"We have a history of the trail, the job and the neighborhood," said Panzola McMillon, 71, on hand with her 94-year-old mother, Pansy Cheatham. "I can remember when Roxboro Road stopped at Erie... This was all hard dirt and red clay. You had to spray off the porch each morning."

McMillon and her mother are longtime Southside residents, going back five generations. McMillon is a former babysitter to some of Durham's most prominent families, from E.K. Powe to Nello L. Teer.

"You made a dollar a day babysitting," she said, "but we were willing to work. We set an example for our kids. When you work for your money, it spends better." McMillon's example paid off. She has a grandson studying at Harvard University.

The connector path project was planned, cleared and managed by volunteers of the Triangle Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (TRTC) and paid for with a grant from the N.C. State Parks Adopt-a-Trail Grant Program.

Mark Cole of Cole's Concrete was the prime contractor for the 8 foot-wide concrete path which connects the American Tobacco Trail (ATT) and South Street across from the West Lawson Street intersection.

"The TRTC works to make the American Tobacco Trail better and to make it better and safer for its users," said Bill Bussey, conservancy vice president.

American Tobacco Trail users will be able to easily access South Street, Lawson Street and Roxboro Street permitting easy connections to nearby C.C. Spaulding Elementary School, N.C. Central University, Hillside Park, Durham Tech, and the Southside Community.

"Durham is in a great position, compared to other cities, to get around without a car. The American Tobacco Trail is a big part of that," said Dan Clever of Durham Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission.

CHAMBER SUMMIT TODAY: The Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce will host an economic development issues summit today at the Millennium Hotel, 2800 Campus Walk Drive, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This first-ever summit, titled "Cultivating Entrepreneurialism," will discuss how to help the entrepreneur and the creative class succeed.

The event includes a panel discussion featuring Ryan Allis, president and CEO, iContact; Christopher Gergen, founding partner, New Mountain Ventures; and Rachel Weeks, owner of School House Fashion. The luncheon keynote speaker is Ted W. Abernathy Jr., the executive director of the Southern Growth Policies Board.

The summit is presented by Vision 3D, the chamber's four-year economic development initiative which garnered $3.2 million to support Durham's business retention, business recruitment, talent development and community development capabilities.

TRIBUTE LUNCHEON: Nearly 400 civic, business, university, and neighborhood leaders were on hand April 28 at American Tobacco's Bay 7 to celebrate two local adaptive reuse architects: Eddie Belk and Frank DePasquale. Between them, they have devoted nearly 100 years of service to Durham's architectural presence.

The 2010 Durham Annual Tribute Luncheon was co-produced by the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau and The Special Event Company. "Today was a great celebration of two individuals who have done so much to make Durham distinct and uniquely beautiful," said Shelly Green, president and CEO of Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Durham's architecture is a big part of its personality."

TOO SEXY FOR OUR SHIRTS: Hump day just got a little bit better with wine and fabulous fashion Wednesdays.

Browse new spring collections from BCBG, Colcci, Gold Hawk, Eva Franco and many other designers at Magpie Boutique, 601 W. Main St.

Nothing goes better with new spring arrivals than sipping wine with the aromas of poached pear, yellow plum, honey and lime zest.

DINING FOR CHANGE: Eat out and do good.

Posh the Salon's second annual charity event "Dining for Change" is set for Saturday. Join the salon for an evening of food, wine, music and good will.

Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at the salon at 610 W. Main St. Suite 101.

One hundred percent of proceeds go to benefit Take Steps, Be Heard (to benefit Crohn's and Colitis Foundation), The Doughman Race (to benefit SEEDS and SeeSaw Studio) and Inter-Faith Food Shuttle ( New Downtown Durham Garden).

BULL CITY BLOWOUT: Philanthropy and field day competitions were combined in the inaugural Bull City Blowout, a fundraising event that benefitted SeeSaw Studio.

Nine Durham creative agencies went head-to-head April 19 in a series of fun games to raise money for the local nonprofit, a free afterschool program that fosters design-focused art and entrepreneurship skills for teens.

Through event sponsorships, individual and corporate donations, the Bull City Blowout collected a total of $3,751 for SeeSaw Studio.

Agency competitors were represented by DesignHammer, Duke Creative Services, Flywheel Design, Largemouth Communications, McKinney, Ogilvy & Mather, Rella:Cowan, The Republik and Viget Labs. The agencies battled it out in a variety of activities to raise funds for SeeSaw Studio. Events included a tricycle relay race, balloon toss, musical chairs, hula hoop contest and air guitar competition. McKinney was the winner of the competition, with Viget Labs earning second place and Duke Creative Services coming in third.

"The SeeSaw Studio students who attended the Bull City Blowout were amazed that grown adults were willing to revert to their childhood games for a good cause," said Michelle Gonzales, executive director of SeeSaw Studio. "Proceeds from this donation will fund a trip to Washington D.C. where our students will receive a guided site tour from the architect of the future National Museum of African American History and Culture. Part of the proceeds will also fund a free summer camp here in Durham."