Orange County hosts inaugural Creek Week from March 12-19

Show your love for Orange County’s waterways during the first-ever Orange County Creek Week, set for March 12-19. The inaugural event is part of the Clean Water and Education Partnership’s (CWEP) second annual Regional Creek Week. This year’s theme is “Water Connects Us.” The initiative will engage the public on the importance of clean and healthy waterways.

“Over the years, we’ve watched as our neighbors in Durham County put on engaging, successful Creek Weeks,” said Sammy Bauer, community education coordinator with Town of Chapel Hill Division of Stormwater Management. “Orange County is excited to join the fun – we've spent several months collaborating with our partners to figure out the best way to celebrate our waterways and promote clean, healthy creeks.”

A variety of virtual and in-person events will educate residents about the importance of taking care of Orange County’s waterways. Throughout the week, participants will have a chance to join trash clean-ups, community science activities, a virtual 5k and more. Events will be held across the county.

Orange County’s Creek Week webpage outlines resources and events to get involved.

Federal Mask Mandate for public transportation
extended through April 18

The federal mask mandate for public transportation has been extended through April 18. Orange County Transportation Services will continue to require masks on transportation conveyances and at transportation facilities including our administrative offices and maintenance facilities.

Orange County to host 2022 Orange County Senior Games

The Orange County Department on Aging, Carrboro Recreation and Parks and Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation invite adults ages 50+ to participate in the 2022 Orange County Senior Games!

Senior Games is a year-round health promotion program for adults ages 50 and over. Activities include: sports and games competitions/tournaments, social activities, and the SilverArts – including visual and heritage arts such as wood working, basket weaving, ceramic glass and more.

The 2022 Orange County Senior Games’ Athletic Events will be held April 1 – May 18. The Kick-off Event for Artists, Athletes and SilverArts Opening will be on Thursday, March 31, at 4:30 p.m. at the Seymour Center located at 2551 Homestead Rd., Chapel Hill.

Pick up or call one of the sponsoring locations for a registration application and a schedule of events: The Passmore Center - Hillsborough, The Seymour Center – Chapel Hill, Carrboro Recreation and Parks, and Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation.

The deadline to register is Friday, March 18.

For more information, contact: Dana Hughes (dhughes@townofcarrboro.org, 919-918-7372) or Lee Schimmelfing (leeshim@email.unc.edu, 919-606-2598).
Learn more at www.orangecountync.gov/SeniorGames.

Please join Orange County Housing and Community Development staff to learn more about the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program and other housing programs that provide rental assistance directly to landlords. We are looking forward to hearing your questions, as well as your feedback on how our programs can best work with you. Click the graphic to register for the session.

Local governments and Chapel Hill Chamber partner for long-term economic recovery survey

Orange County local government, in collaboration with The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro, the Towns and our related economic allies, are committed to our community’s long-term economic recovery caused by COVID’s financial and other challenges. Please complete this important, short survey on local business conditions and business needs here in Orange County.

Your survey response will help shape how local governments, economic development professionals, and Chambers of Commerce continue to adapt efforts to support local businesses and the local economy.

The survey takes about six minutes to complete, and we ask each respondent to complete just one of the surveys, even if you receive the invitation from multiple partners. All responses are anonymous.

The library invites you to make and bring in a literary-themed, marshmallow peep diorama for our contest! The 3 entry categories are youth, teen, and adult. Entries will be judged by the public while they are on display and are eligible to win a number of awards from most creative to funniest entry. Best of luck!

Submit your (family-friendly) entries Monday, March 7-Saturday, March 19.
View the entries & vote for your favorites Monday, March 21-Saturday, April 2.
Winners will be announced Wednesday, April 6.
Pick up your diorama Thursday, April 7- Saturday, April 9.

Established in 1990, the Pauli Murray Award commemorates the life of the late Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray (1910-1985), a distinguished and remarkable person who confronted discrimination, racism, and sexism in her own life. The Pauli Murray Award is presented annually by the Orange County Human Relations Commission to an Orange County youth, an Orange County adult, and an Orange County business that have served the community with distinction in the pursuit of equality, justice, and human rights for all residents. Join us for this special virtual presentation on March 22.

State, County offer financial assistance for housing payments

The NC Homeowner Assistance Fund is now accepting applications from North Carolina homeowners whose finances were impacted by the pandemic and who need assistance with housing-related expenses.

The fund was established through the 2021 American Rescue Plan to prevent mortgage delinquencies, defaults, displacements and foreclosures for homeowners experiencing financial difficulties due to the coronavirus pandemic. It offers assistance of up to $40,000 for qualified homeowners as long as funding is available.

For qualified homeowners, the fund offers:

Housing payment assistance for primary residence in North Carolina (for example, single-family home, townhome, condo or mobile home).
Assistance for mortgage reinstatement to catch up on late payments (first or second mortgages) or other housing-related costs due to a period of forbearance, delinquency or default.
Assistance covering other housing-related costs such as homeowner’s insurance, flood insurance, mortgage insurance, homeowner’s association dues/fees or delinquent property taxes to prevent foreclosure.

Homeowners can learn more and apply for help by calling 1-855-MY-NCHAF (1-855-696-2423) or by visiting NCHomeownerAssistance.gov.

Help is also available for renters. Orange County Housing Department manages the Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA) Program, which has provided over $8.5 million in housing assistance to more than 2,000 Orange County residents since March 2020. This program is funded by Orange County and the Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough, along with state and federal funding.

Rent, mortgage and utility payments, security deposits, application fees and other emergency housing-related expenses are eligible for reimbursement. Visit the Orange County website for more details on this program.

Upcoming activities at the Orange County Senior Centers

CBD - What it is, should you consider it?

Join Elliot Galdy for a brief history of cannabis and focus on the benefits of CBD and other cannabinoids for age related issues, i.e. arthritis, pain, insomnia and anxiety.

Passmore Center, 103 Meadowlands Dr., Hillsborough (Hybrid: in-person & virtual options)
Date: Wednesday, March 16
Time: 11am -12 noon
Fee: FREE
Register by: Monday, March 14, call (919) 245- 2015

Seymour Center, 2551 Homestead Rd., Chapel Hill (Hybrid: in-person & virtual options)
Date: Wednesday, Mar 30
Time: 1 pm - 2 pm
Fee: FREE
Register by: Monday, Mar 28, call (919) 968- 2070

Brain Health Academy: Achieving a Healthy Lifestyle
The Orange County Department on Aging is proud to present the Brain Health Academy, a six-week educational program on achieving a healthy lifestyle and overall brain health.
Join us and take charge of your brain health!

Time: 6 - 8 pm
Dates and Topics:

Wednesday, March 16: Module I - Nutrition for a Healthy Brain & Body
Wednesday, March 23: Module II - Exercise Your Best Brain
Wednesday, March 30: Module III - Managing Life’s Transitions through Mindfulness
Wednesday, April 6: Module IV - Social Engagement/Maximizing Cognition with Novel Learning
Wednesday, April 13: Module V - Part A - Healthy Hearing & Cognition
Wednesday, April 20: Module V - Part B - Brain Connection and Medication Management

Location: Passmore Center, 103 Meadowlands Dr., Hillsborough (Hybrid: in-person and virtual options)
Activity #243043
Register in advance for the in-person option at 919-245-2015, for the virtual option here.
Fee: FREE

Download the Brain Health Academy flier for full program details.

Rise Women
In recognition of Women's History month, enjoy a fabulous performance by Shamea Truitt, sharing the 2022 theme, Providing Healing and Promoting Hope that will uplift and inspire women of all walks and roles in life. Be it a caregiver, first responder, best friend, mother and more, women let's continue to rise together, no matter the challenge.

Date: Saturday, March 19
Time: 3- 4 pm
Location: Seymour, 2551 Homestead Rd., Chapel Hill
Phone: 919-968-2070
Activity #323780-01
Register by: Saturday, March 12
Fee: FREE

Hillsborough Police K9 Unit
Master Officer Scott Foster with the Hillsborough Police Department will discuss the important role of the K9 Unit. A demonstration will take place showing the team work between the police officer and the police dog. Min: 15/Max: 30

Date: Tuesday, March 29; Time: 3 pm
Location: Passmore, 103 Meadowlands Dr., Hillsborough
Phone: 919-245-2015
Activity #223068-01
Register by: Tuesday, March 15
Fee: FREE

www.orangecountync.gov