January Spotlight
Interior designer, painter opens gallery

Interior designer, painter opens new gallery
Award-winning painter Lisa Lightfoot moved from Charlotte to Wilmington to open a gallery in the downtown City Market this past fall.
Her work was awarded “Best in Acrylic” at the Landfall Foundation juried art show this past year. Originally from Johnson City, Tenn., Lightfoot began painting as an interior designer when she created faux finished furniture displayed in her High Point showroom. Her work can also be seen at Figments located in the Landfall Shopping Center and the Lightfoot Gallery downtown. – Maxann Keller
Soccer pro coaches Cape Fear league
The first African American to play on the U.S. women’s national soccer team, Kim Crabbe, has been hired by the Cape Fear Soccer League to coach and lead its community outreach program.
“I was the only African American who played for years at an elite level. There’s still not a lot,” she said.
She has begun coaching soccer at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center and at Rachel Freeman Elementary School. She is also working with St. Mary’s Church to support its new Hispanic youth team.
“I’m focused that these kids have a good experience and a fun experience,” she said. Originally from Northern Virginia, Crabbe played on the 1986 U.S. women’s national team, which was inducted into the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame in 2008. – Alison Lee Satake
ILM logos receive national recognition
Six logos designed by Wilmington design company, Morvil Advertising and Design, were chosen to be in “Symbol,” a book compiled of designs from the country’s top names in advertising.
“Our goal is to be unique and original. We try to communicate the right message in one breath of information, all with a single image,” said Jeff Morvil, president and creative director of Morvil Advertising and Design.
The single blue lotus designed for Landscapes Unique is one of the images selected for the book published by Pentagram Design Ltd. – Maxann Keller
Hammerheads coach inducted into Hall of Fame
Wilmington Hammerheads coach David Irving was one of nine men and women to be inducted into the United Soccer Leagues (USL) Hall of Fame in 2011.
Irving led the team to victory in two championship games. He played a pivotal role in securing the Hammerheads’ return to Wilmington after the team’s hiatus in 2010. And since then, he led the team to place second in the USL PRO regular season standings. – Maxann Keller
Wilmington writer publishes her first children’s book
Wilmington small business owner, Nancy Early, recently published her first children’s book, “Walter’s Not So Peaceful, Definitely Not Relaxing But Oh So Awfully Courageous Adventure.” The 52-page book follows two loveable characters and their exciting adventure through the woods. It was inspired by the critters that visit EarlyBird Food Mart Convenience Store located on Wrightsville Ave., which Early co-owns.
The book was published by Big Mac Publishers and released November 3. Early’s book can be purchased online and at booksellers nationwide. She is currently working on her second book, “The Adventure of the Two Petunias.” – Maxann Keller