The Town of Wake Forest will accept applications for the 2025 session of Wake Forest Planning 101 (formerly known as the Citizens Planning Academy) Monday, Feb. 10, through 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24. Wake Forest Planning 101 is designed to educate residents of Wake Forest and its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) on fundamental topics in planning and development in Wake Forest, with an emphasis on hands-on learning. Participants will explore a variety of topics pertaining to planning and zoning, including the framework for local regulations established by state law, trends in growth and land development in Wake Forest, adopted Town plans, land development considerations and processes, the Town’s development regulations, public hearings, and more. Participants will be expected to attend four sessions on consecutive Wednesdays from April 30-May 21 (April 30, May 7, May 14, and May 21). Each session is scheduled from 5:45-8:15 p.m. at Wake Forest Town Hall, 301

The Wake Forest Police Department is inviting community members to help raise money for Special Olympics NC by taking part in the first Polar Plunge on Saturday, Feb. 22, at Heritage Lake Pool, 804 Heritage Lake Road. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the plunge is set for 10 a.m. Community members are invited to attend this fundraising event as “plungers,” “chickens,” and bystanders to cheer on the brave individuals who plunge into the pool. Each participant must raise a minimum of $50 to take the plunge with additional prizes and incentive offered to those who raise more. Anyone who wants to support the cause but is “too chicken” to plunge can register as “too chicken” for $20 and stay warm in a heated area aptly named the “chicken coop.” All proceeds will be donated to Special Olympics NC. To preregister to participate, visit https://give.specialolympicsnc.com/campaign/2025-wake-forest-police-department-polar-plunge/c652811. Individuals may register online or make

Just a little history (The editor worked at The Wake Weekly twice, as a typesetter/reporter/columnist in the 1970s-1980s and as editor from January 1, 2000 to February 2003 and saved a big stack of the newspapers at home. After leaving I cut out the section called Looking Back and began putting the items in stacks for each year. It is not half done, but this is what happened one year in town.) A lot happened, beginning with the early morning of Jan. 25, when a man going to pick up newspapers for delivery spotted a fire in the Keith’s grocery store on South White Street. The fire had a good start, and it was one of the worst times for a fire with below-freezing temperatures, rain and sleet, all in the dark. All the firemen and their equipment from both Wake Forest and Rolesville were coated with ice, and they

Tickets are on sale and going fast for two performances of TheaterWorks USA’s “Pete the Cat” on Saturday, April 26, at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St. The morning show begins at 11 a.m., while the afternoon show gets underway at 3 p.m. TheaterWorks USA has been delighting audiences young and old for nearly 60 years. In this New York City-based touring production, the groovy blue cat, Pete, meets The Biddles and has the whole family rocking, except for young Jimmy. Jimmy is the most organized second grader on planet earth. Before long Pete and Jimmy team up on an adventure of friendship that helps Jimmy conquer second grade art. Advance tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for ages 16 and under and can be purchased online at https://bit.ly/WFRenCenTix, in person at the WFRC Box Office, or by calling 919-435-9458. Recommended for Pre-K to third graders, this

The Wake Forest Human Relations Council (HRC) will host the 2025 Minority & Women-Owned Business Expo Saturday, Feb. 22, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St. The event is free and open to everyone. According to a 2023 report, of all US businesses, only 2% are Black-owned, just 6% are Hispanic-owned, and only 5% are women-owned. The HRC’s Minority & Women-Owned Business Expo is designed to increase recognition and opportunities for minority and women business owners in the Wake Forest community. More than 35 local businesses are scheduled to participate, including Aging Care Matters, Ataraxis Travel, Brookfields Indoor Golf & Lounge, Divine Holistic Wellness, Kwench Juice Café, Remarkable Regenerating Waves, The Makery, White Street Market, and Where in the World Vacations. To view the complete list of participating businesses, visit https://bit.ly/WFMinorityWomenOwnedBusinessExpo.  The 2025 Minority & Women-Owned Business Expo promises to bring enterprising professionals

You’re invited to join Mayor Vivian Jones for the 2025 State of the Town Address & Dinner on Monday, Feb. 17, 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 2025. 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 for

The Town of Wake Forest and the Wake Forest Historical Museum are partnering to offer free Black History Month Walking Tours of the Northeast Community every Friday in February at 1 p.m. Pre-registration is required by completing the online sign-up form at https://bit.ly/BHMWalkingTours. Space is limited to the first 15 participants to sign up for each tour. Please note: The February 7 walking tour is full. Led by staff from Historic Preservation Planning and the Wake Forest Historical Museum, the tours will include Olive Branch Baptist Church, Alston-Massenburg Center, the newly restored Ailey Young House, the African American Cemetery, and more. Along the way, each group will discuss the developmental and architectural history of the area, along with the significant men and women who shaped the Northeast Community. Tours are outside only and will not include the inside of individual homes or buildings.  Each tour is approximately 90 minutes and will begin

February is Black History Month and American Heart Month, and the Northern Wake Senior Center is commemorating both – along with Valentines Day – by hosting “Heart & Soul – A Paths to Wellness Event” on Thursday, Feb. 13, from noon-4 p.m. Free and open to everyone, the event will raise awareness about the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes among the aging population. According to the CDC, “Diabetes is a major chronic disease that affects more than 37 million US adults. Furthermore, almost half of people 65 and older are prediabetic. African Americans are disproportionately affected by the diabetes epidemic with 12.1% having the disease, compared with the 7.4% of the Non-Hispanic White population.” Heart & Soul will include a jazz concert featuring Lynnette Barber, nutritious and heart-healthy snacks, a variety of speakers and vendors, plus demo fitness and Tai Chi classes. Seating is limited, so pre-registration is required by calling

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department is partnering with Wake Forest native Ronald “Skip” Parker to host a “Black History Expo” Saturday, Feb. 15, from noon-4 p.m. at the Alston-Massenburg Center, 416 N. Taylor St. Free and open to the public, the expo will feature on display many of Parker’s unique and authentic antiques and collectibles from the mid-1800s through the mid-1900s, including an 1842 wooden washboard, a vintage 1954 DeLaval stainless steel milk can, antique dolls depicting Rosa Parks, Ida B. Wells, Ella Fitzgerald, Katherine Johnson, and Maya Angelou, and much more. For more information, email Community Center Supervisor James Triplette at jtriplette@wakeforestnc.gov. For information on all of Wake Forest’s Black History Month events, including our Black History Month Walking Tours and Black History Month Honor Roll,” visit https://bit.ly/WFBlackHistoryMonth.  ###

Happy February! We are excited to announce our partnership with the American Heart Association by providing blood pressure monitor kits that check out from the library! Stop by the desk to check one out today. Besides our normal programs at the library, we offer very active virtual book clubs & events. Please see the attached flyers and share as you’d like. Here’s a quick overview of what’s happening for adults this month! We look forward to seeing you soon. Wake Forest Library Stitchers Meets 2nd and 4th Wednesdays 12-3 Join us for an afternoon of creativity and community. Bring your latest project and connect with fellow makers who share your passion for all things handmade. Creativity is always more fun when shared with others. Any stitchers welcome!  Free Money to Start or Expand Your Business Wednesday, February 12 at 6:30 There are government grants to assist businesses but rarely any to