Local artists will show their creations, galleries and shops will be open late and there will be something to see and something to do along Wake Forest’s historic South White Street Friday night, Nov. 3, for the second Art Walk Wake Forest. The event lasts from 6 to 9 p.m. every first Friday.  

The 2017 Rockin’ the Forest music series concludes on Saturday, Nov. 11, at 8 p.m. with Matt Phillips & The Back Pocket. The concert will take place inside the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts at 405 Brooks Street. Matt Phillips & The Back Pocket is a soulful band that strives to make music people can get behind. After aging out of his high-school band, Cole Park, Matt Phillips continued his solo career into college at ECU. With folk and soul roots as deep as the cracks in his weathered acoustic, Matt has crafted his songwriting skills working alongside Django Haskins (International Orange, The Old Ceremony) and began pumping out songs known for their emotionality and loveable lyrics. With nearly 300 shows already under their belt, Matt Phillips & The Back Pocket combines stellar songwriting, soulful vocals, and a full ensemble of musicians into a unique band with a

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department will sponsor a R.I.S.E. (Rise, Inspire, Succeed Empower) Women’s Empowerment Workshop on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Alston-Massenburg Center, 416 North Taylor Street. Designed for young women ages 11-18, the free workshop will be hosted by Wake Forest Commissioner Anne Reeve and PRCR Director Ruben Wall. The Nov. 4 session will feature sisters Brittney, Krista and Kelsey Pimentel who will facilitate discussions on the workshop topic – “Self Worth.” A limited number of seats are available. Pre-registration is required at http://wakeforestnc.recdesk.com/recdeskportal/. A free continental breakfast will be provided. For more information, contact Recreation Program Superintendent Monica Lileton at 919-435-9563 or mlileton@wakeforestnc.gov.

The Town of Wake Forest will host Special Olympics Basketball Skills Competitions for high school and middle school youth on Wednesday, Nov. 8, and children in elementary school on Thursday, Nov. 9. The skills competitions will take place each day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Flaherty Park Community Center, 1226 N. White St. Volunteers are needed to perform a variety of roles and must be available for the entire competition. Volunteers also have the option of participating one day or both days. Businesses, civic groups, and community organizations of 10 or more individuals are especially encouraged to volunteer. For more information, contact Recreation Specialist Kelly Schurtz at 919-556-7093 orkschurtz@wakeforestnc.gov.  

The Wake Forest Police Department is accepting donations from area residents and businesses for the 19th Annual Shop with a Cop. To contribute online via PayPal, visit our website, www.wakeforestnc.gov/shop-with-a-cop/aspx. Checks and cash may also be mailed or delivered to the Wake Forest Police Department at 225 South Taylor Street. This year’s Shop with a Cop holiday shopping spree is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 19. 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 $200 to spend on a winter coat and other items of their choice. For more information, contact Officer K.C.Warren at kwarren@wakeforestnc.gov or 919-554-6150.