Carrboro Named One of America's Top 5 Small Arts Towns
CARRBORO, N.C. – In a recent special report, 24/7 Tempo named Carrboro one of the country’s Top 5 Small Arts Towns. The town shares the honor with such creative outposts as Santa Fe, N.M., and Marfa, Texas.
To determine the best small arts towns in America, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on arts establishments, and employment from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 County Business Patterns dataset.
“From music venues that attract local, regional, and national acts, to arts teachers and arts education centers, to countless formal and informal galleries and spaces for public art, we’re proud of Carrboro as a place where the arts can thrive,” said Carrboro Mayor Damon Seils.
Sometimes referred to as The Paris of the Piedmont, the town of Carrboro has carved out a niche for itself as a thriving arts community. Many exceptionally creative artists and craftspeople call Carrboro home. It is a thriving, inviting place for artists and artisans. Learn more at https://visitcarrboro.com/carrboro-creates/
In Carrboro, Southern hospitality means everyone is welcome, and the folks here are curious about the world, engaged in their community, and lovers of the arts. The community encourages creativity and innovation. From festivals to farmers’ markets and everything in between, Carrboro strives to be a place where folks from all walks of life can work together to make it the best it can be.
According to the article by Maria Wood: “The arts scene in Carrboro flourishes at the ArtsCenter, where live performances and art classes for youngsters and adults are held. Along the Chapel Hill-Carrboro border is a gaggle of art spaces known as Attic 506, which were funded by the Orange County Arts Commission and the artists themselves. On the second Friday of each month, visitors can glimpse the artists’ works during an informal art crawl.”
Read more at https://247wallst.com/special-report/2022/02/12/best-small-arts-towns-in-america/ 24/7 Wall St. describes itself as a financial news and opinion company with content delivered over the Internet.
What makes Carrboro's art scene so special? Check our Baker's Dozen at https://www.carrboronc.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2039
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The Town of Carrboro installs two new EV Charging Stations!
The new stations are located at the parking lot of Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 1120 Hillsborough Road, and at the 604 Rosemary St. gravel public parking lot that has an entrance from Sunset Drive.
Both of these stations offer two charging ports each with SAE J1772 style plugs, so two cars may be charged at once.
These new stations are in addition to an existing EV Station located in the side parking lot of Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St.
All three EV Stations are currently free to use. They use the ChargePoint system https://www.chargepoint.com/ for access.
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Thank you for joining us in Carrboro Conversations!
Many thanks to the some 80 residents who came out for Carrboro Conversations held Feb. 23-24, 2022!
Town Manager Richard J. White III welcomed attendees at the virtual drop-in session, as well as the two in-person drop-in sessions at Carrboro Town Hall. Participants were encouraged to move across four different stations to chat with staff and ask questions.
The Town of Carrboro initiative aims to create opportunities for more frequent conversations and exchanges between staff and residents on topics of interest.
If you missed the sessions, information is available online about the following:
We gave away a swag bag! And the winner is … Nerys Levy! Thanks for playing!
For more information, contact communications@carrboronc.gov or call Communication and Engagement Director Catherine Lazorko at 919-918-7314.
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Stop the invasion! Protect Carrboro from invasive species.
Mayor Damon Seils has declared Feb. 28 to March 4 as National Invasive Species Awareness Week in Carrboro.
National Invasive Species Awareness Week is an international event created to raise awareness about invasive species, the threat that they pose, and what can be done to prevent their spread.
“I encourage all residents to join upcoming efforts to support native species and remove invasive species," Mayor Seils said.
Access the full proclamation at https://www.townofcarrboro.org/DocumentCenter/View/10674/Invasive-Species-Awareness-Week-Proclamation-2022
Carrboro residents are encouraged to visit the following links for further information on conscientious gardening.
Pictured below are some of the volunteers who have helped with invasive species removal in Carrboro! The Carrboro High School Football Team pitched in to remove invasive privet from Anderson Park this fall, and another volunteer who has assisted with invasive plant removal is Barbara Stenross. Thanks so much to our volunteers!
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Help NC update its bicycle route system!
Carrboro residents, help shape the future of NC’s bike route system! For the first time in nearly a decade, the @NCDOT is updating its bike route system and wants public input to identify areas for improvement. The deadline to submit is March 14: https://ncdot.altaplanning.cloud/#/
More info from the NCDOT below ⬇️
North Carolina’s bicycle route system https://www.ncdot.gov/bikeped/ncbikeways/default.aspx was developed in response to the 1974 Bicycle and Bikeway Act. The system was created on roads across North Carolina that were safer for bicycling, designating a network of "bicycling highways" that provided access to small towns, state parks, historic sites and other points of interest. These routes generally parallel the major highways along which cyclists often wish to travel but offer a more lightly traveled alternative than the busy, major roads that are familiar to most people.
Given the extensive development that has occurred across North Carolina since the 1970’s and associated changes to the roadway network, the N.C. Department of Transportation recognized the need to re-evaluate and update the state bike route system in 2013, as part of the statewide bicycle and pedestrian plan, called WalkBikeNC https://www.ncdot.gov/bikeped/walkbikenc/default.aspx
NCDOT is now initiating another update to the route system, based on a more current review of existing and planned bicycle facilities throughout the state. The public is invited to help identify additional potential changes to the system, based on recent roadway projects, local planning, and local knowledge and understanding of the routes. To provide input, please visit the NCDOT State Bike Route System Public Input Map. https://ncdot.altaplanning.cloud/#/ Input will be accepted until March 14, 2022.
N.C. Bike Route System website https://www.ncdot.gov/divisions/bike-ped/nc-state-bike-route-system/Pages/default.aspx
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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 carrboronc.gov/signup
Civic involvement is a valued tradition in our community. Reach the Town Council with your ideas, views, and questions at Council@carrboronc.gov
Coming Up
The Town Council will meet next virtually at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, to consider an agenda https://bit.ly/3HmWZCE that also will be posted at carrboro.legistar.com
Past Meeting
The Carrboro Town Council met virtually Tuesday, Feb. 22, and took the following actions on the agenda posted at https://bit.ly/3IpLNX8
- Received monthly reports from Fire, Police, Stormwater and Economic Development
- Held a public hearing on the continued consideration of Carrboro Connects 2022-2042 Comprehensive Plan. The Council continues to receive public comment as it considers adoption. View the draft plan at https://www.carrboroconnects.org/public-hearing-draft
- Approved a minor modification to the Conditional Use Permit for Meadow Run subdivision to allow one additional home to be constructed within the subdivision.
About the Town Council
The Town Council is the legislative and policy-making body for Carrboro, consisting of the following: Mayor Damon Seils, Mayor Pro Tempore Susan Romaine, Council Member Barbara Foushee, Council Member Randee Haven-O’Donnell, Council Member Danny Nowell and Council Member Sammy Slade. More information is available at http://carrboronc.gov/248/Town-Council
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Get stormwater savvy!
Curious about the creeks in your neighborhood? Want to learn how stormwater is conveyed through town? Keen to understand your role in protecting the watershed? The Carrboro Stormwater Division is here to help!
You can request a member of the Carrboro Stormwater Division come out to your next club gathering, HOA meeting, or event. We can provide a targeted or general outreach presentations on Stormwater, waterways, and the watersheds of Carrboro. We have demonstrations for all ages.
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Keep Carrboro awesome! Do your part by volunteering for a board or commission
CARRBORO NEEDS YOU. Please consider joining a Town of Carrboro board or commission. Our town has a rich tradition of citizen involvement. We ALWAYS need new faces, new lifeblood and new ideas. Even if you’ve never volunteered in local government before! There are many ways you can participate to make a difference in Carrboro.
The Town Council is making it a priority to put Black/African-American voices on all advisory boards and commissions that address aspects of Carrboro’s quality of life.
CHECK THE VACANCIES ➡️ https://ecs.page.link/gs4Nc
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Dive in and celebrate Creek Week with us!
Show your love for Orange County’s waterways during the first-ever Orange County Creek Week, held March 12-19.
Come volunteer, hike, learn, and celebrate with a variety of activities the entire family can enjoy. The week of events is designed to help people of all ages learn about, take care of, and enjoy Orange County’s waterways. Residents will have a chance to join trash clean-ups, nature hikes, community science activities, a virtual 5K, and other events throughout the county.
Visit Orange County’s Creek Week webpage at https://www.orangecountync.gov/2887/Creek-Week to see all the fun events planned for Creek Week.
Learn more about Creek Week at https://nc-cleanwater.com/regional-creek-week
“We hope that by celebrating our town’s unique waterways and how they connect us as a community, we can foster a deeper knowledge of your watershed and how you can play a part in promoting clean and healthy creeks,” said Heather M. Horner Holley, stormwater specialist for the Town of Carrboro. “The stormwater staff is excited to share Orange County Creek Week with Carrboro."
Questions? Contact Heather Holley at 919-918-7426 or HHolley@CarrboroNC.gov
The inaugural event is part of the Clean Water and Education Partnership’s (CWEP) second annual Regional Creek Week. This year’s theme is “Water Connects Us.” The initiative will engage the public on the importance of clean and healthy waterways. This year’s Orange County Creek Week is made possible by Orange County Department of Environment, Agriculture & Parks & Recreation (DEAPR); Orange Water and Sewer Authority; the towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough; UNC Energy Services; UNC Environment, Health and Safety; UNC Institute for the Environment; and Sustainable Carolina.
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Mask mandates remain in Orange County
Orange County local elected leaders, after meeting with Orange County Health Director Quintana Stewart, have opted to leave the county’s indoor mask mandate in place and to continue to meet and reassess the situation on an ongoing basis.
Key metrics in Orange County are dropping, including number of cases and percent positivity for test results. Extending the mandate for another few weeks will ensure those numbers continue to fall.
“We have a community responsibility to minimize strain on UNC Hospital because it serves as a healthcare hub not only for Orange County but for our entire region,” said Renee Price, Chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners. “We want to slow the spread as much as possible to protect children under 5 and adults who are unable to take a COVID-19 vaccine."
Hillsborough Mayor Jenn Weaver, Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger, and Carrboro Mayor Damon Seils joined Price in the decision. The elected leaders and health officials will meet with other community partners in early March, including representatives from local school systems, UNC Hospitals, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and first responders.
Price urged residents to get vaccinated and boosted if they are eligible. “Most of the deaths and serious illnesses are among the unvaccinated. Vaccines provide the strongest level of protection from serious illness or hospitalizations due to COVID-19,” she said.
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