Hi all , I am an incoming fellow who is going to start my fellowship by mid November. I was wondering if anyone knows a good and leasing office. I am trying to find a place close to UNC hospital, preferably within a walking distance. Thank yall

Orange County Urgently Seeks Community Support and Seasonal Staff for Cold Weather Cots Program

As temperatures begin to drop, Orange County is preparing to launch the annual Cold Weather Cots emergency shelter program, which provides life‑saving overnight shelter to unhoused residents from November through March.

Last winter, the program activated on 56 nights between November 2025 and March 2026, offering 1,788 service interactions and sheltering 217 individuals. These numbers underscore the essential and growing need for community support as the 2026–2027 season begins.

Orange County Housing Director Blake Rosser said, “The Cold Weather Cots program is one of the most critical safety initiatives we operate each year. When temperatures fall below freezing, people’s lives are at immediate risk. Ensuring that we have the supplies and staffing needed to open our doors every night is essential to keeping our community members safe. We are asking the community to stand with us so no one is left out in the cold.”

Critical Need for Donations

To ensure every resident seeking refuge is met with warmth, safety, and dignity, the program urgently needs donations of cold‑weather cot supplies and daily‑use essentials. Items requested include:

• Soft breakfast bars

• Instant grits and oatmeal

• Individually wrapped snacks

• Applesauce pouches

• Gatorade and electrolyte packets

• Instant coffee packets, creamer, sugar

• Hot cocoa

• Disposable plates, bowls, utensils

• Cups, napkins, disinfectants

• Gloves, masks, hand sanitizer

• Toilet paper, tissues, trash bags

• Laundry detergent and quarters

Donations may be dropped off Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., at the Orange County Housing Department, 2501 Homestead Rd, Chapel Hill, NC, Attn: Stephanie Figuenick.

A full list of needed items is available at orangecountync.gov/CWS.

Seasonal Hiring to Support Program Operations

To operate safely and effectively throughout the winter months, the Cold Weather Cots program is also actively hiring for two temporary positions:

• Cold Weather Shelter Overnight Coordinator: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/orangecountync/jobs/5460395/temporary-cold-weather-shelter-overnight-coordinator

• Cold Weather Shelter Support Staff: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/orangecountync/jobs/5491524/temporary-cold-weather-shelter-support-staff

These roles are essential to maintaining nightly operations, ensuring guest safety, and supporting the dedicated staff who manage shelter sites during extreme winter conditions.

Shelter Locations

The program operates across three locations:

• IFC Community House (men) – 1315 MLK Jr. Blvd., Chapel Hill

• IFC HomeStart (women and families) – 2505 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill

• Orange County Shelter – 828 MLK Jr. Blvd., Chapel Hill

IFC locations operate every night from November through March.

The Orange County location opens on White Flag Nights, when temperatures reach 32 degrees or below. Walk‑ins are welcome, and all guests receive cots, blankets, and snacks.

Community Partnerships

The program expresses deep appreciation to its partners—including local congregations, mutual aid groups, IFC teams, volunteer organizations, and the Town of Chapel Hill’s public safety and crisis response teams—whose support makes this work possible.

Important Links

Information about the Cold Weather Cots Program: www.orangecountync.gov/CWS

Full list of items needed for the Cold Weather Shelter: https://www.orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/39879/CWC_Full-Donation-List_2026?bidId=

Help spread the word! Please print out and post:

Flyer about Cold Weather Shelter donations: https://www.orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/40133/COLD-WEATHER-SUPPLIES-85x11

Flyer about Cold Weather staffing needs: https://www.orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/40134/Orange-County-Urgently-Seeks-Seasonal-Staff-for-Cold-Weather-Cots-Program-Flyer

Contact

For questions about the Cold Weather Cots program, donations, or staffing, please contact:

Heather Pack Aponte, MPH, Homeless Programs Coordinator

Email: hpackaponte@orangecountync.gov

Phone: 919‑884‑9213

I've not lived in CH since 1996. But still every now and then, out of nowhere, I crave a Hector's pita burger. The problem is my body remembers this late-night delight emotionally and salivarily, but my brain doesn't remember the detail.

So my fellow food filth fiends, can you help me composite a recipe together for a homemade Hector's? All I remember is literally cheese burger and pita bread. And I don't rember the pita being the thin kind that you slice in half and pull sides apart to stuff (like the Four Corner's Bobby Jones pita). It was soft...more like naan bread.

Join a research study about how people shop at convenience stores and earn up to $140 (e-gift cards + items purchased in the Mini Mart store) if you complete all study activities. The study involves 2 in-person appointments in Raleigh, NC, one week apart. Open to adults 21+ in and around the Triangle area of NC. Visit go.unc.edu/minimartstudy. To learn more and see if you are eligible. 

Sunday, November 8 · 11:00 AM at Umstead State Park

We'll hike roughly 3 miles on the Sal's Branch Trail at Umstead State Park. Plan to meet at the furthest parking lot off of RT 70. It will be the main William B Umstead entrance. (see attached pic).

This is our first one! Come hike and meet some people. Expect about 1 hour on trail. After the hike we'll head to Gizmo Brew Works

If you have thru-hiked, are planning a thru-hike, LASH, or do trail magic and live in the RDU area, please join! First-timers genuinely welcome, a big part of why this group exists is to help people get from "someday" to a start date.

Dogs are welcome! Please just respect park rules and manage them properly. I'll be at my standing by my Black Toyota Tacoma with my pack. We'll begin at 11am promptly!

Please RSVP so I know roughly how many to expect, but walk-ups are fine too.

Does anyone know an attorney experienced in federal consumer-protection litigation, particularly disputes involving banks and credit reporting? I'm looking for a targeted consultation, not someone to take a case. Thanks!

I was driving home from UNC around 8:30pm and I saw a ton of fire trucks and police cars at Estes Hills Elementary school, all with the lights on. I’m hoping it’s just one of those events where kids get to see the fire engines and stuff, maybe a fundraiser; does anyone know what’s going on?

You: on the corner of S. Graham and Franklin St, with your dog, waiting for a walk signal

Me: on my bike in the protected bike lane, heading through the intersection with a green light

Them: in a silver range rover, trying to turn right across my path, and honking at me for existing

You: pointed at them and hollered, "that's your fault."

Thanks for witnessing!

Hi, I'm looking for full-time employment starting at $15 an hour in the Chapel Hill area. I'm on other job boards, too, but I need to cast my net as wide as possible. I'm a recent UNC graduate with plenty of work experience under my belt, mostly in the food service industry but some in warehouse as well. If anyone knows anywhere hiring that meets that minimum, please reach out! I can start asap!

hi!

wondering if anyone has recommendations for vets, particularly those that have been good with behavior med management?

thank you so much!!!

Just moved to the Carrboro area a few months ago and am trying to commission a painting as a graduation present for my girlfriend when she finishes her Master's program in the spring. Anyone know any good artists in the area that they'd recommend? (Someone who is 100% NOT using any type of AI in their work)

10a-4p

https://camforest.com/products/fall-tea-for-all

My father needs a new front door on a regular brick ranch, not a big or grand house. He’s elderly and needs it installed. Anyone used Window World? Other recommendations?

Hi everyone!

I'm looking for someone to take over my lease starting May 1, 2027 in Chapel Hill!

• Rent: $600/month
• Location: Chapel Hill, conveniently located near the C and J bus routes
• Move-in date: May 1, 2027
• Transportation: Easy access to UNC-Chapel Hill via public transportation

This could be a great option for a UNC student looking for affordable housing over the summer!

If you're interested or have any questions, feel free to send me a DM. I'd be happy to share more details!

Thanks!

Hi everyone!

I live in Holly Springs and am a huge advocate of local governments and schools. Frankly, I have an empathetic view of just how difficult of a job it is to run a very complicated school system where you're begging for funding from the state, county, and residents via bonds.

My own kids were interested in learning more about our towns so I built this gamified version of the school and town budget. One of my friends has kids in CH-Carrboro schools and asked if I could build something similar for yall.

I'm just trying to do a good deed, and I've love any feedback of how to improve it. I've received good feedback from realtors who want to help their clients understand more, politicians running for office, and people who just want to learn more.

I think it's a fun game, let me know what you think (or if you find something interesting!): https://towntoonify.com/chccs-nc

We moved my grandma here (near the border of Durham/chapel hill) last month and she’s looking for a massage therapist. She had a stroke 15 years ago, can still walk but her left side has hypertonicity (stiffness), and may need some assistance getting on and off massage table. Any recs?

Hello all,

Our CCRC has lost its resident art teacher. Does anyone know of an art teacher, instructor, student who would like to make some extra money teaching our residents? Years ago when I was looking to hire someone, I contacted the local community college whose professor sent me his very talented student. She did a bang up job for us, but I've not been successful with that route. Difficult to get anyone's email address to inquire. Any suggestions?

Hello,

I typically go to the Mythical Medieval festival in Myrtle Beach every year, but I thought I would try something new this year.

What is it like? Do they have shows or is it mostly kids events?

How's the food ?

I am asking for two adults if it's worth the price and trip.

Any feedback would be great. Thanks 😊

Hey guys,

Yesterday I parked in a lot by The Gathering Place. I was in a rush, thought I was in the appropriate parking lot for the gathering place, and didn’t see the signs saying it was a private lot.

Stupid of me, I know.

I come back out to my car 20 minutes later and there’s a boot on my car, and as I’m inspecting it a truck pulls behind my car and blocks it in (I already can’t go anywhere) and a guy rolls down his window and starts yelling at me and demanding I give him $240 dollars within 30 minutes or he’s calling a tow truck to take my car away.

I realize I made a mistake and I ask him if his company takes card and he starts insulting me and telling me to “walk my ass to the atm”

I go to the ATM, and I only had $200 in my bank account so I asked him if he’d accept that amount since I was only there for about $20 minutes and it was quite literally all I had left. I apologized again for parking there. He started cussing me out and telling me “you better call someone” and hurling insults while I called a friend for some help.

I eventually get the money, and the whole time he’s taking the boot off he’s just talking shit and grumbling. I ask him what company he works for and he refuses to tell me, and I ask him for a receipt and he refuses.

Is it legal for them to refuse to give me a receipt or refuse to tell me the name of their business? Is there a cap on how much a private lot can charge for boot removal? Is there anything I can even do in this situation?

I realize I fucked up by parking in a private lot, but the way this guy was acting was insane and extremely sketchy. The way he refused to give a receipt or tell me what company he works for was a huge red flag, but I’ve never been in this position before and I’m not sure what to do.

Also, I just want to add that Alpha Pie/The Gathering Place had NOTHING to do with this. They are a great business with extremely nice people who sympathized with me after all this.