Weekly update, December 12

Happy holidays! Holiday preparations are in full swing here in Carrboro with gatherings and celebrations throughout the month. The Events Calendar shows markets and several other events this weekend. And our gift shopping guide highlights stores around town, which you can check out during Art Walk this evening or anytime.

Other stories online this week include a feature on a beloved local production of The Nutcracker. We pulled out all the stops to support Carrboro-based and other local dancers in the Triangle Youth Ballet's production with an interview on WCOM in addition to the story in the print edition. Why? Because something that good should be shared. Also online: Michael Melton reviewed the "Pints and Patriots" event at Dingo Dog Brewing Company.

Coming up next week--a pair of concerts at Carrboro High School: Band and Jazz on 12/17 at 7pm and Choir and Orchestra on 12/18 at 7pm. Leah Coyle, a student at CHS wrote a preview of the Choir concert.

Your crossword solution is typically posted today. But given the delay in distribution (print delay due to Thanksgiving), we'll give you more time and post the solution next Wednesday. Congratulations to Maria Alexandrescu, Claire Conway, Katherine Peck, and Sarina Prasad who solved November’s puzzle first!

Information from the Town: Reminder about Braxton Dunkin Foushee Day of Service on December 13, when "residents are encouraged to learn and reflect on Carrboro’s Black history and perform an act of service."

Looking ahead: There will be an information session on reducing utility bills from Home Repair Lab and OWASA: Tuesday, Jan. 27 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Drakeford Library Complex, 203 S. Greensboro St. "This workshop will discuss easy ways you can save energy and water and how to get those bills under control.  Participants will leave this program with an understanding of how your home uses water and energy, low- to no-cost things you can do to save money on your utility bills, and helpful tips to get started on larger home projects." RSVP online. Free interpretation services: contact Laura Janway at ljanway@carrboronc.gov or (919) 918-7326 at least 48 hours in advance.

More information in The Town's newsletter this week.

For your information: Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools testified in Raleigh Wednesday that it is compliant with state law and reaffirmed its commitment to staff, families, and students. Local coverage called the session "a theatrical hearing" and highlighted discussion about the CHCCS Parents' Bill of Rights. CHCCS issued this statement: "Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools is committed to parental involvement in everything we do. We believe it’s essential that staff, families and students work together to achieve the best outcomes in our schools. We appreciated the opportunity to answer questions and clarify any misunderstandings. As our testimony demonstrated, CHCCS is in compliance with the law."

On The Carrborean Radio Hour on WCOM this week, we played songs that got us through 2025. You can find the playlist on Spotify: "TCRH WCOM the songs that got us through 2025." Thanks to everyone who suggested songs. We did not have time to play all of them so we'll continually update the playlist as suggestions come in. The year's not over yet! Also, you can find the interviews we conduct on The Carrborean Radio Hour on WCOM on YouTube.

Next week...ctrl+alt+art returns to the airwaves to talk about this: Right under our noses and hands, there are many creative parents local to Carrboro, navigating their art and personal lives, and mostly intertwining the two. Toni, also known as The Birdhorse, explores her motherhood through music and creates art with her hands, focused particularly on the subject of hands. Tune in to relate to the ups and downs of parenthood and all the joys in between, Monday 4-5 on WCOM 103.5.

Then come by the Drakeford Library Building on Monday between 5 and 6pm for The Carrborean's informal pop-up newsroom to talk about Carrboro and stories you'd like to hear or tell.

The Community Bulletin Board has announcements and giving opportunities and is updated weekly. Currently, there are cold weather drives for coats and food, food collections for neighbors who fear leaving their homes, and other opportunities to support each other.

Looking for something to do in Carrboro this weekend? Check out The Events Calendar! If we may suggest...Steel String Brewery and the Refugee Community Partnership are hosting a card writing event starting at 5 this evening and you can follow that with your tour of galleries for 2nd Friday Art Walk. The ArtsCenter hosts its Elf Market on Sunday from 11am - 5pm.

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