Good morning, Wake Forest.

Wake Forest’s Human Relations Council is inviting youth and adult nominations for the 16th Annual Good Neighbor of the Year Award for residents who improved community life between Sept 1 and Aug 31; nomination forms with a 400-word narrative are due by 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug 31 + Mayor Vivian Jones will present winners a commemorative plaque at Good Neighbor Day on Sept 20 at E. Carroll Joyner Park.

Garner police are investigating a fire and shooting that left 15-year-old River Collins and 13-year-old Jet Collins dead in a burning home as community members rally to support their grieving mother + local nurses have begun raising funds while authorities gather evidence and probe reports of a recent domestic violence call.

The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre invites filmmakers to submit feature, narrative short and documentary films by Friday, Aug.

22 via FilmFreeway for its Seventh Annual Wake Forest Film Festival scheduled for March 6-7, 2026 — the Centre is also seeking volunteers with filmmaking experience to review submissions and provide feedback.

Koko Thornton won the 2025 Inspiring Teacher Award at the Jimmy Awards in New York last night after a 24-year teaching career at Enloe High School in Raleigh—she retired at the end of the 2023-2024 school year and now serves as the Marketing and Outreach Coordinating Teacher for the school district.

The Town of Wake Forest is asking residents to complete an online survey to help shape a new park anchored by the Ailey Young House—a Local Historic Landmark and the oldest known African American historic resource in town—after a drop-in open house on June 26, and the survey will remain open until July 29.

Garner designer Ashley-Victoria Smith founded Voglia Swimwear in 2020 using hand-painted prints and sustainable materials to create exclusive pieces that earned awards for comfort and eco-friendly practices.

Operating from her home studio in Garner, she sells direct-to-consumer online and plans pop-up events as she expands her local store presence.

Salsa Saturday With Live Bands

7-10 p.m. — Casa Cubana — Free entry — Enjoy live salsa music while dining at Casa Cubana with a vibrant atmosphere.

Candlelight: Neo-Soul and Hip-Hop Favorites

9 p.m. — The Historic Wakefield Barn — Tickets available — Experience a magical evening of neo-soul and hip-hop classics under candlelight.