Community Notes, Nov. 16 | Raleigh News & Observer

Storefront decorating

Downtown Raleigh retail shops are designing their storefronts with public art for the holiday season. Window decorations will be up from Saturday, Nov. 22, to Thursday, Jan. 1. Submit your favorites on Instagram and tag @DownTownRaleighAlliance.

Raleigh seeks lifeguards

The city of Raleigh is seeking certified lifeguards for aquatic facilities. Hours are available seven days a week from 4:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Classes also are available for those who wish to become certified lifeguards.

For details, call 919-996-6852 or email aquatics@raleighnc.gov. Lifeguard applications must be submitted electronically via governmentjobs.com.

Turkey Drive

The Wake Forest Police Department is accepting monetary donations through Saturday, Nov. 22, as part of its eighth annual Turkey Drive. Cash and checks are accepted and will be used to purchase turkeys for needy families. Donations may be dropped off from 9 a.m. to noon at the Wake Forest Police Department, 225 S. Taylor St. For details, call Officer M.W. Sattler at 919-795-7270.

Shop Small Business Saturday

The Downtown Raleigh Alliance will recognize Shop Small Business Saturday on Nov. 29. The event, started by American Express in 2010, encourages shoppers to patronize small businesses the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Christmas in Wake Forest

The town of Wake Forest will host Christmas events throughout December. For details, go to WakeForestNC.gov.

• 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1: The 67th Wake Forest Community Christmas Dinner will be at The Forks Cafeteria, 339 S. Brooks St., Wake Forest.

• 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5: The Lighting of Wake Forest will be at Centennial Plaza, 301 S. Brooks St. The event features the lighting of the town’s Christmas tree and the arrival of Saint Nick.

• 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6: Breakfast with Santa will be at the Wake Forest Boys & Girls Club, 325 S. Wingate St. Enjoy a pancake breakfast and pictures with Santa. Tickets are $5 per person or $20 for a family.

• 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6: The Downtown Holiday Open House will open historic downtown Wake Forest for free tours of shops and restaurants, school and dance group performances, horse and carriage rides and more.

• 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6:

The Christmas Historic Home Tour will feature 10 historic homes, Christmas music, costumes and decorations, carriage rides and more. Advance tickets are $16, or $22 on the day of the tour.

• 7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6: Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary will host a free Christmas concert at Binkley Chapel, 120 S. Wingate St. There will be Christmas carols and hot chocolate. For details, go to

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• 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11: The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department will offer “Calls from Santa.” Completed registration forms must be submitted by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10.

• 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13: The Wake Forest Christmas Paradedowntown will feature community groups and businesses displaying their creative talents, as well as a visit from Santa.

• 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31: The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre will host a New Year’s Eve celebration at 405 S. Brooks St. featuring live entertainment by the EG Peters Band. “Living the Dream in 2015” will offer a buffet dinner with desserts and midnight snacks catered by Main Street Pizzeria & Grille and an open bar and spacious dance floor. Individual tickets are $100.

Historic Home Tour

The Wake Forest Preservation Commission and the Wake Forest Woman’s Club will present the biennial Christmas Historic Home Tour from 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. Tickets are now on sale for $16. For details, visit WakeForestNC.gov.

“A Colonial Christmas”

Joel Lane Museum House will present “A Colonial Christmas” open house from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at 160 S. Saint Mary’s St., Raleigh. For details, go to JoelLane.org.

New Year’s Eve celebration

The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre will host a New Year’s Eve celebration from 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, to 1:30 a.m. Jan. 1, at 405 Brooks St., Wake Forest. “Living the Dream in 2015” will feature live entertainment by the EG Peters Band, a dance floor, buffet dinner, open bar, desserts and midnight snacks by Main Street Pizzeria & Grille.

VIP sponsorship packages for groups of eight are available for businesses, homeowners associations and other organizations. Individual tickets are $100. For details, go to WakeForestNC.gov.

North Regional Library events

North Regional Library hosts events each month at 7009 Harps Mill Road, Raleigh. Unless otherwise noted, the sessions are free. For details, call 919-870-4000.

• 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22:

Popular fiction writer Diana Chamberlain will discuss her novels, writing style, characters and more at Meet the Author.

Museum of History events

The North Carolina Museum of History hosts educational events year-round for all ages. The museum is located at 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh. For details, call 919-807-7992 or go to NCMuseumOfHistory.org.

• 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2 and 9: Time for Tots: First in Flight will feature a program on the Wright brothers’ plane and other famous flying machines. Children ages 3-5 can make a paper plane or helicopter to fly at home. $3 per child or $1 for museum members.

• 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3: History Corner will offer a tour of the “Starring North Carolina!” exhibit, teaching about the state’s role in making movies and TV programs.

• 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3: History Hunters: Behind the Scenes at the Movies will teach participants ages 10-13 about the ins and outs of filmmaking. $3 per child or $1 for museum members.

• 10 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, 11 and 18: Storytime in the Gallery will feature a staff-led tour through one of the museum galleries. Ages 3 and up.

• 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7: Former Raleigh mayor Smeades York will share his experiences of growing up in Raleigh in the 1940s and ’50s with his new book. A book signing will follow the program, and copies will be available in the museum shop.

• Noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10: Linda Carnes-McNaughton will discuss the settlement of the Sandhills region up until the Fort Bragg purchase of 1918 at History à la Carte.

• 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11: The annual tree-lighting ceremony will be on the Capitol grounds. Exhibits and the Museum Shop will remain open until 7:30 p.m. Get half-price admission from 5 to 7:30 p.m. to the new exhibit “Starring North Carolina.”

• 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6: The “Starring North Carolina!” film series will continue with “Iron Man 3.” Much of the movie was filmed at EUE/Screen Gems Studios and around Wilmington. SAS Institute and Epic Games in Cary served as the headquarters of Stark Industries. $5 per person, $4 for museum members.

• 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13: Learn about Tar Heel holiday traditions and make a Victorian style ornament to take home in Make It, Take It.

• 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31: Celebrate the break of 2015 with the Museum of History and Artsplosure. Buy one exhibit admission and get one free with a First Night button until 6 p.m., when the exhibits close. A children’s celebration will run from 2 to 6 p.m., with events in Daniels Auditorium from 7 to 11 p.m.

HIPPY Home Instruction

Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) is a free home literacy program for low-income English- and Spanish-speaking families with children ages 3-5. Materials, supplies, curriculum and activities are provided. For details, call the Family Resource Center of Raleigh at 919-755-6959.