On Oct. 6, Cary voters will elect Town Council members for one at-large seat, District A and District C.

You may cast your ballots early for the Cary election by going to the Wake County Board of Elections office to vote or the Chatham County Board of Elections office, depending on the county in which you reside.

Early voting is held during regular business hours at the county board of elections offices. Additional early voting sites may be added closer to the election.

Also, if you are qualified to vote but miss the regular registration deadline, you may register and vote at an early voting site. This “same day” registration is available at early voting sites only and is not permitted on Election Day.

To view your voter registration status, sample ballots and a list of candidates, Cary voters who reside in Wake County should visit www.wakegov.com/elections. Cary voters residing in Chatham County should visit www.chathamnc.org/BOE.

For questions about early voting, call Wake County Board of Elections at 856-6240 or Chatham County Board of Elections at 545-8500.

Recognizing citizens with hometown spirit

We’re looking for nominations for Cary’s new Hometown Spirit Award.

Do you know a Cary citizen who is 21 years of age or older that deserves to be recognized? We’re looking for folks who demonstrate leadership, integrity and are respected by their peers.

Nominees should also be those citizens who do one or more of the following:

• Help out neighbors and fellow residents
• Demonstrate hospitality
• Promote traditional American past-times
• Preserve our small-town atmosphere
• Promote entrepreneurship and support locally-owned businesses
• Promote a sense of community in their neighborhood and throughout Cary
• Serve the community

For criteria, eligibility and information on how to apply, visit www.townofcary.org.  Applications will be accepted from August 24 through 5 p.m. on October 9. For questions, contact the town clerk at 460-4941 or sue.rowland@townofcary.org.

Register for litter sweep

Get out on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 8-11 a.m. and spruce up your community during Cary’s Fall Litter Sweep.

This year, there’s something for everyone. From the side of the highway to the sidewalks in your neighborhood, there’s an opportunity for you to get involved. Join an organized sweep or start one in your own neighborhood.

Either way, we’ll give you the supplies and tools you’ll need to pick up litter on the day of the event. Register your spot or find a sweep by calling 469-4301.

After we’re done cleaning, we’ll meet at Bond Park at noon to celebrate our efforts with free food and fabulous door prizes.

The rain date for the litter sweep is Oct. 10. For more information, visit Spruce at www.townofcary.org.

Disposal ban begins October 1

New state disposal bans will go into effect Oct. 1 on used oil filters, plastic bottles and wooden pallets. These items will no longer be accepted in North Carolina landfills.

For more information, visit www.townofcary.org.

Bud Bits

• The Page-Walker Arts and History Center hosts free cultural programs and performances throughout the year. For more, call 460-4963.

> The Triangle Sacred Harp Singers will perform Sept. 27 from 2-4 p.m.

> The Genealogy Forum will meet Oct. 8 at 7 p.m.

> The Triangle Calligraphers’ Guild meets Oct. 10 at 10 a.m.

• Our annual wastewater report is available on the Town’s Web site at www.townofcary.org.

• The 2009 Temporary Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition is now open on the Cary’s Town Hall campus. The exhibition, presented by Cary Visual Art, Inc., features three-dimensional sculptural works by 10 artists. The works will be displayed through June 25, 2010 . For details about the exhibition and artists, visit www.caryvisualart.org.

Share your memories of Hemlock Bluffs

We’re inviting everyone with memories of Hemlock Bluffs as it was prior to 1950 to share them with us.

Your recollections will help our Stevens Nature Center record the history of the bluffs and learn more about how its natural features were explored and enjoyed by members of the community prior to the creation of today’s nature preserve.

If you have recollections to share, please call 387-6081 and leave us a message with your contact information so we may return your call.

We will be collecting stories until the end of December 2009.

Volunteers needed

We’re seeking members for our Citizen Advisory Committees: Athletics Committee, Greenways Committee, and Cultural Arts Committee.

These three committees serve as advisory bodies to the Town Council through the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board and Town staff.

Interested? For more information and application, visit www.townofcary.org or call 469-4061. The deadline to apply is October 9 at 5 p.m.

Festivals celebrate diversity

On Oct. 10, come experience the wonder of India at Cary Diwali 2009 held at Koka Booth Amphitheatre at 11 a.m. This year’s theme is Welcome to the Vibrant State of Rajasthan, the land of royalty.

On Oct. 11, return to the amphitheatre at 11 a.m. for the NC Eid Festival, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

Both festivals will feature food, music, dance, art, vendors, and rich cultural history.

For more, call 460-4963.

Keeping mosquitoes at bay

To control mosquito populations at home, start by getting rid of all sources of standing water.

Standing water provides an excellent environment for mosquitoes to breed. Remember to drain or remove water-holding containers such as:

• Pet dishes
• Buckets
• Wading pools
• Dishes underneath flower pots
• Birdbaths
• Rain barrels
• Toys that hold water
• Plastic covers and tarps

Also, repair outdoor leaky faucets and be sure rain gutters aren’t clogged. Get more Mosquito Control tips at www.townofcary.org.

Meet Dracula

Applause! Cary Youth Theatre presents Dracula, the world’s most famous vampire, Oct. 15-17 at Sertoma Amphitheatre in Bond Park. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are on sale beginning Sept. 14. For tickets and details, call 465-4792.

Youth basketball

Registration for winter youth basketball will take place Oct. 5-25 for players ages 10-18. The fee to register is $44 for Cary residents and $69 for non-residents.

Visit www.townofcary.org beginning Sep 21 to print a registration packet. For details, call 469-4062.

Cultural connection

• Cary Art Loop, Sept. 25, 6 p.m. at various locations. For details, visit caryartloop.org.

• Cary Town Band: The Colors of Autumn, Sept 25, 7:30 p.m. , at Sertoma Amphitheatre in Bond Park. Free. For more, call 847-8806 or visit carytownband.org

• Marvelous Music Series: Riders in the Sky, Sept 26, 7:30 p.m. , at Herb Young Community Center . For details, call 469-4061.

• Cary Players presents A Midsummer Night's Dream, at Sertoma Amphitheatre Oct. 2-4 and Oct. 8-10, 7:30 p.m. For information, visit caryplayers.org

• Applause! Cary Youth Theatre presents Cabaret Night, Oct. 3, 7 p.m. at Cary Senior Center . For information, call 469-4061.

• Brass at Bond, Oct. 10, 1 p.m. , at Sertoma Amphitheatre. Free. More information at 469-4061.

• Friends of Page-Walker Fall Concert Series: Mallarme Chamber Players, Oct. 18, 4 p.m. , at Page-Walker Arts & History Center . Details at 460-4963.

Exhibits

• Sonia Kane: Sunlit Landscapes. Herb Young Community Center , Sept. 22-Nov. 16. Artist reception: Sept. 25, 6-8 p.m.

• Catherine Nailling Parrish: Miimema. Town Hall Gallery, Sept. 22-Oct. 26. Artist reception: Sept. 25, 6-8 p.m.

• Fragmented Figures: Explorations by Melissa Katherine. Page-Walker Arts and History Center , Sept. 25-Oct. 20. Artist reception: Sept. 25, 6-8 p.m.

• The Spice of Life: Retrospective Works by Holly Brewster-Jones. Page-Walker, Sept. 25-Oct. 20. Artist reception: Sept. 25, 6-8 p.m.

• Autumn Arts And Crafts Expo. Jordan Hall Arts Center , Oct. 24, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

For more Concerts and Events, visit www.townofcary.org.