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Weekend: NC Symphony Summer Season Starts in Cary

staff — Thu, 24 May 2012 22:29:42 +0000

Lindsey Chester edits the CaryCitizen Calendar of Events.

Cary, NC – It’s Memorial Day weekend, with relatively few (30-40) events on the CaryCitizen Calendar . But it’s quality, not quantity that counts. And quality starts with the NC Symphony, kicking off it’s summer residence in Cary this weekend.

Friday, May 25, 2012 – Ballet or a Movie?

You can choose for yourself on the Calendar, but we’d like to highlight two particular events on Friday night.

The first is Sleeping Beauty by the International Ballet Company at Cary Arts Center. IBA’s productions are always beautiful. For more info, visit the Calendar.

Also Friday is the kickoff of the Movies By Moonlight series at Booth Amphitheatre. Friday’s flick is Crazy Stupid Love.

Movies are free for kids 12 and under, $3 for adults. Movies begin around dusk. Picnics welcome.

Saturday, May 26, 2012 – NC Symphony

We’re hanging around town this weekend. Probably take a trip to the Farmers Market in the morning on Saturday. The big pool opens at the YMCA in the afternoon.

In the evening, we’ll likely be relaxing under the stars as the NC Symphony takes up it’s summer residence at Booth Amphitheatre. You didn’t know that the symphony makes its home in Cary during the summer? They do, and it’s always a magical night of incredible music under the stars.

For their Summerfest kickoff, the symphony will plays works including Rimsky-Korsakov’s Night on Bald Mountain as well as pieces by Grieg and Schubert.

As an added bonus, Saturday night’s performance will feature Playing with the Pros – talented area musicians joining the symphony. These Citizen Musicians bring a lot of passion and a big sound to the performance.

For ticket info, visit BoothAmpthiteatre.com

Sunday – Monday

Lots of other great stuff on the Calendar for Memorial Day weekend including an NCAA Baseball Tournament, a Taiwanese Dance Festival, a performance by the Triangle Wind Ensemble and two or three dozen other fun things. Then again, we might just make guacamole.

Happy Memorial Day!

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Photo by dleboeuf.

Win $10,000 in the Morrisville Chamber Raffle

staff — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:51:57 +0000

Morrisville, NC – You could win $10,000 in the Morrisville Chamber of Commerce Reverse Raffle. And, you’ll be supporting one of the area’s finest business organizations.

Win $10,000

Proceeds from the raffle support the fine work of the Morrisville Chamber of Commerce, a burgeoning force for business in the Triangle. Tickets cost $100.

The Reverse Raffle will be held on Thursday, June 21, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Four Points by Sheraton located at 1200 Claren Circle, in Morrisville.

It is a fun opportunity to network, win fabulous raffle prizes and support the Morrisville Chamber’s programs.

The Odds Are Good

Only 300 tickets will be sold for the grand prize. That makes your odds 1:300.

By comparison, the the odds of winning the Mega Millions lottery are 1:175,000,000 according to mathematician Aaron Abrams.

Get together with a couple of friends and pool your money. You do not have to attend the raffle drawing to win. Buy a ticket.

Buy a Ticket

To purchase tickets:

Morrisville Chamber Reverse Raffle
Call – (919) 463-7150
Email - chamber@morrisvillechamber.org
Online - Buy a ticket
Ticket Cost: $100

Event Details:

Raffle Drawing
Thursday June 21, 2012
5:30 – 8:00 PM

Four Points by Sheraton
1200 Claren Circle
Morrisville, NC

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Community coverage on CaryCitizen is sponsored in part by Thai Spices and Sushi of Cary.

Cary Student Wins State Department Scholarship

staff — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:05:29 +0000

Cary, NC – Lots of kids study abroad, even in high school. But not many get a scholarship from the U.S. State Department to do so. Meet Kira Wegner-Clemens.

Cary Student Wins State Department Scholarship

Kira Wegner-Clemens, a high school student in Cary, has been awarded a National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) scholarship for 2012-2013.

The NSLI-Y scholarship enables Kira to study Russian in Russia for the summer. The scholarship covers all program costs for participants including domestic and international travel, tuition, cultural activities, meals and accommodations.

The program is funded by the U.S. Department of State and provides merit-based scholarships for eligible high school students to learn less commonly-taught languages in summer and academic-year overseas immersion programs.

Promoting the Next Generation of Leaders

Launched as part of a U.S. Government initiative in 2006, NSLI-Y seeks to increase Americans’ capacity to engage with native speakers of critical languages by providing formal and informal language learning and practice and by promoting mutual understanding through educational and cultural activities.

NSLI-Y offers overseas study opportunities to high school students for summer and academic-year language learning in Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Korean, Persian (Tajik), Russian, and Turkish.

The goals of the NSLI-Y program include sparking a life-long interest in foreign languages and cultures, and developing a corps of young Americans with the skills necessary to advance international dialogue in the private, academic or government sectors, building upon the foundations developed through person-to-person relationships while abroad.

According to the State Department, “through her participation in the program, Kira will be in the vanguard of international communication and will develop the skills necessary to be a leader in the global community.”

Dosvedanya Tovarich

Cary has only a tenuous connection to Russia. There’s no large emigre community here. We have no Sister City relationships with the former land of the czars.

But now we can say Dosvedanya Tovarich to Kira Wegner-Clemens, which means “see you again, friend.”

Maybe she will send us a few pictures and a story so we can all enjoy her signature accomplishment.

Weekly Recap: May 18, 2012

staff — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:57:03 +0000

Cary, NC – Top posts this week include our coverage of National Train Day in Cary, the closure of Circus Restaurant on East Chatham Street and our event post for the Preston Walk Block Party that took place on Wednesday.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Monday, May 14, 2012

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Advertisers

CaryCitizen is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors and advertisers. This week, we’d like to thank:

For more information about promoting your business or organization on CaryCitizen, please contact Jimmy.Orban@CaryCitizen.com.

Saturday: Cary Swim Club 50th Anniversary

staff — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:30:26 +0000

Cary, NC – Did you grow up swimming at the Cary Swim Club? Generations of town residents have enjoyed that quintessential summertime pleasure, dating back to 1963. This Saturday, Cary Swim Club is holding their 50th Anniversary Celebration and you’re invited.

Cary Swim Club Celebrates 50 Years

From Cary Swim Club:

Join us at Cary Swim Club on May 19th from 1-3 PM and help us celebrate 50 years of swimming, family recreation and fun in the Cary community!

There will be lots of fun games and activities for the kids, music from the Cary High band, a ceremony to honor the founding club and swim team members, as well as a visit from Cary’s Mayor.

All guest fees will be waived for the day and members are encouraged to bring their neighbors, families and friends, so please help us spread the word!

Calling All Volunteers

Lots of volunteers will be needed to help run the games and set up the facilities. Please send an email to 50thanniversary@Caryswimclub.org to volunteer or for more information on how you can help.

Event Details

Cary Swim Club – 5oth Anniversary
Saturday, May 19, 2012
1-3 PM

536 Walnut Street
Cary, NC 27511
Cost: Free

Circus Restaurant to Close This Friday

staff — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:20:48 +0000

Photo by Hal Goodtree.

Cary, NC – It’s been a great run – 44 years. But Circus Restaurant on East Chatham Street has announced that it will be closing it’s doors for good this Friday.

Farewell Circus

We waxed eloquent about Circus in a Go Local column back in May of 2010. “We’re talking hand-dipped cones in chocolate, cherry or butterscotch. Milk shakes and malteds – yes, malteds – it’s like waking up in 1962. Fabulous flavors, fresh ingredients and seasonal items including a pumpkin milkshake in the autumn.”

But, sadly, the management has announced that their last day will be Friday, May 18, 2012.

We might have to swing by one more time for a burger with freshly chopped onions and a tall Orange Creamsicle milkshake.

Cary’s Biggest Zumba Dance Party

staff — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:45:52 +0000

Photo by Erik van Roekel.

Cary, NC – Adults and children ages 12+ are invited to make a move for those who can’t on Thursday, May 17. Life Time Fitness Cary is partnering with the Booth Amphitheatre in Cary to lead a two-hour, heart-pumping ZUMBA® Jam fundraising event. Guests will be treated to a live DJ and an after-party. Concessions will also be available.

Zumba Jam at Booth Amphitheatre

The event is free to the public and participants are encouraged to make a suggested donation of $10, with all proceeds benefiting Augie’s Quest and Life Time Foundation.

Augie’s Quest is a non-profit research initiative dedicated to finding treatments and cures for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, a progressive motor neurone disease that robs people of the ability to move their muscles.

Life Time Foundation is about inspiring healthy people and a healthy planet one mission at a time. The current mission is improving children’s nutrition – One School Lunch Program to ensure every child has a healthy start in life, beginning with proper nutrition and exercise.

Event Details

Zumba Jam
Thursday, May 17, 2012
6:30 – 8:30 PM

Booth Amphitheatre
8003 Regency Parkway
Cary, NC 27518

Suggested donation: $10

Education: Take The Magnet School Survey

staff — Sun, 13 May 2012 23:04:12 +0000

Photo of Farmington Woods Elementary in Cary by Hal Goodtree.

Cary, NC – The Wake County Public School System (WCPSS), the largest school system in the state of North Carolina, has ranked among the best in the country. They are looking for your input on their magnet school program now through June 1.

Magnet Options Abound in Wake

WCPSS has 31 magnet schools; 14 were honored this year with merit awards from Magnet Schools of America (MSA). In 2011, Farmington Woods Elementary in Cary was named the top magnet elementary school in the nation by MSA. Many magnet programs receive grant support from the U.S. Department of Education’s Magnet Schools Assistance Program.

Take The Survey

Parents and citizens are encouraged to offer their thoughts in an online survey on the purpose for magnet schools and the types of magnet programs they would like to see in the Wake County Public School System.

The eight-question survey is available online now through June 1, 2012.

The questionnaire is part of a periodic review WCPSS conducts to evaluate its services. The survey, which is available in English and Spanish, is part of a large-scale effort to gather community input. WCPSS also is hosting focus groups and analyzing school-by-school data. School system staff will use all of the information to make recommendations to the Wake County Board of Education later this year. (Magnet Review Timeline)

Survey participants will be asked for their opinions on how magnet programs should be used, as well as their level of interest in magnet programs such as the International Baccalaureate program, Creative Arts and Sciences, and the Montessori model, or suggest new magnet programs.

First Year of Assignment By Choice

Wake is currently testing a new assignment process which closed on April 12. For years parents in the county complained of being redistricted to accommodate growth and diversity. The school year starting Fall 2012 will be the first to test a new choice based system. This year not only can parents choose magnets, but also first and second choices for high achievement and proximity.

Magnets Offer Exclusive Elective Programs

Magnet schools offer specialized academic programs in order to attract applicants from around Wake County. The WCPSS magnet program strives to diversify schools to reduce high concentrations of poverty, as well as to maximize the use of school capacity and to provide broader educational opportunities.

New to the system this year are several schools that will be transformed to focus on STEM learning. The Board of Education was concerned when these school sites appeared to be under-enrolled. These new programs should ensure that parents will choose them despite location or history. The four new schools will join the STEM Collaborative Network: Lincoln Heights Elementary, Weatherstone Elementary, East Cary Middle, and North Garner Middle. These STEM schools will provide an integrated, cross-curricular approach to learning that explores connections among science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Take the WCPSS Magnet School Survey

Take the quick and easy WCPSS Magnet School Survey now.

Weekly Recap

staff — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:07:16 +0000

Cary, NC – It’s been another exciting week in Cary. Top stories from the week just past: Election Day Vote on Tuesday, National Train Day and Lori Bush on What Makes Austin So Great.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

This Week in Cary Business

Monday, May 7, 2012

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Stats

In the last seven days, CaryCitizen had 9,980 web views and 6,831 email opens for a readership of 16,811 per week.

Our ad space had 29,930 exposures in the last week.

This Week’s Sponsors

Thanks to our generous advertisers and sponsors this week.

Contact Jimmy Orban if you’d like to support our brand of community news and get in front of the largest online news audience in Cary.

Weekend Events: B-52s at Booth Amphitheatre and More

staff — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:31:39 +0000

Lindsey Chester edits the CaryCitizen Calendar of Events.

Cary, NC – This week, it’s a music explosion on the CaryCitizen Calendar with the Craig Wollard Band, Cary Concert Singers, Red June at Sertoma and the B-52′s at Booth Amphitheatre. Plus National Train Day. Just another ho-hum weekend in Cary, NC.

May Music-palooza in Cary

We can’t remember a weekend with so many different musical events on the Calendar.

The Craig Wollard Band will bring their beach music sound to the Promenade at Waverly Place on Friday night from 7-10 PM.

Also Friday night, the Concert Singers of Cary and the Cary Children’s Choir will perform in two separate shows in Cary.

The Cary Town Band is playing a free show at Sertoma on Friday night and the Town of Cary has organized polka music downtown for Yankovic Day.

And that’s just Friday.

Saturday, Red June kicks off the summer Pinecone Music Series at Sertoma Amphitheatre. Expect bluegrass and Carolina roots music from this Asheville ensemble.

But it’s safe to say the big party of the weekend will be at Booth Amphitheatre for the Band Together NC Benefit Show headlined by the B-52′s. As they say in Love Shack, “folks lining up outside just to get down.” Tickets are still available.

More details about all these events on the Calendar.

National Train Day

Don’t forget: National Train Day is Saturday morning, 10 AM at the Amtrak Station downtown. Giveaways, entertainment, history and more.

More on the Calendar

29 events this weekend in Cary on the Calendar. Check it out for yourself.

Video: Love Shack

You can also see this video on YouTube.