Box Making for Beginners

CHILL ACT North Carolina Special Needs & Homeschool Expo is a free community event bringing families together with local providers, educators, therapists, community organizations, and resources supporting children with autism, special needs, and homeschool families. Join us on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Durham Convention Center. Families can explore valuable local resources, meet therapy and educational providers, and enjoy a welcoming day filled with activities for children. Event highlights include: • Free developmental & pre-autism screenings • Therapy, education & community resources • Balloon art • Face painting • Bounce house • Petting zoo • Art exhibition featuring neurodiverse children • Local vendors and family resources Admission is FREE for families. Register for free at www.chillactexpo.com Come connect, learn, explore resources, and enjoy a fun-filled afternoon with the North Carolina special needs and homeschool community.

The third edition of JLF North Carolina, an international edition of the renowned Jaipur Literature Festival, comes to Raleigh September 11–13, 2026, bringing the spirit of one of the world's leading literary festivals to the Triangle. Celebrating the many arts, stories, and histories of Raleigh—the “City of Oaks”—JLF North Carolina will feature thought-provoking conversations, compelling performances, author sessions, and cultural experiences exploring literature, ideas, history, society, and the world around us. The festival will take place at Meredith College and NC State’s Institute for Emerging Issues. The program will bring together acclaimed authors, artists, thinkers, journalists, and cultural leaders from North Carolina and around the world. The 2026 lineup includes Belle Boggs, Jeff Tiberii, Karan Mahajan, Bob Crawford, and many more. The Jaipur Literature Festival takes place annually in Jaipur, India, and is internationally celebrated as the “greatest literary show on Earth.” Its spirit now travels through international editions across the US, UK, Canada, Spain, the Maldives, and Australia, bringing together diverse literary traditions and the unique culture of each host region. JLF North Carolina offers readers, families, students, educators, writers, and curious minds an opportunity to discover new perspectives, hear remarkable stories, and experience the power of books and ideas right here in Raleigh.

FREE Family Fest in Raleigh — Saturday, September 12! Looking for a full day of family fun, creativity, connection, and outdoor adventure? Join us for the 3rd Annual Family Fest at Lakeside Retreats! Optional overnight Camping 📅 Saturday, September 12, 2026 ⏰ 8:00 AM–9:00 PM 📍 4521 Mial Plantation Road, Raleigh, NC 27610 🎟️ FREE admission Enjoy a day filled with: 🔥 Fire show 🎨 Art activities 🥋 Martial arts class 🫧 Bubbles 🧘 Yoga and sound bath 🌲 Forest bathing 🏕️ S’mores and optional overnight camping 🍴 Food trucks and vendors 💛 Sensory yurt 🎤 Guest speakers 🏆 Tug of war …and so much more!

Safe Homes, Strong Families Resource Day is a free community event presented by PR Home Care for older adults, family caregivers, and families who want to plan ahead and connect with trusted local resources before a crisis occurs. Meet local professionals and learn about fall prevention, aging in place and home safety, dementia and caregiver support, planning, medication safety, home organization, and other resources that can support safer, more independent living. Aging in Place North Carolina will provide a featured presentation, “How to Safely and Comfortably Age in the Home You Love.” The event will also include community resources, giveaways, and complimentary light refreshments while supplies last. Free and open to the public. Walk-ins are welcome.

This course provides hands-on training for welding thin gauge metals without causing warping or burn-through. It is designed to help participants master heat control when working with delicate materials like automotive body panels or fine art sculptures. Students will learn specific techniques to manage heat input effectively. The curriculum covers essential connections including spot welding, plug welding, and lap welding. You will practice these methods on sample joints to gain confidence in your technique. By the end of the session, you will possess the practical skills needed to tackle rust repair and precision metal projects. This class is ideal for individuals who want to improve their technical welding capabilities. A foundational understanding of fabrication or previous welding experience is required to ensure success. The environment is focused, productive, and centered on skill development. We encourage you to sign up now to secure your spot and start refining your craft with our experienced instructors. Please confirm you meet the prerequisite requirements before registering for this session.

This workshop introduces the industrial process of bronze sandcasting adapted for small scale production. Participants learn a sustainable, low tech casting method that emphasizes material reuse and efficient mold creation using Petrobond sand and iron frames. Students will master the entire production cycle. This includes preparing molds, melting bronze with oxy propane torches, and pouring metal into custom frames. The session also covers essential metal finishing techniques such as sawing, filing, sanding, sandblasting, and applying a professional patina. Instructors provide foundational patterns for practice, though attendees may eventually create jewelry, sculptural elements, or unique hardware. This course is ideal for beginners and makers interested in metalwork. The hands on environment is quick, satisfying, and produces minimal waste. It offers a practical way to develop professional metal fabrication skills in an approachable setting. Whether you are a hobbyist or an artist looking to expand your technical repertoire, this experience provides the necessary foundation for independent production. Sign up to learn the fundamentals of metal casting and start creating your own bronze pieces today.

Box Making for Beginners is a two day hands on workshop designed to teach essential woodworking skills through the creation of a small keepsake box. Participants learn fundamental techniques applicable to larger cabinetry and furniture projects while building a functional finished piece. The curriculum is split across two sessions. During the first day you will focus on project design, processing raw lumber, and structural assembly. The second day transitions to refined finishing techniques, lid construction, and decorative detailing to complete your box. This structured approach ensures you gain confidence with shop equipment while producing a high quality result. This course is ideal for those looking to expand their woodworking foundation beyond basic shop safety. Please note that individuals without prior table saw experience must complete our woodshop intro course before attending this session to ensure safety and proficiency. Whether you want to master new joinery methods or craft a thoughtful handmade gift, this class provides the practical knowledge necessary to elevate your woodworking capabilities. Join us for this two day experience to build your skills and complete your first custom project.

Experience a unique blend of creativity and cinema at the Garner Performing Arts Center on Thursday, August 20, 2026. The North Carolina Museum of History invites you to an engaging evening featuring a special screening of the hit film, Night at the Museum. This event offers the perfect opportunity for hobbyists to combine their love of movies with their favorite artistic projects. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lap-friendly crafts, such as knitting, embroidery, or sketching, to work on while the movie plays. To ensure a comfortable experience for everyone, the theater lights will remain slightly dimmed throughout the showing. Please note that for the preservation of the venue, projects involving glue, paint, or glitter are not permitted. This event is free to the public, though tickets are required to secure your seat. While you enjoy the film, do not miss the chance to view authentic items from the museum collection displayed in the lobby. Join us for a relaxing night of community and creativity. Reserve your tickets today and prepare for an unforgettable cinematic experience.

Pottery Painting with Cozy Panda is a self-guided creative workshop where participants paint hand-poured ceramic pieces. This ninety-minute session provides an accessible environment for artists of all skill levels to design and personalize their own pottery to take home the same day. All necessary painting supplies are provided for every guest. At the start of the event, attendees select a ceramic piece from a wide variety of available options. While you work, staff members remain available to provide artistic guidance and technical tips to ensure your project turns out exactly as envisioned. The venue, Incendiary, will be open throughout the evening, serving a selection of craft brews for those interested in enjoying a beverage while they paint. This workshop is designed for individuals, groups of friends, and families who enjoy hands-on creative activities. The atmosphere is intended to be relaxed and supportive, making it an ideal choice for a casual evening out. We invite you to join us for a fun experience and leave with a unique, finished masterpiece. Please reserve your spot to ensure availability.

Pottery Painting with Cozy Panda is a self-guided creative workshop where participants paint hand-poured ceramic pieces. This ninety-minute session provides an accessible environment for artists of all skill levels to design and personalize their own pottery to take home the same day. All necessary painting supplies are provided for every guest. At the start of the event, attendees select a ceramic piece from a wide variety of available options. While you work, staff members remain available to provide artistic guidance and technical tips to ensure your project turns out exactly as envisioned. The venue, Incendiary, will be open throughout the evening, serving a selection of craft brews for those interested in enjoying a beverage while they paint. This workshop is designed for individuals, groups of friends, and families who enjoy hands-on creative activities. The atmosphere is intended to be relaxed and supportive, making it an ideal choice for a casual evening out. We invite you to join us for a fun experience and leave with a unique, finished masterpiece. Please reserve your spot to ensure availability.

Join us at the Science Café for an insightful presentation by Dr. Alexandra Duffy from NC State University regarding the genetic diversity and pollution resilience of North Carolina’s least killifish. This event examines how environmental stressors in the industrialized Lower Cape Fear River affect one of the world's smallest vertebrates. Dr. Duffy will detail her research on how selective pressures influence the survival of this unique species. Attendees will explore the intersection of evolutionary biology and environmental health through a specialized case study of the least killifish. Dr. Duffy will discuss her lab's work on how predation, competition, and stream water quality shape phenotypic diversity. You will learn about the current conservation status of the species, which is currently classified as a Special Concern due to its limited distribution across Pender, New Hanover, and Brunswick counties. This event is designed for students, researchers, conservationists, and anyone interested in local ecology. The atmosphere is casual and encourages open discussion among participants. Please join us for this engaging look at how tiny organisms can provide significant insights into the health of our state’s largest river systems.

RipTide Car Wash is thrilled to bring back its annual appreciation event for the second consecutive year. Throughout the entire month of August 2026, all local teachers and dedicated school staff members are invited to enjoy a complimentary car wash. This initiative serves as a heartfelt thank you to our educators for their tireless commitment to our students and community. Whether you are prepping for the new academic semester or simply want to keep your vehicle in top shape, this is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of professional quality service at no cost. To redeem this offer, simply present your valid school identification card at any participating RipTide Car Wash location. With multiple sites conveniently situated across Durham and Raleigh, accessing this benefit is both easy and efficient. We encourage all eligible staff to stop by, enjoy the service, and experience the care RipTide provides. Do not miss your chance to secure a spotless vehicle while celebrating your hard work. Visit the official website to view a full list of available locations and plan your visit today.

The Great Southeast Pollinator Census is a community science initiative hosted at the Apex Nature Park Pollinator Garden. Participants contribute to regional environmental research by counting pollinators visiting native flowers to track population trends across the Southeast. This event turns local observation into valuable ecological data used by scientists to better understand pollinator health. Attendees engage in a structured fifteen minute observation period led by experienced guides who explain how to identify and record various insect species. After completing your count, you are encouraged to remain in the garden to explore the diverse plant life or walk the adjacent nature trails. This experience provides a hands-on look at the vital role pollinators play in our local ecosystem. This event is open to everyone regardless of prior scientific experience or knowledge of insects. It offers a calm and educational atmosphere ideal for families, nature enthusiasts, and curious community members. Join us to make a direct impact on conservation efforts while enjoying a morning outdoors. Please register through the official website to secure your spot for this meaningful neighborhood project.