News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC 

(Dec. 23, 2025) 

Happy Holidays, Carrboro! Make welcome our new Carrboro Poet Laureate! Come out on Saturday to learn, reflect and celebrate on Kwanzaa. Experience the rhythms, stories and shared values that honor its enduring legacy. Check the holiday service schedule for changes residential trash collection for the week of Dec. 29 - Jan. 2. Be sure to take time out from your holiday preparations to rest and relax with friends and family. All is calm, all is bright.  

December and January Holiday Service Schedule

The Town of Carrboro will observe the holidays Dec. 24-26 and Jan. 1.

Town Hall and other administrative offices will be closed. 

Please note the changes to residential trash collection for the week of Dec. 22-26.

• If your regular collection day is Wednesday - Your trash will be collected on Monday, Dec. 22.
• If your regular collection day is Thursday - Your trash will be collected on Tuesday, Dec. 23.
• If your regular collection day is Friday - Your trash will be collected on Monday, Dec. 29.
• Yard waste and bulk waste will not be collected for the week of Dec. 22-26.

Please note the changes to residential trash collection for the week of Dec. 29 - Jan. 2.

• If your regular collection day is Thursday - Your trash will be collected on Friday, Jan. 2
• If your regular collection day is Friday - Your trash will be collected on Monday, Jan. 5

For changes to recycling collection visit: https://www.orangecountync.gov/1741/SWM-2018-Holiday-Schedule

Kwanzaa – Roots & Rhythms: Honoring Kwanzaa’s Legacy

Join us Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, for Kwanzaa – Roots & Rhythms: Honoring Kwanzaa’s Legacy.

Celebrate Kwanzaa through music, poetry, dance and storytelling honoring African traditions and the African American experience. Learn about the history and principles of Kwanzaa: unity, equity and community. Enjoy shopping at the Roots & Rhythms Marketplace where local vendors will be selling candles, clothing, jewelry, books and more! The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Performance Space at the Drakeford Library Complex, located at 203 S. Greensboro St. 

This celebration is open to people of all backgrounds who wish to learn, reflect and celebrate together. Come experience the rhythms, stories and shared values that honor Kwanzaa’s enduring legacy.

• Roots & Rhythms Marketplace opens at 11 a.m.
• Opening Ceremony begins at 12 p.m.
• Guests can also enjoy food options available for purchase, featuring offerings that embrace Kwanzaa traditions.

Poet Laureate Announced for Carrboro

 Dr. Amanda Bennett, a poet, cultural critic, and public humanities practitioner, has been selected to be the ninth Poet Laureate for the Town of Carrboro. Bennett will be the first Black woman to serve as Carrboro Poet Laureate.

About Carrboro Poet Laureate Dr. Amanda Bennett

Dr. Amanda Bennett (she/her) is a poet, cultural critic, and scholar of Black feminist thought whose work centers care, testimony, and collective imagination. She is the author of Working the Roots (Querencia Press, 2025). She currently serves as a Postdoctoral Fellow in Grant Operations Management and Creative Engagement with the Arts & Humanities Grant Studio at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Bennett’s work is grounded in public humanities, bringing scholarly insight into everyday community spaces through poetry, deep listening, and collaborative cultural practice. For over five years, she has hosted community poetry workshops and open mics across North Carolina centering care, healing, and collective imagination. She created and led the series Poetry as Pedagogy: Finding Healing and Community through Writing, featuring nationally recognized poets such as Crystal Simone Smith and Chet’la Sebree, and developed the Black Feminist Summer School through her education consulting collective, define&empower.

Her poetry and criticism appear in Obsidian: Literature & Arts in the African Diaspora, Frontiers: A Journal of Women Studies, Triangle Poetry Twenty Twenty One, Jellyfish Poetry, Murder Journal, and Feminist Making, Sensing, and Doing, among others. She has performed at venues including Charis Books & More in Atlanta and Epilogue Books and Attic 506 in Chapel Hill.

Bennett also writes Woo in the Real World, a Substack that explores the intersections of spirituality, scholarship, and everyday life, reflecting her belief that poetry is a living practice of care, communion, and transformation.

Learn more about the Poet Laureate for Carrboro.

Buy BIPOC this Holiday Season

The Town of Carrboro invites everyone to support locally owned businesses that reflect the diversity of the community this holiday season. 

The Buy BIPOC campaign running this December highlights minority-owned businesses and encourages the community to shop local. As you’re out shopping this holiday season, consider supporting Carrboro’s BIPOC Businesses.

Carrboro has a vibrant and inclusive local economy that is home to many BIPOC businesses and nonprofit organizations. The Town aims to support the growth of BIPOC business and the community as a whole. Our town's diversity in race, ethnicity, language, gender identity, education, and culture is an important part of what makes our town unique. Inclusive, equitable growth is fundamental to our economic sustainability.

In the Carrboro Connects Economic Sustainability plan, the Town sets a goal to "create a more inclusive economy, encourage more racial equity in business development, and increase support for locally-owned businesses."

To find a full listing of Carrboro BIPOC businesses you can support this holiday season, visit the Economic Development webpage to see the Buy BIPOC database:  https://www.carrboronc.gov/2582/Buy-BIPOC-Listing

To all who are celebrating...

The Town of Carrboro recognizes our diverse community and the many observances meaningful to our residents this month.

Carrboro Police Officer of the Year

For her dedication to the police department and the Carrboro community, the Carrboro Police Department is proud to recognize Officer Hunter Tyson as the 2025 Officer of the Year. 

Since beginning her career in July 2021, Officer Tyson has served in the Patrol Division, where her knowledge, experience and leadership earned her promotion to Police Officer II in September 2023. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Lynchburg and an Intermediate Law Enforcement Certification. Officer Tyson is widely regarded as a dependable, hard-working team player with extensive professional expertise, especially in DWI enforcement. 

Leading by example, Officer Tyson consistently upholds her commitments as a law enforcement officer and demonstrates a strong dedication to service excellence in her work with both the community and her fellow department members. Officer Tysons' contributions to public safety and community trust truly exemplify the spirit of this award.

Carrboro Fire Department honors 

Firefighter of the Year

The Carrboro Fire Department is proud to announce that Firefighter Luis Galdamez has been named the 2025 Carrboro Firefighter of the Year. Firefighter Galdamez was selected for this prestigious honor in recognition of his exceptional bravery, deep commitment to community service, and unwavering dedication to placing the needs of others above his own.

Firefighter Galdamez’s nomination was supported by numerous examples of outstanding service, including:

• Bravery During Tropical Storm Chantal: Demonstrated extraordinary courage and professionalism while responding to critical emergencies and conducting successful rescues in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Chantal.
• Essential Community Translator: Serves as a trusted translator for Spanish-speaking community members, strengthening communication, access, and trust in emergency response and public education services.
• Selfless Service and Volunteerism: Highly regarded for consistently putting others first and for generously volunteering his time at community events and outreach efforts.
• Community Risk Reduction (CRR): Actively engaged in Community Risk Reduction initiatives, helping educate the public and implement programs focused on prevention, preparedness, and risk reduction.

“Firefighter Galdamez exemplifies the highest ideals of the fire service,” said Fire Chief Will Potter. “His exemplary bravery during the response to Tropical Storm Chantal was truly commendable, and his unwavering dedication to serving our community makes him an invaluable asset to the Carrboro Fire Department. We are honored to recognize him as our 2025 Firefighter of the Year.”

Save the Date: Carrboro Event Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

Join us on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at 1 p.m. in Century Hall located at the Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St. Carrboro, NC 27510 to hear from speakers and friends of the community gather for the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. 

Activities include trivia, youth speakers, Performances by Sisters Voices Choir and SkyBlew, and more!

This youth led event strives to bring the community together to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

Dr. Martin Luther King Day Youth Poetry Exhibition

Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by submitting a poem to be a part of our Dr. Martin Luther King Day Youth Poetry Exhibition. Elementary, Middle and High School students in Orange County, NC are invited to submit original poems emphasizing Dr. King's core values such as kindness, acceptance, compassion, social justice, unity, equality and civic responsibility. 

Selected submissions will be displayed at the poetry exhibition, and one participant will be awarded the opportunity to speak at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day event on Saturday, Jan. 17. 

Participation is free, and submissions are now being accepted online. For more information and to submit a poem, please review the online entry form.

Carrboro Announces Green Neighborhoods Grants: Apply Today!

The Town of Carrboro is officially inviting residents to help lead the charge against climate change. Applications are now open for the Green Neighborhoods Grant Program, offering up to $25,000 to fund community-driven projects that make Carrboro a greener, more resilient place to live. 

Empowering Local Action 

Rooted in the Carrboro Community Climate Action Plan adopted in 2017, the program is designed to move climate action from the Town Hall directly into neighborhoods. The grant prioritizes projects that benefit low-income communities and communities of color—groups often disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change. 

“What makes this program truly unique is that instead of telling neighborhoods how to fight climate change, it empowers neighbors to work with neighbors to address the issues that they care about most in ways that they know will be successful,” said Chief Sustainability Officer Amy Armbruster.

What Can the Funds Be Used For? 

Neighborhoods are encouraged to dream big. The program seeks projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve ecosystem resiliency, or spark climate awareness. Successful past recipients have used funds to: 

• Launch neighborhood compost drop-off programs. 
• Construct rain gardens to mitigate local flooding. 
• Plant native trees and community gardens to cool neighborhoods and support pollinators. 
• Start education campaigns to empower neighbors to take action. 

How to Apply 

The Town is looking for projects that demonstrate strong neighborhood participation and a clear plan for environmental and social impact. 

• Maximum Award: $25,000 
• Deadline: Feb. 18, 2026, at 5 p.m. 
• Application & Details: Visit the Green Neighborhoods Grant Webpage

Support is Available 

The Town of Carrboro is committed to making this process accessible to everyone. If your neighborhood needs help with language translation, finding a fiscal agent, or one-on-one application support, the Sustainability Office is ready to assist. 

Contact Information: For questions or assistance, please contact Amy Armbruster at aarmbruster@carrboronc.gov or call (919) 918-7345. 

Carrboro bus wrap features community festivals

A Chapel Hill Transit bus is sporting a new bus wrap featuring Town of Carrboro’s free community festivals. It made a debut at the Carrboro-Chapel Hill Holiday Parade on Dec. 6, 2025 when joined by a walking procession of Team Carrboro, a group of staff and community members, and a few of the stars featured on the bus.  

The bus wrap was produced by the Town of Carrboro Communication and Engagement Department with design services by Carrboro-based The Splinter Group, which used striking local event imagery by photographer Jonathan Drake. 

“We chose to highlight Carrboro’s festivals because these are the experiences that strengthen social bonds, foster community pride, and lift up the cultural heritage that makes Carrboro uniquely extraordinary,” said Town Manager Patrice Y. Toney. “When we celebrate music, film, poetry, and our own town history, we are celebrating who we are and who we aspire to be as a community. This bus wrap is a rolling invitation to belong.” 

Read more about the events and individuals featured on the new bus wrap.

Master Your Meter and Save with Home Repair Lab and OWASA

Are your energy and water bills through the roof? Wondering if there are easy ways you can make a difference to save energy and water? We have a solution for you!  

Join Chris and Mindy Meyers from Home Repair Lab and Mary Tiger from OWASA for a special presentation on Tuesday, Jan. 27 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Drakeford Library Complex, 203 S. Greensboro St. 

This workshop will discuss easy ways you can save energy and water and how to get those bills under control.  Participants will leave this program with an understanding of how your home uses water and energy, low- to no-cost things you can do to save money on your utility bills, and helpful tips to get started on larger home projects. 

Relevant for homeowners, first-time home buyers, and renters. Presentations will be followed by interactive question and answer sessions. A giveaway bag with energy-saving supplies will be given to each registered participant! 

• Please RSVP with our online form.  
• Free interpretation services are available. Please contact Laura Janway at ljanway@carrboronc.gov or (919) 918-7326 at least 48 hours in advance to ensure an interpreter is present.

Town of Carrboro accepting applications for human services nonprofit funding

On Friday, Dec. 12, the Town of Carrboro will begin accepting applications for human services nonprofit funding for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. Prospective applicants will have two opportunities to learn more about the application and the funding process.

Virtual Q&A Session 

Provides a forum for applicants to ask questions and receive clarification on any aspects of the application or the funding process.

Friday, Jan. 9, 2026
9-10 a.m.
Registration is required. Please register online here.

The funding application will be available online starting Dec. 12, 2025, through this portal: Form Application Center - Town of Chapel Hill, NC. 

Applicants should complete and submit their applications and supporting documents by 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. 

For more information, visit Human Services  | Carrboro, NC - Official Website  or contact Anne-Marie Vanaman at 919-918-7321 or email amvanaman@carrboronc.gov. 

Carrboro Film Fest coming soon

CARRBORO, NC -- Join us Jan. 23-25, 2026 for the next Carrboro Film Festival! It’s our 20th year. We’re all grown up.  

The festival will be held at the new Drakeford Library Complex in downtown Carrboro, North Carolina. 

• See the lineup: https://www.carrborofilm.org/events 
• Tickets are currently on sale! https://filmfreeway.com/CarrboroFilmFest/tickets

📆 Mark your calendars! Below is our official schedule of events and screenings:

Friday, Jan. 23

• 7 p.m. | Opening Film: Leads (feature film)
• 9 p.m. | Opening Night Reception

Saturday, Jan. 24

• 11 a.m. | Funding Your Film With PBS NC and Southern Documentary Fund (workshop)
• 12:30 p.m. | Keystone Species (short films)
• 3 p.m. | Mile Markers (short films)
• 5:30 p.m. | Discoveries (student short films)
• 8:30 p.m. | Embrace the Echo (short films)

Sunday, Jan. 25

• 12 p.m. | The True Cost of Power (short films)
• 1:30 p.m. | Keep Holding (short films)
• 4 p.m. | Closing Film: Minnie Evans: Draw or Die (feature film)

More info about the films at https://www.carrborofilm.org/events 

Town Council Update

The Carrboro Town Council will meet next at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6,  2026. 

The Town 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  

• The agenda is available at  https://carrboro.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
• Access the livestream direct link to view the meeting at https://www.youtube.com/live/0uFOpIAC63Y?si=_RSKk5XIQPr7Fz2u

Past Meeting Recap 

The Carrboro Town Council met on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, for an organizational meeting to take their oaths of office.  See the story above! 

Watch the meeting livestream at https://www.youtube.com/live/g2lavy4GI0U?si=YBgN0dCUsdZ9U7fy 

Check out our Monthly Events Newsletter to discover all the exciting programs and special events that are coming up!