Cary Spotlight | Issue #383

Cary Rejects Tax-Raising Bonds, Downtown Cary Park to Celebrate First Anniversary, Slavery-Related Text Threats

In this Cary Spotlight Issue…

💭Spotlight Hook Trivia

😀 Quote of the Day

📰 Wake County Voters Invest in Libraries While Cary Rejects Tax-Raising Bonds

📰 Downtown Cary Park to Celebrate First Anniversary with Festivities

📰 Wave of Slavery-Related Text Threats Sent to Black Americans

📷 Floating Thru The Clouds On A Fall Day in Cary, NC!

😋🍴 Savor Cary: Academy Street Bistro Review

☀️ Cary NC Weather

📅Lots Of Events This Week

🏛️ Support Cary Local Businesses

Question: Which continent has the driest climate?

(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 | Order Online | Catering Options

Partner with us to reach our local audience in Cary, NC.
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Inspire Dental Focuses on Comfort, Confidence, and Care

Discover how Inspire Dental is transforming dental care in our community! With a fresh new name but the same heartfelt mission, Inspire Dental is redefining what it means to visit the dentist—making even the most nervous patients feel at ease. From cutting-edge treatments to a compassionate team, find out what sets Inspire Dental apart and how they’re inspiring confident smiles across North Carolina.

Don't miss this spotlight on a local business committed to comfort, quality, and care! Read it here.

Meme of the Day.
Brought to you by Cary's Daily Newsletter.

What’s faster than word of mouth? Cary Spotlight! Keeps you updated on what is going on locally and connects businesses to our vibrant community.

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

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Wake County Voters Invest in Libraries While Cary Rejects Tax-Raising Bonds

Wake County residents have approved a $142 million bond for libraries, setting the stage for new facilities and significant renovations over the next seven years. Rolesville will receive its first library, while Apex’s Friendship community will see a new library.

The Athens Drive and Wendell Community Libraries will be replaced, expansions are planned for Fuquay-Varina, and upgrades will be made to several others, including Green Road and Southeast Regional. The bond will increase property taxes by $2.50 per $100,000 of assessed value, adding $11.50 annually for a median-valued home.

In contrast, Cary voters rejected two bond proposals that would have funded parks, recreation, and affordable housing. The $560 million Parks and Recreation bond, which aimed to develop new sports centers, pickleball courts, and greenways, failed with 55% voting against it.

The $30 million Affordable Housing bond, designed to support residents facing housing challenges, was also narrowly defeated.

The proposed bonds would have increased Cary's tax rate by 9 cents per $100 of assessed property value over a span of seven to ten years. Currently, the tax rate is 32.5 cents per $100 of assessed value. Residents would have experienced a 3-cent increase per $100 in 2026, 2028, and 2030.

For a home valued at $623,359—the median in Cary—a homeowner would have paid $2,213 in town taxes in 2026 at the new tax rate. Read Full Report

Downtown Cary Park to Celebrate First Anniversary with Festivities

Downtown Cary Park, a $68 million project that opened in November 2023, is celebrating its one-year anniversary. Spanning seven acres, the park has reenergized the town with features like open green spaces, an elevated Skywalk, and a dog park.

Over 750,000 visitors have come in the past year, with a noticeable economic boost to nearby businesses and a doubling of traffic to the adjacent Cary Regional Library. Town officials highlight that the park has created a more urban, vibrant downtown, supported by Cary’s social district, which allows for open-container drinking at certain times.

The town remains committed to safety and continues to adapt its 900 programs and events based on visitor feedback. The anniversary festivities begin next week, leading up to a major celebration on November 16 with music, cupcakes, and a drone show. It’s a culmination of a vision decades in the making, now a thriving reality. Read Full Report

What’s your favorite feature of Downtown Cary Park?

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Wave of Slavery-Related Text Threats Sent to Black Americans

Anonymous racist text messages invoking slavery have sparked national concern and widespread investigations. Targeting Black men, women, and even students, these messages have been reported across numerous states, including North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and California.

Some texts commanded recipients to show up at specific locations, while others referenced the new presidential administration. In one instance, a Californian teen received a message linking her name to a historic site in North Carolina.

The FBI, Department of Justice, and FCC are actively involved, investigating the origins and implications of these coordinated messages. High schools, colleges, and historically Black universities have issued warnings, while civil rights organizations have condemned the hate speech.

Authorities are urging vigilance, with industry efforts underway to block and trace these communications. Read Full Report

Floating Thru The Clouds On A Fall Day in Cary, NC!

Credit: Gus Zimmerman (Cary Spotlight Subscriber)

Age Is Just a Number

It is concerning to see that there are many people that are waking up feeling tired, experiencing stiffness, and feeling the need for more support in staying healthy. Take the Thrive Wellness Blueprint Quiz.

Get recommendations designed to support your overall well-being.

Click here to take the quiz

Meet Diane Friedman, a 100-year-old powerhouse from Cleveland, Ohio, who’s showing the world that age is just a number!

Credit: Academy Street Bistro

Academy Street Bistro Review

Academy Street Bistro 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: Academy Street Bistro

Reader Poll Results (Issue # 314)

Academy Street Bistro Review (11 Votes)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Love this place! (7)

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

Cary Spotlight Reader’s Feedback:

“Outstanding menu and staff !”

“It’s an intimate atmosphere with personalized service and delicious food. Academy Street Bistro is an awesome dining experience!”

“Sounds like an interesting place.”

Academy Street Bistro

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

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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 Nov 2024. (We are waiting to confirm our October Winner.)

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:

👉 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!

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HM2 Coetzer stationed in the desert with U.S Marines (1stMARDIV) in Iraq circa 2007. Founder of Cary Spotlight in 2023. Retired from the U.S. Navy as a Lieutenant Commander.

Shine a Light of Hope and Support for Veterans

In honor of Veterans Day, Wake County will participate in Operation Green Light, a nationwide effort to recognize and support America's veterans. From November 4 to 11, 2024, county buildings will be illuminated in green, signifying the community's appreciation for the more than 55,000 veterans living in the area.

Which U.S. Military branch do you root for?

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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.

November 9th (Saturday)

November 10th (Sunday)

November 11th (Monday) VETERANS DAY

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

Antarctica is the driest continent on Earth, despite being covered almost entirely by ice. It is classified as a polar desert, with some areas receiving as little as 20 millimeters (0.8 inches) of precipitation annually, making it even drier than the Sahara Desert. The extreme dryness is due to the frigid temperatures, which prevent the air from holding much moisture.

For more information, visit Antarctica.gov.au’s page on Antarctica’s climate.