Lakeside symphony  

     For the past 22 years, the North Carolina Symphony has made Cary’s amphitheatre at Symphony Lake its summer home. The towering pines offer the perfect setting for great music by a great orchestra every Saturday night beginning May 31 through July 19. 

     This year’s Summerfest lineup at Koka Booth Amphitheatre includes:

     • Play with the Pros, May 31-Free concert featuring a grand finale with local musicians;

     • Forbidden Broadway, June 21 – A comedic look at Broadway’s biggest hits;

     • Salute to the Greatest Generation, July 5 – Tribute to the men and women who made America great during World War II

     • Take it to the Limit: A Symphonic Tribute to The Eagles, July 19 – Featuring hits like “Take it Easy,” “Desperado,” and “Hotel California.”

     Summerfest also features five other great concerts including the free July 4th celebration!

     For a complete schedule, ticket prices and detailed event information, visit www.BoothAmphitheatre.com.

Take steps before hiring a contractor

     Spring is the time many people decide to take on home improvement projects. If you’re thinking about hiring a contractor, do your homework first. Unfortunately, there are some unscrupulous and unlicensed persons acting as contractors.

     • Beware of any contractor who needs a down payment or solicits door-to-door. Most professionals can finance their own work.

     • Don’t rush into repairs, no matter how badly they may be needed. Decide what work you want to have done and the amount of money you can comfortably spend.

     • Get at least two or three estimates from licensed contractors.  Make sure you have a written contract before work begins and you understand the terms.

     • Always ask for references.

     For more tips, visit www.townofcary.org or check out www.nclbgc.net.

Tips for tick season

   Tick season is here and we’re encouraging you to look for ticks on yourself, family members and your pets everyday.

   In 2007, Wake County had 75 confirmed cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, a tick-borne illness. Help prevent tick bites by:

   • Applying insect repellent before spending time outdoors.

   • Wearing light-colored clothing so ticks are easier to see.

   • Avoiding tick habitats like tall grasses and bushes or wear long pants tucked into your socks.

   If an attached tick is found, remove it right away. Always wash your hands and the wound after removing a tick.

Noteworthy nod

   We recently received an honorable mention for our innovative program to protect sensitive financial information as part of the State Treasurer’s 2006-2007 award program for Accounting and Financial Management.

Bud Bits

• Interested in purchasing a rain barrel? Truckload sales will be held during the months of May and June. For details, call 469-4090. To learn more about rain barrels, visit the Water Conservation section at www.townofcary.org.

• Oasis is a program that helps those who find themselves in financial hardship with their Town of Cary utility bill. Christian Community in Action administers the program in partnership with the Town of Cary. If you need help, call CCA at 469-9861 or learn more at www.townofcary.org.

Walk, paddle or play during summer visits

     Do you have guests planning to visit who love to stay fit? Wondering where to take them to keep up their active routine?

     Cary has a number of fitness opportunities for you and your guests. With more than 35 miles of trails, Cary is a great place to go for a good run or walk. The trails of Hemlock Bluffs, Bond Park or Black Creek Trail below North Cary Park would be a true pleasure.

     The view alone is worth the visit to the Bond Park Boathouse, but renting a kayak, canoe or paddleboat can meet the cardiac workout you and your visitors may desire. Tennis anyone? Cary Tennis Park has courts, instructors and more for the pro in us all. 

     Kids get can get their active hour in at Kids Together Park or the Lazy Daze playground in Bond Park. SK8-Cary is another option for young visitors who seek the thrill of skateboarding.

     Any of these activities should meet your out-of-town guests’ needs during their stay in our Fit Community. For more recreation options, visit www.townofcary.org.

Dog days of June

     Enjoy a day filled with family fun for you and your dogs on Saturday, June 7 at Bond Park.

     The morning starts with a Canine Frisbee Competition at 9:30 a.m. Participate or watch as pooches and owners show off their disc throwing and catching accuracy and distance.

     Our Dog Day afternoon starts at 11 a.m. and features live music, a "Wag'n Trail" Charity Dog Walk, and a dog/owner look-alike contest. Try your luck in the charity raffle and check out dogs available for adoption. Proceeds will benefit local non-profit rescue groups.

     We’re also hosting Rabies Vaccines and Micro-chipping clinics at Bond Park from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Micro-chips will be $10 for each pet and rabies vaccine will cost $5 for each pet.

     All pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet. For more information, call 469-4100.

Cary enlists space cadets

      We’re hosting a week-long camp for aspiring young astronauts.

      Held at Middle Creek Community Center, Cary Space Camp is similar in concept to the more famous Space Camp held in Huntsville, Alabama. Elementary school-age participants explore model rocketry, robotics, astronomy and more space-related activities.

      Now entering its fifth year, well over 1,000 children will have completed our Space Camp program by summer’s end.

      This year, we’re also launching Cary Space Academy for middle school-age participants. Similar to Cary Space Camp, Cary Space Academy will allow participants to perform more sophisticated experiments, including roller coaster physics on a day trip to an amusement park! 

      Cary Space Camp kicks off June 23 with additional sessions available in July. Cary Space Academy makes its debut the week of August 4. Space is still available in both programs.  Call 771-1295 for details.

Dial before you dig

   Digging in the dirt is a pleasure for some and work for others. Before you dig, however, North Carolina law requires you to notify area utilities at least 48 hours in advance of your excavation project. To do so, just dial 811 and talk toll-free to the North Carolina One Call Center.

Volley and serve

   Register a team for summer outdoor adult volleyball from June 2-5. For more information or to request a registration packet, call 469-4062.

Trash schedule unchanged

   Town offices will close on Monday, May 26 for Memorial Day. Solid waste, yard waste and recycling will be collected on regular collection days.

Cultural Connection

• Concert Singers of Cary and Triangle Wind Ensemble present “An American Celebration,” May 24, 7:30 p.m. at Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Details at www.concertsingers.org.

• Cary Art Loop, May 30, 6-9 p.m. Details at www.caryartloop.org.

• Triangle Youth Philharmonic Alumni Concert, June 1, 3 p.m. at Booth Amphitheatre. Details at 645-8434.

• Starlight Series: Charlie Chiklis and the Moonlighters, June 6, 7:30 p.m. at Page-Walker Arts and History Center. Free. Details at 460-4963.

• Spring Sertoma Series presents Triangle Wind Ensemble,  June 8, 6 p.m. at Sertoma Amphitheatre, Bond Park. Free. Details at 469-4061.

• Starlight Concert Series: Moment’s Notice, June 20, 7:30 p.m. at Page-Walker. Details at 460-4963.

Exhibits

• 14th Annual Children's Art Show, Jordan Hall through May 28.

• Deborah Younglao, Jordan Hall Arts Gallery, May 29 - June 25.  Artist reception:  May 30, 6-8 p.m.

• Jordan Hall Portrait Artists, Herb Young Community Center and Town Hall galleries, May 30 - July 21. Artist reception: May 30, 6-8 p.m.

• Student Teacher Staff Show, Cary Senior Center, Jun 2-27.

For more events, visit www.townofcary.org.

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