News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC 
(April 23, 2024) 

Join us for Carrboro in Motion at Collins Crossing Apartments this Saturday when we will be treated by a performance from Takiri Latino Folclor while offering some great community resources to neighbors. Read the Carrboro Town Council Update and check out all the great events happening later this week! Don't miss the May 1 deadline to apply for a Green Neighborhoods Grant. Save the date for Carrboro Day on May 5! Are you a local vendor or provide support and resources for our LGBTQ community? If so, we invite you to fill out an application to be a part of the Carrboro Pride Dance Party on June 28!   

Carrboro In Motion rides in this Saturday

Carrboro In Motion is bringing the party back to Carrboro neighborhoods next Saturday, April 27 at Collins Crossing Apartments.

Join us!  Meet Town of Carrboro staff and learn about our services, take your kids out to see the fire engine, sign up for a library card, and enjoy a free sno-cone from Pelican's. 

We will offer information on upcoming Town events, services and engagement opportunities. There will be bike and ped resources, map and routing resources, and reflective gear, and Carrboro stickers. Town staff will showcase volunteer opportunities and ways to connect with programs. Our community partners will offer bike and ped resources. Carrboro Poet Laureate Liza Wolff-Francis will lead a poetry writing table in honor of Poetry Month! Staff from Carrboro Fire-Rescue and the Carrboro Police Department will provide public safety resources and services information. 

The block party will be at Collins Crossing Apartments (501 Jones Ferry Road, Carrboro, NC 25710) next Saturday, April 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  All are welcome! 

Learn more about Carrboro In Motion.

Carrboro 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.

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 Carrboro Town Council will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 23.  The agenda will be available on Legistar.

The Town Council meets at Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. Members of the public are welcome to attend in person or can view the livestream YouTube.com/CarrboroNC  OR at on Legistar.

Recap of Past Meetings  

The Council met on Tuesday, April 16, for a work session to receive an update on the 2024-2025 FY Budget development, recommend strategies and actions related to Council priorities outlined in the Council Retreat, explain budget considerations for FY 2024-2025, and seek Council direction in preparation for May’s Budget Work Session.

Watch the livestream of the April 16 Council Work Session. 

Council Meeting Schedule 

 View the 2024 Council Calendar.

Town Council 

The Town Council, which is the legislative and policy-making body for Carrboro, comprises Mayor Barbara Foushee, Mayor Pro Tempore Danny Nowell, Council Member Catherine Fray, Council Member Randee Haven-O’Donnell, Council Member Jason Merrill, and Council Member Eliazar Posada. More information is available on the Council webpage.

Poetry Month Feature:

Bone-casting for beginners

“Bone-casting for Beginners” will be offered from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at the Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St.

Bones, shells, fossils, and rocks have been used throughout time for divination and taking a deeper look into one's life and self. From an Appalachian perspective, poet Gary Phillips guides us in magic, meaning and poetry. Phillips is the 2016-2017 poet laureate of Carrboro. 

In this hour and a half workshop, participants will look at nature and traditional practices of divination and use these ideas as inspiration for poetry.

Come out for a truly unique poetry workshop! Carrboro Poet Laureate Liza Wolff-Francis and others will participate in this special feature for Poetry Month! 

Celebrate Carrboro Day on Sunday, May 5

Join us at the Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St. Carrboro, from 1 to 5 p.m.  on Sunday, May 5, 2024 for Carrboro Day.

This free event is about meeting neighbors, learning about the Town, and celebrating Carrboro. It features live music, poetry, art, history, kids’ activities, a walking tour and more. Games such as Giant Jenga and Giant Connect 4. 

More info about Carrboro Day.

Traffic Alert - Roberson Street from Maple Avenue to S. Greensboro Street closed evenings

Roberson Street from Maple Avenue to S. Greensboro Street will be closed in the evenings through about mid-May during utility work. The temporary closures will take place in the evenings from 6 p.m. until about 3 a.m. Monday to Friday. Roberson Street will reopen every evening at 3 a.m. and remain open to traffic during the day. 

The utility work underway is associated with The 203 Project, the new library and civic building under construction at 203 S. Greensboro St. 

Mildred Council Community Dinner

scheduled for April 28

The 24th Annual Mildred Council Community Dinner will be held Sunday, April 28, at 1 p.m. in the McDougle Middle School Cafeteria, 900 Old Fayetteville Rd. in Chapel Hill, NC. 

The Community Dinner is a community building event, crossing economic, racial, religious and ethnic barriers and presenting a wealth of wonderful, culturally diverse food and entertainment from our own community.  In 2014, The Community Dinner was a winner of a National League of Cities Award for Cultural Diversity

Mildred Council, aka "Mama Dip," was the creator of this event and our source of inspiration and partner for 21 Community Dinners, celebrating our community's cultural diversity. She is sorely missed by all who knew her. Her legacy continues through her children and grandchildren.

This event is supported by the Town of Carrboro as well as many other community partners. 

Visit the Community Dinner website to find more information and purchase tickets.

10th Annual Freight Train Blues

Concert Series Returns to Carrboro

The Town of Carrboro proudly presents the Music Maker Foundation’s Freight Train Blues series of live concerts every Friday evening between May 3 and June 21, 2024, at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main Street. Concerts start at 6:30 p.m. 

The series is a collaboration among  Music Maker Foundation; the Town of Carrboro; WUNC 91.5 FM; and The Forests at Duke. Funding for this year’s series was also provided by Spark the Arts.

Bring your picnic, lawn chairs and blankets for a free evening of live music on the lawn. Beer and food will be available for purchase at the events. 

Find more about free public parking available in downtown Carrboro.

Check out the full line up and learn more about Music Maker Foundation and Freight Train Blues.

Carrboro Police Department announces arrest in fatal hit-and-run collision

The Carrboro Police Department has charged and arrested Matthew Harr, 32, of Hillsborough, with Felony Hit and Run in connection with a fatal collision that occurred on April 15, 2024, at approximately 1:47 a.m.

Responding officers located Zachary Peeples, 29, at the scene of the collision at 602 Jones Ferry Road. Peeples was transported to UNC Hospital, where he later died. 

The vehicle involved in the traffic collision initially fled the scene. Through an investigation, Carrboro Police Department investigators were able to identify the vehicle and driver involved in the collision. Harr is currently being held in the Orange County Detention Center with no bond.

This case remains open and under active investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Investigator Velazquez with the Carrboro Police Department at evelazquez@carrboronc.gov or 919-918-7413. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 919-942-7515.

Media Contact: Chief Chris Atack
Carrboro Police Department 
(919) 918-7407
catack@carrboronc.gov

Carrboro Fire-Rescue is hiring

Ready to join our team? Fill out the application now or visit our website for more information.

Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED at time of hire
• US citizen or permanent resident
• 18 years old or older at time of hire
• NC Driver's License

Application period closes May 1, 2024.

To all who are celebrating...

The Town of Carrboro recognizes our diverse community and the many observances meaningful to our residents this week.

Carrboro Celebrates Earth Day

Thanks to everyone who visited Carrboro Town Commons this past Saturday to learn about pollinators, food choices, biking and all the Town's climate action initiatives.

Boost Carrboro Initiative set to host online business resource expo April 29

Get ready for the Boost Carrboro Virtual Business Expo, an empowering event for local businesses and entrepreneurs in Carrboro and nearby areas.

Scheduled online on April 29, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., this virtual expo offers invaluable resources, networking opportunities, and expert insights to fuel business growth and success.

Part of the Boost Carrboro initiative, a collaboration between the Town of Carrboro and Infinity Bridges Inc., the expo focuses on actionable strategies, networking connections, and essential resources to uplift local businesses.

Attendees will benefit from a dynamic workshop with Funding Strategist LaTasha Best-Gaddy, along with informative sessions tailored to the needs of established business owners. Connect with reputable organizations and service providers through speaking sessions and virtual exhibitor booths to explore partnership opportunities and access valuable insights.

"We're excited to unite Carrboro's vibrant business community at the Boost Carrboro Virtual Business Expo," said La-Tasha Best-Gaddy. "This expo equips local businesses with the tools, knowledge, and connections for success in today's competitive landscape."

Registration is free at www.giveittothepeople.com/boostcarrboro. For more information, sponsorship opportunities, or partnerships, contact conference curator Chisa Pennix-Brown at giveit2thepeople@gmail.com or 336-809-8851.

Minority Vendor Summit scheduled for May 3

Join the Town of Carrboro, the Town of Chapel Hill, the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA), UNC Facilities Services HUB and UNC Procurement on Friday, May 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for a Minority Vendor Summit.

These public organizations are looking to meet local vendors that can fulfill their procurement needs. The event will feature speakers that can address questions about how to do business with these organizations. Meet the staff you could be working with and learn how to stay up-to-date on contract opportunities.

Learn more about the summit.

Carrboro Celebrates Poetry Month

April is Poetry Month in Carrboro, proclaimed by Mayor Barbara Foushee. 

Residents are encouraged to celebrate poetry and poets by reading, listening to, and sharing poems. Free local poetry events organized by Carrboro Poet Laureate Liza Wolff-Francis are continuing throughout April, including: 

• ‘Writing Together’ workshop on April 1 with Carrboro Poet Laureate Liza Wolff-Francis
• the monthly Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources’ Poets’ Open Mic Night via Zoom on April 2
• the Lanza’s Café bi-monthly Poetry Open Mic Night on April 12 and April 26
• Poetry, Popcorn & Pie event at the Century Center on April 15, featuring local poets including Poet Laureate Liza Wolff-Francis and an open mic
• an Earth Day seedling giveaway at the Carrboro Farmers’ Market on April 20, where young people can contribute a line to this year’s community poem
• a workshop with former Poet Laureate Gary Phillips on April 25
• a youth poetry writing workshop as part of Carrboro in Motion at Collins Crossing Apartment on April 27

Learn more about Poetry Month in Carrboro.

Photo Caption - Mayor Barbara Foushee and Carrboro Poet Laureate Liza Wolff-Francis

Green Neighborhoods Grant Program 

As part of its Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) implementation, the Town of Carrboro announces a call for applications for the 2024 Green Neighborhoods Grant Program!

Residents can receive up to $2,500 to complete a project that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance ecosystem resiliency, or contribute to climate action awareness or engagement.

The Carrboro Town Council accepted the Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) in 2017 to expand the Town’s existing climate action efforts and emphasize measures that community members can implement to help achieve greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. The plan’s goal is to raise the community’s awareness and involvement in climate action and the enhancement of ecosystem resilience. In 2020, the Town updated the CCAP goals to recommend an 80% reduction of 2010 emissions levels by 2030. To achieve this goal, widespread community participation in every aspect of the plan is essential. 

The Green Neighborhoods Grant Program seeks to benefit low-income households and residents of color by bringing neighbors together to pursue projects which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create natural areas that are more resilient to the impacts of climate change, ultimately benefiting the entire community.  

The maximum grant award is $2,500. Applications are due by May 1, 2024 at 3:00 pm. Visit the Green Neighborhoods Grant Program webpage for more information.

For questions, contact Environmental Sustainability Coordinator Laura Janway at ljanway@carrboronc.gov or (919) 918-7326. 

2024 Carrboro Pride Vendor Application Open

Carrboro is planning for its Pride Dance Party to be held from 5 to 8 PM Friday, June 28, at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St.

Join us for food, dance, and frolicking on the lawn. This is a free, family-friendly, festival celebrating all that unites us and makes us unique.

If you’re interested in participating as a vendor or by setting up an information or resources table, fill out the application form.

Please Note: Selections for tablers will prioritize groups, organizations or businesses providing support and resources for our LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual) community.

2024 Carrboro Music Festival

Performer Application Now Open

The Town of Carrboro is now accepting online applications for the 2024 Carrboro Music Festival. The application deadline for submissions is May 31, 2024. 

The Carrboro Music Festival is a celebration of local musicians throughout Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Orange County.  The festival also includes performers from surrounding counties located between the Triangle and Triad regions of the state. 

For more information, visit: www.carrboromusicfestival.com

Apply to be a performer at the 2024 Carrboro Music Festival.

Save the Date: Manchester City and Celtic FC To Meet In Kenan Stadium July 23

Fans from all over the country and the world are coming to town to watch a soccer game on July 23, 2024. 

English soccer champions Manchester City and Scottish side Celtic FC will play an exhibition match in Chapel Hill as part of the FC Series. It’s the second straight summer Kenan Stadium will host the FC Series after Chelsea and Wrexham played there in 2023. 

In addition to the excitement at Kenan, the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro are planning a week of activities downtown including photos with mascots, pop up tee-shirt sales, and local tailgating opportunities. 

Read more about the July 23 soccer match.

Public parking available in downtown Carrboro

It’s easy to find free two-hour public parking in Carrboro, where you can access convenient parking at 10 public lots all over town.

Please remember that the Carr Mill Mall parking area is for mall customers and is not a public parking lot. Leaving the mall premises after parking risks towing. When in doubt, always park in public lots, and enjoy a hassle-free and relaxed shopping and dining experience.

Find more information including an interactive parking map on our Downtown Parking webpage.