Let’s talk trash

The Town of Wake Forest is encouraging residents to stay informed about trash, recycling and yard waste collection by signing up for the “Waste Wizard.” Available at https://bit.ly/TOWFWasteWizard, the Waste Wizard is a free interactive tool that allows users to sign up for personalized trash and recycling collection reminders, download collection schedules and access online service request forms for bulk waste pickup, brush pickup and missed collections. But that’s not all. The Waste Wizard also allows users to type in key words related to disposable household materials and receive valuable disposal tips. From aluminum cans and phone books to popcorn bags and plastic beverage bottles, the search tool helps residents determine which items can be recycled and which ones should be thrown away. For more information about Waste Wizard, visit https://bit.ly/TOWFWasteWizard or contact Sustainability Coordinator Jeanette Johnson at 919-435-9585 or jjohnson@wakeforestnc.gov. As a bonus, the Waste Wizard is provided as a function on the

Read More »

Spring Artisan Market will be April 24

The Spring Artisan Market, presented by The Wake Forest Guild of Artists, ARTS Wake Forest and Wake Forest Downtown Inc., will be held outdoors along South White Street on Saturday, April 24, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will feature more than 40 artisans who specialize in a variety of works including painting, printmaking, 2-D art, photography, candle making, ceramics, needlework, home decor, jewelry, edibles and more. Visitors can view the art in each booth and show their support by purchasing items. “Offering a safe outdoor space for our artists to display their local handcrafted items and the public to browse and buy is important during a year when most art festivals and events have been canceled,” said Jeanne Steck, Wake Forest Guild of Artists president. “We are thrilled to share our art with the greater Wake Forest community.” Art will be displayed in private parking lots

Read More »

50-Mile Walking Challenge in May

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department will commemorate “National Physical Fitness Month” in May by offering a 50-Mile Walking Challenge for area residents ages 11 and older. The concept is simple. The parks and rec department is challenging area residents to walk a total of 50 miles in May and use tracking cards to record their progress. Walking locations may include neighborhoods, schools, churches, parks and greenways – just to name a few. There is no cost to participate, and online registration will be open throughout April at https://wakeforestnc.recdesk.com/Community/Home (search “Walking Challenge). The first 200 people to register will receive a free water bottle. Tracking cards are available for pickup at Joyner Park Community Center (JPCC), 701 Harris Road. Everyone ages 11 and over who registers, completes 50 miles, and returns their tracking cards to JPCC by Thursday, June 3, will receive a commemorative T-shirt (while supplies last) and

Read More »

Register for Community Plan visioning workshops now

The Town of Wake Forest is in the process of updating the Community Plan and creating a Future Land Use Map, and we need your input. On Tuesday, April 13, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and again on Saturday, April 17, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., the Town will host virtual visioning workshops that give residents, business owners and stakeholders the opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions on the future of land use and development in Wake Forest. Both workshops will have the same format and content. Each will include a short presentation on existing conditions in Wake Forest; highlights of important issues and key opportunities to include in the Community Plan; and interactive participant polling via smartphone, computer or tablet. Anyone wishing to participate should register for the meeting of their choice at www.wakeforestnc.gov/planning/community-plan. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the virtual workshop. The Town

Read More »

Firemen to fry fish Friday, April 16

Although COVID-19 has pushed many events online or even canceled them altogether, it won’t stop the Wake Forest Fire Department from frying fish this year. The firemen will host a “Drive By Fish Fry” on Friday, April 16, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. – or until all the fish plates are sold. The drive-thru event will be offered along Elm Avenue in front of Fire Station #1, 420 Elm Ave. An illustrative map of the drive-thru system will be provided in the coming days. Dinners are $10 each and will include generous portions of fried flounder, boiled potatoes, coleslaw, and hush puppies. No beverages will be provided. Online orders will be accepted through Thursday, April 15, at www.wakeforestnc.gov/fire/fish-fry. Only available while supplies last, orders may also be accepted on the day of the event. Please note: Due to a limited number of meals, ordering ahead is strongly encouraged. Fish fry

Read More »

Speaking of fish, try virtual fish tourney for youth

Note: Real fish are involved The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources  Department will host a Virtual Bass Fishing Tournament for ages 13 and older and a Virtual Youth Fishing Tournament for ages 12 and under May 10-23. Over this two-week period, local anglers are encouraged to visit any public fishery in Wake or Franklin County to try and catch the biggest fish. Participants in the Youth Fishing Tournament may catch any species of fish, while anglers in the Bass Fishing Tournament will be limited to bass only. Online registration for both tournaments is available through Thursday, April 22, at  https://wakeforestnc.recdesk.com/Community/Home. The cost to participate is $10 for the bass tournament and $5 for the youth tourney. Participants in the bass tourney will receive a fishing scale to be used in the competition, while contestants in the youth tournament will receive an “Early Fisherman” packet. Fishing scales and “Early Fisherman”

Read More »

Still time to register for Rocket League tournament

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department will host an online esports gaming tournament featuring “Rocket League” on Saturday, April 24. Open to players ages 10 and older, the “Battle in the Forest” will be played online and live streamed on Twitch.tv. Registration is underway through Wednesday, April 22, at https://wakeforestnc.recdesk.com/Community/Home. The cost is $5 per player. Teams comprised of three players each will compete in what is scheduled to be a single-day tournament to be run in conjunction with “Bull City Gaming.” In the event more than 32 teams register, the tournament will expand to two days with the qualifying rounds taking place on April 24 and the top eight teams battling it out in the finals on Sunday, April 25. As an added incentive, the winning team may represent the Town of Wake Forest in the BODYARMOR State Games esports tournament. Considered one of the top esports games in the

Read More »

‘Neck of the Woods’ series ends April 12

Beginning March 1 and continuing through April 12, the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre and ARTS Wake Forest will present a series of virtual concerts on Mondays at 7 p.m. you can enjoy from the comfort of your home. Each program in the virtual “Neck of the Woods” performance series will be different and feature one or more performing acts, including singers, dancers, actors, musicians and spoken word artists. Free and available on the Renaissance Centre Facebook and YouTube pages, the upcoming series will spotlight the following local artists:   March 1 – The Harmonia Piano Quartet – Leadership Ensemble with the North Carolina Chamber Music Institute March 8 – Debbie Dunn & Harry Tueting – Country music vocals and guitar March 15 – Masha Dashkina Maddux – Wake Forest Dance Festival discussion and dance solo March 22 – Alison Staples – Soloist March 29 – Jazz Expressions featuring Lydia Salett Dudley – Jazz/Soul duo including guitar,

Read More »

Free COVID testing

People who live and work near Wake Forest have a convenient way to get tested for COVID-19. Wake County is contracting with clinical laboratory Radeas, located at 907 Gateway Commons Circle, to provide free, drive-thru testing Monday-Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Note the time change. The service is free, and no appointment is necessary. The testing typically takes about seven minutes, and results are usually provided in seven to nine hours – but can take up to 24 hours. Tests are reserved for those who: Have COVID-like symptoms, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, and loss of smell; Have been in close contact with a known positive case of COVID-19; Are healthcare workers or first responders; Work in high-risk settings like long-term care facilities, correctional facilities or homeless shelters; Are 65 years old or older; Have underlying health conditions; Are a member of a vulnerable

Read More »

The Growth Rate

Updated April 7 The Growth Rate has not been published for several months because the Wake Forest Planning Department stopped updating its list of commercial and residential projects under departmental review and recently it has vanished from the department’s web site. That and other information was the basis for The Growth Rate. The planning director has said she intends to make the planning department more transparent. While we await that, the editor has determined to rebuild The Growth Rate over the next few weeks and months. Please send the projects you see or are interested in to cwpelosi@aol.com. Future residential projects Update April 7 – Wake County Commissioner Shinica Thomas, having been made aware of the following problem, has referred the plight of the current residents of Deerfield Crossing Mobile Home Park, to Wake County Manager David Ellis. The Wake Forest Gazette learned in early March that Middleburg Communities/The McAdams

Read More »