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Here’s what’s in today’s issue:
• 🧠 Trivia Challenge: Spotlight Hook
• 😋🍴 Discover Cary (Eat & Drink): Shinmai Shokudo
• 🚗 Drivable Destinations: Explore Fenton
• ✈️ Airline Travel: Hello, Santorini!
• 😄 Meme of the Day – Daily Chuckle
• 🎁 Adventure starts close to home: Thank You For Your Gift
• 📅 Events: Planning your week in Cary?
👉 Browse the highlights. Skip to your favorites.
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Question: In what period of the Mesozoic era did dinosaurs first appear?
(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)
The Robot Boom Is Here. Which Company Comes Out on Top?
Robots are moving into factories, warehouses and hospitals faster than most people realize. When a new industry takes off like this, the instinct is to buy a basket of names and hope one of them hits.
The trouble is that baskets dilute your winners. In a lot of booms, a single company ends up taking the lion's share, while everyone holding the other six watches from the sidelines.
Our report names the one robot company we think comes out on top, and explains why. It normally sells for $19.99, but today it's free. Opt in and we'll also text you alerts on the stock, so you don't miss a move.
Shinmai Shokudo
Shinmai Shokudo is one of the local food places nominated by Cary Spotlight’s readers for our Discover Cary project. If you’ve had a chance to sample their food, feel free to share your opinion below.
Shinmai Shokudo is a cozy, women-run Japanese kitchen on NW Maynard Road. Its slow-cooked tonkotsu ramen is the star, backed up by bento boxes, bao buns, and seasonal dishes made with local produce.
Check out their menu on their website: Shinmai Shokudo
Address: 1904 NW Maynard Rd, Ste 102-2, Cary, NC 27513 | Get Directions
Merkato Cafe’ Ethiopian Food Truck
Explore Fenton
When you want a fun night out without a long drive, Fenton is an easy pick. This 92-acre district sits right off I-40 on Cary Towne Boulevard, next door to WakeMed Soccer Park, and it was built to feel like a walkable downtown. Since it opened in 2022, it has become a go-to spot for dinner, a movie, or just a slow evening stroll with friends and family.
The heart of Fenton is Main Street, which has no street parking on purpose. That means wide sidewalks, open-air shopping, and plenty of room to wander from store to store. Dinner choices run from Italian at Colletta and Tex-Mex at Superica to sushi at M Sushi and wine at CRÚ. Want to keep the night going? Catch a film from a leather recliner at Paragon Theaters, head up to AVA Rooftop Bar, or play games and watch the big screen at Sports & Social.
Some of the best entertainment here is free. Grab a scoop at Honeysuckle Gelato, find a seat near Fenton Square, and enjoy some prime people-watching as the lights come on. The square hosts live music, makers markets, and outdoor movie nights throughout the year, and leashed dogs are welcome on the grounds. Plan ahead for winter, too: Fenton Square usually turns into an outdoor ice rink called Skate the Square from November through early February.
Good to Know:
Location: 201 Fenton Gateway Drive, Cary, NC 27511 | Directions
Hours: Open daily. Store and restaurant hours vary; shops usually close earlier, while restaurants and bars stay open into the evening. Check each business before you go.
Amenities: Restaurants and bars, shops, Paragon Theaters, Fenton Square lawn and fountain, parking decks, EV charging stations, seasonal ice rink
Entry: Free to visit, and parking is free!
Tip: There’s no parking on Main Street. Use the parking decks and lots behind the buildings, and on busy weekend nights, give yourself a few extra minutes to find a spot.
So whether you’re planning a date night, meeting friends for dinner, or just craving a lively evening stroll, Fenton is a Cary favorite that always has something going on.
Official Website: https://www.fentonnc.com/
Just curious…
What's your favorite reason to visit Fenton in Cary?
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Hello, Santorini!
Gateway to Caldera Sunsets and Ancient Ruins
Welcome to Santorini, Greece, a place where whitewashed villages cling to towering cliffs, blue domes glow against the deep blue Aegean, and the sun sinks in a blaze of orange and pink over a flooded volcano. There are no direct flights from Raleigh-Durham (RDU) to Santorini (Thira) International Airport (JTR), but connecting flights through European hubs like London or Athens make it easy to get there.
Once you land, you’ll find an island packed with Bronze Age history, volcanic adventure, and laid-back Greek island life.
Why Visit Santorini?
Oia Village:
Perched on the island’s northern tip, Oia is famous for having one of the most beautiful sunsets on the planet. Wander its narrow marble lanes past cave houses, art galleries, and blue-domed churches, then grab a spot along the old castle walls early, because the sunset crowd fills in fast.Ancient Akrotiri:
Often called the “Pompeii of the Aegean,” this Bronze Age town was buried under volcanic ash about 3,600 years ago and preserved in amazing detail. Stroll along raised walkways above multi-story homes, streets, and storerooms, and picture daily life in a busy seaside town frozen in time.The Caldera and Nea Kameni Volcano:
Just a short boat ride from the Old Port below Fira, the caldera is a giant flooded crater left behind by one of history’s largest eruptions. Hike up to the steaming crater of Nea Kameni, then take a dip in the warm, rust-colored waters of the nearby hot springs before sailing back for dinner.
Travel Guides – Here are two comprehensive travel guides to help you plan your trip.
Lonely Planet: Santorini Packed with expert tips on beaches, villages, getting around the island, and things to know before you go, this guide helps you plan a smooth first visit.
Rick Steves: Santorini Rick’s candid advice, island-hopping basics, and travel forum make this a great resource for travelers who want to skip the tourist traps and see the real Santorini.
Learn about more family trips built for adventurers of all ages.
G Adventures is the leader in small group and solo travel for 30 years, they know how to do it right. Check out the Online Deals: Shop Travel Deals
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Meme of the Day.
Brought to you by Cary's Daily Newsletter.
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This just makes me laugh out loud. 🤣🤣🤣
🎁 Adventure starts close to home.
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📅 Planning your week in Cary?
To save space in your inbox, we’ve moved the full list of events online — now you can plan ahead with access to today’s events and next week! See Upcoming Events
The Answer to the Cary Spotlight Hook Trivia Question 👇👇👇
A) Triassic
Dinosaurs first appeared during the Triassic Period of the Mesozoic era, roughly 230 to 245 million years ago. This was many millions of years before the first modern humans, Homo sapiens, appeared.
Dinosaurs evolved from a group of reptiles called archosaurs (ruling reptiles) during the Mid-to-Late Triassic. They later became the dominant land animals during the subsequent Jurassic and Cretaceous periods before going extinct 66 million years ago.
Learn more: When did dinosaurs live?