Happenings

"Ascending" "Flash" "Twenty Twenty Identity"

The Fine Arts League

of Cary’s annual juried exhibition opened in April, and it can be viewed online until June 30. More than 500 works were submitted, and 70 works were chosen for the show. From those, three top prizes were awarded: Kenzie Holzinger’s “Twenty Twenty Identity,” first place; Derek Cracco’s “Flash,” second place, and Michele Benzamin-Miki’s “Ascending,” third place. fineartsleagueofcary.org

Cary business owner Leslie Moore-Martinez was the winner of a custom pink 2021 Savannah Boats SS21, raffled off by the KAY YOW CANCER FUND. The Johnston

County-based boat manufacturer created the boat specifically for the fundraiser. The sold-out raffle was capped at 1,000 tickets priced at $100 each. MooreMartinez is the owner and operator of Primrose School of West Cary and Primrose School at The Park. KayYow.com

The Wake County Public

School System was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in April as part of its 2021 Green Ribbon Schools program. WCPSS was one of five districts, 27 schools, three early learning centers and five postsecondary institutions across the country that were honored for their innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, improve health and wellness, and ensure effective sustainability education. www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools

Students at CHESTERBROOK ACADEMY

PRESCHOOL PRESTON in Cary celebrated Earth Day by releasing 4,500 ladybugs throughout the schoolyard and back into the environment on plants, flowers and trees. Students and staff dressed for the occasion, wearing red and black clothing and antennae to look like ladybugs. ChesterbrookAcademy.com

The Umstead

Gallery is hosting Branching Out, its first group exhibition of N.C. artists, until July 31. Visitors can view the work of artists Hannah Cole, Jim Lee, Tim Lytvinenko, Beverly McIver, Thomas Sayre, Randy Shull, Shelley Smith, Leah Sobsey, and Damian Stamer. While the exhibit features a diverse

group of artwork, each piece carries the theme of beauty and simplicity of everyday life in nature. theumstead.com

Bonnie P. Threlfall,

of Cary, is among the judges at the 145th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, June 12-13 in Tarrytown, N.Y. The dog show was moved from its traditional winter date in New York City to an outdoor venue this spring. Threlfall will officiate over several breeds during her fourth judging assignment at Westminster. westminsterkennelclub.org

PLANTNRGY, an Apexbased startup that produces plantbased protein and superfood mixes, was recently awarded a $10,000 NC IDEA MICRO grant. NC IDEA is a private foundation committed to supporting entrepreneurial ambition and economic empowerment in North Carolina. Plantnrgy was one of 19 companies to receive small, project-based grants in the foundation’s sixth NC IDEA MICRO grant cycle. plantnrgy.com

In April, WakeMed opened its latest addition – a new fifth floor and patient care wing at WAKEMED CARY HOSPITAL. The new unit joins the recently opened Medical Park of Cary, at 210 Ashville Ave., and the HealthPark at Kildaire, at 110 Kildaire Park Drive, known collectively as the WakeMed Cary Hospital Medical District. wakemed.org

Papa Murphy’s Take ‘n’ Bake Pizza donated $2,900

in April to the WakeMed Foundation and WakeMed Hospital’s Employeee Assistance Fund. One way the fund has helped employees is by helping with child care expenses, so essential healthcare workers at WakeMed can come to work. wakemed.org/giving Cary resident Monica Smiley, editor and publisher of Enterprising Women Magazine, is among the inductees to the 2021 NC Women

Business Owners Hall of Fame. Founded

in 2018, the NC Women Business Owners Hall of Fame honors North Carolina’s

most successful female entrepreneurs and advocates who have made significant and enduring contributions for women’s entrepreneurial development in North Carolina. ncwbohalloffame.org

SAI K. PRANAVAN,

a student at Morrisville Year-round Elementary School, was among 10 NCPTA State Reflections winners who placed at the National PTA level of Reflections. Sai, who wona National Award of Excellence, created a musical composition interpreting the theme “I Matter Because…” Other artistic areas included dance choreography, film production, literature, photography and visual arts. ncpta.org

ACADEMY SPORTS + OUTDOORS, located in Apex, provided new soccer equipment for Shaw University’s May youth soccer clinic, a partnership with Raleigh Parks. Academy’s donation of $500 will be put towards items like cones, soccer balls, nets and other gear. academy.com

Lorin Ann Ladner, is the recipient of a $1000 scholarship from the Home Builder’s Association of Raleigh-Wake County’s Charitable Foundation. Lorin, bove center, a Cary resident and a student at Athens Drive Magnet High School, has volunteered for the U.S. Veterans Corp and is an active member of the Girls Scouts. hbawake.com

INVITAE CORPORATION, a life sciences company specializing in genetic testing, plans to make a $114.6 million capital investment in Morrisville. The San Francisco-based company harnesses the power of genetics and technology to make medical genetics affordable and accessible. The project brings 374 jobs, with an average salary of $91,176. Invitae will become one of the first occupants of The Stitch, pictured, the adaptive reuse project of the former Morrisville Outlet Mall. invitae.com

Crafts Made By You

held a grand opening on May 1 at its downtown Cary location, at 312 W. Chatham St., Suite 202. Owner Elyse Moushey provides equipment and supplies, so clients can create their own art in a

variety of media. Classes and workshops are also offered. craftsmadebyyou.com

CARY MEDICAL

MANAGEMENT is now

partnering with RSI Medical, a quality primary care clinic in Wendell. RSI Medical joins Cary-based Generations Family Practice and Rocky Mount Family Medical Center, which the management company acquired in March. This new arrangement helps to ensure favorable insurance contracts and significant savings to help RSI Medical and CMM’s partner clinics. carymso.com

Masa Sushi & Ramen

recently opened at 2757 NC-55, in Cary, at the High House Crossing shopping center. The Japanese restaurant serves high-quality sushi and flavorful ramen. masasushiramen.com

Coastal Credit Union has reached the $4 billion in assets milestone, just two and a half years after surpassing $3 billion. As of the end of the first quarter of the year, the credit union stands at $4.2 billion in assets and growing, as tax refunds and the latest round of stimulus money are flowing into member’s accounts. coastal24.com