Independence Days
Celebrating Freedom on the 3^rd, 4^th & 5th  

Fourth of July in Cary is three days long.  

Begin celebrating early with a free Independence Day Eve concert in Bond Park’s Sertoma Amphitheatre. The Cary Town Band will perform patriotic songs from 7 - 8 p.m.

Return to Bond Park Friday morning, July 4, for the Independence Day Olde Time Celebration. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. for a parent-child fishing tournament. Games and doughnut eating and watermelon seed spitting contests follow. The event ends at 3 p.m.  

The celebration highlight is the traditional free concert and fireworks at the Amphitheatre at Regency Park on July 4. Gates open at 3 p.m. The Cary Town Band performs at 6 p.m. before the N.C. Symphony takes the stage.   

The StarSpangled SpongeBob SquarePants party for kids 5 - 12 is Saturday, July 5 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Herb Young Community Center . Register using class code 14073 or call (919) 460-4965.  

A picnic for ages 11 –18 is July 5 at the Kiwanis Shelter in Bond Park.  Call (919) 460-4965 for fees and other details.  

Find the full listing at townofcary.org. See the Concerts page in the Recreation section.

Amateur Night Fright  

Fireworks are something best left to the experts.  

So enjoy them at Regency Park on July 4 and believe us when we say, “Don’t try this at home.”  

Throughout the country, fireworks lead to thousands of emergency room visits. These dazzling, but dangerous devices can burn at temperatures up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit and cause serious burns, lacerations, amputations and blindness. They’re not worth the risk.  

Stay back 500 feet from professional fireworks displays.  

Treat all fireworks, whether legal or illegal to buy, as suitable only for trained professionals. If you see amateurs trying to put on a show, leave the area.  

If you find fireworks, do not touch them but instead direct authorities to them.  

Grass Pass  

The Town provides three-week exceptions to the Alternate Day Watering Ordinance to plant warm season grasses between April 15 and Aug. 31. 

The exception permits you to water newly planted warm season sod, seed or plugs daily for up to three weeks.   

For more information or to request an exception, call (919) 469-4090.  

Reminder  

Yard waste will not be picked up Independence week. Here’s the schedule for garbage, recyclables and curbside trash: 

Tuesday customers’ collection on Monday, June 30

Wednesday customers’ collection on Tuesday, July 1

Thursday customers’ collection on Wednesday, July 2

Friday customers’ collection on Thursday, July 3.

Waste Watchers - A Healthier Diet for Pipes  

Too much greasy food can be harmful, even what we scrape off our plates after dinner.  

Dumping food scraps and leftover cooking oil down the drain or garbage disposal causes problems for sewer lines.  

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says fats, oils and grease are the major cause of sewer system blockages.  They clog pipes and cause backups that harm the environment.  

Food service businesses should call us at (919) 469-4090 to find out about grease traps and other requirements.  

Much more information for homeowners and restaurateurs is on townofcary.org. See Fats, Oils & Grease under Site Index. Let’s keep our sewer “arteries” clear.  

Bud Bits  

Cary received its 20th Tree City USA award this spring.  The award signifies a community’s investment in tree protection.  

“Tree cities” have a tree board or other organization, adopt a tree protection ordinance, operate a comprehensive community forestry program, and observe Arbor Day. 

If you’re 55 or older, join friends at the Cary Senior Center this summer for several early evening programs with a catered dinner, games and door prizes. Programs are free, but pre-registration is required. Call (919) 469-4081.  

Cary Tennis Center will host the N.C. State Junior Closed Tennis Tournament again July 19-24. It includes the state’s best junior players. Call (919) 462-2061 for details.  

Tips for Not-So-Handy Men & Women  

Some homeowners have the expertise to replace appliances and make household repairs, even build decks and add on rooms. However, most of us need professional contractors.   

Shop around for contractors and get several estimates. Talk with references to find out how satisfied they were with the work. 

Where applicable, ensure that the person you hire has the required N.C. contractor's license, not just a Town privilege license.  

Call the Inspections and Permits Department's automated scheduling system at (919) 462-3800 to arrange an inspection. Have your permit number handy. 

Never pay contractors in full until the job is complete, all inspections have been approved and you are satisfied with the work. 

After the work is complete, you can ask Inspections for a certificate of compliance that could be useful if you sell your home. 

See Home Construction Projects on our Web site for more details, including what projects need permits and how to check a contractor’s license online.  

Learn about a state fund that may, under certain conditions, reimburse homeowners who have been victimized.  

Season's Beatings  

We’re hoping for meek summer weather that allows for snoozes on the deck. 

But summer can rival winter in nastiness. Aside from drought like last year, we can’t rule out hurricanes, tornadoes and other severe storms. 

We’ve put together more information about severe weather on townofcary.org. Check the Emergencies section or Site Index.  

Call for Fall Basketball - Registration for Boys & Girls Ages 6 - 9  

Leagues - Coed - 6 & 7 year olds; Boys Pee Wee - 8 & 9 year olds; Girls Pee Wee - 8 & 9 year olds (Ages as of Oct. 15, 2003) 6 year olds must present birth certificate at registration.  

Fees - Cary residents $27, non-residents $47  

Registration Dates - Mail-in Only - July 7-11 (postmark priority July 3-5) - Cary residents; also non-residents returning to same league

Mail In/Walk In - July 14-19 for all Cary residents, also non-residents returning to same league

Walk In Only - July 21-26 - All Cary residents; all non-residents  

Forms - Available after June 28. Call Parks , Recreation and Cultural Resources at (919) 469-4062 for more details.  

Got Water?  

We’ve got non-potable water available at no charge for approved customers. The minimum load is 250 gallons.  

The bulk water program cuts down on drinking water that gets used for irrigation and other purposes. See the Reclaimed Water section in Current Projects on the Web site or call (919) 469-4090.  

Whole New Ballgame  

Team and individual registration for the new Women's Basketball League will be accepted Monday, June 2 through Thursday, June 5 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Cary Parks , Recreation and Cultural Resources office.  

The registration form and fee ($325 for a team or $30 for an individual) will be due at registration.  Call (919) 469-4062 for more information.  

Our Team - Planning Department  

We think you’ll agree Cary is a really nice place to live. It didn’t get that way by chance, though. 

A lot of work by many people goes into keeping Cary the kind of place we want to call home. 

Our Planning Department handles land use and transportation plans, affordable housing initiatives, private development proposals and more to maintain our quality of life. 

The department enforces zoning regulations, design guidelines and similar requirements. It manages C-Tran, the Town’s door-to-door bus system. It produces development and population forecasts and estimates. 

Planning staffers are ready to help with your questions or concerns. Call (919) 469-4082.   

And if you or someone you know is considering a career in planning, check regularly to see if there are job openings by calling (919) 469-4070 or checking the Web site.  

Conservation Corner  

Recycling Tip:  On the third Saturday of each month, the South Wake Transfer Station (6000 Old Smithfield Road, off N.C.  55, south of Apex) accepts household hazardous wastes from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. Accepted wastes include pesticides, household cleaners and polishes, herbicides, drain openers, poisons, paints, acids/bases, solvents/thinners, batteries, furniture strippers, photographic chemicals, wood preservatives, lighter fluid, used motor oil, kerosene, antifreeze, fuel oil, and auto starter or brake fluid. For 24 hour information call (919) 287-8051.  

Water Conservation Tip: Tired of fighting your fescue lawn year after year?  Learn about warm season grasses such as St. Augustine , Centipede, Zoysia, and Bermuda at these free workshops:  Saturday, June 21, 9 -10 a.m. at Cary Garden Center , 930 W. Chatham St. ; Saturday June 28, 10-11:30 a.m. at Garden Supply Company, 1421 Old Apex Road ; or Saturday, July 19, 10-11:30 a.m. at Garden Supply Company. Call (919) 469-4090 to register.  

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