Trivia Winners Announced! + Your Thanksgiving Weekend Guide & Holiday Pop-Ups

Trivia Winners: Claim Your Signed Ed King Posters

When Ed King first put pen to paper to create his cartoon map of Chapel Hill, he wasn't just drawing streets and landmarks—he was capturing the personality of a place. The whimsical illustrations, the playful details tucked into every corner, and the way Franklin Street seems to come alive with character and charm. It's not just a map. It's a love letter to this town, rendered in ink and humor.

This month, we partnered with Ed to bring that beloved map into the digital age. The Chapel Hill Cartoon Map is now available online, and over the coming weeks, it will become increasingly interactive as we add clickable links to the local businesses featured on the map. It's a living document that grows alongside our community.

To celebrate this milestone, we launched a 10-question trivia quiz challenging readers to prove their Chapel Hill knowledge.

Congratulations to our winners! You've each won a limited-edition 24"x36" printed poster of Ed's iconic map.

Here's how to claim your prize:

Join us at Caribou Coffee on Franklin Street this Saturday, November 29, from 11 am to 12 pm for our very first Chapel Hill Insider meetup. Ed King himself will be there to sign your posters in person.

Even if you didn't win the trivia quiz, we'd love to see you. Come meet Ed, celebrate Small Business Saturday, grab a coffee, and connect with fellow Chapel Hill Insiders. You can even buy your own limited edition cartoon map for $20 from the artist himself! Then stick around Franklin Street and support the local businesses that make our town special.

FIND OUT THE TRIVIA QUIZ ANSWERS AND WHO WON!→

UNC Researchers Want to Hear From Chapel Hill's Desk-Sitters

If you're reading this from your desk chair right now—or from the couch after Thanksgiving dinner—UNC researchers want to talk to you.

The SWITCH Study at UNC Chapel Hill is looking for local residents who spend most of their day sitting to participate in research on sedentary behavior and heart health. The CardioMetabolic Laboratory wants to understand why prolonged sitting increases risk for heart disease and stroke, and more importantly, identify practical strategies to break up those long sitting sessions throughout your day.

The study offers financial compensation and complimentary parking at Fetzer Hall. You might be eligible if you're between 30 and 60 years old, sit for most of your day, don't regularly exercise, don't smoke or vape, and don't have heart disease or high blood pressure.

To learn more or express interest, complete the screening survey or contact the study team at [email protected] or (919) 561-6890. The study was approved by UNC's Institutional Review Board (IRB #21-3195).

Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving Day)

Carolina Inn Holiday Market | 12-4 pm | 211 Pittsboro Street. The first of this season's European-style holiday markets on the Carolina Inn's front porch. Thirty-plus vendors from across North Carolina are selling handcrafted gifts from chocolates to jewelry to ornaments. Don't miss the Bier Garten with craft beers, mulled wine, and signature cocktails. Feast on soft pretzels, pulled pork, and s'mores by the fire. Free admission, free parking.

Friday, November 28

Hillsborough Last Fridays Art Walk | 6-9 pm | Downtown Hillsborough The final Last Fridays of the year! Twenty-eight participating venues offer artist receptions, live music, gallery exhibitions, and that special Hillsborough magic. Free.

SmashFest at The Scrap Exchange | 2-6 pm | Durham Need to release some post-holiday energy? Break stuff at this free fundraiser event. Live music, food trucks, screenprinting, community partner tables, and all the smashables you can handle (available for purchase). Festival atmosphere, therapeutic release.

Saturday, November 29 (Small Business Saturday)

Chapel Hill Insider Meetup at Caribou Coffee | 11 am-12 pm | Franklin Street Trivia winners pick up your signed Ed King posters! Everyone is welcome to meet the artist and connect with your community.

UNC vs. Duke Football | Kenan Stadium | Senior Day The 112th meeting between the Tar Heels and Blue Devils. Senior Day ceremonies will honor departing players.

Roy Wood Jr.: The Man of Many Fathers Book Tour | 7:30 pm | Carolina Theatre, Durham

Ongoing

NC Botanical Garden Sculpture in the Garden | Through December 7. Take a self-guided tour of works by 50 North Carolina artists amid native wildflowers and shrubs. Free ($5 donation suggested). 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill.

NC Chinese Lantern Festival | Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary | Through January 11. One of the Triangle's most spectacular holiday traditions returns after a year off.

Saturday, December 6

Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Holiday Parade | 10 am-12 pm Walk, dance, bike, and scoot your way through this festive, inclusive community parade. The route begins at The ArtsCenter in Carrboro and ends at 140 West Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, with four performance zones featuring musical numbers and dancing along the way. Free.

Hillsborough Jingle & Joy Weekend | All afternoon. Start at the Visitors Center for a free multicultural holiday fair. Mrs. Claus reading at 3 pm, Santa photos from 3:15-4:45 pm, free games and crafts. At 5 pm, join the procession to the Historic Courthouse for the annual tree lighting.

Carolina Inn Holiday Market | 12-4 pm (Also December 7 and 14)

Sunday, December 7

Hillsborough Light Up the Night Holiday Parade | 4 pm Get there early for the Running of the Elves at 4 pm—definitely a sight to see. The parade follows at 4:20 pm with floats, music, and merry surprises.

Hillsborough Gingerbread Display Opens | Downtown shop windows | Through January 5. This year's theme: "Candy." Stroll through downtown and discover gingerbread scenes in local shop windows.

Alfredo's Pizza Villa Reopens at New Location

If you've been mourning the loss of your favorite University Place pizza slice, dry those tears—Alfredo's Pizza Villa has officially reopened in its brand-new location across the parking lot. The beloved pizza spot welcomed customers back Thursday night, completing a move that had regulars counting the days. The new space is larger and updated, but the important things remain unchanged: the same family recipes, the same friendly faces behind the counter, and yes, the same pizza that's made Alfredo's a Chapel Hill institution. Whether you're a pepperoni purist or a white pizza devotee, stop by this Small Business Saturday and welcome them to their new home. They've earned the warm reception.

Dr. Cristy Page Named Next CEO of UNC Health.

The search for UNC Health's next leader ended where it began—right here in Chapel Hill. Dr. Cristy Page, a lifelong Tar Heel who earned her undergraduate and medical degrees from UNC, has been named the health system's next CEO. The appointment marks a homecoming of sorts for Dr. Page, who has spent her career in academic medicine and healthcare administration. Observers note that her deep institutional knowledge and longtime ties to the community position her well to navigate the challenges facing health systems today, from workforce shortages to expanding access in rural areas. The transition is expected to take place in the coming months. It's a reminder that sometimes the right person for the job was here all along.

Town Council Hits 4-4 Stalemate on Land Use Updates

Chapel Hill Town Council watchers got an unexpected plot twist Wednesday night when the council deadlocked 4-4 on proposed updates to the town's land use management ordinance. The tie vote—unusual for a council that typically finds its way to consensus—means the updates are stalled for now, leaving developers, residents, and planning staff in limbo about what comes next. The proposed changes had sparked debate about density, development patterns, and the future character of Chapel Hill's neighborhoods. With council members clearly divided, expect this issue to resurface in the new year. We'll keep you posted on what the stalemate means for pending projects and future development in town.

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.

Until next time,

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