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Welcome to Town of Wake Forest E-News
The Town of Wake Forest is pleased to present the April 2008 edition of E-News. Please share this monthly newsletter with your friends and neighbors and encourage them to sign up for E-News by visiting the homepage of our website and providing their email address in the designated area below the Town Calendar.
E-News subscribers also receive THE WEEK AHEAD, an email publication distributed each week to make area residents aware of upcoming local events and activities, as well as E-Alerts that give you a heads-up on breaking news, including road closings, police advisories, and important event reminders.
You may unsubscribe from E-News at any time. To do so, simply click HERE, and type UNSUBSCRIBE E-NEWS in the subject line.
Register for E-Notifier
Do you want to be the first to know about what's happening in the Town of Wake Forest? If so, then register for E-Notifier - our free email subscription service. The service allows you to subscribe to four specific information categories and receive an e-mail notification whenever we post new information on the website related to the chosen categories. Our goal is to help you receive the information you want as quickly and efficiently as possible.
E-Notifier alerts subscribers to the availability of
Board of Commissioners and Planning Board meeting agendas, the Town Manager’s Weblog, and RecConnect - the Parks & Recreation Department’s program brochure. This is a free service provided by the Town of Wake Forest, and you can rest assured your email address will only be used to deliver the information you request.
Signing up is quick and easy. To receive any or all of these items, click HERE and follow the instructions below:
- To receive the Board of Commissioners’ meeting agendas, type BOC AGENDAS in the subject line
- To receive Planning Board meeting agendas, type PLANNING AGENDAS in the subject line
- To receive the Town Manager’s Weekly Weblog, type WEBLOG in the subject line
- To receive the Parks & Recreation Department’s program brochure, type NEWSLETTER in the subject line
- To receive all four items, type ALL in the subject line
You may also receive a combination of the four offerings. For example, if you wish to receive the Weblog and the Parks & Recreation newsletter, type WEBLOG and NEWSLETTER in the subject line.
We're always searching for ways to serve you better. We anticipate offering additional direct email opportunities in the coming months, so stay tuned!
Return to Stage 1 Water Restrictions
Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker announced April 7 that Raleigh water customers, including Wake Forest residents, are again under Stage 1 Mandatory Water Conservation measures.
The City of Raleigh Stage 1 mandatory water use restrictions provide for irrigation one day per week. Odd property addresses are permitted on Tuesdays and even property addresses on Wednesdays. Irrigation on those days by automatic irrigation systems will only be permitted from midnight to 10:00 a.m. Those who use Raleigh-supplied water in garden hose attached lawn irrigation sprinklers may irrigate only from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and also between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. on the Stage 1 assigned days for their property.
City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department water customers may water two days per week on the odd/even system when physically holding a garden hose in their hand from 6:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Odd addresses may hand water on Tuesdays and Saturdays and even properties on Wednesday and Sundays.
Please refer to the chart listed below for specific information regarding water uses:
|
WATER USE |
STAGE 1 RULES |
|
Automatic/non-automatic irrigation systems |
ODD = Tuesday EVEN=Wednesday
12 a.m. (midnight) – 10 a.m. |
|
Hose End Sprinklers |
ODD = Tuesday EVEN=Wednesday
6 a.m.-10 a.m. and
6 p.m.-10 p.m. |
|
Hand held hose |
ODD = Tue./Sat EVEN = Wed./Sun.
6 a.m.-10 a.m. and
6 p.m.-10 p.m. |
|
Vehicle Washing |
Saturday and Sunday |
|
Pressure Washing |
Saturday and Sunday |
The Stage 1 mandatory water-use restrictions also limit use of City of Raleigh supplied water for other residential uses such as washing vehicles at home (Saturdays and Sundays only), power washing driveways, sidewalks, homes (Saturdays and Sundays only) and filling swimming and decorative pools. The entire Stage 1 water use restrictions are listed on the City’s web page at www.raleighnc.gov and are available by contacting the City of Raleigh Public Utilities at (919) 857-4540 or City of Raleigh Public Affairs Department at (919) 890-3100.
The Stage 1 mandatory water use restrictions apply to all City of Raleigh water customers, including those in nearby towns that have merged their water and sewer systems with Raleigh and therefore also receive water from Raleigh. Those towns are Garner, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Knightdale, Wendell and Zebulon.
The first violation of the Stage 1 mandatory water restrictions is a $200 fine, and a second violation would result in a $1,000 civil penalty. A third violation would result in interruption of the customer’s water service from the City.
For more information or to report violators, please contact the City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department at (919) 857-4540.
Holding Park Pool to Open on Schedule
The return to Stage 1 water restrictions paves the way for the Parks & Recreation Department to open Holding Park Pool for the season on Saturday, May 24.
Raleigh’s Stage 2 water restrictions, which took effect February 15, prohibited the filling of swimming pools drained for repair and threatened to force us to cancel the 2008 pool season. However, the decision to lift the Stage 2 restrictions makes it possible for the Parks & Recreation Department to proceed with plans to open Holding Park Pool on schedule.
The pool will be open only on weekends through Sunday, June 8. Beginning Wednesday, June 11, Holding Park Pool will be open on weekdays and weekends through Sunday, August 24.
Holding Park Pool, 133 W. Owen Avenue, is one of the area’s largest outdoor public swimming pools. The 50-meter pool is open during the summer months and offers swimming to the general public, as well as water aerobics, swim lessons, lap swim times, and parent/toddler swim times.
Open swim times are 1 – 6 pm, Monday – Friday and 1-7 pm, Saturday – Sunday. Daily admission fees are $1 for children ages 2 and under; $3 for children ages 3-12, and $4 for patrons ages 13 and over.
Open swim passes will be available May 1. Passes are for individuals only and may be purchased at Town Hall. The fee is $40 per person for Wake Forest (in-town) residents and $65 per person for non-residents.
The swim lesson schedule will be announced May 19. Classes will be offered for preschoolers (3-5-year-olds) and beginners (ages 6 and above). Swim lesson registration will begin June 2 at Town Hall. The fee is $35 for Wake Forest (in-town) residents and $70 for non-residents.
Lap swim passes and Parent/Toddler passes will also be available May 1 and may be purchased at Town Hall. Lap swim passes are for individuals only. The fee is $30 per person. Lap swim times are Monday – Friday, noon - 1 pm.
Parent/Toddler passes are for one parent and up to two children ages 4 and under. The fee is $30 per pass. Parent/Toddler swim times are Monday – Saturday, noon - 1 pm.
Water aerobics are scheduled for Monday and Wednesday evenings from 8 - 8:45 p.m. Wake Forest will offer two sessions: June 16 – July 9 and July 21 – August 13. The fee is $35. For more information about water aerobics, contact Cindy Fergeson, Programs Coordinator, at (919) 556-4818.
For more information about all other programs offered at Holding Park Pool, contact Edward Austin, Athletic Coordinator, at (919) 554-6183.
Bus Service Coming to Wake Forest
For years Wake Forest residents have expressed their desire to see bus service established in Wake Forest. Thanks in large measure to the tireless efforts of Mayor Vivian Jones and the cooperation of the Town, the Raleigh City Council, Triangle Transit, Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, Wake County TRACS, and Capital Area Transit, a bus route to Raleigh and another line that would loop around Wake Forest are about to become a reality.
As early as the first of August, plans call for a 19-passenger bus, operated by the Wake County Transportation Service, to circulate through Wake Forest. It will connect to the Raleigh line at timed intervals at a park-and-ride lot. Stops are expected at schools, the seminary, shopping centers, the library, and the post office, just to name a few. The express line would begin from some point in Wake Forest and end in downtown Raleigh with one stop between, at the Triangle Town Center.
The official route will not be finalized until area residents have a chance to offer their comments at a public meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Wake Forest Town Hall. A draft map will be displayed during the meeting in order to give people an idea of the route.
Anyone who can't attend the meeting, but would like to offer their opinion, is invited to email Wake Forest Engineering Director Eric Keravuori or call him at (919) 554-6122.
Meet in the Street May 3
For 27 years, people in the Wake Forest community have gathered to enjoy one of the largest family-friendly festivals in the region and this year should be no different. A crowd of more than 10,000 is expected to descend upon the historic business district of Downtown Wake Forest on Saturday, May 3 for the 28th Annual Meet In The Street®. The event, which will be held from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., is free and open to the public.
While there, visitors will have the chance to acquire some wonderful hand-made arts and crafts. Nearly 80 vendors from all over the Southeast proudly show off their handiwork at Meet In The Street®. You can find beautiful paintings, jewelry and home décor, as well as many unique handcrafted items that make this annual event a celebration of local art and artisans.
Also, be sure to stop by the Children’s Village, sponsored by HealthFIRST Pharmacy. There you will find games and activities staffed by the YMCA. Come with an appetite, as the Food Village will be stocked with hot dogs, homefries and funnel cakes as usual. You can also experience international flavor by trying some of the Greek gyros and pita sandwiches.
The entire family will be entertained by local dancers, singers and musicians on two different stages. As always, you can meet up with some of the Triangle’s favorite mascots, including the Durham Bulls' Wool E. Bull and Stormy from the Carolina Hurricanes!
Meet In The Street® is organized by the Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce and made possible by the volunteer efforts and financial resources of Chamber members.
For more information, call the Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce at (919) 556-1519.
Raleigh Repeals Garbage Disposal Ban
A City of Raleigh ordinance prohibiting new garbage disposals or food scrap grinders from being installed or connected to the City’s sanitary sewer system has been repealed. The ordinance, which also prohibited residential and commercial establishments from replacing existing garbage disposals that were no longer operational, was overturned April 15.
On March 4, the City Council voted to ban the installation of new garbage disposals in response to the Public Utilities Department's finding that over 20 of last year's 48 sewerline blockages were caused by grease. Officials also said that because of the recent drought, the ban was necessary because disposals use an estimated 500,000 gallons of water per day.
The Raleigh City Council voted to repeal the ordinance following a recommendation from the City's budget and economics development committee, which concluded that there is not enough evidence to determine that disposals cause clogs in the sewer system.
The Voltage Brothers to Headline "First Light Wake Forest"
In 2009 Wake Forest will commemorate its centennial with a year-long celebration that includes the Party of the Century (February 20, 2009), involvement in one of the Six Sundays in Spring concerts and 4th of July events, and a Christmas Gala (December 5, 2009).
But the town plans to officially kick off the celebration with the first-ever First Light Wake Forest, scheduled for December 31, 2008.
For the past several months, the First Light Wake Forest planning committee has been meeting to plan a fun-filled, family-friendly event that offers activities for all age groups, as well as first-rate entertainment. Last week that first-rate entertainment was ensured when the committee signed "The Voltage Brothers" to headline the inaugural First Light Wake Forest!
According to their website, The Voltage Brothers “have been creating heart-stopping, high voltage music since 1969, when they were just teenagers in their hometown of Rochester, N.Y. Now every city on the eastern seaboard of the United States claims The Voltage Brothers as their own, and nobody can watch them sing, dance and play without jumping out of their seats to join in the fun.
From Classic Rock to Swing, and everything in between, including Carolina Beach music, Disco, Funk, Hip Hop, Jazz, Motown, Pop and Rhythm & Blues, The Voltage Brothers can cover virtually any sound, plus add a few extra hot licks with their own original music.
Originally know as "Funky Heavy," then "The Destinations," The Voltage Brothers have toured with the Kool Jazz Festival. They have appeared with Frank Sinatra, The Temptations, The Commodores, The O'Jays, Kool & The Gang, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Teddy Pendergrass and Earth, Wind & Fire, just to name a few. They performed at nine straight Super Bowls from 1991 to 1999. They were special guest artists at the 1993 President's Dinner in Washington, D.C., the Presidential Inaugurations of 2001 and 2005, and the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. The venue and show bills alone are testament to their versatility and broad appeal.”
To learn more about The Voltage Brothers, visit their website at http://www.eastcoastentertainment.com/artist/Voltage_Brothers.html?gclid=CPaWoLWF9pICFQ58PAod8yfu0g.
And, to learn more about how Wake Forest is planning to celebrate its 100-year anniversary, visit our 2009 Centennial Celebration web page.
Centennial Celebration Banners Up in Time for Meet in the Street
The Town of Wake Forest wants everyone who attends this weekend's Meet in the Street to know the town is celebrating its centennial next year. To emphasize that point, a Wake Forest Power work crew spent a couple of days this week hanging nearly 30 brightly colored centennial celebration banners on street light poles along South White Street.
The banners, designed by area graphic artist Laura Brogden, depict the centennial celebration logo as well as the years of Wake Forest's existence as a town 1909-2009.
With thousands of area residents expected to attend Meet in the Street on Saturday, the Centennial Celebation Planning Committee thought the occasion was an opportune time to begin promoting next year's historic community celebration.
Six Sundays in Spring
The following article appeared in the April 2008 edition of the Wake Forest Cultural Arts Association's quarterly newsletter, Prelude to the Arts:
If you don’t have gas money, hitch a ride! Free concerts on Sundays at 5 p.m. return April 20 to the Wake Forest Birthplace.
Zydecopious, the Triangle’s only zydeco band, will kick off the 17th year of Six Sundays in Spring, an outdoor concert series sponsored by the Wake Forest Cultural Arts Association (WFCAA). Zydecopious includes Clark Aflague on frottoir; Tracy Wiebeck on bass; Mike Davis on guitar; Leo Briere on accordion; Ken Joseph on drums; and Mick Voiland on organ. They all invite you to listen, enjoy, tap your feet, and, most definitely, DANCE to the sounds that originated in southern Louisiana!
On April 27, duo Chris Rosser and River Guerguerian will perform. Rosser is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, composer and producer that brings a folk rock/acoustic/fusion style to the stage.
Guerguerian is a multi-percussionist/composer/educator who conducts rhythm and sound exploration workshops throughout the country, and enjoys teaching privately. Both artists currently live in Asheville, NC.
Jason Adamo, a Raleigh-based soul/rock oriented singer and songwriter, performs May 4.
On Mother’s Day, May 11, Thad Cockrell, a Wake Forest native who now lives in Nashville, TN, will deliver his unique brand of alternative country. Bring your mom to hear great music and surprise her, too!
The May 18 concert features Rootzie, a seven-member band from Durham, who brings a rattle of rock and roll, a jolt of jazz, and a burst of the blues. A little country, gospel, bluegrass, and roots reggae rounds out the sound.
The season finale on May 25 features Polecat Creek, winners of the neo-traditional contest at the 2006 Appalachian String Band Festival. Polecat Creek fuses traditional mountain melodies with new lyrics and a singular style of harmony singing.
In 1992, the Six Sundays in Spring concert series was born and it remains the major focus of the WFCAA.
The free concerts are presented on consecutive Sundays on the lawn of the Wake Forest College Birthplace in the heart of the historic district. Other civic organizations have partnered with the WFCAA in this event and local artists have been invited to showcase their art.
Due to Wake Forest’s rapid growth and the popularity of these concerts, in 2009 the WFCAA will move the concert series to the new 1,000 lawn seat amphitheatre at Joyner Park.
While these concerts are free, donations to the WFCAA are accepted.
For more information about Six Sundays in Spring, call (919) 453-0121.
K9 Teams Receive NCPDA Certification
All four Wake Forest Police K9 teams received North Carolina Police Dog Association (NCPDA) certification recently following a weeklong training exercise at Pitt Community College in Greenville, NC.
Officer M.J. Pender and K9 Kyra, Officer J.K. Myers and K9 Sixx, Officer D.L. Hess and K9 Maverick, and Officer L.N. Collie and K9 Lagos, participated in the nationally recognized certification program April 21-25.
“It is quite an accomplishment for our entire K9 unit to be certified with the NCPDA,” said Lt. M.D. May, who supervises the Wake Forest Police Department’s K9 program. “I am very proud to be a part of the K9 Unit and am privileged to work with these professional K9 teams.”
The NCPDA’s certification program is designed to ensure that police dogs and their handlers are trained properly to protect the lives and property of citizens. The program also provides a standard measure in which all trained police dogs must maintain in the performance of their duties, ensures that the handlers have adequate knowledge of state laws regarding the use of canines, prevents the malicious use of partially trained police dogs, and offers a means of attaining certification on a timely basis.
Canines trained according to NCPDA standards are required to achieve the following certifications:
- Vehicle and Building Narcotics Detection
- Tracking/Trailing
- Control/Obedience
- Evidence Search
- Area Search
- Building Search
- Vehicle Stops
- Criminal Apprehension
- Recall from Apprehension
- Suspect Apprehension
- Suspect Approach
These certifications are awarded on a pass/fail basis and are valid for one year.
2nd Suspect Arrested in Quality Food Mart Robbery & Shooting
The Wake Forest Police Department has arrested a second man in connection with the February 29 robbery and shooting at the Quality Food Mart, 2206 S. Main Street
Police have charged Jesse Lee Bundy, 1312 Rio Valley Drive, Apartment 104, Raleigh, NC, with one count of robbery with a dangerous weapon.
At approximately 10:28 p.m. on the evening of February 29, police say Bundy drove Kendrecus Marquell Williams to the Quality Food Mart to commit an armed robbery. Bundy parked and remained inside the vehicle while Williams entered the business, demanded money and shot store clerk, Samir Patel, 32, in the abdomen. Bundy then drove Williams away from the scene with the knowledge that a crime had occurred. Patel is still recovering from his injuries.
Bundy, 19, is currently being held in the Guilford County jail for an unrelated robbery incident that occurred in Greensboro, NC.
Police arrested Williams, 20, on March 11. He remains in the Wake County jail awaiting trial.
Heritage South Greenway Trail Enjoys Grand Opening
The Town of Wake Forest celebrated the completion of the Heritage South Section of the Sanford Creek Greenway Trail with a special ribbon cutting ceremony on April 24.
The 10-feet wide asphalt multi-use trails and boardwalks are designed for biking, hiking or simply enjoying nature. The one-mile section begins at the current end of Marshall Farms Street and continues one-mile east along Sanford Creek.
The Sanford Creek Greenway will eventually connect Wake Forest from Smith Creek to Rolesville along the Sanford Creek. This segment of public greenway was funded by the Town of Wake Forest through a credit for Recreation Facility Fees for construction by Ammons Development Group, the developer of Heritage South Subdivision.
Ammons Development Group also provided additional trail connections and features to link the homes in Heritage South to the Sanford Creek Greenway. The trail currently dead-ends at the edge of Heritage South Subdivision but will eventually continue along the creek.
Wake Forest’s “Open Space and Greenways Plan” proposes for the Sanford Creek Greenway to connect to the Smith Creek Greenway south of the High School and continue east to Rolesville. To view the Town’s Open Space and Greenways Plan, visit http://www.wakeforestnc.gov/residents/planningzoning_plans.aspx and click on “Open Space & Greenways Plan.”
Dream League Hits a Homerun
The Wake Forest Dream League kicked off its inaugural season on Saturday, April 26, 2008 at Tyler Run Park.
The league’s Opening Day ceremonies began with player introductions and also included members of the Wake Forest-Rolesville High School Marching Cougars band playing the national anthem and the throwing of the first pitch of the season by Wake Forest Mayor Vivian Jones.
The Wake Forest Dream League is open to special-needs children, ages 5-15, from the Wake Forest area with all levels of disabilities. Nearly 20 area children signed up to play America’s favorite pastime, while approximately 40 “buddies” registered to provide encouragement and assistance with the league’s athletes.
The Dream League will play all of its games at Tyler Run Park through mid-June. Tyler Run Park is situated within the Tyler Run/Holding Ridge subdivision.
For more information about the Wake Forest Dream League, contact Edward Austin, Athletic Coordinator, at (919) 554-6183.
Wake County Offering Rabies Vaccinations
Wake County Animal Care, Control and Adoption Center is offering rabies vaccinations in Wake Forest on Thursday, May 1, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Northern Wake Regional Center, 350 W. Holding Avenue.
Dogs and cats are required by law to have rabies vaccine at four months of age. Failure to vaccinate is a fineable crime. A $5.00 fee is charged for each cat, dog or ferret vaccinated at the clinics. The first vaccination is good for one year, boosters thereafter are good for three years. Written proof of prior vaccination is required for three-year shot. Licensed veterinarians will administer the vaccine. Your pet must be under restraint (leash, carrier, etc.)
For more information, contact Wake County Animal Control at (919) 212-PETS.
Phone Book Recycling
Wake Forest residents and business owners have until May 9 to recycle their outdated phone books by dropping them off at the Town of Wake Forest Operations Center, 234 Friendship Chapel Road.
Wake County has provided two containers at the Operations Center, which serves as a 24-hour-a-day drop-off location. A sign at the entrance of the facility directs residents to the designated phone book recycling receptacles.
The telephone books recycled in Wake County will be used to make environmentally friendly insulation for houses, mulch for gardens, egg cartons, and a variety of assorted paper products, such as utility bill envelopes, cereal boxes, and grocery bags.
For more information, contact Betty Pearce at (919) 554-6120.
Town Hall Closed May 26: Sanitation Schedule Announced
The Wake Forest Town Hall and other administrative offices will be closed Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day. Yard waste collection will be suspended Monday, but police, garbage and recycling services will not be interrupted.
Yard waste collection will resume Tuesday morning (May 27) at 7 a.m. Crews will follow the normal collection schedule beginning with Monday’s route. Collection of the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday routes will occur throughout the remainder of the week until all routes have been completed.
Town offices will re-open Tuesday, May 27 at 8 a.m.
Farmers’ Market Open for the Season
The Wake Forest Farmer’s Market opened for the season on April 5 and will be open every Saturday morning from 8 a.m. until noon through November 22.
Located on South White Street in historic downtown Wake Forest, the Farmers’ Market is a collection of local and independent farmers, bakers, artists, musicians, and craftspeople who grow or make their own products.
Over the years, the Farmers' Market has grown into a lively community event each Saturday morning offering fresh-off-the-farm produce; pasture-raised beef, poultry, and pork; free-range eggs; fresh and dried herbs; honey, jams, and preserves; fresh-cut flowers; and delicious baked goods.
A majority of the farm products are raised using environmentally sustainable agricultural practices, which are healthy for the soil, water, air, animals, and YOU!
Several special events are being planned as part of the 2008 Farmers’ Market season, including Customer Appreciation Day on June 7, so if you haven’t experienced the Wake Forest Farmers’ Market, be sure to check it out!
For a complete listing of special events scheduled throughout the 2008 Farmers’ Market season, visit the Town’s website at www.wakeforestnc.gov/communitycalendar.aspx.
Co-Rec Church Softball Registration Underway
The Wake Forest Parks & Recreation Department will accept applications for the co-recreational church softball league through May 16. League play will begin the week of June 2 and games will be played on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The entry fee is $500 per team.
For more information, contact Edward Austin, Athletic Coordinator, at (919) 554-6183.
Drive Less. Save More. Take the SmartCommute Challenge.
Any employee or college student who commutes to work or campus in Wake, Durham or Orange counties can pledge to try one method of alternative transportation (carpool, vanpool, bike, walk take the bus or work from home) at least once before May 30. Pledge now at www.smartcommutechallenge.org. Why? It matters for all of us who love clean air, less congested roadways, and more money in our pockets.
When you pledge, you also enter to win two roundtrip airline tickets anywhere in the continental U.S. plus a week’s hotel stay, by taking the SmartCommute Challenge.
It’s free. It’s good for the Triangle. And you might win a trip for two!
Take a Hike in May
The Wake Forest Greenways Advisory Board is inviting all interested residents to join them on Friday, May 9, at 2 p.m., for Take a Hike in May. These monthly walking tours are designed to encourage local residents to experience and enjoy the area's greenway trails and open spaces. For more information, contact Jan Ammons at (919) 562-0524.
Rain Barrels on Sale
The Town of Wake Forest is selling 80-gallon rain barrels at cost for $90 each. Area residents may purchase rain barrels at Town Hall with cash, check made out to the Town of Wake Forest, or credit card.
As a special service for electric and/or sanitation customers only, the Town of Wake Forest will deliver the rain barrels at no additional cost. Area residents who are not electric and/or sanitation customers, may pick up their rain barrel at the Wake Forest Operations Center, 234 Friendship Chapel Road.
Each rain barrel comes with a brass spigot, two overflow valves that can be used to connect additional barrels, and a screen to keep out debris and insects.
Other rain barrel features include:
- Instructions for easy installation (minimum assembly required)
- Constructed with High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
- Standard garden hose fittings - require no special hoses
- The low-mounted brass faucet drains most of the barrel. It is recommended to install your rain barrel on a level and a raised surface
- Lids that can be secured for safety - highly recommended for the safety of children and pets
- Concave lids channel rain to the center
- Dark green barrel blocks sunlight to prohibit the growth of algae
- Overflow ports can direct water to nearby shrubbery areas
Rain barrels are an increasingly popular water conservation technique. They collect runoff from rooftops for irrigation and other non-potable uses.
Collecting rain to water landscapes and gardens increases the amount of treated water that is available for drinking, cooking and bathing. Rainwater harvesting also reduces utility bills.
A quarter inch of rainfall provides enough runoff from the average roof to fill a typical rain barrel. Rain water can be used to irrigate outdoor and indoor plants, including vegetables and fruit trees, and for such purposes as refilling birdbaths. However, rain water should not be used for human consumption.
For more information on rain barrels, visit www.wakeforestnc.gov/rainbarrels.aspx.
To pre-order your rain barrel, contact Betty Pearce at (919) 554-6120.
Focus on Wake Forest - May 2008
In the May installment of Focus on Wake Forest, we offer an update on the Town's progress implementing the Northeast Neighborhood Plan. Also, bus service in Wake Forest may become a reality as early as August. Mayor Vivian Jones and Engineering Director Eric Keravuori discuss how the Town is working to make it happen. Finally, the Six Sundays in Spring concert series is underway. Wake Forest Cultural Arts Association Chair Gail Joyner and Vice-Chair Carol Warren share why these concerts are such popular community events.
May's Focus on Wake Forest will begin airing May 3 and will be shown at the top of each hour throughout the remainder of the month.
Focus on Wake Forest is the Town of Wake Forest's award-winning monthly news and information program airing on Community Channel 10. Produced by the Town of Wake Forest Communications Department, the public affairs program features Town of Wake Forest programs and services and explains how residents can better take advantage of all the Town has to offer. Each episode consists of three segments highlighting initiatives either already underway in Wake Forest or planned for the future. Access to Community Channel 10 is only available to Time-Warner Cable television subscribers in Wake Forest. Area residents who do not subscribe to Time-Warner Cable can watch Focus on Wake Forest over the Internet.
For more information about Focus on Wake Forest, contact Bill Crabtree, Public Information Officer, at (919) 554-6196.
Town Calendar
Saturday, May 3 - Meet in the Street, 10:00 a.m.; Downtown Wake Forest
Sunday, May 4 - Six Sundays in Spring, 5:00 p.m.; Wake Forest College Birthplace
Tuesday, May 6 - Board of Commissioners Work Session, 5:30 p.m.; Town Hall
Tuesday, May 6 - Planning Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m.; Town Hall
Planning Board meetings are aired live on Community Channel 10 and re-broadcast over the next two weeks on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Friday, May 9 - Take a Hike, 2:00 p.m.; Smith Creek Greenway at Burlington Mills Road
Friday, May 9 - Art After Hours, 5:00 p.m.; Downtown Wake Forest
Sunday, May 11 - Six Sundays in Spring, 5:00 p.m.; Wake Forest College Birthplace
Tuesday, May 13 - Public Meeting to Discuss Bus Service in Wake Forest, 6:00 p.m.; Town Hall
Friday, May 16 - Co-Rec Church Softball League Registration ends, 5:00 p.m.; Town Hall
Saturday, May 17 - Hoops for Wake Forest, 8:00 a.m.; Brooks Street
Sunday, May 18 - Six Sundays in Spring, 5:00 p.m.; Wake Forest College Birthplace
Tuesday, May 20 - Board of Commissioners Meeting, 7:00 p.m.; Town Hall
Board of Commissioners meetings are aired live on Community Channel 10 and re-broadcast over the next two weeks on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 25 - Six Sundays in Spring, 5:00 p.m.; Wake Forest College Birthplace
Tuesday, May 27 - Wake Forest Community Plan Steering Committee Meeting, 7:00 p.m.; Town Hall
The Wake Forest Community Plan Steering Committee meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.
For a complete listing of community events, including dates, times and locations, visit the Community Calendar.
2009 Wake Forest Centennial Celebration
The year 2009 will officially mark Wake Forest’s 100th birthday!
In preparation for this historic occasion, the Town of Wake Forest has convened the 2009 Wake Forest Centennial Celebration Committee to plan the centennial, which will be celebrated throughout 2009. The committee’s mission is to commemorate the town’s 100th birthday, recognize its long and storied history, and honor the many organizations and individuals that contribute to our community.
The theme of the celebration is “Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present, Embrace the Future.”
Since late 2006 the centennial committee has been meeting monthly to plan a series of special events to reflect the diversity and uniqueness of Wake Forest. The festivities will begin New Year’s Eve 2008 with First Light Wake Forest, followed by what’s being billed as “The Party of the Century” in February 2009. Other centennial celebration events taking place during 2009 will include one of the Six Sundays in Spring concerts, the annual 4th of July Celebration, and a Christmas Gala in December - tentatively scheduled to be held in the new town hall.
To ensure smooth planning and provide special assistance for the year-long celebration, the Town of Wake Forest has hired Kara Louise, an experienced special events planner to serve as the Centennial Celebration Events Coordinator. Her role is to assist the centennial committee and help plan and implement the centennial celebration events.
Numerous opportunities exist for area residents to take part in the centennial celebration. The Centennial Celebration Committee is seeking individuals, community groups, businesses and organizations that wish to participate in any of the Centennial Celebration events by volunteering or providing sponsorships or donations. If you would like to learn more about potential volunteer or sponsorship opportunities, contact Kara at (919) 521-4499.
"Wake Forest’s centennial is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our town," said Carol Smith, 2009 Wake Forest Centennial Celebration Committee Co-Chair. "We're not only honoring our past, we’re also looking forward to our future. It's a celebration where everybody is invited. This is a community event, and we need everyone’s involvement to make it truly special!”
For more information about the 2009 Wake Forest Centennial Celebration, contact Kara Louise at (919) 521-4499 or visit www.wakeforestnc.gov/2009Centennial.aspx.
Call for Pictures!
The Wake Forest Centennial Celebration Committee is looking for pictures that represent Wake Forest and its heritage, such as photos of area landmarks, 4th of July celebrations, Christmas parades, and other community events. Many of the pictures will be displayed during the centennial celebration events scheduled throughout 2009.
If you have pictures, please either scan and save them on a CD or bring them to the receptionist's desk at Town Hall. Pictures should be labeled to include the date, names of people shown, and a description of what is shown. Printed photos that include the owner's name and address will be returned.
For more information, please contact Bill Crabtree at (919) 554-6196.
Town Manager's Weblog
Do you enjoy keeping up to date on the latest happenings in and around Wake Forest? If you do, then you'll want to subscribe to Town Manager Mark Williams' weekly weblog. The Town Manager's Weblog is published every Friday afternoon. Subscribers to the Town Manager's Weblog receive an email alert moments after its online publication. To subscribe, click HERE and type WEBLOG in the subject line.
Lock Your Car Doors
The Wake Forest Police Department is again urging residents to lock their unoccupied vehicles when parked at home or away. Police officials say most vehicle break-ins are carried out by amateurs who take advantage of the carelessness of drivers who leave their vehicles unlocked and valuables in plain sight. By simply locking your doors, you can significantly reduce your chances of becoming a victim.
The police department also offers the following tips to help prevent vehicle break-ins:
- Park in open, well-lighted, and populated areas near your destination. Avoid parking near trucks, vans, dumpsters, and other objects that obstruct visibility and provide hiding places.
- Avoid parking near strangers loitering or sitting in vehicles.
- Park in lots or garages where you don’t have to leave your keys.
- If you have a garage – use it! Then lock the vehicle AND the garage.
- If possible, don’t leave your vehicle on the street, in an alley, or on your driveway. If you have to park on a street, avoid dark or isolated areas.
- Turn off your engine, roll up all windows, lock all doors, and take your keys with you even if you are making a quick stop at a store or gas station, or even in your driveway.
- Don’t leave spare keys inside your vehicle. An experienced thief knows all the hiding places. Store spare keys in your wallet.
- Don’t leave cell phones, wallets, purses, or anything of value in vehicles. If you prefer not to take such items with you, lock them in your trunk!
- Don’t leave your vehicle in an unattended public lot for an extended period of time.
- Install an alarm system that will sound when someone attempts to break in, move, tilt, or start your vehicle. Always activate the system when leaving the vehicle.
- Check your vehicle if you hear the alarm sound, but don’t try to stop a person attempting to break in. Get a good description of the person and call the police.
When shopping for a new vehicle, look for some key features, including:
- Interior hood and trunk lock releases. Install a secondary hood lock if your car does not have one.
- A factory immobilizer – a computer chip in the key.
- A locking steering wheel.
- Other anti-theft devices, such as an alarm or GPS tracking system.
The Wake Forest Police Department encourages citizens to report suspicious behavior or activity by calling (919) 554-9111.
Sign up for NC GreenPower
Wake Forest Power customers now have the opportunity to participate in the NC GreenPower program.
NC GreenPower is designed to help improve the quality of the environment by allowing North Carolinians to choose cleaner, "greener" energy solutions such as solar, wind, small hydro and biomass materials. "Green power" is a cleaner energy alternative to traditional fossil fuels.
By signing up for this independent, non-profit program, customers can add renewable energy to North Carolina’s power supply.
NC GreenPower offers two contribution options. The first option is designed primarily for residential or small commercial customers. It features energy produced from renewable sources, such as wind, solar or methane sources. Customers can purchase one or more blocks of clean energy for North Carolina at a cost of $4.00 per block (100 kilowatt-hours of energy).
The second option is designed for large-volume users, but it can be purchased by any customer and features energy produced from a wider range of sources, such as biomass and small hydro. Customers pay $2.50 per block of 100 kilowatt-hours but must buy a minimum of 100 blocks.
Wake Forest Power customers who wish to sign up for NC GreenPower should contact Drew Brown, Customer Service Supervisor, at (919) 554-6107. For more information about NC GreenPower, visit http://www.ncgreenpower.org/.
A-Z Site Index
The Town of Wake Forest has added another useful resource to its website. The A-Z Site Index is designed to make it easier for you to find whatever you’re looking for on our website simply by searching for and clicking on a key word. Be sure to check it out! From Administration to Zoning, you'll find key word links to everything our website offers - and then some!
Yard Waste Collection Guidelines
Town of Wake Forest sanitation crews have reported confusion among some residents concerning what constitutes yard waste and the Town’s yard waste collection guidelines.
Yard waste is defined as “vegetative matter resulting from landscaping maintenance performed by the homeowner only, including but not limited to leaves, twigs, grass, limbs, hedge clippings, hay/pine straw, pine cones, and logs.”
Before leaving yard waste at the curb for collection, the materials should be placed into clear plastic bags or 35-gallon trash containers. Limbs and brush larger than one inch but smaller than six inches in diameter must be no longer than six feet. Limbs and logs larger than six inches in diameter must not exceed two feet. Logs must not exceed 10 inches in diameter.
In addition, piles left at the curb must be free of trash and other refuse and must not exceed four cubic yards per week. Trash cans and bags are not to exceed 10 total per week and not exceed 50 pounds each. Logs are not to exceed 75 pounds per week.
Building materials, landscape materials, plant pots, plastic trays, mulch bags, dirt, and rocks will not be collected.
For more information, visit the yard waste collection webpage or contact Betty Pearce at (919) 554-6120.
Town News
It’s never been easier to stay informed about what’s happening in the Town of Wake Forest. Bookmark Town News for instant access to the latest press releases, the Town Manager’s Weblog and Weblog archives, Community Calendar, Focus on Wake Forest, and much more!
Pay Your Utility Bill Online
All Town of Wake Forest residential and commercial utility customers are eligible to make online utility bill payments. Getting started is easy. Just visit the Town of Wake Forest website, click on “Utility Billing”, then click on “Online Services” and follow the simple instructions. Customers with questions concerning the new online bill payment service should contact Customer Service Supervisor Drew Brown at (919) 554-6107.
Equal Payment Plan, Bank Draft, & Load Management
The Town of Wake Forest offers several utility billing programs designed to help our utility customers save time and money, including online bill pay, Equal Payment Plan, Bank Draft, and Load Management. For more information on these customer-friendly programs, click on the links or call (919) 554-6107.
Sign Up for Load Management and Save Money on Your Electric Bill
Did you know that by signing up for load management, you could save $144 each year on your electric bill? Load management is a means of controlling the amount of electricity being used at any one time. When periods of peak demand occur, load management is used to reduce the demand and lower the cost.
Participating in the Town’s load management program is easy - and its free! All you have to do is agree to allow the Town to install a load management switch on one or all of the following electric appliances in your home: electric water heater, electric heat strips, and/or central air conditioner. Then - during periods of heavy demand for power - radio signals to the load management switch cycle the controlled units off. The appliances are cycled off in such a way that there is little chance of your being inconvenienced. You still stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. But here's the good news! By signing up for electric water heater control, electric heat strip control and 100% central air conditioner control, you can receive up to $144 each year in credits on your electric bill!
If you’d like more information about Wake Forest’s load management program, visit our load management web page or contact Drew Brown, Customer Service Supervisor, at (919) 554-6107.
Employment Opportunities
Click here for a complete listing of job opportunities with the Town of Wake Forest.
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