This year’s DirtyDozen nominations were impressive.  There were nearly 150 organizations, businesses, and groups recognized.  A special thanks to those of you (and there were many) who sent a personal note about why you were nominating  them. 

A common theme in those notes was “community.”  As you can see from this year’s DirtyDozen and all of the nominees, they foster our community through their contributions to Durham. 

We are lucky to have them in our lives and in our city.

My thanks to everyone on this page and to all of you who took time to join me in celebrating this year’s DirtyDozen.

The Carolina is not only a Durham landmark, it is the home of the Full Frame, Gay & Lesbian, Retrofantasma, and Nevermore film festivals, as well as our downtown independent movie theater and venue for artists of all kinds.  (And they have great snacks & drinks.)

The nostalgia inspired by their marquee is carried through their kind & helpful staff and the historic decor they have worked so hard to preserve.  Going to the Carolina is an experience in itself, something that is impossible to get from a chain theater.

There were a large number of people who expressed how much they love going to Durham Bulls games with their families, as they have for decades.  Perhaps it’s that long history, but I also think that this organization goes above and beyond in incorporating itself into events in Durham, especially through their Wool-E-Bull mascot.  Whether it’s the Bull Moon Bike Ride, Marry Durham, or a grand opening...you’re likely to see a Durham Bulls presence.  That speaks to the role baseball has played in fostering a sense of community in America, and we have arguably the best example here in Durham.

In China, 2011 was the year of the Rabbit.  In Durham, it was the year of the Food Truck. 

At the heart of this trend in Durham is the democratization of the restaurant industry, where culinary talent, hard work, and some favorable food regulations enable a local food revolution.  Some food trucks that received especially large numbers were Monuts, Kokyu, Will & Pop’s, Triangle Raw Foodists, and Daisy Cakes...though just about all of them were nominated.

I would also like to take a slight liberty and thank The Cookery, who provided a home base for many of these trucks to operate out of.  An ingenious solution to help foster creativity in Durham’s food scene.

The Schoolhouse of Wonder “has served more than 50,000 Durham kids and families over the last 23 years. It runs field field trips, camps and other programs in a 400+ acre CITY park. And, it's all about the kids and connecting them to local history, culture, and the environment!” 

“They were built on a service model that utilizes and depends on our cities great parks and outdoor areas.  Through their work they promote an awareness and understanding of our parks in a way that no other organization does...by getting entire families into these parks with a goal to inspire lifetime learning by using the parks as their classroom.”

For the second year in a row, Fullsteam led the number of votes.  And it’s not a surprise when you consider the community environment that Sean Wilson and the rest of the Fullsteam crew have established.

It is already a Durham institution, after just 18 months of being open and yet they continue to expand the number of events that they host and are a part of within our city.  It is clear that their vision is beyond being a brewery that produces great beer.  Well done.

The League of Upper Extremity Wrestling Women of Durham is not just about having a fun night out, it’s “a group that has taken an alternative and creative approach to sponsoring small, yet important organizations within Durham.” In 2011 they raised over $16,000 for local non-profits.  And as one voter said, “Who wouldn't want to see Inga Foesmasher go head to head with Senorita Smackman in an arm wrestling competition?”  Truth.

If you want one of the best examples of community in Durham, especially the food loving one, the Durham Farmer’s Market is it.  Farmer’s, craftsmen, food trucks, and musicians all come together each Saturday morning to create a scene that’s hard to miss.  And when you’re there, you realize most of Durham feels the same.

Who doesn’t want to have a relationship with the person who grows your food?  Not me.

The Pinhook is another previous DirtyDozen winner, which speaks to how much they have become a place where all of Durham feels comfortable, and can go to see just about any type of performance imaginable.  Supporting that kind of creativity definitely deserves our thanks, year after year.

The Scrap Exchange’s mission is “to promote creativity, environmental awareness, and community through reuse.”  And they have certainly done that in Durham, as well as setting an international example, something that was recognized in 2011 when they won the “Green Plus North American Sustainable Enterprise Award for Nonprofit of the Year.” 

Simply walking into their new Golden Belt location inspires creativity...you should do it.

In 2011, the North Carolina School of Science & Math set the World Record for donated food within a 24 hour period at a single location, with a total of nearly 560,000 lbs.  That may seem like a lot, but hunger is a serious issue in NC and “for every hour that the Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC is open, they give 20,000 lbs. of food to over 800 agencies throughout their 34 counties.”  That means that 550,000 pounds didn’t even last a week.

Want to help out this year and fight hunger in NC?  Then send them a note, donate, and volunteer.

There are a lot of people who wanted to thank the local-grown gym SyncStudio for fostering community amongst their members, as well as supporting health.  As one voter said, “Going to Sync Studio's "Bike & Beer" Friday classes and community block parties gave me a chance to get to know people in the Durham community and learn more about all Durham has to offer.  I love living in Durham and am so happy for the friends I've met through Sync.”

The Bulltown Strutters are a group of people who love music and performance, and who have graced just about every classic Durham event the past 2 years.  Without them, Marry Durham, Fullsteam’s 1st Birthday, the Triangle Gay Pride Parade, Durham Art Walks, and the Beaver Pageant would all be a bit less creative, energetic, and fun.

What will 2012 hold for the group? 

The full list of nominees: