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.

The Wake Forest Town Hall and other administrative offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 20, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Garbage and recycling collection schedules will not be affected. However, bus service and yard waste collection will be suspended.

The Town of Wake Forest is pleased to announce a power-packed lineup for the 2020 Friday Night on White (FNOW) concert series. Bands scheduled to perform this year include The Magic Pipers (April 17); Sleeping Booty (May 8); The Soul Psychedelique (June 12); Love Tribe (July 10); Big Love (Aug. 14); and Crush (Sept. 11).

FNOW is typically offered along South White Street in downtown Wake Forest from 6-9 p.m. on the second Friday night of each month from April through September. Due to Good Friday falling this year on the second Friday in April, the 2020 series will get underway on the third Friday (April 17) with The Magic Pipers. The remaining concerts will occur on the second Friday from May through September.

"Boom goes the dynamite!" In the second in our series of Talbot the Town Crier videos, Talbot will live every communicator's dream Monday when he confronts a whiny Instagram user along South White Street. In case you missed it, click on the image above to view his rather memorable introduction to our community.

Mayor Vivian Jones will deliver her 2020 State of the Town Address on Monday, Feb. 17, at 6 p.m., during the 12 th Annual State of the Town Address and Dinner. Presented by the Wake Forest Rotary Club, the event will take place at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St. Tickets are $15 each and include a catered meal.

The  next census  is coming this year! By April 2020, households will receive an invitation to participate in the census. The process is quick and easy. You'll then have three options to respond: 1) Online (for the first time!); 2) By phone; and 3) By mail. Learn more about the  2020 Census .
The Wake Forest Fire Department (WFFD) will conduct a controlled burn exercise at 1009 Forestville Road, Wednesday, Jan. 22, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Site set up will begin at 7 a.m. No lane closures will be in effect, but motorists are encouraged to proceed through the area with caution or choose an alternate route.
The Town of Wake Forest will host a public hearing on the proposed 2020-2025 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Update during the Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 21. The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall Board Chambers, 301 S. Brooks St. Wake Forest residents are invited to attend and provide input in this important process. The public can view a copy of the proposed CIP Update on the Town’s website .
The Town of Wake Forest and a network of local partners are inviting current and aspiring entrepreneurs to apply for Launch Wake Forest . The initiative will offer 20 selected students a nine-week accredited Kaufman business course, business mentorship, planning and financial support, along with resources and connections to boost their current or potential business.
Several local churches and community organizations will sponsor a free, public celebration honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Thursday, Jan. 23, at Friendship Chapel Baptist Church, 237 Friendship Chapel Road. Area residents are invited to attend the observance, beginning with a light meal at 6 p.m. followed by the program at 7 p.m. 
Before wintry weather strikes our area, all Wake Forest residents are encouraged to opt-in to the Town's phone notification system and provide their complete contact information, including cell phone numbers and email addresses.
The Wake Forest Police Department has scheduled its next Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) class for Tuesday, Feb. 18. The session will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. inside the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St. There is no cost to participate, but registration is required.
Flaherty Dog Park , 1100 N. White St., will remain closed for the foreseeable future as crews work to complete a series of renovations in time for a reopening in early spring.
Forest Moon Theater will present “Prelude to a Kiss” Friday-Sunday, Feb. 14-16 and Feb. 21-23, at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St. Showtime Friday and Saturday is 7:30 p.m., while the Sunday showtime is 3 p.m.
The Wake Forest Loop (WFL), a weekday, fare-free bus for residents traveling within Wake Forest and a portion of Wakefield, has added a second bus to run a reverse route and Saturday service. As a result, the WFL now operates six days-a-week enabling riders to travel both clockwise and counter-clockwise along the existing route cutting wait times in half from 60 to 30 minutes. The local service remains free of charge.
The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre will host a lively and educational celebration of gospel music that connects all cultures, ages and backgrounds on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, at 5 p.m. The Shades of Gospel concert will highlight a range of traditional, southern and contemporary gospel music with featured performances by Grammy, Dove and Stellar Award-nominated artist Tim Bowman, Jr. and the Trinity Quartet. Tickets are $15 plus tax.
You can make a difference in our community by applying to fill the vacancy on the Greenways Advisory Board. The online application is available on the Town’s website . Completed applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31.
The Greenways Advisory Board will host a family-friendly 5K race as part of National Trails Day on Saturday, June 6, at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road. New this year, the day’s festivities will also include a Kids’ 1-Mile Fun Run for ages 12 and under. Online registration for both races is underway.
HomeSnacks recently published its sixth annual study on the 10 best places to live in North Carolina and Wake Forest placed seventh. According to HomeSnacks, Wake Forest earned its ranking because of its high incomes (16th overall) and low crime (17th overall and one of the best in the top 10).
The Town of Wake Forest and its network of partners throughout Wake County are committed to educating residents about the importance of the U.S. Census. On Tuesdays in January, officials will be available from 11 a.m.-noon at the Wake Forest Community Library 400 E. Holding Ave., to answer your questions and provide information one-on-one.
Sanitation customers can complete and submit an online form to request a variety of assistance related to their rollout trash and recycling carts. The form can be used to request service, request an upgrade to your recycling cart, order extra carts and report damaged or missing carts.
You can receive email notifications concerning road closures and traffic alerts in Wake Forest by signing up for E-Notifier - our free email subscription service. The service allows you to subscribe to several specific information categories and receive an e-mail notification whenever we post new information on the website related to your selected categories.
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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.