Carolinas News Notes continued from page 5 Reporting, third place, Beth Walton, “Asheville’s Minority Business Program lags;” Religion & Faith Reporting, first place, “There are dark days;” and News Excellence, Thomas Wolfe Award for Outstanding Writing, third place, John Boyle, “An ‘indomitable spirit’ and a Toe that’s now a thumb.” info: avlne.ws/2FrEYES.
South Carolina Oyster roast slated
BOWENS ISLAND, S.C.. — Alliance for Full Acceptance will hold its oyster roast and chili cook-off on March 25, 4 p.m., at Bowens Island, 1870 Bowens Island Rd. Participants can enjoy food, corn hole tournament and live music. Admission is $25/advance online at affa-sc. ejoinme.org/oysterroast and $30/at the door and includes all the oysters one can eat, as well at hot dogs, homemade chili, beer, wine and soft drinks. Chili cook-off entry fee is $25. Entrants are asked to make a pot of chili to share. After tastings, the organization’s board will pick a winner. info: affa-sc.org.
Regional Hotel launches wedding contest
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Kimpton Hotels has launched its “Love Conquers All” wedding
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giveaway contest which provides for one couple in the Carolinas to win an all-expensespaid wedding at Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel in Uptown Charlotte, N.C. Through March 14, couples across the Carolinas are invited to enter via email to loveconquersall@tryonparkhotel.com. LGBTQ couples are encouraged to enter. Couples are asked to submit their personal, heartfelt 500-word essays and supporting 90-second-or-less videos and/or five or fewer photos illustrating how they have conquered a significant challenge together, relying upon each other in the face of adversity. The stories of the three finalists, as selected by a panel of judges, will then be posted on Kimpton Tryon Park’s Facebook Page, where the public will select the grand prize winner by casting votes in a private poll. The winning couple will be announced via social media on April 16. Kimpton will provide a complimentary 100-person wedding. Planned by wedding planner Kristin Taylor Events, the package will include a ceremony, cocktail reception, celebration dinner and reception, professional photography, florals, dance floor, lighting, sound system, custom wedding cake and overnight accommodations for the newlyweds at Kimpton Tryon Park. The first and second runner-up couples will each receive an overnight stay in one of the hotel’s suites and dinner for two at the hotel’s
Angeline’s restaurant. In addition, three participating voters will also be selected at random to win an overnight stay at the hotel. For rules and more information, visit bit. ly/2oSUq5c. info: kimptonhotels.com.
Death certificates reflect change
DURHAM, N.C. — On March 1, the North Carolina Vital Records began requiring funeral directors to file a newly revised death certificate document with designations of “Father/ Parent Name” and “Mother/Parent Name” to accommodate members of the LGBTQ community, the Herald Sun reported. Vital Records is a division of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The document states that if a funeral home does not supply the new documents, recipients should “see a vital records staff member for a copy and order form.” The accommodation was a way to be inclusive of the LGBTQ community. info: bit.ly/2oIrRrR.
Campus Scene UNCW-base podcast launched
WILMINGTON, N.C. — Two University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW) professors have launched a podcast, “Queer Currents,” and will incorporate student con-
tributions as part of the programming, Star News reported. Chadwick Roberts and Katie Peel are using the podcast format to dissect movies, television, literature and culture through a LGBTQ lens. “Queer Currents” was “born out of desire to capture the conversations they were already having about queer media and translate it into an educational experience,” the Star News added. Because the project encompasses student involvement, it was able to obtain grant funding from the university’s ETEAL Experiences program. Faculty-led projects bring applied learning to students with hands-on experience, the Star News shared. The two professors identify as queer and were motivated by a lack of safe space options for the LGBTQ community in the area. Episodes are hosted on Soundcloud and are current, topical and relevant to today’s listeners, covering areas such as gay media, pop culture, drag, transgender experiences and more. At this time, there is no queer studies programs at UNCW and the two professors are using the platform to reach the community and be a basis for other future courses. info: bit.ly/2oPXMpy. queercurrentspod.org. facebook.com/queercurrents. Have news or other information? Send your press releases and updates for inclusion in our News Notes: editor@goqnotes.com.