The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department will sponsor a Youth Empowerment Workshop for young men and women ages 12 through 17 on Saturday, Aug. 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Alston-Massenburg Center at 416 North Taylor Street. The workshop is designed to help young men and women learn skills and strategies to make a positive difference in their lives and neighborhoods. Discussion will be geared towards empowering students to help create an inclusive and connected community. The session will also include a school supplies giveaway and raffle. The featured speaker will be former NC State football player and current Student Diversity Coordinator Joseph Johnson. The event is free, and a continental breakfast will be provided. Due to limited seating, pre-registration is required at https://wakeforestnc.recdesk.com<https://wakeforestnc.recdesk.com/>.  

This year Habitat for Humanity of Wake County is building six new single-family homes in Wake Forest and will host one homeowner information session for anyone interested in learning more about buying a new, affordable home this year. The first session was held on June 26. The remaining session is open to anyone who would like to learn more. It will be held at the Wake County Northern Regional, 350 East Holding Avenue, Wake Forest on Thursday, July 18, from 5 to 8 p.m. During the session, Habitat Wake’s Homeownership and Neighborhood Programs team will discuss our affordable home ownership program and explain how families can pre-qualify. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and find out about the program next steps, and will have an opportunity to apply on-site. To be considered “affordable,” housing expenses must be less than 30 percent of a family’s household income. In Wake

The Wake Forest Police Department will sponsor a Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) class on Wednesday, July 31, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. There is no cost to participate, but registration is required. Class size is limited to the first 100 people to register. Please note: Every participant must register individually – one person per form. On the evening of the class, attendees will be required to show proof of registration prior to entering the Renaissance Centre. To register, please go to www.cognitoforms.com/TownOfWakeForest3/CivilianResponseToActiveShooterEventsJuly312019 Led by Wake Forest Police Lt. L. Danforth, the session will teach participants what to do if confronted with an active shooter event. Designed and built on the Avoid, Deny, Defend (ADD) strategy developed by the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center at Texas State University, the class will provide strategies, guidance and a proven plan for surviving an active shooter event. Topics will include the history and

The Wake Forest Inspections Department permitted 80 new homes in May, 66 single-family homes and 14 townhouses, along with one new commercial building, the Moffat Pipe Wash Bay at 701 Finger Lakes Drive. Focus Design Builders is the contractor for that 19,272 square foot building which will add $3,247,878 to the tax base. The fees totaled $29,965.73. The new businesses who found space in Wake Forest in May were U-Haul at 9701 Capital Boulevard; South Forest Business Park in two units at 5105 Unicon Drive; Flex space at 1936 Heritage Branch Road; two new tenant spaces at 110 Capcom Avenue; BBZ LLC (storage) at 5101 Unicon Drive, suites L through Y; Pawfinity at 1764 Heritage Center Drive, suite 202; Personal Storage unit at 5101 Unicon Drive, suite D; Massage Therapy at 117 South Brooks Street; and Perkins Partial Hospital Program at 10500 Ligon Mill Road, suite 101. Each dwelling unit

Join us on Thursday, July 18, at 5:30 p.m. for Business After Hours, the Chamber’s most popular networking event. This month’s Business After Hours is hosted by B & W Hardware Co. and will kick off their 70th Anniversary weekend celebration. B & W Hardware Co. will be showcasing Traeger grills during Business After Hours. Regional Traeger representatives will cook a variety of meats, sides and desserts all on the grill. Don’t forget to bring along your business cards for some great giveaways! Can’t make Business After Hours? Stop by B & W Hardware Co. on Saturday, July 20, to sample more Traeger cooking, homemade ice cream, and cake as the celebration continues. * * * * The Town of Wake Forest is updating its sign ordinance to make it easier to understand and use. The draft includes adding some areas where signs will be permitted and taking out some areas

The annual Willie Ray Cookout will be held Thursday, July 18, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Renaissance Centre. Please call the Senior Center office at 919-5 54-4111 to register to attend. The deadline to sign up is July 15, and space is limited to the first 200 people. You are invited to enjoy great food, entertainment and an opportunity to see old friends and meet new ones. The theme is “Beach Party;” wear your favorite Hawaiian shirt! * * * * All classes at the Wake Forest Community House on Owen Avenue will be held at the Alston-Massenburg Center during July and August. * * * * There will be an evening Caregiver Workshop from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16,  at the Renaissance Centre with tips for a healthier and gentler dementia journey for the patient and caregiver. It will be presented by Pat Snyder,

*The Wake Forest Farmers Market will be open from 8 a.m. to noon this Saturday, July 13, in the employee parking lot along South Taylor Street behind Wake Forest Town Hall. Local farmers and artisans will have meats, seasonal vegetables, bread, baked good and other local wares for sale. See the market’s Facebook page for information about the vendors and sign up for a weekly notice about the offerings that Saturday. Remember the Wake Forest Farmers Market is unusual in that it is owned by the farmers who sell their wares there. *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