To all the veterans -- THANK YOU for serving our country and all the sacrifices you had to make during your time in service. We honor you this Veterans Day. An outreach event of the Carrboro Police Department will be held at Even Dough on Wednesday morning. Chat with local police officers in a relaxed setting over coffee and a pastry during "Coffee with a Cop." On Thursday, Town staff will be distributing free bike lights along the Elizabeth Cotten Bikeway as part of the town's annual Lighten Up! event. Would you like to help restore wetland habitat? Come out to MLK Park this weekend, and volunteer to remove invasive species or help to plant some beautiful native varieties. It's a fun way to do good and meet your neighbors!
Celebrating Carrboro's Veterans
Mayor Barbara Foushee has proclaimed Veterans Day on Tuesday, Nov. 11, as a day to remember the invaluable contribution of Carrboro's veterans and urges all residents to take every opportunity to honor the service and sacrifice of individuals in uniform transitioning from active service.
Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Resources Department
Svetlana Decker (Army Reserves)
Steve Harward (Navy)
Felton Page (Army)
Clarence Potter (Army)
Anthony Stout (Army)
Public Works Department
John Garland (Army)
Orange County Veterans Memorial Ceremony
If you are looking to honor the veterans in your life, a special ceremony commemorating Veterans Day will be held at the Orange County Veterans Memorial on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. The event will be held at the Orange County Veterans Memorial at 2501 Homestead Drive, Chapel Hill, NC. This year's ceremony will feature Brigadier General Vivek Kshetrapal, Deputy Commanding General of 81st Readiness Division of the US Army Reserve., as the distinguished guest speaker. Mayor Foushee will provide the invocation for the event.
General Kshetrapal brings decades of leadership experience in logistics, readiness, and operational sustainment. He has served in multiple overseas deployments and has been instrumental in leading Army Reserve forces that support global missions. His remarks will reflect on the evolving role of the Armed Forces in defending freedom while highlighting the enduring sacrifices of America’s veterans and their families.
The Orange County Veterans Day Celebration is free and open to the public. Families, friends, and all members of the community are encouraged to attend as a way to show support and gratitude to our veterans. This annual ceremony aims to celebrate the contributions of veterans from all branches of the armed services and to pay tribute to the values they represent.
In observance of Operation Green Light, the Town of Carrboro is displaying green lights on Carrboro Town Hall and Fire Station 1. The lights are a symbol of recognition of the plight of veterans across the country who are having a hard time connecting with benefits after serving their country.
Veterans Day is a time to reflect on those who have courageously served our nation in the armed forces. Thank you to our veterans, past and present, for your service and sacrifice.
Orange County Cold Weather Shelter Locations
Orange County will operate temporary shelters on "White Flag Nights" when temperatures are forecasted at or below 32 degrees. The Orange County shelters are open to men, women, and families and accept walk-ins. Cots, blankets, and snacks are provided.
Locations include:
Orange County/Chapel Hill Shelter
828 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Chapel Hill
Orange County Hillsborough Shelter, alternating between:
Hillsborough Presbyterian Church, 102 W. Tryon St., Hillsborough
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 210 St. Mary’s Road, Hillsborough
Residents can call 919-245-2490 to confirm which Hillsborough location is open each night.
For more information: visit www.orangecountync.gov/OCPEH or contact Orange County Housing Department at 919-245-2490.
Orange County Commissioners approve funding for community food providers
At its meeting on Thursday, Nov. 6, the Orange County Board of Commissioners approved the transfer of up to $54,000 from the county’s Social Justice Reserve to provide additional support to community partners that provide food for residents facing food insecurity.
Orange County Manager Travis Myren recommended a budget amendment to allocate funding to the following organizations:
Inter-Faith Council for Social Services (IFC) – $15,000
Orange Congregations in Mission (OCIM) – $15,000
PORCH Chapel Hill/Carrboro – $12,000
PORCH Hillsborough – $12,000
These funds will help ensure that food service and distribution events continue to meet the needs of residents across the county.
Orange County residents can support neighbors by donating to local food pantries, volunteering at community meal programs, and sharing verified updates from county sources. Together, we can ensure that no one in our community goes hungry during this federal funding interruption.
Because of the federal government shutdown, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits — also known as Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) benefits — will be delayed and reduced until federal funding is restored.
Despite ongoing uncertainty about SNAP/FNS benefits, it’s expected that some recipients would face delays even if the federal government issued the funds today.
In North Carolina, food benefits are loaded every other day on EBT cards from the 3rd to the 21st of the month depending on the last digit of recipients’ social security numbers. Some Orange County residents began experiencing benefit disruptions on Monday, Nov. 3, and more families will be impacted as the month progresses.
Join us for Coffee with a Cop
Join the Carrboro Police Department at Even Dough, 203 W. Weaver St., on Wednesday, November 12 from 9 - 11 a.m. for Coffee with a Cop. Enjoy a free coffee or pastry on us!
Lighten Up! with the Town of Carrboro
Thursday, Nov. 13 is our annual Lighten Up! event. The Town of Carrboro will have information tables with lots of safety swag at both ends of the Elizabeth Cotten Bikeway from 4 to 6 p.m.
Town staff will be distributing bike lights, vests, and other visibility accessories. Staff will also have road safety information for pedestrians and cyclists.
Lighten Up! is a safety-focused event that equips current cyclists and pedestrians with lights and reflective safety gear as a part of our Transportation Demand Management program.
Invasive Species Removal and Planting Events at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park
Calling all volunteers! Would you like to help restore wetland habitat for birds, pollinators and other species? Join us at two upcoming volunteer opportunities at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park. These events are hosted by the Town of Carrboro Stormwater and Climate Action staff with financial support from the New Hope Bird Alliance.
Volunteer Opportunities
Saturday, Nov. 15 from 12 - 3 p.m.: Invasive Species Removal
Sunday, Nov. 16 form 12 - 3 p.m.: Native Planting
More Information
Wear long-sleeves, long pants and close-toed shoes.
Gloves, hand tools and water will be available but please bring your own if possible.
Have you noticed leaf piles around town? It’s certainly that time of year. The Town of Carrboro would like to remind everyone that leaves should not be piled into traffic lanes, bike lanes or sidewalks, as they become a dangerous public safety hazard.
Residents should also check collection schedules for yard waste and leaves, so that piles do not remain at the curb longer than necessary.
Typically, residents receive yard waste and loose-leaf collection twice per month, either on the first and third Mondays of the month or the second and fourth Mondays of the month. It’s important to note that although the collection day is Monday, depending on the volume of material placed at the curb, the routes may take more than one day to complete.
Fallen leaves are more than just seasonal color — they are shelter.
Leaving your leaves is one of the easiest ways to help insects and soil health in your yard. Piles of fallen leaves create homes for all sorts of beneficial critters, from butterflies and beetles to worms and fireflies. It’s also a great way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Instead of using a gas-powered leaf blower, leave those leaves where they fall.
How to Leave Your Leaves:
Leave them where they fall - Fallen leaves offer shelter for creatures like fireflies, beetles, and butterflies, and save you time on yard maintenance!
Rake leaves under trees, around shrubs, and into perennial beds – Leaves can act as a natural mulch that suppresses weeds and retains moisture
Compost your leaves – Add valuable nutrients to your soil for even more beautiful plants in the Spring
GoPerks & Carrboro Coffee Roasters have partnered to make your commute a little more exciting. Log your sustainable trips in Share the Ride NC (STRNC) for a chance to win a bag of locally roasted coffee!
Log your sustainable commutes — whether you take the bus, bike, carpool, or walk
Each trip earns points you can use to enter prize drawings through GoPerks
Choose a smarter, greener commute and you might just win your next cup of coffee.
Town Council Update
The Carrboro Town Council will meet next for a work session at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. (Note: This date is correct.)
This work session is to provide the Town Council with an update and continued discussion on the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) rewrite with the project consultant, CodeWright. The session will highlight major findings from the completed code diagnosis and examine recent state legislative changes that influence local land use and development regulations.
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 YouTube livestream OR on Legistar.
The Carrboro Town Council met on Tuesday, Oct. 21, and took the following actions:
Received proclamations for the Mayor's Monarch Pledge and Operation Green Light for Veterans; and approved the Veterans Day and Reproductive Rights are Human Rights resolutions
Join the 2nd Friday Art Walk around downtown Carrboro and Chapel Hill on Friday, Nov. 14.
Explore art galleries, artist studios, shops and restaurants. There will also be live music, performances, spoken word poetry and more. Venues are generally open late afternoon and evening hours. Exhibits at Carrboro Town Hall and the Drakeford Library Complex are open from 6 to 8 p.m.
'Tis the season of giving to a good cause! November 20 is Care to Share Day, celebrating OWASA's water bill community assistance program. Last year, OWASA helped 84 families cover their water bills during tough times thanks to your donations to Care to Share. Support Care to Share by donating monthly through your OWASA bill or make a one-time donation. Visit owasa.org/help-my-neighbor-care-to-share to learn more and donate.
Gallop & Gorge 8K scheduled
for Thanksgiving Day
The final race of Le Tour de Carrboro series is the Gallop & Gorge 8K scheduled for 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 27. The race will begin and end on Weaver Street in downtown Carrboro so expect traffic delays in that area.
There will also be an opportunity to give back to your community. Collection boxes will be available for non-perishable food items to be donated to the Interfaith Council Food Pantry.
Grab a cup of coffee, some non-perishable items to donate, and come out to cheer on the runners before you begin your Thanksgiving festivities at home.
The race's 2025 Community Partners include Carrboro Boy Scout Troop 845, Carrboro Family Garden, Meals on Wheels of Orange County, Optimist Club of Chapel Hill, Orange County Rape Crisis Center, Table, and UNC Get Real & Heel Cancer Exercise Program.
Beyond the Thirteenth Amendment: Reclaiming the Promise of Freedom
The Town of Carrboro is a co-sponsor of the community history event “Beyond the Thirteenth Amendment: Reclaiming the Promise of Freedom” offered from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025 at the Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St.
On December 6, 1865, the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. As we reflect on this dark chapter in our nation’s history, join our continued work to build a nation that protects the rights of all its people.
This symposium will feature panel discussions with renowned legal scholars and historians, as well as a keynote conversation between Dr. Martha Jones and NC Supreme Court Justice, Anita Earls.
Dr. Martha Jones is an American historian and legal scholar. She is the Society of Black Alumni Presidential Professor and Professor of History at Johns Hopkins University. She studies the legal and cultural history of the United States, with a particular focus on how Black Americans have shaped the history of American democracy. She has published books on the voting rights of African American women, the debates about women's rights among Black Americans in the early United States, and the development of birthright citizenship in the United States as promoted by African Americans in Baltimore before the Civil War.
Anita Earls is an American civil rights attorney who has served as an associate justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court since 2019. She previously served as the executive director of the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, as well as a deputy assistant attorney general in the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice during the Clinton administration. On Nov. 6, 2018, Earls defeated Republican incumbent Justice Barbara Jackson in a three-candidate election to win a seat on the state's highest court.
Program partners for Beyond the Thirteenth Amendment symposium include:
Orange County Community Remembrance Coalition
Orange County Office of Civil Rights & Civic Life
Carolina Public Humanities & Carolina K-12
Town of Carrboro
Chapel Hill Public Library's Community History Program
Check out our Monthly Events Newsletter to discover all the exciting programs and special events that are coming up!
2025 Fall Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Program Guide
The Carrboro Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department’s Fall program brochure is now available! This includes registration for the 2025-2026 Youth Basketball Leagues.
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