Story from staff reports. Photo by apbailey.

Cary, NC – In another positive economic bell weather for the area, the Governor’s Office reported today that revenue collection is $150 million above forecast for the current fiscal year.

Better Than Expected

The better than expected revenue was explained by three factors:

• Businesses did particularly well in December, with corporate and franchise collections reaching 14.5 percent above budget that month and ending on target for the first half of the year.

• Individual income tax collections finished December two-percent above budget expectations and remain above forecast for the first half of the fiscal year.

• Sales collections reflected the modest success of retailers this season, ending 3.8 percent above budget projections in December but slightly below budget for the first half of the year.

From the Governor’s email:

State economists report that the recent economic data remains upbeat. A stronger business confidence, stronger consumer spending and stronger housing starts suggest the economy gained momentum as 2011 closed. Challenges still exist, however, as consumers still face high debt levels, home prices are still falling and the financial situation in Europe remains worrisome. In addition, the most volatile revenue sources are collected during the second half of the year.

The combination of a first half with collections modestly above forecast, combined with recent upbeat economic news has improved the overall revenue outlook for the second half of the fiscal year.

By Matt Young. All photos courtesy of Carolyn Sakowksi.

All Over, NC -  Carolyn Sakowski has published an updated version of the Touring the Western North Carolina Backroads (John F. Blair, publisher) guidebook.

A Short Drive From Cary

It’s a short drive from Cary to the hills, and but a true lesson in North Carolina history and beauty. To follow this guidebook is to forego the highways and explore the hidden treasures of western North Carolina.

The book serves as a great way to get the inside scoop on the western part of the The Old North State, and takes you on little travelled, but historically significant sites and forgotten but beautiful scenery.

Among the 21 “tours” in the book:

- The grave of Junaluska, the Cherokee chief who saved Andrew Jackson’s life at the Battle of Horsehoe Bend (only to regret it when Jackson ordered the ouster of the Cherokees)

- Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest containing 300 year old trees

-Morgantown’s Upper Creek Falls with 100 feet of falls

-The stunning drive along the Cherohala Skyway from Robbinsville to Tellico Plains (TN)

-Site honoring Dr. John Brinkley (the “Goat-gland King” – you’ ll have to read the book to hear the details on this one)

Carolyn

The author is a North Carolina native, and studied at Appalachian State (Masters in History). She attests that she drove 4,000 miles to research and write this book.  She lives in Winston-Salem.

Carolyn Sakowski will be in Raleigh on Wednesday, Sept. 21 signing books at Quail Ridge Books on Wade Avenue.

Story and photos by Leslie Huffman

Cary, NC – For the last several years the huge space in Harrison Square Shopping Center, once occupied by Sam’s Club, has stood empty.  Last month Carolina Pottery opened it’s new Cary location there.  Those who live in the area are glad to see the empty big box filled by this popular North Carolina-based store.

Carolina Pottery is a family owned business that began in 1983 in Smithfield, NC. Other Carolina Pottery stores are located throughout the Southeast, in Smithfield (the original location), Columbia, SC, and Knoxville, TN, and now Cary, NC.

When I went to check out the store, I was amazed at the enormity of the space filled with all kinds of goodies.  Manager Kyle Mounts told me that this new Cary location was the company’s largest store.  As I walked around I saw employees all over the store continually unpacking new items to put out on the floor.

They had furniture accent pieces, chairs, tables, and wicker furniture sets.  Lamps, rugs, and pillows lined the isles, as well as silk flowers, fountains, and planters. They also had an abundance of dinnerware, glassware, pots, platters, and silverware.

There were plenty of decorative items including clocks, wall art, and tons of things for Christmas decorating.  If you love holiday decorations, I would stop here first.  The items were unique, colorful and best of all, everything was at budget-conscious prices.

Go welcome Carolina Pottery to Cary and pick-up some great stuff for your home or the holidays.  Let them know CaryCitizen sent you.

Story and photos by Leslie Huffman

Cary, NC – The wish to get a pet, cat or dog, can be very intense. To have a sweet, innocent animal looking at you with big needy eyes and eager “kisses” makes your heart melt. The snuggles and love a young, adorable pet can give is awfully contagious. But the reality of being a pet owner, especially of a puppy or kitten, is a big responsibility and a lot of work.

Maybe that’s why there are so many pets in shelters all over the U.S. Wanting a pet and taking care of one are two different things. During my search for a young dog to adopt I was shocked at how many animals are abandoned, abused or euthanized in shelters. That is what drove my desire to adopt a dog rather than buy one from a breeder. And I’m awfully glad I did.

Meet Charlie, our sweet new dog. Charlie is a mix of a Pomeranian, Chihuahua and something else. He came from a puppy mill bust where 40 animals were taken from an abusive breeder. Charlie ended up in a “high kill” shelter when he was 6 weeks old. That means they will only care for an animal in the shelter for a few weeks and if nobody adopts them, they are euthanized.

Before being put to death, Charlie was saved by the North Carolina Rottweiler Rescue (NCRR) in Raleigh. Yes, the Rottweiler Rescue also rescues small dogs as well. I found Charlie and NCRR by using adopt-a-pet.com and then looking up the NCRR website. His sweet face called out to me.

The Process

Once my children, husband and I all agreed that we thought Charlie was adorable, I contacted the Rottweiler Rescue.  I filled out the required six page application.  I felt like I was adopting a child or applying for college. I also had to provide three references.

I guess I passed the first test.  They called me back after checking all my references to make sure I was respectable.  Then we arranged to meet Charlie.  The puppy’s foster Mom Terry brought him by for a visit.  He was so sweet and shy.  He was mellow and friendly and 100% adorable.  We loved him.

Charlie had his puppy shots up-to-date, was already neutered and had a microchip placed in him so he would never be lost.  Rescue organizations require that all dogs are spayed or neutered (just like Bob Barker always said at the end of The Price Is Right).  Just think, if everyone did this with their animal, we would not have so many animals without homes or on the street.

Welcoming Our New Pet

Charlie came home a week later to live with us.  He was a little skittish and nervous.  Who knows what happened to him at the puppy mill or the shelter?  He was afraid of loud noises, doorways and big dogs.  He loved to give kisses and crawl up in your lap. I was just happy that NCRR saved Charlie’s life and now he was safe with us.

Charlie got used to us and us him over the next few days.  He wass not housebroken, had never walked on a leash before and hated the doggie create.  This “puppy mama” thing was getting harder.

As the dog got more relaxed he got more energetic.  He started to play bite, and chew on shoes, as well as continue using my kitchen as his bathroom.  He wakes-up at 5:00 a.m. crying to go out.

So I am wondering, did I make the wrong decision getting a puppy?  I had no idea it would be this much work.  I am out in the yard every hour and in the rain.  But when we come inside he wants to crawl in my lap and play.  He has learned to walk on his leash and we love to take long walks together in the morning.

This dog has potential.  But, what I discovered about myself is that I need help, professional help.  No, not a shrink, but a dog whisperer.  I love that show on National Geographic with Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer.  So I set out looking for Cary’s version.

To be continued…

The Cary Public Library celebrates it’s 50th birthday this Friday, October 22nd.  At 7 p.m. a special after-hours event will celebrate the past, present and future of the Cary Library. Refreshments will be served and music will be performed by Chris and Gail Anderson.

Authors in the House

Mystery authors Margaret Maron and Sarah Shaber, romance author Sabrina Jefferies, and sci-fi authors David Drake, John Kessel and Mark Van Name will be there. They’ll speak about their books and what libraries have meant to them throughout their lives.

Call the Cary Library at (919) 460-3350 to register, all are welcome.

The Cary Library – A Little History

The Cary Library was founded by the Junior Women’s Club and first opened it’s doors on October 22, 1960.  It’s first location was at an empty home on 143 W. Chatham Street.

Margaret Sherwood was the first Librarian.  She cared for the library’s needs and activities around the lending of books from 1960 to 1965.

Books were loaned Monday through Saturday and story hours for children were held every Saturday morning.

In 1961 the Town of Cary took over the funding and care of the Library.  By 1962 the library had a circulation of 14,222, boasted 1,186 patrons and had 2,299 books.

In 1964 the Library moved to 126 E. Chatham Street and again moved in 1968 to 118 S. Academy Street. In 1969 the Cary Library joined the Wake County System.

After a brief stay in Cary Town Hall, the Cary Library moved to it’s current location, 310 S. Academy Street in 1977.  The present location underwent major renovation in the 1980′s, in 1993 and again in 2000.

The Present & The Future

Today the Cary Library offers online resources, research assistance, audio books, magazines, newspapers, and programs for all ages.

A 2008 Bond issue passed to replace or renovate the Cary Library to make Cary a Regional Library location with 23,000 square feet.  Looking toward the future, this renovation hopes to happen by 2016.

The current Library Manager, Liz Bartlett has been with the Cary Library since 2000.

“Fifty years of service to the community…that’s a big milestone”, says Liz Bartlett.  “Cary citizens founded the library here in town and they are what keeps us going — as customers, as volunteers, as our reason for being.  We look forward to the next 50 years and all the changes that this will bring, including we hope, a new library building sometime in the next 5-6 years. “

Photos provided by the Cary Library

Story and photos by Leslie Huffman

Cary, NC – Everyone in town knows at least one person who works for SAS Institute here in Cary. The company has won many awards for it’s innovative technology and family friendly work environment.

But SAS Institute is also changing the environment with the production of clean, renewable energy for our community. I was invited this week for a tour.

Solar Farm 2 is situated on the Cary campus next to the original SAS solar farm system, completed in December 2008.

The new facility is made up of 5,236 ground-mounted photovoltaic panels covering around 7 acres. It incorporates a Ray Tracker tracking system, designed by groSolar, that rotates the panels as the sun moves in the sky. This movement increases energy capture by up to 25 percent over the fixed panel systems and also reduces the acreage needed for construction.

Photovoltaic (PV) solar systems convert sunlight directly to electricity. They work any time the sun is shining, but more electricity is produced when the sunlight is more intense and strikes the panels directly. PV allows the production of electricity without noise or air pollution, from a clean and renewable resource. Solar Farm 2 was installed by FLS Energy, Inc.

SAS builds this solar farm, what does it mean for us?

All of the power generated from the SAS Solar Farms is sold back to Progress Energy, providing power to the local utility grid – 1.9 million kilowatts per year from Solar 2 to be exact. Add that to the 1.7 million kilowatts generated by Solar Farm 1 and you have 3.6 million kilowatts per year coming from both systems.

That means that 3,500 tons a year of carbon dioxide emissions are removed from the air. It is the energy equivalent of 367,000 gallons of gasoline. It’s enough power to run 325 homes for a year.

Economic Impact

The impact on our local economy has been beneficial as well. During the planning, construction and operation of the solar farms local electricians, engineers, mechanical contractors and supervisors have been employed.

Jerry Williams, SAS Sustainability Program Manager

Business Green

Jerry Williams, SAS Sustainability Program Manager, was on-site taking me on this informative tour. The SAS environmental sustainability program has been adding and expanding initiatives for the last several years. In addition to the solar farms, the Cary campus also has solar thermal hot water systems, regenerative drive elevators, water and waste conservation projects and LEED certified office buildings.

“The solar farm is a smart decision for SAS and for the community,” said Williams. “Projects like our solar farm demonstrate a fundamental shift in the value placed on energy efficiency, intelligent power sourcing and end-user consumption.”

“The development and implementation of alternative sources of energy is important for our environment, a stimulus for our economy and a step in the right direction to achieving energy independence.”

With one of the largest solar farms in the southeast, SAS is leading the way for other large companies to follow suit. With tax incentives and the ability to generate income a solar farm venture is a smart move toward a cleaner future.

Jerry Williams tells me that SAS should earn back it’s investment in approximately 10 years or less.

What About The Eight Sheep?

So why is this facility called a farm anyway? Solar Farm 1 is built on 5 acres and Solar Farm 2 on 7 acres of farmland. The Solar Farms are farming power from the sun.

And then there is the sheep.

Home to 8 sheep, the 12 acres are professionally manicured by the ewe. Grass is grown between all the panels which keeps dust to a minimum. Instead of using gasoline powered, noisy lawn mowers weaving in and out of expensive solar panels, this sustainable farm uses the natural ability of the sheep.

They keep the grass and weeds low and provide their own fertilizer to ensure healthy, continual growth.

I must say that the sight of the sheep wondering around the solar farm seemed like a visual contradiction.

But, sustainability is just that. A mixture of old ways and new, simplicity and technology.

The busiest time of hurricane season is here. Hurricane Earl’s slash up the East Coast starting at Ocracoke is a reminder that Cary is not too far from the action.

Evacuations at the Beach

At 5 a.m. this Wednesday morning, Ocracoke and Hatteras Island announced evacuation orders for all visitors and residents in preparation for hurricane Earl.  Dare County officials said they expect Earl to create high waves that will flood parts of N.C. Highway 12, making travel unsafe.

At 8 a.m. the National Hurricane Center showed hurricane Earl passing east of the Bahamas today and tonight and could approach the North Carolina coast by early Friday morning.  Earl is on a forecast track to take a gradual turn to the north-northwest but is not likely to make landfall on our coast but will cause dangerous conditions.

A strong category 3 storm, Earl is packing winds reaching 125 mph and is approximately 180 miles wide. Large swells should effect the North Carolina coast beginning Thursday and into Friday.  These swells will cause extremely dangerous surf conditions and rip currents.  A storm surges of 3 to 4 feet are possible.

More Storms Brewing

Tropical Storm Fiona is following close behind Earl and will either be absorbed by Earl or head east out to sea, thereby not becoming a threat to land.

Following a similar path to Earl and Fiona and right behind them is Tropical Depression 9, which formed this morning. TS 9 is very close to becoming a named storm - Tropical Storm Gaston.

Weather for Cary

Earl is predicted to slide up the coast and not affect Cary. Of course, it’s a hurricane, and if it changes course, we’ll let you know.

Right now, the forecast is for 10 days of unabated sunshine over the Triangle. Don’t reseed your lawn quite yet unless you’re prepared to water a lot.

Information provided by the National Hurricane Center, the National Weather Service and The Weather Channel

Story and photos by Leslie Huffman

Cary, NC – Teams are gearing-up for next weekend’s BIG Cary Scavenger Hunt.  We welcome our newest teams The Determined Detectives, CaryRealEstate.com, Riddle e-Racers, Fiddling Around, The Byrdson’s, Culture Vultures, and the Fantastic Four.

Make sure you don’t become clueless.  Sign-up now to guarantee your team a spot and make sure you get an exclusive Cary Scavenger Hunt T-shirt.

How To Play

Once your team is registered, you will check in next Saturday, July 24th, at 9:00 a.m., at Koka Booth Amphitheatre.  At 10:00 a.m., the bull horn is sounded and the teams are released!

Each team will be given a set of clues that will take them all over Cary.  Each clue is given a point value.  Clues include subjects like Cary history, visual arts, parks and recreation, town services and Cary businesses.  Make sure to bring a digital camera or cell phone camera to document your hunt.

The teams with the most points win!

Earn Extra Points

We thought it would be fun to include a few extra points for our social-media savvy contestants.

Most of these bonus points involve mobile communications – apps you might use on your cell phones. If not, you have a week to make sure at least one member of your team is prepared.

• TWITTER – Tweet your progress (one tweet per clue) during the day. Use the hashtags #cary and #scavengerhunt. 10 points per tweet , 100 points max.
• FACEBOOK – Post pictures to your Facebook profile. Use @carycitizen to get credit. 10 points per clue picture., 100 points max.
• FOURSQUARE – Check in at up to five locations. 10 points per check in, 50 points max.

Winner’s Loot – WOW!

Our First Place winners from the Adult Teams will win 10 VIP tickets to the REO Speedwagon/Pat Benatar show at Booth Amphitheatre on September 2, 2010. This winning team will get dinner in the VIP Tent and special seating just for you!

Our Family Team Winners will get a Private Party for 20 at “Movies by Moonlight” with dinner provided by Chick-fil-A of Waverly Place.  This team can pick between movies like 2012, July 29th; Taming Of The Shrew, August 5th; New Moon, August 12th; or How To Train Your Dragon, August 19th.

We also have prizes to give away from The Carolina Railhawks, Courtyard Marriott, Bella Mia, O2 Fitness, SAS Championship, Larry’s Beans, Suzie Wolf Photography, and IHOP.

We don’t want to leave you clueless, sign-up for the Hunt today!

Story by Leslie Huffman

Cary, NC -  Honestly, I was terrified when I signed-up for this rigorous fitness program.  I knew that deep down, I really didn’t want to do it.  Yes, I wanted to look skinnier and be in better shape, but the thought of actually working at it just seemed like, well, too much work!

Let’s face it, we are all extremely busy with work, kids, carpools, schedules, volunteering, and house work.  Making time seems impossible.  Even though this was at the bottom of my “things-to-do” list, I made it fit.

I was not sure that I would stay committed to the program once enrolled or even finish it without a boatload of excuses.  But, here I am at the end of my 10 week Extreme Body Fitness Program and I’m ecstatic at my progress.

Over the last 10 weeks I met some really nice people and watched them transform themselves.  We would all be sweating profusely, grunting and out of breath throughout the hour, then chit-chat around the water cooler, grimacing over the exercise we hated the most.

Our trainers made each class unique and full of crazy new exercises.  We never got bored with their creative torture routines.  A huge thanks to Carolee, Barry, Vanessa and Jon for pushing me throughout the 10 weeks, and overlooking my big mouth!

Speaking of my big mouth, my biggest struggle was my eating habits.  I have tried to change the amount of food I consume at one time.  I have also been eating lean meats and fish with veggies and no carbs  during the week.  But when the weekends came all bets were off.

My lunch meetings and a few out of town trips really put a damper on my diet during these past few weeks.  But, I have gained some valuable new habits and even feel a little sick if I eat the wrong kinds of food.

Tale of the Tape

So here is my moment of truth, my stats:

Start                                                        Finish

• Weight: 122.5 lbs                         115.5lbs
• Waist: 33.5 inches                       31.5 inches
• Body Fat: 33%                             25% (still yuck)
• Blood Pressure: 143/90              108/70 (!)

Overall I lost 10 pounds of body fat and lost 9.5 inches over my entire body including my shoulders, biceps, hips, butt, calves, chest, and waist.  I started out being able to barely do 40 push-ups and ended kicking out 60 push-ups. I gained 5 inches in flexibility and can reach my toes… heck, I can see my toes!

I have not yet reached my goal in weight or inches but I am not quitting.  I will be doing my next Extreme Body Fitness class in September for 10 more weeks.  Come on and join me!  It’s not that hard (wink, wink).

Can you figure these out?

1. We play in band, yet you hear no sound.  Important folks are all around.  We do not move but march all day.  Come on out and see us play.  Who are we?

2. I was built in 1927 where I educated 200 students in grades 1 through 12.  I burned down in 1963 and was not rebuilt.  Who am I?

These are a little harder.  Get your Scavenger Hunt Team together.  You’ll get to solve clues like these and win big prizes.

3. We are very popular in the summertime.  We make concrete at two different Cary locations, in three different sizes.  Who are we?

4. Can you figure out this Rebus Puzzle?

Sign Up for the Hunt!

The Hunt is on July 24th. Spaces are going fast so sign up now.