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, Paul Jones, and former Carrboro Poet Laureates, Gary Phillips and Jay Bryan. 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.
Crystal Simone Smith
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.
Provide Your Input on the Draft Plan by Oct. 15
Carrboro Connects, the Town's Comprehensive Planning process has been underway since June 2020. It continues to move forward with plan development and community engagement. The Town Council reviewed the draft plan at a work session on Tuesday, Oct. 5.
The Town is also seeking input from the entire community, and your comments will directly inform the next round of revisions. Please share your thoughts by Oct. 15. After that date, the draft will be revised and presented for review at a Public Hearing on Nov. 16.
Learn more and see the draft plan at https://www.carrboroconnects.org/prelim-draft-plan
Thank you, as always, for your participation and ideas for improving Carrboro’s future!
October is Community Planning Month in Carrboro
The Town of Carrboro has joined in the celebration of National Community Planning Month by proclaiming October as Community Planning Month.
In issuing the proclamation, Mayor Lydia Lavelle recognizes the participation and dedication of the members of our numerous advisory boards and commissions, task forces, and coalitions, and other citizen planners who regularly contribute their time and talents to the improvement of the Town of Carrboro.
“We recognize the many valuable contributions made by professional community and regional planners of the Town, Orange County, our neighboring communities, region, and State, and extend our heartfelt thanks for the continued commitment to public service by these professionals,” Mayor Lavelle said.
Read the proclamation at https://www.townofcarrboro.org/DocumentCenter/View/9867/2021-Community-Planning-Month
Trailblazer Mural Dedication
On Oct. 10, 2021, Chapel Hill-Carrboro Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., in collaboration with partners and donors, dedicated the African American Trailblazer Mural located at 111 S. Merritt Mill Road (Walt’s Grill). The mural highlights 12 individuals who have made contributions to the community in education, religion, health care, and social action.
Over 150 community and family members attended the celebration with some traveling as far as Virginia. State Senator Valerie Foushee, Mayor Howard Lee, and muralist Kiara Sanders brought inspiring words.
For more information, visit https://chapelhillhistory.org/aatrailblazers/
Watch mural dedication at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCgCT9gB7vI&t=34s
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. 19, to consider the agenda that also will be posted at carrboro.legistar.com
Past Meeting
The Carrboro Town Council met virtually Tuesday, Oct. 12, and took the following actions on the agenda posted at https://bit.ly/3D5qR4M
- The Council received an update on the Town of Carrboro’s Community Development Block Grant - Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) grant from the NC Department of Commerce.
- The Council received the Fiscal Year 20-21 Affordable Housing and Community Services Report.
- The Council received a Transportation Projects Update on the status of transportation projects within the Town.
- The Council discussed the beginnings of an RFP (Request for Proposals) to select a bike share service provider to create a unified system for Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and UNC-Chapel Hill.
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 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
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
Free COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics
Vaccines are free, and no ID is required! If you are coming for your second dose, please bring your vaccination card with the record of your first dose. Visit our COVID-19 Vaccine page for the most up-to-date information: www.orangecountync.gov/getyourshot.
***Need a third shot because you are immunocompromised?***
Visit our Chapel Hill location Monday through Friday from 8:30am - 4:30pm at 2501 Homestead Rd.
The Hillsborough location is not currently offering third shots.
Pop-Up Walk-In Vaccine Clinics
In addition to our regularly scheduled walk-in clinics (see graphic above), the Orange County Health Department is pleased to offer pop-up vaccine clinics to all community members ages 12 and older. No registration required, these are walk-in clinics.
- Farmer's Market Pavilion in Hillsborough (next to the Courthouse)
- CHCCS Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration (Carrboro Farmer's Market)
- Last Fridays (at the old Courthouse in Hillsborough)
- Farmer's Market Pavilion in Hillsborough (next to the Courthouse)
- Farmer's Market Pavilion in Hillsborough (next to the Courthouse)
- Hillsborough Walk-In Clinic Location Change on October 5th!
- The clinic will be located at the new Bonnie B. Davis Building at
- 1020 U.S. 70, Hillsborough. This is directly across the street from the DMV.
- New Hours: 9 am to 4:30 pm.
- Start Date: 10/5/2021
- Days of the week: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
- Vaccine type: Moderna and Pfizer
Longtime Homeowner Assistance program
The Longtime Homeowner Assistance program will provide property tax bill assistance to longtime homeowners who have been impacted by the 2021 property tax revaluation. To be eligible for assistance, homeowners must:
- - live in Orange County
- - have lived in their homes for at least 10 years,
- - have experienced an increase in property taxes due to the 2021 revaluation,
- - meet certain income requirements.
Applications for assistance will be accepted at https://orangecountynchousing.submittable.com/submit through Dec. 15, 2021.
Loose Leaf Collection
Public Works provides yard waste and loose leaf collection to residents.
Yard waste (branches, grass, leaves, shrubbery, trimmings, and weeds) may be either placed in a 95-gallon water-tight roll-out container or raked in a pile curbside for collection. No plastic or paper bags are allowed.
Large/Oversized Piles: will have a fee assessed for the collection. Please call Public Works for more information.
Collection Guidelines
- Limbs must not exceed 3 feet long and 4 inches in diameter.
- Yard waste must be free of all debris. No dirt, sod, rock, or concrete.
Yard Waste Placed in 95-Gallon Roll-out Containers
- Place container at the street with the lid opening towards the street.
- Allow 3 - 5 feet of clearance between your container and any other item.
- Do not place yard waste cart in drainage ditch, bike lane, street, or on sidewalk.
- Filled roll-out containers (other than Town roll-out containers) must not weigh more than 50 pounds.
Yard Waste Placed Curbside in a Pile
- Yard waste piles should be long and narrow and placed as close to the curb as possible (within 10 feet).
- Do not place yard waste in drainage ditch, bike lane, street, or on sidewalk.
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.
Free Leaf Compost - The Town of Carrboro provides free leaf compost to residents. The compost is located at 7917 Old NC 86 and is accessible during daylight hours.
The ArtsCenter to host Blood Drive
On Tuesday, Oct. 19, The ArtsCenter is having a blood drive with the American Red Cross!
Sign-up for a time shot: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give
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.
Safer, Alternative Ways to Participate in Halloween
Many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses. There are several safer, alternative ways to participate in Halloween. If you may have COVID-19 or you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should not participate in in-person Halloween festivities and should not give out candy to trick-or-treaters.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says traditional outdoor trick or treating or trunk and treating where treats are handed to children are lower risk this year, but limiting crowds is a good idea.
For more information visit https://www.orangecountync.gov/2565/Guidance-for-Private-Social-Gatherings