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.
Mushrooms in focus Saturday
DURHAM -- Piedmont Wildlife Center, 364 Leigh Farm Road, will host "Weird Wild World of Fungi" at 10 a.m. Saturday.
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 enthusiasts say 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.
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 or 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.
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.
Envirothon set for Friday
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 Friday.
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.
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 Saturday
DURHAM -- Some 3,000 visitors and volunteers from more than 160 non-profit agencies will be "strolling" the streets of downtown Durham Saturday 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.
Billie Holiday appreciation set
DURHAM -- The Durham County Library will host a celebration of the late performer Billie Holiday at 3 p.m. today 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.
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 Thursday.
Contact Mark Donovan at mdonovan@heraldsun.com or (919) 419-6655. E-mail items of interest to our readers to news@heraldsun.com.
