Family picks

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Family Picks

John Vettel can prove there can be a pretty good life after a layoff.

In 2002, Vettel was laid off from his job at GlaxoSmithKline. So he took his hobby playing guitar and making music full-time.

He started teaching music at several local preschools. And he added gigs performing for kids and families to his performance schedule, something he started doing in the mid-1990s.

Comedy troupe supports YMCA

Zach Ward of DSI Comedy Theater in Carrboro has partnered with the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA to help needy children and their families.

Ward, who owns and operates the DSI Comedy Theater, is donating $2 from every ticket sold for his troupe's 7:30 p.m. performances during April to the YMCA's Strong Kids Campaign.

Tickets can be bought at www.dsicomedytheater.com.

Town happy to get theater

At last, Johnston County has its own multiplex.

The opening of a 10-screen movie theater might not elicit an outpouring of emotion in Raleigh. But a ribbon-cutting at the new Smithfield Cinemas on Friday not only drew the usual Chamber of Commerce officials, but also county commissioners, the clerk of court, the register of deeds, the head of the local Salvation Army and even a representative from U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole's office.

" 'Bout time,' " said 18-year-old Matthew Gore, jotting down show times. "Up until now, we've only been able to go to Garner."

Varsity returns with style

The lights of Franklin Street are a little brighter this week now that the historic Varsity Theatre marquee is lit up once again.

Reopening today under new ownership, the Varsity has undergone extensive renovations on the inside - and a little on the outside, too. Passers-by can get a sneak peek just by looking at the revamped box office window. A new paint job and a trio of mini movie posters hint at the changes within.

New owners Paul and Susan Shareshian have transformed the historic theater space in just three short weeks since signing the lease at the beginning of November. If the old Varsity had a certain run-down charm, the new Varsity is all about classic cinema stylings and old-fashioned elegance.

Oprah's seeds bear fruit of kindness

Oprah Winfrey gave at least four Triangle women a challenge: $1,000, a loaned video camera and a week to be kind to a stranger.

Saturday, Melodie Richardson and Barbara Turrentine-Bowe spent most of their Oprah money on residents of McDougald Terrace, a Durham public housing complex. While friends served up fried fish, grilled chicken and ribs, the cousins unboxed gently used coats and passed out children's books. Kids ran to greet a firetruck that the women invited to join the community event.

Resident Alicia Guzman, snuggling her infant daughter closer to her chest, eyed the food and the neighborhood children playing on a nearby swing set.