Welcome to our weekly e-newsletter - What's Up in Wake Forest. Here you'll find information about Town programs, services, activities, projects, special events and more! If you haven't already, tell your friends and neighbors to visit our E-Notifier page to learn about our full array of free email offerings.
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In recent days the Town of Wake Forest has received numerous inquiries from residents about whether the Town plans to “cancel” Halloween this year. Not surprisingly, rumors also abound on social media that Wake Forest has “prohibited” trick-or-treating. Town officials want residents to know that Halloween has not been canceled, and trick-or-treating is at parents’ discretion.
Halloween (and trick-or-treating) is not a Town-sanctioned event, but rather a nationally recognized event that occurs on October 31. Other than announcing the recommended trick-or-treating hours (always 6-8 p.m.), the Town of Wake Forest has no further involvement.
Additionally, the Town has no legal authority or basis to cancel Halloween/trick-or-treating or to restrict the free movement of its residents. Participation in trick-or-treating is an individual/parent decision - both by those who choose to allow their children to go door-to-door and those who opt to hand out candy.
Any residents who do not want trick-or-treaters on their property should turn off their front lights and close the front door. Trick-or-treaters are asked to be respectful to those who choose not to participate.
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The Town of Wake Forest has started the process of updating the Community Plan and creating a Future Land Use Map, and we need your input. Between now and the end of November, Wake Forest residents, business owners and community stakeholders are invited to complete an online survey on current conditions within the town. Citizen feedback will be used to formulate an understanding of key issues, community desires, weaknesses and strengths of the Town that will help create the foundation for the Wake Forest Community Plan Update and Future Land Use Map. Available here, the survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.
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The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department will host a Halloween-themed virtual 5K and kids’ 1-mile fun run (ages 12 and under) October 24-31. Over those seven days, participants in both virtual races can walk or run the prescribed distance at any location they choose. Costumes are optional but encouraged.
Online registration is available through Friday, Oct. 16. The entry fee for the virtual 5K is $20, while the fee for the virtual Fun Run is $10.
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It wouldn’t be the holidays without sweet treats. And part of the fun of making those yummy pies, cakes, cookies and puddings is swapping recipes with neighbors and friends.
Between now and Friday, Oct. 23, the Town of Wake Forest is inviting residents to share recipes for up to five of their favorite holiday treats. We’ll include the submissions in an online cookbook everyone can view and download for free. We’ll also choose a selection of recipes Mayor Vivian Jones will prepare as part of a weekly video series in December entitled “Favorite Holiday Treats with Mayor Jones.”
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The holiday season is just around the corner. With that in mind, the Downtown Development Department is selling limited edition Christmas ornaments depicting South White Street in downtown Wake Forest.
The ornaments are $22 plus tax and available for purchase at Southern Suds & Gifts, 213 S. White St., and Page 158 Books, 415-B S. Brooks St.
They may also be purchased online for $30. This price includes tax, shipping and handling.
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Area residents are invited to enjoy the vibrant reds, oranges and yellows of autumn while also learning about native trees during a series of "Fall Foliage Tours" at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road. Urban Forestry Coordinator Luke Devores will offer the free, one-hour tours "rain or shine" on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 24, at noon and 2 p.m.
Parents and children of all ages are welcome. This year, due to concerns related to COVID-19, group sizes are limited, so pre-registration is required.
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On Saturday, Oct. 3, from 11-11:45 a.m., Bright Star Touring Theatre, a national professional touring theatre company based in Asheville, NC, will share several of the spooky and clever stories of Edgar Allan Poe via the Renaissance Centre Facebook page. The following day the storytelling performance will be made available on the Renaissance Centre website.
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The Wake Forest Police Department (WFPD) is now accepting monetary donations through Saturday, Nov. 21, as part of its 14th Annual Turkey Drive. Area residents can support this worthy cause by submitting online donations via PayPal.
Cash and checks written to the Wake Forest Police Department are also accepted. Anyone wishing to contribute cash or a check to this year’s Turkey Drive should contact Det. M.W. Sattler at 919-795-7270.
Due to COVID-19, the police department is currently accepting monetary donations only to this year’s Turkey Drive. Donations of frozen turkeys will not be accepted at this time. All monetary donations will be used to purchase additional turkeys.
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In June, the Wake Forest Board of Commissioners voted to change how the Town charges for solid waste collection. Since 2008 Wake Forest property owners have paid for solid waste service as part of their annual property tax bill. Beginning January 1, 2021, the service will no longer be covered solely by annual tax revenues, but instead by a $21 monthly solid waste fee included on residents’ water bill. The monthly fee includes weekly trash, recycling and yard waste collection, along with seasonal collections for loose leaves, Christmas trees, bulk waste pickup and large brush collection.
Several improvements to the Town's yard waste and bulk waste collection programs will begin in January. The Town has created a portal on its website that provides a complete overview of program improvements, including answers to several frequently asked questions.
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The Wake Forest Human Relations Council (HRC) is pleased to announce Kenille Baumgardner as the 2020 Good Neighbor of the Year. Mayor Vivian Jones announced Baumgardner as this year’s recipient during a special video presentation recorded last week and posted Saturday on the Town of Wake Forest Facebook page.
Baumgardner was nominated by Julie Arthur, Sheila MacPherson and Tori Bennett, along with recent Good Neighbor of the Year award winners Tilda Caudle (2019) and Joy Shillingsburg (2018). In their nomination narratives, all emphasized Baumgardner’s dedication to the community and positive impact on the lives of Wake Forest residents through serving and volunteering.
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Below are three announcements about projects that will impact Wake Forest motorists over the next several weeks. Please use the information to help plan your route and move safely through the affected areas.
Now through November 30
From now through November 30, Fred Smith Company, a contractor working on behalf of Wegmans, will periodically reduce to one lane portions of Dr. Calvin Jones Highway/NC 98 from Galaxy Way to Siena Drive. The temporary lane closures are necessary to allow crews to widen the roadway and install turn lanes for the future Wegman’s. The store will be situated on the south side of Dr. Calvin Jones Highway/NC 98 Bypass between US 1/Capital Boulevard and Siena Drive, just west of Ligon Mill Road.
September 21-October 30
Moffat Pipe will reduce to one lane with intermittent two-way traffic the portion of North Allen Road from Brewer Circle to Best Street Monday, Sept. 21, through Friday, Oct. 30, from 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. each day. The temporary lane closure is necessary to install storm drain and curb and gutter.
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The Wake Forest Police Department is urging area residents to guard against becoming the victim of fraud following recently reported phone scams involving gift cards. Many times it’s hard to tell what is a scam and what isn’t. But whenever someone asks you to pay using a gift card – it’s always a scam.
Gift cards are being used as part of several different scams, including IRS, jury duty and grandparent scams.
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The Wake Forest Loop (WFL), a fare-free bus service for residents traveling within Wake Forest and a portion of Wakefield, has expanded its route to include six new all-day stops along Heritage Lake Road. The first pair of stops are located near Gateway Commons, while the next two are situated at opposite corners of the Heritage Lake Road/Heritage Club Avenue intersection. The final two stops are located at the intersection of Heritage Lake Road and Rogers Road.
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In recent days, Wake Forest officials have noticed large numbers of skateboarders in the downtown area. Skateboarders and their parents are reminded that Sec. 28-6 of the Town’s Code of Ordinances prohibits skateboarding on public streets and sidewalks in Wake Forest’s downtown municipal district. That district, also known as the Renaissance Area, extends roughly from south of Holding Avenue to just north of Spring Street and between South White Street and South Franklin Street.
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If you’re looking for a “hauntingly” good time this fall season, then don’t miss the inaugural Spirits of Wake Forest ghost walk coming to downtown Wake Forest. Presented by Wake Forest Downtown (WFD), Inc., these tours will be offered throughout October at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 6 p.m. only on Sundays.
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Community Council seeks award nominations for exemplary volunteers
The Wake Forest Community Council is seeking award nominations of local individuals and organizations that have contributed exemplary volunteer efforts to our community.
Nominations are due by noon on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020, and may be completed and submitted online. Those submitting the online form will receive a confirmation upon receipt.
Those choosing not to complete/submit the online form, may pick up a hard copy at the entrance of The Forks Cafeteria & Catering, 339 S. Brooks Street in downtown Wake Forest.
Completed forms must be dropped off before the October 21 deadline at the Wake Forest Town Hall front desk, 301 S. Brooks St., or mailed to WFCC, PO Box 1003, Wake Forest, NC 27588. Face coverings are required, and visitors are asked to check the Town website for lobby hours as they may vary.
Award recipients will be honored regardless of the pandemic, either during a virtual community presentation or the annual Community Christmas Dinner traditionally held the first Monday in December.
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Wake Forest residents can now go online and use the Town of Wake Forest app to request assistance and report issues related to solid waste service:
- Request trash and recycling service;
- Upgrade from a 48-gallon to a 96-gallon recycling cart;
- Report damaged and/or missing carts;
- Report a missed trash or recycling collection;
- Request a bulk pickup;
- Sign up for Waste Wizard.
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Our team has been hard at work putting together an exciting line-up of virtual classes for you and your family to enjoy while at home due to COVID-19. Here's a schedule of our virtual offerings, including special events, music, culinary and education classes, and athletics. You will note that many also offer in-person options.
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- Adams Ridge
- Bowling Green
- Cardinal Hills
- Crenshaw Hall
- Crenshaw Manor
- Deacons Ridge
- Downtown Wake Forest
- Edgeford Parks
- Everly
- Forest Mill
- Green Acres
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- Heath Ridge Village
- Heritage
- Holding Village
- Home Garden
- Homestead at Heritage
- Mangum
- Northhampton
- Oakwood Estates
- Retreat at Renaissance
- Richland Hills
- Stonegate
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Not every street in these neighborhoods will be impacted. Affected residents will receive a postcard in the mail (see sample above) and decal on their rollout trash cart that reads “Your Solid Waste Service Day is Changing.” The information pieces will identify the resident’s new trash, recycling and yard waste collection days.
The revised collection schedule is in response to the significant growth experienced throughout much of Wake Forest over the past several years. Republic Services officials say adjusting the routes will help balance the number of homes that must be serviced each day.
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The Northern Wake Senior Center, 235 E. Holding Ave., offers adults age 55 and older a full schedule of recreational activities, such as aerobics, line dancing, ballroom dancing, wood carving, painting, craft making and more.
Programming at the center is provided by Resources for Seniors, Inc. The organization serves senior and disabled adults in Wake County by providing home- and community-based services and information, thereby allowing them to maximize their choices for independence, comfort, safety, security and well-being.
Check out Jennie's Weekly Jots, the senior center's weekly newsletter, for information on current programming and initiatives.
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The Town of Wake Forest recently introduced a new video series entitled Wake Forest Perspectives. Each program in the series features a 15-20 minute conversation with a Town of Wake Forest staff member, official or Wake Forest personality. Our goal is to engage a range of local guests in one-on-one discussions to provide a variety of “perspectives” on Wake Forest events, activities and initiatives.
This week's guest was Life Church Senior Pastor Jesse Pimentel. Other recent guests have included Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Director Ruben Wall, Wake Forest Customer Service Manager Drew Brown, Renaissance Centre Manager Debbie Dunn, Wake Forest High School Football Coach Reggie Lucas and Senior Historic Planner Michelle Michael.
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The Wake Forest Planning Board typically meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m., while the Board of Commissioners typically meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.
These meetings can be viewed both live and on demand through the Public Meeting Portal on the Town’s website.
Planning Board and Board of Commissioners meetings are also broadcast live on Wake Forest TV 10—the Town’s government access channel—then re-broadcast daily throughout the next two weeks at 9 a.m., 3 p.m., and 9 p.m.
WFTV 10 is available only to Wake Forest residents and businesses that subscribe to Spectrum Cable TV service. However, WFTV 10 can be viewed online in real-time streaming video by anyone who has internet access. To stream WFTV 10 online, visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “wftv 10.”
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Wake Forest Power (WFP) offers residential customers a simple, yet effective way they can help neighbors struggling to pay electric bills due to COVID-19 or other financial hardships.
Helping Others by Providing Electricity or H.O.P.E. is an initiative offered by the Town of Wake Forest designed to help financially disadvantaged electric customers pay their utility bills. The program is funded by the generous donations of WFP customers and administered through a partnership between the Town and ChurchNet, a local non-profit organization assisting area people in need.
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About six out of 10 people living with dementia will wander away from their homes. As the development of the disease continues, it can become increasingly difficult and potentially impossible for the person to find their way home. Many children with autism may also wander. That’s why the Wake Forest Police Department (WFPD) has introduced the Take Me Home initiative to help officers find and safely return home people with disabilities as quickly as possible when they wander away from their families or caregivers.
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Although the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre is closed and in-person events canceled, “the show must go on-line.” As we continue adjusting to life in the midst of COVID-19, the Renaissance Centre is now offering a series of free online visual and performing arts experiences you can enjoy from the comfort of your home.
One of the Renaissance Centre’s favorite performers, Happy Dan The Magic Man, is now performing his one-of-a-kind magic show on the third Wednesday of each month at 11 a.m. These performances can be streamed via the Renaissance Centre Facebook page. They will also be available on the Renaissance Centre website.
Everyone laughs louder when Happy Dan the Magic Man is in the house. Happy Dan has traveled the world entertaining families for more than 30 years. His hilarious family shows are regular features at Southeastern festivals, comedy clubs, banquets, trade shows, schools, and family living rooms. He is more than an entertainer. He's that slightly silly, can't-wait-to-see-him, loving uncle that every child loves.
Happy Dan's zany character recalls the fun of live television hosts from years gone by. He blends the gentleness and homespun comfort of Mister Rogers with the silly antics and storytelling of Captain Kangaroo. His talents stretch to thoroughly holding the attention of children as young as three years to golden age adults. Wherever laughter and a caring heart is needed, Happy Dan delivers!
To learn more about the Renaissance Centre, including our virtual programming, like us on Facebook and sign up for free updates via E-Notifier.
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A mandatory mask requirement is in effect for all of North Carolina. As a result, every North Carolinian in an indoor public space, or in an outside public space when unable to physically distance from others, is required to wear a face covering.
Exceptions to the mask requirement apply to children under 11, those with certain medical conditions and people exercising outdoors away from other people. Other exceptions allow for people to remove masks while communicating with someone who is hearing impaired, while receiving medical treatment, or while giving a speech for broadcast or to an audience. You are also not required to wear a mask while riding in a personal vehicle.
In accordance with Executive Order (EO) 147, all visitors to the Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St., and other Town facilities must wear a face mask or face covering. For more information, call Town Hall at 919-435-9400.
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Recycling Refresher
It's time to take a fresh look at recycling and change how we think about it! It's less important to fill the bin with a mix of things we think MAY be recyclable as it is to put in things we KNOW are recyclable. Click on the video above. It's designed to help you "get the right things in the bin - for the win!"
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The Waste Wizard makes it easier than ever for residents to stay informed about Town of Wake Forest trash, recycling and yard waste collection programs. The Waste Wizard also helps residents know which disposable household materials can be recycled and which ones should be thrown away.
Available on the Town’s website, the “Waste Wizard” is an interactive tool that allows users to sign up for waste collection reminders and download collection schedules.
You can also type in key words related to disposable household materials and receive valuable disposal tips. From aluminum cans and phone books to popcorn bags and plastic bags, the search tool helps residents effectively sort their recyclables from their trash.
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Please...don't...litter!
The Town of Wake Forest often receives reports about trash of all kinds along our roads. It's a shame we're forced to constantly reinforce this message - but please don’t litter! We need everyone to help keep Wake Forest and North Carolina beautiful and safe, and it starts with each of us doing our part.
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Parks and greenways users are urged to remember the following:
- Refrain from using parks or trails if you are exhibiting symptoms.
- While on trails, warn other users of your presence as you pass, and step aside to let others pass.
- Always observe CDC’s minimum recommended social distancing of 6 feet from other individuals. If this is not possible, find an alternate location or depart that space.
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Police officials are reminding Wake Forest motorists to park in the direction of traffic flow or risk a $25 fine. Wording in Sec. 30-251 of the Town's Code of Ordinances addresses "Parking in direction of traffic flow."
"Parking shall be established in the direction of traffic flow on all streets within corporate limits of the Town of Wake Forest with passenger side (right) tires to the curb on two-way streets."
In summary, on a two-way road, you must park with the right-hand wheels next to the right-side curb. Otherwise, you are parked illegally. More>>
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If you have questions or comments about the Town of Wake Forest website or E-News, please contact Bill Crabtree by email or call 919-435-9421.
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