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Hi Cary!

I hope you have a wonderful holiday season planned/underway. I wanted to take a second to lay out the publishing schedule for the rest of the year. I’m taking some time off of work (and Cary Digest), so I will not be publishing on:

• Tuesday, December 23rd

• Friday December 26th

• Friday, January 2nd

I will be publishing on Tuesday, December 30th with some New Years events and news, so the dry spell won’t last too long.

Anyway, here’s what you can expect in Today’s issue:

• Cary Tennis Park recognition

• A new town manager

• Amazing Thai food

• A whole week’s worth of events this time!

— Jake from Cary Digest

News

Cary Tennis Park Named Municipal Facility of the Year by Racquet Sports Industry (RSI) Magazine!

Cary Tennis Park has been named Municipal Facility of the Year by Racquet Sports Industry magazine, earning the national recognition for the second time. The 24-acre complex draws more than 300,000 visitors each year and hosts over 20 sanctioned tournaments annually, making it a major destination for tennis and pickleball players across the region. The park has previously received several national honors, including the U.S. Tennis Association’s Featured Facility Award in 2019 and both the USTA Outstanding Facility Award and RSI’s Municipal Facility of the Year in 2006.

Opened in 2002 after an extensive planning process led by Cary’s Town Council and shaped by community input, Cary Tennis Park was built as a $6 million partnership with Green Hope High School. It has since grown into one of the Southeast’s premier public racquet sports facilities, featuring 25 lighted outdoor courts, seven covered courts, four permanent pickleball courts, and a championship stadium court. Town leaders credited the park’s staff and volunteers for creating a welcoming, high-quality facility that continues to bring major events, visitors, and economic impact to the community.

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P.S. Want to advertise in Cary Digest this holiday season? Reply to this email or reach out at [email protected]!

Restaurant Spotlight: Thai Villa!

Thai Villa has quietly become one of Cary’s go-to spots for classic Thai comfort food, drawing a loyal crowd that ranges from quick-lunch regulars to families settling in for a relaxed dinner. Tucked into a modest shopping center, the restaurant focuses on familiar dishes done right, with bold flavors, generous portions, and a menu that makes it easy to find both old favorites and a few house specialties.

The menu leans into traditional staples like pad thai, drunken noodles, green and panang curries, and tom kha soup, all made to order with customizable spice levels. Locals especially praise the rich curry sauces, well-balanced noodle dishes, and the consistency that keeps people coming back. With friendly service, reasonable prices, and a welcoming atmosphere, Thai Villa fits perfectly into Cary’s neighborhood dining scene as the kind of place you can rely on for a satisfying meal without any fuss.

Town Updates

Town Council Appoints Russ Overton as Interim Cary Town Manager

Following the resignation of Sean Stegall, Cary Town Council has appointed Deputy Town Manager Russ Overton to serve as interim town manager, effective immediately. Overton joined the Town of Cary in 1998 as an engineer and moved into town administration in 2013, later being named assistant town manager and then deputy town manager in 2017.

Weather

Things to Do This Week

Tuesday, December 16

Bond Brothers Run Club
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Bond Brothers Beer Company, 202 E Cedar St, Cary, NC
Description: Social run with 2–5 mile routes for all paces, followed by craft beer.
Link: https://www.bondbrothersbeer.com/food-trucks-happenings

Hanukkah Menorah Lighting
Time: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Location: Downtown Cary Park, 327 S Academy St, Cary, NC
Description: Community menorah lighting ceremony with music, kids’ activities, and treats.
Link: https://www.carync.gov/recreation-enjoyment/holiday-events/hanukkah-menorah-lighting

Open Mic Night at Salem Street Music Club
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Salem Street Music Club (Oaklyn Springs Brewery Taproom), 209 N Salem St, Apex, NC
Description: Local musicians perform at a relaxed open mic night.
Link: https://allevents.in/apex/salem-street-music-club-open-mic/

Hammered Trivia at Triangle Beer Co.
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Triangle Beer Co., 320 E Durham Rd, Cary, NC
Description: Free team trivia night at the brewery with prizes.
Link: https://triangleonthecheap.com/triangle-beer-co/

Wednesday, December 17

Wednesday Morning Movie at Halle Cultural Arts Center
Time: 9:30 AM
Location: Halle Cultural Arts Center, 237 N Salem St, Apex, NC
Description: Free morning movie screening of a family-friendly film.
Link: https://www.apexnc.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=4279

Music Bingo at The Williams House
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: The Williams House Craft Taproom, 210 E Chatham St, Cary, NC
Description: Music-themed bingo with prizes and plenty of tunes.
Link: https://www.thewilliamshousecary.com

Bond Brothers Trivia Night
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Bond Brothers Beer Company, 202 E Cedar St, Cary, NC
Description: Free team trivia night with prizes.
Link: https://www.bondbrothersbeer.com/food-trucks-happenings

Bailey’s Wine Wednesday
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Bailey’s Fine Jewelry, 21 Fenton Main St, Cary, NC
Description: Complimentary wine tastings and specials while you shop.
Link: https://fentonnc.com

Smooth Jazz at Raleigh Improv – Nicholas Cole & Jazmin Ghent
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Raleigh Improv, 1224 Parkside Main St, Cary, NC
Description: Live contemporary jazz concert featuring keyboardist Nicholas Cole and saxophonist Jazmin Ghent.
Link: https://www.livenation.com/event/rZ7HnEZ1AKPwJf/smooth-jazz-at-the-improv-presents-nicholas-cole-featuring-jazmin-ghent

Thursday, December 18

Drop-in Art Cart
Time: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Downtown Cary Park, Cary, NC
Description: Free creative arts and crafts activities for kids.
Link: https://downtowncarypark.com

Bombshell Beer Run/Walk Club
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Bombshell Beer Company, 120 Quantum St, Holly Springs, NC
Description: Free social run/walk for all paces with post-run brews.
Link: https://www.bombshellbeer.com/Events/Bombshell-Beer-Run-Club

Pop-Up Chorus: Holiday Sing-Along
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: The Cary Theater, 122 E Chatham St, Cary, NC
Description: Open-to-all holiday sing-along event featuring popular festive tunes.
Link: https://thecarytheater.com

Line Dancing at Sports & Social Cary
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: Sports & Social, 301 Fenton Gateway Dr, Cary, NC
Description: Free country line dancing lesson and social (21+).
Link: https://fentonnc.com

Friday, December 19

Cary Night Market
Time: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Downtown Cary Park, 327 S Academy St, Cary, NC
Description: Outdoor evening market featuring local artisans, food, and holiday lights.
Link: https://downtowncarync.org/event/cary-night-market-25/

Cary Ballet Company’s The Nutcracker
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave, Cary, NC
Description: Full-length production of the classic holiday ballet by a local company.
Link: https://www.caryballetcompany.org/nutcracker

Arnez J Stand-Up Comedy
Time: 7:00 PM and 9:15 PM
Location: Raleigh Improv, 1224 Parkside Main St, Cary, NC
Description: Live stand-up comedy by veteran comedian Arnez J (21+).
Link: https://improv.com/raleigh/comic/arnez+j/

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Film)
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: The Cary Theater, 122 E Chatham St, Cary, NC
Description: Classic holiday comedy film screening on the big screen.
Link: https://thecarytheater.com/event/national-lampoons-christmas-vacation-10/the-cary/cary/

Saturday, December 20

Cary Farmers Market (Holiday Market)
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Along East Park St, 327 S Academy St, Cary, NC
Description: Weekly winter farmers market with local produce, artisanal foods, and gifts.
Link: https://downtowncarync.org/event/cary-farmers-market-6/

Fenton Holiday Makers Market
Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Fenton Square, 21 Fenton Main St, Cary, NC
Description: Outdoor holiday market with local artists and makers, plus shopping and entertainment at Fenton.
Link: https://www.trianglepopup.com

Fable Holiday Market
Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Location: Fable Books & Café, 219 Raleigh St, Holly Springs, NC
Description: Two-day holiday market at a bookstore café with local vendors, storytime with Santa, and family fun.
Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/3214341445910257/

Chessie & The Quitters – Live at Bombshell Beer
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Bombshell Beer Company, 120 Quantum St, Holly Springs, NC
Description: Free live music by rock band Chessie & The Quitters at the brewery.
Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/363583513005432/

Sunday, December 21

Holiday Market at The Mayton
Time: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: The Mayton, 301 S Academy St, Cary, NC
Description: Indoor holiday market at The Mayton hotel with 20+ local vendors and festive drinks available.
Link: https://www.peckandplume.com/event-directory/holiday-market-at-the-mayton

Home Alone (Film)
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: The Cary Theater, 122 E Chatham St, Cary, NC
Description: Beloved family holiday film screening on the big screen.
Link: https://thecarytheater.com/event/home-alone-8/the-cary/cary/

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival
Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Pkwy, Cary, NC
Description: Illuminated lantern displays and cultural performances at a family-friendly outdoor holiday festival.
Link: https://www.boothamphitheatre.com/events-tickets/events/chinese-lantern-festival

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