BCR's Daily Fishwrap Report for May 21, 2009

In today's news:

• China Medical City -- one of the Asian power's major life sciences park -- has signed a $5 million deal with RTP non-profit The Hamner Institutes of Health Sciences to create an international pharmaceutical development institute by which research innovation at the Hamner will transition to China Medical City for further commercial development. The partnership is expected to yield 400 professional/high-tech positions and an equal number of construction jobs here in NC; China's government noted their interest in RTP and surrounding entities like Duke as the human capital headquarters of the state. (H-S)
• Speaking at a Durham event to honor his late mother and the recently-deceased Dr. John Hope Franklin for their work on literacy issues (H-S), native son and film producer Thom Mount expressed his ongoing interest at filming a sequel to Bull Durham. Mount noted he has a script under development by Ron Shelton, and that he's working with MGM on a distribution deal to help make the picture a reality. Mount originally hoped filming could begin this spring; he now hopes to talk casting this fall. (H-S)
• The N&O reports that a Federal magistrate scoffed at former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani's son's attempt to sue Duke University for "break of contract" because they kicked him off the golf team; the opinion issued by Wallace Dixon of NC's Middle District makes repeated references to the movie "Caddyshack" in criticizing the filing. (N&O)
• Durham Tech held its commencement exercises before a crowd of over 2,000 at the DPAC downtown yesterday. (H-S)
• Today marks Day Two of the Herald-Sun's insertion of longtime columnist John McCann into courtroom reporting, complete with the folksy mannerisms McCann has become, er, legendary for. In today's episode, the intrepid scribe focuses on the human side of the voir dire process. Our favorite excerpt:
  
  "Speaking of weapons, those in the courtroom got a chuckle from a lady who informed Dornfried that she's in a sorority and her husband is in a fraternity, so they keep two big paddles within reach, and not just for memorabilia, either. Should the home alarm sound, they will secure those paddles and proceed to bop a burglar, the lady said." (H-S)

And, in something newsworthy to only about two people in the world, I'd be remiss if I didn't thank my lovely wife for having, somehow and someway, managed to find it in her heart to put up with me for a whole ten years' worth of matrimony as of today. It's been a long road from Nashua and we're not looking back. Thanks, love.

Comments

[Bob the Builder]

Happy Aniversary, Kevin! Congrats.

[Tar Heelz]

Happy Anniversary to K & D!! What sort of tin (or aluminum?) goodies will be exchanged?

[Kevin Davis]

Thanks for the kind words, Bob and Tar Heelz. She got her anniversary gift (a new wedding ring set from Hamilton Hill, re-using a diamond that had been in my family since the 1800s) back in the fall. I coulda made out cheaper with tin/aluminum; have to check those gift levels next time. :)

[Jamie Gruener]

My wife and I wed on this day in 2005, so it's special to us, too. Congratulations to you for reaching this milestone and for getting your gift at a local Durham establishment!

(And thanks for the props in your posting about the WHHNA listserv haiku, too.)

[ellen dagenhart]

Happy anniversary to you & Darlene, Kevin. Hope there are many more wonderful "10s" for y'all.