Leesa L. Finley, REALTOR®/RE Strategist Wake Forest NC Real Estate and Area Info

It been absolutely beautiful this past week in Wake Forest NC and according to the forecast we are in for a real treat this upcoming week! A few raindrops mid-week but a great weekend on tap which is the perfect reason to get out and enjoy all that Wake Forest NC has to offer!

The always wonderful Art After Hours is this upcoming Friday as is the Mistletoe Market - Holiday Fair! Both are a great opportunity to pick up some one of a kind gifts! AND - you definitely can't miss the Chili Cookoff!

Life in Wake Forest NC ALWAYS has just what you need.......

From the Town of Wake Forest NC website:

Firing Range Training
Monday, Nov. 9; 1 pm - 9 pm
Police Department Firing Range, behind Flaherty Park Community Center
Residents in the area are advised that the Wake Forest Police Department will conduct firing range training at the police department firing range, located behind the Flaherty Park Community Center. The firing range is utilized by Wake Forest Police officers who require instruction and practice in order to obtain current certification in the use of firearms. This certification is required in order for the officer to fulfill his/her duties for the Wake Forest Police Department. www.wakeforestnc.gov/residents/police_firingrange.aspx

Library Teen Knitting Program
Monday, Nov. 9; 4 pm - 6 pm
Wake Forest Library, 400 E. Holding Ave
The Wake Forest Library is hosting a Teens Drop-n Knitting program for youth 12-18 years old. The group meets on two Mondays each month at the Wake Forest Library. The program is open to experienced knitters and those who are interested in learning to knit. Bring your own projects or help us make blankets for charity. Drop by anytime between 4 pm and 6 pm. Registration is required for new knitters. For more information, call (919) 554-8498.

Purple Heart Dinner
Wednesday, Nov. 11; 5:30 pm
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Ledford Center, 120 S. Wingate Ave.
Wake Forest will honor the community's Purple Heart recipients on Veterans Day with a special Purple Heart Dinner. The public is invited to attend. Tickets are $15 each and may be purchased at the Wake Forest Health Club, the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce, Capital Bank, and the Seafood Shack. For more information, call (919) 556-1065.

Firing Range Training
Thursday, Nov. 12; 1 pm - 9 pm
Police Department Firing Range, behind Flaherty Park Community Center
Residents in the area are advised that the Wake Forest Police Department will conduct firing range training at the police department firing range, located behind the Flaherty Park Community Center. The firing range is utilized by Wake Forest Police officers who require instruction and practice in order to obtain current certification in the use of firearms. This certification is required in order for the officer to fulfill his/her duties for the Wake Forest Police Department. www.wakeforestnc.gov/residents/police_firingrange.aspx

2009 Fall Fish Fry - Wake Forest United Methodist Church
Friday, Nov. 13; 11 am - 7 pm
Wake Forest United Methodist Church, 905 S. Main St., Wake Forest
The Wake Forest United Methodist Church Men 2009 Fall Fish Fry offers $8 plates that include flounder, slaw, boiled potatoes, and hushpuppies. Dine in, take-out, drive through or delivery is available. For delivery of five or more plates call (919) 556-2239. This event raises money for the men to build handicap access ramps at little or no cost to those in need. Additionally, the United Methodist Men support over 20 local charitable organizations serving our community.

Art After Hours
Friday, Nov. 13; 5 pm
Downtown Wake Forest
On the second Friday night of each month the streets of downtown Wake Forest come alive with food, merchants and music! Everyone is invited to come and experience the dining, art and retail merchants of downtown Wake Forest. Downtown businesses stay open until 9 pm. You never know what treasure you may find! www.wakeforestdowntown.com

Wood Designer Bill Wallace, Basket Weaver Janet Wallace, and Painter Lisa McCamy Featured at Sunflower Studio & Gallery
Friday, Nov. 13; 5 pm - 9 pm: Opening Reception
Friday, Nov. 13 thru Saturday, Dec. 5: Exhibit
Sunflower Studio & Gallery, 214 E. Jones St.
Three diverse artists: renowned woodworker Bill Wallace and his wife, basket weaver Janet Wallace along with acrylic painter Lisa McCamy will join to create an exhibit you won't want to miss. Come enjoy this unique exhibit and also see the latest works of Sunflower Studio's six resident artists. Normal business hours at Thursday thru Saturday from 11 am until 5 pm. (919) 570-07 www.sunflowerstudiowf.com

Lobster Bingo
Friday, Nov. 13; 5:30 pm
The Factory
Bring the entire family out for a night of Bingo and fun! Prizes include giftcards to restaurants, golf, grocery stores, and much, much more. A silent auction includes Carolina Hurricanes autographed items. Admission is free. Pizza and other refreshments will be served. Bingo cards are three for $1 or one for $0.50. Raffle tickets will be sold for $1 for a grand prize that will be given away at 8 pm. All proceeds benefit the various programs supported by your Wake Forest Kiwanis Club including but not limited to dictionaries for local schools, area school Key Clubs and Builders Clubs, and scholarships. For more information, call Jason McCoy at (919) 341-0388.

"War Bonds" at Louisburg College
Friday, Nov. 13; 8 pm
Frances Boyette Dickson Auditorium, Louisburg College
Louisburg College's Allen de Hart Concert Series will present "War Bonds: The Songs and Letters of World War II" in the Frances Boyette Dickson Auditorium. This multi-media living history cabaret is interspersed with personal letters from the Front and headline news of the period. David zum Brunnen and Serena Ebhardt fill the stage with wartime memories and tunes. Actual veterans' stories create a sentimental journey back to the days when blackouts and rationing were a small sacrifice in order to obtain freedom. Tickets are available by calling the Louisburg College Box Office at (919) 497-3300 or may be purchased at the Box Office Monday through Friday between 1 pm and 5 pm or the day of the show, or online at www.louisburg.edu.

Wake Forest Farmers' Market
Saturday, Nov. 14; 8 am - Noon
Municipal Parking Lot, 110 S. White St.
The market offers fresh produce, pasture-raised beef, poultry and pork, free-range eggs, fresh and dried herbs, honey, jams and preserves, plus a whole lot more. The Farmers' Market is open from 8 am to noon every Saturday from April through November. www.wakeforestmarket.org

Mistletoe Market - Holiday Fair
Saturday, Nov. 14; 8:30 am - 5 pm
Wakefield High School, 2200 Wakefield Pines Dr., North Raleigh
Over 100 vendors in 3 areas, displaying unique gifts and crafts. Enjoy bake sales, basket raffles, carolers and photos with Santa. Admission is $2 at the door; children 12 and under are free. This community event benefits the PTSA.

4th Annual Four Alarm Chili Cook-Off
Saturday, Nov. 14; 1 pm - 3 pm
Southern Classic Car Showroom, E. Brooks Street, Wake Forest
Enter this fundraiser for the Wake Forest Fire Department for your chance to win one of two $100 grand prizes. Entry is $25 and forms are available by emailing theflourgarden@gmail.com.

Regional Premiere of Mark Hayes' Gloria
Sunday, Nov. 15; 3 pm
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 140 College St., Oxford
The Northeast Piedmont Chorale will present the regional premiere of Mark Hayes' Gloria, a dramatic presentation of the Christmas story, from the announcement of Jesus' birth to the affirmation of His divinity. Mark Hayes is an internationally known composer whose vocal and instrumental writing is widely acclaimed and performed throughout the nation. In addition to Gloria, the Chorale will sing a mix of seasonal favorites, including "Once in Royal David's City," John Rutter's "Candlelight Carol," Clark and McCullough's "Once in Bethlehem," "Angels We Have Heard on High," "Glory to the Newborn King," and "A Christmas Suite" of traditional carols. The Chorale will be joined by members of the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Choir. The concert is free and open to the public. Additional concerts will be held Nov. 22 at Adamsville Baptist Church in Goldsboro and Dec. 5 at Binkley Chapel on the campus of the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Okay - Ya'll know that I have been randomly posting Quick Tips that you can use around the house that are "GREEN". Well, on one of my previous posts I had a comment from a reader that suggested ketchup and some of it's useful properties......don't worry that post is coming! (BTW, Thanks Alicia).

As I was reading up on some of the uses of ketchup I ran across 10 Surprising Uses for Vodka - god help me, I can only imagine the comments coming up on this one! While I personally like MY vodka with Tonic (not the band) and double lime here are some interesting alternative uses for vodka:

• Treat Poison Ivy - Pour vodka on the exposed area immediately and it will wash away the dreaded itchy that usually soon to follow
• Kill Odor Causing Bacteria - If you are in a smoke filled bar don't get too upset if someone spills a vodka drink on you. Apparently if you spritz vodka on clothes and let them hang dry they won't retain nasty odors and will smell fresh.
• Shine Chrome, Glass and Porcelain - Moisten a cloth with vodka and "polish" away!
• Keep Flowers Fresh Longer - add a few drops of vodka and a teaspoon of vodka to the water in your flower vase - flowers will stay fresh longer!
• Insect Repellent - This one kind of cracks me up (like the others haven't). Put some vodka in a spray bottle and spray the bugs or yourself. You might repel more than bugs but your clothes will smell fresh (see #3)
• Disinfect and Alleviate Jellyfish Stings - Again, have vodka in a spray bottle and spray on affected areas.
• Shinier, Healthier Hair - Add a jigger of vodka to a 12 oz. bottle of shampoo
• Get Rid of Mold - Still have that handy spray bottle full of vodka? You still with me? Spray on mold and let sit for 15 mins - scrub away.
• Natural Aches and Pains Remedy - DUH! But the official recipe is:
  • Fill a clean glass jar with fresh lavender flower then top off with vodka. Seal the lid tightly and place in the sun for three days. (Same as making Sun Tea) Strain the resulting liquid through a coffee filter and poof! You have a homemade tincture to rub into aches and pains. You can pour into smaller bottles, decorate and give them away as unique gifts. (Taken from The Daily Green)
• Relieve a Toothache - Swoosh Vodka around the affected tooth and it should help to numb it.

The second Sunday of every month the American Legion Post 187 hosts an All You Can Eat Sausage and Pancake Breakfast. You'll find Sausage, Pancakes, Orange Juice and a Hot Beverage for $5 per person or $20/max per family. The proceeds from the breakfast will support community and veteran projects.

The breakfast will be served from 8am - 1pm this Sunday, November 8.

American Legion Post 187 is located directly across the street from the post office at 225 E. Holding Avenue.

For more information you can also call 919-494-2707.

The Wake Forest NC Public Library is very special to me! It is where we go to do homework after school on some days, attend their special events for the kids and ALWAYS find just the perfect book for the cold winter night!

The Wake Forest NC Public Library is celebrating in 13th year at it's current location this upcoming Saturday!

November 7, 2009 at 11:00am

In true library fashion they haven't overlooked a thing! Flow Circus will be on hand entertaining all ages and offering up some awesome smiles and giggles! If you have never heard of Flow Circus you have GOT to check them out this Saturday at the Wake Forest NC Public Library.

In addition to the entertainment there will be CAKE! What's a birthday part without cake???? Cake, balloons, juggling, magic, and books to take you away on that magical adventure - it just gets no better than this!

Don't miss this jam=packed event this weekend, November 7 starting at 11:00am! The Wake Forest NC Public Library is located at:

400 E. Holding Ave.
Wake Forest, NC 27587
Phone: 919-554-8498

Life in Wake Forest NC is full of fun for ALL ages.....