HRC to hold Community Book Reads for Youth, Adults

The Orange County Human Relations Commission will sponsor two Community Book Reads this month, one for adults and one for youth.

The HRC has chosen "Caste: The Origins of our Discontents" by novelist Isabel Wilkerson, for the adult Community Book Read: Check availability of the book at the Orange County Public Library or purchase a copy on Amazon and join the discussion on Jan. 30.

Wilkerson is the Pulitzer Prize-winning, bestselling author of The Warmth of Other Suns. "Caste" examines the unspoken caste system that has shaped America and shows how our lives today are still defined by a hierarchy of human divisions.

It was named the No. 1 Nonfiction Book of the Year by Time and one of the top 10 books of the year by People.

The HRC has chosen "The Black Panther Party, a graphic novel history" for the Youth Community Book Read. Written by David F. Walker, an award-winning comic book writer, filmmaker, journalist, and educator, the book uses dramatic comic-book-style retellings and illustrated profiles of key figures to capture the major events, people, and actions of the Black Panther Party, as well as their cultural and political influence and enduring legacy.

After reading either book, join the HRC for a free webinar on Jan. 30 to discuss the selections.

Check out the Orange County Human Rights and Relations' Youth Community Book Read, "The Black Panther Party," a graphic novel history, by DAVID F. WALKER, who is an award-winning comic book writer, filmmaker, journalist, and educator. Free webinar on Jan. 30.

Photo of students getting tour of 911 center

County Government Academy returns in 2022

The Orange County Government Academy will return in 2022 after a two-year COVID hiatus. The academy educates citizens about the many services and programs Orange County Government provides its residents. The course is open to all county residents aged 16 and older and meets every other Tuesday in the winter/spring, beginning at 6 p.m.

The 2022 cohort will begin February 2022 in a combined virtual/physical format. Please visit the schedule page for the complete schedule of presentations.

Click here to register.

Faculty from the School of Government at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill will teach an overview class on the role of counties in the intergovernmental system. Orange County staff will discuss the services provided by their departments. Students also receive behind-the-scenes tours of county facilities, if circumstances allow.

Staff from the following departments will present and answer questions

Aging
Animal Services
Arts Commission
Board of Elections
DEAPR
Economic Development
Emergency Services
Health
Housing/Community Development
Register of Deeds
Social Services
Solid Waste

Winter weather causes COVID clinics to close Saturday

Because of impending winter weather, Orange County Health Department announced the following changes for operations on Saturday, Jan. 22. The following clinics will be closed:

Chapel Hill Testing Clinic
Hillsborough Vaccine Clinic

For up-to-date information, visit the COVID testing and vaccine clinics calendar: https://www.orangecountync.gov/2332/Coronavirus-COVID-19

University Place drop-off recycling site to close Jan. 31

The University Place drop-off recycling site used by Orange County Solid Waste will no longer be available to residents after Jan. 31, 2022. The property owner is redeveloping the area and has decided not to continue with the month-to-month agreement, said Robert Williams, Orange County Solid Waste Management Director.

Residents can use one of our other staffed recycling sites, including the Eubanks Road Waste and Recycling Center in Chapel Hill, for their recycling disposal needs now and after Jan. 31, 2022.

All dumpsters will be removed from University Place. Anyone caught dumping recycling after the deadline may be fined for illegal dumping.

The Nature of Orange Photo Contest has returned for 2022 and is now underway. The theme for this year's contest is Farms, Parks and Trails in Orange County. Contestants are encouraged to visit Orange County Parks and submit photos taken there. Photos may be submitted until 5 p.m. May 29th. Click the graphic for more information.

Orange County to host presentation on Hospice Care

The Orange County Department on Aging and the Project EngAGE End of Life Choices Senior Resource Team invite the public to attend a virtual presentation, Let’s Talk About Hospice Care, on Jan. 26.

The end-of-life care journey encompasses and should involve all care options along its spectrum, one of those options is hospice care. Join Heartland Hospice for an in-depth conversation on what hospice looks like now, when you might need care, who makes up the hospice team, and what support programs are available.

The FREE virtual event will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 26, from 4 – 5:30 p.m. The room will accept entry beginning at 3:50 p.m. to assist with any questions or platform issues prior to the start of the program.

To register, please visit www.orangecountync.gov/HospiceCare

If technology assistance is needed, please contact Shenae McPherson at 919-245-4243 by Monday, Jan. 24.

www.orangecountync.gov