The Town of Wake Forest will host a public information meeting concerning the SunTrust Redevelopment Plan on Monday, Jan. 10, at 6 p.m. in the Town Hall Board Chambers, 301 S. Brooks Street. During the session, organizers will review information and provide updates related to the redevelopment of the former SunTrust property, located at 353 S. White St. The meeting will begin with a brief presentation, followed by an opportunity for attendees to share comments and ask questions. In the meantime, residents are invited to share their comments and questions in advance via Engage Wake Forest at https://engagewakeforest.org/. The Town of Wake Forest purchased the former SunTrust property in 2018 with the goal of creating a catalytic mixed-use development. The Town partnered with the UNC School of Government’s Development Finance Initiative (DFI) in late 2018 to assist with attracting private investment. DFI’s scope of work includes pre-development analysis, solicitation of a private development

Do you know that there is still an operating outdoor drive-in movie nearby and still prospering? On Saturdays it is open for a flea market, but every night it shows a movie, and this week it is showing the latest Spiderman, “No Way Home,” along with old favorites. Go to www.raleighroaddrivein.com for a full listing along with how to order food in advance and other tips. It has a long history. On July 15, 1949, the Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre south of Henderson began showing its first movie, “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves,” making it the oldest drive-in movie theatre still operating in North Carolina. Mark and Jennifer Frank bought the theatre in December 2011 and have made a few changes since then. They upgraded to 4K digital projection in 2014 and expanded the dinner menu to include cheese steak sandwiches, fresh-cut French fries and funnel cake fries. These

The Wake Forest Film Festival (WFFF) has announced its 2022 program lineup scheduled for Friday and Saturday, March 4-5, at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre. Entitled “A Light in the Forest,” the two-day festival will engage film enthusiasts with more than 30 films of all lengths and genres, including short and full-length, documentary, horror, animation, and student. Intended for both the general public and film professionals, the film festival is an opportunity for filmmakers to showcase their films in a unique location to a discerning audience.  To view the complete two-day schedule, including movie titles and times, visit http://bit.ly/WFFilmFestival. All-access screening passes are on sale for $15 each and will allow unlimited access to the schedule of films throughout the two-day festival, along with question-and-answer sessions with industry professionals on Friday, March 4, at 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 5, at 3:30 p.m.  Tickets may be purchased online in advance at http://bit.ly/WFFilmFestival.

You’re invited to join Mayor Vivian Jones for the 2022 State of the Town Address & Dinner on Monday, Feb. 21, at 6 p.m. Presented by the Wake Forest Rotary Club, the event will take place at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St. During her remarks, Mayor Jones will reflect on the successes and challenges of the Wake Forest community over the past year. She will also outline the goals the town will strive towards in 2022. Advance tickets are $15 per person and include a catered meal and dinner music by the Heritage High School Jazz Ensemble. Tickets can be purchased online with a Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover credit card at https://bit.ly/WFStateofTown. Tickets may also be purchased at the Renaissance Centre Box Office with cash, check or credit card. A processing fee will be added to the cost of any ticket purchased with a credit

The Town of Wake Forest is encouraging residents to make recycling a holiday tradition by recycling their live Christmas trees. Beginning Monday, Dec. 27, the Town will collect and recycle live Christmas trees from residential homes according to its normal yard waste collection schedule. The trees will be ground into mulch and made available for free to residents upon request. All Wake Forest residents whose yard waste is collected by the Town may participate in the “Treecycling” program. To recycle your Christmas tree, please remove all decorations, tinsel, nails, stands and bags from the tree and set it behind the curb for collection. Residents are reminded that artificial trees cannot be recycled. By recycling Christmas trees, Wake Forest saves valuable space at the landfill. For more information, email the Public Works Department at publicworksdept@wakeforestnc.gov. #