February 2021

This Month's Headlines:

Cary's 150th!
The Word on Water
A Change with Time
Mask Up Cary
Cary It Green
Programs & Events
Fix a Leak!
Pets on Leashes
Share with Us!

Cary's 150th!

In April 2021, Cary will turn 150 years old! To celebrate, we are planning opportunities to honor Cary's past, engage all citizens in the present, and excite our community about the future. Our town’s history is the shared history of the people, places, and events that brought Cary to where it is today. As we look back on 150 years, we encourage you to share memories of your Cary experience as part of our virtual scrapbook.

Submit your memory or story through at www.cary150.org. Stories will be published on our celebration site and highlighted on our social media. Consider adding a picture when submitting your story and feel free to use these questions to help shape your memory:

When did your family come to Cary? What brought you here?

Do you have a special memory of a favorite Cary landmark or event?

Thanks for making history with us, and stay tuned for more birthday updates! www.cary150.org

The Word on Water

Annually, we join neighboring municipalities to temporarily suspend the use of ammonia in our water treatment process. We do this to follow 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 26, 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. Questions? Call 311 or visit www.townofcary.org/waterchange.

A Change with Time

As daylight savings time approaches on March 14, 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Change the batteries and replace all smoke detectors over 10 years old and all carbon monoxide detectors that are out of date.
Check the manufacturers 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 the operating range. Place your fire extinguisher in a readily accessible location.
Make sure you have a home escape plan and take this time to practice it with your loved ones.

For more, call (919) 460-4958 or visit www.townofcary.org/firesafety.

Mask Up Cary

In an effort to help continue to help slow the spread of COVID-19, we have launched a new mask campaign, Mask Up Cary! As part of the campaign, you will see signage around Town asking you to wear your mask when you visit greenways and parks. Be sure to look up, down, and all around for friendly reminders to "Mask Up Cary"! www.townofcary.org/maskup

Cary It Green

Grow Green This Spring!

We want to support you in growing your greenest garden ever this spring! Join us for our free virtual programs this March to learn about home composting and growing your own food. Look for details in April about how to order your backyard compost bin or rain barrel, and how to have your own backyard chickens! For complete program details, visit www.townofcary.org/green.

Learn How Water Connects Us!

As we kick off Creek Week, enjoy an educational video filmed from the banks of the beautiful Swift Creek! Learn about the importance of creeks as ecosystems, and how they connect to water supplies and others downstream. Discover ways you can make positive impacts to the environment and our waterways. No registration is required for this event. The video will be available from our environmental Facebook platform, Cary It Green, starting March 15 at 9:30 a.m. at www.facebook.com/caryitgreen. More Creek Week information and activities, from Cary’s membership in the Clean Water Education Partnership, can be found at www.townofcary.org/stormwatereducation.

My Tree, Our Tree

Enhance your landscape by planting a tree in your yard this spring. As part of our “My Tree, Our Tree” campaign, receive a free tree planting kit including a native tree in a three-gallon container and a tree guard. In honor of the Town's sesquicentennial year, 150 trees will be available at two distribution events, along with a 150th commemorative tree marker. Together, we can add to the health and beauty of our community’s beautiful canopy of trees! For program details, including registration information, visit www.townofcary.org/mytreeourtree.

Programs & Events

While many in-person Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department classes, events, and programs are canceled until further notice and facilities remain closed to the public, we look forward to connecting with you in other ways. Visit www.mycary.org to browse and register for a wide variety of virtual programs!

Highlights

Our Marvelous Music Online Series presents Roger Day on Saturday, March 20 at 10 a.m. www.townofcary.org/marvelousmusic

Join us for Trivia Tuesdays! Every Tuesday in March, test your skills on a variety of topics. No registration is required and the fun starts at 7:30 p.m. Top players each month win prizes. For complete details, visit www.townofcary.org/trivia.

Theme Nights for March
3/2: Game of Names
3/9: Spring Ahead
3/16: Decades
3/23: March Madness
3/30: Anything Goes

Fix a Leak!

We’re home more these days and that means we’re using more water at our residences. But don’t let sneaky leaks increase your use more than necessary. Toilets are the number one culprit of household leaks. Catch them by putting food color in the tank, and wait ten minutes without flushing. If color seeps into the bowl, you’ve found a leak and likely need to change the flapper. For more, visit www.townofcary.org/fixaleak.

Pets on Leashes

As you enjoy Cary greenways, please be aware of the greenway rules and regulations. As a reminder, our four-legged friends are welcome, but must be kept on a max six-foot leash and walked on the right side of the trails for the safety and enjoyment of everyone. www.townofcary.org/greenways.

Share With Us!

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

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