The Better Business Bureau and BBB Wise Giving Alliance are advising people to help as much as they can in the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, but to do so with caution and make sure their donations get to the people who need it most. “The devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey prompts us to do what we can to help as soon as possible,” said H. Art Taylor, president and CEO of BBB Wise Giving Alliance (BBB’s Give.org,) “but donors need to be aware of some key cautions so that their generosity will get to those in need quickly.” The National Weather Service reports that Hurricane Harvey has brought over 20 inches of rain to portions of southeast Texas and the volume of flooding is unprecedented for this area. And, another 15-25 inches of rain is anticipated in the days to come (This was written on Monday). As the impact of this storm on Texas

This year’s Wake Forest Christmas Parade will be held Saturday, Dec. 9, beginning at 1 p.m. As usual, a large and enthusiastic crowd is expected. You can be a part of the parade. Apply at the Wake Forest Town Hall at 301 Brooks Street or online at www.wakeforestnc.govv/wake-forest-christmas-parade.aspx. Submit your application either online or by mail to Wake Forest Christmas Parade, c/o Wake Forest Downtown, Inc., 301 Brooks Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587. Payment for each entry is due with the application. Entries postmarked by Monday, Oct. 30, will be considered for inclusion based on the number of entries needed for each category. Accepted entrants will be notified via email no later than Monday, Nov. 6. Parade packets for accepted participants will be mailed Monday, Nov. 20. The packet will include vehicle passes, parking information, and other pertinent event details. The parade is sponsored by PowerSecure and presented by Wake Forest Downtown. For

The Wake Forest Fire Department is showing its support for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) as its members kick off the annual Fill the Boot fundraising campaign to help kids and adults with muscular dystrophy, ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) and related muscle-debilitating diseases live longer and grow stronger. Continuing a more than 60-year tradition, the dedicated fire fighters from Wake Forest Fire Department will hit the streets or storefronts with boots in hand asking pedestrians, motorists, customers and other passersby to make a donation to MDA on three Saturdays — Aug. 26, Sept. 9, and Sept. 23 — between 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the entrance of Wake Pointe Plaza on South Main Street. It is the entrance to Walmart. On Tuesday, Aug. 15, Wake Forest fire fighters kicked off the fund-raising drive by presenting the national MDA and a local MDA family

The 38th annual Wake Forest CROP Hunger Walk is set for Sunday, Sept. 24, at 2 p.m. The simple walk, which begins and ends at the Wake Forest Historical Museum, 414 North Main Street, is approximately 1.5 miles on flat sidewalks in the beautiful historical homes neighborhood in Wake Forest. Everyone may participate. All participants will sign in at the registration table at the museum at 2 p.m. on Sept. 24, and step-off time will be 2:30 p.m. Bring non-perishable foods to donate to Tri-Area Ministry’s food pantry. At the sign-in, donate an amount you choose, either with cash or with a check payable to CROP Hunger Walk. Twenty-five percent of the funds raised here will go to Tri-Area Ministry food pantry in Wake Forest. Other funds will provide programs in the U.S. and around the world to end hunger and poverty and to provide disaster relief. See you there,

The Wake Forest Greenways Advisory Board will celebrate the opening of 3.7 miles of new trails in the area greenway system on Saturday, Sept. 30, during the Tri-Creek Greenway Crawl. The festivities will begin at 1 p.m. with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony commemorating the newly constructed sections of the Smith, Sanford and Dunn Creek Greenways. The ribbon-cutting will take place at the trailhead near Foundation Drive – next to Heritage High School, 1150 Forestville Road. The ceremony will include brief comments by Mayor Vivian Jones and other local dignitaries. A scavenger hunt highlighting several interesting features along the length of the new trails will follow. Free and open to the public, the Tri-Creek Greenway Crawl will include exhibits, handouts and special prize giveaways. The VFW Chuckwagon will also be onsite selling hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn, snow cones and other sweet treats.

Wake Electric is now accepting applications for Bright Ideas education grants of up to $3,000 for creative classroom projects. The early-bird deadline with a chance to win $100 has passed; the final deadline for applications is Sept. 13. Learn more and apply online at www.ncbrightideas.com. The grants of up to $3,000 reward creative, classroom-based learning projects. More than $600,000 in Bright Ideas funding will be awarded to teachers across the state through the North Carolina electric cooperatives. Last year Wake Electric awarded $50,000 in Bright Ideas grants to teachers at qualifying schools in Durham, Franklin, Granville, Johnston, Nash, Vance, and Wake counties. Teachers can apply individually or as a team.

Forest Moon Theater will present “California Suite” Sept. 15 through 17 and 22 through 24 at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts on Brooks Street. Friday and Saturday show times are 7:30 p.m.; Sunday show time is 3 p.m. If the walls in room 203 of the Beverly Hills Hotel could talk, these are four comic stories they would tell of couples who crossed the threshold. Confrontations over custody, sexual orientation, infidelity, and disastrous vacations are all material for Neil Simon’s incisive humor. Wrap up your summer with this trip to comedy in California. Please note: This production, contains adult situations and strong language. It is recommended for mature audiences only. Advance tickets are $15 plus tax for adults and $13 plus tax for students and seniors. These prices reflect a savings of $3 per adult and student/senior “day of” admission tickets. For more information, visit www.wakeforestrencen.org or

The Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation is currently accepting applications for the 2017/18 class of Leadership Wake Forest. The comprehensive program is designed to engage, cultivate, and motivate individuals interested in a strong, sustainable community. “The program is appealing to long-time residents as well as those who have recently relocated to the area,” said Corey Hutcherson, vice president of community relations for the chamber. “It gives participants the opportunity to learn from community leaders and industry experts. At the same time, they make new friends and business contacts.” Participants meet for a day, once a month, from September through May, culminating in a class project. Participants are involved in seven interactive classes, looking at the town’s history and discussing current and future issues facing Wake Forest. Information is presented through panel discussions, on-site tours, hands-on activities, simulations, and informal sessions with local leaders. Applicants with diverse backgrounds are

If you’re interested in learning more about the Wake County Transit Plan and its potential impact on the local business community, 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 third in the series of morning information seminars on Tuesday, Sept. 12, at 7:30 a.m. at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 Brooks Street. Regional Transportation Alliance Executive Director Joe Milazzo will discuss the Wake County Transit Plan with a special emphasis on the initiative’s impact from a regional business community perspective. 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 Wake Forest and the Wake Forest Area Chamber of

Area residents are invited to listen to great music and dine outside, while enjoying the fall season during Wake Forest’s Music at Midday weekly concert series. Co-sponsored by the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources (PRCR) Department and Wake Forest ARTS, the free music series begins Thursday, Sept. 7, and continues on consecutive Thursdays through Sept. 28. Scheduled from noon to 1 p.m., the concerts will feature a variety of local performers and take place in Centennial Plaza, the gateway to the Wake Forest Town Hall at 401 Brooks Street. This year’s fall concert lineup includes Mister Felix on Sept. 7; Capital Transit on Sept. 14; and Loos Change on Sept. 28. The performer for the Sept. 21 concert will be announced in the coming days. Assorted dessert trucks will be on site during each concert selling desserts and sweet treats. Area residents are encouraged to bring lunch –