Features

Pay It Forward: United Arts Wake County

Lee Pike was spending her birthday at work, listening to students read poetry at the High School Spoken Word Contest, an event organized by United Arts Wake County, where she is vice president of development. She planned to duck out early to celebrate her special day, but instead, she sat transfixed, brought to tears... Read More

Small Business Spotlight: Carolina Clay Studio

“This business really started with one simple concept, which is community,” says Carolina Clay Studio owner and instructor Nate Goldman. After falling in love with pottery, Nate started teaching and managing studios. Getting to witness how people’s lives were transformed by these spaces meant that when a studio they were managing was forced to shut... Read More

A Stage for Youth

When Emmalena Parker stands backstage before a theater show, a familiar feeling takes over.

A knot in her stomach, a quickening of her breath — classic stage fright. But as the lights come up and she steps into her first scene, that all disappears.

“I get terrible stage fright before I perform,” the 16-year-old Apex... Read More

Light the Way

The sun set by 5:20 p.m. on January 10, typical of a midwinter evening, leaving the town of Cary blanketed in cold and darkness — except within Downtown Cary Park.

The paths throughout the park blazed with light and music during the Under the Silver Moon community lantern parade. Hundreds of illuminated paper lanterns, held... Read More

Now & Next

Things to Do: April 2026

Peak City Pig Fest April 10, 5–10 p.m. April 11, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Apex Town Hall Campus peakcitypigfest.com

Bring on the smoke! Taste masterfully crafted barbecue, enjoy live music, visit the beer garden, and watch the police-versus-fire-department rib eating contest.

Pimento Cheese Festival April 11, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Downtown... Read More

Circle Back: Run Clubs

The days are getting longer, and the temperature is rising. It’s time to stretch those legs!

These local run groups offer an opportunity to socialize while you exercise (often followed by a beer). Monday Cary Run Club – Downtown Cary Park, 6:30 p.m. – Meet at the fountain and head out on an all-paces-friendly 5K... Read More

Food & Dining

Liquid Assets: Larry The Cucumber

Botanical gin and elderflower liqueur pair perfectly with the fresh flavors of cucumber and lime in this vibrant green beauty created by Mel Schulz.

1 ½ ounces Uncle Val’s Botanical Gin ½ ounce St-Germain 1 ounce lime juice 1 ounce cucumber juice ¾ ounce jalapeño simple syrup 1 egg white or egg white substitute... Read More

Home & Garden

Garden Adventurer: Easter Lily-ology

Psst! Did you know Easter lilies aren’t just for Easter? While they are ubiquitous offerings in stores everywhere this time of year as holiday houseplants, Easter lilies (Lilium longiflorum) are actually perennials that can be saved and transitioned this spring to outdoor gardens, where they have the hardiness to not only survive but thrive. And... Read More

Garden Adventurer: Voodoo Gardening

In the dying light of an early spring day last year, I was giving stubborn weeds in my garden their long-overdue last rites with a sling blade when something out of the corner of my eye froze me in my tracks.

There, below a vitex tree with bare limbs that reached out like bony fingers,... Read More