Owner Li Zhang also owns the A&C Supermarket on South Wilmington Street in Raleigh, but this new store will be much bigger at just under 50,000 square feet. This 34-year-old businessman was born in China and immigrated to Winston-Salem as a teenager so he knows how to combine the best of east and west!

Besides offering one of the finest selections of produce and seafood in our area, Li Ming’s Global Mart will stock products for Asian, Hispanic, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. The international food court and coffee shop sound tantalizing with choices of sushi, Chinese dishes and baked goods.

Now remember you heard it from me first: Durham is on its way to becoming a first class international city! It’s one more reason why you’ll love being at home here.

Picture courtesy of Flickr and FUNKYAH.

Start your tour at the Durham Arts Council, located at 120 Morris Street. Look for businesses with the large red dot in the windows – they display everything from the watercolors of Freeman Beard to the stained glass boxes of Jodi Bock. Or you may be intrigued by the jewelry created from the findings of ancient tombs, shipwrecks and heirloom collections crafted by Desiree Delong.

Hear the Rhythm and Blues strains of Tyrand, the Latin beat of Luego and the jazz of Lady Jaisun. As you meander around each corner, a new adventure awaits.

Admission is free. Everything is within walking distance, but a free shuttle service is available. Detailed maps of all Durham Art Walk sites including information on artists, sites, special activities and performances will be available at many Art Walk locations and in the Herald-Sun newspaper on the Saturday before the event.

When: Saturday, November 20 – 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday, November 21 – 1-5 pm
Where: 120 Morris Street Directions
Download Art Walk Map Here

Walking is good exercise. Walking and being inspired is even better. Happy inspired walking!

Don’t forget to look for the “best in show” of exhibitors – who are both local and national. See the latest in trendy, exceptional gifts, personalized products, art and sculpture, jewelry, handbags, gourmet food, party supplies and even frou-frou frills for your pets. Plan a “Girls Day Out” and meet your friends at the Frill Seekers Cafe. Truly a “Frill a Minute”, as their tagline says.

Another great feature of Frill Seekers Bazaar is their Pay it Forward Fun’d Raising Campaign that supports the Autism Society of NC during this holiday season. It’s a great cause – and you’re going to find great shopping too.

Nov. 4, 2010, Thursday Opening Night Benefit 5 PM – 9 PM will support the Autism Society of NC
3 Day Holiday Market Durham Bulls Athletic Park
Nov. 5 – 7, 2010
Friday & Saturday 10 AM – 7 PM & Sunday 10 AM – 5 PM

Happy shopping!

It was terrific. Gorgeous day to be out driving through some unexplored neighborhoods to see new construction and houses that were renovated, all with some of the premier local architects. I saw one in Chapel Hill and 5 in Raleigh, didn’t have time for others in Chapel Hill or any in Durham. It should be a 2 day event–Raleigh on one day, Chapel Hill and Durham on the other because there isn’t enough time to drive to each house and give them the attention they deserve.

I found something interesting about architects: most are minimalists. Very little furniture, striking art work, dressers and storage built in, and many windows. Most also did not have enough light for me. While they were bright during the day, t I doubted the amount of light at night. Still, all had something unique and I came away with ideas for my own house.

ALL, and I mean ALL the houses had fabulous light, sometimes from huge panes of glass that took up an entire wall. They were exquisite. Oh, that I could afford this.

While all were innovative and and focused on “green” sustainable systems, I did have some favorites. For new construction, definitely Ellen Cassilly who showed her house Cassilhaus, that looks out into Duke Forest. There was a Wow factor because it was spectacular–the light, space, quality of materials, and design. It is her home, and also a gallery and an apartment and studios for visiting artists. This was the most high-end house I saw, mostly custom work. The space flowed beautifully and felt luxurious with indirect light from the many trapezoidal windows all over the house.

Frank Harmon built a house that felt like a tree house because several entire walls were made of glass. Everywhere one looked were trees. It was magnificent.

Few houses were for families with kids as most were for couples. The last house that I saw in Raleigh, designed by Tina Govan was for a family with young kids. I overheard her saying that she loves designing small houses that need to utilize spaces for more than 1 purpose. This was a house that I could easily live in. Most houses don’t have enough storage–this had storage attractively built in all over. It was convenient, hid clutter, provided organization and looked European. Though not overly large, rooms had high ceilings, great light, and served several purposes.

It was a satisfying day, that ended with Harvest Time Pumpkin Ale from Bigg Boss Brewing Company (I’m not a beer drinker but this was truly sublime) and the top rated absolute best ever coconut cake from Hayes Barton Cafe and Dessertery. I need to go have my last forkful of coconut cake.

…Watching the Catwalk at the Aveda Institute in Chapel Hill

With UNC and Duke being at the forefront of the news, sometimes we forget about the other schools in Chapel Hill. Today’s a great day to showcase one of the other ones – the Aveda Institute in Chapel Hill. Each year, during Earth Month, Aveda holds Earth Jam. As a part of that, tonight they’re sponsoring a Fashion Night Benefit, displaying the styles of horst Rechelbacher, Vidal Sasson, Trevor Sorbie, Annie Humphries, and many more designers.

Proceeds from the show go to the Triangle Land Conservancy, an organization that strives to preserve open spaces – land and water – in Chatham, Durham, Johnston, Lee, Orange, and Wake counties. The particular focus is on safeguarding clean water here in the Triangle.

There’s also a silent auction. Student artwork and paintings and photographs from other local artists will be on sale, as well as items from Chapel Hill restaurants and shops. This year’s raffle basket includes six tickets to Annie in Raleigh, and a Duke basketball signed by Coach K.

The video above is from last year’s show. Just looks like a fun evening for a great cause.

Doors open at 6:30, so you can take a look at all the silent auction items. If you purchase a VIP Wristband, you’ll also have access to the runway area. Drinks and snacks are included. Call the Institute at 919-960-4769 ext. 1310 to get your tickets!

Happy April,

Crazy Viv

The Aveda Institute Chapel Hill
200 W. Franklin Street
General Admission $35 / $50 (day of show)

Mrs. Robert Duvall

Crazy Viv

PS While there, head over and see Duke chapel, a stunning example of Gothic architecture and beauty.

Sarah P. Duke Gardens
426 Anderson Street
Durham, NC 27708-0341

The Full Frame Documentary Film Festival opens today in Durham. This annual showing of non-fiction films from all over the world. It’s an extraordinary event, where filmmakers and film lovers – young and old, famous and infamous – gather to see some of the very best documentaries of the year.

Past films from Full Frame have gone on to win Oscars, like “Taxi to the Dark Side”. This year’s festival opens with a film that I would love to see – “Kings of Pastry”. It chronicles the stories of three chefs competing in the MOF (Meilleur Ouvrier de France) competition in France. Sounds like such fun – but it’s sold out!

Fortunately, there are lots of other films to choose from. There are four different venues that will show all sorts of documentaries – starting at 10:00 in the morning and ending past midnight. The festival runs Thursday through Sunday. Prices range from $15 to $20 per show.

Some of the films are right out of today’s headlines – “Coal Miner: Frank Jackson”, “Morristown: In the Air and Sun”. Others take us back – “Surviving Hitler: A Love Story” and “Thunder Soul”. Most of the films have a question and answer session afterwards, a lively and thought provoking time of discussion.

There’s an alphabetical list of the films, and a schedule here.

Happy April!

Crazy Viv

Full Frame Festival
Venues for the Festival:
Carolina Theatre 309 West Morgan Street
Durham Convention Center 201 Foster Street
Durham Arts Council 120 Morris Street
Durham Central Park 534 Foster Street