In this Chapel Hill Insider Issue…

⛅Chapel Hill Local Weather- High 69^o and Mostly Sunny

❎ Updated Poll: Local Mechanics that Chapel Hill Insiders Trust

📰UNC Students and Local Nonprofit Raise $100K for Solar-Powered Affordable Housing

📰Chapel Hill Public Library to Host Major Fundraising Book Sale This Weekend

📰ClydeFEST 2024: A Whirlwind of Free Family Fun and Creativity in Pittsboro

📰SOLD OUT: Savannah Bananas to Light Up Durham with Weekend Games Against Party Animals

📢 We Want to Spotlight Local Businesses! Want Your Business to Be in Focus? Apply Here! Want to nominate a business? Email us at [email protected]

🗓️Upcoming Events (Updated)

Dad Joke of the Day:

Q: What do you call tug-of-war with a pig?

A: Pulled Pork.

Today’s Weather Sponsored by AI Insight Summit

New Poll: Which Local Mechanic Do You Trust?

Wow, Insiders! You really care about who you take your car to! We had quite a few emails requesting a few additions to our poll so we are going to run an updated poll for one more day. If you have already voted, your submission has been recorded, but if you have not or emailed us jump in! We will reach out to the top three for an upcoming Business Spolight!

Is your trusted mechanic not listed? No worries! Just email their name and location to [email protected]

UNC Students and Local Nonprofit Raise $100K for Solar-Powered Affordable Housing

UNC-Chapel Hill’s student organization SolarEquity and the nonprofit EMPOWERment, Inc. have raised $100,000 to install solar panels on the PEACH apartments complex, located in the Pine Knolls neighborhood, aiming to provide energy cost savings for low-income families. This effort is enhanced by a grant from Orange County and will also benefit from federal tax credits, which will further support local minority- and women-led businesses. The project promises significant environmental and economic benefits, with construction beginning this month and completion slated for early next year.

Construction of the PEACH apartments is set to begin this month, with the solar panel installation expected to be completed by January 2025. SolarEquity is also exploring additional projects, including outfitting St. Joseph Christian Methodist Episcopal Church with solar panels, aiming to extend their impact throughout the Chapel Hill community. Read the full story.

Chapel Hill Public Library to Host Major Fundraising Book Sale This Weekend

The Friends of Chapel Hill Public Library are gearing up for their much-anticipated Big Book Sale, scheduled from Friday, April 12 to Sunday, April 14. The sale offers a wide selection of gently used fiction and non-fiction titles suitable for both children and adults, alongside an assortment of puzzles and games, with prices starting as low as 50 cents.

The event kicks off with an exclusive session for Friends of the Library members on Friday from 3 PM to 6 PM, where memberships can be purchased at the door or online. The sale opens up to the general public over the weekend: Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from 10 AM to 2 PM, featuring a special $10 bag sale where attendees can fill a bag with books for just ten dollars.

Hosting three major book sales annually, these events are crucial fundraisers for the Friends group. The funds raised—typically over $150,000 each year—support vital library services, enhancements, and various programs. Past contributions have been instrumental in adding new features such as The Circulator, updating the lobby furniture, expanding the world language collections, and more.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own bags to the sale, although commercial book resellers will incur a fee for any additional boxes provided by the Friends.

ClydeFEST 2024: A Whirlwind of Free Family Fun and Creativity in Pittsboro

Pittsboro's ClydeFEST returns with a vibrant blend of folk art, games, and live entertainment. This free children's festival, happening on April 14, 2024, starting at noon, and offers numerous activities, from painting and hula hooping to enjoying live performances and gourmet treats. This year, the festival also introduces "The Locals," an art exhibit featuring works commissioned by the Chatham Arts Council, spotlighting Chatham County's cultural heritage. Get the full details here.

SOLD OUT: Savannah Bananas to Light Up Durham with Weekend Games Against Party Animals

Durham, North Carolina is buzzing with excitement as the Savannah Bananas arrive for the 2024 Banana Ball World Tour. The team is set to clash with the Party Animals in a thrilling three-game series at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park this weekend. This visit is a highlight of their seven-game journey across North Carolina.

If you have never heard of Banana Ball or seen this crew in action, it is a league that offers a fresh twist on traditional baseball, featuring eleven innovative rules that promise a dynamic and unpredictable game experience. A highlight this season is the introduction of the "Golden Batter" rule, which could add an unexpected twist to the upcoming games. Unfortunately, the Durham games are all sold out. Luckily, one of their more recent stadium-game highlight reel linked below can give you a taste of what you’d experience in the Bull City.

The Bananas come into Durham with strong momentum, boasting a 14-10 record and victories in six out of their previous series, following two successful weekends in Savannah. Despite their success, they face stiff competition from the Party Animals, who boast a secret weapon: Reece Hampton. The Charlotte native and former UNC-Charlotte star brings local flavor and professional experience to the field.

ClydeFEST 2024

Date and Time: Sunday, April 14, 2024, 12 pm to 5 pm

Location: Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center, 1192 US 64 Bus, Pittsboro, NC

Parking: Ample parking available

Admission: Free

Friday, April 12 from 3 to 6 pm (Members only sale)

Saturday, April 13 from 10 am to 5 pm

Sunday, April 14 from 10 am to 2 pm ($10 bag sale)

Check Out the New Carolina Blue Fire Engines

Date: Saturday, April 13, 2024 Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM 

2nd Friday ArtWalk:

Caldwell Artists in Conversation

Ackland Art Museum 101 South Columbia Street, Chapel Hill

Dates: April 12, 2024 Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Cat’s Cradle

Location: Lapin Bleu, 106 North Graham, Chapel Hill

Date and Time: April 12, 2024 @ 8:30-10:30 p.m.

Comedy Show: Maddie Wiener at The Varsity

Varsity Theatre, 123 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill

April 12 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

April 12 @ 9:30 pm - 10:30 pm

Andrew Kasab, an American fingerstyle guitarist and songwriter will be at the Chapel Hill Farmers Market on April 13, 2024, at 10 a.m. at 201 S Estes Dr, Chapel Hill.