News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC 
(Oct. 8, 2024) 

Check us out! In Carrboro This Week: Mayor Barbara Foushee has proclaimed Wednesday as the 28th annual National Walk & Roll to School Day in Carrboro. Pride flags will be flying at Town Hall later this week for Marriage Equality Day, which marks its 10th local anniversary. Set your weekend off right and join in the 2nd Friday Art Walk. This Saturday, Carrboro in Motion rolls into the Fitch Lumber parking lot with a fire engine, Chapel Hill Transit bus, Pelican's Snoballs truck, information tables -- and games for kids! Come join! 

Carrboro Police Department to join Hurricane Helene recovery efforts

Shortly after the magnitude of the destruction from Helene became apparent, the Carrboro Police Department asked officers for volunteers to help with recovery. On Monday, Oct. 7, four officers headed west to assist in Caldwell County where they have been helping to set up a shelter and to provide security once it is up and running. The department is already spooling up a second team to head west when the first team returns.

Police Chief Chris Atack states: "We feel very fortunate to be able to assist other communities with recovery efforts. Please keep these officers, and the community they are working with, in your thoughts as they all try to make a bad situation a little bit better."

Hurricane Helene: A Message from Orange County Emergency Management

A message from Orange County Emergency Management:

Orange County has deployed multiple teams to Western North Carolina to support the response for those affected by Hurricane Helene. The best way to help right now is to donate funds to reputable disaster relief organizations. The State has also opened up a disaster relief fund for donations to go to support communities recovering from Hurricane Helene. 

Unfortunately, the numbers of good-intentioned but unsolicited donations and spontaneous volunteers are starting to impact response efforts. There are limited accessible roads in and out of the Mountains with even fewer functional gas stations. While the outpouring of generosity is deeply appreciated, the roads need to be kept clear to allow for first responder and critical commodity (fuel, water, and food) access. State Highway Patrol has established several checkpoints on main thoroughfares to help this happen. 

Monetary donations to verified and legitimate charities instead of items, will help keep roads clear. If you are a business attempting to donate supplies, you must receive approval from the Business Emergency Operations Center (BEOC). Email Ian Fowler at Orange County Emergency Services: ifowler@orangecountync.gov for more information.

• NC Disaster Relief Fund: https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2024/09/29/donate-nc-disaster-relief-fund-help-helene-recovery-governor-cooper-urges
• NC Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster: https://www.ncvoad.org
• The State has established a disaster relief fund to support impacted communities.
  • Donate online at nc.gov/donate.
  • Mail a donation to either
    • NC Disaster Relief Fund, 20312 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-0312.
    • Or NC Disaster Relief Fund, c/o United Way of NC, 1130 Kildaire Farm Road, Suite 100, Cary NC 27511
      
      Also, many hospitals lost supplies of blood/blood products during power outages. Help NC stay ahead of potential shortages by donating blood today. 
    • UNC Health’s Blood Donation Center (platelets): https://www.uncmedicalcenter.org/uncmc/patients-visitors/blood/where-to-donate/
    • American Red Cross Blood Donation Center: https://www.redcrossblood.org 

Celebrate Walk & Roll

to School Day with Carrboro

Mayor Barbara Foushee proclaims Wednesday, Oct. 9 as the 28th annual National Walk & Roll to School Day in Carrboro.

Communities participate in Walk & Roll to School Day to encourage all forms of active transportation to school and to inspire local action to create habits, policies, and environments that support students walking to and from school. 

The mayor and other members of the Town Council will lead a walk, ride, and roll to school on Oct. 9 with students from Wilson Park to Carrboro Elementary School. 

Anyone looking to participate in a group Walk & Roll to School should meet at the bike repair stand at Wilson Park, 110 Wilson St., at 7 a.m. There will be a group photo before the group begins to Walk & Roll to School. The Walk & roll should arrive at Carrboro Elementary by 7:25 a.m.

Read more about Walk & Roll to School and Carrboro's Safe Routes to School Action Plan.

Carrboro in Motion coming to Fitch Lumber on Saturday, Oct. 12 

Carrboro in Motion is coming to Downtown Carrboro 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 at Fitch Lumber & Hardware parking lot, 309 N. Greensboro St.

Stop by to join the free event - no registration required.

Carrboro In Motion will feature the following:

• Zumba led by Oscar Garcia. Come join in!  
• Bike and ped resources including repair for map and routing resources, and reflective gear and bike lights 
• Chapel Hill Transit 
• Downtown Area Plan outreach and engagement 
• Town of Carrboro programs and services including Carrboro Fire! 
• Orange County services including housing and public health departments
• Recreation Programs: The Town’s Party Trailer will provide games and activities for children
• New Resident packet information
• Pelican's SnoBall Truck
• Poetry writing activity with Carrboro Poet Laureate Liza Wolff-Francis

Learn more about Carrboro In Motion

Carrboro 10K 

Ah, what gorgeous weather!! These beautiful fall days are bringing out the runners! It was wonderful to see so many of you out for the Carrboro 10K road race Saturday, Oct. 5. The race begins in front of McDougle Middle School, winds through downtown Carrboro and its neighborhoods, and finishes on the McDougle track.

The Carrboro 10K is the second race of the Le Tour de Carrboro race series, sponsored by the Cardinal Track Club with support from the Town of Carrboro. Thanks to our Public Works, Police and volunteer teams for keeping everyone safe on the roads!

Marriage Equality Day 

CARRBORO, NC -- Thursday, Oct. 10, is Marriage Equality Day in Carrboro! Town Hall will be flying the Pride flags! 

On Oct. 10, 2014, Federal Judge Max Cognburn struck down NC’s gay marriage ban as unconstitutional. Advocates for marriage equality rejoiced, and the Town of Carrboro hoisted the rainbow flags. The love that brings and binds two people of the same, or opposite sex, together transcends gender.

Carrboro became the first municipality in the South and the 12th in the U.S. to recognize same sex partnerships on Oct. 11, 1994, when  the Town adopted a Domestic Partnership registry, extending benefits to same-sex partners of Town employees. 

Read the resolution written about The Day Love Won at https://www.townofcarrboro.org/DocumentCenter/View/8121/Marriage-Equality-Day

Fire Prevention Week in Carrboro

The National Fire Prevention Association has designated Oct. 6-12, 2024 as Fire Prevention Week, and Mayor Barbara Foushee has proclaimed the observance locally. 

Carrboro Fire-Rescue Department’s core mission includes protecting lives, property and the community from the destructive effects of all hazards. The department uses a multifaceted community risk reduction model to achieve this mission, which includes education, engineering, fire code enforcement, economic incentives and emergency response.

Fire is a serious public safety concern, and homes are the locations where people are at greatest risk from fire. In fiscal year 2024, Carrboro Fire-Rescue’s 36 first responders responded to 1901 calls for service.

The 2024 Fire Prevent Week theme, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you,” helps remind residents how important it is to have working smoke alarms in the home.

Learn more about Fire Prevention Week in Carrboro.

Take the League of American Bicyclists' Community Survey

The Town of Carrboro is applying with the League of American Bicyclists' Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) Program to be designated the first gold-level community in North Carolina, and we need your help. 

Take the League’s community survey and share how you bike, how safe you feel biking and more. Responses are confidential and will help guide our biking programs and infrastructure going forward. The online survey is open through Tuesday, Oct. 15.

Background

The Town has participated in the BFC program since 1999. In 2006, the Town obtained a Bronze Award, and in 2010, the Town was awarded with a silver-level designation - the first community in North Carolina to achieve this ranking. 

2nd Friday Art Walk 

The 2nd Friday Art Walk around downtown Carrboro and Chapel Hill returns on Friday, Oct. 11.

Rain or shine, Downtown Carrboro and Chapel Hill will showcase The Carrboro-Chapel Hill 2nd Friday Art Walk.

Explore art galleries, artist studios, shops and restaurants. There will also be live music, performances, spoken word poetry and more. Venues are generally open late afternoon and evening hours. Exhibits at Carrboro Town Hall and Carrboro Century Center are open from 6 to 8 p.m.

Learn more about the participating venues and their exhibitions: https://ecs.page.link/HnnHR

Carrboro Street Resurfacing and Rejuvenation Project Underway

The Town of Carrboro has contracted with Daniels Inc. of Garner for the 2024 Carrboro Street Resurfacing and Rejuvenation Project. 

Work coming up will target areas of Pathway Drive (Oct. 1), Hanna Street (Oct. 2), and Westview Drive (Oct. 7-8).

Learn more about the resurfacing and rejuvenation project.

Carrboro recognizes

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Mayor Barbara Foushee proclaims October 2024 Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Carrboro.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, on average nearly 20 people per minute are abused by an intimate partner in the United States. In North Carolina, according to the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence, at least 73 individuals were murdered by a current or former intimate partner in 2023 and at least 63 have been murdered so far in 2024. At least two Orange County residents have been murdered so far this year by a current or former intimate partner or family member.

Domestic violence encompasses not only physical abuse, but also emotional, verbal, financial, sexual, or digital abuse, isolation and/or stalking.

Domestic violence disproportionately impacts racial and ethnic minorities, undocumented people, women, trans and gender non-conforming people and disabled people.

Read more about Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Town Council Update

The Carrboro Town Council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct.15. The agenda will be available at https://carrboro.legistar.com/ . Please note that the meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 1 has been canceled. 

Members of the public are welcome to attend in person at Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. or view the livestream at YouTube.com/CarrboroNC  or  https://carrboro.legistar.com/

Watch the livestream for this meeting on YouTube.

New Council Meeting Time 
A new meeting time has been set for 6 p.m. on those Tuesdays when the Council meets through 2024.  

The Council wants to hear from the community about if the new time works well! Let us know at https://engage.carrboronc.gov/ 

Past Meeting 
The Carrboro Town Council met on Thursday, Sept. 12, and considered an agenda posted at https://carrboro.legistar.com/ 

Council actions included the following: 

• adopted resolutions/proclamations including Fire Prevention Awareness Week. Find all at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2630/Proclamations-and-Resolutions
• authorized the Town Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with CodeWright Planners for professional services for rewriting the Town's Land Use Ordinance.
• amended Town Code to establish a 20 mile per hour speed limit Lucas Lane in Claremont North.
• scheduled a quasi-judicial public hearing for the Newbury SUP-A project for Nov. 12, 2024.
• awarded a contract for the Town's annual independent audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.
• designated FY 2024-25 fund balance in the General Fund for new software initiatives identified in the FY 24-25 budget.
• reviewed a traffic calming request for E. Winmore Avenue and adopted a Town Code amendment for the installation of a new stop sign.

Watch the livestream at https://www.youtube.com/live/XC1JTBIiGoo?si=cpv8IIt-9ta5hauq

ABOUT CARRBORO CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: Civic involvement is a valued tradition in our community. You can reach the Town Council with your ideas, views and questions anytime at Council@carrboronc.gov Meetings are open to the public to join in person at Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. OR via Livestreaming at YouTube.com/CarrboroNC  

Regular business meetings are generally held the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Work sessions are generally held the second Tuesdays of the month. Public comment is not accepted during work sessions, and votes are not taken. 

• Agendas (and meeting videos) are posted at https://carrboro.legistar.com/
• The Town of Carrboro offers free language translation and interpretation services to residents. Information: 919-918-7391 or info@carrboronc.gov
• Sign up to receive Council Updates with meeting agendas and post-meeting recaps at www.carrboronc.gov/signup (choose Carrboro Town News)
• Learn more about your Town Council at https://www.carrboronc.gov/248/Town-Council
• Questions? Reach Town Clerk Lamar Joyner at 919-918-7309 or townclerk@carrboronc.gov

Carrboro to feature 19th Annual West End Poetry Festival: Community

The 19th Annual West End Poetry Festival returns, Oct. 17-19, 2024. All events are free and open to the public.

Thursday, October 17 │ Luna Rotisserie at 307 E. Main Street, Carrboro

• 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. - Carrboro Poet’s Council Feature and Open Mic!

Friday, October 18 │ The ArtsCenter at 400 Roberson Street, Carrboro

• 5:00 p.m. - 6:30p.m -  Youth poetry workshop, pizza, sodas and fun with NC Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green . This free event welcomes all youth poets ages 11 -24 to come write with the NC Poet Laureate. Pizza is provided but bring your own paper to write on. For questions, text 919-408-7134.
• 7:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. -  Music jam poetry lounge, writing to music and sharing open mic with Alison Weiner and Mahalo Jazz

Saturday, October 19 │ Carrboro Century Center at 100 N. Greensboro Street, Carrboro

• 1:00 p.m. -  Welcome from Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee, youth poets read Farmer's Market poems, Area Youth Poet Laureates, Carrboro Poet Laureate Liza Wolff-Francis Liza Wolff-Francis
• 2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. - Book poets reading 
  • John Hoppenthaler
  • Fred Joiner
  • Debra Kaufman
  • Ashley Lumpkin
  • Ralph Earle
• 3:15 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Coffee and snacks, publishers and tables, books for sale
• 4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. - Poetry reading and workshop with Emilia Phillips
• 5:15 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Dinner from Carrburritos
• 6:00 p.m. - Carrboro Poet Laureate Liza Wolff-Francis reads 
• 6:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - North Carolina Hall of Fame poets reading and conversation
  • Joseph Bathanti
  • Lenard Moore

Saturday, October 19 │Steel String Brewery at 106A S. Greensboro Street, Carrboro

• 8:00 p.m. - Poetry Slam hosted by Josephus Thompson III

Read more about the 2024 West End Poetry Festival.

Get Involved! Carrboro Downtown Area Plan

The Town of Carrboro invites community input as it prepares The Downtown Area Plan. The study focuses on the Main Street and Jones Ferry Road corridors, as well as the downtown business districts and surrounding neighborhoods. 

Thanks to everyone who dropped by last week to share what you love, your ideas, and your vision for the downtown area. 

How to Participate:

• TAKE THE SURVEY at https://engage.carrboronc.gov/carrboro-downtown-area-plan/downtown-area-plan-visioning-survey
• CARRBORO IN MOTION is coming to Fitch Lumber from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12. Come chat with Town Staff about ongoing projects, including the Downtown Area Plan.
• LEARN MORE at https://engage.carrboronc.gov/

Carrboro Celebrates American

Pharmacists Month

Mayor Barbara Foushee proclaims October 2024 as American Pharmacists Month in Carrboro.

There are over 10,000 pharmacists licensed in North Carolina and 300,000 pharmacists in the United States providing services to assure the rational and safe use of all medications.

Pharmacists provide both expertise and accessibility which are crucial to patients fully optimizing access to medications. They also provide patient care that ensures optimal medication therapy outcomes.

Read more about American Pharmacists Month in Carrboro.

Lights Out for Birds

The Town of Carrboro encourages everyone to go lights out 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. now through Nov. 30 to help save birds migrating through North Carolina. 

Birds play a crucial role in Carrboro’s local ecosystem. They help with seed dispersal, pollination and pest control. Additionally, their nutrient-rich droppings contribute to natural balance of nutrient cycling, enriching the soil and having a significant impact on the entire ecosystem. Preserving these species aligns with Carrboro’s Community Climate Action Plan.

Contribute to Lights Out

• Turn off exterior decorative lighting
• Extinguish pot and flood-lights
• Substitute strobe lighting wherever possible
• Reduce atrium lighting wherever possible
• Turn off interior lighting especially on higher stories
• Substitute task and area lighting for workers staying late or pull window coverings
• Down-shield exterior lighting to eliminate horizontal glare and all light directed upward
• Install automatic motion sensors and controls wherever possible
• When converting to new lighting assess quality and quantity of light needed, avoiding over-lighting with newer, brighter technology

Learn more from the North Carolina Audubon Society .

Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources

Monthly Events Newsletter

View the Monthly Events Newsletter and discover all of the exciting programs and special events that are coming up!

Check out the Monthly Newsletter.

Early Voting Begins on October 17

Orange County offers early voting to all eligible, registered Orange County voters who wish to vote early, in-person rather than voting absentee by mail or on Election Day at your assigned polling place.

Please note that the early voting location in Carrboro will be at the Carrboro Town Hall Complex at 108 Bim St. 

Previously the plan was to use the new Carrboro Library, but the opening has been delayed past the first day of early voting.

Learn more about early voting in Orange County.

2024 Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Holiday Parade Participant Application Now Open

Walk, dance, bike, and scoot your way through the 2024 Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Holiday Parade on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.!

We’re looking for local organizations with diverse cultural, faith, and community traditions to participate. We hope you’ll consider joining. A few things to keep in mind:

• Get festive. Decorate your parade unit with a winter theme and add entertainment value. Be a spectacle!
• Get creative. Describe how your unit will entertain/engage spectators. Show us what you got!
• Get ready. This year’s parade will be non-vehicular. Stay on foot, bike, or scooter.
• Please, no ads. No entries for strictly advertising, fundraising, or recruitment activities. No political campaigning or electioneering.

Apply online today to participate in the 2024 Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Holiday Parade.

Public parking available in downtown Carrboro

It’s easy to find free two-hour public parking in Carrboro, where you can access convenient parking at 10 public lots all over town.

Please remember that the Carr Mill Mall parking area is for mall customers and is not a public parking lot. Leaving the mall premises after parking risks towing. When in doubt, always park in public lots, and enjoy a hassle-free and relaxed shopping and dining experience.

Find more information including an interactive parking map on our Downtown Parking webpage.