THE CHAPEL HILL INSIDER
FROM THE INSIDE
Inside This Issue: We're taking two weeks off for Thanksgiving, so this issue's events calendar runs all the way to Dec. 3, when we'll be back. In Around Town, Carrboro's police proposal heads to a Dec. 1 council meeting, Tonya's opens a holiday pop-up with Thanksgiving dinners to order, Bandido's sets its last day after more than 31 years, and Chapel Hill Transit wants your feedback on proposed route changes. Plus Homecoming weekend, a Thanksgiving morning 8K in Carrboro, the SEC/ACC Challenge at the Smith Center and Carmichael, and save-the-dates for the Dec. 5 holiday parade and Inclusive Business Holiday Gift Market.
LET'S STEP INSIDE →
A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
Taking a Thanksgiving Break
The Insider is taking two weeks off for Thanksgiving. There won't be an issue on Nov. 19 or Nov. 26. We'll be back Thursday, Dec. 3, in time for the holidays, and this week's calendar runs all the way to Dec. 3 so you have everything in between.
As we approach the beginning of the holiday season, I am struck with so much gratitude. After what feels like a long time of struggle, there are so many things to be grateful for, and this year I want to share a few of them with you.
I'm grateful for my son, and for living in a community where inclusivity is visible and at the forefront. It's a consideration made by the people who live here, and by the local governments and institutions that create the scaffolding and structure of our towns.
I'm grateful for the vibrancy and growth that sit right alongside our long traditions. I'm grateful to be part of a community that still embraces diversity, where people from all different countries, ethnicities, and walks of life can feel comfortable and grow, whether they were born and raised in Orange County or came here from another part of the state or the world. They can get an education here. They can raise their children here. They can work here. They can thrive here. I'm extremely grateful to live in a place where that's true.
So I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving for many reasons, and I'm glad to be celebrating it in a community like ours. Whether you're traveling for the holiday, hosting at your own table, or gathering for Friendsgiving with your chosen family, I hope you'll take time to appreciate this state we live in, the weather, this time in our lives, and the people in your life.
To every Insider, I wish you a beautiful season of gratitude and reflection. Stay safe, happy, and healthy, and we'll see you in December.
Elana
Upcoming Events
NOV. 12 – DEC. 3
HEADS UP
Fri, Nov 13 Election Results Become Official | Orange County's canvass makes the Nov. 3 results official. The State Board of Elections certifies statewide contests Nov. 24. | er.ncsbe.gov
Sat, Nov 14 Homecoming: UNC Football vs. Louisville | Kenan Stadium | 7 p.m. | Homecoming, Military Appreciation, and Monogram Day all at once, so plan for game-day traffic downtown. | goheels.com
Through Wed, Nov 18 Lane Closures on Estes Drive at Halifax Road | Weekdays 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. | Flaggers manage intermittent closures while crews install curb ramps, flashing beacons, and a new crosswalk. | chapelhillnc.gov
Sat, Nov 21–Wed, Nov 25 Kildaire Road at Copperline Drive Closed | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | The intersection closes for a ground-plane art installation. Follow posted signs. | chapelhillnc.gov
November–January Leaf Season in Chapel Hill | Put leaves in Town yard carts or paper bags on your yard-trimmings day, up to five containers a week. | chapelhillnc.gov
THANKSGIVING WEEK
Wed, Nov 25 Free Food Distribution | Eubanks Park and Ride Lot, 2000 Eubanks Road | 9:30–10:30 a.m. | From the Town of Chapel Hill, with no income, residency, or ID requirements. | chapelhillnc.gov
Thu, Nov 26 Gallop & Gorge 8K | Starts and finishes on Weaver Street in front of Weaver Street Market, Carrboro | 8 a.m. | Carrboro's Thanksgiving morning tradition, closing out the Le Tour de Carrboro series for local charities. $35 through Nov. 24. In-person registration and bib pickup are at Fleet Feet Carrboro, 310 E. Main St., Tuesday, Nov. 24, 3:30–6:30 p.m. | runsignup.com
Thu, Nov 26–Fri, Nov 27 Thanksgiving Closures | Orange County and Town of Chapel Hill offices are closed, and Chapel Hill Transit doesn't run on Thanksgiving Day. Flyleaf Books is closed Thanksgiving Day. | chapelhillnc.gov
LIVE MUSIC
Thu, Nov 12 Charlie Parr | Cat's Cradle, 300 E. Main St., Carrboro | Doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m. | With Maisy Owen. East Nash Grass plays the Back Room the same night. | catscradle.com
Fri, Nov 13 Deerhoof | Cat's Cradle | Doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m. | With Mean Habit and Hex Files. | catscradle.com
Sat, Nov 14 Protomartyr and Gilla Band | Cat's Cradle and the Back Room | Doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m. | Two shows in two rooms, and a Superfan Pass covers both. | catscradle.com
Sun, Nov 15 Carolina Baroque Ensemble | Person Hall, UNC | 3 p.m. | Free. Directed by Nicholas DiEugenio. | studentaffairs.unc.edu
Wed, Nov 18 Bluegrass in the Back Room | Cat's Cradle Back Room | Doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m. | A seated night with Bill Moore and His Secret Admirers and The Carolina Bluegrass Band. | catscradle.com
Wed, Nov 18 The Musical Journeys of Joe Newberry | Flyleaf Books, 752 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | 6–7:30 p.m. | A live set and conversation with the North Carolina bluegrass and old-time musician, from Carolina Public Humanities. $10; register ahead. | flyleafbooks.com
Fri, Nov 20 Carbon Leaf | Cat's Cradle | Doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m. | catscradle.com
Sat, Nov 21 and Sun, Nov 22 Hiss Golden Messenger | Cat's Cradle | Doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m. | Two nights of the I'm People Tour, with Sam Amidon opening both. | catscradle.com
Sat, Nov 21 L'Rain | Cat's Cradle Back Room | Doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m. | With April + VISTA. | catscradle.com
Sat, Nov 28 PhilStock '26 | Cat's Cradle Back Room | Doors 6 p.m., show 6:30 p.m. | Rattletraps, Uniontown, Honey Pumpkins, and Shemp. $10 suggested donation. | catscradle.com
Sat, Nov 28 Crazy Chester: A Very Carrboro Tribute to The Band | Cat's Cradle | Doors 7:15 p.m., show 8 p.m. | The Last Waltz 50th Anniversary Tour plays Thanksgiving weekend, 50 years after The Band's farewell concert on Thanksgiving Day 1976. With Sugaree String Society. | catscradle.com
Thu, Dec 3 Harvey Street | Cat's Cradle | Doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m. | With Tobacco Road and Wim Tapley and The Cannons. | catscradle.com
Already sold out at the Cradle: Fruit Bats (Nov. 15), Ax and the Hatchetmen (Nov. 16), Die Spitz (Nov. 19), and Liana Flores (Nov. 20). Full schedules at catscradle.com and local506.com.
THEATER & ARTS
Thu, Nov 12 Sankai Juku: TOTEM, Void and Height | Memorial Hall | 7 p.m. | The Japanese Butoh company performs the final work by its founder, Ushio Amagatsu, who died in 2024. About 80 minutes, no intermission. Students $11. | carolinaperformingarts.org
Fri, Nov 13 2nd Friday Art Walk | 29 venues in Chapel Hill and Carrboro | 6–9 p.m., rain or shine | The Ackland stays open until 9 with a free curator-led tour of Care and Concern at 6 (RSVP), and FRANK Gallery holds a reception from 6 to 9. | carrboronc.gov
Fri, Nov 13 Talk of the Town: Mixtape Release and Poet Laureate Send-Off | Epilogue Books & Chocolate Brews, 109 E. Franklin St. | 6–8 p.m. | Free. Talk of the Town: A Chapel Hill Mixtape, poetry by community members curated by Donovan Livingston, closes his term as the town's third Poet Laureate. | chapelhillnc.gov
Sat, Nov 14–Sun, Nov 15 Orange County Artists Guild Open Studio Tour, Final Weekend | Studios across the county | Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday noon–5 p.m. | Free, with 106 artists at 85 studios. The preview show at Hillsborough Gallery of Arts, 121 N. Churton St., also closes Nov. 15. | ocagnc.org
Through Sun, Nov 15 Last Chance at the Ackland | Ackland Art Museum, 101 S. Columbia St. | Free | Two shows of recent acquisitions close Nov. 15: Care and Concern, modern and contemporary art, and Continental Shift, African art. On Sunday at 2 p.m., director Shalini Le Gall moderates a free panel on collecting (tickets required). | ackland.org
Wed, Nov 18 Ballet BC | Memorial Hall | 7 p.m. | A triple bill from the Vancouver company that closes with BOLERO X, set to Ravel. Students $11. | carolinaperformingarts.org
Wed, Nov 18–Sun, Dec 6 Our Town | PlayMakers Repertory Company, Paul Green Theatre, 120 Country Club Road | Thornton Wilder's classic, staged in the round and directed by Tracy Bersley. Tickets from $20. | playmakersrep.org
Thu, Nov 19–Sun, Nov 29 Easter in Alexandria | The ArtsCenter, 400 Roberson St., Carrboro | Preview night Nov. 19, $20; then Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. | Jessica Abrams' comedy about a woman, the ornery neighborhood cat she can't stand, and the hole he leaves when he moves to Oregon. | artscenterlive.org
Sun, Nov 29 DIYleaf: Felt Ornaments | Flyleaf Books | 4–5:30 p.m. | Flyleaf's monthly craft club. Supplies are provided for $5 at the door. | flyleafbooks.com
HOLIDAY SHOPPING
Sat, Nov 14 Sancar Third Annual Craft Fair | Sancar Turkish Cultural & Community Center, 1609 E. Franklin St. | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Handmade gifts and local artisan goods for an early start on holiday shopping. | chapelboro.com
Fri, Nov 20 FRANK Gallery Holiday Show Opening Reception | 370 E. Main St., Suite 130, Carrboro | 6–9 p.m. | frankisart.com
Sat, Nov 21 Hillsborough Holiday Bazaar | Historic Courthouse Lawn, 104 E. King St., Hillsborough | 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | Free. Artists, crafters, and artisans set up on the Old Orange County Courthouse lawn for the fourth annual bazaar from ArtsOrange, the Orange County Arts Commission. | artsorange.org
Sat, Nov 21–Sun, Nov 22 Alternative Gift Market | United Church of Chapel Hill, 1321 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | Saturday 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–1 p.m. | Gifts that give twice, with proceeds supporting groups including Church World Service, Habitat for Humanity, and IFC. | unitedchurch.org
Sun, Nov 22 Arts on Market | Southern Village Green, 400 Market St. | Noon–4 p.m. | Free. Hand-crafted art and gifts from regional artists, artisans, bakers, and makers, with live music. | visitchapelhill.org
Through Tue, Nov 24 Homes for the Holidays Gingerbread Contest | Downtown Hillsborough | $25 to enter | Registration closes Nov. 24, and the gingerbread homes go on display in participating businesses starting Dec. 5. | visithillsboroughnc.com
Sat, Nov 28 Small Business Saturday and Flyleaf's 17th Birthday | Flyleaf Books | All day | A scavenger hunt and morning story time as the bookstore turns 17. | flyleafbooks.com
Sat, Nov 28 Shop Small Saturday in Hillsborough | 10 a.m.–6 p.m. | Hillsborough's day for Small Business Saturday. | visithillsboroughnc.com
FILM
Tue, Nov 17 A House United | Varsity Theatre, 123 E. Franklin St. | 7 p.m. | A documentary about people working across political divides, followed by a facilitated discussion, from Braver Angels Central NC Alliance and UNC's School of Civic Life and Leadership. $5; students free. | studentaffairs.unc.edu
FOOD & DRINK
Tue, Nov 24 Pre-Thanksgiving Farmers' Markets | Carrboro Farmers' Market, 301 W. Main St., and Chapel Hill Farmers' Market, University Place, 201 S. Estes Drive | 3–5 p.m. | Both markets open for one more Tuesday so you can shop local for your Thanksgiving table. | carrborofarmersmarket.com | thechapelhillfarmersmarket.com
Saturdays Carrboro Farmers' Market | 301 W. Main St. | 9 a.m.–noon | Winter hours. Wednesday, Nov. 18, 3–5 p.m., is the last Wednesday market of the season. | carrborofarmersmarket.com
FAMILY & KIDS
Thu, Nov 19 Spanish Storytime for Young Children | Flyleaf Books | 9:30 a.m. | Spanish-language stories with ISLA, every other Thursday. | flyleafbooks.com
COMEDY
Fri, Nov 13–Sat, Nov 14 Won't You Be My Neighbor? | The ArtsCenter | 8:30 p.m. | Black Sheep Comedy's character monologues about the Triangle's eccentrics. Rated R. $15 | blacksheepcomedy.com
TRIVIA & SOCIAL NIGHTS
Weekly schedules below come from venue sites and local listings; check each venue's social media before you go, especially Thanksgiving week.
Tuesdays Trivia at Goodfellows | 149½ E. Franklin St. | 9 p.m. | goodfellowschapelhill.com
Tuesdays Trivia Night at Steel String Brewery | 106-A S. Greensboro St., Carrboro | 8–10 p.m. | steelstringbrewery.com
Tuesdays Free Line Dancing | Snow Approach Foundation, 133 E. King St., Hillsborough | 6–7 p.m. | KatMoves Travelling Studio teaches all skill levels. Free, with a tip jar for the foundation. | visithillsboroughnc.com
Wednesdays Trivia Night at The Baxter Bar & Arcade | 108 N. Graham St. | baxterarcade.com
Wednesdays Trivia Night at Haw River Tap & Table | 300 E. Main St., Carrboro, next to Cat's Cradle | 7–9 p.m., with Hammered Trivia
Wednesdays Trivia at Might As Well Bar & Grill | 206 W. Franklin St. | 8–10 p.m. | mightaswellbarandgrill.com
Thursdays Trivia Thursdays at Lanza's Café | 601 W. Main St., Carrboro | Check their Facebook for times
Thursdays Music Bingo at Steel String Brewery | 106-A S. Greensboro St., Carrboro | 7:30 p.m.
Thursdays Music Bingo at Haw River Tap & Table | 300 E. Main St., Carrboro | 7–9 p.m.
TALKS & LEARNING
Thu, Nov 12 Brian Biswas: Floating on Air | Flyleaf Books | 5:30–7 p.m. | A book about a fictional 1950s Mississippi town, from its founding to its destruction, in conversation with Landis Wade. | flyleafbooks.com
Thu, Nov 19 Blood and Politics | Flyleaf Books | Signing 5:30 p.m., talk 6 p.m. | Devin Burghart, Mab Segrest, and Carol Smith on their history of white nationalism in America. | flyleafbooks.com
Sat, Nov 28 An A-Z Jane Austen Tea | Flyleaf Books | 4 p.m. | A tea party with Inger Sigrun Bredkjær Brodey for her illustrated guide to Austen's fiction and life. | flyleafbooks.com
SPORTS
Fri, Nov 13 UNC Men's Basketball vs. Georgia | Smith Center | 7 p.m., on ESPN2 | goheels.com
Sun, Nov 15 UNC Volleyball vs. Duke | Carmichael Arena | 1 p.m. | goheels.com
Fri, Nov 20 UNC Men's Basketball vs. Marshall | Smith Center | Time TBA | goheels.com
Mon, Nov 23 UNC Men's Basketball vs. Monmouth | Smith Center | 7 p.m., on ACC Network | goheels.com
Tue, Nov 24 UNC Women's Basketball vs. Gardner-Webb | Carmichael Arena | 7 p.m. | The Tar Heels' first home game back from the WBCA Showcase in Orlando. | goheels.com
Fri, Nov 27 UNC Women's Basketball vs. Army | Carmichael Arena | 7 p.m. | goheels.com
Fri, Nov 27 UNC Men's Basketball vs. West Virginia | Spectrum Center, Charlotte | Time and ESPN channel TBA | The Dick Vitale Invitational. | goheels.com
Sat, Nov 28 UNC Football vs. NC State | Kenan Stadium | Kickoff TBA | Senior Day. | goheels.com
Sun, Nov 29 UNC Women's Basketball vs. Brown | Carmichael Arena | 4 p.m. | goheels.com
Tue, Dec 1 UNC Men's Basketball vs. Arkansas | Smith Center | 7:30 p.m., on ESPN | The SEC/ACC Challenge. | goheels.com
Wed, Dec 2 UNC Women's Basketball vs. LSU | Carmichael Arena | 7:15 p.m., on ESPN2 | The SEC/ACC Challenge, and the first meeting between the two programs since 2016. | goheels.com
Homecoming football is under Heads Up.
COMMUNITY & CIVIC
Mon, Nov 16 Information Session for Foster Families | Orange County Department of Social Services, 113 Mayo St., Hillsborough | 6–7 p.m. | For anyone thinking about fostering. | orangecountync.gov
Tue, Nov 17 Orange County Board of Commissioners | Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Road | 7 p.m. | Business meeting, with public comment. | orangecountync.gov
Wed, Nov 18 Chapel Hill Town Council | Town Hall, 405 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | 6 p.m. | The public hearing on the Land Use Management Ordinance rewrite continues, and the council could adopt it. | chapelhillnc.gov
Fri, Nov 20 Arbor Day Celebration | Umstead Park, 399 Umstead Drive | 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | The Town plants a river birch and celebrates the trees that make Chapel Hill a Tree City USA community. | chapelhillnc.gov
Tue, Dec 1 Carrboro Town Council | Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. | Regular meetings start at 6 p.m. | The Chapel Hill police proposal comes back to the council. See Around Town. | carrboronc.gov
GIVE BACK
Fri, Nov 13 Free Food Distribution | Eubanks Park and Ride Lot, 2000 Eubanks Road | 1–2 p.m. | Moved from Wednesday for Veterans Day. No income, residency, or ID requirements. The next one is Wed, Nov. 25, under Thanksgiving Week. | chapelhillnc.gov
Sat, Nov 21 Jupiter Ball | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and Graham Memorial Hall, UNC | 6–11:30 p.m. | Morehead's black-tie gala, with dinner and a live auction at Graham Memorial and dancing under the dome. Proceeds fund need-based field trip scholarships for schoolchildren across the state. $350; tickets on sale through Nov. 16. | moreheadplanetarium.org
SENIOR CENTER
Thu, Nov 19 Table Wreath Workshop | Passmore Center, 103 Meadowlands Road, Hillsborough | 1–3 p.m. | $6. Register by Nov. 12 at 919-245-2015. | orangecountync.gov
SAVE THE DATE
Fri, Dec 4 Carrboro Holiday Tree Lighting | Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. | 6–7:30 p.m. | Free. Music and the lighting of the town's holiday tree. Bring canned goods for PORCH's pantry. | carrboronc.gov
Sat, Dec 5 Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Holiday Parade | 10 a.m., from 140 W. Franklin St. to Carrboro Town Commons.
Sat, Dec 5 Inclusive Business Holiday Gift Market | Blue Hill Event Center at Extraordinary Ventures, 200 S. Elliott Road | 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Free. Every vendor is a disability-owned small business or a disability-inclusive local employer, with wreaths, candles, pottery, knitted items, and more.
Sat, Dec 5–Sun, Dec 6 Jingle and Joy Weekend in Hillsborough | Free | A holiday tree lighting Saturday, 3–5 p.m., and the holiday parade Sunday at 4 p.m. | visithillsboroughnc.com
Sat, Dec 5 and Sun, Dec 6 Dorrance Dance: The Nutcracker Suite | Memorial Hall | Saturday 7 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. | carolinaperformingarts.org
Wed, Dec 9 Chapel Hill Town Council | The council takes up the proposal for Chapel Hill police to serve Carrboro.
Fri, Dec 11 2nd Friday Art Walk | Galleries and venues across Chapel Hill and Carrboro, 6–9 p.m.
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Local News
FROM AROUND TOWN
Carrboro's Police Decision Moves to Dec. 1
More than 30 people spoke at Tuesday's Carrboro Town Council meeting on the proposal for Chapel Hill police to serve Carrboro. A few supported it. Most objected to how the plan surfaced, without input from the public or from Carrboro's own officers, and to the push to start in December.
Debating into the early hours of Wednesday, the council agreed to keep talking with Chapel Hill. Members asked for a draft interlocal agreement and for answers on liability in officer-involved incidents, what happens if a future council disagrees, Flock cameras, and homelessness. Council member Catherine Fray said that doesn't commit the town to a merger. Former police chief Carolyn Hutchison urged the council to "slow down, examine the evidence, consider the alternatives."
The item returns Dec. 1. Chapel Hill plans a public information meeting in early December before its council discusses the proposal Dec. 9. The petition for a public vote faces a hurdle, though: the town attorney said state law doesn't allow one.
Tonya's Pops Up for the Holidays
A September fire closed Tonya's Café & Bakeshop on South Elliott Road, and repairs are still underway with no reopening date set. In the meantime, starting Nov. 11, Tonya Council has a holiday pop-up at 900 Willow Drive, on the edge of University Place near the Silverspot theater. It's open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Look for her signature pecan crisp cookies, banana pudding, brownies, caramel apple bars, and peppermint bark, plus food gift baskets, local toffee, jams, and cheese straws. There are take-and-bake chicken pot pies and casseroles for the freezer, too.
Thanksgiving dinners are on as well, a tradition carried over from Mama Dip's Kitchen, the restaurant of her grandmother, Mildred Council. Order turkey dinners, honey-baked ham, sides, and pies by Nov. 21, and pick up Nov. 24 or 25. The pop-up should stay open until about Valentine's Day.
Bandido's Sets Its Last Day
After more than 31 years in Amber Alley off Franklin Street, Bandido's Mexican Cafe will close for good after Friday, Dec. 11. The restaurant opened in 1995 and is famous for its five-pound burrito.
The announcement came in a flyer thanking customers for decades of birthdays, anniversaries, and family gatherings. "What started as a restaurant became so much more because of all of you," it reads.
That leaves about a month for one more visit.
Weigh In on Chapel Hill's Bus Routes
Chapel Hill Transit has released draft recommendations for Blueprint 2035, its short-range transit plan. The draft covers proposed route changes, how often buses would come and how long they'd run each day, and a timeline for phasing in the changes. You can explore an interactive map of the proposals and take a short survey in English or Spanish.
Arrest Made After Downtown Fire
Chapel Hill police made an arrest late Sunday, Nov. 8, after a fire in the East Franklin Street building that houses Raising Cane's. Customers were evacuated when the alarm sounded, no one was hurt, and firefighters had the fire under control by about midnight.
Police say the fire was set intentionally. Officers arrested John Long, 45, of Moore County, on East Franklin Street soon after, based on an eyewitness description. He's charged with breaking and entering and burning occupied commercial property, a felony, and is being held without bond. Raising Cane's was open as usual Monday.
A Final Note
INsight from THE INSIDER
Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.
THAT'S IT FOR THIS WEEK
Have something happening in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, or the surrounding community that Insider readers should know about?
Hit reply and tell me.
A new business, community event, neighborhood story, good news, something changing around town, or something you think deserves a closer look: I want to hear about it.
Until next time,
Be in the know!
Chapel Hill Insider is supported by anchor sponsor Meri Lynch of Coldwell Banker HPW.
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