The index climbed to 2,970 jobs in April, rising for the fourth consecutive month according to Local Tech Wire. That’s up from a low of 1,250 in the spring of 2009.

According to the study, Charlotte is up 8 percent so far this year followed by Raleigh-Cary at 6 percent. The biggest gains have come in the Hickory-Lenior-Morgantown metro area at 9.8 percent. Durham IT employment declined 2.3 percent during the same time period.

All applications must be received by 5 p.m. on June 30 and can be found by visiting Boards and Commissions at www.townofcary.org. Completed applications should be e-mailed to mary.fealey@townofcary.org or mailed to Mary Fealey, Town Clerk’s Office, P.O. Box 8005, Cary, NC 27512-8005.

For more information, including descriptions of each board or commission, visit Boards and Commissions at www.townofcary.org, watch our video or call (919) 319-4508.

From 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 17, Cambria Suites at RDU Airport will be sponsoring a public charity event with Music4Hope.

The Music4Hope Foundation brings music into the lives of children and their families who are experiencing life threatening diseases, including cancer.

Our mission is to bring music into the lives of children and their families experiencing life threatening diseases, you have come to the right place. Our first charity project last year benefited the NC Children’s Promise which raised over $1,000,000.00.

If you are a musician, songwriter, area business owner, you are welcome to contribute in any way possible to make a difference for a child or family member in need. – Music4Hope website

Food & Drink

Free food and drinks will be available and all donations will go directly to Music4Hope, which supports Duke Children’s Hospital and UNC for children with cancer.

Music & Prizes

There will also be live music by Rush Street as well as several prizes given away by Cambria Suites, including a romance package, bed & breakfast package and a weekend night stay with a bottle of wine.

Friday, June 11:
Starlight Concert Series: Moment’s Notice. Page-Walker Arts & History Center Garden, 7:30 p.m.
FREE. Drift away to an eclectic mix of high-energy jazz with Bobby Moody and friends! For your comfort, please bring a blanket or lawn chair. For more, call (919) 460-4963.

Saturday, June 12:
Summerfest featuring Tiempo Libre
Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 5 p.m.
A night of Latin fire! Cuban jazz ensemble Tiempo Libre headlines this program of music from Spain, Central America and South America. Come early and participate in the popular Instrument Zoo, where kids can try out and play various instruments! Ticket prices and more at www.boothamphitheare.com.

Sunday, June 13:
Triangle Wind Ensemble – Sertoma Amphitheatre in Bond Park, 6 p.m.
FREE. The Triangle Wind Ensemble delights with some of its favorite pieces from their current season. For more, call (919) 469-4061 or visit www.trianglewind.org.

See ya ’round town!

About “Shout” Band Music

“Shout” describes the singing style and form of worship found in some 20th-century African-American religious denominations. Speaking directly to God through the “shout,” black Pentecostals offered the direct experiences and the emotional touch of the Spirit.

“Shout band music is primarily performed as part of church services, parades and religious special occasions, so having the Mangum and Company Shout Band as part of our Sertoma Series is very special,” said Sarah Preston, Performing Arts Coordinator. “Pack a picnic and enjoy this unique opportunity.”

Who are the Mangum Company?

Led by Cedric Mangum, the company features 15-20 members from the Charlotte Mother House of Prayer playing a variety of trombones, sousaphones, baritones and drums. Its mostly instrumental music creates a choir of brass “voices” “singing” in one accord, a tradition from church music of African-American communities in the Southeast during the 1920s. The music is up-tempo and bright.

The Mangum and Company Shout Band appeared under the name The Clouds of Heaven in the first-ever anthology of shout band music produced by Smithsonian “Folkways, Saints Paradise: Trombone Shout Bands from the United House of Prayer (1999)”. Music samples are available for download , use the  keywords “Saint’s Paradise.” This concert promises to be something truly special.

In case of rain, the concert will be held at the Kiwanis Shelter in Bond Park.

Remaining 2010 Spring Sertoma Series performances include: SAS Showchoir, VocalMotion on Saturday, May 15, and the Really Terrible Orchestra of the Triangle on Sunday, May 16.

For more information on the Mangum and Company Shout Band, visit Pine Cone

For this and other interesting events happening around Cary, check out the CaryCitizen Calendar. If you have an event you would like us to add to the Calendar, email Lindsey Chester.

But that’s the story for Donna Goodfred of Raleigh. Her photo was selected in a Hallmark contest for Mother’s Day cards.

Donna and her young subjects will be at Lynn’s Hallmark Shop at Crossroads this Saturday, May 1. From 1-5 p.m. there will be a small celebration with cake and other refreshments.

Drop by and say hi. Just don’t let Donna take your picture.

Or maybe party with a rock star is more accurate. RallyPoint Sport Grill is hosting the official after-party.

$10 – tix available at Rallypoint. This Saturday night, May 1.

Funds are available for nonprofit organizations that serve general charitable needs in Wake County.  Priority will be given to projects that target essential needs such as food, clothing, shelter and medicine.

Applications are available at www.nccommunityfoundation.org, or by writing to the Wake County Community Foundation at 4601 Six Forks Road, Suite 524, Raleigh, NC 27609.  The deadline for submitting applications is June 18.

The Wake County Community Foundation is an affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation (NCCF).  The community fund was established to help support local charitable needs through annual grants.

2000 Wishes Granted

Make-A-Wish will celebrate their milestone 2,000th granted wish.  The evening will feature dinner, live and silent auctions, and the music of Brick House.

How to Contribute/Attend

Tickets are $125 each, or tables of 10 for $1,250.  Sponsorship opportunities are available.
Call 919-821-7111 to reserve a ticket or visit www.eastncwish.org

All you have to do to be eligible for the drawing is correctly answer CaryCitzen’s Rock Quiz.

The deadline is midnight Thursday (April 15), so get on it!