THE CHAPEL HILL INSIDER
FROM THE INSIDE…
Inside This Issue: Nya’s inspiring journey from cotton balls to Scandalous Essence, local leaders respond to immigration enforcement in the Triangle, Ed King's iconic Chapel Hill Cartoon Map goes digital (plus your chance to win a signed poster!), Two Chapel Hill holiday markets worth marking your calendar for, and events you can’t miss.
LET’S STEP INSIDE →
Feature Story
Self-Care On The Go: The One-Woman Show Behind Scandalous Essence
Luxury in every step of your self-care routine — body butter and oils made to glow.
Most 22-year-olds would consider running a business OR pursuing one master's degree a full plate. Nya is doing both—twice over—while building Scandalous Essence, a luxury self-care brand that started with cotton balls and customer encouragement.
From Cotton Balls to Sold Out
The origin story is pure entrepreneurial serendipity. Working at a store that sold oils, Nya would mix scents together during slow shifts, testing combinations on cotton balls. One day, a customer walked in, started smelling her creations, and said, "These are amazing. You need to make these and sell them."
So she did.
Nya taught herself how to make whipped shea butter, sourced her products from a vendor, and did her first pop-up shop at North Carolina Central University when she was 20. She sold out completely. "Okay, we gotta keep going," she remembers thinking.
Community Spotlight
The Chapel Hill Cartoon Map Goes Digital + Win a Printed Poster!
Big news: Ed King's beloved hand-drawn Chapel Hill Cartoon Map is now available digitally! In partnership with the original artist, we've brought this charming map—capturing every quirky corner and beloved business in our town—into the digital age.
Click to view the map online!
The digital map features the ability to zoom in and take it all in! Over the coming weeks, the map will become increasingly interactive as we add clickable links to local businesses featured on the map. Check back each week as more businesses come online!
Win a Limited Edition Printed Poster: To celebrate this milestone, we're giving away 10 printed posters (24"x36") to the first 10 Chapel Hill Insider subscribers who correctly answer our Chapel Hill trivia quiz!
How to Enter: Take the Chapel Hill trivia quiz here by Tuesday, November 26th, at 5pm. First 10 subscribers with perfect scores win! Winners will be announced in next week's newsletter.
Meet the Artist: Join us for a special Chapel Hill Insider Meetup on Small Business Saturday, November 29th, where poster winners can pick up their maps and meet the artist Ed King himself for signing! Non-winners are welcome too—come celebrate Small Business Saturday and support local. Time, Location, and Details in next week's issue!
Holiday Markets: Skip The Big Box Chaos
Forget the Black Friday stampedes and endless online scrolling through items that look nothing like their photos. Chapel Hill has two festive holiday markets on Saturday, December 6th, where you can find unique, locally-made gifts while supporting your community.
St. Thomas More Catholic Church Christmas Holiday Shoppe Craft Show
Saturday, December 6 | 9 am - 3 pm 940 Carmichael St, Chapel Hill
Now in its 17th year, this annual event brings together 60 local artisans and crafters from throughout North Carolina. You'll find handcrafted gifts for everyone on your list, plus a raffle, food truck, and—perhaps most importantly for your holiday gatherings—a bake sale featuring homemade holiday treats. Christmas music completes the festive atmosphere, and a hot lunch will be available.
Inclusive Business Holiday Gift Market
Saturday, December 6 | 10 am - 1 pm Blue Hill Event Center at Extraordinary Ventures, Chapel Hill
Shop with purpose at this market featuring products by disability-owned small businesses and disability-inclusive local employers. The market's goal is to support businesses that are inclusive of low-income populations. Find candles, wreaths, pottery, knitted items, and more—all while supporting businesses that prioritize inclusion.
Both markets offer the kind of one-of-a-kind items your hardest-to-shop-for friends and family don't already own—and you won't find anywhere else.
Want More Options? The Triangle is packed with holiday markets this season. The Carolina Inn Holiday Market runs December 8 and 15 from 12-4 pm with European-style vendors. Numerous markets will also take place at the State Fairgrounds throughout the season. Check local listings for the full lineup.
Upcoming Events
EVENTS THIS WEEK
Friday, November 21
Pop Up Chorus: Wicked! - 7:30 pm, The ArtsCenter, 400 Roberson St, Carrboro | Tickets at artscenterlive.org
Ackland Art Museum Tour: "A Closer Look at Color Triumphant" - 1 pm, Ackland Art Museum, 101 S Columbia St, Chapel Hill | Free admission
Saturday, November 22
UNC Football vs. Duke (Senior Day) - 3:30 pm kickoff, Kenan Stadium | Final home game of the season, tickets at goheels.com
FREE Pre-Game Concert: St. Paul & The Broken Bones - 1:30 pm, Polk Place (in front of Wilson Library) | Soul ensemble presented by the Rams Club
Alternative Gift Market - 9 am-3 pm, United Church of Chapel Hill, 106 Purefoy Rd | Jewelry, scarves, handmade goods supporting Church World Service, Habitat for Humanity, and Inter-Faith Council | Also open Sunday 11/23, 10 am-1 pm
Golden Fig Books 3rd Birthday - Carrboro | Birthday scavenger hunt with prizes, 10% off to free tote bags
Tuesday, November 25
Friendsgiving Senior Service Project - 1-4pm, Seymour Senior Center, 2551 Homestead Rd, Chapel Hill | Community service opportunity
Wednesday, November 27
Carolina Inn Holiday Market - 12-4 pm, The Carolina Inn, 211 Pittsboro St, Chapel Hill | Free admission, European-style market with NC vendors
Ongoing Events:
Chapel Hill Farmers Market - Every Saturday, 9 am-Noon, University Place at 123 W Franklin St | Fresh local produce, baked goods, crafts
Southern Village Events on The Green - Market Street, Chapel Hill | Trivia Nights, Craft Evenings, Open Mic, Run Club Thursdays 6 pm, Food Truck Music Saturdays & Sundays | Free, check southernvillage.org for schedule
Baby Goat Yoga - Every Saturday 10 am, Spring Haven Farm, 5306 Homer Ruffin Rd | Tickets at springhavenfarm.com
Winter Wonderland with Goats - Wed-Sun 10 am-5 pm through Dec 31, Spring Haven Farm | Choose & cut your own tree, Polar Express Tractor Train, hot cocoa | $14.95, kids under 3 free
Community Update
From Around Town
Local Leaders Respond to Immigration Enforcement in Triangle
Federal immigration enforcement operations have been active across the Triangle, with more than 130 arrests reported in Charlotte and operations extending to Raleigh, Durham, and Wake County. In response, Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson, Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee, Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell, and Orange County Board of Commissioners Chair Jamezetta Bedford issued a joint statement reaffirming that our communities are enriched by diversity and strongly denouncing actions that use racial profiling and sow fear among residents.
What You Need to Know: Local law enforcement agencies—including Chapel Hill Police, Carrboro Police, Hillsborough Police, and the Orange County Sheriff's Office—do not participate in ICE or U.S. Customs and Border Patrol operations. If you need police, EMS, fire, or emergency services, call 911. Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools does not ask for or record immigration status information.
Resources Available:
Siembra NC: Know Your Rights toolkit and hotline at 336-543-0353 (www.siembranc.org)
El Centro Hispano: Safety protocols, legal referrals, and attorney information at (919) 307-1995
NC Justice Center: Multilingual "Know Your Rights" guides and family preparedness toolkits (www.ncjustice.org/resources-for-immigrants)
Orange County: Resources at www.orangecountync.gov/KnowYourRights
Community leaders emphasize the importance of knowing your rights, having a plan, and relying on trusted organizations for accurate information.
UNC Men's Basketball Adjusts Without Trimble Tarheel fans got concerning news when senior guard Seth Trimble broke his arm during practice and required surgery. The timeline for his return depends on how the surgery and recovery progress, but the team showed resilience in their first game without him, defeating Radford 89-74 at the Smith Center. The Heels will need other players to step up while Trimble heals.
Former Council Member Eyes County Commissioner Race Former Chapel Hill Town Council member Karen Stegman announced she's running for Orange County Commissioner in 2026, bringing her years of local government experience to the county level. Stegman served on the Town Council and is now ready to tackle challenges beyond Chapel Hill's town limits.
Chapel Hill Insider is your weekly guide to the people, places, and stories that make our community special. Know someone we should feature? Have a story tip? Reply to this email.
A Final Note
INsight FROM THE INSIDER
"Taking care of yourself doesn't mean me first, it means me too."
— L.R. Knost
Until next time,
Be in the know!