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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UPDATE - Show Some Love, #KeepWFclean
In late January, we launched our Show Some Love, #KeepWFclean anti-litter campaign. Since then, volunteers have checked out 56 litter kits; logged 91 hours; collected over 4,400 lbs. of trash and 1,200 lbs. of recyclables; and cleaned 25 miles of streets, eight sections of roadway and 12 sections of waterway.
We developed the infographic above to highlight our progress and express our thanks to our awesome community volunteers!
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The Wake Forest Human Relations Council (HRC) is soliciting youth and adult nominations for the annual Good Neighbor of the Year Award. The award recognizes Wake Forest residents who work to improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods without seeking recognition for their efforts.
Nominees are sought in two divisions: adult (ages 19 and older) and youth (ages 10-18). To qualify, a nominee must be a Wake Forest resident who has made a significant contribution to the community between Sept. 1, 2020, and Aug. 31, 2021. Employees of the Town of Wake Forest are not eligible.
The online nomination form is now available. Completed nomination forms must be submitted by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31. Nominations must include the names of both the nominator and the nominee, along with a narrative of 400 words or less describing why the nominee is deserving of the Good Neighbor of the Year Award.
Mayor Vivian Jones will present a commemorative plaque to this year’s winners. Mayor Jones typically presents the award during Good Neighbor Day, which is usually scheduled each year on the third Saturday in September. In April, this year’s event was canceled due to the uncertainty surrounding COVID. It is expected to resume in 2022.
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The Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department will host Family Movie Nights at Joyner Park on Saturday, July 24, and Saturday, Aug. 7. Free and open to the public, the series will feature the films “Aladdin” on July 24 and “Black Panther” on August 7. Both will be projected on a 26-foot inflatable movie screen in the Joyner Park Amphitheater, 701 Harris Road.
Showtime is 8:30 p.m. Anyone planning to attend is urged to arrive early as viewing space may be limited.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic basket, cooler, blanket and/or chairs, but alcohol, smoking and unleashed pets are prohibited. No food vendors will be on site selling snacks and refreshments.
In the event of rain, Family Movie Night may be moved inside Joyner Park Community Center, 701 Harris Road. Updates will be posted on the Town website, Nextdoor site and Facebook page. Smart phone users who have downloaded the Town of Wake Forest app will also receive a push notification message concerning any schedule changes.
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The Town of Wake Forest is inviting local companies interested in learning more about “doing business” with the Town and its community partners to a How to Do Business Networking, Reception & Table Expo on Tuesday, Aug. 24. Designed to connect attendees with purchasing directors and project managers from several state and local agencies and organizations, the event is scheduled from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St.
Over 15 community partners have been invited to attend and share information about the types of contracts they award, their bidding and award processes, and details about upcoming projects. Among the community partners invited to participate are the NC Department of Transportation, NC Department of Administration’s Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB), Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake County, Wake Tech, the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce, Town of Youngsville and Town of Rolesville.
Doors open and networking begins at 10 a.m. A formal presentation and discussion is scheduled from 10:30 a.m.-noon featuring presenters from the Town of Wake Forest, HUB, NCDOT Office of Civil Rights, Wake County, and Wake Tech. Networking will then resume from noon-2 p.m.
The Town is encouraging businesses to RSVP if they plan to attend. The event is free, but attendees may pre-order a box lunch for $10.
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In case you missed it - or enjoyed it so much you want to experience it again, here’s our entire 2021 Fireworks Spectacular, including both the pre-show and full fireworks display!
The video is also provided on our website homepage and airs daily on WFTV 10 at 8 am, noon, 2 pm, 6 pm and 8 pm. WFTV 10 is available to Wake Forest residents and businesses that subscribe to Spectrum Cable TV service. It is also provided online in real-time streaming video.
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You can make a difference in our community by applying to fill the vacancy on the Technology Advisory Board (TAB). All residents of Wake Forest and its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) are eligible to apply.
The purpose of the TAB is to advise the Town in all areas related to technology. It also endeavors to spur economic development through technological growth by collaborating with business, industry, non-profits, public institutions and citizens.
Applicants will be expected to attend the next scheduled TAB meeting on Monday, July 26, to introduce themselves and discuss why they wish to serve. The board will convene at 6:30 p.m. in the Wake Forest Town Hall Ground Floor Meeting Room, 301 S. Brooks St. The room is most easily accessed via the building’s Taylor Street entrance.
Following the interviews on July 26, the TAB will review its slate of candidates before submitting its recommendation to the Board of Commissioners (BOC). The Board will announce the new appointment during its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 17. The selected applicant will fill the vacated seat and their term will commence immediately.
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The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department will host an online Esports gaming tournament featuring "Fortnite" on Saturday, July 24. Free and open to players ages 12 and older, the “Battle in the Forest” will be played online and live streamed on Twitch.tv. Registration is open through Wednesday, July 21.
Teams comprised of two players each will compete in what is scheduled to be a double-elimination tournament to be run in conjunction with "Bull City Gaming." In the event more than 32 teams register, the tournament will expand to two days with the qualifying rounds taking place on Saturday, July 24, and the top eight teams battling it out in the finals on Sunday, July 25.
Developed by Epic Games and released in 2017, Fortnite is a free-to-play Battle Royale game with numerous game modes for every type of game player. For more information, email Community Center Supervisor Grayson Pridgen.
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Online registration for Men’s Fall and Open Co-Recreational softball is underway and continues through July 31. Registration information is also available at the Joyner Park Community Center, 701 Harris Road.
The Men’s Fall Recreational Softball League is limited to Class E teams and lower. League play is scheduled to begin in mid-August and continue through mid-October with games played on Monday and Wednesday evenings. The entry fee is $550 per team.
The Open Co-Recreational Softball League is also scheduled from mid-August to mid-October, with games played on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The entry fee is $550 per team.
Anyone interested in participating who does not have a team can sign up as a free agent, then assigned to a team in need of players. Register as a free agent by completing the online registration form. For more information, email Recreation Specialist KP Kilpatrick.
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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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Mark your calendars! The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre will begin selling tickets for the 2021-22 fall and winter season on Monday, July 19, at 8 a.m.
Popular performers, including Legacy Motown Revue, Band of Oz, and Celtic Angels, will return to the Renaissance Centre stage later this year. Don't miss your chance to see your favorites live and in person as many of these shows are expected to sell out fast.
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The Wake Forest Fire Department (WFFD) will commence its year-long Centennial Celebration with a special flag-raising ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 4, at 11 a.m. The commemoration will take place in Town Hall’s Centennial Plaza, 301 S. Brooks St.
The highlight of the ceremony promises to be the unveiling and installation of the fire department’s new centennial flag by members of the WFFD Honor Guard. The occasion will also include brief remarks by Mayor Vivian Jones and Fire Chief Ron Early.
Following the ceremony, the public is invited to an Open House and Hot Dog Luncheon at Fire Station #1, 420 Elm Ave., from noon-2 p.m. During the festivities, WFFD personnel will serve free hot dogs, chips, and beverages (while they last) and host free tours of the fire station.
The fire department will also showcase an array of photos, documents, equipment and other memorabilia that illustrate the service and commitment of Wake Forest firefighters since 1921.
Plans for the flag-raising ceremony and open house are still being developed and additional information will be provided in the coming days. For updates, visit our website.
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The July/August 2021 edition of Our Town is now available. Click on the cover image on the right to view the latest issue in digital format.
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 should 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 can 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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In January the Town of Wake Forest announced that residents can schedule up to two free bulk waste collections per year. After that, collections will be billed at $50 each.
On July 1, the Town started implementing the two free bulk waste collections per year policy. Any bulk waste collections scheduled and performed prior to July 1 will be counted.
Again, residents may schedule up to two free bulk waste collections per year. After that, collections will be billed at $50 each. Residents are encouraged to maximize their free bulk waste collections by including several items in each scheduled pickup.
Public Works officials wish to remind residents that bulk waste is collected weekly from 7 a.m. Tuesday to approximately 5 p.m. Wednesday. Anyone who schedules a bulk waste collection whose bulk waste has not been picked up by 5 p.m. Wednesday should complete and submit the Missed Collection Report form.
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Due to the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, the Town of Wake Forest relaxed a number of temporary sign enforcement activities over the past year as a means of supporting local businesses during the pandemic. Now that conditions are improving and North Carolina’s restrictions have been lifted, the Town has resumed all temporary sign enforcement regulations.
A key component in the effort to ensure signage does not become a public hazard, public nuisance, or traffic hazard, signage enforcement also serves to protect and enhance the overall appearance of Wake Forest. Information related to permitted sign types are outlined in Chapter 11 of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).
Also during the pandemic, many businesses introduced temporary creative solutions to increase their outdoor seating capacity, create customer pick-up zones, or address other needs. Starting today, Planning staff will begin contacting these businesses and property owners to discuss transitioning away from these temporary measures.
Businesses or property owners wishing to make such changes permanent are urged to contact the Planning Department at 919-435-9510 to determine whether modifications are possible and, if so, initiate the approval process. The process typically takes several weeks to complete, so anyone considering making temporary changes permanent is urged to begin the process now.
For more information about the sign permitting and approval processes, review the UDO or email Emma Linn, Planner I-Development Services. For more information about the site modification process, contact Senior Planner Patrick Reidy.
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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 Public Works Department is reminding residents to bag your trash, but not your recyclables. Officials say all trash should be bagged before being placed in the rollout cart to prevent flyaway litter as the trash cart is emptied into the trash truck.
On the other hand, recyclables should not be bagged or bundled before being placed in the recycling cart. Recyclables should be dropped loosely into the cart which helps when the items are being sorted at the recycling facility.
Finally, officials encourage residents to reference the “Waste Wizard” whenever they are uncertain as to whether an item is recyclable. Available on the Town website and as a function of the Town app, the Waste Wizard 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.
Waste Wizard also 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. For more information, email Sustainability Coordinator Jeanette Johnson.
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The Town of Wake Forest is accepting applications for the 2021 Citizens Planning Academy through 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 2.
The Citizens Planning Academy (CPA) is designed to educate residents of Wake Forest and its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) about the Town’s planning processes and practices. CPA topics will emphasize public hearings procedures, legislative and quasi-judicial decisions, the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), transportation planning, historic preservation, architectural review and more.
Applications must be completed and submitted online. Anyone without access to a computer is invited to complete the application by using a computer kiosk in the lobby of Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St. Only residents of Wake Forest and the Town’s ETJ are eligible to participate.
Academy participants will be expected to attend four training sessions on the following Mondays: September 13, September 20, September 27, and October 4. In the event one of the classes is canceled due to inclement weather or for some other reason, a make-up session may be offered on Monday, Oct. 11. Each session will be scheduled from 6-8 p.m. at the Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St., and will include dinner starting at 5:30 p.m. Sessions will be taught by the Planning Department staff and guest speakers.
Class size is limited, and pre-registration is required. Selected applicants will be notified no later than Friday, Aug. 13. For more information, email Senior Planner Patrick Reidy.
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North Carolina's original celebration of Purple Heart heroes returns Saturday, Aug. 7, with a Reunion Picnic in Wake Forest.
The 12th annual tribute hosted by the Wake Forest Purple Heart Foundation invites the public to honor those wounded in defense of this country. The "Reunion Picnic" is 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at Richland Creek Community Church's soccer field, 3229 Burlington Mills Rd, Wake Forest.
In addition to Purple Heart Medal recipients and their families, the event is open to all veterans, military families and the public. The most recent celebration in 2019 saluted 80 Purple Heart recipients from around the Triangle. (The banquet was not held in 2020 due to COVID restrictions.)
The guest speaker is 1st Lt. Patrick "Clebe" McClary, USMC (retired) of Pawleys Island, S.C. While serving in Vietnam, McClary was severely wounded – losing his left arm and left eye – but continued to lead his platoon. He is recipient of three Purple Hearts, the Silver Star and the Bronze Star among others.
This year's reunion also features a picnic lunch, music, games for kids and patriotic tributes.
Order tickets ($25 each) online or via email. If you'd like to donate the cost of a ticket for a veteran's guest, contributions may be made payable to Wake Forest Purple Heart Foundation, P.O. Box 168, Wake Forest, NC, 27588.
Sponsors are needed to make this tribute possible. Sponsorship levels are Gold ($2,000+), Purple ($1,000), Blue ($500), White ($250) and Red ($100). For details, visit the website or call 919-760-3520.
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The Town of Wake Forest recently 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.
“Recycling is not only the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do,” said Sustainability Coordinator Jeanette Johnson. “#RecycleRightWF represents a major step forward for recycling in our community. We know our residents want to recycle the right way. Through this campaign, we plan to help them do just that.”
Over the past few years, Town officials have witnessed a steady increase in the amount of contaminated recyclables in recycling carts throughout Wake Forest. To some degree, the surge is the result of confusing guidelines which can lead to mistakes, apathy, and skepticism about recycling. While the national contamination rate is just under 20 percent, Wake Forest is joining a growing number of municipalities working to combat the problem through its new public education campaign.
#RecycleRightWF will provide Wake Forest households with direct mail pieces and social media messaging, as well as concentrated feedback efforts that address contamination. Messaging will consistently remind residents who recycle to “Stick with These 6” - plastic bottles, jugs, and jars; metal cans; paper; and cardboard, and “Never These 9” - plastic bags, food waste, cups, to-go containers, paper towels, tiny things, plastic packaging, Styrofoam and gloves/masks.
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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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What makes Wake Forest such a wonderful place to live, work and play? Check out our new video for just a few of the reasons so many people love calling Wake Forest "home."
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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.
Ongoing
Fred Smith Company, a contractor working at the future Regency at Heritage, is periodically reducing to one lane with alternating two-way traffic the portion of Forestville Road from Foxwild Lane to Song Sparrow Drive daily from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The periodic lane closures are necessary to allow crews to perform roadway widening and frontage improvements.
Signage and cones are in place managing traffic flow and safely directing motorists through the work area. Delays are expected, so motorists may wish to avoid the area and take an alternate route.
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Kids Say the Cutest Things is back, and this time they're talking about the harmful effects of litter. Please join these kids and the Town of Wake Forest in the fight against litter by properly disposing of your trash and encouraging others to do the same!
In the words of one of these kids, "Be a good citizen," and #KeepWFClean.
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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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