The IT’IS Foundation for Research on Information Technologies in Society of Zurich, Switzerland, and the Wireless Research Center of North Carolina (WRC), a non-profit 501(c)(3) research organization, have reached an agreement to address the need for the development of performance testing procedures for a broad range of next generation on-body, wearable, and near-body wireless devices for commercial, industrial, and medical applications. The parties will also focus on the identification of multi-institutional research opportunities, generation of joint technical publications, and identification of commercialization opportunities. As independent, non-profit research organizations, the WRC and the IT’IS Foundation share a common mission with complementary technical resources. The unique collaborative relationship established under this agreement will accelerate the pioneering efforts of both organizations leading to a more efficient development of test methodologies and a broader impact with respect to facilitating the development of emerging wireless applications over a wide range of market sectors (including medical, wellness, defense, automotive, and commercial applications). During the initial phase

Arbor Day Expo and Green Medal Awards part of day’s events Arbor Day in Wake Forest is a truly huge event. The town will receive recognition as a Tree City USA for the 36th year, will give away 1,600 tree seedlings, will host an Arbor Day Expo where local organizations provide information abut trees, gardening and the environment, and will give Green Medals of Excellence to local people, groups and businesses who protect our trees and the environment. It is all free and will take place Saturday, March 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in E. Carroll Joyner Park on Harris Road. The tree seedlings will be blackgum, wax myrtle, yellow poplar and mockernut hickory, and volunteers will be on hand to help people decide which trees will grow best in their yards. The seedling giveaway will end when supplies of the seedlings run out. The Arbor Day Expo

Living Word Family Church will offer a free medical clinic on Saturday, March 28, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The services offered include general medical, dental and vision screenings. Spanish interpretation will be provided. Medical services will be provided on a first come, first served basis. Find more details at www.lwfc.org. The church is at 10520 Star Road in Wake Forest.

The African Children’s Choir, which has performed for Queen Elizabeth II and sung alongside Paul McCartney, Annie Lennox, Keith Urban, Michael W. Smith and other performers, will be in Wake Forest for a one-night performance on Wednesday, March 25, at Friendship Chapel Baptist Church beginning at 7 p.m. The audience will be charmed by the children’s smiles, beautiful voices and lively African songs and dances. The program will feature children’s songs, traditional spirituals and gospel favorites. The concert is free and open to all, but there will be a free-will offering taken to support the choir’s programs, which include education, care and relief and development programs. Music for Life is the parent organization for the African Children’s Choir, and it works in seven African countries – Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa – where it has educated over 52,000 children and impacted the lives of more than

The semi-annual rabies and microchip clinic offered by the Wake County Animal Center will take place Saturday, March 28, from 1 to 4 p.m. in the parking lot of the Northern Regional Center on East Holding Avenue. Rabies shots will be $5 and microchips will be $10; cash only. The event will be held rain or shine. Please bring proof of prior vaccination, if applicable. All dogs must be on a leash and all cats must be in carriers. For questions, call the Wake County Animal Center at 919-212-7387.