News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC 
(March 20, 2024) 

Friday is Dexter Romweber Day in Carrboro, so be sure to get out for some live music and show appreciation for our amazing local music scene (and talented artists). Check out all our events coming up including the Carrboro Egg Hunt and Creek Week events  this Saturday at our local parks (let's go fishing at Anderson Park and have some muddy fun at Bolin Creek off Wilson Park/Adams Tract). Read our Town Council's commitment  to immigrant communities in Carrboro. See how Fleet Feet celebrates its 30th birthday, just like a millennial! It's spring, and so much is blooming. Enjoy your weekend!  

Dexter Romweber Day in Carrboro 

CARRBORO, NC -- The Town Council has declared Friday as Dexter Romweber Day in Carrboro, and expresses its deep appreciation for his talent, commitment to the local music community and towering legacy, as well as sincere condolences to the loved ones mourning his loss.

John Michael “Dexter” Romweber II died on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. The youngest of the Romweber family’s seven children, Dexter was 57 years old.

“Residents are urged to continue to celebrate the life and legacy of Dexter Romweber and his important contributions to the artistic life of North Carolina, the nation, and the world,” said Mayor Pro Tem Danny Nowell, who read the resolution.

The Dexter Romweber Day Resolution of the Town Council was received by Dexter’s sister, Monica Romweber and friend Julia Taylor Walters. Many community members mourning his loss attended the Council meeting to hear the resolution read in his honor.

Dexter was 11 years old when the Romwebers moved to Carrboro in 1977. They were a musical family – sister Sara played drums in legendary bands Let’s Active and Snatches of Pink, while brother Joe led the band UV Prom – so it was natural that Dexter was playing guitar by his teenage years.

Young Dexter playing on various local street corners was a familiar site back then, and his early bands included I Married a Monster, The Remainz, and Crash Landon and the Kamikazes. But where he truly made his mark was with Flat Duo Jets, a hugely acclaimed band in the 1980s and ’90s.

“For all the critical acclaim, Dexter never achieved mainstream commercial success. But he maintained his artistry with unimpeachable integrity,” the resolution states. “He made his home in Carrboro and was widely beloved here and elsewhere.”

Read the proclamation at https://ecs.page.link/eUp41 (LINK IN BIO)

Braxton Foushee Street Dedication Event

The Town of Carrboro is planning an event to celebrate the renaming of Carr Street to Braxton Foushee Street at 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 27, with a community gathering outside the Areté Studio, 203 E. Carr Street. 

The street dedication will begin with the unveiling of newly installed street signs, after which we will gather for words from community members, poetry, music and refreshments. 

Find available public parking. Parking lots close to the event site at 203 E. Carr St. include the E. Main Street Lot at 108 E. Main St. (gravel lot across from Armadillo Grill). 

Braxton Foushee is a local civil rights leader, a current Planning Board member, and the first Black member of the Carrboro Board of Aldermen (now the Town Council).  The street renaming in his honor was proposed last fall on Oct. 17, 2023, when the Council heard a request from Dave Mason, president of the Lincoln High School Alumni Association, Pat Mason and Herman Murrell Foushee. The Council voted to approve the street name change on Nov. 29, 2023. The change becomes official on March 27, 2024.

Carr Street is named for Julian Carr, a noted white supremacist. The namesake of Carrboro, he was an active and influential participant in Jim Crow era efforts to create a system of racial segregation. A Truth Plaque at Town Hall reads, in part: “Although the town continues to bear his name, the values and actions of Carr do not represent Carrboro today.”

Learn more about the street dedication and renaming process here.

Celebrate Creek Week Saturday

Orange County's Annual Creek Week is March 16-23, 2024. Creek Week celebrates the streams, lakes and rivers that connect our human and non-human communities. It's a weeklong series of activities like litter cleanups, community science BioThon, geocaching, hands-on activities, and more. We hope to see you there!

Saturday, March 23: 9 to 11 a.m. -  Anderson Park

Carrboro Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Youth Fish Clinic

Parent(s) and children will learn the basics about fishing including different equipment, techniques, sites, and regulations.  You may even meet a fishing buddy or two!  Located at the Anderson Park pond. Supplies furnished.  Bring a pole if you have one. Parent(s) and youth must both be present to participate. FEE and REGISTRATION REQUIRED! For more information:  Youth Fishing Clinic.

Saturday, March 23:  Noon to 3 p.m. - Wilson Park/Adams Tract

Creek Exploring

Join Carrboro and Chapel Hill staff and volunteers to explore Bolin Creek at Wilson Park/Adams Tract.  Learn about this local waterway and the species that call it home.  Dress for a messy good time! 

• USGS will host a table about their involvement in protecting and monitoring our local waterways.
• Urban Sustainability Solutions, Inc will be on site to provide information on a their Environmental Education Program and how they involve local youth and teachers in sustainability projects for low-income households. There will also be information on a grant funding opportunities for low-income households within the Bolin Creek watershed for the installation of green infrastructure on their properties.
• Explore an erosion model and plant native seeds to take home with  Lands & Waters South.

For more information or if your organization wishes to participate in this event please contact Heather Holley at  hholley@CarrboroNC.gov or 919-918-7426.

Read more about the week of events here or visit the Carrboro Creek Week Page.

Happy Birthday, Fleet Feet!

Mayor Barbara Foushee declared Tuesday, March 19, 2024, as Fleet Feet Day in Carrboro to honor the 30 years of service to the people of Carrboro and to recognize their contributions to our community. 

Fleet Feet first opened its doors to the Carrboro community on March 19, 1994. 

The Fleet Feet National Headquarters opened in Carrboro in 2001 and now employs over 100 individuals who support more than 260 Fleet Feet stores in 40 states across the country. 

Fleet Feet established their training programs in 2008 to support, train, and encourage runners and walkers of all abilities to accomplish their goals, and has grown the programming to support over 1,000 runners and walkers each year

Receiving the proclamation on behalf of Fleet Feet was Jordan Ayers, pictured below with Mayor Foushee. 

To contribute to the birthday celebration, Town of Carrboro communications staff updated the town's historic walking tour, which became Tuesday's local run after the birthday cake! Check out the Carrboro Walking Tour.

Access Mayor Foushee’s proclamation.

Town Offices Closed for the Spring Holiday

Most Town offices, including Town Hall and all non-emergency Town operations, will be closed to the public on Friday, March 29. Friday's household trash collection will be collected on Monday, April 1.

Green Neighborhoods Grant Program 

As part of its Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) implementation, the Town of Carrboro announces a call for applications for the 2024 Green Neighborhoods Grant Program!

Residents can receive up to $2,500 to complete a project that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance ecosystem resiliency, or contribute to climate action awareness or engagement.

The Carrboro Town Council accepted the Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) in 2017 to expand the Town’s existing climate action efforts and emphasize measures that community members can implement to help achieve greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. The plan’s goal is to raise the community’s awareness and involvement in climate action and the enhancement of ecosystem resilience. In 2020, the Town updated the CCAP goals to recommend an 80% reduction of 2010 emissions levels by 2030. To achieve this goal, widespread community participation in every aspect of the plan is essential. 

The Green Neighborhoods Grant Program seeks to benefit low-income households and residents of color by bringing neighbors together to pursue projects which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create natural areas that are more resilient to the impacts of climate change, ultimately benefiting the entire community.  

The maximum grant award is $2,500. Applications are due by May 1, 2024 at 3:00 pm. Visit this webpage for more information: http://www.carrbororec.org/2778/Green-Neighborhoods-Grant-Program

For questions, contact Environmental Sustainability Coordinator Laura Janway at ljanway@carrboronc.gov or (919) 918-7326. 

Doing Business with the Town of Carrboro - Public Input Session

A public input session is set for this April for people doing business or wanting to do business with the Town of Carrboro. All are invited to provide input on their experiences with the Town of Carrboro.

The input session is scheduled as follows via Zoom:

• Wednesday, April 10 – from 6 to 7 p.m.  Join this zoom meeting here.

The public input session is a part of the engagement process to be incorporated in a Disparity Study of the Town’s contracting and procurement practices. The Town of Carrboro is working with Griffin & Strong P.C., a nationally recognized law and public policy consulting firm, to conduct the study.

The study aims to provide insights into the Town's utilization of minority-owned and women-owned businesses compared to its availability to identify any potential disparities. The study's findings will inform the Town's decision-making process and enable it to develop policies and strategies to promote equitable access to contracting opportunities.

The Disparity Study is a critical step forward in advancing the Town's racial equity goals.

For more information, contact carrborostudy@gspclaw.com or visit carrborodisparitystudy.com.

Carrboro Celebrates Earth Hour

The Town Council has designated Saturday, March 23, 2024, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. as Earth Hour in Carrboro.

Earth Hour 2023 aims to be a moment of unity that shines a spotlight on nature loss and the climate crisis and inspires millions more to act and advocate for urgent change.

Participation involves two simple actions—turning off lights for one hour and giving an hour for Earth by spending 60 minutes doing something—anything—positive for our planet.

The lights in front of Town Hall will be turned off from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 23. The Town Council encourages all residents and businesses of Carrboro to join in supporting the aims and goals of this effort.

Read the full resolution here: https://www.carrboronc.gov/2630/Proclamations-and-Resolutions

To all who are celebrating...

The Town of Carrboro recognizes our diverse community and the many observances meaningful to our residents this week.

Carrboro Celebrates Water for Peace Day

Mayor Barbara Foushee has proclaimed Saturday, March 23, 2024 to be Water for Peace Day in Carrboro.

Water can create peace or spark conflict. When water is scare or polluted, or when people have unequal, or no access, tensions can arise between communities and countries.

More than 3 billion people worldwide depend on water that crosses national borders. Yet, only 24 countries have cooperation agreements for all their shared water.

Public health, prosperity, food and energy systems, economic productivity and environmental integrity all rely on a well-functioning and equitably managed water cycle.

As climate change impacts increase and populations grow, there is an urgent need, within and between countries, to unite around protecting and conserving our most precious resource.

Read the full proclamation: https://www.carrboronc.gov/2630/Proclamations-and-Resolutions

Learn more: https://www.unwater.org/news/%E2%80%98water-peace%E2%80%99-world-water-day-2024-campaign-launches

Carrboro Town Council expresses support for immigrant communities

The Town of Carrboro recognizes the vital role that immigrants have played and continue to play in the growth, diversity and prosperity of our community. 

In a resolution passed at its March 19, 2024 meeting, the Carrboro Town Council resolves to:

• Commit to fostering a welcoming environment for all immigrants living in, working in and contributing to our town.
•  Advocate for policies at the state and federal level that provide a clear path to citizenship for undocumented residents and protect the rights of refugees and asylees.
•  Support local initiatives to provide all residents with access to municipal services, including education and law enforcement protection, regardless of immigration status.
• Empower and encourage law enforcement officials to intentionally foster trust and cooperation with our diverse immigrant communities.
• Encourage the community to engage in dialogue and cultural exchange to bolster mutual understanding and respect among all residents of Carrboro.

Photo caption: (l-r) Carrboro Town Council Member Eliazar Posada with N.C. Rep. Ricky Hurtado of Mebane (District 63 in Alamance County), chair of the Governor's Advisory Council on Hispanic/Latino Affairs. 

Read the full resolution here.

Carrboro’s Community Survey Underway

Consultants working on behalf of the Town of Carrboro are currently reaching out to local residents, selected at random, to solicit their opinions on how well Carrboro’s government works for them. If you have received a survey, please take time to express your views! 

Residents have options to complete the survey in paper or online, and consultants will conduct follow-up outreach by phone. Residents will be asked to spend about 20 minutes answering 40 questions for the scientific survey, which will be conducted through April. Topics will include safety, service, communications, transportation, and recreation.

A second survey is being conducted of residents who live in the town’s Qualified Census Tracts. These tracts have 50 percent of households with incomes below 60 percent of the Area Median Gross Income (AMGI) or have a poverty rate of 25 percent or more. Respondents will be provided interpretation services upon request to answer the survey in their preferred language.  

  “The Town of Carrboro performs this survey every two years so that we can continually gauge how our residents feel about what we are doing, and what is important to them. Your feedback is essential. The survey helps us understand your experience with Carrboro's services and what matters most to you. This valuable information guides our decisions and shapes how we move forward as a community,” said Interim Town Manager Marie Parker. “I hope people will take the time to participate to consider the quality of services they receive in their day-to-day lives as town residents."

Read more about this year's community survey.

Join one of our Carrboro Egg Hunts

Carrboro Community Egg Hunt

Join us on Saturday, March 23 from noon - 2 p.m. for the annual Town of Carrboro, NC Community Egg Hunt! The event will be held at Hank Anderson Community Park, 302 NC Hwy 54 West, Carrboro, NC, and is free for youth ages 2 through 10. 

Flashlight Egg Hunt

Youth ages 11 - 14 are invited to the Flashlight Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 30 at Wilson Park, 101 Williams St. Carrboro, NC. Bring your flashlight and basket to enjoy a fun egg hunt in the dark. Registration begins at 7:45 p.m., rules and information will be shared at 8:10 p.m. and the hunt will begin at 8:20 p.m.

In the event of inclement weather, please check the Carrboro Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Facebook page or call  919-918-7373 for updates.

New 24-Hour Recycling Drop-Off Site

Orange County Solid Waste opened a new 24-hour drop off-site  this week at the Jones Ferry Park and Ride Lot, located at 603 Berryhill Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27516. 

The site will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Residents and businesses can drop-off single-stream recycling, corrugated cardboard, and separate glass recycling. Site users are responsible for unloading materials and placing them in the correct container as the site is unstaffed. 

As a reminder, single-stream recycling, corrugated cardboard, and separate glass recycling should never be bagged, and plastic bags, plastic film, and plastic wrap are not accepted. Additionally, the 24-hour sites do not accept trash; never leave garbage or other materials on the ground, as that constitutes illegal dumping and can result in a citation or fine.

Spring Events in Carrboro

Maybe it's because we're coming out from a cold winter, but spring definitely brings out the weird and wonderful in us. Which means it's prime time for you to experience only-in-Carrboro festivals and events. Join us in spring as we play in our public spaces, celebrate Elizabeth Cotten, and feel that small town pride. Who’s ready to play Giant Jenga?

Open Streets – 12 noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 7, 2024  

Weaver Street in Carrboro, NC 

The Town of Carrboro closes east and west Weaver Street to vehicles and reopens this public space for recreation!  Come out to dance, do yoga, ride their bikes, climb a rock wall, make smoothies on a bike blender, and generally ‘re-create the street’! 

More info about Carrboro Open Streets.

Freight Train Blues Concert Series – Friday night outdoor concerts from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. from May 3 to June 21, 2024 

Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St., Carrboro, NC 27510

This is a free concert series. Food and beer will be available for purchase. 

Freight Train Blues celebrates the life and legacy of Piedmont blues legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2022 Inductee Elizabeth “Libba” Cotten, born in 1893 in Carrboro, NC.  

Sponsored by Town of Carrboro, Carrboro Tourism and Development Authority, Music Maker Foundation, and WUNC 91.5FM. 

More info about Freight Train Blues Concert Series.

Carrboro Day – 1-5 p.m. Sunday, May 5, 2024

Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St., Carrboro, NC 27510 

This free event is about meeting neighbors, learning about the Town, and celebrating Carrboro. It features live music, poetry, art, history, kids’ activities, a walking tour and more. Games such as Giant Jenga and Giant Connect 4. 

More info about Carrboro Day.

For a full list of our events, be sure to check our our Community Events Calendar.

Save the Date: CD & Record Show

The 34th Biannual Carrboro CD and Record Show will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 21  in the Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St. in downtown Carrboro. Admission is free. 

The event will feature dozens tables of new and used CDs, vinyl records, and music memorabilia. Although vinyl records will be the majority of the items for sale, there will also be quite a large number of CDs, cassettes, and 45 RPM records.

Save the date to stop by and browse through what the vendors have to offer.  You never know what you may find!   

2024 Carrboro Music Festival

Performer Application Now Open

The Town of Carrboro is now accepting online applications for the 2024 Carrboro Music Festival. The application deadline for submissions is May 31, 2024. 

The Carrboro Music Festival is a celebration of local musicians throughout Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Orange County.  The festival also includes performers from surrounding counties located between the Triangle and Triad regions of the state. 

For more information, visit: www.carrboromusicfestival.com

Apply now: https://www.carrboronc.gov/321/Application---Performers

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.