Durham Public Schools Board candidate John Tarantino says he isn't seeking the Durham People's Alliance endorsement in his run against District 1 incumbent Omega Curtis Parker and fellow challenger Donald Hughes.

In a prepared statement Friday, Tarantino said:

"After being contacted by Kate Fellman of the People's Alliance on March 2 with a questionnaire attached, and then a follow-up call today, John Tarantino, candidate for School Board, had a very cordial conversation and indicated he would not be seeking the endorsement of the Alliance in this race. He went on to say that, given the election of the four incumbents in the fall City Council election, he would be stunned to see the Alliance endorse anyone other than the incumbents in this race."

Speaking to Bull's Eye, Tarantino reiterated that his talk with Fellman had "a very cordial tone" and said, "I want people to know I'm not seeking PAC endorsements but votes."

Tarantino ran unsuccessfully last year for the City Council Ward 1 seat won by incumbent Cora Cole-McFadden. Hughes was also a candidate in that election.

Posted by Jim Wise on Monday

PROSPECTIVE SISTERS: Durham could be getting a new sister or two.

Sister Cities of Durham is considering enquiries from Rutba, in western Iraq, and Zhouzhou, in China's Hunan province, about establishing sororal relationships.

"They're both very, very interesting," Dot Borden of the Durham Sister Cities board told the City Council this afternoon. Durham could "get to play an important part of world peace with both of these cities and that's not anything to be not serious about."

Durham currently has four Sister Cities: Durham, England; Toyama, Japan; Kostroma, Russia; and Arusha, Tanzania.

Sister Cities of Durham will make a recommendation to City Manager Tom Bonfield on pursuing the invitations.

Posted by Jim Wise on March 4

DROPOUT DINING: If you feel like eating out on March 23, your appetizers and entrees will help keep students in school.

Communities in Schools of Durham is having its annual "Dine Out For Kids Durham" event. Participating restaurants will donate a portion of their sales that day to CIS. The group provides food for impoverished families and reading programs during the summer, and it runs a non-traditional high school with Durham Public Schools.

"This meal can help make a difference for some of Durham's most vulnerable students," said Bud Reiter, CIS Durham's executive director, in a written statement.

Below are the participating restaurants:

Blu Seafood and Bar - 2002 Hillsborough Road

Blue Corn Café - 716-B Ninth St.

The Broad St. Café - 1116 Broad St.

Carino's Italian - 6709 Fayetteville Rd. and 8101 Brier Creek Pkwy.

Carolina Ale House - 3911 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.

Elmo's Diner- 776 Ninth St.

Mad Hatter's Café & Bakeshop- 1802 W. Main St.

Mez Contemporary Mexican - 5410 Page Road

Mount Fuji Asian Bistro, Sushi & Bar- 905 W. Main St., Suite 21-B

Parker and Otis - 112 S. Duke St.

The Original Q-Shack - 2510 University Dr.

Rue Cler - 401 E. Chapel Hill St.

Saladelia - 4201 University Dr.

Satisfaction Restaurant - 905 W. Main St., Suite 37

Spartacus - 4139 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.

Thai Café - 2501 University Dr.

Toast - 345 W. Main St.

Tosca Ristorante Italiano - 604 W. Morgan St.

Tyler's Taproom Durham - 324 Blackwell St., Suite 400

Posted by Stanley B. Chambers on March 3

BEER BASHER? City Councilman Howard Clement doesn't think much of having an annual World Beer Festival in Durham, and he made his feelings known during Friday's retreat on the city's 2010-11 budget.

When Deputy City Manager Ted Voorhees reported that the city spends $26,350 a year in set-up, take-down and maintenance services for the festival, Clement said, "Why should the taxpayers incur the cost?

"I'm not comfortable with that festival," Clement said. "I just hope in 2010 we have an opportunity to vote up or down on whether we should support this," he continued. "I vote no."

Posted by Jim Wise on Feb. 26