Weekly Update, September 11

Twenty-five years, Carrboro. In response to the horror reverberating out of Manhattan, DC, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania that painfully memorable September morning in 2001, the Town of Carrboro lined the streets with American flags as an outward manifestation of our collective grief and solidarity.

Today there aren't flags up, but early this morning, representatives from the Carrboro police and fire-rescue departments and a group of students from Chapel Hill High School participated in the annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Kenan Stadium, climbing 2071 stairs, representing the height of the World Trade Center towers. Hats off to CHHS Fire Academy teacher Travis Adkinson for inspiring his students to participate, and thank you to the first responders in our community who are prepared to act when called upon. With a quarter-of-a-century in the rearview mirror, it's clear to see how much the events of that morning transformed the world. We remember.

Recalling the many ways 9/11 brought communities together, it's appropriate today to also mark the one-year anniversary of your favorite hometown paper, which strives through hyperlocal journalism to bring our community together. Find more information and our first birthday stats on the About page.

The upcoming Carrboro Music Festival Sept. 26-27 will bring roughly 100 bands and performers to venues around Carrboro. As a platinum sponsor of this signature town event, The Carrborean will be previewing acts online all month long. Arts Editor Pamir Kaciman launches this preview with an introduction to four local bands that will be playing the CMF: Autumn House, Georgia Moon & The Wrong Band, Mystery Ranch, and Shelles.

Online this week

The Carrborean visited Carrboro's new clay studio, Clayboro Studios. Read the story here.

When Dingo Dog played host to its Adult Spelling Bee a few weeks ago, they found judges in top hats and monocles and a good challenge, as our story describes.

It's the 2nd Friday! Here is your Art Walk preview.

Ready for your crossword puzzle solution? Find it here.

On The Carrborean Radio Hour

At Monday's Radio Hour, Kristin Lavergne from the IFC and Rev. Robert Campbell from the RENA Community Center talked about Hunger Action Month and food-providing services in the community.

Tune in on Monday when John Rees sits down with local singer/guitarist and songwriter Dave Hedeman, founder of All Y'all Records. His music–shared at Shakori Hills and Festival for the Eno and on the stage at Cat's Cradle and in Saxapahaw–has been part of the soundscape of this community for decades.

There will not be a pop-up newsroom after the show on Monday (9/14). We'll be back next week!

News from CHCCS, Town, and County

The Town of Carrboro will resume Town Council meetings at 6 pm on Tuesday, Sept. 15. Members of the public are welcome to attend in person or can view the livestream www.YouTube.com/CarrboroNC  or via https://carrboro.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.

Orange County Commissioners met September 10 to review the Strategic Plan and New Communications Vision. The Orange County Board of Commissioners reviewed early progress on its first strategic plan, highlighting gains in sustainable farming, mental health training, housing, transportation satisfaction, and digital literacy alongside challenges in food security and permanent housing. Commissioners also heard about a new countywide communications plan that treats communication as a core public service, clarifies how leaders should respond to residents, and seeks more accessible, inclusive outreach, including to younger community members. 

In this election season, Orange County is marking September 15's National Voter Registration Day with an information campaign about how to register to vote.

Most notable hurricanes have hit the state in the month of September, including Hazel (1954), Hugo (1989), Fran (1996), Floyd (1999), Florence (2018), and Helene (2024). Disasters come in all stripes, and whether hurricanes, flooding, heat waves, tornadoes, or disease outbreaks, one could come at any time. The Orange County Board of Commissioners is encouraging residents to sign up for OC Alerts and to prepare for the next disaster, declaring September Emergency Preparedness Month. We spoke to Ian Fowler, Assistant Chief of Emergency Management for Orange County Emergency Services, about Emergency Preparedness Month.

The Town of Carrboro is teaming up with Orange County and the Town of Chapel Hill to host an event for National Drive Electric Month (Sept. 12 - Oct. 12). At the Oct. 4 event at the parking lot of the Century Center (101 N. Greensboro St.), local EV owners will be on hand to share their experience with owning and driving all-electric and plug-in vehicles.

Other Interesting Things

The open mic tonight at Lanza's—Chime In—occurs every second and fourth Friday. The sign-up begins at 6:00, the mic goes live at 6:30, and the words and songs will flow until they close at 9:00.

The Endless Summer Bazaar (how perfectly named!) will infuse the Town Commons will a lot of creative energy on Sunday afternoon.

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.

Ways to support The Carrborean

1) Please consider a paid subscription to support community journalism (local news from the people living it). Subscribers at the "Angel" tier get the first-ever Carrborean T-shirt (courtesy of The Merch), along with other benefits and the knowledge that they're making it possible for us to keep bringing you grass-roots community news-telling. 2) Click here to purchase a gift subscription for your favorite people or here to throw some monetary love our way. 3) Ask your favorite businesses if they advertise in The Carrborean. 4) Support the businesses that advertise in The Carrborean and tell them you saw them there!

Poetry Moment

The Carrborean turns this Poetry Moment over to poet Michael Salcman, one of the many poets inspired by 9/11.