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Here’s what’s in today’s issue:
• 🧠 Trivia Challenge: Spotlight Hook
• 😋🍴 Discover Cary (Eat & Drink): JD's Tavern
• 🚗 Drivable Destinations: Explore Jack Smith Park
• ✈️ Airline Travel: Hello, Marrakech!
• 😄 Meme of the Day – Daily Chuckle
• 🎁 Adventure starts close to home: Thank You For Your Gift
• 📅 Events: Planning your week in Cary?
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Question: Before dying in 2005, how old was the world’s oldest cat?
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JD's Tavern
JD's Tavern is one of the local food places nominated by Cary Spotlight's readers for our Discover Cary project. If you've had a chance to sample their food, feel free to share your opinion below.
JD's Tavern in Apex is a neighborhood bar and grill known for its wings, burgers, and full bar menu served up in a lively sports-pub setting.
Technically Apex, but practically Cary—JD's Tavern is so close to the border, your GPS won't even notice… but your taste buds definitely will!
Check out their menu on their website: JD's Tavern
Address: 800 W Williams St, Suite #100, Apex, NC 27502 | Get Directions
JD's Tavern
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Explore Jack Smith Park
Jack Smith Park is a fun and easy spot for a family day out in southeastern Cary. The 50-acre park sits on what used to be the Bartley family farm, and it now packs in a playground, a splash pad, a climbing rock, and a lot of open green space to enjoy.
Kids can burn off energy on the playground built for ages 2 to 12, cool off at the Town's first sprayground, or test their skills on a 10-foot climbing boulder made for beginners and experienced climbers alike. Dog owners can bring their pups to the off-leash dog park with a pass, and walkers can stretch their legs on the greenway trails that wind through the property.
What really sets this park apart is its public art. Sculptor Vollis Simpson's whirligigs spin in the breeze near the playground, built from old farm equipment and machine parts, while artist William Moore's flock of nine metal sheep grazes in the open field, a nod to the farm animals that once called this land home.
The greenway trails are flat and easy to follow, making them a good choice for beginners, families with strollers, and leashed dogs. Plenty of shaded benches and half-walls along the paths make it simple to stop and rest whenever you need a break.
Because the park sits on former farmland, you'll still find open fields and tree-lined edges where songbirds and squirrels are easy to spot. Morning visits tend to be quieter and cooler, which makes them a great time to walk the trails before the sprayground opens for the day.
When it's time to slow down, the picnic shelter and scattered picnic tables offer a shady place to eat, and clean restrooms are on site for the whole family to use.
Good to Know:
Location: 9725 Penny Road, Raleigh, NC 27606 (southeastern Cary) | Directions
Hours: Park open sunrise to sunset. Sprayground runs 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily, mid-May through mid-September, weather permitting.
Amenities: Playground, sprayground, off-leash dog park (pass required), 10-foot climbing boulder, picnic shelter, picnic tables, greenway trails, restrooms, public art
Entry: Free! (Dog park requires a paid pass or day pass.)
Tip: The sprayground closes for maintenance one day a month and wraps up for the season on September 21, so check the Town of Cary's sprayground status page before you head out.
Hello, Marrakech!
Gateway to Souks, Sunsets, and the Sahara
Welcome to Marrakech, Morocco, a place where snow-capped mountains meet desert sand, and centuries-old palaces sit just steps from bustling night markets. There are no nonstop flights from RDU to Marrakech, but connecting service is easy to find.
Airlines like Air Canada, United, American, and Royal Air Maroc all fly the route, typically with a stopover in cities like Montreal or New York, and Air France offers the most connecting flights per week on this route.
Once you land, you'll find a city that mixes French colonial style with deep Berber and Arab roots, all wrapped up in the smell of spices and the sound of the call to prayer echoing across rooftops.
Why Visit Marrakech?
Jemaa el-Fnaa (Djemaa el Fna):
This isn't just a square — it's the beating heart of the city. Come evening, the square turns into an open-air night market packed with food stalls, snake charmers, musicians, and storytellers. Grab a plate of grilled lamb skewers and let the chaos wash over you.Bahia Palace:
Built in the 1800s for a royal vizier, this palace is full of stained glass, carved cedar ceilings, and courtyards lined with Italian marble. It later became a royal residence after Morocco's independence in 1956, and today it stands as one of the city's proudest architectural showpieces.Jardin Majorelle:
Just a short ride from the old city, this electric-blue garden was once the private retreat of fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. Cactus gardens and tropical plants surround the striking blue villa, which now houses a museum dedicated to Berber art — a cool, colorful escape from the busy medina streets.
Travel Guides – Here are two comprehensive travel guides to help you plan your trip.
Lonely Planet Marrakesh — Great for a local's take on what to see, eat, and skip, straight from writers who live and work in the city.
Rick Steves' Morocco — A solid starting point for first-timers, with tips on culture, planning, and what makes Morocco different from a typical European trip.
Learn about more family trips built for adventurers of all ages.
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Meme of the Day.
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The Answer to the Cary Spotlight Hook Trivia Question 👇👇👇
A) 38 years and 3 days old
The world's oldest recorded cat, a tabby named Creme Puff, lived to be 38 years and 3 days old before passing away on August 6, 2005. Born in August 1967, she spent her entire life in Austin, Texas.
Learn more, Creme Puff (Cat)