Keep Them Safe: School’s In, Speed’s Out

School bells will soon be ringing all throughout Cary, and our Police Department is taking to the streets to remind everyone to safely share the road with buses, cyclists and pedestrians.

From Aug. 28 to Sept. 8, we will conduct our annual School’s In, Speed’s Out traffic safety campaign to reinforce safe school zone practices. Each school day during the campaign, our Traffic Safety Team will monitor school zones in Cary, rotating zones according to the beginning and end times for each school. Both mornings and afternoons will be monitored for speed enforcement, pedestrian safety, bicycle safety, and vehicles passing stopped school buses in addition to any other violations observed.

Drivers should expect to see an increased presence near all schools within Town limits.
Additionally, in support of the State’s Watch for Me NC campaign, within the same time frame of School’s In, Speed’s Out, our officers will conduct undercover pedestrian operations in various business, residential, and school zone areas designed to ensure drivers are yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks, and those traveling by foot are using crosswalks.

To safely share the road with buses, drivers should always stop when behind a bus with its crossing arm extended. Drivers must stop when facing the bus if on a two-lane street, two-lane street with center lane, or four-lane street without a median separation. More specific information on the North Carolina School Bus Stop law can be found at www.ncbussafety.org.

To further promote traffic safety, pedestrians are reminded to use sidewalks when possible and if in the road to walk facing traffic. Bicyclists should wear light-colored or reflective clothing, ride with traffic, and obey all signals and signs as if driving a motor vehicle. Cyclists under 16 years of age are required by law to wear a helmet; helmets are encouraged for adults.

If you witness unsafe driving within Cary Town limits, report it to the Town’s Road Watch Hotline at (919) 319-4521.

“Traffic Safety Team” at www.townofcary.org

Fire Station No. 9 Relocation

Join us Sept. 12 for an open house to check out the proposed design and ask questions about our upcoming Fire Station No. 9 Relocation project. Stop by Fire Station No. 2 at 601 E. Chatham St. anytime from 4-7 p.m. Construction is anticipated to begin in summer 2018.

“Fire Station No. 9 Relocation” at www.townofcary.org or (919) 319-4578

Check Out Our FY18 Budget

Our Fiscal Year 2018 budget was approved by Town Council on June 22 and is available for you to view online. The $311-million budget keeps the property tax rate and solid waste fee unchanged, while utility rates rise by three percent. Highlights include the Reedy Creek Road widening project, continued downtown improvements, historic preservation, and the hiring of a detective to address the ongoing opioid crisis. This is also the first of Town Manager Sean Stegall’s re-imagined process of budgeting, shifting from an annual budget event to a quarterly review process for updating the needs and priorities of our community.

“Budget” at www.townofcary.org

Be a Part of Applause!

Applause! Cary Youth Theatre is scheduling interviews and auditions for its upcoming production of “Lizzie Borden of Fall River.” Design team interviews are Sept. 5 and auditions are Sept. 6; appointments are scheduled between 5-9 p.m.

Preregistration begins Aug. 23 and is required. Email rachel.baranski@townofcary.org to reserve your spot. There is no fee to participate; open to ages 13-18.

“Applause” at www.townofcary.org

BUD Bits

Town of Cary offices and most staffed facilities are closed for Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4. There will be no GoCary Fixed Route or Door-to-Door services. The Citizen’s Convenience Center is open 8 a.m.-6 p.m., while Sk8 Cary, Bond Park Boathouse and the Cary Tennis Park are also open. “Holiday Schedule” at www.townofcary.org

Find your favorite fall activities in our Fall 2017 Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Program Guide, now available in libraries, the Cary Chamber of Commerce, and any Town-staffed facility, including Town Hall and community centers. Also available to view online. “Program Guide” at www.townofcary.org

Not registered to vote? You can pick up a registration form at the Town Clerk’s office on Town Hall Campus, driver’s license office, or your local library. You can get forms at the Wake County Board of Elections office in downtown Raleigh for Wake County residents; in Chatham County, forms can be picked up at the Chatham County Board of Elections in Pittsboro. “Elections” at www.townofcary.org

Score on the pitch at WakeMed Soccer Park as the North Carolina Football Club takes on the New York Cosmos on Aug. 26, FC Edmonton on Sept. 2 and Puerto Rico FC on Sept. 16. The Carolina Courage host the Houston Dash on Sept. 9. All matches are 7:30 p.m. “WakeMed Soccer Park” at www.townofcary.org

An artist reception for the 15th Annual FALC Senior Exhibition will take place on Aug. 25 from 3-5 p.m. at the Cary Senior Center. Enjoy two-dimensional art made by local citizens over the age of 55. Co-hosted by the Fine Arts League of Cary. “Senior Center” at www.townofcary.org or (919) 469-4081

Parents and kids: join us for Playtime in the Park on Sept. 14 from 10 a.m.-noon in the Downtown Park. Have a ball with special activities and games for kids of all ages!

The USA Baseball National Training Complex has three youth events in September: Labor Day Cup (Sept. 2-4), Impact Baseball Showcase (Sept. 9-10) and Purpose Driven Baseball Showcase (Sept. 16-17). “USA Baseball” at www.townofcary.org

Good Hope Farm a Winner

Our Good Hope Farm partnership was awarded the 2017 North Carolina Land Trust Local Government Conservation Partner of the Year Award. This award is presented annually by North Carolina’s 25 local and regional land trusts to the local government that has shown a sustained and outstanding commitment to partnering with land trusts for conservation initiatives that have a positive influence on land or water preservation in the state.

With its rich agricultural history and mission to be good stewards of our natural resources, we partnered with the Conservation Trust for NC, The Conservation Fund, the North Carolina Community Development Initiative, and the Piedmont Conservation Council on this innovative farm project. The 30-acre historic Good Hope Farm is leased to the PCC to provide land access to a new generation of farmers and to connect residents to local healthy food. The project’s success thus far is in no small part due to the support of Town Council and the hard work and boundless enthusiasm of our staff and community volunteers.

“Good Hope Farm” at www.townofcary.org or (919) 469-4061

Dragon Boats Sail into KBA

We welcome you to join us at the the 4th Annual Dragon Boat Festival at the Booth Amphitheatre on Sept. 23. In addition to a full slate of dragon boat races, this celebration of Asian culture includes dozens of live stage performances, games for kids, food vendors, cultural and health information booths, and more. Organized by Asian Focus with races by Pan Am, the festival offers family fun in a beautiful setting while learning about the Triangle’s growing Asian community. Gates open at 9 a.m. Tickets are $5 in advance and $8 at the door.
www.boothamphitheatre.com

College Fire Safety

It’s time for students to head off to colleges and universities. Whether housing is on campus or off, fire safety should be a top priority. For students choosing on-campus housing, learn the building’s evacuation plan and always evacuate when the alarm sounds. Before signing a lease, make sure smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are present and functional and never disable, remove, or cover them. Windows and doors should open easily and never be blocked. All bedrooms should have a window large enough for an adult to escape from in an emergency. Consider an escape ladder for bedrooms located above the ground floor.

“Public Education” at www.townofcary.org

Roll With Us

Changes to some curbside collection routes are coming this fall. Over the next few months, we’ll provide details in Bud and on our website so no carts are left behind.

“Curbside Collection” at www.townofcary.org

Hometown Spirit Nominees Wanted

Know a Cary resident who enhances the quality of life in our community by preserving, promoting, and carrying out positive and quantifiable traditional small-town community values and traits? Then let us know, as we’re accepting nominations for our Hometown Spirit Award from Aug. 28 through Sept. 22.  Nominees need to be age 21 or older and should demonstrate qualities such as helping neighbors, showing hospitality, supporting local businesses, promoting a sense of community, and displaying patriotism.

A panel will select the award winner after the nomination period ends.  All nominees will be recognized at a reception and the Hometown Spirit award winner will be announced at the Nov. 16 council meeting. 

Enter your nominee online at or call for information at (919) 319-4505.

“Hometown Spirit Award”at www.townofcary.org

Let’s Talk About the Tank

We’re adding a three million gallon ground storage water tank on Jones Franklin Road and invite you to join us at our open-house style neighborhood meeting Tuesday, Sept. 19 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Dillard Drive Elementary School to learn about the project. 
“Crossroads Tank” at www.townofcary.org

Lazy Daze on Town Campus

Come join us for the 41st Annual Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival as we enjoy the last lazy days of summer and celebrate the coming of fall for a celebration of art, music and food for the whole family. It’s the third year in a row one of our biggest and most beloved events will be located on Town Hall Campus and the second year we’re going for two days: Saturday, Aug. 26 from 8:45 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 27 from 12:30-5 p.m.

The fun starts with the opening ceremonies at 8:45 a.m. on Saturday. We’ll have over 300 artists from 16 states providing high quality art in 11 different mediums. Featured artist is Contemporary Modernist Eric McRay. Providing fun and entertainment will be the Town Crier; the Jerry Miller awards; four stages of eclectic live entertainment; and food and drinks at vendors and food trucks across the festival. New this year is an expansion and relocation of the Sister Cities Beer Garden, including more beer selections and entertainment.
The Lazy Daze Kids World interactive area will feature live entertainment, games and activities for children of all ages. The Cary Theater will transform Council Chambers to show short films from the NC Schools of the Arts.

Since it is unlawful to take your pet to Lazy Daze, please leave them at home, only service animals are allowed. Animal Control Officers ask you to leave if you are seen with an animal during this event. For more information, you may call (919) 319-4517.

The most convenient way to get to Lazy Daze is our free shuttle bus from Cary Towne Center or Green Hope High School. Buses depart starting at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday and 12 p.m. on Sunday. The last buses leave the festival at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.

“Lazy Daze” at www.townofcary.org

Cultural Connection

Bands, Bites & Boats presents Garth Robertson, food by Oak City Fish and Chips, Aug. 25, 6 p.m., Bond Park Boathouse, “Bands, Bites & Boats” at www.townofcary.org or (919) 469-4100

Theatre Raleigh presents “Rock of Ages,” featuring the music of hit bands Styx, Journey, Whitesnake, and more; Sept. 7-10; gates open at 6:30 p.m., concert starts at 8 p.m.; Booth Amphitheatre.
www.boothamphitheatre.com

Cary Town Band presents “Colors,” Sept. 8, 7:30 p.m., Sertoma Amphitheatre in Bond Park, www.carytownband.org or (919) 469-4069

Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Love and Comedy Tour,” with Richard Dworsky & The Road Hounds, Heather Masse, and Fred Newman, Sept. 15, 7 p.m., Booth Amphitheatre, www.boothamphitheatre.com

2CELLOS: The Score Tour, Sept. 22, 7 p.m., Booth Amphitheatre, www.boothamphitheatre.com

Marvelous Music Series presents The Doo Wop Project, Sept. 22, 7:30 p.m., Cary Arts Center, “Marvelous Music” at www.townofcary.org or (919) 462-2055

Marvelous Music Family Series, Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble presents Keeping the Beat, Sept. 23, 10 a.m., Cary Arts Center, “Marvelous Music Family” at www.townofcary.org or (919) 462-2055