Weekly update, October 10

The Carrborean online this week: This is the second Friday of the month so town is abuzz with anticipation and ready to welcome you to the 2nd Friday Arts Walk! See The Carrborean's preview here. We also provided an update on vaccine recommendations and availability at pharmacies in Carrboro.

Have you ever been to a Town Council meeting? They are held every other Tuesday evening in Town Hall when Council is in session (they take a break during the summer). You can find agendas, meeting notes, and recordings here.

On Tuesday, the meeting included a review of the proposal to close the first block of East Weaver St. (the block in front of Weaver St. Market) to traffic. Public comments start at the very beginning of the recording and are mixed in with public comments on other issues. Council deliberation on this topic begins at 1:05:54. Concerns were expressed by businesses and others about business loading access, public accessibility, bus routes, and emergency response. Residents expressed support of the pedestrian-only space. Council reviewed the traffic modelling study and discussed the merits of conducting a pilot to see how the plan could work and its effects. The discussion ended with Council requesting more information from Chapel Hill Transit and others, including the affected businesses.

Effects of the federal government's shutdown on local services: Orange County reports possible delays for these services: Aging, Housing, Social Services (Medicaid and SNAP are expected to continue), and Transportation, as well as FEMA reimbursements for damages to public facilities during Tropical Storm Chantal. For Carrboro, Council Member Danny Nowell said that our town does not have federal funding in its operating budget so we won't be affected in that way although many residents are federal employees or receive federal funding through employment and may be affected directly.

Community Emergency Response Team Training: Orange County provides emergency response training to support neighborhood readiness in case of a disaster. You will receive training on basic disaster preparedness, first aid, fire suppression, and rescue. No experience needed; training is free. Please register in advance. Wednesday, October 15 from 6:30 - 8:30pm at Orange County Emergency Services, 510 Meadowlands Drive in Hillsborough.

Carrboro in Motion is a free event tomorrow, October 11, from 11am - 2pm at Willow Creek Laundromat, 602 Jones Ferry Road. Information from Town's newsletter:

• Live Zumba class led by Oscar Garcia. Come join in!  
• Bike and ped resources including repair for bicycles, map and routing resources, and reflective gear and bike lights 
• Town of Carrboro programs and services 
• Orange County services including housing and public health departments
• Recreation Programs: The Town’s Party Trailer will provide games and activities for children
• New Resident packet information

Carrboro In Motion aims to bring people and community assets together to improve lifestyles:

• Creating awareness and access to available services offered by public and non-profit agencies 
• Promoting environmentally friendly habits and lifestyle 
• Supporting opportunities for conversation and dialogue 
• Increasing neighbor-to-neighbor participation and engagement with local government 
• Creating a welcoming spirit of community where everyone belongs 
• Inspiring leadership through opportunities to serve

Carrboro's update to its Safe Routes to School plan is underway and one task is collecting information from parents in this survey. The last update to this plan was in 2012. Please share your experience to improve transportation options for students, which can benefit the whole community if traffic congestion is reduced and walkways are improved.

Exciting news! WCOM (103.5 FM) invited The Carrborean to host a weekly show. The Carrborean Radio Hour will likely premier Monday, November 3 from 4 - 5pm, and be on air at that time each Monday going forward. You'll hear interviews with Town Treasures, some of the remarkable characters in our community, and other interesting conversations about what's happening in Carrboro.

The Carrborean held its first Listening, Storytelling, and Community Journalism workshop on Saturday, October 4. Thanks to the facilitators and participants! The Carrborean embraces a model of community journalism based on hyperlocal reporting by people who want to tell a story about the arts, living, and civic engagement in Carrboro. We seek contributions from everyone with the purpose of connecting all of us who live in, work in, and visit Carrboro. This kind of community engagement - news generation model is gaining traction around the U.S. as people seek new (or return to old) ways of connecting with purpose, curiosity, humor, and compassion. There isn’t just one story about Carrboro. Tell yours. Contact info@thecarrborean.com or 919-869-7645 to contribute a story or to participate in a future workshop.

Other ways to support The Carrborean: check out the paid subscription tiers, with updated benefits. Advertising is also available, including Classified Ads. Help keep us going!

Congratulations to Ivy Brezina who was the first to solve the crossword puzzle in the October print edition! You can find the solution on the Featured Advertisers page.

What's happening this weekend? Check out The Events Calendar. Please note: The Bazaar is postponed due to expected unfavorable weather and will be held at Town Commons next Sunday, October 19 from 12 - 5pm.