Orange County buildings to remain closed to public as staff focuses on COVID vaccine distribution
Staff from many departments, including the Orange County Public Library, are playing a crucial role in helping with the county’s top priority of vaccinating residents for the pandemic. Dozens of employees have been temporarily reassigned to answer phone lines and register county residents to receive the vaccine, and others are working at vaccination clinics to help with on-site registration and traffic flow. As a result, resources are not available to reopen facilities at pre-pandemic levels, county manager Bonnie Hammersley said. In addition, most county staff are not considered essential workers, and as such will not be eligible to receive the vaccine until Group 5. “Reassignments of staff result in a lack of resources to open and/or provide services at the level of pre-pandemic, and very few of our public-facing employees have received or are eligible to receive the vaccine,” Hammersley said. “Once the majority of Orange County residents and our employees are vaccinated, county operations will be evaluated to determine the resources available to open to the public in a safe and effective manner.” Individuals in Group 3 (Frontline Essential Workers) become eligible March 10 to register for the vaccine. The county anticipates a surge in interest as eligible people sign up for their shot. The need for additional staff support will remain high throughout the spring and summer as the state progresses into Groups 4 and 5, which are the largest groups to become eligible to receive the vaccine. All county buildings, including library branches, remain closed to the public. Most departments offer programs and services virtually, and some are open via appointments or drive-through services. “Right now our primary focus is distributing the vaccine,” said Orange County Health Director Quintana Stewart. “Our goal is to distribute every dose we receive within a week, and this requires a countywide approach. We are grateful for the support of staff from other departments, including the library, for helping us register and manage the process.” - Click here for a listing of which county services are available, either remote or through in-person appointments.
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Public Transportation Announces On-Demand Ride Service pilot program begins March 5 in HillsboroughOrange County Public Transportation (OCPT) is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of Orange County MOD (Mobility On Demand), an innovative pilot program that will provide flexible and dynamic transportation service within the Hillsborough service area. Scheduled to start Friday, March 5, Orange County’s MOD program will cost $5 per trip and will be available on Fridays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fares will be waved for the first month of service. Similar to services provided by transportation networking companies like Uber and Lyft, Orange County MOD users will have the option to request a same-day ride through a smartphone app called “TransLoc.” The app will provide passengers with an estimated pick-up time, track the MOD van’s location in real-time, and alert them when their ride is about to arrive. With accessibility being a critical component to the program, MOD vans will accommodate riders with disabilities. Customers without smartphones will also be able to request or schedule MOD service by calling 919-245-2008 or by going online to http://ondemand.transloc.com. Wait times for MOD service will be subject to vehicle availability and demand. “We are excited to offer this new service and provide Hillsborough with a safe, affordable, and comfortable travel option,” said Theo Letman, Orange County Transportation Services Director. “While we appreciate the comparisons to Uber and Lyft, I like to point out how our MOD service will differ. For one, MOD drivers are Orange County employees driving a County vehicle, not their own. They are vetted and trained to the same standards as our current operators. Our MOD vehicles, too, are clean, sanitized, and are serviced regularly. Though this program may look different, it is in line with our core values and the community-based transportation services we currently offer.” Orange County’s MOD program will be implemented in partnership with TransLoc, a Ford Mobility Company. The initial MOD pilot is scheduled to run for six months through mid-August and will pick up and drop off riders within Hillsborough’s town limits and the Eubanks Park-and-Ride in Chapel Hill. If the program goes well, the service could expand and become a part of OCPT’s regular service. For more information about OCPT’s MOD program, please visit https://www.orangecountync.gov/MOD.
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Ariana Debose, Mandolin Orange, Branford Marsalis, Mike Wiley to perform March 11Local Arts Organizations Join Forces to Rally Financial Support for the ArtsAfter nearly a year of closures and cancellations, the arts have suffered disproportionately from the destructive impact of the pandemic. For the first time ever, arts councils from Chatham, Durham, Orange and Wake Counties are joining forces to enlist support for the arts through a live event – Big Night In for the Arts. The regional fundraising initiative will broadcast live on WRAL and livestream online on March 11 at 7 p.m.
It will boast a super-star line-up, including Ariana DeBose, Tony-nominated actress/singer/dancer and Raleigh native; Mandolin Orange, nationally acclaimed folk music duo based in Chapel Hill; Branford Marsalis, three-time Grammy Award® winner and internationally renowned saxophonist based in Durham; and Mike Wiley, nationally acclaimed actor and playwright based in Chatham County. Additional national and local artists from each county will be announced. Local country music star Scotty McCreery will also perform.
In partnership with WRAL-TV, Big Night In for the Arts will address the impact of COVID-19 on the arts, and highlight the missions of the four organizations that lead and support the Triangle’s local arts infrastructure. The fundraising event, taking place about a year after the first stay-at-home orders were implemented, marks a critical step forward in helping local artists and arts/cultural organizations begin their path to recovery. Dollars raised will go toward arts programming, initiatives for equity in the arts, and artist/arts organizations’ relief.
Arts supporters can join the effort prior to the event as sponsors or donate live during the event. Audiences and arts enthusiasts who have enjoyed the arts across the Triangle for years can make a gift to benefit the four counties collectively or designate which specific county they would like to support. Every dollar helps ensure the arts in the Triangle will survive and thrive long after this pandemic has lifted.
"The arts are the character and spirit of the Triangle region and a primary reason this is such a wonderful place to live," said Katie Murray, Director of the Orange County Arts Commission. "We are excited to join forces with our regional arts councils so we can give back to an industry that has given us so much."
For more information on the talented artists headlining this event, sponsorship opportunities, or to donate prior to the event, go to BigNightIn.org.
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Upcoming events from the Orange County Senior Centers
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Seymour Tech - Introduction to the iPhone
Smartphones are amazing all-in-one tools for phone calls, email, text, photos, music & videos. They are also a camera, e-book reader, Internet browser, and gaming device. You will learn about setting up contacts, email, about Siri, iTunes, and the App Store. You can even totally replace other general-use computers with the iPhone. You can add a real keyboard; in fact, your iPhone will work with nearly any Bluetooth keyboard.
NOTE: Due to the differences in the latest software, we will NOT cover iPad in this session.
Date: 3 Sessions - Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday; March 8, 9 & 10
Time: 1 - 3 PM
Register: Click here to ENROLL in this class. To see all of the Seymour Tech classes, click here.
Instructor: Glick Schultz
New to Medicare? Join our Welcome to Medicare Class
If you’re turning 65 soon, you’re probably being bombarded by mailings about Medicare. This online class will provide valuable information whether you’re retiring soon, already retired or continuing to work. You’ll learn how and when to enroll, potential penalties for late enrollment, Medicare’s costs, benefits and options.
Date: Wednesday, March 10
Time: 6:00 - 7:30pm
Register: Call 919-245-4274 option 2. Leave us your name, phone and email address. You’ll receive a confirmation email and a second email with a link to join our Zoom Meeting the day prior.
2021 Orange County Senior Games
Senior Games is a year-round health promotion program for adults ages 50 plus. Activities include sports and games competitions/tournaments, social activities. SilverArts includes visual, heritage and performing arts. Sports & SilverArts Registration: Early Bird – Register by Friday, March 12; Fee: $13 Final Deadline – Friday, March 26; Fee: $16
Cost includes: Registration Fees (Sporting Events & SilverArts), participant gift, medals, SilverArts performance and reception and closing celebration event.
Visit our website or see the flyer for information and registration. For additional information, contact Lee Schimmelfing or Myra Austin at (919) 245-2020.
Orange County to celebrate International Transgender Day of Visibility
The Orange County Department on Aging and the Project EngAGE LGBTQ+ Senior Resource Team invite the public to attend a virtual documentary screening of The Ties that Bind on March 31. As we celebrate International Transgender Day of Visibility we invite you join us for a showing of The Ties that Bind. The documentary delivers an introspective and honest exploration of acceptance as it details Diana Newton’s journey with her sister Christine, a Trans woman and their family as they navigate the emotional and physical struggles of transitioning. Diana Newton offers a glimpse into the world of a Southern family as they confront society’s cultural bias and learn to face their own personal journey to live authentically. Join us as we explore this thoughtful and heartfelt documentary with Diana offering a Q&A Session to follow. The event will take place on Wed, March 31, from 6 – 8 p.m. via a virtual platform. Please register here: If technology assistance is needed please contact Shenae McPherson at 919-245-4243 by Monday, March 29.
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