From the Town of Wake Forest Newsletter:

The Town of Wake Forest is making it easier than ever for you to keep track of Town-recognized holidays. We understand it’s important for our residents to know about any changes to the Town’s operating schedule. That’s why we’ve created a page on our website that provides a complete list of the dates in 2010 when Town Hall will be closed and Town services affected. Simply visit www.wakeforestnc.gov/holidayschedule.aspx to see a complete list of the 2010 Town-recognized holidays. A week or so prior to each one, we’ll post a link to a press release that provides detailed information explaining how Town operations, including bus and sanitation service, are impacted. It’s just another way we’re making information that's useful available to you!

Wake Forest is often recognized as a community possessing “small town charm” and “small town character.” Distinguishing exactly what those terms mean, however, can be difficult. In an effort to learn how our residents define small town charm and character and what can be done to preserve the qualities that make Wake Forest such a special place, we’re conducting a series of focus groups on Wednesday, Jan. 13 and Thursday, Jan. 14. The sessions will be held each day at 10 a.m., 3 p.m., and 7 p.m. at the Flaherty Park Community Center, 1226 N. White St. All area residents are invited to take part in one of these sessions which will be limited to no more than 20 participants.

Those interested in participating and sharing information and opinions should register now by calling (919) 554-6100. The focus groups will last approximately one hour and refreshments will be served. Each meeting will also include a drawing for a free gift card.

The Wake Forest Town Manager's Weblog is now available online. In this week's installment, Town Manager Mark Williams shares his opinions and observations on these topics:

• Wake Forest Prepared for Possible Winter Weather
• Police Chief Harrington Set to Retire Dec. 31
• Christmas Holiday Schedule Announced
• Town’s 2010 Holiday Schedule Now Available Online
• Still Time to Complete Citizen Survey
• Mark Your Calendar: Parks & Recreation Open House Jan. 22
• State of the Town Address & Dinner Set for Feb. 22
• Green Medal Nominations Sought

On Monday, December 28, 2009, the Town of Wake Forest will begin collecting live Christmas trees for recycling. The trees will be ground into mulch, which will be available free to residents (while supplies last) upon request by calling Betty Pearce at (919) 554-6120 on or after December 28. Wake Forest residents whose yard waste is collected by the Town may participate in the "Treecycling" program by simply removing all decorations, tinsel, nails, tree stands, bags, etc. and placing the "clean" tree at the curb for collection. Collection will be made on your normal residential yard waste collection schedule. Recycling saves space at the landfill and offers a valuable commodity to residents. As a reminder, artificial trees cannot be recycled. Mulch orders cannot be accepted before Dec. 28

The Wake County Health Department will hold an H1N1 flu shot clinic on Monday and Tuesday of this week at the Northern Regional Center at 350 E. Holding Ave. between the US Post Office and the Wake Forest branch library.

These are the only two days this week that the clinics will be offered. The shot is free of charge.

Visit Wake County's flu page for more information.