Bud Newsletter - November 2009
Extreme makeover: Cary redesigns Web site
We recently launched the fifth redesign of our official Web site, www.townofcary.org, serving up a fresh appearance and easier navigation of more than 55,000 files.
Visitors to our site now have drop-down menus, breadcrumbs, quick links and more icons to help them find what they’re looking for in less time.
On our home page, our Online Services section makes it easy to apply for a job, pay a utility bill or register for a sports league. Our News section has been expanded to include links to our video files, weekly public notices, the Cary TV 11 programming schedule, and the online version of the Bud newsletter.
A new “Sunshine” section puts access to the Town’s public records at your fingertips. From one click on the home page, you can view official meeting agendas and minutes or learn more about your Council representative.
We’ve also revamped our Electronic Mailing List Service, which is now provided by GovDelivery. In addition to receiving daily headlines in your inbox, you can now select two new services: wireless alerts for emergency notifications and updates on your favorite Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources programs.
The new layout of our site is courtesy of a new template-driven content management system provided by Active Network.
Send us your thoughts on the Web site’s new design at feedback@townofcary.org.
Behind the scenes at Cary Town Hall
Get an innovative, hands-on, behind-the-scenes look at Town government, decision-making, and the people and facilities that provide the services you use every day.
Applications for the Town of Cary School of Government class of 2010 will be accepted through Dec. 31. Sessions are scheduled for Wednesday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. from Feb. 3 through March 17, 2010 plus one session on Saturday morning, Feb. 13, from 9 a.m. to noon.
For more information or to download an application, go to the Town’s Web site at www.townofcary.org or call 469-4006.
'Tis the season for celebration
Kick off the season with a full day of holiday cheer on Dec. 5 in historic Downtown Cary!
The celebration begins with the Heart of Cary’s Old Time Winter Festival on the streets of Downtown Cary from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy arts and crafts, entertainment, food, and start (or finish) your holiday shopping. Santa Claus will be there!
After the festival, head over to Town Hall campus for the official tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. We’ll illuminate the beautiful 30-foot cedar tree for the first time this season and unveil the “community tree” inside Town Hall, which features handcrafted ornaments by local community groups.
Also, be sure to stop by the Page-Walker Arts and History Center for a Holiday Open House from 4-6 p.m. Tour Cary’s own 1868 historic hotel, sing carols, and enjoy refreshments.
For more on Cary’s holiday celebrations, visit www.townofcary.org.
Winterize your irrigation system
If you have an automatic irrigation system, consider winterizing it for the colder months when it’s not in use.
First, drain water from your system to prevent cracking lines and heads. Then remove or insulate the backflow prevention device and other exposed pipes.
Winterizing can help prevent water in the pipes from freezing and cracking the lines and heads. Find out more in the Water Conservation section at www.townofcary,org.
- Children ages 10 and younger are invited to make holiday crafts in Santa’s workshop on Dec. 5 at the Herbert Young Community Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Planning to start cleaning up your holiday decorations before the New Year? Drop-off centers will accept Christmas trees beginning Dec. 14 through Jan. 11, 2010: Citizen’s Convenience Center, Oak Grove Elementary School, and Green Hope Elementary School. Please remove all non-vegetative material and leave trees in the designated areas.
Free removal of junk cars in Cary
Our junk vehicle program makes it easy for you to remove unwanted vehicles and keep our neighborhoods looking good.
A vehicle is considered “junk” if it doesn’t have a current license plate and at least one of the following is true:
• It’s partially dismantled or wrecked;
• It doesn’t run or move as intended;
• It’s more than five years old and looks to be worth less than $100.
If you know of a possible junk vehicle, call us and we’ll send information to the owner about free removal. Please note that a vehicle that is used on a regular basis for work or personal use is not considered a junk vehicle, regardless of its appearance.
It is unlawful to store a junked/aesthetic nuisance motor vehicle on public or private property within the Town’s municipal boundaries.
To arrange for removal of your junked vehicle or to report one, call our zoning compliance staff at 469-4082.
Holiday collection schedule
Tuesday’s collection will be on Monday, Dec. 21;
Wednesday’s collection will be on Tuesday, Dec. 22;
Thursday’s collection will be on Wednesday, Dec. 23; and
Friday’s collection will be on Thursday, Dec. 24.
During the week of Dec. 28, yard waste will not be collected so that Town crews can collect excess garbage.
Kwanzaa celebration
Don't miss the 15th annual Cary Kwanzaa celebration on Saturday, Dec. 26, at 11 a.m. in the Herbert C. Young Community Center.
Cary Kwanzaa is a communal, cultural celebration that honors African-American heritage. Events at Cary Kwanzaa include an inspirational guest speaker, musical and performance acts, community market and activities for children.
The event is co-sponsored by The Ujima Group, Inc. and the Town of Cary. For more information, call 460-4963.
Santa's mailbox at Town Hall
We’ve made special arrangements with Santa Claus for Cary Town Hall to be a drop off site for letters to Santa Claus! Beginning Nov. 30, drop off your letters in Santa’s Mailbox and your child will hear back from our jolly friend in red! Make sure to include your child’s name and address on each letter. All letters must be received before Dec. 18.
Please remember that cats and dogs are not allowed to roam freely in Cary. Animals must be kept on a leash in town and on Town property except in approved, designated areas such as inside the Town’s Dog Park.
Arbolito de la Esperanza lighting
Join us for a special tree lighting ceremony on Friday, Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. at the Herb Young Community Center.
The lighting of the “arbolito” will be preceded by a traditional Latin celebration with a pot-luck dinner with holiday foods from different Latin American countries. Local Latino musicians will play music and help the audience sing along to traditional holiday songs. In preparation for the Desfile del Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day Parade), the selection of the Parade Princess and Prince will be made. For more information, call 460-4963.
- Triangle Sacred Harp Singers, Nov. 22, 2-4 p.m. at the Page-Walker Arts and History Center. Free. For more, call 460-4963.
- Cary Art Loop, Nov. 27, 6 p.m. at various locations. For details, visit caryartloop.org.
- Cary Players presents It’s A Wonderful Life, Dec. 4-7, 8 p.m. in Cary Town Hall Council Chambers. For information, visit www.caryplayers.org.
- Cary Town Band: A Carolina Christmas, Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m., at Cary Senior Center in Bond Park. For details, call 847-8806.
- Friends of Page-Walker Concert Series: Enloe High School Magnet Music Program, Dec. 13, 4 p.m., at Page-Walker. Details at 460-4963.
Exhibits
- Karim Shahin: Three Dimensional Old Houses.
