Story from staff reports. Photo by Sarita.

Cary, NC – Our friends at Carolina Parent run a great Summer Camp & Educational Fair. This year, the fair is on Sunday, February 19, 2012 right here in Cary.

One-Stop Shopping for Camp

Clearly, the best thing about the Summer Camp & Educational Fair is that you can gather a whole lot of info in one afternoon.

Last year, 65 camps and education sumer programs had booths at the fair.

How Would You Like $1000?

We love Carolina Parent – positive news, good information, an asset to the community.

They also run very good events.

At the Sumer Camp fair, you can enter a raffle to win $1000 toward camps and education programs offered at the fair.

They will be other games and prizes as well. Great Outdoor Provision Company will bring a backpack and a variety of camping items. Everyone who attends the fair can take a guess at how much would the full backpack weighs. Closest guess wins the backpack and its contents.

Event Details

Carolina Parent Summer Camp & Educational Fair

Sunday February 19, 2012
Noon – 4:00 PM

Cary Academy
1500 N. Harrison Ave.
Cary, NC

Cost: Free

For more details, visit Carolina Parent.

Story from staff reports. Photo of prescribed burn in Virginia by U.S. Army Environmental Command.

Cary, NC – Don’t be frightened if you see smoke rising from Hemlock Bluffs on Monday, January 30, 2012. It’s a “prescribed burn,” a forestry process to prevent larger forest fires.

Hemlock Bluffs Prescribed Burn

CaryCitizen received this info from the Town on Friday:

As part of its long-term fire management plan for Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve, the Town of Cary will perform its first prescribed burn at the bluffs on Monday, January 30, 2012, weather permitting. The North Carolina Forest Service will implement and supervise the burn, which will measure less than the size of two football fields. Town staff will offer logistical assistance and a Town of Cary fire truck will be present on site during the burn.

“Safety is our top priority, so every precaution will be taken to ensure that everyone is safe during the burn,” said Mark Johns, Program Specialist at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve. “Trails will be well-signed and patrolled by natural resource managers and preserve staff, with some trails closing down briefly during the burn.”

The preserve, located at 2616 Kildaire Farm Road in Cary, will remain open on Monday and visitors are encouraged to enjoy as usual.

Prescribed burns are a safe and proven way of clearing dead vegetation and flammable underbrush, which can serve as fuel for wildfires. Many North Carolina ecosystems require periodic fire for maintenance, increased productivity and overall health.

Removing the underbrush also improves habitat for wildlife by releasing vital nutrients and increasing the number of close to the ground plants, like blueberry and huckleberry, that produce fruits eaten by birds and other wildlife.

More Info

Read more: Prescribed Burns.

The Town of Cary Public Information Office advised us that the burn is scheduled for late Monday morning.

Story from staff reports. Photo by Hal Goodtree.

Morrisville, NC – The Morrisville Chamber of Commerce has named its 2012 Board of Directors. It’s a prestigious group.

2012 Morrisville Chamber Board of Directors

Chair
Roy Watson
Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC

Treasurer
John McGeary
Capital Bank

Past Chair
Karen Ondrick
Lenovo

Executive Committee member and Business Advisory Council Chair
J. Drake Brinkley
Moore & Van Allen, PLLC

Executive Committee member
Michael Kearns
Jani-King of Raleigh/Durham

Executive Committee Member and Economic Development Committee Chair
Jeff Sheehan
Duke Realty Corporation

Fred Adams, Jr.
Fred Adams Paving Co.

Emily Aldrich Barbour
Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina

Anthony Blackmon
Atlantic Tire Co.

Hill Carrow
Sports & Properties, Inc.

Marty Clayton
Progress Energy

Kimberly Copney
Costco

Theresa deMatas
Rex Healthcare

Dan Dzamba
Morrisville Square

Robert Mouro
Merril Lynch

Terry Poythress
Poythress Homes, Inc.

Houck Reed
Tekelec

Ed White
White Ventures LLC

Ex officio
John Whitson
Town of Morrisville

Ex officio
Carlotta Ungaro
Morrisville Chamber of Commerce

Morrisville Chamber Events

The Morrisville Chamber Calendar lists several regular monthly events including Business Tool Box, K.N.O.W. luncheons (Knowledgeable Network of Women) and Coffee & Connections.

CaryCitizen is proud to be a 2012 member of the Morrisville Chamber.

Editor’s Note: If like knowing about the history of Cary, you’ll enjoy this free program on Tuesday, January 24, from The Friends of Page-Walker:

Where will you find a mural depicting the Town of Cary and its citizens both past and present? Join the Friends of the Page-Walker in welcoming local artist, Val Fox, who will solve this mystery and share her story of creating the “Cary Then and Now” mural.

Val will take us on a journey of the local places and people depicted in the famous mural and share the role each has played in our Town’s history.

This free program is offered as part of the Friends of the Page-Walker’s Historic Preservation Series.

• Preservation Speaker Series: “Who Is That Guy? The Story Behind the Cary Mural”
• Page-Walker Arts & History Center, Main Gallery
• Date: Tuesday, 24 Jan 2012 7:30 PM

More information and online registration: Preservation Speaker Series: “Who Is That Guy? The Story Behind the Cary Mural”

Cary, NC – Recently, some stellar basketball pictures came floating across the Cary Flickr Group. They are by Marvin of The M Factor and they are this weeks Wide World of Cary Sports.

High School Basketball in Cary

Marvin has been catching a few games around town – boys and girls, Panther Creek, Athens Drive, Cary High and Green Hope.

Interesting (at least to photographers), Marvin shot these pictures with a remote controlled flash. That’s unusual for sporting events and accounts for the crisp action pictures and vibrant indoor colors.

How About Your High School?

If your Cary area high school is not represented here, reach out to someone in your community who is shooting your games and recommend they contact the photo editor at CaryCitizen.

All our photographers make a voluntary contribution of their work. We rely on the community for our high school sports coverage. Any sport, any school in Cary is welcome.

Alternatively, maybe you know a pizza parlor or ice cream shop that might want to sponsor coverage of your school’s sports. Hook us up!

Wide World of Cary Sports

Cary, NC – Here are two words you don’t hear together very much: “eco-friendly” and “hamburgers.” BurgerFi, a new restaurant concept, aims to change that perception when they open their doors in Cary during the Spring of 2012.

Natural, Local, Recycled

BurgerFi uses all natural Angus beef – naturally grown, humane certified, vegetarian fed, no antibiotics or hormones. Frozen custard is made fresh every two hours. There are craft beers, sundaes, shakes, wine by glass, fresh cut Idaho fires and onion rings.

Sound like the malt shop of your youth? That’s their aim.

But BurgerFi is an update of the burger concept. In addition to the sustainably-sourced food, there’s recycled metal chairs, plug-in parking spaces for electric cars and a special emphasis on local products.

Why BurgerFi

BurgerFi seems to be an shortening of burgerfication, as in “the burgerfication of America.”

The BurgerFi universe currently consists of three restaurants in Florida. It is the brainchild of well-known restaurateur David Manero.

Henry Harris and Burley Moss, experienced restaurant franchisees in the Carolinas, acquired the BurgerFi rights to this market. Future restaurants in Myrtle Beach, Charleston and Columbia, SC are planned. Each BurgerFi location is projected to employ about 50 people.

Where & When

No word on where in Cary BurgerFi will open, or exactly when. Sometime this spring.

But the hip, eco-friendly, easy and affordable concept is likely to prove popular in Cary.

One day, BurgerFi may have hundreds of locations across the nation. In Cary, we won’t have to wait that long to find out what the future of burgers tastes like.

Story from staff reports. Photo by Hal Goodtree.

Cary, NC – Today, we introduce a column called Downtown Cary This Week.

Thursday: Ben Shivar at HoCA

On Thursday morning at 8, Town Manager Ben Shivar will be the guest speaker at the Heart of Cary Association monthly meeting.

Ben will undoubtedly focus on developments in the downtown area. The Town has been active in the last year buying property and making plans for a revival of this centrally important district.

Expect a lively crowd with some pointed questions, like the discussion last year about Inspections & Permitting.

Details

Heart Of Cary Association
Guest Speaker – Town Manager Ben Shivar

Thursday January 5, 2012 at 8 AM
Cary Chamber
307 North Academy Street
Cary, North Carolina 27513

Cost: Free

Friday: Jazz at Unwine’d

Just before Christmas, Unwine’d opened in Downtown Cary.

Thursday, they’ll be having a complimentary wine tasting. And on Friday, there’s jazz starting at 8.

Details

Unwine’d
Olde Cary Commons
201 W. Chatham Street
(corner of Harrison)
Cary, NC 27511

This is a recipe redux, republished from last year. Story by Hal Goodtree.

Cary, NC – The bubbly will be flowing on Saturday night in Cary and across the world for New Years Eve. Here are three champagne cocktail recipes from the basic (Grand Mimosa) to the party-sized (Richmond Punch) to the local and colorful (Moonshine and Champagne cocktail). Salut!

Champagne, Cava and Other Bubblies

Champagne is a denomination controlee in France, which means only wine grown and produced in the region can call itself Champagne. Moet & Chandon is a classic.

In the past few years, other sparkling wines have become popular, including Cava from Spain and Prosecco from Italy. I had a wonderful sparkling Vouvray from France on Christmas, available from Sip for less than $20.

All are good in champagne cocktails. Choose a sparkling wine that fits your taste and budget.

The Recipes

I’ve chosen three champagne cocktail recipes to satisfy a variety of tastes:

1. Champagne Grand Mimosa – If you’re dressing up for New Year’s, this might be the drink for you.
2. U.S.S. Richmond Punch – A historical cocktail, made famous during the Civil War. Great for parties.
3. Champagne and Moonshine Cocktail – something with a little local flavor.

Champagne Grand Mimosa

This is just a Mimosa (champagne and orange juice) with the addition of Grand Marnier (an orange liqueur).

• 1/2 oz Grand Marnier
• 1 oz freshly squeezed orange juice
• 3 oz champagne

• Glass: flute
• Garnish: strawberry

This cocktail really is all about the Champagne or whatever sparkling wine you’re using. The Grand Marnier gives it some extra kick and a solid bottom, but the orange juice is just a splash to blend the other flavors.

You can substitute other sweet juices for the orange juice. The same cocktail with cranberry and passion fruit is called a Lanesborough. Pomi (pomegranate juice) is also a good choice. Fresh pressed apple cider would probably be good, too.

Experiment. Just remember to go easy on the juice.

U.S.S. Richmond Punch

The cocktail sounds fantastic but the story is even better.

The U.S.S. Richmond, a wooden steam sloop (pictured above), was one of the longest-serving vessels in the Civil War. They kept on hand a stock of special punch, to celebrate victories and near-death escapes like the ramming by the C.S.S. Manassas on the Mississippi.

The recipe can be made in advance and kept in well-sealed jars. The quantities involved suggest a party, but be your own judge.

• 1 cup Jamaican rum
• 1 cup brandy
• 1 cup strong black tea
• 1 cup Port wine
• 3 lemons
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 oz orange liquer
• 2 1/2 bottles of Champagne

• Glass: punch glass, preferably the ones with little handles
• Garnish: lemon slice
• Serves: 10

Adapted from: Mary Louise Hoyt Boyle, Around the World Cookbook, 1913.

The day before New Year’s, put a 1-quart bowl of water in the freezer. On New Year’s morning, peel the lemons, trying not to get any of the white pith. Muddle the peels with the sugar (superfine works best) and let sit for an hour for the lemon oil to leach out.

Juice the peeled lemons. Make 1 cup of strong black tea (use 1 teabag). Combine tea, lemon juice and sugar/lemon oil mixture (strain out the peels).

In a gallon container, combine tea/lemon/sugar mix with the rum, brandy, port and orange liquer. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

To serve, un-mold the block of ice in a 1-gallon punch bowl. Add the chilled punch stock and top off with the champagne. Garnish with a lemon slice. For a more modern twist, you can also serve it by the glass (use a high ball or an iced tea glass). Pack the glass with ice, use about 1/3 base alcohols mix. Fill the rest of the glass with the Champagne.

Champagne & Moonshine Cocktail

Small batch, un-oaked spirits are a hot item, according to Liquor.com. Well, we’ve been making it in North Carolina for decades. The birthplace of NASCAR is the home of moonshine.

Folks have been making ‘shine from leftover farm produce for generations. In some parts, corn or potatoes or rye are used. Those types of mash produce whiskeys.

In North Carolina, fruit is often used. Peaches in particular are popular, but watermelon ‘shine is a delicious summer treat up near the Virginia border.

How do I know this? Never mind.

You can legally buy moonshine at the ABC store just a mile from my house in Preston Corners. It’s sold in a a cute little jug under the brand name Carolina Moonshine. It’s a peachy/fruity brandy and goes down smooth. This isn’t your Uncle Willy’s White Lightening.

Harking back to my days as a bartender, I’ve made up this champagne and moonshine cocktail just for you, Cary Citizens.

• 2 oz moonshine
• 1 lemon, juiced
• .5 oz simple syrup
• Champagne

• Glass: Flute
• Garnish: Maraschino cherry or a raspberry

The cocktail is based on the recipe for making a French 75, but substitutes the moonshine for gin.

Simple syrup is just sugar dissolved in water, 1 part each (1 cup sugar to 1 cup water, for example). Usually, it’s done on the stove top or in the microwave.  Stir the sugar until it’s dissolved in the hot water and refrigerate.

The CaryCitizen Calendar of Events is edited by Lindsey Chester. Photo by Hal Goodtree.

Cary, NC – The holiday spirit is in full swing this weekend in Cary with a stocking stuffed full of events on the CaryCitizen Calendar.

Thursday December 15

Business of Women Luncheon – Presented by the Cary Chamber of Commerce at Prestonwood Country Club, 12-1:30 pm. Members $15, non-members $20. More info.

Champagne & Cavier – Umstead Hotel 6-8 PM. $65 pp. Call (919) 447-4200.

African American Book Club – Barnes & Noble on Maynard, 7-8 pm. Free.

Friday December 16

International Ballet Academy Holiday Suite – Featuring excerpts from the Nutcracker and Raymonda. Cary Academy, Friday & Saturday. $12 adults, $10 kids. Call (919) 303-7200.

Cary Ballet Company Very Cary Christmas – Cary Arts Center, Friday & Saturday. Tickets: $15 Adults, $12 Children. For more, (919) 481-6509 or www. caryballetconservatory.com. 

Saturday December 17

Auditions for Briar Patch Youth Improv – F.A.T.E. Free Association Theatre is looking for three new members of their youth troupe. Ages 10 and up. Auditions are from 1-4 pm and by registration only. To register, please email FATEinfo@gmail.com.

IBA Holiday Suite – see above. Two shows on Saturday.

CBC Very Cary Christmas – see above. Two shows on Saturday.

Sunday December 18

Kings Tavern Madrigal at Page Walker – It’s a Renaissance holiday with music, wit, costumes and fun. 4-6 pm. Presented by The Friends of Page Walker. Tickets $15. Purchase tickets online at eTix.com, by phone at 1-800-514.3849 or at the Cary Arts Center box office.

Lochmere Christmas Flotilla – It’s a parade of boats, decorated for Christmas, circling the lake and singing Christmas carols. Spectators can watch from Lake Lochmere dam. 6-8 pm. Free.

More Weekend Fun in Cary

Visit the CaryCitizen Calendar of Events.

Story from staff reports. Photo by Ribarnica.

Cary, NC – Cary Economic Development, a joint venture of the Town and the Cary Chamber, scored another win today to end the year on a high note. Kenexa (NYSE: KNXA), a global provider of business solutions for human resources, has chosen Cary for a new Center of Excellence facility.

The new facility expects to add 45 jobs to the area and will support Kenexa’s clients throughout North America.

Kenexa Connects with Cary

Kenexa is a worldwide player in human resources. They help companies with recruitment technology, employment branding, performance management, compensation and learning.

The Center of Excellence in Cary will handle Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO). For many companies, outsourcing recruitment can yield better candidates at a lower cost than handling the process in-house.

With more than 100 psychologists and researchers on staff, Kenexa brings a focus and level of expertise that is hard to match in recruitment.

Kenexa was founded in 1987 with corporate headquarters in Wayne, PA. It has Centers of Excellence located around the world, with facilities in Shanghai, Dubai, Buenos Aires, Krakow, Vizag, India and Frisco, Texas.

Now, Kenexa has a Cary connection, further validating our town and the region has an attractive hub for business. Kudos to Sandy Jordan and and the Chamber’s Economic Development committee for landing this prestigious employer.