In this Chapel Hill Insider Issue…

⛅Chapel Hill Local Weather- High 88^o and Sunny (Summer is Coming)

📰Emergency Meeting Held at UNC Over Tense Demonstrations and Student Arrests

📰Chef Sera Honored with Citizenship Award for Fighting Food Insecurity

📰Activists Challenge Duke Energy's Commitment to Renewable Resources at Public Hearing

🗓️Upcoming Events Updated

📢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]

Emergency Meeting Held at UNC Over Tense Demonstrations and Student Arrests

At UNC-Chapel Hill, university leaders convened an emergency meeting to address the escalating protests on campus, which were sparked by the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. This meeting came in the wake of police detaining 30 protesters who refused to vacate the premises, signaling a high level of tension among the student body. Despite a quieter atmosphere on campus the following day, especially around Polk Place where much of the previous day’s protests occurred, there remains a palpable tension as students continue to advocate vigorously for Palestinian rights. The demonstrators are not only calling for a ceasefire and the cessation of U.S. aid to Israel, but they are also demanding that the university disclose any financial investments in Israeli companies or those that support Israel.

As the university grapples with these issues, there’s a significant divide among the students. Many wish for a return to normal academic and campus life, especially with finals week and graduation fast approaching, while others, like student Haya Odeh, express strong dissatisfaction with the university's response, criticizing it for not adequately acknowledging Palestinian perspectives within the campus community. Amid these debates, the university has implemented additional security measures, including erecting barricades at key protest sites like Polk Place.

The administration’s emergency meeting focused on various urgent topics, including the fate of students arrested during the protests, preparations for the upcoming commencement and finals week, and strategies to ensure the safety of all campus members. These discussions underscored a critical need for transparent communication and safety assurances given the charged atmosphere. University officials stressed the importance of embracing a multitude of perspectives to effectively navigate through the crisis, advocating for a collective approach to decision-making and future planning in response to the protests.

Chef Sera Honored with Citizenship Award for Fighting Food Insecurity

Chef Sera recently received notable recognition for her impactful work in the community, earning the Duke Energy Citizenship & Service Award, presented by the Chatham Chamber of Commerce. Chef Sera's nonprofit organization, Feed-Well Fridges, has made significant strides in addressing food insecurity and reducing commercial food waste. Since its inception in August of the previous year, Feed-Well Fridges has successfully salvaged over two tons of food that would have otherwise been discarded, ensuring it reached individuals and families in need. Moreover, Chef Sera's initiative has prepared and distributed over 15,000 meals through the community fridge program. Her dedicated leadership continues to inspire and make a substantial difference in the community. For more information or to contribute to this cause, visit feedwellfridges.org. Sera Cuni is the chef and owner of Root Cellar Café & Catering in Chapel Hill and a sister spin-off, Café Root Cellar in Pittsboro.

Activists Challenge Duke Energy's Commitment to Renewable Resources at Public Hearing

At a public hearing in Durham, environmental activists, including Bobby Jones, criticized the North Carolina Utilities Commission and Duke Energy for a carbon plan they say favors non-renewable resources like natural gas and nuclear energy over renewables. The plan could significantly raise consumer energy costs and may not meet the state's required carbon emission reductions.

Melissa McCullough, former EPA assistant director and Chapel Hill Town Council member, testified that Duke's strategy could fail to meet decarbonization goals and would likely lead to higher, unpredictable energy costs due to its reliance on costly hydrogen technology. The EPA has set new carbon pollution standards affecting all new natural gas facilities, demanding significant emissions reductions soon after these plants become operational.

The commission is set to continue discussions, with another hearing planned to further delve into the impacts and feasibility of Duke Energy's proposal.

Student-Directed One Act Play Festival @ ECHHS

As spring unfolds, the anticipation for the annual Student Directed One Act Play Festival at the local Black Box Theater at East Chapel Hill High School is palpable. This year, the festival is set to showcase a vibrant collection of one-act plays, each directed by a talented student director. Scheduled for this Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. and Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 7:30 pm, promising audiences an evening of compelling drama and raw talent. See our previous issue for more information. You can buy tickets through the links below:

• Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.

• Friday, May 3, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.

• Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.

@ Flyleaf Books

Fridays on the Front Porch

Experience the charm of Chapel Hill each Friday at the Carolina Inn’s “Fridays on the Front Porch” event. Located at 211 Pittsboro Street, Chapel Hill, the event is sure to be a great way to enjoy the season. Running every Friday from April 19 through October 25, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, this local favorite is the perfect way to kick off the weekend. Although the first event on April 19th has been canceled due to anticipated bad weather, the series promises plenty of excitement with live music, handcrafted cocktails, North Carolina beers, and a diverse selection of food from local food trucks. The event caters to all age groups, making it an ideal outing for everyone looking to unwind in a festive atmosphere. Click here to see the lineup. (Linked has been updated) This Friday, May 3rd, listen to the Morgan Creek and enjoy Doherty's Paddy Wagon, and Gussy's Greek food trucks!

Cat’s Cradle