Carrboro Film Fest Scheduled for Nov. 19-21
Carrboro Film Fest is bringing the movies back to Carrboro this November! Now in its 16th year, Carrboro Film Fest begins with a special Early Fest Screening of the local documentary We Are Here at the Varsity Theatre on Nov. 5th. The film documents the 20th season of the acclaimed, Chapel Hill-based theater troupe Paperhand Puppet Intervention.
The main festival will run Nov. 19-21, at The ArtsCenter, and includes six feature films and four blocks of short films.
Our features include the heartwarming drama Drought, the beautiful road-trip film Landlocked, and the world premiere of the local documentary Captain Scott B and the Great Adventure.
Attendees will be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, and masks will be required.
Chapel Hill, Carrboro Bring Racial Equity Focus to Human Services Funding Program
Consistent with their commitment to equity and inclusion, the Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro and Orange County Government are taking steps together to center racial equity in the Human Services Funding Program. The Human Services Program provides funding to non-profit agencies that offer vital services to residents.
Over the course of the next year, the Towns and County will conduct a comprehensive racial-equity analysis of the program by:
- Training staff, Human Services advisory board members, and agency partners on racial equity, drawing on resources from the Government Alliance on Race and Equity, non-profit partners, and other sources.
- Conducting a Racial Equity Assessment of the Human Services Funding Program, which will include engagement with non-profit partners and the people they serve.
- Based on what is learned through the racial equity assessment, updating the program’s strategic results framework and funding application.
“We recognize the need to deeply examine our program and services with a racial equity lens and are excited to partner with the Town of Carrboro and Orange County to evaluate and amend one of our key funding programs - Human Services,” says Town of Chapel Hill Interim Director of Housing and Community Sarah Vinas.
The Towns and Orange County will release the application for fiscal year 2023 on Oct. 22, 2021; applications are due no later than Jan. 13, 2022.
To learn more about the Human Services Program:
Carrboro Fire and Rescue Receive Grant
N.C. League of Municipalities has awarded the Carrboro Fire and Rescue Department with two safety grants aimed at reducing firefighter injuries and illnesses. Risk Control Consultant & Fire Department Specialist T.J. Deluca presented the grant approval to the department last week.
One of the grants will be used to purchase a turnout gear extractor (washer) and dryer for Fire Station 1. Firefighters are at a significantly higher risk for occupational cancer as a result of response to structure fires, this grant will help us keep our firefighters safe.
The second grant will be used to purchase an improved fire apparatus headset system. The headset system assists with internal communication within the fire apparatus and allows all personnel to assist the driver with collision avoidance.
Pictured above are representatives from the League of Municipalities along with Fire Chief David Schmidt and Town of Carrboro, NC Town Manager Richard J. White III.
Carrboro Police Investigating Homicide
The Carrboro Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred at Berkshire 54 Apartment Homes, 112 NC Hwy 54, at approximately 2:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 22. Two people were shot during the incident. One person died at the scene, and one person was transported to UNC Hospitals with what appeared to be life threatening injuries.
Brandon Lee Freeman, age 27, of 112 NC 54, Carrboro, was charged with First Degree Murder, Attempted First Degree Murder, and Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury. Mr. Freeman is being held in the Orange County Jail with no bond.
This appears to be an isolated incident, and we do not believe there is an on-going threat to the public. This is an active investigation and we are unable to release additional information at this time.
If you have additional information on this incident, please contact INV Trey Kennedy with the Carrboro Police Department at (919) 918-7412, or Crime Stoppers at (919) 942-7515.
Media point of contact: CPT A.L. Westbrook II, (919) 918-7415.
Town Council Update
Meeting agendas and updates are issued from the Town Clerk’s Office. To receive these by email or text, sign up for Carrboro Town News at townofcarrboro.org/signup
Civic involvement is a valued tradition in our community. Reach the Town Council with your ideas, views, and questions at council@townofcarrboro.org
Coming Up
The Town Council will meet virtually at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, to consider the agenda at https://bit.ly/2Zf8FGZ that also will be posted at carrboro.legistar.com
Past Meeting
The Carrboro Town Council met virtually Tuesday, Oct. 19, and took the following actions on the agenda posted at https://bit.ly/3n6IESR
- The Council received reports from Police, Fire, Stormwater and Economic Development departments.
- Framework for Development of the Use and Spending of ARPA Funds - The Council discussed a framework for developing a comprehensive approach for the use of ARPA Funds that facilitates long-term resiliency and capacity building as the Town recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Approval of the COVID-19 Mitigation Business Grant Policy - The Council approved the COVID-19 Mitigation Business Grant Policy that will guide the distribution of Town-received ARPA funds for small businesses to help mitigate the negative impacts from COVID-19. The application process is expected to be announced in November at http://townofcarrboro.org/152/Economic-Development
About the Town Council
The Town Council is the legislative and policy-making body for Carrboro, consisting of seven elected members: Mayor Lydia Lavelle, Mayor Pro Tempore Barbara Foushee, Council Member Jacquelyn Gist, Council Member Randee Haven-O’Donnell, Council Member Susan Romaine, Council Member Damon Seils, and Council Member Sammy Slade. More information is available at http://townofcarrboro.org/248/Town-Council
Early Voting Underway in Carrboro
Information from the Orange County Board of Elections
Election Day is Nov. 2, 2021.
Orange County offers early voting to all registered Orange County voters who wish to vote early, in-person rather than voting absentee by mail or on Election Day.
If you miss the deadline, don't worry. Voters will have the chance to register and vote at early voting locations through Oct. 30.
Early Voting Locations:
Orange Works at Hillsborough Commons (in lieu of BOE office): 113 Mayo St. Hillsborough
- Carrboro Town Hall Complex: 108 Bim St., Carrboro
- Carrboro Chapel of the Cross: 304 E Franklin St., Chapel Hill
- Chapel Hill Seymour Senior Center: 2551 Homestead Rd, Chapel Hill
Carrboro Town Hall Complex, Chapel of the Cross and Seymour Senior Center:
- Monday – Friday, October 18 – 22 8 am – 6 pm
- Saturday, October 23 8 am – 3 pm
- Sunday, October 24 12 pm – 4 pm
- Monday – Friday, October 25 – October 29 8 am – 6 pm
- Saturday, October 30 8 am – 3 pm
Orange Works at Hillsborough Commons, 1130 Mayo St.
- Monday – Friday, October 18 – 22 8 am – 6 pm
- Saturday, October 23 8 am – 3 pm
- Sunday, October 24 12 pm – 4 pm
- Monday – Friday, October 25 – 29 8 am – 6 pm
- Saturday, October 30 8 am – 3 pm
For more information on early voting, please visit https://www.orangecountync.gov/1116/Early-Voting
Questions? Call 919-245-2350 or email vote@orangecountync.gov
Safe Voting in Carrboro
Orange County is following the guidelines and procedures established by the State Board of Elections in conjunction with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to keep voters safe while voting during the upcoming election. These precautions include:
- Masks are available for voters who do not bring their own.
- Single-use pens for voters to mark their ballots.
- Single-use cotton swabs for voters using touchscreen voting machines.
- Social distancing for all election officials and voters
- Hand sanitizer for voters and election officials.
- Masks, face shields, and gloves for election officials.
- Protective barriers between poll workers and voters at check-in and ballot tables
Carrboro Farmers’ Market Hours Changing Soon
Mark your calendars - the Carrboro Farmers' Market hours are changing soon!
- The last day of Saturday main season hours, 7 am to noon, will be Saturday, Oct. 30
- Saturday winter hours, 9 am to noon, begin on Saturday, Nov. 6, and run through next spring
- The last Wednesday afternoon market of the year is Wednesday, Nov. 17
- The special Pre-Thanksgiving Market will be Tuesday, Nov. 23 from 3-5 pm
Use SNAP/EBT benefits at the Carrboro Farmers' Market! The Market offers unlimited Double Bucks to SNAP/EBT customers: for example, $20 from your EBT card = $40 to spend at the market. Stop by the Welcome Booth for more information. Se habla Español!
Visit .carrborofarmersmarket.com for more information.
Community Poem: United Poetry Service
The 2021 West End Poetry Festival took place online October 15-16 via Zoom and at the Carrboro Town Commons. Thank you to everyone who participated!
We want to acknowledge that we gather as poets on the traditional land of the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation past and present, and honor with gratitude the land itself and the people who have stewarded it throughout the generations. This calls us to commit to continuing to learn how to be better stewards of the land we inhabit as well.
Each community poem prompts us to acknowledge the natural space around us as a key part of its creation. We encourage all participants to take an active role to learn more about the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation via obsn.org.
Our poets were charged with writing a line that had either 1) a reference to Carrboro, or some other place or geographical feature in North Carolina, or 2) includes at least one of the words from this year’s theme, United, Poetry, or Service.
In putting together the submissions from 15 poets, thematically the lines coupled together as a resonant, striving community prayer. In the lines I see the effects of social distancing, and how each poet’s words almost magnetically desire to pull other lines closer to them.
Psalm of Shared Space
Edited by Abigail Browning
The land unites us, the Occaneecchi and those who came by choice, those who came by force.
Our voices a poetry, We unite through palms pressed together. Shoulder to shoulder we walk in tandem,|
the poetry I’ve created has created me.
The Me-into-We alchemy fortifies community with unity–
two moons united, and two comets untied–a suffuse of lights, shining surfaces, silent service.
Our poetry is like roots of trees connecting to each other in a tangled mass of hope,
longleaf pines, rooted in service to the sky.
Logic is the language of the mind, but poetry is the sound of the soul
on Carrboro’s winding path. We feast in her jade palaces, worship in her many temples of thrift–
our letters unite, each fold follows hands to doors to hands, the past unwrapping in the present,
freedom flows like poetry prose inked succinctly and stained to service the united states of dreams.
At the dark edge of tomorrow and never again, poetry reaches out, ushers in, leads back home—
United States Poetry Service: special delivery during snow, rain, or gloom of night.
We slow down, write poetry with hope and compassion, a small gesture, a small service. In Carrboro
poetry is a service; poetry unites us as a people.
Contributors to the Community Poem: Joan Barasovska, Sam Barbee, Abigail Browning, Maura High, Karen Howard, Paul Jones, Chad Knuth, Kai Love, Shelly Lyons, Gary Phillips, Sara Spalding, Susan Spalt, Adam Speen, Kimberly Willardson, and Liza Wolff-Francis.
http://www.westendpoetryfestival.org/2021-community-poem-united-poetry-service/
Loose Leaf Collection
Public Works provides yard waste and loose leaf collection to residents.
Find your collection day: https://tocgis.ci.carrboro.nc.us/Carrboro/SolidWaste/
Please contact Public Works Department at (919) 918-7425 or pworks@townofcarrboro.org
Drug Take-Back Day Set for Oct. 23
Visit the Carrboro Police Department at Harris Teeter on National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to safely dispose of unused medications.
Upcoming Halloween Recreation Programming and Events
The Carrboro Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department would like to invite you to participate in the following Halloween-related programs and events.
Virtual Pumpkin Carving/Decorating Contest
The Carrboro Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department presents a Virtual Pumpkin Carving/Decorating Contest for 2021!
It’s super easy and fun, just submit a photo of your carved or decorated pumpkin to dhughes@townofcarrboro.org. Please include in your photo a sign that says “Carrboro 2021”.
All entries are due by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27. Photos will be posted and “Best of Show” winner will be announced on the Carrboro Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/carrbororec/) on Friday, Oct. 29.
* Please remember that this is a kid-friendly event and CRPCRD reserves the right to deny entries deemed inappropriate.
Music and Stories Under the Stars
The Carrboro Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department present ‘Music and Stories Under the Stars’ on Friday, Oct. 22 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Carrboro Town Commons (301 W. Main St). Grab a blanket and/or low back chair, sit back, and enjoy music from Tim Stambaugh and stories from five of the UNC Story Squad storytellers!
A costume contest will be held for children 12 and under, register onsite from 5 to 5:50 p.m. Winners announced before the stories. In addition, Ta Contento Mex Fast Food Truck will be onsite!
Please remember to wear a mask and maintain social distancing during the event.
Halloween Carnival 2021
The Carrboro Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department would like to invite you and your family to come out and enjoy a fun night of carnival games Friday, Oct. 29 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Carrboro Town Commons.
We boast a host of carnival-style activities that reward the children’s participation with a wickedly good prize bag (while supplies last)! Popcorn, hot chocolate, and apple cider will be sold at the concession booth and Ta Contento Mex Fast Food Truck will be onsite!
Our event will be more spaced out this year. Please follow the directional signs and remember to wear a mask and maintain social distancing.
Shop Local Goods at The Bazaar
The November Bazaar is scheduled for Sunday, Nov 14, from noon to 5 p.m. at Carrboro Commons (301 W. Main St.). Dine on local food & drink and shop handmade goods from 30+ local vendors.
Masks & social distancing encouraged. Kids and leashed dogs welcome!
More information: https://bit.ly/3jqjHjY
2021 Artist Studio Tour
More than 100 members of the Orange County Artists Guild will open their studios for visits Nov. 6-7 and Nov. 13-14.
For many Orange County artists, this event is the highlight of their year, with the opportunity to meet art-lovers from across the Triangle and to share their years’ creative input.
For details, visit ocagnc.org
Orange County Shred-A-Thons
These events are free, safe and contact-free. Attendees are asked to follow the guidelines listed. Questions? Call 919-968-2788 or email recycling@orangecountync.gov
