Our Town: Nov/Dec 2021 by Town of Wake Forest

Our Town Nov/Dec 2021

Town of Wake Forest 301 S. Brooks Street Wake Forest, NC 27587 919-435-9400 wakeforestnc.gov

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TOWN of WAKE FOREST

News Highlights Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 2

Downtown Wake Forest welcomes the ACE Party Band for a free concert November 13.

WAKE FOREST CARES

Holiday Kick-Off to feature ACE Party Band

elp us ring in the street performers. holiday season and Open and free to the launch our “Holiday public, the celebration will Donation Drive” (see back culminate from 4-7 p.m. KICK KIC K OFF page for details) during the with a high-energy con“Wake Forest Cares Holiday Kickcert featuring the ACE Party Band. Off” on Saturday, Nov. 13, in downPlaying hits from town Wake Forest. Top 40, Rock, R&B, Join us from 1-7 p.m. for a variety Beach and Motown, of family-friendly activities including this talented and skating on an artificial ice skating rink. versatile group of From 1-4 p.m. you will not want to musicians is sure miss the award-winning ice carvers to have you on your who will compete with dueling chainfeet dancing to your saws to carve our favorite holiday favorite tunes. symbols in record time. Be sure to wakeforestnc.gov, search “wake forest also check out the Ice Princess Stiltcares holiday kick off” Walker, Jack Frost Juggler and other

HOLI LIDA -DAYY racing the S Emb eason of Giving

Holiday Schedule: Wake Forest Town Hall and all other administrative offices will be closed Nov. 11 for Veterans Day, Nov. 25–26 for Thanksgiving, Dec. 23–27 for Christmas and Dec. 31 for New Year’s Eve. For a complete list of Town holidays and any changes to Town services, visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “holiday schedule”.

On Tuesday, Nov. 2, Wake Forest voters will elect a mayor and two commissioners to the Wake Forest Board of Commissioners. Polls are open 6:30 a.m.– 7:30 p.m. The two candidates running for mayor are Mayor Vivian Jones and Commissioner Bridget Wall-Lennon. The five candidates running for town board are Patrick Griffin, Michael Molinaro, Keith Shackleford, Commissioner Liz Simpers and Nick Sliwinski. For complete voter information and how to find your polling place, visit the Board of Elections website at wakegov.com/elections. Watch the Candidates Forum. Rebroadcasts of the Candidates Forum held on Oct. 7 can be viewed daily at noon and 6 p.m. on WFTV 10 or on the Town’s website at wakeforestnc. gov, search “wftv-10”. Scan the code with your smartphone camera to watch the video now.

Free 2021-22 Wake Forest wall calendar now available The Town of Wake Forest is again making it easy for area residents to keep track of popular Town events with its 14-month wall calendar. Now available at Wake Forest Town Hall, Joyner Park Community Center and several area locations, the free calendar offers a listing of events scheduled between November 2021 and December 2022. wakeforestnc.gov, search “wall calendar”

URBAN FORESTRY

Fall Foliage Tours Wednesday, Nov. 3 & Saturday, Nov. 6 E. Carroll Joyner Park Area residents are invited to enjoy the vibrant reds, oranges and yellows of autumn while also learning about native trees during a series of “Fall Foliage Tours” in early November at E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road. Urban Forestry Coordinator Luke Devores will offer the free, one-hour tours “rain or shine” on Wednesday, Nov. 3, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 6, at noon and 2 p.m. Parents and children of all ages are welcome, and no registration is required. Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to meet in front of the Joyner Park Community Center. Urban Forestry Coor. Luke Devores ☎ 919435-9565,  ldevores@wakeforestnc.gov

Local choirs help usher in the holiday season during the Lighting of Wake Forest.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS There’s no better place to celebrate the season!

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Gobblequest Saturday, Nov. 13  10 a.m. E. Carroll Joyner Park

Bundle up and bring your family out to Joyner Park to participate in family Gobblequest! Turkey cutouts will be hidden throughout the park’s various trails and greenway. Each turkey “caught” can be redeemed for a special award (limit one award per family). The morning will include hunting for turkeys, crafts and light refreshments. Activities are most suitable for children under twelve. Fee is $5 per child for residents; $6 per child for non-residents. Register at wakeforestnc.recdesk.com.

Recreation Specialist Suja Jacob,  sjacob@wakeforestnc.gov, ☎ 919-435-9558

Calls from Santa

Lighting of Wake Forest

Thursday, Dec. 2  6–8 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 3  6–8:30 p.m. Wake Forest Town Hall

Children ages 3-9 can receive a personal phone call from Santa this Christmas! Registration forms will be available at wakeforestnc.gov and Joyner Park Community Center beginning Nov. 27. Completed forms must be returned no later than 5 p.m., Dec. 1. Telephone registrations will not be accepted. There is no charge for the event, but all calls must be local. Presented by Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department

You’re invited to experience the wonder and magic of the holiday season! The festivities take place in Centennial Plaza, 301 S. Brooks St., the gateway to Wake Forest Town Hall. This year’s ceremony will begin with musical performances by local groups followed by the lighting of the Christmas tree and Santa’s exciting arrival in a Wake Forest fire truck. The lighting of the Town’s Christmas tree typically takes place at approximately 6:15 p.m. Sponsored by Holding Village Presented by Wake Forest Downtown, Inc. n n n

Wake Forest Holiday Artisans Market Saturday, Dec. 4  9 a.m–4 p.m. Wake Forest Renaissance Centre

ARTS Wake Forest presents the fifth annual Wake Forest Holiday Artisans Market. This unique shopping experience will feature a wide variety of items handmade by regional artisans. Presented by ARTS Wake Forest

Virtual Fishing Tournaments

Downtown Holiday Open House

Nov. 22–Dec. 5

Saturday, Dec. 4  10 a.m. Downtown Business District

Kick off the holiday season and discover historic downtown Wake Forest’s unique array of shops and restaurants. Free and open to the public, the Downtown Holiday Open House is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 4. Please show your support for our downtown businesses by shopping local this holiday season. Sponsored by Downtown Business Alliance. Presented by Wake Forest Downtown, Inc. n n n

It’s a Wonderful Wake Forest Saturday, Dec. 4  10 a.m.–2 p.m. Wake Forest Historical Museum

Join us at the Wake Forest Historical Museum, 414 N. Main St., on Saturday, Dec. 4, for the “It’s a Wonderful Wake Forest” Historic Holiday Festival. The Calvin Jones House will be decorated for the holidays and open for tours along

with the museum and exhibit hall. The favorite holiday film, It’s a Wonderful Life, will be screened in the museum auditorium, while local musicians perform both inside the museum and outside on the grounds. Guided tours of the historic district will be available by pre-registration leaving every 30 minutes between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Registration for the tours will open this fall at wakeforestnc.gov.

Presented by Wake Forest Historic Preservation Commission

The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department will host a Virtual Bass Fishing Tournament for ages 13 and older and a Virtual Youth Fishing Tournament for ages 12 and under November 22-December 5. Over this two-week period, local anglers are encouraged to visit any public fishery in Wake or Franklin County to try and catch the biggest fish. Participants in the Youth Fishing Tournament may catch any species of fish, while anglers in the Bass Fishing Tournament will be limited to bass only. Online registration for both tournaments is available through Nov. 4 at wakeforestnc.recdesk.com. The cost to participate is $10 for the bass tournament and $5 for the youth tourney. Recreation Center Supervisor Garrett Bryant,  gbryant@wakeforestnc.gov, ☎ 919-554-6189

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See complete details for holiday events. Scan the code with your smartphone camera or visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “christmas”.

WAKE FOREST DOWNTOWN

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Brunch with Santa Sunday, Dec. 5  10:30 a.m.–noon Joyner Park Community Center

Downtown mailbox welcomes Letters for Santa Beginning Saturday, Nov. 13, the Town of Wake Forest will provide a Letters for Santa mailbox in Jones Plaza at the intersection of South White Street and East Jones Avenue. Children of all ages are invited to bring their letters to Santa’s Mailbox anytime until Dec. 24 for immediate delivery to the North Pole. No postage is required.

In an effort to ensure the safety of Santa’s helpers who previously opened each letter individually, personal responses from Santa are not possible this year. However, the Town of Wake Forest is providing a letter from Santa that can be downloaded and personalized. Visit wakeforestnc. gov and search “Letters for Santa.”

Santa Claus is coming to town, and he’s making a pit stop in Wake Forest. Enjoy a delicious brunch, visit and take pictures with the Big Guy. There will also be story time and crafts. Wear your favorite holiday attire. Tickets are $30 per couple (two guardians and one child) for residents; $38 for non-residents. Pre-registration required at wakeforestnc.recdesk.com.

Recreation Specialist Suja Jacob,  sjacob@wakeforestnc.gov, ☎ 919-435-9558

RENAISSANCE CENTRE FOR THE ARTS

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas Dec 5 n 3 p.m. & 7 p.m. The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre in partnership with North Wake Theatre present “It’s Beginning to look a lot like Christmas”. Kick off the season with a family friendly performance filled with holiday favorites by some of the most talented performers around. Tickets: $10.

Celtic Angels Christmas Dec 10–11  The Celtic Angels captivate audiences of all ages with the Magic of Christmas. An awe-inspiring show featuring Irish favorites and world-class championship Irish dancing. Enjoy a little bit of Ireland without leaving Wake Forest! Tickets: $25.

Paper yard waste bags offer important benefits over plastic bags A Malpass Family Christmas Dec 18  7:30 p.m. Celebrate the holidays with everyone’s favorite brothers. It will be just like going home for the holidays with A Malpass Family Christmas. Tickets: $25.

Girls’ Night Out: Who Hijacked My Fairytale? Jan 8  7:30 p.m. Enjoy a girls’ night out with comedian Kelly Swanson. A night of comedy and inspiration for when your glass slipper turns out to be plastic. Guests are encouraged to dress as their favorite princess, queen or warrior. Tickets: $15.

Shades of Gospel with Pastor John P. Kee Feb 5 n 7:30 p.m. Join us for a celebration of Gospel music that connects community members of all cultures, ages, and backgrounds. Tickets: $25.

Jackie Robinson presented by Bright Star Theatre Feb 12 n 11 a.m. Alston-Massenburg Ctr. Jackie Robinson’s number “42” has come to symbolize the triumph of the human spirit over incredible odds. This biographical tale follows the life of Jackie Robinson, the first black baseball player to cross the color lines in the Major Leagues. Geared for grades K–5. Free admission. wakeforestrencen.org ☎ Renaissance Centre Box Office, 919-435-9458

The Town of Wake Forest is committed to reducing the impact of plastic bags on the environment. Not only do plastic bags cause negative effects to the environment, plastic yard waste bags create inefficiences when processing yard waste. When you use plastic bags for your yard waste, the bags have to be separated from the yard waste before the leaves and debris can be properly shredded. When shredded plastic becomes mixed with yard waste it contaminates the load and prevents the collected materials from being reusable as compost. Paper yard bags are biodegradable.

This means that living organisms can break down the bag—sometimes in a relatively short amount of time. Comparatively, plastic bags can take hundreds of years to decompose. There are no harmful impacts to the soil as paper yard bags break down. Whereas, plastic can release harmful materials into the soil as it breaks down. Where to buy. Paper yard waste bags are available at major discount stores, hardware and home improvement stores. They can also be ordered online. wakeforestnc.gov, search “yard waste”

Loose leaf collection is underway The Town of Wake Forest’s loose leaf collection program is underway and continues through mid-March. The service is provided bi-monthly (twice a month). When preparing leaves for collection, residents are urged to adhere to the following guidelines: n Place leaves behind the curb, not

in the street or gutter, so they do not interfere with traffic or drainage. n Leaves only, please, in the leaf piles. Any other items will cause mechanical failures in the vacuum trucks.

wakeforestnc.gov, search “leaf collection,” Supervisor Chad Hildebrandt, ☎ 919-435-9575,  childebrandt@wakeforestnc.gov

Recycle your Christmas tree The Town of Wake Forest encourages residents to make recycling a holiday tradition by recycling their Christmas trees. By recycling Christmas trees, Wake Forest saves valuable space at the landfill. Beginning Tuesday, Dec. 28, Town crews will collect and recycle live Christmas trees from all Wake Forest solid waste customers according to the

normal yard waste collection schedule. To recycle your Christmas tree, simply 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.

Public Works Department,  publicworksdept@ wakeforestnc.gov, ☎ 919-435-9570

Now That We Have Your Attention Let’s Talk About The Elephant in the Room

Perkins Counseling & Psychological Services is pleased to welcome Liz Vaughan, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC. With Liz on our team, we can now provide medication management as part of our comprehensive services. Liz is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner specializing in Pediatric Mental and Behavioral Health. She conducts psychiatric assessments, evaluations, and management (including medication) for ages birth to twenty-one. Liz is a pleasant and collaborative presence here and will work with you and your child as part of their treatment team.

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POLICE

Police Department Turkey Drive is underway

Police urge public to stay vigilant & report suspicious activity

The Wake Forest Police Department (WFPD) is accepting monetary donations through Saturday, Nov. 20, as part of its 15th Annual Turkey Drive. Area residents can support this worthy cause by submitting online donations via PayPal at http://bit.ly/ WFPDTurkeyDrive. Cash and checks written to the Wake Forest Police Department are also accepted. Anyone wishing to contribute cash or check to this year’s Turkey Drive should contact Officer K. Abshire at kabshire@wakeforestnc.gov. Officials are considering several options for safely distributing the turkeys this year. Additional information will be provided once plans are finalized. The WFPD organized its first Turkey Drive in 2007. Since then, the department has distributed nearly 10,000 turkeys to needy families in our area, including over 800 last year.

The Wake Forest Police Department (WFPD) is urging every resident to “be a good neighbor” by reporting suspicious activity this holiday season and throughout the year. Police Chief Jeff Leonard says crimes are often prevented when citizens report suspected illegal activity. This is especially true when it comes to combatting “porch pirates.” With the holiday shopping season upon us, deliveries are already arriving on doorsteps. The WFPD is enlisting the public’s help to ensure the rightful owners receive those packages. If you see a package being stolen from a neighbor’s home, call police and report a “crime in progress.” In addition, if you see someone acting suspicious or a vehicle that might be casing the neighborhood, call police immediately with an accurate description of the suspect(s) and/or vehicle as well as exactly what they were doing. Being a good neighbor is always the best defense against crime. The WFPD relies on the Town’s citizens to be its eyes and ears. Anyone witnessing or experiencing suspicious activity is urged to call the police department at 919-554-6150 or 919556-9111. You may remain anonymous.

HUMAN REL ATIONS COUNCIL

Jordan Kaplan & Ronnie Jackson are this year’s Good Neighbors of the Year The Human Relations Council (HRC) is pleased to announce Jordan Kaplan and Ronnie Jackson as Wake Forest’s 2021 Youth and Adult Good Neighbors of the Year. Mayor Vivian Jones and HRC Chair Robin Smith presented each with a commemorative plaque during a special video presentation recorded in September and posted on the Town of Wake Forest website and Facebook page. Kaplan was nominated by her neighbor, Jessica Roth, who praised Jordan’s “big heart and selfless acts.” “During the pandemic (Jordan) painted rocks with inspiring messages and laid them all around the neighborhood for neighbors to find,” wrote Roth in her nomination narrative. “Many neighbors posted in our community page about how lifted their spirits were, and some paid it forward. She is truly one of a kind and well deserving of recognition.” Margaret Watkins nominated Jackson and noted his “countless efforts to help his fellow neighbors.” She concluded by noting, “He’s someone my kids can look up to. I’m proud to live in the same town with him.” The HRC solicits Good Neighbor of the Year nominations for one adult and one youth each year from April through August, then typically announces the winners during Good Neighbor Day. Due to COVID-19, this year’s Good Neighbor Day was canceled. To view the awards presentation, visit wakeforestnc.gov.

Ronnie Jackson (center)

Call 919.556.1121 Mon–Fri: 8am–6pm • Sat: 8am–2pm • Sun: 10am–2pm 2160 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587 northwakeanimalhospital.com

Jordan Kaplan (center)

NORTHERN WAKE SENIOR CENTER

Stay informed about the senior center The Northern Wake Senior Center offers adults age 55 and older a schedule of recreational activities, social events and educational classes. To subscribe to their weekly email newsletter, send an email message to Jennie Griggs, jennieg@rfsnc.org and request that you be added to the email distribution list. To view recent newsletters, visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “Northern Wake Senior Center.” The Northern Wake Senior Center is located at 235 E. Holding Ave. Programming at the center is provided by Resources for Seniors, Inc.

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Our Town

Your Government

TOWN of WAKE FOREST

Wake Forest Cares Holiday Donation Drive is underway

Top 5 ways to stay informed

about Town programs, services & special events n Visit the website. Updated regularly, wakeforestnc.gov is your portal to important information. n Download the app. Find information at your fingertips. Search for “Town of Wake Forest” to download the free app. n

Find us on social media. We’re on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Nextdoor. Search for the Town of Wake Forest and see our posts. n

Subscribe to E-Notifier. Our free email subscription service allows you to subscribe to various information categories. To sign up, visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “e-notifier”.

n View videos. Watch Town of Wake Forest videos on YouTube and watch real-time streaming video broadcasting on Wake Forest TV 10 directly from the Town’s website.

The Wake Forest Cares Holiday Donation Drive is an opportunity for residents to offer support for important needs in the community. For the 2021 Wake Forest Cares Holiday Donation Drive, the community is invited to contribute to one or more of the following initiatives: n Helping Others by Providing Electricity (HOPE) n Northern Community Food Security Team n Shop with a Cop n Wake Forest Firefighters Foundation n Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Scholarship Program

These organizations/initiatives are working to address specific needs in our community – whether it be hunger, home lighting and heating, tutoring, mentoring, safe spaces, and/or providing joy and hope during the holiday season and beyond. In 2020, the inaugural Wake Forest Cares Holiday Donation Drive generated a total of $10,715 for our charity partners. Donations are accepted through Friday, Dec. 31, 2021. Make a donation today. Scan the code to make a donation. Or visit wakeforestnc. gov and search “Wake Forest Cares Donation Drive”.

What’s Up in Wake Forest: Town’s digital newsletter keeps you informed This edition of Our Town marks the end of a 12-year run for the official Town newsletter. In an effort to cut printing and postage costs, we will no longer produce or publish Our Town in any format. Instead, we invite residents to continue staying informed about the Town of Wake Forest by signing up for our various digital publications. If you’re a regular reader of Our Town, please consider our digital publication What’s Up in Wake Forest. Everything that appears in Our Town—every other month—is provided in What’s Up in Wake Forest—every week. In other words, by receiving What’s

Up in Wake Forest each week, you’ll receive all the information (and more) you would have received in Our Town—only days and weeks earlier. To sign up for What’s Up in Wake Forest—and other digital publications—visit wakeforestnc. gov/enotifier and select What’s Up in Wake Forest from the list of options. Also, be sure to follow the Town of Wake Forest on Nextdoor, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram—and download the Town app.

wakeforestnc.gov, search “enotifier” Communications & Public Affairs Director Bill Crabtree,  bcrabtree@wakeforestnc.gov

Watch board meetings on Town’s website

Meetings can be viewed both live and on demand through the

Public Meeting Portal. wakeforestnc.gov, search “public meeting portal”

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETINGS

Third Tuesday | 6 p.m. Town Hall Board Room BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSIONS

First Tuesday | 6 p.m. Town Hall Board Room PLANNING BOARD MEETINGS

Second Tuesday | 6 p.m. Town Hall Board Room View meetings : n live

at wakeforestnc.gov, search “wftv 10” or ondemand in streaming video

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on WFTV 10 and rebroadcast at 9 a.m., 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. daily for up to two weeks after the meeting

WFTV WFTV 10 is the Town’s government access channel available to Spectrum Cable TV subscribers. Watch WFTV 10 live online at wakeforestnc.gov, search “wftv 10”.

Staying Informed E-NOTIFIER

301 S. Brooks St. Wake Forest, NC 27587 919-435-9400 wakeforestnc.gov

Our Town is published bi-monthly by the Town of Wake Forest Communications Department Communications & Public Affairs Director Bill Crabtree 919-435-9421 bcrabtree@wakeforestnc.gov Advertising Rates & Information: Anna Bolton 919-610-4916 abolton@wakeforestnc.gov wakeforestnc.gov, search for “Our Town” Read a digital version of Our Town at wakeforestnc.gov, search for “Our Town”