🧭 Here’s what’s in today’s issue:

• 🧠 Trivia Challenge: Spotlight Hook
• ❤️ Discover Cary: Cat-Themed Boutique in Cary Supports Rescue Efforts
• 📰 News: Wake County Schools Grappling With Widespread AC Failures
• 📰 News: Tropical Storm Erin Nearing Hurricane Status
• 😄 Meme of the Day – Just for laughs
• 🏪 Support Cary Spotlight: If you enjoyed this newsletter
• 📅 Events: Upcoming Events (Top Picks)

👉 Browse the highlights. Click your favorites.

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Question: What is the primary mission of the Coast Guard?

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)

Featured Event

Sunday, August 17 | 1-5 PM: A community-wide Block Party Extravaganza right outside Chef’s Palette — complete with food, music, games, vendors & family-friendly fun, all while supporting a great cause.

Complimentary burgers, hot dogs & bottled water. Get Directions

School Supply Drive — bring donations & help us make a difference,

Cat-Themed Boutique in Cary Supports Rescue Efforts

Meow City, Cary’s first boutique exclusively for cat lovers, has quickly established itself as a unique destination since opening in June 2023. Founded by Aleksandra "Alex" Trepka, a dedicated cat rescue volunteer, the shop blends retail with advocacy by offering a carefully curated selection of cat-themed merchandise while supporting animal welfare initiatives.

Located on Cary Towne Boulevard, Meow City specializes in products designed for both cats and their human companions. The store features cat toys, apparel, home decor, and gifts, many of which are sourced from small businesses, women-owned companies, and local artisans. Its inventory emphasizes sustainability and safety, distinguishing it from more conventional pet retailers.

Beyond retail, Meow City is active in community engagement, particularly in supporting cat rescues. The boutique hosts adoption events, fundraisers, and contributes a portion of its profits to animal welfare causes. It also assists with auctions and raffles that benefit rescue organizations and helps raise awareness around cat care and adoption.

The store's unique selling point lies in its cat-only focus, offering a range of goods that are as unique and individual as cats themselves. From stylish cat furniture to hand-crafted jewelry and cat-inspired household textiles, Meow City is a treasure trove for cat lovers. Unlike larger, generalized pet stores, Meow City offers a cat-centric community space, celebrating the quirky and affectionate nature of our feline friends.

Drawing customers from Cary and surrounding areas while also serving cat lovers nationwide through their online store, Meow City has cultivated a loyal following both locally and digitally. With plans to expand its offerings and continue its outreach efforts across multiple channels, the boutique remains a notable example of how small businesses can combine passion with purpose while embracing modern retail opportunities.

The Meow City Online Store is now open. Shop online, anytime! From kitty toys and dishes, to t-shirts and kitchen decor, cat lovers can now shop for their favorite items from the comfort of their own feline haven. Free shipping on orders over $50.

For more information: Meow City (meow-city.com)

Address: 659 Cary Towne Blvd., Cary, NC 27511
Get Directions

We loved spotlighting Meow City, and we’d like your input on what kinds of pet-related stories you'd enjoy in future issues of Cary Spotlight. Let us know below:

Wake County Schools Still Grappling With Widespread AC Failures

The Wake County Public School System is tackling a significant backlog of broken air conditioning units across its schools. With over 500 units needing replacement—many more than 15 years old—officials say the process will be lengthy. Temporary chillers have been deployed to the most critically affected schools to ensure learning can continue despite the heat.

As of early July, 40 units had been repaired, with 80 more undergoing maintenance. The impact of the ongoing HVAC failures has been widespread, resulting in dozens of early dismissals and at least one lost instructional day in a third of the district’s schools over the past two years.

Schools such as Sanderson High and Wakefield Middle and High have already experienced early closures during the current school year. The district is focusing on deploying mobile chillers to mitigate the worst effects while it works toward permanent repairs.

While progress is being made, Wake County education officials are preparing for a long-term effort to modernize and stabilize school HVAC systems.

Read Full Story

Tropical Storm Erin Nearing Hurricane Status

Tropical Storm Erin began strengthening Wednesday and is forecast to reach hurricane status by Friday. By Saturday night, the storm could intensify into a major hurricane, the first of the 2025 Atlantic season. Current projections keep Erin well east of North Carolina, with its path likely bringing it closer to Bermuda next week.

The National Hurricane Center reported 50 mph winds Wednesday evening, with the storm moving west at 17 mph. Erin’s growth has been slowed by cooler ocean waters and Saharan dust, both of which suppress intensification. These conditions are expected to improve as the storm moves toward warmer waters in the southwest Atlantic.

Forecasters expect rapid strengthening over the weekend as Erin enters a region with favorable weather conditions, including high humidity and low wind shear. Although most forecast models keep the storm offshore, coastal areas of the southeastern United States may still face rough seas and hazardous surf.

Uncertainty remains over Erin’s long-term path, and officials are advising continued monitoring through the weekend. Read Full Report

Meme of the Day.
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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: Carnivorous Plants – Plants that Bite Back 9AM-10AM
• Today: Trivia Night 6PM-8PM
• Friday: Cary Night Market 5PM-9PM
• Friday: North Carolina FC vs Detroit City FC (Home Game) 7:30PM
• Saturday: The Soul Picnic: A Celebration of Food, Fun & Culture 5PM
• Saturday: NC Courage vs Portland Thorns (Home Game) 7:30PM

To save space in your inbox, we’ve moved the full list of events online — now you can plan ahead with access to this week and next! See Full 2-Week Calendar