New Mural for Carrboro High
Carrboro High School at 201 Rock Haven Road is sporting a new mural, ready for the return to in-person classes that began Aug. 23.
The mural is a gift from the Carrboro High School Class of 2021, students who had not been in school most of their senior year and for about half of their junior year.
Muralist Loren Pease (photographed above), in collaboration with Michael Brown, involved students on the conceptualization and painting of the mural, which depicts a purple jaguar and “Welcome to Carrboro High” message. It's located on the outside wall facing the football stadium and athletic fields. If you look carefully, you also will see bees, a nod to Carrboro’s affiliation as a Bee City USA and the school’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
“They wanted something bright, vibrant, and unlike other school murals that are designed to be intimidating to opposing teams,” said Ms. Pease, who also happens to be a bee enthusiast and beekeeper. “The students chose a Carrboro welcoming vibe.”
Completed in July 2021, the $3,000 mural was supported through fundraising efforts, including a $500 grant from the Town of Carrboro and some in-kind donations from Ms. Pease, whose son is a rising sophomore at Carrboro High.
In a letter to the Town Council, parents of the Carrboro High School Class of 2021 wrote:
“Murals tell our community what and who we care about, what historical events need to remain in our hearts, not just for the times we live in but for future generations. We, as a community, we need to tell these children that we see them and acknowledge this trauma and that we recognize that what they are living through in not normal, or fair, nor will it be easy to move on from. A mural will tell them that it is okay to feel sad about what they lost. That acknowledgment is key to their eventual healing.”
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Governor Cooper Visits Carrboro
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper stopped by Pizzeria Mercato in Carrboro today (Thursday, Aug. 26) and talked with owner Gabe Barker about his experience during the pandemic and what they’re doing now to keep the community safe. Mercato was one of the first restaurants in the area to require proof of vaccination to dine inside.
At a news conference, Mr. Barker said the rule has been good for business while keeping people safe. "Health and safety are my top priority," he said. Governor Cooper is encouraging other businesses across the state to do the same.
Attending the news conference was Carrboro Mayor Lydia Lavelle, NC Rep. Graig Meyer, NC Rep. Verla Insko, NC Sen. Valerie Foushee, Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger and Carrboro Town Manager Richard J. White III.
Mayor Lavelle remarked that cooperation among leaders in Orange County and the towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Hillsborough has helped keep COVID-19 rates low in our county. She shared that since the Town of Carrboro required that employees demonstrate proof of vaccination http://townofcarrboro.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1818 status by Sept. 1, about 86% of employees are now vaccinated.
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Walk/Bike to School
International Walk to School Day is Oct. 6! We are currently working with Carrboro Elementary to hold a Walking School Bus as part of Walk to School Day!
Photograph above is from a 2019 Walk to School Day with Mayor Lydia Lavelle and community.
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Chapel Hill Transit Update
News here
Emergency Housing Assistance
If you or someone you know needs emergency housing assistance, the Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA) program can help pay for rent, security deposits, or fees. Visit EHA online to see if you qualify or to complete an application. Or contact the Housing Helpline: 919-245-2655 HousingHelp@orangecountync.gov