Weekly update, March 20

Happy Friday!

We have a big weekend in Carrboro with the 5th annual Carrboro Django Reinhardt Festival at Cat's Cradle Back Room tonight and tomorrow (buy tickets here), and continuing Sunday with a free jam session at Lapin Bleu. Jacques Menache interviewed Gabriel Pelli, who organized the Festival, on WCOM 103.5 (wcomfm.org) and we've posted the recording. You'll hear some great music there. Also online this week, Jeanette O'Connor, Executive Director of Lands and Waters South, explains why it's important to plant natives.

The Carrborean Radio Hour

Whitney Fry of Flame Tree Story hosted Mike Myers, musician and storyteller. She'll be hosting this show the third Monday of each month. Next Monday (4-5pm), Niya Lovelace returns with ctrl+alt+art.

Coming up

OWASA: The 2026 recreation season begins Saturday, March 28. Weather permitting, the lakes are open 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on these days, through October 25:

University Lake, 130 University Lake Rd.: Fridays through Sundays

Cane Creek Reservoir, 6205 NC Hwy 54: Fridays and Saturdays

From OWASA: Important Note About Fishing-- Due to high levels of PFAS detected in fish in Cane Creek Reservoir, OWASA recommends that you do not consume fish caught in Cane Creek Reservoir. Doing so will be at your own risk. To learn more about PFAS in fish, the results of testing conducted, and steps OWASA is taking to protect public health, visit www.owasa.org/pfas-and-your-water/pfas-in-freshwater-fish/.

News from Town, County, and School Board

A correction for last week's newsletter--The Town of Carrboro requests residents' inputs with the 2026 Community Survey. Residents were randomly sampled and contacted to express their views on services, programs, and facilities. The survey is not open to all residents.

Carrboro Town Council met March 17 and you can find highlights here. Summary: The Carrboro Town Council urges the governor to push Duke Energy toward renewable power, celebrates Creek Week and Transgender Day of Visibility, and reviews years of racial equity work. The council also hears concerns over a community center rental dispute and highlights resident-led Green Neighborhood Grant projects tackling flooding and extreme heat.

Kicking off Creek Week at the Drakeford Library Complex tomorrow!

Orange County Commissioners met March 17 and you can find highlights here. Summary: The Orange County Board of Commissioners weighs whether to sell Millhouse Road parkland for a nonprofit sports complex or reserve part for affordable housing, ultimately advancing a revised sale solicitation focused on recreation. Later, the board raises environmental and equity concerns about large data centers and unanimously schedules a hearing on a one‑year moratorium and new regulations.

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education met March 19 and you can find highlights here. Summary: The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education hears from a former homebound student about isolation and inclusion, caregivers fighting to keep Glenwood open for its Chinese dual-language community, and Sewell families pressing for a fair and transparent school-closure process. Board members also weigh outsourcing custodial work, question per-pupil funding formulas, and probe how trailer classrooms shape future closure and redistricting decisions.

In Memoriam

Mae McLendon, a Town Treasure, died March 17th. She had worked as a Facility and Activity Supervisor for the Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources Department’s Programs Division for over 20 years and participated in many community events. Find more information about her and her Homegoing Ceremony here. Our condolences to her family and those who knew and love her.

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