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

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

For everyone who would like to be a member of the Wake Forest Planning Board or has aspirations toward the town board, your first step will begin in February. It is the Wake Forest Planning Board Academy and applications will be accepted through Friday, Dec. 30. The Planning Board Academy is a comprehensive training program designed to prepare residents of the town and its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) to serve as members of the Wake Forest Planning Board. Applications may be completed and submitted online by visiting www.wakeforestnc.gov/planning-board-academy.aspx. Applications are also available at town hall, 301 S. Brooks St. Academy participants are expected to attend one training session one evening per month from February through May 2017. The session dates are Feb. 13, March 13, April 10, and May 8. Each session is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. at town hall and will include dinner. Class size is limited, and

Wednesday, Dec. 14, there will be a Meals on Wheels County Wide Christmas Celebration. Sign up at the front desk by Dec. 9 and bring a dish to share on the day. Also, each year Resources for Seniors sponsors a Holiday Dreams Program to help seniors during the holiday season. To participate, you are asked to purchase a Christmas ornament or more than one at the front desk. The ornaments will be placed on the tree in the lobby. Items will be purchased from participants’ wish lists and they will receive their gifts before Christmas. If you have questions, please call the center. There are two new interest groups at the center, a drama group which meets Fridays from 3 to 5 p.m. and a contract rummy and golf card games which meets Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. Also there is a new support group for Parkinson’s disease, which meets at

*The Wake Forest Farmers Market will be open in the Renaissance Plaza parking lot on Saturday, Dec. 10, with its winter hours, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. *Monday Night Bingo at The Factory is hosted by the Wake Forest Kiwanis Club in the Mill Room from 7 to 9:30 p.m. every Monday night. All profits support the club’s projects for children. Visit www.wakeforestbingo.com for more information. . ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Christmas in Wake Forest **Saturday, Dec. 10, 1 p.m. The Wake Forest Christmas Parade will delight thousands as it winds through the historic downtown district. **Saturday, Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m. A Christmas Jubilee Concert featuring the Fabulous Equinox Orchestra will entertain at the Renaissance Centre. Advance tickets of $15 and $13 for students and seniors will go on sale soon. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ *Storytelling Pajama Night featuring Rags to Riches Theatre will be held Friday, Dec. 16, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. It is