Museum to host Steven Beasley

CHAPEL HILL -- The Chapel Hill Museum will host an afternoon of lighthearted nostalgia of forgotten musical and Hollywood history with author Steven Beasley at 2 p.m. today. Beasley will explore Kay Kyser's life through music, movies, radio and the contributions he made to his home state of North Carolina.

A documentary produced and written by Beasley also will be shown, as well as listening to the music of Kay Kyser and his Orchestra. The Chapel Hill Museum is located at 523 E. Franklin St. For more information call (919) 967-1400 or visit www.chapelhillmuseum.org.

Tancredo to speak Monday

CHAPEL HILL -- Former U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, a Colorado Republican whose appearance on campus last year was halted by campus police when rowdy and disruptive students shouted obscenities and broke a window, will be speaking at UNC on Monday.

The speech by the 2008 presidential contender will take place at 7 p.m. and will end at 10 p.m. It will take place in the F.P. Graham Student Union Auditorium.

Tickets are required. For more information or to secure tickets, contact Daryl Ann Dunigan at ddunigan@mail.unc.edu

TRU ad features local teenagers

CHAPEL HILL -- In honor of Earth Day, the N.C. Health and Wellness Trust Fund is launching a new television ad that shows Orange County teens in action collecting discarded cigarette butts and educating their peers about the dangers of tobacco use to human health as well to the environment.

The ad is the second in the fund's most recent campaign to recruit more North Carolina youths to join Tobacco.Reality.Unfiltered. (TRU), the state's teen movement to prevent youth tobacco use.

The new TV ad, "Get Out There," features the Orange County TRU group that made the commitment to pick up cigarette butts on the grounds of Chapel Hill High School in honor of Earth Day in 2009.

Since the September 2007 launch of the TRU Recruitment Campaign, nearly 12,000 North Carolina teens have pledged to be tobacco free via the TRU Web site (www.realityunfiltered.com). The most recent evaluation report from UNC indicated that the Health and Wellness Trust Fund's teen tobacco prevention program has contributed to major successes in the state's effort to combat tobacco use. Smoking rates among North Carolina teens are at an historic low.

Knitting group purls for charity

CHAPEL HILL -- Knitting for Charity is a needlework group that meets at the Chapel Hill Library and welcomes beginning and experienced knitters and crocheters, to provide knitted and crocheted items for charity.

The sessions are held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays in the conference room of the library, 100 Library Drive. Call 968-2780 for more information.

Ackland offers yoga sessions

CHAPEL HILL -- Explore the world of yoga from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday in the galleries of the Ackland Art Museum, at Columbia and Franklin streets.

Yoga mats and museum cushions are provided. Wear comfortable clothing that will allow you to stretch. Since the galleries can be cool, long sleeves are recommended. Sessions are led by Joanne Marshall. Beginners are welcome. Registration is limited. Admission is free to members; $5 for non-members.

Fire department thankful for help

WHITE CROSS -- The White Cross Fire Department, along with Gene and Ruth Williams, have issued a public note of gratitude to more than 700 neighbors and volunteers who came out on March 27 to help make a breakfast and bake sale at the Orange Fellowship Hall a success.

The community raised more than $10,000 to help the Williamses get back on their feet after a fire destroyed their home of 40 years.

French Night at Toots & Magoo

CHAPEL HILL — Join fellow francophiles at Toots & Magoo, 142. E Franklin St., for French Night from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Enjoy food, wine, excellent company, and games à la française. Bring an hors d’oeuvre to share!

All levels of French are welcome. French Night is held every other Tuesday evening.

Baaba Maal at Memorial Hall

CHAPEL HILL — Memorial Hall on the UNC campus hosts Senegalese world music giant Baaba Maal at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

His unique blend of traditional West African song, Senegalese pop, reggae and dance has established him as a seminal artist in his field. He has performed around the world for nearly two decades. For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.carolinaperformingarts.org.

McAlister’s to host PJ party

CHAPEL HILL — McAlister’s Deli is hosting its first annual Reading Day Pajama Party on Thursday — UNC’s first reading day before exams.

The public is are invited to stop by McAlister’s Deli ... in your pajamas ... and receive a free cookie or drink! McAlister’s Deli is located at 205 E. Franklin St.

Downtown group to host Toben

CHAPEL HILL — Tim Toben, managing partner of Greenbridge Development, the 10-story, energy-efficient condominium and mixed-use project in downtown Chapel Hill, will be the featured speaker Thursday at the monthly meeting of the Friends of the Downtown at the Franklin Hotel on West Franklin Street.

Toben will follow his remarks by answering questions from the audience.

Coffee is served at 9:30 a.m., and the meeting is at 10 a.m. on the second floor of the Franklin Hotel. An update on what’s happening downtown will follow the speaker.

All of the Friends of the Downtown meetings are free and open to the public, with parking located behind the hotel.

Ackland to host poet Thursday

CHAPEL HILL — The Ackland Art Museum hosts award-winning poet DéLana R. A. Dameron, author of How God Ends Us (winner of the 2008 South Carolina Poetry Book Prize), for a public reading of works composed in response to the current Ackland exhibition Jacob Lawrence and The Legend of John Brown, at 6 p.m. Thursday.

From 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday, Dameron will host a poetry writing workshop investigating methods of writing in response to art. Both events are free to the public. Reservations are required for the writing workshop — contact Kyle Fitch at kyle_fitch@unc.edu. For more information, visit www.ackland.org.

Fire department awarded grant

WHITE CROSS — The White Cross Fire Department was awarded a FEMA grant for a new thermal imaging camera. The camera, the first of its kind in Orange County, will help target fire sources and fuel dangers, which in turn will reduce damage and save lives.

The equipment will be incorporated into daily use and departmental training programs.

Spence’s Farm plans fun day

CHAPEL HILL — Family Fun Day On The Farm, a fundraising benefit for Spence’s Farm Summer Camp Scholarship Fund, will be held from noon to 4 p.m. May 16 at Spence’s Farm for Kids, 6407 Millhouse Road, Chapel Hill.

The general public is invited to this community fundraiser, from which all proceeds go directly to pay for local children in need.

Admission is $20 per family and includes pony rides, farm animals, music, gardening demonstrations and hiking. Bring your own picnic; refreshments provided.

Go to www.spencesfarm.com for more information, registration, & raffle tickets. The rain date will be noon to 4 p.m. May 23. Check the website for updates.