Community Notes, Dec. 28 | Raleigh News & Observer

‘Christmas at Oak View Farm’

Historic Oak View County Park will host “Christmas at Oak View Farm” through Dec. 31 at 4028 Carya Drive, Raleigh. The free, self-guided tour will teach participants about the traditions and decorations of the antebellum era, Civil War, Victorian era, Great Depression and World War II. For details, go to WakeGov.com/news.

SAFE Haven cat special

SAFE Haven will host a new year’s adoption event from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 1 and 2 at 8431-137 Garvey Drive, Raleigh. Adoption fees for all cats and kittens will be reduced to $20.15. For details, go to SafeHavenForCats.org.

New Year’s Eve in Wake Forest

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

‘How to Read a House’

The Joel Lane Museum House will present a lecture on “How to Read a House: Identifying Historic Buildings” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, at 160 S. Saint Mary’s St., Raleigh. Admission is $16 for the public, $11 for members of the Joel Lane Historical Society. To reserve your seat, call 919-833-3431.

Hiring fair

Life Time Athletic Raleigh will host a hiring fair from 2 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, at the Executive Office Suites at Lafayette Village, 8480 Honeycutt Road, Suite 200, Raleigh. Opportunities include positions at the LifeSpa, Life Cafe, children’s activities, member services, group fitness, facility operations, aquatics and personal training. For details, go to Jobs.LifetimeFitness.com.

League of Women Voters

The League of Women Voters will meet at noon Friday, Jan. 23, in the fellowship hall of Ridge Road Baptist Church, 2011 Ridge Road, Raleigh. Lisa Wohirab, supervisory immigrations service officer at the Raleigh-Durham Field Office of the Department of Homeland Security, will talk about “what’s involved in obtaining U.S. citizenship.” For details, go to LWVWake.org or call 919-783-5995.

Yard sale accepting donations

North Raleigh Presbyterian Church will accept donations for its Super Saturday yard sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 23-24, noon to 5 p.m. Jan. 25, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 26-29, at 11905 Strickland Road, Raleigh. The yard sale has raised as much as $10,000 in past years, and the funds raised have gone to projects like Habitat for Humanity, overseas missions and storm relief. The church will accept any clean, working items except adult clothing, printers, TVs that aren’t flat screens, monitors, cribs, car seats, encyclopedias, large appliances, multi-piece entertainment centers and exercise equipment.

Green Medal Awards

The Wake Forest Urban Forestry Board is accepting nominations for the 2015 Green Medal Awards of Excellence. The awards recognize individuals, groups and businesses that promote good environmental stewardship and excellence in service. Nominations are due by 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, and can be faxed to 919-435-9499 or emailed to jrall@wakeforestnc.gov.

Nominate environmental heroes

Nominations will be accepted for the Raleigh Environmental Award through Feb. 13. The award honors those who have shown outstanding dedication to the environment. For details, go to RaleighNC.gov.

Night to Shine prom

Lifepointe Church will host the Night to Shine prom from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, at 9500 Durant Road, Raleigh. People ages 16 and older with special needs are invited to attend the event, which will feature a red carpet, crowns and tiaras, limo rides, dancing and VIP treatment. The Tim Tebow Foundation will sponsor the event. Guests and volunteers can register at LifePointeChurch.com.

Meet in the Street

The Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for vendors, nonprofits and downtown merchants for the 2015 Meet in the Street on Saturday, May 2, in historic downtown Wake Forest. Festivities will include dozens of artisans’ booths featuring handcrafted goods. For details, go to WakeForestNC.gov.

Gardening classes

Logan’s Garden Shop will host some free gardening events at 707 Semart Drive, Raleigh. For details, go to LoganTRD.com or call 919-828-5337.

• 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 10: Learn to create a backyard habitat for wild birds.

• 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24: Children ages 4-7 can to make a pine cone bird feeder.

• 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21: Pruning 101 will teach the basics of why, when and how to prune shrubs, trees and perennials.

• 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, March 14: Learn to grow fruit in your own garden, including proper soil preparation, site location, pruning and pest management.

• 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, April 11: Learn to make a rain garden to protect water quality and reduce storm water runoff.

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 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6 or 13: Children ages 3-5 (with adult) will learn about winter activities that were popular in the past with Time for Tots: Skates, Skis and Sleds. $3 per child, $1 for museum members.

• 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7: History Corner: Lighting the Way will teach children ages 6-9 about how people lit up their lives in the past. $3 per child or $1 for museum members.

• 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7: History Hunters: Night Lights will teach participants ages 10-13 about lighting options in the past. $3 per participant, or $1 for museum members.

• 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9: Starring North Carolina’s film series will present “Brainstorm.” $5 per person, or $4 for museum members.

• 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10: Confederate Goliath: The Battle of Fort Fisher will feature a free discussion with Rod Gragg, author and historian from the Center for Military and Veterans Studies at Coastal Carolina University.

• 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11: Tommy Edwards and Andrew Marlin will perform in a free showing for “Music of the Carolinas.”

• Noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14: History à la Carte will feature a free talk from Thomas Beaman Jr. on Civil War archeology of the Lower Cape Fear.

• 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17: The free Make it, Take it program will let participants create paper snowflakes.

• 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31: The 14th annual African American Cultural Celebration will celebrate the 2015 theme “Let Freedom Sing!” with over 75 musicians, storytellers, dancers, historians, playwrights, authors, artists and more.

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.