UNC to get funds for traineeships

CHAPEL HILL -- Nearly a half-million dollars was allocated to UNC for public health traineeships as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The money was part of an overall $1.3 million coming to North Carolina through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. That money is being distributed among six state universities to provide financial assistance to students, as well as programs designed to address workforce shortages in the medical profession.

"These funds are an investment in our state's health care infrastructure," said U.S. Sen. Kay R. Hagan (D-NC). "The Recovery Act grants will train students in critical specialties, and an expanded health care workforce will benefit the health and wellness of North Carolinians."

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ($425,055) and East Carolina University ($26,606) will receive a combined $451,661 for public health traineeships that subsidize fees, stipends and tuition for students.

Democratic Woman to meet

CARRBORO -- The Orange County Democratic Women will hold its monthly general meeting, which will include a forum, open to the public, featuring Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education candidates, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday.

Candidates for the three seats are: Michelle (Shell) Brownstein, Mary Anne Gucciardi, J.M. (Joe) Green, Gregory McElveen, Christine Lee, and Susana L. Dancy.

The meeting will be in the OWASA Community Room, on the lower floor of the Administration Building, 400 Jones Ferry Road. Contact Linda Foxworth at 942-0045 or l_foxworth_2000@yahoo.com with any questions.

Kidzu's support base widening

CHAPEL HILL -- As Kidzu Children's Museum has discovered, there can be a silver lining to a down economy. While the average value of major gifts to Kidzu has decreased in 2009, attendance at the downtown Chapel Hill museum is up -- and so is the number of donations from the museum's many visitors, members and community supporters. This year, the museum has reached out effectively and more than doubled its donor base.

One key catalyst for generating community support is the organization's fall fundraiser, A Feast for the Imagination. The Feast is a series of parties -- hosted by people and businesses throughout the community, from Oct. 15-31 -- that brings community members together to celebrate and support the children's museum. So far, families and businesses have signed up to host or co-host a total of 31 Feast parties next month.

Chris and Ann Cox, who have been good friends of Kidzu, started the ball rolling this year by making a $5,000 challenge donation. Because of their generosity, Kidzu will receive $250 per party (up to $5,000) for hosts who sign up after Aug. 1. Just nine additional parties are needed to take full advantage of the match challenge and it is not too late to sign up. For more information about hosting a party, contact Kidzu's Development Director Lisa Brown at brown@kidzuchildrensmuseum.org.