“Birds can’t talk, but they are sending an urgent message,” says Lena Gallitano, a local, state, and National Audubon Society leader.  “Our planet needs help.” To emphasize this message more clearly, Gallitano will lead a community workshop, “Creation Care: A Bird’s Perspective,” at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, Feb. 13, from 9:30 to12 noon in the fellowship hall. The program will include a talk on the future status of birds while exploring Audubon North Carolina conservation initiatives to create bird-friendly communities throughout the state. Participants will develop personal Creation Care “action plans” that will help each individual make a difference, not only for birds but for the world as well. “Whether you come to this project as a nature lover, a concerned citizen, or someone who wants to leave a better world for your children and grandchildren, it will take all of us acting together to secure a better

Once again the Wake Forest Rotary Club and the Wake Forest High School Band Boosters are teaming up to keep you roaring with laughter during A Night of Comedy on Saturday, Feb. 27. From 6:30 to 10:30 at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, they will provide comedians – will WRAL-TV’s Greg Fischel be back as emcee? – live music, heavy hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, raffles and a silent auction. It is of course designed to separate you from some of your money, money they two organizations will split to help run their charities and events. The entertainment is the honey, and it is a great way to spend a cold Saturday night. Tickets are $30 each, but only 250 are available so act quickly. You will find all that information at www.wakeforestcomedynight.com.

On Saturday, May 14, the Wake Forest Garden Club will host its Mad Hatters Tea Party & Art Market at the Wake Forest Historical Museum, 414 North Main Street. The tea will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes a plated afternoon tea with optional garden seminars featuring Christina Harvey from the Audubon Society and Helen Yoest, a garden journalist, at 10 and 11 am. Tickets are $15 and are available at The Cotton Company and Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce ahead of the event and the museum the day of event. There is no charge for the outdoor activities. Shop the art market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and browse through pottery, paintings, jewelry, candles, fabric arts and plants. A car show will feature classic cars owned by local car aficionados. Enjoy an ensemble from the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra during the day as well. Proceeds

*Make or buy masks for yourself and the children and be sure to be in downtown Wake Forest Saturday, Feb. 6, for town’s Mardi Gras. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. the free event will feature a people’s parade, contests, food and fun. See article in this week’s issue for more details. *The Wake Forest Farmers Market will be open in Renaissance Plaza on Saturday, Feb. 6, with its usual winter hours, 10 a.m. to noon. *The annual Koinonia Foundation banquet and auction will take place Saturday, Feb. 6, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at The Forks Cafeteria. See article in this issue for details. *A Special Needs Valentine Party will be hosted by the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department on Saturday, Feb. 6, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre on Brooks Street. See article in this week’s issue for details. *Heritage High