In this Cary Spotlight Issue…

💭Spotlight Hook Trivia

🧭 Discover Cape Town in Five Days: A Journey Through History and Beauty

✈️ Grounded: A Survival Guide for Flight Delays and Cancellations

😋 Savor Cary: Bonefish Grill

😋Tasty Trend: Crockpot Barbecue Ribs 😋

🏛️ Support Local Businesses: Cary Spotlight Directory

Question: Who’s credited with establishing Cary High School as a leader in secondary education in North Carolina?

(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

📚 TWO FREE AUDIOBOOKS! 📚
To get two free audiobooks from Audible, just follow this link: Learn more

Discover Cape Town in Five Days: A Journey Through History and Beauty

Cape Town, South Africa, offers a unique blend of breathtaking landscapes, vibrant neighborhoods, and a history that invites exploration. This five-day itinerary balances adventure, culture, and reflection, with both urban experiences and excursions beyond the city. Here’s how to make the most of your visit:

Day 1: V&A Waterfront, Bo-Kaap, and Camp’s Bay

• Start at the V&A Waterfront, a lively harbor where visitors can shop, dine, or explore museums with views of Table Mountain.

• Visit the colorful Bo-Kaap neighborhood, known for its rich Malay heritage and houses painted in bright colors as a symbol of liberation.

• End the day at Camp’s Bay, relaxing on the beach and dining with views of the Twelve Apostles mountain range.

Day 2: Cape Peninsula and Boulders Beach

• Drive along the scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive, known for its coastal curves and panoramic views.

• Visit Boulders Beach to see the famous African penguin colony in their natural habitat.

• Explore Cape Point National Park, where the Atlantic and Indian oceans converge, and hike to the Cape of Good Hope for stunning ocean views.

Day 3: Township Tour and Table Mountain

• Take a guided tour of Langa, one of Cape Town’s oldest townships, for a glimpse into the city’s social landscape and local resilience.

• Head to Table Mountain—weather permitting—for a hike or cable car ride to enjoy sweeping views across the city and coastline.

Day 4: Cape Winelands

• Spend the day exploring the Cape Winelands, with affordable tastings of local wines set against beautiful vineyard landscapes.

• Enjoy a leisurely lunch at a vineyard, taking in the scenic surroundings and savoring South Africa’s gourmet offerings.

Day 5: Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and Urban Cape Town

• Begin the morning at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, wandering through trails lined with unique plant species, including the indigenous fynbos.

• Spend the afternoon exploring downtown Cape Town, visiting historical landmarks like the Company Gardens and enjoying the energy of streets like Bree and Long.

Whether traveling by rental car, Uber, or guided tours, this itinerary offers a seamless way to discover the many facets of Cape Town. From vibrant neighborhoods to scenic coastlines, this five-day journey ensures a well-rounded experience of the city’s beauty and depth. Read Full Guide Article

Grounded: A Survival Guide for Flight Delays and Cancellations

Air travel disruptions are becoming an unfortunate norm. From computer glitches and unruly passengers to adverse weather conditions and air traffic control shortages, the factors affecting flights are many and often unpredictable. Whether your journey is interrupted before you leave home or after you’ve reached the airport, knowing how to respond can help you navigate these situations with less frustration.

Before Leaving for the Airport

• Check your flight status early, either through the airline’s app or a quick Google search.

• Subscribe to airline text alerts to receive real-time updates.

• Monitor flight patterns using sites like FlightAware for insights into potential disruptions.

• If severe weather is expected, take advantage of airline waivers to rebook quickly.

Once You’re at the Airport

• Head straight to the airline’s help desk—quick action can make all the difference.

• While waiting, call the airline’s customer service or try contacting an international call center to bypass long wait times.

• Use self-service kiosks or social media to resolve issues faster.

Practical Tips for Handling Delays

• Be polite and solution-oriented when speaking with airline staff. Preparing your own rebooking options can expedite the process.

• Booking directly with the airline ensures smoother resolution of cancellations compared to third-party bookings.

• If possible, avoid layovers to minimize risks of missed connections.

• Know your rights—airlines must provide essentials such as working bathrooms and food during lengthy tarmac delays.

Leverage Loyalty Programs and Airline Agreements

• If your flight is canceled, other carriers may honor your ticket under interline agreements.

• Frequent flyer miles can offer flexible booking, especially during high-demand periods, but expect to use more miles than usual. Be mindful of canceling duplicate bookings to avoid losing miles.

Stranded Overnight? Plan Ahead

• Request hotel or meal vouchers, though airlines are not obligated to provide them in weather-related disruptions.

• Use credit cards with travel protection benefits to cover hotel and meal costs if needed.

• If your delay is short, consider staying at the airport, or, if available, relax in an airport lounge for a more comfortable wait.

• Always prioritize safety—driving during extreme weather can pose serious risks.

Insurance and Receipts Matter

• Travel insurance can be a lifesaver for extended delays. Coverage often kicks in for events like mechanical breakdowns or labor strikes.

• Keep receipts for any purchases made during disruptions, as airlines may reimburse these expenses later.

Being prepared and staying calm can ease the stress of travel disruptions. With these strategies in hand, you’ll be better equipped to manage delays and cancellations efficiently. Read Full Report

Just curious…

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Savor Cary: Bonefish Grill

Bonefish Grill is one of the eateries that was nominated by the Cary Spotlight’s readers 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. Check out their menu on their website: Bonefish Grill

Enter Our Monthly Drawing – You Pick the Prize!

We’ve got exciting news! Every month, we hold a special drawing, and the winner gets to choose their prize 🎉. Next drawing: 24 Oct 2024.

This month’s options include:

🍽️ A $100 gift card to your favorite local restaurant OR

💙 A $100 donation to a local charity, like DORCAS Ministries, made on your behalf.

You’re automatically entered when you participate in our referral program! Here’s your personal referral link to share with friends and increase your chances:

Copy and share your personal referral link:

👉 https://www.caryspotlight.com/subscribe?ref=PLACEHOLDER

The more people you refer, the better your chances of winning—and the best part? You choose the reward that’s right for you!

Thank you for being part of the Cary Spotlight community. We appreciate your support in helping us grow and make an impact!

Support Local Businesses: Cary Spotlight Directory

Cary, NC! Know anyone who would love a free listing on our new Cary Spotlight Directory? It's a community resource website for newcomers and long time residents. Let them know about our newest asset.

We are adding local businesses, charities and Veterans Organizations.

Learn more here: https://caryspotlightdirectory.com/

Crockpot Barbecue Ribs 😋

Becky Hardin of Cookie Rookie has mastered an easy crockpot recipe for pork ribs that are perfect for any gathering, ensuring they are both delicious and effortlessly tender. This slow cooker ribs recipe is so simple! You can cook these crock pot BBQ ribs stress-free, and they'll come out super tender and flavorful.

📋 Ingredients List:

• 6 pounds St. Louis-style pork spareribs or baby back ribs

• 3 tablespoons smoked paprika or regular paprika

• 3 tablespoons brown sugar

• 1 tablespoon kosher salt

• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper

• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

• 24 ounces BBQ sauce store-bought or homemade (1 jar) – Blue's Hog original recommended

• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar (if the barbecue sauce is on the sweet side)

📝 Instructions:

1. Set the slow cooker to low and spray with nonstick cooking spray. (I always spray the underside of the lid to help with cleanup.)

2. Remove the silver membrane from the back of the ribs. Here's a video with instructions. (You might have bought ribs with the membrane removed, and if so, skip this step.) 6 pounds St. Louis-style pork spareribs.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together the paprika, brown sugar, salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes. Rub the dry-rub mix evenly over the ribs.

   3 tablespoons smoked paprika,3 tablespoons brown sugar,1 tablespoon kosher salt,1 tablespoon ground black pepper,½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

4. Brush both sides of the rib with barbecue sauce and set the ribs in the slow cooker standing upright with the meaty side against the inside wall, of the slow cooker. 24 ounces BBQ sauce

5. Pour the remaining barbecue sauce over the ribs. If using a sweet sauce, pour the cider vinegar over the ribs. ¼ cup apple cider vinegar

6. Cover and cook on low 5-6 hours or until the meat is fork-tender.

7. Serve with additional store-bought barbecue sauce or strain the juices, from the pan, through a fine-mesh strainer into a medium saucepan. Bring the sauce to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer 15-20 minutes or until the mixture has reduced to 2 cups.

8. To serve, slice the meat between the bones and serve with barbecue sauce.

Notes 💡:

• Whichever ribs you choose (spare rib or baby-back), you can’t go wrong. Both are equally as delicious.

• You will need to cut the ribs a bit to make them fit in the slow cooker. It’s easy to just eyeball it as you work them into the cooker.

• Make sure you remove the silver membrane before cooking!

• When done cooking, simply slice between the bones and serve with extra BBQ sauce!

• This recipe calls for the ribs to be cooked to a higher temperature to make sure they’re super tender. We want them closer to 195°F.

• Storage: Store crock pot ribs tightly wrapped in aluminum foil in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 5 hours 15 minutes | Total Time: 5 hours 25 minutes

Print Recipe

Give it a try and let us know what you think.