News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC 
(Jan. 29, 2025) 

Happy Lunar New Year! We're heading into February with a full slate of programs organized by Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources for Black History Month. Be sure to check the music and lecture series included in this issue. Read the Council Update to stay informed on local government news. Learn about the Green Neighborhoods Grant program.  We're only a few short weeks away from the grand opening for the Drakeford Library Complex and we can't wait to see you there on Friday, Feb. 21. Come join us! 

Carrboro Film Fest: 
Warm, positive, celebratory -- and so much joy! 

What a fabulous Carrboro Film Fest!

Thanks to Festival Director Bryan Reklis for offering a recap summarizing that more than 100 people were at every film block for the Carrboro Film Fest, which was held Jan. 24-26 at Carrboro Century Center. Also, the average attendance for each film block was 126 people. That is almost double last year's average attendance of 65 people per film block. 

According to Reklis: “I was thrilled to see so many people there for the entire weekend, and even more that showed up for individual events. Every event was either sold out or over 90% sold out. I enjoyed having (and overhearing) so many conversations about the films, and I hope those conversations are still continuing as the films stick with you. I am so thankful to everyone who attended. We had such a warm, positive, celebratory audience, and that gave me so much joy.”

Did you attend the film festival? Offer feedback to event organizers.  

If you missed the festival, please save the dates for Jan. 23-25, 2026 at the Drakeford Library Complex. 

Coming Soon: Black History Month 2025

The Town of Carrboro is proud to recognize and celebrate Black people and Black history in Carrboro and across the nation during Black History Month.

We invite and encourage all Carrboro residents to participate in local Black History Month events and to learn about and celebrate the lives, history, and contributions of Black people during this month and throughout the year.

Check out all the great events planned and organized by the Carrboro Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources Department.

• Calling All Artists! We are inviting you to submit original art work that expresses what Black History Month means to you. Select artwork will be displayed on Carrboro Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department’s website during the month of February. For information on how to submit your artwork, contact Dana Hughes at dhughes@carrboronc.gov. Artwork must be submitted by Feb. 5, 2025 by 5 p.m. 
• We continue to update the Black History Month webpage, so please check back! More details on all the performances are available on this webpage.  
• Graphics and photos are available for downloading.
• For more information, please contact Recreation Supervisor Michelle Blume at mblume@carrboronc.gov 

Carrboro's Green Neighborhoods Grant Program now accepting applications

As part of its Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) implementation, the Town of Carrboro announces the opening of the application period for the 2025 Green Neighborhoods Grant Program. Residents can receive up to $2,500 to complete a project that will either reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance ecosystem resiliency, or contribute to climate action awareness or engagement.

The Carrboro Town Council accepted the Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) in 2017 to expand the Town’s existing climate action efforts and emphasize measures that community members can implement to help achieve greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. The plan’s goal is to raise the community’s awareness and involvement in climate action and the enhancement of ecosystem resilience. In 2020, the Town updated the CCAP goals to recommend an 80% reduction of 2010 emissions levels by 2030. This was reaffirmed in the 2022 Carrboro Connects Comprehensive Plan. To achieve this goal, widespread community participation in every aspect of the plan is essential. 

The Green Neighborhoods Grant Program seeks to benefit low-income households and residents of color by bringing neighbors together to pursue projects which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create natural areas that are more resilient to the impacts of climate change, ultimately benefiting the entire community.  

Learn more and apply for the Green Neighborhoods Grant Program here.

Happy Lunar New Year 

To all celebrating the Lunar New Year, we extend warm wishes for a joyful, healthy and prosperous Year of the Snake.  

The Coven brings workshops for entrepreneurs 

Join us as The Coven (a coworking community focused on creating spaces of belonging to help women, non-binary, and trans individuals grow in their careers) co-founders, Alex West Steinman and Erinn Farrell, hit the road to inspire and connect bold entrepreneurs, build vibrant communities, and spark purposeful change. Through transformative workshops, we’re bringing the magic of The Coven to cities across the country - like Chapel Hill and Carrboro.

Growing Purpose into Your Work

Living a purposeful life goes far beyond career milestones or surface-level success—it’s about connecting deeply with what truly drives you and channeling that passion into the work you do. In today’s fast-paced world filled with distractions and pressures, uncovering your “why” and aligning it with your career is more important than ever.

Date: Tuesday, Feb. 25
Time: 8- 9:30 a.m. 
Location: The Chapel Hill Public Library 
Registration Online

In this workshop, Alex and Erinn will share their journey from navigating demanding careers in award-winning advertising agencies to founding a brand that sparks creativity and possibility. Through this session, you’ll learn how they aligned their personal purpose with impactful work, embraced authenticity, and cultivated an entrepreneurial mindset to fuel both personal fulfillment and professional success. This workshop is co-sponsored by the Town of Carrboro and Town of Chapel Hill.

Learn more about The Coven.

Holocaust Remembrance Day in Carrboro

Mayor Barbara Foushee has proclaimed Monday, Jan. 27, as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.

The purpose of International Holocaust Remembrance Day is to serve as a date of the official commemoration of the victims of the Nazi regime, and to promote Holocaust education throughout the world.

This year, the day commemorates the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the German Nazi concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Mayor Foushee encourages all community members to reflect on the need for respect of all peoples, and to overcome intolerance and indifference through learning and remembrance.

• Read the proclamation.
• Learn more at International Holocaust Remembrance Day - United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
• Photo caption – The proclamation was read at the Jan. 21 meeting of the Town Council by Council member Randee Haven-O’Donnell. Receiving the proclamation was Rabbi Solomon Hoffman of Kehillah Synagogue in Chapel Hill.

Save the Date: Drakeford Library Complex Grand Opening

Save the date for the grand opening of the Drakeford Library Complex at 203 S. Greensboro St. 

The event is set for 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 and will feature speakers, a ribbon cutting and light refreshments. Tours will be offered following the event throughout the day until 6 p.m. 

Background:

The $42 million development will be the future home of the Orange County Southern Branch Library. The facility will also provide a permanent home for the Carrboro Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Department;  the Orange County Skills Development Center; and performance/multipurpose uses. The Town of Carrboro/Orange County public facility will provide opportunities for education, art, and community connection.

More information:

The Town of Carrboro posts regular updates to the community on the Town website and through social media. Sign up to receive Carrboro Town News updates.

Find more information about the project history and construction.

Town Council Update

The  Carrboro Town Council is scheduled to meet next at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025

The Council meets at Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. Members of the public are welcome to attend in person or can view the livestream www.YouTube.com/CarrboroNC OR at https://carrboro.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

The agenda for this meeting will be available at https://carrboro.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

Access the livestream direct link to view the meeting.

Past Meeting Recap 

The Carrboro Town Council met on Tuesday, Jan. 21, and took the following actions on this agenda .

• Received proclamations for the National Day of Racial Healing and  for Holocaust Remembrance Day.
• Appointed Council member Danny Nowell to continue serving as mayor pro tem.
• Held a quasi-judicial public hearing for the South Green Mixed Use Project at 101 Two Hills Drive, 100 and 110 Two Hills Drive, and 120 Two Hills Drive. The Council directed Town staff to prepare a decision document including a number of conditions for future Council consideration.
• Received a presentation on the Disparity Study Findings & Recommendations from consultant Griffin & Strong, which conducted a comprehensive review of the Town's procurement procedures and practices.

Watch the livestream via YouTube.

ABOUT CARRBORO CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: Civic involvement is a valued tradition in our community. You can reach the Town Council with your ideas, views and questions anytime at Council@carrboronc.gov  Meetings are open to the public to join in person at Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. OR via Livestreaming at YouTube.com/CarrboroNC     

Regular business meetings are generally held the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Work sessions are generally held the second Tuesdays of the month. Public comment is not accepted during work sessions, and votes are not taken.

• Agendas (and meeting videos) are posted at https://carrboro.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
• The Town of Carrboro offers free language translation and interpretation services to residents. Information: 919-918-7391 or info@carrboronc.gov 
• Sign up to receive Council Updates with meeting agendas and post-meeting recaps at www.carrboronc.gov/signup (choose Carrboro Town News)
• Learn more about your Town Council.

Questions? Reach Town Clerk Lamar Joyner at 919-918-7309 or townclerk@carrboronc.gov 

2025 Winter-Spring Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Program Guide Now Available

The 2025 Carrboro Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Winter-Spring Program Guide is now available!  This guide covers programs and events from January through April, including Spring Athletic Leagues, and registration for 2025 Summer Camps.

Register at the Carrboro Century Center at 100 N. Greensboro St. during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.) and online via RecConnect at www.carrbororec.org  

If you are a new participant who wishes to register online, please be sure to set up via our online registration site (linked below).  Please allow at least 3 business days for account review and approval.

If you have any questions, please contact the Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Department at 919-918-7364.

Learn more about the Program Guide and How to Register.

Public parking available in downtown Carrboro

It’s easy to find free two-hour public parking in Carrboro, where you can access convenient parking at 10 public lots all over town.

Please remember that the Carr Mill Mall parking area is for mall customers and is not a public parking lot. Leaving the mall premises after parking risks towing. When in doubt, always park in public lots, and enjoy a hassle-free and relaxed shopping and dining experience.

Find more information including an interactive parking map on our Downtown Parking webpage.