(This was published Wednesday, July 13, in the Greensboro News & Record.) It’s possible the legislature will be called back into session to fix Wake County commissioner and school board districts that were struck down by a federal appeals court. We hope it doesn’t happen. In the last special session March 23, the legislature came up with House Bill 2. It only needs a day to wreak havoc. Another example is Senate Bill 667, which was the perfect cover for legislative mischief: 19 pages of proposed changes to state insurance law that could put an actuary to sleep. It was introduced on March 26, 2015, passed the Senate a month later and then went into hibernation in a House committee. On June 30, 2016, it snapped to life. But not as an insurance bill. It was rearranged into an omnibus elections bill and rushed to approval in both chambers the

At a press conference in Dallas over the weekend, some police officers and surgeons and staff at Parkland Hospital spoke about their experiences. The men and women helped save the lives of those still living when they reached the hospital after the horrific shooting scene that broke up a peaceful demonstration. There was a question asking how the doctors and law enforcement officials dealt with their emotions and how they were processing the extremely difficult events of the past week. Dr. Brian H. Williams, an African American man, gave a very moving, nuanced, and profound response. You talk about the emotional impact. It’s much more complicated for me personally. It’s not just about that one night. It’s about the racial undertones that affect and impact all of this. So it began for me much before those cops came through the door that evening. I don’t know what I’m going to do about that. But right now, it is certainly a struggle. Where I’m standing with law enforcement,

The annual holiday craft show sponsored by the Wake Forest Farmers Market is being expanded. Wake Forest Arts is partnering with the market to present the 2016 Wake Forest Holiday Artisans’ Market on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts while the regular farmers market operates outside from 10 a.m. to noon. The date, Dec. 3, is also the day for the Wake Forest Christmas Historic Home Tour and the Downtown Wake Forest Holiday Open House. Artisans and crafts people who create handmade items within 75 miles of Wake Forest are invited to sell their products at the holiday market. Applications will be accepted until Aug. 31. Find vendor information at http://wakeforestarts.org/artists/artisans-market. A wide variety of hand-crafted items is expected, making this a unique gift shopping opportunity with a wide range of prices. Visit Wake Forest Arts http://wakeforestarts.org/events/wake-forest-holiday-artisans-market/ in

The 1940s brought several changes to Wake Forest even as war raged in Europe and the Pacific. In 1943, the town board hired the surveying firm of Arrington and Arrington to survey the town limits and number all the houses. Town residents voted for bond issues that improved the streets and water and sewer systems. New streets were opened – Woodland and Rayburn – and other streets – North College and South White below Elm Avenue – were extended and paved. With the help of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), the town built a swimming pool and the Community House on Owen Avenue in 1942, providing work for local unemployed men and displacing the unofficial swimming pond on the college golf course. (It was only later that, thanks to gifts from the Dr. Solomon Holding and Zua Davis families, Holding Park was built next to the pool.) In his 1943

The summer Wake Forest Food Truck Rodeo is coming your way on Sunday, July 17, from noon to 4 p.m. at The Renaissance Center in historic downtown Wake Forest.  Just about everything and anything that is served from the back of a truck will be featured from savory food and dessert vendors. A beer tent will be provided by Brooks Street Bowl. In addition, the kids have fun in the Kid’s Zone that will include face painting by Paint Savvy, road chalk, hula hoops, ball toss and bubble fun! You can also walk over to Brooks Street Bowl and get special discounts on bowling while you are there. The Food Truck Rodeo will be held rain or shine. Most of the trucks accept credit cards. The rodeo is sponsored by The Wake Weekly, JPM South Development, PNC Bank, Leaf Filter, Brooks Street Bowl, Over the Falls Restaurant, Frigi-Temp and The Boondocks