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.

The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 Brooks Street, will host a Special Needs Movie Matinee Holiday Edition this Sunday, Dec. 3, at 4 p.m. Sponsored by the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department, this free event will offer exceptional children and their families the opportunity to enjoy a film in a safe and accepting environment. To help ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone, the viewing area will include extra lighting, and the movie’s volume will be slightly lower. As part of the event’s “Polar Express” theme, each child will receive a golden ticket to “ride” the Polar Express. The afternoon will also include hot chocolate and a children’s craft activity. In addition, kids are invited to wear their pajamas. There is no cost to participate, but a parent or caretaker must accompany each child. Due to the terms and conditions in its agreement with the Motion Picture Licensing Corporation,

The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre will offer interactive workshops in December for children and adults. Designed to excite and develop the artistic vision and creative talents of children and adults, these workshops will spark the imagination and inspire a connection to the visual and creative arts and art making. On Saturday, Dec. 9, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. the Renaissance Centre will offer Make & Take Spa Basket for ages 16 and older. This workshop will allow you to pamper someone you love with a beautiful “do it yourself” spa basket. Bring the spa to them with a basket full of natural goodies made using Young Living Essential Oils. Learn how to create and complete the perfect gift basket for someone special without breaking the bank. The cost is $40 and all supplies are included. The registration deadline is Thursday, Dec. 7. On Saturday, Dec. 16, from 10 a.m. to

The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts will host Holiday Pajama Night on Friday, Dec. 8, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Free and open to the public, the event will feature Atlantic Coast Theatre for Youth’s performance of “The Snow Queen.” Throw on your PJs and bring your favorite cuddly blanket to watch this popular bedtime story come to life on stage. Hans Christian Andersen’s adapted tale of “The Snow Queen” introduces the audience to Gerda who must save her friend, Kay, who can see no good in the world. Gerda seeks help from a talking crow, comical Robber Prince and a reindeer herder, as they try to save her from the mysterious Snow Queen. Holiday Pajama Night is geared for young and school age children but open to all ages. Promising a fun and educational evening, the event invites children to wear their pajamas and bring their favorite

The Wake Forest Police Department is warning area residents to be vigilant when they have parcels delivered to their homes. Police say thieves often follow courier trucks and immediately steal items after they are dropped off, so it’s important not to let packages sit around. By taking the following precautions, online shoppers can avoid having their packages stolen during the holiday season: Require a signature upon receipt Schedule deliveries for days you or someone you trust will be home If possible, have packages delivered to your work address, to a courier pickup station, or to a local retail location for in-store pickup The police department also offers the following home security tips: Make sure your home is well lit. Turn on outside lights, spotlights, motions lights, etc. Leave several lights on timers while you are away to give your home that lived in look. Keep all shrubbery trimmed. Do not

The 2017 Wake Forest Christmas Parade will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9,  in downtown Wake Forest. Sponsored by PowerSecure and presented by Wake Forest Downtown, Inc., the parade will feature over 100 colorful floats, entries from local businesses, churches, schools and civic clubs, high school marching bands, and – of course – Santa Claus. Volunteers are critical to the success of the event and needed for a variety of roles between 9:45 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Anyone interested in volunteering may sign up online at www.wakeforestnc.gov/wake-forest-christmas-parade.aspx. Please note: Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. For more information about volunteering at the Wake Forest Christmas Parade, contact Downtown Development Program Assistant Jennifer Herbert at 919-435-9427 or jherbert@wakeforestdowntown.com.  

Got an interest in public transit? An opinion about rail? An idea about connecting the Triangle in ways that increase mobility for the underserved? GoTriangle is creating a Transit Citizen Advisory Committee to help keep its Board of Trustees informed about community issues associated with providing a high-quality transit network that serves the needs of our entire region. Those interested in serving on the committee have until Monday, Dec. 18, to apply. Applications are available for download on the Town’s website at www.wakeforestnc.gov/transportation.aspx under “Go Triangle.” Now that voters in Orange, Durham and Wake counties have approved half-cent sales taxes dedicated to transit improvements, plans for a light-rail system, a commuter rail line and a vast network of interconnected bus service are rolling along. GoTriangle wants to make sure it hears a variety of voices as planning proceeds. Committee members will: Provide advice and feedback to the board during planning for public

As a Christmas gift to our community and surrounding area, Wake Forest Presbyterian Church delivers the true Christmas story in a stirring virtual “walk” through Bethlehem to the stable where the Christ Child was born. Please join us this 17th year as, under the night sky, the campus of Wake Forest Presbyterian Church is transformed into the most breathtaking outdoor, living nativity program that you can imagine. With a cast and crew of more than 150, we will bring the story of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to life before your very eyes. As you journey through the streets of Bethlehem you will be engulfed in such emotion as this most beautiful and amazing story unfolds. Authentic costumes and settings will immerse you into believing you are actually witnessing that most holy miracle. Please come walk with us and receive the true meaning of Christmas. All

The Wake Forest Police Department is scheduled for an on-site assessment as part of a program to achieve accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). On Monday, Dec. 4, 2017, a team of assessors from the commission will arrive to examine Wake Forest Police Department’s policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services. Verification by the team that Wake Forest Police Department meets the commission’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation, a highly prized recognition of public safety professional excellence. As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees, local law enforcement agencies, local organizations, and members of the community are invited to offer comments by calling 919-435-9632 on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017, from 1 to 3 p.m. Comments can also be heard during a public information session on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017, at 4 p.m. The public information session will

An open town hall meeting for Congressional District 2 will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, in the Youngsville Community Center at 115 East Main Street to give voters in the district a chance to meet the candidates for the 2018 election, voice their concerns and discuss the needs of the area. All candidates were invited, but thus far U.S. Representative George Holding’s Raleigh office has declined to send anyone though the invitation remains open. All the Democratic candidates will be present – Linda Coleman, Wendy Ella Mae, Ken Romley and Sam Searcy. The event is hosted by Indivisible Progressives of Franklin County, Triangle Daily Call to Action, and other IndivisiblesNC groups in District 2.