NAPSI)-Men and women who do good rarely seek the spotlight. But one wood-finishing company would like to honor them with its 2010 Community Craftsman Awards.

Past winners include groups and individuals who built and donated wooden holiday toys, high-school students who built a new house for a low-income family, and a former homeless man who now mentors at-risk youths at his furniture repair and refinishing business.

Entry is open to anyone who “does good with wood” by engaging in activities that involve wood finishing. Prizes include cash grants of up to $5,000, a supply of Minwax products, and a consultation with DIY expert and author Bruce Johnson.

The submissions deadline is Dec. 31, 2010. Send a summary of the project to Minwax Community Craftsman Award, c/o Brushfire, Inc., 2 Wing Drive, Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927. Visit www.minwax.com for more information.

Birdhouses and Bird-Feeders Handcrafted In Raleigh NC

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(NewsUSA) – Facing cancer on a daily basis takes an extraordinary amount of courage and support on the part of cancer patients, healthcare professionals, family and friends. Battling cancer itself is extraordinary, as are the unwavering support and tireless energy of the oncology nurses who support patients and their loved ones throughout their cancer treatment journeys.

Oncology nurses routinely go above and beyond the call of duty to help, heal, support and care for their patients. For the fourth consecutive year, CURE magazine announced the winner of the 2010 Extraordinary Healer Award for Oncology Nursing during a special awards ceremony at the Oncology Nursing Society’s (ONS) 35th Annual Congress. Nearly 200 cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and peers submitted essays to this year’s contest, nominating their oncology nurses who have demonstrated exceptional compassion, expertise and commitment in their patients’ fight against cancer.

This year’s winner, Dorothy Wahrman, RN, OCN, of Nebraska Cancer Specialists, Omaha, Neb., was awarded the Extraordinary Healer Award in front of hundreds of her peers. Nominated by Valerie Bosselman, Wahrman cared for Valerie’s daughter, Megan, who lost her battle with adrenal cortical carcinoma, a cancer originating in the outer layer of tissue of the adrenal gland, in 2008. Wahrman was described in the winning essay as “the most remarkable woman” whose “ability to sense the every need of patient and family was the most beautiful and natural part of her character.”

“Valerie’s essay immediately rose to the top of the essays presented for judging in this year’s contest, as it was obvious that there was an intense emotional relationship created between nurse and family,” said Susan McClure, Publisher, CURE magazine. “While we know each and every oncology nurse is a healer and an asset to those on the cancer journey, when choosing a winner for this event, we look for those who go above and beyond the call of duty, and it is obvious Dorothy did just that.”

Additional finalists Annette Graham, NP, AOCNP, Virginia Cancer Institute, Richmond, Va., and Jackie Broadway, MSN, FNP-BC, MD, of Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, were also recognized at the reception.

“Since 2007, more than 600 nurses have been nominated for this award,” said Kathy LaTour, Editor-at-Large, CURE magazine. “It is a way to recognize the commitment of oncology nurses and the life-changing impact they make on their patients.”

For the third consecutive year, Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc. has sponsored the contest and award reception as part of an effort to recognize the professionals at the very heart of oncology care — oncology nurses.

“Centocor Ortho Biotech is proud to once again sponsor this award,” said Robert Bazemore, President, Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc. “The winner’s and finalists’ essays provide just a small window into the remarkable work that oncology nurses do every day to support cancer patients and their families, from helping to guide their medical treatment journey to providing unique educational and emotional support during a tremendously challenging time.”

The winning essay will be featured in the summer 2010 issue of CURE, a free, quarterly magazine for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers. A podcast of all three essayists reading their nominations will be available on www.curetoday.com beginning June 16th, 2010. Additionally, the essays, photos from the event, and a Q&A with winner Dorothy Wahrman will be displayed on CURE’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/curemagazine.

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RALEIGH, N.C. – Better Business Bureau serving Eastern North Carolina is now accepting nominations for the 2010 Torch Award. The award recognizes companies and charities that are committed to exceptional standards for ethical business practices and service to their customers, employees, suppliers, and communities.

Customers may nominate potential winners. Companies and charities also may nominate themselves. The award will be presented at a ceremony in January, 2011. Nominees must be in good standing with the BBB; however, BBB Accreditation is not a requirement.

A panel of volunteer community leaders will select the new recipient.

BBB is looking for businesses and nonprofits that others will want to emulate. Nominees must show creativity in their ability to manage customer expectations, provide excellent customer service and resolve disputes. They must demonstrate the ways they inspire their workforce to adopt and communicate their ethics and further their mission. They must embody truth in advertising and help foster ethics within their industry and community.

Benefits for winners include:
•Winners’ names will be used in promotions for the Torch Award event in 2011.
•Winners will be recognized at a ceremony in January, 2011. They will receive a personalized award that can be displayed in their offices.
•After the event, winners will receive a Torch Award logo and details on how they can promote their status as a winner in advertising, marketing and on websites.
•Being named a BBB Torch Award winner may add to an organization’s reputation and prestige, confirming the confidence placed in it by its stakeholders.
To be considered, an organization must be nominated for BBB’s Torch Award, and submit an application along with all supporting documents before 5pm on Tuesday, November 30, 2010. If you have any questions about the form or need assistance in applying for the Torch Award, please contact BBB at: csmith@raleigh.bbb.org, or 919-277-4220
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RALEIGH, NC — Dr. Lisa Tolnitch, a Raleigh breast cancer surgeon and the founder of Pretty In Pink Foundation, was named a 2010 Soroptimist Ruby Award: For Women Helping Women recipient. This annual award, to be presented by the Raleigh Club of Soroptimist International at their annual Triangle Women of Distinction Awards Celebration, honors women who are doing extraordinary work, either in their vocation or through volunteering. The Soroptimist Ruby Award recognizes the work these women are committed to doing that directly improves the lives of other women and girls, both in their communities and beyond.

Dr. Tolnitch, principal at Tolnitch Surgical Associates, founded Pretty In Pink Foundation in May, 2004 as a resource for breast cancer patients who needed immediate access to care, treatment and surgical options, but had no means of paying for the life-saving services. A non-profit organization, Pretty In Pink Foundation provides financial assistance, resources and support to under & uninsured North Carolinians diagnosed with breast cancer. By 2020, Dr. Tolnitch and the Pretty In Pink Foundation Board of Directors hope to establish a point of presence in every state in the US .

Soroptimist Ruby Award winners receive a recognition plaque at the annual award event, as well as a check for $500 toward the charity of their choice. The award ceremony will be held in Raleigh at The Fallon Center, located at 2718 Overbrook Drive on Wednesday, April 14th. The opening reception, which includes a silent auction, heavy hors d’oeuvres, dessert & wine, begins at 6pm. The awards program begins at 7pm. Each of this year’s award winners will speak briefly about their work. The event is free and open to the public, however a suggested donation of $20 per person to attend is encouraged.

This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Maureen Hartford, president of Meredith College. Sonya Williams, host and producer of Fox 50’s “Tarheel Talk,” will serve as the Mistress of Ceremonies

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RALEIGH, N.C. – Florianna Thompson, an instructor in Wake Tech’s Early Childhood Education program, has received the Dorothy B. Graham Child Care Leadership Award from the Child Care Services Association (CCSA). Thompson received the honor at the 9th Annual Triangle Child Care Awards Breakfast on March 5.

CCSA is a nationally-recognized nonprofit working to ensure affordable, accessible, high-quality early care and education for all children and families. It recognized Thompson for her leadership in improving early childhood education in the Triangle.

Thompson has 30 years of experience in the field of child care and has been an instructor at Wake Tech for the past ten years. Prior to joining Wake Tech, she was a program coordinator for Wake County Smart Start. She has a Master’s degree in Education and a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Relations.

Thompson serves in various leadership roles in the child care industry:

• She is a member of the Early Childhood Leadership and Policy Network.
• She is a member of the National Advisory Committee for CONNECT (The Center to Mobilize Early Childhood Knowledge).
• She is a Peer Reviewer for the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Thompson is the mother of 3 and lives in Garner.

About Wake Technical Community College:
Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech) is a two-year, public institution providing education and training for the citizens of Raleigh and surrounding Wake County. As the second largest community college in the state, Wake Tech provides a comprehensive array of learning opportunities and serves an annual enrollment of more than 65,000 students. Wake Tech spans the region with four campuses, three training centers and offers classes at dozens of community sites and through Web-based and other distance education media. Curriculum (for-credit) programs in more than 150 academic

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CARY, N.C. — Dex has been honored with a 2008 Yellow Pages Publisher Recognition Award by the Association of Directory Marketing (ADM). ADM recently selected Dex for its “Communication Award,” which “recognizes efforts to improve communications between publishers and CMRs (Certified Marketing Representatives).” The award was announced at ADM’s Annual Conference in San Antonio, Tex.

Dex was selected based upon several criteria, including commitment to excellence in facilitating communications between the company and CMRs, who help develop, implement, manage and maintain Yellow Pages programs for national advertisers. Dex was also noted for its provision of high-quality, effective sales materials and marketing collateral and the continuous enabling of easy access to these materials. As a result, ADM recognized Dex’s ability to help CMRs improve efficiencies, solve challenges and implement successful advertising programs.

“Our goal is to provide CMRs with simple, focused communications that make it easier for them to access information and do business with Dex. This award is a reflection of that,” said Stephen Gibbons, vice president of national sales, Dex. “We’re happy to accept this award from ADM, and will continue to provide CMRs with exceptional communications tools that help them implement and manage their advertising programs.”

Dex is the market brand of R.H. Donnelley (NYSE: RHD), a leading print and online local search company. R.H. Donnelley’s products and services include the Dex(R) Yellow Pages; DexKnows.com(TM), a leading online local search site; 1-800-Call-Dex(TM), a free, voice-enabled local search solution; and Dex Search Marketing, which provides web site optimization and paid search advertising solutions.

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Cary, NC – With the fall season well underway for football teams across the country, The V Foundation kicks into high gear with National College Football Day on Saturday, November 1st. This is an event that not only honors the birth of college football, but also increases awareness and promotes the fundraising efforts of The V Foundation for Cancer Research.

As an official partner of the Fifth Annual National College Football Day, The V Foundation for Cancer Research will once again team up with The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), the National Association of Division IA Football Officials (NADFO), Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic to celebrate the game of football for a noteworthy cause.

“We’re again honored to be the charitable partner of National College Football Day, which we know will help bring attention to the need for cancer research,” said Nick Valvano, CEO of The V Foundation. “We are grateful to the entire college football community, including the coaches, game officials and media for lending their credibility and visibility to the celebration of National College Football Day and embracing The V Foundation and our mission of funding cancer research.”

National College Football Day, observed on the first Saturday of November, was created by the AT&T Cotton Bowl five years ago as a way to pay tribute to a significant moment in our nation’s history. On Nov. 6, 1869, Rutgers defeated Princeton, 6-4. More importantly, those college athletes left a lasting legacy that would evolve into the great spectacle of football. Last year, the holiday took on added significance when the Classic teamed up with The V Foundation for Cancer Research.

“It’s uplifting to see the response we’ve received when our partners team up,” said Rick Baker, President of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association. “Last year, nearly $20,000 was raised for research efforts of The V Foundation, and we hope to build upon the success from last year and continue to increase cancer awareness and raise money for a great cause.”

To honor college football’s 139th birthday, the AT&T Cotton Bowl has produced limited edition lapel pins. Over 3,000 pins will be distributed to coaches, athletic directors, university presidents, sports publicists, game officials and media throughout the United States in hopes that everyone will wear their pin on National College Football Day

Read More: CarolinaNewsWire

Statewide series of marches to end in Raleigh as NAACP conference begins
Marchers took to the street this week, calling for the state to make reparations for the 1898 Wilmington riots.
About a dozen people marched to the courthouse in Durham on Sunday. It was one of 13 such marches held across the state leading up to the 65th annual conference of the state NAACP, which starts Thursday.

The marchers are asking state legislators to make payments to the descendants of those harmed in an insurrection that led to the deaths of at least 14 black people and perhaps many more.

The riots were brought to the forefront when the 1898 Wilmington Race Riot Commission report was released in 2006 after six years of study by a state-appointed panel.

The panel found that the riots that led to a government overthrow in Wilmington were started by white supremacist leaders in a conspiracy to strip political power from black people and their allies.

State legislators have apologized for the conspiracy, but the state NAACP and other groups in a statewide coalition are calling for the state to make reparations to the families of those who died or lost their livelihoods as a result of the riots.

“You want to apologize, but you don’t want to share the wealth with these people,” said Fred Foster, head of the Durham branch of the state NAACP. “The only way to bring closure is to set things right.”

The group also seeks reparations for forced sterilizations under a state program aimed at preventing the mentally ill and those with low IQs from having children. North Carolina’s State Eugenics Board presided over a eugenic sterilization program from 1929 until 1974 that sterilized at least 7,600 people, almost all of them women and about 60 percent of them black.

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CARY, N.C. — Guitar Hero enthusiasts will get the chance to compete over two days at the visitRaleigh.com Benefit Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the John Entwistle Foundation for the chance to win a pair of tickets to the 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cleveland, Ohio. The overall winner will have the opportunity to test their skills against 16-year-old Raleigh Guitar Hero whiz, Blake Peebles. The concert is slated for September 19 & 20 at Koka Booth Amphitheater in Cary, N.C.

Competitors will perform an already selected challenge song and each score will be recorded. One winner will be declared on Friday and one on Saturday with each victor claiming a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame membership package. The two champions will battle on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. for the ultimate prize of two tickets to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The final contest winner will face Peebles on Saturday at 8:45 p.m. in an attempt to beat Guitar Hero’s fastest fingers.

A registration table will be set up for the contest just inside the amphitheatre entrance. Registration will begin on Friday, September 19 at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, September 20 at 12:00 p.m. Once the competitor has registered, they may perform the challenge song and try to earn their best score.

Winning the contest isn’t the only way to get a ticket to rock and roll’s biggest night. A random drawing consisting of all registered Guitar Hero participants will take place for another chance to win a pair of tickets to the 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

So, sharpen those skills on expert and bring it to the visitRaleigh.com Rock Hall Benefit Concert at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre for an opportunity to win rockin’ prizes.

Last March, Madonna, John Mellencamp, The Ventures, the Dave Clark Five, Leonard Cohen, and Gamble & Huff were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as the Class of 2008. The 2009 finalists will be announced late this fall.

Tickets to the September 19-20 festival are on sale at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre box office and via Ticketmaster. The visitRaleigh.com Rock Hall Benefit concert is presented by the Town of Cary and sponsored by SunTrust Bank, American Airlines, Harris Wholesale, Raleigh News & Observer, 96 Rock, 850 The Buzz, Paragon Commercial Bank, Prime Mortgage Lending, French/West/Vaughan and Black Diamond Capital Group. Proceeds from the concert will benefit both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum’s educational outreach and the John Entwistle Foundation’s program of providing musical instruments and music lessons to disadvantaged youths through the public library systems in communities across the country. For more information, visit www.rockhallbenefit.com.

Read More:CarolinaNewsWire

GARNER, N.C. — ASC Signal Corporation, (formerly Andrew Corporation Satellite Communications Group), today announced an agreement with Globecomm Systems, Inc. (GSI) to supply commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) antenna products. As GSI’s strategic partner and supplier, ASC Signal was selected to provide antenna products that support the recent major award to GSI by a global multilateral organization, which offers a potential revenue of $30 million over a three-year period.

ASC Signal’s antenna products allow Globecomm Systems to deliver a range of enhanced services and offer further support to their global customer. ASC’s antenna products will be supplied under a three-year IDIQ (Indefinite-delivery / indefinite-quantity) contract. These products include:

• 3.9 Meter F-1 compliant C-band Trifold® transportable antenna product
• 4.9 Meter Intelsat E-2 Ku-band type approved motorizable antenna

ASC Signal’s 3.9 meter antenna features a wide range of adjustment with the ability to view geostationary satellites, horizon-to-horizon, from any location worldwide. Its unique Trifold® reflector panels are cut from a single piece of precision spun aluminum.

Additionally, the innovative 4.9 meter Intelsat E-2 type approved Ku-band earth station antenna was developed for maximum accuracy and versatility. This low-maintenance antenna features a dual reflector Gregorian system that provides excellent pattern characteristics and high gain. Equipped with a self-aligning main reflector, it is also capable of reception and transmission for quad-band C-band, X-band, Ku-band and Ka-band configurations.

Previously, ASC Signal has supplied antenna products to GSI for the company’s other global projects. ASC Signal was selected by GSI due to its strong reputation and industry leading product line.

Dr. Russell Dearnley – Vice President, Earth Station Antennas and Solutions for ASC Signal, stated, “Being selected by GSI validates our shared goals of sustaining excellent customer service on a worldwide level.” He continued, “We are proud to provide GSI with our products. As we continue our dynamic growth, we are looking forward to building upon our existing synergistic relationship and collaborating with GSI on future projects.”

Read More:CarolinaNewsWire