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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2021 Candidates Forum
now available online & on WFTV 10
The Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2021 Candidates Forum on Thursday, Oct. 7, at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St.
All of the candidates vying for Wake Forest Mayor and Board of Commissioners (BOC) participated, including mayoral candidates Vivian Jones and Bridget Wall-Lennon and BOC contenders Patrick Griffin, Mike Molinaro, Keith Shackleford, Liz Simpers, and Nick Sliwinski. Each was given the opportunity to briefly explain his or her views on local issues and take part in a moderated question and answer session.
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The Public Art Commission, Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources, and ARTS Wake Forest are partnering to host a special Community Celebration of the Arts this Saturday, Oct. 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. - rain or shine - at the Alston-Massenburg Center and Taylor Street Park, 416 N. Taylor St.
Open and free to the public, this family-friendly event will include food, music, and a variety of indoor and outdoor arts activities for children of all ages, including rock painting, chalk art, and “do it yourself” kits to assemble on-site or take home.
The occasion will also highlight the public art murals and sculptures installed throughout Wake Forest and included in the Virtual Public Art Tour available on the Town website and Town app. The PAC will recognize the talented artists responsible for these works of art during a ceremony at noon in Taylor Street Park.
Throughout the event, food will be provided by Crumbstruction at no cost while supplies last, and a local DJ will be on site playing popular tunes for fun and dancing.
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On Monday, Oct. 11, Town crews will implement a new traffic pattern along South College Street and West Owen Avenue. The new design will reverse the current one-way system from south and east to west and north. As a result, drivers will be able to access West Owen Avenue from South Main Street/US 1A but prohibited from turning onto South College Street from South Avenue.
As part of the traffic reversal initiative, crews will also install three ADA compliant ramps into Holding Park, stripe new angled parking spaces, and erect new signage along the roadway. Weather-permitting, the work will be completed by Friday, Oct. 15.
Approved by the Board of Commissioners on September 21, the new traffic pattern is intended to provide easier access to Holding Park, Holding Park Aquatic Center, and the Wake Forest Community House – all located at 133 W. Owen Ave. Holding Park will remain open and accessible throughout the week of October 11. Park visitors are encouraged to park in the gravel parking lot across the street from the Community House.
Electronic message boards announcing the new traffic pattern will be set up during the week of October 4 to help alert motorists.
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The Town of Wake Forest is bolstering its communications outreach efforts by offering residents the opportunity to receive text messages about time-sensitive issues and matters of community interest, including police advisories, traffic alerts, holiday operations and special events.
Since 2015 Wake Forest has utilized Blackboard Connect to communicate with residents via telephone, email and text message. Although the system has been used primarily to deliver personalized telephone messages, surveys suggest that phone calls are many residents’ least preferred means of receiving information. In response, the Communications Department is refocusing its efforts on utilizing Blackboard Connect to share information via cell phone text messages.
For anyone interested in receiving occasional text messages from the Town, opting in is easy. Simply visit our website, click on the “Sign Up Now” Blackboard Connect logo, and enter your contact information, including your cell phone numbers and email addresses.
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The Town of Wake Forest, the Northeast Community Coalition, Rebuilding Together for the Triangle, and a network of community partners are recruiting volunteers of all ages for Make a Difference Day - Northeast Neighborhood Renewal on Saturday, Oct. 23, at Taylor Street Park, 416 N. Taylor St.
Volunteers are needed from 9 a.m.-noon to assist with a range of efforts in the Northeast Community, including litter pickup, leaf sweeping and collection, storm drain stenciling, bulk waste removal and more. Local civic groups and community organizations are especially encouraged to participate, along with local students interested in earning community service hours.
Anyone planning to volunteer is urged to register. Everyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or adult. Waiver of liability forms are required for all participants and included in the online registration form.
On the day of the event, volunteers are urged to dress appropriately for being outdoors by wearing protective clothing, sunscreen, insect repellent, hats, work gloves and appropriate close-toed shoes (no sandals or flip-flops).
Make a Difference Day will conclude with a hotdog lunch for everyone that volunteers from noon to 1 p.m.
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The Town of Wake Forest is in the process of developing an Affordable Housing Plan to help better analyze and mitigate housing conditions within our community. As a first step in that process, the Town is inviting residents to complete a brief survey. Designed to help the Town better understand the housing experiences and challenges of the Wake Forest community, the questionnaire will be available through Friday, Oct. 15, and takes approximately five minutes to complete.
Once completed, the Wake Forest Affordable Housing Plan will examine existing local housing conditions, determine housing needs, establish a vision and goals, and recommend community housing policies to help achieve this vision.
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The Town's annual loose leaf collection program started Monday, Oct. 4, and will continue through Friday, March 11, 2022. Residents are reminded that the Town provides bi-monthly loose leaf collection service which calls for crews to service Wake Forest streets twice each month.
When preparing leaves and yard waste for collection, residents are urged to follow these guidelines:
- Rake leaves into piles behind the curb, so they do not interfere with traffic or drainage.
- Do not mix sticks, rocks, pine cones, limbs or other debris with loose leaves. The Town’s vacuum equipment is only designed to pick up loose leaves. Your cooperation will help prevent mechanical breakdowns and collection delays.
- Place limbs and brush behind the curb in a pile separate from leaves.
- Limbs and brush larger than one inch but smaller than six inches in diameter must be no longer than six feet. Limbs and logs larger than six inches in diameter must not exceed two feet in length. Logs must not exceed 10 inches in diameter.
- Keep brush away from other objects such as, fences, walls, water meters, utility poles, mailboxes, fire hydrants and cars.
- Keep debris free of animal waste. Animal waste should be bagged and placed in rollout garbage carts.
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Mark your calendars for a cinematic tour de force! The Third Annual Wake Forest Film Festival is scheduled for Friday-Saturday, March 4-5, 2022, at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St. Tickets are $15 (for both days) and go on sale Monday, Nov. 1.
Entitled “A Light in the Forest,” the Wake Forest Film Festival will spotlight passionate, creative and thought-provoking movies by some of today's most promising and accomplished local, national and international filmmakers. The two-day film showcase will engage audiences with films of all lengths and genres, including short and feature, documentary, horror, animation and student (high school and college). Intended for both the general public and film professionals, the film festival is an opportunity for filmmakers to showcase their films in a unique location to a discerning audience.
The Renaissance Centre is accepting film submissions via FilmFreeway through Wednesday, Oct. 13. The website includes film screening fees and submission requirements. It also includes the following stipulations: 1) all submitted films should have a plot that “reveals” or “sheds light” on a topic or issue; and 2) foreign films must include subtitles.
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Wake Forest Area Chamber hosting Senior Lifestyle Expo October 16
The Wake Forest Area Chamber is announcing its fourth annual Senior Lifestyle Expo. Specifically created for the area’s growing population of active seniors, the Expo is modeled after the Chamber’s successful Business Expos. Ann Welton, president of the Chamber explains, “It’s a way to bring together businesses that have products and services targeted to adults over the age of 50. At the same time, residents can mingle and learn about different businesses, volunteer organizations, and other recreational activities that may appeal to them.”
Presented by Cadence Assisted Living of Wake Forest, the expo is set for Saturday, Oct. 16, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St., in downtown Wake Forest. With free admission and more than 40 exhibitor booths, it promises to be an entertaining and educational experience for all. Exhibitors include healthcare, assisted and independent living, financial planning, mobility solutions, legal and estate planning, home care and more.
Plenty of free parking is available. There is no cost to attend. Masks are required inside the Renaissance Centre. For more information, call the Chamber at 919-556-1519.
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The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department will sponsor a Halloween Boo Bash on Thursday, Oct. 21, from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road. Presented by Capital Chevrolet, the Halloween Boo Bash is a free, family-oriented festival for children ages 12 and younger.
This year’s festivities will include a variety of ghostly games and activities, along with free pumpkin giveaways - while supplies last. Costumes are optional, but best costumes will be featured on the Town’s website and social media pages.
In addition to Capital Chevrolet, the following local businesses have generously contributed to this year’s Halloween Boo Bash: Triangle Family Dentistry, Passanante’s Home Food Services, Wells Family Dental Group, Elan Dental, and McPherson Family Eye Care.
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The Town of Wake Forest often receives inquiries concerning when families should go trick-or-treating. Since Halloween is always October 31, that’s the day the Town encourages families to go door-to-door in costumes for candy and fun – regardless of the day of the week on which it falls.
The Wake Forest Police Department also recommends that little ghosts and goblins trick-or-treat between the hours of 6 and 8 p.m.
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Disclaimer: We know! It's only October! If you prefer not to think about the holidays until after Halloween, please proceed to the next article. If - on the other hand - you like to plan ahead, please continue reading.
You can stay current on all our holiday events by visiting and bookmarking the Christmas in Wake Forest portal on the Town website. It provides easy access to event dates, times, locations, and more, so “tis the season” to mark your calendars, so you don’t miss a thing.
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From Reggae to Motown and Salsa to Jazz, there’s something for all music lovers at this year’s Six Sundays in Fall concert series.
Sponsored by the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department and ARTS Wake Forest, our concerts conclude Sunday, Oct. 10, at 5 p.m. with Chatham Rabbit (Americana).
The PRCR Department is pleased to partner with ARTS Wake Forest to offer this autumn version of "Six Sundays in Spring." Featuring free, live, outdoor entertainment – rain or shine - Six Sundays in Fall will feature a variety of local and regional performers in the spacious E. Carroll Joyner Park Amphitheater, 701 Harris Road.
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You're invited to enjoy the vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows of autumn while also learning about native trees during a series of "Fall Foliage Tours" in early November at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road.
Urban Forestry Coordinator Luke Devores will offer the free, one-hour tours “rain or shine” on Wednesday, Nov. 3, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 6, at noon and 2 p.m.
Parents and children of all ages are welcome, and no registration is required.
Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to assemble in front of the Joyner Park Community Center.
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One of the southeast’s most popular beach music bands and a 1997 Beach Music Hall of Fame inductee, the Band of Oz returns to the Renaissance Centre on Saturday, Nov. 20, at 7:30 p.m. VIP and reserved seating are sold out, but general admission tickets are still available for $15.
The Celtic Angels, Celtic Knights, and Angel Dancers with Trinity Band Ensemble of Dublin will perform three shows over two days at the Renaissance Centre Friday-Saturday, Dec. 10-11. Friday’s performance is at 7:30 p.m., while Saturday’s shows are at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Reserved seats for all performances are $25.
Finally, brothers Christopher and Taylor will be joined by the Malpass family to share their traditions in story and song on Saturday, Dec. 18, at 7:30 p.m. Reserved seats are $25.
Don't miss your chance to see these favorites live and in person as these shows are expected to sell out. To purchase your tickets, visit our website or contact the Renaissance Centre Box Office at 919-435-9458.
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Forest Moon Theater will present The Odd Couple Friday-Sunday, Oct. 22-24, at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St. Showtimes are Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday at 3 p.m.
From stage to film to television, Neal Simon’s “The Odd Couple” has proven to be one of America’s most beloved, enduring stories of mismatched roommates. Join us for the fun when we present our take on this classic comedy, which opens as a group of the guys assemble for a poker game in the apartment of divorced Oscar Madison. (And if the mess is any indication, it's no wonder that Oscar’s wife left him.)
Late to arrive is Felix Unger, who has just been separated from his wife. Fastidious, depressed, and none too tense, Felix seems suicidal, but as the action unfolds, Oscar becomes the one with murder on his mind when the clean freak and the slob ultimately decide to room together with hilarious results.
Advance tickets are $15 plus tax for adults and $13 plus tax for students and seniors. These prices reflect a savings of $3 per adult and student/senior on “day of” admission tickets.
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The cost is $5 per player. Teams comprised of five players each will compete in the tournament which will run in conjunction with "Bull City Gaming." The top three teams in the Battle in the Forest will receive a variety of prizes and awards, including scholarships from Barton College Esports.
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From November 22-December 5, the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department will host a Virtual Bass Fishing Tournament for ages 13 and older and a Virtual Youth Fishing Tournament for ages 12 and under.
Over this two-week period, local anglers are encouraged to visit any public fishery in Wake or Franklin County to try and catch the biggest fish.
Participants in the Youth Fishing Tournament may catch any species of fish, while anglers in the Bass Fishing Tournament will be limited to bass only.
Online registration for both tournaments is available through Thursday, Nov. 4. The cost to participate is $10 for the bass tournament and $5 for the youth tourney. Participants in the bass tourney will receive a fishing scale to be used in the competition, while contestants in the youth tournament will receive an “Early Fisherman” packet.
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Provided below are 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.
Through Monday, Oct. 11
Signage and flaggers will be in place to manage traffic flow and safely direct motorists through the work area. Delays are expected, so motorists may wish to avoid the area and take an alternate route.
Monday-Friday, Oct. 11-15
On Monday, Oct. 11, Town crews will implement a new traffic pattern along South College Street and West Owen Avenue. The new design will reverse the current one-way system from south and east to west and north. As a result, drivers will be able to access West Owen Avenue from South Main Street/US 1A but prohibited from turning onto South College Street from South Avenue.
As part of the traffic reversal initiative, crews will also install three ADA compliant ramps into Holding Park, stripe new angled parking spaces, and erect new signage along the roadway. Weather-permitting, the work will be completed by Friday, Oct. 15.
Approved by the Board of Commissioners on September 21, the new traffic pattern is intended to provide easier access to Holding Park, Holding Park Aquatic Center, and the Wake Forest Community House – all located at 133 W. Owen Ave. Holding Park will remain open and accessible throughout the week of October 11. Park visitors are encouraged to park in the gravel parking lot across the street from the Community House.
Electronic message boards announcing the new traffic pattern will be set up during the week of October 4 to help alert motorists.
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The Wake Forest Police Department (WFPD) is accepting monetary donations through Saturday, Nov. 20, as part of its 15th 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 check to this year’s Turkey Drive should email Officer K. Abshire.
Officials are considering several options for safely distributing the turkeys this year. Additional information will be provided once plans are finalized.
The WFPD organized its first Turkey Drive in 2007. Since then, the department has distributed nearly 10,000 turkeys to needy families in our area, including over 800 last year.
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Fall is here and so are the cooler temperatures! The Town of Wake Forest is inviting individuals, families, churches and civic clubs to embrace autumn and join the “Show Some Love, #KeepWFclean” campaign by picking up trash in their neighborhoods and along local streets and roadways. The initiative allows volunteers to pick up litter on a one-time or ongoing basis. Participants may also choose the area they wish to clean or request direction to high need areas around town.
To aid the effort, volunteers may reserve litter kits at no charge by completing the online reservation form. Each litter kit includes reflective vests, gloves, buckets, grabbers, trash bags, data collection sheets, hand sanitizer and litter education materials. A special thanks to B&W Hardware for donating the litter kits.
Once reserved, litter kits may be picked up at the Public Works Operations Center, 234 Friendship Chapel Road, Monday-Friday, between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and must be returned within one week, unless otherwise requested. For complete details, email Sustainability Coordinator Jeanette Johnson.
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UPDATE - Show Some Love, #KeepWFclean
In late January, we launched our Show Some Love, #KeepWFclean anti-litter campaign. Since then, volunteers have checked out 89 litter kits; logged 216 hours; collected over 5,000 lbs. of trash and 1,280 lbs. of recyclables; and cleaned 30 miles of streets, eight sections of roadway and 13 sections of waterway.
We developed the infographic below to highlight our progress and express our thanks to YOU - our awesome community volunteers!
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Loose trash in trucks creates litter along Wake Forest roadways.
Help keep Wake Forest roadways clean by securing any trash in your truck bed. When you throw trash in the back of your truck, it inevitably blows out and becomes litter on the roadside. In fact, half of all litter is blown, not thrown! Roadside litter costs millions of dollars to remove, decreases property values and has a negative impact on tourism.
The NC Department of Public Safety reports that an even bigger problem is unsecured loads in the back of trucks. At high speeds, even large items can fly out and hurt or startle other drivers causing accidents. Put trash into built-in containers. Use tarps, cargo nets and tie-downs to secure any loads. #KeepWFclean
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The following monthly meeting schedule is now in effect:
Board of Commissioners Work Session
First Tuesday/month - 6 p.m.
Joint Public Hearings
First Tuesday/month - 7:30 p.m.
Planning Board Meeting
Second Tuesday/month - 6 p.m.
Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting
Third Tuesday/month - 6 p.m.
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View Town meetings live & on demand
Planning Board and Board of Commissioners meetings can be viewed both live and on demand by visiting our Public Meetings Portal. Meetings are available in streaming video for several years after their original air date and featured in a convenient scroll-down menu.
These meetings are also shown live on Wake Forest TV 10 - the Town of Wake Forest’s government access channel - then re-broadcast daily for two weeks at 9 a.m., 3 p.m., and 9 p.m.
Although WFTV 10 is available only to Wake Forest residents and businesses that subscribe to Spectrum Cable TV service, WFTV 10 is also provided online in real-time streaming video.
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Our Town is Wake Forest's free bi-monthly newsletter. Published every other month, Our Town is mailed to every home in the 27587 zip code and residents of Wakefield. If you live in one of these areas, you may have already received the latest edition in your mailbox. The cover of the current issue is shown.
PLEASE NOTE: The November/December 2021 edition of Our Town will mark the end of a 12-year run for the official Town newsletter. Beginning in 2022, Our Town will no longer be produced or published in any format. Residents are encouraged to stay informed about Wake Forest programs, services and events in a variety of ways, including email and Facebook. To view a complete listing of all the ways you can stay informed about what's happening in and around Wake Forest, visit us online.
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The Town of Wake Forest has launched a comprehensive public education campaign on proper recycling behaviors. Over the next year, #RecycleRightWF will introduce and emphasize a series of easy-to-understand messages aimed at simplifying the recycling process and improving the quality of materials residents place in their rollout recycling carts.
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The Town of Wake Forest is encouraging residents to stay informed about trash, recycling and yard waste collection by signing up for the “Waste Wizard.” The Waste Wizard is a free interactive tool that allows users to sign up for personalized trash and recycling collection reminders, download collection schedules and access online service request forms for bulk waste pickup, brush pickup and missed collections.
But that’s not all. The Waste Wizard also allows users to 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 beverage bottles, the search tool helps residents determine which items can be recycled and which ones should be thrown away.
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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. 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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You have received this e-mail because you are subscribed to E-News – part of the Town of Wake Forest’s e-mail subscription service. E-News keeps you up-to-date on Town of Wake Forest news, information, events and services. If you believe you have been subscribed in error, or would like to cancel your subscription to The Week Ahead, you may unsubscribe below.
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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