Next Weekend! Come to Carrboro Day this Sunday the 4th from 1p to 5p.

There are many challenges we face, and some folks are working hard to keep us focused on fear and risk, but this morning I awoke ready to tackle the challenges because of the warmth, joy, and spirit of sharing I got from my Carrboro and Chapel Hill neighbors this past weekend.

On Saturday I had the privilege and pleasure of attending the Northside Festival hosted by the Marian Cheek Jackson Center. Highlights for me included watching neighbors gently encourage my eldest, whose eye level was even with the ball return area, in his efforts to sink arcade-style hoops in a dual hoop game, hearing Carrboro’s inimitable Mayor Foushee cajole folks out into the street to dance, and watching my youngest help wrap the Maypole with other of our youngest neighbors and their caregivers. I hope to see more of my neighbors out in the street celebrating abundance for many years to come.

On Sunday after lunch our family went to the Zine Fest on Carrboro’s Town Commons. There’s so much to love, but for the sake of brevity I’ll limit myself to thanking the ArtsCenter of Carrboro for their leadership and sponsorship of the event, and WUNC for making a zine version of Scorched Workers: how rising heat impacts outdoor workers in NC. This important reporting by Celeste Gracia and Aaron Sánchez-Guerra of WUNC will be the focus of a WUNC spotlight event on May 8th at Epilogue Books on Franklin St.

Hit that reply button and tell me what’s giving you the energy to tackle challenges this week.

Warmly,

CMP