Attention poets: Applications open for 2023 Piedmont Laureate
The City of Raleigh Arts Commission, Durham Arts Council, Orange County Arts Commission, and United Arts Council of Raleigh & Wake County are pleased to announce the opening of the application process for the position of Piedmont Laureate for 2023. Each year the program is open to writers creating work in a particular selected genre (poetry, novels, plays, etc.), and for the 2023 cycle, applications will be accepted from poets. The selected candidate will focus on elevating poetry in Wake, Durham, and Orange counties. The application submission period closes Sept. 9 at 11:59pm.
We hope to elevate explorations of poetry writing across sub-genres and forms. We welcome writers of all forms of poetry and poetic presentation styles, including slam poetry, beat poetry and spoken word poetry. We do ask that the poetry writing is created for an adult audience and emphasizes the written form. Note that future Piedmont Laureate specialization years will include playwriting and screenwriting, fiction, and creative nonfiction, and as such we are not accepting submissions this year from these genres.
Piedmont Laureate Program Mission The Piedmont Laureate program is co-sponsored by the City of Raleigh Arts Commission, Durham Arts Council, Orange County Arts Commission, and United Arts Council of Raleigh & Wake County. Its primary goal is to promote awareness and heighten appreciation for excellence in the literary arts in the Piedmont region. The program is dedicated to building a literary bridge for residents to come together and celebrate the art of writing, enriching the lives of all our citizens.
The Piedmont Laureate serves for one year and will offer activities throughout Wake, Durham and Orange counties. - Click here for more information and a link to the application.
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First Case of Monkeypox reported in Orange County
The Orange County Health Department (OCHD) has confirmed the first case of monkeypox in Orange County. The case has been in direct communication with the Orange County Health Department communicable disease team and has been referrered to isolate per recommendations set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). OCHD has opened a contact investigation to notify close contacts and provide guidance on signs, symptoms, testing, treatment and vaccination. To protect patient privacy, no additional information about this individual will be shared.
Nearly 13,000 cases of monkeypox have been identified in the United States. OCHD continues to work closely with state and national partners to monitor the current national outbreak and respond within Orange County.
“We have been preparing for a case of monkeypox and now that it is here, we want our community to be aware of this disease so that those at risk can seek medical care and get tested promptly if they have symptoms,” said Orange County Health Director Quintana Stewart.
Anyone can be infected by monkeypox regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity or any other identity.
- Click here for more information.
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Project EngAGE to host dementia care planning event
The Orange County Department on Aging and the Project EngAGE Mental Wellness Senior Resource Team invite the public to attend a presentation, Dementia: Where to Start, on Sept. 9.
The Project EngAGE Mental Wellness Senior Resource Team welcomes you to join instructors Serena Wong, DO, and Nansi Greger-Holt, FNP, as they guide you through the process of evaluation, care planning and available supports for family members of those living with dementia. Not knowing where to start when dementia is suspected can be confusing, but this journey doesn’t have to be navigated alone.
Join us to learn how and where to receive the supports you need so that you can best support your loved one with strength and confidence. Light refreshments will be served from 3:30 – 4 pm.
The FREE event will take place on Fri., Sep 9, from 4 - 5:30 pm at the Seymour Center located at 2551 Homestead Road in Chapel Hill.
Register by Wed., Sep 7. To register, please contact the Seymour Center at 919-968-2070.
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Parks & Recreation Council seeking teen perspective
Do you know a teen interested in learning more about Parks and Recreation? The Parks & Recreation Council (PRC) is excited to announce the addition of a Youth Delegate. Candidates should be an Orange County resident between the ages of 13-17.
The PRC consults with the Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks & Recreation, and advises the Board of County Commissioners on matters including park planning, public trails and open space, and recreation facilities and programs.
The Council meets the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. The Council is comprised of 12 members that are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. Council members serve a three-year term.
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Last day to sign up for NC Agriculture Cost Share Funds
The Orange Soil and Water Conservation District receives cost-share allocation from the State each year for non-point source pollution control from agriculture activities. These funds assist farmers in implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) to decrease the amount of sediment, nitrogen, phosphorus, animal waste, chemicals, and other pollutants entering surface and ground waters
Landowners and operators may apply for technical and cost-share assistance to install BMPs such as animal waste storage facilities, mortality management systems, wells and watering troughs in conjunction with livestock exclusion fencing from streams, heavy use areas, animal trails and stream crossings, closure of waste impoundments, cropland conversions, sod-based rotations, grassed waterways, field borders and diversions.
For a complete list of BMPs available and other cost-share programs to improve water
quality and enhance agriculture operations, go to Orange County Soil and Water Conservation’s website at www.orangecountync.gov/soilwater (see Financial Assistance).
An initial sign up will be held through Aug. 19 for landowners and operators requesting technical and cost-share assistance on practices. Technical assistance will be provided throughout the year and cost share assistance for as long as funding is available.
To apply for cost share assistance and other agricultural funding programs, please contact Kenny Ray, Todd Roberts or Jessica Perrin at (919) 245-2750. |
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Applications open for Longtime Homeowners Assistance property tax relief program
Applications are now being taken for the Longtime Homeowners Assistance (LHA) program for 2022. In 2021, the LHA was a pilot program created by the Board of Commissioners that provided grants to homeowners for assistance in paying property taxes. The goal of the LHA is to provide property tax bill assistance to help people stay in their homes.
The board approved several changes for 2022 to boost participation, including reducing the requirement to have owned and lived in the home from 10 years to five years. The changes formalized policies for heir’s properties and those owned by Family Trusts to provide assistance based on the income of the persons who live in the household and not all the heirs or members of the trust.
DROPOFF: Paper Applications and drop-off boxes are available at Orange County Housing offices - Hillsborough- Whitted Building, 300 W Tryon St
- Chapel Hill, Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Rd
GET HELP: Contact the Housing Helpline for assistance in completing LHA applications Once staff receive application materials, they will be back in touch about any other needed materials and/or the status of the application.
One change for 2022 is that all LHA grants will be made after the December 1, 2022 application deadline. If the demand for assistance is more than available funds, the Housing Department will use a prioritization for assistance based on applicant's age, length of time owning and living in the home, and the homeowner’s tax burden (percentage of annual income needed to pay property tax bill). |
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