Public Works Connects Us

So much of what makes Cary great comes from the services provided by our top-notch public works crews.

Join the country May 21-27 in celebrating these unsung heroes with this year’s theme, “Public Works Connects Us.”

In Cary, public works professionals include those who manage water, sewer, and waste removal systems as well as those responsible for maintaining public buildings, streets and grounds. They are, in short, many of the people who maintain and improve the systems and services vital to our community’s health, safety and comfort.

Want to show your appreciation? These small actions speak loudly to our crews:

• Reduce your speed when driving in construction zones.
• Place your trash and recycling carts at the curb by 7 a.m. on your collection day, away from cars and mailboxes.
• Keep a clean and tidy area around your meter box.
• Call (919) 469-4090 and book a free pick-up if you have more cardboard than fits in your recycling cart.

You can report many public works-related non-emergency service requests via services.townofcary.org.

We thank the hundreds of public works professionals who work tirelessly to keep us all connected!

Budget Season is Here

We’ve received the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. It reflects our commitment to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting and is only presented to about 1500 organizations throughout North America.

Now’s your chance to see what our budget is all about. Be sure to check out the proposed upcoming fiscal year budget online starting May 12, and seize the opportunity to speak directly to Council at their June 9 regular meeting. By law, our Council must adopt a balanced budget by June 30, 2017.

“Budget Development” at www.townofcary.org

Memorial Day in Cary

Join us May 29 for a Memorial Day ceremony honoring vets of all wars and conflicts at the Veterans Freedom Park on Harrison Avenue. For your own comfort, consider bringing your own chair.

While Town Hall and most staffed facilities will close May 29, curbside collection services will remain on schedule the week of Memorial Day. The Citizen’s Convenience Center will be open its holiday hours on May 29, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

“Memorial Day” at www.townofcary.org

Cary Parkway/High House Road Improvements

Join us June 13 for an open house to check out the final designs and ask questions about the upcoming intersection improvements coming to Cary Parkway at High House Road. Stop by the Cary Senior Center anytime from 5-8 p.m. Construction is anticipated to begin this fall.

“Cary Parkway at High House Intersection Improvements” at www.townofcary.org | (919) 469-4333

Time to Sign-Up & Play Ball

Now’s the time to register your slugger for fall baseball and softball. In Cary, youth baseball is for ages 8-16 and softball is for ages 8-17. Registration runs June 19-July 9 and can be completed online at classweb.townofcary.org or in person at any community center.

“Youth Sports” at www.townofcary.org | (919) 469-4061

Free Outdoor Concert Series

Make time to take in one of our free summer concert series: Starlight Concert Series at the Page-Walker Gardens and Summer Sertoma Series at Bond Park’s Sertoma Amphitheatre.

The Starlight Concert Series is a lively series of musical styles from near and far. The eclectic series starts June 2 with the annual Yankovic Day celebration by the Polka Plus Band and continues with bluegrass, jazz and reggae through August.

The Summer Sertoma Series brings local performers onstage at the Sertoma Amphitheatre nestled within Bond Park. Tyler Hughes & Sam Gleaves perform June 10 with their banjo and fiddle close mountain harmonies and country gospel songs. Other entertainment now through August includes trumpet player Al Strong and vaudevillian hucksters Jonathan Byrd & The Pickup Cowboy.

For both series, food, chairs, picnic blankets and leashed pets are permitted; alcohol is not. In the event of inclement weather, updates will be posted to www.townofcary.org/rainout.

“Concerts” at www.townofcary.org | (919) 469-4061

Building Safety Month: Building Safety and You

When you enter a home or business, most likely you’re not thinking about whether it’s properly constructed and safe.

Fortunately, your local safety experts think about building safety and fire prevention every day.

To help raise awareness, we’re celebrating building safety this month. The theme, “Code Officials—Partners in Community Safety and Economic Growth,” will highlight green building, disaster safety, fire safety and backyard safety. Stop by Town Hall or the Cary Senior Center through May 31 for educational displays.

“Business and Development” at www.townofcary.org | (919) 469-4046

Longer Days, Longer Hours

Now through September, you have an extra hour each day to dispose of your trash, recycling and yard waste at our Citizen’s Convenience Center. The facility, at 313 N. Dixon Avenue, is open weekdays until 7 p.m. and until 6 p.m. on weekends and summer holidays. A full list of accepted items is on our website.

“Citizens Convenience Center” at www.townofcary.org

Find Your Zen

Isn’t it time to reconnect and recenter? We’re marking International Yoga Day on June 21 with yoga from sunrise to sunset.

Instructors will guide one-hour sessions at several parks, community centers and cultural arts facilities. Sessions are appropriate for any age and skill level. Mats are provided if you don’t have your own.

Specific class times and registration information is available online.

Can’t join us? All community centers in Cary regularly offer yoga and pilates classes. Pick up a program guide at any community center for the current schedule.

“Yoga Day” at www.townofcary.org | (919) 469-4061

Cleaning Out Your HHW

Avoid creating a new mess by keeping household hazardous waste (HHW) out of our garbage and recycling carts where they can spill onto our trucks, streets or your yard. This includes old paint, pesticides and other toxic, corrosive or flammable products. Take these to the South Wake HHW Collection Center, 6130 Old Smithfield Road.

“Curbside Collection” at www.townofcary.org

Bands, Bites and Boats

Come to the Bond Park Boathouse on May 26 and June 30 for live music, food trucks and evening boat rentals.

The fun runs from 5-8 p.m. with live music from 6-7:30 p.m. In honor of our service men and women, those with a valid military ID will receive half-price boat rentals on May 26.

Local performers and food trucks change each month.

“Bands, Bites and Boats” at www.townofcary.org

Let’s Chat About Water

In support of our Long Range Water Resources Plan, you may receive a phone call over the next few weeks to participate in a water utility survey. The survey is a follow-up to our 2011 survey with randomly selected residential utility customers. Results from both surveys help us to better understand perspectives on our community over the years.

While participation is optional, we thank you in advance for taking the time to complete this important scientific poll as we use the information to provide guidance on our future water supply and infrastructure.

“Water Survey” at www.townofcary.org | (919) 469-4030

Certified Wild and Proud of It

We’re one of just 101 communities nationwide to achieve national recognition as a Community Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. Through the efforts of over 400 citizens, organizations and businesses, we supported pollinators by planting native plants, providing places for wildlife to find shelter and raise young, and implemented other green landscape practices. You can still join the cause: search “Cary Garden for Wildlife” at www.townofcary.org or visit a certified location in person the next time you visit Hemlock Bluffs, the Compost Education Center at Bond Park and the Page-Walker Arts and History Center.

Yard Sale for a Cause

Thousands of great items will be up for grabs at the annual Cary Senior Center yard sale on June 17. All proceeds support the Cary Senior Center and the many clubs that call our Senior Center home.

Consider contributing your unwanted items to the sale. Donations will be accepted June 15 and June 16 at the Cary Senior Center.

“Annual Yard Sale” at www.townofcary.org | (919) 469-4081

Father’s Day in Cary

Take an adventure with Dad at Bond Park on June 23. We’ll start the fun with a boat ride on Bond Lake then enjoy a hot dog dinner at the nearby shelter. Pre-registration required and includes one child and one parent; additional rates available for multiple children.

“Dogs with Dad” at www.townofcary.org | (919) 462-3970

Fire it Up, Safely

Let the grilling season begin! Start by choosing a safe area to place your grill. It should be away from your home and deck railings and never on a balcony. Give your grill a good cleaning; accumulated fats and grease are more likely to start a fire. When you light your grill, be sure to open the lid first. Once finished, turn off all burners on the gas grill and close the valve on the top of the propane tank. For charcoal, let the coals cool completely before removing them and only dispose in a metal container.

Cultural Connection

NC Symphony Summerfest,“Play with the Pros.” May 27, 7:30 p.m., Booth Amphitheatre. www.boothamphitheatre.com.

En Plein Air Art Auction & Gala. June 9, 6-8:30 p.m., Cary Arts Center. (919) 469-4061.

Six Strings Presents Chuck Brodsky and Wyatt Easterling. June 9, 8 p.m., The Cary Theater. www.thecarytheater.com.

American Dance Festival’s “We Love Arabs” by Hillel Kogan. June 13-14, 7:30 p.m., The Cary Theater. www.thecarytheater.com.

Six Strings Presents David LaMotte with Bill West. June 23, 8 p.m., The Cary Theater. www.thecarytheater.com.

Bud Bits

The Town of Cary has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association for the FY16 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). This is our 32nd consecutive year receiving this award.

Planning your Fourth festivities? We are, too! “Independence Day” at www.townofcary.org

Old Reedy Creek Road Trailhead is the start of our 7-mile Black Creek Greenway, and the parking lot is now complete! Remaining amenities, including restrooms, will be completed this summer. “Old Reedy Creek Trailhead” at www.townofcary.org

Volunteer your time and talents to help the Town Council.  “Boards and Committees” at www.townofcary.org.

Goal! North Carolina FC returns to WakeMed Soccer Park June 4 and June 24 to take on the New York Cosmos and Indy Eleven, respectively. www.northcarolinafc.com