Council 'coffee' is slated Tuesday

DURHAM -- Residents are invited to attend a free Coffee with Council gathering at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Durham Public Schools Staff Development Center, 2107 Hillandale Road.

Guests are asked to plan ahead to make comments/requests brief and to the point.

Groups are asked to select a spokesperson to speak for them.

The gatherings are an opportunity to speak directly to local elected officials.

Cancer benefit games Friday

DURHAM -- Six youth basketball teams will compete at 6:30 p.m. Friday in a benefit basketball program for the Relay for Life of the American Cancer Society.

It will be held at Rogers Herr Middle School, 911 Cornwallis Road.

Admission is $3 ages 12 and over, $1 ages 5-11 and free for kids 4 and under. Proceeds benefit the fight against cancer.

The event will also feature a free throw, relay and 3-point skills challenge at halftime.

For more information call, (919) 598-1551.

Envirothon set March 26

DURHAM -- The Durham Soil and Water Conservation District will host the annual Area IV Envirothon competition at Quail Roost Farm -- www.quailroostfarm.com -- 418 Quail Roost Farm Road, Rougemont, on March 26.

Teams of middle school and high school students from across the Triangle -- including Durham and Granville counties -- and upper Piedmont will be tested on their knowledge and understanding of the environment.

The Envirothon is a hands-on, natural science academic event that challenges and engages students to think critically about the natural world and their role in it. The teams, each consisting of five students, demonstrate their management knowledge and problem-solving skills in a competition centered on five categories: soils/land use, wildlife, forestry, aquatics, and current environmental issues.

Top finishers advance on to the Statewide Envirothon competition in April. Teams come from public, private and home-schooled groups.

For more information, call (919) 560-0558 or e-mail jbrooks@co.durham.nc.us

Billie Holiday appreciation set

DURHAM -- The Durham County Library will host a celebration of the late performer Billie Holiday at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro St.

The program, which helps commemorate Women's History Month, features best-selling author Carole Boston Weatherford reading from her book "Becoming Billie Holiday," a fictional memoir comprised of poems that take their titles from Holiday's songs. Weatherford's reading will be accompanied by music as students from the N.C. Central University Department of Music, led by co-director of the Vocal Jazz Ensemble Lenora Zenzalai Helm, sing songs made famous by "Lady Day."

The program is free and open to the public and a selection of Weatherford's books will be available for purchase. Light refreshments will be served.

Spring break program offered

DURHAM -- During spring break, Durham youth ages 11-15 are invited to participate the sixth annual Junior Fire Marshal program of the Durham Fire Department, Durham Parks and Recreation and the N.C. Office of the State Fire Marshal.

The event offers career exploration, character building and personal development activities. Participants will learn about fire safety and possible career opportunities in fire services. The program is free and focuses on preparing participants for the worst in case of an emergency.

To obtain an application, visit www.durhamnc.gov/departments/fire/marshal_jr.cfm online.

Applications are also available at the Community Family Life and Recreation Center at Lyon Park 1309 Halley St., and the Durham Fire Department administrative offices at 2008 E. Club Blvd.

Application deadline is March 25.

Mushrooms in focus March 27

DURHAM -- Piedmont Wildlife Center, 364 Leigh Farm Road, will host "Weird Wild World of Fungi" at 10 a.m. March 27.

Participants will be instructed by naturalist Gumby Montgomery n the differences between dangerous and delectable fungi. Mushrooms, the fruit of fungi, are beautiful life forms that deserve our respect.

Participants are asked to bring wax paper and a basket to collect mushrooms to take home and enjoy.

Pre-registration is highly recommended. To reserve a space, call (919) 489-0900. Visit www.piedmontwildlifecenter.org online for more information.

Creek Week opens Saturday

DURHAM -- Area residents interested in discovering and supporting local streams, creeks and lakes can participate in Durham's second annual Creek Week, Saturday through March 27.

More than 20 educational programs and recreational activities are available to people who can also help protect waterways through volunteer projects.

On Saturday, volunteers organized by Keep Durham Beautiful and the Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association will take part in a Beaver Marsh Preserve Cleanup from 9 a.m.-noon. The 32-acre marsh is located near Club Boulevard and I-85.

To participate, gather at 9 a.m. behind the Big Lots store at 2000 Avondale Drive.

For more information, visit www.keepdurhambeautiful.org online.

Tickets to be sold at DPAC

DURHAM -- Organizers of Tuesday's 12th State of Durham's Economy Breakfast announced Wednesday that tickets for the breakfast are sold out, but presentation-only tickets at $25 each will be sold on-site in the Durham Performing Arts Center lobby, 123 Vivian St., from 7:30-8 a.m. the day of the event.

The 7-9:30 a.m. event is sponsored by the city Office of Economic and Workforce Development in collaboration with the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Durham, Inc., Durham County Government, Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau and Duke Energy

The program is the city's premiere annual event focused upon economic and workforce development. Issues such as employment, tax-base growth, high-growth industry activity, retail sales, commercial real estate markets, and wages will be discussed.

Arts Council event canceled

DURHAM -- The Durham Arts Council's schedule information session for the 2011 grant round of the Creative Capital Foundation on Friday has been canceled.

DAC said the event would be rescheduled, probably in April.

Senior Games kick off April 17

DURHAM -- Durham Parks and Recreation will host the Durham Senior Games and SilverArts April 17-May 1.

Throughout the games, mature adults 55 and older will display their athletic and artistic abilities in a variety of Olympic-style events. The games will feature a wide range of athletic activities, including basketball, racquetball, archery, bowling, shuffleboard, track and field and more.

Opening ceremonies will be held April 17 at 10 a.m. at the Hayti Heritage Center, 804 Fayetteville St., and feature the Durham Senior Games Cheerleaders (Durham Divas) and city officials taking part in a symbolic torch lighting.

The opening ceremonies will also feature the Silver Arts Showcase, an exhibit of paintings, photography, knitting, needlework, woodcarving and other handicrafts created by participants.

Interested adults must register by April 5. Applications are available online at www.DPRPlayMore.org, at DPR recreation and neighborhood centers, or by calling (919) 354-2710.

Great Human Race on tap March 27

DURHAM -- On March 27, some 3,000 visitors and volunteers representing over 160 non-profit agencies will be "strolling" the streets of downtown Durham for the 15th annual Great Human Race.

Durham Bulls Athletic Park is the host venue with participants gathering there at 8 a.m. The race and walk begin at 8:30 a.m. and will conclude by 9:30 a.m., with refreshments and entertainment at the DBAP.

Police and volunteers will begin barricading downtown streets at 7:30 a.m. on race day, with race route road closures starting at 8 a.m. Barricades will be removed no later than 9:30 a.m.

Information on the event -- including a street closure map -- can be found at www.greathumanrace.org

Medicine Drop sites available

DURHAM -- Residents are asked to bring their unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications to be destroyed at this week's Operation Medicine Drop.

Drop off sites include Durham Regional Hospital (front circle) from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. today and Central Pharmacy, 2609 N. Duke St., from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. today.

Also, Food Lion stores at 5279 Roxboro Road, 4215 University Drive, 2400 Holloway St., and 4900 Highway 55 will accept drop offs from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday.

For more information, visit www.ncsafekids.org online or call (919) 560-4454.

Commissioners meetings slated

DURHAM -- The Durham Board of County Commissioners will seek input from residents on the 2010-11 fiscal budget with Conversations with Commissioners meetings on Tuesday at 7 p.m., at the Holton Career and Resource Center, 401 N. Driver Ave., and 7 p.m. March 30 at Jordan High School.

For more information, call Michelle Parker-Evans at (919) 560-0025 or e-mail mparker-evans@durhamcountync.gov.

Bull Moon Ride set for July 10

DURHAM -- The public is invited to join Wool E. Bull on July 10 for the Bull Moon Ride to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Durham.

The 18-mile meander for cyclists of all abilities starts at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park at 8 p.m.

Riders can experience local Durham sites including Duke University Chapel as the sun sets and will return to the ballpark on the American Tobacco Trail as the moon rises.

Speed averages about 12 mph and riders will have Sheriff's Office escorts. Helmets and tail and head lights are required.

Participants will help raise money to build homes, hope and community. For more information, visit www.DurhamHabitat.org/bike.

Contact Mark Donovan at mdonovan@heraldsun.com or (919) 419-6655. E-mail items of interest to our readers to news@heraldsun.com.