The United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s “Hungry Pests” campaign has partnered with the Nature Conservancy’s “Don’t Move Firewood” initiative to declare October as the first-ever “Firewood Awareness Month.” Designed to raise public awareness about firewood movement as a pathway for forest pests and diseases, Firewood Awareness Month is also an opportunity for citizens to better understand how their firewood choices can slow the spread of forest pests. Moving firewood long distances can spread invasive forest pests hidden in or on the wood. For example, the appearance of the emerald ash borer in new locations throughout North Carolina is a reminder of what can happen when invasive pests are inadvertently moved with firewood. The USDA, APHIS, and the Nature Conservancy are urging citizens to recognize their firewood choices matter and understand they can help slow the spread of tree-killing pests by following these steps: Always buy

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation, & Cultural Resources department will host a Special Needs Family Bingo Night on Friday, Oct. 14, at 6:30 p.m. at the Wake Forest Community House, 133 W. Owen Ave. This free event will offer exceptional children and their families the opportunity to play bingo, eat, and socialize in a safe and accepting environment. There is no cost to participate, but a parent or caretaker must accompany each child. Concessions, including popcorn and soft drinks, will be available for purchase, but attendees are invited to bring their favorite snack. For more information about Special Needs Family Bingo Night, contact Specialized Recreation Specialist Kelly Schurtz at 919-556-7093 or kschurtz@wakeforestnc.gov.

Along with 30 new homes – 25 single-family and five townhouses – the Wake Forest Inspections Department issued permits for two new commercial buildings and for additions or renovations to existing commercial buildings. The missing building permit is the one to allow Lidl, the German discount grocery store giant, to build on the 3 acres in the southwest corner where the N.C. 98 Bypass crosses South Main Street. Assistant Planning Director Charlie Yokley says that will not be issued until the town’s Design Review Board approves the design of the new building. The board will meet on Thursday, Oct. 13. Meanwhile, a contractor is completing the clearcutting of all the trees on the lot and the disposal of all the logs, the limbs and the resulting mulch. A Rainbow Childcare Center will be built on one of the outparcels at the Gateway Commons shopping center on the side close to

The Wake Forest Civitan Club is once again pre-selling its delicious and plump first crop pecans and other specialty nuts. A one-pound bag of shelled pecans is $12. For more information concerning the specialty nuts and/or to place an order, contact Betty Rothman at 919-435-6115.  Please place your order by Oct. 8.

The Wake Forest Historic Preservation Commission and the Wake Forest Woman’s Club will present their biennial Christmas Historic Home Tour on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 1 to 7 p.m. Advance tickets are now on sale for $18 including tax at the following locations: The Cotton Company, 306 South White Street For Old Times Sake Antiques, 223 South White Street NC General Store, 150 South White Street Ollies, 213 South White Street Page 158 Books, 158 South White Street Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce, 350 South White Street Wake Forest Historical Museum, 414 North Main Street Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 South Brooks Street Tickers are for sale online at www.wakeforestnc.gov/christmashometour.aspx. There are only 2,000 tickets to ensure the best possible experience for everyone and may not be available for purchase on the day of the tour. Well-mannered children under the age of 12 will be admitted free. Offered only in even-numbered years,

There will soon be vacancies on all of the Wake Forest town advisory boards, 13 in all, aside from the Youth in Government Board which is filled for the school year. This is an opportunity for everyone who wants t make a difference and help the town. Applications will be accepted through Friday, Oct. 21, for appointments to these boards: Board of Adjustment Cemetery Cultural Resources Design Review Greenway Historic Preservation Human Relations Planning Public Art Recreation Senior Center Technology Urban Forestry Only residents who live in Wake Forest or within its extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) are eligible to fill seats on the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment. Candidates for the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) must reside in the Historic District, in Wake Forest, or within its ETJ. Professionals with historic preservation expertise are especially encouraged to apply for the HPC. Applications are available on the town’s website at www.wakeforestnc.gov/advisory-boards.aspx

The Town of Wake Forest is seeking feedback from residents concerning Ailey Young Park and the improvements they would like to see implemented at the facility. From now through Tuesday, Nov. 1, visit www.wakeforestnc.gov/ailey-young-park.aspx to share your thoughts and opinions. The survey takes approximately five minutes to complete. For more information, contact Transportation Planner John-Paul Zitta at 919-435-9512 or jzitta@wakeforestnc.gov.

Excited by this year’s election? Debating and arguing about it with friends? Well, are you ready to vote? Are you registered? You have until close of day Friday, Oct. 14, to register to vote, which is almost painless though it does take some time. You do have to show identification to register, which can be either a driver’s license or a rent or mortgage statement showing your name and address. It does not have to be a photo ID. Also a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit reversed North Carolina’s law requiring photo ID to vote. You can find a voter registration form at the North Carolina State Board of Elections (www.ncsbe.gov) or at the Raleigh office (www.wakegov.com/elections) and the last date to register is Friday, Oct. 14. Voter registration forms are also available at public libraries, public schools, DMV offices and Wake County

Wake Forest and Rolesville residents will be able to vote early on two Sundays, three Saturdays and all weekdays at convenient locations for the two weeks of early voting in October. Voters can go to the Wake County Northern Regional Center on East Holding Avenue in Wake Forest for the first and second weeks of voting – Thursday,  Oct. 20 through Saturday, Nov. 5. During the second week – Thursday, Oct. 27 through Saturday, Nov. 5 – voters can go to New Bethel Baptist Church on East Young Street in Rolesville. There are also early voting sites in Wendell and Zebulon. It did not begin that way. In September, after a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit found in late July that North Carolina’s 2013 voting law intentionally restricted the voting rights of African American voters, the three-man Wake County Board of Elections voted

The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts will host Storytelling Pajama Night on Friday, Oct. 14, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Children of all ages are invited to attend the free event featuring multiple award-winner and local storytelling favorite Donna Washington. In Donna’s own words, “Every story I tell is true, except for the parts I make up.” No registration is required, and hot chocolate will be served. The event is part of the Renaissance Centre’s Arts for All free community performance series, which is supported by United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County. The Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St., will host a second Storytelling Pajama Night on Friday, Dec. 14, featuring Rags to Riches Theatre. For more information about Storytelling Pajama Night, visit www.wakeforestnc.gov/storytelling-pajama-night.aspx or contact Renaissance Centre Specialist Debra Horton at 919-435-9566 or dhorton@wakeforestnc.gov.