University Mall has had a new owner -- MadisonMarquette -- since January and a new general manager, Ed Camp, since May.

In June Susan Reda took over special events. Camp and Reda are both UNC grads, and they have put a big emphasis on community outreach. When U-Mall held its annual Hot Diggity sale in early July, 10 nonprofit organizations had booths to publicize their endeavors. In August, the mall had a sandbag levy display to raise money for Midwest flood victims. Other such events are being planned.

A new series called An Evening With brings entertainment to University Mall on Saturdays.

On Sept. 20, The Bouncing Bulldogs jump rope team, fresh from the Olympics in Beijing, will perform at one end of the mall while the musical group Trilogy performs at the other.

Another example of community outreach made some waves when Camp asked residents to weigh in online about what kind of stores they wanted at the mall.

While no new leases have been signed yet, residents did vote three-to-one in favor of keeping the Roses store.

Tutoring company opens in town

TutorJam of Chapel Hill (www.tutorjam.com) is a newly opened web-based tutoring service for K-12 students.

Topics include math, English, science and social studies. Sessions are interactive. The company's U.S. headquarters is at 1829 E. Franklin St.; it also has offices in Ontario, Canada.

Acupuncture clinic celebrates 1 year

Carrboro Acupuncture Clinic celebrates its first anniversary in Carrboro this month.

Licensed acupuncturist Malik Lawrence combined his Pittsboro and Chapel Hill practices to set up his practice in the yellow cottage at 101 High Street in Carrboro. He has practiced in the Triangle for the past five years.

Massage therapy clinic opens

Six licensed massage and bodywork therapists have joined forces to create the Holistic Body Alliance. Located in the historic Nooe Building at 224 East Street in downtown Pittsboro, the therapists provide an eclectic variety of services.

They all trained at the Body Therapy Institute in Silk Hope.

Information is available at www.holisticbodyalliance.com.