The Knights of Columbus Council 9880 is at it again this year. The Catholic men's fraternal society at St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church is frying up Friday night dinners during Lent.

The fundraising dinners are open to the public. The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for kids for boiled shrimp; $7 for adults, $3 for kids for all-you-care-to-eat fried fish; $6 for adults, $3 for kids for spaghetti plates. Plates include salad, fries or potatoes, coleslaw, roll and tea or coffee.

St. Raphael is at 5801 Falls of Neuse Road and the dinners are served from 5 to 7 p.m. Fridays through March 14.

The Fabulous 70s women's team worked its way to the national championship last year, where they took silver.

GET YOUR MASK ON

Decadent desserts, Cajun cuisine, King Cakes, live music and dancing are in store for partygoers at the third annual Renaissance Ball, a Mardi Gras masquerade fundraiser benefiting the Wake Forest Boys and Girls Club.

The formal black-tie and evening-gown affair begins at 7 p.m. Saturday at The Cotton Company at 306 S. White St. in Wake Forest. Adult beverages and a raffle will be offered. Masquerade masks are highly encouraged! Last year's event raised $2,200 for the club.

Tickets are $55 each and are available online at www.wakeforestdowntown.com or by calling 570-1372.

CALLING SUPER SENIORS

The Fabulous 70s brought back the silver medal in the 2007 Seniors Games National Championship. The women's senior basketball team is a prime example of the excitement and determination evident at the level of play at the Raleigh-Wake Senior Games, to be held March 31 through April 13 at various sites in Wake County.

Senior Games are for athletes and artists at least 55 years old. The games feature more than 30 sports events such as tennis, golf, bowling and track and field, as well as competition in visual, literary, craft and performing arts.

The Raleigh-Wake games are the largest local game in the state. Medals winners in local games may compete in the North Carolina Senior Games State Finals in the fall.

Registration ends March 16. Entry forms can be downloaded by going to www.raleighnc.gov and clicking on 'Leisure' or by calling 831-6851.

RAISING ROSES

When is the best time to prune roses? What is the best fertilizer to use? Learn the answers to these and other rose-related questions at 10 a.m. Saturday at Atlantic Avenue Orchid & Garden Center's 'Growing Gorgeous Roses,' a free seminar by the Raleigh Rose Society.

The society, founded in 1947, provides information and education for area rose growers. Go to www.raleighrosesociety.com to join. Call 878-8877 or visit www.atlanticavenueorchid andgarden.com to register.

BATTLING BIRTH DEFECTS

Ashley Neal has been fighting gastroschisis, a birth defect that affects the intestines, for 2 1/2 years and is due for her fifth operation next month. To help raise research money for the condition, parents Kayte and Brent have organized Raffle for Research.

A $5 donation at the door includes free food and drink and live music. Face painters and a caricature artist will also be on hand as well as chances to win airline tickets, artwork, spa treatments, gift certificates and more. Raffle tickets are $5 each, six for $25 or 13 for $50. The event is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Free Mason's Lodge at 2400 New Hope Road. For more information, call (972) 768-3585.