The Town of Wake Forest will offer free walking tours of the local Wake Forest Historic District on the following dates and times: *  Thursday, March 7; 10 am *  Thursday, March 14; 1 pm *  Thursday, March 28; 10 am *  Thursday, April 4; 1 pm *  Wednesday, April 17; 10 am *  Tuesday, April 23: 1 pm *  Thursday, May 2: 10 am *  Thursday, May 9; 1 pm *  Thursday, May 16; 10 am Led by architectural historian and Town Historic Preservation Planner Michelle Michael or a member of the Historic Preservation Commission, the tours will include areas along North Main Street, North Avenue, Front Street, and South Avenue. Along the way, each group will discuss the developmental and architectural history of the area, along with the significant men and women who lived in the homes. Tours will not include individual homes. Each tour is approximately two

The 2019 Koinonia Cares Charity Auction and Dinner on Saturday, March 9, 2019, will benefit neighbors in crisis who live in the greater Wake Forest-Rolesville-Youngsville communities. The event will be held at Wake Forest Baptist Church fellowship hall at 107 East South Avenue. Preview of the auction items begins at 4:30 p.m. with dinner being served at 6 p.m. Cost is $30 per person. The charity auction features a full dinner and a silent and live auction of unique items and valuable services donated by local businesses, artists and individuals. The Koinonia Foundation has grown to be an interdenominational, nonprofit providing financial support to organizations that address human needs not otherwise adequately funded and periodically to individuals demonstrating a critical need. It’s grown from serving neighbors in crisis in Wake Forest to now those in the communities of Rolesville and Youngsville. It was formed in 1990 by the Koinonia Sunday

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department will offer a free adult yoga class Tuesday, Feb. 26, from 2:15 to 3 p.m. at Flaherty Park Community Center, 1226 North White Street. Geared for participants ages 18 and older, the introductory class will emphasize the healing benefit of yoga with slower movements and connection to the breath. The practice is considered especially beneficial for anyone recovering from injury or illness. Participants will explore a moderately easy flow, gentle stretches and end with an extended guided meditation. All levels are welcome. No registration is required, but anyone planning to participate is encouraged to bring a yoga mat and two towels (one hand towel and one bath towel) and wear comfortable clothing. The PRCR Department will offer a four-week adult yoga class beginning Tuesday, March 5, from 2:15 to 3 p.m. The cost for the four-week session is $32 for Wake

The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts will host “Celtic Angels Ireland” on Monday and Tuesday, March 18 and 19, at 7 p.m. Tickets are still available but selling fast, so anyone planning to attend one of these performances is urged to buy their ticket now. Tickets are $25 each plus tax and can be purchased online with a Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover credit card at www.wakeforestrencen.org/tickets-events<http://www.wakeforestrencen.org/tickets-events>. Advance tickets may also be purchased with cash, check or credit card at the Renaissance Centre Box Office, 405 Brooks Street. The Sheeva Quintet, Celtic Knights and Angels Dancers with Trinity Band Ensemble of Dublin, captivate audiences of all ages with an awe-inspiring show that encompasses vocal and instrumental Irish favorites along with spectacular world class champion Irish dancing. Through their shared zeal and passion for Ireland’s musical and dance traditions, this talented troupe enables their audiences to experience the

Make plans now to join your friends and neighbors in downtown Wake Forest Saturday, March 2, for the Seventh Annual Wake Forest Mardi Gras Street Festival. Presented by Thomas G. Walters Allstate Insurance and Primrose School of Heritage Wake Forest, this family-friendly celebration is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and admission is free. Promising fun-filled activities for both children and adults, the Mardi Gras Street Festival will include face painters, strolling entertainers, live music, an inflatable playground, special contests and much more. One of the day’s highlights promises to be the Mardi Gras Walking Parade. The lineup will begin at 12:45 p.m. in Town Hall’s Centennial Plaza at 301 Brooks Street, and the parade gets underway at 1 p.m. The parade route will extend from Town Hall, up East Owen Avenue, and north along South White Street before ending at the Depot Parking Lot, 110 South White Street.

ARTS Wake Forest will host Arti Gras, a Mardi Gras party open to the community on Saturday, March 2, 2019, at 6 p.m., in downtown Wake Forest at the Renaissance Centre, 405 South Brooks Street. Arti Gras – an evening of Cajun food, dancing to zydeco, swing and jazz music, an art-themed silent auction, cash bar, 50/50 raffle and crowning of a King cupcake winner – is guaranteed to be a good time for all those who attend. Festive attire and masks are encouraged. Tickets are $35 each and may be purchased online at www.ARTSwakeforest.org or at Page 158 Books, 415 South Brooks Street, Unit B, in Wake Forest. AWF is hosting Arti Gras as a fundraiser to benefit cultural events and educational programs in the greater Wake Forest community. The non-profit with a mission to support and enhance a strong, vibrant community through arts and cultural activities was established

The Wake Forest Human Relations Council (HRC) will host the inaugural Multicultural Day on Saturday, March 23, from 1-4 p.m. at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St. With the theme, Celebrating the local flavor of Wake Forest, this free event will feature a variety of multicultural foods available in our community. Several local restaurants, food vendors, caterers and grocery stores will showcase their culturally diverse foods and desserts by providing free samples. Area residents are also invited to come out and view artwork from local students depicting their family’s various countries of origin. Attendees will have the chance to cast their vote for best artwork based on age categories. Several musical acts will also perform throughout the afternoon. One of the major goals of the HRC is to encourage community unity and increase awareness of the unique cultures Wake Forest has to offer. To that end, the

A local favorite band, Big Love, will continue the 2019 Rockin’ the Forest music series at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22, at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre at 405 South Brooks Street. A six-piece dance band based out of Raleigh, Big Love plays a variety of music guaranteed to get you moving, including jazz, disco, pop, funk, R&B and beach. Advance tickets are $10 each plus tax and can be purchased online with a Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover credit card at www.wakeforestrencen.org/tickets-events<http://www.wakeforestrencen.org/tickets-events>. Advance tickets may also be purchased with cash, check or credit card at the Renaissance Centre Box Office, 405 S. Brooks St. On the day of the concert tickets can be purchased at the door. Assembling some of the top musical acts in our area, the Rockin’ the Forest music series features a variety of popular beach music and cover bands that play rock and

The Wake Forest Woman’s Club will host its second annual Shamrockin’ Casino Gala on Friday, March 15, 2019, 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 now available at Parler Properties in downtown Wake Forest and through the club’s website. The $65 per person tickets include a Southland BBQ buffet, homemade desserts, one raffle ticket and $5,000 in play money for several casino-style games. More information is available on our website, www.wake-forest-womans-club.com.    

You have until March 11 to reserve your booth at Meet in the Street, presented by the Wake Forest Chamber and Atlantic Tire & Service. The popular arts and crafts festival will take place Saturday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Wake Forest. The food booths are sold out. To reserve a booth, call the chamber office and select either a standard booth or a sponsorship. * * * * The Wake Forest Chamber Foundation will hold a Job Success 101 seminar on March 15 for eligible 16-18 year-olds. A mini job fair following the seminar will connect participants with area businesses. Chamber members are invited to participate in this workforce development initiative in one of two ways. Participate in the Job Fair:Businesses can recruit new employees at the mini job fair from 12:30 – 1:30 pm (setup at 11:30 am). There is no charge to