April 2014

[view as pdf]			Past Issues
May Focuses on Safety	Downtown Streets Coming to Life	D'town Projects Workshop	Sertoma Spring Series Returns
Budget Update	More Plastics OK'd at the Curb	Be BikeSafe This Spring	2nd Annual Cary Night Out
Be a Leader	Be Water Wise	Hot Tips: Practice Your Home Escape	Free Compost with Class
Cultural Connection	BUD Bits

May Focuses on Safety

May is International Building Safety Month, and our Inspections & Permits Department is hosting activities all month long in support of this year’s theme, “Maximizing Resilience, Minimizing Risks.”
We’ll have educational displays at Town Hall and workshops at local home improvement stores. Weekly topics will focus on home fire safety, natural disaster preparedness, backyard safety, and home energy efficiency.
“Building Safety Month” at www.townofcary.org | (919) 469-4340

Downtown Streets Coming to Life

   Spring is here, and that means there’s a host of events blossoming in downtown Cary!
   On May 10 put on your engineer cap for National Train Day at the Cary Depot and Page-Walker Arts & History Center. Learn about Cary’s rail history while enjoying fun-filled activities. Then, from noon to 5 p.m., join your fellow townies for the 10th Annual Ritmo Latino Music, Art & Dance Festival, a family-friendly festival showcasing Latino culture.
   The Seven O’clock Rock Series returns on May 16 with The Fabulous Daddy-O’s. Strut your stuff at this classic block party, and enjoy food, music and dance.
   On May 17, the streets come alive again, as cars of yesteryear and modern hotrods rule the roads at Wheels On Academy. Find that special car that evokes memories of the past or dreams of the future. Enjoy entertainment, food, and fun for the entire family.
   Finally, on May 23, the Downtown Performers Series returns to the Downtown Performance Green with the Polka Plus Band & Yankovic Day Celebration. Bring a picnic, relax and enjoy the best local performers under the stars.
“Events” at www.townofcary.org l (919) 469-4061

D'town Projects Workshop

   We’re in the design phases of two downtown projects adjacent to the Cary Arts Center. Join us from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on May 12 at the Herb Young Community Center for the second public information workshop. View updated designs, and learn more about these exciting projects.
   The downtown park will provide a green space that complements the larger downtown, surrounding neighborhoods and Academy Street improvements. The park’s final amenities and ultimate size are being guided by the Town Council in a series of work sessions with staff and consultants.
   The Academy Street Improvements Project will create a visually enhanced street section of Academy Street and Dry Avenue between Chatham and Walnut Streets. Planned improvements include enhanced pedestrian spaces, upgraded sidewalks, unique streetscape elements, landscaping and utilities.
   These and other projects are funded by the 2012 Cary Community Investment Bonds.
“Community Investment Bonds” at www.townofcary.org

Sertoma Spring Series Returns

Sertoma Amphitheatre is one of Cary’s best kept secrets, and our Spring Sertoma Series looks to be one of the best yet! The intimate venue at Bond Park is a perfect setting for outdoor concerts, so come early for a seat, or pack your own portable chair. Concerts are free and open to the public.
Beginning in April and running through the end of May, this family-friendly series features both local and national talent of all musical genres, so there’s something for everyone!
“Sertoma Series” at www.townofcary.org

Budget Update

Thanks to all of you who participated in February's Budget Input Month. The Town Manager's recommended FY2015 budget, effective July 1, is being developed. It will be presented at the regular Town Council meeting May 8 and posted to our website by May 9.
You're invited to comment on the recommended budget at the May 22 and June 12 Town Council meetings at 6:30 p.m. at Cary Town Hall. By law, Town Council must adopt a balanced budget by June 30, 2014.
"Budget Development" at www.townofcary.org l (919) 462-3911

More Plastics OK'd at Curb

   Beginning April 22, the Cary Recycles program will expand to accept #2 HDPE rigid plastics in a shape other than a bottle and a tub.
   #2 HDPE plastics include items like laundry baskets and lawn furniture. These items must be free of metal, like handles and screws.
   Rigid plastics that do not fit in your cart must be taken to the Citizen's Convenience Center. A free curbside collection can also be scheduled.
"Recycling" at www.townofcary.org l (919) 469-4090

Be BikeSafe This Spring

   With winter behind us, our Traffic Safety Team is back to hosting monthly motorcycle safety presentations.
   Over eight hours, qualified BikeSafe Assessors evaluate your riding skills on the open road, plus spend time in the classroom discussing key motorcycle safety tips. Participants net about 90 miles of driving in multi-environmental conditions.
   To participate, you must register at www.bikesafenc.com. On the day of the class, be sure to bring your properly registered street-legal motorcycle, legal helmet and eye protection along with current driver’s license with motorcycle endorsement or motorcycle learner’s permit and proof of insurance.
www.bikesafenc.com

2nd Annual Cary Night Out

   On May 2, turn off the TV and head out to downtown Cary at the intersections of Dry and Academy for this free celebration to promote safe neighborhoods.
   From 5-8 p.m., join members of our Police Department to see K9 demonstrations, experience beer goggles and a crash simulator, and explore a variety of safety vehicles.
   There will be a fun zone complete with a dunking booth staffed by a Town of Cary police officer, plus Town of Cary Police and Fire personnel will be on hand with information on safety initiatives and to register citizens for free home safety inspections.
“Cary Night Out” at www.townofcary.org l (919) 469-4324

Be A Leader

Help bring conservation information to your neighbor’s doorstep. As part of our Block Leader program, you’ll distribute materials to raise awareness of the Town’s green services, programs and initiatives. Currently, about 100 volunteers serve over 7,000 homes in our community.
“Block Leader” at www.townofcary.org

Be Water Wise

When doing lawn maintenance, remember to protect our water, too. Sweep fertilizer off of hard surfaces back onto the lawn. Consider converting lawns to natural areas that don’t need as much water.
“Stormwater education” at www.townofcary.org

Hot Tips: Practice Your Home Escape Plan

   Take advantage of spring’s warming temps to make a home escape plan and execute a fire drill.
   To create the home escape plan, draw a map of each level of the house, and mark all doors and windows. Identify two ways out of every room, if possible, and discuss the plan with everyone in your household. Once outside, designate a meeting place like a tree, light pole or mailbox.
   During a fire drill, push the smoke alarm button. Practice getting low, closing the door as you leave a room, and crawling out of the home quickly. To end the drill, have everyone meet at your outside meeting place.
   A little preparation now can save lives in the future!

Free Compost with Class

   We’re offering easy ways to green up your garden.
   Sign up via EZ-REG for a Compost Giveaway Workshop and walk away with free compost and the knowledge to get started at home.
   Need a compost bin? Get one through our online Bin Sale, open now through May 15.
“Compost” at www.townofcary.org

BUD Bits

In observance of Memorial Day, Town offices will be closed on May 26. Trash, yard waste and yellow week recycling will be collected as normal during that holiday week, May 26 – 30. “Holiday Collection” at www.townofcary.org l (919) 469-4090

The Cary Town Council has proclaimed April as Fit Cary Month, encouraging citizens to participate in one or more health and wellness activities during the month. “Fit Cary” at www.townofcary.org

Don’t forget Spring Daze is April 26! Join us in Bond Park for local art, entertainment and your favorite festival food. “Spring Daze” at www.townofcary.org

Cultural Connection

Triangle Youth String Orchestra Children’s Concert (Apr. 26, 11 a.m. & 1 p.m., Cary Arts Center). (919) 462-2055.

Triangle Wind Ensemble Spring Concert (Apr. 27, 3 p.m., Cary Arts Center). (919) 462-2055.

Friends of Page-Walker Herbfest (May 3, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Page-Walker Arts and History Center). Free. (919) 460-4963.

SAS Showchoir Performance
(May 7, 7 p.m., Cary Senior Center). Free. (919) 469-4081.

Marvelous Music Mainstage Series: Diane Schuur (May 9, 7:30 p.m., Cary Arts Center). (919) 462-2055.

Applause! Cary Youth Theatre: William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night (May 16 – 18, Cary Arts Center). (919) 462-2055.

North Carolina Opera: Opera in the Pines (May 17, 5 p.m., Booth Amphitheatre). (919) 462-2025.

Really Terrible Orchestra of the Triangle (RTOOT) Concert (May 19, 7:30 p.m., Cary Arts Center). (919) 462-2055.

North Carolina Symphony Summerfest: Play with the Pros (May 24, 7:30 p.m., Booth Amphitheatre). (919) 462-2025.

Triangle Wind Ensemble’s American Celebration Concert (May 25, 7:30 p.m., Booth Amphitheatre). (919) 462-2025.

For more fun in Cary, visit www.townofcary.org or call (919) 469-4061.