mathnasium’s Cary and West Cary locations received awards at the 5th Annual International Convention held July 19-20 in Las Vegas.  The Cary location was awarded runner-up for Multi-Unit Performance based on academic results and overall revenue and was named a Mentor Center. The West Cary location received an award for Best Environment and also received The Management System Award.
Mathnasium is a Math Learning Center with 164 world-wide locations with 5 of those serving the Greater Triangle Region.
Mathnasium is hosting a Math Triathlon at all 5 locations on September 26th with proceeds to benefit the Wake County School Math Programs. The competition is open to students in grades 3-6 and you do not have to be a Mathnasium student to participate. For more information or to register visit http://mathnasiumofraleigh.com/Triathlon-Contest.html

Office Suites PLUS announces a plan to help displaced professionals. For someone who recently lost a position, Office Suites PLUS is offering to provide a shared office for up to 90 days – for no charge. This offer is only for individuals who have lost their job and are actively seeking new employment. A furnished office with a telephone and high speed Internet access will be provided as available during normal work hours. For additional information please visit www.officesuitesplus.com.

S&A Cherokee has been selected by Inc. magazine for its Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America. S&A Cherokee is the only North Carolina company represented in the Media category and ranks 28th nationwide among all media companies. S&A Cherokee has also won two 2009 APEX Awards for Publications Excellence.

In the spirit of the Halloween season, The Friends of the Page-Walker Hotel will present “Mysteries and Secrets:  Exploring Cary-Area Cemeteries” to address some intriguing questions about some of Cary’s historic gravesites.  The program will be held on Tuesday, October 27 at 7:30 p.m.  The public is invited to join the Friends for a fascinating presentation that explores the mysteries and secrets held by local cemeteries, identifying the resting places of historic figures and revealing the more obscure facts and questions from both prominent and well-hidden burial grounds in Cary and its outskirts. For more information, phone (919) 460-4963.

Hemophilia of North Carolina is proud to announce our participation in the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) Hemophilia Walk program which is the largest event dedicated to finding better treatments and cures for bleeding and clotting disorders, and to prevent the complications of these disorders.  North Carolina’s Hemophilia Walk will take place on Saturday, October 17th at Lake Crabtree.  Registration begins at 9:00am and the walk starts at 10:00am. To register for the walk, visit the web site at www.hemophilia.org/walk.

John Powell of Powell Properties is pleased to announce that Atlanta-based Archer Western Contractors has leased 18,000 square feet of office/flex space in Apex, NC for its local office while the Triangle Expressway is under construction. The “TriEx” is the continuation of I-540 passing through western Wake and southern Durham counties. Powell Properties, Inc. is also pleased to announce the leasing of Class A medical office space at 570 New Waverly Place in Cary, NC to Total Joint Care, LLC, orthopedic surgeons. Matt Winters represented the Landlord, SeanDev, LLC, in the transaction.

Capital Commercial Realty ( CCR), a Cary based real estate firm, is pleased to announce  the addition of two new brokers.  Carla Olive and Sheila Shang are great assets to CCR in the area of tenant and landlord representation.  Capital Commercial Realty has recently relocated its offices to High House Road. 

With the opening of its new 100,000-square-foot green building, BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina is demonstrating its commitment to reducing its environmental impact. The facility, which was designed to be eligible for Gold certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards, will use 65 percent less energy and half the water per square foot compared with the company’s traditional office spaces.

Claire Smith of Hair Waves Salon went to New York and worked at the Dop Dop Salon in Soho under the leadership of world renowned Loreal colorist Jo Blackwell-Preston.

Hospice of Wake County will hold a 14-hour training class for new and prospective family support volunteers from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on October 24 and October 31 at the non-profit agency’s Youngsville office. For more information, including a complete list of volunteer positions, visit www.hospiceofwake.org or contact Anne Arndt at 828-0890 or aarndt@hospiceofwake.org.

Cary On the Move - July-August 2009

WBON-Cary is excited to announce a special for the month of August.
Attend our August 5th Luncheon Meeting (11:30 am at the Matthews House) for the members’ price of $20 (a $5-$10 savings) and if you decide to join, the initiation fee is waived. So ladies can join this dynamic group for only $60 for 1 year (a $15 savings!)
Our year begins in August so this is in celebration of our new fiscal year and beginning the 15th year as a Cary non-profit organization.

Powell Properties, Inc of Cary is proud to announce that for the second year in a row Cary Magazine has named them one of the Top 100 most influential businesses in Western Wake County. The list includes a wide variety of businesses from hospitals to banks to colleges. Local chambers of commerce were asked to nominate top performing businesses in their regions. Cary Magazine then selected only those that have made a broad impact on the area residents and economy.

TRC Staffing Services conducted a food drive in their building to support the Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC. With the generosity of the employees located at 2000 Regency Parkway, TRC collected and delivered 361 lbs. of food and $100 in grocery gift cards to the Food Bank. In these troubled economic times, sponsoring a food drive seemed like the perfect way to help in a meaningful way.

Nationally acclaimed La Farm Bakery (www.lafarmbakery.com) has expanded introducing café-style seating to their current bakery and retail store. “We’re excited to give our customers what they’ve been asking for – a place where customers may sit comfortably and treat themselves to Lionel’s handcrafted breads anytime – whether a croissant for breakfast, tartine at lunchtime, and soon our breads with wine and cheese in the evening,” explained co-owner Missy Vatinet.

All Raleigh Urgent Care Network sites are proud to partner with Raleigh Rescue Mission to serve as official Collection Sites for food, clothing, and basic needs items for the poor and homeless in our area. Donated Items accepted in our clinics will include: Clothes, Hygiene Products (Soap, Toothpaste, Shampoo, etc), Non-Perishable Food Items, Paper Products (Napkins, Toilet Paper, etc.), and Bible Concordances.

Capital Associates (www.casso.com), a full-service commercial real estate development company, announces the leasing of 11,700 square feet of office space at 1225 Crescent Lakeside in Cary, N.C. to Pulte Homes. To learn more about available space at Crescent Lakeside I or other properties, call Bret Muller at (919) 233-9901 or visit www.casso.com.

Stonewood Grill and Tavern is open for lunch Monday- Friday 11:30 AM-4:00 PM. Come join us for lunch and check out our lunch and drink specials. Patio seating and private dining is available for groups. Call and make your reservation today (919)481-0174 or check us out online at www.stonewoodgrill.com.

Rockett Interactive has been ranked number 17 in the Second Annual Business Leader Media listing of the Top 100 Small Businesses in North Carolina for 2009. These elite businesses were chosen based on their track record of both significant business achievement and community involvement within the state of North Carolina. Rockett Interactive provides comprehensive online advertising and media management services including strategy, planning and execution of online campaigns for major marketers in a wide range of sectors. For further information, call 919.678.8994, email us at info@rockettinteractive.com, or visit www.rockettinteractive.com

Cary On the Move - June 2009

Ron Smith, founder and president of S&A Cherokee, has announced that Executive Vice President Chuck Norman has diligently worked towards and successfully completed requirements for Accreditation in Public Relations (APR). The Accreditation program aims to improve the practice of public relations by assessing competence in 60 areas of knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the profession. The Examination is designed for public relations professionals with at least five years of job experience and/or bachelor’s degree in a communications field.

Rockett Interactive, the privately-held interactive advertising agency based in Cary NC, announced that it has been selected as the Online Media Agency of Record for Chicago, IL-based Entertainment Cruises. The 23-vessel, premier dining and sightseeing company serves eight cities with six unique cruise products. The company’s objective is to boost traffic to their respective city’s cruise line websites (Odyssey, Spirit, Seadog), as part of an overall plan to increase business in key travel seasons in each market.

Capital Associates, a full-service commercial real estate development and brokerage company, has been ranked one of the 10 largest commercial property management firms by Triangle Business Journal. The list ranks firms according to the total number of square feet managed in the Triangle. They also announced the addition of Kandy Kidd to the firm. Kidd is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design accredited professional with more than 11 years of experience in cross-functional property management. Her background reinforces the firm’s ongoing focus on enhancing service performance and meeting market needs. To learn more about Capital Associates or building availabilities, visit www.casso.com.

Beginning in May, Bistro 64 will be open for Lunch Mon-Fri 11:15-2:00pm. The new lunch menu is looking amazing! There are plenty of choices from soups and salads to appetizers, sandwiches and wonderful lunch entrees. Visit us at www.Bistro64.com for more information.

Withers & Ravenel is pleased to announce that the firm’s project for Town of Green Level water system improvements and construction of an elevated water storage tank will be funded by the $40.5 million federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Withers & Ravenel provided engineering services for design of water system improvements in Green Level that included system analysis, identification of system deficiencies, and design of system improvements and the 300,000-gallon elevated storage tank.

Every couple dreams of having the perfect wedding. ShutterBooth, a photo booth rental company based in Apex, will be showcased in a new television program which helps ensure that the most important day of a couple’s lives is also the most magical. ShutterBooth photo booths are designed especially for exceptional events. Capture hilarious, touching and off-the-wall photos as guests enjoy the spontaneity of posing for pictures and revealing their true personalities behind the curtain of a ShutterBooth.
For more information on ShutterBooth, go to www.ShutterBooth.com

Stewart Engineering, Inc. (Stewart) is pleased to announce that The North Carolina Society of Surveyors (NCSS) recently honored its own Frank Mundy, PLS by selecting him North Carolina “Surveyor of the Year” for 2008. Frank was presented with this honor at the Society’s 45th annual convention held in Concord, NC.

Cary On the Move - May 2009

Budget Self Storage, which has locations in Cary at 302 Davis Grove Circle and at 5738 Dillard Drive, is offering six free storage units as part of a new grant program. The grant program is being offered only at Budget’s two Cary locations, each of which will award three 10 ft. by 10 ft. storage units to a qualifying nonprofit for a six-month period. To apply for the storage units, call or stop by either of Budget’s Cary locations. Only 501 (c) 3 organizations may apply, and are due by May 15, 2009.

Financial Directions has pledged to be a sponsor for Run 4 Fanconi, a charity 5K run/walk which raises awareness about Fanconi Anemia. It will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2009, at Regency Park, in Cary, NC. The “run” will start at 9:00 am and the “walk” will start at 10:15 am. For more information about participating in Run4Fanconi or Financial Directions, please contact Christy Kim at (919) 678-8422 or ckim@financialdirections.com

The Carolinas Credit Union Foundation (CCUF) is pleased to announce it is awarding a $15,000 Micro Community Grant to the Lucy Daniels Center for Early Childhood to fund the Lucy’s Book Club Program. The Lucy Daniels Center for Early Childhood Development is the largest nonprofit providing mental health services exclusively to children in the Triangle, serving between 500 and 600 children and families annually. The Center aspires to help as many young children as possible have the best opportunities to grow into emotionally strong, well-adjusted and resilient teenagers and adults.

TRC Staffing Services, located in Cary, received a Safety Award for a Perfect Record in 2008. Rosanne Horney, Franchise Owner, received the award recently at a company-wide ceremony in Atlanta. TRC is concerned for the safety and health of their employees and that their employees maintain a safe working environment. TRC reviews safety procedures and safe work habits with their employees before they’re placed on assignment.

Join the Third Annual Shepherds Invitational Golf Tournament and support the ministry of Shepherds Theological Seminary. On Monday, May 18, we will be teeing it up at the beautiful River Ridge Golf Club in Raleigh, NC. With dozens of raffle prizes, prizes for a hole-in-one, longest drive, and closest to the pin, this day of golf is bound to be an exciting one. Visit www.shepherdsseminary.org to sign up.

Alison Kim McLaurin, owner of Cute Buttons Gift and Paper Boutique in Cary, was recently selected as a member of the Advisory Board of Greetings etc. magazine. During her two-year tenure on this Advisory Board, she will be providing trend information for several of the magazine’s articles. She is among a prestigious list of board members that includes retailers, manufacturers, manufacturers’ representatives and other professionals in the card, stationery and party industries.

Withers & Ravenel is pleased to announce that engineers Bradley D. Hart, PE; Patrick L. Covil, PE; and Christopher S. Johnson, PE recently became Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professionals (LEED AP). Withers & Ravenel has emerged as a statewide leader in the design and implementation of stormwater management and Low Impact Development (LID) techniques.

S&A Cherokee, a full-service communications firm, has announced that Teresa Williamson joined the company as a graphic designer, Nancy Pardue as the editor for Triangle East magazine, and Kris Schultz as eastern regional sales manager.

Cary On the Move – April 2009

Hospice of Wake County will hold a daytime training class for new and prospective family support volunteers from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. on April 20 and 27. Training sessions are held at the non-profit agency’s office, 1300 St. Mary’s Street in Raleigh. For more information on Hospice of Wake County, call 919-828-0890 or visit www.hospiceofwake.org.

Come join Jason, a young man with autism and mental retardation on a bike ride to raise money for people with developmental disabilities. Life Experiences is a non-profit organization that offers a choice of satisfying work experiences for adults with developmental disabilities and at the same time allows those adults the self esteem of earning a wage for their work.

McCuiston Law Offices, PLLC is pleased to announce that Andi Wicker, CPA, has joined the firm as a Tax Controversy CPA. Andi’s prior experience includes working for the North Carolina Department of Revenue and working in the public sector as a Tax Analyst. She is a Certified Public Accountant. McCuiston Law Offices, PLLC, has served clients since its formation in 2001.

In celebration of World Asthma Day and Asthma Awareness Month, the Wake County Asthma Coalition is hosting an Educational Asthma Fair at WakeMed Hopsital on May 2nd. Families with asthmatic children and/or adults are invited to attend and learn how to “Take Control” of their Asthma. For more information and to reserve your spot, call: Sharon Caudle at 350-7386.

Financial Directions has partnered with the Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) to produce the Triangle’s only survey of benefit costs and trends for technology and life science/biotech companies. This survey is used to establish benefit benchmarks for the most vigorous sector of the region’s economy, and helps new and existing employers to be confident in the business decisions to be made on health insurance, retirement plan options and related benefits. For more information please contact Christy Kim at (919) 678-8422 or ckim@financialdirections.com

Don Frantz, Owner of Frantz Automotive Center in downtown Cary has been named to the North Carolina Leadership Council for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). As a member of NFIB’s Leadership Council Frantz will serve to promote small and independent business agendas impacting public policy both at the state and federal levels. For more information about Frantz Automotive Center please visit www.frantzautomotive.com

GMW Carolina, Inc local owner/operator of Dickey’s Barbecue Pit now has online ordering. The online ordering system can be accessed through http://www.dickeys.com. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is located in Crossroads Plaza Cary and in Indigo Corners on New Hope Commons Drive in Durham. Dickey’s where kids always eat free on Sunday and everyone gets a free ice cream every day.

Hemophilia of North Carolina was awarded the prestigious Award of Distinction in Programs by the National Hemophilia Foundation at their 60th Annual Meeting. The Award of Distinction recognizes chapters and associations with outstanding programs in health education, outreach and communications.

Cary On the Move – March 2009

Zpizza is now offering gluten-free pizza and has also been certified by the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness. The need for gluten-free is increasing as more of the population is being diagnosed with Celiac disease. Visit www.zpizzatriangle.com for more information.

Carolina RailHawks brand new Head Coach Martin Rennie was honored as the USL-2 Coach of the Year by FieldTurf Tarkett. These awards are based on tabulated votes from FieldTurf Tarkett executives and a panel consisting of coaches, executives and players in the soccer world.

The Women Business Owners Network of Cary (WBON-Cary) announces
The winners of the 2009 Women in Business Scholarship. Each recipient will receive $2,500 towards education that will help them to personally develop and grow their businesses in 2009! They are: Ginger Castle of Atlantis Swim School, Heather Swanner of Heather Swanner Photography Studio, and Amy Etheridge of Giving Leadership Opportunity, Inc. (GLO) .

As Spring beckons, the Friends of the Page-Walker respond with a program at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, “Down The Garden Path: A Historical Exploration of Herbs and Their Traditional Uses.” The public is invited to join the Friends as they discover the fascinating history behind common herbs and plants. For details, call 460-4963.

Educating patients about ways to improve and protect their vision was made a little easier with a recently installed digital communication system at Doctors Vision Center. Thanks to a new partnership with Nashville, TN based MedCenterDisplay, each practice within the Doctors Vision Center system now has the tools needed to educate and inform patients and guests while they wait.

Womble Carlyle attorney Nellie Shipley has earned LEED Professional Accreditation, the leading professional accreditation in the green, or sustainable, construction and development industry. A full-service business law firm, Womble Carlyle ranks among American Lawyer magazine’s list of the 100 leading firms in the country and is a top law firm for companies doing business in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states.

Lawn & Landscape magazine selects industry leader for expert guidance and opinions. The editors of the magazine formed an editorial advisory board, which they call their Market Insight Council… industry experts who are on the “cutting edge” of landscape knowledge. Kurt Bland, General Manager of Bland Landscaping is now a part of this Council. As the General Manager of a 192-person strong landscape firm, and with no less than six industry certifications, Mr. Bland brings 32 years of industry wisdom.

Stewart Engineering, Inc. (Stewart), a multi-discipline consulting engineering firm, is pleased to announce the LEED® Accreditation of Andrew Isenhour, EI; John Klein, PE; David Ruggles, PE; and Graham Smith, RLA, ASLA, CLARB, making 16 LEED® Accredited Professionals firm-wide.

Office Suites PLUS announces the opening of its third location in Cary located at 1000 CentreGreen Way, Suite 200 off of Weston Parkway. This new, state-of-the-art office suite is approximately 17,909 square feet and includes individually furnished offices, meeting rooms, high speed Internet access, and administrative support services. For additional information, please visit www.officesuitesplus.com.

Cary on the Move – February 2009

Aquatics International, one of the leading sources for aquatic facility management, products and services has recognized the Triangle Aquatic Center as one of the best indoor aquatic facilities in the country. See link for web story, http://aquaticsintl.com/2008/nov_dec/BOA_Slideshow/3a.html
Please visit www.triangleaquatics.org for more information.

Hometown Coupons announces a new online coupon listing service designed for the Cary community and surrounding areas: CaryCoupons.com. This new online publication connects consumers with money-saving coupons from local restaurants, merchants and service providers. Customers can search for local coupons online 24/7 and print the coupons they want right from their computer.

Hospice of Wake County announces that Jacque Grady, lead social worker, has earned the Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Social Worker (ACHP-SW) credential from the National Association of Social Workers. Grady, who has been with Hospice of Wake County since 2005, is the first social worker in the United States to earn this credential.

On December 9th, Wake Memorial Cemetery unveiled a 9 foot granite Veteran’s Tribute featuring a bronze seal of each of the departments of the U.S. Armed Forces. Accompanying the larger tribute, is a smaller granite feature that will serve to honor Veteran’s by name during special times.

Williams Mullen announced that nine of its attorneys have been recognized as “Legal Elite” by North Carolina Business Magazine. The annual directory lists just three percent of attorneys licensed in the state of North Carolina. Williams Mullen’s 2009 Legal Elite are as follows: Bankruptcy Holmes Harden, Business Bill Gwyn, Construction, H. Mark Hamlet, Gib Laite, John Mabe, Construction Litigation Dan Brawley, Estate Chuck Neely, Real Estate Reuben Clark and Dave Dorton, Tax Chuck Neely.

Franchetti Haynes, president and CEO of RTI International, has been chosen by the news staff of Triangle Business Journal as the 2008 Businessperson of the Year. Since Haynes took over as CEO in July 1999, RTI has added almost 1,000 jobs, spun off three Triangle companies and continued its support of local nonprofits.

Celebrate your engagement at Cary Magazine’s Elegant Weddings Gala. Brides-to-be will have an opportunity to plan every important detail of their wedding day and enjoy an unforgettable evening of food, fun and live entertainment. Visit www.carymagazineweddings.com to save on tickets.

Stewart Engineering, Inc. announced today the formation of a new Greenway Design Group, to be headed by Iona Thomas, AICP. The group will be comprised of professionals from Stewart’s transportation, land planning / landscape architecture, structural engineering, surveying and construction services groups in the firm’s three offices in North Carolina.

Alison Kim McLaurin, owner of Cute Buttons Gift and Paper Boutique in Cary, was recently selected as a member of the Advisory Board of Greetings etc. magazine. Cute Buttons Gift and Paper Boutique is located at 312 W. Chatham Street, Suite 203 Visit www.shopcutebuttons.com for more information.

December 2008 – January 2009 Cary On the Move

McNeely Associates pa (MAPA) announced that the firm received two prestigious awards from the North Carolina American Society of Landscape Architects. MAPA received the Award for Analysis and Planning for the Randleigh Farm Master Plan Project and the award for General Design in Landscape Architecture was received for the Cary Academy Campus.

Cary Christian School is pleased to announce that online bidding for the 2009 Benefit Auction is now open. Items include travel getaways, spa services, dining certificates, and other exciting offers. Items are available for viewing and bidding at www.ccsauction.cmarket.com. Bidding will close on Wednesday, December 10, 2008.

Withers & Ravenel is pleased to announce that the firm has won a 2008 Award of Merit from the North Carolina Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects for the Black Creek Greenway relocation project.

Hopewell Academy has been awarded the recommendation for full accreditation for a period of 5 years through the Southern Assoc. of Colleges and schools. Visit www.hopewellacademy.org for more information.

Genesis Marketing Partners Inc. is proud to announce the addition of Craig Hazelwood as Media Planner/Buyer. Mr. Hazelwood will be responsible for the planning, execution and implementation of strategic media sales as well as their traffic in advertisement scheduling.

The Women Business Owners Network of Cary is awarding three scholarships of $2,500 each to be used for any type of educational training, classes, certifications, etc. to improve skills and knowledge for you in your business. Complete the application form available online at www.wbon-cary.org.

Patriot State Bank has targeted Cary, NC as its fourth location at 51 Kilmayne Rd. and opened as a Loan Production Office in November. Patsy Johnson will lead the team as Vice President/City Executive and Cynthia Smith, Vice President/Mortgage Lender.

Massage Envy’s “Massage for the Cure” – a one-day public event this past September 15 promoted a free one-hour massage for a donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s fight against breast cancer – accepted more than $50,000 in donations.

Raleigh’s star has been rising in the eyes of travelers and meeting planners. To help visitors learn about the area’s attractions and amenities, the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (GRCVB) has selected S&A Cherokee to produce Visit Raleigh, the Official Visitors Guide to Raleigh and Wake County.

In early 2009, nationally acclaimed La Farm Bakery (4248 Cary Parkway, Cary, NC 27513; 919-657-0657; www.lafarmbakery.com) will expand and introduce a café to their current bakery and retail store.

The Carolina RailHawks announced they have come to an agreement with Martin Rennie to helm the Carolina RailHawks in 2009. Rennie comes to the RailHawks after spending two very successful seasons with the Cleveland City Stars of USL-2 that have earned him Coach of the Year honors in 2007 and a USL-2 Championship title in 2008. For more information visit www.carolinarailhawks.com

November 2008

Tire Review magazine proudly announces the winner of its 2008 Tire Review Top Shop Award. The Tire Review Top Shop Awards presented by Ammco/Coats seeks to honor the “best of the best” independent tire dealers in the U.S. and Canada. This year’s Top Shop winner is Atlantic Tire & Service, headquartered in Cary, N.C. The two-location dealership is owned by Anthony Blackman, and has been a fixture in the Raleigh/Durham area since 1998.

American Data Technology, Inc (www.localweb.com) is proud to announce that they have won a distinguished award “Secure Hosting Ecommerce Hosting Provider” for August 2008 from Web Host Directory. Localweb.com provides PCI Compliant Ecommerce Hosting, Managed Dedicated Servers, SharePoint and Microsoft Exchange Email Hosting and Web Design.

Sunrise Assisted Living has opened its pre-open sales gallery located at 1206 W. Chatham St. For more information, drop in or call Brigitte or English at 462-9147.

Fanning/Howey Associates Inc., architectural/engineering firm, is pleased to announce that Lynn Dufrene, AIA, and Angie Roberts have been named Associates at their Raleigh-based office, The Roberts Group + Fanning Howey.

Ellis & Winters, LLP is pleased to announce that Paul K. Sun, Jr. has become a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL), the premier association of trial lawyers in the United States and Canada. Ellis & Winters LLP provides complex litigation and commercial real estate services to blue-chip clients, including many Fortune 500 companies. For more information, please visit www.elliswinters.com.

Creative Gifting, a business that specializes in creating unique gift designs, has become an S-Corporation. In 2005 and 2007, Creative Gifting was recognized by its industry as one of the Top 100 Gift Basket Businesses in America.

Tossed, an upscale, quick-casual restaurant specializing in made-to-order salads, opened its first North Carolina restaurant on October 22nd at 4117 Davis Dr. in Morrisville. Tossed focuses primarily on green-leaf salads tossed to order for customers, who can choose from a selection of chef-designed specialty salads or design their own from a diverse menu of over 50 gourmet “toss-ins”.

Chef Todd Mohr, founder of Savor Hospitality and The Cooking School, today announced Cooking Coarse, his daily video blog (vlog), featuring cooking METHODS, tips and instruction. Cooking Coarse has gained an international following of fans who learn to cook through basic cooking methods rather than simple recipes. Free Introductory Classes are held monthly so that local culinaires can get a “taste” of the program. For more information, please visit www.SavorHospitality.com

Over 100 vendors will put their wares up for sale at Cary Academy’s annual Holiday Shoppe 2008, to be held Dec. 4-6. This free event is open to the public and will be held in the SEA (Sports and Education Annex) on the Cary Academy campus. Gift cards to over 800 participating stores and restaurants are also for sale at the Holiday Shoppe. For more information about the Holiday Shoppe 2008 call 919-228-4653.

October 2008

Blue Ribbon Residential Construction Company, of Raleigh, has been named a winner in the prestigious 29th Annual Qualified Remodeler (QR) Master Design Awards Contest. Blue Ribbon Residential Construction won Silver in the Room Remodel Category.

Falcon Engineering, a Cary-based engineering and construction management firm incorporated earlier this year, has selected S&A Cherokee as its agency of record. S&A Cherokee will help Falcon Engineering establish its brand across the region through the development of logos and marketing collateral, trade show displays and public relations strategies.

Outten Chiropractic is now offering SpineMED Decompression - the leading Non-Surgical, Drug Free procedure for people suffering with chronic lower back and neck pain. Feel free to visit our website at www.outtenchiropractic.com to learn more about Dr. Christopher Outten and his office located in the heart of downtown Cary NC.

Following the groundbreaking in October of 2007, Hospice of Wake County has broken ground on its hospice and palliative care facility off Trinity Road in Cary. This will be the first independent, free-standing hospice building in Wake County and will serve patients, their families and communities in Wake and the six surrounding counties. For more information on Hospice of Wake County visit www.hospiceofwake.org.

Stewart Engineering, Inc. has received a Society of Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) National Marketing Communications Award in the feature writing category. The national SMPS awards recognize excellence in marketing and communications by professional services firms in the design and building industry.

Heery is eager to change the shape of community service efforts through the firm’s first annual Community Service Month in September. Under the moniker Heery from the Heart, employees throughout the country are participating in events focused on either children/schools, environment, or home building/repairs, three areas that reflect the corporation’s culture and expertise.

Cary Visual Art, Inc. (CVA) is pleased to announce that five pieces of art, donated by an art gallery and four renowned local artists, will be offered in an Art Raffle during the organizations annual black-tie affair. The Art Ball will be held at the Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary on November 8, 2008. For more information visit www.caryvisualart.org.

eGovDocs is pleased to announce that James A. Thomas, Jr., CFO for eGovDocs, was appointed to the Advisory Committee for the Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary; and Brigitte T. Thomas, CEO for eGovDocs, was recently elected to the Board of Directors for the Lucy Daniels Center for Early Childhood in Cary.

Genesis Marketing Partners Inc., a full service marketing, advertising and public relations agency in Cary, is proud to announce the addition of Rachel Aiken as Public Relations Account Coordinator. To learn how Genesis Marketing Partners can help your company, please visit www.genesismarketingpartners.com or call 919.388.5886.