Family, Friends & Fireworks: The 4^th of July in Cary
    Cary’s annual Independence Day celebration promises to be the best yet, with performances, tournaments, games, a parade and, of course, fireworks. It is two days of festivities perfect for family and neighbors! 
    The Independence Day Olde Time Celebration kicks off at 8 a.m. on July 3, with a parent-child fishing tournament. Prizes will be awarded for the largest and smallest fish caught in addition to other categories. Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. 
    Line-up at 9 a.m. to be in the “Parade at the Park” and show your American pride. At 10 a.m., we’ll walk, ride and stroll from the Kiwanis Shelter to the Boathouse for the remaining scheduled activities.
    Games and competitions will be held throughout the day, including a doughnut eating contest, water balloon toss, Lakeside Olympics and a watermelon seed spitting contest. 
   All events take place at the Fred G. Bond Metro Park waterfront, 801 High House Road, and conclude by 3 p.m.
   Enjoy an Independence Eve performance by the Cary Town Band at the Sertoma Amphitheatre in Fred G. Bond Metro Park on July 3, with classic patriotic tunes starting at 7:30 p.m.
   Celebrate with a fireworks spectacular at Koka Booth Amphitheatre on July 4. The Cary Town Band and the North Carolina Symphony will play in concert with a unique fireworks display. Tarps, blankets and chairs are allowed within venue gates; staking and tents are not permitted. 
    For a full schedule of our 4^th of July weekend, visit Independence Day events at www.townofcary.org. All events are free and open to the public.

Out & About? Keep Your Home Safe
    Whether you are working in your backyard or vacationing for a week, we all tend to spend less time inside our homes in the summer months. Simple tips will keep your home and family more secure while you enjoy the nice weather.
    An open door is an invitation, so be conscious of your garage door and porch doors while doing yard work. Remember to pick up lawn tools once finished and to secure them in your shed or garage.
    When planning your vacation, don’t forget to stop your mail and newspaper service, or else have a neighbor regularly pick them up for you. Set your indoor lights on a timer and be sure to set your home alarm. 
    For more summer home safety tips, or to request a free home safety audit, contact Community Services Officer Brian Austin at 469-4324 or by e-mail at brian.austin@townofcary.org.

Rising Temps Tempt Bad Water Habits
    Don’t forget that alternate day watering rules are in effect year round in Cary and Morrisville. 
    Water customers with odd-numbered street addresses can water outdoors using automated devices such as sprinklers and irrigation systems only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Customers with even-numbered street addresses may water outdoors using sprinklers and irrigation systems only on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. 
    No one may use outdoor automated devices—including sprinklers—on Mondays. 
    Hand-watering and using drip irrigation are okay any day of the week.
    For more, visit Water Conservation at www.townofcary.org.

Register for Fall Sports
    Youth baseball and softball registration will be held June 21-July 11. The cost is $44 for residents; $69 for non-residents.
    Registration for youth basketball (ages 5-9) will begin on July 12. Children age five must submit their birth certificate at time of registration. Fees are $44 for residents; $69 for non-residents.
    Adult softball team registration will be held July 6-9. The team fee is $425 (for Co-ed, Men’s Open and Church B/C); and $450 (Modified). 
    Individual registration for senior softball will be held from July 6-23. Leagues are designed for 50 & over and 60 & over. The cost is $35 for residents; $50 for non-residents.
    For more information, call 469-4062.


No Swatting This Summer
    Both a public health concern and a nuisance, mosquitoes are pesky bugs that can quickly ruin a summer night out. The most effective measure to prevent mosquito breeding is to eliminate their habitat—stagnant water. These conditions are created by natural water features like ponds, creeks or stormwater ditches, or by artificial containers like buckets, birdbaths, residential pools or ponds, pet bowls or gutters.
    To prevent these breeding grounds from forming near your home, regularly use water collected in rain barrels and cisterns, or at least cover them with fine screening that resists corrosion. Drain swimming pools that are not used, and remove debris from creeks to keep them flowing. 
    Mosquito-related complaints should be reported to Wake County at 856-2613.


Keep Waste Out of Your Space
    To protect your property and your health, households are required by North Carolina Building Code to install a backwater valve if the home’s plumbing fixtures are below the top of the first, upstream manhole on the street.
    A properly operating backwater valve allows flow to go only in one direction, keeping wastewater from entering your home during normal sewer system maintenance or sewer system backups.
    If sewage backs into your home, the cost to repair and clean may be high, and the Town cannot be held liable for damages when a backwater valve has not been installed. 
    To learn more, visit the Town of Cary Public Works and Utilities online or call 469-4340.


Communicate As You Cycle
    Proper bicycle etiquette includes good pedestrian communication. 
    While you are cycling our miles of greenways and sidewalks, remember walkers and runners have the ultimate right of way. Be sure to announce yourself before passing by politely warning those in front of you that you will soon be passing them to their left or right. Remember to cycle at a safe speed, particularly around runners and those with pets who might be apt to jump in your path without warning.
    Do your part to keep Cary one of the country’s safest places for bicyclists and pedestrians by using simple, open communication while enjoying our greenways, trails and sidewalks. 
    For more, read Bike & Hike on www.townofcary.org or call 469-4082.


Beat the Peak Easy Conservation Tips
    While you’re exercising good water habits, remember to keep your landscape hydrated, but not over-hydrated. 
    Over-watering can lead to many turf problems including poor growth and yellow lawns. Water only when necessary; experts recommend watering no more than one inch per week, including rainfall. Give us a call at 469-4090 to request a free rain gauge to help you track rainfall. 
    Consider collecting rain to naturally irrigate specific plants or gardens. Rainwater harvesting can reduce utility bills and is not subject to Cary's year-round outdoor watering restrictions. 
    The Town sells 65-gallon rain barrels made of recycled plastic for $87, repurposed 55-gallon drums for $15 and conversion adapter kits for $16. Purchases can be made with cash, check or credit card at any Town of Cary Community Center. 
    For low-stress landscaping, consider participating in the Town’s Turf Buy Back program. Our program offers eligible Cary utility customers a one-time, $500 incentive for the replacement of irrigated turf with a warm season grass or a natural area. 
    For more, visit the water conservation section of our Web site or call 469-4090.

6/1/10: Be Prepared
    June 1 marks the start of hurricane season. Are you and your family ready?
    Hurricanes can cause power outages, wind damage, flooding and more. In some cases, you may have to evacuate from your home.
    If you haven’t done so already, create a disaster kit for each member of your family. It should be a portable container with food, clothing, medicine, important documents, money, batteries and flashlights, a weather radio and other supplies you might need should you have to relocate. Pack enough supplies to last at least three days.
    For more information on hurricane preparedness, visit the Severe Weather page at www.townofcary.org.

Tools, Not Toys
    Matches and lighters are useful tools. To adults, they seem harmless. In the hands of a child, they can be deadly. 
    Tell children that matches and lighters are dangerous tools that only grown-ups should use. Never use matches or lighters as a toy yourself. Adults must control the availability of matches, lighters and other fire-starting tools in the home.
    Many children won’t think about fire if matches or lighters aren’t lying around the home. Try to remove or greatly reduce the number of matchbooks and lighters in your home. If you smoke, keep your matches or lighter in your pocket or in your purse.


Are You Registered?
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BUD BITS
Town Hall will be closed on July 5 in observance of Independence Day. Solid waste, yard waste and recycling material will be collected as regularly scheduled.

Don’t forget to apply to fill one of the 30 upcoming vacancies on the Town’s volunteer boards and commissions. Applications will be accepted until June 30 and board terms begin October 1. For questions, call 319-4508. For an application, visit www.townofcary.org.

Moody’s Financial Service, one of the three major bond rating agencies in the U.S., has upgraded the Town of Cary revenue bonds to a Triple A rating, the highest possible. As a result, Cary now boasts a Triple A rating from all three agencies—Moody’s, Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor’s—on all revenue bonds. Cary has been rated Triple A by all three rating agencies for our general obligation bonds since 2001. In North Carolina, Cary and Charlotte are the only municipalities to share the prestigious ranking of Triple A for both general obligation and revenue bonds. Cary’s Triple A ratings will help us save hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest over the years.

Cultural Connection
“The Gifts” Mixed Media Exhibit by Lynda Chambers (June 25–July 27, daily at Page-Walker Arts & History Center, FREE). 460-4963.

Starlight Concert Series: Jamrock (July 9, 7:30 p.m., Page-Walker Arts & History Center Garden, FREE). 460-4963.

Summerfest: NC Symphony performs The Wizard of Oz (July 10, 8:30 p.m., Koka Booth Amphitheatre). 733-2750.

Summer Sertoma Series: Triangle Brass Band (July 17, 7 p.m., Sertoma Amphitheatre at Bond Park, FREE). 363-8664.

Starlight Concert Series: Lois Deloatch (July 23, 7:30 p.m., Page-Walker Arts & History Center Garden, FREE). 460-4963.