Southern Village holds holiday craft and gift market

The businesses of Southern Village and the Southern Village Farmers Market are pleased to announce the Farmers Market’s last hurrah—the annual Holiday Craft & Gift Market. The special holiday shopping event will take place on Sunday, Dec. 4, from 1 to 4 p.m., and will feature the hand-crafted gifts of 20 vendors. The event will take place in the usual Farmers Market location on Aberdeen Drive at Market Street in Chapel Hill.
Holiday shoppers who want to find unique gifts while keeping their money in our local economy will be pleased to find an appealing assortment of items, ranging from hand-crafted food gifts to goats milk soaps & shampoos, to wood cutting boards, jewelry, dog and cat accessories, children’s clothing, tutus and accessories, and birdhouses. There will also be books by local authors and music CD’s from local musician Danny Gotham. Valley View Farm will be here with their Angus beef & pork products for your holiday menus. Big Bundts will have an assortment of freshly-baked, holiday-themed baked goods and will provide pick-up of previously placed special orders.
Honeycutt Trees will be on the Village Green again this year selling Christmas trees, wreaths and garlands, fresh from the North Carolina Mountains.
We’ll be providing KidsZone fun for children, complimentary light refreshments for our shoppers and a free gift bag or basket to shoppers spending $25 or more (while supplies last.)
The event will also be a benefit for PORCH, the local non-profit organization that provides food to hungry families in our community. Collection baskets will be on-site at the market, and visitors are encouraged to bring canned goods or other non-perishable food items to donate.
Visit us online at www.southernvillage.com/events for a complete listing of vendors and what they’ll be selling at the market. Visit www.porchnc.org to learn about this organization. Visit www.bigbundts.com to place an order for baked goods.

Location: Aberdeen Drive at Market Street, Southern Village, Chapel Hill, NC
Date & Time: Sunday, December 4th, 1 – 4 pm
Admission: FREE
Contact bcarr@mcarolina.com with any questions.
Inclement weather announcement: In the event of a weather cancellation, an announcement will be posted on our website and on our Facebook page (Market Street Southern Village.)

Orange County Department of Social Services seeks assistance for annual Toy Chest event

Last December, an Orange County mom braved the cold and joined hundreds of parents and guardians in a long line that snaked around the Orange County Department of Social Services Center. They had lined up—some as early as 5 a.m.—to participate in DSS’s annual Toy Chest event, which gives county parents an opportunity to choose Christmas gifts for their children. To say she was grateful for the opportunity is an understatement.
“I was amazed and humbled by the number of people who walked through the rooms full of gifts,” she wrote in a letter to the department. “As a result of your generosity, my son received several gifts that remain his favorites—including a book that we’ve read together hundreds of times, sometimes more than six times a day.
“I wanted to take the chance to say thank you to everyone who helped give huge smiles to hundreds of Orange County children.”
This year, the department plans to continue giving smiles to thousands of underprivileged county children. But we need your help. The Toy Chest, which is coordinated in partnership with the Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots program and local community donors, last year collected more than 6,700 toys for almost 3,200 children. This year, given the current economic climate, the department anticipates an even greater need. Your involvement could mean the difference in one family’s holiday.
The department is seeking organizations that will collect toys, donate money or volunteer at the Toy Chest event, which will run from Dec. 17 to 20 at the Orange County Department of Social Services Center in Hillsborough. DSS representatives will make arrangements to drop off and pick up any donation boxes.
Monetary donations using credit or debit cards can be made on the Toys for Tots website, and individuals who want to drop off a gift can find Toys for Tots box locations on the site as well. You can also submit a check or cash donation to the DSS Center, P.O. Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC, 27378. If you would like more information or would like to volunteer, please call Rebekah Clairmont or Sharron Hinton at (919) 245-2800.

Annual performance of "A Christmas Carol" held at High Point Theatre

The North Carolina Shakespeare Festival offers a wholesome and powerful family theatre experience this December with its professional production of “A Christmas Carol,” the Charles Dickens classic that brings legendary Scrooge face to face with a series of ghosts and, ultimately, a profound revelation that captures the heart of the season.
The festival’s production, a perennial favorite of Piedmont Triad and North Carolina audiences, runs Dec. 2 through 20 at High Point Theatre, 220 E. Commerce Ave., in downtown High Point.
Tickets are available at the theatre’s box office from noon to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and one hour before curtain time for that performance only. Tickets may be ordered by phone at (336) 887-3001 and online at www.highpointtheatre.com. For group and SchoolFest tickets, call the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival’s administrative offices at (336) 841-2273 during business hours. Home school and church groups are welcome.
For the performance on Friday, Dec. 9, at 8 p.m., audience members who each bring one new toy will receive one free seat in the theatre balcony. Toys will be donated to the Salvation Army Family Shelter in High Point. It is not necessary to wrap the toys.
Beyond Dickens’ moving tale and cast of unforgettable characters, the production features rousing music, beautiful costumes and a stunning set—all designed to transport theatergoers into a 19th century London full of fog, ghosts and an overwhelming spirit of Christmas and love.
Pedro Silva, the festival’s managing director and artistic director, who played Scrooge for many seasons, will direct the play for the ninth time. Silva will also appear as Scrooge for the first time since 2002 in a special encore performance on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 7:30 p.m.
The play is suitable for children 8 and older. Babes in arms and toddlers are kindly discouraged. For more information about the play or the professional theater company, visit www.ncshakes.org.

Rape Crisis Center holds fundraiser auction Sunday

The Orange County Rape Crisis Center will hold its 24th annual Holiday Auction presented by Sports Endeavors on Sunday, Dec. 4, at 5 p.m. at the Sheraton Chapel Hill Hotel. The event will include a silent auction followed by dinner, a live auction and a dessert auction. Items will include art, jewelry, beach vacations and many other gifts and services. The event will be hosted by Drs. Adam and Beth Goldstein, and entertainment will be provided by local jazz and blues band Equinox, featuring Chancellor Holden Thorp on keyboard. All community members are welcome; tickets are on sale now.
A drawing will also be held for “A Night on the Town” in Chapel Hill, including cocktails at The Crunkleton, dinner for two at Lantern and a night stay at the Siena Hotel.
“Hosting the Holiday Auction gives us the opportunity to bring together new and long-time supporters, community members, and local businesses to share the valuable programs and education that the Center provides for our community," Board of Directors President Lucy McMillan said. "It also provides essential financial support for the Center, allowing us to continue our active involvement in the community.”
The Annual Holiday Auction serves as the center’s primary special event fundraiser for the year. Last year’s auction raised more than $80,000 towards the center’s mission to stop sexual violence and its impact through support, education and advocacy. The money raised in this year’s auction will allow for program sustainability throughout the community.
The event will be open seating, and tickets cost $65 for individuals, $560 for a reserved table of eight and $700 for a reserved table of 10. Guests can purchase tickets by visiting the center’s website or by calling the center at (919) 968-4647.
Founded in 1974, the Orange County Rape Crisis Center, a 501(C)(3) nonprofit agency, provides services to survivors of sexual violence and offers prevention education to the community. Its programs include a 24-hour help line (1-866-WE LISTEN), support groups, therapy referrals, Latino outreach and educational programs. The OCRCC is a United Way of the Greater Triangle Member Agency of Excellence.

Michael Talbert appointed assistant Orange County manager

Orange County Manager Frank Clifton announced the promotion of Michael S. Talbert to assistant county manager, effective Monday, Nov. 21, 2011.
Talbert has served as interim assistant Orange County manager since May 5 of this year when the previous assistant county manager, Willie Best, was out on medical leave; Best has since retired.
Talbert served in a dual capacity as he continued his role as deputy financial services director, a position he has held since Sept. 20, 2010. Talbert started with Orange County in December 2009 in a temporary position with Financial Services.
Talbert will assist the county manager in directing departments and programs in Orange County government. Immediate focus for Talbert will be to provide guidance during the transition of solid waste landfill services and infrastructure upgrades in the Emergency Services Department. Talbert will also provide leadership and guidance to a variety of county departments that provide either direct citizen service or internal support to departments.
Talbert has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and economics from Elon College as well as specialized training including the Public Executive Leadership Academy from the University of North Carolina School of Government.
Before joining Orange County’s leadership team, Talbert served as county manager of Polk County and finance director of Catawba County.
“Michael’s professional knowledge and experiences elsewhere in North Carolina county governments provide Orange County with a great resource,” Clifton said. “Michael has been a valuable asset to the county, especially during the last six months working double duty."
Talbert is excited about the new position: “I look forward to new challenges and working together with local elected officials with the county, towns and schools and with the Orange County management team to make a positive impact on the quality of life for the people of Orange County.”

Calling all artists—Artists' Salon will be held Nov. 18

The next Artists' Salon, sponsored by the Orange County Arts Commission, will be held Friday, Nov. 18, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in the West End Theatre at The ArtsCenter in Carrboro. Light refreshments will be served. Salons are free for artists of all kinds—performing, visual, literary, whatever. Come to meet, network and build a better arts environment for all area artists.
The topic for November will be “Exploring Resources, Leveraging Assets, Crafting Your Path.” Guest presenter will be John Parker of Good Work. John will help artists learn how to manage their time more effectively and work smarter. There will be time for questions.
The purpose of the salon is to bring together artists of all disciplines in a casual setting to share ideas, concerns and information. The Orange County Arts Commission works to not only bring the artistic community together but to facilitate closer ties between artists and the general community. One of the goals of the Orange County Arts Commission is to better serve the needs of artists. Artists often work in isolation, and salons can serve as a place to get feedback from peers as well as to share all of the problems and pleasures of being an artist.
If you plan to attend, please RSVP to the Orange County Arts Commission at (919) 968-2011 or email us at arts@co.orange.nc.us.

Town to hold public hearing on food trucks Monday, Nov. 14

Hillsborough leaders want to hear the public’s thoughts on allowing mobile food vendors in the town limits.
The Hillsborough town board will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14, in the Town Barn as part of its regular monthly meeting. The board is considering a proposal that would create a permit process for mobile vendors who want to set up a fixed location or route in town.
The proposed ordinance makes no change to how mobile vendors are allowed at special events like Hog Day or Last Fridays, and the hearing is not required for the ordinance to be enacted.
Under the draft ordinance, the town could issue up to 10 active food vendor permits at any given time, with qualified applicants receiving permits on a first-come, first-served basis. Vendors would be allowed to operate from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on private property with written permission from the property owners. The property would have to be zoned for nonresidential uses and could not be located in the historic overlay zoning district—from the Eno River north to Corbin Street; from Nash Street east to Cameron Street; and from east of Cameron Street to the town limits in the area north of St. Mary’s Road.
Vendors would serve walk-up customers only and would not provide customer seating. Only one vendor at a time per parcel would be allowed unless vendors were participating in a special event that was separately permitted under event provisions.
“The Town of Hillsborough recognizes that the diversity of prepared food options can be enhanced by allowing mobile food vendors to serve prepared food within the city limits,” the draft ordinance states. “The Town further recognizes that mobile food vendors have the same responsibilities to their customers and the community as do food service establishments with fixed locations and should be required to abide by local permit and tax requirements in the same manner as facilities with fixed locations.”
The draft ordinance may be viewed here. The Town Barn is located on the Town Hall campus, 101 E. Orange St. Parking is accessed from E. Corbin Street.

Expect nationwide emergency alert system test on Wednesday, Nov. 9

NOTE: The following information was released by FEMA.

The first nationwide test of the emergency alert system will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9, by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Communications Commission and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The test may last up to 3½ minutes. The public will hear a message indicating, “This is a test.” The audio message will be the same for radio, television and cable.

The national-level emergency alert system is a public alert and warning system that enables the president of the United States to address the American public during extreme emergencies. Similar to local emergency alert system tests that are conducted frequently, the nationwide test will involve broadcast radio and television stations, cable television, satellite radio and television services and wireline providers across all states and territories.

As part of ongoing, national preparedness planning efforts, work to make the test a reality has been occurring over the past two years by FEMA; the FCC; other federal partners; state, local, tribal and territorial governments; emergency alert system participants; and others in the emergency alert system community.

While the federal, state, tribal, territorial and local governments prepare for and test their capabilities, the event serves as a reminder that everyone should establish an emergency preparedness kit and emergency plan for themselves, their families, communities and businesses. Visit www.Ready.gov for more information about how to prepare for and stay informed about what to do in the event of an actual emergency.

For more information on the nationwide test, visit: www.fema.gov/emergency/ipaws/eas_info.shtm.

Hillsborough to break ground on Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion

The Town of Hillsborough will officially break ground on the upgrade and expansion of the Hillsborough Wastewater Treatment Plant at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 11.

Mayor Tom Stevens will shovel the first dirt. Construction is expected to be completed in the spring of 2014. This first phase of construction, expected to cost $16.5 million, will bring much-needed upgrades to the plant, which was built in the mid-1970s. The upgrades by Choate Construction Company of Atlanta, Ga., include:

• New tertiary filters capable of removing nitrogen and phosphorous.
• New screenings (trash) removal system at the beginning of the treatment process.
• Installation of new clarifiers (settling basins).
• Upgrades to biological treatment basins.
• New solids treatment and handling facilities.
• New backup power generator.
• Updated plant security and controls.

The upgrade is being funded through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan program. The $18.9 million loan — which also will cover some design costs, construction administration, inspections and contingency funds — will result in annual payments of $1.2 million for 20 years, beginning in Fiscal Year 2015. These payments will result in an 8.8 percent annual increase in sewer rates over six years, beginning with this fiscal year, which started in July.

A second phase of construction will provide extra flow capacity to accommodate planned land uses and projected population growth. Due to stricter state limits, the current plant already has reached its treatment capacity.

Both phases of construction will provide the plant with the capabilities needed to meet new, stricter state limits on discharged water. These new rules — called Falls Lake Rules — will become effective in 2016 and are intended to protect and restore the water quality of Falls Lake, which is on the EPA’s list of impaired waters. Planning for the second phase will begin when the first phase of construction is complete. The start of construction for that phase will be determined by the town’s growth rate, with a likely start in seven to 12 years.

The Wastewater Treatment Plant is located at 355 Elizabeth Brady Road.