ENCORE FOR ADULTS 50 AND UP

N.C. State University's chapter of Encore, the Center for Lifelong Enrichment, offers short courses, study trips, special events and extracurricular activities for adults ages 50 and up. Jeanette Martin will discuss Encore at the Cary Public Library, 310 S. Academy St. in Cary, on Wednesday, at 6:30 p.m. The Encore Center for Lifelong Enrichment at N.C. State offers non-credit six-week courses and other programs on wide-ranging topics. Most activities meet at the McKimmon Center. Register at the Cary Public Library circulation desk or call 919-460-3350. ART SHOW

"Escape to Europe" at ArtSource Fine Art. Through Aug. 31, experience the overseas trip you may have missed by viewing European-inspired artwork at both of our galleries throughout August. At ArtSource Five Points: 509-105 W. Whitaker Mill Road, Raleigh, 919-833-0013, and ArtSource North Hills, 4351-101 The Circle at North Hills, Raleigh, 919-787-9533. www.artsource-raleigh.com.

Thursday

LIBRARY 101: A TUTORIAL FOR PARENTS

This tutorial will help you find books for your child and give an explanation of the different collections on the youth side of the library. This parents-only event will take place Thursday at 7 p.m. at West Regional Library, 4000 Louis Stephens Drive, Cary. For information call 919-463-8500. FREE BUSINESS COUNSELING

Free business counseling is provided by the Service Corps of Retired Executives, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at West Regional Library, 4000 Louis Stephens Drive in Cary. No appointment required. For information call 919-463-8500.

Friday

FINAL FRIDAY ART LOOP

Cary's Final Friday Art Loop welcomes six new local artists, featuring photography, paintings and raku pottery on Friday, 6 to 9 p.m. at Cary Gallery of Artists, 200 Academy St., Cary. www.carygallery.org. OUTDOOR CONCERTS

Summer at the Springs Outdoor Concert Series at Holly Springs Cultural Center at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Fridays of the month through September. Remaining concerts include: Friday, Blue Line Highway (acoustic, eclectic rock); Sept. 11, Flowers For Faye (1980s pop); Sept. 25, Down River (traditional bluegrass). The Holly Springs Cultural Center is at 300 W. Ballentine St., Holly Springs. For information call 919-567-4000. CONNECTIONS DANCE PARTY

This international dance party and cultural exchange brings the community together to learn about dance, fitness, cultural exchange and ideas, to help local businesses and to increase cultural tolerance. The party will be Friday from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Connections, 1280 Buck Jones Road, Raleigh. CRUISE-IN

The Downtown Fuquay-Varina Cruise-In will be held Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. Cars will be located in the large public parking lot at the corner of Main and Vance streets across from Cooley's Restaurant and in the private lot behind the restaurant. Pre-1975 cars are welcome and there is no fee to display a car. Tickets: one for $1 or six tickets for $5 at the Information Booth located in the large parking lot across from Cooley's. Proceeds will benefit the Fuquay Cruisers and Downtown Revitalization. There will be music and food.

Saturday

STRIKE FOR SURVIVAL

The Cary Strike For Survival will be Saturdayat the AMF South Hills Lanes on Nottingham Drive at 5:30 p.m. There are several ways to become involved, including sponsorship opportunities, volunteering, or purchasing bowling tickets for the event. The event will include pizza, drinks, shoe rental, raffle ticket, goodie bags and entertainment. All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society. For additional information, contact Katyna Dunn at 919-796-1678 or katyna@StrikeforSurvival.com.

Tuesday

GRIEFSHARE

Westwood Baptist Church, 200 Westhigh St., Cary, offers GriefShare on Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m., from Sept. 1 through Dec. 1. GriefShare is a Bible-based, 13-week program that helps those who have lost loved ones due to death in their journey of grief. For information, contact Westwood at 919-469-9393, or visit www.griefshare.org. WEST RALEIGH EXCHANGE CLUB

The West Raleigh Exchange Club will meet Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Clubhouse on Barringer Drive in Raleigh. The group is involved with Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina, Duke Children's Hospital, The Urban Ministry and The Miracle League. All interested men and women are urged to attend. Contact Rhonda Bornman at rbornman@nc.rr.com for information.

Wednesday, Sept. 2

COMMUNITY MEETING ON HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Cary citizens are invited to the fourth and final community meeting for the Historic Preservation Master Plan on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at Bond Park Community Center, 150 Metro Park Drive. The project consultants will present a draft of the plan goals and objectives along with specific implementation actions for each plan objective. Also, citizens will have an opportunity to give their feedback on these proposed actions. For information call 919-469-4084 or you can visit www.townofcary.org/depts/planning/hpmp.htm.

Friday, Sept. 4

FREE MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC

A free mental health clinic for those without insurance will be held Friday, Sept. 4, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information, call M. Ingold at 919-467-4782.

Wednesday, Sept. 9

FINANCIAL SERIES

The Eva Perry Regional Library is presenting a three-part series on how to "Get that money monkey off your back!" with Robin Landsman, family and consumer science educator with the N.C. Cooperative Extension. The first session, on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m., will help participants assess their financial situation and gather information, including a free credit report. The next class, on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m., examines credit use. The final session, on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 7 p.m., focuses on budgeting. Landsman will talk about record keeping systems, setting financial goals, tips for saving and staying out of debt. Each session will build on previous sessions. Register at the library or by calling the adult services desk at 919-387-2100.

Friday, Sept. 18

TASTE OF FUQUAY-VARINA

Registration forms for the Taste of Fuquay-Varina cake contest will be accepted through Friday, Sept. 18. The event, hosted by the Fuquay-Varina Revitalization Association, will be Saturday, Sept. 26, from noon to 5 p.m. on Broad Street. In this year's cake contest, the taste categories include: best chocolate cake, best pound cake, best family favorite recipe and for men only. The decorative cake categories, both amateur and professional divisions, will use Fuquay-Varina as a theme. There is also a best decorated cupcake division for ages 16 and under. Winners will receive a $50 prize and a blue ribbon. Entry fee is $5 per cake. Registration forms are available at Fuquay-VarinaDowntown.com, at the office of the Fuquay-Varina Revitalization Association, at 121 N. Main St. (prior to Sept. 1) or at 116 Raleigh Street (after Sept. 1). For information, call 919-552-0848.