Weekly Update, August 28

Hello, Carrboro. What a week. Dolly's gone, the Carrboro Police and partners are investigating a homicide, and last night's cloud coverage denied us the majesty of the touted near-full lunar eclipse and the blood-red moon. And to think we at The Carrborean thought that the big news this week would be the rocky beginning the schools delivered to many families that depend on bus transportation. The system's failure to draw up bus schedules before school began and the unevenness of students' assignments to bus routes and poor communication drew an apology Tuesday from superintendent Rodney N. Trice.

The homicide occurred Thursday mid-afternoon at a townhome on Cedarwood Lane in the Weatherhill Townhomes neighborhood. The victim--a woman whose identity has not yet been made public--was found dead with stab wounds after neighbors reported loud noises coming from her townhome. The normally quiet neighborhood of mostly seniors and graduate students filled with police and investigators on Thursday. Other municipal police departments and the State Bureau of Investigation are assisting. Two people have been detained but not arrested, and as the investigation continues, it's requested that anyone with information call the Carrboro Police Department at (919) 918-7397 or Orange County Communications at (919) 732-5063. Here's the announcement from Carrboro Town Hall.

Tributes to Dolly

While the world mourns Dolly, we are finding sweet tributes to her this week in Carrboro. Akai Hana remembers her 2009 visit to the restaurant with this autographed photo and added a special "Jolene Jolene" roll to the menu--made with fresh salmon inside and fried lotus on top.

To honor and further the legacy of Dolly's Imagination Library, Carrboro residents might consider supporting children's literacy in our community. The Carrboro-based parent education nonprofit Family Reading Partners (FRP) actively connects eligible children with the Imagination Library. And right now, Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill is partnering with FRP in a book drive with the goal of gifting two new board books for each of the 100 low-income families participating in FRP programs this fall. FRP encourages anyone wanting to harness the spirit of Dolly's generosity and mission to improve children's literacy by making a purchase from this wishlist.

And the Mini M'Art Gallery at the corner of W. Poplar Street and Blackwood Dr. featured a print of Dolly this week.

Online this week

Some of your neighbors debated the merits of "The Odyssey" film. We published part of our interview with Fred Joiner about his new book, "The Mirror in Our Music." And Carrboro High staff and alumnae memorialized Coach Dillard, a beloved friend and mentor.

On The Carrborean Radio Hour

John Rees invited two movers and shakers in the realm of owner-occupied affordable housing to join him in the WCOM studio on Monday. He spoke with Daniele Berman, Vice President of Strategy and Operations at Community Home Trust, and Laine Hindley, Vice President of Homeowner Services at Habitat for Humanity Orange County. They discussed the different approaches the two organizations have as well as opportunities for supporters of their work to get involved. Listen to the interview here, bookended by delightful home-related songs.

At next week's The Carrborean Radio Hour, we'll hear from local author Adam O'Fallon Price about his first book of short stories, Objects of Desire.

After each radio show, join us at a pop-up newsroom to discuss all things Carrboro and stories you'd like to see, hear, or write. In August, you'll find us at Weaver Street Market on Mondays from 5 to 6 pm.

Please take WCOM's short survey. This is your community radio station. Tell them what you want to hear.

News from CHCCS, Town, and County

Sunday's Fiesta en la Calle drew spectators and participants to the big stage erected at the N. Greensboro/Weaver Street intersection with energetic performances, colorful costumes, and dancing, sponsored by El Centro Hispano. Booths, vendors, and food trucks lined up along Weaver Street to entice passersby with information, marketing, crafts, clothing, and food reflecting the diversity of Latin America. See our photo essay here.

The Town of Carrboro has completed a pilot program installing rooftop solar panels on the homes of three residents of Pee Wee Homes on Broad Street. Amy Armbruster, Carrboro Chief Sustainability Officer, says that this focus on income-qualified renters "ensur[es] that the transition to a sustainable future is for everyone." Read more about the program here.

Orange peels, egg shells, coffee grounds, chicken bones and their ilk don't belong in the trash. Orange County offers free food-waste composting. Here in Carrboro, we can use the free, 24-hour drop off behind Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main Street. For a list of all drop-off sites, hours, and accepted items, go to the page on the Town's website.

Let's hear it for Oral History! The Town is committed to recording the voices of residents who can offer perspectives on what the town used to be like and how it has become what it is today. Anyone interested in being interviewed for this program--Carrboro Voices: Remembering, Being, Belonging--can fill out the form here.

Carrboro Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Resources is inviting volunteers to bring National Clean-up Day to Carrboro on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Participants of all ages will meet at the Drakeford Library Complex at 5 pm and then fan out across town to remove trash and recycling debris. For planning purposes, it's asked that you, your family, or your group contact Galen Poythress at (919) 918-7392 or email jpoythress@carrboronc.gov.

The Orange County Board of Commissioners returned from its summer recess on Tuesday, swearing in Rani Dasi as the new District 1 Commissioner, reviewing the Tax Collector's annual settlement for the fiscal year 2025-26, and adopting a revamped surplus property upset-bid process. The Board will have a packed schedule of meetings in September. Chair Jean Hamilton ominously warned of the "unprecedented" budgeting challenges wrought by changes at the federal and state level. Watch highlights from this meeting here.

Orange County Animal Services will host an Open House & Clear the Shelters event tomorrow from 10 am to 5 pm, with an ice cream truck, face painting, and shelter tours, at 1601 Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill.

Other Interesting Things

Saturday afternoon local adult spellers will test their mettle at the Second Annual Not Back to School Spelling Bee at Dingo Dog, from 2 to 5 pm. There are limited spots for purchase.

For those who have been in Carrboro long enough, the space in Carr Mill Mall that for so long was home to Elmo's Diner and most recently was home to Grata Cafe, is familiar and welcoming. It's now preparing to welcome Carrburritos, which is moving from its perch on West Rosemary Street over the coming weeks. Saturday will be the last day to eat out in the outdoor garden in the original location. With the extra space it will gain by the move, the restaurant is expanding its menu to include brunch items.

Another beloved Carrboro eatery is getting a facelift. Venable Bistro (200 N. Greensboro Street, on the Weaver Street side of historic Carr Mill) was gutted this week for renovations, but it's on schedule to reopen tomorrow.

This Tuesday from 6 to 7 pm, Haw River Tap & Table will once again play host to the monthly Carolina Science Cafe, hosted by Morehead Planetarium + Science Center. This month's topic? North Carolina's Changing Climate. Invited speaker Jared H. Bowden, PhD, the State Climatologist & Director of the State Climate Office, will discuss observed changes in extreme heat and rainfall and the climate science that supports these changes; he'll also provide insight into the future using climate models.

Final Notes

The Community Bulletin Board has announcements and opportunities for giving and civic engagement and is updated weekly.

There's so much going on in Carrboro! Check out The Events Calendar to see what's happening and help us keep it up-to-date.

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Poetry Moment

For this week's Poetry Moment, we turn to the 1864 Emily Dickinson poem that Dolly Parton quoted in her autobiography, Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business. Dolly's impulse to help others is part of why tributes to her have been pouring in since the announcement of her death on Tuesday.