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February 2024


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This Month's Headlines:

March Into Earth Day

Dig in and grow green this spring with dozens of classes, celebrations, giveaways, and volunteer opportunities. Join Cary in our efforts to build a more sustainable and resilient future, visit carync.gov/green for a complete list of programs.

Celebrate Trees and Help Grow Our Urban Forest

Did you know that 80% of Cary’s tree canopy exists on privately-owned land? Join us in growing a healthy and resilient urban forest by planting a free native tree in your yard, taking a class, and celebrating Arbor Day! The My Tree, Our Tree lottery runs February 14-March 14 with a pickup event on April 6. Residents can register for a chance to receive their choice of a Redbud, Sweet Bay Magnolia, Black Gum, Nuttall Oak, or Dogwood tree. To help you care for the trees in your yard, be sure to also sign up for our March 28 Tree Talk class on Soil Care.

Held in conjunction with the My Tree, Our Tree pickup on April 6, Cary will also be hosting our annual Arbor Day celebration including activities for kids and environmental education about native plants, composting, gardening, wetlands, and more. While supplies last, Arbor Day guests can also pick up a free tree sapling from our Ask an Arborist booth! Visit carync.gov/treetalk for the full spring lineup of urban forestry activities.

Spring Forward! Test Your Smoke Alarms

As daylight savings time approaches on March 10, use this date as a reminder to check the safety devices in your home:
• Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are operational.
• Change batteries and replace all smoke detectors over 10 years old and all carbon monoxide detectors that are out of date.
• Check the manufacturer's recommendations for the replacement dates on your carbon monoxide detector.
• Check the gauge on your fire extinguisher to make sure it is fully charged and in a readily accessible location.
• Make a home escape plan, take time to practice it with loved ones.
To learn more from the U.S. Fire Administration, visit usfa.fema.gov/smokealarms and usfa.fema.gov/carbonmonoxide

Recreation Made Easy

RecTrac is Cary’s new recreation registration system for citizens and visitors to sign up for programs, classes, and other programming. An account is needed to register for programs, so let your friends and families know about this new system! Visit carync.gov/programs for more information.

St. Patrick's Day Films At The Cary

March 17, 2 and 5 p.m. | The Cary Theater
As part of our 10th Anniversary celebration, we will be hosting free movie screenings throughout the year. Join us at The Cary on Sunday, March 17 for free screenings of The Secret of Kells at 2 p.m. and The Commitments at 5 p.m. Visit thecarytheater.com for more information and tickets.

Applause! Cary Youth Theatre Presents Matilda Jr.

March 22 & 23, 7:30 p.m., and March 24, 3 p.m. | The Cary Arts Center
Applause! Cary Youth Theatre is proud to present Matilda Jr.! This story of a girl who dreams of a better life and the children she inspires will have audiences rooting for the "revolting children" who are out to teach the grown-ups a lesson. Suitable for ages 4+. Visit carync.gov/matilda-jr for more information and tickets.

Audition for Applause! Cary Youth Theatre's Production of Peter & The Starcatcher

Applause! Cary Youth Theatre will be holding auditions for teens age 12-18 on Monday, April 1 and Tuesday, April 2 for summer production. Design team interviews for teens age 12-18 interested in working behind-the-scenes will be held on Wednesday, April 3. Visit carync.gov/audition-interview for more information and to register for an audition or design team interview.

Cary 101

The Cary 101 program is returning for another year of engaging presentations and hands-on activities this spring! This six-week program serves as an opportunity for citizens to increase their understanding of local government and spur even greater community involvement. Selected participants will get a behind-the-scenes look at Cary's culture, departments, and operations prior to their graduation in May. Applications are open March 1 through 15. Visit carync.gov/cary101 for more information and to apply.

Cary It Green

Composting Continues in Cary!
Residents can now bring all their kitchen scraps, including meat, bones, and many paper products to a second Food Waste Recycling Drop-off site at 425 Mills Park Drive to be collected for commercial composting!

Need a refresher on what’s accepted? We’ve got you covered through our online class “Food Waste, Drop-offs, and You.” This free lunch and learn takes place on March 14 and features tips to make it clean, convenient, and impactful to use either drop-off location.

For gardeners and DIYers interested in making compost in a backyard bin, we’re also hosting six separate Compost Giveaway Workshops March 8-11. Participants can join us at Good Hope Farm for instruction, guidebooks, bags of organic compost to use at home, and a chance to see the magic of compost at work in the fields of Cary’s organic teaching farm. Visit carync.gov/compost for registration and more.

Get Garden-Ready at Good Hope Farm
Come on down to the farm and learn gardening skills, volunteer in the fields, take a tour, purchase produce, or pick up plants to grow at home! Visit carync.gov/goodhopefarm for information and to learn more.

Clean Up a Stream During Creek Week
Cary is home to dozens of creeks that flow into two major river basins in our state. Protecting water quality is a top priority in Cary, as water connects us all to each other and the region at large. We invite you to celebrate Creek Week, March 16-23. Visit carync.gov/spruce to sign up for a creek-side litter cleanup.

Stay Connected!

Are you receiving communications from Cary? Are you getting information about topics that matter to you? Signing up to receive text or email messages from us is quick and easy. Visit carync.gov/email and fill in the required fields. We've got you covered!

Cary 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

Annual Water Disinfection Process

Each year, Cary joins neighboring communities to temporarily suspend the use of ammonia in our water treatment process. This follows the state’s recommendation that all water systems that use chloramines (a compound of chlorine and ammonia) for disinfection temporarily switch to chlorine only. During this process, we also release water from fire hydrants to help ensure chlorine flows through the entire system. These short-term changes are an important part of maintaining our water system and help ensure our award-winning water remains safe.

If you use water for kidney dialysis, fish aquariums, and other chlorine-sensitive uses, be aware that from March 1 to April 11, the water may contain chlorine or a mixture of both chlorine and ammonia. While the water may have a more distinct chlorine odor during this time, it remains safe to drink. Have a question? Visit carync.gov/waterchange or call 311 for more information.

Cultural Calendar

Marvelous Music Mainstage Series: The Tartan Terrors
March 8, 7:30 p.m. | Cary Arts Center
The Tartan Terrors are their own Celtic Invasion, mixing musical energy with traditional folklore, dance, and humor. With an arsenal featuring classic bagpipes and fiddle, driving drum tones, and signature guitar styles, audiences will marvel as The Terrors use their sonic blitz to underscore award-winning Step Dancers and internationally-recognized comedic performers alike. carync.gov/marvelousmusic

Twist of Gold
March 9, 7:30 p.m. | The Cary Theater
The golden threads of pop and sultry notes and rhythms of jazz intertwine, creating an event that leaves you inspired, uplifted and with a newfound appreciation for the timeless magic of music. thecarytheater.com

Legacy of Jazz: The Great American Crooners
March 23, 8 p.m. | The Cary Theater
Celebrating Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Tony Bennett, and Nat King Cole, featuring Grammy-nominated vocalist Clint Holmes and The Christian Tamburr Trio. thecarytheater.com

Performances at the Page: Solomon Eichner
March 24, 4 p.m. | Page-Walker Arts & History Center
Enjoy an afternoon of classical piano in the cozy atmosphere of the Page-Walker. Refreshments served. Tickets are $22 and available at The Cary Theater and Etix. carync.gov/performancesatthepage

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.