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January 2024


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This Month's Headlines:

Black History & African American Appreciation Month

Throughout the month of February, Cary will celebrate Black History & African American Appreciation Month. Events and programs will be hosted at various venues around the town that will focus on this year's theme of Acknowledging the Past while STREAMing into the Future (STREAM is an acronym for “science, technology, research, education, arts, and music”).

Among the programs for the month are contemporary spins on traditional songs with the NC Jazz Ensemble and the Sons of Mystro, one of the Triangle's finest spoken word artists in Dasan Ahanu, and the STREAM Symposium featuring tips and hacks for getting ahead in the Digital Age. Visit carync.gov/BHM for more exciting offerings throughout the month.

Recreation Made Easy

RecTrac is Cary’s new, easy-to-use recreation registration system for programs and classes. Cary citizens and visitors must create an account to be ready to register for programs, so we encourage you to let your friends and families know about this new system. Registration for winter 2024 (Jan.-Feb.) will open on January 10 in RecTrac for programs starting January 22. Visit carync.gov/programs for more information.

Cary CERT Hosting CERT Basic Class

Interested in getting involved with community engagement while participating in education and outreach initiatives? Desire knowledge about basic medical operations, fire safety, and basic disaster response skills?

Join Cary CERT for their upcoming CERT Basic Class on March 1 from 5:30–9:30 p.m., and March 2 and 3 from 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., where you will learn the basic skills necessary to prepare yourself for resiliency during natural disasters. For more information, email CaryCERT@gmail.com

Share & Care

A Resource and Networking Event For Persons with Disabilities and Their Caregivers

We may not be meeting in person at this time for our annual Share & Care event, but we can still connect! Be sure to visit carync.gov/shareandcare throughout the month of February to view a list of community resources available for persons with disabilities and for those caring for them.

2024 Biennial Citizen Satisfaction Survey

Researchers for the Town will be calling about 400 Cary households beginning January 29 to get their opinions on a variety of important topics including taxes, customer service, programs, and initiatives. 

The telephone survey will take about 20 minutes, and we encourage folks to take the call and participate if selected from the random, representative sample of Cary households. 

We’ve been doing this survey every two years since 1998, it’s become an important touchstone for the Town Council and staff as we work to keep Cary one of the best places to live, work, and raise a family in the nation. Questions? Visit carync.gov/biennialsurvey to learn more.

Downtown Cary Park

A place of wonder, imagination, pure joy, and natural beauty. Check out our full calendar of inspiring programs and events at downtowncarypark.com/calendar. Questions? Email DowntownParkInfo@carync.gov. 

Cary It Green

Spring My Tree, Our Tree Giveaway
While holiday greenery is coming down, it’s time to think about putting a native tree in the ground! The spring My Tree, Our Tree giveaway will be held in conjunction with the Arbor Day celebration on April 6. Participants who are awarded a free tree can pick up between 11 a.m.-4 p.m. meanwhile the Arbor Day celebration is free and open to the general public from noon-3p.m.

Coming Soon to a Mailbox Near You!
Have you ever had a moment of uncertainty when preparing your recycling? In an effort to help you recycle right, we are mailing informational stickers and magnets to all curbside service addresses. You’ll be able to quickly reference our acceptable materials while also addressing some commonly confusing refuse. We recommend placing stickers on your recycling cart’s lid. Clean your recycling cart's lid before adhering it, and use the magnet as an in-home reference; this way, when you’re in the throes of sorting your disposables, you’ll have a reminder at arm’s length. Remember, when in doubt, throw it out! carync.gov/collects

Cary’s Great Backyard Bird Count
Join in the Great Backyard Bird Count! Stop by Downtown Cary Park, Bond Park, Cary Tennis Park, Cary’s Action Sports, or Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve to find birding supplies and activities. Each location has a unique sticker to collect! Free Birding Walks will be provided at Hemlock Bluffs on Saturday, February 17. You can join the Backyard Bird Count on your own or join a program. Visit carync.gov/explorer to learn more.

Burn Season Begins at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve
As part of its long-term fire management plan for Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve, Cary will perform its annual prescribed burn at the bluffs sometime between January and April 2024, weather permitting. The North Carolina Forest Service and North Carolina State Parks will implement and supervise the burn, which will measure 2-5 acres or the size of a football field. Town staff will offer logistical assistance, and a Cary fire truck will be present on-site during the burn. While certain sections of select trails will close for the day, the preserve and Stevens Nature Center will remain open, and visitors are encouraged to enjoy them as usual. Visit carync.gov/hemlockbluffs to learn more.

Share With Us!

Citizens and businesses are encouraged to share their budget priorities with Cary at any point in the year, and we’ll share what we hear with Town Council through quarterly reporting. Cary's fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30. Let us hear from you! carync.gov/budget

Email: budgetinput@carync.gov
Phone: (919) 469-4307
Twitter: @CaryNCgov with #TOCbudget
Facebook: facebook.com/CaryNCgov
Public Speaks Out: Speak out at a Town Council meeting.

GoCary - New on Facebook

GoCary is now on Facebook! We encourage everyone to visit, like, and follow the official GoCary page for important updates such as detours, schedule changes, new routes, and upcoming events.  This marks an important step forward in ensuring that crucial information reaches our riders quickly. 

The page can be accessed by searching "GoCary" on Facebook.  If you have additional questions, visit GoCary.org or contact us at BetterTransit@GoCary.org

Cultural Calendar

a brilliant and uncertain performance
Feb. 2, 8 p.m. | The Cary Theater
A unique live-band and spoken-word experience based on Dasan Ahanu’s poetry chapbook, “a brilliant uncertain rebellion.” Each poem will be blended with clever interpretations of Andre Benjamin (a.k.a. Andre 3000)’s, musical catalog including Outkast songs and guest appearances to create a performance experience unlike anything else. thecarytheater.com

NC Songwriters in the Round
Feb. 3, 7 p.m. | The Cary Theater
Songwriters share stories behind the songs they’ve written, performing in the round, Nashville style. thecarytheater.com

Legacy of Jazz: Some Enchanted Evening
Feb. 10, 8 p.m. | The Cary Theater
Enjoy the music of Rogers and Hammerstein featuring Jane Monheit and the Christian Tamburr Trio. thecarytheater.com

The Future of Jazz: Featuring NC Jazz Ensemble
Feb. 17, 7 p.m. | The Cary Arts Center
Celebrate The Future of Jazz with the NC Jazz Ensemble as they play an array of R&B, soul, funk, pop, and jazz songs from past and present chart-topping artists. Tickets are available through Etix or The Cary Box Office. carync.gov/BHM

STREAM Symposium
Feb. 24, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Academy Pavilion, Downtown Cary Park
K97.5 radio personality Brian Dawson will make a guest appearance. Session subjects include artificial intelligence, wealth building, entertainment, music, and the reality of tech culture. Witness a unique live STEM hip-hop battle performed through a cypher demonstration by Da' BSo Cypher STEM Lab. Free with registration through Eventbrite. carync.gov/BHM

Bike Cary

Cary is currently updating our bike plan, and we value your participation. Visit carync.gov/BikeCary to learn more about upcoming events and opportunities to get involved during the planning process. Your involvement is vital in shaping the future of bicycling in Cary.