Water shortage closes office

Durham — The Department of Social Services offices for the Durham’s Alliance for Child Care Access closed at 4 p.m. Monday because of a lack of water service to their building housed at the Jim and Carolyn Hunt Child Care Resource Center at 1201 S. Briggs Avenue.

DACCA planned to reopen today at 7:30 a.m.

Remembering victims

DURHAM — Durham residents will pause Dec. 10 to remember the 71 victims of family and domestic violence who lost their lives in 2009 in North Carolina, including the five who were Durham County residents.

The city’s ninth annual Memorial Tree Lighting Ceremony in remembrance of murdered domestic violence victims will take place in the Council Chambers of City Hall at 101 City Hall Plaza at 5:30 p.m.

The keynote speaker at this year’s event is Vernetta Cockerham, a domestic violence survivor whose daughter was murdered by her estranged husband in November 2002.

Legislative reception

Durham — The Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce will hold the 2009 Legislative Holiday Reception for local, state and federal government elected officials Thursday at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, 3001 Cameron Blvd., from 6 to 8 p.m.

The Legislative Holiday Reception recognizes all elected officials’ dedication and service to our community and thanks them for supporting a positive climate for businesses to grow and prosper. This event also provides an excellent opportunity for chamber members to talk about key issues with the North Carolina General Assembly Durham Delegation and other elected officials.

To register, log on to www.durhamchamber.org. For additional information, call the chamber at 328-8700.

Perdue taps Hall for council

DURHAM — Rep. Larry D. Hall was appointed to the North Carolina State Innovation Council by Gov. Beverly Perdue to help lead the effort to foster strategic investments and policies in the growing knowledge and innovation economy that will enable the state to compete globally in the 21st century.

Hall, who represents Durham, serves as a House Majority Whip and Chairs the Homeland Security and Military and Veterans Affairs Committee that has focused on state efforts to develop defense industry research and manufacturing and is a member of the Science and Technology Committee.

Museum hosts Guard families

DURHAM — The children and spouses of the North Carolina National Guard Special Troops Battalion are ushering in the holiday season at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham on Saturday.

The museum is waving the admission fee and is providing space for the group to host its annual holiday celebration.

Organizers have planned a special program and are hoping to talk via live feed to their loved ones overseas. Families from across North Carolina are coming to Durham to celebrate the occasion.

The units that make up this battalion were deployed this past April and are not due back until next year.

Fox to speak to Sports Club

DURHAM — UNC baseball coach Mike Fox will be the featured speaker Wednesday at the Durham Sports Club.

The cost for nonmembers is $20. The club will meet at noon at Croasdaile Country Club.

For more information on the club, visit www.DurhamSportsClub.com.

— From staff reports