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December 2021


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This Month's Headlines:

27th Annual Cary Kwanzaa Celebration

December 30, 12-4p.m. |Cary Arts Center
Don't miss this cultural celebration honoring African-American people and their heritage. This year's event features performances by the United Strings of Color and the Harambee Collective. The Kwanzaa Celebration is produced by the Town of Cary in partnership with the Ujima Group Inc. To learn more, visit townofcary.org/Kwanzaa

Dreamfest 2022

Join us January 12-17 as we honor the life, work, and vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The celebration will include a staged performance of “No Fear and Blues Long Gone: Nina Simone” an intimate portrayal of the legendary North Carolina artist Nina Simone. This virtual presentation chronicles the effort to preserve Nina Simone’s childhood home in Tryon, NC. We will also screen a children’s show “African American Heroes and Sheroes,” and the films "MLK/FBI", "Selma", and "I Am Not Your Negro". For more information and a complete listing of events, visit townofcary.org/dreamfest

Lend a Hand for Dreamfest activities
Join us in honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. with a host of events throughout the month of January. We need volunteers at Good Hope Farm and Dorcas Ministries to help address food insecurity in our community.

This year, there are two ways to participate: become a Donation Station Volunteer in our contactless Dreamfest Food Drive, or join us at Good Hope Farm on January 17 for our MLK Day of Service community workday. Learn more and sign up at townofcary.org/dreamfest

New Year / New You

Ring in 2022 with our New Year, New You activities throughout the month of January! With a special focus on highlighting all the ways that Cary Cares, this month-long campaign will offer helpful tips and exciting opportunities to care for your mind, body, community, and planet. Visit townofcary.org/carycares to learn more.

Fire-Free Celebration

Winter holidays are a time for families and friends to get together. But that also means a greater risk for fire. Following a few simple tips will ensure a happy and fire-safe holiday season. Nationally, more than a third of home decoration fires are started by candles and more than half of decoration fires happen because decorations are placed too close to a heat source.

Holiday Decorating

  • Be careful with holiday decorations. Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
  • Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.
  • Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect.
  • Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.
  • Keep decorations away from windows and doors.

Holiday Entertaining

  • Test your smoke alarms and tell guests about your home fire escape plan.
  • Keep children and pets away from lit candles.
  • Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet.
  • Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop.

Cary It Green

The Last of the Leaves
We’re collecting loose leaves through February 6. Remember to place leaves curbside by 7 a.m. on the first day of your collection period. Avoid placing leaf piles on or near sidewalks, storm drains, fire hydrants, water meters, and mailboxes. Know your pickup dates by searching your address at townofcary.org/collects

Holiday Collection Changes

  • Our Citizen’s Convenience Center is closed January 1.
  • The week of January 17 all curbside collections remain unchanged and our Citizen’s Convenience Center is open regular hours. Set a reminder with Cary Collects so you never miss a pickup! townofcary.org/collects

Compost Your Holiday Greenery
Reminder that Christmas trees and other natural decorations may be placed at the curb for your weekly yard waste collection. Put items out by 7 a.m. on your collection day. Do not include artificial materials like lights, wires, and ornaments so we can compost the natural greenery.

So Many Deliveries, So Much Cardboard!
 Three options to recycle it:

  1. Flatten and/or cut boxes to fit in your recycling cart with the lid closed. Avoid cramming so all recyclables can empty into our trucks.
  2. Drop cardboard off at the Citizen’s Convenience Center.
  3. Request free cardboard collection at townofcary.org/311 or call 311.

Stay Connected!

Are you receiving communications from the Town of Cary? Are you getting information about topics that matter to you? Signing up to receive text or email messages from us is quick and easy. Visit townofcary.org/email and fill in the required fields. We've got you covered!

Winter Tree Talk: Pining for Pruning Information?

If you’ve got a mature or young tree that needs pruning, join Cary’s Urban Forestry Manager for guidance on how to prune a tree properly. Learn more and register by searching “Tree Talk” at myCary.org for the free “Tree Pruning Tips” webinar scheduled for January 12, 12-12:30 p.m. You will receive a WebEx link to the session 24 hours in advance of the interactive class

Cultural Calendar

27th Annual Cary Kwanzaa Celebration
Dec 30, 12-4 p.m. | Cary Arts Center
townofcary.org/kwanzaa

MLK / FBI
Jan 13, 2 p.m. | The Cary Theater
Jan 15, 7:30 p.m. | The Cary Theater
townofcary.org/dreamfest

Selma
Jan 13, 7 p.m. | The Cary Theater
Jan 15, 5 p.m. | The Cary Theater
townofcary.org/dreamfest

Marvelous Music Mainstage Series:
"No Fear and Blues LongGone: Nina Simone" featuring Yo anda Rabun
Jan 14, 7:30 p.m. | Cary Arts Center
townofcary.org/marvelousmusic

Marvelous Music Family Series:
Linda Gorham presents African American Heroes and Sheroes
Jan 15, 11 a.m. | Cary Arts Center
townofcary.org/marvelousmusic

I Am Not Your Negro
Jan 16, 2 p.m. | The Cary Theater
townofcary.org/dreamfest

Share With Us!

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