The Town of Wake Forest is conducting an online survey to gather input from residents concerning what they want in the way of information – and how they want it. A link to the survey is available on the Communications page of the Town’s website at www.wakeforestnc.gov/communications<http://www.wakeforestnc.gov/communications>. The survey asks residents how they currently receive information and how they prefer to get news from the Town. Additional questions inquire about the quality of information received, the effectiveness of various communications tools and input on future communications. “We strive to provide accurate, timely information as effectively as possible,” said Communications & Public Affairs Director Bill Crabtree. “Our commitment is grounded in the second goal of the Town’s strategic plan – to ‘Enhance and Promote a Safe and Connected Community.’ The survey is a valuable way we can learn how best to connect with our residents and provide the kind of information they

Wake Forest sanitation customers can now use an online form to request a variety of assistance related to their rollout trash and recycling carts. Available at http://bit.ly/CartRequestForm, the form offers a simple, yet effective way for Town sanitation customers to request trash and recycling service, upgrade to a larger recycling cart, order extra carts and report damaged or missing carts. As a bonus, anyone who completes and submits the online form will be automatically enrolled in Waste Wizard – an interactive tool that allows users to receive waste collection reminders and schedules. For more information, call the Public Works Department at 919-435-9570. #

For more than a decade, Christine Gonenc and Lauren Repnyek, founders of My Birthday Too, a non-profit organization (501c3), were active volunteers in the Wake Forest schools attended by their sons. While doing so, they discovered that the fundamental needs of some children were going unmet; which likely meant other simple pleasures of childhood that many take for granted — such as celebrating a birthday — may also be missing. In early 2019, with their own children now grown, Lauren and Christine launched My Birthday Too as a way to give back and invest in local youth. After all, every child deserves a birthday celebration. “It all started with the vision: ‘To help children feel cherished and celebrated’,” says Repnyek, “and we accomplish this by bringing fun, memorable birthday experiences — hosting parties and providing families in-need with party supplies — making it possible for children to feel treasured and

The Rockin’ the Forest music series continues with the popular beach band, The Catalinas, on Friday, Nov. 8. The concert gets underway at 7:30 p.m. at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts at 405 South Brooks Street. The Catalinas were inducted into the Beach Music Hall of Fame in 1995, followed by the NC Music Hall of Fame in 2013. Best known for their classic hit, “Summertime’s Callin’ Me, The Catalinas spotlight their musical roots by performing music by groups such as Hank Ballard and the Midnighters, Jackie Wilson, Marvin Gay, Huey Smith, The Falcons, The Del Vikings, The Gladiolas, Ray Charles and more. Advance tickets are $15 each plus tax and selling fast. Tickets 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,

The Town of Wake Forest is partnering with Trees for the Triangle to help the non-profit meet its goal of planting 50,000 trees in Wake, Durham and Orange counties by 2050. Starting now, Wake Forest property owners can request to have up to two trees planted on their property by visiting https://treesforthetriangle.org/ and completing the online request form. Once a tree has been requested, Trees for the Triangle will visit the property and identify an appropriate tree species for the site. The Town will provide trees for properties inside the Wake Forest town limits, while Trees for the Triangle will supply the tree planting volunteers. There is a limit of two trees per property. Wake Forest Urban Forestry Coordinator Luke Devores emphasized that once the trees are planted, the property owner will be responsible for their care and maintenance. “Since the trees will be planted on private property, neither the Town (of

The Town of Wake Forest is recruiting friendly, outgoing volunteers to greet and help direct customers visiting Town Hall as part of the Guest Services Volunteer Program. Wake Forest introduced the initiative in 2010. Since then, dozens of area residents have volunteered to manage the Guest Services Counter. Responsibilities include greeting visitors in person and on the telephone, helping direct them to their destination and performing other tasks as needed. Approximately 20 area residents currently participate in the program. Most are recent retirees and senior adults looking for opportunities to give back to their community. Located in the lobby of town hall, the Guest Services Counter is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Guest services volunteers are expected to man the desk at least two three-hour shifts per month. Volunteers must also participate in mandatory training where they will learn about guest services desk responsibilities, participate

The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts will host three performances of Live from Nashville – Merry Country Christmas on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14-15. Saturday’s show time is 7 p.m., while Sunday show times are 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. It’s a Merry Country Christmas indeed, when all your favorite Christmas songs are presented in authentic Nashville country style with dazzling guitars and fiddles along with soaring harmonies. The joy of Christmas comes to you in this delightful production of toe-tapping, heartfelt music of the holidays. From the fun of “Old Saint Nick” to the profoundly moving “Oh Come all Ye Faithful,” and from the playful “Up on the Housetop” to the poignant “Silent Night,” songs of fun, faith and hope are presented by the finest musicians and singers steeped in the traditions of America’s genre – country! Tickets are $25 each plus tax and can be purchased

The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts will host two performances of Joshua Lozoff’s Life is Magic on Friday, Nov. 22. Showtimes are 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. From his full stage show to his closeup Strolling Magic, Joshua Lozoff’s performances combine his love for the art of magic with his fascination with psychology and the powers of observation and influence. In one moment, he makes a drawing come to life just by pointing, and in the next he predicts an audience member’s choices even before she knows them herself. An evening spent with Joshua will amaze and entertain the entire family! To learn more about Joshua Lozoff, visit https://joshualozoff.com/. Tickets are $12 each plus tax for adults and $10 for children and seniors 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

Beginning Monday, Oct. 14, the Wake Forest Loop or WFL, a weekday, fare-free bus for residents traveling within Wake Forest and a portion of Wakefield, will expand to offer an early/late extension along North Main Street and a mid-day extension into Heritage. At 6:32 a.m., 7:32 a.m., 8:32 a.m. and 9:32 a.m., the WFL will depart Wake Forest Crossing, 12536 Capital Blvd., and make stops at the intersections of North Main Street/East Oak Avenue and North Wingate Street/West Oak Avenue before proceeding to the CVS Pharmacy stop at the intersection of North White Street/Roosevelt Avenue. The late extension will repeat the sequence hourly from 4:32 p.m. to 7:32 p.m. The mid-day extension into Heritage will be offered hourly from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. At the top of each hour, the WFL will depart downtown Wake Forest and travel to a bus stop at the intersection of Heritage Branch Road/Branch

The Wake Forest Purple Heart Foundation and the Town of Wake Forest are pleased to introduce “The Wall That Heals in Wake Forest Commemorative Photo Book,” a treasure trove of pictures recording The Wall’s 2018 visit to Wake Forest. This beautiful 8.5″ x 11″ hardcover limited-edition volume is now on sale for $47.50 (price includes tax and shipping). Throughout the pages of this book, you can relive The Wall That Heals’ unforgettable stay in our community through hundreds of poignant photos submitted by amateur and professional photographers alike. From Oct. 18 to Oct. 21, 2018, the Wake Forest Purple Heart Foundation and the Town of Wake Forest hosted the replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at E. Carroll Joyner Park. Over those four days, approximately 20,000 people from across North Carolina and beyond visited the park to pay their respects to the more than 58,000 men and women who made