If you’re interested in how the Town of Wake Forest is managing our area’s explosive population growth, then don’t miss the upcoming session of “Wake Up Wake Forest.” The Town of Wake Forest and the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce will present the second in the series of morning information seminars on Tuesday, April 4, at 7:30 a.m. at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St. Long-time Planning Director Chip Russell’s presentation, entitled “Managing Growth in Wake Forest,” will highlight the Town’s comprehensive growth strategy and describe the various tools it utilizes to manage high demographic growth, while striving to maintain Wake Forest’s small town character. All area residents are invited to attend, including both Chamber and non-Chamber members. Tickets are $10 each (plus tax), including breakfast, and available for purchase online at www.wakeforestnc.gov/wake-up-wake-forest.aspx. Wake Up Wake Forest is offered through a partnership between the Town of

The Rockin’ the Forest music series continues with 6 String Drag on Friday, March 24, at 8 p.m. in the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre on Brooks Street. After 16 years in hibernation, 6 String Drag is back to remind us a few things about real rock ‘n’ roll. In the late ‘90s, the Carolina quartet stood out as pioneers of the nascent alt-country movement. Their Steve Earle-produced LP, High Hat remains an undisputed classic of its era. Now battle-scarred and road-wizened, today’s 6 String Drag is the sound of kindred souls reunited, letting their own histories as human beings mingle freely around their shared love of classic, bygone sounds. Their exhilarating new recording, Roots Rock ‘N’ Roll, welds Kenny Roby and Rob Keller’s trademark harmonies to surging rhythms. Cut mostly live to tape, the effort is equal parts slap-back swagger and openhearted honesty – a triumphant return that celebrates rock’s first golden age

  The Town of Wake Forest and Downtown Wake Forest Inc. are planning a special event to celebrate the return of weather that’s perfect for enjoying the great outdoors. Promising something for the entire family, Wake Forest’s fourth annual Dirt Day will take place along South White Street in downtown Wake Forest on Saturday, April 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kids will have a blast playing in an oversized sandbox and making wheatgrass containers for home windowsills. Adults will have the chance to learn about the newest techniques in gardening and composting, participate in an outdoor fitness class, check out the newest in outdoor activity gear, and visit with a variety of vendors offering an array of products and insight. But that’s not all. Dirt Day participants can also hunt for shark teeth in pilings from the Aurora phosphate mine and look on as students from several area

Area residents are invited to attend the 17th Wake Forest Memorial Flag-Raising Ceremony on Monday, April 3, at 11 a.m. The program will take place in Centennial Plaza in front of the Wake Forest Town Hall and usher in the 2017 Wake Forest memorial flag-raising season. The April 3 service will honor Sgt. James Steffins, who served his nation in the U.S. Marine Corps in World War II. Members of Steffins’ family will participate in the ceremony which will include patriotic songs, special remarks, a memorial wreath laying and the ceremonial flag-raising. Following the raising of the American flag, the U.S. Marine Corps service flag will be raised in recognition of the military branch in which Steffins served. Both flags will fly in Centennial Plaza throughout April. Photographs and other remembrances of Steffins will also be displayed in Centennial Plaza during the ceremony, then in the town hall lobby through

The African Children’s Choir will be in concert Tuesday, April 11, at Friendship Chapel Missionary Baptist Church at 7 p.m. The church is on Friendship Chapel Road. With their charming smiles, beautiful voices and lively African songs and dances, the African Children’s Choir melts the hearts of audiences. The program features children’s songs, traditional spirituals and gospel favorites. The concert is free and open to everyone. A free will offering will be taken to support the programs of the Children’s Choir – education, care and relief, and development programs. Music for Life (the parent organization for The African Children’s Choir) works in seven African countries such as, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa. MFL has educated over 52,000 children and impacted the lives of over 100,000 people through its relief and development programs during its history. MFL purpose is to help create new leadership for tomorrow’s Africa,

The Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce presented its 30th annual Reverse Raffle on Friday, March 17, at The Sutherland. Three hundred tickets were sold, with the winner taking home a choice of $10,000 in cash or a Nissan Leaf electric car (courtesy of Chris Leith Automotive). Ellie Penner, the owner of Sole Dimensions in Wake Forest, had the final ticket and was the ultimate winner. She has chosen to take the cash! Advertised as The Party of the Year! and encouraged by the fact that it was a Friday night as well as Saint Patrick’s Day, it was unquestionably one of the best attended Reverse Raffle parties ever. Food with an Irish theme was provided by Cook Shack. Additional raffles and mystery prize drawings added to the evening’s excitement. “As one of the Chamber’s largest fundraisers, we were particularly grateful for the support from our community,” Chamber President Ann

The Wake County Senior Games and Silver Arts will be held from Monday, March 27, through Sunday, April 28, and you can pick up a registration packet at the Northern Wake Senior Center. Senior center members are encouraged to support the center’s own Carolina Steppers Line Dancers who will be performing in the Silver Follies at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, in the Garner Performing Arts Center. Want to be an advocate and have your voice heard? Then on Friday, March 31, at 10:30 a.m. join Mary Bethel, president of the N.C. Coalition on Aging, for a presentation with time afterward for questions and answers. Milton’s Pizza & Pasta in Wakefield will host a special night on Tuesday, April 4, from 4 to 10 p.m. where 10 to 20 percent of the sales will benefit the Northern Wake Senior Center. This special fund-raising was arranged by the Friends of the

*The Wake Forest Farmers Market will be held in Renaissance Plaza on Brooks Street Saturday, March 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