There is now a mailbox in downtown Wake Forest where children of all ages can mail their letters to Santa Claus. It is in Jones Plaza, the intersection of East Jones Avenue and South White Street. No postage is required because of Santa’s magic and each letter received by Thursday, Dec. 14, will receive a personal response from Santa if you include your address. The Town of Wake Forest helped Santa install the mailbox.

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department will host its Family Holiday Dance on Friday, Dec. 15, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Families throughout Wake Forest are invited to enjoy an evening of music, food and dancing at the Wake Forest Community House at 133 West Owen Avenue. This family fun event is sure to create lasting memories of mom and dad “busting a move” on the dance floor. The cost is $20 per parent/child pair and $5 for each additional child/participant. To register, visit http://wakeforestnc.recdesk.com/recdeskportal/. For more information, contact PRCR Program Superintendent Monica Lileton at 919-435-9563 or mlileton@wakeforestnc.gov.  

The Wake Forest Woman’s Club will host its first annual Shamrockin’ Casino Gala on March 16, 2018 at Cross & Main in Youngsville from 7 to 11 p.m. Funds raised will go to many of the charities the club supports, including The Purple Heart Foundation, Note in the Pocket, Safe Space and Meals on Wheels. Tickets are $65 each, which includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, two drink tickets, one raffle ticket and $5,000 play money. Tickets will be sold starting on Jan. 1, 2018 at the downtown Wake Forest locations of Parler Properties, Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce and Ollies Gifts, all on South White Street. Flyers will be posted throughout Wake Forest and the surrounding areas. More information will be available on our website soon at www.wake-forest-womans-club.com

The Town of Wake Forest Inspections Department issued 71 permits for new homes in October – 55 single-family homes and 16 townhouses. The department also issued a permit for a new commercial building at 3200 Rogers Road, the southeastern corner of Rogers Road and Heritage Branch Road. Landmark Construction and Development is the contractor and paid $41,035.76 in fees for the 12,040 square-foot building with a value of $628,040. The department inspected the fit-ups for Slices and Ices inside The Factory at 1839 South Main Street, Suite 138; the addition to the Wake Forest Library at 400 East Holding Avenue; Heritage PS at 3129 Heritage Trade Drive; Kumon Math & Reading Center at 3211 Rogers Road; Heritage Eye Care at 3211 Rogers Road; Destiny Dance Institute atp 417A Brooks Street; Lee Nail Spa at 2008 South Main Street; and UBreakIFix at 1009 Stadium Drive. There were pre-occupancy inspections for Virtual

Vendors can now apply for the 38th Meet in the Street arts and crafts festival which will be held in downtown Wake Forest from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 5. There are four types of applications based on the vendor participating: handmade arts/crafts, non-profit, food and downtown Wake Forest merchant. Others may qualify as a sponsor. Go to the chamber’s website, www.wakeforestchamber.org, to see how to apply or contact Corey Hutcherson, corey@wfchamber.org or (919) 556-1519 option 2. * * * * The December Business After Hours on Dec. 14 will be hosted by Candlewood Suites of Wake Forest at 12050 Retail Drive. It will be catered by Tropical Picken Chicen with beverages by Wine and Beer 101 and desserts by Bakery La Dolce Vita. Dawn Daria and Paul Miller of Flow Circus will entertain. The door prizes include a two-night staycation at Candlewood Suites, 10,000 IHG Reward Points

*The Wake Forest Farmers Market will be open from 10 a.m. to noon (winter hours) Saturday, Dec. 16, in Renaissance Plaza on Brooks Street. Local farmers and artisans will offer meats, seasonal vegetables, bread and baked goods and other local wares. See the market’s Facebook page for information about the 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. *Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry at 149 East Holding Avenue is now open from 9 to 11 a.m. every third Saturday along with its regular hours on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for food distribution. It serves about 700 families in Wake Forest, Youngsville, Rolesville and their surrounding areas. Call 919-556-7144 for information about receiving food, volunteering