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MATT PRICE DIANA VAUGHN CAROL CUMMINGS LAURA WILCOXEN CHRISTINA REESE LISA LEHR DURHAM BULLS BASEBALL CLUB GREGG FORWERCH DEVIN MILLER NCDOT RAIL DIVISION PRESTONWOOD COUNTRY CLUB RALEIGH-DURHAM AIRPORT STATE FARMERS MARKET CLINT EILERTS AMANDA WHITE JOSH CHANDLER PROPS MARKETING

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TAKE A PEEK 12 pg.

Estimates show the Wake County Public School System increasing by 40,000 students between 2005 and 2010.

Beautiful weather all year long.

January Average – 40° July Average – 79° November Average – 55°

MARY KOPSHEVER MILLY MASON AMY SCHWARTZKOPF KATHY SCOTT CAROL SMITH KACEY WOLTERS MARK EDMONDSON JOSEPH GOETTING JOSH MUELLER

pg.8

Area Museums

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KATHY HAGENE CAROL SMITH TERRI AHNER TRICIA CANNEDY TERESA CRAIG JULIE VORDTRIEDE

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CHRISTOPHER MILLER

executive leadership chairman and founder chief financial officer

CRAIG WILLIAMS RHONDA HARSY

This book is published by CommunityLink and distributed through The Morrisville Chamber of Commerce. For advertising information or questions or comments about this book, contact CommunityLink at 800-455-5600 or by e-mail at info@CommunityLink.com,

ABOUT

FOR INFORMATION The Morrisville Chamber of Commerce, 260 Town Hall Drive, Suite A, Morrisville, NC 27560, 919-463-7150, Fax 919-380-9021, www.morrisvillenc.com

© 2007 Craig Williams Creative, Inc., 4742 Holts Prairie Road, Post Office Box 306, Pinckneyville, IL 62274-0306, 618-357-8653. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher.

2 Morrisville Chamber of Commerce

pg.19

GUIDE TO Neighborhoods

pg.27

www.morrisvillenc.com 3

WHAT’S INSIDE 2008 MORRISVILLE NOW Community Magazine

6

Welcome to Morrisville, the Small Town in the Heart of the Triangle

Names & Numbers to Know

22 Heart of the Triangle Offers

8

Morrisville at a Glance

9

Higher Education: Flexibility Meets Excellence 23 Major Employers

12 Wake County Public Schools Offer Innovative Solutions

14 New Greenways & Interstate Expansions Help Alleviate a Stressful Commute

16 RDU Airport Expanding to Accommodate More Passengers

17 Getting Around 19 Guide to Neighborhoods

4

20 Get Connected:

Morrisville Chamber of Commerce

Opportunity for Expansion and Development

24 A Day on the Town:

Regional Shopping & Dining

26 Rub’s Smokehouse Offers Casual Attitude, Friendly Service and Unique BBQ

27 Seeing the Sights: Day Trips 30 Local Poet Highlights Social Issues in Her Work

31 Park Facilities 32 Index of Advertisers

www.morrisvillenc.com 5

Welcome to Morrisville,

the Small Town in the Heart of the Triangle

I

f the grounds of Morrisville could speak, they would have plenty to say.

Named for landowner Jeremiah Morris, who sold right-of-way to the railroad many years ago, Morrisville was founded in 1852. During the 155 years since the town’s inception, the grounds weathered one of the final Civil War battles fought in North Carolina and have nourished the foundation for a new greenway system enjoyed by many. The grounds consist of an ever-expanding network of roads and highways to accommodate the influx of morning commuters and support the foundation of some of the country’s top biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.

Occupying less than 10 square miles of Wake County, Morrisville is bursting at the seams to keep pace with the growth that’s happening within its borders. In 1981, there were 250 people living in Morrisville. By the end of 2005, there were almost 12,300 people living in Morrisville, according to town estimates. That number is expected to almost double by 2030. The result has been a boom in both residential and commercial development projects.

Belonging to a county whose school system boasts the second-highest graduation rate in the country at 82.2 percent (Education Week, June 2006) and that was ranked the #2 Best Place for Business (Forbes, May 2006), it is no wonder why industry leaders such as Lenovo and Tekelec chose Morrisville as the headquarters for their U.S. operations. Accolades such as these serve as a reflection on the high quality of living and doing business in the Wake County and Morrisville area, which more and more people continue to discover each day.

The fruitful grounds of Morrisville continue to attract businesses and people who recognize the value of residing in a town that has adjacent borders to Raleigh-Durham International Airport and the Research Triangle Park and that is a stone’s throw from Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill.

Whatever your reason may be for discovering Morrisville, we welcome you.

Occupying less than 10 square miles of Wake County, Morrisville is bursting at the seams to keep pace with the growth.

For more information about Morrisville and the Triangle region, contact the Morrisville Chamber of Commerce at 919-463-7150 or visit www.morrisvillenc.com.

6

Morrisville Chamber of Commerce

748,815

737,805

627,846

800,000

774,815

Glance 1,000,000

844,364

morrisville at a

423,380

600,000 Morrisville, NC 9.8 square miles Area: 400,000

Source: www.weather.com

2005

2006

2010

POPULATION – Morrisville

15,000

13,827

11,915

20,000

14,800

21,084

25,000

5,208

10,000

5,000

0

1990

2000

2004

2005

2006

2010

Source: U.S. Census Bureau and Town of Morrisville

1,000,000

800,000

600,000

2004

2005

844,364

POPULATION – Wake County 774,815

Average Annual Temperature 58.9°

2004

748,815

Month .........Average High ..........Average Low......... Average Precipitation January .....................50°................................ 30° ....................................................... 4.02" April ..............................72°................................ 46° ....................................................... 2.80" July ....................................89°................................ 69° ....................................................... 4.29" October ..................................72°................................ 48° ....................................................... 3.18"

2000

737,805

CLIMATE

1990

627,846

TOWN TAX BASE .................... $1.956 billion (as of December 2006)

0

1,022

Morrisville is governed by a mayor and a board of commissioners, who meet on the second and fourth Mondays of UNEMPLOYMENT RATE each month at 6:30 p.m. The mayor (WAKE COUNTY) and commissioners appoint the 3.5 percent (as of February 2007) town manager, who serves as Source: Employment Security Commission of North Carolina the town’s chief administrative officer. Town Hall is located TAXES Municipal tax rate at 100 Town Hall Drive. (per $100 of taxable assessed value) ................................$0.4677 Wake County tax rate (per $100 of taxable assessed value) ........................................$0.6340 Combined tax rate ..........................................................................$1.1017

200,000

423,380

TOWN GOVERNMENT

400,000

200,000

0

1990

2000

2006

2010

8

Morrisville Chamber of Commerce

25,000

1,084

Source: U.S. Census Bureau and Town of Morrisville

Higher Education:

Flexibility Meets

EXCELLENCE T he busy Triangle professional eager to further his or her education doesn’t have to travel far to do so. Four universities have established satellite campuses in Morrisville, and adults of all ages are finding the schedules to be flexible, the faculty accommodating, and the curriculum challenging.

Campbell University: RTP Campus Tom Eastwood of Fuquay-Varina recently attended night classes at Campbell University’s RTP Campus to complete the Bachelor of Business Administration degree he began, in his words, “forever ago.” The 50-year-old married father of one found the local campus to be very convenient.

“I didn’t have to go to the main campus in Buies Creek, N.C., where the more traditional classes are offered,” Eastwood explained. “There is an adult program at this campus, and the classes are geared toward working professionals.”

Eastwood attended classes two nights a week and completed his degree in March 2007. “The curriculum is structured for working adults,” he said. “I have found Campbell’s customer service to be excellent, and they really care about their students.”

Affiliated with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, Campbell is a “university of the liberal arts, sciences, and professions which is committed to helping students develop an integrated Christian personality characterized by a wholeness of body, mind and spirit that includes a method of critical judgment; an appreciation of the intellectual, cultural, and religious heritage; stewardship of the body; and a sensitive awareness of the world and society in which they live and work with persons.”

Established in 1991, the RTP Campus offers bachelor’s degree programs in Applied Science, Business Administration, and Science in Social Science, among others. Students may also pursue a master’s degree in Business Administration, Trust and Investment Management, or Clinical Research. www.morrisvillenc.com 9

Combining the programs previously offered separately at its Raleigh and Durham locations, North Carolina Wesleyan's Triangle Campus offers accelerated classes for working adults.

“This campus houses the fastestgrowing undergraduate program in RTP, with nearly 700 enrollments in each of the five terms offered yearly,” Zanone said. “The Master of Trust and Investment program is the only one of its kind in the United States. The RTP Campus also maintains a full state-ofthe-art production facility capable of worldwide broadcasts.”

Contact Information Campbell University: RTP Campus 808 Aviation Parkway Morrisville, NC 27560 919-468-8844 www.campbell.edu Strayer University: Cary Campus 3200 Gateway Centre Boulevard Morrisville, NC 27560 919-466-1150 www.strayer.edu DeVry University: Raleigh-Durham Center 1600 Perimeter Park Drive Morrisville, NC 27560 919-463-1380 www.devry.edu North Carolina Wesleyan College: Triangle Campus 2000 Perimeter Park Drive Morrisville, NC 27560 919-465-4777 www.ncwc.edu 10 Morrisville Chamber of Commerce

Strayer University: Cary Campus Cherelle James is another Wake County resident who has benefited from a local satellite campus. James takes online courses and attends classes at Strayer University’s Cary Campus, where she is pursuing a master’s in Business Administration. The 28-year-old is married and works full-time for Specialized Contract Service Inc., a catering and hospitality business.

“I got my bachelor’s in 1999, and five years later I went back to school to pursue my MBA,” James said. “It was nice to have a place for nontraditional students, as I didn’t want to go back to a traditional school. I really enjoy the [Cary Campus] and, even with my Internet classes, if I have concerns I can still go in and talk with an instructor in order to understand more.” James added the smaller class sizes — anywhere from 10 to 20 in her discipline — provide more one-on-one time with the instructors.

Strayer University’s mission is to provide a quality higher education program for working adults. The school is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and a variety of associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees are offered in the fields of Accounting, Business, Education, General Studies, Health Services Administration, Information Technology and Public Administration.

According to Sonya Udler, vice president of corporate communications at Strayer, the Cary Campus, which opened in 2002, is designed specifically to meet the needs of working adults. “Because of the flexible class times, students do not have to leave their workplaces during work

hours,” Udler explained. “The average age of our students is 35, and most of them are working full-time and managing a family and other personal matters. At Strayer, we pride ourselves on being able to offer rigorous academic programs to meet the needs of the workplace and the flexibility adults need when going back to school.”

DeVry University: Raleigh-Durham Center The Raleigh-Durham Center of DeVry University also strives to provide its students with a quality education and flexible programming. One of more than 80 locations in 23 states and in Canada, the Raleigh-Durham Center offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in Business Administration, Computer Information Systems, Technical Management, Accounting/Financial Management, Human Resource Management, Information Systems Management, Network/ Communications Management, Public Administration and Project Management.

At DeVry, students can earn a four-year degree in as few as three years, as classes are offered year-round. Small classes, market-driven curricula and faculty with industry experience are hallmarks of the school. Its programs are highly effective, as more than 90 percent of new graduates who are in the active job market are employed in their chosen field within six months of graduation.

North Carolina Wesleyan College: Triangle Campus Established in 2003, North Carolina Wesleyan College’s Triangle Campus

combines the programs and services that were previously offered at the school’s Durham and Raleigh locations.

According to Saundra Carmichael, director of academic services for North Carolina Wesleyan’s Triangle Campus, the school offers five- and eight-week accelerated classes. “We are a smaller campus, and classes range in size from 20 to 25 students,” Carmichael explained. “All of our instructors have lifetime experience.

They are not just educators; they work professionally in their chosen fields and take it to the classroom.”

Founded in 1956, N.C. Wesleyan is a four-year, coeducational, liberal arts college that is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Tailored to the learning styles and schedules of working adults, the Adult Degree Program is designed for students who wish to strengthen their academic backgrounds, enhance their professional knowledge and skills, and advance their careers.

The Triangle Campus offers bachelor’s degrees in Accounting, Business Administration, Computer Information Systems and Criminal Justice, along with minors in Psychology and Marketing and an online certificate program in Applied Criminology. More than 700 students are currently taking classes at the campus.

With several top-quality schools to choose from, it’s easy to obtain a degree or update skills in the Triangle region.

www.morrisvillenc.com 11

Wake County Public Schools Offer

Innovative Solutions

I

n the past several years, the Wake County Public School System has experienced an explosion of growth at each of its 147 schools. A total of 128,072 students are enrolled for the 2006–2007 school year — 7,568 more students than last year.

Bill Poston, communications specialist and spokesman for the Wake County Public Schools, said this phenomenal growth is a reflection of the population increase across the entire county. “We attribute this to the excellent quality of life in the area and the availability of housing and job prospects,” Poston explained. “Having gained more than 7,500 new students for 2006–2007, we are now growing each year at a rate that is equivalent to many of our small towns in the area.”

Capital Improvement Program Poston said estimates show the Wake County Public School System increasing

12 Morrisville Chamber of Commerce

by 40,000 students between 2005 and 2010, bringing the total enrollment to more than 160,000. In addition, Wake County’s older schools are in need of renovations to ensure they are quality places for children to learn effectively. As a long-term solution to the demands of growth, Wake County voters approved a $1 billion capital improvement program in November 2006, of which $970 million will be funded by a school bond. The bond approval puts the school system well on its way to making sure it has the capacity to accommodate the additional 58,000 new seats projected to be needed by 2010.

Superintendent Del Burns is grateful to voters for their support of the bond, the school system and the students of Wake County. “This is one great day for one great community,” Dr. Burns said. “In the end, voters in Wake County stood for children, and we can continue to do the hard and important work of

making sure that every child graduates on time and prepared for the future.”

Poston said this bond will help build 17 new schools — including 11 elementary, four middle and two high schools — to open between 2008 and 2011. In addition, 5,000 seats will be gained in the 2007–2008 school year as 19 elementary schools and three middle schools transition to multiyear, year-round schools and add mobile and modular classrooms. The school system plans to acquire land and begin the design phase for 13 future schools that will open between 2011 and 2013. Finally, the bond funding will cover major renovations at 13 schools, will address repair and maintenance problems at nearly 100 campuses, and will replace old and outdated computers in the schools.

Year-Round Schedule To accommodate the increased growth, 20 of the county’s schools are currently

functioning on a year-round calendar with multi-track systems. In 1991, Morrisville Elementary was the first school to move to this calendar. “This idea creates increased capacity, as one track is always on intercession at any given time,” Poston explained.

“Our system is actually cutting-edge, as we had the first multi-track, year-round school in the nation.”

The year-round calendar simply spreads the 180 school days throughout the entire year. Students attending a year-round school are in school for 45 days and then have a 15-day break. Year-round students have the same holidays as students on the traditional calendar.

The year-round option also offers another choice for parents. “Currently parents have a choice among a traditional calendar, a year-round calendar, and a variety of magnet schools,” he said. “You can select how you want your child to be educated.”

creative arts and sciences, international studies, active learning, and technology. “Combs Elementary is the top magnet school in the country,” Poston noted.

New Schools The Wake County Public School System added five new schools this past year to help accommodate the increased need.

Panther Creek High School is one of the new schools that opened its doors last fall.

Rodney Nelson, principal of Panther Creek High School, said a total of 889 freshmen

“Last year we graduated more than 6,500 students, and 85 percent of those students went on to pursue a postsecondary education.”

Magnet Programs Poston said magnet schools offer special programs not found in a traditional school.

Since 1982, Wake County magnet schools have “fostered greater achievement, crafted hotbeds of creativity and cultural diversity, and produced a rich array of educational choices for students,” he said. The system’s network of magnet schools offers parents a choice of instructional programs that, to name a few, include gifted and talented,

and sophomores currently attend the school. “We will add a junior class next school year and a senior class the following school year,” he said.

Nelson said the school’s students come from Apex, Cary, Morrisville and Raleigh.

“We had a great start to the first year,” he said. “Our student body has bonded quickly, and we have strong student leadership already in the Student Council.

Students are engaging in academic and extracurricular pursuits and are helping to build traditions that will be a part of Panther Creek for years to come.”

Faculty and Student Excellence Of the faculty members at Panther Creek High School, 65 percent have advanced degrees and nearly 20 percent have National Board Certification. “Combined, they bring an average of about 11.5 years of experience in education,” Nelson said.

Poston said excellence is a trend for the Wake County Public School System. “Last year we graduated more than 6,500 students, and 85 percent of those students went on to pursue a postsecondary education. We have a highly qualified staff of 15,599 employees and 8,572 teachers.”

Here are some numbers from the Wake County Public School System in 2006: • 985 teachers have National Board Certification.

• The Class of 2006 earned $41.8 million in scholarship dollars.

• 2,900 students were named North Carolina Scholars.

• A total of 1,100 students were National Honor Society graduates.

• The average SAT score in 2005–2006 was 1576 on the new three-section exam, well above the North Carolina average of 1493 and the national average of 1519.

www.morrisvillenc.com 13

New Greenways & Interstate Expansions Help Alleviate a Stressful Commute

M

For information regarding biking projects, safety and laws, visit: http://www.ncdot.org/transit/bicycle/

14 Morrisville Chamber of Commerce

ichele Hane generally starts her day with a healthy dose of sunshine and fresh air. Rather than always hopping in her car to make the two-mile drive to work, she often takes the extra time to bike or walk to her job in the Planning Office at Morrisville Town Hall.

Though she can make the drive in about four minutes, she enjoys the exercise she gets on her 25-minute walk or eightminute bike ride.

Hane, whose goal is to drive to work only two days a week, started working for the Town of Morrisville last September, but even when she worked in Raleigh, she still carpooled, used a park-n-ride, or took the TTA bus downtown. “I enjoyed it, and it was less stress,” she explained. “Taking the bus is better for the environment, and it was nice to sit on the bus and just read a book and not worry about traffic.”

Hane now opts to walk or bike to work for many of the same reasons, including a cleaner environment and improved health. “It is nice to get a little exercise in the morning and afternoon,” she said. “I feel more awake when I get to work, and I am more energized when I get home from work. It is also a better use of my time. Instead of driving to and from work and then going home and getting on the treadmill or bicycle, I get almost 20 minutes of exercise in just by biking to work.”

The Indian Creek Greenway, Morrisville’s newest greenway development project, will include 1.8 miles of greenway trails and connectors that meander through the heart of Morrisville along Indian Branch Creek, a tributary to Crabtree Creek. In addition to the trail, greenway development will include a trailhead area with recreation amenities and parking directly across from Town Hall.

Steadman Suggs, parks and greenway planner for the Town of Morrisville, said the Indian Creek Greenway trail will connect many residential areas and neighborhoods to existing and future areas of commerce and recreation. “A segment of the Indian Creek

“I get almost 20 minutes of exercise in just by biking to work.”

Morrisville’s expanding greenway system is a popular destination for bicyclists and runners.

Greenway will connect residents at the Twin Lakes development in Cary to the greenway corridor and trailhead as well.”

Greenways offer numerous economic benefits to residents of Morrisville, including higher property values, increased tourism and recreation-related revenues, and cost savings for public services.

“Greenways have been shown to increase the value of adjacent properties by as much as 5 to 20 percent,” Suggs explained.

“Many home buyers and corporations are looking for real estate that provides direct access to public and private greenway systems. Greenways are viewed as amenities by residential, commercial and office park developers and will enhance the quality of life in Morrisville and ensure long-term economic viability.”

Hane clearly agrees. “When you walk or bike to work just once a week, that reduces the amount of fuel consumed for commuting by 20 percent. It’s also good for the environment, and it helps keep our taxes down, as fewer cars on the road means less money our government has to spend on maintaining and expanding our transportation system. Finally, it’s good for your physical and mental health, it helps reduce our dependence on foreign oil, it saves money — and it’s fun!”

Even for those who cannot walk or bike to work, transportation changes in the Morrisville area will likely make for a more relaxed commute. The North Carolina Turnpike Authority is currently conducting feasibility work to potentially construct a toll facility from Interstate 40 at NC 147 in Durham County south to McCrimmon Parkway in Morrisville.

Aimee Foskie, senior product reviews analyst at IBM/Lenovo, currently catches Interstate 540 as part of her 30-minute commute from her home in North Raleigh to Lenovo in Morrisville. She thinks the completion of I-540 will make a huge difference for people who live in North Raleigh and work in Cary or Apex.

“I-540 serves as a loop around the heart of Raleigh,” Foskie explained. “If you live in North Raleigh, there is not a good, direct way to get to Cary. The city streets in Raleigh are filled with stoplights. The expansion of I-540 will be a wonderful way to cut out the stops. While this may mean a longer distance for motorists, I am sure it will be shorter in time.” www.morrisvillenc.com 15

RDU Airport EXPANDING to Accommodate More Passengers

T

he Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is constantly evolving and upgrading to accommodate the scores of travelers who pass through its gates each day.

Serving more than 9.3 million passengers in 2005 alone, up 8 percent from 2004, RDU juggles 450 airline arrivals and departures daily from its two terminals.

According to Mindy Hamlin, RDU’s marketing and communications manager, the airport is in the midst of a major effort to expand Terminal C and the North Concourse. “American Airlines built the C Terminal in the late 1980s as a hub,” Hamlin explained. “It was not designed for a lot of people. The redesign will encompass a new checkpoint, ticket area, baggage

16 Morrisville Chamber of Commerce

claim area, and new restaurants and shops.

It will accommodate local travelers and provide flexibility for future growth and expansion. When complete, it will triple the size of the current space.”

Hamlin said the major architectural elements of the building will combine wood, glass and steel to reflect the region’s history of craftsmanship and high-tech influences. The North Concourse will be completed in the summer of 2008, and the entire project is scheduled for completion in 2010.

In recent years, RDU has worked to provide travelers with plenty of options.

The new General Aviation area was completed in 2004 and features the 22,000square-foot General Aviation Terminal.

Since breaking ground in 1997 as a threephase project, the complex now boasts 30 acres of aircraft parking space, new corporate hangars and the contemporary-styled General Aviation Terminal.

The General Aviation Terminal is open to the public and features a balcony where aviation enthusiasts can watch the planes come and go. “It is a popular destination,” Hamlin said. “People often go there to picnic and bring their children in to watch planes take off and land.”

The airport currently offers nonstop flights to 38 destinations, including Chicago and New York. The airport’s newest nonstop destination is Denver, for which service was added in April 2007.

Nine major airlines and 16 regional airlines operate out of RDU, providing nonstop and connecting service. Jet Blue is the newest addition to the menu of options, as it began providing nonstop service to Boston and New York’s JFK last July.

RDU leadership is also extremely proud of the USO Center, located on the second floor of Terminal A. “We have many military who fly in and out of RDU every week,” Hamlin said. “As there is no military base here in the Triangle area, the USO has provided the Center as a place for military service men and women and their families to rest while waiting for their flights. It is staffed by 100 USO volunteers and offers televisions, comfortable chairs, a changing area, a kitchen and food.”

All of the 9 million-plus passengers who travel through Raleigh-Durham International Airport each year are expected to experience and benefit from the series of changes under way.

Getting Around Train Service

Airport Information Raleigh-Durham International Airport 919-840-2123 (general information) 919-840-2140 (parking information) www.rdu.com

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is located adjacent to the Town of Morrisville. More than 9 million passengers passed through RDU in 2005. The airport is home to nine major airlines and 16 regional airlines, with non-stop flights to 37 destinations. The airport sees 450 arrivals and departures each day. Detailed flight information is available online.

Amtrak 800-872-7245 www.amtrak.com

Amtrak offers a full schedule from its Raleigh Station. Business travelers in the Triangle area can take advantage of the Carolinian, a daily train that runs between Raleigh and Charlotte and continues on to Richmond; Washington, D.C.; Baltimore; Philadelphia; and New York City. The Piedmont daily train also makes a number of stops between Raleigh and Charlotte. A detailed schedule and route planner are available online.

Ground Transportation Triangle Transit Authority

Transportation and Rural ACcesS (TRACS)

919-549-9999 www.ridetta.org

919-212-7911 www.ci.morrisville.nc.us/citizen/tracs.asp

The Triangle Transit Authority (TTA) provides daily service to individuals in Apex, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Garner, Hillsborough, Raleigh, the Research Triangle Park (RTP) and Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). Daily and monthly passes are available for a variety of routes within the RTP. The TTA airport shuttle service connects all TTA regional bus routes with RDU. A detailed schedule and route planner are available online.

The TRACS program provides transportation to the residents of Morrisville.

Service is shared and demand-responsive and is provided on a first-come, firstserved basis. In-Zone trips have priority, but no preference is given to trip style or destination. Reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance, or by repeat standing order, but at a minimum of 24 hours in advance.

Major Highways Serving Morrisville I-40: NC 54: NC 55: I-540:

Adjacent to town limits.

Within town limits.

One mile of town limits.

A completed portion runs through Morrisville; other sections will be under construction through 2010.

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www.morrisvillenc.com 17

Guide to Neighborhoods No. ..............Name of Development .............................................Dwelling 1 .................Preston Grande..................................................... Single Family 2 .................Hamptons at Preston ............................................ Single Family 3 .................Summit Westwood ................................................... Apartments 4 .................Crosstimbers ........................................................... Apartments 5 .................Legends at Preston .................................................. Apartments 6 .................Oaks at Weston ....................................................... Apartments 7 .................Weston Estates ..................................................... Single Family 8 .................Bexley at Preston ..................................................... Apartments 9 .................Preston Golf Course ............................................................ Golf 10 ...............Preston Creekside....................................................Townhomes 11 ...............Petra on the Greens .................................................Townhomes 12 ...............Huntington Park .......................................................Townhomes 13 ...............Fairwoods ............................................................ Single Family 14 ...............Kelton Square ...............................................CondosTownhomes 15 ...............Kelton Square II ............................................ Condo/Townhomes 16 ...............Park Grove at Huntington ...................................... Single Family 17 ...............Huntington Woods................................................. Single Family 18 ...............Preston Meadlows ................................................ Single Family 19 ...............Morrisville Elementary School .......................................... School 20 ...............Crabtree Crossing Estates ..................................... Single Family 21 ...............Ridgemont ............................................................ Single Family 22 ...............The Groves ..............................................................Townhomes 23 ...............Carpenter Park Condominiums ....................................... Condos 24 ...............Carpenter Park ..................................................... Single Family 25 ...............Downing Glen ....................................................... Single Family 26 ...............Bexley Park ............................................................. Apartments 27 ...............Archstone at Preston ............................................... Apartments 28 ...............Crabtree Crossing .................................................... Apartments 29 ...............Waterford Place ....................................................... Apartments 30 ...............Morrisville Community Park ................................................ Park 31 ...............Treybrooke .............................................................. Apartments 32 ...............Cedar Fork Elementary .................................................... School 32 ...............Sterling Montessori School .............................................. School 33 ...............Town Hall Commons ...........................Single Family/Townhomes 34 ...............Breckinridge .......................................Single Family/Townhomes 35 ...............Preston Grande Villas ...............................................Townhomes 36 ...............Hatcher Grove Baptist Church..........................................Church 37 ...............Preston Tennis Courts ......................................................Tennis 38 ...............Savannah Subdivision ........................................... Single Family 39 ...............Exford Subdivision................................................. Single Family 40 ...............Hamlet in the Park ...................................................Townhomes 41 ...............Kitts Creek ........................................................... Single Family 42 ...............Providence Place ................................Single Family/Townhomes 43 ...............Carpenter Village .................................................. Single Family 44 ...............Carrington Park Apartments ..................................... Apartments 45 ...............Shiloh Grove ............................................................Townhomes 46 ...............McCrimmon at the Park ...........................................Townhomes 47 ...............Chessington ......................................................... Single Family 48 ...............First Baptist Church ........................................................Church 49 ...............Church Street Townes ..............................................Townhomes 50 ...............Shiloh Baptist Church......................................................Church 51 ...............Cotten Place .......................................Single Family/Townhomes www.morrisvillenc.com 19

Get Connected:

Names & Numbers to Know Morrisville Town Hall

100 Town Hall Drive Morrisville, NC 27560 Main Number 919-463-6200 Town Manager 919-463-6150 Finance Department 919-463-6171 Inspections Department 919-463-6187 Planning Department 919-463-6194 Public Information Center 919-463-6200 Solid Waste Line 919-463-7120 Street Maintenance 919-463-7070 Utilities (Town of Cary) 919-469-4050 www.ci.morrisville.nc.us

Morrisville Police Department 240 Town Hall Drive Morrisville, NC 27560 Front desk (all general inquiries) Non-emergency Crime Stoppers Fax

919-463-1600 919-829-1911 919-463-1577 919-380-6717

Morrisville Fire Department Fire Station #1 100 Morrisville Carpenter Road Morrisville, NC 27560 919-463-6120 Fire Station #2 10632 Chapel Hill Road Morrisville, NC 27560 919-463-6140

Morrisville Chamber of Commerce 260 Town Hall Drive, Suite A Morrisville, NC 27560 919-463-7150 919-380-9021 fax chamber@morrisvillenc.com www.morrisvillenc.com

20 Morrisville Chamber of Commerce

Fire Station #3 6804 Carpenter Fire Station Road Morrisville, NC 27560 919-463-8555

Morrisville Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Administrative Staff 260 Town Hall Drive, Suite B Morrisville, NC 27560 919-463-7110 Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center 1301 Morrisville Parkway Morrisville, NC 27560 919-463-6900 Cedar Fork Community Center 1050 B Town Hall Drive Morrisville, NC 27560 919-463-7100

Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau One Bank of America Plaza 421 Fayetteville Street P.O. Box 1879 Raleigh, NC 27602 919-834-5900 • 800-849-8499 www.visitraleigh.com

Wake County Economic Development 800 S. Salisbury Street P.O. Box 2978 Raleigh, NC 27602 919-664-7042 www.raleigh-wake.org

Wake County Public Schools 3600 Wake Forest Road P.O. Box 28041 Raleigh, NC 27611 919-850-1600 www.wcpss.net

United States Postal Service 10520 Chapel Hill Road Morrisville, NC 27560 919-319-6928 www.usps.com

Utilities Telephone BellSouth 888-757-6500 (sales, billing and customer service) www.bellsouth.com

Water and Sewer Town of Cary Public Works Department 919-469-4050 (starting and stopping service; billing) 919-469-4090 (to report water and sewer emergencies) 919-469-4012 (after hours, holidays and weekends) Waste Services Public Works Department 919-463-7120 (trash and recycling) www.ci.morrisville.nc.us/pw/solidwaste.asp

Electricity Progress Energy 919-508-5400 800-452-2777 www.progress-energy.com

Waste Industries (Contracted by Town) 919-596-1363

Newspapers

Electricity and Natural Gas Duke Energy 800-777-9898 www.duke-energy.com Cable Television Time Warner Cable 919-595-4892 866-4TWCNOW www.timewarnercable.com/NC/ Natural Gas PSNC Energy 877-776-2429 www.psncenergy.com

The News & Observer (daily) 215 South McDowell Street P.O. Box 191 Raleigh, NC 27602 919-829-4500 www.newsobserver.com Cary News (weekly) 212 East Chatham Street Cary, NC 27511 919-460-2600 www.carynews.com The Herald Sun (daily) 2828 Pickett Road Durham, NC 27705 919-419-6500 www.heraldsun.com

Morrisville Commissioners/Mayor Mayor Jan Faulkner Term Serving: Dec. 2005–09 919-481-0122 jfaulkner@ci.morrisville.nc.us

Commissioner District 1 Linda Lyons Term Serving: Dec. 2003–07 919-469-1992 lalyons@ci.morrisville.nc.us

Commissioner District 4 Mike Snyder Term Serving: Dec. 2005–09 919-447-0456 msnyder@ci.morrisville.nc.us

Mayor Pro-Tem (At Large) Pete Martin Term Serving: Dec. 2003–07 919-462-8182 pmartin@ci.morrisville.nc.us

Commissioner District 2 Hill Carrow Term Serving: Dec. 2006–07 919-677-0081 hcarrow@ci.morrisville.nc.us

Commissioner At Large Tom Murry Term Serving: Dec. 2005–09 919-468-1213 tmurry@ci.morrisville.nc.us

Commissioner District 3 Liz Johnson Term Serving: Dec. 2003–07 919-462-8859 ljohnson@ci.morrisville.nc.us www.morrisvillenc.com 21

Heart of the Triangle Offers Opportunity for

Expansion & Development

P

A state-of-the-art library opened its doors in neighboring Cary in 2006.

Key elements of the town center plan include: • Protecting the historic structures around Church Street.

• Creating a community gathering place lined with small businesses and anchored by a civic/cultural facility.

• Establishing a Civil War park and a rural heritage park.

• Linking the parks and other destinations with a network of sidewalks and greenways.

• Investing in a variety of transportation improvements.

Morrisville Market under construction.

22 Morrisville Chamber of Commerce

lanning Director Ben Hitchings calls Morrisville a “small town in the heart of the Triangle.” In an effort to preserve the community’s heritage while still accommodating its rapid growth, the Morrisville Planning Commission has developed plans to create a downtown area at Morrisville’s historic crossroads, around the intersection of Morrisville-Carpenter Road and NC 54.

“The plan was developed with extensive public input and the help of a team of design professionals,” Hitchings said. “The resulting physical design reflects the needs and desires of the public, as well as a variety of design considerations, including physical features such as the railroad line.”

“This plan will leverage the elements of Morrisville’s historic crossroads village to create a distinctive and inviting center of community,” Hitchings explained. “By working together to implement this plan, the Morrisville community has a rare opportunity to enhance its smalltown character and create a dynamic focal point for current and future generations of residents.”

Terry Poythress of Poythress Commercial Construction said his company is developing a townhouse community called Church Street Townes, the first of its kind to be approved for the future downtown.

The development will be conveniently located near the RTP and within walking distance of the area parks planned for downtown.

“These town homes will give owners the opportunity to work where they live,” Poythress said. “It will be a great custom-built project with a lot of quality. The E Street side of the project will have a real downtown urban look, with the front doors facing the main road and overlooking the downtown district. The Main Street units will have garages in the back, facing the road serving the interior of the project.”

Hitchings said significant development is also under way at the intersection of Morrisville-Carpenter Road and Davis Drive. In the northeast quadrant of Grace Park, outparcels include Pristine Auto Spa, Dairy Queen, Starbucks and Quizno’s. In addition, the southeast

quadrant features Morrisville Market, which houses AutoZone, Smithfield Chicken & BBQ, Dunkin’ Donuts, Ace Hardware and a number of other restaurants and businesses. CVS/pharmacy is located in the southwest quadrant, and Bethany Village has been approved in the northwest quadrant.

Prateek Chandak, owner of the Morrisville Outlet Mall on Airport Boulevard, says his company is in the midst of planning a redevelopment of the outlet area. “We are thinking more mainstream and modern, adding a mixed-use environment to the area,” Chandak said. “Our plan calls for us to develop a full-service hotel and conference space; the structure of the outlet will go through renovations as well. We hope to

In other regional developments, neighboring Cary is now home to a brand-new, state-of-the-art library. The West Regional Branch of the Wake County Public Library, the second-largest branch library in the system, opened its doors in September 2006.

According to Terri Luke, regional library supervisor for the West Regional Branch, the new 30,000-square-foot library is home to approximately 175,000 volumes and 58 public computers with Internet access. In addition, many online databases can be accessed around the clock from home by anyone with a library card. This is the first library branch to be funded through the $35 million bond project passed in 2003 by the citizens of Wake County in support of the expansion of library services in the

“The Morrisville community has a rare opportunity to enhance its smalltown character and create a dynamic focal point for current and future generations of residents.” increase the tenant base and bring in more national companies.”

Built in 1991, the Morrisville Outlet Mall is home to nearly 30 stores and eateries, including Bass Shoes, IZOD, Samsonite and Off Saks 5th Avenue.

Chandak’s company purchased the mall in 2006. “We plan to complete a whole plan that will revitalize the area,” he said.

“We have an excellent location for a mixed plan that will benefit the community of Morrisville.”

community. The library is located at 4000 Louis Stephens Drive in Cary.

“A variety of programming is available,” Luke said. “We offer story times for children throughout the week, including ‘Pajama Time’ on Thursday nights. We also bring in nationally known authors to speak at the library, and we feature book clubs for adults. We are also home to the Teen Central area for young adults, and we are the first library in the county to have a young adult librarian.” Luke says the

Major Employers Company

Morrisville-Based Employees (Approx.)

Lenovo Group PPD Development Time Warner Cable Tekelec Diosynth RTP, Inc. R.H. Donnelley CardinalHealth Ceridian Corporation ZC Sterling Insurance Agency, Inc. URS Corporation – North Carolina BE&K Engineering Town of Morrisville Salix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ADT Security Services

1,600 900+ 875 700 450 300 270 255 215 200 175 135 110 105

Updated per individual company reports, February 2007 library has a unique, user-friendly design that caters to adults, teens and children.

Also unique to West Regional is that it received funding from Cary Visual Art to have an international artist work in the library to design a piece of original artwork. Luke added, “This experience is just the opportunity of a lifetime for me. It is a dream to be involved in designing and building the library. We are so fortunate to be in a community where people love books and libraries.”

www.morrisvillenc.com 23

Triangle Shopping

A Day on the Town:

MORRISVILLE Morrisville Outlet Mall 1001 Airport Boulevard Morrisville, NC 27560

919-380-9459

CARY Cary Towne Center 1105 Walnut Street Cary, NC 27511 919-460-1052 www.shopcarytownecentermall.com Crossroads Plaza 213 Crossroads Boulevard Cary, NC 27528 919-233-8087 www.shopcrossroadsplaza.com

RALEIGH Brier Creek Commons Highway 70 and Brier Creek Parkway Raleigh, NC www.shopbriercreekcommons.com Cameron Village 1900 Cameron Street Raleigh, NC 27605 919-821-1350 www.shopsofcameronvillage.com Crabtree Valley Mall 4325 Glenwood Avenue Raleigh, NC 27612 919-787-8993 www.crabtree-valley-mall.com North Hills/The Lassiter I-440 and Six Forks Road Raleigh, NC 27619 919-881-1146 www.northhillsraleigh.com

Regional Shopping & Dining Around Town Dining Babymoon Café

100 Jerusalem Drive, Suite 106, Morrisville 919-465-9006 www.babymooncafe.com

Bear Rock Café

9575 Chapel Hill Road, Morrisville 919-462-1687 www.bearrockcafe.com

Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano

Domino’s Pizza

9825 Chapel Hill Road, Morrisville 919-319-7000 www.dominos.com

Georgina’s Pizzeria

HoneyBaked Ham Company

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 955 Airport Boulevard, Morrisville 919-463-9222 www.crackerbarrel.com

423 Crossroads Boulevard, Cary 919-854-1222 www.honeybaked.com

Hooters of RDU Airport

Dakota Grill

9549 Chapel Hill Road, Morrisville 919-463-9526

Daniel’s Pizza Pasta Café

1001 Claren Circle, Morrisville 919-469-2900 www.hooters.com

Jersey Mike’s Subs

962-D Airport Boulevard, Morrisville 919-319-0039 www.jerseymikes.com

1430 Highway 55, Apex 919-303-1006 www.danielson55.net

Triangle Town Center 5959 Triangle Town Boulevard Raleigh, NC 27616 919-792-2020 www.triangletowncenter.com

DURHAM Brightleaf Square 905 West Main Street Durham, NC 27701 919-682-9229 www.historicbrightleaf.com The Streets at Southpoint 6910 Fayetteville Road Durham, NC 27713 919-572-8808 www.streetsatsouthpoint.com ed walks and

ed by its tree-lin

24 Morrisville Chamber of Commerce

9561 Chapel Hill Road, Morrisville 919-468-3995

3536 Davis Drive, Morrisville 919-388-3820

1060 Darrington Drive, Cary 919-468-7229 www.biaggis.com

ge is defin Cameron Villa . colorful awnings

Danny’s Bar-B-Que

Brightleaf Square houses some of the region’s most acclaimed restaurants and retailers and has been at the forefront of a revitalized Downtown Durham.

Lina’s Café & Catering

Roly Poly

Lubrano’s Italian Restaurant

Rub’s Smokehouse

5400 S. Miami Boulevard, Durham 919-991-1403 www.linascafeandcatering.com 101 Keybridge Drive, Suite 500, Morrisville 919-678-9030

Neomonde Bakery & Deli

10235 Chapel Hill Road, Morrisville 919-469-8009 www.neomonde.com

Oh’ Mulligans Pub/Grill Restaurant 108 Jerusalem Drive, Morrisville 919-465-1900 www.ohmulligans.com

The Picnic Basket

5410 Highway 55, Suite AJ, Durham 919-572-9908 www.thepicnicbasket.net

Quizno’s

3608 Davis Drive, Morrisville 919-380-9999 www.quiznos.com

4224 Cary Parkway, Cary 919-462-8200 www.rolypoly.com 10800 Chapel Hill Road, Morrisville 919-468-0464 www.rubssmokehouse.com

Saffron Restaurant & Lounge 4121 Davis Drive, Morrisville 919-469-5774 www.saffronnc.com

Subway

4137 Davis Drive, Morrisville 919-481-9515 www.subway.com

Texas Steakhouse

948 Airport Boulevard, Morrisville 919-468-7194 www.texassteakhouse.com

Village Deli

909 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville 919-462-6191 www.villagedeli.net

www.morrisvillenc.com 25

SPOTLIGHT:

Rub’s Smokehouse Offers Casual Attitude, Friendly Service &

UNIQUE BBQ

K

im Lee had no intention of opening a restaurant. But over the years he had done many BBQ events for friends and family, and when he took early retirement, some of them talked him into opening a small BBQ place of his own. As a result, Rub’s Smokehouse was born in June 2005.

“My initial intent was to find a location that had an inspected kitchen that I could cater out of,” Lee said. “Once I found our current location, we decided to open the doors to see if we could generate interest in the catering. The rest is history.”

Mr. Lee is, simply put, a character.

When asked if he would be willing to be the subject of this feature, he cautioned that his story might cause subscriptions to drastically decline and his federal witness protection program to disintegrate. Though he jokes that his job would be perfect if not for the employees and customers, it is clear that he loves his restaurant and strives to provide his patrons with the utmost experience. He can often be found making his way around the tables, ensuring that everything is OK with all of his customers.

“I want to believe that Rub’s has an attitude, not an atmosphere,” Lee explained.

“I have spent a lot of effort on creating the 26 Morrisville Chamber of Commerce

“We treat every customer as the most important person in the restaurant, because they are.”

attitude. It’s a BBQ joint, for goodness’ sakes. I want customers to feel like they were eating at my house and not another chain restaurant. All of the people involved with Rub’s put customer satisfaction above all else. The only thing we are serious about is our BBQ and our customers’ pleasure.”

Lee is one of the original owners of Rub’s. Located at 10800 Chapel Hill Road (Highway 54) in Morrisville, Rub’s features an indoor restaurant area and an outdoor seating space with picnic tables. In good weather, Lee says most people choose to eat outside. “The Morrisville restaurant is currently our only location,” he explained.

“Although we have expansion plans for early next year, we plan to keep this location as long as Morrisville will have us.”

Having perfected his BBQ skills, recipes and sauces for the past 25 years, Lee’s style of BBQ is unique to the area and different from what you might traditionally find in eastern North Carolina.

“The best description I can give you is a mixture of Midwestern styles — a combination of St. Louis, Memphis and some of my own concoctions,” he explained.

“All of the meats are prepared with a dry rub and slow smoked over hickory and oak woods.”

While the most notable item is likely the homemade BBQ sauce, the side dishes are unique, too, as most are homemade recipes. “The baked beans I developed are a mixture of four different beans, and the potato salad and coleslaw are both made fresh daily,” Lee noted. If you have trouble making a decision, Lee will let you sample anything on the menu.

“Most of our customers work in RTP, and most have highly technical, high-stress jobs,” Lee said. “Our goal is that they can expect a very friendly, casual setting with great food. We treat every customer as the most important person in the restaurant, because they are. We ask that if they are satisfied with our food and service, please tell their friends. If not, please tell us, and we will do everything in our power to ensure they are satisfied before they leave.”

Rub’s Smokehouse is open for lunch Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., and is available for private events after 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Rub’s also offers carryout, catering and delivery.

For more information, call 919-468-0464 or visit www.rubssmokehouse.com.

Seeing the Sights:

Day Trips

W

ith everything the Triangle has to offer, a 20-minute drive, at most, is all that’s required to experience many of the area’s best attributes. Some of the finest museums and shopping venues in the country are located a stone’s throw from Morrisville. Funky art galleries, nationally ranked sports teams and mouth-watering barbeque joints are just a slice of what you’ll find in Wake County. The following list of day-tripping possibilities only scratches the surface. For more ideas, check out www.visitraleigh.com.

Museums

African American Cultural Complex 119 Sunnybrook Road, Raleigh 919-231-0625 • www.aaccmuseum.com The African American Cultural Complex has a mission to “make people aware of contributions by African Americans to North Carolina and America through structured educational programs.” There’s a unique collection of artifacts, documents and displays.

The Exploris Museum invites its patrons to become world travelers, exploring the art and culture of countries around the world.

Exploris Museum/IMAX® Theatre 201 E. Hargett Street, Raleigh 919-834-4040 • www.exploris.org At the Exploris interactive museum of the world, families can explore the global neighborhood. The core exhibits in the 74,000-square-foot museum demonstrate the connections between the people of the world. The only 3D IMAX theatre in North Carolina, the Exploris IMAX® boasts a five-story screen and 44 speakers of surround sound.

www.morrisvillenc.com 27

UNIQUE VENUES

Chatham Hill Winery 3500 Gateway Centre Boulevard, Morrisville 919-380-7135 • www.chathamhillwine.com Established in 1999 as the first winery in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area, Chatham Hill offers nine varieties under its label and uses only North Carolina vinifera grapes. The winery offers daily tastings and tours.

City Market 303 Blake Street, Raleigh 919-821-1350 • www.citymarketraleigh.com This unique, cobblestoned corner of downtown Raleigh is chock-full of bars, restaurants, shops and galleries.

Fairgrounds Marketplace North Carolina State Fairgrounds 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh 919-829-3533 The Fairgrounds Marketplace is an upscale flea market, recognized by Country Living magazine as one of the top markets in the Southeast for home decor. The market offers a large selection of antiques, primitives, collectibles, jewelry and crafts.

State Farmers Market 1201 Agriculture Street, Raleigh 919-733-7417 The State Farmers Market in Raleigh sells more than 300 different items and offers produce for both wholesale buyers and individual consumers. More than 35,000 spaces are rented for the sale of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, Christmas trees, and crafts.

28 Morrisville Chamber of Commerce

North Carolina Museum of Art 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh 919-839-6262 • www.ncartmuseum.org

North Carolina Railroad Museum 5121 Daisey Street, New Hill 919-362-5416 • www.nhvry.org At the North Carolina Railroad Museum, visitors can view a self-guided collection of train equipment, including a Vulcan Tank Steam Locomotive that volunteers have been restoring since it was acquired in 1999. The New Hope Valley Railway at the North Carolina Railroad Museum offers one-hour train ride days in season from May to December.

Visitors can explore 5,000 years of artistic heritage — from ancient Egypt to the present — at the North Carolina Museum of Art. The museum includes internationally renowned Baroque and Renaissance holdings as well as collections of American, African, Oceanic, New World, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, 20thcentury and Jewish ceremonial art.

Raleigh City Museum 220 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh 919-832-3775 • www.raleighcitymuseum.org Housed in the historic Briggs Building, the Raleigh City Museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving and interpreting the history of North Carolina’s capital city.

North Carolina Museum of History 5 E. Edenton Street, Raleigh 919-807-7900 • www.ncmuseumofhistory.org The North Carolina Museum of History, founded in 1902, provides an exciting place to explore North Carolina history.

The museum is also home to the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, which features audio, video and interactive biographies, along with unique sports artifacts.

Alltel Pavilion at Walnut Creek 3801 Rock Quarry Road, Raleigh 919-831-6400 • www.alltelpavilion.com Alltel has a state-of-the-art bandshell and a CD-quality sound and video system and can seat 20,000 in both lawn and seated areas. Bring a blanket to sit on in the grass, or you can rent a chair for a nominal fee. Most major touring acts that come through the Southeast stop by for a gig. The programmers also schedule festivals that feature lesser-known artists on an all-day bill.

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 11 W. Jones Street, Raleigh 919-733-7450 • www.naturalsciences.org

Through four floors of exhibits, the Southeast’s largest natural history museum offers exciting displays, such as Willo, the world’s only dinosaur with a fossilized heart. Patrons can also view an Acrocanthosaurus skeleton and a recreation of five North Carolina habitats, complete with live animals and a 20-foot waterfall.

Performing Arts and Entertainment

Koka Booth Amphitheatre 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary 919-462-2052 • www.boothamphitheatre.com

Booth Amphitheatre is located among 14 acres of stately hardwoods and pines and beautifully situated next to Symphony Lake. With the capacity for 7,000 people, the amphitheatre can offer patrons a seat on the spacious lawn or on the specially designed crescent deck. The amphitheatre’s performance season runs April

through October and features an eclectic mix of entertainers, including live music concerts and festivals, the North Carolina Symphony Summerfest Series, and Movies

by Moonlight movie nights.

Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts 500 Fayetteville Street Mall, Raleigh 919-831-6060 • www.progressenergycenter.org

The Progress Energy Center is “the Triangle’s leading multi-venue entertainment complex.” The Progress Energy Center hosts a number of renowned performance groups, including Broadway Series South, Carolina Ballet, North Carolina Symphony, North Carolina Theatre, Raleigh Little Theatre, Raleigh Theatre in the Park, and PineCone, the Piedmont Council of Traditional Music.

RBC Center 1400 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh 919-861-2300 • www.rbccenter.com

The RBC Center is “the premier source of entertainment in the Southeast.” The Center is home to the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes and North Carolina State University’s men’s basketball team.

www.morrisvillenc.com 29

SPOTLIGHT:

Local Poet Highlights Social Issues in Her Work

D

r. Sudha Om Dhingra speaks in a quiet voice that has a wonderful musical lilt, suitable for this gentle poet.

Dhingra was raised in Jalandhar, Punjab, India, and wrote her first poem at age 12. “All my poems are written in Hindi language,” she said. “I translate my poems in English when I’m reciting my poems in a mixed gathering where everyone doesn’t understand Hindi language.”

Dhingra estimates that she has written more than 500 poems and short stories, many of which have been published in various books, magazines and newspapers. Several of her own books have been published in India.

“I get my inspiration from nature and social challenges people face in their daily lives,” Dhingra explained. “When I meet someone and they share their life experiences with me, I get material for my poems and stories. I mostly write about women’s issues, nature and political satire.”

Most of Dhingra’s poetry is composed at her home in Morrisville. “I have a library in my home where I read and collect my thoughts before writing.”

Dhingra has lived in the United States for 23 years and in North Carolina for the past 15. “We moved to Morrisville because it is a growing town located at the heart of the Research Triangle Park,” she explained. “Our place of worship, the Hindu Bhavan, is also located in Morrisville on Aviation Parkway. The close proximity to the airport was a great advantage, because my husband and I travel frequently.”

30 Morrisville Chamber of Commerce

“People with different cultural backgrounds make Morrisville a fun and exciting place. It has as rich a diversity as New York.”

Dhingra describes Morrisville as a growing and vibrant community. “The town of Morrisville organizes many fun family activities throughout the year,” she said. “The subdivision we live in has a very active Home Owners Association, and the diversity of the neighborhood is amazing. Morrisville is a business town, and people with different cultural backgrounds make it a fun and exciting place. It has as rich a diversity as you find in New York!”

Dhingra is founder and president of Vibhom Enterprises LLC, a company dedicated to promoting and advancing Indian languages, art, literature and culture. She is the past national secretary of the International Hindi Association and the past president of Hindi Vikas Mandal, a Research Triangle Park-based organization that promotes Hindi language.

In 2005, Dhingra was named Distinguished Hindi Poet of the Year by the Heritage Society at its annual festival. She was also honored by the Indian ambassador to the United States for her service to Hindi language and the Indian community.

A selection of Dhingra’s poetry can be viewed online at www. vibhom.com.

PARK FACILITIES Morrisville Department of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Like many towns with a population base comprised largely of families and young professionals, Morrisville is committed to providing its citizens and daytime workforce with plenty of recreational outlets.

The Department of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources offers a number of recreational, athletic and special event opportunities for approximately 7,000 people each year.

“By making many recreation opportunities available to its citizens, the Morrisville Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department increases the probability of participation, thereby enhancing the improvement of the community’s wellness,” said Tony Chiotakis, senior director of community services.

Below is a listing of various facilities worth checking out. For more information, call 919-463-7110 or visit www.ci.morrisville.nc.us/parks/home.asp.

Morrisville Aquatic and Fitness Center

1301 Morrisville Parkway 919-463-6900 • 25-yard swimming pool and wading pool in air-supported dome for yearround swimming.

• Public and private swim lessons for all levels year-round.

• Lighted tennis, volleyball, basketball and racquetball courts.

• Aerobics studio, free weights, universal machines, cardio equipment.

• Sauna and whirlpool.

• Gymnastics, karate, body conditioning, aerobics, spin cycle and workout classes.

• Racquetball and tennis clinics.

Cedar Fork Community Center 1050 B Town Hall Drive 919-463-7100 • Summer day camps for children and Friday Fun Nights.

• Art classes, line dancing, scrapbooking and English as a Second Language classes for adults.

• Senior Fridays, special trips and events for seniors.

Morrisville Community Park 1520 Morrisville Parkway • State-of-the-art playground.

• Baseball and soccer fields.

• Hatcher Creek Greenway.

Ruritan Park 100 Morrisville Carpenter Road • Sand volleyball courts.

• Gazebo shelter.

Lake Crabtree County Park 1400 Aviation Parkway 919-460-3390 www.wakegov.com/locations/ lakecrabtree.htm Located on a 215-acre site adjacent to the lake, some of the park’s main attractions include fishing, boating, hiking, picnicking, mountain biking and nature study.

www.morrisvillenc.com

31

Index of Advertisers Advertiser .................................................Page Number

Advertiser .................................................Page Number

The Arboretum at Weston / Preston Development Company / Richards Commercial Properties .......................................... 19

Lenovo.... .................................................................................. 13

BE&K...... .................................................................................. 17

Morrisville Square .................................................................. 21

Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano ................................................. 5, 25 Capitol Coffee Systems ........................................................... 29 Cary Family YMCA / Kraft Family YMCA ................................ 17 Centurion Construction Company, Inc. .................................... 15

Meineke Car Care Center .......................................................... 5 Nationwide – John Abram Agency ......................................... 21 North Carolina Wesleyan College Triangle Campus ............... 11 The Orchid Trail ........................................................................ 25

Crescent State Bank ................................................................ 23

Park West Village / Casto Lifestyle Properties / 1st Carolina Properties ..............................Outside Back Cover

Days Inn. .................................................................................. 16

Perago Learning ........................................................... 11, 13, 16

Embassy Suites Hotel .............................................................. 29

Poythress Homes ..................................................................... 13

ETd......... .................................................................................. 25

R.H. Donnelley ......................................................................... 32

Fast Lube Plus .......................................................................... 16

Signs Now ................................................................................ 32

First Citizens Bank.................................................................... 21

SpringHill Suites Raleigh-Durham Airport .....Inside Front Cover

Georgina's Pizzeria ................................................................... 25

Sunstates Security ................................................................... 15

Grace Park .................................................................................. 1

Telit Wireless Solutions........................................................... 27

Gurkin Construction Group......................................................... 3

Terraces at Brier Creek ............................................................ 17

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites/RTP, Hampton Inn/RDU, Staybridge Suites/RDU, Holiday Inn/RDU, Holiday Inn Express//RDU ......................... 7

Town Hall Commons ................................................................ 23

Jani-King .................................................................................. 29 Jersey Mike's Subs.................................................................... 3 L & D Self-Storage ................................................................... 27

32 Morrisville Chamber of Commerce

Triangle Car Wash ................................................................... 17 Withers & Ravenel................................................................... 32 Wolfpacking Industries, Inc. .................................................... 27 xpedx..... ................................................................................... 11

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