Woah! Cardinal & Pine got a glam-up. 

You are looking at the redesigned C&P newsletter. It may feel bright and shiny, but it’s the same hard-working, feisty email you read every day. 

Now’s as good a time as any to share this newsletter with your friends and family. In a world run by sketchy social media companies, your simple share is how we grow and spread more good information in NC.

Ok, let’s get to the news. 

C&P contributor Vanessa Infanzon has an uplifting story for you this Thursday. It’s about a Charlotte cafe that has built a sustainable model for employing people with disabilities. 

Interns are paid a wage for the hours worked at the Cakeable Cafe in uptown Charlotte. (Courtesy of Cakeable)

We are eight days away from the first day of spring. More on that below, in addition to these stories: 

A tip of the cap to C&P reader Linda Davenport. She brings us this view of Carvers Creek State Park, just outside of Fayetteville. 

Former U.S. Representative Eva Clayton speaks during the public hearing portion of a House Redistricting Committee meeting Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)

Eva Clayton is a living legend in North Carolina. 

In 1992, she became the first Black person to win a seat in Congress from North Carolina in 91 years. That’s an astonishing number. 

In a new Billy Ball Explains NC, I told Clayton’s incredible story. Take a look. 

Every week, the Cardinal & Pine newsletter connects you with local events to help you get involved.

In the coming week, there are opportunities across NC to protest ICE, push back against authoritarianism, and support public schools. Take a look. 

🗓 Friday, March 13

Engaged Defenders for Democracy – ICE Is Not Welcome Here! Cary ICE Office (9:00 am-11:00 am)

Hosted by: Engaged Defenders for Democracy

Location: 140 Centrewest Court, Cary, NC 27513

Join peaceful protesters in Cary as they stand on the sidewalk on the corner of Evans and Centrewest Court to protest ICE policies against immigrants outside of their local offices.

🗓 Saturday, March 14

Tell GEO No ICE Detention Center in Hertford County! (1:30-3:30pm)

Location: 1st & Academy, Ahoskie, NC 27910

The Ahoskie County community is gathering in protest of a proposed ICE facility at a private prison in Hertford County. For more information you can contact 252-319-6168.

Pancakes & Politics: Housing, Rent & Property Taxes: Why Are We Being Priced Out? (10:00am-12:00pm) 

Hosted by: New North Carolina Project

Location: Dr. John T. Crawford Renaissance Center – 3610 Nobles Ave., #199, Charlotte, NC 28208

Join community members in Charlotte for a discussion about affordable housing and rising costs. Featured speakers include Charlotte City Council members Kimberly Owens & Dimple Ajmera, as well as Mecklenburg County Commissioners Yvette Townsend-Ingram and Mark Jerrell.

Down Home NC Community Survey Canvass (11:00 am-2:00 pm)

Hosted by: Down Home NC

Location: 113 Jolly St., Louisburg, NC 27549

Join Down Home North Carolina in Louisburg on Saturday, March 14 as they go out into the community to speak with their neighbors about the issues concerning them.

WCI Registration Repair at Compass Rose Brewery (2:00-4:00pm)

Hosted by: Wake County Indivisible

Location: Compass Rose Brewery – 3201 Northside Drive 101, Raleigh, NC 27615

Want to make sure your neighbor’s vote counts in Raleigh? Join Wake County Indivisible this Saturday as they send out letters to some of the 7,000 voters who cast a provisional ballot, and help ensure everyone’s registration information is up to date.

Gastonia Pop-Up Protest (11:00am-12:00pm)

Hosted by: Indivisible

Location: Registration Required

In Gastonia, community members are meeting for an hour-long peaceful protest. Attendees are asked to stay positive, avoid profanity, and commit to peaceful protest.

Fight Oligarchy Western NC — NC-11 Community Meeting (1:00-3:00pm)

Hosted by: Organizing to Fight Oligarchy / We The Fighters

Location: Registration required

In response to President Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’, community members in Asheville are organizing to support their neighbors who could be impacted by the cuts to healthcare and food services. This meeting will train attendees on organization and how to hold Congress accountable.

🗓 Sunday, March 15

Sips, Snacks & Signs (2:00-4:00pm)

Hosted by: Indivisible CLT

Location: Starlight on 22nd – 422 East 22nd St., Charlotte, NC, 28206

Indivisible CLT is hosting a sign-making event in preparation for a March 28 ‘No Kings’ Rally.

Southern Sundays for Safety: Rocky Mount (12:00-2:00pm)

Hosted by: Engaged Defenders for Democracy

Location: Rocky Mount Mill, 1151 Falls Road, Rocky Mount, NC 27804

Join Engaged Defenders for Democracy in Rocky Mount. They will be hosting their weekly pro-democracy protest, and invite the community to join them. Positive signs are requested.

🗓 Tuesday, March 17

NH4A Parent Power: New Hanover County Families Fighting for Our Schools (6:00-7:30pm)

Hosted by: Carolina Federation

Location: 920 N 6th St., Wilmington, NC 28401

Join parents and members of the community in New Hanover County in support of public education. You’ll learn about how you can get involved in the effort to stop cuts to public schools.

🗓 Wednesday, March 18

JoCo. Community Coffee! (10:00am-12:00pm)

Hosted by: Red, Wine & Blue

Location: The Ugly Mug Bean & Brew – 51 Technology Drive, Suite E, Garner, NC 27529

Join Red, Wine & Blue as they discuss the work they are doing in Johnston County and across North Carolina to organize communities in the lead-up to the 2026 midterm elections.

🗓 Thursday, March 19

Democracy Dies in Silence (5:45-7:30pm)

Hosted by: Indivisible Guilford County 

Location: 3324 W Friendly Ave., Greensboro, NC 27410

Join Indivisible Guilford County as part of a weekly protest outside of Greensboro’s Friendly Center.

Guilford for All March Chapter Meeting and Potluck (5:45-7:30pm)

Hosted by: Carolina Federation

Location: St. Stephen UCC – 1000 Gorrell St., Greensboro, NC 27406

At Carolina Federation’s monthly meeting in Guilford County, attendees will hear a recap about the primary elections, as well as the group’s efforts on organizing for public schools.

School Board Campaign Training: Winning for our public schools, our kids and our democracy (7:00-8:30pm)

Hosted by: Public School Strong

Location: Virtual

As part of an effort to support public schools, students, and parents, Public School Strong is hosting a virtual event to recruit candidates to run for school board elections in their communities.

Alamance Hour of Action (4:00 pm-5:00 pm)

Hosted by: Alamance Hour of Action

Location: 1388 S Main St., Burlington, NC 27215

In this edition of a weekly peaceful protest, residents of Alamance County will be marching on Thursday, March 26 in support of democracy in downtown Burlington. 

Have an event to add? Email Organizing Coordinator Dylan Rhoney at rodney@couriernewsroom.com with details (please send details at least one week in advance).

A child plays in the Walled Garden of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. (USA Today via Reuters)

I know folks have mixed feelings about spring. Yes, allergies suck. For some, they really suck. 

But it’s also the time of year when it is not just good, but encouraged, to get out there and do something that makes you smell like grass and dirt. 

We’ve published a primer on the March 20 spring equinox, which marks the official start of spring, as well as a look at whether we can expect a warm or a cool spring. 

If you, like me, love spring, I’ll see you out there. 😀

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Billy Ball. I’m an NC native and journalist. I tend to lean left on opinion, but I lean no way on facts. Today’s edition includes stories from Vanessa Infanzon and USA Today Network via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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