New website for DCVB

Don’t be put off if you see a DANGER/UNSAFE warning when googling the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau and then clicking on their website. The DCVB just switched over to a new website, discoverdurham.com, and a quirk within Google is flagging the old website (durham-nc.com) as dangerous. By the way, for all of you putting on special events, be sure to list them on the DCVB calendar. They list all kinds of local events, not matter how big or how small. Click here for more info.

Durham brings home $1 million 

Bloomberg Philanthropies’ US Mayors Challenge will award the City of Durham $1 million for winning a nationwide competition for coming up with the best ideas for facing urban problems. Durham (and eight other cities) will work on solutions to challenges including the opioid crisis, mobility/transportation, climate change, and developing economic opportunity. What put Durham in the winners’ circle was getting people heading downtown to leave their cars at home and to take alternatives (including the free Bull City Connector bus, which goes up and down Main St). Mayor Steve Schewel and his team will continue to work toward reducing traffic congestion downtown by 5 percent (800 cars) in 2019.

Big grant for the Criminal Justice Resource Center

The US Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance for Improving Reentry for Adults with Co-occurring Substance Abuse and Mental Illness has awarded a $749,000 grant to Durham’s Criminal Justice Resource Center (326 E Main St). A 3-year program will be set up to provide standardized screening and assessment, to work in partnership with local organizations to provide collaborative comprehensive case management, and to work with individuals both before and after release from prison to help guide them toward a successful life and away from crime, substance abuse, and despair. Click here to learn more about the CJRC and its programs and services.

A new show in the works

This is a prototype of my niece, Jihan Murray-Smith’s new show, “Simply Jihan.” Her husband, Jason Henderson, is the show’s producer and creative director.

Help older Durhamites in need

The Durham Center for Senior Life’s Food Drive is still underway because the need for helping older residents get access to food and toiletry items is year-round.. You can help by placing items in the Food Pantry box in the lobby (406 Rigsbee Ave). DCSL’s Food Pantry is open weekdays (by appointment), and men and women age 60+ can choose to take home whatever they need. Any donations you, your house of worship, or other group can make would be appreciated.
  • Pantry needs: pasta, rice, canner fruits/fruit cups. canned/frozen meats, canned vegetables, beans, peanut butter, crackers, cereal, instant oatmeal, and other nonperishables.
  • Hygiene needs: soap, toothbrushes/toothpaste, body wash, razors/shaving gel, deodorant,, body powder, lotion, hand sanitizer, and any other hygiene items you can think of. 
  • Gift cards and monetary donations would also be appreciated.

Call social services coordinator Alicia Allen at 919-688-8247 x103 for more information.
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Here’s the latest episode from my new podcast, “Nitty Gritty from the Bull City.” It’s on Anchor, a free app that works with both iOs and Android.
patricia A murray
editor/publisher

    Do you have a mini-story for us?