WEATHER FORECAST

Per the National Weather Service: Mostly sunny with a high near 88. Tonight, partly cloudy, with a low around 64.

FOR SUBSCRIBERS

• [Subscriber Bonus] Durham High School Senior Spotlight!
• [Welcome to the World] Durham Births - April 5-11, 2025
• [Dearly Beloved] Marriage Applications - March 15-21, 2025
• [SoDu Shopping Basket] April 25, 2025

Enjoying the SoDu Sunrise Newsletter and the information provided by Southpoint Access? Support our work with your donation!

New Songs to Sing for Hope Valley?

Jed Miller, principal of Hope Valley Elementary School for the past five years, is leaving the school at the end of the this academic year. He has seen the Title I school through a critical transition from a traditional-calendar program to year-round.

And although my daughter Athena was sad to hear the news of Miller's impending departure, her spirits remained high because today was the first concert of the school year and the girl loves to dance and sing.

The timing of the concert struck me as odd, though. I'm used to evening shows, when work is done and the whole family can attend. Concerts held at Hope Valley this week, under the guidance of music teacher Lauren Ataei, were in the morning during school.

I'm a lucky parent who works from home, has a flexible schedule, and, hey, a concert at a South Durham elementary school is front-page news for a neighborhood outfit like Southpoint Access. Attending at 8:30 a.m. wasn't a huge bother for me.

But Ataei told parents after the concert Thursday that the primary reason for holding the show during school hours was to maximize student participation, because some kids might not be able to come back for an evening show.

For parents who couldn't attend in person, the school provided an online stream.

How do you feel about the scheduling? Do mornings work better for you and your family?

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

• Southpoint Access Pledges 20% of Revenue to Help Save Parktown Food Hub: Parktown Food Hub, a community-based nonprofit organization working to fight hunger in Durham, is in danger of shutting down by the end of the year unless it can raise $150,000.
• Greek Festival Returns This Week: Get ready to experience the flavors, music, and joy of Greece right here in South Durham. The 2025 Durham Greek Festival is back at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church (May 3 to 4) with authentic food, live dancing, artisan shopping, and guided tours of the landmark domed church. Admission is free, and the event runs rain or shine just off NC-751 near Southpoint.
• Parkwood UMC Fundraiser Planned in May: Taking place on May 16 (3 to 7 p.m.) and May 17 (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) at 5123 Revere Rd., this popular spring event raises funds to support neighbors in need while bringing people together over shared generosity – and a good hot dog.

What's Happening Today?

• Baby Time. Babies and toddlers. 10:30 to 11 a.m. Registration required. Join a circle for lapsit storytime, with activities including bouncing rhymes, baby cuddling, songs, and fingerplays. Meeting room at South Regional Library at 4505 S. Alston Ave. (Durham County Library)

Check out this week's activities!

IN MEMORIAM

• Durham Obituaries - April 29, 2025

INTERESTING ELSEWHERE

• Search Effort to Replace Elon Musk at Tesla Revved Up in March [CNN]
• U.S. and Ukraine Sign Mineral Resources Agreement [ABC News]
• GOP Senators, Vance Thwart Effort to Overturn Tariffs [Reuters]
• Pakistan, India Military Action Imminent? [Associated Press]

Get Connected

• Send email to ⁠⁠⁠your neighborhood news guy: wes.platt@southpointaccess.news
• Follow on ⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠
• Join ⁠⁠⁠our Discord community⁠⁠⁠
• Join the Southpoint Access subreddit!

Support Our Sponsors

• Holly Hayes at NEST Realty.
• Constantinou and Burkert Law Offices.
• Jill E. Burton and Associates.
• Durham Greek Festival.