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🧭 Here’s what’s in today’s issue:
• 🧠 Trivia Challenge: Spotlight Hook
• 🍽️ Discover Cary: MC Cuisines Review
• 📰 News: Over 460 New Flu Cases Reported in Wake County
• 📰 News: Audit of NC Lottery Shows Education Receives Smaller Cut
• 😄 Meme of the Day – Just for Laughs
• 🎁 Your gift fuels local fun: Show Your Support
• 📅 Events: Upcoming Events (Top Picks)
👉 Browse the highlights. Scroll or Skip to your favorites.
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Question: What three colors does Asparagus come in?
(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)
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MC Cuisines
MC Cuisines (aka MC Restaurant) 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.
MC Cuisines in Cary, NC, brings modern Asian fusion and high-end sushi to the historic Jones House in downtown Cary, where Chef Michael Chuong crafts creative dishes with fresh, seasonal ingredients in an intimate setting that blends Vietnamese heritage with contemporary flair.
Check out their menu on their website: MC Cuisines
Address: 324 South Academy St, Cary, NC 27511 | Get Directions
MC Restaurant (21 Votes)
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Love this place! (11)
🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️ 😊😊😊 I might give it a try (10)
Cary Spotlight Reader’s Feedback:
“The atmosphere is upscale, but very comfortable and welcoming. We particularly like sitting outside. The food is exceptional and uniquely prepared. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly. We have never been disappointed.”
“High class but a tad expensive but so worth it.” “Frequently dine here! Love the veranda dining option! So so good!”
“The French onion pho is amazing.” “The lamb was exquisite as was the flounder on grits.”
“The atmosphere is cozy, the restaurant is an old house and the food is fabulous. Try the Wagu beef or the Bento box if it is on special”
Tail of 2 tunas Land and sea Tuna flight and donut roll when a special Everything’s great especially while enjoyed with porch dining!
MC Restaurant
Do you have a favorite place to eat in Cary, NC? Click to share your pick.
Over 460 New Flu Cases Reported in Wake County
Flu activity is climbing rapidly across the Raleigh area, with over 460 new cases reported last week, compared to only 75 two weeks earlier. The North Carolina Department of Health has documented more than 540 flu-related deaths this season, though no pediatric deaths have been reported.
Health experts expect the spike to continue following holiday travel and gatherings. They recommend resuming precautions such as mask-wearing while traveling and emphasize the importance of staying home when symptomatic, even with minor signs of illness.
Officials also encourage increased hygiene practices during family interactions, including avoiding shared utensils. Despite the late stage of the season, they stress that flu vaccinations remain beneficial and widely available.
Flu season typically extends into the spring, making ongoing vigilance important to curb further spread.
Just curious…
How aware do you feel about flu prevention and safety measures this season?
Audit of NC Lottery Shows Education Receives Smaller Cut
North Carolina's Education Lottery is generating more revenue than ever, but less of that money is making its way to public schools. A state-commissioned audit revealed that only 16% of lottery proceeds in fiscal year 2025 supported education, down from 20% the previous year and 23% the year before that.
The state legislature no longer mandates a minimum percentage for education funding from lottery sales, which originally stood at 35%. Although sales increased by over $1.2 billion from 2024 to 2025, education funding slightly declined by nearly $20 million.
Lottery officials attributed this shift primarily to larger payouts to winners and the popularity of digital instant games, which offer higher returns to players. The lack of large Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots in 2025 also led to reduced profit margins, further impacting how much could be directed to schools.
Even as sales climb, the audit raises questions about how the lottery balances its promise to support education with evolving market dynamics and player trends.
Do you think the North Carolina Education Lottery is fulfilling its promise to support public education?
Meme of the Day.
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Dec 30 - Jan 4
🎟️ 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: Art Cart 12PM-3PM
• Today: NC Chinese Lantern Festival 6PM
• Wednesday: NC Chinese Lantern Festival 6PM
• Thursday: HAPPY NEW YEAR!
• Thursday: NC Chinese Lantern Festival 6PM
• Friday: NC Chinese Lantern Festival 6PM
• Saturday: Cary Farmers Market 9AM-12PM
• Saturday: Yoga 9AM-10AM
• Sunday: NC Chinese Lantern Festival 6PM
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 👇👇👇
A: green, white, and purple
These differences in color are primarily due to their growing methods and the presence of different plant pigments.
Green: This is the most common variety and is grown in full sunlight, which allows it to produce chlorophyll, giving it its vibrant green color. It has a slightly grassy flavor.
White: Considered a delicacy in Europe, white asparagus is grown entirely underground or covered with a thick layer of dirt or black plastic to prevent any exposure to sunlight. This process, called etiolation, stops the production of chlorophyll, so the spears remain pale. It has a milder, more delicate, and slightly bitter flavor compared to the green type.
Purple: This variety was originally developed in Italy and gets its color from high levels of anthocyanins, which are potent antioxidants. Purple asparagus is sweeter and nuttier than the other types because it contains more natural sugars. The purple color typically fades and turns green when exposed to heat during cooking, so it is often eaten raw in salads or lightly steamed to preserve its hue.
Learn more about The Difference Between White, Green, and Purple Asparagus