Local Towns Team Up to Fight Fires
BY JUDITH COOKIS RUBENS Morrisville firefighter Natasha Byrd rides a ladder truck in her second career. She worked eight years in pharmaceutical manufacturing before, at age 28, changing direction to
5 West magazine is devoted to exploring and celebrating life in Cary, Morrisville, Apex, Fuquay-Varina and Holly Springs. This area repeatedly ranks among the top regions in the country to live or work, to find a home or start a business, to raise a family or retire. 5 West is dedicated to covering the topics readers care about – from hometown stories and community spotlights to fashion, food and local trends. Published six times a year, 5 West helps readers enjoy the good life that Western Wake County has to offer.
BY JUDITH COOKIS RUBENS Morrisville firefighter Natasha Byrd rides a ladder truck in her second career. She worked eight years in pharmaceutical manufacturing before, at age 28, changing direction to
BY MARIO BOUCHER Senior homes are transforming their image just in time for a “booming” generation seeking high-quality health care while maintaining an active lifestyle into their golden years. Long-term care
PAINTING THE TOWN: APEX TEXT AND PHOTOS BY DOLLY R. SICKLES For the last 10 years, the Town of Apex has focused on developing its Public Art Master Plan. The
The often-maligned fruitcake has a loyal following thanks to a family business with a just-right recipe. BY KURT DUSTERBERG No matter how you approach Southern Supreme Fruitcake & More on
The Carying Place BY CAITLIN WHEELER | PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE CARYING PLACE Every January, Wake County conducts a “point in time count” to determine the number of its people
Need gift ideas for loved ones on your list? Our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide offers homegrown options for everyone. Shop local this holiday season, and bring your friends and family
Looking to shop locally this holiday season? Check off your list with this year’s holiday gift guide curated with something for everyone while supporting our local businesses. 🎁 Find it in the current issue on media stands and at the link in bio. #holidaygiftguide #shoplocal #supportlocal
📷 Photo Courtesy of @designedforjoy
Ready to see the best Christmas lights in NC? ✨ Click the Link in bio to see 20 free light displays this holiday season in “Free Holiday Christmas Displays” by Kyle Marie McMahon.
📷 Photo by Juliana Malta
Happy Thanksgiving! Tell us what you’re thankful for this year. We’ll go first in the comments. 🍂
📷: Photo Courtesy of Hummingbird Cafe
Welcome home @hometurfnc 🚲 The new rhythm based cycle studio is celebrating their grand opening in @visitnorthhills ✨The brand new studio now open, and you’ll want to be one of the first to see the oasis in person.🌳 #cycle #cycling #spininstructor #cyclelife #cycleclass
Looking to make this season sparkle for someone special?✨ (or yourself 😉). The @baileysfinejewelry Gift Guide is live! It’s designed with you in mind to make your holiday moments merry. 🎁 The Bailey’s collection is curated and created locally by Bailey’s very own Marci Bailey inclusive of all styles and budgets. 💍 Shop their gift guide at the link in bio or in person in Cary, Raleigh, Rocky Mount, and Greenville to put unforgettable memories under the tree. 🎄#holidayguiftguide #everywomanwantsabaileysbox #diamondsareagirlsbestfriend
Want to unwind with a glass of wine in a space inspired by Holly Springs’ rapidly growing and strong sense of community? 🍷Founder Joe Sherrier created the concept of Wine 100 for just that with shop manager and operator Bob Kaufmann.
“My wife and I wanted to establish roots in Holly Springs—not just to settle down, but to become a part of the community.” Sherrier says. “We enjoyed the idea of not only visiting a wine shop but also having a glass of wine while meeting our neighbors.”
Read the full story “Curating Fine Wines with a Community Focus” by Jennifer Primrose in the current issue at the link in bio.
📷: Photo by @joshmanningtv
•GIVEAWAY• win 4 tix to THE RINK at @redhatamphitheater ⛸️🧊
We’ve partnered with Red Hat Amphitheater to give away 4 tickets for 2 hours of ice skating on December 7 at 6:30p. 🎟️ Enjoy a winter wonderland ❄️ complete with:
🎄A 20 ft holiday tree
🪵 Fire Pits
☕️ Hot Coco
🧊 Cozy Igloo Lounges with Food & Beverage Packages
All with a backdrop of the Raleigh skyline 🏙️
Follow the following accounts on Facebook and Instagram:
@redhatamphitheater
@midtownmagazine
@trianglefamilymag
@5westmag
Then head to the form at the link in our profile for an entry to win. 🔗
We’ll select one winner at random from our Midtown, 5 West and Triangle Family readers November 20. Good luck!
THE RINK is located at 500 S. McDowell Street and runs November 23-January 20. Tickets can be purchased at redhatamphitheater.com 🎟️
📷 Photo Courtesy of THE RINK
(This #giveaway is not associated with or sponsored by Instagram)
Want to enjoy hosting the holidays this year without all the prep work, cooking and cleaning? 🍽️ Impress your guests while supporting local businesses in Wake. We’ve rounded up who’s offering all the delicious prepared meals and fixings this Thanksgiving. 🦃 Click the link in bio to find out who’s serving what to preorder your family’s favorites. #eatlocal #localbusiness #supportlocal
✍️ Writing by Elizabeth Brignac
📷 Photo Courtesy of @samjonesbbq
Whether you’re looking to celebrate the season with:
🎄The Apex Tree Lighting
🎅 Cary’s Jaycees Christmas Parade
✨ Holiday lights in Fuquay-Varina Mineral Springs Park
🍰 Tasting seasonal sweets in Holly Springs 🍰
❄️Walking in Park West Village’s Winter Wonderland
We’ve got you covered! Discover how the 5 towns of Western Wake are celebrating the holidays in “News Around Town” available now in the current issue. Click the link in bio ⛓️💥to read and save this post to reference later. 🚩
📷 Photo of Christmas Tree in Fenton Square Courtesy of @fentonnc
Many honored military veterans over the Triangle this past weekend leading up to Veterans Day like the Field of Flags in Cary’s Veterans Freedom Park. Flags were placed in honor of those who have served in the armed forces for Veterans Day 2024. The tribute was provided by Veterans Bridge Home made possible by their volunteers from Parexel and Boy Scout Troop 200. Veterans Bridge Home is an organization that works to connect veterans and their families in any state of transition to the community. For more information visit veteransbridgehome.org 🇺🇸
📷 Photo Courtesy of carync.gov
RH (formerly Restoration Hardware) has opened its highly anticipated Raleigh location in @visitnorthhills 🛋️ Many have already visited the high end retail space which offers design services in addition to its perfectly curated and breathtakingly beautiful products. Did we mention it also has a restaurant and wine bar? Tag a friend below you’d like to visit with this week.🥂 #ladieswholunch #rh #northhills #grandopening
📷 Photos Courtesy of RH
Filling your feed with the most festive local flavors for your holiday table in the November/December issue headed to a media stand near you! In the issue:
🥧 Discover Delicous Holiday Treats in and around the Triangle
🫶🏼 The Carying Place
🎄 Seasonal Celebrations
🎁 Holiday Gift Guide
👩🏻💼2024 Influential Women of Wake
Grab your copy and then head to the link in profile to read the full issue 🔗 #newissue #holiday #guiftguide #local #localeats #localevents
📷: Photo of La Farm Bakery Apple Tart Courtesy of @lafarmbakery
This weekend the world is your oyster! 🦪 Enjoy seafood and brews at @carolinabrewery ‘s Seventh Annual Oyster Roast happening this Saturday, Nov. 2, 1-8 p.m. 🍻 The event will benefit the North Carolina Coastal Federation and @obxparksforever 🌊 Admission is free and freshly steamed or raw oysters will be available for purchase by the half-dozen or dozen.🍽️ The oysters, sourced from North Carolina’s own Ghost Fleet Oyster Co., will be served by the oyster farmers, for a farm-to-table experience.🍴 #oysters #localseafood #foodie #foodiegram
📷 Photo Courtesy of @carolinabrewerybrewpubs
Did you have a chance to un*wine*d this weekend?🍷 The @usatodaywinefood festival at @dixpark did not disappoint. If you sipped and savored samples from these amazing culinary vendors commment below with your favorite.👇🏽#foodandwine #finewine #festival #localfood
📷 Photos by Sophie Lapierre
Ready to deck the halls 🔔 in a snow-ver the top celebration? ❄️ Join @avarooftopbarcary atop @sportssocialnccary in @fentonnc for a Holiday Cocktail Making class on Nov 28.🍸 And be sure to check out their spectacular immersive holiday experience Tuesday- Sunday beginning Nov 14- Dec 28 of tinsel, 🎄twinkling lights,✨ small bites, and private igloos for reservation. 🧊 For more info visit avarooftopbar.com #deckthehalls #holidayrecipes #holidayhappenings #carync #cary #fenton
📷 Photo Courtesy of @avarooftopbarcary
By JANICE LEWINE Cupid’s Undie RunFebruary 1, noon–4 p.m.723 Riggbee Avenue, Durham Join hundreds of people in Raleigh who will brave the cold in just their undies during Cupid’s Undie