The Wake Forest Fire Department offers a life-saving initiative that provides firefighters with the safe and efficient entry they need into the homes of vulnerable residents during fires or medical emergencies. The Knox Homebox program involves homeowners buying a steel lock box and firefighters locking their house key in it. Fire crews have a master key that opens the box in the event of a medical emergency, fire or other urgent need. According to Fire Logistics Specialist David Davis, the initiative saves precious time for first responders and the potential expense of costly repairs for the homeowner due to forced entry. “Our number one concern is getting inside the house to provide aid to someone who may be in trouble,” said Davis. “This program allows us to gain entry quickly without breaking down the door or breaking windows.” Davis said the program also offers peace of mind for the homeowner and their

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department is partnering with Resources for Seniors to offer residents 55 and older free blood pressure checks and medication management classes on the second Wednesday of each month. Dr. Casey Baldwin of Resources for Seniors will conduct the blood pressure checks from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Alston-Massenburg Center, 416 North Taylor Street. Then, from 12:15 to 1 p.m., she will lead a free medication management class. Dr. Baldwin will also offer the blood pressure checks and medication management class at the Northern Wake Senior Center, 235 East Holding Avenue, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the following days each month: First Monday and Thursday Third Friday Fourth Tuesday Again, the blood pressure checks and medication management classes are free, and no registration is required. For more information, email Dr. Casey Baldwin at caseyb@rfsnc.org.

Commander Joe Csuka of the Wake Forest Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post 8466 reminds area students that this year’s VFW Student Essay competition is still ongoing. Local students have the opportunity to compete for thousands of dollars in awards, scholarships, trips to Washington, DC and more. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) started the Voice of Democracy Scholarship program in 1947. The VFW became a national sponsor in the late 1950s and assumed sole responsibility for the program in 1961. The competition was created to provide students grades 9-12 the opportunity to express themselves in regard to democratic ideas and principles. Around 40,000 students participate in the competition each year and VFW awards more than $2 million in scholarships every year. The program was expanded to include middle school students with the Patriot’s Pen competition in 1995. Since then hundreds of thousands of students have participated. High school students

The Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a Candidates Forum on October 7 along with Wake Electric Membership Corporation, the Knightdale-Wake Forest Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and The Wake Weekly. There are two candidates for Wake Forest mayor, the incumbent Mayor Vivian Jones and Commissioner Bridget Wall-Lennon. Five people are vying for the two seats on the board of commissioners: Patrick Griffin, Michael Molinaro, R. Keith Shackleford, Commissioner Liz Simpers and Nick Sliwinski. The forum will be held Thursday, October 7, at 6 p.m. in the Renaissance Centre. People can submit questions in advance. You are invited to meet with the candidates after the forum. * * * * Registration is now open for this year’s Sporting Clays Tournament presented by B & W Hardware on Nov. 4 at the Rose Hill Estate in Nashville. Go to the chamber’s website to register and get all