MONTHLY MARKET. Fenton Makers Market (201 Fenton Gateway Drive, Cary) takes place Saturday, August 12, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Browse the Fenton stores along with 35 additional local artists’ booths in the square.
KICK-OFF TO KINDERGARTEN. Speaking of going back to school, registration is underway for Kick-off to Kindergarten at Marbles Kids Museum on Saturday, August 19, 9 a.m–5 p.m. The event will include typical school-day events such as circle time, music and PE. Kids can take a ride on a school bus, practice lunch line and more.
COMPASSIONATE KITS. Wake County Public Libraries is expanding its Memory Care Kits program, which uses books and activities to spark memories, create conversations and provide engaging interactions between people experiencing memory loss and their caregivers. Each Memory Care Kit includes a folder with activities, a small set of markers and six books—three for the caregiver and three for the person experiencing memory issues.
DINING NEWS. Raleigh- and Cary-based Mediterranean restaurant Sassool hosts its fifth annual Hummus Mix Off on Saturday, August 19, 2–5 p.m. at the Raleigh location (9650 Strickland Road). The competition will feature recipes prepared by local foodies, influencers and bloggers that will be available for the public to sample. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online or at Sassool Raleigh on the day of the event.
A’Verde Cocina & Tequila Library’s Chef Katsuji Tanabe introduced the Cary restaurant‘s August menu during a media event Tuesday night. Some of the additions included an expanded taco menu, crispy chicken taquitos, pan-fried plantains, and shrimp and octopus rice. Check out the menu here.
HIGH MARKS. A USA Today survey ranks Raleigh Beer Garden as the No. 3 beer garden in the country. The ranking is supported by beer experts and voters from around the country. Raleigh Beer Garden has more than 350 beers on tap, including 144 North Carolina beers on tap on the first floor.
STARGAZING EVENT. The Perseid meteor shower—active July 17–August 24—will produce its peak rate of meteors August 13. For a great local opportunity to see the showers, head over to Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh on Saturday, August 12, 9–11 p.m., when UNC’s Morehead Planetarium and Science Center will cohost a free skywatching event for the public with the Raleigh Astronomy Club and the Chapel Hill Astronomical Society. Reserve your spot here. Read “Cocktails and Constellations” in the July/August issue of Midtown to learn more about additional stargazing opportunities in the Triangle.
TEA AND POTTERY. Tea With Seagrove Potters is Saturday, August 12, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Cruise Seagrove’s countryside, discover handmade pottery, and sample teas from Carriage House Tea and pastries from the Table Farmhouse Bakery and Holly Hill Farm. Shops are located along North Carolina Pottery Highway 705 and adjoining roads.
FOR A GOOD CAUSE. SECU Foundation has awarded $800,000 in capacity building grants to 20 nonprofits across North Carolina. The funding provides each nonprofit with $40,000 and an approved consultant to help address organizational needs for future business goals and sustainability. SECU Foundation’s funding strategy aims to expand support to rural counties, historically marginalized populations and underserved communities.
Planet Fitness will award $5,000 college scholarships to four local Boys & Girls Club members at an awards ceremony at 325 South Wingate Street in Wake Forest today, August 7 at 12:15 p.m. The scholarship program recognizes high school teens who promote kindness, acceptance and inclusion in their communities. The recipients are Rmani H., Bradley H., and Timothy W. of Wake County, and Kaitlyn N. Of Sanford.
Perfectly Imperfect Pups rescue hosts its annual fundraiser, Love is Art, at The Royal (3801 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh) on Thursday, October 12 at 6 p.m. The event is an art auction with raffles, entertainment, drinks and food. Tickets are available online. Artists and businesses are welcome to donate to the auction.
State Farm will present a $20,000 grant to Tuesday’s Children at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Tuesday, August 15. The contribution will cover the North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia regions, providing career resources, financial literacy workshops, and family engagement programs for families of fallen military service members. A 6 p.m. presentation will be made prior to the Durham Bulls game.
The Frankie Lemmon School & Developmental Center’s 2023 Summer Auction is live for online bidding. The public can bid on concert tickets, fine wines and more. Bidding continues through Tuesday, August 15 at noon. The child development center welcomes children ages 2–6 with and without disabilities.
Student athletes are invited to attend College Planning for the Student-Athlete, hosted by Advantage College Planning on Saturday, August 13 at 7 p.m. The virtual event will cover the following topics: the value of playing sports in college, how to prepare a balanced college list, a recruiting process overview and college athletics options.
