In this Chapel Hill Insider Issue…

⛅Chapel Hill Local Weather- High 58^o and Heavy Thunderstorms

📰Eliza McLamb's Homecoming Concert: A Journey of Growth and Music

📰Chapel Hill Public Library a Finalist for Prestigious National Medal

📅 Events Highlight with Updates: Easter Brunch and Adventure Await in Chapel Hill and Carrboro

📢 We Want to Spotlight Local Businesses! Want Your Business to Be in Focus? Apply Here!

🍵Win a $25 Starbucks e-Gift Card! Share, Like & Win!

🗓️Upcoming Events (Updates)

Eliza McLamb's Homecoming Concert: A Journey of Growth and Music

Indie musician Eliza McLamb recently headlined a show at Cat's Cradle Main Room, marking a poignant moment in her burgeoning career. Returning to the venue of her adolescence, McLamb's performance was not just a concert but a full-circle moment. Growing up in the vicinity, she reflected on her deep-rooted connections to the locale, emphasizing her local heritage during the event. The concert, part of The Anything You Want Tour, showcased tracks from her debut album "Going Through It," featuring a mix of pop-rock and introspective synth melodies. Fans, some of whom traveled significant distances, were drawn to McLamb's emotional authenticity and the personal growth her music encapsulated.

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McLamb's journey to this point has been multifaceted. Before her recent achievements, she navigated the challenges of her teen years in Carrboro, balancing her ambitions with a normal teenage life, including early morning study sessions at a local coffee shop and a swift progression through high school. McLamb's move to Los Angeles and experiences in other major cities only strengthened her bond with her North Carolina roots, despite acknowledging the complexity of her feelings towards her hometown.

Beyond her music, McLamb engages with her audience through a variety of mediums. She co-hosts "Binchtopia," a cultural commentary podcast recognized for its feminist content, and maintains a Substack account where she explores personal and cultural themes. These platforms, alongside her music, paint a picture of an artist deeply invested in self-exploration and cultural dialogue.

McLamb's recent show in Carrboro wasn't just a homecoming; it was a celebration of her evolution as an artist and individual. Her performance, particularly a spontaneous cover of a pop-country song, symbolized her Southern roots and showcased her versatility. Reflecting on the event, McLamb shared her overwhelming joy and connection to North Carolina, reaffirming her ties to the place that shaped her.

Chapel Hill Public Library a Finalist for Prestigious National Medal

The Chapel Hill Public Library has been honored as a finalist for the prestigious 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the highest recognition awarded in the United States to libraries and museums for service to their communities. This year, out of 30 national finalists, the Chapel Hill Public Library stands out as the sole contender from North Carolina, spotlighting its exceptional contributions to the community.

Nominated by Congresswoman Valerie Foushee, the library is celebrated for its role in fostering literacy, lifelong learning, cultural enrichment, and ensuring public access to information. Interim Library Director Meeghan Rosen expressed profound gratitude for the nomination, attributing the library's success to the dedicated staff and the strength of its community partnerships. She emphasized that this nomination acknowledges their collective efforts in making the community a better place.

As one of the state's most frequented libraries, with over 60,000 cardholders and an annual circulation exceeding a million items, the Chapel Hill Public Library's commitment to providing innovative programs and services is evident. Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson also commended the library staff for their dedicated service and their role in making the library a cornerstone of the community.

The announcement of the National Medal winners is eagerly awaited, with the ceremony to take place at The White House this summer. In the meantime, the Chapel Hill community is encouraged to celebrate this remarkable achievement by sharing their library stories and experiences on social media with #ShareYourStory and #IMLSmedals.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services, responsible for the award, is a key federal agency supporting the nation’s museums and libraries. Its programs aim to enhance learning, inspire community engagement, and preserve cultural and natural heritage.

For further details about the National Medal or the Chapel Hill Public Library, interested parties are directed to the IMLS website and the library's official site.

Nike Executive and UNC Alumna Ilana Finley Champions Future Generations with New Scholarship

Ilana Finley, a UNC-Chapel Hill alumna and accomplished executive at Nike and Converse, has endowed a scholarship through the Carolina Covenant, aiming to support future students' academic and professional journeys. Her career, which began with an internship at Nike, exemplifies the success attainable with the right support and opportunities. Reflecting on her own experiences as a journalism student and athlete, Finley acknowledges the university's significant impact on her life. Her generous contribution and role on the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Visitors mark her dedication to giving back to her alma mater and supporting the next generation of students.

Easter Brunch and Adventure Await in Chapel Hill and Carrboro

This Easter, Chapel Hill and Carrboro are set to host an array of festive brunch events that promise to cater to a variety of tastes and preferences:

• Acme, a popular eatery in Carrboro, invites patrons to an indoor Easter brunch extravaganza on March 31, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The menu is a feast for the senses, featuring southern classics such as sausage gravy, fried green tomatoes, and pimento cheese, along with brunch favorites like mimosas, biscuits, donuts, bloody Marys, fried chicken, quiche, and bacon. Click here to make a reservation.

• For those preferring to celebrate at home, it’s a little too late to order a take-home Easter brunch from the Root Cellar Cafe in Chapel Hill. (Yikes!) However, their location in Pittsboro is open for Easter Brunch on March 31st from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

• Adding to the celebratory spirit, Market and Moss in Chapel Hill is also hosting a special Easter brunch on March 31, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The event boasts a specially curated brunch menu, a dedicated kids menu, and an extensive list of cocktails and wines, ensuring a memorable dining experience for all ages.

• Spring Haven Farm introduces an enchanting Easter Egg Hunt with Goats, blending traditional egg hunting with the joy of interacting with friendly farm animals. Available from Wednesday to Sunday, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., the event allows visitors to schedule their arrival within this timeframe and enjoy the farm's offerings at their leisure. The farm is a haven for children to explore and hunt for Easter eggs. To ensure a fair and enjoyable experience, there's an eight-egg limit per child. For those less inclined towards sweets, a trade-in option for prizes is available. Beyond the hunt, the farm invites guests to engage with baby goats and a variety of other animals, including horses, highland cows, pigs, and more.

• In a twist on traditional Easter activities, Carrboro's Wilson Park is hosting a Flashlight Egg Hunt on March 30th for youth ages 11 to 14. This unique event, set to begin at 8:20 PM, invites participants to bring their flashlights and baskets for a nighttime egg hunt, with special golden eggs hidden for exciting prizes. The event is free, with registration starting at 7:45 PM and rules and information provided at 8:10 PM.

Chapel Hill Insider's Social Buzz Campaign: Share, Like & Win a Coffee on Us!

Join our exciting Share, Like & Win Campaign and stand a chance to win a $25 Starbucks e-gift card! Here's how you can be a part of it:

1. SHARE our newsletter with your friends, colleagues, and family in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and nearby areas. For every new subscriber who joins the Chapel Hill Insider via your referral link, you'll earn points.

2. LIKE our Facebook page, tag your friends, and invite them to like our page and explore our newsletter.

The campaign wraps up on April 1st, at which point we'll count up all the points to determine the winner. Let's work together to get the word out!

Sip and Support at Tandem

• Remember, all month long, $5 from every order of Tandem's "Afternoon Calls" specialty cocktail will also go right back to McDougle Elementary School. Thank you for the support, Tandem!

Hybrid Lunchbox Talk with North Carolina Botanical Garden

Register and join virtually!

Senior Bingo in Carrboro

Join the upcoming bingo event at the Carrboro Century Center for an afternoon filled with games, snacks, and the chance to win prizes. Open to individuals 50 and over, this free event takes place on March 28, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM. Registration is required and can be done by calling (919) 918-7364 or visiting the official registration website.

Preschoolers in Nature at North Carolina Botanical Garden

At Epilogue Books Chocolate Brew

The Cave

Cat’s Cradle

New Monthly Comedy Showcase