Photo of Sasha by @elizabeth_sechrist_photography
DESPERATE PLEA FOR HELP. For the first time in seven years, the Wake County Animal Center will begin euthanizing pets from the adoption floor due to lack of space after the shelter was overwhelmed with more than 208 dogs and cats over the last seven days. Staff are pleading to the community for help, discounting adoption fees and reaching out to partner rescue organizations in an attempt to quickly find homes for 220 homeless pets. If you can help save some of these animals’ lives, the shelter is open for adoptions daily from noon–6 p.m. seven days a week at 820 Beacon Lake Drive, Raleigh.
PET EXPO. The NC Pet Expo, presented by Hollywood Feed, takes place this weekend, August 5–6, at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds Exposition Center in Raleigh. Shop for furry, feathered or scaly friends. Check out main stage activities such as a pet costume contest, demos and more. Donations will be split among attending rescues, which currently includes the Chihuahua Rescue & Transport, Perfectly Imperfect Pups, Spirit Canine Rescue, and Saving Grace Animals for Adoption. Purchase tickets here.
SASSOOL NEWS. Sassool’s fifth annual Hummus Mix Off is set for Saturday, August 19, 2–5 p.m. Tickets are $15, and guests can vote on their favorite flavors. A percentage of the ticket sales will be donated to the Help Center NC. The winner takes home $200, and their hummus creation will be featured as a special at the Lebanese Mediterranean restaurant.
Sassool Cafe has also opened its new outdoor venue FigMint Farms. Located at 1501 Two Pond Lane in Apex, the venue offers a serene and intimate setting that includes a renovated shelter for 75 guests, two walkable pine forests, a fishing pond and dock, picnic tables, and a mint garden. FigMint Farms can be reserved for personal or business events such as parties, yoga classes, family reunions, corporate enrichment, photoshoots and more. Per request, Sassool Cafe will cater Mediterranean cuisine for FigMint Farms events.
RUNNING NEWS & BREWS. Sir Walter Running has announced the final elite fields for the 2023 Sir Walter Miler, which takes place Friday, August 4 at Meredith College in Raleigh for its 10th year. The 2023 event will again feature elite men’s and women’s mile races, as well as the Coaches Clash and Run Club 4×400 meter relay. The men’s field includes three athletes who have run 3:34 in the 1500 meters: Eric Holt; 2023 Portland Track Festival champ Amon Kemboi; and Andy Bayer, who won the mile at the 2012 NCAA Indoor Championships. The women’s elite field includes 4:26 miler Abby Nichols and 2023 USATF Outdoor Steeplechase champion Krissy Gear, who also boasts a 4:26 personal best in the mile.
In partnership with Wake Forest’s Blackbird Brewery (3608 Rogers Branch Road, #101), Sir Walter Running has established Record Jogger Brewing Company. The first release from Record Jogger is Local Miler Lager, brewed for the Sir Walter Miler on Friday. Find the beer at local bottle shops and at Blackbird Brewery’s taproom.
AT THE MUSEUM. The North Carolina Museum of History hosts a variety of upcoming events, beginning with two on Saturday, August 5. The History Garden Tour is set for 11 a.m., then artist Jan French weaves together natural and found materials into new creations during Artist at Work from noon–3 p.m. On Wednesday, August 9, historian Heather Leah takes guests on a deep dive into North Carolina lakes and finds the remnants of lost history beneath the surface during History at High Noon: Hidden Beneath Their Waves. This program will be hybrid, both in person in the Daniels Auditorium and virtually over Zoom from noon–1 p.m.
Steep Canyon Rangers will play at the North Carolina Museum of Art Friday, August 18 at 7:30 p.m. The bluegrass band from Asheville and Brevard is on a lengthy tour of North America. Amythyst Kiah will open the concert. Steep Canyon Rangers will release a new album, “Morning Shift,” on Friday, September 8.
Olde Raleigh Distillery is offering tours on Saturday and Sunday at 1 and 2 p.m. Tours of the small-batch bourbon distillery are $30 and can be purchased online. Additionally, the establishment will provide free samples and a tasting seminar at the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival at Koka Booth Amphitheater on Friday, August 4 and Saturday, August 5.
TUNES AND FOOD. The Summer Music and Eats Series takes place at John Chavis Memorial Park in Raleigh on Friday, August 4, 6–9 p.m. Enjoy different genres of music along with a variety of cuisines.
OUTDOOR MOVIES. The First Friday Series at Moore Square features “The Princess and The Frog” on Friday, August 4, 5–9 p.m. Enjoy preshow entertainment. The free series takes place on the first Friday of each month. Food is available for purchase, and a Popup Carolinas market will be on hand. Dorothea Dix Park will show “Shrek” as part of its Summer Movie on the Lawn at Flowers Field on Saturday, August 5. Activities begin at 7 p.m., with the movie at 8:45 p.m. Food trucks will be available. Tickets are not required, but online RSVP is encouraged.
CANINES AND COFFEE. Dix Park Conservancy unleashes its Canines & Coffee Residency on Saturday, August 5 and Sunday, August 6, 8 a.m.–noon. A local coffee roaster will offer pop-up service at the dog park (1800 Umstead Drive) each weekend though December. The Left Hook Coffee will serve as the first resident roaster.
FIRST PLACE. Larry and Debbie Robbins’ Modernist home in Raleigh won first place in the Matsumoto Prize People’s Choice Award, which recognizes excellence in North Carolina Modernist residential design. The Robbins’ frame house was designed by Kersting Architecture. NC Modernist also selected winners in a juried competition. Learn more about the home in this Midtown magazine feature published in March.
COMMUNITY EVENTS. Midtown Raleigh Alliance hosts the 2023 State of Midtown Celebration: “Living Your Best Life at Midtown” at Cardinal East Tower in North Hills on Thursday, October 12, 5:30–8 p.m. The red carpet event will feature music by Irresistible Groove, locally curated bites and specialty cocktails, along with special guest engagements. Sponsorship opportunities are available.
Designed For Joy will host an open house celebrating its sixth anniversary at 517 West Cabarrus Street, Raleigh on Thursday, August 24, 5–8 p.m. Designed For Joy has helped 122 women, provided $400,000 in living wages to women in crisis, and has more than 400 volunteers. The event will be co-hosted by Visit Raleigh.
GIRL TALK. Girl Talk 2: Mother/Trusted Adult & Daughter Workshop takes place at the Alice Aycock Poe Center for Health Education in Raleigh on Saturday, August 5, 9–11 a.m. The interactive workshop covers growth and development during puberty, the reproductive system and topics surrounding healthy relationships. The workshop is best suited for girls in sixth through eighth grades.
FUNDS FOR FLIGHTS. Ci Design is joining The Avenue in Raleigh for its Anniversary Party this Saturday, August 5. The event will feature DJs, free swag, dunk tanks, eating contests, and a raffle with proceeds benefitting Children’s Flight of Hope. The doors will open at 1 p.m. and a raffle drawing will start at 8 p.m.
