Facility of the Year Award

For a few days in November I worked closely with a few clients in Clayton – spending time sifting through documents to begin the task of compiling information to submit to the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering. ISPE, INTERPHEX, and Pharmaceutical Processing Magazine hold an annual competition that honors one firm in the world with the Facility of the Year Award. Recipients are state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing projects that use new and innovative technologies to enhance the delivery of a quality project, as well as reduce the cost of producing high-quality medicines.

NNE Pharmaplan, an engineering firm in Clayton, contracted me to assist them with the written portion of the submission after NNE (and others)collaborated to complete a 30-month expansion project on Novo Nordisk’s Clayton plant. The expansion allowed Novo Nordisk to begin making FlexPen, a compact device that delivers insulin to diabetics. As a result of the 200,000 square foot expansion, the company became the only supplier of FlexPen in the U.S. and doubled its production capacity.

I have truly enjoyed the work done so far with these guys and gals. I especially liked suiting up in booties, a hair net, safety goggles, and gown to tour the facility while conducting my interview with the production manager. What an amazing plant. Cannot wait to start in on things again in February, guys!

The Urban Sophisticates

Sharp lyrics, smooth vocals, and a great blend of brass, guitar, bass, and drums, that’s what several fans have said about the music of The Urban Sophisticates. Not too long ago the Greensboro-based hip-hop band won the Disc Makers Independent Music World Series Southeast Showcase.

I will be sitting down with these guys soon for an interview to weave together facts and color for my next magazine feature. Check out their music at www.theurbansophisticates.com.

Winter Fun

We had a little winter fun over our Christmas break in Michigan. Here are a few shots from our sledding trips. You sure cannot do stuff like this in Raleigh!

Kevin gets some serious air ...

but makes a painful landing.

Cousins Baine and Devin enjoy a break on the tubes at Echo Valley. We spent the day tearing down the tubing hills and roaring down toboggan runs that reach speeds of 60 mph.

A shot just moments before another rough ride down the hill for Kevin.

Control is lost ...

And he is down.

Winter Wonderland

Ahhhhh, Christmas in Michigan. Plenty of slippery roads, cold temperatures and snowy weather I decided to venture out in. Here are a few of my wintery shots.

Memories

MEMORIES
Memories are heartbeats
Sounding through the years
Echoes never fading
Of our smiles and our tears.

Moments that are captured
Sometimes unaware
Pictured in an album
Or a lock of hair.

Images that linger
Deep within the mind
Bit of verse we cherished
Once upon a time.

Through the musty hallways
Of the days we knew
Ever comes the vision
Beautiful and true.

Memories are roses
Blooming evermore
Full of fragrant sweetness
Never known before.

Life must have a meaning
Goals for which to strive
Memories are lights that burn
To keep the heart alive.

--Grace E. Easley


I ran across this poem in the midst of a project. I just LOVE it!!! Had to share.

The Lux Life

For the last few weeks I have been working on the final portion of the cover story for the February issue of Triangle Catalyst Magazine. Finally, we are getting close to the end!

The feature piece is about 2,000 words and highlights downtown living in Raleigh and Durham. You know, the old tobacco warehouses and cotton mill’s turned lofts and the luxury high rise condos with all the bells and whistles. Really, it covers what is out there to buy now, what’s in the works and what they all have to offer.

I have really enjoyed this assignment. Some of these properties are so unique. You have some with concrete floors still baring the marks from earlier days as a paint shop. Others with freight elevators, rooftop pools, even meals catered to your condo or loft from the swanky restaurant in the lobby. Best of all, these options are all within walking distance of shops, restaurants and bars.

It really makes you think … is there any reason to get that home with the white picket fence and big backyard???? Who wants to mow lawn on the weekends when you could be enjoying a swim in a pool overlooking the city?

The main factor ...If you are not scared to pay $220,000+ for one or two bedrooms or even $1.2 million than antee up!

Sweater Victory!

We attended a friends Obnoxious Christmas Sweater Party this past weekend. I never knew how difficult it would be to locate a male sweater accented with a little holiday cheer. After about six stores we decided I would piece one together.

Ta-da!! All the cutting and sewing paid off. It even sings if you press Santa's nose. That's my fiancé to the left with the trophy. He ended up winning first prize at the party. Go me!!

I even won a prize in the women's category for my snowman button sweater, complete with matching turtleneck. Such fun!

Thanks, John (right), for hosting the affair. We had a great time. It really put me in the Christmas spirit even though I opted out of drinking your homemade eggnog! Now to finish my shopping ...

More Mud, Please...

Look who decided to venture off the trail and into a pond ...

Awfully lucky someone was there to pull him out of the muddy mess he managed to get himself stuck in :)

Seeing Green

I must say, I am quite pleased with next month’s piece for the magazine The Bride’s Book. Though I have just started work on it, the concept – GREEN weddings – is after my own heart.

As my blog has already revealed, my fiancé and I are exchanging our vows barefoot on the sands of the North Carolina Outer Banks. I love the fact I get to research this topic, because our own wedding has a few touches of green.

For starters, it’s outside, during the day and will be minimally decorated. I do not plan on shipping in hundreds of flowers either. I will likely hold just a few, picked locally. My centerpieces, well they are compliments of the good old ocean, sand and shells. Favors for the guests will be monetary donations, in their names, to both the American Cancer Society and the American Diabetes Association. There is a story behind each, but we will save that for another day.

Anyway, I would love nothing more than to add a few more green ideas to our wedding. We will have to see what type of things I can find as I research this story. To all you brides out there, feel free to offer suggestions!

Irresistible

I saw this gorgeous sunset on my way home tonight. The urge to snap a shot was, well, irresistible!

Kiddie Heaven

So I just finished the January cover story on Marbles Kids Museum for Southern Neighbor Magazine. Two former children's museums, Playspace and Exploris, combined to form the hands-on interactive museum in Raleigh's downtown earlier this fall.

The place has everything, IMAX movies, water games, a tree house, Gyotaku ... the list could go on forever. But don't be fooled by the name. The only thing this museum does not have for kids to play with is, you guessed it, marbles.



The museum’s marketing director informed me one of the walls (made from more than 1,000 marbles) inspired the name. Still, it is a unique space for kids young and old!

Check out the East Hargett Street spot for yourself at www.marbleskidsmuseum.org.

February Downtown Cover

I just finished two pieces for Triangle Catalyst Magazine. Each are designed to offer readers a quick, but comprehensive look at the changing faces of both downtown Durham and Raleigh.

The information is slated to appear as part of the cover story for the February 2008 issue. Check out the magazine online at www.trianglecatalyst.com

Awesome Orchids

I recently finished an interview with the owners of Orchids by Hanks Chapel Greenhouses in Pittsboro. They are a mother-son team, and just wonderful to spend time with. I had a blast taking photos of the several hundred species of orchids housed in their two greenhouses. My story and photos will appear in the December issue of Southern Neighbor Magazine. Just for fun, here are some of the shots I took. I love some of the colors … so vibrant.

Yarn Shop Feature

My piece on the Hillsborough Yarn Shop dropped earlier this month. I had a great time hanging out with all the ladies at this quaint shop back in late October.

Check out my story and photos on the magazines Web site at http://www.southernneighbor.com/full_issue_pdfs/SN_2007_11.