Artist wanted for Alston-Massenburg mural

The Wake Forest Public Art Commission is partnering with the Northeast Community Coalition to issue a Call for Artists at https://bit.ly/WFPAC_CallforArtists for a community engagement mural to be applied to the exterior of the Alston-Massenburg Center, 416 North Taylor Street.  The theme of the piece is open to the artist’s discretion but should reflect themes of family and history. Only artists that have applied for and been accepted into the PAC’s Pre-Qualified Artist Registry are eligible. To learn more and/or apply, visit https://bit.ly/WFPACPreQualifiedArtistRegistry. A selection committee comprised of members of the Wake Forest PAC and Northeast Community Coalition, and other relevant parties will jury all submissions and select the winning artist who will enter a contract with the Town of Wake Forest. The selected artist will be responsible for initiating the design of the artwork, engaging community feedback on design, and completing the artwork in conjunction with the community. Selection criteria include the applicant’s proven ability to

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Provide your opinion to Parks & Rec

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department and the PRCR Advisory Board are updating the 2015 PRCR Master Plan through “Play It Forward Wake Forest,” a campaign to raise awareness about the initiative and encourage community participation in the process. Citizen input is the cornerstone of “Play It Forward,” so we want to hear from you. You’re invited to visit https://engagewakeforest.org/parks-recreation-master-plan-update and complete Community Survey #3 to rate your satisfaction with Wake Forest parks and facilities. You may also complete the survey at the following PRCR facilities during normal operating hours: Alston-Massenburg Center,416 N. Taylor St.; Flaherty Park Community Center, 1226 N. White St.; and Joyner Park Community Center, 701 Harris Road. The comprehensive survey is available through Friday, March 22, and takes less than 30 minutes to complete. The PRCR Master Plan reflects the Town’s vision of a vibrant community that responds to the needs and desires of its

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From the Wake Forest Chamber

The Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the 2024 Meet in the Street. The 42nd anniversary of Meet in the Street, presented by Allison Caudle with Southern Lux Living and coordinated by the Wake Forest Area Chamber, will be held Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm in downtown Wake Forest.  This premier arts & crafts, music and food festival will include more than 100 artisan booths featuring handmade items for sale, dozens of food trucks, live music throughout the day on two different stages, a children’s village filled with activities for kids, and more. Admission is free. Interested in being part of this event? The application window is NOW OPEN for 2024! Click the appropriate application below to download a fillable PDF application. Arts & Crafts VendorsFood VendorsNonprofits (Chamber member exclusive)Festival Business Booths & Sponsorships ###

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Monthly Inspections Report: February

The Wake Forest Inspections Department issues a monthly report about all new building permits and new businesses. In February there were 57 permits issued for new single-family dwellings, 36 permits for townhouses and 26 permits for multi-family dwellings. There was no new commercial buildings approved . There were no fit-ups approved. There were four pre-occupancy inspections: Proforce Pest Control Raleigh LLC at Merritt Capital Drove, Suite 102 Mattress Now at 12267 Capital Boulevard Revolution Hearing at 2006 South Main Street, Suite 202 Big Blue Marble Academy at 1941 Heritage Branch Road Monarch Mental Health Counseling at 1780 Heritage Center Drive, Suite 204 ###

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The Growth Rate

Based on the January, 2024 Monthly Development Report, WF Planning Updated February 14, 2024 The updated Wake Forest population as of July 1, 2023 was 56,681. That figure included the new homes which were approved for occupancy. When all the current approved apartments, townhouses and single-family homes are built the population will rise to 69,956. The town keeps a running tally of approved projects with counts of those completed. The best inspections current estimate is that between seven and eight people move to town each day. Plans NOT on the list There are a number of plans, large and small, that have been on this list and have now disappeared. Some of the plans have before the planning and the town board, and large subdivisions such as the Reserve at Dunn Creek require detailed plans after approval by the town board, detailed plans the planning department staff have to examine,

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Obituaries

Kaye Pearce Harding Wake Forest Kaye Pearce Harding, age 76, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2024, with her family by her side. She was born August 31st, 1947, in Johnston County. She was preceded in death by her mother, Larsetine and two sisters Carolyn and Faye. Kaye is survived by her husband of 51 years Kenneth Harding, Sr., son, Kenne, (Alison) and her grandchildren; Keeley and Camryn. She also leaves behind two sisters Annette and Vicki. Kaye loved to send cards for every occasion as well as handwritten notes. For many years she was an elementary school teacher and those tendencies carried over when she got the joy of caring for her grandchildren. She considered herself incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to raise the girls from infants to the time they were ready for pre-school. Later in life she rekindled her love for church and became very involved

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30 years of Six Sundays in Spring

You’re invited to help celebrate three decades of foot-tapping, finger-snapping good times during the 30th anniversary of Six Sundays in Spring. Sponsored by the Town of Wake Forest and ARTS Wake Forest, the free outdoor concert series will be offered from 5:307 to 7:30 p.m. on consecutive Sundays from April 28 through June 2 at the Joyner Park Amphitheater, 701 Harris Road. From big band and R&B to beach and jazz, there’s something for all music lovers at this year’s Six Sundays in Spring. Beatles tribute band, Beatlesque, will kick off this year’s performances on Sunday, April 28, followed by Eduardo and the Paco Band on May 5, Soul Pyschedelique Orchestra on May 12, Marcus Anderson on May 19, The Magnificents on May 26, and Sensory Expressions Band on June 2. A variety of food and dessert trucks will be on site for each concert. Concert goers are also invited to bring

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Wake Forest becomes a town again

100 years of history By Carol W. Pelosi (In 2003, when the Gazette began, I ran a long history series that ambled and jumped and went in different directions but always told the stories of this town and area. There are some corrections because I have learned more history. Here it is, starting with the first article.) At first it was just Wake Forest College, with students and professors, professors’ families and slaves, living and studying in the former home of Dr. Calvin Jones and spreading out to the outbuildings and even a tent that served as a dining room. The town, with stores and some homes, was at Forestville, a mile down a dusty road. After 1840, Forestville also had the train station and post office. The town of Wake Forest only really began in 1839 when the college offered 80 one-acre lots for sale at $100 each except

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Looking back 21 years

The article about the 1909 history was published first on July 2, 2003. What was going on then? The Town of Wake Forest was struggling with ;questions about water. To be able to grow — which was one aim of the town government — the town needed more water than the reservoir and water plant could provide. Raleigh had announced the town could no longer buy water; Wake Forest had to agree to have Raleigh take ownership of the water and sewer systems or find water elsewhere. The town government was searching for alternatives. There was also to be a public workshop about a proposed high-speed rail line through town with the possibility of it being implemented within seven years, or 2010. And the Fourth of July celebrations would begin with a concert and fireworks in Trentini Stadium on the Wake-Forest Rolesville High School campus. ###

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Opinion: Watershed could become town jewel

The residents of the Town of Wake Forest have the opportunity to save a treasure — 584 acres of land that has been untouched for 64 years containing several varieties of mature trees, native plants, natural features such as waterfalls and several streams and where deer, racoons, possums, squirrels and birds of all sorts live and move and thrive. It is the watershed for what was the Wake Forest Reservoir when it was the source for the town’s drinking water. With Raleigh owning the town’s water and sewer systems, the Town of Wake Forest has plans to protect the reservoir for limited recreational use. It also had plans for the watershed — building townhouses. Last year, in October and November the town planning department headed by Director Courtney Tanner suddenly felt an urgency to address those 584 acres which are still in Wake County and zoned as a watershed at

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