Cary, NC – Lots happening this weekend in Cary with multiple art openings and receptions on Friday, July 30, 2010.

Professional Art Quilters Alliance

Page Walker Art & History Center
6-8 pm

The Professional Art Quilters Alliance/South (PAQA) will debut a show entitled “No Fear” at the Page Walker Arts and Culture Center on Friday, 7/30/2010 from 6-8 pm.

PAQA is a group of professional artists from across the southeastern United States who come together to promote innovative art quilts, art cloth, and art garments.

Jordan Hall Arts Center, 908 N Harrison St

Scott Mais
Medium: Photography
Reception: 6-8 p.m.

Cary Senior Center

Student, Teacher & Staff Show
Medium: Mixed
3-6 p.m.

All participants in this exhibition are students, teachers or staff from the Cary Senior Center.

Herbert Young Community Center

Jennifer Weinberg: In My Backyard: NC Landscapes
Medium: Photography
Artist reception 6-8 p.m.

Jennifer Weinberg Graver has been studying North Carolina landscapes since 2005.

Town Hall Main Gallery

David Kevin Bass: Color Fusion
Medium: Acrylic Painting
Reception: 6-8 p.m.

This body of work is described as bold, filled with brilliant color and comprised of abstract organic shapes.

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Top Left: “Purple Passion” by Rosile Baker. Top right: “A La Orange” by Beth Gilbert.

News on CaryCitizen is sponsored by Cary Courtyard by Marriott and Cary Residence Inn by Marriott.

Cary, NC – Sunrise Assisted Living of Cary on Chatham Street is hosting a celebration this coming weekend – July 23 and July 24 - to celebrate their “first birthday”. There will be free 20 minute massages on July 23 from 1:00-4:00 pm.  The massages are being donated by Miller-Motte Technical College, here in Cary. Donations will be accepted to benefit Alzheimer’s NC.

Call 919-462-9147 to schedule your time slot.

There will also be a kid-friendly carnival on Saturday the 24th from 2:00-4:00 pm with free hot dogs, sno-cones, spoon races, cornhole and more - and even a chance to douse the Executive Director, Rich Murray, in the “dunk tank”. There will be tours of the facility available.

“We are so happy to celebrate not only our first birthday, but also our 85th resident to this wonderful community.  We want to celebrate it with the residents of Cary,” Director of Community Relations Brigitte Specht told the CaryCitizen.

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, photo by Hal Goodtree

Cary, NC – Our Advance Team is constantly in training for the upcoming Cary Scavenger Hunt.  They quiz each other on obscure Cary facts, check map routes around town and exercise daily.   Recently, they’ve been working up an appetite too.

Free Lunch. And More.

Thanks to our generous sponsors, there will be many extra goodies offered during the Scavenger Hunt on July 24th.  One of our Platinum Sponsors, Chick-fil-A of Waverly Place will be providing a free sandwich.

During the Cary Scavenger Hunt you will receive a clue from Chick-fil-A, just figure out the correct clue and you will be treated to something tasty.  Special treats will also be provided by The Meat House, Great Harvest Bread Company and Whole Foods Market of Cary.

We will also have a few other really cool giveaways too.  We’ll wait to surprise you with those!

Big Prizes

Koka Booth Amphitheatre, in honor of their 10th season of great entertainment, is supplying our Scavenger Hunt winners with some awesome prizes.  The Scavenger Hunt will be based on points.  Each clue has a point value.  The teams that have collected the most points, win.

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.  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.

Sign-Up Today

To guarantee your spot in The Cary Scavenger Hunt, sign-up today.

Welcome New Teams & Sponsors

A big shout out goes to our newest Scavenger Hunt Teams.  These groups are ready for some serious competition.  Welcome to The Hunt, Seekers, Savvy Sleuths, Beaulacs, Falcon Four, Thunderbolts and The Happy Honakers.

Our Advance Team is getting a little worried.  They better keep up their training!

We also want to thank our newest Scavenger Hunt Sponsors, Crossroads Ford and Whole Foods Market of Cary.  Thanks for helping us put on what we hope to be an unforgettable Cary event.

Cary, North Carolina – Call it OzFest. Call it the Emerald City Reborn. But don’t call it just a movie.

This Saturday, July 10, Koka Booth Amphitheatre presents The Wizard of Oz with the NC Symphony Orchestra.

Costume Competition

Come dressed as your favorite Oz character and you could win prizes including tickets, toys, bubbles, spa and restaurant certificates and more. Child and adult categories with lots of prizes to give away.

Picnic of the Week Competition

Show off your picnicking style with food inspired by the film (Midwestern comfort food from the farm, food that is yellow or green, food out of a Dorothy-like basket, decorative themed picnic ware, etc.). Prizes for the top three are provided by Whole Foods Market in Cary and your group’s photo on the symphony website. Picnic of the Week judge will wander the crowd and select winners by 7pm.

How about a $2800 Ring?

Generously donated by Ora Jewelers, enter a raffle for a beautiful custom-made 4.7 carat emerald green tourmaline ring (estimated value $2800). Entry to win this amazing grand prize will happen the night of the event. Look for the sign up tables to enter and win (no purchase necessary to win).

Kids Playhouse Giveaway

Generously donated by Backyard Playground, enter a raffle for an amazing custom built wooden children’s playhouse (estimated value $1200). The playhouse will be set up at Koka Booth the night of the concert for all to play on and for one lucky family to take home. Just don’t land it on top of any wicked witches! Look for the sign up tables to enter and win (no purchase necessary to win, winner responsible for playhouse delivery fees).

Instrument Zoo

A variety of orchestral instruments will be available for your kids to try out and play. Demonstrated by North Carolina Symphony staff and musicians from 7pm-8pm.

Food Drive

Have a heart like the Tin Man and donate 5 canned goods and receive one complimentary WakeMed Movies By Moonlight ticket. Food collection bins can be found at the Main and VIP Gates. The first 500 people to donate also receive a special North Carolina Symphony novelty gift.

More Info

Gates open at 6pm. All contests and entries will close at 8:15pm and winners will be announced from the stage.

Picnics, outside beverages, lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged. Kids 12 and under get in for FREE on the lawn.

Get Tickets

This article provided courtesy of Ashworth Drugs, Platinum Sponsor of the CaryCitizen Scavenger Hunt on Saturday July 24! 

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.

Cary, NC – Get ready for a good old fashioned Independence Day with music, a parade in the park, watermelon seed spitting, an ice cream eating contest and, of course, a massive onslaught of fireworks. It’ll make you want to wear a straw boater and an Uncle Sam beard.

Celebrations include the Independence Day Olde Time Celebration on July 3 at Bond Park. And, on July 4 at Koka Booth Amphitheatre, there’s a concert by the Cary Town Band and the North Carolina Symphony plus a fireworks spectacular.

All events are free and open to the public.

July 3 at Bond Park

On Saturday, July 3, at 8:30 a.m., families can participate in the annual Fishing Tournament, where prizes will be awarded for various categories. Also at 8:30 a.m., bring your decorated bike, stroller, wagon or other “ride” in preparation for the “Parade in the Park.” The parade will start promptly after a short patriotic performance by the Applause! Musical Theatre Touring Troupe.

Following the parade, various family-friendly contests will be held. The day concludes with an Independence Eve Celebration with performances by Applause! Cary Youth Theatre and the Cary Town Band.

The schedule for the Bond Park events on July 3 is as follows:

8-9:30 a.m.
Fishing Tournament (Waterfront) Registration opens at 7:30 a.m.

8:30-9:30 a.m.
Parade preparations (Kiwanis Shelter)

9:45-10 a.m.
Applause! Musical Theatre Touring Troupe (Kiwanis Shelter)

10:15-10:45 a.m.
“Parade in the Park” (Kiwanis Shelter)

11-3 p.m.
Family contests including Doughnut eating, Watermelon Eating, Watermelon Seed Spitting, Lakeside Olympics and Water Balloon Toss (Boathouse)

6:30-9:30 p.m.
Independence Eve Celebration (Sertoma Amphitheatre)

July 4 at Booth Amphitheatre

The next day, Koka Booth Amphitheatre throws open its gates at 3 p.m. on the Fourth of July to welcome the public for an afternoon of fun that culminates with an evening of festive music and the Triangle’s largest fireworks display.

While the event is free, Koka Booth Amphitheatre is offering four-seat tables for $125 per table. Price includes Lumpy’s Ice Cream and Star Spangled Swirl Bread from Great Harvest Bread Company.

Tarps, blankets and chairs are permitted; please no staking or tents.

The Amphitheatre events are as follows:

3-7 p.m.
Family Fun Zone (games and prizes for kids)

4 p.m.
Indy Model Boat Regatta (Symphony Lake)

5:30 p.m.
Ice cream eating contest (concessions area)

5:45 p.m.
Cary Town Band Concert

7:30 p.m.
North Carolina Symphony Concert

9:30 p.m.
Fireworks to follow concert at dusk

For further information, visit Independence Day at www.townofcary.org or call (919) 469-4061.

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

Jan Johansson, photo by Dell Tims provided by PineCone.org

Cary, NC- Do you like Bluegrass Music? Enjoy outdoors concerts? Want to help make a difference in someone’s life?

Pinecone.org is promoting a Benefit Concert for Jan Johansson this Sunday, June 27th from 1-6:30pm at Sertoma Amphitheatre, Bond Park, 801 High House Rd.

A terrific line-up of musicians has agreed to play for the entire afternoon in an effort to raise funds to help offset the health-care costs of a well-loved Cary musician, Jan Johansson.  All performers and event organizers are donating their time and talents to show support and appreciation for all that Jan and and his wife Theresa have done for the music community.

There is a suggested donation for attendees of $15.

Who’s Playing?

Featured musicians will be:  The Kruger Brothers;  Al Batten & the Bluegrass Reunion; String Machine; Hank Bowman and Lin Peterson and a grand finale with Jan and Friends, including Carolina Junction; Julie Elkins; Danny Gotham; Lindsey Tims; Jerry Stewart; and John Teer.

Who Is Jan Johansson?

Born in Skellefteå in northern Sweden, Jan began playing acoustic guitar at the age of 14.

By 18, he had added fiddle and mandolin to his repertoire – and had fallen in love with American Bluegrass music. After completing graduate degrees in linguistics, Jan began his full time pursuit of Bluegrass.

He moved to Cary, North Carolina in 1989. Jan has taught music and performed in well known bands including the award-winning New Vintage and the Nashville Bluegrass Band. Jan and his bands have been recognized by an IBMA nomination in 1994 as Emerging Band of the Year and 1993 SPGMA World Champion band among other award.

From his own website Jan had this to say: “I believe my background in linguistics has played an important role in how I teach and communicate about music,” Johansson said. “Music is just another form of communication and a means for people to relate and connect with each other…Music and language both share a lot of common features. One of the most fascinating parallels is the fact that both systems are using a finite number of rules in order to generate an infinite number of meaningful phrases”.

Raising Money for a Transplant

Jan has suffered from heart-related problems for many years, beginning with a massive heart attack at the young age of 36.

In 1999, he underwent triple bypass surgery and in 2005 he had a pacemaker installed. Last July, after a week of evaluation, he was added to the waiting list for a heart transplant.

On Christmas Eve 2009, Jan was hospitalized for extremely low blood pressure.  After extensive evaluation, doctors determined that Jan should remain at UNC Hospital until he could receive a heart transplant. However, after several weeks without a donor match, doctors implanted a heart pump. Jan returned home in March.

The heart pump is an interim measure and will not resolve Jan’s heart problems. He is now again on the heart transplant waiting list. A heart transplant costs approximately $750,000, and that’s only the beginning. Although Jan’s wife, Theresa, has family health coverage through her employer, the family will face significant expenses related to Jan’s transplant.

Where to Donate:

All donations will go directly to the National Foundation for Transplants to help Jan and Theresa. 

People who cannot attend the concert can send donations to:

National Foundation for Transplants
5350 Poplar Dr., Suite 430
Memphis, TN 38119

Checks should be made payable to the National Foundation for Transplants with “For Jan Johansson” on the memo line.

The Foundation’s website has information and updates about Jan, and donations can be made online.

The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so donations are tax deductible.

Concert Info: Sertoma Amphitheater, Bond park, 801 High House Road, Cary

When: This Sunday, June 27, 2010, 1-6:30 p.m.

Donation Suggestion: $15 for adults; children under 12 free

For Additional Info: visit PineCone.org

For this and other events happening in the Town of Cary, visit the CaryCitizen Calendar. If you have an event you would like us to add to the Calendar, please email Lindsey Chester

Story & photo by Leslie Huffman

Cary, NC – No need to get all dolled-up to have a great time this summer.  All you need is a few friends, a car, a digital camera, and an adventurous spirit.  Oh yeah, and a list of clues for The Cary Scavenger Hunt!

You can swim at the pool all summer long, but you’ll only get one chance this summer to participate in CaryCitizen’s town-wide Scavenger Hunt.

Clues will take you from Town Hall to farm land, from parks to schools.  You can find historical locations and modern art sculptures.

Who Should Enter?

Co-workers can race against each other to see who can get the most clues.  This is team building at it’s finest.  Who knows, you could beat the boss.

Church groups can bond together to accomplish this task.  Knowing the community and working together is key to winning.  A little help from above may guide this team to a win.

Families make the best teams!  Sometimes it’s the littlest family member that can make sense of a riddle.  And what kid doesn’t love a scavenger hunt?

A group of good friends can take any challenge and make it a hysterically funny occasion.  This will make a great memory with lots of silly photo’s for your Facebook page.

How To Enter

Adult Teams can be 2 to 4 people.  Sign up as a team and give yourself a memorable team name and assign a captain.  Entry fee is $50 per team and includes a Cary Scavenger Hunt tee-shirt for all and lots of little extras along the way.

Family Teams can be as small as one parent and one child or include all the members of your clan.  At least one of those members must be over 18 and have a car, license and insurance. Assign a clever team name and a  team captain.  The Family Entry fee is $30 and includes a tee-shirt for the family members and some extra stuff too.

You Want A Clue Already?

Here’s one: somewhere on the CaryCitizen website, you will find a way to earn a few extra points.  Shhhh, don’t tell anyone.

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The Cary Scavenger Hunt is a celebration of 10 years of outstanding entertainment at Koka Booth Amphitheatre.

This isn’t your banjo-picking, old-school country. But they do come from Nashville.

The trio is composed of Charles Kelley (lead and background vocals), Dave Haywood (background vocals, guitar, piano, mandolin) and Hillary Scott (lead and background vocals).

Charles Kelly was working construction in Winston-Salem with his brother before before heading Tennessee and musical fame and fortune. He’s the brother of pop artist Josh Kelley. Hillary Scott is the daughter of country music singer Linda Davis.

The Academy of Country Music awarded Lady Antebellum best single of the Year in 2010. They were nominated for a Grammy in 2009.

Show Info

The show is Thursday September 23. Tickets went on sale on Friday.