Cary Spotlight | Issue #369

State Fair Finale, E. Coli Alert, Cary's Parks Bond Vote & Scratch Kitchen Review

In this Cary Spotlight Issue…

💭Spotlight Hook Trivia

😀 Quote of the Day

📰 NC State Fair Wraps Up This Weekend

📰 Quarter Pounder E. Coli Outbreak Expands to 13 States

📰 Cary Residents to Vote on $560 Million Parks and Recreation Bond

😋🍴 Scratch Kitchen & Taproom Review

☀️ Cary NC Weather

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

🏛️ Support Cary Local Businesses: Cary Spotlight Directory

Question: Which Italian city is known as the birthplace of opera?

(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.

“Dined with you today and had forgotten how fresh your ingredients are and how tasty the food is! Thanks for making me feel like I am visiting Family when I come in to eat. Friendly staff welcomes you in and eagerly share their knowledge about the choices to ensure you get exactly what you want/need! Love Bee BanhMi!” ~Lorraine Cross

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Credit: NC State Fair

NC State Fair Wraps Up This Weekend

The 2024 NC State Fair is in its final weekend, running through Saturday, October 26, and Sunday, October 27. Visitors can enjoy a variety of attractions, including agricultural displays featuring massive pumpkins, unusual vegetables, and a honeybee showcase. At Heritage Circle, a towering Smokey Bear and a working steam-powered sawmill offer a glimpse into North Carolina’s forestry history. Families can explore wildlife exhibits and tour the Old Farm Machinery collection near the Children’s Barnyard.

Credit: Estelle Tsalik, Cary Spotlight

Kiddieland Midway provides rides and games tailored for younger children, with most rides costing between 2 and 4 tickets. Games require cash, and children under 40 inches tall can ride select attractions for free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Guests are allowed to bring snacks and beverages, but all bags are subject to search. For quicker entry, fairgoers are encouraged to use clear bags, though there are no size restrictions. Attendees must enter by 9:45 p.m., as no re-entry is allowed after that time. The fair offers a last chance to enjoy its diverse mix of entertainment, education, and fun before it closes on Sunday night.

Did you attend the 2024 NC State Fair?

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Quarter Pounder E. Coli Outbreak Expands to 13 States

A McDonald’s Quarter Pounder-related E. coli outbreak has sickened 75 people across 13 states, with one death and several hospitalizations reported. Health officials suspect that slivered onions supplied by Taylor Farms from its Colorado Springs facility may be the source of the contamination.

McDonald’s responded by pulling Quarter Pounders from select locations in the Midwest and Mountain states, while other fast-food chains, including Burger King and Taco Bell, removed onions from certain menus as a precaution. Despite these measures, McDonald’s has not expanded its recalls even as new cases emerge, citing that some illnesses are linked to customers traveling across state lines.

The outbreak has led to legal action, with affected customers suing McDonald’s for damages. The CDC continues to monitor the situation, reporting that two individuals have developed a dangerous kidney condition, hemolytic uremic syndrome, which underscores the serious risks associated with E. coli.

Federal officials are working with Taylor Farms to investigate further, though the company has stopped short of issuing a public announcement about its onion recall. Authorities remind the public that E. coli infections can be particularly severe for young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Read Full Report

Cary Residents to Vote on $560 Million Parks and Recreation Bond

In November, Cary residents will vote on a $560 million parks and recreation bond aimed at funding six significant community projects, including a $300 million redevelopment of the South Hills Mall into a Sports & Recreation Community Center. The new facility would offer indoor sports courts, an e-sports arena, gyms, classrooms, and office space, intended to cater to both local needs and tourism.

The bond also allocates $60 million to expand the Cary Tennis Park with a larger clubhouse, a stadium upgrade, and 30 additional pickleball courts. Town officials view the bond as part of a broader effort to establish Cary as a destination for sports tourism.

While many residents welcome the opportunity to have new sports facilities and public spaces, some question the town’s priorities, suggesting that issues like affordable housing should take precedence.

Non-residents from neighboring Raleigh have also shown interest in the proposal, noting that additional public spaces could benefit the broader region. With opinions divided, the vote will serve as a key moment for the town, deciding whether to invest in recreational projects or reconsider priorities as Cary navigates its rapid growth. Read Full Report

Do you support the town’s vision of becoming a sports tourism destination?

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Credit: Scratch Kitchen & Taproom

Scratch Kitchen & Taproom Review

Scratch Kitchen & Taproom 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. Here are the results from our last reader poll (see below). Check out their menu on their website: Scratch Kitchen & Taproom

Reader Poll Results (Issue # 311)

Scratch Kitchen & Taproom (13 Votes)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Love this place! (please share your recommendation) (9)

🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 😊😊😊 I have never been there but I might give it a try (4)

Cary Spotlight Reader’s Feedback:

“Great variety of selections on the menu, food fresh, presentation is great. Servers attentive and friendly. Love the bowls, especially the bar b que bowl. Good selection of draft beers.”

“Great food. Joe the bartender is AMAZING! ”

“I have always enjoyed eating at Scratch Kitchen. They have great service and delicious food, especially their desserts. I always look forward to an enjoyable meal.”

“Their steak salad is very good. My favorite is the BBQ bowl. If a sandwich is more of your thing try the Philly.”

Scratch Kitchen & Taproom

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Support Local Businesses

Cary, NC! Know local business that 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 they they must apply to join our directory. We are adding local businesses, charities and Veterans Organizations. Learn more are our Cary Spotlight Directory

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.

October 26th (Saturday)

October 27th (Sunday)

October 28th (Monday)

October 29th (Tuesday)

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

Florence, Italy, is widely regarded as the birthplace of opera. In the late 16th century, a group of musicians and poets known as the Florentine Camerata sought to revive the dramatic arts of ancient Greece, leading to the creation of the first operas. This artistic innovation soon spread across Europe, shaping opera into one of the most influential and enduring forms of musical theater. Today, Florence remains a hub for arts and culture, attracting music enthusiasts from around the world.

For more information about Florence and its contributions to opera, you can visit the Visit Florence website.