The Gazette will list all information from groups working to help others in need. Send information about what your group is doing to cwpelosi@aol.com. * * * * Free Food Giveaway – No One Goes Hungry The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina will provide a free food giveaway from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, in the Village Church parking lot at 410 Southtown Circle in Rolesville. The food bank will be distributing produce, perishables, bread and other food items. * * * * Barn Raising at Tri-Area Ministry Tri-Area Ministry is adding a third storage shed and needs help to assemble it. “We have experts that know how to put it together, but we need your help and your hammer. No experience necessary; adults only.” The dates are Saturday, Nov. 30, and Sunday, Dec. 1. * * * * Wine Tasting Fundraising On Friday, Nov.

The Wake Forest High School (WFHS) Theatre Department along with the Wake Forest Renaissance Arts Productions (WRAP) Drama Boosters are selling sponsorships of live Christmas trees that will be used in a holiday show, on a parade float and then donated to local families. Businesses are being asked to consider buying a Christmas tree sponsorship. The trees will be featured in the WFHS production of FrUiTCaKeS! performed on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the WFHS Auditorium, 420 West Stadium Drive in Wake Forest. The matinee show is a moving story of alienation, understanding and reconciliation and provides audiences with a heaping helping of holiday warmth and cheer. Beginning at 9 a.m., FrUiTCaKeS!-themed stations will be set up for children to enjoy some holiday fun before the show. Show tickets are $5 per student which includes one free adult ticket and may be purchased online at https://wfhs.ticketleap.com/fruitcakes/ Businesses that

Chief Financial Officer Aileen Staples won well-earned praise from the Wake Forest commissioners Tuesday night two times. First it was for the highest and best opinions for the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, also referred to as the annual audit. CPA April Adams with the firm of Cherry Bekaert LLP gave the year’s financial report the highest praise with no suggestions for improvement. Second it was for a money-saving move in which, after watching the bond market for several months Staples decided to ask for bids to refinance the remaining bonds from the 2009 bond referendum. “We’re very attractive,” she said, after the town received 13 bids with interest rates varying from 1.79 to 3.25 percent. The slightly more than $4 million remaining on those 2009 bonds became “callable” on Feb. 1, meaning they can be refunded or refinanced at a lower rate

A study by Ramey Kemp & Associates has found that the town needs 223 additional parking spaces to meet planned and anticipated new developments in downtown Wake Forest. The study was presented at the town board work session on Nov. 5 but no action was taken at that time. Lisa Hayes, the downtown development director, was asked about possible parking at the old SunTrust bank site between South White and Brooks. She said she expects the future use of the site to be a combination of retail and living. “I don’t think there’s going to be much public parking at this site.” Mayor Vivian Jones, who said the town has to address parking, said, “The parking will depend on what’s in there.” A UNC group is studying the site and helping the town determine what is best suited for the site as well as searching for possible investors/developers. The projects

ARTS Wake Forest will present the Holiday Artisans Market on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both inside and outside the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre at 405 South Brooks Street. The Holiday Artisans Market is a unique shopping experience featuring a variety of arts and crafts in a wide range of prices. The market has grown sizably over the past few years and will feature more than 50 vendors. Conceived as a showcase for area craftspeople and artisans, this juried market features handmade items from potters, fine artists, photographers, woodworkers, fiber artists, jewelry artists and more. The market is free and open to the public; donations at the door are appreciated. Donations along with proceeds from a 50/50 will support ARTS Wake Forest programming including Six Sundays in Spring concerts, Music at Midday concerts, Neck of the Woods variety show and the Wake Forest Dance Festival. The