Weekly Update, November 6

It's November and the days are shorter, Carrboro. We're marveling at the palette of color bursting out all over town. As we see earlier sunsets, the statewide safety program "Watch For Me" is reminding cyclists to use front and rear bike lights, wear reflective or bright clothing, and slow down and stay alert for pedestrians, drivers, deer, and fellow cyclists.

In Tuesday's election, the forty precincts in Orange County touted vigorous participation, with 72,340 ballots cast out of a total 113,744 registered voters. See the State Board of Elections break-down by race. According to FairVote.org, the U.S. typically sees a low, 40 percent turnout during midterm elections, but by Tuesday night, 63.6 percent of Orange County voters had cast a ballot. (That's still less than the 70 percent turnout typical of votes in high-income countries, so there's room for growth.) Our community thanks all the volunteers who worked so hard to make this election run smoothly. For more on local turnout, see Elaine Ellis's story.

At Tuesday evening's Town Council Meeting, the public is welcome to share opinions about the proposal to consolidate Carrboro's and Chapel Hill's police departments. The plan, made in response to the impending budget crisis the Town faces, is generating controversy. Catch up if you didn't see our story last week. There is a petition circulating, a citizen-led information session on Saturday (11/7) at 2pm at MLK Park (1120 Hillsborough Rd.), and a community rally against the merger on Tuesday, 11/10 at 6pm at Town Hall (301 W Main St.).

The Orange County Artists' Guild Open Studio Tour begins Saturday. Look for the circular, numbered yellow signs signaling that a studio is on the tour. Arts Editor Pamir Kiciman has this preview of the back-to-back weekends tour.

In response to the noise spillage again from Saturday's UNC home football game at Kenan Stadium, a petition on Change.org has collected well over 100 signatures requesting that the speaker volume be turned down.

This past week marked the first week of retirement for beloved long-time pediatrician Dr. Deanna Branscom, who spent her career helping Carrboro babies, children, and adults at the practice on Fidelity Street that she helped anchor: Carrboro Pediatrics and Internal Medicine. Distinguished by her gentle and un-rushed manner, the depth and currency of her knowledge, and the trust she built over the years, Dr. Branscom has earned the well wishes of the legions of patients she treated over the years.

Online this week

The Club Nova tenants are now feeling cautiously optimistic after some improvements, reports Elaine Ellis. Please note that the story (also appearing in the November print edition of The Carrborean) has an updated headline and edits in the first paragraph to specify that the issues experienced by tenants of the Club Nova apartments (which are separate from the Club Nova intentional community next door) are with CASA, the owner and manager of the apartment complex.

Arts Editor Pamir Kiciman attended the nonprofit GrrrlBands empowering rock showcase on Halloween at the Local 506. Its mission is to build confidence, community, and friendships. Read the story.

Also added to The Carrborean's website this week, you'll find our updated ethics policy including use of AI.

On The Carrborean Radio Hour

On Monday, local band "aRe wE theM?"– which plays classics from R.E.M. and 1980s alt rock– brought their instruments and verve to the WCOM station inside the Drakeford Library Complex and shared music and stories about their favorite songs and future plans. Listen here.

Tune in to WCOM-LP 103.5 FM (or stream at wcomfm.org) on Monday at 4pm to hear John Rees talk with Julia Sendor and others from Habitat for Humanity and Justice United about deeply affordable housing.

There will not be a pop-up newsroom on Monday. Come see us 11/16 at Lanza's (601 W. Main St.) between 5 and 6pm.

News from CHCCS, Town, and County

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education met yesterday and reviewed data-driven elementary redistricting scenarios alongside hard local history on past busing patterns; confronted recent transportation failures and planned a system overhaul with outside experts; tracked rising costs and design choices for the new Carrboro Elementary; and, considered expanding paid parental leave to 12 weeks for eligible employees. Watch highlights here.

Wednesday, Nov. 12, is the Veteran's Day Holiday, and the Town of Carrboro offices, Solid Waste staff, and the CHCCS will be all closed as we all pause to give thanks for the dedication and service of our veterans. Those whose trash is ordinarily picked up on Wednesday should instead have their bins out early Tuesday morning.

The Town of Carrboro has announced its holiday plans for December, including the tree-lighting at Town Hall, the Holiday Parade, and the Kwanzaa celebration. Read the Town's announcement here.

Orange County Health Department (OCHD) is urging community members to take precautions to protect themselves against the respiratory viruses that have begun circulating. “Don't wait to get vaccinated, warns Orange County Health Department (OCHD) Medical Director Erica Pettigrew. "Get your shot to protect yourself as well as your loved ones.”

OCHD says that North Carolina reported its first flu-related death in early October. Last year's flu season claimed 335 people in North Carolina, including 10 children. Interim Health Director Dorothy Cilenti advises Orange County citizens to do their part: "Staying up to date on vaccinations, remaining home when ill, washing hands often, and covering coughs and sneezes can help limit the spread of seasonal respiratory illnesses."

Orange County Health Department offers vaccines for flu and other illnesses by appointment. Uninsured children and teens can be vaccinated at low or no cost through the Vaccines for Children program, which offers free vaccines to eligible children and teens through 18 years of age.

The Orange County Board of County Commissioners held a business meeting last night. They approved a one-year extension of the Tax Assessment Work Group and adopted a revised charge to focus on monitoring implementation of improvements to tax assessment and strengthening communication with the community. The group has already helped select consulting firm GAR Associates to conduct an independent evaluation of the policies, procedures, and practices used by the Orange County Tax Office to assess property values and communicate with residents.

Other Interesting Things

With the holiday season upon us, North Carolina Cooperative Extension has ideas for homemade food-based gifts. Check out these recipes for cocoa mix, spice blends, and potpourri pouches.

Local documentarian filmmaker Eli Yetter-Bowen's Ethereal Films spent almost a decade investigating Dupont chemical company's dumping of PFAS into the Cape Fear River. That project attracted the collaboration of Paperhand Puppet Project. The film, titled GenX: The Saga of Forever Chemicals and produced by Mark Ruffalo, previewed at UNC and Duke in January to great acclaim, and next Friday evening it will have its official premiere, at the Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw. The $24 tickets can be purchased here.

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. This weekend (Saturday at 7pm): Carrboro High's fall play, Metamorphoses. And Sunday is the 39th biannual CD and Record Show at the Century Center from 12pm - 6pm. We talked to the organizer, Gerry Williams, about the last show in April.

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Poetry Moment

Contemporary poet and writer May Aygun has this hope for us this November: