PET RESCUES. Local rescue options offer spaying/neutering, some elective surgeries, medical assessments and treatments for all animals. Volunteers are needed to help with everything from cat cuddling, dog walking, foster pet care and even assisting with a barn cat program.
DINING DISCOUNT. Sassool, which has locations in Cary and Raleigh, is offering half-price wine every Wednesday. The fast-casual Lebanese and Mediterranean restaurant is also hosting Sassool Senior Day each Monday. From 4 p.m. to close, guests ages 55-and-over receive 15% off all in-store and phone orders.
COOKIE DECOR. The Mayton in Cary hosts May Flowers Cookie Decorating Class with Oakwood Cookie Co. at Peck & Plume on Wednesday, May 24, 7–8:30 p.m. Guests will master six cookie designs.
FOUR COURSES. Peck & Plume will also host a four-course dinner on Friday, June 16 or Saturday, June 17 at 6 p.m. to celebrate the debut of its new Private Select bourbon from Maker’s Mark.
BRICK ART. The Art of the Brick comes to Pleasant Valley Promenade (6204-121 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh) on Wednesday, May 17, 6–8 p.m. The LEGO exhibition immerses visitors in the world of artist Nathan Sawaya, who used more than one million bricks to create more than 90 art masterpieces. Tickets are available online.
BY THE BOOK. Durham’s Book Harvest recently provided its two millionth book, “I’ll Build You a Bookcase” (by Jean Ciborowski Fahey) to a first-grade student at Little River K-8 School in Durham. Founded in 2011, Book Harvest provides books and literacy support to families and children to ensure that every child can become a lifelong reader and learner.
STAR POWER. Locals can enjoy stargazing events during the month of May. Science Café at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences will explore the possibility of humans living on the moon on Thursday, May 18, 7–8 p.m. Then it’s Stargazing with Morehead Planetarium from The Durham hotel’s rooftop on Monday, May 22, 9–11 p.m. At the end of the month, join the Raleigh Astronomy Club at The Willard Rooftop for stargazing on Wednesday, May 31, 8–10 p.m.
Photo by ChrisStein/GettyImages
DEBUT FILMS. The ninth annual Longleaf Film Festival takes place Friday, May 12 (beginning at 5 p.m.) and Saturday, May 13 (beginning at 11 a.m.) at the North Carolina Museum of History. The festival highlights the best of independent films that have a Tar Heel state connection. The movie screenings are free. Tickets for the Filmmakers and Friends Reception are available online.
SPORTS OF ALL SORTS. Swing Racquet + Paddle will offer a brick-and-mortar Wilson branded retail experience for multi-racquet sports when the venue opens in Raleigh in 2024. Swing’s Raleigh campus will feature a Wilson Stringing Bar for tennis racquets and serve as a testing ground for Wilson’s new technology-driven consumer experiences. The venue also plans to host national and international tournaments.
STEM STANDOUT. In May, Genes in Space announced that Davis Drive Middle School student Ananya Tadkod won a Junior Scientist Award in the nationwide Genes in Space STEM competition. This event allows students to propose DNA science experiments to run on the International Space Station. Her proposal included studying the impact of microgravity on proteins found in neurons. The award is given to five middle school proposals.
Photo courtesy of Genes in Space
TEE UP FOR TOYS. On Monday, May 22, teams from local businesses and individuals will step up to the tee for a special 18-hole round at Chapel Hill Country Club to raise funds during the 5th Annual Zach’s Toy Chest Golf Classic. The nonprofit helps children receiving cancer treatment focus on fun and “just being a kid.” Zach’s Toy Chest has provided 140,000-plus new toys over the past 13 years to stock cancer treatment clinics. Purchase tickets here.
HUNGER HELP. Letter carriers and the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina in the Triangle will team up for Stamp Out Hunger on Saturday, May 13. Letter carriers will pick up food donations left beside mailboxes. The public is asked to place bags filled with nonperishable food items next to the mailbox.
HEADING TO D.C. The Athens Drive High School Marching Band will perform in the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C. on Monday, May 29 at 2 p.m. The largest Memorial Day event in the U.S. takes place along Constitution Avenue. Former astronauts Rusty Schweickart (Apollo 9), Charlie Duke (Apollo 16) and Jack Schmitt (Apollo 17) will serve as grand marshals. The parade will be streamed live on the American Veteran Center’s YouTube page and Facebook page.
FUNDRAISING FESTIVAL. 3 Bluebirds Farm (1001 Horse Creek Road, Raleigh) will host Feather Fest on Saturday, May 13, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. The event will include live music, carnival games, food trucks and shopping with local artisans. Tickets and sponsorships are available online. Proceeds will go toward a new events structure for teen and adult life skills programs for individuals with autism.
WINE TASTING. Sassool will host a Ladies Night Wine Tasting at its Cary restaurant (1347 Kildaire Farm Road) on Thursday, June 22, 6:30–9 p.m. Sassool will provide two courses of Mediterranean dishes, along with a large grazing table. Live music will be provided by Kevin Flinn. Tickets are available online.
Photo courtesy of Sassool
