Date: Thursday, Jan. 21
Time: 9 pm to 2 am
Location: Applebee’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill, 11805 Retail Dr., Wake Forest

Come in and take a break from the cold! Join us at Applebee's at 11805 Retail Drive on January 21st from 9pm - 2am!! There will be a costume contest at midnight - wear your tackiest beach gear and enter for a chance to win!! Enjoy a variety of Late Nite Specials at our First Annual Beach Blast Celebration!! For more information, call (919) 256-4301.

On Thursday, Jan. 21 at 6 pm, Friendship Chapel Baptist Church, Friendship Chapel Road, Wake Forest will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday by honoring first-year Coach Reggie Lucas, who led the Wake Forest-Rolesville High School football team to a winning season that ended when the Cougars lost to Jack Britt in the regional final. Guest speaker, Dr. Tom Jackson, pastor emeritus at Wake Forest Baptist, will honor the coach and team on January 21 with a dinner and program. The program will also recognize the students from local schools who won the contest for art, writing, and creative performance. Now in its 16th year, the event is free and open to the public.

Posted to the Fans of Historic Wake Forest Meetup Group - Thanks Bob!

Wake Forest, NC – On January 5, 2010, Gadberry Group announced its list of last year’s nine most notable high-growth areas in the US – Gadberry Group’s “9 from 2009.” Wake Forest, NC earned the number 6 spot on that list.

“As a Wake Forest native, I’ve recognized the explosive growth that our community has experienced. The Gadberry data will give us the quantitative tools we need to continue to draw new development to Wake Forest,” said Don Stroud, Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce Board Co-Chair.

Headquartered in Little Rock, AR, Gadberry Group provides location intelligence services and data for the world’s top retail brands.

Wake Forest is located northeast of Raleigh and was recognized by Forbes magazine in 2007 as the 20th fastest growing suburb in the US. According to Gadberry data, the Wake Forest area grew from 8,150 households in 2000 to 17,803 in 2009, or 118%. Wake Forest had 13 Emerging Blocks, the second highest in the group.

Become an official volunteer with the SPCA of Franklin County by attending an Orientation and Training. You will learn the basics of their programs and our upcoming fundraisers. You will receive a Volunteer Manual.

"Eat Free for a Week" raffle tickets will also be on sale at this event.

Please RSVP as seating is limited.

From the Town of Wake Forest Newsletter:

The Town of Wake Forest is partnering with Resources for Seniors to raise awareness of the Wake County Weatherization Assistance Program. The initiative provides free home energy audits, adjustments, and repairs for those who qualify. Administered by Resources for Seniors, the program targets families with incomes below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level guidelines, households receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Services are provided free of charge to eligible households. People of any age may apply, but elderly or disabled people, and families with children receive priority. Individuals who rent their homes are also eligible as long as their landlord is willing to participate. The average homeowner receives up to $4,000 worth of work as a result of the audit and realizes an annual energy savings of about $400. For more information, call (919) 554-6107.