Greene Tract Community Open House
Please join us for a Community Open House on the future of the Greene Tract. Two opportunities to participate are scheduled:
- First meeting: In-Person Sunday, Nov. 7 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the RENA Community Center located at 101 Edgar Street. (rain date of Sunday, Nov. 14)
- Second meeting: Virtual meeting online Monday, Nov. 8 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Participants must register for the session in advance. For those individuals who may not have internet access, there are phone options available to join. Participants may register at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2mqpi9kjSMyEfHJ-rVZbyQ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Topics will include:
- Background and history of the Greene Tract
- Environmental Assessment
- Connectivity
- Future development and land uses
- Next steps
Orange County, Carrboro, and Chapel Hill have been collaboratively planning for the future of the jointly-owned 104-acre Greene Tract and permanent preservation of the Orange County owned 60-acre Headwaters Preserve. In 2020, the three respective boards voted to utilize the remaining lands as follows:
- Approximately 66 acres housing/mixed use
- Approximately 22 acres to be preserved
- Approximately 16 acres for public school site and public recreational site
The Greene Tract is a place of immense historical, cultural and natural resources, and all three governmental entities are committed to a thoughtful and inclusive site planning process that respects the people and resources of the area, while reflecting the shared goal of increasing affordable housing for our community. Additional information on the Greene Tract can be found at the following link: https://www.orangecountync.gov/2127/Greene-Tract. For questions, contact Ashley Moncado, Orange County Planning and Inspections Department, by email (amoncado@orangecountync.gov) or by phone (919-245-2589).
Please help us with social distancing.
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Now Available for Children Ages 5 to 11
News from Orange County Health Department
HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. Nov. 3, 2021 ― Children ages 5 to 11 can now receive a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. The Food and Drug Administration has authorized a lower dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children in this age group, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend all children 5–11 get the vaccine to protect against serious illness and help keep them healthy.
"Children are vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus just like everyone else," said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. "The authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine provides a safe, tested way to protect them from serious illness and provide healthier, happier experiences in and outside of the classroom."
During the most recent surge, pediatric cases of COVID-19 rose by about 240% in the United States, demonstrating a need to protect children from the disease. Results from clinical trials that began in March 2021 showed the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was safe and effective to protect children ages 5–11 from COVID-19.
There were no safety concerns or serious side effects noted in the clinical trials. Temporary side effects for kids 5–11 are similar to older kids and adults and may include a sore arm, headache and being tired or achy for a day or so.
More than 3,000 children ages 5–11 participated in the trials with volunteers from different races and ethnicities (77% white, 6% African American/Black, 8% Asian, 17% Hispanic/Latinx and 7% multiracial). This is comparable to the number included in many similar clinical trials with children.
Children are given two doses of the Pfizer vaccine. Each dose is one-third the amount given to people ages 12 and older. The dose for 5–11 year olds is different from the dose authorized for people ages 12 and older, and children in this age group should not receive the 12 and older dose.
The vaccine is effective and produced a similar immune response in children 5–11 as in older kids and adults ages 16–25. As with other routine vaccinations for children, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine underwent a thorough testing and review process by the FDA and an independent scientific committee to ensure it is safe and effective for children.
The Pfizer-BioNTech lower dose COVID-19 vaccine is currently the only one available for children between the ages of 5–11. Parents and guardians with questions about COVID-19 vaccines should talk with their child's physician.
"Getting school-age kids vaccinated will help keep them safe to play sports, attend events, be with friends and do all of the other things kids love to do that they may currently be missing out on," Secretary Cohen said. "I will be getting my daughters vaccinated this weekend. Don’t wait to vaccinate your kids, so they get back to safely being with family and friends, especially as we head into the holiday season."
Everyone ages 5 and older can receive a free Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, even if they don’t have health insurance and regardless of their immigration status.
North Carolina’s actions are based on recommendations from the CDC. Read the CDC’s full statement at https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1102-PediatricCOVID-19Vaccine.html
For more information about how vaccines for children work and where you can find a vaccination appointment nearby, visit MySpot.nc.gov. The North Carolina Vaccine Help Center at 888-675-4567 can also help you make an appointment. It is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.
In Orange County there are multiple places that your 5–11-year-old can be vaccinated, including pediatric clinics, K-12 Schools, and local pharmacies and “pop-up events.” These opportunities are described below:
1. If you have a medical home for your child, call your pediatric clinic to find out if they are taking vaccine appointments.
2. If you prefer evening hours, StarMed is offering vaccination clinics at Orange County Schools.
3. The Health Department will be offering pop-up vaccine clinics specifically for five- to 11-year-olds by appointment only on Thursday, November 4 and Friday, November 5 from 4-8 p.m. Please call 919-913-8088 or visit takemyshot.nc.gov to schedule.
4. Hillsborough Pharmacy is offering vaccination appointments on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays by appointment only. Please call 919-245-1212 or visit www.indycarehealth.com.
5. Village Pediatrics is offering vaccination appointments Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. – Noon. Please call 919-969-9611 or visit www.villagepediatrics.com.
6. As vaccine clinics become available, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will post them here: https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines/kids/locations
Please bear in mind that appointments are limited at this time. More appointments will become available in the coming days and weeks.
COVID Business Grant Application Period Now Open
CARRBORO, N.C. -- The Town of Carrboro Economic Development Department announces the opening of the application period for the much-anticipated COVID-19 Mitigation Business Grants. The grants are provided through additional funding the Town has received from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
The grant program provides business who are located in Carrboro and have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 the opportunity to apply for up to $10,000 in mitigation assistance. The funds can be used for back rent and utilities, COVID-19 loan repayment, training for upskilling employees, capital projects to make businesses safer for customers and employees, and marketing and advertising.
The program also places a priority on business organizations employing or serving persons who are low to moderate income, women and BIPOC owned businesses, tourism sector business, certified living wage businesses, and small and locally owned businesses.
The application period will remain open through 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19. Applications and more information are available at www.TownofCarrboro.org/ED or can be obtained at Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St., Carrboro, NC 27510.
Carrboro Film Fest Early Screening
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. 5. 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.
Daylight Saving Time is about to come to an end
We will “fall back” on Sunday, Nov. 7, turning the clocks back an hour. Of course, most folks will turn their clocks back an hour when they go to bed on Saturday night ... if they remember. (It’s also suggested that it’s a good time to change batteries in smoke and CO detectors.)
The good news is we’ll get an extra hour of sleep this weekend. The downside is it’s going to get dark much earlier.
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 next at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 9, to consider the agenda that will be posted at carrboro.legistar.com
Past Meeting
The Carrboro Town Council met virtually Tuesday, Oct. 26, and took the following actions on the agenda posted at https://bit.ly/3D5qR4M
- Affordable Housing Advisory Commission Funding Recommendation – The Town Council approved recommended funding for four nonprofit affordable housing applications to the Affordable Housing Special Revenue Fund. Funding was approved for the Alliance of Aids Services ($20,000), Pee Wee Homes ($60,000), Rebuilding Together of the Triangle ($19,312), and Weaver Community Housing Association ($60,000).
- 203 South Greensboro Project Update – The Council received an update on the project status including the utility plan and current estimated project costs. The 203 Project is a collaborative effort of the Town of Carrboro and Orange County to develop a new public building and associated parking on Town property at 203 S. Greensboro Street. The new building will house the Orange County Southern Branch Library, the Town of Carrboro Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Resources programs, WCOM Radio, the Orange County Skills Development Center, and more.
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.
Carrboro CD and Record Show
The 29th Biannual Carrboro CD and Record Show will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7. in the Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St. in downtown Carrboro. Admission is free. Masks are required during the event.
The event will feature 42 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.
In recent years, vinyl record sales have rebounded and sales figures continue to steadily grow. At the Town of Carrboro-sponsored event, buyers now range from local students, to CD and record aficionados, to those who come from an age where buying records was an exciting part of growing up.
Feel free to stop by and browse through what the vendors have to offer. You never know what you may find!
For more information, contact organizer Gerry Williams at 919-260-0661 or gerrycw51@gmail.com or visit www.musicalroots.net
Veterans Day Ceremonies
Town of Carrboro employees who are veterans will be recognized for their service and sacrifice by Mayor Lydia Lavelle and Town Council on Veterans Day. This special recognition will take place at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, on the steps in front of Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St.
An Orange County Veterans Day Celebration will be held at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 at Southern Human Services Campus, 2501 Homestead Drive, Chapel Hill, NC. This event is free and open to the public. Masks and social distancing are required. If you can’t be there in person, you can watch live on Orange County Veterans Memorial’s Facebook page. Learn more at http://www.orangecountyveteransmemorial.com/
Veterans Day is marked each year on Nov. 11, the anniversary of the signing of the armistice (cease-fire) that ended that war. The armistice was signed in 1918 and President Woodrow Wilson first began the tradition of it as a day of American national remembrance in November 1919. In 1938 it became an official national holiday. In 1954, it became known as Veterans Day instead of Armistice Day.
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
Thanksgiving Holiday Service Changes
The Town of Carrboro will observe the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 25-26.
Town Hall and other administrative offices will be closed.
Trash will be collected two days early the week of Thanksgiving.
- Wednesday’s trash route will be collected on Monday, Nov. 22
- Thursday’s trash route will be collected on Tuesday, Nov. 23
- Friday’s trash route will be collected on Wednesday, Nov. 24
- There will be no yard waste collected the week of Thanksgiving.
More information https://www.orangecountync.gov/1741/SWM-2018-Holiday-Schedule
Community Bike Ride
Thanks to all who came along for the #CommunityBikeRide last week!
The ride was organized by Bike Carrboro and Bike ChapelHill to promote the pilot-protected bike lane along Jones Ferry Rd. in Carrboro.
