Cary Spotlight | Issue #725

Discover Zest Sushi and Small Plates, Early Voting for Cary, No Gridlock as Fair and Concert Crowds Arrive


🧭 Here’s what’s in today’s issue:

• 🧠 Trivia Challenge: Spotlight Hook
• 🎨 Discover Cary: Zest Sushi and Small Plates
• 📰 News: Early Voting for Cary Municipal Elections Now Underway
• 📰 News: No Gridlock as Fair and Concert Crowds Arrive
• 😄 Meme of the Day – Just for laughs
• 🎁 Support the businesses that support Cary: Show your support
• 📅 Events: Upcoming Events (Top Picks)

👉 Browse the highlights. Click your favorites.

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Question: Who developed over 300 products from peanuts, including peanut oil and peanut butter?

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)

Zest Sushi and Small Plates

Zest 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.

Zest in downtown Cary offers a chic dining experience with a raw bar, serving fresh sushi, Asian-inspired small plates, oysters, and handcrafted cocktails in a modern setting with an outdoor patio.

Check out their menu on their website: Zest

Address: 175 E Chatham St, Cary, NC 27511 | Get Directions

Zest Sushi and Small Plates

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

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Do you have a favorite place to eat in Cary, NC? Click to share your pick.

Early Voting for Cary Municipal Elections Now Underway

Early voting in Cary's 2025 municipal election began on October 16 at main sites in Wake and Chatham counties. Additional voting locations, including several community centers in Cary, Garner, and Apex, will become available starting October 25. The early voting period ends on November 1.

Voters can also choose to vote by absentee ballot, which may be requested through the local Board of Elections in Wake, Chatham, or Durham counties. Full details, including voting hours and addresses, are available on both county election websites and at carync.gov/elections.

In accordance with state law, all voters are now required to show a valid photo ID when voting in person. Those voting by mail must include a photocopy of their ID with their ballot submission. The North Carolina State Board of Elections website provides guidance on acceptable forms of ID and how to comply with the new rules.

Participation in the municipal election provides Cary residents the opportunity to help shape their community’s leadership and policies. Early voting offers flexibility for those who may not be able to vote on Election Day.

Just curious…

Did you know that a photo ID is now required to vote in North Carolina?

Click to cast your vote..

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No Gridlock as Fair and Concert Crowds Arrive

Crowds flocked to Raleigh on Thursday for the opening of the North Carolina State Fair and a sold-out Billie Eilish concert at the Lenovo Center, but unlike earlier in the week, traffic remained manageable.

The improved conditions stood in stark contrast to Tuesday night’s Chris Brown concert, when gridlock forced some fans to abandon their cars and walk to the venue. In response, many Billie Eilish fans adjusted their travel plans, arriving early to avoid a repeat of the delays.

At the State Fairgrounds, organizers credited weeks of coordination with local law enforcement and transportation officials for keeping traffic flowing. High-traffic areas like Blue Ridge Road and Trinity Road were heavily monitored, with cones, caution tape, and a strong police presence helping direct vehicles.

To ease congestion, officials are encouraging fair visitors to use satellite lots such as Dogwood and Cardinal and take the free shuttle service to the fairgrounds. Public transit options like Amtrak and RaleighGo or DurhamGo buses are also being promoted to reduce traffic volume near the venue.

The State Fair runs daily through October 26 and is expected to draw approximately one million visitors over 11 days. Billie Eilish will perform another sold-out show at the Lenovo Center on Friday night.

Are you planning on going to this local event?

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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.

🎁 Support the businesses that support Cary.

Every contribution helps us highlight more local restaurants, small businesses, and nonprofits making a difference. Join readers who’ve already donated.

🎟️ 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:

• Friday: 2025 N.C. State Fair 9AM-11:30PM
• Friday: Cary Night Market 5PM-9PM
• Saturday: 2025 N.C. State Fair 9AM-11:30PM
• Saturday: Harvest Fest 12PM-4PM
• Saturday: CaryLIVE!: TAE & The Neighborly 7:30PM-9:30PM
• Sunday: 2025 N.C. State Fair 9AM-11PM
• Sunday: The Noel Freidline Quartet and Maria Howell 5:30PM-7PM
• Monday: 2025 N.C. State Fair 9AM-11:30PM

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

The Answer to the Cary Spotlight Hook Trivia Question 👇👇👇
George Washington Carver was a pioneering agricultural scientist who developed over 300 products derived from peanuts, including cooking oil, axle grease, and printer's ink. His innovative research not only provided alternative crops to cotton for farmers in the southern United States but also promoted sustainable agriculture and economic self-sufficiency. Although widely credited with inventing peanut butter, Carver did not invent it; however, his extensive work popularized the versatility of peanuts in various industries.