With the launch of its premier product, Firefly LDH, Parhelion Incorporated of Apex is creating a laser revolution here in the heart of the Triangle. Parhelion creates, designs and manufactures consumer laser products and expects that the triangle’s tech savvy population will appreciate the benefits and completely new concept of a mobile laser lamp.

A patented design revolutionizes the laser for continuous, safe, silent and mobile consumer use. Since it will run on either batteries or its AC adapter, Firefly is fully portable for camping or to social events, for instance.

Firefly is a locally created and designed product with serendipitous beginnings. A local parent, Richard Redpath, began a science club for his children’s school. A unit on lasers was natural, given his interest in lasers dating to 1978 when, as a teen, he built his own holography lab in his back yard. The lasers used for the science club were very inexpensive laser pointers but the kids began trading them and giving them for birthday favors.

Redpath was charmed and intrigued by the kids’ enthusiasm, even though he understood the science behind it.

Laser light is inherently different than common ambient light or LED light. As coherent light, laser light has 3D qualities and behaves very differently than other light sources. For instance, it doesn’t pool around the light source, but instead can be ‘thrown’ quite a distance, depending on its power. All of this made it an attractive phenomenon for the kids to interact with.

But for that science experiment there was a problem. The laser pointers wouldn’t stay on unless the button was pushed. For the experiment a continuous beam was needed. But when kept on, the lasers in the pointers would overheat and fade.

This started Redpath thinking, and then tinkering and soldering, cutting and gluing to see if he could build something that worked for the science club. He furthered the design to leverage the laser’s unique properties to provide demarcation and forward navigation in lighting.

When James Redpath, Richard’s identical twin with experience in manufacturing industry, saw the cardboard versions of Firefly he immediately saw something that had broader appeal than a school science project.

Working with Insight, a Raleigh based product design company (http://www.insightpd.com/) Parhelion evolved the cardboard prototype into a fully functional and pleasing product design.

This is a pre-shipment supply available exclusively in the Triangle first. Firefly won’t be widely available until late January, but you can find a limited number at the following locations:

Science Safari, Saltbox Village, 1255 Kildaire Farm Rd, Cary; Brilliant Sky, Stonewood Village, 313 Ledgestone Way, Cary; Aria Gifts, 219 Salem Street, Apex; and of course directly from Parhelion at www.fireflylaser.com.

Conversionz MakeUp to Hold Ribbon Cutting

Seeing the invisible sounds impossible. One woman right here in Apex sees the invisible every day—invisible beauty in everyone.

Shannon Sharp, owner of Conversionz MakeUp Studio, helps women and girls alike see inner beauty and brings it forward through the art of MakeUp. She specializes in educating females how to be aglow with both happiness and virtue radiating inner beauty.

“The Art of Seeing the Invisible” describes her artistic ability to visualize and manifest a “look” revealing natural beauty already present in each person she works with.

Meet Sharpe on Jan. 19 at 5:00 p.m. at the ribbon cutting of Conversionz MakeUp Studio at 114-A N. Salem St., Apex.

Conversionz MakeUp Studio specializes in beauty consultations, lessons, workshops and wedding, fashion and commercial makeup along with special events.

With over 10 years experience in makeup application, Sharpe is one of the premier freelance makeup artists in the Triangle.

For more information contact Shannon M. Sharpe at conversionzmua@hotmail.com.

Carrabba’s Open For Lunch

Carrabba’s Italian Grill Restaurant (on highway 55 in the Haddon Hall shopping center area) will be open for lunch beginning December 19 through the new year’s holiday. Lunch will be served starting at noon.