DURHAM -- The North Carolina-based not-for-profit DiabetesSisters -- diabetessisters.org -- is encouraging the public to register for its inaugural Weekend for Women conference May 22-23 in Raleigh.
Registration is expected to close by April 1.
The Weekend for Women Conference, taking place immediate following the Raleigh Taking Control of Your Diabetes Conference & Health Fair, offers tools and support to women as they face the gender-specific challenges and issues associated with diabetes.
The conference curriculum will include presenters:
n Sheri Colberg of Old Dominion University, author of "50 Secrets of the Longest Living People with Diabetes."
n Constance Brown-Riggs, past president of the New York State Dietetic Association and author of "The African American Guide To Living Well With Diabetes."
n Carole Calladine, author of "Second Story Woman."
n Diana McNeil, an endocrinologist and associate clinical professor at Duke University.
Nicole Johnson, 1999 Miss America, will give the keynote presentation.
Participants' breadth of diabetes experience ranges from newly diagnosed to long-time veterans, and represents pre-diabetes, type 1, LADA, type 2 and gestational diabetes.
For more information, or to register, visit www.DiabetesSisters.org online.
Rally set Feb. 27 at HKonJ event
DURHAM -- People of Faith Against the Death Penalty will demonstrate at the Feb. 27 Historic Thousands on Jones Street -- HKonJ -- rally in Raleigh.
The event will still begin at 9:30 am at Shaw University's Estey Hall, 100 W. South St., Raleigh. The public is invited to participate.
The group is seeking volunteers to collect petition signatures for repeal of the death penalty during the rally. Volunteers will be paid $50 for four hours work or you can choose to have the time count towards community service hours. E-mail Amanda Lattanzio for more information at amanda@pfadp.org or call her at (919) 933-7567.
The rally will include a march to the state Legislature, 16 W. Jones St.
Mock trial site here Saturday
DURHAM -- Hundreds of students from across the state will compete Saturday in the 18th annual North Carolina Advocates for Justice High School Mock Trial Competition.
The regional competition will take place at six different locations in North Carolina, including the Durham County Courthouse.
To prepare for the competition, teams worked with teachers and attorneys in reviewing case evidence, courtroom procedure and legal arguments. A panel of legal professionals will score each team based on how well they demonstrate critical thinking skills, public speaking, courtroom demeanor and teamwork. For more program details visit www.ncaj.com and click on Public Information and Mock Trial.
The competition will kick off at 10 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. with an award presentation. The media is invited to attend all of the day's events. Jordan High School of Durham and Chapel Hill and East Chapel Hill high schools will be competing against teams from Raleigh, Camden and Dare County in the Durham regional.
The top eight teams from across the state will advance to the state finals March 19-20.
W. Markham Ave. segment closed
DURHAM -- The city Department of Public Works has closed a portion of West Markham Avenue to all vehicle traffic for nine months or longer.
The closure is necessary to replace the Ellerbe Creek culvert.
The closure affects the portion of West Markham Street where it crosses Ellerbe Creek, between Duke Street and Washington Street. No thru vehicle traffic will be allowed during this time frame; however this portion of West Markham Avenue will remain open to pedestrians and bicyclists.
Westbound traffic will be detoured south onto Washington Street, west onto Trinity Avenue, north onto Duke Street, then back onto Markham Avenue. Eastbound traffic will be detoured north onto Duke Street, east onto Green Street, south onto Washington Street, than back onto Markham Avenue.
For more information, call Dana Hornkohl at (919) 560-4326.
Disaster relief sought locally
RALEIGH -- Gov. Beverly Perdue on Thursday sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack requesting a disaster designation for 13 counties in North Carolina -- including Durham, Orange and Granville -- due to recent excessive rain and flooding.
A disaster designation is a key step in making emergency loans available to farmers whose crops have been impacted by extreme weather conditions.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Loss Assessment Reports from these counties reflect a 30 percent or greater loss of at least one major crop. In particular, soybean, cotton and wheat crops have been affected.
Child safety seat event set today
DURHAM -- Safe Kids Durham County will hold a child safety seat check up event from 2-4 p.m. today at Kohl's, 5241 McFarland Drive.
Families will receive information on how to keep their children safe and car seats will be checked for proper installation. Car seats will be available for families who need them.
Technicians from Duke Children's Hospital, Duke Emergency Department, Durham police and Durham County EMS will be on hand..
For additional information, call Theresa Cromling at (919) 323-5073.
Contact Mark Donovan at mdonovan@heraldsun.com or (919) 419-6655. E-mail items of interest to our readers to news@heraldsun.com.
