Cary Spotlight | Issue #575

Crawford Brothers Steakhouse, Animal Center Faces Criticism Over Child Ban, Debate Over Growth in Cary


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Question: What was Memorial Day originally called?

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)

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Credit: Crawford Brothers Steakhouse

Crawford Brothers Steakhouse

Crawford Brothers Steakhouse is one of the local food places nominated by Cary Spotlight’s readers for our Discover Cary project. If you had a chance to sample their food, feel free to share your opinion below.

Crawford Brothers Steakhouse in Cary, NC, is a modern American steakhouse by James Beard-nominated chef Scott Crawford, offering prime dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood, and an extensive wine selection in a sleek, contemporary setting.

Check out their menu on their website: Crawford Brothers Steakhouse

Address: 401 Fenton Gtwy Dr, Cary, NC 27511 | Get Directions

Crawford Brothers Steakhouse

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

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Wake County Animal Center Faces Criticism Over Child Ban

The Wake County Animal Center is moving forward with a new policy that bars anyone under 18, regardless of adult supervision, from entering the adoption area. The move, aimed at reducing stress for animals and improving safety, comes as the shelter continues to operate at or above capacity.

Rescue advocates say the decision could backfire, potentially decreasing adoption rates and further overwhelming already strained rescue networks. Groups like Perfectly Imperfect Pups, which require all family members (including children) to meet potential pets before adoption, say the change could make it harder to match dogs with suitable homes.

The policy’s timing, shortly after an alleged biting incident involving a child at the shelter, has also raised questions, although officials insist it is not a direct response to that event. Volunteers and rescuers suggest that addressing overcapacity through facility expansion, funding, and more aggressive spay-and-neuter efforts would have a more meaningful impact.

Despite the change, the shelter encourages families to continue adopting via online galleries or through foster homes, though the ban on children inside the facility remains in effect. Read Full Story

750-Unit Development Sparks
Debate Over Growth in Cary

The Cary Town Council will vote on May 22 on a rezoning request that could transform a portion of Waverly Place into a high-density apartment complex, replacing the current Cinebistro. The proposed development would introduce 750 apartments on just seven acres, raising alarm among residents concerned about traffic congestion, safety, stormwater impacts, and compatibility with the surrounding neighborhoods.

Local roads—Tryon and Kildaire Farm—are already congested and cannot be widened further. Nearby developments, including hundreds of new apartments at Livano, Piney Plains, and Holt at Regency, are expected to compound the problem. Despite community efforts to reduce the density of the proposed project, developer Hines has declined to make changes. Residents are being encouraged to voice their concerns directly to the Town Council ahead of the vote.

What’s Your Take on the Waverly Rezoning Proposal?

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Canes Heat Up as
Cary’s Pro Soccer Teams Deliver Wins

It’s another exciting week for Triangle sports as the Carolina Hurricanes return to the Stanley Cup spotlight and Cary’s pro soccer clubs continue to rack up points. Here’s what happened and what’s ahead:

  • The Carolina Hurricanes open their Eastern Conference Final series against the Florida Panthers tonight (Tuesday) at 8 p.m. at the Lenovo Center. This marks a rematch of the 2023 postseason, where the Canes were swept in four games. Tickets for Game 1 are on sale now.

  • The North Carolina Courage extended their unbeaten streak to four matches on Saturday, defeating the Chicago Red Stars 2-0 in front of 8,592 fans at WakeMed Soccer Park. Manaka Matsukubo scored both goals, while goalkeeper Casey Murphy earned her third clean sheet of the season.

  • The North Carolina FC offense exploded on Friday night in a 4-2 win over Oakland Roots SC. Midfielder Mikey Maldonado added to his league-leading assist tally and scored a stunning free kick to help NCFC move up to fifth in the Eastern Conference.

WakeMed continues to deliver high-energy soccer, while the Lenovo Center sets the stage for tonight’s NHL playoff showdown. It’s a great time to be a Cary sports fan.

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🎟️ Upcoming Events (Top Picks)

Outdoor events may be changed due to weather, so click the links to see latest event information. Here are a few ideas for the week, so plan ahead:

• Today: Toddler Tuesday: Fun Yoga & Mindfulness 10AM-11AM
• Today: Yoga 6PM-7PM
• Wednesday: Transit Pop-up at Dorcus Ministries (Bike Cary) 11AM-1:30PM
• Wednesday: (RTOOT): Pleasant Weather - Terrible Tunes 7:30PM-9PM
• Thursday: Live at Lunch: Jared Place 11:30AM-1:30PM
• Thursday: Town Council Meeting (Regular) 6:30PM-8:30PM
• Friday: Movie Night: Moana 2 6PM-10PM
• Friday: Bike Themed Movie: Breaking Away (Bike Cary) 8PM
• Saturday: Cary Farmers Market 8AM-12PM
• Saturday: Big Top Circus Band 7PM-8:30PM
• Sunday: Adoption Event with Perfectly Imperfect Pups 4PM-6PM
• Sunday: Back to the Future @ DPAC 3PM-9:45PM
• Monday: American Legion Post 67 Memorial Day 10AM
• Monday: Memorial Day Remembrance 2:30PM-3:30PM

But wait! There’s more. To save space in your inbox, we’ve moved the full list of events online — now you can plan ahead: See Full 2-Week Calendar

The Answer to the Cary Spotlight Hook Trivia Question 👇👇👇
Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day, a name that reflected the tradition of decorating the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers, flags, and wreaths. The holiday began after the Civil War as a way to honor Union soldiers who had died in the conflict, and over time, it evolved into a national day of remembrance for all Americans who died in military service.