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Chapel Hill High Students Surprise Retiring Teacher with $23,000 for New Car
#075
Chapel Hill High Students Surprise Retiring Teacher with $23,000 for New Car
Issue #075
In this Chapel Hill Insider Issue…
⛅Chapel Hill Local Weather- High 84o and Mostly Cloudy
📰Carrboro Earns Top Marks in Resident Survey
📰North Carolina Libraries Benefit from $2.5 Million in State and Federal Grants
📰Chapel Hill High Students Surprise Retiring Teacher with $23,000 for New Car
📰New Spots for Smoothies and Wings in Chapel Hill
📢Have an Event You’d Like to Share? Let us know! Click Here to Give Us the Deets!
📢 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]
Carrboro Earns Top Marks in Resident Survey
Carrboro has been recognized as a "high-performing city" based on recent survey results from February and March 2024. The survey revealed that nearly all residents (98%) rated the Town of Carrboro as either "excellent" or "good" in terms of living conditions. Additionally, 98% of participants praised Carrboro as an ideal place to raise children, while 96% felt welcomed in the community. The survey consultant highlighted these high ratings when comparing Carrboro's data with other communities nationwide.
North Carolina Libraries Benefit from $2.5 Million in State and Federal Grants
Forty-one libraries in North Carolina have been awarded a total of $2,527,641 in grants from the State Library of North Carolina, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). The grants aim to support a variety of new and expanded library programs and services, focusing on community engagement, equitable access, and responsive organizations. These projects include enhancing adult literacy programs, providing health and wellness learning opportunities, creating welcoming spaces for neurodiverse individuals, and improving access to materials through digitization and preservation efforts.
Some notable projects and their grant amounts are:
Chapel Hill Public Library received $45,000 for the Chapel Hill Descendants Project, which aims to document and preserve the history of local descendants.
Chatham County Public Library was awarded $36,228 for the Chatham County Public Libraries’ StoryWalk®, an initiative that combines physical activity with reading through an interactive outdoor story path.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill received $814,264 for the North Carolina Digital Heritage Center, focusing on digitizing and preserving North Carolina's historical and cultural materials.
Secretary Reid Wilson of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources emphasized the vital role libraries play in communities by offering diverse programs and services that enrich lives, from cooking classes to toddler story time to mobile libraries. He highlighted that these federal funds are crucial investments in helping public libraries deliver innovative and relevant services to their communities.
Chapel Hill High Students Surprise Retiring Teacher with $23,000 for New Car
Chapel Hill High School junior Lyla Berman launched a GoFundMe on May 7 to gift her history teacher, Bill Melega, a new car for his retirement. By June 9, nearly $23,000 was raised. The campaign idea originated from a classroom discussion about inflation and Melega's 1996 Saturn. The GoFundMe, shared widely on social media, received over 300 donations. Melega, who has taught at the school since 1997, expressed his gratitude and hinted at buying a reliable pickup truck. Post-retirement, he plans to relax and explore new opportunities later in the year.
New Spots for Smoothies and Wings in Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill’s dining landscape is undergoing significant changes with several popular establishments relocating or opening new locations.
Starbucks, currently located next to Raising Cane’s, is moving to a larger space across the street. This move is aimed at accommodating more patrons and enhancing the overall customer experience.
Joining the new Starbucks location later this summer is Playa Bowls, a New Jersey-based chain known for its smoothies and acai bowls.
Pulp Juice & Smoothie Bar will be taking over the former Seafood Destiny space. This establishment will offer a variety of fresh juices and smoothies.
Voodoo Wings is set to replace the recently closed Dame’s Chicken and Waffles. With a focus on flavorful and diverse wing options, Voodoo Wings aims to become a new favorite.
Cosmic Cantina has relocated from 128 E. Franklin St. to 118 E. Franklin St. as part of UNC’s Campus Master Plan developments. The new location, which attracts more foot traffic, features decor celebrating Chapel Hill’s unique character. While the menu remains largely the same, new additions include a liquor license and a pressed juice bar, offering more variety to patrons.
These changes reflect a dynamic shift in Chapel Hill’s dining scene, bringing fresh options and enhanced experiences to locals and visitors alike.
