Story and photo by Lindsey Chester.

Cary, NC- Narong Sapsuwan, owner of Thai Spices and Sushi, came to Cary and opened his restaurant four years ago, but his journey began long before that.

Journey from Thailand

Narong’s sister had left Bangkok more than twenty years ago to “make her fortune”, and settled in the Berkeley area of California, where she opened her own restaurant, Thai Delight Cuisine. About ten years after that, she asked Narong if he could come to help her. He was married and had 2 children at the time, but made the move with his family to this country and eventually took over her business. He remodeled her restaurant and after 1-1/2 years his business improved about 50%.

He still owns that restaurant with his niece, and his sister still helps out. In fact Narong told me, he will travel to California next week to check up on things.

Choice Between Boulder and Cary

Four years ago, Narong started to think about expanding.   He visited fifteen cities that were listed as top places, finally making a choice between Boulder, Colorado and Cary, NC. When he found his current location at Preston Corners, the deal was sealed.

Narong moved first, renting an apartment adjacent to the shopping center. He left his family behind in California for 2 years, while he got started. He said when he opened in 2008 the economy was very tough to open a new business. He persevered and has survived and now business is picking up.

A Few Favorites

I frequent the restaurant for lunch and often choose a bento box. A Bento Box is a complete lunch, with salad, kimchee, spring roll, rice and a main dish (like House Curry with Chicken) all for under $10. They feature a Massaman curry shipped all the way form Bangkok, as authentic as it gets.

Other favorites include their incredibly fresh sushi. You can see the chef make his creations from most any seat in the house. One of the best are Spider Rolls, (Soft shell crab, asparagus, avocado and masago with spicy mayonnaise)  for just under $10.

Many Thai food lovers will order the Pad Thai, which is another one of our favorites. Their large platter is just under $10 and includes stir-fried thin rice noodles with ground peanuts, tofu, egg, scallions and bean sprouts. You’ll have plenty left to take home to enjoy the next day for lunch!

The staff is always friendly, and the atmosphere inside is an oasis from the usual strip mall box. With private booth and trickling fountain you will think you’ve left Cary. If you are lucky enough to live within 3 miles of the restaurant, they offer free delivery.

Go Local: Thai Sushi & Spices

Thai Spices and Sushi
Preston Corners Shopping Center
986 High House Rd (at Cary Parkway)
Cary, NC

http://thaispicesandsushi.com/

Story by Lindsey Chester. Photo of 1992 ribbon-cutting provided by the Cary YMCA.

Cary, NC- Hard to believe, but this year the Cary Family YMCA turned 20 years old. I met with Executive Director, Diane Hillsgrove to talk about the past and future of this powerful community organization.

A Brief History of the Cary Y

I had heard the Cary Y began as a walking club, and Diane confirmed that. The club met at Cary Towne Center (at the time called the Cary Village Mall). But even before that, in 1987, the first fitness classes were offered at East Cary Middle School. That year Tracy Howe was hired (he still works for the YMCA).  Then real fundraising began to build a permanent home, beginning  with the Santa Claus Booth in the mall.

From the walking club, the organization then began children’s camp programs.  Camp Outer Limits was the first summer camp located at West Cary Middle School.

A key part of the plans came together when the land and pool was donated in 1987. The existing main pool was built originally as a neighborhood pool. The pool and 15 acres (current Y location) were donated to the project by Parkway Developers. The Finley Y was also instrumental in assisting. Without that initial vision and donation, perhaps the Y would never have been built.

The building officially opened on January 6, 1992, when this area of Cary was almost a wilderness. The town had 60,000 residents. Cary’s population has more than doubled to 141,000 since then, causing organizers to need to expand, and finally to build the more recent Kraft Y in southern Cary, to accomodate the need for more facilities, camps, and members.

We Build People: Helping Those in Need

One of the most important programs that the Y provides has nothing to do with folks getting their daily workout. The annual We Build People campaign funds outreach programs for kids.

This program was launched in 1993 with a goal of raising $50,000. Diane proudly explained that this year’s campaign beat their goal of $435,000- topping $490,500!! (what recession?) The money raised does not go to capital funds, or Y operating costs – it is 100% invested into Y Learning programs during the school year and summer camps scholarships.

The program is effective. Even during the summer camps, the students get tutoring, as well as swim lessons and weeks at Camp Seafarer. Children that participate achieve better EOG scores than their peers in similar circumstances. More money raised, means more kids able to participate. The aim is to make the Y accessible to all.

We Build People: By The Numbers

• 95 Year round and traditional school and preschool scholarship participants
• 70 Day campers
• 100 Y Learning Tutorial participants
• 160 Camp High Hope campers- fully subsidized

Cary YMCA Milestones

Leaders at the Cary Y weren’t done once the building was put up. Every year, they look at what can be improved. Membership currently tops 5100 units-  families or individuals which could mean as many as 20,000 Cary residents!

• 1997: Expansion- built Gym 3
• 1997: Built lower Oasis Pool
• 2001: Completed the Spray Ground
• 2007: Built the Slide
• 2009: Renovated the Inside, expanding workout areas
• Planning future Expansion- Indoor Aquatics Facility

Diane told me that Dick Ladd, who was an early and instrumental leader, believed Cary needed a Y because of the part a YMCA played in his life growing up. “If not for the vision of these early promoters, there would not be this wonderful facility that has impacted the lives of so many.”  I can vouch for that – my first and longest known friends have come from my 13 years as a Y member. My youngest’s earliest memories are as a Bumble Bee club member in their childcare program.

Our very first story on CaryCitizen (7/28/2009): YMCA Blood Drive.

I call myself a “Lifer” and don’t know what would fill that part of my life if the Y did not exist. Thanks to those who had the vision to build 20 years ago.

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Lindsey Chester has been a member of the Cary YMCA for 13 years.

Story by Lori Bush, photo by Seth Meranda. Story republished from LoriBush.org.

Cary, NC – It’s happened at the Town already.  It was just a matter of time.  I’m the “techy” one, so I’m used to it.  Yes, I’m now “technical support.”

I’ve now taught 3 folks (who shall remain nameless) how to use their smart phones. How to turn them on and off, silence them, and how to load apps. (C’mon Verizon and AT&T – show people the basics before you let them leave the store!)  But I digress.

I should first say that I love doing that.  It’s always been my passion to help people use technology to improve their lives – whether as a Product Manager or Homeland Security Advisor at Cisco, teaching internet safety classes or training teachers to use technology in the classroom as a way to excite and engage students.

Confessions and Solutions

And, I have a confession. I have an addiction to the toys.  It’s true. I have 2 smart phones, 2 Macs, a desktop PC, an iPad, and other gadgets.  I just love the stuff.

And, I don’t think I’m alone.  Wherever you go in Cary, you can find people on their devices.  Folks texting,tweeting, or updating their Facebook status.  They’re “checking in” or using Foursquare, sharing tips and restaurant reviews, shopping and navigating.

They’re Pinterest-ing (an online bulletin board), posting photos on Flickr, and stumble-upon  new information.  (If you didn’t get any of those references, click on the links to learn more.)

So, we use these tools in our day-to-day lives – so why can’t we use them to improve our engagement with at the Town, and with our citizens?  I think we can.  

Scratch that, I know we can.

The Birth of Tech Town

Town of Cary Webpage circa 2004

Many years ago, a citizen (now Mayor Weinbrecht) joined and led the Information Services Advisory Board.  It’s an advisory board to council on technology and communications used by the Town.  That board, under his leadership, did some incredibly innovative (at that time) things.

They worked closely with staff and council to recommend website updates & communication ideas, with a goal of opening up more of our processes to the web (such as online permitting, and posting meetings over video.)  Much of this work garnered awards for the town back in 2003.

But, in my opinion, we haven’t continued that progress. We once called ourselves the “Technology Town of NC” – but that isn’t where we are today.

But it COULD be again.

My Vision

My vision is of a town that leverages our fantastic infrastructure to deliver “just in time” information to it’s citizens. Using social media (like the Town’s Twitter feeds and Facebook pages) to reach out to citizens – for example, posting park and field closings (no more calling the phone and waiting for the answering machine.)

Her are some other specific ideas:

• Enabling SeeClickFix – (here’s Raleigh’sversion) a mobile app that empowers citizens to assist the town in identifying non-emergency issues such as potholes, broken traffic lights or clogged sewers. Citizens will be able to help us locate and identify issues, and be part of the solution to help improve our community.

• Streaming Town Council and other meetings for those of us without access to CaryTV 11. A growing number of us have DirectTV, without access to our cable access channel. Let’s create channels of information, in small nuggets making it easy and quick to digest the content.

• Mashups of GoogleMaps with greenways, bike paths and other “citizen created” layers. (Take a look at one from New York City.)

• Teach Cyber Security and Cyber Safety to our citizens. Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the U.S. and we should find ways to teach our citizens how to stay protected while they’re connected.  (Full disclosure:  I have a board seat on the National Cyber Security Alliance –www.staysafeonline.org. )

• Citizen outreach and reducing paper – using online surveys and portals/blogs to more quickly engage with citizens, use more online communications to reduce mail and postcard printing costs, and collaborate with citizens.

What’s Next?

So many of these capabilities and applications are not only low or no cost – but some may save us money down the road, while also increasing citizen engagement and satisfaction.  Plus, there’s always the cool factor. 

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Lori Bush, a technology executive, is an At-Large member of Cary Town Council. She is the new Council liaison to the Town’s Information Services Advisory Board.

Story and photo by Lindsey Chester.

Cary, NC – With the discussion swirling around the marquee for the new theater, the Town held their second public information meeting about Downtown development to another packed house on January 31 in Council Chambers at Town Hall. It’s a grand plan, and here’s how it stands right now.

On hand to present and answer questions were Eric Simpson, the project manager, Keith Giamportone, lead architect from Quinn Evans Architects, Ed Gawf, Downtown Manager and Lyman Collins, Cultural Arts Manager.

Resident’s Concerns

A quick recap of the earlier meeting (story) revealed concerns expressed by the public. They were:

• Just glad something is happening
• Respect the History
• Folks want a balcony
• Want to know what’s happening Downtown
• Need for restaurants and shopping

The town planners have taken these concerns into consideration as they plan the theater and other Downtown improvements.

Ed noted the plans for the “The Cary” as the theater is being called, are about 35% done and that now is the time to be heard, as changes can still be made. He also emphasized that although the building is historic, this is not a restoration, but rather a modification.

Lyman Collins Cultural Arts manager, added that these additions will …”bring a 20^th century building into the 21^st century”

The Plans Thus Far

There will be 180 seats, some of which will be removable to allow for cabaret seating for some events. The theater will include two balconies, one on each side upstairs that will be accessed from the 2^nd floor of the new adjacent addition building. The floor will have an appropriate modern slope, as the old theater did not conform to modern day standards.

The building addition includes dressing areas and a green room for stage productions on the first floor and a 2 story lobby opens up the space.

The building’s second floor includes a multi-purpose open space at the top of the stairs, and entry to the balcony as well as the main seating.

The third floor has some flex leasable space and the outdoor terrace café, which will be set back from the theater and the road.

The Marquee

The current drawings show the form of the sign rather than what materials will be used. The signage also tries to reflect the building’s 1940’s pedigree. The marquee will have a curve that will be reflected in the café upstairs and other curved lines throughout the building. Lyman noted that an artist team is working with the architects to create what he described as an art object for the signage. His hopes are that the sign will “enliven the street” and “give the building a rhythm” . The vertical element of the sign was added to create more presence and to help bring this section of downtown to life. Actual lighting materials have not been decided- neon, LED or otherwise.

East Chatham Streetscape Improvements

Eric Simpson, Project manager next spoke about the “very ambitious” timetable for completing the streetscape in the East Chatham Street area of downtown. Work is to begin late Spring 2012 and continue through the end of the year. It will require this section of road to go down to one lane at times, but yes, Lazy Daze will go on as usual.

To Be Improved:

1. Sidewalk
2. Parking and circulation
3. Academy Street intersection
4. Streetscape modifications
5. Pedestrian friendly

The theater block will be the first step towards making a visual improvement that creates more typical downtown building fronts. Facade improvements are planned for the Johnson Jewelers/ former India Bazaar building next door to the theater.

Another key idea is to bring the sidewalk to the street and eliminate the slope. Eric pointed out that the current sidewalk is almost a 9-degree slope, and a hazard. The slope will be eliminated to almost 2% and the sidewalk will allow for tables and chairs for diners. This sidewalk will be upgraded to a herringbone brick pattern and the curb will be granite. There will be 2 alleyways and 2 driveways to access the parking behind these buildings and the theater. Water and sewer lines will be improved (hence the road construction and lane reductions), and gutters will be upgraded on the Johnson’s Jewelers building.

Downtown Cary’s 100% Corner

“You shouldn’t have to guess where the Heart of Cary is”, but right now, its just not obvious. Ed refers to the intersection of Chatham and Academy, as Cary’s 100% corner. It is our single most important downtown intersection, and it needs to reflect that.

How will he accomplish that? Ideas are not finalized but the Town continues to work with both Kitchen and Bath Galleries and Fidelity Bank to enhance these opposing corners. First, the parking beside Kitchen & Bath on Academy will be angled (safer), paved with brick and reduced from 8 spots to 5. In the front, the parking will be reconfigured into “Hobby Plaza” in honor of the building’s original owners. The newsboy and clock will remain. Ed is currently exploring the idea of adding a second floor to this building. By adding height, the corners would become more significant.

Fidelity Bank has indicated they are willing to rework their plaza to be more inviting (fountain with seating, anyone?)- Nothing was presented for this corner yet. And the Town will also improve the sidewalks adjacent to the bank as part of the streetscape improvements.

On the street itself, the paving in this intersection needs improvement. Remember the old seal in the center of the street? Maybe this could be brought back? Or something like it to reflect the “Heart of Downtown”?

The Time Table

• Spring 2012 Final Theater Plans to Council, start construction
• December 2012- Chatham Street improvements completed (goal)
• August 2013- Downtown theater dedicated
• Bidding for construction will go out this spring.

Ed Gawf’s mentioned that he is in talks with some developers to have private investment Downtown. He added that if in five years, the only changes Downtown were what the Town itself has built, he would consider his tenure a failure.

With so many ambitious projects already begun, I’d say he’s anything but!

By Michele McKinley, Advocates for Health in Action (AHA). Photos courtesy of Cary’s Pocket Community Garden.

Cary, NC – With spring just around the corner, it’s time to hit the dirt. In the garden, that is.

Dig In

Whether you’re a new or seasoned gardener, you may want to check out Dig In, the third annual event all about starting and maintaining community and backyard gardens in the Triangle.

Advocates for Health in Action (AHA) presents Dig In on Saturday, March 10, 8:30 am-12:00 pm at Marbles Kids Museum in downtown Raleigh. Dig In features urban farming experts, hands-on workshops and booths for anyone who wants to build and maintain a community garden or gain expertise for success in his or her home garden.

Registration ($10 per person) is open online at www.advocatesforhealthinaction, but space is limited.

What are community gardens?

Community gardens are urban, suburban and rural gardens where members grow food in a shared garden plot or in their own individual garden plots, depending on a given garden’s structure. Community gardens are found in neighborhoods, schools, churches, workplaces, hospitals, community centers and youth centers. Gardens provide access to fresh, healthy produce and enhance a sense of community and connection to the environment—they come in many shapes and sizes!

In and Around Cary

Cary, Morrisville and Apex are all home to community gardens (plus a variety of school gardens), and many are starting their 2012 planning now and invite new members to join them.

• Cary’s Pocket Community Garden
• Cary Senior Center Community Garden (for gardeners 55+),
• Gracious Harvest Community Garden
• Whole Foods Market-Cary
• Morrisville Community Garden
• Simple Gifts Community Garden (Apex)

Many community gardens in the area participate in programs where gardeners donate extra produce from their harvest to area food pantries and organizations such as the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle through the Plant a Row for the Hungry program.

Gardening Know-How

“Featuring urban farming experts, Dig In is a tremendous resource to gardeners and those who want to grow healthy, local foods for their communities and their families,” commented Laura Aiken, interim director of AHA and director of regional community relations for WakeMed Health & Hospitals. “Community gardens are increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables,” Aiken continued. “Schools, churches, neighborhoods, community groups and other nonprofits can capitalize on the excitement around sustainable food systems, connect people with where their food comes from and promote environmentally friendly living.”

Dig In includes workshops are offered in two tracks: Track 1: Starting a Community Garden and Track 2: Taking Your Garden to the Next Level.

Track 1 workshops include starting a community and school gardens, composting, and raised beds and container gardens. Track 2 workshops include making money from gardens, preserving foods, engaging youth and seniors in the garden, keeping gardens growing.

Plus, all registrants will take part in a hands-on cooking lesson from Whole Foods Market-Cary and Whole Foods Market-Raleigh (Wade Ave.) about how to enjoy the bounty of the garden. In addition, a variety of educational booths about gardening, local food, composting and more are available at Dig In.

AHA!

Advocates for Health in Action (AHA) fosters and supports community efforts to make healthy eating and physical activity the way of life in Wake County. AHA is a group of more than 50 diverse organizations and community members who are shaping the environment throughout Wake County to ensure available and affordable access to healthful foods and physical activity for all community members.

Story by Matt Young. Photo by Felix.

Cary, NC – To those of you who followed the Panthers Beat this year, thanks.  They had a heck of a year.

If you are a football fan, you know that last week was one of the best weekends for NFL football all year – the NFC and AFC Championships.

I can’t think of many things better than being parked on my couch on Sundays in the fall. Unless it’s with a good beer.

So I got to thinking. There are four pretty darn good breweries in those towns. Baltimore, San Francisco, New York, and Boston.

Why not write about those great cities’ great beers?

Playoff Inspired Beers

We’ll start with the AFC and NFC teams that lost. The Ravens and the Niners.

Baltimore. Home of Clipper City Brewery. Makers of Peg Leg Imperial Stout. First, if you don’t mind, always drink a stout in a glass. An oversized wine glass works great.

Here’s what you get with this beer: it looks like coffee, it even has a bit of a coffee aroma. And the intense taste of malt. And chocolate. It sports an average size head that dissipates pretty quickly. As Clipper City says:  it’s “focused on the malt rather than the hops”. And it’s darn good. Peg Leg is 8% alcohol by volume. That’s twice as powerful as that “Natty Light” in your hand.

By the way, dark beers like stout are dark because the barley used in the grist is “kilned” at higher temperatures that your average brew. Often this barley is referred to as “chocolate malt” or “black malt”. Stouts originated in England, as did many styles.

San Francisco. Genuflect. The original craft beer. The venerable Anchor Steam.  And Fritz Maytag, the founder, is one of the most fascinating businessmen ever. ‘Ever hear of Maytag Blue Cheese? That’s Fritz’ brainchild too. He bought the failing brewery in the mid ’60′s, kept it small, and is credited as the “father of microbreweries”.

Anchor Steam is in a beer style known as a “California Common”. It is made with a California-grown proprietary yeast. It has a great head. It’s naturally carbonated, meaning it does not have CO2 forced through it but is carbonated by active yeast cultures in the bottle. Cool.

The flavor, ironically enough, is bready and tangy, like sour dough. Anchor Steam is a rich dark amber color. It’s a great first craft beer for the beer novice to try.  Afterall it is where all the fun began in this country.

It has character, but is not scary to Budheads at all. And it is a tame 4.9% alcohol by volume.

Super Bowl Beers

The Patriots versus the Giants in the Super Bowl.

I chose Harpoon IPA from Harpoon Brewery (self-proclaimed as “New England’s Craft Brewery”) to rep New England. I chose Brooklyn Lager from Brooklyn Brewery as the New York representative.

New England. One of my favorites – Harpoon IPA - is on the low side of hoppiness for an IPA – or “India Pale Ale”. IPA’s are named as such because the beers that were sent from England to India in the 1800′s for the colonists’ use were jam packed with hops. India Pale Ales, as a result, are bitter. The liberal hops usage was to counteract the dilemma of the lack of available refrigeration and take advantage of the preservative qualities of hops. In this case the hops make Harpoon piney, citrus-y and floral (Cascade hops, if you care). It is 5.9% alcohol by volume.

And delicious. I am not lying. Of course, I am an admitted hophead, I even grow hops in my back yard.

New York. A great brewery is New York Brooklyn Brewery. I mean…”fugettaboudit”! Brooklyn also makes a terrific (relatively low-hopped) IPA.

But in this case I chose Brooklyn Lager.

Lager beer is fermented at lower temperatures with a special yeast that gives it its crisp character.

Brooklyn Lager has more character than many lagers. It is almost ale-y – not “thin” like that Miller Beer that you love (and I do too!).  Brooklyn Lager is 5.2% ABV.

Valentine’s Day is the Week After

For you guys or gals that have been watching football every weekend for the past 20 weeks that want to do something special for your other half…the week after Super Bowl Sunday is Valentine’s Day. Here’s a couple quick tips on pairing chocolate and wine.

Porto Rocha is a reasonably priced Port that goes great with milk or dark chocolate. It brings a burst of cherry flavor on your tongue and is mildly sweet. The Porto Rocha Company is 150 years old and grows its grapes from 100-year-old vines.

Port gets its name from Porto, a seaside port city in Portugal in the 1600′s from which Port was exported. By the way, I just used “port” 6 times in one sentence. Port is “fortified wine” - meaning distilled beverages are added to boost its flavor and potency. In this case aguardente (distilled wine or “grape brandy) has been added. The fermentation (yeast conversion of sugar to alcohol) is also stopped earlier in the process than it is in wines, which gives it the sweet Port character. Give it a try. It comes in a great stencil-lettered bottle too.

If you are into white chocolate, give Alma Negra Sparkling Chardonnay a try. Heck, it would go great with milk chocolate and strawberries too. The general rule of thumb is – the darker the chocolate, the more full-bodied the wine that it should be paired with. But rules of thumb were made to be broken. So experiment! If you are going the white chocolate route, sherry is also a traditional choice.

Salut!

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Food coverage on CaryCitizen is sponsored in part by Triangle Wine Company.

Story by Bob Fennel. Photos by Tom Mousseau.

Cary-lina, NC – The New York Islanders beat the Carolina Hurricanes in a battle of cellar dwellers at the RBC Center January 31, 2012.  The Canes are at the bottom of the Southeast Division and the Islanders are at the bottom of the Atlantic Division. 

Both teams came into the game with 45 points with the Islanders having 2 games at hand.  This was the first game for both teams coming off the All Star break and early on it looked like a preseason game with sloppy passing and lethargic play by both teams.

Islanders Strike First

The Islanders were controlling the puck from the opening faceoff but it appeared more because the Canes just weren’t aggressive enough on the puck or on the man.  After the Isles came into the Canes zone on the right wing, Jay Harrison took on two Islanders and pulled out a 9-iron rather than a 2-iron and chipped one over the glass for a 2 minute delay of game minor.  The Islanders have one very strong line and had them out for the power play.  All Star John Tavares came down the left wing with speed, went around  Brandon Sutter into the corner and found PA Parenteau  all alone in the sweet spot of the slot, shooting high glove side for the power play goal.   Late in the first,  Pat Dwyer was along the boards in front of the Canes bench, made a nice pass to Sutter who split the defense and made a bee line to the goal.  The puck was bouncing just a bit and Sutter wasn’t able to get it under control as Islander goalie Kevin Poulin made a nice save.  If that went in, I really believe the outcome of the game would have been different.  The line of Jeff Skinner, Jussi Jokinen and Riley Nash, called up from the Charlotte Checkers, was getting slashed, hooked and tripped on every shift.  Somehow, someone has to step up and maybe not so politely inform opposing players what they shouldn’t be doing if the refs won’t.   Shots after 1:  Canes 8, Islanders 8

Canes Need to Step Up

Admittedly I’m an Eric Staal fan, but more so since covering the team for CaryCitizen.

One benefit of press row is being up high to have the ability to watch plays form while concentrating on one player at the same time. What Staal does off the puck is very impressive.  He must have had 3 or 4 feeds into the slot that were unbelievable but nobody was home.  Coach Kirk Muller’s coined phrase is “no passengers”.

My take on that is he wants players to give it their all on every shift, on and off the puck.  Staal is not a passenger.  He’s big, strong, has a shooter’s mind and a sense for where players are on the ice. His reach and strength led to a semi breakaway on a man down situation.  His stick handling is probably the weakest part of his game but almost pulled off what would have been the Canes ninth shorthanded goal, and maybe the prettiest, if he connected.  The Canes were down because of a retaliation slash by a really frustrated Jeff Skinner. As almost always, it was the retaliating infraction that got called.  Skinner is in a talent pool above most players.  Tonight it seemed every Islander had to have their ticket punched after they gave Skinner a slash, a stick between the legs, a crack on the ankles, a grab of his sweater, a push in the back, anything to frustrate the heck out of him.  After one slash too many, he let his frustration out with a love tap in return.

Hardly worth 2 minutes - so my advice would be to score or give it a Tim Gleason or Bryan Allen style love tap.  With Riley Nash off for a very controversial hooking penalty, the Islanders scored on another power play.  Mark Streit had the puck on the left point and sent a shot into traffic.  Staal had his stick in perfect position with the shot hitting Staal’s stick.  The puck trickled into the middle of the slot with Matt Moulson picking up the puck, turning around, wristing a shot that was a back breaker.  Shots after 2: Canes 13, Islanders 18

No Passengers

The Canes came out in the third a completely different team.  Makes you wonder what words of wisdom were said in the locker room.  They were first on the puck in both ends and, for the most part, controlled the neutral zone.   With the Canes showing some grit, Gleason took a shot from the right point.  Sutter picked up the shot that was blocked by Tavares, skated to his left then sent a back hander off the crossbar into the net for a pretty goal.  Sutter is another player to watch off the puck.

He’s very young, 23 in 2 weeks (ladies: his birthday is Valentine’s Day) but plays like he has 10 years in the NHL.  A very smart, and obviously, a well-coached player.  Parenteau was off for slashing giving the Canes their first power play.  The crowd was getting into the game after Sutter’s goal and was wanting more.  The Canes first power play unit was very aggressive and all over the puck.  After a save by Poulin, the puck was being hacked and whacked by both Staal and Skinner. Tim Brent picked up the loose change behind the net and dished it out for what was meant to be a feed but found the skate of an Islander defender and went into the net to the delight of the college night crowd.

After a dump in by the Islanders, Cam Ward mishandled the puck off the boards.  Matt Moulson raced to the puck then found Tavares all alone off the left circle and the sharpshooter doesn’t miss from that range.   Needless to say, Ward showed his frustration by nearly breaking his stick across the goal post.   Late in the game with Ward pulled, the Islanders scored 2 empty-netters.  The stats will show several top Canes with minus figures on the +/- column but those came when the net was empty.  One other reason why that statistic is a guide at best.

There were no Canes as passengers in the third, problem is there were some in the first 40 minutes.  Shot totals: Canes 23, Islanders 26

Story by Lindsey Chester. Photos by Brooke Meyer.

Cary, NC – Nnenna Freelon, originally scheduled to appear in Cary back in November, put on a show this past Saturday night at Cary Arts Center. Brooke Meyer snuck backstage during the warm-up and took some pictures for CaryCitizen.

For a small town, we attract some pretty big acts. Nnenna Freelon is a world-reknowned jazz singer and composer, Six-time GRAMMY® Award-nominee and is hailed as the “international voice of Jazz.” Her version of Duke Ellington’s Prelude to a Kiss was showcased on that glossy TV hit Mad Men.

Brooke Meyer visited backstage stage during the sound check and sent us a few photographs. Many thanks to Ms. Freelon for the access.

Video: Nature Boy

We found this video on YouTube of Nnenna Freelon singing “Nature Boy.”

She’s today’s Ella Fitzgerald, people. Must get her back to CAC.

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.

Recipe by Chef Alan Panzer from the Kroger store in Apex, NC.

If you are throwing a Super Bowl party this Sunday, be prepared to satisfy your New York Giants fans with a proper snack. You can’t go wrong with hand-rolled, hand-twisted, fresh-baked pretzels — hey, after all, they are a New York tradition — everybody loves ‘em!

These warm, fragrant pretzels served right out of the oven will make your guests reminisce about the times they enjoyed these treats at sports events or just on the streets of Brooklyn, if they have ever had that wonderful opportunity.

Your guests will never be able to “fuh-get about it!”

Chef Al’s New York Style Soft Pretzel Recipe

Ingredients

for approximately 8 pretzels

• 1 ½ cups warm water (about 105 degrees)
• 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
• 2 Teaspoons salt
• 1 Package active dry yeast
• 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 Tablespoons melted butter
• 1 whole egg, beaten
• 2 Ounces coarse Kosher salt
• Pan spray, as needed

Preparation

You will need a pot of boiling water, with 1 tablespoon baking soda in it, large enough to boil 2-3 pretzels at a time. Also 1 cookie sheet lined with parchment paper on which to bake the pretzels.

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl add the warm water, sugar and salt. Whisk them together to dissolve. Then sprinkle the package of yeast on top. Let stand for a few minutes until the yeast starts to make the solution milky and foamy looking.

2. Add the flour and melted butter. With your hands knead the mixture together to form a dough ball. Remove the dough from the bowl and, working on a floured counter top, knead until smooth and workable. If the dough is really sticky, work a little more flour into it until it is smooth to the touch.

3. Spray a clean bowl with pan spray (Or butter it) and place dough ball in bowl. Spray a little pan spray on top of ball and cover with plastic wrap. Set aside and let the dough double in size. (Approximately 45 min.)

4. Once the dough is ready place on floured countertop and cut strips off. Roll out one at a time to approximately 18 inches long. Make a U shape with the rolled-out strip. Holding each end of the U, cross them over each other, and press onto the bottom of the U in order to make the shape of a pretzel. Pinch to secure the ends.

Cooking the Pretzels

5. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

6. Place the prepared pretzels into the boiling water 2 or 3 at a time. They will rise to the top in about 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spatula and place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

7. Brush each pretzel with the beaten egg and sprinkle a little Kosher salt on each. Bake in pre-heated 400 degree oven for 12-15 min. or until golden brown.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with spicy brown mustard or a cheese sauce. Keep some un-salted and brush them with melted butter and sprinkle cinnamon sugar. Enjoy!

Watch How It’s Done

Watch this video of Chef Alan rolling the dough Chef Alan rolling the pretzel dough.

Chef Alan Panzer works at the Kroger store in Apex. Kroger, the nation’s largest traditional grocery retailer, has 16 stores throughout the Triangle.