Pfizer Booster Shots Available for High-Risk Groups

To strengthen and extend protections against severe illness, North Carolinians at high risk for serious illness or exposure who have been fully vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine for six months or more can now receive a COVID-19 booster shot.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the Pfizer COVID-19 booster shot is recommended for individuals who have been fully vaccinated for six months or more with the Pfizer vaccine. People who are 65 years or older, 18 years or older with underlying medical conditions or work in a high-risk setting like healthcare workers, teachers and childcare providers or food workers are eligible in North Carolina.

Who is Eligible
CDC recommends the following groups should get a COVID-19 booster if they have previously been vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer vaccine:

people 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series;
people aged 50 to 64 with certain underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series;
people 18 to 49 who are at high risk for severe COVID-19 due to certain underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks; and
people aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.

Click here for more information.

Eno Arts Mill to host Grand Opening on Oct. 1

The Orange County Arts Commission (OCAC) announced the grand opening of the Eno Arts Mill will be held Friday, Oct.r 1, from 6-9 PM. The event will feature the opportunity to visit the working studios of the Mill’s resident studio artists. Masks and social distancing will be required.

The Arts Mill is a 7,000 square foot multi-purpose arts space located within the historic Eno River Mill in Hillsborough. The space adjoins the 3,000 square foot Eno Mill Studios which opened in February, 2020, offering affordable work space for eleven artists. The new addition provides teaching space for classes in the visual, performing, and literary arts, a gallery, four artist studios, and a new Hillsborough office for the Carrboro-based Art Therapy Institute. The Board of County Commissioners approved the project in May, 2021, in response to the lack of physical space for the arts in Orange County, particularly working and teaching space.

Orange County to host 2022-27 Master Aging Plan Community Engagement Events

The Orange County Department on Aging and its Advisory Board are excited to announce the kick-off of the next Master Aging Plan. To get started, we will host Community Engagement Drop-in events during October at key locations around the County.

“This is our fifth Master Aging Plan and through the many partnerships that have been formed through this process, we are able to celebrate and say that Orange County is one the best places to age well in NC,” said Janice Tyler, Director of the Orange County Department on Aging. “We are looking forward to engaging with you at one of the community MAP gatherings.”

July 1, 2021, marked the beginning of the planning year for the 2022-27 Master Aging Plan (MAP) when we were out in the community sharing a survey to hear about the issues that Orange County residents were most concerned about for the next five years. In October we will host drop-in events across the county to share what was learned and to provide another opportunity for community members to share their thoughts and to engage with the MAP workgroup leaders.

There are seven MAP workgroups (Social Participation, Community Supports and Health Services, Transportation, Housing, Civic Participation and Employment, Outdoor Spaces, and Communication). We welcome community members that are interesting in helping formalize the goals and strategies for the 2022-27 MAP to join one of these workgroups.

Click here to learn dates and sign-up information.

Applicants Needed For Orange County Housing Authority Board

The Orange County Housing Authority Board is currently seeking applications, particularly from Orange County residents residing outside Chapel Hill Town Limits, for an open at-large position.

Orange County Housing Authority Board members are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing for low and moderate-income families in the County. At least one member of the board shall be a Housing Choice Voucher holder. Other board members may represent the following areas of interest: real estate, development, affordable housing, municipal law, and banking.

The Orange County Housing Authority Board typically meets on the Third Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m. If interested, apply at www.orangecountync.gov/Apply.

Orange County strives for authentically diverse representation on volunteer boards and commissions. Residents of all demographic backgrounds, identities, and perspectives are encouraged to apply. Applicants must reside in Orange County. Volunteers appointed by the Board of County Commissioners have the opportunity to directly influence the County’s decisions, policies, and priorities.

For additional information, contact Tara May at 919-245-2125.

The Orange County Arts Commission presents the 5th Annual Paint it Orange Plein Air Paint-Out and Wet Paint Sale November 3-5, 2021. Artists are invited to Orange County, North Carolina, to capture the landscapes and landmarks signature to the Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and Carrboro communities. Participating artists will paint at their sites of choosing throughout Orange County from November 3-5, and will submit up to three of their favorite paintings for jurying on Friday, November 5 at the Eno Arts Mill Gallery in Hillsborough.

Arts Educator Grants available from OCAC

Public school arts educators in Orange County Public Schools and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools are invited to apply for small grants of up $250 to help with costs related to their creative and professional development. The Orange County Arts Commission (OCAC) created the Arts Educator Professional Development Grant Program in 2018 to assist arts educators in advancing their careers. These small grants can assist with professional and artistic development, including:

Travel expenses related to workshops or seminars, or to do research related to his/her art form, such as meals, lodging and transportation.
Expenses related to workshops, master classes or coaching that will enhance the teacher’s abilities and/or allow the acquisition of Continuing Education Units, such as registration fees, substitute teacher costs, or required supplies.
Purchase of supplies, materials or equipment necessary for the completion or production of work, which is essential to the advancement of his/her teaching career.

The grants are available to any public school educator in Orange County teaching the in the visual or performing arts. Educators may apply online for projects or programs taking place before June 30, 2021. The application period will be open through midnight on Wednesday, September 30, 2020 at https://artsorange.org/ocacgrants/artsedgrants.

This grant program is the result of research the OCAC conducted in 2017 and early 2018 to identify the needs of the Orange County arts community. Local arts educators expressed a need for assistance in obtaining Continuing Education Units through professional development opportunities and assistance in advancing their creative growth. By helping arts educators continue to grow in their art form, the OCAC hopes to sustain the quality of arts education in our public schools.

Click the graphic to learn how to get your free COVID test.

Animal Services offers grant program to support animal welfare initiatives in Orange County

Orange County Animal Services is offering The Pat Sanford Animal Welfare Grant, a program to support animal welfare initiatives and projects in Orange County, thanks to a generous donation from Friends of Orange County Animal Shelter. This is the sixth year the award has been offered, and it will be awarded for initiatives up to $500. Applications must be received by Friday, Oct 15.

The grant can be used for a wide range of pilot or seed projects or to supplement other programs, projects, and grants which support companion animals, including those animals used in recreation or therapy. It is available to individuals, groups, and organizations and although the recipients do not have to live in Orange County, the funds must be used to aid animal welfare efforts in Orange County. Past recipients include Hope Animal Rescue, Independent Animal Rescue, NC Therapeutic Riding Center, Pet Pals, Trestle Leaf Web Design, and Carolina Boxer Rescue.

The program honors Pat Sanford, former Executive Director of the Animal Protection Society of Orange County (APS). Sanford served there for 17 years, where she pushed for spay/neuter to combat the county’s pet overpopulation problem, helped expand the APS twice, and created a wildlife rehabilitation component that would carry on beyond her retirement. After her retirement in 2002, Sanford continued her work for Orange County animals and served on the county’s Animal Services Advisory Board for several years.

Ms. Sanford’s accomplishments are vast and her contributions helped Orange County become one of the leading counties in the state and country for animal placement, recovery, and overall well-being. The grants awarded in her honor will support efforts that exemplify the same dedication and commitment to animal welfare in Orange County. The initial donation will sustain the program for a 10-year period. Additional donations are welcomed to increase the annual award amount and to extend the period in which the grant is awarded.

For more information on the grant, to find the application, and to find out more about giving opportunities for this program, visit http://www.orangecountync.gov/368/Pat-Sanford-Animal-Welfare-Award.

Early voting for municipal elections begins Oct. 14. Click the link for more information or to learn how to register.

www.orangecountync.gov