The Wake Forest Police Department is warning area residents not to be fooled by scammers impersonating IRS investigators. In recent days the police department has received numerous reports from residents about callers claiming to be from the IRS telling the intended victims they owe taxes and must pay using a credit card, bank account draft, pre-paid debit card or wire transfer. The scammers threaten those who refuse to pay with arrest, deportation or loss of a business or driver’s license. Potential phone scam victims may be told they owe money that must be paid immediately to the IRS or they are entitled to big refunds. When unsuccessful the first time, sometimes phone scammers call back trying a new strategy. The callers who commit this fraud often share the following characteristics: Use common names and fake IRS badge numbers. Know the last four digits of the victim’s Social Security number. Make

Christmas is coming fast and members of the police department want to make sure it is a happy one for about 30 local children. For the seventeenth year, since 1999, Officer K.C. Warren has been organizing Shop with a Cop every Christmas season, and this year’s shopping spree will take place Wednesday, Dec. 16. The children will go to the department and be paired with their police officer “partners” and then driven to the Wake Forest Wal-Mart. Each child will be given $175 to spend on a winter coat and other items they choose. Afterward, everyone will enjoy a pizza party. Shop with a Cop was created to help less fortunate boys and girls in the Wake Forest area experience a joyous Christmas. Since1999, the program has helped well over 400 local children. The Wake Forest Police Department raises money for Shop with a Cop by sponsoring several fundraisers each

Proving Wake Forest still is a small town, Santa and Mrs. Claus make phone calls to local children early every December. Your child or children if they are between 3 and 9 can receive a call. The callers’ names are secret. They will meet this year Thursday, Dec. 10, and place the calls between 6 and 8 a.m. Every child should be preparing or in bed at 8. To arrange for a call, you can get a registration form from the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department in Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 Brooks Street, or download a registration form from the town website, www.wakeforestnc.gov, after Dec. 1. The completed forms must be returned to the parks and recreation office by 5 p.m. Dec. 10. There is no charge, but all calls must be local. For more information, call 919-435-9560 or email Monica Lileton, mlileton@wakeforestnc.gov.  

Forest Moon Theater will present “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” Dec. 11-13 at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts, 405 Brooks Street. Show times are Friday, Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 13; 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. It’s time for the annual church Christmas pageant, but this year the couple in charge must cast the horrible Herdman kids – some of the most awful children in town. The results provide plenty of Pepto-Bismol moments – and fun – when the Herdman herd brings new meaning to the Christmas spirit. This family comedy is based on the only story to ever run twice in McCall’s Magazine. 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 “day of” admission tickets. For more information, visit www.wakeforestnc.gov/renaissance-centre.aspx

The Wake Forest Farmers Market will be open for extra hours – from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – on Saturday, Dec. 5, for the annual craft show with over 16 local artisans joining the regular vendors at the market. You will find one-of-a-kind gifts for special people as well as items you will treasure. The regular vendors will be there with a great variety of meats – beef, chicken, pork, lamb, goat, rabbit and turkey – and you can purchase eggs, honey, baked goods, jam, soap, lotions, arts and crafts, and pottery. After this special market, the farmers market will be closed Saturday, Dec. 12, because of the Wake Forest Christmas Parade that takes over most of the downtown area. The market will return Dec. 19. The Wake Forest Farmers Market has a permanent home in Renaissance Plaza at 405 Brooks Street. For up-to-date information about vendors and weekly