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Hello Wake Forest! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Dino Dig Live!, ancient symbolism tour series, and back to school bash + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Goldco, is helping folks around Wake Forest help protect their savings after a remarkable few years for gold and silver. Their free guide explains what's behind the run… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
New arrivals for shoppers: Mythic Mini-golf opened July 22 in Raleigh and Pet Supplies Plus opened in Durham, while BoxLunch is coming to Crabtree and Reehl Fine Art will debut in November at North Hills -- read the full story.
Discover hidden influences: Explore ancient symbolism at the N.C. State Capitol’s free Ancient Inspirations tour series, which will run Saturdays at 1 p.m. on August 8, 15, 22 and 29 in Raleigh -- see the full tour details.
Retail excellence on display: Raleigh’s Capitol Comics won the Summer 2026 Image Comics Select Retailer Award at San Diego Comic-Con, the second straight North Carolina win, earning a commemorative medallion and a spotlight Q&A -- read the full story.
The bill everyone over 50 should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $1,500 this year. Case in point: Shopping around could cut your premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold posted one of its strongest runs in decades...Silver has been right there with it, and after a few remarkable years both metals have become some of the most talked-about assets for those looking to stay ahead of market volatility. While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning. If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, Goldco has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how people are approaching precious metals right now. It’s free and worth reading before the next move.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Pamper your pup: PupTown Grooming gives Wake Forest dogs the full spa treatment with patient, one-on-one care in a calm, stress-free vibe. From full grooms to bath-and-nails, tidy face/fanny/feet, mani/pedis and even polish, owner-groomer Christi is CPR and First Aid certified plus trained in obedience, so your floof comes home fresh and happy.
Fresh-filled cannoli, anyone: This week, let Mr Cannoli NC & Sweets bring an interactive Strolling Cannoli Filling Service or an elegant Stationary Cannoli Cart that pipes shells to order with Sicilian family recipes. Pistachio, chocolate, traditional with chips, even Oreo cream... your crew will demolish these.
NC nature, up close: Skip the scroll this week and wander through Nature Exploration Center, where Coastal North Carolina dioramas mix with aquariums of live fish and invertebrates, a towering Blue Whale and friends, and Mountains to the Sea scenes that feel alive. Kids and grownups can dig into gems, gold-rush lore, and a hands-on Discovery Room.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
The fitness trend that doesn't require leaving your living room: Chair yoga is having a moment, and for good reason. It's low-impact, easy on the knees and back, and you do the whole thing seated. No floor, no equipment, no studio. A quick quiz turns it into a personalized plan built around your body and goals, then adjusts as you build the habit. *See your plan →
One plug-in drives bugs out of your home, no spray required: For every bug you see along the baseboards, more are nesting out of sight, and traps and poison only reach so far. This one works differently: patented pulse technology runs through your home's wiring to make the whole place uncomfortable for insects and mice, so they clear out on their own. No fumes, nothing on the floor near the kids or pets, just plug it in. Over 3.5 million sold, it's silent, and there is a money-back guarantee. *Get yours 40% off →
The real retirement risk isn't a bad year. It's a long life: 40 years of saving, and the hard part is making it stretch across 30 more. SmartAsset's free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors who serve your area and are legally required to act in your best interests. The plan is built around you, not their commission. No obligation to hire anyone. *Start the quiz → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🦖 Dino Dig Live! @ WRAL 3D Theater (Raleigh) | Wednesday (8/5) at 12:00 PM – Summer field season means the museum’s paleo crew is phoning in from dinosaur quarries, from Utah to Nebraska, dirt under nails and all. Watch in the Daily Planet Theater or at home, ask your T. rex questions, and feel smug about learning something before brunch.
🎨 Teen Drawing & Painting Studio @ The Makery | Friday (8/7) at 12:30 PM – Whether your teen doodles in the margins or lives for sketchbooks, The Makery's semi-private studio meets them where they are. $30 gets a two-hour class in charcoal, colored pencil, and pastels for ages 12+, with artist Mary Lou Amy, plus blessed quiet at home.
🎶 Appalachian Festival @ Cloos' Coney Island (Raleigh) | Friday (8/7) – This Appalachian Festival rounds up bluegrass pickers, heritage crafts, and comfort food that tastes like someone’s grandma still guards the recipe. Expect fiddles, cloggers, storytellers, and more quilts than a church bazaar, plus vendors who actually make things. Wander, listen, snack, repeat.
🐶 Summer Camp: Pet Mania Art Camp @ Wine & Design | Monday (8/10) at 9:00 AM – Got a kid who worships the family dog? This weeklong art camp lets ages 6-12 paint, draw, and craft every furry, feathered, and finned muse in the house. They even wrap it with a Friday art show for your oohs, ahhs, and camera roll.
🎒 Back To School Bash @ KidsStreet Urgent Care | Friday (8/21) at 4:00 PM – Only in this town do we pregame back-to-school at KidsStreet Urgent Care. It’s a free family bash with 300 backpacks, first come, first served. Bounce house, DJ and foam, and giveaways that might net you an Apple Watch or a Nintendo Switch Lite.
🪵 Amazing Grace Handcrafted Wooden Door Hanger Workshop @ MK Creative Arts Studio | Saturday (8/22) at 2:00 PM – If your door has been giving side-eye to that tired wreath, here’s your upgrade. Craft an 18-inch raised wood Amazing Grace door hanger, an NC-exclusive, with all supplies, no experience needed, and optional verse decoupage, at MK Creative Arts Studio in Wake Forest, for $55.
🚀 Pack 141 Rocket Recruitment Event @ Mill Bridge Nature Park | Tuesday (8/25) at 6:00 PM – Tuesday, Aug 25 at 6 pm, rockets and fresh air meet Cub Scout recruiting at Mill Bridge Nature Park in Wake Forest. Expect whooshes, wide eyes, and parents timing their patience, plus a follow-up den meeting Sept 1 for the truly intrigued.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
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07 — Wake Forest report Weather forecastToday — High: 86°F — Low: 71°F — Precip: 60%
Showers and thunderstorms likely after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. South wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 88°F — Low: 71°F — Precip: 30%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. South wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. This house is wildThis 2026 Parade of Homes showcase by Rock Creek Builders pairs timeless architecture with polished modern luxury in Lowery Estates. A mahogany front door, 10-foot ceilings, European White Oak floors, and custom millwork set the tone, while the chef’s kitchen, vaulted family room, screened porch, and pool-ready homesite make entertaining feel effortless and elevated.
Take a peek inside → |
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