The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre is hosting a new art exhibit designed to warm your heart and put a smile on your face. From stunning hanging art to beautiful sculptures and lovely folk art, the “Things That Make Me Happy” showcase features works by Wake Forest Guild of Artists members Les Tryon, CeeCee Taylor, Delphine Peller, Brittney Switala, Alison Charchar, Erin Day, Deanna Brancaccio, Aline Long, Diana Cook, Terry Marchon, and Kathy Street. The Renaissance Centre will honor these artists and their works during a special reception on Wednesday, Jan. 18, from 6-8 p.m. in the Renaissance Centre Arts Annex, 407 S. Brooks. St. The reception is free and open to the public. Anyone who is unable to attend the reception, but would like to view the art exhibit, is invited to make an appointment at www.wakeforestrencen.org/event/art-exhibit-reception. All artwork is available for purchase through the artists. Visit the Wake Forest

Based on the December 2022 Monthly Development Report, WF Planning Updated January 11, 2023 The updated Wake Forest population as of July 2022 is 54,274. In 2021 the population was 50,244. How rezoning and development requests are now heard Planning Director Courtney Tanner gave this response to a query: All legislative cases (rezonings) have a public hearing at the Commissioner meeting and a public comment session at the Planning Board. A special use permit has a public hearing at the Commissioner meeting. Administrative (correct zoning and comply with the UDO) cases are approved at the staff level. Two contentious requests *The Joyner Property on Capital Boulevard is a plan for 249 single-family lots and 137 townhouse lots on the former Wake Forest Country Club site, but the engineers at McAdams Engineering have revised the plan five times, town planners and other department officials have raised questions/issues over 100 times and

The Wake Forest Human Relations Council (HRC) is celebrating Black History Month in 2023 by again offering residents the chance to recognize local African Americans who have made a difference enhancing and improving the quality of life in their community, family, church, business, organization, or other group. From now through Saturday, Jan. 21, the HRC will accept nominations for Wake Forest residents to be recognized for their contributions. The online nomination form is available at http://bit.ly/WFBHMHonorRoll. Wake Forest residents, former residents, and business and community stakeholders that identify as African American are eligible. Nominees should demonstrate leadership and integrity and be respected by their peers. In addition, potential nominees may be recognized for one or more of the following actions: • Helping neighbors and fellow Wake Forest citizens. • Demonstrating hospitality and/or concern for others. • Supporting local businesses and charities. • Promoting a sense of community in their neighborhood

You’re invited to join Mayor Vivian Jones for the 2023 State of the Town Address & Dinner on Monday, Feb. 20, 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 2023. Advance tickets are $15 per person and include a catered meal and dinner music by local performing artist Ronald Williams. 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 limited number of tickets are available, so the event is expected to sell out. Dress

In December the Board of Commissioners (BOC) received the results of an independent audit report from Cherry Bekaert LLP for the period July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022. In addition to not revealing any audit findings or problems, the report acknowledged that the Town is “in compliance” with all its financial policies and operating with strong internal controls in place. The report also included several financial performance highlights for Wake Forest which enjoys a triple A rating by all three national rating agencies: • Net change in the Town’s fund balance resulted in an increase of $7.6 million in the general fund. • Cash balances totaled $48.9 million, significantly higher than the $32.7 million in 2021. Along with above mentioned increase, this also includes American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds received by the Town. • Wake Forest collected 99.82% of its property taxes – higher than the average rate

Friday Night on White (FNOW) returns to historic downtown Wake Forest on April 14 and continues the second Friday night of each month through September. This year’s FNOW promises to be bigger and better than ever this year thanks to a power-packed lineup featuring several of our area’s most popular bands. Our 2023 concert series will include The Magic Pipers (April 14); Sleeping Booty (May 12); Love Tribe (June 9); The Brickhouse Band (July 14); Stone Age Romeos (August 11); and Crush (September 8). Each concert is scheduled from 6-9 p.m. A variety of sponsorships remain available for FNOW which drew well over 50,000 people to downtown Wake Forest in 2022. Each sponsorship is guaranteed to bring attention and recognition to local businesses through on-site exhibit space; assorted radio and television ads; printed posters, flyers, and banners; social media posts; email announcements and more. Attendance at each concert in 2022

Nothing could be more romantic than treating your special someone to a Valentine’s Brunch featuring Shana Tucker. The talented cellist and singer-songwriter will headline this special event on Saturday, Feb. 11, at 11 a.m. at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St. Tucker invites you in with her voice and captures your heart with her unique ChamberSoul style. She’s opened for heavy hitters, including the Indigo Girls and Blind Boys of Alabama and played several years in Las Vegas with Cirque du Soleil. Reserved seats are $60 each (plus tax) and include a brunch buffet catered by Cannon Catering. Tickets can be purchased online with a Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover credit card at 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. For more information, including the brunch buffet menu, visit www.wakeforestrencen.org/

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department will host an online esports gaming tournament featuring “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate” Saturday, Feb. 25. Open to players ages 10 and older, the online tournament is free to play and will be live streamed on Twitch.tv. Registration is open through Wednesday, Feb. 22, at https://wakeforestnc.recdesk.com/Community/Home. Participants will compete in a one-on-one, single-day, double-elimination tournament to be run in conjunction with “Bull City Gaming.” Matches will be best of three the championship match being best of five. In the event more than 32 people register, the tournament will expand to two days with the qualifying rounds taking place on February 25 and the top eight participants battling it out in the finals on Sunday, Feb. 26. As an added incentive, the first 30 people to register will have their name entered into a drawing for a chance to win a HORI Nintendo

Kick off the New Year by tickling your funny bone at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre. Comedian Jen Kober will deliver her original blend of stand-up comedy, storytelling, and improvised rock-n-roll humor from the Renaissance Centre stage on Friday, Jan. 27, at 7:30 p.m. Advance tickets are $20 each plus tax and can be purchased online with a Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover credit card at 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. The 2017 Winner of NPR’s Snap Judgement Comedic Performance of the Year for her “Girl Scout Cookie Caper” which went viral upon its release, Kober also received the 2018 Comedic Performance of the Year for “Nana Vs. OJ.” In 2019 she appeared on Netflix for RuPaul’s sitcom “AJ & The Queen” and “Dead to Me.” Kober had audiences rolling in

A Winter Celebration, The Word of God with Pastor Angie, will be held Saturday, January 21, beginning at 6 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom at 203 Capcom Avenue, Suite 114. The special guest speakers are Pastor Angela Postma, Pastor Eddie Haire and Minister Eva Cook. Tickets are $20 each and include dinner. There will be food, music and prizes. We hope you will join us. ###