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December 2016
Our Hometown Spirit Award Winner Is ...
Congratulations to Sheila Ogle who’s our 2016 Hometown Spirit Award winner! The award recognizes our community-minded citizens who enhance the quality of life by preserving, promoting and carrying out positive small-town community values and traits. Our Town Council honored Ogle and the other nominess at a reception in November.
Ogle, one of our most prominent business leaders, philanthropists and supporters, has dedicated her life to helping our town bloom into one of the best places to live in the country. According to those who nominated her, Ogle wants everyone in our town to succeed.
When asked about her dedication to our town, Ogle said that she“loves watching her neighbors become successful, strong leaders, and upstanding citizens.” Community contributions include: founding member of Cary Community Foundation and Women’s Giving Networks, operator of the historical Cary landmark Matthew’s House and first woman to be inducted into the UNC Advertising Hall of Fame.
Inspired by a suggestion from one of our residents, the Hometown Spirit Award is given to citizens who demonstrate leadership and integrity. Recipients must also exemplify at least one of the following: help out neighbors and fellow residents; show hospitality; promote and preserve traditional American pastimes; show concern for preservation and work to preserve the community’s traditions and the small-town atmosphere; promote entrepreneurship through support of locally owned businesses; promote a sense of community in their neighborhood and throughout Cary; demonstrate patriotism through promotion and preservation of the country’s symbols and dedication to the U.S. military, past and present; and serve the community through business.
In addition to Ogle, this year’s nominees included Debbie Dillon and Sarah Martin. Our residents 21 and older are eligible for the award.
‘Hometown Spirit Award” at www.townofcary.org
Looking to get rid of some post-holiday pounds? Get back into shape with our free fitness opportunities January 3-7! We’ve put together a variety of adult fitness classes to help you start off 2017 on a healthy step; check out the offerings at our Bond Park, Herb Young and Middle Creek community centers. Grab a program guide or access it electronically to see which classes are offered at which times and locations; choose from yoga, cardio, line-dancing, Pilates, Zumba and more!
“New Year, New You” at www.townofcary.org
(919) 462-3970
Three Kings Day
Celebrate the end of the Christmas season with the Three Kings Day parade January 7 from 1-4 p.m. on our Town Hall Campus! Traditionally during this festival, children in Spanish-speaking countries receive their gifts from the Los Tres Reyes (the Three Kings or Wise Men). For our celebration, the day includes dancing, music, food and a colorful parade.
“Three Kings Day” at www.townofcary.org
(919) 460-4963
Pedestrian Safety
While pedestrians in North Carolina have the right of way at intersections and driveways, they also have responsibilities when navigating traffic. When you’re strolling our streets, use these tips to help keep you safe.
Use crossing signals when available and cross at crosswalks.
Look both ways before crossing the street. Don’t assume drivers will stop.
Always walk on sidewalks when there is one. When there isn’t, walk on the shoulder facing traffic and as far from the street as possible.
Be careful when crossing multiple lanes of traffic. Be certain all lanes are clear before you cross.
Enhance your visibility at night. Walk in well-lit areas, carry a flashlight or wear something reflective such as stickers or armbands to be more visible.
Avoid texting and talking on phones when crossing. Distractions reduce your likelihood of seeing cars.
Follow the rules of the road; obey signs and signals for pedestrians.
Watch for cars backing in parking lots. Remember, sometimes brake lights mean a car is about to reverse.
And while we’re talking about sidewalks, did you know each year our Council prioritizes locations for sidewalk projects requested by citizens and our Police Department? The Council considers such factors as safety, use, need and constructability. For more, search “sidewalk projects” at www.townofcary. org.
Youth Theatre Auditions
January 9-10 we’re hosting auditions for our Youth Theatre’s Still Life With Iris production. Slots are available from 5-8:30 p.m. for ages 6-12; if you audition, be prepared to read from the script - we’ll provide a copy - and do group scene work. Beginning December 28, be sure to make an appointment to audition by emailing rachel.baranski@townofcary.org; we can’t accept walk-ins.
“Applause” at www.townofcary.org
Budget
This month be sure to send us your ideas as we begin to develop our Fiscal Year 2018 Budget which identifies services and projects that will be undertaken from July 2017-June 2018. During December:
Email budgetinput@townofcary.org,
Call (919) 469-4307,
Post to www.facebook.com/TownofCaryNC or
Tweet @TownofCary and include #TOCBudget.
While we welcome feedback any time, comments shared through December will be shared with the Town Manager’s proposed budget in May 2017.
“Budget” at www.townofcary.org I (919) 462-3911
Holiday Collection
There’ll be no change to your garbage, recycling and yard waste collection during the weeks of Christmas, New Year’s and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. For each week, please put your items at the curb on your regular collection day. Our Citizen’s Convenience Center will close December 25 and January 1 and be open holiday hours January 18 from 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
“Holiday Collection” at www.townofcary.org | (919) 469-4090
BUD Bits
Our ever-so-popular Winter Wonderland event returns to Bond Park on January 27-28. Register early as spaces fill quickly! “Winter Wonderland” at www.townofcary.org
The Chinese Lantern Festival at Koka Booth Amphitheatre runs through January 15. Don’t miss the one-of-a-kind, enchanting light displays Tuesdays-Sundays from 6-10 p.m. Tickets are $10-15 per person. www.boothamphitheatre.com
Dreamfest
For over 20 years, we’ve recognized and celebrated the life, work, and vision of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with our annual DREAMFEST. This year’s celebration January 14-16 reflects the theme Empowerment through Language and Literacy, which is explored in multiple programs in locations throughout town.
For our celebration, we’ve organized storytelling for the wee ones to help with learning about Dr. King and his teachings; poetry readings and films; and discussions around building a diverse and inclusive community.
Our Day of Service on January 16 from 10 a.m.–noon and 2–4 p.m at Middle Creek Community Center is a great way to give back! Lend a hand to help maintain and beautify the area around and be prepared to get dirty! Be certain to preregister; while all ages are welcome, those 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
“Dreamfest” at www.townofcary.org
Cary It Green
Compost Your Greenery
After the holidays, leave your Christmas trees, wreathes and garlands at the curb for weekly yard waste collection, or drop them off at the Citizen’s Convenience Center, 313 N. Dixon Ave. Be sure to remove artificial foliage and decorations (tinsel, wire and other items that are not part of the tree). (919) 469-4090 .
Protect Your Pipes
Turn off all outdoor faucets and remove attached hoses to help prevent water from freezing and bursting a pipe. Should a pipe burst, turn the water off using your master water shut off valve, typically located near the water heater or in a closet, or call to have your meter turned off at the street. (919) 469-4090
Leaf Reminder
We’re collecting your loose leaves through January 23 and according to your mailed map and schedule. “Loose Leaf Collection” at www.townofcary.org
Bike Friendly Community
Last month the League of American Bicyclists reaccredited us as a nationally recognized “Bicycle-Friendly Community”. If you’ve not already done so, hop on your bike and discover our over 80+ miles of greenways and explore our network of on-road bicycle-friendly facilities, including over 45 miles of pavement markings.
As part of our Bicycle Plan, we recently added shared use arrows on 14 miles of our streets. These “sharrow” pavement markings reinforce shared use as bicycles are considered vehicles under NC law. They also encourage the safe passing of bicyclists by motorists, help reduce the incidence of wrong-way cycling and assist bicyclists with positioning to travel safely side by side in the same lane. If you’re looking for secure and covered bike parking, we’ve also installed bike lockers at our downtown Cary Depot. The lockers are free to use; just bring a personal lock.
Search and choose different bike and hike routes with the Bike & Hike Cary Mobile App. Download it for free at the Apple and Android App Stores; use keyword search “bike hike Cary”.
“Bicycle Plan” at www.townofcary.org
@ The Cary
Did you know our downtown cinema - The Cary Theater - shows independent films, hosts musicians. comedy and improv? Check out these films during December:
The Vessel
December 29, 7 p.m.
December 30, 9 p.m.
December 31, 2 p.m.
Blood Father
December 29, 9 p.m.
December 30, 7 p.m.
King Kong vs. Godzilla
December 31, 9 p.m.
In January our popular Cinema Studies Series returns. Hosted by The Modern School of Film founder Robert Milazzo, every Tuesday in January he’ll lead the audience in discussions about “things film still does better than television.” The films are screened at 7 p.m., and the cost is $ 10 per film.
And if you’re a frequent movie-goer, ask about our Film Circle; members receive discounts, invitations to events and merchandise perks. Membership is good for one year.
For more information about events, tickets and more, visit www.thecarytheater.com or call (919) 462-2051.
Detect Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Monoxide - an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas - is an invisible killer that could be lurking in your home. If you use gas appliances, burn wood for heat or have an attached garage, you should have at least one working carbon monoxide alarm.
The alarm alerts you to dangerous levels of the gas so you and your family can get to fresh air. Carbon monoxide alarms should be placed on each level of the house and outside of sleeping areas. Consider these alarms just as important to your family’s safety as smoke alarms; install one today!
“Fire Safety” at www.townofcary.org
Cary’s Art Loop
Come downtown and discover Cary Art Loop’s Final Friday on December 30 from 6-9 p.m. This free art crawl is a fun way to enjoy the visual arts, listen to live music, discover some of our town’s many cultural arts offerings and take in all that’s going on downtown. Participating art galleries, restaurants, coffee houses and other businesses offer extended hours.
“Cary Art Loop” at www.townofcary.org
#CaryNC
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