Greetings, Carrboro Citizen readers. Here’s a little bit about what’s going on in Chatham County this month.
The campaign for the November election is heating up. Countywide, there is a referendum on whether or not to enact the land transfer tax, which is stirring up passion on both sides of the issue. In Pittsboro, Mayor Randy Voller is running for re-election along with three challengers to incumbent Pittsboro commissioners. Michelle Berger, Jim Hinkley and Gary Simpson seek to oust incumbents Gene Brooks and Clinton Bryan. Max Cotten, another incumbent commissioner, is challenging Voller.
The Chatham County United Chamber of Commerce is putting quite a bit of energy and elbow grease into this year’s Chatham Business Expo, slated for October 24. With the theme “Linking Business and Community,†the event this year is focused on introducing Chatham citizens to local businesses. The event is open to the public. Admission is free.
The expo will be held again at Pittsboro Ford, 1245 Thompson Street. Exhibits open at noon. In addition to raffles and door prize drawings each hour during the event, there are featured speakers and special events scheduled throughout the day.   Many exhibitors have indicated they will provide samples of their wares. For example, Duke Center for Living will offer chair massages and a fitness-class demonstration. Chatham Hospital will provide onsite health screening. Restaurant exhibitors will be offering tasting samples from their menu. Click on www.ccucc.net for a current list of exhibitors.
Other Chatham events of interest include the Fall Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance, which will be held October 11 to 14. Tickets are available online at www.shakorihills.org and by telephone at 542-8142.
The First Annual Holistic Harvest Festival in Chatham County is slated for Saturday, October 20, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Chatham Mills,480 Hillsboro Street in Pittsboro. The purpose of the festival is to give the community a day to immerse in and learn from practitioners of holistic healing and spirituality. Learn about and have fun with more than 35 exhibitors, including environmentally conscious building and sustainable-living exhibitors. The festival is hosted by Unity Books and Stuff in Pittsboro and Soul 2 Soul Center of Healing in Moncure. For more information, call 545-0619 or click on www.unitybooksandstuff.com
uite a few authors will be visiting McIntyre’s Fine Books in Fearrington Village. On Friday, October 12 at 2 p.m., Chatham County resident Stephen Elder reads from his first novel, Frank. On Saturday, October 13 at 11 a.m., John Hart visits to discuss his new book, Down River. On Sunday, October 14 at 2 p.m., Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Edwin M. Yoder, Jr. will read from and discuss Lions at Lamb House.
On Saturday, October 20 at 11 a.m., local television reporter Amanda Lamb visits to discuss her new book, Smotherhood. On Friday, October 26 at 2 p.m., Bob Carlin, accompanied by music, will discuss The Birth of the Banjo: Joel Walker Sweeney and Early Minstrelsy. On Saturday October 27 at 11 a.m., Jean Anderson will read from a delectable portrait of both the food and rich culinary history of the South, A Love Affair with Southern Cooking: Recipes and Recollections. Call McIntyre’s Fine Books at 542-3030 for details.
Enjoy Halloween at Fearrington Village. Dozens of elaborately carved jack-o-lanterns will be on display Monday, October 29 through Wednesday, October 31. On Tuesday, October 30, there will be kids’ Halloween activities, including Spooky Storytime at McIntyre’s Fine Books, from 6.30 to 7.30 p.m., as well as a Hay Bale Maze and a visit from Belted Galloway Cows and Tennessee Fainting Goats. Local bluegrass band Guilty Pleasures will entertain the ghosts and goblins with a free outdoor concert in the village center on Tuesday and Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. Call 542-2121 for details.