A new event aimed at the area’s growing population of active seniors, the Senior Lifestyle Expo will happen Tuesday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Richland Creek Community Church. Admission is free and there will be free coffee and refreshments along with more than 50 exhibitor booths and informative presentations. The event is presented by Carillon Assisted Living in Wake Forest with the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce. The church is at 3229 Burlington Mills Road. “The Senior Lifestyle Expo is modeled after our very successful business expos,” Corey Hutcherson, the chamber vice president of membership, said. “It’s a way to bring together businesses that have products and services targeted to adults over the age of 50. At the same time, residents can mingle and learn about different businesses, volunteer organizations, and recreational activities that may appeal to them.” Presentations and demonstrations will be made throughout

Spring is really here even if the air is a bit cool and the Wake Forest Farmers Market is back to its regular season hours every Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon, in the Renaissance Plaza on Brooks Street. Expect to find fresh-cut flowers, bedding plants, tender spring greens, to-die-for chocolate, fair trade coffee, meats, eggs, honey, baked goods of all descriptions, pottery, jewelry, soaps, lotions and wood craft. There will be live music and crafts for children in the play tent. Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 23, when the market will almost double as it hosts local artisans and crafters for the annual Wake Forest Farmers Market Craft Fair. Check out the market and its vendors at www.wakeforestfarmersmarket.org, check it out on Facebook and call 919-671-9269 if you need more information.

During March the Wake Forest Inspections Department issued permits for 40 single-family homes and 22 townhouses, bringing the year’s total of new homes to 136. There were permits issued for two onsite construction buildings, the Rite-Aid at 2811 Rogers Road issued to Lat Purser & Associates and a Righttime Kids at 918 Gateway Commons Circle. The department also issued a building permit for the new Wendy’s at 2091 South Main Street that will be built by Qualified Builders Inc. headed by Mark Dixon. There were fit-up inspections two businesses, Floury Apron at 5107 Unicon Drive (perhaps a catering company?) and Fitlife 247 at13654 Capital Boulevard, which is Harris Crossing shopping center. Pre-occupancy inspections were done for Envision Science Academy at 4154 Shearon Farms Avenue and Warehouse Storage at 5053 Unicon Drive. Six of the 22 townhouses will be built along Grandmaster Way in the Bishops Grant subdivision by Capital City

Wake Electric and the other 25 co-ops in the network of North Carolina’s electric cooperatives have collectively pledged nearly $600,000 to the state’s teachers in Bright Ideas education grant funding for the 2016-17 school year. Educators can submit an application beginning April 1 for grants of up to $3,000 for creative, hands-on classroom projects that would not otherwise be possible. Teachers can learn more about Wake’s teacher grants at www.wemc.com and apply online at www.ncbrightideas.com. “For more than 20 years, Bright Ideas grants have helped teachers bring innovative ideas to life and get students excited about learning,” said Darnell Alford, grant program administrator “Wake Electric is committed to the communities we serve, and we believe there is no better investment than in the education of our youth.” Wake Electric expects to award $50,000 in Bright Ideas grants this year to teachers in Durham, Franklin, Granville, Johnston, Nash, Vance and Wake

During the first week of April, the special events include the Wake County Senior Games Silver Follies, a potpourri of music, dance, comedy and more held at the Garner Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, April 6, at 4 p.m. Check with the front desk about carpooling and transportation. The Northern Wake Carolina Steppers Line Dancers will perform along with the Steptacular Tappers and shaggers Garylor and Toni. Lauren and Drew Bridges, local writers and story tellers, will be at the center Tuesday, April 12, at11:30 a.m. to help you learn to tell a good story. Wednesday, April 13, is the last day to have your taxes done at the center, but you must call for an appointment. On Tuesday, April 19, staff from the Wake County Board of Elections will offer Election 101 from 10 to 11 a.m. How do jurisdictions work? What services are available to assist voters? Get