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FROM THE INSIDE…
Inside This Issue: We're featuring a new book by a local AI strategist who thinks the trick to working with artificial intelligence isn't learning to talk like a machine, it's teaching the machine how you already think. Meri Lynch is back with the June Market Watch, and if you're selling a home right now, you'll want to read this one before you price it. Plus, Pride weekend is here, Juneteenth is right behind it, OWASA wants to talk about your water bill, and there's a brand new oyster bar opening at East 54 that already has us looking at the menu. Don’t forget, National Donut Day Deals.
LET’S STEP INSIDE →
Feature Story
What If AI Could Think More Like You?
One Strategist Wants You to Stay Human When You Work With AI
Most of us have tried an AI tool by now — typed something in, gotten something back that felt... off. Too generic. Too robotic. Like talking to someone who's technically answering your question but clearly isn't listening.
Local AI strategist Elana Etten, owner of Identity Marketing US, thinks she knows why. It's not that the technology is bad. It's that you have to tell it how you think.
Her new book, How to AI Like a Human, flips the script on the usual "learn to use AI" advice. Instead of making people adapt to the machine, she built a framework around adapting the machine to the person — starting with something she calls your CogniPrint.
It's a short assessment that maps how you naturally process information — whether you're a big-picture thinker, a detail-first builder, or somewhere in between — and then uses that as the starting point for how you work with AI, no tech background required. No jargon. Just a smarter starting line.
Worth a few minutes of your Thursday if you've ever felt like AI was speaking a different language than you.
Get out yours at getmycogniprint.com. Check Elana’s soft release of her interactive book at howtoAIlikeahuman.com
National Donut Day!
🍩 National Donut Day Deals (Friday, June 5)
Friday is National Donut Day. If you are looking to grab a free or discounted treat during your morning commute, here is a breakdown of what local and regional shops are offering:
Dunkin' (1509 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill): Get a free classic donut with the purchase of any beverage.
Duck Donuts (5320 McFarland Dr., Durham): Located just off 15-501 near Patterson Place, they are offering one free bare, cinnamon sugar, or powdered sugar donut per person, in-store only, with no purchase necessary. They also have a half-dozen classic donuts available for $6.
Krispy Kreme (3536 Shannon Rd., Durham): Get one free doughnut of your choice (excluding promotional or limited-time collaborations), no purchase required. They are also offering a second Original Glazed dozen for $2 with the purchase of any regular-priced dozen.
7-Eleven & Speedway (Regional): Rewards members can purchase classic glazed donuts for 50 cents each.
Saturday Local Alternative: If you prefer local, independent vendors over the Friday chains, Yee Haw Doughnuts will be at the Carrboro Farmers’ Market on Saturday morning, June 6, starting at 7:00 AM, serving their small-batch sweet potato cake doughnuts.
Market Watch With Meri Lynch
New June Market Watch with Meri Lynch Out Now!
Selling an existing home right now requires a completely different strategy than it did two years ago. With massive new construction developments pouring fresh inventory into Chatham Park, buyers have options—and resale homes are sitting for an average of 50 days.
Before you look at generic online home estimates, read our early summer market triage report to see how to position your home to win against corporate builder incentives.
— Meri
We would like to thank Meri Lynch Realty for sponsoring this issue!
Upcoming Events
🎉 LOCAL EVENTS COMING UP
June 4 – June 14
🏛️ Local Government & School Board Meetings
June 4 (Thu) | Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board Meeting
The Action: The final vote and public comment session regarding the highly debated elementary school restructuring and classroom assignment plans for the upcoming year.
Details: 6:00 PM at the Lincoln Center. View Agenda & Stream
June 10 (Wed) | Chapel Hill Town Council Business Meeting
The Action: Public hearings on the final FY 2026-2027 town budget allocations, commercial zoning changes, and local affordable housing funding.
Details: 6:00 PM at Chapel Hill Town Hall. View Agenda & Details
📚 Community, Library, & Special Days
June 5 (Fri) | National Donut Day Early Bird Special
What: Celebrate the sweet holiday locally. Early birds hitting Franklin Street can grab limited-edition seasonal flavors (and free classic glazed with select orders) at Carolina Glazed Donuts and Dunkin', while Early Bird Donuts in Durham is doing a special collaboration batch. Starts at 6:00 AM until sold out.
June 5 (Fri) | CHPL Friday Family Movie Night: Inside Out 2
What: A free indoor screening of Pixar's hit family sequel Inside Out 2 to kick off the summer. Popcorn and themed crafting supplies are provided for kids.
Where: Chapel Hill Public Library (Meeting Room B) from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Register via CHPL
June 11 (Thu) | Community Teen Game Night
Where: Hargraves Community Center, Chapel Hill
What: Open-door recreational night for middle and high schoolers featuring Nintendo Switch tournaments (Super Smash Bros), tabletop board games, and free pizza. 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM. More Info via Town of Chapel Hill
June 13 (Sat) | Local History & Archive Open House
Where: Chapel Hill Public Library
What: An interactive showcase exploring historical preservation efforts, focusing on the local families, architecture, and stories that shaped Orange County. Runs 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM. View Details via CHPL
Cultural Celebrations
June 6 (Sat) | Small Town Pride Promenade & Celebration
What: The official joint Chapel Hill and Carrboro Pride kickoff. Join the community parade marching from Peace & Justice Plaza down Franklin Street, ending at 140 West for a festival featuring live DJs, drag performances, local craft vendors, and food trucks.
Time: Promenade starts at 11:30 AM; Festival runs until 3:00 PM. Full Schedule via Town of Chapel Hill
June 13 (Sat) | Pride Piper Walk & Crafts
What: Carrboro’s neighborhood-focused Pride celebration featuring a lively musical processional led by local brass players, followed by queer youth art workshops and local community organizational booths at the town hall lawn.
Time: 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM at Carrboro Town Hall Commons. Details via Town of Carrboro
June 14 (Sun) | Chapel Hill-Carrboro Juneteenth Celebration
What: The region's major annual Juneteenth festival celebrating Black freedom, community, and culture. Expect incredible live performances by local R&B and gospel artists, a dedicated Black-owned business marketplace, historical storytelling, and kids' activities.
Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM at the Hargraves Community Center. Event Details & Map
🎭 Comedy, Theater, & Arts
June 4 – June 7 | "The Addams Family" Musical Production
Where: The Chelsea Theater / Center Theater Company, Chapel Hill
What: A lively local staging of the classic dark-comedy musical, running all weekend with evening and matinee showtimes. Ticket Information
June 12 (Fri) | Local Stand-Up Comedy Showcase
Where: The ArtsCenter, Carrboro
What: Featuring a curated roster of North Carolina's sharpest touring stand-up comedians and regional favorites. Starts at 8:00 PM. Get Tickets via ArtsCenter
🎸 Live Music & Town Festivals
June 4 (Thu) | Bayside & Adjust The Sails
Where: Cat's Cradle, Carrboro | Doors 7:00 PM. Get Tickets
June 5 (Fri) | Freight Train Blues: Dedicated Men of Zion & Faith & Harmony
Where: Carrboro Town Commons | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM. Free outdoor gospel-blues concert. More Info
June 6 (Sat) | June in Bloom Flower Festival
Where: Carrboro Farmers' Market | 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Live music, local floral vendors, and screen printing workshops. Details
June 9 (Tue) | Geordie Greep (of Black Midi)
Where: Cat's Cradle, Carrboro | 8:00 PM. Experimental avant-rock solo performance. Check Tickets
June 10 (Wed) | Andy Hull (Acoustic)
Where: Haw River Ballroom, Saxapahaw | 8:00 PM. An intimate acoustic performance from the Manchester Orchestra frontman. Get Tickets
June 11 (Thu) | BALTHVS Psychedelic Funk Show
Where: Cat's Cradle, Carrboro | 8:00 PM. Hypnotic global surf-rock and Colombian psych-funk. View Details
June 12 (Fri) | Freight Train Blues Season Finale: Orquesta K'Che
Where: Carrboro Town Commons | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM. High-energy regional salsa and Latin jazz ensemble closing out the spring series. Free. More Info
Local News
FROM AROUND TOWN
LOCAL NEWS
🚧 Nighttime Detours Ahead: NCDOT Begins Resurfacing NC 86
If your late-night drive takes you down North Columbia Street or Airport Road, prepare for some orange cones. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has officially kicked off a major resurfacing project on NC 86, spanning the stretch between Estes Drive and Franklin Street.
The Impact: Crews are working overnight to minimize daytime gridlock, but you should expect lane closures and notable delays between 8:00 PM and 6:00 AM.
Timeline: The work is scheduled to run through the end of July, so map out your alternate evening routes accordingly.
🦪 On the Menu: Géos Tavern & Oyster Bar Opens Next Week
East 54 is getting a massive new culinary anchor. The Giorgios Hospitality Group has announced that Géos Tavern & Oyster Bar will officially open its doors on Monday, June 8, at 1118 Environ Way. Helmed by local partner and Food Network Chopped champion Chef Daniel Jackson, the 220-seat establishment features multiple distinct dining areas, including a dedicated tavern space and a garden room. Expect an elevated neighborhood gastropub vibe offering raw oyster towers, drop biscuits with pepper jelly, and North Carolina-inspired comfort food.
💧 OWASA Proposes 4% Rate Hike to Fund Historic $100M Water Project
The Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) is preparing for a public hearing regarding its upcoming fiscal budget, which includes a proposed 4% rate increase for water and sewer services. If approved, the adjustment will add roughly $4.03 to the typical monthly household bill starting October 1. The revenue spike is largely driven by a massive infrastructure milestone: a $100 million replacement of the community's primary drinking water Clearwell tank. This marks the single largest capital project OWASA has ever undertaken.
Make Your Voice Heard: The public comment hearing is scheduled for Thursday, June 11, at 6:00 PM at the OWASA headquarters on Jones Ferry Road in Carrboro.
👋 End of an Era: Tourism Chief Laurie Paolicelli Announces Retirement
After more than two decades serving as the face of local hospitality, Laurie Paolicelli is stepping down. The long-tenured Executive Director of the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau (CHOCVB) announced she will officially retire on November 2, 2026. Paolicelli has been an absolute powerhouse for our local economy, championing small business growth, driving regional tourism campaigns, and putting Chapel Hill and Carrboro on national travel maps. The hunt for the bureau's next leader will begin over the summer.
INsight from the INSIDER
"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes."
— Marcel Proust
Until next time,
Be in the know!