Local community organizations are excited to announce the completion of a new mural honoring Black civic leaders from Carrboro and Chapel Hill.
Painted by artist Kiara Sanders, the African American Trailblazers mural celebrates twelve people who helped to shape and improve our community. The mural is located where Carrboro and Chapel Hill meet, at 111 S. Merritt Mill Road, home to two Black-owned businesses: Walt’s Grill and Ms. Molly’s Gift Shop.
Artist with Trailblazers Mural The mural features 12 African American pioneers who were vital to Chapel Hill and Carrboro’s history. (Photo credit: Miriam McSpadden/Fly Squirrel Films)
Honorees include (left to right in mural):
- Valerie Paige Foushee, North Carolina State Senator
- Addie Robinson, director and founder of Holmes Day Care at Hargraves Community Center
- Nurse Adelia Compton, the first Black employee for the Town of Chapel Hill
- Barbara Booth Powell, Chapel Hill Town Council, educator, and politician
- Bynum & Susie Weaver, artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs
- Howard Lee, the only Black mayor of Chapel Hill and the first Black mayor in the South
- William D. Peerman, championship winning coach, mentor, and educator and the first Black head football coach at Chapel Hill High School
- Rev. Dr. J.R. Manley, former pastor of the Rock Hill-First Baptist and Hickory Grove Baptist Church and community leader
- Walter Riggsbee, HVAC builder and entrepreneur
- Dr. L.H. Hackney, pastor and founder of the first Black high school
- Thurman Atkins, developer and entrepreneur
Mural artist Kiara Sanders is a recent art studies graduate from North Carolina Central University and is known for several art projects around the Triangle, including the new Art + Transit bus stop on Rogers Road. Sanders was selected for this work based on her project concept and aesthetic, which was influenced by the regal color palates often used in murals by Harlem Renaissance artist Aaron Douglas.
Over several weeks, Sanders primed, prepped, and finetuned each portrait to most accurately reflect images of the honorees. At one point, the wall was covered entirely in numbers as a method to transpose each image to scale. Sanders wanted to make sure the community would be inspired to learn more when they came across the art.
“It’s an honor to be able to tap into this history, “ Sanders said. “You can come across this work and look at the faces and wonder to yourself ‘Who is that?’ and then that can start a whole new conversation about how we introduce people who paved the way for us to live and thrive.”
The community is invited to help keep history alive by engaging with the African American Trailblazers project:
- Visit the mural at 111 S. Merritt Mill Road
- Watch the Video (by Miriam McSpadden/Fly Squirrel Films) about Kiara Sanders and her work on the project at https://youtu.be/y_UoZFpnEGI
- The video is available in the Town of Carrboro's Celebrating Black America playlist.
- Learn more about each individual leader by exploring biographies and photographs available at chapelhillhistory.org/aatrailblazers
Covid-19 Booster Shots
The Orange County Health Department is offering Pfizer booster shots for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
People who should get a booster shot:
- People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care facilities
- People aged 50-64 with underlying medical conditions
These people may also receive a boost shot:
- People aged 18-49 with underlying medical conditions, such as obesity and type 1 and 2 diabetes
- People aged 18-64 who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional settings
- Frontline workers, teachers, and first responders
Moderna/Johnson & Johnson Vaccines
- Boosters have not been authorized yet. Reviews are underway by federal health experts.
OWASA Update: Jones Ferry Road Water Line Resiliency Improvements Project
OWASA construction crews will begin work in the roadway on Jones Ferry Road on Wednesday, Sept. 29.
Over the course of October, periodic lane closures of Jones Ferry Road will be required in front of the Water Treatment Plant. Work in the roadway will occur between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
OWASA is continuing construction of the Jones Ferry Road Water Line Resiliency Improvements Project.
How the work may affect customers in the area:
- Noise, dust, and mud – The work will involve noise, dust, and mud. Normal working hours are Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Traffic and parking impacts – Traffic, including the bike lane, may be slowed in the area with localized lane closures around the immediate work areas. If the street is too narrow to allow for safe passage of vehicles during construction, then the street will be closed to through traffic, and we will coordinate with individual residents to allow access. A full road closure is not expected at this time.
- Water service may be interrupted during construction for up to 8 hours at a time. Impacted customers will be given notice ahead of any planned water outage in their area.
For more information about the project, visit https://www.owasa.org/project/jones-ferry-road-water-treatment-plant-improvements/
To receive email updates about the project, visit https://bit.ly/3tDb7Rs
Carrboro 10k Road Race
A Carrboro 10K road race is scheduled for 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 2.
Expect traffic delays around this time on N. Greensboro Street and Hillsborough Road. The race begins in front of McDougle Middle School, winds through downtown Carrboro and its neighborhoods, and finishes on the McDougle track. Feel free to cheer on the runners!
The Carrboro 10K is the second race in the 17th annual Le Tour de Carrboro race series, sponsored by the Cardinal Track Club.
Provide Comments by Oct. 15 on the Preliminary Draft Plan
Thank you to all who joined for the Community Open House last week. Weather conditions forced a last minute shift to a virtual format, but there was still great turnout with many new faces and thoughtful discussion! If you missed the Open House, you can view the recording at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqjMcukAONg and read a summary. It was certainly a busy week, as there was also a presentation to the Town Council and a Carrboro Connects Task Force meeting.
Next up: reviewing the Preliminary Draft Plan at https://www.carrboroconnects.org/prelim-draft-plan The Town is seeking input from the entire community, and your comments will directly inform the next round of revisions. Please share your thoughts by October 15th – after that date, the draft will be revised and presented for review at a Public Hearing on Nov. 16.
Thank you, as always, for your participation and ideas for improving Carrboro’s future!
How to Vote Early 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 from Oct. 14-30.
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:
- Thursday – Friday, October 14 – 15 CLOSED
- Saturday, October 16 CLOSED
- Sunday, October 17 CLOSED
- 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.
- Thursday – Friday, October 14 – 15 8 am – 6 pm
- Saturday, October 16 CLOSED
- Sunday, October 17 CLOSED
- 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
Bulk Trash Pickup Service Expanded
The Town of Carrboro has expanded its free bulk waste pickup service. Items such as furniture and appliances will now be collected on a regular, bi-weekly schedule.
For a full list of acceptable items and schedules visit https://townofcarrboro.org/2231/Bulky-Items
Advisory Board Recruitment
Get Involved!
The Town of Carrboro is recruiting for Town Advisory Boards and Commissions. Serving on a board or committee is a great opportunity to connect with community and participate in local government!
We have openings on the following:
- Affordable Housing Advisory Board
- Appearance Commission
- Arts Committee
- Board of Adjustment
- Carrboro Tourism Development Authority
- Climate Action Team
- Community Safety Task Force
- Economic Sustainability Commission
- Environmental Advisory Board
- Human Services Commission
- OWASA Board of Directors
- Recreation and Parks Commission
To apply, please visit townofcarrboro.org/advisoryboards
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.
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. 5, to consider the agenda at https://bit.ly/3D5qR4M that also will be posted at carrboro.legistar.com
Past Meeting
The Carrboro Town Council met virtually Tuesday, Sept. 28, and took the following actions on the agenda posted at https://bit.ly/3CMZ5cS
- The Council adopted a resolution amending the Town’s Miscellaneous Fees and Charges Schedule to Establish Fees for Small and Micro-Wireless Facilities in Rights-of-Way.
- The Council held a Public Hearing on a Request from Pee Wee Homes to Rezone Property at 106 Hill Street to R-3, Conditional (R-3-CZ). The Council received public comment (including a song!) on the request to rezone property from Pee Wee Homes, a local non-profit organization, that intends to develop three, size-restricted, required-affordable homes that would be available for rent to individuals earning less than 30-percent of the Area Median Income. The rezoning was approved.
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
West End Poetry Festival
The United Poetry Service - Poems for the People
Join us Oct. 15-16 for online and outdoor events for our 2021 Festival
The Carrboro Poetry Council presents the West End Poetry Festival Oct. 15-16, 2021. The Council is composed of current Carrboro Poet Laureate, Fred Joiner, local poets Susan Spalt, Maura High, Abigail Browning, Gideon Young, and former Carrboro Poet Laureates, Gary Phillips and Jay Bryan. Technology consultant is poet/UNC Professor Emeritus Paul Jones. This year the Council has created both virtual and live presentations.
Friday, Oct. 15 - 7–8:30 PM - Zoom Poetry Writing Workshop
In this interactive workshop, take your poetry to the next level with guest poet Crystal Simone Smith. Crystal is the author of two poetry chapbooks, Routes Home, Finishing Line Press (2013) and Running Music, Longleaf Press (2014). She is also the author of Wildflowers: Haiku, Senryu, and Haibun (2016). Her work has appeared in numerous journals.
Saturday, Oct. 16 Events - All activities will be outside. Masks are required to keep everyone safe.
Poetry in the Round - 3-4:45 PM
Join us at the Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St., for an open mic, featuring YOU! Former Carrboro Poet Laureate Gary Phillips will host as we share one poem per person as we travel around the poet’s circle.
Community Poem - 3:45 PM
The Council is inviting members of the community to submit one line of poetry that will be compiled into a Community Poem. “United”, “Service”, and “People” are the prompts. The poem will appear and be read at 3:45 p.m. on Saturday. To participate, a form on the website should be completed by October 15 at 9pm.
Poetry Readings – 5-6:30 PM
Current and past area Poet Laureates, William Davis, Patrick Herron, Fred Joiner, Gary Phillips, Celisa Steele, and CJ Suitt will participate in a reading curated by prize-winning poet, Gideon Young. The readings will be posted on-line after the festival. For more information about these poets, please go to the website.
Zoom links to the performances will be available on the Festival’s website at the time of the event.
For more information, please consult the Festival website: westendpoetryfestival.org.
The festival is funded by the Carrboro Tourism Development Authority and the Town of Carrboro, and organized by the Carrboro Poets Council (Abigail Browning, Jay Bryan, Maura High, Paul Jones, Gary Phillips, Susan Spalt, Gideon Young, and Carrboro Poet Laureate Fred Joiner), with the assistance of the staff of the Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department of the Town of Carrboro.
Looking for Fun Things to Do?
Check the October 2021 Monthly Newsletter from Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources.
This issue includes Halloween Festivities, the Kid’s Dog Show, Youth Basketball Leagues, and more.
Walk/Bike to School Day
Schools across Orange County and around the triangle will take part in this year's International Walk to School Day on Oct. 6. We are currently working with Carrboro Elementary to hold a Walking School Bus as part of Walk to School Day!
The photograph above is from a 2019 Walk to School Day event with Mayor Lydia Lavelle and community members.
Carrboro Raises Awareness for Diaper Need
The week of Sept. 27 to Oct. 3 is “Diaper Need Awareness Week” in the Town of Carrboro, as proclaimed by Mayor Lydia Lavelle.
Carrboro is proud to be home to trusted community-based organizations including Diaper Bank of North Carolina that recognize the importance of diapers in ensuring health and providing economic stability for families and thus distribute diapers to families through various channels.
“I’d like to thank the aforementioned diaper bank, their staff, volunteers and donors, for their service during the COVID-19 crisis, and encourage the residents of Carrboro to donate generously to diaper banks, diaper drives, and those organizations that collect and distribute diapers to those struggling with diaper need, so that all of Carrboro’s children and families can thrive and reach their full potential,” Mayor Lavelle said.
Thanks to UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media
Many thanks to Professor Laura Ruel's MEJO 581 User Experience Design Class at UNC for research and usability testing of www.townofcarrboro.org
Look for improvements coming in the new year!
