The Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce Foundation is currently accepting applications for the 2019/20 class of Leadership Wake Forest. The comprehensive program is designed to engage, cultivate, and motivate individuals interested in a strong, sustainable community. Participants are involved in seven interactive classes, looking at the town’s history and discussing current and future issues facing Wake Forest. Information is presented through panel discussions, on-site tours, hands-on activities, simulations, and informal sessions with local leaders. “The program is appealing to long-time residents as well as those who have recently relocated to the area,” said Corey Hutcherson, Executive Director of the Chamber Foundation. “It gives participants the opportunity to learn from community leaders and industry experts. At the same time, they make new friends and business contacts.” Participants meet for a day, once a month, from September through May, culminating in a class project. Applicants with diverse backgrounds are sought from all

The 2019 Wake Forest Home & Garden Show will be held at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre Saturday, Aug. 24, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 25, from noon to 4 p.m. Presented by Mitchell Heating & Cooling, the free two-day event will showcase the latest in home improvement products, services and features. Whether you are thinking of a complete home remodel, a kitchen or bath makeover, a newly landscaped lawn or just want to shop the local vendor marketplace, you will find it all at this show. Want to learn new grilling techniques or grab a bite to eat? We have that cover too! The Shopping Marketplace will feature everything from local art and handmade décor to kitchen essentials and cleaning products for your home.

The Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce announces a new fundraising initiative to support Chamber programming and the Alzheimer’s Association of Eastern North Carolina. The Community Raffle, sponsored by Edward Jones, offers five different prizes including a $10,000 cash grand prize. Tickets are $50 each, and only 1,500 will be sold. The prize drawings will be held on Thursday, August 29th. “We are pleased to support the Alzheimer’s Association through the Community Raffle,” said Ann Welton, president of the chamber. “A vital part of the chamber’s mission is ‘serve our community.’ With all the work we have done here in Wake Forest to become a ‘dementia-friendly community’ we think this a great fit.” Local Edward Jones financial advisors are the presenting sponsors for the raffle. “Across the country, Edward Jones supports walks to end Alzheimer’s. We were pleased to be able to sponsor this initiative,” said Seth Asbill, a local

Local performance artist Antino Art – whose award-winning work merges visual magic with spoken word poetry – will bring together poets and magicians from around the Triangle and beyond in a show that promises to move audiences beyond words. When Magic Found Poetry: A show beyond words debuts from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Wake Forest Coffee Company. Visit www.antinoart.com/shows to purchase tickets. “Magic appeals to the intellect by blowing the mind while poetry appeals to emotions by striking the heart,” Art said. “When performed as one, the possibilities are endless.” Among those performing will be Wake Forest resident Colin Watson, better known by his pen name of Watson, whose emphatic storytelling style draws inspiration from punk rock and blind faith to leave his audiences in speechless tears. Travis Kyng from the Raleigh-based group Press Play Poetz will bring his spitfire performance style to the stage

Tickets are for sale at the Renaissance Centre Forest Moon Theater will present “Steel Magnolias” Friday through Sunday, Sept.  20 to 23 and 27 to 29, at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre. Showtime Friday and Saturday is 7:30 p.m., while the Sunday showtime is 3 p.m. Written by Robert Harling, this heartwarming comedy-drama explores the special bond a group of women share in a small southern Louisiana community, and how they cope with the death of one of their own. As time passes, the women encounter tragedy and good fortune. Although their friendships are strained, in the end they find themselves growing stronger and closer. Advance tickets are $15 plus tax for adults and $13 plus tax for students and seniors. These prices reflect a savings of $3 per adult and student/senior on “day of” admission tickets. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.wakeforestrencen.org/tickets-events<http://www..org/tickets-events>. Please note: A sign language

The Wake Forest Human Relations Council (HRC) is soliciting youth (ages 10-18) and adult (ages 19 and older) nominations for the 10th Annual Good Neighbor of the Year Award. The award recognizes Wake Forest residents who work to improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods without seeking recognition for their efforts. Nominees are sought in three divisions: adult, middle school youth and high school youth. To qualify, a nominee must be a Wake Forest resident who has made a significant contribution to the community between Sept. 1, 2018, and Aug. 31, 2019. Employees of the Town of Wake Forest are not eligible. The online nomination form is available on the Town’s website at http://bit.ly/WFGoodNeighborAward. Completed nomination forms must be submitted by 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30. Nominations forms must include the names of both the nominator and the nominee, along with a narrative of 400 words or less describing why the

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/>.  

Updated July 24, 2019 Various projects around town Updates based on information from Brendie Vega, Assistant Planning Director, and from other sources. *Abandoned partially built office building on Stadium Road. “That is actually a Wake Forest Dental Arts building,” Vega said. “I believe there were issues between the builder and the business owner.” There is a sign saying the building is available. The owner has not returned a telephone call. *Tru Hotel on Wake Union Church Road is in the construction drawing phase. *Cube Smart storage space on Wake Union Church Road should open shortly, Vega said. “The Sports Authority decided not to go into that location.” *Friendship Chapel Road extension. There is a request to extend the deadend road by 500 feet. Vega said it is to “get to the landlocked parcel between Holding Village and Heritage, opening up development opportunities.” Yes, and it also opens questions about how

This month’s Business After Hours will be held on Thursday, Aug. 29, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Ledford Student Center on Wingate Street and hosted by the Southeastern Seminary and The College at Southeastern. * * * * Join the Women’s Business Alliance on August 22 for our Retail Therapy Social. Sip wine. Shop local. Give back. Feel good. It’s all happening from 5 to 8 p.m. at The Sutherland. Bring your girlfriends for a fun night out. This event is open to the public and all are invited to attend! Retail Therapy is a way to showcase our member businesses while raising money for local nonprofits. You can enjoy sipping wine while shopping, our members get marketing exposure and our nonprofit partners receive a portion of the sales. Everyone wins at Retail Therapy. How does it work? A $20 advance donation ($25 at the door) gives you

Senior Citizens Day is Wednesday, Aug. 21, and the senior center is celebrating with a Watermelon Social at Brookdale Assisted Living, 611 South Brooks Street. From 2 to 3 p.m. there will be watermelon, fun and games. Please call the center to sign up at 919-554-8768. * * * * All classes at the Wake Forest Community House on Owen Avenue will be held at the Alston-Massenburg Center during July and August. * * * * All Senior Center members receive a detailed calendar of events from Resources for Seniors. Check for changes in the schedules. During the renovation/rebuilding of the Northern Wake Senior Center, activities are spread across Wake Forest in public buildings and churches. The office is in The Lodge of Wake Forest on South Main Street. * * * * This is the optimistic view of the renovations at the Northern Wake Senior Center at 235 East