Five Carrboro businesses recently launched an advertising campaign and Web site designed to attract people and retail traffic to downtown Carrboro.

The campaign is called "Walk Carrboro" and is supported by a www.walkcarrboro.com and a radio campaign on WCHL radio.

"Carrboro is an incredible place," said Sara Gress, the owner of the North Carolina Crafts Gallery and a member of the new initiative.

"We've got such a diverse range of places for folks to visit, we thought it was time to get the word out. People can park and spend a day walking Carrboro's shops, cafe's and restaurants. It's pretty remarkable what's right here, downtown."

The initial campaign includes a consortium of local businesses made up of The North Carolina Crafts Gallery, The Open Eye Cafe, Wootini, Nested, and The Jesse Kalisher Gallery.

Carrboro Mayor Mark Chilton called the campaign "terrific for the town" and said it was another step toward building Carrboro's identity as a retail and food destination.

"We know what we have here," Mayor Chilton said, adding that folks outside of Carrboro may not be as familiar with the town's charm and local flavor.

Chapel Hill firm manages resort

The ownership of Maggie Valley Club in western North Carolina has chosen East West Partners Club Management of Chapel Hill to oversee all management aspects of the club's resort and golf course community.

East West Partners Club Management is a full-service hospitality club management firm that manages 24 club operations and more than 1,000 employees across five states.

Maggie Valley Club said it selected East West because of its emphasis on elevating hospitality, customer service and the overall lifestyle experience at its properties.

Two join local communication firm

Carolyn Moore and Jessica Anderson, recently joined The Communications Doctor, a Chapel Hill-based firm, as communications strategists. They will develop strategic marketing and public relations campaigns.

"I look forward to collaborating with these two professionals," said Susanne Gaddis, CEO of The Communications Doctor. "Their unique talents especially with new media and social networking will help us to reach new markets."

Moore comes to The Communications Doctor with a background in public relations and communications from Gibbs & Soell, Inc., of Raleigh.

Jessica Anderson worked at Deveney Communication conceptualizing new business plans for the expansion of the Waldorf-Astoria in New Orleans and instituted online media toolkits for Planet Beach's Contempo Spa franchise. She also has experience working as a news reporter at the Oak Ridge Observer and as a graphic designer at Carolina Union Activities Board.

The Communications Doctor specializes in fostering effective workplace communication by providing clients with workshops, keynote presentations, and executive coaching. Clients include NASA, Oracle, Bayer, and The American Nurses Association.

Boutique holds Girls' Nite Out

Uniquities and Mine Condoms will host Girls' Nite Out on Thursday Octobe from 6:30 to p.m. at Uniquities' Chapel Hill location, 452 W. Franklin St.

The event will showcase the latest trends in fashion, beauty, romance and wellness. It will feature Mine Condoms, a new company focused on women's self protection, which will be giving away product bags.

Uniquities will highlight products from designers 3.1 Phillip Lim, J Brand jeans, Love Quote scarves, Theory, Nanette Lepore, Susana Monaco, D& G, Chloe and Kenneth Jay Lane.

This girl-only event is free and includes wine, refreshments and swag bags. Free valet parking will be provided by the West End Valet Parking Service.

-- Compiled by Julian Sereno