A few key things to know about Carrboro

How to get around

Carrboro is a small town; walking and biking are really the best way to travel. But in lieu of those options, please note:

• The buses are fare free. You can check out schedules and times at ci.chapel-hill.nc.us/index.aspx?page=1176 or check on the system in real time at nextbus.com/predictor/simpleRouteSelector.shtml?a=chapel-hill. The F Bus runs the main route between Carrboro and Chapel Hill. Beware the 9-minute hold at McDougle School from 9 a.m. on. If you live anywhere near Hillsborough and Lorraine, pick it up as it heads east on Hillsborough from that intersection, and save yourself a few minutes.

• The official town traffic jams are located each morning and afternoon Monday through Friday from 7:42 to 8:09 a.m. and 4:31 to 5:27 p.m. or thereabouts on Main and Greensboro streets;

• The left-hand turn is not your friend. Trying to make one from Greensboro to head west on Weaver Street is the worst, as the traffic coming at you has a longer green light;

• You must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, even if you are on the phone, in a hurry or pretending you don’t see them;

• There are more than a dozen private and public parking lots neatly tucked away in the downtown area. There’s an extensive parking report with lots of maps on the town documents page at townofcarrboro.com/docs.htm;

• If you are towed: The town recently passed an ordinance that says you can’t be charged more than $100 if you’ve been towed away and $50 if you’re on the hook, but still on the property. If you get charged more than that, challenge it.

How to find out what’s going on

You’re reading one of the best ways to find out about events and happenings. In addition to our monthly MILL publication, we publish weekly music and community calendars and maintain a “happenings blog” at carrborocitizen.com/mill

You can also check out our friends at Carrboro.com for events, history and things about town. For arts events, we recommend visiting walkcarrboro.com and 2ndFridayArtwalk.com

Farmers’ Market tips

The market opens at 7:00 a.m. on Saturdays and has a bevy of regulars who know that getting there early guarantees you a better set of choices. Heirloom tomatoes and fruits, especially berries, go early. If you’re not an early riser, you might want to check out the Wednesday afternoon market, which runs from 3:30 to 6:30. More information at carrborofarmersmarket.com

As for parking at the market, avoid the jam at Town Hall and park along Fidelity Street or in the downtown lots on East Main or Weaver streets.

Where to find free Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is abundant throughout downtown, with the town’s municipal wireless filling out the accessibility. Weaver Street Market is home to a fairly robust signal, as is Open Eye Café. Traffic in both places can bog down a bit when they get crowded.

What’s up with all the food trucks?

The variety of mobile food wagons has grown over the years. There are taco trucks downtown, usually Thursday through Saturday, in the evenings and sometimes into the wee hours. Johnny’s on West Main has a rotating selection, including a taco truck, a crepe wagon (lovely on a Sunday morning) and an awesome Indian buffet.

How to get a beverage in a crowded nightclub at 1:30 a.m.

The adage that there is never an excuse for being impolite is highly applicable in this situation. No pointing, whistling or other overzealous gesticulating. If you have cash in hand, that’s a plus, but don’t wave it around. In short, make it easy on the bartender.
Keep the transaction simple, quick and polite, and they’ll remember you next time as an easy-to-deal-with customer.