October 20, 2023

Saturday's Mental Wellness & Self Care Fair to address depression, suicide, wellness dimensions & more

The Town of Wake Forest and several community partners will host a Mental Wellness & Self Care Fair Saturday, Oct. 21, from 1-4 p.m., at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St.

Event Overview

Led by Commissioner Nick Sliwinski, the fair will raise awareness about mental wellness and share information about programs, services, and resources available to loved ones who may be suffering from untreated or undertreated mental illness.

View the Schedule

Offering activities for children and teens, as well as information for families, seniors, and veterans, the fair will feature presentations and breakout sessions on a variety of topics, including depression, suicide, holiday grief, veterans’ services, and the dimensions of wellness.

Several vendors will also be onsite from local organizations, agencies, and non-profits that provide services in the areas of mental health, health care, social services, and more.

Free food will be provided – while it lasts, and the Northern Community Food Security Mobile Market will be parked in the Renaissance Centre parking lot throughout the event.

Preregistration for the Mental Wellness & Self Care Fair is encouraged - but not required - by completing the online signup form.

Make plans to attend Thursday's Halloween Boo Bash at Joyner Park

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department will host the 2023 Halloween Boo Bash Thursday, Oct. 26, from 4:30-7 p.m. at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road.

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, and free pumpkin giveaways - while supplies last. Costumes are optional, but best costumes may be featured on the Town website and social media pages.

View/Download Event Map

The following food and dessert trucks will be onsite during this year's Boo Bash: Lumpy's, Crazy Beans Coffee, Crumbstruction, Mamma Churros, Kettle Corn, and Smith's Smokehouse & Smoothies.

By the way...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.

Automatic license plate reading cameras help WFPD solve, reduce & prevent crime

The Wake Forest Police Department (WFPD) is partnering with Flock Safety to lease 25 automatic license plate reading (ALPR) cameras to help solve, reduce, and prevent crime in our community. 

Connected to state and national crime databases, the ALPR system provides real-time alerts to officers when a stolen or wanted vehicle passes a license plate reading camera. It also looks for vehicles linked to missing persons or Amber alerts.

Within 24 hours of activation on September 28, 2023, Wake Forest’s ALPR network helped WFPD recover three stolen vehicles. Since then, the system has aided in the recovery of six other reported stolen vehicles - all of which had been entered in the national crime database. The license plate readers have also been instrumental in locating a missing juvenile, recovering a firearm, and serving several outstanding warrants.

In addition to taking a photo of the license plate, the Flock Safety cameras capture the type, make, and color of a vehicle, along with other unique vehicle characteristics. The cameras do not include facial recognition capabilities and are not used for traffic enforcement.

Images obtained by the cameras are Criminal Justice Information Services compliant and automatically deleted every 30 days, by default.

According to the Flock website, its ALPR cameras are being used in approximately 3,700 communities nationwide.

NCDOT schedules overnight road resurfacing along Durham Road/NC 98 & East Roosevelt/Wait Avenue

On select dates through October 24, work on a Durham Road/NC 98 and East Roosevelt/Wait Avenue resurfacing project will require a series of overnight lane closures. Fred Smith Co., a private contractor working on behalf of NCDOT, will reduce to one lane with intermittent two-way traffic portions of the following roads from 7 p.m.-6 a.m.:

• Durham Road/NC 98 from Capital Boulevard/US 1 to the South Main Street/US 1A roundabout. Please note: This work will also prohibit on-street parking along South Avenue from Wingate Street to the South Main Street/US 1A roundabout.
• East Roosevelt Avenue/Wait Avenue from South Avenue to just beyond Dunn Creek.

Project Overview

Weather permitting, the work will continue on the following dates in October: 22, 23, and 24.

The lane closures are necessary to allow crews to resurface the roadway. Signage and flaggers will be in place to manage traffic flow and safely direct motorists through the work areas. Signage and cones will also be in place to prohibit on-street parking.

Delays are expected, so motorists are encouraged to avoid the area if possible and take an alternate route. Please note: Access to all driveways and parking lots will be maintained at all times.

The contractor is starting work at 7 p.m. each evening to reduce the impact on travelers and make the work safer for crews. 

PRCR announces upcoming opportunities for continued community participation in Master Plan Update

In July, the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department began the process of updating its Master Plan.

We Want Your Input!

Community input is the cornerstone of the Master Plan process. In November, the PRCR Department will host two public meetings (drop-in style open houses) where attendees will be asked for their input concerning the need for facilities, amenities, programs, and services – and how the Town of Wake Forest should prioritize its investments in recreational offerings.

These 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.

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.

Warm Your Hearts with Coats Drive continues through October 29

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department is now accepting new and/or clean, gently used coats and jackets through October 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.

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.

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.

But first - the mobile market will make a special appearance at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre during the Mental Wellness & Self Care Fair on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 1-4 p.m.

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.