The next R.I.S.E. workshop – Rise, Inspire, Succeed, Empower – will be held from 8 a.m. to noon at the Alston-Massenburg Center at 416 North Taylor Street. Designed for young women ages 11-18, the free workshop will be hosted by Wake Forest Commissioner Anne Reeve and Ruben Wall, director of the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department, which is sponsoring the workshop. The workshop will focus on anti-bullying and offer attendees useful strategies for standing up and speaking out against bullies. The event is free and a continental breakfast will be provided. A limited number of seats are available. Pre-registration is required at http://wakeforestnc.recdesk.com/recdeskportal/. For more information, contact Lisa Jacobs at 919-556-7063 or ljacobs@wakeforestnc.gov.

The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts will host the Paperhand Puppet Intervention on Saturday, March 4, at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. For over 15 years the Paperhand Puppet Intervention has been creating original large-scale puppet extravaganzas complete with giant puppets, masks, shadow puppets, stilt dancing, painted flats, live music and more. Their unique story style tells myths from around the world and stories that inspire audiences of all ages. Paperhand Puppet Intervention 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. For more information, visit wakeforestrencen.org or contact Renaissance Centre Specialist Debra Horton at 919-435-9566 or dhorton@wakeforestnc.gov. To receive email notifications concerning special events and programs at the Renaissance Centre, sign up for E-Notifier at www.wakeforestnc.gov/enotifier.aspx.

A high rate of sexually-transmitted diseases. A quarter of the residents are obese. Twenty-nine percent of women on Medicare do not get mammograms. Fourteen percent of its children are in homes below the poverty line. Although Wake County is ranked tops in the state in terms of the health of its residents, the state as a whole is ranked 34th across the country. Monday the Wake County commissioners set up a Population Health Task Force to create a plan to improve the county’s overall health and well-being. The plan will focus on policies and strategies to support healthy communities, active lifestyles and thriving residents. “We’re working to improve the health and well-being of all of our residents by building a culture of health in Wake County,” said Chairman Sig Hutchinson, who will serve as chair of the task force. “Our health is influenced by so many social factors. This task

Each year the local VFW post, Post 8466, sponsors two contests for middle and high school students on some aspect of patriotism and democracy. The Patriot’s Pen essay contest is open to all local middle school students, and this year there were over 150 300-word essays submitted. The winner was Maggie Wilder, second place went to Alexandra Sheffield, and the third plac went to McKenna Lloyd, all students at Franklin Academy Middle Schoo. The Voice of Democracy contest requires high school students to write and present a four- to five-minute original patriotic essay. This year’s winner is Sarah Gaug, a student at Franklin Academy High School. Students received their awards and cash February 6, 2017 at their respective schools. Awards were presented by Vice Commander Dave Martin and Committee Chairman Joe Cuska. Both essay contests are open to students from all over the United States. Contest winners are presented with

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department is gearing up for a new fitness program for special needs children and adults as well as spring ball league play for everyone. The department is beginning a monthly fitness program for special needs children and adults, Fun with Fitness. In February Fun with Fitness will introduce a different level fitness class one Saturday each month from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. at the Alston-Massenburg Center at 416 North Taylor Street. The class will feature Zumba on Feb. 18, Taekwondo on March 11 and yoga on April 15. These classes are designed to offer exceptional individuals the opportunity to learn basic exercise techniques and movements in a safe and accepting environment. A fee is associated with each class and registration is required at https://wakeforestnc.recdesk.com/recdeskportal/. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and bring a water bottle and a buddy if necessary. For

This month’s Business After Hours will be at the Hampton Inn on Wake Union Church Road from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23. There will be door prizes, hors d’oeuvres and beverages, and the inn management will show off their newly designed rooms. Magician Josh Lozoff will make a special appearance. * * * * The Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce is launching a new free program for chamber members and their guests, Issues and Answers. It is an opportunity to hear from industry experts on how the changing landscape of law, finance, taxes and insurance is affecting business today. The first event will be Tuesday, Feb. 28, in the community room at the new Wake Electric building on Franklin Street. Breakfast will be at 7:45 a.m. with the meeting starting at 8 a.m. The following topics will be discussed: Law: An overview of laws to watch in

Got the mid-winter blues? Check out the free Wake Tech classes taught by Jerry Glenn and learn how computers work, how to handle Windows 10 or how to use Office Word or Excel. Stretching the brain keeps it fit. Circle Tuesday, March 28, on your calendar. It’s the date for the 2017 Senior Lifestyle Expo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Richland Creek Community Church on Burlington Mills Road. There will be prizes and giveaways, food, health screenings and much more. Resources for Seniors and the Northern Wake Senior Center will have a booth. The Mardi Gras Dance and Fundraiser from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23, costs $5 but it helps support programs at the senior center. A DJ will provide music, refreshments are sponsored, and mask are welcome but not required. Remember there is free tax aid thanks to AARP on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from

*The Wake Forest Farmers Market will be held in Renaissance Plaza on Brooks Street Saturday, Feb. 25, from 10 a.m. to noon. See its Facebook page for vendors. *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. *Overeaters Anonymous meets on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at the Wake Forest United Methodist Church, 905 South Main Street. Enter through the back by the office. No dues, fees or weigh-ins. Everyone welcome! Contact Jennifer at 928-225-5236. *Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry at 149 East Holding Avenue is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for food distribution and serves about 700 families in Wake Forest, Youngsville, Rolesville and their surrounding areas. Call 919-556-7144 for information about receiving food, volunteering and