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. #

The Town of Wake Forest is pleased to announce a power-packed lineup for the 2020 Friday Night on White  concert series. Bands scheduled to perform this year include The Magic Pipers (April 17); Sleeping Booty (May 8); The Soul Psychedelique (June 12); Love Tribe (July 10); Big Love (Aug. 14); and Crush (Sept. 11). FNOW is typically offered along South White Street in downtown Wake Forest from 6 to 9 p.m. on the second Friday night of each month from April through September. Because Good Friday this year is on the second Friday in April, the 2020 series will get underway on the third Friday (April 17) with The Magic Pipers. The remaining concerts will occur on the second Friday from May through September. For more information about each band, including videos of band performances, visit http://bit.ly/FridayNightonWhite. Volunteers are needed for a variety of roles during FNOW. Volunteers must be at

The Wake Forest Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee is planning a four-day trip for area students to the Civil Rights Freedom Trail in Georgia and Alabama on March 2 through March 5. The trip will cost $225 for students and $325 for adults, and the cost includes the breakfast buffet at the Embassy Suites in Montgomery, Alabama, and a carry-on box lunch. The committee members include Pastor Ken Steigler, who will be one of the tour guides; James Grant, chairman of the celebration committee; Peggy Blake; Ann Clemons, the second tour guide; Margo Grant; and Lori Moss. They are now soliciting donations from local churches and organizations to provide sponsorships for the estimated 20 students from Wake Forest and Rolesville who will make the trip with five chaperones. People who want to know more about the trip can call Steigler at 978-979-8380 or James Grant at 973-580-2470. 2020

Budding business owners will again be showcased at the 40th annual Meet in the Street festival in downtown Wake Forest on Saturday, May 2. Presented by the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation and sponsored by Blue Wave Pressure Washing, the Young Entrepreneurs Fair gives students from 9 to 14 an opportunity to manufacture, market, and sell their handmade products. As part of its mission to support both entrepreneurship and youth programming, the Wake Forest Chamber invites students to participate at no charge. According to Ann Welton, chamber president, “We get around 30,000 visitors to Meet in the Street, so it’s the ideal time for young people to market and sell their products.” Again this year are two workshops scheduled before the fair to help students with their business and marketing plans. “By participating in the fair, students get real-world experience in manufacturing, inventory control, branding, marketing, and sales,”

Once a decade, America comes together to count every resident in the United States, creating national awareness of the importance of the census and its valuable statistics. The decennial census was first taken in 1790, as mandated by the Constitution. It counts our population and households, providing the basis for reapportioning congressional seats, redistricting, and distributing more than $675 billion in federal funds annually to support states, counties and communities’ vital programs — impacting housing, education, transportation, employment, health care and public policy. The next census is coming in 2020. Counting an increasingly diverse and growing population is a massive undertaking. It requires years of planning and the support of thousands of people. Ultimately, the success of the census depends on everyone’s participation. The Census Bureau depends on cross-sector collaborations with organizations and individuals to get people to participate. The 2020 Census is important for you and your community, and you can help. By April 2020,

The Optimist Club of Wake Forest is proud to present their newest fundraiser – Funko Bunko, coming to Wake Forest at The Forks on Tuesday, Feb. 11, from 6 to 10 p.m.  Players are limited to 100 seats. The Optimist Club of Wake Forest is fundraising for the local youth in Wake Forest, and 100 percent of the money raised stays local to help the local youth in need. Funko Bunko is hosted and sponsored by The Forks. A great country dinner is available for purchase at The Forks. Please eat before playing begins. Tickets are $20 per person. Please reserve your seat and pay online through PayPal – WakeForestOptimistClub@gmail.com. Or, send a check (made payable to: Wake Forest Optimist Club) with a list of names to: PO Box 1992, Wake Forest, NC 27588. We are starting with teams of four. Prizes will be awarded to the “Most Wins”, “Most Bunko’s”, and “Most Losses”.

Mayor Vivian Jones will deliver her 2020 State of the Town Address on Monday, Feb. 17, at 6 p.m., during the 12th Annual State of the Town Address and Dinner. Presented by the Wake Forest Rotary Club, the event will take place at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre at 405 South Brooks Street. During her remarks, Mayor Jones will highlight the Town’s key accomplishments in 2019 and outline the goals Wake Forest will strive towards in 2020. All area residents are invited to attend. Tickets are $15 per person in advance and $20 on the day of the event and include a catered meal. However, the event is expected to sell out. Dress for the event is business casual. A limited number of tickets are available and can be purchased online with a Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover credit card at www.wakeforestnc.gov/communications/state-town<https://www.wakeforestnc.gov/communications/state-town>. Tickets may also be purchased at the Renaissance

The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre will host a lively and educational celebration of gospel music that connects all cultures, ages and backgrounds on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, at 5 p.m. The “Shades of Gospel” concert will highlight a range of traditional, southern and contemporary gospel music with featured performances by Grammy, Dove and Stellar Award-nominated artist Tim Bowman, Jr. and the Trinity Quartet. Tickets are $15 plus tax and may be purchased online at www.wakeforestrencen.org/tickets-events<https://www.wakeforestrencen.org/tickets-events> or at the Renaissance Centre Box Office, 405 S. Brooks St. Tim Bowman, Jr. started his music career in 2012 with the release of “Beautiful” by Trippin ‘N’ Rhythm Records. This album was his breakthrough release upon the Billboard Magazine Gospel Albums and Independent Albums charts. The song “He Will,” featuring Vickie Winans, his paternal aunt, charted on the Billboard Magazine Hot Gospel Songs chart. His critically acclaimed album “Listen” debuted at number one on Billboard

Assembling some of the top musical acts in our area, Rockin’ the Forest features a variety of popular beach music and cover bands that play beach music and rock and roll covers from classic to modern rock, with a little funk and original music thrown in. The series continues with the sold out Legacy Motown Revue on Jan. 17, followed by Jim Quick & Coastline on Feb. 28 and The Magnificents on March 27. In addition to great music, each Rockin’ the Forest concert includes a cash bar serving beer and wine. 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, 405 S. Brooks St. On the day of the concert tickets can be purchased

The January Business After Hours will be hosted by the Town of Wake Forest and held Thursday, Jan. 16, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the new Harris Park Community Center. * * * * Current and aspiring entrepreneurs are invited to apply for “Launch Wake Forest.” Launch Wake Forest is aimed at entrepreneurs who have a great idea but are unsure where or how to begin, as well as those who are already in business and need to learn how to progress to the next level. The initiative will offer 20 selected students a nine-week accredited Kaufman business course, business mentorship, planning and financial support, along with resources and connections to boost their current or potential business. Three free information sessions will be held in January: Tuesday, Jan. 14; 6:00 -8:00 pm; Wake Forest Renaissance Centre Annex, 405 S. Brooks Street Thursday, Jan. 23; Noon – 1:30 pm; Wake Forest Area Chamber