Town Council Approves FY11 Budget
   Cary Town Council has adopted a $348 million budget for the Fiscal Year 2011, which went into effect July 1, 2010.
   The budget keeps the property tax rate unchanged at 33 cents per $100 valuation and holds the residential garbage, recycling and yard waste fees the same at $14 per month.
   Other highlights include $128 million for the State-mandated Western Wake Regional Wastewater Management Facilities and $2.7 million for street improvements and other transportation initiatives.
   Also included is $3 million for the Fire Department, $700,000 for park renovations and $2.8 million for general government including $700,000 for open space.
   The total operating budget is just 3.7 percent higher than the previous Fiscal Year budget. A copy of the proposed budget is online at www.townofcary.org; the adopted budget is expected to be available by the end of August.

Lazy Daze Is Back
   Don’t miss the 34th Annual Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival, our nationally recognized event held in downtown Cary.
   Lazy Daze, a day-long celebration, offers something for everyone—exceptional arts and crafts, concessions, children’s activities at the Kid’s World stage and entertainment for all ages on multiple stages. Arrive early and enjoy the day until 5 p.m.
  Mark your calendar, and plan on spending the day visiting with artists, listening to music and learning more about our Town’s programs and civic groups.
   Be sure to check out the Great Steak Challenge regional finals and watch grillmasters compete for a spot on the Cooking Channel’s Great Steak Challenge Finale.
   Lazy Daze has a serious side, too. One of Lazy Daze’s goals is to return to the community Festival proceeds in the form of grants to local non-profits whose projects add to our quality of life.  Since its inception, the Lazy Daze Grants Program has re-invested more than $475,000 in the local community in the form of grants.
   For more on Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival and its schedule, visit www.townofcary.org.

Hemlocks Set for Treatment
   During a routine tree mapping project at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve, arborists discovered a small population of Hemlock Woolly Adelgids, tiny non-native aphid-like insects.
   While not harmful to people, pets or other plants, if left untreated the Woolly Adelgid kills Hemlock trees by feeding at the base of their needles, preventing the flow of nutrients.
   In an effort to preserve this North Carolina treasure, we’ve collaborated with local and state and other public and private sector experts to create a multi-faceted approach to saving our Hemlocks.
   While typically open 365 days a year, we’ll close the Preserve on treatment days so staff can focus on the effort. Closures will be announced on our Web site, through our email list service and flyers posted at the Stevens Nature Center.
   If you would like to share ideas, questions, comments or concerns about the project, email hemlocks@townofcary.org or call 387-5980. For regular updates, subscribe to the Stevens Nature Center email list at www.townofcary.org and follow us on Twitter @TownofCary.

New State Law to Protect Your Email Address
   Did you know when you enrolled in our email subscriber list service to receive information from Town Hall, it became public record? Due to a recent State Law, local governments in Wake county now have the authority to deny requests for copies of our subscriber email lists.
   The idea for and request to work to change the law came from our email list subscribers; the result of a recent scientific survey of Cary citizens showed that 88 percent supported having the Town pursue the effort, which was embraced by other Wake County communities and carried forward unanimously through the Legislature by Wake County’s Senators and Representatives.
   While we no longer have to provide copies of the email addresses, the subscriber lists remain open for public inspection for those who want to come to Town Hall to see them. 
   To become a subscriber and receive regular emails about Town news and events, click the green envelope on the homepage.
   For more information, call 469-4007.

Do You Have Hometown Spirit?
   Do you know a Cary resident who is 21 years of age or older and deserves to be recognized?
   We’re looking for folks who demonstrate leadership, integrity and are respected by their peers and who unselfishly share their time and talents in their neighborhood or the community at-large to enhance and maintain Cary's traditional small town values.
   Nominees should also help out neighbors and fellow Cary residents; promote and preserve traditional American pastimes; and promote entrepreneurship by supporting locally-owned businesses.
   For complete criteria and an application, visit www.townofcary.org. Applications will be accepted until September 10, 2010 at 5 p.m. For questions, call 460-4941.

Access Permits Online Now
   The Inspections and Permits Department now gives you the flexibility to apply, pay for and receive permits online for certain small residential projects beginning August 3, 2010. All of these features may be utilized from the convenience of your home, 24/7, without the need to apply in person at Town Hall.
   Permits submitted online will be processed each morning during normal business hours. Upon approval, the permit is emailed to the applicant.
   As part of the secure program, you’ll also have the ability to pay online for most reinspection fees on all existing permits. There is no additional fee for this service.
   The process of obtaining building permits on our Web site is the latest web addition. Earlier this year, we unveiled Virtual Interactive Planner, or VIP, and transitioned to a web-only employee application process.
   Try the new Building Permit online system at the Inspections & Permits Departments section of www.townofcary.org. Feedback can be emailed to click2govBP@townofcary.org or by calling 380-2141.

Geocaching: Treasure Troving in Cary
   Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online.
   There are over 1.1 million caches worldwide, and over 15,000 in Cary.
   Geocaching is a great way to explore your area. For everyone’s safety, if interested in placing a cache on town property please contact Dwayne.Jones@ townofcary.org or call 469-4064 at least one day prior to placing the cache.
   Please note that caches will not be permitted in landscaped areas.

Calling All Youth Thespians!
   Applause! Cary Youth Theatre will host auditions and design team interviews for The Little Prince, scheduled for November 12-14 at Cary Academy.
   Auditions are open to ages 8-18 and will be held September 22-23 from 5-9 p.m. at Page- Walker Arts & History Center. Participants will be asked to read from the script and do creative movement.
   Design Team Interviews are open to ages 10-18 and will be held September 21, 5-8 p.m. at Page-Walker Arts & History Center. Applicants will be asked to share ideas, drawings or other design concepts for the show.
   Auditions and interviews are by appointment only; no walk-ins will be accepted. Registration opens September 1. Reserve your spot by calling 465-4792.

Bud Bits
Public comment on the Cary Parkway and High House Road intersection is still being accepted until August 31. Share feedback via an online survey found on its project page at www.townofcary.org, by email to intersections@townofcary.org or by mail to the Town of Cary Engineering Department, c/o Cary Parkway and High House Road, PO Box 8005, Cary, NC 27512.

Give me the Bottom Line! Bottom Line cuts through rumors, misinformation and hullabaloo of some of the current issues involving your Town government by offering a clear, concise and fact-based counterpoint to ensure that citizens have the information necessary to develop an informed position. Visit the Bottom Line at www.townofcary.org.

Town offices will be closed Monday, September 6 in observance of Labor Day. Solid waste, yard waste and recycling will be collected as regularly scheduled.

Fall Waterwise Workshops
   Join NCSU Prof. Garry Grabow September 9 to learn about smart irrigation technologies—new controllers and soil moisture sensors—that can help you stay water smart. He’ll also share the results of a study conducted with Cary utility customers in which these technologies were used.
   The workshop will be held at 7 p.m. in the Town’s Garmon Operations Center, 400 James Jackson Avenue. For a full list of upcoming WaterWise workshops, visit www.townofcary.org. All workshops are free. Register by calling 469-4090.

Get PINned
   Conveniently register for programs and check picnic shelter availability from your home or office computer with your Personal Identification Number (PIN) and our EZ-REG program. Your PIN lets you register for Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources programs at classweb.townofcary.org or by phone without the hassle of paper forms or coming to Town Hall.
   To get PINned, complete a family account registration form available on our web site or call 469-4061.

For the Health of Fido & Fluffy
   Whether you’ve recently adopted a pet or you’re considering it, one of the most important health decisions you’ll make is to spay or neuter your cat or dog. The procedure requires minimal hospitalization and offers lifelong health benefits.
  Spaying or neutering your pet is good for the community and it helps fight pet overpopulation
  It is highly cost-effective
  Spaying or neutering will not make your pet overweight
  Your neutered male will be better behaved and won’t want to roam away from home
  Your female pet won’t go into heat and will live a longer, healthier life
   Call the Town of Cary Animal Control at 319-4517 for more information and to learn about upcoming area vet clinics.

Fire Prevention: New Pine Straw Rules
Updating your landscaping? A new Combustible Landscaping Ordinance in full effect. Get the facts on using pine straw and other combustible landscaping materials by visiting the Combustible Landscaping Materials page at www.townofcary.org. For additional information, speak directly Fire Marshal Ken Hawley by calling 469-4057. Violations will result in a $250/day fine.

Plan to Participate!
Find out about the Town’s public meetings, events and pertinent information on the Town’s Web site. Just click “This Week” on our homepage, or browse the meeting calendar.

Cultural Connection
In the Army Now with the Cary Town Band and the 82nd Airborne Division Band (Sept. 10, 7:30 p.m., FREE). 847-8806.

Fall Sertoma Series presents Montana Skies (Sept. 12, 3 p.m., Sertoma Amphitheatre at Bond Park, FREE). 319-4560.

Antique Appraisal Fair (Sept. 18, 10 a.m., Page-Walker Arts & History Center). $10/ each item to be appraised. 460-4963.

Cary Caribbean Festival (Sept. 18, Noon, Herbert C. Young Community Center, FREE). 460-4963.

Masquerade Ball (Sept. 25, 7 p.m., Page-Walker Arts & History Center). Tickets: $25. 755-8004.

10th Celebration of Cary Diwali Art Opening (Sept. 24, 6 p.m., Town Hall, FREE). More at www.humsub.net or 460-4963.