Along with the other holiday events in Wake Forest this weekend, the joint will really be jumping at the Renaissance Centre and its parking lot with a Holiday Artisans Market featuring 40-some of the most talented local artists and craft people along with extended hours – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – for the Wake Forest Farmers Market. The market and Wake Forest Arts are the sponsors for the artisans market in the center where shoppers will find fine and fun jewelry, hats, gloves, hand-painted silk scarves, handbags, totes, accessories, wood crafts, toys, ornaments, quilts, photography, candles, cookie tins, holiday bakery items, furniture, home décor, chocolates, fine painting, note cards, stockings, tree skirts, wreaths, stocking stuffers, holiday decorations, baskets, pottery, soaps, lotions and honey. The Holiday Artisans Market will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Outside shoppers can stock up on a wide selection of meats from several

The Wake Forest Police Department can now accept Shop With a Cop donations online via PayPal at www.wakeforestnc.gov/donate-to-shop-with-a-cop.aspx. Since 1999 the police department’s Shop With a Cop program has helped well over 400 less fortunate children in the Wake Forest area experience a joyous Christmas. The department raises money for the initiative through grants and donations from area citizens, churches, civic groups, and merchants. Now donations can be made conveniently and securely online. This year’s Shop With a Cop holiday shopping spree is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 14. On that day approximately 30 area children will visit the Wake Forest Police Department where they will be paired with their police officer “partners.” The kids and their partners will then be transported by bus to the Wake Forest Walmart, where each child will be given a winter coat and $175 to spend on items of their choice. Following the shopping spree,

There’s a jolly red mailbox in Jones Plaza where South White Street and East Jones Avenue meet – a mailbox dedicated to letters for Santa Claus. Children of all ages are invited to bring their letters to Santa’s Mailbox anytime between Nov. 26 and Dec. 24 for immediate delivery to the North Pole. Letters received by Thursday, Dec. 15, will receive a personal response from Santa Claus himself. No postage is required, but all letters should include a return address. Also, registration for Calls from Santa for children 3 through 9 years will begin Thursday, Dec. 1. The calls will be made Thursday, Dec. 8, from6 to 8 p.m. The registration forms will be available at town hall and online at www.wakeforestnc.gov/calls-from-santa-aspx. There is no charge for the calls which are made by a dedicated group of volunteers but the telephone number must be local. You cannot register for this

The Wake Forest Children’s Choir invites area residents to a special free holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m. at the Renaissance Centre on Brooks Street. Comprised of children of all racial, cultural, religious and economic backgrounds, the Wake Forest Children’s Choir will present an afternoon of favorite holiday songs and carols under the direction of Kasie Ryan. Special music will be performed with the Northeast Piedmont Chorale.

A new ministry at Friendship Chapel Baptist Church, Jobs for Life, hopes to transform the lives of local men and women who find it difficult to find a job. The process involves eight week of classes beginning in February at Friendship Chapel Baptist Church, reaching out to other area agencies who are helping people dealing with poverty and lack of work, and finding area businesses who are having problems finding the workers they need. Margo Grant, who is one of the leaders in Jobs for Life, was talking recently about a Youngsville company where she was hoping to place one or more of the graduates from last year’s classes and mentoring. If you know anyone who wants to work but has been stymied in his or her efforts, ask them to call Grant at 919-435-7101. Information about Jobs for Life, which was started in Raleigh but has spread world-wide through