October 27, 2023

You’re invited to Wake Forest PRCR Master Plan Update open house sessions November 2 & 14

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department is in the process of updating its five-year Master Plan. Community input is the cornerstone of that process, also known as Play It Forward Wake Forest.

On Thursday, Nov. 2, and Tuesday, Nov. 14, the PRCR Department and PRCR Advisory Board will host public meetings (drop-in style open houses) where attendees can share their thoughts and opinions on needed facilities, amenities, programs, and services – and how the Town of Wake Forest should prioritize its investments in recreational offerings.

The open house sessions will take place according to the following schedule:



• Thursday, Nov. 2, 6-8 p.m.; Alston Massenburg Center, 416 N. Taylor St.
• Tuesday, Nov. 14, 6-8 p.m.; Ground Floor Meeting Room, Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St.

Both sessions will have an informal, open house-style format, so residents and stakeholders can drop in anytime from 6-8 p.m. to view displays, ask questions, and share comments.

Drug Take Back Saturday at Wegmans

The Wake Forest Police Department (WFPD) is partnering with Wegmans for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s 2023 Fall Drug Take Back Initiative this Saturday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. inside Wegmans, 11051 Ligon Mill Road. The drop-off area will be situated just inside the main Wegmans entrance facing Dr. Calvin Jones Highway/NC 98 Bypass.

Saturday’s Drug Take Back is a prescription and over-the-counter medication take-back initiative that promotes proper medication disposal. By providing a safe, convenient, and responsible way for people to dispose of unwanted pills, tablets, and other medications, the event helps prevent accidental poisonings and drug abuse, while also protecting local rivers and streams. The service is free, anonymous and no questions will be asked.

Participants can help onsite personnel properly identify and sort the medications by disposing expired, unused, or unwanted medicine in their original containers with the drug labels intact. All the medications collected during the event will be secured by law enforcement and destroyed by incineration.

Tip a Cop for Special Olympics Saturday at Red Robin

The Wake Forest Police Department (WFPD) will “serve” area residents in an entirely different way Saturday, Oct. 28, during the “Tip a Cop for Special Olympics” fundraiser. Several officers will be “working” at the Wake Forest Red Robin, 11420 Capital Blvd., from noon-8 p.m. assisting restaurant staff in taking orders and serving meals to restaurant patrons.

At the end of the day, all the tips the officers receive for their efforts will go to Special Olympics of North Carolina to support the athletes who participate in the organization’s year-round sports, health, and fitness programs.

This marks the 15th consecutive year the WFPD has participated in the Tip a Cop fundraiser. During that time, the department has raised over $22,000 for Special Olympics. For more information, contact Community Outreach Officer Robert Wilkinson.

A Message to Our Community

The Wake Forest Police Department posted the following message on social media Monday, Oct. 23.

The last several days in Wake Forest have been unusual, and troubling, to say the least. Since Wednesday, Oct. 18, we have responded to three unrelated shooting incidents in our community.

On Wednesday night, Oct. 18, we responded to a shooting along North Allen Road. Fortunately, the victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and, on Saturday, we charged four people in connection with that crime.

On Saturday night, Oct. 21, we arrested and charged a man in connection with a domestic-related shooting in the Lowes Foods parking lot. That incident ended when a bystander fired his handgun in defense of the endangered woman and her child. Thankfully, no one was injured during this incident.

The early morning shooting on Monday, Oct. 23, involved an individual who was shot and killed while attempting to break into a residence.

While terribly unfortunate, sad, and yes, scary, these shootings are especially disturbing because they occurred within a few days of one another. Though none were related, they serve as important reminders that although Wake Forest remains a safe community, we are not immune to violence and crime.

As of now, neither the person who intervened Saturday night at Lowes Foods nor the homeowner from this morning’s incident have been charged.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that both were legally armed citizens protecting themselves or a third party.

While we respect the rights conveyed by the 2nd Amendment, we strongly encourage anyone who feels threatened, including gun owners and non-gun owners alike, to call law enforcement and allow the police to respond when there is sufficient time to do so.

However, if you are a gun owner, before you find yourself in a threatening situation, we strongly urge you to fully understand the laws relating to the use of a firearm. Two of those laws - N.C.G.S. 14-51.3 and 14.51.2.

Warm Your Hearts with Coats Drive continues through Sunday

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department is now accepting new and/or clean, gently used coats and jackets through Sunday, Oct. 29, as part of its annual Warm Your Hearts with Coats Drive.

Drop Off Locations

Coats of all shapes and sizes are welcome and may be dropped off at one of the following PRCR facilities (during normal operating hours):

• Alston-Massenburg Center, 416 N. Taylor St. (Monday-Friday, Noon-8 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Sunday)
• Flaherty Park Community Center, 1226 N. White St. (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Sunday)
• Joyner Park Community Center, 701 Harris Road (Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; closed Sunday)

The Warm Your Hearts with Coats Drive is an easy, yet effective way for area residents to pass along coats and jackets they no longer need.

All donated coats will be distributed to children and teens in need of a winter jacket on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 10 a.m.-noon at the Alston-Massenburg Center (AMC). For more information, contact AMC Supervisor James Triplette.

NCSWANA names Jeanette Johnson winner of first Garby Award

The North Carolina Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America (NCSWANA) recently presented Sustainability Coordinator Jeanette Johnson (photo attached) with the first-ever Garby Award as its Young Professional of the Year. Johnson received the honor on October 18 during NCSWANA’s 2023 Fall Conference at The Cherokee Convention Center in Cherokee, NC.

According to NCSWANA, the 1st Annual Garby Awards “honor individuals and organizations who have excelled and enhanced the field of Solid Waste Management in North Carolina.” In its narrative announcing Johnson as the Young Professional of the Year, NCSWANA wrote:

“Jeanette Johnson’s passion for the overall sustainability of the environment is what makes her a great candidate for the Young Professional of the Year. Though it is her job, she lives it every moment of her life. Jeanette is constantly looking for ways to reduce all streams of the waste cycle…Where Jeanette excels and deserves this recognition is through the way she shares her knowledge, her passion, and ideas in an upbeat, fresh, and vibrant manner in which most people look forward to learning from her. Jeanette is one of the biggest cheerleaders for mother earth. Both the State of North Carolina and the Town of Wake Forest are blessed to have experience, drive and ideas showcased daily.”

Sensory-Friendly Family Movie Night at Marquee Cinemas November 16

SPIRIT Wake Forest will host a private screening of "The Marvels" (PG-13) for individuals with sensory sensitivities Thursday, Nov. 16, at 5:30 p.m. at Marquee Cinemas, 10600 Common Oaks Dr., Raleigh.

Open to people of all ages, Sensory-Friendly Movie Night will allow for stimming, pacing, and other sensory needs. In addition, SPIRIT Wake Forest will provide sound-canceling headphones and fidgets for those who need them, and the volume will be reduced for maximum enjoyment.

"We are committed to ensuring that everyone in our community can experience the joy of cinema," said Specialized Programs & Inclusion Specialist Olivia Atkinson. "We understand that for some individuals and families, the traditional movie experience can be overwhelming. That's why we've created this sensory-friendly event to provide a safe and accepting space for all moviegoers."

The cost is $5 per person and preregistration is required. Visit RecDesk (search “Sensory”). Parents, guardians, and buddies are also invited to register and attend. For those under the age of 15, a parent, guardian, or a buddy over the age of 16 is required to register and accompany them. For more information email Olivia Atkinson.

2023 Board of Commissioners Candidates Forum available online & on WFTV 10

The Wake Forest Area Chamber's Government Affairs Committee hosted the 2023 Board of Commissioners Candidates Forum on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St.

All six candidates vying for the Wake Forest Board of Commissioners (BOC) participated, including Tom Ballman, Ben Clapsaddle, Faith Cross, Joe Kimray, Jim Thompson, and Adam Wright. Each was given the opportunity to briefly explain his or her views on local issues and answer questions relevant to their professional resumes.

Wake Forest residents that subscribe to Spectrum Cable TV service can now watch the forum (provided above) on Wake Forest TV 10 (WFTV 10) daily through Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 7) at 7 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m. Area residents may also view the forum in streaming video on demand on the homepage and Voter & Election Information page of the Town website.

Halloween is (always) October 31

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.

Residents & downtown merchants invited to complete Wake Forest Downtown Plan Update survey, attend November 8 visioning workshops

The Town of Wake Forest is in the process of updating its Downtown Plan (formerly known as the Renaissance Plan for Downtown Wake Forest). The updated plan will provide recommendations and serve as a guide for future land use and development, transportation and parking, pedestrian mobility, redevelopment opportunities, and streetscape improvements throughout Downtown Wake Forest.

Visioning Workshops - November 8

Area residents and downtown businesses are invited to attend one of two visioning workshops on Wednesday, Nov. 8, at Wake Forest Fire Station #1, 420 Elm Ave., to learn more and share their thoughts and opinions on such topics as development and redevelopment, vehicular connections, pedestrian and bicycle connections, streetscape and urban design, green space and gathering space, and placemaking.

Programmed (not drop-in) sessions will be offered from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m. Since these are programmed and not drop-in sessions, attendees are encouraged to arrive a few minutes before the advertised start time.

Online Survey

In the meantime, residents and businesses are invited to complete the online survey. Available through Sunday, Nov. 12, the survey takes less than 15 minutes to complete. The results of this survey will be used in preparing the plan and for other community decision-making purposes.

Holiday Happenings easy to find on Town website

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.

Wake Forest offers a variety of yuletide events in November and December guaranteed to deliver a hearty helping of holiday spirit for your entire family.

From the Wake Forest Cares Holiday Kickoff and the Lighting of Wake Forest to Calls from Santa and Celtic Angels Christmas, the 2023 holiday season is jam-packed with fun-filled happenings guaranteed to put you in a festive mood.

You can stay current on all our holiday events by visiting and bookmarking the Tis the Season portal on the Town website. It provides easy access to event dates, times, locations, and more, so be sure to mark your calendars, so you don’t miss a thing.

Wake Forest Cares Holiday Kick-off returns to downtown November 18

Help us ring in the holiday season and launch our annual Holiday Donation Drive during the Wake Forest Cares Holiday Kick-off on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 1-5 p.m. in downtown Wake Forest! 

Free and open to the public, our Holiday Kick-Off will offer a slew of activities the entire family can enjoy, including The Carolina Hurricanes Storm Tour and Slapshot Booth, a Winter Wonderland with everyone's favorite Ice Queen and Snowman, community performances, children's craft activities, and more!  

You will also have the chance to learn more about several Wake Forest Cares initiatives and how they are making a positive difference in our community. 

Tickets selling fast for Renaissance Centre’s “Celtic Angels Christmas”

The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts will present four performances of “Celtic Angels Christmas” Friday-Sunday, Dec. 15-17. Showtimes are Friday, Dec. 15, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 16, at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 17, at 3 p.m.

Captivating audiences of all ages with the magic of the season, Celtics Angels Christmas is a joyous celebration from start to finish, encompassing vocal and instrumental holiday and Irish favorites. Paired with show-stopping world class champion Irish dancing and a fully live band, this show is sure to awe and entertain.

Stadium Seating

The Renaissance Centre will provide stadium seating for all four performances.

Tickets

Tickets ranging from $35-45 (plus tax) can be purchased online with a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover credit card. Advance tickets may also be purchased with cash, check, or credit card at the Renaissance Centre Box Office, 405 S. Brooks St. These performances are expected to sell out, so anyone interested in attending is encouraged to purchase their tickets now.

Register now for “Battle in the Forest” esports gaming tournament November 18

The Wake Forest PRCR Department will host an online eSports gaming tournament featuring the game "Street Fighter 6" on Saturday, Nov. 18. Open to players ages 13 and older, the online tournament is free to play on the PS5 platform only and will be live streamed on Twitch.tv. Registration is open through Wednesday, Nov. 15.



Participants will compete in a one-on-one, single-day, double-elimination tournament to be run in conjunction with "Bull City Gaming." The matches will be best of three with the championship match being best of five.

In the event more than 32 people register, the tournament will expand to two days with the qualifying rounds taking place on November 18 and the top eight participants battling it out in the finals on Sunday, Nov. 19.

As an added incentive, the first 30 people to register will have their name entered into a special prize drawing. Only tournament participants are eligible to win.

You're invited to complete accessibility survey as part of ADA Transition Plan Update

Furthering its commitment to accessibility, the Town of Wake Forest is in the process of updating its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan.

The ADA Transition Plan is a comprehensive approach to improving access for individuals with disabilities to Town facilities, parks, programs, services, activities, and events. Aligning with Goal 3 of the Town’s Strategic Plan, it is an important part of Wake Forest’s continued efforts to welcome and serve all members of the community.

Citizen input is a crucial part of the ADA Transition Plan process. Individuals with disabilities, along with patrons, family members, caregivers, organizations, and agencies that support individuals with disabilities, and interested individuals are invited to visit Engage Wake Forest and complete the Community Engagement Survey to share their thoughts, opinions, and experiences on accessibility to Town programs, services, activities, and facilities. The survey is available through Thursday, Nov. 30, and takes less than 10 minutes to complete.

NCFST's pay-what-you-can mobile market returns November 9

The Northern Community Food Security Team (NCFST) is partnering with Ripe for Revival to offer a monthly mobile grocery store on the second Thursday of each month from 3-5 p.m. across from the Northern Regional Center, 350 E. Holding Ave.

Offering fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy from local and regional farmers on a pay-what-you-can scale, the NCFST Mobile Market will return to 350 E. Holding Ave. Thursday, Nov. 9.

The pay-what-you-can mobile market makes fresh and local produce, proteins, dairy, eggs, and other food products accessible and affordable to all, regardless of their budget. When shopping, there are some limits on the amount of protein, dairy and eggs a consumer can purchase, but no limits on produce. Shoppers can pay any portion of the suggested total at the checkout. Both cash and card payments are accepted - but no checks.

Turkey Drive donations coming in...very...very...slowly

The Wake Forest Police Department (WFPD) is accepting monetary donations through Saturday, Nov. 18, as part of its 17th Annual Turkey Drive. Area residents can support this worthy cause by donating online.

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. All monetary donations will be used to purchase additional turkeys.

On Saturday, Nov. 18, the Police Department will accept monetary donations and donations of frozen turkeys at the WFPD Main Station, 225 S. Taylor St., from 9 a.m. until noon.

Police officers and staff will distribute the turkeys while they last on Monday, Nov. 20, from 7:30-9:30 a.m., at the Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry, 149 E. Holding Ave.

Free Paper Shredding Event November 13

The Town of Wake Forest and Skylift Garage Doors will co-sponsor a drive-thru paper shredding event on Monday, Nov. 13, from noon-4 p.m. – or until the two paper shredding trucks are full. Free and open to the public, the shred event will take place rain or shine in the parking lot of Flaherty Park, 1226 N. White St.

The occasion will offer area residents and businesses the opportunity to protect themselves from identity theft and dispose of confidential documents in an environmentally responsible manner.

All paper will be shredded on-site, then recycled. Participants are urged to help reduce contamination by removing all non-paper materials in advance, such as plastic binders, plastic folders, and metal tabs. In addition, items that can damage the equipment will not be accepted, such as wet or moist paper, hanging file folders, books (hardback or paperback), credit cards, photographs, film, DVDs, and other metals (other than staples or paper clips), boxes, batteries, computer disks or other electronic media. Please note: Junk mail does not need to be shredded. Residents and businesses can recycle junk mail in their Town-issued recycling cart. 

WFD & PAC issue Downtown Boulevard Banner “Call for Artists”

Wake Forest Downtown (WFD), Inc. and the Wake Forest Public Art Commission (PAC) are seeking local artists to submit vibrant original artwork for seasonal boulevard banners in downtown Wake Forest.

The banners will be displayed along South White Street from early January through late March 2024. The banners may also be displayed at other times as determined by the Downtown Development Director.

Selections will be chosen by a committee comprised of members of the PAC and WFD, Inc. and selected artists will receive a $100 honorarium.



The application deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 31. Selected artists will be notified by Wednesday, Nov. 15.

Get your free 2023-24 Wake Forest wall calendar

The Town of Wake Forest is again making it easy for residents to keep track of popular Town events with its new 14-month wall calendar. Now available in the lobby of Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St., and online, the free calendar offers a comprehensive listing of Town events scheduled between November 2023 and December 2024, along with the various holidays the Town will observe during that period.

The calendar is filled with dozens of photos featuring area residents enjoying local festivities ranging from Friday Night on White and the annual Easter Egg Hunt to the Independence Day Celebration and Lighting of Wake Forest – plus everything in between.

Town staff will distribute the calendars while they last at upcoming community events. In addition to Town Hall, calendars are available at other Town facilities and Wake Forest locations, including Joyner Park Community Center, 701 Harris Road; the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St.; Alston-Massenburg Center, 416 N. Taylor St., and Northern Regional Center, 350 E. Holding Ave. – just to name a few. 

Town of Wake Forest app

The Town of Wake Forest (TOWF) offers a free smartphone app that provides direct access to useful information about Wake Forest and encourages two-way communication between the Town and its residents.

Since its update earlier this year, over 5,000 Android and iPhone users have downloaded the app allowing them instant access to important information about Town programs, services and events.

Among its many functions, the TOWF app allows iPhone and Android users to:

• Receive breaking news messages;
• Utilize “SeeClickFix” for prompt action on street maintenance, lights, potholes and graffiti, using the app to send a photo and exact location of the problem;
• Access information about Town-sponsored events and events at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre;
• View Town job openings;
• Utilize the “Waste Wizard;”
• Access contact information for every Town department.

Android and iPhone users can access and install the correct version of the TOWF app by scanning the appropriate QR code below.

Tickets on sale for Renaissance Centre's 10th Anniversary Celebration Series

The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre opened in November 2013 by encouraging visitors to “Imagine the Possibilities.” Now, the Renaissance Centre (RC) is commemorating its 10-year anniversary with a series of concerts, performances, and special events designed to highlight its impact as “the place” our community gathers to celebrate and enjoy the arts.

Realizing the Possibilities

Our Realizing the Possibilities Celebration Series is underway and continues with Marcus Anderson in concert on November 18 (Sold Out), and four performances of the Celtic Angels December 15-17.

The series extends into 2024 with Mesmerizing Magic featuring Jason Hudy on January 27, Jackie Robinson: A Game Apart on February 24, the Wake Forest Film Festival March 1-2, and two concerts featuring The Drifters on April 13 (sold out).

Tickets for all these concerts, shows, and performances are on sale now and going fast.

Don't Be Scammed

While these events are opportunities to experience and enjoy top quality artists and performances, they also present openings for scammers to sell fake and/or higher-priced tickets. That’s why the Renaissance Centre (RC) is encouraging patrons to be diligent and exercise safe ticket-buying practices by always buying tickets from the source. To be certain that online tickets for RC shows are valid and that the price paid is the face-value price, purchases should always be made through the RC website.

The RC utilizes Etix as its exclusive online ticket seller. It is not affiliated with and does not cooperate with any resellers and cannot confirm the validity or stand behind tickets purchased from broker/resale sites.

Finally, anyone who purchases tickets, then wishes to sell them (for whatever reason) should contact the Renaissance Centre Box Office at 919-435-9458. The RC maintains a waitlist of people interested in purchasing tickets should they become available. 

PRCR's RecConnect available, program registration underway

The September 2023-February 2024 edition of RecConnect is now available. Hard copies of the PRCR Program Guide are available at the Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St.; Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St.; Joyner Park Community Center (JPCC), 701 Harris Road; Flaherty Park Community Center (FPCC), 1226 N. White St.; and Alston-Massenburg Center (AMC), 416 N. Taylor St.

Check out RecConnect for complete details on recreational programs, events, and activities for all age groups, including preschool, youth, and adult, scheduled from September 2023 through February 2024.

Wake Forest Farmers Market

The Wake Forest Farmers Market is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating our community about the value of local farms and the importance of local food systems.

From October-March, the Farmers Market operates Saturdays from 10 a.m.-noon along South Taylor Street behind the Wake Forest Town Hall.