Cary Spotlight | Issue #318

New Safety Measures for Morrisville | Celebrate Wake’s Graduates | Art & Skills Classes in Cary

In this Cary Spotlight Issue…

💭Spotlight Hook Trivia

😀 Quote of the Day

📰 Frequent Collisions at Morrisville Intersections: New Safety Measures

📰 Wake County Schools Celebrate Record Graduation Rates and Rising Proficiency

📰 New Art Classes for Kids and Teens in Cary: Register Now

📰 Explore New Skills with Cary’s Fall Workshop Series 

❤️ Thank You for the Flowers!

😋🍴 Savor Cary: Peck & Plume

☀️ Cary NC Weather

📅 Lots Of Events This Week (The Week at a Glance)

🏛️ Support Cary Local Businesses

Our mission: Cary Spotlight aims to keep Cary residents informed about local stories and events, while local businesses get the visibility they need to thrive.

Question: What is the most stolen book from public libraries?

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)

Discover Bee Banhmi, a local business sponsor of Cary Spotlight. They do catering, online ordering, home delivery and in-store. Great food made with quality ingredients. You can read their Business Spotlight | Menu

Partner with us to reach our local audience in Cary, NC.
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Meme of the Day.
Brought to you by Cary's Daily Newsletter.

What qualifies as a meme? “an amusing or interesting item (such as a captioned picture or video) or genre of items that is spread widely online especially through social media.“

Who else do you know in Cary who might also want enjoy reading the Cary Spotlight?

Meme-o-meter

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Frequent Collisions at Morrisville Intersections: New Safety Measures

Following an increase in vehicle collisions at several key intersections, the Morrisville Police Department has initiated a campaign aimed at promoting safer driving. The effort focuses on intersections like Davis Drive at McCrimmon Parkway and McCrimmon at Chapel Hill Road, where traffic volumes are high, and accidents are frequent. Police attribute many of these incidents to distracted driving and speeding.

To address the issue, the police have implemented roadside digital signs to remind drivers to stay alert and avoid distractions such as cell phone use. Additional patrols have been deployed, and the department is using social media to enhance public awareness about the dangers of distracted driving.

While no fatalities have been reported in these crashes, authorities warn that hefty fines await drivers (up to a $4,000) who violate traffic laws.

The campaign reflects the town's ongoing commitment to road safety, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and caution among drivers, particularly in high-traffic areas. Read full report

Have you noticed traffic accidents at these intersections in Morrisville?

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Wake County Schools Celebrate Record Graduation Rates and Rising Proficiency

The Wake County Public School System has reported a record four-year graduation rate of 91.3% in 2024, reflecting significant progress post-pandemic. This marks an increase from the previous year and surpasses the district's pre-pandemic high.

Academic proficiency scores are also nearing pre-pandemic levels, with many schools showing notable improvements. Elementary and middle schools like Vandora Springs and West Millbrook Magnet posted significant gains in proficiency rates, while several high schools, including Leesville Road and Southeast Raleigh Magnet, improved their graduation rates substantially.

Demographic subgroups such as English learners, Hispanic/Latino, and economically disadvantaged students have seen increases in graduation and proficiency rates, indicating strides toward closing educational gaps.

The overall academic growth of schools exceeding expectations rose by 11 percentage points, reaching a level not seen since the 2012-2013 school year. Despite these gains, the district acknowledges the need for ongoing efforts to support historically underserved students.

Residents can explore specific school performance data by using the search tool for 2024 test results. Read Full Report

Voted Best Dog Grooming in Wake County 2024

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New Art Classes for Kids and Teens in Cary: Register Now

The Cary Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department is offering an exciting lineup of art classes this fall, tailored for young artists and innovators. Starting in September, the department will host a variety of programs aimed at nurturing the creative skills of children and teens.

Here's the latest roundup of programs and classes. There are limited spots, so don’t hesitate to register before they fill up! For more, visit carync.gov/register ✍️

🎨 September Splash Drawing & Painting | September 8 | Age 8-12

🖌️ Teen Acrylics | September 9 | Age 11-14

💭 Design Thinking and Artful Invention | November 3 | 11-14

Credit: Downtown Cary Park

Explore New Skills with Cary’s Fall Workshop Series

This fall, Cary Arts Center is hosting a series of engaging workshops designed to inspire creativity and foster new skills among residents.

Starting on September 10, the lineup includes a diverse range of activities, from a filmmaking workshop with Hal Goodtree to a partner acrobatics session, providing both individual and collaborative creative experiences.

The workshops continue with an "Art Sampler" session on September 18, focusing on watercolor techniques inspired by the colors of autumn. The series concludes on September 25 with a beginner-friendly needle felting workshop, introducing participants to the art of creating wool sculptures.

Each workshop offers a unique opportunity for community members to explore new hobbies in a welcoming environment. With limited spaces available, registration opens two weeks before each class at 10 a.m.

Interested individuals are advised to sign up early through the Downtown Cary Park event calendar, where a RecTrac account is necessary for enrollment. To sign up head to this event calendar and click on the workshop you are interested in.

Thank You for the Flowers!

How long have you lived in Cary, NC? (More Options)

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Credit: Peck & Plume

Savor Cary:
Peck & Plume

Peck & Plume is one of the restaurants that was nominated by the Cary Spotlight’s Milestone Mavericks for our Savor Cary Giveaway. If you had a chance to sample their food, feel free to share your opinion below. We will share the results of this reader poll in an upcoming issue.

Peck & Plume

Click to share 3 things you love about this place or recommend an item people should try on their menu.

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Cary Spotlight’s “Savor Cary” giveaway, a new initiative designed to highlight Cary's vibrant dining scene. Subscribers can enter to win a VIP dining experience by referring new readers to our newsletter.

You can choose from a selection of dining experiences valued at $100 to $150 (gift vouchers), with new options introduced monthly to keep the contest engaging and fresh. First drawing: 24 Sep 2024.

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Upcoming Local Events

Looking ahead to events happening in Cary, NC for the rest of the week.
Outdoor events may be changed due to weather, so click the links to see latest event information.

September 5th (Thursday)

September 6th (Friday)

September 7th (Saturday)

September 8th (Sunday)

September 9th (Monday)

The Answer to the Cary Spotlight Hook Trivia Question 👇👇👇

The Guinness Book of World Records holds the unexpected title of being the most stolen book from public libraries. This book, which details record-breaking facts and feats from around the world, captivates a wide audience with its intriguing and often bizarre records. Its popularity and broad appeal make it a frequent target for theft in libraries.

The book's unique content, ranging from human achievements to the extremes of the natural world, makes it an irresistible read for many, explaining its high disappearance rate.

For more information about the Guinness Book of World Records and its fascinating entries, you can visit their official website.