Emily Bivins, currently principal of Carrboro Elementary, will be the principal of Frank Porter Graham Elementary beginning July 1, 2013.

Bivins has been the principal of Carrboro Elementary since 2006 and was the district’s 2009-2010 Principal of the Year. She also has served as the Carrboro Elementary assistant principal, director of elementary instruction and staff development for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, and coordinator of elementary education for Cherokee County Schools. She was a teacher in three elementary schools.

“Dr. Bivins is a proven and effective educator and we have full confidence in her ability to lead Frank Porter Graham Elementary,” said Superintendent Tom Forcella. “Her track record and her passion for student learning will drive that school’s pursuit of sustained excellence.”

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University, a master’s degree from Elon University and another from the UNC, and a doctorate also from UNC.

Animal Services to

celebrate holidays

As a part of its annual ‘Home for the Holidays’ campaign, Orange County Animal Services has several upcoming events and community activities scheduled.

Cans of dog and cat food can be donated to the Animal Services Center at 1601 Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill, through Dec. 21 to be delivered to needy pet owners by Orange Congregations In Mission (OCIM) and Chapel Hill Meals on Wheels.

In addition, the 2013 calendars from the News & Observer’s ‘Most Adorable Pet Contest’ are now on sale for $5 at the Animal Services Center. The calendar features the 13 contest winners and proceeds will go to the Animal Services Department.

Other holiday events include:

• Adoption Specials for select dogs ($60) and cats ($50). Selected animals will be noted online and with a special announcement on their kennel cards.

• Adoptable dogs will be representing Animal Services Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Hillsborough Holiday Parade and Saturday, Dec. 8 at the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Holiday Parade.

• K9 Kindness Pet Training Class will be held at the Animal Services Center Saturday, Dec. 8, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Registration fee is $5.

• Pictures with Santa at the Durham/Chapel Hill Petsmart on Sunday, Dec. 9, from noon to 4:30 p.m. Proceeds go to the Animal Services Department.

Pictures With Santa at the Animal Services Center on Saturday, Dec. 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is 4 or more cans of donated food to the Canned Pet Food Drive.

For a full listing of events and to see pictures of animals that are lost or available for adoption, please visit www.orangecountync.gov/animalservices.

Orange County Library

gets into holiday spirit

The month of December at the Orange County main Library in Hillsborough will showcase an array of beautiful ornaments created by members of the Garden Club and the Library’s Teen Advisory Board. Visitors of all ages can celebrate the season by participating in family ornament making, Hanukkah song and dance, children’s Tea Time, a visit from Scrooge, and a puppet show.

The Friends of the Orange County Public Library will host author Moreton Neal from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, celebrating another successful year in support of the Library. Neal will talk about the second edition of her book, Chapel Hill Food Lover’s Guide with Carrboro and Hillsborough (hot off the press). This would be an ideal gift for the food lovers on your list. Copies will be on sale for $10.

The Library will deck the halls with an Ornament Making activity from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2. This coincides with the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough’s Candlelight Tour. Families are invited to stop by and unleash their artistic talents as they create handmade ornaments.

Back by popular demand, Marv Axelrod will share Hanukkah stories, songs and dance at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4. This is designed for ages 6 to 11 years old.

Wear your favorite dress and tiara or shirt and tie for a special Holiday Tea Time. The gathering will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8. This fancy, fun event is geared toward families and kids age 3 to 6 years old.

Bright Star Theater will present “A Dickens Tale” at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11. Everyone is invited to join Scrooge, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim for this heartwarming retelling of the Charles Dickens classic.

Grey Seal Puppets will return to the Library at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 12, to present a Holiday Cabaret for all ages.

The ArtsCenter Stage invites the public to a short musical performance of "All is Calm." This will take place at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12. Afterwards, the audience is encouraged to join the cast for a conversation about the play, which tells the story of the Christmas Truce of 1914.

A variety of local authors will share ‘Winter Tales’ at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13. The guest authors include: Alex Granados, Rebecca Gomez Farrell, Gray Rinehart, Mur Lafferty, and James Maxey. Their storytelling is designed just for this evening’s program. Stop by and enjoy some refreshments along with the original literary offerings of our hometown writers.

The Library is hosting a family holiday movie at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15. This PG rated animated movie reveals the incredible, never-before seen answer to every child's question: 'So how does Santa deliver all those presents in one night?'

For more information about these festivities and other library events, please call the Main Library at 919-245-2532 or visit the Orange County Library online at orangecountync.gov/library