We are gearing up for our first Really Really Free Market!

– Sunday, 2/13, 10am-2pm – at Northgate Park, between the tennis courts and big picnic shelter (hosted by North Durham Mutual Aid)

As we prepare, we are asking that folks start to brainstorm what they may have to offer.

The premise of a Really Really Free Market is that people will be bringing, giving, and taking because we understand that a lot of what we need, we collectively have.

Feel free to bring whatever you have, decide the day of, etc., but we are asking that if you know of a skill or resource you may be able to offer, please reach out and let us know!

Finally, please share this among your circles to get the word out to gather as much collective resources and community power as possible!

If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at NorthgateResponse@gmail.com or call 919-886-4614

For updates, follow us on Instagram – @NorthDurhamMutualAid
Or check our website – https://durhammutualaid.org/north

Northgate Park Neighborhood Association is sponsoring our annual Luminaries in the Park again this year! Due to the pandemic, we’ve had to re-think how to safely create this magical event, and we need your help to create some festive winter cheer!

We’re looking for neighbors to help us make the luminaries! Can you volunteer to make a set of 20 luminaries (or more than one set?) – adding sand and a candle to a paper bag – and then put them out around the park on the afternoon of December 12th? Come pick up a set of materials, take it home, and create the luminaries in the comfort of your own home. Our goal is to create and set out 500 luminary bags!

The packs are available in the gazebo behind 2500 Shenandoah Ave (with more detailed instructions). Please feel free to pick up a pack anytime during the daytime. There will be a sheet in the gazebo to sign to help us keep track.

Want to help with the event?! We need volunteers to help with candle lighting the day of the event, clean up the day after, and general help the day of. Please contact Eric for more information and sign up to help for a shift here.

Want to decorate your own home? We also have limited luminary sets available for purchase. Please contact Kari to order a set of 10 luminaries for $10 (including the bags, sand, and candles). You can pay for a house pack using PayPal on the northgateparknc.org website or mail a check to the NPNA Treasurer. Contact Kari for payment details and to set up delivery.

Sunday, October 31st at 2501 Farthing Street

Live Music and sound effects by Simone Fine
Appropriate for all ages and free!
10 minute show, every 20 minutes
6:00, 6:20, 6:40, 7, 7:20, 7:40, 8pm

Northgate Park Final Food Truck Pop-Up of the season
Thursday Oct 28, 5:00-7:30 pm, Parking lot by the Tennis Court (300 W. Club Blvd, Durham)

NPNA is bringing a  socially distanced/take home family-friendly Fall craft activity to our final food truck pop-up for this season.

Self-Guided Fall Lantern Craft: NPNA will be providing 24 fall lantern DIY kits for interested kids & their families to assemble on-site or take home 

For more info – https://tinkergarten.com/activities/let-there-be-light

Dinner: Tex-Mex food truck, Cilantro Mexican is returning to the Park. Check out their classic menu here –   https://streetfoodfinder.com/cilantromexicannc#!menus_section

Pre-Order: Order window Tuesday 26 Oct at 5:00pm – https://streetfoodfinder.com/cilantromexicannc

Onsite/Walk-up: Accept cash and cards

IMPORTANT/SOCIAL DISTANCING INFO:
Cilantro staff prepare/serve all food with PPE (face coverings, gloves) and are using COVID-19 approved cleaning supplies to keep high-touch areas clean. Debit/Credit Card readers/keypads will be sanitized after usage with these products. Also, hand sanitizer will be available for customers at the order windows.

NPNA is proud to organize a family-friendly event such as food truck pop-up + music but please keep social distancing and face-covering in mind so everyone, especially young children who are not able to be vaccinated, and immunocompromised individuals can feel safe and enjoy this outdoor neighborhood event.

We would like to ask all attendees to please:

• Wear a face covering when arriving/present at the park to order & pickup (all participants/attendees, of whatever immunity status)
• Maintain 6 ft distance from others when participating and avoid grouping close to the truck
• Supervise children at all times
• Save time being in line with pre-ordering online when available
• Minimize the number of persons doing the pick-up to keep event headcount low
• Pets must be leashed at all times if brought to pick-up/walk-up orders. They must stay 6ft socially distant too!

NPNA reminds all that participation in any NPNA events or activities are at the attendee’s own risk.

We had 20 entries and the results are in! Congratulations to the winners and thanks to everyone who participated!

Scariest kid: Ada

Scariest adult: Stef

Most Original kid: Rosie

Most Original adult: Tashi

Funniest: Alexander & Sharon

Most Detailed: Leroi

Carve your pumpkin at home and drop it off, or bring your pumpkin and carving tools and join us for a socially-distanced carving

When:

• Socially distanced carving: Saturday October 30th at 3:30
• Pre-carved drop-off: Saturday October 30th from 3:30 – 5:30.

Where:

• Lavender House at the Park, Northgate Park

Can’t make the drop-off? Drop-off your carved pumpkin at Lavender House anytime before Sunday, October 31, at 3:30 and send us an email at npnaevents@northgateparknc.org with a picture so we’ll know it’s yours for judging because there will be –

Prizes!

Categories:

• Scariest
• Funniest
• Most detailed
• Most original.

Come see the entries! Pumpkins will be lit at dusk on October 30th and October 31.

NPNA is squeezing a BONUS food truck pop-up on Thursday October 14th with Succotash and Bruster’s before our final food truck event on 10/28

Succotash:  Succotash’s motto is ” Fine Southern Fusion Fast” – reflecting the bold traditions of the South, including Louisiana Cajun & Creole, Texas BBQ, Low Country Cuisine from the Carolinas, and a little kick from Mexico! 
Menu  http://succotashdurham.com/index.php/the-truck/– includes Vegetarian + Vegan Options
Pre-Order: https://streetfoodfinder.com/order/112907
Onsite/Walk-up: Accept cash and cards

Bruster’s: Ice cream includes options like “Graham Central Station” and “Tin Lizzy”, along with many classic favorites.
Menu: https://streetfoodfinder.com/brustersapex#!menus_section
Pre-Order: Order window starts the day of event 14 Oct until 3:00pm https://brusterstruck.square.site/  Please provide the last four digits of your order number at pick up!
Onsite/Walk-up: Accept Cash and Cards

IMPORTANT/SOCIAL DISTANCING INFO:
Succotash & Bruster’s staff prepare/serve all food with PPE (face coverings, gloves) and are using COVID-19 approved cleaning supplies to keep high-touch areas clean. Debit/Credit Card readers/keypads will be sanitized after usage with these products. Also, hand sanitizer will be available for customers at the order windows.

NPNA is proud to organize a family-friendly event such as food truck pop-up + music but please keep social distancing and face-covering in mind so everyone, especially young children who are not able to be vaccinated, and immunocompromised individuals can feel safe and enjoy this outdoor neighborhood event.

We would like to ask all attendees to please:

• Wear a face covering when arriving/present at the park to order & pickup (all participants/attendees, of whatever immunity status)
• Maintain 6 ft distance from others when participating and avoid grouping close to the truck
• Supervise children at all times
• Save time being in line with pre-ordering online when available
• Minimize the number of persons doing the pick-up to keep event headcount low
• Pets must be leashed at all times if brought to pick-up/walk-up orders. They must stay 6ft socially distant too!

NPNA reminds all that participation in any NPNA events or activities are at the attendee’s own risk.

Saturday, October 16th, 8:30 – 12:30

Featuring Arepa Culture Truck, serving grilled Venezuela-style arepas.

NPNA is once again welcoming back local entertainment – come hear the local band Spiral Cut featuring

Jon Newlin: fiddle/guitar
Terry Burtyk: banjo/guitar/fiddle
Bobb Head: fiddle/guitar/banjo
Dane Summers: dance
Andrew Berger-Gross: mandolin/guitar/banjo

Tips are also appreciated – Virtual Tip Jar (Venmo and Paypal) will be available at the event.

Can’t make it this month? Mark your calendar for our finale food truck event on 10/28

Arepa Culture:  Check out their most popular, La Tica ( Sauteed chicken with carmelized onions/bell peppers topped with provo-mozz) or try a Vegan El Beyond (Beyond Meat Crumble, Organic Greens & more toppings). Menu at http://www.arepaculturenc.com/foodtruckmenu – includes Gluten-free + Vegan Options!

Note from Arepa:  “We can happily accommodate a variety of dietary restrictions/preferences with our allergy-friendly menu items.”

Pre-Order: Order window starts day of event on 23 September, 8:00am – 7:30pm
https://arepa-culture-online-ordering.square.site/s/order
Onsite/Walk-up: Accept cash and cards

IMPORTANT/SOCIAL DISTANCING INFO:
Arepa & Dusty Donuts staff prepare/serve all food with PPE (face coverings, gloves) and are using COVID-19 approved cleaning supplies to keep high-touch areas clean. Debit/Credit Card readers/keypads will be sanitized after usage with these products. Also, hand sanitizer will be available for customers at the order windows.

NPNA is proud to organize a family-friendly event such as food truck pop-up but please keep social distancing and face-covering in mind so everyone, especially young children who are not able to be vaccinated, and immunocompromised individuals can feel safe and enjoy this outdoor neighborhood event.

We would like to ask all attendees to please:

• Wear a face covering when arriving/present at the park to order & pickup (all participants/attendees, of whatever immunity status)
• Maintain 6 ft distance from others when participating and avoid grouping close to the truck
• Supervise children at all times
• Save time being in line with pre-ordering online when available
• Minimize the number of persons doing the pick-up to keep event headcount low
• Pets must be leashed at all times if brought to pick-up/walk-up orders. They must stay 6ft socially distant too!

NPNA reminds all that participation in any NPNA events or activities are at the attendee’s own risk.

Please join us for a volunteer opportunity to explore and catalog Durham’s beautiful nature!

No experience necessary! Simply take a photo of plant or animal life during the week of September 24th through October 3rd and upload it to the iNaturalist app – it’s that easy!

iNaturalist training sessions will be offered, and you can participate on your own or in small organized groups anywhere in Durham. In addition, we will be hosting organized walks in ECWA preserves and Durham parks within Ellerbe Creek Watershed!

More information here