Town of Carrboro and Music Maker Announce Freight Train Blues 2021!
CARRBORO, N.C. -- The Town of Carrboro, the Carrboro Tourism Development Authority, WUNC, Music Maker Relief Foundation, Soul Bag, and Artarie will present a livestream version of the annual Freight Train Blues Music Series, featuring concerts by “artist on the rise” (NPR Music) Amythyst Kiah, “enchanting new Appalachian voice [that] sounds like the soul child of Bob Dylan and Dolly Parton” Alexa Rose, sacred soul guitar master Johnny Ray Daniels, GRAMMY-nominated trio The Hamiltones, and Harvey Dalton Arnold, of southern rock legends The Outlaws each Friday at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time beginning May 14th.
The series, which typically takes place at Carrboro Town Commons, was filmed at The Fruit in Durham, NC and will be broadcasted on Facebook and YouTube is hosted by Hillsborough, N.C.-based nonprofit Music Maker Relief Foundation, whose mission is to tend the roots of American music. The series will also be streamed on Soul Bag (https://www.soulbag.fr/) and Artarie (https://www.artarie.com/)
Each installment of the series will open with a rare archival performance from one of North Carolina’s Piedmont blues masters. These legends have either been showcased at previous Freight Train Blues performances or performed in Carrboro over the years.
Read more at http://townofcarrboro.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1684
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Community and Town Build Affordable Housing on Cobb Street in Carrboro
CARRBORO, N.C. – Habitat for Humanity of Orange County is collaborating with the Town of Carrboro and other partners to build four units (two duplexes) of affordable housing on Cobb Street in Carrboro.
The project is a culmination of a collaboration among the Compass group, Northside Neighborhood Initiative (including the Marian Cheek Jackson Center and Self Help Ventures Fund), Habitat for Humanity and the Town of Carrboro. Habitat purchased the property from Self Help Ventures Fund.
The Carrboro Town Council granted $100,000 from its Affordable Housing Special Revenue Fund in support of the construction. The homes will be energy-efficient and affordable to households earning between 30-80% of the area median income.
The first wall raising -- one of the most exciting days on a Habitat build -- occurred on Friday, April 16. Volunteer workers from the Town of Carrboro included Council Members Damon Seils, Susan Romaine and Randee Haven-O’Donnell; Housing and Community Services Director Rebecca Buzzard; and Mayor Pro Tem Barbara Foushee, participating in the wall raising and ceremony sharing. Future Habitat homebuyers also volunteered to work on their home.
WATCH the video from the wall raising event at https://youtu.be/pSPhcLF1U84
SIGN UP to volunteer for future work on this property at www.orangehabitat.volunteerhub.com
READ more at https://www.townofcarrboro.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1695
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Free Shred-A-Thon Set for Saturday
Orange County Solid Waste Management will hold two free Shred-A-Thons for confidential paper this spring. Bring your confidential papers for free, safe, and contact-free shredding.
The event is open to residents of Orange County and Carrboro, small businesses, and local government employees.
Shred-A-Thons will be held on the following days:
- Saturday, April 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Eubanks Road Park and Ride Lot, 1768 Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill
- Saturday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the recycling site behind Home Depot, 625 Hampton Pointe, Hillsborough
There is a limit of four boxes per person. Remove any plastic or metal items--staples are okay. Wearing a mask is required, and you must handle your own paper. No on-site help will be available.
Please bring confidential papers only (no newspapers, magazines, or catalogs). Recycle non-confidential paper in blue carts or at recycling drop-off sites.
For more information on recycling, visit orangecountync.gov/795/Solid-Waste-Management
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Orange County website allows property owners to appeal new appraised values
North Carolina counties are required to revalue properties regularly to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of the property tax burden. The Orange County Tax Office recently completed its 2021 revaluation and mailed notice of new values to all property owners in March.
Property owners who feel their value is too high have the option to appeal with the Tax Office at no cost to the taxpayer. An appeal can be filed easily through the tax department’s on-line form (https://appeals.spatialest.com/nc-orange#/).
The website is a simple-to-use tool that will walk you step by step through the appeals process. Any documentation you wish to provide, such as property appraisals, can be uploaded through the page.
Learn more at http://townofcarrboro.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1694
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Virtual Carrboro Day Event Information
The annual Carrboro Day Event is scheduled for Sunday, May 2nd, 2021. This year’s event will be presented in a virtual format with activities presented via YouTube and Zoom. Content will also be shared via the Carrboro Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/carrbororec
Carrboro Day is an annual event that is traditionally held at Town Commons on the first Sunday in May. This event is about meeting your neighbors, learning about aspects of the Town’s history, connecting with the Town and learning about Town services, and taking a day to celebrate Carrboro! Special programming includes:
- MUSIC with SALUDOS COMPANY
- A POETRY READING IN THE ROUND
- STORYTIME WITH MR. KEITH
- HISTORICAL PRESENTATION - RICHARD ELLINGTON, LOCAL HISTORIAN
- HISTORIC DOWNTOWN WALKING TOUR
- VIRTUAL ART EXHIBITION - RENZO ORTEGA
Read more at http://townofcarrboro.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1684 and visit www.carrboroday.com for details and content links.
Tune in and show us how you celebrate our community by using #CarrboroDay2021 on social media.
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Greensboro-Estes Roundabout Project Update
Roundabout construction at N. Greensboro Street and Estes Drive is now about 75% complete since traffic shifted into an initial roundabout design on Tuesday, April 20.
This is the final stage of the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) project.
The traffic shift will allow crews to construct the center island including a concrete apron encircling it, resurface asphalt, and remove old striping and paint new striping. Drivers should be cautious as they grow accustomed to the new traffic design and be mindful of crews that will still be working to close out the project. There will be flaggers on site.
“Motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists are reminded that although construction is 75% complete and the new traffic pattern places all modes into the roundabout pattern, this area remains a work zone,” NCDOT Resident Engineer John Howell said. “NCDOT reminds everyone that safety is the first priority and for all to remain alert and drive safe speeds when approaching the roundabout.”
Read more about the project and review the public safety guidance at https://www.townofcarrboro.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1690
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Town Council Update
Meeting agendas and updates are issued from the Town Clerk’s Office. To receive these by email or text, sign up for Carrboro Town News at townofcarrboro.org/signup
Civic involvement is a valued tradition in our community. Reach the Town Council with your ideas, views and questions at council@townofcarrboro.org
Coming Up
The Town Council will meet virtually at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 27, to consider the agenda bit.ly/2Pk6wp6 that also will be posted at carrboro.legistar.com
To view, livestream at carrboro.legistar.com or YouTube.com/CarrboroNC OR Cable TV 18 (in Carrboro). To speak at the meeting email publiccomment@townofcarrboro.org
Read more and access the April 20 Council meeting summary at http://townofcarrboro.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1697
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Town of Carrboro Achieves High Financial Ratings
Moody’s recently evaluated the Town of Carrboro’s financial condition and assigned a credit rating of Aa1.
“This rating is the highest of high quality and is only one notch below the highest possible rating of Aaa,” Town Manager David Andrews said. “Additionally, the Town of Carrboro is rated AAA by Standard & Poor’s, which is the best rating possible.”
Part of an annual review, the ratings are key indicators of the Town’s financial strength. This allows the Town to borrow funds at the best possible interest rates, saving taxpayers money.
“This report reflects the wise stewardship of our financial resources,” Andrews said.
The Town of Carrboro Finance Department is led by Director Arche McAdoo.
For more information about the Town of Carrboro budget and debt management, visit http://townofcarrboro.org/175/Finance
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Mayor Lavelle Recognizes Passing of B-1 U. S. Navy Band Last Surviving Member
At the April 20 Town Council meeting, Mayor Lydia Lavelle recognized the passing of the last surviving member of the B-1 U.S. Navy Band, and the contributions made by Mr. Morrow and the entire Band in integrating the U.S. Navy.
The obituary from the B-1 U.S. Navy is as follows:
Calvin F. Morrow, Sr., husband, father, grandfather and beloved member of the famed B-1 U. S. Navy Band died Sunday, April 11, 2021, at the age of 96. We honor and celebrate the life and legacy of this admirable man who had a profound impact on so many who knew him.
Many of us have fond memories from the more than 75 years of reunions spent with B-1. Memorable times have been spent in various locales - Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Beaufort and Durham, NC; Norfolk, VA; Las Vegas, NV; Washington, DC and Compton, CA, to name a few. The one constant no matter where we gathered was the enormous brotherly love and camaraderie shared amongst these brothers.
At a pivotal time for social justice and racial equity in our country, Calvin Morrow and his 43 fellow bandsmen exhibited grace, poise, dignity, valor and integrity. They willingly accepted the call to integrate the United States Navy and demonstrated true courage and tenacity. Their place in history can no longer be forgotten. They will always be remembered for their contribution to the Navy, their communities and their country.
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