Dawn Myers is our TriangleMom2Mom mom of the week. She's the mom of one who works just across the street from my office at the Raleigh Police Department. She's also friends with the women who took over management of the long-running Nearly New Clothing Exchange, which is scheduled for Sept. 16 to Sept. 20.

Here's Dawn ...

Mom2Mom: Tell us about yourself.

Dawn: I'm from Charlotte, N.C. I got my degrees in journalism and Spanish from Western Carolina University, and went to work at the Raleigh Police Department the week after I graduated. My husband Jason and I met in the police academy, and I was an officer up until two years ago when I took a civilian job at RPD so that one of us could have a permanent dayshift schedule after our son Grayson was born. When Grayson (now three years old) was a baby, I started going to several consignment sales in the area to get good deals on clothing and toys for him, and I sold some of his outgrown items at the sales as well. My friends Joanne and Amanda recently took over the management of the Nearly New Clothing Exchange children's consignment sale, and I will be helping out with their fall/winter event, which will be held from September 16-20 at the Pleasant Valley Shopping Center on Glenwood Avenue. I plan to get lots of winter clothes for Grayson there--he's already outgrown pretty much everything he wore last year!

Mom2Mom: What's your favorite family place in the Triangle?

Dawn: Downtown Raleigh is a fun place for families. It's got great museums like Marbles and the Museum of Natural Sciences, plus there's usually some special event going on. Grayson loves the Raleigh Christmas Parade, and we've also taken him to Artsplosure and the festivities for St. Patrick's Day and the Fourth of July.

Mom2Mom: What's your favorite place for yourself in the Triangle?

Dawn: I love Franklin Street in Chapel Hill. My sister (who is a UNC alum) and I meet there for lunch regularly, and we never miss an opportunity to visit Light Years and the Yogurt Pump while we're there!

Mom2Mom: What's your favorite ritual with your son?

Dawn: My favorite ritual with Grayson is bedtime, when I read stories and sing songs to him. I was a Girl Scout camp counselor in high school and college, so I sing him campfire songs--it brings back so many memories.

Mom2Mom: What did you eat for dinner last night? Can you share the recipe?

Dawn: Last night, we had pasta with shrimp, tomatoes, and spinach. It's elegant and super easy to make.

4 oz. linguine, uncooked
1 cup cleaned medium fresh shrimp
2 medium tomatoes, chopped (about 1 cup)
1/2 cup cream cheese spread
1-1/2 cups torn cleaned spinach

Cook linguine as directed on package. Meanwhile, heat large skillet on medium-high heat.
Add shrimp, tomatoes and cream cheese spread; cook and stir 3 to 4 minutes or until shrimp
are cooked through and mixture is well blended. Drain pasta; place in large bowl.
Add spinach; toss lightly. Stir in shrimp mixture.

Mom2Mom: What's your guilty pleasure?

Dawn: I love dark chocolate in any form! I keep a bowl of dark chocolate Hershey's Kisses on my desk at work--they're intended for sharing with my co-workers, but I end up eating most of them myself.

Know a mom we should feature? E-mail me. And learn more about other local moms by going to www.trianglemom2mom.com/meet and checking back here every Monday.