Taken from the archives: The Wake Forest Gazette August 20, 2003, Volume 1, #15 Wake County’s plan to improve roads Can you imagine Forestville Road with four lanes, a landscaped median and sidewalks on both sides? You might also try to conjure up U.S. 401 from Ligon Mill Road up to Louisburg at four lanes with a median and sidewalks, and N.C. 98 from Wake Forest to the county lines rebuilt to the same specifications. This is the vision of Wake County’s roads by 2025 as plotted by the county planning department and its consultant, Kimley-Horn. By that year or shortly thereafter, houses, businesses and roads will stand on all the available buildable land in the county. “It will be totally built out in 2030,” Wake planner Timothy W. Clark said. By a much closer date, 2010, Wake County will have the largest population of all 100 counties in the

The Northern Community Food Security Team is partnering with Ripe for Revival to offer a monthly mobile grocery store on the second Thursday of each month from 3-5 p.m. across from the Northern Regional Center, 350 E. Holding Ave. Offering fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy from local and regional farmers on a pay-what-you-can scale, the Ripe for Revival Mobile Market will make its inaugural debut Thursday, Sept. 14. Ripe for Revival utilizes its network of farmer and food industry relationships to narrow the gap between farm excess and food access. The company purchases “retired” city or school buses, renovates them to include refrigerators and freezers, and transforms them into Mobile Markets that can drive into communities impacted by food insecurity. The brainchild of Will Kornegay, Ripe for Revival’s pay-what-you-can Mobile Markets aim to make fresh and local produce, proteins, dairy, eggs, and other food products accessible and affordable to all,

If you’re looking for a “hauntingly” good time this fall, then don’t miss the Spirits of Wake Forest ghost walk in downtown Wake Forest. Presented by Wake Forest Downtown, Inc., in partnership with Firebox Theatre Company, these tours will be offered on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, from September 28 through October 28, according to the following schedule: • Thursdays & Fridays – 6:30 p.m. & 8 p.m. • Saturdays – 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m. & 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 each and go on sale Tuesday, Sept. 5, at noon at https://bit.ly/SpiritsofWF. Please note: Tickets are non-refundable/non-transferable and must be purchased in advance. Tours will take place rain or shine. Tours are recommended for ages 8 and up, but younger children are welcome at their parents’ discretion. Any attendees under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult. Downtown Wake Forest’s buildings and sidewalks have

The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department and the Neuse River Hawks Conservationists are partnering to commemorate the “Year of the Trail” by hosting a “Tree Trail Trek” Saturday, Sept. 23, from 8 a.m. to noon at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road. The event will feature NRHC volunteers stationed at 20 different trees along the trails at Joyner Park sharing information and answering questions about a variety of native trees and their value to wildlife, including Water Hickory, Southern Magnolia, Loblolly Pine, Sassafras, Pecan, Tulip Poplar and Longleaf Pine. Designed to encourage physical activity and engage individuals and families in an outdoor adventure that fosters a meaningful connection to Joyner Park’s natural environment, the Tree Trail Trek is free, and no registration is required. Anyone interested in participating should begin at the kiosk adjacent to the entrance to the Joyner Park parking lot and follow the directional signs.

The Town of Wake Forest is introducing a free education series for residents interested in learning how to reduce their environmental footprint. Offered by Sustainability Coordinator Jeanette Johnson, “Wake Forest Sustainability 101,” is comprised of six classes on topics ranging from composting and recycling to combating litter and creating household food circularity. The sessions get underway Wednesday, Sept. 27, with “Composting 101.” Geared for homeowners and led by a Wake County Master Gardner, the workshop will offer the basics on composting and explain how to compost in your own backyard. Future sessions will include Recycle Right (November 15); Understanding Waste (January 31); Earth Day Education (March 20); Communities Combating Litter (May 22); and Creating Household Food Circularity (July 24). Free and open to the public, each class is scheduled from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Public Works Operations Center, 234 Friendship Chapel Road, or Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks

Normalize AI is a unique event aimed at equipping businesses with the knowledge and tools to leverage AI for their advantage. The event will feature a keynote speech by the renowned Stefan Youngblood, followed by a panel discussion with four successful business owners who are already utilizing AI. The event is scheduled for October 5th, from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Renaissance Center in Wake Forest. Attendees will not only enjoy a delicious breakfast, but will also have the opportunity to engage in insightful conversations with experts in the field. AI is transforming the way we do business, and this event will provide you with the necessary information to stay ahead of the curve. Don’t miss out on this cutting-edge event. Register now to secure your spot! Tickets are $55 for chamber members, $70 for nonmembers. To reserve your seat, call or email Julie Kruse-John at the chamber. ###

The Public Art Commission is promoting the October 7 Community Celebration of the Arts and raising awareness about Wake Forest’s amazing array of public art by hosting a “Public Art Selfie Contest.” Through Thursday, Oct. 5, Wake Forest residents and families are invited to take selfies in front of works of public art, then share their photos through the online form on the Town website at https://bit.ly/WFCelebrationoftheArts. Each week, we’ll post on the Town of Wake Forest Facebook page the pictures we’ve received that week and upload them to our online photo gallery. The submitted photos will also be included in a photo slideshow unveiled during the Community Celebration of the Arts on Saturday, Oct. 7. Everyone who enters the contest will be entered in a prize drawing for “Downtown Dollars” during the event. Please note: You do not have to be present to win. To learn more about Wake

The Town of Wake Forest and Wake Forest Power (WFP) are joining more than 2,000 not-for-profit utilities in celebrating Public Power Week October 1-7. As part of this annual week-long celebration, the Town and Wake Forest Power will offer the following free events and activities: Public Power Week Trivia Contest From now through Wednesday, Oct. 4, WFP residential customers can enter to win free electricity in October by visiting http://bit.ly/WFPublicPowerWeek and participating in the Public Power Week Trivia Contest. Everyone who answers all the questions correctly will be entered in the drawing for free electricity. Three winners will be announced during the afternoon Energy Expo on Thursday, Oct. 5. Savings for Seniors Bingo Wake Forest-area seniors are invited to enjoy a special morning of bingo on Monday, Oct. 2, from 10-11:30 a.m. in the Ground Floor Meeting Room of the Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St. Highlighting a

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department and the Wake Forest Pickleball Club will host the Wake Forest Third Annual Fall Classic Pickleball Tournament Friday-Sunday, Oct. 6-8, at the Flaherty Park Tennis Complex, 1226 North White Street. The entry fee is $45 per player, plus $10 for each additional event. No registrations will be accepted on the day of the tournament. Complete tournament details, including registration information, are available at https://bit.ly/WFPickleball. The registration deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 27. A variety of sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact Sandy Brasseale at 501-772-7439 or sandybpickleball@gmail.com. ###

The Town of Wake Forest and several community partners will host a Mental Wellness & Self Care Fair Saturday, Oct. 21, from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St. Free and open to the public, the event is designed to raise awareness about mental wellness and share information about programs, services, and resources available to loved ones who may be suffering from untreated or undertreated mental illness. Led by Commissioner Nick Sliwinski, the fair will feature presentations on a variety of topics by experts from several local mental health organizations. Several vendors will also be onsite from organizations, agencies, and non-profits that provide services in the areas of mental health, health care, social services, and more. This event is open to all – whether you need help or want to know how to support those who do. Preregistration is encouraged – but not