• EarlVaughanDepending on how late you read this on Thursday, I may be under the knife of Dr. Kimberley Barrie of Fayetteville Orthopaedics. 

    She’s an extremely accomplished surgeon and she’ll be performing an operation on my left hand called a ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition or LRTI. You can Google it for specifics.

    The big news for me is I’ll be in a cast for two weeks and rehabbing the repaired hand and thumb for about three months, but I’m hoping it won’t slow down the work I’m doing with Up & Coming Weekly covering high school sports.

    Your prayers are appreciated, and I hope to back at the keyboard knocking out stories again soon.

    The record: 15-4

    I was 9-2 last week for a season count of 15-4, 78.9 percent.

    Cape Fear at New Hanover – Cape Fear has overcome critical injuries early in the season to score a couple of big opening wins. But Friday night they take a long road trip to face a potent New Hanover team that features a versatile offense scoring points in droves. It could be a long ride home for the Colts.

    New Hanover 28, Cape Fear 14.

    Douglas Byrd at Purnell Swett – A difficult start for the Eagles doesn’t look to get any better this week.

    Purnell Swett 30, Douglas Byrd 14.

    Seventy-First at E.E. Smith – Bad time for E.E. Smith to catch the Falcons, coming off a stinging, narrow defeat to Cape Fear last week. I don’t think Xeavier Bullock will be enough for the Golden Bulls tonight.

    Seventy-First 24, E.E. Smith 18.

    Gray’s Creek at Jack Britt – Jack Britt has had a tough time finishing on offense the first two weeks. I think Gray’s Creek can move the ball, and their defense wasn’t as porous as the loss to Pinecrest last week indicated.

    Gray’s Creek 22, Jack Britt 20.

    Richmond Senior at Pine Forest – Talk about bad timing. Pine Forest catches Richmond a week after the Raiders suffered a rare home shellacking to top-ranked Wake Forest.

    Richmond Senior 30, Pine Forest 8.

    South View at Lumberton – The Tigers seem to be building momentum while Lumberton is off to a tough start. Have to like South View on the road.

    South View 27, Lumberton 12.

    Terry Sanford at Cleveland – It’s unusual for a couple of teams not in the same county or conference to have seen each other as often lately as these two. I’m betting that Jayne Airways makes a safe landing in Cleveland this week.

    Terry Sanford 22, Cleveland 14.

    Hoke at Westover – The Wolverines got a huge emotional lift with their win over Lumberton last week. I think it carries over to this week.

    Westover 18, Hoke County 16.

    Other games

    Wake Christian 31, Fayetteville Christian 12

    Trinity Christian 29, Word of God 14

  •  

    01Cover8 30What a great way to close out the summer season: The Cumberland County Fair is 10 days of food, fun and entertainment. It starts Sept. 1 and runs through Sept. 10 at the Crown Complex.

    There will be plenty of rides and a variety of music, but the fair is about more than that. This event celebrates the history and legacy of the agricultural communities in Cumberland County. It showcases the diversity of local arts and crafts and promotes a safe setting for fun, healthy family entertainment including music, motor sports and animals. It’s an inviting environment of friendly competition for all ages. The theme this year is Country Days and American Ways.

    “Big Rock Amusements is one of the best carnival companies in the industry today, and we’re excited to continue to partner with them here in Cumberland County,” Cumberland County Fair Manager Hubert Bullard said. “All their rides have the latest LED light packages and are regularly added to with new equipment.”

    Big Rock currently partners with Wilson, Lumberton and Sanford fairs in North Carolina. Midway games, rides, food and exhibits are a given every day from open to close, but there are also special activities and events that run throughout the fair. There will be pony rides, a baby chick display, a beer garden for the adults, helicopter rides, World War II military equipment on display, toddler driving school, home, craft and agricultural exhibits and more throughout the week.

    Friday, Sept. 1 The gates open at 5 p.m., and admission is free all evening — although it does cost to ride the rides. Fun repeat events that have
    multiple times almost every day of the fair include: the petting farm, which is sponsored by Lumbee River EMC; the Close Encounter of the Exotic Kind Show, which is sponsored by Cumulus Radio Group; a bike stunt show; and Bohn’s Family Entertainment, which includes a Magic Comedy Show, FARMily Feud and a Survivor Family Show. There will also be various forms of entertainment on the Up & Coming Weekly Stage every day of the fair. On Friday, attendees can also watch Fair Queen Pageants rehearsals.

    Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 2-3 Gates open at 1 p.m. Admission is $7 on Saturday. Sunday is Staycation Student Day. Bring your student ID and get $4 off admission.  Enjoy the Fair Queen Pageants on Saturday in addition to all of the repeat events on both days.

    Monday, Sept. 4 On Labor Day, enjoy the $10 Pay One Price Special from the time the gates open at 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. The Pay One Price Special includes free, unlimited carnival rides once you’ve paid for admission, unlike previous days of the fair.

    Apply the same deal but for $15 after 5 p.m. In addition to the repeat events, the Junior Laying Hen Show will take place in Expo C.

    Tuesday, Sept. 5 Admission is again Pay One Price, with $15 allowing for unlimited rides. Radio station WCCG 104.5 will be at the fair, and don’t miss the Junior Market Lamb Show in addition to the repeat events.

    Wednesday, Sept. 6 Pay One Price for $15 on one of the fair’s busiest days. In addition to the repeat events, FOXY 99 will be at the Crown. Agricultural events include the Little “Ewe” Jump Start Livestock Clinic; Swine, Feeder Calf and Steer Show; and Fayetteville Area Youth Livestock Auction Sale, which is sponsored by Cumberland County Farm Bureau and Cumberland County Livestock Association.

    Thursday, Sept. 7 Don’t miss the Senior Expo, which kicks off at 1 p.m. and grants free admission to those 50 and older until 5 p.m. Don Chase from WKML 95.7 radio will be the master of ceremonies. The schedule of events is: 

    • 1 p.m. Hope Mills Senior Line Dancers

    • 1:30 p.m. Tokay Rockers Senior Line Dancers

    • 1:45 p.m. Tokay Choral Group

    • 2 p.m. Ms. Ortiz’s Line Dancers

    • 2:30 p.m. Eva’s Zumba

    • 3 p.m. 82 nd All-American Airborne Chorus

    For guests under 50, the $15 admission fee includes all rides and repeat events. At 6:30 p.m., don’t miss WUKS Throwback Thursday. The Junior Meat Goat Show is also scheduled for Sept. 7, as well as Ring Wars Carolina Wrestling.

    Friday, Sept. 8 Gates open at 5 p.m. Admission costs $7. Unlimited ride wristbands are available. Military and emergency services, to include law enforcement, firefighters and EMS/rescue personnel get in free if they are in uniform or with ID.

    Friends and family pay regular admission. But if you bring 3 cans of non-perishable food items or pet food, get $2 off admission . The donations will go to Small Paws, Big Heart Food Drive for people and pets. In addition to the repeat events, there will be a Junior Beer Heifer Show.

    Saturday, Sept. 9 WKML sponsors Country Night, adding great music to the fair’s repeat events.

    Sunday, Sept. 10 Attend church services at 10:15 a.m. at the fairgrounds. After that, it’s Faith and Family Day at the fair. Bring a church bulletin (one per person) and get $2 off admission from 1-3 p.m. Don’t miss your last chance to check out the petting farm, bike stunt show, Close Encounters of the Exotic Kind, Bohn’s Family Entertainment and Up & Coming Weekly Entertainment Stage.

    The Crown Complex is located at 1960 Coliseum Dr. Find out more at cumberlandcountyfair.org.

     

  • 01GreekFestCoverGet ready for a three-day spectacular that offers free admission and a chance to immerse yourself in Greek culture. Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church hosts its 27th Annual Greek Festival at the Hellenic Center, 614 Oakridge Ave., Sept. 8-10.

    This year’s festival is co-chaired by Steve Goodson, Alfred Barefoot and Katherine Faful. All three are longtime members of the church; Faful’s father was a founding member.

    The Food and Community

    The food is, of course, always a big draw for festival-goers. But it’s not just about the delicious assortment of gyros, lamb shank, Greek salads, “spanakopita” (spinach pie) “pastichio” (Greek lasagna), “souvlaki” (skewered meat and vegetables) and more. And no, it’s not just about the desserts — handmade baklava a perennial favorite — either. The food is important because it brings Fayetteville’s Greek community together in an astonishing way, and it’s an avenue for the church to invite others to share in and learn about Greek culture. Kelly Papagikos, who has helped with the festival for the past nine years and is married to the church’s pastor, shared her observations:

    “(About) 90 percent of the restaurants (here in Fayetteville) are Greek-owned,” she said. “They all put aside their own businesses to cook for the festival. They are tireless in the kitchen. All of these guys have their own jobs and (they) come every year, putting everything else they have to do aside.”

    The primary and long-serving leaders of festival kitchen operations are Greg Kalevas, owner of Chris’s Steak & Seafood House; Jimmy Hondras, who works with Kalevas; and Tony Kotsopoulos, head chef at Luigi’s. Kotsopoulos helped start the conversation about bringing the community together for a Greek festival in Fayetteville in 1988. All three men have helped in many capacities since the festival’s inception in 1991.

    Papagikos said the made-from-scratch Greek pastries and desserts are prepared by an army of 15-20 dedicated ladies of the church. The women comprise two philanthropic groups: Philoptochos (Friends of the Poor) and Daughters of Penelope. “The baked goods sell so well; everybody in town loves the freshness,” she said. “They stock up for Christmas with the baklava!”

    This year, the festival also debuts a drive-through to serve people who can’t stay but still want to grab the once-a-year specialty foods. Friday and Saturday afternoons, patrons can purchase gyros, ten-piece packages of pastries and a drink from the drive-through. For people who are able to come and stay, free cooking classes are offered so attendees can make some of the dishes at home.

    Music, Dancing and Shopping

    Paskali, a local band comprised of five musicians who play traditional and contemporary Greek music, has been delighting festival crowds for about 20 years. Papagikos said the group, new to this festival, is very engaging and knows how to make people want to get up and dance.

    And that’s the goal. Greece is home to over 200 cultural dances, each representing a religion, village or island. The church’s Hellenic dance troupes will dance throughout the festival wearing traditional costumes, both in performances and in educational demonstrations with an emcee who will briefly explain the history of the dances.

    Papagikos said the dance troupes range from kindergarten to high school students and that children of all backgrounds love joining in and learning the steps at the festival. “Greek dances are usually danced in a circle holding hands to represent life and eternity, togetherness and love,” she said. “These kids learn how to dance from the time they know how to walk; it’s embedded in them.” Dances will include “kalamatianos” (a popular folkdance), along with many other dances from across Greece’s regions and islands.

    Vendors from all over the city come every year to set up an “agora,” modeled after a Greek marketplace. Browse through Greek jewelry, leather, knickknacks, videos, music, embroideries, rugs, clothing, folk art and icons. Also, pick up Greek cooking ingredients you can’t find at your local grocery store.

    Field Trips, Church Tours and Raffle

    Friday morning, after a church service, the festival will host field trips for students from local schools. There will be a tour of the church and four stations: tasting Greek foods, practicing Greek dances, learning Greek history and browsing Greek vendors’ items. “Usually we have about 100-150 kids,” said co-chair Steve Goodson. “Kids get a hands-on experience of what it’s like to experience another culture — from the faith to the food to how people interact with each other.”

    Children’s activities will run all three days of the festival in the large field in front of the food tent. Historically, activities have included collaborations with the Fayetteville Police Department, the Cumberland County Sheriff, the State Patrol, Cumberland County Libraries and the Fayetteville Fire Department.

    The church will be open for tours throughout the festival for those who want to learn more in-depth about the tie between faith and culture for the church. Tour times are 5:30-7 p.m. Friday, 2-5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, and at 1 and 3 p.m. Sunday. If you miss a tour, though, the church will be open all day for anyone to come in and explore.

    Every year, one extremely lucky attendee wins either $2,000 cash or two round-trip airfares to Athens, Greece. Raffle tickets only cost $5 each or 5 for $20. Guests who purchase raffle tickets are also automatically entered into fun hourly drawings. Greek Fest raffle tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. 

    “Philoxenia”

    The Greek word “philoxenia” translates literally to “love of strangers” or “friend to the stranger.” It is used in association with Greek hospitality. Goodson said he associates the word with a love for laughing, eating and dancing, too. “That’s probably the best way to explain it — why so many people come,” he said. “Every year, the circle of friends gets bigger and bigger because of the festival,” Papagikos said.

    The festival runs 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Sept. 8-9 and noon – 6 p.m. on Sept. 10. If you have trouble finding the Hellenic Center at 614 Oakridge Ave., follow the blue signs that will point the way.

    Parking is available in front of the church property and in the educational building parking lot. Street parking is on Woodland Drive and in the surrounding area. Free parking is also available at the St. John’s AME Zion church next door and at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, with bus transportation to the festival Saturday. Find out more at www.stsch.nc.goarch.org/greek-festival.com.

  • 4Well, let's all hope so. There is no doubt about it: In recent years, the cancel culture has gained prominence as a social phenomenon characterized by public shaming and ostracization of individuals (like me) or entities (like U&CW the media) deemed to have engaged in offensive or objectionable behavior. However, there are signs that this trend may be experiencing a decline in Fayetteville and on a nationwide scale. This is a good thing!

    One contributing factor to the decline of cancel culture is the growing awareness of its negative consequences. While the misguided intention behind cancel culture may have initially been to hold individuals, businesses, or organizations accountable for their actions, it has more often been weaponized and criticized for its lack of fair due process and its potential to stifle free speech, healthy discourse, and the protections afforded us by the First Amendment of the Constitution.

    In my ongoing dealings with residents, business owners, and local elected officials, I am beginning to see a more logical and balanced approach to addressing stressful situations and problematic behavior. Procedures that involve more constructive dialogue rather than immediate condemnation that often escalates into damaging name-calling and intimidation. We can only hope this trend continues. We need more societal empathy, compassion, and understanding when dealing with and addressing sensitive and controversial issues. We must move away from knee-jerk reactions and more towards meaningful conversations promoting goodwill toward humanity.

    While cancel culture and the "blame game" may still exist in some segments of our community, the trend is declining mainly because residents are beginning to realize an increased awareness of its harmful potential and devastating consequences. This is why many Fayetteville citizens hope for big changes come the November municipal elections. As our local leaders, residents, and communities continue to engage in meaningful discussions and advocate for more balanced approaches to addressing issues in our community, I hope that the cancel culture encompassing Fayetteville and Cumberland County will wane even further, paving the way for a more constructive and inclusive form of communication within the community. All in the name of diminishing social discourse and enhancing our community and quality of life. We can only hope.

    Thanks for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

  • Untitled 1The Fayetteville Technical Community College Board of Trustees elected new officers on Monday, Aug. 21, and welcomed a new trustee.

    William L. Hedgepeth II was elected board chair. The retired banker, who joined the board in 2017, had previously been its vice chair. Ronald C. Crosby Jr., an attorney who has been on the board since 2009, was elected vice chair and Caroline C. Gregory, a new appointee to the board, was elected secretary.

    Gregory, an attorney, was appointed to the board by Gov. Roy Cooper to replace businessman William S. “Billy” Wellons, whose term was expiring. Gregory was officially sworn in as a board member earlier this summer but a ceremonial swearing-in was held at the beginning of Monday’s board meeting with Cumberland County District Court Judge Caitlin Evans administering the oath.
    Gregory is a native of Fayetteville and graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill and Campbell Law School.

    Wellons, who attended part of Monday’s meeting, said he has been stepping away from serving on boards in recent years. He said the FTCC board, where he served for 20 years, including two years as board chair, was his last.

    “It has been a real pleasure to be on this board,” Wellons said. As a businessman, he said, he liked bringing a business perspective to board issues and he gained deep appreciation for FTCC’s mission of educating students of all ages and at all stages in life.

    “This is a great place,” he said. “It’s all about the students.”

    Wellons said he is proud of his service on the board and leaves feeling FTCC is in good hands and on a good path. “We’ve done a lot at this school to progress… and we have planned well for the future,” he said.
    FTCC President Dr. Mark Sorrells presented Wellons with a thank you gift for his service and also presented gifts to outgoing board chair David Williford and to two previous board chairs, Crosby and Charles E. Koonce. Like Crosby, Williford and Koonce remain on the board.

    For more information and photos, please visit https://www.faytechcc.edu/news/ftcc-board-of-trustees-elects-new-officers-and-welcomes-new-board-member/

  • 6Spooky things can come in pretty packages. The first part of this column is dry with medical research, but bear with it, as it will get weird shortly. Remember our old friend Alex in the movie “A Clockwork Orange”?

    He will show up shortly to entertain you. A recent report in Neuroscience News about fun times with brain waves seems on its face to be nothing but good news. The University of California at Berkeley has achieved mind reading by recording brain waves. They did experiments where they implanted electrodes in the brains of patients who were having seizures. The implants were to control seizures with a side order of studying the auditory parts of the brain.

    Once the patients’ brains were drilled with electrodes, the Neuros played Pink Floyd’s song “Another Brick in the Wall” for the patients’ listening pleasure. They recorded what parts of the patients’ brains lit up while hearing the song. The Docs wanted to see if they could recreate what the patients were hearing while listening to “Another Brick”. Voila! Eureka! And “Hey, watch this!” It worked! The Docs replayed the brain recordings and not only could they hear a mushy version of the song but also the words of the song: To wit: “All in all, it was just a brick in the wall”.

    Why is this brain/machine interface a good thing, you might ask? Good question. If the electrodes can make out words in a patient’s brain, then patients who had a stroke, ALS, or were paralyzed who could not speak might be able to communicate through brain waves turned into actual normal sounding speech by the use of electrodes hooked up to their brains. The part of the brain that recognizes the “musical elements of speech” uses a talent called “Prosody” which produces “rhythm, stress, accent, and intonation” in speech. The current speech translator used by patients like Stephen Hawkings sounds like a robot speaking.

    With the new Acme brain/machine interface, speech would sound much more normal. For example, texting has no verbal clues, while the voice on a telephone call might indicate someone was joking instead of insulting using the same words. “You stink” in a text could come across as hostile. While “You stink” in a phone call could come across as gentle kidding. Inflection counts.

    Under the current abilities of science, the brain must be impaled with electrodes to think speech into words. However, Neuros are optimistic that given time, they will be able to just attach electrodes to a patient’s head without drilling into their brain to produce speech. Instead of being in a surgical theater, the patient could just put on Tom Terrific’s Acme Brain/Machine Thinking Cap to speak normally. Pro Tip: If you can remember who Tom Terrific was, please do not drive at night.

    The potential for doing great good for nonverbal patients is quite bright. However, this column does not dwell only on the sunny side. Following Lou Reed’s advice: Take a walk on the wild side to see what could go wrong. Not every government function is benign. Imagine what law enforcement could do by putting an Acme Thinking Cap on a suspect to read his thoughts. The old Fifth Amendment goes into the dust bin of history. How efficient it would be to be able to read a suspected criminal’s thoughts and memories. But what if Big Brother wanted to see if you thought that his rounding up of political opponents was a bad thing.

    The new improved Acme Thinking Cap would reveal if you were a thought crime threat to Big Brother. Big Brother might spank. You must learn to love Big Brother to be pure in your thoughts and deeds.

    As promised, here comes our buddy Little Alex from “Clockwork Orange”. After getting caught subsequent to some Ultra Violence, Alex is subjected to mind control techniques where the government messes with his head to cure him from bad behavior. Alex is given a nausea inducing drug and forced to watch scenes of violence in a form of aversion therapy. As Suboxone takes the thrill out of heroin, Alex’s exposure to violence while under the nausea drug appears to cure him. Alex only pretends to be cured. But with Big Brother’s mind reading Acme Thinking Cap, Alex can’t fake his way to freedom. Chiffon Margarine used to say

    “It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature.” With the Thinking Cap it will be impossible to fool Big Brother.

    Once again, one should be careful what you wish for. The brain/machine interface is not going back into the toothpaste tube. All in all, we’re just another brick in the wall.

  • 11Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) classes are now integral components of students' education. Increasingly students are drawn to STEM education, including pursuing STEM pathways in high school, because of the doors such an education can open in the future. According to the United States Department of Labor, there were nearly 10 million workers in STEM occupations in 2021, and this total is projected to grow by almost 11 percent by 2031 roughly two times faster than the total for all occupations.

    STEM subjects may not come so easily for some students, who at times may feel disengaged from the coursework. That doesn't mean students should give up. Even if STEM classes do not come easily, one still could have what it takes to be involved in science or engineering, and eventually land STEM jobs. Here are ways to mold great STEM students.

    Recognize that STEM is more exacting

    Unlike other classes in liberal arts education that are highly subjective, STEM involves answers that are exact. There is no wiggle room for subjectivity, so students must get in the habit of checking their work and ensuring their answers are correct. Students may need some assistance from tutors or parents to recognize common mistakes and learn how to proof their work. This fosters a greater attention to detail.

    Show the work

    Teachers often require students to show the computation involved in reaching a mathematical conclusion, or the reasoning behind how an answer is derived. While the answer may be correct, points may be deducted for not showing the work. Students should make it a habit to be transparent with their calculations so educators can point out where they were right and where they went wrong.

    Recognize your own scientific tendencies

    Those who are science-minded tend to make good observations, base claims on evidence, express curiosity, and make connections between complex ideas. Some students may not think they are intellectual enough to be involved with STEM, but after recognizing these traits in themselves, they may find they have more in common with great scientists than they first imagined.

    Maintain good notes

    Get the most out of courses by taking excellent notes, as the best instruction often comes from lectures and class time. Review notes regularly and practice work frequently.

    Have a study buddy

    Studying with someone else can be helpful with STEM coursework A study buddy can be a fellow classmate, a parent, a friend, or anyone else to bounce ideas off of. Others view problems differently and may see something a student is missing, or be able to explain it more readily.

    See failure as a motivating force

    Only by failing can STEM students dissect missteps and improve work to get to more concrete conclusions. While it initially may not seem enjoyable to fail, it does present opportunity to do things differently the next time. Failure usually lights a fire to get students to work harder and fulfill their potential.

    STEM classes can be quite challenging and not every student takes to them immediately. But with a little work and support, students can improve their performance in STEM subjects.

  • 13September is an important month for Prisoner of War (POW), Missing in Action (MIA) families as National POW/MIA Recognition Day takes place on the third Friday in September. On September 9, the POW/MIA luncheon committee will come together to shed light on a solemn issue that has touched the lives of countless families and individuals throughout our nation's history - the plight of our Prisoners of War (POW) and Missing in Action (MIA) heroes. It's time to pay tribute, remember their sacrifices, and extend our unwavering support to their families who continue to wait for their return.

    This event will be the first of its kind statewide in North Carolina and will include a memorial service to honor our special guests, as well as distinctive recognition for those who remain Missing in Action. A catered lunch is provided to all attending, including veterans and their families. Each POW and/or their family and each MIA family will receive a thoughtful gift as a way to acknowledge their sacrifice and know they are not forgotten.

    Join us for an extraordinary event that will stand tall, solely dedicated to honoring our POWs and MIAs like never before. This is a rare opportunity to focus solely on their stories, their bravery, and the resilience of their loved ones. What can you expect at this luncheon?

    1. Unforgettable Remembrance: Immerse yourself in a powerful atmosphere of remembrance as we share stories of heroism and sacrifice. Let us unite in preserving the memory of those who stood tall in the face of adversity.

    2. Stand Together: This event provides an exclusive platform for us to collectively recognize the tremendous sacrifices made by our brave servicemen and women. Together, we can amplify their voices and ensure they are never forgotten.

    3. Empowerment & Support: By attending this event, you are directly contributing to supporting POW/MIA families through various initiatives and organizations. Let's show them that we stand by them every step of the way.

    Mark Your Calendar for Saturday, September 9,  at 12 p.m. The location for the luncheon will be The Crown Expo, 1960 Coliseum Drive, Fayetteville. The attire will be more semi-formal or business dress, while others will wear military uniforms, or their “Sunday Best."  Above all, we want you to be comfortable.

    Be part of this historic occasion as we rally around our POWs and MIAs. Remember, while they may be included in other events from time to time, it is rare to witness an event dedicated solely to honoring these heroes. Please don't miss out on this opportunity!

    Together, we make a difference - one heartfelt tribute at a time!

    Tickets for general admission are $25.00 and can be purchased through Eventbrite. Free $25 tickets have been set aside for active-duty soldiers. Anyone interested can email POWMIAEventTickets@gmail.com.
    Sponsorships are still available: the levels include Red $100, White $250, Blue $500, Home of the Free $1,000 and Because of the Brave $2,500+ Visit https://ncpowmia.com/become-a-sponsor/ for sponsorship benefits. For additional sponsorship questions you can reach Durwood Lassiter at dl@josephcwoodard.com.

    This event is organized by The Purple Heart Foundation of North Carolina, a 501-C-3 charitable organization composed of volunteers from throughout the state along with a local committee vice-chaired by Army veteran Andrea Tebbe and Sgt Major Ruby Murray. The program will include the posting of colors by the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry, the POW Walk of Honor under crossed sabres, patriotic music, and the presentation of gifts.

    For more info, visit https://www.ncpowmia.com or call 910-286-6068.

    13a

  • 17You’ll find some big differences between traditional and speculative investments — and knowing these differences can matter a great deal when you’re trying to reach your financial goals.

    To begin with, let’s look at the basic types of traditional and speculative investments. Traditional investments are those with which you’re probably already familiar: stocks, bonds, mutual funds, government securities, certificates of deposit (CDs) and so on. Speculative investments include cryptocurrencies, foreign currencies and precious metals such as gold, silver and copper.

    Now, consider these three components of investing and how they differ between traditional and speculative investments:

    The first issue to consider is risk. When you own stocks or stock-based mutual funds, the value of your investments will fluctuate. And bond prices will also move up and down, largely in response to changing interest rates. However, owning an array of stocks — small-company, large-company, international, etc. — can help reduce the impact of volatility on your stock portfolio. And owning a mix of short- and long-term bonds can help you defend yourself somewhat against interest-rate movements. When interest rates fall, you’ll still have your longer-term bonds, which generally — but not always – pay higher rates than short-term ones. And when interest rates rise, you can redeem your maturing short-term bonds at potentially higher rates.

    With speculative investments, though, price movements can be extreme as well as rapid. During their short history, cryptocurrencies in particular have shown astonishingly fast moves up and down, resulting in huge gains followed by equally huge, or bigger, losses. The risk factor for crypto is exacerbated by its being largely unregulated, unlike with stocks and bonds, whose transactions are overseen by well-established regulatory agencies. There just isn’t much that investors can do to modulate the risk presented by crypto and some other speculative investments.

    A second key difference between traditional and speculative investments is the time horizon involved. When you invest in stocks and other traditional investments, you ideally should be in it for the long term — it’s not a “get rich quick” strategy. But those who purchase speculative investments want, and expect, quick and sizable returns, despite the considerable risk involved.

    A third difference between the two types of investments is the activity required by investors. When you’re a long-term investor in traditional investments, you may not have to do all that much, once you’ve built a portfolio that’s appropriate for your risk tolerance, goals and time horizon. After that point, it’s mostly just a matter of monitoring your portfolio and making occasional moves — you’re not constantly buying and selling, or at least you shouldn’t be. But when you speculate in crypto or other instruments, you are constantly watching prices move — and then making your own moves in response. It’s an activity that requires considerable attention and effort.

    One final thought: Not all speculative instruments are necessarily bad investments. Precious metals, for instance, are found in some traditional mutual funds, sometimes in the form of shares of mining companies. And even crypto may become more of a stable vehicle once additional regulation comes into play. But if you’re investing for long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement — rather than speculating for thrills and quick gains, which may disappear just as quickly — you may want to give careful thought to the types of investments you pursue.

    This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

    Edward Jones, Member SIPC

  • 5RALEIGH — If the federal government had to operate under the same fiscal rule North Carolina has to follow — and it should — then its operating revenues would have to equal its operating expenses.
    Notice that I didn’t say Washington couldn’t issue any debt under this scenario. Balanced-budget requirements don’t work that way. State and local governments routinely borrow money. Unlike their federal counterparts, however, states and localities can’t generally run deficits in their operating budgets. They’re only allowed to borrow money to finance capital investment.

    Here’s a simple way to illustrate the distinction. North Carolina governments can and do borrow money to build schools, roads and water systems. But they can’t use debt to pay schoolteachers, state troopers, or maintenance technicians. The latter expenses show up in the operating budget, appropriately paid for with taxes and other operating revenues.

    Because I write often about the fiscal recklessness of Washington politicians and the need for a balanced-budget amendment to the federal constitution, I get lots of complaints from readers who say it’s impractical to eliminate federal debt instruments entirely — and foolish even to try. I agree! That’s not what a reasonable balanced-budget amendment would do.

    If federal budgeting worked like state budgeting, Congress could in fact authorize debt-funded expenditures on federal office buildings and military bases, infrastructure and capital improvements on federal lands, and the purchase of durable federal assets such as aircraft carriers.

    It would be wise to do so, at least some of the time. Everything else being equal, interest costs make borrowing more expensive than paying cash. But everything else isn’t always equal! If construction costs are increasing rapidly, for example, it can make sense to borrow and purchase needed assets immediately rather than waiting to save up enough money. More importantly, because the benefits of long-lasting assets accrue to future as well as current taxpayers, it can make sense to require those future taxpayers to help shoulder the cost through the use of long-term debt.

    What might such a fiscal strategy look like in practice? We have no need to guess. In its latest budget plan, the Biden administration devoted an entire section to federal investment. Its proposed 2023-24 budget contained $436 billion in expenditures on physical capital, including both direct federal spending as well as grants to states and localities for roads and other infrastructure.

    In the same budget, the Biden administration proposed $6.88 trillion in outlays and $5.04 trillion in receipts. That deficit of $1.84 trillion represents roughly 27% of total expenditures, or nearly 7% of the nation’s gross domestic product.

    Now, imagine the federal government were run like North Carolina. If it maximized its debt capacity and borrowed $436 billion — because it could only use debt to finance public assets — the deficit would represent about 6% of the budget and less than 2% of GDP. Big difference!

    A fiscally responsible Congress and White House wouldn’t max out its debt capacity, though, just as North Carolina uses a mixture of bonds and cash to fund annual investment rather than relying on debt alone.

    And given the hole politicians of both parties have dug for us, they really ought to run some surpluses to help repair Washington’s balance sheet. Still, if deficits stayed below 2% of GDP and the economy kept growing, that would help immensely.

    Yes, I know this isn’t the whole story. To bring borrowing down below 2% of GDP would require real budget savings — eliminating some programs and means-testing others.

    Also, some might argue that federal expenditures for such purposes as education and training are themselves a form of capital investment. True, but there’s a crucial difference. Government roads, buildings, and other infrastructure are public assets. Human capital — the knowledge, skills, and relationships that education helps to cultivate — isn’t a public asset. It’s private. The government doesn’t own us. We own ourselves.

    Making the federal budget more like a state budget is no panacea. But it makes perfect sense. Does that make it politically unthinkable?

  • Fayetteville Logo I was very grateful to read the article written by Lois Kirby two weeks ago discussing the District 5 Special Use Permit. In an age of dwindling readership and lack of non-biased news resources, thank you for your service to our city. Our citizens must know what is happening in our city; Otherwise our government at all levels will run unmonitored and unaccountable.

    As stated previously, it absolutely was an insult to our neighbors when City Council refused to follow protocol by voting twice on the issue and then tableing the matter when they did not get the vote they wanted.

    What is even worse, after the two votes on May 22, we were instructed by the Mayor Mitch Colvin to get together with Mrs. Creecy, owner of Shinelight LLC, and come to an agreeance on how she could build her property that would be in harmony with the neighborhood. He also suggested Johnny Dawkins, as our District 5 Councilman, get involved to help us come to a compromise. There is more to the story and it needs to be told as well…

    Two weeks after the May 26 City Council meeting, the neighbors and Mrs. Creecy met together at Lois Kirby’s home. We were invited for coffee, tea, and to have a civilized discussion on how we could come together as a neighborhood. I was excited to meet my new neighbor Mrs. Creecy, welcome her, make sure she knows we have no ill-will towards her, that she can operate her business however she sees fit, that many of the neighbors currently have autistic family members and love her services. We simply want the building she plans on building not to be a duplex because it doesn’t coincide with the current city planning and the current Haymount District which is a large majority single family homes.

    It is obvious to anyone who meets her that Mrs. Creecy is a wonderful woman doing a great service to disadvantaged individuals. The night at the Kirby’s was fantastic. After much discussion, we all came to an agreement that would benefit the neighborhood. The agreement that Mrs. Creecy signed spoke of privacy hedges, a fence/wall, and most importantly two condominiums or townhomes instead of the duplex. The townhomes that were agreed upon maintain the harmony of the neighborhood and encourages property ownership in the area. After our meeting, our agreement was submitted to the city, and the Kirby’s informed Johnny Dawkins of the results by phone some time later.

    I was so excited to see the matter reappear in front of City Council at the next session on June 26. Thinking they would commend us for working together (since this is what we all teach our children to do in situations like this), maybe they would be proud of the work they gave us to do…but we were hoodwinked! They straight up bamboozled us like a used car salesman selling a lemon. They refused to look at the new submitted agreement, turned a blind eye on commendable community unity, and voted a third time in order to get their passing vote they so diligently sought.

    When the second meeting started and began to unfold, I realized I was about to witness a betrayal. Johnny Dawkins, our own District 5 representative, started out by saying he had a talk behind closed doors with the City Attorney and he now wanted to ask for recusal from the vote on approving the city permit. This was strange? He was told by the mayor the month before, to intercede between everyone in his community, he was supposed to be the figurehead, the man who gets credit for getting everyone together for a win-win. But he was not, we were betrayed. Every Councilman who even spoke to the public about the issue was advised by the City Attorney behind closed doors to ask for recusal, but… only our Councilman actually bowed out. The only councilman, our supposed advocate, played us like a fiddle.

    I have been watching our government from afar for the last few years, especially the Cain Rd. incident, and this was the straw that broke the camels back. I cannot sit by idly any longer, I am now running for City Council District 5 and I want my neighbors and community to know Fayetteville is not for Sale!

    —Justin Herbe,
    Fayetteville resident District 5

    Editor's note: The referenced article by Lois Kirby ran in the Aug. 24 issue. It can be found at https://www.upandcomingweekly.com/views/9947-district-5-special-use-permit-is-an-insult-to-all-fayetteville-residents

  • 18The Cumberland County Public Library received $1,500 in grant funds from the Public Library Association this year to conduct workshops using the new DigitalLearn Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Basics training materials, developed in collaboration with AT&T.

    The CCPL is among 50 public libraries nationwide to be awarded this funding. Library staff members will use the funds to present workshops at several of the library’s eight locations and promote the program in local media.

    The Public Library Association Affordable Connectivity Program Basics Workshop Incentive, supported by AT&T, enables libraries to conduct the workshops that help families and households learn about the ACP.

    The ACP, from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) helps families and households with affordable internet service. In collaboration with AT&T, the PLA developed the ACP Basics digital course and workshop materials to help families and households identify the information they need to apply for the program, how to apply for the program, and how to use the benefit.

    According to 2021 U.S. Census figures, 13% of Cumberland County households are without a broadband connection, and estimates are that most of those households qualify for the ACP.

    “Connectivity to reliable, affordable internet is critical for access to many services and information,” said Library Director Faith Phillips. “We are excited to continue to bridge the digital divide in our community.”

    The Affordable Connectivity Program Basics course and more digital literacy resources are freely available in English and Spanish through AT&T ScreenReady and PLA’s DigitalLearn.org. Digital Navigators at CCPL will help attendees use these resources in several upcoming workshops. Dates and locations for the workshops will be announced in September.

    The Public Library Association was founded in 1944 and is the largest association dedicated to supporting the unique and evolving needs of public library professionals.

    AT&T launched AT&T Connected Learning as part of a companywide $2 billion commitment from 2021 – 2023 to address the digital divide. AT&T Connected Learning invests in connectivity and technology, digital literacy and education solutions.

    For more information about the Cumberland County Library, visit the website at cumberlandcountync.gov/library and follow them on social media.

  • 10aRebecca Russell, owner of Bee Spoke Vintage and The 10 Dresses Project, walks up almond carpeted stairs to her workshop. Her short brown hair swishes lightly as she goes. Occasionally, she’ll turn back and make a light-hearted comment, her brown circular glasses framing her face as she smiles.

    Just as she rounds the corner of the stairs is a room lined with bookshelves of boxes and papers tucked neatly into plastic bags and stored sideways. It is a small pattern library, an homage to vintage dresses and outfits of times past. Her large table in the middle of the room is covered by partial pieces of patterns, thread and multiple pairs of sewing scissors. It appears that she has stopped mid-creation.

    Against the window are multiple mannequins with lavish silk dresses and a vintage, revolutionary-war era suit for a man. Russell is busy trying to complete some of the dresses, including her own and her son’s, for the Lafayette Grand Birthday Ball & Soiree on September 9th.

    “He’s turning nineteen right before the ball and that was the age Lafayette was,” Russell smiles as she touches the sleeve of the navy blue coat. “… I’ll be toasting youth and the spirit of youth… and what’s possible for youth.”

    Russell’s workshop is actually a room located in her home. What started out as a pattern organizer and a desk has grown into an entire rather large room. It’s packed with papers, patterns, jars of buttons and folded pieces of fabric. Vintage and newer sewing machines sit on surfaces around the room. Attached to the room is a closet packed with fine fabrics, thick lustrous silk rolls, vintage shoes and hats for all of Russell’s events.

    Russell admits she needs more space — maybe a proper workshop or storefront, she says. She gushes as she talks about future plans of a storefront. For Russell, sewing has been a lifelong passion that began when she was only about six.

    “My grandmother sewed all our clothes growing up,” she said. “I was always sitting right at her knee saying, ‘Let me sew. Let me get in there.’ She taught me.”

    For the vintage dresses, from Revolutionary to Civil War and into the 1900s, Russell recalls starting that fascination around her sixth grade year.

    “We moved to Virginia when the 125th anniversary of the Civil War battle started. We were right there in the thick of it. My dad was a really big history buff.”

    At age twelve, Russell went out and bought a vintage pattern for a gunny sack. She took red lace to her parents' basement and worked on the dress all night.10b

    “It was terrible,” Russell laughs. “I don't think I wore it out anywhere because I knew pretty quickly it was not right.”

    The mistakes of her first try didn’t stop Russell. She next tried to copy a dress from “North and South.” Along the way, she recalls getting suggestions from a historian who helped her with making her dresses more accurate by giving her information about what would have been normal during those eras. For one, she taught Russell at that young age that those dresses didn’t have zippers in that time period.

    “She was really kind. I think I was thirteen at that point. I started living in the library then because there was no internet.”

    Russell grabs boxes from the shelves in her workshop and begins to flip through patterns. She seems to love each piece, having a verbal reaction to the patterns as she recalls them.

    When she was a teenager, Russell said she even began drafting her own patterns. She grabs another book and opens it up. Books like this one, with simplistic measurements for dresses from the Revolutionary and Civil War times, helped her learn to draft her own patterns.

    “This woman studied actual garments that were in museums and then she would sketch them out to scale,” she said, turning pages and pointing to patterns. “Basically you could reproduce the pattern yourself.”

    She chuckles lightly and says she’s thankful there are more commercial patterns out now. Russell walks over to another table where jars of buttons have been stored. She picks up a blue glass jar, one she has had for a long time, and talks about all the people that have donated to her buttons and other sewing materials.

    “When people find out you sew, they are like, ‘Hey, I have all this stuff.’”

    Despite the long road in sewing, Russell took a break from the early 2000s until 2021. She worked as a government contractor and spent time with her kids. In 2021, Russell went back to sewing as a full-time business including doing workshops, balls like the upcoming Lafayette Ball, and other events.

    “The time was just right for me. I said goodbye, other job. I’m going to do this full-time.”

    Russell also sells her dresses online, all of which are custom made.

    “I don’t make anything ahead of time then sell it,” she said. “ Things don’t exist until somebody asks to have it made.”

    Her customers usually provide the fabrics for the dresses. The dresses span all eras but she does a lot from the 1930s. The 1940s and 1950s she says can often still be found in the vintage shops so those requests don’t come in as often. The requests though are some of the best part of what she does.

    “The thing that is most fun about it is I get to make all these things I wouldn’t have necessarily made for myself and then I can send them on.”

    In the future, Russell hopes to have a lending library at her store front and host events like movie night with themed dress-up eras. For her, she envisions sharing and helping others on their paths in sewing and keeping the art alive.

    “I just think it’s a great way to keep expanding it and obviously you got to get young people into loving it so it keeps going on.”

    Until the storefront is open, she’ll keep hosting events, bringing remembrance to parts of history through clothing and trying to open other people’s eyes to both history and a love of sewing.

    For more information about The 10 Dress Project, Bee Spoke Vintage or the upcoming Lafayette Ball visit https://www.the10dressesproject.org or https://beespokevintage.com/.

  • 16Calling All Fairgoers! Get ready to mark your calendars for September 1 through 10, 2023 and prepare for the most exciting event of the year - the Cumberland County Fair is returning with a bang! Yes the wait is FINALLY over and all your favorite yearly traditions will be promising an unforgettable experience for everyone.

    What can you expect this year? Brace yourself for heart-pounding excitement as the fair will bring back the livestock shows, exhilarating rides, thrilling games, and, of course, the beloved beer garden. But wait, there's more! Some incredible new additions to make this year's fair even more extraordinary. Get ready to witness jaw-dropping fire performers, marvel at freestyle motocross trick riders defying gravity, and be mesmerized by mind-boggling magic shows.

    But that's not all - the fair plans to take audience participation to a whole new level! Prepare to be part of live game shows where you can showcase your skills and win amazing prizes. The fun never stops at the Cumberland County Fair.

    Now let's talk about everyone's favorite part - the food! Indulge in all-time classics like juicy turkey legs and irresistible corn dogs that are sure to satisfy your cravings. But hold on tight because they’ve got some mouthwatering surprises in store for you this year. Prepare your taste buds for a culinary adventure like no other.
    And don't forget about the fantastic lineup of live music performances that will keep you grooving throughout the fair. Get ready to dance your heart out and enjoy incredible talents from various genres every single day.
    So mark your calendars, gather your friends and family, because the Cumberland County Fair is going to be THE place to be! Join in the fun and be ready to create memories that will last a lifetime. See you at the fairgrounds!

    2023 Cumberland County Fair Schedule:

    Friday, Sept. 1: Open at 5 PM
    FREE ADMISSION for Healthcare Professionals
    $5.00 admission for kids 3-12
    All Others: $10.00 admission for all individuals 13 and older.

    Saturday, Sept. 2: Open at 1 PM
    $10 Admission for adults and children 3 years of age or older

    Sunday, Sept. 3: Open at 1 PM
    Faith and Family Day
    $5.00 off by presenting your church bulletin at the Box Office
    $5.00 admission for kids 3-12
    All Others: $10.00 admission for all individuals 13 and older.

    Monday, Sept. 4: Open at Noon
    Sensory Day from 12pm-3pm/Regular Operation after 3 PM
    Limited rides with no music and no lights from 12pm to 3pm with regular fair operations resuming afterwards
    $10.00 admission for adults and children 3 years of age and older

    For the complete press release, schedule, and special days for the 2023 Cumberland County Fair visit www.cumberlandcountyfair.org Daily highlights and special announcements will be posted on the Cumberland County Fair facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CCFairNC/

    Cumberland County Fair. The Cumberland County Fair seeks to provide an opportunity to showcase and preserve the history and legacy of the agricultural communities in Cumberland County; to celebrate the diversity of local arts and crafts; to promote a safe setting for fun, healthy family entertainment featuring music, state of the art amusement rides, and animals; and to encourage an environment of friendly competition for all ages.

  • 19Fayetteville Cumberland Parks and Recreation pools and some splash pads will operate with adjusted schedules beginning Monday as traditional schools return to the classroom, according to a release.

    Keith A. Bates Sr. Pool at College Lakes, Lake Rim Aquatic Center at Lake Rim Park, and Westover Aquatic Center at Westover Recreation Center will operate only on the weekend, Sept. 2–4. Labor Day marks the last full day of swim season, the release said.

    Pool hours of operation are:

    • 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 2.
    • 1-6 p.m. Sept. 3.
    • 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 4.

    The cost to use the pools is:

    • Residents: $1 for ages 12 and under; $2 for ages 13 and older.
    • Nonresidents: $2 for 12 and under; $4 for ages 13 and older.

    Splash pads remain open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 7 p.m. until Sept. 30. While school is in session, Gray’s Creek, Lake Rim and Spivey splash pads will open from 3 to 7 p.m., and E. Melvin Honeycutt and Massey Hill splash pads will open from 3:30 to 7 p.m.

    All splash pads are free to the public, the release said. A list of all local splash pads and pools can be found at https://FCPR.us/Aquatics.

  • 14A school experience goes beyond lessons learned in the classroom. Part of what helps shape well-rounded students are the skills they sharpen and memories they make while engaging in extracurricular activities.

    Extracurricular involvement shows that students can stick with activities for extended periods of time, indicates they have passions and interests, and illustrates that they can take initiative outside of their schoolwork.

    Athletics is a popular extracurricular activity. A love of sports often develops in elementary school, with children participating in recreational or school-based leagues each year. That enjoyment of the game only builds in middle school and high school. However, there are plenty of students who are not sports enthusiasts but still fill their after-school hours with activities that can help cultivate leadership, teamwork, time management skills, confidence, and much more. The following are some extracurriculars that go beyond the scholastic playing fields.

    Arts activities: These can include painting, sketching, ceramics, jewelry-making, and yarn work.

    Band or chorus: Music instruction is ideal for those who want to explore a passion for singing or playing an instrument.

    Theater: Students can participate in theater productions after school. It's possible to get involved both in front of the curtain and behind with positions in the cast, crew and even promotional team.

    Newspaper: Many schools still produce student-led newspapers in print or digital versions. Students handle all of the roles, from reporting, editing, photography, and managing the publication.

    Foreign language clubs: Students may want to expand on their foreign language studies by participating in language clubs. Often these clubs include learning more about the cultures where specific languages are spoken, including exploring culinary delights and possible travel.

    Philanthropy: Like-minded students may want to participate in school-organized volunteer activities. These keep students busy, but also benefit recipients in many ways. Activities can include beach sweeps or volunteering at animal shelters.

    Coding and programming: Students can learn the basics of writing code and building computer applications or websites.

    Culinary arts: Certain schools may be equipped with kitchen facilities and still offer elective courses in culinary arts, while others may reserve cooking classes to extracurricular activities. If a school does not have a culinary club, chances are students can find a cooking class offered through a private group.

    There are plenty of extracurricular activities to engage students who are not interested in athletics. Students also can start new clubs if there are deficits in offerings at their schools.

  • 19Diet plays an important role in maintaining healthy cholesterol numbers. Although the level of cholesterol in a person’s blood is partly due to factors related to heredity, the foods one eats also affect cholesterol levels.

    When doctors discuss cholesterol with their patients, they may refer to total cholesterol, bad cholesterol and good cholesterol.

    What does that mean? Total cholesterol is the combined number of cholesterol in the blood, and should be below 200.

    Good cholesterol is known as HDL (high-density lipoprotein) and ideally it should be above 60. Bad, or LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, should be below 100, says the Cleveland Clinic.

    A person who has a poor lipoprotein profile may be instructed to alter their diet. Learning which foods might help is an important tool in managing cholesterol and triglyceride numbers.

    Oats and more. Individuals likely have heard that oatmeal is good for helping reduce cholesterol numbers. Oatmeal has soluble fiber, which lowers LDL cholesterol by reducing the absorption of cholesterol into the bloodstream. Oat bran and other high-fiber grains also are good to enjoy.

    Legumes and produce. Eggplant, okra, kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, pears, apples, and more also can be effective at lowering cholesterol levels. These foods tend to be lower in calories and saturated fats but high in soluble fiber.

    Nuts. Almond, walnuts and other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids can lower cholesterol levels by raising the levels of HDL cholesterol. Nuts like almonds also are high in vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that can keep the body healthy in a number of ways. Since nuts are high in calories, it is important to eat them in moderation.

    Fatty fish. Eating fish over other meat-based protein sources helps reduce caloric intake. It also means the body gains the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids that lower LDL and triglycerides in the bloodstream.

    Sterols and stanols. Sterols and stanols are components of plants that gum up the body’s ability to absorb cholesterol from food, says Harvard Health. Companies add them to foods like margarine and granola bars as supplements.  Roughly two grams of plant sterols a day can reduce LDL by 10%.

    Avocados and olives. Both of these foods are good sources of fiber and also monounsaturated fats that can help improve HDL and lower LDL levels. Substitute olive and avocado oils for lard and butter when cooking to improve cholesterol levels.

    Certain foods can be beneficial for improving cholesterol numbers.

    Focusing on the positive can help people feel less restricted by healthy eating plans.

  • 18bA new school year presents a wealth of opportunities for incoming students. Students returning to the same school can build upon the previous year’s successes, while students transitioning from elementary school to middle school or middle school to high school can embrace the excitement and accept the challenges posed by continuing on their academic journeys.

    It’s not uncommon for all students to experience some first day jitters, but that nervous excitement might be especially pronounced for transfer students.

    The transition to a new school is made simpler for many students when they make it alongside classmates they’ve known for years. Transfer students have no such security blanket, but can embrace the following strategies as they prepare to begin the school year in a whole new environment.

    Attend student orientation sessions. Orientation sessions can benefit any student, but may be especially useful for transfer students. Orientation sessions typically include a campus tour, a rundown of both academic and social activities and a chance to meet the school staff, including teachers and coaches.

    Transfer students who attend these sessions also may meet fellow classmates, who typically serve as guides on campus tours or in other capacities which requires them to interact with session attendees. This can be a great opportunity to connect with individuals who could serve as a familiar face come the first day of school.

    Schedule a visit with a guidance counselor. Guidance counselors can be invaluable resources for transfer students.

    Parents can come along and discuss the student’s interests in a direct conversation with a counselor, who can fill the family in on all that’s available on campus. That can include academics and extracurricular activities.

    Dive in socially. Though it’s not always easy to transfer to a new school that already has its own social networks, the best way to meet new people is to make a concerted effort to engage socially.

    Student-athletes may have an advantage because the team atmosphere provides a ready-made social network. However, extracurricular clubs also provide that benefit and do so without the added pressure of competing for a spot on a team.

    Don’t go it alone. Students should recognize that the transition is not something they need to do on their own. If students transferred because their family moved, then others in the family, including parents, are likely to experience their own ups and downs as well.

    Speak with parents and siblings if the transition does not get off to a smooth start. Such openness can open the door to new strategies and help to alleviate some of the stress that can accompany a transition to a new school.

    A new school year can be a nervous time for transfer students. However, various strategies can help to make the transition go more smoothly.

  • 18aThe year 1963 was a time that reflects many differences when compared to today.

    For example, the cost of a gallon of gas was thirty-one cents. Phones were attached to walls. A computer weighed as much as a small car. Teenagers lit up their bedrooms with lava lamps. The song, “Surfin’ U.S.A.” by The Beach Boys, topped the music charts. The most popular TV show was “The Beverly Hillbillies.” “Cleopatra” was the top grossing movie. The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Yankees in the World Series.

    Many things have changed since 1963, but a few things have remained the same.

    In 1963, the Paul H. Thompson Library at Fayetteville Technical Community College opened its doors for the first time, and for 60 years, the Library has been a center of learning for our community.

    The majority of work that occurs at the Paul H. Thompson Library is serious work, but the Library is about to have some fun, in celebration of the 60th birthday.

    All are invited to drop in on Sept. 6 between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Paul H. Thompson Library, located at 2221 Hull Road on the Fayetteville campus of FTCC.

    At noon, enjoy the best 1960s-themed birthday party ever held in honor of a library. Participants will win great prizes and be given the opportunity to “strain the brain” to complete a scavenger hunt.
    Guests can also visit archival displays and see if anyone in our pictures from long ago is recognized. We’ll also have a display of 60s-themed books on cooking, culture and history.

    FTCC students, faculty and staff are invited to dust off their tie-dye shirts and platform shoes to enter the 60s costume contest. This free event is open to the public.

    The Paul H. Thompson Library provides access to many campus and online resources that can help students with their classroom assignments.

    In addition to books and periodicals, book displays, study rooms with high-tech white boards for team collaboration, desktop computers, laptops, electronic databases, and much more are available at the Paul H. Thompson Library.

    Open archives are available on Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. where students can look through photographs, yearbooks and other archived materials.

    In addition to the Paul H. Thompson Library, FTCC’s Student Learning Center is available to students interested in receiving additional academic assistance to make the learning experience a successful one.

    Other campus resources include the All American Veterans Center, the Career Development Center, the Fitness Center, computer labs, and disability and accessibility support services.

    The staff members of the Paul H. Thompson Library at FTCC’s Fayetteville campus are pleased to celebrate the 60th birthday and invite you to join the celebration and discover how Fayetteville Technical Community College helps students enrich lives and reimagine futures.

    If you have questions about the Paul H. Thompson Library at FTCC, please contact Director of Library Services, Mary DiRisio, at drisiom@faytechcc.edu or 910-678-7351.
    If you have questions about FTCC in general, email contactus@faytechcc.edu.

  • 17The history and life stories of Black builders and architects in North Carolina are subjects of a traveling exhibit coming to the Museum of the Cape Fear beginning Sept. 6.

    The museum, located at 801 Arsenal Ave., will host Preservation North Carolina’s traveling exhibit “We Built This: Profiles of Black Architects and Builders in North Carolina.”

    On display until the end of the year, the exhibit is part of a multifaceted education program that acknowledges and celebrates the Black builders and craftspeople who constructed or designed many of the state’s most treasured historic sites, according to a museum news release.

    Spanning more than three centuries, “We Built This” provides more than two dozen personal profiles and historical context on key topics including slavery and Reconstruction; the founding of historically black universities and churches; the Jim Crow era and segregation; and the rise of Black civic leaders and professionals.

    The exhibit includes the story of Cicero Richardson, who was a brick mason in Fayetteville. At the age of 13 or 14 years, Richardson was determined to learn brick masonry.

    In 1832, with his Certificate of Freedom, he traveled alone 100 miles from New Bern to Fayetteville to begin an apprenticeship with Fayetteville brick mason Jacob Harris (1799-1847).

    The Harris family was a prominent free Black family in Fayetteville. Richardson later married Jacob’s oldest child, Sarah Ann. The Harris family, including Richardson, migrated to Ohio in the 1850s to escape restrictive laws and increasing hostilities toward free Black people in North Carolina.

    After the Civil War, Jacob Harris’ sons, Robert and Cicero (named after Cicero Richardson), returned to Fayetteville to teach with the American Missionary Association.17a

    Robert Harris would become the founding principal at the Howard School (1867) and the State Colored Normal School (1877), the predecessors of Fayetteville State University.

    For more information about the exhibit, contact David Reid at david.reid@dncr.nc.gov or 910-500-4242 at the Museum of the Cape Fear or Demetrius Haddock at info.rjcaah@gmail.com with the River Jordan Council on African American Heritage.

    The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The museum operates under the Division of State History Museums, Office of Archives and History, within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

    Visit the museum website at https://museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov/ for more information.

  • 16The Greater Fayetteville Chamber presents the State of the Community event Aug. 31 at the Crown Expo Center. This highly informational annual event will assemble Fayetteville and Cumberland County leaders under one roof to discuss current conditions and future developments throughout the region.

    During this event government officials, lawmakers, and administrators will present topics such as economic development, healthcare, education, military, local government, and the positive impact of collaborative partnerships such as Cape Fear Valley Health, the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County Schools, and the Longleaf Pine Realtors.

    Nat Robertson, president and CEO of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber, states “Our goal is to bring the most up-to-date information to our members and the best way we have found to do that is from the representatives themselves. It is imperative that our members educate themselves on the state of our community so they can better prepare themselves and their businesses on what is coming next”.

    The keynote speaker for this event is Josh Dobson, the NC Commissioner of Labor.

    Dobson is the 18th labor commissioner in the State of North Carolina. He served for eight years in the state House of Representatives representing the 85th district covering Avery, McDowell and Mitchell counties in the western part of N.C.

    He also previously served as chair of the house appropriations committee and the chair of the house health committee. Additionally, speakers for the 2023 State of the Community will include: Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin; Dr. Toni Stewart, Chair of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners; Dr. Marvin Connelly, Superintendent of Cumberland County Schools; Melissa McKinney, President of the Board, Longleaf Pine Realtors; Daniel Weatherly, Chief Operations Officer of the Cape Fear Valley Health System.

    Greater Fayetteville Chamber State of the Community will take place on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Crown Expo Center located at 1960 Coliseum Drive.

    Tickets are $30 for individual general admission member tickets. A table of eight reserved seats is $300. Non-member general admission tickets are $75.
    Sponsorship opportunities are available at www.FAYBIZ.com

    If you’re interested in helping the Chamber to support their mission “to help people live, work, and thrive in Fayetteville” log onto www.faybiz.com to sign up and become a member today.

  • 14The Cumberland County Department of Public Health is partnering with the public school system to hold evening clinics for back-to-school and COVID-19 immunization clinics for schoolchildren and teenagers in grades kindergarten through 12.

    Students who participate will receive free backpacks and hygiene kits, according to a news release.

    Walk-ins will be accepted each day until the clinic reaches capacity. No walk-ins will be accepted after 6:30 p.m. Insurance will be collected, but vaccines are free for children under 18 through the Vaccines for Children program, the release said.

    Students should bring an ID card, a copy of insurance information and immunization records, if available.

    Outreach clinics for students entering grades seven and 12 are scheduled:

    • 4-7 p.m. Sept. 5, Mac Williams Middle School, 4644 Clinton Road.
    • 4-7 p.m. Sept. 7, Lewis Chapel Middle School, 2150 Skibo Road.
    • 4-7 p.m. Sept. 14, Douglas Byrd Middle School, 1616 Ireland Drive.
    • 4-7 p.m. Sept. 19, Spring Lake Middle School, 612 Spring Ave., Spring Lake.

    A late-night clinic for students entering grades kindergarten, seven, and 12 will be held from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Cumberland County Department of Public Health, 1235 Ramsey St.

    All students entering seventh grade are required to obtain a Tdap and meningococcal conjugate vaccine before starting school. As of Aug. 1, 2020, a booster dose to protect against meningococcal disease is required for adolescents entering 12th grade or by age 17.

    A full list of immunizations required before entering kindergarten and seventh and 12th grades under state law can be found on the Cumberland County Schools website.

    Anyone 18 or younger who does 0not have health insurance or whose health insurance does not cover immunizations can receive free immunizations through the Vaccines for Children Program.

    For transportation to the Health Department for a walk-in visit to the immunizations clinic, call 910-433-3600.
    State law says parents and caregivers have 30 calendar days from the first day of attendance to present the required immunization record and health assessment form for a child.

    After 30 days, students will not be allowed to attend school until the required immunizations and health assessment form has been presented.
    Anyone who cannot attend one of these clinics can get required immunizations at the Department of Public Health from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, the news release said.

    Visit www.cumberlandcountync.gov/publichealth or call 910-433-3707 for more information.

  • 13Lawn chairs, blankets and cool beverages, oh my! The Gates Four Summer Concert Series is wrapping up its third year of live entertainment and family fun at the club’s pavilion on Sept. 1.

    Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Concert-goers are encouraged to get there early, set up their chairs, and enjoy several pre-concert activities such as door prizes and wine tastings.

    This event is free to the public, but if you’re in the mood to treat yourself, a few VIP options are available for purchase. These exclusive tickets give access to covered seating, food and libations courtesy of On After and H8ters Bar and Grill.

    Anyone interested in VIP tickets can purchase them online at the Fayetteville Dinner Theatre website www.fayettevilledinnertheatre.com or at Gates Four Golf & Country Club. Ticket prices range from $25 for covered seating to $40 for covered seating and drinks.

    According to Greg Adair, GFSCS organizer and drummer for Rivermist, the concert series has grown in more ways than one as one of the only music festivals that runs a six-month season in the Cumberland County area.

    This year boasts a mountain of significant sponsors, including Certified Heating and Air, Beasley Media Group, Jay Dowdy Home Services, and Healy Wholesale, Inc. According to Adair, it will get “better and better” as “word of mouth” of the concert series continues to bring in bigger crowds each year.

    This year the GFSCS is again being presented by the Fayetteville Dinner Theatre, with local businessman Bill Bowman at the helm. Bowman is also the publisher of Up & Coming Weekly. The Fayetteville Dinner Theatre’s mission is to bring a “full evening of fun and entertainment that includes much more than great theater performed by talented professional actors,” a mission that has come to fruition with the continued success of the GFSCS.

    Set to headline the season-ending show is none other than Fayetteville’s favorite hometown band, Rivermist.

    The band is known not only to local audiences, but across the region and have received numerous accolades and awards to include: nominated for the Rising Star CAMMY (Carolina Beach Music Award), named 2021 CCMA (Carolina Country Music Awards) Vocal Group of the Year.

    Starting in 2014 as a classic rock cover band, Rivermist has lost and gained members and even added new genres of music to its repertoire, earning them a whole new audience in the music scene and solidifying what Adair calls “Rivermist 2.0.”

    “It seems like God had a plan for us, and we just kept making a way.”

    The band consists of five eclectic members, all from different backgrounds but united in their love of “God, family, and country.” Adair, drummer and vocalist, is a proud son, father, new grandfather, and an organizer of the Gates Four Summer Concert Series.

    Flowing on the keys and the mic, Allen Pier's raspy voice and melodic work on the keyboard provide the perfect note for the cover band’s classic rock hits and R&B and funk.
    Cliff Bender plays lead guitar, and local music store owner Tony Harrison jams on the bass guitar.

    New to the group, but a natural addition is Rick Starling who joined the group in 2022. Starling brought his experience as band director at Jack Britt High School and John Griffin Middle School.
    Although the band plays secular music, Adair says, “We are all active in our churches,” a reason the GFSCS stays true to its family roots and is strict on making sure all bands that are booked adhere to playing family-friendly music.

    Even though the band has quite a following on Facebook (8,000 followers), Adair admits that doesn’t quantify their success. That comes from their connection with their fans at concerts.

    “When we see people, we are really into them, we hug them … we hug them at the end of every show or when we can see them before the show... and we are really thankful for them.”
    With fans showing up at every show and having original songs on the music charts, Greg says the band doesn’t consider themselves famous. “We are just a humble bunch. We aren’t arrogant at all … we are really thankful and really humble.”

    Despite his musical success, Adair says his favorite role is “grandpa,” but he says his children often pick about having a “rockstar dad.”

    The band maintains a consistent schedule, ensuring fans have the opportunity to rock out and grab a laugh and a hug on the way out. While they consider themselves a cover band, they have a collection of harmonious and inspiring original songs. They just released a new song, “Right Place, Right Time” available on their website, www.rivermistband.com, Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon Music, and Pandora.

    Tour dates, merchandise and booking information can also be found on the band’s website. They have a full schedule for the rest of the year with plenty of opportunities for fans to catch a show.

    At the final GFSCS show of the season, Rivermist will hit the stage at 7 p.m. with a set full of songs to fit everyone’s musical palate, crossing several genres of music over several decades.

    Concert-goers can expect smooth harmonies and electric energy from the band as they end the summer concert series dancing under a radiant Carolina sky.

  • 12bLocal families are heading to Cross Creek Mall after the opening of the Main Event last week.

    With the tagline “The Most Fun You Can Have Under One Roof” Main Event is a 38,000-square-foot entertainment complex that delivers on that promise with a pro-level bowling alley, virtual reality, laser tag, billiards, arcade games and more.

    The founders of Main Event opened their first center in Lewisville, Texas in 1998. In 2022, Dave & Busters, a similar entertainment chain, acquired the company. While Dave & Busters caters more to adults, Main Event has a family-oriented focus. Their goal was to give families somewhere other than traditional bowling centers to spend quality time together. They introduced a place where families could come together and enjoy various activities conveniently located under one roof. They wanted to create a haven for families seeking fun and entertainment.

    Guests will be satisfied with the value they receive from the various activities offered, such as happy hour promotions, eat and play packages, as well as hosting birthday parties, private gatherings, and corporate events.

    Additionally, complimentary Wi-Fi is provided for guests’ convenience. Main Event also offers a comprehensive selection of food items, including burgers, pizza, desserts and other options.

    The operating hours are from 10 a.m. to midnight on Sundays through Thursdays, and from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

    For more information visit https://www.mainevent.com/

  • 12aWith the heat hitting record highs, it’s good to know places to check out that will keep you out of the sun. There are plenty of indoor fun centers, and many of them are locally owned. Here is a list of locally-owned, fun, family-friendly fun centers to check out in Cumberland County.

    Axes & Armor Hatchet House

    Axes & Armor is Cumberland County’s first indoor axe throwing facility. Their mission is to bring the thrill of urban hatchet throwing to the community. They not only offer axe throwing but also a rage room, splatter rooms, and football bowling.

    Axe throwing tickets range from $23 to $36 per person, depending on the day of the week and how long the session is. There are also military, educator and first responder discounts available.

    Axes & Armor have two locations in Cumberland County — one in Fayetteville and one in Spring Lake. The location in Fayetteville is at 4005 Raeford Road and can be contacted at 910-491-1233. The location in Spring Lake is at 409 N. Bragg Blvd. and can be contacted at 910-491-8144. For more information, go to https://www.axesandarmor.com/.

    Bravery Kids Gym

    Bravery Kids Gym is an inclusive indoor play facility that offers a fun, safe and stimulating learning environment to promote childhood development through play. This kids’ gym is geared towards the development and therapeutic needs of children with special needs as well as typically developing children; however, the center is open for children of all abilities. Children and adults will have access to all equipment from

    Tuesdays to Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

    An all-day pass is $15. There are discounts for military members, teachers and therapists with a valid ID. Memberships are available as well. You are recommended to bring your own grip socks.
    Bravery Kids Gym is located at 886 Elm Street. For more information, go to braverykidsgym.com or call 910-779-0623.

    Epic Fun Park

    EPIC is a whole new way to play, party and eat. They bring together a number of attractions for all ages and give something to enjoy for all. They have a ropes course, arcade games, climbing walls, zip lines, dodgeball, a sports court, and plenty of trampolines. With 14,000 square feet of Wall to Wall Inflatable Fun, this is a definite addition to Fayetteville’s bucket list.

    Each individual must sign a waiver before using any attraction. Children 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult, and socks are required for all activities. Ticket prices range from $15 to $30, depending on age and time at the facility.

    Epic Fun Park is located at 1400 Walter Reed Road. For more information, go to www.epicfunpark.com or call 910-759-4744.

    JP’s Jump Masters

    JP’s Jump Masters is a military and locally owned facility here in Fayetteville that offers 20,000 square feet of fun. Half of the facility is a trampoline park. They have a variety of trampolines, such as dodgeball courts, basketball hoops and foam pits. The other side of the facility is a cafe and arcade. They have a gourmet coffee shop and an indoor/outdoor cafe.

    Tickets can be bought online or in person. There are 30-minute jump tickets, one-hour jump tickets, all-day jump tickets, weekend all-day passes and weekday all-day passes available.

    Waivers must be signed by anyone entering the facility. Waivers for minors must be signed by their parents/guardians. JP’s Jump Masters is located at 7005 Nexus Court. For more information, go to jpsjumpmasters.com or call 910-223-0200.

    Stop Button Arcade + Bar

    This hidden arcade is the place to go for drinks, games and fun. The arcade is open seven days a week and offers pinball, arcade games and console games. One of the best things about this place is that it’s family-friendly, so kids are more than welcome. However, on Fridays and Saturday nights after 9 p.m., only people who are 18 and older are allowed to stay. The bar offers local North Carolina beers, nerd-themed cocktails, and a full liquor bar. The only drawback is that food is not served here, but there are restaurants nearby.

    Stop Button Arcade + Bar is open Monday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to midnight. On Friday, they are open from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. On Saturday, it is open from noon to 3 a.m., and on Sunday, it is open from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

    Admission is $7 from Sunday through Thursday. On Fridays and Saturdays, it is $10. Anyone under 18 can get in for $5. There are also military and student discounts. To gain entry into Stop Button, you must have a valid ID that proves your age.

    This arcade is over in Hope Mills at 4251 Legion Road #127. To find out more information, go to https://www.stopbuttonbar.com/.

    Omni Plaza

    Omni Plaza is the perfect place to take your family for indoor fun. Omni Family Fun Center is one of the largest fun centers in Cumberland County that is aimed at the entire family. There are over 100 games that people can enjoy, as well as exciting prizes available when you redeem your tickets. Next door is Mountasia Golf & Games, where indoor minature golf is in full swing. There are two 18-hole courses people can explore.

    At Mountasia Golf & Games, children, twelve and under, can get in for $5 for 18 holes and $8 for 36 holes. Adults, 13 and older, can get in for $7 for 18 holes and $10 for 36 holes. One child under 3 is free with each paid adult. You can then finish your day out with a movie and popcorn at Omni Cinema.

    No one under 16 years of age is permitted on Omni Plaza properties after 6 p.m. without adult supervision, and proper ID is required.
    Omni Plaza is located at 3729 Sycamore Dairy Road. For more information about Omni Plaza, go to omnifamilyamusementcenter.com or call 910-864-1307.

  • 11Students are heading back to school, some entering the classroom for the first time. The American Red Cross North Carolina Region offers 10 ways to help make sure your student is safe as they return to school for the upcoming year.

    “There are some special steps parents of younger children should take, especially if kids are going to school for the first time,” said Allison Taylor, NC Regional CEO of Humanitarian Services. “They should make sure the child knows their phone number, address, how to get in touch with their parents at work, how to get in touch with another trusted adult and how to dial 911. They should also make sure the child knows not to talk to strangers or accept rides from someone they don’t know.”

    Here are more steps to follow to help your child stay safe:

    • If your student rides a bus to school, they should plan to get to their bus stop early and stand away from the curb while waiting for the bus to arrive.
    • Students should board the bus only after it has come to a complete stop and the driver or attendant has instructed them to get on. They should only board their bus, never an alternate one.
    • All students should stay in clear view of the bus driver and never walk behind the bus.
    • Cross the street at the corner, obey traffic signals and stay in the crosswalk.
    • Never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
    • If children go to school in a car, they should always wear a seat belt. Younger children should use car seats or booster seats until the lap-shoulder belt fits properly (typically for children ages 8-12 and over 4’9”), and ride in the back seat until they are at least 13 years old.
    • If a teenager is going to drive to school, parents should mandate that they use seat belts. Drivers should not use their cell phone to text or make calls and avoid eating or drinking while driving.
    • Some students ride their bike to school. They should always wear a helmet and ride on the right, in the same direction as the traffic is going.
    • When children are walking to school, they should only cross the street at an intersection, and use a route along which the school has placed crossing guards.
    • Parents should walk young children to school, along with children taking new routes or attending new schools, at least for the first week to ensure they know how to get there safely. Arrange for students to walk to school with a friend or classmate.

    Drivers, Slow Down!

    Drivers should slow down as children head back to school. Know that yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is getting ready to stop and motorists should slow down and be prepared to stop. Red flashing lights and an extended stop sign indicate the bus is stopped and children are getting on or off.

    Motorists must stop when they are behind a bus, meeting the bus or approaching an intersection where a bus is stopped. Motorists following or traveling alongside a school bus must also stop until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and all children have reached safety. This includes two and four-lane highways. If physical barriers such as grassy medians, guide rails or concrete median barriers separate oncoming traffic from the bus, motorists in the opposing lanes may proceed without stopping. Do not proceed until all the children have reached a place of safety.

    Prepare for Emergencies

    Know what the emergency plan is at your child’s school in case a disaster or an unforeseen event occurs. Develop a family emergency plan so everyone will know who to contact and where to go if something happens while children are at school and parents are at work. Details are available at redcross.org/prepare.

    Take a First Aid Class

    Learn and practice first aid and CPR skills by taking a course so you can help save a life. Download the free Red Cross First Aid app for instant access to information on handling the most common first aid emergencies whether it be before, during or after school. You can find it by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in your app store or at redcross.org/apps

    About the American Red Cross

    The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission.

    For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or www.CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross

  • 10Even after three shootings over the past three weeks, violent crime — except for cases of homicide — is down “across the board” in Fayetteville so far this year, says Police Chief Kemberle Braden.

    Braden shared that assessment with City Council members on Aug. 7, then reiterated it at a special council meeting to discuss public safety on Aug. 16.

    A spike in gun violence across Cumberland County has preceded recent conversations about public safety, including the updates Braden delivered last week.

    Two of the recent shootings occurred Aug. 3. One, in the parking lot of Seabrook Park at 708 Langdon St., resulted in the driver of a Kia Optima crashing into the nearby swimming pool at Smith Recreation Center.
    Braden said the incident followed an altercation that broke out during a vigil for family and friends of Lorenzo McLaughlin Jr., 22, who was shot to death July 29.

    On July 30, police charged Devonte Tyrell McClain, 20, and his brother, Adriane McClain, 18, both of Fayetteville, with first-degree murder and felony conspiracy related to McLaughlin’s death. They are being held at the Cumberland County Detention Center under no bond.

    The other shooting on Aug. 3 was at a Circle K gas station at 8191 Cliffdale Road. Police have not released additional information about the case.

    Braden has said the investigation of the Seabrook Park shooting is ongoing.

    Braden acknowledged preliminary year-to-date data for 2023 “doesn’t match the narrative of what we saw happen at Seabrook Park.”

    According to Braden, homicides have increased slightly this year — 27 homicides last year at this time compared to 33 so far this year. He said last week that police have identified an offender in all but two of those cases and stressed the importance of considering the broader picture.

    “We’re always going to be gauged on our number of murders,” Braden told CityView on Aug. 16. “But as we look at the other things — and murders are bad, there’s no doubt about that — are we having an effect across the board? I think we are.”

    In the data he first presented earlier in the month, Braden cited a 9% decrease in crimes against individuals and 13.4% decrease in crimes against property. There also has been a 30% increase in weapons seized and an 8% decrease in stolen weapons compared to this time last year.

    “When I say violent crime is down across the board … I’m talking about our most serious of events to include our shootings, shooting into occupied dwellings, aggravated assaults — both felony and misdemeanor,” Braden said. “And yes, we’re still out there working, solving every homicide that we can and trying to prevent any retaliatory violence that could result in a potential homicide in the future.”

    At the same time, Braden said, there’s been a 61.5% increase in so-called crimes against society, which includes “victimless” crimes like drug possession and seizure of illegal weapons. He attributes the increase in these arrests to proactive police work that stops a crime from happening, such as by seizing an unauthorized weapon before a perpetrator can use it.

    “I would say this is our officers showing that they’re doing more work out there,” Braden said. “They’re being more productive and more proactive, as opposed to waiting to have someone commit a crime and then go and arrest them for that crime. They’re doing stuff like taking the drugs out of their pockets or taking the gun out of their waistband.”

    Elected officials’ criticism

    Braden’s remarks come in the wake of concerns raised by elected officials about law enforcement’s ability to adequately handle incidents of gun violence, especially among teenagers. Some council members expressed doubt at last week’s meeting about whether the Fayetteville Police Department could single-handedly tackle gun violence, even with the implementation of many new crime-prevention programs.

    “This cannot be solved by your department,” Mayor Mitch Colvin told Braden. “I don’t care how many police officers you get. I don’t care how great a job you are doing — and you guys are doing a good job. You cannot be expected to solve the woes of the problem of gun violence.”

    Braden did not comment directly on the Seabrook Park shooting — it’s an ongoing investigation — but he shared some information about the circumstances that led to it. Officers responded within minutes of shots being fired there. Potential witnesses fled the scene by the time officers arrived, Braden said, but they were able to gather information using video from cameras installed at Seabrook Park.

    According to Braden, detectives confirmed a conflict had taken place before violence broke out, ultimately leading to the driver of the Kia Optima crashing into the pool to evade gunshots.

    “This wasn’t an incident where just out of the blue shots were being fired,” Braden said. “There were things that led up to this incident. People were in the area to celebrate, have a balloon release for a memorial for someone who had suffered violent crime himself. There was an argument on site; tempers were heated.

    “I think there was an opportunity had the police (been) called that an intervention possibly could have deescalated some situations. But not a single 911 call came until the first shots were fired and the car was located in the pool.”

    Braden said his department has been hosting a number of youth engagement programs at Seabrook Park this summer, including camps and activities in which youngsters can play games with police officers and ask them questions during “safe spaces.” Braden said the fact that the shooting happened despite the “proactive police work” in the community indicates more work is needed.

    “So just the mere presence of police didn’t make that place safe,” Braden said. “We’re going to have to change the hearts and minds of the people within that community.”

    Council member Shakeyla Ingram, who represents the community, agreed that a “village mentality” is needed to stop the problem of gun violence. Residents, she said, need to start checking in on one other before things have time to escalate.

    “We have to turn back and start becoming nosy neighbors, being all up in our neighbors’ stuff,” Ingram said.

    In response to a question about how concerned residents should be about recent shootings, Braden said that as long as people are avoiding criminal activity, they should be OK.

    “The average citizen who’s just going out to eat at Mi Casita on a Monday night is going to be safe,” he said.
    Braden said in an interview following the Aug. 16 public safety meeting that he expects to release final crime data for the second quarter of 2023 this week. He encouraged people to refrain from drawing broad conclusions about the crime rate until more data is available.

    “I would wait till the end of the year to see what we end the year at to say that crime is up or down,” he said.

    To report a crime in Fayetteville or Cumberland County anonymously, visit the local government CrimeStoppers page www.fay-nccrimestoppers.org/

  • 9Always the educator, Erica Fenner-McAdoo left the 2023 Convocation and Cumberland County Schools Premier Professionals “red carpet” awards reception with a lesson and a challenge for the hundreds of principals, assistant principals, teachers and teacher assistants who gathered Aug. 15 at the Crown Complex ballroom.

    The moment may have belonged to Fenner-McAdoo, but it was a moment the 42-year-old 2024 Principal of the Year would embrace with all who share a passion for educating young people throughout the county’s public schools system.

    “I want to encourage you to be bold this year,” Fenner-McAdoo, principal at Howard Hall Elementary, would say after accepting the Principal of the Year honor in front of more than 400 educators. “Our students need you at your best. Come back every day united for your students’ success.”

    Others honored were Kristle Rouse of Westover High School, Assistant Principal of the Year; Steven Barbour of Terry Sanford High School, Teacher of the Year; and Sade’ Mangum of Seventy-First High School, Beginning Teacher of the Year.

    “Today, we celebrate the heart and soul of Cumberland County Schools,” Deanna Jones, chairwoman of the Cumberland County Board of Education, would say prior to the awards presentation. “You are the architects of dreams and champions who inspire us all. We celebrate those who make every student rise.”

    For Fenner-McAdoo, teaching is a part of her DNA. Her mother, Linda Bowser, was an educator in Cumberland and Moore county schools. Her sister, Shanessa Fenner, is principal at W.T. Brown Elementary School.

    “I’m so proud,” Linda Bowser would say about her daughter’s selection as Principal of the Year.

    Fenner-McAdoo is a 2002 graduate of North Carolina A&T University with a degree in early childhood education. She earned her master’s in education administration from Fayetteville State University in 2009. She began her career with Cumberland County Schools as assistant principal at Ponderosa Elementary School before becoming a principal at Walker-Spivey Elementary School in 2014 and Howard Hall Elementary School in 2017.

    “I’m overjoyed,” she would say of the honor as the school system’s premier principal. “I’m just honored. This is a major accomplishment, I know, and I’m just humbled.”

    Fenner-McAdoo, according to the school system, qualifies to compete for the Sandhills Regional Principal of the Year title.

    ‘Something I love to do’

    Rouse, 37, would say as much as the Assistant Principal of the Year.

    “I’m honored for being recognized for doing something I love to do,” she would say.

    Rouse is a 2011 graduate of Fayetteville State University with a degree in psychology and a minor in biology. She holds a master’s from Grand Canyon University in Arizona. Rouse has been at Westover High School since 2017, where she began as a biology teacher before being named assistant principal and athletic director.

    Like Fenner-McAdoo, teaching is in Steven Barbour’s DNA. His father, Tucker Barbour, was an assistant principal at South View High School when it opened in 1972 in Hope Mills.

    “I’m humbled,” he told those in attendance. “I’ve been teaching over 20 years, and I see a lot of familiar faces around this room. I’m humbled, and it’s about the joy of working with students.”

    Barbour, 52, is a 1989 graduate of South View High School. He earned his undergraduate degree in international affairs and economics in 1993 from American University and his master’s in social studies education in 2009 from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

    You don’t have to wonder about his passion for being in the classroom. You can see the passion in his eyes.

    “When I shut the door and have 90 minutes,” Barbour says about teaching students AP World History, “I’m overwhelmed.”

    Barbour is in his seventh year as a faculty member at Terry Sanford High School, where he also coaches the boys and girls soccer teams. And where Barbour also pays honor to Chris Hondros, the American war photojournalist and Terry Sanford graduate who died at age 41 in 2011 covering violence in Libya.

    “Mr. Barbour is an outstanding educator, coach, mentor and overall wonderful person who exemplifies distinguished leadership in the teaching profession,” Catherine Abraham-Johnson, the Terry Sanford principal, says about Barbour, who will compete for the regional teacher of the year title.

    Mangum, 30, came to teaching after owning her own business as a notary public.

    “I’m just very humbled,” she would say, “and excited about being ready to make and tackle being teacher of the year.”

    A 2010 graduate of Seventy-First High School, Mangum earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from Winston-Salem State University and currently is pursuing her master’s in education at UNC Pembroke. She is cheerleading coach at Seventy-First High.

    Mangum will compete in the statewide North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching 2023-24 Beginning Teacher of the Year award.

    Epilogue

    Administering a school isn’t easy, particularly in these times of unrest and social media and where every principal seems to face scrutiny along his or her way.
    Neither is being a classroom teacher.

    But I can tell you that for every successful student, you’ll find a principal and a teacher who made a difference in every student’s life and his or her future to come.

    “Today, we gather to celebrate true champions of education,” Marvin Connelly, superintendent of Cumberland County Schools, would tell those at Tuesday’s reception. “Today, we celebrate your remarkable contributions.”

  • 8Who is the most famous living North Carolinian? Michael Jordan? Stephen Curry? Zach Galifianakis? Dale Earnhardt Jr.? Richard Petty? Franklin Graham? Others?

    My answer today: Greensboro native Rhiannon Giddens, who was a part of my recent column about Omar ibn Said, the enslaved scholar of the Arabic language. Giddens starred in the opera about Omar. She and Michael Abels shared a Pulitzer Prize for writing and composing that opera, which premiered last year at the Spoleto festival in Charleston.

    I first heard about Giddens when she was part of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, a small band that featured music based in the Piedmont region where Giddens grew up.

    All the musicians sang, played, and traded multiple instruments, including banjo, fiddle, guitar, harmonica, snare drum, bones, jug and kazoo. They were enthusiastic performers. For me it was folk music at its best.

    Then Chocolate Drops were gone.

    But Giddens has stayed busy. At Oberlin College she had trained as an opera singer, yet according to NPR’s Anastasia Tsioulcas, Giddens is “best known as an American roots musician, a singer and songwriter who wields a mean banjo and makes her viola croon.”

    An article by Jon Pareles in the Aug. 7 edition of The New York Times further demonstrates Gidden’s growing fame.

    He wrote, “Giddens, 46, was at the home in Ireland that she shares with her two children and her partner, Francesco Turrisi — an Italian jazz musician who explores global traditions and has made two duet albums with her that examine African, Mediterranean, and American crosscurrents. A microphone stand sat behind her, and her latest bit of crocheting was close at hand.

    “Giddens has made it her mission to delve into ‘difficult and unknown chapters of American history,’ she said, and to reveal complicated cultural entanglements. ‘We like to say it’s a melting pot,’ she said. ‘But it’s more of a patchwork. You can see the bits and pieces, but we don’t always know where all the patches are from.’”

    One result is a new course by the Teaching Company/Wondrium. While working on this column, I received an advertisement for a new course: “African Instrument, American Culture: A Musical History-The Banjo: Music, History and Heritage” taught by Giddens. She is everywhere!

    I sampled several of the 13 episodes in which she combined great teaching with dazzling banjo playing. A preview of the course is available at www.wondrium.com/the-banjo-music-history-and-heritage
    Her new album “You’re the One,” which is the first album of her own songwriting, was released Aug. 18. Pareles wrote that the new album is “also her most playful project yet.”

    “I need to make the record that I need to make at that moment,” she told Pareles, “I needed to do something with these songs that I loved. And I wanted to have fun and I wanted to explore different sounds.”
    After the album’s release Giddens will go on tour with a full band. “I know I get intense,” she told Pareles.

    “But yeah, there is also the thought of, ‘Maybe I can bring more people, a new slice of folks, to the fold of what I do.’ Bringing them in with these kinds of songs. And then when they come to what I do, maybe they’ll discover the other things — and dig them.”

    If you can’t wait for the tour and would like to get to know Giddens better, another example of her wide-ranging interests is a program she produced with her partner Francesco Turrisi for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s MetLiveArts program in 2020.

    That program is available on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ignhso0iv9U

    That demonstration of her multiple talents should convince you that Giddens deserves to be named North Carolina’s most famous living person.

    Editor's note: D.G. Martin, a retired lawyer, served as UNC-System’s vice president for public affairs and hosted PBS-NC’s North Carolina Bookwatch.

  • 6As the representative of the largest Army base in the world, making sure our community’s veterans, troops and their families get the support they deserve is among my top priorities.

    At the end of July, the House passed the FY24 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. This legislation will strengthen our commitment to our veterans by fully funding veterans’ health care programs, benefits and other critical VA programs.

    This legislation is also providing nearly $800 million above President Biden’s budget request for military construction to improve our national security.

    I was able to secure large wins for our community, including over $250 million in funding for critical infrastructure projects that will aid our region’s military personnel, $150 million for barracks, and $36 million for a desperately needed child care center at Fort Liberty.

    I am especially proud this legislation contains my amendment to increase funding for the Veteran Crisis Line by $10 million.

    The Veterans Crisis Line acts as a critical tool to help our veterans in their time of need. In March alone, the crisis line received more than 88,000 calls, texts, and chats — the highest number we’ve ever had in one month.

    The additional funding in my amendment will allow the VA to better serve veterans, and their families, by ensuring the Veterans Crisis Line has the capacity to respond to every veteran in need.

    If you are a veteran or know someone who needs assistance, contact the 24-hour Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 or 988 and Press 1, text 838255, or chat online at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.

    We owe veterans our full support and I’m proud of everything House Republicans have accomplished this Congress for our veterans.

    Ensuring our military families and veterans have the resources they deserve are the most important duties we have in Congress, and we must continue to do everything we can to improve their quality of life.

    As we support our nation’s veterans, we will never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Aug. 15 marked the two year anniversary of when our nation lost 13 brave U.S. service members — including our own U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Ryan Knauss — during Biden’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan.

    These brave men and women lost in Kabul put their lives on the line to save our fellow citizens and allies in harm’s way, and will forever be known as heroes.

    I continue to pray for the family of Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, as well as the Gold Star families of each of these heroes, whose legacy will never be forgotten.

    I recently met with family members of these heroes, including Staff Sgt. Knauss’ mother. Their pain and loss has been compounded by the misinformation and a lack of transparency by President Biden and his administration.

    These family members deserve to know all the facts and the truth about the mistakes made that put their loved ones in harm’s way. I am working with Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairman Mike McCaul, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers and others to ensure we get the answers they are seeking. We will hold this administration accountable.

    Whether it’s protecting our veterans, shoring up our national security, securing the border, growing our economy, or holding our government agencies accountable, I continue to fight for what matters to you most. I’m proud to be standing up for you.

    My goal is to continue to provide you with high quality constituent services and be accessible to hear your needs, thoughts, and concerns on key issues facing our community and nation.

    My dedicated staff in our Southern Pines and Fayetteville district offices are here to serve you. To find out our office locations and office hours, visit Hudson.house.gov or call us at 910-910-1924.

    Working with my House colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance common sense solutions that improve your quality of life is part of my commitment to you as your Congressman.

    Editor's note: Rep. Richard Hudson has been serving as the U.S. representative for North Carolina's 9th congressional district since 2013.

  • 5The United States is a big place of distinct regions with — historically speaking, at least — their own unique customs, preferences and ways of speaking.

    My mother worried about what she called the “homogenization” of our nation as technology, especially television, allowed us to take a good look at each other and see how people in other parts of the country look and live.

    She was especially concerned about the loss of regional speech, and she was right to worry.

    To some extent, many of us have begun to sound like announcers on TV with no distinct accent or figures of speech.
    But not everyone, thank goodness!

    The Raleigh News & Observer published a wonderful article last month by longtime culture reporter, Martha Quillin, with the headline “We’re fixin’ to teach you to talk like an NC native: A Guide to Southern Sayings,” which my mother would have loved.

    Quillin rightly points out that North Carolina has 3 distinct regions — coastal plain, piedmont and mountains. Our community straddles the coastal plain and piedmont regions, giving us some speech and culture from both.

    In all regions, speech has elements of Native American language as well as those of European settlers and enslaved peoples from Africa. For those among us who are new to North Carolina and her particular ways of speech, here goes, with some from Quillin and some from me.

    When North Carolinians call an elevator, we “mash” the button. Apparently, everyone else “pushes” it.

    When we want or do not want to illuminate a room, we “’cut” the lights on or off. “Cutting” applies to all electrical appliances, i.e., anything that plugs in.

    If life is going well for you, you might “be living high on the hog,” a reference to a better cut of meat.

    You might also be “in high cotton,” as opposed to low cotton which is hard on the back during picking season.

    “Jeet yet?” You might ask this of a family member to learn whether he or she has already had lunch.

    Toboggans are knitted caps for cold weather, and sleds are conveyances to ride upon over increasingly rare snow.

    “I’m going to snatch you bald-headed” might be said by an exasperated parent or babysitter to a misbehaving child, but I have never heard of anyone actually doing this.

    “May I have a word of prayer with you?” might also be said by a parent or exasperated caretaker to a teenager who needs a bit of behavioral counseling in private.

    I once heard a disgusted judge ask dueling attorneys to step up to the bench for “a word of prayer.” This might also be described as a “come to Jesus” meeting.

    A petite person might not be “big as a minute.”

    A boring person might be “dull as dishwater.”

    A fatigued person might be “tired as all get out.”

    A person with what the Dicksons call “high self-esteem” might be “getting too big for her britches.”

    And, a chronic liar might prefer to “climb a thorny tree and tell a lie than stand on the ground and tell the truth.”

    If I ask you if you would like a ride to the store, you might say, “thank you, but my brother is going to carry me.” He might also carry the groceries inside.

    Some Southernisms may have gone by the wayside.

    I must have told a whopper in early childhood, because my Kinston born and bred grandmother squeezed me by the shoulders, held me eyeball to eyeball, and hissed, “Margaret Dawson, don’t you EVER tell me a teewiddie again!”

    I did not know that word, have rarely heard it since and only in eastern North Carolina, and have no idea how to spell it, but her message came through loud and clear.
    She also said she would do something “directly,” which meant soon, and “much obliged” for thank you.

    My mother was right.

    As our nation and world become more accessible, we are losing some of our regional peculiarities. But North Carolina continues to take pride in what is special here, and welcome to all our newbies.

    We are “mighty glad” to have you!

  • Fayetteville Logo Publisher's note: I have yielded my space this week again to Fayetteville resident Lois Kirby. I am pleased with the fact that citizens like Lois are starting to speak up and speak out about how they feel about our city and its leadership.

    I encourage all citizens to step up and speak out and use the First Amendment and our community newspaper as vehicles to have their voices heard.
    For 27 years, we have prided ourselves in allowing the entire community, regardless of political affiliation, to use our publication to weigh in on how they feel about living and working in the Fayetteville community.
    Enjoy, and we hope we hear from you in the near future. Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

    The most sacred of bonds are often broken when there is a lack of transparency in any relationship.

    For the past few decades, this lack of transparency has eroded trust and led to suspicions of unethical or illegal activity in Fayetteville’s city government.
    One only needs to look at the poor turnout at Fayetteville municipal elections to realize what is happening. Trust and faith in leadership is a state of mind involving confident expectations. In Fayetteville’s case, do the mayor, city council representatives and city staff members act prudently on our behalf, using good judgment, honesty and benevolence?

    Unfortunately, for the most part, the mayor and our city council representatives are no longer easily accessible and prefer to be contacted only through an e-mail address at city hall. This leads to the impression that they like to isolate themselves from the general public. Retreating hastily through the back door of city hall upon adjournment of city council meetings tends to reinforce this.

    Accessibility and transparency should begin when a council member or candidate asks for your vote, money and your trust. After being elected, accessibility and transparency should remain top priorities throughout their service. Everyone knows trust is the foundation of any strong relationship, and transparency is critical to building that trust.

    Competent leadership requires knowledge, talent, sound judgment, humility and the desire to make a positive difference. I doubt many Fayetteville residents know that Fayetteville’s mayor Mitch Colvin will meet with his constituents by appointment only, and only on Mondays for fifteen minutes. (So much for accessibility.)

    In addition, many residents complain that when important phone calls are placed to city management and the city attorney’s office, they are seldom returned. This is why tax-paying residents tend to become skeptical and lose trust and confidence in the leadership responsible for municipal management.

    Being ignored by our elected officials often prompts a “us vs. them” attitude. It’s crucially important to understand the power and influence that the mayor and city council have on our lives when making critical decisions about routine city services like property taxes, policing and public safety, garbage collection, stormwater and zoning.

    As an elected body, it’s the job of each council member to represent and encourage people to participate in decision-making while considering the needs of the community and those who might choose to live here in the future.

    Understanding the responsibilities of a city council representative and the obligations that come with the position should be clear before anyone asks for the privilege to serve the public.
    Fayetteville could not exist without the taxes collected from residents — these taxes support and foster economic growth, giving our city vitality. Fayetteville citizens should demand our elected officials be open and transparent about their policies and decisions and explain how they will impact the Fayetteville community. Closed-session meetings should only be held if a personnel or legal matter is to be discussed.

    Holding meetings closed to the public only perpetuates the idea that the council has something to hide. A lack of transparency should not be tolerated.

    The Fayetteville mayor and all the city council members should listen closely to their constituents and operate more openly and ethically. They should understand the impact of every decision they make and its effect on the prosperity and well-being of taxpaying citizens.

    It’s apparent, and most unfortunate, that Mitch Colvin and the city council have little regard for this notion, nor are they inclined even to address the issues most important to the citizens of Fayetteville. i.e., property crimes, homicides/public safety, homelessness, to name a few.

    I want to remind everyone that this upcoming municipal election is extremely important (Primary Oct. 10, Candidates Forum Oct. 19, Election Day Nov. 7) and will decide the future of our city. Know the candidates and vote wisely!

    Editor’s note: Lois Kirby is a former City Council member representing District 5, and former Mayor Pro Tem.

  • 19Last year I noticed tiny black specks on my parsley and wondered what they were. Within several days those specs became tiny parsley works known as a soon-to-be Black Swallowtail butterfly.

    Not knowing what to do I was on a quest to see them through metamorphosis. They are ravenous eaters, and they grow before spinning cocoons and going into the metamorphosis stage and will eat all available parsley down to the stem. I ordered a collapsible butterfly house which was an inexpensive stand-up mesh house with a zipper. By the time I was in receipt of the house, the birds had helped themselves to most of them and only one ended up hatching.

    I was prepared this year and my large container of parsley is sitting in the mesh house. I covered the top with an old shirt during the day because of the sun. They are growing quickly and devouring the parsley.

    If you are interested in watching them through the metamorphosis to flight it would be a great project for you or your children.

    Swallowtail butterflies are in the family of Papilionidae and include over 550 species. They are large butterflies with colorful wings, patterned with black and yellow or black and white. The distinctive tail is thin and elongated and they have large eyes. It has a wingspan of 2.7 to 4 inches.

    The black swallowtail can be found in Canada south to Florida, Costa Rica, the Rocky Mountains, eastern Arizona, Mexico and Peru. Their habitat includes sea level, mountains, fields, meadows, deserts, marshes, lakes, streams, farms, cities and our backyard.

    They are seen in the south from May until October and in some areas from February to November. They fly quickly and close to the ground and in cold weather they hold their abdomens above their wings to keep warm.

    Black Swallowtails usually live 10 to 12 days; in some cases they have lived 35 to 45 days. They have two broods per year. The number of eggs laid can range from 100 to 300, some species a few dozen and others 1,000 eggs or more.

    The black swallowtail goes through complete metamorphosis. The male forms the territory for mating purposes. The female searches out the male and a successful courtship lasts about 40 seconds; however, the mating ritual can last up to 45 minutes. Females that are uninterested will escape by flying high in the air and downward.

    The females fly close to the ground to look for host plants, such as my parsley. There are not any nests
    made and the eggs are laid on the host plant.

    The young caterpillar emerges with a white spot in the middle of the body which resembles a bird dropping. As they grow, they turn green with red bands. It has a special defense mechanism called an osmeterium — an organ that emits a foul smell to scare predators away when they are threatened.

    They form a cocoon called a chrysalis which hangs upright and is light or dark brown. A silk thread that holds the chrysalis is called a girdle. It takes 7 to 10 days for the larvae to become chrysalides and 7 to 10 days for the butterflies to emerge from the chrysalides. The caterpillar's old body dies inside the chrysalis and the new body emerges with beautiful wings in a two-week time span.

    This transformation brings us beautiful butterflies. Transformation is the subject of poems, literature and is the very nature of life and rebirth.

    Live, love life and butterflies!

  • 18After a summer of relaxation, the start of a new school year generates mixed emotions among students. Many children look forward to being back on campus with their friends but may not revel in the idea of waking up early or doing homework each night.

    While summer break is a much needed-respite from the rigors of school, it doesn’t mean school should be forgotten entirely. In fact, doing some preparatory steps before a new school year begins can make the year go much more smoothly. Here's how students and parents can direct their focus during the final countdown.

    Keep reading. According to Scholastic, summer slide is a concept that was first acknowledged by researchers in 1996. Many comprehensive studies have come out since then and indicated that kids lose significant knowledge in reading and math over summer break, which can have a cumulative effect and lead to skill loss each year. Some research says up to 20% of school year gains in reading and 27% in math are lost during summer break.

    Children should be encouraged to read as much as possible during summer break, particularly since many schools require summer reading and subsequent essays or book reports upon returning to the classroom.
    Let kids read what they want, whether it’s comics, magazines, the newspaper, or even books they’ve read before.

    Accumulate supplies. School may not be on the radar early in summer, but it’s wise to purchase supplies early. Right before school starts there is a mad dash to grab notebooks, pens, clothing and more, which can make for a stressful shopping experience for all involved. Shopping early helps families avoid that outcome.

    Brush up on math skills. It can’t hurt for students to do a few math problems over the summer. Practice keeps skills fresh and any mathematical formulas prominent in their minds. All it takes is one or two problems per day to stay on top of math skills.

    Visit educational attractions. Families can include museums, art exhibits, animal sanctuaries, libraries, science centers and similar attractions in the list of places they visit over the summer.
    This way students can learn and be entertained simultaneously.

    Start enforcing bedtimes. School-aged children (six to 13 years) need nine to 12 hours of sleep every night, according to KidsHealth.org.
    During the summer, late nights can easily be rectified by sleeping in the next day. But when school resumes, the alarm clock will be ringing earlier than expected.

    Parents can gradually implement earlier bedtimes as summer winds down so that kids are getting the rest they will need.

    Get in the know. Parents can begin to pay closer attention to emails and social media posts from schools as they’ll likely contain information about upcoming school calendars, bus routes (or transportation registration), changes in personnel, or any additional updates.

    This can help alleviate any surprises on the first day of school. Families can take several steps to get ready for school as the first day draws near.

  • 17Donating blood can be a worthwhile effort for someone looking to make a difference. Apart from the feeling of satisfaction, donating blood can help save the lives of up to three people.

    The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood or blood products. When people think of donating blood products, they may think about donating whole blood. However, there’s a need for other components, namely plasma.

    Whole blood donations include donating all four blood components: red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma. Whole blood is used to treat blood loss that occurs during an injury or surgery. Patients in need of plasma may have cancer, immunodeficiencies or rare diseases that can benefit from plasma treatment.

    Blood can be donated once every 56 days. Individuals must be in good health, at least 16 years old in most areas, and must weigh at least 110 pounds.

    All blood types can give plasma. Plasma can be donated once every 28 days. Good health is required and donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh no less than 110 pounds.
    Donors also can donate red blood cells and platelets separately from whole blood or plasma. There are different eligibility requirements for these blood components.

    Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center is a community blood program dedicated to serving the needs of patients in Cumberland, Hoke, Harnett and Bladen counties through blood donation by individual donors, community organizations and businesses.

    The center is located at 3357 Village Drive in Fayetteville in the Bordeaux Shopping Center. It is open for donations Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the third Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There are two blood mobiles out in the community for mobile blood drives.

    The next opportunity to donate during a mobile blood drive is Thursday, Aug. 17 at Modern Woodmen of America, located at 3400 Walsh Parkway Ste. 219 in north Fayetteville. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those interested in donating can call 732-670-4659 for information.

    The American Red Cross has seen a shortfall of about 25,000 blood donations in the first two months of the summer, which makes it hard to keep hospital shelves stocked with lifesaving blood products.

    Right now, the Red Cross especially needs type O negative, type O positive, type B negative and type A negative blood donors, as well as platelet donors. For those who don’t know their blood type, making a donation is an easy way to find out this important personal health information. The Red Cross will notify new donors of their blood type soon after they give.

    Those interested can schedule an appointment to give by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

    All who donate throughout the month of August will get a $10 e-gift card to a movie merchant of their choice. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Movie.

    There are two opportunities to donate at a Red Cross mobile blood drive in Fayetteville.

    On Aug. 24 from noon to 6 p.m., donors can go to Carolina College of Biblical Studies located at 817 S. McPherson Church Road.

    On Aug. 29 from noon to 6 p.m., donors can go to the American Red Cross Sandhills Chapter located at 807 Carol Street.

    Donating whole blood, plasma and other blood products can make a difference in the lives of many.
    Visit www.capefearvalley.com/blood/index.html or www.redcrossblood.org to learn more about becoming a blood donor.

  • 15As The Beach Boys mark more than a half century of making music, the group continues to ride the crest of a wave unequalled in America’s musical history.

    Synonymous with the California lifestyle and an American icon to fans around the world, The Beach Boys will bring their “America’s Band” tour to the Crown Complex in Fayetteville on Nov. 9.
    Tickets can be purchased now by visiting https://www.crowncomplexnc.com/

    Since the band’s co-founder, lead-singer and chief lyricist Mike Love penned the lyrics to The Beach Boys’ first hit, “Surfin’” (1961), dozens of the bands chart toppers have become eternal anthems of American youth: “Surfin’ USA,” “Surfer Girl,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “I Get Around,” “California Girls,” “Help Me Rhonda,” “Barbara Ann,” “Good Vibrations,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “Rock and Roll Music” and “Kokomo.”

    The Beach Boys are led by Mike Love, who, along with longtime member Bruce Johnston, musical director Brian Eichenberger, Christian Love, Tim Bonhomme, Jon Bolton, Keith Hubacher, Randy Leago and John Wedemeyer continue the legacy of the iconic band.

    The Beach Boys have sold over 100 million records worldwide and have received more than 33 RIAA Platinum and Gold record awards. The Rock And Roll Hall of Famers were also honored at the 2001 Grammy Awards with the Lifetime Achievement Award. With more than five decades of touring under their belts, The Beach Boys have performed more concerts than any major rock band in history.

    “Sounds Of Summer: The Very Best Of The Beach Boys,” Capitol/EMI's 30-track collection of the band's biggest hits, has achieved triple-platinum success with sales of more than three million copies in the U.S. since its release.

    The Beach Boys recently released “Sail On Sailor – 1972,” a new expansive box set that celebrates and dives deep into their transformative and fruitful 1972 era. The comprehensive collection, which was named one of the best box sets of 2022 by Rolling Stone and The New York Times, boasts newly remastered versions of studio albums and a reproduction of the “Mount Vernon and Fairway (A Fairytale)” EP. It also includes unreleased live concert recorded at Carnegie Hall on Thanksgiving, 1972.

    The box set includes a bounty of unreleased outtakes, live recordings, radio promos, alternate versions, isolated backing tracks and a cappella versions, culled from the historic album sessions.

    Most recently, The Beach Boys were honored in the CBS tribute special “Grammy Salute to the Beach Boys,” which featured performances from Beck, Brandi Carlile, Michael McDonald, Pentatonix, Norah Jones, John Legend, and Mumford & Sons among others.

    The Beach Boys recently embarked on the second voyage of The Beach Boys Good Vibrations Cruise, which sailed from Miami, to Harvest Caye, Belize and Costa Maya, Mexico, aboard the Norwegian Pearl.

    Other featured performers on the cruise included The Isley Brothers, The Temptations, The Righteous Brothers and “Sugar Ray” Mark McGrath.

  • 14Better Health of Cumberland County is hosting its 8th annual Diabetes Dodge-It Dodgeball Tournament on Saturday, Aug. 26 at 9 a.m. at the Freedom Courts Sportsplex. The Sportsplex is located at 3126 Gillespie Street in Fayetteville. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 18.

    The Dodgeball Tournament raises awareness and funds to combat diabetes in our community. All are welcome to attend and watch to see if the undefeated team with two tournament wins — the “Psyche Ward” — will make it a three-peat.

    This event will be an exciting and fun dodgeball tournament. There will be teams comprised of six players with a limit of three subs for each team.

    Registration is complete for this year's competition, but it is never too early to start putting your team together for next year. More information for competitors is available at Betterhealthcc.org or by calling 910-483-7534. The age minimum to participate in the competition is 14 years and older.

    Information on becoming a sponsor is available on the website at https://www.betterhealthcc.org/how-to-help/dodge-ball-sponsorship.html.
    According to the American Diabetes Association, an estimated 72,032 people in North Carolina are diagnosed with diabetes yearly. Further, around 244,000 people in North Carolina have diabetes but do not know it.

    Diabetes can lead to serious medical complications such as heart disease, stroke, amputation, blindness, and even death. Better Health of Cumberland County is a United Way partner agency. BHCC was founded in 1958 by Ruth Peters, RN, who was concerned that many patients were leaving the hospital without the ability to pay for their prescriptions, which would hinder their care.

    BHCC's mission is “to address the unmet healthcare needs in Cumberland County through education, referral, and assistance,” according to their website.

    BHCC offers a variety of services including direct aid for prescriptions, dental care, vision care, or travel to important medical appointments at Duke or Chapel Hill, for example, and more for those in need.
    Better Health offers a diabetes management program. The program includes one-on-one meetings with a nurse and a registered dietician, education on exercise, nutrition, exercise program, guidance on what medications to take and when, cooking demos, testing blood sugar, and offering medical equipment loans for free for those in need.

    Better Health of Cumberland County is a nonprofit organization located at 1422 Bragg Boulevard. Thier work is made possible by volunteers and donations.
    For more information on how you can help visit https://www.betterhealthcc.org/how-to-help/ or call 910-483-7534.

    The BHCC walk-in clinics are held on:
    The 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. at the Grays Creek Recreation Center at 2964 School Road in Hope Mills, and
    On the 2nd Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Spring Lake Senior Center at 301 Ruth Street in Spring Lake

    Do not miss this chance to make a difference; so mark your calendars for BHCC’s 8th annual Diabetes Dodge-It Dodgeball Tournament on Aug. 26 at the Freedom Courts Sportsplex. Be part of this exciting event and help the fight against diabetes.

  • 13Public libraries are an essential resource for communities. They provide access to knowledge, information, educational programs and community events that are open to anyone in the area.
    For these programs to take place, funding is needed. That’s where the Friends of the Cumberland County Public Library comes in.

    The Friends of the Cumberland County Public Library, Inc. supports the library in fulfilling its literary, educational, technological, community and cultural purposes. The programming the Friends have helped support in the past include author visits, workshops and other events bringing together community members.

    Upcoming events funded by the Friends include a writers workshop with Kianna Alexander on Aug. 19, LibrariCon on Sept. 16, and a local author showcase on Oct. 7.

    “It’s vital to the continuing of the library even existing, I think,” said Marili Melchionne, the Friends of the Library Operations Manager.

    “Programs draw people into the library, and we provide educational opportunities through a lot of the programs. The programs wouldn’t exist if we didn’t fund them, then people wouldn’t have those resources,” Melchionne said.

    The goal for the book sale is $10,000; however Melchionne says that during the last book sale, over $11,000 was raised.13a

    There are four book sales a year and when the sale isn’t happening, hundreds of hours are spent organizing the books. The entire operation is volunteer-based.
    If you walked into the room on a non-sale day, you would think it was another room in the library. All the books are on shelves and are organized by genre. There are books displayed at the end of the shelves, and books look like they are in great condition.

    The books are either donated to the Friends for these book sales, or are older books that the library needs to get rid of to make more space for newer books.
    In the weeks before a sale, the room is packed with volunteers.

    Kay Frazier, a retired elementary school librarian, was sorting through the children section, scanning each and every book. She was a librarian for 22 years and decided to spend her retirement around more books.

    “I’m in my element and I love it. I would be here everyday if I could, but I can’t,” she laughs. “I like to get an accomplished feeling, and you aren’t on any structured schedule or anything like that.”

    Even if you can’t volunteer, the Friends relies on memberships. At the moment, they have 459 members, and the funds raised from memberships are part of the funds that the Friends give to the library.
    Members get early entrance to the book sales and also get first notice for any events coming up.

    People can become a member by going to cumberlandcountylibraryfriends.com and clicking on “Join” but they need a Paypal account for the online payment. Individual dues are $15 a year.
    People can also become members at any library branch before the sale.

    Members of Friends of the Cumberland County Public Library will have access to the book sale on Monday, Aug. 21, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The book sale will then be open to the public from Friday, Aug. 25 to Sunday, Aug. 27.

    The sale on Friday is 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday’s hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday’s hours are 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

    Hardbacks books will be $1. Paperbacks and CDs are $0.50. DVDs and audiobooks are $1. Magazines will be 12 for $1. There will also be bargain sales. These items will be available for a major discount, $0.25 each or five items for $1.

    There are also specialty items available for sale including antique books, puzzles, and homeschooling curriculum. These items are individually priced.

    There will also be mystery bundles sold for $2. These bundles of books will be wrapped up with a description of the genre of the books.

    On Sunday, there will be a special sale where customers can get a grocery bag of books from the bargain room for $1.
    Cash, credit cards and checks are accepted at the book sale.

    “It’s not at all unusual for people to bring boxes... bring wagons and buggies. We love it when they do it. If someone wants to come in, and load up, come on down,” Rudy Clark, one of the Book Sale Co-Chairs, said.

    The sale will take place at the Main Branch of the Cumberland County Library at 300 Maiden Lane.
    For any questions, visit cumberlandcountylibraryfriends.com or call 910-483-7727, extension 1304.

  • 12If you love your community and you’re free on Saturday, Aug. 19, join the L3 Brand Community Alliance for their I Love My Community Cookout and Giveaway. This free event is being held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Murchison Marketplace Plaza.
    City leaders are gearing up to make this event special for everyone in the community. The event will be packed with special guest speakers, job opportunities, free food, hygiene products, backpacks and school supplies, as well as other resources.

    Guests will also be entertained with live music, games and dancing throughout the event.

    The event is also supported by the A1 Black BBQ Cook Off, where 16 pit masters will compete for a championship belt. Food influencers, chefs and celebrity judges will be voting to help decide who wins this year’s friendly competition. Guests will be able to purchase wristbands for the BBQ Cook Off so they can sample BBQ from the pit masters during the event.

    “People really enjoyed seeing the pit masters competing last year, so we decided to add four more pit masters and grow the competition,“ says Elizabeth Stiff, owner of the L3 Brand that’s behind this community event.

    Stiff is the owner of L3 Brand Live and L3 Community Alliance. L3 Brand Live is a public relations marketing and brand development firm. They focus on brand reputation and provide a variety of services that benefit the community. The L3 Community Alliance is a nonprofit organization that seeks to unite different organizations, the general public, city officials and law enforcement.

    Those familiar with Stiff’s work know she’s everywhere in the city — working with businesses and events in the city of Fayetteville for years. Being involved in different spaces around the community has always been important for Stiff.

    “We strive to help everyone in our community, tell the stories that don’t often get told, and be there for people when they call on us. It’s all about coming together to be a greater impact, rather than doing everything on your own,” Stiff said.

    There will be several resources and vendors set up at the cookout that will feature important organizations and businesses that benefit the public. Some of the resources include information about mental health and health insurance.

    With the school year starting up in Cumberland County, there will be representatives from Cumberland County School system discussing enrollment information for students during the upcoming school year.
    Students attending the event can look forward to receiving backpacks from hip-hopvibe.com, one of the cookout sponsors.

    The Crown Complex will be represented as well, discussing upcoming events and plans happening at the Crown. They’ll also be raffling two tickets for the Maxwell concert coming up on Oct. 20.

    The I Love My Community event is free to the public and is sure to bring out all of the heavy hitters in the city. Be sure to bring your family and friends to this cookout and giveaway located at 3421 Murchison Road. For more information about Elizabeth Stiff and the L3 Brand, visit www.l3brand.com

  • 11aCumberland County Schools provides equitable access to engaging learning that prepares every student confident, competitive and ready for a career, college and life.

    On Aug. 10, the district celebrated more than 70 successful students as they received their diplomas during CCS’ 2023 Summer Graduation Ceremony.

    Faculty, staff and students from 11 high schools across the district and their guests gathered in the auditorium at Jack Britt High School for the occasion.

    Together, they acknowledged the hard work and perseverance of this year’s summer graduates. Students smiled as they lined up to receive their diplomas.
    Sergeant Major Chris Miller delivered the commencement address. He posed the question to students, “Who do you want to become?” and encouraged them to surround themselves with people to help them get there.

    “Circumstances don't define you, they shape you,” Miller said.

    Other special moments during the ceremony included the presentation of the colors by the Jack Britt High School Army JROTC Color Guard and a solo performance by Javaria Cox.

  • 11Childcare is just one of the costly realities of raising a family. But the Defense Department has made a new tool available to help eligible military families meet that challenge.

    The Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, or DCFSA, is a financial benefit that will be made available to eligible service members beginning in 2024.

    It will enable them to have money from their paychecks diverted to an account that can be used to pay for dependent care services such as preschool, summer day camp, before- or after-school programs, and child or adult daycare.

    Active-component service members along with Active Guard Reserve members on Title 10 orders are eligible to participate.

    Eligible service members can contribute as much as $5,000 a year from their paychecks, via allotment, to the account.

    That money comes out pretax, which means that a military family that typically reports $30,000 a year in taxable income, for instance, would instead be able to report $25,000 in taxable income if they took full advantage of the benefit. That means they will pay less in taxes each year, yielding greater take-home pay.

    The DOD is on track to implement DCFSA for eligible service members beginning Jan. 1, 2024. Those who would like to participate can sign up during the annual Federal Benefits Open Season, which runs from mid-November to mid-December.

    Jennifer Walker, the executive director for the Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account initiative, said as many as 400,000 service members have eligible dependents and will be eligible to take advantage of the benefits provided by the DCFSA program.

    “That includes families who have children who are under the age of 13 or who have a spouse or other tax dependent, regardless of age, who is mentally or physically incapable of self-care,” she said.
    The program is part of a larger DOD effort to take better care of military service members and their families. In March, the department released the “Strengthening Our Support to Service Members and Their Families” memorandum, which, among other important initiatives, discussed making DCFSAs available to service members.

    That memorandum was signed by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, who said taking care of service members and their families through efforts such as DCFSA is a top priority for the department.

    “In recent years, our military community has weathered a number of challenges, but our people have risen to every mission and done it all with extraordinary resilience,” Austin wrote in the March 2023 memorandum.

    “But it is the department's ongoing moral duty to spare our outstanding people stress and struggle on the home front where we can and to show our service members and civilian employees how much they mean to us with tangible support that makes a genuine difference in their lives,” he wrote “The department has, therefore, relentlessly focused on improving quality of life, and I am very proud of what we've achieved so far.”

    The DCFSA, like other pretax flexible savings accounts, is a “use or lose” benefit.

    According to the DOD’s Office of Financial Readiness, the DCFSA plan year mirrors the tax year, Jan. 1 through Dec. 31. After the plan year ends on Dec. 31, enrollees in a DCFSA have until March 15 of the following year to incur eligible expenses.

    Claims for expenses incurred must be submitted by April 30, the deadline for submitting claims from the previous plan year.

    Any funds remaining in the account after April 30 of the following year are forfeited.
    Military personnel interested in taking advantage of the DCFSA are advised to first talk with a personal financial counselor or tax professional before signing up to participate in the program.

  • 10In a long work session Aug. 7, the Fayetteville City Council approved funding for a “transitional housing” project for people experiencing homelessness that will involve a conversion of the Night Inn motel into an apartment community with residential support services.

    Chris Cauley, director of the Economic and Community Development Department, presented the council with five affordable housing projects, four of which the council approved in the meeting. The projects call for renovation of existing properties.

    The council began its foray into affordable housing in June 2021, when it commissioned the first affordable housing study for the city. The study found an “extreme need” for rental units for people making 30% or less of the local median income, which was $48,923 in 2021.

    The study also revealed a 10% decrease in homeownership.

    “To sum that up, out of about 60-ish thousand households in Fayetteville, 20,000 of them pay too much in rent,” Cauley said.

    “And so, it’s a significant problem here, just like it is in most large municipalities across the country,” Cauley said.
    In June 2022, the council adopted policies that have enabled the city to work with developers on affordable housing projects, including small-scale developments and nonprofit organizations that provide support services, Cauley said.

    In July 2022, the council officially launched its affordable housing program.

    For the past 13 months, Cauley and his team have been meeting with developers to finalize a list of projects that are funded through federal and state grants already in place, including funds provided by the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

    “If it were not for these federal funds, I don’t think we would have the ability to do any of these projects,” City Manager Douglas Hewett said.

    The council agreed to support the transitional housing project, Step Up on Eastern, with federal ARPA funds, including $3.4 million in direct financing and $2 million in operating support over three years.

    This will not cover the entirety of the project, as Cumberland County is expected to contribute the rest of the funding.
    Of the properties the council approved for affordable housing, Step Up on Eastern got the most buzz. The project will see the conversion of the Night Inn at 511 S. Eastern Blvd. into 137 single-family units with supportive mental health and case management services on site.

    The developer, Step Up, is a nonprofit organization that focuses on providing housing and support services for people experiencing homelessness.
    Along with its partner, Shangri-La, Step Up has developed 25 properties geared toward extremely low-income individuals, CEO Tod Lipka said at the meeting.

    “What we’re really trying to do is help people acquire the skills of daily living,” Lipka said. “You don’t have to cook when you’re on the street. You don’t have to clean an apartment. You don’t have to really budget or shop for groceries. These are all things we’ll do hand-in-hand with each individual to help them make the change, adapting from living on the street to actually being a housed individual.”
    Lipka said the organization has taken on motel conversion projects such as this one across the country and is currently working on similar projects in Asheville, Greensboro, Raleigh and Winston-Salem.

    “This is a tried-and-true practice of converting motels,” Lipka said. “What we do is convert the motel unit into a studio apartment. We add a kitchenette. We do a complete refresh and turn it into permanent housing.”
    According to Lipka, Step Up has achieved a 98% retention rate with prior motel conversion projects aimed at individuals experiencing homelessness.
    He attributes the success to a “very intensive service model” that equips residents with the necessary skills to reintegrate into society.

    “That is, we have live-in staff who are the property managers, who are the eyes and the ears, 24/7 for individuals,” Lipka said. “And we also put on staff in the motel — supportive services staff, case managers, if you will — whose job is to do nothing but work with the tenants on a day-to-day basis. And we typically have one full-time staff for about 20 residents.”

    Members of the City Council were generally supportive of the project, and it was approved unanimously Monday night.

    “I drive by that property almost every day as it’s in my district, and so this is a full yes for me,” council member Shakeyla Ingram said.

    “One of the biggest gaps for our homeless population is the transitional housing,” council member Deno Hondros said.

    “So, the more we can get and the quicker we can get it, the better it would be for our community.”

  • 9With little discussion at the Aug. 7 meeting, the town board unanimously approved the annexation of 1.198 acres on Rockfish Road and scheduled a public hearing on another annexation request for Aug. 21.

    Much of the evening’s debate was about a sports complex to be located at Golfview Greenway and a nearby hotel, both planned on property that was previously a golf course.

    Neither the sports complex nor the hotel had been on the agenda for the meeting.
    When the floor was opened for public comment, several residents who have years of experience coaching children in sports stressed that Hope Mills needs the sports complex and that it would be good for children and the community. They said the fields at Brower Park are out of date and would not attract traveling tournaments.

    Several said they had played on Brower field when they were children and coached their own children on the same fields.
    They said baseball tournaments could generate revenue to boost the town’s economy and that the sports complex would accommodate several sports.

    But not everyone agreed on the idea of building a hotel on the same property. JNM of NC Inc., wants to build a $10 million Marriott or Fairfield hotel on the property.

    Some argued the hotel is needed to accommodate the families who would come to town for tournaments, while others said the hotel should be located elsewhere. Some said the hotel is not needed and would create problems for nearby neighborhoods.

    A growing number of Hope Mills residents are opposed to the hotel at Golfview Greenway and have circulated an online petition against the hotel. The petition has close to 1,000 signatures.

    The Hope Mills Planning Department has taken fire lately on social media as rumors swirl about secret meetings and back-door deals between developers and the department’s staff.
    Interim Town Manager Chancer McLaughlin, who still oversees the planning department after taking on the manager role, says the baseless accusations are disrespectful to his staff.

    Officials refute accuations

    McLaughlin, along with Mayor Jackie Warner and several board members, defended the integrity of the planning process.

    “Right now, we are getting a lot of negative publicity related to the projects and developments that come into the town,” said Warner.
    She said all planning requests are reviewed by the staff and then go before the board for an up or down vote.

    “There’s no kickbacks. There’s no money that exchanges hands. I think that’s important for our community to know. The people that are making innuendos about who’s going to get money — it’s not happening,” Warner said.

    McLaughlin said the vetting is thorough and involves the Fayetteville Public Works Commission, Cumberland County Schools, N.C. Department of Transportation, and the Parks and Recreation department, all of which are represented at planning meetings on Thursdays.

    He encouraged residents to attend the meetings to get factual information and learn what’s true and what’s not true about planning requests.
    McLaughlin said he doesn’t take talk of secret meetings personally and gives residents his business card and says, “Call me.”

    “We’re actually fighting for the residents,” he said of the planning staff.
    McLaughlin said he keeps the board involved and up to date on every project through his Manager’s Report on the town’s website and encourages residents to check the report often.

    Editor's note: The video from the Aug. 7 Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting is available on the website at www.townofhopemills.com/agendacenter
    You can subscribe to the Hope Mills YouTube Channel to watch meetings at www.youtube.com/c/townofhopemillsnc
    Cumberland County North Carolina TV airs the Board of Commissioners meetings on Spectrum Channel 5 on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.

  • 8aAfter a break from meetings in the month of July, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 7 discussed the 2024 fiscal year budget, made some appointments and presented a national achievement award.

    The board voted unanimously on June 7 to approve the budget. This year, the board presented the budget in a new video format.

    “I think it’s a great way to communicate with our citizens about what’s happening with their tax dollars,” said Commissioner Jimmy Keefe.

    The video is available on social media and on the county website. For information, go to cumberlandcountync.gov/budget The video explains how the budget is split up and what projects will be funded. This year’s budget totals a bit over $381 million, an increase of about 4% over last year’s budget.

    The largest expenditure category is human services, taking up 31% of the budget. This includes staff for the public health, veteran services, social services and child support departments. The second largest category is education, at 27%, followed by public safety, 19%; general government, 18%; cultural and recreation, 3%; and economic and fiscal development, 1%.

    The goals of laid out in the budget plan include renovations to the Crown Center; improvements in the Gray’s Creek water and sewer district to address pollution; the design and construction of a homeless support center; expanding capacity of the Ann Street Landfill; and a plan to increase county staff retention.

    For public schools, $87.5 million has been designated, an increase of $3.2 million over last year. Additional money is appropriated to hire more school nurses, crossing guards, and resource officers.
    Fayetteville Technical Community College is getting $15.5 million in funding this year as well.

    Technology award

    A national award won by Cumberland County earlier this summer was presented during the Aug. 7 meeting.
    The National Association of Counties and the Center for Digital Government awarded Cumberland seventh place in the 250,000-499,990 population category in the Digital Counties Survey last month.

    The award highlights the use of digital tools to streamline government services “and apply innovative and emerging technologies to county priorities,” according to the citation. The award was presented to the information technology department.

    Cumberland County also received the award in 2016, 2017 and 2019.

    Board appointments

    The board approved four appointments to county boards:

    • Harold Bachman to the Alcoholic Beverage Control board.
    • Charlotte Davis and Jeffery Brooks to the Cumberland County Animal Services board.
    • Michelle Williams to the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau board of directors.

    The meeting then went into a closed session.

  • 8City and state officials gathered Aug. 8 to celebrate the completion of construction and upcoming opening of the Day Resource Center for the homeless.

    The facility includes a wide array of features and services, including showers and laundry facilities; a kitchen for lunch service; office space for social workers and case managers; a family and children’s room; medical offices for preventative care and health services; a quiet room for meditation and rest; and space for people to gather to escape extreme heat or cold.

    “My hope is that this project functions as a catalyst for our community to approach homelessness holistically,” said Fayetteville City Manager Douglas J. Hewett.

    He spoke about how the project has been a long time coming and a part of the city’s 10-year plan to address homelessness.
    The total cost was just under $7 million, which was fully funded by grants through the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
    Both grants were awarded to address the effects of natural disasters such as Hurricane Matthew, which can exacerbate homelessness.

    “It’s these kinds of projects that really help us feel like we are making an impact with the federal dollars that have been entrusted to our state,” said Tracy Colores, community development director of the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency.

    According to Colores, the project had the largest budget for his office in the state.
    Instead of running the facility themselves, city officials decided to entrust it to community organizations and picked Cumberland HealthNet to run its day-to-day operations.

    “So this facility is going to be a one-stop shop for those that are experiencing homelessness so they can come to one place instead of having to go all over the city to get resources,” said Shelly Hudson, executive director of Cumberland HealthNet.

    Community organizations will be able to serve meals, provide health care and counseling, and connect homeless people with resources.
    The Day Resource Center is only a half mile, or about a 12-minute walk, from the location of a planned 150-plus-bed transitional housing facility. Fayetteville City Council voted unanimously on Aug. 7 to convert the Nights Inn on South Eastern Boulevard into transitional housing. [See article on page 10]

    City Council member Shakeyla Ingram of District 2 said the combination of the two projects is “positioning (the city) to move forward in the right direction.”
    Mayor Mitch Colvin spoke about how the day center shows the progress the city is making to combat homelessness.

    “Let us remember that this is not the end of a journey but the beginning of a new chapter in our ongoing commitment to fostering a more just and compassionate city,” said Colvin.

    HealthNet has said the day center is scheduled to open Aug. 21.

  • 6The Fayetteville Public Works Commission recognized over 200 PWC employees Aug. 9 for their hard work and dedication as the front line of environmental defense during PWC’s inaugural Wastewater Professional’s Day.

    “Our employees are the heart of Fayetteville PWC,” said Ronna Rowe Garrett, PWC Chair.

    “Wastewater professionals work hard, are passionate and committed in the critical work they do, and we are proud to recognize their efforts. I am grateful for their contributions, day in and day out. Their conscientious regulation and operation of our treatment facilities and collection systems help prevent contamination and other avoidable incidents that could threaten the health and well-being of Fayetteville, Cumberland County residents and our waterways.”

    PWC’s Water Resources division is responsible for ensuring sewer mains flow freely and wastewater is properly treated before being returned to the Cape Fear River.

    There are 209 PWC wastewater professionals who work around the clock at PWC and dedicate their careers to keeping treated wastewater clean and free of substances harmful to both humans and the environment.
    PWC maintains more than 1,300 miles of sewer mains, 78 sanitary sewer lift stations over 32 thousand Sanitary Sewer Manholes.

    PWC’s two water reclamation facilities treat more than nine billion gallons of wastewater a year and return it to the Cape Fear River cleaner than what we take in for drinking water.6a

    “Our wastewater workers are dedicated professionals working in our treatment facilities, the lab, or out in the field. They work around the clock to protect the ecological health of Fayetteville's waterways, including the Cape Fear River,” said Misty Manning, interim Chief Operations Officer for PWC’s Water Resources Division.

    “From being called out in the middle of the night to work in undesirable conditions clearing sewer mains clogged by grease and wipes, to working around the clock restoring essential services during and after storms, they protect our environment and PWC customers from the effects of main breaks and sanitary sewer overflows.”

    PWC’s Wastewater Professional’s Day is the first-known appreciation day in the Wastewater Industry and will be observed at PWC the second Wednesday of August in the years ahead.

  • 5Today we dive back into the wonderful world of country music. As a fine leisure service of this column, I listen to country music so you don’t have to.

    One can learn much pondering country music. Our old friend Franz Kafka was kind of a philosopher/song writer in his own right. If he had been born in 1960 and played a guitar, he could have produced many country hits.

    Much country music deals with disappointment, drinking and depression which is Kafka Land. For example, Franz once wrote: “Some deny the misery by pointing at the sun, he denies the sun by pointing at the misery.” That could have been a top ten hit on the Billboard Country Chart if Franz had sung it backed up by Jason Aldean’s band.

    Unfortunately, Franz is not available to write country songs. Like Donald Rumsfeld almost said: “We go to country music with the songs we have, not the songs we want.”

    Accordingly, let us begin by dividing country music into segments. Most country songs involve the misery of lost loves so we will start there.
    Lost Love: There is a lot of cheating going on out yonder. A fed-up lady person sings: “All the Ajax in the world ain’t gonna clean your dirty laundry.” A gentleman who lost in love sings: “I had a couple of beers with one of my friends/ Told him just how our story ends/ Did all I could to make it work/ But you drug my heart through the Alabama dirt.”

    Hope springs eternal as a jilted guy sings to a jilted lady: “You left your tears on the jukebox/ And they got mixed with mine/ Let’s fall to pieces together/ In each other’s arms.”
    Tammy Wynette once sang about what lost love leads to when “Our D-I-V-O-R-C-E became final today.”

    A divorced gentleman laments that in his divorce: “She got the gold mine/ I got the shaft/ They split everything down the middle/ And gave her the bigger half.”

    A divorced lady who has moved on sings: “Baby, you’re just water under the bridges I burned.” Another chimes in: “If we can’t get along/ We ought to be apart/ I wonder where you got that cold, cold heart.”

    A fellow with a gal with a wandering eye laments: “Sometimes she runs and I got to chase her/ Damn her black heart and her pretty red neck.”
    No problem in Country Music Land can’t be made worse by pouring alcohol on it. A lost soul sings: “She’s feeling single/ I’m drinking doubles.” A disgusted lady sings: “Happily ever, Never/ You’re never gonna grow up.”

    Legal Trouble: The path of true love can run afoul of the law. A new couple parks in a restricted area which comes to the attention of the police. Keith Urban tells the story: “We drove right past the no trespassing sign/ We sat on the tailgate and watched planes take off/ That’s when the cops came pulling up/… But there was something ‘bout the way the blue lights were shining/ Bringing out the freedom in your eyes/ I fell in love in the back of a cop car.” Love can come to anyone, anywhere, even in the back of a cop car.

    Another singer moans about his bad choices in life: “Jesus and Momma always loved me/ Even when the Devil took control.” As Geraldine once said: “The Devil made me do it.”

    Happy Love: Not all country songs involve heartache. Love occasionally triumphs. A gentleman deeply in love sings: “She’s got pretty legs that go up to Heaven every time.”
    For a couple who are remaining home for the evening, the man sings: “Ain’t nothing as sweet/ Ain’t nothing as strong/ As you and me/ And whiskey all night long.” She responds coyly to him singing: “It’s only 10:30/ And you’re already talking dirty.”

    Another less frisky couple are out for a classy night on the town; the man sings: “We be fancy like Applebee’s on a date night/ Got that Bourbon Street steak with the Oreo shake/ Get some whipped cream on top too/ Two straws, one check, girl, I got you/ That how we do fancy like.”

    Another fellow is much in love with his lady who is: “A dynamite kisser/ Country as a turnip green/ She’s got her Daddy’s money/ Her Mama’s good looks/ And look who is looking at me.” A happily married man sings: “She is the Queen of my double wide trailer/ With the polyester curtains and the redwood deck.”

    Acceptance of Loss: Ultimately some inhabitants of Country Music Land reach the 5th Stage of Grief — Acceptance.
    One fellow sings: “Yesterday’s jealous man is today’s lonely fool.” Another guy sings: “She’s crazy for leaving/ I told her so/ But you can’t stop a woman when she’s out of control.”

    So, what have we learned today? To quote the Rolling Stones: “You can’t always get what you want/ But if you try sometime/ You get what you need.”

  • 4I know you may find this news depressing, but we’re only five months away from the first votes in the 2024 presidential election.

    Our current primary system is absurd. The contests start way too early. And their location is unfair to large swaths of American voters. But that doesn’t mean the system ought to be radically changed.
    Don’t get me wrong. I favor reforming the system, along lines to be discussed below. It’s just that traditions, even fairly new ones, deserve some thoughtful deference.

    In particular, I think there is still a good case for beginning the presidential-nomination process in less-populated states like Iowa and New Hampshire.

    “Like” is not the same as “such as,” of course. While I think Iowa and New Hampshire aren’t necessarily bad places to hold early contests, they shouldn’t enjoy a permanent status as electoral gatekeepers.
    Nor is it sufficient, as has now been accomplished, to bring in Nevada from the southwest and South Carolina from the south to balance things out. They still come later,
    giving Iowa and New Hampshire excessive deference.

    I also think that moving populous Michigan up to the fourth position (on Feb. 27) was unwise, as was making California, Texas, and our own North Carolina part of a Gargantuan Tuesday set of primaries on March 5.

    Less-populous states allow a larger number of candidates to be viable. They don’t require as much campaign cash to reach voters via expensive broadcast markets. Mail, earned media, online tools, endorsements, and personal outreach remain viable tactics in them. Also, voters in smaller states are more likely to appreciate the national spotlight and take their political power seriously, while those in larger states are apt to see national media coverage and campaign swings as more routine and less exciting.

    To get back to the problem, however, the Iowa and New Hampshire stranglehold on the process needs to be broken.

    Don’t count on prominent national politicians to make reform a high priority, as too many of them consider themselves to be future presidential aspirants and thus don’t want to alienate local politicians and voters in the two states, just in case a reform effort falls short.

    Perhaps retired politicians could make primary-process reform an early cause, to be formulated and promoted by a diverse panel of current officeholders, civic and business leaders and political scientists.
    My preference would be a process that looks something like this. Take the 20 states with populations between 4.5 million and 1 million (there is such a thing as too sparsely populated a state to play effectively in this game — I’m looking at you, Wyoming and Vermont).

    Two years before each election cycle, randomly place them on one of five election days to stretch between early February and early April. Each date, in other words, will feature four primaries or caucuses.
    Such an arrangement would mean you keep the same states voting early every four years, which is good for building strong party networks and experienced primary/caucus voters, without giving any state a permanent primacy in the schedule.

    Some have argued either that such a series of early votes ought to be concentrated in a particular region, to make it easier for candidates to campaign and create a sort of regional “voice,” or be carefully balanced so that there are always states voting in multiple regions.

    I used to like the regional-primary idea, but now I think it would be best to distribute the states randomly each time. That reduces potential conflict, it seems to me, and introduces a healthy dose of unpredictability.

    Would we get better presidential nominees if we gave the likes of Arkansas, Connecticut, Utah, Oregon, Oklahoma and New Mexico the opportunity to go first in the balloting? I don’t know.

    I do know that the current process is rightfully resented, but that moving to early primaries by large states or regional blocs isn’t the right answer. Let’s stay small, but mix things up a bit.

    Editor's note: John Hood is a John Locke Foundation board member. His latest books, Mountain Folk and Forest Folk, combine epic fantasy with early American history (FolkloreCycle.com).

  • 19Money can be considered a taboo topic of conversation in some circles. As a rule of thumb, you do not speak about salaries, debt or the cost of your most recent vacation with friends or family, do you? We understand that, but when it comes to selling a business, we need to talk about money, specifically cash.

    What is cash and how does it affect your business when you are selling it?

    When you are selling a business, there are many variables you should consider — whether directly or indirectly involved with the sale.

    For one, what happens to cash when you sell a business? That is a great question — it might be difficult to understand what assets are and are not relevant at this stage.

    The simple answer? Most of the time, cash does NOT need to be an asset of the business at the time of a sale. The business owner should retain all cash (or cash equivalents) after the sale.

    Surprisingly to many, this includes bonds, petty cash, money in bank accounts, etc.

    But, why is cash not an asset? The main reason why cash should not be treated as an operating asset during a sale is that the buyer usually will have their estimates of working capital.
    Most often the cash in pass-through entities like S Corporations or LLCs was generated through profits, which the owner already paid taxes on. Or the cash could be due to monies that were borrowed by the company.

    Therefore, when selling a business, the seller either feels they“own the cash” or need to pay it back. For these reasons, cash most often remains with the seller.

    On the other hand, sometimes cash could be a key component of working capital requirements in certain business models.
    Businesses that require cash on hand, like pawn shops, ATM businesses or check cashing stores. Especially in the case where there are customer deposits or warranty issues like catering/event facilities or contractors.

    In conclusion, 99% of the time, the cash in the bank is for the seller to keep. And that should be considered by sellers as part of their proceeds of sale when planning on how much the sellers will net after the closing costs and taxes that affect the sale.

    The above gets more complicated depending on the structure of your business and the deal you are contemplating. It is important to understand the future income and tax implications. To gain a better understanding of how cash is handled in your potential business sale transaction, contact a business broker to assist with the sale of your buisness.

    Editor's note: Ashley Kelsey is a Business Broker at Transworld Business Advisors of Eastern North Carolina. She can be reached at 910-302-6447 or email akelsey@tworld.com.

  • More American families are borrowing for college. At the same time, merit aid and the use of personal income and savings is falling.

    That’s according to an annual College Ave Student Loans survey of college students at four-year universities, conducted with Barnes & Noble College Insights. The survey also found college affordability is top-of-mind for the majority of students (57%). Despite financial concerns, 81% of students report that a college degree is crucial for their future.

    “The mix of methods that families use to pay for college has shifted, however one thing remains consistent: students and families value the investment in higher education,” says Angela Colatriano, chief marketing officer of College Ave.

    To borrow smart for college this fall, consider these tips and insights:

    Exhaust All Options

    Before turning to private student loans, first exhaust other sources of financial aid. Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as FAFSA, to be considered for grants, scholarships, work-study programs and federal student loans.

    If your selected school is one of the 400 institutions that requires the CSS profile, submit that too to qualify for institutional aid.

    Finally, search for private scholarships offered by companies and non-profit organizations. One easy one to apply for is the College Ave $1,000 monthly scholarship sweepstakes.
    If you do need to borrow, turn to federal student loans in the student’s name first, which generally offer the lowest rates and come with additional benefits. They don’t depend on credit scores, and offer longer deferments and forbearances, income-driven repayment plans and student loan forgiveness.

    Private Student Loans

    Federal student loans have annual and aggregate loan limits. If you find yourself needing to borrow parent or private loans to cover remaining costs, consider these factors:

    • •Costs: Compare costs of different loans by looking at the actual interest rate you’ll be charged, not the lowest advertised rate. Understand the difference between variable and fixed interest rates, and be aware of any fees and available discounts, such as those offered for using autopay.
    • Cosigners: A creditworthy cosigner doesn’t just increase the odds of loan approval, even if the student can qualify on their own; cosigning may yield a lower interest rate, reducing the overall cost of the loan.
    • Total Debt: Borrow only what you need. With private loans, you can usually borrow up to the total cost of attendance. However, borrowing less than the maximum can help you save over time.
      A simple rule of thumb you can use to determine how much student loan debt you can afford: If total student loan debt at graduation, including federal and private loans, is less than the student’s annual starting salary, you can likely repay the loans in 10 years or less.
    • Repayment: Look for repayment flexibility to match your needs. For example, College Ave Student Loans offers 5-, 8-, 10- and 15-year repayment options, along with the choice of deferring payments until after graduation or beginning payments right away. No matter what option you select, understand the terms.

    For more resources, including an online student loan calculator, and to learn more about paying for college, visit www.CollegeAve.com

    Private loans for college can play an important role in financing your education. By researching your financial aid options, applying for scholarships and comparing private student loan options, you can minimize college costs, so you can better manage your finances after you graduate.

    For more information about applying for aid using the FAFSA, visit https://studentaid.gov/

  • 18aDo you ever feel alone? Are you worried about your future? Would you like to build a better life for yourself and the people you love?

    If so, the Y.E.S. (You + Effort = Success) program at Fayetteville Technical Community College might be right for you.

    The Y.E.S. program supports male students by helping them achieve their educational, personal and professional objectives.

    The program achieves these objectives by treating each student as a unique individual. Students meet with mentors who help them design an innovative blend of academic enhancement, character development and leadership training that is tailored to the needs of each student.

    Every student in the program enjoys numerous benefits including career coaching, academic workshops, team-building events, scholarships, field trips, access to the program’s lounge on campus, and much more.
    Students in the FTCC Y.E.S. program enjoy unique opportunities to escape the classroom and take trips that are both fun and educational. For example, Y.E.S. program students recently partnered with other students from FTCC and from Fayetteville State University to attend the Student Leadership Conference in Selma, Alabama. The five-day trip also included visits to the Jubilee Festival as well as the Inter-generational Hip-Hop Summit.

    “I had very high expectations, and it didn’t disappoint,” FTCC student Joshua Farley said. “We went to different museums, and we saw just how big of an impact they made back then, especially our ancestors and what they went through.”

    The Selma Trip is just one example of activities available to Y.E.S. program students. Those interested in learnign more about the trip can visit https://www.faytechcc.edu/blog/ftcc-students-connect-real-world-with-classroom-lessons-on-selma-trip/

    Jesse Watts, an FTCC student and Y.E.S. participant shared his thoughts about the program: “The Y.E.S. initiative has been a key component in my success at Fayetteville Technical Community College. It has allowed me to fellowship and connect with other male minorities who are looking to better themselves both academically and professionally. It has afforded me the opportunity to be able to exchange ideas or words of encouragement which help groom and mentor other minority males for success.”

    Watts is now serving as a mentor in the program.

    “Being a mentor for Y.E.S. initiative has been rewarding. I have been able to ensure other young minority men go on to continue their journeys academically at four-year universities or professionally by entering into the workforce.”

    Watts said the program is a way to help students reach their goals.

    “The Y.E.S. initiative is a program well suited for all young minority males.” he said. “The culture of encouragement and challenge results in growth and overall success.”

    The Y.E.S. program is open to all male students at FTCC. Participation in the program and all program activities are available free of charge.

  • 16bIn our society, men often feel pressured to hide their emotions and bear their pain in silence.

    YMUS (You, Me, and Us), founded by Tony U. Brown, offers a range of resources and programs to address these pressures and enhance mental health and well-being. From therapy sessions to workshops on self-care and stress management, YMUS equips men with the tools they need to navigate their emotions and build resilience.

    The initiative aims to address men’s mental health challenges by providing a safe space where they can openly express themselves without fear of judgment or ridicule. Beyond these walls, vulnerability is not seen as a weakness but as a strength, a powerful tool for personal growth and understanding. YMUS brings together men from diverse backgrounds in supportive circles.

    Research consistently highlights the mental health challenges faced by men, who may feel trapped and devoid of outlets for their pain. YMUS seeks to break this cycle by creating an environment where emotional release is celebrated and support is available.

    Since its inception, YMUS has witnessed incredible transformations in the lives of its participants. Men who have felt isolated and burdened by their pain have found comfort and understanding within this community. YMUS offers a glimmer of hope in the darkness.

    YMUS paves the way for a more compassionate and understanding world by combating the stigma surrounding men’s mental health.

    On Aug. 17, YMUS will make available “A Solace Oasis,” a film that showcases the transformative power of the organization and reminds us of the importance of open dialogue and support for men’s mental health. The film can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUICaXOPoFw

    In the emotionally charged and uplifting film, “A Solace Oasis,” we witness the incredible impact of YMUS. This poignant story follows a group of men who have long felt isolated and burdened by their pain, society’s expectations weighing heavily on their shoulders.

    Through sharing their stories and embracing vulnerability, they begin a healing journey that not only impacts their own well-being but also inspires others to do the same. This ripple effect extends beyond the confines of YMUS, as the men forge healthier relationships, mend fractured families, and contribute to a more compassionate and understanding society.

    “A Solace Oasis” is a reminder that vulnerability is an essential part of being human. It shines a light on the importance of open dialogue and support for men’s mental health, challenging societal norms and dismantling the harmful stigma surrounding it.

    As the film reaches its powerful and hopeful conclusion, we are left with a glimmer of hope in the darkness, knowing that the YMUS community and its mission will continue to break the chains of silence and advocate for emotional well-being for all.

    Editor's note: Carrie Jackson is the Marketing Director for Women's View Magazine.

  • 16aChildren across the world have come to love Bluey Heeler, the blue, television cartoon dog with an Australian accent, and her entire family. Bluey and the rest of the Heeler family aren’t just for the kids though; the Emmy award-winning children’s series has long been lauded by parents as highly relatable.

    Now, Fayetteville families can enjoy a front row seat to the Heelers’ life like never before. On Aug. 17, “Bluey’s Big Play the Stage Show” will go live on stage at the Crown Theatre with larger-than-life sized puppets, dialogue by the real actors behind the television show, and brand new music from award-winning Bluey composer, Joff Bush.

    You might say that “Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show” brings everything families love about the television series brought to the stage. The stage show was even written by the TV show’s creator, Joe Brumm.
    Brumm has taken moments from his own family and turned them into “Bluey” and it shows. The show has become a global phenomenon and is essential viewing in so many homes with children.

    As with the TV show, “Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show” focuses on the Heeler’s everyday life. The plot involves Bluey and her little sister Bingo trying to convince their dad, Bandit, to abandon his plans for a lazy Sunday afternoon and play with them.

    Also like the TV show, “Bluey’s Big Play” will also impact audiences with meaningful lessons about being a family. Parents can take home with them a valuable message about quality time with their kids, while kids can learn about being a good sibling.

    In an email to the Los Angeles Times, Brumm wrote about the show, “It’s about a family that loves each other. It reminds you of how funny and weird kids are and how hard but rewarding parenting them is. It comes from a very real place. It’s just my life with my kids, in dog form.”

    The experience for Fayetteville Bluey fans is sure to be a fun one, with interactive audience participation such as a live game of “keepy uppy” that takes place after curtain call and a VIP show add-on that allows attendees to meet and get a photograph with a Bluey character.

    While a typical episode of “Bluey” is around seven minutes long, “Bluey’s Big Play” is around 50 minutes long, not including the VIP experience.

    The excitement is growing for both kids and their parents with one dad commenting on a Facebook post about the play, “I might be more excited than she is!” A mom tagged a friend saying, “Even if the kids don’t want to go, can we go see this together?”

    It’s clear that the chance to see the world’s favorite dog family is one that Fayetteville doesn’t want to miss!
    Tickets to the show are almost sold out, but the few that are left can be purchased at the Crown Box Office, the Fort Liberty Leisure Travel Office, or online at www.Ticketmaster.com.

    Editor's note: Madeleine Eversole is the Director of Marketing for the Crown Complex.

  • 15All are invited to volunteer to join the United Way of Cumberland County on Aug. 24 for an event that will make a real difference in the lives of those in need.

    The United Way of Cumberland County’s Annual Campaign Kickoff/Meal Packing Event will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Crown Complex, located at 960 Coliseum Drive in Fayetteville.

    The United Way partners with local nonprofit organizations to help fund programs that address various needs locally, including basic critical needs. The Annual Meal Packing Event addresses one of those critical needs by feeding the hungry in our local community.

    Last year the United Way of Cumberland County packed 35,000 meal packets in two hours with about 300 volunteers and then donated them to the Fayetteville Urban Ministry and Catholic Charities.
    The goal for this year is to pack 60,000 meal packets, and they need support from local volunteers to make this happen.

    To sign up and volunteer for this event, visit https://www.unitedway-cc.org/campaign-kickoff-2023.html

    Volunteers can also contact Roshelle Colvin at 910-483-1179 ext. 228 or via development@unitedway-cc.org with questions.

    If you cannot volunteer for the meal packing event on Aug. 24 but still want to help, there are other ways to particiapte. You can donate by going to the website at https://www.unitedway-cc.org/ or mail in a donation or drop it off at their office at 222 Maiden Lane, Fayetteville, NC 28311.

    The United Way began in 1887 when a Denver woman, a priest, two ministers, and a rabbi teamed up to make Denver a better place. Together they created an organization that collected funds and coordinated services to help local charities and provided relief services in Denver. They raised $21,700 that year, and in today’s dollar that is around $700,000. What they started would become United Way.

    Now United Way’s reach is global by helping and working with others in 37 countries and territories.15a

    The United Way of Cumberland County was established in 1939 by various local organizations united to lay the foundation for the Community Chest in Fayetteville. Then in the 1970’s, the United Fund Board of Directors voted to change the organization’s name to United Way. In 2013 they celebrated 75 years of service in Cumberland County.

    United Way believes that together we can unite to help those less fortunate in our local community who do not know where their next meal is coming from.
    According to the organization, the United Way of CUmberland COunty invests 100% of contributions back into the community through a vigorous volunteer-led grant review process to determine which programs will be funded.

    Each nonprofit is reviewed by a panel to ensure that funds are used in a way to create maximum impact in Cumberland County.

    The United Way’s Meal Packing Event on Aug. 24 is not just an event; it is an opportunity to change lives. Whether you can volunteer your time on that day or contribute through donations, your involvement will help them reach their goal of packing 60,000 meal packets for those in need. Remember, every meal packet makes a difference.

  • 14bCape Fear Studios Miniature Sculpture and Art Challenge exhibit will be on display through Aug. 22 in the Main Gallery, located at 148 Maxwell Street in Fayetteville.
    The exhibit is an interesting and unique collection of mini artworks from local artists.
    The exhibit was judged by local professional artist Leslie Pearson, who selected the two Best of Show Awards — one for 3D sculpture and one for 2D art.

    Amber Tyler-Elliott was awarded Best of Show 2D for her Intaglio (print making) “Air Potato Leaf Beetle.” Austin Sheppard was awarded Best of Show 3D for his cast bronze, found object piece “Self-Contained Man.”

    “I really appreciated the opportunity to jury this miniature exhibition,” Pearson said.

    “As someone who prefers to work on a larger scale, it’s inspiring to see the quiet restraint that can be achieved in miniature,” she said. “Each painting and sculpture require the viewer to get up close and personal with the work.”

    Sheppard’s piece was the winner of the 3-D category.

    “I was drawn to the small figure of a man weighted by chains. A powerful visual that will no doubt resonate with many people.”

    “Amber Tyler-Elliott, the 2-D winner’s postage-stamp sized print of an Air Potato Leaf Beetle, an invasive species, is the perfect example of how an artist can speak volumes within the confines of a small space — this beetle alters plant communities by displacing native species, and changing community structure,” Pearson said.w

    “Perhaps this is a commentary on our current grappling with AI or other perceived threats. Overall, the exhibition is a treat for Fayetteville to enjoy.”

    Pearson is a multimedia artist who pursues art as a studio artist, community arts advocate and educator. In 1998, Pearson earned a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art from Southeast Missouri State University.14c

    She was the Assistant Director of the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri and co-curator of Gallery 100 and the Lorimier Gallery in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. In 2000, she earned a master’s degree in Museum Studies at Newcastle University in England and completed an internship at the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art in Sunderland, United Kingdom.

    In 2011, she earned an Master of Fine Arts in Textile Design at East Carolina University’s School of Art and Design in Greenville, North Carolina.
    Pearson has taught at various colleges and universities and served on the Board of Trustees at the Arts Council of Fayetteville Cumberland County, and on the Board of Directors for the Surface Design Association.
    Pearson exhibits her work nationally and internationally.

    For more information on the Miniature Sculpture and Art Challenge exhibit, visit www.capefearstudios.com or call 910-433-2986.

  • 14aThe Cumberland Community Foundation will host a celebratory luncheon with their donors and program organizers that are integral to the Summertime Kids program on Aug. 17 at noon. Kimmi Nettles, Summertime Kids Program Manager, explained more about the celebration and program.

    For over 20 years the staff and volunteers of the Summertime Kids nonprofit programs have gathered to celebrate the programs, collaborate and share ideas and resources.

    This event is not a fundraiser. It is an invitation only event for the Summertime Kids programs and the donors who provided the funding.

    “It’s a special way to show appreciation to the nonprofits for their efforts,” said Nettles, CCF Program Manager since 2007. This year’s celebration is a luncheon.

    Nettles says these programs help students obtain social skills including time management, initiating action in new situations, self-confidence, task leadership and interpersonal skills. Nettles said these things have always been important for children and youth but even more today with the rise in social media platforms that have replaced face-to-face interactions, outside play, interpersonal skills and real-life relationships.

    “We welcome two representatives from each organization to attend. We also invite the generous donors to the STK program, those that have founded endowments that benefit the STK program as well as our board of directors,” she said. “Those in attendance enjoy lunch while hearing the STK grantees share heartwarming stories of the highs and lows of their summer programming.”

    It is an end-of-summer report and celebration of impact for children. Nettles said there are always happy tears when grantees share stories like how a child overcame a fear by touching a tadpole at Cape Fear Botanical Garden, received a book of their very own from the Cumberland County Public Library, made a friend for life at Camp Rockfish or simply had the best summer ever!

    The programs funded provide opportunities for local children and youth, regardless of their financial status. Children learn new skills such as archery, fishing, acting, swimming and golf. Some programs enhance learning through reading and tutoring.

    Nettles said the benefits of summer camp include socializing, self-esteem, self-regulation, friendship building, screen-free time, connection to nature, increasing exercise, independence and resiliency, lifelong skills, learning personal growth and creating happy memories.

    Every summer since its inception in 1992, over 1,000 children and youth have participated in Summertime Kids programs funded by Cumberland Community Foundation.

    “The STK program provides quality programming that simply lets kids be kids,” said Nettles.

    This year, there were 18 organizations that are supported by the Summertime Kids programs. The STK program ends the first week of August or at the end of the last camp of the participating organizations.
    Most of the youth are 1st through 12th graders. Nettles added that there are programs on the list that accepts youth at the age of five.

    The Vision Resource Center, Fayetteville Urban Ministry and Cape Fear Regional Theatre are a few nonprofits participating in the program.

  • 13There’s nothing like cooking food for loved ones and being able to brag about your ingredients being from a local grower. Living in the south or even just having an older relative that loves to cook, you’re more than likely to know someone that was raised on a farm.

    Growing up in the country, people are used to getting their produce a few different ways. They may grow their own produce themselves. Others may shop at local stores who buy from local farmers. Some are going to farmers markets and buying directly from the farmer who grew the produce. Some may even have relatives that still freeze their peas, butter beans and corn for different seasons or buy fruits like peaches and strawberries by the boxes to make jellies and jams.

    This year, Congress recognized the vital role farmers markets play in local economies and their exponential growth nationwide by designating August 6 to 12 as National Farmers Markets Week.

    According to farmersmarketcoalition.org, “A farmers market is a public and recurring assembly of farmers or their representatives selling the food that they produced directly to consumers. Farmers markets facilitate personal connections and bonds of mutual benefits between farmers, shoppers and communities.”

    Shopping locally at farmers markets is great for the community in different ways. The experience of being around fresh produce that you know was grown a driving distance away is a great feeling. With the world still recovering from a pandemic, people are taking advantage of being outside and enjoying buying local goods. People are also being a little more health conscious, wanting to eat fresher foods and having the security in knowing where their food is coming from.

    Getting food from your local farmers markets is almost a night and day difference from shopping at grocery stores when it comes to quality, pricing, taste and sometimes even color and size.
    There are a few different types of farmers markets that you could attend to find your unique and natural foods. There are reoccurring farmers markets that happen on weekends, or maybe once a week on a13a Saturday.

    With these markets you’re more than likely getting the food directly from the farmer that grows it. There are also brick-and-mortar markets that buy from a combination of local distributors and farmers in their region, to keep the produce as fresh and local as possible. These places can be open year-round, but still only sell what’s in season and what’s being grown from their farmers. If you’re lucky and live in the right area, you might be able to catch a farmer on the corner of a street selling things like watermelons and peaches during the summer. You could even stumble upon a farm in your community that lets you pick strawberries and other fruits growing that season.

    Fayetteville is home to two well-known brick-and-mortar farmers markets. Pate’s Farm Market and T & T Farmers Market have been serving the community for well over 20 years each. At these locations you can buy fruits and vegetables that are in season. They’re also both home to a variety of custom and local sauces, jellies and jams that you can’t find at your average grocery store.

    Speaking with the workers of these markets, they find it most satisfying greeting their regulars and knowing their relationships with their growers and farmers is genuine.

    Candice Gowdy, manager of T & T Farmers Market off Cumberland Road says, “It’s nice to see you helping a family, knowing they’re helping you. It’s a beautiful circle to see going around.”

    Fayetteville has erupted over the last couple of years with local outdoor farmers markets like City Market at the Fayetteville History Museum held on Saturdays downtown off Franklin Street and the Dirtbag Ale’s Market out in Hope Mills held on Sundays. There’s even a Sandhill’s Farmers & Heritage Market held in Spring Lake every Saturday. These markets sell everything from candles, hot sauces, plants to seafood, and everything in between. These local gatherings have been beneficial to small businesses in the community, allowing people to experience homemade and homegrown goods.

    A major difference between the produce you’ll find at grocery stores and farmers markets is the chemicals used to preserve the produce and the distance the produce travels to get to consumers. If you buy an apple from Walmart or Food Lion, chances are they had to travel hundreds of miles and through at least one or two factories before you bring it home and put it in your refrigerator.

    13bWhen these bigger companies buy from larger distributors around the country, and sometimes the world, the produce may have to be prepicked earlier, so it doesn’t ripen too quickly through the traveling process.

    The produce also must be sprayed with different chemicals and pesticides to sustain freshness, especially if it’s not in season in the area. That can alter how your food tastes and how healthy it is.

    There is also a guarantee in knowing who your money is going to as a consumer.

    Purchasing from a local store, market or farmer allows you to keep that money in your community knowing you’re helping the people that live there. The money either stays in your city or even when taxed stays in your state, providing direct benefits to your community.

    Granted, there is and always will be a need for grocery stores. Society needs these stores that provide all basic necessities year-round. They also offer jobs and careers to local people, which are fundamental to every community. Though these things are true, it’s also important to consider where you buy certain products, especially during certain seasons.

    During National Farmers Markets Week, don’t forget to visit the local markets here in Fayetteville that are happening during the weekends but even the year-round locations that offer fresh and seasonal produce every day during the week.

    For more information on T & T Farmers Market visit https://www.loc8nearme.com/north-carolina/fayetteville/t-and-t-farmers-market/6383804/

     

  • 12“I still got an 18-year-old heart,” Mike Edwards laughs.

    Edwards, 69, jokes about being the eldest member of two bands. He plays the guitar with Spank and Beggars Banquet, a Rolling Stones tribute band. The group name comes from the title of a Stones album.

    Both of those bands will hit the lineup for the upcoming Rock’n On The River concert series happening on Aug. 18 from 6 to 10 p.m.
    Since both of his bands are playing that night, that means Edwards will be on stage playing for at least three and a half hours. When asked if that amount of time makes him nervous, Edwards just laughs.

    “No, I can do it. I’ve been playing music a long time.”

    Spank will take the stage around 6 p.m. and play for about 90 minutes. The band has five members in total. Beggars Banquet has a larger ensemble of people with nine members. They’ll play for a total of two hours that night starting around 8 p.m.12a

    “That Stones show is like a stadium level Stones show,” Edwards says.

    He seems pretty excited about the amount of coordination and talent that is within the members of the band. The show, he says again, will be a pretty “faithful” performance of the Rolling Stones. There will be many musical instruments present, even a performance with a cello.
    Originally from Fayetteville, Edwards ended up in Raleigh as a production supervisor at a performing arts center, of which he retired from about four years ago.

    “Retirement is the bomb,” he said laughing.

    Edwards joined Beggars Banquet a few years back after one of the members saw him play around the Raleigh area a lot and the band had an opening for a guitar player.

    Edwards describes himself and the band as a whole as fortunate having the caliber of the musicians in Beggars Banquet. And the set list of course is just the Stones.

    12bAs for Spank, they play what the band members like to call “a rock and soul review.” Spank members say they play anything from Aretha Franklin to Zeppelin. They live where rock‘n’roll meets soul. The band started about nine years ago and plays a couple concerts a month.

    All five members of Spank are from the local Cumberland County area including Robert Turner, a keyboardist who plays for Beggars Banquet and Spank like Edwards.

    The concert will be held at 1122 Person Street at Deep Creek Outfitters. The concert will be free to the public but there is a $10 fee for parking. The event will be outdoors, family-friendly and concert-goers are welcome to bring chairs and blankets if desired.

    No outside food or drink is allowed but there will be food and drinks for sale.

    For more information on the Rock’n On The River Series or this particular concert, the event series has a facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100049990406810 or you can email rocknontheriver@gmail.com

  • 11Aug. 12 is International Youth Day, a United Nations effort to celebrate youth activists, combat ageism and help bridge gaps between generations working toward the same change.

    No matter your age, it’s likely you’ve questioned your ability to make a difference. Research from the global nonprofit Points of Light shows that 73% of people believe that volunteering is more important than ever, yet 66% think they can’t make a big impact in their communities. Activists on the ground prove otherwise.

    That’s why Points of Light, which is dedicated to inspiring and equipping people to take action, has recognized thousands of volunteers for their contributions to their communities through The Daily Point of Light Award.

    “Points of Light’s research found that Gen Z is the most civically engaged generation to date. Our youth honorees demonstrate that people of all ages can strengthen communities and solve persistent problems,” says Diane Quest, interim CEO, Points of Light.

    To inspire you to action this International Youth Day, the organization is sharing the stories of youth honorees, along with three elements from The Points of Light Civic Circle®, a framework for helping individuals get civically engaged:

    Volunteer

    Nonprofit organizations and NGOs need volunteer power to deliver support to the communities they collaborate with. If you’re an adult wanting to facilitate youth volunteerism, consider organizing a youth-specific event or helping transport the young people in your life to an event.

    To find a volunteer opportunity that aligns with your interests and availability, check out Points of Light Engage, a database with hundreds of thousands of in-person and virtual volunteer opportunities.11a

    The power of volunteering is apparent when considering Daily Point of Light Award honoree Nate Buescher, a high schooler who prepares food for a local food pantry and distributes home-cooked meals to tent cities around Chicago. Buescher began fighting food insecurity at age 7 with the Honeycomb Project. Today, he mentors younger volunteers while maintaining his own service projects.

    Voice

    The youth voice is vital, pointing us to which concerns are most important to future world leaders and helping broaden perspectives. Use your voice to advocate for causes you care about by posting on social media, attending a rally or contacting a government leader.

    Adults can amplify youth voices by sharing with their networks, or organizing forums for youth to be seen and heard.
    Seventeen-year-old Daily Point of Light Award honoree Maanit Goel used his voice when organizing a rally of fellow activists on the Washington State Capitol steps to support legislation protecting the Chinook salmon and orca populations. He also regularly addresses state legislators, and travels statewide to speak to K-12 students about environmental issues.

    Listen and Learn

    Social justice and environmental issues are nuanced, involving many people with different perspectives shaped by their own experiences. Listening and learning is one way to honor others’ lived experiences and get a fuller scope of an issue.

    Young people can commit to thoroughly researching causes they care about, talking to those working toward solutions and holding space for those impacted. Adults can connect with the young people in their lives, inviting dialogue that allows for sharing different perspectives and finding common ground.

    These are the driving ideas behind the work of high schooler Kristie To, who became a leading force in Asian American racial justice when she founded Hearts Against Hate. Among the initiatives of her nonprofit is distributing Asian history and Asian American Pacific Islander civil rights curriculum to children.

    “Cultural sensitivity starts with exposure, and that’s what we’re trying to do with these elementary schoolers,” says To.

    To learn about other avenues for social engagement, check out the Points of Light Civic Circle by visiting pointsoflight.org/civic-circle

    “There are many formal channels for civic engagement, but simple actions make a difference too,” says Quest. “Whether it’s carrying groceries in for a neighbor or donating books to the library, the important thing is to get started when you see a need in your community.”

  • 10bTwo years ago I introduced myself to the voters of Fayetteville when I ran for City Council District 5 on the platform of combating homelessness, improving our police department, and promoting accountability among elected officials though town hall meetings.

    I am proud to announce that I am doubling down on that winning message by running again to be Fayetteville’s elected representative for District 5. Voters will remember that I am a local small business owner who is invested in Fayetteville.

    I attended Pine Forest High School and served my country in the United States Navy for 23 years, including in the Vietnam War. I now live in historic Haymount with my beautiful wife, Dixie, whom I met in high school.

    During the last election cycle as a first-time candidate, I secured nearly one-third of the vote by running on issues that matter to voters. My campaign succeeded thanks to grassroots messaging and dedicated volunteers.

    Despite being outspent 10 to one by a candidate who some say lives in Raleigh, my campaign was successful in connecting with voters and listening to each residents’ concerns about city government. I want to complete the work we started two years ago.

    Many voters have offered feedback that my campaign led the way in pushing for a personnel change with the Chief of Police. Today we have a new Chief and morale within the department is improving (although there is work to be done).

    Like the turn of a ship, Fayetteville has begun to pivot steadily in the direction of public safety as residents demanded. Once in office I plan to implement town hall meetings so voters can address their concerns directly with me and other elected officials. This accountability is necessary for residents to have trust in city government again.

    As your representative for District 5, I will focus on solutions to the homeless problem, ensure effective administration of our public utilities, safeguard an affordable cost-of-living as Fayetteville grows, and promote unity in our community.

    The residents of District 5 are the core of Fayetteville. Together we can move Fayetteville ahead and make our community a decent place to live. Chance the Change!

  • 10aFayetteville, are you better off this year than you were a year ago? Two years ago? Fayetteville continues to lack decisive leadership at City Hall. This wonderful town has continued its downward trajectory because of continuing failures in City Council.

    As a citizen, I owe it to my family, my friends and neighbors, to try and turn Fayetteville into a safe and prosperous city for them. It is for these reasons that I, Jose Alejandro “Alex” Rodriguez, have decided to run as a City Council candidate for District 1.

    This city is in dire need of conservative leadership, and I am more than capable, experienced and willing to provide it. As a retired soldier and former police officer, I have served my country and community. I will continue to do so should the citizens of my district bless me with the opportunity to serve them.

    I continue to believe that the success of our community lies in the following issues that I have made my platform:

    1. Work with the Police Department leadership on effective solutions to reduce crime and homicides in a city that has established new records for both in the last two years. The safety and security of all citizens is of utmost importance to me. Nothing else can improve in the city if the safety of all citizens continues to erode. It is important that everyone feels safe and secure, so that everyone can succeed.

    2. Cut unneeded and wasteful spending to avoid future tax increases that will adversely affect everyone, especially during these tough economic times. The city and county continue to waste money on unneeded projects and “throw” money at problems that don’t seem to go away. Add to the fact that they are now increasing taxes AGAIN, and in these tough economic times, continue to hurt Fayetteville residents. It is time to cut that unneeded spending and shift its focus to important problems that need immediate resolution such as the homeless, crime and public mental health.

    3. Improve transparency and accountability at City Hall so that the public can review and stay informed of the actions of their public servants. Too often, the City Council and to some extent, the Fayetteville Police Department, refuse to release public information in a timely manner. This is public information that citizens are entitled to by law, so why do we have to wait?

    4. The Formation of an Office of Public Safety to provide resources and assistance to the community and our first responders in difficult times and situations. Much of the crime and homelessness in Fayetteville derives from mental health issues. One of the things the city government should be doing is providing basic services to those in need to assist them in rehabilitation and recovery.

    Part of my transparency plan is to be available to you. Please feel free to email me alex4faync@yahoo.com

     

  • 9Cumberland County Animal Services is participating in the nationwide Clear the Shelters campaign through Aug. 31. The Animal Shelter is currently at capacity and adoption fees are being waived during the entire month of August.

    This is the ninth year Animal Services is partnering with WRAL TV-5 to help find as many forever homes as possible for animals at the Cumberland County Animal Shelter. Adopted pets receive a rabies vaccination, deworming, flea treatment, combo vaccine, microchip, heartworm test (dogs only) and a spay or neuter operation. Pet adoption fees are normally $100 for dogs and $70 for cats with these included services.

    “At this time of year, our shelter is very full, so we are excited to be able to offer free adoptions throughout the month of August,” said Cumberland County Animal Services Director Elaine Smith.

    “Hopefully we will be able to ‘clear’ our shelter and find all of our wonderful dogs and cats, puppies and kittens loving forever homes,” she said.

    Animal Services is open for adoptions from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Anyone wishing to adopt must have photo identification and be at least 18 years old. All adoptions are on a first-come, first-served basis and up to two pets may be adopted per household.

    The nationwide Clear the Shelters event is sponsored by NBC and local affiliate WRAL TV-5.

    Since its 2015 inception, Clear the Shelters has helped more than 860,000 pets find new homes. The 2022 campaign established a new single-year record with more than 161,000 adoptions, while also raising more than $540,000.

    In addition to adopting animals free of charge from the Cumberland County Animal Shelter, citizens can help save more animals by donating to the Clear the Shelters Fund at ClearTheSheltersFund.org.
    Animal Services is located at 4704 Corporation Drive in Fayetteville.

    For more information about Cumberland County Animal Services, go to www.cumberlandcountync.gov/departments/animal-services-group or call 910-321-6852.

  • 8Academy Sports + Outdoors and the Fayetteville Woodpeckers partnered to surprise 20 children with the Boys & Girls Club of Cumberland County with a $3,000 shopping spree ahead of the back-to-school season.

    Each child received a $150 Academy gift card from the store to shop for all new sports gear and equipment, clothes, shoes and more. Woodpeckers’ mascot, Bunker, joined in to help them shop at the Skibo Road location.

    The Woodpeckers also provided the Boys & Girls Club with tickets to a ball game at Segra Stadium.

    Academy’s donation is one of several across its footprint to help deserving children get the essentials they need ahead of the school year.8a

    Academy Sports + Outdoors is a full-line sporting goods and outdoor recreation retailer in the United States. Originally founded in 1938 as a family business in Texas, Academy has grown to 270 stores across 18 states including North Carolina.

    Academy's mission is to provide "Fun for All" and Academy fulfills this mission with a localized merchandising strategy and value proposition that strongly connects with a broad range of consumers.

    Academy's product assortment focuses on key outdoor apparel, sports and recreation and footwear through both leading national brands and a portfolio of private label brands. For more information, visit www.academy.com

  • 6General (Ret.) James Lindsay, of Vass, the former Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, 18th Airborne Corps, and the 82nd Airborne Division passed away of natural causes at the age of 90 years old on Aug. 5.

    “Last night, the Airborne and Special Operations Forces communities lost one of its greatest leaders with the passing of Gen. Jim Lindsay,” shared Lt. Gen. Chris Donahue, Commander of the 18th Airborne Corps and Fort Liberty on the morning after Lindsay's death.

    “His leadership impacted the fabric of our nation, and our generation owes him tremendously for his presence and mentorship. Gen. Lindsay was truly the heart and soul of what we are all about. We extend our sincerest thoughts and prayers to Gen. Lindsay’s family as we all grieve this loss,” shared Donahue in a media release.

    Gen. Lindsay served in the U.S. Army for 38 years. After enlisting into the U.S. Army in February 1952, he was commissioned as an Infantry officer upon attending Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia. His initial assignment was as a Platoon Leader in the 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.

    Gen. Lindsay would go on to serve at Fort Liberty, then-Fort Bragg, with the 77th Special Forces Group (unit has since deactivated), at the Fort Bragg Noncommissioned Officer Academy, and in numerous roles within the 82nd Airborne Division.

    “It is with a heavy heart we say goodbye to Gen. James Lindsay. As a former senior leader in the Airborne community, Gen. Lindsay embodied everything it means to be a paratrooper, a leader, and most importantly a good and decent human being. With more than 38 years of service to his country, commanding and leading soldiers at every echelon, he left an amazing legacy for us to emulate in the 82nd Airborne Division and he will truly be missed. Our thoughts and sympathies are with the Lindsay family and friends as they mourn the loss of this great American,” shared Maj. Gen. Christopher LaNeve, Commander of the 82nd Airborne Division.6a

    Upon activation of the U.S. Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base, on April 16, 1987, Gen. Lindsay became the unit’s first Commander in Chief. He also commanded 18th Airborne Corps, U.S. Army Infantry School, 82nd Airborne Division, U.S. Army Readiness Command, the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, the 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, and Company B, 1st Airborne Battle Group, 503rd Infantry Regiment.

    6bDuring his time in uniform Lindsay would receive numerous military awards to include four Silver Stars, the Distinguished Service Medal and the Distinguished Service Cross for combat action in Vietnam.
    Lindsay retired from service in 1990 but continued his support to the military, the Fort Liberty community and soldiers.

    “General Lindsay had a vision of a facility to stand as a memorial to the character and values of the men and women of America’s airborne and special operations forces,” according to a statement from the Airborne and Special Operations Museum.

    “With General Lindsay’s guidance, community leaders and the United States Army joined forces to bring his vision to fruition. On August 16, 2000 (National Airborne Day) the museum opened to the public to much fanfare. General Lindsay served as President Emeritus of the Airborne and Special Operations Museum Foundation until his passing.”

    In celebration of the life and leadership of General Lindsay, a Designated Endowment Fund was created through the Cumberland Community Foundation to support the mission and programs of the Airborne and Special Operations Museum Foundation.

    A celebration of life service will be scheduled at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum to honor his career of service at a later date.

  • 5President Ronald Reagan famously said, “A nation that cannot control its borders is not a nation.”

    President Joe Biden’s open border policies have fueled a historic surge in illegal immigration and the flames of our ongoing border crisis.

    Since Biden took office, there have been over 5.6 million illegal crossings encountered at our southern border, and approximately 1.6 million illegal immigrants have escaped apprehension that we know of.
    According to Customs and Border Protection, 144,500 illegal immigrants were encountered at the southern border in June alone — an 186% increase from the number of June encounters during the last administration.

    To date in FY23, Border Patrol agents have seized more than 22,000 pounds of fentanyl, surpassing the total amount seized in all of FY22. Fentanyl poisoning is the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45, and is killing 300 Americans every single day — including over 3,000 North Carolinians in 2022.

    An amount small enough to fit inside the ear of Lincoln on a penny can be lethal. For anyone who cares about the safety of our young people, it’s heartbreaking and frustrating to witness this rapid decline in border security.

    Every state, including North Carolina, is suffering from the impacts of Biden’s open border policies. That’s why I confronted Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra following the recent announcement that a facility for unaccompanied minors will begin operating in Greensboro within the next few weeks.

    In 2021, while testifying before the Energy and Commerce Committee, Secretary Becerra told me there were no plans to open such a facility in North Carolina.

    He knew that very day he had people doing a site visit at American Hebrew Academy in Greensboro. After Secretary Becerra blatantly misled me and several members of our delegation, the people of North Carolina deserve to know the truth. We have received nothing but delayed and vague responses.

    You deserve real answers and real solutions. Housing illegal immigrants in schools across the nation will not solve our border crisis.
    When House Republicans made our “Commitment to America,” we promised to secure the border and protect innocent Americans from the consequences of President Biden’s radical agenda.

    Real solutions like H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, and the recently passed Schools Not Shelters Act, will deliver on our promise to secure the border — something Washington Democrats refuse
    to do.

    As the Sandhills’ Congressman and representative of the largest military base in the country, I am also committed to our resilient energy grid. Physical attacks on our nation’s power grid, like the one we experienced in Moore County, increased by 71% in 2022.

    In July, I joined a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee hearing to further examine emerging threats to our electrical grid. This hearing built on what we learned at the field hearing I hosted in Moore County in June.

    We heard from expert witnesses about tangible solutions to strengthen our grid and prevent future attacks on the infrastructure you depend on.

    One threat to our grid is the lack of a viable supply chain for grid components. Biden’s Department of Energy is about to make matters worse through proposed rules that will make it harder to find transformers. Their new rules will increase the time to procure new transformers from months
    to years.

    To combat these proposed standards, I introduced Protecting America’s Distribution Transformer Supply Chain Act to delay these new bureaucratic regulations for energy distribution transformers.
    I was able to include this in the FY2024 Department of Energy authorization bill. This will not totally solve the supply chain problem, but it will prevent Washington bureaucrats from making it worse.

    Our government exists to serve and protect you. From securing our borders to protecting your way of life, I am committed to building a safer future for you and your family that promotes long term economic prosperity, public safety and freedom.

    Editor's note: Rep. Richard Hudson has been serving as the U.S. representative for North Carolina's 9th congressional district since 2013.

  • 4Last month I joined dozens of other writers, scholars, activists, and leaders across the country to declare ourselves “Freedom Conservatives.” What do FreeCons stand for? You can read our statement of common principles at FreedomConservatism.org.

    Of course, virtually all Americans value freedom. But they don’t necessarily define the term in the same way. Nor do they agree on what policies are most likely to advance freedom as they define it.
    The roots of these disagreements run deep. In his seminal work Albion’s Seed, the historian David Hackett Fischer describes four waves of settlement, emanating from four different regions of the British Isles, that helped shape the history and politics of the North American colonies during the 17th and 18th centuries. Each of the four “folkways,” as Fischer put it, contained its own conception of freedom.

    For the Puritans who settled New England from East Anglia and the Netherlands, the organizing principle was “ordered liberty.” You were free if you were part of a free, self-governing community. “Public liberty,” as the concept was also called, was “thought to be consistent with close restraints upon individuals,” Fischer explained.

    For the Royalists who settled Virginia and neighboring colonies from their original home in the south of England, the organizing principle was something closer to “hegemonic liberty,” in Fischer’s phrase. That is, while they emphasized individual freedom instead of the Puritans’ sense of collective liberty, Virginians didn’t think everyone was entitled to it. Rank had its privileges, in other words, and obviously those held in bondage were excluded entirely.

    Quite different was the “reciprocal liberty” espoused by the Quakers and other religious dissenters who settled Pennsylvania and its environs. Their conception “embraced all humanity and was written in the Golden Rule.” While religious liberty was essential to this tradition, its protection of individual autonomy extended to other spheres of life, as well, including property rights and procedural rights for those accused of crimes.

    Finally, large waves of settlement from Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Northern England during the 18th century brought the idea of “natural liberty” to the American backcountry. Rejecting the idea of tempering their personal freedom with the communal authority of the Puritans, the hierarchical authority of the Royalists, or the radical egalitarianism of the Quakers, the backcountry folk insisted that they simply wanted to be left alone. Indeed, as a group of Mecklenburg County leaders put it in 1768, their individual liberties came before their political obligations. “We shall ever be ready to support the government under which we find the most liberty,” they stated.

    These were just the original British folkways that help shaped America’s political culture. Weave in the distinctive beliefs of America’s other origin cultures and you have an ideological tapestry of intricate complexity.
    The late University of Oklahoma scholar Rufus Fears described freedom as existing at three levels. Individual freedom means the right to do as you choose without the government telling you otherwise. Political freedom means the right to vote and participate in civic affairs. Finally, national freedom means the right of a people collectively not to be ruled by some other people.

    Ideally, one would enjoy freedom at all levels. But for most of recorded history, most people have enjoyed just one or two of these freedoms, if any. For example, within the Roman empire quite a few people enjoyed individual freedom and some enjoyed the political freedom to elect local magistrates. But no one outside Rome itself experienced national freedom.

    To my way of thinking, individual freedom is the essential foundation of self-government. I value political freedom and national freedom precisely because I think they are most likely to protect individual freedom from encroachments, foreign or domestic. To be free is not necessarily to be happy. It certainly doesn’t make one free of social attachments, or capable of obtaining any particular goal. It simply means you can pursue whatever goal you wish without government telling you otherwise. And I think it’s worth fighting for.

    Editor's note: John Hood is a John Locke Foundation board member. His latest books, Mountain Folk and Forest Folk, combine epic fantasy with early American history (FolkloreCycle.com).

  • 19Fitness is a large part of the golf industry, but it has not always been that way.

    Tiger Woods changed the world of golf related to fitness when he emerged on the PGA Tour more than two decades ago. He is a major influencer as golf is related to fitness and today fitness regimens are standard for a world-class sport and are the norm for the best golfers in the world.

    Golfers actively engage in strength training, flexibility, agility, TRX,

    TRX RIP training, yoga, and kettlebell training. Training and taking care of your body helps with stamina and driving force. The major muscles engaged in the golf swing are the legs, chest and back. Your legs are your grounding force for stability and power in your swing. A golf swing is also optimized by the forearm, core and back muscles. The bottom line is that the entire body is engaged in the game of golf.

    The golf swing is a complex motion that happens at high speeds and a golf ball can be line driven 214 yards at 132.6 mph or more. Different parts of the swing engage separate muscle groups.

    The golf swing is transferred from one side to the other with muscle groups beginning with the back swing and transferring the momentum to the lead side.

    Most golfers like to add speed and the muscle that is responsible for that is the pectoral major muscle as well as the left bicep femoris, abdominal muscles and glute muscles.
    Can TRX improve your golf game? TRX was invented by Randy Hetrick, a Navy Seal who originally fashioned the TRX suspension system out of a ju-jitsu belt and surplus nylon parachute webbing while deployed overseas.

    More than two decades later, partnerships can be found all over the world in training centers, athletics and the military. TRX is known for actively engaging the core. The suspension system hangs from a beam creating an unstable movement. The core actively engages stability to keep the system stable. Another system for core, stability and strength is the TRX RIP trainer. It is a weighted bar and resistance bungee duo for home, travel or gym that allows you to work in all directions. Just like the TRX Suspension System, body weight actively engages the abs, obliques, back and hips and helps improve agility and balance.

    If you are a golfer wanting to improve your game or a new golfer, the TRX training platform is a body-first approach that engages performance movement with power and athleticism. TRX for golf is a platform built around training movement, athleticism and power.

    Movement exercises include weighted ball tosses, weighted ball rotational throws and strength bands. Athleticism: includes lunges to strengthen the quads and add flexibility, skaters for agility and hops for aerobic endurance. Power: includes push-pull exercises such as squats and strikes.

    The RIP trainer and TRX Suspension system incorporate movement for a full range of motion in rotation. Stretching and cooling down are important parts of the training program with back stretches, hip flexor stretches and squats.

    The choice of engaging a trainer for your golf game can be beneficial for your overall health, ease of playing, and improvements that you could see as a result.

    Live, love life and golf.

  • 18The Cannon Foundation, Inc. and the Charles A. Cannon Charitable Trust have awarded Fayetteville Technical Community College Foundation $400,000 to purchase trucks and equipment for the new FTCC Supply Chain Transport Complex.

    FTCC is developing the Supply Chain Transport Complex that will address the truck driver and diesel mechanic shortages in North Carolina and beyond. The complex will assist with meeting regional industry demands and respond to economic growth in the warehouse, distribution, manufacturing, and food processing sectors.

    The new facility will house the Fleet Maintenance Technician program and the Commercial Truck Driver’s License Program. It will include a 900’ x 600’ CDL training pad with shifting track and skid area, and a building with classrooms, restrooms and offices. It will also include a two-bay garage for maintenance of vehicles.

    FTCC’s Corporate and Continuing Education Division already provides training to individuals seeking their Commercial Truck Driver’s License. The FTCC CDL Program is registered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and certified as a Training Provider. Through this program, students will have the option of pursuing two routes for licensing to include the Class “A” Tractor/Trailers and Class “B” Endorsement with Passenger.

    FTCC is planning to collaborate with Bladen and Robeson Community Colleges to increase each college’s capacity to deliver the skilled workforce necessary to support local industry. Both FTCC and RCC currently have CDL programs with waiting lists that extend into 2024. The new complex will double the capacity for enrollment in the CDL programs.

    Construction will soon begin on the FTCC Supply Chain Transport Complex which will be developed in Fayetteville on the College’s Western Campus on a 60-acre property which is accessible by Raeford Road/Hwy 401 with easy access to I-295 and I-95. The current CDL program is located on the Fayetteville Campus of FTCC and will be moved to the Western Campus once the new Complex is complete.

    About the Cannon Foundation

    The Cannon Foundation was established in 1943 by Charles A. Cannon, President and CEO of Cannon Mills Company. The Cannon Foundation continues his philanthropic legacy by funding capital and equipment projects for organizations across Mr. Cannon’s home state of North Carolina. The Foundation supports private colleges, community colleges serving Tier 1 or 2 counties and small public colleges across North Carolina. Projects that construct or renovate buildings or building infrastructure are considered as well as training equipment.

    About FTCC Foundation

    FTCC Foundation partners with donors to support FTCC by raising awareness and financial resources to provide college access for students to attain their educational and career goals. The mission of FTCC Foundation is to foster and promote the growth, progress and general welfare of FTCC, provide supplementary financial support to the College and its students, and advance and enrich the services provided for students, the community, alumni, faculty and staff. FTCC Foundation manages more than 200 scholarship endowments and other funds.

  • 16aMethodist University's annual “Friends of Music Guest Artist Series” will begin the season next month with the help of a $5,000 grant from the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County.

    Each year, the “Friends of Music Guest Artist Series” provides live classical and contemporary musical demonstrations and recitals for up to 500 youth and adults in Cumberland County.

    “Friends of Music has existed since the 1990s, and the mission has always been to support the Music program at Methodist University,” said Dr. Keith Dippre, professor of Music at MU and coordinator of the Friends of Music Guest Artist Series.

    “We’ve been able to bring in a rich and diverse array of different performers and musical experiences that enrich our students and our community. These artists are real people with real stories and gifts to share. Our series grant makes all of this possible.”

    Methodist University’s Series Support grant from the Arts Council will help the institution for the entire 2023-24 season, which includes the following lineup for the “Friends of Music Guest Artist Series”:

    • Sept. 15 — Guitarist Guy Unger will visit and perform with students in the Gray’s Creek High School Orchestra, directed by Chuck Bossert. Unger and the Guy Unger Band are well known performers throughout Cumberland County, but Unger has been teaching guitar lessons to students of all ages for years. Unger will rehearse and perform with the middle school orchestra during his visit.16b
    • Oct. 15 — Composer and pianist Charis Duke will visit and direct students in the Gray’s Creek High School Chorus, directed by Amy Stovall. Currently with the University of the Arts music theater department, Duke composes and directs musical theatre productions and children’s operas based on folktales and literature. Duke formerly lived and taught piano in Fayetteville.
    • Feb. 23, 2024 — Bassist Carroll Dashiell Jr. and accompanist will visit and perform with students in the Pine Forest High School orchestra, directed by Nathan Artley. Currently Director of the East Carolina

    University jazz ensemble, Dashiell has decades of experience as a performer, director, and composer/arranger. He has performed and recorded with orchestras and internationally renowned musicians, and he will rehearse and will be partnered with a local high school orchestra during his visit.

    Each guest artist will collaborate with students from the mentioned school to prepare a recital or performance. Then, on the selected night, the guest artist will perform at Methodist University with the selected high school students joining the guest artist for a selected piece of the performance.

    16c“The Arts council is pleased to partner with Methodist University in support of the Friends of Music Guest Artist Series,” said Bob Pinson, president and CEO of the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County.

    “Our community looks to our local universities to enlighten our lives and the Friends of Music Guest Artist Series accomplishes this by bringing in several renowned artists for all to enjoy.”

    Project Support Grants increase opportunities for access to arts, cultural, and historical programming in Cumberland County. The grants are awarded to nonprofit agencies, institutions of higher education, and municipal entities in Cumberland County that demonstrate financial and administrative stability.

    For more information about th Friends of Music events visit https://www.methodist.edu/events/ To learn more about Arts Council grants visit https://www.theartscouncil.com/

  • 16The Alzheimer’s Association – Eastern North Carolina Chapter is teaming up with the Fayetteville Woodpeckers for the fourth year to Paint the Park Purple - Alzheimer’s Awareness Night on Aug. 4 at Segra Stadium.

    Proceeds from Paint the Park Purple will support the Association’s 2023 Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Fayetteville taking place on Oct. 28 to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

    The game against the Carolina Mudcats begins at 7:05 p.m., with gates opening at 6 p.m. The game will conclude with fireworks. Fans are encouraged to wear purple and the first 1,000 fans through the gates of Segra Stadium will receive a purple replica Dri-Fit jersey presented by Edward Jones of Cumberland County.

    The Woodpeckers will take the field wearing purple and white #ENDALZ socks in honor of all who have been impacted by Alzheimer's or another form of dementia.

    The Alzheimer's Association will have a table on the concourse with educational resources, as well as sign-up information for the upcoming Walk to End Alzheimer’s - Fayetteville. Visit Sweet Martha's, Sgt. Stubby’s, & Bowley’s BBQ concession stands during the game to support three of Fayetteville’s Walk Teams who are volunteering while raising funds for the cause.

    Paint the Park Purple, Alzheimer’s Awareness Night began as the first designated charitable theme night for the Fayetteville Woodpeckers. Over $24,000 has been raised through this event since 2019.

    “We appreciate the Fayetteville Woodpeckers' support over the last several years to raise funds and awareness for a world without Alzheimer’s,” said Lisa Roberts, executive director for the Alzheimer’s Association – Eastern North Carolina Chapter.

    “Alzheimer’s Association Awareness Nights like this provide the opportunity for us to talk about the impact Alzheimer’s and all other dementia has and the care and support the Association can provide to local families in Cumberland County and surrounding areas.”

    To purchase tickets for Paint the Park Purple - Alzheimer’s Awareness Night go to: fevo.me/3mAOY8g. Each ticket sold through the Awareness Night link will provide a $5 donation to the Alzheimer’s Association.
    More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease — a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

    In North Carolina alone, there are more than 180,000 people living with the disease and 369,000 caregivers.

    To sign up as a walker or Team Captain or to learn more about becoming a sponsor of Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Fayetteville, visit act.alz.org/fayetteville or call 800-272-3900.

    The Alzheimer’s Association hosts 17 walks across North Carolina. To register and receive the latest updates on any of this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit: alz.org/walk.

    The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. The annual event takes place in more than 600 communities and features over 300,000 participants across the country.

  • 14Get set to witness history in the making as Ichi Kaku restaurant will crown Fayetteville’s first Ramen Eating Champion.

    The First Annual Ichi Kaku Ramen Eating Contest will be held on Aug. 12 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Ichi Kaku, located at 350 N Eastern Blvd #200. Guests will witness five competitors fight their appetites' while trying to devour a 20-pound bowl of ramen. The ramen eating competition is a free event.

    The winning prize is a $300 Ichi Kaku gift card, a trophy, and the title of Ramen Eating Champion of 2023. For more information about the ramen eating competition and to reserve your free spot to watch, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ramen-eating-contest-tickets-655828048347?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

    Ramen is a dish that is famous all over the world. Ramen is a Japanese noodle soup that comes in various variations. A traditionally made bowl of ramen consists of flavorful broth, wheat noodles, and toppings that vary from region to region.14a

    Head Chef Yohei Kamiya, the owner of Ichi Kaku, is from Takahama City, Japan. Ichi Kaku is an authentic Japanese street food restaurant. Chef Yohei Kamiya has worked in the industry for over 20 years and is fluent in Japanese, English, and speaks ome Spanish. Moreover, Chef Yohei Kamiya has prepared Japanese meals for dignitaries, celebrities, and locals in Japan and America.

    While at Ichi Kaku to watch the ramen eating competition, spectators can browse the menu. The restaurant offers various dishes, from different types of Japanese ramen to teriyaki chicken with fried or steamed rice, Japanese curry rice, dessert, and more.

    Ichi Kaku's menu is online at: https://www.ichikakufay.com/menus

    Mark your calendars and attend the First Annual Ichi Kaku Ramen Eating Contest at Ichi Kaku on Aug. 12 to witness Fayetteville’s first ramen eating competition. For more information on the restaurant, you can visit their website at https://www.ichikakufay.com, or their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Ichikaku.nc

  • 13bOne of the most influential and popular genres of music is turning 50 years old this summer, and fans from all over the country are celebrating.

    Locally, fans can revisit the last 50 years of the hip-hop cultural phenomenon at the Art of Hip Hop Social event taking place at the Arts Council on Aug. 4. Organized by Route 87, LLC, the event will feature music from each decade of hip-hop, dancing, a DJ mixing performance and a vintage fashion runway.

    Guests are encouraged to wear hip-hop themed attire as the styles attributed to hip-hop popularity will be celebrated.
    Hip-hop and the genre of rap is one of the most influential types of music we’ve had in recent history. The way people talk, the clothes they wear, and the way they style their hair can all be traced back to some hip-hop roots.

    Route 87, LLC consists of a dynamic duo made up of local businesswomen Tracey Morrison and Courtney Banks-McLaughlin. Their business consists of event planning and bringing people together in the community. They’ve held several events around town such as a fraternities and sororities meet-up, women empowerment events, and partnering with the George Floyd Memorial Foundation to give back to the community.

    Up & Coming Weekly spoke with the two about their love and respect for hip-hop culture, what they do as a collective, and their goal of bringing different fans of hip-hop together in celebration of the 50th Anniversary.

    “We want to create an area where people can ‘live, work and play,’ but take ‘play’ to another level,” Morrison says. “A lot of people say ‘there isn’t much to do in Fayetteville’ when they look for things to do and we want to continue to change that narrative. We took a leap of faith in doing this post pandemic. For us to do this and see how much we’ve grown together in throwing events means a lot.”13a

    Hip-Hop was born in the South Bronx, New York, in the summer of 1973. It started with a DJ named DJ Kool Herc who threw parties with records and turntables. During the parties he provided a technique that isolated and repeated musical breaks, which laid a foundation for party goers to experiment with the sounds and start rhyming over the beats. This musical movement followed on the heels of the civil rights movement, giving African Americans and people of color another way to fight against systems of oppression. This genre shed a bright light on issues like poverty, gun and drug violence, and trauma, but in a poetic way for the world to digest and understand.

    This underground phenomenon around the Bronx spread quickly to house parties all throughout New York. People started using boomboxes and bringing them everywhere. People continued to rhyme and rap over these beats, and eventually would start getting recorded on cassette tapes. Hip-hop wasn’t on the radio or being sold in stores at the beginning, so the only way to hear it was being outside in the streets or being lucky enough to get your hands on a cassette tape.

    13Some notable artists in the 70’s were groups like The Sugarhill Gang, Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, and the Ghetto Brothers. The Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight” was the first rap single to make it into the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100, reaching 36 in early 1980. It is credited with introducing rap music and hip-hop culture to a wider audience.

    When speaking with Morrison, she says. “Hip-hop to me is Black art. It’s Black culture and it’s given African Americans a way to express ourselves through music. It’s represented through graffiti, fashion, breakdancing and many other things.”

    Hip-hop became a voice and passion for the youth in the country, and that still holds true today. It allowed young artists and poets to express themselves and communicate what they were experiencing in their communities on a much broader scale.

    The music gave rise to many other forms of artistic expression. Things like graffiti, break dancing, movies and fashion brands gained popularity quickly. Through these different mediums, artists have been able to create ways for people to enjoy hip-hop culture.

    As hip-hop grew, the more personalities it took on. It evolved over the years into sub-genres throughout different regions of the United States and now all over the world.

    By the late 80s there were groups like Naughty By Nature, N.W.A, Public Enemy, Salt-N-Pepa, and many other groups and individuals taking over music. Hip-hop spread to a lot of cities, most notably Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City, but also down south in places like Atlanta, New Orleans, and Houston … all the way to Miami and Memphis.

    Banks-McLaughlin, who grew up in Detroit and moved to Arkansas for college, said she experienced hip-hop slightly differently.

    “Growing up in Detroit, Michigan, we listened to rap, but we also liked house music. It was more fast-pace and more dancing, but when I went to Arkansas, I was in college. It was a lot of chopped and screwed, Texas-influenced music. Artists like Paul Wall, DJ Screw, and a bunch of new down south artists.”

    In addition to being a driving force of Route 87, LLC, Banks-McLaughlin is also a Fayetteville City Council member representing District 8.

    The 90s introduced the music world to artists who are now known not only for their musical abilities, but also for their influence across the entertainment industry. Names like Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, Lauryn Hill and Missy Elliot redefined the boundaries of the genre. The 2000s brought Kanye West, Nelly, 50 Cent, Kendrick Lamar and Cardi B into the spotlight.

    North Carolina has its own hip-hop scene, and the city of Fayetteville is home to a number of well-known hip-hop artists. The more notable names include J.Cole, Morray, Rain 910, and Bill Curtis and the Fatback Band.

    Up & Coming Weekly had a chance to talk with the artist who will be featured as the DJ of the Art of Hip-Hop Social event, DJ Stizzy Baby. DJ Stizzy, also known as ‘Stizzy The great, is a Fayetteville native, 80s baby who fell in love with hip-hop at an early age.

    Stizzy says, “I have seen Fayetteville hip-hop go from performers coming to one club on Saturday and Sunday nights, being in there until about three or four in the morning, just wanting a chance to perform, to artists from this city actually being known on a national level.”

    When asked about local hip-hop, he says, “I’ve seen it grow tremendously. I remember before the internet, when you really had to be on the scene, you really had to listen to the radio to know who’s who and where people are going to be at. You couldn’t be in the kitchen, pouring a soda, and scrolling through your news feed to see what’s the latest. You had to put forth the effort to be involved, to know where to go to know what’s going on.”

    Hip-hop has changed and evolved much over the years. With that in mind Route 87, LLC and DJ Stizzy Baby are excited to be playing music from each decade of the 50 years from the 70’s until now at the event.

    The Art of Hip-Hop Social event taking place at the Arts Council will be a time capsule for fans to enjoy every era and every region. If you’re free on Aug. 4, join them in downtown Fayetteville from 7 to 10 p.m.

    Tickets are $20 and you can buy them by visiting Eventbrite.com and searching ‘The Art of Hip Hop Social.’

  • 12School will be starting before we know it, and that means now is the time to get school supplies. However, those supplies can get expensive, especially if you have more than one child. Luckily, there are plenty of back-to-school giveaways planned around the county.

    Gotcha’ Back School Kickoff

    This will be the 16th annual Gotcha’ Back School Kickoff hosted by the GroupTheory Inc. This will be a full day of activities for the entire family featuring community resources. This is an Entrepreneur Fair featuring up and coming youth business owners and local entrepreneurs who will lead a Teen Forum sharing information about various topics to round out
    the day.

    This is free to students and there will be prizes, including their annual Girl and Boy Bike Giveaway. Students must be present to receive backpacks and supplies. This event will take place on Aug. 5 at 9 a.m. at the Crown Complex.

    Back to School Zumbathon

    This event at Spa Fitness & Wellness Center will be a free event that will be open to the public.  Zumba instructors will be giving free lessons in exchange for getting backpacks and school supplies for 71st Classical. This event will take place on Aug. 5 and will be from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

    Operation Back to School Backpack Giveaway

    Join SGT Mike and Army Community Service Family Advocacy Program in their annual back-to-school backpack giveaway. This giveaway will take place at Woodland Park on Fort Liberty at 10 a.m. on Aug. 5.  Backpacks are limited, so registration is required. To register visit www.FortLibertyACSFAP.TimeTap.com If the weather doesn’t cooperate, the rain check date is scheduled for Aug. 12 at 10 a.m.

    Fayetteville Woodpeckers

    The Fayetteville Woodpeckers are hosting a Back to School Bash at Segra Stadium on Aug. 11. There will be free school supplies, clothing, shoes and books. Plus, there will be food and other fun activities.
    This event is first come, first serve, up to 1,500 students. The event will take place from 4 to 7 p.m.

    For those wanting to contribute, the Woodpeckers will be accepting school supply donations through Aug. 6. You can drop off supplies at their front office, or at the Guest Services table during a game.

    Back to School Carnival

    Second Saturday will be hosting a back to school carnival at East Hoke Middle. There will be food trucks, carnival games, activities, more than 45 vendors, and school supply giveaways.
    Some of the activities will include face painting, free balloon animals, a clown, fairy hair, and a martial arts performance at 1 p.m. This event will take place on Aug. 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at East Hoke Middle School Field.

    Back to School Bash

    Kraken-Skulls will be hosting their Back to School Bash on Aug. 19. They will be giving away school supplies to students, and there will also be entertainment, vendors, free food, door prizes and more.
    The event will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. at 822 Shannon Drive. People can also drop off school supplies at Kraken-Skulls until Aug. 18.
    More information about the event can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/628278692518213

    Military Back to School Bash

    The Fayetteville LINK, together with the Vet Center, the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone, Veterans Bridge Home, DOD Suicide Prevention Team and the Fayetteville VA Suicide Prevention Team will be hosting their Back to School Bash in Hope Mills.

    Service members, veterans and families are welcome to attend. There will be school supplies, food, games and fun. This event is for military-affiliated families. Giveaways are for school-aged children. Students must be present for the giveaways.

    This event will take place on Aug. 19 at Hope Mills Municipal Park. For those who want to donate supplies, they will be accepted until Aug. 4 at the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic or at the Vet Center.
    More information can be found at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/back-to-school-bash-tickets-639366200517

    Back to School Event

    ROOTS Mentoring will be having a Back to School event on Aug. 19. There will be giveaways, music, games and $10 haircuts. The event will take place at 6411 Camden Road #107 from 1 to 4 p.m.

    They are accepting donations at Sharpe Line Barbershop. ROOTS is a nonprofit, created to serve “at-promise” youth encompassing elementary to high school aged students.

    Fascinate-U Back to School Bash

    This fun-filled event on Aug. 19 from 12 to 4 p.m. is designed to help kids kick off the school year in style. With plenty of activities, games and crafts to enjoy, there's something for everyone. Plus, every child will receive free school supplies to help them get ready for the new academic year.

    This year’s theme is “When I grow up” and children are encouraged to wear their favorite job’s outfit/uniform. Fascinate-U Children's Museum is located at 116 Green Street in Fayetteville. For more information call 910-829-9171 or email info@fascinate-u.com

    Second Annual Back to School Drive

    Red Coast Design Studio is hosting their second annual back to school drive. Come out and start the school year out with the community. There will be free backpacks, school supplies, food, face painting and free haircuts by Cut My City Organization.
    This event will take place on Aug. 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 7707 S. Raeford Road, Suite 109.

    Bookbag Giveaway

    U & I Youth Development Program will be having their ninth Annual Bookbag Giveaway on Aug. 26 at 500 Fisher Street at 10 a.m. They will be giving out stuffed backpacks filled with school supplies.
    They are currently accepting supply donations up until Aug. 24. Supplies needed include pencils, pens, notebooks, calculators, backpacks, Clorox wipes, highlighters, dry erase markers and more.
    Donations can be dropped off at 402 East Russell Street from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. For more information, call 910-257-5748.

    B2S Jamboree

    Get ready to groove at WCCG 104.5 FM’s epic B2S (Back To School) Jamboree on Aug. 26 at the JD Fuller Athletic Complex, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    Make sure your little ones are there at 10 a.m. sharp to grab their free backpacks loaded with school supplies. The child must be present to claim the supplies. There will also be free food, dodgeball, educational resources from Cumberland County School’s Prime Time and Giving Back Warm Hugs.

  • 11With municipal elections this fall and the presidential and state elections coming in 2024, Cumberland County is dealing with a shortage of poll workers — 1,200 of them, according to Elections Director Angie Amaro.

    “We generally have a shortage, but not this bad,” Amaro said of the current situation.

    Anyone who lives in Cumberland County and is registered to vote here can be a poll worker. According to the Board of Elections, precinct workers should have basic reading, writing and computer skills, as well as perform their duties in a nonpartisan manner. Current candidates, elected officials and political party managers or treasurers may not work at the polls.

    Amaro says the county especially needs Republican and unaffiliated voters to sign up as poll workers to meet party balancing requirements for precinct workers.

    The board has advertised for poll workers for the Oct. 10 municipal primary; Nov. 7 municipal election; and the 2024 primaries and general election.

    “We desperately need Republicans or unaffiliated, but we are short in a lot of our precincts. We’re hoping to add two new precincts, so we’re going to need workers in those areas too,” Amaro said.

    Mitzie Roberts, who oversees poll worker operations, says people need to step up to the plate to help.

    “There’s always the thing of thinking somebody else is going to do it, but in this instance, we don’t have that somebody else,” Roberts said.

    She said a lack of volunteers could cause noticeable problems on election day, such as long lines for voters and strenuous conditions for precinct workers.

    “It’s going to make it a more stressful day for those people working in precincts that are shorthanded because they don’t want to have long lines there either,” Roberts said. “They want to process their voters, let them vote and go about their day.”

    Amaro said the shortage, if left unchecked, could mean poll workers may have to skip breaks on already long shifts.

    “The precincts run short, so therefore, the staff doesn’t really get a break, a lunch break or anything of that nature,” Amaro said. “It would be harder for everyone, and voters will have to wait in line.”

    Despite a common misconception, poll workers do get paid for their work, including a stipend and compensation for training, depending on the position they take. Chief judges are paid $210 for working, $25 for training and $25 for any necessary pickup and supply runs; judges are paid $165 for working and $25 for training; and assistants are paid $130 and $25 for training.

    “It’s not a lot,” Amaro said. “It’s just enough to basically cover their meals and their travel for the day. But it is paid. And we encourage people to get out and meet your neighbors, learn what actually goes on as far as conducting an election.”

    Amaro added that the Board of Elections staff is working hard on recruitment.

    “We’re trying to get anybody that we can,” she said.

    Voter misinformation

    In addition to recruiting more poll workers, elections staffers are “trying to help combat misinformation and disinformation” about voter registration, Amaro said. She stressed that voters who have registered before do not need to do so again unless they are changing addresses or want to update their information.

    According to Amaro, nongovernment organizations have misled people into believing they need to re-register each year.

    “They get stuff in the mail from these different organizations, and they think it’s us. But it’s not us,” Amaro said. “We don’t send you anything unless you make a change to your record.”

    Roberts said this has been an ongoing concern for the county Board of Elections.

    “One of the biggest things that we hear all the time is people who do registration drives will tell people you have to register every time,” Roberts said. “And that’s not true.”

    Amaro said it’s imperative for voters with questions to reach out to the county board.

    “So (with) all the misinformation, disinformation, we encourage the public to contact our office to get the correct information,” Amaro said.

    For information about how to become a poll worker, visit the get involved page on the Cumberland County Board of Elections website https://www.cumberlandcountync.gov/departments/election-group/elections

    Contact county elections staff by phone at 910-678-7733 or email at boardofelections@cumberlandcountync.gov

  • 10Schools on Fort Liberty will follow a new dress code from the Department of Defense Education Activity. The DoDEA has issued a gender-neutral dress code.

    Students must wear tops with sleeves, solid clothing (not transparent or translucent) that fully covers the top and bottom from armpit to mid-thigh, and shoes. Open-toe shoes with a strap across the heel are allowed.

    Exceptions include approved school activities like formal events and special events approved by the principal.

    Students cannot wear clothing with language or images promoting violence; language or images that depict, promote or advocate the illegal use or sale of drugs, alcohol or tobacco products; violent conduct; curse words; pornography; that contain threats or expressions which are violent, discriminatory, lewd or obscene; or that advocate or promote any other illegal item or activity. Derogatory speech/imagery targeting groups based on race/color, ethnicity/national origin, sex/gender, sexual orientation, disability, or religion is also prohibited.

    Headgear that obscures the face will not be allowed, except as a religious observance or health purpose.

    According to the DoDEA, 467 comments from students, parents, school personnel and Directors for Student Excellence provided input on the dress code. The comments were reviewed by the team and used to inform the revised gender-neutral dress.

    The DoDEA hopes this new dress code will establish a “positive, equitable approach to handling dress code infractions by using teachable moments to support changes in school attire choices while building problem-solving skills.”

    Schools on Fort Liberty will start on Aug. 21. Kindergarten students will officially start on Aug. 22 while Pre-Kindergarten students will start on Sept. 5.

    A Uniform Dress Code is back for the 2023-2024 school year at 16 Cumberland County schools. Those schools are A.B. Wilkins High School, Anne Chesnutt Middle School, Cliffdale Elementary School, Elizabeth10a Cashwell Elementary School, Howard Learning Academy, Massey Hill Classical High School, Montclair Elementary School, Lewis Chapel Middle School, Ramsey Street High School, Reid Ross Classical Middle/High School, Seventy-First Classical Middle School, South View Middle School, W.T. Brown Elementary School, Westarea Elementary School, Westover Middle School, and William H. Owen Elementary School.

    This comes after uniforms were waived for the past two school years. In the 2020-2021 school year, the Board of Education waived the dress code and uniform policy because of the financial impact of COVID-19 on families. The Board waived the policy last year due to supply-chain problems that the district verified with major retailers in the area.

    Students at Cross Creek and Cumberland International Early College will start on Aug. 9. Students at a traditional school will start on Aug. 28. Student Intent to Ride Survey

    Families with bus-riding students need to complete the Student Intent to Ride Survey regarding school bus transportation needs for the upcoming school year by Aug. 2.

    Students who complete the survey and are eligible for transportation will be assigned to a bus and routing information will be available at the schools’ Open House. To access the Student Intent-to-Ride Survey, go to https://nc50000603.schoolwires.net/Page/2611.

  • 9Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity, students of Fort Liberty’s Home Builders Institute class, and the future Habitat homeowner came together in July for collaborative build days on a Habitat home on Maloney Avenue in Fayetteville.

    This Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity home was made possible by a partnership with The Home Depot Foundation and the City of Fayetteville Department of Economic and Community Development.

    The Home Depot Foundation chose to fund this effort based on the organization’s mission to provide safe and accessible housing solutions for veterans and train the next generation of skilled tradespeople, including the transitioning Fort Liberty soldiers from the HBI program.9a

    9bThe FAHFH construction crew and the HBI students will be working on building the Habitat Home for the Johnson family in the next few months. The HBI students will leave the build site to attend career development classes in the afternoon as part of their free skilled trades training and education program, Path to Pro, provided by HBI and The Home Depot Foundation.

    Anyone interested in being a sponsor for FAHFH, donating or volunteering can send an email to the Director of Marketing at Marketing@fayetevillenchabitat.org
    Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity

    Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. Incorporated in 1988, Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity, Inc. is a North Carolina nonprofit corporation. To learn more, visit www.fayettevillenchabitat.org.

  • 8President Ronald Reagan once said “A truly successful army is one that, because of its strength and ability and dedication, will not be called upon to fight, for no one will dare to provoke it.”

    As your Congressman and representative of the largest Army base in the world, I take this commitment seriously to supporting our troops and their families. Building a nation that’s safe is also a key pillar of House Republicans “Commitment to America.”

    That’s why the House recently passed the bipartisan FY24 National Defense Authorization Act. This is the key piece of legislation that authorizes funding for our military and national defense for the year — including over $260 million in funding for critical infrastructure projects that will aid our region’s military personnel.

    I am especially proud this year’s NDAA contains provisions I fought to include. Among these projects are the construction of a Child Development Center to address the existing deficit of childcare spaces available to improve the quality of life of military families stationed in our community, and a permanent Aircraft Maintenance Hangar facility to accommodate aircraft serving the U.S. Army Special Operations Command.

    This year’s NDAA also includes the biggest pay raise for our troops in decades, pushes back against the woke ideology being forced on our military members, equips our military with the tools and resources to counter the rapidly growing threats from foreign adversaries, and improves military readiness. This bill also provides assistance to the over 8,000 service members who were discharged for not taking the COVID-19 vaccine and provides them with a path back to service.

    While we can never thank our active duty military, their families, and our veterans enough for their service, we must continue to do everything we can to improve the quality of health care we provide them.

    For example, Master Sergeant Rich Stayskal, a resident of Moore County, served our country honorably and was wounded in combat. While stationed in our region, a missed cancer diagnosis changed his life. In response, I helped change federal law in 2020 so Rich and other military families could receive support when they are victims of medical malpractice while on active duty.

    However, the Department of Defense has failed to implement the law properly, stealing hope from Rich Stayskal and hundreds of military families who have been harmed by medical negligence.
    I was proud to introduce the HERO Act to correct this wrong for our nation’s heroes who are victims of malpractice from a DoD medical treatment facility. They should have the right and opportunity to take their claim to District Court in order to receive the compensation they deserve. Service members such as Rich kept their promise to us — they served honorably, and they deserve the best we have to offer them. I will not stop fighting until they get it.

    In North Carolina, Veterans Day is not just one day a year — it is a year-long call to action. That’s why I was also proud to join my House colleagues recently to reintroduce the bipartisan resolution to designate November 12, 2023 as “National Warrior Call Day.” This meaningful day will encourage folks in our community and across the country to check in on someone they know, active duty, or veteran. The suicide rate among our nation’s veterans is 2.5 times that of all civilians. It is important to address the challenges veterans face head-on and address the stigma around seeking help.

    Ensuring our military families and veterans have the resources they deserve are some of the most important duties we have in Congress. I'll never stop fighting to support our troops, their families and our veterans.

  • 6Right now, you are probably asking yourself what do Ron DeSantis and Jimi Hendrix have in common? Allow me to explain.

    Ponder the current debate on whether slavery was beneficial for Black people in America. Some may have thought that issue was resolved long ago in favor of no benefit of slavery for slaves. Don’t be silly or Woke as the case may be. Ron, who is still mysteriously running for the Republican nomination for president, would beg to differ. “Au contraire” Ron might say, if speaking French did not make him sound like an effete Wokeist.

    Ron is a lot of bizarre things, but Woke ain’t one of them. Ron is the reverse Rip Van Winkle of American politics. He goes to sleep and time goes backwards 200 years. He can sleep through anything that might cause his sliver of the electorate to wake up and smell the injustice.

    The state of Florida produced a new school curriculum for teaching African American history to middle schoolers with the curious contention that: “Slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.” Ron supported this concept saying: “They’re probably going to show that some of the folks that eventually parlayed, you know, being a blacksmith into doing things later in life.” Or they may teach slavery was a bed of roses for the enslaved.

    Any skills developed by slaves were applied for the personal benefits of their owners. That is the concept of slavery. I own you. You work for me. Do what I say or you may not be alive much longer.

    Few people would choose to be taken from their homes, shipped across an ocean under grim conditions, have their families sold off, be whipped, killed, maimed, or raped in order to enjoy the benefits of slavery.

    Said benefits must have seemed pretty obscure to enslaved people.

    Ron just wants to educate folks that not all aspects of slavery were bad. Like Sisyphus pushing that big rock up the hill, Ron’s efforts to put lipstick on the pig of slavery may be a pretty tough slog. Ron may not be ready for prime time. Many Republicans have come out against slavery. Being anti-slavery is not an extreme position.

    Ron’s theory about the inherent positives of slavery presupposes Black people are ungrateful for the benefits of slavery. Ron believes this, as apparently many of his supporters do or they would not be supporting him for President.

    It reminds me of an old Frosty Morn Ham commercial in which a trio of pigs sing about how much they want to be turned into Frost Morn hams. These pigs have obviously been pork brain washed. They sing rapturously about the joy of being killed and eaten as hams. They are grateful for the benefits of Pigacide.

    The pigs sing: “The height of a piggy’s ambition from the day he is born/ Is hope that he’ll be good enough to be a Frosty Morn/ For meat that’s wonderfully different they tenderize each ham.”

    The pigs who are grateful for being killed and eaten are a credit to their species. White people who are sympathetic with Black people who are not grateful for being enslaved are dismissed as Woke.

    Ron’s campaign slogan is “Make America Florida.” As a thought experiment, suppose Ron is elected Grand Exalted President of America. He gets to impose Florida’s curriculum on the rest of the country. Using the Slavery Is Beneficial Model for other courses, Ron’s Alternative Facts would change things around a bit.

    In Geometry students would be taught that up is down, left is right. Ron’s math would teach the controversy: Not the stale old theory that 2+2= 4 but it might be 2 + 2 = 6. In physics, Einstein’s theory would be changed to E equals MC Hammer.

    Jimi Hendrix in his song “If 6 Was 9”, captured Ron’s belief that if it doesn’t affect him, he doesn’t care. Ron’s ancestors did not go through the horrors of slavery, so it doesn’t bother Ron. Just look on the bright side of slavery.

    As Jimi sang: “If the mountains fell in the sea/ Let it be, it ain’t me (alright)/ Got my own world to look through/ and I ain’t gonna copy you/ Now if a six, turned out to be nine/ Oh, I don’t mind, oh I don’t mind/ If all the hippies cut off all their hair, oh, I don’t care/ oh, I don’t care.”

    Ron has his own cheery world view. You better belly up to the bar and drink Ron’s Kool-Aid if he gets elected President.

    Ron’s history book might teach that the Hindenburg blimp disaster was really a good thing as it taught bystanders that blimp technology could stand more study.

    The recent implosion of the Titan Submersible could be spun that the billionaires who died benefited by learning that swimming at 13,000 feet below the ocean’s surface was a bad idea.

    Gentle Reader, when I ponder Ron’s position that slavery was beneficial for the slaves, I throw up a little bit in my mouth.

  • 5If you are reading this column, I suspect you are a longtime reader of many publications and books — someone who reads because an idea piques your interest, to be amused, to be informed, perhaps even to be provoked by a thought or an event.

    You read because doing so enlarges your world and takes you places you will likely never go in reality. You read to learn. I will go further out on this speculative ledge and say you have probably read since you were a child, as have I.

    That is why as a person whose mother routinely caught her reading by flashlight under the bed covers and later a mother who caught her own daughter doing the same, I am horrified, saddened and frightened by a recent National Assessment of Educational Progress report.

    NAEP found that only 14% of U.S. students read for pleasure daily. Let that sink in a moment. It means that 86% — nearly 9 in 10 — of our young people do not find enough pleasure in reading to do so on a regular basis.

    The numbers have plummeted in recent years, down three points from 2020 and a full 13 points since 2012.
    This dismal finding comes on top of an acknowledged crisis in classroom test scores zooming in the wrong direction, likely escalated by COVID and interruptions in classroom instruction.

    There are probably as many reasons for the decline in classroom performance as there are children who do not read for pleasure. American family life is complicated and busy with many and attractive diversions for parents and children. Layer on technology and social media, both seductive and massive time wasters. Common Sense Media reported that most children have a phone by 14-years-old, and last year Stanford

    Medicine reported that age is now 11.

    In addition, both parents and educators fear children are not being introduced to books that interest them, a critical element in the process of both teaching them to read competently and turning them into lifelong and devoted readers.5a

    A smaller factor but a factor nonetheless are parents calling for book bans of publications they dislike, find inappropriate, or offend their political sensibilities. More than 1500 books had been removed from classrooms and school libraries across the nation at the outset of this school year, as reported by PEN America, a free-speech organization.

    As with so much else in life, parents are the first line of defense for their children. We love them more than anyone else, care more about their futures, and want them to lead productive and happy lives. Experts tell us that most children enjoy reading — or being read to — until they are about 9, when technology becomes important to them.

    It seems reasonable and prudent that parents both limit screen time and make reading materials easily available. This can be done either at home or through visits to the local library where children can select books that interest them and perhaps join age-appropriate reading groups.

    To this day, I remember how much I loved the blue-bound biographies of famous people available in the library at the long-gone Haymount Elementary School on Hay Street.

    My own three Precious Jewels, now adults and readers all, are on their own, and I have two more Precious Jewels — my grand babies. I doubt you will be surprised to learn that my reaction to news of the decline in childhood reading was to order three new “Little Mole” books to read to the 3-year-old. He is already interested in the alphabet and numbers and the little one, three months, can listen in from her bassinet. It is never too early to start reading.

  • 4It isn’t very reassuring when the Mayor of Fayetteville, elected city officials, and paid city staff ignore the people’s will. Especially when they are dismissed with an incredibly high level of incompetence, as we witnessed at the District 5 hearing for a Special Use Permit for our Haymount neighborhood.

    These meetings are significant since they can dramatically change the character of a neighborhood. During the past two years, Mayor Mitch Colvin and City Council elected officials have totally and irresponsibly destroyed the trust and confidence of the people who elected them and entrusted them to look after the interest of their constituents.

    Many expect our elected officials to be responsible, competent and laser-focused on making advantageous decisions for their constituents. However, not so much anymore.

    This situation is even more dire now because our community lacks objective and accurate NEWS reporting, making it difficult, if not impossible, to understand important issues, get the facts, or even glean half-truths about essential matters at City Hall.

    Doing a deep dive into these critical issues and providing the facts and information affects every citizen’s livelihood and quality of life. This lack of transparency allows our elected officials and city staff to maneuver, scheme in the shadows and operate with impunity.

    Seeing is believing. On May 22, and again on June 26, the residents of District 5 in Haymount witnessed firsthand one of the most inept and unprofessional fiascos by our city’s elected officials when Mayor Colvin, City Attorney Karen McDonald, and members of the Fayetteville City Council attempted to conduct what was called a quasi-judicial evidentiary hearing for a Special Use Permit (SUP) allowing ShineLight, Inc., an autism services business owned by Fayetteville native Nikki Creesy, to build a multi-family duplex in a single-family residential neighborhood.

    The session was an abysmal example of the embarrassing, inept leadership in place at City Hall, making it abundantly clear that the majority of the council members, including Mayor Colvin, Craig Harmon and the city planning staff, and City Attorney McDonald were grossly unprepared to address the issue, and had no grasp of the governing ordinances in place, nor did they have any clear idea as to what their responsibilities were to residents or the proper way to conduct a quasi-judicial hearing.

    One newly elected Council member, Mario Benavente of District 3, tried to bring logic, a sense of reason, and fairness to the meeting. However, he failed to get attention or support from his peers. This was most disappointing. It was nothing less than horrifying and discouraging to watch as the Mayor, Council, and city staff blundered their way through this primary concern of so many loyal taxpaying residents.

    It became apparent to those who witnessed this fiasco that they had weaponized ignorance and incompetence with the city leadership’s abundant misrepresentations, misinformation, operational confusion and inappropriate motions.

    The meeting was poorly run and negatively charged. At one point, District 2 councilwoman Shakeyla Ingram insulted those who opposed the SUP by stating that those in opposition were prejudice toward people with special needs. How ridiculous it was. Yet, it was not an unexpected gesture from the uninformed councilwoman when confronted with a logical situation for which she had no knowledge or intelligent response.

    Rezonings and SUP actions should always be handled with integrity and intense research. Most importantly, each council member should visit the neighborhood or property in question.

    Making rezoning decisions that benefit only a single business or petitioner without research while turning your back on an entire established neighborhood is inexcusable.

    Following the decision to approve the SUP in favor of ShineLight, Inc. had even Mayor Colvin feeling compelled to admit that the meeting, procedures and the decision to approve the rezoning were made inappropriately and improperly and allowing the vote to go forward was undoubtedly an act of poor judgment and leadership.

    Especially concerning was that the District 5 representative (Johnny Dawkins) recused himself from the final vote — leaving District 5 with absolutely no voice, which many interpreted as being a cowardly thing to do.
    The City Council and elected officials should work for the taxpayers who support the city. Election day is Nov. 7. It is imperative you know the candidates and who you are voting for. Pay attention to how they vote, support issues and react to constituents’ needs. We must not be victimized further by people making inappropriate, misguided and incompetent decisions on our behalf. The hostility and arrogance expressed by several sitting council members toward residents of this community is unacceptable, especially given their incompetence.

    Thank goodness for Up & Coming Weekly newspaper for allowing the people’s voices to be heard. Without a media voice for truth, reason and fairness, we are left vulnerable to acts of impropriety.

    Fayetteville needs a transparent government and competent leadership. After all, WE THE PEOPLE, have control of those we elect. When it’s evident that they are not acting on our behalf or in our best interest, perhaps it’s time to look for those who will. Fayetteville, it is time!

    Editor’s note: Lois Kirby is a former City Council member representing District 5, and former Mayor Pro Tem.

  • 4Well, last week was not a good week for me. Actually, the past thirty days have been pretty much of a disaster for the entire Fayetteville-Cumberland County community. They say bad news comes in three, well the recent actions, decisions and events add validity to that adage.

    First, the City Council fails to approve the resolution to put the Vote Yes Fayetteville initiative before city voters. This issue is not dead yet, only severely wounded. It appears the courts will have to intervene.
    However, it's a near-perfect example of how our city leadership disregards its citizens and restricts voting participation and involvement in local government.

    Currently, citizens of Fayetteville are allowed only two votes in a city election where nine district representatives and the mayor are elected. Approval of the Vote Yes proposal would add four at-large districts giving every citizen six votes to decide the leadership in our municipality. Six votes versus two. What's not to like?

    On Aug. 22 it was voted down and rejected 6-4 by the mayor and five inexperienced council members who put fear and personal agendas ahead of the welfare of the citizens of Fayetteville.
    Then secondly, came the stunning announcement from the Arts Council that there will be a rebranding of a successful Fayetteville tradition that brought over 25,000 citizens to historic downtown Fayetteville to celebrate the Christmas holidays and launch the holiday shopping season. A Dickens Holiday is no more.

    I strongly doubt that the idea to dismantle one of Fayetteville’s most successful events came from the Arts Council board and staff. Those of us that worked the Dickens Holiday over the years know how much time and effort they put into making this community event diverse, accessible and inclusive. This was decades before Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, became “a thing.”
    It's laughable that any so-called “internal review” would or could find otherwise. And since the city of Fayetteville and Cumberland County provide funding to the Arts Council many know where the mandate originated, and where the resistance has come from.

    It appears to be racially motivated. Fayetteville is a very diverse community but not a racially divided community, as those in our city and county government would like to have us think. The leadership of city and county governments has mastered the game of playing the race card to amass personal power and prestige without regard for their constituents and without responsibility or concern for the consequences that result.

    This kind of behavior in government will continue until all citizens, Black and white, who love this community stand up and say "enough is enough!” This tendency to create divisiveness by encouraging and promoting division and making false accusations of non-inclusion will only continue to deteriorate the foundation of our community.

    As I write this editorial, my storefront has been trashed, people have defecated in my parking lot, and the unhoused are meandering through downtown streets heading to their encampments in our city center while officials ignore this blatant situation, and the citizens of the community sit by in darkness, silent and afraid to speak up for fear of being canceled.
    Many are leaving this community to live elsewhere. Those who remain, sitting on the sidelines, no longer get involved or contribute their time, talent and resources. Fayetteville and Cumberland County are in a bad place with a severe leadership crisis at all levels which takes me to the third hapless development last week.

    We lost one of the most intelligent, hard-working and dedicated CEOs since former Chamber President John Swope. Her departure should serve as a resounding wake-up call to anyone who loves and cares about this community. Public Works Commission executive Elaina Ball came here because she wanted to make a difference. She was aggressive, methodical and not afraid to take on the major challenges facing Fayetteville and Cumberland County. She steered us away from the Bernhard Capital Partners ruse, took on the Texfi contamination situation that would have turned Fayetteville into a toxic wasteland in 20 years. In addition, she was dealing with the Chemours problem, working to bring clean water back to the Gray’s Creek community.

    Anyone who is close to Ball or works with her knows that her biggest frustration came from local government processes moving slowly and with little sense of priority or sense of urgency. Communications between local agencies were often extremely poor if not nonexistent.

    Ball is a dedicated CEO who helps those that help themselves. She has moved on to bigger and better opportunities and we are pleased that she has left her mark here and a community better off than it was. We wish her the best.
    In the meantime, it is my hope these situations over the past few weeks provide a wake-up call to our local leadership.

    The clock is ticking and our time is running out to make Fayetteville a viable community we can be proud of.
    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

  • 12aThe 6th Annual African World Peace Festival will bring culture, fun, education and awareness to downtown Fayetteville from Friday, Sept. 9 to Sunday, Sept. 11. Organized by the Culture and Heritage Alliance and partly sponsored by the Arts Council of Fayetteville, the festival will be a family-friendly fundraiser celebrating art, music and diversity.

    After two years of COVID restrictions, the three-day event is back and better than ever, with an exciting lineup of entertainment and activities for people of all ages and backgrounds. In alignment with CHA's mission to “promote the works of emerging artists while fostering cultural diversity and education for the promotion of peace,” the festival will display a vibrant mix of cultures coming together in love and appreciation of one another.

    The first festival launched in 2014 based on a need Dr. Isabella Effon, co-founder and president of CHA, saw in the community to have more representation for a population of African immigrants making their way into Fort Bragg.

    “The idea of the festival came along when I moved here in 2001," she explained. "I realized our population was growing as African immigrants, we were starting families, and we wanted our culture to be part of this community.”

    From there, the festival has grown over the past eight years to include an impressive array of activities over a well-organized schedule. Whether checking out the festival for just one day or all three, there's no shortage of things to see and do.

    Beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, the AWPF will kick off with a prayer. Guests will spend the rest of the weekend dancing, drumming and singing along with an array of musical acts and dance groups. Friday and Saturday will welcome the African Highlife Band, Kongo Jazz, Aya Drum & Dance, and African Children Beats, to name a few. A gospel concert will begin on Sunday at 10 a.m., followed by a non-denominational service. The festival will end Sunday evening in the echoes of a drum beat.

    In addition to an exciting musical lineup, the festival, organized into zones, will offer ample opportunity for its guests to explore different aspects of African culture.
    The Arts & Crafts Zone will allow guests to learn a new trade, such as pottery, painting, papercraft, and much more. Various workshops within the zone will demonstrate craft-making from different regions of Africa, and artists from around the world will also use this area to display and sell their work.

    Although music and activities are integral to any celebration, a festival is only as good as its food. With that in mind, AWPF's Food & Beverage Zone will be packed with a tasty variety of cuisines from around the world, drinks and desserts for purchase.

    Lastly, The Kid Zone is a place where the festival's youngest visitors are free to learn, play and discover. Face painting, arts & crafts, games, and tons of activities will ensure a great time for kids and parents alike. Kids can also look forward to exercising their problem-solving skills with puzzle boxes supplied by Xscape Factor, a climbing wall provided by The Climbing Place, and a real-life excavation dig complete with remote-controlled digging equipment.

    12bOf all the activities and offerings scheduled, Dr. Effon is most excited to share Africa's rich cultural diversity through its music and food with the people attending the festival.

    “I'm most excited to share the music, the concerts and the food,” she laughed. “If you look at all the footprints Africa has left worldwide, this festival is a celebration of those influences. When you look at it, we really all eat the same things. So much of our food and music comes from Africa, and that's why we celebrate this as an 'African World' festival.”

    Fun, games, art, music and food are important aspects of the festival, but there's more to AWPF than simply serving the spirit; the festival is dedicated to serving the body. Throughout Saturday and Sunday, guests can sign up for free health screenings beginning at 7 a.m.

    Saturday is also race day. Those who register can participate in the festival's 5k/10k walk/run sponsored by Foxhole Consulting. Each participant who completes the race will receive a T-shirt and medal. A 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prize will be awarded to males and females with the best time.

    Walkers and runners under 16 will pay $30 for early registration, while those over 16 will pay $35. All participants must sign in between 6 and 6:30 a.m. to receive their participation T-shirt and race number; the race will begin at 8 a.m.

    With over 8,500 guests in attendance pre-COVID, organizers expect an even larger turnout this year. This year's festival is later in the summer than any previously scheduled, which means it's the first AWPF to take place in concurrence with college classes. A later start date also ensures that the temperature readout is a bit kinder.

    For Effon, this is an important year for the festival. After a two-year hiatus, she is excited to come back together to heal and share.

    “Humanity doesn't stop, life doesn't stop, but things have changed,” she said of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It's given us a template to follow, and we now know that things can change anytime. We're adjusting to our new normal, but we shouldn't be afraid to come out and celebrate one another. It's important for us to come back and exchange that peace and love.”

    In addition to the African World Peace Festival, the CHA organizes events throughout the year that speak to the same intention of social connectedness. Dance lessons, film festivals, demonstrations and workshops are all planned to bring people together to learn from one another.

    Africa is a continent containing over 54 countries, 3,000 tribes, and over 2,000 different languages and dialects. It is a place with a fascinating history, diverse people and a wealth of cultural information to share. Events like the AWPF create an awareness of the world that can be transformative.

    “Every time we do this,” Effon explained, “I want people to understand that we are all one. We all have different cultures, beliefs and languages, but one thing that brings us together is food and music. No matter the language we speak or what part of the world we're in — we don't have to understand each other to move together.”

    The AWPF is a free and public event. However, food, beverages, vendor items and race participation require payment.

    To register for the 5k/10k visit https://africanworldpeacefestival.org/5k-10k-run/.
    To volunteer or sponsor, visit https://africanworldpeacefestival.org/for-volunteers/ and https://africanworldpeacefestival.org/be-a-sponsor/.

  • 17On Saturday, Sept. 10 at 8:30 a.m., Segra Stadium will host its fourth annual 9/11 Stair Climb to honor the courageous men and women who gave their lives in service on that day.

    The events of September 11, 2001, are etched firmly in the memory of many Americans. Even those not old enough to remember the fear and horror of that fateful Tuesday morning understand the magnitude of those four hijacked planes and how they forever changed the face of this country.

    A coordinated series of attacks against the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and an unsuccessful attempt against the U.S. Capitol, resulted in the loss of nearly 3,000 lives. Of the 2,997 confirmed casualties on 9/11, 415 were emergency workers, which included 343 firefighters.

    Segra Stadium, in partnership with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, hosts the fundraiser each year to honor the fallen firefighters of 9/11 and provide additional financial support to their families.
    The stair climb can be held in any state. Until four years ago, Charlotte was the only city in North Carolina that participated in the yearly event. Under the direction of Rachel Smith, senior manager of events and guest services for the Woodpeckers, the event has become a community staple — drawing over 500 participants for the twentieth anniversary of 9/11
    last year.

    Having worked the climb at a host site in Pennsylvania, Smith felt strongly about bringing the event to Cumberland County.

    “I think it's such a special event that pays tribute to the fallen and their families,” she said. “It's so important their sacrifice isn't forgotten. Also, some of these funds go to fallen firefighters local to our communities. Through this event, we can not only honor those we lost twenty years ago but the ones here at home as well.”

    The free event is open to spectators, and the community is encouraged to come to pay their respects. However, it's important to remember that this is an event of remembrance, not celebration. A bell will sound at 8:47 a.m., the same time the North Tower was struck, to begin the climb. At 9:03 a.m., a second bell will chime, symbolizing the attack on the World Trade Center's South Tower. As participants make their way around the stadium, radio calls from that day will sound from the speakers as teams of firefighters and other first responders complete six circuits, totaling about 2200 stairs- representing the 110 flight ascent of the FDNY on September 11.

    Participation is open to all, not just first responders. The registration fee of $35 includes participation in the climb, a T-shirt, and an honor badge with the name of one of the fallen.

    The impact of 9/11, the deadliest terror attack on record, will never be eased or erased. It's an event that will burn within the pages of history forever. Still, gatherings like Segra's 9/11 Stair Climb ensure the names, faces and sacrifices of true heroes will not be buried under the rubble of time.

    When tragedy unites us, forgetting is never an option; what counts is how we choose to remember.

  • 11aThe new, state-of-the-art community murals located at the intersection of I-295 and north Ramsey Street in Fayetteville’s Northside corridor are now complete. The murals entitled “We Are Fayetteville: Legacy and Future” are a beautifully vibrant and innovative scenic design that adds enormous value to the cultural, aesthetic and economic vitality of the community.

    The concrete bridge support structures were transformed into a wondrous work of art that depicts symbolic scenes and vibrant colors reflective of the community's lifestyle and history.
    This interpretation creates a sense of place reflective of the city’s inclusive, yet diverse, community expressed through green and gold images of agricultural and recreational scenes that symbolize its thriving neighborhoods and businesses.

    Through a nation-wide search, a Mural Advisory Committee created by the Arts Council of Fayetteville|Cumberland County selected Fuquay-Varina's mixed media artist and muralist, Jermaine “JP” Powell, through a blind jury competition process.

    After engaging with local residents and learning of their interpretations of life in their community, Powell’s final visionary design for the murals was approved by the Fayetteville Public Arts Commission and City Council capturing a visually compelling rendition of life in the Northside that represents the community's strong sense of pride, family, unity, and growth... all the things that make Fayetteville a desirable place to live, work and play.

    The power of art continues to inspire thoughts, emotions and joy as onlookers see a representation of themselves and the rich history, heritage and legacy of Fayetteville reflected through the mural.

    “Sometimes art isn't about the work, it's about the process of telling your story of the sacrifices and efforts you put in every day to make this city a great place,” says Jermaine “JP” Powell, muralist. “I want this mural to be an international landmark, a place where people from all over the world will come to see and learn the story of what Fayetteville is... a welcoming community.”

    11bThe grant request to the National Endowment for the Arts in 2018 was based on the concept of turning ‘gateways’ into ‘great ways’ to enter the city of Fayetteville.

    Completion of the mural spurs the possibility for future public art and beautification projects across Fayetteville that would make our roadways and public spaces brighter.

    “The images created by Powell capture the rich sense of community so evident in the lives of the residents on the north side,” says Bob Pinson, interim president of the Arts Council. “We hope to use public art in many forms throughout our community to continue to provide opportunities for conversation and learn from one another. Together, we can move into a brighter future for all.”

    Project planning was made public in February 2020 as part of Fayetteville’s Corridor Revitalization Project, a collaboration between Fayetteville|Cumberland Parks and Recreation and the Arts Council.
    Fayetteville's Northside community mural project was a partnership with the Arts Council, Fayetteville|Cumberland Parks and Recreation, City of Fayetteville Government, Cumberland County Government, the North Carolina Department of Transportation and supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

    Visit the City of Fayetteville NC Government Flickr page to view promotional videos and photos of the murals or log onto WeAreTheARTS.com/295mural for artist bio.

    City and County leaders ask drivers to prioritize safety and follow regular traffic flow at the murals.

  • 9 Up & Coming Weekly received seven North Carolina Press Association awards in a ceremony Aug. 25 in Raleigh. Publications throughout North Carolina were honored during the 149th NCPA convention for excellence in news and advertising coverage.

    “I am extremely proud of our newspaper's standings as determined by this year’s NCPA annual competition,” said Bill Bowman, publisher of Up & Coming Weekly. “We have a talented staff who understand the purpose and mission of local community newspapers to be the stalwart for relevant and trusted local news, views and information.”

    NCPA’s advertising and editorial contest is one of the largest in the nation, with over 4,000 entries submitted by more than 125 newspapers and news organizations.
    Up & Coming Weekly competes in Division B, which represents community newspapers with a circulation between 3,500 to 10,000. Entries are judged by newspaper professionals from another state to ensure impartiality and avoid conflicts of interest.

    “Receiving recognition for our publication is wonderful encouragement,” said April Olsen, the managing editor of Up & Coming Weekly. “We are a small business doing our best to provide a quality product that is useful to our readers and helpful to the community. The NCPA awards, and others we’ve received this year, are an indication that we are on the right path.”

    Staff Writer Kathleen Ramsey took home first place for Arts and Entertainment Reporting for her article, “A Tale of Two Nutcrackers.”
    The article details the two dance studios that perform “The Nutcracker” in December in Fayetteville. Those shows are performed by dancers from the Charlotte Blume School of Dance and Leslie’s Dance Academy.

    Ramsey began writing for Up & Coming in the fall of 2021, but is no stranger to local storytelling. A graduate of NC State’s creative writing program, Ramsey was an intern at the Fayetteville Observer and later worked there.

    Ramsey’s article was cited by a judge as a “beautifully written story on the dance school and the Nutcracker. Great lede, drew me right in and the second paragraph kept me going.”

    The story can be found online at www.upandcomingweekly.com/arts/8163-a-tale-of-two-nutcrackers.
    Former Art Director Dylan Hooker received six awards total in advertising. He received two first- place wins in Newspaper Promotion and Use of Color. Those awards were our “Contributing Writers” ad and the “Gates

    Four Groovy New Year’s Eve Party” ad.

    Hooker received three second-place wins in Advertising Campaign, Entertainment Ad and Newspaper Promotion.
    His third-place award was in the Retail Ad category.
    Hooker, a former soldier and Fayetteville Technical Community College graduate, began at Up & Coming Weekly in 2020 as a graphic designer and became the Art Director within a year.

    “With words and design, Hooker and Ramsey have demonstrated the importance of telling a community’s story,” Bowman said. “Up & Coming Weekly is proud of their achievements and proud to have been serving the Fayetteville and Cumberland County community for over 26 years.”

    For a full list of NCPA award winners, visit www.ncpress.com.

  • 13aOn March 7, 1914, at an intrasquad game at the Fayetteville Fair Grounds, George Herman Ruth Jr., better known now as “Babe,” took the plate. Ruth was a new player for the Baltimore Orioles, back when it was only in the minor leagues. Fayetteville was just a stop for training at the time.

    As Babe took the plate in the seventh inning, Ruth hit the first homer of his career and earned Fayetteville a small part of baseball history. This year, Cumberland County Fair will return with a homage to the love of baseball and the role it’s played in Fayetteville and agriculture.

    “Baseball did impact agriculture in this area,” said Madeleine Eversole, the marketing director for the Crown Complex. “It’ll be tied in.”

    The fair will be hosted at the Crown Complex from Sept. 2 to 11. The title of this year’s fair is “Take Me Out … To the Fair!”

    “One of the really cool things is that the Cumberland County Cooperative Extension will have a display area that focuses on that educational, agricultural part of the fair. They are going to have some really fun baseball tie-ins.”

    Along with these displays, the fair will host a step and dance show, beauty pageant, ribbon cutting ceremony and about 20 different food vendors. The vendors will include everything from seafood to barbecue and snow cones to breakfast foods. And, of course, it will provide fair staples like corn dogs, cotton candy and probably a deep-fried item or two.

    There will also be standard rides available like a ferris wheel.

    As to be expected in an agricultural community, the fair members will host livestock and a petting zoo.

    The most exciting part for Eversole, however, is the ability to gather again.

    “There are no restrictions on things. A lot of those have been lifted. We can all enjoy getting together again,” she said. “We are still being really cautious but it’s more of a focus on fun.”

    13bAnd fun has been the focus of the county members since they began planning the fair last October — only getting about a month break between the fair that had just happened and the beginning of the next one that would take place.

    Eversole says a lot goes into the preparation for the event with 50 to 100 people getting the area ready and hundreds working shifts during its operation.

    “We are not a year round fair ground. It’s a huge undertaking … You have to make sure you have power for all those vendors. It’s a ton of thinking about what really needs to go into making this happen,” she said.

    As with every year, people within the community can enter into the various contests like those for livestock, vegetables, pickling, canning, jams, crafts and much more.

    This year, Eversole said, they anticipate for the attendance to be really strong.

    “First and foremost, the fair is a great experience for the community because everyone gets to bring the family out and enjoy spending time together,” Eversole said. “There’s something for everyone at the fair.”

    For kids, Eversole says, there will be a lot of educational opportunities. Kids can come and learn about livestock and that “food doesn’t just come from the grocery store.”

    In the future, she says that the members of the county are hoping to increase rural involvement and bring more livestock to the fair.

    “Really we want to do anything we can to increase awareness of the agricultural community. That’s what sets us apart from simply being a carnival,” she said. “That added educational aspect of the fair is the true focal point of this event.”

    13cEversole and the other members of the Crown Complex invite everyone to grab some loved ones and take them out to the fair and maybe, learn a little about agriculture and baseball.

  • 6I wish to go on record as having a strong disagreement for the comments of Senator Clark in the 8/17-23/2022 edition of Up & Coming Weekly. Not only are they one sided but the photo displayed is lacking most of the folks he would be speaking on behalf of.

    Senator Clark in his commentary of 8/17-23/2022 is obviously playing the crowd with his references to all the good things the Democrats have done for us. Must be an election year?

    Where is his mention of the Democrats who robbed our social security savings? He did not mention that most of the retired folks over 62 have paid into the program 50 or more years and it is NOT an entitlement to us as the Democratic Party likes to proclaim? We earned it, and some of us have worked since age 12 paying into the program and take offense to the Democrats destroying this country and running it into the ground.

    Democrats are giving away our social security benefits to illegal immigrants who have not paid into the system. I feel for the immigrants' plight but they did not come into the country legally and [have not] paid a dime into the system but are taking benefits taxpayers have earned. If they come here the legal way and obey our laws and pay taxes like the rest it would not be a problem.

    Why would anyone in their right mind vote for these flawed Democrat policies?

    Both parties have their respective faults, don’t get me wrong, but the U.S. was self sufficient under GOP leadership before Biden and the Democrats closed the pipeline and started giving away our heritage.
    Does he mention, too, about the billions in military equipment that was given to the Taliban by Biden and the Democrats? These are people who are trying to kill us, why would Democrats and especially any military or veteran in the 9th District be expected to keep voting for him or any other Democrat that follows these seriously flawed policies?

    We were prosperous and thriving before the last election and the party that destroyed our prosperity is the Democrats.

    Senator Clark seems to be beating a dead horse in order to join the other misguided millionaires in Congress.

    That is my 2¢ but I speak on behalf of many of my friends who share similar views.

    —Timothy Cannon, Fayetteville

    Editor's note: The referenced article by Sen. Ben Clark can be found at https://www.upandcomingweekly.com/views/8944-why-democrats-should-win-every-election
    Sen. Ben Clark has served since 2013 in the NC Senate representing Cumberland and Hoke counties. He is now running for the NC 9th Congressional District, which consists of all of Chatham, Hoke, Lee, Moore, Randolph and Scotland and parts of Cumberland, Harnett and Richmond counties. The 9th is also home to Fort Bragg.

  • 15 The question of affordable and accessible healthcare has long been a source of national contention. Whether for or opposed to universal healthcare and the diverse opinions in between, the fact remains that many citizens don’t have a clear answer when the question of medical care and where to get it is asked.

    A trip to the doctor’s office for a cold that won’t go away or to refill a much-needed prescription can be as easy as making an appointment and forking over the $15 for a co-pay. For those without insurance, the options become much more fraught. The average uninsured doctor’s visit can run a patient anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on what’s needed. Labs, x-rays and prescriptions can quickly add up. Many Americans struggle to afford the care they need or forego it altogether.

    Reliable health insurance and access to quality medical care go beyond the convenience of drive-through pharmacies and telehealth appointments. The ability to treat chronic illness, get sick and then get better in a timely fashion also contributes to an overall better quality of life.
    According to the 2019 U.S. Census on health insurance, 11.3% of North Carolina residents were uninsured, which hovered just above the national average. With over one million residents without health care coverage, North Carolina — the ninth largest state by population — is ranked as the tenth highest in the country for its uninsured rate.

    While some resources are available across the state for those without a safety net, in Cumberland County and surrounding areas, one major source of help comes from the Care Clinic and the services it provides to people below the poverty line. The Care Clinic opened its doors in 1993 and has operated under one mission throughout its twenty-eight years of service: “to provide free, quality healthcare to the low-income, uninsured adults of Cumberland and bordering counties.”

    Relying primarily on volunteers, the Care Clinic provides basic primary care, dental extractions, specialty services, diabetic care, orthopedics, physical therapy, nutrition, and an in-house pharmacy. The clinic is open on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and every second and fourth Wednesday. Clients are seen by appointment only, on a space available basis.

    All medical staff on duty tend to their patients out of a sense of duty and a belief that all people, no matter their socioeconomic status, deserve access to quality healthcare. However, access does come at a cost, and events like the Charity Golf Tournament are tremendously helpful in covering that cost.

    15bThe Care Clinic will host its 28th Annual Charity Golf Tournament at Gates Four Golf & Country Club on Friday, Sept. 9.
    After 27 years, The Tournament is an event locals look forward to every year. A tradition began with the clinic’s opening in 1993; the friendly competition never fails to draw a crowd of enthusiastic golfers and avid supporters of the Care Clinic’s altruism.

    “We have a lot of dedicated fans who look forward to it every year,” Tara Martin, Director of Development and Marketing for the Care Clinic, shared with Up & Coming Weekly. “[People] who want to support our mission and have some fun. It’s great to get people who love golf and spread the word about the clinic — mixing fun with business and charity.”

    The tournament is set up as Captain’s Choice, with check-in at 9:30 a.m., and a shotgun start at 11. Players can also participate in the Hole-In-One Contest, Closest to The Hole, a putting contest, and a unique spin on poker that could potentially put a little cash in the player’s pockets. Each player will also receive $100 of “Gates Four Bucks” to spend in the Pro-Shop.

    Participation in the tournament is open to everyone and designed for single players and groups. Registration is $300 for a single player and $1000 for groups of four.
    Those who want to participate but don’t necessarily want to golf are welcome to sponsor a Fort Bragg soldier for the single player registration fee or sponsor a group of four at the group rate.

    After the tournament, participants will be treated to dinner and awards under the pavilion. Though the words “charity event” might trigger alarm bells of boredom, Martin credits the event’s popularity with its relaxed, positive attitude.

    “I think this is an opportunity [for people] to get outside the office and interact with people they’ve known for years and meet some fresh new faces,” she explained. “We always want to connect with the community, so it’s nice to see people come every year and get to know each other and do something fun and relaxing outside.”

    Though it’s a fun event with a long history and lots of community love, Martin wants to keep the clinic’s mission and the community it serves firmly at the forefront of the day’s festivities. It’s important to Martin that people understand a single job transition can lead to the uncertainty their clientele feel daily.

    “There’s such a huge need,” she said. “The people we serve could be your neighbors; a single change in jobs can lead to a hard time, and you could lose your insurance. It’s scary not to rely on your medical outlets; we want to be a source of comfort and care for people who need that extra hand.”

    Gates Four Golf & Country Club is located at 6775 Irongate Drive in Fayetteville.

    For information on registration and sponsorship packages, visit https://the-care-clinic-annual-golf-charity.square.site/.

    For more information about The Care Clinic, visit www.thecareclinic.org/ or call 910-485-0555.

     

  • 19We are all socially driven and have compared ourselves to others for centuries. Society has taken an advanced role with the availability of platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Reels and apps that target improvement in our lives.

    It is important to understand that what you see exemplifies the highlight in someone’s life without the mention of what they may not be good at.

    Healthy looks different for everybody and is not a bottled cookie cutter look we often see in print, commercials and on social media.

    Info commercials may be the worst touting a new you in six weeks. Seeing continued perfection can lead us to feel that we can never obtain the look that we want.

    That person running next to you on the treadmill may have incredible legs. The person next to them may have remarkable stamina. Your friend may be able to eat everything they want and never gain a pound while you feel you gain weight simply by looking at food.

    Two people that are the same age, weight, height and sex will respond differently to exercise and diet. It is easy to compare yourself to someone else when you are working towards a goal and do not see your progress advancing as quickly as theirs.

    It can be easy to compare the worst that we know of ourselves to something better in someone else. What we do not see is the duration or natural ability in their progression.

    Teaching group fitness classes is an insight into performance in others. For example, I have a participant who can do a baby doll split and place her chest on the floor with little effort. I applaud her for her ability.

    There are all different levels of fitness, stamina, flexibility, and endurance in class. It can be easy to look around and compare yourself to their levels. It is important to remember that no one runs a marathon on the first day. Well-being is gained from the joy of your accomplishments without a timeline.

    Comparison can be a good catalyst for change when it comes to health and lifestyle. If you see yourself as not active as your friends, it may be a good time to think about your movement and mobility.

    There are five stages of change:
    Precontemplation — You know the risk involved with your present health and begin thinking about your activity level.
    Contemplation — You want to get involved in some sort of activity and you begin to ask questions and advice for different types of exercises and ways to begin a healthier lifestyle.
    Preparation — You begin to be active and look for the opportunity and do not listen to excuses. You begin to feel good about what you are doing and begin to see some progress.
    Action — You begin regular activity and begin to adjust to a schedule suitable for you.
    Maintenance — Maintain your activity, enjoy what you are doing, try something new and adjust for any lapses.

    My mother always told me., "You may be prettier, smarter or more talented than someone but the next person may be prettier, smarter and more talented than you.”

    Those words of wisdom have always been important when I thought about comparing myself to other people.

    Being happy with yourself is important in the way you feel about yourself, and others see you. Once you begin to feel the progression in your abilities your confidence begins to grow and the need to compare begins to diminish.

    Live, love life and like what you see in the mirror.

  • 10Mothers working for the Police Department in Fayetteville will now have three locations to pump and store milk for their babies safely.

    It is a federal law for workplaces to provide a safe and clean place for mothers to express milk during the workday. However, the idea of bringing up the topic can be uncomfortable and embarrassing for many women, especially those that work in a male-dominated field. It can often lead many women to pump and dump in a bathroom.

    Chief Gina Hawkins tells Up & Coming Weekly that when she had her first child, she was 23 years old. She felt uncomfortable telling anyone she had to pump milk for her baby. She felt like she needed to be tough, especially as a young female cop. By being tough, you don’t ask for favors or accommodations.

    “Instead, I went into nasty bathrooms in order to make sure my baby had milk. And then I had to hide what I was doing and hide how I was freezing those items. That's a lot of pressure for someone,” Hawkins said.

    “When I had my second child, it was ten years later and I was still trying to keep it a secret. And I was a supervisor, and I had an office. I had to figure out how to freeze it until I got home. I knew the law, and I still didn’t want to ask for accommodations.”

    Breast milk needs to be refrigerated within four hours of being expressed. Otherwise, it goes bad. Outside of just needing to feed their child, mothers who can’t safely express milk can experience mastitis - an inflammation of breast tissue that sometimes involves an infection. This inflammation can be extremely painful.

    Making sure that employees are taken care of is a top priority for Hawkins. Having a clean and accessible place for mothers to pump is part of employee wellbeing. To retain and recruit new employees, Hawkins looked into innovative ways of how the FPD could help lessen the stress.

    “How do you recruit people to come into this profession? You need to make sure you’re thinking about them and thinking about ways that they don’t have to stress out to come into this work environment,” Hawkins said.

    A $30,000 grant has provided FPD with the funds to buy two lactation pods. These pods are secure, freestanding areas where moms can go inside and pump. It is 16 square feet and is compact.
    The inside of the pod looks like an airplane seat. In front is a fold-down tray that allows parents to work on their laptops or eat a meal. To the parent's left is a shelf with an outlet that you can use to plug in a pump or your phone. There is also a coat hook, lighting and a mirror.

    The pod can be locked so no one can interrupt the mom while she is expressing milk. Outside the pods are mini-refrigerators that are dedicated to storing breast milk. This ensures the milk will not be inadvertently thrown away — something that happens with community fridges in break rooms or kitchens.

    The pods are placed in a discreet location, so moms don’t have to worry about who will see them entering or leaving the pod.
    The two pods will be located at the Cross Creek District Police Station and the Campbellton Police Station.

    The pod at Cross Creek is currently operational.
    The other location where moms at the FPD can pump is in the wellness center at the headquarters in downtown Fayetteville. This room has been available to moms for the past two years.

     

  • 18Mark your calendars for Sept. 4 and take a day trip to Elizabethtown’s Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery for a summer concert with country music star Terri Clark, along with a couple of North Carolina groups.

    Already known for their food and wine offerings, event spaces and lodging, Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery is adding music festivals.

    Derrick Rice, the events director with Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery discussed the excitement of the concerts.

    “It’s phenomenal. It feels like a mini-festival,” Rice said. “People come in to hang out and are tuned into the main act.”

    Terri Clark has been in the country music business for over 25 years, with over five million albums sold and critically acclaimed international tours under her belt.

    “I grew up listening to country music because my grandparents were musicians in the Canadian music scene,” Clark said. “My mother also played guitar and sang a lot of folk music and 60s and 70s folk rock. She taught me my first 3 chords when I was nine years old and the rest is history.”

    Clark said her music career has been influenced by the “Barbara Mandrell & the Mandrell Sisters” show, Reba McEntire, The Judds and Ricky Skaggs.

    Originally from Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, Clark started at iconic Tootie's Orchid Lounge in Nashville. Her hits include “Better Things To Do,” “Poor Poor Pitiful Me” and “Girls Lie Too.” Clark has been awarded three JUNO Awards, a prestigious recognition given to Canadian artists. She was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 2018.

    No stranger to the Carolinas, Clark said it seems she has been performing in North Carolina more than ever this year.

    “The audiences have been amazing,” she said.

    Guests attending the show at Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery can expect “lots of energy, fun and all the hits,” Clark said. “And the hat too.”

    The gates open at 6 p.m., and opening acts begin at 7:30 p.m.

    “The Generations” is one of the groups that will perform at the concert. They hail from Bladen County, performing music infused with Americana and North Carolina blues and soul.

    Also scheduled to appear is Ryleigh Madison & Dustin Chapman, an uncle and niece duo from Tabor City, North Carolina. The duo made it through “American Idol” auditions and to Hollywood. They did not win the competition but did not let it stop the family of musicians from entertaining audiences. They have a song out titled “Family Thing.”

    Tickets for the concert start at $29. For more information, call 910-645-4291 or visit https://www.capefearwinery.com/.

  • 7Mayor Mitch Colvin is a District 3 resident and served as a district representative for two terms before being elected as Mayor in 2017. This will now be his third consecutive term as Mayor. Next year will mark ten years since he was first elected to the City Council.

    Over that time, his focus in the past has been primarily about collaboration with the county, the state and neighboring entities.
    However, 2020 brought along the COVID-19 pandemic and race relations came to the forefront of the entire country. Projects were paused, delayed and even canceled. Colvin believes 2022 has been a turning point for the city of Fayetteville.

    “So now that we have turned a corner on those two things, now the focus continues to [be] the people in the community,” Colvin said.

    When asked about the rising violent crime trend seen in Fayetteville, Colvin says that you have to put it into perspective.

    “I think today we have some of the problems that a lot of communities our size have, but certainly it has room for improvement for sure. I accept that, but I think we have to debunk and put this in perspective as to where we are, is relative to the size. We're a community of 250,000 plus in the area and greater surrounding area,” Colvin said.

    Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins told City Council last week that violent crime has increased from January to June.
    Domestic assault reports are up nearly 17%, and aggravated assault reports rose by 14%.

    However, the overall crime rate has decreased since 2016.
    Colvin says that a carrot stick approach has to be used for the crime problem. He says the first thing the city needs to do is make sure law enforcement officers are doing their jobs. Making sure the law is being enforced.
    The second part of the problem is to address underlying problems like mental health. He says 10% of the budget of the Fayetteville Police Department ends up going toward mental health.

    “The quality of life is embedded in this community with mental health. If you go right down the street, you see people who are obviously in need of services. And so I want to work with the hospital, with the county and see how we can be a better partner to help address that,” Colvin said.

    An idea that he wants to work more on in the upcoming term is to make sure Fayetteville residents are work-ready. He says there is a great workforce in the community, but he wants to invest in workforce training to help people get certified in different fields.

    “We've had great success and [added] jobs to the economy, which is the number one priority that I had as well. And so we want to continue to build on those successes, but to bring the higher-end wage jobs and the only way I think you can do that is to invest in the workforce training, which I have some initiatives for next generation job creation,” Colvin told Up & Coming Weekly.

    “I want to do a pilot program to encourage young people, particularly high school graduates or people who are changing careers, to pay for a nine month course in cyber certification and with the expectation that they will get at least a $50,000 to $60,000 job opportunity at the end of that. And that can be a game changer for a lot of people.”

    Another priority for Colvin is housing. There is a 20,000 housing shortage in Fayetteville, and while a bond package has been approved to be put to voters in November to help pay for some of that, Colvin has other ideas as well — specifically around the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and the Department of Energy.

    “There could be additional dollars in there to leverage our housing ARPA funds if we make [houses] energy efficient and we encourage sustainability as we build that,” Colvin said. “So the goal is to learn about the programs that are coming.”

    Last week he voted against putting the Vote Yes Fayetteville referendum on the ballot.

    The Vote Yes Initiative would change the way City Council would be structured. Instead of all nine members being elected by district, four members would be elected at large, and five would be elected from districts.
    City Council voted against putting the referendum on the ballot because there were concerns over the validity of the referendum's petition.
    Colvin told Up & Coming Weekly he is against the initiative.

    “Personally, I don't think a council structure change is necessary and the case really hasn't been made as to why this is something that is needed at this time. As a former district representative for four years and mayor, for now, three terms, I know the importance of having the point of view of a district,” Colvin said.

    The goal now for Colvin is to continue representing the entire city and improve the quality of life for everyone.

  • pexels katerina holmes 5905436 Briana Smith is excited.

    On Monday, she will greet her students at Ferguson-Easley Elementary School on Seabrook Road. It will be the first time she’ll see them without masks since the start of the pandemic. She’s looking forward to a traditional school year that includes social interactions with her students and colleagues for the first time in years.

    Ferguson-Easely has 352 students enrolled in kindergarten through fifth grade.

    “I always have the first-day jitters,’’ Smith said Friday as she cut out letters to put on her bulletin board. “But I’m not as overwhelmed as in previous years. Maybe it’s because of my experience.”

    Smith teaches fifth-grade math, and only math, to what Principal Eric McLaurin calls blocked classes.
    In a nearby classroom, Danielle Wynter was also putting last-minute touches on her room displays. Like Smith, Wynter is readying her room for the 19 third-graders scheduled to be in her room on Monday. But that number is growing, she said. Wynter teaches all subjects in her classroom.

    And like Smith, Wynter also is looking forward to more normal settings: children interacting with each other and parents once again inside the building being a part of their children’s learning experience.

    But on Monday, Wynter said, the morning will start with building a relationship with her new charges.

    “I’ll have a smile on my face,” she said, emphasizing her goal to make learning fun and to get the most out of her students.

    Smith and Wynter are what McLaurin calls “Gold Star teachers.’’

    “They are teachers who come in this building and display exemplary leadership,” he said.

    McLaurin said they are teachers who are available both inside and outside of the school for their students.

    “We look at their data showing growth among their students, and their relationships with parents, students and peers, and with their knowledge of the curriculum,” McLaurin said.

    Currently, six teachers are designated as Gold Star teachers. “Six right now and three more working on becoming Gold Star teachers,” he said.
    The school building also appeared ready for Monday, when students on the traditional school calendar return to the classroom. Its floors are newly waxed and shiny, and hallways and classrooms are colorfully decorated with teaching materials.

    McLaurin is quick to point out the school has some innovative aspects. The media center houses a broadcast booth used for daily school announcements.

    The broadcast delivers news events about the school, and students operate the cameras and handle on-camera duties. But for the first few weeks, McLaurin said he would make the daily announcements.

    The school also set up several outdoor classrooms with tables, chairs and benches. McLaurin said instead of talking about the weather, students sit outside and learn about weather or other outdoor learning activities.

    “The building doesn’t matter. People with compassion for kids is what counts,” Smith said. “I’m just excited to be here,” she added.

    Both teachers have taught at Ferguson-Easely for the past three years. Smith started her teaching career 12 years ago, and Wynter was last year’s Teacher of the Year at Ferguson-Easely.

    McLaurin also came to the school as its principal three years ago. He started as a teaching assistant in 2004, became a teacher in 2009, an assistant principal in 2016, and principal in 2020.

    All three are in a profession they love, and a profession that is seeing a diminishing number of educators, both on a national and local level. Cumberland County Schools earlier this week announced it had 200 vacancies in its certified classroom teachers and classroom staff, of which 117 are instructors.
    McLaurin said he also fears losing good teachers through attrition. His library/media specialist is a military spouse whose husband is scheduled for reassignment elsewhere.

    Wynter is a native of Jamaica here on a five-year work visa. She must return to Jamaica in two years and stay for an extended period of time before she can return to the United States.

    “I love teaching and the joys it brings me,’’ Wynter said. “To help a child read or even spell their name, it’s what drives me to be here every morning at 7 a.m. and be on station at 7:15.”

  • cumberland co schools Cumberland County Schools has more than 200 vacancies in its certified classroom teachers and classified staff — a number that includes 117 instructors — as the district heads into the new school year, a committee was told Aug. 25.

    The school system, like others across the country, is struggling with recruiting certified teachers and other pertinent staff. The uncertified classified positions include clerical, custodial, substitutes and bus drivers.

    On Thursday, the Personnel Committee of the Cumberland County Board of Education voted to approve a presentation on the state of its staff. The entire board will broach the personnel discussion at its regular monthly meeting on Sept. 13.
    Ruben Reyes, the school system's associate superintendent for Human Resources, told board members that his presentation involved "the standard personnel list for this time of year. Specifically,” he said, “just teachers and classified staff, substitutes, child nutrition and bus drivers.”

    Chairman Greg West asked Reyes if he could provide an overall update regarding the district’s personnel.
    When it comes to overall vacancies, Reyes responded, “Certified teachers – we are at 117 teachers in pre-K-12, including exceptional children. Classified staff we’re at 101 vacancies in that. That includes clerical, custodial, and teacher's assistants. All the classified staff. And 56 unstaffed bus routes."

    Board member Susan Williams said there are teacher assistants on the list trying to get certified to drive a bus, and they can’t.

    “There is a waiting list,” she repeated, “and they can’t get trained, and they want to work.”

    “You’re correct,” Reyes said. “There is a backlog. I know the transportation department has been working with the Department of Motor Vehicles. They have to provide trainers. We can’t go out and hire our own trainers. We looked into that. We wanted to hire as many as 10. They have to be (approved) and work for the DOT.

    “We increased our allotment, but not to the extent that we would like to,” he said. “There is a training backlog. They’re working as diligently as they can …”

    Board member Donna Vann wondered if the school system could propose to the DMV that it find the people and that the district would pay for them.

    “Already done that,” Superintendent Marvin Connelly Jr. quipped to her laughter.

    Reyes said DMV is struggling to fill those positions, as well.
    Reyes also shared information about vacancies statewide.

    “The latest report I saw just this morning, in terms of statewide numbers, there’s about 11,000 vacancies in public education currently,’’ he said “This is not all the districts reporting. This is based on a superintendent’s report that we participated in. And there’s about 3,700 teacher vacancies in the state of North Carolina and 11,000 total vacancies across the state.”

    As far as classroom teachers, Cumberland County Schools has about 117 vacancies in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, according to Reyes. The numbers change on a daily basis, he added.

    “When we did the superintendent’s report,” he noted, “there were about 87 teacher vacancies. Classroom teachers. Exceptional children (instructors) were part of that. When we talk about teachers, we count counselors and social workers in that number. So the number I’m giving you is all our certified staff.”

    “Some of our PASE (program) schools are fully staffed, and we have some that are not,” he said. “As we discussed earlier, PASE schools – you have more improvement challenges than our other schools. We're trying to track your highly qualified teachers in the schools this year, but just from an available capital standpoint, we’re struggling just like everyone across the nation.”

    PASE stands for Performance, Accountability, Support and Empowerment. Those are the district's Tier 1 schools, which are dedicated as low performing by the N.C. General Assembly.

    The last number he said he looked at, probably at the beginning of August, the system had hired about 330 new staff members this year. That, he added, is just part of the realities of public education.

    “We’ll continue to roll up our sleeves,” Reyes said, “and work and hire the most qualified candidates.”

    In response to a question from board member Carrie Sutton, he said the system has been looking at the enrollment numbers of the schools and consolidated some classes.

    “Because they were really under projection,” he said.

    Over the next 10 days, he said, the school system will be evaluating fall numbers. At that point, school officials will determine if they need to adjust allocations.

    “But we won’t know until we return in the fall,” he said.

    Students on the traditional calendar return to school on Monday, Aug. 29.

  • Elaina Ball Elaina Ball is stepping down as CEO and general manager of the Fayetteville Public Works Commission effective Sept. 2, the utility announced Friday, Aug. 26.

    Ball, who was the PWC’s first female CEO and general manager, will be taking a position in her home state of Texas, the utility said in a release. She joined PWC from El Paso Electric in December 2020.

    Mick Noland, the utility’s chief operations officer for water resources, has been named interim CEO and general manager. He has overseen PWC’s Water Resources Division since 1993, the release said.

    Ball said it has been “an honor and privilege to lead PWC.’’ She said the decision to leave was difficult because of the ties she has developed to Fayetteville and Cumberland County.

    “I am making this decision for my family and for a role that … affords an opportunity to return to our home state of Texas,’’ she said in the release. “This is a terrific community that I have enjoyed being a part of and I will continue to be a strong supporter and advocate of both PWC and Fayetteville/Cumberland County.”

    Ball was named CEO and general manager in October 2020 and joined the utility on Dec. 1, 2020.

    “Her engagement was an immediate exercise of ‘boots on the ground’,” said Evelyn Shaw, chairwoman of the PWC board.

    “It is always difficult to say goodbye to people who come into our sphere and make themselves a voluntary part of our family,” Shaw said in the release.

    PWC said it has achieved several significant accomplishments during Ball’s tenure. They include:
    Securing a historic low interest rate when financing $94.7 million of revenue bonds.
    Maintaining base electric rates through fiscal 2023 and introducing new optional electric rates that will incentivize the adoption of electric vehicles and rooftop solar.
    Finalizing PWC’s community partnership with Metronet, which is investing in $70 million of fiber optic infrastructure in Fayetteville, as well as assisting with significant other economic development projects.
    Guiding PWC as it took successful legal action to improve response/responsibility for industrial polluters in the Cape Fear River.
    Announcing plans for a first-of-its-kind renewable energy project that will use multiple bio-gas sources.
    Expanding PWC’s battery/energy storage capacity to two MW to continue efforts to lower PWC power costs.

    Shaw said the utility made great strides under Ball’s tenure.

    “Ms. Ball's leadership was challenged by an international health pandemic, yet she nimbly and adroitly encouraged the PWC team toward an innovative and cutting-edge trajectory in alternative energy sources, reasonable rates for customers, respect for the environment and clean, reliable water sources for all,” Shaw said.

  • FPD logo Two men were charged with attempted murder after a shooting in the parking lot of Cross Creek Mall on Aug. 25, according to the Fayetteville Police Department.

    Police said the 22-year-old man was a targeted victim.

    Police received multiple reports of shots fired about 7 p.m. Thursday at the mall on Morganton Road, according to a news release.

    Witnesses at the scene told officers that two men suspected in the shooting were trying to flee in a silver Volkswagen Golf vehicle, the release said. Officers stopped the vehicle in the parking lot and detained Jahrehl Malloy, 21, and Nyhgil Kirk, 24, while members of the Aggravated Assault Unit investigated.
    Investigators said that as the victim was leaving the food court at the mall, one of the suspects approached him on foot as the second hid behind a vehicle in the parking lot, the report said.

    When the victim tried to evade the man who was approaching him, both suspects began shooting at him, police said.
    Malloy and Kirk were each charged with attempted first-degree murder; felony conspiracy; and five counts of property damage, the report said. Each was held under a $1 million secured bond at the Cumberland County Detention Center.

    The man’s name is not being released for his safety, police said.
    Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Detective M. O’Hara at 910-605-6393 or CrimeStoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477).

  • 8d5cda3b94ae60bff6e09c01 369x288 Many philanthropists prefer to remain anonymous.
    Murray Duggins wants to be an example.

    “I feel that a lot of people that I know will give based on other people’s gifts,” said Duggins. “I hope this starts a trend here in Fayetteville — not that I’m a trendsetter or some cool guy.”

    Duggins and his wife, Nancy, have donated $2 million to the Cumberland Community Foundation to create the Murray and Nancy Duggins Family Charitable Fund, the foundation said in a news release.

    “The gift represents only the third time a gift of this size has been received from a living donor,” said Mary Holmes, president and CEO of the Cumberland Community Foundation.

    Murray Duggins, who is 77 and a self-described Army brat born in the small South Carolina town of Blackville, said he has been thinking about making the donation for years.

    “I want to see Fayetteville grow, and things happening here indicate that,” he said. “I hope I’m a big-picture person.”

    He hopes others will follow suit.

    “I do think that many people I know who have money and don’t give – I hope it will make a difference,” he said.

    The Dugginses have been supporting the community foundation since 2000, Holmes said, adding that the couple also give to many other local causes. This marks the second fund that they have created at the foundation, with the first being the Murray and Nancy Duggins Endowment for Cape Fear Regional Theatre.

    “It’s just wonderful to see a family that has worked so hard sharing what they earned and giving back to the local community,” Holmes said in an interview on Thursday. “We appreciate when people have worked so hard and want to share in the community. I’m glad they focused on Cumberland County.”
    Murray Duggins said he has been involved in planning his estate for some time and was trying to think of the best way to give back. That’s why he decided to donate to the Cumberland Community Foundation.

    “It takes a little pressure off the individual to have to meet with different people and decide which is the most appropriate,” he said. “They’re pros at it. They’re pros at where to put the money and who’s doing the best job. Mary Holmes, I think, is top-drawer.”

    Overall, Duggins estimated, he has given close to $3 million to philanthropic causes. Especially close to his heart are Methodist University, his alma mater; the Fayetteville Police Foundation; Snyder Memorial Baptist Church; and Cape Fear Valley Cancer Center.
    Cumberland Community Foundation manages more than 600 donor funds with a total of $120 million in assets, the release said.

    Some are designated for a specific charity, some are scholarship funds, and some are unrestricted, Holmes said in the release.

    “This fund is a family-advised fund, meaning that Nancy and Murray will actively recommend the distributions and then pass that responsibility on to the next generation in their family. Advised funds help affluent families organize their philanthropy — like a private foundation without all the headaches,” she said in the release.

    Holmes said the Dugginses’ gift is the second-largest made to the foundation by a living donor.

    “It’s so nice when couples are living and decide to give back,” she said.

    Holmes said she was Duggins’ banker 30 years ago.

    “I can tell you, he’s a hard-working man,” she said.

    Duggins, a developer of affordable housing, said he got involved in the construction industry in the early 1980s when he started developing tax-credit projects.

    “I’ve been at it for 50 years,” he said. “Nancy was a dental hygienist for years. She’s been retired for 20 years, at least. Nancy has meant a lot. She was active in the Cape Fear Valley Hospital for years.”

    While her husband grew up the son of an Army sergeant, Nancy Duggins, who also is 77, was the daughter of a mill worker in Hope Mills.
    Murray Duggins said he has “a great love for Fayetteville — all it has meant for me and my family.”

    “I want to give back to Fayetteville,” he said. “I just feel inclined to do it. I think it makes Fayetteville a stronger place. …

    “I’ve done well," he said, "and I think I can make a difference. Nancy feels very strongly, too, and my family is all here, and they’ve done well. Hopefully, they’ll see the idea I’ve got. It’s easier to give and worthwhile. At my age, I see money differently than I did a few years ago. I can make a difference.”

  • pexels Crime tape A Cumberland County man who prosecutors said ran a drug operation from a home daycare and other locations has been sentenced to 40 years in federal prison, the U.S attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina said during a news conference Friday in Fayetteville.

    Authorities said Reshod Everett, 36, led a heavily armed drug trafficking operation out of a daycare center on Ronald Reagan Drive in Fayetteville along with other locations, including an Addison Ridge apartment and a storage facility.
    Drugs, multiple firearms and cash were seized from the state-licensed daycare center, Tori’s Playhouse, where children were present during the day.

    “There was a deadly and potentially dangerous mix of drugs, guns and cash in the same house where children were cared for,’’ U.S. Attorney Mike Easley said. “This drug trafficker put countless lives at risk with his operation.”

    Easley said the investigation began in 2018 when a gang unit of the Fayetteville Police Department was tipped to a network that was allegedly trafficking hundreds of pounds of marijuana.

    “As the investigation would reveal, this case went far beyond marijuana,’’ Easley said. “Everett was a serious supplier of drugs in the Fayetteville area.”
    Everett, his partner Alvin Davis and his wife, Victoria Everett, were arrested in 2018 after police found more than 100 pounds of marijuana, 346 grams of cocaine, nine firearms, drug packaging items and over $70,000 in their personal vehicles, the apartment, the storage facility and the in-home daycare, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Victoria Everett was the owner and operator of Tori’s Playhouse.

    Guns found at the daycare included handguns and loaded high-powered rifles. One of the guns had its safety set to the fire position, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

    “Just a small amount of pressure on that trigger would have caused that gun to fire in the same house that parents trusted as a daycare to look after their children,” Easley said.

    Easley said that as the investigation continued, the U.S. Attorney’s Office — in partnership with the Fayetteville Police Department, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the IRS — gathered evidence and built cases against other defendants whom Everett supplied with drugs in order to obtain cooperation.

    Witness testimony established that large quantities of drugs were being trafficked, including more than 56 kilos of cocaine and more than 17 kilos of marijuana dating back to 2016. Law enforcement searched cell phone records to determine locations and drug trafficking activities.
    Easley said they also conducted a tax and financial investigation showing that Everett lied about his income.

    “Everett lived a lavish lifestyle,’’ said Easley, who added that Everett did not report income for 2018. “He had a 3,000-square-foot house, three late-model vehicles, he took his family on vacations in California and the Caribbean. But his reported income for 2017 was negative $29,544.”

    “His lavish lifestyle was not earned, it was bought and paid for by the young men he roped into his drug trafficking conspiracy and by the ill he forced upon the Fayetteville community.”

    Easley said that while state charges were pending, Everett used social media and the news media to attack the Fayetteville Police Department and the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office claiming that he was framed by police and that evidence was planted. These claims were internally investigated and proved to be false, Easley said.

    He also said Everett tried to bribe and threaten witnesses and took to social media to present a deceitful campaign against law enforcement.

    “I want to commend the Fayetteville Police Department and Chief Gina Hawkins and her leadership and their work to disrupt and dismantle drug traffickers in Cumberland County,’’ Easley said. “Those who bring poison and violence to our communities. Even in the face of false accusations and character attacks, your officers remained committed.”

    Hawkins said perseverance is the word of the day.

    “It has been a long time for our officers, our agency and our community to find out the truth,’’ Hawkins said. “We are ecstatic to get these guns off the street. Those drugs out of our community. And to show you we are in it for the long game.’’

    ATF Special Agent in Charge Brian Mims said his agency worked closely with the Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to bring the case to a close.

    “The threat that this subject posed to the community cannot be understated,’’ Mims said. “Large quantities of drugs and firearms, which were loaded and ready to be fired, were found inside a business that served parents and children. This was a tragedy waiting to happen.”

    Mims said the partnership between agencies was instrumental in the criminal convictions.

    In May, a jury found Everett guilty of six felony drug trafficking and firearm-related offenses. Along with the 40-year prison sentence, Everett was also ordered to pay $4 million of proceeds from his illegal operation.

    His partner, Davis, was previously sentenced to 11 years in federal prison. Victoria Everett was not charged in federal court, authorities said.

  • pedestrian A man has been charged in a hit-and-run crash that sent six people to the hospital on Friday night, Aug. 26, Fayetteville police said.

    Cyrus E. Hayes, 24, is charged with felony hit and run, possession of an open container and a red light violation, police said in a release Saturday afternoon. He is being held at the Cumberland County Detention Center under a $20,000 secure bond.

    The vehicle crash happened at approximately 11:30 p.m. at Stoney Point and Gillis Hill roads, the Fayetteville Police Department said. The inbound lane of the intersection was temporarily closed while the Traffic Unit investigated.

    Six people were taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and were in stable condition Saturday morning, police said

  • FPD logo A man is in stable condition after being shot in the neck early Tuesday, Aug. 24, the Fayetteville Police Department said.

    Officers responded to a report of a shooting at 1 a.m. in the area of the 700 block of Italy Street, the department said in a release.

    Officers found a man with a gunshot wound to the neck. He was taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and is in stable condition, the release said.

    The shooting remains under investigation.

    Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Detective J. Frashure at 910-303-8967 or Crimestoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477).

  • 6 A husband and wife are both dead after a domestic disturbance on Shiloh Court on Monday night, Aug. 23, according to the Fayetteville Police Department.
    Officers were sent to a home in the 1900 block of Shiloh Court about 8:30 p.m. Monday, a news release said. Tanisha Donnette Raeford, 47, had been stabbed and was pronounced dead at the scene.

    A man identified as a suspect in the stabbing was seen leaving the scene, the release said.
    About 9 p.m., the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office sent deputies to investigate a vehicle crash that was reported in the area of A B Carter Road and John B. Carter Road. They found John Lee Douglas, 53, dead at the scene, the release said.

    A police spokesperson said Tuesday that Raeford and Douglas were married.
    Investigators said the stabbing and vehicle crash are related and followed a domestic disturbance involving Raeford and Douglas.

    Douglas is the suspect in the stabbing of Raeford, the news release said.
    The Police Department’s Homicide Unit is investigating the case.
    Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Detective J. Olsen at 910-709-1958 or CrimeStoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477) or http://fay-nccrimestoppers.org.

  • pexels Crime tape A Bladen County jailer driving a vehicle equipped with police lights and sirens is charged with trying to stop a woman driver Tuesday at Skibo Road and Swain Street, according to the Fayetteville Police Department.

    Stephon Singleton, 51, is charged with using blue lights to stop or yield a driver and impersonating a law enforcement officer, a news release said. Singleton is a jailer at the Bladen County Detention Center.

    Singleton was driving a silver Hyundai Sonata about 2 p.m. Tuesday when he tried to pull over a woman driving a Toyota Scion at Skibo Road and Swain Street, the release said. Singleton’s vehicle was equipped with law enforcement lights and sirens. He had an armor vest with “sheriff” emblazoned on it in the rear window and a ball cap with “sheriff” in the front windshield, the release said.

    When Singleton got out of his vehicle, the woman driving the Scion realized he was not a police officer based on his clothing, she told investigators. The woman then drove away. She got behind Singleton’s Sonata and called 911, the release said.
    Dispatchers sent a message to Fayetteville police officers telling them to be on the lookout for the suspect vehicle. It was spotted at Hay and Robeson streets, the release said.

    Singleton was arrested and taken to the Cumberland County Detention Center, where he was held on a secured bond.
    Investigators said anyone who may have been stopped by the driver of a Hyundai Sonata should contact CrimeStoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477) or http://fay-nccrimestoppers.org.

  • vote yes3 copy After delaying action at two previous meetings on a plan to restructure city elections, the Fayetteville City Council voted 6-4 Monday night against calling a referendum on the Vote Yes Fayetteville initiative.

    Voting against the restructuring of the way City Council are elected were Mayor Mitch Colvin and council members Shakeyla Ingram, Mario Benavente, D.J. Haire, Derrick Thompson and Courtney Banks-McLaughlin.

    Those in favor of a referendum on the plan were Deno Hondros, Brenda McNair, Kathy Jensen and Johnny Dawkins.

    The Vote Yes initiative would restructure the election process for City Council members. Instead of electing all nine members by district, four members would be elected at large and five would be elected from districts. The mayor would continue to be elected citywide.

    "I was real disappointed in tonight's vote," said Bobby Hurst, one of the organizers of the Vote Yes Fayetteville initiative.

    During Monday’s meeting, City Attorney Karen McDonald said questions persist about the validity of a petition calling for the referendum that was submitted by the Vote Yes Fayetteville advocacy group. McDonald said the council had directed her to contact the Cumberland County Board of Elections to inquire about whether petition organizers had followed the rules.

    “I did that on Aug. 9,” McDonald said. “I did receive a response from the interim director for the Board of Elections on Aug. 16. And to this point, there appears to be — based on the response — that there remains a question regarding the validity of the petition that was submitted to the City Council for consideration.”

    Angie Amaro is interim director of the county Board of Elections.

    Newly elected Councilman Mario Benavente then made a motion that the City Council not proceed to put the referendum on the November ballot.
    Thompson, another newcomer to the council, seconded the motion.

    Mayor pro tem Dawkins then questioned McDonald, saying it appears that the letter confirming the petition is valid. He asked if she had any comment on the letter from the elections board.

    “The letter said, in response to my letter — what she said specifically — my question was pursuant to (state) Statute 163-218,” McDonald said. “That statute requires a notice of circulation and the date of registration. The Board of Elections and Miss Amaro confirmed that no such registration or notice of circulation was submitted.
    “Given the statute, as previously stated, the statute says that is required, so therefore there remains a question as to the validity of the petition.”

    Dawkins asked McDonald if there was any case law on a state statute that deals with city charter amendments.

    “I don’t think there is any case law on that,” she said. “When we talked about case law, the discussion was about the case law as it relates to 163-218 and whether it applies to these types of petitions.”

    Dawkins replied: “So, we don’t know if the statute applies to the petition. Is that your guidance?”

    McDonald said, “No, my guidance is that when you look at 163-218, it says a notice of circulation of a petition calling for any election or referendum shall be registered with the county Board of Elections in which the petition is to be filed. And the date of registration of the notice shall be the date of issuance and commission of circulation of the petition.

    “And because we have not received that,” she added, “because the council has not received that, it appears to me to be a legitimate question as to the validity of the petition.”

    Dawkins asked about her correspondence with Cumberland County Attorney Rick Moorefield.
    McDonald said she had not received any correspondence from Moorefield but had a conversation with him in which he told her that there was no notice of circulation.

    Dawkins said his concern is that “it appears that the petition was valid, and there also appears to be a problem with the petition itself.”

    “Chances are, there will probably be litigation either way,” he said. “I wanted to let the people decide and let the people vote. But I understand the concern the council has.”

    Hondros said all the council members had campaigned in the July 26 election on transparency and accountability. He said he campaigned on being the voice of the people.

    “The referendum is the voice of the people,” Hondros said. “Now they should decide.”

    The council then voted on the motion to reject putting the referendum on the November ballot, with the ensuing 6-4 vote.
    Hurst said Fayetteville lawyer Neil Yarborough had told his committee that the notice of circulation procedure does not apply to the Vote Yes petition. He said the group could not get a clarification on the issue from the lawyer for the N.C. State Board of Elections or from Moorefield.

    “Everything was done right by the rules," Hurst said.

    The issue was removed from the council's agenda at a June 27 work session and its Aug. 8 meeting after questions were raised about whether the advocacy group promoting the change had filed all the necessary paperwork to put the referendum on the ballot.
    CityView TODAY publisher Tony Chavonne is among the organizers of the Vote Yes initiative.

  • spring lake logo The Spring Lake Board of Aldermen on Monday night, Aug. 22, approved the Spring Lake Land Use Plan, which will be used to guide growth in the town over the next several years.

    Addie Corder, a planner with the Cumberland County Planning Department, presented the plan. The plan helps create a vision for the town and its municipal area of influence area, which includes unincorporated areas toward North Fayetteville and is bounded by Harnett County and Fort Bragg.

    “This area plan services 12,500 acres and serves a little over 12,000 residents,’’ Corder said. “It is also unique in that it is landlocked by Harnett County and Fort Bragg.”

    Corder presented the overall vision of the plan, which included the theme “A destination not a drive-through” and a mission statement, which outlined a thriving Main Street, high-quality housing, economic opportunity, activities for families and residents and a sense of community.

    Five categories were broken down for goals to include downtown, housing, quality of life, economic development and public services.
    She pointed out demographics, which included a younger, more diverse community, and a large number of renters in the town.

    “Something that makes Spring Lake unique from other areas in the county is that the area is very renter driven. Seventy-nine percent of units are renter occupied,” said Corder who added that the county average was 48% renter occupied.

    Corder said 41% of residents were in the armed forces.
    She also outlined the process for the Spring Lake Land Use Plan, which began in May 2021 and included several community engagement activities and online outreach efforts.

    One of the engagement activities took place at the community kickoff meeting last October, where more than 100 residents participated. The planning staff conducted a SWOT analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats at the meeting, which helped identify feedback.

    “To highlight some of the feedback we got, for a strength, people noted that there was significant potential in this plan area with vacant buildings and vacant land to be developed and redeveloped,’’ she said. “Some threats that people identified were high taxes, high water bills and road connectivity issues.”

    Corder said that after the community kickoff meeting, more residents, economic development professionals and business owners participated in stakeholder meetings and plan review sessions. The website, which was a new addition to the county planning process, received more than 5,000 visits for a range of engagements, including gathering information on land use and background, answering values surveys and submitting other feedback to planning staff on the draft plan.

    Other key elements included future land use maps and classifications and an overview of the new flex areas, which are a new land use classification for Spring Lake and Cumberland County. Flex areas allow for a wider variety of zoning districts in areas that are undeveloped or underdeveloped and allow for areas to be more “flexible” when looking at development. Planners would still consider the use of conditional zoning to ensure the new use is in harmony with the existing and surrounding uses.

    Planner Anastasia Nelson said the plan concentrated more on increasing density and infill than the last plan in 2002.
    Alderman Marvin Lackman thanked residents who provided input for the plan and attended the various sessions throughout the past year.

    “There are a lot of recommendations that were taken from the citizens’ concerns, their voices,’’ he said. “For the citizens out there, your voices were heard.”

    The adopted plan will influence zoning decisions in Spring Lake for the next several years. It also included recommendations and policies the town can use to help shape development and redevelopment and a list of grant resources that can possibly be used to fund various projects within the plan.

    No one spoke in favor or against the land use plan during a public hearing, and the motion to approve passed unanimously by the board. For more information on the land use plan, visit Spring Lake Area Land Use Plan (arcgis.com).

    In other business, the board appointed Patricia Hickmon as the interim town clerk. Hickmon, who has been employed by the town since 2003, serves as the inspections clerk and executive assistant in the Inspections Department.

    Hickmon also updated the board on pending site and building plans and the 28 businesses that have opened in Spring Lake since July 2021. Two businesses that have submitted site plans include the coffee shop 7 Brew for the former Biscuit Kitchen site on Bragg Boulevard and Dunkin’ Donuts, also on Bragg Boulevard.

    Interim Town Manager Joe Durham and Hickmon serve as administrative officers who can approve town site plans, subdivision plans and other non-residential site plans in compliance with Chapter 160D of the N.C. General Statutes and the Chapter 42 zoning ordinance for the town.
    The board met in closed session under the N.C. General Statutes for personnel at 5 p.m. and voted to come out of the closed session with no action taken right before the regularly scheduled meeting started.

  • pexels ekaterina bolovtsova 6192514 Fayetteville police officers bought school supplies to contribute to a back-to-school giveaway Aug. 20 at the Fort Bragg Harley Davidson dealership on Sycamore Dairy Road, according to a news release.

    Several officers donated the supplies to children headed back to class next week, the Fayetteville Police Department release said.
    They purchased seven boxes of pencils, 28 packs of college-ruled notebook paper, 22 packs of crayons, nine packs of erasers, 16 folders, 13 notebooks, four packs of glue sticks, and 10 bottles of hand sanitizer, the release said.

    The officers stopped by the giveaway during their work shifts to talk with the schoolchildren and their families and deliver the donations.
    Meanwhile, another group of children was scheduled to get a helping hand from the Carolina Panthers football team and a local family ministry.
    That giveaway was planned from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Balm in Gilead Family Counseling Ministries, 3110 Doc Bennett Road, according to a Cumberland County Schools news release.

    During the drive-thru giveaway, students in need were scheduled to receive free backpacks, school supplies and hot meals while they last, the news release said.
    The Carolina Panthers donated 5,000 bookbags and school supplies for CCS students, the release said.

  • pexels Crime tape A woman was stabbed to death Monday night, Aug. 22, on Shiloh Court, according to the Fayetteville Police Department.

    The report of a stabbing was reported about 8:30 p.m. Monday in the 1900 block of Shiloh Drive, a news release from the Police Department said.
    The woman was pronounced dead at the scene, the release said. Her identity was withheld pending notification of her family.

    Homicide detectives are investigating the stabbing. A suspect was seen leaving the scene.
    Anyone with information about the stabbing is asked to contact Detective J. Olson at 910-709-1958 or Crimestoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477). Crimestoppers information can also be submitted at http://fay-nccrimestoppers.org.

  • 9Fayetteville City Council member D.J. Haire is excited to be back on City Council for his eleventh term.

    Haire is the longest-serving council member on the current council. He was first sworn into office in December of 1997, and remained until November 2013. He won the district seat again in 2017, and has continued to maintain his seat representing District 4.
    The 63-year-old bested challenger Thomas Greene by an overwhelming majority. He was sworn in by North Carolina Justice Mike Morgan.

    “I think it went very well, just like everyone else, we're always hoping for voters to come out. So with those that came out, we're very honored and thankful for the number [of votes]that we received. Very grateful,” Haire said.

    District 4 includes Bonnie Doone, Cambridge, Glen Reilly, Lake Valley, Mallard Creek, Scotty Hills, Stewart’s Creek and Woodfield.

    One of the most recent projects for Haire included working with the state to drop the speed limit on sections of Pamalee Drive, Cliffdale Road and Stoney Point Road. He wanted the speed limit to change to 35 miles per hour for each section. However, the North Carolina Department of Transportation — which owns the roads — decided to change the speed limit on Pamalee Drive and Cliffdale Road from 50 to 45 mph. For Stoney Point Road, the NCDOT changed the speed limit from 55 mph to 45 mph.

    “I think that's a great improvement to slow down cars in that major thoroughfare that is surrounded by residential neighborhoods,” Haire said.

    Another successful project he is proud of is the extension of zoning notification for neighborhoods. Previously only houses within 500 feet would receive notification of a new zoning permit. Now, that notification area is 1,000 feet.

    “In my district we're saying that [the residents] were not receiving the notices and it was because they were outside of that 500 feet but were still in the neighborhood that encompassed the zoning for construction,” Haire said.

    Looking to the future, Haire wants to continue to focus on small local businesses and encourage and support them in his district. As a second-generation small business estate investor, Haire believes the community is backed by small businesses. According to Haire, $400,000 has been dedicated to helping local businesses in the first quarter alone.

    “When they do well, the city does well. When we help our small businesses, and they can expand or hire new or additional employees, if their footprint can grow, where we can help increase their tax base. That's a big, big plus,” Haire said.

    He is also excited to see the new Amazon distribution center scheduled to be built in his district. The 1.3 million-square-foot facility is getting built on 94 acres inside Fayetteville’s Military Industrial Park, near Interstate 295 near Fort Bragg. The center is projected to create up to 500 jobs by the time operation begins.

    Other projects Haire wants to work on for District 4 include adding bathrooms in parks, developing pieces of worn-down property, and continuing to push for improved stormwater drainage.
    One recent item that Haire suggested the council look into is a possible retirement plan for council members above 60 who have served at least ten years on council. Council members would not receive the money until the official leaves the City Council and each official would receive $500 per month.

    Haire tells Up & Coming Weekly that he just wants the city to look into the possibility after he spoke with county commissioners and realized that the state delegation has a form of retirement/deferment plan.
    Cumberland County commissioners are eligible to invest in a 401k-like matching investment plan with the county matching up to 4.9% of a board member’s salary for those who opt
    to participate in the deferred retirement plan.

    “It's just a matter of staff bringing that information. Nothing is a done deal. Anytime there's a council member request at a work session, it is only for information,” Haire said.

    During the election of mayor pro-tem, it was Haire who nominated Johnny Dawkins and motioned for Dawkins to take on the position.
    Haire also voted against the “Vote Yes Fayetteville” referendum so it would not be on the November ballot. The referendum would require that four of the nine City Council members be elected by citywide voting rather than voting by district.

    The issue was that the Vote Yes group may not have followed the “notice of circulation” procedure to get signatures on its petition, according to Mayor Mitch Colvin.
    The State Board of Elections decided last week that it will be up to City Council to vote on if the petition is valid or not. [At press time, the matter had not yet been decided.]

    Haire wants people to know that neighborhood concerns are just as big as economic concerns. He says he wants to continue to work on community programs like crime prevention and safety groups.
    He is also open to looking at old ordinances and see what needs to be updated for this growing city.

    “I try my best not to let my community down as far as being at meetings. Talking with them, standing up in front of them, taking their questions. Whatever their concerns are, I'm going to continue to do the job, what I've been doing, and that's just working aggressively hard and building trust and being loyal and being committed,” Haire said.

    “That's what I've tried to do since 1997, is let my word be my bond. And because of that, we have built a lot of trust.”

  • 11bCity Manager Doug Hewett has announced the promotion of two people onto his leadership team: Kelly Olivera has been named interim assistant city manager and Jodi Phelps has been appointed chief of staff.

    Olivera had served as the city’s budget and evaluation director. Phelps was the city’s marketing and communications director. Both promotions took effect Monday, the city said in a release.
    Olivera succeeds Jay Toland, who this summer was named associate superintendent of business operations for Cumberland County Schools. His last day with the city was Aug. 12, a spokeswoman for the city said.
    Phelps succeeds Rebecca Jackson, who retired July 31, the spokeswoman said.

    Olivera has been with the city for 11 years. She most recently worked with Hewett and the leadership team to present a balanced FY22-23 budget to the City Council that advanced city goals without a tax rate increase, the release said.

    “Kelly is a proven asset to our organization and her sound decisions helped us accomplish financial goals set forth by the Council,” Hewett said in the release. “Over the next few months, she will lend her expertise to our team as we progress toward the bond referendums in November and continue moving the city forward.”

    As interim assistant city manager, Olivera will oversee several departments, including budget and evaluation, the city clerk’s office, finance, human relations, human resource development and information technology, according to the city’s website.

    11c“I am excited to step into the interim position and have the opportunity to use my experience with the city to better serve our residents, elected officials and staff,” Olivera said in the release. “Having a greater role in the continued success of our city is truly an honor.”

    Olivera was hired as a financial analyst in the Finance Department in 2011 before founding the Budget and Evaluation Office in 2014 with former director Tracey Broyles and being promoted to lead the office last year, the release said. She earned her bachelor of science in accountancy from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

    Olivera will serve in the interim role while the search is conducted for a new assistant city manager, the release said. Her salary is $140,220, the spokeswoman said.

    Phelps joined the city last year from UNC Pembroke, where she had served as the chief communications and marketing officer since 2016, the release said. Since joining the city, she has launched a new Strategic Communications Plan and rebranded the Marketing and Communications Department, both with the goal of elevating the city’s brand and more effectively telling the Fayetteville story, according to the release.

    “Jodi quickly came up to speed on city business and used the city’s overall Strategic Plan to produce results,” Hewett said. “Her previous career experience, ability to build relationships and proven leadership make her well-suited to fill the role as our next chief of staff.”

    Phelps has previously served as chief operating officer for Action Pathways in Fayetteville as well as agency advancement and communications director. She has a bachelor of arts degree in communication and history with a minor in art history from Mercer University and a master of business administration from Thomas University.

    “At this time of unprecedented opportunity for Fayetteville’s continued growth, I am grateful to continue serving in this new role,” Phelps said in the release. “It is a privilege to be part of a talented team working daily to advance our strategic priorities that will positively impact the future of our city.”

    A spokeswoman for the city said Phelps' salary will be $145,750.

  • 7Want to save 50% of the cost of a common surgery? Keep reading. You won’t need a coupon or Medicare. As most people become chronologically gifted, a right of passage is enjoying cataract surgery.
    Though not nearly as much fun as getting your driver’s license at 16, voting at 18, or qualifying to purchase adult beverages at 21, it is age related.

    The prospective patient is first subjected to something the ophthalmologist ironically refers to as the Glare Test. You sit in a darkened room as someone shines a flash light directly into your eyes and asks if you can see a chart on the wall. You can’t see the chart because there is a flash light two inches from your face painting your retinas white. Unsurprisingly, you fail the Glare Test. Ah ha, there is a cure for flunking the Glare Test.

    Several thousand dollars worth of cataract surgery will make you right as rain. Coincidently, the owner of the facility where you are having your eyes examined can provide such surgery. Yet another Festivus Miracle.
    Where is this rambling column about cataract surgery going? Why should I waste my time reading it, you ask yourself? Well, Gentle Reader, you have either already had cataract surgery or you will eventually get to enjoy quality time with optical laser beams and lens implants.

    As previously mentioned, this surgery ain’t cheap. You can save half the cost with one simple trick. Be born as a Cyclops.
    If you are already born, this solution is kind of tricky, but depending upon your religious persuasion, Zeus could make you a born-again Cyclops. In case you missed that day in Mythology class, let us review what a Cyclops is.

    According to the Greek mythology, a Cyclops is an extremely strong giant with one eye in the center of his forehead. Naturally, the Cyclops will need only one cataract surgery, thereby saving 50% of the usual and customary fee. If the Cyclops’ cataract is in its early stages, wearing a monocle like Rich Uncle Pennybags, AKA Mr. Monopoly, or a 1930’s era Austrian Duke with a saber scar on his cheek could stave off the cataract surgery for several years.

    If you have not been lucky enough to be born a Cyclops, how might you become one to save on cataract surgery? Allow me to once again mansplain stuff to you. In the beginning there were three Cyclops brothers who belonged to the Titan Tribe: Brontes (Thunder), Steropes (Lightning) and Arges (Bright). Their Daddy was a Titan, Uranus the Sky God and their Momma was Gaia the Earth Goddess. Obviously, they came from good stock.

    If they had been living in Charleston, South Carolina at the time of Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’Hara they would have been received along with Bonnie Blue in all the best homes in Charleston. However, the Cyclops came along well before U.S. Civil War One took place.

    There was an ongoing Uncivil War between the Titans and the Olympians over who was going to be the Big Kahuna to run the Elysian Fields and Earth. Uranus led the Titans. Zeus led the Olympians. As usual in Greek Mythology, there was a disturbance in the house of Uranus. Being before Rodney King, no one could just get along. Family bonds were fraught. After a particularly ugly family ruckus, Uranus locked up the Cyclops Brothers in his basement.

    Prior to being locked downstairs, the Brothers had become excellent blacksmiths, specializing in really nifty weapons. Zeus learned that the Boys were pretty good making implements of destruction. He freed them from Uranus’ basement and put them to work for him making weapons.

    As Vlad Putin learned to his sorrow in the Ukraine, logistics are extremely important in a war. If your weapons are better than the enemy’s stuff, you have a better chance to win.
    The Boys went right to work in the Greek equivalent of current day defense contractor Northrup Grumman. They began making weapons for Zeus’ military industrial complex.

    They turned out real lightning thunderbolts for Zeus to hurl at the Titans. Northrup Grumman liked Zeus’ thunderbolts so much it named its attack jet the A-10 Thunderbolt II after the Cyclops’ weapon. The A-10 jet is affectionately known as the Warthog because it is as effective as it is ugly.

    As a zoological side note, baby warthogs are proof that male warthogs find female warthogs attractive. But I digress. Back to the Cyclops war machine.
    In addition to Zeus’ thunderbolts, they produced the magic Trident for Poseidon the Sea God and the Invisibility Cap for Hades the God of the Underworld. With these logistical advantages, the Olympians were able to defeat the Titans without a HIMARS rocket system.

    So, what have we learned today? If you weren’t born a Cyclops, go ask Zeus, I think he’ll know how to change you. One eye’s cataract is cheaper to
    correct than two.

    No Cyclops was harmed during the writing of this column. You are now free to wander about the country.

  • 19I watched what I thought was a documentary about an award-winning songwriter recently. The entirety of the hour was a narration written in response to a letter received from another songwriter struggling to find purpose and meaning in his life and profession.

    Delivered in a voice that said, “I understand” or “I’ve been where you are,” he was clearly offering hope to the unnamed recipient. He said, “They say you write about what you know. I’m telling you my story not because it’s the best one, but because it’s the one I know the best.”

    In a world built on proud factions, it’s odd that in difficult times we hear the word ‘unity’ tossed around. I’m reminded of a phrase I’ve spoken many times. Over time I went from saying it, to eventually believing it, and finally to trying to live it: There is more that unites us than there is that divides us.

    In His final earthly charge to those who knew Him best in this world, Jesus says this in Matthew 28:19-20:

    “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

    In our search for identity, our wondering about purpose, our struggle with the meaning of this brief life — the Son of God Himself sums it up for the church as He answers the questions asked so many times and in so many ways: Why am I here? What’s the point of the church? Do I even matter? And … how am I supposed to do this on my own?

    In answering the questions His followers didn’t know enough to ask, Jesus didn’t say to feed the hungry like He did. He didn’t say heal the sick or love your neighbors like He did.

    In His parting instructions to those who knew Him best, Jesus summed it all up and said we are to observe everything He commanded us to do.

    Everything.

    While that certainly includes feeding the hungry, healing and loving, it doesn’t stop there. And it’s not where it starts, either.

    It starts with making disciples. It starts with caring enough about people right around us, those in our extended circles, and even those we haven’t — and might never — meet. Caring enough to help them find what’s best for them in this world and beyond.

    I’m grateful that my story— the one I know best — contains a sidebar when someone took me aside and explained all this to me.

    We could all use someone like the small-town pastor who cared enough to help me understand what Jesus taught and what that means for us now. And if what we believe is true, we’re called to be like that pastor.

    Because we Christians are unified by a singular mission: helping others learn to love God and love others like Jesus did.

  • 5The little girl reading books under bed covers by flashlight is a stereotype for sure, but stereotypes develop for a reason. Zillions of little girls — and some little boys — do this every night.
    So do some big girls, including this one, though these days I confidently read by bedside light secure in the knowledge that my mother is not coming to curtail my bedtime reading.
    Reading has been a large part of my life since childhood, and I vividly remember seeing a newspaper photo of a book burning somewhere. I was stunned and could not understand why anyone, anywhere would burn a book. I still feel that way.

    Others, however, do not.

    Americans find ourselves beset by a new generation of “book banners.” Apparently actual book burnings are a bridge too far for today’s crowd of idea deniers. This group seeks not roaring bonfires but restriction and possibly regulation of what adults like you and me and our children can and cannot read. Our First Amendment guarantee of American free speech is venerated until it offends the banning crowd.

    Then they appear en masse at school and library board meetings, legislative committee hearing rooms, online and on television, telling the rest of us why we cannot read about issues that make them uncomfortable. This is happening all over our nation, and North Carolina is no exception.

    Their no-no’s list our nation’s long history of racism and antisemitism, including historical events like our nation’s only successful coup d’état in 1898 Wilmington. (Thank goodness the January 6th coup was unsuccessful!) Other no-no’s revolve around human sexuality, including reproduction and gender differences. Less prominently but still frowned upon by the book banning crowd are the Holocaust, Apartheid, and the early 20th century eugenics movement. First-hand accounts of any such experiences—slave narratives, Holocaust memoirs, and the like are particularly to be avoided, probably because they resonate with human suffering.

    As a child I was puzzled by the idea that there were some topics some people did not want others to know about or to discuss. If I were curious about something, I generally asked my parents who answered my questions in a way I could understand.

    As an adult, I understand why some people do not want certain information available.

    They are afraid.

    They are afraid of our nation’s racist history. They are afraid of differences in human sexuality. They are afraid of aspects of our history and our society that do not line up with their own world views. Other people’s world views be darned. If a fact or an idea does not align with their own thinking, it is a threat to be stomped down.

    Uncomfortable and unwelcome truths must be at least ignored and in more extreme circumstances, lied about even in the face of overwhelming evidence and experience.
    This is not new in the United States. Our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution notwithstanding, tolerance has rarely been our long suit. Remember Prohibition of the 1920s? Our nation adopted a Constitutional amendment to prohibit the production and sale of alcohol and wound up with the “Roaring 20s,” an era fueled by illegal alcohol.

    If the internet has taught us anything, it is that the world — and our nation — possess endless diversity, most of it neither good nor bad, just different from what we may be accustomed to.
    I have no right, God given or otherwise, to tell you what to read, to think, or to believe, and you have no right to tell me.

    Beyond that, forcing others to behave in certain ways simply does not work, as we should have learned 100 years ago from Prohibition.

    Now, go to the library and get a book that suits you, not someone else!

  • 8After a petition was issued in June to change how municipal districts are organized, a referendum might be on November’s ballot to restructure the nine-person Fayetteville City Council.
    The proposal comes less than a year from the last time the city decided on voting districts for City Council members.

    Currently, one member is selected from and represents each of the nine city districts.

    According to city documents, the proposal calls for Fayetteville’s municipal districts to be reduced to five. That would result in five representatives from five separate districts within the city. The remaining four would be decided at-large, meaning all Fayetteville voters would decide on nearly half of the members of the city council.

    North Carolina law requires that at-large members of any city or town council in the state be fewer or equal to half of the total elected municipal body, according to legal analysis from the UNC School of Government.

    If voters approve, redistricting ahead

    If the petition is validated, the measure is placed on November’s ballot and if a majority of voters approve of the restructuring, Fayetteville City Council members would be responsible for passing a new district map, like any other municipality in North Carolina.

    Under the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution, the potential new five districts would be required to be substantially equal in population.
    At a regular meeting earlier this month, council members considered the petition for approving the measure to be put on the ballot for the upcoming election in November, but the City Council delayed the approval.

    City Attorney Karen McDonald said at the meeting that the council must decide on the ballot measure at its next meeting on Aug. 22 or hold a special meeting to conclude the matter.
    The timing is required because of the public notice to voters that must be issued by the Cumberland County Board of Elections in a certain time frame before the election, as required by state law. Per state law, any proposed change to voting districts must have enough public notice prior to a vote.

    Neither McDonald nor members of the council discussed the petition’s origin.

    5,000 valid signatures prompt question

    According to N.C. General Statute § 160A-104, municipalities of Fayetteville’s size only need 5,000 valid signatures on a petition to ask for a change to the structure of the City Council. U.S. census figures show that Fayetteville had an estimated 209,000 residents in 2021.

    The Cumberland County Board of Elections is charged with validating the petition. According to a letter addressed to the city and signed by the board’s interim director, Angie Amaro, 5,009 of the 5,721 signatures on the petition have been verified, certifying the validity of the petition on June 13.

    Upon direction from the City Council at last week’s meeting, McDonald will follow up with the Board of Elections on the petition’s validity and ask for a copy of the filed notice of the circulation of the petition.
    State law requires that such a notice must be registered with the county board of elections for the petition to be valid.

    The City Council will review the notice once it is obtained from the Board of Election, at its Aug. 22 meeting or a special meeting.
    If the petition is ultimately deemed valid, the City Council will be required by state law to send the proposal to voters.

    Then, if voters ultimately reject the proposal, the current district map will be used for the next decade until the next U.S. census recalculates the city’s population in 2030.

  • 6 While North Carolina continues to outperform the rest of the country on a range of economic and social indicators, its leaders can’t afford to overlook a flashing red light on the state’s dashboard: violent crime.

    According to the latest FBI data, our urban areas continue to experience rising rates. Comparing the first quarter of 2022 to the first quarter of 2021, violent crime was up 23% in Raleigh, 22% in Greensboro and Fayetteville, 7% in Durham and Wilmington, and 6% in Winston-Salem. Charlotte’s 2% increase looks comparatively tame, but it came after a bigger jump the previous year.

    More generally, North Carolina’s rate of violent crime was significantly below the national average from 2009 to 2018. It shot up dramatically in 2019 to 379 reported crimes per 100,000 residents, close to the national average of 381, and again in 2020 to 419, blowing past the national average of 399.

    The immediate victims were those murdered or attacked, plus family members, friends and neighbors. But the damage extends beyond them. Many North Carolinians now feel less safe. That, in turn, affects their decisions about where to live, work and spend money. And if violent crime remains more prevalent in our state than in the rest of the country, that will likely have serious economic and social consequences for North Carolina down the road.

    So, what should we do about this?

    Let’s start with two reality checks. First, the problem is multifaceted and not easily jammed into a partisan political frame. The surge appears to be confined to violent crimes, for example, and more specifically to homicides and aggravated assaults.

    When it comes to property crimes — burglary, larceny, motor-vehicle theft, etc. — North Carolina’s rate went down in 2020, not up. Indeed, our property-crime rate has been declining fairly steadily since the early 1990s. It’s down 35% in the past decade alone. While violent crimes are more likely to be reported to law enforcement than property crimes, the effect isn’t large enough to explain such a divergence in the trend lines.

    Did the tumultuous events of 2020 contribute to the surge in violence? That’s certainly plausible. The raucous protests we saw in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death may have been well-intentioned, but they created incentives for law enforcement to pull back from neighborhoods where a disproportionate share of violence occurs. The COVID pandemic itself could have contributed to the problem, as well, by reducing “eyes on the street” and accentuating the mental stresses that lead some to lash out violently.

    My second reality check is about guns. Most violent crimes are also gun crimes, yes, but the weapon of choice is almost always a handgun. Whatever you think of banning “assault weapons,” its effect on violent crime would be negligible. As for banning or radically restricting the ownership of handguns, I’d view the constitutional and political barriers as insurmountable even if I favored such a policy, which I don’t.

    More practical solutions exist. Even when it comes to guns, most North Carolinians would likely favor stronger measures to keep guns out of the hands of minors and the mentally ill, to crack down on “straw purchases” and other illegal trafficking, and to toughen penalties for those who use guns to commit crimes.

    Speaking of behavioral health, I believe there is broad support for spending more tax dollars on community-based treatment for mental illness and drug addiction, including for the kinds of faith-based programs that tend to produce the most-lasting results. North Carolina communities can also employ such bread-and-butter solutions as installing more streetlights, keeping existing lights in better repair, installing gates in alleyways, and restoring vacant lots to productive use or at least “greening them over” with grass, trees and gardens.

    We were never going to “defund the police.” As Manhattan Institute analyst Charles Fain Lehman put it, policing remains “the heart of American crime control” because of its “proven efficacy.” Still, there are other tools in our toolbox. Let’s use them.

  • 19bAccording to Manna Church’s website, its mission is to glorify God by equipping His people to change their world and by planting churches with the same world-changing vision.

    Here in Fayetteville, Manna Church’s Cliffdale site is a haven for many in the community.

    Members and visitors can expect to experience a contemporary worship style at Manna. The church is home to both a children’s and teen ministry.

    Manna Church offers four weekend worship services and additional services at their Anderson Creek Site. The earliest service begins at 8:00 a.m. while the latest service begins at 12:45 p.m. On Thursdays at the Anderson Creek Site, there is a 6:30 p.m. service.

    At Manna Church, members and visitors have the opportunity to join a Small Group. One of the many Small Groups is “A Woman’s Touch” which is exclusively for women who are passionate about God and serving others. The primary goal of the group is to grow in the knowledge and application of biblical truth so the “inner woman” matches the “outer woman.”

    Couples have the chance to join the “Aim for Marriage” Small Group. Here, members hope to join in worship together, pray for each other, and facilitate weekly discussions about different areas where Christ is calling each marriage represented to grow, and how participants can help one another in that journey.

    Members of Manna Church participate in Outreach Opportunities like Manna’s Dream Center Food Pantry, which is where team members assist with stocking the food/diaper pantry and accompanying guests while they “shop.”

    Another Outreach Opportunity is to be a part of the Manna Dream Center Lunch SERVE Team. The Manna Dream Center began feeding lunch to those in need during the COVID pandemic and, since 2020, Manna has handed out food every day between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

    On Sept. 10 Manna Church will be giving out food to military families. The event will be a “drive-thru” style event, meaning families will stay in their cars.

    Thanks to the kindness of CVS Health, Tyson Foods, Manna Church and the major suppliers of the commissary, families will receive a bundle of healthy, nutritious food — including protein, a variety of seasonal produce, breakfast items, canned goods and household products.

    This event is exclusively for active duty, National Guard, Reserve and veteran families. Families must pre-register and Manna Church requests that participants arrive at their scheduled time in order to help maintain a safe traffic flow.

    Tickets are available based on the pick-up time of the participants’ bundle.

    Participants may only register for one time slot per family. The event will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

    When families arrive, they must present their Eventbrite confirmation (mobile or printed) at the drive-thru check-in. There is a limit of one bundle per household. Manna asks that participants remain in their vehicles throughout the duration of the event and allow the church member to do the heavy lifting.

    Families can register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fort-bragg-area-military-family-drive-thru-food-distribution-registration-381028505517.

    For more information about Manna Church or its programs and services, visit https://www.manna.church/. More information about the food distribution can be found by calling 910-867-9151.

  • 10As students head back to the classroom, the American Red Cross has steps to help kids remain safe.

    For parents, it’s a good time to think about emergencies, such as weather-related disasters. Know what the emergency plan is at your child’s school and develop a family emergency plan so everyone will know who to contact and where to go if something happens during the school day. Details are available at redcross.org/prepare.

    “There are a lot of things to think about for the start of a busy new school year, but don’t forget to include safety,” said Barry Porter, Regional CEO, American Red Cross Eastern North Carolina Region.

    CELL PHONES A DISTRACTION

    The National Safety Council reports distracted walking can be dangerous, even deadly. Teach your students the following:

    • Don’t text or talk on your phone while walking. If you must text, move out of the way of others and stop on the sidewalk.
    • Never cross the street while using an electronic device.
    • Do not walk with headphones in your ears.
    • Drivers can be distracted too. Never use a phone while driving.

    TAKING THE BUS

    • Students should get to their bus stop early and stand away from the curb while waiting. Young children should be supervised.
    • Board the bus only after it has come to a complete stop and the driver or attendant instructs them to get on. They should only board their bus, never an alternate one.
    • All students should stay in clear view of the bus driver and never walk behind the bus.

    WALKING TO SCHOOL

    • Cross the street at the corner, obeying traffic signals and staying in the crosswalk.
    • Never run out into the street or cross between parked cars.
    • Use a route along which the school has placed crossing guards.
    • Parents, walk with young children and those taking new routes or attending new schools, for the first week to ensure they know how to get there safely. Arrange for the kids to walk to school with a friend or classmate.

    GOING BY CAR

    • Everyone should always wear a seat belt. Younger children should use car seats or booster seats until the lap-shoulder belt fits properly (typically for children ages 8-12 and over 4’9”), and ride in the back seat until they are at least 13 years old.

    RIDING A BIKE

    There may be more young people on bikes as the school bells ring. They should:

    • Wear a properly fitted helmet and bright clothing.
    • Ride on the right side of the road, with traffic, in a single file.
    • Come to a complete stop before crossing the street; walk bikes across the street.
    • Stay alert to avoid distracted riding.

    SLOW DOWN

    Drivers should slow down, especially in residential areas and school zones. Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is getting ready to stop, that motorists should slow down and be prepared to stop. Red flashing lights and an extended stop sign indicate the bus is stopped and children are getting on or off.
    Motorists must stop when they are behind a bus, meeting the bus or approaching an intersection where a bus is stopped. Motorists following or traveling alongside a school bus must also stop until the red lights have stopped flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and all children have reached safety. This includes two and four-lane highways. If physical barriers such as grassy medians, guide rails or concrete median barriers separate oncoming traffic from the bus, motorists in the opposing lanes may proceed without stopping.

    KEEP LITTLE ONES SAFE

    Keeping all students safe is the primary concern for everyone, but there are special steps for parents of younger kids and those going to school for the first time:

    • Make sure the child knows their phone number, address, how to get in touch with their parents at work, how to get in touch with another trusted adult and how to call 911.
    • Teach children not to talk to strangers or accept rides from someone they don’t know.

    Finally, download the free Red Cross First Aid app for instant access to information on handling the most common first aid emergencies. You can find it by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in your app store or at redcross.org/apps.

  • 12The cameras roll and six players stroll into the gymnasium at the Freedom Court Complex. They are confident. They are ready. They are prepped. The black jerseys with gold lettering stand out against the white brick walls as they walk onto the court.
    On the opposite side, the other team huddles, preparing for the competition. The game that they are about to play will take them back to their elementary school days. In this world, there’s five rules: dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge.

    In Fayetteville, it’s time for dodgeball.

    Just a few days from now, Better Health of Cumberland County will be hosting its 7th annual Diabetes … Dodge It tournament. This competition is open to the general public for teams of nine, including three subs, with a registration fee that covers the entire team.

    This now cherished event started years ago when Susan Miller, chair of the dodgeball tournament, was looking for “creative” ways to raise funds and awareness for Better Health’s community diabetes education.

    “Organizations are always looking for new and unique fundraisers. Up in Maryland they do a dodgeball tournament that raises thousands of dollars. I brought the idea up to the board,” Miller laughs. “It’s been really successful.”

    Miller admits, however, that their fundraiser isn’t quite up to the thousands that are raised in Maryland but the turnout in the community has been good. This year, the administrators at Better Health are hoping for 26 to 32 teams. It’s been two years since they’ve been able to run the event due to COVID but are excited about the prospects for this year's event.

    “People can come out and have fun. It gets people active — to get out there and move and have some fun,” said Christiana Adeyemi, the Executive Director of Better Health of Cumberland County.

    The event’s proceeds and sponsorship money will go towards helping with the diabetic education clinic that Better Health Cumberland County runs weekly. The program teaches community members about diabetes, healthy habits and how the disease can affect other organs like the heart.

    “People get a lot of information out of it. Clients are excited,” Adeyemi said. “They can come and take charge of their diabetes.”

    And at the end of all the dodging this Saturday, one team will walk out the victors and have a trophy to show for it.

    “We were really unsure of what to expect. Our goal was to make it fun but competitive,” Miller said. “There’s been teams over the years that have been competitive.”

    When reminded about the cult classic, "Dodgeball," Miller laughs and says they are nowhere near that competitive. The main thing Better Health administrators would like is awareness and for everyone to have a really good time.

    The event will be on Aug. 27 at the Freedom Court Complex. Teams of six or more can register to play in the event for $150.

    Spectators are welcome. The event will start at 9 a.m. and last until 1 p.m. Tickets for the general public will be on sale for $5. For more information, visit betterhealthcc.org.

  • 13Searching for an authentic 1970s southern rock and roll experience?

    Well, the search ends at the Gates Four Golf and Country Club in Fayetteville on Sept. 2 between 6 and 10 p.m. when the “ultimate” Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band “Tuesday’s Gone” will perform.

    “We’re very meticulous [and passionate about] trying to really replicate, specifically, the 1970s era of Lynyrd Skynyrd,” said lead singer Ryan King.

    “There’s just no way to really do that using at least a lot of modern technologies. In other words, you’re not going to sound like Lynyrd Skynyrd if you go out and buy a Jackson [heavy metal] guitar and run it through some kind of a digital processor,” King said with a chuckle.

    Having chosen the second song on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s 1973 debut album for their name, “Tuesday’s Gone” is the country’s best Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band. And that’s not simply locally. The boys have traveled the better part of the United States, replicating, to the best of their abilities, an era of music that is simply vanishing.

    “Tuesday’s Gone” formed in 2005 after King and original guitarists John Pereksta and TR Gwynne crossed the stage one night at an open-mic in Raleigh.

    King had been reluctant to perform Lynyrd Skynyrd material, but the level of dedication he witnessed that night changed his mind.

    The powerful musical connection that the guys displayed that night really took me by surprise. It sounded too good to pass up, King said.

    As flawless as “Tuesday’s Gone” make Lynyrd Skynyrd’s brand of 1970s southern rock and roll appear, there is a lot of behind-the-scenes planning that goes in to achieving that success.

    “We’ve got three guitar players, and they use vintage guitars, like 60s models, Stratocasters and Les Pauls. [We use] Fender combo amps. These are old tube driven Fender Deluxe and Twins [amps]. One of my guys has got a Marshal half-stack . . . that is custom made for him,” King said.

    These vintage amplifiers consist of what could be considered antique technology by today’s standard. Since the invention of “Solid State” components, i.e., microchips, developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the vacuum tubes and related innards that give these old amps their mojo was replaced in favor of newer, more reliable and shock resistant materials. The trade-off for a lighter and more durable amplifier came at the cost of tone.

    “A clean sound with a tube amp has a warmth that is not really possible to achieve on a solid state amp,” music writer Pete Briley said. “Tubes make an amp far more responsive to playing. [A guitarist can] play gently and have a clean tone. But then accent a note by playing slightly harder and have that note distorted.”

    “Tone is very, very important,” King said. “Nobody wants to hear Lynyrd Skynyrd done Metallica style, or, at least, not our crowd. Not that we have any issues with Metallica. We love those guys, too. But we want to be true to the original [1970s Lynyrd Skynyrd sound].”

    Lynyrd Skynyrd’s chartered touring airplane ran out of fuel and crashed in to a Mississippi swamp in 1977. Of the 26 people aboard, six perished, including principal song-writer and lead singer Ronnie Van Zant. Over the years, even though Lynyrd Skynyrd has reformed a multitude of times, the band never again found the level of success before the tragedy, leaving Lynyrd Skynyrd fans in somewhat of a lurch.

    “There’s nowhere on the planet that you’re not going to find [Lynyrd Skynyrd fans to come out],” King said.

    Since the pandemic ended and live music returned, “Tuesday’s Gone” has become laser-focused on spreading the gospel of Lynyrd Skynyrd to parts yet unknown.

    “We are right in the middle of acquiring another tour bus. And once we do that, the objective is to get this thing out to the west coast, and maybe even hit Canada,” King said.

    However, plans for upcoming shows don’t simply stop at North American shores. “Tuesday’s Gone” wants to go to Europe, where they can deliver that authentic sound to a continent starved for live American music, all while fulfilling their obligation to the original Lynyrd Skynyrd.

    “Most of [my musician friends] have been [to Europe] and toured at least once,” King said. “[And], especially, when it comes to southern rock and rock, when you go over there, you’re like the Beatles, because they can’t replicate it.”

    “Tuesday’s Gone” has been recognized by Lynyrd Skynyrd, and the fellas have formed relationships with some of the original members, including original drummer Artemis Pile, who famously left the scene of the plane crash and waded through black swamp water before finding help at a nearby farmhouse. In fact, Lynyrd Skynyrd gifted one of Ronnie Van Zant’s personal hats to Mr. Ryan King.

    “Tuesday’s Gone” is being brought to Fayetteville by the “Gates Four Summer Concert Series.” This event will be at the Gates Four Golf and Country Club Sept. 2 from 6 to 10 p.m. The concert is free.

    Special guest, local singer-songwriter Daniel Cross, will open the show with an acoustic guitar.

    “[The Summer Concert Series] started last year,” said Greg Adair, who is a promoter of the “Gates Four Summer Concert Series.”

    “We did five shows last year during the summer, and we added a show this year and picked up sponsorship to make it free for everybody,” he added.

    Gates Four Golf and Country Club is located at 6775 Irongate Drive in Fayetteville on the south-western side of town, off of Lakewood Drive, in the Jack Britt school district. Gates Four Golf and Country Club is a gated community. When you show up, check in at the security gate. The stage will be set up behind the clubhouse.

    It’s worth noting that this show will be the next to last of the 2022 “Gates Four Summer Concert Series.

    Up next is Heartbreaker on Oct. 7. To find out more about the “Gates Four Summer Concert Series,” please visit www.GatesFour.com.

    For more information about “Tuesday’s Gone,” please visit the band’s personal website at www.TuesdaysGoneBand.com.

    So, why not come on down and check out that 1970s sound?

  • 11aThe town of Spring Lake announced Lt. Dysoaneik Spellman as the next police chief in Spring Lake after a two-month search. The decision was effective Monday, Aug. 15.

    Spellman was appointed interim police chief when former chief Troy McDuffie retired for the second time in 2021.
    Spellman, who has 23 years of law enforcement experience, has been with the Spring Lake Police Department since 2014, when he was hired by McDuffie as a patrol officer. He began his career in 1999 at the Beaufort County Sherriff’s Office.

    “I have a passion for this community and spent my career preparing for this moment,’’ Spellman said Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 16, after the Police Department celebrated with a social media announcement and reception.

    “When I got here and got to know the department, I knew this was a place I could make a difference. I am proud to serve the Spring Lake residents.”

    Spellman has an advanced law enforcement certificate through the N.C. Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission.
    He also holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice administration, an associate’s degree in applied science with a concentration in criminal justice technology and is a graduate of the N.C. Justice Academy Management Development Program.

    “I hope to bring some policies and procedures to the department to move us forward to getting a national accreditation,” Spellman said.

    He added that most agencies in North Carolina were accredited.

    The Spring Lake Board of Aldermen received the announcement from interim Town Manager Joe Durham by email on Monday night after an hour-long special meeting citing the N.C. general statute for personnel.

    “Chief Spellman is committed to professionalism and integrity. I have the utmost respect for his leadership and his ability to serve and protect the community,” Durham said in the announcement.
    Durham could not be reached Tuesday for further comment.

    Spellman on Tuesday said he would like the community to know he has an open-door policy and that the Police Department will be fully transparent with residents.

    “We have nothing to hide,’’ Spellman said. “It is beneficial to be out in the community, for me to be out in the community, and I look forward to creating opportunities for residents to get to know our Police Department better. Our residents are our eyes and ears.”

    Spellman said he had not yet signed a contract, and the salary offered could not be confirmed Tuesday through Durham or the Local Government Commission. The hiring range from the posted police chief job description was $70,000 to $85,000.

    Currently, the Spring Lake Police Department has 27 employees, including 25 police officers. They have three open positions.
    Board members, including Alderman Raul Palacios and Alderwoman Sona Cooper, said although the decision was left up to Durham, they look forward to working with Spellman and he has their support in his new role.

  • 17bAs new students (freshmen and transfers) arrived on campus earlier this month for the 2022-23 academic year, Methodist University also announced that it is becoming one of the first universities in North Carolina to offer an accredited, Bachelor of Science Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program. Starting in the fall of 2023, Methodist University’s four-year OTA program will welcome its first cohort of up to 24 students, eventually leading to the first graduating class in the spring of 2027.

    “Expanding the University’s program offerings to include an OTA program will serve both our students and the local community,” said Dr. Meredith Gronski, the University’s Occupational Therapy Department chair and program director of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program. “OTAs partner with occupational therapists to provide services that help people return to their meaningful daily activities. Our OTA program will prepare students to serve as leaders in the profession and take on roles with the highest earning potential.”

    This isn’t the first time MU has blazed a path in the area of occupational therapy. Starting in 2015, Gronski led the charge to build up the University’s OTD program — which eventually became the first doctoral-level program in Occupational Therapy in North Carolina in 2018.

    Now, it is considered one of the strongest programs in the state, graduating approximately five dozen students the past two years.

    Coinciding with the OTA program’s launch, Gronski also announced Melissa Gibson will take the reigns as program director.

    Gibson is a licensed OTA with a dozen years of clinical experience. Most recently, Gibson worked as an academic fieldwork coordinator for another developing, baccalaureate-level OTA program.

    “Gibson reflects the integrity, leadership, and energy that the department seeks to fill this critical position in the program,” said Gronski. “She demonstrates a commitment to student-centered learning, evidence-based practice, and the authentic role of the OTA that will align well with the program’s curriculum design. Her knowledge and expertise of all programmatic aspects will support her to successfully navigate our accreditation process and bring in the first cohort of students.”

    Gibson earned a bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Health and Rehab Sciences from California State University, an associate degree in OTA from Sacramento City College, and a Master of Science in Gero-Psychology. She is planning to earn a Doctor of Healthcare Administration later this month.

    “As an OTA myself, I am excited to see the profession take this new step with a new degree level for OTA education,” Gibson added. “What makes having an OTA program at Methodist University unique is that students who would like to move on to become an occupational therapist afterwards will be able to do so through the University’s OTD program. This program will allow all of the health sciences programs to collaborate and learn together even more.”

    Alisha Myers will serve as the OTA program’s academic fieldwork coordinator. Myers has been an occupational therapist for eight years and has worked in the local community since 2016. Myers recently served as a fieldwork educator for the OTD program and has mentored many OTD students at Cumberland County Schools.

    Currently, there are nine fully accredited associate-level occupational therapy assistant programs across North Carolina; however, none of them offer an accredited baccalaureate-level program. By the time the program launches in the fall of 2023, Methodist University will be one of just three programs of its kind in the state.

    The OTA program will provide a variety of career and educational opportunities once students graduate:

    • Graduates can take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification exam and if they pass, they can practice as a Certified & Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA/L). Similar to a physician assistant’s partnership with a doctor, OTAs can deliver services under the supervision of an occupational therapist.
    • Graduates may choose to pursue becoming an occupational therapist themselves by continuing their doctoral studies at Methodist University’s OTD program.
    • Graduates can seek a graduate degree in another area of study including speech therapy, physical therapy, healthcare administration, or business administration.

    The timing couldn’t be better, either. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of OTAs is projected to grow by 34% by 2030. Also, approximately 8,800 openings for OTAs are projected for each year over the next decade.

    In the Fayetteville area specifically, some of the top employers for OTAs include the Cape Fear Valley System, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and Cumberland County Schools.
    Students may apply immediately online or if you have questions, reach out to admissions@methodist.edu or mgronski@methodist.edu.

  • 18 Was “Where the Crawdads Sing” set in North Carolina — as both the book and movie assert — and where, according to her publisher, the author Delia Owens now lives?
    Or in Georgia where Owens grew up? Or in Louisiana where the film was made?

    Or in the African country of Zambia where Owens and her former husband are wanted for questioning in connection with an investigation of a death almost 30 years ago?
    The bestselling book has sold more than 15 million copies and the film opened in July with domestic gross ticket sales of almost $70 million.

    The “Crawdads” story is summarized by Jeffrey Goldberg, editor of The Atlantic in the magazine’s July edition. It is, he writes, about “a girl in 1950s North Carolina who, through a series of improbable events, is forced to raise herself in an isolated swamp. Kya Clark, the protagonist, is, like Delia, a naturalist and loner” and is accused of “the murder of a caddish local bigshot, Chase Andrews.”

    Was North Carolina the real setting Owens had in mind for Kya’s story?

    The lands and waters described in Owens’ book fit the Georgia coastal areas better than North Carolina’s coast. Also, many North Carolina readers and moviegoers were surprised at the idea that Asheville, as described in the book and movie, was just a short drive from Kya’s coastal marsh.

    Something must be amiss.

    The moviemakers chose Louisiana and its swamps and marshes to film the movie version of Kya’s story.

    But Goldberg, The Atlantic editor, thinks that Owens found Kya through her own experiences, not in North Carolina or Georgia or Louisiana, but rather in Africa. In an April 5, 2010, The New Yorker article titled “The Hunted: Did American conservationists in Africa go too far?” Goldberg described how Delia and her then husband Mark, “two graduate students in biology at the University of Georgia, were seized by the idea of resettling in remotest Africa.”

    “When they arrived in January 1974, Delia, the daughter of a Georgia trucking executive, was 24 years old. Mark, who grew up on a farm west of Toledo, Ohio, was 29, the divorced father of a four-year-old boy named Christopher.”

    Operating first in Botswana and then in Zambia, “Despite penury, loneliness, and drought, they established a viable research station” and learned how to gain the trust of the animals and to work funding sources. They were determined to protect the animals from the rampant activities of poachers who threatened to destroy the ecosystem.

    Relations with local authorities were often tense.

    According to Goldberg, Mark “had gradually come to command a corps of game scouts in North Luangwa, outside of Zambian-government oversight, by buying their loyalty through the provision of weapons, boots, and money; that they had militarized the 2,400-square-mile park (Delia wrote in one of their books that Mark created a special unit of scouts who would earn new guns, jungle knives, binoculars, and compasses for standout performance); that Mark’s adult son from his first marriage, Christopher Owens, had been placed in charge of training the game scouts in hand-to-hand combat; and that Christopher Owens frequently beat the game scouts as a form of discipline.”

    In March 1996, ABC News aired a documentary about Mark and Delia and their work, including the killing of an alleged poacher. Goldberg writes that Zambian officials told him that “Mark, Delia, and Christopher Owens are still wanted for questioning related to the killing of the alleged poacher, as well as other possible criminal activities.”

    Like Kya, Delia Owens has had to deal with an overhang of possible criminal charges. Goldberg writes that he was surprised that the book’s themes “so obviously echoed aspects of Delia Owens’s life in Zambia.”

    So, if we want to visit the place where Kya’s story developed, perhaps we should go not to the marshes of North Carolina, Georgia, or Louisiana, but to the plains and forests of Zambia.

  • 4 The U.S. House and Senate voted along party lines to pass the latest tax and spend bill, “The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022,” (IRA) sending it to President Biden’s desk. On Aug. 16, with Biden’s signature, the bill became law.

    Democrats trumpeted the bill as a way to tax the rich, reduce the deficit and clean up the environment.

    Unfortunately, however, the only “win” is political. The Democrats can now say they passed elements of Biden’s agenda just in time for the midterm elections. But the bill is a lose-lose for the American people, for many reasons, including the following:

    The bill will not reduce inflation, and instead will likely increase it

    The IRA would do nothing to reduce inflation. Analysis from Penn-Wharton revealed this bill would actually create larger budget deficits in the first few years. The impact on inflation will be “statistically indistinguishable from zero.”

    As I wrote previously, the bill uses gimmicky math to show a deficit reduction and claims inflation alleviation, but the reality is that the spending ramps up right away, while much of the revenues to reduce the deficit are backloaded. Democrats will undoubtedly want to extend all of their green spending initiatives and Obamacare subsidies beyond the timeline in the bill, driving up the actual total cost even more.

    By raising taxes on corporations and reducing the productivity of capital, the bill could actually shrink the economy, also adding to inflation. The poorest households are disproportionately harmed by inflation. Coupled with the increased tax burden this bill brings, the poor will suffer disproportionately.

    It will not help the environment

    Rep. Deborah Ross (D-NC) said the act “represents the most significant investment to combat climate change in U.S. history.” She is right that this is the highest climate spending ever. Unfortunately, the wasteful spending does nothing to impact global warming.

    In fact, using the United Nations’ model, one expert found the bill, “would cause the world’s temperature in 2100 to be 0.028 degrees Fahrenheit cooler; at worst, only 0.0009 degrees Fahrenheit cooler” according to an article published by the Hoover Institution.

    The Democrat’s stated goal regarding IRA’s climate provisions is to “reduce carbon emissions by roughly 40 percent by 2030.” Our current trajectory is already projected to reach a 24 to 35% emissions reduction in that time. Climate experts consider the bill to be merely “symbolic.”

    And the government’s attempt to prop up electric vehicles and other green technology in opposition to consumer preferences (EVs still make up just 2% of car sales) is a handout to the wealthy. Even with significant subsidies, EVs will remain out of reach for most low-and middle-income households, and the subsidies will enable EV sellers to raise prices further.

    Unfortunately, the climate provisions in this bill amount to little more than growing political control.

    It will increase tax burdens and slow growth

    President Biden repeatedly promised to not raise taxes on those making $400,000 or less. In quintessential Washington fashion, this fails a fact check.

    First, the reckless, government-induced inflation has already resulted in reduced buying power for those making less than $400,000. The average person’s real income has declined $3,000 per year due to inflation according to economist Stephen Moore.

    Under the IRA, major tax changes will be passed down to workers, with the poorest households seeing the biggest increase in their tax burdens. The nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation shows that taxpayers in each income category will face the burden of a tax increase. Those making less than $10,000 would see a 3.1% increased tax burden in the first year, while those making over $1 million would see a 1.9% increased burden. In future years, the tax burdens are estimated to also fall hardest on the poorest households.

    Democrats want to raise taxes on businesses as the nation weathers a recession and record inflation. Even President Obama warned in 2009 that “The last thing you want to do is to raise taxes in the middle of a recession.”

    The bill implements an egregious, corporate alternate minimum tax, often called the “book” tax, requiring companies to calculate their tax liability twice, once with the standard tax code and once using the new book tax. Companies must pay the larger amount.

    Firms need to invest to remain competitive. Generally, a firm would deduct their investment costs in the same year. Under the book tax, however, they lose this advantage as they have to deduct an investment over time.

    This is devastating to the country’s already impaired private investment, which is critical to economic growth. In the latest quarter, GDP fell 0.9% according to the advance estimate from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

    This was driven by a weakened investment. Domestic private investment decreased 13.5% in the second quarter.

    The Biden Administration is engineering further economic chaos.

    It will reduce innovation in life saving drugs

    The bill also claims to anticipate raising $288 billion in drug pricing reform. The IRA will have the government intervene and set Medicare prices for the top ten most expensive drugs, with that list growing in the future.

    Price controls (read “government coercion”) inhibit innovation and reduce supply. Without research and development, we will have fewer drug approvals and greater loss of life.

    A University of Chicago issue brief found the IRA “will reduce revenues by 12.0 percent through 2039 and therefore that the evidence base predicts that R&D spending will fall about 18.5 percent, amounting to $663 billion.”

    It will supersize the IRS to agress the middle class

    The bill claims to create $124 billion in new revenue by expanding the IRS. Interestingly, the bill will spend $3.2 billion to “provide taxpayer services, including pre-filing assistance and education” but spend $45.6 billion “to conduct criminal investigations (including investigative technology), to provide digital asset monitoring and compliance activities.”

    The argument: “if you don’t commit tax fraud, you don’t have to worry” is a false dichotomy. History shows us that the IRS, like all government agencies, is prone to corruption and scandal. Moreover, IRS audits, no matter the verdict, are time consuming, expensive and altogether demoralizing.

    Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) attempted to add an amendment to shield taxpayers making under $400,000 from increased IRS probing. Democrats shot it down. Why? They want to squeeze the middle class for even more revenue to fund their spending problem.

    Conclusion

    In 1788 Jefferson explained what is very true today: “The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield, and government to gain ground.”

    Americans will not be hoodwinked by the promises from the Big Government left. Already, inflation has taught everyone that spending has consequences. Working families know they are seeing less income because of the left’s disastrous policies.

    The Inflation Reduction Act only fuels the federal government’s insatiable appetite for more revenue. Big Government will never be the answer.

  • 15With more than 6 million Americans and 180,000 North Carolinians living with Alzheimer's disease today, researchers are working tirelessly to advance science that will lead to earlier detection, preventions and additional new treatments for Alzheimer’s and all dementia.

    In early August, more than 10,000 researchers attended the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference® 2022 both in person and virtually to share the latest in Alzheimer’s and dementia science. Highlights included:

    Another reason to move your body.  Results are in from the longest-ever clinical trial of exercise in older adults with mild memory problems. After 12 months of regular physical activity — aerobic exercise or stretching — study participants experienced no significant cognitive decline.

    Junk food might be hurting our brains.  Researchers studied more than 10,000 people over eight years and found that high consumption of ultra-processed foods led to a 28% faster decline in cognitive function.

    Racism’s impact on memory.  In a study of nearly 1,000 adults, exposure to interpersonal and institutional racism was associated with lower memory scores, especially among Black individuals.

    More long-term impacts of COVID-19.  Researchers found that loss of smell due to COVID-19 infection may be a better predictor of long-term cognitive and functional impairment than severity of the illness.

    Earning less money may increase dementia risk. Compared with workers earning higher wages, sustained low-wage earners experienced faster memory decline in older age.

    “There is great progress in Alzheimer’s and dementia research,” said Lisa Roberts, executive director for the Alzheimer’s Association – Eastern North Carolina Chapter, who attended the conference as virtual participant.

    15b“This year at AAIC, we heard new ideas about what makes us at risk, as well as a diverse array of treatments and prevention methods for Alzheimer’s disease and all dementia. The work of the scientific community holds great promise for the future worldwide, and in our own back yard here in North Carolina.”

    More than 80 scientific presentations from the conference were from N.C.-based researchers and investigators including: Duke University, East Carolina University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, UNC Greensboro, Wake Forest University and other research centers.

    To learn more about the studies presented at the 2022 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, go to alz.org/aaic.

    The Alzheimer's Association is available with information and support for families as they navigate the disease and related research.

    For more information on the Alzheimer’s Association – Eastern North Carolina Chapter, visit the alz.org/nc or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.

  • pexels katerina holmes 5905436 Students can get backpacks, school supplies and a hot meal during a drive-thru back-to-school event Monday, Aug. 22.

    Balm in Gilead, in partnership with Cumberland County Schools and the Carolina Panthers, will distribute the items to students in need during an event Monday from 6 to 8 p.m., the school system said in a release.

    The giveaway will be at Balm in Gilead, 3110 Doc Bennett Road.

    Staff with Balm in Gilead and volunteers from the school system and other organizations will be at the site helping with the distribution.

    The Carolina Panthers donated 5,000 bookbags with school supplies for Cumberland County Schools students, the release said.

  • vote yes3 copy The Fayetteville City Council on Monday night. Aug. 22, is expected to consider a resolution that would allow voters to decide whether to change the way council members are elected.

    The Vote Yes initiative would restructure the way City Council members are elected. Instead of all nine members being elected by district, four members would be elected at large and five would be elected from districts. The mayor would still be elected citywide.

    In other business Monday, Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins is scheduled to give a second-quarter report on her department.
    With the Vote Yes initiative, the council is expected to consider a resolution that would put the issue before voters on Nov. 8.
    If the issue is to go before voters this fall, the council needs to take action soon. In an email last week to CityView Today, Cumberland County Board of Elections member Linda Devore said “time is of the essence’’ because absentee ballots are expected to go out on Sept. 9 and the state has already started the ballot printing process for some counties.

    The issue was removed from the council's agenda at a June 27 work session and its Aug. 8 regular meeting, when questions were raised about whether the advocacy group promoting the change, Vote Yes Fayetteville, had filed all the paperwork needed to get the referendum on the ballot.
    The council directed City Attorney Karen McDonald to request a copy of the notice of circulation and the date of registration from the county Board of Elections. She made the request in a letter on Aug. 9.

    Angie Amaro, the interim director of the county Board of Elections, responded to McDonald in a letter on Aug. 16.
    Amaro said in her letter that the N.C. State Board of Elections maintains information and guidance on filing petitions on its website. She said the only petition form on the website is a North Carolina Petition Request.

    “Neither the state board’s website nor the petition request form mentions a notice of circulation,’’ Amaro wrote in the letter. “I am not aware that any such form exists. Neither a document identified as a notice of circulation nor a North Carolina petition request was filed in my office for this petition.’’

    On Saturday, Mayor Mitch Colvin said he didn't see where much has changed since the city first questioned the legal validity of the petition two weeks ago.

    "I'm sure the conversation will come up on Monday," he said. " It boils down to the Article 19 of that particular statute and how if those criteria have been met are outlined. I've heard a lot of double-talk about how it didn't apply, but I haven't seen anything that talks about inclusion, also. Pretty much the position of the city attorney had was that 'It didn't appear to be valid.' "

    Colvin said the city has requested copies of all the necessary documents, including the N.C. Petition Request, from the Board of Elections several times but it is his understanding that the document doesn't exist in the file.

    "And they don't have anything they can provide," he added.

    He said he doesn’t know what to anticipate Monday night.

    "We'll see where the discussion goes when it comes up," he said when asked if he expects the council to take action on the proposed resolution.

    "At the end of the day," the mayor said, "it's not like it's a never-ending thing. If it doesn't happen in November, to me — I'm just thinking we just need to follow the law in accordance with it. It's an important issue, so it will be challenged, probably either way, so we want to make sure that the city is not taking an additional risk, skipping a step or looking at the other way."

    Bobby Hurst, one of the organizers of the Vote Yes Fayetteville initiative, said Saturday that the group has done everything it is supposed to do. Amaro verified the signatures on the petition submitted by the Vote Yes group.

    “Everything is in order," Hurst said when asked about having all of the appropriate documentation available for the city to address.

    He said changing the way the council is elected is something for residents to decide.

    “What do the citizens prefer?’’ Hurst said. “It's really up to them, not council. Do you want more representation — six instead of two votes — and you'd have four people instead of (the) mayor looking at the big picture or what's been for Fayetteville as a whole rather than small districts? Those district representatives — their size of City Council would increase from about 23,(000) or 24(,000) to about 41,000 people. So if they're doing a good job, they would love to have a bigger territory.’’

    Hurst said he thinks the council should take action on the issue Monday.

    "Because as Linda Devore had mentioned, the time is short," he said.

    Hurst has previously said that Fayetteville lawyer Neil Yarborough told the committee that the "notice of circulation" procedure does not apply to the Vote Yes petition.
    In a memo to the City Council in the agenda materials, McDonald says that upon receipt of a valid petition, the council is obligated by state law to call for a special election.

    The memo says the council has three options: adopt the resolution to call for a special election, don’t adopt the resolution or provide additional direction to staff.
    The staff recommends that the council vote on whether to adopt the resolution for a special election.
    The Cumberland County Board of Elections needs roughly 90 days from the Nov. 8 Election Day to establish proper working and printing for the general-election ballots, including this referendum and the three bond issues from the city of Fayetteville, according to Hurst.
    Supporters of the Vote Yes initiative say the plan would strengthen the council, provide better representation for all voters and result in the election of more “big-picture” council members. CityView Today publisher Tony Chavonne is among those who organized the Vote Yes petition drive.
    But some opponents say the change would dilute minority voting strength and make it more expensive for candidates who would have to run citywide campaigns rather than district campaigns.

    Second quarter crime report

    The council also is expected to receive the second-quarter crime statistics from Hawkins on Monday night.
    In May, when she delivered first-quarter statistics to the council, Hawkins reported that assault, domestic violence and vehicle theft cases had risen while homicides and rapes decreased. Though crime has been trending downward over the last six years, Hawkins said in May, crime was going up in some areas compared to the first quarter of 2021.
    The City Council meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at City Hall.

  • pedestrian One driver was killed and another was injured in a head-on collision Tuesday night, Aug. 16, near the intersection of Braddy Road and Stoney Point Road, the Fayetteville Police Department said.

    Officers were dispatched to the two-vehicle collision around 8:20 p.m., the department said in a release.

    One driver was pronounced dead at the scene, and the other driver was taken to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries, the release said.

    The intersection of Braddy Road at Stoney Point Road was temporarily closed while members of the department’s Traffic Unit investigate, the release said.

    The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

    Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Officer C. Biggerstaff at 910-751-1382 or Crimestoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477).

  • pexels Crime tape A Fayetteville man was arrested on drug charges after narcotics agents searched a Fayetteville home Tuesday morning, Aug. 16 and found cocaine and marijuana, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office said.

    The Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant just after 6:30 a.m. at 214 Nimocks Ave. During the search, narcotics agents found 4.38 grams of cocaine, 19.99 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, the Sheriff’s Office said in a release.

    Echols M. Howell, 46, was charged with possession with intent to sell cocaine, manufacturing cocaine, possession with intent to sell marijuana, manufacturing marijuana, maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia, the release said.

    Howell was released on a $15,000 unsecured bond. His first appearance is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Cumberland County Detention Center, the release said.
    Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit at 910-677-5525 or Fayetteville-Cumberland County CrimeStoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477).

  • 13 Mostley Crue, the tribute band for 80s hard rockers of (mostly) the same name, is set to play the Gates Four Summer Concert Series on Aug. 26. This show was originally scheduled for June. Weather postponed the date, but not the excitement.

    The band has been together for 15 years and has played hundreds of shows as Motley Crue. The current lineup and their alter egos are Gabriel Pettit as lead vocalist Vince Neil, Darius Rose as drummer Tommy Lee, Keith Baumbaugh as guitarist Mick Mars and Miller Barefoot as bassist Nikki Sixx.

    Pettit is the only original member of the band. He was in another band creating his own music when he was asked to join Mostly Crue as Vince Neil.

    Pettit is known for his uncanny ability to sound like Neil by duplicating his range and tone. He credits this to spending years as a karaoke DJ, where he would imitate other musicians. The Motley Crue singer happened to be one of them. And, like most people, he liked to sing on road trips.

    “I used to sing in the car all the time, and I would adapt my voice to whatever the singer happened to be on my playlist at the time,” he said. “I just listened to an absolute ton of Motley Crue for a fairly extended period of time, over a few months.”

    A Mostly Crue concert might not have the theatrics of an original performance, like elaborate pyrotechnics or Tommy Lee’s rollercoaster drum set. Still, they like to get the audience involved in the show.

    “I firmly believe in getting audience interaction back and forth. I like to include them, especially [when] we do a song called ‘Ten Seconds to Love,’ which is a classic Motley Crue song,” Pettit said. “It’s one that Crue has done in the past to do some audience participation. So, we kind of adopted that song and a similar style of how they included people.”

    Pettit and the band members knew the music of Motley Crue from growing up in the 1980s. Most rock bands of that era were known for living a lifestyle of sex, drugs and rock and roll and indulging in the excess of that decade, but Pettit thinks the music should not be overlooked.

    “The music was about the fun,” he said. “In the ‘big hair’ era, you had players who could really play; they didn’t have Auto-Tune. They could really sing.”

    Attendees can expect all the Motley Crue hits, but the band does play earlier songs and B-sides or songs that may not have made it onto an album. But they should not expect the band to come out rocking the glam look popular in the 80s.

    “Our look is more of a hybrid [of] their later look, post-glam,” he said. “Obviously, none of us look good in spandex anymore.”

    Fans can expect to hear the hit ballad “Home Sweet Home,” which is a song they dedicate to active and retired military.

    “It’s something we’ve done for 15 years. We’ll continue to do it as long as we continue to play, for as long as I’m the singer,” he said. “It’s something I firmly believe in because I believe that those people sacrifice so much for our rights and for our way of life that I think they deserve our appreciation.”

    Pettit and the band enjoy meeting fans after the show and encourage them to come to talk to them after their set.

    “We are humbled by everyone’s appreciation of us, and we love to hear and speak to those people who come to see us. We’ll take pictures with fans,” he said.

    “This is about enjoying the music and enjoying the process of playing it. Don’t be scared to come up and talk to us. We’re here to have fun, too.”

    The band was playing up to 40 shows a year in previous years, but have scaled back a maximum of two shows a month because they have day jobs and families.

    “[Now], we get there, we get to pretend we’re rock stars for a few hours and then walk away back to our normal lives, and it’s a great escape for us,” Pettit said.

    Also on tap for the concert is special guest band Autumn Tyde, a rhythm and blues band created by legendary musician and Fayetteville Music Hall of Famer Doyle Wood.

    “This is a great band with such great musicians,” Wood said of the group. “We have four lead singers in the band — it’s not a one-man show at all, and I just really enjoy doing it.”

    Playing a mix of rock, R & B, original music and the beach music suggested by the band’s name, Wood is keen to share a little something for everyone. Concert-goers can expect to hear some Prince, James Brown, Joe Bonamassa and a little Poco.

    “It’ll be a fun show,” he assured. “We’ve got a different setup than most, and I think the crowd will really enjoy it. At the end of the night, I hope they enjoyed our original music and noted the musicianship and professionalism of the band. These guys are good; if not, I wouldn’t be doing it.”

    The Gates Four Summer Concert Series is held at Gates Four Golf and Country Club Pavilion.

    The series kicked off April 1 and will run through September. The May show featuring Heart Breaker was also rescheduled due to weather and is now set for Oct. 7.

    The Summer Concert Series is free for outdoor lawn seating, and attendees are welcome to bring chairs and blankets. For those looking for a little “extra,” VIP tickets are for $38 and $68 and include pavilion seating, food and beverages. Tables of eight can also be reserved at discounted rates. For more information visit www.fayettevilledinnertheatrre.com/tickets.

    15

  • classroom Cumberland County Schools is offering a $2,000 sign-on bonus for eligible new teachers and instructional support staff, according to a news release from the school system.

    The district has immediate openings for licensed teachers in elementary education; secondary mathematics; English and language arts; science; career and technical education; and special education.

    CCS also is hiring school counselors, social workers and psychologists, the release said.
    The starting pay for all classified positions is $15 per hour, the release said.

    The school system has other openings for before- and after-school program staff, nutrition services staff, instructional assistants and bus drivers.
    Current job opportunities and information on hiring incentives are listed at www.hr.ccs.k12.nc.us.

  • Cumberlan Co logo The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners on Monday, Aug. 15 accepted the county health director’s recommendation on how to spend the first installment of opioid lawsuit settlement money.

    The unanimous vote came during a meeting that lasted well over three hours. Cumberland County’s share for spring and summer totals about $1.79 million.
    Dr. Jennifer Green, director of the county Department of Public Health, recommended that the money be used for four initiatives:

    As much as $800,000 to fund multiyear pilot projects that adhere to a list of state-approved strategies to combat opioid abuse.
    Allocate between $10,000 to $70,000 buy Narcan, a prescription medication to treat opioid overdoses, and to fund a syringe service program.

    Establish a $200,000 multiyear pilot project to support medication assisted treatment at the Cumberland County Detention Center.
    Explore building or leasing space for a residential substance-use facility, a community recovery center and transitional housing.
    In July 2021, N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein announced a $26 billion agreement with pharmaceutical companies to help communities affected by the opioid epidemic. An agreement between the state and local governments directs how opioid settlement funds are distributed. Cumberland County is set to get $16,989,930 over the next 18 years, and the city of Fayetteville is set to get $1,994,964 during the same period.

    The $800,000 will be used to fund state-recommended strategies that include early-intervention programs; addiction treatment for uninsured and underinsured addicts; programming to support opioid addicts in treatment and recovery; and criminal justice diversion programs.
    Vital Strategies, a global public health organization that helps strengthen public health services, is providing money and technical assistance to North Carolina counties for the next five years that choose these strategies to distribute Narcan and provide a syringe service program.

    Vital Strategies will match spending ranging from $10,000 to $70,000 for counties that invest in these initiatives for as long as three years. In turn, Cumberland County would commit to continued funding of at least 75% of the initial investment using the opioid settlement funding.

    The board opted to fund that recommendation at the full $70,000.
    Implementing a $200,000 multiyear pilot project to support medication assisted treatment at the Detention Center was a third recommendation by Green. The treatment is not currently available at the jail. It uses three medications — methadone, buprenorphine and or naltrexone — that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat opioid addiction.

    The program combines counseling and behavioral therapies. For example, according to Green, funding could support maintenance of the treatment for detainees taking prescribed medications for opioid use disorder before they were jailed.

    The first three options would support just over $1 million in projects. The remaining $718,000 could be used for other programs such as exploring the feasibility to build or lease space for a residential substance abuse facility and transitional housing. Green said that coming out of a treatment program and returning to the same environment does not produce successful results in treating addiction.

    The recommendations presented to the board by Green are based on feedback from a series of community meetings hosted by the Health Department in May and June, as well as a community survey.

    American Rescue Plan

    In other action, the board voted unanimously to accept the recommendations of the American Rescue Plan Committee’s funding list of 29 small businesses.
    Tye Vaught, the county chief of staff, said the 29 businesses completed multiple steps of the Small Business Economic Assistance Program application process, making them eligible to receive coronavirus recovery funding totaling just over $1 million.

    According to Vaught, the funding is contingent on the businesses’ successful execution of a contract with the county. He said county employees have visited each business and ensured that their paperwork with the N.C. Secretary of State’s Office is current.
    The commissioners also were given a briefing by incoming Fort Bragg Garrison Commander Col. John Wilcox.

    “It’s a great honor and privilege to be invited to speak to the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners and to be welcomed into this great community,” said Wilcox. “I look forward to developing a strong working relationship between Fort Bragg and Cumberland County and strengthening our friendship and camaraderie throughout the community.”

    He said the people living on Fort Bragg are neighbors and friends of county residents whose children play together. He noted that during the Fort Bragg’s July 4th celebrations, more than 65,000 service members and their guests attended and not a single incident of criminal activity was reported.

    He also said the plan to change the name of Fort Bragg to Fort Liberty resonates throughout the local military community and noted that the word “liberty” is in the lyrics of the 82nd Airborne Division song and in the Special Forces motto.

  • hope mills logo The Hope Mills Board of Commissioners held a special work session Monday night, Aug. 15 to discuss the development of an overlay zoning district that will help guide development in the town.
    After the work session, the board met for its regular meeting. Chancer McLaughlin, the town's planning and economic development director, led the work session, explaining to the board what it can expect in the coming months as a policy is developed.

    Overlay zoning is a regulatory tool that creates a special zoning district over existing zoning. It can include additional or different regulations that apply within the district.

    On July 18, the board adopted a temporary moratorium on certain businesses while town staff works to create an overlay district. The moratorium gives the board six months to study the idea and implement the district.
    The moratorium also gives the town the authority to halt business licenses that “could negatively impact the character, use and overall harmony of existing and future development areas,” according to McLaughlin’s presentation.

    McLaughlin told the board there will be two more sessions, one in September and one in October. According to McLaughlin's presentation, the proposed overlay district will be considered by the Cumberland County Joint Planning Board in November. The proposal will likely go before the town Board of Commissioners for consideration in December after input and recommendations from the staff.
    In addition to outlining the steps needed to implement an overlay district, Mclaughlin also explained the town’s options and what type of overlays were possible.

    McLaughlin told board members that it would be important to include input from the town. The first phase of creating an overlay district policy would be gathering input from the town. He said he plans to begin asking the public for its input as early as Friday.
    McLaughlin said he will use mailers, fliers, social media and the town’s website to gather input from the town.
    According to Mclaughlin’s presentation, gathering data also includes asking stakeholders such as the town’s businesses what they want to see in an overlay policy.

    The next work session is scheduled for September, but a date and time have not been set.
    During its regular meeting, the board heard an update on the Public Safety Building from its architect, Scott Garner.

    Garner told the board the heating and air were nearing completion as well as the carpet and tile. The doors have been hung and hardware has been put on. Garner said he was told the building would be completed by mid-September, but he said he felt that was a bit optimistic though everything was going well and on target.
    Garner said once the building is occupied, the plan is to demolish the old fire station.

    “The fire chief wants to use the demolition of the old fire station for training purposes,” Garner told the board.

    The board unanimously approved everything on the consent agenda. This included:
    Authorizing the town manager to sign an annual storm drain cleaning contract in the amount of $100,000 with Intragrade. The amount is included in the current budget.

    Accepting state funding for stormwater projects and approving a related budget amendment. The town originally asked for $300,000 but was granted $600,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds through the state.
    Approving a site plan for a proposed Sheetz gas station on the southeast corner of Chickenfoot Road and U.S. 301.

  • FPD logo A Fayetteville man has been arrested on 39 felony charges, including kidnapping, assault and various sex offenses, the Police Department said in a release.

    Sean Westley Mills, 33, of the 7000 block of Jarmon Court, was arrested Monday by detectives with the Police Department’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team, the release said.

    Mills is charged with one count each of first-degree kidnapping, second-degree forcible sex offense and assault by strangulation; two counts of second-degree forcible rape; six counts of crimes against nature; 12 counts of sexual battery and other offenses, the Police Department said.

    This case was investigated by the Fayetteville Police Department’s Special Victim’s Unit

    Mills was processed at the Cumberland County Detention Center, where he received a $387,500 secured bond.

  • 19Typically falling in mid-summer is the relatively unfamiliar 24-hour Jewish fast day of Tisha B’Av. I often call this commemoration the Jewish Memorial Day, as it memorializes the tragedies and martyrs of the Jewish people from antiquity until the present.

    Many ethnic and faith communities dedicate days to remembering their peoples’ past tragedies. It is difficult to relate to such events when far removed by time and space. On Tisha B’Av my faith community recalls and mourns millennia of suffering and martyrdom, while paradigmatically highlighting the destructions of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem, and the loss of Jewish national independence, to the Babylonians over 2600 years ago and to the Romans some 600 years later.

    Although the destruction of the Second Temple and commonwealth was at the hands of the Roman Empire, Jewish tradition teaches that its root cause was senseless, internal hatred. America is not yet at that point, but I fear the internal divisions which were intense enough to lead to the storming of our capitol building last year.

    The following re-imagines the destruction of the First Jewish Temple and commonwealth through an anachronistic American lens. Maybe it can help us better appreciate an ancient tragedy as well as recognize potential risks for our nation if we cannot find a way to begin coming together. We should also recognize that there are those around the world, like in Ukraine, who live with similar destruction today.

    Imagine a foreign enemy, aided by internal, domestic divisions, attacked the United States and made its way to our nation's capital, leaving mass destruction and death in its wake. Imagine they isolated the city and waited until garbage, sickness, fear, starvation, psychological disturbance and the implosion of civil society progressively deepened. They then breached our defenses and systematically wreaked havoc, fighting building by building, until they destroyed our national monuments, treasures and federal buildings, save for an outer casement wall of the capitol complex destined to become a shrine to later generations.

    Imagine they transferred our political, economic and intellectual leadership to their own country while leaving the bulk of the working population. Without both blue collar workers and those possessing advanced educational expertise and experience in administration and governance our flourishing society was crippled.
    Imagine sophisticated technology and communications were eradicated, leaving a more primitive life bereft of the ability to contact loved ones; unable to learn what befell them or to share mutual love, consolation and support. Meanwhile, this foe left their own military and administrators to rule over our decimated land.

    Imagine that accompanying the destruction of physical institutions, America lost its shared communal commitment, built upon the essential words of its foundational documents. This civil and spiritual center was obliterated alongside its functionaries and scholars who served, taught and exemplified the American tradition and values.

    Such a massive devastation and tragedy would be an unimaginable calamity of incalculable proportions. And such was the destruction of the Jewish nation, its people, and its temple — twice in antiquity.
    Perhaps Tisha B’Av can serve not only as a Jewish memorial day, but also as a warning for our nation to begin making conscious efforts to move in another, more healing direction. America always thrives behind healthy diversity; culturally and intellectually. We are most at risk when the value of American unity begins to ebb.

    What can we do to ensure that our nation never approaches my dystopian images? It will take each of us deciding to struggle for the whole that is greater than the sum of any individual parts to answer that question.

  • 18Fitness is not always about what we eat, maintaining a healthy lifestyle or how much we exercise. It is also about things that we love that bring joy. Happiness is a large contributor to our health and leads to many positive behaviors.

    Many things in life make us happy. I particularly like sunflowers; their large heads follow the sun from sunrise to sunset. They derived their name from the Greek word Helianthus, Heli means son and Anthus means flower. Some Ancient cultures were known to worship them. There is a mythical story about the Sunflower and a couple called Clytie and Apollo. Apollo did not love Clytie, but she became a sunflower to offer hope, happiness and renewal, and she followed the sun each day spreading warmth and sunshine.

    There are more than 70 varieties of sunflowers and an annual plant that comes in a wide variety of sizes and colors. They are native to North America and one of the easiest plants to grow. The rarest sunflower for North and South Carolina is a perennial wildflower. Its common name is Schweitz’s sunflower, one of the rarest species of sunflowers in the U.S.

    The tallest sunflower was grown in Germany and reached over thirty-one feet. Sunflowers rotate during the day to pivot their faces towards the sun and can rotate as much as 180 degrees. Once the flower reaches maturity the flower faces east to gather the warmth of the morning sun providing a source for pollinating bees.

    Sunflowers have been used for aesthetic, medicinal and aesthetic purposes through the centuries. They are a popular choice for weddings and floral decorations and have been used in many ways. The Cherokee Nation used the leaves to treat kidney problems and the Dakota for pulmonary and chest pains. The oils from the seeds were used as an oil to paint the body. They were used for dermatology, appetite stimulants, sand painting ceremonies and used as suave. They have a rich history as a food plan and are still eaten raw, cooked, ground, dried and used as oil.

    Purple and black dywes were extracted by soaking them in water to make color for baskets and body paint. They were worn in the hair for ceremonies and carved wooden discs have been found in prehistoric sites in Arizona. It has been found that they have been used for fuel, food for poultry and livestock. The Chinese have used fibers in the manufacturing of fabrics.

    The consumption of sunflower seeds has been linked to lower rates of cholesterol, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. They are the source of vitamins that help to support your immune system and are high in zinc, selenium and boost your energy.

    Sunflowers for arrangements are an excellent choice adding a bold and rich color to a striking presence. Proper care can keep your arrangements lasting longer. Hydration is an important step in maintaining the life of your sunflowers. Water is essential in the first step of cutting for immersion and cutting the stems again to have continued water flow to the heads for extended shelf life. Using a preservative can also help with maintaining freshness. Sunflowers cut from the garden should be picked a few hours after dawn for hydration. Sunflowers picked during mid-day may result in the flowers drooping. Place in containers where the heads can be supported and remove all the leaves below the surface to prevent bacteria from growing. Pair your flowers with greenery and flowers with a variety of shapes or a simple cluster.

    Live, love life and sunflowers.

  • 16On the hunt for pulled pork and live music? Look no further than the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 670, located at 3928 Doc Bennett Road at 5 p.m. on Aug. 21.

    Post 670 is hosting this event as a fundraiser for its “core programs.” Core programs include “Teacher of the Year,” “Voice of Democracy,” “Patriot’s Pen,” “Scout of the Year” and safety awards.

    “Each post has core programs, [and] each VFW has to do these things,” said Post 670 Commander Mike Baker, retired USMC.

    The “Voice of Democracy” and “Patriot’s Pen” are VFW youth programs that provide $3 million in awards and incentives to students and families each year, per the VFW’s website.

    “Patriot’s Pen” is for junior high and middle school students and requires them to write a 300-400-word essay on a “new patriotic theme each year.” Entrants of “Patriot’s Pen” will first compete at the Post level, followed by state and national levels. The “Patriot’s Pen” offers a $5,000 national and $500 state-level prize.

    “Voice of Democracy” is designed for high school age students. It is a three-to-five-minute long written and spoken essay. Winners receive prizes and incentives at the post, district and department levels, as well as the national level. The prize for national first place is $35,000. Winners will be awarded during the event.

    According to the VFW, “Some of [its] earliest ties to the community involve youth groups and perhaps none are stronger and more lasting than the relationship between the VFW and America’s Scouting organizations.” Top area Boy and Girl Scouts will be announced during the event.
    Once a year, the VFW chooses local emergency medical, law enforcement and firefighter personnel to be presented with the VFW’s “Public Servant Award.” Winners will be announced during the event.

    “The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is a nonprofit veteran service organization comprised of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, Guard and Reserve forces,” according to the VFW’s mission statement. There are 5,883 worldwide VFW Posts and 1.5 million VFW and Auxiliary members.

    The “VFW Auxiliary” is made up of “members from all walks of life with a common connection: All are relatives of those who served overseas in a conflict of foreign origin,” VFWAuxiliary.org explains. There are nearly 470,000 members at 3,600 auxiliaries across the country.

    Doc Bennett Road runs by the Fayetteville Airport. Coming from 301, take Airport Road for less than a mile to Doc Bennett Road. Keep in mind that if you travel over the I-95 bridge, you’ve gone too far. Coming from I-87 to Doc Bennett Road, Post 670 is just over the bridge on the left, Baker said.

    To enjoy the food with music will cost $25. To enjoy the food in silence will cost $12.

    Live music will be provided by “Reflections II,” a widely regarded local cover band who plays a variety of 80s and 90s rock ‘n’ roll hits.
    If you are interested in more information about the VFW, if you would like to make a donation or if you are an eligible veteran or family member, please visit VFW.org or VFWAuxiliary.org.

  • 15 United Way of Cumberland County will be holding their second annual meal packing event Aug. 25 at Snyder Baptist Memorial Church. During the event, volunteers will be packing 35,000 meal packets which will then be donated to Fayetteville Urban Ministries and Catholic Charities USA, both local organizations that help homeless and needy people in Cumberland County.

    Melissa Reid, director of resource development with United Way Cumberland County, said she is excited about the event.

    “In the past when we’ve had a campaign kick off, it was a sit-down type of event. Last year when we were able to get back to it after COVID, we decided we needed to do something different,” she said. “Instead of everyone sitting there listing to people talk, we wanted to do something hands on because that’s what we are about, helping the community.”

    United Way’s mission is to “improve the quality of lives in Cumberland County by addressing critical human needs,” according to their website. The meal packing event is one of the ways Reid hopes to be able to carry out that mission.

    Last year was the first time United Way held a meal packing event. In the two hours they had allotted for volunteers, they packed 26,000 meal packets. The meal packets were then distributed to Fayetteville Urban Ministries.

    “I reached out to Johnny at Urban Ministries a few months ago and I said, ‘did you all use the packets we gave to you last year?’ And he said yes … It took about two months, all the meal packets were gone by the end of October. That tells you right there the need,” Reid said.

    This year, she was able to secure a grant for funds for even more meal packets. Reid hopes to pack up 35,000 packets with the more than 200 volunteers needed for the event. Those interested in volunteering for the event can sign up at https://www.unitedway-cc.org/.

    “PWC signed up for 25 individuals,” said Reid. “The town of Hope Mills weren’t a part of it last year, but I spoke to the mayor, Jackie Warner, and she said the town was going to be involved this year. It’s a great team building event, that is what Kelly Wallace with Beasley told me last year.”

    Athletes from Fayetteville Technical Community College volunteered their time last year and are planning on coming back again.

    “Last year, the diversity in the room was amazing. Different races, different financial backgrounds. We had some CEOS and stay-at-home moms, youths. Firemen, policemen. The city of Fayetteville really showed up last year, it was really heart warming.”

    Reid also said she likes to make the event fun with hand clappers, beach balls and pom poms.

    “Last year, I tried to start the wave,” she joked.

    The meal packing event will take place at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those interested in volunteering should visit the United Way website. Reid said for those who can’t volunteer but would still like to help, there is a “donate” button on the website.
    “Be the change,” she said, echoing the 2022-23 campaign slogan. “Come in here and help your community.”

  • 14Downtown Fayetteville will host its 4th Friday event Aug. 26 between 6 and 9 p.m. at Anderson Street, just off of Hay Street.

    “Anybody can find something they love on the 4th Friday,” said Lauren Falls, Cool Springs Downtown District marketing director.

    The 4th Friday is being presented by the Cool Springs Downtown District. The .55 square-mile Cool Springs Downtown District is “Fayetteville’s growing destination for art and entertainment.”
    The 4th Friday is where Fayetteville “lines the streets with food carts, vendors, musicians, artists, performers and attractions,” Falls said.
    Anderson Street will be where this month’s featured DJ, N.C.-based DJ Tommy Gee Mixx, will be holding down the tunes.

    “I’m an old head with new moves,” according to Tommy Gee Mixx. “I spin whateva, wheneva.”

    Being a street festival, there is no stage at a 4th Friday event. You can interact with musicians and artists selling their work up close, and you can interact with local downtown businesses, she added.
    There will be a “food truck rodeo” at the Arts Council of Fayetteville parking lot, located at 301 Hay Street.

    “The Arts Council of Fayetteville [and] Cumberland County supports individual creativity, cultural preservation, economic development and lifelong learning through the arts,” the Arts Council spokesperson said.

    The Arts Council of Fayetteville was founded in 1973 and has served as the link between artists, the arts and culture ever since.

    “In the year 2020-21, the Arts Council distributed $1.1 million in grant funds and allocations to Cumberland County arts and culture nonprofit organizations, artists, and municipalities,” according to the Arts Council of Fayetteville website.

    “Downtown Fayetteville has successfully reversed its image with a multitude of downtown revitalization projects that began in the early [1990s] and continue today,” according to VisitFayetteville.com.

    Over the years, additions such as the Airborne and Special Operations Museum, N.C. Veterans Park, Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum, as well as Festival and Linear Parks, “have all contributed to the changing face of the downtown area,” VisitFayetteville.com says.

    The 4th Friday events are a way to celebrate downtown Fayetteville and its diversity. These events are also the perfect way to welcome people to the city who might not otherwise venture
    downtown.

    The Cool Springs Downtown District hosts over 100 businesses and award-winning restaurants, nationally-renowned museums, a growing residential population, over $150 million in public and private investment over the course of two years and is being considered for the region’s newest performing arts center, a likely investment of over $40 million, according to the Cool Springs Downtown District’s website.

    Typically, from March to October, the Cool Springs Downtown District hosts 4th Friday events to draw locals and visitors to the downtown area.
    If you’re new to the area, or if you’re considering making your way down to this 4th Friday festival, Aug. 26 between 6 and 9 p.m., bear in mind that by this point in the summer season, the evenings are generally warm but not overbearing.

    If you have questions, please check out Cool Springs Downtown District’s website at www.VisitDowntownFayetteville.com.

  • 13“Let it be known that he who wears the military order of the Purple Heart has given of his blood in the defense of his homeland and shall forever be revered by his fellow countrymen.”

    With these words, George Washington created the order that established the Badge of Military Merit. Today, Americans know this prestigious honor as the Purple Heart.

    The Purple Heart is the oldest military award still given today. It is an honor bestowed upon brave men and women who are wounded or killed in action by an enemy of the United States, including acts of terrorism. Over 1.8 million Purple Hearts have been awarded since the medal’s inception under Washington in 1782.

    An estimated 476 Purple Heart recipients live in or around Fayetteville and Fort Bragg. On Aug. 20 they will be honored for their bravery in service at the 2022 Sandhills Purple Heart Dinner. The formal dinner will take place at the Crown Coliseum Expo Center beginning at 5 p.m.

    As the only one of its kind in Cumberland County, the Sandhills Purple Heart Dinner is meant to publicly honor the sacrifice of Purple Heart recipients and their families. Also honored will be Gold Star Mothers, mothers whose active-duty children have been killed in action, as well as families of service members who’ve been killed in combat. Considering the large military population in Cumberland County, the dinner honors nearly 90 Purple Heart recipients at the event annually.

    Fort Bragg has the unique distinction of being not only the largest military base in the United States but in the world. Home to over 50,000 active-duty troops, Fort Bragg, established as Camp Bragg in 1918, is a city with a rich history and even more heart. Perhaps more impressive than Fort Bragg’s remarkable size and formidable military presence is its large veteran population. While nationwide, veterans represent a little over 7% of the population, around 17% of adults in the Fayetteville area have a military background.

    Up & Coming Weekly spoke with Andrea Tebbe and Chris Pearce, chairperson, and vice-chair of the Sandhills Purple Heart Dinner. Tebbe is a veteran, and a military spouse. She and Pearce, whose husband is a two-time Purple Heart recipient, both feel their involvement with the event is an opportunity to give back to a community that is often underserved.

    “My father and father-in-law are Purple Heart recipients,” Tebbe shared. “I became involved so I could honor those before me; men and women who are true heroes in every sense of the word.”

    Pearce sees the dinner as an opportunity to educate civilians about the Purple Heart and what a prestigious honor it is. After canceling the dinner in 2020, and a small turnout due to
    COVID precautions last year, Tebbe hopes this year’s event will be “bigger and better” than ever.

    “Interest varies a little from year to year, but the pandemic hurt our momentum. I’ve seen a slight decrease, but I’m hoping attendance picks back up,” she said.

    The dinner is open to all Purple Heart recipients and their families and civilians who wish to come and pay their respect to the brave men and women the event will honor. Pearce and Tebbe see the inclusion of civilians as an important component of the dinner as so many older veterans, those who served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam, are dying. Stories of their brave service to their country could be lost with their passing.

    “It’s an important event to be a part of,” Tebbe expressed. “We’re losing so many of our veterans every day, especially Vietnam vets. For many, this is the first welcome home that they’ve had. So many of our Vietnam vets were not honored when they returned, and this is our way of saying thank you to them for their sacrifice and their service. People should come and engage with this community.”

    Pearce shared an equal sentiment: “I think this is an important event so people can recognize our veterans and their work. They so often don’t get the recognition they deserve.”

    With that in mind, the Sandhills Purple Heart Dinner is designed so its honorees are kept firmly in place as the center of attention during the three-hour event. During the ceremony, there will be no guest speakers to ensure every moment is filled with those present, those remembered and those forgotten.

    Local high school JROTC will hold their sabers aloft as Purple Heart recipients pass through during an honor walk. The Missing Man table, a symbolic gesture of remembrance those affiliated with the military know all too well, will also be present to pay silent tribute to the unknown fate of those missing in action.

    Though it is a solemn event, it’s also a time of celebration. Each Purple Heart recipient and Gold Star Mother will receive a surprise gift as a token of appreciation to be presented by Francis Figueroa, Department Commander of the Military Order of Purple Heart and fellow Purple Heart recipient. Also, the Cross Creek Chordsmen, a local acapella group, will be in attendance to lead the crowd in boisterous military songs.

    During the dinner, Purple Heart recipients will be seated with civilians. Hence, they have an opportunity to share their stories with a new audience — a practice Tebbe would like to see more.

    “I think anytime you’re in contact with a veteran, there should be a thank you,” she said candidly. “I think people need to recognize and be grateful for all that veterans have done.”

    Tebbe would also like to see that gratitude paired with action, particularly concerning volunteering for events like this. The planning for an event of this size and visibility takes place over the course of months, beginning in January for the August dinner.

    “We’re always looking for more people to volunteer,” she said. “We could use help with planning and definitely on the day of. For me, it’s my way of giving back and saying thank you.”

    All Purple Heart recipients and Gold Star Mothers are entitled to a complimentary ticket for themselves and one guest. Additionally, the organization will give one ticket to a guest representing an individual killed in action.

    Tickets for all other attendees are $25 a person.

    The Crown Coliseum Expo Center is located at 1960 Coliseum Drive in Fayetteville.
    For tickets, information or to volunteer visit https://www.sandhillsphdinner.com/ or reach out to Andrea Tebbe at 910-286-6068.

  • 12As summer events trickle from the family calendar and Cumberland County trudges toward another school year, Sweet Valley Ranch has just the thing to send families out in style.
    Just a “hop, skip and a jump from city limits,” Sweet Valley Ranch is the place to be Saturday, Aug. 20, for their Music at the Farm Concert Series. The venue’s second concert this summer season will feature Tim Hair with Indian Outlaw, followed by Jim Quick and the Coastline Band.

    The sprawling 300-acre farm, owned and operated by Fred and Anita Surgeon, is already home to a number of fascinating attractions such as Dinosaur World, an immersive animatronic dinosaur sight-seeing adventure, and a premiere destination for agro-tourism enthusiasts. Inspired by the long days of summer, the Surgeons felt the farm with its beautiful views and peaceful scenery would be the perfect background for some good music.

    The event’s organizer, local musician Greg Adair, feels the farm’s rustic charm and wealth of activities make it an ideal place for families to come together and have a little fun before the summer ends. In June, the series’ first concert featured local favorite Rivermist and 80s cover band Kids in America. Oct. 15 will mark the concert series’ final show with performances by Hell is Here and Mostley Crue.

    Guests are encouraged to bring their blankets to lay out or their camping chairs to set up during the concert. No outside food or drink is permitted, but a food and beverage truck will be on-site to sell refreshments. Adult guests can grab a drink from the beer garden sponsored by Healy Wholesale, and kids can check out the bounce houses nearby.

    “It’s a really cool venue and a great place to walk around,” Adair said. “It’s a special place to take the whole family and see a show. The kids can get some food, adults can get some refreshments — there’s just so much to do, and people should expect some great music.”

    Dinosaur World, a popular attraction at the ranch, will be open for its final weekend of the season on Aug. 20 and 21. As part of a farewell bundle, guests can purchase a Dinosaur World Supreme Concert package which includes general admission to the theme park and the concert. Individual general admission tickets cost $15.

    Tim Hair & Indian Outlaw will take the stage at 7 p.m., and the band’s lead singer, Tim Hair, is excited to bring the band’s energy to Sweet Valley Ranch. Hair, a former Vegas entertainer and Tim McGraw impersonator, has been in the entertainment business for over 20 years and confessed that it never gets old.

    The seven-piece country cover band primarily performs a large selection of Tim McGraw’s greatest hits but likes to throw in a wild card or two during their high-energy performance. For Hair, bringing joy to people through his music is what it’s all about.

    “I just love making people happy and making sure people have a good time. As long as I can make people smile, then that’s good for me,” he said.

    At 8:15 p.m., Carolina Music Awards Entertainer of the Year Jim Quick and his band Coastline will rock the stage with the soulful blues and smooth rhythm and blues sound they’ve perfected over the past 25 years. Performing over 250 shows across the southeast a year, Jim Quick is a seasoned performer with a deep knowledge of his craft and a love of performing. His quirky persona and comedic flair are sure to be a treat for the Sweet Valley Ranch audience.

    The concert series is one event in a summer that’s been packed with things to do. From the full return of Fay After 5, a concert series at Gates Four Golf & Country Club, and one of the largest Juneteenth celebrations in the country, it seems that Cumberland County is ready to celebrate the good times once again. After two years of COVID restrictions, cancellations and halted plans, Adair sees the series and similar events in the area as being much-needed and long overdue.

    “I think [events like this are] super important,” Adair said candidly. “People need to get back out and live — 2020 taught us that. People should take advantage of these events when they’re in the area. There’s less and less to do as the weather changes, so now’s the time to get out there and have fun.”

    Fun is clearly a top priority for Fred and Anita Surgeon, when it comes to operations at Sweet Valley Ranch, “where nature meets adventure.” Dedicated to bringing a holistic agricultural experience to the people of Cumberland County, the farm serves several functions, from production to entertainment.
    In addition to Dinosaur World, the ranch hosts several seasonal attractions throughout the year. Those visiting during the spooky season can explore Backwoods Terror Ranch and its three horrifying attractions. Visitors can drive through the farm during the holiday season and experience the magic of over a million twinkling lights, holiday music and exotic livestock.

    The farm also features over 350 animals representing five continents, Go-Karts, ATV trails, fishing ponds, and enough inflatables to make any kid feel right at home. Sweet Valley Ranch also produces pecans and other items for sale. With every aspect of the ranch curated to create maximum enjoyment for its guests, Sweet Valley Ranch more than lives up to its promise to “promote freedom of spirit, personal growth, appreciation for family, and giving back to the community.”

    The picturesque ranch strives to be a place of peace, replenishment and rejuvenation for all who enter. The Sweet Valley Ranch Music at the Farm event is sure to be great fun for the whole family with good intentions paired with great local music, food, beer and dinosaurs.

    Sweet Valley Ranch is located at 2990 Sunnyside School Road in the Cedar Creek area of Fayetteville.
    To purchase tickets, visit, https://www.etix.com/ticket/e/1025578.

  • 11The fourth annual Lanning’s Lemonade and Colton’s Cookies fund-raiser is gearing up to be the biggest and best yet for the two youngsters whose mission in life is to help other children.
    The two young entrepreneurs will hold their annual Lanning’s Lemonade and Colton’s Cookies fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 20 from 11 a.m.
    until 3 p.m. at the entrance to VanStory Hills.

    Brothers Colton Walters, 8, and Lanning Kistler, 9, are raising money for their favorite charity: the Child Advocacy Center of Fayetteville. The Center provides counseling and support services for abused children.
    Money raised before went to Missions of Hope International, which builds schools in Africa, and to the Boys & Girls Home of North Carolina.

    Lanning started the fundraiser five years ago with a lemonade stand in his front yard. He decided to raise money for a good cause, and dad was all for it. Colton and his chewy M&M cookies joined the cause when the Kistlers became a blended family.

    In the last several years, the boys decided to make the Child Advocacy Center the charity of their choice. Although COVID-19 halted the event in 2020, the boys in 2021 raised $2,575 for the Child Advocacy Center.

    This year, the boys — with the help of mom and dad — went full throttle. They acquired sponsorships to raise even more money. Sponsors include Firehouse Subs, City Center Gallery and Books, The UPS Store, Maiden and Monsters Professional Face-Painting Services, Meraki Creative Services, and Sen. Kirk deViere and his wife, Jenny. More sponsors may be on the horizon.

    The savvy fundraisers also used social media to earn more. They opened an online donation portal on Facebook, and as of mid-August earned $285.
    It doesn't stop there.

    “I came up with the idea to sell some of our original artwork during the fundraiser,” Colton said. “I love to draw. So, hopefully, we can make more money for the Child Advocacy Center.”

    And Lanning also turned up the heat. He added a special ingredient to his lemonade.

    “We decided to change our recipe a little bit this year, and it’s going to taste great,” Lanning said. “I can’t give out the secrets, though.”

    But the highlight of this year’s event — other than Lanning’s lemonade and Colton’s cookies — will be a cornhole tournament that starts at 1 p.m. Teams consist of two people, and there’s a $75 registration fee. First place winners get $200, second place earns $100.

    John Kistler said they researched fundraising. They learned most of the money from such activities usually comes from sponsorships.

    “In the past, we have relied solely on individual community support and sales on the day of the event. We think this will really help to increase the amount of money that can be raised,” John Kistler said in an email to Up & Coming Weekly.

    Kistler said the annual fundraising event is a way to get the boys involved in their community.
    And, according to mom Jennifer, all the activities and preparations surrounding the event “brought us together as a blended family.”

    “We will stay up really late on Friday night to make the lemonade and cookies,” said Colton.

    “I hope a lot of people will come out on Saturday,” Lanning added.

  • 10Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina will be hosting three upcoming drive-thru food distribution events. Two of these events will be held in Cumberland County while the other one is set to take place in Harnett County.

    The first distribution will be on Aug. 20 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Second Harvest Food Bank located at 406 Deep Creek Road, which is a few minutes from downtown Fayetteville. The second event will be at Alger B. Wilkins High School, 1429 Skibo Road on Aug. 24 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The final drive-thru food distribution taking place near Fayetteville will be in Spring Lake at the Anderson Creek Community Church, 2085 Ray Road on Aug. 27 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

    For each of these events, there is a maximum of two households served per vehicle. Anyone belonging to a family can participate and it's first come, first serve.
    Since 1964, Action Pathway has been part of a national network of community action programs whose promise is to change people’s lives, embody the spirit of hope and improve communities. According to the Community Action Partnership, an initiative that is a part of the 1964 Economic Opportunity Act, the service areas of Community Action Agencies are independently operated, private human service non-profit organizations. Currently, more than 34 million residents in the United States rely on CAAs to be the primary direct-support agency to keep them on their feet.

    The Second Harvest Food Bank was founded in 1982 as a program of Action Pathways. This non-profit organization provides food for people at risk of hunger in seven counties. Volunteers and employees serve a network of more than 260 partner agencies such as soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters and programs for children and adults through distribution centers in Bladen, Cumberland, Duplin, Harnett, Hoke, Robeson and Sampson counties. Currently, the Food Bank secures, stores and distributes more than 16 million pounds of food annually.

    The food that Second Harvest Food Bank provides for the community is donated by major retailers, local wholesalers and warehouses, other food banks, as well as through food drives held by individuals, businesses, schools and civic organizations. Additional food, including fresh produce from small, local farms, is purchased for their programs. If available, the Second Harvest Food Bank also hands out dairy products like milk and yogurt.

    The Feeding America network is the “boss” of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina. The contracted relationship these two companies share assures both financial and operational excellence. It also provides accountability through network training, site monitoring and the maintenance of substantial records conformity to established Federal and State safe food handling standards.

    The Food Bank is consistently looking for volunteers who are all about helping others. They are currently looking for volunteers who can work on weekdays. School groups, offices or families can sign up for a day of giving back. To volunteer and to find out more information about Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina, visit www.hungercantwait.org.

  • 9On a recent Monday morning, about 50 people gathered at the Rogers & Breece Funeral Home Chapel on Ramsey Street. Many were some of Cumberland County's most well-known politicians. Regardless of political affiliations, they co-mingled, fist bumped, back slapped and spoke in hushed, amiable tones.

    The gathering at the Chapel was not the traditional celebration of life that Rogers & Breece Funeral Home normally hosts. Instead, it was a celebration of the faithful service that Rogers & Breece Funeral Home has and still provides to the community.

    Rogers & Breece Funeral Home is a family-owned business that has served families at their most vulnerable times for 124 years. They also contribute to many community charities.
    The man behind the event was Larry Chason, a funeral assistant at Rogers & Breece Funeral Home. Chason said he “woke up one morning and thought we need to do something.”

    “I just felt something needed to be done [to recognize them],” he said. “They have done an exceptional job serving this community. They've brought it up to another level.”

    That something was to publicly recognize the Breece family for their dedicated service. He started by writing a letter to state Rep. Diane Wheatley, telling her of the funeral home's history and service to the community.
    He also surprised the family by having a recognition program. He convinced them they needed to have a staff meeting that morning. It wasn't until they each arrived and saw the gathering that they realized something was happening.

    History

    In 1898, the United States fought a 112-day war with Spain, annexed Puerto Rico, and J.M. Rogers established and operated the Fayetteville funeral home. In 1926, Oscar P. Breece bought into the business. Rogers died in 1932 and his partner Breece bought the remaining business from Roger's widow, Florence.

    In 1950, Robert W. “Bobby” Breece, Sr. graduated from college and joined the business. After his passing in December 2006, sons Corey and Robert took over. Corey is president, Robert is vice president, and sister Sharman Breece Craven serves as the company's secretary.

    A Passion For Serving

    Among the speakers at the appreciation ceremony was Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin, who also owns a family-operated funeral home. He said his family has been in the funeral home business only about half the time compared to Rogers & Breece. Colvin said the Breece family “truly must have a passion” to serve their community and has been in business for 124 years.

    Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Chairman Glenn Adams represented the county. But he said he also came as a friend. “I grew up with Corey Breece, we played sports against each other,” Adams said.
    Adams said the 124 years Rogers & Breece has provided funeral services is a testament to the family's hard work ethic. Like Colvin, Adams presented a proclamation honoring the family.
    Wheatley referred to the Breece family as friends. She gave the most emotional testimony.

    “You helped me bury my mother, and you helped me bury my father. You helped me through the death of my daughter. You have been there for me. You made it easier. You made it truly a bearable situation,” she said.

    Wheatley presented Robert and Corey each with a North Carolina State flag that had flown over the state legislative building. “It's a little thing I can do for you on behalf of the delegation,” she said.
    Sen. Kirk deViere was among the local legislative delegation attending the program.

    Others attending included Sheriff Ennis Wright and his chief deputy, Sheriff's Office Attorney Ronnie Mitchell, Councilwoman Kathy Jensen, Chief Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons, Register of Deeds Lee Warren, and local civic leader and former state representative George Breece. Breece's father Wilbur Breece was a partner and worked at Rogers & Breece for 50 years.

    There Was Never Any Doubt

    There was never any doubt that Corey Breece Sr. would follow his father and grandfather into the funeral business.

    “I never had any other thoughts. I worked there when I was 14 and 15 years old, mowing grass and digging graves,” Corey Breece said.

    When he turned 16 and got his driver's license, Corey said his father would have him drive the limousine. Then he attended Fayetteville Technical Community College and got his funeral director's license.
    Corey said to be successful in the business, you have to be willing to work. He works 26 days a month, 12 on and two off.

    “It takes someone willing to work all the time, this is a 365-day a year business,” he said. “I've missed birthdays and [sons’] ballgames.” But he loves his profession. “I want to leave a successful legacy business for my family,” he said.

    The funeral home employs about 20 people, including Corey's two sons: David and Corey Jr.
    David is the general manager, responsible for most operations conducted by the funeral home. Corey Jr. handles outside maintenance, making sure the facilities are in good order and the Rogers & Breece Funeral Home landscaping looks immaculate.

    As vice president, brother Robert Breece is the Senior Funeral Director. He works with family members who have lost a loved one, something Corey says he does very well.
    But Robert wasn't sure about joining the family business right away after graduating from Central Carolina Community College. Robert said he loved sports, anything sports. He wanted to be a coach, a sports announcer, or even a recruiter.

    But as family members operating the business got older, Robert felt the family needed him a little more.

    “My family means more to me than anything,” he said.

    He earned his funeral license at FTCC and followed his brother into the family business. He believes whole-heartedly in the family’s business motto: “Our family serving your family.”

    “I tell everyone on our staff, it ain’t about us, it’s all about the family [of the deceased],” he said. “We are blessed with a very good staff.”

    Robert believes everyone can become better; by providing more services to families at their most vulnerable time.
    To become better, and take the business to another level, there must be changes and everyone must be on board. “Everybody on the same page with the same mission.”

    Robert's son, Will, is also involved. His job takes him to the family-owned cemetery — Fayetteville Memorial Cemetery — on US 301.
    His son and his nephews are the fourth generation who will lead the business in the future.

    “We need the young heads, but they’ll need us old heads too. They can learn from us,” he said.

  • 8Cumberland County

    Traditional Cumberland County Schools will start the school year on Monday, Aug. 29.
    This school year has no uniform dress code due to supply chain and uniform availability issues. However, all students will be expected to wear school-appropriate attire, even if they opt not to wear school uniforms.

    Waivers for universal free lunches are ending. Cumberland County Schools has opened the Free & Reduced Meal Application for the school year. Parents and guardians are urged to apply online by visiting www.LunchApplication.com. While all students throughout the district can still receive breakfast at no cost, students at non-Community Eligibility Provision schools must pay for meals or qualify for free lunch for the upcoming school year.

    Families can visit the Cumberland County Schools Child Nutrition website to find more information about CEP schools, meal prices
    and the Free & Reduced Meal Application.

    Per state law, the parent/guardian enrolling a student for the first time in a North Carolina school must present proof of immunization and a current NC Health Assessment Transmittal Form within 30 days of the first day of school attendance. Students have until Sept. 27 to present required documentation.

    There will be three immunization clinics on school campuses. They will be offering COVID vaccines as well as the required vaccines for those in Kidnergarten, seventh grade and seniors. The first will be on Sept. 6 at Mac Williams Middle School from 4 to 7 p.m. The second clinic will be at Douglas Byrd Middle School on Sept. 8 from 4 to 7 p.m. The final clinic is on Sept. 15 at Lewis Chapel Middle School from 4 to 7 p.m.

    If students test positive for COVID-19, they must stay home for five days. Then, when they return to school, they will be required to wear a mask on days six through ten. Other than that, masking will be voluntary.
    For students using school bus transportation, parents can download the app, Here Comes The Bus. The new system will allow parents to help get their children to the bus stop in a safe and timely manner and will enable them to see delays in real-time.

    Fort Bragg

    Students who attend schools on Fort Bragg will start on Monday, Aug. 22. Kindergarten students will begin on Tuesday, Aug. 23, and Pre-K students will start on Tuesday, Sept. 6.

    The Department of Defense Education Activity will allow individual schools to determine if parents can enter the school and attend in-person open houses. DoDEA has also lifted the three- and six-foot physical distancing requirement. That means Physical Education classes will resume in the gym.

    Supply lists are currently out for elementary schools at Fort Bragg. Those lists are available at https://www.dodea.edu/Americas/midAtlantic/FortBragg/supplies.cfm.
    The free meals initiative funding expired in June. Therefore, students will pay for school meals this school year. Applications to apply for free or reduced-price meals are available at https://family.titank12.com/.

  • 7City Council member Mario Benavente may be new to City Council but is not new to local politics. Benavente has been active in Fayetteville’s issues since he returned to his hometown in 2018.

    The 32-year-old was a founding member and former chairman of the Fayetteville Millennial Advisory Commission. He has also been a community activist championing for police reform. Benavente was selected to participate in the Department of Justice’s City-SPIRIT program to identify ways to repurpose the Market House earlier this year.

    District 3 includes parts of Fort Bragg and the neighborhoods of Cottonade, Country Club North, Hillendale, Hillendale West, Kornbow, North Hills, Tiffany Pines, University Estates, University Hills and parts of Ponderosa.

    The election for Benavente was close. He won only by six votes, and after a recount – requested by incumbent Antonio Jones — Benavente still came out on top.

    “I think it went exactly according to plan, the landslide victory. I am, you know, just really grateful for all the friends and supporters who came out and put in hundreds of hours of work and knocked on thousands of doors over all this time,” he said.

    The new council member plans to represent District 3’s residents like how a lawyer represents his clients. This makes sense regarding Benavente’s law background. When it comes to contentious topics, Benavente plans to listen to his residents. He says District 3 is diverse but also has a lot of older residents. Residents who have been promised development in the past but have been left ignored.

    “I'm here to be their attorney now in city hall, being the most zealous advocate I can be for all of our priorities to become realized,” Benavente said. “They need someone who has the energy and the time and the dedication to finally bring all these things together because they're such a committed, dedicated group of voters that it's easy to take advantage of or take for granted because they're never going to be so frustrated that they don't come to vote. They're never going to give up on the city. They're always going to be involved.”

    One big topic Benavente plans to focus on is finding the right candidate for the next police chief. Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins will step down in January. The city manager with city council's approval will appoint the next chief.

    “The biggest qualities I'm looking for in a police chief are they demonstrate able success in the community that they're coming from. If they're from outside of the community or if they're here, demonstrable success [in] things that they've tried to implement locally. It's not just your paper resume. I want to see your extracurriculars. I want to see what clubs you were involved in, what groups you were involved in,” Benavente said.

    Benavente also wants to propose an independent civilian oversight committee in regards to the FPD. The current Community Police Advisory Board cannot subpoena records or interviews and can only recommend suggested changes to city council. The authority of the board is advisory only.

    “The advisory board can tell the city council, ‘hey, maybe think about this’ and the council can ignore it essentially. And they've done that before with other boards. I've seen them do it,” Benavente said. “It was a mistake just to go with an advisory board because you don't want to placate this issue with the community that has real concerns about ensuring equal justice in Fayetteville.”

    When considering which committees Benavente would like to work on, he tells Up & Coming Weekly that the Appointments Committee interests him
    the most.

    “That's the one that basically reviews all the applications that come in from citizens who want to volunteer to serve on these boards,” Benavente said. “I'm very much interested in being a part of that to make sure that fairness and equity happens on the Appointments Committee so that citizens would want to get involved in the city government and know that they're going to be... getting a fair shot to serve in a role because those boards and commissions are so crucial.”

    The committees that council members are assigned to are decided by the mayor.

    Outside of city council, Benavente hopes he can work as a community advocate by attending community watch meetings and working with organizations to bring much-needed resources to the area.

    “When I go to the community watch meetings, they give us a list of what the majority of the calls were about that month. And in one community, there was a lot of domestic violence. And at that point, the police really can't do anything until something horrible happens. Why should we be waiting for that to happen before we as a community take action?”

    Benavente says not everything needs a governmental solution, but rather have the community come together to solve a problem. In response to the domestic violence uptick in one of the neighborhoods, Benavente says there could be a block party where resources and organizations are available to anyone who may need it.

    Other District 3 issues Benavente says he wants to tackle include finishing sidewalk projects, installing stoplights and finding a solution for the predatory realtor calls that are taking advantage of older citizens.

    “We know development and investments are coming to this area, but we have to make sure that our communities are truly benefiting from it and not being ran out right here on the five-yard line, that they're losing their homes [and] are not be able to benefit,” Benavente said.

    The next Fayetteville City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.

  • 6Winter is coming. I know it’s hard to fathom amid a hot, humid North Carolina summer, but it is. Across from our beautiful beaches, The Economist predicts “Europe’s Winter of Discontent.”
    Disastrous public policies that increase dependence on unreliable energy sources and hostile foreign regimes have put the free world, including all of us here in North Carolina, in a perilous position. The Wall Street Journal warns, “People even in affluent countries are learning they can no longer take reliable electric power for granted.” If you live in Texas or California, you’ve seen it firsthand.

    Not long ago, I worked in the energy policy space in Colorado, ground zero for some of the most absurd public policy surrounding energy. Climate alarmism has been a trendy accessory of the wealthy Aspen-Boulder-

    Telluride après ski circuit for decades. Their money and influence changed the pragmatic political climate from purple to progressive green. In North Carolina, it would be the equivalent of having Asheville and Chapel Hill run the state.

    The change in Colorado gave rise to Democrats like state Rep. Max Tyler, who successfully championed the doubling and tripling of the state’s original 10% renewable energy mandate. Tyler’s response to critics: “The sun will always shine for free, the winds will always blow for free, and our energy production will be cleaner. Renewable energy, green jobs, and a cleaner future — what’s not to like?”
    Colorado ditched its 30% mandate a while ago in favor of 100% renewables by 2040. As a result, electric rates have skyrocketed. It’s an effective way to keep out the peasants.

    What Tyler and other renewable zealots don’t tell you is that converting those sources to electricity is wildly expensive. In terms of reliability, the cost is even higher. It also puts us in a subservient position to China, which controls roughly 90% of the global market of rare earth elements needed to manufacture solar panels and wind turbines. To answer Max Tyler’s question — “what’s not to like?” A lot.

    Gov. Roy Cooper and the environmental left want a similar path for North Carolina. They want zero carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation, and they want to use industrial wind and utility-scale solar and batteries to meet that goal. Meanwhile, most ratepayers want affordable, reliable, abundant electricity to power their homes, businesses, hospitals, schools — their entire way of life.

    Those objectives aren’t compatible. Anyone who tells you they are is lying.
    In the words of energy analyst Mitch Rolling, “You can’t have a clean grid without hydro and nuclear. It’s never been done. You can have a clean grid without wind and solar.”

    In its recently released scenarios to achieve zero carbon dioxide emissions, Duke Energy is attempting the impossible. The four different scenarios are heavy on wind, including offshore, along with solar, batteries, and eventually hydrogen.
    Our latest report from the Center for Food, Power, and Life analyzed each scenario and found the cost will be $140 billion to $160 billion, more than $1,000 per year for residential customers. That’s the decision the Cooper-appointed North Carolina Utilities Commission will make soon on behalf of millions of Tar Heel ratepayers.

    Because Duke is a regulated monopoly utility, North Carolinians will assume all the risk by paying hundreds of billions of dollars to build out unproven and unreliable technology. The NCUC sets a rate of return, usually around 9-10%, and Duke is allowed to privatize all the profit. Cooper will be out of office in 2024, long before the pain is fully felt.

    Consider yourselves warned; winter is coming. We won’t be able to keep ourselves warm in January unless we insist to the NCUC and Duke to rely upon nuclear to achieve the General Assembly’s policy goal of zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.

    Standing between North Carolinians and reliable power from nuclear are organizations like the Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council, the mega-churches of leftist environmentalism. They intentionally conflate clean, reliable nuclear power with nuclear weapons. They’ve filed their own plan heavy on unreliable wind and solar.

    There is good news. Ratepayers have state law on their side. Last year’s H.B. 951 directed Duke to comply with a least-cost principle and maintain or improve upon the existing grid reliability when building out the utility’s zero-carbon generation plans. Our analysis shows that none of the regulated monopoly’s four plans maintains the spirit of the law.

    It’s likely the same legislators who passed H.B. 951 will have to get involved again to ensure the NCUC and Duke comply with their wishes so ratepayers can expect reliable power at an affordable price.
    No one can afford a nasty winter.

  • 5Every major program that has improved the lives of Americans over the past 100 years has been created by Democrats.

    Read that sentence again. I know it’s a lot to take in, but it’s a fact.

    Every major program that families like yours and mine have relied on to improve our health, education, and economic outcomes was proposed, planned, and passed by Democrats.
    Social Security (1935)
    GI Bill and VA Loans (1944)
    Medicare and Medicaid (1965)
    Pell Grants (1972)
    Affordable Care Act (2010)
    American Rescue Plan (2021)

    Here’s another fact: not a single person reading this can raise their hand and say, “neither I nor my family has benefited from any of these.” If your family is like mine, you’ve likely benefited from many,
    if not all, these programs.

    Those monthly payments that started the month after your 62nd or 65th birthday, the ones that never miss a month, whether the economy is in expansion, recession or depression — Democrats instituted those after the Great Depression, so that seniors would be able to retire and enjoy that time of life, rather than working until the day they drop dead, which is how it used to be.
    Those grants for low-and moderate-income families to send their kids to college were dreamed up by then-Democratic U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell, in response to the soaring cost of college and a realization that a college degree is a gateway to the middle class. Since its inception, 80 million Americans have received Pell grants.

    Lyndon Johnson signed the Medicare and Medicaid Act into law as part of Democrats’ war on poverty and what a difference it’s made! Currently 145 million Americans are on Medicare or Medicaid - that’s 44% of the country! Nearly five million of those great Americans live right here in NC.

    Since the Affordable Care Act passed in 2010, the rate of uninsured in the U.S. has fallen to its lowest level in history. A full 92% of Americans now have health insurance, due to Democrats’ vision for a nation where people could - gasp! - go to the doctor when they need to, instead of staying home, getting sicker, and dying earlier than they have to. Incredibly, that number would be even higher but for the 12 Republican-led states, including NC, that refuse to expand Medicaid benefits to their working poor.

    On Aug. 7, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 passed the U.S. Senate. It’s headed to the U.S. House next, where the Democrat so many people love to hate, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, will drag it across the finish line (likely without any Republican votes) and deliver it to President Joe Biden’s desk.
    Once it goes into effect, it will cap the out-of-pocket costs for those on Medicare to $2,000 per year or $166 per month. That’s it. That’s all anyone on Medicare will pay out of pocket each year, no matter how much the medical bills actually are!

    The original bill also included a $35 per month cap on insulin for the seven million Americans who need it and purchase it each month. Republicans in the US Senate (including NC’s Thom Tillis and Richard Burr) objected to that and voted it out of the bill. Now, even if the IRA becomes law, those on employer-sponsored insurance plans or who have private insurance will continue to pay between $350 and $1,000 each month for insulin. Remember, it could have been $35!

    Friend, there has only been one party in this country, that, during the past 100 years, has looked at the national landscape and decided that the people’s government should work better for the people.

    Only one party has seen the sick, the poor, the uneducated, and the elderly being left out or left behind and said, not on our watch.

    Only one party has held fast to the novel yet noble idea, that hardworking taxpayers should see the real, material impact of those tax dollars on their quality of life. That has been the Democrats! And Republicans have opposed this progress every step of the way.

    Despite the near-constant media narrative that the country is terribly polarized, with Democrats and Republicans split down the middle, I’d say that many if not most Americans favor Democratic values by a wide margin.

    Don’t believe me? Let’s take a litmus test.

    If you rely on a monthly social security payment, that’s an endorsement of Democratic policies. If you or your child are one of the more than six million Americans using a Pell grant to help fund your college education this year, then you actually like Democratic principles. If your 25-year-old remains on your health insurance, so that even though they’re unemployed they don’t have to be uninsured, then you probably feel really grateful for Obamacare. If you were able to purchase your home with a VA loan, then you too, are a champion of Democratic values.

    In November, each voter has an important choice. There are many ways to frame that choice but at its root it comes down to a single decision — elect Democrats or elect Republicans.

    The choice is yours, of course, but before I’d go into the ballot booth and elect a Republican, I’d thank my lucky stars that the voters who came before me didn’t do the same. If they had, many of the very programs we rely on for our healthcare, our children’s education, and our economic mobility wouldn’t exist today.

    Editor's note: Sen. Ben Clark has served since 2013 in the NC Senate representing Cumberland and Hoke counties. He is running for the NC 9th Congressional District, which consists of all of Chatham, Hoke, Lee, Moore, Randolph and Scotland and parts of Cumberland, Harnett and Richmond counties. The 9th is also home to Fort Bragg.

  • 4For more than a decade now, advocates of the Affordable Care Act have pressed the North Carolina General Assembly to implement the federal law’s most expansive and expensive element: expanding Medicaid to virtually all low-income adults. Every year, advocates have left the legislature disappointed.

    They left disappointed at the end of the 2022 legislative session, too. I wish it was because most lawmakers resolutely rejected Medicaid expansion. I’m no fan of the policy, which would add hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians to the public dole and widen the federal government’s already massive budget deficit.

    But lawmakers who once expressed similar concerns, including House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger, have switched their positions. Medicaid expansion now enjoys bipartisan support in both chambers, however much I might wish otherwise. (Of course, if I thought wishes could alter reality, I wouldn’t be a conservative.)
    So why didn’t expansion happen this summer? Gov. Roy Cooper hit the nail on the head last week when he blamed the intransigence of North Carolina’s hospital executives, whom he urged to “step up and compromise with the state legislature.”

    Their lobbying arm, the North Carolina Healthcare Association, quickly responded with letters to Cooper, Moore and Berger as well as full-page ads in many of the state’s largest newspapers that shifted the blame back on lawmakers. Hospital execs “are not elected to office, and therefore we are not the ones standing in the way of passing legislation,” wrote the president of the association, Steve Lawler. “That burden, and opportunity, lies with your branches of government.”

    The dispute isn’t really about Medicaid expansion anymore. It’s about an archaic regulatory system called certificate of need, or CON. North Carolina requires hospitals, physician practices and other providers to get a permission slip from the state to add a new location, expand an existing one or make other major investments in equipment or services.

    When CON was concocted decades ago, its proponents believed such a regulatory apparatus would keep prices down by discouraging the overutilization of services. Then reality intruded. By limiting competition, CON created monopolies and cartels that tended to drive prices up and quality down, just as they do in most other sectors of the economy.

    I’ve written many times about the adverse effects of this wrongheaded policy. During the pandemic, for example, jurisdictions with strict CON laws had a harder time meeting the demand for hospital beds and medical care. Some states, including North Carolina, enacted temporary respites from the regulations — a decision that, according to a study published earlier this year in the Journal of Risk and Financial Management, led to a “reduction in mortality resulting from COVID-19, septicemia, diabetes, chronic lower respiratory disease, influenza or pneumonia, and Alzheimer’s Disease.”

    In the version of Medicaid expansion passed by the North Carolina Senate, this temporary relaxation would be replaced with permanent decontrol. The House version left out CON reform, though it appears that lawmakers in both chambers would be inclined to work something out in the absence of heavy pressure from hospitals loath to give up their CON-protected fiefdoms.

    This is what Cooper is talking about. As a Democratic governor facing a Republican-controlled legislature, he has been unable to get much of his policy agenda enacted into law. His administration has been largely one of executive orders and vetoes, not signing ceremonies.

    Still, Medicaid expansion has been a top goal for six years — and now Berger and Moore have walked very far in his direction. With a deal so tantalizingly close, Cooper’s frustration is both unmistakable and understandable. “When pretty much everybody agrees that we ought to expand Medicaid in our state,” he said, “it’s important to go ahead and get it done.”

    I don’t agree, but I’m just a lowly scribbler. Steve Lawler and his members could make expansion happen this year if they budge on CON. Or perhaps lawmakers will defy this powerful interest group. I admit it — I’m not sure which side to root for.

  • Crown COmplex The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners’ Crown Event Center Committee on Tuesday, Aug. 16 is scheduled to review proposed “guiding principles” that are to be incorporated into the construction of a new multi-function event center.

    The proposed facility will replace the aging theater and arena at the Crown Coliseum Complex on U.S. 301 Business. The two facilities are scheduled to close in 2025.
    The Crown Event Center Committee consists of Commissioners Jeannette Council, Jimmy Keefe and board Chairman Glenn Adams. Council chairs the committee, which will meet at 1 p.m. on the fifth floor of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse.

    The proposed guiding principles call for:
    · A local and regional asset that builds upon existing economic development infrastructure and is a catalyst for existing and new businesses to flourish.
    · A venue that enhances and elevates the community as a premier destination for entertainment, events and gatherings.
    · A quality, evolving and efficient venue that provides a first-class experience with a lasting impression.
    · A premier welcoming and accessible experience available to all patrons.
    · A flexible and functional venue with multiple spaces to accommodate a variety of programming.

    At a May 16 meeting, the committee instructed contractors and county staff to engage nonprofit organizations and a more diverse representation of the community in getting recommendations and suggestions about the proposed facility.
    Also at that meeting, the committee voted to accept the proposed guiding principles. However, the committee tweaked some of the wording and set the conditions for the community engagement workshops.

    The committee also gave direction to review all previous plans and studies as it compiles available information on potential sites and brings that information back to the committee for further discussion.

    The community engagement workshops were held on July 15 and July 16. Participants in the workshops included various groups in the community, including the Cool Spring Downtown District, the Arts Council, Cumberland County Schools and Fayetteville Technical Community College.

    The Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corp., the city of Fayetteville, the Greater Fayetteville Chamber and the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau also provided input and suggestions.
    County staff on Tuesday is expected to ask the Crown Event Center Committee to review the comments on the guiding principles from the community engagement workshops, select the recommended guiding principles and send them to the full Board of Commissioners for approval.

  • hope mills logo The Hope Mills Board of Commissioners on Monday night, Aug. 15 will discuss zoning overlay districts as a way to guide growth in the town.
    The board has a special meeting at 6 p.m. to discuss business overlay districts. The regular board meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.
    In July, the board placed a temporary moratorium on certain businesses while town staff works to create an overlay district.

    The temporary moratorium, which is in effect until January, allows the town to restrict and even temporarily hold business licenses until an overlay district can be put into place.

    Overlay zoning is a regulatory tool that creates a special zoning district over existing zoning. It can include additional or different regulations that apply within the district.

    During the regular board meeting, the board will hold a public hearing on the proposed rezoning of 1.19 acres from C1(P) Planned Local Business to R5 Single Family, or a more restrictive zoning district. The property is at 4092 Professional Drive and the request was submitted by Longleaf Properties on behalf of the Cumberland County Hospital System Inc., which owns the property, according to materials in the agenda package.

    The board also is scheduled to receive an update from architect Scott Garner on the Public Safety Building. Garner last reported to the board that the project is moving along and on time.

    As the building reaches its final stages, the town has fine-tuned plans to address the needs of the employees who will make use of the facilities. Garner in recent meetings has asked the board to approve items that were paid for from the project’s contingency fund. Monday’s meeting does not include such a request, according to the agenda.

    The building is scheduled to be occupied this fall.

    In other business, the board has several items on its consent agenda. Items on the consent agenda are generally passed with little or no discussion by the board.
    One of the items is the consideration of a Sheetz gas station on the southeast corner of Chickenfoot Road and the U.S. 301 service road. The station would be on 10.6 acres that are part of a 92-acre plot that is currently vacant, according to materials in the agenda package.

    The developer plans to build a 6,879-square-foot Sheetz that will accommodate six double-sided gas pumps for regular cars and eight double-sided gas pumps for diesels. The site would include 45 parking spaces with an additional 39 overnight parking spaces for tractor-trailers. The development also would include a 1,649-square-foot car wash and truck scale, according to a report from Chancer McLaughlin, the development services director, to Town Manager Scott Meszaros.

    Town staff recommends approval of the request.

    Also on the consent agenda, the board will consider authorizing the town manager to sign an annual storm drain cleaning contract for 2022-23. The $100,000 contract is with Intragrade and is included in the current budget.

    In a memo to Meszaros, stormwater administrator Elisabeth Brown wrote: “Storm drain maintenance is a very important part of the drainage systems’ functional ability to carry rainwater from the streets during peak rain events.

    “Many of the systems in Town are older and have small-sized piping. During heavy rain events, drains can become clogged with yard debris and sediment washing from private property. For the last three years, the cleaning contract proved to be very beneficial during flash flooding events.’’

    Also on the consent agenda, the town will consider accepting state funding for stormwater projects and approval of a related resolution and budget amendment. The town had asked for $300,000 for stormwater projects and is receiving $600,000 in American Rescue Plan Act Funds through the state, according to materials in the agenda package.

  • vote yes3 copy An effort to restructure how Fayetteville City Council members are elected hit a snag this week when the council delayed action on whether to put the issue before voters in November.

    The City Council is facing an Aug. 22 deadline to decide whether to put the question on the ballot in a Nov. 8 referendum.

    The issue was removed from the council's agenda at a June 27 work session and its Aug. 8 regular meeting, when questions were raised about whether the advocacy group promoting the change, Vote Yes Fayetteville, had filed all the paperwork needed to get the referendum on the ballot.

    Mayor Mitch Colvin and others say there’s still enough time to make a decision on a referendum, whether at the council’s Aug. 22 meeting or at a called meeting before that date.

    Colvin said Friday that he opposes the Vote Yes plan, which would require that four of the nine City Council members be elected by citywide voting rather than voting by district.

    “I just don't think it's what's needed at this time, and I'm suspicious as to why this has come up now,” Colvin said. “I think, one, it dilutes the vote. So, do I get better representation from the president because he represents everyone in the United States, or do I still need a Congress person that helps my district? I think dilution of it — taking your representation and spreading it across the city — gives me less access to my representative, not more. They don't have the same focus that a district representative would have about my specific concerns.

    “Fundamentally, I don't believe in the concept of it,” Colvin said. “Two, I did again question the timing of it as to why it’s an issue. And, basically, the people who support it are former council members who basically operated within a district system, and you didn’t really hear an issue with it. And so, it’s suspicious on the timing. Third, again, it makes it tougher to run a citywide race. That, in and of itself, is going to narrow the people who are able to participate in the election process.”

    Asked if she thinks some council members want to delay action so that they do not meet the Aug. 22 deadline to put the referendum on the Nov. 8 ballot, Councilwoman Shakeyla Ingram replied, “Probably so.”

    “I think you would have to ask the mayor that,” Ingram said this week. “He is the one who pushed to have it delayed. And all the council members who voted, probably didn’t state why they were not supporting it to go forward.”
    On Wednesday, Mayor Colvin said, “Certainly not,” when asked if he is trying to delay action on the issue.

    “We were prepared and had it on the agenda to do what we’re required to do," Colvin said. "And when we asked if all the requirements were met, it was revealed that they weren’t. I think that’s prudent leadership by the City Council to make sure that we’re compliant with the law. I think, legislatively, it’s in there for a reason. I think it’s upon the Vote Yes people to explain why it is they were able to or felt that they could circumvent the process.

    “I’ve said before,” Colvin said. “Whether it’s a special meeting or in that (Aug. 22 regular monthly) meeting, the City Council is prepared to place a valid petition on the ballot.”

    There's still time, he said.

    Patrick Gannon, a spokesman for the N.C. State Board of Elections, said Friday it is up to the City Council to determine the validity of the Vote Yes petition.

    The petition issue never made the council's final agenda at its meeting Monday night, city staff members have said, after questions were raised about whether the advocacy group promoting the change, Vote Yes Fayetteville, had filed all the paperwork needed to get the referendum on the ballot.

    Change vs. status quo

    The Vote Yes initiative would restructure the way City Council members are elected. Instead of all nine members being elected by district, four members would be elected citywide, and five would be elected from larger districts. The mayor would still be elected citywide.

    Supporters say the plan would strengthen the council, provide better representation for all voters and result in the election of more “big-picture” council members. CityView Today publisher Tony Chavonne is among those who organized the Vote Yes petition drive.

    But some opponents agree with the mayor that the change would dilute minority voting strength and make it more expensive for candidates who would have to run citywide campaigns rather than district campaigns.

    Jimmy Buxton, president of the Fayetteville branch of the NAACP, says the restructuring is designed to undercut Black voters’ influence.

    Buxton said his organization is firmly opposed to the initiative.

    “We have a ‘Vote No’ committee,” Buxton said. “Our political action committee has come up with a video and some talking points to vote ‘no’ on that.”
    Buxton said the NAACP has opposed such initiatives since taking on a plan to restructure City Council elections in 2007. At that time, the NAACP took the matter to the U.S. Justice Department, which overturned the voters’ approval of a plan to add at-large seats on the grounds that at-large seats diluted Black voters’ ability to elect the candidate of their choice.

    Angie Amaro, interim director of the Cumberland County Board of Elections, said Wednesday that she was consulting with the county attorney on the matter. She declined to say whether the petition calling for the referendum has been certified as having enough signatures from city residents.

    Amaro, who a staff member said was out of the office on Friday, did not respond to phone messages seeking comment on the status of the consultation.

    In a news release in June, the Vote Yes group said: “We have been officially notified that the Cumberland County Board of Elections has authenticated the necessary 5,000 registered voter signatures and that the Vote Yes Fayetteville referendum will be presented to the Fayetteville City Council for inclusion on an upcoming city-wide ballot.’’

    State law says that petitions for city charter amendments must be signed by 10% of registered voters in that city or by 5,000 voters, whichever is fewer. When a petition is submitted with enough signatures, the governing body of that city must set a special election on the proposed change.

    If a majority votes for the change, state law says, city leaders must amend the charter.

    Paperwork questions

    Bobby Hurst, one of the organizers of Vote Yes Fayetteville and a former member of the City Council, said Cumberland County Attorney Rick Moorefield has said that everything seems to be in order on the referendum petition.

    Moorefield could not be reached for comment on Friday.

    Hurst said Mayor Colvin's attorney, Jonathan Charleston, suggested that the Vote Yes group may not have followed the “notice of circulation” procedure to get signatures on its petition.

    State Statute Chapter 163, Article 19, says, “Notice of circulation of a petition calling for any election or referendum shall be registered with the county board of elections with which the petition is to be filed, and the date of registration of the notice shall be the date of issuance and commencement of circulation of the petition.”

    The mayor said the council has not received the information it requested from the county Board of Elections, which is whether a notice of circulation was filed.

    “So we’ve asked for it,” he said Wednesday. “… It’s my understanding from the lawyers of the board it doesn’t exist. They didn’t do it, so we don’t know where they are. The city is ready to do what is statutorily required to do, but only with a valid petition.”

    According to Hurst, Fayetteville lawyer Neil Yarborough told the committee that the "notice of circulation" procedure does not apply to the Vote Yes petition.

    On Friday, Yarborough said he had been asked by a committee member “to write a letter complaining about (the petition item) being removed from their consent meeting, and I did that.”

    “I had a conversation with a member of the Vote Yes committee right before the City Council meeting on Monday in which I was informed about the possible issue with the scheduling of the referendum election,” he said. “I have not been asked to issue a formal opinion about this issue, and I have not issued a formal opinion.”

    At Monday night’s meeting, Councilwoman Ingram made a motion to move forward with the referendum contingent on the council receiving all necessary documents from the county Board of Elections, Colvin said Friday.

    Ingram's motion failed, 6-4, with Colvin, Wright, Courtney Banks-McLaughlin, Yvonne Kinston, D.J. Haire and Antonio Jones voting against it.

    Haire made a second motion to direct City Attorney Karen McDonald to take the referendum off the agenda.

    Haire's motion passed on an 8-2 vote, with Kinston and Banks-McLaughlin in opposition.

    Colvin said Friday the council is still waiting to hear from the Board of Elections and had not seen the petition request.

    “They're not returning calls,” he said.

    Ingram said Wednesday she has an opinion about Vote Yes Fayetteville but does not want to say what it is “right now.”

    “I think both sides — the Vote Yes and the Vote No — should do justice to make sure they are connected to their constituents,” she said. “Any opportunity that I have, I want to make sure that the residents get a full understanding on both sides — what it could mean for Fayetteville.”

    Vote Yes organizer Hurst said Wednesday that the City Council should move forward on scheduling the referendum.

    "I submitted 5,000-plus names on March 18. We met it by a few days having the numbers needed,” Hurst said. “As far as I know, we had it turned in within a year. And everything was good. …

    “As far as I know, we're good to go, and it's up to the City Council to move forward with that ballot,” Hurst added.

    As far as possible racist motives being behind the initiative, Hurst said, "Absolutely not.... Why would you say it's racist and in Fayetteville? Fayetteville has more Blacks registered to vote and more Blacks in the population. And looking at Blacks who have been elected at-large — Marshall Pitts, Charles Evans, even others. So, I don't think it's racist at all. I feel it's just for better government.

    "My focus was a decision made for what's better for the city as a whole," Hurst said. "My focus was what was better for the city."

    Michael Futch covers Fayetteville and education for CityView TODAY. He can be re

  • pedestrian A pedestrian is in critical condition after being hit by a vehicle Saturday morning on Owen Drive, the Fayetteville Police Department said.

    Just after 6 a.m., officers were dispatched to a pedestrian-involved traffic accident on the 2800 block of Owen Drive. The pedestrian was taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center before officers arrived, police said in a news release. The pedestrian is in critical condition, the release said.

    The driver remained on the scene, police said. The names of those involved are being withheld while the investigation continues, police said.

    The preliminary investigation indicates the pedestrian stepped onto the roadway into oncoming traffic and was struck, the release said. Owen Drive from Camden Road toward Eastern Boulevard was temporarily closed while the Traffic Unit investigated. The road reopened around 8:30 a.m.

    Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Officer J. Smith at 910-987-4510 or Crimestoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477).

  • immunization Back-to-school immunizations will be available for students in Cumberland County Schools at several upcoming clinics.

    The school system is partnering with the Cumberland County Department of Public Health to offer immunization clinics for students entering kindergarten, seventh grade and 12th grade, according to a news release from the school system.

    COVID-19 vaccines also are available at the clinics for schoolchildren and teenagers in kindergarten through 12th grade.
    Walk-ins will be accepted each day until the clinic reaches capacity, the release said. Walk-ins will not be accepted after 6:30 p.m. Insurance information will be collected, but vaccines are free for children younger than 18.

    State law requires every child attending a North Carolina school to receive vaccines for diphtheria, measles, mumps and whooping cough. The full vaccine schedule for children is at immunize.nc.gov/family/immnz_children.htm.

    Clinics for students entering grades seven and 12 are scheduled for:

    4-7 p.m. Sept. 6, Mac Williams Middle School, 4644 Clinton Road.

    4-7 p.m. Sept. 8, Douglas Byrd Middle School, 1616 Ireland Drive.

    4-7 p.m. Sept. 15, Lewis Chapel Middle School, 2150 Skibo Road.

    A clinic for students entering kindergarten and grades seven and 12 is scheduled for 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Cumberland County Health Department, 1235 Ramsey St.

    At each clinic in September, the first 50 students who are immunized will receive a $10 gift card, according to the release. A parent or guardian over age 18 must accept the card on behalf of the student.

    Students who are immunized also may receive free backpacks and hygiene kits. Funding for the immunization clinics is provided by the Cornelia “Neill” Bullock Wilkins Charitable Endowment.
    For more information about immunizations, go to btsg.ccs.k12.nc.us.

  • FPD logo A teenager wanted in a fatal shooting Thursday night, Aug. 11 has been arrested in Maryland, the Fayetteville Police Department said.

    Karon Peair Streets, 19, was taken into custody by the Baltimore County Police Department’s Fugitive Unit and will be extradited back to North Carolina, Fayetteville police said in a release Saturday afternoon.

    Streets is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 33-year-old Cesar Ivan Viera-Medina of Fayetteville, the department said.

    At approximately 8:13 p.m. Thursday, officers were dispatched to the 200 block of North Windsor Drive in reference to a robbery where a firearm was taken. Eight minutes later, officers were dispatched to the 200 block of South Windsor Drive where shots were fired and Viera-Medina was struck in the arm and chest, the release said.

    Viera-Medina was taken to a nearby hospital where he later died, police said.

    “The preliminary investigation has revealed the suspect robbed a family member of a handgun from the 200 block of N. Windsor Drive fled on foot and opened fire on a residence in the 200 block of S. Windsor Drive,’’ the release said.

  • pexels Crime tape The Fayetteville Police Department has made an arrest in a fatal shooting that happened early Friday, Aug.12 on Poplar Drive.

    Damian Christopher Jones, 20, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Artis Lee Windsor, police said in a release Saturday. Jones is being held at the Cumberland County Detention Center.

    Windsor, 32, was found at approximately 1:44 a.m. Friday when officers responded to a home on the 2000 block of Poplar Drive in reference to a death investigation.
    When officers and emergency medical personnel arrived, they found Windsor unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the scene, the Police Department said in a release.

    The investigation revealed that Windsor was in a dispute with Jones, who was an acquaintance, the release said.

    “During the dispute, Jones fired a weapon at Windsor striking and killing him.,’’ police said in the release. “This was not a random act and there is no threat to the public.’’
    Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact Detective R. Vernon at 910-729-2525 or Crimestoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477).

  • Cumberlan Co logo The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners on Monday, Aug. 15 is scheduled to consider staff-recommended options for how to spend opioid settlement money.

    The commissioners will consider four proposals presented by Dr. Jenifer Green, the county health director.
    The meeting is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. in Room 118 of the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse.

    The county’s opioid money is part of a $26 billion agreement that is supposed to help communities harmed by the opioid epidemic. The money came from opioid manufacturers. In July 2021, N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein unveiled a memorandum of agreement between the state and local government as to how opioid settlement money is distributed and used.

    Before spending any of the money, local governments that were given a portion of the settlement must first select which opioid mitigation strategies they plan to fund.
    Cumberland County is supposed to get nearly $17 million in increments over the next 18 years. The city of Fayetteville’s 18-year total is nearly $2 million.

    The county’s amount for spring and summer 2022 totaled nearly $1.8 million. During June and July, Cumberland County Department of Public Health staff held four community meetings, key stakeholder meetings and conducted a community survey to get public comments on how these funds should be used.

    The memorandum of agreement between the state and local governments offers local governments two options:

    Option A: A local government may fund one or more strategies from a shorter list of evidence-based, high-impact strategies to address the epidemic. Collaborative strategic planning is included.

    Option B: A local government may fund one or more strategies from a longer list of strategies after engaging in a collaborative strategic planning process involving a diverse array of stakeholders.

    In a memo to commissioners, Green recommends the following:

    1. Use up to $800,000 in the spring and summer 2022 allotment to fund multi-year pilot projects that align with Option A strategies.

    2. Allocate $10,000 to $70,000 in funding for the purchase of Narcan and syringe service programs.

    3. Establish a $200,000 multi-year pilot project to support medication-assisted treatment in the Cumberland County Detention Center.

    4. Explore options to build or lease space for a residential substance use facility, a recovery community center and transitional housing.
    Stakeholder meetings came up with the following priorities: recovery support, housing and early intervention coupled with addiction treatment. Also, some meetings identified Narcan as a life-saving and critical resource.

    In other business, Fort Bragg Garrison Commander Col. John Wilcox is scheduled to brief the board on issues on Fort Bragg. Wilcox assumed command of the garrison in June. The board also is scheduled to hold public hearings for seven rezoning applications.

    The board also is scheduled to hold a closed session to discuss economic development, real property acquisition and personnel matters.

  • aug 12 a This Tuesday, Aug. 16, marks the 82nd anniversary of the first official paratroop jump. The first man to jump was Lt. William T. Ryder.

    As part of National Airborne Day and the Airborne and Special Operations Foundation’s 22nd birthday, the Airborne and Special Operations Museum will honor Ryder on Aug. 16.

    Ryder’s wife, Muriel, went to ASOM a few years ago to buy a paver in honor of her husband.

    The two met when Ryder was in the Pacific while Muriel served in the Red Cross. After he retired as a Brigadier General in 1966, he and Muriel moved to Pinehurst. Ryder passed away in 1992 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

    Muriel was working with ASOM on the paver design when she passed away earlier this year.

    Their son, Guy, who lives in New York, will come to ASOM on National Airborne Day to help honor his father.

    Jumps onto the Field of Remembrance, food trucks and big military events have previously marked National Airborne Day as a day not to miss at ASOM. This year, the museum is keeping things scaled down.

    “It's been more elaborate because we were working with the Garrison, but with COVID and the deployment of the Corps, it's not going to be elaborate like it has been in the past,” said Jim Bartlinski, Museum Director.

    However, there will be a 22% discount in the museum’s gift store and a free present to all guests who visit on Aug. 16. The main celebration and the honoree ceremony will start at 9 a.m. before the museum opens for the day.

    The celebration will continue on Aug. 20 when the food truck Sunset Slush will be at the museum from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. All guests will receive a small item to celebrate the ASOM's birthday.

    A special mini-exhibit is also out this month at the ASOM, honoring the first female to ever parachute from an airplane. Georgia Ann Thompson, a North Carolina resident, jumped out of an airplane on June 20, 1913.

    “She actually demonstrated for the U.S. Army how she was doing it,” Bartlinski said.

    In 1976, she was made an honorary member of 82nd Airborne Division. Her parachute is on display in the mini-exhibit.

    The museum's future will be dedicated to looking at the recent past. Museum Foundation members look forward to updating the timeline of the permanent exhibit. The museum plans to add the new history of the war in Afghanistan coming to an end with the massive pull-out in Kabul and the takeover by the Taliban.

    “We just came out of 20 years of war, and as you go through the gallery, we don't have space dedicated to the 20 years of the last war. But, it doesn’t really tell the whole story,” Kris Johnson, the Foundation’s Development Coordinator, said. “So we are active in a fundraising campaign to raise the funds to renovate the gallery.”

    The 82nd Airborne Division played a critical role in the American withdrawal from Afghanistan. Maj. Gen.l Chris Donahue, the commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division at the time, was among the last American troops to leave Afghanistan.

    Johnson told Up & Coming Weekly that the total cost to renovate the museum with the new section could cost roughly 8 to 10 million dollars.

    For more information about the U.S. Army Airborne and Special Operations Museum, go to https://www.asomf.org/.

  • fay city council logo Political newcomer Mario Benavente’s win over incumbent Antonio Jones was verified Thursday, Aug. 11 in a Cumberland County Board of Elections recount of the vote for the District 3 Fayetteville City Council seat.
    The result proved to be the same as the count from the Aug. 5 canvass, with Benavente maintaining his six-vote edge to defeat Jones, 1,016 votes to 1,010.

    “Zero votes changed for either candidate. It was exactly the same as the canvass,” said Bill Helms, the technology officer for the Board of Elections.

    “We're glad to finally be at a point where we can move forward and start serving the community as the next City Council member for District 3,” Benavente said Thursday.

    Benavente, 32, had said he was "very much" confident that the election result would stand.
    This marks his first run for public office. Jones, 48, did not respond to phone messages left Thursday.
    With Benavente’s victory confirmed, the City Council will have four new members. Along with Benavente, the newcomers are Derrick Thompson, Brenda McNair and Deno Hondros. The mayor and City Council members were scheduled to be sworn in later Thursday in an inauguration at Seabrook Auditorium on the campus of Fayetteville State University.

    The ceremony was set to begin at 6 p.m. The recount process took about 90 minutes, and neither Jones nor Benavente were at the elections office. Only elections board members were there, officials said.
    Jones, who was appointed to the City Council in 2021, had requested a recount after the July 26 election. He was eligible to ask for a recount because of how close the tally was.

    Each candidate picked up four votes apiece in the canvass.

    For a nonstatewide vote in North Carolina, a candidate has the right to request a recount if the difference between the tally is not more than 1% of the total votes cast, according to the state recount law.
    Benavente is a community organizer and legal professional who recently earned his law degree at N.C. Central University.
    Jones is a pastor and real estate agent.

    On Aug. 5, the elections board certified the overall 14,910 ballots that were cast in the election. That included 198 absentee ballots added during the canvass. A total of 24 provisional ballots were added the day before the canvass.
    In all, 10,551 voters cast ballots on Election Day. An overall 4,137 ballots were cast during early voting.

  • fay city council logo Four new members of the Fayetteville City Council were among those sworn in to office Thursday night, Aug. 11.

    The ceremony was held at Seabrook Auditorium on the campus of Fayetteville State University.
    The political newcomers on the nine-member council are Mario Benavente, Deno Hondros, Brenda McNair and Derrick Thompson. They join incumbents Courtney Banks-McLaughlin, Johnny Dawkins, D.J. Haire, Shakeyla Ingram and Kathy Jensen on the council.

    Mayor Mitch Colvin also was sworn-in for his third consecutive term.
    Emcee and broadcast newsman Gilbert Baez drew some laughs from the audience when he quipped early on, “This is not a City Council meeting. We won’t be here until 11 o’clock.”

    The newly sworn-in council members cast their first votes when deciding on a new mayor pro tem. Councilman Dawkins will succeed Jensen in that post after a 6-4 vote.

    Voting in favor of Dawkins were Colvin, Dawkins, Haire, Hondros, Jensen and Thompson. Voting in opposition were Banks-McLaughlin, Benavente, Ingram and McNair.

    Banks-McLaughlin, who pitched herself for the job during her swearing-in speech, said she wanted to nominate herself. That could have led to Banks-McLaughlin and Dawkins sharing the position. But Haire, the longest-serving current council member, said that would go against protocol and was something that had never happened in his 21 years on the council.

    Banks-McLaughlin's request was dismissed, and Dawkins was selected as mayor pro tem.
    Colvin expressed appreciation for being reelected as mayor.

    “First and foremost, let me say, thank God for allowing this opportunity to me to serve the people of the city again,” Colvin said. “Regardless of the outcome, regardless of the candidate who was chosen, elections are very important to the operation of our government and the nation. … Thanks to the voters of our great city.

    “And tonight, I stand for you humble and excited because together, we’ve made history. Because of you, I am now officially the longest-serving African American man in the city of Fayetteville.”

    The audience erupted with applause.

    “Because of you, voters, we have seen a tremendous expansion in diversity in this city,” Colvin said.

    Like others who followed him to be sworn in, Colvin spoke of the late Bill Crisp, who he called “a mentor and father figure.” Crisp, who died at age 81 in July 2021, represented District 6 on the City Council.
    Colvin also spoke at length on the issue of public health.

    “We have a mental health problem here in our community,” he said. “We can no longer look away."

    Colvin said he hopes that mental health will become an area of focus for not only the City Council but also all locally elected officials.

    “Our first order of business, I’ll be asking council to institute a mental health full-response team in our Police Department,” he said. “We all have an obligation to do it.”

    He wrapped up his speech by saying, “I believe wholeheartedly in the future of this city.”
    After her inauguration, Jensen said the council has gone through a tough period since she joined five terms ago. The council has governed through two hurricanes, the COVID-19 pandemic and a rough spell of social unrest.

    Jensen cited some of the accomplishments of the council in recent years, noting that the city will be working more closely with Fort Bragg on initiatives, including a collaboration on a sports complex.
    She cited public safety, economic development and quality of life as ongoing concerns.
    Ingram, who is in her second term, told the crowd that she is “a true born-and-raised District 2 young woman.”

    “I lead with heart,” she said.

    Newcomer Benavente received perhaps the biggest applause of the night when he noted that he is a graduate of E.E. Smith High School. His father, Miguel Benavente, held a family Bible for his son to take the oath of office.
    Haire said he is starting his 11th term on the council.

    “You haven’t given up on me, though I have heard through this campaign, ‘You have been there too long. You have served too long,’” he said, while holding his wife’s hand. “But it’s because of the constituents. It’s because of the residents. It’s because you’re building relationships and you’re building trust that we continue to come back because they are supporting us.”

    Dawkins referenced the men of his family, saying his grandfather started “all this” in 1948 when he won a seat in the N.C. House. He also cited the influence of his father, the late J.L. Dawkins, who was the longest-serving mayor in Fayetteville’s history.

    “Although I think this mayor here might break that record if he wanted to,” Dawkins said, referring to Colvin. “Goodness gracias’ I said, I don’t want that job.”
    Colvin laughed from his seat onstage.

    Dawkins got more laughs when he recalled his father saying, “You’ve been born with two ears and a mouth. Use them proportionately.”
    Thompson, who referred to himself as a “newby on the City Council,” became emotional and paused briefly when referring to his father during his acceptance speech.

    Earlier Thursday, in a recount by the Cumberland County Board of Elections in the District 3 race, Benavente’s six-vote victory over Antonio Jones was confirmed with a tally of 1,016 votes to 1,010.

  • aug 12 Summer graduates of Cumberland County Schools received their diplomas Thursday, Aug. 11 in a ceremony at Jack Britt High School.
    A total of 57 students graduated, according to a news release from the school system.
    Students, faculty and staff members from 13 district high schools and their guests attended the ceremony.
    Cumberland County District Court Judge Cheri Siler-Mack delivered the commencement address, the release said.

    “Tell yourself, ‘While many started out with me, some fell by the wayside. However, I decided that I was going to push until I got to the finish line,’” she told the graduates. “You should be proud of yourselves today because although you were thrown a curve, you kept going.”

    The ceremony included the presentation of colors by the Jack Britt JROTC Color Guard, the playing of “The Star Spangled Banner” by the U.S. Army Band, and a solo performance by Rachel Townsend of the Rascal Flatts song “My Wish.”

  • cumberland co schools Applications for free and reduced-price meals for students who attend schools that are not eligible for a federal assistance program are due Aug. 22, according to a Cumberland County Schools news release.

    The federal Community Eligibility Provision of the U.S. Department of Agriculture applies to schools located in low-income areas. In Cumberland County, 62 public schools qualify, according to the school system’s website.

    In the district’s other 24 schools, parents must file an application for free or reduced-price meals.
    A list of eligible schools is online at the Child Nutrition CEP webpage.

    Applications can take as long as 10 days to process. Online applications are available at www.LunchApplication.com.
    Universal free lunch has ended, but students across the district can still receive breakfast at no cost, the release said. Students at schools that don’t qualify for the federal aid program must pay for meals unless an application is approved for the upcoming school year.

    In June, the Cumberland County Board of Education approved the first meal price increase since 2017. The cost rose by 50 cents for students who pay full price.

    Students who qualify for reduced prices will pay 40 cents for lunch.
    For elementary students who pay full price, the cost for lunch this year is $2.65.

    For middle and high school students who pay full price, the cost is $2.75.

  • FTCC logo The second of two finalists who hope to become the next president of Fayetteville Technical Community College spent 90 minutes answering questions from students and faculty on Wednesday, Aug.10.

    Pamela Senegal’s Q&A mirrored a similar session with Mark Sorrells, who is currently FTCC’s vice president for academic and student services. Sorrells answered questions for an hour last Thursday.

    FTCC live-streamed the Q&A programs on its YouTube channel. About 50 faculty and staff members attended Wednesday’s session.
    Larry Keen, who has been FTCC president since 2007, plans to retire in January. The college’s board of trustees plans to name his successor by the end of this month. The recommendation must then go before the North Carolina Board of Community Colleges.

    Senegal is currently president of Piedmont Community College in Roxboro. She had been scheduled to be at FTCC last week, but a bout with COVID-19 required her to postpone her visit to Wednesday.

    When she was introduced, some in the audience cheered. Debra Jordan, an FTCC admissions counselor, said it would be a historical move “when we have our first woman” with a diverse background as president.

    Asked what new direction she would work toward, Senegal said FTCC is a great institution already doing good things. She said her role initially would be to bring “a set of fresh eyes” to how the school operates. She said one way is to aggregate all the data FTCC now collects on student retention and other important measures and to re-examine that information.

    Responding to a question about the “brick and mortar” growth of community colleges, Senegal said that the COVID pandemic had brought about changes in how classes are taught. She said for decades, growth in programs meant growth in square footage and construction.

    “COVID taught us to grow smarter, to double down on online programs,” she said.

    Currently, FTCC leads the state in online community-college courses. It is ranked fourth in online courses when rated with four-year colleges.
    However, Senegal cautioned that offering online programs requires a commitment to invest in hardened, sustainable infrastructure, including immersion technology.

    She gave an example of students who can virtually step inside a human heart to see cell walls, compared to sitting in a room and viewing a small image of a heart on an overhead projection screen. She also suggested that online learning could be provided on a subscription-based approach.
    Senegal referred to herself as an Army brat who has lived in 30 countries, 20 of them with her parents.

    “I can appreciate what the military goes through,” she said.

    She says members of the military should get academic credit for what they've learned while in the service.
    If appointed FTCC president, Senegal said, she plans to meet with Fort Bragg leaders and others to form partnerships to help soldiers become FTCC students.

    Senegal fielded a variety of diverse and at times esoteric questions on topics from mental health curriculum and mental health services for students and faculty to issues of faculty and staff equity and morale. Topics also included child care, paid maternity leave, students with learning disabilities, and communicating with all faculty, staff members and students.

    Finally, asked why she wants to be president of FTCC when she already is president of another community college, she responded, “It’s a good place, and I want to be part of a good place on a larger scale.”

  • PWC logo Fayetteville’s public utility and city government want to do business locally.
    The Public Works Commission and city officials are reaching out to area businesses through the Industry Day Business Networking forum scheduled Thursday, Aug. 11.

    The event is scheduled from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the PWC Operations Center campus, 955 Old Wilmington Road.
    According to PWC, Industry Day will give representatives of local businesses the chance to meet with representatives of the PWC and city purchasing departments and officials from other city agencies. It’s part of ongoing efforts to engage with local companies on how to do business with PWC and the city.
    Elaina Ball, CEO and general manager of PWC, said during Wednesday’s commission meeting that all local suppliers are invited.

    The goal is to promote opportunities for local businesses to help boost the local economy.
    Specific areas of need include electric and water system construction and repair; building construction and repair; and fleet vehicles, PWC said in a news release.

    Admission is free. Preregistration is encouraged by not required.
    The forum is open to suppliers, professional service providers, prime contractors, and subcontractors. Businesses will be able to become a registered supplier for PWC and the city, the news release said.

    Representatives of the Small Business Technology Development Center, which is a partner for the forum, will attend to support suppliers with management counseling and educational opportunities to help build their businesses, the release said.
    In other business at Wednesday’s meeting, PWC members received an update on the results of a Gallup employee survey.

    It was presented by Bobby Russell, human resources officer for PWC, and Patrick Mieritz, a workplace consultant for Gallup.
    Gallup is a Washington-based analytics organization known for its public-opinion polls.
    Mieritz said Gallup survey results for PWC indicate that “the majority of people in this organization are engaged.”
    Engagement, he noted, improves business outcomes.

    A second Gallup survey, Russell said, was conducted for PWC in late June and early July. All managers and officers at the utility have those results and will be developing job-evaluation objectives in coming months.

    “We’re confident that you’re going to see the engagement in this organization increase over time,” Mieritz added.

    Gallup is scheduled to do another employee survey in February or March, Russell said.

  • pexels max andrey 1197095 The North Carolina Department of Transportation has awarded a $283 million contract to widen an eight-mile stretch of Interstate 95 in northern Robeson County.

    Webber LLC of The Woodlands, Texas, will widen the interstate from four to eight lanes between mile markers 29 and 37, the DOT said in a release.
    The contractor also will reconstruct exits 31 and 33 and replace several overpasses with bridges that are higher, longer and wider, the release said. They are: Great Marsh Church Road, East McRainey Road, and East Parkton Tobermory Road.

    The department said the project is needed to reduce congestion, plan for anticipated growth in traffic volumes and improve safety.
    Work is expected to start this fall by adding temporary pavement to the shoulder and installing concrete barriers to create a safe work zone. The contractor will not reduce lanes, except at night, for the duration of the project, the DOT said.

    The demolition of bridges or the installation of new bridge girders over the highway will require brief interstate closures at night, the release said.
    The contractor has until the end of 2026 to complete the improvements.

    This is one of four construction contracts underway to widen I-95 between Lumberton and Benson.

  • cumberland co schools Four Cumberland County schools have new principals.
    The Cumberland County Board of Education approved the recommendations of Superintendent Marvin Connelly Jr. at a meeting Tuesday evening.
    The board voted unanimously to appoint Amy McDowell as principal of Cumberland Mills Elementary School and Douglas Massengill as principal of Massey Hill Classical High School.

    Connelly also announced the transfer of two other principals.
    Larry Parker was named principal of E.E. Smith High School, and Tyson Johnson was named principal of Reid Ross Classical School.
    McDowell’s career with the local school district began in 2002 as a fourth-grade teacher at Benjamin Martin Elementary School, according to a news release from the school system.

    She has been an assistant principal in the system since 2017 and, most recently, was assigned to Cumberland Mills Elementary, the release said.
    McDowell earned her master’s degree in school administration from Appalachian State University in Boone, the release said.
    Massengill began his career in education as an intern instructor at Garner Magnet High School in 2010, the release said. He has been in numerous education roles, including teaching and administrative positions in Cumberland County.

    Most recently, Massengill was an adjunct professor at Gardner-Webb University in the master’s of executive leadership program and principal and coordinator of secondary multitiered systems at Roseboro-Salemburg Middle School in neighboring Sampson County.
    Massengill earned his master’s degree in education in 2013, an educational specialist degree in 2017 and a doctorate in educational leadership the following year, the release said.

    Parker most recently was principal of Reid Ross Classical School and has been a “premier professional” in the school system since 2002, according to the news release.
    The district said he started his educational career as a prekindergarten through second-grade teacher before serving in multiple positions as he advanced into leadership roles. Those included assistant principal at E.E. Smith High School from 2012 to 2014, the release said.

    Parker earned two master’s degrees from Campbell University, one in education and the other in school administration.
    Johnson joined Cumberland County Schools in 2007 as an English teacher at E.E. Smith High, the news release said. Most recently, she was principal of Cumberland Mills Elementary School.
    In 2010, the release said, Johnson began her administrative career in the local system as an administrative intern. She became an assistant principal at South View High School in 2012.
    In other business Tuesday, the school board approved the fiscal year 2022-23 lottery applications as recommended by its finance committee.
    North Carolina General Statutes provides that a portion of the proceeds of the N.C. State Lottery Fund be transferred to the Public-School Building Capital Fund.

    “A county may use the money in this fund to pay for school construction projects in local school administrative units and to retire indebtedness incurred for school construction projects,” according to Tuesday’s agenda materials.

    The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners and Cumberland County Schools, the documents say, have jointly requested about $1.2 million from the Public School Building Capital Fund for a 2009 debt from a construction bond.

    Another $84,000 and $1.2 million also was requested, with both intended to erase construction-bond debts. The last request is being made on behalf of Gray’s Creek Middle School.

  • Cumberlan Co logo Fayetteville City Councilman Antonio Jones has requested a recount in the District 3 election in which political newcomer Mario Benavente leads him by only six votes in the latest tally, an elections official said Monday, Aug. 8.

    Jones made the formal request on Friday, said Angie Amaro, interim director of the Cumberland County Board of Elections.
    The recount is scheduled at 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, at the Board of Elections Office, said Amaro. That’s just nine hours before the winners of the July 26 election are scheduled to be sworn in at 6 p.m.

    The recount will be open to the public. The board's offices are at 227 Fountainhead Lane in Fayetteville.
    With the addition of absentee ballots after a canvass on Friday, each candidate received four more votes apiece to make the certified tally 1,016 votes for Benavente to 1,010 for Jones. Benavente maintained the six-point edge that was the difference in the Election Day count.
    For a non-statewide election in North Carolina, a candidate has the right to request a recount if the difference between the candidates is not more than 1% of the total votes cast, according to the state recount law.

    Jones did not immediately respond to phone messages left Monday morning.
    The recount request had to be made in writing, and the Board of Elections must have received it by 5 p.m. on the first business day following the canvass.
    That would have been Monday.

    “We have a recount scheduled for Thursday at 9 a.m.,” Amaro said. “We’ll just recount the ballots in that district along with the absentees, provisionals and one-stop (early voting).”

    On Friday, Benavente said he was confident that the final count will confirm his win.

    "We're long past the era of the hanging chad,” he said, referring to the delayed count in Florida in the 2000 presidential election. “So, I'm not too worried about a recount."

    In her experience, Amaro said, in most elections “everything normally stays the same” after recounts.
    Benavente, 32, has listed his occupation as a community organizer and legal professional. He recently earned his law degree from N.C. Central University.
    This was his first run for public office.

    Jones, 48, is a pastor and real estate agent. He told CityView Today late last month that he planned to ask for a recount should Benavente's margin of victory remain low following the canvass.

    He has alleged that his opponent lied to voters about him during the campaign.

    "I have my own personal set of ethics," Jones said before Friday's recount. "I will not do those tactics, like send out lies and try to defame people. I saw the fliers. If it may have cost me, it's fine. I run a clean campaign. That does not move me. I'm not winning at any cost."

    In response, Benavente said, "We ran a grassroots campaign with a lot of first-time volunteers, getting young people involved in the political process. We knocked on doors, we pounded the pavement, and we had real conversations with people. And that's the real big difference between our campaigns. I got to know my neighbors. We spent real hours out in the community, and I don't think the same can be said about my opponent."

    The unofficial tally from the July 26 election had Benavente edging Jones 1,012 to 1,006, the tightest race of the night in the city.
    On Friday, the elections board certified the overall 14,910 ballots that were cast in the election. That included 198 absentee ballots added during the canvass. A total of 24 provisional ballots were added Thursday.

    In all, 10,551 voters cast ballots on Election Day. An overall 4,137 ballots were cast during early voting.

  • Blood drive Did you know about 62% of the U.S. population is eligible to give blood? But, only about 3% does. By making an appointment to help save lives with the American Red Cross in August, donors can pump up the blood supply and keep it from falling to shortage levels. Platelet donors are especially needed now.

    As a thank-you, all who come to give before the end of August will be automatically entered for a chance to win gas for a year, a $6,000 value. There will be three lucky winners. Everyone who comes to give blood or platelets in August will also receive a $10 e-gift card to a participating merchant of choice. For more information visit rcblood.org/fuel.

    Donors can schedule an appointment to give using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

     Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Fayetteville are below:

    Aug. 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mount Sinai Baptist Church, 1217 Murchison Road
    Aug. 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Dominion Health Care, 1220 Walter Reed Road, Suite 102
    Aug. 25 from 12 to 6 p.m. at Carolina College of Biblical Studies, 817 S. McPherson Church Road
    Aug. 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at American Red Cross Sandhills Chapter, 807 Carol Street

    Blood drive safety
    The Red Cross follows a high standard of safety and infection control. The Red Cross will continue to socially distance wherever possible at blood drives, donation centers and facilities. While donors are no longer required to wear a face mask, individuals may choose to continue to wear a mask for any reason. The Red Cross will also adhere to more stringent face mask requirements per state and/or local guidance, or at the request of blood drive sponsors. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at a drive. 

    How to donate blood

    Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

    Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

    Amplify Your Impact − Volunteer!
    Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer blood donor ambassador at Red Cross blood drives. Blood donor ambassadors help greet, check-in and thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive donation experience.

    Volunteers can also serve as transportation specialists, playing a vital role in ensuring lifesaving blood products are delivered to nearby hospitals. For more information and to apply for a either position, contact enc@redcross.org or visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.

    About the American Red Cross
    The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

     

  • 23a Editor's note: Up & Coming Weekly is sending our staff writer Ashley out and about in the local area to try new things. She will report on her experiences to help readers decide if they want to try the adventure, too.

    Skydiving has never been on my bucket list. I’m risk-averse to a fault, cripplingly afraid of heights, and as the mother of a teenager and a toddler, sort of too tired to do much of anything most of the time. But every once in a while, opportunity comes knocking, and we must answer that call with courage, or at the very least, a sort of dubious caffeinated interest.

    I’ve passed by Paraclete XP Indoor Skydiving too many times to count since moving to Cumberland County in the summer of 2020. However, I still remember the exact words I thought as I passed its ultra-modern brick facade for the very first time: yeah, no. I didn’t exactly understand what “indoor skydiving” was; I just knew it probably wasn’t going to be for me — until about a week ago.

    I was invited to join a group about to embark on an indoor skydiving adventure. While my first instinct was to say, no way, another part of me asked, why not? Sure, there was a better than 100% chance I’d do or say something horrifically awkward. Still, the initial fear didn’t outweigh the potential to meet new people, have fun and try something daring. Besides, it’s not every day you get invited to skydive inside the largest vertical wind tunnel in the United States. So, armed with the jittery confidence that only a 16-ounce iced coffee can provide and all the knowledge I could glean from three views of an indoor skydiving tutorial, I felt mostly ready.

    My top-notch Google sleuthing revealed that I should wear comfortable clothes and shoes underneath the jumpsuit Paraclete would provide, and once there, I was cautioned to remove all of my jewelry. Paraclete XP also provided goggles, helmets and earplugs prior to entering the tunnel, so nothing special was required to get started. Our instructor, Fabrizio, or Fabi as he introduced himself, was fun and patient as he walked us through the four hand signals he would use in the tunnel and demonstrated how we should position our bodies. After Fabi answered a few more of our anxious questions, that was pretty much it — indoor skydiving certified in under ten minutes.

    Despite my training, I was still a bit nervous, so I settled myself in at the back of the line. I watched as person after person before me stepped to the entrance of the wind tunnel with fingers clutched in nervous anticipation and exited with smiles to rival those of professional daredevils. If they could do it, I felt sure I could too, and though fear tangled my stomach into knots, I stepped to the door of the tunnel and let go.

    23 The feeling of flight as I fell into the force of the fans beneath me was immediate, and I couldn’t help the shaky grin that sprang to my lips. Fabi was right there with me in the tunnel, holding me up and helping me maintain my position. Though I seemed to forget every hand signal we’d gone over — I was flying, and it was amazing. I wasn’t worried about how I looked or whether I was doing it wrong. I just let myself be free to have fun and enjoy the moment. My second time through the wind tunnel, a new instructor stepped in, and together we zipped 60 feet into the air, the faces of onlookers growing distant below us. I’m sure I screamed loud enough to be heard from space, but not once was I scared. Altogether, I spent about two minutes in the chamber, but the feeling it gave me lasted far longer.

    While I don’t ever see myself jumping out of a plane or running with the bulls, my aerial adventure has made me a bit more open to trying new things, tackling my fears and challenging myself to say “yes” when new experiences come my way. And though I’m probably no less risk-averse than I was before, I am perhaps just a little bit cooler.

    Paraclete XP Indoor Skydiving is located at 190 Paraclete Drive in Raeford.

  • 22 What North Carolina cookbook has sold the most copies?

    If you ask the folks at UNC Press they will tell you that “Mama Dip’s Kitchen” is their all-time best-selling book. It has sold nearly 300,000 copies. Rarely do local oriented cookbooks published by community groups or churches sell in such numbers.

    But “Island Born and Bred” published by the Harkers Island United Methodist Church’s Women has sold a
    reported 140,000 copies of its cookbook over the 35 years that it has been in print.

    How and why did these cookbooks do so well?
    One of the secrets of “Mama Dip’s Kitchen’s” success was how the author shared her personal story of growing up in Chatham County and how it led to the success of her Chapel Hill restaurant.
    Writing in 1999, she told her story.

    “I was born a colored baby girl in Chatham County, North Carolina to Ed Cotton and Effie Edwards Cotton; grew up a Negro in my youth; lived my adult life black; and am now a 70-year-old American.”
    She continued, “I grew up and lived in poverty most of my life without knowing it. My children, too, grew up in poverty never knowing that they were poor. Our house just leaked. No screen doors. An outdoor bathroom and little money.

    “Our family was happy to sit around the table at dinner time, eating, poking jokes, and having fun.”
    Mama Dip’s book is a treasure of Southern cooking recipes. Still, the book’s success was due in large part to the appeal of her story of struggle that she shared.

    Similarly, “Island Born and Bred” combines a magnificent collection of recipes with a good hard look at the story of Harkers Island and its people.
    Today, Harkers Island, on the Crystal Coast near Beaufort, has about 1,200 residents who appreciate its small-town appeal. Some are new residents, including retirees and second homeowners.

    But the core population came from fishermen, mariners, boatbuilders, hunters, decoy makers and others whose livelihoods connected them to the ocean and nearby sounds and waterways.
    How the town got its start is also described in “Living at the Water’s Edge” written by Barbara Gariety-Blake and Karen Willis Amspacher, and published by UNC Press.

    Many of the ancestors of the town's residents “lived, haunted whales, and fished off Core and Shackleford Banks until the storms of 1896 and 1899 ravaged their homesteads and drove them to higher, safer ground.”
    Many floated “what was left of their houses and belongings across Back Sound to nearby Harkers Island, where they bought land for a dollar an acre.”

    The descendants of these settlers have long ago passed away but, according to the authors, “the story of the exodus from Shackleford Banks is told with great reverence by islanders, underscoring a deep and abiding attachment to place.”

    Among its more than 300 pages of recipes and memories, “Island Born and Bred,” a short note written by Susanne Yeomans Guthrie, explains this attachment.

    “No tradition is more precious to a native Harkers Islander then the privilege of returning to Shackleford Banks. For it is through this ritual that island people ‘go home.’ In fact, the desire is almost an actual need--often undiagnosed by the individual but quenched only by going and ‘feeling’ the Banks under your bare feet.”

    To help preserve these memories and share them with a wider group, the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center, led by Amspacher, has reopened after the repair of extensive damage during Hurricane Florence. It is located on Harkers Island at 1800 Island Road and adjoins the National Park Service’s Cape Lookout National Seashore Visitor Center.

    With three floors of exhibits and experiences, the museum gives visitors a rich experience and real connection to the history of Harkers Island and other nearby Down East communities.

    “Island Born and Bred” and “Living at the Water’s Edge” are available at the museum’s store and online at https://shopcoresound.com/collections/books

  • 21 The past two summers at Fayetteville Technical Community College have been unusually quiet, as the college dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic. This summer, however, the campus began to come back to life. FTCC launched a new summer program designed to transform recent high school graduates into college-ready students.

    The Trojan Jump Start Program is for students who graduated high school with a GPA between 2.2 and 2.8. The program bridges the gap between high school and college for students who may not have thought they could succeed in college.

    While the transition from high school to college is difficult for any student, these students had their entire high school experience shaped by the pandemic and online learning. With this program, Jump Start Program faculty and staff hope to give students a head start on college.

    The Jump Start program is supported by funding from a Longleaf Commitment Student Support Services grant, part of the Governors Emergency Education Relief fund, allowing FTCC to offer the program to qualifying students at no cost. In addition to computers, students have received free supplies including backpacks and laptops.

    Over seven weeks, Jump Start students take two courses: ACA 122, a student success course, and either math or English. This summer, 44 students are enrolled in the program.
    The students are on campus from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for classes and enrichment activities. Enrichment activities included a STEM fair with the Department of Math and Science, a tour of Fayetteville State University, a visit to the Airborne and Special Operations Museum, and informative Q&A sessions with various college departments.

    As students progress through the program and begin to identify their academic and career interests, they are matched with a Success Coach who will help them plan their academic career and register for classes.
    While the primary focus of the program is academic, we at FTCC realize that education requires a holistic approach. If students have a sense of community, they are more likely to be successful. Program activities are designed to help students make connections and form lasting relationships.

    The program will be available again for Summer 2023, and FTCC hopes to expand to include more students. Rising high school seniors who believe they may benefit from the program should contact jumpstart@faytechcc.edu. The application process for the summer 2023 program will begin in Spring 2023.

     

  • 20 According to Riddle and Brantley, attorneys who specialize in personal injury cases, a study on the reoccurence of sexual assault found that 19% of women that live in North Carolina experience sexual assault sometime throughout their lives. Seventy-three percent of these victims experienced or were threatened with forced sexual intercourse, or rape.

    North Carolina has suffered from a lack of nursing professionals that are trained to supervise and care for victims of sexual assault or otherwise known as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners — there are less than 100 SANE’s that are certified across the entire state. Fayetteville State University’s School of Nursing is focusing on changing that.

    From the state budget, $1.5 million will support a one-of-a-kind pilot program at FSU’s School of Nursing to train around 20 of these specially qualified nurses each semester, including the summer, 40-60 per year.
    Out of all the HBCU’s in the country, FSU is likely to be the first to host a SANE training program at its nursing school. FSU’s nursing school hopes to grow the program while addressing a void in specialized nursing practices, particularly in underserved, underrepresented areas.

    “Unfortunately, sexual assault is a rampant problem nationwide, particularly in rural areas and among women of color and indigenous women,” said Dr. Afua Arhin, dean of FSU’s College of Health, Science, and Technology.

    “FSU’s School of Nursing is uniquely positioned to prepare health care professionals with the specialized skills required to meet the needs of these trauma patients. We are committed to training nurses to the highest caliber; SANE’s are another area of critical need that we aim to address here.”

    It is true that any nurse or doctor can complete a sexual assault kit, which holds DNA and evidence of an assault but SANE nurses are taught to know where to look for bruises and cuts. After hours of practice, SANE nurses also know how to carefully ask questions about what happened, so they know where else to look for injuries. SANE nurses provide medication to prevent pregnancies or sexually transmitted diseases.

    A SANE nurse certification calls for a person to have been a nurse for at least 2 years, accomplish dozens of hours of training and clinical work, and then pass a written exam by the International Association of Forensic Nurses. Many nurses from across the state have completed some training and took part in training with their hospital about how to treat sexual assault survivors, but most of these nurses lack the full credentials to be certified as SANEs.

    About 580 students are enrolled at FSU for a variety of nursing-related programs, including pre-nursing, pre-licensure or a master’s program. According to Dr.Sheila Cannon, associate dean of FSU’s School of Nursing, in a recent survey taken by FSU nursing students, results show that 80% expressed interest in SANE training.
    All over the country, hospitals have a hard time retaining nurses in their SANE programs. Serving a sexual assault victim can be emotionally challenging and a SANE nurse might be the only person with the credential in a hospital — potentially leading to an erratic work schedule and heavy workload. This program is a huge step in the right direction. The more SANE’s there are, the more services that can be provided and the more healing can be done.
    For more information about FSU and the School of Nursing visit https://www.uncfsu.edu/.

  • 19b Barbecue lovers, beware. The “Black BBQ Cook Off” will hit the ground running at the Murchison Road Food Truck Park on Aug. 21 from 12 to 5 p.m. The cook off will coincide with the second annual “I Love My Community Cookout and Giveaway,” and the eclectic art show “Expression Through the Arts.”

    The purpose of the “Black BBQ Cook Off” is to exemplify the best African American pitmasters Fayetteville has to offer, while bringing people together, said Elizabeth Stiff, community organizer and L3 Brand Community Alliance owner.

    The goal of the “I Love My Community Cookout and Giveaway” is meant to “help families start the school year off in a great way through resources, giveaways and celebration.”
    Scheduled guests of the event include Cumberland County Judges Tiffany Whitfield and Stephen C. Stokes, crypto-millionaire Kwame Stover, comedian Jesse Mitchell, Food Network’s Chef Judy, boxing champ Michael C. Williams, Jr., NFL’s Greg Gilmore, Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin, Spring Lake Mayor Kia Anthony and the Briarwood Cattle Farm.

    The cook off is being brought to life by pitmasters Bruce “Boo” Yeoman (the owner of the “Noth’n Fancy Food Truck”); Carl Pringle (the creator of the “FLIP FLOP SAUCE”); William Jerome Wright, L3 Brand Community Alliance; Tonya McNeill, owner of the “Salad Box” (a restaurant located within the truck park); and John David Ross, the owner of the Murchison Road Food Truck Park.

    “We had been talking about [having a cook off] for about four or five years,” said Yeoman.

    The deadline to enter the “Black BBQ Cook Off” is Aug. 10. Presently, there are 12 entrants with about 30 groups still deciding; in fact, there has been so much support from North Carolina pitmasters, as well as pitmasters from surrounding states, that the “Black BBQ Cook Off” had to be Fayetteville area pitmasters only for the first time.

    “At another time, we’ll hold a cook off to see who’s the best of the best in the Carolinas,” Yeoman said.

    Although anybody can enter, each team’s pitmaster must be African American.

    “What we wanted was to showcase [black BBQ] in a big way,” Yeoman said.

    That’s the reason why the Murchison Road Food Truck Park was chosen for the location. Yeoman and his partners in the pit come from the Murchison Road area.

    “Pulling off this cook off is what the community needs to see,” Pringle said.
    It’s worth noting that the idea of a “Black” BBQ has caused some distress amongst Fayetteville’s public. Deeming the word divisive, those against naming the cook off the “Black BBQ Cook Off” argue that including race in the name is a recipe for segregation.

    However, the hosts want to make it clear that anybody can enter the competition, even though the cook off is meant to showcase the best African-American pit masters Fayetteville can muster.

    “The biggest thing is it’s not about separation, it’s about education,” Pringle said.

    The Murchison Road Food Truck Park is located at 3421 Murchison Road, just north of Country Club Drive, on the south side of the street.
    The pits begin cooking at 5:30 a.m., free samples will be given out starting at 12:00 p.m., and the judges will make their decisions beginning at 5:30 p.m. For more information, please visit www.L3Brand.com.

  • 19a The Cape Fear Regional Theatre invites audiences to follow them “Into The Woods” on Saturday, Aug. 20 for two performances of Stephen Sondheim's Tony Award-winning musical.
    The story of a childless baker, his wife, and a cast of colorful fairy tale characters they meet along their journey will come to life on the CFRT stage. Performed by 24 graduates of the CFRT summer camp, the talented teens will present the fruits of their labor at 2 and 6 p.m.

    Since its debut in 1987, “Into the Woods” has garnered international praise, earned numerous nominations and awards, and continues to delight audiences to this day with its engaging plot and exciting musical score.
    With Sondheim's passing in 2021, his legacy of work has become more popular than ever, a fact kept closely in mind when choosing to undertake this challenging production.

    “This is a play theater people know well,” director Marc de la Concha told Up & Coming Weekly. “There are a lot of characters, and even though it's a fairy tale, there are so many life lessons in it that are still relevant today.”

    Due to its popularity and familiarity, de la Concha promises CFRT's version will put a unique spin on an old story with a few surprises the audience won't be expecting.
    He also praised the professionalism and hard work of the production's young actors, aged 15 to 19 years old.

    “We have a great group of students,” he gushed. “They are so talented, and people will see that this is a celebration of the youth in our community.”

    Established in 1962 by a small ensemble of actors, the Cape Fear Regional Theatre has grown into a powerhouse that serves nearly 50,000 people a year throughout its high-caliber, six-show season. The theatre, founded on a belief "in the power of storytelling and the visceral impact of live theatre,” adheres to a strict commitment to artistic excellence evident in its performances' stagecraft and production value.

    That same level of commitment can be seen in the theatre's many programs to educate children and teens across Cumberland County. Offering student workshops, internships, day camps, and military outreach programs, CFRT understands its responsibility as a cultural touchstone within the community.

    “Into the Woods” is one of three student performances this summer that showcase the accomplishments of seasoned theatre kids and those new to the craft. The rigorous summer camps, particularly the one for teens, are meant to give students a full theatrical experience. Aside from building future actors, theatergoers and stakeholders, de la Concha feels strongly about the value of educational theatre in the lives of young people.

    “I have always been a storyteller — I love a good moment,” he joked. “Theatre can be a great way to escape, but educational theatre teaches so many skills in a fun way. It empowers kids to be their true selves and work together, which goes hand-in-hand with this production.”

    Cape Fear Regional Theatre is located at 1209 Hay Street in Fayetteville.

    To purchase tickets, visit the theater's website at www.cfrt.org/.

  • 16 Book Black Women will be holding a concert Aug. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre. The concert will feature local and national Black women performers. Tickets cost $25 for this one-time event.
    Ayana Washington, founder and president of Book Black Women, will number among the performers. She most recently played the Dragon in “Shrek the Musical” at CFRT, and will be singing a few of Stevie Wonder’s greatest hits.

    In addition to Washington’s own talents, the Arione String Ensemble of Leigh Montague (cello), Monique Singletary (violin) and Kimberly Simpkins (violin) will perform with upbeat renditions of hip-hop and rhythm and blies favorites. Melrose Johnson, a classically trained opera singer, was Sophia in CFRT’s production of “The Color Purple.” Her set will include “The Creole Call,” a sensual operatic number.

    Yael Hilton is a gospel recording artist with Light Records. She will close out the show with some inspirational music.

    “Her voice is incomparable and I personally cannot wait to experience her gift,” said Washington.

    Washington said the inspiration of the name “Blueprint” came from Black women.

    “Black women are incredibly influential in popular culture. Our vernacular, the way we style our crowns, our fashion and even our music has a tendency to inspire communities beyond our own. I felt it was beautiful to call Black women what they are and have proven to be: the trendsetters, the OGs, The Blueprint,” she said.

    Washington began Book Black Women as a way to empower Black women in the community and to help give women the opportunity to shine.

    “With colorism being loud and silent all at once, it can sometimes be hard for Black women to get the shots they deserve,” she said.

    Earlier this year, Washington began planning events to hold throughout 2022 to showcase talents within the Fayetteville community. Blueprint is her third such event, with the other two being quite successful. CFRT is partnering with Book Black Women and has become their first fiscal sponsor.

    “I am currently on the road to becoming a 501c3 non-profit … They believe in the vision I have for Book Black Women Inc,” she said.

    Washington says the best way for the community to help Book Black Women is to check in on their website, www.bookblackwomen.com, and stay updated on events.
    People can also find them on facebook, at https://www.facebook.com/people/Book-Black-Women/100070481793735/.

    Blueprint will be a one-night only event on Aug. 13. Tickets cost $25 and are currently on sale through the CFRT website at https://cfrt.easy-ware-ticketing.com/events.

  • Rock’n On The River presents “The Regional Band Blowout” Friday, Aug. 19 beginning at 6 p.m. on the Cape Fear River, 1122 Person Street in East Fayetteville. The event will feature 80’s Unleashed, The Guy Unger Band and Rivermist.

    “The Regional Band Blowout is something that I thought about and we started planning it around September or October,” said Greg Adair, manager and member of Rivermist. “I thought about how would the attendance be with all of these followers from these great regional bands altogether in one spot.”
    Adair added, “We never get a chance to play side by side or see each other because everyone is out gigging, so we figured this would be a stellar event and the bands’ followers would get a chance to see their favorite band perform.”

    80’s Unleashed 15a

    The band 80’s Unleashed started out as 80’s Unplugged 13 years ago. The band members are Curtis Church, guitar and vocals; Mitra Maraj, percussion; Domo Max, drums; and Bryan Shaw, lead singer and bass player.

    “My idea was to have a project that I could play during the week before we left out to travel,” said Bryan Shaw, lead singer and bass player of 80’s Unleashed. “My idea was to do 80’s music, but acoustic, and I started out as a solo then quickly added Maraj then Curtis so we were a trio for a decade.”

    He added, “We had a club owner approach us about doing a live band karaoke night because he had seen it done in Boston and wanted to recreate it. He said that we were the only band that knows thousands of tunes because the premise of the band was that we take requests on top of playing 80’s music.”

    “I wanted to set it up like a dueling piano show where they play certain tunes but the crowd gets involved by asking for certain songs all night,” said Shaw. “So that is kind of the premise on how 80’s Unplugged got started.”

    Shaw added, “The way that the name 80’s Unleashed came about is when a girl that worked with us introduced the band as 80’s Unleashed by accident so we kept the name and that is what we have been doing the last three years.”

    “On August 19, the audience should expect a fun show while taking a trip down memory lane,” said Shaw. “Hopefully they will sing along and remember the tunes that we bring to them.”

    You can find the band on Facebook and Instagram at 80’s Unleashed.

    15b The Guy Unger Band

    The Guy Unger Band got their start by all of its members playing in various bands together. “The core of the band has always been me, Mandy and Jeff,” said Guy Unger, founder, guitarist and singer of The Guy Unger Band. “We pulled in J. R. Wright after we lost a keyboard player along with Nate Williams joining the band.”
    The band members include Mandy Unger, saxophone, flute and singer; Jeff Stone, drummer and singer; J. R. Wright, keyboards and vocals; Nate Williams, bass player; and Guy Unger, founder, guitarist and singer.

    “We do a lot of classic rock stuff and we do everything from Led Zeppelin, Floyd, The Eagles, Billy Idol, Men at Work, some dance music and more,” said Unger. “We have opened for many acts such as Collective Soul, Charlie Daniels, Skid Row and tons of big name bands.”

    “Over the years we have been fortunate enough to keep on ticking and playing through all of this COVID-19 stuff,” said Unger. “For instance, when a lot of bands were not able to work, we found a way to do some stuff online by going to the venue that we would normally book at and they would let us play there and videotape it.”

    Future projects for the band include writing songs, he said.

    “We have not done any writing but I would like to do some writing with this band in the future,” said Unger. “I enjoy writing and that is the next thing we will really focus on is getting some
    original material into the mix of what we have been doing.”

    He added, “I have got some good solid musicians with me and they are the best players around. I think that Rivermist, 80’s Unleashed and The Guy Unger Band are the best musicians around and we have put ourselves to a level where it is hard to do what we have done over the years and be just as successful as we all have.”

    “As for the event, the audience should expect some of the best musicians and performances that you can see here in Fayetteville and I feel honored to be playing with Rivermist and 80’s Unleashed because they are awesome bands,” said Unger. “Every one of the musicians will bring it that day so expect nothing but the best.” Their website is https://www.guyunger.band/.

    15c Rivermist

    Rivermist is a local party hometown band that was formed in 2014 and is comprised of Greg Adair, manager, drummer and vocalist; Tony Harrison, bass player; Cliff Bender, guitarist;
    Allen Pier, songwriter, keyboards and lead vocalist; and Rick Starling, percussion, vocals and keyboards.

    “We have about 27 shows left this year and we have been really busy,” said Greg Adair, manager and member of Rivermist. “One of our songs, ‘Pucker Up,’ is number one on several charts all over the Carolinas and Virginia.”

    He added, “We are up for a Cammy Award,” and the band has been named Best Band in Up & Coming Weekly’s Best of Fayetteville competition for the last six years.

    As for future projects, fans can expect some new music. “We have some new material coming out and we are getting ready to get into the studio within the next couple of weeks,” said Adair. “Right now we have four songs that are out and they are doing very well on the charts.”

    The band has many accomplishments but there is one more thing they would like to achieve. “I want Rivermist to be a household name and keep getting better and better together,” said Adair.
    Their website is www.rivermistband.com.

    Rock'n On The River is free and open to the public. Parking is $10 per vehicle and refreshments will be sold starting at 5 p.m. No outside food or coolers will be allowed.
    For more information visit the Rock'n On The River Facebook page.

  • 14b Beethoven and beer may seem an unlikely pairing, but the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra makes it work as they gear up for a new season with a kick-off party at Gaston Taproom on Aug. 19 at 7 p.m.
    The free, family-friendly “mini-concert” will last about 90 minutes and feature food trucks, lots of seating and some of the FSO’s most talented musicians.
    The orchestra’s String Quartet, comprised of concertmaster Fabián López and several principal players, will perform a variety of music for people in attendance. While classical pieces are to be expected, be prepared for some popular, recognizable tunes as well.

    The kick-off at Gaston’s Taproom is a part of the orchestra’s Symphony on Tap Program, which launched last year. The popular concert series allows the orchestra to set up shop in casual settings around Fayetteville and bring beautiful music to the people of the community free of charge.

    “Our string quartet is a really great group of musicians,” Anna Meyer, the FSO’s interim director, told Up & Coming Weekly. “This event will be a good time to share about our upcoming season and just enjoy great music and beer — you can’t go wrong there,” she joked.

    The FSO’s Jazz Quartet, another talented ensemble, will make an appearance at Bright Light Brewing Co. on Sunday, Aug. 28.
    The 2022-2023 season will showcase the enormous talent of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra through several ticketed events as well as community concerts that are free to attend.

    Also set to return this season is the wildly popular Symphony Movie Night at Dirtbag Ales. The mash-up of live orchestral music against the spooky backdrop of 1920s silent-film classic "Nosferatu" proved to be a winning combination with audiences, and those who missed it last year can check it out on Saturday, Oct. 22.

    The FSO is also planning to include more church venues this upcoming season, about which Meyer is particularly excited.

    “I’m looking forward to playing at different churches around town,” she shared. “We really enjoyed that last season and decided to broaden our horizons this year. We get to reach a lot of people, and it allows us to play in some beautiful venues.”

    A staple of the community for over 65 years, the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra has undergone many changes. Still, their commitment to musical excellence and attitude of service shines through with initiatives like Symphony Movie Night, Symphony on Tap and their free community concerts throughout the season. The orchestra takes pride in maintaining a relationship with the community that strives to “meet them where they are” and delivers on its promise to “educate, entertain, and inspire the citizens of Fayetteville.”

    In addition to a packed performance season, the FSO is passionate about the arts regarding Cumberland County’s youth. By developing the Fayetteville Symphony Youth Orchestra, String Sinfonietta, and various summer camps, the FSO is invested in creating beautiful music and talented musicians for generations to come.

    Gaston Taproom is located at 421 Chicago Drive in Fayetteville.

    For more information about the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra and its upcoming season, visit www.fayettevillesymphony.org/.

  • 14a Solve the fictional murder of class jock Bobby Backer during the final event of the Sunset Series on Friday, Aug. 19 at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden.
    This 80's Prom Murder Mystery in the Garden will take you back to a time when hairspray was potent in the air and neon seemed to be everywhere. The students of Shermer High find themselves battling it out over grades, popularity, affection, class rankings and what they all have been focused on for years: who will be awarded the prom king and queen title?

    Prom officially starts at 5 p.m. During this time, guests can mingle, drink, dance and shop from local vendors.
    The prom will even feature a photo booth section that will allow couples to take photos of themselves in true 1980s fashion. There will also be three food trucks on site: Wild Sunflower Pizza, Cavity Connection, and Jaz-N-Soul.
    At 6:15 p.m., prom court nominations will begin. At 6:30 p.m., the prom court is announced. Every guest is strongly recommended to arrive before 6:30 p.m.

    “We really do encourage everybody to get here before the prom court is nominated at 6:30 because if somebody comes in late, they could miss out on some key evidence,” Meghan Woolbright, the marketing coordinator for CFBG told Up & Coming Weekly.

    In the last murder mystery, attendees could use modern technology to gather clues and investigate the case. This time, actors from the Gilbert Theater will be there to talk with attendees and give their statements. Each actor will play a key suspect in the murder.

    “We've seen that our visitors like the one-on-one type of them asking questions and our actors and actresses, you know, playing along,” Woolbright said. “That's where we've seen the most authentic experience for our visitors.”

    Each visitor is going to be getting a packet with the theme and character descriptions, but a majority of the mystery will have to be solved by talking to the actors and actresses from the Gilbert Theater. From the preppie to the punk rocker, the nerd to the stud, the jock to the jilted — all are suspected, although only one is to blame.
    Shortly after the murderer has been revealed, there will be a costume contest at the end of the night. Woolbright recommends that people think of the big hair, puffy sleeves on the giant prom dresses, and matching pastel suits.

    “The more you dress up and the more excited you are, the better it’s going to be,” she said.

    The Gardens are expecting a big turnout for this event. The last murder mystery had 100 people in attendance.
    This marks the third year for the Sunset Series, a public event and fundraiser for the garden. The event is free for Cape Fear Botanical Garden members and $10 plus tax for non-members. Visit www.capefearbg.org/event/the-sunset-series to learn more.

  • 12 Cumberland County Manager Amy Cannon on Monday, Aug. 1 told members of the Board of Commissioners that talks about the county’s sales tax revenue distribution method are on the horizon.
    Cannon prepped commissioners on the upcoming issue of how the county will share sales tax revenue with municipalities.
    Her presentation came during a meeting of the board’s Finance Committee. The committee consists of Commissioners Toni Stewart, Larry Lancaster, Glenn Adams and Jeannette Council, who chairs the committee.

    The five-year sales tax distribution agreement among Cumberland County and county municipalities expires in 2023.
    The agreement hammered out in 2018 was often contentious, and the parties included the North Carolina School of Government in negotiations to help mediate an agreement.
    Cannon’s brief presentation came after the board’s regular meeting Monday. Cannon said she wanted to prepare the board on the direction it wanted to take regarding sales tax distributions in the future. The Finance Committee took no action.

    This presentation is to "get you to start thinking about where the county wants to be" next year, she said.
    County commissioners in North Carolina are authorized to choose between distributing sales tax proceeds between the county and its municipalities either on a per capita or ad valorem basis.
    Historically, Cumberland County distributed sales tax proceeds on a per capita basis.

    However, as the county’s municipalities grow in population, the county’s portion of the sales tax pie shrinks, and Cannon noted that the county’s responsibilities do not.
    North Carolina General Statutes require counties to provide or fund specific services, including law enforcement, jails, medical examiner, courts, building code enforcement, public schools, social services, public health and others.

    The General Statutes regarding towns and cities only require them to provide building code enforcement.
    The county commissioners may change the method of distribution annually in April with an effective date 14 months later at the start of the fiscal year, Cannon told the committee.

    Cannon said only Wake, Cumberland and Durham counties continue to use the per capita distribution schedule. Adams said the appropriate venue to work out an agreement is with the Mayor’s Coalition.
    The Cumberland County Mayor's Coalition meets quarterly, and the next meeting is scheduled for sometime in August.

    Its next meeting would be in November. The sales tax distribution discussion will not be on the coalition's upcoming agenda.

    “This should not be a shock to them that this discussion will come up,” Adams said.

  • fay city council logo The Fayetteville City Council gave consensus approval at its meeting Aug. 1 to have city administrators research the possibilities of a tax-deferred compensation plan for its members after they leave office.
    The directive was in response to Councilmen D.J. Haire and Chris Davis, who asked for information on “some form of retirement” similar to plans offered to federal, state and county elected officials, according to the councilmen’s written request.

    “I just want to get a clarification,” said Councilwoman Shakeyla Ingram. “We are asking staff to bring back what we can and cannot do, correct?”

    Mayor Mitch Colvin responded that the intent is to gather more information on the proposal.
    Haire laid out four conditions for eligibility for the plan: Available to a sitting council member who has served 10 years on the council; Participants must be 60 years old to apply; Money would not be received until the official leaves the City Council; Each official would receive $500 per month.
    Councilman Johnny Dawkins, who is a job benefits and Medicare consultant, said his suggestion would be to put $500 a month in a tax-deferred compensation plan for each sitting member of the council.

    “You cannot touch it while you’re on council,” Dawkins said. “It would not be a retirement plan.”

    He said a member of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners makes about $10,000 more a year, including benefits and pay, than members of the City Council.

    “That’s not right,” Dawkins said. “We work just as many hours. To say this is part-time is just not true. Technically, if it were part-time, we could not be on the health insurance plan. But we are allowed to participate on the health insurance plan, which is a federal requirement for 30 hours a week. I can assure you we put in 30 hours a week and more.”

    According to the city, the salary for a council member is $19,044 per year. The mayor pro tem receives about $20,160 per year, and the mayor takes home $34,833 per year. Elected city officials are eligible for medical, vision and dental insurance at the same costs paid by city employees.

    Cumberland County sets the starting salary for a county commissioner at $23,297 a year. The board vice chairman is paid $25,297 and the chairman, $31,100 a year.
    The commissioners are eligible to invest in a 401k-like matching investment plan with the county, including a deferred compensation plan. The county matches up to 4.9% of a board member’s salary for those who opt to participate.

    Glenn Adams, chairman of the county Board of Commissioners, said he chose a plan with Nationwide Insurance.

    “Those are our funds,” Adams said. “We have to fund it ourselves. If I want to do it, I take it out of my salary.” But he noted that there is a matching component to the investment plan.

    Some cities do offer plans to elected officials to provide retirement and survivor income. Financing for them is by employee contributions, investment earnings and city contributions. But other cities in North Carolina offer no such plans. Winston-Salem has no retirement plan for City Council members, according to Frank Elliott, director of communications for that city.

    “We do not pay a pension plan for elected officials,” Elliott said Monday. “They receive an annual stipend for their service.” The stipend ends when an official leaves office.
    A year ago, the annual stipend for council members in Winston-Salem was $18,220. This year, they got a raise and receive $25,700 a year, Elliott said.
    Members of the Durham City Council are not part of the state employees retirement plan, and the city does not offer a separate retirement plan to them, a city representative said.

    “Our commissioners do not have a retirement plan,” said interim communications director Amanda Perry in an email. “Adding a retirement benefit was discussed as part of the 2023 budget process but not adopted.”

  • hope mills logo Hope Mills Town Manager Scott Meszaros on Monday night, Aug. 1 reviewed a “State of the Town’’ slide presentation that highlighted town accomplishments including growth in commercial development, the completion of residential housing and investments in crime-fighting technology.

    “The town has seen about 17% growth in annexation,’’ Meszaros told the Board of Commissioners. “The pace is very rapid and we’re trying to keep up with the workload.”

    Meszaros said several subdivisions like Sweetwater, Georgetown Estates and Sheffield Farms had not been completed in the last several years and are now slated to be finished. The boom in the housing market and the shortage of houses have helped jumpstart the completion of the neighborhoods.

    “There are two people looking for every house, so it’s 50% under-housed,” Meszaros said.

    Meszaros also told the board that the town’s commercial and industrial development were escalating and were not going to slow down.

    “Commercial development and industrial development is probably our heaviest hitter every week when we have our staff review,’’ he said. “It’s shocking to me every month the things we hear, but we are not able to share due to proprietary reasons, but we’re attractive to a lot of different uses.”

    In terms of recreation, Meszaros pointed out the splash pad and inclusive playground which are coming. Both had state funding.

    “Also one of the things the town wanted was a basketball court and we made that happen,” he said.

    Meszaros also praised the town’s new police chief, Stephen Dollinger, and the direction he is taking the Police Department.

    “They solve crime, and they solve issues because of the technology and the people they brought on,” Meszaros said.

    “The chief is very engaged and productive in what he does,” Meszaros said.

    The town’s Police Department is now fully staffed, and the town has invested in new crime-fighting technology, including facial recognition programs, license plate readers, a drone and investigative software. According to Meszaros’ presentation, some officers also received long overdue promotions.
    Meszaros praised his staff and said it was some of the best department heads he has ever worked with.

    “We have a lot of talent on this team,” he said.
    Members of the board nodded their heads in agreement. Commissioner Jerry Legge agreed.

    “We may be understaffed in some departments, but the people we have are solid people,” Legge said.

    In other business, the board unanimously approved authorizing the town manager to contract with Dormakaba USA Inc. for the installation of touchless automatic sliding doors at a cost of $10,628.05. The new doors will replace the front doors at Town Hall, making the entrance easily accessible to wheelchairs.

    Public Works Director Don Sisko said the front doors were out-of-date and the wear-and-tear often posed maintenance trouble. Sisko recommended the hands-free glass doors.
    The town also recognized the Hope Mills 2022 “O” Zone D1 State Champion Baseball Team led by head coach Tommy Daughtry. The team defeated West Chatham 12-0 in the championship game. The team now advances to the 2022 D1 Dixie Youth World Series on Aug. 6-11 in Lumberton. Mayor Jackie Warner presented each player with a certificate and posed for photos along with Commissioner Legge.

    The board also held a closed session to discuss a personnel matter under attorney-client privilege.

  • 10 Homebuilder NVR Inc. plans to invest $25 million to build a factory on Dunn Road, creating 189 jobs, state and local officials announced Tuesday, Aug. 2.
    The Fortune 500 company plans to build a 145,000-square-foot manufacturing operation on 22 acres on Dunn Road in Fayetteville. The facility will manufacture trusses, wall panel systems and other homebuilding components, according to local economic development officials.
    The average salaries for the new positions are expected to be more than $45,000, economic development officials said. NVR. Inc. also announced that it is expanding its operation in Cleveland County.

    NVR is headquartered in Virginia. It sells and builds homes under the brands Ryan Homes, NVHomes and Heartland Homes in 15 states, the Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corp. said in a release. It operates in two business segments: homebuilding and mortgage banking.

    “When companies already in North Carolina choose to expand here, it’s a great vote of confidence,” Cooper said in a release. “Our ability to support NVR’s growth demonstrates the reliability of our workforce, access to supply chains, and quality of life as attractive tools to meet the increasing demands of the homebuilding industry.”

    The Fayetteville City Council and the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners approved a combined $827,000 in local incentives for the project, the economic development corporation said.

    “This project will serve as a cornerstone supporting additional economic development, making Dunn Road our next job creation corridor,” said Glenn Adams, chairman of the Board of Commissioners. “This is a major win for Fayetteville and Cumberland County.”

    Incentives will be paid out provided the company meets the job-creation and investment goals.

    “We are excited to have such a premier company choose our city for its expansion,” Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin saidin the release. “We believe this project will have a significant positive impact in terms of adding jobs and enhancing our region.”

    RealtyLink LLC purchased the building on Dunn Road that had been used by Soffe for its warehouse store. The building is being modified for an Amazon delivery center and a FedEx facility. RealtyLink is working with NVR to build the manufacturing operation, which will be across the street, the Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corp. said.

    Realty Link, based in Greenville, South Carolina, also developed Freedom Town Center on Skibo Road.
    RealtyLink Principal David Allen said the company believes in the potential for growth and success in Fayetteville and Cumberland County.

    “This is the natural progression of development for this project,” Allen said in the release.

    “This facility is the next phase of developing 83 acres into a Fayetteville industrial corridor along Business I-95. We love your community.”

  • 8 PEARL HARBOR — A 2019 Cornerstone Christian Academy graduate and Fayetteville native is serving in the U.S. Navy as part of the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise, Rim of the Pacific.
    Airman Destiny Lanford is an undesignated sailor aboard USS Abraham Lincoln, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier operating out of San Diego.
    Undesignated sailors are able to join a ship’s crew and work in many areas, learning the jobs and experiencing more than one position. At the end of a designated time, the sailor chooses which job fits them best for the rest of their naval career.

    Aircraft carriers provide unique capabilities and survivability. They are a powerful exhibition of the American Navy's legacy of innovation, technological evolution and maritime dominance, according to Navy officials.
    Since USS Langley's commissioning 100 years ago, the nation's aircraft carriers, such as USS Abraham Lincoln, and embarked carrier air wings have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and maintained enduring commitments worldwide.

    “The aircraft carrier is our U.S. Navy's centerpiece, our flagship, and a constant reminder to the rest of the world of our enduring maritime presence and influence,” said Rear Adm. James P. Downey, USN, Program Executive Officer Aircraft Carriers. “These ships touch every part of our Navy's mission to project power, ensure sea control and deter our adversaries.”

    Today, Lanford uses skills and values similar to those learned in Fayetteville.

    “I believe it's important to always look out for others,” said Lanford. “My brothers always looked out for me, now it's my turn.”

    As the world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring safety at sea and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

    The theme of RIMPAC 2022 is Capable, Adaptive, Partners. The participating nations and forces exercise a wide range of capabilities and demonstrate the inherent flexibility of maritime forces.
    These capabilities range from disaster relief and maritime security operations to sea control and complex warfighting. The relevant, realistic training program includes gunnery, missile, anti-submarine and air defense exercises, as well as amphibious, counter-piracy, mine clearance operations, explosive ordnance disposal and diving and salvage operations.

    “At RIMPAC I'm looking forward to getting better at the work I do,” said Lanford.

    Serving in the Navy means Lanford is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

    “The Navy is on the water so we can go everywhere we need to,” said Lanford. “Defense is important as well as humanitarian aid. We can bring that everywhere.”

    With more than 90% of all trade traveling by sea, and 95% of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.

    According to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday, four priorities will focus efforts on sailors, readiness, capabilities and capacity.

    “For 245 years, in both calm and rough waters, our Navy has stood the watch to protect the homeland, preserve freedom of the seas and defend our way of life,” said Gilday. “The decisions and investments we make this decade will set the maritime balance of power for the rest of this century. We can accept nothing less than success.”

    Hosted by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, RIMPAC 2022 is led by Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, who serves as Combined Task Force commander. Royal Canadian Navy Rear Adm. Christopher Robinson serves as deputy commander of the CTF, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Rear Adm. Toshiyuki Hirata as the vice commander, and Fleet Marine Force is led by U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Joseph Clearfield.

    Other key leaders of the multinational force will include Commodore Paul O’Grady of the Royal Australian Navy, who will command the maritime component, and Brig. Gen. Mark Goulden of the Royal Canadian Air Force, who will command the air component.

    “I'm very proud and happy I'm on deployment with the ship,” said Lanford. “Being deployed means I’ve arrived at my calling to the Navy. I want to get to work.”

    During RIMPAC, a network of capable, adaptive partners train and operate together in order to strengthen their collective forces and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.
    RIMPAC 2022 contributes to the increased interoperability, resiliency and agility needed by the Joint and Combined Force to deter and defeat aggression by major powers across all domains and levels of conflict.

    As a member of the U.S. Navy, Lanford and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.

    “Serving in the Navy means I'm on the front lines protecting my family and all the citizens in America,” added Lanford.
    Additional information about RIMPAC is available at http://www.cpf.navy.mil

    (Above photo: Airman Destiny Lanford, a 2019 graduate of Cornerstone Christian Academy, is serving aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln as part of an international maritime exercise known as RIMPAC. Photo by Ethan Carter, Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class, Navy Office of Community Outreach)

  • 7 Fayetteville City Council member Kathy Keefe Jensen is excited to be back on City Council for her fifth term. Jensen was originally elected to serve District 1 on the Fayetteville City Council in Nov. 2013.
    District 1 runs across the city's northern edge. It includes residential neighborhoods on Fort Bragg, neighborhoods around Methodist University, Kings Grant Golf & Country Club, parts of Murchison Road and North Ramsey.

    She will have been serving on City Council for almost a decade, and as such, she will have the opportunity to see things come to fruition when only a decade ago, it was nonexistent.

    “I never thought I'd be here this long,” Jensen told Up & Coming Weekly. “I look forward to closing out things that had gotten started and with government — nothing goes fast. I'm proud of the work that has been done. I honestly say that when I drive around Fayetteville, I'm very proud.”

    Jensen bested two candidates who were running against her — Alex Rodriguez and William Milbourne III, who ran as a write-in candidate.
    When asked about voter turnout for the summer city election, Jensen said that while it was low, she was shocked that it reached almost 12%. She cites voter turnout in local elections have been low in other cities like Raleigh and Charlotte this year.

    “The issue is local elections are your most important elections, and people need to be educated on local elections. It's nonpartisan,” Jensen said.

    “So the interesting thing to me is in this election that this is my fifth term and I had supporters that did not even know what party I was. And that to me is what city government should be, because I don't care what your party is. You're my constituent and you live in this city and I need to represent you.”

    As chair of the Parks and Recreation Bond committee, Jensen helped oversee several pools and splash pads being funded, built and opened in the city. For Jensen, these new pools and splash pads are perfect for families as it's inexpensive, easy to get to, and kids will have endless hours of fun. She says they are the founding of family traditions.

    “So we went from one pool in 60 years … and we came in and now we have four pools in the city,” Jensen said. “Eight years ago, we had one splash pad. Right now in the county we have 12.”

    For teenagers, Jensen said she saw an absent youth council, and she was inspired after going to the National League of Municipalities in Washington, D.C.

    “I felt like it was something that we needed that we forgot about. And so we revitalized it,” Jensen said. “We have been named the state's best youth council. We are a force to be reckoned with in the youth councils, even on a national level.”

    Even for older teens and adults, Jensen wants the city to provide events that will allow the whole family to have fun.

    “Well, the New Year's Eve party, that was something that I've wanted to do forever,” Jensen said. “But now you've started your tradition in your family, and that's the key.”

    During this last term, Jensen served as Mayor Pro Tem. She decided she will no longer fill that role. Instead, she wants to focus more on her liaison role to Fort Bragg and the North Carolina Military Affairs Commission.

    “I loved every minute of it. I think that we're put in the position in the time that you need to be put in the position because I feel like I'm pretty levelheaded, calm,” Jensen said when thinking about her time as Mayor Pro Tem.

    However, since becoming the liaison to Fort Bragg and working with the state for military affairs, Jensen says she realized how much Fayetteville could help the military community by having jobs available and being more accessible to the military installation.

    “We want to be good neighbors, and we want to be able to help and thrive. So we want to be in partnership. We want to collaborate. We want to be part of the universe. We want to help the quality of life and sometimes you just need to sit down at the table and say, okay, what is it that we need to do?”

    Jensen was one of the collaborators to get a city partnership with the military installation to build a new sports complex. The facility will be built near I-95 and McArthur Road. The complex will include baseball fields, a playground, trails and open areas, bathrooms and parking.

    “We have gotten a 30-year lease from the military, which takes an act of Congress to do. And we did it. We literally got an act of Congress to make it happen. And so we're very excited about that,” Jensen said.

    Looking to the near future, Jensen is hoping a new bond will be passed in the next election. The bond would address public safety, infrastructure and affordable housing in the city.

    “We are short right now 20,000 houses. So you look at that number, and you go, wow, Fayetteville needs to get to it,” Jensen said. “But that's everywhere. We all know that rent prices have gone up. Of course, it's a city problem, but it's also a nationwide problem.”

    According to city documents, the bonds would be valued at a maximum of $97 million. Voters will be able to vote on each area — public safety, infrastructure and housing — separately, as each will have its own portion of the $97 million.
    The “Vote Yes Referendum” is another referendum that may be on the ballot. This referendum would change the structure of the City Council by changing its current nine single-member districts and mayor to a structure of the mayor, five single-member districts and four at large members.

    “I will definitely vote to have both bonds put on [the ballot],” Jensen said.

    Jensen looks forward to having more conversations and help grow Fayetteville. She believes Fayetteville will be getting an influx of people in the next few years and they need to be ready.

    “I only want what's best for where I live, work and recreate,” Jensen said.

    “I think Fayetteville is growing. The north side District 1 is growing by leaps and bounds, and we just have to make sure that we are sitting down, having the conversations and that [Fayetteville] is a place to live, work and play.”

    The inauguration of the City Council members will take place on Aug. 11 in the J.W. Seabrook Auditorium at Fayetteville State University.

  • 6 Are you worried? Suffer from chronic anxiety? Are you too pooped to pop as Lucy Ricardo said in her Vitameatavegamins commercial? To quote our old friend, William Wordsworth: “The world is too much with us; late and soon/ Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers.”

    Has buying stuff from China lost its charm? Have you run out of PPP money the feds shoveled out the door during the bad Rona times? Has your ability to change the world powered down? Tired of worrying about big issues you can do nothing about? How about worrying about a small problem that you can do something about? Wouldn’t that be a pleasant change from concerns about Putin? Step right up and keep reading. Today we explore the wonderland of First World Problems.

    First World Problems do not involve big things like starvation, wars and rumors of wars, or the curious rise of neighborhood Fascism. Nope, First World Problems are minor annoyances that only people at the top of Maslow’s Hierarchy would notice. First World Problems are so minor they don’t even register unless a TV commercial brings them to your attention. Then they can sell you a solution for a problem Big Pharma invented.
    Can you recall Hans Christian Andersen’s story of “The Princess and the Pea”? Allow me to mansplain it to you. Princess Karen had a First World Problem — extreme sensitivity to tiny irritants. Like Edgar Allen Poe’s character Annabel Lee, Karen lived “many and many a year ago in a Kingdom by the Sea.” But Karen wasn’t always a princess. She started out as a shivering rain-drenched traveler on a muddy road. Her extreme sensitivity led her to becoming a princess.

    Once upon a time there was a prince who needed a wife. He looked far and wide in the kingdom to find a suitable bride. Unfortunately, his Mamma got to decide who the prince would marry. Mamma decreed that the prince could only marry a real princess. When the prince would bring home a maiden to meet the family, Mamma always found something wrong with his date. The date talked too much, ate too much, table manners were bad, wasn’t pretty enough. You get the picture; Mamma was a pill. No woman was going to be good enough for her little boy.

    The prince was getting pretty frustrated at the revolving rejections. Then one dark and stormy night, came a knock on the castle door. This was before Ring doorbells with cameras were invented, so the prince answered the door himself. There stood Karen, a bedraggled soaking wet maiden seeking shelter from the storm. Karen claimed to be a princess but she looked more like a peasant. Word was out in the kingdom that the prince was looking for a wife. Lots of fake princesses showed up at the castle door hoping to snag the prince into the coils of matrimony.

    To weed out fake princesses, Mamma had a test. It is well known that a real princess would be extremely delicate and hyper sensitive to everything. Karen was sent to a chamber where 20 mattresses and 20 quilts were piled upon a bed. Underneath the bottom mattress Mamma placed a single pea. The next morning Mamma asked how Karen had slept. Karen complained she had not slept all night because something in the bed had hurt her back leaving her bruised. This proved Karen was the real deal as only a real princess could be so sensitive. Karen and the handsome prince were married. They lived happily ever after, remaining friends even after their divorce.

    Fast forward to Now. According to TV commercials there is a wide spread problem with the silent tragedy of toe fungus in America. Toe fungus is a major First World Problem. News shows are replete with commercials for products to fight and cure toe fungus. A person with toe fungus is shamed and outcast from polite society. There are numerous potions out there ready, willing, and able to cure your toe fungus so you can be returned to society. One cure features a cute little cartoon toe fungus gremlin who climbs under your big toe nail. He laughs maniacally while he messes you up. The ads are intentionally disgusting. They highlight the gruesome ravages of toe fungus which can infect your entire family unless you buy their product. The message is you are a lousy human being if you don’t purchase their Toe Fungicide.

    I prefer Mark Twain’s cure for warts which should also work on toe fungus. Tom Sawyer used spunk water from a rotten tree stump and a bean. Tom says cut your wart to get some blood to put it on the bean. Bury the bean at a crossroads at midnight in the dark of the moon. Chant “Down bean. Off wart; come no more to bother me.” Huck Finn’s cure for warts involved a dead cat. Take the dead cat to a graveyard. The Devil will come to the graveyard to get the body of a newly buried wicked man around midnight. “Then heave your cat after ‘em and say: ‘Devil follow corpse, cat follow devil, warts follow cat, I’m done with ye!’”

    Huzzah! Warts and toe fungus are gone. A First World Problem solved without Big Pharma.

  • 5When CNBC ranked North Carolina the best state in America for business a few weeks ago, Democrats and Republicans spun the news in familiar ways. The former used it to promote the leadership of Gov. Roy Cooper, citing CNBC’s own take that the state had prevailed against its Sunbelt competitors by “putting partisanship aside” and avoiding contentious debates on social issues. GOP politicos and activists responded by touting the benefits of a decade’s worth of pro-growth tax and regulatory reforms by the General Assembly — most of which Cooper opposed, which in their view makes it hypocritical for him to claim credit for the CNBC ranking.

    If you look closely at its methodology, you’ll find some support for both political takes. But you’ll also find key insights that produced no headlines.
    The study’s sources included the Tax Foundation’s State Business Tax Climate Index and the Fraser Institute’s Economic Freedom of North America Index, both of which gave North Carolina high marks. However, the study also included voting-rights rankings from the left-leaning Brennan Center for Justice and anti-discrimination rankings from Freedom for All Americans, an LGBTQ-rights organization.

    As it happens, North Carolina didn’t rank in the top five, much less at the top of the list, in any of the broad categories encompassing those measures. CNBC ranked our state 26th in the cost of doing business, 22nd in business friendliness, and 28th in “life, health, and inclusion.”

    So, how did our state end up at the top of the overall list? Because CNBC used a weighted average of many different categories — and North Carolina ranked either middling or high in all of them. Other CNBC categories included access to capital (2nd), technology and innovation (5th), workforce (12th), education (14th), and infrastructure (17th).
    Some of our high rankings are related to policy choices by lawmakers and other public officials. As I have pointed out on numerous occasions, North Carolina has a comparatively high return on public investment in highways and public schools, and remains one of the most generous state funders of higher education in the country. You and I may disagree about the causes and practical consequences of these conditions. But because of the way CNBC set up its study, they were bound to boost North Carolina’s overall score.

    Other high rankings for our state, however, have more to do with longstanding structural features of its economy, such as its strong banking and finance sector (which has its roots in policy choices, yes, but those made more than a century ago when lawmakers adopted relatively loose regulation of statewide branching and bank-issued insurance products).
    In only one of the study’s constituent categories did our state rank at the very top of the national list — but it was a big one. After North Carolina, the top-scoring states on CNBC’s “economy” category were Tennessee, Washington, Florida and Idaho. The category included measures of job creation, GDP growth, real estate markets, the presence of corporate headquarters, and the fiscal condition and creditworthiness of state and local governments.

    Take special note of those latter measures. Over the past decade the General Assembly has prudently built up the state’s financial reserves, protecting its triple-A credit ratings while sending a clear signal to entrepreneurs, investors, job creators and corporate decision makers that North Carolina is better prepared than most other places to weather future storms, be they meteorological or economic. State Treasurer Dale Folwell has also played a key role in improving the state’s fiscal position and preparedness.

    There’s nothing particularly exciting about paying off debts or stashing money in rainy-day accounts and defined-benefit reserves.
    It doesn’t make headlines. It just makes good sense.

  • 4 Fayetteville municipal candidates and voters have recently slogged through another election cycle, an odd one because it was pushed back from fall 2021 by delayed U.S. Census data.
    The incumbent mayor was handily re-elected, and an incumbent council member posted an astounding almost 70-percentage point win over his challenger. With the election over, Fayetteville’s elected officials can now settle into the business of guiding the city. Election peculiarities and individual candidates aside, it is worth remembering running for any elective office is a leap of faith.

    It takes courage to put yourself into the public arena to be publicly evaluated and openly criticized.
    Cynics might also say it takes a large ego to believe you are not only capable but should make decisions regarding the lives and fortunes of your fellow citizens.

    Cynics might add that being in the political spotlight attracts some candidates, and not always for the right reasons.
    It is not easy to run for elective office. It requires a great deal of time, often taking candidates away from their careers and their families.

    People who have run for office and those who serve in elective positions at all levels of government tell stories of special occasions missed and personal relationships strained.
    Running for office and serving in one can also be financially difficult as it takes time away from careers and businesses.
    Candidates and elected officials often find themselves torn between campaigning and the responsibilities of their offices and their own work and personal obligations.

    Running for elective office is also expensive. Candidates for office in a city the size of Fayetteville will almost inevitably use paid media to get their messages across to the thousands of registered voters eligible to cast ballots in municipal contests. These expenditures run from relatively modest sums for palm cards to be given to voters to vastly more expensive mailers, radio and television spots, and, increasingly, various social media ads.

    A few lucky candidates have both the means and the will to fund their own campaigns, but the majority will raise campaign dollars from family, friends and supporters.
    Significant time and effort are required to make campaign fundraising successful enough to run a competitive campaign, and the financial ask itself can be a humbling experience for candidates who cannot promise the donor any return other than “representing you with integrity.”

    So, why do some people decide to “stand for election” when the road is clearly arduous and the elective work itself held in such low public esteem.
    A zillion years ago when I first ran for public office, a friend asked me “why on earth I wanted to be ‘with those people?’”
    The answer for me was that I genuinely believed that I could represent my community more responsibly than the incumbent and that the opportunity arose at a point in my life when I was able to mount a campaign.

    I suspect most of the candidates in Fayetteville’s municipal elections last month would tell us much the same.
    That said, voters themselves merit some attention and some criticism. Only about 12 in every 100 voters registered in Fayetteville bestirred themselves to vote in July’s municipal elections, a humiliating reflection on the city’s electorate.

    If some of our fellow citizens are willing to serve in elective office and put themselves out for months, if not years, of public scrutiny and occasionally apocalyptic public criticism, the least we can do is give them a thumbs up — or down.

  • spring lake logo The Spring Lake Board of Aldermen on Monday night, Aug. 8, is expected to receive an update on the town’s finances through June from the Local Government Commission.
    The Local Government Commission took financial control of the town last year amid concerns about budget deficits, fiscal disarray and an investigation into missing money.

    In a letter to the Board of Aldermen in advance of the meeting, Susan McCullen said the town is showing that it has collected $3,228,037, or 102.67% of property taxes, which she says is excellent. Property tax is the town’s largest revenue source. McCullen is director of the Fiscal Management Section of the Local Government Commission.

    She also said the general fund appears to be in better shape going into year-end than in recent years.
    With the report nearing the end of the fiscal year, McCullen also cautions that there are departments that have overspent their budget.

    “There are four functions that appear to have overspent the budgeted amount at this time: administration, tax collections, public works administration and senior building,” McCullen said.

    She said staff will be working to determine what caused the issues and revise business processes as needed so the issues do not happen again.
    The concern that the general fund will have a negative fund balance is again repeated in the letter sent to the town in advance of the meeting. Financial officers will be unable to determine the exact amount of the deficit until the 2022 audit is completed.

    McCullen stated in her letter that any positive balances that are currently showing cannot be viewed as available for new programs or expansion items until the town’s financial condition can be fully assessed. This has been a statement repeated over the last year as the finance staff has worked to verify the current state of the town’s finances, along with the search for missing money and missing vehicles.

    An audit released in March by the Office of the State Auditor said the town reported having 80 vehicles, while the state Division of Motor Vehicles reported 138 and the financial auditor 92.

    The board will also hear a presentation from Liz Whitmore, a planner in the historic resource office at the city of Sanford.
    Cynthia Wilt, a Spring Lake resident and member of the Appearance and Sustainability Committee, said the committee is looking into the possibility of murals in the town. Wilt said they are looking at options to highlight the town’s history and military connection.

  • IMG 8558 The Fayetteville City Council is taking steps to regulate homeless encampments on public property. During a work session this past Monday, the council by a consensus of 8-2 decided to move forward with a revised city ordinance on camping on public property inside the city limits. The proposed ordinance is on the council's consent agenda for its regular meeting Aug. 8 at City Hall. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m.

    The issue of homelessness — and what to do about it — is one the city has worked to address for a number of years. More recently, the issue has involved those who sleep in encampments in high-risk areas such as near roadways on public and private property and under bridges in the city.

    The recommendations in the proposed ordinance address those who camp on public property. Council opted not to make a decision on proposed recommendations for camping on private property at this time.

    Brook Redding, an assistant to the city manager and special projects manager for Fayetteville, gave the presentation on the proposed ordinance to the City Council.

    The current city ordinance defines camping as “a place where tents, huts or other temporary shelters are set up.” The existing regulation prohibits overnight camping at parks and cemeteries, but it leaves other venues open. It does not prohibit camping on private property or other city-owned property, Redding said. In June and July, a city task force met with members of the Continuum of Care, the lead agency for planning and coordination of homeless activities in the county, for their input.

    If the proposed ordinance is approved during the regular council meeting, it would not allow camping on public property without the landowner's approval, and all tents and shelters would have to be removed during the day. It would not allow sleeping in vehicles on public property.

    The council was presented with three proposals during its work session. Of those, members agreed on the terms with the least limiting camping recommendation. Under that proposal, camping is prohibited when there is overnight shelter available in the city and when it presents a public health and safety risk, regardless of shelter availability.

    “This, at a minimum,” Redding said, “would give us a legal basis needed to execute" enforcement of the ordinance.

    Other proposals

    The council also was presented with proposals that were moderately limiting and were most limiting regarding camping.

    Redding said the task force recommended the most limiting proposal.
    Under that proposal, camping or sleeping in a vehicle on public property is prohibited when there is:
    – Available overnight shelter;
    – When it presents a public health and safety risk, regardless of shelter availability;
    – Sleeping in a vehicle between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.;
    – Erecting or constructing a tent or laying down bedding between 8 a.m. and sunset.

    The most limiting, he said, would “address several of the layers of issues the city is encountering right now with unsheltered homelessness.”

    Redding said the staff recommendation on private property suggests that the components that are there now should remain in place.
    In that case, camping is prohibited unless:
    – An individual is camping on his own land;
    – An individual is camping with the written consent of the landowner;
    – An individual is camping no more than seven consecutive days without an interruption of three months of non-camping days.

    Councilwoman Yvonne Kinston asked Redding if current services include overnight availability for men, women, a woman and child, and a man and child.

    “In the city, there is availability,” he said. “On average, our current services are never at capacity. Usually, they’re not even 50% occupancy.”

    Councilwoman Shakeyla Ingram proposed that the homeless find a “safe space” in the Salvation Army parking lot when that agency is at capacity and no other homeless services are available.

    “We cannot dictate what Salvation Army allows on its property,” Redding said.

    Later, the council agreed to talk with the Salvation Army regarding Ingram's idea. Mayor Mitch Colvin said homelessness has been an issue for cities statewide.

    “Certainly, we want to balance being sensitive to those in our community who are in this situation to have some structure with the public good,’’ he said. “By all the shelters that we support, they have certain rules and barriers to get in. No drink and drugs for that particular night.

    “By us looking the other way and not doing anything really is circumventing the effectiveness of those shelters because it gives people an option if they don’t want to comply with some of that," Colvin said. "We know that nothing we can do tonight or even follow up is going to be a one-all, fix-all. But I think if we continue to look away, those communities are growing …”

    When it comes to public space being used for camping, he noted, Fayetteville is one of the few cities that does not have any type of public camping ordinance or a very limited ordinance compared with municipal peers of comparable size.

    The mayor said the city also is talking with the N.C. Department of Transportation regarding the homeless who camp on its property inside the city. Many of the homeless in Fayetteville camp on DOT property.

    Homeless initiatives

    For several of the candidates in the city’s recent municipal election, homelessness was cited as a major campaign issue. It’s an issue that has repeatedly come before the City Council over the last 10 to 15 years. At one point, the city laid out a 10-year plan to eradicate homelessness in the city. As the mayor has said in the past, homelessness will never be completely resolved here. But the council is making strides to put a serious dent into the situation.

    Over the past few years, the council has authorized what the city calls “some transformational initiatives” in hopes of reducing homelessness in the community. There are roughly 475 or more unsheltered individuals who live in inexpensive motels, under bridges and in encampments around town and in the county. The city supports homelessness initiatives through partnerships with community organizations and Cumberland County.

    Those initiatives include the city’s purchase of a facility for a homeless day resource center at 128 S. King St., which has been designated to provide “a community resource hub for persons experiencing homelessness.”

    The center is expected to be brought online in the spring of 2023, the city has said. In February, through a partnership with Manna Church, the city opened the Manna Dream Center men’s shelter on Person Street. For overnight guests, the Dream Center can accommodate up to 20 people.

    The shelter has been open since December. At the same time, Cumberland County is moving forward on a proposed homeless
    shelter and on a homeless strategic plan.

    The Salvation Army also provides beds and food for men, women and families who have fallen on hard times.

    Next steps

    During Monday's work session, City Manager Doug Hewett said the council is now “looking to see how far or how little the council would like to move up or down. … If it presents a public health or safety risk regardless of availability, that will allow us to be able to go into some of these situations that we saw where people are close to the road. And we have offered them services repeatedly.

    “That is what will help us when people are risking their life and other people’s lives by living under a bridge, starting fires under a bridge. Again,” Hewett said, “it’s not saying that they (don’t) count, but that becomes a risk for themselves or the public, and they would have to move from that location. If they did not, then this would give us tools to do that.”

    Council members then gave an 8-2 consensus approval for the least limited proposal, with Kinston and Councilwoman Courtney Banks-McLaughlin opposed. Redding said the ordinance would level the field and create a legal basis to adjudicate, if needed. As a result, he said, the proposed ordinance would drive the city’s unsheltered homeless toward services. They would not be required to participate in those services if they didn’t want to, he said.

    “But if they are in an environment that is at-risk or at-risk to the public at high-risk,” Redding said, “they can’t be there. That is what this is speaking to.”

  • Cumberlan Co logo The Fayetteville City Council is holding a public hearing Monday night on a proposed bond package totaling $97 million for public safety, streets and sidewalks and housing.

    The bond package, which would be put before voters on the November ballot, could add 3.5 to 4 cents to the city property tax rate in coming fiscal years, city officials have said.

    The City Council meets at 7 p.m. at City Hall. The proposed bond package includes $60 million for public safety improvements, $25 million for streets, sidewalks and connectivity projects and $12 million for housing. In other business, council members will consider a resolution calling for a special election to address the way City Council members are elected and consider a proposed ordinance that would regulate homeless encampments. Both items are on the consent agenda.

    The public hearing on the authorization of the proposed bonds would entail the final adoption of the bond orders and a resolution calling for a bond referendum on Nov. 8, Election Day. During a June council agenda briefing, City Manager Doug Hewett called the referendum on the bond packages “a significant item.”

    The proposed bonds, if approved by voters, would allow for significant investments in Fayetteville's infrastructure and operations, Hewett has said. The funding could pave the way for the city to pursue key projects in public safety, public infrastructure and housing affordability.

    Hewett said progress made across all three areas has the potential to improve the quality of life for residents by addressing needs directly related to safety and security.

    According to the city, the $60 million for public safety improvements would be used to acquire, construct and equip various law enforcement and firefighting facilities. The $25 million for streets, sidewalks and connectivity improvements would be used for street, road, mobility, sidewalk and streetscape improvements, bridges, bicycle lanes, curbs and drains, traffic controls and greenways, the city said.

    The $12 million in housing bonds would be used for community development programs “to provide and rehabilitate multifamily and single-family housing inside the corporate limits of the city, principally for the benefit of persons of low- and moderate-income’’ previous council agenda materials have said. This would include programs to provide loans or other financial assistance to people and private housing providers. If the bonds are approved by voters, an increase in the property tax rate would be needed to repay the bonds in future budgets.

    Consent agenda

    A proposal that would restructure the way City Council members are elected and a proposed ordinance to regulate homeless encampments are among the items on Monday’s consent agenda. Items on the consent agenda are usually passed without discussion.

    The Vote Yes Fayetteville initiative calls for five single-district seats on the council and four members elected at large. The mayor would still be elected at large.
    Currently, the mayor is elected citywide and all nine council members are elected by district.

    Proponents of the new plan say it will give voters more representation on the City Council because each voter would help choose the mayor, four at-large council members, and a district representative.

    Mayor Mitch Colvin and others who oppose the plan say it would dilute representation by increasing the size of the districts.
    Vote Yes Fayetteville is an organization that supports the new plan. Tony Chavonne, publisher of CityView TODAY, is one of several former council members who started the Vote Yes initiative.

    On Monday, the council will consider a resolution calling for a special election on Nov. 8 to put the issue before city voters.
    Also on the consent agenda are proposed changes to a city ordinance to regulate homeless encampments on public property. The matter was discussed at the work session Aug. 1.
    Under the proposal, camping would be prohibited when there is overnight shelter available in the city and when it presents a public health and safety risk, regardless of shelter availability.

  • Cumberlan Co logo Political newcomer Mario Benavente maintained a six-vote lead over incumbent Antonio Jones to secure the District 3 seat on the Fayetteville City Council following Friday’s canvass by the Cumberland County Board of Elections.

    Benavente’s win was certified Friday by the board, but Jones is eligible to request a recount.
    The canvass was conducted at the Board of Elections office at 227 Fountainhead Lane.

    The unofficial tally on July 26, which was Election Day, had Benavente edging Jones by six votes — 1,012 to 1,006 — in the tightest race of the night in the Fayetteville municipal election.

    On Friday, the absentee ballots were added to make the election’s unofficial returns official. Benavente and Jones each received four votes in Friday’s canvass, making the official tally 1,016 to 1,010, with Benavente still maintaining a six-vote edge over Jones.

    Benavente, who attended the canvass, burst out laughing at the outcome, which solidified his victory to represent District 3.
    The elections board certified the overall 14,910 ballots that were cast in the election. That included the 198 absentee ballots added during the canvass. A total of 24 provisionals were added Thursday.
    In all, 10,551 voters cast ballots on Election Day. An overall 4,137 ballots were cast during early voting.

    “We always felt confident about the outcome of the race,” Benavente said following the canvass. “But I can’t lie and say that we weren’t somewhat nervous of the potential. They kind of iced the kicker last night when they delayed the absentee count.

    “We’re ready to celebrate today,” he said.

    Jones did not immediately return phone messages left Friday.

    He told CityView TODAY after the municipal election that he intends to ask for a recount should he remain eligible for one. With the addition of the absentee ballots, Benavente’s win remains no more than 1% of the total votes cast.
    Jones can request a recount, which would be held Thursday morning, according to Angie Amaro, the interim director for the Board of Elections.

    "We're long past the era of the hanging chad," said Benavente, referring to the computers of today that tally election results. "So, I'm not too worried about a recount."

    The request for a recount has to be made in writing, and the Board of Elections must receive it by 5 p.m. on the first day of business following the canvass.

    “We don’t know. He may not,” board member Irene Grimes said of Jones asking for a recount.

    “I would do it,” Billy King, another member of the Board of Elections, said during a break in the proceedings.

    For a non-statewide ballot item in North Carolina, a candidate has the right to request a recount if the difference between the votes for the candidate and the votes for a prevailing candidate is not more than 1% of the total votes cast, according to the state recount law.

    "The provisionals and the absentees were certainly — those being outstanding were a question mark," Benavente said. "The way these ballots are counted, the way these computers work, a recount is just going to be a third victory at this point."

    Jones, 48, is a pastor and a real estate agent. He was appointed to serve as the District 3 representative in December 2021.
    Benavente, 32, is a first-generation American who was born in Korea. He has listed his occupation as a community organizer and legal professional. He recently earned his law degree from N.C. Central University.

    This was his first run for public office.

    "Just ready to put that same level of hard work effort we did to win this campaign, actually serving my district and my hometown of Fayetteville," he said.

    "We have a lot of energy, and we can't wait to raise the expectations of what people expect from their council members."

    In another close race, challenger Brenda McNair's win over incumbent Larry Wright was verified by an official 681 to 661 vote with the addition of the absentee ballots.

    City Council inauguration

    The mayor and the City Council are set to be sworn in during an inauguration ceremony scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at Seabrook Auditorium on the campus of Fayetteville State University. The event is open to the public.
    The program will include administering the oath of office, a brief meeting for the council to elect a mayor pro tem and a reception, according to a release from the city.
    Mayor Mitch Colvin also is scheduled to deliver an opening address.

  • FOrt Bragg sign Up to 1,200 Fort Bragg soldiers will be relocated because their barracks don’t meet HVAC standards, post officials said.

    The decision comes after Army and installation leaders recently inspected the living conditions in the Volar-style barracks in the Smoke Bomb Hill area, the Public Affairs Office said in a release Thursday.

    The soldiers will be moved from 10 to 12 barracks that were built in the 1970s and don’t meet today’s standards for heating, ventilation and air conditioning, the release said.

    The relocations will be “a deliberate, phased approach,’’ the release said. Fort Bragg officials did not say when the moves would take place.

    “Army leaders have committed substantial resources to address the barracks issues to ensure our soldiers are taken care of throughout the process,’’ the release said.

    ‘’Our enduring obligation at Fort Bragg and as Army leaders is to take care of our people — our soldiers and their families,’’ the release said. “Their health and welfare is of the utmost importance to our Army readiness.’’

  • pexels Crime tape Detectives with the Fayetteville Police Department are asking the public for help in identifying two people they say might have information about a Wednesday morning, Aug. 3 shooting in a motel parking lot that left one man dead and another seriously injured.

    The two people were seen near the motel just before the shooting, police said in a release.

    “Detectives have reason to believe they have pertinent information regarding the investigation and would like to speak with them,’’ the Police Department said.

    The Police Department released surveillance photos showing two people wearing what appears to be hooded sweatshirts.

    The shooting was reported at 3:15 a.m. at the Travelodge at 2076 Cedar Creek Road. Police said officers found 19-year-old Markus Richard Samples and 21-year-old Jayquan Deshawn Blandshaw, both of Hope Mills, in the parking lot.

    Samples was pronounced dead at the scene, police said in a release Thursday.

    Blandshaw is recovering from his injuries. He is expected to survive, police said in the release.

    The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation.

    Anyone who has information about this investigation or about the two people in the surveillance photos is asked to contact Detective M. Waters at 910-635-4978 or Crimestoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477).

     

  • Cumberlan Co logo Cumberland County Manager Amy Cannon plans to retire effective Dec. 1, according to a news release from the county.
    Cannon informed the Board of Commissioners of her decision on Monday, the release said.

    Cannon has 32 years of service with Cumberland County and has been county manager since 2014.

    “It has been an honor and privilege to serve in this capacity in the community where I was born and raised,” Cannon said in the news release. “Most county managers do not have that opportunity.”

    Cannon was the first woman to serve as Cumberland County manager. She began with the county budget department in 1990 and was promoted to finance director, assistant county manager and deputy director before being named county manager in June 2014.

    “Throughout my career with the county, I have tried to serve with loyalty and dedication,” she said in the release. “I left a career in public accounting in 1990 because I recognized my heart was in public service, and I have no regrets about that decision or my public service journey over the last three decades.”

    Cannon said her decision to retire is based solely on her desire to spend more time with her family, the release said.
    Board of Commissioners Chairman Glenn Adams called it “a bittersweet announcement.”

    “We don’t want to see Ms. Cannon leave, but we completely understand that life moves on and time with family is priceless,” Adams said in the release. “We want to thank her for 32 years of public service and her passionate dedication to our citizens. Cumberland County is better because of her leadership, and we wish her godspeed.”

  • FTCC logo About 50 faculty and staff members at Fayetteville Technical Community College on Aug. 4 heard what the first of two finalists for college president believes are critical issues facing the school.

    The finalists are Mark Sorrells, senior vice president for Academic and Student Services at Fayetteville Technical Community College, and Pamela Senegal, president of Piedmont Community College in Roxboro.
    Sorrells is the first to participate in a question-and-answer session that the college streamed live on its YouTube Channel. Senegal is scheduled to appear in the same venue on Aug. 10.

    The question-and-answer session lasted a little over an hour. Sorrells fielded questions ranging from his position on providing mental health services for students, child care, access to technology, helping students with learning disabilities, and the stigma of attending a community college compared with attending a four-year college.

    Sorrells listed his three priorities should he get the job as FTCC's next president. The first is to increase student success.

    “I’m never satisfied until all succeed,” he said.

    He admitted that he may never see that happen, but will continue his efforts on their behalf.
    His second priority is “investing in the people who are here.” Sorrells told the audience they are among the most important because they touch the lives of students every day.

    His third priority is ensuring a succession of leadership.

    “We need a good bench,’’ he said. “A lot of us (in leadership positions) will be gone in the next five to six years.”

    Sorrells said leaders must be groomed to take over when the need arises.
    Sorrells, who also teaches a business accounting class, came from behind the lectern and paced the stage while answering questions. He told the audience that they all should celebrate their successes, among them an upsurge in passing rates and a downward trend in withdrawals. When he first arrived, FTCC had a 77% passing rate. That number climbed to 82% this summer. Likewise, FTCC suffered a 14% withdrawal rate two years ago. That number is down to 10% as of this summer.

    “You did that. That was your work,” he told those attending the session.

    He also vowed to better “balance” the faculty and its leadership to more accurately mirror the students attending FTCC.
    Responding to a question about what the school is doing for the military, Sorrells said FTCC recently hired Addison “Tad” Davis, a former Fort Bragg garrison commander, as a consultant to look into that issue. Sorrells said the FTCC administration is looking at his recommendations.
    Another question asked how FTCC could enhance its online course offerings. Sorrells replied that FTCC was doing well.

    "We are the No. 1 online community college in the state," he said.

    "We're third in the state when combined with universities," he said.

    However, he cautioned that online learning is often hard for students who are not used to technology. He said there is a high 80 to 90% success rate in face-to-face learning environments, a mid-80 to high 80% success rate for a blended learning environment, and a low to high 70% success in a total online.
    Sorrells said many students never engage in online learning, and many do not have the discipline to participate in online classes.

    “Learning is a social activity,” he said.

    Larry Keen, FTCC’s president since 2007, recently announced his plan to retire in January. The board of trustees plans to make its selection later this month. The prospect will be forwarded to the State Board of Community Colleges for approval at that board's meeting in September.

  • FPD logo One person was killed and another was injured in a shooting early Wednesday, Aug. 3 at a motel on Cedar Creek Road, according to the Fayetteville Police Department.

    The shooting was reported at 3:15 a.m. Wednesday at the Travelodge motel at 2076 Cedar Creek Road, according to a police news release.
    Officers found that two people had been shot in the parking lot. One victim was pronounced dead on the scene. The second was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to the release.

    Their identities were withheld pending notification of family.
    The shootings are under investigation by the Police Department’s Homicide Unit, the release said.
    Anyone with information about the shootings is asked to contact Detective M. Waters at 910-635-4978 or CrimeStoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477). CrimeStoppers also takes information at http://fay-nccrimestoppers.org.

  • pexels Crime tape The pedestrian killed in a crash on Ramsey Street on July 30 has been identified as David Lamont Mills, 52, of Fayetteville, according to the Fayetteville Police Department.

    The department’s Traffic Unit investigated the crash in the 1300 block of Ramsey Street.
    The driver of the vehicle was Sharon Ann Furseth, 65, also of Fayetteville, according to a news release issued by police Wednesday. Furseth was not injured in the crash.

    The cause of the crash remains under investigation, police said.

    Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Officer C. Biggerstaff at 910-751-1382 or CrimeStoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477). CrimeStoppers also takes information at http://fay-nccrimestoppers.org.

  • Cumberlan Co logo Cumberland County Manager Amy Cannon on Aug. 1 asked the county Board of Commissioners to consider creating two new water and sewer districts to combat contamination of private wells due to GenX and other forever PFAS chemicals in portions of the county.
    She said creating distinct water and sewer districts with specific boundaries will make those areas more competitive for grants. Grants for total countywide water are not available, she said.

    Cannon asked the commissioners to consider creating the Cedar Creek and the East Central water and sewer districts. She also recommended serving the existing Vander Water and Sewer District, which was created in 2002.
    The board asked Cannon to have staff members conduct a community education campaign before scheduling a public hearing, which is required prior to the county establishing the new water districts.

    Chairman Glenn Adams said holding the public hearings after the education and information campaign will better prepare those who want to speak at the public hearing. The board also voted to give county staff the go-ahead to apply for grants for the Gray’s Creek water extension and for the Vander Water and Sewer District.

    The proposed water and sewer districts

    Cannon acknowledged that since 2002 the Vander Water and Sewer District had been dormant. She said the focus has been on the Gray’s Creek area, where the chemical contamination of private drinking water wells initially was the highest.

    The proposed Cedar Creek Water and Sewer District is bounded by the Cape Fear River on the west, N.C. 210 South on the north, Bladen County on the south, and Turnbull Road on the east. The district contains concentrations of GenX along the Cape Fear River and PFAS greater than 10 parts per trillion throughout, mostly along Johnson and Matt Haire roads, according to maps in Cannon’s presentation.

    The proposed East Central Water and Sewer District is bounded by Maxwell Road on the north, Sampson County on the east, Avard Road on the south, and N.C. 210 South and Carder Road on the west. The district contains concentrations of PFAS greater than 10 ppt throughout, according to the presentation to the board.

    The Vander Water and Sewer District is bounded by Wilmington Highway on the west, John Carter Road on the east, Murphy Road on the east and north, and by N.C. 24 on the north as well. The district has pockets of PFAS greater than 10 ppt throughout, according to the presentation.
    Cannon’s recommendations come after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on June 15 released an updated health advisory level for four PFAS chemicals prevalent in county wells, including GenX, PFOA, PFOS and PFBS. The result of those advisory levels increased the number of private wells eligible for whole house filtration systems or public water connections by 1,300, according to Assistant County Manager Brian Haney.
    Initially, the contamination coming from the Chemours chemical plant on the Cumberland/Bladen County line was focused in the Gray’s Creek community, but it since has found its way to other areas of the county. GenX, a chemical compound used in manufacturing by Chemours, was first discovered in the Cape Fear River in 2017.

    During an 18-month negotiation period with Chemours, Cannon said the county could not reach a financial agreement with the company to provide the money needed to extend water in the affected areas. In March 2022, the county filed a lawsuit against Chemours over that issue.
    The county formed the Gray’s Creek Water and Sewer District as part of its master plan for countywide water in 2009. However, Gray’s Creek residents voted down a $21 million water system referendum in November 2011. Since then, residential development on land contaminated with forever chemicals continues.

    The board approved $258,600 in the fiscal 2023 budget to start extending water and sewer service in the Gray’s Creek Water and Sewer District, specifically to serve Gray’s Creek and Alderman Road elementary schools and residential homes along the route to those schools.
    The board has made the provision of water and sewer in that area one of its primary goals and allocated $21 million from various sources for water services to the Gray’s Creek community. Of the $21 million, $10 million comes from the county’s American Rescue Plan Act account, $10 million from its capital investment fund, and $1 million from Cumberland County Schools.

    “We are very aggressively looking at other sources of funding,” Cannon told commissioners.

    Among those sources are state and federal monies such as USDA and EPA grants and from the federal Drinking Water Revolving Fund. Cannon led a team of county administrators to Raleigh last week to meet with the state Department of Environmental Quality to “advocate for funding.”

    “Emerging contaminants” was one issue affecting funding for Cumberland County. Emerging contaminants are substances that are not yet regulated but may be of environmental or human health concern. These substances include industrial compounds such as those produced by Chemours. Emerging contaminants were not considered evaluative criteria for state funding, Cannon said.

    Cannon said the plan is to extend water lines from the Food Lion on N.C. 87 toward those schools and to sign up as many residential customers along the way. She recommended hiring a water resource engineer who could be paid from the $10 million allocated toward the Gray’s Creek water extension project.
    The $258,600 first phase includes getting encroachment agreements, easements, permits, preparing bids and bulk water agreements with PWC. The first phase also includes establishing community meetings to educate the public about the contamination.
    Critical in the process is getting residents or customers to sign up early for water services. Early sign-ups for tap fees allow the county to determine the economic feasibility of extending water services. Those signing up early may get a reduced tap fee, according to Cannon.

    When asked how much the tap-on fees would be, she clarified that the Board of Commissioners would make that determination. “If you want to do this, we’ll come back with details,” she said.
    Currently, the county plans to get water from PWC, with which it has bulk water agreements. She also suggested the county could possibly acquire water from deep well aquifers that are below the level that current wells get their water. Cannon said that wherever the county gets its water, it will make sure to remove all PFAS chemicals from any water it sells to county residents. She said Harnett County and the town of Dunn also could be a source of safe water.

    Road projects

    In other business, Richie Hines from the N.C. Department of Transportation briefed the board on upcoming road projects in Cumberland County.
    He said the Transportation Department recently awarded the Gillis Hill Road widening project to W.C. English Construction Co. of Lynchburg, Virginia.
    A bridge replacement on U.S. 401 on the Harnett/Cumberland County line over the Little River should be completed by October. Also, a round-about on Rockfish Road and Golfview Drive should be finished by June 2023.

    Other planned projects include a mini round-about at Whitfield Street and Camden Road, paving Hope Mills Road (N.C. 59) from George Owen Road (N.C. 162) to Camden Road, paving Bragg Boulevard from Skibo Road (U.S. 401) to Glenville Avenue, and a round-about on Chickenfoot Road at John McMillan Road.

  • virus Cumberland County has its first case of monkeypox.
    The Cumberland County Department of Public Health on Monday confirmed an individual tested positive for the virus, according to Dr. Jennifer Green, the county health director. Green on Monday afternoon held an online news conference with reporters.

    She said the person came to the Health Department last week for testing. Those test results were not available until Monday. Green said it currently takes up to a week to get test results.

    She said the person is now isolated and the Health Department staff has notified close contacts. Trained "patient investigators" are contact-tracing individuals who came in contact with the individual. She declined to give specifics.

    "I can't tell much," Green said, citing patient confidentiality.

    Unlike COVID-19, monkeypox does not have a set number of days for isolation, Green said.

    "It depends on the symptoms," she said.

    There is no quarantine for monkeypox, she said. Masking is not a protocol for monkeypox, although Green recommends people still wear masks for COVID-related reasons.

    Monkeypox is transmitted from person to person through direct skin-to-skin contact, having contact with an infectious rash, through body fluids or through respiratory secretions.
    Although moneypox can infect anyone, Green said men who have sex with men is the population most at risk for catching the disease. She urges men who have sex with men, including transgender individuals, and who in the last 90 days have had intimate relationships with unknown partners or who have had a sexually transmitted disease to contact the Health Department for testing. The number to call for an appointment is 910-433-3600.

    As of Monday, there are 5,189 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are 60 confirmed cases in North Carolina, according to the Health Department.

    Green said there currently is no waiting list to be tested, and typically one can schedule the test on the same day. Green said the only requirement is that an individual wanting to be tested call the Health Department to ensure they are eligible for the test.
    Green said the department has an adequate supply of vaccines and is expecting another 180 doses from another county.

  • 10b MSMaureen Stover of Fayetteville has been appointed to Western Governors University Southeast Region Distinguished Alumni Council and will provide insight for the needs of WGU students in North Carolina.

    Stover is a high school science teacher with Cumberland County Schools, a former Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year and finalist for National Teacher of the Year.

    Established in 2022, the WGU Southeast Region Distinguished Alumni Council will help chart the path of progress for WGU in North Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee.

    The 11 members of the inaugural council will serve as ambassadors in their states and communities as part of the council’s broader outreach on behalf of WGU. Members serve a four-year term, providing strategic insights to WGU’s Southeast Region leadership team.

    They will advise and strategize ways to increase awareness, reputation, visibility, and the impact of WGU by networking and advocating for equitable access to higher education.

    “Maureen has been a leader in education for years,” said Dr. Kimberly Estep, WGU Southeast Regional Vice President. “I look forward to working with her to build and maintain a strong connection between WGU and its students throughout North Carolina. Our alumni network is one of WGU’s most important assets, both in North Carolina and throughout the country, and I cannot wait to see the incredible ways this council will come together and build a new foundation for WGU alumni everywhere.”

    Designed for working adults, WGU is an accredited nonprofit online university that offers an asynchronous, competency-based model that allows students to log in and access coursework at a time convenient for them, and to accelerate at their own pace. WGU has more than 3,800 students currently enrolled in North Carolina and more than 6,300 graduates living across all 100 counties in the state.

    To learn more about WGU, visit www.wgu.edu.

  • 7The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality shared information and answered questions about the new lower health advisory for GenX during a meeting July 26 at the Crown Theatre in Fayetteville.

    The public turnout for the meeting about chemical pollution of drinking water was disappointingly low, according to some who attended.
    The heads of DEQ’s water, air and waste management divisions took a tag-team approach to inform the audience and answer questions about the June 15 Environmental Protection Agency’s lower health advisory for GenX and other PFAS chemicals produced at the Chemours Fayetteville Works plant. Chemours is a chemical manufacturing facility located on the Cumberland/Bladen County line on N.C. 87.
    DEQ staff discussed how the lower health advisory for GenX affects private drinking water wells. The EPA lowered the health advisory for GenX to 10 parts per trillion, down from the health goal of 140 ppt established by the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services in 2018.

    The EPA health advisory for GenX affects a current consent order requiring Chemours to provide a whole house filtration system or connection to public water for any homeowner whose well tested above the interim standard for GenX of 140 ppt.

    The Department of Environmental Quality directed Chemours to revise its drinking water compliance requirements by taking into account the 10 ppt for GenX. According to the state, the newly released lower GenX levels will make about 1,700 more private wells eligible for whole-house filtration systems.

    Chemours announced earlier this month that it is challenging the new health advisory for GenX.
    Mike Watters, a vocal critic of how the state has responded to the chemical pollution, said the turnout was disappointing when compared with the number of people affected. Watters lives across the road from Chemours.

    Watters estimated that about 105 people attended the information meeting. That did not include members of the Cumberland County legislative delegation, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, county staff and members of the DEQ delegation. The county’s public information staff recorded the meeting and will make the video available on the county’s website. It also will share the video with the DEQ, which will make it available on its website, according to Laura Leonard, public information officer for the DEQ Waste Management Division.

    Greg McLean said there should have been more people attending. Both Watters and McLean were among a dozen who registered to speak after the hour-long information-laden presentation by DEQ environmental experts.

    McLean owns a farm off Braxton Road with four of its five wells contaminated with GenX, a chemical produced in the manufacturing process by Chemours. He asked how he can get public water since he’s within 300 feet of an existing water line.
    McLean also asked if the DEQ’s consent order requiring Chemours to continue sampling and providing filtration systems and other options for safe water for residents whose wells are contaminated will hold up since it challenged the recent EPA health advisory in court.

    Sushma Mafemore, the DEQ’s assistant secretary for the environment, said the court challenge is between Chemours and the EPA. She said DEQ will continue to “vigorously enforce” the consent order.

    The 2019 order requires Chemours to abate PFAS sources and contamination at the plant to prevent further contamination to air, soil, groundwater and surface waters, including:
    •Sampling of private wells for PFAS and providing replacement drinking water supplies to impacted residents.
    •Implementing multiple remedial strategies to significantly reduce Chemours’ PFAS discharges to the Cape Fear River.
    •Installation of a thermal oxidizer and reduction of GenX air emissions facility-wide by 99.9%.
    •Other compliance measures to characterize and reduce PFAS pollution leaving the Fayetteville Works site.

    In August 2020, the state DEQ required additional actions by Chemours to prevent PFAS pollution from getting into the Cape Fear River. Those actions reduce by 90% the PFAS leaching into the Cape Fear River through groundwater from the residual contamination on the site. As of 2022, these additional requirements of the consent order are operating, and the design of a barrier wall and treatment system are under construction.

    Floyd Waddle, who lives on Gainey Road, asked whether the state has tested the fish in area ponds, or the beef and pork that is produced in the affected areas. He also asked if there are studies regarding soil and crop contaminations. Panel members said N.C. State University is studying the effect of PFAS chemicals on soil and vegetation.
    Stella King, a Cedar Creek Road resident, questioned the panel about how the meeting was advertised. A panel member said the meeting was advertised in two local newspapers and the Wilmington newspaper. Another audience member echoed her statements, saying he doesn’t read newspapers and only found out about the meeting 15 minutes before it started.

    Mafemore assured audience members that chemical contamination in North Carolina’s water, air and soil is taken seriously by the department.

    “It’s important to all of us. We don’t have all the answers yet,” she said, adding that her department has employees living in those contaminated areas.

  • 10a TNTyffany Neal, currently the assistant director of Fayetteville’s public transit system, will become its first woman director in August. City leaders recently announced that Neal will be promoted to lead the Fayetteville Area System of Transit.

    “Fayetteville is experiencing exciting levels of development and growth, and I realize this is a great opportunity for FAST to transition from a need-based transit system to a choice mode of transportation for every resident within our community,” Neal said, according to the release.

    “I am excited for the opportunity to continue working toward ensuring the value of FAST permeates throughout our community.”

    Neal has worked for public transit systems in Greensboro; Chapel Hill; Charleston, South Carolina; and Washington, D.C. She has been assistant director of FAST since 2017.

    Neal earned her master’s degree in public administration from Strayer University and a bachelor of arts degree from South Carolina State University, the release said.

    Neal was featured in Women’s View Magazine’s Women’s Spotlight in 2021. She is on the board of directors of the N.C. Public Transit Association and a member of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials.

    “During her career with the city, Tyffany has proven to be a smart, attentive and passionate leader who will have the ability to continue our success in transit,” City Manager Doug Hewett said in the news release. “She brings innovative solutions daily and has earned the respect of her peers.”

    In recent years, FAST has received more than $20 million in federal and state grants and COVID relief funding to expand services and reach more residents. FAST also is planning to begin transitioning to electric buses by 2024, the release said.

    With an annual budget of $13 million, FAST provides more than 1.6 million passenger trips each year. For more info about FAST visit www.fayettevillenc.gov/city-services/transit.

    Editor's Note: To read the Women's View Magazine spotlight on Neal, visit https://pubhtml5.com/twqv/mlew/ and turn to page 4.

  • 4Are you worried about the future of our nation?

    As a dad and your congressman, I continually think about the kind of future and opportunities the next generation of Americans will have. According to a recent poll, an astonishing 75% of Americans are experiencing economic hardship largely because of ineffective policies by President Joe Biden and House Democrats. The cost of goods across the board continue to rise due to rapid inflation and prices at the pump remain near record highs nationwide. American families cannot afford these price hikes, yet Democrats in Washington have continuously stalled efforts to address them properly and have largely doubled down on their reckless spending.

    Last week, House Democrats pushed through a massive appropriations package that will likely make America’s inflation crisis even worse by recklessly increasing federal spending on misguided, progressive projects. Their bill includes massive budget increases for government agencies like the Internal Revenue Service, as well as for partisan “Green New Deal” provisions that take little account for whether they will work or how this will impact you directly. They also open the door for your tax dollars to fund abortions.

    At a time when inflation is forcing folks to dip into their savings just to get by, the last thing we need is more borrowing and spending on programs that don’t address the real challenges impacting you and your family. Instead, Congress must take steps to lower needless spending, increase private sector growth and lower costs. A key part of this is unleashing American energy in all forms — a move that will lower fuel prices and create jobs across the country. As your congressman, I will continue to work to implement these reforms and make life easier for you and your family.

    Beyond their spending package, last week House Democrats also continued their attack on your constitutional right to bear arms by advancing an “assault weapons” ban. Democrats imposed a similar ban in 1994 and it did little to stop violent crime or prevent tragedies like Columbine. Like red flag laws, this new ban may sound reasonable to some, but it would have little or no impact in the real world.

    Unfortunately, time and time again, Washington Democrats rush to advance gun control measures like bans or red flag laws because it makes them feel better. However, data and experiences have proven that taking guns away from law-abiding citizens does not work and leaves folks unable to defend themselves. Just last week, we saw the importance of this when a brave 22-year-old with a conceal carry permit stopped a mass shooter at an Indiana mall.

    I have been a strong and vocal defender of the Second Amendment since my first day in Congress and I will always defend the right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms. Additionally, I will continue to promote commonsense solutions to address the root causes of gun violence and protect your family. This includes provisions like my STOP II, Secure Every School and Protect our Nation’s Children Act which would use unspent COVID-19 funds to protect schools, improve mental health, and save lives.

    While the majority in Congress has focused on unnecessary spending and gun grabs, I focused last week on advancing solutions for an increasingly important area of our lives: data protection.
    In July, the American Data Privacy and Protection Act advanced out of the Energy and Commerce Committee. This bipartisan measure is a major step forward to establish national data privacy protections for all

    Americans by creating provisions to limit Big Tech’s ability to track and share data about your online activity, as well as increases protections for kids using online platforms. As this bill is considered by the House, I will continue to support efforts to protect your online security.

    There is plenty to be worried or frustrated about when it comes to the future of our nation. Rest assured I will continue to focus on growing our economy, defending your rights, and delivering solutions for the issues that matter most.

  • 21The United States Golf Association announced the relocation of the World Golf Hall of Fame from St. Augustine, Florida, back to its original home of Pinehurst, North Carolina, in 2024.

    “There’s no better connection to golf’s past, present and future than Pinehurst, and no organization that works harder than the USGA to preserve the history of this great game,” said Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA. “We look forward to celebrating the greatest moments and golf’s greatest athletes by including the World Golf Hall of Fame as an important part of our new Pinehurst home. Simply put – it just makes sense, and together with the Hall of Fame, we’re more committed than ever to delivering experiences that build even deeper connections between golf fans and those who have truly led the way in this great game.”

    The World Golf Hall of Fame was founded in Pinehurst in 1974 but moved to St. Augustine in 1998.
    The N.C. General Assembly recently awarded the USGA $7 million toward the World Golf Hall of Fame project.

    Golf is big business in North Carolina. According to the N.C. Department of Commerce, a 2017 study stated that golf generated $2.3 billion in direct spending and a total economic impact of $4.2 billion in the state, including nearly 53,000 jobs and total wage income of $1.3 billion.

    The increased interest in the relocation will mean an even bigger economic boost to the state.

    The USGA broke ground on its six-acre Golf House Pinehurst campus last month, located on Carolina Vista Drive on the Pinehurst Resort and C.C. property. According to the USGA, it’s their latest commitment to enhance the region’s stature as the “Home of American Golf” and to more deeply invest in North Carolina.

    The Hall of Fame will be a part of the USGA Experience building. According to the USGA website, many of the items in the Hall of Fame’s existing collection will be relocated to Pinehurst for the creation of a new Hall of Fame locker room, which will be located on the second floor of the building. The first floor will house the USGA Experience galleries.

    Artifacts to be displayed in the Hall of Fame include Johnny Miller’s clubs, ball, and champion’s gold medal from the 1973 U.S. Open at Oakmont, where he shot a record 63 in the final round; a shirt worn by Annika Sorenstam in the first round of the 2003 Colonial, becoming the first woman to play in a PGA Tour event since 1945; and Jack Nicklaus’ MacGregor golf bag from the 1965 Masters.
    Pinehurst, a USGA anchor site, recently hosted the inaugural U.S. Adaptive Open Championship at Pinehurst No. 6 and will also host the 2023 U.S. Adaptive Open next July, as well as five future U.S. Open Championships between 2024 and 2047.

    Additionally, World Golf Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will be held in Pinehurst in 2024 and 2029 to coincide with the 124th U.S. Open on Pinehurst No. 2 in 2024 and the return of back-to-back U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Open Championships, also on Course No. 2. in 2029.

  • 13Elbert “Rex” Lucas loves to solve problems with his hands.
    The 76-year-old Fayetteville native worked as a heavy equipment maintenance operator for the Army. After his military service, he worked as an industrial maintenance worker for DuPont Teijin Films, where he retired after 37 years.

    While working for DuPont, Lucas became close friends with coworker Billie Hooks. The two later became neighbors on the edge of Lake Upchurch, about three miles outside Hope Mills. Hooks and his wife, Teena, died about two years ago.

    “Billie was crazy about lighthouses and had to have one,” Lucas said.
    Billie Hooks bought a wooden lighthouse during a “lighthouse buying craze’’ and mounted it on the edge of the lake. It stood there proudly until the winds of Hurricane Matthew in 2016 blew it down. Disappointed, Hooks dragged the broken lighthouse behind his house.

    It sat there and rotted for several years until Lucas decided he would restore it to honor his friend.

    “When I saw it laying behind his house, I knew it was special to him,’’ Lucas said. “Something had to be done with it rather than it going to waste.”
    Hooks’ son, Chip, now owns the house. Lucas approached him about restoring the lighthouse. With Chip’s permission, Lucas dragged the damaged wooden frame to his property where it sat another year while he gathered the materials he needed for his vision.

    Lucas reasoned there was enough housing left to rebuild it.

    “I wanted it to look like the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, and the more I looked at photos of the lighthouse, the more details I noticed,” Lucas said.
    Seeing the monumental task before him, Lucas enlisted the help of his daughter, Lori Lucas, and his son-in-law, Doug Lazenby. Lucas designed it.

    “I just painted,” Lori Lucas said humbly.
    Lazenby helped put the lighthouse together and bolt it to its base.

    “Barring another hurricane, it’s built to last,” he said.
    The lighthouse is basically comprised of three parts: the base, the cone and the light. Overall, it stands about 13 feet tall.
    For the light’s housing, Lucas turned a two-and-a-half gallon bucket upside down and painted it black. The container holds a light that spins just like its larger counterpart on the Outer Banks.

    Ever a stickler for detail, Lucas fashioned the surrounding guardrail out of wire and envisions someday adding small model figures to the display.

    “The bucket was then mounted on a carburetor air cleaner,” Lucas said.
    The cone, or tower, is made of strips of sheet metal, and the windows were cut out and made from 3x5 photo frames.

    “The entire structure sits on a base that’s made up of an old charcoal grill,” Lucas said.

    Lucas used caulk to make the bricks look realistic. He used his hands to make the caulk look like stucco or stone.
    Lucas estimated he worked on the structure for four months.

    Overall, Lucas estimates he has around $200 in the restoration of the lighthouse. He credits Metal Worx Inc. in Fayetteville for donating the memorial sign that reads, “In Memory of Teena and Billie Hooks.”

    “I told Metal Worx about my project and they wanted to donate the sign,” Lucas said.
    Lucas said he couldn’t have completed the project on his own and credited his family and neighbors for their help.
    Lucas set a goal to have the lighthouse completed in time for the lake’s Fourth of July festivities. The crew finished the lighthouse on July 3, one day short of their deadline.

    “It rained and stormed that day,” Lucas said, chuckling at the memory.

    “Yeah, we installed the lighthouse while thunder and lightning crashed overhead,” Lazenby said. “But we did it.”
    Lucas restored the lighthouse to honor his friend’s memory, and it stands as a memorial to their friendship.

    When asked what Billie’s son, Chip, thought of the tribute to his father, Lucas said: “Chip became very emotional, and we’ll just leave it at that.”

  • 20Wide Range Entertainment Group wants to show the people of Fayetteville a good time. On Aug. 13, the Fayetteville, North Carolina Go-Go BBQ Festival promises a day of fun, good food and live music in Festival Park from 2 to 8 p.m.

    The music festival-style event, sponsored by Brotha’s BBQ and Catering, will feature eight live musical performances pooled from native North Carolina talent and some bands new to the Sandhills. Hosted by comedian Antoine Scott, the concert will showcase a variety of sounds and styles throughout the day, from rhythm and blues and rap to reggae and go-go. Scheduled to appear on stage are vocalist Trayvion, the Jus Once Band, Khioken, Squad Suttle, Black Alley, Blacc Print, DJ Slice, and DJ Cutting Up. 

    In addition to the cool beats up on stage, guests can look forward to some of the hottest BBQ in North Carolina. If the call of perfectly seasoned meat and good music isn't enticing enough for a sunny summer Saturday, there will be plenty of merchandise to browse and beverages to purchase as well.

    This festival is the first event World Wide Range Entertainment has endeavored to promote in Fayetteville, but they are tremendously excited to do so. The company, based out of Maryland, has long wanted to bring its entertainment brand to such a diverse community.

    “We've been working on this show for quite some time,” Maria Richardson, president of Wide Range Entertainment, told Up & Coming Weekly. “It's going to be wonderful; I can't wait for people to come and enjoy themselves and eat some great food.”

    The arts and entertainment company has hosted live events, music, and comedy shows for over 20 years, and they know exactly what it takes to throw a party.

    “The inspiration for this event came from our CEO,” Richardson explained. “He wanted to find a place large enough to bring people together and give folks who are unfamiliar with our business a taste of what we do.

    Festival Park is the best possible place for this event, and it's just a matter of bringing a little bit of the DMV [District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia] to the state of North Carolina.”

    Richardson is especially passionate about the power of entertainment and its ability to both unify and heal. During a summer season that's seen a great deal of tragedy across the United States and abroad, Richardson hopes this festival brings some joy and positivity.

    “I love this, just seeing the expressions on people's faces and hearing the talk. It's amazing to be out in the audience, seeing people enjoy themselves and leave looking forward to the next event. What we produce is helping people smile and forget what's happening in the world. This show is about living in the moment with something as simple as music, music brings everyone together.”

    Tickets start at $35 and several discount packages are available for couples, groups and advance purchases.

    Guests are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets, but outside food and drink are not permitted.

    Festival Park is located at 335 Ray Avenue.

    For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/fayetteville-north-carolina-g0-g0-bbq-festival-tickets-295868880787?aff=ebdssbdestsearch.

  • 14The porch at Curate Essentials is astir with energy. The white house looks pristine from the road with lush greenery adding to the overall ambiance given by the large wrap-around porch and broad windows. The atmosphere is cozy and relaxed.

    On one side of the porch two women sit sipping coffee and snacking while discussing the herbs growing out front. On the other side of the porch is a family, their toddler daughter running around the chairs while they sip out of white glass mugs. Traffic is buzzing by and people are constantly coming and going from the shop.

    Just inside the house, behind the counter is the owner, Leslie Pearson.

    Her short gray hair is well-coiffed and the dark rims of her glasses frame her face well. She moves fast around the small coffee counter inside. She wears a pair of jeans and a light, sage tunic that meshes well against the herbs and handmade items in the shop. Pearson talks with her customers, giving opinions and ideas for purchases or remedies for their ailments. When she speaks, she’s relaxed and smiles frequently. Pearson looks perfectly at home in her new space. She laughs between ringing up her customers and gives friendly waves to those entering and exiting. Her own charm is endearing and inviting.

    The house itself has many rooms with different types of bookshelves and cabinets lining each room. The gentle smell of herbs overtakes each portion of it. The smell even reaches the porch as the door opens and closes. The shelves inside are lined with glass bottles and soaps, metal jars of hand salves. Jewelry decorates many walls within the home — eclectic pieces of metals, leathers and even animal teeth. In the back of the house is a kitchen where large jars of herbs are stored and open glass canisters sit on countertops with herbs steeping in rich, dark water. Upstairs is Pearson’s office and artist studio. It’s bright and clean, overlooking the main area of Haymount. Overall, the house is like walking into a mixture of Cape Cod and a trip into Wonderland. It embodies Pearson well.

    “The whole shop is if you looked inside Leslie’s brain,” she says laughing.

    Pearson walks out to the front of the shop. As she passes people by, she greets them or stops to chat about an herb they are looking to buy. Eventually she arrives at the front near her gardens. She leans against the white railing and looks back at her newest endeavor.

    Just a short time ago, she was the owner of The Fayetteville Pie Company. She still currently runs her event venue, Vizcaya Villa, which inhabits that space that was formerly The Fayetteville Museum of Art. Pearson bought the building at 1302 Fort Bragg Road in 2018, originally intending for it to just be an artist’s studio. When Covid hit, Pearson said she became more and more interested in finding medicinal herbs for herself.

    “I thought this would be a great thing to share with people. That’s really when the business itself pivoted to becoming an herbal apothecary. That was kind of the transition,” she said. Person stops for a moment, looks back at the porch, smiles and nods her head in approval. She is proud of it.

    Pearson is about halfway done with a certification in herbal medicine and plans to move full steam ahead. As an artist, Pearson finds that things in her life are constantly evolving. She started The Fayetteville Pie company as a way to get space to cater the events at her venue. This led to the Pie Co’s first location on Rowan street.

    “We thought — why wouldn’t we open it as a restaurant for lunch. We landed on pies.”

    This was in part because Pearson grew up near her grandmother in Missouri. Her and her cousins often found themselves in and out of her grandmother’s home and she would have “one dish wonders” available for all the kids. For Pearson, savory pies were part of normal, everyday life.

    “There was never a day where there wasn’t a pie cooling on the counter. My grandmother was into gardening and pickling and canning,” she said.

    Her grandmother also first introduced Pearson to herbal and natural medicines. One of the things her grandmother introduced her to brought her to the next. In her life, as Pearson notes, one thing usually leads to another.

    “The pie shop took off on its own accord. It became very successful and I’m proud of that business … but now I’ll be the herb lady instead of the pie lady.”

    She sold the pie shop in December 2021 in order to devote more time to the business that was evolving naturally before her eyes.

    “That allowed me to put something to bed and start something new. I love to start businesses, I guess,” Pearson laughs then becomes serious. “This is one I think I could really die in — work until I’m 80 years old.”

    Pearson’s plan for Curate Essentials is to join the herbal apothecary portion with an artist studio and community art space including holding classes. She would like to see education on natural dyeing, eco printing and of course, herbal education.

    “I want to bring it all full circle.”

    Part of that for Pearson is the inclusion of her beloved sister, Leigh Gonzalez. As kids Gonzalez and Pearson often spoke about opening a coffee shop/slash used book store when they grew up. As life usually does, the two sisters' paths took them in different directions. Pearson found herself completing her masters in museum studies in England and then later coming back to the states and joining the military to help with student loans.

    “I asked [the Army], ‘what’s the most creative thing I can do?’ I became a photojournalist.”

    Pearson’s husband also served in the military which brought them to Fort Bragg. They are now, as she says, Fayetteville by choice. For Pearson, there’s “more to do here” than she can accomplish and the progression of it all felt natural. One thing in art usually leads to another. In life it is the same.

    “It feels like you just follow a path … You might turn left or turn right a little bit but it all works out. Like right now, my life and this shop represents everything I know and everything I like coming full circle for me.”

    Pearson says the biggest part of that is her love of working with her sister. For both of them, this shop seemed like a “pipe dream” that they began to think was never going to happen. Now, the two move seamlessly inside the shop and speak quietly to one another. Gonzalez appears a bit more shy than Pearson but it is clear that the sisters have a deep love for one another.

    “It’s been fun working toward this dream together,” Gonzalez said. “I think because we are sisters we have good communication and are better equipped to work together through things that are stressful.”

    One stress for them is the amount of hard work needed for a growing business. Pearson said she “basically” lives at the shop. For her though, the plunge into this business was easy and the hard work was expected. In the beginning, she says, it’s all about the push as a business owner.

    “It’s been a struggle but as an artist, I can visualize better than most people. In my mind's eye I can see what the outcome might be. I do that with my artwork. That has served me well,” Pearson said.

    At the end of the night, Pearson will go home tired. She’ll water the gardens here and then those at her home. She will do some crossword puzzles to help turn her mind off and let it rest. Sitting down and having a conversation with her, it is clear that turning her mind off is rare indeed.

    “My brain is always on fire,” she laughs. She details the hard work it takes as a business owner again and then stops before saying, “I do try and get some sleep.”

    For today, Pearson is sitting on her porch, talking with her customers and dreaming of opening a space for art classes. Maybe it’ll be next door, she jokes. She smiles again and looks around.

    “I’m just glad to be able to give my whole heart to it right now.”

  • 11Base electric rates will not increase for Fayetteville residents through 2024 after action by the Public Works Commission on July 27.
    The public utility’s board also voted unanimously to reduce customer fees for connections and other services as well as to introduce optional electricity rates aimed to support conservation and economic-development goals.

    Elaina Ball, CEO and general manager of Fayetteville PWC, has said that customers requested many of the changes.
    A public hearing on the proposed new electricity rates was held July 13.

    PWC’s new whole-home and whole-business rates will provide additional incentives for off-peak energy use by introducing a “super” off-peak rate that is half the current off-peak electric rate. Customers who sign up for the new rates would pay a slightly higher facility charge but, at the same time, pay a significantly lower rate for energy used from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. weekdays.

    During those hours, PWC spokeswoman Carolyn Justice-Hinson said, the cost would be a little over 4 cents per kilowatt hour. The cost during peak hours would be about 13.2 cents, and during off-peak hours it would be 8.4 cents.

    “The rate supports PWC’s continuing efforts to reduce energy-demand costs and provides options for electric vehicle owners to charge during low-demand hours that lessen electric and vehicle impact on the electric system,” Justice-Hinson said in support documents.

    Three years ago, the utility introduced time-of-use rates to help decrease energy demand and apply the same pricing structure that PWC has with Duke Energy, its wholesale power supplier.
    During peak weekday electricity use, PWC said, power costs are significantly higher than at other times of the day. Shifting energy use outside peak hours helps the utility lower overall power costs and maintain lower rates.

    In February 2023, PWC will begin offering a renewable-energy buyback rate for customers who install roof-top solar-energy devices.
    The rate will be available for residential and small power customers that generate 10 kilowatts of power or less. The rate will replace PWC’s buy-all, sell-all rates for rooftop solar.
    PWC also adopted a new economic development rate for customers who supply 1,000-kilowatt loads to the PWC system or 750 kilowatts through
    expansion.

    The discounted rate, effective in September, rewards employee and capital investments and is intended to be another economic development tool to attract new business or encourage expansion.
    Also taking effect in September is a plan to change PWC’s demand and energy rate for medium-power customers to continue PWC’s efforts to manage peak-hour usage.
    Justice-Hinson said the rate lowers the demand threshold from 200 to 150 kilowatts and has a 15% lower kilowatt charge. Customers currently in the rate classification will have the option to sign up for the new rate in September.

    That rate will be applied to medium-power customers in September 2023.
    Other changes to the PWC rate structure include reductions in fees for connections, reconnections and meter testing. The initial connection fee would drop from $22 to $20; the after-hours connection fee would decrease from $65 to $20; the disconnection attempt fee would drop from $22 to $20; the meter testing fee for electricity would decrease from $50 to $25; and the meter testing fee for water would fall from $85 to $40.

    Those savings, PWC said, are achieved by improved technology and operations.

  • 6bCity leaders and staff tout America’s Can Do City because it is unique and full of career opportunities for veterans, military spouses and children. The city currently employs some 1,800 people in a variety of public service industries.

    U.S. military veterans, spouses and children often find a transition to city government makes sense after a military service career or permanent change of station. With career opportunities across a variety of disciplines and fields available, the city of Fayetteville is a perfect place to enter the public service sector.

    Some serve as police officers, firefighters and telecommunicators. Bilingual staff members have found opportunities to help save lives with their communication skills. The work is not just on the front lines, heroes are behind the scenes too.

    Fayetteville Regional Airport Director Dr. Toney Coleman served a total of 25 years in the Army as an aviator and special operations officer. Day to day, Coleman manages airport terminals that are the background to military family reunions and a USO.

    Retiring Fayetteville Area System of Transit Director Randy Hume is a Navy veteran. Hume led his team through pandemic challenges, a 9% increase in ridership over the past year and he established a vision to transition to an electric fleet by 2040.
    There are more opportunities service members and loved ones can consider. Environmental Services Supervisor Darryn Bailey says he went from Los Angeles to the Army and eventually found a home in Fayetteville.

    “Once out of the Army, I worked various jobs,” Bailey said. “When I was hired by the city of Fayetteville, it was the best job ever. I have been here for over 20 plus years.”
    Fayetteville job candidates may consider themselves gatekeepers. Development Services is the first stop for people who want to build and do business in Fayetteville.

    “Our department is a great place for veterans because it deals with codes, regulations and assisting the general public,” Planning and Zoning Division Manager Jennifer Baptiste said. “It gives them structure and regulations.”

    The Development Services team includes veterans who served in the Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy and Reserve component. Many of their stories can be read on the website www.fayettevillenc.gov/city-services/human-resource-development/employment-with-the-city/quotes-from-city-employees-who-are-military-veterans.

    The city promotes the Employer of Choice initiative which is meant to improve the quality of life for employees making Fayetteville an attractive employment option. Fayetteville commits to investing in all employees so they can invest in our community.

    New federal funding was made available this year for the Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation and the Community Development Foundation to develop an “HR Talent Portal” which will serve transitioning soldiers, military spouses and veterans as they leave the service, encouraging them to remain in Fayetteville for their next role. This connects service members and families to education, skills, talents and job opportunities in the region.

    New applicants are welcome to apply online for full-time or part-time positions. Ideal candidates have a Can Do attitude and are ready to ensure Fayetteville is a desirable place to live, work and play. Current benefits can be found online. The Fayetteville Police Department is also offering incentives for new officers, including one for those with military experience.
    The City of Fayetteville continues to support both active duty and retired service members by providing a welcoming community and rewarding careers. For more information visit www.fayettevillenc.gov/.

  • 5 North Carolinians are greatly concerned about our economy. According to the John Locke Foundation’s latest Civitas Poll, 77% of state voters believe we are currently in a recession. Most call inflation “a huge problem” and say it’s difficult to afford housing, food, and gas.

    At the same time, North Carolinians have been treated to months of positive economic news. We continue to attract new residents at a healthy clip and clinch top rankings for business and quality of life. Major companies are building new plants, warehouses, and headquarters in our state, creating thousands of jobs on site as well as new supplier and vendor networks likely to create many more.

    So, is it irrational for North Carolinians to feel so dissatisfied and anxious about our economy? Not at all. In our present circumstance, it’s hardly irrational to care more about absolute than relative performance.

    Regarding the latter, North Carolina fares well by most objective criteria. From the fourth quarter of 2019 (before the onset of the pandemic) to the first quarter of 2022, our state’s economy grew by an inflation-adjusted annual average of 2%. That’s the eighth-fastest growth rate in the country. It’s much higher than the national average of 1.2% and regional average of 1.4%. During the same period, North Carolina ranked 12th in per-capita income growth, again beating the national and regional averages.

    Our labor markets are healing, as well. North Carolina’s U-3 jobless rate was 3.4% in June, down from 5% a year ago and 14.2% during the worst of the COVID downturn. While this headline unemployment rate is statistically indistinguishable from the national average, the state compares better on a broader measure that includes people who’ve dropped out of the labor force and part-timers who’d rather have full-time jobs. North Carolina’s U-6 rate of 7.8% is below the national average of 8.4%.

    When it comes to the rising cost of living, one could do much worse than live here. For example, as of late July the average retail price of a gallon of gas was about $4 in our state — significantly below the national average of $4.33. North Carolina is also doing a better job than most at new home construction, which is helping to moderate price inflation in housing. In a recent Realtor.com survey of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets, a disproportionate share of those earning high rankings were in our state, including Burlington (#2), Raleigh (#6), Durham-Chapel Hill (#12), Wilmington (#32), and Hickory-Morganton-Lenoir (#40).

    Relatively speaking, then, North Carolina’s economy is performing well. Still, what does that mean in practice?

    If you’re employed but struggling to make ends meet — because your recent pay raise was outpaced by the prices you’re paying for rent, food, transportation, and other goods and services — how much better does it make you feel to learn that you’d be even worse off if you moved to New Jersey or Illinois?

    It may well be true. But it may not feel relevant. You weren’t planning to move, anyway. Meanwhile, there’s a stack of bills to pay.

    When I was more deeply engaged in public-policy analysis, I paid a lot of attention to measures of relative performance. Because state and local government, in particular, can have only small-to-moderate effects on economic outcomes over time — or on a variety of other indicators of interest, from test scores to crime rates — it’s essential to construct models that adjust for national and international trends, or other factors beyond the control of state and local governments, in order to isolate the problem you’re studying. Otherwise, a relatively small signal will get lost in the statistical noise.

    We don’t live our lives within econometric models, however. Based on our own experiences, and those of people we know or read about, we draw broad inferences about how things are going.

    North Carolinians have clearly drawn the inference, I think correctly, that something has gone horribly wrong. Try talking them out of it at your own risk.

  • 17The first day back to school for kids in Cumberland County, quickly approaches, and the urge to fit one last hurrah into the waning summer season is undoubtedly on the minds of families across the region.

    One summer activity set to wind down in the coming weeks is Fayetteville's beloved summer concert series, Fayetteville After 5, in Festival Park. From 6 to around 10: 30 p.m. every second Friday since June 10, people have gathered for delicious food and live music in a family-friendly atmosphere.

    On Aug. 12, the season's last concert, Festival Park gates will open at 5 to welcome local favorite 10 O'Clock High to the Fay After 5 Stage. At 8 p.m., Zoso, a Led Zeppelin Experience, will take the audience back to the glory days of Robert Plant and Jimmy Page with a performance called “the most accurate and captivating Led Zeppelin live show since the real thing.”

    No night of amazing music would be complete without a plate of amazing food to accompany it. Fay After 5 does not disappoint, and a carousel of food trucks will be on-site to whet every appetite. Aug. 12th’s offerings include Korean fusion, country favorites, Italian ice and donuts.

    The concert series is a return to normalcy after COVID-19 restrictions limited entertainment venues and crowd sizes for much of 2020 and 2021.

    Up & Coming Weekly spoke with Sarahgrace Snipes, executive director of the Dogwood Festival, as she reflected on this year's concert series.

    “The most exciting part of Fay After 5 has definitely been seeing people at Fay After 5,” she said. “Last year, our turnout was not as high because we were coming off the mass gathering restrictions, so it is exciting to see the same event again with a higher attendance rate.”

    Though the weather, with its unpredictable storms, humidity and high temperatures, is always a challenge for outdoor venues this time of year, Snipes is happy to see people coming together despite the heat.

    “People are absolutely excited to be spending time with others. During Fay After 5, you'll find several friends and especially couples, dancing with each other in a close way that you would not have seen this time two years ago.”

    Ultimately, as the series comes to a close, Snipes hopes the Dogwood Festival has reinforced its position in the community and its commitment to quality events for the people of Cumberland County.

    “I hope that by continuing Fay After 5 this summer, our organization has increased the community's awareness that the organization is still strong and continuing our events as we have in the past and before COVID-19,” she said.

    The Fayetteville After 5 Concert Series is free and open to the public. Outside food, drink, canopies and coolers are not permitted on-site.

    However, camping chairs, blankets, and service animals are more than welcome.

    Festival Park is located at 335 Ray Ave. in Fayetteville.

    For more information about Fay After 5, visit https://www.thedogwoodfestival.com/fayetteville-after-five.

  • Cumberlan Co logo The Cumberland County Department of Public Health has monkeypox vaccines for people who may have been exposed to the virus.
    The World Health Organization determined that monkeypox is a global health emergency. Monkeypox is of the same virus family as smallpox, although milder. It typically involves flu-like symptoms, swelling of the lymph nodes and a rash that includes bumps that are initially filled with fluid before scabbing over, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.

    Those who meet the criteria for exposure will receive the Jynneos vaccine, which has been found to prevent monkeypox illness or at least alleviate severe symptoms after getting the disease.
    Dr. Jennifer Green, the county health director, is making sure the vaccine is available to counter any local incidents as cases become more prevalent in North Carolina.

    As of July 29, 53 cases of monkeypox had been reported in North Carolina, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services. The department updates case information on its website, Monday through Friday, at epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/cd/diseases/monkeypox.html.

    There currently is a limited supply of the vaccine; therefore, vaccinations are only offered to individuals with known or suspected exposure to monkeypox.

    Green said the Health Department staff has been in constant contact with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to prepare for a possible large-scale monkeypox outbreak.
    Green said the county Health Department can test people with symptoms of monkeypox and can contact trace people who may have monkeypox.

    • Individuals who think they are infected can call the Health Department at 910-433-3600 and ask for a vaccination appointment. They must meet the following criteria:
      Have been in close physical contact in the last 14 days with someone diagnosed with monkeypox.
      Know if their sex partner was diagnosed with monkeypox.
      Be a man who has had sex with another man, or with transgender individuals who report the following during the past 90 days: Have anonymous or multiple sex partners; Have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection;
      Are getting HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis.

    The Health Department states that if someone has an unexplained rash, sores or other related symptoms, he or she should contact their health provider for proper diagnosis. They also should keep the rash or sores covered and avoid sex or intimate contact.

    The Health Department will test by appointment only.
    The vaccines are free regardless of health insurance, the Health Department said. People getting the injection will not be billed for the vaccine. If an individual has health insurance, the Health Department will bill the health insurance provider only if the person getting the vaccine agrees.

    Green said the Health Department is making sure its staff is trained to meet any escalation in local cases.

    "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the NC DHHS recommend that the vaccine be given within four days of exposure to prevent the onset of the disease," Green said.

    "When the vaccine is administered four to 14 days after the date of exposure, it may reduce the symptoms of the disease, but may not prevent the disease," Green said.

  • 8The Spring Lake Board of Aldermen on July 25 reviewed goals that will help the town eventually resume control of its finances and other issues outlined in its fiscal accountability agreement with the Local Government Commission. The Board also heard an update on the search for a police chief.

    The fiscal accountability agreement is a strategy developed by the Local Government Commission that lists the governing board’s responsibilities, the commission staff responsibilities and the goals that need to be met to improve the town’s financial status and internal controls.

    The town entered into the agreement in April 2021, promising to take steps to get its finances in order. The Local Government Commission has since taken over financial control of the town amid concerns of budget deficits, fiscal disarray and an investigation into missing money.

    David Erwin, accounting and financial management advisor for the N.C. Department of State Treasurer and
    the town finance director, led the presentation, which went over the need for finance staff, an action plan to restore the fund balance in the general fund and getting financial records up to date.

    Erwin said the contracted finance staff had been spending considerable time getting ready for the 2021-22 audit report, including verifying outstanding checks.
    Mayor Kia Anthony asked if the fiscal accountability agreement could be updated since it was written before the commission took over the town’s finances.
    Susan McCullen, director of the Fiscal Management Section of the Local Government Commission, said the agreement would be reworked for an exit strategy for the town.

    “We want to update it, turning it into an exit strategy,’’ McCullen said. “That doesn’t mean we will put a timeframe on an LGC exit strategy, but it would mean we would agree on the things we want to accomplish before the LGC exits and turns the town back over.”

    McCullen said that when the goals are updated, that will give the commission and the town a roadmap for how to get back.
    Alderwoman Adrian Thompson asked about an estimated timeframe for the exit strategy. McCullen said it would be up to the board and how much progress can be made. She said the commission staff would be working on a draft for the board to be brought back possibly in September.

    Update on staff searches

    The town is seeking a permanent town manager, a police chief and a town clerk.
    Interim Town Manager Joe Durham said the police chief search completed a first round of interviews and that a second round would be scheduled for the first week in August. He said another participant was added last Friday.
    Durham said he was hoping to name a police chief in August.

    When asked by Alderman Raul Palacios, Durham said he had begun calling potential applicants for the permanent town manager position.

    “I’ve had discussions with the LGC regarding the position, but as far as a full advertisement that will occur this week or next, and I’ll be presenting a schedule to you regarding that process,” he said.
    He said the board would be brought in for that recruitment and selection process.

    Palacios also asked about the open town clerk position. Melissa Pereira left the position in July.

    Durham said the position advertisement was posted and he had received one application so far.

    First Friday on Main concerns

    Anthony and the Local Government Commission also discussed an event called First Friday on Main that she announced at a previous board meeting. The event would be a monthly event on Main Street with vendors, food trucks and a street closure from 6-9 p.m. The event has been advertised on social media as being hosted by the town and Circa 1865 Inc., which is Anthony’s nonprofit organization.
    The Local Government Commission voiced concerns about the timing of the event, insurance, following set town policies and getting a special event permit from N.C. Department of Transportation for the road closure.

    “It sounds like a wonderful idea, but we are concerned about the timing for the first one to get a permit to close the road,’’ McCullen said. “We are also concerned that it gets done in the right way and that the risk is appropriately handled. There is a real risk if you don’t have the insurance in place.”

    Anthony said everything was in place except for the Transportation Department special event permit for the road closure, which prompted commission staff to go into further detail with their concerns.
    Tiffany Anderson, the deputy finance director, said that the special permit policy was on the town website and that she had spoken to the traffic engineer at the Transportation Department, who said it could take up to 60 days to receive a permit.

    According to the state Transportation Department website, Main Street is a state-maintained road and closing it for a special event requires a formal request to the appropriate division engineer at least 60 days prior to the scheduled beginning of the event.

    Tony Burgess, owner of Burgess Boxing at 208 N. Main St., said after the meeting that he had not heard about the event or of a possible road closure for Main Street.
    Other property and business owners on Main Street still open on Monday night reported the same.

    Durham said after the meeting that he was not sure if the event would take place on Aug. 5 as previously advertised.

    The commission staff said they would be back in August to present the June financial report and give further updates. Anthony also introduced Michael Porter, who was present, as the new town attorney. Porter was voted in by the board at the last board meeting.

  • 19Baseball fans know the roar of the crowds, the smell of stadium food and the high-energy environment of a baseball game can be an amazing experience.

    But for some fans, those same components make attending games in person difficult to enjoy. With this in mind, the Fayetteville Woodpeckers will hold its first-ever “Abilities Awareness Day” on Aug. 14 at Segra Stadium.

    Embracing an attitude of inclusivity, the Woodpeckers is partnering with ServiceSource, Miller’s Crew, Bravery Kids Gym and the Vision Resource Center to celebrate all abilities and sensitivities with a day of fun for the whole family.

    The event will begin at 2:05 p.m., during the Woodpeckers vs. the Down East Wood Ducks game, and will feature a number of activities, stations and opportunities for everyone and everybody on the ability spectrum.

    Fans will be able to enjoy sensory stations built by Bravery Gym along the concourse during the game. They will also have access to a sensory-friendly space if they become overwhelmed or want to take a break from the environment without having to leave. Guests can also check out sensory bags, which are available at guest services during every game and contain headphones, fidget toys and cue cards.

    Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Buddy Sports baseball team will stand with the Woodpeckers during the national anthem and Special Olympics Cumberland County athletes will have the opportunity to participate in a free baseball skills clinic before the game gets underway.

    During the game, Houston Astros autographed baseballs will be auctioned off to benefit ServiceSource, Miller’s Crew, Bravery Kids Gym and the Vision Resource Center.

    The Millers Crew food truck, which acts as a training environment for adolescents and adults with developmental challenges, will also be on-site.

    The Abilities Awareness Day is one of many events organized this year that focuses on serving, supporting or celebrating the community.

    The organization held a benefit concert this past March to help Cumberland County families with rent and utilities and will host its first school supply drive on Aug. 5.

    Up & Coming Weekly spoke to Woodpeckers’ Media and Community Relations Manager, Kristen Nett, about the organization’s push toward a more community-forward focus and the importance of events like this one.

    “We care about providing an inclusive environment for everybody — just because we have screaming fans doesn’t mean we can’t also make a space for people sensitive to that. We want to support our Special Olympics and our Sport’s Buddies here in town. The Woodpeckers have a passion for helping others, and we want to use our platform to benefit the community; it’s our responsibility to do what we can to support it.”

    Visit http://fayettevillewoodpeckers.com/tickets or the Truist Box Office at Segra Stadium to purchase tickets.

    To learn more about Ability Awareness Day, visit www.milb.com/fayetteville.

    Segra Stadium is located at 460 Hay St. in downtown Fayetteville.

  • 10c AHAmber House, a teacher at Gray’s Creek Middle School, was recently named the North Carolina Association of Career and Technical Education’s 2022 Teacher of the Year.

    The Teacher of the Year award is one of the NCACTE’s five main awards and recognizes teachers who are providing outstanding CTE programs for youth and/or adults in their respective fields and communities. According to the NCACTE website, recipients must have made significant contributions toward innovative, unique and novel programs that are serving to improve and promote career and technical education.

    House teaches multiple courses at GCMS including Computer Science, Discoveries and Introduction to Office. During the 2021-2022 school year, she volunteered for the pilot program for the Minecraft Coding classes, and her students excelled. At the end of the course, 95% of her eighth-grade students earned the micro credentials for the eighth-grade Advanced Coding pilot class.

    House helps her students find creative ways to reach their maximum potential and helps her peers do the same. House is dedicated to continuous improvement, supporting fellow teacher and student success. A recently recognized National Board Certified Teacher, she is a district Canvas trainer and serves as the chair of GCMS’ Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports committee.

    House’s commitment to education doesn’t stop at the GCMS door. She also serves as a system-wide professional development presenter for CTE and other departments. She recently served as the president of the Business Marketing Division of NCACTE.

    Many people in House’s school, community and field respect her work ethic, influence and innovation. She is constantly looking for tools, equipment and opportunities to engage students in 21st century learning and technology. She has received many grants to purchase 3D printers and the material used for printing in the 3D printers. She worked collaboratively with two other teachers in the district to 3D print masks for first responders in the Fayetteville and Cumberland County community.

  • 22Did you know that cantaloupe is in the berry family and is a cousin to watermelon, honeydew, pumpkins and squash?

    The name was cultivated in the 18th century from the cantus region of Italy. They are the most popular melons in the U.S.

    Composed of about 90% water, cantaloupes are primarily grown in California, Arizona and Texas, but you will find many of them grown in gardens and farms in the South. They bloom from July to September with mature melons ripening in about 90 days. Cantaloupes do not continue ripening after picking; they are ready to be picked on the vine that can grow up to five feet.

    Their blooms carry male and female parts, the female flower has a large bulge at the base. Bees play an important role in the pollination process. Sometimes the plants will carry more female flowers than males and the reason is temperatures higher than 95 degrees.

    Attracting bees to your garden is a great way to start growing by introducing plants that pollinate such as sunflower, coneflower, lavender and aster. Nothing can replace the pollination of a honeybee, but it is possible to hand pollinate.

    The easiest way is to pluck a male flower and transfer the pollen to the female flower which works about 50% of the time. The male flower is visible by the presence of a stamen and the female flower has a bulge at the base.

    There is nothing quite like the taste of sweet cantaloupe. Selecting a good one can be a little tricky if you are not used to it and especially selecting one in the grocery store.
    The melon should feel heavier than it looks, the skin tan with a pale color between the netting, the surface firm but not hard and you should be able to smell the aroma. An overpowering smell or mushy surface is an indication that the melon is overripe.

    Cantaloupe is good for us for a variety of health reasons other than fiber and water content. It is good for your hair with vitamins A and C, aiding in hydration, and is high in potassium. It is also a good source of vitamins B and C. Cantaloupe also contains a powerhouse of vitamins and hydration, potassium, magnesium, thiamine, niacin and folic acid.

    It is a great post workout snack that lessens the chance of having muscle cramps, and fatigue and is good for your blood pressure and heart. In addition, it contains a lot of soluble and insoluble fiber which aid in digestion.

    A snack in between meals can satisfy the appetite and is a good filler without adding the calories with a single serving of 60 calories. Eating the seeds can serve as a healthy snack with mixed nuts or eating them alone can aid in digestion.

    Cats and dogs might enjoy this refreshing melon. If your cat or dog likes cantaloupe, giving a little bit will not harm them and can be considered one of the unusual things they might like to eat void of the rind. Seeds are safe but are high in fat, be sparing with adding many to your diet or your fur baby. With any of your fur babies, it is advisable to give just a little in case there is a reaction.

    There is an abundance of recipes available that are not always associated with salads. You can enjoy a cold cantaloupe soup, drinks, granita, smoothies, dressing and martinis.

    Summer is the time to enjoy a wide variety of fresh melons and fruit in many ways.

    Live, love life and enjoy summer!

  • 23It’s almost cliché that so many movie and television depictions of interactions between troubled adult and psychologist begin with, “…tell me about your relationship with your father.” Or mother. Or whoever.

    The idea is to get the person to consider who they are, where they are and how they got there.

    Good, bad or other, one of the greatest gifts we have is our past. Understanding where we once were brings a true prospective to where we are now, whether physically, emotionally or psychologically.

    Our past can serve as an indication of how far we’ve come in some cases and point us back toward home in others.

    Music has, for as long as I can remember, been a huge part of my life. I make it, listen to it and have had the opportunity to work with music professionally for nearly a quarter century at this point.

    And I can still recall the very day — and interaction — which changed the way I listened to music.

    As a 13-year-old city kid, the freedom, fresh air and good ol’ hard work of farm life held a certain appeal to me. For the summer, I was invited to live and work with my cousin (12 years my senior) and her husband on their family farm.

    Tom Maginley was a strong, funny and hard-working son-of-a-farmer and seemed to me to know a little about everything. And on the day music changed, I was on a 30-mile ride from their home to his family’s farm with Tom’s wife.

    An educator during the school year, Memory was a well-educated daughter of a schoolteacher, my dad’s sister. Both my dad and aunt were adopted into their family and it was an odd family dynamic.

    In fact, I’d never met any of them until I was 12 years old and was immediately fascinated.

    On this ride, Memory turned and asked me what kind of music I liked. Declaring I was a rock music fan, she asked if there was a specific band or song I liked.

    Out of the blue, I said, “American Woman” by the Guess Who (hey, it was the 1970s).

    She seemed familiar with the song but asked me to repeat some of the lyrics.

    Then she asked, “Do you know what the song is about?” I didn’t.

    I had never thought about it. It just sounded cool.

    It had the word American in it, so it flew past every radar in my home, but it was widely revered as an anti-war protest song. A war into which Memory’s husband and brother-in-law were drafted.

    While I don’t care much for it now, I don’t think I stopped liking the song right away. But the encounter led me to listen more closely and reflect on what songs are really saying.

    Whether the cry of a generation, a memory of love found or lost, or the adoration for a God whose love for His people is unwavering, we owe it to ourselves to pause, listen and learn.

    “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.”
    — Psalm 19:14 (CSB)

  • 6a I asked Senator Thom Tillis why he voted along with the Democrats for the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. I eventually received a lengthy boiler-plate reply. The wording is designed to sound good and convincing. But I found in it something that any critical thinker should find disturbing, if not downright frightening.

    What guardrails does this legislation put in place to protect due process for law-abiding North Carolinians?

    Here is a paragraph from that lengthy response:

    "I am very concerned about protecting and preserving our constitutional rights, which is why I fought to ensure strong due process protections were included in this legislation. For states that choose to use crisis intervention order programs, the legislation requires strong due process and evidentiary protections to protect our constitutional rights and prevent abuse. That means new due process guardrails for states with existing crisis intervention order programs and for those that choose to implement new ones. This includes both pre- and post-deprivation due process rights that include notice, the right to an in-person hearing, unbiased adjudicators, knowledge of opposing evidence, right to present evidence, right to confront adverse witnesses, and the right to be represented by legal counsel. It requires heightened evidentiary standards to justify crisis intervention and requires penalties for those who attempt to abuse the program."

    Well, this reads pretty reasonable and convincing, until you get to the bit “unbiased adjudicators.”

    Let’s see, somebody that doesn’t like you complains to the police. They raid your house and confiscate your legally acquired (and licensed if applicable) firearms. So, you demand a hearing to get your guns back.

    According to this document from Senator Tillis, your claim will be heard by “unbiased adjudicators.”

    So, who is going to appoint these “unbiased adjudicators” and by what criteria will they be judged to be “unbiased?” Will the officials that select these “unbiased adjudicators.” be subject to an equivalent requirement that they also be unbiased? Let’s get down to the core of this: who is unbiased about anything these days?

    Will someone that is a member of the NRA be excluded owing to prima facia bias? Will someone that owns firearms be excluded? Will only people that do not own firearms be considered? Given the various statistics on gun ownership in the USA, it is very likely that the pool of “unbiased” people eligible to be appointed as adjudicators will be constricted, and very likely among a minority of the citizens.

    I asked Senator Tillis to answer these questions. I got no reply.

    Draw your own conclusions from Senator Tillis’ nonresponse. I wonder if he even read the text of this bill. He’s got staffers that can write up an executive summary in a couple of paragraphs, but just how unbiased are they when it comes to picking and choosing what goes into the summary?

    What really bothers me about this whole idea is that it echoes what went on in the former Soviet Union. Back in the day dissidents were denounced, hauled before tribunals, judged to be mentally deranged and committed to institutions.

    This so-called Bipartisan Safer Communities Act impresses me in the way it sets up a mechanism to deal with anyone deemed to be “dangerous” by bypassing due process and subjecting anyone thought to be out of line to bureaucratic repression. What's next?

    Of course, if Senator Tillis disagrees, he can answer my earlier questions. Unless of course he thinks I am being out of line by even asking them.

    Gun violence is a symptom of a much bigger systemic problem. Good old “divide and conquer” politics is the bigger problem. Gun ownership is written into the U.S. Constitution, but our politicians seem to find it more of a nuisance than a guideline. Forget that "... in order to form a more perfect union" bit. Instead of bringing this country together as Americans, they strive to emphasize class distinction and racial conflict. They are using COVID-19 to enforce top-down social control. And amid this, Senator Tillis and the rest of the senators and congressmen that foisted this bill on us expect “unbiased adjudicators” to right the wrongs.

    — Leon A. Goldstein, Retired U.S. Army, Fayetteville resident

  • Michael Devon Dunham A man wanted in connection with a Saturday morning fire at a motel on Gillespie Street has been arrested and charged with arson, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office said.

    Michael Devon Dunham, 44, of St. Pauls, was arrested Sunday and charged with first-degree arson and burning of personal property, the Sheriff’s Office said in a release. Dunham is in the Cumberland County Detention Center under a $100,000 secure bond. His first appearance is scheduled for Monday at 2:30 p.m. at the detention center.

    The Sheriff’s Office responded to the fire at the Royal Inn at 2640 Gillespie St. just after 4:30 a.m. Pearce’s Mill Fire Department also responded, and no injuries were reported, the Sheriff’s Office said.

    The fire started on the bottom floor in room 112 and spread to the second floor.
    The Sheriff’s Office said video footage showed a man going in and out of the room several times while it burned for 30 minutes before leaving.

    “No attempts to extinguish the fire or notify anyone that the Royal Inn was on fire were made,’’ the Sheriff’s Office said in the release.
    The Sheriff’s Office identified the man as Dunham.

    Anyone who has information about this investigation is asked to contact arson investigator R. Tyndall at 910-677-5499 or Fayetteville / Cumberland County CrimeStoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477).

    Cumberland Road, Cotton, Hope Mills, Grays Creek Station 18, Grays Creek Station 24 and Fayetteville Fire Departments Station 1, Station 5 and Station 16 also responded and provided mutual aid.

  • hope mills logo Hope Mills Town Manager Scott Meszaros tonight Aug. 1 is scheduled to present a “State of the Town’’ overview that includes updates on a number of issues, including planning, parks and recreation and public safety.

    The town Board of Commissioners meets at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.
    The town continues to experience a record number of voluntary annexation petitions, according to information in the agenda packet. Between June 2021 and July 2022, there were 10 voluntary annexations for commercial and residential development, according to the “State of the Town’’ presentation in the agenda packet from Meszaros to the board.

    That includes more than a thousand proposed single-family residential developments and 20 acres of industrial development, the agenda materials state.
    The town also is seeing an increase in commercial and retail development. Recent commercial development includes two standalone Starbucks, Popeyes, Barbara Ann’s Chicken and a second Jersey Mikes.

    In January, the town began conducting its own planning and zoning practices related to fees, application intake and zoning processing. According to the Inspection and Permitting Department, June was the busiest month for permit issuance and fee collections in the town’s history. The town collected nearly $90,000 in fees and issued 240 permits, according to information in the agenda packet.

    With parks and recreation, the materials say permit drawings for Phase 1 construction have been submitted for approval and construction is scheduled to begin in the fall for Heritage Park Phase 1. The town is also making improvements at municipal park, including a baseball-themed splash pad and an inclusive playground.

    The presentation also is expected to include an overview of how the town used $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds and nearly $4.7 million in state funds.

    Most of the ARP money — nearly $2.4 million — went for street improvement projects, according to information in the agenda packet. About $1.6 million was earmarked for quality of life projects like the basketball court and ballfields at the Golfview property. Just over $1 million was earmarked for public safety, the agenda materials state.

    The state funding was used for outdoor park improvements and infrastructure, the agenda materials state.
    In other business, the town will consider authorizing the town manager to contract with Dormakaba USA Inc. for the installation of touchless automatic sliding glass doors at a cost of $10,628.05.

    According to a memo to Meszaros from Public Works Director Don Sisko, the board directed the Public Works department to look into installation of an ADA-compliant front door at Town Hall. Due to the age and condition of the current front doors, Sisko’s department is recommending replacing the door with a hands-free automatic sliding door.

    The town will also hold a closed session to discuss a personnel matter under attorney-client privilege.

  • 16 ShoesLooking for the right shoe for your activity can become a confusing search, especially when it comes to running and walking shoes. The racks are beckoning with shoes that display colorful combinations and elaborate structural compositions. The average person has little idea what they are looking for other than the eye is drawn to the appeal of the shoe. Shoes can run upward to more than $200 and you may feel that is an ouch for a shoe selection! Is the investment worth it? The answer is yes. Let’s look at the difference between walking, running and shoes for group fitness classes.

    Walking shoes are structured differently than running shoes and offer more bend and flexibility. The distribution of weight remains even while walking and rolls from the heel to the ball of the foot. A running shoe has a thicker heel for cushion and a thicker wedge for support and forward movement. Structure and stability are the main design composition for the absorption of body weight and heel strikes.

    Not one shoe is a fit all for group fitness classes. In a Spin class it is advised to wear a stiffer soled shoe because softer soled shoes tend to flex over the pedal and could result in injuries. Spin shoes are designed to click into the bike to improve stability and pedaling efficiency.

    Dance based fitness classes are designed for movement. Consider investing in a shoe that is designed for lateral support with little or no tread on the sole. This type of shoe allows lateral movement and to pivot without putting stress on the joints.

    Boot camp and weightlifting classes are safer with a shoe that is structured for stability and weight distribution.

    Other group fitness classes, such as step and kick boxing, require shoes that offer absorption of the balls of the feet for dynamic movement. Classes that involve movement associated with the feet like barre and yoga also have a type of footwear that is safe for the activity. A barre or yoga sock comes with gel bands on the bottom that help with the participants stability and reduce the chance of slipping and injury.

    The bottom line is to get shoes fitted by a professional for your activity, who can offer an analysis that may include your gait and foot type. If you engage in the same activity more than three times a week select a shoe designed specifically for that activity. Get fitted for your shoe towards the end of the day, due to shifts in fluid retention. For activities taking place consistently at the same time each day the consideration of a fit may be more beneficial for that time.

    It is also important to select a quality sock and to wear the sock when tying on selections.

    A quality athletic shoe for running or walking should provide 350 to 500 miles of performance. Being aware of how the shoe is wearing and if it needs to replaced, are important observations to prevent ankle and knee injuries. Observing the wear patterns on the bottom of the shoe, especially at the heel is a good indicator for replacement and if the soles of the shoe are worn flat. It can be a hard decision for a purchase with a mounting price tag, but remember that your feet are an investment. Proper shoe fit is essential to avoid injuries, while allowing maximum performance for your activities.

  • 20 rockn logo jpegIt is that time again, time to grab a chair and a friend and head out for a night of free music. Rock’n On The River is back Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. with two amazing bands.

    The free event will take place at 1122 Person St. in Fayetteville, behind Deep Creek Grill. Parking for the event will begin at 5 p.m.

    Greg Adair, the organizer of the Rock’n On The River concert series, says “The idea was to create another free family event — a smaller scale of the Dogwood Festival. It began in 2018.”

    This upcoming show features Throwback Collaboration Band and North Tower.

    Known locally as TCB, Throwback Collaboration Band plays rhythm and blues favorites, dance and old school. The music crosses the 70s, 80s and 90s, creating a good blend of music that serves up something special for everyone.

    The band is made up of six musicians to include A.D. Thomas, Mark “Duce” Thomas, Michael Counts, Moshe Haire, Richard Bradford and Sybil Pinkney.

    The group has been playing together for more than three years. All musicians are over 50 years old, with the most recent addition, new member Moshe Haire. TCB appeals to a variety of audience, especially older couples in their 30s and up.

    Mark Thomas says of the event, “It is exciting. The venue caters to all walks of life — kids, adults, open air, stake out a good spot — get there early for the free environment.”

    Currently, TCB is playing in venues such as the Dogwood Festival and Dirtbag Ales, the North Carolina State Fair and several local area night spots. Before COVID, they were scheduled to perform at the Segra Stadium for Woodpeckers baseball games.

    “We really hope to see that opportunity come back,” says A.D. Thomas. “Many of the songs we do are from the 70s, 80s and more current stuff. It’s a clean family-oriented show, so we like to see people have fun and see how wonderful it is to come together.”

    North Tower will take the stage at 8:15 p.m. The band has been playing together since 1980. The band consists of Larry Dean, Jeff Hinson, Steve Davis, Tom Bagley, Marty Gilbert, Mark Bost and Ben Shaw.

    The Raleigh-based band strives to deliver a diverse set list to entertain audiences with R&B, oldies, beach, rock ‘n’ roll, mix of adult contemporary, uptown funky and mostly older stuff.

    “North Tower is the most versatile band we utilize at the Raleigh Civic Center,” says Jim Lavery, Marketing Director of the Raleigh Civic Center. “Whether for a convention, private party or our large ‘Alive After Five’ crowds, they always come through for us.”

    Rock’n On The River is a free live concert, sponsored by Healy Wholesale, Bob 96.5 FM radio and Up & Coming Weekly. Beverages and food will be available from Healy Wholesale and Deep Creek Grill. The audience is responsible for bringing chairs or something to sit on. Coolers and outside food are prohibited at this event. Pets are also not allowed onto the concert grounds.

    The parking fee is $5 per person. The event is first come first serve, as the venue can only host 1,200 to 1,400 people.

    “Bringing a well-rounded live concert series to get people out after lockdowns in 2020 and having something people will enjoy listening to is the goal,” says Adair. “Each monthly concert showcases a different genre of music, bringing people together.”

    For more information, head to the Rock’n On The River’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Rockn-On-The-River-271048666818630/

    Pictured below: Throwback Collaboration Band (left) will kick off Rock'n On The River at 6 p.m. on Aug 27. (Photo courtesy www.facebook.com/TCB2019) North Tower takes the stage at 8:15 p.m. to entertain folks with their versatile playlist decades in the making. (Photo courtesy Rock'n On The River).

    13 TCB

    14 North Tower

  • 11 Intersection 1Methodist University has a decade-plus reputation for presenting unique exhibitions at one of Fayetteville’s premier art venues — the David McCune International Art Gallery. So, it’s no surprise that its fall exhibition will be both unique in presentation and experience for the audience.

    Opening at McCune, located in the Bethune Center for Visual Arts on the MU campus, the free exhibition titled Intersection will be open to the campus community and public until Dec. 1. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday each week (except on MU holidays). The gallery follows all campus safety protocols related to COVID-19. For more information visit https://www.methodist.edu/

    “Like all of our shows, this one will feature amazing artists and their works,” said MU Professor of Art Vilas Tonape. “But it will also be very unique in that it will lead the guest to an experience of appreciating not just the similarities of the art being presented, but also the differences. It’s truly an intersection, where people will visit the gallery from all walks of life and enjoy both commonality and differences. All are welcome and will enjoy this exhibit.”

    Intersection will feature the works (which are for sale) of Andréa Keys Connell, Zhimin Guan, Sondra (Soni) Martin and Winter Rusiloski. Each has presented their works both nationally and internationally and hold positions as instructors at institutions of higher learning.

    •Rusiloski: Investigating abstracted landscapes for 20 years; more than 30 juried exhibitions around the world since 2016; paintings in public and private collections; an assistant professor of Painting in the Baylor University Department of Art and Art History.

    •Martin: Extensive commissions, grants and awards; works in private and corporate collections; expertise in studio arts (sculpture, printmaking, painting) and contemporary art theory; a professor of Visual Art at Fayetteville State University.

    •Guan: Featured in more than 200 professional exhibitions, including 20 solo shows; pieces in permanent museum collections in the U.S., China, and Singapore; a professor of Art at Minnesota State University Moorhead.

    •Connell: More than a dozen solo exhibitions; featured in numerous publications; taught workshops on figure sculpting at craft schools; an associate professor of Ceramics in the Department of Fine Arts at Appalachian State University.

    “This unique selection of artists brings paintings and sculptures together in an exciting way that allows the viewer to contemplate multiple dimensions and medium’s ability to play with the intersection between landscape, figure and ground,” said Connell.

    Each of the artists — and certainly Tonape, the curator — have an appreciation for the gallery, which has had numerous successful exhibitions that featured artists such as Warhol, Chagall, Rodin, Picasso, and most recently, Rembrandt. The University, Division of Fine and Performing Arts, and gallery also showcase exhibitions of work from MU students, faculty, staff and local artists.

    “I’m very excited to be a part of such an outstanding exhibition in a stellar international art gallery,” said Rusiloski.

    Tonape knows the quality of the art being presented, and offering that would certainly be successful in itself, but he was purposeful in his efforts to bring artists and work that would resonate with students.

    Intersection showcases many perspectives and diversity of work, which is perfect for a liberal arts university,” he said. “We have classes for painting, abstract painting, ceramics and sculpture, and the students can see how these forms of art can work together and also be very different … they can see the show and at some level, realize they either pertain to their study right now, or they will in the future.”

    All similarly in one place, but all undeniably unique, the fall exhibition at the McCune Gallery at Methodist University is truly an “Intersection.”

    For more information on the exhibition or Methodist University visit https://www.methodist.edu/.

    Pictured: The Intersection exhibition features the work of four artists: Winter Rusiloski, Soni Martin, Zhimin Guan and Andrea Keys Connell. (Photo by Gabrielle Allison)

  • 9 Barton5Cape Fear Studios will host an open reception for its latest exhibit on Aug. 27 from 6-8 p.m. The exhibit highlights the eclectic paintings and sculptures of Barton Hatcher.

    Growing up on his grandfather’s farm in Bladen County, Hatcher began using his artistic and creative talent when he was only six years old. A self-taught artist and mixed media sculptor, Hatcher’s work is infused an elevated sense of style and pays playful attention to unexpected details. Aa an avid gardener and fly fisherman, Barton draws inspiration for his artistic designs from nature itself.

    Fans of Hatcher’s art see a transcendent quality, earning him a state-wide following. He has been able to showcase his talent in several North Carolina galleries. On occasion, clients have commissioned Hatcher to create custom art designs that draw from their individual tastes and desires. His work is in several private art collections from North Carolina to New Jersey.

    Following his life-long admiration for nature and the outdoors, Hatcher owns and operates Gardens by Barton, a landscape design business based in Wilmington. In business, Hatcher uses his artistic talents to create uniquely tailored gardens, including building hardscapes such as arbors, trellises and garden patios.

    Before he started that business, Hatcher worked for Cape Craftsmen of Elizabethtown for more than 30 years where he served as an art buyer and designed and built prototypes for furniture. Through the many years of designing furniture and home décor, his art has evolved into the style today that he refers to as “contemporary abstract.”

    Whether it is furniture, sculpture, gardens or canvas, Hatcher’s passion for creating rich, thoughtful and extraordinary designs saturates everything he touches.

    The Studio’s workshops and retail section will also be open to visitors during the free public reception. The Studio is located at 148 Maxwell St. in Fayetteville. Hours of operations are Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

    For more information email artgallery@capefearstudios.com, call 910-433-2986 or visit www.capefearstudios.com.

    Pictured: Cape Fear Studios' newest exhibit features art by Barton Hatcher. (Photos courtesy Cape Fear Studios)

    10 Barton1

  • 21 Truman for pageSchool is back in session, and the lazy, hazy days of summer are drawing to an end. The minds of teachers, parents and guardians return to the three Rs and resources to enhance and support these and other essential skills. Kidsville News!, the Cape Fear region’s fun, family publication for students in grades K-6, is here to help.

    Kidsville News! promotes education, reading and good character traits for students and offers a variety of free and fun articles, games, coloring activities, puzzles, kid-friendly recipes, career exploration and more.

    Resources you’ll recognize fill the publication pages, such as the NASA Night Sky Network, James Patterson’s Read Kiddo Read book reviews, Kids First movie reviews, NOAA weather and Sheri Amsel’s Exploring Nature. Find all this, a local community calendar and a letter from Truman the Dragon just for the kids in each monthly issue.

    Created in 1998 by newspaper publisher Bill Bowman as a local and self-sustaining “newspaper in education” program in his community of Fayetteville, North Carolina, the publication has a proven track record.

    Accolades for Kidsville News! include receiving recognition from the Parents’ Choice Foundation and the National Parents’ Choice Award in 2008 and 2012. (www.parents-choice.org/aboutus.cfm)

    Each Kidsville News! issue offers teacher/parent “Brainwork” online activities that extend the learning through printable, downloadable worksheets adaptable for home or school use. Visit www.kdisvillenews.com to view the Cape Fear region’s flagship edition or find a copy in a newsstand near you.

  • 06 Thom Tillis 2Sen. Thom Tillis, R-NC, spent more time than initially allocated on the campus of Fayetteville Technical Community College Aug 18. He was escorted by Dr. Larry Keen, FTCC President.

    Tillis toured the college’s newest facility -- a general classroom building. But it’s much more than that. The structure on Ft. Bragg Rd. houses cyber warfare computer technology laboratories and classrooms where students learn how to battle via information networks.

    Tillis is spending time visiting areas of his home state during the congressional summer recess. He won re-election to a second six-year term in November, 2020.

    Tillis, 60, a former IBM consultant and state House speaker, has been a consistent proponent of wearing masks during the pandemic, but he tested positive for COVID-19 in early October.

  • 07 Charles Evans 3Cumberland County Commissioner Charles Evans says he hopes to replace Rep. Richard Hudson, R-NC, as North Carolina’s 8th District Congressman.

    Evans currently serves as chairman of the board. In a statement on his congressional campaign website, Evans said that people often complain the two major parties “seem almost indistinguishable.”

    He filed with the Federal Election Commission in the spring and has been fundraising.

    “Under the new administration and what our president is trying to do to assist those of us that aren’t as fortunate as others — that’s been my advocacy for a long time, since I’ve been in the political arena,” he said.

    With the 2020 Census, North Carolina will add a 14th congressional seat to the U.S. House of Representative. The tar heel state’s Republican-majority General Assembly will redraw the map.

    Evans has been elected countywide three times since 2010. He also served two terms on the Fayetteville City Council from 2005 to 2009.

    Pictured: Charles Evans, Chairman of the Cumberland County Commission

  • 05 AA logoThis year’s All American Week, hosted by the 82nd Airborne Division and scheduled for Aug. 30 — Sept. 2, has been postponed due to the deployment to Afghanistan.

    “All American Week has been a proud tradition for our Division, current events and the activation of our Immediate Response Force requires us to reschedule,” said Maj. Gen. Christopher Donahue, the 82nd Airborne Division commander. “Postponing this event is hard for all of us, but we are working to find a new time to celebrate with our All American veterans, families and friends.”

    For over 30 years, All American Week has been open to the public to celebrate veterans and honor active duty service members, featuring sporting competitions, ceremonies and memorials. After 18 months of lockdown, All American Week was meant to build esprit-de-corps, bring the community together, and celebrate 104 years of service toward the nation. The first All American Week was held by the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. in 1986. In its inaugural year, the week began with a Division Run, sport competitions, a memorial, and a Division Review. In recent years, the Division has updated the Airborne Review an airborne operation, air assault and a demonstration of modern battle techniques.

    The dates for All American Week will be published as soon as they are available.

  • 04 82nd deploysThe 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team is on duty at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.

    The brigade is the division’s Immediate Response Force, America’s rapid response team. It is able to deploy within 18 hours of notification. “This is what the 82nd does and they do it very well,” said Pentagon spokesman John Kirby.

    The 82nd trains for airborne assault operations into enemy areas with a specialization in airfield seizure. The 82nd's Immediate Response Force has seen action in recent years deploying on News Year’s Eve 2019 to Iraq to help secure the U.S. embassy as it came under attack by Iranian-linked Shia militias.

    The Division again deployed troops in the summer of 2020 to the Nation’s Capital Region in response to civil disturbances in Washington, D.C.

    The division’s commander, Maj. Gen. Christopher Donahue, is leading the paratroopers in Afghanistan.

    Pictured: Paratroopers with 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division board a plane enroute to Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. (Photo courtesy 82nd Airborne Division)

  • 03 pregnant womenRecent research is supporting the safety of COVID-19 vaccinations for pregnant women. Though pregnant women were excluded from the initial clinical trials for the vaccines — as is standard practice for all vaccine trials — almost 140,000 pregnant women have voluntarily joined the CDC’s V-safe COVID-19 Vaccine Pregnancy Registry since December, 2020.

    Cape Fear Valley Perinatology’s Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist Stuart Shelton, M.D. said this is an issue that has come up a lot lately with his patients. Dr. Shelton is the only maternal fetal medicine specialist, or perinatologist in Cumberland County. He has been practicing in Fayetteville 19 years.

    “So far, the data show no increased risk of miscarriage, birth defects, preterm birth. or stillbirth,” Dr. Shelton said. “Basically, there’s no increased risk of any adverse pregnancy outcomes. Data are still being collected and analyzed.”

    Shelton said he tells all his patients the same thing when they ask about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

    “I think the vaccine is safe, and I tell the patient that her risk of pregnancy complications is much higher if she gets COVID infection than it is with the vaccine,” he said. “And right now, we don’t know of any increased risks associated with the vaccine. If it was one of my family members or friends, I would highly recommend they get the vaccine without any reservation.”

    That’s not just his personal opinion. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine have highly recommended the vaccine for pregnant women and lactating women.

    “And the reason for that is they feel the vaccine is safe, and we know that if a woman gets COVID while pregnant, she has a higher risk of complications,” Stuart said.

    “Pregnant women with COVID-19 have a three-times higher risk of being admitted to the ICU, and about two to three times higher risk of being on a ventilator. Their chances of dying from complications of COVID, compared with a woman who is not pregnant, are about twice as high.”

    Shelton said that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are the best choices for women of childbearing age because of some very rare complications that have occurred in reproductive-age women who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

    Those complications were not related to pregnancy. However, the best choice for any person is the vaccine they are willing to take. For some women with severe needle phobias, the one-shot advantage of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine could make it the right choice for them.

    Though Dr. Shelton typically sees women who are already pregnant, he says rumors that vaccines cause infertility are unfounded based on available evidence. As noted by ACOG, given the mechanism of action and safety profile of mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna), COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are not a cause of infertility.

  • 02 Cuomo GOV FBAndrew Cuomo has resigned as a three-term Governor of New York after a parade of women alleged improper conduct and sexual harassment. Here is some of what he said in his official statement.

    “I thought a hug and putting my arm around a staff person while taking a picture was friendly, but she found it to be too forward."

    "I kissed a woman on the cheek at a wedding and I thought I was being nice, but she felt that it was too aggressive."

    "I have slipped and called people ‘honey,’ ‘sweetheart’ and ‘darling.’ I mean it to be endearing, but women found it dated and offensive."

    "I said on national TV to a doctor wearing PPE and giving me a COVID nasal swab, ‘You make that gown look good.’ I was joking, obviously, otherwise I wouldn’t have said it on national TV. But she found it disrespectful."

    "I have been too familiar with people. My sense of humor can be insensitive and off-putting. I do hug and kiss people casually, women and men. I have done it all my life …. In my mind, I’ve never crossed the line with anyone, but I didn’t realize the extent to which the line has been redrawn."

    "There are generational and cultural shifts that I just didn’t fully appreciate, and I should have. No excuses.”

    Cuomo is correct on both counts. Women today are less willing to tolerate behaviors we have tolerated in the past. And, he should have known better.

    I am Exhibit A of “generational and cultural shifts.” I have a photograph of myself with then U.S. Senator Al Franken of Minnesota taken at a political fundraiser in 2016 before Franken’s own fall for bad boy behavior.

    We are standing beside a dining room table, and he has his arm around my shoulder. No groping that all women find offensive, but it is telling that I never even noticed that a man I had met only minutes before had his hand on my bare shoulder until I saw the photo. A younger woman would have been far more conscious of physical contact than I was.

    Among the most bizarre aspects of Cuomo’s behavior is that he publicly positioned himself as a women’s rights and feminist advocate, all the while behaving like what back in the day was called a “male chauvinist pig,” or MCP for short.

    Cuomo, like millions of other men including Harvey Weinstein, Charlie Rose, Bill Cosby, Donald Trump, and countless ordinary men have not read, much less acknowledged, the change memo.

    Cuomo et al., men of a “certain age,” apparently believe they are not subject to the same rules, and laws for that matter, regarding human interactions that apply to the rest of us. Famous men have fallen, flamed out, or otherwise dropped from sight, as have many average Joes, believing themselves special and exempt.

    “Honey, sweetheart, and darling” are one thing, and some men may never get the point on that score, even though women keep trying.

    A lawyer friend whose client asked her to wear a certain dress to a meeting, told him, “sure, as soon as you pick it up from the cleaners.”

    Even the most boorish guys sometimes get it after taking such incoming from women they offend.

    Unwanted touching, groping, harassment, threatening job security are something else altogether, and men have lost families, careers and freedom over them.

    I have to believe men are getting the message, whether they like it or not. Cuomo et al., have become the poster boys of unacceptable, sometimes criminal, behavior.

    Public humiliation, not to mention prison time, generally gets people’s attention, and they are changing behaviors, however slowly.

    Cuomo’s resignation looks like progress to me.

    Pictured above: New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. (Photo courtesy www.facebook.com/GovernorAndrewCuomo/)

     

  • 01 service pnp cwpbh 03100 03132vFort Bragg is going to be renamed.

    Last year, Congress passed a law that forced the renaming of military bases with ties to the Confederacy like Fort Bragg, named after Confederate General Braxton Bragg.

    Now, a Commission from Washington, D.C. is meeting to develop a report on base renaming for the Secretary of Defense.

    If our community doesn’t engage, it will be this Commission that decides the new name of our base. I think that is wrong.

    In June 2020, when Congress was considering this move, I said any decision regarding renaming the base should be made by the Fort Bragg community. I still believe that is the case.

    This is a very tough issue for many in our community and I appreciate that there is a lot of passion on both sides.

    Now is the time for our community to come together. We need to respect one another and listen to one another. We can let this situation tear us apart, or we can use it to bring us together.

    Whether you agree or disagree, Braxton Bragg’s name will be removed from the base. Despite my belief that we should remove his name, I recognize the name Fort Bragg has meaning that transcends Braxton Bragg.

    When I visit with heads of state anywhere in the world and I tell them I represent Fort Bragg, their eyes light up. The reason is because the world recognizes and respects the men and women of our Airborne and Special Forces who have fought, bled and died to free the oppressed and spread peace and liberty throughout the world. Their sacrifices, as well as those by every family who has been stationed at Fort Bragg, should be honored.

    On Aug. 11, the Renaming Commission held a meeting with several community leaders at Fort Bragg. Before their meeting, I spoke with members of the Commission and I challenged them to do a better job to engage and listen to key voices across our community.

    Several new names for Fort Bragg were suggested at that meeting, but one stands out. One name suggested, in my opinion, erases any stigma associated with Braxton Bragg while also recognizing the heritage associated with our Airborne and Special Forces communities. That name is of an accomplished Union General in the Civil War who was later a Member of Congress and the U.S. Minister to Mexico.

    His name is Edward S. Bragg.

    There is precedent for a community coming together to replace an obscure but controversial name with a more positive choice with the same last name. Seattle is in King County, Washington. King County was originally named for William King, a person later found unacceptable because he was a slave owner. In 1986, the County Council renamed the County to instead honor Martin Luther King Jr. This decision allowed the community to come together and turn the page in a unifying way. I believe it is an example we should consider.

    While Edward S. Bragg is one name that should be considered, I do not suggest that I alone should choose the new name of Fort Bragg any more than a Commission full of people who do not live in our community should. This needs to be a community decision, but we need to act quickly.

    According to the Commission’s timeline, we have until the middle of September before members release their initial report to the Secretary of Defense.

    I believe your voice and the voices of our community need to be heard. The local elected leaders in Cumberland and surrounding counties need to weigh in. We also need to hear from the Chamber of Commerce and our local veteran organizations.

    The Commission will soon have a website allowing people to submit comments directly about renaming. In the meantime, organizations and folks should engage with local elected leaders, community leaders, or contact my office through my website at Hudson.House.Gov and I will be happy to relay your opinions, letters or resolutions to the Commission on your behalf.

    Fort Bragg is going to be renamed whether we like it or not. If our community doesn’t come together with a consensus name, one will be chosen for us. I believe the consensus name that could unite us is Edward S. Bragg.

    Now it’s time for our local elected and community leaders to join this discussion and bring us together. I stand ready to help.

    Pictured above: Many are calling for Fort Bragg to be renamed Fort Bragg in honor of Union General Edward S. Bragg. (Photo courtesy Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division)

  • 12 Tim Hair with Indian OutlawThe Gates Four Summer Concert Series is back this month with the penultimate show of the 2021 season featuring Tim Hair with Indian Outlaw on Aug. 28 at the Pavilion.

    “We are a southern, high-energy band,” said Tim Hair, the front man of the group. “We want to get the crowd involved, we want them singing and dancing along.”

    The seven-member band includes: Tim Hair on lead vocals; Jeff Eisemann on drums; Kevin Freeman on violin, cello and mandolin; Gina Gerard on keyboard, flute and harp; Dale Nelson on acoustic guitar; John Parker on bass guitar; and Ken Pittman on electric guitar.

    The band has been together for about a year, but individual members have decades of experience performing and entertaining audiences.

    “Jeff and I have known each other for about 10 years,” said Hair. “Jeff knew the others.” The band came together with the intent of performing at fairs, festivals and doing theater shows. “We didn’t want to play clubs late at night anymore.”

    Eisemann focused on putting together the best performance band he could, picking talented musicians from across the state. Band members live from Sandford to New Bern but come together for rehearsals and live shows.

    Hair has been performing as a Tim McGraw tribute artist for about 18 years, but “I’ve always been singing,” he said.
    Hair sang in church growing up and performed in concert choir while attending the University of Mount Olive. Later he sang at weddings and then clubs.

    People told him he looked like Tim McGraw many times, so as a joke, he attended a McGraw concert in the late 90s wearing the singer’s typical fashion of jeans, cowboy boots, hat and T-shirt.

    “I was bombarded by people,” Hair said. Some thought McGraw was walking through the crowd, some wanted to get their picture taken with him. At one point a security detail surrounded him.

    Hair decided to enjoy the experience and, being a fan of McGraw, began doing tribute shows, even performing in Las Vegas as part of Matt Lewis’ Vegas ShoWorks Entertainment. He’s also had a few opportunities to perform with McGraw on stage in 2001 in Charlotte and in 2014 in Raleigh. Hair sang back-up vocals during a virtual concert McGraw performed last year during the pandemic.

    Once, Hair took part in a “magic trick” at a McGraw concert. At the beginning of the show, McGraw’s security people walked Hair through the crowd to the stage. “It was an illusion,” Hair said. While the audience focused on Hair, the real Tim McGraw was hidden in the crowd to be revealed as a surprise when McGraw came out of hiding and started singing.

    Although he won’t be hiding anywhere at Gates Four, Hair said that is the kind of fun he and Indian Outlaw like to deliver to audiences.

    “The guys in the group are super excited to be playing [at Gates Four]. It is our first time here as a band,” Hair said. Hair has performed shows in the past at the Crown and at the Cumberland County Fair.

    “We come to have a great time and put on a good show,” he said.

    Indian Outlaw will perform three sets. The first two are a Tim McGraw tribute. “We perform his hits from the early days up through ‘Humble and Kind’ and a couple off his new album,” Hair said.

    “The third set is other fun songs, more southern rock,” he said. That set list includes songs to get the audience singing along such as “Keep Your Hands to Yourself,” “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Chicken Fried.”

    Tickets for Stylin Country: Tim Hair with Indian Outlaw are available for purchase online at www.fayettevilledinnertheatre.com. Tickets include dinner and the concert with lawn seating (bring your chair). For VIP tables, group rates or more information, call 910-391-3859.

    Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and the meal is served from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The concert is scheduled from 7 to 10 p.m. There will also be a complete line of beverages available at full-service cash bars. Concierge table service will be provided for VIP tables inside the Gates Four Pavilion.

    The Gates Four Summer Concert Series is sponsored by realtor Jay Dowdy of All American Homes, Piedmont Natural Gas, Up & Coming Weekly, Healy Wholesale and Gates Four Golf & Country Club.

    For more information about Tim Hair and Indian Outlaw visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/107438679278378.

     

  • 15 woman thinking I was born to a mother whose lack of ability to see led her to be raised as blind.

    She went to a school for the blind, read braille, listened to audio books long before they were trendy or commonplace, and was the picture of tenacity and strength in my youth.

    And though she was technically blind, as science and technology advanced, she was eventually able to see well enough to sew for family and friends and became a talented quilter in her latter years.

    Her spirit of pushing through adversity was a norm for me, and honestly could not have prepared me better for the decades that were ahead of me.

    I've been honored to live shoulder to shoulder with a woman as strong or stronger than anyone I've ever known – my wife.

    Born with a club foot deformity, Dorothy's parents knew her strength early on. Though she endured multiple surgeries, was relegated to braces and formative footwear for much of her early life, she chose to be an achiever over a victim of circumstance.

    Her ability to ever walk was in question when she started school, but she never relented in her pursuit of a full life, to the point of even becoming a cheerleader in high school.

    The Bible makes much of strong women. In Proverbs 31:16-17 it says, "She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong."

    That passage offers a clear view of the woman I've walked and worked with for more than 40 years. In all honesty, it can feel simultaneously like both a blessing and a curse to yoke yourself with someone willing to tackle problems head on, and never stop at the point of 'good enough.'

    In the final equation however, it's admirable. The tenacity it took to literally climb the stairs in a leg brace as a child has been applied to one adverse situation after another, virtually turning what might seem like dead ends to some into mere obstacles on the course for Dorothy.

    From incredibly humble beginnings, her unwillingness to stop at any level of mediocrity has led her to rise from retail clerk to multi-store buyer, and from administrative assistant to company owner. All the while raising children and grandchildren and leaving no stone unturned in her quest for the very best she can offer.

    Dorothy DeBruler is currently one of the owners of Grander Vision Media, the company which operates local Christian radio station WCLN-FM.

    Her day-to-day efforts enable the life transforming message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to reach thousands of daily listeners through radio and several digital platforms.

     

     

  • 14 headshotShari Fiveash moved to Fayetteville earlier this year to start her new role as the President and CEO of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber.

    “I am new in this role in Fayetteville, but I have done nonprofit management for chambers and associations for a little over 30 years now,” she said.

    After earning a bachelor’s degree in Design at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Fiveash spent her career in roles with multiple chambers, economic development, nonprofits, visitor bureaus, association in management positions and event hotel management.

    “A design degree you wouldn’t have thought would work but has worked very well in my position,” she said. “I have helped design a welcome center in Missouri, I was the lead contractor for a remodel of a chamber in Kentucky, so I have used my degree but just not straight up, and you never know what's going to lead you to what you
    really like.”

    Since moving to North Carolina from Connecticut, Fiveash has been taking on her role as Chamber president with enthusiasm and a respect for local organizations and businesses.

    “Once you get into it, you kind of get a passion for that nonprofit and hospitality and kind of do that service thing,” Fiveash said.

    “It’s kind of addictive, you get attached to it because you enjoy working with people and the opportunity to meet new people and not doing the same thing every day.”

    Originally Fiveash had looked at job opportunities in Georgia and South Carolina which weren’t the exact fit and wasn’t sure of the position in Fayetteville, before she met the people and that’s what sold her on being here, she mentioned.

    “It was just a really nice group of people I spoke with, it was just the right situation,” Fiveash said.

    The Greater Fayetteville Chamber acts as the catalyst in growing a healthy business community through advocacy of business-friendly public policy, fostering of diverse innovative business initiatives, delivering valuable programs and services to the community.

    The Chamber’s origins can be traced back to 1899 and has functioned under various names for 100 years.

    “This Chamber is coming out of COVID just like a lot of businesses, we were down staffed, and we took a hit just like everyone else did so we are picking up the pieces and coming back together and trying to regroup so I am doing a lot of jobs that I might not normally be doing,” she said. “We are trying to grow back and open up and do all kinds of things.”

    Due to those reasons, Fiveash said she’s currently wearing lots of hats that she wouldn’t normally have on and there’s no average day for her as they are still rebuilding.

    Her day involves a lot of answering questions and reaching out to people, a lot of operations and marketing, she said.

    “So everything’s changed a little bit due to COVID and we’re trying to bring everything back up and dust them off and change them up a little bit and make everything bigger and better,” Fiveash mentioned.

    After starting her position, she’s focused on regrouping and has helped celebrate the Army’s birthday, the business networking breakfast, coffee clubs and more.

    “The Chamber's main purpose is to help keep the economy strong in our community,” Fiveash said. “We help businesses grow, thrive, network with educational opportunities, resources and more so that they have the opportunity to prosper and help our community to do so also.”

    Her main job function is working for the directors of the chamber, by taking their vision and applying her experience to help craft it and lead the business community in the right direction, she mentioned.

    The Great Fayetteville Chamber belongs to the state and national chamber, and has a government committee that does lobbying and stays aware of the different things on different levels for businesses and the community. The Chamber also helps the community take up leadership positions in local government.

    “Right now there’s a lot of open positions on different committees in the city, county, and so we have a program called Leadership Fayetteville where we try to educate people and encourage them to not so much be political figures but to give up their time, talent and service to our community,” Fiveash said.

    A part of her vision as the new president and CEO of the chamber is to implement new programs.

    “One of the things I discussed with the government relations group is Washington Fly-In, where you go see many legislators in D.C. which I think have a viable impact and value,” Fiveash said. “Another program I would like to see happen here is where we teach kids to make business plans, a joint effort with the school system and small businesses.”

    She wants to see young entrepreneurs grow and teach them the value of staying in the community.

    “We’ve got some great colleges and teaching kids there is great opportunity here and continue to grow our community with some young entrepreneurs, keep growing our economy that would be very valuable,” she mentioned.

    In her free time, Fiveash says she enjoys the beach, loves a good bargain, estate sales and auctions as well as drawing and painting which she hopes to get back into as time permits. She is also a Rotarian.

    Every one of her past roles have been different from each other, but all focus on service and helping the community stay prosperous and grow, she says.

    “I would say seeing a community grow and blossom is what inspires me,” Fiveash added. “This community is growing and changing, it's just on the cusp, it could be so much more and I think that potential is there, but they just need a little push and a nudge over the edge to make some big leaps.”

    Pictured above: Shari Fiveash is the President and CEO of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber.

  • 10 IMG 4842Linda Carnes-McNaughton has spent her career as an archaeologist and works as such on Fort Bragg. “I discovered anthropology, the study of human cultures, biology and behaviors.

    It seemed like a perfect fit, then I went on ‘a dig’ and knew that was what I wanted to do forever, I wanted to learn about people of the past through discovery.”

    As a military brat, Carnes-McNaughton was immersed in other cultures as a child when the family moved around. In Japan, at the age of 6, she took language classes, traditional dance and crafts and enjoyed the games she played with Japanese children.

    “I think that experience, that exposure, that immersion into another culture at such a young age, planted the seed of anthropology in my head.”

    In her current work, Carnes-McNaughton said archaeologists are able to engage with folks who have direct connections to this land as well as others who want to know more about the people of the past.

    She goes on to say, “One of our current responsibilities is working with federally-recognized Indian Nations who once called the Sandhills their homelands. Building respectful long-term relationships with these heritage families enhances our understanding of this landscape and its vital natural resources.”
    “The term ‘heritage families’ refers to families whose ancestors we know from documentation and oral histories once lived on this landscape. Their ancestors could have been Native Americans, or early colonists or former enslaved Africans who lived here, raised families here and may have died here, and are buried in one of our 26 early historic cemeteries. The work we do in discovering people of the past is greatly enhanced by the families’ histories shared by descendants. Often, we can share what we learn about an old farm or house site with descendants and they will then share their knowledge with us.”

    At this point in her career, she has been on nearly 100 digs, most of those in the southeastern United States, but primarily in North Carolina.

    “Once I was fortunate enough to do a small survey in Northern Ireland on historic pottery manufacturing sites. Over the years, I worked as an archaeologist for university-sponsored field projects, private-consulting agencies, and state- and now, federal-government programs,” she said.

    “The sites ranged in age from prehistoric times to historic cultural periods; sites like 2000-year old soapstone quarry sites, to 19th century tar kilns, or early pottery kiln sites, to battlefield sites, home sites, colonial towns, prehistoric village sites, some cemeteries and even work on pirate shipwrecks.”

    Carnes-McNaughton co-authored the book “Blackbeard’s Sunken Treasure: The 300-year Voyage of Queen Anne’s Revenge,” with Mark U. Wilde-Ramsing. She really enjoyed working on the project. “I specialize in material culture studies (the artifacts – how they are made, what they date to, what they are used for, how they get recycled and who used them).”

    She began as a volunteer on the shipwreck project looking at the pottery and glass recovered on this 1718 site. Then, the work expanded into examining items of personal gear such as items of clothing, smoking pipes, ornamentation like beads and buttons, buckles, etc., as well as navigational equipment, and then cooking or galley artifacts and finally into the realm of maritime medicines such as looking at medical equipment found on the wreck.

    “All this research led to a better understanding of who is represented by the artifacts, leaning more about activities that took place and how the remains of the wreck ended up on the ocean floor,” Carnes-McNaughton said. “My co-author was the former QAR project director, an underwater and we realized that between us we made a great team to document what has been found on this important shipwreck. I enjoy this research as much as I enjoy pottery research.”

    Working outdoors has always appealed to Carnes-McNaughton and excavation has always been her preferred avenue of discovery. She enjoys the fieldwork the most but also enjoys interaction with the people (descendants and others) who have a vested interest in the history of the Sandhills and pre-Fort Bragg landscape. She also likes starting a conversation by sharing a single artifact and talking about what it means to different people. That is oftentimes very intriguing.

    “If I had to pick one single site that was a life-changing experience it was helping to excavate the oldest European-style pottery kiln found in North America, the 1566 kiln at the Spanish fort site of Santa Elena on Parris Island, South Carolina.” said Carnes-McNaughton. “That was sheer delight.”

    Carnes-McNaughton encourages others to explore the field in which she has found a rewarding career.

    “Archaeology is important science in that it helps us look at the past in order to understand the present and future of our place on this planet. Being an archaeologist means looking at the world around us in a different perspective. We learn to be humanists at the same time we practice our science.”

    Pictured above: Linda Carnes-McNaughton is an archaeologist on Fort Bragg. (Photos courtesy Fort Bragg Garrison PAO)

  • 09 Peace Easton 1400x1484Coaches play a pivotal role in the lives of their players and they carry the huge responsibility of having to develop them as individuals and athletes. Peace Shepard Easton is qualified, willing, and more than ready for this responsibility and challenge as the new coach for Fayetteville Tech’s women’s basketball.

    Her extensive background began with her start in playing recreational basketball in her elementary years. During her middle and high school years, she played basketball, ran track and participated in volleyball. Volleyball was one of her top sports and she was also good in track and field with the triple jump, high jump, long jump and 4x400 relay.

    Easton excelled in all three sports and graduated from Swansboro High School in 1993. She attended basketball camps and was recruited by several colleges in the ACC.

    Easton attended N. C. State where she played for Coach Kay Yow. In her senior year, Eaton helped the Wolfpack make it to the NCAA Final Four. She also played professional basketball after college overseas in Italy, Brazil, Honduras, Ecuador, Finland and Greece.

    Her awards include Coach of the Year, Hall of Fame inductee, MVP, numerous state championships, state playoffs and more. Easton was previously the coach of Holly Springs High School for seven years. While there, Easton racked up 100 wins and earned conference coach of the year honors three times and lead the program to four conference chanpionships and five state playoffs.

    With having the substantial experience of more than thirty-something years of coaching and playing basketball FTCC Athletic Director Dr. Shannon Yates gave Easton the opportunity to lead the Trojans.

    “I am looking forward to being their influencer, coach, big sister and mentor,” said Easton.

    “By having been a high school student, a college basketball player, a professional basketball player, and a coach, I don’t have all the answers, but I can at least guide the ladies in the right direction to do the right thing because I have been through it.”

    She added, “I understand the struggles of being a high school basketball player from a small town trying to be noticed.”

    Easton had a life changing experience during her childhood.

    “My father had a stroke when I was in the 8th grade so I was living in a home where my mom took care of my dad,” said Easton. “He is paralyzed on his right side, can’t talk, and nothing has changed besides he has gotten older and has become more dependent on my mom who has been the best wife that any husband could actually have.”

    "People didn’t know that I have always assisted her in the background and a lot of people did not know that I had all of this going on in the spotlight with basketball,” said Easton.

    “They never knew that I was coming home to a mother who was taking care of my father, showed me how to make lemons out of lemonade, and she is my biggest influencer.”

    Coach Easton earned a bachelor's degree in sociology and spends time working in health services.

    “At the moment I have worked for five years with UNC and I have been working with Medicare claims,” said Easton.

    “So basically I assist providers as far as getting their claims paid in regards to if it is going to be covered by Medicare, the patient, or hospice.”

    Easton added that she has been in health care since she graduated from high school and started out at Sigma.

    Coach Easton has great plans for Fayetteville Technical Community College’s Women’s basketball team.

    “I just want to make a difference as far as trying to get kids to the next step and using my background, connections and networks that I have created in the past,” said Easton.

    “I made a lot of relationships and I want to take advantage of that because there are a lot of people that I know who are college coaches in any realm of Division I, II and III.”

    She added, “I want to take those relationships and help make the lives better for my athletes.”

    When asked what is the one thing that people would be surprised to know about her, she responded, “They would be surprised to know that I am very shy and I don’t like public speaking or being in the spotlight, but there is something about when I get on the court and start coaching, it just leaves me,” said Easton. “There is no fear at all and I am in my element at that time, but I like for someone else to do the speaking and I will tell them thanks for doing a great job.”

    As far as beginning her first season at FTCC, Easton was quick to share her thoughts: “I am very proud and excited to be given the opportunity in the college world to coach,” said Easton. “It has always been a dream of mine.”

    Pictured above: Peace Shepard Easton brings decades of experience to her role as head coach of FTCC's women's basketball. (Photos courtesy Fayetteville Technical Community College)

     

  • 05 hurricane imageHurricanes are dangerous and can cause major inland damage because of high wind, heavy rain, flooding and tornadoes. A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from the base of a thunderstorm down to the ground.

    Tornadoes can occur at any time of day or night and at any time of the year. They are most common in the southeastern states and the central plains. In recent history the month of September has been the most active period for Atlantic storms. Hurricanes Matthew and Florence impacted the greater Fayetteville area causing severe flood damage.

    Households should have emergency plans and provisions in the event of lengthy power outages. Cell phones should be kept charged, and when you know a hurricane is in the forecast purchase backup charging devices to power electronics.

    Plan, prepare and be ready for emergencies with The Public Works Commission’s 2021 Storm Preparation Guide. Request a copy of the guide at PWC’s website www.faypwc.com. Copies of the Guides are also available at Up & Coming Weekly stands in Fayetteville and Cumberland County.

  • 07 Fayetteville Highway LitterThe N.C. Department of Transportation needs volunteers to help clean up roadside trash along during the Adopt-A-Highway Fall Litter Sweep from Sept. 11-25.

    Each April and September, NCDOT asks volunteers to help remove litter from street sides. Volunteers from local businesses, schools, nonprofits, churches, municipalities, law enforcement and community groups play an important role in keeping North Carolina’s roads clean. Joining this effort is easier than ever before as volunteers can now sign up by way of a convenient online form.

    “The litter sweep is a great opportunity to get outdoors with family and friends and work alongside NCDOT to ensure North Carolina remains a beautiful place to live and work.”

    Volunteers can request supplies such as trash bags, gloves, and safety vests from local NCDOT county maintenance offices. Anyone who has been recently diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19 should refrain from participating. For more information visit www.ncdot.gov/or call 919-707-2970.

  • 04 Field of HonorThe Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation says there is a limited number of Field of Honor flags left for purchase at $45 each.

    Each flag comes with its own story and displays a tag identifying the person who sponsored the flag and the honoree.

    This living display of heroism flies as a patriotic tribute to the strength and unity of Americans and honors all who are currently serving, those who have served, and the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation’s freedom.

    The Field of Honor will be displayed on the Museum's Parade Field Sept. 11 through Nov. 14.

  • 08 N1211P12003HSome active duty soldiers and veterans are being “grossly” overcharged for VA home loans, and federal regulators need to suspend or ban alleged bad actors and strengthen their oversight over lenders, according to a new report from the office of Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif.

    The report alleges that NewDay USA and The Federal Savings Bank are aggressively refinancing loans with fees and interest rates that could cost borrowers tens of thousands of dollars more over the life of the loans compared to other lenders.

    “It is despicable that corporate executives would prey on veterans and military families to line their pockets,” said Porter in an announcement of the report, titled “AWOL: How watchdogs are failing to protect servicemembers from financial scams.”

    The report “calls out the lenders that are continuing to single out vulnerable military borrowers for overpriced, cash-out refi mortgages.

  • 03 opioid crisisThe Cumberland County Department of Public Health began distributing naloxone Aug. 10 after receiving funding approval from the County Commissioners and Alliance Health. Naloxone, commonly known as NARCAN, is a lifesaving medication that is used to reverse an opioid overdose. It works by blocking the effects of the opioids in the person’s system, reversing the overdose. Naloxone can be given nasally or injected into the muscle.

    The distribution of naloxone is to benefit those who are at risk of a potential opioid overdose. Individuals can pick up a kit if they have friends, family or a loved one who are at risk of an opioid overdose or for people who want to help if they see someone having an opioid overdose. Everyone qualifies to pick up naloxone from the Health Department.

    Naloxone kits are available at the CCDPH Pharmacy located on the first floor at 1235 Ramsey St., Fayetteville and will be available at no charge while supplies last. Pharmacy hours are Monday –Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. – noon. The pharmacy is closed for lunch from 12-1 p.m.

    For more information if you or someone you know is struggling with opioid addiction, please seek help by visiting allianceforaction.org or calling Alliance Health at 800-510-9132.

  • 02 KearneyThe city of Fayetteville was going to host a virtual town hall this month on a proposal to update the city’s code of ordinances. But officials changed their minds at the request of city council member D.J. Haire.

    Haire is concerned that proposed changes to Article 30 of Fayetteville’s Unified Development ordinance are not thorough. The planned change would strengthen regulations governing so-called halfway houses. The city’s planning commission, which has initial jurisdiction, was to have held the town hall and was asked to postpone it.

    Of special interest to city council is a plan by DISMAS Charities Inc., of Louisville, Kentucky, to build a 14,339 square foot, 100-bed halfway house for federal prisoners at 901-905 Cain Road. DISMAS Charities is a private company contracted by the Federal Bureau of Prisons to operate residential reentry centers. The BOP has the authority to place inmates in reentry halfway houses to serve the remainder of their sentences which it says is normally six months to a year. If built as proposed, the Cain Road institution would be the company’s largest center. The 36 establishments operated nationwide by DISMAS Charities average 25 inmates.

    The company’s interest in constructing such a large facility could be to compensate for the reduction and/or cancellation of federal halfway houses which began in the summer of 2017. Sixteen federal facilities previously under contract with the BOP were closed. The goal is to provide prisoners with programs to help them successfully transition back into society. Programming can include work, education, vocational training, drug and mental health treatment as well as custodial release preparation.

    The property on Cain Road abuts the Scotty Hills / Shamrock neighborhood. Residents fear an institution for housing federal prisoners would negatively impact surrounding property values and create a safety issue. In February of 2020, by a vote of 5-4, city council denied DISMAS a special use permit which would have allowed the company to build the halfway house. The firm appealed, and on Sept. 3 Superior Court Judge Mary Ann Tally affirmed city council’s decision. It is now before the North Carolina Court of Appeals.

    The proposal under consideration by city government is to abandon the term halfway house and establish ‘community reintegration centers.’ Revised ordinance amendments would limit the number of residents allowed in future centers. If a community reintegration center is located within 500 feet of a single-family residential zoning district the number of residents shall not exceed 30 people. If located within 500 feet of a multi-family residential district, the number of residents shall not exceed 40 people. The distance would be measured from the property line of the community reintegration center to the property line of the nearest residential property.

    Reintegration centers are defined as treatment complexes rather than housing units. Zoning districts where they would be allowed would be reduced, effectively barring them in or near housing areas. On June 15, the planning commission reviewed the proposed ordinance amendments and voted unanimously to recommend their adoption. Once a rescheduled virtual town hall is held, the commission will consider the application, relevant support materials, the staff report and comments given by the public.

    Pictured above: This file photo shows a DISMAS reentry center in Kearney, Nebraska. (Photo courtesy www.dismas.com)

     

  • 01 1065313206827511 2596566957563000637 nMy earliest memory is of my mother taking my 2-year-old hands and physically showing me how to pick up the pretzels I had just poured out on the floor. The image is as clear in my mind as yesterday’s lunch. My mother guided my hands over the piles of pretzels, scooping up bits and pieces, as I resisted with a toddler’s fury.

    There would be many more lessons for me about taking responsibility for my actions, and many more times when my mother would remind me that my actions have consequences. Some of the lessons would be about something as simple as cleaning up my own messes. Others would be life altering decisions that would affect not only me, but my family as well.

    Through the early years, my mother guided me and shared her own experiences. As I grew older, ventured out on my own and started a family, my mother encouraged and supported my decisions but continued to hold me responsible for my choices. She reminded me often that my son was watching me, that my actions would influence him.

    During my own upbringing it was an accepted truism that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to and was willing to sacrifice for. My sister and I were brought up to take care of ourselves, not to rely on a mate to complete us or support us financially. That ingrained independence has certainly brought me some trouble, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

    Our mother and father never specified what was women’s work or what a man was supposed to do. They lived it. Both my parents cooked and cleaned. Both did laundry. My mom looked after us when dad was at work. My dad looked after us when mom was taking night classes.

    From their examples, my sister and I felt comfortable following our own paths, making choices for ourselves. My sister became a special education teacher. I got a degree in journalism and joined the Army.

    Although a recruiter told me “they don’t let girls in Special Forces” when I was 15, I went on to spend half my Army career serving in Special Operations units in the U.S. and overseas. I’ve been the only woman in the room when serious decisions were being made. I’ve felt the pressure of voicing my concerns when mine was the lone dissenting opinion. I’ve felt the relief of having my voice heard and respected. I’ve felt the pride that comes from a job well done. That pride is the result of hard work and accompanied by a refusal to accept mediocre efforts.

    In the military, mediocre efforts are frowned upon, to say the least. Likewise, on the civilian side, it is hardly news that mediocre efforts rarely meet with real success, the lasting kind that inspires others. Starting with my own mother, I’ve been fortunate in my life to have several examples of women crushing mediocrity and living by example. These women do not accept the status quo, or let someone put them in a “woman’s place” in their education, home or work life. I feel blessed to have been able to help motivate a few young women and men to achieve their own goals by not settling.

    Being the editor of Up & Coming Weekly, I’ve come across many stories of amazing women crushing stereotypes and refusing to allow mediocre standards to slide. These women push their own limits and inspire others, both men and women, to do the same. They accept nothing less than their own best effort to achieve their goals. We are honored to be able to showcase a few of these women in this week’s magazine.

    So, grab a snack — maybe a bag of pretzels — and enjoy reading this issue of Up & Coming Weekly.

    Pictured above: Many of our examples of women (and men) crushing mediocrity come from our own families.

  • 12 ai5i2550 copy copyTammy Thurman strives every day to serve the community professionally and personally. As the Senior Community and Government Relations Manager for Piedmont Gas, she is in charge of the six eastern North Carolina areas to include Fayetteville, Goldsboro, Wilmington, New Bern, Elizabeth City and Tarboro.

    Originally from Dunn, Thurman attended St. Augustine University in Raleigh and received her degree in Mass Communication. She took a gap year after college while working as a teacher at E.E. Smith High School in Fayetteville.

    “But that’s not what I had gone to school for, my student loans were more than what I was making so I ended up at a telecommunications company, still was not where I wanted to be at but that was my first introduction to working with a utility and then I ended at Progress Energy who was bought by Piedmont Natural Gas,” Thurman said.

    Thurman has been with Piedmont Gas for 18 years, first in customer service and eventually worked her way up to community relations. In her customer service role, she started many initiatives and committees where they would give back to the community on behalf of Piedmont.

    She had always loved serving the community and wanted to do it for a company.

    “I said ‘Lord, I am praying that you open up an opportunity for our company to see my work and see they need me in the community representing them,’” Thurman said. “Long story short, in 2013, a position opened up for community relations in eastern North Carolina and I applied for it and got the job, and it quickly changed from a job to a career.”

    In her current role, she serves as the ambassador and in-between person between the company and the community for the eastern region.

    “What that looks like is any non-profits, any commerce chambers, your local government, all of those people come through me when they want to ask questions or want responses from Piedmont,” she said. “I am the philanthropist for the company in this region, we support and give back huge amounts of philanthropic dollars to the communities across the state.”

    She says she actively seeks out organizations to partner with like The Arts Council in Fayetteville, local music festivals, nonprofits and more.

    “I would say I have an average day, but I would be lying," Thurman said. "It consists of four to five on-call meetings, some events to represent the company. For the most part it's just a matter of tossing some apples in the air, but that's part of what makes my job so intriguing, it’s always a new challenge and that’s what keeps me going.”

    Her work and life are all about serving, serving and more serving, she said chuckling.

    Apart from her professional role at Piedmont, Thurman is on the board and committee for many different organizations. She’s a part of the United Way of Cumberland County, board member for American Heart Associations in Wilmington, trustee at Cape Fear Hospital, board member at the Greater Fayetteville Chamber, North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities in Raleigh, and the USO at Fort Bragg.

    She noticed a while ago that she wasn’t doing much outside of her career and wanted to do something outside of that.

    “My heart is to help young high school or college aged women, that's a passion for me,” Thurman mentioned.

    Being a motivational speaker, she wanted to share her story, and decided to participate on an anthology project with 41 other women across the nation to write the compilation book “Women Crushing Mediocrity” by Dr. Cheryl Wood.

    The book meant for women by women shares real life experiences and aims to provide motivation through true stories from the authors of things they went through, touching on topics such as self-esteem, procrastination, life after divorce, being a single woman and more. Thurman’s portion of the book is focused on how and if one wants to change.

    “For me it's about the way you say things, the way you approach things, but at some point, a light goes off that has to say, ‘I cannot keep doing the same thing and expect different outcomes,’ not if I want true change.” Thurman said.

    In the book, she talks about her call center experience and how unhappy and upset she was with work.

    “I kept saying everything around me needs to change but someone pointed out that wasn’t the case and something in me needed to change,” she said. “And it took about 12 months to digest and work it out. When I got that new mind change, all my pain and complaining stopped.”

    Thurman also hosts a radio show called, “A Nation of Sisters”’ on local station WIDU, about motivating women, and talks to women in the military, medical fields, ministries, students and more, she said.

    When she’s not dedicating her life to serving others, you can catch Thurman hanging out with her two dogs, on the beach or at amusement parks.

    Pictured above: Tammy Thurman is the Senior Community and Government Relations Manager for Piedmont Gas, partnering with many organizations in the region. She also hosts "A Nation of Sisters," a show on local WIDU radio.

     

  • 13 transworldAccording to Investopedia, an exit strategy is defined as “... an entrepreneur's strategic plan to sell his or her ownership in a company to investors or another company.”

    An exit strategy gives a business owner the capacity to reduce his/her stake in the business.

    If a business is successful, the business can make a substantial profit, but if the business is not highly successful, an exit strategy allows a business owner to limit their losses. In either scenario, an exit strategy is important.

    As one might imagine, there are a number of different exit strategies to consider, but the most common are: initial public offerings, strategic acquisitions (sale of the business), management buyouts.

    The decision of which exit strategy is best to use often lies in how much control or involvement, if any, the business owner would like to have after they exit.

    For instance, a strategic acquisition means the business owner loses all stakes; therefore, they have no responsibility or control.

    The new owners may do what they wish with the newly acquired business.

    An initial public offering, like the name suggests, is when a private business decides to go public.

    This means that any major debt or lack of investor funding can be remedied by allowing the public to have a stake (in stock) of the business.

    Often, once a company goes public, the owner may still have a leadership role in the company, but all financial aspects of the company are now public.

    IPOs are becoming more popular again, but are not efficient for small businesses.

    Alternatively, a management buyout means that those who currently manage the company wish to buy it from the owner, who may be more hands-off in the day-to-day logistics.

    This is appealing to the management team because they go from employees to owners, which is a major promotion.

    This can be achieved through an employee stock ownership plan, but again the company needs to be of a certain scale for the ESOP to be an economical strategy.

    Our advice is to plan ahead and if you are considering an exit strategy in the next two years or so, seek the assistance of a business advisor who has the skill set and professional tools to help you decide which option is best for you and your business needs.

  • 12 N2108P33005HThe Student Learning Center at Fayetteville Technical Community College is a source of positive encouragement and support for all current and future FTCC students. Students who visit the SLC find a place to ask questions and receive assistance without feeling embarrassed or inadequate.

    Whether a recent high school graduate or one who hasn’t been in class for twenty years, students are welcomed and made to feel comfortable at the SLC. Staff encourage independent learning and provide students with tutoring and supplemental instruction to deepen their comprehension of key concepts.

    At the SLC, there are 10 qualified instructors ready to support students as they pursue academics. Instructors in the SLC work to bridge the gap between learning and understanding. Each instructor has a higher education degree and has worked closely with adult learners for many years. SLC staff facilitate learning in the areas of English, math, science, Spanish and much more. The staff is invested in student success and constantly encourages students to not give up on achieving their academic goals.

    Students learn differently, and the SLC staff understands the challenges students face each semester. In fact, SLC staff members encourage students to visit the SLC as soon as they have a question or feel assistance is needed, rather than delaying. Students are provided a welcoming atmosphere with comfortable seating, computers, laptops and group instruction rooms. Additionally, the SLC has mobile whiteboards and whiteboard tables to promote interactive learning. Students can also use the SLC as a place for study between or after classes.

    In addition to one-on-one tutoring offered in the SLC, NetTutor Online Tutoring Service is available for students. NetTutor is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The tutoring service is available through FTCC student Blackboard accounts. The SLC has specialized labs for math, science and writing. These labs offer students one-on-one experiences within a more focused setting.

    Throughout the COVID pandemic, the SLC maintained CDC guidelines and safely remained open to provide face-to-face services to FTCC students. For students who were unable to visit campus during the pandemic, the SLC offered students virtual tutoring appointments, enabling students to continue to receive personal assistance.

    Using the SLC is free, and no appointment is necessary. Students simply present the FTCC student ID card for easy access at the sign-in kiosk. Virtual sessions are also available for FTCC students by contacting the SLC via phone call or email.

    The SLC is located inside the Harry F. Shaw Virtual College Center at the Fayetteville campus. Hours of operation are Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Students may direct questions about the SLC to learningcenter@faytechcc.edu or 910-678-8266.

    Join us for fall semester at Fayetteville Technical Community College for an amazing academic journey.

  • 09 N2105P66009HCape Fear Valley Health System has made COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for its 7,000 employees, physicians, students, vendors and volunteers. The deadline for compliance is Oct. 1.

    “With the rising trend in positive COVID-19 cases locally and nationally, vaccinations remain our best defense against the pandemic,” said Cape Fear Valley Health CEO Michael Nagowski.

    COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths are rapidly increasing locally. Only 50-55% of Cape Fear Valley’s employees have been vaccinated to date, said health system spokesperson Chaka Jordan.

    Cumberland County’s COVID-19 test positivity rate is 13.7%. This rate has increased significantly in the last two weeks. The CEO and other members of the health system’s leadership held town hall events with employees to answer questions before making this decision. Employees with medical or religious concerns are eligible for exemptions. Nagowski said employees will not be required to use vacation time to get their vaccines.

    The Fape Fear Valley Health System includes the Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, Highsmith-Rainey Specialty Hospital, Cape Fear Valley Rehabilitation Center, Behavioral Health Care, Bladen County Hospital, Hoke Hospital, Health Pavilion North, Health Pavilion Hoke and Harnett Health.

    On July 27, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised mask guidance. In areas with substantial and high transmission, like Cumberland County, the CDC recommends that everyone, including fully vaccinated individuals, wear masks in public indoor settings to help prevent the spread of the Delta variant and protect others. City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County government employees and people visiting public buildings are again required to wear masks.

    City Manager Doug Hewett distributed a memo via email to city employees announcing the change. Citizens are encouraged to schedule appointments before entering City Hall. Residents can access many city services 24/7 at fayettevillenc.gov.

    County Manager Amy Cannon echoed Hewett’s concerns. “We are monitoring our county metrics and the recommendations from the CDC, State health officials and our Public Health Director Dr. Jennifer Green regarding any further protective measures,” Cannon said.

    The Fayetteville Area System of Transit has instituted requirements for bus riders. FAST employees and passengers must wear face masks, not face shields or bandanas. Passenger capacity has been reduced from 35 to 22 on buses. Bus seats are marked for social distancing.

    Passengers should enter and exit buses from the rear doors. Daily disinfecting and cleaning of FAST facilities and buses are scheduled.

    Vaccination clinics are available countywide. Walk-ins are welcome at Cape Fear Valley vaccine clinics during the month of August until clinic capacity is reached, but appointments are preferred. Visit www.capefearvalley.com/covid19.

    Free vaccines are also available at the Cumberland County Department of Public Health located at 1235 Ramsey St., weekdays 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. No appointments are needed. Learn more at cumberlandcountync.gov/covid19.

  • 08 County Covid IMG 4914Cumberland County leaders conducted a press conference Aug. 6 with health officials to encourage residents to get a COVID-19 vaccination and to continue to mask-up due to the Delta variant and the 837 new COVID-19 cases in the county over the previous seven days.

    “The best protection against this virus is the vaccine and I encourage everyone to get vaccinated,” said Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Chairman Charles Evans.

    Dr. Jennifer Green, Cumberland County Public Health Director, said the COVID-19 Delta variant is much more contagious than the original strand. She added that the COVID-19 positive infection rate is currently above 15% and hospitalizations are increasing. The percent positive needs to be closer to 5% for everyone’s safety according to the World Health Organization.

    “I know the frustration among the vaccinated is growing with the unvaccinated, I ask you take that frustration and turn it into conversation,” Green said. “I know that conversations with your friends and family will make a difference.”

    At the height of the COVID-19 outbreak in January, Cape Fear Valley Medical Center had approximately 130 people admitted to the hospital, according to Mike Nagowski, Chief Executive Officer for Cape Fear Valley Health System. As vaccines started to be administered, that number had a downward trend to 14 people who were COVID positive.

    “In the last six weeks, as the Delta variant has taken hold … we now have 89 people who are COVID positive in our hospital. Almost every single person in the hospital is unvaccinated,” said Nagowski, who described the Delta variant as “like the original COVID on steroids.”

    The medical center is seeing younger patients. “The people dying today are far different than those who were dying in the beginning of the pandemic,” Nagowski said.

    Cumberland County Schools will return on Aug. 23 for in-person learning for traditional calendar schools. According to Cumberland County Schools Director of Health Services Shirley Bolden, the top priority for the school year is to operate in-person learning all year long as safely as possible.

    “In keeping with the recommendation of the local, state and national health officials, Cumberland County Schools Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connolly plans to recommend to the Board of Education universal masking for all students and staff at the beginning of the 2021-22 school year. This would be for all pre-K through 12th-grade students and staff, regardless of their vaccination status,” Bolden said.

    This action is intended to reduce the number of students needing to quarantine in the event of an exposure. “We believe that universal masking can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the school setting,” she said.

    In addition to universal masking, the goal is to maintain social distancing of 3 feet between students and 6 feet between staff. CCS is also encouraging those who are not vaccinated to do so now to slow the spread of the virus.

    “Thanks to federal funding, COVID-19 testing will also be available and will provide one more layer of protection to help keep students and staff safe,” Bolden said.

    Clinics will be held at Cumberland County Public Library locations on Saturdays in August from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Appointments are not needed.
    Aug. 14 at Hope Mills Library
    Aug. 21 at East Regional Library
    Aug. 28 at Spring Lake Regional Library

    The Department of Public Health, 1235 Ramsey St., offers the vaccine weekdays from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Pfizer and J&J vaccinations are available by appointment or walk-ins will be accepted.

    View the COVID-19 vaccination calendar and make an appointment at cumberlandcountync.gov/covid19.

    Pictured above: Chairman Charles Evans speaks at a press conference Aug. 6. (Photo courtesy Cumberland County)

  • 07 students walkingFayetteville Technical Community College’s High School Connections program provides high school students the option to begin earning college credit while still in high school.

    HSC offers more than 30 Career and Technical Education certificate programs that lead to entry-level job credentials/certificates. These pathways provide essential knowledge, technical capabilities and employability skills for career success that bridge workforce gaps by linking secondary and post-secondary curriculum.

    This summer, FTCC Foundation received two grants from local organizations that will be used to create a resource fund for the HSC program
    at FTCC.

    Cumberland Community Foundation awarded a Community Grant in the amount of $20,000.

    The United Way of Cumberland County awarded the Foundation a $15,000 grant through the Youth Growth Stock Trust.

    FTCC Foundation partners with donors to support FTCC by raising awareness and financial resources that can provide college access for students to attain their educational and career goals.

    The HSC Resource Fund will provide funds to pay for books and program supplies for high school students from low-income families who wish to continue their education beyond high school. This project will be offered community-wide and will leverage resources by providing long-term solutions to low-income students by increasing their job opportunities through higher education and job skills. The goal for the resource fund is to overcome financial barriers and increase educational access.

    Aaron Mabe, coordinator of the HSC program at FTCC, noticed that for many students attending Title I high schools or residing in economically distressed communities, the cost of supplies and materials was a barrier to successful program completion.

    “These grants will provide access and equitable opportunities for students who wish to learn marketable job skills and valuable trades. Without these resources, many students would not be able to afford the books and tool kits needed to take the classes. We are grateful for the support from Cumberland Community Foundation and the United Way,” Mabe said.

    Dual (high school/college) enrollment courses provide a wide variety of exciting offerings to high school students including photovoltaic, collision repair, welding and construction management.

    These programs allow students to complete a certificate or diploma aligned with in-demand state, regional and/or local workforce needs.

    While traditional transferable college courses require textbooks or lab kits, the majority of career and technical education programs require additional supplies to instruct skill mastery.

    FTCC’s academic departments work diligently to accommodate the financial cost of program supplies and minimize the substantial out-of-pocket cost to students. For many students attending Title I high schools or residing in economically distressed communities, the cost of supplies and materials is a barrier to successful program completion.

    According to U.S. Census Data (from 2019), prior to the pandemic, median household income in Cumberland County averaged around $45,000 with 17% of families living in poverty.

    There are 13 public high schools in Cumberland County. The percentage of their student body considered to be economically disadvantaged ranges from 34.6% to 69.7%, with an average of 55%.

    To learn more about FTCC’s High School Connections program, please visit www.faytechcc.edu/academics/high-school-connections/ or call 910-678-8583.

  • 06 CF River Trail Part C 1After a year of construction, the barricades have been removed and Part C of the Cape Fear River Trail is open once again.

    Part C is the lower portion of the Cape Fear River Trail that connects Parts A and B. With the addition of Part C, the trail now spans more than seven miles one way.

    Visitors can access Part C from the parking lot at Jordan Soccer Complex off Treetop Drive or access the trail at Clark Park on Sherman Drive.

    Part C of the trail includes a boardwalk. The boardwalk crosses CSX Transportation property and is located under the CSX bridge.

    Later this year, a paved path will connect the Cape Fear River Trail with the Linear Park Trail. Work on Part C began in June 2020.

    The total estimated cost is $2.47 million. Money from the City’s General Fund, the state and federal government will cover costs.

    Visitors can learn more about the Cape Fear River Trail, including operating hours, bicycle and pet requirements visit www.fcpr.us/parks-trails/trails/cape-fear-river-trail.

  • 05 FAST Coach 2The Fayetteville Area System of Transit wants to improve the benefits of bus operators who are among the lowest paid city workers.

    “Most drivers are paid $15.52 an hour and up to $18 an hour depending on seniority,” said Transit Director Randy Hume in an interview last year. Hume said pay increases are necessary to get people to take bus driving jobs.

    FAST recently donated a city bus to Fayetteville Technical Community College for the school’s new commercial driver’s license training program.

    The city’s FY2022 budget includes money to provide scholarships for FTCC students who commit to driving for FAST when they complete the academic program. The city will also pay trainees while in class.

    The bus turnover ceremony was held July 27 at the FAST Transit Center on Franklin Street.

    The 200-hour class B CDL training program with passenger endorsement is expected to begin in September.

    For information about the program, contact FTCC CDL Driving Instructor Eric Smith at 910-486-3909 or smither@faytechcc.edu.

  • 04 ncworks career center mcpherson church rdThe Cumberland County NCWorks Career Center, formerly known as the Employment Security Commission, has moved to a new location from its long-time office on Ray Ave. downtown. The NCWorks Career Center is now located at 490 N. McPherson Church Road.

    The Career Center provides job search and life skills classes, resume and cover letter preparation, skills assessment, career planning and development, occupational skills training and literacy skills.

    The facility operates under the administration of the Mid-Carolina Council of Governments and is governed by a 21-member Workforce Development Board appointed by the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners.

    The new location provides a more modern setting for customers and career center employees.

    For more information, call 910-486-1010 or visit NCWorks.gov.

  • 03 MenMoneyBagHC1108 sourceIf debt and spending were Olympic sports, Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi would easily take home the gold medals.

    Now after a year of unprecedented and reckless spending, there is no relief in sight for hard-working taxpayers. Pelosi and Washington Democrats passed yet another massive $600 billion spending package — a 21% increase in spending from the previous year.

    Even worse, this budget was the first in decades to scrap the Hyde Amendment and allow taxpayer dollars to go towards abortions. The only thing they didn’t fund was the Defense Department and Homeland Security.

    This out-of-control spending is coming with a cost for you and your family in the form of higher prices at the grocery store and gas station. Inflation is a tax increase on all Americans and only getting worse.

    Just last month the inflation marker rose 3.5%, its biggest jump since 1991. This, along with the highest consumer prices in 13 years, is the latest sign that reckless spending by Washington Democrats is driving inflation. For the sake of generations to come, we cannot afford to spend like this.

    While Washington Democrats were busy spending your tax dollars, last week I focused on defending our veterans and the Second Amendment. I hosted a group of wounded combat veterans in Washington to discuss a new regulation on pistol stabilizing braces proposed by the Biden administration’s Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives.

    Under the regulation, an individual could become a felon unless you turn in or destroy your firearm, destroy your brace, or pay a tax. This regulation is a massive attack on our Second Amendment. But worse is that these devices were designed and are needed by wounded veterans to continue exercising their rights.

    Joining me last week was former police officer and U.S. Army veteran Rick Cicero, who was injured in Afghanistan in 2010 by an IED. After losing his right leg and right arm, Cicero helped develop the original stabilizing brace. He now travels the country teaching disabled veterans how to shoot again and said stabilizing braces “are the foundation” for everything he does. Rick talked about the impact on self-esteem and the mental health improvements he sees in these veterans due to this training.

    I led 140 members of Congress opposing this regulation. Forty-eight Senators also joined this effort. Now I am encouraging everyone to submit a public comment against this rule to the ATF before Sept. 8. Folks can visit my website at https://hudson.house.gov/ or go directly to the ATF’s comment portal.

    Veterans and others who rely on these braces deserve an equal opportunity to exercise the Second Amendment. I will not back down until we tell the ATF to defend them and our rights.

    Finally, last week, mask mandates returned to the halls of Congress and many communities across the country.

    Cases have risen, mainly among in those without vaccines. Yet last week, I asked for data from the CDC on why they reversed mask guidance for those who have been vaccinated. Vaccines work and I encourage everyone to consult with their doctor about getting one. But sweeping political mandates not based on science undermine our confidence in public health.

    Furthermore, updated guidance from the Biden administration comes as they continue to allow thousands of migrants to cross our southern border without COVID tests or vaccines. Solving this crisis should be step one to address any rise in cases.

    I am determined to keep our businesses and schools open this fall. Vaccines are helping us do this and we should not allow political agendas to revert us back to mask mandates and lockdowns that aren’t based on science.

    In addition to defending our veterans and Second Amendment, I will always continue to fight for commonsense solutions to protect you and your family.

  • 02 people in masksIf you feel like the rug has been ripped from under your feet, you are not alone. Just as we began feeling safer about being out and about and around people we do not know, a newer and more virulent COVID-19 variant dubbed Delta, has upended our lives yet again. The current surge is driven by and striking the unvaccinated, seriously sickening them, sending them to hospitals and killing some.

    The vaccinated, many of whom are heeding the CDC’s recommendation to re-mask indoors, are far less affected and, if they are affected, they are far less sick. As Aaron Carroll, chief health officer for Indiana University, wrote in The New York Times, “COVID-19 is not even close to a crisis for those who are vaccinated, but it is a true danger to those who are unvaccinated.”

    Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services echoes Carroll. “This is a pandemic right now, of the unvaccinated. The virus will find them,” she said. Distressingly, the Delta variant is far more contagious than earlier COVID viruses and can be spread by both the unvaccinated and the vaccinated.

    The situation varies widely across the nation, largely reflecting vaccination rates in different states and communities. This is clearly true in North Carolina where one county, Richmond, is currently designated red, meaning “critical community spread.”

    Twelve other counties, including Cumberland, are orange, the next highest level. Cumberland’s vaccination rate remains low, with only 30% partially vaccinated and 28% fully vaccinated. Cumberland’s COVID-19 positivity rate is over 9%, with the goal being below 5%.

    Statistics can be difficult to absorb but if you remember only one of them, remember this. In North Carolina, 94% of the new COVID-19 diagnoses are now among the unvaccinated.

    Health officials acknowledge different reasons why Americans remain unvaccinated. Some are victims of our culture wars — so insistent on their individual right to choose that they are willing to risk their own health and the health of those around them. Others have deep misgivings about past medical treatments within their own communities, and others find getting vaccinated inconvenient — they have no transportation to a vaccination site, cannot leave their jobs, have no child care or other personal situations.

    All of that said, health and government officials are doing their darnedest to entice Americans to vaccination centers with cash payments, lottery drawings, free rides and on and on.

    They are doing so because none of us, vaccinated or not, cannot really move on until the pandemic is under control, and that is unlikely to happen until more people are vaccinated.

    The private sector which has largely stayed away from the vaccination issue is becoming impatient with the pandemic’s effect on our economy and is moving to require vaccinations among employees, saying essentially, “no shot, no job.”

    Howls of protest fill our TV screens, but the truth is, the United States has long required vaccines. Children cannot go to school without them and visitors cannot enter our nation or others without them.

    If you fear side effects or bizarre notions of microchips entering your body through a thin needle, look around you. Vaccinated people are going about their lives just fine, because vaccinations work.

    If you need more incentive, go back to the statistics. Of Americans now testing positive for COVID-19, becoming ill and dying, 94% are unvaccinated.

  • 01 N2008P23007HFor the past 20 years the Fayetteville City Council has used an antiquated structure of nine single members elected by districts and one mayor elected at large. The nine districts include about 25,000 residents but the representatives are often elected by an average of 1,300 voters in a city of 211,000 people. District representatives figure out very quickly that keeping those 1,300 people happy is all that matters to help them get reelected in the future. This resulting narrow focus by nine members of City Council does not lend itself to address the often complicated and costly city-wide issues. Too often these issues remain unresolved while the Council debates more territorial issues.

    Even worse, an individual Fayetteville citizen has only 2 elected people representing them — the mayor and their district representative. Meanwhile the other 8 council members are not accountable to the needs of citizens who do not live in their district.

    Other governmental bodies in Cumberland County, including the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, the Board of Education, and the towns of Hope Mills and Spring Lake all have at large members as a part their structure.

    In addition, 9 of the 12 largest cities in North Carolina have at large members included. They have found the structure to work for decades and there have been no efforts to convert to all single member districts.

    The Vote Yes Fayetteville initiative is seeking to collect 5,000 signatures that would give every citizen in Fayetteville the opportunity to vote for the type of local government structure they want.

    The proposal calls for changing 4 of the current 9 seats to at large, leaving a Council comprised of 5 district representatives, 4 at large representatives and a mayor.

    Under this structure, every citizen would have more voting rights by being able to vote for and be represented by 6 members of City Council — the mayor, their district representative and 4 at large representatives.

    Most local governments have found this combination provides an effective balance of both district and citywide focus. In the case of Fayetteville, it would provide more focus on the big issues facing the entire city — issues like $100 million in stormwater needs, the failure to annex Shaw Heights and provide its residents access to basic city services like sewer, for example — that are larger than any one district.

    It would also provide more big-picture perspective before deciding to spend $3 million to replace 64,000
    recycling cans so a logo can be removed, instead of reducing our traffic violations enforcement or filling over 50 vacancies in the police department.

    The current structure of City Council has never been voted for by any Fayetteville voter. In fact, the only time that Fayetteville voters have been given the opportunity to vote for a combination of at large and single member districts, they supported it with almost 60% of the votes cast.

    Fayetteville has grown significantly over the years and now composes almost 150 square miles and over 210,000 people. With that growth comes big city issues that require big city perspectives. It is time to change the structure of our City Council to help ensure that more people represent the big picture and are more accountable to all the citizens of our diverse city.

    Joining the thousands of other Fayetteville voters in signing the petition alone does not change the structure of our City Council. It merely allows the referendum to be put on the next citywide election ballot and gives every citizen the right to vote and make this important decision for our community.

    This important decision should be made by all the voters of Fayetteville. I encourage you to review the information on this important subject on the website at www.VoteYesFayetteville.com and to support the petition and let our citizens decide if they want to have 6 elected people representing them versus the current 2.

     

  • 11 Taipei Tower 2 with Blue SeriesAnother first for the area, Lost and Found: New Media Works by Carla Guzman opens at Gallery 208 on Aug. 17. Her first one-person exhibition since earning a Master’s in Fine Art in Contemporary Art at the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, Republic of China. During her studies, Guzman’s focus was new media in the visual arts.

    Attending the artist’s reception between 5:30 and 7 p.m., visitors will meet a young artist who is the daughter of immigrants from El Salvador, a small country that experienced civil war in the late 80s. Raised with the work ethic to achieve the American Dream she noted: “over the years I have become very Americanized, yet I will always be influenced by a background which stems from transgenerational trauma due to civil unrest and contradiction.”

    Before completing the new media graduate degree in China and returning to the United States, Guzman had graduated from Fayetteville State University with an undergraduate degree in visual arts. For Guzman, the transition of ideas and meaning in new media was similar to the way she worked in traditional mediums, the challenge was learning the technology and programming.

    Guzman stated, “I always come back to my roots in traditional image making, it is the most direct way to tap into my creativity. My process includes three steps: the initial drawings, the postproduction and then the translation to new media (which is still evolving). I can look at the digital work and identify the original matrix it came from and how it has evolved since then. For example, I might use a drawing from years ago again in a new work today. I tend to recycle images since emotions are at the core of my work and they remain constant.”

    Guzman was asked about the advantages or disadvantages of working in different modalities or sensory systems and to comment on the idea of selecting images verses creating them without a computer. She was quick to explain how ways of working influence the modality you are using.

    For example, she stated: “I was the type of printmaker that loved mistakes because they were always beautiful and interesting to me. Printmaking taught me not to become too attached to an end-product but follow the process. In a similar way, if my external hard drive becomes messed up or if something happened, half of my drawings remain on the other side of the world. I am okay because I have my operative system that I go by. In the same way as printmaking, I welcome these mishaps. Building upon previous work is interesting, but also, a clean slate is great because there is the challenge to improve things like technique and skill which applies to new media as well.”

    It takes time to find one’s way in a technological medium that has been rapidly developing for the last 40 years, even faster the last 5 years, and Guzman is a newcomer. A constructive turning point was during her thesis research when she came across some of the earliest artists in the 1970s who were the first to mix art and technology. Discovering E.A.T. (Experiments in Art and Technology: a non-profit organization established in 1967 to develop collaborations between artists and engineers) and artists Robert Mallary and Harold Cohen was a way for Guzman to focus on a strategy to express herself in new media.

    Guzman considers herself like Harold Cohen, the artist who created AARON - a computer software program that generated compositions on its own, allowing the artist to create several compositions in the course of a few days. Guzman takes a similar approach to Cohen: “I like that a computer can generates many images, then I select the best and develop my imagery from the successful ones. It allows for more iterations of the same image without totally abandoning the original one.”

    In addition to developing new technological skill, the time Guzman spent in China influenced the artist in many other ways: “The graduate program in China was an international curriculum with professors from top art institutions around the world and in China. It was an amazing nonwestern experience that led to opportunities for travel in China and meeting with contemporary Chinese and international artists, emerging and established. Your sensibilities and viewpoints change when you are not able to communicate or understand anything other than the images in front of you.”

    Guzman lived in China three years, and then due to the pandemic, lived a year and a half in Taiwan before returning to the USA. Lost and Found includes works from her graduate thesis exhibit titled Contemporary Emotion-Based Multimedia Art: Artistic Strategies and Viewer Response and works while living in Taiwan.

    Guzman describes herself as “digital abstract expressionist” and her works are “essentially maquettes which are meant to be spatial emotional sculptures within the real world and the void. The works completed while living in Taiwan were during my time of being displaced in Taiwan due to the pandemic. The result was efforts to integrate emotional sculptures, feelings of loss and chaos, in actual location in Taiwan.”

    In seeing Guzman’s “emotional sculptures,” visitors to the exhibit will need to reconsider what it means for something to be a sculpture. Traditionally we think of sculpture as a tangible object that has been physically carved, modeled or cast in a material. The world of virtual reality and other new media platforms are most often illusionary - but ever present. The semantics of what it means to be a sculpture in a new media world has been forever altered to have new meaning, new forms - with this comes new sensibilities about experiencing the object/nonobject and the making of the object/nonobject.

    In describing her images, new explanatory words are used to refer to their existence which would never apply to traditional sculptural forms. For example, in the early works titled “Taipai Tower 1” and “Yuanshuan Series,” Guzman has created floating sculptural forms in cityscapes. Hard-edge linear forms appear and disappear as if in dissonance with the space. The sculptures are not static but living, expanding and contracting. Reflective color and form interrupt the space and yet inhabit the space in a palatable way. There is sense these sculptures are never permanently located but continuously move themselves.

    Compared to the earlier work, the “Hualian Series” is a sculptural series made of light, sometimes colorless as well as the colorless becoming refractive color. Located on a shoreline, seeing the series next to each other, it is if we do not move closer to the sculpture, but the sculpture moves closer to us. The spinning forms in earlier works are now a vaporous wall; not inhabiting the space but appearing as energy and potential.

    For anyone who visits Lost and Found, the artist would like viewers to “leave the exhibit feeling like they saw some beautiful images but also possibly formed some associations from their own experiences with her ‘emotional sculptures’ since emotions are innately part of all of us.” After recently returning to Fayetteville after living abroad for almost 5 years, Guzman shared she is presently “in the process of getting found” and looking forward to “networking and collaborating with new media artists.”

    The public in invited to meet the artist and attend the public reception of Lost and Found: New Media Works by Carla Guzman on Aug. 17 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Gallery 208 located at 208 Rowan Street. The exhibit will remain up until the end of October. Gallery hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. For information call 910-484-6200.

    Pictured Above: "Taipei Tower 2 with Blue Series" by Carla Guzman.

    Below: "Skate Park with Blue Series 3" by Carla Guzman.

    10 skate park w blue series 3

     

  • 08 shleton 4Some of the nation’s elite soldiers with the 82nd Airborne Division and 3rd Special Forces Group have finalized testing the Army’s new Parachutist Flotation Device or PFD.

    Preparation for the PFD test started in mid-April with the Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate performing intentional water landings in Jordan Lake, according to Maj. Camden Jordan, ABNSOTD’s executive officer.

    “Planners synchronized early with local emergency management, law enforcement and state wildlife agencies to help support the Army’s water operations on Jordan Lake,” said Jordan.
    Jordan went on to say rehearsals took place for the multi-tiered and complex infiltration technique before final testing in June.

    “Located just west of Raleigh, Jordan Lake is one of North Carolina’s most pristine waterways, so these agencies provided swift water rescue teams, emergency medical technicians, small boat support and assisted in routing boaters away from the water drop zone while airborne operations are underway,” he said.

    “We relied heavily upon the support of the community to execute this test. Local emergency services were the lynchpin to this entire test and could not have been executed without their outstanding support,” said Sgt. 1st Class John Reed, ABNSOTD’s operations noncommissioned officer in charge.

    According to Dan Shedd, Senior Mechanical Engineer Developmental Command at Natick, Massachusetts, military planners try real hard to keep airborne operations away from bodies of water. He said on occasion, though, paratroopers can engage high value targets near large bodies of water so they must be equipped accordingly for safety.

    With flotation bladders that can be inflated using an internal carbon dioxide gas cylinder or an oral inflation tube, once employed in the water, the PFD becomes critical in saving lives.

    Shedd explained the PFD must suspend a combat-equipped jumper in a “lifesaving” posture for an extended period following an airborne infiltration.

    “In real-world scenarios,” he said, “this critical time allows recovery teams time to locate and extract jumpers in the event of a water landing.”

    Reed said operational testing with soldiers during early June saw participating paratroopers undergoing intensive training cycles geared toward preparing for deliberate water operations.

    That training began with new equipment training so the soldiers could practice the proper rigging techniques and activation procedures.

    “Anytime two lifesaving devices are being employed by one soldier, intense attention to detail is required for both proper fit and wear as well as how these systems interact during airborne infiltration,” said Staff Sgt. Jonathan R. Copley, an ABNSOTD military freefall master jumpmaster.

    The rigorous NET training test jumps required the test soldiers of 82nd Airborne Division and 3rd Special Forces Group to complete a full combat water survival test conducted in Fort Bragg’s
    Mott Lake.

    Sgt. 1st Class Steven Branch, a platoon sergeant and jumpmaster assigned to the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, gave the PFD a thumbs-up.

    “The PFD is much easier to rig for static line operations,” he said. “We barely noticed having it on, and it can easily suspend a soldier with combat equipment for a long time if needed. Overall I was very impressed with every aspect of the PFD.”
    ABNSOTD used the PFD test to train parachute riggers from across the airborne and special operations community in the proper maintenance and care of the new life-saving apparatus once they return to home station.

    This "maintainer" training included system maintenance, repacking, repair, proper storage, handling, as well as rigging and employment during water landings.

    Sgt. Issa Yi, a parachute rigger with the 151st Quarter Master Company said, "The PFD was easy to pack and required no special tools or materials to maintain."

     

    Pictured above: A soldier with 3rd Special Forces Group prepares to enter Jordan Lake during military free fall test trials of the Parachutist Flotation Device. (Photo by James L. Finney) (All photos this page courtesy U.S. Army Operational Test Command)

    Pictured below left: An ABNSOTD soldier prepares to enter the water prior to the start of pool testing. (Photo by James L. Finney)

    Pictured below right: An operational test jumper from 3rd SF Group conducts a test trial from high altitude over Laurinburg/Maxton Airfield. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Timothy D. Nephew)

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    Pictured above left: An 82nd Airborne Division soldier exits a C-27 aircraft over Jordan Lake during testing of the new PFD. (Photo by Chris O'Leary)

    Pictured above right: A 3rd Special Forces Group soldier undergoes vertical wind tunnel training prior to a live airdrop with the Parachutist Flotation Device. (Photo by James L. Finney)

  • 04 N1210P15012HCumberland County School District officials say the system has literally dozens of job opportunities.

    Among the numerous vacancies are positions for teachers, teacher assistants, cafeteria workers, media coordinators, prime time assistants, custodians, school bus drivers and many others.

    “New hires may be eligible for $500 sign-on bonuses,” said CCS Communications Director Renarta Moyd.

    She can be contacted at renartac@ccs.K12.nc.us for additional information.

  • 01 martin luther king speechI have always been an admirer of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In view of our now professed WOKE society, he must be flipping in his grave at America's self-appointed and anointed WOKE culturists who are discounting and disrespecting the resounding worldwide message he shared with us in his 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech.

    Wow, how things have changed in only 58 years. Our nation has gone from cherishing the thoughts, vision and messages of one of the greatest humanitarians and Civil Rights leaders ever born to a contradictory focus on the color of a person's skin, gender and political affiliation.

    What? Character, intelligence and integrity are no longer considered valued characteristics that matter? "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."

    This is disappointing and sad. I'm not sure how we got to this point; however, I feel strongly that our nation needs to return to respecting the basics of humanity.

    Simply put, we need to get back to practicing the Golden Rule. It's a pretty simple moral philosophy that has never failed to yield the perfect result when interpreted in its kind, humane and Christian manner.

    The most popular and familiar version of this rule read: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." This moral philosophy was never intended to be interpreted as justification for senseless killing, stealing, retribution or any other kind of vicious and cruel assault on humanity.

    The most popular, worldwide and humane interpretation of this tenet is "to treat others the way you want to be treated" (positive). Or, you should "treat others in ways you do not wish to be treated yourself" (negative).

    No doubt, Dr. King had it right, and he wasn't woke. He was kind, intelligent, compassionate, steadfast in his convictions and impervious to deep-seated hate. He preached and lived the correct interpretation of the Golden Rule with an understanding that elevated it to prominence in commonsense behavior and ethics, assuring peace, love and respect for all people. Dr. King would not have advocated for Critical Race Theory at any level.

    Besides, it is only a theory. And one that contradicts the teachings, philosophy and heartfelt messages that Dr. King professed, fought for and died for. I don't think this country is ready to cast Dr. King aside for CRT and replace his teachings, goodwill, philosophies, statues and monuments with CRT advocates and doctrine.

    Besides, what Woke/CRT advocates could match Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s integrity and character or passion for humanity? Let me know who they are.

    In the meantime, I will continue to advocate for TLC over CRT.

    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

    Pictured above: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his "I Have a Dream" speech on August 28, 1963, calling for racial equality and an end to discrimination. The speech, from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, was a defining moment in the American Civil Rights Movement.

  • 20 DadBoyHelmetHC1104 sourceIf you've lived in the Fayetteville area any length of time, you probably recall the days before Festival Park.

    Festivals lined Hay and Green Streets, baseball was played by a number of different teams and leagues at J.P. Riddle Stadium, and the kids played on the "big whale" as we came together in front of the band shell for events of all kind in Rowan Park.

    With all of those behind us, the Cumberland County Parks and Recreation Department have given us lots of new reasons to celebrate in the downtown area.

    One of the newer additions may actually have slid in under your radar, as it was opened and dedicated during the time our state government was limiting crowd size and imposing other restrictions on how and where we gathered in 2020.

    I'm talking about the new (and fabulous) skate park which opened in Rowan Park in August of last year.

    There was little fanfare at the time, but it didn't escape the attention of avid skateboard enthusiasts throughout the county, nor was the opening lost on Terry Grimble, a lifetime proponent and advocate of skateboarding in Fayetteville.

    Terry has been outfitting people of all ages with quality gear for as long as I can remember, and was a sane and steady voice calling for something more for the skaters in the county.

    As a skateboard dad and grandpa, I love the fact our kids now have somewhere fun, safe and well-maintained to try their latest tricks and learn new ones.

    Now that the Olympics has even added both street and park skateboarding competitions to the quadrennial celebration of the world's best athletes, we can almost certainly count on seeing more of our agile young people dropping in to demonstrate their prowess with local onlookers and fellow skaters alike.

    We stopped at the skate park for a couple of hours on a July Sunday afternoon, and were thrilled to see plenty of young people skating. The crowd continued to grow as the sun began to back off a little from its midday position, and we watched as some of the more accomplished skaters offered pointers and encouragement to those sitting on the wall in awe. That's good stuff. And something we need more of.

    When you combine the skate park with all the Splash Pads and Pools the County Parks and Recreation has added in the past couple of years, they begin to add up to an improved quality of life for the families who call Fayetteville and the surrounding area home.

    Now let's get out there and enjoy it!

     

  • 02 IMG 7983Have you been wondering who wrote the Book of Love? You won’t get that answer in this column. Go find an old Monotones album and seek guidance there, Grasshopper. Today we are going to explore the reasons that the world is going nutso. Which is admittedly a much easier topic to understand than the vagaries of sweet love.

    Let us consider the mystery of the Anti-Vaxxers. The Rona has come back with its new improved 2021 Delta model. None of that sissy Corona 19 stuff. This is the real thing. Faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locomotive. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. It’s Super Rona, a strange visitor from a Cootie planet which is killing Earthlings with powers and abilities far beyond those of mere mortal men.

    The Super Rona is able to change the course of mighty rivers, fill emergency rooms, hospitals and grave yards with its bare hands. The only thing that can defeat Super Rona is its version of Kryptonite, the mild-mannered Vaccines. Logic might appear to dictate that Americans would leap at the chance to get vaccinated but logic would be wrong. Tens of millions of Americans won’t take the Vax, seemingly preferring death before inoculation. As the King of Siam said, “It is a puzzlement.”

    The Vaccines were developed under the Former Guy’s Presidency. Curiously the Vax Refuseniks tend to be die-hard Former Guy cult members. The Former Guy took the vax himself. He should get credit for developing it. He did good getting it up and ready. Logically his followers should be proud of what he did. They should be first to get the vax to support the Former Guy, yet they are the last. We may be watching a national demonstration of Darwin’s theory of Natural Selection taking place before our wondering eyes.

    For most of Biden’s Presidency the Former Guy’s political party and Tee Vee hosts have been playing the part of the Pied Piper leading their followers into the Valley of Death by pretending the Rona was fake news or that Bill Gates was going to inject them with mind control Triskets.

    Recently some of these same leaders began to realize that if their portion of the electorate doesn’t get vaccinated, they will cross over the Great Divide before the mid-term elections leaving the Democrats in charge of Congress. Owning the Libs by filling graveyards with disbelieving Super Corona cult members is somewhat counter intuitive. Dead Democrats do not lose their right to vote. They will keep on voting. We shall learn if Dead Republicans forfeit their franchise if they keep refusing to get into the Vax lifeboats of the Titanic after it has struck the Super Rona iceberg.

    What could cause the puzzling behavior of the Former Guy’s followers? Here are a couple of possible answers.

    The moon has been wobbling more than usual recently. We like to think the moon just peacefully orbits around the Earth in a smooth oval orbit cycling through its orbit every 18.6 years. The moon just minds its own business, creating tides and rhyming in love songs with the month of June. However, as they say on late night TV informercials — BUT WAIT! The moon itself wobbles. NASA released a new study that the moon’s wobbling may lead to record high tides over the next decade. If the moon can screw up tides on Earth, imagine what it can do to the thought processes of the Anti-Vaxxers. Astronomers first noticed the moon’s wobble back in 1728. Ponder all the craziness since 1728. The wobble could explain the current Anti-Vax sentiment.

    NASA recently discovered another disturbance in the Force — Mars is older than Earth. The Mars Onsight Lander sitting on the Angry Red Planet is studying the guts of Mars.

    Think of Mars and Earth as giant gum balls. The outer part of the gum ball is the crust, which sits on top of the mantle layer. (Not to be confused with Mickey Mantle.) Below the mantle is the molten core of each planet — the center of the gum ball. Mars has a thicker crust than Earth. Its mantle is thinner than Earth’s but its molten core is much larger than Earth’s core. NASA says this means that Mars was formed millions of years before Earth when the gasses from the sun were still condensing into planets like Earth and Venus.

    The Onsight Lander has detected more than 700 Mars quakes since landing in 2019. These Mars Quakes may have to power to cloud the minds of the Former Guy’s followers convincing them that Death before Vaccination is the path best taken.

    Moon wobbles or Mars Quakes? Either one might be the reason for America’s current sojourn into the Reality Distortion Field in which we find ourselves.

    If you were looking for a logical answer to an illogical situation, you have come to the wrong column. I cheerfully admit to being clueless. I can remember when polio was a thing. They closed the movies, swimming pools, anywhere there were crowds. Iron lungs abounded. Then the polio vaccine came along and polio went away. Vaccines work.

    Perhaps the Anti-Vaxxers would take the vaccine if they were told it was made from the Former Guy’s bath water. It’s worth a shot. Maybe Sean Hannity can tell them to drink up.

     

  • 07 425500p6635EDNmainimg scouts fishing 1The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s Pechmann Fishing Education Center in Fayetteville has released its August class schedule which includes a fishing merit badge clinic for Boy Scouts on Aug. 28.

    “Fishing is the 4th overall activity preferred by Scouts,” said Thomas Carpenter, center director of the Pechmann Fishing Education Center. “Our workshop is led by Boy Scouts of America certified angling instructors and volunteers who guide the Scouts through all the requirements needed to earn their fishing merit badge.”

    Carpenter added that offering these types of opportunities helps to develop young leaders who may potentially become the future of wildlife managers and conservation influencers, a key mission of the Wildlife Commission.

    The Boy Scout clinic is free, is limited to 50 Scouts, and Scout Leaders must contact Carpenter Thomas at thomas.carpenter@ncwildlife.org to register.

    Other free classes offered at the Center this month include:
    Aug. 7: Family Fishing Workshop, 9 a.m. – noon for ages 7 and older.
    Aug. 10-12: Beginning Fly-tying Course, 6:30 – 9 p.m. for ages 12 and older.
    Aug. 11: Introduction to Fly-casting, 6 – 8:30 p.m. for ages 12 and older.
    Aug 13: Entomology for Anglers, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
    Aug. 18: Reel Women Fishing Adventure League – Rod Building Primer, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. (virtual)
    Aug. 19-20: Introductory Fishing for Adults, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
    Aug. 21: Basic Rod Building Course for Women, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    Aug. 24: Fly-fishing Basics: Creating Hand Tied Leaders, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
    Aug. 26: Fly-tying Forum, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. for ages 10 and older.
    Aug. 28: Boy Scout Fishing Merit Badge Clinic, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. for active Scouts 11 and older.

    Courses are led by Wildlife Commission staff and trained volunteers. A North Carolina fishing license is not required to take any of the classes. Registration for all clinics and classes is available online at ncwildlife.org/learning/education-centers/pechmann, or by calling 910-868-5003.

    The John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center in Fayetteville was built in 2007 and is the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s newest education facility. It’s the only fishing education center of its kind in the state. Center instructors teach a variety of aquatic programs to anglers of all ages and abilities, usually free of charge. The Center is funded by grants and the sales of recreational licenses offered by the Wildlife Commission.

    Since 1947, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has been dedicated to the conservation and sustainability of the state’s fish and wildlife resources through research, scientific management, wise use and public input.

    The Commission is the state regulatory agency responsible for the enforcement of fishing, hunting, trapping and boating laws and provides programs and opportunities for wildlife-related educational, recreational and sporting activities.

    For more information or to purchase or renew a fishing, trapping and hunting license and renew a vessel registration online at ncwildlife.org.

    Pictured above: The Pechmann Fishing Eduation Center offers several free classes in August to anglers of all ages. (Photo courtesy the John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center)

     

  • 05 N2105P32007HHospital systems across North Carolina are experiencing nursing shortages. Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville reports "shortages across the board" in its nursing department.

    The practical nursing program at Robeson County Community College reports numerous graduates have received offers from Cape Fear Valley Medical Center where the hospital system says, “We are aggressively working to hire for full-time, part-time, and per diem nurses.” Cathy Madigan, chief nursing executive with UNC Health, says this has been expected.

    “We have been predicting the nursing shortage,” she said. “Our need is going up, but most schools of nursing are not increasing opportunities yet because it costs money.”

    One reason that there are fewer nurses in the workforce right now is pandemic fatigue. Crystal Tillman, CEO of the North Carolina Board of Nursing, has said that working under the strain has led to some newer nurses leaving the profession altogether. UNC Health has more than 800 vacant nursing positions across the state.

    For those considering entering the nursing career field, local training programs are available through Fayetteville Technical Community College, Methodist University and Fayetteville State University. Visit their websites for more information.

  • 11 Operation Husky 5Fort Bragg will celebrate National Airborne Day on Aug. 14 at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum located in downtown Fayetteville. The annual gathering brings together current and former soldiers to honor the legacy of courage and excellence synonymous with the American paratrooper.

    “The annual celebration honors the first official military parachute jump by the U.S. Army on Aug. 16, 1940,” said Elvia Kelly, Fort Bragg garrison spokeswoman. “Every year, Fort Bragg comes together to bring history to the forefront through a variety of ways, including parachute demonstrations by the U.S. Army Golden Knights and U.S. Army Special Operations Black Daggers.”

    The family-friendly event will begin at 8 a.m. and finish around noon. The public is invited to attend the free event to learn more about paratroopers and the mission of the 82nd Airborne Division that calls Fort Bragg home.

    “Visitors can expect a display of multiple weapons systems from the 82nd Airborne Division and other supporting units, a parachute demonstration from the U.S. Army Special Operations Parachute Team Black Daggers, the U.S. Army Golden Knights performing a High-Altitude Low Opening (HALO) demo jump and displays inside of the museum for the community to enjoy,” Kelly said.

    The schedule includes parachute packing and mock door demonstrations, Black Dagger free fall and secure LZ demo at 11:45 a.m. and a Golden Knights free fall and demo at noon.

    The 82nd Airborne Division “All American” Rock Band and Quintet will perform live music throughout the event. The celebration will have a food truck and an ice cream truck on site and bottled water will be available.

    “When we observe National Airborne Day, we’re commemorating a segment of history that highlights the first successful military parachute jump in 1940,” Kelly said. “It’s a significant point in Army history contributing to Fort Bragg becoming the home of the airborne, a culminating event in which the surrounding community can celebrate with us.”

    In 1940, a test platoon of volunteers from the 29th Infantry Regiment made the first U.S. Army parachute jump from an aircraft. Since that first jump, airborne soldiers have shared a distinguished tradition as elite units setting an example of determination and courage.

    National Airborne Day is also a time to recognize the vigorous training of airborne soldiers and units in the Army. The Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, teaches soldiers the techniques involved in parachuting from aircraft and landing safely. The Jumpmaster School trains personnel in the skills necessary to jumpmaster a combat-equipped jump which means ensuring other soldiers’ parachutes and equipment are correct. A jumpmaster is also trained in procedures for rigging equipment containers and door bundles. The Military Free Fall School at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, is part of the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School on Fort Bragg. The joint forces school trains all aspects of free fall parachuting and the use of high altitude-low opening (HALO) and high altitude-high opening (HAHO) parachuting techniques.

    Pictured above: U.S. paratroopers in this file photo take part in the invasion of Sicily, code-named Operation Husky, in July 1943. Lessons learned from the campaign proved invaluable to future airborne operations in World War II.

    Pictured below left: Paratroopers from 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, descend during an airborne operation on Fort Bragg June 30. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Lee Antreas)

    Pictured below right: First Sgt. Adam Barfield, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, awaits his jumpmaster inspection before boarding an aircraft on Fort Bragg June 30. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Lee Antreas)

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    Pictured above left: Paratroopers board a C-17 Globemaster III on Fort Bragg on April 13. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Hannah Strobel)

    Pictured above right: Special Operations soldiers conduct free fall training in the sky above Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona. (File photo courtesy JFK Special Warfare Center and School)

  • 06 PCS StockSummer is here and for many associated with the military, it means PCS season, or Permanent Change of Station. Fort Bragg is offering multiple resources for military families to assist them with their moves.

    “A PCS is part of the military life and takes place when orders are received for a longer-term assignment usually lasting two to four years, depending on the situation,” said Elvia Kelly, Fort Bragg Garrison Public Affairs Office. “PCS season is common during the summer but can take place at any time.”

    The Army has implemented a 24/7 hotline that provides answers for PCS-related questions that families or individuals can use and reach by calling 833-645-6683.

    “When orders are received, soldiers can begin planning their move by creating an account in the Defense Personal Property System followed by visiting the transportation office to schedule their move,” she said.
    Service members and families that receive orders for a PCS, can find more information in a variety of ways:-Visit the DOD Customer Moving Portal at https://move.mil/
    -Visit the Military OneSource website https://www.militaryonesource.mil/moving-housing/
    -Defense Personal Property System at https://dps.move.mil/cust/standard/user/home.xhtml
    -Downloading informative Army-approved apps on their smart phone such as Army PCS Move, Digital Garrison and PCS My POV App are available for free download in Google Play and Apple Store
    -Contact Fort Bragg’s local customer call center at 910-396-5212 or 910-396-2163.

    “If a soldier's shipment of household goods is not delivered on time or they have experienced other issues, they can file a claim through the Defense Personal Property System or by contacting their transportation service provider,” Kelly said.

    “Soldiers have 180-days to file a claim after delivery.”

    Fort Bragg is trying to spread the message and awareness on available resources for PCS moves to help military families move smoothly to their next duty station. Current challenges the military community maybe facing with moving have been linked to the COVID-19 resource shortages and the current housing market conditions.

    “We have been planning and addressing the PCS summer surge season holistically. This includes assessing options when issuing PCS orders, managing movement of household goods, facilitating housing at receiving installations, and assisting families with childcare,” Kelly mentioned.

    Some of the PCS improvements soldiers and their families can expect to experience, according to the Army, are:
    -Receiving their orders 120 days before report dates to enable better scheduling
    -An increased claim notification deadline of 180 days after delivery of household goods
    -Personally procured moves, formally known as DITY moves, reimbursement increased to 100% of what it would have cost the government to use an industry provider

    “Soldier and Families are our priority and our greatest strength,” said Kelly. “Our goal is to inform and share the resources available to them during the PCS move in an effort to streamline the process and help set them up for success.”

    Pictured above: Many military troops and families are moving into and out of the local area this summer as PCS season hits its peak. (Photo courtesy Fort Bragg Garrison PAO)

  • 03 Bill Crisp Senior Center 21The man outwardly most admired by his colleagues on the Fayetteville City Council has been laid to rest. Six-term Councilman Bill Crisp died last week at the age of 81. Crisp was first elected in November 2007, to represent District 6 in west Fayetteville. He served for 12 years and chose to retire in 2019.

    “He was a true role model and a servant to his country and his community,” said Mayor Mitch Colvin. Crisp was arguably closest in city government to District 1 council member Kathy Jensen who currently serves as mayor pro-tem. “God took away my daddy 20 some years ago but he gave me Bill Crisp,” Jensen said at the recent ground-breaking of the west Fayetteville senior center which was named in Crisp’s honor. City flags at City Hall, Fayetteville fire stations and recreation centers were lowered to half-staff as a tribute to Crisp’s service.

    Crisp served in the U.S. Army for 27 years and retired as a command sergeant major. He was married to his childhood sweetheart, Joan Boyd Crisp, for 61 years. They met in elementary school and raised four children, William L., Sylvia D., and twins Sonja E. and Winston B.

    Pictured above: Bill Crisp is surrounded by members of the City Council in this file photo from the groundbreaking ceremony of a new senior center named in his honor. (Photo courtesy City of Fayetteville)

  • 21 SFParachute team 02The Special Forces Association Parachute Team was originally formed as the Green Beret Sport Parachute Club in 1961. The team is now a non-profit organization that shares the heritage of the Special Forces Regiment and works to highlight the service and sacrifices of military personnel and their families.

    The team consists of active duty and retired military and includes Department of Defense support elements. The SFA Parachute Team maintains a nucleus of professional parachutists who perform free fall parachute demonstrations in support of local and national venues such as celebrations, sports events and holidays. Some venues include the Great American Shoot Skeet, Carolina Panthers football games and NASCAR events.

    The team works closely with other non-profit organizations such as Special Forces Charitable Trust, Green Beret Foundation, Low Country Foundation for Wounded Military Heroes and Upstate Warriors.

    Team members say their participation in public events and their tandem jumps help remind veterans and first responders that they are still valued members of society. The SFA Parachute Team relies on sponsorships for equipment purchases and tandem experiences for Wounded Warriors.

    “Sometimes soldiers come back from deployment either physically wounded or they are experiencing wounds we can’t see. They sometimes feel forgotten or like they have no purpose in this world now that they are impaired or broken. So, my team, we strap them to tandem and remind them that they are important and still have that type A personality,” said Stanley “Bo” Kinnison, a member of the team since 1999.

    Kinnison, who has 3525 jumps, said training is a crucial step for the men and women who jump on the team.

    Once accepted on the team, Kinnison said a jumper will receive additional training that will build on the skills taught in either the Army’s Basic Airborne Course or the Military Free Fall Course. As parachutists have undoubtedly gained proficiency during their active jump status time in the military, Kinnison said additional training once on the SFA Parachute Team will increase overall proficiency.

    Training for the team includes night jumps, water jumps, smoke jumps and flag jumps, as well as multiple accuracy jumps. Accuracy is something that is practiced in almost every jump, but accuracy jumps for a demonstration team require a parachutist to land in a specific area — usually within a 30-foot circle.

    For more information on the SFA Parachute Team visit http://sfapt.net/.

    Pictured below left: Bill, holding football, and Brenda Gatter finish a demonstration jump. The team also conducts tandem jumps with Wounded Warriors. (Photos courtesy Special Forces Association Parachute Team)

    18 Bill Brenda 19 SFPT Litthograph

  • 10 5790754115 c4315f7cc3 oFayetteville’s Airborne & Special Operations Museum celebrates its 20th anniversary this month. Since its opening in August 2000, the museum has been visited by nearly 3 million visitors, according to Museum Foundation Executive Director Renee Lane.

    She noted the occasion is “vastly different than we had planned.”

    There are no flags around Iron Mike to welcome visitors and no music, food trucks or parachute jumps because of COVID-19. “We are celebrating virtually... in the last few weeks, we provided many memorable moments on social media from when construction started right down to the ribbon-cutting ceremony 20 years ago.” The facility has been closed since March. “Sustaining our mission without visitors has strained us financially,” Lane said.

  • 19 N2005P70004HCOVID-19 test collection is set to expand in Cumberland County.

    The Health Department will continue test collection by appointment on Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Manna Church (5517 Cliffdale Rd., Fayetteville) and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Southview Baptist Church (4089 Elk Rd., Hope Mills).

    Expanded test collection sites begin Aug. 27:

    • Aug. 27; Sept. 3; Oct. 8 and 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Tabernacle of Miracles, 2574 Hope Mills Rd., Fayetteville
    • Sept. 10 and 17; Oct. 22 and 29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Second Missionary Baptist Church, 522 Old Wilmington Rd., Fayetteville

    To protect the health and safety of staff and clients, test collection is by drive-up appointment only. Walk-ins cannot be accommodated at this time.
    Testing is free.

    Please do not call offsite testing locations for assistance. The Health Department has a dedicated COVID-19 hotline ready to assist. Call 910-678-7657 or you can make an appointment online at co.cumberland.nc.us/covid19

    The Cumberland County Department of Public Health will now report COVID-19 data on Tuesdays and Fridays in press release form, but daily updates will continue to be available on the Cumberland County COVID-19 Dashboard.

    As of Aug. 20, the total COVID-19 confirmed cases for Cumberland County is 3,528 with 61 deaths. The NC state number of confirmed cases is 147,432 with 2,438 deaths.
    In the previous week, there was one additional death in the county.

    According to the Department of Public Health, the resident who died was in their 70s, lived in a congregate living setting and had underlying health conditions.

    To stay updated on the latest information about COVID-19 visit the county COVID-19 webpage at https://www.co.cumberland.nc.us/covid19.

    The site has a list of COVID-19 related closures, service changes and other information. The county is also sharing information on its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

  • 11 N2004P64022CMore than 4 million North Carolinans are missing from the 2020 census. Major media reports have emphasized a low census count could put billions in federal dollars at risk.

    But it also could keep North Carolina from gaining a congressional seat.

    The census count, done every 10 years, helps determine how federal money is allocated to communities. It also determines representation in Congress. North Carolina’s population has grown by nearly 1 million people over the past decade. But if census takers don’t count them, the people parceling out congressional districts won’t know they’re here.

    Each state gets at least one of the 435 seats in the U.S. House. The other 385 are divided mainly by population. Fast-growing states can pluck congressional seats from states losing people.

    North Carolina should get a 14th district. We have about 10.6 million people, roughly 100,000 fewer than Georgia, which has 14 congressional seats. But Michigan — population 10 million — is expected to lose one of its 14 congressional seats.

    If North Carolina’s census count comes in at or below Michigan’s, the 14th U.S. representative so many have anticipated could go to another state. Perhaps Montana, which has 1.1 million people but only one congressional seat.

    Carolina Demography, a UNC Chapel Hill center focusing on data collection, found North Carolina’s census response is ranked 35th in the U.S. As of Aug. 2, only 59% of N.C. households have responded — compared to 63% nationally.

    The census is in a major time crunch, behind schedule even before the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, the count was to finish by the end of July, but the U.S. Census Bureau pushed the deadline to Oct. 31.

    The COVID-19 outbreak worsened during a critical collection period, when workers were going door-to-door to collect data from people who failed to report. Field operations were temporarily suspended, once again setting back the census collection.

    The bureau had asked Congress for an extension to April 30, 2021, to deliver the preliminary results, but has since contradicted that request. The bureau quietly moved up the collection date from Oct. 31 to Sept. 30, giving census workers even less time to complete the count.

    The Democrat-led U.S. House passed a bill extending the census deadline. But the Senate, which holds a Republican majority, shows no interest in taking up the measure.
    Partisan interests are driving the divide on extending the census count, said Andy Taylor, a political science professor at N.C. State University.

    “Historically, it has been more difficult to count the kinds of people who you would think would support Democrats,” Taylor said.

    The hard-to-count group includes lower-income people, racial and ethnic minorities and transients, who tend to be overrepresented in bluer states and jurisdictions, Taylor said.

    “If you give a blue state a congressional district it is more likely to end up having a Democrat representing it than a Republican,” Taylor said.

    One factor helping North Carolina is its large military presence, writes Rebecca Tippett, who heads Carolina Demography. In an article for MarketWatch, Tippett says the census once listed overseas military members’ home states as their census addresses. But in 2018, the Census Bureau changed the rule. Military members temporarily deployed overseas will be counted in the state where they’re stationed rather than their home state.

    Had that rule been in effect for the 2010 census, North Carolina would have added a 14th congressional district, Roll Call reported.

    Another political split has emerged over whether the census should include people living illegally in the U.S.

    The Trump administration doesn’t want to include illegal immigrants in the census. Trump released a memo July 21 calling to exclude the group from the official count, NPR reported. Civil rights groups are prepared to challenge the move in court.

    Some states — including Texas, Florida, and California — would gain more congressional seats if undocumented people aren’t counted, according to research by the Pew Research Center, said David McLennan, a political science professor at Meredith College.

    If illegal immigrants were counted, Alabama, Ohio, and Minnesota wouldn’t gain seats.

    “Since undocumented people are the hardest population to get an accurate count on, Republicans are pushing to have less time for the door-to-door counting and to not count undocumented in the final apportionment totals,” McLennan said.

    Democrats want a longer counting period including more undocumented people, because it would cost traditionally Republican states House seats, McLennan said.

    North Carolina’s red-blue split shouldn’t be affected by the debate over counting illegal immigrants, but a significant undercount would have consequences for federal money and a new congressional seat.

    “That is a possibility with a shortened time period and the fact that North Carolina has one of the lowest response rates in the country,” McLennan said.
    Nonprofits are working overtime to get more people to respond.

    “This definitely lights the fire under us and others across the state to make sure we are getting the word out and making a really strong call to action to complete the census,” Brandy Bynum Dawson, the director of advocacy at the N.C. Rural Center. Dawson is leading the Center’s Rural Counts advocacy program, which aims to improve the census response rate in rural areas.

    N.C. Rural Center and the NC Counts Coalition are among the groups working to make the count more accurate.

    “Any organization that has a trusted relationship with communities that are often undercounted in the census operation can be effective, trusted messengers,” said Stacey Carless, executive director of NC Counts Coalition.

    “Churches can share the message about the census with their congregation through church announcements or by taking 10 minutes during service to encourage participation,” Carless said. “Food banks can encourage participation by providing census literature with food distributions.”

    A number of barriers stand in the way of an accurate count. A lack of broadband access in remote areas is one. Some of the lowest response rates in North Carolina overlap with lack of internet access, Carolina Demography found. Areas where officials were forced to suspend field operations because of COVID-19 also overlap with low response rates.

    Rural counties, such as Graham, Avery, Cherokee and Watauga, have some of the worst response rates to the census. The pandemic didn’t help.

    “We had to revise and pivot ourselves to a new strategy, which was a lot online and utilizing social media as much as possible,” Dawson said.

    North Carolina’s political parties aren’t involved with the outreach effort. The N.C. Republican Party plays no part in the census count, Tim Wigginton, the N.C. GOP press secretary, told Carolina Journal. The N.C. Democratic Party didn’t respond to an email from CJ asking about its involvement with the census count.

  • 20 open door businessThe Department of Commerce is accepting applications for the Job Retention Grant Program through the agency’s website for businesses and nonprofit organizations in North Carolina that have experienced interruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The application deadline is Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 11:59 p.m. No applications will be accepted after that time.

    To qualify for a grant award up to $250,000, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements, which include:
    • The applicant cannot have participated in the federal Paycheck Protection Program, the federal Main Street Loan Program or the state Rapid Recovery Loan Program.
    • The applicant must have maintained at least 90% of the number of full-time employees in North Carolina at the end of June 2020 as it did at the end of February 2020.
    • The applicant must have had a reduction in sales (in the case of a for-profit business) or receipts (for nonprofits) of more than 10% when comparing March-May 2020 to March-May 2019 levels.

    The Department plans to award grants by early October. All grantees will have to comply with federal and state reporting requirements as a condition of the grant.
    More information about the Job Retention Grant Program, including access to the program’s online application form, can be found at the Department of Commerce website at nccommerce.com/jrg.

  • 18 N1212P15011HThe Health Department encourages those who are enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children to use their food benefits during COVID-19 to support good nutrition for their families.

    Some of the WIC beneficiaries in North Carolina have not used their full food benefits each month since March 27, when the state’s initial Stay at Home Order in response to COVID-19 went into effect. Because WIC allowances do not roll over, beneficiaries lose any food balance they do not spend during a family issue month.

    North Carolina serves more than 230,000 mothers and children in the program. The Cumberland County program serves 11,500.

    WIC participants receive nutrition education, supplemental foods, breastfeeding support and referrals to community and health agencies to improve their diets and reduce their chances of health problems caused by poor nutrition.

    WIC food allowances are auto-issued each month. Families enrolled in WIC can download the Bnft® App, available in the App Store or on Google Play, and enable notifications to ensure they never miss an update to their eWIC account.

    If you or someone you know has been financially affected by recent events and is pregnant are has children younger than 5, WIC is accepting applications to help provide healthy foods and other resources. Eligible families, dads, grandparents and foster parents caring for eligible children should contact WIC at 910-433-3730 to enroll. The WIC offices in Fayetteville and Spring Lake are open by appointment only. The Hope Mills WIC office remains closed to the public but is conducting appointments over the phone at 910-433-3760.
    For more information on the WIC program, eligibility and benefits visit http://www.co.cumberland.nc.us/departments/public-health-group/public-health/WIC.

  • 09 N1911P30005CA new Pentagon report says thousands of troops and family members may not have access to mental health care through their military or civilian health care providers. The Defense Department Inspector General found patients seeking outpatient mental health treatment often experienced delays or never obtained care at all due to inconsistencies in standards, staffing and other shortcomings in the military’s health system.

    In 2017, almost 14% of troops, or just over 200,000, were diagnosed with mental health disorders. The report said delays in getting service members care could affect readiness. Auditors examined appointment booking and referral data at 13 military treatment facilities from December 2018 to June 2019. The inspector general’s office said an average of 53% of service members and their families served by Tricare in the United States did not receive mental health care after getting referrals. Health officials in charge of tracking their care could not say why, the IG said.

    The Defense Health Agency agreed to develop a single systemwide staffing approach that estimates the number of appointments and personnel required to meet the demand for mental health. The agency will also establish a standard process for mental health assessments tailored to patients’ needs, officials said in their response.

  • 03 Market House in Fayetteville NCWe Americans continue to find ourselves in all sorts of distress, some of it acute and some of it as President Jimmy Carter famously said, a “malaise.” The pandemic has upended life as we knew it for millions of all ages, and the sadness, fury and national reckoning following George Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis, Minnesota, sparks ongoing peaceful protests across the country and, in some instances, unlawful violence and destruction. In short, many of us feel unmoored and on edge politically and culturally. For many, no safe harbor appears on the horizon.

    Which brings us to the Market House in downtown Fayetteville.

    As a Fayetteville native, the Market House has been part of the landscape all my life. For people who come to our community later in their lives, it must be a curiosity, a relic modeled on the traditional English town hall. History records that the Market House was used primarily by local and area vendors to sell farm produce, meats and other goods in the open arcaded area. Enclosed meeting space above provided a gathering space. Although several Southern port cities such as Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina, created designated slave markets, that was not the purpose of the Fayetteville Market House.

    That said, human beings whose ancestors were captured in Africa and brought to this country against their will were indeed sold on the site of Fayetteville’s Market House. It did not happen every day, but it did happen. A 1989 plaque approved by Fayetteville City Council members and erected in the building’s arcade memorializes the human beings who were sold there. The cold hard fact of those sales is what brought out protestors in recent weeks and precipitated vandalism at the site.

    So, what now?

    Some have called for razing the building, the only local structure designated a National Landmark, and others call for finding a commemorative purpose for it. Razing makes no sense to me. Doing so would not take away the stain that resides there, any more than razing Nazi concentration camps in Europe would make the Holocaust not real. I fall into the repurposing camp. In my own memory, the Market House has been open to vehicular traffic, has housed a public library, art museum and several offices and hosted musical concerts and parades and various other activities.

    The first and primary challenge of any repurposing is to expand the memorial to those who were sold there with names and dates as far as are known. This memorial would become the focus of repurposing, central to whatever occurs at the Market House. Various ideas have been floated— a museum dedicated to local African American culture among them, and all proposals should be explored.

    The guiding principle as our community undergoes this process should be to memorialize the people who were subjected to Fayetteville’s role in our nation’s original sin.

  • 04 IMG 2831Things are a bit tough all over. Paragons of virtue are dropping like flies. The U.S. Post Office is being dismantled right before our very eyes to help Dear Leader’s re-election prospects. Remember the picture of Jerry Falwell Jr. on the yacht with one arm around the bare midriff of a Lady Friend and the other hand holding a drink? Neither Jerry nor Lady Friend can keep their pants zipped up for the photo. When having your picture made with a woman to whom you are not married, it is wise to have your pants zipped. Times change. It is bigly sad.

    Jerry’s picture reminded me of “The Second Coming,” a poem William Butler Yeats wrote: “Things fall apart: the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world; … The best lack all conviction, while the worst/Are full of passionate intensity.” If we cannot rely on our religious leaders to put passionate intensity behind them and keep their pants zipped, we are in a heap of trouble.

    What with the ever-expanding death toll from The Rona, troubles in the streets, the stock market booming oblivious to the millions of Americans out of work who are worried about rent and being able to find their next meal, it all does not make sense. What’s it all about, Alfie? I tried to come up with a unified field theory of what it all means. Unfortunately, as Curly of the “Three Stooges” once said, “I tried to think, but nothing happened.”

    But if once you can’t think, try, try again. I decided to cipher it all out, as Barney Fife would say. Eureka! Edgar Allen Poe might have provided a clue in his poem “The Raven.”
    I stayed up late one night reading a TV Guide from the week of Oct. 17, 1965, hoping to find insight into today’s troubles. Just like in “The Raven,” the TV Guide spoke to me: “Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary/ Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore/ While I nodded nearly napping, suddenly there came a rapping, rapping at my chamber door.” The rapping came from the TV Guide. There is no lore more forgotten than a 1965 TV Guide.

    There were many celestially transcendent TV shows in October 1965. Was there a common thread that might make sense of what was missing in 2020? TV gave America “Get Smart,” starring Don Adams as Maxwell Smart and the beautiful Barbara Feldon as Agent 99. I always had a crush on Agent 99, alas it was never reciprocated. Herman and Lilly Munster and Grandpa Al Lewis in “The Munsters” graced the black-and-white screens of America.

    “The Man from Uncle” with Illya Kuryakin and Napoleon Solo — before he became a shill for a law firm in the 21st century — fought the evil international bad dudes of THRUSH. The most famous three-hour tour in history was in “Gilligan’s Island,” spawning endless hours of adolescent discussion of who was hotter: Ginger or Mary Ann. After Jed Clampett was out shooting for some food and up from the ground came a bubbling crude, oil that is, black gold, Texas Tea, the Clampetts moved to California to become the “Beverly Hillbillies.”

    Who can forget the episode when Miss Jane Hathaway bought Elly Mae her first bra? Being a country gal, Elly didn’t know what it was. She declared her delight at having what she thought was a double-barreled slingshot for hunting. Classic. That may have been the first time a bra appeared on network TV.

    The Space Family Robinson toured unknown galaxies in “Lost in Space,” with Lassie’s Mother June Lockheart as the original Mrs. Robinson, along with the semi-evil Dr. Zachary Smith, who was not someone you would want to supervise your children. The Robot frequently gave such excellent advice as “It does not compute” and “Danger Will Robinson!” particularly after Dr. Smith had been drinking. Oliver and Lisa Douglas said good-bye to city life and moved to Green Acres, where they encountered such bucolic characters as Mr. Haney and Arnold the Pig.

    “Bewitched” graced the tube, starring Samantha, the beautiful witch, who was married to her befuddled husband, Darrin Stephens. As a prototype male chauvinist pig, Darrin did not want Samantha to use her witch powers to make life easier by magically twitching her nose to complete household chores. He wanted her scrubbing the floors the old-fashioned way like a good suburban housewife. Darrin’s mother-in-law, Endora, was a real witch. Like a typical 1960s mother-in-law joke, Endora thought Darrin was not good enough for her daughter and delighted in turning him into various animals. Fun fact: There were two Darrins — the first was actor Dick York, and the second Darrin was Dick Sargent. No one on the show noticed when York turned into Sargent. Maybe Endora did it. We shall never know.

    So what does the 1965 TV Guide teach us about today? The common thread seemed to be spies, situational comedies on an uncharted desert isle, good-hearted monsters, suddenly wealthy country folks moving into the city, city folks moving into the country, dad’s who refuse to ask directions and get lost in space, and what happens when your wife turns out to be a real witch. My advice is to turn off the cable news and watch ME TV, where these shows live on forever and ever and ever. It was a kinder, gentler time. Now go find the remote.

  • 08 evanscharles1528Cumberland County Commissioner Charles Evans has been elected president of the North Carolina Association of Black County Officials. He was sworn in during the organization’s virtual meeting Aug. 15.

    “I am grateful and honored to be representing the citizens of Cumberland County on a state board, and I appreciate the vote of confidence by my peers on the North Carolina Association of Black County Officials board,” said Evans, who has also served as the second and first vice president for the organization.

    Evans was elected to the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners as an at-large representative in 2010 and re-elected in 2014 and 2018. He served two terms on the Fayetteville City Council from 2005-2009. Evans was born in Fayetteville and attended Terry Sanford High School and Fayetteville Technical Community College. He is a disabled veteran.

    Pictured: Commissioner Charles Evans

  • 13 kyle head p6rNTdAPbuk unsplashThe Cape Fear Regional Theatre presents its new EduTAINMENT: After School Program that will run from Monday, Aug. 24, to Friday, Sept. 25, from 2:30–6:30 p.m. or 3:30–6:30 p.m. for kids ages 8-13.

    “Once we had to close down for COVID-19, we were trying to figure out how can we still be (part) of the community and (provide) the programming that they are used to getting from us,” said Ashley Owen, marketing director and education associate of Cape Fear Regional Theatre. “At the time we started our virtual EduTAINMENT classes — those were online classes taught by myself and our education director, Marc de la Concha.”
    Owen added that the theater offered supplemental classes that provided elementary and middle-school kids a safe, fun place to learn and engage with their peers over the course of the day.

    “Once Cumberland County Schools announced they were going to do the first five weeks of school virtual, all summer, we were coming up with all these different plans of what we could do,” said Owen. “Because we were doing our summer camps, we found that kids were missing the interpersonal connection with other kids their age because they have been at home for the last several months with their siblings or just with their families.”

    The Cape Fear Regional Theatre came up with the perfect program idea. “So we decided that an in-person after-school program would be really great and it would be a great way for parents to be able to drop their kids off somewhere (where parents) know they are safe, having fun and learning. And parents can get a little bit of time back in their day if they are working from home,” said Owen.

    “The groups are limited to no more than 12 kids, and they will social distance, wash their hands and wear face masks and face shields.”
    Owen added that the 8- to 9-year-old group will do a play called “Not-So-Grimm Tales” while also learning about the different variations of the fairy tales. The older kids will do an adaptation of a book.

    The theater will also offer Virtual EduTAINMENT online classes. “We are going to bring that original program back, and it will be once a week on Thursdays from 12:30-1:15 p.m.,” said Owen. “It will be for K-5 students and will take place from Aug. 27 through Sept. 24. The cost is $40 for the semester.”

    The cost of the EduTAINMENT After School program is $150 per week from 3:30–6:30 p.m., or $175 per week from 2:30–6:30 p.m. Students must register for all five weeks of the program.

    “We have a great reputation, and we wanted to provide a safe place for parents to send their kids,” said Owen. “This is just another way for us to reach out and give back to the community.”
    For additional information, call 910-323-4234.

     

  • 14 9781469653532Can any of North Carolina’s great roadside eateries and local joints survive the coronavirus?

    I have my doubts. So does UNC-Press. It has put the release of an updated and revised edition of my book, “North Carolina Roadside Eateries,” originally published in 2016, on hold indefinitely. We just do not know which of the more than 100 restaurants in the book will be in business when and if normal times returns. Nor do we know what the roadside restaurant business will be like in North Carolina after the worst of the coronavirus is over.

    Will we be able to explore places where locals gather for good food along North Carolina’s highways?

    In general, the forecast is not good. But there are bright spots. For instance Wilber’s, the legendary barbecue restaurant in Goldsboro, closed in March 2019 and was therefore not included in the revised “Roadside Eateries.” Last month Wilber’s reopened, at first only for curbside pickup. Thus, if the revised “Roadside Eateries” is ever published, Wilber’s will be in it.

    There is more good news. Saltbox Seafood Joint in Durham, one of the places covered in the original “Roadside Eateries,” got an expanded description in the now postponed revised edition.

    It is the sort of joint that can make it through the pandemic. Because it is thriving, it might give a clue about what kinds of locally owned eateries and joints will be available to give us the experiences that “Roadside Eateries” celebrated.

    Here is some of what my editors and I wrote for the revised “Roadside Eateries.”

    Since the last edition of “Roadside Eateries,” Saltbox chef Ricky Moore has been just a little busy. Though he’s a busy man, don’t worry — he’s still at it, cooking incredible food for lucky locals.
    Now, Ricky’s success isn’t the least surprising. He’s been in the food business all his life. He grew up catching and cooking fish in eastern North Carolina. He cooked during his seven years in the Army, studied at the Culinary Institute of America and worked at the fine Glasshalfull restaurant in Carrboro and as the opening executive chef at Giorgio’s in Cary.

    Moore explained to me that it’s not easy or cheap to get the best fish. He has to take into account that “the value is in the quality of fresh product we provide. Good, fresh seafood is not cheap, and the North Carolina fishermen deserve to get top dollar for their catch.”

    Hush-Honeys are Ricky’s version of the hushpuppy. They’re a little salty, a little spicy and a little sweet. They’re the perfect complement to the best seafood you’re liable to find anywhere, let alone in the middle of the Tar Heel State.

    Even if you are not able to visit Saltbox Seafood Joint for its mostly take out service, you can learn some of its secrets in a new cookbook published by UNC Press, “Saltbox Seafood Joint
    Cookbook.” Chef Ricky Moore tells his life story. He shares 60 favorite recipes and his wisdom about selecting, preparing, cooking, and serving North Carolina seafood. That includes how to pan-fry and deep-fry, grill and smoke, and prepare soups, chowders, stews and Moore’s special way of preparing grits and his popular Hush-Honeys.

    North Carolina’s cultural icon David Cecelski is the author of “A Historian’s Coast: Adventures into the Tidewater Past” and numerous other books and essays about our state’s coastal region. He gushes in his praise, “Chef Ricky Moore’s new cookbook is out and I think he’s written the finest seafood cookbook you’ve ever seen and probably ever will see if you’re like me and love the flavors of the North Carolina coast.”

    To learn how one restaurant owner is surviving the pandemic, visit Chef Ricky at the Saltbox as soon as you can. Until then, join Cecelski and me to celebrating Chef Ricky Moore’s success and enjoy trying the recipes in “Saltbox Seafood Joint Cookbook.”

  • 15 Labor Day guy works in storeMany people look forward to Labor Day weekend because it offers one last extended break to enjoy summer weather.

    Though summer does not officially end until September is nearly over, for many people Labor Day, which is celebrated annually on the first Monday in September, marks the unofficial end of summer.

    But Labor Day is more than just one final chance to embrace the relaxed vibe of summer and soak up some rays.

    In fact, Labor Day boasts a unique history that’s worth celebrating for a variety of reasons.

    The United States Department of Labor notes that Labor Day is a celebration of American workers that dates back to the 19th century.

    The day is meant to commemorate the contributions workers in the United States have made to the nation, helping to make it one of the strongest and most prosperous countries in the world.

    Despite the fact that municipal legislation surrounding Labor Day was initially introduced in the 1880s, debate remains as to just who should be credited with proposing a day to honor American workers.

    Some records suggest that Peter J. McGuire, who served as general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and cofounded the American Federation of Labor, deserves the credit for Labor Day.

    However, the Department of Labor notes that many people believe a machinist named Matthew Maguire (no relation to Peter) was the first to propose a holiday honoring workers in 1882.

    At that time, Maguire was serving as secretary of New York’s Central Labor Union, which later adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic.

    The first Labor Day was ultimately celebrated in New York City on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in accordance with the plans made by the Central Labor Union, which strongly suggests that Maguire does, in fact, deserve the credit for coming up with the holiday.

    Labor Day is worth celebrating because, without the contributions of millions of workers every year, the United States would not be the success story it is and has been for more than 200 years.

    In addition to the United States, many countries across the globe, including Canada and Australia, have their own versions of Labor Day.

    Labor Day weekend is often dominated by backyard barbeques and trips to the beach. With social distancing in the coronavirus era, this Labor Day weekend celebrants and workers should remember that Labor Day can be a time to reflect on the value of hard work.

    Those who want to be more in touch with the meaning behind the holiday can look for additional ways to celebrate it.

    Research local industry and shop local when possible. Giving your business to a locally owned store increases the investment back into your lcoal economy.

    While many people are off on Labor Day, essential workers may not be. Bring lunch to a police station or firehouse, or simply thank workers you come across, such as grocery store employees, for doing their jobs.

    Active military who are deployed may be missing home, especially during national holidays. Send a care package to them that they can enjoy overseas.
    Purchase items made domestically to support national industry.

    Bosses can reach out to employees with words of praise and encouragement. Too often employees are told what they need to improve rather than what they are doing right. A few words of gratitude can buoy spirits.

    Employers can start the three-day weekend early by enabling workers to leave a few hours early on the Friday preceding the holiday weekend.

  • 12 118177103 432587117644838 3706817023638084716 nNorth Carolina consistently ranks within the top ten states for most reported human trafficking cases, according to the NC Human Trafficking Commission. In 2019, there were 713 charges of human trafficking and other offenses of a similar nature across the state.

    According to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, 28 of those charges last year are from cases in Cumberland County. So far in 2020, the Sheriff’s Department has investigated 21 cases through the end of July.

    Just last week, Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a Fayetteville woman charging her with sex crimes involving human trafficking and promoting prostitution of a minor. The woman allegedly used drugs to coerce the child to perform sex acts.

    To bring awareness to the on-going issue, local advocates Sabrina Paul and Emily Dean organized a local Human Trafficking March scheduled for 5–7 p.m. on Aug. 29. The march will begin and end at the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department at 131 Dick St. in Fayetteville.

    “We are trying to raise awareness on how prevalent human trafficking and pedophilia really is,” Dean said. “Fayetteville is a hub for human trafficking because it’s a halfway point between Miami and New York. It serves as a drop off point, where exchanges are made. A lot of people just don’t know about it.”

    According to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, from 2015 to the end of July this year, there have been 254 cases in the county resulting in 83 misdemeanor charges and 153 felony charges.

    New York, Miami, Atlanta, Washington, D.C. and Charlotte are all considered major east coast hubs for human trafficking. These cities are connected by interstates which facilitate the movement of human trafficking victims. The geographic location of North Carolina contributes to the high number of victims and survivors living in the state.

    In January, Governor Roy Cooper issued a proclamation declaring it Human Trafficking Awareness Month. The proclamation said that although awareness is growing, human trafficking continues to go unreported or underreported in part due to its isolating nature, the misunderstanding of its definition and victim fears of coming forward.

    Under federal and North Carolina law, human trafficking includes minors involved in any commercial sexual activity; adults induced into commercial sexual activity through force, fraud, or coercion; and children and adults induced to perform labor or services through force, fraud or coercion.

    “No little girl or boy has the dream of ‘I want to grow up and sell my body,’” said Sgt. Patrice Bogertey.

    Now a Public Information Officer with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Bogertey previously worked in major crimes and the human trafficking unit.

    “It’s hard to get victims to go forward in trial,” she said. “Prosecution takes so long.”

    Bogertey added that the stigma of being a sexual assault victim coupled with the agony of retelling their story can take its toll on survivors of human trafficking.

    “It’s hard enough to tell a detective, but then to have to go to court, and now they have to talk about it in a court room,” Bogertey said. “It’s embarrassing for victims, it shames the victim.”

    The stigma is compounded by the fact that many victims are forced into drug dependency by their captors and forced to participate in other crimes, she said.

    Bogertey said an organized march is a great idea to raise awareness.

    “The public as a whole has to pay attention, to start watching for signs,” she said.

    March organizers Dean and Paul were moved to organize the event to raise awareness, but also said they hope to encourage victim advocacy and influence lawmakers to make penalties for traffickers more severe.

    The event will begin with featured speaker Beverly Weeks, the executive director of Cry Freedom Missions, a non-profit organization fighting to eradicate sex trafficking. After the march through downtown, a few survivors of human trafficking will be given an opportunity to speak. Organizers have also invited local officials to attend the event.

    “Our goal is to create awareness first,” Paul said. “The long-term goal is to stop this [human trafficking] and shut down organizations trying to normalize pedophilia.”

    “ We hope for change in the long run.”

    If you would like to report information about a trafficking situation, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline: Call 1-888-373-7888 or Text 233733. Anti-trafficking advocates are available 24/7 to receive tips about potential trafficking situations and connect survivors of trafficking to services and support. All reports are confidential and callers can choose to remain anonymous.

  • 07 Rep John SzokaState Rep. John Szoka, R-Cumberland, has been chosen to co-chair the House Select Committee on Community Relations, Law Enforcement, and Justice. The committee is comprised of legislators and various members of the public.

    “It will examine North Carolina’s criminal justice systems to propose methods of improving police training and relations between law enforcement and its communities,” Szoka said. “I am... eager to work with my team to identify policy reforms that help overcome discrimination, excessive force, and corruption in the North Carolina criminal justice system.”

    Sixteen members of the North Carolina House of Representatives, including Elmer Floyd and Billy Richardson of Fayetteville, will serve on the committee. Thirteen others have been named to the group, including Cumberland County district attorney Billy West.
    Pictured: Rep. John Szoka

  • 02 pub pen book coverThe debate raging over the future of the Market House in our great city of Fayetteville is not diminishing anytime soon. It is and has always been a historic landmark of controversy. However, the iniquitous attention it is receiving now has been conjured up from the revival of decades-old misinformation that the building was a designated slave market. This is not true.

    Even after countless documents of North Carolina historical data on the Market House confirmed that enslaved negros during that period in history were considered property and sold or auctioned as part of private estates. Ignoring these facts seems to be an inconvenient truth as well as an excuse and flashpoint for rioters, hostile protesters and anarchists. Personal sentiments and opinions do not alter the facts.

    In this edition, Margaret Dickson, a lifelong resident of Fayetteville and, successful businesswoman, former Democratic senator and state representative, shares her thoughts, concerns and heartfelt sentiments about this topic in her article “What about the Market House?” on page 5. Not only does she make a compelling argument for repurposing this historic building but “ … to memorialize the people who were subjected to Fayetteville’s role in our nation’s original sin.”

    I was at the dedication ceremony she mentioned in 1989 when Fayetteville unveiled the City Council’s plaque recognizing and honoring the human beings sold there. W.T. Brown, a local educator, statesmen and respected community leader, gave the most elegant and compelling speech. It left the entire audience united, resolved and committed to live and work together for the betterment of the Fayetteville community and for the prosperity of future generations.

    Facts are facts, and history is just that — history. This brings me to the subject of a wonderful and factual resource document brought to my attention recently by a longtime Fayetteville resident, friend, historian, show promoter, genealogist, realtor, pewterer and pottery expert, Mr. Quincey Scarborough. Given the negative attention the Market House was receiving, Quincey brought by my office this book titled “The Market House of Fayetteville, North Carolina.” It was written by Patricia Ann Leahy, in 1976, when she was teaching at Fayetteville State University. This small but insightful book was written basically to dispel the notion the Market House was a slave market and to put it and Fayetteville into a relevant historical perspective. It is excellent.

    Leahy tells Fayetteville’s story from the arrival and struggles of the Highland Scots in 1732 to the establishment of Campbellton and Cross Creek to the merging of both settlements in 1783 into the town of Fayetteville. Utilizing meticulous research and an impressive bibliography, maps, schematics, historic artwork and photos, original documents/letters and newspaper articles, ads and letters to the editor, Leahy made two points crystal clear in only 32 pages. First, the Market House was a legitimate historic landmark that did sell slaves but was never a slave market. Second, the controversy over the Market House and the arguments generating from it today are exactly the same as those that existed in 1976 when her book was first published. Read it for yourself. Barnes & Nobles has it available now as part of the NOOK selection for only $5. BN ID. 2940158564031. Author: Patricia Ann Leahy, Caron Lazar

    On a personal note: Until Mr. Scarborough made me aware of Leahy’s book, I had no idea about her credentials. I met and became friends with Pat Leahy in the early ‘90s through her civic contributions, dedication and involvement with the Fayetteville Museum of Art and all aspects of the Fayetteville cultural community. She had a wonderful and joyful personality and, for years, hosted some of the most fun and outrageous Halloween parties in her home. I want to thank Mr. Scarborough for his support and for bringing this to my attention.

    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly and for your support of our local newspaper. I appreciate the calls, emails and text messages of encouragement we have received during these trying times. However, I assure you everyone here at UCW is dedicated and committed to supporting the Fayetteville, Fort. Bragg and Cumberland County communities and to continuing to accentuate our unique amenities and quality of life.

  • “The happiness of America is intimately connected with the happiness of all mankind; she is destined to become the safe and venerable asylum of virtue, of honesty, of tolerance, and quality and of peaceful liberty.”
    — Fayetteville’s namesake, Marquis de Lafayette

    In the late 1770s, Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, the marquis de Lafayette —called Gilbert by his friends — was about as All-American as one could get. Well, except that he was French, and America’s existence was still up for debate as it was still fighting for its freedom from British rule. Lafayette is Fayetteville’s namesake. This the only town named for him that he ever visited. He defied French royalty and fought side by side with Gen. George Washington, who later became America’s first president. Lafayette spent most of his personal fortune on the American cause and used his brilliant leadership skills to help lead American patriots to victory.

    Each year, The Lafayette Society tips its hat to this French nobleman, who loved freedom and championed human dignity, with a birthday celebration — complete with cake and ice cream. The 2020 festivities are set for Sept. 3, 10, 11, 12 and will be virtual except for the downtown sidewalk sale — along with cake and ice cream — on Saturday, Sept. 12. To keep everything COVID-19 safe, the cake will be prepackaged Little Debbie cakes.

    Artifacts and Arias has been a mainstay event at the Lafayette birthday celebration for about 14 years. This year, the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County joins the party as the French concert kicks off the festivities Sept. 3 with Hay Street Live, the Art’s Council’s bi-monthly virtual concert and entertainment venue. The shows a streamed via Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/TheArtsCouncilFAY/.

    Dr. Gail Morfesis leads the entertainment portion of Hay Street Live with what she calls an informance. It is in a “Name that Tune” format. “In the past, we would play something like the song from ‘The Alfred Hitchcock Hour,’ and people didn’t realize it was a French tune,” said Morfesis. “Last year, we used an Elvis Presley song based on a French song, and I sang for them the original French version.”

    During this segment, viewers will be encouraged to write in and guess what the tune is.

    Local artists are always prominent in the event, too. “This year I have a young person who I hope will play a violin piece,” Morfesis said. “He was in our concert five or six years ago and people loved him. We are also going to have an excerpt by the Thiriot family. … They are doing some French tunes and possibly a jazz number.”

    Morfesis will also perform a French duet with Russian soprano Alina Cherkasova. Bella Venti, a woodwind quintet, will perform a piece with a piano.

    “All pieces will be under five minutes long,” Morfesis said. “We want people to not be bored.”

    For the cocktail portion, Morfesis invited Ann Highsmith to be the host. “Our drink is the Highsmith mimosa,” Morfesis said. “Ann and the Arts Council’s Metoya Scott will do the drink for the evening. We will also have a Lafayette impersonator who will taste the cocktail and contribute do some of the spots. This is a variety show, so there is something new every two or three minutes.”

    The French connection is an integral part of the performance as well. It is usually a piece written by an American who was somehow connected to France.
    Join Director Emerita of Special Collections & College Archives at Lafayette College Diane Shaw as she speaks about Lafayette’s passion for human rights and the betterment of mankind. While many know of his contributions to the American Revolution, not everyone knows the depth of his passion for humankind. Visit https://www.youtube.com/user/faytechcc to view the speech Sept. 10, at 2 p.m., or any time afterward at https://www.lafayettesociety.org/.

    “My desire is for people to know Lafayette in a broader sense,” said Shaw. “His great return visit in 1824/25, when he visited every state in the union … was remarkable and underscored his support of African Americans and their issues. I will be talking about how Lafayette first become an abolitionist and his experiment in South America and what happed on the tour. And about all his best friends who had slaves — like Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. And the gestures he made during that tour to African Americans. American Blacks knew Lafayette was their friend.

    “I am going to go further than talking about anti-slavery and talk about other human rights. Lafayette helped gain rights for French Protestants and voting right for French Jews. … He was a friend to Native Americans, and he did a lot for them. Lafayette admired women and their intellect. He supported women reformers. He was against the death penalty and solitary confinement as well. I would like people to know him as more than the French hero of the American Revolution.”

    A lot has changed since Lafayette worked so hard to make the world a better place. There is still room to keep improving, though. “I think Lafayette would have a lot to say about the state of America today and what is needed,” said Shaw. “In 1777, he had a vision for American that we would do well to adhere to today.

    Another favorite of the birthday celebration is the Lafayette tour. Explore five significant stops in and around downtown Fayetteville via video and learn more about Lafayette as well as Fayetteville’s history.

    The first stop is the Person Street bridge. It was the first bridge across the Cape Fear River. Learn some of the fun facts about its history. For example, it was a toll bridge — it was 2.5 cents to bring a sheep or a hog across. If you walked across, it was a nickel, but if you were on a horse, it was a dime. The fee for a carriage was 75 cents. Lafayette crossed in a carriage but didn’t pay a cent to cross. Catch the whole story here.

    Next is the Liberty Point building. “We will cover the Liberty Point Resolves,” said Mike Samperton, one of the guides. “We will focus on the monument and a marker there that highlights the three names of Fayetteville.” Here, the tour covers Lafayette’s relation to the building as well as how the fair city nearly become known by a different moniker.
    The next stop is Cross Creek Cemetery. “I will highlight four American Revolution vets buried there,” Samperton said. “We will also talk a little about Cool Spring Tavern. It was built in 1788, and all the VIPS stayed there the next year when we ratified the Constitution.”

    Next up is city hall, which has the Lafayette bust. “We will highlight our relationship with our sister city — St. Avold France,” said Samperton. He also noted that just as Fort Bragg is being scrutinized for its namesake, Cumberland County had a similar issue in its past. It was actually called Fayette County for six months. Learn more about it on the tour.
    The last stop is the Lafayette statue.

    Visit https://www.lafayettesociety.org/ for more information about the events or about The Lafayette Society.

    Pictures: (Top to bottom) The Thiriot family will perform on Sept. 3 at the French concert during Hay Street Live.  Diane Shaw (in red) speaking to Fayetteville State University students. Clarendon Bridge is now known as Person Street Bridge.

     

    01 01 AMAZING THIRIOT FAMILY

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    01 02 D SHAW LECTURE 3

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    01 03 IMG 1168

  • 17 N2007P18007HDuring and after the Industrial Revolution, mass-production manufacturing was birthed and nurtured to provide the large quantities of increasingly complex devices and machines required by a burgeoning population and mechanized society.

    Techniques of scale were developed to harness the investment of money, materials and personnel to achieve the goal of mass-producing effectively in cost and time.

    As successful as this revolution was in meeting the new demands of society, industrialization required a shift from the individualized output of artisans to the standardized output of factories.

    It also necessitated the construction of concentrated plants to the detriment of distributed cottages — two outcomes that are ill-suited to the adaptability required during sudden and massive crises, such as the unpredicted onslaught of COVID-19.

    Enter 3D printing. Three years ago, I realized the potential of 3D printing to recapture the lost benefits of artisanship and cottage industry: the ability to make just what you need, when you need it and where you need it.

    When global transportation is impeded, all the high-tech factories of the world are of little value, and citizens must return to the time-honored traditions of local production.
    3D printing, while still in its natal stages, provides a pathway to local production-on-demand better and faster than ever before.

    Fortunately, Fayetteville Technical Community College’s Simulation and Game Development department already had a functioning 3D printing lab when COVID-19 first threatened society and the modern supply chain that underpins it.

    As everyone is painfully aware, an unprecedented demand for protective face masks in the pandemic’s wake quickly led to such a complete dearth of this relatively simple piece of gear that the entire medical response to COVID-19 was imperiled.

    While anyone can fashion a mask of basic materials, medical personnel require a more standardized and effective device.

    The members of my department were quick to respond and create, and the FTCC administration quick to endorse, a start-up mask production facility utilizing the equipment of our 3D printing lab.

    What these dedicated faculty accomplished with no preparation is impressive.

    We began reading about attempts to print PPE for front-line medical workers and went through dozens of designs and assembly routines, partnering with the Fayetteville Police Department and Cape Fear Valley Medical Center to ensure the most effective design possible.

    Eventually, we came up with something that was quick to print, effective at preventing viral penetration and doable on our improvised assembly line.

    We assembled approximately 700 masks and face shield supports, along with a thousand strap holders to relieve ear strain from constant mask wear.

    We were able to get each mask to print in just over an hour. We had 10 printers printing 24/7. We peaked at around 75 masks per day, plus other items such as inserts, strap holders and
    face shields.

    In the end, we donated printed gear to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, local essential workers, and students, faculty and staff on campus.

    The masks can theoretically be worn indefinitely, as long as they are properly sanitized after usage.

    Learn more about the exciting Simulation and Game Development program at FTCC at faytechcc.edu. Fall eight-week classes begin Oct.15.

  • 05 chemours signChoices have consequences! As a dad, grandpa and great-grandpa, I have always taught my children and grandchildren that they are responsible for their actions. Working with children in the Boys & Girls Clubs in Cumberland County, and as the Executive Director for the past 37 years, I have emphasized that same basic principle with them — everyone should be accountable for their choices.

    Chemours/Dupont has made choices for years. Those choices were made in its best financial interests, not those of our community’s. Now the consequence of their choices has come to light — GenX contaminated water throughout our community. Drinking water, showers, animals and gardens can be affected. The solution that was accepted was to bring water lines to two Gray’s Creek elementary schools. Someone has to pay for that! Who? The Cumberland County Schools will chip in. PWC has agreed to fund part of it. Where do those entities get that money? From you and I! That’s where — from the taxpayer.

    Did you benefit from the financial choices Chemours/Dupont made? No. Gray’s Creek homeowners have had to readjust their lives with bottled water for drinking. Some have accepted filtration systems for drinking water in their homes. Others are concerned about property values declining. Many are experiencing severe health issues. Who knows how pets and livestock are affected? What is the effect of this ecological disaster on our crops? New housing developers have to increase costs by paying for running water lines, they, in turn, pass those costs along to the new homeowners. Why would any business develop this area? Where is Chemours/Dupont’s accountability in all this? Why aren’t they paying? Why do we, the taxpayers, and the Gray’s Creek community have to feel the brunt of choices someone else made?

    You may think you are a small fish in a big pond, but together we can make a difference. We can hold people and industries accountable for their choices. A strong Cumberland County Board of Commissioners should hold Chemours/Dupont accountable for its choices. These choices don’t just affect Gray’s Creek — taxes come from across our county. Everyone is paying for Chemours/Dupont’s choices. Help me help us all hold them accountable.

    To discuss this further, please contact me via email at boysgirlsrobeson@carolina.net . I am Ron Ross, and I am running for the Cumberland County Board of Commissioner District 2 seat to make your voice heard and your tax-dollar valued.

  • 06 N2008P69003CComputer logins and digital high fives are replacing school bus rides and hugs for many students and teachers who started the new school year Aug. 17.

    More than two-thirds of North Carolina’s 1.5 million public school students are going to school remotely instead of getting face-to-face instruction. Internet learning will last for at least two months and potentially longer if the coronavirus pandemic doesn’t ease off.

    Cumberland County Schools Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connelly Jr. introduced Operation Smooth Start to ensure that remote teaching and learning are a new normal for students, educators and staff members.

    Teachers are to connect with students, communicate classroom expectations and host classroom-level orientation sessions to help students become acclimated to the internet learning environment. District and school staff continue to ensure that laptops and tablets were delivered to schools based upon the requests from families.

    Eighty modem-equipped school buses have been parked around the county to provide regional Wi-Fi capabilities.

  • 16 01 Champ DeBrulerWith only a few years' exception, we have always had a family dog. On two separate occasions we were stationed abroad, and that's the only time in 40 years I can recall not having a four-legged family member.

    It wasn't until recently, though, that we had a pet that used a crate in the house. When it was first suggested to us, I declined; the notion of leaving a family member in a cage while we were away seemed cruel to me. To my surprise, he warmed up
    to it immediately.

    Champ is a good-sized dog. He's an American Bulldog — and a bunch of something else — tipping the scales at almost 80 pounds, and we nearly go nose-to-nose when he stands on his hind legs. But something I've observed about him and the crate speaks to the need we all have for a place of refuge.

    While I've attended more services since March of this year than I did in all of 2019, it's been five months since I've been to church. I miss it. I miss the camaraderie, the fellowship, the hugs and handshakes. Initially, the doors at my church and many other churches were closed as people moved to online church services in response to COVID-19.

    During that time, though, I started working with local church leaders to facilitate drive-in services over the radio. But as my home church began meeting again, I found myself having to miss in-person gatherings for the new Sunday morning work obligation I'd created. I enjoy 'visiting' other churches online, whether it's my sister-in-law's church in Wichita, Kansas, or the congregation my friend pastors just outside Stedman, but I miss gathering with my church family even more.

    There's something about the closeness of gathering in a church setting that makes me feel safe. Not meeting for Sunday morning worship service hasn't hindered my ability or desire to worship God at all, but there's something about the collective experience with others that adds an altogether different dynamic.

    Observing my dog and his crate, in light of my longing to gather, I begin to understand the passage in Psalm 91 a little more clearly: “This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust him.”

    This hulk of a dog, whose size and appearance made neighbors choose social distancing before it was a thing at all, will run to that crate when he's afraid. He'll retreat to the seeming safety of that simple shelter when he senses anger, and he will voluntarily curl up and sleep within its four open walls whether we're home or away. It's his refuge.

    He has the run of the house and yard, but chooses to return to something simple that promises a closeness and protection nothing else can.

  • 11 01 N1605P30004CAs many of us are figuring out how best to protect ourselves and our families during these uncertain times of COVID-19, one thing that most people do not have on their radar is the issue of legal immunity (protection from being sued). North Carolina has passed laws in these last months that provide immunity protection to businesses from lawsuits stemming from COVID-19 exposure and some immunity protections that go well beyond COVID-19 exposure.

    The broadest immunity law came when the legislature passed, and the governor signed into law House Bill 118, which creates qualified immunity from legal liability over claims arising from the transmission of COVID-19. Initially, immunity was for essential businesses only and was effective from and during the governor’s declaration of the state of emergency on March 10. As of July 2, this immunity extends to everyone and will run until 180 days after the recission of the state of emergency order.

    So, what does this mean? If you believe you have been negligently exposed and/or contracted COVID-19 at the grocery store, gas station, doctor’s office or other business, if they provided notice at their business of actions taken to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and opened and/or are operating within the restrictions of the governor’s orders, you will not be able to bring a legal claim for damages against them.

    For example, when swimming pools were reopened in the state, a law was passed that protects places like apartment complexes, homeowners associations or condo unit owners associations against lawsuits from people seeking damages for injury or death resulting from the transmission of COVID-19 as a result of using their pools. As with other businesses, these community associations must show that they reopened under the executive orders of the governor and have acted in compliance with those orders to benefit from the immunity law.

    One of the broadest immunities granted in the new law is to “health care facilities” and “health care providers” giving wide-sweeping immunity not only from lawsuits regarding COVID-19 exposure or transmission but from any negligence claims that arise in arranging for or providing health care services during this state of emergency.

    With the unknowns, high risks of exposure and high level of contagion of COVID-19, as well as the fact that a percentage of the population could have it a not even know it, many of these measures of legal protection make sense. Frankly, it would be very difficult legally to prove just where and when an individual was exposed or contracted the virus to bring a legal claim. In the end, what is important is for businesses and individuals to follow the governor’s orders and protect themselves and each other as best as possible — both from a legal and personal perspective.

  • 08 01 Census101 CivicDutyNorth Carolina is projected to gain a seat in Congress thanks to population growth. The state is the ninth-largest by population in the U.S. Each district in the U.S. House of Representatives includes approximately 700,000 residents. North Carolina currently has 13 House members. 2020 census data should disclose sufficient growth to warrant a 14th member. The Bureau of the Census conducts a constitutionally mandated decennial census whose figures are used to determine the number of congressional districts to which each state is entitled. This process is called apportionment. Census information is also be used for federal, state and local election redistricting. The goal is to have everyone who lives in Cumberland County counted in 2020. An accurate count of all residents is critical for receiving the state’s share of the $675 billion in federal funds that are distributed to states and communities each year.

  • 12 01 N2001P27008CIn light of the coronavirus pandemic, virtually all of us have considered health-related issues. But for people facing a serious, chronic illness, such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, diabetes or cancer, health concern s are an everyday matter. If you’re fortunate, you may never be afflicted with such maladies, but the future is unpredictable. Of course, going through these health challenges brings physical and emotional concerns — but also financial ones. How can you prepare for them?

    Essentially, you’ll need to consider four key areas: investments, insurance, legal arrangements and taxes. Let’s take a quick look at each of them:

    Investments – You’ll likely need to draw on your investments for at least some of the expenses associated with your illness. So, within your portfolio, you may want to establish a special fund devoted entirely to these costs, whether they be health care, modifications to your home, transportation and so on. A financial professional can help you choose investments for this fund, as well as make recommendations for your overall investment strategy, including techniques for boosting your income, such as adding investments that can provide an income stream that kicks in when you think your costs will rise.

    Insurance – Depending on your health status, you may be able to collect Medicare earlier than the traditional starting point at age 65. Even so, you’ll likely need to supplement it with additional coverage. But you may also want to look beyond health insurance. For example, you might be able to purchase a “chronic illness rider” that allows you to tap into life insurance benefits while you’re still alive. Or you might consider adding a “long-term care rider” to a life insurance policy; this rider offers financial benefits if you ever require daily care that you can’t provide for yourself. And some foundations, states and drug companies offer programs that can help pay for some costs that your insurance won’t cover.

    Legal arrangements – If you haven’t already done so, you may want to establish the legal documents most appropriate for your situation, such as a durable power of attorney for finances, which gives someone the authority to manage your financial affairs if you become temporarily incapacitated, possibly due to flare-ups of your chronic disease. Once you’ve recovered, you regain control of your financial decisions. You might also want to consider a health care proxy, which appoints an individual to make medical decisions for you if you can’t. In creating or revising these documents, you’ll need to consult with your legal professional.

    Taxes – You might qualify for Social Security disability payments, which, like other Social Security benefits, are taxable, so you’ll need to be aware of what you might owe. But you might also be eligible for some tax breaks related to your condition. If you still itemize tax deductions, you may be able to deduct some medical expenses, as well as certain home improvements such as wheelchair ramps, bathtub grab bars, motorized stairlifts and so on. Your tax advisor may have suggestions appropriate for your situation.

    Dealing with a chronic illness is never easy. But by considering how your illness will affect all aspects of your life, getting the help you need — and taking the right steps — you may be able to reduce the financial stress on you and your loved ones.

  • 09 01 Phoenix Rising“Phoenix Rising: From the Ashes of Desert One to the Rebirth of U.S. Special Operations,” is a new book by Col. Keith Nightingale. “Phoenix Rising” recounts the birth of Special Operations Forces through the prism of Operation Eagle Claw, the failed attempt to rescue 52 Americans held hostage in the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran. When terrorists captured the American embassy Nov. 4, 1979, the Joint Chiefs of Staff quickly realized that the United States lacked the military capability to deal with the issues they faced. Nightingale graduated from Airborne, Jumpmaster and Ranger schools and retired as a colonel in 1993. He served two tours in Vietnam and he was an original member of Joint Special Operations Command.

  • 14 01 9780385544290Can North Carolina’s beloved author Ron Rash protect the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other environmental treasures from commercial exploitation?

    Can he do it by resurrecting the evil, enticing central character of his 2008 best-selling novel, “Serena”?

    Serena, you might remember, was ambitious and dramatically attractive, riding a white horse and displaying her well-trained eagle. In the early 1930s, she and her husband were determined to get rich by clear-cutting thousand acres of North Carolina mountain forestlands, destroying a rich, stable and precious environment.

    Rash made Serena a symbol of corporate greed and anti-environmentalism.

    Serena was also driven by personal passions. She was determined to eliminate her husband’s illegitimate son and the child’s mother. This assignment went to Galloway, a one-armed employee utterly devoted to Serena.

    Galloway’s effort, chronicled in the original book’s dramatic last pages, was nevertheless a failure. The boy and mother were safe, and Serena was off to exploit the forests of Brazil.

    A novella that is part of Rash’s new book, “In the Valley,” brings Serena back to North Carolina to take charge of a logging project to meet a hard deadline.

    Galloway also returns to take on Serena’s murderous assignments, including the search for the mother and her son.

    Readers will again be impressed and horrified at Serena’s determined and brutal efforts that destroy more of the environment and decimate the crews.

    What is the connection to Rash’s worries about the environment?

    In an interview last week with Mountain Times Publication’s executive editor Tom Mayer, Rash explained, “I’m seeing now this peril for the national parks. There’s a lot of push to change what is considered wilderness that can be mined or timbered. My hope is that this [story] would remind us how hardwon these national parks were and what they were fighting against.”

    The new book has a bonus for fans of Rash’s short fiction.

    There are nine finely tuned short stories. All deal with mountain people like those he knows from growing up in or near the mountains or from his long years teaching at Western Carolina University.

    These are folks that Rash clearly cares for and worries about. But the time settings vary, giving readers a look at mountain life over hundreds of years.

    In the opener, “Neighbors,” set during the Civil War in the Shelton Laurel community, a Confederate foraging and raiding party targets the farm of a young widow and her two young children.

    “When All the Stars Fall” deals with a poignant breakup of a father’s and son’s construction business because their value systems are different.

    In “Sad Man in the Sky,” a helicopter pilot who sells 30-minute rides takes on a troubled but inspiring passenger.

    In “L'Homme Blesse” a mountain college art professor explores the connection between the artwork of a Normandy invasion veteran and the images on the walls of ancient caves in France.

    “The Baptism” is the story of a country minister and a wife abuser who wants to be baptized. The story has a satisfying surprise ending.

    A young female probationary park ranger in “Flight” encounters a bully who lacks a fishing license and breaks all the rules. Her daring retort is illegal but satisfying.

    A struggling late-night storekeeper in “Last Bridge Burned” helps a troubled woman who stumbles into his store. Years later, he reaps an interesting reward.

    In “Ransom,” a wealthy college student survives a lengthy kidnapping only to face another set of challenges.

    Set 60 years after the Battle of Chickamauga, “The Belt” tells how a belt and its buckle that saved a Confederate soldier’s life now saves the life of his great-grandson.

    Any one of these stories would be worth the price of the book, but getting all of them plus the new Serena installment makes “In the Valley” the literary bargain of the year.

  • 06 01 minnie zhou FGwBRTdwR8I unsplashA bipartisan group of 35 lawmakers have written to Defense Secretary Mark Esper, citing concerns that a “child care dilemma” could affect the Department of Defense’s readiness. “In light of COVID-19-related school closures, approximately 1.2 million children under the age of 13 in military families will now require child care,” the lawmakers wrote.

    They based their numbers on the DoD 2018 demographics report. The members of Congress noted that while DoD has an extensive network of child development centers, about 18,000 military children remain on waiting lists nationwide. Schools around the country are reopening in a variety of ways, in addition to the traditional in-person learning. Some, like Cumberland County Schools, are operating through remote learning. With the pandemic shutdown of schools and child care this spring, military families and others around the country found themselves suddenly at home with their children, who were now being educated through remote learning. Fort Bragg schools, which are operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity, are set to open with face-to-face learning this fall.

  • 05 01 Diane WheatleyHi, I am Diane Wheatley, I am running for the North Carolina House of Representatives in District 43. I am so proud to have this opportunity. This November, you will decide whom you send to Raleigh.

    There are four issues I feel incredibly passionate about. I can make a significant difference in education, health care, public safety and — finally — I can make a substantial impact on the economy of Cumberland County.

    I spent 10 years on the Cumberland County Board of Education and worked diligently to improve education for children and their families. I was instrumental in starting the academy system, which gave parents school choice within the public school system. I am proud to say that during those 10 years, test scores improved every single year I was on the board, including the two years in which I served as its chair. Furthermore, we passed a major bond referendum and built 10 schools on time and under budget, enabling us to build two additional schools for the same cost.

    Following my 10-year tenure on the school board, I was successful in being elected to the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners. During that time, I served on the Board of Directors of Cape Fear Valley Hospital. Furthermore, I chaired the ethics committee while on the hospital board. That helped me tremendously in understanding the issues facing health care today. As a registered nurse, I traveled all over the world as a medical missionary to provide health care to those in need.

    Let us make this clear, I support affordable, sustainable health care for all and for one. I am sick and tired of big pharma and its ridiculous price gouging of the American people. The hospital billing has done nothing but compound this ever-rising cost in health care.

    I do not know about you, but when it comes to public safety, I do not feel safe. My guess is you do not either. The police department and all first responders are one of my top priorities. Do you really think now’s the time to cut budgets for those entrusted with our public safety? My opponent does! When people feel compelled to rush out to take concealed carry classes and purchase guns and ammo just to protect their families, something is wrong! Thank God for our Second Amendment rights, which give us the ability to protect ourselves during times like these.

    My opponent has never met a payroll. I spent over three decades in the business world and made payroll every single year. Our firm was recognized as one of the top five contractors on Fort Bragg for price, quality and service. I have a passion for entrepreneurs and have the background to prove it. I know what it takes for economic development and job growth, and that is crucial experience we will need in recovering from COVID-19.

    Send me — the unbureaucrat — to Raleigh! I have got the experience and know-how and will not need any training wheels.

  • 03 01 5damesIn August seven years ago, five local women — all dear friends — and I were knee-deep in trying to put off an original stage performance, and only one of us had any idea what we were doing.

    Bo Thorp, a founder of Cape Fear Regional Theatre and its longtime Creative Director, knows more than a thing or two about theater, but the rest of us were blanks slates, veterans of different worlds altogether. Bo had recruited us to tell our life stories onstage, which entailed writing them, trying to memorize them —although we had cheat sheets — learning how to move around on a stage in the proper order with music and overcoming stage jitters. Our little band included corporate CEO Terri Union; former teacher, Fayetteville City Council member, and Cumberland County Commissioner Rollin Shaw; real estate mogul Suzanne Pennink; Army brat turned judge and former North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Patricia Timmons-Goodson; and me.

    We bonded, named ourselves “The Dames You Thought You Knew,” and much to our surprise, performed to four sold-out audiences. We had been expecting family and friends. Human beings are innately curious about each other, though, and it was fascinating to learn about the lives of people we thought we knew well, but really did not. Some of it was funny — teenaged disasters and first loves. Some of it was painful — divorces and lost elections. All of it was very real. Years later, Bo conceived of and put together another performance, “LumBees: Women of the Dark Water,” featuring women of Lumbee heritage and put it on at CRFT. It, too, was an instant hit.

    Seven years creates lots of change, and the Dames have been through our share. Three of us now live away from Fayetteville, mostly for family reasons. Two of us have been widowed. More grandchildren have arrived, and all but two of us are officially retired.

    Those two Dames are still going at it in the working-world arena. Suzanne Pennink continues to work successfully in local real estate and is a downtown Fayetteville booster extraordinaire. She and her husband live downtown and open their city center home for various charitable causes. Pat Timmons-Goodson, the youngest of the Dames, whom the rest of us called “our baby,” continues her life’s work for justice in all areas of American life, having served as a Cumberland County prosecutor, a judge and a Justice on the North Carolina Supreme Court. She served as Vice-Chair of the United States Commission on Civil Rights as an extension of her judicial work. She is the backbone of her large, extended family as well.

    This year, Pat has volunteered for a new challenge as well. She is running for Congress and would be the first Fayetteville resident to represent us since Charlie Rose left office more than 20 years ago. She has chosen to take this on during one of the most toxic political climates in American history. The Dames are behind her all the way.

    COVID-19 has given all of us plenty of time to think and reflect, and prominent among my thoughts these days are the value of deep and long-running friendships and how they shape and enrich our lives. Another is how time alters us all, sometimes so slowly we are not even aware of the changes and sometimes with knocks that take our breaths away. The Dames have evolved since this time in 2013, but each of us continues to play roles in our communities, whatever they may be at this point. Keeping on keeping on is one of life’s enduring lessons as well.

    Pictured (left-right): Margaret Dickson, Suzanne Pennink, Terri Union, Rollin Shaw, Patricia Timmons-Goodson.

     

  • 07 01 N1306P14004CThe Cumberland County Animal Shelter is observing the sixth annual nationwide Clear the Shelters pet adoption event during the month of August. The shelter hopes to find homes for 300 pets by month’s end. Pet adoptions will be $28 thanks to a grant from PetSmart Charities. Included in the $28 fee is a rabies vaccination, pet privilege license, microchip and spay or neuter operation. In addition, every adopter will go home with a swag bag full of goodies for their new best friend.

    “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Clear the Shelter event will look a little different,” said Animal Control Director Elaine Smith. “Instead of a daylong event... a monthlong adoption campaign will enable us to maintain social distancing protocols and coordinate appointments for all adoptions.” Adopters must wear face coverings, have photo IDs and be at least 18 years old. All adoptions will be by appointment only.

  • 10 01 N2008P31007CA judge has dismissed Democratic attempts to throw out North Carolina’s protections against absentee voting fraud. But his ruling ensures the State Board of Elections must give voters due process to fix problems with their mail-in ballots.

    The decision offers good news for North Carolinians who will vote from home due to COVID-19, said Mitch Kokai, John Locke Foundation senior political analyst.

    On Tuesday, Aug. 4, U.S. District Court Judge William Osteen said fears about COVID-19 aren’t sufficient to change state laws for mail-in ballots. The General Assembly got serious about potential voter fraud after a 2018 scandal in North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District. The state ordered a new election after a Republican political operative and several associates faced charges of allegedly collecting and falsifying absentee ballots to flip a congressional race. Lawmakers enacted a law providing accountability during absentee voting.

    The lawsuit, filed in May by the League of Women Voters of North Carolina and Democracy North Carolina, targeted several of those new provisions. Plaintiffs asked the court to end an early voter registration deadline, provide “contactless” drop points for absentee ballots and nix requirements that a witness sign every mail-in ballot.

    Osteen didn’t grant those requests, which are akin to a “Democratic Party wish list,” Kokai said. He did, however, address a legitimate concern about an election that will rely more heavily on mail-in balloting. Current rules allow voters to fix mistakes on their ballot if they vote in person. Under Osteen’s ruling, the State Board of Elections can’t reject absentee ballots until they’ve installed a similar process for voter appeals.

    Osteen also made way for the General Assembly to enact a law to protect voters’ rights to fix their ballot and have it counted.

    “One of the best parts of Judge Osteen’s decision was his willingness to defer to the General Assembly for decisions about the details of addressing the plaintiffs’ issues,” Kokai said. “The court order will remain in place only until lawmakers take their own steps to resolve critical election-integrity issues.”

    Data from the liberal Southern Coalition for Social Justice show more than 282,000 absentee ballots were rejected in North Carolina’s March primary election. Forty-one percent of those could’ve been counted if voters had been notified and given a chance to fix their mistakes, the League of Women Voters said in a Tuesday news release.

    Sen. Ralph Hise, R-NC District 47, chairs the Senate Elections Committee. He praised Osteen’s decision in a news release Tuesday while also criticizing Democrats for what he says is an attempt to “undo bipartisan absentee ballot fraud protections passed by the legislature.”

    “These partisan lawsuits undermine trust in elections by seeking to legalize ballot harvesting and make it easier to commit absentee ballot fraud. We’re glad a federal judge drew the line on these dangerous attempts to undermine election security.”

    This article first appeared in Carolina News Journal.

  • 15 01 older woman listeningGreat change has been forced onto parents, families, students, teachers and school administrators.

    Yet every day these leaders, citizens and ordinary folks put on a brave face before leaving the house to face new challenges.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tell us that children are less susceptible to COVID-19, and politicians tell us that kids returning to school is the only way to stabilize the economy, but still there is a deep sense of fear, uncertainty and distrust.

    We’re at a critical juncture in history where we are forced to look at how we live, what we stand for, and what we value.

    We can choose to recoil and hibernate in survival mode or we can ask how we can serve and show up for others. We are being forced to live in the present moment, to live fluidly to move through stress, unanswered questions, and well-founded concerns.

    A lot of the individuals I work with in therapy are faced with the choice of who they want to become and how they want to show up in light of this pandemic.

    I am so proud of our teachers, our parents and our students. These trailblazers are rising to the demands instead of being paralyzed by fear. They show up to classes, login to their remote assignments and make the best out of a terrible reality.

    Thank you for not hiding and playing small. Thank you to our leaders who are making difficult decisions and facing public scrutiny.

    Right now is the time to lead with empathy, expansiveness and patience. Your family, friends, employees and clients need you to take decisive action, to lean in and to be fully present.

    Your hope and vision for a better future can help others see through this tough time. An antidote to the fear, panic and overwhelm is helping people to feel seen, heard and validated.

    While it’s wise to show up for yourself first and foremost, it is important to balance that obligation with supporting others. Let those under your leadership fall apart and break down and express their worry and fear, and be the one to offer them hope and certainty.

    Right now calls for personal and professional evolution. Make room for a new, better identity and society to emerge. Push past judgement and survival mode. Guide yourself and others to do the best possible, to channel their emotions into action.

    Let us be grateful for this opportunity to transform and discover what we’re really made of. I hope you are able to see how amazingly resilient, compassionate and truly brave you are.

  • 13 01 calendar marked november third 2020 presidential elections 47726 75842020 has not been a normal election year. From rallies cancelled because of COVID-19 to talk of mail-in voting and whether or not the U.S. Postal service could support such an endeavour, nevermind concerns about how that might work, voters may want to consider how they will cast ballots this year, including voting early.

    An individual’s eligibility to vote is set out in the Constitution of the United States. The Constitution states that suffrage (the right to vote) cannot be denied on grounds of race, color, sex or age for citizens 18 years or older. Beyond these basic qualifications, it is the responsibility of state legislatures to regulate voter eligibility and all elections. In the U.S., elections are held for government officials at the federal, state and local levels.

    At the federal level, the nation's head of state, the president, is elected indirectly by the people through an Electoral College. The number of electors in each state is equal to the number of U.S. senators and members of the House of Representatives to which the state is entitled in Congress. North Carolina has 15 electors and requires that electors support the popular vote of the state.

    Members of Congress are elected directly by the people. Each state elects two U.S. senators and members of the U.S. House of Representatives, the latter based on population.

    The 2020 presidential election could come down to just half a dozen states. Experts generally agree that the key swing states to focus on this year are Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, all of which were won by President Trump in 2016.

    "Those will be the six most critical states," Paul Maslin, a longtime Democratic pollster, told Newsweek. "There will be others that'll be important in varying degrees," he said.

    “The Electoral College creates strange incentives for campaigns to ignore most of the country and pour their attention into a small number of places," Barry Burden, a professor of political science and director of the Elections Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, told Newsweek.

    "Voters in these states should expect to see a lot of advertising, a lot of visits from the candidates and their surrogates and a ton of field activity with offices opening and volunteers appearing at their door," Burden added.

    "To some extent, it's not really a national election. It's all about the Electoral College," Newhouse said.

    The names of electors are not on the ballot in most states. Rather, when a voter casts a vote for a presidential candidate, he/she is also casting a vote for the electors already selected by the party of that candidate. For instance, if a majority of voters in North Carolina votes for the Republican candidate for president, the Republican slate of electors is elected. If a majority votes for the Democratic candidate, the Democratic slate of electors is chosen.

    There are many elected offices at the state level, including governor and lieutenant governor in North Carolina. Members of the Council of State are also elected statewide. There are also elected offices at the local level, in counties, cities, towns and townships as well as school districts and special districts that may transcend county and municipal boundaries. According to a study by political scientist Jennifer Lawless, there were 519,682 elected officials in the U.S. as of 2012.

    To register to vote in North Carolina, one must be a U.S. citizen; live in the county of his/her registration and have resided there for at least 30 days prior to the date of the election; be at least 18 years old, or by the date of the general election (16- and 17-year-olds may preregister to vote); and not be serving a sentence for a felony conviction, including probation, parole or post-release supervision. In North Carolina once an individual has completed a felony sentence or been pardoned, he/she is eligible to register and vote.

    Early voting is available from Oct. 15-31 at a dozen sites around Cumberland County. Registered voters may update their addresses and change vital information in an existing registration record at the early voting site, but they are not allowed to change their party affiliations during the one-stop voting period that precedes a partisan primary.

    North Carolina citizens can vote by mail. The election office must receive ballot application requests by Oct. 27, and completed ballots must be postmarked by or received in-person by Nov. 3. For more information, visit the North Carolina State Board of Election’s website.

    The Cumberland County Boards of Elections’ office maintains precinct lines and notifies all voters of correct precincts and districts and also provides elected officials, candidates and the general public with reliable information as requested, along with administering the Campaign Reporting Act in Cumberland County. In addition, the elections office is responsible for maintaining contact with precinct officials at all times concerning elections, new laws and training.

    The Cumberland County Board of Elections is in urgent need of poll workers for the Nov. 3 general election and the early voting period in October.

    The board will follow state guidelines to protect the health and safety of election workers and voters. Social distancing measures and routine cleanings have been put into place and poll workers will be provided appropriate personal protective equipment.

    Election worker duties include staffing polling places during early voting and on Election Day, setting up and taking down voting enclosures, checking in voters, issuing ballots and assisting voters upon request. Poll workers are compensated for attending training and for working during early voting and on Election Day. Interested registered voters can complete the online application by going to electionready.net.

    There are 75 polling places in Cumberland County, 35 of them inside the Fayetteville city limits. To locate your polling place, go to ncsbe.gov. Click on Polling Place, Search and then enter your information.

    On election day, Nov. 3, all polling sites will open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. No politicking is allowed within 50 feet of the main entrance to the polling place. In Fayetteville, those who post political yard signs on their property must remove them within a day or two following the election or be subject to a fine.

  • 02 April red and blueThis week, our publisher, Bill Bowman, yields his space to April Olsen, the new editor of Up & Coming Weekly.

    It is a good week to be taking over the editor’s seat because this issue of UCW has great information about women, voting, protecting your finances and sage advice on dealing with stress from a dog named Champ.

    This week while learning procedures around the UCW office, I also found out that Annie Alexander, a North Carolina native, was the first licensed woman doctor in the American South. On page 6, you can read about how she was tending patients and serving in the Army before she even had the right to vote.

    I had never heard of Annie, but it seems fitting that I would read about her this month, as it is the centennial celebration of the U.S. Constitution’s 19th Amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote. On August 18, 1920, the amendment was ratified. On August 26, 1920, it was certified by the U.S. Secretary of State, allowing eight million women across the U.S. to cast their votes that November.

    I also felt a connection to Annie’s story because I, too, served in the Army. Although not a doctor, I traveled to many places around our great nation and ended up at Fort Bragg, right here in Fayetteville, where I retired a few years ago.
    Serving in uniform and traveling to countries where citizens have so few rights helped me cherish my own American privilege of voting. It is something I take a lot of pride in, whether I am standing at the polling place or mailing in an absentee ballot.

    You can find out information about voting in our cover story on page 13, written by Jeff Thompson. Some of you are active in politics, and some may be registering to vote this year for the first time. Whichever is your situation, I applaud your efforts. Research the issues and the candidates. Speak out for or against. Make your voice heard. Having a say in who our leaders are is one of the greatest things about America.

    UCW is committed to helping you research local candidates when we receive submissions from them. On page 8, you can read what issues Dianne Wheatley is passionate about: education, health care, public safety and the economy. Wheatley is running for North Carolina House of Representatives in District 43.

    Most of us are also concerned about the economy, especially since COVID-19 has shut down so many businesses and put so many people out of work. A health scare during these times can be especially stressful on a family’s finances. On page 12, we offer a quick review of four key areas to consider if you are in such a situation.

    No matter what your circumstances look like, it is important to remember that taking care of yourself and your tribe is a necessity, not an afterthought. Licensed Psychologist Rebecca Crain offers her perspective on page 15.

    If none of these articles help you face whatever challenge you are encountering, please flip on over to page 17. On occasion, dealing with a problem may require you to step back and catch your breath. Like Champ, Dan Debruler’s canine companion, you may need to seek refuge in your own quiet space.

    Catching our breath is what we have been doing at UCW. Now is a perfect time to state what we want to accomplish in the community and review our vision.

    UCW will promote good things happening and work to expose negative things for the good of the community. As social distancing allows, we will continue to highlight plays, concerts, sports, education, celebrations and a patriotic sense of serving a greater purpose.

    That sense of purpose reflects our vision for the future of UCW — to share information on the many opportunities in Fayetteville, Fort Bragg and Cumberland County while being a champion of small business, highlighting the people making things happen, providing a platform for the public exchange of ideas and sharing an unapologetic pride for our community.

    Our brand of community journalism carries a responsibility to inform, educate and entertain while being fair and honest. As the UCW editor, I will strive to meet this responsibility by including opposing voices and ideas to highlight the diversity we are blessed with in Fayetteville. I encourage our readers to submit your thoughts and ideas.

    With so many options for print and online information, we appreciate that you spend some of your time reading Up & Coming Weekly.

  • 04 01 Annie Lowrie AlexanderExcluding people based on their race, sex or other characteristics doesn’t just keep those individuals from pursuing their dreams. And it doesn’t just violate moral principles of human dignity and equality. It does great harm to others.

    Think of it this way: among every human population that has ever existed, there is a wide range of skills, aptitudes and personal preferences. Some are good at talking, others at counting. Some thrive in large teams and crowds, others in small groups or solitary ventures. Healthy communities allow people to find their best “fit,” the best possible way to apply their distinctive combinations of talents to serve others.

    Because some goods and services are particularly challenging to produce, requiring either special gifts or lengthy study to master, only some of us will be able to do such jobs really well. That’s why casting the largest net we can makes us all better off. It makes it more likely we will get what we need or want.

    And that’s why discrimination, in addition to being wrong, is so foolishly self-destructive. It keeps companies from hiring the best people and serving the most customers. It throttles innovation. It makes our families and communities poorer.
    When only white men were allowed to become doctors, for example, that artificially restricted the quantity and quality of medical care. One reason we are, on average, much healthier than our grandparents and great-grandparents is that healers of great skill, daring and determination smashed through that barrier.

    One of them was Annie Alexander. She was the first woman to become a licensed physician in the American South. As I continue my survey of pathbreaking North Carolinians who deserve greater acclaim, and commemoration in the form of statues and other monuments, the case for Annie Alexander seems irrefutable.

    The daughter of prominent Charlotte physician John Brevard Alexander and his wife, the original Annie Alexander, the young Annie was only 14 years old when a horrifying event prompted her to choose her path in life. It was 1878, and medical care for women was hampered by both law and custom. Out of modesty, a female patient of her father’s refused to allow him to conduct a full examination. The patient died.

    Young Annie’s horror hardened into determination. After beginning her training under her father’s tutelage, Annie went off to medical school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ultimately moving to Baltimore, Maryland, to practice and teach medicine. When she and 99 men took Maryland’s licensing exam in 1885, Annie Alexander earned the highest score.

    A bout of tuberculosis took her to Florida, then home to North Carolina, where she began a solo practice. It was revolutionary for women in the Charlotte area to be able to see a female doctor, although her practice wasn’t limited to women. And as it grew, Annie Alexander attracted both acclaim and opprobrium.

    Some of her own relatives refused to have anything to do with her. Accepting whoever was willing to seek treatment, Annie struggled at first to pay her bills. She was “received with cold indifference by the professions and open curiosity by the laity,” she later wrote.

    But Annie Alexander persevered. She joined the North Carolina Medical Society. In 1903, she cofounded the Mecklenburg County Medical Society, serving as its first secretary-treasurer and as its first female president a few years later. She cared for patients in local hospitals and for 23 years served what is now Queens University as its physician.

    During World War I, Doctor Annie Alexander became Lieutenant Annie Alexander, treating soldiers at Camp Greene and helping to lead Charlotte’s fight against the Spanish flu epidemic. She served on dozens of boards and commissions. She championed freedom and equality. “Women nowadays,” she wrote, “can no more be withheld from her public duty than she can be exempt from taxes.”

    Annie Alexander is commemorated by a historical marker on Charlotte’s Tryon Street. She deserves a great deal more than that, I think. Her influence extended statewide and beyond. Let’s honor her accordingly.

  • 05 N2008P25006CCumberland County Schools has outlined how students will be educated as they head back to school under a remote learning plan. School officials say that to establish consistent expectations and quality education from school to school, the plan provides answers to numerous questions. A daily learning schedule has been established for elementary, middle and high schools. It includes live time with teachers, independent work time for students, student breaks to manage attention span and time to visit the district’s meal sites for lunch. An online districtwide learning management system for instruction will provide interactive learning, align assignments, house lecture recordings and quizzes/exams and provide online grading. The district will use a uniform grading structure that assures student assignments, quizzes and assessments are balanced and will provide quality feedback. The distribution of devices and instructional materials is underway now. About 80 school buses are outfitted with internet connectivity to serve as hotspots and will be strategically placed in areas throughout the community to make sure students have access. School officials have also built into the remote learning plan ways that parents can share concerns about their child’s remote experience with teachers and principals. For detailed information about the plan, visit http://ccs.k12.nc.us/.

  • 15 N1805P37002CImagine this scenario: at approximately 2300 hours, you are dispatched as a member of law enforcement to a residence with a possible home invasion. You received information that the caller was a male child approximately 12 years of age and hiding in a closet. The child said he heard his back door kicked in and people walking around in his house. The child was crying on the phone, whispering that he was home alone, scared and didn’t know what to do.

    Does this type of challenging situation positively motivate you when you consider a career?

    If so, a career in law enforcement could be for you. Fayetteville Technical Community College offers convenient ways for you to learn about being a law enforcement officer and how to get started in this rewarding career. FTCC conducts a Basic Law Enforcement Training Informational/Application Workshop once a month.

    If you’re not sure if law enforcement is for you but want to learn more about FTCC’s BLET Academy, we invite you to a workshop to meet the staff. We will discuss what to expect before, during and after the academy. We encourage you to bring your support (significant other) with you, so we will be able to answer any and all questions you or your significant other may have.

    For those who want information and are ready to start the application process, sign up for our information session and application workshop with the BLET staff. Print out the application packet and bring it with you to the workshop. By the time you leave, the majority of your application process will be complete, and you will be on your way to a rewarding career in law enforcement!

    For those who already know what BLET is all about, you can skip the informational session and move right into getting the application process completed with BLET staff assistance. Print out the application packet and bring it with you to the workshop. Sign up for our application workshop where a BLET staff member will assist you through the lengthy process.

    If you already know a career in law enforcement is for you and you are ready to complete the application process on your own, no problem! Download the application from home and get started. I recommend starting the application process 5-6 months prior to your desired class start date. Anything submitted more than 5-6 months in advance could expire before the class begins.

    Get started by signing up two ways:

    (1) Visit our website at www.faytechcc.edu and type “BLET” in the search box. Click on “How to Enroll” to sign up for the workshop, or just download the BLET Application.
    (2) Visit our Facebook page at FTCC Basic Law Enforcement Training BLET and click on the “Sign Up” button located on our cover photo.

    We look forward to serving you at FTCC, and your community awaits your service as a member of law enforcement. Contact me at
    vesty@faytechcc.edu if you have questions.

  • 14 razvan chisu 6F98shIQysI unsplashNow that warmer days are upon us, I seek the refuge of water with my activity of choice kayaking. I have always had a mermaid soul that draws me to the water for activities such as paddle boarding, boogie boarding, swimming and surfing, but the kayaking experience has been unique. This versatile sport can be enjoyed in many different settings, from the river to open lakes and even the beach. I also love that the kayaking community is quite diverse in terms of age and physical ability. Anyone, even you landlubbers, can enjoy this sport.

    If you do not own a kayak, a few places offer kayaks for rent. I appreciate these options as different types and sizes allow people to try them out and find a comfortable fit. I own a sit-in kayak, where my legs fit inside the vessel. Some buccaneers own sit-on-top kayaks, a flat style allowing legs to stay exposed, and prefer that style for both the rowing and what else – tanning. My 10-year-old daughter uses this type of kayak; it is safer, I feel, in the event she has to abandon ship. Everyone seems to have their preferences, so I think renting for a day to “test the waters” is a great option.

    When I first began kayaking, I found it a pleasant surprise the number of places available for kayak access in the local community. The locations vary in level of difficulty and offerings regarding fees and amenities such as shuttle services, guided tours, events and classes. Some kayakers like such programming, while others prefer to strike out on their own.

    Spring Lake Outpost on the Lower Little River in Spring Lake has rental options, guided tours and self-guided options. Book a fun float such as the SLO Glow Canoe or SLO Glow Kayak trip; Freedom Float for the Fallen; Memorial Candle Release or an adult, youth or tandem short-route trip. One option allows you to rent their vessel or use your own kayak to put in. You travel downriver to a designated location where SLO guides pick you up and drive you back to the starting point.

    Another site for a similar shuttle experience is Cape Fear Adventures in Lillington. I enjoy this area of the Cape Fear River in neighboring Harnett County as it is wide enough to give paddlers the freedom to explore with minimal obstacles. I have visited on days when it was calm enough to row upriver and then almost sail back down to the ramp for departure. With a kayak, canoe or paddleboard rental, you can book the Leisure Paddle, Easy Float, 10-mile Challenge, Epic Overnight or Sunset Paddle. Rev up the action with Stand-Up Paddle Board Yoga or Whitewater Kayaking. Slow it down with Lazy River Tubing.

    If you are not into the river scene, several lakes in the local area allow you to launch your kayak free of charge. A few of my favorites are Hope Mills Lake in Hope Mills, Lake Rim in west Fayetteville and Mott Lake on Fort Bragg. All have ramps for easy water access, but Hope Mills Lake provides a nice kayak ramp that makes embarkment a snap. Lake Rim Park offers guided lake tours and off-site paddling adventures as well.

    I like to take a few things on my kayak adventures that you may wish to take, too: a small cooler with water and snacks, bug spray, a sun hat or sunglasses and flip flops or water shoes. Requirements are life jackets for each person and an emergency whistle, just in case.

    Don’t forget to batten down the hatches, as even on calm days, it’s easy to lose a phone to the water. How devastating it would be to miss out on sharing pictures of your adventure with your social media mates. So, grab your Mer Pals, hit the open water and beat the heat this summer.

  • 11 N1705P26005CBrandon has three little girls, no job and no health insurance.

    His company launched mass furloughs just weeks after North Carolina shut down its economy over the coronavirus pandemic. Brandon’s job didn’t last long, and his health insurance became a casualty.

    Brandon is familiar with the risk of being uninsured. Years ago, he racked up medical bills when depression turned his life “upside down.” But he came back to get a job he loved, working as a residential project manager in Charlotte.
    Now the only reason he still can see his therapist is her decision to treat him, free of charge.

    “I finally started getting help, met the woman of my dreams, I turned my life around,” Brandon told Carolina Journal. He preferred to use his first name for privacy reasons. “If I didn’t have her, if I had someone who went by the book — it scares me. And it sucks, because none of this was any fault of our own. No fault. That’s the sad part.”

    Brandon is one of an estimated 723,000 North Carolinians who lost their health insurance to the economic devastation unleashed by the pandemic and the lockdowns, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. The loss has forced patients to delay or forfeit care while they wait for the economy to restart and for the pandemic to ease.

    Americans’ dependence on employer-based health insurance — a result of government regulations and union activism — exacerbates the problem, experts say.

    During World War II, the War Labor Board exempted health benefits from its wage freeze. After the war, unions fought for health benefits in a wave of strikes. They won a victory in 1953, when the Internal Revenue Service upheld a tax break for employer-based health insurance.

    The system has its strengths, but its weaknesses become acute in a global pandemic, said Mark Hall, the director of Wake Forest University’s health law and policy program.

    “You can’t live with it, can’t live without it — whatever cliché you want to use,” Hall told Carolina Journal. “On the whole, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. But the drawbacks are significant when you have these economic downturns that cause people to lose their insurance when they need it most.”

    More than 1.2 million people have filed unemployment claims in North Carolina since the outbreak began and Gov. Roy Cooper shut down the economy.

    “I honestly thought I’d be back working by now,” Brandon said. “I absolutely loved my job; best job I ever had, they took care of me. … It’s a nightmare for a lot of people.”

    Months after being diagnosed with cancer, Sherie Bradshaw’s husband lost his job and his health insurance during the pandemic.

    The cancer diagnosis, they expected. Genetics was against them, they knew, and the same cancer had killed Frank Bradshaw’s father within 10 years of its diagnosis. Father and son each were age 58 when doctors discovered prostate cancer.

    Bradshaw went in for surgery just as the pandemic neared its first peak. At his company, sales plummeted 90%, federal money ran out, and the Bradshaws found themselves uninsured and unable to afford insurance. His cancer diagnosis eliminates catastrophic coverage, and Obamacare premiums are prohibitively expensive. They make too much to qualify for Medicaid, even if the program were expanded under the Affordable Care Act.

    “I’m angry, and a little nervous,” says Sherie Bradshaw, a physician assistant in Charlotte. “Are we going to have to dig into our retirement savings to pay $1,000 just to be covered? And that’s sad when you’re our age.”

    In Apex, Dr. Brian Forrest says many of his patients have lost their jobs to the pandemic. Two of his uninsured patients were saving for hernia repair surgery, but he worries the pandemic has hit their finances, too.

    “A hernia isn’t an emergency, but you want to get it fixed before it gets twisted, or it is life-threatening,” Forrest told Carolina Journal. “It can cut off the blood supply, and kill you in an hour … They’re just biding their time.”

    Expanding Medicaid would open coverage to households who make less than 138 percent of the federal poverty level. But there’s a shortage of Medicaid providers, and the pandemic has damaged the health care system, said Joe Coletti, John Locke Foundation senior fellow.

    Even if the General Assembly expanded Medicaid today, it couldn’t help these families in time, Coletti said. Oklahoma approved Medicaid expansion this July, but coverage won’t take effect until July 2021 — a year later.

    “Expanding Medicaid would run into the same problems as every other legal remedy,” Coletti said. “It’s not immediate, where you pass the law and it takes effect that day. They’re still in the same spot.”

    In Raleigh, Ruth Porter had health insurance for two weeks before losing her job in May. She’s trying to make ends meet with her 24-year-old autistic son sleeping on the couch. Her other son lost his job when salons and restaurants closed. She cancelled the medical visits she scheduled for May.

    There are gaps in Porter’s job history. She’s worked a slew of part-time jobs, and she didn’t have health insurance for the past two years. Her request for unemployment benefits was denied. But Porter says she wants to get back into the workforce.

    For now, Porter is relying on her sister and her savings, but she’s starting to use her credit card. She says she can make it until the end of September. After that, she doesn’t know.

    “Just looking for a job, just applying constantly. I haven’t heard anything back from any of them,” Porter said. “I’m hoping I don’t even have to think about all that, and I’m working, and it’s not even an issue. But I have no idea, the pandemic seems like it’s getting worse, and the situation with the shutdowns.”

    But if schools stay shut, Brandon doesn’t know if he could take a job. His oldest girl is 10.

    “I’m ready to get back out there and work,” Brandon said. “What are we going to have to do with child care? We couldn’t afford it. … What’s the government going to do, issue another $1,200 check six months from now? It is a joke.”

  • 08 CCS logoCumberland County Schools Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connelly Jr. has selected a new executive director and four new principals. Jackie White was named executive director of Elementary School Support. She has served as the principal of College Lakes Elementary School since 2010. White holds an associate’s in early childhood education from State Fair Community College in Sedalia, Missouri, a bachelor’s in elementary education from Central Missouri State University and a Tier I administrative credential and master’s in elementary education from Chapman University, Santa Maria, California. Tremaine Canteen and Nathan Currie were named principals of Cumberland Academy. Brenda Ware-McAllister was appointed the principal of College Lakes Elementary. Kamal Watkins is the new principal of Lillian Black Elementary, where he currently serves as the assistant principal.

  • 03 IMG 2628Have you been enjoying the year of our Lord, the very festive 2020? So far, it has been really swell, what with the Rona, the riots and the rational reactions. If you have spent any time on social media, you may think that 2020 thus far has stunk. Perish the thought. In a continuing effort to keep on the sunny side of the street, today’s stain on world literature will highlight some of the good things that have happened so far. Sit back, light up a stogie, pour a glass of your favorite adult beverage, and take a ride on the Reading Railroad to Happy Town, U.S.A.

    Like the Overlook Hotel in “The Shining,” misquoting Mr. Halloran: “Lots of things have happened in 2020, and not all of them was good.” So, while the smell of burned toast may hang heavily in the air when you ponder the progress of 2020, as long as you stay out of Room 237 on your calendar, you should be OK. But you have no reason to go into Room 237 of 2020. So, stay out! There are places in 2020 that you should avoid. This column is not going into Room 237. You can get all the horror and anger you need by reading your social media feed. Today we shall put on a happy face.

    Let us begin. Some really bad things that have not happened in 2020. There has been no invasion of body snatchers. The only evil pods that have shown up are the mystery seeds mailed here from our Chinese friends. There is no truth to your suspicion that evil Pods from another planet have replaced the loved ones with whom you have been confined while sheltering in place for the last five months. They are still the same people who existed in February — before cabin fever set in. They are not aliens from another planet, despite what you may think. It is still safe to go to sleep. You will not turn into a Pod. Take Sominex tonight and sleep safe and restful, sleep, sleep, sleep.

    There has been no attack of the Mole Men this year. The Mole Men remain underground, digging diligently but silently like the Pennsylvania Miners unit of Union Army at the Battle of the Crater during the siege of Petersburg in the Civil War. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee the Mole Men won’t erupt if Dear Leader loses the election and refuses to leave office, triggering Civil War 2. To be on the safe side, buy a barrel of Talprid Mole Bait for any pesky infestations of Mole Men who may pop up in your yard after the election.

    Another cheery thought for those of you who are gifted with the weight of many winters is that Soylent Green has not yet been suggested as a remedy for Social Security’s accounting issues — too many people, too little money. For those who don’t remember this excellent 1973 movie, “Soylent Green” is set in the far distant future of 2022. Life is grim, overpopulation, pollution and not enough food to go around. A big corporation has a monopoly on a food supplement called Soylent Green, which is supposedly made of plankton. It turns out Soylent Green is actually made of ground-up excess people. If the U.S. Department of Agriculture starts pushing Soylent Green instead of government cheese for the masses of unemployed Americans, at that point, you may legitimately begin to worry.

    Recently TCM showed Alfred Hitchcock’s movie “The Birds.” So far, homicidal birds have been confined to Bodega Bay, California and Tippi Hendren’s bouffant hairdo. To be on the safe side, keep feeding the birds. We don’t want to rile them up. Birds descended from dinosaurs. There are more of them than there are of us. Mr. Google says there are about 7.5 billion people in the world versus about 200 to 400 billion birds. Keep buying bird seed, and all will be well.

    There are good things that have happened, not just bad things that have not yet occurred in 2020. For example, Lassie came home and Timmy got out of the well. That’s a plus. Despite demands from Marvin the Martian to quarantine Earth due to the Rona, NASA recently launched the Perseverance Rover on a mission to Mars. The Rover will look for signs of life, and possibly bring Martian rocks back to Earth. Unless Marvin is able to build a great big beautiful Martian wall to keep us out, Earth will be knocking on Marvin’s door in February 2021. We shall boldly go where no man has gone before to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations and to spread Rona across the universe.

    Now don’t you feel better already? There is some good stuff out there. Kindly focus on it. As John Prine once sang, “Blow up your TV/ Throw away your paper/ Move to the country/ Build you a home/ Plant a little garden, eat a lot of peaches/ Try and find Jesus on your own.”

    As Floyd the barber once told Andy, “Time heals everything. Know who said that? My Latin teacher at barber college.”

  • 06 Jody DanielsLt. Gen. Jody J. Daniels is the ninth commanding general of the Army Reserve. Daniels will lead more than 200,000 soldiers and civilian employees located in 50 states, five U.S. territories and more than 30 countries. Her promotion to three-star general and assumption of command took place at Fort Bragg, where she will be headquartered. As the 34th Chief of Army Reserve, she will serve as an adviser to the Army Chief of Staff and Congress.
    “I know my squad, my team has the flexibility, creativity, innovation and the will to adapt to prevail against all enemies — to tackle them head-on,” said Daniels, who succeeds Lt. Gen. Charles D. Luckey. She has over 36 years of active and reserve military service. Throughout her career, Daniels has commanded at every level, filled a variety of military intelligence positions and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

  • 09 Fay Reg Air 2Fayetteville City Manager Doug Hewett has named Toney Coleman director of the Fayetteville Regional Airport. Coleman has served the city since 1993 as the airport deputy director. Longtime airport director Bradley Whited retired in April.
    “Dr. Coleman has more than earned this new role as director,” said Hewett. “He’s demonstrated his prowess as a subject matter expert in all things airport-related and as a superb leader. Before joining the city of Fayetteville, Coleman served 12.5 years on active duty in the U.S. Army as an Army aviator. He then served 12.5 years in the Army Reserve. He is a fixed-wing pilot and is a member of the American Association of Airport Executives. Responsibilities on the immediate horizon for Coleman will be to continue terminal renovations while securing new flights for airport customers. He holds a bachelor’s from Winston-Salem State University, a master’s from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a doctoral degree from Northcentral University.

  • 13 dane deaner opZCDREwnMI unsplash 1Farmers markets have grown in popularity in recent years. Nowadays, consumers interested in farmers markets can likely find one near their homes whether those homes are in rural communities, the suburbs or bustling cities.

    People who have never before shopped farmers markets may be curious as to why many people find them so appealing. The following are a handful of benefits of shopping farmers markets that might turn market novices into full-fledged devotees.

    Freshness: Many people visit farmers markets because the fruits and vegetables sold at such markets seem to taste more fresh than those sold at chain grocery stores. People are not mistaken, as the produce available at farmers markets often comes from local farms, meaning there's no long-distance shipping necessary. Locally sourced foods need not be frozen en route to the market, meaning foods purchased there tend to taste especially fresh.

    In-season foods: Some grocery stores may sell fruits and vegetables even when those foods are out of season. Farmers markets only sell in-season fruits and vegetables. To grow fruits and vegetables out-of-season, farmers may need to rely on chemicals or other unnatural methods. No such means are necessary when farmers stick to growing foods in-season.

    Environmental benefits: According to the Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture, food in the United States travels an average of 1,500 miles to get to consumers' plates. Such journeys burn natural resources, pollute the air and produce sizable amounts of trash that ultimately ends up in landfills and/or the world's oceans. Because food sold at farmers markets is locally sourced, considerably fewer natural resources are necessary to transport the food from farm to table, and the relatively short distances the food travels translates to less air pollution.

    Biodiversity: Many farmers market shoppers find unique foods not readily available at their local grocery stores. This is not only a great way to discover new and delicious foods but also a way to promote biodiversity.

    Hormone-free animal products: Farmers markets do not exclusively sell fruits and vegetables. Many farmers markets also are great places to find meats, cheeses and eggs. Animal products sold at farmers markets are typically antibiotic- and hormone-free, which is both more humane to the animals and healthier than animal products produced with hormones or
    antibiotics.

    Farmers markets are more accessible than ever, and the benefits to shopping such markets are endless.

    Now, more than ever before, is the perfect time to support local entrepreneurs. One of the great characteristics of Cumberland County farmers markets is that, in addition to touting agricultural goodness, other items from local entrepreneurs, like sauces and jellies, crocheted pieces, soaps and more are often offered.

    Here are a list of regular pop-up and brick-and-mortar farmers market locations.

    Dirtbag Ales Farmers Market

    Popular for its taproom, Dirtbag Ales offers a variety of fun activities throughout the year, to include a farmers market. The farmers market welcomes individuals, families and furry companions to support local artisans on Sundays through Nov. 22. The market notes on its Facebook page that it is adhering to social distancing guidelines with face masks being strongly encouraged. Preorders and prepay will be offered. Stay tuned to their Facebook page for more information on the vendor lineup. Dirtbag Ales is located at 5435 Corporation Drive. Visit -https://www.facebook.com/dirtbagalesfarmersmarket/?eid=ARBzYoEIHDqKQpjM4ryHihJaVs-4Y4SMXOSHiGJ9YmhzJ85g69SwR7dAo3tKoP6hwq215i7dwX1I3LGb&fref=tag for more information, or call 910-426-2537.

    Murchison Road Community Farmers Market

    This farmers market, located next to Fayetteville State University is a program that stems from the school's Development Corporation. Find delicious baked goods, handmade crafts and more from the area’s growers and artisans. The Murchison Road Farmer’s Market is located at 1047 Murchison Rd. The market is closed for now, but the organizers hope to resume it in the fall. To learn more, visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/fayettevillefreshnc/ or call 845-216-1242.

    City Market at the Museum

    This farmers market, touting fresh produce, beautiful artwork, baked goods, soaps, candles and more is held on Saturdays from 9 a.m.-
    1 p.m. The market is held at the Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum, located at 325 Franklin St., giving you the perfect reason to stroll around the downtown area and support local merchants.
    For information, call 910-433-1944.

    The Reilly Road Farmers Market and Carolina Farmers Market

    This tried and true local favorite has been open for 40 years. Satisfy your sweet tooth with old-fashioned candies, honeys and jam, browse the fresh produce, or pick up some delicious cheese here. The farmers market is located at 445 N. Reilly Rd., although owner Mike Pate hopes to move into a building currently under construction at the corner of Raeford Road and Bunce Road. Pate also owns Carolina Farmers Market, a nursery with a beautiful selection of flowers, on 4400 Raeford Rd.  The Reilly Road Farmers Market is open throughout the week from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Call 910-868-9509 for more details. The Carolina Farmers Market is open from 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. For more information, call 910-426-1575.

    Bright Beginnings

    If the evenings are more convenient for you to do your shopping, then Bright Beginnings will be the perfect market for you. The night market, located at Bright Light Brewing Company in downtown Fayetteville, is open on the first Friday of every month. Visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Bright-Beginnings-112449620380630/ or call 919-349-6062 to learn more.

  • foster musicMusic enriches people's lives in myriad ways. Age is of no consideration when it comes to benefitting from and appreciating music, but it seems that young people in particular have a lot to gain from music education.

    According to the New England Board of Higher Education, various studies have found that consistent music education can improve vocabulary and reading comprehension skills.

    In addition, the National Association for Music Education says that research has found a significant relationship between arts participation at school and academic success.

    Parents who want their children to reap the benefits of being involved with music can try the following strategies aimed at fostering a love of music in young people.

    Turn the television off and turn music on. Exposing youngsters to music is one of the simplest and most effective ways to get them to embrace it.

    For example, in lieu of turning on the television while preparing meals, parents can play music instead.

    Let youngsters pick their own songs, or mix it up by including some of mom and dad's favorites as well. Such exposure can be incredibly valuable for youngsters. In fact, a 2016 study from researchers at the University of Southern California found that musical experiences in childhood accelerate brain development. Music is especially effective at helping children in language acquisition and reading.

    Another way to build kids' enthusiasm for music is to replay some of their favorite songs. While mom and dad may cringe at the prospect of hearing "Baby Shark" several times in a row, they should take note of how enthusiastic their kids become when hearing a favorite song. That enthusiasm can benefit their language skills as they listen closely to the lyrics in an effort to memorize the words. Youngsters may not be so receptive if they don't like what they're hearing.

    Dance to music. Kids are bundles of energy, and dancing is a fun way for them to expend some of that energy. Dancing also provides a great reason to play music. Physical activity set to music can help kids burn off some extra energy as they develop their brains, making dance sessions a win-win for both parents and children.

    Embrace opportunities to see live music. Kids are often captivated by seeing musicians perform in person. When possible, take youngsters to concerts, local music festivals and/or restaurants that showcase local musicians. Such excursions may prompt youngsters to want to learn how to play, which can provide a host of additional benefits, even for especially young children.

    In fact, a 1996 study published in Nature found that first grade students who took part in music classes during art study programs experienced marked improvement in reading and math proficiency.

    Music enriches people's lives in various ways, and exposure to music at a young age can be especially valuable to children.

  • 16 Fowler Cover picDo Black lives matter in a good, almost all-white neighborhood in Raleigh?

    The Black lives in this neighborhood are two of the main characters in Raleigh author Therese Anne Fowler’s latest novel, “A Good Neighborhood.”

    Fowler became a literary hot property following her bestselling “Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald” in 2013 and “A Well-Behaved Woman” about Alva Smith Vanderbilt in 2018.

    The new book opens in the middle of a not unusual neighborhood conflict brought on by the tearing down of an older home that had sat on a wooded lot in Raleigh’s fictional Oakdale neighborhood. The old house and trees have been replaced by a mansion-sized house and swimming pool. The old ambience is gone. That would be bad enough, but the pool construction destroyed the roots of a giant beloved tree next door.

    The owner of the doomed tree and adjoining lot is Valerie Alston-Holt, a
    college professor who is a well-liked fixture in Oakdale.

    Valerie’s new neighbor, Brad Whitman, is a self-confident, self-made man who has built a successful heating and air conditioning business. His personal appearances on TV to promote his business have made him popular and recognizable in Raleigh. He is used to getting his way.

    Brad’s wife’s daughter, Juniper, is 17. When she was 14, she and Brad participated in a “Purity Ball.” As Brad explained to a neighbor, “Well, the ball culminates a ceremony wherein the dads promise to protect and support the girls, and the girls promise to stay virgins until after the dads hand them off at their wedding.”

    When we first meet Juniper, she is swimming in the new pool.

    So, what does all this have to do with Black Lives Matter?

    First, Valerie is Black.

    Second, she and her late husband, who was white, had a son, Xavier, who is now a senior in high school.

    Xavier is near perfect. Smart. Hard working. Courteous and considerate. Popular. A musician good enough to win a scholarship to a fine conservatory in San Francisco.

    Xavier is popular with his contemporaries of both races. He cherishes the memory of his dead white father and considers himself to be both white and Black.
    But outside of his family and friends, he is just another young Black male.

    If you have already guessed that the book’s story line will revolve around a romance between Xavier and Juniper, you have it right.

    And if you guess that Brad’s devotion to his stepdaughter and his latent racism might lead to a tragedy exacerbated by Xavier’s skin color, you already understand the Black Lives Matter connection to the story.

    Fowler’s novel has appeared at a time when the Oprah-selected and bestselling novel “American Dirt” has been roundly criticized for having been written by an author who had not actually experienced the culture she so vividly described.
    In short, the question for Fowler’s book is whether a white author can successfully write about Black characters such as Valerie and Xavier?

    Critics have different opinions about “A Good Neighborhood.”

    In The New York Times, reviewer Kiley Reid said no. She wrote, “Much like Uncle Tom, Xavier, the perfect biracial teenager, is presented as a nonthreatening fantasy for the book’s white
    audience.”

    On the other hand, Washington Post reviewer Jung Yun writes, “What Fowler has executed is a book in which the Black characters are thoughtfully rendered and essential to the story being told. Valerie and Xavier’s perspectives enrich and complicate a larger narrative about prejudice and how it can infiltrate even the most neighborly and seemingly open-minded of communities.”

    I agree with Jung Yun. Fowler deserves admiration and praise for carefully developing her characters and telling a disturbing story that makes her readers confront Black Lives Matter.

  • 12 CapeFearBotanicalGardenlogoHistory comes alive at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden, a premier garden experience located in Fayetteville’s own backyard. The garden opened in 1989 and serves not only to educate horticulture students from nearby Fayetteville Technical Community College but the public as well. The garden is home to the numerous plant species and communities of the Cape Fear River basin.

    Educational activities for all ages abound, such as the upcoming Heritage Tour. Members and visitors are invited to join staff for a Saturday morning tour of the McCauley Heritage Garden Aug. 18 at 10 a.m. The garden is home to five historic structures, including a general store, farmhouse, tobacco barn, corn crib and the farmhouse outhouse. Guests will learn about early 1900s farm life in North Carolina and will explore the interiors of all the historic structures.

    All ages are welcome. Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

    The garden is also excited to announce the third and final Sunset Picnic Series Murder Mystery Scavenger Hunt “A Hawaiian Homicide” Aug. 21 from 5:30-8 p.m. The Owle’s arrive to discover that something mysterious has happened to the patriarch of the family, Lou Owle.

    There’s a mystery to be solved — who killed Lou Owle? So, gather up the family or friends for a social-distancing Hawaiian-style family reunion with the Owle Family and help them find Lou Owle’s killer. Gilbert Theater actors strategically staged throughout the garden will provide clues to guests in search of answers on this self-led scavenger hunt. Enjoy food available for purchase from Cousins Maine Lobster food truck and the Garden View Cafe. Beer and wine will also be available for purchase. Cool Heat will provide live music, and there will be vendors on-site for guest’s shopping pleasure.

    “The June and July events were well received and brought many first–time visitors to the garden, exposing them not only to the beauty and cultural versatility of Cape Fear Botanical Garden, but also to the talented troupe of actors from the Gilbert Theater,” said Sheila Hanrick, director of marketing and events at the garden. “We invite everyone to join us for a mysterious and fun evening on August 21.”

    Hosting cultural events in the garden’s natural setting increases public awareness of the local natural environment and exposes guests to the benefits of nature. The self-led murder mystery scavenger hunts provide the best of both worlds during COVID-19. They allow people to interact at a safe distance while supporting the Cape Fear Botanical Garden’s mission of connecting people with nature.

    End the summer with an evening at the Garden and help solve the mystery of what happened to Lou Owle.

    The Heritage Tour and “A Hawaiian Homicide” are free to Garden members and included with Garden admission for non-members. Pre-registration is required. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the number of participants is limited and registration may fill up quickly.  For more information, call 910-486-0221.

  • 02 01 city of fay logoThe July 31 edition of The Fayetteville Observer ran an opinion piece by Dr. James Anderson, former chancellor of Fayetteville State University, rebutting a Publisher’s Pen printed in Up & Coming Weekly July 21. Former contributor to UCW, Karl Merritt, took issue with some of Anderson’s points and reached out to both The Observer and UCW. He shares his thoughts below.

    On Sunday evening, Aug. 2, I read an opinion piece by Dr. James Anderson, former chancellor of Fayetteville State University. His comments appeared in the 31 July edition of The Fayetteville Observer. Primarily, Dr. Anderson very strongly condemned what Bill Bowman, publisher of Up & Coming Weekly newspaper, wrote in a column titled, “Leadership: What Fayetteville needs now.” It appeared in the 21 July issue.

    Almost five years ago, Bill Bowman invited me to write a column for his newspaper. We agreed that I would do so. My column was in the paper every other week until just recently when I ended it in order to take on some other projects. Over the years, I got to know Bill Bowman; got to see his love for others and for Fayetteville. I also quickly grew to appreciate his willingness to speak forthrightly regarding the challenging issues of our time. Consequently, reading what Dr. Anderson wrote was a gut-wrenching experience.

    The following paragraph from Bill’s column gives a good feel for what apparently sent Anderson on his tear. Bowman writes that there is “… plotting to take away our freedoms and our country.”

    The next paragraph says: “Fayetteville is only one microcosm of that malicious movement, and it boils down to our leadership. Or, in Fayetteville’s case, our lack of leadership. Mayor Mitch Colvin and Police Chief Gina Hawkins have perpetrated a harsh injustice on our community by not implementing and demonstrating leadership that is representative of the safety and well-being of all the citizens of the Fayetteville community. By encouraging, endorsing and siding with the protesting Black community, they left the white, Asian, Hispanic and Native American Fayetteville citizens wondering what happened to their representation and assurance of safety and protection?”

    Anderson starts by accusing Bowman of “confounding several things.” I read the publisher’s point to be succinct. He says Mayor Colvin and Police Chief Gina Hawkins failed this community when they did not allow police and other appropriate personnel to stop the damage to property that took place during a protest downtown on May 30. That is a statement of fact. Mayor Colvin has made it clear that a decision was made not to attempt to stop the damaging of buildings. His argument was that the consequences would likely have been made worse by police intervention. The problem with that assessment is that government had a responsibility to protect those downtown properties. Failure to do so rightfully allows for questioning city leadership.

    Then comes three comments from Anderson regarding Bowman’s statement that the actions “perpetrated a harsh injustice on our community.” The first contends that “leaders should be evaluated on their complete portfolio of work and not single incidents.” I contend that failure to protect those properties was so egregious that, taken alone, there is sufficient reason to question the quality and fairness of city leadership. However, go on to consider the chaos created by how city leadership has, and is, handling calls for tearing down the Market House, building the North Carolina Civil War & Reconstruction History Center, protesters camping out at the Market House to the detriment of downtown businesses, and promoting a climate conducive to economic growth. None of these issues are being addressed in a productive and unifying fashion.

    Then Dr. Anderson writes, “Second, we have no right to assign motives for their actions if we have not asked them.” For all the time that I have been writing for publication, it has been my practice to give individuals about whom I write an opportunity to give me input. I have gone so far as to allow subjects to review my text for accuracy. I have consistently followed this process with Mayor Colvin. After the first couple of exchanges, when the mayor obviously disagreed with my opinions, he stopped responding to my email offers to consider his input.

    The latest instance of no response from Mayor Colvin was an email I sent to him and all members of Council. It was sent on 16 July 2020. To date, I have not heard from the mayor. In fact, only a minuscule number of Council members have bothered to respond. That email offered each of them an opportunity to address an opinion piece that I am writing and the email summarized my focus as follows (The full email is available at karlmerritt.com under “Blog”.) “The focus is on how individuals, governmental officials, and various entities have responded, and continue to respond, in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death. It seems to me that the resulting efforts are so heavily focused on various conditions allegedly negatively affecting Black Americans that the white population is being neglected while, even worse, being painted as the enemy. Note, I am not alone in this thinking. I saw a post on Nextdoor recently where a lady said exactly the same thing. She and I are not alone.”

    The point here is that I have zero belief that Mayor Colvin would have responded if Bill Bowman had attempted to contact him. Further, from reliable media reports and input from people in the downtown area, Bowman had sound substantiation for everything he wrote.

    After a brief third point commending people who take on major responsibilities, Anderson moves to the prevailing argument that there are genuine protesters, then rioters and looters. Then comes his contention that because rioters and looters constitute a smaller percentage than the protesters, there should be conversation as to how their disruptions might be addressed. It would appear to me the first step should be to stop them from damaging the property of other people, while adversely impacting livelihoods. As to conversation, it would be interesting to see what groups would actually be invited and which voices would seriously be heard. In today’s environment, my guess is that white Americans need not expect an invitation and, if invited, should not speak unless they follow the Black Lives Matter script.

    In the event all else fails, now Bowman gets hit with the race card. Anderson writes, “This is not the first time that Bill has applied the broad brushstrokes of race to indict a Black person.” Without giving the Black person’s name, he recounts how Bowman “…placed a Black man’s face on the cover of his newspaper and inserted this man’s face onto a facsimile of a wanted poster. This person’s purported crime was that he was running for public office while being investigated for some questionable personal quandaries.”

    He is referring to Tyrone Williams, who was serving on Fayetteville City Council in early 2018. Following is a section from an article in The Fayetteville Observer by Greg Barnes titled, “Williams resigns council seat”:
    “Williams came under fire nearly a month ago after The Fayetteville Observer published a secret audio recording of a December meeting during which he told a developer that he could resolve a minor issue with a property title for $15,000. The council immediately asked Williams to resign. When he refused, the council began a process of forcible removal that would have taken a few months.”

    Williams was forced from office because of his action that Dr. Anderson characterizes as “some questionable personal quandaries.” He further minimizes the situation by saying that, to his knowledge, Williams has never been convicted. Was it wise for Bill Bowman to use that wanted poster in America’s “with no proof or fairness, racist around every corner” atmosphere? No. Does it show him to be racist? Absolutely not.

    Finally, Anderson challenges Bowman’s contention that people are afraid to speak up; Bill lays those fears out. Anderson apparently thinks Bill’s comments here only apply to white citizens. I know, firsthand, that what he says in this regard is absolutely true. I hear it from Black and white citizens. The unsettling treatment I receive as a conservative Black Republican would apparently shock Dr. Anderson. Anybody who follows Bill Bowman’s advice and speaks up better be prepared for rough seas; but he is right, we better speak up and take action.

    I have tremendous respect for Dr. James Anderson, but I will not be quiet in the face of his unjustified broadside on Bill Bowman.

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    Picture: Spirited debate is a sign of a healthy democracy and has the power to bridge differences and influence change.
    Up & Coming Weekly encourages the civil public discourse of ideas, which is a hallmark of our great republic.

  • 04 N1805P50006CAs if the COVID crisis and economic recession weren’t bad enough, here’s some more bad news to process: homicide rates are spiking in many North Carolina communities.

    Through the end of July, 32 people in Greensboro have been the victims of homicide so far this year, up 52 percent from the count during the first seven months of 2019. Charlotte’s 68 homicides are up more than 11 percent from last year and more than double the comparable count for 2018. In Winston-Salem, homicides are up 17 percent over 2019. In Durham, homicides have tripled.

    These developments are part of a national trend. Homicides are up 14 percent so far this year in Los Angeles, 24 percent in New York, 27 percent in Houston, 32 percent in Phoenix, and 52 percent in Chicago.

    I know what you’re thinking. You’ve probably already seen or heard the argument that the antipolice protests that erupted a couple of months ago, after the highly publicized death of George Floyd, explain the recent increase in homicides — that as embattled law-enforcement officers withdraw from urban centers, violence is surging.

    Advocates of police reform resist this explanation, however. They point out that homicides were going up in many places before Floyd’s death and the ensuing street protests, that “defunding the police” and other radical demands have yet to be acted on in most cases, and that, in fact, other reported crimes are often flat or declining in the very cities where homicides are rising.

    The skeptics are certainly right to point out that events in May and June can’t be the cause of events in January or February. Indeed, as I noted, Charlotte’s murder rate went up more in 2019 than in 2020. These are complicated matters, to say the least. But it strains credulity to argue that adverse pressure on law enforcement isn’t a significant part of the problem.

    Keep in mind that while some of the homicide spikes predate May, so do politicized attacks on police departments. Remember the Charlotte riots that followed the death of Keith Lamont Scott in 2016? He had brandished a pistol at police officers and refused repeated commands to drop the gun.

    Moreover, as The Wall Street Journal recently pointed out, the divergence between homicides and other crimes could be the result of the pandemic.

    “Police in many departments said robberies, burglaries and rapes are down so far this year because more people stayed home during COVID-19 lockdowns, leaving fewer prospective victims on the streets, in bars or other public places,” The Journal reported. “Homicides, on the other hand, are up because violent criminals have been emboldened by the sidelining of police, courts, schools, churches and an array of other social institutions by the reckoning with police and the pandemic, say analysts and law-enforcement officials in several cities.”

    As for calls to reform the police, the specifics matter. The public largely agrees with constructive proposals to enhance training, increase transparency, and hold departments accountable in egregious cases. But slashing police budgets, discouraging people from cooperating with police investigations, and pulling officers back from high-crime neighborhoods are unpopular — and rightly so.

    Context also matters, as a recent study by two Harvard University scholars discovered when they examined the effects of federally ordered investigations of police departments on subsequent rates of crime.

    Generally speaking, they found that investigations of police procedures didn’t affect criminality. But in communities where there was a high-profile death at the hands of police — think Baltimore, Chicago and Ferguson, Missouri — the federally ordered investigations that came afterward were associated with large increases in homicides and other felonies in those cities. The likely mechanism, they found, was that embattled departments were pulling back from policing risky neighborhoods. “There is no free lunch,” the researchers concluded. “If the price of policing increases, officers are rational to retreat. And, retreating disproportionately costs Black lives.”

    There is no shortage of useful ideas for improving the quality of policing. But if we end up reducing the quantity of policing, our cities will be less safe.

  • 07 cape fear valley med ctrCape Fear Valley Health System has ended the temporary furlough of staff, which began March 29, with the closure of nonessential surgeries, procedures and diagnostic testing because of COVID-19. Seven hundred eighty-three employees were furloughed. Employees covered by the system’s health plan kept their health insurance benefits during the leave time. Cape Fear Valley paid premiums during the furlough. There has been a resumption of surgeries, imaging tests and other procedures requiring staff members. Health Plex employees will return when Gov. Roy Cooper reopens fitness centers. All but 28 full-time and 33 part-time furloughed employees are returning. They will be offered priority placement within the health system, severance pay based on their length of employment, and comprehensive outplacement services.

  • 10 N1601P38011CThe Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center is a community blood program that serves the needs of patients in Cumberland, Hoke and Bladen Counties through blood donation by individual donors, community organizations and businesses.
    The center is located at 3357 Village Drive, in the Bordeaux Shopping Center. It is open for donations Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the third Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    Here’s a list of upcoming community blood drives:
    Saturday Aug. 15 at St. Ann Catholic Church, 357 N. Cool Springs St. 9 a.m.-noon.
    Saturday, Aug. 22 at Fort Bragg Harley-Davidson, 3950 Sycamore Dairy Rd. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
    Call 910-615-3305 for more information.

  • 05 N2008P39008CThe presence of ungodly mobs on the streets of many American cities, every night, is clear proof of the miseducation which has been taking place in our education system.

    The great sacrifices made by earlier generations of Americans have been forgotten by much of the present generation.

    Forgotten too, were the great godly principles, this great nation was founded upon.

    The past great contributions America has made to this world (are) all but forgotten. Without America’s contributions in feeding many parts of this world, and in defeating many past evil enemies in the world, this world would be in terrible shape. We need to thank God for this nation, and we also need to thank America for trying to follow God’s principles.

    America needs to get back to God and to the just laws and principles set forth by him. Obviously, rioting, looting, burning, disrespecting and killing law enforcement (and) fellow human beings are just the opposite of what God commands his created human world to do.

    You should have been taught that at home and in school.

    Unfortunately, for America, too many ungodly people were placed in the Supreme Court of America, and they voted God out of schools and government places.

    That was not all their ungodly decisions. They also went against God’s laws and legalized the killing of unborn babies and other abominations, such as same-sex marriage.

    Once upon a time, laws required schools to teach about God and his word (the Bible). Now because of Court decisions, they cannot.

    Now a large part of America does not know about God, eternal life and eternal damnation. Because they do not know, they will eventually spend eternity in hell, and the lake of fire. Two places, one would not want to be in for eternity.

    Manuel Ybarra Jr.

  • Not even a global pandemic could stop the Poetic Pathos poetry team from Gray’s Creek High School enjoying its best-ever finish in a national poetry competition recently.

    The team had to cope with a variety of challenges as it participated in the 23rd annual Brave New Voices competition, originally scheduled for Washington, D.C., but changed to a virtual format via Zoom because of the COVID-19
    pandemic.

    The Gray’s Creek poets advanced all the way to the final round the final full week of July and finished third among the 12 teams that were able to participate in the event.

    Joel Mayo started the Poetic Pathos group at Gray’s Creek in 2014 with the goal of bringing the youth in the community together and giving them the opportunity to share their voice through the medium of spoken poetry.
    The Brave New Voices competition is usually a much bigger deal with some 50 teams from around the United States as well as foreign countries.

    But even with a smaller event, the Gray’s Creek group found a way to make history. According to Mayo, this was the first time a North Carolina team made the finals of the competition.

    Nicole Rivers, another English teacher who has been at Gray’s Creek for 10 years, assisted Mayo with coaching the current team. She said the slam poetry style that the team uses offers many benefits.

    “It allows them to assess who they are on the inside — and in the world around them — in a very honest way,’’ Rivers said. “That is why it is so positive. It makes them think critically about what’s going on inside them and around them.’’

    Rivers said it also gives students a different perspective on poetry, stopping them from thinking that poetry is something created only by authors who are elderly or deceased. “It’s not about the past,’’ Rivers said. “It’s about the moment, and they get to express that. That’s what makes it relevant. It’s close to genres of music that they hear now.’’

    Members of the team that competed in this year’s Brave New Voices included Isa Meachum, Miya Walters, Yasmine Saintjuste, Kine Clark and Natalie Blacker.

    Meachum said one of the biggest challenges of this year’s competition was not being able to be face-to-face with team members or to have an audience in front of them since all of the competition was done on Zoom.

    “When you have a crowd in front of you, it allows you to feed off the energy when you’re doing good,’’ Meachum said. “You can really build off what they give you.’’

    Another challenge came from situations where the team did a group performance. In order to avoid exposing the team members to face-to-face contact because of the virus, they elected to prerecord all of their group performances for the competition on Zoom.

    Meachum said that was a challenge, especially when it came to getting timing right. “On Zoom there could be a little lag if they are not there with you,’’ he said. “It’s hard to be in sync.’’

    The virtual nature of the competition was actually a benefit to one team member, Miya Walters, who was vacationing with her family during the event and had to take part in Brave New Voices while away from home.

    Still, Walters said it was difficult to coordinate. “We had to do a lot of video takes,’’ she said. “That was hard because we had different internet connections. We had to time our speech so we didn’t have overlap or have a pause because we were timed for our competition.’’

    Walters felt the passion and the knowledge of the Gray’s Creek team were the keys to their best finish ever at this level of competition. But Walters didn’t think winning was the most important thing.

    “We went there as a team and wanted to say what we had to say for ourselves,’’ she said.

    She hoped the win helped the team show, as she put it, that poetry isn’t something about whining on a stage and complaining. “It’s starting a conversation that needs to be had,’’ she said. “It shows poetry is much deeper than that poem you had to write in your first year of English class.

    “People may not realize the simple things they are writing in their diary every day may be something that needs to be said on stage. It (poetry) shows people they can really use their voice.’’

    18 01 joel mayo

    18 02 nicole rivers18 03 isa meachum18 04 miya walters

    L-R: Joel Mayo, Nicole Rivers, Isa Meachum, Miya Walters.

     

  • 10 N1910P35011CThe city of Fayetteville is assisting low- and moderate-income citizens with their rent, utilities and mortgage payments in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Qualified residents are eligible to receive up to $2,000 toward rent, utilities or mortgage payments. Call 2-1-1 and ask for COVID rental, mortgage or utility assistance, or visit https://www.nc211.org. The city of Fayetteville’s Economic and Community Development Department is charged with creating programs using CARES Act funds to help citizens during the pandemic. Applicants must provide past due notices from landlords or utility providers. This is a one-time assistance program, and applicants must live in Fayetteville. This relief effort was made possible by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. Information about local relief efforts is available at https://www.fayettevillenc.gov/city-services/economic-community-development.

     

  • 13 trump azar fujfilm 1024x683If Novavax’s coronavirus vaccine gets approved, manufacturers in North Carolina hope to have millions of doses already prepared and immediately ready to immunize residents.

    Fujifilm Diosynth, a Japanese contract drug manufacturer, is making the main component of Novavax’s potential coronavirus vaccine in Research Triangle Park. The manufacturer is stockpiling vaccine ingredients to prepare for the day the vaccine could be approved, says Marin Meeson, CEO of Fujifilm Diosynth.

    The federal government has invested $1.6 billion in the little-known Maryland company Novavax — the largest deal yet from Operation Warp Speed, the federal push to mass produce coronavirus vaccines. The operation aims to make 300 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine available to the public by January. It has poured nearly $4 billion into six potential vaccines.

    If Novavax’s vaccine proves successful, the federal government will own 100 million doses, enough to immunize at least 50 million U.S. residents.

    “America will develop a vaccine very soon, we will defeat the virus. We’ll have it delivered in record time,” President Donald Trump said before touring Fujifilm Diosynth’s facilities in North Carolina on Monday, July 28.

    According to the World Health Organization, Novavax is in an earlier phase of testing than at least seven of its competitors. Novavax’s vaccine candidate is about to finish the first of three clinical trial phases.

    “We should have a considerable amount, multi millions of doses available by the time that the vaccine is proven effective,” Meeson told Carolina Journal about the manufacturing process. He says his staff are doing the work of months in just weeks.

    In May, Novavax began testing the vaccine in 130 people, and researchers anticipate reporting the preliminary results by the end of July. They expect to advance to Phase 2 in August, and to begin the final Phase 3 sometime in the fall.
    “This is being developed at warp speed,” Novavax said.

    Across the world, researchers are chasing more than 164 COVID-19 vaccine candidates, but only 25 vaccines are being tested in humans. Five vaccine projects are in the final phase of testing. Two of those five projects are based in China, and another is tied to Britain and Sweden. An Australian company is also in the final stage of testing a tuberculosis vaccine to determine whether it can protect against the coronavirus.

    So far, Moderna is one of two U.S. companies to reach the final trial.

    Moderna this week launched its final trial to enroll 30,000 people across the county. The Trump administration has also struck an agreement with Pfizer, a company based in New York City working with companies based in Germany and China. Pfizer began its third trial Monday, July 27.

    Experts hope Novavax offers a faster way to manufacture coronavirus vaccines. Moderna’s candidate relies on fragile RNA molecules, and it must be stored in sub-zero temperatures — complicating rollout in rural areas and scattered populations. Novavax declined to comment on the storage of its vaccine candidate.

    Novavax hopes to provoke an immune response with coronavirus proteins.

    Fujifilm Diosynth makes coronavirus proteins by using moth cells as factories. This offers a quicker way to mass produce vaccines than the mammal cells employed by normal vaccines.
    This could save critical time in vaccine distribution, says Meeson.

    “It is a few days shorter, the process. Once we start ramping up the manufacturing, it will be an advantage for us,” Meeson said. “You need to grow the cells, the virus, and that takes time. When that’s a little bit quicker, that means we can do more. … It’s not a massive difference, but it certainly will help.”

    The federal investment marked a dramatic change in Novavax’s fortunes. A year ago, the company was fighting financial collapse. One of its major vaccine candidates failed twice in three years. The company sold off its manufacturing facilities, and its stock fell so low that it risked being taken off the NASDAQ electronic stock exchange, reported the New York Times.

    After 33 years of business, Novavax has never brought a vaccine to market, the Times reported.

    If researchers can develop a vaccine by the end of the year, or within a 12- to 18-month timeline, it will shatter the normal timeline to develop vaccines.
    “It’s normally nine to 12 months before we’d start making products at this level, and we’ve started this process in a matter of weeks,” Meeson said.

  • 14 N1908P39002CWhile art is good for humanity in general and can have positive impacts across a person’s lifespan, it can be especially beneficial in how children develop. A report by Americans for the Arts states that young people who participate regularly in the arts (three hours a day on three days each week through one full year) are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, participate in a math and science fair or win an award for writing an essay or poem than children who do not participate. And honestly, whether it is dance, drawing, writing creating, sculpting, or you name it — art is fun. However, engaging in art during a pandemic looks and feels different than art-related events did pre-COVID. Check out some of the upcoming opportunities to support youth in the arts — and keep your creative juices flowing, too.

    Sunday, Aug. 9, from 7-8:30 p.m., join the community for a virtual fundraising event. This event is different because it is by kids and for kids. Tune-in to Facebook on the LeClair’s General Store page for a variety show with individual performances as kids entertain from their homes — separately but together. The event also includes an online auction with one-of-a-kind artworks created by local youth throughout the community.

    The goal of the event is to make local arts organizations accessible to all youth regardless of race, beliefs, disability or economic status. The event benefits the following organizations and their youth scholarship funds: Cape Fear Regional Theatre, The Gilbert Theater, Carolina Performing Arts Studio and Temple Theatre. Search “Kids With Hearts For The Arts! A Virtual Fundraising Event!” on Facebook for more information.

    Gilbert Theater rolls out its adult theater education series starting Saturday, Aug. 15, with a session titled “Singing with Sarah.” Directed by education director at the Gilbert and voice teacher Sarah Chapman, the event offers a short introduction to singing for the stage and preparing for auditions as well as some fun singy-songy exercises. The class runs from 10 a.m.-noon.

    The second session in the four-part series is titled “Improvisation with Gage” and runs from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Aug. 22. Instructor Gage Long will help attendees not only better understand improv but help them get more comfortable and proficient with it, too.

    Saturday, Sept. 12, the “Stage Makeup/Special Effects” session offers a look at the basics of stage makeup, in addition to special effects like wounds and age — and perhaps even a space alien. The class runs from noon-2 p.m.

    The session “Intermediate Acting Techniques” brings instructor Justin Toyer’s talents to the forefront. He’ll outline basic acting techniques, audition preparation, memorization techniques and how to connect with your character emotionally. The class is from 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Sept. 5.

    Find out more about these and other opportunities at Gilbert Theater at http://gilberttheater.com/education.php.

  • 12 cumberland hoke harnett map 2Fayetteville’s Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area has been expanded for the first time in modern memory. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget recently announced that the Fayetteville metropolitan statistical area has been augmented to include Harnett County. The MSA was originally comprised of Cumberland and Hoke counties. This change has increased the total Fayetteville MSA population to 526,719, up by nearly 30 percent. According to the U.S. Census, Fayetteville is now ranked as the 108th largest MSA in the U.S.

    “Cumberland County plays a central role in southeast North Carolina. It is home to three major universities and a community college, as well as home to Fort Bragg, the largest military installation in the world and home to the Woodpeckers, a Houston Astros affiliated Class A Advanced baseball team,” said Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin. “We also have a solid workforce... with much to offer those businesses that might choose to come to this region. As the sixth-largest city in the state, there is a deep connection between Fayetteville and the neighboring counties through commerce, employment, health care and leisure activities.”

    Large companies often consider MSA size and workforce numbers in the search for new locations. These factors are key in the early stages of site selection, and for Fayetteville, this change reinforces the community as a commerce center. Located on the I-95 corridor, this new data illustrates that Cumberland County is drawing workers from up to an hour away. “Fayetteville’s MSA expansion will increase competitiveness for economic development projects and enhance the marketing and promotion of the region,” said Andrew Pennink, chairman of Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation.

    The city and county regularly compete against larger MSAs when recruiting businesses that are looking to expand or relocate. This change will more accurately reflect the community’s size and increase its chances of success. An MSA is a geographical zone with an urban center of 50,000 residents or more that has close economic ties throughout the adjacent counties. The OMB determines MSA size and mandates that each member county show 25 percent more of economic integration with the urban center.

    Increasing an MSA size can position a community to receive additional federal funding, increase the amount of economic information developed by private and nonprofit statistical agencies and raise the visibility for national or multistate site selection searches. “We believe Cumberland County draws in more people than shown, and we are proactively participating in the protocol development for the next recalculation,” said Marshall Faircloth, chairman of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners.

    The United States Office of Management and Budget delineates metropolitan statistical areas according to published standards that are applied to census bureau data. The general concept of a metropolitan statistical area is that of a core area containing a substantial population nucleus, together with adjacent communities having a high degree of economic and social integration with that core. Current metropolitan statistical area delineations were announced by OMB effective March 2020.

  • 02 01 Ann Patchett color 2Fayetteville is the greatest and we love this community. I personally want to say “thank you” for the dozens of calls, emails, letters, tweets and texts we have received from like-minded residents of Fayetteville who share our concerns, love and passion for this community.  Unfortunately, I cannot share their thoughts with you because we must respect their privacy and take precautions as not to expose them to the “cancel culture” mob whose mission is to retaliate against those whose opinions and demands do not adhere to theirs. They do this regardless of race, color or creed. No one is exempt. This being the case, I thought it would be fitting to remind them and the community of our inherent constitutional rights and the amendments therein that separate us from totalitarian Marxist, socialist and communist tyrants. You know, that document that makes America, America. Home of the brave and land of the free! So, to this end, thanks to the Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University, the North Carolina Press Association with the support from USA Today and the Associated Press we are sharing with you a national campaign featuring celebrities to remind us about the value and importance of freedom of press, speech and other freedoms of the First Amendment.

    Enjoy and thanks for reading Up & Coming Weekly.
     
     
    02 02 Colton Dixon color 102 05 Michael W Smith color 0
    02 03 Darius Rucker color 0
     
    02 06 Ruta Sepetys color 202 04 Kane Brown color 1


     
  • 20 Astin WarrenAustin Warren arrived in Tempe, Arizona, at the Los Angeles Angels minor league baseball spring training camp in February anxious to continue working on his dream of making it to the major leagues.

    But after a few weeks working out with the other early arrivals, and almost the same time as his mother Alana Hix and other relatives arrived to watch him play spring training games, minor league baseball joined the rest of the sports world in shutting down because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Now back in Fayetteville, the Terry Sanford High School and UNC-Wilmington product is working out three days a week and waiting like everyone else in minor league baseball to find out what the future holds, both for the sport in general and his career.

    Warren started 2019 with the Inland Empire advanced Class A team in San Bernardino, California, then he was briefly assigned to the Mobile Bay Class AA team in Alabama. He was in Mobile long enough to compile a 1-2 record with a 2.57 earned run average, walking nine batters and striking out 14.

    Team assignments for the aborted 2020 minor league season weren’t to be made until near the end of spring training, but Warren said he expected he would have been sent to Los Angeles’ new Class AA near Huntsville, Alabama, the Rocket City Trash Pandas.

    Even after the season was canceled, Warren hoped to stay in Tempe and get in some more workouts, but while hiking there with family a couple of days after the season was halted, Warren got the word from team officials that nobody could stay behind and everyone had to return to their homes.

    Since coming back to Fayetteville, Warren has divided his time between here and his old college haunts in Wilmington, while working out locally to stay in shape and keep his pitching as honed as much as possible.

    During his brief time in Arizona this year, he did get to do some bullpen work as well as throw live batting practice against some of the Angels’ major league players.

    He said coaches from the Angels have been in regular contact with him since he came home, checking on his health and conditioning.

    As for what will happen next with minor league baseball, Warren said he’s just as much in the dark as everyone else.

    “I’m hoping they will start some kind of fall league like I was in last year,’’ Warren said. “I’m sure winter ball teams will reach out to people. You never know what’s going on with this virus. You’ve got to play it by ear.’’

    Warren said the formula for advancing further in the sport is simple. “You’ve got to throw strikes, pound the zone and like everyone says trust your defense,’’ he said. Warren feels he’s improved all of his pitches and has the confidence to throw any pitch in any situation.

    “I just can’t wait to get back with the guys and get things rolling again,’’ he said.

    Pictured: Austin Warren

  • 19 Trey EdgeLike everyone else who considers themselves a fan of high school football, Trey Edge is trying to stay optimistic that the powers that be making decisions about whether the sport will be played this fall in North Carolina are looking into all the options possible for safely returning coaches and athletes to the practice and playing fields.

    But at the same time, the radio voice of Terry Sanford High School football broadcasts is realistic enough to know the COVID-19 pandemic presents an array of challenges to everyone involved that is difficult to sort through.

    “The kids’ health comes first,’’ said Edge, who was a quarterback himself during his high school days at his alma mater Terry Sanford. “It’s also an issue of how do you test everybody. It’s a money thing.’’

    He added that’s the big difference between football at the professional, college and high school levels. Both the NFL and college football have deeper pockets to afford the expensive testing that COVID-19 requires. High schools don’t have that luxury, without considerable outside assistance that’s not readily available.

    That’s ironic because high school football is the major source of revenue for schools to support the entire athletic program. “The fear is we don’t get to play this fall,’’ Edge said. “The bigger fear is that these kids are okay. It’s a lot of responsibility for the county and the coaches.’’

    As a former player, Edge has memories of what a high school locker room is like. He agrees with Pine Forest football coach Bill Sochovka, who recently compared working with a football team like the environment of a petri dish where bacteria is grown and studied for experiments.

    “It sounds barbaric to talk about it but it’s sweat and it’s dirt,’’ Edge said of the atmosphere in a locker room after both a practice and
    a game.

    “Preventing that spread from even starting is a big problem. I think you have to go into it with wide eyes and know someone, somewhere is going to test positive. Then what happens when they do?’’

    Edge said a bubble like the NBA, WNBA and NHL are using is out of the question for high school sports, adding that coaches and athletic directors will have to be especially creative in finding a solution to the problem.
    As a starting point, he said it’s critical everyone continues what’s being done: masks, social distancing and washing of hands.

    While some coaches have pushed for a return to practice, saying we need to accept the disease for what it is and just be as safe as we can in spite of it, Edge said the safety of the athletes has to remain the top concern.

    “I can understand the desperation,’’ Edge said. “It’s a moving target. We miss football, but can you find a way to do it?’’

    Pictured: Trey Edge

  • 16 N1907P37002CMy wife and I share a date with one of America's most memorable and celebrated events.

    On the 20th of July in 1969, America claimed its place in history as the Apollo Lunar Module Eagle landed and the first human walked on the face of the moon. We heard those famous words, “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” as they were first spoken and television news large and small worked tirelessly to deliver even the most minute detail of the historic event to a waiting world.

    Just 10 years later, on July 20, 1979, Dorothy Aafedt said, “I do” in a remarkably unremarkable ceremony. Unlike the NASA mission, there were no television crews, no microphones or calculated illustrations — just a pair of kids surrounded by a couple of friends and family in a courtroom in southern Arizona. At the time, it seemed like a small step, but it has proven to be a giant leap as we've continued to mark time since that date. We recently celebrated our 41st wedding anniversary, and it's given me cause to reflect on all that's transpired since our historic first steps.

    Time has allowed us several years in Europe with our three children and a home on both the east and west coasts of the United States. The small, quiet union of two youngsters from Kansas gave way to an eventual family of 18 — counting grandchildren and spouses. All but one now call North Carolina home.

    As a military family, we share memories of being diverted en route — never once landing at our intended destination at the point of our departure. We've relocated to Germany as our belongings relocated to Okinawa and have lived in hotels and motels on two continents, while making new friends time and again.

    Over the course of the last four decades, one thing has become evident: there is nothing more important in a marriage than the relationship between husband and wife. When other things became more important, such as careers, children, and personal pursuits, trouble isn't far behind. Though I've failed miserably at this on occasion, the facts show that when we make the relationship our top priority, the marriage
    flourishes.

    Just like any other married couple, we've had our share of trials. From the lack of to the abundance of money to devastating loss and health crises, we've navigated a lot of territory in the past four decades. And honestly, I don't know how we would have fared had we not put our faith in Christ early in the game.

    God has proven trustworthy. When we faced struggles, we've been able to lean on the promise that there is more to this life than living and dying or meeting and missing bills. Even death has stared us in the face, but with God in our corner, though our knees have gotten weak at times, we never blinked.

  • 15 01 HarmonyHarmony at Hope Mills, a local senior living center, is a community-oriented environment that has been in operation since February 2019. It offers assisted living and secured assisted living services to seniors and has met and exceeded the needs of those who benefit from their services.

    The company was founded in 2005 by Jim Smith. Under the guidance of Smith and William Holmes, executive vice president of development and construction for Smith Packett Med-Com, it expanded the occupancy and operated The Village at Pheasant Ridge. Through this experience, Smith saw the opportunity to create Harmony Senior Services and seized it, laying the groundwork for what would become the Harmony Communities.

    Harmony at Hope Mills came into existence through Smith-Packett contracting a purchase of an existing 80-bed Certificate of Need license and another existing 20-bed CON in 2016.

    15 02 roundtable discussion“SP also commenced construction of the community in July of 2017 and obtained a Certificate of Occupancy in September of 2018. Shortly thereafter, Harmony Senior Services opened the community as the operator,” said Holmes.

    The benefits of living at Harmony are numerous. The parent company of the organization decided to put a location in the Cumberland County area because, according to a demographic study, the location is close to seniors or relatives of seniors and it’s a highly desirable location.

    Harmony at Hope Mills stands out from other assisted living centers partly by making it easier for the residents to adjust from living on their own to living at Harmony. Even though this can be difficult for some, Armstrong says, “when they tour our community, they experience how bright it is — and clean. Also, all the living spaces in the assisted living neighborhood are apartments ranging from studio to 2-bedroom. It feels very much like independent living.”

    There are many benefits to to assisted living in comparison to nursing homes. Many of the residents no longer live at home, and the residence helps meet the needs of the residents that would go unfulfilled if they stayed alone. According to Melannie Armstrong, the director of sales and marketing at Harmony at Hope Mills, some of the residents who come to the center were likely not taking meds properly, eating right, having visitors and bathing properly. In addition to helping with these necessities, this retirement community provides memory care services.

    In assisted living, residents have more freedom to do activities that they are interested in than they might if they lived in a nursing home or if they lived alone as some activities are less accessible. From afternoons filled with artistic fun to wine and cheese with friends, Harmony offers life’s little luxuries for its residents. Additionally, the convenient location of the facility makes favorite locations among locals, like Cape Fear Regional Theatre and Cape Fear Botanical Garden, just a hop, skip and a jump away.

    One of the activities at Harmony at Hope Mills that differentiates it from the other retirement communities is the community roundtables they host.

    “Until the COVID-19 pandemic, Harmony partnered with the town of Hope Mills and Up & Coming Weekly to host a series of community roundtables at the Harmony complex,” Bill Bowman, the organizer of the roundtable discussion, said.

    “This event allowed the community to meet with local Hope Mills officials to discuss the important issues of the community while showcasing Harmony’s complex and the amenities it offered the community,” he explained. “Harmony has definitely established itself as a dedicated supporting business and a refreshing home away from home for many Hope Mills residents.”

    The benefits of doing these events are that they are great for networking and allow seniors to be immersed in the culture of Hope Mills.

    “It’s important that our community create alliances and relationships with the businesses and officials of the city,” said Armstrong.

    According to a 2018 report from the United States Census Bureau, there will be more seniors than children by the year 2035. As America grays, the need for facilities that will deliver on their promises and properly care for seniors, especially those in need of more assistance, is evident. This community does just that.

    Harmony at Hope Mills has been in operation since its establishment and continues to serve and cater to the needs of every senior that lives in the assisted living facility within their local community. This retirement community has met and exceeded the needs of those that are benefiting from their services by ensuring that they are comfortable with where they are living along with providing transportation to their medical appointments. This is a community that cares about its residents and has adapted its services to meet its residents’ needs. Harmony is a choice that, locally and nationwide, is tried and true.

  • 03 cdc d3fe9qJDqaI unsplashBenjamin Franklin is famously quoted as saying, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” The United States has long prepared for pandemics, such as the one we are facing with the coronavirus right now, through programs established in the aftermath of the anthrax attacks of the early 2000s. These vital programs give the United States the necessary infrastructure to respond to both natural disease outbreaks and biological and chemical warfare.

    I worked on improving these bipartisan programs in 2018 and 2019 with President Donald Trump signing the reauthorization bill into law last June. We made numerous improvements, incorporating lessons learned from the Zika and Ebola outbreaks earlier in the decade. Unfortunately, the coronavirus is a sophisticated virus unlike any the world has seen before.

    As we continue to address the coronavirus, I am committed to getting our country the resources we need so that we can reopen and rebuild our economy.

    My colleagues and I immediately began assessing the weak links in our defenses and crafting solutions to improve the programs we rely on for pandemic preparedness. Since early March, we have been working with the Trump administration to identify what solutions are necessary to better equip our country to respond to outbreaks like the coronavirus.

    That’s why my colleagues and I introduced the Strengthening America’s Strategic National Stockpile Act, a bipartisan package of measures to reduce America’s dependence on foreign sources of critical medical supplies needed to fight COVID-19. We must boost domestic manufacturing so American workers can make those supplies here at home. We also must make much-needed improvements and updates to America’s Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the importance of personal protective equipment and the Strategic National Stockpile and this legislation will deliver critical investments in our ability to respond to and prepare for public health crises like coronavirus.

    Building on this legislation, this week I will be introducing a bipartisan bill to establish a commission to study the drug supply chain. This commission will provide recommendations to Congress on two fronts. The first is solutions to increase drug manufacturing capacity in the United States. Second is actions necessary to ensure domestic manufacturing is able to maintain a sufficient supply of drugs in the event of a public health emergency such as the coronavirus outbreak.

    This builds on the incredible and groundbreaking work President Trump is doing through Operation Warp Speed. This project aims to deliver 300 million doses of a safe and effective vaccine for coronavirus by January 2021. The president has invested in building manufacturing capacity for several vaccine candidates, which have shown promise in safety and efficacy trials. One of these candidates, manufactured by Moderna Therapeutics, is already enterting phase 3 of clinical trials—the last phase before final FDA Approval. It is important to note that while this groundbreaking program has accelerated development of vaccines at an unprecedented rate never seen before, it has not compromised the safety or standards needed for a drug to come to market.

    Coronavirus has taken a heavy toll on the United States and the rest of the world, but it has not dampened our fighting spirit or drive for innovation. I am proud of the bipartisan work we are doing in Congress, working with the Administration to beat coronavirus and improve our ability to respond to future outbreaks. By working together, I am confident that we can protect public health and get our economy back on track to set new records for jobs and prosperity in our community.

  • 11 19 WATA Logo 011Eighteen local nonprofit organizations are recipients of Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County grants, totaling $571,500, for 2020-2021. Three large nonprofit agencies in Cumberland County, Cape Fear Regional Theatre, Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra and the Cape Fear Botanical Garden received substantial financial awards. Cape Fear Regional Theatre — $225,000; Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra — $121,500; Cape Fear Botanical Garden — $90,000.

    “As we all navigate through this pandemic, it’s imperative that we lessen the economic fallout many organizations and nonprofits are currently experiencing,” said Bob Pinson, interim president of the Arts Council. “Now more than ever, the Arts Council will continue to support the arts community through our various granting programs as we adapt to our new environment.”

    Grant funding is received from the city of Fayetteville, Cumberland County and the Cumberland County Occupancy Tax. State funds are provided through a grant from the Grassroots Arts Program of the North Carolina Arts Council. Additional funds are provided through the support of individual donors.

  • 07 anthony indraus Bb9jWuTMPUk unsplashA gubernatorial executive order that prohibited utility companies from charging late fees or disconnecting service for people who have not paid their bills expired at the end of July. Fayetteville’s Public Works Commission will automatically enroll customers with unpaid balances in six-month payment plans, starting with their August bills. Nearly 20 percent of PWC’s customers have past due balances. PWC estimates that it is carrying approximately $10 million of unpaid accounts. Gov. Cooper has emphasized that customers’ bills are not being forgiven under his executive orders.

    “COVID-19 has impacted the Fayetteville area in ways we never imagined, and we appreciate those customers who have remained current or made partial payments over the past few months,” said PWC CEO David Trego.

    Customers can visit Faypwc.com for more information about managing past due balances and how six-month payment plans are being applied. For specific account information, customers can log in to the PWC online account manager at faypwc.com or contact customer service at 910-483-1382.

  • 06 N2004P32005CIt’s unfortunate but true: During this period of economic uncertainty, one of the busiest “industries” has been financial scamming. It goes on even during normal times, so you’ll want to know what to look for and how to defend yourself.

    For starters, just how widespread is financial fraud? Consider this: In 2019, more than 3.2 million fraud cases were reported to the Federal Trade Commission, with identity theft being the most common type of fraud, accounting for about one-fifth of the overall cases. And fraudulent new accounts — mortgages, student loans, car loans and credit cards — amounted to about $3.4 billion in 2018, according to a study by Javelin Strategy & Research.

    To prevent yourself from being victimized, consider the following suggestions. They are certainly not exhaustive, but they should prove useful.

    • Watch out for unsecure websites. Make sure a website is secure before entering any payment or personal information. Look for sites that start with HTTPS, rather than those with just HTTP, which are not secure and can be hacked. But even a site with HTTPS can still be used by scammers, so, if you don’t recognize the name of the company or group that’s requesting your information, do some research to make sure it’s legitimate.

    • Review your credit reports. As mentioned above, the fraudulent opening of new accounts is a big source of financial scams. To be sure nobody has opened new accounts under your name, try to review your credit reports at least once a year. You can get them for free at AnnualCreditReport.com.

    • Follow up on fraud. If you’ve already been victimized by having new accounts opened in your name, contact one of the three major credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax or TransUnion) and place a 90-day fraud alert on your credit file.

  • 04 andre hunter 5otlbgWJlLs unsplashOne morning in late March, I drove from my home in Southern Wake County to my office in North Raleigh to pick up some files so I could work from home. As I exited the Beltline onto Six Forks Road, I noticed a deer lying beneath the overpass, the apparent victim of a high-speed impact.

    It’s a familiar sight on the side of the road, in urban or rural areas, and I thought little about it at the time. I assumed it would be cleaned up by the next time I drove to my office.

    But it wasn’t. I saw it again and again. By mid-April, it occurred to me that with so many folks sheltering at home or otherwise distracted by the COVID-19 crisis, dead animals in public rights-of-way were probably going unreported. So I perused the city’s website, phoned the number I found, and then spent a frustrating half an hour trying to get to the right person after multiple transfers and a couple of dropped calls.

    I finally succeeded. I assumed the deer would be gone within days. It wasn’t. Several weeks later, I called the city again, got cut off again, and after some insistence was given the opportunity to report the dead animal a second time.

    As of Friday, July 24, the badly decomposed deer was still beneath the overpass, at one of the most-traveled intersections in North Carolina’s capital city, its skull twisted at an extreme angle into what looks like a mocking smile.

    At this point, it would be very easy to launch into an extended rant about government inefficiency. It shouldn’t take multiple calls and the navigational skills of Ferdinand Magellan to reach the requisite public employee during a workday. There ought to be some other way to produce a work order. Then it should be acted on.

    But as I’ve watched that carcass rot, throughout the spring and into the middle of summer, it has come to represent more than just garden-variety bureaucratic inertia.

    Why haven’t I just carried it off myself? I don’t own a pickup truck but I know plenty of friends who do. Alas, private initiative isn’t an option here. The overpass in question is too dangerous, with high-speed traffic during the day and limited visibility at night. Even taking a snapshot of the carcass, as I did Friday morning, proved to be a harrowing experience. At least the right lane of this public highway needs to be blocked off by those duly authorized to exercise public authority, so that what’s left of the deer can be safely removed.

    That neither city nor state workers have yet performed this straightforward task is emblematic, it seems to me, of a deeper issue. We are experiencing both a public-health crisis and an economic recession. Hundreds of thousands are out of work. In several of our cities, including Raleigh, heartfelt protests have devolved into destructive riots. North Carolinians feel divided, anxious and, in some cases, desperate.

    Handling just one of these problems would be challenging. Facing them all at once, interrelated and seemingly intractable, surely feels overwhelming. But we cannot let them overwhelm us — overwhelm our leaders, our governments, our private institutions, our communities, our families.

    Becoming distracted, distraught, or distrustful will help no one. We all have critical roles to play and jobs to do. We must be resilient and resolute, giving each other the benefit of the doubt when it comes to motives while also holding each other responsible for results.

    I wouldn’t go as far as to say that our governments and other social institutions are rotten. They haven’t languished long enough on the metaphorical side of the metaphorical road to reach that condition. But can you truly say you aren’t worried about their future soundness and vitality?

    I can’t. And there is a now-putrefied deer in North Carolina’s state capital, at the intersection of Six Forks Road and the Beltline, that reminds me of those worries on a regular basis.

  • 09 N1911P59005CThe Cumberland County Board of Elections is in urgent need of poll workers for the Nov. 3 general election and the early voting period in October. The Board of Elections will follow state guidelines to protect the health and safety of election workers and voters. Social distancing measures and routine cleanings will be put in place and poll workers will be provided appropriate personal protective equipment. Poll workers’ duties include staffing polling places during early voting and on Election Day, setting up and closing voting enclosures, checking in voters, issuing ballots and assisting voters upon request. Interested individuals must be U.S. citizens, registered voters in Cumberland County and available to attend required training. Poll workers are compensated for attending training and for working during early voting and on Election Day. Interested registered voters can complete the online application by going to electionready.net.

  • 17 15403707 192759641189073 90141381049863955 oFor more than 20 years UNC TV's "North Carolina Bookwatch" has broadcast great conversations with North Carolina-connected authors.

    An important part of the program's makeup has always been the warm and open spirit that authors bring into the television studio. Through the magic of broadcast television, their informative and entertaining conversations have made their ways into the living rooms and dens of many North Carolinians. It is one of the longest running locally produced UNC-TV programs.

    At the beginning of this year, plans were under way to produce some programs at bookstores and college campuses, similar to the successful production of three programs at Isothermal Community College late last year. "Bookwatch" was also lining up authors and UNC-TV studio times for production of a new series.

    Then came the virus. Bookstores closed. So did college campuses. UNC-TV's studios and offices shut down completely, leaving its enormous facility an empty cavern.

    It looked like a lost season for "Bookwatch." Then the program’s producer, Katy Loebrich, suggested a trial of the distance-connecting program Zoom to see if it could be suitable for regular broadcast. David Zucchino, author of “Wilmington’s Lie,” agreed to be a guinea pig. From her home, Katy connected to me in my house and to David in his den.

    The result was not perfect, a little patchy, but encouraging. Then, thanks to Katy's editing, the program was more than a successful experiment. It passed muster and was aired last month. That success let us to try Zoom with Sue Monk Kidd, author of “The Book of Longings.” That program will be broadcast next month.

    We found that we were able to produce the program without being in face-to-face direct contact with our guests. Subsequently, we have produced programs with author Lee Smith, who was spending the summer in Maine.

    One of our prospective authors, Devi Lascar, author of “The Atlas of Reds and Blues,” grew up in Chapel Hill but now lives in California. With the new distance capability, we were able to interview her from her home thousands of miles away, an interview that might not have happened otherwise.

    From her home in Cornelius, former Charlotte Observer reporter Pam Kelly talked about her book “Money Rock: A Family’s Story of Cocaine, Race, and Ambition in the New South.”

    Other authors who might have been too busy to make their way to the UNC-TV studios have given us interviews because they did not have to leave their homes or travel to the studio.

    For instance, William Darity Jr. and his wife Kirsten Mullen, authors of “From Here to Equality: Reparations for Black Americans in the Twenty-First Century,” sat down in their living room and talked to us about their recent work on reparations.

    We are planning interviews with Kathy Reichs, who will be talking to us from Charlotte about “A Conspiracy of Bones.” Daniel Pierce, author of “Tar Heel Lightnin’: How Secret Stills and Fast Cars Made North Carolina the Moonshine Capital of the World,” will be able to save a seven-hour round trip from his home in Asheville by doing his interview with Zoom or Skype.

    Some authors, such as Allan Gurganus, Jodi Magness and Jill McCorkle, came to specially adapted, newly reopened studios after being assured that they would be in a separate room from the host, reducing the risk that might have been involved in communication across the same table.

    As bad as the coronavirus is, by adapting to it, "North Carolina Bookwatch" has made improvements that will be a permanent benefit for viewers and the authors who are the stars of the program.

  • 08 Enrique Roman MartinezFort Bragg paratrooper Spc. Enrique Roman-Martinez, 21, disappeared May 22 while camping with friends at Cape Lookout National Seashore along the North Carolina Coast. His friends reported him missing the next day. During Memorial Day weekend, a body washed ashore on Shackleford Banks Island. An investigation revealed it was the remains of Roman-Martinez.

    “I’ve personally spoken with his family to assure them that we will not stop in our pursuit to bring those responsible to justice, said Maj. Gen. Christopher Donahue, 82nd Airborne Division commanding officer. “We are doing everything we can to support his family and find justice for Enrique.”

    The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division is probing the soldier’s death as a homicide and is offering a $25,000 reward to individuals with information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Roman-Martinez, of Chino, California, was a human resource specialist in the 82nd Airborne Division’s Headquarters Company, 37th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team.

    Pictured: Spc. Enrique Roman-Martinez

  • 20 american football ball brown 2570139After a nightmarish opening weekend to the 2019 season that bad weather stretched from Friday until Monday, let’s hope for a much fairer forecast and games played on schedule this Friday night.
    There were no huge surprises for the Cumberland County Schools during that long opening weekend of games.
    I expected Terry Sanford and Seventy-First both to do well and they didn’t disappoint.
    South View, a team many think could win the Patriot Athletic Conference, got its toe stubbed early with a home overtime loss to Jack Britt.
    Pine Forest, last year’s Patriot champion, didn’t overwhelm anybody but they got the win at Purnell Swett.
    For the week the county schools went 5-4, not the best of starts but not the worst.
    There are some interesting matchups this week that could help us begin to sort out contenders from pretenders.
     
    The record: 6-2
     
    I’ll take an opening week record of 6-2 any year. There’s a lot of guesswork the first week of the season, so starting at 75 percent correct is a good base to build from.
     
    Seventy-First at Cape Fear - This is a big early showdown between two of the county’s best programs from recent years. Cape Fear is still looking to play its first game after last week’s contest with Clinton was rained out and won’t be made up.
    Seventy-First got off to a slow start against Westover but cruised home for a one-sided win over the Wolverines.
    Even though Seventy-First is on the road tonight, I like their chances having already played a game and gotten a chance to work out some of the early-season bugs.
    Seventy-First 21, Cape Fear 14.
     
    E.E. Smith at Hoke County - The Golden Bulls got off to a rough start with their lopsided loss on the road against Lee County last week. I think they’ll be more competitive Friday against Hoke County, but I still think Smith will come up on the short end of the score.
    Hoke County 18, E.E. Smith 16.
     
    Gray’s Creek at Fairmont - The Bears squeaked out a road win against South Johnston while Fairmont had no trouble getting past a struggling Marshville Forest Hills team.
    Jerry Garcia had a solid night running the ball for Gray’s Creek last week and I look for the Bears to try the same thing again Friday at Fairmont with similar results. 
    Gray’s Creek 20, Fairmont 17.
     
     
    Terry Sanford at Jack Britt - One of the surprises of the first week, at least for me, was Jack Britt’s win over South View. Britt head coach Brian Randolph has been preaching the mantra of restore order at Britt, seeking to return the Buccaneer program to the football glory years it enjoyed consistently when Richard Bailey was the school’s head coach.
    I think Randolph has the Buccaneers pointed in the right direction, but as good as Terry Sanford looked last Monday against Lumberton, I think Britt will be taking a slight detour Friday.
    Terry Sanford 24, Jack Britt 12.
     
    Lumberton at Pine Forest - For the second week in a row, Pine Forest takes on a team from Robeson County as Lumberton pays a visit to Harold K. Warren Stadium. Last week’s win over Purnell Swett wasn’t pretty, but the Trojans are 1-0 and that’s all that matters for Coach Bill Sochovka and company.
    I expect it will be 2-0 after Friday’s game.
    Pine Forest 29, Lumberton 14.
      
    Triton at South View - South View is likely still stinging from its overtime defeat to county rival Jack Britt. This was a game the Tigers could have won, but mistakes proved costly.
    Triton put up a ton of points in a season-opening loss to Overhills, so it looks like the Hawks can score. But I think South View can score more and keep possession of the ball with Matthew Pemberton carrying it, and that will be crucial Friday night.
    South View 29, Triton 24.
     
     Open dates: Douglas Byrd, Westover, Fayetteville Christian.
     
    Other games: Trinity Christian 30, Wake Christian 12.
  • 14 ALMSHOUSEAfter a successful summer of providing meals to children in need, the ALMS House in Hope Mills is gearing up for an even more ambitious project of a similar nature as school resumes in Cumberland County.

    Over the summer months, the ALMS House provided an average of 20 bag lunches a week to children and some adults who needed them, getting much-needed support from the community in the form of donations of food and money.

    A few weeks ago they got a call to help out with another program that received state funding to provide food to children if another organization would give them a location where the children could go to relax and enjoy the meals. That program ended in early August, and ALMS House was asked to pick up the ball for the remaining weeks until school resumed late this month.

    Since that responsibility was added, the ALMS House has been averaging 90 meals per day in addition to the 20 per week they had been doing. “It’s unbelievable how the community has stepped up and provided both funding and provisions for us,’’ said Delores Schiebe of the ALMS House. “It has just fallen into place.’’

    Once school resumes, the pace at ALMS House will pick up even more as they begin providing take-home bag lunches for under-privileged children that school social workers have identified as likely to not have access to food over the weekend.

    Schiebe said ALMS House will start packing some 250 bag lunches the first week of school, but as time passes the numbers will grow upwards of 450 to 500 bags per week.

    “We try to make the bags as nutritious as possible,’’ Schiebe said. They include things like milk and natural fruit juice, not simply flavored water. Other items include ramen noodles, pop-top cans of spaghetti or other main course type dishes, beef jerky, cheese and crackers, fruit snacks and
    a spoon.

    These bags are designed to be taken home each Friday by students that have been identified by school social workers as children at risk of going without food over the weekend.

    Schiebe said the number of bags increases because often a child will return from the weekend and say they shared the food with a sibling and ask if they could get an extra bag for them.

    Since there are so many more children involved than the summer program, this is much more expensive for the ALMS House to handle and requires even more support from the community.

    “We encourage cash because we go shopping,’’ Schiebe said of the process used to fill the bags each week.

    Donations of actual food are also accepted, Schiebe said, including pop-top cans of meat or pasta or the microwaveable dishes that come in single-serve plastic containers. Bottled water is also welcome.

    Volunteers came in this week at ALMS House to begin packing the first bags that will go out to the children this year.

    Looking ahead, Schiebe said plans are in the works for the annual Peace, Love, Walk event, scheduled in October 19 at 4 p.m., that is a major benefit for the ALMS House. Members Credit Union is the primary sponsor of the walk. “We are looking for sponsors, walkers and vendors,’’ Schiebe said.

    For further information on the walk and how to support it, Schiebe
     said people can contact the ALMS House or the local Members Credit Union office. 

    The ALMS House can be reached at 910-425-0902. Members Credit Union is 910-425-6806.

  • 15 Hope Mills Community RoundtableElected leaders are welcome but politics will not be the focus of a Hope Mills Community Roundtable sponsored by the Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce and Up & Coming Weekly. 

    The event is scheduled at Harmony at Hope Mills, 7051 Rockfish Road, on Thursday. A meet and greet time is scheduled to begin at 6:15 p.m., followed by the roundtable at 7 p.m.

    “We are glad to be hosting it with Up & Coming (Weekly) and Harmony of Hope Mills,’’ said Jan Spell, president of the Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce.

    Spell called Harmony a wonderful facility that has been good to the chamber. “Now they’re wanting to be good to the residents of our community as well,’’ she said. “We hope that they’ll come out and express their voices so they can be heard, do a little learning and let us learn from them as well.’’

    The roundtable will begin with brief presentations by local government leaders and town staff. While all citizens and elected officials are welcome to attend, Spell stressed this is not a political rally and should not be confused with a campaign event on the part of anyone running for office.

    “There may be candidates there that the residents want to speak with,’’ she said. “Everyone is welcome to attend. This is an open forum for everyone, not just citywide but countywide too.

    “Mostly we’re looking for our citizens to come and join us.’’

    In addition to Spell, scheduled speakers include Cumberland County Commissioner Michael Boose and Hope Mills town finance director Drew Holland.

    Up & Coming Weekly publisher Bill Bowman said his publication is sponsoring the event to give the people of Hope Mills a chance to learn what the Chamber of Commerce is doing in the community and to bring people up to date on the wonderful things that are going on in Hope Mills.

    “The best way to do that is to get everybody together on an informal basis, to have an informal conversation about what they would like to see, what they like about Hope Mills and to meet the movers and shakers of the county and Hope Mills so they can identify people and start developing relationships with the town,’’ he said. 

    Like Spell, Bowman stressed the event is not political in nature. “This is for the people,’’ he said. “No political agenda associated with it.’’

    Bowman said the response to this first meeting will be gauged, and if it’s successful, future meetings could be held as frequently as quarterly each year. 

    “We want to get people used to them,’’ he said. “It should be a lot of fun.’’

  • 05 John HoodBecause Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and the Republican-led North Carolina General Assembly have remained deadlocked for weeks over passage of a new state budget. 

    The legislature has passed several bills that make consequential changes to the conduct and reach of government in North Carolina. Gov. Cooper has signed them into law. As their aim is to modify or eliminate outdated laws, think of them as the governmental equivalent of spring cleaning — although it took until summer to begin this latest excavation of the state’s regulatory closet.

    One of the measures, House Bill 590, amends a policy the state initiated back in 2013. That policy requires all regulations on the books to be reviewed periodically by the relevant agencies or departments. If the rule isn’t reviewed as required by law, or deemed no longer to meet a demonstrable need at a reasonable cost, it disappears — an outcome known as regulatory sunset.

    From 2013 to 2018, hundreds of outmoded or counterproductive regulations went away under this law. But there was a bit of a loophole. The original process created three buckets into which administrators could toss regulations: 1) unnecessary (the rule goes “poof’), 2) necessary without substantive public interest (no one has complained lately, so it is automatically renewed) and 3) necessary with substantial public interest (because there are complaints, it must go back through a re-adoption process).

    Regulators were tossing most state rules into that second bucket, so that they weren’t getting significant scrutiny. House Bill 590 removes that bucket from the deck. The legislation received overwhelmingly bipartisan support and Cooper’s signature. Now all regulations must either survive re-adoption or go away.

    Another “weeding out” process, this time within our criminal code, is about to accelerate thanks to the passage of Senate Bill 584. It also got overwhelmingly bipartisan support and a nod from the governor. It targets North Carolina’s “overcriminalization” problem.

    Over the decades, state agencies and local governments have adopted a range of criminal penalties for offenses that, whatever their adverse social effects may be, don’t necessarily merit criminal prosecution. For example, it is a crime in some North Carolina communities to feed stray animals. It is a crime to sell Silly String in Mt. Airy.

    A prior law had required agencies and localities to report all the ordinances or rules on their books that criminalized behavior — a necessary first step to tackling the problem. But compliance was spotty. Under Senate Bill 584, noncompliant municipalities will have their ability to pass criminal ordinances frozen for two years. For state agencies proposing rules with criminal penalties, the new law automatically refers them to the General Assembly for review.

    Finally, Cooper signed Senate Bill 290 into law last month. Another bipartisan measure, it contains several changes to North Carolina’s alcohol laws. It allows craft distilleries to sell mixed drinks and removes limits on the number of bottles a visitor can buy on their premises. The law also advances important reforms of the state’s archaic Alcoholic Beverage Control system, such as allowing liquor tastings at ABC stores and combatting the proliferation of patronage-heavy ABC boards.

    State agencies and localities are certainly empowered to use their regulatory powers to protect public health and safety. They should ensure a true “meeting of the minds” in private contracts by requiring disclosures and policing fraud. They should protect the persons and property of residents against pollution, communicable disease, and other threats for which effective collective action requires government action.

    But these powers should be used with caution, focused on clearly identifiable harms, imposed only when the expected benefits exceed the likely costs, and scaled so that any penalties involved are proportional to the offense. Over the decades, North Carolina has somewhat-haphazardly acquired an odd assortment of intrusive regulations and criminal penalties that don’t meet such common-sense tests.

    Now, Republican and Democratic policymakers are working together to clean up the mess. That’s most welcome.

  • 02 MEg LarsonThis week, publisher Bill Bowman yields his space to Elizabeth Blevins.

    Hope Mills had a banner summer. Our dam won a second prestigious award, our military recruiters were recognized as the best in the nation, four Dixie Youth ball teams won state championships and competed in the World Series, our food truck rodeo and farmers markets continue to grow, our staff played an integral role in the Cut My City campaign, Grandson’s was recognized in Our State Magazine, three sculptures were donated to the town, we formed a Hope Mills Art Council, the Hope Mills lake is once again open for recreation and our fire department achieved an ISO rating of 2, which is practically unheard of in a municipality this small.

    What’s not to like about our Hope Mills community?

    Well, Commissioner Meg Larson couldn’t find anything positive to say when she appeared on a WFNC local talk radio program Aug. 19. She didn’t mention any of these things. Instead, she continued her attacks on Mayor Jackie Warner while promoting her latest conspiracy theory that Warner is guilty of colluding with Up & Coming Weekly community newspaper publisher Bill Bowman to — ironically — make the town look bad.

    Why would he do that? 

    Larson is no stranger to conspiracy theories. In 2014, long before her stint in politics, her penchant for muckraking led her to believe former-Commissioner Bryan Marley was guilty of a conflict of interest with the town. Larson gathered information, “relevant” ordinances and general statutes and handed them off to the district attorney for investigation. Unfortunately for Larson, he didn’t agree, and Marley was exonerated based on unsubstantiated information. 

    Not long after, she repeated the same process when she accused former-Commissioner Edwin Deaver of having a conflict of interest with the town. Like Marley, Deaver was exonerated. 

    In 2018, the newly elected Commissioner Larson began to immediately and privately investigate long-time mayor, Jackie Warner. Larson was convinced the mayor colluded with her son, Teddy Warner, and members of Lone Survivor Foundation by scheming to sell a municipality-owned piece property to the veterans’ organization. As each allegation was investigated, no evidence was found to support such a conspiracy. Eventually the allegations were dropped. By January it was evident Larson wasn’t going to stop the harassment. She convinced the board to hire an outside investigator to determine if there was any wrongdoing by the mayor’s office. 

    Larson presented the independent investigator with a three-inch binder complete with accusations, printed ordinances and general statutes she wanted him to use in framing the investigation. The investigation concluded four months later at a whopping cost to Hope Mills taxpayers of nearly $30,000 and with the full exoneration of Mayor Warner. The independent investigator delivered the results to the Board of Commissioners in late May and concluded the unfortunate circumstances were caused as a result of “rookie mistakes.” 

    That was obviously the kindest thing he could say about the situation since the rookies were commissioners Larson, Mike Mitchell and Jessie Bellflowers.

    After all this, one might think Larson would be deterred from antics like this and focus to creating policy for the good of Hope Mills and its residents. Not so. By July, she was again making accusations and posting ordinances and statutes, this time declaring one of the candidates for the Board of Commissioners couldn’t hold an official campaign kickoff on municipal property. Again, she was wrong. Town Attorney Dan Hartzog was tasked with making the decision. More wasted time and money. 

    For most of Hope Mills, it wasn’t a surprise when Larson took to the airwaves last week and started hurling accusations and character assassinations. 

    Larson began her radio tirade by explaining she ran for office two years ago because she didn’t like the decisions the previous board was making and felt they were wasting taxpayers’ money. It’s ironic since this board just wasted $30,000 on a needless investigation and spent $25,000 on a survey for a “temporary” driveway and parking lot for the golf course. 

    To date, the board has appropriated a quarter of a million dollars for the Historic Preservation Committee, which has yet to produce anything for the town. Yet Larson vehemently attacks and accuses publisher Bill Bowman of writing articles “retaliating” against the board when they chose to not renew the Up & Coming Weeklynewspaper Hope Mills Initiative in 2018. She continues to falsely contend that Bowman expected the town to pay $28,000 a year for “good news” articles that he wanted the board and the staff to write. 

    Ridiculous. Bowman has explained the purpose and intent of the Hope Mills Initiative to Larson and the rest of the board — a point made to Larson in person on two different occasions and in print on two other different occasions. 

    Larson also accused Mayor Warner of soliciting me to start a blog for the purpose of discrediting her and the board. Again, ridiculous. I posted a lengthy article on Dec. 5 explaining why I started my blog. In it, I said very clearly that Commissioner Mitchell was using social media to attack Mayor Warner, her son and various staff members. I hadn’t spoken to Jackie Warner in years, but she called me and asked that I watch a video of the meeting. I did watch the video, and I was disgusted by the behavior of Mitchell and Larson. I decided that day to start the blog. 

    Larson claims the mayor objected when the board wanted to make changes to plans the previous board had already agreed upon. Warner actively encouraged this board to move forward, specifically with Phase II of the lake plan. The previous board worked with the Lake Advisory Committee to choose a design for Phase II. The plans were drafted and paid for. This board simply had to accept a bid and begin the project. Had they done so, the bulkhead and the boardwalk would have been completed prior to summer 2018. But Mitchell delayed the process multiple times, insisting they wait for the newly commissioned Comprehensive Plan. That plan wasn’t delivered to the board until July 2019, costing delays and more money. 

    Larson spent more than 20 minutes on air during Cumulus WFNC’s “Morning Show” feeding red meat to disc jockey “Goldy” Goldberg, who cannot hide his disdain for Bill Bowman and Up & Coming Weekly. Larson and her accomplice, Goldberg, continue to bash and spread lies about the Hope Mills mayor and other supporting commissioners, Bill Bowman, Up & Coming Weekly, Earl Vaughan and me and other private citizens they accuse of launching a smear campaign against her with the mayor’s help. 

    In mid-July Larson announced she wouldn’t seek re-election to the board and will instead support Warner’s opponent, Mike Mitchell. She could have used the radio time to expound on Mitchell’s merits and accomplishments or announce his campaign platform. Instead, she used it as another opportunity to bash and discredit Warner, who has consistently beat Mitchell in all his bids for the mayor’s seat. 

    Perhaps it’s best that Larson, who has mentioned on several occasions that she’s not a politician, chose not to run again. It seems her dislike for the previous board didn’t make her any more motivated or qualified for the job. 

    Truth to power! We love this town. We are media and take full responsibility for what we say and write. That’s what community newspapers do. It’s also why Goldy doesn’t have Bill Bowman on his show anymore. As Bill would say, “Thanks for reading Up & Coming Weekly.”

    Pictured: Meg Larson 

     

  • 09 TimonWebSince 2012 Sweet Tea Shakespeare Theater has been entertaining Fayetteville. But its newest production, “Timon of Athens,” debuted Aug. 21 in Hope Mills. Bringing “Timon of Athens” to Hope Mills was the result of a partnership between Sweet Tea Shakespeare Theater and the newly formed Hope Mills Creative Art Council. 

    “Timon of Athens” is the story of the too-generous Athenian nobleman Timon. Timon shares his wealth liberally with his “friends,” hosting lavish parties and lending financial support to their many endeavors. Apemantus warns Timonthat his friends are taking advantage of his generosity, but Timon refuses to heed the warnings, saying, “O, that men’s ears should be / To counsel deaf, but not to flattery!” 

    He’s further warned by Flavius, his servant, that his wealth is dwindling. But again, Timon ignores the warnings, preferring to give money rather than his time, binding his friends to him with his generosity.

    Eventually, Timon finds himself destitute and without friends to lend him their support. He leaves Athens to live in a cave. While scavenging for roots, he discovers a cache of gold, which he squanders on ill-conceived plots to ruin Athens — and the friends who betrayed him.

    The play was performed by Sweet Tea’s youth company, “Green Tea.” Green Tea is a yearlong program designed to introduce 12- to 17-year-old students to the technical elements of acting and the intricacies of Shakespearean language. It culminates in a full performance. 

    Sweet Tea Shakespeare Theater is known for its minimalist approach to Shakespeare productions. The group limits the use of sets, props and costumes, preferring instead to focus on the storytelling element of the production. The shows also include live music and often original songs. And unless there’s inclement weather, they perform outdoors, providing refreshments to their guests and creating the same atmosphere in which Shakespeare’s plays were originally enjoyed. 

    “Timon of Athens” was performed at the historic Moulder-Warner House, owned by Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner, who is one of the founding members of the Hope Mills Creative Art Council. The house is on a spacious corner lot just off Main Street. It’s traditional white columns, hydrangeas and magnolia trees lend themselves to its idyllic charm. The members of Sweet Tea Shakespeare Theater and the Hope Mills Creative Art Council were pleased with the night’s success and are looking forward to many more joint ventures. They have a production tentatively scheduled for March 2020 and another scheduled for June.

    Up next for Sweet Tea is “HamLIT,” set for Friday, Oct. 4, and Friday, Nov. 1, at the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. It will show Thursday, Oct. 10, at Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Taproom and Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18-19, and Friday and Saturday, Nov. 8-9 at Hugger Mugger Brewing in Sanford. “HamLIT” is also set to take the stage Friday, Oct. 11; Thursday, Oct. 24; Sat., Oct. 26, at Paddy’s; Sunday, Oct. 13, at Fainting Goat Fuquay-Varina; andSunday, Oct. 27, at Fainting Goat in Benson

    Behold follows in the lineup Dec. 5-7 and 12- 14 at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Methodist University.

    For ticket information visit www.sweetteashakespeare.com

  • The Jungle Run, South View’s annual night cross country meet, returns for its 19th year on Saturday, Aug. 31, with the finish line on the Tiger track at Randy Ledford Stadium. 

    This year’s event will feature one significant change, the addition of a combined race for middle school runners, boys and girls.

    South View cross country coach Jesse Autry said he’s trying to encourage middle school cross country because some areas of the state that lack it are falling behind in the sport.

    Another new award will be presented to the Most Spirited Team at the meet for its overall enthusiasm and support of teammates during the competition.

    With one day left before the signup closed last week, 61 teams had committed to the event this year.

    A drawing card for entries is the fact the South View cross country course will host two major competitions later this year, the Patriot Athletic Conference meet and the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 4-A East Regional championship.

    Some familiar powerhouses will be coming to South View to compete in this year’s race.

    On the boys side top teams include Raleigh Broughton, Raleigh Leesville Road and Raleigh Millbrook.

    Among the better region teams, Union Pines
    is back.

    Among smaller schools, a powerful Croatan team is back along with private school standout Fayetteville Christian.

    Some of the better girls' teams in the meet include Carrboro, Wilmington Ashley and Cary Academy.

    One traditional power that won’t be running this year is Pinecrest, which is unable to take part due to a schedule conflict.

    Check-in for the meet begins at 4 p.m. The combined middle school race for boys and girls will start at 5:45 p.m., followed at 6:15 p.m. and then 6:55 p.m. by the developmental races for boys and girls respectively.

    The two invitational races for smaller schools will be held at 6:55 p.m. and 7:40 p.m.

    The championship races for boys and girls are set for 9 p.m. and 9:40 p.m.

    The awards ceremony takes place in the football stadium stands beginning at 10:15 p.m.

    Entry to the meet itself is free but spectator parking in the lots at South View is $5 per
    carload.

  • 13 checklist copyA few of us (bikers) just got back from Sturgis. For us, Sturgis wasn’t about the crazy party that people talk about. It’s about the fellowship and all of the great riding around the Black Hills of South Dakota. 

    To get there, we had to ride 1,800 miles, one way, in about three-and-a-half days. My wife likes to ride with me, but for this distance and time, we both knew she would not feel pretty, so we decided to fly her out there. 

    I was voluntold to be “team leader.” That gave me the responsibility of figuring out the route, times and some of the lodging arrangements. With the crazy weather patterns we have had across the country this year, I had to build a flexible route that would try to avoid the rain and heat and get us there in time. 

    On the way to South Dakota, all went perfectly. We made our time, the weather was great (only a little rain), and most importantly, I was able to meet my wife at the airport. 

    Before I left, I made sure I had new tires, checked and tightened all of the nuts and bolts on my bike, and just made sure the bike was in good order.

     Over the years, I’ve developed a pretty good check list so that I only pack what I need and nothing more. I usually wind up making three lists. The first list is to check off items as I lay them out for packing. The second list is used when I separate all of the items for packing. This is usually done by category. For example, I separate items that can get wet like rain clothes, etc. The third list is dry items, like clothes and tools. Once it is packed on the bike, I check off the final list. That sounds great, but then I’ll realize something isn’t right and then I’ll start over again — it happens! 

    No matter if you are on a day trip or cross-country, here are five things that everyone should carry to help make sure they have a good trip.

    One extra layer of clothes:The weather, altitude and time of day can easily change on a ride. I always look at the weather, but I have discovered that even if the weather report says 0% chance of rain, the weather person is only about 10% right.

    Spare gloves:This is nice in case your gloves get wet or torn. I carry a couple of different types, depending on the weather. In the summer, I usually carry a vented pair and warmer gloves for night. For Sturgis, I actually carried four pair. Light, medium, heavy and a waterproof glove cover. 

    A cargo net or bungee cords:This is something you may want to pick up or move around. You can also use it to put wet clothes under to let them dry out as you ride. 

    A bicycle lock: Good motorcycle helmets and jackets are expensive. A good, worry-free way to leave them on your bike is to run a bicycle lock through the sleeves of the jacket and through your helmet and secure it to the bike. 

    A roadside assistant program:My friend Bill broke down on the way back and called the Harley-Davidson Roadside Assistance. What a great plan they have. They will tow your bike to the nearest qualified service facility. I ride a BMW, and I’m lucky to find one qualified repair facility in a state. 

    When I got home, I started looking at my roadside assistance plans and discovered that I have AAA, Allstate, BMW Club MOA, SPOT (satellite), American Motorcycle Association (AMA) and I haven’t even checked my motorcycle insurance. To the best I can tell, none of these have towing to a “qualified service facility.” Some only cover up to 25 miles to a facility and a few want 100 miles or less. One of them covered a room if you were more than 100 miles away. Either way, roadside assistance is a great essential, but you need to know the details. 

    Hopefully these essentials will help you with some flexibility and security on your future rides. 

    If there is a topic that you would like to discuss, you can contact me at motorcycle4fun@aol.com. Ride safe!

  • 19 01 Alexa GlemakerStan Bagley knew his Cumberland Post 32 Bombers had no shortage of talent this season, but even he was surprised by the way the team coasted through the rest of the field at this year’s North Carolina American Legion Lady Fastpitch state tournament in Shelby.

    Cumberland, in its first season of American Legion softball field, cruised through the double elimination event with a 3-0 record and outscored the rest of the field 30-10 en route to the title. They finished the season with an 18-2 record.

    “I was a little shocked that we hit the ball as 19 02Legion well as we did late,’’ Bagley said. “In all three games, seeing those pitchers the second and third time, they really zoned in and showed me what they were capable of doing.

    “I knew they had the potential. Just to watch it click when we needed it was awesome.’’

    Among the leading hitters for Cumberland in the three games in the state finals were McKenzie Mason with a .727 average, Alyssa Norton .556, Alexa Glemaker .500 and Courtney Cygan .455.

    Bagley credited the top of the Cumberland order — Jaden Pone, Cygan and Mason, for setting the table with their speed and putting the ball in play.

    In the championship game, he praised Ashton Fields for sparking a huge rally that put the win away for Cumberland.

    Most Valuable Player honors for the tournament went to Glemaker for her pitching, mostly in a relief role. She came on in the championship game after Cumberland fell behind early and pitched scoreless relief as the Bombers rallied for the win.

    In 11.1 innings for the tournament, Glemaker recorded seven strikeouts, allowed no walks and just one earned run.

    “All year long, when we needed that relief off the bench she stepped up and came through,’’ Bagley said of Glemaker. “It seemed like she knew the pressure was on and she pitched better for us.’’

    Glemaker, a freshman, will enroll at Cape Fear High School this fall.

    “I know some people thought we weren’t going to be as good because we were a first-year team,’’ Glemaker said. “Watching some of the other teams,
    I thought we had a good shot.’’

    If no one else in Cumberland County decides to field an American Legion softball team next year, Bagley could potentially return everyone on this year’s team for the 2020 season. If another team is formed, a decision will have to be made on how the county schools will divide the players between them.

    Bagley said with the success of this year’s entry, he expects Legion softball to continue growing around the state.

    “The ultimate goal is to have one team in every county in North Carolina, then grow this thing in the Southeast and eventually the whole nation,’’ he said. 

    Photo 1: Alexa Glemaker

    Photo 2: Makenzie Mason, Jaden Pone, Courtney Cygan, Megan Cygan, Becca Collins, Carey Dees, Emma Cobb, Madison Bagley, Alyssa Norton, Ashton Fields, Korie St. Peter, Catie McGrath, Alex Deville, Sarah Edge, Alexa Glemaker, Coach Stan Bagley.

  • 18 01 Ilena HallWith a pair of All-Sandhills Conference players returning, new Jack Britt volleyball coach Jess Grooms is hoping she can continue in the tradition of former coach Leigh Ann Weaver in leading the Buccaneers to the top of the league volleyball standings.

    Meanwhile, in the Patriot Athletic Conference, veteran Cape Fear coach Jeff Bruner will be looking to retool his lineup after major graduation losses following the Colts’ latest conference title.

    Grooms said maintaining communication will be a key to success for the Buccaneers this season as she hopes to build on the foundation established by Weaver.

    18 02 Kaiah Parker“Our libero, Ilena Hall, has done a phenomenal job all summer,’’ Grooms said. “She’s grown so much and has become more of a vocal leader on the floor.’’

    Kaiah Parker, who like Hall was all-conference last year, will be counted on to be a top hitter for the Buccaneers.

    “I think I’m going to move her outside because she’s such a dominant hitter,’’ Grooms said. “I think she’s going to be a big impact player.’’

    Grooms thinks Britt returns enough talent to contend for the 18 03Marlie HorneSandhills Conference title again this season. She got a chance to see a number of the teams Britt will face this season in preseason scrimmages and saw signs of improvement in all of them.

    “This year we genuinely have a group of girls that likes each other,’’ she said. “That makes my job a whole lot easier when there are no issues between the girls on the team.’’

    Cape Fear’s Bruner lost nearly all of the offense from last year’s conference championship teambut does return the core of his defense in Taylor Melvin and Marlie Horne.

    “They have always kind of been our back row and done everything for us,’’ Bruner said. Another key returner is Tori McGowan, who frequently came off the bench last season but will be pressed into a starting role this year.

    “We’ve made her a full-time setter,’’ Bruner said. “She’s always been able and capable to play for us.’’

    So far this season Bruner has been focusingon his team’s defense. “We’ve always had the concept of anytime we get the ball over the net, we’ve got a good enough defense someone is going to get a hand on it,’’ he said. “Essentially if we’re all playing and we’re all aware after someone touches it and everyone’s helping, there’s no reason in our mind that a ball should ever hit the floor.’’

    He expects the Patriot Conference to be highly competitive this season. “Cumberland County has improved its level of play,’’ he said. “Across the board, there is no easy game.’’

    Pictured from left to right: Ilena Hall, Kaiah Parker, Taylor Melvin, Marlie Horne

  • 06 marquis de lafayetteNorth Carolina will celebrate the birthday of Revolutionary War hero Marquis de LaFayette Friday and Saturday, Sept. 6-7 in Fayetteville. 

    Fayetteville was the first city in the nation named for the French nobleman when the State Assembly combined the towns of Cross Creek and Campbellton in 1783. It is the only namesake city Lafayette visited, even though there are many communities named for him. Festivities begin Friday evening with “Arias and Artifacts” in Davis Memorial Library at Methodist University. Tickets can be purchased at City Center Gallery & Books at 112 Hay St. or by calling 910-678-8899. The Lafayette Trail Tour takes place Saturday at 8:30 a.m., starting with coffee and croissants at the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry, 210 Burgess St. Guests will see places that Lafayette visited when he was here in 1825. Reservations are required. Call 910-678-8899. Saturday, the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex will celebrate Lafayette’s birthday and the American Revolution with the annual Festival of Yesteryear: Revolution on the Cape Fear, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., in Arsenal Park. 

    Ice hockey gets a boost at the Crown Coliseum

    Capital improvement projects underway at the Crown Coliseum will add years of life to the facility. The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners approved approximately $4.6 million to replace the coliseum ice system and ice floor and replace and paint two parking lots. These funds were available from local food and beverage tax proceeds that must be utilized by law for costs associated with Crown facilities. The ice floor, which covers the entire performance area of the coliseum, and the ice floor chiller were replaced earlier this month. Old concrete and piping were removed, and new piping was installed along with 410 cubic yards of concrete. The concrete will need 28 days to cure and will be ready for use in mid-September. The new ice system is expected to provide more than 20 years of efficient ice-making capabilities. 

    “Investment in capital projects at the Crown Complex... (indicates) Cumberland County is committed to providing first-class entertainment facilities for its citizens,” said Engineering and Infrastructure Director Jeffery Brown. 

    Parking lot work to replace the Agri-Expo Center east parking lot and the Cooperative Extension parking lot is about 85% complete. Construction of the Crown Coliseum was completed in 1997. To see upcoming events at the Crown, go to crowncomplexnc.com. 

    Animal shelter adoptions a success

    The Cumberland County Animal Shelter found homes, Aug. 17, for 162 animals during the nationwide Clear the Shelters event. Officials waived adoption fees for the day, resulting in 99 cats, 61 dogs and two guinea pigs being adopted. Twenty-two animal control staff members and 30 volunteers assisted more than 550 people who visited the shelter to see the available animals. 

    Dr. April Kelly, animal control staff veterinarian, met with families to answer questions and provide information abouts heartworms, fleas, ticks and other pet health topics. Friends of the Cumberland County Animal Shelter provided adopters with gift bags with pet-related items. People interested in pet adoptions can visit the animal shelter during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. Visit http://bit.ly/CCAdoptablePets for more information on pet adoptions.

    Operation Safe Travel

    One of the goals of the North Carolina Highway Patrol is to reduce teenage driver crashes. To accomplish this objective, the State Patrol has requested the assistance of the Cumberland County Schools system to inform parents of high school students who drive to school to be aware of the following issues: speeding; seatbelt usage; limited provisional license violations; Level II driver restrictions, which means one teenage passenger; and distractions such as texting while driving and cellphone usage. Troopers are patrolling the main thoroughfares and roads that feed into county schools during the first two weeks of the school year. Parents are urged to make their teens aware that enforcement actions will be taken for substantial violations of motor vehicle laws.

    Introducing the EMBLETC

    The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners has named the sheriff’s training center in honor of former longtime Sheriff Moose Butler, who retired three years ago. Sheriff Ennis Wright asked the board to name the training center for Butler. Sheriff Wright provided a petition signed by 14 current and former elected officials supporting the endorsement. 

    The building, located next to the Animal Control Center on Corporation Drive, is now the Earl “Moose” Butler Law Enforcement Training Center. 

    Butler served as Cumberland County Sheriff for 22 years, from 1994 to 2016. The state-of-the-art training center was built during his tenure. It has an indoor firing range, munitions room, lecture rooms, a driver training pad and other features. It was built using money forfeited by drug dealers who were arrested and successfully prosecuted. 

  • 04 PittOne of the mightiest curses that ancient Chinese allegedly could lay on another person was “May you live in interesting times.” 

    No one can prove who actually said this, or even if it was said. However, never letting a lack of factual basis stand between me and a column deadline, I repeat it here. It may have been said by Shaolin Master Po in the old 1970s TV show “Kung Fu.” 

    Po was a blind Shaolin monk. He taught Kwai Chang Caine — David Carradine — fancy martial art moves while saying cosmic stuff like “Do you hear the grasshopper which is at your feet?” Fun fact- grasshopper’s ears are near their back legs. 

    I digress. We are living in interesting times. Real wars in the Middle East, trade wars with China, Greenland going into escrow, mass shootings and recession on the horizon are all arriving in a confluence of bad news. However, as Po may have said, “Cheer up, it could be worse.” So, I cheered up. Of course, it got worse. Never bet against Po. 

    In order to form a more perfect readership, establish schadenfreude, ensure domestic disharmony and to provide for the common distaste of life in general, consider the wonderful world of science fiction movie posters. No matter how bad things are in real life, gentle reader, the reel life of people in sci-fi movies was infinitely worse. A giant bug is not threatening to eat you now, is it? Nope. 

    Ponder these movie posters. You will feel better fast, like taking cinematic Wellbutrin. All of these bad things are happening to someone else. Someone else who is worse off than you. Isn’t that what life is all about? The ability to see someone slip on a banana peel, laugh at them and feel superior?

    Take a trip down 1950s movie monster lane. Consider “The Monster that Challenged the World.” The poster shows a very large caterpillar clutching a buxom damsel in its many arms. The poster says “A new kind of terror to numb the nerves. Crawling up from the depths to terrify and torture.” 

    Space aliens arrive in “Satan’s Satellites,” which shows a guy in a space suit carrying an unconscious buxom lady while space ships and robots are blasting away at a great American city with the line: “Cosmic Thrills as space spies plot to put the world out of orbit.” 

    Insect fear arrives with “The Deadly Mantis,” showing a giant praying mantis attacking the Washington Monument as airplanes harmlessly blast him. The poster says: “This was the day that engulfed the world in terror.” 

    The 1950s classic movie “Them” has a giant ant scooping up a pretty lady in a blue dress in his giant pincers as cowardly men hide with the line: “An endless terror. A nameless horror.” Quick Henry, the Flit!

    Who could forget “The Fiend Without a Face,” which is a human brain with a tail slithering toward yet another buxom lady? She is wrapped in a towel having just gotten out of the shower. The poster’s line: “New horrors. Mad science spawns evil fiends. Fiends take form before your very eyes.” 

    Continuing in the brain lane, consider “The Brain Eaters,” which are “crawling, slimy things, terror bent on destroying the world.” 

    A more traditional alien with a huge bulbous head appears in “Saucer Men.” He has a giant brain and is, once again, holding a shapely young lady in his evil clutches as flying saucers blast a city with the line: “Creeping horror from the depths of hell and outer space.” 

    “Tobor the Great” is a giant robot carrying yet another unconscious curvaceous woman with the line: “Man-made monster with EVERY human emotion.” Clearly, Tobor has something more in mind that just conquering Earth. 

    Very few posters didn’t feature damsels in distress. However “The Wasp Woman” poster shows a giant wasp with a woman’s head clutching a shirtless man with the line: “A beautiful woman by day — A lusting Queen wasp by night.” 

    Along the same gender lines, “The Astounding She Monster” shows a gargantuan nearly topless lady with flying saucers blasting a tiny man holding a rifle with the line: “A creature from Beyond the Stars Evil... Beautiful... Deadly!” 

    There seems to be a pattern here. Helpless ladies held hostage by giant malevolent critters. When men are endangered, it is by evil She Creatures from the Great Beyond. What are we to make of this? Bad things that go bump in the night only go after beautiful women? Is the story of Adam and Eve somehow the basis for 1950s science fiction movies? Women are either helpless victims or evil monsters in these movies. 

    As Mr. Rogers would say, “Can you say misogyny? I knew you could.” 

    Have we learned anything today? Unfortunately, once again very little. 

    But cheer up, you are not being chomped by a giant ant, stung by a wasp woman, sexually harassed by a robot or having your brain served as sushi. 

    Now don’t you feel better? Everything is relative. As a wise man once told me, “It is better to be seen than to be viewed.” 

    Now get out there and enjoy your superiority.

  • 17 01 Davis Saint AmandFayetteville Academy and Terry Sanford both enjoyed outstanding success on the soccer field last season, the Academy capturing another North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association state title while Terry Sanford went unbeaten in the Patriot Athletic Conference and made the third round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 3-A playoffs.

    But look for things to be much different at both schools this season. For one, both suffered major graduation losses, especially the Academy, which lost 12 seniors, 10 them starters.

    Terry Sanford will be much younger with only three seniors back along with 14 juniors and three sophomores.

    But the biggest change for the Bulldogs will be the loss of head coach Karl Molnar, who is taking over as the school’s 17 02 Cortez Herringvarsity boys basketball coach.

    Replacing him will be another veteran coach in the Terry Sanford program, Steven Barbour.

    “I’ve got big shoes to fill,’’ Barbour said. “There’s a winning tradition at Terry Sanford and its always daunting to come in behind a coach who was so successful.’’

    Terry Sanford’s Jarred Miller and Andrew Troutman were the offensive and defensive players of the year in the Patriot Conference last season, but both graduated.

    Barbour knows he’s got a lot of work to do to build chemistry and make use of everyone’s talents.

    “We’ve got a deep pool of talent,’’ he said. “If we get everyone to work together and utilize their ability, I think we can be competitive.’’

    17 03Ever AgueroBarbour expects the midfield to be the heart of the team with Davis Molnar, Alex Fox and newcomer Graham MacLeod leading the way.

    Another returning forward expected to contribute heavily is Ever Aguero Aranda.

    With the coaching change plus having to play all home games at Reid Ross High School while Terry Sanford’s stadium is being rebuilt, Barbour expects a challenging season.

    “I feel we’re in the crosshairs of a lot teams,’’ he said. “Gray’s Creek, Cape Fear and Pine Forest all have their sights set on us. It’s going to be a fun season to rise to the challenge.’’

    Fayetteville Academy’s Andrew McCarthy may have an inexperienced group but said they are working hard to get better every day.

    “We’ve got players playing positions they’ve never played before,’’ he said. “They are certainly improving and that’s all we can ask for.’’

    At this point, McCarthy said he can’t claim the Eagles are either a strong attacking or a strong defensive team, just a work in progress.

    “The two captains, Cortez Herring and Davis Saint-Amand, are our two seniors,’’ he said. McCarthy said the two midfielders have been around the Eagle program for a number of years and will be counted on to provide needed leadership.

    Pictured from top to bottom: Davis Saint-Amand, Cortez Herring, Ever Aguero Aranda

  • 07 fayetteville police car partialCan simply adding more police officers to the streets, or changing how they operate, reduce the crime rate? A report from the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, “What Caused the Crime Decline?” provides some answers. First, increasing the number of police officers can reduce crime by about 5 to 10%. Police employment increased dramatically in the 1990s, rising 28%. 

    A major contributor was the 1994 crime bill, which provided funding for 100,000 new local officers. The city of Fayetteville added nearly 50 additional officers to the force during retired Chief Harold Medlock’s administration, bringing the number of sworn officers to 433. The increase resulted in a three-cent increase in the property tax rate.

    Police techniques can also be effective in reducing crime. Interestingly, the biggest impact has come from something that gets a lot less ink than controversial measures, such as stop-and-frisk or the use of military equipment — the digital revolution. During the 1990s, police forces began using computers to target their efforts. The technique is known as CompStat. Part management tool, part geographical data-driven analysis, CompStat originally was little more than sticking pins in a map on the wall, looking for crime patterns. But it worked. Former New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton implemented it full-scale in 1994. It then spread to many cities around the country, including Fayetteville.

    Changes in law enforcement tactics are a key part of the larger puzzle, accelerating and reinforcing the other factors that combine to produce a decline in street crime. The hallmarks of CompStat are strong management and accountability techniques in a police department, as well as reliance on data collection to identify crime patterns at chosen locations. Resources are then deployed to break those patterns. 

    Shift changes have also increased police visibility. In Fayetteville, the patrol shift schedule changed from three daily eight-hour shifts to two 12-hour shifts in January of this year. The net effect was a significant increase in human resources on the streets at a given time — from roughly 30 officers to 50. 

    Police officers expressed concerns because their work schedules have a greater impact on their personal lives than any other non-life-threatening variable. According to the Brennan Center for Justice report, officers and their supervisors were initially concerned about the fatigue factor and its potential impact on safety, decision-making and productivity. 

    To their advantage, though, police officers working 12-hour shifts found they spend more time with their families and have more time to perform routine tasks at home and away from work. Every other weekend off provides them more flexibility for recreation. A vast majority of spouses also reported overall satisfaction with the 12-hour schedule. 

    In the Fayetteville Police Department, there have been no insurmountable problems reported in implementing the 12-hour schedule. Advantages far outweigh any disadvantages because fewer, longer shifts have a track record of improving the quality of life for officers and their families. Perhaps the most convincing argument for 12-hour shifts was that there is no record of officers wanting to switch back to their previous schedules.

  • 03 MargaretSince the early 19th century, Americans have put our money where our mouths have been when it comes to education. We began with significant funding for public education for primary grades, high schools and ultimately, colleges and universities. North Carolina was way ahead of other states by founding our new nation’s first public university in 1789, an institution we know today as UNC-Chapel Hill. 

    Education has never been a perfect system in our nation. It has been spotty both in accessibility and quality. Women and minorities were shut out initially, and small institutions in the hinterlands cannot compare to Harvard, Yale or UNC-Chapel Hill. Space is limited in almost all institutions, and price is always a factor.

    Nevertheless, most Americans believed then and believe now that education is the great leveler and that it has the potential to lift all boats. We believe that a college education is not the only ticket to a successful and productive life but that it is definitely a boost in the right direction. The numbers bear out that belief, with college graduates consistently out-earning those with less education and enjoying more stable lives in other ways as well. 

    In 2019, in an atmosphere of profoundly toxic and divisive partisan rancor, faith in the value of education has taken a hit and it, too, is along party lines. The nonpartisan Pew Research Center released study findings earlier this month about an undercurrent of public dissatisfaction — even suspicion — according to the Center, regarding higher education in our country. Fully 12% more Americans now say that colleges and universities have a negative effect than agreed with that statement earlier this decade. Almost all of the negative growth is among Republicans and independents who lean Republican. Democrats and independents who lean Democratic continue to view higher education as they have in the past, and their view is “overwhelmingly positive.” 

    Both Republicans and Democrats are concerned with the rising cost of higher education and with equity in the admissions process to protect qualified students from less advantaged families. Beyond those concerns, 79% of Republicans, predominantly senior citizens, worry about professors bringing their own politics to school with them while only 17% of Democrats express that concern. In addition, Republicans and Democrats have veered apart on what they see as the purpose of higher education. Both agree that higher education should prepare a student with skills and knowledge to be deployed in the workplace, but Democrats are more likely to cite personal and intellectual growth as well.

    These changes in attitudes about higher education fly in the face of generations of belief that education enriches us, both individually and as a society. Increased negativity toward higher education begs the question — if we do not see higher education as valuable for our nation, what will replace it in our society? Will we be able to compete in growing economies that do stress, value and support higher education? Will we lose in a world where education attainment is an international currency?

    The Pew Research Center frames the issue this way.

    “This broad overview of data on views about higher education in the U.S. reveals a complex set of attitudes — a public that still sees the benefit of a college education but has grown weary about the politics and culture on colleges campuses and the value of a four-year degree that has an ever-increasing price tag.

    “The partisan gaps underlying these views are reflective of our politics more broadly. From health care to the environment to immigration and foreign policy, Republicans and Democrats increasingly see the issues of the day through different lenses. But views on the nation’s educational institutions have not traditionally been politicized. Higher education faces a host of challenges in the future — controlling costs amid increasing fiscal pressures, ensuring that graduates are prepared for the jobs of the future, adapting to changing technology and responding to the country’s changing demographics. Ideological battles waged of the climate and culture on college campuses may make addressing these issues more difficult.”

    Most Americans believe that education is the great leveler and that it has the potential to lift all boats. 

  • 16 Miss Cotton PageantWhen Hurricane Florence blew through Hope Mills last fall, one of the many casualties of the storm was the Miss Cotton Pageant.

    Florence became a perfect storm to wreck the pageant as the town’s Parks and Recreation Building was damaged and uninhabitable for months, forcing the recreation staff to take temporary headquarters in Town Hall.

    All that upheaval made the task of putting on the pageant too big a challenge.

    But barring the intervention of weather again this fall, the Miss Cotton Pageant will return, scheduled Friday and Saturday, Sept. 27-28, in the auditorium at Jack Britt High School.

    Paulette Hobbs of the recreation department is overseeing this year’s pageant. The original plan was to hold it at South View High School, but the school couldn’t guarantee the dates the town was seeking, so it was moved to the auditorium at Jack Britt.

    Applications to enter the pageant are available at the recreation center on Rockfish Road or online at www.townofhopemills.com.

    The entry fee is $50 per contestant and the entry deadline is Friday,
    Sept. 13.

    Separate age categories of the competition will be held on each of the two nights of the pageant.

    Sept. 27 is for the 3- to 9-year-old contestants. Sept. 28 is for the 10- to 22-year-old contestants. Both evenings the competition will begin at 6:30 p.m.

    Two important events will be held prior to the actual pageant. On Saturday, Sept. 21 at 11 a.m. at the Parks and Recreation Building there will be a meeting with all parents of pageant contestants. Thursday, Sept. 26, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., a dress rehearsal for all contestants will take place in the auditorium at Jack Britt High School.

    For any questions or concerns about the pageant, contact Hobbs at the Parks and Recreation offices at 910-426-4109.

  • 12 advice advise advisor 7096The Student Learning Center at Fayetteville Technical Community College offers students the opportunity to be in charge of their own learning. The Center provides students with academic tutoring, assistance and resources to further their comprehension of key concepts in a wealth of subject areas. 

    The Center is a source of encouragement and support for FTCC students. Students who visit the SLC find a place where they can ask questions and receive answers without feeling embarrassed. Instructors listen to students and assess their academic needs, working one-on-one to provide meaningful and positive academic experiences.

    Instructors work to bridge the gap between learning and understanding. We want students to feel comfortable when entering the SLC. Everyone learns differently, and we understand the struggles that students can face each semester. In fact, we encourage students to come to the Center as soon as they have a question or need assistance, rather than waiting for problems to arise. We provide a welcoming atmosphere with comfortable seating, computers, laptops and group instruction rooms. Additionally, the Center has recently been updated to include mobile whiteboards and mobile whiteboard tables to promote interactive learning. Students can also use the Center for a quiet place to study between or after classes. We have heard some students refer to the Center as their home away from home.

     Twelve instructors in the Center stand ready to help students gain understanding by answering academic questions. Each instructor has a higher education degree and has worked closely with adult learners. 

    The primary goals of the SLC staff are to work with students to help them succeed, accomplish educational goals and create bigger and brighter futures. Education makes all the difference in attaining positive change. 

    Additional resources are available for students as well, including three specialized labs located in the same general area as the SLC. The math, science, and writing labs offer students the same one-on-one experience they receive in the SLC but within a more personalized setting. The math and writing labs have one instructor, and two instructors serve the science lab. 

    In addition to the one-on-one tutoring, the Center provides NetTutor Online Tutoring Service for distance education learners. NetTutor is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week. The tutoring service is available through FTCC student Blackboard accounts. 

    Using the SLC is free, and no appointment is necessary. Students simply bring an FTCC student ID, swipe ID at the front kiosk, choose a class for needed assistance and get ready for an amazing learning experience. 

    The SLC is located inside the Harry F. Shaw Virtual College Center. Hours of operation are Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m., and Friday,
    8 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, contact the SLC at learningcenter@faytechcc.edu or call 910-678-8266. Discover the difference between taking classes and succeeding in classes.   

  • 08 Ray Schrump 2012 PortraitAmerica’s involvement in the Vietnam War was so gradual that a fixed date for its beginning is impossible to set. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy authorized sending 400 Special Forces troops and 100 other U.S. military advisers to South Vietnam. The same day, he ordered the start of clandestine warfare against North Vietnam to be conducted by South Vietnamese agents under the direction and training of the CIA and U.S. Special Forces. President Dwight Eisenhower had sent about 50 military advisors to help the South Vietnamese army defend against communist incursion. 

    During the Buddhist holiday of Tet, Jan. 30, 1968, one of the largest military campaigns of the Vietnam War was launched by forces of the Vietcong and North Vietnamese People’s Army against the South Vietnamese Army, United States Armed Forces and their allies. Over 80,000 Vietcong troops emerged from their tunnels and attacked nearly every major metropolitan center in South Vietnam. 

    Army Major Raymond Schrump turned 36 years old the day he arrived in Vietnam, the same day the Tet Offensive launched. Schrump had accepted a job training and coordinating local fighters to work with U.S. soldiers against North Vietnamese forces. Early one morning, when a U.S. light infantry unit was ambushed near Schrump’s base, he took some of his men to retrieve the wounded. He was shot in the right shoulder and was taken prisoner. In the nearly five years that followed, Schrump said he was held at 11 different sites in South Vietnam and Cambodia. 

    Captured soldiers faced miserable conditions with inadequate food and a general lack of sanitation. Cruel treatment was common. “I had malaria so many times I lost count,” Schrump said. 

    He became emaciated, at one point weighing less than 86 pounds. Though he often contemplated escape, Schrump’s ordeal didn’t end until after the signing of the Paris Peace Accords on Jan. 27, 1973. His then-wife Anne traveled with the U.S diplomatic team to Paris. In February, Schrump and other POWs returned to the United States. Schrump came to Fort Bragg, where he had joined the Special Forces in 1962. He was brought off an Air Force plane at Pope Army Air Field on a gurney. 

    Schrump kept his life private and retired as a lieutenant colonel in December 1973. He launched a new career as a military contractor first at Fort Bragg and later working for companies in the Persian Gulf. 

    Now 87, Schrump also worked as a volunteer at the North Carolina Veterans Park across the parade field from the Airborne & Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville. Museum curator Nicole Suarez spent many hours with Schrump, recording his story and seeking his counsel for an exhibit that fills a gallery at the museum and tells the stories of several POWs, including Schrump. 

    “It’s uncomfortable” to hear this story, says Suarez, and that’s good. “You want people to feel something. You don’t want to sanitize the experience.” 

    As they leave the museum, visitors are reminded that so long as U.S. soldiers are at work in the world, they are at risk of capture and imprisonment and that Special Forces troops are still among the most desirable targets. Schrump has said he hopes those who tour the exhibit learn something, too, about the resiliency of the human spirit. It was his faith, he says, that kept him alive through his captivity. “Faith in God, faith in my country, and faith in my fellow man,” he said. 

    Pictured: Major Raymond Schrump

  • 10 Civil WarAverasboro Battlefield Commission and The Carolina Legion present the Civil War event “Army on the Move” Saturday, Sept. 14, and Sunday, Sept. 15, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Averasboro Battlefield and Museum. Members of the 26th N.C., 6th N.C., 49th N.C. and the Iron Grey Mess and Reilly’s Battery will take part in numerous demonstrations. There will be battlefield and ravine tours occurring throughout the event as well. 

    “The purpose of this event is to give the spectators and visitors a look at how an army moved its forces during the Civil War,” said Benny Pearce, secretary of the Averasboro Battlefield Commission. “It will be a living-history event. In addition to that we will have some exhibits that feature World War II as well.”

    The battlefield is significant historically. “The Battle of Averasboro was held on the Cumberland County and Harnett County line on March 15 and 16 in 1865,” said Pearce. “A lot of people don’t know that the actual Civil War battle was held that close to our locations here in Cumberland and Harnett counties.”

    Pearce added it was the next to last battle of the Civil War, the last one being in Bentonville, North Carolina. 

    “We have many exhibits, and a lot of them were donated to us from people who live in the Cumberland and Harnett county areas,” said Pearce. “A lot of the other ones were donated by interested people that came to visit with us and wanted to share with us the artifacts they maintained in their families for many, many years.

    “We try to present a history of showing by artifacts and to tell about the battle using maps at the museum that we have especially prepared for us. We have very knowledgeable volunteers and we are an all volunteer organization with no paid staff members, but we have many knowledgeable tour guides that can share with visitors what the Battle of Averasboro was all about.” 

    The Averasboro Battlefield and Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The museum is free and open to the public. Admission for the event is $5 for ages 12 and older and $3 for children under 12. Pets are not allowed. The museum is located at 3300 NC Hwy. 82 in Dunn For more information visit www.averasboro.com or call 910-891-5019.

  • 11 01 Dairy cowsThe Cumberland County Fair is back in Fayetteville, bringing with it a blend of homegrown traditions, interesting exhibits, exciting rides and fun for people of all ages. It will open at the Crown this Friday, Aug. 30. 

    The theme of the fair this year is “Moo-vin’ and Groovin’.” The dairy industry is a hot topic, and the Cumberland County Cooperative Extension is using the event as an opportunity to teach people about dairy farms. “Our agricultural display will be focused on dairies,” said Jessica Drake, the extension agent in charge of 4-H Youth Development for Cumberland County. 

    “The mission is to highlight all things dairy and maintain an emphasis on the historical importance of agriculture in Cumberland County,” said Daniel Marsh, the director of marketing for the Crown.

    One of the highlights of the theme-related activities utilizes virtual reality. “We’re having virtual reality 11 02 SCAVENGER so people can enjoy visiting a farm and learning about it without leaving the fair. This is an opportunity North Carolina State provided to us,” Drake said. “We want to bridge that gap from farm to fork.” 

    Additionally, there will be a milking booth, a children’s area and information on the N.C. Dairy Alliance. “The fair is a prime opportunity to be able to get a lot of people educated through a hands-on experience,” Drake explained.

    The Cumberland County Fair highlights the importance of agriculture every year. In fact, it’s partnered with the North Carolina Association of Agricultural Fairs. The North Carolina Association of Agricultural Fairs awarded two scholarships this year for the fair. One went to Ashlyn Johnson of Lincoln Memorial University who will be studying veterinarian medicine and the other went to John Faatz of N.C. State 11 03 BEST OF SHOWUniversity who is studying livestock management. 

    A variety of community organizations will be represented at the fair to explain their services and what they offer throughout the community. Attendees can also count on a variety of vendors inside and outside on the midway. 

    Before the fair’s opening, many people swarm in to enter their proudest creations as exhibits for the chance to win ribbons and cash prizes. Participants can enter food items such as fresh produce, canned goods and baked goods. There are floriculture, horticulture, agriculture, arts and crafts, photography, sewed items and livestock categories as well. The winners of “Best of Show” ribbons will move on to compete in the N.C. State Fair in October. All of the items are on display. 

    “Youth have the opportunity through the livestock shows to show off what they’ve accomplished and what they’ve worked hard on all year,” Drake said. “It’s very important for youth to have that sense of accomplishment whether they win or they lose. Really, (entering anything in the fair) is a great opportunity for anyone of any age to put their accomplishments on display.” 

    Other indoor attractions include a scavenger hunt, the Junior Livestock Show, the antique farm exhibit and a toddler driving school.

    This year’s main attraction at the fair will be Johnny Rockett’s Cycle Circus Live, which is the largest FMX Freestyle show of its kind in the world. The show will feature a variety of acts, including FMX, BMX, The Globe of Death, Daredevil Divas, Triple Flipping Motorcycle, The Fire Girls and more. The 11 04 RIDEhigh-tech pyrotechnics and the daring stunts make this a popular show. 

    A whopping 27 rides will be offered by Big Rock Amusements on the midway this year. For people who enjoy the classic rides, there will be the Giant Wheel, a Ferris wheel that is over 80 feet tall, a Fun Slide, a grand carousel and a Tilt-a-Whirl. Visit http://bigrockamusements.com/events/35 to see the full offering of rides. 

    Although part of the event falls on Labor Day weekend, the Cumberland County Fair is an exciting tradition worthy of a “stay-cation.” “It’s a staple,” said Marsh. “Many families within Cumberland County and the surrounding area choose to stay home around Labor Day, and this is an opportunity for us to provide them with quality entertainment at a reasonable price. There is no better way to not only end the summer, but to also begin our event season here at the Crown Complex.” 

    Throughout the duration of the fair, there will be promotional nights. The Up & Coming Weeklycoloring sheet contest is Aug. 31. 

    With their student IDs, attendees can receive $2 off the cost of admission. 

    Sept. 1 is “Ultimate Stay-Cation Student Night.” Students with IDs will receive $4 off admission. 

    On Sept. 2, attendees who arrive between 1-5 p.m. pay ten dollars for admission and rides, and those that arrive after five pay $15 for unlimited rides and admission for “Early Bird Pay One Price Night.” 

    Sept. 3-5 is “Pay One Price Night.” “Senior Day” takes place Sept. 5 and offers free admission for senior citizens until 5 p.m. and offers unlimited rides with admission.

     “Military and Emergency Services Appreciation Night” takes place Sept. 6. Admission is free with an IDcard. The last day of the fair is “Faith and Family Day.” By mentioning their church or bringing a church bulletin, attendees can receive a $2 discount.

     “It’s important to bring community together. The fair is a fun, low-stress environment where you can all just enjoy each other and learn about the community through different organizations that put booths up,” Drake said. 

    The fair opens this Friday at 5 p.m. and continues through Sept. 8. It is appropriate for all ages. Visit http://www.crowncomplexnc.com/events/cumberlandcountyfair for more information. 

  • I hope everyone out there appreciates that I’m choosing to put myself through the torture of writing this high school football prediction column each week.
    My publisher, Bill Bowman, and my editor, Stephanie Crider, didn’t ask me to do it. I’ve just been in the habit of calling these Friday night outcomes for so long that it’s as much a part of the weekly routine this time of year as praying for cool weather to return and seeing how many points Clemson and Alabama will win by before playing for the national championship.
     
    Before we delve into the first week’s selections, I say this for about the millionth time. Please don’t take this seriously. It’s not rocket science. It’s not quantum physics. It’s just one old guy’s opinion on who is going to beat who on a given Friday night. 
     
    Just because I pick a team to win doesn’t mean I have a rooftop apartment over the gym of that school, as I was once accused — or that my son plays in the band for that school, as I was also accused. I have no children I’m aware of and if I did, with my lack of skill playing any musical instrument save the tone flute in grade school, I’m sure they would not have the gene set for band. 
    I’m just making as honest a call as I can, based on history, statistics, talent and sometimes just pure gut instinct, as to who’s going to win.
    So don’t fume. Enjoy and maybe find a way to laugh if you can. That’s the key to a long life.
     
    The record: 82-27
     
    Last year was not among my best. I missed the magic 80 percent marker, closing with an 82-27 record, 76.3 percent. I was 0-1 the final week of the season as I missed the call on Scotland over Seventy-First.
    These first few weeks are always tough as we feel out who the haves and have nots. Here’s hoping to more right ones than wrong at the start.
    Cape Fear at Clinton - The coaches and media in the Fayetteville area have good preseason opinion of the Colts. They were voted in the top half of the coaches and media polls in the Patriot Athletic Conference.
    Cape Fear has some young faces and a few new ones that need seasoning, but Coach Jake Thomas wasn’t picked to coach in next summer’s East-West All-Star game in Greensboro for his looks alone.
    Cape Fear 21, Clinton 12.
     
    Douglas Byrd at Western Harnett - Eagle coach Mike Paroli told me during the spring that his team will be young and likely a year or more away from contending for a conference title.
    That doesn’t mean the Eagles won’t be able to pick up a few wins this season, and this is one of those games where I think they can do just that.
    Douglas Byrd 24, Western Harnett 12.
     
    E.E. Smith at Lee County - They are calling this the Revenge Tour at Smith as the Golden Bulls seek to atone for last year’s 0-11 record.
    Smith may get its share of revenge this year, but not likely at Lee’s expense. The Yellow Jackets are coming off an 11-1 season and are led by senior defensive end Desmond Evans, considered by many to be the state’s top college football prospect.
    Lee County 28, E.E. Smith 7.
     
    Gray’s Creek at South Johnston - I want Gray’s Creek to have a great season for one reason, junior running back and strong safety Jerry Garcia Jr. 
    You have to be a part of my generation or older to appreciate the significance of that name. For all you under 30 folks out there, Google it. Young Garcia’s namesake and his band the Grateful Dead were quite the music legends.
    Anyway, it’s a name I’d love to write a lot this season, and I think the Bears have the potential to make that happen, starting tonight.
    Gray’s Creek 24, South Johnston 7.
     
    Jack Britt at South View- What a great rivalry to start the season. Jack Britt dominated this series starting in 2008 but for the last three seasons the tide has shifted in South View’s direction.
    I expect it to continue this year.
    South View 20, Jack Britt 14.
     
    Pine Forest at Purnell Swett - It seems like Pine Forest didn’t get a lot of time to celebrate last year’s Patriot Athletic Conference regular season title. The good news is they may get to celebrate another one because they are again among the best teams in the league as the season starts.
    Just how far the Trojans go will likely depend on what kind of a season University of North Carolina-bound running back. D.J. Jones has.
    I look for a good start tonight at Swett.
    Pine Forest 31, Purnell Swett 12.
     
    Westover at Seventy-First - Few coaches in Cumberland County can claim the solid record Duran McLaurin has carved as a head coach, first at E.E. Smith and now at his alma mater Seventy-First.
    I don’t know if McLaurin is coaching a state champion on Raeford Road this season, but I expect him to win more than his share of games again, starting tonight with neighborhood rival Westover.
    Seventy-First 22, Westover 6.
     
    Terry Sanford at Lumberton - I’ve been hearing stories about the Bulldog defense all summer, and when a team is strong on defense that always bodes well for the season.
    It’s especially true with a team like Terry Sanford, which suffered some key offensive losses but has some pieces back that will make Coach Bruce McClelland’s job of rebuilding things a little easier. 
    I look for the Bulldogs to get off to a good start tonight as they make the short drive down I-95 to Lumberton.
    Terry Sanford 29, Lumberton 8.
     
    Other games: Trinity Christian 30, Metrolina Christian 12; Faith Christian 29, Fayetteville Christian 6.
  • 13 FOOTBALL COACHES

     

    Here are the preseason coaches and media polls from the Patriot Athletic Conference and the Sandhills Athletic Conference. First-place votes received by each team are listed in parentheses on all polls:

     

    Patriot Athletic Conference

    Coaches 

    1. Pine Forest (4)

    2. South View (2)

    3. Terry Sanford (2)

    4. Cape Fear 

    5. Westover (1)

    6. Gray’s Creek

    7. Douglas Byrd

    8. Overhills

    9. E.E. Smith

    Media

    1. Terry Sanford (3)

    2. Pine Forest (2)

    3. South View (1)

    4. Cape Fear

    5. Gray’s Creek

    6. Westover, Douglas Byrd

    8. E.E. Smith

    9. Overhills

    Sandhills Athletic Conference

    Coaches

    1. Richmond Senior (6)

    2. Scotland (2)

    3. Seventy-First

    4. Pinecrest

    5. Jack Britt

    6. Hoke County, Lumberton

    8. Purnell Swett

    Media

    1. Richmond Senior (6)

    2. Scotland (4)

    3. Seventy-First

    4. Pinecrest

    5. Jack Britt

    6. Hoke County

    7. Purnell Swett

    8. Lumberton

     

    L-R: Brian Randolph, Jack Britt; David Lovette, Gray's Creek; Bruce McClelland, Terry Sanford; Mike Paroli, Douglas Byrd; Ernest King, Westover; Jacob Thomas, Cape Fear; Duran McLaurin, Seventy-First; Deron Donald, E.E. Smith; Bill Sochovka, Pine Forest; Chris McGee, Overhills. 
     
    Not pictured: Rodney Brewington, South View. 
     
     
     
     
     
  • 09 SCHOOL KIDSAs summer events are wrapping up, 4th Friday continues to offer an entertaining and family-friendly experience in downtown Fayetteville. 4th Friday is a tradition that occurs on the fourth Friday of every month and offers entertainment or art (or both). 4th Friday will fall on Aug. 23. The theme will be “Back to Cool Bash.” 

    “It’s an end-of-summer bash for the kids going back to school,” Johanna Brum of the Cool Spring Downtown District said. “There will be a food truck, there will be artists. Maxwell Street will be closed, so we’ll extend that out and do bouncy houses and face painting.” 

    There will also be artists and dancers. 

     The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County will also host its monthly parking lot party. The Arts Council’s 4th Friday Artist’s Program creates a space for artists to make and show their work and share their passion with others. Artists can visit www.theartscouncil.com/ParkingLotParty to sign up .

     The Arts Council will also offer an activity to keep with the “Back to Cool” theme — a dunk tank.“In the dunk tank, we will have school officials from several different schools to be dunked,” explained Antonio Renteria, the assistant director of operations at the Arts Council. “All proceeds will go to our Artists in Schools program.” 

    The juried art exhibit 10:10:10 will also open on 4th Friday. It will include work from ten different artists. The display will be ten linear feet and will have ten self-curated exhibitions. 

    There will also be a beer garden. Beer enthusiasts can look forward to “a fairly good mix of domestics, a couple different craft beers.” said Renteria. “There’ll be an IPA and an ale. A variety. There will also be seating for people to eat and local artists on our sidewalks and in our parking lots.” 

    For people who are interested in learning more about the history of Fayetteville, The Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum has an exhibit every 4th Friday. This month’s exhibit is called “Market House History.” Half of the Market House is a permanent exhibit. The exhibit will be “featuring collectibles and displaying different ways that the Market House has been promoted and displayed over time. It’s always been a symbolic place and has been used as an image on a lot of items,” said Bruce Daws, the museum’s director.

    At Fascinate-U Children’s Museum, children can decorate a cloth lunch bag to use at school from 7-9 p.m. Playing at the museum is free for kids every Fourth Friday as well. 

     In His Presence Coffee, Books & More is partnering with Praise NOW 2019 will take place from 4-8 p.m. at Festival Park. It will have Christian music and be worship-centered. 

     Call the Cool Spring Downtown District at 910-223-1089 or visit www.theartscouncil.com to learn more about 4th Friday.

  • 08 Vidant Health LogoCape Fear Valley Health and Vidant Health Systems have announced a new partnership aimed at addressing and improving chronic health conditions in rural eastern North Carolina. It’s part of the growing focus on population health. “By working collaboratively, we can address many of the factors that influence health outcomes for the rural populations we serve south and east of the urban areas of the state,” said Michael Nagowski, chief executive officer of Cape Fear Valley Health System. 

    “This partnership advances our vision in every way, improving the quality of every life we touch. Both of our organizations understand the unique challenges facing this region,” agreed Todd Hickey, chief clinical network development officer of Vidant Health in Greenville, North Carolina. 

    This clinically integrated network of care will allow both health systems to strategically align resources in a way that will deliver better care to some of the most underserved populations in the country. 

    Many of the counties in eastern and southeastern North Carolina rank in the bottom half in overall health outcomes, according to a 2019 study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Vidant Health is a 1,708-bed health system that annually serves a region of more than 1.4 million people in 29 eastern North Carolina counties. The not-for-profit system is made up of more than 14,000 team members, nine hospitals, home health, hospice, wellness centers and Vidant Medical Group, a multispecialty physician and provider group with more than 500 providers in more than 100 practice sites in eastern North Carolina. Vidant is affiliated with The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. As a major resource for health services and education, Vidant’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina. 

    Cape Fear Valley Health is a 950-bed health system serving a region of more than 800,000 people in southeastern North Carolina. It is the state’s eighth-largest hospital system and is made up of 7,000 team members and 850 physicians. It includes eight hospitals and more than 60 primary care and specialty clinics. Cape Fear Valley Health offers residencies in emergency medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, and general surgery. The partnership between Vidant and Cape Fear Valley will engage their communities in a collaborative, patient-centered approach, including the use of technology, localized care management and streamlined patient experiences to accomplish shared goals.

    This joint project is the first step in introducing local physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners in 35 counties through a larger collaborative approach that will be a vehicle toward improving engagement, quality and patient outcomes while lowering costs to patients and their families. 

    “We are continually assessing ways in which we can adapt to the ever-changing dynamics of health care,” said Hickey. “Our priority is and always will be the communities we serve and we are committed to creating networks of care to keep our family, friends and neighbors healthy.” 

  • 16 01 Brenden Tibbs EE SmithHead coach: Deron Donald

    2018 record: 0-11

    Top returners: Darrius Johnson, 5-11, 260, Sr., OL; Anthony Glenn, 5-7, 210, Sr., OL; Jordan Woodard, 6-2, 185, Sr., WR/QB; Jeremy Evans, 5-9, 160, Sr., WR; Shawn Kirk, 5-7, 155, Sr., RB; John Humphrey, 6-1, 250, Sr., DL; Ananiah Bell, 6-0, 265, Sr., DL; Trevon Hinton, 5-7, 150, Sr., DB; Brendin Tibbs, 5-8, 190, Sr., LB/DB; Micah Gaston, 5-11, 145, Sr., DB.

    Top newcomers: Tyree Johnson, 6-0, 175, Jr., DB; Jabre Humphrey, 6-1, 170, Jr., WR; Genuwine Clark, 6-0, 285, Jr., OL; Tyreeke Allen, 5-9, 170, Jr., DB; Keyon Bryant, 5-11, 200, Jr., LB; Keyon Allen, 6-1, 215, Jr., LB; Dashawn McCullough, 5-11, 160, So., QB; Daniel Dawson, 5-8, 155, So., WR/RB; Khamari Crumpler, 5-8, 155, So., RB; Jeremiah Dawson, 5-7, 165, Sr., OLB.

    Team strengths:“We have several returners that got plenty game experience last year. I believe this year we should be able to handle the Friday night lights better. Experience has always been the greatest teacher.’’

    Team concerns: “Anytime you have a young quarterback you have to be prepared to coach them through growing pains. I know that Dashawn McCullough is very capable of leading our football team and 16 02 Jordan Woodard our coaches and team will support him.’’

    Pictured from top to bottom: Brenden Tibbs, Jordan Woodard

     

  • 15 01Keyshown Lindsey WestCoach:Ernest King

    2018 record: 4-7

    Top returners:Keyshown Lindsey, 6-1, 210, Sr., RB; Taurienne Freeman, 6-2, 220, Sr., MLB; Zavion Whitehead, 6-2, 185, Sr., WR; Devon Marshall, 6-0, 175, Sr., WR; Gabe Henry, 5-8, 160, Jr., WR; Brandon Henry, 5-9, 175, Sr., DB.

    Top newcomers: Remington Workman, 6-0, 200, So., OLB; Isiah Barber, 6-1, 250, Sr., DL; Kamaree Boyens, 6-1, 170, Sr., DB.

    Team strengths:“Our strengths are our number of kids we have returning with playing experience. Our kids have had more 21 days to learn the system before the season starts.”

    Team concerns: “One of the concerns is the experience of the young players’ success in key positions. Another concern is the depth at each position.’’

    Pictured from top to bottom: Keyshown Lindsey, Taurienne Freeman

    15 02Taurienne Freeman

  • 12 Ramp at lakeOne of the jobs of the North Carolina Department of Transportation is to monitor subrecipients of federal funding that fall under their watch for compliance with the Americans with Disabilites Act.

    That’s why sometime last year the town of Hope Mills, as a municipality that receives federal money through DOT, got a letter from DOT checking in on the status of the town’s compliance.

    Don Sisko, who heads the public works department for Hope Mills, indicated the town is taking an aggressive approach to making sure the process to assure facilities under town control are either already accessible or will be made that way as soon as possible.

    Sisko noted the town only has control over upgrading town-managed facilities and property. Private businesses and other town entities not under government control don’t fall under the direct oversight of the town or Sisko’s department. 

    To help make sure nothing falls through the cracks, the town has secured the services of the engineering firm of Stewart, Inc. “They have begun their field survey so they can do a self-assessment,’’ Sisko said. “It has to do with streets and sidewalks, facilities and programs.’’

    Sisko said he’s already learned some things about ADA compliance that the casual observer likely wouldn’t even think of. A great example is the official town website. Under ADA regulations, it must be made accessible to people who having hearing or vision problems that makes normal interaction with a website difficult. 

    That’s why it’s good to have a company like Stewart helping with the evaluation. “They are subject matter experts on this,’’ Sisko said. “The ADA law is itself is written in legalese. It’s good to have a good subject matter expert on your side to make sure you get done what needs to be done.’’

    Toward the end of getting things done, the town has hired a specialist to help oversee the ADA compliance issue. Bruce Clark is the ADA coordinator for the town and has been in that position for about a month. “He’s ramrodding this part of the project,’’ Sisko said. 

    In addition to the work that is being done by Stewart, the town will be soliciting public input through a variety of outlets . Sisko said it would be similar to the responses the town sought when the comprehensive recreation plan was being developed. “There are going to be public meetings advertised and surveys put out so we can actually get public input on it,’’ he said. “That will all be collated to help us develop a priority listing.’’

    Sisko added that Chancer McLaughlin, administrator of development and planning for the town, will coordinate the public input effort.

    The work to complete making the town ADA compliant won’t be completed in a short time. “We are realistically trying to get our plan set up to do everything within about 10 years,’’ Sisko said.

    He added that the Board of Commissioners is on board and has money budgeted once the areas of need have been identified. They already began last year with upgrading the computer program for the town website. “This year we are starting to look at some of the physical things as well,’’ Sisko said. “We are waiting until we get the report back from Stewart.’’

    But there is some work ongoing. The mill house that is being converted into a museum will require a wall to be removed so the bathroom can be modified to make it ADA compliant.

    Work was recently completed on the new bulkhead at Hope Mills Lake, which included the installment of a ramp leading to the kayak launch and swim areas.

    “That’s the last project we had on the books that we’ve completed,’’ Sisko said of the ramp at the bulkhead. “We are looking at pressing forward and going back to past practices and making the corrections on those, bringing that to compliance.’’

    Sisko noted that anyone with concerns about ADA compliance in the town should contact Clark. His phone number is 910-429-3387, and his email is bclark@townofhopemills.com.

    “We’ll do our outright best to make sure whatever is brought to our attention either gets corrected or is programmed for correction,’’ Sisko said. 

    Clark said the town already developed a public awareness notice that can be seen at all facilities open to the public as well as on the town’s website and all of its social media sites.

    “It’s basically a position statement on where we stand in providing compliancy with ADA in our facilities and our programs,’’ Clark said.

    “The 1,000-yard view of this program, of what we’re trying to get established here, is equal access, basically, equal access for everybody to our programs, to our facilities.’’

  • 14 01Kore Prentice ColesFall football preview: Seventy-First

    Coach: Duran McLaurin

    2018 record: 11-4

    Top returners: Kore’ Prentice-Coles, 5-9, 170, Sr., WR/DB; Jermaine Johnson, 5-9, 170, Sr., WR/DB; Ezra Brown, 5-10, 165, Sr., DB; Jamarious Simmons, 5-10, 175, Sr., QB/DB; Russell Hewitt, 5-10, 275, Sr., DL/OL; Isaac Jackson, 5-10, 285, Sr., DL/OL; Jashawn Owens, 5-11, 230, Sr., LB/TE; Twan Anderson, 6-1, 195, So., DL/TE; Tylon Shropshire, 5-10, 285, So., DL; Anthony Osbourne, 5-8, 180, Sr., RB; Jalen Moore, 6-2, 185, Sr., DB.

    Top newcomers: Jamari Stallion, 5-9, 165, So., WR; Trevon Bolden, 6-2, 175, Jr., WR; Jaelon Macdonald, 5-9, 263, Jr., OL; Julius Riley, 5-9, 155, So., WR; Donovan Wright, 5-11, 170, Jr., RB; Christopher Ferguson, 5-7, 135, Jr., DB; Marquis Smith, 5-9, 263, Jr., FB; Jaysiah Leach, 6-0, 280, Jr., OL.

    Team strengths: “The team will be extremely physical. The team is returning productive players."

    14 02Ezra Brown

     Pictured: Kore’ Prentice-Coles, Ezra Brown

     

  • 06 highway median 2A North Carolina Department of Transportation highway improvement program in Fayetteville will likely affect local traffic for years to come. Planning and development are underway on a project to replace the center turn lane along Raeford Road with a median. The undertaking will involve more than 6 miles of Raeford Road between Old Raeford Road in West Fayetteville and Robeson Street in the Highland Village area. The nearly $150 million project will result in a roadway resembling Ramsey Street, which was reconstructed several years ago. DOT will reconstruct the road into what’s known as a superstreet design by replacing the two-way center turn lane with a raised concrete median or landscaped area. The superstreet design will result in the elimination of numerous cross streets, which will require motorists to turn right and make U-turns at signalized intersections. 

    DOT says the construction will be divided into three segments, beginning at the western end where Raeford Road intersects with Old Raeford Road. The section will include the area eastward to Bunce Road. The second segment of the plan will be from Bunce Road to the combined intersection of Glensford Drive and Hope Mills Road. The final segment will take the project through the in-town commercial district to Robeson Street. 

    Each segment will be funded separately as construction contracts are awarded. DOT said the road’s reconstruction will improve traffic flow and pedestrian access. The N.C. Board of Transportation is scheduled to fund the first segment in February with construction to begin in the spring of 2020.

    The state said Raeford Road is one of Fayetteville’s most congested and dangerous routes. According to the Raeford Road Corridor Study’s final report in 2010, about 78% of the crashes occurred between intersections, a statistic that highlighted DOT’s safety concern of the numerous cross street and driveway openings along the route. The Raeford Road corridor has a higher-than-average crash rate because motorists must cross several lanes of traffic to turn left. There will be 11 directional crossover intersections. Crossovers allow traffic on Raeford Road to turn left while preventing side-street traffic from going straight across or making a left turn at the same location. 

    Other improvements to Raeford Road include adding a third travel lane westbound between Graham Road and Old Raeford Road and adding a third travel lane eastbound between Graham Road and Bunce Road. Sidewalks will be built on both sides of the road. As part of the project, the road’s T-intersection with Skibo Road, where traffic often backs up, will be redesigned. A new southbound exit ramp will be built from the All-American Freeway for motorists wanting to go west onto Raeford Road. The freeway’s existing southbound off-ramp will continue to be used to head east onto Raeford Road. 

    For more information, this undertaking is listed as Project U-4405 in the N.C. DOT’s State Transportation Improvement Program.

    Planning and development are underway on a project to replace the center turn lane along Raeford Road with a median. 

     

  • 03 MELANIA copyLove him or loathe him, Americans know a great deal about Donald Trump. We know about his three marriages to foreign-born and/or women who model. We know about his five children with three different mothers, and we know about his nonexistent wellness routine involving a penchant for fast food. 

    We know much less about the personal lives and habits of most of the contenders for the Democratic nomination, all of whom want to oust Trump. At last Google, 24 Democrats — not all of them household names by any means — have announced the candidacies. Most of us know next to nothing about most of them — other than political positions, and probably not much of those. 

    In addition, for only the second time in United States history, there is a chance that the presidential spouse might actually be a first gentleman, not a first lady. Here are three men staring at that possibility. 

    The Huffington Postsays Bruce Mann is the husband Elizabeth Warren refers to as “sweetie.” The presidential hopeful couple live in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with Bailey, their golden retriever, when they are not on the campaign trail. Married for nearly 39 years, they met at a law conference in Florida and married in 1980, after Warren proposed to Mann in a college classroom. Like his wife, Mann’s career has been as a law professor, though she got tenure at Harvard before he did. Huff Post speculates that Mann, who favors front-zip sweaters, would wear traditional suits by American designers for inaugural events.

    Kamala Harris also married a fellow lawyer, Douglas Emhoff, a partner in a Los Angeles-Washington firm and a transplanted New Yorker. The two met on a blind date set up by a mutual friend. Shortly thereafter, Emhoff dropped to his knee and proposed. Harris said yes, and they celebrate their fifth anniversary this month. Harris calls Emhoff her best friend and sous chef, because they enjoy cooking together. Emhoff is Jewish, and Huff Post speculates that his holiday theme for the White House would involve multi-cultural celebrations.

    Jonathan Gillibrand, whose presidential-hopeful wife, Kristen, took his name when they married in 2001, is a British national and business consultant. The couple met on a blind date. When he proposed using a snowball as a prop to hold the engagement ring, the bride-to-be almost threw the snowball at a squirrel before she realized she should open it. The couple has two sons. Huff Post speculates that he would want pints of Guinness served at the White House Christmas Party.

    Huff Post forgot a fourth potential first gentleman, Chasten Buttigieg, husband of Pete Buttigieg. At 29, he is by far the youngest of the first gentleman hopefuls. At the moment, he is on leave from his job as a Montessori teacher in South Bend, Indiana, helping his husband campaign for president. The couple met four years ago and married in June of 2018, making them potentially the first same-sex couple to live in the White House. Chasten Buttigieg has been quoted as saying his priorities as first gentleman would be improving public education, access to arts education, and mental health.

    Moving along, other aspects of the campaign trail are getting attention as well. 

    The Huff Post also wanted to know how candidates in the crowded field are taking care of themselves — physically, mentally and spiritually. 

    Cory Booker says that in the mornings he exercises, meditates and reads something not given to him by his staff.

    Kamala Harris says she goes to spin cycle classes and cooks for herself, adding this. “You have to work out. … It has nothing to do with your weight. It’s about your mind.”

    Kirsten Gillibrand works out in the early mornings in women-owned studios and also attends Christian worship services.

    And, former Vice President Joe Biden? According to his staff, Biden stops regularly on the campaign trail for a scoop or two of ice cream, which they view as a form of self-care.

    Perhaps that is why Biden remains the Democratic frontrunner.

  • 05 I95 Photoat exit 61 2Development plans are underway on a proposed project to widen 25 miles of I-95 to eight lanes between Exit 56 in Cumberland County and I-40, Exit 81, in Johnston County, including all of Harnett County. Proposed work includes rebuilding at least six interchanges with new overpasses, loops and ramps. Additionally, service roads will be realigned or shifted to meet modern design standards. The portion of I-95 being proposed for this project has the highest traffic volumes in the state, reaching nearly 60,000 vehicles a day, according to a 2016 survey. The proposal should ease congestion and accommodate future growth in traffic along the north-south interstate. I-95 is also scheduled for widening to eight lanes in Robeson County and lower Cumberland County between mile marker 22 in Lumberton to mile marker 40. Construction of this segment isn’t scheduled to begin until 2028.

    Hospital executive named to national agency

    Dr. Roxie Wells has been elected to the American Hospital Association’s Board of Trustees. The term is for three years beginning Jan. 1, 2020. Wells is president of Cape Fear Valley Hoke Healthcare, where she manages Hoke Hospital and its associated outpatient clinics. She also serves as an associate chief medical officer for the health system. The Fayetteville State University graduate received her medical degree from East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine in Greenville. She Joined Cape Fear Valley Health in 2010 as a family practice physician at Stedman Medical Care. Wells’ work led to partnerships with Bladen County Health Department and EMS, as well as increased access to primary care services in the primarily rural county. 

    State Trooper recovering from serious injuries

    On the morning of July 22, Trooper Chris Wooten was seriously injured as a result of a collision in Charlotte. Wooten was pursuing a motorist on his motorcycle when he was struck by a truck. He has been hospitalized receiving around-the-clock care because of the serious nature of his injuries. He was recently transferred from Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte to Shepherd Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta where his treatment process continues. 

    “The overwhelming amount of support offered by our law enforcement partners, medical staff, other first responders and the public is unmatched and truly expresses the appreciation for Chris’ law enforcement service,” said Colonel Glenn McNeill Jr., commander of the State Highway Patrol. 

    For those wishing to provide financial assistance to the Wooten family, an account under Christopher and Sharon Wooten Special Account has been established at the North Carolina State Employees Credit Union.

    Register of Deeds office honored

    The Cumberland County Register of Deeds office received an International Association of Government Officials Innovator Award at the association’s annual conference held in Houston, Texas, in July. The Register of Deeds received the honor in recognition of technology upgrades to better serve customers. The upgrades include electronic recordings, online vital records, instant recording of real estate records, three marriage license kiosks and the ability to submit the date for a marriage license online. 

    “It is an honor for our office to be recognized by an organization that has members in most states across the United States as well as a number of foreign countries,” Register of Deeds Lee Warren said. 

    In addition to technology upgrades, the selection committee also considered the Register of Deeds annual Book Bag Drive for homeless children in Cumberland County Schools. The book bag drive has benefited an estimated 650 homeless school children. The Highlands Chapter of the American Red Cross also received funds to help families who have experienced disasters. 

    Hurricane season is upon us 

    Hurricane season is here, and Cape Fear Valley Health System has a jump on preparations, thanks to a new emergency water pump system. Costing nearly $380,000, the system went online in late July. It is located on Cape Fear Valley Medical Center’s campus and includes two new water wells and three large storage tanks. The upgrades were paid for by a grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation’s Disaster Recovery Program. 

    “We’re really excited about the new system,” said James Bullard, Cape Fear Valley Health’s emergency management coordinator, “especially since all the water will be potable.”

    Cape Fear Valley sought to upgrade its backup water system in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew in 2016. The storm knocked out water pressure to the medical center’s main campus for nearly a week, crippling services to patients. Bottled water was brought in by the truckloads for patients and visitors. The new system pulls water from new wells behind Cape Fear Valley Medical Center at a rate of more than 200 gallons per minute. The water is stored in three large 8,000-gallon storage tanks where it is filtered and treated. 

  • 10 kyle head p6rNTdAPbuk unsplashWith local theaters and performing arts groups rolling out their season schedules, there are plenty of top-notch performances from which to choose.

    Fayetteville Dinner Theatre

    The Fayetteville Dinner Theatre, Gates Four Golf and Country Club and Sweet Tea Shakespeare present “HamLIT,” Sept. 27-28. Imagine, if you will, the writers, director and actors of Shakespeare’s beloved “Hamlet” know the story they want to tell, but they get lost at a fraternity party on their way to the show. Each performance includes a full-service cash bar and wine tasting, duel entrée dinner with two sides. For more information, call 910-391-3859.

    Cape Fear Regional Theatre

    This season, Cape Fear Regional Theatre offers another great lineup, starting with “Mamma Mia!” The play tells the story of young Sophie, who, seeking to find her father, invites three men from her mother’s past to her wedding. It runs Sept. 12- Oct. 9.

    “No Child” is next in the lineup with a look into the way teachers change lives and build community. Anyone who has taught, attended or has loved ones who attend public school will love it. “No Child” runs Oct. 31-Nov. 17.

    Shrek the ogre and his sassy sidekick Donkey take the stage Jan.23-Feb. 16 as the pair set out to rescue an unconventional princess. A show for kids and adults alike, if you liked the movie, CFRT promises you will love the musical. “Shrek” runs Jan. 23-Feb. 16.

    “Murder for Two,” is not only a mystery. It’s a barrel of laughs. With one actor playing the investigator and the other playing all 13 suspects — and both playing the piano — this musical comedy/whodunit will have you dying of laughter. It’s onstage March 5-22.

    Next up, April 9-26, “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” goes straight for your heartstrings. Mrs. Shear’s dog is dead and 15-year-old Christopher is determined to find out what happened. 

    The season closes with “Jelly’s Last Jam,” May 14-31. Join jazz pioneer Jelly Morton as he gets a second chance at life. The audience will follow Jelly from the steamy back alleys of New Orleans to the brightly lit stages of New York as he makes good for past mistakes. 

    Learn more about CFRT at cfrt.org.

    Gilbert Theater

    The Gilbert Theater is a semi-professional community-minded theater company and conservatory with a mission to “ … produce creative, innovative plays and events to stir audiences and students of its conservatory to explore and contemplate the human condition through the talents of local and guest artists.”

    The 2019-20 season opens with “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” which runs Sept. 20-Oct. 6. 

    “It’s a Wonderful Life” has become a holiday tradition at the Gilbert, and this year does not disappoint. It opens Nov. 22 and runs through Dec. 15. 

    “Ruins,” a comedy/drama by Montgomery Sutton, is up next onstage from Jan. 24-Feb. 9. 

    Get ready for some of the classics with “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare — Abridged” March 20-April 5.

    The season closes with “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”

    Find out more about Gilbert Theater at gilberttheater.com.

    Givens Performing Arts Center

    Givens Performing Arts Center in Pembroke has a reputation as a top-notch venue for entertainment. Season ticket holders are invited to upgrade their ticket status and join the Act 1 Diner’s Club. The Diner’s Club includes dinner before specific performances, for just $35. The dinners are served in the Chancellor’s Dining room in the James B. Chavis Center. Learn more about Act 1 at https://www.uncp.edu/resources/gpac/act-1-diners-club.

    With five Grammy Awards and an induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, The Blind Boys of Alabama have been in the music business for more than 70 years. From traditional gospel music to spiritual works by songwriters like Eric Clapton, Prince and Tom Waits, the group has appeared on recordings with many artists, including Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel, Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, Aaron Neville, Susan Tedeschi, Ben Harper, Patty Griffin and more. They will be onstage at GPAC Sept. 12.

    Josh Knott’s and Lea return to the stage with new acts for “Extreme Illusions and Escapes,” Sept. 20. The pair have won the 2016 Merlin Award and the 2016 Fair Award for achieving the highest level in their craft on both national and international stages. Inspired by Las Vegas-style shows, this performance is fast-paced and includes a variety of stunts — and plenty of audience participation.

    Oct. 11 brings “Queen Nation” to Givens. The 90-minute production of Queen’s greatest hits offers tribute to one of rock’s iconic bands. 

    “Cirque Mei”from the People’s Republic of China showcases traditional and contemporary Chinese circus acts. The performance showcases 40 elite circus artists and acrobats, who will perform many of the most popular Chinese circus routines including Hoops Diving, Lion Dance, Collective Bicycle Skills, Flying Meteors, Foot Juggling with Umbrellas, Female Contortion and Ladder Balancing Act. The “Cirque Mei”performance is set for Oct. 27.

    “Noises Off!” is a comedy by Michael Flynn that has received rave reviews. It’s opening night of the play “Nothing On,” and things couldn’t be worse. Full of glorious surprises and delicious comedy — and the audience gets to see the pandemonium unfold backstage. “Noises Off!” is scheduled for Nov. 14-15.”

    Nov. 22, don’t miss the Holiday Extravaganza, which celebrates the holidays with the talented students and faculty of UNCP students and faculty. Enjoy all your holiday favorites performed by choirs, ensembles and more. And don’t miss “Tuba Christmas,” a preshow miniconcert.

    Nov. 24, celebrate the holidays with “The Nutcracker,” presented by Dance Alive National Ballet, complete with beautiful costumes and sets and incredibly talented dancers for the Christmas season. 

    “Bandstand” a Tony Award-winning Broadway Musical comes to GPAC Jan. 29. Bringing foot-tapping music and heart-stopping dancing, the story unfolds in 1945 just as soldiers return from World War II. 

    The New York Times describes the show as “both a peppy celebration of can-do spirit and a more somber exploration of what American servicemen experienced when they marched home from World War II. It’s a great argument for why theater can sometimes tell a story more boldly and more viscerally.” 

    GPAC hosts the Siberian State Symphony Orchestra Feb. 18. Founded in 1977, the orchestra quickly won a reputation as one of the best orchestras from Russia. The orchestra plays with the finest Russian soloists and plays the great Russian classics.

    Winning a 2016 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival, “The Color Purple” is a classic story about love and triumph in the American South in the early 1900s. It will be onstage at GPAC March 2. The music includes jazz, gospel, ragtime and blues. 

    The GPAC season closes April 28 with “An American in Paris.” Bringing romance and adventure to the stage, this production tells the story of life in postwar Paris as World War II veteran chooses to make a name for himself as a painter in Paris. Then he meets Lise, a young Parisian woman who complicates his life greatly. 

    Find out more about GPAC and all it has to offer at https://www.uncp.edu/resources/gpac/professional-artist-series.   

    Sweet Tea Shakespeare

    Fayetteville’s favorite roaming theater troupe has a busy season ahead.

    “HamLIT” brings comedy and hijinx to the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County Oct. 4 and runs until Nov. 1. The show plays at Dirtbag Ales in Hope Mills Oct. 10 before moving on to venues in Sanford, Fuquay-Varina and Benson. Come ready to laugh.

    STS celebrates the holidays with “Behold,” a Christmas concert featuring familiar gospel tunes. The show focuses on Mary’s story. It’s a stirring and heartfelt show, sure to put you in the holiday spirit. It runs Dec. 4-14.

    Jan. 2-15 STS tells a tale of ambition and evil, featuring a king, witches, murder plots and more as “Macbeth” comes to Fayetteville before heading to Raleigh Jan. 23-26.

    Lovers, mischievous fairies and well-intentioned actors come together in the comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” It plays April 23-26 at Fayetteville State University and April 30-May 3 at the Poe House at the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex.

    Inspired by Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales,” “Knight’s Tale” runs June 4-21 at the 1897 Poe House. 

    Find out more about the Sweet Tea Shakespeare season at http://www.sweetteashakespeare.com.

  • 07 01 ronald gray 1988 court martialThe U.S. Department of Justice wants to clear the way for the federal government to resume capital punishment. Some experts view it as a potential sign of things to come. There are currently four military death row inmates held at the United States Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Two of the inmates were convicted of crimes in Cumberland County, North Carolina, in the 1980s: Ronald R. Gray and Timothy Hennis.

    Gray, a former Army cook, was convicted in 1988 of four murders and several rapes in Fayetteville and at Fort Bragg. He appears to be the closest of the four to being put to death. Gray was initially given an execution date in 2008 after then-President George W. Bush approved it. But a stay was granted less than a week afterward. That stay of execution was lifted in 2016; he doesn’t face an immediate execution date. 

    Hennis, a former master sergeant, was convicted and sentenced to death for the murders of a Fayetteville woman and two of her children in 1985. Kathryn Eastburn, 5-year-old Kara and 3-year-old Erin were found dead in May 1985 at their Summerhill Road home off Yadkin Road. A third child, then 22-month-old Jana, was found alive. Hennis was tried three times and was initially convicted in Cumberland County Superior Court and sentenced to death. He won an appeal and was found not guilty during a new trial in Wilmington, North Carolina, in 1989. Hennis resumed his Army career and retired in 2004 as a master sergeant. The Army brought him out of retirement two years later when DNA evidence not available earlier linked him to the murders. He was court-martialed at Fort Bragg in 2010 and a military judge sentenced Hennis to death. 

    “Attorney General [William] Barr’s announcement does not affect the individual status of any of the four death row inmates,” a Department of the Army official said. 

    But the new Trump administration policy clears the legal path to resume using lethal injection for federal death row inmates. The eagerness of Trump’s DOJ to change the status quo could bode badly for Gray, Hennis and the07 02 Timothy Hennis 2 other two inmates held at the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks in Fort Leavenworth. 

    “If I were on death row, I would consider this a very bad sign, but not a sign that anything is happening immediately,” said Eugene Fidell, a Yale Law School lecturer on military justice. “There is going to be litigation over this.” 

    The military hasn’t executed anyone since 1961, though capital punishment remains a legal penalty under the Uniformed Code of Military Justice. In the 1970s, capital punishment was invalidated by the Supreme Court only to be reinstated later by the high court. In 1983, the Armed Forces Court of Appeals also ruled the death penalty unconstitutional. But it was reinstated by executive order by President Ronald Reagan the following year. 

    Retired Lt. Col. Jeffrey Addicott, a former Army judge advocate, said he hopes the DOJ guidance signals a change. “Hopefully it is a harbinger of things to come,” he said. “Obviously the military appeal system is broken, and hopefully, the DOJ’s decision will energize a revamping of the military’s appeal process so that the victims can have justice.”

    Pictured from top to bottom: Ronald Gray, Timothy Hennis

  • 04 karlThe quest for power is probably acceptable where the aim is to better conditions for people or in some situation where correction is needed. However, when having power becomes the end in itself, reason gets thrown to the wind. Those seeking power focus so totally on gaining it that any capacity for applying reason or productive thought is alienated or put out of sight. The responses of many politicians, most media and some citizens, to the recent mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, point to the truth in that statement.

    As I start writing this column on Aug. 6, 22 innocent people have recently died as a result of the El Paso shooting and nine in Dayton. Many others were injured in these incidents. The responses by politicians, most media and a substantial portion of the American citizenry were predictable. There has been a rushed return to calls for gun control, addressing racism and eliminating white supremacy. 

    We have done this dance time and again across more years than I care to remember. The one new twist is that Democrats and their cohorts now look for ways to blame every mass shooting on President Donald Trump.

    I am sitting at my desk writing while listening to Joe Biden, former vice president and now a candidate for president, speaking in his role as a candidate. He went on for several minutes excoriating Trump, while in my estimation, saying nothing about how we might successfully address the plague of mass shootings. There is reporting that he has proposed an assault weapons buy-back program. Biden is not alone in this unproductive response to the scourge of mass shootings in America. Even more disturbing is that nobody in the political class, or sadly, hardly anybody else in this country, has the guts to seriously address the multitude of devastating problems that plague us as a nation.

    There is a major component of our inability to solve the seemingly overwhelming problems that challenge the continued existence of our nation. We have become a nation almost devoid of connection to God. Like it or not, despite their failings and shortcomings, the founders of this nation were people of faith and started a country based on the principles of scripture and the values and the beliefs consistent with the example of Jesus and the call of God. America has just about completed the 180-degree turn from being guided in our actions by those God-given principles.

    In my estimation, the destructive results of this turning show up in two primary ways. The first is that a person who is angry, filled with hate, or even mentally deranged, has no positive set of values or beliefs that constrain evil, sinful behavior. Consequently, people like these most recent shooters, whatever their unhealthy state of mind, do their choosing in a belief framework that determines a mass shooting to be acceptable. 

    The second result is that when we seek to address destructive events such as a mass shooting, it is done absent of any self-examination in light of God’s principles for individual and societal living. That is, no attention is given to where we have strayed from the ways of God and how that straying might contribute to our current dreadful state of being. Further, apart from a few people praying in the safety of their homes and churches, there is no seeking of God’s direction as we deal with the crushing conditions that we face. 

    I contend that if we were looking to God, we would recognize how far, as a nation, we have turned from God and his principles. We have become a nation where almost any behavior is accepted. In such a circumstance, nobody should be surprised that some would conclude that mass shootings are justified and acceptable. That is what is possible in a society that so completely turns from God.

    Lacking any honest self-assessment and seeking of God’s direction, we get exactly what we are getting; politicians and others responding in ways that serve their self-interest. It s the same old solutions, with the addition of the “blame Trump” piece. It would take real guts to employ an approach that might get to the heart of the matter and produce real solutions. The obstacle is, if you get to real solutions, the mass shootings issue will go away for the 2020 presidential election. The same is the case with border security, infrastructure, reducing national deficits and debt, and so on. Democrats do not want to fix any of these issues because it would give Trump a win.

    If you doubt the truth of that preceding paragraph, consider this: Democrats and their supporters have been screaming that Trump should work to unify the country. Among other actions, they said he should call out white supremacists, promote racial healing and decry hatred. In a speech this week, he did all of that. After the speech, The New York Times ran an article headlined, “Trump Urges Unity vs. Racism.” An article by Mike Brest titled, “New York Times changes headline on Trump shooting response after presidential candidates slam them” reported as follows: “Following the outcry of condemnation, The Times then changed the headline to ‘Assailing Hate but Not Guns.’ The photo that went along with the story was also changed. The new photo is captioned, “A vigil at Horizon High School in El Paso for Javier Amir Rodriguez, a 15-year-old student who was fatally shot at a local Walmart.”

    The Brest article includes statements from Democratic presidential candidates Beto O’Rourke, Cory Booker, Kirsten Gillibrand and Bill de Blasio. They were joined by some media persons and general public members in complaining about the headline. The problem is that they do not want the president to pursue unity. His doing so would adversely impact their 2020 strategy of portraying Trump as a destructive force in America.

    The point here is that we are inhabitants of a nation that was built on Judeo-Christian principles. The nation has deserted those principles. Looking to God for direction is under successful attack. In this atmosphere, people seek, by any means necessary, to gain and hold power. Because this quest for power is selfish, reason is alienated, nearly non-existent.

    This alienation of reason shows through in how mass shootings are addressed. Consider the El Paso shooting. I have not been able to get access to the manifesto written by the shooter. Here is what Christina Maxouris writes in an article titled, “The El Paso shooting suspect wrote a ‘manifesto,’ police say. It was filled with anti-immigrant and racist language.”

    “The writing is filled with white supremacist language and racist hatred aimed at immigrants and Latinos, and the author says he opposes ‘race mixing’ and encourages immigrants to return to their home countries.

    “Some of the language of the manifesto reflects ideas from President Trump, Fox News and the modern Republican party. For example, the document warns of a ‘Hispanic invasion’ and says Democrats are using ‘open borders’ and ‘free healthcare for illegals’ to attract new voters.

    “The writer cites a fear that an influential Hispanic population in Texas would make the state a ‘Democratic stronghold.’ But he says ‘the Republican Party is also terrible’ because the GOP is, in his mind, pro-corporation, which could lead to more immigration.

    “The author says he’s held these beliefs for years, before Donald Trump became President.” 

    In this “selfish quest for power” atmosphere, the points in that summary that resonate with millions of law-abiding Americans are disregarded, and this mass murderer is labeled racist, white supremacist and hate-filled. His chosen response to all that he viewed as unacceptable in America was horrible, and he should not have done what he did. However, reason calls us to honestly examine why this man did what he did. That includes growing up in a nation that has: nearly completed total desertion of God; implemented a moral code where almost any conduct is acceptable; moved to limit, and even threaten, the speech of those who challenge liberal orthodoxy; substantially started toward, where politically advantageous, disregarding the law in allowing people to illegally enter America and live here unimpeded while receiving health care, financial assistance and so forth. 

    Reason says stopping unacceptable behavior requires being honest about why it happens. Our problem is that in a nation almost devoid of connection to God, the selfish quest for power is alienating reason.

     The founders of this nation were people of faith and started a country based on the principles of scripture and the values and the beliefs consistent with the example of Jesus and the call of God. 

     

  • 02 pub penBelow is an editorial that appeared in The Fayetteville Observer on Saturday, Aug. 17. It was written by Troy Williams a local resident, journalist, legal analyst, WIDU radio personality and member of The Fayetteville Observer’s Community Advisory Board. It is being reprinted with the permission of Lorry Williams, executive editor of The Fayetteville Observer. It is an excellent piece of journalism that exposes and articulates many of the suspicions and serious concerns Fayetteville citizens have about the governing attitudes radiating from city hall and the mayor’s office specifically.Many people, including myself, feel the mayor and many of his closest constituents have intentionally used false claims, accusations and threats of racism to intimidate and gain political favor and advantage or as a vehicle to distract the public attention away from failed corrupt political activities or basic incompetencies. Transparency and the media are not friends to this kind of regime. Expect journalists like Troy Williams and Karl Merritt and community newspapers like Up & Coming Weekly to come under attack in an effort to eliminate the public’s access to local media providing facts, information and the truth. This is what newspapers do. And, what the First Amendment is all about. Besides, this weekly community newspaper is on record as being the city of Fayetteville’s biggest advocate for over 23 years. It’s highly inconceivable and practically impossible that Up & Coming Weekly’s journalistic mission and mandate of advocating for the citizens of Fayetteville/Cumberland County by providing fair, transparent and honest community coverage would actually change overnight just because of political or racial reasons. This is not who we are. Enjoy.

    — Bill Bowman

       Up & Coming Weekly Publisher

     

    Fayetteville’s City Council approved a rezoning request earlier this week.

    The rezoning for the North Carolina Civil War and Reconstruction History Center will move the multimillion-dollar project a step closer to becoming a reality in Cumberland County. While the council is moving forward, Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin is doubling down in his efforts to thwart the project. According to a WNCN news story, the mayor’s stated objections are racial tensions and funding.

    A couple of months ago, Colvin sent me a text. He said, “Brother, do you have a candid interest in resolving the conflict about the civil war, or is it just a topic of interest right now? This is a genuine question. If so, when will you start to employ bridge-building efforts? I am available on Friday if you are serious about it.”

    Colvin was referring to appearing on my radio morning talk show as a guest, and I agreed to have him on air with me Friday, June 7.

    The interview did not go well, and I’ll admit to the part I played. I felt Colvin strayed away from his original stated objective of bridge-building. He decided to dig in deeper with his opposition to the project, and it turned into a cantankerous dialog with us taking shots at each other. During the back-and-forth, Colvin declared that he had received numerous emails from citizens in opposition to the project.

    After the interview, I became more interested in these alleged emails, and I decided to make a public records request to see them. The following Monday, my official request for access to the emails was in the hands of the city’s corporate communications officer, the city manager, city attorney and the mayor. My request for emails related to the project specifically targeted Colvin’s official city email and his private account, as well. Within a few days, the corporate communications officer had honored my request and much to my surprise, the numerous alleged emails turned out to be one email. I was disappointed because the mayor’s statements to the listeners on my radio show were misleading. At a minimum, what he said was disingenuous.

    Is there some significant racial opposition from African-Americans for this project? I don’t think so. Is there an intentional effort by some to make this racially divisive? I’m convinced there is. One former minority Fayetteville city employee, an attorney, referred to the center as a KKK project on a social media page. These kinds of comments are inflammatory and meant to divide our community. Colvin says he will work to get public hearings scheduled to talk about the center. An African-American elected official said that an attempt was also made earlier this year to get key members of the African-American community to conduct a public hearing. The hearing would not have been sanctioned by the city. The proposed meeting failed because of lack of interest. It remains to be seen how successful Colvin will be trying to accomplish the same thing through City Hall.

    The mayor’s two main reasons for opposition to the center are supposedly racial tensions and funding. Let’s deal with the funding question first. Fayetteville’s contribution to this project is an investment. The annual projected return is going to be a plus for Fayetteville and Cumberland County. You don’t have to be an economic genius to figure this out. It’s basic math. How can you deny the positives of $20 million a year coming to our community? Colvin continued with WNCN news, “You wouldn’t want to have a $20 million economic positive impact with a community that’s in an uproar or divided, so you have to weigh what’s the interest of the city of Fayetteville and Cumberland County.” I’m still looking for all the uproar and divided things within our community. The only instances of such that I’ve seen thus far are coming from the mayor’s office. I’m not saying it doesn’t exist. Maybe it does, but share the evidence with the rest of the community, and it needs to be more than one email. Don’t treat this center like your downtown business with silent partners who don’t want to be identified. If there is significant opposition for this project, no matter where it’s coming from, there ought to be transparency, and the whole community ought to know.

    I have to credit the mayor though; he’s a real Democrat. His comment, “Over the last two years our country has really moved in a different direction with race relations, so I just want to make sure that we are thoughtful in the process,” is a swipe at President Trump. I’m not going to debate the merits of his comments. I am taking issue with his assertions that we need to put our lives on hold because of what’s happening on Capitol Hill. The so-called racial tension is all the more reason why we need this center. The truth needs to be told, Mr. Mayor, ask your preacher. The scripture says, “The truth shall make you free.”

  • 11 GRASS IS GREENERSummer is all but gone. Yes, the heat is still hanging on, but soon we'll cross the Labor Day bridge and the pumpkin spice everything will be just ahead on the left.

    These past few scorching months I've thought a lot about contentment and realized I have developed an innate ability to look at someone else’s life and notice exactly what their problems are. I even know how to fix most of them. I think or say things like, “Well, if only they would …" and whatever follows provides the perfect hindsight they need to never have gotten themselves in the fix in the first place. I say this tongue-in-cheek, of course. 

    But seriously, I've come to realize many of us have a similar problem: envy. We observe someone else's life and we begin to count their blessings. Maybe it's the cars they have in their driveway, the home they live in, the job they have, or how beautiful their kids are, and we think "Well, yeah …They only have that because they _______________.” And then we secretly resent them for it.

    If you're a Bible reader, you can find a ton of advice about the dangers of envy within its pages. Envy will kill friendships, destroy families and lure you into a pit of debt you may never climb out of. It leads to bitterness, causes stress and will keep you from experiencing the joy of living the life you've been given. There's a simple phrase that can be applied here: “If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, then water your own lawn.” 

    As routines get back to normal following the go-go-go of summer, I urge you to consider this — count your blessings. Not compare your blessings. Take a serious inventory of all the good in your life. If you woke up this morning, that's one. If you woke with a bed beneath you and a roof over your head, you've already outdone many in this world. How about the clothes you put on after the warm shower? See how this works? It's a matter of counting even the smallest for what it really is — a blessing. And therein lies the path to genuine contentment.

    Whether you ascribe to the Christian faith or not, you can nab some really good advice from a talk Jesus gave — like a really early Ted Talk — which some refer to as the “Sermon on the Mount.” He drew some comparisons and correlations between envy and anxiety, talked about helping one another and the needy and even had some really practical advice on everything from anger to dealing with the bullies of the world. Check it out for yourself in the book of Matthew, chapters five and six.

    Make gratefulness a thing in your life and in the lives you influence. Thank God relentlessly. Thank people, too, more than you think you should. Realize what you have, and thank God again. The payoff comes when a true sense of gratitude turns what we have into enough. 

  • 14 BooksStudents who use the library do better. That's a bold statement, but one I believe the Paul H. Thompson Library on the Fayetteville campus of Fayetteville Technical Community College can back up. 

    While going about our daily work as librarians, students often come by to let us know they got an “A” on their research paper and offer thanks for our help. Recently, a nursing student came by after graduating to express her thanks. “I couldn’t have done it without the help of library staff,” she said. 

    Success stories like these let us know that we are having a positive impact on student success and making a difference within the Fayetteville community. 

    The faculty engage with the library by arranging library orientations that familiarize students with library resources, how to access resources on and off campus and how to use those resources to complete assignments. Our faculty members tell us that students attending library orientations are showing marked improvement in the quality of student research and writing, class engagement and willingness to request additional help at the library. 

    A report released by the State Library of North Carolina titled "Community College Libraries & Librarians and Student Success" provided a direct link between library use and students completing all first year courses successfully, learning basic skills needed to be employed, learning English and reading skills needed to succeed in college and preparing to transfer to a four-year college or university. 

    The library’s ability to help students succeed relies primarily on its willingness to adapt to meet the needs of students on campus and distance learners. The Paul H. Thompson Library underwent a physical renovation, and library staff have received valuable feedback from students about how they enjoy using the new space. Students can move tables around for large groups, use the charging stations for their laptops and phones and connect them to interactive computers or spend some time alone in a welcoming and comfortable space to escape for a while by enjoying a good book. In the fall 2019 semester, the library will introduce a 3D printer to enhance student creativity and learning. 

    Whether a student is across town or across the world, distance learners have access to library staff at the Paul H. Thompson Library to assist with reference questions during business hours, in person or by calling 910-678-8247 or emailing library@faytechcc.edu. When the library is closed, students can contact a librarian by using the online “Ask-a-Librarian ChatNow” button located on the library homepage at https://www.faytechcc.edu/campus-life/academic-support/library/. The library web page provides students with access to thousands of e-books, electronic journals and online tutorials that demonstrate how to use library resources. 

    Three locations support FTCC students with library services and dedicated library staff: the Paul H. Thompson Library at the Fayetteville campus; the Spring Lake Campus Branch Library (910-497-3650); and the John L. Throckmorton Library at Fort Bragg (910-396-2665). We look forward to serving you and invite you to learn more about FTCC at www.faytechcc.edu. 

    The Paul H. Thompson Library underwent a physical renovation, and library staff have received valuable feedback from students about how they enjoy using the new space.

  • 23 01 Levonte McLean Pine ForestCoach:William Sochovka

    2018 record:10-3

    Top returners:D.J. Jones, 5-10, 195, Sr., RB; Ahmad Simon, 5-5, 155, Sr., WR; Jamal McLean, 6-1, 195, Jr., WR; Levonte McLean, 6-0, 175, Sr., DB; Blake Paul, 6-0, 155, Jr., WR; Brendon Paul, 5-11, Sr., DB; Ethan Ward, 5-10, 200, Sr., RB/LB; Bernard Flerlage, 6-0, 230, Sr., LB; Seth Smith, 5-11, 280, Sr., OL; Blake Marshburn, 6-0, 270, Sr., OL.

    Promising newcomers: Jaden Jones, 5-10, 200, Jr., QB; Jemel Hill, 6-2, 200, Sr., DL; Xavier Johnson, 240, Jr., DE; Zack Huys, 215, Sr., 23 02 Seth Smith Pine ForestOL/DL; Chris Green, 6-2, 180, Sr., DE; Tre Carter, 5-10, 175, Jr., LB; Josh Bell, 5-8, 220, Sr., OL; Patrick Maitland, 5-8, 165, Sr., WR; Josh Johnson, 6-0, 210, Sr., LB; Isaiah Epps, 6-0, 240, Sr., DE.

    Team strengths:“Most of our returning starters are on the offensive side of the ball. Our strength this year will be our running game with our talent core of backs running behind our senior-heavy offensive line.’’

    Team concerns: “Rebuilding our defense that has only four starters from last year’s team, and being able to play at the same level and higher than we did last year.’’

    Pictured from top to bottom: Levonte McLean, Seth Smith

  • 16 01 Justin BroadhurstCoach:Brian Randolph

    2018 record:5-7

    Top returners:Kevin Sentell, 6-2, 190, Sr., QB; Justin Miliman, 6-3, 320, Sr, T; Anthony Fiffie, 6-0, 170, Sr., WR; Shawn Healey, 5-9, 220, Sr., C; Mason Walker, 5-10, 170, Sr., RB; Tyquan Patterson, 5-8, 160, Sr., CB; Karnell Leavell, 6-1, 325, Sr., G; Josh Townsend, 5-9, 150, Sr., CB; Justin Broadhurst, 6-2, 205, Jr., DE; Marquise Walker, 6-0, 160, Jr., DB.

    Top newcomers:Jacob Copeland, 5-11, 195, Jr., RB; Maurice Wickware, 5-3, 130, Jr., WR; Corey Hutcherson, 6-2, 190, Jr., TE; 16 02 Mason WalkerJaQuan Johnson, 6-3, 340, Jr., T; Isaiah Mercado, 5-11, 170, Jr., LB; Jaden Scott, 6-5, 210, Sr., DE; Ronald Logan, 5-10, 165, Jr., DB; Athanlio Liscano, 5-11, 150, Jr., DB; Jaylan Hackett, 6-0, 160, Jr., LB; Jeremiah Ray, 5-8, 224, Sr., DE.

    Team strengths: “This offseason, our guys have embraced the culture at Jack Britt through their teamwork, discipline and commitment to the program. Iron sharpens iron. We believe that our schedule will bring out the best in us.’’

     Team concerns:“This upcoming season we have several important roles that need to be filled on both sides of the ball and on special teams. Who will answer the call for service is the question yet to be answered.’’

    Pictured from top to bottom: Justin Broadhurst, Mason Walker

  • 07 PWC Fayetteville Public WorksThe city of Fayetteville’s hometown utility has received the American Public Power Association’s E.F. Scattergood System Achievement Award. The award honors the Public Works Commission and other APPA member systems that have enhanced the prestige of public power utilities through sustained achievement and customer service. It’s considered the most prestigious award given by the public power association. 

    “It was a great honor to accept the award for PWC,” said PWC Chairman Darsweil Rogers at the national conference in Austin, Texas. “Anytime our public power peers acknowledge the hard work of the staff, it reaffirms what the commissioners already know, which is that we have a talented and dedicated group of employees serving our community.” 

    PWC’s achievements noted in the award included a system-wide conversion to advanced electric meters and the conversion to LED streetlights. It installed four free electric vehicle charging stations. Time-of-use electric rates, a new customer web portal providing customers direct access to utility usage data, advanced customer payment options, and incentive programs were PWC customer-focused initiatives that were also recognized by the APPA. PWC has also begun the installation of North Carolina’s first public solar power farm. 

    Community support and involvement also contributed to PWC’s recognition, including PWC’s partnering with Fayetteville Technical Community College to establish a local lineworker program and being recognized 13 times by the local United Way. 

    “While the award is given by APPA, because of its focus on customer service it is a reflection on PWC as a total organization providing electric, water, wastewater service as Fayetteville’s Hometown Utility,” said PWC CEO/General Manager David Trego. This is the second time PWC has been recognized with the APPA’s top award.

    During the APPA national conference, PWC also received the Energy Innovator Award. The award recognizes utility programs that have demonstrated advances in the development of creative, energy-efficient techniques or technologies, providing better service to electricity customers or projects that increase the efficiency of utility operations or resource efficiency. PWC has developed an innovative way to locate electrical faults in its electricity distribution system. “This method is about reliable electric service because it enables us to identify locations where electrical faults occur when it is not possible to see where the problem exists.” said Rick Anderson, PWC electric system engineering manager. 

    This has allowed the utility to limit outage durations, reduce callouts and enhance the quality of life for its community. Improved reliability has resulted in savings on labor costs, vehicle maintenance, fuel, vegetation management and electrical component maintenance. In addition to benefiting PWC operations, the method will be available to other utilities while potentially benefiting public power customers throughout the nation. PWC has earned the Energy Innovator Award three times since 2010. 

    Recent events are reminders that hurricane season has begun. Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Florence in 2018 are reminders that inland North Carolina is susceptible to storm damage. PWC offers online plans to help you and your family stay safe in the event of a hurricane or another emergency. At Fayetteville PWC, an emergency plan of operations is in place and can be implemented on a moment’s notice. For information, go to the Storm Central page at FayPWC.com. 

  • 11 umojaThe Umoja Group Inc. presents its 27th Annual Umoja Festival Saturday, Aug. 24, from 12-5 p.m. at Seabrook Park. The health fair portion will be from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 

    “This is our 27th year, said Wanda Wesley, co-coordinator for the Umoja Group. “We are having a community family festival and health fair. So, we are partnering again this year with Cape Fear Valley’s Take Charge of Your Health Program, and they are offering free health screenings. The health part will be inside the Smith Recreation Center and one side of the center will be full of community resources that are health related that support families and children and the other side will be the actual medical doctors and technicians to do more in depth screening for individuals.”    

    The word “umoja” means unity. The purpose of the festival is to bring the community together to celebrate arts, crafts and the culture of the community and to share informational and educational opportunities.     

    “For the actual festival that kicks off at 12 p.m., we will have entertainment, a proclamation from the city, a special tribute to the elders and there will be a special tent for the senior citizens to sit under so they will be more comfortable,” said Wesley. “One thing about the Umoja Festival that makes it so unique to me is that it is kind of intergenerational, which means we have things for little kids as well as older adults and senior citizens.” 

     Wesley added that the festival will feature a climbing wall from The Climbing Place, and will include the Tokay Rockers, E. E. Smith’s Marching Band, the Chrome Knights Motorcycle Club, antique cars, African storytellers, the NAACP, drummers, a talent show and food, arts and crafts vendors.           

    “The Chrome Knights Motorcycle Club supports families in the community,” said Wesley. “They have adopted five schools — Ferguson Easley Elementary, T. C. Berrien Elementary, Margaret Willis Elementary, Westarea Elementary and Walker- Spivey Elementary School,” added Wesley.

    She also noted, “What they do is … raise money to support those schools. Over the past three years they have donated over $8,000 in cash and supplies to the children in those schools.”   

    There will be free health screenings for the uninsured and underinsured to include blood pressure, diabetes and body mass index readings as well as lung function tests and blood typing. 

    “What I really like about this festival is that it is in the community that we support,” said Wesley. “We look forward to everyone coming out to support this great community event.”

    The event is free and open to the public. Donations are appreciated. For more information or vendor inquiries call 910-485-8035. 

    The word “umoja” means unity. The purpose of the festival is to bring the community together to celebrate arts, crafts and the culture of the community and to share informational and educational opportunities. 

  • 18 01 Dalton PatrickCoach: David Lovette

    2018 record: 7-5

    Top returners:Kendall Evans, 6-3, 240, Sr., DT; Dalton Patrick, 6-0, 180, Sr., S/WR; Jerry Garcia Jr., 5-10, 170, Jr., LB/DB/RB; Ben Lovette, 6-1, 165, Sr., QB; Garrett Crockett, 6-3, 280, Jr., OL; Terry McLaughlin, 6-1, 180, Jr., OL; D.J. Crutcher, 6-1, 180, Sr., DB; Justin McClintock, 5-10, 200, Sr., LB.

    Top newcomers: Jarrod Kenney, 5-8, 155, Jr., RB; Jalen Randall, 6-0, 230, Jr., DL; Jalen Johnson, 6-4, 200, So., DE; Robert Burks, 6-1, 175, Jr., DB; Jayden Williams, 6-4, 280, Jr., DT; Josiah Arreguin, 5-11, 165, Jr., DB.

    18 02 DJ KrutcherTeam strengths:“We return experience on the offensive line and quarterback positions. On defense we return two All-Conference players in McClintock and Crutcher. The secondary returns three out of four starters and one of the better defensive linemen in Evans.’’

    Team concerns: “Depth is always a concern.’’

    Pictured from top to bottom: Dalton Patrick, D.J. Crutcher

  • 20 01 Taiquan Gamble Cape FearCoach: Jacob Thomas

    2018 record: 7-4

    Top returners: Cayden McKethan, 6-1, 215, Jr., RB/LB; Kimani Britton, 6-0, 175, So., QB; Taiquan Gamble, 6-2, 198, Sr., WR; Caleb Krings, 6-3, 280, Sr., OL/DL; Nic Minicapelli, 5-10, 220, Sr., FB/DL; Mark Burks, 6-0, 180, Sr., DB/WR; Micah Nelson, 6-1, 180, Jr., WR/DB; Lamon Lock, 5-9, 180, Sr., DB/WR; Cade Oliver, 6-2, 220, Sr., DL/OL.

    Top newcomers: Jaleel Parks, 5-10, 185, Jr., RB/LB; Ricky McDonald, 6-2, 215, Jr., LB/TE; Chason Bryant, 6-1, 245, Jr., OL/DL; Tyree Kirk, 5-9, 175, Jr., DB/RB; Isaiah Lee, 6-1, 170, WR/DB; Mike Wesolowski, 6-2, 280, Sr., OL/DL; Isaiah McLean, 5-10, 165, Jr., W20 02 Micah Nelson Cape FearR/DB; Johnathan Miller, 5-10, 170, Jr., DB/WR.

    Team strengths: “We have a good core of linemen both offensively and defensively returning. Leadership and effort will be two strengths of our team.”

    Team concerns: “We don’t have a lot of senior returners, so a lack of experience there and a lack of offensive speed is a concern.’’

    Pictured from top to bottom: Taiquan Gamble, Micah Nelson

  • 21 01 Jackson Deaver Terry SanfordCoach: Bruce McClelland

    2018 record: 10-4

    Top returners: Elijah Morris, 6-1, 270, Sr., DL; Jackson Deaver, 5-11, 226, Sr., LB; Saquan Smith, 5-11, 196, Jr., S; Roscoe Blue, 6-3, 316, Sr., OL; Jacob Knight, 6-0, 172, Sr., QB; Maurice Jones, 5-10, 181, Sr., DB; Tyquan Hayes, 6-0, 173, Sr., DB; Dorian Clark, 6-0, 190, Sr., RB; Chad McDonald, 5-10, 163, Sr., S; Ezemdi Udoh, 6-5, 242, Sr., TE/DE.

    Top newcomers: Jre Jackson, 5-9, 160, Fr., RB; Jaquan Sheppard, 5-9, 242, Jr., DL; Tyson Leak, 5-10, 262, Jr., OL; Yates Johnson, 6-5, 190, Sr., WR; Jarvis Higgins, 6-2, 226, Jr., DE; 21 02 Roscoe Blue Terry SanfordCooper Barco, 5-10, 163, Sr., WR; McKenneth Kirkman, 5-10, 268, Jr., DL; Hayden Honeycutt, 6-0, 271, Jr., OL; Israel Reuben, 5-9, 163, Sr., WR; Max Hall, 6-1, 172, Jr., LB.

    Team strengths: “Running game, with Dorian Clark in his fourth year on the varsity. Also defensive line and defensive backs. Having Ezemdi Udoh as a blocker and pass receiver is huge. Stopping the run with an experienced defensive line will be our strength.’’

    Team concerns:“We are replacing four on the offensive line and Leonard Mosley, our leading receiver and our other top three wide receiver positions. We’ll have to spread the ball around.’’

     

    Pictured from top to bottom: Jackson Deaver, Roscoe Blue

  • One of the toughest parts about being able to enjoy a preseason high school football jamboree is they often feature four teams on the field at once going in opposite directions on either side of the 50-yard-line.

    That won’t be a problem at this year’s Cumberland County Schools Football Jamboree, which begins a two-day run Thursday at Seventy-First and Friday at Gray’s Creek High School. Scrimmages at both locations begin at 5 p.m.

    In a major change from previous jamborees, only two teams will be on the field at the same time, meaning fans can focus their attention on a single scrimmage during each session.

    The format will be complete with a chain crew marking advancement of the ball and determining when the offensive team gets a first down.

    Action should be over both nights by 10 p.m. The cost of admission to each scrimmage is $10.

    In the event either scrimmage is postponed due to inclement weather, there will be no makeup date as most teams have a scrimmage scheduled for Saturday and the following week marks the start of the football regular season for most teams in the area.

    Here is the full schedule for the scrimmage.

    Thursday at Seventy-First High School

    5 p.m.- Westover vs. Union Pines.

    6 p.m.- Overhills vs. Hoke County.

    7 p.m. - E.E. Smith vs. Apex Friendship.

    8 p.m. - Terry Sanford vs. Clinton

    9 p.m.- Seventy-First vs. Pine Forest

    Friday at Gray’s Creek High School

    5 p.m.- St. Pauls vs. Triton

    6 p.m. - Douglas Byrd vs. Lumberton

    7 p.m.- South View vs. Richmond Senior

    8 p.m. - Cape Fear vs. Scotland

    9 p.m. - Gray’s Creek vs. Jack Britt.

  • 06 911 Call Center 2A drive past Cumberland County’s new Emergency Operations building reveals virtually no activity since it was purchased nine months ago. But the county says it is moving forward with plans for its new emergency services and 911 call center building. Officials submitted a grant application to the North Carolina 911 Board in May seeking funding for renovation, hardware, equipment and associated technology costs for the facility, which will eventually replace outdated facilities in the law enforcement center downtown. The new building at 500 Executive Place was purchased in November for $5.1 million. The 911 committees for the county and the city of Fayetteville had discussed colocating their separate call centers in the building with the intent of consolidating services in the future. The county sent an interlocal agreement approved by the Board of Commissioners on May 20 to the city but did not receive an official response. 

    “It’s time for us to move forward with this project without delay,” said County Commission Chairwoman Jeannette Council. She said that on behalf of the Board of Commissioners, she notified Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin that county government would proceed to submit a grant application to the state without participation by the city. Assistant County Manager Tracey Jackson said at the time that a joint grant application would have been stronger. 

    Convicted robber sentenced to federal prison

    A Robeson County man who confessed to taking part in armed robberies of three Fayetteville convenience stores was sentenced to 25 yearsin federal prison. The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that Michael Devonte Hill’s prison term will be followed by five years of supervised release. Hill pled guilty to three counts of robbery, one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

    He was sentenced in late July by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Terrence W. Boyle. The government’s evidence established that in July 2017, hill robbed three Fayetteville-area convenience store — the Circle K on Rosehill Road, a Circle K on Yadkin Road and a third Circle K on Owen Drive. 

    A second man involved in the two of holdups remains at large. This case was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement, and the communities they serve, to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. 

    Higdon said this initiative emphasizes the regional assignment of federal prosecutors to work with law enforcement and District Attorney’s Offices on a sustained basis in those communities to reduce the violent crime rate, drug trafficking, and crimes against law enforcement.

    Cumberland County library wins community foundation grant

    The Cumberland County Public Library and Information Center received a $10,000 grant from the Cumberland Community Foundation for its Summertime Kids project to provide books and book bags to children attending summer camps throughout the county. The Summertime Kids project is an enrichment program that reaches underserved populations to promote literacy throughout every stage of life. The grant money provided funding for two books and a bag for each child participating in the program. Library staff visited 14 camps at 18 different locations and gave away 1,158 bags with books during June, July and August. Sites visited include the Autism Society of Cumberland County; Boys and Girls Club of Cumberland County; Cape Fear Botanical Garden, Cape Fear Regional Theatre; Clark Park Nature Center; Communities United for Youth Development; Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office Youth Summer Camp, Ellington White CDC; Fayetteville State University STEM camp; Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex; St. Ann Neighborhood Youth Center; Fayetteville Urban Ministry, Inc.; Moore Street Foundation; and The Salvation Army. 

    “This is such a wonderful grant for these kids, and the books that were available for the campers to choose from were wonderful,” said Joe Kabbes, camp director of Fayetteville State University’s STEM Summer Camp. 

    These programs offer children preschool age through high school opportunities to socialize and interact with peers. 

  • 02 CapitolThis week, Bill Bowman yields his space to Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., to share his thoughts on mass shootings in America and what Congress is doing to pass meaningful legislation to deal with gun violence.

    “Mom, it’s happening again.” Those were the words of a 13-year-old girl in El Paso, Texas, on Aug. 3. Then, it happened again. This time in Dayton, Ohio. And just four months ago, it happened here at UNC-Charlotte. It seems — yet again — that no community is immune to gun violence and the evils of a deranged person.

    Like you, I was sickened by the innocent lives lost and the horrific violence. As a father and a husband, I can’t help but put myself in the shoes of the victims and their families. Two more communities mourning. Countless families grappling with grief and burying loved ones. And one country — yet again — searching our souls for answers and wondering why this sort of sickness is overtaking our communities.

    I refuse to accept this as our new American reality. We must recommit ourselves to ending this kind of violence.

    All Americans are affected by these shootings, and we all want to do something. It should be harder for people who shouldn’t have guns to have guns. Congress needs to work together to address this problem and not just “do something,” but do something in a bipartisan way that will actually make a difference.

    I have cosponsored legislation that has been signed into law that puts more resources in mental health, provides training for guidance counselors, funds grants for law enforcement, provides money to harden schools and strengthens background checks. I also introduced legislation that passed the House last Congress to strengthen background checks, address bump stocks and deal with the patchwork of concealed carry laws.

    In addition, the House recently passed a spending bill with my amendment to double the money available for research to study the root causes of gun violence, including the impact and effectiveness of grants authorized under the STOP School Violence Act. I support legislation in the current Congress to strengthen background checks and to improve communication between state, local and federal law enforcement so potential shooters don’t keep falling through the cracks.

    At the end of the day, it is not our government alone that is going to solve this problem. Racism and hatred have no place in our country. It’s up to all of us to get serious about addressing the root causes of this violence: the breakdown of the family, culture, media, mental health and many more. As President Donald Trump said last week, one thing we must recognize is the internet has provided a dangerous avenue to radicalize disturbed minds. I applaud the president for directing the Department of Justice to work in partnership with local and state agencies, as well as social media companies, to develop tools to detect mass shooters before they strike. It’s time to tone down the rhetoric and work on bipartisan, common sense solutions.

    At the end of the day, it is not our government alone that is going to solve the gun violence problem. 

  • 12 Purple Heart 3The presence of the military in our community is prominent and unmistakable; but far too often, the accomplishments and sacrifice of the individuals who serve this country, as well as their families, are neglected. Whether they are active-duty or veterans, the men and women who serve and who have served in the military deserve a resounding “thank you.” The Sandhills Purple Heart Committee is stepping up to applaud those brave men and women by hosting the third annual Purple Heart Dinner on Aug. 24.

    “The Purple Heart is America’s oldest medal, established by George Washington to honor those wounded or killed in action against an enemy of the United States,” said Senior Vice Commander Barry Pearce, a representative of The Military Order of the Purple Heart. The first of the awards was given to three noncomissioned soldiers of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. The order said, “Let it be known that he who wears the military order of the Purple Heart has given of his blood in the defense of his homeland and shall forever be revered by his fellow countrymen.”

    After the American Revolution ended, the award fell into disuse until 1932, when the Army declared the restoration of the use for “persons who, while serving in the Army of the United States, perform any singularly meritorious act of extraordinary fidelity or essential service.” Moreover, the award would once again be used to recognize soldiers who acquired wounds in the line of duty that necessitated treatment by a medical officer “with an enemy of the United States, or as a result of an act of such enemy.” 

    The mission of the Purple Heart Dinner is “to honor those who have given so much. We are honoring true heroes and role models,” said Andrea Tebbe, the cochairman of the Sandhills Purple Heart dinner. “Our purpose is to honor and thank Purple Heart recipients who shed their blood for our country, while also honoring Gold Star mothers and the families of those (killed in action).” 

    Gold Star mothers are those whose son or daughter dies while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

    The number of Purple Hearts awarded since 1932, when it was reestablished by the Army, remains unclear, since the Department of Defense does not keep a record of the number of recipients. However, according to a 2019 report to Congress on the Purple Heart, military historians believe that 1 million Purple Hearts have been awarded since 1932; the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor estimates the number to be closer to 1.8 million. According to the Fort Bragg Order of the Purple Heart, there are at least 476 Purple Heart recipients in the Fayetteville and Fort Bragg area. 

    The Sandhills Purple Heart Committee understands the importance of showing support to the families of fallen soldiers and thus Gold Star mothers will also be recognized at the event. During World War I, families of service members flew service flags. The flag would have a blue star on it to indicate that the person with the flag had an immediate family member who was serving in the war. If the service member died in the line of duty, the blue star was replaced with a gold one as a reminder of the sacrifice the service member made for his country. 

     The first Purple Heart Dinner was held in 2009 in Wake Forest, and the initiative has since spread to seven other North Carolina cities and two other states. Since then, the numbers of attendees have continued to reflect not just the sacrifices of the recipients and their families but of the immense support for them from their communities. 

    “We recognize Purple Heart recipients, Gold star mothers and the families of those who are (killed in action) or (prisoners of war). The numbers vary year to year; this year we have over 100 Purple Heart recipients and 12 Gold Star mothers and several families of those (killed in action) (being recognized),” Tebbe said. 

    There will also be a recognition of World War II Veterans. 

    In a community with a strong military presence, it comes as no surprise that there are several Purple Heart Chapters in the Sandhills area. “The one in Fayetteville is the Fort Bragg Chapter,” Pearce explained. Visit the website at http://www.purpleheartfortbragg.com/donate-to-the-bragg-moph-chapter.php for more information.

    Pearce encourages the community to show its appreciation for the heroes who have sacrificed so much for their country. “If you know of a recipient, thank them for their service and sacrifice,” he said. “The volunteers of the committee believe it is important to recognize all they have sacrificed and what they have been through. (The dinner) is our way to say ‘Thank you,’ and ‘We support you.’”

    While many ceremonies have a keynote speaker or several speakers, the Purple Heart Dinner’s focus is on the honorees. 

    “We do not have speakers,” explained Tebbe. “The Walk of Honor, where we recognize the Purple Heart recipients, is what we do instead of a guest speaker.” The event opens with a reception for the recipients. After that, the Purple Heart recipients walk through a saber salute. During that time, the emcee will explain the military story of each individual. 

    Most sponsors come from community business and families of recipients. Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor, though, can visit www.sandhillsphdinner.com or contact one of the committee members, also found on the website. 

    The Purple Heart Dinner will be held at the Crown Coliseum Expo center Aug. 24, from
    5-8 p.m. The ceremonial dinner is open to the public for $25 per ticket. The Purple Heart recipient and two guests can attend for free. 

    To show support of those being recognized, people can sponsor the event on a number of levels, starting at $100 for the first level. 

    Visit https://www.sandhillsphdinner.com/ for more information on the event, purchasing tickets or becoming a sponsor. 

    The Sandhills Purple Heart Committee is hosting the 3rd annual Purple Heart Dinner on Aug. 24 at the Crown Coliseum Expo center from 5-8 p.m.

    Photo credit: Kellie Marie Photography

  • 10 National Airborne DayIn 2002, President George W. Bush, designated “National Airborne Day”’ to honor the nation’s airborne forces. The Airborne & Special Operations Museum, located in downtown Fayetteville, will celebrate the 79th anniversary of the Army’s first official parachute jump Aug. 17, from 9 a.m. to noon. Come out and enjoy displays and re-enactors from the XVIII Airborne Corps, United States Army Special Operations Command and 82nd Airborne Division. 

    In 1784, after seeing the first successful hot air balloon flight, Benjamin Franklin envisioned the United States having a military force that could drop from the sky. Fast forward to Aug. 16, 1940, and the U.S. Army successfully conducted its first official parachute jump. It was the birth of the “airborne.”

    Here are a few things that you may not know about airborne units and paratroopers. 

    Airborne units may or may not perform parachute operations. Some units keep their Airborne designation because of their historical past. Some units that do conduct airborne operations may not have the word “Airborne” in the unit’s name. 

    Paratroopers are looked upon with great honor and respect. Those who choose to volunteer to attend Airborne school take on an enormous amount of risk. The training is among some of the hardest training in the military, both physically and mentally. Upon completing training, the student is awarded the Basic Parachute Badge. 

    Military parachuting is separated into “static-line” and “freefall” parachuting. Static-line parachuting means that the paratrooper’s parachute is hooked to a cable inside the aircraft and the parachute opens automatically as the paratrooper exits the aircraft. Freefall parachuting is an advance infiltration technique in which the paratrooper opens their own parachute. 

    A static-line paratrooper has completed the basic parachute school and has been awarded the coveted Basic Parachutist Badge. 

    Military Freefall is commonly done by either High Altitude Low Opening — HALO — or High Altitude High Opening — HAHO. HALO jumpers can exit an aircraft as high as 35,000 feet and open as low as 2,000 feet. HAHO jumpers can exit a plane at 35,000 feet and open their parachute seconds after exiting the plane to fly for miles to their target. 

    For those seeking more significant responsibilities, they can attend the “Jumpmaster” course. Not to be confused with the Jumpmaster Badge. At the Jumpmaster Course, students learn the complexities of being responsible for all aspects of a jump — to include combat equipment, airborne and drop zone operations. Once completing the Jumpmaster Course and additional requirements, a paratrooper that has graduated the Jumpmaster course can earn their Senior or Master Parachutist Badge. 

    The Military Freefall Parachute Badge is earned for completing the Military Freefall school. The Freefall badge is a separate badge from the parachute badge. Like the static-line Jumpmaster, Freefall has its own Freefall Jump Master Course. This badge is distinguished by a star and wreath at the top of the badge. 

    If you see a paratrooper with a bronze star on their wings, they have parachuted into a combat zone. 

    For more history about Airborne or National Airborne day, visit the Airborne and Special Operations Museum, or visit https://www.asomf.org/.

    Static-line parachuting means that the paratrooper’s parachute is hooked to a cable inside the aircraft and the parachute opens automatically as the paratrooper exits the aircraft. 

  • 03 GunMany Americans—I among them—thought that the bloody gunshot murders of 20 first graders and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December of 2012 would be the straw that broke the back of the gun lobby and would usher in reasonable gun laws that still respect the Second Amendment. Who on God’s green Earth could have imagined that it would be acceptable for young children, babies really, to be gunned down in their construction-papered classrooms?

    It was and apparently still is — because the carnage continues.

    Since Sandy Hook, the following mass shootings have taken place in our country, according to CNN chronicling, all but one by a single, male American shooter. There are, of course, many others not listed that killed fewer people.

    September 2013—12 people killed at the Washington Navy Yard.

    June 2015—nine people killed in the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

    October 2015—nine killed and nine others injured at Umpqua Community College in Oregon.

    December 2015—14 killed at an employee gathering by a married couple who left their baby with relatives in San Bernardino, Carolina.

    June 2016—at least 49 people were killed and more than 50 injured inside a nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

    October 2017—58 were killed and nearly 500 injured at a concert venue in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    November 2017—25 people were killed and 20 injured at a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.

    February 2018—17 killed and at least 17 others injured in Marjory Stone-man Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

    May 2018—10 killed at a high school in Santa Fe, Texas.

    October 2018—11 killed at a synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

    November 2018—12 killed at a bar and grill in Thousand Oaks, California.

    May 2019—12 killed and at least four injured in a city building in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

    August 2019—22 killed, including parents shielding their 2-month-old ba-by, and more than two dozen injured in a Walmart in El Paso, Texas.

    August 2019—less than 24 hours after the El Paso shooting, nine killed, including the gunman’s own sister, and 27 injured in an entertainment area of Day-ton, Ohio.

    Death toll—246 innocent people, minding their own business, shot dead.

    Truth be told, it is difficult to remember all of these because we in the United States have had so many mass shootings that in some ways, we have come to expect them. No other nation on earth tolerates anything like the number and scale of gunshot murders we experience all over our nation, most recently two in one 24-hour period. 

    No other nation tolerates weapons of mass killing in the hands of ordinary citizens, either. In the wake of the latest carnage come the predictable calls for increased gun control. High on the priority list because they are easy to support for law-makers and even Donald Trump are red flag laws. They would require others to alert law enforcement when they think a person is dangerous. More difficult, but supported by law enforcement, are domestic terrorism laws similar to international terrorism laws enacted after 9/11. Also under discussion are widely sup-ported-universal background checks before someone can legally purchase a gun. Ditto for longer waiting periods before acquiring a gun. Most controversial of all are bans on assault weapons like the ones used in this month’s mass murders in El Paso and Dayton, weapons designed for military use to kill as many people as possible in a short time. No one “needs” these.

    Sending “thoughts and prayers,” mouthing platitudes about beefing up mental health care, making symbolic and often unwelcome visits to scenes of massacres are no longer adequate to address the growing carnage in our country. 

    Taking no action, which has been our national response, is a decision to allow mass killings to continue. This is not a Republican problem. It is not a Democratic problem. It is an American problem, and the first step in addressing any problem is acknowledging that we have one. Americans of good faith and good conscience must demand this and serious action from our leaders.

    Sending “thoughts and prayers,” mouthing platitudes about beefing up mental health care, making symbolic and often unwelcome visits to scenes of massacres are no longer adequate to address the growing carnage in our country. 

  • 15 Timon of Athens

    The Sweet Tea Shakespeare Company is taking its act on the road to Hope Mills for the performance of a lesser known work of the legendary playwright entitled "Timon of Athens."

    The outdoor performance is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 21, at Carleen’s of Hope Mills at the Moulder-Warner House, 5703 Rockfish Road. A preshow concert begins at 7 p.m., with the play starting at 7:30 p.m., weather permitting.

    Jen Pommerenke is one of the directors of the play. She divides her time between Fayetteville and Brevard, where she is program director for a summer camp.

    Pommerenke said the company performs mostly classical works with the goal of making their theater accessible, magical and delightful for people in the Fayetteville community and beyond.

    “It’s kind of like a backyard barbecue with a bunch of family members and a play breaks out in the middle of it,’’ Pommerenke said.

    Most of the company’s performances take place outdoors in Fayetteville on the grounds of the 1897 Poe House at the Museum of the Cape Fear. When the weather turns colder, they move to indoor venues.

    The company’s props and costumes are what Pommerenke calls minimalist and are designed in such a way that the performances aren’t tied to a specific time period. “We like to be very fluid with that,’’ she said. “We make the story the magical part of it.’’

    Pommerenke said "Timon of Athens" enjoyed a resurgence about 10 to 15 years ago when the economy was doing poorly because of problems in the stock market.

    The play tells the story of a benevolent philanthropist and businessman who has been exceedingly generous to friends over the years but eventually finds himself in debt.

    The friends he once helped abandon him and he leaves Athens to live in a cave.

    When another group that has been banished from Athens begins to raise an army to attack the city, the city reaches out to Timon to return and help against the attackers.

    Pommerenke said the focus of the story is what do you truly value in life? Are you giving the people you love money and presents or time, care and compassion?

    Are you a true friend or do you seek material things that don’t really matter?

    The base charge for attending the play is $10, but for those who are able, Pommerenke said the group welcomes donations for an individual ticket up to $50.

    The performance begins with a preshow concert at 7 p.m., which gives the audience time to chat, enjoy the local fare and hear a little about Sweet Tea Shakespeare. The performance starts at 7:30 p.m.

    The audience is asked to bring its own seating for the outdoor performance. Rental options are available, but they are subject to availability. Spectators should bring their own insect repellent if needed.

    Accessing parking at Carleen’s can be tricky. The best entry point is on Hill Street off Rockfish Road, which runs in front of the Baldino’s there, then turn right onto Newton Street. You can also turn on Johnson Street at Robin’s on Main off Main Street and enter from that direction. 

    Last-minute changes in the performance time or issues with weather will be announced on the Sweet Tea Shakespeare Facebook page around
    4:30 p.m. or 5 p.m. You can also get information on the company at www.sweetteashakespeare.com, or by calling 910-420-4384.

    "Timon of Athens" will also be performed at the 1897 Poe House Aug. 22-24 at the same times as the Hope Mills performance. 

    The popular Sweet Tea Shakespeare company will be performing "Timon of Athens" in Hope Mills on Aug. 21. The show will be preceded by a concert at 7 p.m. 

  •  09 Diabetes Dodgeball Tournament 1“Diabetes. Dodge It.” That’s the tagline for the annual Better Health Dodgeball Tournament scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 24. It takes place at Freedom Courts Sportsplex, which is located at 3126 Gillespie St. According to Amy Navejas, executive director of Better Health, this unique fundraiser began because Better Health “wanted to come up with a fundraiser that was new and different for our area, but still highlighted our emphasis on moving and being healthy. After tossing around several ideas (Better Health) settled on the idea of bringing dodgeball to Cumberland County. It’s an incredibly fun, lively and competitive event that brings the community together.” 

     The fundraising goal for the 2019 tournament is $20,000. “Last year we were close,” said Navejas, “so we know that, with the community’s support, we can do it this year. This is a crucial fundraiser for Better Health programs. It allows us to continue to offer emergency medications and dental care to the uninsured, diabetes and nutrition education, (the) childhood obesity program and more.”

     Tournament teams are organized and fielded by various businesses, local gyms, professional organizations and personnel from some municipal departments like the Fayetteville Police Department. “This is a great team-building event,” Navejas said. “A lot of organizations do this as an opportunity for staff to come together, have fun and be active at the same time. We want people to see that there are tons of ways to work physical activity into your routine. It doesn’t have to be just sit-ups and push-ups, which can be daunting.” 

     Founded as a non-profit in 1958 with the mission to provide for the unmet healthcare needs in Cumberland County through assistance, referral and education, Better Health has been providing life-sustaining medications, dental care, diabetes education and medical equipment for over 60 years. Additionally, Better Health offers diabetes management clinics, cooking demonstrations and screening, a childhood obesity program — which teaches an estimated 1,200 children about healthy lifestyle choices — vision care for the uninsured, medical supplies and medical equipment loans. 

     In addition to the tournament, Better Health programs rely on the United Way and other local charitable foundations and trusts for funding, support from local churches and donations from the community at large. Many of the Better Health programs are staffed by health professionals who volunteer their time. Better Health also relies on donations of good used medical equipment such as wheelchairs. These donations are the sole source for its medical equipment loan program.

     “We encourage everyone to come out (for) Dodgeball … on Aug. 24,” said Navejas. “You won’t be disappointed. The closer we get to that final round, the more intense it gets. Let’s dodge, duck, dip and donate.” 

    General admission to the tournament is $5 at the door. To find out more about registering a team, visit www.betterhealthcc.org.

    The Better Health "Diabetes. Dodge It." tournament is set for Aug. 24. 

  • 05 JudgeTo the extent Facebook, Google, Twitter, YouTube and other online companies engage in viewpoint discrimination against conservatives and Republicans, they deserve condemnation and ridicule. But do they also merit oversight by lawmakers or regulators?

     Some politicians and talking heads appear to think so. They argue that when media companies de-platform individuals or institutions they label as “extremists,” or use search algorithms to steer readers away from such accounts or sites, the companies exhibit their own political biases by focusing on right-wing rather than left-wing actors — and fail to distinguish between challenging thinkers and mischievous provocateurs.

     So far, so good. But some go on to recommend that government respond to such corporate missteps in some fashion, through new laws or new regulations on online companies. However diseased our body politic may be at the moment, there is no cure to be found in de jure or de facto censorship.

     For conservatives, in particular, to suspend their traditional skepticism of big-government initiatives when it comes to online media strikes me as distressing and dangerous. There is no question which institution poses the greater long-term threat to freedom. I resent corporate bullies. I fear government bullies.

    As a consumer, I choose which social media accounts to create, which websites to read and which search engine to employ. I certainly know what “network effects” and “path dependency” mean. If misbehavior prompted me to exit a popular online service, I know I’d pay a price, at least in the short run, by losing access to lots of contacts and information. But I’d still be free to leave and to patronize a new service that didn’t engage in pervasive viewpoint discrimination.

    Would it truly be possible to create a competing service? I’ll answer that rhetorical question with another one: How worried are you that Netscape or Myspace will discriminate against you because of your political beliefs?

     Not very, I’ll wager, because you probably don’t use these products. Two decades ago, as the online world was growing by leaps and bounds, some 90% of internet users employed Netscape Navigator to surf the web. About a decade ago, serious people were asking whether Myspace was a “natural monopoly” given its overwhelming dominance in the new sector of online social networks. As of 2008, Myspace accounted for nearly three-quarters of all social-network traffic.

     Neither dominator remained dominant. As the Cato Institute’s Ryan Bourne explained in a recent paper on the subject, predictions of monopoly power have often proved ill-founded, particularly in our Information Age economy. It would be especially foolish to turn today’s market leaders into some version of regulated public utilities, as that would “entrench existing positions and deter entry into sectors that over longer periods would otherwise be incredibly dynamic,” Bourne observed.

     Any institution that tries to limit what is said, broadcast and shared on the internet will find the job taxing, frustrating and counterproductive. Corporations will struggle with it. Governments will, too. That’s because all institutions are populated by the same species — by human beings with our built-in predispositions and limitations. As my John Locke Foundation colleague John Guze put it, “absolute certainty is not an option. On the contrary, fallibility across the board is an inescapable part of the human condition.”

    The difference is that our transactions with corporations, even market leaders on the internet, are typically voluntary. Compliance with government directives is mandatory.

    I have no confidence in the ability of lawmakers or regulators to keep their political preferences out of any oversight role they might assume in the content of online media. That’s not because I think they are horrible people. I simply know that they are people subject to the same temptations as the rest of us.

     Their access to the coercive power of government should be restricted to cases in which life, liberty and property are in danger. That means police and the courts. It means regulating specific threats to public health and safety. It does not mean attempting to police online platforms.

    Any institution that tries to limit what is said, broadcast and shared on the internet will find the job taxing, frustrating and counterproductive.

  • 17 01 Kevin BrewingtonCoach: Rodney Brewington

    2018 record: 11-3

    Top returners:Matthew Pemberton, 5-9, 180, Sr., ATH; Kevin Brewington, 5-9, 165, Sr., WR; Mahlik Gonzalez, 6-1, 240, Jr., FB; Deshaun Rivera, 6-2, Sr., LB; Timel Smith, 5-9, 165, Sr., DB; J’marcus Ray, 6-1, 165, So, DB; Joshua George, 6-2, 235, Jr., TE; Michael Herbert, 6-2, 240, Sr., OL/DL; Tyrese Harris, 5-5, 155, Sr., RB; Taeveon Dove, 5-10, 265, Jr., OL.

    Top newcomers:Ahmir Ashley, 5-10, 165, Jr., SS; Raheem Baldwin, 5-10, 165, Jr., S; Caesar Dais, 5-10, 260, Fr., OL; Bryan Brewington, 6-2, 190, So., DE/TE; Michael Breedlove, 5-9, So., LB; Isaac Evans, 5-10, 185, So., LB.

    17 02 Timel SmithTeam strengths: “This year’s team will have experience along the offensive line. There will be depth at running back.’’

    Team concerns:“The major concern is replacing eight starters on defense and replacing a 3,000-yard passer and a 1,000-yard receiver and their leadership.’’

    Pictured from top to bottom: Kevin Brewington, Timel Smith

  • 04 Dog manRight now you are probably asking yourself, “What are Dog Men, and how should I feel about them?”

    As a public service, today’s column is going to give you something new and exotic to worry about - Dog Men. America in the first quarter of the 21st century has a short attention span. We keep running out of things to concern us in the middle of the night. Trade wars, mass shootings, Mueller reports and bizarre weather events all fade into oblivion as the next fresh horror appears in the collective consciousness. 

    Dear Leader himself has warned that the Chinese are not going to capitulate to his tariff trade war because they are waiting to see if a Democrat is elected to replace him in 2020. The Democrats are warning that the Russians will again be supporting Dear Leader’s re-election in 2020. This leaves America in the interesting position of the Chinese trying to manipulate our election to support the Democratic nominee and the Russians trying to manipulate our election to support Dear Leader. What could go wrong under these circumstances? Both the Chinese and the Russians want what is best for America. Pick your poison: A Chicom- or a Russkie-supported U.S. President. But even this colorful situation divides the country into tribes. 

    What America needs in addition to a good five-cent cigar is a single issue to worry about that will unite us as one nation again. We need a boogie man who unites both the Left and the Right into a single fearful mass concerned about our collective self-preservation instead of dividing us up into political Shiites versus Sunnis. Fortunately, we have such an issue that will bring America together again: the rise of the Dog Men. The late great singer Warren Zevon once sang, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” Warren is now sleeping, but his words linger on to guide us into yet another sleepless night. If you feel sleep is a waste of time that you should be devoting to worrying when the sun goes down, this column is for you. Lurking on the far edges of the internet and late-night a.m. radio are Dog Men. You may never have heard of Dog Men, but today you shall. Anxiety about Dog Men can fill in the vacuum in your bucket of worries to help keep you awake at night. 

    Let us begin with a primer on Dog Men. Unsurprisingly, Dog Men are an unholy cross between dogs and men. A website devoted to Dog Men defines them as “cryptozoological beings that are large and look like upright canids.” I had to look up the meaning of the word “canid” because initially, I thought a canid was a candied sweet potato that could stand on two legs. I visualized a giant sweet potato — covered in marshmallows — stalking through the forests of North America looking for a roasted turkey to consume. It turns out a canid is not a sentient ambulatory sweet potato. According to the Google machine, a canid is a member of the species that includes dogs, wolves, foxes, jackals and dingoes. With the mention of dingoes as members of the canid species, I was sorely tempted to take a cheap shot at the dietary habits of dingoes. Displaying incredible self-restraint, I will resist the opportunity to quote Meryl Streep and Elaine Benes, who both famously said, “The Dingo ate my baby.” If a dingo could eat your baby, imagine what a Dog Man could do to a grown man. 

    There are two types of Dog Men: the K-9 type, which looks like “Sasquatch with a muzzle,” who have canine-type legs without knees and very large heads and Type-2 Dog Men, who have human-type legs with knees and ankles, featuring claws on their fingers and toes. Dog Men tend to live in the deep forests with only occasional sightings by humans. However, some urban Dog Men have been sighted in Washington, D.C., making laws in Congress. Dog Men occasionally attack people, but most encounters with Dog Men result in the observer getting away without being mangled. 

    Contrary to popular belief, Dog Men are not nocturnal. They have been seen at both day and night. There are numerous websites devoted to Dog Men on the internet if you need an additional source of worry. 

    So what have we learned today? Sadly, once again, almost nothing of use. It is sad to think that a tree had to die to allow this stain on world literature to be printed. 

    To prevent this column from being a total waste of your time, allow me to leave you with a couple of quotes. Groucho Marx said, “Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.” 

    Mark Twain advised: “If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man.” 

    If these quotes apply to Dog Men, you can decide if sleeping is still an option. 

    Dog Men are an unholy cross between dogs and men 

  • 22 01 Sabeon Campbell Douglas ByrdCoach: Mike Paroli

    2018 record:4-7

    Top returners: Arden Billington, 6-0, 215, Sr., C; Zion Cameron, 6-3, 250, Sr., DL; Sabeon Campbell, 5-6, 155, Sr., RB; Jon Carroll, 6-1, 160, Sr., QB; Jajuan Boykin, 6-0, 195, Jr., DB; Zyon McEachin, 6-2, 270, Jr., OL.

    Top newcomers:Alton Simmons, 5-6, 155, So., RB; Carmello Wesley, 5-10, 160, So., QB.

    Team strengths: “Although few in number, our veterans are doing a great job of being leaders. We have the potential to have quality skill players on both sides of the ball.’’

    Team concerns: “We will have a large number of freshmen and sophomores starting. We have very little 

    22 02 Zion Cameron Douglas Byrddepth on the offensive and defensive lines.’’

    Pictured from top to bottom: Sabeon Campbell, Zion Cameron

     

     

     

  • 13 A Woman Is No ManRocky Mount writer Etaf Rum, author of “A Woman Is No Man,” grew up in a Palestinian immigrant family in Brooklyn, New York, in the 1990s and 2000s. Her book is based on experiences in that community. We first meet Isra, a 17-year-old girl living in Palestine. Her family arranges marriage to an older man, Adam, who owns a deli and lives with his parents and siblings in Brooklyn, New York. Living in Adam’s family’s basement, Isra becomes a virtual servant to Adam’s mother, Fareeda, who pushes the couple to have children, males who can build the family’s reputation and influence. Isra produces four children, but because they are all girls Fareeda shows her displeasure.

    Years later after Adam and Isra die, Fareeda raises the girls. The oldest, Deya, is a high school senior. Fareeda looks for a Palestinian man for her to marry. Deya wants to go to college, but she is afraid to bolt her family and the community’s customs. She knows of women who have stood up against male domination and then faced beatings and even death.

    As Rum explains, the book “meant challenging many long-held beliefs in my community and violating our code of silence.” 

    Elaine Neil Orr’s novel, “Swimming Between Worlds,” is set in 1950s Winston-Salem and Nigeria. The coming-of-age and love story is enriched by the overlay of the Nigerian struggle and the civil rights protests in Winston-Salem.

    Tacker Hart, with an architectural degree at N.C. State, got a plum assignment to work in Nigeria, where he became so captivated by Nigerian culture, religion, and ambience that his white supervisors sent him home. Back in Winston-Salem, he falls for Kate Monroe, from one of Winston’s leading families. They become connected to Gaines, a young African-American college student who drags Tacker and Kate into his work organizing protest movements at lunch counters.

    Orr blends civil rights and romance for a poignant and unexpected ending. 

    Raleigh News & Observerpoliticalreporter and columnist Rob Christensen’s “The Rise and Fall of the Branchhead Boys” follows the Alamance County farm family of North Carolina governors Kerr Scott and his son Robert.

     He describes how Kerr Scott defeated the favored gubernatorial candidate of the conservative wing of the party in 1948 and adopted a liberal program of road-building, public school improvement and expanded government services. He ran for U.S. Senate in 1954 as a liberal in a campaign managed by future Governor Terry Sanford. Once elected, Christensen writes, Scott nevertheless joined with fellow southerners to oppose civil rights legislation and became “just another segregationist, little different from most of the southern caucus.”

    Christensen then follows the political career of Kerr’s son, Bob Scott, who when elected governor in 1968, faced mountains of bitter controversies in the areas of race, labor, student unrest and higher education administration. 

     In “Freedom Fighters and Hell Raisers: A Gallery of Memorable Southerners,” famed essayist Hal Crowther has collected a sampling of his best work — columns about memorable southerners — including Will Campbell, James Dickey, Marshall Frady, John Hope Franklin, Jesse Helms, Molly Ivins, Frank M. Johnson, George Wallace and Doc Watson.

    All are dead, and Crowther, without funeralizing, sizes up their character and contributions.

    Crowther’s essay about blind musician Doc Watson is my favorite. Neither blindness nor the loss of his beloved son, Merle, could keep him from using his music to bring people of all backgrounds and political persuasions to be moved by his songs and guitar playing.

     We need Crowther’s freedom fighters and hell raisers, but the real heroes will be folks like Watson who bring us together. 

  • 08 Dwayne CofferThroughout its history, the United States government has enacted legislation protecting the civilian employment of men and women who serve in times of armed conflict. Congress passed the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act during World War I to offer employment protections to service members fighting in Europe. Shortly before the United States entered World War II, Congress passed the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940. Most recently, Congress passed the U.S. Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. It was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1994 to protect the civilian employment of active and reserve military personnel in the United States called to active duty. USERRA also makes major improvements in protecting service member rights and benefits by clarifying the law and improving enforcement mechanisms.

    Just this month, the government won a North Carolina case of a senior noncommissioned Army reserve officer who lost his job while he was away on active duty. Command Sgt. Maj. Dwayne Coffer was dean of students at a Warren County middle school when he was called to active duty and found his job gone when he got back. U.S. Department of Justice officials said that the Warren County Board of Education agreed to settle a lawsuit brought on Coffer’s behalf. He was reportedly demoted to a gym teacher after his return. Coffer will be reinstated as dean of students at Warren County Middle School and will receive back pay and pension benefits as part of the settlement, court documents show.

    “This settlement agreement with Warren County resolves the (Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act) claims brought by the United States and serves as a reminder that our service members, like Command Sgt. Maj. Coffer, deserve fair and lawful reemployment following their return from active military duty,” Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division said in a statement. According to the Justice Department’s complaint this past April, Coffer was called up for a six-week active-duty period in July and August 2017. When he returned home, officials said his position as dean had been eliminated, and an offer of re-employment as a gym teacher was made. Justice Department officials said such a demotion violates USERRA, which protects military members’ jobs while they are serving.

    Warren County has not admitted to that violation under terms of the deal but did agree to future compliance. In addition to being reinstated for the 2019-2020 school year under a two-year contract, the settlement permits that Coffer’s pension and health benefits, as well as his sick and personal leave days, be restored. Coffer will also receive $25,000 in back pay, settlement documents show. It turns out this is the second such settlement for Warren County. The Justice Department also sued the county in 2012 for reportedly failing to renew Coffer’s employment contract after an earlier period of military service.

    Pictured: Command Sgt. Maj. Dwayne Coffer

     

  • Picture for EarlStan Bagley hopes to continue the strong first-year performance of his Cumberland Post 32 Bombers in the upcoming American Legion state softball tournament scheduled to begin Monday in Shelby.
     
    Cumberland, 12-2, will take on Alamance Post 63 in a 4:30 p.m. game at Cleveland Community College. The winner will be the Lady Legion softball Eastern state champion and move on in the winner’s bracket of the tournament. The loser will also be alive but will drop into the loser’s bracket.
     
    Other teams in the field are Caldwell Post 392, Davidson Post 8 and the host team, Shelby Post 82.
     
    Bagley’s Cumberland team is made up mostly of players from Gray’s Creek High School, but also includes players from South View, Pine Forest and Riverside Christian.
    Under the current rules for American Legion softball in North Carolina, Bagley is allowed to pull from any school in Cumberland County.
     
    He wasn’t surprised by the success his team has enjoyed so far this season. “The talent in this area is phenomenal,’’ he said. “I Picture for Earl 2think there are five girls that were on the first Dixie Youth World Series team out of Hope Mills on this team.’’
     
    As with Cumberland County’s only American Legion baseball team, the Hope Mills Boosters, Bagley said his biggest problem this season was having enough players available to remain competitive. Many girls on the team take part in showcase softball and had to miss Legion games because of those commitments.
     
    For weekend games, Bagley said his roster would often thin to 10 to 12 players from a maximum of 18. “We were fortunate we had enough talent that didn’t play showcase ball,’’ he said.
    Offensive leaders include McKenzie Mason of Riverside Christian and Jaden Pone of Gray’s Creek.
     
    Pone has a .708 batting average and leads the team in RBIs with 14. Mason has a .714 batting average to lead the team.
     
    Leading the way on the mound are Bagley’s daughter, Madi, and Lexi Glemaker. Bagley is from Gray’s Creek and Glemaker attended South View Middle School last season.
     
    Bagley has a 7-1 record with 53 strikeouts in 46 innings and a 2.59 earned run average. Glemaker is 5-0 with 21 strikeouts in 20.2 innings and a 3.05 earned run average.
     
    Coach Bagley’s main concern heading into the state tournament is the experience advantage the Western teams will have over the Cumberland squad.
     
    “I think talent-wise we’ll match up, but those girls have been playing together,’’ Bagley said of the Western entries. American Legion softball started in the Western part of North Carolina and has only recently made inroads in this part of the state.“We’ve knocked off some older teams this year, but that bond is huge when it gets to crunch time,’’ Bagley said.
    Bagley said Cumberland will need to continue its solid hitting and take advantage of the speed at the top of its lineup. “Our speed makes a lot of defenses uncomfortable,’’ he said.
     
    Top picture: Front row l-r: Megan Cygan, Casey Dees, Catie McGrath, Summer Powell, Emma Cobb, Sarah Edge.
     Middle row l-r: Becca Collins, Korie St. Peter, Madi Bagley, Carey Dees, Courtney Cygan, Alex Daville, Alyssa Norton.
     Back row l-r: Coach Amy Dombrowski, Coach Stan Bagley.
     NOT PICTURED: Ashton Fields, Kenzie Mason, Jaden Pone, Lexi Glemaker.
    Bottom picture: Jaden Pone
     
     
  • 10 summer nightsLocal bands. Diverse dining options. Fayetteville community. Downtown Summer Nights, a concert series presented by Cumberland Tractor Kubota of Fayetteville, has transformed Person Street into a full-blown block party every Thursday night this summer. 

    “We had almost 3,000 people on Person Street,” said Kelly West, promotions and marketing director for Rock 103, about the night The Embers performed. “Everyone (came) down to shag. They even wore their shagging shoes.” Regional tribute bands Legacy Motown, Sidewinder and 20 Ride, a Zac Brown Band tribute, are a few more of this summer’s hits, West said.

    Every genre from classic rock to 80s ballads, and plenty more, is  featured in the programming. There’s something for everyone, according to West. “We’ve had every kind of person down here, every walk of life, everything,” including families. The Kids Zone, presented by Fascinate-U Children’s Museum and sponsored by ShineLight, includes an inflatable house, crafts and other activities that change weekly. Popular activities have involved everything from making slime to growing chia pets.

    Most importantly, the concert series highlights the brick and mortar on Person Street, said Isabella Effon, a member of the Cool Spring Downtown District Board of Directors. “I was the only one programming Person Street,” Effon said, referring to her time as a restaurant owner before spearheading Summer Nights Downtown with West. Effon also had Person Street in mind when she started the African World Peace Festival. “We’ve seen growth. There’s so much on Person Street, too.”

    West and Effon provide crowd-pleasing food trucks, but they also encourage concertgoers to try the eateries lining Person Street. In fact, the food trucks were recently relocated to the parking lot next to Person Street to draw attention to restaurants like The Sweet Palette, Circa 1800, The Fried Turkey Sandwich Shop and, soon, Taste of West Africa, which Effon is planning to open after the summer.

    “It’s opening people’s eyes to businesses that people have never paid attention to,” Effon said. “(It benefits) not only Person Street, but the whole downtown district.” According to West, shops like Ro’s Corner Barber Shop and Back-A-Round Records have also gotten more business since the series’ opening.

    In the spirit of being community-minded, Summer Nights Concerts always has a local musician perform the National Anthem. Former “American Idol” contestants, the Cumberland Oratorio Singers and even Fort Bragg’s own Sargeant Mahoon have led or will lead the community in the Star-Spangled Banner this summer.

    Downtown Summer Nights concerts will finish its first run with three August shows. Local band Tyrek and Lotus Sun will open the Aug. 8 show, headlined by Sail On: The Beach Boys Tribute. On Aug. 15, 80’s Unplugged and an Earth, Wind & Fire tribute band will take the stage. The season closes Aug. 22 with Dead City Symphony and Heart Breaker, a female-fronted Heart and Led Zeppelin tribute band.

    The community can expect this year’s favorites, plus some surprises, to make an appearance at next year’s Downtown Summer Nights. “The Embers will be back. Legacy Motown will be back. (The) Earth, Wind & Fire tribute band will be back,” said West. She hinted that there may be completely new forms of entertainment next year as well.

    Downtown Summer Nights concerts take place every Thursday through June 20-Aug. 22 on the 100 block of Person St., next to Ro’s Corner Barber Shop. Admission is free. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and music begins at 6 p.m. The event is brought to the public by Cumberland Tractor Kubota of Fayetteville, Cumulus Media, Cool Spring Downtown District and Five Star Entertainment. To become a vender, or for more information, call Kelly West at 509-901-3467.

  • Effective Dec. 1, 16- and 17-year-old young people who commit crimes in North Carolina will no longer automatically be charged in the adult criminal justice system. Two years ago, state lawmakers raised the age of juvenile jurisdiction for nonviolent crimes to 18. North Carolina became the last state in the union to do so. The “Raise the Age” initiative became law because of a strong, bipartisan coalition of leaders in all three branches of government. When the law updates, all criminal cases for juveniles through age 18 will begin in juvenile court. However, for class A-G felony complaints, the most serious charges, they will automatically transfer to adult court upon notice of an indictment or a finding of probable cause after notice and a hearing. For class H or I felonies, transfer to adult court will require a transfer hearing. The new statute also mandates that juvenile court counselors must begin conducting gang assessments during intake. These assessments will become part of the juvenile court counselor’s record. If a court finds that offense in question was committed as part of criminal gang activity, the counselor is required to increase juvenile’s disposition level by one. Victims of crime will also have greater administrative, prosecutorial protections.

    Local college student is on the rise, literally

    Fayetteville State University student Lenore Miller, who led the team that won the National Aeronautics and Space Administration best business case for rapid detection and identification of pathogens, has been awarded back-to-back internships at the NASA Langley Research Center. Miller will be conducting scientific research on thin-film coatings and the effect of hypersonic light projectiles on such coating at the center. She is in her final year with the department of chemistry, physics and materials science at FSU and has conducted her research projects under the supervision of Dr. Daryush Ila in partnership with Combat Capabilities Development Command of the U.S. Army Research Laboratory. She has also conducted several presentations on her undergraduate research and has a pending publication in the Journal of American Institute of Physics. FSU is the second-oldest public institution of higher education in North Carolina. With more than 6,300 students, FSU is among the most diverse institutions in the nation. 

    Michael Petti update

    Up & Coming Weeklynews items sometimes become outdated so quickly that they miss our weekly deadline. Such was the case of an article published last week in the News Digest. We were in error reporting that former assistant police chief Michael Petti left the department recently but was rehired in order to work out his eligibility for retirement. We apologize for the error. The following is what we know to be factually correct: Petti has been with the Fayetteville Police Department for more than 20 years, since the fall of 1997. He rose through the ranks and was promoted to assistant chief several years ago by retired Chief of Police Harold Medlock. Petti confirmed that he was demoted to lieutenant by Chief Gina Hawkins, but he declined to provide details as to why. Neither the chief nor other city officials would elaborate, saying that state law defines it as a personnel matter. “That limitation both protects and hinders at times,” said City Manager Doug Hewett. Questions arose when Police Major James Nolette was appointed an assistant chief in July. No mention was made of why Petti was no longer serving in that role. 

    Thousands of animals at the local pound will be euthanized this year

    The Cumberland County Animal Control Department has a lot of dogs, cats and other domesticated animals up for adoption. A few hundred likely will get new homes this year. Anyone 18 or older is eligible to adopt a pet. The animal shelter is located at 4704 Corporation Dr. off Tom Starling Road in East Fayetteville. Responsible pet owners can make a difference by saving those animals that have a lot of life and love left to give. The Cumberland County Animal Control Department operates a shelter, not a permanent care facility. Its programs are sparsely funded by the county. They rely on the people of Cumberland County to adopt as many of these healthy animals as possible. For more information about animals that are available for adoption, call 910-321-6852 to confirm whether the animal you are interested in is still available. Pet photos and ID numbers can be found on the shelter’s adoptable animals page.

  • 17 Ray Quesnel Athletic events will be an important part of a year-long celebration at Fayetteville Academy as the school marks its 50th year of being open in 2019-20.

    Current head of school Ray Quesnel said the reason for coordinating the celebration with the school’s athletic side is common sense.

    “Traditionally, most of the time our alumni are on campus revolves around athletic events,’’ he said. “We wanted to capitalize on the fact we usually have them here anyway.

    “We want this to be for our current students and families but also for 50 years of Fayetteville Academy students and families.’’

    The festivities begin on Friday, Aug. 9, at 6 p.m. with the annual alumni soccer game, pitting this year’s Academy boys soccer team against players from previous years.

    “We are expecting a big crowd for that,’’ Quesnel said. “We’ll parachute in the game ball and we’ll have other surprises.’’

    A free hot dog and hamburger cookout will also be held.

    The next big event will be the alumni basketball game on Tuesday, Nov. 26, which will include recognition of this year’s class of inductees into the school’s Hall of Fame.

    Homecoming will be observed at a basketball game in late January or early March.

    The big event will be a weekend long anniversary observance March 27-29. A formal gathering of some kind is tentatively scheduled on Saturday, March 28. There are also plans to possibly hold alumni games in spring sports like baseball, soccer and tennis.


    • Village Christian Academy athletic director Harold Morrison announced earlier this month that the school would not field a football team this season.

    “At this time, it is apparent that we do not have enough players to have a football team,’’ he said. “It is our priority and goal to continue to plan and evaluate our program in preparation for the future.’’

    Morrison said the Sandhills Titans club football team has invited the remaining Village football players to join their team this fall.

    The announcement of no team for the coming season is the latest setback for the Village football program. The North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association previously cited Village for recruiting and offering impermissible benefits to players.

    The penalty included forfeiture of all football wins in 2017 and 2018 along with state runner-up and state championship finishes.

    • Former E.E. Smith High School football standout Junior Smith has been named to the East Carolina University Hall of Fame.

    Smith is East Carolina’s all-time leading rusher with 3,745 yards. He was three-time honorable mention All-American and first team All-South Independent. He is the only player in ECU history with three consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons.

    He averaged 5.1 yards per carry during his Pirate career from 1991-94.

    Pictured: Ray Quesnel 

  • 02 01BOFspread2019awardspartyAnother Best of Fayetteville has come and gone, and we couldn’t be more proud. Every year, our staff spend months consumed with the Best of Fayetteville. From tracking and counting ballots to notifying and celebrating with the winners, it’s a massive undertaking. But one that is well worth it. 

    Seeing the smiles and hearing the chatter at our Best of Fayetteville Party last Tuesday brought home all the reasons we do this annual survey — to celebrate this community, to honor those who are committed to making a difference here, to reach out to our readers and to embrace the excellence that resides here. If you were at the party, you know what I am talking about. The businesses, nonprofits, individuals and groups who came out to let us honor them and their impact on the community had the Ramada Plaza buzzing with excitement. 

    One of my favorite things about my job is getting to tell the good news stories here — and there are plenty. Fayetteville and Cumberland County are filled with creative, passionate people determined to do what they can to make their corner of the world a little brighter, and seeing so many of them in one place was invigorating.

    Congratulations to the Best of Fayetteville winners. And a big thank you to our readers for participating and showing us exactly what it is that makes this place so special.

    Here’s to you, Fayetteville and Cumberland County! Thanks for allowing us to celebrate your goodness and to share your stories.

    Check out pages 28-31 to see pictures from the party! A big thank you to all our partners who helped make this event happen!

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    {gallery}BOF2019WinnerPlaques{/gallery}

     

    Click Here for our complete Winners List:

  • 13 elijah o donnell t8T yUgCKSM unsplashThey’re on television. They’re on the radio. They’re in our magazines, news papers and even online.

    The “lynch-mob media” strikes again!... And again.... And again.
    With so many treacherous issues going on in the world, why do so many news outlets choose to weave repeats of, for example, six-second video clips of someone famous doing something illegal, and basically demand their boss be fired, amongst larger, more important, fact-driven world issues?

    This is a complex subject. Maybe the purpose was intended to make the news consumer feel as though there are newsworthy subjects that they can actually control the outcome of. Regardless, we, as broadcasters in any realm, have the responsibility to present the facts of what is happening in the world, and even to report the goings-on in the entertainment industry. However, there has been an increase in our media’s “lynch-mob mentality," setting fire to the image and reputation of any accused person before they’ve even stepped into a court room for a judge and a jury to decide their guilt or innocence.

    This is not why we exist as broadcasters. This ‘lynching by media’ is quickly becoming the new way that assumed perpetrators (or the people in charge of them) are being dealt with. Apparently, there is no better system in place than to have a bunch of journalists deciding which person or company is evil and deserves the ‘Queen of Hearts’ treatment — “Off with their heads!” There are enough horrific things going on in our world — wars, rumors of wars, terrorism, the deaths of innocent people, dictators rising to power, nuclear threats, even beheadings. Someone has to pay, and apparently its our job as broadcasters to convict and demand resignation.

    I feel that someone has the responsibility to apologize to you, news consumers. I give you my sincerest apology for the news media’s public lashings and constant backing of biased, negative news reports calling for someone’s head on a platter. Its almost all we can do to keep our heads above the noise. So, what can you do to help us?

    Choose light. Choose life. Choose to find the positive in the midst of media lashing. Difficult? Maybe. But be assured you can find the roses among a garden of thorns. There are news outlets, even here in your own community, that strive to bring light to the darkness some media create in “lynching” those involved in the latest trending social issue. We highly value our relationship with Up & Coming Weekly for this reason. We both choose to promote the good things in life — the arts, family, education, our community, local businesses — the list goes on.

    So here’s where you can start on your search for light in the media — check us out. We promise we will always deliver positivity, truth and a helping hand as we strive to “Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing” — namely Jesus Christ, and his message to bring light and life to a world in need.

    Despite the overwhelming presence of the "lynch-mob media," positivity can still be found in the media when Jesus Christ is as the center of it. Photo by Elijah O'Donnell on Unsplash

  • 06 01 SPC NANCETwo more American service members have lost their lives at the hands of those they are sworn to protect. They were paratroopers of Fort Bragg’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division killed by an Afghan soldier in Kandahar in southern Afghanistan. The Pentagon identified the soldiers as Spc. Michael Nance of Chicago, Illinois, and Pfc. Brandon Kreischer of Stryker, Ohio. They were members of Company B., 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment. The Afghan soldier was wounded and is in custody, according to U.S. Central Command officials. 

    The incident is the first known insider attack in Afghanistan since November when Maj. Brent Taylor of the Utah National Guard was killed by an Afghan soldier at a military training center in Kabul. Insider attacks as they’ve become known, have plagued American forces throughout the war, but enhanced security have made them less common in recent years. The most recent deaths brings the number of U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan this year to 14. All but two were combat related.

    “It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the loss of two paratroopers from the Brigade during combat operations,” 3rd Brigade commander Col. Art Sellers said in the statement. “As we move forward together, I ask for your thoughts and prayers for the families affected and for the paratroopers of their unit who are still deployed,” Sellers added. Violence has continued across Afghanistan even as American and Taliban officials hold direct talks aimed at ending the U.S.’s longest war, now in its 18th year.

    Although the number of American troops in Afghanistan has dropped to about 14,000, the American military has taken a more proactive role in assisting Afghan forces. The remaining American forces are helping the Afghan military defend its positions and have worked to deplete the Taliban through airstrikes and commando raids, partly to gain leverage at the negotiating table in Doha. More than 2,400 American military personnel have been killed since the war began in 2001, and more than 20,000 more have been wounded. General Scott Miller, who commands U.S. forces in Afghanistan, reiterated the need for a political settlement to end the conflict. “Peace talks (are) out there, regional players pressing for peace, the Taliban talking about peace, the Afghan government is talking about peace,” Miller said soon after his arrival in country earlier this year. 

    Meanwhile, the U.N. h06 02PFC KREISCHERas documented 1,366 civilians killed and 2,446 wounded in its latest report on Afghan noncombat casualties between January and June of this year. In April, the world body documented more deaths caused by pro-government forces for the first time since it began systematically tracking civilian casualties a decade ago. Together, the figure was down by over a quarter from the first half of last year and is the lowest number for the period since 2012. Despite the overall decrease, the U.N. said the numbers remained “shocking and unacceptable.” 

    Pictured from top to bottom: Spc. Michael Nance, Pfc. Brandon Kreischer

  • 18 Eric Mac LainWhen former Jack Britt High School standout Eric Mac Lain became an All-ACC lineman at Clemson University, his major was health science and his plan was to follow in the footsteps of his parents in the medical field.

    But from his Britt days to his years at Clemson, Mac Lain had frequent positive encounters with the media and was always a good interview. The stars aligned and the next thing Mac Lain knew, he was offered the chance to come to Bristol, Connecticut and interview for a job with ESPN’s new ACC Network.

    On Aug. 23, he’ll make his first appearance on "The Huddle," a studio program that will air each week on the new network on Friday evening and Saturday morning previewing that week’s ACC football games.

    “What a cool thing for a young man to be able to pursue with this great company on an awesome network with its launching and us being the ground zero,’’ Mac Lain said. “It’s just a great opportunity and I can’t wait for the launch.’’

    It was during his time at Clemson that he began to realize a medical future might not be his best choice. “When I figured out how much school that took after the fact, I kind of changed my mind and got my master’s in athletic administration,’’ he said.
    The offer from ESPN came at Clemson’s National Championship game with Alabama earlier this year in Santa Clara, California.

    Mac Lain got a text from an ESPN representative who wanted to meet and talk with him. He initially blew it off as just another request for an interview to get his opinions on the game.

    He had been sightseeing in California with his wife and her family, until the ESPN representative finally pinned Mac Lain down for a meeting hours before kickoff.

    The talk at first was about the upcoming game, but then the representative offered to fly Mac Lain to ESPN’s Bristol headquarters to audition for a job with the new ACC Network.

    “I wasn’t pursuing a different career at all,’’ Mac Lain said. “I just stumbled into it.’’
    Other than being interviewed by reporters for print and television, he’d had no previous TV experience. He had done some work hosting a postgame radio show for Clemson football that provided game analysis and commentary on other ACC games.

    “You never really know which interview did the trick or who threw my name in the hat where,’’ Mac Lain said. “I knew all along something like this could happen.’’

    He said he shares that same message when he speaks with college or high school students or church groups. “You create your brand with social media and all the opportunities you’re going to get as an athlete,’’ he said. “It’s cool to be an actual story and an actual example of that.’’

    The show Mac Lain will help host, "The Huddle," will be anchored by Jac Collinsworth. Collinsworth has been the regular host of ESPN’s NFL Live since early 2018.

    Joining Mac Lain and Collinsworth will be former Georgia and Miami, Florida, head coach Mark Richt and former Florida State quarterback E.J. Manuel.

    “I love this team we have put together and the chemistry we already have,’’ Mac Lain said. “It seems like we have been working together for five or 10 years, but we just met a month ago so it’s really cool.’’

    Mac Lain said the challenge for him in preparing for the show has been to expand his knowledge beyond his alma mater. “It’s an entire conference, not just one school,’’ he said. “I’m going to be faced with knowing the key players and the role players people may not be familiar with.’’

    Mac Lain said his goal will be to avoid speaking in technical terms and draw a picture anybody can understand. He thinks the coaching and playing backgrounds of himself, Richt and Manuel will be an asset to the show.

    “Just being able to dip inside of a player’s helmet or a coach’s headset, what was happening at this moment or what is this guy thinking,’’ Mac Lain said. “I think viewers will really appreciate that.’’

    Mac Lain currently calls Charlotte home, but although ESPN has a studio there where it does production for shows on ESPNU and the SEC Network, Mac Lain will be flying to Bristol and the home office every weekend during the ACC season to do "The Huddle."

    “We are very excited to get rolling,’’ he said. “It’s been a really cool thing to get to know these men and women throughout the network.’’

    Eric Mac Lain points to the historic ESPN logo during his trip to Bristol, Connecticut for audition with ACC Network. 

  • 15 Henrietta JutsonHenrietta Jutson has been a member of the faculty at Jack Britt High School since it opened its doors in 2000.

    Now she’s one of 50 finalists for a cash prize awarded by Harbor Freight Tools to teachers like her who specialize in the area of skilled trades.

    Called the Prize for Teaching Excellence, the contest will award 18 teachers prizes ranging from $100,000 for first place to $50,000 for second place. Each winner will get a share of the prize money with a share also going to the school where they work.

    Jutson was one of some 700 teachers nationally who entered the competition.

    She teaches integrated systems technology at Jack Britt, which she called a concept of using all types of technology in a manufacturing environment.

    As she put it, it’s when the various elements of technology begin walking and talking together. Her students work with such things as robotics, programmable logic control, hydraulics, pneumatics, plastics and some computerized controls.

    They learn all that and it all starts to work together,’’ she said. “Then they put large projects together.’’

    Jutson said the best part of her job is her students, most of whom are part of Jack Britt’s Integrated and Systems Technology and Applied Engineering Academy.

    “They are interested in what we are doing,’’ she said. “Each of the three classes has its own capstone project they work toward. They really drive their own project. That’s the easiest part.’’

    The problem is that not everyone works at the same speeds or at the same time, so it can be a challenge to get all the parts of the project to come together.

    “It’s all about students doing what they want to do because everybody is doing something different at the same time,’’ Jutson said.

    Jutson is bracing for the next round of the competition, which will require her to write essays in response to a series of questions.

    “You want to answer them as clearly and succinctly as you can,’’ she said. “You want to give them some wow factor and you want it heartfelt and to do a good job writing it,’’ she said.

    She praised the people with Harbor Freight Tools for recognizing the work teachers like her do by putting some serious prize money in the contest.

    “I think it’s wonderful they’ve shone a spotlight on it,’’ she said.

    Pictured: Henrietta Jutson

  • 14 01 Mark Kahlenberg American Legion CoachThe Hope Mills Boosters American Legion baseball team saw their 2019 season come to an end when Wallace was declared the winner of their first-round Area II playoff series.

    Though the series was tied at 1-1, Wallace was declared the winner after back-to-back rainouts of the third game made it impossible to complete the series by the time Legion officials said it had to be over.

    Wallace was declared the winner because it was the higher seed in the playoffs, No. 3 to Hope Mills’ No. 6.

    The finish was especially frustrating to Hope Mills head coach Mark Kahlenberg, who had four pitchers left who hadn’t thrown an inning in the series while the Wallace staff had exhausted its pitching after the first two games.

    Hope Mills finished with a 10-11 record, which was close to what Kahlenberg predicted before the season began because of the amount of youth on this year’s team.
    “We’re only losing four or five players,’’ he said. “That’s great. We also picked up Gray’s Creek High School this year, which we hadn’t done in a while. I hope that will continue in the future.’’

    Two of the biggest losses will be Cape Fear’s Nick West and North Duplin product Colby Bass, who played for the Methodist University.
    West batted .500 and played shortstop nearly every game. He plans to walk-on at North Carolina State.

    14 02 Nick WestBass hit .415 and won the team’s first-ever Fred McFayden Scholarship. The $500 award, presented by the Massey Hill Lions Club, is named after the late McFayden, a longtime member of the club who helped bring the Lions on as a source of financial support for the team.

    Kahlenberg feels the team’s biggest problem remains not being able to have players consistently available for games during the regular season.

    “We didn’t play conference games as well as we should have,’’ he said. “We lost three or four games I felt we should have won.’’

    Kahlenberg said there were multiple nights where the team only had 10 players available as some were on vacation while others were competing for travel ball teams.

    “We missed those guys on certain nights and it hurt us,’’ he said.

    But he’s hopeful things will continue to improve next season. Some of the young players who got their first taste of American Legion baseball saw that it offers the chance to play against college-caliber pitching and experienced competition.

    14 03 Colby Bass“If we get those kids converted and committed, we don’t have to worry about conference games during the season,’’ Kahlenberg said. “Hopefully we’ll have 15 or 18 there every night. That’s how we’re going to win those conference games that let us down this year.’’

    Kahlenberg expressed his thanks to assistant coaches Randy Nalls and Cecil Combs, and especially to the Massey Hill Lions Club for all they’ve done for the program. That includes the support at games, the scholarship and helping the team buy the bus it used this year to take to road games.

    “The Massey Hill Lions have been a big part of turning us around,’’ Kahlenberg said. “I think we’re headed in the right direction.’’

    Pictured from top to bottom: Coach Mark Kahlenberg, Nick West, Colby West receiving first the Legion Scholarship

  • 09 Cut My CItyFor the fifth year, the Barber Kings of Hope Mills have helped to organize Cut My City, a charitable event aimed at helping the youth of Cumberland County get ready to start another school year. This year’s event is scheduled on Saturday, Aug. 10, at the Crown Coliseum from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. All Cumberland County residents are welcome.

    Chancer McLaughlin, development and planning administrator for the town of Hope Mills, said the mission of the Barber Kings is to instill pride in the young people of the county by providing them with free haircuts to begin the school year.

    The Barber Kings have arranged for more than 100 local barbers to be on site at the Crown on Aug. 10 to provide free haircuts for any school-age youngster that shows up, from elementary school all the way to college.

    While there is no fee, anyone wanting a haircut needs to register. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Crown, and everyone wanting a haircut needs to be signed up by 1 p.m. at the latest.

    Haircuts for boys and hairstyles for girls won’t be the only thing going on at the Crown on Aug. 10.

    There will be free gift bags of school supplies for the children, along with free face painting and other activities.

    Representatives of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department will be on hand preparing free hot dogs for the children.

    “Everything is free for the kids,’’ McLaughlin. “Nothing will be sold to the children.’’

    There will also be a number of service-oriented vendors at the crowd to provide information for both parents and children.

    Last year’s Cut My City attracted between 5,000 and 6,000 children and McLaughlin said a bigger crowd is expected this year.

    If anyone has questions about this year’s event they can call 910-485-3111 or email cutmycitync@gmail.com.

  • 08 KaseyTyndall Exclusive2 2017 Color photocredit AaronStearnsAs the summer season comes to an end, people are returning from vacations, headed back to jobs, or preparing for new school semesters, and Fayetteville After Five is a great way to end the summer and usher in the fall with family and friends. Friday, Aug. 9, at Festival Park, enjoy free music from 6-10 p.m. 

    For the last night of the season of the popular concert series, country artist Kasey Tyndall will perform. Tyndall is a seasoned entertainer, and she has performed with Kane Brown, Parmalee and The Cadillac Three, to name a few artists. She is booked by Jay Williams — the agent behind country fan favorites Eric Church, Luke Bryan and Chris Stapleton.

    Rolling Stone describes Tyndall’s sound as “hopped-up modern country for a Saturday night with enough arena-friendly flourishes to satisfy fans of both hard rock and Nashville pop.”

    Other featured artists for the 2019 season of Fayetteville After Five have included Rivermist, On the Border and 120 Minutes.

    Fayetteville After Five is hosted by The Fayetteville Dogwood Festival, an organization that hosts a variety of events with fun activities for the community that support local businesses and causes.

    Included in these events are the popular Spring Fayetteville Dogwood Festival, which is a family-friendly event, and the Miss Dogwood Festival Pageant, which offers community service awards and school scholarships to winners from three different age groups. The 2019 Dogwood Fall Festival is right around the corner as well. Some of the highlights will include Brewville, a craft beer festival featuring beers from local, North Carolina and national breweries, the Run for Responders 5K, which will support first responders, a food truck rodeo, a Kids’ Zone and the Historic Hauntings guided walking tour.

    Tyndall performs on Aug. 9. The gates open at 5 p.m., and the show starts around 6:30 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and make yourself at home. No canopies, please. No coolers or outside food are permitted, but there will be food truck options available. Service dogs are welcome. The concert is free. For more information, visit https://www.thedogwoodfestival.com/fayetteville-after-five
     

    Kasey Tyndall is set to perform at Fayetteville After Five, Aug. 9 in Festival Park. 

     
  • 11 museum71st Highland Regiment Firing Demonstration Festival of Yesteryear 2017 Credit Museum of the Cape FearThe Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex has been educating Cumberland County and the surrounding area since 1988. With a focus on regional history, the complex covers seven acres and is home to a museum, the 1897 Poe House and Arsenal Park. While there are several informational exhibits, the historical complex offers interactive experiences and hosts live events geared to entertain and engage visitors so they can have fun and gain a deeper understanding of a variety of topics while they explore the property.

    “The complex is made up of three elements,” said Megan Maxwell, the 1897 Poe House coordinator. “The museum is a regional museum with focus on the Cape Fear area. It has two floors of history exhibits from Native Americans to their first contact with Europeans. (Other exhibits include) the Scottish Highlanders, who founded Cross Creek and Campbellton, (which eventually became the city of Fayetteville). It goes to the early 20th century where we discuss Fayetteville. … We also have an old-time general store, which show what a typical store would look like where most people would shop.”

    The 1897 Poe House offers guided tours every day. Maxwell noted that although it’s named after its owner, Edgar Allan Poe, the house belonged to a local businessman, brick factory owner and political activist and not the famed writer. “At the Poe House, people see what life was like for an upper-class family around 1900,” said Maxwell. “We do special events here, as well.  Sweet Tea Shakespeare just finished their summer (theater) season here. I think they have a Green Tea show coming up, too. Green Tea is their youth division. We host weddings, as well.”

    The site where Arsenal Park is located used to house an arsenal. The Confederacy used the arsenal during the Civil War to produce rifles, ammunition and gun carriages. Union troops, commanded by Gen. William T. Sherman, destroyed the facility in 1865.

    While there is always something to do at the historical complex, the coming months are an exciting time there as well with several events scheduled through the end of the year.

    Festival of Yesteryear: Revolution on the Cape Fear

    Saturday, Sept. 7, The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex will join with the Lafayette Society to celebrate Fayetteville’s namesake,  Gen. Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette. Lafayette was a French  aristocrat who fought in the American Revolution and commanded American troops in their fight against the British.

    There will be a variety of events and activities on the property from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., with activities for kids and adults alike. The festival is set up to give the public a feel for what things were like in the Cape Fear Region during the Revolutionary War era. There will be re-enactors demonstrating everything from woodworking to militia drills. Enjoy demonstrations and check out the toys, games, music and woodworking practices of the time. There will be musical and artistic performances, military firing demonstrations and hands on-activities for kids.

    Don’t forget to visit  Apprentice Alley, where children can participate and learn a variety of trades through hands on crafts and activities. Take a photo in the pillory, a wooden frame with holes for your head and hands that was a popular punishment in colonial days.

    At 10 a.m., the Cross Creek Pipes and Drums and the Highland Dancers will perform. “If you want to see the Pipes and Drums  — they are amazing — they come in across the footbridge, and we have the Revolutionary War-era flags flying over the bridge,” said Maxwell. “And the Highland Dancers will perform there, too. So to see that, make sure you are there at 10 a.m.”

    A puppet show is also part of the day’s entertainment. Maxwell explained that puppet shows were a big part of entertainment during the Revolutionary War-era. “People would set up in the town square and would do dramatic and comedic shows,” she said. “It is interesting to see. A group called Shades of Our Past did a Blackbeard puppet show last year and everyone enjoyed it. This year they are going to do a show themed around Lafayette.”

    The puppet show is titled “General Lafayette and the Giant of the Revolution” and will take place at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Shades of Our Past also offers traditional silhouette drawings for a fee.

    Actor Stephen Seals of Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia,will portray James Armistead Lafayette. James was an enslaved African American who served the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War under the Marquis de Lafayette. Seals will be perform as James Lafayette on the main stage at noon and assist with the Lafayette Birthday Cake Cutting at 1 p.m. 

    “James was an enslaved spy under Gen. Lafayette,” said Maxwell.  “He was an African American spy for the Continental Army. He loved (Gen.) Lafayette so much that he took his name.”

    She added  “It is great to have a (historic) interpreter of that caliber coming to share at the event. We are excited to have him. His big stage performance is at noon with a 45-minute monologue and question and answer session.”

    Crowd favorite April C. Turner of Life as Art Productions returns this year to share her program “African Spirituals: Freedom Prayers.”

    “Turner comes every year and sings African spirituals,” said Maxwell. “She gives us the perspective of what life was like for slaves and how they coped using song and dance. This performance is at 2 p.m.

    There will be military demonstrations, including cannon and musket firings, several times during the event.

    Visitors can also learn about Native American life during the Colonial period. Other returning favorites include Camp Flintlock and the North Carolina Highland Regiment.

    There will be food truck at the event and concessions for purchase as well. The museum will also be open during the festival and the Poe House will offer tours on the hour. 

    The event is free, but the complex does accept donations.

    Oct. 23-25 the organization Partners  with Gilbert Theater and do night tours of the Poe House. “It is like historical theater,” Maxwell said. “The actors are in the rooms portraying the Poe family. We run groups through every 20 minutes with 15 people per tour.” There are 540 tickets. They go on sale Sept 7. The admission is $5.

    The complex will host a free trick-or-treat Oct. 26. “We have The Sandbox Band out of Raleigh, and we have Joy the clown, who does tricks,” said Maxwell. “We partner with a Jeep club — Nomad Jeeps — and they do a trunk-or-treat. We do a scavenger hunt, too.”

    Dec. 8 from 1-5 p.m.,  is The Holiday Jubilee. It is an open house with holiday-themed activities. “It includes a concert, and you can tour the house and look at the decorations,” said Maxwell. “We cook on the 1902 stove and also have apple cider. And Santa comes. Parents can take photos of their children with Santa.”

    Find out more about The Museum of the  Cape Fear Historical Complex at https://museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov or by calling 910-500-4240.

    The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex offers interactive experiences and hosts live events that are both fun and educational. 

  • 16 Naegleria fowleriIn the wake of the tragic death of a swimmer at nearby Fantasy Lake just outside of Hope Mills, Town Manager Melissa Adams released a statement to Up & Coming Weekly.

    Although the lake is located just a short distance from the Hope Mills Town Hall complex on Rockfish Road, it is not within the jurisdiction of the town and is not connected with nearby Hope Mills Lake.

    However, the proximity of the lake to Hope Mills and the loss of life that resulted there prompted town officials to make citizens aware of precautions needed when swimming in warm bodies of freshwater during the summer months.

    Here is Adams’ statement:

    First and foremost the Town of Hope Mills would like to offer our sincere condolences to the family of Eddie Gray, the individual who contracted an infection due to Naegleria fowleri and recently passed away.

    Infection due to Naegleria fowleri is rare, as evidenced by the reporting of only five cases in the state of North Carolina between 1962 and 2018. The Town of Hope Mills would like to echo the advisory of the Cumberland County Health Department and would encourage everyone to use precaution when swimming, diving or water-skiing in warm, freshwater lakes.

    The amoeba cannot be eliminated from freshwater lakes because it is naturally occurring, but the following precautions are recommended.
    • Limit the amount of water going up your nose. Hold your nose shut, use nose clips or keep your head above water when taking part in warm freshwater-related activities.
    • Avoid water-related activates in warm freshwater during periods of high water temperatures and low water levels.
    • Avoid digging in, or stirring up, the sediment while taking part in water-related activities in shallow, warm freshwater areas.

    For more information about Naegleria fowleri and primary amebic meningoencephalitis, visit www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/.

    If you have questions or concerns, you may contact the Cumberland County Department of Public Health at 910-433-3645 or 910-433-3655.

    Computer-generated representation of Naegleria fowleri in its ameboid trophozite stage, in its flagellated stage, and in its cyst stage. 

  • 12 Fire StoneThe boundaries of the university should be “coterminous with the boundaries of the state.” Leaders of the University of North Carolina often use this language to embrace a wider partnership with the entire state.

    The words came from a University Day speech by Edward Kidder Graham, although he used the term “co-extensive” rather than “coterminous.”

    Graham was UNC’s president from 1913, when he was named acting president, until his death in 1918, a victim of the flu epidemic that scorched the nation at the end of World War I.

    In his recent book, “Fire and Stone: The Making of the University of North Carolina under Presidents Edward Kidder Graham and Harry Woodburn Chase,” Greensboro author Howard Covington explains how the “fire” of Graham and the “stone” of his successor Chase transformed UNC from a quiet liberal arts institution into a respected university equipped to provide an academic experience that prepared students to participate in a growing commercial, industrial, and agricultural New South.

    At the time Graham became president, approximately1,000 students were enrolled at the university. The campus consisted primarily of a few buildings gathered around the South Building and Old Well. Classrooms and living quarters were crowded and in bad condition.

    In his brief time as president, the youthful and charismatic Graham pushed the university to reach out across the state. Speaking at churches, alumni gatherings, farmers’ groups, and wherever a place was open to him, he preached that universities should help identify the state’s problems and opportunities and then devote its resources to respond to them.

    Graham’s ambitious plans to transform the university were interrupted by World War I when the campus and its programs were disrupted and then commandeered by the military.

    His death shortly after the war ended left the university without a magnetic and motivational figure to carry out his plans and vision. That task fell upon Henry Chase, a native of Massachusetts who had gained Graham‘s trust as a teacher and talented academic leader.

    Although he did not have Graham’s charisma, Chase had something else that made him an appropriate successor to the visionary Graham. He had an academic background and a talent for recruiting faculty members who supported Graham’s and Chase’s vision.

    Building on Graham’s plans and the enthusiasm that had been generated, Chase took advantage of the public pressure on the legislature to secure the resources to expand the campus. He organized and found support for university programs that included the graduate and professional training needed to serve the public throughout the state, as Graham had hoped.

    By 1930, when Chase left UNC to lead the University of Illinois, the UNC campus had more than doubled in size, and the student body approached 3,000 including 200 graduate students. His successor, Frank Porter Graham, was Edward Kidder Graham’s first cousin.

    Chase’s ride to success had been a bumpy one. For instance, in 1925, about the time of the Scopes-evolution trial in Tennessee, Chase faced a similar uprising in North Carolina from religious leaders who attacked the university because some science instructors were teaching Darwin’s theory of evolution.

    The state legislature considered and came close to passing a law to prohibit teaching of evolution.

    Chase respectfully countered this attack, always emphasizing the point that Christianity was at the university’s core. His strong defense of freedom of speech gained him admiration of the faculty and many people throughout the state.

    Covington writes that Chase “took the flame that Graham had ignited and used it to build a university and move it into the mainstream of American higher education.”

    Without Graham’s fire and Chase’s stone, UNC would not have become what it is today, one of the most admired universities in the country.

  • 07 personal alarm keysThe desire to protect our lives and the lives of people we love is a basic instinct. But how can regular people with no self-defense training or experience in martial arts stand up for themselves in a moment of danger? Personal security alarms are quite a novelty when it comes to self-defense. Everybody knows about pepper spray, and many women carry it. But there is a much more convenient and effective method of self-protection. The question is, how does one choose the best personal alarm? What can protect against an attack?
    Fayetteville police are urging older residents to carry a tiny new personal safety device that can protect them against attackers.  Ruth Miller, a 63-year-old Fayetteville woman had just left the store with her bags of groceries when she was put upon by a mugger while walking to her car. As she was unlocking her car, a man approached from the rear and tried to grab her, police said. “He told me ‘don’t fight,” said Miller, as he tried to snatch her purse. Luckily, she told officers, she remembered that she had a personal alarm button attached to her purse.


    She reached for the alarm button and pulled the pin. “Immediately the alarm started screaming,” she said.

    He didn’t know what to do, froze for a second and then ran away. Others heard the alarm and started yelling and running over to help. A personal alarm is a small electronic device that can emit a loud, alarming sound. The loud sound it produces has a distracting and disorientating effect, which allows a person to escape a surprised assailant.

    Studies have shown that women and children have the greatest risk of being attacked. Police say it’s a good idea for seniors carry alarm devices just as they do their keys. No special skills or training are necessary. Additionally, they can provide children with an effective tool to protect themselves against possible kidnappings. The device is proven to be more practical than pepper spray. Some of these gadgets come equipped with safety pins that can be pulled with ease. Others have push buttons.

    Once armed, they emit a continuous, loud piercing sound that lasts about half an hour. Companies that produce these personal alarm systems suggest the safest way to use one is to remove the safety pin or press the button, drop it on the ground and immediately run away. The device will provide enough distraction to give you a chance to find help while the attacker is also running away. Retail prices vary from $10 at big box stores up to $80 online. The compact design makes them easily attachable to key rings or pocketbook or backpack straps.

    Personal alarms contain the latest state-of-the-art features. Personal alarms come in a variety of types, so there is something to suit all preferences. For example, wrist emergency alarms are easy to use and are worn on the wrist so they can be instantly activated easily by the wearers if they are attacked or have fallen. Panic alarms can be worn as pendants around the neck.

    Police say it's a good idea for seniors to carry alarm devices just as they do their keys. No special skills or training are necessary. 

  • Religion is — and always has been — part of American life and culture. 

    Native Americans worshipped in their own ways long before European settlers set foot on Americans soil, and when they did, at least some came to practice their own religions freely. Most were Christian, both Catholic and Protestant, including small sects apart from more mainstream faiths. Over more than three centuries of colonization and then nationhood, various faiths and traditions spread across our huge nation. Most are among the world’s great 03 churchtraditional faiths — Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism — but we also embrace smaller religious communities, what the late, great comedian Flip Wilson tagged the “church of what’s happening now.” These are often one-of-a-kind religious communities centered on a charismatic leader and without a particular creed or formal statement of belief.

    Religion in America is personal. We can choose to be part of a traditional faith or we can do our own thing. We can decide to be “spiritual” as opposed to “religious,” and we can decide we are not sure there is a higher power or that we believe there is none at all. And all of this is guaranteed under the First Amendment of our Constitution, addressing freedom of expression, both political and religious, a right so fundamental and important that the Founding Fathers listed it first.

    That does not mean, however, that we know much about the faiths our fellow Americans profess beyond our own, if we have one. The Pew Research Center recently released the results of a national study entitled “Religion and Public Life,” which finds that most of us know not so much about faiths beyond our own, and some of us know not so much about ours either. Here is a broad outline of Americans’ knowledge of the world’s traditional faiths.

    Jews, atheists and agnostics answer questions about religious knowledge correctly more than half the time.

    Evangelical Protestants also answer religious knowledge questions correctly at above average levels.

    Mainline Protestants, Catholics and Mormons answer correctly at about the same level as the general public.

    When asked specific questions about Christianity, evangelical Christians score at about the same levels as atheists and agnostics, followed by Catholics, mainline Protestants, Mormons and Jews.

    Religious knowledge gets murkier when asked about faiths other than Christianity.

    Not surprisingly, Jews score well on questions regarding Judaism, but others not so much. Next highest, but still far behind, are atheists with historically black Protestant congregants bringing up the rear.

    When questions about elements of other world religions — Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism — we Americans are almost blank slates. Fewer than half of us know that most people in Thailand are Buddhists. Only about one quarter of us know that Indonesia has the world’s largest Muslim population, and fewer than 20-percent of us know that Ethiopia is a predominantly Christian nation.

    Interestingly, most Americans can define what atheists and agnostics believe, but more than 10% of us have no idea at all.

    Perhaps more troubling is that while most of us of all religious stripes or no religious stripe at all know that the US Constitution protects freedom of religion, only a quarter of us understand that there can be no religious test for holding public office in our country. In other words, most of us apparently and erroneously believe office holders must affirm some religious beliefs.

    The Pew Research Center offers neither conclusions nor opinions on any of this — just the facts as it determined them. It seems clear, though, that in our growing and diverse nation, the more we know and understand each other the better. At this point in our history, we are at each other’s throats politically with no détente in sight. Our freedom of religion is among our most precious legacies from our founders. Perhaps in celebrating and honoring that freedom we will learn more about each other and begin building bridges in other areas of our common lives.

    Honestly, we have little place to go but up.

  • 04 Ben Carson official portraitI doubt that Leonard Pitts, Jr. has ever read anything that I have written, and we certainly have never engaged in conversation. If either of those were the case, I am certain he would contend I fit the description of an “honorary white” as he presents it in his column titled, “Honorary whiteness must be one powerful drug.” The column appeared in The Fayetteville ObserverThursday, July 25. Pitts, who is black, is an American commentator, journalist and novelist.

    His column starts by explaining that “honorary white” was the status assigned to black performers from the United States who visited South Africa during the apartheid regime. He says The O’Jays, Tina Turner, Ray Charles, and Eartha Kitt were among those who received that designation. Pitts explained that receiving this designation allowed them “access to hotels and restaurants from which black Africans were barred.” 

    At this point, Pitts lays the groundwork for defining people like me as “honorary whites” in America. He writes:

    “While there is no official “honorary white” status in this country, American politics has evolved a rough analog. As lily-white conservatism has lurched deeper into a brazen racism and xenophobia reminiscent of the 1950s, black and brown people willing to use their color to give it moral cover have seen themselves eagerly embraced by those whose sins they abet.”

    Then Pitts reports the reactions of two supporters of President Donald Trump. This was in response to Trump telling “four congresswomen of color to ‘go back’ to their countries.” He said:

    “But ultimately, the joke is always on them. In recent days, we’ve seen that lesson learned painfully and publicly by two men: a black Donald Trump voter named Kevin Martin and a Donald Trump friend of Puerto Rican heritage named Geraldo Rivera.

    “The former told CNN last week that when Trump told four congresswomen of color to ‘go back’ to their countries, it ‘just came out of left field’ and ‘hit a lot of us in the gut.’ The latter, while loyally insisting Trump has ‘been treated unfairly,’ conceded to The New York Times that, ‘As much as I have denied it and averted my eyes from it, this latest incident made it impossible.’

    “To which, the only appropriate response is: ‘Wow. Just... wow.’”

    The writer goes on to rehearse the usual list of Trump comments and actions that his accusers point to as indicators of him being racist. Then comes his claim that it is acceptable for blacks to be conservative as the term was once understood. His caveat is: “But this modern iteration doesn’t care about small government or muscular diplomacy. Rather, it is working to normalize racism and enshrine xenophobia, and if you’re black or brown and still don’t realize that, well, again, wow.”

    The following statements go to the heart of what Leonard Pitts, Jr. thinks about people like me:

    “One can only conclude that honorary whiteness must be one powerful drug. Side effects include cultural amnesia and (the) inability to process reality.

    “You are not special, only useful. You’d be wise to learn the difference.” 

    What Leonard Pitts, Jr. presents is not unique to him. It is the dominant message to black Americans who have the unadulterated audacity to break free of “black group thought,” pursue facts and, at least, attempt to reach rational conclusions. If that process takes a black American to any other conclusion than that which is rooted in consistently seeing racism in every action that calls our people to individual responsibility; promoting the mental state of victimization and being entitled to all kinds of governmental assistance; distrusting white Americans for simply being white; justifying civil and criminal behavior; when beneficial to the black group thought” agenda, totally disregarding the rule of law; and the list goes on in similar fashion … we are called “honorary whites,” “Uncle Toms” and other demeaning names. 

    The aim is to, through intimidation and shaming, drive into silence or compliance with “black group thought,” any black who dares to think for him or herself and contrary to the tenets of “black group thought.” I confess to thinking, speaking and writing in ways that bring the wrath of the Leonard Pitts Juniors of the world squarely down on me.

    However, I find reassurance in knowing that, although the group might be small, I am not alone. There are other black Americans who refuse to be controlled in their thinking who will not bow at the altar of “black group thought.” For instance, there is Dr. Ben Carson. Here is a black American who grew up in poverty in a single-parent household headed by his mother, dealt with anger issues early in life, but went on to become a renowned neurosurgeon, author and capable presidential candidate. He now serves as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the Trump administration. 

    There is absolutely no reason to think Leonard Pitts Jr. has spent any time in civil conversation with Trump. Carson clearly has done so on many occasions. Here is Carson’s assessment as reported in an article by Sandy Fitzgerald titled, “Ben Carson: Trump Is Not a Racist and Neither Are His Comments”: 

    ‘Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson Wednesday rejected claims that President Donald Trump and his comments about four Democratic freshman congresswomen are racist. 

    “’I have an advantage of knowing the president very well,’ Carson told Fox News’ ‘America’s Newsroom.’ ‘He’s not a racist and his comments are not racist, but he loves the country very much and, you know, he has a feeling that those who represent the country should love it as well.’

    “He added that Trump’s policies have resulted in minorities being lifted out of poverty through expanded work opportunities, and said a racist would not be interested in helping minority communities. 

    “Carson also on the program discussed the ‘opportunity zones’ program, which aims to make it easier for investors to take advantage of tax breaks to help benefit low-income communities.” 

    Like Carson, I am watching Trump’s actions and assessing him in light of those actions. That is my approach in dealing with people no matter who they are. When examined in light of actions, words that are contrary to the actions become meaningless. Even though Leonard Pitts, Jr. would assign “honorary whiteness” to Carson, me, and others who are black but support Trump, I will continue reading his commentary. 

    That is because of something my father said to me many years ago. I walked into a room where he was listening to a preacher on the radio. That preacher was not saying anything that made sense to me. Realizing Daddy must have recognized the absence of value in what was coming from that radio, I asked why he was listening. He responded, “No matter how senseless something seems, you can always learn from it.” Daddy was right; consequently, I will keep reading Pitts’ commentary so that I am constantly, and profoundly, reminded not to join in “black group thought.” Thank you, Mr. Pitts, Jr.

    There are other black Americans who refuse to be controlled in their thinking who will not bow at the altar of “black group thought.” 

  • WEBBrian Edkins Cape Fear principalIt was an early start of the official first day of football practice yesterday for Cumberland County high school teams.
    Some were on the field ready to go before 7:30 a.m., while others waited a little later in the morning. Douglas Byrd and Pine Forest opted for evening practice sessions.
     
    Here’s a  few observations from the first day.
     
    • For years, one of the biggest complaints I’ve heard from high school football coaches is how limited they are in teaching one of the biggest parts of the game, tackling.
    For safety reasons, high schools in North Carolina are limited to having body-to-body contact within the bounds of the season.
    That means it’s pretty hard to teach young players the fine points of aiming their body at a moving target, wrapping it up and bringing it to the ground.
    I saw an innovation at Seventy-First’s practice that provides a partial solution to the problem.
    A company called Safe-Tackle has created an interesting gadget the Falcons were using at this morning’s practice. Even during the early days of official practice, players can’t wear pads or hit each other.
    This gadget solves the problem. It’s a giant cushioned doughnut with a flat surface on the outside so you can stand it and roll it. A coach aims it at a player, rolls it in his direction, and the player charges, wraps up and makes the tackle.
    Finally, a safe way to do this without wearing pads or breaking the rules. 
     
    • There was an interested spectator at Cape Fear’s first day of football practice, new principal Brian Edkins. Edkins replaces Lee Spruill, who stepped down near the end of last school year.
    This is Edkins’ second stop as a principal in Cumberland County. He was athletic director then principal at South View High School before leaving to serve as principal at Scotland High School for a couple of years. 
     
    • E.E. Smith was the second stop on my tour of Cumberland County Schools this morning. As I left the practice, I paused for a few moments at the monument in the end zone to the late D.T. Carter. The field at Smith is named for him, and the most recent generations of Smith players who never knew Coach Carter missed a really class act.
    Carter created an intramural program for E.E. Smith’s physical education classes that won him national attention. 
    After football wins, he used to light up those slender White Owl cigars to celebrate.
    But win or lose, Carter always remained the optimist.
    His favorite saying was, “The sun will come up tomorrow.’’
     
    • Westover’s football team looked about as sharp as you can at practice, with all of the players wearing specially-made blue t-shirts with a big white W on the front.
    Head coach Ernest King said it’s all part of his aim to get the Wolverines more organized and headed in the same direction.
    He said this year’s Westover team is well ahead of a year ago when he was literally a last-minute hire before the season got started. 
     
    • I heard a hysterical story from my former co-worker Thomas Pope that he got from his dad Arnold, longtime local football official who also was briefly a high school coach.
    There was a local junior varsity high school football coach who had an incredibly gifted athlete on his team. Unfortunately, while the athlete was blessed with awesome physical talent, the good Lord did not see fit to do the same regarding the young man’s mental faculties.
    At one especially frustrating practice, the player made one mistake after another.
    Finally, the exasperated coach looked at him and said, “Son, what exactly is your IQ?”
    The player stood with a blank expression, then twisted his face for a moment, and said, “20-20?”
     
    Pictured: Cape Fear Principal Brian Edkins

     
  • 01 CoverIt’s celebration time! The Best of Fayetteville is here. This is the event we have anticipated all year long. Well, actually, Best of Fayetteville may be a misnomer. It should be titled Best of Cumberland County because it en­compasses the best of the best people, services, businesses and organizations county-wide as determined by the read­ers of our community newspaper, Up & Coming Weekly. This is why we invited Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner to rep­resent Cumberland County and cohost the awards party.


    Each winning entity has distinguished itself within the community by reinforc­ing our values, defining our community’s personality and contributing to our quality of life. We received thousands of ballots during the month of June and painstakingly recorded the sentiments of our readers. You need to get to know these people, businesses and organizations. They are the ones who continually impact our community. They are the ones who leave a positive and indelible impres­sion of pride on us and who have laid the groundwork for the success of future gen­erations of residents, visitors and guests.


    Granted, this survey is informal and not very scientific. However, with the rules, conditions and restrictions we place on participation, the end results have proven to be accurate, dependable and reflective of our community.


    The Up & Coming Weekly Best of Fayetteville edition you are holding in your hands will serve you well through­out the year. It is a valuable visitor’s guide, service directory and cultural and event resource.


    The format of and guidelines for this sanctioned, time-tested survey have been designed and audited to provide residents, local businesses and organiza­tions the recognition they deserve for their ethics, dedication and persever­ance in their quest for excellence. Every category winner has achieved the high­est level of excellence in what they do — no nominations needed.  
    For 22 years, Up & Coming Weekly has successfully told the winners’ stories and revealed their secrets to success without a single regret or complaint. And, we did it without bogus nomina­tions, gimmicky advertising, ballot stuffing, pay-to-play shenanigans or costly events. There are no second-or third-place winners with Best of Fayetteville. There is only one winner per category.
    In this fast-paced and competitive market, only the best of the best survive. This is why we are proud to be associ­ated with and supported by the Greater Fayetteville Chamber. Leaders know the value of a sound foundation in building a better community. Here, that founda­tion is this community’s best of the best people, businesses and organizations.
    Please join me, the Up & Com­ing Weekly staff and our 2019 Best of Fayetteville sponsors as we begin this yearlong celebration. Pick up extra cop­ies of this special edition of Up & Com­ing Weekly at any one of our 500 county-wide locations, or stop by our corporate offices at 208 Rowan St.
     For 24/7, 365-days-a-year access to the Best of Fayetteville winners list, visit www.upandcomingweekly.com. While you’re there, sign up for our free elec­tronic subscription and receive the Early Bird edition of Up & Coming Weekly every Tuesday afternoon.
    I also want to welcome Mark Pez­zella and Five Star Entertainment as a corporate sponsor of Best of Fayetteville. Thank you to Jimmy Keefe of the Trophy House and CPA Lee Utley for nearly two decades of supporting and partnering with us in this valuable endeavor.
    I hope you enjoy this special edition. Keep it handy and refer to it often. We sincerely thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly and for making us your only locally owned community newspaper.
    BILL BOWMAN, Publisher, UP & COMING WEEKLY. COM­MENTS? BILL@upandcomin­gweekly.com. 910-484-6200.

    Click Here for our complete Winners List:

     

  • wineanddine

    • Best Restaurant Overall.........Luigi’s Italian Chophouse & Bar


    • Best North Side Restaurant........Scrub Oaks Contemporary American

    Pub


    • Best Downtown Restaurant..........Circa 1800


    • Best Dining With Kids.........Chuck E. Cheese


    • Best Fine Dining........Luigi’s Italian Chophouse & Bar


    • Best New Restaurant.........Drop by the River Seafood


    • Best Place For A Romantic Dinner..... Antonella’s Italian Ristorante


    • Best Local Caterer............Peaden’s Seafood & Catering


    • Best Waitstaff/Service......Peaden’s Seafood & Catering


    • Best Brew House...............Mash House Brewing Company


    • Best Wine Shop.............. The Wine Café


    • Best Breakfast..................Zorba’s Gyro


    • Best Sunday Brunch...............Circa 1800


    • Best Business Lunch.............Huske Hardware House


    • Best Food Truck...........R Burger


    • Best Appetizers..............Antonella’s Italian Ristorante


    • Best Coffee House......... Rude Awakening


    • Best Deli................New Deli


    • Best German Restaurant....... Max & Moritz Bakery & Restaurant


    • Best Indian Restaurant..........Tandoori Bites


    • Best Italian Restaurant......... Luigi’s Italian Chophouse & Bar


    • Best Japanese Restaurant...........Miyabi Japanese Steak & Seafood House


    • Best Korean Restaurant.........E Tae Won


    • Best Chinese Restaurant..............Hunan Garden


    • Best Vietnamese Restaurant...........Saigon Bistro


    • Best Thai Restaurant...............Prik Thai Cuisine


    • Best Sushi Restaurant.................NONA SUSHI


    • Best Mediterranean Restaurant........Olea Mediterranean Kitchen


    • Best Greek Cuisine...........Zorba’s Gyro


    • Best Mexican Restaurant..Mi Casita Mexican Restaurant


    • Best Seafood Restaurant........Peaden’s Seafood & Catering


    • Best Soul Food Restaurant...........Fred Chasons Grandsons


    • Best Southern-Style Restaurant................Fred Chasons Grandsons


    • Best Vegetarian Cuisine...........Bombay Bistro


    • Best Vegan Cuisine..................Bombay Bistro


    • Best Bakery...............................Superior Bakery


    • Best Desserts...........................Sweet Boutique


    • Best BBQ.......... Southern Coals Country Style Kitchen


    • Best Hamburger.................Rustic Burger


    • Best Hot Dog......................Hot Diggidy Dog


    • Best Fried Chicken...................KFC


    • Best Pizza (Eat In)..............Mellow Mushroom


    • Best Pizza (Take Out)...........Pizza Hut


    • Best Ribs.................Texas Roadhouse


    • Best Steaks.............Texas Roadhouse


    • Best Wings............. 301 Wingz

  • outdoorsandrec

     

    • Best Bowling Alley.............B&B Lanes


    • Best Extreme Activity/Adventure......ZipQuest - Waterfall & Treetop Adventure


    • Best Golf Course..... Gates Four Golf & Country Club


    • Best Fitness Coach...... Kasey Adair of Omni Health & Fitness Center


    • Best Local Picnic Area.......Arnette Park


    • Best Place For Taking A Hike.............Cape Fear River Trail


    • Best Place For Doggie Walk...........Cape Fear River Trail


    • Best Recreation Center........Stedman Recreation Center


    • Best Senior Living Center..............Heritage Place


    • Best Shooting Range.........Jim’s Pawn and Gun Jobbery

  •  

     

    politics

     

     

    • Most Responsive City Politician.....Councilman Johnny Dawkins


    • Most Responsive County Politician....Commissioner Michael Boose


    • Most Respected Civic Leader.....Judge Toni King


    • Biggest Local Scandal...........Judge April Smith


    • Best Use Of Local Tax Dollars.......Segra Stadium


    • Worst Use Of Local Tax Dollars..........Segra Stadium

  • citylife


    • Best Place To Commune With Nature...Cape Fear Botanical Garden


    • Best Local Festival/Event............Fayetteville Dogwood Festival


    • Best Change In Fayetteville For 2019...Fayetteville Woodpeckers

      Baseball


    • Worst Change In Fayetteville For 2019..........Paid Parking Downtown


    • Best Local Landmark..........Market House


    • Best Little-Known Attraction.......Museum of the Cape Fear


    • Coolest Venue Downtown.......Segra Stadium


    • Best Thing To Show Off To Visitors........Airborne & Special Operations  Museum


    • Worst Thing To Hide From Visitors.......Bragg Blvd.


    • What Does Fayetteville Need Most......Downtown Parking


    • Best Local Community Project......The Vision Resource Center


    • Best Local Nonprofit Organization.........Fayetteville Animal Protection     Society


    • Best Local Fundraising Event.... Cape Beard Pig Pickin’ for Autism

  • nightlife

    • Best Venue/Club For Live Music............Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom

    • Best Night Club Overall......................... Club Halo

    • Best Neighborhood Bar..........................Paddy’s Irish Public House

    • Best Bar for Craft Beers........................ Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom

    • Best Sports Bar.......................................Bubba’s 33

    • Best Pool Room......................................Corner Pockets

  • media

    • Best Area TV Station............ABC11 WTVD


    • Best Traffic Report................NBC5 WRAL


    • Best Weather Report.............NBC5 WRAL


    • Best Local Columnist/Writer.........Bill Kirby

  • goodsandservices

     

    • Best Veteran-Owned Business..........Chop Shop Tattoos


    • Best Shopping Complex (Not the mall)...............Westwood Shopping Center


    • Best Store For A Unique Gift..... White Trash & Colorful Accessories


    • Best Health Food Store.....Apple Crate Natural Market


    • Best Candy/Sweet Shop... Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop


    • Best Tobacco Shop......Anstead’s Tobacco Company


    • Best Place To Buy Local Art.............Cape Fear Studios

     

    • Best Framing Shop...............Lisa’s Custom Framing


    • Best Furniture Store - Used......New & Nearly New Thrift Shop

    • Best Furniture Store - New........Bullard Furniture


    • Best Antique Shop...........The Pickin’ Coop


    • Best Book Store - Used.................2ND & CHARLES


    • Best Library Branch......Headquarters Library


    • Best Private School.............Village Christian Academy


    • Best Carpet/Flooring Store......... Cape Fear Flooring & Restoration


    • Best Clothing Store - Men..............Belk


    • Best Clothing Store - Women............ Belk


    • Best Clothing Store - Children............Tiny Town


    • Best Thrift Shop....... Timely Treasures Thrift Store


    • Best Consignment Shop......High Cotton Consignment


    • Best Pawn Shop.............Jim’s Pawn and Gun Jobbery


    • Best Jewelry Store..........Rhudy’s Jewelry Showroom

    • Best Sporting Goods Store..... Academy Sports


    • Best Place To Buy A Gun...............Jim’s Pawn and Gun Jobbery


    • Best Car Dealer - Used.............. CarMax


    • Best Car Dealer - New..........Bryan Honda


    • Best Auto Repair........Black’s Tire & Auto Service


    • Best Car Wash/Detailing....TLC Auto Wash


    • Best Motorcycle Service........Baker American Cycles


    • Best Motorcycle Dealer - Used.....................Baker American Cycles


    • Best Motorcycle Dealer - New.............Baker American Cycles


    • Best Tire Store..........Black’s Tire & Auto Service


    • Best CPA Firm .......McFadyen & Sumner, CPAs PA


    • Best Law Firm....Beaver Courie Sternlicht Hearp & Broadfoot, P.A. Attorneys At Law


    • Best Legal Assistant...........Danielle Rea...Beaver Courie Sternlicht Hearp & Broadfoot, P.A. Attorneys At Law


    • Best Criminal Attorney..... David Courie...Beaver Courie Sternlicht Hearp & Broadfoot, P.A. Attorneys At Law

    • Best Divorce Attorney..............Timothy Edwards...Blackwell and Edwards


    • Best Personal Injury Attorney ...............Mark Sternlicht...Beaver Courie Sternlicht Hearp & Broadfoot, P.A. Attorneys At Law


    • Best Traffic Ticket Attorney ..........Mark Hearp...Beaver Courie Sternlicht Hearp & Broadfoot, P.A. Attorneys At Law


    • Best Local Pharmacy...........Cape Fear Discount Drugs

     

    • Best Family Dentist................Village Family Dental


    • Best Pediatric Dentist.........Highland Pediatric Dental


    • Best Orthodontist..............Village Family Dental


    • Best Chiropractor..........Nelson & Nelson Chiropractic


    • Best Aesthetician ...............Riya Nepal


    • Best Urgent Care.................FastMed Urgent Care


    • Best Family Medical Practice.....................Village Internal Medicine


    • Best OB/GYN......... Women’s Wellness Center


    • Best Pediatrician............Rainbow Pediatrics


    • Best Optometrist ........Dr. Hakkam Alsaidi of Risk Optometric Associates, PA


    • Best Ophthalmologist... Dr. Wayne Riggins of Cape Fear Eye Associates, PA


    • Best Electrical Contractor.......................Blanton’s Air, Plumbing & Electric


    • Best HVAC Contractor...... Blackwell Heating & Air Conditioning


    • Best Plumbing Contractor .... Wade Hardin Plumbing


    • Best Computer Repair Service.......Ross I.T. Services


    • Best Cell Phone Repair...............ifixandrepair


    • Best Bank........BB&T


    • Best Credit Union.....State Employees’ Credit Union


    • Best Hair Salon...... Blown Away Hair Studio


    • Best Barber Shop............. Pinky’s Chop Shop


    • Best Place to Board Pets.........Bed & Biscuits Boarding


    • Best Pet-Sitting   ...........................Carolina Pet Care


    • Best Dog Groomer..............................Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming


    • Best Vet/Animal Hospital.........Animal Hospital of Fayetteville


    • Best Employment Agency... Express Employment Professionals


    • Best Wedding Venue........Cape Fear Botanical Garden


    • Best Convention Venue .......Crown Center Complex


    • Best Florist...............Always Flowers by Crenshaw


    • Best Funeral Service.... Rogers & Breece Funeral Home


    • Best Health Club/Gym.........Planet Fitness


    • Best Day Spa......Renaissance European Day Spa

    • Best Place For A Kids Party..................Monkey Joe’s

    • Best Sign/Banner Company..................FASTSIGNS


    • Best Advertising Specialties... Carolina Specialties International


    • Best Mortgage Company...........Union Home Mortgage


    • Best Real Estate Company..........1st Choice Real Estate


    • Best Realtor........... Santina Lashay Epps-Thomas of 1st Choice Real Estate


    • Best Insurance Agent/Agency............Kurt Riehl of State Farm


    • Best Security/Alarm Company..........Gill Security Systems INC.


    • Best Moving Company.................Andy Anderson Moving Co.


    • Best Remodeling Contractor......... Jason’s Home Improvements


    • Best House Cleaning..........Savvy Cleaning Company


    • Best Lawn & Garden/Nursery............Bell’s Seed Store


    • Best Landscaping Company..............Snow’s Landscaping & Lawncare Inc.


    • Best Pool/Spa Company.................Hallmark Spa & Pools


    • Best Place To Get A Tattoo/Body Piercing........Evolution Ink

  • arts

    • Best Live Theatre......Cape Fear Regional Theatre


    • Best Local Actor/Actress.... Lanie Jo Myrtle


    • Best Play/Musical This Season........“Annie” at Cape Fear Regional Theatre


    • Best Art Gallery.......The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County


    • Best Museum........Airborne & Special Operations Museum


    • Best Cinema Complex..... Millstone 14


    • Best Local Celebrity........J. Cole

  •  

     

    Best of Fayetteville 2019 Winners

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    politics     media

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    Click Here for More Photos and Story

  • I was born when Dwight Eisenhower was in the White House, so I don’t make any apologies for being defined as old school.
    I’ve seen a lot of things change with high school football over the years, but one thing I’ve continued to have the biggest problem with is how early we start the season now.
     
    In Cumberland County, students went back to class for the first time in the 2018-19 school year on Monday this week.
    Friday night we’ll play the third game of the high school football season and for most teams the final nonconference game before league play begins. That means we had two games over and done with before the first teacher welcomed his or her students to class.
    It’s crazy on multiple levels for the season to be starting that early. One of the biggest is attendance. I’ve seen video of the crowds at multiple games this season and there were way too many bleacher spots that didn’t have a fanny sitting on them.
     
    I talked with a good friend who is a key figure in high school athletics recently and he confided in me that the time may have come to cut the schedule back for football to 10 games. This would allow us to start later, but it could also pave the way to end the season well before the Christmas season kicks in and allow for less overlap into basketball.
     
    I know everybody screams football is the sport that pays the bills for everything else, and I agree. But if nobody is coming to the games because students aren’t in school yet and there’s not as much enthusiasm for the program when the halls are empty, it’s at least time to look at the problem and come up with some solutions.
    Cutting a game off an already long schedule is worth discussing.
     
     
    The record: 16-6
     
    I made a strong comeback with a 10-1 record last week, missing only on Terry Sanford’s win at Jack Britt.
    The season total is 16-6, which is 72.7 percent. Decent, but not awesome.
    In the spirit of the U.S. Open, let’s see if we can at least hold serve this week or maybe sneak in an ace or two.
     
    New Hanover at Cape Fear - New Hanover is clearly not the same team that beat the Colts in the 3-AA Eastern third round last year after the way Greenville Rose smacked them around on week one. But Cape Fear is also having its issues, especially on offense, going scoreless for a half against Clinton in the opener and getting blanked last week at Seventy-First.
    My hunch is with future N.C. State pitcher Blake Walston back at quarterback, New Hanover will find it easier to score than Cape Fear will.
    New Hanover 21, Cape Fear 12.
     
    Purnell Swett at Douglas Byrd - I was impressed by Byrd’s showing against a strong South Columbus team last week, so impressed I think the Eagles can get their second win of the season Friday against Swett.
    Douglas Byrd 20, Purnell Swett 18.
     
    E.E. Smith at Seventy-First - Life doesn’t get any easier for the Golden Bulls, off to an 0-2 start and facing a Falcon team this week that’s looking like one of the best in Cumberland County this season.
    Seventy-First 28, E.E. Smith 8.
     
    Jack Britt at Gray’s Creek - Gray’s Creek raised a lot of eyebrows, mine included, by giving 4-A opponent Pinecrest all it could handle last week. The Bears have a passing game to go with their tradition of running, and with Jack Britt apparently having trouble finding itself at the start of the season, I think the Bears have a shot at winning this one.
    Gray’s Creek 22, Jack Britt 18.
     
    Pine Forest at Richmond Senior - I would love to pick Pine Forest to win three in a row, but Richmond is coming off a loss to powerful Wake Forest and the Raiders are going to be mad. The fact the Raiders are playing at home doesn’t help Pine Forest either.
    Richmond Senior 29, Pine Forest 14.
     
    Lumberton at South View - The Tigers have lived up to their preseason hype so far while Lumberton has continued to suffer heartbreak. Look for both trends to continue Friday night.
    South View 39, Lumberton 8.
     
    Cleveland at Terry Sanford - Terry Sanford regrouped nicely last week in its win against Jack Britt. But the Bulldogs will need a special effort this week against a Cleveland team coming off an impressive win over perennial power Garner.
    Cleveland 21, Terry Sanford 14.
     
    Westover at Hoke County - The Wolverines got their first win under new head coach Ernest King when they rallied on the road to beat Lumberton. I think they’ll make it two straight Friday night at Hoke.
    Westover 18, Hoke County 12.
     
    Other games: Wake Christian 28, Fayetteville Christian 6; Trinity Christian 24, Metrolina Christian 12; Village Christian open.
  • 15Petty politics17Jackie Warner16Hope Mills town manager Melissa AdamsDuring the Aug. 20 Board of Commissioners meeting, Hope Mills received a plaque from the City-County Joint Appearance Commission, which recognized the dam at the 10th Annual Community Appearance Awards.

    On Sept. 10, Town Manager Melissa Adams will travel to Seattle, Washington, to accept a second award, the National Rehabilitation Project of the Year Award from the Annual Association of State Dams Safety Officials.

    Mayor Warner was approached by a representative for ASDSO several years ago and was told the town and dam might be eligible for the award. Since then, she’s worked with Melissa Adams to complete the lengthy application process.

    Warner announced the award during the board’s July 23 meeting and opened the floor to discussion. Commissioner Jerry Legge made a motion to send Melissa Adams before any conversation was held. When Commissioner Pat Edwards asked them to consider sending Mayor Warner, the room fell silent. Commissioner Jessie Bellflowers suggested sending a citizen from the Lake Advisory Committee, but that, too, was rejected. Eventually, Commissioner Meg Larson announced that she supported the idea of sending one person. The board voted 4-1 to send Adams alone, with Edwards being the only member who voted against the plan.

    The July 23 meeting was contentious from the start.

    The Lone Survivor Foundation and its request to purchase municipal property was discussed through- out this meeting. Nearly two dozen citizens spoke in favor of the project when Warner suspended the rules to allow public comments. Several members of the board were opposed to allowing public comments, presumably comments about LSF. Tempers flared through the three-and-a-half-hour meeting, and Mayor Pro Tem Mike Mitchell, Bellflowers, Larson and all had outbursts at some point.

    Bellflowers implied the process of bringing the proposal to the board was done incorrectly, then shouted at the mayor and accused her of interrupting him while he was technically speaking out of turn. When Larson asked to respond to a citizen and Warner didn’t allow it, Larson became agitated and spoke anyway. Mitchell insulted Robert van Geons, the president and CEO of the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation, when he asked if it was a conflict of interest for Teddy Warner, the mayor’s son and the director of business development for FDEDC, to be involved in partnering LSF with the town of Hope Mills. Mitchell also implied the LSF staff had colluded with Warner and her son to facilitate the sale.

    There was a considerable amount of tension between the board members and the mayor by the time she broached the topic of the award. With the vote complete, Warner asked the board to give her permission to go and agreed to pay her own expenses. Mitchell, Larson, Legge and Bellflowers remained silent, heads down, refusing to make eye contact with Warner or the crowd. Edwards asked for a consensus, but the board refused to acknowledge even this small request.

    On July 27, the Board of Directors of the Hope Mills Area Chamber of Commerce sent a letter to the town and the Board of Commissioners. They formally requested Jackie Warner be allowed to attend the award ceremony saying: “Mayor Warner has been working diligently and steadfast on the dam project for nearly four years and has played a vital role in acquiring the settlement to rebuild the damn and replenish the lake. Mayor Warner is the ambassador for the town of Hope Mills. It is only proper and fitting that she accompany Town Manager Adams in accepting this most prestigious and well-earned award.”

    The Board of Commissioners have ignored the letter and refused to reply. Interestingly, there was a Board of Commissioners meeting scheduled for Sept. 10. At the Aug. 20 meeting, the board voted to cancel it since Adams would be in Seattle and couldn’t attend. There is nothing preventing Warner from attending the ceremony in Seattle, but she’s chosen to not attend, citing a need to honor the wishes of the board members.

    Photos L to R: Jerry Legge, Jessie Bellflowers, Meg Larson, Mike Mitchell, Pat Edwards, Mayor Jackie Warner, Town Manager Melissa Adams

  • 13Tara Cronin Day Break ArchivalDwight Smith, project director at Ellington-White Contemporary Gallery, had a specific reason to include a national abstract competition in the gallery’s 2018 exhibition year. Smith and Executive Director Calvin Mims both wanted to respond to a frequent question in the community: If representational artists paint in a way that depicts what is clearly identifiable, then what are abstract artists doing?

    Two hundred fifty artists across the country answered the complex question by participating in an exhibition titled “Immersed in Abstraction: A National Juried Competition.” Of the 250 artists who entered the competition, 25 were selected to send original works for the gallery show at Ellington-White, and fifty-six artists are being represented in an online exhibition.

    Artist Randy Akens was the final juror of a two-tiered jurying process. From Savannah, Georgia, Akens jurors’ statement is short: “The artists in ‘Immersed in Abstraction’ all provide quality of expression and reflect significant points of view nationwide.”

    I think it’s important to expound on some central points about abstraction for anyone who would like to broaden their understanding about the abstract style.

    The range of styles in “Immersed in Abstraction” confirms why there are countless texts published that examine the ideas or intent of abstract art. Of the many relevant approaches, I selected several significant and foundational modern/contemporary statements about the style – explanations that could alter one’s perception about a non-representational style when visiting any gallery.

    As long ago as 1943, Ad Reinhardt’s statement about abstract works created clarity for many when he stated, “It is more difficult to write or talk about abstract art than any other painting because the content is not in a subject matter or story, but in the actual painting activity.”

    The above statement is illustrated in all of the paintings in “Immersed in Abstraction.” For example, when looking at the brushy painted marks of Jean Banas’ “Misplaced Memories,” we know there are two figures in the picture plane – yet the act of painting becomes more important than the subject. The artist’s painting method becomes integral to the meaning of the work itself and the viewer’s interpretation.

    Another important and well-known statement about abstract works was made by Douglas Huebler in 1968. Huebler, defending his position against being a representational artist, said, “The world is full of objects, more or less interesting; I do not wish to add any more. I prefer instead to simply state the existence of things in terms of time and/or place.” Huebler is not referencing the physical “objecthood” of an art object but is challenging the idea of why to reproduce or reference an illusion of an object or objects in a work of art.

    When considering Huebler’s stance, I immediately think of the Hawaii-based artist Tara Cronin, whose work was accepted into the physical exhibition of “Immersed in Abstraction.” Hoping to “promote the idea of science and art as being symbiotic,” Cronin’s work is a pigment print with chlorophyll, pen, pencil and blood. Titled “Daybreak Archival,” something hair-like seems to float amidst a seemingly unknown language. The image conjures something that feels ancient with the universally personal.

    When thinking about Cronin’s work, it’s easy to reflect back to Reinhardt’s statement about the importance of the actual activity of the making.

    Cronin, an accomplished artist and someone who holds several co-patents with her partner, scientist Ed Chen, explores “the interface between the material and the individual by making photographically- based work involving images or prints combined with materials such as reconstituted hemoglobin and chlorophyllin as well as with dust and with liquid metals.” In lieu of practicing chiaroscuro to create the illusion of a three-dimensional object on a flat surface, Cronin shares her investigation of the expressive quality of materials.

    Ellington-White Contemporary Gallery is pleased with the response of artists and the variety of mediums and styles in the exhibit. Ranging from professional and collectable works of art to works by emerging artists, the exhibit includes a range of media – monoprints, intaglio prints, paintings, mixed media, photographs and computer graphics. From the figurative to non-objective, visitors to the gallery will see painterly expressionism as well as hard-edged minimalism, social commentary and personal investigative approaches to art-making, science and politics.

    The politics of M. Wilk’s mixed media work titled “Control Series: Regulation” investigates today’s culture. By combining a mix of stenciled flat people shapes floating above collaged papers, the painterly mark-making exudes an industrial essence. The artist described the “Control Series” as “a dialogue regarding our society and culture in today’s age. The works touch on surveillance regarding the digital landscape we live in, the Elite, consumerism and money.”

    Here is one last statement about the possibilities of abstract art before this article comes to an end. In 2010, Bob Nickas, in his book titled “Painting Abstraction: New Elements in Abstract Painting,” said, “Maybe abstract painting has become a form of imaginative fiction. Here, the painter of abstract life reflects on the world without submission to its direct rendering and counters every other representation... the painter of abstract life slows down perception... Abstract painting can be its own subject, its own world, one that reveals itself slowly over time and may not look exactly the same to us from one day to the next.”

    And so it is with all of the works in the exhibit. Visitors will need to attend the exhibit several times to see how the works can change from one day to another.

    All of the above are reasons to visit “Immersed in Abstraction: A National Juried Competition.” Thinking about new ways of seeing can influence one’s appreciation of works of art in stimulating ways and can even alter one’s own creative approach.

    The show will remain up until Sept. 22. Ellington-White Contemporary Gallery is located at 113 Gillespie St. Gallery hours are Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. View the online exhibition at www.ellington-white.com. For information on the exhibit or on a Sept. 18 Abstract Monoprint Workshop, call 910-483-1388.

  • 24Mandy McMillan Terry Sanford tennis 25Ritika Shamdasani Terry Sanford tennis To hear that Terry Sanford is the favorite to win this year’s Patriot Athletic Conference girls tennis title is no surprise.

    But league teams may be a little more concerned when they hear head coach Mandy McMillan’s assessment of her 2018 squad.

    “These girls came back and shocked me this year when we did challenge matches,’’ she said. “My whole team is strong. I don’t have a weak link. I’d put them up against anybody in the conference.’’

    The Bulldogs will be led at first court by Ritika Shamdasani, who said she thrives on the support of McMillan and her teammates during matches and practices.

    On the court, Shamdasani said, she tries to focus on playing her game and not get caught up in trying to emulate moves that her opponents are using. “You have to stay true to your game and how you play,’’ Shamdasani said. “That’s usually what wins matches.’’

    Shamdasani said the strength of her game is serving. She’s been consistent and powerful in this area.

    McMillan thinks if there is a conference team that could give Terry Sanford a run for its money, it’s Cape Fear, led by No. 1 singles player Chloe Arnette. Arnette already beat Shamdasani in their first match this season, 6-3, 6-3. “Chloe is a tough competitor,’’ McMillan said of Arnette. “That was a win well deserved.’’

    Cape Fear finished second to Terry Sanford a year ago, losing only to the Bulldogs in conference play.

    “This year, our goal is to be as competitive as possible with Terry Sanford,’’ Colt coach Chris Lucas said.

    Arnette, who first took up tennis as something to
    keep her in shape for basketball, is now looking to
    tennis as the sport she’d like to play in college.

    “I feel my strength is my athleticism,’’ she said. “And I’m a really strong competitor. I analyze what I need to do better to win the next point.’’

    But, she said, her main focus is having fun. “You have to have fun. It’s the key to playing.’’

    Arnette has advanced to North Carolina High School Athletic Association regional play in doubles all three of her years at Cape Fear. She’s
    undecided this year if she’d like to make a final try at a doubles title or pursue the chance to play for a singles championship.

    She said she’ll decide which way she plays based on if she’s doing better in singles or doubles when the time comes to make the decision.

    Photos L to R: Mandy McMillan, Ritika Shamdasani

  • 04gilgameshHas it been a while since you thought about our old pal, Gilgamesh, the King of Uruk, the superstar of Sumeria? Gilgamesh holds title as the subject of the oldest written story – one about a Babylonian superhero. Let’s take a walk down memory lane to see why people still remember Gilgamesh after more than 4,000 years.

    Gil, as his friends called him, was fortunate enough to have at least five epic poems written about him on clay tablets that survived thousands of years. In the 1870s, someone was smart enough to translate Gil’s story. This translation caused a ruckus, as there are several similarities between Gil’s story and Old Testament stories, including a Great Flood, which upset certain theologians.


    So, where to begin? Gil was not only King of Uruk, he was also 66 percent god, 33 percent man and 25 percent Dacron. Like Shaft himself, Gil was one bad “shut your mouth.”

    Gil built cities and ziggurat pyramids and had his way with the ladies whenever he was so inclined. He was one of the first #MeToo offenders. He was so bad he wouldn’t even wash his hands before eating. His subjects wailed piteously to the Sumerian gods for relief from Gil’s bad behavior.

    To calm Gil down, the gods made a wild man named Enkidu to act as a counter-weight to Gil. Like Tarzan, Enkidu grew up with wild animals. He was just as strong as Gil. Enkidu got word of what a bad dude Gil was and decided to confront him. When Enkidu arrived at Gil’s palace, Gil was just about to have his way with a bride on her wedding night. Enkidu assumed the role of special counsel to stop Gil’s de- praved behavior. Enkidu stood in the doorway and told Gil that he shall not pass. Gil, unused to being told what to do, was not amused. An epic rassling match took place between Gil and Enkidu, which ultimately Gil won.

    As in all classic male bonding stories and cop buddy movies, after their rough start, Gil and Enkidu become fast friends. They decide to go have adventures together. They go to a forest guarded by a demon to cut down some magic trees. They kill the demon and take his trees to make a raft to float back home. On arriving home, the goddess Ishtar falls in love with Gil. Gil is more interested in Enkidu than Ishtar. He ignores her, and she becomes a woman- goddess scorned. Ishtar gets her daddy, Anu the god of the sky, to send the bull of heaven to smite Gil. Gil and Enkidu take on the bull of the sky. After a huge battle, the bull of heaven becomes a barbecue lunch for the boys. This aggravates the gods to no end. They decide the boys must be punished. Celestial cooties are unleashed to infect Enkidu. He dies after a long and gooey illness.


    Gil is emotionally crushed by Enkidu’s death. The clay tablet about Enkidu’s death says Gil did not want to bury his friend but sat Shiva beside Enkidu’s body for seven days. This foreshadowed the scene in “Gone with the Wind” where Rhett Butler refused to allow Bonnie Blue Butler to be buried until Mammy finally convinced him. Gil is reported to say, “Enkidu, my friend/ For six days and seven nights I wept over him/ I did not allow him to be buried/ Until a worm fell out of his nose.” That is true devotion on a level of Damon and Pythias or Heckle and Jekyll.

    Gil is so stressed out he stops being king and puts on animal skins. He goes on a quest to mourn Enkidu and to try to learn how to live forever. Gil ends up meeting a megadude named Utnapishtim who tells him how the gods had sent a great flood to drown all mankind except for Utna, who built a big boat to save his family and all the animals of Earth. Utna gets to live forever but tells Gil that man can never become immortal. Gil is a bit of a whiner and pleads for eternal life.

    Utna tells Gil if he can stay awake for a whole week, he can have eternal life. Gil immediately overindulges in Sumerian Thanksgiving turkey. Full of tryptophan, Gil falls asleep and loses his chance for immortality. When Gil wakes up, Utna tells him to go home. Utna’s wife, who had a hankering for Gil, tells Gil about a secret plant that will give Gil eternal life. Gil gets the plant and is ready to head for home with the key to eternal life. Unfortunately, Gil runs into a talking snake who steals the plant from him. The snake eats the plant, sheds its skin and becomes young again. Gil remains mortal and will cross the Great Divide.

    So, what have we learned today? Don’t trust talking snakes. If a worm falls out of your dead friend’s nose, it’s time to call the undertaker. If it looks like it’s going to rain for a long time, build an ark. If you are enough of a Sumerian superhero, people will still be reading about you more than 4,000 years after you are dead. And now you know the rest of the story.

  • 01coverUAC0082918001Bring on fall! It’s time for back to school, cooler weather and the Cumberland County Fair. This 10-day celebration of food, fun and entertainment marks the end of summer and the start of autumn festivities in the community. Running Aug. 31 through Sept. 9, the fair fills the Crown Complex with an amazing midway with games, rides and food. There is also music to look forward to, but the fair is also so much more than entertainment.

    The fair celebrates the history and legacy of the agricultural communities in Cumberland County. Local arts and crafts and livestock shows and contests also have a big place in the fair’s footprint. The event is a safe setting for fun, healthy family fun. Its shows and contests provide an inviting environment of friendly competition for all ages.

    For the third year in a row, the fair is partnering with Big Rock Amusements. “We’re proud to be working again with Big Rock (Amusements), which is, bar none, the best in fair entertainment there is,”said Cumberland County Fair Manager Hubert Bullard. “We want the latest and the greatest for our fair, and that’s why we continue to work with (them).”

    Midway games, rides, food and exhibits are a given every day from open to close, but there are also special activities and events that run throughout the fair. There are two main attractions this year as well – the World of Wonders Show and Great Lakes Timber Show, both with multiple showings throughout the week. There are also themed nights, offering discounts and special events.

    Friday, Aug. 31

    The gates open at 5 p.m., and admission is free all evening – although it does cost to ride the rides. Ride wristbands are available for $25. Fun repeat events that have multiple times almost every day of the fair include: the petting farm, which is sponsored by Lumbee River EMC; The Great American Timber Show; The World of Wonders Show; Escape Explosion Show; and the Up & Coming Weekly entertainment stage. Reflections II will perform on the entertainment stage from 7-10 p.m. Opening night only, enjoy the Q98 Scavenger Hunt. The Junior Laying Hen Show will be in the Crown Expo Center, section C.

    Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1-2

    Gates open at 1 p.m. Admission is $7. Anyone who partcipated in the August Kidsville News coloring contest can bring their artwork for $2 off admission. Ride wristbands are $25. Enjoy musicians Open Road from 2-5:30 p.m. and Joyner, Young & Marie from 6:30-10 p.m. on the entertainment stage on Saturday in addition to all the repeat events on both days. Sunday is Staycation Student Day. Bring your student ID and get $4 off admission. There will be a 10:15 a.m. church service at the fairgrounds Sunday as well. The day’s stage entertainment is Truly Blessed; Glad Trio; Born Again Band; and Accepted Band. Old School 107.7 JAMZ will host a Favorite Food Fair contest Sunday, too.

    Monday, Sept. 3

    On Labor Day, enjoy the $10 Pay One Price Special from the time the gates open at 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. The Pay One Price Special includes free, unlimited carnival rides once you’ve paid for admission, unlike previous days of the fair.

    Apply the same deal but for $15 after 5 p.m. In addition to the repeat events, Q98 will be at the fair from 4-7 p.m. Vantage will perform on the Up & Coming Weekly stage from 7-10 p.m.

    Tuesday, Sept. 4

    Admission is again Pay One Price, with $15 allowing for unlimited rides. Don’t miss the Junior Market Lamb Show in the Expo Center, section C, in addition to the repeat events. Black Velvet will perform on the entertainment stage from 7-10 p.m.

    Wednesday, Sept. 5

    Pay One Price for $15 on one of the fair’s busiest days. In addition to the repeat events, FOXY 99 will be at the fair. Agricultural events include the Little “Ewe” Jump Start Livestock Clinic; Swine, Feeder Calf and Steer Show; and Fayetteville Area Youth Livestock Auction Sale, which is sponsored by Cumberland County Farm Bureau and Cumberland County Livestock Association. The Expressions will perform from 7-10 p.m. on the entertainment stage.

    Thursday, Sept. 6
    Don’t miss the Senior Expo, which kicks off at 1 p.m. and grants free admission to those 50 and older until 5 p.m. Don Chase from WKML 95.7 radio will be the master of ceremonies. The schedule of events is:

    • 1:30 p.m. Warren Coleman
    • 2 p.m. Ms. Ortiz’s Line Dancers
    • 2:30 p.m. Hope Mills Senior Line Dancers
    • 3 p.m. 82nd All-American Airborne Chorus

    For guests under 50, the $15 admission fee includes all rides and repeat events. The Junior Meat Goat Show is also scheduled for Sept. 6, as well as Ring Wars Carolina Wrestling. The entertainment stage will feature Dark Horse Duo.

    Friday, Sept. 7

    Gates open at 5 p.m. Admission costs $7. Unlimited ride wristbands are available for $25. Military members and emergency services personnel, to include law enforcement, firefighters and EMS/rescue, get in free if they are in uniform or with ID. WKML will make an appearance. The Junior Beef Heifer Show, sponsored by Cumberland County Farm Bureau, will be in the Expo, section C. Eastline Band will perform on the entertainment stage.

    Saturday, Sept. 8

    Gates open at 1 p.m. Admission is $7. Unlimited ride wristbands are $25. Bob 96.5 FM will be at the fair, and Guy Unger Band and Rivermist will perform on the entertainment stage.


    Sunday, Sept. 9

    Attend church services at 10:15 a.m. at the fair- grounds. After that, it’s Faith and Family Day at the fair. Bring a church bulletin (one per person) and get $2 off admission from 1-3 p.m. Don’t miss your last chance to check out the petting farm, Great Lakes Timber Show, World of Wonders, Escape Explosions, and Up & Coming Weekly Entertainment Stage, featuring Destiny Now Praise Band, CPAC Band and Travelin’ Lite Band.

    The Crown Complex is located at 1960 Coliseum Dr. Learn more at www.cumberlandcountyfair.org.

  • Meetings
    For details about all meetings and activities, including location where not listed, call Town Clerk Jane Starling at 910-426-4113. Most meetings take place at Town Hall or the Hope Mills Parks and Recreation center.

    Labor Day Holiday Monday, Sept. 3. Town Hall will be closed.
    CANCELLED: Board of Commissioners Monday, Sept. 10, 7 p.m.
    Lake Advisory Committee Tuesday, Sept. 18, 6 p.m.

    Activities
    Registration underway for the next Hope Mills Citizens Academy, which is designed to help citizens gain insight into how local government works and promote open lines of communication. The next Citizens Academy sessions begin Thursday, Sept. 6. Register online at www.townofhopemills.com. For further information, call Jane Starling at 910-424-4902 or email jstarling@townofhopemills.com.

    Hope Mills Area Kiwanis Club at Sammio’s, second Tuesdays at noon and fourth Tuesdays at 6 p.m. For details, call 910-237-1240.

    Hope Meals Food Truck Rodeo Thursday, Sept. 6, at the parking lot between Town Hall and Parks & Rec Center. 5 p.m.

    Registration open for the 4th Annual Miss Hope Mills Cotton Pageant Applications are now being accepted at Hope Mills Parks & Recreation. Registration Deadline is Friday, Sept. 14. The pageant is for ages are 3 - 22 years old. Visit www.townofhopemills.com/375/Miss-Hope-Mills-Cotton-Pageant and see applications for rules and important information for contestants. The pageant takes place Oct. 5 for ages 3-9 and Oct. 6 for ages 10-22.

    Ole Mills Days 2018 Saturday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. For more details and vendor information, contact Parks and Recreation Director Kenny Bullock: 910-426-4107 or kwbullock@townofhopemills.com.

    Promote yourself: Email hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com.

  • 21Bryan Pagan Grays Creek soccer 22C.J. Eley Grays Creek soccer The Gray’s Creek boys soccer team is coming off a 21-win season and a trip to the third round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 3-A playoffs.

    Coach Bryan Pagan said the Bears lost a lot of experience from last season’s team, but they return a lot of the offense from that squad, which bolsters his hopes of having another strong run in 2018.

    “I thought depth was going to be an issue, but we had a couple of transfers come in and (moved) some guys up from the jayvees,’’ he said.

     Last year’s team was built around strength and athleticism. This year, Pagan feels his squad’s soccer IQ is higher and its decision-making ability is improved. “Last year, we were able to overpower teams,’’ he said. “This year, we will continue to press teams and make them make mistakes.’’

    The defense will be rebuilt with a new goalkeeper and a new back line. “The more comfortable they get receiving the ball, the better they’ll get,’’ Pagan said. “We’re only scratching the surface.’’

    Among the top players returning for the Bears is sophomore C.J. Eley.

    Eley scored 14 goals and handed out five assists. He said he feels more comfortable with experience this season. Joining the team as a freshman last season and being thrust into new surroundings was a challenge.

    He’s focused more on the mental aspect of finishing possessions of the ball. “Last year our chemistry was good and we got along,’’ Eley said. “We’re going to have to be on the same page like we were last year.”

    Pine Forest was the top 4-A team in the Patriot Conference last year and finished second in the regular season to the Bears.

    Coach Isaac Rancour hopes the

    Trojans can again compete for the con-
    ference title and make the state playoffs.

    “I’m excited to see how much our team grows from beginning to end,’’ he said. “We’re getting all the pieces in place. Finding a way to put the ball in the back of the net is one of the big things.’’

    Connor Sykes is returning for his fourth year and will anchor the Trojan defense. “I expect him to organize the field,’’ Rancour said. “He’s done a great job in preseason with leadership roles. I except him to continue... leading on and off the field.’’

    Sykes said the Trojans have set a goal of not only making the state playoffs but ending the frustration of consistently losing in the first round.

    He’s not worried about any personal glory. “Personal recognition is great, but I’d rather have a conference championship as a team,’’ he said. “Being part of this team is the only goal I’ve set for myself.’’

    Photos L to R: Coach Bryan Pagan, C.J. Eley

  • 23South View cross country coach Jesse AutrySouth View High School’s 19th edition of the Jungle Run cross country meet is scheduled for this Saturday, Sept. 1, starting at 6:15 p.m.

    The event will feature its traditional six races for its special night run around the South View High School campus and vicinity, with the finish line on the track around Randy Ledford Stadium.

    The developmental races for boys and girls are at 6:15 p.m. and 6:55 p.m., respectively. The invitational races for smaller schools and B teams from larger schools will be at 7:40 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.

    The championship races for larger schools and more competitive smaller schools are set for 9 p.m. and 9:40 p.m.

    South View cross country coach Jesse Autry said Chapel Hill is the favorite in both the girls and boys races, having swept the last two Jungle Run competitions.

    Other outside teams that should fare well include the boys from Durham Jordan and Winston-Salem Reynolds, along with Wilmington Hoggard.

    Local and area teams that should contend for top finishes include South View, Jack Britt, Cape Fear, Pinecrest and Union Pines.

    Photo: Jesse Autry

  • 08EMSThe 2018 Campaign of Honor, spearheaded by District 19 Republican Sen. Wesley Meredith, continues into its second week recognizing and honoring all Cumberland County first responders. During the campaign, which began Aug. 13, Meredith and colleagues are conducting on-site visits to personally thank and recognize the work and dedication of all local first responders. The visitors also gain more insight into the operations and challenges of these organizations.

    Meredith said, “We not only want to showcase these departments, but we want to involve the community in honoring these first responders for the work they do everyday, maintaining the safety, health and well-being of our residents and their loved ones.”

    This week, they visited the Cumberland County Emergency Medical Services Base Facility. While touring the facility, Meredith spoke with various personnel there who specialize in training for the Urban Search and Rescue Team. He also participated in an up-close-and-personal training experience.

    Heading up the training was Cumberland County EMS Medical Director Matthew Wells, M.D. Wells is on staff at Cape Fear Valley Hospital. After the tour, Meredith said, “It is pretty obvious that EMS first responders are much more than people who drive an ambulance.”

    The 2018 Campaign of Honor will continue with visits to the Fayetteville City Police Department, the Cumberland CountySheriff’s Department and the city/county fire departments.

    The message from this campaign is clear: We appreciate these organizations and these exceptional individuals and want to acknowledge them wherever and whenever possible. They are professional, specialized and highly trained individuals dedicated to saving lives and protecting our citizens.

    Meredith encouraged everyone to share their praises of these organizations on Facebook and on all social media platforms. “Personal words of encouragement are always appreciated,” he said.

    Meredith is looking forward to continuing the Campaign of Honor, which will culminate in a Sept. 11 remembrance and recognition event sponsored by local businesses and organizations at The TapHouse at Huske Hardware, located at 411 Hay St. in downtown Fayetteville, from 5:30-7 p.m.

  • 10BBT Bragg BlvdThere was a time when Branch Banking & Trust Company was the dominant financial institution in Cumberland County with 10 branches. On Nov. 16, BB&T will close its Bragg Boulevard branch, reducing its local financial center count to six in a very competitive industry. There are more than 20 separate banks and credit unions in Cumberland County now, most with several branches.

    “After careful consideration, we will be closing the Bragg Boulevard financial center... consolidating it with the Fayetteville main financial center at 3817 Morganton Rd.,” said Dorothy Woodard, BB&T regional banking manager.

    In September of 2017, BB&T Corp., headquartered in Winston-Salem, announced plans to close 140 branches. The bank updated its branch-closing plans later last year as part of a presentation by Kelly King, BB&T chairman and chief executive officer.

    “For the last 10, 15 years, we’ve been kind of handicapped, because we’ve been having to deal (with) the digital system, while at the same time we’ve been having to carry along the traditional brick-and-mortar system without much opportunity to rationalize the cost,” King said. “That is changing very quickly now.”

    King’s presentation listed 2,188 branches companywide as of June 30, 2017, including 351 in North Carolina, 344 in Virginia and 318 in Florida. King said many of the branches being targeted for closure have other branches close by, which he believes will limit potential customer runoff.

    The BB&T branches nearest the Bragg Boulevard location are on Rowan Street downtown and Morganton Road at Westwood Shopping Center. There is a First Citizens Bank branch next door to the office BB&T is closing.

    King said that BB&T is trying to balance “a steady decline in branch activity” with the fact that most of its client base “still value the branches.”

    BB&T has been serving Fayetteville and Cumberland County for over 44 years. It also has branch offices in Hope Mills and Eastover. In August of 1994, BB&T and Southern National Bank announced a “merger of equals.” The merged bank would be called BB&T. The Bragg Boulevard office being closed in November was originally a branch of SNB.

    With mobile phones now able to provide virtually all the services of a branch at a fraction of the cost, banks have cut their expenses massively by shutting physical locations and moving customers to apps and automatic teller machines, relieving some of the pressure of low interest rates, new competition and reduced loan growth. A new Bain & Co. study shows most customers who want to do mobile banking are already doing so. Many customers who rely on branches now often use the closing of one as an opportunity to switch banks, Bain found.

    BB&T’s strategies must be working. King shared impressive numbers with stockholders in a July conference call: “We had record earnings, record returns, strong revenue, very good expense control, great asset quality and improved loan growth. Net income was record $775 million or up 22 percent versus second 2017. Diluted EPS was $0.99, up 28 percent. Adjusted diluted EPS was a record $1.01, which was up 29 percent.”

  • 05SchoolOur community is grateful today to receive a two-year state grant of nearly $1,000,000 to fund 13 additional school resource officers in Cumberland County schools.

    However, I believe we must acknowledge that school resource officers are an essential infrastructure investment to keep our children safe, and all campuses must be included. Public safety is a primary responsibility of government – something that citizens cannot reasonably be expected to provide for themselves, so government must.

    As a candidate for the North Carolina Legislature, I was asked a few days ago to identify my top two priorities for action in the General Assembly. I responded, “1. Funding at least one school resource officer for each public-school campus.”

    For many years I have advocated for infrastructure – including personnel needed to keep our community safe – county jail expansion, additional police officers, and a more effective court system. These are all important, and community leaders have stepped up to provide the resources for these initiatives –but we now know there are more challenges.

    Recurring funding for the additional officers needed here, and across the state, is not something that can be left to strained local communities and school boards. It is imperative that our legislature step up to provide permanent funding for school resource officers that will allow us to maintain at least one fulltime officer at every school.

    Cumberland County has 87 public school campuses, with 43 school resource officers currently in place. Adding 13 more resource officers over the next two years will leave 31 schools without an armed law enforcement officer on campus now, and unless we identify permanent funding, elementary school students will go unprotected.

    This is an expensive proposal. More than $100 million a year – but an essential infrastructure need, just as we fund other support personnel in our schools.

    My commitment to public safety has never been stronger – nor the need greater. If elected to represent the citizens of NC House District 44, I commit to making school resource officers, and school safety my top priority. I call on other candidates and members of our legislative delegation to do the same.

  • 03SexismWe are a nation beset by “isms” – racism, ageism, extreme nationalism, provincialism and, certainly, sexism.

    While we might suspect and even recognize the painful damage isms inflict on the victims of our various prejudices, real data are hard to
    come by. That makes results of economic research released earlier this month more eye-popping, showing real impacts sexism has on women from the cradle to the grave. It is not a pretty picture and is uglier in some places than in others.

    Anecdotal evidence of the impact of sexism abounds. Think about the stories that emerged and are continuing to emerge from the #MeToo
    movement. Think about the women who report suggestions they have made at work that are ignored until a man makes the same suggestion, and everyone proclaims it a great idea. Think about the woman in the workplace who was asked, “Is there a man I can talk to?” or the attorney
    arguing her client’s case with an opposing attorney who interrupted her with, “I think you need to take a Midol and call me back when you feel better.” There’s the women who were waiting to meet with their company’s CEO, who walked in and asked, “Where are all the guys?” These are all incidents reported last year in The New York Times.

    Now comes research from economists at the University of Chicago, Northwestern University and the National University of Singapore, which finds that where an American woman is born matters and has real and lasting impacts on how much she works and earns as an adult. In other words, her life and income are affected by the degree of sexism in the state in which she was born.

    The research used data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the General Social Survey, a biennial national survey looking at Americans’ beliefs on a wide spectrum of subjects and issues. It shows what we all know – that there is a gender gap between men and women when it comes to income. It also shows something we did not know – that the gap is greater when the women come from highly sexist states.

    What are those highly sexist states? Alabama, West Virginia, Utah, Alabama and Tennessee are in the top tier of sexism. North Carolina and most other Southern states fall into the second tier of sexist states.

    States with low levels of sexism include Alaska, Connecticut, Wyoming and Vermont.

    What is particularly troubling about the research findings is that it does not seem to matter whether the woman moves away from her sexist state to a less sexist place. Income inequality in the workplace follows her wherever she goes throughout her life. A woman born in a highly sexist state is more likely to have a child earlier in life and to leave the workplace than a woman born in a less sexist state, decisions that have a lasting impact on her earnings. Researchers say women appear to internalize the social norms of the places where they grew up, including beliefs about the roles of women in both home and workplace, the appropriate time to have children and the value of women’s work in all aspects of life.

    Interestingly, sexism does not follow the same state lines as our partisan political red-blue divides. Wyoming and Alaska, among our least sexist states, reliably vote Republican, and several reliably Democratic states, including Illinois and New York, show up in the middle when it comes to sexism.

    No one escapes prejudices, either as a bearer of them or as a victim of them. All we can do is be aware of them and do our best not to pass them along.

  • 14Harris Teeter“This may be the last time we get together like this.”

    We hoped he was wrong. But my classmates and I knew that Charles Holland, the organizer of North Mecklenburg High School Class of 1958’s 60th reunion, might be right.

    Time is closing in on us.

    But what a time we have had. We have lived through historic times.

    Most of us were born in 1940, about 78 years ago. If you went back 78 years before 1940, you would be in 1863.

    So my classmates have had the privilege of living through more than one-half of post-Civil War American history.

    It has been quite an era: The final stages of the Great Depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt, World War II, Pearl Harbor, Hitler, the Holocaust, Hiroshima, Korea, nuclear confrontation with the Soviet Union, Ike, Brown v. Board of Education, Sputnik, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Martin Luther King Jr., Richard Nixon, Watergate, man on the moon, Vietnam, civil rights, women’s rights, sexual revolution, miracle medicine, drugs, Ronald Reagan, two Bushes, Clintons, gay rights, computers, Berlin Wall falls, Middle East terrorism, Twin Towers, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Obama, the rise of China, iPhones, Facebook, Twitter and a president who tweets. We could not mention the president’s name at the reunion because politics was a forbidden topic.

    Closer to where we grew up in northern Mecklenburg County, the nearby textile and furniture mills that employed some of our parents are gone. Our families shopped at stores owned by Mr. W.T. Harris and Mr. Willis Teeter before they joined forces. Now, Harris-Teeter has been sold to Kroger. The local Lance cracker factory most of us visited as students recently became Snyder-Lance, which earlier this year sold itself to Campbell Soups.

    The neighborly power company and one of our local banks have become giant conglomerates, Duke Energy and Bank of America.

    Our nearby big town, Charlotte, and the welcoming places we loved to visit are gone. In their place is a bustling worldclass city with professional sports teams, direct international flights and hundreds of thousands of new neighbors who jam the highways every time we come back to visit.

    That growth transformed the lazy banks of the Catawba River, where we swam and sunbathed, into Lake Norman. It turned the small farms and dairies, where some of us grew up or worked in the summer, into a university campus, residential and commercial developments and country clubs.

    In 1958, North High, with about 600 students, serviced the small communities of Derita, Long Creek, Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson and Mallard Creek. Today’s North High has about 3,000 students. Not counting private, charter and religious sponsored schools, it takes four additional public high schools to serve this area: Hopewell, Mallard Creek, Zebulon B. Vance and a high school named after the Class of 1958’s North High principal, William A. Hough.

    At the reunion, there was an elephant in the room.

    Charles Holland brought it up gently. “I thought we would sing our old fight song.” He then reminded us how it went. “Rah, rah, those Rebels.”

    In 1958, notwithstanding Brown v. Board, North was an all-white school, totally segregated like most other schools in our region. In addition to the Rebel nickname, our fans waved Rebel flags.

    When black students enrolled at North, things changed quickly. The Rebels became the Vikings. The Rebel flag disappeared.

    Is the 60th our last? I bet not.

    Although in 1940 the projected average lifespan for someone born that year was 63 years, it has gotten better. Today, people our age are projected to live an average of about 10 additional years. That is plenty of time for lots more good living. It gives me hope that more than a few of us will be back for our 70th reunion.

  • 02taxThis week, Publisher Bill Bowman yields this space to Don Talbot, a citizen who shares his thoughts on the City-County Li- aison Committee meeting. The meeting took place Wednesday, Aug. 15.

    There was discussion at the City-County Liaison Committee meeting regarding the food and beverage tax of 1 cent. Mayor Colvin recommends increasing it by a quarter of a cent, which I think is quite laudable. As far as the North Carolina Legislature is concerned, if you do not request it, nothing will ever become of it. Great idea, Mayor Colvin. This tax to increase revenue is across all people who purchase food and beverages and is more than equitable.

    Increasing the ad valorem tax that Larry Lancaster suggests – which only extracts money from people who own property– might be easier, but it is not fair. General fund revenues should come from all citizens who come and go within our cities and county. Sales taxes are a better way to go, and they are more palatable.

    If the county really wants to save money, then take away the patrol and detective officers from the sheriff’s office and have the Fayetteville Police Department go to a metro police force. Other police departments in Cumberland County should also be folded into this metro force. The sheriff’s office duties could be limited only to court and detention center requirements. Centralizing police activities would make for a more efficient force.

    About Shaw Heights and a proposal to realign Shaw Road, it sure would be nice if officials were more transparent about what might be happening. Those property owners in that area have a right to know what might – or will – be happening to them.

    I do believe that if the commissioners and city council lived in that doughnut hole, they, too, would be upset at what has not transpired since the Big Bang.

  • 12Lafayette II copyNorth Carolina will celebrate the birthday of Revolutionary War hero Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de Lafayette in Fayetteville Friday and Saturday, Sept. 7-8. Fayetteville was the first city in the nation named for the famous Frenchman when the State Assembly combined the towns of Cross Creek and Campbellton in 1783. It is the only namesake city Lafayette visited, even though there are scores of cities named for him.

    Festivities begin Friday evening at 5:30 p.m. with “Arias and Artifacts” in Davis Memorial Library at Methodist University. Some of the university’s collection of unique LaFayette artifacts include ceramic pitchers and bowls, medallions and other items manufactured to commemorate the hero’s celebrated visit to America in 1824-1825. Curator Arleen Fields will unveil one of the newest acquisitions, an original letter written by Lafayette.

    “One of my favorites from this collection is a drawer pull that was painted with Lafayette’s picture on it,” said Dr. Hank Parfitt, Lafayette Society president. “The artifacts in this collection were manufactured and sold around when Lafayette visited Fayetteville, so people could buy them and have a keepsake to remember when they saw Lafayette – like how we buy T-shirts at a Rock concert.”

    The Arias segment of the evening – an hourlong concert featuring vocal and instrumental music by French composers – begins at 7 p.m. in the Hensdale Chapel next door to the library. “This event has become quite popular,” said Parfitt. “It includes a wide variety of music and includes many talented musicians.”

    Tickets for the concert are $10 at the door, but reservations are recommended. Advance tickets can be purchased at City Center Gallery & Books at 112 Hay St. in downtown Fayetteville or by calling 910-678-8899.

    Saturday, the Museum of the Cape Fear celebrates Lafayette’s birthday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the Festival of Yesteryear, a day of living history with re-enactors, period crafts and interactive events for the whole family. Children will enjoy coloring and other fun activities at “Camp Lafayette,” where at 1 p.m. there will be free birthday cake and ice cream.

    City Center Gallery & Books will host Lafayette authors and artists from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday. A large selection of books on Lafayette and the Revolutionary War will be featured. Artist Caroline Merino will present her new artwork of the Market House with the 1825 Lafayette Map as a background. It will go on sale that day for the first time.

    The weekend celebration will end with Party Like You’re in Paris, a winetasting party at The Wine Café at 108 Hay St. from 6-8:30 p.m. Guests can sample a variety of French wines, and there will also be small plates of French cheeses available for purchase.

    Lafayette defied explicit orders of French King Louis XVI, who did not wish to provoke Great Britain. He eluded authorities and sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to assist the rebellious Americans in 1777. Although he was only 19, spoke little English and lacked any battle experience, Lafayette convinced the Continental Army to commission him a major general July 31, 1777.

    During the Battle of Brandywine, near Philadelphia, on Sept. 11, 1777, Lafayette was shot in the calf. Refusing treatment, the military novice managed to organize a successful retreat. Following a two-month recuperation, Lafayette was given command over his own division for the first time.

    As both a friend and a father figure, the commander of the Continental Army, George Washington, held the young Frenchman in high esteem. Lafayette remained at Washington’s side during the harsh winter at Valley Forge in 1777 and through the conclusive battle at Yorktown in 1781.

    Learn more about Lafayette’s birthday celebration by visiting the website www.lafayettesociety.org.

  • 06POW MIA Table SettingLast year during the November Heroes Homecoming observance, dozens of symbolic Missing Man Tables were set up around Cumberland County. The Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau provided 160 display kits for tables. This year, FACVB is again asking that Missing Man Tables be set up Nov. 1-12. Table kits are provided at no cost to businesses and other public organizations. The tables are designed to honor Americans missing in action during warfare.

    About 73,000 World War II men and women remain unaccounted for. From the Korean conflict, 7,763 military men are missing, and more than 1,600 are missing from the Vietnam War. It’s estimated that more than 85,000 Americans have not come home from war.

    For Missing Man Tables, designated symbolic items are placed on small round tables along with table tents that explain what the items depict. The kits and instructions will be available at the FACVB center on Person Street the last week of October.

    Former mayor gets new job

    Cool Spring Downtown District, Inc. has announced that Tony Chavonne has been named interim president and CEO of the organization. Chavonne will serve in this volunteer capacity while the District Board of Directors recruits a permanent executive. Mark R. Regensburger resigned in July.

    Chavonne will lead the organization in implementing innovative art and entertainment programming for the culturally, economically and racially diverse communities in and around the district while continuing the organization’s work to strengthen economic vitality downtown, a news release said.

    Chavonne is a lifelong resident of Fayetteville. He lives in the downtown district. He served as mayor of the city of Fayetteville from 2005 to 2013. He has served in civic affairs for many years.

    Cool Spring Downtown District, Inc. is a charitable nonprofit corporation formed in 2017 to create and sustain an inner-city arts and entertainment district that helps unify existing downtown entities.

    Joint college degree program

    Fayetteville State University and Fayetteville Technical Community College have signed an agreement that will allow FTCC graduates to complete online bachelor’s degrees at FSU at a cost not to exceed $10,000 in out-of-pocket expenses. The agreement was signed by FSU Chancellor James Anderson and FTCC President Larry Keen during the FTCC Board of Trustees meeting.

    The $10,000 Pathway Plan will provide access to affordable bachelor’s degrees in accounting, criminal justice, fire and emergency services administration, business administration, intelligence studies, nursing, professional studies, psychology and sociology. While these degree programs are fully online, FSU will provide regular face-to-face contact with program participants when needed.

    City of Fayetteville public records webpage

    The city has launched a new webpage for public record requests that it says will make the process easier and more efficient. Citizens can visit the city of Fayetteville website at Fayettevillenc.gov, scroll over “How Do I” and click on “Request A Public Record.” Records available include police and fire department reports. There is also a “Records Available Online” button on the Transparency and Accountability page where users can view and download available documents.

    “It is the right of citizens to request and view records, and with the help of... the new public records webpage, they now have better access to them,” said City Manager Doug Hewett.

    New features will not only make the entire process easier for the requestor but will allow city staff to more efficiently and effectively fulfill each request – no matter how complex. Making information available via the new webpage saves taxpayers money and time, as residents no longer need to go to a city office to obtain information.

    Local schools win state grant

    The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has awarded Cumberland County Schools a $401,100 grant to fund its Mental Health Support Personnel program. Local officials say the money will be used to improve efforts to reduce school violence and increase the wellbeing and mental health of students. The school system says the grant will fund development of school-based care review teams comprised of school nurses and counselors. The teams will provide support of the district’s Student Services Department.

    School children helped

    Cumberland County Register of Deeds staffers again this year collected book bags for homeless children. Register of Deeds Lee Warren held a brief dedication ceremony for the 10th annual school supply drive last week at the courthouse. Six hundred fifty book bags were presented to CCS Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connelly and Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins.

    “The continued generosity of the citizens of Cumberland County has been overwhelming and very humbling,” Warren said.

    Also earlier this month, Epicenter Church on Fort Bragg Road held its second consecutive back-to-school shopping spree for more than 30 children in foster care. Epicenter Church has also partnered with the Cumberland County Department of Social Services to provide Christmas gifts for teens in foster care. 

    “Foster care is something that is close to our heart, and after multiple years of being able to be a blessing at Christmas, this was just the logical next step,” said Mark Knight, lead pastor at Epicenter Church. Donations in support of the school shopping spree are appreciated. Information is available online at www.yourepicenter.com.

  • 07Darold BowdenDetectives with the Fayetteville Police Department’s Cold Case Sexual Assault Unit have arrested a suspect in connection with six rapes that occurred over a two-year span more than 10 years ago. The crimes occurred on Fayetteville’s northside, along Ramsey Street. Police say the attacks took place between March 2006 and January 2008.

    The man dubbed the Ramsey Street Rapist had been sought for years, but recent evidence came to light as the result of sophisticated new law enforcement technology. The suspect has been identified as Darold Wayne Bowden, 43, of Linden, North Carolina.

    He has been charged with sexual assaults that occurred on March 31, 2006, at Village at Carvers Falls Apartments; August 23, 2006, along the 4400 block of Ramsey Street; February 12, 2007, at apartments on Bubble Creek Court; March 6, 2007, at Village at Carvers Falls Apartments; September 18, 2007, at Heather Ridge Apartments; and January 26, 2008, at apartments on Bubble Creek Court. 

    Police Lt. John Somerindyke, director of the cold case unit, said Bowden was arrested at his home by the city police violent criminal apprehension team working with the U.S. Marshal’s violent fugitive task force. He was jailed on $18.8 million secured bond on 38 counts, including first-degree forcible rape, first- degree forcible sex offense, taking indecent liberties with a child and first-degree kidnapping.

    Bowden was identified using Snapshot Genetic Genealogy testing. Snapshot DNA Phenotyping Service is a tool developed by Parabon Nano- Labs that creates composite sketches based on DNA samples. It’s the same technology that was recently used in California to identify the Golden State Killer.

    DNA belonging to the then-un-known local suspect was recovered at three of the crime scenes and was uploaded to the nationwide Com- bined DNA Index System. The FPD received a case-to-case DNA match in connection with a March 2004 peeping tom incident that occurred in Harnett County not far from the north Fayetteville area.

    Earlier this year, Parabon NanoLabs developed a series of time-lapsed composite photos of the Ramsey Street Rapist that were age progressed to resemble what the suspect may look like today. Somerindyke said at the time that his squad would remain relentless in its search for answers and a suspect.

    Anyone who believes he or she may have been a victim or knows someone believed to have been a victim of Darold Bowden is encouraged to come forward and speak with detectives.

    Anyone with information concerning any cold sexual assault case is asked to contact Somerindyke at 910-709-8295 or Crimestoppers at 910-483-TIPS. Information can be submitted electronically at fay-nc-crimestoppers.org or by downloading the free P3 Tips app available for both Apple and Android devices.

    Photo: Darold Wayne Bowden

  • 26Todd Edge Cape Fear golf27Toni Blackwell Cape Fear golfComing off the best girls golf season in Cape Fear High School history, coach Todd Edge said he looks at the 2018 campaign with cautious optimism.

    Among the biggest reasons for Edge’s positive outlook is the return of Toni Blackwell, who dominated individual play in the Patriot Athletic Conference last season. She was the only player in the conference to break 80 for the season, averaging 78.6 during the seven regular-season matches.

    Blackwell helped lead the Colts to their first-ever North Carolina High School Athletic Association regional title and was one of five Colts who qualified for last year’s state 3-A tournament.

    “I think she’s tournament ready,’’ Edge said of Blackwell. “She’s working on her game and changing her swing.’’

    The swing change is a work in progress and could cause Blackwell some problems early in this year’s high school season as she continues to adjust.

    “Her swing coach has promised her in a couple of months she will see some results that will give her more distance and accuracy,’’ Edge said.

    Blackwell spent the summer taking part in many tournaments. “I worked on my mental game, staying focused, improved my game in all aspects,’’ she said.

    One of the biggest areas she felt she improved in was scrambling when she fails to make greens in regulation – being able to focus when she has a bad hole so she can get out with at worst a bogey.

    “My goal this year is to get my average down to 75, win the regionals and finish top five at state,’’ she said. “I want to defend our conference championship, defend our regional championship and get five girls to states again.’’

    Edge expects Blackwell to get support from teammates Mary Catherine Hales, Gabby Bynum, Madison Burrell and Jaclyn Daniels.

    “Mary Catherine has been hitting it well so far in practice,’’ Edge said. “Gabby was our No. 5 last year and is moving up to No. 3. Our No. 4 and No. 5, Madison and Jaclyn, have played in matches over the previous couple of years.

    “They are getting better, and hopefully they can help us down the road.’’

    Photos L to R: Todd Edge, Toni Blackwell

  • 18Dam 2 photo by Steve Aldridge copyAwards continue to come to the town of Hope Mills with the restoration of the town’s centerpiece, Hope Mills Lake, now that the dam has been repaired.

    At last Monday’s meeting of the Board of Commissioners, the town was officially presented a special recognition award from the 10th anniversary meeting of the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Joint Appearance Commission.

    “This is the first time the town has gotten an award from the whole commission,’’ said Mayor Jackie Warner. “This award is something the whole commission decides. It was presented to the town for restoring Hope Mills Lake to its former glory. It was really special.’’

    The town also received some other awards at the meeting. Warner’s business, Carleen’s, was recognized for best restoration of a historical nonresidential property. The South Main Street entrance to the town on Cameron Road was honored for best housing development gateway.

    But the special recognition prize was the big one, and the one that had the most meaning for long-time Hope Mills resident Sally Bailey.

    Bailey, who has called Hope Mills home for 38 years, is a former member of the town’s Appearance Committee and currently serves on the Parks and Recreation Committee.

    She made the presentation to the Joint Appearance Commission earlier this month that led to Hope Mills winning the special recognition for the restoration of the lake.

    “To me, it’s like winning the Oscar,’’ Bailey said. “You’re competing with everything in Cumberland County that’s been done.”

    Bailey said the award was especially meaningful after all the town has endured to get the lake back.

    “It’s taken us years and court battles and everything to get it back,’’ she said. “The award was for the citizens of Hope Mills for never taking no for an answer and never giving up.

    “The town officials worked hard. There were citizens that worked hard. We had so many roadblocks. We’d get this far and go back to the drawing board, making trips to Raleigh and having people come here.’’


    Bailey said the lake is special to Hope Mills for numerous reasons. “It’s the center point of our town,’’ she said. “To me, it is the memories. The beauty of it. The stillness and calmness when you stand by it and see the pride in this town for this lake, how hard we’ve fought for something.’’

    Bailey said she’s excited about plans for the lake moving forward. “I’d like to see more trees out there, picnic tables, an upscale lake area,’’ she said. “The town of Hope Mills has so much potential. We are growing. I look at that potential and see what can become of this town.

    “It takes a lot of hard work. I’m sure this town is going to do it.’’

  • 11StsThe curtain has risen on a new season of creative theater from Sweet Tea Shakespeare. First up is Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors,” co-directed by Jeremy Fiebig, Jessica Osnoe and Jennifer Pommerenke. The production is loaded with talented performances and inspired staging and runs through Sept. 8.

    The action of “The Comedy of Errors” is derived from a classic case of mistaken identity. The play follows the exploits of two sets of twins who were accidentally separated at birth.

    Antipholus of Syracuse and his servant Dromio of Syracuse travel to Ephesus. Little do they know, Ephesus is the home of their identical twin brothers – Antipholus of Ephesus and Dromio of Ephesus. As the two sets of brothers are identical and answer to the same forename, the stage is set for an incessantly-escalating series of misunderstandings and hijinks. To divulge much more of the story would cheapen the experience of seeing it play out live.

    The cast of this show its strength. Here, STS employs cross-gender and cross-race casting to great effect, allowing the production to get the best possible performances out of its talented group of actors and actresses. Antipholus of Syracuse is played by the hysterical Taj Allen, and his identical twin from Ephesus is played by the wonderful Traycie Kuhn-Zapata. Jessica Osnoe and Jen Pommerenke bring their comedic chemistry to the Dromio brothers, while Katherine O’Connell brings Adriana’s ever-growing and under- standable confusion to life.

    The cast is rounded out by an ensemble as good as any ever put up by the company, including strong performances from Laura Voytko, Evan Bridenstine, Jamonte Williams, Linda Flynn, Aaron Alderman, Jeremy Fiebig and Gabriel Terry.

    The show starts at 7:30 p.m., but audiences are really missing out on an essential aspect of the Sweet Tea experience if they arrive that late. Each production is preceded by a short show made up of music and sketches featuring the STS house band, the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers. Pre-shows begin around 6:45 p.m. and run until the main play begins. The songs performed are acoustic renditions of recognizable tunes, and the company is stacked with incredibly talented vocalists and musicians. The pre-show is absolutely worth the effort of arriving early.

    This season promises to be another strong showing from the company. After “The Comedy of Errors” closes, look forward to produc- tions of OthelLIT – an adaptation of the classic “Othello,” “Behold: A Folk Christmas Cantata,” the popular musical “Sweeney Todd,” “Maid Marian,” “Richard III” and “The Merry Wives of Windsor.”

    STS is one of the hidden gems of Fayetteville, and it is a shame that so many people in our community seem to be unaware of the work being done by this company of artists. Artistic endeavors like those undertaken by Sweet Tea should be celebrated. In Fayetteville, we do not have to travel far to see creative and thoughtful theater. Sometimes, we can find it in our literal backyard.

    “The Comedy of Errors” continues through Sept. 8 with shows on most evenings during the week held behind the 1897 Poe House downtown. For specific show dates, times and information on discounts and advanced tickets, call 910-420-4383 or visit www.sweetteashakespeare.com.

  • 20Spencer Oxendine Jack Britt golfer Summer may be for vacations for most people, but don’t tell that to Jack Britt High School and future N.C. State golfer Spencer Oxendine.

    One of the state’s top junior golfers, Oxendine played in 10 tournaments during the summer break, at one point going 11 straight days in tournament competition.

    The funny thing about it was, he didn’t enter the summer with a goal of winning. “In March, I was talking with my N.C. State coach (Press McPhaul) and I told him my main goal wasn’t to win,’’ Oxendine said. “It was to have a good summer, play solid all summer and make it to the Carolinas-Virginia match play team matches.’’

    Oxendine accomplished that goal and managed to bag some wins along the way.

    He won the Hope Valley Junior in Durham and the Creed Invitational in Camden, South Carolina.

    He also achieved his dream of making the Carolinas team in the Carolinas-Virginia match play and sank a key putt that led to the win by the Carolinas team.

    Oxendine said summer golf is more important than next spring’s high school season as far as preparing for what he’ll face in college, which will start a year from now after he completes his senior season at Jack Britt.

    “(In the summer) you’re going to get the strongest fields, playing the most amount of golf,’’ he said. “In college you’re playing a ton, so it helps big-time getting ready.’’

    He said the stretch of 11 consecutive days of golf this summer was eye-opening for him.

    “When you’re in a situation like that, you know it’s going to be a long week and you prepare for it,’’ he said.

    Since winning at Hope Valley, Oxendine said he hasn’t touched his clubs to give himself a needed break. “I was going to withdraw from Hope Valley, but I’m glad I didn’t,’’ he said. “We had walked 36 holes the Saturday before. Everything in my body was hurting.’’

    His competitive golfing for this year isn’t quite over. He’s got a handful of tournaments scheduled in the fall, including events in Spartanburg, South Carolina; Sea Island, Georgia; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and one at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

    “This is my offseason,’’ he said of the next several weeks. “I’ll be working out a lot more, working on my game. During the summer, I don’t make any changes. This is my time to work on my game.’’

    He used the tournaments this summer to see where his game is and learned a valuable lesson. “Even if I’m hitting poorly, I can still win and play well,’’ he said. “I hit the ball the worst I did all summer at the Carolinas Junior and finished third.’’

    As he approaches his final high school season, he’s setting some goals for himself. “I’d like to beat the conference record I set last year,’’ he said. He was the only golfer in the Sandhills Athletic Conference who played in all five regular-season matches last season and broke 70 for the year with a 69.6 average.

    His biggest goal is winning the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 4-A golf championship, but he knows that will be a challenge.

    His major competition will come from Raleigh Broughton’s Peter Fountain, a University of North Carolina commit, who lost in a playoff last year with Oxedine’s conference rival, A.J. Beechler of Pinecrest. Beechler and Fountain shot 145 over the two-day tournament while Oxendine tied for seventh with a 149.

    “He’s a really good player and a great guy,’’ Oxendine said of Fountain. “Whatever happens, happens.’’

    Photos: Spencer Oxendine

  • I’m still having concerns about the N.C. High School Athletic Association using the MaxPreps rankings as a tool to determine seedings for the state playoffs in football.
    My worries were reinforced this morning when I was doing some research for this week’s football picks.
    As just about everybody knows, last Friday was the opening week of football for NCHSAA member schools.
    So imagine my shock when I was checking Lumberton’s record and found the Pirates, at least in the eyes of MaxPreps, are already 1-1.
    How is this possible? Well the official Lumberton schedule on MaxPreps says Lumberton opened the season on Aug. 17 with a doubleheader.
    They beat somebody called North Forrest 44-7, but also lost to Dillon, South Carolina, 49-20.
    The Dillon game, as far as I know, was the one that was really played. North Forrest is a 2-A school from Mississippi.
    It’s this kind of glaring error that puts the whole MaxPreps formula into question.
    I know the NCHSAA has good intentions linking up with these folks, but I think it’s time we put our money into a seeder with North Carolina ties, like Brian Simmons who has done forecasting and ranking of all of the state’s schools for years and now is affiliated with NCPreps.com.
    I’d put a lot more trust in someone like him than a bunch of algorithms from MaxPreps.
     
    The record: 6-5
     
    First week predictions are always tough but this last week was about as bad as gets. I barely avoided a losing record for the week, which is unspeakable in the picking business. I was 6-5, a hideous 54.5 percent.
    Now that I’ve got a little bit more of a road map to work with, let’s hope the percentage gets better fast.
     
     
    Cape Fear at Seventy-First - An early matchup between two of the county’s best. Cape Fear’s lack of offense last week against Clinton is a concern heading into this one.
    Seventy-First 21, Cape Fear 6.
     
    South Columbus at Douglas Byrd - I’d love to pick Byrd to go on a winning streak, but South Columbus is one of the better teams in the 2-A classification so this will be no picnic for the Eagles.
    South Columbus 28, Douglas Byrd 21.
     
    E.E. Smith at Durham Jordan - The Golden Bulls got a rude shock in their opener with St. Pauls. I don’t look for things to improve this week against Jordan.
    Durham Jordan 28, E.E. Smith 14.
     
    Pinecrest at Gray’s Creek - The Bears got off to a great start on their long road trip to Monroe Parkwood last week, but things don’t look as promising Friday with a home game against consistent Sandhills Conference contender Pinecrest.
    Pinecrest 35, Gray’s Creek 14.
     
    Terry Sanford at Jack Britt - Both teams opened the season with disappointing losses and have issues they need to correct as their non-conference schedules continue. Terry Sanford’s defensive issues appear to be the bigger concern at this point.
    Jack Britt 21, Terry Sanford 14.
     
    Concord at Pine Forest - Can Pine Forest start 2-0? I like its chances.
    Pine Forest 27, Concord 12.
     
    Hoke County at South View - The Tigers looked sound in their opening win against Britt. I think two in a row is likely against a Hoke County team still looking for answers.
    South View 32, Hoke County 12.
     
    Westover at Lumberton - Westover hung on most of the way against a strong Seventy-First team. A win against Lumberton is not impossible, so I’m giving Westover a slight edge.
    Westover 14, Lumberton 12.
     
    Other games: Village Christian 24, Concord First Assembly 12; North Raleigh Christian 18, Fayetteville Christian 12; Trinity Christian 34, Wake Christian 8.
  • 09Atlantic Coast Pipeline Route copyThe federal government has ordered a halt to all work on the Atlantic Coast Pipeline after a panel of judges suspended two key permits for the massive project to bring natural gas from West Virginia through central Virginia and eight North Carolina counties, including Cumberland.

    The U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, vacated a permit issued by the National Park Service to allow the Atlantic Coast Pipeline to tunnel under the federally owned Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. The appellate court said the agency had not explained how the pipeline coincided with the mandate to conserve public lands. The court also vacated a permit issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service governing impact on endangered wildlife.
     
    Regional energy companies contend that public utilities in Virginia and North Carolina need new, lower-cost supplies of natural gas to generate cleaner electricity, heat the homes of a growing population and power new industries like manufacturing. They say the Atlantic Coast Pipeline would be an energy provider, job creator and economic game-changer. The underground natural gas transmission pipeline would provide new supplies of gas from West Virginia into Virginia and North Carolina.

    The project is also under review by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. Updates on permit applications, the regulatory review process, public hearings and meetings, public comments and other related information are posted on its website. Rural property owners, primarily farmers, object to the pipeline being routed through their property. Locally, the proposed route runs parallel to I-95 through Godwin and Wade. It then crosses the interstate and runs in a southeasterly direction between Vander and Stedman to Cedar Creek and into Robeson County west of N.C. 87.

    The Gardner farm in Wade, population 567, has been in the family for more than 70 years. Two generations of Gardners have raised grains, oats, barley, soybeans and more recently beef cattle on 960 acres. The Gardner
    family is among several defendants in a federal lawsuit involving the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. In some instances, property is being taken through eminent domain if purchase negotiations were not successful.

    ACP, LLC, which includes majority owners Duke Energy and Dominion Energy, filed several motions this month asking U.S. District Judge Terence Boyle to allow them to use eminent domain to seize portions of the defendants’ properties. What distinguishes this case is that pipeline owners want to take the property without paying the landowners first. This is known as “quick take.”

    Typically, in such an instance, the party doing the seizing must pay the landowner “just compensation” for the property. The Natural Gas Act of 1938, one of the main statutes governing the project, contains no quick
    take provision. “This is going to be a big fight between the gas company lawyers, the defense lawyers and environmental groups,” said property rights attorney Charles Lollar.

    Landowners often say they’ve been underpaid for their property’s value. At public Atlantic Coast Pipeline forums, several property owners complained that they felt lowballed by land agents in the financial negotiations.
     
    The Cumberland County properties in question range from less than a tenth of an acre to more than 5 acres. The land being acquired by ACP would be used as easements for underground pipeline construction. Without the easements, the pipeline’s owners can’t begin the project.
  • 10umojaAccording to Wikipedia, “umjoa” is the Swahili word for “unity.” Locally, Umoja Group, Inc. is an educational, cultural, charitable, and service organization that initiates and supports activities that promote the positive history, arts and culture of Africans, African-Americans and Caribbeans. The group then shares this rich heritage with others to enhance respect, cooperation and unity. The Umoja Group, Inc. presents the 26th annual Umoja Festival this Saturday, Aug. 25, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. at Seabrook Park.

    “The purpose of the event is to have a cultural festival to honor our own in our community, and it is for us and by us,” said Cassandra Standifer, board of directors of the Umoja Festival. “We keep it in our neighborhood so that walkers can have a location that is easily accessible to them because a lot of people don’t get the opportunity to branch out.”

    The event features a health fair,Total Collaboration Band, drummers,Tokay Rockers, a rock-climbing wall and bouncy house, food, arts and craft vendors, Chrome Knights Motorcycle Club and Antique Cars, E. E. Smith High School marching band, storytellers and the movie “Black Panther.”
     
    “Our health fair is one of the largest ones in the state of North Carolina, and Darvin Jones is the overseer
    of the health fair,” Standifer said. “He gets the different organizations that participate with that. We offer free immunizations for school-aged children and free school physicals for children – we have that readily available for parents to take advantage of.”
     
    There are also services for adults. “We offer EKGs, blood sugar testing, blood pressure screening, hand CPR, grip strength tests and booths that offer information about nutrition, diet and breast cancer,” said Standifer. “The year before last, we had a woman who had her blood pressure checked, and it was so high they had to take her to the hospital.

    “It was good she came in to have it checked because it could have been a totally different outcome than it was that day.”

    Standifer added that a lot of people are under stress these days and they are having headaches and other kinds of symptoms that they brush off. The health fair gives people an opportunity to get an idea of how they are actually doing.
     
    The festival features an arts component designed especially for the children. “My daughter just graduated from Winston-Salem State University, and she will be selling some of her art pieces,” said Standifer. “She will do art projects with the children on the inside. We are trying to branch out and make it a little more fun for everybody.”

    “I would like for everyone that has been to one of our festivals and enjoyed it to come on out and join us again,” said Standifer. “We welcome the whole community to come and take advantage of this educational experience.”

    The health fair ends at 2 p.m., but the other Umoja Festival activities continue at Seabrook Park until 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Donations are welcome. For more information, call 910-485-8035 or email umojagroupfay@gmail.com.
  • 07city countyA standing committee of Fayetteville and Cumberland County lawmakers, which meets quarterly, met last week for the first time in seven months. It was the joint liaison committee’s second meeting since the fall of 2016.

    The group discussed the economic impact of the downtown baseball stadium now under construction. It also spoke of considering an increase in the county’s prepared food and beverage tax and the county commission’s distribution of sales tax revenues.

    The future of Shaw Heights was also on the agenda as well as recovery efforts still underway in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, which devastated Fayetteville nearly two years ago. The committee met for an hour at city hall and seemed to agree that the issues, which involved both government agencies, can be amicably resolved.

    Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Christine Michaels said a half-dozen cities that have downtown minor league ballparks have seen some economic growth nearby, especially among locally owned businesses. Deputy City Manager Kristoff Bauer told the group that construction of the stadium is on schedule and that it will be finished on time.
     
    Mayor Mitch Colvin favors legislative action to increase the 1-cent food and beverage tax by a quarter of a cent tax to provide local government additional operating revenues. County Commissioner Glenn Adams said the Republican-controlled general assembly is not inclined to raise taxes at the state or local levels.

    County Commission Chairman Larry Lancaster sought to persuade city officials that he does not anticipate a change in the sales tax revenue distribution formula that has been in effect for many years. The existing formula provides distribution of sales tax proceeds between municipalities and the county on a per capita basis.

    An ad valorem property tax method could be considered, but it would significantly reduce revenues from county government to cities and towns. “I hope that as we approach this decision we don’t even let ad valorem enter the
    vocabulary,” Lancaster said. It’s the first time that city council has been publicly reassured that commissioners will likely continue the existing distribution formula.
     
    Hurricane Matthew flood damagein Cumberland County was second only to Robeson County in severity. Tens of millions of dollars are available to the community in federal grants, which are passed through state government to local agencies. Much of the funding is in what Assistant County Manager Tracey Jackson called a “stop and start” mode in state government. “There are echelons above us where the rules keep changing,” said Commissioner Jimmy Keefe.
     
    The Shaw Heights community is an unincorporated donut hole off Murchison Road on Fayetteville’s southside. City and county officials have been talking about whether to have the area annexed for 12 years. They have considered other options as well. Complicating matters, the state Department of Transportation has proposed to realign Shaw Road connecting it to Shaw Mill Road. That would reshape the area. City and county leaders agreed to establish a joint committee to attempt a solution to best serve the low-income area.
  • 02PurpleHeartI have no idea why any red-blooded American patriot in their right mind is still supporting the National Football League and its organization of ungrateful clowns who choose to disrespect our nation by raising a fist or taking a knee when the national anthem is played. What are they thinking? Or, are they thinking at all?
     
    This kind of behavior is just unacceptable. For the life of me, I cannot imagine why the NFL owners are allowing this practice to continue. I also have no idea why anyone is still going to NFL games, purchasing its merchandise or even watching the games on TV. Let the organization perish, as far as I’m concerned.
     
    Honestly, is winning a football game so important that team owners are willing to allow the players they hire – their employees – to dictate such disgusting and disappointing behavior? Who’s in control? The owners or the players? There is a time and place for everything. The football field is no place for political or other protests. Disrespecting our country in public to make a personal statement about police brutality, Black Lives Matter or anything else should be unacceptable and should not be tolerated. Nor should it be negotiated.
     
    This past weekend, I attended the Sandhills Purple Heart Dinner at the Crown Expo Center. It was a great event, and I couldn’t help but think how appropriate it would be if NFL players like Colin Kaepernick were there to witness up-close and personal the Purple Heart recipients
    who were recognized as the real heroes of defending American freedom. They would have seen and heard of the sacrifices these men and women of our armed forces made to secure our nation’s freedom and to protect their rights to make millions of dollars playing the game of football in the land of the brave and free.

    Unfortunately, what the football players would not have seen are the thousands who have died and the loved ones of those who are missing in action because of their choice to serve our country so we, as U.S. citizens, can enjoy the amenities of American freedom. I would like the NFL players to see the bravery and pride of these heroes who attended the Purple Heart Dinner, the trembling lips and tears of the Gold Star mothers whose lasting honorable memory of their sons, husbands and daughters is that they died in defense of our nation. These were touching moments, and I couldn’t help but think that this is the type of event NFL owners should insist their team members attend.
     
    Maybe then the players would realize the error of their ways and how misdirected their intentions are. Until then, I’m taking a knee to the NFL and its management, and I hope Budweiser and other major sponsors do the same.

    If the NFL cannot control its players, then neither of them deserve my time, money or loyalty.

    Kudos to the Sandhills Purple Heart Association, the local businesses and organizations, and the hundreds of volunteers who hosted this year’s Purple Heart Dinner. It was a massive undertaking, and it was very well done. It was dignified and respectful. I can still see the glimmer of the swords held high and proud by the young South View ROTC cadets as the real American heroes passed through the arch when
    they heard their names. The food, songs, drums, bag pipes, and the precise cadence of the honor guards with their swords paid high honors to our special guests. It was an evening of patriotism, recognition and honor that ended with duel bugles solemnly playing taps and paying homage to those who have died in service to our country.
     
    It reassured the rest of us that they have not died in vain. It was a powerful reminder of how important our veterans are to our community.

    Thank you for reading Up & ComingWeekly.
     
    Photo by Teresa Hayter of brokencrayonsphotography.
  • 14 ftcc3DThe 3D printer is an emerging technology that fascinates both young and old. A seemingly magical transformation occurs that makes something from nothing. The 3D printer has the ability to revolutionize industry by enabling the return of the cottage industry and the redistribution of production of goods from the mega-factories of the present to the mom-and-pop shops of yesteryear.

    The potential applications of 3D printing extend far beyond the commercial, reaching into realms as fundamental as healthcare and as speculative as extraterrestrial colonization. As this technology is perfected and the number of printable materials grows, its application will grow geometrically and impact not only industry but also society itself.

    Another technology that has impacted society in the last score of years is the technology of the video game, in an entertainment and cultural shift as powerful as the one driven by the moving picture. Today, 3D game worlds rival the real world in grandeur and scope, even generating their own economies based on real money for virtual goods and generating tangible excitement and contentment via imaginary people, places and things.
     
    So, what’s the connection between these two when video games dwell in the virtual of a cyberspace and 3D printers craft the real from molten plastic?

    The connection is 3D.  

    Every 3D-printed object begins its life in the cyber ether as a computer-generated ghost of itself – a virtual blueprint on whose precision lies the fate of every form that springs from the printer’s nozzle. Game developers craft 3D objects in virtual environments – those objects and more can be printed by 3D printers. Thus, two outcomes emanate from the same skill. The more the demand for 3D prints, the more the demand for 3D modelers to visualize them.

    Now, almost anyone can buy a 3D printer and become a 3D factory; however, most peopler rely on pre-packaged prints. A child can print a Millennium Falcon toy, but a child did not make the model for the print; a dentist may 3D-print a crown, but a dentist is not going to model one. These objects would be garbage without the precision geometry that is the handiwork of an experienced 3D modeler. Yes, there are 3D scanners and other such devices that create models from realworld objects, but these models still need a human hand to smooth out the rough imperfections that such devices generate.

    At Fayetteville Technical Community College, staff members have created a 3D printing lab in the Simulation and Game Development department because the instructors already teach the 3D modeling skills that make 3D printing possible. This department seeks to broaden the career potential of students and to provide a workforce that can carry Cumberland County and its environs through the 21st century. The skills given to students in the Simulation and Game Development department will spur new ideas for the use of 3D printers and will help keep this program at FTCC vital and relevant.

    We strive to expand beyond our core students with the 3D printing lab. It is our goal to open the lab and department courses to all students at FTCC, and it is our desire for 3D printing students to participate in collaborative projects involving engineering, healthcare, art and criminal justice curricula students among others. To this end, we are offering a certificate and a diploma as credentials in the specific area of 3D modeling and printing going forward.
     
    Email umlands@faytechcc.edu to learn how to connect with the 3D technology world through FTCC.
  • 17Mike MitchellOn July 26, Hope Mills Commissioner Mike Mitchell wrote the first of many confusing and misleading posts on his Facebook page. He accused the mayor and several staff members of colluding with Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation to facilitate the sale of Hope Mills property to Lone Survivor Foundation.
     
    Mitchell bemoaned the procedure followed by the mayor and her staff, alleging they circumvented the board in allowing LSF to conduct soil testing and schedule a presentation by FCEDC and the executive director of LSF during a closed session on June 4. After the June 4 meeting, all of the commissioners, with the exception of Mitchell, were overwhelmingly excited to host an LSF facility in Hope Mills. And while Mitchell never expressed excitement, he suspended his reservations long enough to quote an initial price to the LSF.

    The commissioners are elected to establish policy. That’s it. The town manager executes their established policy. This is an important distinction to remember. It’s also important to remember each elected official is required to attend classes that explain in great detail what exactly their role is within the community.

    Town Manager Melissa Adams and her staff have standard operating procedures they follow in any given situation. If a member of the board is approached with an offer, they convey all information to Adams. She then puts her staff to work cross-referencing land use plans, contacting relevant agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and Fayetteville’s PWC and pulling all documentation on that parcel of land. The staff make a joint presentation to the board to ensure the board members have all pertinent information before voting.
     
    Despite a well-documented history of the staff following this exact procedure, Mitchell was offended at having been left out of the process. For nearly three weeks, he’s repeated the same complaints on social media – insisting the land was never for sale and alluding to a conspiracy involving the mayor. His actions beg the question: Does Mitchell fully comprehend the policies and procedures guiding the board?
     
    Mitchell accused Teddy Warner, the director of business development for FCEDC and the mayor’s son, of soliciting LSF with the intention of selling this piece of land, and then conspiring with Mayor Jackie Warner to facilitate the sale. Mitchell even went so far as to ask the president of FCEDC if he felt there was a conflict of interest. There was not. A conflict of interest would only exist if either party could benefit from the transaction. For instance, if a board member discussed the buying or selling of town property with a personal client and the commissioner stood to profit in some way, a conflict would exist.

    Ironically, Mitchell admitted to violating the very procedure he’s accused the mayor of violating when he announced he’s received multiple requests from nonprofit organizations wanting to purchase the piece of property LSF is interested in. Mitchell abandoned the democratic process by refusing to bring the information to the staff or let the board vote on the issue, and simply told each organization the land wasn’t for sale. Freedom of Information Act requests for details about those offers have been ignored by Mitchell.

    Freshman Commissioner Meg Larson seems to be struggling in her role as well. While Larson was initially excited to partner with LSF, her opinion seems to have been influenced at some point between the June 4 and 18 meetings. She’s been agitated during commissioner meetings and antagonistic toward staff members and the mayor. Commissioner Pat Edwards confirmed that it was Larson who emailed a copy of the PWC surveys to board members after the June 4 closed session. Those surveys indicated that PWC identified Lake Bed #2, the land LSF wants to purchase, as a potential site for a multi- purpose reservoir if the county required more water in the future.

    Larson circumvented the board when she reached out to PWC for clarification. Mick Nolan, chief operations officer of the Water Resource Division at PWC, responded to the inquiry on July 18, assuring her there were more recent surveys indicating the reservoir was unnecessary and that PWC had abandoned its earlier plan. This piece of information was not relayed to the other board members by Larson. They received it from a staff member shortly before the July 23 meeting. While Larson has been aware of the recent PWC surveys for nearly a month, she still has the old surveys posted on her social media accounts.
     
    A source close to the situation said Larson recently submitted a flurry of FOIA requests specifically targeting correspondence between Warner and both the FCEDC and the Mayors’ Coalition. More than one constituent is questioning whether Larson has adequately made the transition from citizen to elected official, and to whom does her loyalty belong? Like the PWC request, these requests were submitted without the board’s approval.

    To date, there’s been no evidence that either Mitchell or Larson have requested any relevant information to help them make informed decisions about a partnership with LSF. But there is evidence they’ve both violated policy in their attempts to prove a conspiracy theory involving the mayor.
     
    Photo: Hope Mills Commissioner Mike Mitchell
  • 15spangler lg 260x300Dick Spangler, who died last month, changed my life dramatically and forever. That makes it hard to write an objective and proper tribute to the Charlotte business leader and former president of the University of North Carolina System. First of all, he would not have liked the use of the word “system.”

    He would not have said, “Don’t use that word.”

    Instead, he would have squinted, looked down over his glasses and said something like, “Are you sure that’s a word you want to use?”

    That “system” word is now an official part of the institution’s name. But for him, the multiple campuses of UNC composed one university under the state’s constitution. I can hear him following up with a reminder that the constitution requires the university’s benefits “as far as practicable, be extended to the people of the State free of expense.”

    His tenacious support for “low tuition” slowed down the rising cost of public higher education, making possible life-changing experiences for thousands of young North Carolinians.

    In April, Spangler came to Chapel Hill to speak at an event honoring Wyndham Robertson, a former “Fortune” magazine assistant managing editor who served him as university vice president of communications. Gifts from the Spangler family helped establish a position at UNC Press honoring her.
     
    Spangler took pride in Robertson, the first female vice president of the university, and in many other non-traditional hires,
    including Jay Robinson, former superintendent of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools who handled state government relations, and Julius Chambers, nationally-known civil rights attorney, to be chancellor at N. C. Central University.
     
    Spangler said his job was not to know how to do everything, but to identify, recruit and support people he could trust to succeed.

    Wisely, he retained the major staff members of his predecessor William Friday. He developed a special friendship with Vice President Raymond Dawson. Dawson’s experiences in planning and crisis management were valuable assets when Spangler had to deal with controversial challenges such as the closing of programs, departures of popular coaches and proposed mandatory drug testing.
     
    When he learned of Spangler’s death, Dawson said simply, “He was a good man... a good man.”

    Though wealthy, Spangler had simple tastes. His office was basic. His official car was a compact so modest that it lacked an FM radio. Spangler added one with, of course, his own money.

    He was also sparse when it came to staff meetings. He thought they were usually time-wasters.

    An exception was a regular monthly meeting of his staff with the chancellors of the 16 universities. The refreshments were simple and standard, an old-style bottle of Coca-Cola.
     
    For lunch, he would often go alone to the campus dining hall to mingle with students. The dining staff named the “Spangler Taco Salad” after his favorite dish.
     
    Spangler gave back all his salary from the university, and his family has poured millions of dollars more, often, as in the case of Robertson, to honor his co-workers and others whose service he admired.

    Spangler put his widespread business and social connections to use, including many cousins in Cleveland County where his father grew up. One was the late Ruby Hunt, wife of influential legislator, Jack Hunt. Once, when Spangler and then Gov. Jim Hunt were at loggerheads over the university’s budget, Ruby invited them to breakfast where her Cleveland County cooking and warm spirit helped bring about a compromise.

    How did Spangler change my life?

    Early in 1986, when I was practicing law in Charlotte and trying to recover from two hard-fought but losing congressional campaigns, Spangler called me, saying, “I think you belong in public service,” offering me a position working for him at the university, and then
    giving me experiences I will treasure the rest of my life.
     
    Photo Dick Spangler
  • 04keem ibarra 380519 unsplashIt seems that saying no has become the predominant response in American politics. When it comes to addressing difficult issues that profoundly impact our citizens and the future of America, the answer is too often no when yes makes sense. The great obstacle to knowing when to say yes is that doing so requires clear-headed reasoning and right motivation. In our time, both appear to be in short supply.

    In my estimation, this deficit in politicians, and others, knowing when to say yes shows through in what is happening with the “Formerly Incarcerated Reenter Society Transformed Safely Transitioning Every Person Act,” or the “First Step Act.” I was made aware of this legislation when a friend sent me an article that mentioned it. The article was from The Associated Press under the headline “Pastor praises Trump as ‘pro-black’ at prison reform event.”

    Here are some sections from that article.
    • “President Donald Trump was lauded by inner-city pastors, including one who said he may go down as the ‘most pro-black president’ in recent history, during a White House roundtable on Wednesday, which was focused on efforts to reform the prison system.”
    • “‘When we say hire American, we mean all Americans,’ Trump said.”
    • “The White House has been focusing its criminal justice reform efforts on improving re-entry, rehabilitation and workforce training programs,  instead of sentencing reform, which many advocates argue would make a bigger difference.”
    • “Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and adviser, has been leading the effort, which has included lobbying Congress to pass a bill called the First Step Act.”
    • “The House passed the bill in May.”The First Step Act is summarized as follows in an article by Justin George titled “Is The ‘First Step Act’ Real Reform?”

    “The bill, sponsored by Reps. Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, and Doug Collins, a Georgia Republican, seeks to add educational and vocational training and mental health treatment in federal prison. It earmarks $50 million a year over five years to expand these in-prison opportunities. It also expands the number of days in a halfway house or home confinement that inmates can earn for good behavior and self-improvement. It would expand the use of risk assessment tools – algorithms that try to predict future behavior. It bans the shackling of pregnant women; calls for placing prisoners in facilities that are within 500 driving miles of their families; and helps them get identification cards upon release.”

    As I write this column, the legislation is with the Senate for action. Opposition to it centers around the following major points: It does not include reduction of minimum sentences and allowing judges greater discretion in determining sentences; concern that passing this legislation without sentencing reform could jeopardize enacting sentencing reform in the future; since only a small portion of the country’s incarcerated are in federal prisons, the impact of this legislation would have limited impact; the $50 million per year, over five years, for rehabilitative programs is seen as insufficient. Further, German Lopez writes the following in an article titled "Congress’s prison reform bill, explained.”

    “But algorithms can perpetuate racial and class discrimination; for instance, an algorithm that excludes someone from earning credits due to previous criminal history may overlook that black and poor people are more likely to be incarcerated for crimes even when they’re not more likely to actually commit those crimes.”
     
    Also from the Lopez article: “In the Senate, Democrats Cory Booker (NJ), Dick Durbin (IL), and Kamala Harris (CA) are normally on the side of criminal justice reform. But when it comes to the First Step Act, they have strongly opposed the bill – sending a letter on Thursday condemning the legislation as “a step backwards” and urging their Democratic col- leagues to vote against it.” The list of individuals and organizations saying no to this legislation is long. Among these are the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and the American Civil Liberties Union. A May 21 letter posted at civilrights.org/vote-no-first-step-act-2 opens with this line: “On behalf of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and the 108 undersigned organizations, we write to urge you to vote NO on The FIRST STEP Act (H.R.5682).”

    The German Lopez article, referenced above, states, “Chair Chuck Grassley (R-IA), who oversees criminal justice issues in the chamber, also reportedly opposes the bill because it doesn’t include sentencing reform – leading Politico to label it as ‘DOA in the Senate.’”

    On the other hand, the list of supporters is also long. This from the Justin George article: “More than 100 former federal prosecutors are endorsing the bill. Conservative groups such as the American Conservative Union Foundation believe the bill is a no-brainer. ‘So disappointed to see a handful of Democrats oppose the First Step Act because Cory Booker and Elizabeth Warren don’t want to give Republicans a win,’ David Safavian, deputy director of the group’s center for criminal justice reform, tweeted before the House vote. ‘Putting politics over the lives of those incarcerated – and their families – is just a horrible thing to do.’ Prison Fellowship, a faith-based advocacy group popular with evangelicals, also supports the bill. As does Families Against Mandatory Minimums. FAMM President Kevin Ring said he understands those holding out for sentencing reform, but he said it’s been years since any meaningful bills have passed to help prisoners. He said he believes Jeffries and Collins will not stop pushing for sentencing reform if the First Step Act passes.

    In the end, where is the clear-headed reasoning and right motivation in what is presented above? On the one hand are those who are holding out for more when their central point of sentencing reform has not, and does not, have traction in the current political climate. Their purported reasoning is to not pass anything that does not include sentencing reform. Joshua B. Hoe, who served time in prison, writes this in an article headlined “Memo to Senators: Swallow Your Doubts About the First Step Act.”

    “If the people who are left behind by criminal justice reform will be in no better or worse shape than they were before a particular piece of legislation is passed, we should still help as many people get home as we possibly can.” That assessment is reasonable. The argument for doing nothing until sentencing reform is included is like contending that if a cure for one form of cancer is discovered, do not make it available to patients until there is a cure for certain other forms of the disease.

    Then there is the matter of motivation. Given the clear record of Democratic opposition to, and obstruction of, anything President Trump proposes or supports, their outcry against this legislation is to be expected. At best, their motivation is suspect, and that brings into question the credibility and rationality of their opposition to the legislation.
     
    The saga of this First Step Act is just another painful reminder of how clear-headed reasoning and right motivation are disappearing from the American landscape.
  • 06ParatroopersMarchingWith the return this month of 82nd Airborne Division soldiers of the 249th Composite Supply Company, America’s Guard of Honor is united at Fort Bragg. “This would be a first time in a while that all units within the division are home,” said 82nd spokesman Lt. Col. Ramon Osorio.
     
    The unit of the 189th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion worked in Iraq, Kuwait and Syria during the nine-month deployment.

    As the largest parachute force in the free world, the 82nd Airborne Division is trained to deploy anywhere, at any time, to fight upon arrival and to win. From cook to computer operator, from infantryman to engineer, every soldier in the 82nd is airborne-qualified. Almost every piece of divisional combat equipment can be airdropped by parachute onto the field of battle.
     
    U.S. defense spending
     
    President Donald Trump signed the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act into law last week, marking the first on-time passage of the annual bill in 22 years. The $717 billion defense policy bill goes into effect Oct. 1, the start of the 2019 federal fiscal year.

    The legislation moves on two tracks. A defense appropriations bill is what funds the Pentagon to pay for the spending plan. Without such a spending measure in place by Oct. 1, lawmakers might need to pass a temporary budget measure, which is known as a continuing resolution, to keep the government afloat until a permanent plan is in place.

    With a 2.6 percent pay raise slated to go into effect Jan. 1, service members will see their wages increase to the highest level in nine years. “It clearly signals that Congress wants military pay to be competitive,” said Mark Cancian, a senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

    Under the plan, an E-5 with eight years of service could see a monthly basic pay increase of $80.81 from $3,126.16 in 2018 to $3,206.97 in 2019.
     
    Fort Bragg’s 100th anniversary
     
    The city of Fayetteville and county of Cumberland are celebrating the Fort Bragg Centennial with exhibits and banners. Exhibits are now on display at the Airborne & Special Operations Museum, the Fayetteville Area Transportation & Local History Museum, Fayetteville City Hall and the North Carolina Veterans Park. Banners commemorating the post’s centennial will be on display at Fayetteville- Cumberland Parks & Recreation buildings, the E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse, city hall and all county public libraries.
     
    “The history of Fayetteville can’t be told without Fort Bragg,” City Manager Doug Hewett said. “Fayetteville is blessed and fortunate to have nearly 60,000 servicemen and women and their families here.”

    Fayetteville and Cumberland County government leaders presented proclamations celebrating Fort Bragg’s 100th anniversary to Garrison Commander Col. Kyle Reed.
     
    “We are incredibly grateful to the military members and their families who have served our country for the last 100 years while stationed here. We are also thankful for the civilians and contractors who assist Fort Bragg in meeting its mission,” said County Manager Amy Cannon.

    Hope Mills honors
     
    Restoration of Hope Mills Lake has won the town special recognition from the City-County Joint Appearance Commission. The honor was presented to the town of Hope Mills earlier this month during the 10th Annual Community Appearance Awards Program.
     
    The town has also been chosen to receive the Association of State Dam Officials 2018 National Rehabilitation Project of the Year award, Mayor Jackie Warner said. The award recognizes construction of the new dam, which was completed late last year. The lake was impounded early this year. The dam project cost $9.6 million. It replaced a new dam that failed in 2010 – only two years after it was built. Town Manager Melissa Adams said the dam safety award will be presented Sept. 10 in Seattle, Washington.
     
    DMV customer lines are too long
     
    The state Division of Motor Vehicles says it is reassigning staff and hiring additional driver’s license examiners to try to reduce the long lines at driver’s license offices around the state. The DMV says it is working to fill 80 existing vacancies for driver’s license examiners and hire more. In addition, 14 examiners who work at mobile units are being reassigned to offices where customers have been waiting for hours to be served.

    DMV Commissioner Torre Jessup acknowledged that many DMV offices have been overwhelmed with customers this summer, resulting in lines that stretch outside and wait times that can take most of a day. “Our top priorities are to issue accurate and timely documents in an efficient manner for all our customers,” Jessup said.

    DMV also announced that it would establish teams of employees dedicated to doing road tests, so driver’s license examiners won’t need to leave their desks to do them.

    Division of Motor Vehicles offices in Cumberland County are located at 4705 Clinton Rd., Stedman, near Cape Fear High School, 2439 Gillespie St. (US301) near the State Highway Patrol Barracks, in Eutaw Village at 831 Elm St., 3333 N. Main Street in Hope Mills and on highway NC210 in Spring Lake.

    City and County property taxes are due
     
    The Cumberland County Tax Administration office mailed tax bills to property owners Aug. 10, with reminders that property taxes are due Sept. 1. But, a grace period doesn’t require payment in full until Jan. 7, 2019, with no penalties or interest. After Jan. 7, unpaid tax bills will begin to incur a 2 percent interest charge the first month and 0.75 percent interest charge each month thereafter.

    Taxpayers may pay their tax bills online, by mail, by phone or in person. Information is available online at co.cumberland.nc.us/tax. Payments can be made by electronic check, debit card or major credit card. Fees are charged by the county for use of plastic cards. Taxpayers can set up online bill pay options with their financial institutions.

    Taxpayers can also make payments in person from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Tax Administration office, which is located on the fifth floor of the Cumberland County Courthouse.
  • 20Katelyn Bristley Cape FearWhen it comes to athletics at Cape Fear High School, senior Katelyn Bristley has had a pretty packed schedule over the last four years.
     
    She’s played softball, basketball and tennis for the Colts, along with being a cheerleader and working as a student-athletic trainer during football season.
     
    But she’s also found time to represent Cape Fear, and high school athletes at large, on a statewide stage. This fall, Bristley is beginning her final year of service on the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s Student Athlete Advisory Council. It’s composed of 16 athletes from across the state, two each from the eight regions of the NCHSAA. Bristley is a representative from Region 4.
     
    Bristley and her fellow council members travel to Chapel Hill once every three months to meet and discuss issues of importance to all high school athletes at NCHSAA member schools.

    “We get to put our own stories that we experience into the program,’’ Bristley said. “We get to have our own little part.’’
     
    One of the first things she did when she became a member of SAAC was attend a national conference at the Indianapolis headquarters of the National Federation of State High School Associations.

    “There are a lot more athletes out there and everyone has different experiences from it,’’ she said. She enjoyed meeting people who had goals similar to hers who were just as motivated to be good in both athletics and academics as she was.
     
    But SAAC isn’t just about going to meetings and sharing personal experiences. The council is also designed to promote leadership and sportsmanlike conduct, along with promoting the mission of the NCHSAA and its Student Services division.

    For Bristley, that meant coming back to Cape Fear and organizing a project that would benefit others in the community.

    Her project has been something she calls Unify Night.
     
    During football season, she picks a junior varsity game, usually during September, and gets members of the Cape Fear varsity football team to come out at halftime and help hold a scrimmage for special needs youngsters from the Cumberland County Parks and Recreation Department’s Buddy Sports program.
     
    Bristley volunteers with the Buddy program herself. She brings youngsters from the program to the game and also posts flyers in the Cape Fear community to get those not involved with the Buddy program to come to the Unify Night.

    “I figured I’d bring it into our community and have our players experience that they are very lucky to play a sport they want to,’’ she said. “Some kids really want to play but have to play a modified version or need assistance. You’re there to help them learn how to play a sport, and it makes their day a whole lot better.’’

    In this, her final year in SAAC, Bristley wants to find someone at Cape Fear who can help continue the tradition of Unify Night after she graduates, although she plans to come back from college and help out each year.
     
    She also hopes to attend some leadership conferences in different parts of the state this year with her fellow SAAC members.
     
    “I definitely want to get involved and meet different people,’’ she said. “Just sharing your experiences is a big deal.’’

    Photo: Katelyn Bristley

  • 08Carrie KingThe longtime executive-director of Fayetteville’s Dogwood Festival has retired, sort of. Carrie King now calls Cherry Grove, South Carolina, home. Her last day here was Aug. 17. King had been with the Dogwood Festival since 2006 and recently returned from the annual conference of the Southeast Festivals and Events Association with the “Best Event in the Southeast” award.

    “The spirit of the Fayetteville community made the Dogwood Festival a natural choice for the award,” she said. Events in eight southern states competed for the award.

    King is credited by many with developing the Dogwood Festival into the city’s marquee event, featuring a midway/carnival, food vendors, live entertainment, inflatable/bounce houses, arts and crafts, a classic car show, street fair with shopping, and lots of fun for the whole family. In large part thanks to King’s work, the Dogwood Festival has received top honors from local, state, regional and international organizations.

    King’s decision to leave Fayetteville came as a surprise to some. She often referred to Fayetteville as her hometown. “This is my home,” she said in an interview three years ago.

    “It was our goal to move when our son graduated from high school,” King told Up & Coming Weekly. King said members of her family have lived in North Myrtle Beach for five years and it was her family’s turn to move to her “happy place.”
     
    She said she is proud of the growth the Dogwood Festival has undergone. She noted that when she first started working with the Dogwood Festival in 2006, the festival’s initial budget was $150,000. This year, the operating budget was $500,000. Those in the community with whom she has worked describe Carrie King as the epitome of humility. She credits her family, friends and board members for the Dogwood Festival’s success.
     
    King’s volunteer work has included event planning for the Arts Council of Fayetteville /Cumberland County. In South Carolina, she has taken a job with a nonprofit as development manager. Her new home is 3 miles from the beach, 1 mile from her sister and 6 miles from work. “My night and weekend travel will be by golf cart,” King quipped.

    The Fayetteville Dogwood Festival was founded in 1982 by then-mayor Bill Hurley and other city leaders who had a vision to improve the image of Fayetteville and create a uniting force for various events in our community. Hurley proclaimed Fayetteville “The City of Dogwoods.” The festival is staged every fourth weekend in April.
     
    The Fayetteville Dogwood Festival, Inc. is a non-profit organization comprised of a board of directors and two staff members. Its events are presented in cooperation with the city of Fayetteville. In addition to the annual signature spring festival, the organization also produces The Fayetteville Dogwood Fall Festival, Cumberland County’s largest pageant and Fayetteville After 5.

    The 2018 spring Dogwood Festival blossomed into an even larger event with two stages of entertainment, more vendors and more anchored attractions.
     
    Photo: Carrie King, former Fayetteville Dogwood Festival executive director
  • 01coverUAC0082218001Waltz. Tango. Swing. Foxtrot. Cha Cha. Merengue. If you wanted to learn any of these dances, you’d probably think of Roland’s Dance Studio on Hope Mills Road. But what about once you learned them? Where would you go to practice, show off your fancy steps and simply enjoy dancing in a social setting?

    That’s a question 12 Fayettevillian friends who were taking dance lessons first asked themselves 25 years ago. They went to work organizing a social ballroom club and held their first dance March 21, 1993, in the ballroom of the Prince Charles Hotel
    downtown. Over the years, the club, now known as Cape Fear Ballroom Dancers, danced all over town, eventually choosing Roland’s as the site for its regular monthly dances. A few weeks from now, on Saturday, Sept. 15, CFBD will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a special dinner and dance at Highland Country Club.

    Aside from dancing, there will be live music by Wilmington’s Duke Ladd Orchestra, toasts to honor the club’s founders, a delicious meal and reading material with interesting facts about the club’s history.

    Club president Drew Ziegler, a retired lieutenant colonel whose first and last duty station was Fort Bragg, has been involved with CFBD since the late 1990s. He served on the board and as treasurer before becoming president in 2010. He and his wife, Kalli, first started taking dance lessons after he retired, something he said they’d always wanted to do.

    He encourages novice dancers and newcomers to join in for the festivity, saying involvement in CFBD, and especially the anniversary dance, provides the opportunity for an evening out that’s not easy to come by.

    “The opportunity for this kind of live entertainment... to have a Glenn Miller-type orchestra, that’s rare and special. You get to do some dancing. And even if you’ve never danced before, nobody’s gonna know. You can just give it your best shot, and everybody will pat you on the back.”

    He added that the club’s more experienced members, including those who are dance instructors, are good at partnering with those who are still learningor new to the scene.

    “It provides a safe, fun, elegant date night.... In today’s fast-paced (world), it’s almost a lost experience,” Ziegler said.

    Although the yearly anniversary celebration is the biggest and grandest event of the year, CFBD does hold quarterly dinner-and-dance formal events at Highland Country Club in addition to its monthly social dances at Roland’s. CFBD has always had a close relationship with Roland’s, Ziegler said, adding that Roland Sr. himself is a CFBD member.

    At the monthly dances, which are themed and usually take place the third Saturday of the month from 7-10 p.m., professional instructors give a brief lesson on the style of dance for that night. The lesson is meant to be a refresher and complement to formal lessons taken elsewhere, but all levels of experience are welcome. There are also free refreshments and a cash bar. These dances are $15 for the public and $10 for members.

    CFBD members also participate in many community service events, doing demonstrations at venues such as Sunday on the Square, the Dogwood Festival and the Cumberland County Fair. They also join with organizations like The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, Cape Fear Regional Theatre, retirement homes and local schools.

    Former Fayetteville Mayor J.L. Dawkins recognized the contributions of CFBD to the city and ballroom dancing in general by proclaiming Sept. 18-24, 1994, as Ballroom Dance Week. A quarter-century later, that legacy lives on and continues to grow.

    Advance registration for the CFBD 25th Anniversary Dinner-Dance is required and must be completed by Sept. 8. Registration costs $50 for members or $60 for guests and can be completed at ww.capefearballroomdancers.org. Attire is semi-formal or formal; tuxedos are preferred for gentlemen. For more information, call Ziegler at 910-987-4420.

    A brief history of some ballroom dances

    Straight from the royal courts of Vienna, Austria, in the 17th century, the waltz is an upgrade of sorts to the turning dances of peasants in Austria and Bavaria. Instead of dancing with arms intertwined, the waltz includes a close hold. At the time, it was scandalous. With its morally questionable close hold and easy-to learn-steps, many opposed the waltz – especially religious leaders and dancing masters. By 1900, though, most dance programs were 3/4 waltzes and 1/4 all the other dances.

    Buenos Aires in Argentina and Montevideo in Uruguay gave birth to the Tango in the late 1800s. A favorite dance of the European immigrants, former slaves, working and lower classes of people, the Tango began as a movement with its own slang, music, dance and mindset. From the brothels and cheap cafes, this dance of the misfits and downtrodden has become a well-respected ballroom dance.

    Swing dance emerged when Big Bands took over pop culture in the 1920s and ’30s. During its heyday, there were hundreds of swing dance styles. Still a versatile dance, swing includes Lindy Hop, Balboa, Collegiate Shag, and the Charleston.

    Flowing and graceful, the Foxtrot’s origin is murky. Some credit African-Americans with its creation. Some say its original name was the
    Bunny Hug. Either way, once it was introduced by vaudeville performer Harry Fox in 1914, the Foxtrot enjoyed unparalleled popularity in dance halls through the 1940s.

    What do you get when you cross the mambo and the danzon? The Cha Cha! Violinist Enrique Jorrin is credited with the music that brought forth the syn-copated rhythms that led to the Cha Cha in dance halls of Havana, Cuba, in the 1950s. The dance has a heavy African influence as well. It hit American shores in 1954, and by 1959 was considered the most popular dance in the U.S.

  • 19Hope Mills Lake Celebration committeeThis year’s Hope Mills Lake Celebration was such a rousing success that town officials have decided to make it an annual event.

    Plans have already started to make sure next year’s observance will improve on the first one. Mayor Jackie Warner said various town leaders decided about halfway through planning the first celebration of the lake’s return that it would be a good idea to make the lake celebration an annual event, separate from other town observances including Fourth of July and Ole Mill Days.
     
    The big hit of the lake celebration was the inaugural cardboard boat race, which Warner expects will be the centerpiece of the lake festival every year.

    “It was the novelty of it,’’ she said. “People hadn’t seen anything like that before. It was just fun watching. It was amazing when they saw what people could do with cardboard, when they got there and saw what had been created.’’

    The boat race was so popular it has already secured a sponsor for 2019, Members Credit Union, which has an office on Trade Street in Hope Mills.

    “They were really pleased with the results and want to help promote the event,’’ Warner said. The local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter, which sponsored the trophies for the boat race winners, has agreed to return to sponsor them again next year.

    There will be two major changes in next year’s lake celebration, one involving the dates and the other the length of the event.

    The first lake celebration extended over five days and stretched into the town’s annual Fourth of July observance.

    Next year, the celebration will start on Friday, May 18, and only last one weekend. It will include many of the same events as the first celebration, but some of them will be combined on the same day.

    For example, beach music night and jazz night will be held at the same time, along with the street dance. The whole event was moved to the weekend of May 18 to take advantage of spring weather and to separate the lake celebration from Memorial Day weekend and the Fourth of July.
     
    Dr. Kenjuana McCray, who is a sociology professor at Fayetteville Technical Community College, was involved in the planning both the jazz events and Church on the Lake at the first celebration. She has some ideas for expanding offerings at next year’s celebration. “I want to have an event called Hope and Art, bringing art to Hope Mills,’’ she said. “When I say art, I mean musicians, artists, people who do cooking demonstrations dealing with different cultures and foods.’’

    As a sociology instructor, McCray said issues related to culture and diversity are near and dear to her. “I’m a member of the Fayetteville Arts Council and I feel this is an extension of the work I do with the Arts Council,’’ she said. “Even though we have some great festivals in Fayetteville, this will be unique to Hope Mills.’’

    McCray felt the last lake celebration was a success and brought a lot of people to the community who normally don’t take part in those kinds of events.

    She said the town is actively recruiting sponsors, vendors and talent to take part in next year’s celebration. They can either contact the town office at 910-424-4555 or call McCray at 910-494-1352.
  • 11BacktoCoolThere are reasons people love Fridays. It’s the end of the workweek for most of us and a chance to kick back and relax with friends and family. And there is no shortage of things to do on a Friday evening in Fayetteville. Once a month, the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County and the Cool Spring Downtown District team up with multiple venues downtown for a celebration. It’s known as 4th Friday. This month, Aug. 24, from 6-9 p.m. there will be new art exhibits, shopping, entertainment and more.
     
    The Arts Council’s newest exhibition opens during 4th Friday festivities. It’s called “Contemporary Art Forms By America’s First People.” The show celebrates the works of contemporary American Indian artists. Works include paintings, drawings, pottery, textiles and baskets. The exhibition runs through Oct. 20.

    “This is the second time that the Arts Council will present an exhibition that features the contemporary works of America’s first people,” said Deborah Martin Mintz, executive director. “The first one – in 2016 – was so well-received, we decided to bring it back. Some of the same artists are included in the upcoming exhibition, as well as new artists.”

    The Cool Spring Downtown District makes 4th Fridays an interactive adventure, showcasing downtown with themes and activities. This month, the theme is “Back to Cool.” According to Sam DuBose, CSDD general manager, “The contest this month will be a hybrid ‘orientation’ and will include various sites in downtown. The sites are broken into departments. For example, the Arts Council is the ‘Art Department’ and so on. People will take selfies and use our designated hashtag and upload their pictures to social media. And there will be a random drawing for a winner – a gift basket will be the prize.”

    There will be copies of the “orientation” guide/“yearbook” available at various downtown businesses or on the 4th Friday Facebook page for download. It will include instructions about how to upload selfies as well as the social media hashtag.

    Have you ever wanted to get a bird’s eye view of downtown? The Market House is open to the public from 6-10 p.m. during 4th Friday. Venture upstairs and see the permanent exhibit “A View from the Square: A History of Downtown Fayetteville” and check out
    the August exhibit “Market House History.” What really went on under the rafters of Fayetteville’s only National Historic Landmark?

    Say goodbye to summer with fun and happy songs at Headquarters Library. Rhonda and Meliheh will sing and play lighthearted sounds on their ukuleles. There will be light refreshments. It’s free to attend. Call 910-482-7727 ext. 1344 to learn more.

    Fascinate-U Children’s Museum invites children to make a pencil topper craft on 4th Friday. The museum is open for free play from 7-9 p.m.
     
    With so much going on, Janet Gibson, Arts Council director of marketing and communications, summed up the fun saying, “The joy. It can beseen – and felt – all around downtown during the 4th Friday celebrations. Myheart always melts when I watch kids
    discover art, perhaps for the very first time, in the Arts Center at 301 Hay St. I love to watch families and friends come together to explore all the downtown galleries, restaurants, shops and other cool businesses. There truly is something for everyone.”
     
    Visit www.visitdowntownfayetteville.com or www.theartscouncil.com for more information.
     
    Photo:This oil painting, titled “James Locklear, Lumbee,” depicts the great-grandfather of artist Jessica Clark.
  • 12Dodge Diabetes is a serious medical condition that affects over 29 million Americans, and many of them don’t even realize they have the disease. Better Health presents the “Diabetes... Dodge! It Dodgeball Tournament” Saturday, Aug. 25, at 9 a.m. at the
    Freedom Courts Sportsplex on Gillespie Street.
     
    “This is a fundraising event to support Better Health and its programs because it falls in line with our mission,” said Amy Navejas, executive director of Better Health. “Our mission is all about being active, getting out there and doing something different. Even if you are not the best dodgeball player, just getting everyone out there moving and participating together is important for all ourprograms and clients.

    “Diabetes is incredibly prevalent, and the rate of diabetes has nearly doubled in the past 20 years,” said Navejas. “It is a serious issue in the United States and something we have to start taking seriously. And the best way to avoid it is to prevent it.” Not only do adults have the disease, but children have it as well. “You usually would not see Type II diabetes in children, but that’s becoming increasingly frequent these days,” said Navejas. “A lot of it has to do with our lifestyle and needs for changes in our diet as well.”

    In that vein, Better Health plans to increase programming on the topic. “In September, we are kicking off a new program called Fayetteville Fit. This program has been done in Durham at Duke Hospitals,” said Navejas. “We were fortunate to be selected as the fourth site to branch out in North Carolina. Children who are obese will be referred to the program, and their entire family is eligible.”

    Better Health is a nonprofit charitable organization that provides diabetes awareness, education and self-management clinics, childhood obesity prevention and education, loans of medical equipment, and emergency medical needs such as critical prescriptions, dental clinic care, vision and travel assistance.

    “This is our 60th anniversary,” said Navejas. “During that time, we have assisted many clients with our small staff.” Navejas added that in 2017, Better Health saw over 6,000 clients and that Better Health only has two full-time employees and a handful of part-time employees.

    “We are really over here hustling and doing what we can to get the information out there and touching lives to help get the word out about how we can improve health outcomes in Cumberland County,” said Navejas.

    Registration for the tournament, which costs $150 per team, is open through Aug. 22. Admission is $5 for
    spectators. Register and download forms at www.betterhealthcc.org. For more information, call 910-483-7534.
     
    Photo: The Fayetteville Police Department (above) won the 2107 Diabetes... Dodge It! Dodge-ball Tournament.
     
  • 23Bobby PossI was thrilled when the announcement of this year’s newest class of inductees to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame was announced last week.

    Two good friends and deserving candidates, Bobby Poss and Bob Lewis, were named as honorees.

    Poss is no stranger to Cumberland County. He won a pair of state titles in football at Seventy-First and then moved over to South View and won a third with the Tigers. He went on to win two more championships at Asheville Reynolds.
     
    Lewis, like Poss, has multiple state titles at different schools. He won his first at East Bladen in 1973. But his real mark was made at Clinton, where he brought home four championships. He also won an NCISAA title at Harrells Christian Academy.

    I’ve heard some people wonder aloud why Poss and Lewis weren’t in the NCHSAA Hall of Fame already.
     
    As a former member of the Hall of Fame selection committee, I can give you an excellent reason. For many years, I was honored to be a member of that panel, stepping down from that role when I retired from daily newspaper work in 2016.
     
    At the time I retired, neither Poss nor Lewis had been nomi-nated for consideration, and you must complete the nomination process for a candidate for the Hall of Fame to be considered.

    The form for nominating someone is available on the NCHSAA web page, NCHSAA.org. Go to the home page and scroll down to special programs. There is a link there for the Hall of Fame that will take you to the form.
    Walters helps investigate student-athlete death

    The unbelievable story coming out of the University of Maryland regarding the tragic death of one of their football players was told graphically in a press conference last week, where school officials accepted complete responsibility for the death of one of their football players during an off-season conditioning session.
     
    Now a Fayetteville native, Dr. Rod Walters is at the center of the investigation that will look into what went wrong at Maryland and how to try and repair the damage going forward.

    For those who don’t know Walters, he was a student athletic trainer at Terry Sanford High School during the Len Maness years in the late 1970s. He graduated Appalachian State in 1980 and went on to be the athletic trainer at Lenoir-Rhyne, Appalachian State and the University of South Carolina.

    He has gained national prominence for his work as an athletic trainer and was inducted into the National Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame in 2005.

    Walters’ report on the Maryland situation is scheduled to be released Sept. 15.
     
    Photo: Bobby Poss
  • Meetings
    For details about all meetings and activities, including location where not listed, call Town Clerk Jane Starling at 910-426-4113. Most meetings take place at Town Hall or the Hope Mills Parks and Recreation center.

    Veterans Affairs Commission Thursday, Aug. 23, 7 p.m.
    Parks and Recreation Advisory Monday, Aug. 27, 6:30 p.m.
    Labor Day Holiday Monday, Sept. 3. Town Hall will be closed.
    Board of Commissioners Monday, Sept. 10, 7 p.m.

    Activities
    Hope Mills Area Kiwanis Club at Sammio’s, second Tuesdays at noon and fourth Tuesdays at 6 p.m. For details, call 910-237-1240.
    Hope Meals Food Truck Rodeo Thursday, Sept. 6, at the parking lot between Town Hall and Parks & Rec Center. 5 p.m.
    Registration open for the 4th Annual Miss Hope Mills
    Cotton Pageant Applications are now being accepted at Hope Mills Parks & Recreation. Registration Deadline is Fri- day, Sept. 14. The pageant is for ages are 3 - 22 years old. Visit www.townofhopemills.com/375/Miss-Hope-Mills-Cotton- Pageant and see applications for rules and important information for contestants. The pageant takes place Oct. 5 for ages 3-9 and Oct. 6 for ages 10-22.
    Ole Mills Days 2018 Saturday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. For more details and vendor information, contact Parks and Recreation Director Kenny Bullock: 910- 426-4107 or kwbullock@townofhopemills.com

    Promote yourself: Email hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com.
  • 18AMKUS combi tool 1 of 2By the end of this month, if folks from Hope Mills find themselves trapped in a car or stuck inside a building with doors that don’t open, they can breathe a little easier when the Hope Mills Fire Department arrives on the scene.

    That’s when Chief Chuck Hodges expects to have a new piece of equipment in the fire department’s assortment of extrication tools that will make the job of getting people out of tight spots easier.

    The town’s board of commissioners recently approved the purchase of a device known as a combi-tool, which serves the dual purpose of cutting through surfaces or spreading doors or entryways open.
     
    The fire department already has extrication equipment in its assortment of gear, but this new device is a distinct improvement.
     
    “It runs off a battery instead of a hydraulic pump,’’ Hodges said. “The advantage of that is it can be put into service immediately instead of having to take a pump off the truck and hook up hoses.’’
     
    The fire department’s existing extrication equipment is powered by an external motor connected with hydraulic hoses. It operates using a gas-powered engine, which is noisy and produces carbon monoxide, so it’s sometimes challenging to use when there’s an extrication involved in a home situation.

    The noisy engine is also a problem when there’s a child or animal being extricated from something. All that racket along with the trauma of being stuck can be extremely unsettling.

    That’s not a problem with the new combi-tool, Hodges said. “It’s quiet,’’ he said.

    And at 50 pounds, 34 inches long, 10 inches high and 10 inches wide, it falls into the category of what firefighters consider a lightweight piece of equipment. The device comes with a charger and two rechargeable 60-volt batteries.

    Hodges said battery life will vary with what the device is being asked to do and how long the power has to be turned on.

    The fire department won’t be getting rid of its other heavy-duty extrication equipment, Hodges said. But he added that if the fire department needs to cut the roof off a pinned car or open a jammed door inside a house, this device can do the job much quicker than with the older equipment that requires a little longer to set up.

    “By the time you pulled all the other equipment off the truck and got it hooked up and running, you could have done what you needed with this one,’’ Hodges said.

    When the new device does arrive, Hodges said it will be necessary to train his firefighters in its proper use. He doesn’t expect that to take long because its operation is similar to equipment that the Hope Mills Fire Department already has.

    “We never put any equipment in service until everybody is trained,’’ Hodges said. “It’s a good thing it’s similar to what we already use. The functionality of it is going to be the same.’’
     
    Even if the device is delayed in shipping, Hodges estimates in the worst case it will be available for use at accident and fire scenes by mid-September.

    “I just think it’s going to enhance our capabilities and enhance the service we provide for our citizens and visitors to the town,’’ he said. “We’re excited about it.’’
     
  • 05HonorIn just a few short weeks, we will honor the 16th anniversary of the tragic loss of life when America was attacked brutally on Sept. 11, 2001. Americans made a collective promise that we will never forget the horror of that day.

    The 2018 Campaign of Honor was launched last week to recognize and honor all first responders in Fayetteville and Cumberland County. Over the next few weeks, local officials and supporters, led by Sen. Wesley Meredith, will make personal visits to all the first responder operations in Cumberland County in a show of support, gratitude and appreciation.

    The 5-week campaign will showcase the operations of local first responders, such as the city and county emergency communications centers, law enforcement departments, emergency medical services and fire departments.
     
    The campaign started Aug. 13 with Meredith and his colleagues’ initial visit to Fayetteville’s and Cumberland County’s emergency telecommunicators. They met with Cumberland County Telecommunications Manager Adam Johnson and Lisa Reid, 911 manager for the city of Fayetteville Police Communications. They also spoke with and interviewed several career 911 operators. Everyone marveled at their unique talents and dedication to
    the mission. 

    Meredith said, “I wanted to visit 911 dispatchers first because this is where it begins. ‘Thank you’ does not begin to show them our appreciation. The telecommunicator works completely behind the scenes listening to problems and horrific situations that they may not always receive closure for. On behalf of the citizens of Cumberland County, I want to publicly thank these true first responders.”

    During the next few weeks, the 2018 Campaign of Honor will continue to recognize these local heroes and raise awareness of what our first responder organizations do and how they impact our lives. Sen. Meredith stated he wants to “raise the awareness in Cumberland County of what our first responders do and to share valuable information on all emergency services.”

    Tuesday, Sept. 11, Sen. Meredith and friends will host a reception in honor of Cumberland County’s first responders at The TapHouse at Huske Hardware, 411 Hay St., from 5:30-7 p.m.
     
    The Campaign of Honor started with Sen. Wesley Meredith (center) and his colleagues’ visit to Fayetteville’s and Cumberland County’s emergency telecommunicators. They met Cumberland County Telecommunications Manager Adam Johnson (left) and Lisa Reid, 911 manager for the city of Fayetteville Police Communications (right).
  • 16Music iconsPaul Thompson is a musician and entrepreneur with a heart for this community – especially its big-hearted
    musicians. He owned Big Harry’s Tavern for 13 years and hosted countless bands there as entertainers, but he also hosted fundraisers to help others. And local singers, songwriters and bands always showed up to give stellar performances. Thompson was so touched by their generosity that in 2011, he created Fayetteville’s Icons of Music. “I started this program to recognize musicians who have contributed to events and causes throughout the years,” he said.

    Sunday, Aug. 26, Thompson will add 12 names to this distinguished list. The celebration is open to the public and includes food, fun and an open mic jam.
     
    Today, Thompson is the proprietor of a new nightclub – Paul’s Place – and the program is still going strong.

    “Someone came and made me an offer I couldn’t refuse,” he said about his former establishment, Big Harry’s. “So,
    I sold and tried to retire for two years.” But that didn’t work out, and he opened Paul’s Place behind the Trophy House on Bragg Boulevard in what used to be Lois’s Book Store, continuing his legacy.
     
    The Icons of Fayetteville Music honored Bob Steele as its first inductee in 2011. “Bob Steele started playing in Fayetteville in the late ’60s after Vietnam,” said Thompson. “I thought (about the fact that) every fundraiser I ever had, Bob was there. So, I presented Bob a guitar with his picture on it.”

    Thompson noted that this program is not a competition but a way to acknowledge the generosity and good works of Fayetteville musicians. It celebrates the diversity and community of the music scene. “I spent 20 years in the military, and you hear a lot about the band of brothers and the brotherhood. While that is true, the musicians here are like that, too. They cooperate and support each other. I did a fundraiser recently, and we had live music for nine hours and raised $3,000.”

    The musicians named Icons of Fayetteville Music have a place of honor at Paul’s Place – an entire wall filled with their photos and accomplishments. Thompson said this is a true representation of the spirit of giving that resides in local musicians. “I’ve got some musicians on the wall that I never got along with, but that doesn’t diminish their contributions (to the community). They give a lot to this community, and their families always appreciate seeing them on the wall. You have to have been active in the Fayetteville area and supporting this community and made a lasting contribution (to be inducted to the Icons of Fayetteville Music).”

    The newest round of inductees that will be honored at the celebration on the 26th are Bill Joyner, Danny Young, Bryan Shaw, Guy Unger, Jerry Godfrey, Scott Miller, Pat Vines, Ken Barfield, Carlton Warwick, Vince Groves, Darrell Collins and Brad Muffett. Food will be served at 2 p.m. followed by a presentation at 3 p.m. A regular Sunday open mike jam follows this ceremony.

    Paul’s Place is located at 719 Starling St. Search Paul’s Place on Facebook to learn more about this event and the many others that Thompson hosts.
  • 03ABCChanges and fragmentation in traditional news media operations have brought many changes, including less coverage of state government news in areas outside state capitals. Two important events occurred earlier this month, though, that should register with all of us. First, North Carolina’s five living former governors, three Democrats and two Republicans, got together in the old capitol and urged voters to reject proposed constitutional amendments that will appear on our November ballots.
     
    The governors say the amendments would redistribute the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches of government. The five, Jim Hunt, Jim Martin, Mike Easley, Bev Perdue and Pat McCrory, who collectively logged 40 years in North Carolina’s Governor’s Mansion, know whereof they speak, and I, for one, will be taking their advice. Our Constitution is not broken and does not need fixing, thanks just the same.

    North Carolina’s elected state auditor, Beth Wood, also released scathing findings of a yearlong audit of our state-run Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission. The audit reported the ABC Commission wasted about $11 million in tax revenue through mismanagement and lazy oversight. Not surprisingly, the report triggered cries of “not me” and political finger-pointing, along with calls for privately owned and operated liquor stores.

    Infuriating as the audit findings are, let’s not overreact.
     
    Our state’s ABC Commission has been around since 1937 and has historically been a vehicle for political patronage under both parties. That said, as a state-controlled monopoly, it returns millions of dollars to state and local governments and provides hundreds of jobs. No one knows what exactly would happen if the system shifted to a market-based private system, but it is a safe bet to say ABC revenues to governments would have to be made up with tax hikes, some on people who never patronize state ABC stores.
     
    In addition, while alcoholic beverages are legally sold and enjoyed in 98 of our 100 counties, it is also true that alcohol addicts some of its users, causing pain and distress to them and those who love them. State oversight originated as a protection of sorts.
     
    Perhaps our state-controlled ABC system should include some private entrepreneurs or change altogether, but that is a decision to be made after much study of other private systems and with great deliberation. It has potential ramifications far beyond reacting to a critical audit report.
     
    ********************
    “Spare the rod, spoil the child” is an oft-quoted modern justification for corporal punishment of children. Many believe the saying may be a corruption of a biblical verse found in the book of Proverbs, but whatever its origins, it is a virtual artifact in North Carolina’s public schools. With the Robeson County School Board’s vote of 6 to 5 earlier this month to ban the practice, only Graham of our 100 counties continues to sanction the “intentional infliction of physical pain upon the body of a student as a disciplinary measure.” Nineteen states continue schoolhouse corporal punishment, most of them in the South.
     
    ********************
    Several Up & Coming Weekly readers took me to task for a recent column entitled “Mysterious Melania,” in which I talked about other first ladies, quoted humorist Celia Rivenbark, and opined, “It cannot be easy being Mrs. Donald Trump.”

    My take was particularly unpopular with one reader who emailed, “what a hit piece on our first lady... as a wife, mother, grandmother, nurse... I cannot believe Margaret Dickson would right (sic) such an appalling piece on a woman, much less the first lady of the United States.”

    I thanked the reader for her response, and we agreed that we are all blessed to live in a nation where we can share our opinions freely and openly, whether we agree or not.

    In that vein, a recent New York Times piece on our first lady entitled “Melania Trump, a Mysterious first lady, Weathers a Chaotic White House” provides a longer, more detailed look. Here is a link: www.ny-times.com/2018/08/17/us/politics/melania-trump-first-lady.html
  • 13Comedy of ErrorsSweet Tea Shakespeare, the downtown theater company known for quirky outdoor performances that include live music and simple, creative staging, kicked off its 2018- 19 season on Aug. 21 with “The Comedy of Errors.” It’s a story about two sets of twins who get separated during a shipwreck and the satisfyingly chaotic shenanigans and reunions that follow, and it runs through Sept. 8.
     
    The show is directed by STS Artistic Director and President Jeremy Fiebig, Associate Artistic Director Jessica Osnoe and General Manager Jen Pommerenke.
     
    “It’s a story about one giant family that has been torn apart and is seeking one another,” Pommerenke said.
     
    In productions around the world, “The Comedy of Errors” is almost always played as a gag show – solely for laughs born from slapstick confusion and chaos. “It’s written so hilariously that the text alone could have the audience in bouts of laughter,” Pommerenke said. However, she said, STS took a different approach; one that shows how, at the core of the story, there are real hurts the characters experience due to the confusing situations.

    “There’s a twin that has a wife. So when that wife runs into the other twin, he says, ‘I’ve never seen you before in my life.’ So often, that’s played as this big joke. And that line always struck me as so hurtful and so sad. We decided as a directing group to try to play the heart of the story as well as the hilarity.... We sought to find the balance of lifelike truth in it.

    “For us, it’s a story of the lengths people will go for those they love and those they seek to know.”

    Pommerenke added that “The Comedy of Errors” is one of the most family-friendly shows STS has put on, and that it’s also one of the most accessible stories for those who are not familiar with Shakespeare. “The topic might be confusing, but because of the way we’re doing it, people will be able to follow it,” she said.

    Co-directors Pommerenke and Osnoe are in the unique position of also playing one set of the twins who are central to the story. Osnoe plays Dromio of Ephesus and Pommerenke plays Dromio of Syracus, comprising twin-set No. 1; twin-set No. 2 is Traycie Kuhn-Zapata as Antipholus of Ephesus and Taj Allen as Antipholus of Syracuse. The story’s other main characters are in some way tied to these four; there are mothers, fathers, wives, sisters-in-law, friends and powers that be.

    When asked about uniquely STS elements in the show, Osnoe talked about the creation of a balcony that happens every night. “It doesn’t sound like much, but given that we build our set outdoors on a daily basis, things of that nature pose a challenge in staging,” she said. “This particular scene shows our answer to that challenge in true STS fashion.”

    Pommerenke said the element that comes to her mind is the casting of the sets of twins. While she and Osnoe look pretty similar – in fact, their physical likeness is part of what inspired the decision to do this show – the other two actors are physical opposites. Kuhn-Zapata is a white woman and Allen is a black man. However, throughout the show, the two are constantly referred to as being obviously identical, adding to the hilarity of the situation. This is a casting move Pommerenke said she’s never seen in any adaptation of the show.

    “The Comedy of Errors” runs nightly, at 7:30 p.m., through Sept. 2 at the 1897 Poe House and Sept. 5-8 at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. As usual, drinks (including sweet tea and spirits) and food will be available for purchase to enjoy during the show. Look out for a special ginger pomegranate sour crafted just for STS by Sanford-based Hugger Mugger Brewing Company.
     
    To buy tickets or learn more about STS, visit www.sweetteashakespeare.com or call 910-420-4383.
     
    Photo: L to R: Traycie Kuhn-Zapata, Jessica Osnoe, Taj Allen, Jen Pommerenke
  • 21Arnold Pope L Neil Buie R22Left Tony Haire Right Mark Dreibelbis supervisor of officials for the N.C. High School Athletic Association
    Two veteran high school football officials, Arnold Pope and Tony Haire, were recently honored by the Southeastern Athletic Officials Association at their annual preseason meeting of football officials.
     
    Pope retired after some 60 years of work as both an on-field official and a supervisor who grades and counsels other officials.

    He is a Methodist minister and formerly served as dean of students at then-Methodist College.
     
    He was a charter selection to the North Carolina Weightlifting Hall of Fame, winning 27 state and six Southern titles in the Open Divions. He was the 1988 world champion in the masters division, winning 11 consecutive national titles and earning induction into the National Masters Weightlifting Hall of Fame in 1988.

    He was inducted into the Fayetteville Sports Club Hall of Fame in 2013.

    He also competed in the Scottish Games for 20 years and was North American caber toss champion in 1976. That same year he was the first American to win a caber-tossing title in Scotland.

    Haire received the Dick Knox Distinguished Service Award from Mark Dreibelbis, supervisor of officials for the North Carolina High School Athletic Association.
     
    Haire has been with the SAOA since 1997, officiating softball, football, basketball and baseball.
     
    He has officiated three Eastern Regionals in basketball and one state final, that occurring in 2003.
     
    He has called the state football finals twice, in 2005 and 2017.

    He is currently the sports chairman for football for the SAOA. This involves training officials and assisting Neil Buie, the regional supervisor of football officials for the SAOA.

    Left photo: Arnold Pope (L) and Neil Buie (R). Right photo: Tony Haire (L) with Mark Dreibelbis, supervisor of officials for the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (R).

  • This picking business has certainly changed over the years I’ve been doing it. When I first started, there was an information void.
    Teams hadn’t even been together since the previous season ended. They took to the practice field just a few weeks before the first games and then went after each other.
     
    Now, everybody has been working since last winter, with nearly full-scale workouts in spring and summer.
    On top of that, we’ve got an assortment of preseason conference polls and state and national rankings. Everybody’s got an opinion.
    But that’s the problem. It’s just opinion. You still have to play the game, and that’s one part that hasn’t changed.
    So thanks for all the informed theories and rampant optimism. It’s all going to come down to who blocks and tackles the best and figures out a way to do what Vince Lombardi used to preach. Run to daylight.
    Here’s to a great season for everybody.
     
    Clinton at Cape Fear - It’s game one for Cape Fear without Justice Galloway-Velazquez. It’s also game one for Clinton with hall of fame coach Bob Lewis no longer on the sidelines. I like Cape Fear’s chances for a win.
    Cape Fear 24, Clinton 12.
     
    Douglas Byrd at Fairmont - Is this the year Douglas Byrd snaps its 25-game losing streak and gets a win for Mike Paroli? If the Eagle performance in the BSN Sports Cumberland County Football Jamboree is any indication, there’s a good chance it will finally happen.
    Douglas Byrd 21, Fairmont 12.
     
    Seventy-First at Westover - First-year Wolverine coach Ernest King couldn’t have picked a much tougher opener. Seventy-First just might be the best team in Cumberland County as we begin the season.
    Seventy-First 35, Westover 12.
     
    St. Pauls at E.E. Smith - This should be a good opener for a fairly young Golden Bull team that needs to get experienced quickly before Patriot Conference play begins.
    E.E. Smith 27, St. Pauls 6.
     
    Purnell Swett at Pine Forest - This is an early chance for Pine Forest to build momentum before a couple of tougher nonconference encounters.
    Pine Forest 18, Purnell Swett 12.
     
    South View at Jack Britt - This is more than just a meeting of neighborhood rivals. South View has been unofficially crowned as the favorite in the Patriot Athletic Conference. Jack Britt has designs on being a serious contender in the always tough Sandhills Athletic Conference. The winner of this one will get a big boost to it chances.
    South View 24, Jack Britt 18.
     
    Gray’s Creek at Parkwood - It’s a long road trip for the Bears to start the season. Like Parkwood, Gray’s Creek had a disappointing result in 2017, going 2-9. This one looks like a tossup so I’ll give a slight edge to the home team.
    Parkwood 13, Gray’s Creek 12.
     
    Fuquay-Varina at Terry Sanford - Can Terry Sanford get out of the gate with a win now that the Jayne brothers have graduated? I think so.
    Terry Sanford 22, Fuquay-Varina 8.
     
    Other games: Providence Day 22, Trinity Christian 21; Dillon Christian 18, Village Christian 12; East Columbus 17, Fayetteville Christian 12.
     
  • 07LimeBike 1024x683Bike-sharing is popular in cities across America. Now it’s coming to Fayetteville. Fayetteville State University has contracted with Lime to make 150 bikes available to students beginning Aug. 21.

    Lime Bike’s first location was the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. It was launched in June 2017 with 125 bicycles and expanded in July 2017 to the cities of Key Biscayne, Florida; South Bend, Indiana; and South Lake Tahoe, California. In May 2018, the company announced that it would rebrand as simply "Lime” and partner with Segway to produce new scooters.

    Bike-sharing is a transportation program in which bicycles are made available for shared use to individuals on a short-term basis for a price. Bikesharing is already in use or soon will be in most of North Carolina’s large cities. It is ideal for short-distance trips, providing users the ability to conveniently and inexpensively use bicycles located in their area. It can reduce vehicular traffic, especially for short, point-to-point trips.

    Lime is one of the most popular firms in the U.S. As of October 2017, it had 150,000 users. Lime differs from some major U.S. bike programs, such as New York City’s Citibike initiative with Motivate Co, because it doesn’t require corrals where several bikes are stored for customer use. Instead, Lime bikes are parked and locked wherever customers end their trips. They’re then available on the spot for someone else to use.

    Lime was inspired by mainstream Chinese-style bike-sharing. In China, companies have raised massive amounts of venture capital and distributed tens of thousands of their GPSenabled bikes in urban markets. Lime uses green-colored, three-speed cruiser bikes equipped with GPS and 3G connectivity. The bicycles also feature operating headlamps and tail lights, front baskets, solar panels and smart locks. Most users download the Lime app on their cell phones.
    They are then equipped to find a bike or a scooter and scan the QR code or enter the number to unlock the bike.

    Lime charges one dollar to unlock the bikes. Thereafter, it’s a dollar per 30 minutes of travel.

    Fayetteville City Council is considering adopting an ordinance to regulate the use of Lime bikes in the city. City staff is recommending that city council consider adopting local regulations like those in Durham’s ordinance, a city where three bike-sharing companies are operating. Vendors would be issued permits after agreeing to operational standards. City ordinances and company rules will require that riders wear helmets, stay off sidewalks and use bike lanes where available.

    City council is committed to expanding marked bike paths in heavy use areas. Riders must obey traffic laws and park their bikes away from pedestrian walkways.

  • 06gerrymandering copyNorth Carolina leaders across the American government spectrum can agree on one thing: We are a divided people. A group of 60 influential North Carolina leaders, comprised of people in the state’s political, business, academic and faith communities, was asked by North Carolina’s McClatchy newspapers what they think is driving the partisan divide. The question was posed as part of an ongoing series.

    They could not agree on specifics, but there was a general sense of gloom among respondents that North Carolina and the U.S. are becoming more and more divided. Several themes resonated through answers from people on both sides of the political aisle: Civility in public debate is eroding. People are stuck in echo chambers, hearing only ideas they agree with, while social media spreads misinformation.

    Political parties have increasingly abandoned moderates and have become more extreme. “President Trump seems to be manipulating people’s fears,” said Bob Page, CEO of Greensboro-based Replacements Ltd. “We’ve got to overcome this divide by returning to a sense of working together to solve problems as opposed to electing extreme politicians who divide us instead of inspire us.”

    Bob Morgan, president of the Charlotte Chamber, said changing demographics are contributing to tensions in the state. “Race is a major factor as our  population is increasingly diverse and political power is slowly shifting to non-whites,” Morgan wrote. That is evidenced in Cumberland County by the election in recent years of more African-American judges than whites. And, in November of last year, a 6–4 majority of blacks was elected to the Fayetteville City Council for the first time in modern memory.

    “White folks are not going to the polls anymore because of animosity,” said a local official who asked not to be identified.

    “My goal is to continue to be a unifying force of all people in our community,” Mayor Mitch Colvin said through a spokesman, though he is on record as
    believing there is a clear racial divide in Fayetteville. Colvin is the second African-American to be elected mayor of Fayetteville. He believes the community is
    somehow immune from state and national trends of misunderstanding and extremism. “What goes on in the federal and state political arenas has, thankfully,
    not affected us here in Fayetteville,” he insisted.

    Ric Elias, CEO of Red Ventures, said people aren’t willing to hear opposing viewpoints anymore. “The biggest issue we have as a state and as a country is that we have stopped listening to each other,” Elias said.

    Forty-two percent of respondents in the Mc-Clatchy newspaper poll pointed to political gerrymandering as a prime cause of polarization. Gerrymandering is the practice of manipulating district boundaries in an effort to establish a political advantage for a particular party or group. It has created uncompetitive political districts at all levels of government.

    “Gerrymandering requires office holders to play to their base on every issue,” said former Gov. Mike Easley, a Democrat. “The districts need to change so that all leaders listen to all voters as they try to resolve important issues.”

    Former Bank of America CEO Hugh McColl of Charlotte had a simple answer to the question of what is driving polarization among the populace: “Massive ignorance.”

  • 05Ethel ClarkLongtime Spring Lake Mayor Ethel T. Clark has died. She was 72. She served in public office in Spring Lake for 30 years.

    Clark was elected and re-elected mayor from 2001-2011 after serving 20 years on the Board of Aldermen. She became the town’s first African-American female chief executive.

    Clark was mayor when the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office assumed control of the Spring Lake Police Department, after State Bureau of Investigation agents arrested two Spring Lake officers on charges ranging from embezzlement and obstruction of justice to kidnapping and breaking and entering. Sgt. Darryl Eugene Coulter Sr. and Sgt. Alphonzo Devonne Whittington Jr. eventually pleaded guilty and were sentenced to prison.

    The funeral service for Clark was held Aug. 8 at Williams Chapel Church in Spring Lake.

    Highly decorated Fort Bragg soldier dies in parachute mishap

    Sgt. Maj. Christopher Nelms, an Army special operations soldier, died when his parachute failed to fully open during a training maneuver in Scotland County, Fort Bragg’s Special Operations Command confirmed this month. Nelms, 46, was identified as a member of the elite Delta Force, a secretive special operations group, said Yahoo News, which was first to report his death.

    The Army did not announce the accident. Nelms died July 1 at Duke University Medical Center. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery on July 31 and was posthumously awarded the Legion of Merit.

    Nelms was critically injured while training at Laurinburg-Maxton Airport, Lt. Col. Robert Bockholt, a spokesman for USASOC, said in a statement to Army Times. His parachute did not fully deploy during a June 27 free-fall exercise, Yahoo News reported.

    Nelms was a troop sergeant major with USASOC. He deployed six times to Iraq and Afghanistan and once to Niger. A native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma,
    Nelms is survived by wife Stephanie Nelms and their two children, 16-year-old Naley and 15-year-old Nolan.

    Eight-mile river walk

    Crews will soon begin construction of a new section of the Cape Fear River Trail that will connect two existing segments. When completed, the trail will extend for eight miles from the Jordan Soccer Complex off Ramsey Street to the southern end at the city’s Riverside Dog Park near the new bridge at I-95 Business.

    The CSX railroad sold the city of Fayetteville an easement through its property beneath the railroad tracks, allowing the city to build a bridge under those tracks overlooking the banks of the Cape Fear River. Construction is slated to begin this fall and could be completed next summer.

    “We are excited to be able to connect these portions of the trail,” said Deputy City Manager Kristoff Bauer.

    Funding for the bridge, which will run through the CSX easement, includes a federal grant in the amount of $600,000, a state contribution of $1 million and a city contribution of $150,000.

    Shoreline Drive to receive repairs

    Construction on Shoreline Drive in College Lakes to replace a culvert beneath the roadway began Aug. 13. Lanier Construction Company of Snow Hill, North Carolina, was awarded the $830,000 contract.

    Several factors led to the emergency replacement of the 36-inch pipe. The existing culvert on Shoreline Drive has been in service since the late 1960s. It deteriorated to the point that it had to be replaced. Shoreline Drive is the only accessible roadway to the upper portion of the College Lakes subdivision, which necessitated this project.

    Construction is expected to be completed by spring of 2019.

    Fayetteville hazmat team recertified

    The Fayetteville Fire Department’s Special Operations Division has been recertified. It is charged with overseeing the operation of the hazardous materials team and the collapse, search and rescue team. Recertification is required every five years by the North Carolina Association of Rescue and EMS.

    “I’m proud of our staff and I congratulate them on this achievement,” said Assistant Fire Chief Robert Brinson.

    Hazardous material team units are assigned to fire stations 1 and 17. Each team member is required to obtain, at a minimum, state certification as a Hazardous Materials Level II Technician.

    In addition to handling all local hazardous materials incidents, the team is also contracted by the state as one of seven regional response teams responsible for a 12-county area. In the event of a long deployment, the team is also equipped with tents, food and water. Members are issued specialized protective equipment to ensure safety during dangerous operations.

     

    PHOTO: Ethel T. Clark

  • 04ParisThanks to the calendar, with some help from the Earth rotating around the sun, summer comes every year. This phenomenon leads to my unrequested, rarely read and inevitable column about summer vacation. Mrs. DelGrande, my fourth-grade teacher, began this process for me. Old habits are hard to break. To quote a time-honored adage, a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds. When it comes to enjoying foolish consistencies and cranial hobgoblins, count me in.

    This summer, we went to Paris to renew our acquaintance with cafe au lait and Monet. The trip began on a spooky note. Our seats on the plane were in the last row, which meant they would not recline, resulting in an up-close-and-personal olfactory relationship with the toilet. We were on the interior row of three seats. No window access.

    As a bonus, a lady with a 2-year-old was our row companion. Four humans in three seats. What could go wrong? The little darling would sit on her lap for the next eight hours. Small children typically enjoy being confined in a small space for prolonged periods. We were really looking forward to being joined at the hip with our new roomies for the next 4,000 miles. Fortunately, a very kind stewardess took pity on us and moved us to another location.

    We went on the red-eye flight, arriving at 7 a.m. Paris is six hours ahead of North Carolina. This results in sleep deprivation on arrival. Lesson one: do not attempt to negotiate the Paris Metro with a head full of lack-o-sleep. We had a bit of a fun meltdown in a vain attempt ride the metro.

    Undaunted, we tried the Paris Uber Survivor Challenge, which is not for the faint of heart. You plug in where you want to go. Then the Uber Fuehrer starts you on a 5-minute race to meet your driver at an unknown location several blocks away in an unfamiliar city. The stakes are high – find the Uber, get a ride; don’t find the Uber on time, and you are penalized six Euros and remain a pedestrian. Until you have had a phone conversation with a non-English speaking Uber driver who keeps repeating the number 21, you cannot truly say you have experienced Paris.

    On Sunday, we went to the Gregorian Mass at Notre Dame, which was solemn, ancient and impressive. We left the spiritual world to re-enter the temporal plain when we left Notre Dame. We emerged to the frenzied preparations for the completion of the Tour de France that afternoon on the Champs Elysees. These preparations involved setting up food stands and a large presence of heavily armed soldiers and gendarmes in case of bad guys. The sight of French soldiers with Uzis is surprisingly reassuring.

    At the Pompidou modern art museum, we tested the resilience of our somewhat worn museum feet for hours while viewing the finest in nouveau art. One  exhibit stood out particularly strongly – a plain wooden chair sitting on a slab of plexiglass. The exhibit was labeled “Chair.” You could not sit in it. You were just to contemplate the chairness of it in relation to the cosmos and the dilemma of man and Mr. Death. It dramatically demonstrated that Andy Warhol was right when he said, “Art is what I can get away with.”

    We subsequently passed a sanity test when we went upstairs to the rooftop cafe at the Pompidou to get lunch. After sitting down and studying the menu, we
    saw it offered a $36 hamburger. We got up and left without eating there. The cafe obviously subscribed to Warhol’s theory that “Burger prices are what we can
    get away with.”

    My wife Lani ate snails at a sidewalk cafe. I discovered that there are few better ways to contemplate the meaning of life than sitting in a clean, well-lit place at
    the end of a Paris day nursing a cup of cafe au lait and a Cognac. It doesn’t get any more Parisian than that. La vie est belle.

  • 03EatingWe all do it. We all do it daily. Many of us do too much of it, and some of us do so little of it, we risk our lives. It gives us pleasure, and sometimes it makes us sick. We do it alone, and we do it with others. We read and sometimes take advice about doing it. Sometimes we get it right, and sometimes we get it wrong.

    Yes, we all eat, and lots of us try to eat well. But what the heck does that really mean?

    The old food pyramid of meat, starches and vegetables of my childhood is a culinary relic, and even though I try hard to pay attention to the latest in nutritional learning and advice, I am still confused most of the time. How much protein is right for my size and age? How much fat? Should I give up all white foods – pasta, potatoes, rice, breads, mayonnaise? What about my chardonnay at the end of the day? What happens if I do? What happens if I don’t?

    A new book posits that we should eat in sync with our ancient circadian rhythms, meaning during the 8 to 10 hours of the day when our bodies’ hormones and metabolisms are active and primed for processing food, like most other animals on earth. In “The Circadian Code” by Satchin Panda (yes, just like the pandas in China), the Salk Institute professor says extending our feeding times into the wee hours – remember that pre-bedtime bowl of ice cream? – simply ripens us up for weight gain and metabolic disorders.

    Maybe Panda’s nutritional notions are spot on, as well as the oncefamous grapefruit diet, which gave me a stomach ache and on which I nary lost an ounce. Maybe so as well to food that arrives in boxes dropped on our doorsteps and all the fancy and expensive juice concoctions made with spinach, exotic fruits and
    Lord knows what else. Maybe we should all be on a Paleo diet, eating just what we could have hunted or gathered way back when.

    As the daughter of a mother who believed we could eat anything we want if we do so in moderation, the recommendations of Aaron E. Carroll, professor at Indiana University School of Medicine, who also blogs at the Accidental Economist, make good sense for most of us. They have lots of wiggle room for those things our diverse tastes and metabolisms just have to have and those we simply cannot tolerate. Carroll is quick to say that his recommendations are not etched in stone – that no foods are “demons” or “miracles.”

    Here are some of Carroll’s recommendations.

    • Take as much of your nutrition as possible from unprocessed foods, including fruits and vegetables and meats, fish, poultry, and eggs that have not been cooked or prepared in some way until you do it. Choose whole grains over refined ones, and eat your fruit instead of drinking it in juice form.

    • Understand that most of us are all going to eat some processed foods. I have never made homemade pasta in my life and don’t expect to, but I have certainly cooked plenty of dried pasta. Fine, says Carroll, but not every day. Ditto for cookies, chips, breads and most cereals, which all contain processed ingredients.
    Know that homemade really is better, but it is not unprocessed either. That said, eat homemade food as often as possible. It gives us more control of what we are eating, and in Carroll’s words, “you are much less likely to stuff yourself silly if you eat home-cooked food.”

    • Use fats, including butter and oil, and salts in food preparation. Our bodies need them, but don’t go overboard. When we do this ourselves, we know what is in our food. We often do not know that in restaurant food.

    •Drink lots of water, but other beverages, including coffee and some alcohol, are OK as well. Remember that except for water, black coffee and most teas, all beverages have calories, often far more than we think.

    • This is probably Carroll’s best advice. Eat with other people, especially those near and dear, as often as you can. It will make you, or maybe some of them, more likely to cook. You will be happy in their company and will probably eat more slowly as you enjoy the conversation.

    Well said, Dr. Carroll, well said. You and my mother are kindred spirits at the table.

  • 02LSFThere are now two Hope Mills mediaresources residents can depend on for accurateand dependable Hope Mills news. Andboth are free and accessible to everyone.They are Up & Coming Weekly and the blogHopeMills.net, which is hosted by ElizabethBlevins. Below is a sample of Blevins’ journalistictalent and unrelenting resolve forseeking out the facts. We welcome Blevinsas a journalist and media partner ready,willing and able to serve the residents ofHope Mills.
    Stay informed. Sign up today at www.upandcomingweekly.com and HopeMills.net.

    – Bill Bowman

    Interview with Terry Jung, executivedirector, Lone Survivor Foundation

    In March of 1865, Gen. Sherman stormed through our small town, burning the mills around which we’d built a community. His intention was to bring absolute destruction to the South, to ensure future generations felt his wrath. He succeeded. It would be the last time the town of Hope Mills knew real industry. More than 150 years later, our town center is a disorganized mix of pawn shops and nail salons anchored around a long line of fast food joints, regrettably known as “Hamburger Hill.” We’re a bedroom community. The residents of Hope Mills choose it for its proximity to Fayetteville and Fort Bragg.

    Despite that, Terry Jung, executive director of Lone Survivor Foundation, chose us. He chose a forgotten piece of swampy land as the future home of a Lone Survivor Foundation facility. And, ironically, the very fact that we’d neglected it for 50 years is what made it so appealing. It’s secluded, tranquil and the perfect retreat for soldiers suffering from PTSD.

    I spoke with Jung about his search for the perfect piece of land and ongoing battle to buy the property.

    More than a year ago, Jung began his search. He was diligent, looking at more than 50 properties in Cumberland County before a series of introductions led him to the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Center.

    The FCCEDC staff, which includes Hope Mills’ Mayor Warner’s son, Teddy Warner, were instrumental in pairing Jung with the property in Hope Mills. Several commissioners have accused Mayor Warner of collusion, implying that she and her son somehow manipulated the process in which Jung brought his proposal to the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners.

    But Jung disagrees, “I’m confident they’re wrong because we’ve dealt with two other cities in the Cumberland County area – Godwin and Fayetteville – and that’s exactly the procedure we have followed (each time).”

    On June 4, Jung and members of the FCCEDC presented the board with their proposal in a closed session. By all accounts, most of the board was receptive of the idea. “Pat Edwards, Jessie Bellflowers and Meg Larson all expressed very positive thoughts to us. All three of them, when the meeting was over, said to either Tim (Byrom, LSF president) or me directly, ‘We’re gonna get this done.’”

    But Commissioner Mitchell was hesitant. After quizzing Teddy Warner about the tax value of the land – which has never been assessed – and without conferring with the other board members, Mitchell quoted a price for 60+/- acres that was much higher than market value. This is interesting in that Mitchell has steadfastly maintained the land was not for sale. Jung, who was never interested in buying the entire parcel, was bewildered by Mitchell’s behavior.

    “I didn’t know any of the history of Mitchell and Warner; I didn’t know anything about him being beaten twice in a mayoral election. I quickly sensed something
    was askew.”

    During the initial meeting, no one discussed the 2030 Southwest Cumberland County Land Use Plan or the McAdams Group Parks & Recreation survey. In fact, we know now that the land in question wasn’t initially included in the McAdams survey. It was included July 31, when commissioners Mitchell and Larson reached out to the McAdams Group and asked that it be added. There was no discussion of the 1999 and 2014 PWC surveys at this time.

    According to Jung, no one mentioned that the land wasn’t technically for sale. In fact, not only did Mitchell suggest a selling price, but the other commissioners all requested Jung make an official offer as a jumping off point for negotiations.

    And no one seemed at all concerned about the way in which the presentation had come to the town. No one suggested a conflict of interest or collusion. They were all, except Mitchell, in favor of the project and incredibly excited to move forward.

    “We left the meeting feeling like this was a done deal … the majority, three out of five commissioners, said we were gonna get this done.” Jung wasn’t prepared for what happened next.

    The morning of July 18, Jung received a call from the Hope Mills attorney informing him the board had rejected his offer and wasn’t interested in any further offers. He and other supporters of LSF had also been removed from the agenda of the next board meeting. Undeterred, Jung made the pilgrimage back to Hope Mills (from Houston, Texas), and addressed the board – not once, but twice.

    “I don’t want to be in the middle of all of these politics – I’m just trying to look out for what I believe is the best for the veterans, and you’ve got a community that is very veteran-centric that seems adamant they want this,” Jung said.

    Jung credits the Hope Mills community, which has been overwhelmingly supportive, with bolstering his resolve to fight on. But he also admits to being frustrated with the antics of the board and the time wasted. “We’re willing to fight some more, but there’s going to come a point where it’s not to the benefit of the soldiers anymore,” he said.

    Jung won’t give an exact timeline, but when 22 veterans commit suicide every day, every day spent waiting is a tragic waste of life.

    Crystal Beach, Texas, the home of LSF’s first facility, is thriving. After being devastated by Hurricane Ike, which destroyed 7,000 homes, the town had no economy to speak of. When LSF chose the community to operate out of, it gave confidence to residents who’d lost their homes and they began to rebuild. Today, more than 5,000 new homes have been added, and affiliates of LSF have purchased 52 acres of land for hosting largescale events. Each spring, the LSF affiliates host a Memorial Day Concert that brings more than 5000 people into the community. They’ve also hosted Jeep and motorcycle rallies. The town’s economy is rebounding … LSF and the town’s reputations are growing.

    The media blitz surrounding the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners has helped spread the word to neighboring communities, which have adopted a “your loss is our gain” mentality, and LSF is fielding offers from towns more than willing to support the organization. We can only assume they recognize the prestige associated with hosting a nationally recognized nonprofit organization.

    But do the commissioners of Hope Mills recognize the devastating effects of rejecting a nationally known nonprofit organization? Jung was hesitant to divulge details, but he indicated the story of Hope Mills and our squabbling board is spreading outside of this community. Other organizations and businesses are taking note of the trouble LSF has dealt with these last two months. We can’t expect them to ignore our bad decisions. We’re standing on the wrong side of history and the nation is watching.

    There will be a rally in support of LSF atGrace Place Christian Church, 3748 S. MainSt., Hope Mills, Aug. 16, at 6 p.m. The purposeof the rally is to measure public support forthe LSF and discuss the next course of action.The public is invited to attend.

  • 01coverUAC0081518001Dr. Larry Wells, director and conductor of the Fayetteville Symphony Youth Orchestra, thinks laughter is essential to the learning process, but he’s not here to play. He’s here to train Fayetteville’s young musicians to operate at a professional level and to help build Fayetteville into a city where the best and brightest  want to stay.

    “It bothers me that... our best young people want to leave,” he said. “That doesn’t bode well for our future if that continues. In my little way, because I just have my little slice of this pie, I want to have something that young people want to stay and do.”

    Wells plays trumpet with the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra and the Carolina Philharmonic and is a professor and director at Methodist University. He holds a Master of Science in teaching music from Portland State University (1996) and a Doctor of Musical Arts in trumpet performance/wind conducting from the University of North Texas (2006).

    Though his current resume is impressive, Wells said growing up there was a lack of programs for young musicians in his home-state, Washington, and that he didn’t have access to professional training until college. This is a situation he never wants to happen to Fayetteville’s young talent.

    “There are certain rules in the professional world that young people won’t have been exposed to unless they’re in a program like (the FSYO); even how you practice and go about your day, how you dress,” Wells said. “The youth symphony is an opportunity for kids to study.”

    The FSYO, which was formed in 2014, is open to students ages 13-21 in public school, private school or homeschool. It includes Cumberland County students as well as students from many other counties.

    Wells said the FSYO is not meant to compete with high school music programs, but rather to complement those programs for students who want to go further. For this reason, the FSYO meets on Sundays; Saturdays would force many students to choose between marching band and the youth symphony.

    “We’re all on the same team,” he said. “The high school programs do a great job for what they do. (The FSYO) can be a conduit for the next step.... There are nitty gritty things like (transposition) that maybe don’t really apply on a marching band field but absolutely apply in a concert hall on an audition.”

    Every week, FSYO students rehearse music for one of three or more concerts they will perform over the course of the year, but there’s also a lot of teaching going on.

    Wells gives them a basic lesson in conducting so they can follow his movements – “No 1, 2, 3, 4 here,” he said. If the students run into a difficult rhythm they don’t know how to play, Wells pauses rehearsal and break the rhythm down on the whiteboard. When players need to transpose their sheet music, they learn how to do that, too.

    If the flutes are having trouble, Wells calls in FSO flute section leader Sarah Busman to work with them in a separate mini-session.

    Students’ direct access to their professional counterparts in the FSO is one of the strongest elements of the program, Wells said. “I’ve got a doctorate in trumpet, but I can’t play tuba well enough to teach my kid how it should sound. Here, they’ve all got access to all of it.

    “We talk a lot about intonation, music theory … Whatever the day, it’s like ok, this is what’s happening, let’s talk about (it) from a professional perspective.”

    The students’ hard work results in three or more concerts over the course of one season, culminating in the “side-by-side” concert, in which students get to play onstage with the FSO. The FSO is led by Music Director and Conductor Stefan Sanders, who has conducted for the New York Philharmonic among many other orchestras.

    Another of the FSYO’s strengths is a structure that allows for both specialization and inclusion. This structure is comprised of a Concert Band (woodwinds, brass and percussion) led by Wells, a String Orchestra (violin, viola, cello and bass) led by FSO violinist Monica Thiriot, and a Full Orchestra led by Wells. Wells said having these separate groups creates two advantages.

    First, he said, separating Concert Band and String Orchestra allows students in those groups to play music that’s challenging for their instruments. Sometimes, he said, music that’s challenging for strings can be painfully easy for woodwinds, and vice versa. It also allows for more specialized instruction.

    Second, the structure allows Wells to say yes to every student who wants to learn. No student who auditions is ever turned away from participating in Concert Band or String Orchestra. However, the audition does determine students’ seating, and to play in the Full Orchestra, they have to be at the top of their section.

    “(This structure) gives me flexibility to meet the needs of all the kids, and it also gives a spot for people where I don’t have to say no,” Wells said. “You never know when the light’s gonna come on for a young person. But if you don’t have them in your group, then you’ll never know if the light (could) come on. He added that having students with a range of skill levels allows for less experienced players to learn from their seniors and then pay it forward.

    String coach Thiriot, who also leads string programs for K-second-graders and ages 13 and under, said her favorite thing about working with the students is giving them music they don’t ever think they could play – and getting them to a place where they realize they can.

    Wells added that the FSYO’s “never say no” policy coupled with the fact the FSYO gets students from school systems as far as an hour away creates a diverse body. Students get to play and connect with other musicians their age they might otherwise never have met.

    The FSYO also holds extra workshops and social events outside of its weekly rehearsals. These include free workshops for Cumberland County students that focus on preparing students for things like all-district auditions and college auditions, as well as an end-ofthe- year party at Wells’ house and possible field trips.

    All in all, it’s a program that lets those who are willing to work for it shine, Wells said.

    “Good enough isn’t good enough for me. … I jokingly tell my students that’s why I’m bald. Because my hair will never look good. So it’s gone. They laugh, but I get my point across. If they’re laughing, then they’re learning.

    “If mediocre is the best you can do, then don’t. Either work hard enough to not be mediocre, or find something you’re good at. Way too many people shoot low; I don’t want Fayetteville musically to shoot low.”

    The thing is, Wells said, being serious about music is actually really fun. “It’s fun to learn, and it’s fun to be good,” he said. “It’s fun to not suck. Young people get that. And again, they laugh, but they remember.”

    The FSYO meets on Sundays; Concert Band and String Orchestra separately from 4-4:50 p.m., and Full Orchestra from 5-6 p.m. Registration for the 2018-19 FSYO season must be completed by Aug. 31. When students register, they also sign up for an audition time. Learn more at fayettevillesymphony.org/youth-orchestra. View the FSO’s upcoming season, which includes dates for the FSYO’s concerts, by clicking on “Concerts and Tickets” and “2018-2019 Concerts.”

  • 10Rodney Brewington South View2017  record: 9-4


    Top returners: Donovan Brewington, 5-10, 175, Sr., QB; Emery Simmons, 6-2, 185, Sr., WR; Joel Evans, 5-11, 325, Jr., OL; Matthew Pemberton, 5-9, 190, Jr., ATH; Denarea McMillan, 6-2, 215, Sr., RB; Jaylin Webb, 5-9, 260, Sr., DL; Elijah Wyand, 6-3, 225, Sr., TE; Ashawn Henley, 5-11, 235, Sr., DE; Gerald Bellanger, 6-2, 205, Sr., LB; Kevin Brewington, 5-8, 165, Jr., WR.


    Top newcomers: Joshua George, 6-2, 200, So., LB; Corey Johnson, 6-0, 175, Sr., DB; Marzea Saunders, 5-9, 165, Jr., RB.

    11Jaylin Webb South View
    Team strengths: “Skill positions.”Team concerns: “Youth.”

    Coach’s comment: “We have the pieces to make a strong push if we get the young offensive line

     

     

     

     

    Coach Rodney Brewington, top returner Jaylin Webb

  • Meetings Meetings For details about all meetings and activities, including location where not listed, call Town Clerk Jane Starling at 910-426-4113. Most meetings take place at Town Hall or the Hope Mills Parks and Recreation center.

    • Board of Commissioners Monday, Aug. 20, 7 p.m. The town of Hope Mills will take notice that the Board of Commissioners has scheduled a public hearing at Hope Mills Town Hall, 5770 Rockfish Rd., Room #120, on the question of annexing the following described territory, requested by petition filed pursuant to G. S. 160A-31:  The described area of land is located on SR 2333 (Corporation Drive) and is the exact distance of 1 mile (N) from the intersection of Route No./Road SR 2252 (Chickenfoot Road) towards the city of Fayetteville, but is not within the city of Fayetteville.  LOT 4 CAROLYN R GRANT, Lot frontage 527.80 ft. facing the west is N 72”54’28” E, N 18”26’04”W, S 71”33’58”, N 17”57’39” with a lot depth of 412.11ft.  Lot 4 is in the Rockfish Township of Cumberland County. This is a non-contiguous annexation.The public is invited to attend the meeting to offer comments or ask questions.

    • Lake Advisory Committee Tuesday, Aug. 21, 6 p.m. at Hope Mills Parks and Recreation.


    Activities

    • Hope Mills Area Kiwanis Club at Sammio’s, second Tuesdays at noon and fourth Tuesdays at 6 p.m. For details, call 910-237-1240. 

    • Senior programs – Acrylic painting, Thursday, Aug. 23, 10 a.m.-noon or 1-3 p.m., in the Small Activity Room of the Hope Mills Parks and Rec center. $5. Sign up at front reception desk. Only 10 seats available per session. 

    Promote yourself: Email hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com.

  • 09Hope Mills Municipal ParkWhen Hope Mills residents come to Thursday’s Food Truck Rodeo in the parking lot behind the Hope Mills Recreation Center, they need to plan on doing more than eating.When Hope Mills residents come to Thursday’s Food Truck Rodeo in the parking lot behind the Hope Mills Recreation Center, they need to plan on doing more than eating.

    Kenny Bullock, head of the Hope Mills Parks and Recreation Department, wants them to arrive ready to share ideas for the town’s comprehensive recreation plan.

    Representatives of the McAdams firm will be on hand to get input from the townspeople about their concerns for the future of recreation in Hope Mills.

    Bullock said the plan being developed will include some nine park areas in Hope Mills, existing athletic fields like Municipal Park and Brower Park, community parks like Herring Park in the Eaglewood subdivision, and parks still on the drawing board like Heritage Park, which will include a museum devoted to the town’s history as a mill village.

    There is also potential for major park development at the old golf course, which the town owns.

    The main purpose of the comprehensive plan is to avoid duplication of services and to make sure that something offered at one park isn’t constructed at another park. “That’s the purpose of the comprehensive plan,’’ Bullock said, “to utilize all the park space independently instead of duplicating park space.’’

    Athletic fields are always a major concern when anyone talks parks. Bullock said the town has existing fields at Municipal Park and Brower Park and also uses the field at Hope Mills Middle School.

    Bullock said there are preliminary plans to add some fields at the golf course property. “We need some multipurpose fields we can use for soccer and football,’’ he said. “There may be a complex we can convert to football and soccer.’’

    He said at Municipal Park it might be possible to use Fields 1 and 2 as a soccer/football field, then turn Fields 4, 5 and 6 into a wagon wheel type facility.

    The most urgent priority in developing the parks is the construction of Heritage Park near the restored Hope Mills dam. “That’s part of the contract with the Hope Mills dam,’’ Bullock said. “The next priority is the museum for the historical committee.’’

    The current plan for Heritage Park involves nothing to do with athletics. It is scheduled to feature walking trails and bridges.

    Bullock feels it’s important not to lump all the parks into one pile when getting input from the public. “We need to concentrate on all of them,’’ he said. “Each park is different. We need to put a focus on all the parks and what we would like to do.’’

    Meanwhile, public input at this Thursday’s Food Truck Rodeo is critical.

    Bullock stressed to the citizens of Hope Mills that this is their time to speak out and voice their concerns and their opinions on the future of parks and recreation in the town. “Don’t wait until after the fact and it’s been done,’’ Bullock said.

    Photo caption: The main purpose of the comprehensive plan is to avoid duplication of services and to make sure that something offered at one park isn’t constructed at another park.

  • 08Food truck promoIt may have rained out the last Food Truck Rodeo in Hope Mills, but the rescheduled event this Thursday at 5 p.m. behind the recreation center on Rockfish Road is going to give people a chance to help out children about to return to school.It may have rained out the last Food Truck Rodeo in Hope Mills, but the rescheduled event this Thursday at 5 p.m. behind the recreation center on Rockfish Road is going to give people a chance to help out children about to return to school.

    Chancer McLaughlin, development and planning administrator for the town of Hope Mills, said he realized the later date would push the rodeo closer to the scheduled opening of school. This led to the town using the Food Truck Rodeo as an opportunity to collect school supplies for youngsters.

    The Food Truck Rodeo already collects donations of food for the Hope Mills ALMS HOUSE, which has a mission of feeding the hungry, clothing the needy and providing counseling and financial assistance.

    Now, this week’s rodeo is collecting goods for the upcoming FAYONE event, which is helping to provide school supplies to Cumberland County students.

    McLaughlin said FAYONE is a cooperative effort between a number of other groups that were providing school supplies to youngsters.

    The FAYONE organizers joined their efforts to offer one large event.FAYONE is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 18, at the Crown Arena beginning at 10 a.m.

    It will feature two events, Gotcha’Back and Cut My City.Gotcha’Back provides backpacks filled with school supplies for needy children, while Cut My City offers free haircuts.To get a free haircut, students must be at the Crown Arena and registered by 2 p.m. the day of the event.

    McLaughlin said when he realized the Food Truck Rodeo was going to have to be postponed, he contacted Hope Mills town manager Melissa Adams to see about adding collecting school supplies to the rodeo.

    All supplies collected at the rodeo will in turn be donated to FAYONE to be given away this Saturday.

    “I feel as a municipality we have a bigger reach and we can be bigger leaders,’’ McLaughlin said. “We want to support a communitywide back-to-school drive as well. We’re telling residents of Hope Mills to bring school supplies when they come to the food drive.’’

    Any school supplies are welcome, but McLaughlin said the top choices for people to bring are wire composition books, pens, pocket folders, rulers, pencils and notebook paper.

    Another feature of the FAYONE event will be a separate area in the Crown Arena called the Teachers Lounge. “We’ll have things for them and supplies we’ll donate to the schools,’’ McLaughlin said.

    If there is anyone who is interested in volunteering to help out at FAYONE this Saturday, they can email fayeone2018@gmail.com.

    In addition to the usual food trucks, because the Thursday rodeo is focused on back-to-school, McLaughlin said Hope Mills will offer a bouncy house, cornhole games, face painting, karaoke and a dance-off for the children.

    There will also be raffles held for various prizes.

    The town will also conduct its usual solicitation for donations of food to the Hope Mills ALMS HOUSE.

    Preferred food donations for the ALMS HOUSE include bottled water, single-serve boxes of cereal, ramen noodles, individual microwaveable servings of pasta and gallon-size freezer bags.

  • 16Bruce McClelland Terry SanfordCoach: Bruce McClellandCoach: Bruce McClelland

    2017 record: 11-2

    Top returners: Tanner Morris, 6-2, 270, Sr., OL; Leonard Mosley, 5-9, 168, Sr., WR-RB; Connor Brady, 6-1, 307, Sr., OL; Kirin Keys, 6-0, 286, Sr., OL; Shawn Newman, 5-9, 160, Sr., DB; Dante Bowlding, 6-0, 181, Sr., DB-WR-RB; Donovan Stevenson, 5-11, 172, Sr., LB; Dorian Clark, 5-11, 201, Jr., RB; Jackson Deaver, 6-0, 224, Jr., LB; Ezemdi Udoh, 6-5, 232, Jr., TE-DE.

    Top newcomers: Joseph Briley, 5-11, 208, Sr., LB-RB; Jacob Knight, 6-0, 170, Jr., QB-WR; Roscoe Blue, 6-4, 334, Jr., OL-DL; Jamir Moore, 6-1, 173, Sr., WR-DB; Tyquan Hayes, 6-1, 172, Jr., LB-RB; Maurice Jones, 5-10, 163, Jr., RB; DeAndre Brown, 5-9, 164, Sr., DB; Saquon Smith, 6-0, 160, So., DB-WR; Elijah Morris, 6-1, 220, Jr., DL.

    17Shawn Newman Terry SanfordTeam strengths: “Senior leadership. Offensive line.”Team concerns: “Depth. Replacing 15 starters.”

    Coach’s comment: “Our senior leadership has maintained the level of competition this summer and is excited about the opportunity to lead the 2018 Bulldog football team into this year’s PAC-9 Conference slate. Our goal is to develop a host of new starters. We feel we have a schedule that will challenge us both in and out of conference. Staying healthy will be a top priority.’’

     

     

    Coach Bruce McClelland, top returner Shawn Newman

  • 14Ernest King WestoverCoach: Ernest King

    2017 record: 4-8

    Top returners: Xavier Marsh, 6-2, 180, Sr., QB; Demarion Ford, 5-7, 180, Sr., WR; DeShawn Fitts, 5-8, 160, Sr., WR; Pernell Shoulars, 6-5, 315, Sr., OL; DeMareon James, 6-2, 260, So., DL; Te’Andre Walton, 6-0, 205, Sr., SS; Jaivon Coates, 5-10, 160, Sr., DB.

    Top newcomers: Taurienne Freeman, 6-1, 215, Jr., MLB; Devon Marshall, 6-1, 170, Jr., WR; Keyshawn Lindsey, 6-1, 205, Jr., RB; Antonio Arrington, 5-9, 180, Sr., LB; Nahala Moore, 6-3, 305, So., OL.

    Team strengths: “The experience and numbers in the senior class.”

    15DeMareon James WestoverTeam concerns: “Team is learning its third system in three years, particularly the most recent system in a short time.”
    Coach’s comment: “Our success this season will be determined by our experienced playmakers and the quick ability to learn the offensive and defensive schemes. We are hoping our non-conference schedule will help us evaluate our players as well as team play before entering the conference schedule.’’

     

     

    Coach Ernets King, top returner DeMareon James

  • 12Deron Donald E.E. SmithCoach: Deron DonaldCoach: Deron Donald


    2017 record: 9-4

    Top returners: Toshiro Spivey, 6-1, 185, Sr., WR/DB; Maurice McLaughlin, 5-9, 205, Sr., DL/P; Jaylyn Locklear, 5-8, 165, Sr., RB; Daquan Wilson, 5-8, 165, Sr., DB; Darius Johnson, 6-0, 245, Jr., OL/DL; Angel Holden, 5-11, 180, Sr., QB/K; Malik Small, 5-10, 175, Sr., K/WR; Jeremy Priebe Jr., 5-11, 155, Sr., LS/DB; Jeremy Evans, 5-9, 160, Jr., WR; Tobias Winder, 5-11, 260, Sr., OL/DL.

    Top newcomers: Markell Samuel, 6-3, 220, Jr, OLB/DE; Randy Franklin, 6-0, 180, Jr, DB; Jarvis Dudley, 5-8, 210, Jr., LB/FB; Trevon Hinton, 5-7, 160, Jr., DB; Shawn Kirk, 5-8, 155, Jr., RB; Brenden Tibbs, 5-8, 170, Jr., LB; Genuwine Clark, 6-0, 265, So., DL/OL; Judah Matthews, 5-9, 175, So., DB.

    13Jaylyn Locklear E.E. SmithTeam strengths: “Explosive playmakers on the offensive side of the ball as well as overall team speed.”Team concerns: “Inexperience. Only six returning starters from last year’s team.”

    Coach’s comment: “This year’s team is inexperienced in some key areas and there will be several young guys stepping in who will play meaningful minutes. However, we have quality leaders that have been in the program for four years that understand the Golden Bulls way.”

     

     

    Coach Deron Donald, top returner Jaylyn Locklear

  • 01coverUAC0080818001

  • 12Steven2Linda Buie first met Steven when she took some South View students attending the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s Student Athlete Summer Institute to Fayetteville’s Dorothy Gilmore Therapeutic Rehabilitation Center.

    To this day, she doesn’t know Steven’s exact age, but there’s one thing she does know about him.

    “He would always say, ‘Hey, it’s my birthday,’” Buie said.

    Thanks to Buie and her South View SASI students this year, it finally came true for Steven. As part of their action plan for SASI, Buie and her five South View students threw a birthday party for Steven, which was according to Buie the first one the young man ever had.

    The party was held at the Gilmore Center, which provides recreation opportunities for people with disabilities.

    While Steven may be classified as one of those people, SASI student Priya Mall of South View said you’d never know it by Steven’s demeanor.

    “We made a strong connection with Steven,’’ she said of the group’s first visit to the Gilmore Center with SASI this year. “We were dancing together and he was so happy all the time. He thinks it’s his birthday and he hasn’t had a birthday party and we should throw them one.’’

    That was the thing Buie appreciated most about the idea the students had for the party.

    “They picked this,’’ Buie said. “It wasn’t a suggestion of mine. When the kids found out, they said, ‘we want to have a birthday party.’’’

    And what a party it was, filled with things that are Steven’s favorites.

    Among the items on the menu were pizza, Doritos, potato chips and cake. Most important of all, there were gifts.

    Each of the students was charged with making sure to give Steven a different gift, with new clothes the focus of the gift-giving, Buie said.

    “He doesn’t hardly have any clothes,’’ Buie said. “We wanted to try to help him a little bit.’’

    Riley Caudle, another of Buie’s SASI students from South View, said the project tied in with the SASI message about being an effective leader.

    The weeklong SASI gathering in this region has been hosted by UNC-Pembroke for many years. Students from high schools across the Cape Fear region are brought in for lessons on leadership and being alcohol- and drug-free.

    “Everyone can work together and come together on one thing,’’ Caudle said. 

    Mall agreed with Caudle. “I think it does send a good message,’’ she said of the party for Steven. “As a leader, you should do the right thing, help out, do things for other people and not just be a stubborn leader.

    “Being a leader doesn’t mean you have to be in charge all the time. You can collaborate and talk about things with other people.’’

    Photo: L to R: Lillian Flantos, Priya Mall, Davin Schmidt, Steven, Keshawn Dunham, Danielle Novak, Riley Caudle

  • 09Hedgepeths 2When Dr. John Hedgepeth came to Northwood Temple in 1968, it was only supposed to a two-year appointment by the local conference of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. And Northwood Temple is where he’s remained for 50 years. On Sunday, Aug. 12, the church will hold a day of celebration in recognition of Hedgepeth’s years of service.

    “Like the old song said, just one day at a time,’’ Hedgepeth said. “That’s where I’ve been all my life since August of 1968.’’

    There will be no Sunday School that morning, just a 10:30 a.m. worship service honoring Hedgepeth’s unprecedented tenure at the church.

    The guest speaker will be Dr. A.D. Beecham Jr., general superintendent of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

    The celebration will continue at
    5 p.m. with a banquet in the church’s Family Life Center gymnasium. Hedgepeth said he never dreamed in the summer of 1968 he’d stay at Northwood for 50 years.

    He said the congregation is made up of really great people.

    “You go to a place and you minister with all your heart to the people that are there,’’ he said. “If you have a ministry, that is your testament, it doesn’t stay static. It always keeps changing. Like it says in Acts, the Lord added daily to the church.’’

    Hedgepeth said a focus of his ministry from the start has been reaching out to people in time of need, especially when they are facing problems with their health.

    “They are looking for someone to love them and care for them,’’ he said, “someone that will lay hands on them and go to the hospital when they are sick, rather than saying if you need me, call me.’’

    Under Hedgepeth’s leadership, Northwood has also become a focal point for mission work. He describes what the church has done by paraphrasing the scripture passage Acts 1:8, which called on the apostles of Jesus Christ to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth.

    “Jerusalem is your local people,’’ Hedgepeth said. “Judea, that’s your counties and state.’’

    He said Samaria referred to Samaritans, an unwanted people in the time of Christ. “We reached out to everybody,’’ he said.

    If you visit Northwood today, you will see flags of 54 nations displayed. They represent the countries around the world where the church’s members call home. 

    “My people have always had a heart to reach out to every race,’’ he said.

    And they’ve done it in ways other than just welcoming people to the congregation. Northwood’s Church On The Street program delivers meals to the local homeless.

    The church has sent mission teams to Mexico, Africa, the Dominican Republic and the Kuna Islands off Panama. They’ve been to Nicaragua over 20 times.

    “We helped build schools, built churches,’’ Hedgepeth said. “People got saved and healed. We can’t stop.’’

    Hedgepeth gives much of the credit for the success of his ministry at Northwood to his wife of 55 years, the former Fay Bullard.

    “I owe her everything,’’ he said. “She settled me down and made me think right. She taught me ways to do things I didn’t know because of her brilliance.’’

    He also praised the staff at Northwood, especially minister of music Buck Hodge, who has been with Hedgepeth almost 50 years.

    Hedgepeth is willing to talk at length about almost any subject, but there are two areas where he’s not that vocal. One is his age and the other is the subject of retirement.

    “I never tell anybody my age,’’ he said. “Age puts limits on you now.’’

    Hedgepeth is a firm believer in the philosophy of motivation. Nothing stands still, he said. It either goes backward or forward.

    He said he’s never read of anyone in the Bible that retired, not even Moses.

    “I really believe when you come to a place in life when you don’t want any more souls, when you don’t want to go to any more hospitals, when you don’t want to do any more weddings or attend a funeral, when you don’t have to worry about any more mountains to conquer, you don’t have to worry about being dead,’’ he said. “You’re already dead.

    “I really believe you’ve got to go get them. I might not get them as much as I used to, but man, I’m moving forward.’’

    Seating is limited for the event, and tickets are available at $8 a person. For reservations, call 910-488-7474.

    Photo: Rev. John Hedgepeth and wife Fay

  • 06Jane Fonda 1970sJane Fonda said she’s still confronted by Vietnam War veterans over her 1970s anti-war activism and welcomes the encounters. Such moments provide an opportunity to talk, she said, which needs to be done with what Fonda called “an open mind and a soft heart.” 

    The actress drew bitter criticism after being photographed sitting on an anti-aircraft gun during a 1972 visit to North Vietnam. She was dubbed “Hanoi Jane.”That same year, she and actor Donald Sutherland took part in an anti-war protest in downtown Fayetteville. At the time, Fort Bragg troops gave Fonda a different nickname: traitor b****. 

    Fonda met with TV critics this month to discuss a new HBO documentary on her life and expressed regret for that moment. She said it was thoughtless to perch on the gun and called it “horrible to think about the message her action sent to soldiers and their families.” 

    Her late father, the famed actor Henry Fonda, was a World War II veteran. Fonda had served as “Miss Army Recruiter” in 1954. 

    At age 80, Fonda looks back at her life in HBO’s “Jane Fonda in Five Acts,” debuting this fall. 

    Cold case arrest

    Fayetteville Police have cracked a nearly 30-year-old sexual assault cold case with an arrest. Antonio L. McNeil, 55, of Slater Avenue in Fayetteville, was 25 when he allegedly attacked his victim. He has been jailed on charges of second-degree rape, second-degree sex offense and first-degree kidnapping. The case dates to November of 1989. Detectives investigated the case then, but it went unsolved. 

    The case was recently reopened when the sexual assault evidence kit was tested for DNA. Police Sgt. Shawn Strepay said McNeil was already being held at the Cumberland County Detention Center on unrelated charges when arrested on the new allegations. He is being held on a $400,000 secured bond. 

    Strepay said 25 rape cases have been cleared with arrests over the last three years by the Fayetteville Police Department’s Cold Case Sexual Assault Unit. People with information concerning a sexual assault more than five years old are asked to contact Police Detective R. DeShields at 910-580-3016.

    Save the rain water

    The Cumberland Soil and Water Conservation District is offering rain barrels for sale. The barrels provide a storage system used for collecting rain water, which can be used to water plants, lawns and gardens. Fifty-five-gallon pickle barrels are transformed into rain barrels by adding mesh screen netting to the open tops and installing spigots to the bottoms. Rain barrels can be placed out in the open, under the drip line of a roof or under a gutter’s downspout. A typical one-inch rainfall can fill the rain barrel placed beneath a downspout. 

    Rain barrels are selling for $40 at the Cumberland Soil and Water Conservation District office at 301 East Mountain Dr. The office is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Proceeds from rain barrel sales support youth educational programs in Cumberland County.

    40th annual International Folk Festival

    Grab a dance partner and get ready for an unforgettable evening during the 40th annual International Folk Festival in downtown Fayetteville. The Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra of Brooklyn, New York, is the Saturday evening headliner. The 11-piece band will take the Festival Park stage at 6:15 p.m. on Sept. 29. 

    The performance is part of an extensive entertainment lineup during the festival weekend of Sept. 28 through 30, featuring horn arrangements, pulsating percussion and sultry vocals. According to their promotional materials, “WSO has taken the typical Salsa form and infused it with a completely modern identity.” 

    Symphony leader’s contract renewed

    The board of directors of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra has announced renewal of its contract with President and CEO Christine Kastner. 

    “Chris Kastner is a great leader, and her history with the FSO is proof positive of that,” said board chairman Joe Vonnegut. 

    Kastner was hired as CEO in November 2011. Under her leadership, the FSO increased the number of concerts performed. The symphony also added a free concert in Festival Park, partnering with the city of Fayetteville for an Independence Day celebration. 

    The FSO has also made significant progress in its endowment under her leadership, Vonnegut added. 

    Photo: Jane Fonda

  • 08IkeWriters avoid using the word legend with great frequency in this business, and with good reason.

    Used too often, it cheapens the effect and makes it seem far less than the exclusive club it should be.

    But the late E.E. Smith basketball coach Ike Walker is deserving of the accolade. Walker, 87, was the longtime boys basketball coach at E.E. Smith High School and a 2010 inductee into the Fayetteville Sports Club Hall of Fame. He died on July 30 after a long illness.

    You get a sense of his status as legend talking with the people who were closest to him, his former players, many deserving consideration for that title themselves.

    Take Robert Brickey, a basketball phenom for Walker’s E.E. Smith team in the mid-1980s before going on to star for Mike Krzyzewski at Duke.

    “If I could summarize it, he was a man who cared about young people, and he tried to model what he thought they should be,’’ Brickey said.

    Charlie Baggett had an even stronger tie to Walker. He was his nephew and a sensational E.E. Smith quarterback in the early 1970s before setting a slew of passing records at Michigan State.

    Walker came from a family of a dozen children, and Baggett said Walker and Baggett’s mom were the only two of the 12 that went to college, Walker attending North Carolina A&T.

    “When you’re a coach and teacher, you wear a lot of different hats,’’ Baggett said. “He touched a lot of lives in a lot of different ways.’’

    He was also a poet and a philosopher. He sent countless handwritten notes and cards to friends and acquaintances.

    One of the many people he wrote was Joe Harris, a football great from Smith who starred at Georgia Tech and became the first Fayetteville high school product to play in the Super Bowl, as a member of the Los Angeles Rams in 1980.

    Harris remembers the notes and life lessons Walker shared.

    “He always pushed education,’’ Harris said. “To know who you are. Where you come from. Where you’re going in life.’’

       But Harris’ best memory of Walker is how he took care of his players, including himself.

    One rainy afternoon after practice, Walker told Harris to get in his car so he could give him a lift home.

    Harris lived where the roads weren’t paved and were filled with bumps. Walker drove a shiny black Ford that he kept in immaculate condition.

     As they approached the road to Harris’ house, he told Walker to stop and not mess up his car.

    “He said, ‘No, I’m going all the way,’” Harris said. “That’s the type of person he was.’’

    Ike Walker spent a lifetime going all the way for kids, pulling them through the messes of life to hope and success.

    The gospel of Matthew said it best. “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

    Photo: Ike Walker

     

  • 16David Lovette Grays CreekCoach: David Lovette

    2017 record: 1-10

    Top returners: Andre Allen, 6-0, 195, Sr., RB; Leonard Beckett, 5-9, Sr., RB; Cedrick McDowell, 5-9, Sr., RB; Dalton Patrick, 6-0, Jr., SE; Trevor Thomas, 5-8, 170, Sr., ATH; Sean Best, 6-3, 260, Sr., OL; Tyree Brown, 6-0, 200, Sr., LB; Tony Tyndal, 6-0, 210, Sr., OL: Blake Little, 6-0, 195, Sr., LB; Armaiah Banks, 5-11, 185, LB.

    Top newcomers: Gaven Freeman, 5-10, 175, Jr., RB: Ja’Wuane Haskins, 5-11, 205, Jr., LB; Ben Lovette, 6-1, 165, Jr., QB; Alex Hopkins, 5-8, 175, Jr., 17Armaiah Banks Grays CreekDB; Kendall Evans, 6-4, 235, Jr., DL; Justin McClintock, 5-11, 200, Jr., LB; Jerry Garcia, 6-0, 175, So., DB.

    Team strengths: “Return many players from last year’s team who gained valuable experience.”

    Team concerns: “Cannot afford injuries.”

    Coach’s comment: “We believe that we can be a much more competitive team this fall.’’

     

    Photos: Coach David Lovette, Top returner Armaiah Banks

  • 22Bill Sochovka Pine ForestCoach:Bill Sochovka

    2017 record:4-7

    Top returners:Dominic Roberto, 6-0, 235, Sr., RB/LB; Dylan Watkins, 5-10, 170, Sr., DB; Luis Rivera, 6-2, 240, Sr., DL; D.J. Jones, 5-10, 180, Jr., WR; Jaden Jones, 5-10, So., QB; Deon Buchanan, 5-11, 240, Sr., C; Jordan Gladney, 5-10, 165, Sr., WR/DB; Isaiah Potts, 6-2, 280, So., DL/OL; Malik Daniels, 5-11, 300, Sr., DL/FB; Bernard Fierlage Jr., 6-1, 215, Jr., LB.

    Top newcomers:Zach McCallum, 6-2, 240, Sr., DE/TE; Steven Wood, 6-2, 240, Sr., DE; Ahmad Simon, 5-6, 165, Jr., RB; Seth Smith, 6-0, 280, Jr., 23Zach McCallum Pine ForestOL; Jamal Hill, 6-3, 300, Jr., OL; Jamal McClean, 6-1, 180, So., WR; Blake Marshburn, 6-2, 280, Jr., OL; Andre Tunell, 6-0, 170, Sr., DB; Ethan Ward, 5-11, 180, Jr., RB.

    Team strengths: “We feel our defensive line is the key to our defense. On the offensive side the strength lies in our skill positions.”

    Team concerns: “Lack of depth in our defensive and offensive lines, and our kicking game.”

    Coach’s comment: “I like the team cohesion. I feel if our defensive and offensive lines can gel quickly, that will be a key to our success.’’

    Photo: Coach Bill Sochovka, Top newcomer Zach McCallum

  • 11combatmedicSince 2016, Fayetteville Technical Community College’s Emergency Medical Science and health programs have conducted training for Fort Bragg 68W Army Health Care Specialists, or combat medics. In October 2017, FTCC and Womack Army Medical Center collaborated to develop an accelerated, 20-week National Registry Paramedic program of study in order to meet the unit operational needs of the combat medic. The accelerated program provides a unique opportunity for soldiers to earn National Registry Paramedic Certification Licensure as well as providing advanced medical training and skills required to save lives on the battlefield. 

    This training is critical for combat medics to mitigate the 25 percent of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom soldiers who died of wounds and were deemed potentially survivable. This equates to almost 1,000 service members. 

    The military’s future operating environments may require field care lasting hours to days before evacuation can be achieved, whereas past evacuation times were minutes to hours. This is why this training partnership is so vital to the advancement of prehospital military field medicine.   

    FTCC and Womack AMC have created two options for military soldiers to choose from when pursuing paramedic training. 

    The intense, 20-week traditional paramedic course consists of 600 hours of didactic/lab, 600 hours of internship, 300 hospital hours and 300 field EMS internship hours. The 40-week Distance Learning Hybrid Paramedic Program allows soldiers the opportunity to complete online training utilizing distance learning technology and attend face-to-face classes during specific blocks of training.

    Upon completion of the course, students are eligible to take the North Carolina State and National Registry Paramedic Licensure Exams. Students also earn certification in American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and Advanced International Trauma Life Support. 

    Upon successful completion of the paramedic program, in addition to obtaining the National Registry Paramedic Licensure, Fort Bragg 68W medics enroll in an accelerated two-week Military Critical Care Flight Paramedic program. This intense two-week program prepares paramedics for the Flight Paramedic Certification examination from the Board of Critical Care and Transport Paramedic Certification. The Critical Care Emergency Medical Transport Program is designed to prepare paramedics to function as members of a critical transport team. The critical care paramedic receives training beyond the training received by “ground” paramedics. Course training prepares the paramedic to appropriately assess and manage patients who have already received significant medical interventions, including the use of advanced pharmacological agents and the insertion of hemodynamic monitoring and assistant devices. 

    FTCC is pleased to collaborate with Womack AMC to provide this unique training for military paramedics, leading to opportunities for soldiers to advance their professional skills through specialized certifications in areas beyond basic training in the area of emergency medical services. 

    For questions about Emergency Medical Services training at FTCC, email baxleyc@faytechcc.edu. If you are a soldier interested in requesting an enrollment reservation, contact Staff Sgt. Lombard at tiaan.lombard.mil@mail.mil or call 910-907-6214. Learn more about all FTCC has to offer at www.faytechcc.edu.     

  • 07Robert Wilkie Sworn inRobert Wilkie is officially the United States secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. He took the oath of office during a swearing-in ceremony with President Donald Trump at the White House. 

    Wilkie is a former military officer and Pentagon official. He serves in the Air Force Reserve. Wilkie grew up in Fayetteville and to date is the highest-ranking native son to serve in the federal government. He was joined in the Oval Office by his wife, Julie, and son, Adam, as well as former bosses Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. 

    “I’m humbled by the prospect of serving those who have borne the battle, those American men and women who have sacrificed so much,” Wilkie, 55, said in remarks before the ceremony. 

    Wilkie is now in charge of the second-largest federal government agency. The VA has more than 360,000 employees and an annual budget of nearly $200 billion. The department is tasked with providing health care, monetary assistance and other benefits to millions of veterans.

    “I know you’ll work night and day to fulfill our sacred duty to protect those who protect us,” Trump said. “It’s a tough job, but a beautiful job. Congratulations.” 

    Wilkie is taking over at a time of significant change at the VA. He is charged with leading an overhaul of the VA’s private-sector care programs and overseeing a multibillion-dollar project to create a new electronic health record system, as well as implementing recently approved changes to the VA claims appeals process, caregiver benefits and GI Bill, among other things.

    Lawmakers and veterans’ organizations are hopeful that Wilkie can stabilize the department after months of uncertainty about its leadership. 

    “We congratulate him on becoming secretary, and we look forward to him bringing stable leadership to the department and strong advocacy for America’s veterans,” Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander B.J. Lawrence said.

    The VA has been without a permanent secretary since David Shulkin was fired in March as the result of a power struggle with political appointees assigned to the VA. Wilkie has already purged some Trump loyalists and others who he said represented part of the VA’s operations problem. He did so with the president’s knowledge and consent. 

    Following Shulkin’s dismissal, Deputy Secretary Tom Bowman retired, and a handful of other leaders left the agency. VA Press Secretary Curt Cashour said in a statement in April that the officials who left were “wedded to the status quo” and “not on board with this administration’s policies or pace of change.” 

    The Washington Post reported that once Wilkie was VA secretary, he intended to form his own leadership team and reassign political appointees who were behind the staff departures. The Post said Cashour is searching for another job in the Trump administration. Camilo Sandoval, acting VA chief information officer, is expected to leave altogether, and John Ullyot, the assistant secretary for public and intergovernmental affairs, will likely be reassigned to another job within the VA. 

    However, in a statement, Cashour denied the report and said he had no plans to leave the department. Additionally, Cashour said Ullyot and Sandoval will remain in their positions.

  • 01coverUAC0080818001Take a moment and imagine life without the sense of sight. You would have to put your faith and trust in others and learn independent living skills to help you navigate through life’s daily routines. This is reality for hundreds of Cumberland County residents. Things like getting to medical appointments or doing grocery shopping can be difficult challenges to navigate. The Vision Resource Center, a vital advocate for many in the blind and vision-impaired population, has come up with a fun way to raise the funds it needs to carry out its mission. Saturday, Aug. 25, the VRC presents its third annual Out of Sight Wing Fling cooking competition. It is set to run 3-8 p.m. in Festival Park. 

    “The purpose of the Wing Fling is to raise money for the VRC to increase programming and independent living skills for adults and children with visual impairments,” said Terri Thomas, the VRC’s executive director. “Our goal is to get a bus for transporting them to the grocery store and medical appointments, and we need Colorino Talking Color Identifiers, signature guides and Ruby portable magnifiers.”   

    The VRC opened in 1936 as the Cumberland County Association for the Blind. Working with Cumberland County Social Services, the VRC is one of the first four agencies of the United Way in Cumberland County. The organization changed its name to Vision Resource Center in 2007 and currently operates out of the Dorothy Gilmore Therapeutic Recreation Center, at 1600 Purdue Dr. 

    Thomas said blindness and visual impairment is an expensive disability that often requires pricey technology to give recipients a reasonable quality of life. 

    “We need funds to be able to grow and get them exactly what they need,” said Thomas. “I am still not able to provide them with some of those things.” 

    There are currently 676 blind and visually impaired individuals in the Cumberland County area. The VRC provides resources such as independent living classes, Braille classes, social activities, a healthy living program, transportation to and from the center, youth programming, summer camp and more for the blind and visually impaired. But these all cost money.

    “Lately, we have been partnering with Veterans Affairs, and they have some stuff that is down-leveled to them but new to us, so we have been getting some things that way,” said Thomas. “I haven’t been able to purchase anything because it is so expensive.     

    “The state does not provide for blind and visually impaired children under age 13. They only start working with kids at age 14, so that’s a whole demographic that now we are writing grants for to try and (reach out to) kids as soon as their parents find out they are visually impaired so we can start working with them.”    

    Thomas noted that the main focus with the youth ages 0-13 is to work on socialization skills, and this is one thing the VRC never receives funding for, but something that would help immensely. 

    Like many causes, the needs are many and everything helps, including attending the Out of Sight Wing Fling. The event features a wing cooking competition that will have entries from EyeQ Zone, Kid’s Zone and more. There will also be food trucks on-site as well as vendors and special guests. Entertainment will be provided by BB Productions, That NATION Band and Wing Fling’s very own DJ “Q.”   

    Festival Park is located at 331 Ray Ave. in downtown Fayetteville. General admission to the Out of Sight Wing Fling is $5 and allows attendees to enjoy the vendors and live entertainment. Admission plus wing-tasting costs $10, which includes samples of every team’s wings and voting privileges for the competition. VIP tent access is $40, and includes access to a covered V.I.P. tent area, Southern sides to accompany your wing-tasting, two beer tickets, non-alcoholic drink selection and prime seating near the entertainment stage. 

    For more information, call 910-483-2719. Visit www.wingflingfay.com to purchase tickets.    

  • 05LetterI originally planned on doing this paper on the admissions presentation at ECU that I attended with my daughter a week or so ago. Then last night I was drawn to the Town of Hope Mills Board of Commissioners meeting because of a rezoning request of a property that is located just outside my subdivision. I used to attend the meetings on a regular basis, but it had been a while since I was last there. Once I got into the meeting, a gentleman was getting ready to speak. After hearing his presentation, I found myself addressing the board on his behalf.

     a) Mr. Jerry Jung (pronounced young) was the speaker, and he was representing Lone Survivor (Foundation) – a nonprofit focused on providing therapeutic and recreational retreats to veterans. I had no knowledge of the organization before Mr. Jung spoke.

    b) The topic was a town-owned property called Hope Mills Lake #2, which the Lone Survivor organization was interested in purchasing.

     c) Mr. Jung had come to speak in defense of some bad press the project had received, along with a denial from the town to sell the property to his organization.

     d) As I addressed in my introduction, I had attended for a different purpose but was drawn to Mr. Jung’s topic once he began speaking.

     e) The audience consisted mostly of residents of the town of Hope Mills, along with veterans who had been the recipients of therapy provided by the Lone Survivor organization(,) and the town of Hope Mills Board of Commissioners.

     f) (The goal was) to explain the purpose of the Lone Survivor (Foundation), explain what they intended to use the property they were trying to buy from the town for, and answer any questions related to either of those issues.

     g) Mr. Jung began his presentation by explaining what the Lone Survivor program does and where they are currently located. Then he went on to explain why the property was so attractive to the organization, highlighting that 30 percent of the clients come from North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia (and) that the location would ease the strain of travel on the veterans suffering from PTSD who come from these nearby locations. He showed a mock-up of the design for the facility, and finally took questions.

     h) The overall thesis was that in a community like Hope Mills it seemed ridiculous that the board would deny the purchase of the land for its intended purpose, and he believed some information had been lost in communication and wanted the board to reconsider.

     i) I was moved by my Mr. Jung’s presentation.

     j) The only weakness that he may have shown was a lack of knowledge of local politics.

     k) The mock-up was not clear to the audience for, the most part, other than it appeared to be a large one-floor building.

     l) The audience overwhelmingly supported Mr. Jung’s proposal to the point that they stopped going by the printed agenda and juggled some things around to allow members of the audience to address the Board of Commissioners on the topic. I addressed the board and explained that I was disappointed that my elected leaders rushed to make a decision on this topic without having all the information necessary to make such a decision. (I told them) that I had voted for each of the current commissioners, and I was appalled that they would make such a move without taking a “litmus test” of the community’s reception to such a project.

    The Board of Commissioners moved to revisit the proposal and discuss further the options of assisting the Lone Survivor organization. It was clear that the support of those in attendance was behind the Lone Survivor organization, with much of the clapping being done on behalf of the organization and comments from board members who had supported the proposal. Those who spoke on behalf of the Lone Survivor organization were emotional, but only one speaker was so emotional that it detracted from what she was trying to say. I was thanked by the board members who supported the proposal. What I found was that in this type of situation, in one where a feel like I am a stakeholder, because I pay taxes and am involved in my community, I have the confidence to be assertive with my thoughts in a public way.

    – Elizabeth Cooper

  • 28Mike Paroli Douglas ByrdCoach:Mike Paroli

    2017 record: 0-11

    Top returners:Nikai Butler, 6-2, 245, LB, Sr.; Ronald Carroll, Sr., RB: Ray Dixon, 6-1, 235, Jr., LB; Zion Cameron, 6-2, 230, Jr., OL; Arden Billington, 5-11, 215, Jr., OL; Iumble Brown, 6-1, 190, Jr., OL; Jon Carroll, 6-0, 155, Jr., QB; Mickey Bell, 5-11, 180, Sr., LB.

    Top newcomers:Zion McEachin, 6-2, 265, So., OL; Jaquan Boykin, 6-0, 190, So., DB; Jason Moore, 6-3, 225, Sr., DB; Darius McNeil, 5-11, 270, Sr., DL; Sabeon Campbell, 5-5, 155, Jr., RB; Skye Billinger, 5-10, 205, Sr., RB; Isaiah Murphy, 6-2, 285, Sr., OL; Domion Evans, 6-2, 270, Sr., OL.

    29Ronald Carroll Douglas ByrdTeam strengths: “Offensive line experience. Good overall size and strength. Positive leadership.”

    Team concerns: “Numbers and depth. Inexperience in the secondary. Uncertainty with newcomers.”

    Coach’s comment:“Depth will be a huge concern, especially if injuries mount. Our newcomers could make us much more competitive.’’

    Photos: Coach Mike Paroli, Top returner Ronald Carroll

  • 04wrightA Fayetteville Observerarticle by Paul Woolverton headlined “Wright critical of stadium worker numbers” troubled me. It reported, “Councilman Larry Wright is disappointed at the number of black construction workers who are building the city’s $37.8 million baseball stadium downtown.” 

    That article went on to report that, in a presentation to Fayetteville City Council, a Barton Malow Company (the stadium contractor) representative indicated that 19 of the 123 construction workers were black, while there were 54 Hispanics, 43 whites, four American Indians and three described as other. 

    Further, the article said the following.

    “Wright said he’s supportive of Hispanic workers and female workers, but he disliked the figure of just 19 black workers. ‘It just seemed to me that that number could go higher,’ he said.

    Deputy City Manager Kristoff Bauer said the project is following a program to subcontract jobs to minority-owned and woman-owned businesses, but that does not extend to who those businesses hire. It’s illegal for the companies to hire individual workers based on their race, Bauer and City Councilman Jim Arp told Wright.

    ‘You can’t track who gets hired – so then what good is it?’ Wright said.”

    Looking at what shows above and the remainder of the article, I was troubled by the messaging. It seems to be one of total focus on black Fayetteville citizens to the exclusion of all others. In my estimation, no matter how well-intended, the consequence of that messaging, in all likelihood, will be a bad outcome. 

    In my effort to always deal fairly with people, and because of prior very positive interactions with Councilman Wright, I called him to discuss my concerns and thoughts regarding this matter. I first met him in late 2006, or early 2007, when Great Oak Youth Development Center, where I was a volunteer, purchased and occupied a house next to his church. Over some eight years of my tenure with that organization, Bishop Wright went above and beyond as a supporter of our efforts to help young black males build a foundation for successful lives. 

    He and I talked by phone for over an hour. It was, from my viewpoint, an honest, thoughtful and civil conversation. What follows reflects my concerns, my thinking, regarding some of the negative consequences that would likely flow from what I perceive as messaging that implies a total focus on the well-being of a single group to the exclusion, and maybe at the expense, of others. 

    Sadly, this messaging makes Councilman Wright appear to only be concerned about black citizens. In our conversation, his words reflected concern for all citizens and a desire to work across all the lines that divide us. Let me be clear, what I share here is not intended as some attack on, nor condemnation of, Councilman Wright. My giving thought to and addressing this matter was simply prompted by the position he took in response to the stadium employment numbers. 

    A consideration to start with would be to define the problem and then look to the causes. Accept the problem as low employment of blacks on the stadium project. The question then becomes what is being done about determining causes? What troubles me is that in too many circles of influence and authority, the automatic response is racism. Is it possible that there is a qualification factor at play? That is, to what extent does Fayetteville have a pool of black individuals qualified to fill the jobs in question? 

    It would make sense to explore that question. This could be done by having the stadium contractor provide a list of needed skills for the project. Concerned groups, independent of city involvement, could then undertake an effort to identify every black person in Fayetteville who possesses one or more of the required skills. Assuming that process produces qualified persons who then apply for jobs, and do any required follow-through, but are not hired, the racial component could more reasonably be considered. Until that kind of step is taken, the rush to claims of racism should be shelved.

    The other consideration that challenges race as a reason for the low number of blacks on this project is that 44 percent of the reported employees are Hispanic. From Britannica.com, “‘Hispanic’ is generally accepted as a narrower term that includes people only from Spanish-speaking Latin America, including those countries/territories of the Caribbean or from Spain itself.” Hispanic is not a race, but if the focus is, as normally presented, to favor White Americans of European descent, this high percentage of Hispanics brings the racism argument into question. 

    This profound focus, at a governmental level, on hiring black Americans has the feel of discrimination against other groups. Even further, it smells of identity politics – that is, intentionally appealing to certain groups based on issues with which those groups identify. In our time, the aim of this approach is to build coalitions that win elections and marshal power while marginalizing other groups. In the case of the stadium employment situation, the appeal would be to black voters.

    Even if this focus on employing blacks is based on good intentions, where does this approach take us? I contend that it unnecessarily feeds racial tension that is destroying our nation at every level, encourages a dangerous attitude of entitlement and victimhood among black citizens and contributes to some citizens of the city moving, or sincerely desiring to move, elsewhere. 

    In all of this, the great challenge is to find a course of action that has promise and is fair to all citizens. Such an approach is being pursued by Barton Malow Company, the stadium contractor. In partnership with Cumberland County NCWorks Career Center and Fayetteville Technical Community College, the contractor is conducting a boot camp program to recruit and train stadium construction workers. 

    Dannis Mitchell, diversity manager for Barton Malow, explained the boot camp program to me in a phone conversation and by email. It is an eight-week program where a participant receives two weeks of classroom training during which they learn about industry basics, including math, hand and power tool use, project coordination and the development process. Participants then work with on-site stadium subcontractors for six weeks. The program is administered in three cohorts to include training in concrete, masonry, steel, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, roofing, glass/glazing and drywall. 

    Participants are compensated during seven weeks of the eight-week program. At the end of the eight-week period, subcontractors prepare evaluations on participants and participants evaluate their experience. Subcontractors are strongly encouraged to hire, to work beyond the eight-week program and even after the stadium is complete, those boot camp participants who have met their corporate hiring requirements and demonstrated a positive work ethic coupled with commitment. 

     Mitchell stated that foundational to their diversity effort is offering opportunity for individuals to qualify for employment in the construction industry. It is not about quotas. I see this approach as fair to all. There are 12 individuals in the first cohort of the boot camp. There will be three boot camp cohorts over the course of the project to reach the goal of placing 30 residents in the program. Cohort 2 will begin in August for mechanical, electrical and plumbing, while Cohort 3 also begins in August for roofing, glass/glazing and drywall. 

    The contractor publicized this program through the media and at gathering places such as churches and recreation centers. The effort to spread the word regarding this opportunity includes distribution of a flyer that is thorough in presenting details of the boot camp but is also inviting and hope-inspiring.

    Those of us who seek to do good for society must be careful that our words and actions do not allow for messaging that produces a bad outcome. A key to avoiding this messaging pitfall is to honestly assess problems and seek solutions that are, and appear, fair to all. 

    Thank you, Barton Malow Company, for modeling this approach. 

    Photo: Fayetteville City Councilman Larry Wright

  • 02LSF stackedHope Mills elected officials cannot seem to get over their personal and political bickering long enough to do their job of serving the residents of Hope Mills. Mayor pro tem Mike Mitchell is blinded by pettiness, but it is commissioner Jesse Bellflowers, former commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, who totally self-destructed when he turned his back on suffering military veterans, the Lone Survivor Foundation and the taxpaying residents of Hope Mills. Bellflowers disgraced the honor of all U.S. military veterans, living and deceased. So much for “No man left behind.” Bellflowers left thousands behind with his flip-flopping political antics. He single-handedly achieved an unprecedented trifecta of hypocrisy.

    It’s embarrassing. 

    This week, I’m yielding my space to a patriot and veteran – the honorable Don Talbot. His open letter to veterans and the community pretty much sums up the meltdown in Hope Mills. His message speaks volumes to the way Hope Mills residents and veterans alike feel about what’s going on. 

    Both Don and I welcome your comments and input. Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

    – Bill Bowman

    To those following the saga of the Hope Mills Commissioners dealing with the offer from Lone Survivor Foundation, there are some discouraging details emerging from the meetings. 

    We can start with Commissioner Bellflowers, who is a military veteran. He made the motion to revisit the proposal, and then voted against his own motion, thus postponing all action on the proposals until after a report is rendered from the Town of Hope Mills Parks & Recreation Department consultant. 

    Pat Edwards was the only commissioner who voted to keep the conversation about the plans for Lake Bed #2 going. This is where it gets really interesting because information has it Mayor pro tem Mitchell had a report from the consultant stating that they (the consultant) do not recommend the use of Lake bed #2 for the Parks & Recreation department.

    People need to learn the date of the information transmittal because if Mitchell withheld that report from the commissioners, then their vote to delay the proposal until fall is compromised. 

    I call on the mayor and city manager of Hope Mills to investigate the timeline of the consultant’s report and when Mitchell received it.

     As The Fayetteville Observerstated in an opinion column recently, “it appears the board was too distracted by political squabbling to see the possibilities. That may turn into a loss for the town and for the veterans that Lone Survivor could serve.”

  • 03AcostaAfter a brief and not very interesting or successful teenage babysitting career, my earliest jobs were in our family’s radio business. Memorable among them was one early stint as a radio reporter. My boss was Jeff Thompson – yes, Up & Coming Weekly’sJeff Thompson. 

    We called each other “Boss” and “Scoop” and still do. Jeff taught me that journalism and our First Amendment are critical to our nation’s stability, not just for information reported but as a check on government. A big story I reported was a Fayetteville City Council meeting in which a retiring councilman voted to send the entire council, including himself and his wife, to a municipal convention far away – San Francisco, California, perhaps. Council members would travel on the city’s dime even though that particular councilman would be out of office within weeks. He did not even seem embarrassed.

    Fayetteville taxpayers were all over that story and all over the short-term traveling councilman.

    That story was important locally but paled, of course, in the long shadow of Watergate. That dogged investigation by The Washington Postexposed a corrupt president and ultimately led to the only presidential resignation in our nation’s history. You, I and the rest of America and history would never have known about our president’s perfidy had not two young and intrepid reporters persevered.

    Fast forward to Tampa, Florida, where President Trump held a campaign-style rally just last week. Why a sitting U.S. president supposedly doing our nation’s business needs such a rally is a legitimate question, but our current president holds them regularly and revels in the applause of attendees. He must have been in hog heaven in Tampa, as supporters cheered his comments about witch hunts and his version of American diplomacy with Russia. 

    What stopped me and many other First Amendment supporters in our tracks were hostile Trump true believers, at least one of whom wore a shirt emblazoned with “F*** the Media,” taunting CNN’s senior White House correspondent Jim Acosta with shouts of “CNN sucks” and raised middle fingers. I caught a glimpse of this on TV that evening myself, and my first thought was that someone is going to get hurt here, just as a young man did at a Trump campaign rally right here at our Crown Coliseum in 2016.

    Blessedly, no one did get hurt that night in Tampa, but such language and behavior do nothing to strengthen our republic or bridge the deep divides among Americans with differing political views. Fueling the flames of strong emotion is Trump, who repeatedly refers to news media as “enemies of the people.” 

    Apparently, the president’s fanning of the flames worries media bigwigs as diverse as New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger, who met with Trump about it last month, and Fox News anchor Shep Smith, who says flatly, “Journalists are not your enemy.”

    How on Earth did we get here?

    The First Amendment says this: “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

    These are the words that make us different from other nations like Russia, China and North Korea, where citizens do not hear diverse news stories and points of view, where they cannot voice their own thoughts, where they cannot practice the religion they choose or none at all, where they cannot gather to peaceably disagree with their governments. This is the amendment that not only gave a firm foundation to our fledgling nation more than two centuries ago but that has sustained us through wars, including one pitting Americans against each other, depressions, and the wildly diverse points of view that make us the nation we are.

    Some of us voted for Donald Trump. Some of us voted for Hillary Clinton. Some of us voted for various other candidates, and some of us sat on our sofas and watched TV. But as Jeff taught a naive and inexperienced young woman, reporting is fundamental to our nation. We Americans do not have to like the information reported, but it is critical that we love, respect and support the right to report information and opinion in all their diverse forms.

    Photo: CNN correspondent Jim Acosta

  • 19Duran McLaurin 71stCoach:Duran McLaurin

    2017 record:9-4

     Top returners:Kyler Davis, 6-1, 210, Sr., QB; Cameron Townsend, 5-6, 155, Sr., WR; Kore Prentice-Coles, 5-10, 180, Jr., RB; Benjamin Willis, 6-3, 260, Sr., OL; Stephon Johnson, 6-4, 185, Sr., WR; Jalen Ogle, 6-0, 240, Sr., DL; Thomas Washington, 6-2, 280, Sr., DL; Jamiese Alston, 5-10, 155, Sr., DB; Devante Wedlock, 5-9, 215, Sr., LB/RB; Javen Washington, 5-11, 190, Sr., LB.

    Top newcomers:Jahiah McNeill, 5-11, 230, Sr., LB.; Campari Williams, 6-2, 220, Sr., WR; Jermaine Johnson, 5-8, 145, Jr., WR; Jashawn Owens, 5-11, 230, So., DL/TE; Raymond Grate, 5-7, 137, Sr., K/WR; Aaron Graham, 5-9, 215, Jr., DL.

    20Kyler Davis 71stTeam strengths: “Team will be extremely talented at the skill positions with a four-year starter at quarterback. On defense, the team should be extremely solid with experience and great talent in the secondary.”

    Team concerns: “Team will be somewhat young on the offensive line, having to replace a couple of all-conference performers. Team will also have to replace the school’s all-time leading receiver. Defense is replacing two leading tacklers from last year, both from the linebacker position.”

    Coach’s comment:“We want to contend for a conference championship in the Sandhills and go as far as we can in the playoffs. The expectation is we want to contend for a conference championship every year. This year is no different.’’

     

    Photo: Coach Duran McLaurin, Top returner Kyler Davis

  • 13Brian Randolph Jack BrittCoach:Brian Randolph

    2017 record: 6-6

    Top returners: Nico Perofeta, 5-11, 235, Sr., LB; Matthew Davis, 5-11, 190, Sr, OLB; Emilio Sierra, 6-0, 278, Jr., RT; Cornell Raynor, 5-10, 180, Sr., WR/SS; Jayden Pennix, 5-9, 153, Sr., CB/WB; Kamar Cousar, 5-7, 150, Sr., CB; Josh Jerome, 5-11, 160, Sr., WR; Jeremiah Hamilton, 5-10, 270, Sr., LG; Zion Young, 6-0, 220, Sr., DE; Aaron Dillard, 5-7, 150, Sr., FS.

    Top newcomers: Khymani Vera, 6-1, 212, Sr., WR; Kevin Sentell, 6-1, 165, Jr., QB; Mason Walker, 5-10, 160, Jr., RB/OLB; Anthony Shields-Fiffie, 6-0, 160, Jr., WR; Karnell Leavell, 6-1, 310, Jr., LT/DT; Justin Broadhurst, 6-2, 185, So., DE; Chase Speed, 5-8, 170, Jr., SS; Tyquan Patterson, 5-8, 150, Jr., 14Nico Perofeta Jack BrittCB; Shawn Healey, 5-10, 220, Jr., OL; Sean Tobor, 5-10, 250, Jr., DT.

    Team strengths: “A collective majority of the Jack Britt football program has dedicated (itself) to our off-season schedule, which has allowed us to get better as an entire program.”

    Team concerns: “With the graduation of our 2018 senior class, we are in search of new leaders for the program. Who will step up to the challenge
    of leading?”

    Coach’s comment: “The 2018 football season will provide a great platform for the Jack Britt football program to perform at a high level on and off the football field.’’

    Photos: Coach Brian Randolph, Top returner Nico Perofeta

  • 25Jacob Thomas Cape FearCoach:Jacob Thomas

    2017 record: 10-4

    Top returners:J’Velus Peterson, 6-1, 205, Sr., RB; Zaire Boykin, 5-11, 195, Sr., RB; Nic Minnacapelli, 5-11, 225, Jr, FB/DE; Sincere Hale, 6-2, 208, Sr., DE/TE; Caleb Krings, 6-3, 260, Jr., OL/DL; Jaylen Hudson, 6-3, 225, Sr., LB/WR; Austin Hunt, 6-1, 220, Sr., LB/TE; Darrick Whitted, 5-11, 225, Jr., LB; Dalton Staton, 5-10, 195, Sr., OL; Taiquan Gamble, 6-2, 175, WR/DB.

    Top newcomers:Cayden McKethan, 5-11, 210, So., QB; Kimani Britton, 5-11, 180, Fr., QB; Justin Lambert, 5-11, 175, Jr., WR; Trace Canada, 6-0, 215, OL; Lamon Lock, 5-8, 180, Jr., DB; Donte Autry, 5-9, 180, So., LB; Kevin Jones, 6-3, 185, WR/DB. 

    26Jaylen Hudson Cape FearTeam strengths: “Senior leadership has been huge for us this spring and summer. The guys have really stepped up in accountability and leading vocally and by example. Front seven on both sides of the football are majority returners that will need to really step up and hold the rope for the more inexperienced players.”

     Team concerns: “Perimeter players. There is not much game experience on either side of the ball there. At quarterback, this is the first time in four years we will have a different quarterback taking the snaps.”

    Coach’s comment:“We will need some of our new guys to step up their play in order to be successful this year. Our leadership and returners will be a good foundation to build around. We will still fight and be competitive this year.’’

  • 10HeartPresented by Bud Light, the Fayetteville After Five season finale will have fun, music and food. Fayetteville After Five is a free summer concert series held in Festival Park every month from May to August. This season kept the crowds coming back with performances from headliners 120 Minutes, Bad Inc., Slippery When Wet and On the Border, with local bands opening each show. The August concert, which takes place on Friday the 10th from 5-10:30 p.m., is the perfect way to wind down the summer with families and friends. There will be food trucks on-site with tasty fare to enjoy along with the concert. 

    The concert will open with Quilted Sky followed by Heart Breaker, a Heart tribute band. Heart Breaker’s vocalists, Suzi Nelson and Joan Burton, will serenade the audience with the greatest hits of Heart and the greats of Led Zeppelin that inspired Heart. 

    The opening act, Quilted Sky, will perform classic rock sung by bandmates Stan Draughon and Ralph Justice. Festival Park lends itself to dancing on the promenade and sing-along, so come ready to enjoy the experience. 

    Along with great music, guests can enjoy the diverse offerings of Food Truck Friday. There will be something delectable for everyone, be it savory or sweet. Food trucks such as My Daddy’s Barbeque, Thai Box Zing, Kona Ice and Wingski’s will make an appearance at Festival Park, serving BBQ, authentic German food, shaved ice, doughnuts and more. Enjoy a pulled brisket sandwich from My Daddy’s BBQ, a Kat-n-Around bratwurst, or Chicken and Waffles from Wingski’s. Finish it off with a flavorful or nutritious shaved ice from Kona Ice. 

    Fayetteville After Five is a Fayetteville Dogwood Festival event. The festival also hosts the national- award-winning Spring Dogwood Festival, which won 2018 Event of the Year from the Southeast Festivals and Events Association; the Miss Fayetteville Dogwood Festival Pageant; and the Dogwood Fall Festival. 

    A nonprofit organization, the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival organization is a volunteer-based nonprofit committed to giving back to other nonprofit partners who help produce their events, while providing free events for the community year-round. The Fayetteville Dogwood Festival’s estimated economic impact to date is over 8.1 million dollars.

    For more information about Fayetteville After Five, contact the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival at 910-323-1934 or visit www.faydogwoodfestival.com. Admission is free. Bring blankets or chairs to sit on. Services dogs are welcome. Outside food and beverages, coolers, canopies, weapons and non-service animals are prohibited for the event. 

  • 13SV Jungle RunSouth View’s annual Jungle Run night cross country meet is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 2 on the school campus. The traditional course winds through the Tiger baseball, softball and football fields and ranges all the way over to the neighboring campus at Baldwin Elementary School.

    “We’ll have to bring in the light towers, but for the most part, the course is the same,’’ said veteran South View cross country coach Jesse Autry, who is in his 21st year.

    Autry said the Jungle Run presents two major tests for his teams. “It’s an early season test of where we are,’’ he said. “You also want to defend the home ground.’’

    But Autry said he doesn’t stress winning the meet to his runners. “We talk about being the best we can be,’’ he said. “We really want to win at the end of the year.’’

    One of the biggest changes this year is that traditional meet power, Pinecrest, won’t be running because one of its coaches has a family commitment this weekend.

    But there will be some familiar names, like Raleigh Broughton, the defending 4-A boys’ champion and a highly-ranked team this year. It will also be a homecoming for Fish Solomon, who was a member of Autry’s 2003 state championship team at South View and is now an assistant coach with Broughton.

    Another strong contender will be the boys and girls from Chapel Hill, who Autry said have consistently dominated the Jungle Run. “Even though they are 3-A, they are one of the best teams,’’ Autry said.

    Another successful program entered are the boys and girls from Wilmington Hoggard.

    A number of familiar programs from Cumberland County will take part, including Pine Forest, Jack Britt, E.E. Smith and Terry Sanford. Westover has not officially signed up as of the week prior to the race, but Autry said the Wolverines indicated they plan to participate.

    Also taking part will be private schools Fayetteville Academy and Fayetteville Christian.

    As of this writing, Autry said 50 teams have signed up with a maximum of 60 expected. He’s ordered 2,000 bibs for the runners. “That’s pretty much our limit,’’ he said.

    Developmental races for junior varsity boys and girls begin at 6:15 p.m., followed at 7:40 p.m. by the invitational races for boys and girls.

    The championship races for boys and girls begin at 9 p.m., and awards will be presented in the South View football stadium, Randy Ledford Field, at 10:15 p.m.

    For further information, go to ncrunners.com and search for 2017 Jungle Run.

  •  

    12ComboThere’s something new to Cumberland County high school athletics this season.

    For the first time since anyone involved with local sports can remember, most of the teams from the county will be playing in a new 4-A/3-A combination league, the Patriot Athletic Conference.

    The N.C. High School Athletic Association tries to avoid putting teams into combination leagues for various reasons, but there are times when the need to preserve natural rivalries and avoid excessive travel force putting schools of different sizes together.

    Patty Evers is familiar with the experience. A member of the NCHSAA Board of Directors, she’s the athletic director and girls’ basketball coach at East Bladen High School and has been in a combination league as long as she can remember.

    “Some coaches think you should crown a 1-A conference champion and a 2-A conference champion, but we’ve never done that,’’ she said of her school’s 2-A/1-A combination league.

    The league title goes to the regular-season winner in sports like football. But for deciding playoff berths, both the top finisher in one class and the top finisher in the other class get No. 1 berths in the postseason.

    In the Patriot Athletic, Overhills, South View and Pine Forest are the only 4-A teams, while Westover, Cape Fear, E.E. Smith, Douglas Byrd, Terry Sanford and Gray’s Creek are all 3-A.

    With nine teams, the Patriot will get three automatic playoff berths. Two are guaranteed to the top finisher in each class. If the second place team in the overall standings isn’t one of the top classification finishers, it gets the third automatic berth.

    The remaining wild card berths will be decided by best overall records against the entire state. But that could get tricky since the MaxPreps state rankings will help to break ties and determine playoff berths.

    The formula MaxPreps will use to determine rankings will apparently involve a number of things, and the classification of the schools you are playing will figure into it.

    “There’s no perfect way,’’ Evers said. “If you finish fourth in your conference but you’re the first 2-A school, you get the No. 1 seed (for 2-A). I don’t think that’s fair  to everybody.’’

    With most of the schools in the Patriot Conference being 3-A, the 4-A schools will likely have to contend with their visitors bringing smaller crowds to home games. Evers said that’s a headache for athletic administrators concerned about ticket sales and paying bills.

    But it’s the lesser of two evils as the goal of combination leagues, as stated earlier, is to cut down on travel. “I hear more about travel than I hear anything,’’ Evers said. “Most of the talk is geographics.’’

    Combination conference or not, Evers said the main concerns for athletes, fans, coaches and school officials stay the same. “You promote as much as you can,’’ she said. “Get your clubs involved and try to get more people to go to your games.’’

    As for coaches, Evers said they shouldn’t change anything. “We’ve got to coach and just look past it,’’ she said.

     

    PHOTO: Patty Evers

     

  • 11Toni Blackwell Cape Fear12Carmen Tucker Terry SanfordToni Blackwell from Cape Fear and Carmen Tucker of Terry Sanford are two of Cumberland County’s best returning girls’ high school golfers this season.

    They’ll be seeing a lot more of each other on the course now that Cape Fear and Terry Sanford have left the conferences they were in last year to join the new Patriot  Athletic Conference.

    “I think we’ll match up pretty well,’’ said second-year Terry Sanford coach Jennifer White. She expects Cape Fear’s team to play a role similar to the one Lee County did in the old Cape Fear Valley 3-A Conference and provide the Bulldogs their chief competition.

    Meanwhile, Cape Fear coach Todd Edge said expectations are high for his team. “We made the state championship as a team in 2013,’’ he said. “We want to get back. That’s our goal.’’

    Blackwell, a sophomore, was Mid-South Conference Player of the Year last season and advanced to the regional and state 4-A tournaments.

    Blackwell averaged 87.2 over the six-round Mid-South regular season last year, shooting a low score of 80 at Stryker Golf Course.

    Although she’s only 4 feet 11 1/2 inches tall, Blackwell is a long driver. “I swing with a lot of power and hit them far,’’ she said. “I think I’ll be able to shoot upper 70s this year.’’

    Blackwell’s been working on her mental game and wants to improve her chipping and putting this season. Edge said she needs to working on lowering her putting average.

    Tucker finished second to teammate Preeya Shah in last season’s Cape Fear Valley Conference regular season play and made All-Cape Fear Valley Conference. She averaged 84.4 in five tournaments and shot 82 twice, both times at Scotch Meadows Country Club in Laurinburg.

    Like Blackwell, Tucker’s strength is driving. “I can outdrive my dad and most girls I play,’’ she said. She said she’s also accurate with her irons but needs to improve her short game.

    White said Tucker will take over as the team’s No. 1 golfer with the graduation of Shah, and will get a boost from her younger sister, Gabby, who joins the team this season.

    “I expect them to go out and have fun,’’ coach White said. “If they’re not having fun, they’re not going to play well. I expect them to work hard and give it 100 percent.

    “Hopefully we’ll come out on top again.’’

     

    PHOTOS: (L-R) Toni Blackwell, Cape Fear & Carmen Tucker, Terry Sanford

  • 10ReviewingGamesTerry Sanford assistant football coach Bill Yeager recalled the time several years ago when a local dentist invited him to play golf one weekend.

    Yeager declined. At the time he was head coach at Terry Sanford. He explained to the dentist he would be spending the weekend with his football coaching staff viewing film of last week’s game and next week’s opponent and developing a game plan for the following Friday. “He was a little taken aback that we didn’t just show up Friday night and play,’’ Yeager said.

    The technology involved in reviewing video and making game plans each week has improved by leaps and bounds since Yeager’s days as an assistant under former Terry Sanford coach Mackie Hall.

    In the 1970s, the game was filmed with a movie camera, then the film was bussed to a processing company in Wilson. It was returned by Sunday so the coaches could watch it, find out what they needed to know, then prepare the team for the next game.

    It was around the mid-1980s that the first big change took place with the arrival of home video recording. Coaches balked at first, not sure if they could find a way to project the images from the VCR onto a large screen so they and the players could see what was happening. At Terry Sanford, they borrowed a projector from the library that blew the video up where it could easily be viewed.

    Video transitioned briefly from VHS to DVDs that were burned after a game was over and then shared with opposing teams so they could prepare.

    Terry Sanford’s current head coach, Bruce McClelland, spent his entire career as a Bulldog player in the late 1980s watching his games on VHS tape.

    It was not until around 2010 and thereafter that video took a quantum leap with the arrival of HUDL. HUDL was a company offering online cataloging and sharing of football game video.

    The technology is light-years ahead of the old film in cans and reel-to-reel projector method. Almost the second the game is over, coaches can load digital video onto a computer. HUDL allows them to break the game down play-by-play, and it’s possible to share the video via the internet with the entire coaching staff and team members.

    Players can get individual plays to study on their home computers so that the coaches don’t have to bring the whole team together just to watch film.

    It also makes the sharing of video with other teams much easier. In the past, Cumberland County coaches would meet at the old Shoney’s in Westwood Shopping Center on Saturday mornings, sometimes enjoy breakfast and swap videos to prepare for the next week’s game.

    For the state playoffs, they’d travel to a halfway point between the other team and swap video there.

    Now, it just takes a few computer clicks to send the full game report across the county or the state.

    It isn’t cheap, though. “The base package is $1,000,’’ McClelland said. “We also have the endzone stuff. That’s another $1,000.’’

    The endzone view, which McClelland said teams don’t trade with other schools, gives the coaches a sideline-to-sideline perspective of play in the line so they can analyze the splits between linemen, blocking assignments and other aspects of the game.

    The goal of all the technology is the same as it was when they were watching black-and-white film, Yeager said. “You just want to eliminate mistakes and get better.’’

     

    PHOTO: Bruce McClelland and Bill Yeager hold artifacts from the ways they used to view their games.

  •  

    09foodtruckFood trucks aren’t new, but they are enjoying a lot of popularity right now, which is good for everyone. The truck owners get to share their unique offerings with the community, and local citizens get to taste a variety of new foods and flavors.

    Now, Hope Mills residents don’t have to drive into Fayetteville or Spring Lake to enjoy food truck fare. The town of Hope Mills presents its Hope Meals Food Truck Rodeo Kickoff event Thursday, Sept. 7, from 5:30–8:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Complex’s back parking lot.

    “The purpose of the event is to bring the community together and to promote local small community businesses,” said Melissa Adams, town manager for the town of Hope Mills. “We are hoping to make this a monthly, regular event that the town will sponsor to bring the different demographics of our community together.”

    Adams added that Hope Mills is home to a large military population.

    The event will feature two food trucks, one dessert truck and music. The food trucks are R Burger and The Blind Big. The dessert truck is Big T’s.

    R Burger is a fantastic truck serving fresh-ground hamburgers, hotdogs, brat patties and fresh-cut fries.

    The Blind Pig serves up smoked barbecue with homemade fixings.

    Big T’s serves New Orleans-style snoballs and other desserts that are perfect for an evening treat.

    “The monthly event is planned for September, October and November, and we will more than likely skip December, January and February,” Adams said. “We will start the event back up in the spring and it will run through the fall of 2018.”

    Adams added that if the event really takes off, they will look at doing it more often.

    Adams said she’s wanted to do something like this for a couple of years, and everything has finally come together. She hopes it will be a huge success for the community.

    “We are super excited and want to showcase the town of Hope Mills and give something back to the community along with bringing the community together,” Adams said. “Our goal is to have a crowd of 300 or more come out and enjoy the fun.”

    Participants are encouraged to bring a lawn chair. The address of the Hope Mills Town Hall is 5770 Rockfish Rd. For more information, call (910) 426-4114.

     

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    Pre-construction demolition of Fayetteville’s minor league baseball stadium begins in a week or two, following last week’s ceremonial groundbreaking.

    There are no buildings to be razed; just driveways, sidewalks and a huge parking lot to be removed. Deputy City Manager Kristoff Bauer noted the rear of the property has to be elevated because it’s in a flood plain. It’s the general area where two railroad lines form an inverted V. “The culverts beneath the tracks will not be enlarged,” he said. So contractors will have to raise the rear section of the former Sears parking lot, which locals may remember from decades ago. 

    The $33 million minor league ballpark will be modeled somewhat after a larger stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. One feature borrowed from Columbia includes a 360-degree concourse that will encircle the playing field, making it possible to walk around the entire facility. Seating will vary from a grandstand to a lawn picnic area and party-style tables and chairs.

    Initially, there were plans for the stadium to have two entrances. Those plans have been adjusted to keep the construction budget in line, and there will be only one entrance. The stadium capacity is set at nearly 4,800.

    While the Houston Astros organization hasn’t said, tickets will likely range from $5 for general admission to $12 for the grandstand. Officials say construction should take about 18 months. The first ballgame will be in April 2019.

    “The team name won’t be decided on until December,” said general manager David Lane. Names under consideration include the Fat Backs and the Jumpers.

    Local officials believe the stadium and adjoining Prince Charles Hotel renovation, along with new hotel construction, will have the kind of positive downtown development impact that the opening of the Airborne and Special Operations Museum had in 2000.

    “This is the true definition of what a successful public-private partnership looks like,” Baseball Committee Chairman Mitch Colvin said. He and other members of City Council have pledged that property taxes will not be raised to finance the new stadium. The Astros have contracted to have a minor league team play in Fayetteville for a minimum of 30 years. “Just look around. This is what I love about baseball,” Astros President Reid Ryan said at the ground breaking ceremony. He’s the son of major league hall of fame pitcher Nolan Ryan.

    The multimillion-dollar renovation of the defunct Prince Charles Hotel is expected to begin soon, said PCH Holdings project manager Jordan Jones. “It will have 62 high-end apartments and 13,000 square feet of retail space,” Jones said. The eighth floor ballroom will be converted into a luxury penthouse that will lease for $3000 a month, he added.

    Also in the year ahead is construction of a four-story hotel that Jones said will share a wall with the adjacent railroad station. It will be topped off with a four-story parking deck for hotel patrons. City officials don’t seem to be concerned about the loss of dozens of public parking spaces at the railroad station.

     

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    07HurricaneNorth Carolina Emergency Management, the governor’s office and the Department of Commerce have allocated nearly $35 million in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds for Hurricane Matthew recovery projects in Cumberland County. The county and city of Fayetteville will co-host a public meeting to inform residents about proposed projects being considered for the program on Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Department of Social Services office building, 1225 Ramsey St.

    In early October 2016, torrential rain from the hurricane caused devastating flooding in much of Fayetteville and Cumberland County. One week earlier, a record rainfall caused catastrophic, localized flooding and damages that were made worse by the hurricane.

    The city and county have identified unmet needs in the areas of housing, economic development, infrastructure, resiliency, planning and capacity. An estimated $10.5 million in damages to owner-occupied homes is the biggest share of Community Development Block Grant money being made available to individuals locally. New construction funds in the amount of $13.5 million were allocated.

    The disaster recovery effort will assist residents who qualify under HUD’s low-to-moderate income requirements who experienced significant damage as the direct result of Hurricane Matthew. The city and county have been informed that funds can be used only for specific disaster related purposes. The law requires that grantees submit plans detailing their proposed needs as well as eligibility criteria.

    The top priority includes projects to repair owner-occupied homes, rental housing and to provide shelter for the homeless. Funds will also make it possible for local governments to establish a homeowner recovery program, small rental repair program, multifamily rental housing, small business recovery assistance, a day center and a homeless shelter. Assistant County Manager Tracy Jackson and Assistant City Manager Jay Reinstein said this collaborative effort will assist low- and moderate-income residents who experienced major to severe damage as a result of Hurricane Matthew.

    It is also important to assist small businesses and farmers who are trying to get back on their feet and to rebuild community and support services facilities. The city and county submitted their initial plan to the state this month, and the formal proposal is due Sept. 15. The city of Fayetteville estimated authorized damages at $23.3 million. Cumberland County government estimated $11.4 million in damages.

    The public meeting to inform citizens who may qualify for the proposed CDBG-DR projects will be held in the DSS auditorium, 1225 Ramsey St., Sept. 7 at 7 p.m.

     

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    06NewsDigestDonald Trump’s new plan for Afghanistan calls for additional U.S. forces, greater NATO participation and regional pressure that echo the previous administration. Thousands of 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers are expected to be deployed to Afghanistan in the coming weeks, a U.S. defense official told Fox News last week. The official refused to be more specific about the timetable because the orders had not yet been signed.

    Gen. Joseph Votel, the top U.S. commander for the Middle East, earlier told reporters in Saudi Arabia that the deployments could take days or a few weeks. “What’s most important for us now is to get some capabilities in to have an impact on the current fighting season,” Votel said. “Nearly 16 years after the Sept. 11 attacks, the American people are weary of war without victory,” Trump said. He was vague as to the specifics but seemed to concur with military advisors that another 4,000 troops may soon be on their way to the Middle East. A brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division is already in Iraq.

    Robbery Leads to Murder

    Fayetteville police have charged four young people, including two teenagers, in the fatal shooting of Alton Williams, 52, who was found dead Aug. 18 near his home on Eldorado Road in the Holiday Park subdivision, said Police Lt. Todd Joyce.

    The suspects have all been charged with firstdegree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy to commit robbery. The accused suspects have been identified as Solomon Broady, 21; Jermaine Florence, 18; Olander Sanders Jr., 16; and Demetrius Hammonds, 25. There have been 15 homicides in Fayetteville so far this year.

    Fayetteville 911 Accredited

    Fayetteville Police Communications has been approved as an Emergency Medical Dispatch Center of Excellence by the Board of Accreditation of the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch. Fayetteville Police Communications thereby earned the distinguished honor of becoming the 244th Emergency Medical Dispatch Accredited Center in the world.

    The IAED is a nonprofit, standard-setting organization promoting safe and effective emergency dispatch services worldwide. An Accredited Center of Excellence is the highest distinction in 911 emergency communication services. In addition to being featured in the next issue of The Journal of Emergency Dispatch, Fayetteville Police Communications will be recognized on The International Academies of Emergency Dispatch’s website.

    Spring Lake Chamber Leadership

    The Board of the Spring Lake Chamber of Commerce has chosen Debra Clyde to serve as President and CEO of the chamber. She has a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and Policy and is an Army veteran.

    Clyde is not a newcomer; she has been a resident of Spring Lake since 2006 and has worked with and for the chamber in various roles. “Debra’s dedication to the town has always resonated in everything she has done,” said Marva Lucas-Moore, Chairwoman of the Spring Lake Chamber.

    Sunday Bus Service Approved

    The city of Fayetteville has become the last major municipality in North Carolina to provide limited bus service on Sundays. City Council gave final approval to the Fayetteville Area System of Transit to begin the service.

    Transit Director Randy Hume said he needs a few weeks to organize things and hopes to launch the service in November. Ten of the system’s most popular routes will offer the service. Hours vary a bit but generally will provide service between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Also, Hume said the new transit center on Russell Street will be opened for business next month, 16 months behind schedule.

    Dogwood Fall Festival Upcoming

    This year’s fall Dogwood Festival will take place Oct. 19-21. Events will be held in Festival Park in downtown Fayetteville, and will include a haunted maze, hayrides, walking tours of Cross Creek Cemetery and performances by several bands. Children will have a dedicated spot they can call their own. Food and beer attractions will offer additional choices from years past. This is Fayetteville’s fourth annual fall festival.

    Fayetteville Symphony Gifted by the Arts Council

    The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra is the recipient of a Community Organization REsource $150,000 grant from the Arts Council of Fayetteville/ Cumberland County for its 2017-2018 season.

    The support from the Arts Council grant enables the symphony to keep ticket costs affordable and accessible for the Fayetteville community and provide music programs for school children. “Operating Support grants are designed to strengthen our community through the arts,” said Deborah Martin Mintz, executive director of the Arts Council. The Arts Council’s CORE grants are awarded to local arts agencies in Cumberland County whose programs are vital to the cultural life of the community and whose organizations have reached a size and maturity that assure their long-term viability.

    Fort Bragg Red Cross Needs Help

    Fort Bragg Red Cross volunteers serve our military and neighbors in need every day. The American Red Cross is in need of volunteers on post to work with military members and veterans at  Womack Army Medical Center.

    Red Cross volunteer opportunities allow the military to make a powerful and positive difference and help their fellow soldiers in need. Volunteers make up 90 percent of the Red Cross workforce and provide more than 2,000 volunteer hours per month at Fort Bragg. Free training is made available to volunteers. Apply online at www.redcross.org or contact Linda R. Daney at (910) 907-6234 or  Linda.Daney2@Redcross.org.

     

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    05MaxineI come from a proud family that has been involved with public service for as long as I can remember. I wan to work hard for my city. That’s why I am running for City Council.

    We need to create more living wage jobs, improve our schools as well as come up with a way to be of more help to the homeless, providing more places for them to stay during the hot and cold seasons, and work more on public safety.

    Also we need to come together and come up with a program to bring down the violent crimes because the rate is up so high. I know what it takes to work hard and find a solution. If we all pull together, we can make Fayetteville a better place for people to come and visit and want to move here to raise their families. And together, we can do it.

     

    PHOTO: Maxine Dickens

     

     

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    04HSActivitiesTailgates. Pep rallies. Friday night lights. The new school year is here! And that’s exciting news for student-athletes and high school sports fans alike.

    Research shows that being a studentathlete is about a lot more than fun and games. It teaches important life lessons, too. In fact, high school athletes not only have higher grade-point averages and fewer school absences than non-athletes, they also develop the kind of work habits and self-discipline skills that help them become more responsible and productive community members.

    Attending high school sporting events teaches important life lessons, too.

    Among them, it teaches that we can live in different communities, come from different backgrounds, faiths and cultures, cheer for different teams, and still have a common bond.

    That’s why attending the activities hosted by your high school this fall is so important. It’s not only an opportunity to cheer for your hometown team, it is also an opportunity to celebrate our commonality. And that’s something our country needs right now.

    The bond we share is mutually supporting the teenagers in our respective communities. We applaud their persistence, tenacity, preparation and hard work, regardless of the color of the uniform they wear. We acknowledge that educationbased, high school sports are enhancing their lives, and ours, in ways that few other activities could. And we agree that regardless of what side of the field we sit on, attending a high school sporting event is an uplifting, enriching, family-friendly experience for all of us.

    Many of the high schools in our state lie at the heart of the communities they serve. They not only are educating our next generation of leaders, they also are a place where we congregate, where people from every corner of town and all walks of life come together as one. And at no time is this unity more evident than during a high school athletic event.

    This is the beginning of a new school year. Opportunities abound in the classroom and outside of it. Let’s make the most of them by attending as many athletic events at the high schools in our community as possible.

    Turn on the lights, and let the games begin!

     

  •  

    At first, I thought we had vandals in the neighborhood. There were red, blue and yellow stripes painted all over our yards and roadway and some graffiti sprayed across the pavement.

    Then I realized they were utility line markings, a little overboard but necessary for people who repair underground phone lines or Cablevision wire.

    In came the big machinery: the DitchWitch and other excavating equipment. Trucks and trailers were all parked just off the road so cars could pass down the narrow residential street.

    Did I mention residential? It’s a residential neighborhood where homeowners try to keep what realtors call “curb appeal.” They mow yards religiously, plant shrubbery or trees, trim the grass to a razor-sharp edge along the curb and beautify their front yards to reflect their pride in a major investment.

    But it’s a spit-in-the-wind effort to keep the onceappealing neighborhood from declining too much. We have a lot of people who rent, and more than a few have that “macht-nichts” (German for “it matters not”) attitude about keeping the property, much less their front yards, from looking like an alfalfa field.

    But beware. Before you plan to create a Home & Garden type yard that stretches all the way to the street’s edge, you should know there is a right of way that alltoo-often cuts much deeper into your front yard than you may realize.

    In this instance, a cable company decided it must dig holes in the right of way in my front yard and the yards of several neighbors. They were subcontractors, hardworking men who braved the 100-degree heat to install a new cable. The lone beneficiary lived further down the road. Ironically, I’m not a cable customer. Neither are my neighbors.

    My greatest gripe centers around the money we’ve spent trying to stop the erosion of our drainage ditch. Water rushes off the road and cuts deep gullies, exposing red clay and sand. We bought landscape timber, pavers and topsoil, and we toiled on hot days trying to fix the problem — several times. Then, along comes a gas, Cablevision or some other utility contractor and digs up that very spot. It’s frustrating.

    While this particular incident was not a Fayetteville Public Works Commission matter, PWC Communications Director Carolyn Justice-Hinson and her staff understand the frustrations residents may have about easements and rights of way. They’re working on a brochure that explains what a right of way along your property or an easement across your property is all about. It should be done soon.

    Become familiar with your property. Check the plats, survey maps and even your deed. Know how far a right of way eats into your yard. And, know if you have an easement across your property. Easements can have rules and restrictions that severely limit what you can do on your property.

    There’s a difference between an easement and a right of way. Property owners usually grant a utility or public service agency the right to use a portion of the property for installing utilities, either below or above ground.

    On the other hand, a right of way is a strip of land owned by the highway department or other public agency. It lies right next to your property.

    Once you or a former owner grants an easement across your property, your rights with what you may want to do with it become limited. You’re expected to maintain it and pay the property taxes, but someone else decides what you can put on it. No permanent structures like sheds, swimming pools, decks, gazebos or sometimes trees or fences. If you do, and the utility needs access to the ground underneath, they’ll move it — at your expense.

    Easements and rights of way come in different sizes. PWC’s, for example, is about 30 to 50 feet, depending on the voltage of overhead power lines. Water mains need less, but the exact size depends on the size of  the pipe.

    So, if you’re one of the many recently annexed Fayettevillians due to get sewer lines down your street, you could wake up and find a bulldozer parked on your front lawn. Relax. It may be an ugly sight, but it’s probably not on your property.

     

     

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    03SummerVacayMy fourth grade teacher, Mrs. DelGrande, required her class to write the annual summer vacation essay. Old habits die hard, so 57 years later, this column is for you, Mrs. DelGrande.

    Every other summer, our extended family goes on vacation together for a week. We pick out some interesting place to go — just long enough to renew old ties, but not long enough to generate familial blood shed.

    This year, we went to Vancouver, British Columbia, for a week. Having never been there, I expected cold rain and moose in the streets. Wrong on both counts. Vancouver is a busy city with a great harbor and dandy weather. Interestingly, as a result of a number of forest fires, the sky in Vancouver remained the color of old concrete. I was reminded of the Platters’ great song, “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.”

    After Vancouver, we wandered down the Pacific Coast Highway all the way to San Francisco. In Gresham, Oregon, someone left my wife’s wallet in the motel room. Thanks to a very honest housekeeper, we got a call from the motel. Her wallet was returned intact to its rightful owner. This is known as falling off the roof and landing on your feet.

    We spent a night in the Timberline Lodge in Oregon, which served as the exterior of the Overlook Hotel in the classic horror film “The Shining.” The Timberline proudly displays a poster of Jack Nicholson. Unfortunately, there is no Room 237 at the Timberline, so Jack Torrance could not have gotten in trouble there. In Oregon, you can’t pump your own gas. A guy stands out by the pump and does it for you. Odd.

    In Klamath, California, we got to see the beach. Northern California beaches do not look like Myrtle Beach. They have  big cliffs, big rocks the size of buildings standing out in the water and chilly August winds. Klamath is at the edge of the Red Wood National Forest, which is home to some of the oldest and tallest living things on the planet. Some scenes with the Ewoks from “Star Wars” were filmed there. The place looks like a movie set on a distant planet.

    In Requa, we stayed at a 100-year-old bed and breakfast that my traveling companion thought gave off a spooky vibe — as if some of the ghosts had not left the joint. We survived the night unpossessed and lived to tell about it.

    On the way to Mendocino, I learned a valuable lesson. If you are driving down California Highway 1 over the mountains, fill up your gas tank. I did not. There are long distances there devoid of gas stations. We drove up and down a twisting mountain road that was barely wide enough for one car. The idiot light came on to advise us that we were low on gas. This was a bit unsettling, but it was too late to turn back. I had seen that light before; we still had gas. On we drove until a new and more ominous red light came on that said LOW FUEL.

    I had never seen that light before. We were on double secret probation with our gas tank. Still no civilization in sight: only a twisting mountain road. If we ran out of gas, we would have blocked the highway, as there were no shoulders. Oops.

    These are the times that try men’s souls and the strength of marriages. To my wife’s everlasting credit during our mountain ride from hell, she did not mention my lack of forethought in not filling up when I had the chance. Finally, we rolled into Fort Bragg, California, riding on fumes. I put 11.7 gallons of gas into a 12-gallon tank. On a trip that revealed many wonders, the gas station at the foot of the mountains was the most beautiful thing we saw.

    Once we got to San Francisco, we had dinner in a pricey French restaurant where I paid $30 for a plate of French beanie-weenies. We arrived too late to turn in the rental car, so I parked it in a public lot in the Tenderloin section of San Francisco. Do not do that. A local criminal broke out the window of the car overnight in a search for something. He didn’t take anything, but he did leave me with a bill for a broken window.

    The guys at the rental car office assured me that no car had ever been broken into in the city before mine. And then they laughed, and laughed and laughed.

     

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    Millions of Americans understand that something is profoundly amiss with our nation’s elective system.

    A big part of that trouble is partisan gerrymandering, which has been with us since our nation began, but never before on the scale in which it was employed in 2011. Gerrymandering is redistricting, done every 10 years after a U.S. census, and it underpins our elective process. When it goes wrong, as it did in the most partisan gerrymander ever in 2011, elections can be lopsided for a decade or more.

    In the interest of full disclosure, I am the lead plaintiff in one of the lawsuits that resulted in the United States Supreme Court declaring 28 of 170 North Carolina legislative districts unconstitutional.

    Legislators are now hustling to meet a court-imposed Sept. 1 deadline for approving new, constitutional districts. It must be noted that the elections of 2012, 2014 and 2016 were conducted in unconstitutional districts, calling into question whether the actions of unconstitutionally elected legislators were constitutional themselves.

    Since the 2011 redistricting in North Carolina, countless people have said to me that the Republicans in the General Assembly who hired outside consultants with taxpayer dollars to draw a highly partisan and ultimately unconstitutional redistricting “did not do anything the Democrats have not done.”

    Yes and no. Both Democrats and Republicans have gerrymandered since Governor Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts gave the OK more than 200 years ago, generally for political advantage for certain incumbents or to punish others. But never  in United States history has there been anything like what occurred in North Carolina and several other “purple” states in 2011.

    Here is what happened. A Republican attorney in Richmond, Virginia, had the brilliant — and I mean brilliant very sincerely — idea to snag the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives by taking over purple state legislatures in 2010 to control the redistricting process for both Congress and state legislatures.

    This plan, dubbed REDMAP, was executed with surgical precision by fancy map-drawing software paid for by Republicans in Washington. It was legal and succeeded beyond even the wildest expectations of its architects. Heavily gerrymandered maps were drawn in 2011. The maps not only guaranteed Republican control of the U.S. House for at least the current decade and probably beyond, they consolidated Republican control of state legislatures, including the North Carolina General Assembly.

    A stunning strategic plan coupled with sophisticated software never before available hijacked the redistricting process as never before and guaranteed Republican control of the legislative process, no matter the will of the people of several states and Americans in general. It was all accomplished for about $30 million, far less than it would have taken to elect members of Congress the oldfashioned way. And for slightly over $1 million spent in North Carolina, Republicans bought a veto-proof General Assembly, which continues to this moment.

    No need to take my word for any or all of this. Books have been written about REDMAP, as well as numerous articles in all sorts of publications. David Daley, who wrote a book about REDMAP subtitled, “The True Story Behind the Plan to Steal America’s Democracy,” called REDMAP “gerrymandering on steroids.” Daley is also pessimistic that REDMAP redistricting can be reversed any time soon.

    So why should good, solid North Carolinians working hard for their families give a hoot about anything as arcane and unsexy as gerrymandering? Because the people who are elected to the General Assembly and to Congress make decisions that affect all of us — education funding, health care accessibility, military issues and more.

    They should be reflections of all of us, neither just the right wing nor just the left wing.

    The results of REDMAP continue to generate lawsuits and efforts to institute bipartisan, even nonpartisan, redistricting plans. Most but not all states task their legislatures with this, but the United States is the only developed nation that allows those who benefit from the plans to draw those plans.

    REDMAP has taught our nation a big lesson, and new ways of redistricting are clearly in order. It behooves us all to pay attention to reform proposals and decide for ourselves how North Carolina should proceed in the future.

     

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    02RegensburgerPublisher’s note: In this edition of Up & Coming Weekly, we introduce Mark Regensburger, the first president and CEO of the new Cool Springs Downtown District in downtown Fayetteville. We welcome him to this new position and look forward to supporting the CSDD and the merchants, businesses and organizations in downtown Fayetteville. Their success is everyone’s success. We want our readers to know that Up & Coming Weekly, your community newspaper, intends to be downtown Fayetteville’s No. 1 champion. As an established and trusted media source, we will carry downtown Fayetteville’s quality-of-life story to Fort Bragg and to all corners of Cumberland County. Lauren Vanderveen, a wonderful new contributing writer for our publication, will help cover these stories. Enjoy meeting Mr. Regensburger, and thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

    An arts and entertainment district is essential to any city that yearns for a defined personality. A city needs a space that screams: This is our soul, this is who we are! Some areas are lucky enough to have population sizes that support growth in their art districts, like in New York City or Los Angeles. Some even host prestigious events such as the Toronto International Film Festival or SXSW in Austin. But more than just money and prestige allows an arts district to thrive. First, it needs a leader.

    Fayetteville now has one in Mark Regensburger. In July, he was appointed the first president and CEO of the nonprofit organization Cool Springs Downtown District Inc., an official rebranding strategy for downtown.

    It all began with a suggestion to the Arts Council that Fayetteville distinguishes itself with a performing arts center. After many months of research and planning by the Arts Council and a 200-member advisory committee, the Arts Council recommended that first establishing a prominent arts and entertainment district would be a natural springboard for a performing arts center in the area.

    The Arts and Entertainment District report from August of last year noted, “There is the perception that the City of Fayetteville has not kept pace with other urban areas within the state of North Carolina. Fayetteville was late in recognizing that the role of placemaking is key to creating the kind of vibrant urban life that will attract and retain the creative workforce which, in turn, will attract and retain the creative businesses that are the foundations of the modern economy.”

    For Regensburger, one of his main goals is to unify the various organizations in the area for future collaborations. The Airborne Museum Foundation currently does Airborne Day and other military-re
    lated events. A group from Capitol Encore Academy is working on the art park located behind the academy. The Arts Council provides 4th Friday and other events to the entire county. “I see all these organizations doing amazing things by themselves,” Regensburger said. “But the Cool Springs Downtown District is trying to bring more people together to make their efforts greater than the sum of their parts.”

    According to Regensburger, CSDD will be looking into several avenues to establish downtown as an arts and entertainment district. This includes increasing public art installations and bringing better quality music performances to the area. Regensburger also hopes to widen downtown’s umbrella to envelop the thousands of new military families that move to Fayetteville each year.

    “The district is more than just Hay Street. I don’t want downtown to be just a downtown thing. I want everybody to feel like they own it,” said Regensburger.

    CSDD will also, according to Regensburger, investigate city ordinances and licensing requirements to improve the district’s regulatory environment. Another recommendation of the Arts and Entertainment District report was that “the wayfinding system in the central core should be adapted, perhaps using artists as designers, to clearly distinguish the District.” There are also recommendations to eventually have a new urban skateboard park and new artist housing, along with a performing arts center.

    Regensburger himself has an extensive history with Fayetteville, the military and the arts. After receiving his degree in music education from Alma College, he decided to join the United States Army as a musician in 1985. He played clarinet in the Army’s band, where he was able to parlay extensive experience in event management.

    “I first came to Fort Bragg in 1999. My midlife crisis was I volunteered to jump out of airplanes,” Regensburger joked. “My tour in Afghanistan was a (literal) tour in Afghanistan. We went around and played for the troops. To see what the arts can do to help people find their heart again is a huge part of what this new job is for me.”

    Regensburger went on to get his master’s in business administration from the Lake Forest Graduate School in Illinois before he started working as the executive director and COO of the Saginaw Baw Symphony Orchestra in Michigan.

    “It was a wonderful opportunity and really got my feet into being a nonprofit manager,” Regensburger said.

    He was so efficient, in fact, that he admits to having planned himself out of his job.

    “We did some strategic planning and decided that the board would take a more active role in the leadership of it and that we would hire specialty people in marketing, finance and fundraising,” Regensburger said.

    “Mark’s palpable enthusiasm, knowledge of Fayetteville, business training and arts background will drive the vision of an Arts and Entertainment District for our entire, inclusive community,” said Eric Lindstrom, CSDD Inc. Board chair, in a press release.

    For the past seven years, following his retirement from the Army, Regensburger has taught business administration at Fayetteville Technical Community College. He said he developed a growing urge to help the community in an even more significant way. After traveling for an average of 100 days per year and after experiencing many different cities, Regensburger and his wife chose Fayetteville as their place to call home. Now the city of Fayetteville has chosen him to lead downtown into a brighter future.

    “The arts and entertainment district is supposed to be walkable, but also a combination of urban space and green space. It’s supposed to be a combination of historic and contemporary, of working and celebrating,” Regensburger said. “So, I believe in this. I wouldn’t have done this job just for a job. To me, this really feels like a calling.”

     

    PHOTO: Mark Regensburger, first president and CEO of Cool Springs Downtown District Inc., wants to unify local organizations for future collaborations.

     


  • EarlVaughan

    I just wanted to remind everyone that as soon as high school students report, and once all the dust settles, we’ll be resuming our weekly scholar athlete feature in Up and Coming Weekly.

    Coaches, athletic administrators and guidance counselors are reminded of the criteria for being chosen. The athlete must be a member in good standing of a varsity team, preferably from a sport that is in season.

    The athlete does not have to be a star or even a starter, but he or she must have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on an unweighted scale.

    If you have nominees, please email them to earlvaughanjr@gmail.com. Nominees may only be submitted by bona fide school personnel, not by athletes or their families.

    Include a smartphone head and shoulders picture of the nominee, preferably taken in a well-lit area in front of a solid background.

    In addition to the photo, please include the following information: name, class, sport, along with any clubs or other extracurricular activities the athlete is involved in.

    The record: 6-2

    The record to start the season last week could have been a lot worse. I’ll take 6-2 and a .750 percentage for the first games and look to keep getting better as we learn more about who has what.

    Cape Fear at Seventy-First – The Falcons have been waiting a year for payback, and I think they will get it. Cape Fear is banged up and Justice Galloway-Velazquez is still mending from an offseason ankle surgery.

    Prediction: Seventy-First 24, Cape Fear 16.

    Douglas Byrd at South Columbus – South Columbus made the Eastern finals in its classification last season. Could be a rough night for Byrd.

    Prediction: South Columbus 29, Douglas Byrd 12.

    Durham Jordan at E.E. Smith – The Golden Bulls look to go 2-0 under second-year coach Deron Donald.

    Prediction: E.E. Smith 27, Durham Jordan 21.

    Gray’s Creek at Pinecrest – The Bears will have their hands full tonight, judging from how good Pinecrest looked in its opener last week.

    Prediction: Pinecrest 31, Gray’s Creek 12.

    Jack Britt at Terry Sanford – Jayne Airways, Christian to Andrew, figures to be flying high again this week for Terry Sanford.

    Prediction: Terry Sanford 32, Jack Britt 6.

    Pine Forest at Concord – Concord, like Pine Forest, is trying to rebuild from graduation losses. I have to give the edge to the home team, especially for a trip this long.

    Prediction: Concord 22, Pine Forest 20.

    South View at Hoke County – South View looked solid in its win over Jack Britt but can’t take Hoke lightly, as the Bucks played Cary tough on the road last week.

    Prediction: South View 24, Hoke County 12.

    Lumberton at Westover – Both teams were shut out last week, but Westover played a little better defense against a strong opponent. I’ll give the edge to the Wolverines.

    Prediction: Westover 21, Lumberton 20.

     

    Other games

    North Raleigh Christian 21, Fayetteville Christian 14

    Village Christian 13, Concord First Assembly 12

    Wake Christian 29, Trinity Christian 16

  • 19.1Isaiah Bennett Pine ForestTerry Sanford, Pine Forest and Fayetteville Academy all enjoyed good soccer seasons a year ago. The way things look on paper, they’re likely to do it again  this year.

    Terry Sanford did lose so me key players to graduation, but head coach Karl Molnar thinks there is potential on this year’s Bulldog squad.

    “We’ve got a little bit of time to get these guys on the same sheet of music,’’ Molnar said. “Jared Miller is coming back. He had phenomenal years as a freshman and sophomore. And we’ve got the regional goalkeeper of the year back in Thomas Rogers. So we’ve got some pieces there.’’

    Molnar expects the Bulldogs will be underestimated by all of their opponents, and agrees they should be. “We’re very young,’’ he said.

    Pine Forest coach Isaac Rancour expects his team to benefit from a gradual maturing process. “We’ve got a good group of seniors coming back and we’re pretty heavy with juniors this year,’’ he said. “I think we’re really well-rounded. We’re looking for everyone to step up and fulfill their responsibility.’’

    The versatile Isaiah Bennett, who is also a star baseball player for the Trojans, leads the group of returners for Rancour.

    “I think we’re going to have a good year if we can reach that potential,’’ Rancour said.

     

    19.2Drayton Smith Fayetteville Academy19.3Hudson Zeisman Fayetteville AcademyFayetteville Academy coach Andrew McCarthy rarely rebuilds but frequently reloads. Although he’s got a young team, this looks like one of those reloading years.

    “Drayton Smith has been with us two years,’’ McCarthy said. “He’s a tough kid, a hard-working kid. He’s going to be a captain.’’

    Victor Jones is also in his second year with the Eagles. “He’s worked hard on his fitness and looks like a different player,’’ McCarthy said. “We’re expecting big things from him.’’

    Freshman Hudson Zeisman has been leading the offense early for the Eagles. “He’ll get after it and always gives it 100 percent,’’ McCarthy said.

    Cortez Herring has been playing for a club team in Raleigh and has made a lot of improvement. “Technically he’s fantastic,’’ McCarthy said. “If he just pushes a little more he could be a real big-time player.’’

     

    PHOTOS: (Top to Bottom : L-R) Isiah Bennett, Drayton Smith & Hudson Zeisman

  • 18.1Emily Bresee Grays Creek18.2Sydney Bresee Grays CreekLauren Giles has a tough act to follow in her first season as volleyball coach at Gray’s Creek. So does Jeff Bruner at Cape Fear, but it’s his own fault, because he was the architect of what happened with the Colts last season.

    Giles is taking over for the highly successful Crystal Waddell, who led the Bears to an unbeaten regular season and another deep run in the state 3-A playoffs.

    Giles has been playing and coaching the sport since the age of 10, but this is her first try at being head coach. “It’s a new group of girls,’’ she said.

    “We have three or four that were on the team last year and had some playing time. “We’re having a look at the junior varsity girls coming and stepping up,’’ she said. “I know they can do it. We have to build that relationship with each other and get them on the same page.’’

    Sisters Emily and Sydney Bresee head the list of returnees for the Bears. “They practice together and play together,’’ Giles said. “Our libero Natalie Blanchard has also been shining. She’s playing out of this work.’’

    One challenge for Giles is getting to know the rest of the new Patriot Conference competition since she’s new to the area. “We played in the Jack Britt jamboree, and I got to see a little bit,’’ she said. “My JV coach, Kellie Aldridge, has been around and seen the girls play through the volleyball world in Fayetteville.’’

    Giles said her goal for the season is to be solid and consistent.

    18.3Cheyenne Hill Cape FearThat’s what Bruner’s done at Cape Fear as he continues to build the same kind of program he once enjoyed at Pine Forest. The Colts are coming off a Mid-South 4-A Conference title, going unbeaten in league play.

    “We lost two important spots, but we have seven returners,’’ he said. “We’ve changed our defense to fit this new mold. We’re kind of still figuring it out, but we feel pretty confident.’’

    Defense has always been a focus for Bruner, and he expects that will be critical for success this year. Cheyenne Hill is the only senior on the team, which got off to a strong start the first week of the volleyball season with wins over Jack Britt and Terry Sanford, a pair of traditional volleyball powers in the county.

    “We knew we were going to be playing two or three very tough conference games right at the start,’’ Bruner said.

    “We were ready.’’

     

    PHOTOS: (Top to Bottom : L-R) Emily Bresee, Sydney Bresee, Cheyenne Hill

  • 17.1Faith Roy South ViewJesse Autry is beginning his 21st season as cross-country coach at South View, and little has changed. His Tigers again figure to be among the top contenders for local glory in the sport.

    The girls, though a little banged up to start the year, are state-ranked by NCrunners.com.

    Leading the returners for the lady Tigers is Faith Roy. “You know what a gym rat is?”

    Autry said. “She’s a track rat. She puts in the work. She’s easily run over 350 or 400 miles this summer. She’s very focused when she trains.’’ Autry said Roy lives by one of the mantras of the South View crosscountry program: Practice makes  permanent.

    “She’s got talent and work ethic,’’ Autry said.

    Unlike in years past, Autry said his boys’ team doesn’t have one super-runner, like Philip Hall who’s now on the cross-country team at NC State, along with his younger sister Janay.

    Autry doesn’t expect the boys to be state-ranked like the girls, but that doesn’t mean the Tigers won’t be strong again.

    “We raced Apex Friendship in a two-mile race at camp and beat them headto-head,’’ Autry said. “We were surprised.’’

    The Tiger boys also showed in that race that running as a pack will again be a key for South View. “Our spread at camp between No. 1 and No. 7 was 12 seconds,’’ Autry said. “It’s what gave us success.’’ 

    17.2Keith Johnson South ViewThe top runner in camp for South View was junior Keith Johnson. “His wall’s not decorated with plaques and medals, but I feel real good about him,’’ Autry said. “I feel real good about all of them.’’

    Autry said the biggest news in the crosscountry world is that the N.C. High School Athletic Association has changed some of its regional assignments, and South View now finds itself in the same regional with the strong cross-country program of Green Hope in Wake County.

    “The big question is can South View or anybody get out of the Mid-East Region to go to the state meet,’’ Autry said. “My guys have got a chip on their shoulder about that.’’

    Autry said his boys remind him a lot of his 2010 team, which finished runner-up in the state 4-A meet. “They were ranked 11th going into the state meet and lost by one guy,’’ he said. “This team’s mentality is a lot like that. We’ll see how it all shakes out.’’

    Regardless of state competition, Autry expects to find plenty of tough foes within the county.

    “Rachel Henderson does a really good job coaching Gray’s Creek, and Terry Sanford’s girls are traditionally pretty tough,’’ he said.

    On the boys’ side, Autry said Jack Britt and Pine Forest are among the traditionally strong teams, but he thinks Cape Fear may be the team to watch.

    “They had a heck of a group of freshmen last year,’’ he said. “A lot of people are talking about those freshmen. I’ve got one eye peeking over at them.’’

     

    PHOTOS: (Top to Bottom) Faith Roy & Keith Johnson

  • 16.1Melissa Lu Terry SanfordThere will be a changing of the guard on the tennis courts at Terry Sanford this season. At Pine Forest, last season’s Mid-South 4-A Conference champion, coach Mandy McMilan and players hope it will be business as usual.

    McMilan bid farewell to the last of a strong group of players that have starred for Terry Sanford in recent years and will now be turning the squad’s future over to a new generation.

    “This is kind of a growth year,’’ she said. “We’ve only got two seniors, one of them being my No. 1 player.’’

    But don’t let lack of experience make you think this won’t be another strong Bulldog team. “We’ve got a lot of talent,’’ McMilan said. “We’re very sophomore- heavy. It’s looking real good for next year and the year after.’’

    Melissa Lu, one of the two seniors on the squad, moves up to No. 1 singles. McMilan called Lu an extremely disciplined player who doesn’t show a lot of emotion on the court. “She’s even keeled,’’ McMilan said. “She’s just a solid player. As long as she stays focused and is on her game, she’ll be a contender at states.’’

    16.2Kelcie Farmer Pine ForestMeanwhile at Pine Forest, the Trojans made their first trip to the state dual team playoffs for the first time in years. Coach Jarrod Britt lost three of his top six but returns a pair of sophomores at first and second court to anchor the team.

    “We’ve got a little bit of filling in to do,’’ he said. “We’re pretty happy with what we’ve got coming back.’’

    Leading the returners are No. 1 singles player Kelcie Farmer and No. 2  Shania Lane.

    Farmer was the Mid-South 4-A Conference player of the year last season. 

    “She wins more by attrition than anything else,’’ Britt said. “She’s very well-conditioned and forces a lot of errors. Very consistent.’’

    Playing No. 2 singles again this year is Shania Lane. Tall and powerful, Britt said Lane has a strong serve, backhand and forehand.

    “She moves well and just really overwhelms opponents whenever she plays them,’’ he said. The only other returner for the Trojans is Emily Harris, who was No. 6 last season.

    “She’s a senior and one of the best leaders on our team,’’ Britt said. “She doesn’t say much, but she gets it done on the court.’’

    16.3Shania Lane Pine ForestThis season, the Mid-South 4-A is no more and Pine Forest will be in a new combination 4-A/3-A league, the Patriot Conference, which includes Terry Sanford. When the playoffs arrive, they won’t play each other, as each will still qualify in their respective size classification.

    Britt looks forward to playing the Bulldogs on a regular basis. “Obviously Terry Sanford is a perennial tennis powerhouse,’’ he said. “We scrimmaged them last year before the start of the season and it kind of showed us where we were.

    “I love playing tough teams during the season. It prepares you for the postseason, kind of gets you ready for that survive and advance mentality you’ve got to have in the playoffs.’’

     

    PHOTOS: (Top to Bottom) Melissa Lu, Kelcie Farmer, & Shania Lane

  • 15StuffBusCumberland County Schools presents its Stuff the Bus school supply drive Friday, Sept. 1, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Walmart Supercenter located at 2820 Gillespie St. 

    “This is our annual Stuff the Bus school supply drive, and we decided to move our location to the Walmart on Gillespie Street because they are great partners with Cumberland County Schools,” Pamela Story, social work coordinator for Cumberland County Schools, said. “Traditionally, we have held this school supply drive for the last 10 years to provide school supplies for our homeless students.”

    The community has been generous to CCS this year, which means they can help even more students. Story said that CCS received such exceptional support from the community and the Register of Deeds Office, which will be giving 800 backpacks for homeless children, it was decided that this year the school supplies will be given to students with special needs.   

    “A child with special needs is a child in Cumberland County’s School System who requires specially-designed instruction to benefit from their education,” said Julie Aul, executive director of Exceptional Children for Cumberland County Schools. “It is any child who has any type of medical, physical or learning difficulty in the school system that needs additional assistance.”

    Aul added that families with children with special needs sometimes have additional financial burdens because of their medical needss, transportation needs and other kinds of specialized services they may receive out of the home. That made the decision to help an easy one.

    “This year, we are going back to the basics,” Story said. “The school supply items include notebook paper, composition books, three-ring binders, paper, pocket folders, dividers, No. 2 pencils, pens, colored pencils, crayons, file folders, glue sticks and hand sanitizer.” Cash donations will be accepted and used to purchase school supplies.  

    “It is wonderful for our students just to have something new and bright given to them. (It) kind of helps them with their self-esteem and interest in coming to school, because school is a tough place for children with special needs, and it is not easy for them like it is for some children,” Aul said. “They have to work a little bit harder. This is a good way also to help them feel special and make it a positive environment for them, too.”

    For more information, call Cumberland County Schools’ Social Work Services at 678-2621 or 868-2012.

  • 14AliveWhile Mayon Weeks has deep ties to a variety of venues in the local arts community, as a musician, he’s captured the attention of music enthusiasts. Weeks recently released his second album, “Alive,” as a follow up to his debut album “Matters of the Heart,” which dropped in 2015.

    He produced his first album when his family gave him the gift of studio time at Echo Mountain Recording Studio. It was evident when Weeks recorded 48 songs over the next six months that the birthday gift had started something special. The 39 mastered songs that came from Week’s flurry of production are what comprise his latest albums. He will soon be releasing a third called “Chasing Dreams.”

    Weeks’s love of music began early on. “In the sixth grade, we were introduced to band instruments, and I choose the trumpet,” he said. “It stayed with me until I traded it for a guitar in college, started singing and writing and became involved in theater. My trumpet-playing in school bands, orchestras and dance bands exposed me to a lot of early bigband music. That was later blended with classic jazz, blues, ‘60s folk and eventually folk rock and then musical theater. My writing weaves in and out of all these influences.” 

    In addition to creating albums, Weeks has also produced a book of songs and has had original works featured onstage. “Cape Fear Regional Theatre twice produced ‘One for Me, One for You,’” Weeks said. “This is a two-act cabaret show featuring my original music. It was conceived and directed by Lee Yopp. It was very successful and a wonderful moment in my artistic life.”

    With years of experience behind him, Weeks is a firm believer in chasing dreams. “If you love it, do it,” he said. “Stay as true to your core beliefs as you can. Practice, practice, practice. Don’t let the size of the crowd or response affect the quality of your work. Success should not be measured in dollars or notoriety. Again … if you love it, do it.”

    Weeks has been extremely involved in the local artistic community for years and has seen its incredible growth firsthand. He was a founding director of the Fayetteville Little Theater, now known as the Cape Fear Regional Theatre.

    He is also a current trustee of the Arts Council. “I am pleased to say that I believe we are at the doorstep of another leap forward in our community being recognized as a nurturing home for emerging and existing artists,” Weeks said. “We enjoy fantastic live theater venues, a well-respected symphony orchestra, a community chorus, frequent dance performances, lovely art and craft studios, and festivals filled with cultural art and artistic exhibits honoring our military relationship and history.”  

    Art provides a tremendous amount of value for individuals and community members alike. “Pablo Picasso said, ‘Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life.’ For me, that expresses a great deal of art’s importance and value to each of us,”  Weeks said.

    “When I speak of art, I include all forms of artistic expression; painting, sculpture, theater, music, dance, spoken word, digital expression and beyond. Let’s also be reminded of the huge economic impact of art.” 

    Purchase “Alive” at http:/mayonsmusic.com/music.html. Alternatively, you can purchase the album by searching for it on iTunes or Amazon. Weeks’s music is also available for free listening on Spotify.

  • 13SocialNetworkingLately, it seems that many folks are becoming increasingly more concerned about their social networking presence — and for good reasons, given the problems that sometimes result when individuals are not thoughtful about posted information available for many  to see. 

    Below are some considerations about how to put your best public face forward when sharing information on social networking sites.

    Be selective in what you post. First, and probably most importantly, do not post anything on any social networking site that you would not want your current employer, co-workers, potential employers, parents, children or others to see. Unless you are an expert at changing the sometimes-esoteric security settings on most social media sites, it is best to be selective in what you post. Remember that many employers perform a general search for applicants’s names when individuals apply for jobs.

    Do not post defamatory remarks about others. Online posts containing profanity or threats, whether they are your words or not, can lead to legal issues at your place of employment. For example, a case in New Jersey involved a college professor posting a picture of his daughter wearing a shirt printed with the words “I will take what is mine in fire and blood,” a quote from the television show “Game of Thrones.” The college dismissed the professor from his position, as administrators perceived the statement on his daughter’s shirt to be a direct threat to others.

    Never disclose your physical location. Do not post information about when and where you are going on vacation or other whereabouts. Not all viewers of your information have good intentions, and some may see this as an opportunity to steal from your home or act in other harmful ways. Many social networking sites have a GPS feature that enables the sites to track your every move. You can generally find this setting under location settings and deactivate it or turn it off. The social media sites desire to track your every move for marketing purposes, which is why the sites are free to the public.

    Configure the highest possible security settings when using Facebook or Twitter. You can generally accomplish this by choosing settings, then security settings. Be aware, however, that some general settings also relate to security but are not located under security settings. For maximum security, turn on the setting that requires a secure logon to access your account, which will require the use of https to log in. 

    Disable the auto log in feature. Avoiding use of auto log in features will prevent others from easily using your credentials (and possibly submitting fraudulent posts).

    Change the setting that allows others to search for you on social media sites. This effort may help prevent your information from being seen by the public.

    A good way to test your online privacy is to conduct your own search — Google yourself! If you have a common name, you may need to narrow the search results by adding more specific terms to your search criteria, such as your city and state. If you have a less common name (like mine), a simple Google search including name only should reveal adequate results.

    To learn more about computers and technology, take some courses at Fayetteville Technical Community College or sign up for a complete program of study. FTCC offers a broad range of computer programs to choose from. Learn more at www.faytechcc.edu, or visit the Fayetteville, Spring Lake or Fort Bragg campus locations.

  • 12DiabetesHealth care is expensive, and for many people that makes it unattainable. In 1958, registered nurse Ruth Peters saw this problem and founded Better Health. This nonprofit organization helps improve access to health care services for the underserved and low-income residents of Cumberland County.

    To raise money for programs, Better Health hosts fundraisers every year. One of the most popular is a dodgeball tournament: Diabetes … Dodge It! This year, the event organizers expect 34 teams, bringing the participant total to 250 players. The tournament takes place Aug. 26.

    “With the funding from this event, Better Health is able to enhance its emergency direct aid program for prescriptions and dental care for the uninsured, diabetes self-management clinics, childhood obesity prevention and medical equipment loans to those in need,” Executive Director of Better Health Amy Navejas said. “The tournament is a great way for everyone to be involved, whether through playing, volunteering, donating or spectating.”

    The first Better Health dodgeball tournament took place in 2014. It was wildly successful, and the tournament has grown exponentially since then. “This event has really taken off,” Navejas said. “The first event began in 2014 and grossed $5,684. The 2017 tournament is on schedule to gross more than $17,000. This year, we had to cut off individual team registrations before the early-bird deadline. Not only does it help spread the word about our free services, but it gets people active. You don’t see many dodgeball tournaments, so this event is unique in asking people to think outside the box when it comes to exercise and activity.” She added that the committee behind the first Diabetes … Dodge It! wanted to create a fundraiser that involved physical activity and was different and new for the community.

    To make the tournament as smooth and fun as possible, Navejas has some advice. “Sign your waivers in advance,” she said. “Due to the volume of attendees, you can expedite entry by printing your waivers in advance and having them ready to turn in Aug. 26. All attendees — both players and spectators — must have waivers on file to gain entry.

    'The other advice is to have fun.  The event is hilarious to watch and all for a good cause. Make sure you stick around to see Judge Lou Olivera’s team face off with Judge Toni King’s Sour Patch Kids. It’s a showdown you don’t want  to miss.”

    The dodgeball tournament is not the only big, fun event that Better Health hosts during the year. November marks Diabetes Awareness Month. “We are going to be hosting a free Diabetes Symposium in early November with breakout sessions on a variety of topics related to diabetes,” Navejas said. 

    Nov. 12 there will be a Quarter Frenzy benefiting Better Health, hosted at the Ramada Inn. “Nov. 18 is our 5th annual Red Apple Run for Diabetes fundraiser,” Navejas added.  “This run goes through Haymount and features a 10K, 5K and one-miler. We are also marking Diabetes Awareness Month with a new Project Blue November initiative. Last but certainly not least, Better Health will host a fun evening of casino games, beverages, music and good food at our Evening of Prohibition on Feb. 22, 2018, at the Botanical Garden.”

    For more information on all of the programs that Better Health offers, visit www.betterhealthcc.org.

     

     

  • 11Red light camera photoRed-light cameras in Fayetteville generate a lot of money but little else. That’s what before-and-after comparative data indicates. American Traffic Solutions is under contract with the city of Fayetteville to enforce red-light cameras at more than 20 busy intersections. Nationally, from 2011-15, an average of 719 people died each year in red-light-running crashes, according to ATS. Fayetteville installed the initial 10 red-light traffic cameras in July 2015. There have been no fatal accidents at regulated intersections in those two years.

    The city studied motor vehicle crashes at those red-light enforced intersections the year before the cameras were installed and the year after. Auto accidents were not reduced during those two years. Traffic engineer Lee Jernigan said the cameras caught about 36,000 violators. At $100 each, that comes to $3.6 million if everyone paid their citations, but they didn’t. About two-thirds of the citations are paid, Jernigan said.

    “There has been no positive deterrence in traffic collisions at those intersections where a red-light camera exists,” Mayor Nat Robertson said. “If we continue to see no positive movement in that data, we should consider ending our contract with the vendor,” Robertson added. “Ninety-three percent of red-light runners have not been repeat violators, which is certainly one way of measuring success,” Jernigan said.

    Cumberland County Schools will lose a lot of money if the program is discontinued. “Red-light camera funding provides approximately $800,000 a year to the district’s budget,” said Associate School Superintendent Clyde Locklear. “The district would be forced to make very difficult budget decisions, which would impact the quality of educational services offered in Cumberland County, if these funds were lost,” he said.

    The North Carolina Constitution provides that traffic fines be budgeted in the local school district’s current expense fund.

    “Red-light camera funds support maintenance and improvement projects in the district including building, electrical and HVAC projects,” Locklear said. “Eighteen thousand tickets are being issued each year,” Jernigan said. Sixtyfive dollars from each $100 citation goes to Cumberland County Schools. The remaining $35 goes to American Traffic Solutions, which earns about $630,000 annually. Red-light violation citations are civil summonses. The website Redlightrobber.com claims, “You do not have to pay any red-light camera ticket in North Carolina.” State Rep. Paul Stam, R-Wake, is lead counsel for the firm. Redlightrobber.com says the city cannot add insurance points to your driver’s license. It cannot prevent you from renewing your driver’s license. The city cannot prevent you from renewing your car registration and enforce the tickets.

    City Council members would likely be more inclined not to discontinue the red-light camera program if the school board would be willing to consider Council’s suggestions for spending the money. “Some members had asked members of the school board to earmark the red-light money for public neighborhood enhancements such as sidewalks, where needed, to keep our school children safe among other things,” Mayor Robertson said. “I had thought we were on the same wavelength.”

  • 10NewsDigestIt won’t be long before the new Freedom Town Center opens at Skibo and Cliffdale Roads. With it comes an expected increase in traffic congestion.

    “We expect up to 50,000 cars per day on Skibo Road and 35,000 vehicles on Cliffdale,” said city traffic engineer Lee Jernigan. “We’ll be keeping a close eye on traffic in case signal lights need adjusting.”  Traffic signal changes have to be done manually because flooding destroyed the city’s traffic signal system located on Alexander Street near downtown during Hurricane Matthew. The state is paying for a $6 million replacement of the system and the control boxes at the city’s 229 signalized intersections, Jernigan said. City government is chipping in $190,000. It will take several months to complete the project.

    A new road through the Freedom Town Center, which is being paid for by the developer, is expected to relieve some of the congestion at the Skibo/ Cliffdale intersection.

    New Hockey Team Mascot

    The Fayetteville Marksmen hockey team and Cross Creek Mall will unveil the new team mascot Aug. 26. “The mascot is our way to engage with the community,” Marksmen CEO and owner Chuck Norris said. “He is going to be actively involved with the community, in the schools and all around Fayetteville,” he added. “The red fox was an easy choice for us,” said team President and owner Jeff Longo. “It’s native to North Carolina... the fox is fierce, but also soft and cuddly.” Fans wishing to attend the event can arrive at Cross Creek Mall beginning at 2 p.m., with the unveiling taking place in the center area next to the food court. After the unveiling and name announcement, fans will have the opportunity to purchase Marksmen merchandise, take photos with the mascot and talk with Marksmen staff until 6 p.m.


    Sunday Brunch Bill Passes

    Fayetteville City Council voted 8-2 last week to adopt a local ordinance authorizing the sale of alcoholic beverages at 10 a.m. on Sundays. The general assembly gave cities and counties local authorization to change on-premises and carry-out sale of alcoholic beverages on Sundays. Not all members of Council were aware of the extent of the law only minutes before they voted on it. Mayor Pro Tem Mitch Colvin, who voted against the measure, asked the city attorney if the ordinance would also allow stores to sell beer and wine early. Karen McDonald said, “Yes.” Councilman Larry Wright also voted against passage. Two members of Council who said publically they were ethically opposed to the change, Bill Crisp and Bobby Hurst, voted in favor anyway. 

    It’s Tax Time Again

    The Cumberland County Tax Administration office mailed tax bills to property owners two weeks ago. Taxes are due Sept. 1, but a grace period gives taxpayers until Jan. 5 to pay with no penalties or interest. After that, unpaid tax bills will begin incurring interest. There are several ways property owners can pay their tax bills. Go to www.co.cumberland.nc.us/tax/payments and pay with an electronic check, major credit card or debit card. Convenience fees apply. Taxpayers can also set up online bill pay options with their banks. It is important that taxpayers using this method verify and update their tax bill number on file with their banks. Credit and debit card payments can be made by phone at 1-866-441-6614, but it includes a convenience fee.

  •  

    09EarlEvery year, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association inducts new members to the NCHSAA Hall of Fame. This year, a group of eight were chosen, including local sports writer Earl Vaughan Jr. The NCHSAA announced the inductees at a livestreaming news conference at the NCHSAA Headquarters in Chapel Hill Aug. 17.

    This year’s class is comprised of: Coach James “Jim” Biggerstaff from Belmont, Coach Allen Brown from Thomasville, Coach Dave Elder from Hickory, Robert “Bob” McRae of Kings Mountain, Coach Donnie Simpson from Elizabeth City, Coach Dave Thomas from Goldsboro, Earl Vaughan Jr. from Fayetteville and Coach Herb Sampsel from Statesville (posthumously).

    “We are so excited to recognize these eight individuals who have made a tremendous impact, not only on their students and communities but on the landscape of educationbased athletics in North Carolina,” said NCHSAA Commissioner Que Tucker. “This class represents many different areas of service over a vast number of years, and the members are to be commended for their outstanding careers and involvement in the NCHSAA.” 

    With the addition of this year’s class, the total number of inductees is 188. The official induction at the annual NCHSAA Hall of Fame Banquet is scheduled for Saturday, April 14, 2018 at the Embassy Suites in Cary. Vaughan Jr. is a UNCWilmington graduate. He grew up in Fayetteville where he worked for The Fayetteville Observer for 44 years before joining the staff of Up & Coming Weekly. While working at the Observer, Vaughan Jr. was chairman of the NCHSAA’s Athlete of the Year Committee for over 30 years. Other accolades include being named a Distinguished Service Award Winner by the NCHSAA, once in 1995 and again in 2008.

    Vaughan Jr. was also the first-ever two-time winner of the NCHSAA’s Tim Stevens Media Representative of the Year Award.

    Vaughan Jr. also was inducted as a member of the Fayetteville Sports Club Hall of Fame. Vaughan Jr. will be the fifth person directly involved with media to be inducted into the NCHSAA Hall of Fame. Previous media inductees are Tom Northington of the Greensboro News and Record, Tim Stevens of the Raleigh News and Observer, Tom Suiter of WRAL-TV and Mary Garber of the Winston-Salem Journal.

    Vaughan Jr. will be the first media person and the seventh person overall from Fayetteville and Cumberland County inducted into the NCHSAA Hall of Fame. Others were Cape Fear coach Doris Howard, Douglas Byrd and Seventy-First coach Bob Paroli, Fayetteville High coach R.E. “Buddy” Luper, E.E. Smith coach and Cumberland County administrator Bill Carver, former Cumberland County Schools superintendent Bill Harrison, Terry Sanford coach Gil Bowman and Harnett County coach Al Black, who lived in Spring Lake.

     

    PHOTO: Earl Vaughan Jr. (front, left) will be inducted into the NCHSAA Hall of Fame April 14, 2018.

     

  • 08UnplugProblematic Internet Use exhibits symptoms and adverse effects similar to substance abuse disorders. It becomes an addiction when excessive internet use deeply impairs the user’s life functioning, i.e., resulting in truancy, work absences, isolation from real-world socializing, and impaired interpersonal and familial relationships.

    In the October 2009 issue of “Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine,” researchers reported that although depression, ADHD, social phobia and hostility were found to predict the occurrence of internet addiction, depression and social phobia predicted internet addiction among only female adolescents. Additionally, the most significant predictors of internet addiction in male and female adolescents were hostility and ADHD, respectively.

    The article further explained that addiction to the internet can negatively impact school performance, family relationships and adolescents’ emotional state. A plethora of research shows excessive use of internet and playing online games causes the release of dopamine neurotransmitters exacerbating the symptoms  of ADHD.

    New York psychotherapist Nancy Colier observes in her enlightening new book, “The Power of Off,” that “we are spending far too much of our time doing things that don’t matter to us.” Collier urges her readers to start practicing mindfulness by simply noticing the impulse to get on technology and then pausing in the desire to use the technology. She suggests learning to tolerate your feelings of craving, staying conscious and still, allowing it without reacting and without giving in to what your mind is telling you to do to satisfy the craving.

    Colier’s approach is akin to a modern psychotherapy mechanism known as mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, which originated from Buddhist spiritual practices. In his transcendent state, Buddha  recognized that craving and clinging were temporary states that endlessly entail suffering. He taught his followers to attain true peace of mind, happiness and contentment by living a healthy lifestyle of moderation and balance. He taught this could only be achieved by taking the Middle Path or Middle Way; that is, avoiding two extremes — indulgence and self-deprivation — that lead to endless suffering. In addition to her 30-day digital detox guide, Colier outlines three small steps you can take now to curb your digital dependence.

    1. Identify how much digital use  is necessary.

    2. Make little changes. Add one thing a day that’s done without  the phone.

    3. Devote more time and attention to things that nourish you.

    Take the Middle Path to liberation, peace, power and confidence; to empower yourself to trust yourself, to control your behavior, and thus ultimately to take care of yourself and your relationships.

  • 07davidMy sense of rejection was deepening. Another sculptor now had examined me (I’m just an old chunk of marble), and after he saw the telltale flaw, he walked on. It doesn’t take a good sculptor long to spot the big flaw in my body and find me therefore useless. They all go and pick another piece of stone that will become a beautiful statue somewhere.

    But not me. I’ll never be of any real value. At first, I used to hope I could be a nice statue in some wealthy home. And then, one by one, as all the sculptors spotted this flaw in me, I resigned myself to being only adequate for a few figurines. Lately, I’ve begun to wonder if I’m fit for even that. Oh God, how I hate my flaw. But, I am what I am.

    But then one day, this sculptor came to the marble quarry to look for a stone. I wanted him to be so new or so inexperienced that he might miss my flaw and choose me. Alas, I could tell as he carefully inspected each piece of marble that he knew exactly what to look for. He was good. Us rejects develop experienced eyes. I whispered to the small stone next to me, “Who is he? I haven’t seen him before.”

    “Some guy named Michelangelo,” he answered.

    When he stopped in front of me, I figured he’d glance and walk on by. But he stopped and began to walk around me and measure. He stared at my flaw until I was embarrassed. I almost felt like — like I was naked. He looked so long I was ashamed. I wanted to shout, “I can’t help it, — I was born this way!”

    Finally, he left. I was both relieved and hurt. Relieved to no longer feel the pressure, hope, competition with the other stones — and hurt to be once again rejected.

    In a little while, the horse and cart came by — I assumed to pick up that gorgeous new chunk down the way. But it stopped in front of me, and I was so carefully lifted into the cart. I was ecstatic. Somewhere, somehow, someone had found a use for an old flawed piece  of marble.

    Michelangelo took me home and began to chip away, cut and sand until finally he was finished. He named me David.

    That’s the story behind the most famous statue in all the world. A piece of marble was oft rejected by other sculptors because of a flaw in the stone. But a skilled artisan can make a beautiful work of art from even a flawed piece of stone. The key is not the flaw in the stone but the skill in the sculptor.

    Our heavenly Father is an infinitely skilled craftsman. He looks at you and me and sees it all. In fact, we are naked before him. Every flaw exposed. And yet if we but yield ourselves to the workman’s chisel, he can produce in each one of us a masterful piece of art of incredible beauty.

    God yearns to take that flawed piece of stone called you and transform it into a statue of impressive strength, beauty and grace. Those around you will be awed, even speechless, at the transformation. All he asks is that we yield to the chisel of his word... with you in the hands of the sculptor.

     

    PHOTO: Michelangelo's "David"

  • 06jimmy keefeCumberland County is an amazing place to live, work and raise our families. This community embraced my father when he was first stationed here as a young soldier from Massachusetts. My mother, a proud Greek immigrant who came to this community at age 12, not being able to speak a word of English and graduated from Highsmith Nursing School in less than 10 years. A short time later, a Roman Catholic soldier from New England married a Greek Orthodox registered nurse who had just immigrated to the U.S. a decade before.

    Together, even with their differences in culture, religious differences and their family expectations, they raised three children and made it work despite all of apprehension from both their families. They were stronger together because of their differences than they were as individuals. Their core strength was that they respected each other, had similar values and were very involved raising our family. This happened through conversation and compromise. Both had a strong commitment and record of service to their community, their church and their family.

    I tell you this story because it is important. During this time of civil unrest, intolerance and instability, there seems to be a void of any respectful conversation and compromise. Since 1980, when I first registered to vote, I chose to be a Democrat. I have always been fiscally conservative, but more open-minded in supporting social issues. I remember early in my career a seasoned member of the local Democratic Party cautioned me, “If you do not vote for this, you are not a true Democrat.” It was an epiphany moment for as I thought, who gets to define a true Democrat?

    I have struggled with our two-party system for many years. Like most Americans, I do not identify completely with either party. I agree with some things on both sides and am opposed to others. I do not identify myself by any other measure than being a good father, a trusted friend, respectful person, an ethical business person and a devoted citizen of this city, county, state and country.

    Recently, I believe that many decisions by elected officials throughout government have been swayed by bias and self-serving members of their respective parties. The results of this legislation is not always in the best interest of the people we have sworn to defend by oath. For those that know me, they understand that I am a creative problem solver, who does his research and works toward solutions. I am always willing to compromise on issues, but never willing to compromise my values as an elected official or person.

    After, 38 years of years in local politics, I have recently changed my party affiliation to the Republican Party. The only thing that is different is my party.

    I will still fight of every citizen whom may have been treated unjustly. I will continue to fight to maintain a fiscal responsible government that provides quality services to their citizens. I will always an advocate for the Health, Education and Welfare of each and every citizen of Cumberland County. Because in the end, this is what I have done, will continue to do and what every each of us should do.

     

    PHOTO: Cumberland County Commissioner Jimmy Keefe

  • 05MayorWhat an honor it is to serve as the mayor of such a great and caring City. Fayetteville is truly one of greatest mid-sized cities in the Southeast. Our residents and our diverse culture make Fayetteville like no other city in the United States. We really are a city of History, Heroes and a Hometown Feeling.

    I have been working hard to ensure our city operates as a reflection of your expectations. Creating or managing policy in conjunction with our strategic goals and within our scope is imperative to represent your expectations. Public Forums and Café Conversations insure full transparency in communications between our taxpayers and your City Council. 

    I believe in leading through a committee process and have established several council committees for input and guidance to the council to better inform the group throughout the decision making process. The success of this type of leadership is evidenced by our outcomes. I believe that through simpler, more user-friendly policies, we can continue to build the economy and improve the quality of life for all of our residents. 

    Since being sworn-in as mayor in December 2013 as Fayetteville’s 35th mayor, Fayetteville has become the envy of many Southern cities. In less than four years, our city has accomplished more than any other administration in recent history. The following are some of the highlights:

    • Reduced our property crime by 24 percent .

    • Set the environment for the addition of thousands of jobs in/around Fayetteville

    • Residents approved a $35 million Parks Bond package for the first time ever

    • Recognized by the White House for eradicating veteran homelessness

    • Reestablishment of the Fayetteville/Cumberland Youth Council

    • Signed with the Houston Astors to bring Minor League Baseball back to Fayetteville

    • Co-Chaired the Opioid Addiction Task Force with VA Director Goolsby

    • Established with the Chamber the Mayor’s Small Business Award

    • Changed the zoning along the Cape Fear River to protect our natural resources

    I will always remember that I was elected as a public servant, and more specifically to do a job. A job to improve our city and be a steward of the tax money we receive. Understanding this, my focus has been on policy and not politics or social programs. I pledged to you to do the right things, for the  right reasons.

    I will continue to improve our business culture, enhance the quality of life for all of our residents and focus on keeping our City and residents safe. I know the initiatives we have supported and the projects we have worked on will continue to improve our city and make Fayetteville more competitive. We are becoming more attractive to outsiders who may want to invest in our community with jobs and businesses in the future. 

    It is with great honor and humility that I again ask for your support to continue serving as Fayetteville’s mayor. We, as a community have come so far in the last four years. I know the next two will be even greater. Thank you for the opportunity to serve the community that Kim and I love so much! You have my commitment to continue on a path that will have a positive impact on our children and grandchildren for decades to come.

     

    PHOTO: Mayor Nat Robertson

  • 04trumpTime and time again in these columns, I lament that America is off-course. That is, we seem to be in decline as a nation. It is reflected in our strained relationships with so many other nations, but also in our inability, at the federal level, to do the routine business of governing. At that level, consider all the issues: lacking strong national security; unsuccessfully confronting threats, such as those from Russia, North Korea and Iran; faltering in building an economy that provides adequate jobs for most citizens; politically-based anger, racial and socioeconomic tensions that are downright scary; debilitating crime rates; fiscal mismanagement.

    Even as the Trump administration appears poised to make progress on each of these and other similarly troubling issues, the focus of far too many people and organizations is totally on making his a presidency that fails.

    Why are we in this condition as a nation? I think the answer is that there are many contributing factors. One is that we have a multitude of politicians who know far less than they think they know about doing what is right for this country. This is especially true of Congress. On the other hand, maybe the situation with some is that they are more concerned with gaining power and wealth than they are with doing what is good and right for the country.

    Watching the House and Senate go about their business reminds me of three golfers I saw a few days ago. My 87-year-old golfing buddy and I were walking and playing our usual nine holes of golf. Out of nowhere, these three golfers drove past us. We told them we would wait and let them play the hole we were on. They said they preferred to skip that hole and go to the next. I understood that to mean that these were men who knew the game and would be out-of-sight quickly. No, they held us up hole after hole. The point is that they thought they had a good game, but their actions showed that was not the case. So it is with most members of Congress. They think they know how to do what is needed for the good of America; however, their actions say they are like those golfers.

    Even further, we have come to a point where many politicians, and far too many Americans, think that our form of government is a democracy. This misconception leads people to believe that elected officials are supposed to automatically do what the majority of Americans want done in governing. We are a representative republic, not a democracy. Consider the following from www.diffen.com/difference/DemocracyvsRepublic:

    Democracy. Rule by the omnipotent majority. In a democracy, an individual, and any group of individuals composing any minority, have no protection against the unlimited power of the majority. It is a case of Majority-over-Man. …the majority can impose its will on the minority. All eligible citizens get equal say in decisions.

    Republic. A republic is similar to a representative democracy except it has a written constitution of basic rights that protect the minority from being completely unrepresented or overridden by the majority. …the majority cannot take away certain inalienable rights. All eligible citizens get equal say in decisions with the protection of unalienable rights to individuals.

    Given this misunderstanding regarding the American form of government, many citizens, including politicians, act as though we are a democracy. This misunderstanding has resulted in a political atmosphere where decisions are driven by poll results, who has the loudest megaphone and who can bring enough factions together for an election win.

    In this atmosphere, the Constitution is shredded, and unalienable rights are trampled. We then operate as a democracy. That’s where we are. Those who would unfairly take from the wealthy, neglect working people and appeal to those they have channeled into victimhood portray America as a democracy. Doing so allows them to abuse a minority (not racial). That abuse produced President Donald Trump, because the abused minority rose up. With his ascension came a dangerous divide, driven by his opponents in both political parties, that is contributing to our nation being off-course.

    Then there is the media contribution to being off-course. In my estimation, what most media has become in this country is simply disgusting. I try hard not to use such strong words in my writing or speaking. In this case, I see “disgusting” as appropriate. I am comfortable adding repugnant, revolting and sickening. I find it unbelievable that most media organizations and individual so-called journalists are fixated on ensuring the failure of Donald Trump as president.

    Consider just some of what his administration has accomplished: the lowest unemployment rate in 16 years; a record-breaking stock market; very impressive consumer confidence; a 70 percent decrease in illegal border-crossings as measured by apprehensions; roll-back of numerous regulations that adversely affected business growth; getting a United Nations vote for sanctions against North Korea; real progress toward defeating ISIS; the missile attack on a Syrian air base; and signing the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017, which makes it easier to fire VA employees.

    In spite of all these positives, with very few exceptions, the media focus is on looking for collusion between the Trump team and Russia during the 2016 presidential campaign. The normal process is that a crime is committed and there is an investigation to bring guilty parties to justice. This is a case of an investigation looking for a crime. Months have passed without success, but the media keeps that issue front-and-center while hardly addressing  the positives.

    This search for and focus on negatives, even if only in the tone of a report, is obvious. Byron York wrote the following in an article titled “Harvard Study: CNN, NBC Trump coverage 93 percent negative:” “… the coverage of some news organizations was so negative, according to the Harvard study, that it seems hard to argue that the coverage was anywhere near a neutral presentation of facts. Assessing the tone of news coverage, the Harvard researchers found that CNN’s Trump coverage was 93 percent negative, and seven percent positive. The researchers found the same numbers for NBC.”

    Others were slightly less negative. The Harvard team found that CBS coverage was 91 percent negative and 9 percent positive. The New York Times coverage was 87 percent negative and 13 percent positive.

    Maybe the most impactful of all the reasons for our being off-track is that far too many Americans decide issues based on sound bites and headlines. The negative impact is compounded because media, politicians and advocates for various issues/ causes use this condition to their advantage. A case-in-point is what happened with The Obamacare Repeal Reconciliation Act (ORRA) of 2017. A CBS News article titled “CBO: Latest health bill would leave 32M more uninsured in 2026” said the legislation “…would eliminate Obamacare’s individual and employer mandates and repeal the law’s Medicaid expansion at the end of 2019. It would also repeal Obamacare-related taxes over the next few years.”

    That 32M figure has been endlessly repeated. With very few exceptions, the whole story is not told. Two statements from the CBO report are relevant to my point. First, “In 2018, by CBO and JCT’s estimates, about 17 million more people would be uninsured under this legislation than under current law.” Second, “Although most of those reductions in coverage would stem from repealing the penalty associated with the individual mandate, CBO and JCT also expect that insurers in some areas would leave the nongroup market in 2018.” Taken together, these statements say that many of the uninsured would be so because having health insurance would no longer be mandated. Instead of addressing a fact such as this, Obamacare advocates scream, “32 million will be uninsured.” Addicting the public to sound bites and headlines … a tactic that works, but helps keep us off-course.

    Please, my fellow Americans, give thought to these, and other, conditions/tactics that are keeping our beloved nation off-course from greatness.

  • 03SendOffsWe are all heading in the same direction, and we likely share fantasies of writing our own obituaries and attending our own funerals. I have heard of people who did, in fact, write their obituaries before the fact, hoping those they left behind would choose to publish it instead of their assessments of the dearly departed. Attending one’s own funeral is obviously more problematic.

    However they come to be, we Southerners have left behind some doozy obits, real laugh-out-loud creations that make us wish we had known the deceased ourselves — or maybe not. And while Southerners are champs at obituary writing, there are some outliers from elsewhere. Here are excerpts from several of my favorites.

    William “Freddie” McCullough left us four years ago next month. His obit in the Savannah Morning News opened with these words. “The man. The myth. The legend. Men wanted to be him. Women
    wanted to be with him.... Freddie loved deep-fried Southern food smothered in cane syrup … Little Debbie cakes, ‘Two and a Half Men’ and Jim Beam. Not necessarily in that order. He hated vegetables and hypocrites. … Freddie was killed when he rushed into a burning orphanage to save a group of adorable kids. Or maybe not. We all know he liked to tell stories.” Freddie’s obituary was accompanied by a photograph of him in a white cowboy hat and a shirt unbuttoned almost to his waist and 72 more photos available online.

    According to her obituary in the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Ida Mae Russell Sills was born to unmarried parents. “In the 1930s, it was unthinkable for a child to be born to a single mother. … Her parents contracted (sic) Georgia Tann at the Tennessee Children’s Home. Georgia, now famous for selling babies, found a couple who was willing to purchase the child.” Ida’s first marriage “was a three-ring circus, engagement ring, wedding ring and suffering.” She married again. “Albert wanted a son, Ida wanted a dog.”

    Albert prevailed, and Lee was born, followed by Denise. “As a professional armchair consultant to the NBA, Ida was nick named Hoop Mama Two. Ball handling and dribbling was (sic) Ida Mae (sic) biggest weakness.” Among her survivors is a grandson, Josh. “Ida regrets not being here to influence his future children, but she will be watching.”

    Antonia W. “Toni” Larroux died in Missouri, and for reasons I do not know, her obituary appeared in The New York Times.

    As a child, Toni contracted polio, “contributing to her unusually petite ankles and the nickname ‘polio legs’ given to her by her ex-husband.... It should not be difficult to imagine the multiple reasons for their divorce 35+ years ago. Two children resulted from that marriage.... Due to multiple, anonymous Mother’s Day cards, which arrived each May, the children suspect there were other siblings but that has never been verified.” Toni’s family requested, “Any gifts in her honor should be made to the Hancock County Library Foundation (to the overdue book fund). Toni’s obituary was accompanied by 28 online photographs.

    A non-Southern obituary for Bill Eves from Kingston, Ontario, holds its own with almost any Southern obit I have ever read. It begins, “On Saturday … Molson’s stock price fell sharply on the news of Bill Eves’s passing.” My mother would have my hide for this, but it continues about the former school principal. “Perhaps most important to Bill was educating people on the dangers of holding your farts. Sadly, he was unable to attain his lifelong goal of catching his beloved wife Judy ‘cutting the cheese’ or ‘playing the bum trumpet’ — which he likened to a mythical rarity like spotting Bigfoot or a unicorn.” As per his wishes, a “Praise Bill Party” was held to celebrate his life.

    And perhaps my all-time favorite was Harry Stamps’s obituary, which was written by his loving daughters and appeared in the Gulfport, Mississippi, Sun Herald. They described their father as “a ladies’ man, foodie, natty dresser and accomplished traveler. Harry was locally sourcing his food years before chefs in California starting using cilantro and arugula (both of which he hated).... He had a lifelong love affair with deviled eggs, Lane cakes, boiled peanuts, Vienna (Vi-e-na) sausages on saltines, … and buttermilk served in martini glasses garnished with cornbread.” Harry was a member of a bacon of the month club, and “… his signature look every day was this: a plain pocketed T-shirt designed by the fashion house Fruit of the Loom, his black-label elastic waist shorts worn above the navel and sold exclusively at Sam’s …”

    Harry’s family asked “in honor of Harry that you write your congressman and ask for the repeal of Day Light Saving Time. Harry wanted everyone to get back on the Lord’s Time.”

    Given all this, I may begin work on my obituary today. I am a tad nervous about what the Precious Jewels might say on their own.

     

    PHOTO: A non-Southern obituary for Bill Eves (above) from Kingston, Ontario, holds its own with almost any Southern obit.

    PHOTO CREDIT: www.Yourlifemoments.ca

  • 02PubPenWhat is happening to our nation? At all levels — national, state and even here in Fayetteville and Cumberland County — the undercurrents of discontent, anger, hate and mistrust are permeating everything we do. It’s hard to comprehend and even harder to articulate.

    So first, I say to the cynics: If our nation is so broken, so unjust, so misdirected and unfair, how did we become the greatest nation on earth? How is it that we now enjoy, yet take for granted, all the virtues and benefits of living in a free, civilized and industrialized nation, yet we have factions within our population that refuse to recognize or appreciate how we got here?

    We have a history of more than two centuries of strife, hard work, sacrifice, bloody wars, incredible innovation and amazing ingenuity, and here we are … uniquely America. The United States of America! I love the sound of those five words. America is the most envied country in the world, yet we are a nation that is quickly becoming cynical and unappreciated.

    Perhaps too many of our citizens think we have reached the pinnacle of our civilization, leaving them nothing left to achieve, learn or accomplish. If this is the case, the only recourse they have to justify their existence is to find fault with our existing government, laws, institutions and way of life, leaving them no alternative but to engage themselves in dismantling it while, ironically, hoping to discover something better. Well, here’s a news flash for these discontents: We are a nation of self-made men and women. If you contribute nothing, in the end, you will gain nothing. Why? Because there will be nothing left. No values, history or traditions. 

    Yes, people are upset and on-edge over the thoughts and actions of removing monuments and statues that depict American history that certain groups interpret as offensive. Really? So, at what point does this madness stop? Already, many age-old monuments have fallen victim to this craziness. Monuments that had nothing to do with this subjective historic controversy have been vandalized and damaged. This is craziness! What are these people thinking and when and where will it end? What’s next? Will we be forced to ban the term “Southern fried chicken” because some radical group has declared it an offensive racial term? Or, perhaps someone will insist on removing all images of Colonel Sanders because his Kentucky heritage makes him a hurtful symbol of southern hostility  and racism.

    Fayetteville and Cumberland County need to pay attention to these sensitive and potentially explosive national phenomena. Case in point: We are not Durham; Greenville, South Carolina; or Ferguson, Missouri. We are Fayetteville, and such comparisons need to stop immediately. We need to focus on looking out for what is best for our citizens and community. And it is not comparing ourselves to other cities and communities that have few commonalities.

    This is a critical time for us. The local elections in 2017 and 2018 will predict the true future of the Fayetteville/Cumberland County community. Why? Because by the 2018 elections, we will be “all in.” That’s a poker term meaning we have put up everything we have in hopes of a positive outcome. We will be right in the middle of our $80 – $100 million worth of city/county infrastructure investments — the point of no return. This infrastructure has the potential of generating another $65 million in local economic development in downtown Fayetteville.

    So, what is the master plan for managing such an aggressive and muchneeded undertaking? This community will need to elect city and county leaders who are qualified to take on such a vitally important venture. These leaders need to be the best of the best. They need to be dedicated, business-savvy and intelligent — with excellent communication skills. They need to be personable and, most of all, have a positive strategic vision for the future of the Fayetteville/Cumberland County community and a plan on how to obtain it. They must have a clear understanding that very little will be accomplished, few goals and objectives will be met and our quality of life will continue to lag behind other communities as long as divisive egos and arrogance remain paramount between the city of Fayetteville and the county of Cumberland. Forget about attracting industry with lucrative incentives. Once the potential client senses this level of animosity, they’re gone.

    They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result. If we examine our past, it will help us define our future. If we ignore our history, we will undoubtedly pay the consequences. We are a great nation, and we have the potential for being a great community. However, we need our leaders to do the right things for the right reasons. That means electing leaders willing to do the right things for the citizens of the community and not what is selfishly and politically advantageous to them. Otherwise, we will continue to pay the consequences and forever be asking ourselves why we can’t be like Durham or Greenville, South Carolina. 

    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

  • EarlVaughanFriday is going to be a bittersweet moment for me. I'll be in the press box at South View High School as a special ceremony is held at 7 p.m. prior to the game with Jack Britt to name the football field after former baseball and football coach Randy Ledford. It is an honor richly deserved for a coach who gave a good chunk of his life to both South View and Hope Mills. 

    Coach Ledford and I go way back to his days building a baseball power at Westover. One of the first times I met him was when former Westover football coach Bruce McFerren had me and fellow sports writer Bill Kirby Jr. coach the opposing teams in Westover's preseason scrimmage. 

    Ledford was my assistant coach and talked me into trying a fake punt. Like most of the plays he called over the years, it worked. 

    Ledford was part of a golden era at South View, winning a state baseball title in 1991 and serving as an assistant coach on the staff of Bobby Poss to win a football title that fall. His football teams made numerous deep playoff runs and he won a pair of Eastern 4-A titles. 

    He had a great sense of humor, loved his players and his community and left us far too soon.

    Thanks for all the memories coach, and welcome to Randy Ledford Field. 

    Before I begin this week's initial predictions, I want to thank Up & Coming Weekly publisher Bill Bowman for this opportunity. I approached him with the idea of adding the weekly predictions as an online service and he was totally supportive. 

    As always, I remind everyone that this is done for fun and to spark debate. Please don't take personally anything written here. These words don't determine wins and losses, only the play of teams on the field does that. Feel free to use anything I say as motivation, and have a great season. 

    One final note, because the focus of Up & Coming Weekly is Cumberland County, I will only predict the outcome of county games. Here we go. 

    OnlinecolumnCape Fear at Clinton - Both teams are dealing with graduation losses and Cape Fear is waiting to take the wraps off quarterback Justice Galloway-Velasquez, who skipped the scrimmage sessions as he continues to recover from an offseason ankle surgery. 

    I think Cape Fear may rely on defense early and that will be a key against the Dark Horses.

    Prediction: Cape Fear 21, Clinton 14.  

    --

    Fairmont at Douglas Byrd - I think the Eagles get a win under Mike Paroli.

    Prediction:Douglas Byrd 28, Fairmont 12. 

    --

    E.E. Smith at St. Pauls - The Golden Bulls face former head coach Ernest King and look to start Deron Donald's second season with a win. 

    Prediction:E.E. Smith 26, St. Pauls 12. 

    --

    Southern Lee at Gray's Creek - The Bears have the makings of a strong defense. Offense figures to need some time to gel. 

    Prediction: Southern Lee 18, Gray's Creek 14. 

    --

    Jack Britt at South View - The Tigers get the edge for a couple of reasons. They are playing at home and the Buccaneers are still trying to find themselves under new coach Brian Randolph.

    Prediction: South View 27, Jack Britt 19. 

    --

    Pine Forest at Purnell Swett - I underrated Pine Forest early last season. Even with Julian Hill sidelined, I think they will be competitive. 

    Prediction: Pine Forest 19, Purnell Swett 12. 

    --

    Westover at Seventy-First - This one could get ugly. I think Seventy-First is the best team in the county. Westover has some work to do under first-year coach Craig Raye. 
     
    Prediction: Seventy-First 32, Westover 8. 
     
    Terry Sanford at Fuquay-Varina - With Christian Jayne throwing to twin Andrew Jayne it's pretty clear Terry Sanford can score. The big worries are can the Bulldogs protect their star quarterback and is the defense going to be improved?
     
    Prediction: Terry Sanford 22, Fuquay-Varina 17. 
     
     
     
    PHOTOS:  Top: Earl Vaughan Jr.
    Bottom: L-R Duran McLaurin, Seventy-First ; Deron Donald, E.E. Smith ; Rodney Brewington, South View ; Mike Paroli, Douglas Byrd ; Brian Randolph, Jack Britt ; David Lovette, Gray's Creek ; Bruce McClelland, Terry Sanford ; Jake Thomas, Cape Fear ; Bill Sochovka, Pine Forest ; Craig Raye, Westover. 
  • 16Jaquan Span South View2016 record: 7-5    |    Coach: Rodney Brewington

    Top returners: Donovan Brewington, 5-10, 165, Sr., QB; Michael Edwards, 6-7, 250, Sr., OL; Jaylan Spellman, 6-3, 260, Sr., OL; Johnathan Gilmore, 6-4, 260, Sr., TE; Nyneem Williams, 6-2, 260, Sr., OL/DL; Joel Evans, 6-0, 330, So., OL/DL; Jaquan Span, 5-9, 165, Sr., Ath.; Jarieal Douglass, 5-10, 180, Jr., RB/LB; Steven Butler, 5-11, 195, Sr., FB/LB; Matthew Pemberton, 5-8, 175, So., WR/FS.

    Top newcomers: Emery Simmons, 6-2, 180, Jr., ATH.

    Team strengths: Senior leadership. Veteran quarterback. Team chemistry.

    Team concerns: Depth at running back.

    Coach’s comment: This year’s team is not as big and deep as in years past. Team speed and leadership will be the catalyst for a good season.

     

    PHOTO: Jaquan Span

  • 15Tyron George Westover2016 record: 8-4    |    Coach: Craig Raye

    Top returners: Damani Bowden, 6-1, 210, Sr., DE; Tim Houston, 6-3, 270, Sr., OL/ DL; Shakim Middleton, 6-2, 185, Sr., DL; Tyron George, 6-0, 175, Jr., WR; Te’Andre Walton, 5-11, 180, Jr, RB/LB; Darrolyn Shoulars, 5-11, 180, Sr., DB; Steven King, 6-1, 220, Sr., OL; Camari Williams, 6-1, 180, Jr., WR; Damarion Ford, 5-7, 170, Jr., RB; Jonathan Wright, 6-0, 175, Jr., WR.

    Top newcomers: Travon Hart, 5-11, 210, Jr., LB; Xavier Marsh, 6-1, 170, Jr., WR; Da’niel King, 5-10, 175, Jr., RB; Keyshown Lindsey, 5-9, 175, So., RB/LB; Nahala Moore, 6-0, 180, Jr, OL; Jon Reid, 5-11, 212, So., DL; Pernell Shoulars, 6-3, 320, Jr., OL; Quevonte Hall-Bonaparte, 6-1, 230, OL.

    Team strengths: Westover returns seven offensive starters and five defensive starters.

    Team concerns: Kicking game.

    Coach’s comment: We’re hoping we can find some senior leadership. We’re a real young team. We have about seven or eight returning seniors. We’re hoping those guys can step up and help us. They should be able to build on what they did last year. We’ve got a good nucleus returning. We’re looking forward to a good season.

     

    PHOTO: Tyron George

  • 14Reggie Bryant 71st2016 record: 9-3    |    Coach: Duran McLaurin 


    Top returners: Reggie Bryant, 6-0, 170, Sr., WR; Kyler Davis, 6-1, 190, Jr., QB; Thomas Washington, 6-2, 265, Jr., DL; Jamarques Carr, 6-3, 190, Sr., DL; Greg Walker, 6-2, 280, Sr., OL; Aristolis Bennett, 6-2, 185, Sr., LB; Reuben Willis, 6-3, 260, Sr., OL; Benjamin Willis, 6-2, 250, Jr., OL; Bryson Hamilton, 6-2, 190, Sr., S; Jaylin Razor, 5-10, 250, Sr., FB.

    Top newcomers: Cameron Townsend, 5-7, 150, Jr, WR; Kyle House, 6-2, 180, Jr., WR; Russel Hewett, -10, 250, So., DL; Devante Wedlock, 5-8, 220, Jr., LB; Nasir Merritt, 5-8, 165, Sr., DB.

    Team strengths: The team will be experienced on the offensive and defensive line, returning many of the more productive components from last season. The team will also be returning the top receiver from last year who has been with the starting quarterback for the past three seasons. The team will also be returning some experience at the linebacker position from players who played a lot of meaningful snaps last season.

    Team concerns: Inexperience in the secondary. Replacing two linebackers. Filling the quarterback spot as veteran Julian Hill recovers from a  knee injury.

    Coach’s comment: The key to our success will be relying on talent in our returning offensive players and the quick maturity of our secondary (players).

     

    PHOTO: Reggie Bryant

  • 13Kyle Fennel E.E. Smith2016 record: 3-8    |    Coach: Deron Donald


    Top returners: Xeaiver Bullock, 6-0, 175, Sr., QB; Rahsaan Young, 5-8, 165, Sr., RB/WR; Kyle Fennel, 6-1, 245, Sr., OL/DL; Khari Carrington, 6-0, 250, Sr., OL/DL; Ethan Bolger, 6-1, 270, Sr., OL; Ethan Bolger, 6-1, 270, Sr., OL; Jerry Davis, 5-11, 190, Sr., LB; Clifford Adamson, 5-9, 170, Sr., DB; Reginald Loyd, 5-8, 175, Sr., DB; Byron McNeil, 5-11, 185, Sr., DL/OLB; Tre’Marquis Patterson, 5-10, 175, Sr., OLB. 

    Top newcomers: Andrew Whitaker, 6-1, 175, Jr., OLB; Vashawn Williams, 6-0, 180, Jr., OLB; Eric Burke, 6-0, 170, Jr., DB.

    Team strengths: We have a lot of returners from last year’s team, which should provide experience. There’s only one thing that beats experience and that’s maturing with experience. 

    Team concerns: Lack of depth.

    Coach’s comment: We finished the season 3-8, and many of the games were close, but we could not finish. Our emphasis as a program has been to get stronger and learn how to finish.

     

    PHOTO: Kyle Fennel

  • 12TravelJudging by the number of motorcycles on the road, everyone is in full travel mode. I am in the middle of getting my bike, personal affairs and myself ready for a two-week ride out west. I wanted to pass along some of the things I do to get ready for a longer journey like this.

    My first consideration is how long I am going to be away and how many miles I intend to ride. As of now, I am looking at a 5,000-mile trip. For this, I have to plan out my resources. I believe I need a budget of $250 a day for hotels, gas, food and a few things I may pick up along the way. I need to get cash, not a debit or credit card, for those possible situations that require you to buy your way out of trouble.

    I do take two credit cards and keep them in separate wallets. One has just enough money to kick around town. That way if I lose my wallet or get robbed, I can still continue with my trip. I also keep some money in the bike in a waterproof bag just in case everything goes wrong.

    You may need to contact your credit card company if you are bouncing around the country or especially if you’re crossing the border. They may think someone stole your credit card and not approve your purchases.

    On to the bike. I know people who just jump on their bike and go and everything turns out great. I also know people who do that and never make it out of town. Getting ready for a trip this long requires my bike to be in tip-top shape. If all goes well, we will hit some roads with altitudes of 14,000 feet that will include some cold and some high- heat areas along the way. This will add stress to my bike, my body and my gear. My bike will need fresh tires and an oil change before I go. I also clean the bike by hand and make sure I touch and tighten any bolt or screw that may have worked its way loose.

    A good checklist is like gold. It will save you time and money in the long run. It will also help you focus on the right things to take and should help prevent you from over packing.

    My list is always being improved. I have an “oh crap” bag that holds odds and ends — not obvious necessities, but things I’ve needed over the years. In this bag, I have various zip-ties, fence wire, a hose in the event I have to siphon gas, an old prescription bottle with extra bolts, screws and fuses. I have duct and electrical tape wrapped around the bottle. I also have about a foot of electrical wire in the event a wire gets cut. I had a small set of jumper cables, but those are being replaced with a power pack that can jump a car and has a USB charger in the event my phone dies. This bag has saved me many times and has been handy in helping out a fellow motorcyclist who was stuck on the side of the road.

    For a long trip, I also carry a spare set of old glasses. You never know when you will suddenly be rendered blind because you accidently stepped on your good glasses. My bike now requires an FOB. So I have an extra FOB in the event I lose my primary. This is a real show-stopper and is expensive. If you have a key bike, you still should carry a spare somewhere.

    Carrying a garbage bag is a nice touch. Everyone who rides knows you will get wet sooner or later. When you stow away your rain gear, put it in the garbage bag. This is a simple way to keep your other gear or clothes dry and mildew-free. Remember to let your wet gear dry when you stop. It is hot this time of the year. Stay hydrated, take breaks often, stay alert and stay alive.

    If there is a topic that you would like to discuss, you can contact me at  motorcycle4fun@aol.com. RIDE SAFE!

  • 11UmojaFestThe Umoja Group, Inc. presents its 2017 Umoja Festival Saturday, Aug. 26, from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Seabrook Park and Recreation Center. The festivities will begin with a health-focused morning.   

    “This year we are really concerned about the health of our citizens in Broadell Homes (and the) community, and we are trying to get more men involved in taking care of their health,” said Dorothy Fielder, co-founder of the Umoja Group, Inc. “Men seem to need more encouragement to make changes that would benefit their health and well-being.... Our theme this year is ‘heritage, culture, family, community and well-being,’ and every year we seem to save the life of someone in the neighborhood that has never been screened.” Fielder added that almost every year there is a patient, homeless person or uninsured person who has never seen a doctor and has high blood pressure. Arrangements are made to immediately take the person to the hospital for treatment.

    “We are going to start off with a tennis class at Fayetteville State around 8:30 a.m.,” Fielder said. “The community health fair will begin at 10 a.m.”

    The health fair will last from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and prioritizes prevention and early detection screenings. Darvin Jones, a leader in Cape Fear Valley Health System’s “Take Charge of Your Health” initiative, will be in charge. “He has all kinds of screenings and testing that he brings, along with 25 social and health agencies to share their information with the people in the community,” Fielder said. She added that this is the largest health clinic and screening brought to any neighborhood and that Umoja Group, Inc. appreciates Cape Fear Valley Health for giving the group this opportunity. This is the seventh year the Umoja Festival has featured a health fair.

    This year, Fielder reached out to local churches for support. Many offered the use of church vans to transport people to appointments at the health fair clinic. “Individuals will set up appointments to
    meet with the doctor so the van can pick them up and take them to the appointment,” Fielder said. “The festival is so well-attended that sometimes it is difficult to get a parking space, so this is a way to relieve it.”     

    After the health fair there will be entertainment and educational activities from 12 to 7 p.m. Activities include storytellers from the North Carolina Association of Black Storytellers; children’s art projects and children’s books; games; small giveaways; Tony McMillan’s Old School Band; Tokay Rockers; dancers; drummers; children’s performances; jewelry and food vendors; Stewardship Classical Car Club; Chrome Knights Motorcycle Group; E. E. Smith and FSU bands; E. E. Smith’s Smith 16; and a few politicians who will speak to the community.

    “The NAACP will be there to sign up voters,” Fielder said.  “There will be ethnic food vendors and the famous collard green sandwich that every-body likes.”

    The event is free and open to the public. Donations are appreciated.  For more information, call (910) 485-8035 or email umojagroupfay@gmail.com.

  • 01Aug19CoverEach year, more than 600 communities nationwide participate in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s to help fund the Alzheimer’s Association’s mission to advance Alzheimer’s care, support and research across the world. On Sept. 9, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Fayetteville, NC, takes place at J.P. Riddle Stadium (home of the SwampDogs).

    “Registration is from 9-10 a.m.,” Alzheimer’s Association Special Events Manager Jennifer Briand said. “Several things will be going on during that time: our sponsors will have tables set up for walkers to visit; we will have a clown; a magician; a bounce house; princesses and super heroes; and a local radio station broadcasting from the event.”

    The Promise Garden Ceremony begins at 10 a.m., followed by the walk around the stadium. The walk is about a mile long. “It is not a race,” said Fayetteville Walk to End Alzheimer’s Planning Committee Chairperson and Regional Sponsor Julie Russo. “It is about coming together. We want everyone to be able to participate, so we keep it short. In the past, we have had people with Alzheimer’s walk with us and  caregivers and people in wheelchairs.” Russo added that it is free to participate and everyone is welcome.

    The Promise Garden Ceremony preceeding the walk is a vital, heartfelt part of the morning. It brings together all the participants who commit to fulfilling their promise to remember, to honor, to care — and to fight Alzheimer’s disease. Using colored flowers, the ceremony also symbolizes and honors the four ways people are touched by the disease and the many reasons people come together to participate in the event. Blue flowers represent someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Purple flowers are for someone who has lost a loved one to Alzheimer’s. Yellow represents someone who is currently caring for or supporting someone with Alzheimer’s. Orange is for everyone who supports the cause and vision of a world without Alzheimer’s.

    Virtual walkers are invited to participate as well. “You will still be given your own participant center to spread awareness and ask for donations; however, in the registration process you are letting people know you will not physically be there,” Briand said.

    She added that she loves the way this event brings families and companies together in the fight against Alzheimer’s. “It gives people the opportunity to make a difference and support each other through this devastating disease,” she said. “It lets people know they aren’t alone.”

    So often, people suffer in silence and face unnecessary isolation during an already stressful time. It doesn’t have to be that way. While there is nothing like the camaraderie of an annual gathering to share an experience or fight for a cause, the Alzheimer’s Association supports caregivers, families and patients all year long.

    “I wish people were aware of the plethora of resources the association provides to help people,” Braind said. For example, there is a 24/7 help line dedicated to answering simple questions about support groups and resources in communities across the United States. There are also licensed care consultants with master’s-level training able to provide care plans for families. The Alzheimer’s Association’s website, www.alz.org, provides a community resource finder, blogs, clinical trials and more. “In addition, I wish people knew that Alzheimer’s disease does not only affect older individuals, but symptoms may start in your 30s, 40s and 50s, and entire families are impacted,” Briand said.

    Briand noted that the association helps caregivers by providing free resources such as communication strategies and information on behaviors associated with Alzheimer’s. The association provides the 24/7 help line. The consultants at the help line also provide specifics to the local chapters for follow-up and face-to-face meetings. “We train volunteers to become support group facilitators and host support groups once a month across Eastern North Carolina,” she said. “Finally, we are partnering with Transitions Guiding Lights on the Caregivers Summit in Chapel Hill on Aug. 22.”

    Another way people can help is to support the Alzheimer’s Association by spreading awareness. Engage on social media during June, which is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. Sign up for Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, which is the association’s 501c-4 dedicated to advocacy. Ask your employer to host a lunch and learn to educate co-workers on the basics of Alzheimer’s disease.

    Visit act.alz.org or call (919) 803-8285, ext. 8344 to register for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Fayetteville, NC.

  • 10the parsonsStrolling through Downtown Fayetteville on any given day is an idyllic experience. Bricked sidewalks. The iconic clock tower. Numerous restaurants and venues. It’s a place that toes the impossible line between trendy and nostalgic. It knows its roots — but downtown can turn into the epicenter of cultural activity on a dime.

    4th Friday is a monthly celebration downtown that showcases different events and exhibits to the public. Somewhere between a block party and a walking adventure tour, 4th Friday aims to bring a little fun and history to your day. On this 4th Friday, Aug. 25, there are several events taking place:

    Your first pit stop is Cape Fear Studios, located at 148 Maxwell St. The gallery will continue its “Adornments” exhibition from 6 to 9 p.m. All things sparkly and beautiful by North Carolina jewelers Jennie Keatts, Annie Williams, Maggie Joynt and Amy Brandenburg will be on display.

    Cumberland County Headquarters Library at 300 Maiden Ln. presents The Parsons. This acoustic band has been together for almost 30 years. Complete with songs, stories and light refreshments, the event runs from 7 to 9 p.m.

    “Open Letters” is another exhibition happening on 4th Friday. Located at the Ellington-White Gallery, 113 Gillespie St., the show features paintings and drawings by Dwight Smith. Smith is a professor of visual arts at Fayetteville State University. The reception is from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday with an artist talk Saturday, Aug. 26, from 2 to 3 p.m.

    For some local history, head over to the Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum at 325 Franklin St. One of the museum’s exhibits celebrates the 150th Anniversary of FSU. According to the museum’s website, “(Initially) named the Howard School, it would fill a deep-rooted desire for AfricanAmericans to achieve an education, and it would become a model institution of learning for North Carolina during Reconstruction.”

    The transportation museum also features an educational exhibit, “Market House History,” as an addition to its permanent exhibit “A View from the Square.” Both exhibits will be open from 6 to 10 p.m. during 4th Friday.

    Another museum is hosting 4th Friday activities, although for a smaller and shorter audience. The Fascinate-U Children’s Museum at 116 Green St. will have a fun bookmark-making session. Free play at the museum’s various role-playing stations will also be open from 7 to 9 p.m.

    Lastly, the Arts Council plans to open its new exhibition “Fuel for the Fire” at the Arts Center on 4th Friday. A jury determined which artists’ work appears in the show. Those chosen have utilized wood and paper material in two-dimensional and sculptural forms.

    According to Leslie Pearson, a member of the Arts Council board of trustees and chair of the Exhibitions Committee, artists were selected based on how they were able to incorporate as well as transcend the raw materials’ functions.

    “Perhaps (the artist uses) the materials as commentary on ecology or other social concerns,” Pearson said. “Perhaps the artist chooses to push the material in a nonfunctional way that makes the viewer reconsider its purpose.”

    “Fuel for the Fire” opens Aug. 25 from 7 to 9 p.m.

    All 4th Friday exhibitions and events are free to the public. For more information, call (910) 222-3382.

     

  • 09Chief HawkinsGina Hawkins did not have the ambition of being a police chief. “I’ve been a worker bee as a police officer for nearly 29 years,” she said. She applied for the chief’s job in Fayetteville after being tipped off that the post was available by Durham Chief C.J. Davis, who’s only been on the job a few months.

    Hawkins and Davis know each other well. They served together for 18 years in the Atlanta Police Department. Hawkins, 49, most recently was Deputy Chief of the Clayton County, Georgia, P.D.

    During an interview, as she unpacked her uniform in her secondfloor corner office at police headquarters, Hawkins said she expects she’ll be in uniform 95 percent of the time. It will sport four stars.

    Hawkins admires the work former Chief Harold Medlock did to modernize the department and is excited to make her own contribution. “We have our own culture and history, and my job is to make the department even better,” she said.

    Hawkins said she will depend on her command staff to acquaint her with the Fayetteville community. She and Assistant Chief Anthony Kelly became acquainted in 2013 when both attended the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. She’s spoken at length with Kelly, who served as interim chief for eight months following Medlock’s retirement last year.

    Hawkins is well-aware, she said, of the Fayetteville Police Department’s stellar reputation. She regards recruiting and retaining African-American officers as a significant challenge. “I’ve got a few ideas,” she said. One of those ideas is for the department’s recruiters to develop relationships with local high schools. She wants to encourage seniors to consider a law enforcement career while they’re still in school.

    Hawkins also wants the department to do a better job of going after young soldiers who leave the service at Fort Bragg. “Every one of us should be recruiting day to day,” said the chief. “We can train the young people, but we need to be more aware of how we can ask them, ‘What are you doing?’ Join us and be a cop.”

    As for the local crime rate, Hawkins shared the concern that murders and aggravated assaults have been on the rise nationwide. “We don’t know why,” she added.

    As for prevention, the chief plans to adopt Medlock’s practice of dissecting assault case files to gain a better understanding of why they happen. She said the hope is to head off homicides that could grow out of aggravated assaults by talking with the families of victims and  perpetrators.

    Her oldest daughter, Italia, is 26 and just completed a four-year enlistment in the Navy and hopes to return to college. Sixteen-year-old Trinity is still in high school and decided to stay in Georgia for now.

     

    PHOTO: Police Chief Gina Hawkins

  • 08fire deptFayetteville’s city administration has tried and failed to improve employee diversity in the Police and Fire Departments for the last 20 years.

    Councilman Chalmers McDougald took Fire Chief Ben Major to task for lack of progress at a City Council meeting last week. McDougald’s demeanor was in contrast to a meeting a month ago when he said he deliberately bit his tongue after learning that City Manager Doug Hewett pledged to make some changes.

    McDougald publicly scolded the fire chief while, for the most part, Hewett stayed silent. At one point, Major glared at McDougald with both hands on his hips. “No one is more committed to hiring minorities than I am,” Major said. “Words are cheap,” McDougald replied. Both men are black. Fewer than a dozen of Fayetteville’s 300 firefighters are black. Of the City’s 433 police officers, only 80 of them, or 19 percent, are black, according to Assistant Police Chief Anthony Kelly.

    The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission turned down the City in its request for assistance. EEOC officials pointed out that the agency responds to bias complaints, but does not offer advice to avoid complaints. Consequently, Hewett sent out a formal request for qualifications to firms interested in consulting with the City on its efforts to improve police and fire employ- ee diversity.

    The most recent fire department hiring process received 693 applications. Four hundred and sixteen were from white males; 130 from black men. Only 70 of the blacks made appointments for testing, according to information provided by Chief Major. Of that number, 53 showed up to take the test. Twenty-seven of them passed and qualified for the physical exam. McDougald has been consistently critical of the hiring process and says more enlightened methods should be used to find and recruit minorities.

    Major told Council that he has been talking to fire departments across North Carolina and the nation only to find that minority recruiting is a universal problem among fire departments. Councilman Bill Crisp suggested that the City expand its fire academy at E.E. Smith High School. The fire service intern program was founded 12 years ago by retired Fire Chief Benny Nichols. But his dream of a fullfledged academy in conjunction with Fayetteville State University fizzled.

    Nichols’s dreams were big: Fire Station 14 was built on Langdon Street property owned by FSU. It was designed as a teaching facility and community center with classrooms and dormitories for a “real life” curriculum developed though a partnership between the City of Fayetteville and the schools. It houses two fire engines and personnel.

    A 2010 FSU student recruiting paper said that its award-winning online bachelor’s degree completion program in Fire Science would provide students an opportunity to build on their fire science training and earn associate degrees from FTCC and advance to a B.S. Degree in Fire Science at FSU. The statement concluded, “Both of these components of the Fire Science Degree program came from the imagination and persistence of Chief Nichols of the Fayetteville Fire Department.” Ultimately, though, there just wasn’t enough student interest.

    Currently, the curriculum is only available online, and the facilities at Fire Station 14 never were fully utilized. The space has since been converted into fire department  headquarters.

  • 07NewsDigestThe Cumberland County Veterans Court is seeking veterans to serve as mentors for individuals going through the program. Mentors are integral to the success of the program for veterans who are alleged to have committed misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies. “They tend to open up and relate to other veterans,” said Cumberland County Assistant District Attorney Baxter Worth Paschal III.

    Paschal said many of the veterans in the program have suffered from addiction. Program participants take part in counseling, drug testing and community service. Topics such as mental health, substance abuse, housing, employment, education and health care are discussed in community meetings. Veterans who complete the yearlong program may have criminal charges expunged from their records. The first veterans court was created in New York in 2008. Cumberland County’s program began in November 2014 under the tutelage of District Court Judge Lou Olivera. Information is available by phone from the district attorney’s office at (910) 475-3010. 

    PWC to the Rescue

    When the power went out on the Outer Banks this summer, it was no easy task getting the electricity back on. Power was lost July 27 when a contractor working on the Bonner Bridge accidentally severed the only transmission line providing electricity to Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands.

    The Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative and the Tideland Electric Membership Corp. serve about 9,000 customers in the Outer Banks. The co-ops had been working on two fronts: attempting to splice the severed below-ground transmission line while also building an overhead line to see which one could be completed first. “We abandoned the underground fix at this point,” said Laura Ertle, the co-ops’ representative. “Water continued to seep into the trench, making the environment unsuitable for repairs.”

    When they turned attention to the overhead transmission line, they needed 8,000 feet of electrical conductor. “A call went out to public power utilities with transmission lines, and PWC was able to provide the material they needed to build the line,” said Fayetteville Public Works Commission Spokeswoman Carolyn Justice Hinson. The utility contractor building the transmission line picked the cable up in Fayetteville and worked around the clock to get the power restored Aug. 3. “PWC is proud that we could help our neighbors,” Hinson added.

    Cumberland County Bureaucracy Continues to Grow

    Cumberland County government’s senior management team now consists of five executives. County Manager Amy Cannon hired Duane Holder as her fourth assistant manager. He’ll be in charge of community support services. Holder has been the Deputy County Manager and chief financial officer for Pitt County since 2012. His first day here is Sept. 11.

    Holder earned a Master of Public Administration degree from East Carolina University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from Mount Olive College.

    “Duane Holder brings vast experience in county administration, finance and human services, especially the area of mental health, and we are delighted that he will be joining the Cumberland County leadership team,” Cannon said.

    Several weeks ago, Cannon promoted county information officer Sally Shutt to assistant manager for strategic management and governmental affairs. The other assistant managers are Melissa Cardinali and Tracey Jackson.

    Hay Street Sidewalk Finally Opened

    A couple years ago, the City of Fayetteville closed the Hay Street sidewalk in front of the former Prince Charles Hotel. The building was and is in disrepair, and chunks of the facade of the eight-story building were falling to the street. Rather than fixing the problem, the City simply closed the sidewalk, forcing pedestrians into  the street.

    Now that efforts are underway by the Durhambased PCH Holdings to renovate the old hotel, the firm decided the first thing it should do is reopen the sidewalk. Project Manager Jordan Jones confirmed that the company fenced off the walkway to protect pedestrians from construction as it gets underway. The firm created a two-sided fenced-in sidewalk with a cover. It will remain in place until building renovations are completed.

    Cumberland Alerts Activated

    The Cumberland County Emergency Services Department has launched “Cumberland Alerts,” a countywide emergency notification system. Residents are urged to sign up for the alert system. Businesses, organizations and institutions are also encouraged to subscribe.

    Visit www.co.cumberland.nc.us/alerts to create an account. Users can then select the communication methods they prefer, such as email, text or phone call and enter their addresses. Several addresses may be entered. The information provided is protected and will not be used for any other purpose.

    Cumberland Alerts replaces the existing emergency notification system. “Signing up for Cumberland Alerts is the first step in preparing for emergency situations... so (residents) can be in the know when an emergency happens,” said Emergency Services Director Randy Beeman.

    The new system can deliver more than 2.1 million messages per hour, or 35,000 per minute, which allows Emergency Services to ensure communication with residents when it’s most important.

  • 06CynthiaDomestic Violence Awareness month is October, but the sea of purple could almost make you forget it was only the end of July. On Sunday afternoon Fleet Feet Runner’s Spot hosted a 5K fun run/walk to promote Domestic Violence Awareness. I don’t know how many in all came out, but we had a 100 event T-shirts, and we ran out well before the end of the line checked-in. Sorry to the runners that didn’t get a shirt, but I know that wasn’t your motivation for coming anyway.

    The Jordan Soccer Complex was the starting point for the runners, and the route was along the beautiful Cape Fear River Trail. I was amazed at the variety of people that showed up to participate. There were as many men as there were women. There were hard-core runners, others out for a brisk walk, young people, seniors and families. One young mom with a double baby-stroller came all the way from Wilmington. She mentioned the kids would sleep the two-hour ride home. I wondered how she’d be once they arrived. The kids would be refreshed and ready to make the most of the evening before bedtime, but her — probably not so much.

    I also wondered what caused all of these people from different walks of life and stages of life to be there. Were there victims in the crowd? Probably so considering, statistically, in the U.S. a woman is beaten every nine seconds. As I had that sobering thought, in that instant, my heart hurt for the victims I was likely surrounded by, and then just as quickly my heart leapt realizing I was also likely surrounded by survivors, their supporters and advocates.

    Aside from my speculation as to why some were present, there were others there with a clear purpose and message. The Fayetteville chapter of NOW, the National Organization for Women, set up a table and shared information. NOW combines the power of grass-roots activism with national lobbying and not by coincidence one of their official priorities is ending violence against women.  The Care Center Family Violence Program was also represented.

    The Care Center is a service of Cumberland County DSS Adult Services Division. The Care Center works to eliminate domestic violence by providing services to women, men and children involved in these situations. These services include a safe house, providing legal information, counseling and education to name a few. In case someone reading this needs to know, their Crisis line is (910) 6772532 and is available 24 hours a day.

    I was there for both personal and professional reasons. Personally, I think every woman should be aware and prepared to help a sister or her family when in crisis. Professionally, I was there to talk about the role of the Clerk of Court in assisting victims of domestic violence. The Clerk’s office is the portal for domestic violence victims to access the court to obtain a protective order. I’m running for Clerk of Court in 2018 and if elected, improving services provided by the Clerk’s Domestic Violence office will be a priority. Let me be clear, I’m not talking about the staff; they are wonderful. I’m talking about the process. We can and should employ technology to allow victims to apply for protective orders from a safe remote location rather than going to the courthouse where their victimizer may very well be waiting. We can all image the worst-case scenario, but more often subtle acts of intimidation occur during the walk from the parking lot to the courthouse doors, discouraging victims from seeking the help they desperately need. Through technology, victims can meet with a judge from a safe place away from the courthouse. Additionally, protective orders should be electronically transmitted to law enforcement for service on the perpetrator, a much safer and faster process than victims walking a piece of paper across an open courtyard.

    The 5K run/walk was a fun event for a serious matter. Thanks again to the organizers. Thanks also to all that came out, to all that help victims find a safe place, and those that work to stop domestic violence.

  • 05QuancidineMy name is Quancidine Hinson-Gribble and this is why I am running for Mayor for the City of Fayetteville, North Carolina.

    After many situations during Hurricane Matthew, I realized that something had gone terribly wrong in the leadership for the City of Fayetteville. Simply put, our citizens deserve more. I am going to lead by example and that is putting the power back into the hands of the people who have elected me. Starting with Transparency.

    We need more than talk, we need action. I have never stopped helping people and creating the means to help people, starting with “Operation Skyfall,” where people with felonies can get a pardon from the Governor of North Carolina so they can vote. The time is now as there are deadlines for registering to vote after you get pardoned.

    I am also concerned about the many business opportunities that are coming to the City of Fayetteville,  that being “sub-contracted” out before people even know the opportunity exists. We have to be prepared for the opportunities with that being said we have to certified and licensed to be able to take advantage of these opportunities. One way that the citizens of Fayetteville, N.C. cane move forward under my watch is by constantly letting them know about Fayetteville, N.C. has to offer starting right here by getting a trade at FTCC. These three trades are what we need right now, carpenters, electricians and plumbers. These gaps can be closed up, and it is up to our leadership to let the citizens of Fayetteville, N.C. know about it.

    Many of our veterans are homeless because of lack of resources. This is an issue that can easy be solved. Eradicating homelessness overall is going to take our community. There is an African Proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.” We have a wealth of knowledge, programs and opportunities that have not been explored yet. 

    We have to ask ourselves the question are we all going in the same direction as far as prosperity is concerned or is it reserved for only a few? By me running for mayor will at least open your eyes to the possibilities. You have to empower yourself and by doing that we are empowering the City of Fayetteville, N.C.

    This is the rundown folks, we need employment opportunities, we need people with certifications and licenses for business opportunities, we need to reduce crime through education for our youth, we need to support our own businesses by having the bids made available to all people. If there is something that we need to do in the City of Fayetteville, N.C., then I am willing to listen. My door will always be open.

  • 04CarlotonSallieWho’s the role model? Those of you who know, or have gotten to know me, understand that I have a strong belief in being a leading example for not only my family, but also for the community, and my workplace. I moved to North Carolina 24 years ago after I joined the U.S. Army to serve my time in The All-American city. Although you can’t tell by looking at me, I came from an era of tough times. I know what it’s like to go without when it comes to basic needs. Growing up on the tough streets of Dayton, Ohio, I learned to fend for myself and others. There’s more to me than being the sheriff candidate.

    Just walking to school, I’d see drug dealers, prostitution, gangs. I’d see the hustlers and bustlers. My sister said she knew that if a fight broke out, I was either in it or watching it in the alley.

    My mom died when I was 17, and I had no father except for my grandpa. My grandparents took me in and raised me in a Christian environment, which prevented me from getting lost in the system. They taught me that material things don’t make a person. They provided a strong family structure that helped me to become empathetic toward others and their situations. For example — single moms. I have a special place in my heart toward single moms.

    I watched my mom everyday do what she had to do without my father until she died. We depended on food stamps until I was in middle school, and I know how to respect the value of a dollar. My difficult past helped me to become the man I am today.

    Children tug on my heart strings, also. As a kid being bussed from one side of town to the other
    for school, I learned about diversity. We never had school in the same building every year like you do. One year I’d go to a school and the next year I’d go to another. Those kids, each coming from different backgrounds, soon learned that I was the “defender against the bullies.” Hence, the root of why I entered law enforcement.

    I always wanted to be that shield. I saw friends in high school get shot or become addicted. Ya see, gangs start when there’s no family structure. Who’s the role model? A child yearning for a father figure or guidance seeks that family structure in another area, and most of the time it’s through gangs. Gangs are a family of their own. They look after each other. And when you have the drug dealer coming in a nice car with money and jewelry, it’s enticing to that kid who’s struggling. That’s the role model those kids notice. Poverty and crime are a bad mix, and they always go hand in hand.

    I want those kids to notice a different, positive role model. I believe there’s a humble heart in everyone, but you just have to find it. As a leader, I’ve always gone by the three L’s—listen, lead and learn. I put that into work and home. My wife of 17 years and three children (two boys and one girl) make my world a better place and help me to better understand how blessed I am. I sincerely give credit to my wife as being my biggest supporter and my best friend. God really brought her into my life.

    I worked hard to become who I am today. After my military stint, I decided to stay in North Carolina and currently reside in Cumberland County. With over 3,500 hours in military, law enforcement and overseas police training, I am a versatile leader who understands every situation is different. So, who’s the role model? I plan to be that role model.

     

    PHOTO: Carlton Sallie

  • Rayconda residents have to pay to fix their dam, and many of them are not happy about it. That’s because across town, the City is paying $1.9 million to fix  another dam.

    Both dams breached, along with several others in Fayetteville, when last October Hurricane Matthew hurled 18 inches of rain onto Fayetteville in a short time span.

    The dam in question is under a portion of Siple Avenue, which takes you into the heart of Rayconda. It became a public road when the City annexed the neighborhood in 2004. It was — until recently — the only way in and out of the subdivision. When the dam breached, the road became too dangerous for vehicles to cross. For a while, people living on the far side of the dam had to walk in and out of their neighborhood.

    Jump ahead nine months and we’re back in the midst of hurricane season. The City in July held a series of meetings with people who live around breached dams. Among them: VanStory Hills, Arran Lake, Devonwood, and Rayconda neighborhoods.

    VanStory Hills’s Mirror Lake Drive washed out during the storm. And the dam over which Mirror Lake Drive runs also breached. But a decision by the City back in 2002 to maintain the dam is the difference between the City paying full amount for repair and the City fronting the money  for repair.

    Here’s how it works. The Federal Emergency Management Administration is the federal paymaster for local disaster recovery projects. It decides what and who is eligible for their money.

    In the case of breached dams, FEMA only reimburses the City for City-maintained dams. And there have to be maintenance records as proof. The City rescued Mirror Lake Dam in 2002 when the state threatened to breach the structure. Apparently it did not measure up to state dam  standards.

    City maintenance puts it in a different category … a category that lets the City pay $1.9 million to repair and improve the dam under Mirror Lake Drive.

    It doesn’t matter that both dams have a public road over it. In fact, the Rayconda dam has water and sewer lines going through the dam. The City and FEMA still considered it privately-owned. Out of 55 dams in Fayetteville, the City maintains six, the Fayetteville Public Works Commission maintains four, and the remaining 45 dams are considered private property.

    And there’s no public money to fix private dams, City Manager Doug Hewett told Rayconda and Arran Lakes residents attending the meetings. That’s according to City Council policy and state law.

    But City Council did come up with a way to pay for dam repairs. It’s the special assessment. The City pays for upfront costs of repairing the dam and then charges lake area property owners a monthly fee. Taxpayers can pay back the upfront money over a 10-year period at maybe an 8 percent interest rate.

    They figure out who pays by figuring out who benefits from having a lake. Just because you live near a lake doesn’t necessarily mean you have a propertyenhancing view or that water from your property drains into the lake.

    And the dam the City rebuilds won’t create what Hewett referred to as an amenity lake. Instead, it will be a functional stormwater holding facility (their words) where the City can raise or lower the water level depending on the weather.

    Rayconda’s and Arran Lake’s homeowner’s associations have until the end of August to let the City know if their neighborhoods are interested in the deal.

    After that, the City decides who benefits from having a lake in their neighborhood. Those who benefit fill out another petition. To participate in the special assessment requires a super majority or 60 percent of the benefitting property owners agreeing to the deal.

    It will keep the property values up of those homes now adjoining a drained lake, but who is going to buy a house with a 10-year, 8 percent lien on the property?

    Rev. Richard Wagner, a Rayconda resident, noted, “Before annexation, Rayconda had a deal with the state and county to repair the dam. When the City annexed us, that all went away, and we’ve been struggling for years to get it fixed.”

    In the meantime, until the dam is fixed, the neighborhood will have a swamp.

  • 03SouthernMy first clue that Southern funeral customs differ from those elsewhere came years ago when someone near and dear — I no longer remember who — left us. Family and friends gathered. Casseroles, cakes, fried chicken and deviled eggs, all on dishes with the owners’s names written in Sharpie ink and taped to the bottom, arrived by the dozen, and everyone went for his or her adult beverage of choice.

    Fred, the then-new hubby of a close cousin and a native Belgian, was scandalized. Why, he wailed, were we all camped out at the home of the deceased and chatting with his family? “These people need their privacy to grieve!” he cried.

    Fred’s opinion notwithstanding, Tar Heels born and bred and Southerners from elsewhere say farewell to our loved ones and the ones we did not love at all just like Frank Sinatra — we do it our way. We can have as many weddings as we want, but we all get only one funeral and associated gatherings, and some of them are truly memorable.

    Let’s continue with food, which begins arriving the moment word gets out about a family’s loss. So important is this custom that I have friends who keep casseroles frozen for this very purpose. My personal favorite in this area is a turkey breast, which can be yanked from the freezer in short order and roasted without many other ingredients. Thawing takes time, though, so I am rarely the first person at the door.

    The bible of funeral food is the hilarious “Being Dead is No Excuse: The Official Southern Ladies Guide to Hosting the Perfect Funeral.” This is a laughout-loud account by Gayden Metcalfe of our funeral customs complete with analysis of who brings the best funeral food — Baptists, Methodists or Episcopalians. It offers recipes for funeral staples, including tomato aspic, coconut cake and pickled shrimp. The best friends of the lady of the house run the funeral kitchen, keep lists of who brought what on which dish and make sure “the family” is sated not only during their immediate bereavement but for  weeks afterward.

    Once it is clear that no one, not counting the deceased, is going to starve, it’s time to plan the funeral. Religious traditions vary, but there are a few general rules. In direct contrast to Fred’s call for privacy, in the South it is generally OK to attend funerals of people you might have known only slightly. After all, families appreciate a good crowd and consider it a mark of the dearly departed’s standing in the community. Southern decorum seems to demand a euphemism — passed away — for what has occurred, although I prefer the factual “died.”

    Thoughtful Southerners plan our own funerals, sparing our loved ones the ordeal of figuring out what we would have liked. This includes who might speak, scriptures to be read, hymns to be sung, what flowers in what vases, who sits where, limousines or not and other matters deemed critical to a proper send-off. I have even heard of one woman who froze casseroles for her own funeral, apparently believing that no one could make them better than she could.

    When it’s time for the service, other motorists will pull off the road in deference to the deceased and the grieving family as the funeral cavalcade passes, a custom people from elsewhere consider a traffic hazard. Sometimes friends and family members share memories during the service, but this custom makes me nervous because sometimes they share too much — the good, the bad and the truly ugly. In my view, such memories are best talked about at home with a beverage and a plate of fried chicken. A great deal of talking also risks cringe-worthy comments like “Pearl was a real pearl,” which I heard at a Charlotte funeral years ago and which convinced me that less is more when it comes to speaking publicly about  the deceased.

    Then there are the flowers. Some families like them big and bold, some more restrained, but whatever they are, they should be real, not artificial and certainly not plastic. Also on my no-no list are “theme” funerals, which I learned about from Southern Living magazine. It seems that some families have taken to memorializing the departed by highlighting his or her favorite pastime — camouflage caskets for hunters, fishermen buried in their boats, sports fans memorialized by team colors. Yikes!

    Over the nearly half-century of his marriage, Fred has come around to the Southern way of saying goodbye, a sort of “bon voyage for a life well-lived” — or not. I think he agrees that funerals bring out the best in Southerners, our reverence for family and friends and a deeply felt caring for the needs of others. The time for grieving in private will come to all of us, but in the immediate aftermath of a death there is nothing like the distraction of the loving comfort of those who know us well. Coming next week: Southern Obituaries Greatest Hits.

  • 02PubPenOh, America. What are we doing? The news coming out of Charlottesville, Virginia, this weekend was heartbreaking. One dead and 19 injured. Fistfights. Screaming matches. Hatred. Violence. Why?

    This past May, the Charlottesville City Council voted to sell a statue of Robert E. Lee. A judge issued an injunction preventing the city from moving it for six months. In another vote, the city also chose to rename Lee and Jackson parks.

    People showed up to protest while others showed up to protest the protests. It was not a peaceable assembly. Not even close. Lesson learned: Trying to adapt American history to align with 21st-century political correctness will always be an irresponsible and explosive undertaking with catastrophic consequences.

    There is no outrunning our past, and with all the critical issues facing our nation, this is what we keep coming back to? Apparently, moving forward is not something we’ve figured out, either. There is so much work to do, so many issues to be resolved and so many ways we could come together as a nation to move our country forward in a positive way. In an American way.

    According to pewresearch.org, the most recent (2015) Program for International Student Assessment, one of the largest cross-national tests, placed the U.S. at 38th out of 71 countries in math and 24th in science. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development placed us 30th in math and 19th in science.

    America used to lead the world academically. In a competitive worldwide job market, this does not bode well for the future of our youth as they enter the workforce.

    At the end of fiscal year 2017, our nation’s debt is estimated to be $20.4 trillion. That is the how much the U.S. will owe its creditors on Sept. 30. This number doesn’t include state or local debt. Individually, we aren’t much better. Check out these statistics based on data from the U.S. Census bureau and the Federal Reserve:

    • Average American household debt: $5,700. Average for balance-carrying households: $16,048.

    • Total outstanding U.S. consumer  debt: $3.4 trillion. Total revolving debt:  $929 billion.

    • More than 38 percent of all households carry some sort of credit card debt.

    • Households with the lowest net worth (zero or negative) hold an average of $10,308 in credit card debt.

    • The Northeast and west coast hold the highest average credit card debt — both averaging over $8,000.

    Add to these statistics the fact that Americans owe more than $1.4 trillion in student loan debt (across 44 million borrowers), and our financial outlook is grim.

    Then there is health care. Why, as one of the richest and most technologically advanced countries in the world, are we still trying to figure out how to provide high-quality, affordable health care to all our citizens? Add to this list food deserts (areas where it is difficult to buy affordable, fresh, healthy food), which the USDA says “have become a big problem because while food deserts are often short on whole food providers, especially fresh fruits and vegetables, instead, they are heavy on local quickie marts that provide a wealth of processed, sugar- and fat-laden foods that are known contributors to our nation’s obesity epidemic.”

    Add America’s opioid epidemic and the affected families. Add the immigration crisis we face. And all this is within  our borders.

    Put all these things together and the sheer total number of our country’s  misplaced priorities will have your  head spinning.

    Our leaders in Washington aren’t helping. Case in point: Mitch McConnell, the U.S. Senate Majority Leader from Kentucky. Recently, McConnell and President Donald Trump clashed over critical remarks McConnel made at a local Rotary Club concerning the ill-fated health care bill. McConnell said the president had “excessive expectations” on how things are accomplished in Washington, D.C.

    In other words, career politicians like McConnell, who has been in Congress since 1984, have lost all sense of urgency, priority and loyalty to the president, their party and the American people. All they care about is looking out for themselves, and McConnell is typical of the self-serving bureaucrats that make up Congress on both sides of the aisle.

    Until the American people say, “enough is enough,” we can only expect more of the same. You don’t have to be of any specific political persuasion to want America to be great again. It is great. We need to keep it that way.

    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

  • 17Battle of the Bell bracketTerry Sanford’s Karl Molnar said soccer coaches always worry this time of year how ready their teams are for the season.

    Molnar is giving some of the better ones even more reason to worry as he’s put together the first Battle for the Bell soccer tournament at Terry Sanford Aug. 15-19.

    The three-day tournament will feature some of the top programs in Cumberland County and the Cape Fear region and possibly provide a rare encounter between Terry Sanford and Fayetteville Academy.

    “Thanks to this tournament, everybody’s first game is sooner than it would have been, and it gets competitive real quick’’ Molnar said. “There are some top-level teams in this  tournament.’’

    The field includes county powerhouses Terry Sanford and Pine Forest, along with the Academy. Traditionally strong region entries are Southern Lee, Pinecrest and Lee County.

    Molnar rates Lee County, with a number of veterans back, the  early favorite.

    Regardless of who’s favored and who isn’t, Pine Forest coach Isaac Rancour said the tournament is great for soccer and a great chance to play some teams that his Trojans don’t usually see.

    The tournament will also benefit Miller’s Crew, a charity named after Molnar’s son and established by him and his wife Kim. Its purpose is to raise money to provide vocational training, materials and equipment to help disabled people learn job schools and eventually become employed.

    There is a donations page at gofundme.com called Miller’s Crew Classroom Crash for those who would like to contribute.

    “We’re working together to achieve a goal, not only for soccer but to help out the community,’’ Rancour said. “I think that’s a great concept it’s all planned around.’’

    Fayetteville Academy coach Andrew McCarthy agreed with Rancour and said the Eagles are honored to be part of the event.

    “I hope the community comes out to watch some great games,’’ McCarthy said. “The tournament most importantly helps a great charity.’’ Molnar said tickets to each day’s play at the tournament will be $7.

  • 16Vernon Aldridge Cumberland County Schools student activities directorThe expanded version of the Cumberland County Football Jamboree begins a two-day run Wednesday and continues Thursday with Cape Fear and South View High Schools hosting the event.

    Vernon Aldridge, student activities director of Cumberland County Schools, has been working overtime the past few months, expanding the field for the jamboree and contacting sponsors to seek financial support and donations of various services to make the jamboree a bigger event for the fans and  competing teams.

    “I’ve been really happy with the way the business community has supported the jamboree,’’ he said. “Next year, I’d like to amp it up a little more and get to a point where we’re giving a $500 scholarship to each participating school.’’

    This year’s jamboree will include all 10 Cumberland County Schools as usual, joined by an assortment of Cape Fear region teams including East Columbus, Overhills, Triton, Union Pines, Hoke County and Lee County.

    Eight teams from outside the region, headed by traditional 4-A power Richmond Senior coached by former Terry Sanford and Cape Fear head coach Bryan Till, will also be taking part.

    Tickets are $8 each night and can be purchased in advance at  ncprepsports.net. Aldridge said fans who buy tickets prior to the jamboree can enter through the pass gate at each location and won’t have to wait in line to buy a ticket.

    A total of 18 businesses have either provided money or services to the jamboree this year, Aldridge said. One addition was a small meal for each player and coach consisting of a hot dog, chips and bottled water for them to have following their scrimmage.

    Aside from the larger field of teams and two days of play, the biggest change for the jamboree is a return to local high school fields after a few years at Fayetteville State.

    Fayetteville State did a good job hosting the event, Aldridge said, but the principals, athletic directors and coaches voted unanimously to return the jamboree to a high school campus in order to keep more of the gate receipts with the schools.

    “All of the money will be used to offset athletic expenses at the middle and high schools,’’ Aldridge said of the jamboree ticket sales. “We use this money to help offset large purchases and send our coaches to the clinic in the summer and to provide training courses for coaches and  athletic directors.’’ 

    Cumberland County Football Jamboree 2017 Schedule

    Tickets: $8 both days. 

    • WEDNESDAY at Cape Fear

    6:30 p.m. – East Columbus vs. Farmville Central; Pfafftown Reagan vs. Overhills

    7:30 p.m. – Triton vs. E.E. Smith; Union Pines vs. Douglas Byrd

    8:30 p.m. – Richmond Senior vs. Cape Fear; West Johnston vs. Terry Sanford

    • THURSDAY at South View

    6:30 p.m. – Hoke County vs. Gray’s Creek; East Montgomery vs. Westover

    7:30 p.m. – Northern Nash vs. Pine Forest; Eastern Wayne vs. Jack Britt

    8:30 p.m. – Lee County vs. South View; Southeast Raleigh vs. Seventy-First

     

    PHOTO: Vernon Aldridge, Cumberland County Schools Student activities director.

  •  

     15Lavonte Carter Pine Forest2016 record: 7-5   |    Coach: Bill Sochovka

    Top returners: Malik Daniels, 5-10, 290, Jr., DT; Tyrquie Williams, 5-11, 210, Jr., LB; Luis Rivera, 5-11, 225, Jr., DL; T.J. McKinnon, 6-2, 185, Sr., LB/DE; Dominic Roberto, 5-11, 210, Jr., LB; Lavonte Carter, 5-10, 180, Sr., WR/QB/RB; Jikeese Hernandez, 5-10, 280, Sr., OT; Fred Potts, 5-10, 250, Sr., OL; Rowdell Robinson, 5-11, 170, Sr., WR; Deon Buchanan, 5-11, 240, Jr., OL.

    Top newcomers: Jordan Ferguson, 5-10, 165, Sr., DB; Isaiah Potts, 6-2, 250, Fr., DL; Ethan Ward, 5-9, 170, So., RB; Jamal Hill, 6-2, 250, So, DL.

    Team strengths: Skill positions on the offensive side as well as returning offensive line. On defense, it’s the defensive line.

    Team concerns: Inexperience in the secondary. Replacing two linebackers. Filling the quarterback spot as veteran Julian Hill recovers from a  knee injury.

    Coach’s comment: The key to our success will be relying on talent in our returning offensive players and the quick maturity of our secondary (players).

     

    PHOTO: Top Returner Lavonte Carter

     

     

  • 14Christian Jayne Terry SanfordTop returners: Christian Jayne, 6-3, 190, Sr., QB; Andrew Jayne, 6-4, 196, Sr., WR/FS; Leonard Mosley, 5-9, 170, Jr., RB; Giovan Pomales Escalara, 6-5, 334, Sr., OL; Dean Pantelakos, 5-10, 170, Sr., HB; Devon Mitchell, 5-11, 163, Sr., DB; Dante Bowlding, 5-11, 178, Jr., DB; Gavin Chavis, 6-1, 226, Sr., DE; Lance Santos, 5-6, 214, Sr., DL; Jackson Deaver, 5-10, 172,  So., LB.

    Top newcomers: Jacob Knight, 5-11, 160, So., QB/DB; Jamir Moore, 6-0, 172, Jr., WR; Rico Hopson, 5-10, 154, Jr., WR; Ezemdi Udoh, 6-5, 220, So., DE; Elijah Morris, 6-0, 181, DE.

    Team strengths: Quarterback-receiver combination and speed in the passing game. Strong senior leadership. Healthy competition within the team. Close-knit group on and off the field. Excellent coaching staff with many years of experience in successful programs. Staff is tight on and off field. Team has playoff experience. Recent alumni like Mark Gilbert, Isaiah Stallings, Paris Black and Jonathan Blackmon have set the standard and showed these young men how to practice and be a leader and accept responsibility.

    Team concerns: Depth. Staying healthy will be a major key, as we have to replace eight starters on offense and seven starters on defense. We are thin in young reserves and size on the defensive line.

    Coach’s comment: We are excited to start play(ing) in a new conference (Patriot Athletic) and look forward to the rivalries of old being renewed. The 2017 Terry Sanford Bulldog football team looks forward to a challenging schedule with six new opponents.

     

     

    PHOTO: Top Returner Christian Jayne

  • 13FTCCIt’s the time of year when we all want to go to the beach and just take it easy. It’s also the time of year for many to prepare to start college.

    Fayetteville Technical Community College is open for Fall 2017 registration right now, and the sooner you get started, the sooner you can get to the beach. Do the free FTCC application and the free financial aid application now, and when fall classes begin on Aug. 21, everything will be ready. It is smart to do everything as early as possible to get the best choices for classes. Earlier is better for financial aid, too. Sometimes it takes a while to process financial aid, so getting started now ensures that aid will be in place.

    Go to www.faytechcc.edu and click on the “Get Started” link on the front page. The link goes directly to the free College Foundation of North Carolina  application used by FTCC. Once the application is complete, an email is immediately sent to the email address used in the application. We also send a hard-copy letter to the physical address the student records on the CFNC application.

    The email outlines the steps for admissions and provides links to forms to request a transcript from high school or other colleges, links to financial aid and the assessment and placement office. There is also a link to connect with an admissions counselor. The email also contains links to Veteran’s Services and military websites, a health programs admissions counselor and counselors at the Spring Lake Campus and Fort Bragg Training and Education Center. 

    The letter we mail provides logon and password setup information for student email and WebAdvisor accounts. All applicants receive a student email account and a WebAdvisor account even before they are registered for classes. This is important because FTCC is going green, and after sending the first letter through the postal system to a home address, we primarily communicate with students via student email. 

    Additionally, WebAdvisor is an excellent tool for applicants and students. With WebAdvisor, applicants and students can manage financial aid, register for classes, contact an advisor, view their grades, request transcripts and set up an interest-free payment plan (for students who are paying out of pocket).

    Once the FTCC application is complete, students should visit www.FAFSA.gov. Please note that services provided through FAFSA.gov are provided free of charge. Any website that charges fees for services related to financial aid assistance for education is not the right website. Apply for the academic year 2017/2018. Be prepared with tax documents.  Most students who live at home will use their parents’ income information, but extenuating circumstances may change that. Please visit the Tony Rand Student Center Room 2 at the Fayetteville campus for help.

    Even in this high-tech world, it is still important to receive face-to-face assistance, and FTCC is proud to offer the personal touch. FTCC provides assistance with everything, including the application, financial aid, assessment preparation, transcript evaluation and registration. 

    Visit the Tony Rand Student Center information desk to begin the admissions and financial aid process today.

  • 01CoverFayetteville Roots

    On July 24, 23-year-old Victoria Huggins won the 80th annual Miss North Carolina pageant. It was her fifth time competing for the crown and her last year of eligibility. She had come close before; in 2015 she was second runner-up, and in 2016 she was third runner-up.

    Huggins grew up in St. Pauls, North Carolina, a small town about 30 minutes from Fayetteville. Her dad, who plans to retire this December after 41 years of service, worked as a full-time National Guard service member on Fort Bragg. “Fayetteville was always the place we gathered,” Huggins said. “Whether it was to meet Dad when he got off of work to grab a bite to eat or whether we were doing things at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum, it was always kind of our center.”

    Huggins won Miss Fayetteville in 2013. “I took a lot of pride in that because that was the only preliminary in our Miss North Carolina organization that included my hometown,” she said. Huggins said representing Fayetteville was a “dream come true” and the “perfect boot camp” in preparing her for Miss North Carolina and — now — the Miss America competition in September.

    One of the first competitions Huggins remembers entering was the Fayetteville Kiwanis Club Talent Night as a 5 or 6-year-old girl. She wore a blue pantsuit and sang “I Got Saved in the Old Time Way.” She won. Around that same time, she sang on the Crown Coliseum stage. Family friend Pastor Wesley Pritchard of Fayetteville Community Church knew it was her dream to perform with gospel singer Bill Gaither. Pritchard introduced young Huggins to Gaither before a show at the Crown. During the show, Gaither called her up onstage to sing. “He said, ‘Where is Victoria Huggins?’ I went running up the aisle,” Huggins said.

    Huggins’s transition to a serious focus on pageants, she said, happened when she was ready to start college at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. “I wanted to graduate college debt-free, so that was going to be through scholarships,” she said. “And the Miss America organization is actually the number one provider of scholarships for young women in the world.”

    Huggins gave a few examples: For winning Miss Fayetteville in 2013, she received a $1,000 college scholarship. She was guaranteed an additional scholarship for competing in Miss North Carolina, and since she won this year, she earned a $25,000 scholarship. She also earned an extra $2,500 in scholarships for smaller awards, such as the Quality of Life and preliminary talent awards within that competition.

    Though college funding was her initial motivation, Huggins said that once she got started in pageants, she realized they were complementary to everything she already enjoyed. “I thought to myself, I already love to speak to people, I love community service — I was already active in that before I started pageants — and I love singing,’” Huggins said. “Now the only part I needed to work on was how to walk in an evening gown and a swimsuit without falling flat on my face.”

    She did learn, even while working and going through school — she graduated from UNC-Pembroke in 2015 — and it earned her the crown. She said she felt the major factor in her win this year was a shift in her mentality. “I didn’t focus so much on this being my last year for eligibility,” she said. “I just kind of let it go. … Before, I was so focused on strategy … and this year, I didn’t worry about that. I think that helped me to have more fun and be so relaxed, … and I think that’s what made the difference for me.” 

    Big Dreams

    Though winning Miss North Carolina was the fulfillment of one of her biggest dreams, it wasn’t just the crown that Huggins desired. She wanted the platform to do work in the areas she’s passionate about. As Miss North Carolina, Huggins will take the year off from her job as a producer and morning reporter for television station WECT and from her graduate coursework at John  Hopkins University.

    One of her primary advocacy projects this year will be The ALZ Project. This is a project she’s been building, and she won the Quality of Life Award for her Alzheimer’s-focused community service platform in this year’s preliminaries. She said she’s been invested in Alzheimer’s awareness and research since 2008, when she first volunteered for the Fayetteville Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

    Through The ALZ Project, Huggins advocates for music therapy for Alzheimer’s patients. She’d like to see every care facility in North Carolina incorporate music therapy. Huggins said this could include amenities like a music library with iPods for nurses to program for patients or a pianist who would play at a care facility for an hour every day.

    Huggins won the talent award for her performance of “Unchained Melody” in the pageant. Her song choice was influenced by her experience in care facilities. “One thing I’ve found... is if you sing a familiar song like ‘Unchained Melody,’ … Alzheimer’s patients more than likely will sing along with you,” she said. “That can bridge the gap between the disease and the memories.... They’re able to remember.”

    She’s making plans to meet with Governor Cooper in the next few weeks and has already spoken with several local dignitaries about her ideas. She said being Miss North Carolina will open many more doors for her in this area, “and that’s what I’ve always wanted, is to have that platform.

    “Nothing would thrill me more than to win Miss America, because I would be the first Miss America to advocate for Alzheimer’s in the 93-year history of the organization,” Huggins said. “And,... we have four scientists in North Carolina who have (treatment research) proposals on the table ready to go, they just need the funding and the approval.” She’ll visit the Alzheimer’s Center at Duke University next week to speak with one of those four scientisits, Dr. Kathleen Anne Welsh-Bohmer. She’ll see a presentation of the clinical trial that researchers there are hoping will be approved by the FDA. “It would be amazing if we could collaborate and together find a cure or treatment for Alzheimer’s,” Huggins said. 

    Huggins will also work with North Carolina’s three Children’s Miracle Network hospitals this year. In two weeks, Huggins will meet the current Miss America, Savvy Shields, and bring her to Duke Children’s Hospital as well as Fort Bragg. “I’m so excited to show her a little piece of me but also the best in the nation,” Huggins said.

    As she prepares for the Miss America competition that’s only a month away, Huggins said anyone would be crazy to not feel at least a little nervous.

    “But the way I see it, I’m at home when I’m on a stage,” she said. “I hope I can show the judges in September that I am the best woman for the job. … I see it as my greatest performance; my greatest opportunity.” She added that she believes North Carolina is “ready to have a positive national spotlight shone on it. We haven’t had a Miss America since 1962, and it’s time.”

     

  • 12OpCeaseOn Aug. 25, Operation Ceasefire is set to host a free movie night. Operation Ceasefire is a program with a clear and central goal: to reduce violent crime in Fayetteville and Cumberland County by reducing gun and gang violence. 

    While this issue is immediately and viscerally important, it is also complicated. Operation Ceasefire employs a three-tiered strategy focused on intervention, suppression and prevention. Each tier focuses on a different aspect of the community so that everyone affected can be fully engaged in creating a solution.

    The intervention tier is about being proactive and stopping violent crime before it happens. Operation Ceasefire identifies probationers with histories that suggest they could become involved with violent crime. Then they use tools like “call-ins” to help connect the probationers with resources and programs that offer training, counseling and treatment.

    According to Operation Ceasefire, statistics show that without any help, most offenders will be imprisoned again within three years of their last conviction. Connecting ex-offenders with these resources helps both the individuals involved and the wider community. Having the support of these programs can help people make the difficult transition away from a life of drugs and violence, which makes for a safer city for everyone. For this to happen, for the program to be successful and for the cycle to be broken, the entire community needs to be involved. Operation Ceasefire calls specifically for businesses willing to hire ex-felons and organizations that can assist with daily needs and challenges.

    The suppression tier involves teamwork. Operation Ceasefire and Violent Crimes Taskforce work together to identify repeat violent offenders to ensure that they face prosecution. While there are
    many programs available to help people turn away from violence, it’s impossible to force people to take advantage of them. In these instances, the community still needs to be protected. The Taskforce focuses specifically on cases where firearms were recovered in Cumberland County. In a year, they have submitted over 50 cases to the United States Attorney’s Office for prosecution so that dangerous individuals can be removed from the area to serve their sentences in federal prison.

    The third and final tier is prevention and outreach. Operation Ceasefire has a series of programs that are designed to engage the community, particularly the youth. It focuses on teaching gun safety and building positive relationships with law enforcement. Officers get involved with afterschool activities and work to educate the youth on gun safety and the consequences of gun violence. The aim is not to reduce the legal possession of firearms. The goal is to create a safe, well-prepared and informed community.

    The outdoor movies shown on movie nights are entirely free. The next movie night is at Hope Mills Recreation Center at 5776 Rockfish Rd. The event will last from 7 to 10 p.m. All the movies in the series are family-friendly. The only goal here is to build a healthy community relationship between neighbors and local law enforcement. Participants are encouraged to make the viewing experience more comfortable by bringing chairs and blankets to enjoy the outdoor venue. Find out more at http://operationceasefire.com/.

  •  

    11ThirdThursThis summer has been the first season of Cape Fear Botanical Garden’s Third Thursday series. Every Third Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m., the Garden stays open late and hosts a special event.

    “We have been able to bring in different groups of people who have never been to the Garden before, and that was our goal. So in that way, yes, it’s been successful,” said Taryn Hughes, marketing manager. “We are hoping to continue our attendance growth and have the community know where to go on every Third Thursday of  the month!” 

    This month’s Third Thursday is on Aug. 17 and is Latin Soiree-themed. Anna Fiore of A la Fiore Arts will lead Rueda de Casino, which is an energetic Cuban group dance.

    “Our first Third Thursday was Tango unTapped, where Anna showcased the evolution of tango and also taught them how to do the traditional tango steps,” Hughes said. “However, this Third Thursday
    is not so much a showcase, but a get up and dance event.” Admission is free with entrance into the garden. 

    Anna Fiore is the founder of A la Fiore Arts. She has a background in fitness, movement and the arts. She specializes in yoga, Latin dance, acro yoga and aerial acrobatics. “Through her mission as a local artist and educator, she strives to inspire people to understand the connections between various movement styles and, ideally, explore these ideas through personal engagement and participation,” Hughes said. “Through intentional movement, we increase our body’s awareness, and from this awareness grows greater respect for our bodies and ourselves. Inevitably, this respect inspires us to make decisions that lead to healthier, happier and more balanced lives.”

    My Boricau Kitchen will provide delicious Puerto Rican and Caribbean cuisine for the night. There will also be a cash bar. “The cash bar has a variety of beer and wine selections,” Hughes said. “We do carry local brews from Dirtbag Ales, their IPA, Mocha and Kolsh. My Boricua Kitchen will provide the nonalcoholic beverages such as water and tea.”

    All audience members, regardless of experience, are invited to take part in dancing and learning Rueda de Casino. “While dancing can be intimidating, it’s a whole lot of fun,” Hughes said. “Don’t worry about your dance level, Anna is a phenomenal teacher and will make sure you enjoy yourself! We welcome all dance levels and hope to see everyone out there dancing. If you don’t feel comfortable dancing, no worries, you’re welcome to walk the grounds or just sit and relax and watch everyone else dance.”

    The last Third Thursday of this summer takes place on Sept. 21. The theme is Foodscaping 101. Brie Arthur, an author and horticulturalist, will explain how to turn your yard into edible landscaping that can provide you and your family with produce.

    Find out more at www.capefearbg.org.

     

  • 10AlltheWayIt’s a rarity to find an area, like Fayetteville and Fort Bragg, so utterly defined by the presence of the United States Army. The community understands both serving and respecting the armed forces, as though “Airborne” were written in its very DNA.

    Hundreds of men and women are brought into Fort Bragg’s fold every year. The base also seeks to honor the veterans who have made personal sacrifices while creating history here at home and abroad. On Aug. 19, the Airborne and Special Operations Museum celebrates National Airborne Day from 9 a.m. to noon.

    The event will coincide not only with the 77th anniversary of the U.S. Army’s airborne forces, but also the 17th anniversary of the museum itself. It officially commemorates the first jump of the Army Parachute Test Platoon in 1940.

    Following an opening ceremony, the event promises several special displays for attendees.

    Scott Pelletier, curator for ASOM, said Fort Bragg’s Garrison Operations Team began planning the event in April. “They have been working closely with the 18th Airborne Corps, 82nd Airborne Division and (Special Operations Command) units as well as the city (of Fayetteville) to ensure a great event,” Pelletier said.

    Along with an array of food vendors and a performance by the 82nd Airborne Division “All-American Chorus,” a high-altitude lowopening jump demonstration by the Golden Knights and Black Daggers will be sure to delight spectators. The Golden Knights and Black Daggers personify the old phrase “flying with style.”

    In addition, modern-day equipment and vehicles will be showcased on the museum’s parade field, including a special forces “A-Team,” infantry squads with all assigned weapons and an improvised explosive device display. An ambulance, as well as vehicles mounted with missile, grenade and machine guns will be on display.

    The “mock door” demonstration and parachute donning station will also allow citizens to see and feel the demands of jumping out of airplanes for a living.

    But National Airborne Day isn’t reserved for just the present. It’s an ode to the past, too. Both American and German World War II re-enactors in full uniform and equipment will be in attendance at ASOM.

    “Soldiers and veterans are proud of their airborne heritage,” Pelletier said. “It gives them an opportunity to remember and reflect with their families and friends.”

    Anyone who has walked the winding labyrinth at ASOM will tell you what an immersive experience it truly is. Every major wartime event in the last century is shown in full scope, with documents, artifacts and videos. Actual aircraft is mounted from the ceiling. You will hear the sounds of gunfire. History itself comes alive.

    “I’m proud of the ASOM and everything it represents,” Pelletier said. “I’m honored and humbled to be a part of such a proud tradition.”

    National Airborne Day is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.asomf.org.

  • 09Social CapitalGreater Fayetteville United, a local nonprofit group, wanted to know how people are giving and volunteering in faith-based organizations, politics and national affairs, and how they are participating in civic groups. The group wanted to know if residents trust each other. The agency commissioned a survey to measure trust, communication, interest and engagement in various areas. The idea was to determine the level of social capital in the community.

    Darl Champion, president of Greater Fayetteville United, disclosed results of the survey to group leaders last week.

    Most Cumberland County residents have a positive perception of law enforcement. They have a less favorable perception of streets and roads, public health and mental health services and the availability of affordable housing.

    And most people don’t believe all of Cumberland County schools have the same resources available to them. As for trustworthiness, the survey of the more than 600 people who responded indicated it is a matter of community engagement. “One of the key factors is the trust people have in each other,” Champion said.

    He noted a remarkable outcome was the relationship of trustworthiness to religious involvement and community engagement. “The most engaged residents are more trusting in general and more trusting of people of other races and ethnicities,” he said. The survey was mailed, emailed and phoned to randomly selected households in Cumberland County by market research firm ETC Institute, which conducted the poll. It has a +/- error rate of 3.9 percent. Champion said that where social capital is low, involved community members will look at how to build relationships and trust. That will begin at a community forum on Sept. 19 at Fayetteville State University’s Shaw Auditorium.

    Officials consider it important that they delve into the details of the survey. For instance, daily work schedules, lack of information and inadequate financial resources were cited as obstacles or barriers making it difficult for respondents to be more involved in their community. Seventy-seven percent of respondents said they have some obstacle that makes it difficult for them to be engaged. “An objective of the public forum next month is to raise the level of trust of residents have in each other and government in hopes of improving the quality of life for everyone,” Champion said.

    Interestingly, one’s level of trust in his or her community members has little to do with that person’s happiness. One of the questions making this survey unique was the question, “All things considered, how happy would you say you are?” Seventy-two percent said they were happy or very happy.

  • 08HeroesHomecomingSix years ago, Cumberland County created Heroes Homecoming as a way of showing recognition and appreciation to all veterans for their courage, their sacrifice and everything they do to defend this country’s freedom.

    “The Fayetteville area has always had a unique bond with veterans, as the point of departure and return for hundreds of thousands of soldiers,” said John Meroski, CEO of the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “This year, the communities of Cumberland County will again host veterans and families from across the region to participate in a weeklong celebration honoring the brave men and women who served our country in Vietnam,” he continued.

    The 2017 Heroes Homecoming Committee is seeking to set the Guinness World Record for most Missing Man Tables in one community. The committee is asking all Cumberland County businesses to participate by setting up a Missing Man Table at their place  of business. The committee will provide all materials needed and protocol for the table. Each business is asked to rope off or indicate their table is for display only. The table should be on display from Nov. 1 through 12.

    “We’ll provide the commemorative kits of items to be displayed on each table,” Meroski said. Businesses that may not be able to set up tables are asked to drape American flags over single chairs. “These simple memorials will reflect the real patriotic pride that exists in our community,” he said.

     

    Business owners interested in being a part of this record-setting commemoration of those Missing in Action should contact Angie Brady at the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors  Bureau by Aug. 13. Contact Angie by calling (910) 4835311 or emailing abrady@visitfayettevillenc.com.

    Fayetteville, Hope Mills, Spring Lake and Eastover are planning events for the week of Nov. 4. They include the annual downtown Fayetteville Veterans Day Parade and a bike rally. The Moving Wall, a commemorative half-scale replica of the Vietnam Wall in Washington, D.C., will be displayed again this year on the Airborne and Special Operations Museum parade field in the week before Veterans Day. “All of the events at Heroes Homecoming recognize and honor the service and sacrifice of our brave Vietnam veterans,” Meroski said.

    The FACVB took the lead in organizing the first Heroes Homecoming and the four annual observances since then. The “welcome home” veterans never received at the conclusion of the war 35 years earlier was the idea of then-Fayetteville Mayor Tony Chavonne.

    “No city felt any more of the prolonged association with that unpopular war than this one,” Chavonne said. “That was all the more reason for Vietnam veterans to be the first group recognized during Heroes Homecoming.” The Greater Fayetteville community made Heroes Homecoming the largest commemoration and reunion of its kind in the nation, Meroski said.

    “On a personal note, as the son of a soldier and relative and friend of many Vietnam veterans, it was one of the highlights of my eight years as mayor,” Chavonne said of Heroes Homecoming. He has shared many stories of that week in 2011 as he met people who had come from far and wide to be part of the commemoration. “On the day we erected the Moving Wall at the ASOM, I met a young lady who was standing alone watching the panels being erected,” he recalled.

    “When I approached her, she told me the story of being in grade school at Fort Bragg when a military car pulled up in front and officers came in to tell her that her father had been killed. I stood with her that morning and was allowed to share the emotional moments of seeing the panel with her dad’s name.” Visit www.heroeshomecoming.com to learn more.

  • 07NewsDigestCommand Sgt. Maj. Scott Schroeder couldn’t make it when U.S. Army senior leaders gathered at Army Forces Command Headquarters at Fort Bragg last week. The meeting was held to enhance a shared understanding of FORSCOM’s roles, priorities and key initiatives.

    The FORSCOM Senior Leader Orientation focused on being “Ready Now” and included leaders and representatives of FORSCOM’s subordinate units as well as FORSCOM Headquarters staff. Schroeder had turned in his rucksack in preparation for his retirement. He retired at Fort Bragg Aug. 1, after 34 years of service.

    “The Army owes me nothing,” he said. “I owe the Army a debt that will never be paid back in full.” Gen. Robert B. “Abe” Abrams, commanding general of FORSCOM, said Schroeder leaves behind a lasting legacy marked by commitment, dedication and service to the Army. Schroeder relinquished responsibility as FORSCOM’S senior enlisted leader to Command Sgt. Maj. Michael  A. Grinston.

    Beloved Fayetteville Retired Officer Dies

    Retired Lt. Col. Alfred A. “Smilin’ Al” Alvarez passed away at home on Monday, July 31, at the age of 93.

    He joined the Army in 1941. On D-Day, he went ashore on Omaha Beach, Normandy, and fought his way inshore. Following the Normandy landing, he participated in numerous battles, including the Battle of the Bulge. Following his commission from OCS in 1949, he served two combat tours in the Korean War. In 1965, he served 18 months in the Dominican Republic conflict. From 1968-69 as a Lt. Col. in the 7th Special Forces, Alvarez served a combat tour in Vietnam where, shortly after arriving in-country, the helicopter he was riding in was hit by enemy fire and forced to make an emergency landing. He returned stateside and served in the 18th Airborne Corps until retiring in 1974 after 32 years in the Army.

    Alvarez became widely known locally as a charter member of the Airborne & Special Operations Museum, where he served as a docent. He is survived by his sister Mary (97), his wife Florence (married 68 years), a son and daughter-in-law, a daughter and her husband, 10 grandchildren and two  great-grandchildren. 

    A memorial service was held Aug. 5 at JerniganWarren Funeral Home. Burial with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation or to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

    State Grants Still Available to Hurricane Matthew Victims

    The North Carolina Housing Finance Agency provides funding to participating local organizations for the rehabilitation of owner-occupied homes damaged during Hurricane Matthew. Homeowners can apply directly to their local partner organizations designated by the Housing Finance Agency.

    Help from HFA comes in the form of an unsecured, 0 percent interest, forgivable loan covering the hard and soft costs of home rehabilitation to be forgiven at the rate of $5,000 per year. The program can cover damages up to $40,000. So long as the survivor lives in the home, the borrower will not need to make any payments on the loan.

    The Housing Finance Agency was awarded $20 million. The balance in the fund is $14 million. Consideration will be given on a first come, first served basis. Contact Kingdom Community Development Corporation, 129 N. Main St., Spring Lake, NC, at (910) 484-2722 or North Carolina Indian Housing Authority, P.O. Box 2343, Fayetteville, NC at  (910) 483-5073 for more information.

     

    PHOTO: Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Schroeder

  • 06LeaderLeadership development is an essential ingredient in effective businesses, organizations and ministries. When a company falters, often it can be marked up to an issue within the leadership. Churches are no different. While pastors often point the finger at the congregation, there is at least a 5050 chance the issue is in  the leadership.

    Leadership Defined

    Leadership is the action of leading a group of people or organization. Leadership exists at all levels. Parents serve as the leaders of their families. Teachers lead their classrooms. A governor leads a state. In the local church, the pastor is  the leader.

    Aubrey Malphurs is nationally recognized as an expert on leadership issues. His organization, the Malphurs Group, trains and consults with various organizations in the area of leadership. In his book “Being a Leader,” Malphurs defines a Christian leader this way: “A Christian leader is a servant with the credibility and capabilities to influence people in a particular context to pursue their God-given direction.” Two components stand out.

    Credibility Is Key

    A key to leadership development is credibility. In their classic book “The Leadership Challenge,” James Kouzes and Barry Posner develop two “laws of leadership.” The first is “If you don’t believe in the messenger, you won’t believe the message.”

    When it comes down to it, people long for a credible leader. Just look at the state of our government as a prime example. If you believe in your leader, you believe in what they stand for. The question becomes, how can I improve my credibility?

    The answer to that question is much easier than you think. Kouzes and Posner’s research suggests that people first listen to the words, then they watch the actions. So, make sure you do what you say you’re going to do. That’s true in your family, in your business and in your church. Your credibility  is essential.

    Lead by Serving

    The other key to leadership development is to lead by serving. If you’re serious about developing your leadership, then become a servant. If you want the people in your organization or family to take out the trash, then you take out the trash. Be willing to do what you ask others to do. Dad, don’t ask your children to put their clothes away if you don’t. Coach, don’t ask your parents to be on time if you’re not going to be on time. Pastor, don’t ask your people to obey the Ten Commandments if you don’t.

    If you walk around the campus of Carolina College of Biblical Studies, you’ll see that our president is a servant. At any point in the day, you might see him carrying a bag of garbage to the dumpster. Sure, he could ask any one of the faculty members or students or simply wait for the cleaning crew to do it. But that’s not him. He is a servant. The result? Now you see students who notice the trash can overflowing... they grab it up and take it to the dumpster. Why? They’ve learned to become a servant by watching their leader serve.

    Servant leadership is a calling to be like Jesus. Jesus told his disciples, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be servant of all” (Mark 10:43). If you want to develop your leadership potential, start with learning to serve others with credibility that speaks louder than words.

  • 05OpioidOpioid Addiction: a legal criminal justice problem or a mental health problem? For years, we have treated drug addiction in this country as a criminal justice problem. We’ve declared war on drugs and lost miserably. Our courts are overloaded with otherwise law-abiding citizens who are imprisoned for time ordinarily reserved for violent offenders who are addicted to heroin, crack or cocaine. Previous laws have taken drugs away from prescribing doctors and placed them in the hands of high risk/high reward street dealers and drug cartels who’ve used violence, intimidation, children and sex to induce innocent men and women to try their goods.

    According to mental health professionals, one in 12 people who try alcohol become alcoholics; one in six who try cocaine become addicted; one in four who try crack cocaine become addicted; and one in three who try opioids become addicted.

    Today, we face another drug/alcohol crisis, which in many respects exceeds all other addiction issues because these addicts are our neighbors, friends, colleagues and most cruel of all, our grandparents. Yes, most of those now dependent on opioids are our elderly. When they wore out joints and suffered injuries that created chronic pain, their doctor compassionately prescribed opioids. Unfortunately, with opioids comes narcotic creep, leading to increased dosages needed to obtain the same relief. Addiction follows.

    Now, we are faced with an addiction crisis with pills so available that street dealers can obtain them from almost anyone who was over-prescribed this medicine, such as nurses, PAs and patients. The White House commission on opioid addiction has requested that President Trump declare opioid abuse a  national emergency.

    When the prescription drugs dry up, which they will, our neighbors will fight withdrawal. Many will head to the streets, and when they do, they will take heroin, crack cocaine and methadone, placing their lives in danger. Do we imprison our neighbors for addiction, or do we help them?

    Resources are scarce. We have one treatment bed for every 20 people addicted. Mayors are reduced to applying for competitive grants that only touch the problem, while the Veterans Affairs is cutting drug treatment by 40 percent.

    Our state legislature is complacent in raising grant monies for the problem and refuses to invest in its citizens who need help the most. While we have a rainy-day fund of $1.8 billion, we give none of it to this crisis, which is a national emergency. Not one dime to halfway houses, treatment,  law enforcement, emergency rooms or education.

    Statistics show we are about to cut off millions of dependent souls who will begin withdrawal, which causes tremors, uncontrolled sweating, feelings of anxiety, nausea, vomiting and cravings. Life savings will be lost and families destroyed. People will continue to die unnecessarily. Emergency rooms will  be flooded.

    The $10 million cut out of Attorney General Josh Stein’s budget demonstrates that our state legislature remains ignorant of this problem. Stein has attempted to get the state to recognize the crisis it will face when prescriptions are cut off this fall. North Carolina has four cities in the top 20 in addiction in the nation: Fayetteville; Wilmington; Jacksonville; and Hickory. Many of these addicts are veterans.

    For once, let’s try not to jail our way out of a crisis. Let’s also not stick our heads in the sand. Let’s face this crisis, which calls for all of us to use our resources, intelligence and compassion, and for once, do a service to our communities, state and nation. The law, justice and mercy demand nothing less.

  • 04gardenI often write about the challenges facing American society. Those challenges include poverty, a widening racial divide, crime, political disarray, governmental financial madness … the list goes on. What follows are my thoughts regarding a valuable, but much under-utilized, asset. I firmly believe this asset can contribute a lot toward positively addressing many of the adverse conditions that weigh heavily on our city and even our nation. That asset is the Fayetteville Community Garden. My describing a garden as a valuable asset might shock some readers. I encourage you to continue reading.

    The garden is located at the corner of Mann and Vanstory streets in Fayetteville. It consists of 94 plots that are available for rent on an annual basis for $25. This amount includes water access at no additional charge. The garden was the brainchild of Candace Williams, who was involved with community gardens elsewhere. With the support of the Sandhills Area Land Trust, where she was employed, Candace led the effort that brought the garden into existence.

    I have written before about how the garden is a place where people can get to know one another … where community can be built. Doing so contributes to creating an atmosphere where issues that divide us can be more productively addressed. Beyond building community, I contend that the gardening experience can help prepare individuals for successful living. My experience says that state of mind — attitude — is a key factor that determines how one’s life unfolds.

    Dr. Ben Carson, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, made this point in a recent interview. Regarding Carson’s comment, Pam Fessler wrote the following in an article titled “Housing Secretary Ben Carson Says Poverty Is a ‘State Of Mind:’”

    “On Wednesday night, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson — whose budget to help low-income households would be cut by more than $6 billion next year — added his own thoughts. He said in a radio interview that ‘poverty to a large extent is also a state of mind.’ Carson — who himself grew up in poverty to become a widely acclaimed neurosurgeon — said people with the “right mindset” can have everything taken away from them, and they’ll pull themselves up. He believes the converse is true as well. ‘You take somebody with the wrong mindset, you can give them everything in the world (and) they’ll work their way right back down to the bottom,’ Carson said.”

    After reporting what Carson said, Fessler goes on to quote several individuals who disagree with his assertion regarding state of mind and poverty. Beyond those referenced in the article, I heard a chorus of people who strongly disagreed with Carson. Interestingly, there is a video on YouTube that shows Morgan Freeman, the renowned actor, making a similar statement. I have heard no opposition to Freeman’s statement. That’s a topic for another time. Please go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHNo7SxrOFQ and view the statements by Carson and Freeman. I agree with Carson and Freeman: Mindset is a critical key to successful living.

    As farfetched as it might seem, my research and experience indicate a properly planned and executed program in the community garden could contribute remarkably to developing an achievement-oriented mindset in participants. This would definitely be true of our youth. Among the components of this achievement-oriented mindset would be: seeing oneself as a person of value; appreciation for work; respect for others; attention to the need to care for others and for surroundings; a burning desire for education; goal-setting and pursuit of those goals; and ability and willingness to interact with others.

    During my years of volunteering with a local nonprofit organization, I’ve had the opportunity to see boys as young as eight years old work in the community garden alongside older boys. I would work with them as a group. We grew vegetables in three plots and helped maintain the walkways and open areas.

    In the beginning of this effort, I spent a good bit of time just trying to keep the boys in the same area. It seemed no work would happen. Over time, that changed as they realized their work would produce vegetables that they could take home. We also had a means by which the boys who were faithful in attendance and worked hard could earn a cash award annually. Adults who had plots in the garden would stop to talk with the boys and often thank them for their work in the open areas. Those caring adults also shared words of encouragement and engaged in general conversation with the boys.

    Those boys also did tasks that allowed them to put into practice some of what they are exposed to in the education process. For instance, they were involved in laying out rows for planting. That required measuring and then using division to determine the appropriate distance between rows and between plants.

    It was years ago that I last gardened with that group, but several memories are still with me. There was one particular day when it started raining and we took shelter in one of the two sheds. The boys and I sat on buckets in a semi-circle. I offered to discuss any topics they wanted to address. The conversation started, and we covered several topics of interest to them. In the end, it was about making wise choices, setting goals, believing in self and not taking on a victim mentality. Not because of me, but because of what those boys brought to the table, it was about mindset.

    That is a good memory. Another time nearly brought me to tears. Even now, remembering the incident saddens me. I asked one teenaged boy to connect a water hose to the faucet. He looked at me and said he did not know how to make the connection. I showed him, and the work went on, but all these years later, that experience still haunts me.

    It haunts me because I am convinced that, as a nation, we are failing to provide young people with the experiences that effectively help prepare them for successful lives. Not knowing how to connect a water hose to a faucet is probably not unusual for young people today. However, I think it says we have dangerously strayed from the basics, and people are suffering because of our straying.

    The point is that we must be about helping people, especially youth, to take on the mindset required for successful living. I am convinced, beyond any doubt, that the Fayetteville Community Garden is an asset that can, and should, be used in this endeavor. How to make it happen is a question I pose for consideration by caring people in our community.

    Garden Meetings

    Two meetings will be held in the Fayetteville Community Garden on Saturday, Aug. 12. The first, at 9 a.m., will be for individuals who currently rent plots in the garden. We will discuss ways of continuing the process of making the garden a beautiful place where plants thrive and community-building happens. That means addressing ideas, questions and concerns.

    The second meeting will start at 10 a.m. Persons not now involved, but interested in learning more about the garden, are invited to attend. Information on which plots are available for rent will be provided. If you are not interested in renting a plot but want to consider volunteering or otherwise supporting efforts in the garden, please attend this meeting.

    Attendees at both meetings should bring a lawn chair. The garden is located at the corner of Mann and Vanstory Streets, across from the church at 405 Vanstory Street. If weather on the evening of Aug. 11 calls for a 40 percent or greater chance of rain on the 12th, these meetings will be held on Aug. 19.

  • 03MargaretIt seems fair to say that many Americans of all political persuasions believe there is something deeply and profoundly wrong with our nation’s political process, though we do not agree about exactly what the troubles are.

    Among the culprits seem to be our major political parties, the Democratic and Republican parties, both of which are struggling to find their way in the 21st century. Our nation has had many parties over more than two centuries, but Democrats and Republicans have dominated our political landscape for more than a century.

    That may be changing.

    Democrats have traditionally been a big tent party, hoping to be all things to most people. Will Rogers described Democrats this way: “I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat.” In 2017, this has meant a lack of focus that is not appealing to or inspiring for voters the party desperately needs to have.

    Republicans are focused but so internally divided that the chattering classes openly wonder whether it can survive. Writing recently for “The Washington Post,” Jennifer Rubin questioned “the moral culpability of those who lifted Trump to power and kept him there. They elevated a very dangerous man who has done and continues to do great damage to our country. Given the enormity of the Republican Party’s malfeasance, a new party may, in fact,  be required.”

    Meanwhile, the fastest-growing category of voters is “unaffiliated,” which now makes up about one-third of North Carolina voters and 42 percent nationwide, according to a Gallup Poll last year. We Americans like to think of ourselves as having a maverick streak, and unaffiliated voters find outsider status appealing.

    Both Democrats and Republicans will have to be more appealing if they hope to survive in their current forms.

    Every marriage I know, especially long-running ones, has issues at some point. Children. Parents. Relatives, especially in-laws. Money. Job demands. Home chores and who does them. Fidelity. Diverse interests. Sex. Plain old boredom.

    Here is a new one.

    Prince Henrik of Denmark, the 83-year-old consort of Queen Margrethe, has announced he does not want to be interred beside his wife of 50 years and mother of their children. The Queen, now 77, will eventually lie in a Danish cathedral in a sarco- phagus created by a Danish artist. And now she will  lie alone.

    Prince Henrik has reportedly been unhappy that he was never named king consort, and upon his retirement last year, he renounced his title of prince consort. He now spends much of his time in a vineyard in France, not in Denmark.

    To the Danes’ credit, their very upfront royal communications chief says that the Queen has accepted her husband’s decision. “It is no secret that the prince for many years has been unhappy with his role and the title he has been awarded in the Danish monarchy,” Lene Balleby said. “This discontent has grown more and more in recent years.”

    How fascinating are the elements of this story?

    The balance in relationships between men and women. The balance of power in a marriage, especially a high-profile and nationally symbolic one. Two long-marrieds still figuring out their relation
    ship after half a century. The upside-down basket of order when the wife has the clout and the husband is left to find his way.

    This is a sad ending to a long and public marriage.

    It also sounds like a whine.

    When I was a very young girl, 4 or 5, our across the-street neighbors added a family room onto their home. I was fascinated by the construction workers and what they were doing, so I spent time every day watching them build.

    One day, a worker came over to me and said, “Little girl, I know what happened to you. You ate a dollar bill, and it broke out on your face in pennies!” It took a moment, but I realized he was referring to my freckles, which no one had ever remarked upon before that day. I know he was trying to be funny in a kindly way, but for most of my young life I was selfconscious about my “spots.”

    Fast forward to July 2017 when a very grown-up Margaret sneaked a peek at the current issue of VOGUE in the grocery store line. I was flabbergasted to stumble upon an article touting freckles’ newly found “fashionability” to the point that some women are drawing them on their faces.

    Who knew?

    I have been fashionable and never realized it.

  • Publisher Bill Bowman is on vacation this week and is yielding this space to U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson in support of first responders.


    02PubPenLast week, people all across the United States celebrated the 34th Annual National Night Out. Thousands of communities — big and small, urban and rural — held events so people could get to know their neighbors who serve as law enforcement officers.

    I’ve always been a huge supporter of this event every year. It’s a great chance to encourage neighborhood camaraderie and help build relationships between law enforcement and the people they protect. The end goal is to make our neighborhoods safer for all. And, it’s always a lot of fun.

    From the parades, cookouts and games, to the safety demonstrations and discussions, there is something for everyone to enjoy. But the best part is getting to say thank you to the men and women who serve as our first responders. These heroes work tirelessly to protect our freedoms, keep us safe, respond to emergencies, and represent our communities as loyal friends and incredible citizens. They are the ones we turn to in times of crisis. And they deserve our unyielding respect  and gratitude.

    Every day, our law enforcement officers leave their homes and put themselves in harm’s way to protect us and enforce our laws. They make sure our roads are safe. They are always there to extend a helping hand for those in need. And they do all of this with courage, compassion and respect. We are so fortunate for their service.

    Several weeks ago, I’m sure you saw the story about Asheville Police Department senior officers Carrie Lee and Joe Jones. These two officers made a splash — quite literally — when they respond
    ed to a noise complaint and, after finding no laws being broken, joined in on a neighborhood slip-and-slide. Did you read the recent story about the time a Greensboro police officer prayed with a man on the side of the street? There are hundreds more stories just like this that show the compassion of our law enforcement community.

    At a time when the police are too often targeted by unfair rhetoric and even violence, we must never take them for granted. They don’t do the job for the glory or the gratitude. But we should never stop trying to give it to them.

    That’s one reason why I was proud to support the Honoring Hometown Heroes Act (H.R. 1892), which honors law enforcement by permitting the American flag to be flown at half-staff when a police officer, firefighter or first responder is killed in the line of duty.

    I was also proud to support the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2017 (S. 419), which makes several changes to Department of Justice programs to supply death and disability benefits to public safety officers and their families. This critical legislation was signed into law in June. It’s an important measure to ensure a law enforcement officer’s family will be taken care of in the tragic event they are killed or disabled in the line of duty.

    I am thankful for all of you who have answered the call to serve and protect, and I look forward to continuing my work alongside you to build a better future for all North Carolinians.

  • 13 CF JusticeGallowayVelazquez 2016 record: 15-1 (4-A East Regional champion)    |    Coach: Jacob Thomas

    Top returners: Justice Galloway-Velazquez, 6-2, 240, Sr., QB; Tyone Tillman, 5-11, 185, Sr., WR/SS; Tyler McCoy, 5-10, 170, Sr., WR/DB; Joey Saldana, 5-10, 180, Sr., DT; Chris Matthews, 6-0, 220, Sr., LB/FB; Austin Hunt, 6-1, 205, Jr., LB/ FB; Austin Blackwell, 6-1, 175, Sr., LB; Josh Jones, 6-3, 255, Sr., DT/OL; Noah Rowsey, 5-11, 225, Jr., OL/DT; Kyshawn McLean, 5-9, 140, Sr., CB/WR.

    Top newcomers: Caleb Krings, 6-2, 250, So., OL; Marcus Jackson, 6-1, 225, Jr., OL/DL; Zaire Boykin, 6-0, 190, Jr., RB; J’Velus Peterson, 6-0, 205, Jr., RB; Sincere Hale, 5-11, 225, Jr., OL; Nick Minnacapelli, 5-10, 195, So., OL/DL; Derrick Whitted, 5-100, 190, So., LB; Jalen Hudson, 6-4, 220, So., S.

    Team strengths: “We have a really strong group of seniors. Their leadership and commitment has been outstanding this summer. They are led by our fouryear starters, quarterback Justice Galloway-Velazquez and linebacker  Chris Matthews.’’

    Team concerns: “The biggest concerns this year will be replacing the offensive line, running backs and team depth. With only one returning starter on the offensive line we will be very young up front.’’

    Coach’s comment: “Trying to build off of what we did last year, we know it’s not going to be easy. It’s going to take a lot of hard work and commitment. We know we are going to get everyone’s best shot, and we are doing our best to prepare for that.’’

     

    PHOTO:  Top returner Justice GallowayVelazquez

  • 12 JB Virginyle Monroe2016 record: 3-8    |    Coach: Brian Randolph


    Top returners: C.J. Davis, 5-10, 153, Sr., WR; Preston Wise, 6-1, 253, Sr., OL; Brennan Shortridge, 5-11, 172, Jr., QB; Cornell Raynor, 5-10, 175, Jr., RB; Jaden O’Leary, 6-0, 200, Sr., TE; Virginyle Monroe, 6-0, 272, Jr., DL; Malcolm Faulkner, 5-11, 170, Sr., LB; Jaleel Johnson, 5-1, 160, Sr., DB; Mike Harris, 5-9, 206, Sr., LB; Christian Davis, 5-7, 142, Sr., DB.

    Top newcomers: Barry Elliott, 5-10, 151, Sr., WR; Malik Graddy, 5-8, 150, Sr., WR/DB; Marcus Sanders-Johnson, 5-6, 200, Sr., OL/DL; Jeremiah Hamilton, 5-9, 260, Sr., OL; Chancellor Johnson, 5-10, 158, Jr., RB; Corey Simmons, 6-1, 236, Sr., OL; Nico Perofeta, 6-0, 240, Jr., DL; Donta McGregor, 5-6, 157, Sr., DB; Michael Matthews, 6-0, 233, Jr., LB; Erik Martinez, 5-9, 185, Jr., LB.

    Team strengths: “We will have great depth at our skill positions. This season there will be several guys on the team that received a significant number of reps as sophomores. The experience they gained will be the core foundation of our team.’’

    Team concerns: “Our returning senior class will be very small, only six returning senior starters from the 2016 season. We also lack depth at the offensive and defensive line positions. Several young players will have the opportunity to perform early and often.’’

    Coach’s comment: “The players and coaches have worked extremely hard in the offseason and are motivated to improve upon the 2016 football season. Jack Britt has built a tradition of being one of the top programs in the region, and we intend on continuing that tradition. We want to put out a product that Jack Britt, the parents and the community at large can be proud of.’’

     

    PHOTO:  Top returner Virginyle Monroe

  • 11 Grays Trey Beckett2016 record: 2-9    |    Coach: David Lovette

    Top returners: Trey Beckett, 5-9, 175, Jr., RB; Sean Best, 6-2, 250, Jr. OL; John Burton, 5-10, 200, Sr., OL/LB; Mike Gambrell, 6-3, 240, Sr., DL; Aaron Harrison, 5-10, 250, Sr., DL; Devin Cowan, 6-1, 230, Sr., DL; Trevor Thomas, 5-11, 170, Jr., SE; Nathan Scott, 6-1, 200, Sr., QB; Stephin Straughter, 5-9, 155, Sr., DB; Demarche Hilliard, 6-0, 165, Sr., DB.

    Top newcomers: Cedrick McDowell, 5-10, 180, Jr., RB/LB; Armiah Banks, 5-11, 190, Jr., RB/LB; Andre Allen, 5-10, 185, Jr., RB/DB; Tony Tyndall, 6-1, 230, Jr., OL; Dalton Patrick, 6-0, 175, So., TE/LB; D.J. Cruthcher, 6-1, 170, RB/DB, So.; Jonathan McNeill, 5-10, 190, Jr., OL.

    Team strengths: “We have a bunch of skill athletes from a junior varsity team that won eight games last year. Offensively, Beckett and Allen are a pretty good one-two punch in our backfield. Defensively, our line is definitely our strength. Harrison is a four-year starter and Gambrell is a three-year starter.’’

    Team concerns: “We must shake off last season. Our depth is still not great so we must avoid the injury bug again.’’

    Coach’s comment: “We have a chance to be a very competitive team  this fall.’’

     

    PHOTO: Top returner Trey Beckett

  •  

    10DougByrd Iumble Brown2016 record: 0-11    |    Coach: Mike Paroli


    Top returners: Deontae Washington, 5-10, 175, Sr., CB; Bryheem Swanson, 6-0, 160, Sr., S; Eric Kitt, 5-10, 220, Sr., LB; Ronald Carroll, 5-9, 205, Jr., LB; Iumble Brown, 6-1, 185, So., LB; Tyler Clifford, 6-3, 295, Sr., OG; Jon Hicks, 6-0, 240, Sr., C; John Carroll, 6-0, 150, So., QB; Hameen Melvin, 5-9, 170, Jr., RB; Isaiah Jaques, 5-8, 155, Jr., CB.

    Top newcomers: Arden Billington, 5-10, 235, So., OT; Zion Cameron, 6-0, 220, So., OG; Ray Dixon, 6-1, 223, So., DT; Saveon Campbell, 5-6, 150, So., RB; Wesley Charlton, 5-11, 160, Sr., WR; Mickey Bell, 5-11, 185, Jr., LB; Nikai Butler, 6-2, 230, Jr., TE.

    Team strengths: “Several returners have two or three years of experience. We had a good off-season in the weight room.’’

    Team concerns: “We have a lack of numbers and are inexperienced in some important areas.’’

    Coach’s comment: “Our numbers are not good, but we are doing everything possible to play everyone on just one side of the ball. We are counting on some freshmen and sophomores to play early and in some key areas. Several weeks last year, we were close at halftime and had some chances to win in the fourth quarter. Hopefully we will be better at finishing this year.’’

     

    PHOTO: Top returner Iumble Brown

     

     

     

  • William Barber, president of the North Carolina chapter of the NAACP and a key orchestrator of protests against Republicans in the Tar Heel State, is a minister. He serves as pastor of Greenleaf Christian Church in Goldsboro.

    Barber isn’t just a minister who engages in activism on the side. His political rhetoric is thoroughly infused with religious ideas and calls for divine guidance and  biblical scripture.

    This got him into trouble a few days ago. Asked about a photo of religious leaders praying for President Donald Trump in the White House, Barber exploded with indignation. “It is a form of theological malpractice that borders on heresy when you can p-r-a-y for a president and others when they are p-r-e-y, preying on the most vulnerable,” Barber told MSNBC host Joy Reid. “You’re violating the most sacred principles of religion.”

    As you might expect, believers reacted to Barber’s outburst with disappointment and disgust. Religious congregations pray all the time for leaders with whom they disagree. They pray that such leaders receive guidance and wisdom.

    Christians point to specific passages of the Bible exhorting them to do this. Other faiths have similar teachings. To put the matter bluntly, it is theological malpractice, bordering on heresy, for a Christian minister to urge believers not to pray for someone.

    My guess is that Barber spoke before thinking. If you spend enough time in public life, you’ll do that — believe me. His remarks have drawn so much criticism from across the political spectrum that I suspect he’ll have to walk them back, at least somewhat, if he wants to continue to communicate with an audience beyond the unhinged fringe.

    There is one line of criticism against Barber that I reject, however — that there is something unseemly or even unconstitutional about infusing political rhetoric with religious ideas. Barber isn’t the only one who does it, obviously. Since the 1970s, conservative evangelicals and other believers within the Religious Right have formed an important component of the Republican coalition. Earlier still, people of faith created, led and sustained America’s civil rights movement.

    Yes, there is a Religious Left. It has a long history in our country. If you go back and examine the organization, leadership and rhetoric of the populist movement of the late 1800s and the progressive movement of the early 1900s, you’ll see lots of explicit references to God, the Bible and church teachings. The conservatives and liberals (we’d call the latter libertarians today) who opposed the populists and progressives also referenced religious ideas.

    You can’t keep religion out of politics any more than you can keep words out of sentences. People choose causes and candidates based on personal values, which arise from their understanding of themselves, the world and their proper place within it. Most derive at least some of these perceptions from their faith in a higher power. Others, agnostic or atheist, start with different but still metaphysical premises.

    In a free society, then, you can’t forbid citizens from casting ballots on the basis of spiritual beliefs (or lack thereof). You can’t forbid, and you shouldn’t shun, those who speak honestly about the source of those beliefs. Some of America’s greatest political rhetoricians — from Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln to Martin Luther King Jr. and Ronald Reagan — have employed religious allusions and scripture to argue their points.

    What you also can’t do in a free society, however, is force people to join or espouse belief in any particular religion. Courts can’t cite scripture as binding legal authority. If you fail to convince a majority of lawmakers to enact a bill on its merits, you can’t compel them to do so by citing the Bible, the Koran or other religious texts.

    It’s bad manners, and poisonous to political discourse, to question other people’s faith just because they disagree with you on an issue. William Barber is learning that now. But it’s also bad manners, and poisonous to discourse, to demand that people set aside their deepest personal convictions and motivations when they engage in politics.

  • 01cover story FLPLIt’s time again to showcase a few of the leading ladies in Fayetteville. And the best part is, you’re invited. This year’s third Fayetteville Ladies Power Lunch, which celebrates and connects the “lionesses in our community” according to its website, is set for Aug. 10. The goal of the event is to provide a space for networking and inspiration.

    The event includes a shopping opportunity and wine-tasting before the lunch from 10 a.m. to noon and then again from 2-3 p.m. The luncheon portion runs from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes a keynote speech by Melody Chalmers, principal of E.E. Smith High School and the 2016 North Carolina Principal of  the Year.

    Chalmers said it’s an honor to be chosen to share her story with other professional women in her hometown, where others first “poured into” her. “I think it’s definitely a privilege to be able to … give back to the community,” she said.

    As a principal and educator, she said she plans to talk about the importance of education at every level in the community.

    Since she has been a part of the Cumberland County Schools system, she said there’s been a “shift in our society as it relates to (students’) preparedness.

    “The impact of education and the importance of making sure students are prepared to meet the needs of the ever-evolving, changing world we live in” is something she said she takes into consideration often.

    Chalmers began as an English teacher at Cross Creek Early College in 1998. “Once an English teacher, always an English teacher,” she said. Even as a principal, she said a part of helping students to be well-prepared is encouraging good reading and writing practices.

    Past keynote speakers for the Ladies Power Lunch include Dr. Sandhya Thomas-Montilus, Serenity Integrated Medical Spa owner; and Bo Thorp, founding artistic director of the Cape Fear Regional Theatre. Col. Marsha Lunt, emergency manager at Womack Army Medical Center for 15 years, will speak on Nov. 9 as the final motivational speaker in 2017.

    Tickets must be purchased in advance for $35. Vendors who wish to participate can expect to pay a $75 admission cost, which includes one lunch ticket.

    Peggy Manning, FLPL advisory board member and Park Lane Jewelry owner, said there will be upward of 60 vendors comprised of local businesswomen.

    During the “Shopportunity,” attendees will have the chance to browse and buy. If you’re not able to purchase your favorite item from each vendor, Manning said there will be many door prizes you can win by entering your business card into the drawing.

    Manning said the FLPL mission is, in part, accomplished by enhancing local women-powered businesses by supporting them financially.

    A portion of the 2017 profits will be donated to the Kidsville News Literacy & Education Foundation, according to the FLPL website. The nonprofit’s mission is to “improve literacy, education and character development among America’s youth by providing support for various early learning and literacy-based initiatives nationwide.“

    The event takes place at the Ramada Plaza at Bordeaux, at 1707 Owen Dr. Guests, vendors and sponsors can use #FLPL to document the event’s happenings on social media.

    This year’s sponsors include Bizcard Xpress, Carolina Selfie Stand, Dale’s Florist, Gates Four Golf & Country Club, J&J Desktop Publishing, Omni Plaza, Premier Cardiovascular Center, The Richardson Firm, Rocket Fizz, The UPS Store, McKee Homes, Up & Coming Weekly and Women’s View Magazine. To register or find contact information for any of the sponsors, visit www.FayettevilleLadiesPowerLunch.com.

  • 09ExploreNightWith the coming of the total solar eclipse in late August, a lot of attention has turned to the Carolina skies. The eclipse is not the only interesting astronomy event happening this summer, though. Park Ranger Michael Morales of FayettevilleCumberland Parks and Recreation will host the Summer Constellations and Meteor Shower event in Clark Park on Aug. 12 from 8-11 p.m.

    Morales will lead a group in enjoying a summer night, watching the Perseid meteor shower and discussing the legend and stories behind the visible celestial bodies. “The Perseid meteor shower is supposed to be one of the most active meteor showers every year,” Morales said. “At their peak, there could be 150 or more meteors visible an hour.  I’m hoping for even a fraction of that earlier in the evening when we’ll be out.” 

    Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation has many events throughout the year intended to engage local community members with nature, but a summer astronomy event is a little harder to coordinate. Most of the astronomy events are held in the winter because there is less light pollution earlier in the day. Dates for events are chosen half a year in advance, and working around Mother Nature is always unpredictable. “Come to the program with an appreciation of the fact that we will be on Mother Nature’s schedule, which is quite a bit slower than what folks are used to these days,” Morales said.  “I want people to try to relax and just spend some time gazing up at the night sky in wonder as our ancestors did. Many people do not have a place where they can safely just observe the sky.”

    Morales’s focus is biodiversity. He leads many events in the park that focus on exploring the animals in the woods. Astronomy, however, is a hobby about which he is passionate. He is amazed by the discoveries constantly made about space, and he memorizes stories and legends about the constellations. He is usually the only ranger that leads the astronomy events. “You don’t need a telescope to learn about the night sky, but it’s nice to have one to zoom in on any heavenly bodies that may be up in the sky, like planets, nebula or galaxies,” Morales said. “Sometimes I try to coordinate a local expert to come by and assist with a larger telescope. You will not be fast enough to catch a glimpse of a meteor through a telescope. To see the constellations and the meteor shower you need to have a wide view of the whole sky. All I need is a laser pointer.”

    While sitting outside on a summer night and gazing at the sky is always beautiful, Morales does have some tips for making the evening as rewarding as possible. He advises participants to bring insect repellent, lawn chairs and flashlights. It is also best to protect your night vision by avoiding electronic devices during the event. “Also, I would lower your expectations down just a bit as to what will be seen,” he added.

    “The photos in magazines and websites of objects in space tend to be long exposures over hours made by powerful telescopes. The pictures are often color-enhanced on a computer to show radiation and wavelengths of energy that are invisible to the human eye. If we do see a planet or nebula through a telescope, it will be much more diffuse and washed out than what a lot of people expect it to look like.  If we see just a few shooting stars, I consider the program a success. As I said, the peak time for viewing will be after midnight. I leave this to individual families as ‘homework’ if they want to stay up late to watch them at home. My parents used to let me stay up late to watch meteor showers when I was a kid, if it wasn’t a school night. Shooting stars often appear as a quick streak of light. Larger, brighter fireballs are much less common. Seeing either for the first time can be a memorable experience for anyone.” 

    Call (910) 433-1579 to register.

     

    PHOTO: Clark Park is set to host a Summer Constellations and Meteor Shower event.

  • 08FayAfter5Bud Light presents headlining act and country artist Kasey Tyndall Friday, Aug. 11, at 8 p.m. in Festival Park for the Fayetteville After 5 concert series. The opening performance will feature country artist Faith Bardill.

    “Fayetteville After 5 is a summer concert series and the purpose is to provide a free concert for the community that raises money for the next event,” said Sarah Suggs, marketing and events coordinator for the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival. “We are a nonprofit organization so whatever money we make in one event rolls over into the next event in order to make all of our events free
    to the community.” Suggs added that this is the last concert of the summer concert series.       

    Kasey Tyndall is from Greenville, North Carolina. She has performed at local festivals and opened for country music artist Jason Michael Carroll. Her newly released single “Everything is Texas” is a heartfelt song about how the guy she loved disappeared on her with no explanation.     

    Faith Bardill is from Sanford. She won the 2016 Carolina Music Awards “Country Female Artist of the Year” and the 2015 Carolina Music Awards “Teen Artist of the Year.” Her band plays modern country, classic country and classic rock. Some of her songs include “Walk Out” and “Takin Me Down.”     

    There will be food trucks on site that include R Burger, Tony’s Concessions, Carolina Tropical Ice, Chef Glenn and many more.  Beer will also  be sold.      

    “We encourage everyone to arrive early for the concert,” said Suggs. “Please come and enjoy the fun and excitement.”     

    Gates open at 5 p.m. for this free concert. No outside food, coolers or beverages are allowed within the park. Bring your blankets and chairs to enjoy the event. For more information, call (910) 323-1934.

     

     

    PHOTO: Kasey Tyndall is set to perform at Fayetteville After 5 on Aug. 11. Photo credit Aaron Stearns.

  •  

    07NCGunIt’s been nearly three years since the North Carolina General Assembly liberalized state gun laws. “There is a culture in the South that believes in individual liberties and freedom from government interference,” retired N.C. Sen. Eleanor Kinnaird said. “Guns symbolize that freedom,” she added.

    In October 2013, a new law went into effect in North Carolina that made it legal for people with concealed carry permits to take their weapons into bars and restaurants. The law was met with praise from gun-owners, and much negativity from people who feared the law would create disasters. The revised concealed carry statute says anyone armed who frequents an establishment that serves alcohol is not allowed to have a drink.

    Under the law, businesses are allowed to post signs that prohibit any firearms inside their establishments. Some have chosen to do so, but others have not. In Fayetteville, one sports bar proprietor posted such a sign but was told by the police to take it down. The owner asked to remain anonymous. City Attorney Karen McDonald said Fayetteville Police Attorneys could not comment. “Our officers are aware of the new gun laws and enforce them on a complaint basis,” said police spokesman Lt. Todd Joyce.

    Other North Carolina laws restrict a citizen’s right to carry guns openly, such as the ban on weapons on school grounds and the ban on possession in any assembly where a fee has been charged for admission. Side arms cannot be worn in any establishment where alcoholic beverages are sold and consumed. This is where the law seems ambiguous. People with concealed carry permits may take handguns into a bar, but those who openly display pistols cannot; at least they’re not supposed to.

    An Up & Coming Weekly reporter recently saw an older man with his wife leave a popular restaurant with a pistol strapped to his hip. That was a violation, but apparently no one complained.

    “Some may see friction between private property rights and the Second Amendment,” said State Rep. John Szoka, R-Cumberland. “Another viewpoint is that ‘safe zones’ are a license for crazy people to attack because they know that law-abiding citizens will not break the law and carry weapons into those zones,” he added.

    Szoka recalled the 1993 mass shooting at Luigi’s Italian Restaurant.  A drunk soldier killed four people and wounded eight before he was shot by police. “If someone with a valid carry and conceal license had been carrying in the restaurant, maybe the death toll could have been less,” he said.

    Local governments have some authority to limit open carry rights. An example of a regulation that is within the power of local government is a decision by Cumberland County Commissioners to ban guns in the courthouse and libraries and on the grounds or parking areas of those buildings. Several years ago Fayetteville police arrested a man carrying a loaded rifle on the county courthouse grounds. He was charged with going around armed to the terror of the public. It’s a little-known common law that gives authorities the right to arrest someone they believe has nefarious intent.

     

  • 06CityCouncil2017The 2017 City Council Election should be a Donnybrook.

    It is election time again — this time a Fayetteville municipal election. This fall, voters will elect a mayor and nine City Council members. Council members are elected from districts while the mayor is elected in a citywide vote. Four councilmen will not be in the primary this year. District 9 representative Jim Arp is unopposed. District 5 Councilman Bobby Hurst decided not to seek re-election. Two incumbents have only one opponent.

    In an 11th hour turn of events, veteran Councilman Ted Mohn, who represents District 8, jumped into the race after declaring in April that he would not seek a fifth term. John Miner opposes him. Mohn is one of the incumbents who will not face a primary in October. Primaries are elimination elections that must be held if more than twice the number of candidates for seats being selected file. District 4 Councilman Chalmers McDougald is the other member who faces only a single opponent. Former Councilman D.J. Haire chose not to seek re-election four years ago because he was recovering from  back surgery.

    Two incumbent councilmen are challenging two-term Mayor Nat Robertson. He repeatedly said he would not seek a third term if someone he considered worthy filed for the office.  
    But, Robertson changed his mind and announced he would run again long before anyone else filed. Since then, Councilmen Kirk deViere and Mitch Colvin declared they, too, want to be mayor. Their decisions and the vacancy in the 5th District mean at least three new members will be elected in the fall. 

    No fewer than 10 people want to take deViere’s place representing the majority minority District 2. Most of them apparently believe it’s time an African-American serve in the district seat again. The candidates are Len Brown, George Butterfly, Dan Culliton, Ted Donovan, Kia Henry, Kurin Keys, Linda L. Miller, John Mulvaney, Paul Taylor and Tyrone Williams. District 3, represented by Colvin, is also
    predominantly black. Melissa Allen, Mike Dobs, Tisha Waddell and Jeremy Wright filed for the seat. District 1 is represented by the only woman on City Council, Kathy Jensen. She had no opposition until Curtis Brown and Cathy Dickens entered the race at the  last minute.

    Six of the 40 candidates for City Council want to replace Hurst, the dean of the body. He has served five consecutive terms and served on Council earlier 15 years ago. District 5 candidates include former councilman Johnny Dawkins — son of the late Mayor J.L. Dawkins — Hanah Ehrenreich, Tammy Laurence, Tommy Macon, Henry Tyson and Paul Williams, also a former City Council member.

    Veteran 6th District Councilman Bill Crisp is seeking a sixth term, despite having said prior to the last two elections and again this year that he would not run again. He’s Council’s elder statesman and has health issues. Crisp is opposed by Gary Blackwell, Jason Brady and Toni Stewart. In the 7th District, incumbent Larry Wright is being challenged by Trevone McNeill, Tawanda Robinson and Calvin Rome. It, too, is a majority minority district.

     

    PHOTO: This fall, voters will elect a mayor and nine City Council members.

  • 05NewsDigestThe City of Fayetteville and Houston Astros will break ground on the downtown minor league baseball stadium Monday, Aug. 21. August was set as the original groundbreaking target date a year and a half ago.

    The ceremony will be staged across from Fayetteville Police Headquarters on Hay Street. The new $33-million stadium will be located in the triangular area behind the former Prince Charles Hotel on city-owned property which today is a large parking lot. The Army’s Special Operations Parachute Team, the Black Daggers, will take part in the ceremony. The Black Daggers will perform a freefall parachute jump flying in the U.S flag, a North Carolina flag, a City flag and an Astros flag. City and Astros officials will also be present.

    GenX Controversy Heats Up

    North Carolina is denying Chemours permission to discharge GenX into the Cape Fear River, but the chemical company has already stopped doing so.  GenX will be slow in leaving the Cape Fear River and may never be completely removed, experts said.

    The most recent testing by the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality and Cape Fear Public Utility Authority has shown decreasing levels over the past several weeks. The company has said the chemical had been discharged into the river for up to 37 years. Chemours announced in June that it had stopped discharging GenX at its Fayetteville plant.

    “The levels haven’t dropped as much as I would have expected if really the discharge had gone away,” said Detlef Knappe, a professor at N.C. State University who was part of the team that detected the chemical in the river. The levels are below the 140 ppt standard advised by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, but the chemical may never vanish completely. GenX persists in the Cape Fear River thanks to higher temperatures and a lack of rain.  The river’s flow has been slowed. That means the unregulated chemical has been able to spread out and get onto vegetation in the river, said Lawrence Cahoon, a professor and biological oceanographer at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. “It won’t ever get to zero because that stuff is all over the ecosystem,” he added.

    New Military Family Clinic now Open

    The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic has opened in Fayetteville. An open house was held last week at its new offices in the Tochari Center at the corner of Village and Fargo Drives. 

    The Cohen Clinic, in conjunction with Cape Fear Valley Health System, provides military veterans and their families treatment regardless of insurance or the ability to pay. The expected wait between an intake screening and a first appointment is one week. The network’s founder and namesake, Steven A. Cohen, became involved in veterans’ mental health care after his Marine son returned wounded from a tour in Afghanistan. In 2016, he launched the Cohen Veterans Network with a pledge of $275 million to support the creation of 25 clinics across the nation. The Fayetteville center is the 10th.

    Cumberland County Sobriety Court

    The Cumberland County Sobriety Treatment Court recently recognized three graduates and eight participants in a ceremony presided over by District Court Judge David Hasty. The three graduates completed the final phase of Sobriety Court and have begun the after-care phase. Participants received coins to recognize their commitment and progress in the court.

    There are currently 72 people enrolled in Sobriety Court. It was established in Cumberland County in 2010 as a treatment program for people convicted of driving while impaired, or with pending DWI charges. The court requires participants to receive treatment, counseling and education; abide by curfews; attend meetings; and submit to alcohol and drug screenings.

    Aftercare meetings are held once a week with less intensive supervision. Participants become eligible to work a 12-step program and become a sponsor for someone who is in the same situation as they were in. The special Court is funded by the Governor’s Highway Safety Program. 

    VA Choice Funding Passes in the U.S. House

    In a flurry of 11th hour activity, U.S. House lawmakers passed legislation that includes an emergency funding measure to keep the Veterans Affairs Choice program alive for another six months.

    The House overwhelmingly approved a $3.9 billion emergency spending package designed to address a budget shortfall at the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill provides $2.1 billion for Choice funding, which allows veterans to receive private medical care at government expense. Some Fayetteville area veterans have complained they’ve been denied care because their doctors say they were not being paid by the VA. The Choice program was put in place following a scandal three years ago when lengthy wait times were discovered at the Phoenix VA hospital. The Fayetteville VA was initially among those with record wait times. Many vets waited weeks or months for appointments. During floor debate, House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., called the measure a critical solution to the problem. “We know that veteran demand for care through Choice has never been higher,” Roe said. House members have started their extended summer recess.

    Broad Daylight River Trail Crime

    The popular Cape Fear River Trail was the scene last week of what’s believed to be the first reported instance of crime along the popular trail. Police say a man exposed himself during mid-afternoon to two women who were walking along the trail near the 0.4 mile marker. “They observed a male subject in the wood line that was exposing himself,” said Police Lt. Todd Joyce. The women ran back to the Jordan Soccer Complex where they called 911. Officers were not able to locate the man. The FPD encourages walkers to do so in pairs and to keep a cell phone on hand. “There are emergency call boxes positioned along the trail,” Joyce noted.

  • John Decker sat quietly and listened as the City of Fayetteville’s former Environmental Services director, Gerald Dietzen, talked about recovering from last year’s Hurricane Matthew.

    Dietzen retired last year after 30 years with the City. He spent a large portion of that time directing the city’s sanitation collection services. He retired in October, the same month that Hurricane Matthew dumped 15 inches of rain and carved a swath of destruction through Fayetteville and much of southeast North Carolina.

    Dietzen returned to his former employer as a consultant, a sort of project manager. He’s tasked with ramrodding the City’s cleanup of the debris left by Matthew and fixing the damages from the tons of water that gushed through the city on Oct. 8.

    At a July 22 Cumberland County Citizens United meeting, Dietzen talked about the City’s ongoing work to recover from the effects of last October’s hurricane. Just the day before, Bingham Drive opened for traffic. A major city thoroughfare, the road had washed away during the storm, and restoring it took nine months. It opened ahead of schedule.

    The City so far has spent $3,884,251.27 on repairs and cleanup projects, according to an internal memo from Assistant City Manager Jay Reinstein to City Council members.

    But it’s going to cost a lot more. The Federal Emergency Management Administration is supposed to reimburse about 75 percent of the actual cost, but only if FEMA determines the project is eligible. And, the state is supposed to reimburse the remaining 25 percent.

    Overall, the City asked for around $9.1 million. The State of North Carolina got about $4.5 million from FEMA on behalf of the City. For the state’s part of the deal, it allocated $1.5 million to Fayetteville, but as of early July only forwarded $1.2 million of that allocation.

    The day Hurricane Matthew rolled into Fayetteville, the City’s budget gurus, I imagine, could hear the cha-ching ring loud and clear.

    The city’s damaged vehicles alone came to more than $1.4 million. Here’s a sampling of what the storm has cost this City so far:

    • Temporary Shawcroft Road access: $246,249

    • Debris removal: $1.12 million

    • Rayconda alternate connector: $242,193

    • Greenoch Drive in Arran Lake: $207,599

    • Mirror Lake Dam: $1.5 million

    And the list goes on.

    Luckily, the City has another source of money: the Golden Leaf Foundation. This nonprofit corporation was created in 1999 and got its greatest bulk of money from settlements with major cigarette companies. The companies had to fork over $206 billion to 46 states for their part in forcing people to smoke and get sick. The Golden Leaf Foundation is supposed to award grants for projects that enhance the long-term economic well- being of North Carolina, especially in the rural areas of the state that were dependent on the tobacco trade.

    Well, we’re not rural. But Fayetteville somehow got Golden Leaf Foundation money to clear debris in Cross Creek from Green Street to the pedestrian bridge next to Heritage Place. Several other projects are on the waiting list, with some going to bid in August or early September.

    The City is still waiting to hear whether they’ll get foundation money for an alternate connector into King’s Grant subdivision, for more waterways cleaning, and for stabilizing the Cross Creek bank. In the meantime, Dietzen and crew are chugging along, taking bites out of the huge task that lay ahead.

    Unfortunately, there were a lot of questions Dietzen couldn’t answer from folks at the meeting because they lived outside the City.

    Dr. Josee Bourget, from the Wendemere subdivision just outside City limits, wanted to know the status of storm water studies. And Kittie Elrod, who lives south of Hope Mills in the Grays Creek community of Mt. Vernon Estate, is frustrated. Apparently, there is no one she knows of who can give her an update on stormwater-related issues that have plagued her neighborhood. Those are questions that need to be answered.

    But John Decker’s question hit the mark. John finally raised his hand, and when called on by the moderator, he said that while he was all for parks, splash pads and downtown baseball stadiums, he wondered why those items seemed to be given priority over people and property recovering from the hurricane.

    It was a good question. The answers are for another column.

  • 04EverybodyOut

    What are the four most frightening words in the English language? “A new study revealed...” My advice is to skip this column. Do not read it. Please do not read it. Go do the crossword puzzle. Wash your car. Balance your check book.

    But if you must read it, here it goes. Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water, it isn’t. This year marks the 42nd anniversary of the release of the movie “Jaws,” which came out in 1975. “Jaws” scared me out of the water then. Now this new study renews that primordial fear. It’s been a lousy week for swimming. It was bad enough that Michael Phelps raced a fake computer-generated shark for “Shark Week.”

    Water sports hit the proverbial bottom of the barrel with an excellent, nauseating article in the Wall Street Journal by Jo McGinty about a study done by Canadian researcher Lindsay Blackstock. Blackstock’s study determined the amount of pee in public swimming pools and hot tubs. I told you not to read this column. It’s not too late to turn the page. The truth is out there, and it’s yucky.

    Blackstock studied 31 swimming pools in Canada. Everyone knows Canadians are much tidier than Americans, so you can extrapolate that the contents of American swimming pools are much grosser than Canadian pools. Her study looked for the amount of an artificial sweetener called Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K) that shows up  in pools. Ace-K is in thousands of foods and drinks. It is 200 times sweeter than regular sugar.

    Ace-K is not absorbed by the body and ends up being excreted in urine. The urine containing Ace-K bonds with the chlorine in the pool. This reduces the ability of the chlorine to kill the pool cooties. The study showed that pool water had from 4 to 570 times the level of Ace-K that plain old tap water has. Where does the Ace-K in pools come from? It comes from people peeing in the pool.

    There was a “South Park” episode in which a bunch of first-graders get into a swimming pool. They unleash a yellow tide that scares Kyle, Cartman and the rest of the third-graders out of the
    pool. Unfortunately, art sometimes imitates life. It could be worse, though. In the greatest movie about golf ever made, “Caddy Shack,” someone drops a Baby Ruth candy bar in a pool. The music from “Jaws” plays as the Baby Ruth bobs on the surface of the pool and horrified swimmers struggle to get out while screaming, “Doodie in the pool!” Bill Murray puts on a Hazmat suit to remove it from the pool and realizes it is only a candy bar. Bill takes a bite out of the Baby Ruth as observers pass out in horror. A true American classic. But I digress.

    According to the study’s calculations based on Ace-K, a 110,000-gallon pool typically contains 8 gallons of urine. Unfortunately, urine is not the only cootie in a swimming pool. Fecal material clings to the human body. The study estimates that an average adult carries 0.14 grams of hanging poo. The average child can have up to 10 grams of poo along for the swim. In a big water park which has 1,000 children playing in the water on a given day, the water could be packing up to 22 pounds of poo. The children put the poo in the pool. Human poo carries such delightful free swimmers as E. coli and Norovirus.

    The problem for scientists is not having urine in the pool. Into every life, pool urine must fall. The Ace-K rains on the just and the unjust. The health-related issue is that the urine, Ace-K and chlorine bond into a weakened chlorine that is not nearly as good at killing germs as urine- free chlorine.

    Urine and chlorine cause your eyes to turn red and your nose to run. You don’t have to be a scientist to know if your pool is overly contaminated with pee according to the study. Sniff it. A relatively urine-free pool doesn’t have much of an odor. If your pool smells strongly of chlorine that doesn’t mean it is a healthy pool. It means you are swimming with something other than  the dolphins.

    Kindly note that I totally resisted any mention of Russian hookers and presidential pee tapes in this column. I award myself a gold star for restraint. Swim at your own risk. The Ace-K is fine. Jump in.

  • 03TroubleinMayberryWe Americans, especially Tar Heels, love the small-town simplicity evoked by native son Andy Griffith in fictional Mayberry, a still-in-rerun 1960s sitcom valentine to his hometown, Mount Airy, North Carolina. Fifty years later, we still laugh at Barney Fife — Sheriff Taylor’s inept deputy — and Otis Campbell, the local drunk who checked himself into the county jail when need be for three hots — cooked by Aunt Bee — and a cot.

    Mostly, though, we celebrate and yearn for the mythical goodness of small-town America, the perceived kindness of its residents and the wisdom and common sense of its kindly widowed sheriff raising his boy, Opie, with the help of his maiden aunt. Those were the days, we imagine.

    They probably were not then and are not  now, either. The reality is that rural America, including rural North Carolina, is having a hard time.

    Here are some cold, hard facts about small-town North Carolina, according to data from the UNC Carolina Population Center.

    While North Carolina’s major urban areas are booming, population is declining in 41 percent of our municipalities.

    Three out of four towns have either lost residents or have grown slower than the state average  since 2010.

    The largest declines have been in northeastern North Carolina, with Jacksonville, a military city, the biggest loser with a decline of more than 2,300 citizens. Our neighbors, Lumberton and Clinton, are among the top 10 losers for 2015-2016.

    What is more, the people remaining in areas of declining population are older, with 23 percent of Northampton County residents now 65 and older. These are people more likely to be retired than to be full-time workers. Across the state as a whole, only 16 percent of the population is 65 or older.

    We know what is causing some of these losses. Young people are leaving small towns and rural North Carolina for better career opportunities and more diverse social lives in larger cities, many of them in booming North Carolina metropolitan areas like the Triangle and Charlotte. We see this trend among people we know, many of them in our  own families.

    Some small towns are taking the bull by the horns and reinventing themselves through special economic development plans that do not involve large-scale manufacturing and other traditional efforts. Although Fayetteville is not a small town in a rural area, we are surrounded by many such areas whose residents often come our way. Part of the draw is Fayetteville’s reimagined and bustling downtown area, with restaurants, arts and  boutique shopping.

    Smaller towns are working on similar ideas— specialty food areas, regular festivals and other events and unique offerings. Google “Sylvan Heights” outside tiny Scotland Neck to learn about an impressive aviary that draws visitors from all over the state and beyond.

    As fine as some of these efforts are, they are not enough. For almost a decade, the North Carolina General Assembly has been cutting funding to public schools, community colleges and our university system. Education is the backbone of economic development because our people cannot be successful and our communities cannot thrive if we are not ready to do the jobs of today, not yesterday. If young people outside North Carolina’s robust urban areas cannot get education and training, they will not be employable and productive in those communities or anywhere else.

    These are not theoretical issues that affect “other people.” They shape the lives of our children and grandchildren, nieces, nephews and neighbors. They are issues to corner our legislators about not just in the halls of the legislature, but in the grocery store, in church, in restaurants — where ever you can  find them.

    And finally, North Carolina is one state, not two. We are not urban and rural, and if we allow ourselves to think that way, we cannot prosper. Entrepreneurship and creativity are playing huge roles in bringing small towns back to life, but local and state governments must play roles as well through public policies aimed at floating all boats.

    Our beloved Mayberry harkens to a time when most people, including North Carolinians, lived in towns much like that imaginary place. As North Carolina evolves, our Mayberrys are both part of our collective past and part of our collective future.

  • 02PubPen“The difference between a politician and a statesman is that a politician thinks about the next election while the statesman thinks about the next generation.” — James Freeman Clarke

    In a community that welcomes 1,500 new families each month, keeping the public informed requires effort. With the upcoming elections, this effort becomes even more important. Community members must have access to reliable information so they can vote in ways that reflect their ideals and vision for Fayetteville.

    There are many hardworking citizens currently serving in public office working diligently on behalf of the greater Fayetteville area. There are many more not yet in office who are eager to serve as well. And there is much work to do. The issues are many, as are the opportunities.

    July 21 was the deadline for local candidates to file to run for public office. As citizens throw their hats into the ring, vying for a chance to serve this community, there are plenty of issues to tackle: economic development, responsible growth, public safety, homelessness, stormwater issues, a tight budget, taxes, education, Hurricane Matthew recovery projects and funding, lingering issues from the Big Bang Annex — the list goes on.

    These are all issues our publisher, Bill Bowman, addresses on a regular basis. They are issues citizens deal with every day. As an advocate for the community and its best interests, this publication takes seriously the issues that face this community and seeks to be a part of the  solution. And solutions can’t be found unless people know about the issues and know about the options leaders in our community are brainstorming.

    This column is an open invitation to all the local political candidates. Now through Sept. 29, we invite you to send us your platform. In 500 – 600 words, tell your potential constituents what it is they need to know about you and your vision for the community. Share your plan, your passion, your vision. What do you bring to the table?

    Our readers want to know why they should vote for you and what you plan to do to make this community stronger. Candidates, this is your opportunity to get your message out.

    Send your comments to editor@upandcomingweekly.com or bbowman@upandcomingweekly.com.

    Readers, throughout the election process, we’ll bring you insights and input from candidates. As your community newspaper, we’ll keep you in the know so you can make informed decisions and do your part to contribute to Fayetteville’s future.

    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

  • high school highlights schedule up dated 080217

  • COVERAccording to the International Association of Fairs and Expos, we have Elkanah Watson a farmer from New England to thank for county fairs. In fact, he is officially known as the “Father of U.S. Agricultural Fairs.” Watson organized the Berkshire Agricultural Society. In 1811, the society hosted what was billed as a cattle show in Pittsfield, Mass. It wasn’t just a show, though. The event included exhibits, but it was also a competition, complete with prize money for the best ox, cattle, swine and sheep exhibits. Watson dedicated himself to helping other communities organize agricultural societies. Within about eight years, most every county in New England had an agricultural society. By 1900, most states had one or more agricultural fairs. Today, there are more than 3,200 fairs in North America every year. Sept. 9-18, Cumberland County celebrates is agricultural roots along with music, games and rides at the 2016 Cumberland County Fair. 

    Global Spectrum is partnering with the fair this year and has some exciting changes in store, including an entire new lineup of rides. 

    “This year we toured a lot of different ride providers and we ended up going with Big Rock Amusements. They are amazing,” said Crown Complex Director of Marketing Katie Mikos. “All the rides are upgraded and have LED lights — except the carousel, which intentionally has an authentic look and feel. We will have more rides than we have had in the past, like a double sky wheel. The kids’ rides are also really good.” 

    Event organizers are so sure that patrons will love the new set up that entry in to the fair is free on opening night. “You will still need to buy a wrist band to ride the rides, but people will be able to look around and buy some food if they want to,” Mikos added.

    Like traditional fairs, the Cumberland County Fair showcases the area’s agricultural roots. The petting farm runs throughout the event and offers an opportunity for the public, especially young children who many not be familiar with farm animals, to get up close and personal with them. There are also a variety of livestock and farm animal shows. “All of our livestock elements are always really good,” said Mikos.  “Cumberland County has really good participants that come out each year.” 

    Monday, Sept. 12, at 7 p.m. is the Cumberland County Fair Junior Laying Hen Show featuring hens that are less than 12 months old. There are eight breed classes: American, English, Asiatic, Mediterranean, Continental, Polish, Bantams and No Official Breed Class. There are three Cumberland County Fair Junior Livestock Shows scheduled: Sept. 14 at 7 p.m.; Sept. 15 at 7 p.m.; and Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. The categories include lambs, goats and beef heifers. Sept. 13 is the Cumberland County Fair Youth Livestock Show and Sale. This takes place at 5 p.m.

    City slickers can get a peek at the different plants and farm animals that thrive here. Just check out the exhibits. From livestock and poultry to floriculture, agriculture and horticulture, there will be plenty to see.  Other exhibits include baked goods, canned fruits and vegetables as well as jams and jellies. The antique farm equipment exhibit gives fair goers a look at how farming has evolved over time. Area 4-H clubs will have exhibits showing what the participants learned through 4-H.

    Another highlight at the fair is the Cumberland County Fair Pageant. This wholesome competition has 12 categories for girls ranging from birth to 40 and up. The boys age groups will depend on the number of entries. The pageant is on Sept. 10. Division I, which includes birth to 6 years starts at 2 p.m. Division II starts at 7 p.m. 

    There are several exhibits that run daily through the duration of the fair: local farmers market in the Expo Center; interactive petting farm; Close Encounters of the Exotic Kind Show; Pirates of the Colombian Caribbean Show; Chainsaw Artist Rick Cox; helicopter rides; Up & Coming Weekly Entertainment Stage  featuring continuous local entertainment; Toddler Driving School from 5-8 p.m. weekdays and 3 – 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; Farmer For a Day Expo; pony and camel rides; Eurobungy trampoline; home, craft and agricultural exhibits; and “Goodness  Grows in North Carolina” contest.

    While the exhibits are enough to keep most anyone busy, there is much more to see and do while the fair is in town. Every day is packed with shows, music and entertainment along with rides, midway games, and of course, food. Stop by the Up & Coming Weekly stage to see local talent ranging from dance, to bands to cheer teams and more.

    The fair opens Sept. 9 at 5 p.m. The entertainment includes Close Encounter of the Exotic Kind Show at 6:30 p.m. and Pirates of the Columbian Caribbean at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. 

    On Saturday, entertainment includes several showings of the Pirates of the Colombian Caribbean Show, the Drew Smith Band, The Fair Queen pageants, racing pigs, Jill Charles and Nobody’s Business and Close Encounter of the Exotic Kind Show.  

    Sunday, Sept. 11, the fair opens at 1 p.m. It is military and emergency services appreciation night. Admission is free for all military retired veterans and active duty soldiers and first responders in uniform or with an ID. Regular admission applies for family and friends.  Entertainment includes racing pigs, petting farms, Russ Adair, Close Encounter of the Exotic Kind Show, Pirates of the Colombian Caribbean Show, Rivermist, Born Again Band and Kimberly Simmons. 

    Monday, Sept. 12 is Pay One Price Night. $10 includes gate admission and unlimited carnival rides. The fair opens at 5 p.m. 

    Students win on Sept. 13 and 14, which are student nights at the fair, which opens at 5 p.m. Students get $2 off admission and $3 off unlimited ride wristbands with a coupon from Kidsville News! 

    Make a difference on Sept. 15. Bring three cans of nonperishable items or your 4-H and Future Farmers of America membership card (or wear the T-shirt) and receive $2 off admission. Admission discounts cannot be combined. The canned goods will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank. The fair opens at 5 p.m. 

    On Friday, Sept. 16, the fair’s Senior Expo opens at 1 p.m. and seniors age 50 and older get in free until 5 p.m. early afternoon events include the Shimmy Mob Dance Troupe, Hope Mills line dancers, pianist Bill Luden, the Red Hat Society, the Felton Moore Choir, Roland’s Dance Studio and the 82nd Airborne Chorus. After 5 p.m. guests can enjoy the petting farms, racing pigs, Pirates of the Colombian Caribbean Show, American Idol winner Trent Harmon, the Junior Beef Heifer Show, and Violet Smoke, along with the rides, games and food. “Trent was the winner of the 2016 American IdolSeason,” said Mikos. “He’ll be headlining on the Up & Coming Weekly Entertainment stage. I’m really excited about his performance.” 

    Saturday, Sept. 17, the gates open at 1 p.m. for a full day of fun. The gates close at 9 p.m. On Sunday, Sept. 18, bring a current church bulletin (one per person) at get $2 off admission between 1 and 3 p.m. Gates open at 1 p.m. and close at 9 p.m.

    For more information about the fair, visit http://cumberlandcountyfair.org.

  • hip hop The Crown Coliseum presents The Kings & Queens of Hip Hop on Sunday, Sept. 4 at 7:30 p.m. 

    DMX and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony co-headline the concert. Other artists include Trina, Scarface, Ying Yang Twins, Juvenile, 69 Boyz and Dukwon. The concert is hosted by Comedian A-Train with assistance by DJ Michelle Pooch. 

     Juvenile is a rapper, songwriter and actor from New Orleans. He is a former member of the hip hop group, Hot Boys. He began recording at the age of 19 and his first album was, Being Myself, in 1995. His singles, “Back That Thang Up” and “Ha,”put him on the map. In 2003, he returned to Cash Money Records to record Juve the Great, whichincluded the number one single, “Slow Motion.” 

     “I am going to do my thizzle and all I know how to do is have a good time,” said Juvenile. “I love doing music and telling my story.” 

    Juvenile was inspired to perform hip hop when he heard Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five’s song “The Message” which includes the lyrics “It’s like a jungle sometimes, it makes me wonder how I keep from going under.” 

     DMX is a hip-hop recording artist and actor from Yonkers, New York. His best-selling album, And Then There Was X, included the hit single “Party Up (Up In Here).” He has been featured in films such as Belly, Romeo Must Die, Exit Wounds, Cradle 2 the Grave and Last Hour. He starred in the reality television series DMX: Soul of a Man and published a book entitled, E. A. R. L.: The Autobiography of DMX. 

     Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is a hip hop group from Cleveland, Ohio. The group consists of Bizzy Bone, Wish Bone, Layzie Bone, Krayzie Bone and Flesh-N-Bone. Rapper Eazy-E signed the group to Ruthless Records and their debut album, EP Creepin on ah Come Up, featured the hit single “Thuggish, Ruggish Bone.” They are the only group that has worked with four deceased artists: Tupac, Notorious B.I.G.,Eazy-E and Big Pun when they were still alive. 

     Tickets are $88, $70, $55 and $33. For more information, visit www.CapeFearTix.com or call 888-257-6208. 

  • cirque italiaA seventh generation circus performer, 15-year-old contortionist Juliet Monserrat Carabello Cavellini loves traveling and hanging out with her friends. And she loves the water. During the off season, she enjoys being near the water at her family’s Florida home. Lately, though, she gets to enjoy the water in an entirely different way. 

    “For my act, I am surrounded by water and a beautiful fountain and lights,” she said. “I think that is pretty cool. It is so pretty and so much fun for the audience, too. It is my first time experiencing something like that. Other circuses are usually in a ring,”

     Cavellini is a part of Cirque Italia, a European-style circus with a twist. There is a tent, but that is where the similarities end. Instead of a ring (or several), the center of this tent has a tank filled with 35,000 gallons of water. In the center of the tank is a stage. And this is where Cavelini and the other performers work their magic entertaining the crowds. It’s not your typical circus, which is why she loves it so. Cirque Italia will be in Raleigh Sept. 2-5 and in Wilmington Sept. 8-11.

    “We have everything you would expect to see at a circus except animals,” said Tim Orris, Cirque Italia spokesperson. “And inside the tent, the show feels very up close and personal. There are about 14 rows of stadium-style seating. So you are within 60 feet of everything that is going on at any time.” 

    Orris added that this show is perfect for all ages. The beautiful stage and colorful lights appeal to most everyone and the acts are varied. 

    “We have a mermaid that comes out of the water and does a trapeze act. We have a dinosaur act. The dinosaur works with a clown from Europe. The kids love it.”

     Other favorites include Cavelini’s contortions. “My best trick is when I go up on one arm and spin. That is my favorite and hardest trick because you have to concentrate. Most people think it is a machine making me turn, but it is my hand,” she said, adding that even though she performs in the circus, she still loves watching the other acts, too. 

    “My personal favorite is the dinosaur. I think it brings a lot of excitement to the kids. I see their faces and they are very excited when the dinosaur comes out.”

    Orris added that Cavelini’s act is always a crowd pleaser, too. “She does hand balancing and contortions. She can go onstage and stand on a stool, bend over backwards, balance on her hands and pick it up with her feet and put it on her head.”

    While laser man bends light beams, and a guy named Gimmi sings in Italian as he stacks chairs and climbs up and balances on top of them, there are more traditional acts as well. “We have Argentinian jugglers. We have two clown acts. They are Spanish clowns, which means little makeup and a lot of humor and mime gestures. One of them uses a trampoline, too,” said Orris. 

    Guests can look forward to an aerial hammock and hoop act performed by a former Olympic gymnast from Bulgaria, a straps act, a hand to hand duo, a trampoline act, bubbles and more. If anything, this circus is diverse. With performers hailing from all over the world, Orris sees the many cultures and personalities as one of the biggest strengths because they each bring a unique perspective to the stage. “That is the nice thing about circus people in our show,” he said. “We have 15 languages spoken here.”.

    Find out more about Cirque Italia or purchase tickets at https://cirqueitalia.com.

  • stuff the bus“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
    Winston Churchill

    Cumberland County Schools is having a “Stuff the Bus” with school supplies on Friday, Sept. 2 at the Walmart Super Center on Skibo Road from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. 

    “Stuff the Bus is a tradition sponsored by Social Work Services of Cumberland County Schools and Cumberland County Transportation to ensure that homeless students, imminently homeless students and others in need have school supplies all year long,” said Pamela Story, social worker coordinator for Cumberland County Schools. “This year we have seen an outpouring of the community giving to students of all socioeconomic backgrounds by churches, civic organizations, businesses, agencies and nonprofits.” Story added that volunteers from the Department of Social Services, Communities in Schools and the Bronco Women of Fayetteville State will be on hand to collect, sort and organize the school supplies on Sept. 2. Two Men and A Truck will help transport the school supplies to the schools. The items will be distributed by the school social workers in a confidential manner. 

    The school supplies needed include notebook paper, pens, pencils, erasers, binders, composition books, hand sanitizer, glue sticks, scissors, pencil sharpeners, crayons and rulers. 

    “With the emphasis on digital learning, we have an increasing need for earbuds, flash drives, external chargers and phone cards,” said Story. “I maintain a school supply closet at the Central Office and student services staff check out supplies that include book bags, flash drives, basic supplies and uniforms throughout the school year.”   

    Last year a group of social workers drove to Dillon, South Carolina, to shop during their tax-free weekend to purchase school supplies for the supply closet since North Carolina discontinued its tax-free weekend. This year Cumberland County Schools decided to bring back Stuff the Bus with Buster the Talking School Bus. 

    “I invite the community to come by this year and help us really stuff the bus to the brim,” said Story. “How wonderful to live in a city that cares so much about making sure a child in need has school supplies to start the school year off right.”  

    Donations will be accepted at the Central Services office located at 2465 Gillespie Street between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. all year.  For more information, call 678-2402 or 678-2621.   

  • jeff8The Fayetteville City Council wants the public to know that building a downtown minor league ballpark is the nucleus of a major economic development plan. Projects totaling $100 million are linked to the proposal, which has been in the making for three years. The stadium itself is a $33 million public/private partnership. Funding details are still being worked out. A Durham developer plans to spend $15 million to refurbish the adjoining Prince Charles Hotel building. The same developer has an agreement with the city to spend $60 million to develop 2.5 acres in the same triangle. It’s fairly common for communities to leverage sports stadiums in such a way. 

    What if the development goes bad? We don’t know what city council will come up with to fund the stadium, but observers trust the financial plan will shield taxpayers and isolate risk even if the development fails to take off. When the Class AAA Omaha, Nebraska, Storm Chasers were looking for a new home, the town of Papillion, a suburban community south of Omaha, came forward with a ballpark plan with an economic development component. The new ballpark opened in 2011 and has been a big success. But, the ancillary development hasn’t happened. Part of it is location because the ballpark is just outside the main centers of development in the area. There were big plans for an entertainment district, but those plans have not panned out. The Fayetteville/Cumberland Arts Council has high hopes for a downtown entertainment district with the stadium being an important part of it. One idea that may be under consideration locally is creation of a tax increment finance district underwritten by tax-exempt warrants and bonds sold to investors who take the risk, not taxpayers. In North Carolina, the implementing legislation labels this form of financing “project development financing.” Whatever creative funding ideas being considered by a city council stadium committee are unknown. The committee has been meeting privately for weeks and has not yet fully developed a funding plan. 

    Little infrastructure work is needed in the downtown area where the ballpark would be built. In Omaha, a public/private partnership spent $29 million to build the Class AAA stadium. That’s less than what Fayetteville proposes to spend on a Class A ballpark. How the city proposes to pay off the debt is also a mystery. The new stadium in suburban Omaha itself is doing very well. “Our revenues are coming in even without any development at the ballpark,” said Brian Hanson, the county’s fiscal administrator. “They’re coming in and covering our debt payments.”  The lesson learned in the Omaha project is that the ballpark deal was structured to pay for the facility, create an environment for future success while protecting taxpayers in the event the economic development didn’t work out.  

  • jeff7News of Fayetteville Police Chief Harold Medlock’s retirement spread like wildfire hours before the formal announcement last week. 

    He told news reporters he is having surgery to repair a damaged rotator cuff tendon. Those tendons are tough pieces of connective tissue that control the motion of the shoulder joint where the upper arm bone, shoulder blade and collarbone meet. Surgery can help restore pain-free range
    of motion and full function in a damaged shoulder joint.

    Medlock says he is retiring from law enforcement at the end of the year and has no other plans. He will take leave Sept. 1. 

    The chief fought back tears as he thanked God and “his long-suffering wife, Gloria.” He recited the department’s accomplishments over the three-and-a-half years he served. They include being among the first departments in the state to equip police cars with dash cameras and officers with body cams. He said more than 100 surveillance cameras have been installed around the city. They feed real time video signals to a crime information center at police headquarters. Medlock emphasized his faith in the 600 men and women of the Fayetteville Police Department and pointed to his command staff as the best in North Carolina. Medlock came to Fayetteville from Charlotte where he served most recently as a deputy chief. 

    “It’s a completely different time, a different culture,” Mayor Nat Robertson said of Medlock’s tenure. Senior Assistant Chief Katherine Bryant agreed saying “He’s a good guy to work for. We’ve changed the police culture.” 

    Bryant served with four police chiefs and is wrapping up a 30-year career with the FPD. “I was supposed to leave before him,” she said. Bryant retires in March. 

    Moments after Medlock’s retirement, City Councilman Larry Wright told Up & Coming Weeklythat Council members have the responsibility of making sure the chief’s legacy of community policing is continued. At a community meeting several hours after Medlock made his announcement, retired Cumberland County School Superintendent Dr. John Griffin called out to him “Don’t leave us like this, hang in there a little while longer.” Mayor Pro Tem Mitch Colvin hosted the meeting.

     “The chief has meant a lot in bringing this community together, following the rough patch we had a few years ago,” he said. His reference was to allegations of racial profiling by city police under a former chief. “He has closed the gap and African-American leadership is obliged to make sure his legacy is untarnished,” Colvin added. When asked whether Chief Medlock realized the impact he has had in Fayetteville, two members of his command staff said “probably not,” in unison.  

    Interim City Manager Doug Hewitt said he will name an acting chief of police in a couple of weeks. He was reminded of Dallas, Texas, Deputy Chief Malik Aziz’s interest in the job here three years ago. He and Medlock were the two finalists for the post. Aziz is still with the Dallas Police Department. 

  • jeff1Fayetteville Regional Airport has implemented an expedited TSA screening process for active-duty military personnel. Service members with valid ID cards can now move through the line much quicker. This expedited process will speed up the process for service members who represent a sizeable airport clientele. Additional information is available at flyfay.com. 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    jeff2Builder Recommended for PWC Post                      

    Fayetteville car dealer Mike Lallier, who has guided the Public Works Commission through thick and thin over the last 12 years, is about to be replaced on the board. He must give up his seat next month in compliance with membership rules. Lallier will likely be replaced by Fayetteville real estate developer Ralph Huff. City Council’s appointments committee is recommending Huff’s appointment.  He was chosen from a list of nine applicants who had indicated interest in serving. The full council must confirm the recommendation.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    jeff3New FTCC Leadership             

    The Board of Trustees of Fayetteville Technical Community College has welcomed two new members. Charlie Harrell and Christopher Haywood took office this month. Harrell was appointed by the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners. Haywood is the 2016-17 Student Government Association President, serving as an ex-officio member. Current Board Member Dr. Dallas Freeman was reappointed for an additional term. Freeman was reappointed by the Cumberland County Board of Education. The FTCC Board of Trustees re-elected Charles E. Koonce Chairman of the Board. Ronald C. Crosby is Vice Chair, and Hilton T. Hutchens is Secretary. Their terms begin immediately. Fayetteville Technical Community College was established in 1961 and serves over 42,000 students providing over 200 occupational, technical, general education, college transfer and continuing education programs. 

     

     

     

     

     

    jeff4Confederate Flag Banned             

    The Department of Veterans Affairs will no longer allow the Confederate battle flag to be flown at national cemeteries on Memorial Day or Confederate Memorial Day. The policy change follows debate in the House of Representatives earlier this year. It further reduces the number of flag images that can be displayed on federal land after the National Park Service made similar policy changes last year. The VA decision comes after an amendment barring the display of flag imagery in VA cemeteries was added to the House’s fiscal 2017 VA spending bill, but later removed from the conference report behind closed doors. 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    jeff5Cancer Spreads                           

    Cancer is overtaking heart disease as the leading cause of death in North Carolina and 21 other states as of 2014, and that’s not entirely bad news. According to a report released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics, deaths due to heart disease have been declining ever since they peaked in 1985, while deaths due to cancer have been on the rise. Worldwide, heart disease has long been the leading cause of death. But in the United States, the number of deaths for both heart disease and cancer have been on the rise since the 1950s, which the NCHS attributes in large part to the fact that people were living longer. But heart disease deaths in the U.S. began to fall in the 1990s, and researchers believe cancer first became a leading cause of death somewhere in the early 2010s.  

     

     

     

     

     

     

    jeff6Big Time Foosball            

    The Airborne & Special Operations Museum will host Fayetteville’s first Human Foosball tournament on Saturday, Oct. 1, beginning at 9 a.m. Twenty-four teams of six players per team will participate. in this round robin tournament. Registration is now open. According to Paul Galloway, Executive Director of the Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation, everyone is encouraged to participate. “Companies, families, friends organizations and military units,” said Galloway. “We hope to see a lot of good-natured rivalry throughout the entire day.” Each team member will receive a tee shirt. Cash prizes of $600, $300 and $150 will be awarded to the top three teams. Beer and concessions will also be available. Registration is limited so call 643-2773 or 643-2778 today or go to www.asomf.org to register. The Airborne & Special Operations Museum is part of the U.S. Army Museum System and tells the story of Army airborne and special operations units from 1940 to the present.

  • margaretI have often joked over the years that my faithful station wagon — Number Seven I think this one is — could make it to Raleigh or to the beach even if I were not in it. We have been together for so long and driven those roads so many times, this almost seems true, though, of course, it is not. Vehicles still require human pilots — at least for now.

    Tesla, the plug-in electric car, Ford, Google, Volvo and probably others still holding on to their privacy are also working on their versions of driverless cars. Now, Uber, that wildly convenient and successful challenger to the conventional taxi cab business, says it will have its own fleet of driverless Volvos on the streets of Pittsburgh within the next few weeks — not years! Even more, Uber has acquired a startup company, Otto, with a goal of driverless commercial semis. Interstate driving will never be
    the same.

    Now, I am a great Uber fan. The Precious Jewels introduced me to Uber several years ago, and my first Uber ride was in a shiny black SUV from Union Station in Washington, D.C., to a hotel near DuPont Circle carrying seven passengers and lots of luggage. One of the Jewels sprang for the ride on her credit card — no cash involved with Uber —and it was just over $19, a real deal in my book for such a crowd. My next Uber ride occurred when one of the Jewels tucked me into an old Toyota sedan driven by a jovial retiree. Said the Jewel to the driver, “You take good care of my mama!” and the Uber driver did.

    That being said, I am not sure — were I suddenly transmitted to Pittsburgh — that I would put my big toe inside Uber’s new driverless Volvos, safety ratings notwithstanding.

    Not that my own driving record is perfect. I have had my share of fender-benders, including a rear-end collision or two, which is always the fault of the driver who rear-ended. I sideswiped a pole in a grocery store parking lot a year or so ago, a vehicular booboo that set me back $1,400. Years earlier, with a barely-verbal toddler in his car seat, I backed into another parking lot pole in station wagon Number One, which earned only a tiny dent I thought no one would notice. Unfortunately, when we got home, that toddler in the back seat turned into Chatty Cathy and informed our entire household, “Mommy had a wreck today.” So much for discretion. 

    We all see news stories about drivers who make fatal mistakes, who drive while impaired by substances or fatigue, or who are too young, old or inexperienced to be behind the wheel. Too many of us have suffered in terrible ways because of human drivers who failed somehow. Obviously, some of us are probably not as capable a driver as an automated vehicle might be.

    A quick search regarding driverless vehicle safety turns up plenty of information, most of it scientific papers and engineering formulae not readily digestible by a layperson, or at least by this layperson. Scientists are taking safety challenges of driverless vehicles seriously, and I have no doubt that they are in our future. After all, station wagon Number Seven does have a system whereby a light comes on if I get too close to a car on either side, and it beeps when I get too close to something in front or behind me, a feature that can be very handy in parking lots with poles. 

    I am also the proud owner and great fan of a robotic vacuum cleaner which devours dust balls when I am not at home. One day soon, I also expect an online purchase to be delivered by a drone, which I hope does not hit me on
    the head. 

    The obvious advantage of driverless cars is reduction of human error and its sometimes-dreadful consequences. People would have more free time if we were not driving so much, traffic could flow more efficiently, less road signage would be required, as well as less parking space since all driverless cars would know how to park in tight spaces. What’s more, your car could pick up the children from school and scoot by the grocery to retrieve your pre-bagged goods.

    On the other hand, it will take time and lots of money to transform millions of vehicles into self-drivers, and there are all sorts of liability and regulatory issues. People who drive for a living will lose jobs, and our current road infrastructure may need revamping to accommodate self-drivers. And, bottom line, some of us human beings are just not going to want to give up driving our own vehicles.

    Whenever my young self got eager to embrace the latest of the latest trend, my mother quoted the 18th century satirist, social commentator, and champion of the heroic couplet, Alexander Pope. “Be not the first by whom the new is tried, nor yet the last to lay the old aside.”  

    Pope had to be thinking about the driverless car.

  • Pub PenWe are lucky to have so many quality  entertainment options in Fayetteville. On Sept. 13, we will celebrate many of them at our 19th Annual Best of Fayetteville Awards Party “American Bandstand.” Rock and Roll ‘50s style.  

    Speaking of rock and roll we (Up & Coming Weekly) attended the final Fayetteville After Five event in Festival Park last Friday. It was awesome. The band, Firehouse, closed the summer season playing to an energetic and appreciative crowd. Nice event on a beautiful 4th Fridayevening. 

    We are a  proud founding sponsor of Fayetteville After Five and have enjoyed watching Carrie King and the Dogwood Festival committee take it to a new high in entertainment excellence. 

    Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, there were as many people enjoying the amenities of Downtown Fayetteville during the same 4th Fridayevening. Along Hay and Person Streets hundreds of couples, children and families could be seen enjoying the shops, music, arts, street entertainers and local restaurants all orchestrated by the Downtown Alliance and the Arts Council of Cumberland County. 

    For more than a decade Downtown Fayetteville’s 4th Fridayevent has been a great way to showcase and show off our downtown community while nurturing and encouraging much needed economic activity. So, it stands to reason the more events we have downtown, and the more people we invite and introduce to downtown, the sooner we will establish a vibrant and flourishing city center. 

    This being the case, next year it would be nice if the Dogwood Festival and Fayetteville After Five committee would consider moving the summer music series to Saturday night or back to Thursday evenings where it originated. This way it would not conflict with the activities of 4th Friday, and local residents and visitors would not have to choose between the two events. Downtown Fayetteville and the merchants would benefit  from the draw of two entertaining community events. More people, more business, more fun. Win, win, win! 

    Combining these two grassroots events on the same evening  only dilutes and marginalizes their brand, effectiveness and uniqueness.

    We need more quality venues downtown. Not less. Separate the two and you: Double your pleasure, Double your fun!!! It’s worth the consideration. 

    Thanks for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

  • COVERThe name may have changed, but the fun is still the same. What used to be the North Carolina Turkey Festival is back but as the North Carolina Fall Festival, and it kicks off with a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 10. The ceremony is at the P.K. Airport Ralph Pandure VFW Post 10 building. 

    “Veterans will literally fall into the Airport to start the ceremony by bringing the American Flag through the spacious skies to land, reminding us all that our country is still free and that we are all kept safe, thanks to those who have stood and stand against evil daily, our military,  law enforcement, firemen and emergency medical personnel, all of whom will be remembered at this ceremony so please mark your calendars to come out that morning and say thank you to those who serve and protect us every day, in ways we don’t even know and to remember those who gave their lives that day as they ran into the Twin Towers putting others first in spite of their own safety,”  said Melissa Pittman, the North Caorlina Fall Festival coordinator. 

    “There are many things going on at the airport this day and more information will be shared closer to the festival so keep watching and listening for what’s happening at the festival,” she added. 

    The celebration runs through Sept. 17. 

    Some of the new events include fireworks on Sept. 10, beginning at dark, at P.K. Airport to kick off the festival. There is a “selfie” booth on Saturday, Sept. 17. Guests can purchase photos and the proceeds help a local missionary team raise money.  Two new entertainment stages are on tap as well. 

    There are plenty of familiar favorites at the festival for guests to enjoy, such as the card tournament, Senior Day, a parade (with a new route) and, of course, the Turkey Bowl will continue as it has over the past 31 years including the corn hole tournament, wine and music, a gospel concert, a motorcycle show and a step team competition “The dog show is at a new location and the car show has also relocated back to the end of Main Street starting at Prospect. T-shirts, golf shirts, sweat shirts and hooded zipper jackets are for sale again prior to and the day of the festival on the street,” said Pittman. “There are various craft, informational and commercial vendors all up and down Main Street and so many various types of food vendors that no one should complain they can’t find anything to eat on the 17th. After the activities and entertainment on Main Street, the annual concert is at Armory Park with music by Country on the Outskirts of Town and Rivermist.”  

    The concert is 8 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are just $10 for two great bands. “Yes, you are still allowed to bring your coolers, (no glass), food, blankets, chairs into the park for a night of fun.”

    Pittman added that attendees should also look for vendors of all types, handmade crafts, food and information booths. 

    While maintaining well-loved traditions of the Turkey Festival, Pittman knew that she had to keep some of the elements from the beloved event when she made a new logo to take its place. “Last year, the board of directors held a “Design the logo” between local schools. Cultural Arts Director Teresa Burke sent letters to every school inviting them to compete for a cash prize for the winning schools’ art department by designing the new logo,” said Pittman. “Almost every school participated... It was a hard decision to choose the winning logo, but after a blind display of the entries the winner was chosen … Our grand ole lady bird will continue to be represented, along with her husband who is free falling in jump boots to the Festival, and other things that children from Don D. Steed came up with that meant ‘Fall Festival’ to them. Those who designed the logo include: Ian Gill, Kindergarten; Kadyn Tyler, first grade; Yoshua Wallace, second grade; Joseph Baker, third grade; Mimi Matthews, fourth grade and Leslie Helm, fifth grade.” Each child will receive a free T-shirt from the Festival and the school received $200 for the art department.

    Look for details about the N.C. Fall Festival on Facebook, or call the office at 904-2424.

  • firehouseJust a few short months ago, summer beckoned. Trips to the beach, the mountains, the mall and visits to family filled the calendar. Now it’s back-to-school shopping and the fast pace of fall that demand attention. Don’t let go just yet. There is still time for one more concert under the stars before bidding summer adieu. On Friday, August 26, Fayetteville After 5 brings Firehouse to Festival Park.

    The Charlotte-based band Firehouse headlines this concert. Glam metal at its finest, Firehouse rocked the charts in the 1990s with a series of singles:  “Don’t Treat Me Bad” and “All She Wrote,” as well as their signature ballads “I Live My Life for You,” “Love of a Lifetime” and “When I Look Into Your Eyes.” In 1992 the band was named Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Band/Hard Rock New Artist at the American Music Awards, beating out Nirvana and Alice in Chains. Selling more than  6 million albums, the band tours internationally and plays in the U.S. as well.

    In its quest to bring great entertainment to Fayetteville, Fayetteville After 5 is one venue that area artists can count on when it comes to providing opportunities for local musicians to share their talents. Hailing from the Pembroke/Lumberton area, Breathe New Life opens the concert.  The alternative/metal band is made up of performers from former locally well-known bands such as Lucid, When Words Fail, Mis2Mia, Driven and Tribal Conflict. Comprised of Mark McKinney performing lead vocals, Chris Locklear on guitar, James Hunt playing guitar and singing, Shay Jones on drums and Brandon Hall playing bass and piano and singing, all of the members are Native American.

    Also in the lineup, Brad Benson’s music career started when he was 5. He played the piano. He picked up the guitar as a teen. His albums include Eternal Life, Smoke and Mirrorsand Attitude. Benson hales from Kinston, N.C.

    This season, Fayetteville After 5 added a new component to the concerts: food trucks. Everyone is sure to find something to tickle their taste buds and to wet their whistle. While fall is coming, it’s still really hot, so make sure you plan on purchasing lots of water or yummy lemonade to keep you hydrated while you dance the night away. Come hungry because there are 12-16 trucks slated to attend the concert. Sponsor Bud Light will have beer and refreshments for purchase as well. 

    Come ready to sing, ready to dance, to eat, to drink. The gates open around 5 p.m. and the music lasts till 10:30 p.m. or so. Bring chairs or a blanket and enjoy the show. The concert falls on 4th Friday, which means an entire evening of culture. Enjoy the galleries, shops and businesses in downtown Fayetteville before the show. 

    For more information about Fayetteville After 5, visit the website at www.faydogwoodfestival.com.

  • river runThe Cape Fear River was once this city’s lifeblood. In the 1700s, settlers built the towns of Campbellton and Cross Creek along her banks because the river was the only navigable waterway in the colony. Later, the two towns joined together to become Fayetteville, and the Cape Fear River still flows through the city. Only now, most residents don’t give the river much thought. We aren’t familiar with the history that has played out along its 202 miles of river banks. We have no knowledge of the changing ecology along the river and what it means for the many species that call it home. We have no idea about the toll that mismanagement and misuse have taken. The potentially crushing changes that the impending water basin transfer plan could inflict on the area is yet another mystery surrounding the Cape Fear for most of us. It doesn’t have to be that way, though. On Aug. 27, Sustainable Saturdays brings the River Run: Down the Cape Fear to the Cameo Art House Theatre.

    The 1994 PBS documentary is still the most comprehensive film about the river according to Denise Bruce, Sustainable Sandhills spokesperson “This film goes into detail about the Cape Fear River, the municipalites, the geography and geology of it and its history.” 

    She added that, “This film did what it was meant to do — this was a game changer in how North Carolina viewed its rivers. It is also relevant because a lot of things that affected the river 22 years ago are still things we deal with today.”

    After all this time, the Cape Fear River is still at risk for over development, mismanagement and pollution among other things. One especially pressing issue for Fayetteville and other towns and cities downriver is the changes that the Cape Fear River interbasin water transfer plan could bring. The plan would allow the cities in the triangle to take 9 million gallons of water from the Cape Fear River. Every day. And not put it back. What would Fayetteville look like with 9 million fewer gallons of water in the river every day? This is, after all, the same river that provides drinking water to the city? PWC, the City of Fayetteville and other communities that depend on the Cape Fear have fouought the state’s decision to allow the interbasin transfer. “The case was heard in June,” said PWC spokeswoman Carolyn Justice-Hinson-Hinson. “We expect a decision in September.”  

    “Here, up stream communities are getting water rights before we are even considered,” said Bruce. “That is why we are showing this film… the more awareness we can bring the better. Even though the water basin plan was approved, we can still help people understand.” 

    If anything, Sustainable Sandhills is about education and raising awareness. That’s why after every Sustainable Saturday film there are speakers on hand to talk in detail about the films and answer questions. One of the speakers after the film is Tom Hoban from the Cape Fear River Assembly. The Cape Fear River Assembly “represents the views of diverse stakeholders from the entire Cape Fear River watershed.”

    The film starts at 11 a.m. For more information, visit the website at
    www.sustainablesandhills.org.

  • dodge ballBetter Health is a local nonprofit organization that aims to improve the quality of life for Cumberland County residents. It was founded in 1958 to help fill the gap in health careservices for underserved and low-income residents of the area. The organization offers educational classes and services like diabetes monitoring clinics and prescription assistance just to name a few. The services provided aid in the prevention and management of  illness with education and medical assistance. In order to support its programs, Better Health hosts annual fundraisers. One such fundraiser is the Diabetes…Dodge it! Tournament. The tournament takes place on Aug. 27.

    “Proceeds from the Diabetes... Dodge it! Tournament go to Better Health and our four core programs: emergency direct aid, diabetes management, childhood obesity prevention and medical equipment loans. The funds will help us purchase emergency medications and dental care for clients in need, supplies for our diabetic patients, healthy snacks for children learning about nutrition, and maintenance of our medical equipment,” Amy Navejas, the executive director of Better Health, explained. There are 32 teams of six to nine players registered to participate this year, which is hugely successful. 

    This success is due in part to the fact that the tournament offers both opportunities for fun and for supporting great work within the community. For many dodge ball brings back fond childhood memories. “I often get the response ‘Dodgeball? I used to love to play that in school!’ Most people add that they were good at it in their ‘younger years,’ but some are less confident in their skills now,” Navejas said. “The great thing about this tournament is that it’s all about getting active and having fun for a great cause. You don’t have to be a team MVP like in your childhood to participate. We hope that this event reminds people that there is physical activity for everyone, whether yours is dodgeball, running or chair yoga, there is always an activity at your level.”

    With so much involvement from the community, there is a limit to the number of teams that participate in the tournament this year. So much participation is a great problem to have, but it is important to remember that playing is not the only way to join in the fun. “Spectators are welcome. This tournament doesn’t disappoint. I tell people that they will laugh until they cry. For those who don’t want to play, please come out to watch and cheer on the teams,” Navejas said, “ You can also come volunteer with us at our office at 1422 Bragg Boulevard. We are always looking for volunteers at our diabetes clinic and also at our upcoming Red Apple Run in November. Anyone interested can go to www.betterhealthcc.org to learn more about volunteering.”

    The overwhelming outpouring of support for the dodgeball tournament from the community has been invigorating for many involved with Better Health. The hope is that the community involvement will continue with the other events they host during the year. “Also, keep an eye out for our Red Apple Run for Diabetes on November 19. This year’s run will include a 1-mile Haymount Hill Climb, a 5K and a new 10K route! Not to be outdone, the 2017 Evening at the Theater fundraiser on March 4 will be our 20th anniversary of the event! The committee has begun planning for a very special night at the casino! We are really excited about these events and having a chance to share a little bit about what we do for our clients in the community, and raise funds to continue providing much-needed services!” Navejas said. 

    For more information about the organization and upcoming events, visit the website at www.betterhealthcc.org.

  • jeff8Fayetteville City Council’s decision last week to build a $33 million minor league baseball stadium and enter into a 30-year agreement with the Houston Astros has its genesis more than three years ago. Soon after being hired in March of 2013, Deputy City Manager Rochelle Small-Toney was given a task by the new City Manager, Ted Voorhees. “He asked me to come up with a plan to spur economic development,” Small-Toney said. “How about minor league baseball?” she responded. She had some experience because she had proposed a ball club in Savannah, Georgia, before coming to Fayetteville. But voters turned down a proposal to build a new stadium and the team considered for Savannah ended up in Columbia, South Carolina. 

    Small-Toney, Voorhees and Recreation Director Michael Gibson went to Nashville to meet with Pat O’Conner, president and chief executive officer of Minor League Baseball, to feel him out on Fayetteville. Soon thereafter, O’Conner came to Fayetteville and met with community leaders. Small-Toney told Up & Coming Weekly that his visit was positive, and he shared with the city that the Houston Astros were interested in locating a Class A team here. 

    By the summer of 2014, local officials were talking about building a baseball stadium in one of two suggested locations. The top spot was the vicinity of Rowan Street and Murchison Road near what would be a new railroad overpass and realignment of city streets. Astros Owner Jim Crane was in Fayetteville in April of 2015, and the next month, sports writer Kevin Richards was writing in Baseball Digest that “Fayetteville has changed a lot in recent years: downtown has been cleaned up and there’s been a growth of the economy independent of military spending. If a team becomes available, you can bet that talk accelerates.” 

    It did, and last week Fayetteville City Council voted unanimously to ink a deal with the Houston Astros for a High-A Carolina League team, with a 2019 opening. The vote is nonbinding, but it commits the city to further talks with the Astros and a plan that allows for the move of two California League teams to North Carolina for the 2017 season. The goal is to have a new ballpark deal, including the 30-year lease with Houston by the end of this year. The location for the new stadium had shifted to the city center and city-owned property behind the former Prince Charles Hotel on Hay Street. But the stadium won’t be ready until the 2019 season. In the meantime, the team will play elsewhere, perhaps at Campbell University. City officials are keying on a larger redevelopment that includes an overhaul of the historic hotel. It has an executed memorandum of understanding with private investors granting them exclusive development rights to property surrounding the hotel and stadium. It’s a combined investment of nearly $100 million.

  • jeff7Cracker Barrel’s Operation Homefront is making its famous rockers available to lucky military families for free. The promotion began over the July 4th weekend and continues through Labor Day. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store calls the project an effort to build “strong, stable and secure military families.” Operation Rocker is a promotion whereby folks go online and purchase rocking chairs (http://shop.crackerbarrel.com/collections/holidays/operation-rocker). For each one that’s sold, the company donates a chair to Operation Homefront. It’s part of the organization’s broader Homes on the Homefront program that helps military families by placing deserving veterans in mortgage-free homes. “Cracker Barrel is proud to serve the families of the men and women who serve our country,” said company executive Beverly Carmichael. 

    Families live in their houses rent-free for up to two years while Operation Homefront helps them understand how to be effective homeowners by building their savings and making timely payments as they contribute to a small equity fund that goes back into their house. The program also assists with home repairs and helps families navigate through the sometimes cumbersome Veterans Affairs system. More than 550 houses have been donated through Homes on the Homefront, according to Margi Kirst, chief development officer. Operation Homefront has made 21 homes available in North Carolina, seven of them in the Fayetteville/Fort Bragg area. The company has committed to donate $100,000 through contributions over the next year, and the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Foundation has pledged another $100,000, said Kirst.

    Fayetteville is one of the few military communities with two Cracker Barrel restaurants. The original is at I-95 Exit 49. More recently a second store was opened on Skibo Road. “We get a lot of traffic from military families who are traveling to and from Fort Bragg,” said Tony Ciamillo, General Manager of the Cracker Barrel on Jim Johnson Road, off Cedar Creek Road. Of military patrons “Skibo likely gets more than I do,” he added. He said the iconic rocking chairs sell very well in this community. They range in price from $129 when on special, to $199 for customized military versions. 

    For a Cracker Barrel patron who is not interested in buying a rocker but would still like to contribute, donations of $5 can be made by texting SALUTE to 27722. 

    Cracker Barrel is a natural for the military because of the home-away-from home concept in its stores and restaurants. The company says it is recognized for superior performance by independent charity oversight groups; that 92 percent of Operation Homefront’s expenditures go directly to programs that provide support for military families. 

     

  • jeff6Who are the men of the Greatest Generation? They’re the men who went off to fight in the Big One. And they’re the men who came home from that war and built the nations of the western world into economic powerhouses. They knew the meaning of sacrifice. They were humble men who never bragged about what they had done or been through. They were loyal, patriotic and level-headed. They are our Greatest Generation. Army Private First Class Fred P. Dallas is one of those men. He and his wife Doris live in Fayetteville. He talked about his World War II experience at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum as the Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau kicked off Heroes Homecoming.

    The community’s first Heroes Homecoming series of events was staged five years ago to belatedly honor returning veterans of the Vietnam War. This year, the community honors veterans of World War II. Most events are in October and will culminate on Veterans Day in November. The Airborne and Special Operations Museum has already dedicated about 40 percent of its gallery to World War II, according to ASOM Foundation Executive-Director Paul Galloway. It’s a self-guided tour that includes a C-47 aircraft mockup, a re-creation of a Normandy village and images of the European and Pacific theaters. 

    “Our town is a point of departure and return for thousands of vets every year,” observed Mike Gillis of the Cumberland County Veterans Council. “It is imperative that we maintain the memories and legacies” of those who have gone before us,” he added. 

    More than 16 million American men and women served in the Great War. There were 407,000 casualties among them. Dallas joined the Army in 1943 and was assigned to the 45th Infantry Division in Italy. He was captured by the Germans in 1944 and spent six months in Stalag 12A and Stalag 4B before being repatriated. Stalags were German prisoner of war camps for non-commissioned military captives. Dallas was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Prisoner of War Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge and Good Conduct Medal. “

    “Be the best U.S. citizen you can be,” he often says. “Love your country and always vote, is the message that I would like to leave with the younger generation.”

    The Heroes Homecoming Field Guide notes that World War II was the most devastating war in history. Paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division were among the first to engage the enemy in the battle of Normandy having been dropped behind enemy lines. They fought for 33 straight days and lost more than 5,000 men. Today there are fewer than 800,000 surviving World War II veterans in the world with more than 430 of them dying every day. After the war, the 82nd, America’s Guard of Honor, was permanently stationed at Fort Bragg, and the post became known as the home of the airborne. 

    The Greatest Generation lived by the credo of human decency honoring courage, duty, sacrifice, personal responsibility, humility, bravery and camaraderie. They paid it forward for generations to come.

     

  •  jeff1      Fayetteville Police will soon open a second substation on the city’s west side. The department is leasing a building from Weaver Commercial Properties on Sycamore Dairy Road for $91,200 per year. Police spokesman, Lt. Todd Joyce, says it will house the FPD’s Central District Offices, which currently are at police headquarters, downtown.  One hundred twenty-five personnel, including the district’s command staff and officers, plus the patrol support division and two crime prevention specialists will be stationed at the office which is being up-fitted. The move will free up space at headquarters, allowing for expansion of the forensics lab and the department’s administrative bureau. Asked about a possible future substation on the city’s north side, Joyce said “I could not speculate on a facility for north Fayetteville, as it will continue to grow without doubt.”  

    The city’s other substation is on Raeford Road near Skibo Road.

     

     

     

     

    jeff2Cumberland County School Bus Safety   

    Traditional schools start the new year on Aug. 29 in Cumberland County. Motorists are reminded that speeding in a school zone will cost more than $400 in fines and court costs. Pass a stopped school bus and you’ll pay a $500 fine and you’ll get five points on your driver’s license. 

     

     

     

     

     

     

    jeff3Student Drinking                              

    As students across North Carolina prepare to embark on another school year, academic lessons might not be all they are exposed to.  Some young people might find themselves in circumstances where they will have to make decisions about underage alcohol consumption or drinking and driving. North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement and their law enforcement partners hope to promote sound student decision-making by reminding everyone there is zero tolerance for underage alcohol use. “When it comes to trying alcohol, we want to remind them that underage drinking can lead to disastrous consequences,” says ALE Branch Head Mark Senter.  In North Carolina, it is illegal for any person under 21 to purchase, attempt to purchase, possess or consume alcoholic beverages. It is also illegal for parents or older friends to provide alcohol or to host underage drinking parties. ALE is planning many programs, partnerships and campaigns to familiarize North Carolina students with a zero tolerance message during this school year. ALE also plans to increase its enforcement focus on ABC licensed outlets near colleges and universities across the state.  

     

     

    jeff4Longtime Commissioner Honored           

    Cumberland County Commissioner Kenneth Edge has been inducted into the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Hall of Fame. Edge was honored during the association’s annual conference earlier this month. “This is a tremendous honor and one I share with my wife and family, who have supported me throughout the years,” Edge said. He has been a member of the Board of Commissioners since 2000 and is retiring at the end of the year. Edge is a retired school principal and former member of the Cumberland County Board of Education. “I want to thank the citizens of Cumberland County who have given me the opportunity to serve,” added Edge. The Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to county government. Commissioner Edge has been active nationally and served on the National Association of Counties’ Health and Human Services Steering Committee and is a current member of its Finance Committee.  

     

     

     

    jeff5Fayetteville GOP Headquarters Opens

    Volunteers are manning the new Cumberland County Republican Headquarters office on Rowan Street a couple of hours a day three days a week. The spacious, recently renovated facility “will be open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m.,” said GOP Chairwoman Susan Mills. On opening day, Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) addressed three dozen party faithful in attendance, among them Fayetteville Mayor Nat Robertson. Hudson urged folks to help get out the vote in November. “It’s going to be a close election,” he said. “The other side is energized.”  Hudson used a Donald Trump term of political endearment a couple of times, saying “the electoral college is rigged on behalf of the two-party system.” He spoke of 92 anti-poverty programs that Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) identified as duplicitous earlier this year. “Our anti-poverty system is rigged,” Hudson stated. He brought on loud sighs when he noted President Obama had transferred 15 more Guantanamo Bay inmates, failing to mention that large scale detainee transfers were common under President George W. Bush, but that they slowed under Obama.  

  • KarlI believe America is facing the most important presidential election in my lifetime, or even longer. America needs and is crying out for meaningful change. Unless something far beyond what anybody can imagine happens, voters will choose between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. What follows is an approach for making that choice.

    This approach is prompted by a book I referenced in another column. It is A Sense of Urgencyby John P. Kotter. Kotter writes that he is often asked, “What is the single biggest error people make when they try to change?” Kotter concluded, “…they did not create a high enough sense of urgency among enough people to set the stage for making a challenging leap into some new direction.” 

    I believe what Kotter says provides an effective approach for choosing between Clinton and Trump. That is, which one is acting with the greater sense of urgency?

    A sense of urgency leads decision-makers to gather relevant information and then, with capable individuals, discuss and choose courses of action in light of need and free from pursuing personal or political gain. With this view of how urgency impacts addressing issues, consider one in the 2016 presidential race with focus on Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. The issue is illegal immigration. 

    From Clinton’s website, key points of her plan for addressing illegal immigration can be summarized. Some of these were also presented in her acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention. She will, within the first 100 days, introduce comprehensive immigration reform, which will provide a pathway to full and equal citizenship for people already in the country illegally. This action will supposedly “treat every person with dignity, fix the family visa backlog, uphold the rule of law, protect our borders and national security, and bring millions of hardworking people into the formal economy.” Clinton also commits to fight for implementation of “Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents,” or DAPA. This is a Department of Homeland Security program to provide undocumented immigrant parents of U.S. citizen children temporary protection against involuntary removal from the country. Judge Andrew Hanan, of the federal district court in Brownsville, Texas, halted the program in response to a challenge by 26 states. The Supreme Court voted 4-4 on the matter, which allowed the Hanan ruling to stand. 

    Furthermore, Clinton will “end family detention for parents and children who arrive at our border in desperate situations and close private immigrant detention centers.” I read this to mean parents and children who enter the country illegally will not be held for vetting. They will be sent on to a relative or other person to await going through the legal process required to stay in America. She also intends to allow families, no matter their immigration status, to “buy into the Affordable Care Act exchanges. Families who want to purchase health insurance should be able to do so.”

    Using his website as reference, move to Donald Trump’s view on illegal immigration. His website position comments open with some relevant statements: 

    (1) “When politicians talk about ‘immigration reform’ they mean: amnesty, cheap labor and open borders; (2) Real immigration reform puts the needs of working people first — not wealthy globetrotting donors; (3) We are the only country in the world whose immigration system puts the needs of other nations ahead of our own; (4) A nation without borders is not a nation; (5) A nation without laws is not a nation. Laws passed in accordance with our Constitutional system of government must be enforced; (6) A nation that does not serve its own citizens is not a nation. Any immigration plan must improve jobs, wages and security for all Americans.” 

    After these opening statements on Trump’s website, as he did in his nomination acceptance speech, he goes into the negative impact of illegal immigration. This section runs from the resulting crime to heightened unemployment among legal residents and the financial cost of supporting illegal immigrants. Costs include healthcare, housing, education, welfare, etc. He supports his contentions with facts. For example, a link is provided to a letter dated Oct. 27, 2014, written to President Obama by Peter Kirsanow, a member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. The letter is available on www.breitbart.com/ in an article titled “Civil Rights Advocate Tells Obama: Amnesty Harms Black Workers.” At one point, Kirsanow writes:

     “In 2008, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights held a briefing regarding the impact of illegal immigration on the wages and employment opportunities of African-Americans. The testimony at the briefing indicated that illegal immigration disproportionately impacts the wages and employment opportunities of African-American men.”

    “The briefing witnesses, well-regarded scholars from leading universities and independent groups, were ideologically diverse. All the witnesses acknowledged that illegal immigration has a negative impact on black employment, both in terms of employment opportunities and wages. The witnesses differed on the extent of that impact, but every witness agreed that illegal immigration has a discernible negative effect on black employment. For example, Professor Gordon Hanson’s research showed that “Immigration . . . accounts for about 40 percent of the 18 percentage point decline [from 1960-2000] in black employment rates.”’

    Against this backdrop of what we face regarding illegal immigration, Trump puts forth actions for addressing the problem. He proposes 17 actions. Here are some of them: 

    1. Build a wall along the southern border and have Mexico pay for it. That promise is reiterated, accompanied by actions that will be employed to ensure Mexico pays. One of several possible actions is “the United States will … impound all remittance payments derived from illegal wages.”  That is, funds being sent to persons in Mexico by illegal immigrants in America would be impounded. 

    2. Triple the number of ICE officers. Trump’s website quotes the President of the ICE Officers’ Council as explaining in Congressional testimony: “Only approximately 5,000 officers and agents within ICE perform the lion’s share of ICE’s immigration mission … Compare that to the Los Angeles Police Department at approximately 10,000 officers. Approximately 5,000 officers in ICE cover 50 states, Puerto Rico and Guam, and are attempting to enforce immigration law against 11 million illegal aliens already in the interior of the United States.”  Immigration and Customs Enforcement enforces both immigration and customs laws, which involves going after illegal immigrants in U.S. territory, employers who hire illegal immigrants, and those trying to smuggle goods or contraband into the country.

    3. Enforce nationwide E-Verify. E-Verify is a free online program that electronically verifies the employment eligibility of newly hired employees. 

    4. Mandatory return of all criminal aliens. “All criminal aliens must be returned to their home countries, a process which can be aided by canceling any visas to foreign countries which will not accept their own criminals, and making it a separate and additional crime to commit an offense while here illegally.”

    5. Detention — not catch-and-release. “Illegal aliens apprehended crossing the border must be detained until they are sent home, no more catch-and-release.” 

    6. End birthright citizenship. Birthright citizenship is the practice of granting automatic citizenship to children born in the United States. This provision is a tremendous draw for illegal immigration, since even children of illegal immigrants are covered by this provision.

    I contend what is presented above allows for definitively determining who, between Clinton and Trump, will treat illegal immigration with the greater sense of urgency. Clinton puts forth actions that focus on illegal immigrants to the detriment of American citizens, even black Americans who support her in great numbers. Her proposed actions, such as comprehensive immigration reform, have been considered for years by Congress with no success. Providing health insurance for illegals under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) is unfair to American taxpayers and the program’s future is in doubt given dramatic premium increases, low participation rates by young people, withdrawals of insurance companies, failing exchanges, and so forth. The picture here is one of saying what might appeal to immigrant voters, but is unlikely to happen and is only intended to win an election. This kind of conduct by Clinton is not limited to illegal immigration. It shows in every issue and facet of her public service. This indicates a general lack of urgency regarding important issues.

    On the other hand, Trump passionately focuses on Americans, examines issues and proposes solutions that reflect thought, positive change,  and boldness. He follows the tenet that actions are measured by outcomes and, therefore, should be driven by desired outcomes. All of this is a formula that generates a sense of urgency. Donald Trump is employing the formula and I sense urgency. 

    John Kotter is right … without a sense of urgency, productive change does not happen to the extent needed. Consider this truth when choosing Clinton or Trump.

  • MargaretBetween now and the end of October, I will attend five weddings. Each one involves someone near and dear to me or to one of the Precious Jewels, and I am looking forward to them all. But for women more than men, I think, weddings bring with them the eternal question, “What will I wear?”

    Of the five weddings, one is in Duke Chapel, and I think I have figured out that one. A very nice dress but nothing too flashy seems in order. No strapless, no sequins and not too short, but those are not issues for most women my age anyway. Another is in a fine hotel in the mountains, and the groom’s mother has given me good advice on that one, and since she is a major player in the wedding weekend, I will take her counsel. Two others are at different North Carolina beaches, one in a chapel and one at a club, and despite settings far more casual than Duke Chapel, I suspect both will be traditional — nice dress, not too short, not strapless and no glitz.

    The fifth wedding has me stumped.

    It will be in the pasture of a hog farm in Durham County. You read correctly — an honest-to-gosh, working hog farm that raises heritage pigs that have walked around all their lives, and that, as the farmer told me, “have only one bad day ever,” But what on earth to wear?

    Being a good Southern girl, a nice dress seems in order yet again, but footwear is a real puzzle. I rarely wear heels and certainly not high ones, but tromping around in a pasture seems to demand flats of some description. I suspect the pasture will have been swept clear of “pig patties,” but you just never know when one might have been overlooked. One of the Precious Jewels suggested the white rubber fishing boots I keep at the beach, pictured here. They are perfect when I know things are going to be really wet — or worse, but high style, they are not.  

    I have been channeling my mother and grandmother for their thoughts about this unusual situation, but so far they have not sent me any signals about appropriate footwear.

    • • •

    On a more serious note, the Brookings Institution, one of Washington’s oldest think tanks, reports that while our American job market is much, much stronger than it was during the grim days of the Great Recession, the recovery has not included everyone. About 7 million men in their prime working years between 25 and 54 are neither working nor looking for work. Shockingly, that is about 12 percent of all men in that age group, and another 2 million men in that category are looking for work but have not found it.  

    This is not new news. Jason Furman, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, says the share of men in this age group working or looking for a job has been declining for 50 years.  Most of them are low-income individuals who dropped out of high school or did not go to college. Many depend on their wives’ income and a lesser percentage on government benefits. Says Furman, “They’re not spending any more time on child care, not spending any more time on chores. They are spending a lot more time watching TV than men who are in the labor force.”  

    He says many of them have realized that employers are not hiring unskilled workers with little education, so they have quit looking, leading to a range of “bad outcomes,” including depression, substance abuse and suicide.

    Furman argues that government policy can make a difference by encouraging education and improving access through job programs and access to childcare, but those are tough arguments in our currently overheated political atmosphere.

    • • •

    And speaking of politics, can you ever remember a more toxic election cycle than 2016? Ugly words like “crook,” “crazy” and “rigged” pollute our election process daily and almost surely guarantee that many Americans will stay home on Nov. 8 with pillows over their ears. And to think we have not even started debate season yet.

    How much longer will this last?

    A quick search of how many days left instantly brings up a website that ticks off the days, hours, and seconds until Election Day.

    As of publication of this issue of Up and Coming Weekly, we have 75 excruciating days to go.

  • COVER

  • COVER

  • jason bradyWe seem to be adrift when it comes to making our community economically prosperous.

    During the past decade, our taxpayer-funded industry hunter, the Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation, hooked a couple of large employer prospects that could have made a dent in our unemployment rate. We rejected them because they smelled, literally.

    I’m not saying we needed an ethanol plant that would foul the air with the stench of French fries or stale beer. And, I’m not saying we needed a chicken-rendering plant considered by some too environmentally unsound for a long-vacant industrial site. But I am saying we need to decide what we are willing to accept to make our economically strapped community whole again.

    So, when the civic education minded Cumberland Community Awareness Network hosted a forum for the six candidates vying for three seats on the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, the first question I asked as moderator was about our economic health.

    My question stemmed from the concerns I had after reading Cumberland County Manager Amy Cannon’s 19-page budget letter to the Board of Commissioners. The letter is the summary of the county’s $430 million budget.

    Cannon didn’t paint a good economic picture for Cumberland County. Sure, the tax rate remains at 74 cents for every $100 worth of property, of which each penny rakes in about $2.3 million. It’s an election year for two of the seven-member board, so a tax hike would be a tough choice for the incumbents.

    Basically, it’s a bare-bones budget. “The increasing demand for services and rising operational expenses significantly outweigh our available revenue, which has not returned to pre-recession levels,” Cannon states in her message.

    She goes on to say that while the rest of North Carolina has recovered from the recession, Cumberland County still lags. For example, the average growth for sales tax before the start of the 2008 recession was 6.68 percent. After the recession, the average growth was 2.45 percent. That, according to Cannon, is a yearly loss of $1.88 million or almost $9.5 million for the past five years. 

    So, I asked how they would fix our economy. The answers surprised me. 

    While the city, county and PWC fund the FCEDC to the tune of about $1 million a year to lure big business to Cumberland County, the candidates all gravitated around the idea of supporting small, local businesses. 

    Candidate Michael Boose called it “growing our own.” And candidate Wade Fowler called it “economic gardening.” And while the others didn’t have a catch name for it, they all touched on the need to do more for local businesses. But there were no details, and to be fair, three minutes to answer the question wasn’t enough time.

    But most agreed, helping small businesses in our community grow will help create jobs. And jobs, however small at first, will make our community economically robust.

    When you head to the polls this November to vote for one of the two most unpopular presidential candidates ever, know that local elections, especially for the Board of Commissioners, can have a significant effect on how we as a community move forward.

  • pitt Remember when you were in primary school and your teacher made you write the annual “What I Did on My Summer Vacation” essay? Old habits die hard. So here’s my report to my fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Charlie DelGrande, may she rest in peace. My wife Lani had been wanting to go to Paris for many years. We went 40 years ago on our honeymoon but had not been back. The terrorism news had not made me anxious to go this summer until Lani pointed out to me that we were both getting old, had done a lot and if the terrorists got to us in Paris it would be no great loss due to our age. Not having an answer to this line of reasoning, we went to Paris. The U.S. State Department issued a warning to travelers to France to stay out of public places that would draw crowds. Following that advice would limit travelers to staying in their hotel room with a blanket pulled over one’s head. Stubbornly or stupidly unafraid, we went forth into Paris itself daily.

     On the plane, we got the standard safety talk about using the seats as a flotation device in the event of a water landing. I had always wondered if you could still use the seats as a flotation device if you lost your arms in the event of a water landing. Fortunately we didn’t have to test that theory.

     I expected that at the Charles DeGaulle airport they would be selling large magnetized sterilized tweezers suitable for removing ball bearings and shrapnel in the event of ISIS. They didn’t. They did have soldiers walking around with Uzis. When I first saw the soldiers it was a bit startling but ultimately became reassuring. American tourists are pretty scarce in Paris according to our experience . This is really a pity as Paris is one of the most beautiful cities on Earth.

     The people of Paris are cultured and very smart. I was surprised that even small children there were speaking a foreign language — French. Even the dogs understand French. It’s remarkable. Prior to realizing everyone took Visa, we traded in some American money at a money exchange. The exchange is where tourists go to get fleeced by money changers charging fees and abusive exchange rates that would make Tony Soprano proud. We did a lot of the tourist stuff — getting hustled by pickpockets trying to get us to sign a petition for the children, riding in an open-topped bus and having wine for supper every night. The Parisian weather cooperated with us, it was clear and in the 70s the entire time we were there.

     We went on a quest for the perfect bowl of French Onion Soup. There are many bowls of French Onion soup in Paris and we tried to eat every one of them. Each bowl was better than the one before. We ate most meals sitting outside at the numerous open-air cafes. I have seen some movies about France that taught that when you are sitting outside in café society you are supposed to talk about love, death, the meaning of life, communism versus capitalism and art. Mostly, we talked about where we would get our next bowl of French Onion soup and our dog Molly.

     French people are smokers. Big smokers. You can count on sitting between smokers at the cafes. Smoke happens. French people are not fat. My wife figured out it is because they have not given up smoking like most Americans. Apparently, the French have traded lung cancer for the obesity-related diseases that Americans prefer. 

     Paris has the Museum of Hunting and Nature, which is one of the weirder taxidermy museums I have ever had the pleasure to visit. It is more or less a put on of big game hunting but with Gallic humor — you can’t be sure. I was able to stand on a step ladder and put my head into the body of a life-sized plastic giraffe. That alone was worth the cost of the entire trip. Until you have been inside a fake giraffe, you cannot truly say that you have lived. On one wall of big game trophies proudly stands the south end of a north bound lion.

     French people sound much more intelligent than most Americans because I can’t understand French. One of the few times that I sat next to some Americans, they spent 10 excruciating minutes discussing how to make Chai tea. If that discussion had been in French, it would have sounded much more intellectual as I wouldn’t have been able to follow any of it.

     Next column — our close encounter with possible terrorism on the metro. 

  • margaretWe have all heard that men are from Mars, women are from Venus. In fact, author John Gray wrote an entire book entitled just that, waxing eloquent on exactly how different we really are and how our differences cause us the same problems over and over again. All of us have experienced Mars-Venus at some points in our lives — probably at many points, and here is a real whopper.

    Writing for the Washington Post,columnist Kathleen Parker weighed in on the mess at Fox News created when a blond, good-looking — aren’t they all? — former anchorwoman sued Fox founder Roger Ailes for sexual harassment. That broke the floodgates and other accusers poured out with lurid tales involving garter belts and kneeling promises to “obey.” Unsavory as all that is, the plot got convoluted in the extreme when it was revealed that some of the accusers had stayed at the Ailes-run Fox and advanced in their careers after receiving payments in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, and at least one of several million.

    Such money ups the “ick” factor of this mess considerably. It also prompts Parker, considered a conservative columnist, to pose hard questions. 

    “What is sexual harassment?”

    “When is a woman a victim and when is she a participant?”

    “Is a woman still a heroine if she speaks up only after she has tolerated it and professionally benefited while others were being targeted?”

    The upshot of all this is that Ailes has left Fox amid reports of a golden parachute of up to $40 million, but the debate rages on.

    Hardcore defenders of victims of sexual harassment might argue that women stay in their jobs because they must to support themselves and their families. Parker takes a harder line, saying “Rallying to any and all women who claim victimhood, even in cases of complicity, damages the cause and credibility of those who are targeted for abuse … Nothing, neither money nor career, is worth surrendering your dignity and self-worth, both of which will be questioned when you call quits on a game you agreed to play.”

    Both positions have merit and adherents, but truth is almost always complicated and sometimes known only to the individuals involved. It does not help either that the perpetrator of whatever did happen has apparently been handsomely rewarded.

    On a less weighty, but nonetheless awkward matter, how should we describe ourselves in today’s complex romantic relationships?

    When we were teenagers or 20-somethings, “boyfriend” and “girlfriend” seemed just right to describe the objects of our affections. For many of us, our boyfriend or girlfriend has become our husband or wife. If somehow they did not, though, these words seem increasingly less appropriate, especially if our current love interests have white hair and worry about their Medicare coverage. 

    The Huffington Post recently took a crack at how to describe our special someones as we mature. Somehow “man friend” and “woman friend” do not quite sound right. Nor does “fiancé,” which is preferred by a Social Security-eligible couple I know who has lived together for about 15 years with no wedding date in sight. Other options miss the mark as well. Some committed but unmarried couples fudge a bit and call their partners “spouses,” but that is not quite true. “Lover” is a tad too intimate, and “partner” has left more than one new acquaintance thinking the couple was in business together. I am not crazy about “significant other” either, but it does describe the situation for unmarried people in committed relationships. 

    All of which reminded me of my favorite acronym of all time, one coined by none other than the U.S. Census Bureau in the late 1970s when Americans’ personal relationships were becoming more convoluted.

    “POSSLQ” (pos-ul-Q) refers to a “person of opposite sex sharing living quarters.” It does not cover every situation, but it covers a lot, and pundits loved it. CBS News’ clever Charles Osgood memorialized the term with this:

    “There’s nothing that I wouldn’t do

    If you would be my POSSLQ

    You live with me and I with you.

    And you will be my POSSLQ.

    I’ll be your friend and so much more:

    That’s what a POSSLQ is for.”

    Elliot Sperber, the cryptogram writer for the Hartford Courantoutdid even Osgood with this simple ditty. No one ever asked me this question, but I bet plenty of people did use it with their sweeties.

    “Roses are Red,

    Violets are Blue,

    Won’t you be my POSSLQ?”

    In our complicated and churning world, you gotta love it!

  • PUB PENI am honored and humbled by being asked to fill the shoes of the man who inks the best column in Fayetteville, Bill Bowman. He’s on his way back from his annual South Dakota motorcycle pilgrimage to Sturgis. 

    I appreciate the work of our Mayor and City Council. I’m glad they have a real desire to improve the quality of life in our All-American City. They have illustrated this twice in the last 12 months, once when they charged forward with the Parks and Recreation plan and now in bringing a new baseball stadium to Fayetteville along with a minor league team.

    As some of you know I did not support the bond referendum to fund the Parks and Recreation initiative. The reason was simple as I wrote back in January in an op-ed piece “in the recent municipal election, some of our Council members campaigned loudly that they were going to hold the line on hasty tax hikes — they would support no tax increase until they had looked under the hood to see what synergies or savings they could find.”

    Without delivering on its promise to drill down into the budget in search of synergies they proceeded with the referendum in March 2016. They went on to ask the citizens of Fayetteville to approve a bond that would raise property tax by 2.5 cents per hundred dollars of assessed value to fund the $35 million Parks and Recreation initiative.

    In retrospect I took a closer look to see what would unfold during the budgeting process as well as new initiatives such as the baseball stadium. Here’s what I found.

    1) We all remember what the PWC debacle ended up costing the City. Between attorneys and consulting fees more than $1 million was spent to defend the lawsuit the city of Fayetteville brought against PWC. The city of Fayetteville failed in its attempt to take over control of PWC. The good news is it appears this issue has been resolved in a new charter approved by the North Carolina Legislature.

    2) Seems our City Council wanted to increase storm water fees to fund an initiative to upgrade our current system. Lo and behold it appeared there was $4 to $5 million left from a previous authorization. That’s right, it was there all along. I’m sure we will need additional funding in the years to come for storm water. It may even involve an assessment of higher storm water fees. My point is, out of the blue, $4 to $5 million was found within the city of Fayetteville’s coffers.

    3) Now it appears we are about to build a minor league stadium which carries a price tag of around $35 million. We spent more than $500,000 on consulting fees in doing the cities due diligence. I am assured by our elected officials the financing of this project will not involve a tax increase. Furthermore, I’ve been told the City of Fayetteville can come up with $20 million for this project on its own.

      My question now is, if we could find the money to fund $1.5 million for legal fees and consultant fees, $4 to $5 million to fund the 2017 budget for storm water from monies the Council did not know was there, and finally find $20 million within the coffers of the city of Fayetteville to fund a new baseball stadium, why was it necessary to raise the property tax 2.5 cents to fund the Parks and Recreation initiative?

    Sometimes I think the entire City Council is out playing POKEMON GO and the residents of Fayetteville are the one’s getting poked. 

     As Bill would say: “Thanks for reading Up & Coming Weekly.”

  • COVERYears of research, planning and fundraising by a group of local organizers has turned an idea for the North Carolina Civil War History Center into a real possibility. The $65-million Center could potentially create 200 new jobs and bring 130,000 visitors to the area each year. The regional economic impact could reach $18 million annually.

    The Center is designed as a teaching museum, not a collecting museum. It will not present just one side of the Civil War, but rather provide the facts about the Antebellum period, the war and reconstruction said Mary Lynn Bryan, a local volunteer and nationally-recognized historian who has been working to bring this idea to fruition for eight years. She now serves as vice president for the NCCWHC Board of Directors. 

    The Center will focus on the human impact of one of the most traumatic periods in U. S. history. 

    “We had to think long and hard about what we could do to describe that period of time before the war, during the war and particularly the time after - the Reconstruction,” Bryan said.

    The board enlisted historians and scholars from across the state to identify the facts, not lore, of what happened in the state from roughly 1835 until 1900. Once those facts were consolidated and reviewed, they were given to Philip Gerard, author and professor of writing at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, to turn into the story to be presented through the Center. The result is history told through the lens of how it impacted the lives of the people in the state, something Bryan believes will resonate with visitors.

    “We wanted to tell it through the people, not so much battles, uniforms and equipment,” she said. “What we wanted to do is look at what happened to the people of North Carolina.”

    There will be a collection of artifacts that support the facts and are important to the experience, she said. The human side of the era will be provided by stories submitted from descendants of people who lived in the state during the era, as part of the Center’s “100 from 100” initiative seeking 100 stories from each of the 100 counties.

    The interactive museum will feature a 3D in-the-round-theater that tells the story of the last six weeks of the war when General William T. Sherman’s Final March came through Fayetteville and destroyed the Arsenal. Also included in the plans is a digital educational component that will provide resources to school students across the state.

    The NCCWHC Board has building and site designs in hand, a favorable economic impact study, a business plan that includes local and state private and public monetary support. The board already raised $6.2 million of the $7.5 million goal from local businesses and individuals. It recently launched a statewide campaign to raise an equal amount from corporations, foundations and individuals from across the state. 

    “This project is ready to go,” said John “Mac” Healy, the president of the NCCWHC Board.

    “The City and County have to get on board if this is to become a reality,” Healy said. “The critical part is September first, when we go before the finance board of the county.” The NCCWHC Board must get a commitment of $7.5 million each from Cumberland County and Fayetteville City Council. 

    With local municipal support, the remaining funds would be provided by the state, Healy said. “We had to raise enough funds locally to say this community is behind it. We had to prove Fayetteville would step up,” Healy said, “and show the legislature that the people of the state support it.”

    Once completed, the Center would be operated and maintained by the state, Healy said, with admissions, continued state support and an endowment to offset operating costs. It would merge the existing Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex, which is already a branch of the North Carolina Division of History Museums, into the larger History Center. It would be built on the site of the Fayetteville Arsenal, which is preserved in the NCCWHC plans.

    Dollar for dollar, Healy said, he believes the portion of the costs provided by public funds would be a strategic investment to increase tourism in the area. “This project doesn’t stand alone,” he said. “With the Airborne and Special Operations Museum and the Cape Fear Botanical Garden, it is another reason to get off the interstate, visit, eat dinner and spend the night.” He added, “It is true economic development when we attract visitors and their money from outside the area.”  

    The overall vision for the Center is to provide an opportunity to draw lessons from the past, examine the present and engage the future. The NCCWHC Board recognizes that with that kind of examination, money is not the only challenge facing the project.

    “One of the challenges with this project, quite frankly, is the name,” Healy said. “A lot of people initially are a little nervous to have their business associated with something as controversial as the Civil War – until they hear how we are approaching the story.”

    The story of slavery, war and the reconstruction afterward may not be a happy one, but it does make you think, Bryan said, adding that “It’s everybody’s story, it’s our story and that’s why it is so important. One of the glues that hold us together as a nation is a shared past.”

    “The Civil War is something people are fascinated by,” she said. “The war is over but the issues are there.”

    Healy agreed, citing recent highly publicized racial tension in the U. S., and pointing out that race is “still very much to be on people’s minds. I see other parts of the country and we have an opportunity to examine issues rooted in history. It is an opportunity for us to be recognized as a state that’s not afraid to look at the issues of race relations and the historical impact. Like it or not, the Civil War and its aftermath have a lot to do with a lot of the tensions between people in our country today. The more people can learn and understand from this era, the more likely they are to move on to a shared future.”

    The NCCWHC continues to raise awareness and funds for the project. To learn more visit their website www.nccivilwarcenter.org where you can view a video on the project or call 910.491.0602. Those who submit a family story become a member of the History Center at no cost.  

  • wkml95.7 WKML is Fayetteville’s country station and specializes in playing the newest popular country music to keep the long drives and long workdays interesting.  WKML  has provided Fayetteville with fantastic music for over 30  years. The broadcasting team continues this tradition in new and exciting ways such as the Aug. 18 Parking Lot Party.  This event will feature entertainment, food trucks, a beer garden, corn hole and other fun family-friendly games.  

    One of the groups scheduled to provide entertainment is the Josh Abbot Band. The band members include Josh Abbot, who provides vocals and guitar. Abbot has always loved country music, but his career in music began around 2004 when he started writing songs. He combined his talents with his fraternity brother Austin Davis, who plays the banjo. Preston Wait performs on the fiddle and guitar while Edward Villanueva joins in on the drums. James Hertless lends his skills with the bass guitar and Caleb Keeter on the guitar. The group is known for their emotionally raw performances. Their latest album is recognized as the most emotionally challenging of their works so far. Their music is a dynamic and fresh crowd-pleaser sure to provide emotional connections and fun. 

    Dylan Scott will also perform at the Parking Lot Party. His self-titled debut album will be released on Aug. 12. He inherited his father’s love of country music and is deeply influenced by his roots. His father was a musician that played guitar alongside Freddy Fender, Freddie Hart and other country stars. His father’s experiences and stories inspired his career choice. Scott grew up in rural northeastern Louisiana, an area rich in musical history. His experience growing up in Louisiana deeply informs his work. His debut single “Makin’ This Boy Go Crazy” has seen a huge amount of success since its release. Just this single song has captured the attention of millions of fans. His honesty resonates for many. He has also been named Spotify’s Spotlight on 2016 Country Artists. 

    Tara Thompson is also slated to perform at the Parking Lot Party. She is a native to Tennessee and in many ways a native to Country music. Her style brings an edge of contemporary style to the traditional genre. Her style is certainly unique from her sound to her “tongue-in-cheek” perspective that is evident in her songwriting. She has been described as feisty and is expected to break all sorts stereotypes as she continues in her career. Her sound has been compared to Loretta Lynn, who is her third cousin. It is clear that this relationship influenced Thompson as she grew up on the country music’s back stages in many ways. 

    The Parking Lot Party takes place on Aug. 18 and begins at 7p.m. Tickets are on sale to the public and cost $10. They can be purchased at http://www.crowncomplexnc.com/events/detail/wkml-parking-lot-party. As the name suggests, the party will take place in the Crown Complex parking lot, which is located at 1960 Coliseum Dr. 

  • soniEllington-White Contemporary Gallery selected seven artists to participate in Pictorial Space, the new exhibit at the Fayetteville and Cumberland County Arts Council. Visitors to the gallery will be able compare the ways in which these artists express their ideas about the pictorial and objects in space. The exhibit will remain up until Aug.  20. 

    Investigating pictorial and aesthetic space was a pivotal development in modern painting. For a representational artist, the object(s) being painted may only be the starting point for the idea of what a painting or drawing can become. For other artists, objects are not copied or represented but viewed as elements of a new reality. Many abstract artists have eliminated a person, place or thing in the natural world; the content of the work can often be about form (color, shapes, scale, line, etc.) and the process of making.

    “Rhapsody in Green” by Suzanne Aulds is a beautiful realistic painting of a still life. The painting of a larger-than-life orchid announces itself in the gallery. Detail by detail, Aulds has interpreted, in shades of green and white, a table setting with a plate, orchid and other objects - carefully placed. The illusion of the still life on a two-dimensional surface is at once intriguing, yet the artist has still used artistic license in how she presents distance and guides us to see contour and volume. More than what is being described in the work, Aulds artfully creates a space that informs the viewer about gravity and a type of weightlessness. 

    While Aulds’ approach to painting is tonal, painter Deborah Reavis exaggerates color and the contour line to evoke meaning. Although the work is representational of people and the still-life, patterns of patterns of color and shape emerge as equally important as the subject. 

    In comparison, Vilas Tonape is interpreting similar issues in an abstract style. A well-known realist artist, for Pictorial Space he was asked to show his abstract works on paper and canvas. Even though the works are abstract, Tonape is realizing the illusion of distance by applying overlapping - color and texture are inseparable from visual weight, gravity and anti-gravity. 

    Photographer Capel States uses the floral still-life as a way to evoke a Baroque space of color and fluidity. Using technology, States has literally created states-of-being, flora with crisp edges in an oozy, smoke-filled environment. 

    Dwight Smith is sharing several of his drawings and several paintings in the exhibit. Where several of the artists are exact in their approach to the placement of an object or shape, Dwight is the exact opposite. The act of drawing and painting is a process of immediacy, discovery and possibilities. Material and surfaces become rhythmic sources – types of energy emerge. 

    As well, Becky Lee works in an abstract manner; but her focus is on the expressive quality of color. For Lee large areas of color wash across the pictorial surface and we are left with an impression of sunlight, water or the green of a landscape. Ever connected to the environment, Lee’s minimal compositions seem to be an effort to bath the viewer with the power of color - an appeal to our visual senses in a tactile way. 

    Yours truly is participating in the exhibit. As an artist, I find mixing abstraction with something recognizable is a way to explore perceptions and meaning. For example, That’s Another Conversation, a painting on a Birchwood veneered panel, combines mixed flattened patterns or shapes with a representational element (drips of water). The juxtaposition of the dissimilar is a way of jumping from one reality to another – flat or three-dimensional asserts its own autonomy in the work. As if to say, “look at me, look at me.”

    For information on Pictorial Space, call the Arts Council at 323-1776 or visit the Ellington-White website at www.ellington-white.com.

  • jeff7It’s something property owners go through every eight years in Cumberland County:  Revaluation!  It’s the process of appraising all real estate at the fair market value or present use value as of January 1, 2017. 

    “A general revaluation is conducted to equalize all property at 100 percent of fair market value,” said Cumberland County Tax Administrator Joe Utley in an appearance before county commissioners’ finance committee. 

    The process applies to all property, real and personal, residential and commercial. 

    “Tax equity and fairness are the objectives,” added Utley.  

    There are more than 95,000 single family homes in Cumberland County according to Utley. They include stick built, mobile homes, modular and log homes.

    North Carolina law requires that property be revalued for tax purposes at least every eight years. It can be done more often, and 40 North Carolina’s counties use a four-year cycle. In order to avoid eight-year sticker shock, Wake County is among them, primarily because of its significant and rapid growth. Revals usually result in hundreds of home owners alleging that the process is just another money grab by local government. That’s not something property owners will likely have to worry about next year. 

    Unlike Wake County, there’s been little growth in Cumberland County. Commission Chairman Marshall Faircloth has been tracking real estate values over the last couple of years. He says residential values plunged to lows “never seen in his experience.” Faircloth is a certified public accountant in private life. Earlier this year he told Up & Coming Weekly that home values had fallen below 90 percent of those established in 2009, the last time a revaluation was conducted. 

    “They’ve rebounded to 95 percent today,” he said. Had property values not made a comeback, commissioners would have faced the prospect of cutting services and raising taxes. 

    Utley told county commissioners that it takes his staff two-and-a-half to three years to research and prepare updated and revised property values. This day and time technology has been substituted for shoe leather worn out by appraisers who would visit the tens of thousands of homes and commercial businesses in the community. The county reviews each property through listings, mapping programs, site reviews of some neighborhoods and by analyzing sales of similar properties, according to Utley. 

    “Officials have done 952 neighborhood reviews,” he said.

     In October, his office will establish a schedule of values. County commissioners will adopt the SOV in November which will be effective Jan. 1. The bills will go out that month, and must be paid by September to avoid penalties. There is an appeal process, and county appraisers will meet with taxpayers in February and March. A Board of Equalization and Review will be empaneled in April or May to hear appeals that have not been resolved. 

    “The vast majority of appeals will be resolved through the normal hearing process,” Utley said. 

    County Commissioners will set a new ad valorem property tax rate for Fiscal Year 17 based on the revaluation.

  • jeff6For many years the Fayetteville Transportation and Local History Museum has conducted walking tours around the city. One of the most popular tours is the Historic Architecture Tour downtown, replete with stunning Pre Civil War Greek Revival, Early Federal, Mediterranean Revival and Art Deco buildings. It’s sort of a hodgepodge of styles, City Historian Bruce Daws, director of the museum noted. “That’s what makes downtown real interesting,” he said. Daws has led these tours for years. One of them typically begins at the Cumberland County Headquarters Library on Maiden Lane, then across the street to Burgess Street to the FILI Armory and Museum. The Point News building at Old Street and Ray Avenue is a focal point. Daws tells Up & Coming Weekly he tries not to take large groups along Old Street because of the narrow sidewalk. And there’s another reason: the eight or nine, and sometimes as many as 11, roll out trash carts overflowing with garbage that block the sidewalk at the rear of the Blue Moon Café. “Oh God, they’re terrible,” said Daws. 

    That’s an issue that has festered for years. The business community is apparently no closer to a solution than it was a year ago. “Regrettably, our proposal between the city, the church and the property owners has been declined,” said Downtown Alliance President Tony Chavonne. He speaks of an effort among the Alliance, the Blue Moon Café, Hay Street United Methodist Church and the city to locate a pair of dumpsters on church property. 

    Fayetteville Infrastructure Director Rob Stone said his office has attempted to negotiate an agreement with the church to swap six church parking spaces for eleven spaces on an adjacent city-owned parking lot. But the church isn’t interested. Pastor David Blackman asked Board of Trustees Chairman Joe Melvin to respond to an inquiry from Up & Coming Weekly: “Unfortunately the parking lot adjacent to our main vehicle entrance...our portico...is a very small parcel of land with a limited number of parking spaces,” he said. “We are not able at the present...to reallocate any parking spaces to facilitate an Old Street dumpster placement.” 

    Dr. Menno Pennick who owns many of the buildings on the north side of the 300 block of Hay Street, is frustrated, “I am very disappointed with the response from Joe Melvin and I cannot believe that there is no solution to the problem,” he said. “With the new planned restaurant on the corner of Old and Burgess Streets things will be even worse,” Pennick added.

    The Blue Moon Café generates much of the garbage and recyclables in that vicinity. It uses the roll out garbage carts that line the narrow Old Street sidewalk. That’s a violation of a city ordinance. Code Enforcement Director Scott Shuford told Up & Coming Weekly that the city’s Infrastructure & Engineering Department enforces blocked sidewalks.  Not so, says Stone, “We don’t do any enforcement authority at all. We don’t have the power,” he said. Another ordinance requires property owners to remove trash carts from the curb once they’ve been emptied. But, the Blue Moon’s carts remain on the sidewalk 24/7. There’s nowhere else for them to go. A commercial garbage truck contracts with the Blue Moon to pick up its trash weekly, and therein lies another part of the problem. The roll out carts overflow prior to scheduled pickups. “We’ve been called a few times in the past to address garbage at some of the locations downtown,” said Daniel Ortiz, Cumberland County Environmental Health Director. Ortiz didn’t indicate that there had been any violations at the Blue Moon. The owner of the Blue Moon and her general manager declined to comment.

    “The ordinance was written for residential collection,” said Environmental Services Director Jerry Deitzen. “It’s not cut and dry as it applies to businesses,” he added. So, a pair of city ordinances go unenforced, and City Council may have to get involved. City Councilman Kirk deViere, who represents the downtown area, is himself an inner-city business owner. “As downtown continues to grow, we must and will address the disposal of trash for both residential and small business, as the current situation like we see along Old Street is unacceptable,” he said. deViere has asked City staff to suggest some alternatives for the disposal of solid waste across the center city. 

    “Six or eight community dumpster sites would solve the problem,” businessman Bruce Arnold said. Arnold and his wife Molly have owned a pair of shops downtown for 17 years. Many Hay Street and Person Street businesses have “partnered with one another to share dumpsters,” he added. A half dozen business people pay for two dumpsters on Franklin Street which are contained inside an enclosure with a locked gate. Each merchant has a key. Along the 100 block of Person Street which has seen tremendous development in recent years there is plenty of room behind the stores for merchants to place dumpsters, says deViere. Finding a dumpster site somewhere along Old Street remains an issue. Because of the nature of the historic one-way, one-lane street and the popularity of the businesses fronting Hay Street, a years old dilemma remains unresolved.

  • jeff5There are a lot of dynamics at work in minor league baseball from the west coast to the east coast that will likely result in Fayetteville getting its Single A franchise. Major League ball clubs typically sign Player Development Contracts with their minor league affiliates every two to four years. They are renewed in September of even number years; 2016 is one of those years. 

    The Press Enterprisenewspaper of Riverside, California, has reported that the California League wants to reduce itself to eight teams, while coincidentally the Carolina League wants to increase from eight to 10 teams. That makes room on the east coast for two west coast teams, one of which would come to Fayetteville. 

    If the Carolina League expands, the Houston Astros propose to move its Advanced Single-A team from Lancaster, California, to Fayetteville. Its PDC expires this year. If the Bakersfield Blaze leaves California, their parent Seattle Mariners would want to remain in the league. They could end up in Lancaster, where the Mariners have been before. Adding to the drama, the Texas Rangers are reportedly interested in moving their southern California minor league team to the Carolina League.  

    Thanks to a strong draft and a commitment to rebuilding, the Milwaukee Brewers improved their farm system more than any other organization from the beginning to the end of 2015. Only the Astros can match the Brewers’ total of eight top 100 prospects. They have a nice balance of hitting and pitching talent, as well as depth at the top and bottom levels of the minors. The Astros moved from 10th in the preseason to third in mid-season in the rankings of MLB farm systems. 

    A company that specializes in brand loyalty, Brand Keys, issued its 24th annual major league baseball fan survey in the spring. The Astros have consistently been cellar dwellers in fan loyalty. This year they rank 26th, up from 30th last year. The Sports Fan Loyalty Index, which measures all teams in the four major sports leagues, provides apples-to-apples comparisons of the emotional intensity with which fans support their home teams. 

    “Everybody loves a winner, but it’s important to note that win/loss ratios govern only about 20 percent of fan loyalty,” said Robert Passikoff, founder of Brand Keys. He says there are other important elements that affect fan loyalty. Entertainment value and giving fans a fun time is most important. History and tradition are important, as is authenticity and how well ball clubs play as a team. A new stadium can also lift fan loyalty. 

    Local baseball fans have generally supported the Atlanta Braves and Baltimore Orioles because they are the closest major league teams. Fayetteville is considered by many to be a good baseball town, said Kevin Reichard writing in Ballpark Digest. He noted that the summer collegiate league Fayetteville Swamp Dogs is one of the Coastal Plain League’s top draws. 

    “With downtown Fayetteville now a considerably upgraded destination (i.e., fewer strip clubs, more brewpubs and restaurants), there’s interest in bringing baseball back to the city,” he concluded.

  • jeff1The City of Fayetteville appears headed toward an all-time high record of annual homicides. Twenty-one murders have been recorded by city police through the first of August. One of the most recent was a retaliation killing, according to police detectives. Before dawn on July 27, a motorist parked outside the 24-Hour Discount Tobacco shop at 816 S. Reilly Road and was shot and killed in retaliation for an earlier murder, Lt. Mike Geske, who works in homocide, said. Diquane McLamb, 20, of Fayetteville, was shot at close range by one of three men who drove up to the store. McLamb was dead on arrival at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. Twenty-year-old Jamarqus Deonte Hurley is charged with his murder. Police Chief Harold Medlock said the tobacco shop where the shooting occurred is a known source of illegal activity, as are many of the community’s 60 discount tobacco stores. Police say criminal activity ranges from the sale of illicit drugs and paraphernalia to assaults and robberies.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    jeff2Police Charity Receives Contributions         

    The Fayetteville Police Foundation announced it has received a pair of donations totaling $55,000. They come at a time when public support for police has grown, following mass executions of officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge. “The donors wish to remain anonymous,” said Cindy McCormic, Executive-Director of the Foundation.  The amount of $50,000 was designated by the donor to be used for the police K-9 unit for protective equipment and other needs. A $5,000 contribution was donated to the foundation for the purchase of protective gear for police officers. The Fayetteville Police Foundation, founded in 2009, is an independent nonprofit, charitable organization dedicated to fostering public safety through community building, education and outreach. 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    jeff3Stadium Proposal Update              

    How does the public feel about a minor league baseball stadium in downtown Fayetteville? Will it require a tax increase? City council members want answers to the first question. Residents want answers to the second.  So far neither members of Council nor the administration are willing to comment on the tax question. Council is holding a public meeting at city hall Aug. 11 to take input from citizens. A committee headed by consultant Jason Freier, who owns three minor league baseball clubs, is leading  the City’s negotiations with the Houston Astros. The American League West team wants to move a Single A minor league team from Southern California to Fayetteville. The city is bargaining for a 30-year lease with minor league baseball, said Interim City Manager Doug Hewett. The City and ball club must reach agreement on terms by Aug. 19.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    jeff4Fort Bragg Field Training Exercise   

    The 82nd Airborne Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team paratroopers are taking part in a Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise through Aug. 15. The field training exercise gives company commanders opportunities to plan and conduct realistic tactical maneuvers so they can build adaptive and lethal teams within their units and apply the principles of fire control, planning, safety and risk mitigation in a combat environment. The company-level training is physically and mentally demanding, and serves as the foundation for the brigade’s battalion live fire exercises later this year, said the Army. Various units are conducting numerous mock combat sequences during day and night conditions.

  • policeGiven that there seems to be a flood of black men relating accounts of their negative interactions with white police officers, I feel obligated to share my experiences. Before sharing my story, setting the climate is important. Why climate is important becomes obvious in the story.

    For starters, consider a comment made by black comedian and actor D.L. Hughley in an interview on July 13 with Megyn Kelly of Fox News. Hughley’s quote below is from an article titled “D.L. Hughley Gets Into a Heated Debate with Megyn Kelly on Fox News” by MP The God, a contributing writer on VLADTV. Talking about police officers, Hughley says:

    “I don’t know a black man that hasn’t had a run-in with police, from the highest to the lowest. My perspective on this is based on the experience I’ve had, just as yours are, so I am not willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.”

    Then there is Senator Tim Scott, Republican of South Carolina. He is one of two blacks serving in the U.S. Senate. In a speech on the Senate floor, Scott recently recounted his disturbing experiences with various white police officers and U.S. Capitol Police. His speech is summarized in an article by Ted Barrett of CNN, titled “Black Senator Describes Facing Unfair Scrutiny by Police.” A quote from that speech:

    “I can certainly remember the very first time that I was pulled over by a police officer as just a youngster. I was driving a car that had an improper headlight,” Scott said. “The cop came over to my car, hand on his gun and said, ‘Boy, don’t you know your headlight is not working properly?’ I felt embarrassed, ashamed and scared, very scared.”

    The final piece in painting a picture of the climate in which I share my interactions shows in comments made by President Barack Obama. Craig Bannister, in an article titled “Obama: Police Can ‘Make the Job of Being a Cop a Lot Safer’ by Admitting Their Failures” writes: “Fielding a question on Sunday, July 10, about violence against police in Dallas, Texas last week, which left five officers dead, Obama said police officers will be safer once they acknowledge their failures.” 

    Then he quotes the president: “There are legitimate issues that have been raised, and there’s data and evidence to back up the concerns that are being expressed by these protesters.

    “And if police organizations and departments acknowledge that there’s a problem and there’s an issue, then that, too, is going to contribute to real solutions. And, as I said yesterday, that is what’s going to ultimately help make the job of being a cop a lot safer. It is in the interest of police officers that their communities trust them and that the kind of rancor and suspicion that exists right now is alleviated.”

    The quotes above attributed to D.L. Hughley and President Obama do not specify white police officers. I watched the Hughley interview and his focus was clearly white cops. Obama’s comments over time regarding police shootings of black males leave no doubt as to his focus on white officers. Senator Scott is clearly referring to white officers. Now I share my experiences in this climate of seemingly all black men having had a bad experience with a white cop. By way of further context, I am a 69-year-old black male.

    My first interaction with a white cop came around 1964, while I was still in high school at segregated (all black) Camilla Consolidated School, in the small South Georgia town of Camilla. A white deputy sheriff came to our home and explained that he was there to take me to the sheriff’s office for questioning regarding a criminal incident. I do not remember being afraid of the deputy. I got into the backseat of his car and he drove me downtown. My father followed. At the office, the white sheriff said a forged check had been cashed with my name signed on the back as endorser. The fella who forged the check was in the office. I knew him. The sheriff directed me to sign my name and I did. He looked at my signature and, I could tell by his facial expression, he thought it was a match. Pointing to the forger, I calmly said to the sheriff, “Have him sign my name.” He did and when the sheriff looked at the two, there was no doubt the other fella signed my name on the check. That white sheriff told me I was free to go home … the matter was closed. Neither he nor the deputy who drove me to the office ever disrespected my father or me. I followed instructions and respected those officers. Above all, I knew I had done nothing unlawful.

    My next several encounters were traffic stops. The first was driving to Camilla from Savannah, Georgia. This was likely 1964, also. The year is important because it was in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement and the associated racial tension. Including me, a teacher took four students to a journalism conference at Savannah State College. He had a beautiful new Chevrolet. On the way home, he asked me to drive. Everything was going well until I saw flashing lights in my rearview mirror. It was a white Georgia State Patrol trooper. He approached the car and asked the usual questions. There were five blacks in the car. I followed his instructions. He spoke to us in respectful tones, told me to slow down and sent us on our way. 

    A white police officer in Maryland stopped me while I was on active duty with the Navy, though I do not remember the reason. He asked for my driver’s license and, after looking at it, said the license had expired. I explained how I understood that as long as I was on active duty, my Georgia license did not require renewal. He said the law had changed and I should get a Maryland license. That was it … no calling me “Boy” or making some other insulting statement. He sent me on my way and I got a Maryland license.

    It was probably 1991 that a white motorcycle cop stopped me for speeding in Charleston, South Carolina. I lived in Charleston, but was driving back from visiting a terminally ill uncle in Savannah. All the way home, my mind was on my uncle and I was grieving his impending death. I was driving and crying. When I went into my uncle’s hospital room, he was sleeping and never seemed to wake up. Across the years, he called me “Karl-doon.” I greeted him and tried to talk, but he was silent. At some point, the one thing he said was, “Is that Karl-doon?” The cop stops me and tells me I was well over the speed limit. I am sure he was right. I was not watching my speed. I followed his instructions, but given an opening, told him about my visit and grief. He heard me, showed empathy, gave me a ticket, and sent me on my way. All these years later, I remember that officer’s kindness and look of concern, even in giving me a ticket.

    I have been stopped twice by white cops in Fayetteville. Once when someone stole my license plate and I did not realize it. The other was for an inoperative tail light. Both times, the officers were respectful and presented no problem. 

    Beyond these interactions at vehicle stops, I had a close-up opportunity to see the hearts of some white Fayetteville police officers and unsworn staff. For several years, I volunteered with a non-profit organization whose mission is to help black boys build a foundation for successful living. During part of that volunteer experience, Tom Bergamine was Fayetteville’s Chief of Police. He heard what we were doing and offered to invite his officers and civilian staff to volunteer in a couple of areas. One was an after-school program where black boys were tutored in reading and helped with their homework. I got to see white cops and staff members meet one-on-one with black boys and help them prepare for life. Bergamine did not just send people, he was there himself, tutoring. Those volunteers embodied genuine concern for those boys. This was not some “check the box” endeavor; these people cared and it showed.

    This is my story of interactions with white police officers. I realize it is counter to the picture painted by D.L. Hughley, Senator Tim Scott and even President Barack Obama. I also understand it is counter to the politically profitable narrative of so many politicians, a multitude of social activists and the dominant media. After the recent shooting of police officers in Dallas, my wife asked me if I feared cops. My answer was an emphatic “No!”

  • margaretThis part of summer always makes me a bit wistful.

    It is still hot as the hinges and humid enough to make even the straightest hair frizzy. At the same time, ads for back to school supplies are everywhere, and sales abound for beach chairs, plastic floats and sunscreen. There is a clear sense of one season winding down and another bearing down upon us.

    As a freckled-faced girl with sun sensitive eyes, summer has never been my favorite season, but I have always loved its more relaxed pace. No after-dinner fire drills to get ready for bed on school nights. No rising before dawn to get to school or work on time. The whole atmosphere is slow, even languid at times.

    Early August brings back all sorts of memories of summers past — those from my own childhood and later those with my own little family.

    My childhood family took beach vacations with our grandparents to different North Carolina beaches. I caught my first fish at Atlantic Beach with a plastic toy rod. I was the only person who caught anything on our section of the beach that day, and I was so excited with my teeny-tiny pompano that I ran with him, still wiggling, into our house and flung his wet little self onto the bed where my grandparents were napping. 

    When my sister and I were a little older, our parents took us to conventions of the 30th Infantry Division, in which our father had served as a medic during World War II. In Chicago, I got lost walking along Lake Michigan, which caused a major family commotion. In New York, our family of 4 had 10 suitcases to for the bellman to take up to our hotel rooms. Our father was none too pleased about this, since only one of them belonged to him. By the time we went to San Francisco, we went to wine tastings in Napa Valley, but that was after my sister and I had to spring for new sweaters. We apparently believed we were heading to southern California and packed only sundresses.

    The Dickson’s vacations were largely at the beach as well, in an un-airconditioned cottage that had survived Hurricane Hazel in 1954 and every storm since, including the current benchmark hurricane, Fran, which laid waste to much of both Fayetteville and the southern North Carolina coast. The Precious Jewels got tan as berries, sunscreen notwithstanding, and learned to ride the waves, boat and fish — all of which they still enjoy. Generally accompanied by our faithful chocolate Lab, named what else but Brownie. Their other choice had been Lassie, but the parents vetoed that one. 

     “Real vacations” were few and far between, but there were a few. We drove to New England one summer when one Precious Jewel had 350 stitches in his arm, and the dressing took an hour to change every morning. I would not recommend a long road trip under those circumstances to anyone. We took a family trip to the Caribbean, where the Precious Jewels rode go carts and horses and learned to swing on a trapeze. 

    We took an Alaskan cruise one summer, and I still marvel at the sheer magnitude of everything. That trip involved a flight so long that one Precious Jewel announced he could not stand sitting any more and that he was “getting out.” Two parents and a flight attendant eventually disabused him of that thought. 

    We also visited the Big Apple one fall, where the boys first got acquainted with the concept of a restaurant bathroom attendant. They returned to the dinner table smelling like they had been sprayed with a knock off of Chanel # 5 and bearing a business card for something called the “Royal Flush.”

    Travel, whether to a well-loved North Carolina beach or to destinations less known, gets us out of our ordinary lives and daily schedules and makes everything seem a bit more special. It informs us about the rest of the world whether that means fiddler crabs, sea turtles and tide tables or Denali, trapezes and bathroom attendants. Travel enlarges our worldview and lets us know that while not everyone lives the way we do, that is just fine. 

    The best part of travel, though, may be coming home. We are again on our own turf with our own belongings. Everything is familiar, from our favorite sofa pillows to the little fluffs of dog hair stuck to the rug. There is the magazine we meant to read before we left and the stack of accumulated mail, which just might hold something really exciting. 

    Most of all there is our safest and most private place, our own bed with its peculiar lumps and bumps and sweet spots. Travel in all forms is a great gift, and to me, among the most meaningful and memorable experiences we can provide for our children.

    But at the end of the trip, there really is nothing quite
    like home. 

  • PUB PENLike many of you, much of my television time this weekend was spent watching the Olympics. I have to admit that this is probably the first time in years that I have dedicated any time to the games. Part of it has to do with the fact I live in a home with two sports addicts, part of it has to do with the lack of quality television programming and part of it has to do with curiosity.

    I honestly started watching to see if the official broadcast would talk about the many problems that are complicating the Rio games or if they would ignore them. It was no surprise the latter was case. During my (admittedly limited) viewing of the different events, I heard nothing about the countless problems connected with the games (lack of working water in the Olympic village, busted sewer lines backing up into athletes’ rooms, limited food in the dining facilities, the cycling bridge collapse, the collapse of the dock for the boating events, etc.) Instead the broadcasts concentrated on the athletes, and that is as it should be. 

    It took only a few minutes for me to become riveted to the stories of the athletes – their challenges, their accomplishments and finally, their competition. I am by no means a fan of competitive swimming. It is the one sport my son has never shown any interest in. That did not stop me from quickly becoming immersed in the competition. I was amazed and awed by the sheer power and speed of Katinka Hosszu, the Hungarian swimmer who blew away the world record in the 400-meter individual medley. While I was cheering for the United States’ Maya DiRado, I couldn’t help but cheer the win of Hosszu.

    I loved the heart and spirit of Kerri Walsh Jennings, a member of the women’s beach volleyball team. Jennings, at age of 38, has now participated in five Olympic Games and won medals in all of them. She is a world-class athlete, a wife and mother. She puts the last (mother) as her greatest accomplishment. Her spunk and drive make her a favorite – and one that kept me glued to the television.

    I also cheered on Michael Phelps as he won his 23rd Gold Medal with his team in the 400-meter relay. For Phelps, the award ceremony may have been old hat, but this Olympics is much more than that. Phelps, who has been in the national spotlight for years, spent much of the past few years battling substance abuse. He made it through that dark period and came back stronger than ever. That strength had to be challenged as controversy swirled over his carrying the American flag during the opening ceremonies. He was given the honor by the American athletes, but those who are pushing a racial agenda, vocally disagreed with the honor noting that because he was a successful, white athlete, he shouldn’t be carrying it instead, they argued that Ibtihaj Muhammad, a fencer, should carry the flag.

    In an opinion piece on CNN. Kamau Bell wrote, “It would be a symbol for our country in this moment when we are mostly known for one of the most contentious, controversial, scandal-ridden, hateful, xenophobic, jingoistic, and just generally unlikeable presidential elections in recent memory. This is at a time when we could use some more symbols of unity and togetherness. 

    Muhammad carrying the flag would be nearly a one-stop inclusion shop. Muhammad is an African-American, hijab-wearing Muslim woman who is also a world-class fencer. Those are all groups that could use some more love, acceptance and respect from this country. (And yes, I’m including fencers in this group.)”

    He went on to write: “Your stepping back will allow this moment to become something bigger than just another opening ceremony. No offense, but right now America has enough tall, successful, rich white guys hogging the spotlight trying to make America great... again.”

    As we all know, Phelps carried the flag – not because he was “tall, successful, rich white guy hogging the spotlight,” but because he is the most decorated Olympic athlete on the American team. He is an athlete who has given his whole life to his sport. He has trained non-stop. He has worked hard to be the competitor he has become. It has not been handed to him. He is not successful because he is white, he is successful because he of his dedication and drive.

    As happy as I was that the problems in Rio did not dominate the headlines, I was equally as sad that an athlete, who has earned the right to be in the spotlight, was shoved into an ugly controversy not of his making, and surely not one that he deserved. 

  • BozBoz Scaggs, or William Royce Scaggs, came into the public eye as a musician in the 1960s. He was born in Canton, Ohio, and grew up in Texas. His nickname, Boz, a far cry from William, developed while he attended school in Texas. A friend gave him the nickname “Bosley.” It was also at a young age that his musical relationship with Steve Miller began. The two met at St. Marks School and later attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison together. On August 17, this multi-talented music legend performs at the Crown.

    Scaggs had a brief stint playing rhythm and blues across Europe. In 1967 he returned to the states to live in San Francisco. In 1968 he rejoined Steve Miller as a part of the Steve Miller Band. In the same year, he also experimented with a solo career and as the guitarist and backup vocals for Mother Earth. From 1976-1981 Scaggs recorded Silk Degrees, which reached #2 album in the U.S. He also recorded hits such as “Low Down” and “We’re All Alone.” He continued to produce incredible music for decades. He took a brief break in recording in 2008 but came back strong with a tour featuring Donald Fagen and Michael McDonald. This year, he continues to delight audiences with his 2016 tour across the United States. Boz Scaggs’ latest tour promotes his latest album, A Fool to Care. 

    This new album features guests such as guitarist Reggie Young and steel guitarist Paul Franklin.  Bonnie Raitt duets with Scaggs as well as playing slide guitar for the album. Lucinda Williams, whom has also worked with Scaggs previously adds her voice to the incredible line up as well. This album is meant to pair with the album Memphis. Scaggs suggests that a coming album could weave the albums together in a trilogy. 

    From the very beginning, Scaggs’ style has been influenced by the traditional sounds of Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. While all very different, each of these styles embraces history, family and a range of powerful emotions. What Scaggs brings to the table is an incredible sense of fun. His passion and experience combine to create a once in a lifetime show. Each song is performed with the emotion electricity of a first performance with the technical skill that only comes from years of practice. He describes his current tour by saying, “I have a great band of extraordinary musicians and it is a high energy show. I feature my musicians as soloists. We do hits and more recent work in a Memphis vein. I always do a variety of things. Sometimes I get requests for blues songs.” He adds that some of his performance will feature classic songs from the 70s. 

    Over the decades Scaggs has developed a unique style that is accessible and enjoyable for everyone. With a career reaching back to the 60s, there will certainly be lifelong fans in the audience. His passion keeps every performance as fresh as when he first started performing. For this reason, his concerts are also perfect for first-time listeners.  These recent years have been as busy as ever. “We do more than 90 shows a year. It is fun and positive and music that people recognizes as well as some surprises,” Scaggs says. 

    When he is not performing, Scaggs stays plenty busy. He and his wife own and operate a vineyard in nothern California. “We travel. I cook. We garden and tend our fruit trees and spend tme with friends and that is pretty much what we do,” he said. “It’s a good life.”

    The Boz Scaggs tour stops in Fayetteville on August 17. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Crown Theatre. The Theatre is located at 1960 Coliseum Dr. Tickets range from $34.75-$79.75. For more information or to purchase tickets visit the following site: http://www.crowncomplexnc.com/events/detail/boz-scaggs. 

  • news9 A recent trip to Columbia, S.C., gave Fayetteville City Council members and a couple of county commissioners an idea what a new baseball stadium might look like here. They visited the new Spirit Communications Stadium, a minor league ballpark built at a cost of $47 million. It opened near downtown Columbia this past spring. The South Carolina state capitol of 134,000 people is actually smaller than Fayetteville, but its urban area is larger. When it comes to professional baseball, the communities are comparable. Both have nearby military bases and have had minor league franchises in the past. 

    Officials want to model a new Fayetteville ballpark behind the Prince Charles Hotel after Spirit Communications stadium, with a few significant differences. While Columbia’s stadium seats 6,500 fans, consultants are suggesting a ballpark seating about 4,000 for Fayetteville. Integral to the project are a variety of seating options. The Columbia stadium has 14 options ranging from a grassy berm and a patio section with tables and chairs for $5, to luxury suites at $750 per game. “Columbians love their baseball,” one fan said. A local facility would not need a dozen expensive skyboxes or some of the other amenities available there. A local stadium would likely not need four full-service concessions. 

    Surrounding commercial development is important at both places. But there’s precious little available space locally. Interim City Manager Doug Hewett notes that pending renovations to the adjoining Prince Charles Hotel have the potential for apartments, offices and retail stores. He says the city is working closely with the new owners to coordinate developments. 

    City council hopes to meet the Houston Astros August 19 deadline for a mutually agreeable memorandum of understanding (MOU). Hewett says the MOU could easily contain 50 documents of several hundred pages. It’s a voluminous yet nonbinding agreement. The city hopes to win a 30-year lease agreement with either the Astros or Minor League Baseball. The MOU will specify that the city will build a stadium “meeting minor league baseball standards at a cost not to exceed” whatever council comes up with, said Hewett. Council member Jim Arp, who is on the subcommittee drafting the MOU, says that could range from $30 million to $45 million. No one would say whether a tax increase would be required. Councilman Kirk deViere heads the subcommittee working on funding sources. 

    Before all parties agree to a memorandum of understanding, city council would have to decide what the spending cap would be. And, the Houston Astros would have to acquire the minor league team in southern California that it wants to move to Fayetteville. Hewett tells Up & Coming Weekly that while a contract could be executed “within 60 to 90 days after the MOU is adopted,” it would likely take several months after that to hammer out all the legalities involved. Construction could take 18 months and likely wouldn’t begin until at least the middle of 2017, he added. The team’s first season at the new park would be 2019, and according to sources, it would play at Campbell University until then.

  • news8It takes getting used to, but the local highway road signs now refer to Pope AAF, not Pope AFB. That’s Pope Army Airfield, not Pope Air Force Base. The grounds and facilities are now part of Fort Bragg. The Air Force unit coming the closest to identifying with what we remember as Pope Air Force Base is the 43rd Air Mobility Operations Group commanded by Col. Kelly Holbert, 45, a 22-year Air Force veteran. He’s a command pilot with many years of experience flying C-130 Hercules transport planes. That’s ironic because Pope lost all of its troop carriers when it was converted to an army airfield. The 43rd replaces the 440th Airlift Wing. Holbert’s unit is unique in the continental United States, he says, owing to the fact that it supports the 82nd Airborne Division. It provides army airborne support capabilities such as combat airlift, joint forcible entry and command and control. The group also serves the needs of XVIII Airborne Corp and Special Forces. Holbert served at Pope 20 years ago and says it feels no different today. He tells Up & Coming Weeklythere is an “incredible amount of joint support between the Air Force and the Army here. At our level there is tremendous interaction and cooperation,” he said. “I have personal relationships with all three brigade combat team commanders.”  Nine hundred airmen are assigned to the 43rd Air Mobility Operations Group. With the inactivation of the 440th Airlift Wing in September, it will be one of four Air Force units assigned to Pope Field. Other Air Force tenants are the 19th Air Support Operations Group, 432nd Combat Control Squadron and the 21st Special Tactics Squadron. One of Holbert’s squadrons provides administrative and human resource needs for Pope’s other units which together comprise 2,000 airmen.

    Col. Holbert took command five weeks ago, just in time to help coordinate an 82nd Airborne Division Emergency Deployment Response Exercise in which paratroopers were airdropped over Fort Polk, Louisiana. “It went very well,” said Holbert.  It was the first joint Army / Air Force exercise in which no Pope-based aircraft were used. A larger maneuver actually began days earlier during what’s called a Battalion Mass Tactical Week simulated military operation. Most of the planes used in the exercise were flown in from across the country. 82nd Airborne paratroopers were loaded into nice C-17 aircraft from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.  A few C-130s were also used during the exercise. Six aircraft flying in three-ship formations made roughly 96 passes over Fort Bragg’s Sicily Drop Zone, airdropping over 4,700 paratroopers, six howitzer artillery combos, two Humvees and several other pieces of heavy equipment and cargo, said Lt. Col. William McDonald, the mission commander. 

    Without notice, participants had to shift their attention from the BMTW to the Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise. “This is the first time we have rolled a BMTW into an EDRE in order to test our ability to plan… inside of 96 hours,” McDonald said. Planning for the EDRE began July 12 while the MASS TAC was underway. Aircraft began launching on July 16, said Lt. Col. Ben Russo, 18th Air Force deputy chief of combat operations. The transition was significant because it doubled the teams’ work and required them to plan a larger exercise while still running another, which is no easy feat. “This highlights our commitment to the 82nd Airborne and their mission,” McDonald said.

  • news7The Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau booked more than 23,500 room nights at area hotels with a direct economic impact of $8.1 million in the fiscal year that ended July 31. In what amounts to an annual report, the FACVB also says the indirect rollover impact on our economy was $20.3 million. The direct economic impact is figured by the number of attendees of the groups booked by FACVB, multiplied by overnights and then by $114, explained FACVB spokeswoman Melody Foote. The $114 is the average nightly rate. “The rollover impact is the direct impact times 2.5 since the money turns over in the community 2.5 times,” Foote added. The figures “don’t include any leisure travelers or day trippers that come here,” Foote said.

    All convention and visitors’ bureaus are not-for-profit organizations primarily funded by local governments, usually through a portion of hotel occupancy taxes. An overnight visitor to Cumberland County pays a 6 percent occupancy tax and 6.75 percent sales tax. Occupancy tax revenue is divided three ways -- 1.5 percent to arts (Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County), 1.5 percent in support of the Crown Center Complex and 3 percent to the Tourism Development Authority.  According to the NC Department of Commerce, in Fiscal Year 2012 Cumberland County occupancy tax collections reached just over $5 million. Of that amount $3.6 million went to the TDA. It funds the FACVB, whose mission is to promote the long-term development and marketing of Cumberland County as a destination, focusing on convention sales, tourism and service. And, of course, the agency directly supports the hospitality industry, which generates the tax revenue. 

    The FACVB secured 3,754 listings for Cumberland County events in local, regional and travel trade websites and print publications. It handled 14,047 visitor inquiries at its three visitor centers. “In the last year, we added several touch points to our data collection to get a better understanding of visitors and their interests,” said John Meroski, FACVB president and CEO. The visitor profile indicated that 23 percent of them were from North Carolina. Seven percent each visited here from New York and Florida, while 5 percent were from Virginia. As would be expected, 25 percent of visitors were visiting family and friends, many of them military. Seventeen percent were vacationers and 12 percent were here on business. Cumberland County has the eighth highest level of travel expenditures of North Carolinas 100 counties. Visitors’ top destinations included Fort Bragg, local museums, historic sites and dining. 

    Cumberland County has 72 hotels, motels and extended stay properties with 5,942 rooms. Currently, the county sees 160,000 overnight visitors per month. Rates for nightly stays vary from day to day. They range from $50 a night at older motels along U.S. 301 S, to $198 for two-room suites at Embassy Suites and Residence Inn. In 2012, the Fayetteville Regional Chamber stated that leisure and hospitality is Cumberland County’s fourth largest industry.  

  • news1If and when the City of Fayetteville decides to bring a Single-A minor league baseball team to Fayetteville, the SwampDogs may find themselves in the mix. They are an amateur collegiate summer baseball team. “I don’t worry about a lot of stuff until I have to worry about it,” said owner Lou Handlesman. He declined an interview with Up & Coming Weekly, but in a brief telephone conversation said he had approached the city about the potentially competitive situation. “Can we compete, yeah probably,” he added. Handlesman has operated the local franchise for 16 years. He leases the county-owned J.P. Riddle Stadium on Legion Road. The city is currently finalizing a memorandum of understanding with the Houston Astros. If successfully negotiated, consultants don’t believe a stadium behind the Prince Charles Hotel downtown would be ready for occupancy until the 2019 season, perhaps as early as the 2018 all-star break. Astros owners want to play ball here as early as next season. City of Fayetteville Consultant Jason Freier, in a recent teleconference, dropped J.P. Riddle Stadium’s name as a possible temporary site for baseball while construction of the new park is underway. Sources say the team will likely play at Campbell University through 2018.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    news2Chamber Endorses Local Projects  

    Fayetteville’s chamber of commerce has come out in support of two major projects, including the planned minor league baseball stadium. The proposed Civil War History Center also got the nod. “We encourage the city and county to each pledge $7.5 million toward the (history center) program,” said Chamber President and CEO Darsweil Rogers. He noted that if built, “the Civil War Center would have more than 100 employees and generate $12 million in annual economic benefit.” The organization’s board asked both local governments to make that commitment. As for the ballpark, Rogers said, “If the city and county can devise an acceptable financial package and funding strategy, we believe this is an attractive opportunity for the community.” 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    news3Art and Entertainment District in Downtown    

    The vision for what the Downtown Fayetteville Alliance and the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County have for the city center is a bit clearer following a report presented by consultants who developed a master plan and ideas for an arts and entertainment district. Matt Wagner of the National Main Street Center has completed a market study. Martin Cohen and Jerry Allen of the Cultural Planning Group have come up with draft recommendations. They presented their concepts at a community meeting last week. The consultants envision a district of entertainment, art and fine dining, plus recreation and modern technology. A proposed baseball stadium fits into their plan, but a performing arts center apparently does not … at least not yet. Arts Council Board Member Eric Lindstrum could not say when or where a performing arts center might be developed. Allen, on the other hand, urged city council to be sure an artist is on the planning and design group for the ballpark. “The stadium can be a huge draw,” said Wagner. “It helps build connectivity,” he added. Cohen praised the community for what he called the convergence adoption of the parks bond referendum, the stadium proposal, a downtown skate board park and realignment of the Rowan Street Bridge. “Political and civic leadership is part of the convergence,” he stated. The study defines the core entertainment and arts district as the downtown area bounded by Rowan & Grove Streets to the north, Robeson Street and Bragg Boulevard to the west, Russell Street on the south and Cool Spring Street to the east. The consultants said they will ask city council to adopt the plan in December. 

     

     

     

     

    news4Fort Bragg’s Commander Is off to War 

    The commanding general of Fort Bragg’s XVIII Airborne Corps will take charge of the U.S. fight against the Islamic State group in a couple of weeks. He will replace the III Corps commander as head of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve. Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend will succeed Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarlan, who has led what Defense Secretary Ash Carter called “this vitally important campaign” since September. The Pentagon announced the deployment of XVIII Airborne Corps Headquarters with about 450 soldiers to Kuwait. “The XVIII Airborne Corps has a long and proud history of constant readiness to answer the calls of our nation,” said Townsend. “Our soldiers and units are skilled, tough and stand ready around the clock to defend America,” he added. Carter visited Fort Bragg last week. Townsend and MacFarland are expected to change command this month.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    news5Military Trade Show a Success   

    North Carolina’s U.S. Senators don’t get to Fayetteville often, Thom Tillis more often Richard Burr. Tillis is a member of the Senate Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committees. They, Fayetteville Technical Community College and the North Carolina Military Business Center hosted last week’s 15th Annual North Carolina Defense & Economic Development Trade Show at FTCC.  “The Defense Trade Show at FTCC brings together more major defense contractors, North Carolina businesses, military and federal agencies than any other event in our State,” said Scott Dorney, NCMBC Executive Director.  More than 100 indoor and outdoor exhibitors, military static displays and personnel from Fort Bragg’s XVIII Airborne Corps and Pope Army Airfield and procurement-related educational activities took part. 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    news6Fayetteville River Trail          

    Total funding for Fayetteville’s Cape Fear River Trail from N.C. Department of Transportation (DOT) has reached $2.3 million. The city last week was awarded a $125,00 grant from DOT for the project. Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks & Recreation also received a $161,000 award from the state’s Transportation Alternative Program. These funds will pass through DOT from the Fayetteville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization for the connector trail from Linear Park to the Cape Fear River Trail.  

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    RadioColonial Media Hires New Assistant Operations Manager

    Colonial Media and Entertainment announces Aaron Brodie has been hired as Assistant Operations Manager of its Fayetteville radio stations. Brodie joins Colonial from Townsquare Media in Lubbock, Texas, where he anchored news and sports, guest hosted a local sports talk show and served as play-by-play talent. Among Brodie’s responsibilities is serving as afternoon drive talk show host on ESPNFayetteville.com and 92-5 FBX.

  • glutenNow, let us praise famous Glutens. Once upon a time in America, we didn’t know Glutens existed. We now know there are many things seen and unseen. We blissfully ate Glutens without realizing they were minions of the evil Lord Glutomon. Who knew Pokemons surrounded us ? Pokemon-Go’s creation resulted in herds of zombie-like Pokemon hunters wandering city streets and falling off cliffs. The Haldron Super Collider confirmed that the universe is filled with invisible Dark Matter. Dieticians determined Glutens are everywhere and they are bad for us.

    The great Smokey Robinson was first to warn America about the dangers of Glutens clogging up our intestinal tracts in his song, “The Tracks of My Tears.” Because of the great power of Lord Glutomon, Smokey had to put his musical warning in coded language to avoid being smitten by the forces of Gluten. Recent archeological digs in Motown unearthed the original lyrics to “The Tracks of My Tears,” which clearly reveal Smokey’s warning to us. Read and learn: “People say I’m the life of the party/ Cause I eat a pizza or two/ Although I may be laughing loud and hearty/ Deep in my small intestine, I’m blue/ If you see me with a gluten-free ice cream cone/ Acting like I’m having fun/ Although the cone may be cute/ It’s just a substitute/ Whole wheat, you’re the only one/ Take a good look at my plate/ You’ll see my ham on rye looks out of place/ Now look closer, its easy to trace/ The gastrointestinal tracts of my tears.”

    Consider the fate of dinosaurs. They were here yesterday, gone tomorrow. Paleontologists in league with Lord Glutomon promoted a cover story that dinosaurs were wiped out by a comet striking the earth, creating a global ice age. Dinosaurs, not being equipped with anti-freeze, fell over in the cold like so many Republican candidates for president facing the wrath of “The Donald.” As Sportin’ Life sang in Porgy and Bess, “It ain’t necessarily so/ The things that you’re liable to read in the Paleontology Bible ain’t necessarily so.” It was Glutens that killed the beasts. Remember the scene in King Kong after our big ape fell off the Empire State Building? The cop standing over the body of the King, said “Well Denham, the airplanes got him.” Denham replied, “Oh no, It wasn’t the airplanes. It was beauty that killed the beast.” Oh no, it wasn’t the comet. It was Gluten that killed the dinosaurs.

    If Glutens can kill off the mighty T-Rex, what might they do to the innards of unsuspecting Americans? An entire food industry has sprung up to promote and produce Gluten Free food.

    Grocery stores have aisles full of Gluten Free food. What is happening to the Glutens that are being removed from the foods? Where are these free range Glutens ending up? An unsubstantiated rumor says that large quantities of extracted Glutens are being dumped into Duke Power’s coal ash ponds. The Glutens then bond with 

    the arsenic, heavy metals and general cooties produced by Duke Power. North Carolina’s environment, after years of neglect by the Republican General Assembly and Governor McCrory, has become a Gluten for punishment.

    Like any movement, the Anti-Gluten crowd has spawned an opposition group. The pro-Gluten advocates formed Gluten Lives Matter to promote equality for Glutens. GLM has been holding rallies in favor of donuts, wheat bread and porcupine meat balls. The GLM’s goal is to fight culturally insensitive attacks on Glutens by raising Gluten’s image through the use of social media and civil disobedience. America’s medical establishment is doing its best to discriminate against Glutens. The sense of self worth for Glutens has been severely damaged by a constant barrage of micro aggressions by the Gluten Free bigots.

    In an effort to raise awareness of the value of Glutens, the GLM has begun personal empowerment classes for Gluten based foods. These classes are designed to raise Glutens to a level of universal equality with the five basic food groups: Salt, Fat, Nicotine, Caffeine and Sugar. GLM is seeking recognition from the U.S. Justice Department as a federally protected class. Such a designation would allow Glutens to be able to require safe spaces on college campuses where hurtful speech about Gluten free diets would be prohibited.

    GLM’s slogan is “No Pizza, No Justice.” GLM will soon be blocking the organic produce aisle of your local super market. You can contribute to the important work of GLM through its Go Fund Me campaign. Or you can turn the page. Only you can prevent Gluten discrimination. Free the Gluten, not Gluten Free. 

  • margaretThe 2016 Republican and Democratic conventions have come and gone and are fading into our shared political history. After all the rhetoric, all the name-calling, all the lines drawn in the sand, we the American people are facing as stark a choice for president as we have ever had. We can only pray that we get it right.

    As we look forward with both hope and trepidation, we are also looking backward as Barack Obama’s presidency winds to a close and his public approval polls rise, as do those for many but not all outgoing presidents. Historians will assess his presidency’s effectiveness on many measures — economic, foreign relations, crime, race relations, national security and others, but I am looking more toward the role he and his family have played in our national life.

    Illinois may have known Barack and Michelle Obama in 2004 when Barack began the rocket ride from state legislator to U.S. Senator to leader of the free world, but most Americans did not. The family of four we got to know during the presidential campaign of 2008 included two highly-educated professional and focused parents and two young daughters, 7 and 10, when the family moved into the White House. Knowing that the responsibilities of governing would take them away from their children at times, the Obamas brought along Michelle’s mother to ensure stability in the fishbowl lives they knew their young children were going to experience.

    The president got right to work, and his family settled in. From the outset, Michelle was both a traditional and untraditional First Lady. She has not worked outside the White House, and she seems to have been both a devoted wife and mother and a woman committed to making America better, notably through childhood obesity prevention, by supporting military personnel, veterans and their families and by promoting education for young people, especially for girls all over the world.

     Michelle Obama has not been shy. 

    She has made her causes fun by planting with children, dancing with students and playing with fashion in ways that thrilled both that industry and fashionistas worldwide. She has spoken her mind on more contentious issues, including long-standing inequalities in American life, particularly in education, and on the gun violence epidemic in our country. Most recently at the last week’s Democratic convention, she addressed our nation’s enduring and devastating racial divide, noting that she and her family, the first African Americans to live in the White House, wake up every morning in a home built by enslaved black people.

    Think about that.

    Think, too, about the insults, indignities and falsehoods that have been leveled at this family over the last eight years, the most offensive — to me, at least — being a U.S. Congressman shouting, “You lie!” to the president of the United States inside the U.S. Capital. 

    The Obamas will leave the White House in January a different family than the one that entered it. The president will always be a past president, a leader whose counsel will be sought by both Americans and people from other nations. The children have become young women, with Malia taking a year off before entering college and Sasha just a few years behind. Michelle will be only 53, a Princeton and Harvard- educated attorney whose own credentials can take her places even a former First Lady might not go. Americans will watch as she writes her next chapter, which will surely be one of smart and thoughtful service.

    I was in northern Africa the night President Obama was re-elected. It was almost morning there before the results were clear, and my friends and I were surrounded by the cheers of Moroccans as the news spread. No matter what you or I may think of President Obama, his legacy and his family, it is clear that the rest of the world has been entranced by the Obamas and by the fact that the United States elected a man of African heritage not once, but twice. 

    You and I will never know what Michelle Obama has said to her husband in private about their experience in the White House — how it has affected them, their daughters and the nation they serve. We will never know how the lives of their children might have been different had they not grown up on the world stage. We will never be privy to the hurts any of the Obamas endured as they lived the reality of being “firsts.”

    Maybe it is because I, like Michelle Obama, have been a wife and a mother and understand how those experiences mark a woman’s life forever that I admire how she has handled her role as First Lady. She guided and guarded her family and became a force for healthy, educated children and families of all stripes.

    Some other woman might have done it better, but I don’t know how.

  • pub penEditor’s Note: By the time you read this, our publisher, Bill Bowman, will be on his way to Sturgis Rally 2016. It is the one time a year that he takes to get away and recharge before our Best of Fayetteviille celebration, which is on Sept. 13.

    Best of Fayetteville is a party you won’t want to miss as we celebrate the very best that Fayetteville has to offer. And it is you, our readers, who declared the winners.

    While we wish Bill safe travels, here is a recent article he wrote that was well received and that we think is worth another look.

    Wow! What a great weekend we had. Celebrating our country’s birthday always makes me recognize and appreciate  the great country we live in. Though I think we have a tendency to take our freedoms for granted, especially in times like these when we seem to be straining and stressing under the weight of our own governance. Well, I’m not really worried about it. Americans have always proven their resilience time and time again when it comes to defending our rights and the American way of life. I love Fayetteville. Life here is good. Could it be better? Absolutely. But, then again, we suffer from too much governance locally where old habits, unilateral motives and conflicting priorities hinder and stifle our progress and growth.

    Recently, a former resident of Fayetteville returned for a visit after a 30-year absence. He was amazed and pleasantly surprised and even impressed with our city’s transformation - especially downtown. He hardly recognized it. Taking pride in his compliments and observations, I couldn’t refrain from making the comment, “Yeah, but we’re not where we should be or could be. If only we could get out of our own way.”

    And, it’s true. Everyone I talk with loves Fayetteville/Cumberland County. The problem is, they love “their” community. A common theme runs through every conversation I have with Fayetteville and Cumberland County residents. That one single thing that everyone mentions and agrees with consistently is: we are a community that fails to communicate or cooperate with each other. It is amazing. Everyone agrees that we should communicate and cooperate, but, openly admits that we don’t. Go figure. This is sad and not necessarily the type of thinking that inspires, energizes and motivates a progressive community.

    We seem to be in a perpetual circular firing squad. 

    At least everyone recognizes the problem, and they say that’s 50 percent of the solution. I agree, we have made great progress over the past three decades. However, we still have plenty of work to do - and with several awesome opportunities on the horizon, let’s all hope that our collective community communication improves. After all, we could talk ourselves into a future baseball stadium, a performing arts center and a North Carolina Civil War Education Center. It could happen! What do you say? Can we talk about it?

    Thank you for reading the Up & Coming Weekly.

  • coverThe Fayetteville Ladies Power Lunch is a quarterly luncheon designed to inspire, educate, empower and celebrate the women of our community. And there is plenty to celebrate. The women of Fayetteville are unique. They are strong. They are innovative. They are community leaders, business women, daughters, wives and often mothers, who strive every day to make a difference in this community and in the world. This is who you will find at the Fayetteville Ladies Power Lunch. And when these ladies gather, magic happens. Not only is there networking, brainstorming and information sharing, there is laughter, learning, connecting and even some shopping. The next Fayetteville Ladies Power Lunch is on Aug. 11 at the I-95 Holiday Inn. 

    This luncheon started several years ago after a group of women from Fayetteville attended the Triangle Ladies Power Lunch. As they carpooled home, they made plans to bring this phenomenal experience to our community. Not only has the event prospered, it has grown into a unique experience that reflects the members as well as the community. The Fayetteville Ladies Power Lunch celebrates the women throughout the Fayetteville and Cumberland County community who have faced life’s challenges with courage and determination and who want to create a powerful and fulfilling life dedicated to leaving the community better than they found it. The Fayetteville Ladies Power Lunch is dedicated to motivating and empowering women from all walks of life. Since its inception, the event has grown into a powerful resource.

     Each event includes some time for shopping before and after lunch, a keynote speaker with a powerful message, door prizes and a donation to a  local nonprofit organization that has an impact on our community, The Kidsville News Literacy and Education Foundation. The Shopportuniy Expo begins at 10 a.m. and includes not only vendors, but a wine tasting as well. The program officially starts at 10:45 a.m. and includes lunch and a keynote addres. There is more shopping from 2-3 p.m.

    At the Aug. 11 luncheon, keynote speaker Margaret Dickson, former North Carolina Senator and State Representative, will address the attendees. Dickson has a heart for service and has spent countless hours volunteering for local organizations in the community in addition to  investing in the community as a business leader. Her commitment to the citiznes of the greater Fayetteville area is impressive, as is her belief that everyone has something to give to make Fayetteville a better, stronger place for the next generation. “Community service, in whatever form it takes strengthens our community and broadens the views and experiences of those who do it,” said Dickson. “It is also true that important decisions about both public and private policies and spending are going to be made whether we participate or not.  I choose to participate.” At the luncheon, Dickson will speak on a nonpartisan level about why it is important to get involved in the community. 

     Events of this reach and magnitude don’t happen on their own. It takes teamwork and dedication, and there is no shortage of people and businesses who believe in and invest in this cause. This event would not be possible were it not for the sponsors that support it. Fayetteville Women’s View Magazine, Bragg Mutual Federal Credit Union, The UPS Store in the Westwood Plaza, Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop, Biz Card Express, Omni Plaza, Premier Cardiovascular Center, J&J Desktop Publishing, Only N Door Digital Billboards and Methodist University are ongoing sponsors. The advisory board works diligently year-round to put each event together and make sure it all runs smoothly. The board is a dynamic team of women who work and or live in this community: Peggy Manning, Kia Walker, Cely Graham, Chi Chi Okoroafor, Jill Merrill, Joan Richter, Dr. Mary Kansora, Dr. Belinda Wilkerson, Jasmin Brown, Tracey Pearson, Natasha Barone and Keri Dickson.

    Tickets must be purchased in advance. They are $35 to attend and $75 to be a vendor. Register online at www.FayettevilleLadiesPowerLunch.com. Next quarter’s lunch will be held Nov. 10, and Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard is scheduled to speak. 

    To become a sponsor or for additional information, contact Keri Dickson at 584.4121.

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    School’s back in session and cooler weather is right around the corner. That can only mean one thing … it’s fair time! The Cumberland County Fair runs from Sept. 11-20 this year. That’s 10 days of just about every kind of fun imaginable. From music to motors ports to animals and more, the Cumberland County Fair “seeks to provide an opportunity to showcase and preserve the history and legacy of the agricultural communities in Cumberland County; to celebrate the diversity of local arts and crafts; to promote a safe setting for fun, healthy family entertainment …  and to encourage an environment of friendly competition for all ages.”  

    For the Fayetteville community, that translates in to concerts, rides, games, petting zoos, dancing, roller derby, food, animal shows, arts and crafts and fun-filled activities for the entire family. 

    All week long, patrons can look forward to an interactive petting farm, Kountry K-9 Show, Motomaniacs Stunt Show, the works of chainsaw artists Rick Cox and Monster Truck Rides. Helicopter rides are also on tap each day as is the baby chic display, toddler driving school, family and consumer science education. Visit the Farmer for a Day exhibit hosted by the Cumberland County 4-H Clubs. There are also pony and camel rides, a Eurobungy trampoline, home, craft and agricultural exhibits and a Goodness Grows in North Carolina contest hosted by the Cumberland County Cooperative Extension Service.

    Sept. 11 is not only opening night, it is Military and Emergency Services Appreciation Night. That means free admission for all military and first responders in uniform or with a valid ID. The gates open at 5 p.m. Patrons can enjoy WKML 95.7 Live at the Fair and check out the petting farm, racing pigs, a K-9 show, motomaniac, ballroom dancing, hip-hop artist Jay Bless to name a few of the activities. From 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. it’s Midnight Madness, which means free admission with the purchase of an unlimited ride wrist band.

    Sept. 12 is Paraglide and Fort Bragg Life night at the fair and features local musician Erik Smallwood on the Entertainment Stage at 1 p.m. The Jill Charles Band takes the stage at 3 p.m. followed by Upscale “N” Casual at 7 p.m. Valhalla closes out the evening’s live performances at 9 p.m.

    Sunday, Sept. 13 is faith and family day. There are church services on the fairgrounds at 10:15 a.m. Anyone bringing a current church bulletin will receive a $2 discount at the gate. One bulletin per person is required. This offer is valid from 1-3 p.m. The entertainment stage features  Destiny Now, Jordan River Quartet, Avery Hurt, Kim Canady and Accepted. Other events include racing pigs, Country K-9 Show and the petting farm. WKML 95.7 is live at the fair all day. The gates open at 1 p.m.

    Sept. 14  is Pay One Price (POP) night. For just $10 gain entry to the fair and an unlimited ride wrist band. The gates open at 5 p.m. WAZZ will be on site doing a live radio remote. Don’t miss the Junior Laying Hen Show at 7 p.m.  Entertainment on stage includes Crossroads and Reckless Abandon.  Motomaniacs have several shows scheduled each day as well. Gates open at
     5 p.m.

    Students, Tuesday, Sept. 15, is Fun, Fun, Fun student night at the fair. Students get in free until 8 p.m. with a student discount coupon. Visit the Kidsville News! Stage for all kinds of exciting entertainment throughout the evening. There are racing pigs, the petting farm, Kountry K-9 show, the Junior Market Lamb Show, Motormaniacs and more. The entertainment stage will feature Three Below Zero and Seal the Deal. Gates open at 5 p.m.

    Wednesday, Sept. 16 is also Fun, Fun, Fun student night. Unique events include Little “Ewe” Jumpstart Livestock Clinic, Swine, Feeder, Calf and Steer Show and the Fayetteville Area Youth Livestock Auction Sale, sponsored by the Cumberland County Farm Bureau. Original Reflections will play on the Entertainment Stage at 6:30 p.m. Reflections II takes the stage at 8:30 p.m. The gates open at 5 p.m.

    Senior citizens looking to enjoy the fair at their own pace are invited to the Snior Citizens Day on Thursday, Sept. 17. The gates open at 1 p.m. and patrons 50 years and older get in free until 5 p.m. Special events include Shimmy Mob Dance Troupe, Jackie and the Red Hat Society, magician Marie Blackman, comedian Luis Cadena, Hope Mills Rhythm Stompers, Country Sunshine Line Dancers, Roland’s Dance Studio and the 82nd Aiborne Chorus. Starting at 4 p.m. anyone with a wristband coupon from Carly C’s gets $5 off an unlimited ride wristband and $2 off admission with a 4-H or FFA club membership card or T-shirt. Don’t miss the Junior Meat Goat Show at 7 p.m., racing pigs throughout the evening  and Ring Wars Carolina Wrestling. Performers on the Entertainment stage are Erik Smallwood and Rivermist.

    A Fair Fight Against Breast Cancer is the theme for Friday, Sept. 18. Cape Fear Valley Breast Care Center will offer $1 off all admissions between 5 and 8 p.m. Gates open at 4 p.m. Highlights for the evening include Beach Music Night with Jim Quick and Coastline on the Entertainment Stage, Fair Queen Pageant rehearsals, the Junior Beef Heifer Show sponsored by the Cumberland County Farm Bureau. Don’t miss Midnight Madness from 10 p.m. – 1 a.m. Purchase an unlimited ride wristband and get free admission.

    Gates open at 1 p.m. for a full day of fun on Saturday, Sept. 19. The Entertainment Stage and Kidsville News! Stage both have a completely full slate with performers like Tony Gibson, Acoustic on the Rocks, The Elite Believers Mime Ministry, VZ Modeling Academy, Drew Smith Band and Back Track Band. The Chainsaw Art Auction is a must see at 5 p.m. The Cumberland County Invitational Step Show  is also at 5 p.m. The Fair Queens Pageants are scheduled for 7 p.m. 

    The fair’s last day in town is Sunday, Sept. 20. The day kicks off with church services on the Fairgrounds at 10:15 a.m. The gates open at 1 p.m. for Carload Day at the Fair. There is a $20 admission per car for up to six people. The Horrell Family will grace the entertainment stage along with Glad Trio, Tony Gibsion, The Gores and Travelin’ Light Band. It’s your last chance to enjoy the fair food, play games on the midway, try out the rides, see the racing pigs, Motomaniacs, Kountry K-9s, visit the Kidsville News! stage, the petting zoo and other exhibits.

    Find out more at www.facebook.com/CCFairNC.

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    Are you ready for some college football? Fayetteville State University is ready. The team is gearing up for a highly anticipated football season. If you haven’t been following their progress, now would be a good time to start. 

     “We are expecting to have a big season this year because the past two years we have been a game away from making it to the conference championship game,” said Lawrence Kershaw, head football coach at Fayetteville State University. “We finished in second place in the CIAA Division at 5-5 overall and 5-2 in the CIAA.” 

    Kershaw added that the CIAA is broken up into two divisions and the team placed second in its division two years in a row.  

    Coach Kershaw believes that he has a team that will take them to the championship this year and there are key players who will make it happen.  

    “Our best offensive lineman is Quincey Dickens, two wide receivers, Christopher Hubert and  Tavon Gatlin and running back Andre Montgomery,” said Kershaw.

    “The two defensive linemen who are real good are Thomas Perry and Rendell Mas,”  continued Kershaw, adding that he is also excited about linebacker, Timothy Thorb, and secondary defensive back, Kwamere Bailey.      

    The team competes in the CIAA, Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, which is a Division II conference mostly consisting of historically African-American colleges and universities. 

    “Our expectation is to win the conference championship,” said Kershaw. “That will always be our number one goal.”  

    Coach Kershaw is from from Brooklyn, New York, and this is his 20th season coaching college football. 

    He played football in high school and in college at Stony Brook University in New York. He then transferred and graduated from Virginia State University. Kershaw had dreams of going pro but realized as he got older that he did not have the ability. 

    “My original goal was to be a guidance counselor and a head football coach at a high school,” said Kershaw. “I have a master’s in guidance and I started coaching college football while I was pursuing my degree.” 

    While football is a focus, academic excellence is a priority to Kershaw and his football players. 

    “The guys we get are guys who come to school to get an education,” said Kershaw. “They have the athletic ability to help them obtain a degree and we do give scholarships.”  

    Kershaw added if you are good enough you will make it. One of his former players, Marcus Reed, who played on last year’s football team, is currently playing with the Kansas City Chiefs.   

    The first game of the season is Sept. 5 against Chowan University. The 2015 CIAA football championship will take place on Nov. 14.  

    “We always want Fayetteville State University’s football team to be in the conversation,” said Kershaw. “I am anticipating a very successful season.”      

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    Unlike the British, we Americans have no royal family to follow, so we compensate in two ways. We follow theirs — Will and Kate and their precious little ones — or we create our own, usually entertainment stars and politicians. 

    Like virtually everyone else in America, I am transfixed by Donald Trump — the entire package. I can hardly get enough, because there is just so much to absorb, politics notwithstanding.

    The hair. The lightning fast and laser sharp insults. The undeniable billionaire status, of which he reminds us frequently.  Free helicopter rides. The beautiful women. The political incorrectness and proud maverick behavior.

    And, the various families!

    Trump’s birth family, a German father and a British mother with five children, made a fortune building affordable housing in the boroughs around Manhattan, though daddy Trump was known to be — shall we say — frugal. The Donald joined his father’s business at the tender age of 22, heading into real estate in flashy Manhattan with TRUMP emblazoned on most of his buildings and zooming on to billionaire-dom. I have never heard anyone refer to the younger Trump as frugal.

    Along the way, he married a Czechoslovakian skier named Ivana, and they had three children. Ivana, who gifted her husband with the enduring moniker “The Donald,” lost out to a beauty queen from Georgia named Marla Maples, with whom Trump had a daughter, aptly named Tiffany. Marla ultimately bit the Trump dust as well, and the current Mrs. Trump is Melania, a former model from Slovenia. They have a son named — what else? Barron Trump. A quick Google turns up thousands of glamorous photos of Mrs. Trump including at least one modeling a fur-lined metal bikini. Ouch!

    Eleanor Roosevelt Roosevelt and Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy must be spinning in their graves.

    Another politician in the spotlight in North Carolina is state Representative Jason Saine. I have not found any bikini-clad photos of him, but there are plenty of photos of him wearing some $19,000 worth of tailor-made clothing he paid for with campaign dollars during the first half of this year. North Carolina law prohibits using campaign funds contributed by supporters for personal expenses, but Saine maintains that he absolutely had to commission his new wardrobe because his real-life job does not require suits and ties while his legislative job does.

    Wonder if the guy has ever heard of Joseph A. Bank or Men’s Warehouse?

    Then at the other end of the politician spectrum comes former President Jimmy Carter, who announced to the world last week that the cancer for which he recently had surgery has spread to his brain. Poised and articulate at 90, he explained his condition and his treatment and expressed his enduring faith in God. Relaxed and smiling, he praised his wife of 69 years and urged other cancer patients to hope for the best but to accept what comes. Carter is the epitome of grace and mature manhood.

    I bet he has never said anything ugly about Rosie O’Donnell.

    And, finally, an update on last week’s column regarding the fate of Virginia Dare, the first child born to English parents in the New World, and the rest of the settlers in the Lost Colony. It seems that I am hardly the only person interested in this 428-year-old mystery. A Raleigh News and Observer column of past news stories compiled by Teresa Leonard recently re-ran a 1938 story suggesting that Virginia Dare is buried in Robeson County!

    It quotes well-known Robesonians of the day recounting local legends about a gravesite near the historic Philadelphus Presbyterian Church, which is not to be disturbed under any circumstances. The tale is part of a larger speculation that the Lost Colonists migrated south from their original Roanoke Island settlement and eventually intermarried with the people we know today as Lumbee Indians, some of whom have blue eyes. 

    Also weighing in on Virginia Dare was my friend Pam Stultz, longtime senior assistant to the Cumberland County Register of Deeds.

    It seems the long-running outdoor drama about the early settlers, The Lost Colony in Manteo, traditionally uses a live baby instead of a doll in performances on Virginia Dare’s birthday, Aug. 18. The little bundle of joy in the arms of an actress in this photo from last week is actually Pam’s infant granddaughter, Carolyn Leigh.

    I hope I live long enough to learn what really happened to Virginia and that tiny band of early colonists.

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    Who would have guessed that in over a decade America —  the land of the free — is still struggling with the issue of immigration? Illegal immigration. 

    This is sad. Yet, it is the perfect example of how insensitive, corrupt, inefficient, dysfunctional and out of touch our national government has become. Needless to say, the heart of the problem originates from ignoring and refusing to enforce the laws of the land; a term our current leadership has rendered ineffectual and meaningless. 

    To complicate the situation even further, legitimate solutions are not forthcoming. Sad, sad, sad. The political landscape is now further exacerbated with the debate over “anchor babies,” a term coined probably by conservatives to explain how badly America screwed up in interpreting the 14th Amendment to our Constitution and to accentuate how that provision is being misused and abused by foreigners. The 14th Amendment was adopted on July 9, 1868, as one of the Reconstruction Amendments. 

    The amendment addresses citizenship rights and equal protection by the laws, and was proposed in response to issues related to former slaves following the American Civil War. Even as it was proposed, the amendment created controversy and has continued to do so. 

    Many believe that the wording of Article I, Section 8 of the Constituion gives Congress the power to “establish  a uniform Rule of Naturalization, which would trump the 14th Amendment.” The answer to that question, of course, lies in the interpretation and determination of the Supreme Court; who knows what they would do in light of other recent decisions they have made with ties to the 14th Amendment? 

    But back to the current state of events. Left-wing liberals have lost no time exploiting this circumstance to advance their positions by deploying the politically correct police to demonize the simplistic phrase as demeaning. Really? To whom? Those that are abusing it at American taxpayers’ expense? 

    Everyone agrees that illegal immigrants are a major problem, and a costly one at that. Finding a solution is another matter. Amnesty is not an option — at least until the border is secure. Deportation is not really feasible. It is costly and slightly on the barbaric side.

    Without a doubt, we know how to find solutions to tough problems - at least when we want to. Any illegal immigrant in America should want to be an American citizen. If not, they must leave. 

    Anchor babies? A diversion of rhetoric. Sure, Donald Trump may be leading the clown parade now, but clearly his “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore!” message is resonating throughout America. Sure, many people say he is not qualified to be president. No argument there. But, they are also saying that after seven years of the Obama administration, so how bad could he really be?

    We will see. Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly,your community newspaper.


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    Honeybees are one of the most important insects for the environment. They pollinate 30 percent of flowering crops and 90 percent of wild plants - plants such as apples, broccoli, strawberries, nuts, asparagus, blueberries and cucumbers need bees in order to grow. It is easy to see why bees are so important for the human diet, as well as other mammals, and even plant life. Imagine a summer without your favorite fruit or Thanksgiving without pumpkins. Festivals like the blueberry and strawberry festival would be non-existent without bees. Join the Cumberland County Beekeepers Association on Aug. 29 to learn more about this tiny but important creature.

    With such a vital role to play in the food chain, it’s important to keep bees and their hives healthy. Unfortunately, in recent years, hives across the nation have faced Colony Collapse Disorder at an alarming rate. There are several theories about Colony Collapse Disorder and what might cause it, but there is still no solution. 

    The Cumberland County Bee Keepers association will show participants how to manage bees, take care of the hives and collect honey. Managing bees without getting stung is an art form. Beekeepers use smokers to trick the bees into thinking their hive is on fire. This calms the bees down so beekeepers can change out the different compartments to retrieve the honey. 

    While many people are afraid of bees, they are usually harmless. However, there are a few things that people can do to lessen their chances of encountering bees. Wearing black attracts bees because their natural born enemies are bears. Bees will gravitate towards people wearing darker colors. Bees are drawn to the carbon dioxide, which comes from our nose and mouth. This is why beekeepers wear nets over their faces to keep the bees from stinging. 

    Depending on which plants bees pollinate, the taste of their honey can vary. Sometimes the differences are subtle, but wildflower honey is not the same as orange blossom honey. There are up to 300 types of honey in the United States. Bees work all summer long to fill their hive with honey for the winter so they might survive the cold weather. 

    Honey can be used in a variety of ways. For example, honey is useful as a cough medicine, to treat wounds, as scalp aid, an energy booster and to
    reduce allergies. 

    Come and join the Cumberland County Beekeepers Association on Aug. 29 at Carvers Creek State Park from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Exercise caution if allergic to bees they will be in an enclosed net. 


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    Fayetteville’s namesake, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roche Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de Lafayette, came to America the summer of 1777 at the tender age of 19. He was intrigued by the colonies and their struggle for independence. So he came to America where he served on George Washington’s staff and worked to help win freedom from Britain. The colonists of never forgot Lafayette. Many towns were named after the Frenchman, but Fayetteville, N.C., is the first one to honor him as a namesake when it officially claimed the moniker in 1783 and is the only town named after him, which Lafayette visited. 

    Locally, the Lafayette Society honors the memory of the Marquis de Lafayette and promotes awareness of his significant contributions to mankind and freedom through events, programs and educational activities at the Lafayette Birthday Celebration, which falls on Sept. 11-12, this year. The fact that this event falls on the same weekend as the Greekfest is by design. 

    “It’s two great events, one great weekend,” said Lafayette Society spokesperson Dr. Hank Parfitt. “Both are excellent  events for  a fun-filled Fayetteville weekend, and there is no reason to miss one to attend the other.”

    The festivities start with Arias and Artifacts on Friday, Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m. at Davis Library on the Methodist University Campus. The library houses letters that were written by Lafayette along with many early 19th century Lafayette memorabilia. From the library, head over to Hensdale Chapel where Dr. Gail Morfesis and Friends will perform a short concert.

    Saturday, Sept. 12, kicks off the day’s events with the Lafayette Birthday Farmers Market, which runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The farmers market is located at the Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum and includes more than fresh produce. Visitors will find arts and crafts and other items for sale as well. Check out the Cape Fear Botanical Garden’s demonstration about local herbs and how they were used in the 1700s and 1800s.

    Don’t miss the Lafayette Trail Tour at 9 a.m. The tour traces Lafayette’s footsteps during his 1825 visit to the city. New stops have been added this year and include the Phoenix Masonic  Lodge and Cool Spring Tavern. 

    “The Lafayette Trail Tour is probably the best way to learn about Lafayette and what was going on in America and Fayetteville at the time he visited. You get so much history on this tour and Bruce Daws, who leads the tour, is probably the most knowledgable man in town when it comes to local history,” Parfitt said. “You will be fascinated with all the information he has to share. The Cool Springs Tavern’s docent’s  family has owned it for 200 years. The Masonic lodge is a new stop this year, too — you don’t get to go inside a Masonic lodge often. That is a real opportunity. Like many founding fathers, Lafayette was a Mason along with George Washignton and was welcomed and honored here. Tickets are $30 per person. Reservations are required. The tour includes coffee and croissants and a light lunch. Call 678-8899 for tickets and information.

    The All-American Fencing Academy is set to host the Lafayette/Rulnick Open Fencing Tournament from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The tournament includes foil and sabre events and is held at the All-American Fencing Academy on Donaldson Street.

    Downtown shops and restaurants are celebrating the special day
    with a Lafayette Birthday Sidewalk Sale. The sale runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will feature great bargains and interesting finds.

    The Museum of the Cape Fear’s Festival of Yesteryear runs from 10 a.m to 5 p.m.  Get an up close and personal look at what life was like in Fayetteillve when Lafayette was alive. The theme focuses on the Colonial and Revolutionary War periods. Come and see re-enactors as they show what life was like in the 1700s. Learn about music, toys and games, militia drills and even colonial dentistry. The living history groups include Camp Flintlock, the North Carolina Highland Regiment, and Captain Dry’s Militia Company. Visitors can check out Apprentice Alley, a hands-on experience for children to learn about many of the trades of the time. Apprentice Alley includes crafts and activities that bring history to life for children. The event is free and open to the public. Find out more about the Museum of the Cape Fear and the Festival of Yesteryear at http://museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov/Events.aspx.

    From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., don’t miss the Lafayette District Scouting Expo at Cross Creek Park. The scouting district that covers most all of Cumberland County, and was recently named the Lafayette District. Parfitt noted that the Boy Scout rules tie in perfectly with who Lafayette was and what he represented. “The Scout’s Law lists 10 characteristics of what a scout should be. Lafayette exemplified those characteristics,” said Parfitt.

    Demonstrations of scouting skills, camp games and more are planned. Scouts will show off their skills and offer hot dogs and camp food for sale. 

    Stop by Lafayette Plaza at Cross Creek Park at noon  and enjoy a free concert compliments  of the Army Ground Forces Dixie-Land Band. The first 100 guest will get free birthday cake and ice cream.

    “Part of the fun in this event is that you can connect so many things back to Lafayette and our freedom in this country,” said Parfitt. “When you talk about learning, the Lafayette Society renovated the area around the statue in Cross Creek Park and put in a nice brick plaza and there is a plaque there, which in about 250 words, sums up Lafayette’s life. It is a great way to take advantage of what we have in Fayetteville.”

    This Wine Café will host a French wine and cheese tasting from 6-9 p.m. Then finish up the birthday celebration with an engaging presentation about Lafayette. At 7 p.m., Lafayette author and UNC professor of history Lloyd Kramer will speak about Lafayette and the Greek Revolution at the Market House. Kramer’s book Lafayette in Two Worldsoffers a look at Lafayette’s role in America and Europe  during the late 1700s and early 1800s. The event is free but donations will be accepted. 

    “We have Dr. Kramer talking about Lafayette and the Greek Revolution and his support of national revolutions worldwide,” said Parfitt. “During his time he was considered a beacon of hope in people in nations who wanted to determine how they would be ruled. The Greeks were under the rule of the Ottoman Turks and that struggle went on for 10 years. Dr. Kramer is a fascinating speaker. He’s  the kind of history professor everyone wishes thy had in high school or college. He makes history come alive when he talks about it.”

    Find out more about Lafayette and his birthday celebration at www.lafayettesociety.org/events.php.

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    For anyone who has ever loved a child, the thought of someone hurting  them or taking advantage of them is unbearable. Yet it happens every day and in some pretty horrific and unexpected ways. In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world it is challenging to oversee everything that goes on in a child’s life. But now more than ever, it is vital that parents, family members and loved ones do so. As part of a weekend-long joint initiative with several other community organizations, Groundswell Pictures is set to premier the film Not Just Pictures, a gripping documentary that addresses something most people avoid thinking about much less talking about — child sexual exploitation and child sexual abuse — on Aug. 28. The movie asks the question: Are your kids safe just because they are in the house with you? The answer is not necessarily.

    While technology has made life better in many ways, the slimy underbelly of it is fraught with danger and downright evil. Thanks to the Internet, it is easier than ever to produce, reproduce and disseminate CSA images, which means there are more of these images out there than ever before and they are, tragically, fairly easy to come by. Disseminating these images is a multi-billion dollar a year industry, and one of the fastest growing online businesses. In the past 10 years, more than 120 million CSA images have been bought and sold. Ninety million of them were of prepubescent children with 12 million of them of infants and toddlers. Each year the images become more brutal and more graphic. 

    This film has been in the works for more than two years. Filmmakers Jan Johnson and Pat Wright have more than 50 years of combined experience making films. From TV commercials to feature length documentaries, this award-winning pair has won more than 80 international and national awards.  They have covered topics that include recovery efforts in Haiti, the effects of desegregation, the Hollywood blacklist and more. The pair decided to tackle this issue when they asked their friend and child advocate Dr. Sharon Cooper, and the executive producer of the film, what they could do to make a difference. 

    “Without any hesitation she said child pornography and exploitation are issues that need to be dealt with,” said Wright. “Since then, we have been crisscrossing the U.S. and Canada talking with experts. We even attended the Interpol Conference in Bermuda.”

    Many people who make and collect child pornography consider it a victimless crime — just pictures. But to the children whose lives are broken by these predators, every instance of possession and/or distribution is a big deal because every time the images change hands,  the children are victimized yet again as predators seek to make child sexual exploitation a normal thing. The victims usually know that their images are online and are powerless to remove them. So every time someone recognizes them, they relive the crime — even as adults. Every time they see someone looking at a cell phone, computer or iPad, they pray the person using the device is not looking at the CSA image of them.

    It is an intimidating and terrifying topic, but there are things that parents and guardians can do to educate and protect children at risk and to find and rescue those suffering at the hands of pedophiles and child pornographers as authorities on the front lines of this battle work to find and incarcerate offenders. Not Just Pictures faces this issue head on offering interviews with experts in the field, survivors and parents of survivors and victims of Internet child exploitation. A few of the topics covered in the movie include sex trafficking, sextortion, sexting and sex tourism. 

    “What we want to do is, as the name of our nonprofit says, we want to create a groundswell of change on this issue,” said Wright. “We want people to talk about and think about it and act. There are things you can do to protect your kids, but when people are too afraid to even talk about it, it thrives in secrecy. We’ve got to raise the alarm and shine the light on it.”

    The world premier of Not Just Pictures opens on Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. at Fayetteville State University’s Seabrook Auditorium. A question and answer session is planned after the showing. Find out more at www.groundswellpictures.com. 

    To truly get an understanding of what sexual abuse does to children, the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County presents Illuminations: Artwork Creating Change. This guided exhibit features artwork and journal entries created by two brothers. The boys were abused by the same person. Their works will help people understand what this crime does to children, why they react the way they do and the impact it has on their families. The exhibit is not appropriate for children under 12. Exhibit hours are Aug. 28 at 4th Friday from 5-9 p.m.; Aug. 29 from noon to 4 p.m. with a special workshop at 1 p.m.; and Aug. 30 – Sept. 12 with scheduled daily tours. Call 323-1776 for more information.

    Skyview on Hay will host a free Internet safety expo on Aug. 28 during 4th Fridayfrom 5-9 p.m. and on Saturday, Aug. 29 from noon to 4 p.m. The expo offers free tips and ideas from national, state and local groups. Don’t wait to teach your children how to stay safe online. The expo if free.

    At 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29, world-renowned child advocate and public speaker Cordella Anderson will be at SkyView on Hay to discuss how parents and guardians can equip children to be safe online. This event is also free. 

    “Technology is leaping ahead — look at kids 7-14 these days with hand-held devices and computers in their rooms. They are online and their parents have no idea the what apps the kids are using and they can’t keep them safe,” said Wright. “We put our children on the Internet without teaching them the basics of Internet safety. We need to rethink things and learn how to protect them better.”  


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    As the summer comes to a close, 4th Friday, on Aug. 28, is a fun way for parents to celebrate and kids to mourn the passing of the season. The shops and restaurants stay open late and live entertainment floods the streets. From art, to shopping, to history there is something for everyone. You have not truly experienced downtown Fayetteville until you have experienced a 4th Friday celebration. 

    For the younger crowd, Fascinate-U Kids Museum is a must-see. This museum is uniquely designed for children. The exhibits mimic real-life scenarios like grocery stores and news rooms. Kids are invited to interact and play with these exhibits in order to learn about the real world. Admission is free for 4th Fridayevents, and the museum is open from 7-9 p.m. There is also a free craft that kids can take home. This month it is a food self-portrait. Kids are invited to be creative and make a fun and “funky” food collage. Fascinate-U is located at 116 Green St. For more information, call 910-829-9171 or visit www.fascinate-u.com. 

    The Headquarters Library is also getting in on the 4th Friday festivities with an event that deftly combines art and science. It will host the Cape Fear Mineral and Gem Society. The event is sponsored by Systel and includes refreshments. The Cape Fear Mineral and Gem Society will have a large display of fossils, rocks and gems. There will be stones perfect for making jewelry, gemstone trees and cabochons. Members of the society will answer any questions and talk about all of the amazing minerals and gems on display. The members will also have hand-crafted items available for purchase. Look for the Cape Fear Mineral and Gem Society in the Pate Room of the Headquarters Library from 7-9 p.m. The Headquarters Library is located at 300 Maiden Lane. For more information, call 910-482-7727 or visit www.cumberland.lib.nc.us/ccplsite.

    Coinciding with 4th Friday is the last Fayetteville After 5 of the season. These free concerts are the ideal way to relax and enjoy some of the last of the warm summer evenings. For this concert, Natural Wonder, a tribute to Stevie Wonder, and Trial by Fire, a tribute to Journey, will perform. Gates open at 5 p.m. and entertainment begins between 7 and 7:30 p.m. The concert is scheduled to end between 10:30 and 11 p.m. No outside food or beverages are allowed in the park, but patrons are invited to bring chairs of blankets. This concert is also military appreciation night. The concert is held in Festival Park located at 225 Ray St. For more information, visit www.faydogwoodfestival.com/p/Events/211 or call 910-323-1934. 

    The Cape Fear Studios Gallery opens an exhibit featuring Benn Greene-Colonnese. He creates unique structural sculptures and functional pieces by molding, casting and grinding glass. He takes his inspiration from natural and man-made sources. This exhibit runs until Sept. 15. Cape Fear Studios is located at 148 Maxwell St. The gallery is open from 6-8 p.m. on 4th Friday. For more information, visit www.capefearstudios.com or call 910-433-2986. 

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    My eastern North Carolina grandmother drew me into the mystery of Virginia Dare before I started school. I was instantly riveted and have remained so ever since. Virginia was the first child born to English parents in what was then called “the New World.” She was born in 1587 on Roanoke Island, now part of North Carolina. Three years later when her grandfather returned from an extended resupply mission to England, Virginia and her family were nowhere to be seen —  nor were any of the other colonists.

    Being a North Carolina girl like Virginia, I was convinced that it was my mission in life to solve that mystery, and what is more, I was absolutely confident that I could — and would — do just that. My enthusiasm continued into grade school, where I actually had a classmate named Virginia Dare Mason. After I figured out my schoolmate was not THE Virginia Dare — I was very young — I decided my Virginia was a direct descendent and probably knew the secret of what happened to the original Virginia but was not telling.

    Clues have been scant. 

    The newly returned Englishmen found the word “Croatoan” carved into a fence post and “Cro” carved into a tree. Over the last 428 years, people like me have speculated that the small band of 100 or so colonists were attacked by the local Native Americans, or more kindly, that they went to live with them and were ultimately assimilated. Some contended the colonists went south to Hatteras Island. Some said they went inland. Some said they were wiped out by disease, and one or two suspected abduction by space aliens. The truth, though, has been that no one from 1587 until now ever had much more than a theory. 

    Now there seems to be actual evidence, not exactly Virginia’s crib with her DNA on it, but something we can touch nonetheless, and I could not be more thrilled!

    Maps from Virginia’s day exist and have been studied for more than four centuries. Three years ago a Durham-based group of people like me called First Colony Foundation announced that scholars had taken another look at a map drawn by Virginia’s grandfather, an employee of Sir Walter Raleigh. Recent close examination revealed symbols that could refer to forts or secret emergency locations that the settlers would have known about. The symbol led researchers to an area in Bertie County, west of where the settlers were last seen and where rivers that could be used for transportation converge. 

    The focus is now around a residential and golf course development, which conjures up thoughts of the discovery of King Richard III’s long-missing body being located three years ago beneath what the British call a car park in Leicester, England, but we will not go there in this column.

    The front page of a recent Raleigh News and Observer had yet more good news. First Colony Foundation archeologists have been digging and have found pottery shards, a hand-wrought nail and artifacts associated with clothing, everyday items from the 16th century and consistent with similar finds in England. Researchers speculate that the colonists left their Roanoke Island settlement for whatever reason in two waves — first a small group of men and later a group of men, women, and children, presumably including Virginia.

    Perhaps we human beings have genes that drive us to solve mysteries like what happened to baby Virginia and King Richard. We have long known that Richard died on the battlefield at Bosworth Field and that his head was later displayed to prove to both friend and foe that the king was indeed dead. Earlier this year, what was left of him was given a dignified burial, and Leicester continues to do brisk business in kingly tourist trade, including a special “Return of the King” beer.  

    But Virginia? Who knows? Did she perish from harsh living conditions as did many infants in that era? Did she grow up and have children so that her blood still runs in someone, somewhere? Will we ever know or will we go to our own graves still channeling Virginia?

    We will know, if the folks at First Colony Foundation have their way. Phil Evans, president of the foundation, is hopeful. “We’ve gone from known to unknown to a new known,” he says, referring to the recent finds in Bertie County... There’s a lot more unknown to be discovered. The future before us is one of still searching, still researching.”

    I am cheering them on from Fayetteville, hoping that my childhood dream of Virginia being found will come true, even if I am not the one to do it. Knowing the fate to Virginia and the rest of the Lost Colony would enrich the history of the nation that came into being in part because of this tiny band of colonists.

    Really, though, I just want to know what happened….

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    Well, I must admit I appreciate City Manager Ted Voorhees pursuing a downtown baseball stadium. A project, if it comes to fruition, that could actually unite our community rather than divide it. Unfortunately, he and city staff cannot resist the bureaucratic temptation to 

    spend taxpayer money needlessly and foolishly.

    Agreed, due diligence must be done on a project that could cost as much as $50 million. However, gallivanting off at taxpayers’ expense to Sugarland, Texas, near Houston, to tour a minor league baseball stadium seems a bit excessive, no? Especially when they can tour a half dozen comparable stadiums within a few short hours from Fayetteville. Go figure. 

    When I inquired about this to two city hall insiders, both replied the same way: They said city staff feel compelled to spend their budgeted travel allowance. Bureaucrats! This scenario becomes even more ridiculous when you consider that the ballpark in Sugarland sits on the southwest side of Houston, Texas, which has a population of a whopping 2.2 million people. Sugarland’s sales tax, by the way, is 8.25 percent with a hotel occupancy tax of around 13 percent. Not to mention that the cost of building their stadium was $37 million in 2011. In 2016, this project would probably come in at $45-$50 million. All this being known, it begs the question: Why travel to Houston?

    Yes, a baseball park in downtown Fayetteville does have potential– within reason. We must approach this reasonably and we must eliminate the silliness such as the editorial that was recently in the Fayetteville Observer written by Tim White. This August 16 editorial shows how grossly out of touch we are when it comes to being reasonable about such things. Ignoring our own history seems to be our local pastime. Someone needs to inform the Fayetteville Observer, Tim White, Ted Voorhees and Rochelle Small-Toney that “Build it and they will come” is only a fictional phrase from Kevin Costner’s movie Field of Dreams. Baseball players do not really enter and exit cornfields. Nor do corporations, businesses and fans follow and support multi million-dollar stadiums. Really.

     I love baseball, and as much as I would love to see a baseball stadium in downtown Fayetteville, I think we need to slow down and think this one out, in the meantime, let’s support the local sports teams we have. Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.




     

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    Better Health is a local organization that is dedicated to helping Cumberland County residents attain a healthier lifestyle. 

    “Better Health was founded to help address the unmet healthcare needs of Cumberland County residents through education, referral and assistance. We work closely with many other agencies in town to ensure that we can help our community stay healthy,” explained Amy M. Navejas, the new executive director of Better Health. 

    “Our clients run the gamut from those in financial hardship who had an unexpected need for medication to professors wanting to learn more about managing their diabetes.” 

    On Aug. 29, Better Health is set to host its second annual Diabetes…Dodge It! Dodgeball Tournament as a means of raising operating funds.

    Navejas began as the new executive director on July 1, and quickly immersed herself into her new role. She has a personal connection with some of the programs, so passion for her work came naturally. 

    “I love our diabetes program. My father has Type I diabetes and was diagnosed at 13 years of age, so I grew up being taught the signs of blood glucose problems. I also saw my father manage his diabetes very well and he is living a very normal, healthy life with diabetes. Seeing others learn to do the same and go from a daunting diagnosis to new found confidence is very rewarding,” she said.

    “I have a true passion for children. Our Eat Smart, Move More program is phenomenal,” she continued. “We go to local schools, camps and after school care programs to teach healthy eating habits and exercise. The kids love it! We just can’t underestimate the importance of engaging kids in healthy lifestyle choices and the preventative impact that has. I love seeing the kids practicing tai chi poses and trying new veggies!”

    Staying healthy and having fun all come together in the Better Health second annual Diabetes…Dodge It! Dodgeball Tournament. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Better Health diabetes program, which includes clinics three days a week as well as educational and exercise classes. 

    For those unfamiliar with the game, Navejas provided insight noting, “Each team has six players and up to three alternates. Each team will play at least two matches. Each match has three games. The winner of the match is the best two out of three. Now if one team wins the first two games, the third game is not played. Each game can last five minutes, but typically that does not occur.”

    Another benefit to the tournament is that it provides a fresh new perspective on fitness; one that is far more approachable and fun. 

    “It’s an amazing, fun opportunity for everyone to be active! Exercise can be fun — think outside the box. Being fit doesn’t have to be running marathons and doing sit ups. That can be daunting for some people. Exercise can be at any level and for all ages. Most importantly, it can be fun!” Navejas said. 

    The tournament is on Aug. 29 at 9 a.m. at the Freedom Courts Sportsplex located at 3126 Gillespie St. For more information or to register, visit http://betterhealthcc.org/forms.html or call 910-483-7534. Teams must register by Aug. 15 and team members must be 14 and older. The registration fee is $100 per team. There are also sponsorship opportunities available.


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    Farmers markets unite the producer and the consumer in a totally unique way. At the supermarket it is difficult to know where everything originated, how it was treated or how fresh a product is. But at a farmers market, you shake the hands that tilled the Earth, that grew the vegetables that grace your dinner table. The produce and various other products at the local farmers markets are a reflection of the landscape and the local people. There is a time and place for supermarket, but it is a tragedy to lose touch with the people and the land that feed the community, especially when there are so many in options in the area. Fresh, healthy, affordable food is closer than you might think. 

    Murchison Road Community
    Farmers Market

    The Murchison Road Community Farmers Market was created by Fayetteville State University students in 2014 and is made possible thanks to a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Farmers Market Promotion Program. The program is aimed at creating a healthier community by eliminating the food desert that surrounded the Murchison Road community. Before this market, there was no fresh produce readily available in the Murchison Road area. The market runs from mid-May through the end of November every Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at 1047 Murchison Rd. in Bronco Square. There are several family farms that sell produce, herbs, jams, preserves and fresh local honey. For more information, visit www.mrcommunityfarmersmarket.com. 

    Sandhills Farmers Market of Spring Lake

    The Sandhills Farmers Market of Spring Lake is another option for local fresh fruits and vegetables. This market is supported by the Sandhills Family Heritage Association. In addition to fantastic local produce and products, this market has a strong focus on the traditions and heritage of the land. 

    “African Americans in the Sandhills region of North Carolina have a long tradition of economic self-sufficiency that is tied to the land. SFHA has rekindled that entrepreneurial spirit by promoting community-based economics,” the website explains. The market is designed for underserved producers with limited resources. It is costly to start a business. It takes liquid funds and resources that many just don’t have access to. These barriers often prevent people from engaging in entrepreneurial ventures. This market is an affordable alternative that benefits the producers and the consumers. 

    The market features produce, handcrafted items and canned goods — all connected with the culture and history of the land. Every third Saturday, the market hosts special activities for children. Closely related to the Sandhills Farmers Market is the 10 Percent Campaign. Supporting the campaign means promising to spend 10 percent of the money that is already designated for food locally (like at a farmers market!) instead of at a major food chain. This pledge supports the local economy, community and farmers. The money not only buys healthy, delicious food, it is an investment in the community. The Sandhills Farmers Market is held at 230 Chapel Hill Road in Spring Lake on Saturdays, July through September, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call 910-497-0628 or visit http://sandhillsfamilyheritage.weebly.com.

    City Market at the Museum

    City Market at the Museum Starts on April 18 and runs through December. It is held at the Fayetteville Transportation and Local History Museum at 325 Franklin St. from 2 to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 1p.m. There is no telling what you may bring home from this market, but it is sure to be good. 

    The vendors at this market are a mixture of farmers and artisans. Next to fresh corn, sweet potatoes and tomatoes are soaps, baked goods, pottery and hand-crafted jewelry of all mediums. This market is a perfect reflection of all the local community produces. The produce is a reflection of the land and the handcrafted goods are a reflection of the people. In order to truly understand the culture of the community both are necessary. 

    For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/CityMarketAtTheMuseum or call 910-433-1457. 

    Community Supported Agricultural Co-op

    In the busy modern world it can be difficult to take the time required to visit the farmers market, especially when the days they are held don’t mesh with soccer practice and piano lessons. Luckily, there is an even easier way to get your local fresh produce. Sustainable Sandhills partnered with the Sandhills Farm to Table Cooperative to bring healthy, preservative-free produce practically to family doorsteps with the Community Supported Agriculture Cooperative. 

    Co-op members subscribe to receive fresh produce boxes either weekly or bimonthly and these boxes are distributed to three drop-off sites by volunteers. These produce boxes offer seasonal fruits and vegetables and treats such as goat cheese, fresh breads, heritage grains and much more. This program helps to make fresh healthy foods more widely available in an environmentally friendly way by cutting down on the distance that food travels and the energy that is consumed to get it there. For more information, visit www.sustainablesandhills.org/#!csa/czpq or call 910-484-9098. 

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    On Aug. 14, WKML presents the second New Artist Showcase Parking Lot Party of the season. The Parking Lot Parties serve a dual purpose for the local country music community: It provides a platform for new talent to be heard and to gain performing experience, and it provides the audience with an evening of new music and good times. It is an all-around fun time and great event. 

    Opening the Parking Lot Party is Dakota Bradley. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Bradley’s first love was sports. But when he discovered an old guitar hidden in the basement of his home, everything changed. He found his calling. Since then Bradley has immersed himself in music, starting his first band in eighth grade. That group even won a “Battle of the Bands” contest. Music is his passion and he is pursuing it relentlessly with a joy and excitement that is evident when he performs. 

    Jackie Lee is also scheduled to perform. He was born in Maryville, Tennessee, in 1991, and began his music career at the tender age of 6 working with Carson Chamberlain. His style is that of a contemporary country rocker, but his powerful vocals lend themselves well to the classic crooning love songs that define country, as well. He takes inspiration from the great classic country stars as well as the newer country rockers, which gives him a unique and versatile style. 

    Lauren Alaina is the headliner. The past American Idol contestant’s love of music was evident to her family from an early age when she constantly sang along to music in the car and in their home. They realized she was blessed with a rare talent. Early on, her talent was recognized by the community and fostered by her family. Her youthful passion and ambition brings an energy to the stage that can’t be manufactured. 

    In addition to these fantastic musicians, look for plenty of other entertaining activities for fans and families to enjoy such as corn hole toss. Various food trucks will offer a range of foods and a beer garden filled with refreshing brews will provide all the delicious snacks and libations necessary for an excellent party.

    The Parking Lot Party is at the Crown Coliseum Complex, located at 1960 Coliseum Dr. Tickets are $10 or $5 for WKML All-Access Members and Crown Insiders. Tickets are available online at CrownComplexNC.com, at the Crown Box Office, or by phone at 1-888-257-6208. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own seating. The Parking Lot Party is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and last until 10 p.m. Dakota Bradley will open at 7 p.m., followed by Jackie Lee at 7:30 p.m., ith Lauren Alaina preforming at 8:30 p.m. The final New Artist Showcase Parking Lot Party of the season will be held on Sept. 18 during the County Fair. For more information, visit www.wkml.com. 

     

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    Those of us who are products of the 1950s often reflect on the good old days; wishing we could return to the time when Eisenhower Republicans were held in high esteem. It was a different time, an enviable time of prosperity and harmony. At least it was where I grew up in Upstate New York. 

    I still consider myself fortunate that I was educated in a state where I attended kindergarten in the post-World War II era. Folks my age who grew up in North Carolina didn’t get an early childhood education. When I went to junior high in the mid-’50s, my school had an indoor Olympic-size swimming pool. When I graduated from high school in 1959 with a Regents Diploma issued by the State University of New York, I had the equivalent of a first year education at Duke University.

    I was fortunate to have been reared in an upper middle-class family. My dad was an executive with General Electric, and of course, my mom was a homemaker. We lived a privileged Ozzie and Harriet lifestyle. And yes, I do wish we could relive those days, which of course, we cannot.

    But in one way, I am still able to thanks to a dear friend who I met in the 1960s when we both served overseas in the military. Jerry was in the Air Force and I was in the Army. He happened to be a native of Fayetteville, and we were reunited here after leaving the service. To this day I’m amazed that when we get together for breakfast or dinner, he always bumps into people he knows. He has never met a stranger. He went to school with my late wife at Alexander Graham Junior High and Fayetteville Senior High School. 

    What’s funny about my friend is that in many ways he is still stuck in the ‘60s, and I sometimes envy him. Jerry doesn’t use an ATM card except to get cash out of the machine. He writes checks when he pays household bills and he carries cash in his wallet. He still reconciles his checkbook each month. How many of us do that anymore? He doesn’t believe in online banking and he mistrusts the government. He carries a flip phone and doesn’t text. He has a real home phone, too, and turns off his cell phone when he’s at home. He doesn’t have a Facebook page.

    Jerry tells me his dear wife puts his clothes out for him each morning. I was aghast when he told
    me that, but then he explained it’s because his eyes are color deficient. He’s not color blind,
    but close. 

    My friend drives a 12-year-old car of which he is very fond. He and his bride have a wonderful traditional marriage. He holds on to old fashioned values that were ingrained in those of us who grew up back in the day. Those values include honesty, loyalty and commitment. 

    Is there anything else you could ask of a friend?


     

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    Well, duh! No one who lives in the United States has missed the news that lifestyle choices affect our health, but just in case you have missed one point or two, I have made up an easy-to-take quick quiz. Please choose the healthier of each of the two options listed below:

    • Bacon cheeseburger with fries or kale salad with salmon.

    • Binge-watching Netflix series or a brisk two-mile walk.

    • A double chocolate milk shake or unsweetened green tea.

    • A pack of cigarettes a day or an air purifier in your bedroom.

    • Sleeping in on Saturday morning or hitting the gym for an hour or so.

    • Riding the elevator to the second floor or taking the stairs.

    • Driving around the parking lot until you find a parking place near the store or parking at the far end of the lot and hoofing it to the door.

    • A six pack of beer before dinner or one glass of red wine.

    • A tanning bed or daily sunscreen.

    The list goes on and on, but no doubt you made a perfect score on this easy quiz. The correct answer is the second option every time. It turns out, though, that life expectancy depends not just on the choices we make.

    It also depends on where we live.

    Recently released data compiled by researchers at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation finds that just as urban areas offer more choices, amenities and overall wealth than rural areas, people who live in urban communities are generally healthier and have longer life expectancies than their neighbors in rural areas. 

    Let that sink in for a moment. 

    Short of an untimely accident, our own life spans depend not only on our own choices about how we live, but also where we lay our heads at night. For example, the study finds that a person born and raised in Raleigh has a life expectancy of 80 years, while a similar person born in Martin County, a rural area 75 miles away from Raleigh in eastern North Carolina, can expect to live to 73. Equally startling is the finding that life expectancy varies within communities. A person living in an affluent North Raleigh suburb can expect to blow out 88 candles, while a similar person in poorer southeast Raleigh might need only 76 candles.

    The entire picture is, as they say, complicated.

    Life expectancy in the United States has been rising over much of the last century for all sorts of reasons, including access to healthcare and personal lifestyle choices. More subtle factors are at work as well. 

    People without ready access to fresh food — those who live in so called “food deserts,” are more likely to eat larger quantities of processed foods and to suffer from obesity and its dangers. People who live in areas without safe places to walk or with few recreational options are less likely to reap the benefits of regular exercise. 

    It gets more complicated and worse. People who live in places with poor schools are less likely to learn healthy living habits, and those with low-paying jobs are less likely to afford fresh foods, even if they are available. People who live in unsafe housing face a number of health issues, including unsafe paints and other pollutants. The list goes on and on.

    The folks at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation stress that their findings are general information, not applicable to specific individuals. Rather, they hope policy makers at the local and state levels will use the data in making public policy decisions. Says Derek Chapman of Virginia Commonwealth University who helped produce maps detailing health and well-being discrepancies by place, “Our goal is really just to help local officials, residents and others understand that there’s more to health than healthcare. We’re really advocating that health be part of the discussion when talking about public policy.”

    Chapman probably does not follow decision-making in Fayetteville and Cumberland County, but he is absolutely correct in saying public health concerns should be part of the decision-making process concerning where Fayetteville locates swimming pools and how Cumberland County addresses stunning and embarrassingly high rates of sexually transmitted diseases, especially among young people.

    Easy answers and quick fixes do not exist for the complex and intertwined factors that contribute to or detract from good health and longevity. As Chapman puts it, “Improving health requires having a broad range of players at the table. Education and income are directly linked to health. On an individual level, having a higher educational level usually leads to having a better job, better insurance, but your income and education also determine the kind of neighborhood in which you can live.

    City council members, county commissioners and legislators, are you listening? 

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    Good things last and Up & Coming Weekly’s Best of Fayetteville readership survey is celebrating its 18th year paying tribute to Fayetteville’s Best of the Best. It is a prestigious award bestowed once a year to the best people, businesses and organizations that have contributed overwhelmingly to defining excellence in service, workmanship and contributions to the quality of life of the Fayetteville and Cumberland County community. It’s an honor that is marketed, advertisedand promoted all
    year long.

    The  September 16 Best of Fayettevilleedition of Up & Coming Weekly will serve throughout the year as a priceless newcomer’s guide, service directory and recreation and cultural event resource. Every page is touting with confidence the Best of the Best of what the Fayetteville community has to offer.  

    The rules, format and guidelines of this sanctioned, time-tested survey are stringent to secure and maintain the integrity of the program. These rules are time tested, monitored and audited to provide residents, local businesses and organizations
     the recognition and tribute they deserve for
     their dedication and perseverance in their quest
    for excellence.  

    Every category winner has achieved the highest level of excellence in what they do; and for 18 years we have willingly told their stories, acknowledged their accomplishments and even revealed their secrets. All, without a single regret.  

    No ballot stuffing here, no popularity contest or dubious chances to sway the end result. Each winner is distinguished in its own unique way. There is no faking it when the community selects you as the Best of the Best. This means that you are preforming at the highest level of excellence as recognized by your peers. After all, in a competitive world and tight economy, only the best survive and they deserve your business.

    In building a better community, leaders know that success must be built on a sound foundation. In this case, the foundation is the community’s best people, businesses and organizations, all striving for extreme excellence. Remember, the Best of Fayetteville is a year-round celebration! 

    Speaking of celebrations, Up & Coming Weekly is also celebrating our 20th anniversary. Can you imagine the award party we will have this year? So mark your calendars for September 15th from 5:30 - 7 p.m. at the newly renovated Kagney’s on Bragg Blvd. It’s a party! In the meantime, thank you for reading 

    Up & Coming Weekly


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    I can email with the best of you, and these days I text more often than not, but I remain a technology Luddite with most other emerging technologies. Pinterest and Instagram are mysterious, and many of you are no doubt happily using the Internet in ways I have yet to learn and probably never will.

    Recently, though, I decided to try the feature on my smart phone that allows me to dictate text messages by clicking on the microphone icon. My sister goaded me into it, but that is another story. My first audio text went to one of the Precious Jewels, whose rather unusual family name begins with “S.” I dictated my message and closed with “Mommy loves S…” and hit “send.” 

    My message swooshed out with no punctuation whatsoever — I had not yet learned I need to say comma, period or question mark, and it closed with “Mommy loves saving.”

    Obviously, Precious Jewel responded with “Loves saving what?”

    The Internet — the parts I know about — are full of hysterical parent-child texts, some that reflect the generational technology gap and some of which reveal the dangers of auto correct in all its vulgarity. Some of them cannot be printed in a community newspaper, but most of them make me laugh out loud all by myself. 

    My list is evolving, but here are some of my faves:


    From a Mom: “What does IDK,LY&TTYL mean?”

    Child: “I don’t know. Love you. Talk to you later.”

    Mom: “OK, I will ask your sister.”


    From a Child: “Mom wants you to get her prego.”

    Dad: “Well, I can’t. I had that problem solved years ago.”

    Child: “OH MY GOD DAD! Ew! TMI! I will be forever grossed out. Mom wants you to get her Prego. The cooking thing.”

    Dad: “OK, sweetie.”


    From a Child to Mom: “So how’s your new phone? You finally got a smart phone…Mom?”

    Mom: “Howdoyoudoaspace?”


    Mom to Daughter: “Good morning beautiful :) Your imaginary boyfriend.”

    Daughter: “Thanks, Mom….”

    Mom: “Vaby, u r 14 now, i think its time we talk @ sex…”

    Child: “K, mom, tell me what you want to know…”


    Child: “Could you send me Uncle Bill’s address?”

    Mom: “I cabby foud Muir gladness giver. Canny text nose.”

    Child: “Huh?”

    Mom: “I found my glasses.”


    Child: “Got an A in Chem!!!”

    Mom: “WTF, well done!”

    Child: “Mom, what do you think WTF means?”

    Mom: “Well that’s Fantastic!”


    Mom: “Your great aunt just passed away. LOL”

    Child: “Why is that funny?”

    Mom: “It’s not funny David! What do you mean?”

    Child: “Mom lol means laughing out loud!”

    Mom: “Oh my goodness!! I sent that to everyone I thought it meant lots of love I have to call everyone back”


    Child: “Hey mom. I’ve decided I’m coming out.”

    Mom: “Oh Michael, Dad and I always knew you were gay, but I am a tad shocked you texted me. I love you no matter what!”

    Child: “MOM I AM NOT GAY!! I sent my text before I could finish. I’m coming out to see you and Dad in May!”

    Mom: “LOL. We love you no matter what kind of coming out you do!”


    Child: “Mom. Where are you????”

    Mom: “Leaving walmart. Halfway home..” Why sweetie?”

    Child: “You brought me to walmart with you…”

    Mom: “OH DARN! Be there in a bit…”


    Dad: “Hey honey, how’s your day?”

    Child: “Good. I’m having the best weed of my life.”

    Dad: “Oh me too…where did you gets yours from?”

    Child: “NO NO NO I meant week!! Wait what Dad?”

    Dad: “Let’s not tell mom about this conversation.”


    Child: “Hey Mom, where are you?”

    Mom: “Da Store. Y?”

    Child: “I reallyyyy want that new cereal Krave.”

    Mom: “I’ll think abt it. I get/do what I want.”

    Child: “Mom, you’re not a gangster.”

    Mom: “Imma straight up G. hommie.”


    I am perfectly willing to concede that some of these may be Internet creations written to amuse, and they do. Others ring true to this mother, who has made more email and texting boo boos than she cares to admit and which the Precious Jewels delight in pointing out to their errant Mom.

    That being said, I close with this one from a well-meaning but befuddled Dad.


    Dad: “You left your phone at home.”

    I could have sent that one myself.





     

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    Fayetteville’s city manager, Ted Voorhees does not need to make statements that might suggest low level paranoia. On July 14, Voorhees  attended a community watch meeting at MacPherson Presbyterian Church, where his recent comments were at best impolitic and at worst deliberately accusatory.

    The comments centered around the community’s public utility, PWC, which has been a bone of contention for much of the past two years. At the meeting, Voorhees, responding to general audience criticism of slow sewer extension work, suggested that PWC was purposely delaying sanitary sewer-line extension work to make him look bad.

    That is ridiculous when one considers how little, if any, the city manager’s role is in executing PWC’s construction activities. Nonetheless, Voorhees took the opportunity while in front of a receptive audience to further his argument that he, the city manager, should be in control and in charge of the PWC. 

    He further noted that all four of the PWC commissioners, who are appointed by the city, should be fired. The clear implication was that things would move faster if he was at the helm. Such posturing by a non-elected official is unseemly and definitely not within his job description. But suggesting commission members are setting him up is unacceptable conduct and it attempts to impugn the character of commission members, all of whom are well-known and respected in the community.

    This latest dust-up between Voorhees and the PWC is nothing more than petulance by the city manager. This is not the first, and probably not the last time, we have seen this unprofessional, unseemly side of Voorhees, who tested his hand and influence shortly after assuming the city manager role. 

    One of his first moves after entering city hall was directed at PWC. We all know how well that worked out for him. A stand-off between Voorhees and the PWC Commission resulted in a lawsuit between the city and the utility, which quickly brought to light that support for uprooting the PWC 100- year-old plus charter was not as forthcoming among city council members as Voorhees may have anticipated. 

    In the kerfuffle that has followed, a bill was introduced by Rep. John Szoka that will provide more, not less autonomy to the PWC. This bill and a similar one in the N.C. Senate will produce a blended legislative document that will end the fight but not the hardened attitudes. 

    The bill should have been an excellent example for Voorhees of being careful what you wish for — you might just get it.

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    With traditional Cumberland County Schools are gearing up to start classes on Aug. 25, Up & Coming Weekly met with Cumberland County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Frank Till, to find out what students and families need to know for this coming school year.

    UCW: Tell our readers about the good things going on in Cumberland County Schools — accomplishments and milestones from last year as well as things they can look forward to in the coming year. 

    DR. TILL: We are modernizing some things and recently, because of the military  and the transient nature of the community, we want to make sure that the curriculum is standardized from school to school. What that will allow us to do is follow up and better remediate students with problems.

    Another thing we are doing is working on our website so that we are going to be able to present videos to parents on our parent link. They  can go online and see things that will help them and their kids. The videos may be about broad things like the new grading policy or they might suggest how to help children with  homework.

    UCW:What are your top three priorities for Cumberland County Schools this year? 

    DR. TILL:Sudent achievement is always number one, reading at early grades and at the higher grades we are focusing on AP classes.

    We discovered that tardiness is beginning to impact achievement, which affects students long-term, so we are doing a campaign encouraging parents to get kids to school on time and to help them stay in school. We are going to work with judges and police and child services as well to try and get our kids to school on time and have them in school the entire day.

    Then, mentoring our students is another priority. We will continue to try to find people in the community who will give an hour a day to mentor. This is not tutoring; this is about mentoring. We want people who will come in and talk with the kids and see how they are doing, find out if they are having any problems that we can help them with, things like that. We are encouraging people to do more of that.

    A fourth initiative we are excited about is that we are working with the chamber to recognize local businesses that are willing to give our employees discounts. It is already starting to grow  and I am optimistic.  It is a great way to get our employees to shop local and it makes it easy for local business owners to support educators and those that work in the education system

    UCW:In February, the state released rankings for the 2013-2014 school year. Three Cumberland County schools received As, 16 received Bs, 28 received Cs and 22 got Ds and one received an F.  Did this information inspire any changes in local schools? 

    DR. TILL:For us, it was something we did better on than most districts in that we had only one F. We measure growth over proficiency for our students. That way you don’t punish someone in a neighborhood with a lot of poverty or reward someone in a wealthy neighborhood. So we can focus on getting children an equal education across the board.

    If we get every child to their expected growth for the year, these other things take care of themselves. We are always looking for ways to help our students succeed so the rankings don’t affect the way we do things.

    UCW:With three years of Common Core behind Cumberland County students, what are your thoughts on the Common Core Curriculum? 

    DR. TILL:I support Common Core. I think it has been misinterpreted, though. It was a state initiative. The states came up with it, and the military supported it, because as kids move around there needs to be a common standard. We also need to be able to determine how North Carolina compares to other states. Without a commom  standard you can’t do that. The real problem with Common Core has been with the  assessments. North Carolina has terrible assessments. I was on a task force and we were not able to change anything but the fact is, we are over assessing the kids. 

    In a 90-day period, there were assessements of some kind on 72 days last year. We are finding there is no match with assessments; there is a disalignment with the testing. Cumberland County Schools is working on that. 

    UCW:The schools are set to move to a 10-point grading scale this year. Why the change and what does it mean for local students and teachers? 

    DR. TILL:That was a state initiative. The conversation was a part of a discussion including how our students compare with students  from our state and other states when they are applying to colleges. Many other states are on the 10-point standard so when students from North Carolina were competing for college seats, our grading scale put them at a disadvantage. In the high schools we needed to be more aligned with what other states were doing. 

    Then they began to talk about phasing it in. We had some problems because we realized that if I was 10th grader and you were a 9th grader  and we both got 92s, as a 9th grader you would get an A and I as a 10th grader would be at a B. So the state decided to implement the 10-point scale across the board. 

    UCW:There is talk about budget cuts and cutting local teaching assistant jobs. How many jobs are at stake here and what will that mean for teachers and students? 

    DR. TILL:We don’t know. The legislature hasn’t passed a budget yet. If the state senate budget passes as is we will have to cut a significant number of teacher assistants. That will cause problems not just in class rooms, but also with bus drivers and a lot of other things. To lose them would hurt us. They are also talking about cutting teachers. We already don’t have enough to go around. We would be short teachers and under a penalty for oversized classes. That could cost us millions. Nobody knows when the budget will pass  so this could happen even well into the school year. There doesn’t seem any rush in Raleigh. 

    UCW:How has the military’s shrinking budget affected Cumberland County Schools? Are you anticipating any big changes this year due to the shrinking military presence at Fort Bragg? 

    DR. TILL:Last year we lost about 1,000 students because of the downsizing and that hurt us. This year, enrollment is only down at one school so far and we don’t know why.  We hope last year was the big year.  Thanks to Gen. Ray Odierno, the military took military students and local schools into consideration when it came time to make more cuts. They are cutting something like 850 military personnel from Fort Bragg next year and that should not hurt us as badly. 

    We got a major grant from the military and we feel like we have done a lot to show we care about military  children.

    UCW:The Cumberland County Schools System does a great job of meeting students and families where they are and working with them to create success. What do our readers need to know about special programs and schools in Cumberland County? 

    DR. TILL:In all schools,  if parents come in  we can sit down  and talk with them about how to help their students. We need to form a good partnership with the home. Many kids spend more time on video games than they do excersizing. Their health is going down. We need to get them playing more and doing homework.

    Nutrition is a factor, too. This year, we have 32 schools  that serve breakfast and lunch at no charge. We need a declaration from the community that we need to commit to creating healthy kids. Healthy kids go further in life.

    We are really working on tardiness and making sure that kids are in school on time and that they stay the entire day. We have parents that don’t want to wait in bus lines so they check their  kids out early everyday.

     We are having examples of children that come late more than  100 days because the parent sets their  own time schedule. These kids are not learning like they should. You can’t learn to read if you aren’t there when we are teaching reading. 

    UCW:How can parents/guardians help students and their teachers have a successful year? 

    DR. TILL:Help your student be on time. Make sure they get plenty of rest. Have them  do something educational  like read a book every day. Limit video games. Watch what they read and watch on TV. Be more engaged in what they are reading. 

    UCW:Where can our readers go to find out more are CCS? 

    UCW: Go to our website at http://ccs.k12.nc.us. We are making it more friendly for families. Make sure to have an email address with the school so you can check grades online on a  regular basis. There is a lot of information there and like I mentioned before we will be featuring videos on a variety of topics. 

    UCW:Is there any thing else that you want our readers to know about CCS? 

    UCW:We are supportive of our students and their families and make it our theme.  On lateness- every moment counts. We only have so much time to get kids ready for work and for life as adults and we don’t want to cheat them. We want to partner with parents and families and work with them to create successful students and productive citizens.


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    The Army Ground Forces Band is known for the many ways it supports the community. From 4th Friday concerts to ceremonies to free summer concerts, the band brings a wealth of talent and enthusiasm to the Fayetteville entertainment landscape. With a fun-filled night of music with Cumberland County’s smallest residents in mind, the Army Ground Forces Band presents Kid’s Night on Friday, Aug. 14 at 6 p.m. at Festival Park in downtown Fayetteville.  

    “This is our first annual Kid’s Night as part of our summer concert series at Festival Park and it is geared towards our youngest fans and getting them involved,” said Dae Kim, commander and conductor of the Army Ground Forces Band. “It will be an interactive evening of stories set to music and fun activities.” 

    Kim added that the purpose of the event is to allow the Army an opportunity to interact more with the community, become good neighbors and say hello. 

    The fun-filled event will begin with kid’s activities that include bouncy houses, an obstacle course, pin the musical note on the staff, face painting, an instrument factory, arts and crafts and a kid’s march along with the marching band featuring a ceremonial drum major. Story time will follow in the concept of a mini concert. Refreshments will be available for purchase.     

    The Army Ground Forces Band is a 54-soldier ensemble that is highly competitive and highly trained. Musicians in the band have graduated and attended some of the best conservatories of music in the country. 

    “We are active duty service members and our mission is to be the musical ambassadors of the American combat soldier to the American people,” said Kim. “Our band performs more than 200 performances per year.”  

    Kim added that the soldiers are one of the top three musical ensembles in the active Army.   

    The history of the band began with the Mexican War where its members fought heroically, becoming the only Army band to receive a combat distinction from the President of the United States. The band’s history includes service in the Civil War, the War with Spain, the Philippine Insurrection and both World Wars. The band performs numerous concerts in support of local, regional and national events such as centennial celebrations, festivals, inaugurations and both city and state commemorations.  

    “We anticipate 100 or more kids and encourage parents to bring a blanket and a picnic,” said Kim. “Come out and join us for an evening of fun just for the kids.”   

    The event is free and open to the public. For more information call 570-7223.  

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    Children have no choice but to rely on the adults in their lives to provide safety, food, water and a nurturing environment. Unfortunately, and for a myriad of reasons, those responsible can’t or don’t always rise to the occasion, leaving the most defenseless among us powerless to defend themselves and with no voice or advocate to fight for their cause. That is where the Guardian ad Litem program can help. This team of two attorney advocates, four program supervisors, a program assistant, a district administrator and a group of trained and committed volunteers stand beside abused and neglected children who have been petitioned into court through no fault of their own. Guardian ad Litems provide legal representation for the children and “assist juvenile court judges in making sound legal decisions affecting children’s lives. Volunteers need no particular educational or prior training, just a sincere desire to champion our children’s best interests.”

    Unfortunately, this is no small task. While the program has helped many children achieve happy endings, that is not always the case. While each representative, caseworker and volunteer is committed to doing right by their charges, the numbers are staggering. Last fiscal year, Cumberland County Guardian ad Litem served 17,189 abused and neglected children representing them in 38,043 court hearings.

    “We are always looking for advocates to help on behalf of abused and neglected kids in our community,” said Dwight Torrey, Cumberland County Gaurdian ad Litem district administrator. “People may see things on the news but they don’t consider that the kids have a life afterwards and we are with them after they are not on the news anymore. We work to provide permanence for them and find a nurturing home and family.”

    While the Guardian ad Litem program is designed to advocate for children, sometimes there are gaps in the system that leave needs unmet. In 2012, the Guardian ad Litem Foundation was established with the intention of being able to fill short falls in services provided to kids in foster care that cannot be paid for by Medicaid or other state and federal funding. 

    “There are instances when funding is not available and the foundation was established to raise funding to support the Guardian ad Litem cause,” said Jane Sutherlin, spokesperson for the foundation. “For example, there was a teen who needed braces — not for cosmetic, but for health reasons. The mom had braces put on while the teen was in her care, but did not follow through on needed treatments. Medicare paid for placement but the braces  were never able to serve their function. They broke and had to be removed. She still needed braces but Medicare paid once to put them on and would not replace them.”

    Other scenarios include cases where insurance denies mental health therapy for a child that needs therapy. Because the insurance won’t pay, the child won’t get the therapy they need.

    “There are so many needs out there that most people don’t realize,” said Sutherlin. “But funding through the state is shrinking and there are 700 in foster care in Cumberland County.”

    Like many nonprofits, the foundation is always looking for funds, for volunteers, for exposure. To date the only donations received have been to cover the costs of legal fees to set up the organization. Legend’s Pub is set to host a fundraiser for the foundation on Aug. 14, and Sutherlin is hopeful that this will enable the foundation to start fulfilling its mission. 

    “This is our first fundraiser and we are excited that Legends has agreed to do this. We will be appreciative of whatever they can offer,” said Sutherlin. “We need to let the community know we are here. If someone has $5 to donate it is a place they could give to that will make a difference in the life of a child.” 

    To find out more about the foundation, or to make a donation, email ccgalf@gmail.com. 


  • 080515_jeff-thompson.jpg

    Jeff Thompson first came to Fayetteville as a soldier in 1962. He eventually left the Army, and like many soldiers before him, Thompson stayed and made a life for himself here. 

    “I fell in love and married a local girl in 1963,” said Thompson. The couple raised three children.

    From the very beginning, Thompson enjoyed observing the community. He is fascinated with the relationship that the community has with Fort Bragg and understandably so. Upon leaving the Army, Thompson worked at WFNC. 

    “I spent most of my career there, although I did go to Charlotte for a short time in the ‘70s,” he said. “I left the radio station in 2001 because it was sold to Cumulus, the current owner. I spent most of my time at WFNC working with Wendy Riddle and I worked with Jim Cook for a time, too.” 

    Margaret Dickson remembers Thompson from her days working at her family’s radio business when she was a teenager. As the news director, Thompson was her boss and Dickson still fondly refers to him as such. 

    “The thing that stands out to me, and we have been friends now for decades, is that he is totally honest about everything. You may not like what he tells you, but he is telling you what he honestly understands about the situation and what he believes to be the truth,” said Dickson. 

    It’s a trait that can be hard to come by, and one that Dickson greatly admires. 

    “He is also very courageous. He doesn’t mind taking a stand on something that is not popular. He stands by what he believes,” she said.

    Thompson’s fascination with Fayetteville never waned and his commentary on different topics appeared in The Fayetteville Observerand went out over the airwaves at WIDU where he’s worked since 2009. Now Thompson is the news director at WIDU and his writing is set to appear in Up & Coming Weekly on a biweekly basis.

    At 73-years-old, Thompson has witnessed plenty of changes in the community. He credits the revitalization of Downtown Fayetteville as one of the best things to happen to the area. 

    “It started when they decided to take down the 500 block of Hay Street and do away with so many of the establishments that brought about the Fayettenam moniker that we are still fighting to overcome,” he said. “It was the Airborne & Special Operations Museum that really turned things around though. That is an anchor for the area that just adds so much to the downtown experience and has such a strong connection to Fort Bragg, which is a big part of Fayetteville’s identity.”

    In his more than 50 years in Fayetteville, not much has escaped his eye, which, over time, has given him insight to many of the issues facing the community today. 

    “Jeff is as experience a news person as you will find in Fayetteville. I cant think of anyone else who has been at it as long as he has,” said Dickson.  “He knows our history and the people who made that history. He has relationships with people going back many, many years. I think in our mobile age it is really a blessing that our community has a person who has observed our community for so long and understands our community and understand its history. It is wonderful that our communitty has the resource that is Jeff Thompson.” 

    An advocate for making Fayetteville a better place, Thompson believes it is important that Fayetteville understands her place in the state and in the nation and that the city leaders work to capitalize on them. Thompson sees the city’s connection to Fort Bragg as a boon. Until the first Persian Gulf War in 1991, according to Thompson, the town didn’t really appreciate the impact that Fort Bragg has on the economy. 

    “When 37,000 paratroopers left town to go fight, we felt it,” he said. “Like much of the country, that changed our understanding of the value of the military and the way we see them. Before that there was still a lot of negative sentiment toward soldiers about Vietnam.” 

    Thompson has strong feelings about most everything that impacts Fayetteville. From the talks about building a $60 million Civil War Museum to the destiny of the Prince Charles Hotel to Fayetteville’s industrial development (or lack thereof) to ideas about marketing Fayetteville’s position as a halfway point between New York and Miami on I-95 and more. Get Thompson’s take on the things that matter starting Aug. 12 in Up & Coming Weekly. 

  • 09-03-14-take-the-stage.gifFayetteville and its nearby neighbors are rich with talent. The local music scene thrives with local artists gracing stages, music halls and cof-fee shops pretty much every night of the week. But how do those artists aspiring to enter a full-time music career get from being “in” Fayetteville to being “from” Fayetteville? Unfortunately, the formula for success is not as easy as the myriad of 10-step books lining the shelves of every book store, or they would all be on their way.

    The truth of the matter is this: Success for any artist is found only in the eye of the beholder. Period. That’s why WCLN decided to host a regional talent search we called Take the Stage. Putting the call out to musicians and their mothers from Raleigh to Lumberton, we received dozens of entries. We had to work our way through everything from slick, semi-professional videos to recordings made on living room couches, to pare the submissions down to 16 hopefuls we invited to appear on four stages in Fayetteville, Lumberton, Dunn and Clinton.

    Show after show, the result was an astounded audience. The profession-alism and musicianship of the bands and artists that entered each venue simply blew each audience away. While there were no losers in the com-petition, we still had to address the challenge of choosing the best. Using a panel of music professionals, we combined their scores with the votes of the crowd to determine a winner for each of the four shows to appear at a final event being staged as part of the Cumberland County Fair on September 7.

    Of course, there is a point to all of this. There is an annual event staged by Temple Baptist Church known as NextFest. The free-to-attend event features national acts and has always incorporated regional talent. As the church booked a major tour for 2014, they found themselves relegated to a single local act with some stiff parameters on how they could even stage them. Enter WCLN. Our job is to be part of the bridge between artist and audience. We didn’t see one slot, we saw one opportunity. One chance for a local artist to be exposed to an eager crowd on the same stage as several Top 10 artists.

    Now we’re inviting you. We’ve eliminated the judges, and will turn it over to the crowd on September 7th. Four artists will Take the Stage beginning at 6 p.m., at the Crown Complex Theater, and one will walk away with the promise of climbing on the NextFest stage along with Family Force 5, 7eventh Time Down, and the Newsboys in October.

    And then we’ll wave goodbye. For together, we will have accomplished the goal: Helping someone go from being “in” Fayetteville, to being “from” Fayetteville.

  •  Downtown Small Plate Crawl Serves Up Hot Dish

    Finally, Historic Downtown Fayetteville is beginning to “get it” when it comes to building excitement and inviting Cumberland County residents and visitors to experience and enjoy the uniqueness of Fayetteville’s downtown community. Build it and they will come. Well, they will also come if you invite them. And, marketing, advertising and promoting Downtown Fayetteville as a fun family destination is the best and most effective way to keep Downtown as a vibrant, must–visit option.

    08-27-14-pub-notes.gifThe newly formed Downtown Fayetteville Restaurant Association, in collaboration with the Downtown Alliance and Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, presented a very impressive 4th Friday this past weekend. Yes, there was fun and excitement in the air – mostly from seeing new faces enjoying many new places. This very cool scene made the warm August night stimulating and enjoyable. This was Downtown Fayetteville at its best. There was music, food, fun, art and entertainment. What more could you ask for?

    Well, maybe one or two things…

    It is puzzling that with so much time, effort and money going into this event, why so many businesses were closed and not participating. Go figure. Hundreds of invited guests walking past your storefront from 5 to 9 p.m.... and you’re CLOSED! Not necessarily the way to go about promoting and developing a successful business – or showcasing a vibrant downtown. The fact is, there are still too many vacant buildings, empty storefronts and closed businesses that present a telltale contradiction to the vibrant image we want to project.

    Also, as it appears now, the Downtown Fayetteville experience is hard to explain or define. The Downtown Alliance and the newly formed Downtown Fayetteville Restaurant Association’s inaugural event, the Small Plate Crawl, added fun and purpose to this 4th Friday experience. However, the overall event seemed to lack an identity or theme. People were wondering … “Is this an arts event? Music event? Food event?” There needs to be a cohesive theme, group, organization or purpose to pull all the venues and elements together to create a definable and marketable Downtown/4th Friday brand.

    This would address my third observation – that we are losing our attractive side street venues. Hay Street is getting all the traffic and action while there is little to draw people to the unique shops and businesses along Maxwell, Donaldson and Franklin Streets, where these establishments also have much to contribute.

    To me, this last 4th Friday event in Historic Downtown Fayetteville marked a new beginning of creating and branding downtown Fayetteville as a fun family destination where we can consistently and proudly showcase our city, not just on special occasions, but every night of the week. This was an excellent start. Congratulations!

    Thanks for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

    Photo: The Small Plate Crawl added extra fun and excitement to 4th Friday.

  • It probably doesn’t happen as much as you’d like, but from time to time, you have some extra disposable income. When this happens, how should you use the funds? Assuming you have adequate emergency savings — typically, three to six months’ worth of living expenses — should you pay off debts, or fund your IRA or another investment account?

    There’s no one “correct” answer — and the priority of these options may change, depending on your financial goals. However, your first step may be to consider what type of debt you’re thinking of paying down with your extra money. For example, if you have a consumer loan that charges a high rate of interest — and you can’t deduct the interest payments from your taxes — you might conclude that it’s a good idea to get rid of this loan as quickly as possible.

    Still, if the loan is relatively small, and the payments aren’t really impinging on your monthly cash flow that much, you might want to consider putting any extra money you have into an investment that has the potential to offer longer-term benefits. For instance, you might decide to fully fund your IRA for the year before tackling minor debts. (In 2014, you can contribute up to $5,500 to a traditional or Roth IRA, or $6,500 if you’re 50 or older.)

    When it comes to making extra mortgage payments, however, the picture is more complicated. In the first place, mortgage interest is typically tax deductible, which makes your loan less “expensive.” Even beyond the issue of deductibility, you may instinctively feel that it’s best to whittle away your mortgage and build as much equity as possible in your home. But is that always a smart move?

    Increasing your home equity is a goal of many homeowners — after all, the more equity you have in your home, the more cash you’ll get when you sell it. Yet, if your home’s value rises — which, admittedly, doesn’t always happen — you will still, in effect, be building equity without having to divert funds that could be placed elsewhere, such as in an investment. In this situation, it’s important to weigh your options. Do you want to lower your mortgage debts and possibly save on cumulative interest expenses? Or would you be better served to invest that money for potential growth or interest payments?

    Here’s an additional consideration: If you tied up most of your money in home equity, you may well lose some flexibility and liquidity. If you were to fall ill or lose your job, could you get money out of your home if your emergency savings fund fell short? Possibly, in the form of a home equity line of credit or a second mortgage, but if you were not bringing in any income, a bank might not even approve such a loan — no matter how much equity you have in your house. You may more easily be able to sell stocks, bonds or other investment vehicles to gain access to needed cash.

    Getting some extra money once in a while is a nice problem to have. Still, you won’t want to waste the opportunity — so, when choosing to pay down debts or put the money into investments, think carefully.


  • 08-27-14-higher-education.gifAt FTCC, we are committed to providing educational opportunities to all qualified students. From Continuing Education courses to degree programs through curriculum, the options are numerous. For students who have a documented disability, the Special Populations Office exists to ensure equal access to FTCC options. The process of registering with the Special Populations Office is completely confidential, and no disability-related information is ever shared with anyone (including FTCC faculty and staff) without written consent from the student.

    In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), FTCC does not exclude otherwise qualified persons with disabilities, solely by reason of the disability, from participating in college programs and activities nor are persons with disabilities denied the benefits of these programs or subjected to discrimination. Students with documented disabilities often need testing accommodations (such as extended time testing and separate testing location) and/or academic accommodations (such as note-takers, preferential seating, breaks as needed, etc.) in order to put them on an even playing field with other students. For example, a student who has severe arthritis and is unable to write would receive the accommodation of a note-taker in his or her classes in order to get thorough copies of class notes.

    Students are often unsure if their diagnosis qualifies as a disability. The ADA does not give a strict list of what does (and doesn’t) qualify. Instead, the ADA requires that certain criteria be met in order to determine a disability. Any student who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities (including walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning or working) is regarded as having a disability.

    Students who need accommodations should visit the Special Populations Office at FTCC to begin the intake process and complete the following steps:

    1. Submit the completed intake packet. A Special Populations Office staff member will be glad to explain the Intake Packet and answer any questions.

    2. Provide appropriate medical documentation. Medical documentation must be current (within 5 years). Again, Special Populations Office staff members are available to answer any questions students may have about documentation.

    3. Each semester, students are required to submit a copy of their current class schedule in order to receive accommodations.

    4. The completed intake packet and medical documentation will be reviewed by the Special Populations Coordinator.

    5. Once the review is complete, the student will be contacted to schedule a meeting with the Special Populations Coordinator to discuss specific needs and accommodations.

    6. If accommodations are approved, the student will sign purple accommodation forms which will be sent to each instructor. (Accommodation forms only contain information about the accommodation, not information about the specific disability.)

    For more information, please call us at (910) 678-8349 or visit our office at the Fayetteville campus in Cumberland Hall, Rooms 313A and 314A. We look forward to assisting you with your educational goals!

    Photo: For students who have a documented disability, the Special Populations Office exists to ensure equal access to FTCC options.

  • uac082714001.gif Each September, the greater Fayetteville area is treated to ten days of rides, food, exhibits, shows, pageants, competitions and more when the Cumberland County Fair comes to town. Officially, the fair is supposed to “provide an opportunity to showcase and preserve the history and legacy of the agricultural communities in Cumberland County; to celebrate the diversity of local arts and crafts; to promote a safe setting for fun, healthy family entertainment featuring music, motorsports and animals; and to encourage an environment of friendly competition for all ages.”

    What that really means is 10 days of non-stop fun. From Sept. 5-14 visit the Crown and enjoy the many attractions that have been a year in the making.

    This year, look for all the favorites that make the Cumberland County Fair something worth looking forward to each year. Rides, food, exhibits and shows are all staples at this event but there are some new features worth checking out, too.

    “We’ve got The Wiggles and The Roller Derby as part of the fair this year,” said Hubert Bullard, Cumberland County Fair manager. “They are special ticketed items but they are part of the fair. We are going to have a few more rides this year. We have one of the largest portable roller coasters in the world and some of the most spectacular music rides this year.”

    Then there are features that are returning because they were such a big hit last year. 08-27-14-fair1.gif

    “We have the skate boarding demos and a huge competition the second weekend of the fair,” said Bullard. “It will include skaters from up and down the east coast. Locals can compete in it , too. This event is sponsored by Daville Skate Shop. And the Kidsville News! entertainment stage is returning.”

    Last year, the Kidsville News! stage offered a chance for visitors to see some of the local talent in the community. Different dance groups, singers, gymnasts and other entertainers from around the community graced the stage and performed for the crowds. There were games and activities scheduled every day and Truman the Dragon was there, too. Visitors can expect to have a lot of fun this year, as well. The groups returning this year include Kerry’s Dance Beat, The Charlotte Blume School of Dance, Cumberland Dance Academy and Firehouse-Eastover’s Studio of Performing Arts. The Kidsville News! stage is excited to welcome some new groups that include 4D Straw of Wood Boy Entertainment, REJOICE!, Mizz Fabulous and Lil’ Blizzard and more.

    There is so much going on throughout the course of the fair that it might be difficult for some to choose which days to attend. There will be helicopter rides, monster truck rides and camel rides. Look for a one-ring circus this year.

    “We have a large outdoor circus called Torres,” said Bullard. “It is a lot of acrobatics and they also have animals. They are new this year. We try to keep the really good things each year and also bring new things in. We have the largest exotic petting zoo of any fair in North Carolina.”

    08-27-14-fair2.gifOne of the things that makes the fair such a success is the great care that is taken by the planners and vendors.

    “We take all measures to be safe in the petting zoo. We don’t let parents go through with food, drink or strollers. We sanitize hand rails once per hour minimum and require everyone to wash their hands when they leave the petting zoo.”

    Some of the exotic animals this year include zebras, giraffes and porcupines. There are also domestic animals like goats, rabbits, sheep and pigs. In all, Bullard estimates that there are between 85 and 100 animals in petting zoo.

    There are more than 200 people who work to bring the Cumberland County Fair to town each year — and it takes a year to make it happen. Whether it is the racing pigs, the livestock shows, the pageants, the food, the rides, the exhibitions, the skate board demos or other live performances that make the fair special to a person, Bullard says it is worth every bit of work and planning that goes into it to see people having fun.

    “It’s a monumental task putting different aspects of a fair together. We start working on next year’s fair as soon as this one gets over. The rewarding part is seeing so many children leave with a warm fuzzy feeling, smiling faces and having had a good time.”

    The fair runs from Sept. 5-14. Visit cumberlandcountyfair.org/ to purchase tickets or to find out more about the fair.

  • 08-27-14-tna-wrestling.gifOn Sunday, Sept. 7, The Crown Complex will play host to a night of pro wrestling when the stars of Total Non-Stop Action’s Impact Wrestling World Tour (TNA) come to town for a night of live entertainment. Fans will see many wrestlers like North Carolina’s own, Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy. Also scheduled to appear are; Eric Young, Mr. Anderson, Ethan Carter III, “The Cowboy” James Storm, X-Division Champ Samoa Joe, Gunner, Magnus, Knockouts Champ Gail Kim and many others. TNA is sponsoring this one-night-only-event in conjunction with the Cumberland County Fair.

    TNA will also include entry into the “Fist Pumpin’ Pre-Show Party” with every ticket. The party is hosted by TNA President Dixie Carter’s Chief of Staff, Rockstar Spud, and begins when the doors open one hour before the opening bell. The party will allow fans the opportunity to meet the wrestlers, get autographs and take pictures with the athletes while wrestler DJ Z plays popular music to add to the party mood.

    One of the biggest names to appear on the card will be Jeff Hardy. Hardy is a world-renowned professional wrestler who was born and raised in Cameron, N.C. Jeff and his brother Matt make up one of the most popular tag teams of all time, the Hardy Boyz. After making their debut in the World Wrestling Federation in 1999, Jeff and Matt would go on to win the Tag Team Titles a total of seven times and become one of the promotions biggest box office draws.

    After a successful run as a tag team competitor, Jeff also gave being a singles wrestler a shot. His greatest success as a singles competitor came in 2009, during his second run with the WWE, when he became the World Heavyweight Champion. The same championship won and held by the likes of Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan.

    Jeff Hardy now calls TNA Impact wrestling home saying, “I have a dream job right now, TNA has been great… I can go hard then I have plenty of time to come home and heal. It’s not overdoing it.”

    During his time with TNA he has held its World Heavyweight Title three times.

    He expressed excitement about TNA coming to North Carolina to put on a show in Fayetteville, “It’s always good to return to Fayetteville… Every time we are back in Fayetteville it is always cool to tear the house down...”

    The night is billed by TNA as a night of “Fist Pumpin’ Family Fun” that Hardy says is, “well worth the money spent.”

    He went on to say,” We have a crew that works extremely hard. It has been a consistently good, solid show. To witness it live and in person, there is nothing else like it. As far as being a pro wrestling fan and loving the art of pro wrestling, it is the best out there as far as I am concerned.”

    Photo: Jeff Hardy returns to Fayetteville.

  • 08-27-14-lafayette.gifTo commemorate the birthday of our city’s namesake, The Marquis de Lafayette, The North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County and the Lafayette Society will hold a Festival of Yesteryear: A Celebration of Early America at Arsenal Park; part of the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex. The event is on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Lafayette Society has plenty to add to the festivities as well.

    The event at the museum is described as a “living history” of our Colonial and Revolutionary War history. Costumed re-enactors demonstrating various aspects of daily life from the general chores to military drills will be on display.

    “This is something that is a lot of fun and a little different from the Civil War activities that are popular here. This is actually focusing on things going on during the Revolutionary War during the colonial time period, which is when Lafayette was here, too,” said Megan Maxwell, the 1897 Poe House education coordinator. “Something new we are excited to be adding this year is the Tryon Palace’s Fife and Drum Corp from New Bern. That should be a lot of fun.”

    Tryon Palace’s Fife and Drum Corp will perform cadences for the crowds at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.

    “Captain Dry’s Militia will be here, too. They come in uniform, which is different,” said Maxwell. “They have a fun activity for the kids where they can sign up to fight in the Revolutionary War.”

    The North Carolina Highland Regiment and Captain Dry’s Militia Company will demonstrate military drills of the era and will also hold firing demonstrations at 11 a.m., 12:30, 2:30, and 3:30 pm.

    The living history group, Camp Flintlock is going to provide demonstrations of day-to-day living of Colonials.

    Children who come out are encouraged to visit Apprentice Alley. There they can learn and experience history through a “hands on” set of activities and crafts.

    Admission to the event and all activities are free and open to the public. Additional information about the event is available online at www.ncdcr.gov/ncmcf/Events.

    More specifically focused on celebrating Lafayette and educating people about his contributions to nation, the Lafayette Society has a fun-filled weekend planned as well. Friday, Sept. 5, at 6 p.m., don’t miss Arias and Artifacts at Methodist University, which includes an exhibit of Lafayette memorabilia recently gifted to Methodist University.

    Saturday, Sept. 6, is packed with activities. From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Lafayette Birthday Farmers Market will be open at the Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum.

    From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. follow Lafayette’s footsteps from his 1824 visit to Fayetteville. “This is really a fun event and has sold out for the past three years,” said event spokeman Dr. Hank Parfitt. There is space for 30 on the tour. After an educational tour of the area, enjoy a French picnic inside the Market House hosted by Sherefe’s.

    “The tour is led by City Historian Bruce Dawes and includes some walking. He does a fantastic job of bringing history to life and showing people how the events and places are relevant still today,” said Parfitt.

    Call 910.678.8899 for tickets.

    From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. enjoy the Lafayette/Rulnick Fencing Tournament at the All-American Fencing Academy.

    Downtown merchants have planned a Lafayette Birthday Sidewalk sale from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. While you are downtown catch the Lafayette in Fayetteville exhibit at the Transportation Museum, which is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Don’t miss the Lafayette District Scouting Expo at Cross Creek Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Army Ground Forces Band will make an appearance in Cross Creek Park at 1 p.m. In celebration of Lafayette’s birthday there will be free birthday cake and ice cream to the first 100 guests.

    Round out the evening at the French Wine and Cheese Tasting at the Wine Café.

    “An expert is on hand to tell people about the wines,” said Parfitt. “It will be a lot of fun and educational, too. That is really the best part of big celebrations like these. All of these events are enjoyable but they are also educational and it is always better if people have fun while they are learning.”

    Find out more about Lafayette’s Birthday celebration at www.lafayettesociety.org.

    Photo: Marquis de Lafayette

  • Keeping the Faith in Fayetteville, Our Nation and

    the World08-20-14-pub-notes.gif

    I have a lot of faith in God, America and humanity in general. I also believe that when day-to-day circumstances get too far out of sync we, as Americans, will endeavor to take just and proper action and get things back on track. Historically, that’s what true Americans do.

    In the meantime, as we get bombarded with the news of unfortunate, sad, hurtful and hideous acts taking place in our hometown of Fayetteville, as well as in Ferguson, Mo., or the Far East, we must try to remember to  “keep the faith.” Many challenges abound causing us to question our faith, doubt ourselves, our local, state and national leadership and our very own traditional American way of life.

    In view of this, we must remain strong and diligent by preserving American values and not allowing fear, apathy, racial tensions, social or governmental intimidation to weaken our resolve as a Christian nation.

    Everyone seems to be asking: Is Christianity under attack? Well, in my opinion, yes, I believe so, and, not just by the murdering militant and radical Islamist tormenting the Mid East. Here in America, little by little, it seems the virtues of Christianity have been chiseled away to a point where we are almost becoming apologetic for our beliefs.

    This is sad. Think about the events and revelations of the last several decades and how we have witnessed our nation and the world, nurturing unsurpassed levels of hostility, deception, dishonesty, crime, social injustice and governmental discourse all overshadowing Christianity and the Golden Rule. Well, I’m not a theologian, Bible thumper or even a consistent Sunday church attendee; however, I am a Christian who is quite capable of distinguishing good and bad and right from wrong.  And, since Christianity is based on these principles and those of us honoring and obeying God’s word with respect to honoring and respecting humanity, one can see where the belief in God could conflict, interfere and contradict the kind of subversive ideologies we find ourselves subjected to today.

    Honestly, this is not a hard concept to understand. The reality is, of course, eliminate the Christian consciousness and, by doing so, you minimalize and eliminate personal responsibility for love, honesty, fairness, compassion or humanitarian action. What remains is exactly what we are experiencing today. Detached and unresponsive government, social and racial unrest, disrespect for human life, unbridled obsession with a “win at all costs” mentality, gross dishonesty and mistrust, blatant cheating, deception and a reluctance to hold people accountable, responsible or even to punish those who violate the principles of humanity and victimize the innocent.

    When will it end? Who knows? Will it end? No doubt. I want to be a part of that awakening. In the meantime, if we must be at war, let’s all pray we are all fighting on the right side and for the right cause.

    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

    Photo: Eliminate the Christian consciousness and, by doing so, you minimalize and eliminate personal responsibility for love, honesty, fair-ness, compassion or humanitarian action.

  • 08-20-14-4th-friday-logo_2012.gifThough summer may be coming to an end, 4th Fridayis in full swing. This family-friendly event puts all that downtown Fayetteville has to offer on display. There is a huge variety of entertainment, culture and shopping; resulting in something for everyone to enjoy on Aug. 22.

    The Arts Council has brought incredible exhibits to the downtown area for decades. It provides a space for local artists to display their talents and ideas. This 4th Friday, the Arts Council has two events scheduled. Inside the building is a new exhibit on display titled Mediating Relevance: The Politics of Gender. This exhibit is designed to “investigate and question society’s position or perception on gender roles and otherness.” Outside the building, The Army Ground Forces Band Freedom’s Groove will perform. Both events begin at 7 p.m. and last until 9 p.m. The Arts Council is located at 301 Hay St. For more information visit http://www.theartscouncil.com/fourthmain.php.

    Headquarters Library will offer a fun and educational event for all ages. The Cape Fear Mineral and Gem Society will put on a demonstration in the Pate Room from 7 to 8:45 p.m. They will have fossils, minerals and gems of all kinds to show and discuss. There is a demonstration about how to make cabochon gems on a polishing wheel. These gems are shaped polished as opposed to the typical style of faceting. Softer stones are generally used in this process. Refreshments are provided and handmade jewelry and stones are available for purchase. Headquarters Library is located at 300 Maiden Lane. For more information, call 424-4756 or visit http://host7.evanced.info/cumberland/evanced/eventcalendar.asp?ln=ALL.

    This month, Fascinate-U will have an activity for parents as well as children. From 7 to 9 p.m. there is a certified car seat technician giving a free workshop on how to properly install a child’s car seat, and the importance of proper car seat safety. For children there is a free craft available. This month it is creating a “funky” self-portrait collage out of food. Admission is free for the evening and the interactive museum is open late. Fascinate-U is located at 116 Green St. For more information, call 829-9171 or visit http://www.fascinate-u.com/contact.php.

    Hay Street United Methodist Church is participating in the fun this month by providing live music. From 6 to 7 p.m. the band Double Trouble will perform, with The Ash Breeze performing until 8 p.m. There is also a free fish craft for kids from 6 to 8 p.m. The church is located at 320 Hay St. For more information, visit http://www.theartscouncil.com/fourthmain.php.

    There is also live music during the evening at the Market Square Coffee House. The music begins at 7 p.m. and will feature local talent. The coffee house is located at 106 Hay St. City Center Gallery and Books located at 112 Hay St. will also provide local entertainment from 6p.m. until 8 p.m.

    Find out more about 4th Friday at www.theartscouncil.com.

  •  uac082014001.gif Downtown Fayetteville is packed with diverse restaurants offering varied and delicious food. The Fayetteville Downtown Alliance and the Downtown Fayetteville Restaurant Association have figured out just the way to showcase them. On August 20-22, the community is invited to join the Small Plate Crawl to enjoy a little taste of all of them and discover all the enticing dining options downtown has to offer.

    Visit www.faydta.org, download a passport and prepare your palate. During the three days of the plate crawl, bring the passport to participating restaurants, order a small plate and enjoy. Get the passport stamped by three restaurants and become eligible for prizes. The plates cost between $5 and $10 and vary from place to place.

    Pierro’s owner Michael Laurenceau is excited about this event and has come up with an enticing plate that includes caprese, bruschetta and a homemade meatball and crostini. “This is just a really fun way to show people how many great restaurants we have downtown,” said Laurenceau. “We are one of the bigger places downtown and sometimes when I ask people who come here if they have tried many of the other places, they are surprised to hear how many different choices they have for dining in downtown Fayetteville. This is a great way for them to see more of what downtown has to offer.”

    “Each restaurant has its own flavor and your taste buds will be jumping with joy. It is a small sample of what each restaurant has to offer and a low-cost, fun way to build our customer base with people who may not normally eat downtown,” Anthony Jackson, the owner of Circa 1800, said. The hope is that a little taste will bring people back for more and introduce people to restaurants outside of their usual haunts.

    Thanks to the dedication and hard work of many, over the past few years downtown has blossomed into an exciting and thriving place. The Small Plate Crawl encourages further growth, but also highlights the great things already present. “When you shop, eat, and live in downtown and visit the local shops they are all locally owned. Ninety percent of the time, you will meet the owners. This is where we live and work and we pour our hearts and souls into it. You won’t get that from chain restaurants. This will let people see what we put in - the passion - and taste good food in the process.” Jackson explained.

    “We’ve been downtown for about eight years,” said Laurenceau, “and it has been encouraging to watch it grow. Things have changed a lot and I think that the more we can get people to see that the more they will come downtown and enjoy all the things we have to offer. Our establishment has done well enough that we were able to open another Pierro’s in Hope Mills this past January and we are excited to be a part of the good things going on downtown.”

    Circa 1800 is one of the restaurants participating in the crawl. The restaurant prides itself on using as many local ingredients and products as possible. The bounty of North Carolina is truly on display here. The cuisine for the crawl is Southern-inspired, but much more than the plain fried chicken that comes to mind with the mention of the word southern. “We are trying to present Southern fine dining like you might find in Charleston or Savannah. We will have shrimp and grits with whatever is fresh for that day. We use local produce so our vegetable changes every week,“ says Jackson.

    The small plates range from $5 to $10 and if anyone in the group orders a plate, everyone receives a “passport stamp.” “The plate will be a little smaller than an appetizer. If you bring five people in, it will be big enough for each of you to have a bite. One of the main things we want to get across is that a small plate is a small plate. It is not a meal, it is a sample of the restaurants,” Jackson said.

    Each participant receives a passport to chronicle the experience. The passport is stamped at each restaurant they visit. Crawlers should leave their passport at the last restaurant they visit at the end of the three days. Those with stamps for two or more restaurants will be entered into a drawing. Winners will be notified by email. For more information or to download a free passport visit www.DTAFay.org. All restaurants begin serving at 11:30 a.m. and all but the Fried Turkey Shop will continue until 9 p.m. The Fried Turkey shop will end the crawl at 2:30 p.m.

    There will be a drawing on Aug. 25, to see who will get the prizes. The prize packages include:

    One night stay for 2 at Medaloni Cellars with Wine Tasting in the Chateau Bergeron (Cabin) http://www.medalonicellars.com/ ($500 Value)

    • Movie Date Night from the Cameo (Tickets for 2)

    • $100 Gift Card from Sysco

    • $25 Gift Certificate for The Butcher and The Baker

    • Brewery Tour from Railhouse Brewery in Aberdeen

    • Cooking Class for 2 people at Sherefe’s

    • Wine Class for 2 people at The Wine Cafe

    The restaurants participating in the event include: Circa 1800- Opened in 2009, this restaurant provides a true taste of what North Carolina has to offer. Nearly all of their products are locally sourced, even the spirits. Their vodka, gin, beer, and rum all come from local legal distillers.

    Huske Hardware- This establishment is a unique mix of a restaurant, pub, and brewery called a gastropub. Simplified, it means that there is great food and phenomenal beer. They carry five house brews year round and at least one seasonal brew.

    Pierros Italian Bistro- The classic Italian fare and warm rustic atmosphere combine to create a relaxing and welcoming meal at any time of day. Whether stopping in for a glass of wine from the most diverse wine selection in Downtown Fayetteville, or a hand cut steak the experience will be fantastic.

    The Wine Café-A glass of wine paired with slice of cheese is a classic and beautiful combination. The Wine Café elevates this experience by providing unique small batch wines from around the world and artisanal cheeses. They also have a unique interactive tasting experience that utilizes automated self-dispensing units for the wines.

    The Blue Moon Café- Fresh skillfully prepared food and craft beer are the center of what makes The Blue Moon Café an incredible restaurant. What could surpass sitting on the spacious patio surrounded by the beautiful brick buildings of downtown Fayetteville enjoying a flavorful cold brew and a gourmet sandwich?

    The Tap House- the Tap House is an offshoot of Huske Hardware. It offers the same high quality of food and brews in a more sports bar themed atmosphere. The food also has a more classic sports bar theme, but with the same high quality as with Huske Hardware.

    Sherefe- Sherefe brings a taste of Greece to downtown Fayetteville. The bright flavors mimic the sun-filled beaches along the Mediterranean Sea and the fresh North Carolina produce makes it all the more flavorful. They also pride themselves on being vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free friendly.

    Off the Hook- This isn’t your average taco joint; in fact, nothing they serve is average. They take incredible flavors and dishes from around the world and condense them into a stunning four-bite taco. Their combinations are unexpected and unique, but always delicious.

    Marquis Market- Today there is coffee everywhere, but the question is, is it good coffee? The Marquis Market is dedicated to bringing the most authentic and delicious coffees from around the world to the public in a sustainable and responsible way. Their passion for quality is also exemplified by their diverse menu

    A Taste of West Africa- A meal at Taste of West Africa is a journey. This honest home cooked food transports you to an entirely new culinary continent and tells a story of passion and commitment. The recipes and traditions are ancient, but the love and ingredients used to make them are fresh.

    The Fried Turkey Sandwich Shop- Since 2008 the Fried Turkey Sandwich Shop has been providing the community with quality sandwiches of all kinds. Of course, the moist and flavorful fried turkey is the star of the menu, but their other options are crafted with the same care and passion. Every dish is a blue ribbon winner. This shop will be participating from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

  • 08-20-14-umoja-festival.gif“Umoja” is the Swahili word for “unity” and is one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Establishing a sense of community in Fayetteville is essential, so the Umoja Festival will be held on Saturday, August 23 from noon to 7 p.m., at the Smith Recreation Center and Seabrook Park.

    “We started back in 1989 and decided to participate in Kwanzaa to celebrate African-American history, arts and culture,“ said Dorothy Fielder, director of the Umoja Festival. “We decided that we needed an activity in the summertime that had a cultural component so we started the Umoja Festival.”

    Fielder added that the event will feature storytellers, clothing and food vendors, drummers, dancers and collard green sandwiches. There will be a special performance from E. E. Smith High School and Fayetteville State University’s bands.

    One of the highlights of the festival is a special health component.

    “We will have two health-wise things going on at the Umoja Festival,“ said Darvin Jones, community health coordinator of Cape Fear Valley. “One is a health fair with 30 local community-based organizations and the other is a health clinic.”

    Prevention and early detection improves outcomes. Four years ago, Cape Fear Valley approached the Umoja group about adding a health component to the festival. More than 30 social agencies will display resources ranging from medication assistance to free mammograms. The health clinic involves people calling in to make an appointment for health screenings: cholesterol, EKG, blood pressure, lung functioning, BMI, HIV, dental and blood glucose readings. This year, UNC’s Kidney Education Outreach Program’s Mobile Outreach Unit is part of the clinic conducting kidney function screenings and the blood mobile will be there for blood donations.

    “Kidney screenings are very important in Black America due to the high prevalence of high blood pressure, diabetes or family members who may have a family member on dialysis” said Jones. “It is important for them to get screened.” Jones added that a hands-on CPR station and free haircuts for the kids are available if you participate in the health screenings. Agencies such as Better Health, The Care Clinic, Barber Kings, Sickle Cell and many others are a part of the clinic. The African Physicians Association of Fayetteville will interpret the health screenings.

    “Last year we had about 1,500 people come through the health fair and we screened more than 250 patients,” said Jones. “We helped more than 70 patients find medical homes for folks who had high blood pressure.”

    Jones added that this is a great resource in helping people find everything from medical supplies to their medication.

    “My goal is for 2,000 people to come to the health fair and at least 300 of them are screened,” said Jones. “We are so happy because knowledge is power.”

    Health screenings will take place from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Free parking is at Fayetteville State University’s Capel Arena parking lot. The hospital’s shuttle bus will transport individuals to the Smith Recreation Center. For more information, to make a donation, volunteer, or to set up an appointment for a screening, call 615-5465.

  • Back to School: Support Our Teachers

    With the end of summer fast approaching it is time to start thinking about going back to school. Sure, the lazy mornings were nice for the kids. The trips to visit relatives, the weekends at the beach, the day-trips with grandparents and extended family to various points of interest were all fun. But we are ready to get back to a predictable schedule and the challenges and changes that come with every school year.

    My family has our own version of preparation that includes back-to-school shopping, poring over class schedules, furious texting8-13-14-school-bus.gifback and forth with friends to discuss said schedules, talks about expectations and extracurricular activities and attendance at a series of open houses and back-to-school nights. I can’t help but wonder how teachers across the country are preparing for the coming school year. As they attend workshops and prepare classrooms to receive the next generation of leaders, are they excited to meet the youngsters they will spend 180 days with this year? Are they fired up about the subjects they are going to teach? Do they feel supported by the school boards, administrators, parent teacher associations and other education-related groups? I’m sure it is different in every district, school and classroom. One thing I do know is that every day when I release my kids into their care, my expectations are high.

    So it seems reasonable to me that I do everything in my power to help my kids succeed and to make the teacher’s job a little easier if I can. I like to believe that my offspring always get a good night’s rest, turn things in on time, study for tests, remember all their supplies and lunch money and play well with others. I’d be lying if I said we pulled it off every day without fail. Multiply that by the number of students in classrooms around the country and it is clear that teachers deal with much more than teaching every day and they are usually quite gracious and patient with kids and families who are truly trying to do their best to make sure the school year is successful.

    If you are a teacher and you are reading this, please know that there are many thousands of parents who stand in awe of you and the amazing things you accomplish each day. Thank you for your long hours in and out of the classroom. Thank you for your patience, your commitment, your dedication to children. Thank you for the structure and color that you add to a child’s day and for taking on the responsibility of joining parents in turning our young people into healthy, responsible and productive citizens. I don’t know all the challenges and burdens you face. I do know that I could not do what you do and I am one of the many who stand in awe of you.

  • 8-13-14-ftcc\'s-all-american.gifAs our nation and our community scrutinize the current state of affairs in medical care for our vets, there is reason to take pride in other ways we have stepped up to better serve those who have bravely served our country.

    At Fayetteville Tech, no fewer than 3,000 veterans have enrolled since 2012. That’s among the Top 5 veteran enrollments in the country and number one in the state for community colleges. Military Times has ranked FTCC as second highest on their list of Best for Vets for Career and Technical Colleges in 2014. The creation of the All-American Veterans Center (which recently held its grand opening on June 16) supports veterans as they transition to being successful students and employed graduates. The state-of-the-art, 3,500-square-foot All-American Veterans Center serves as a role model for other campuses seeking to support our returning and retiring military personnel.

    A significant characteristic of FTCC’s Veterans Center is that it is managed and staffed by veterans. The one-stop-shop concept at the Center promotes not only certifying educational benefits but also connecting veterans with other support, whether or not the veteran is an FTCC student. The impact to the community represents an outreach to as many as 10,000 veterans in that FTCC’s center offers assistance to all veterans. Physical space within the Veterans’ Center is provided to the many daily volunteers who represent the DAV, American Legion, VFW, Patriot Outreach, Cumberland County VA, Fayetteville Workforce Solutions and N.C. National Guard. Partnerships have also been created with the local Wounded Warrior Project office, VAforVets recruiter, Kangaroo Express, Walmart, Home Depot, and several other local veteran-friendly businesses which support FTCC’s initiatives for veterans.

    Perhaps the best measure of the center’s and FTCC’s success with veterans is our graduation rate. Of the 3,000 veterans enrolled since 2012, 987 graduated in 2012-13, and another 872 graduated this past May. Over this summer, FTCC saw a 9 percent increase in veterans’ enrollment over last year, prior to the creation of the center. And with a current growth of 3 percent projected for the fall, FTCC’s All-American Veterans Center is making a significant impact within our community by stepping up efforts to serve all veterans.

    Engagement through networking with various agencies and companies and attending local meetings of other organizations, who strive to help veterans, helps to increase awareness about the Center and promote ways that various organizations can work together to do the most to help our veterans. Organizations involved with this networking include Community Blueprint, Veterans All-Call, Military family and child/Living in the New Normal, and other active duty spouse groups. The All-American Veterans Center offers résumé workshops, hiring events from local employers, academic and career counseling, and in-house tutoring from faculty. The center is equipped with a lounge with cable, a computer lab, a coffee bar, popcorn, and an employment resource center.

    We invite you to visit the All-American Veterans Center located inside the General Classroom Building (Fayetteville campus, 2817 Fort Bragg Road) to see firsthand the unique extension of care, service and honor that Fayetteville Technical Community College is providing our veterans (thewesm@faytechcc.edu or (910) 678-8580).

  • 8-13-14-financial-planning.gifAre you ready for this? September is National Preparedness Month. Sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Preparedness Month seeks to educate Americans on preparing for natural disasters and other types of emergencies. But you’ll also need to prepare for unexpected events in many other areas of your life — particularly those events related to the financial security of you and your family.

    Here are some of the most important of these events, along with possible preparations for them:

    • Unanticipated early retirement. If you encounter a “downsizing” or other occurrence that results in the loss of a job, or even the end of a career, before you expected it, would you be able to avoid major disruptions to your lifestyle? To help prepare for such a loss of income, make sure to fully fund your IRA each year. The maximum contribution is $5,500 per year plus an additional $1,000 for those age 50 and older.

    • Disability. Even a short-term disability can seriously harm your finances — and a long-term disability could prove devastating. Your employer might offer some form of disability insurance, but it may not be sufficient. So you may need to explore private coverage.

    • Personal liability. If someone were ever injured on your property or due to some action of yours, you could face legal actions demanding hundreds of thousands of dollars. To help protect yourself, consider adding umbrella liability insurance.

    • Changing family situation. Changes in your life — marriage, divorce, remarriage, children, stepchildren — can drastically affect your estate plans and the type of legacy you want to leave. To prevent unpleasant surprises for your family, make sure you periodically review beneficiary designations on your investment accounts, such as your IRA and 401(k), and work with your tax and legal advisors to update your estate-planning documents — will, living trust and so on — as needed.

    • Outliving your money. Once you reach retirement, your greatest concern may be that you’ll outlive your money. To help prevent this from happening, create a sustainable withdrawal strategy — that is, determine how much you can take out each year from your investment and retirement accounts, and stick to this amount.

    • Need for long-term care. You can’t predict whether you will ever need to enter a nursing home or require the assistance of a home health care worker, but one thing is for sure — these services are extremely expensive. Consider this: The national average for a private room in a nursing home is nearly $84,000 per year, according to a recent survey by Genworth, a financial security company. To help prepare for these costs, you may want to consult with a professional financial advisor, who can suggest appropriate solutions.

    • Untimely death. Your absence could jeopardize your family’s financial security, particularly if you passed away while your children were still at home. To help ensure that your family could remain in the home and that your children could go to college, if they choose, make sure you have adequate life insurance.

    Your passage through life will be filled with twists and turns, and you can’t always see what lies ahead. But you can ease your journey by preparing yourself for the unexpected.

  •  uac081314001.gif On Dec. 10, 2008, Fayetteville was the host to the Ultimate Fighting Championships’ “UFC: Fight for the Troops” event at the Crown Complex. The event was broadcast live on Spike TV free of charge, a rarity at the time. The event was put on by the UFC to raise money for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes fund and featured 10 fights consisting of competitors that were all high caliber mixed martial artists. The fighters that were used were all up and coming contenders that were determined to put on a good show for the men and women of the U.S. Army who filled the arena.

    Since that 2008 UFC card, Fayetteville has been in a bit of a drought when it comes to having high-level MMA events come through. While the UFC has remained at the top of the heap, other national promotions have sprung up like: ElitrXC, Strikeforce, Affliction, Bellator,and a few others. Even with all of those promotions springing up, the city still seemed to find itself overlooked in getting the “big time shows.” The city did manage to attract and host a few smaller regional shows, like the recent FightLab show that came through, but the big national promotions seem to constantly skip over the Fayetteville area. All of that changes on Aug. 22.

    On Aug. 22 at the Crown Complex, Titan Fighting Championships will hold its TitanFC 29 MMA event; the event will also air nationally on CBS Sports Network.

    On that night, fans in attendance will see an undercard featuring local fighters like Blaine Thomas, originally from Laurinburg, and D’Juan Owens from Durham. Also on the card are MMA prospects on the rise, like Keith Johnson from Alabama, who look to inch their way closer and closer to the top of the sport. The top of the card will consist of matches between seasoned veterans of MMA Kurt Holobaugh and Lloyd Woodard who will fight for a future shot at the Titan Featherweight 145 title. Also UFC veterans Mike Ricci and George Sotiropoulos will fight against each other as they work towards their goal of getting back into the UFC. The main event of the night will feature a match between two MMA veterans, Ben “Killa B” Saunders and Jose “Pele” Landi-Jons for the Titan Welterweight (170lbs) Championship.

    Jeff Aronson is the owner and driving force behind Titan Fighting Championships, or Titan FC as it is known by fans. Aronson purchased the promotion at the turn of the year, but his roots in MMA run much deeper. Aronson got his start in MMA in his teens training with Renzo Gracie’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in New York as a form of self-defense. Years later, Aronson would use his love for the sport to motivate him to partner with friends Lex McMahon, Nima Safapour and Hip-Hop music pioneer MC Hammer to form Alchemist Fight Management.

    Alchemist Management would grow into a successful fight management company serving a large number of the top tier talent in MMA. Aronson proudly points out; “Alchemist Management is one of the largest and most powerful MMA management companies in the world.”

    Why would a man like Aronson leave such a successful and powerful business to try and put on fights? For Aronson, the answer to that question is directly related to his time as a manager of fighters. “We (Alchemist) would sign all of this incredible, high-level talent and I would have nowhere for them to fight… Everybody’s aspiration was to get into the UFC, but if you are sub 5 fights, or let’s say you were a guy in the UFC that got hurt or you got cut, whatever the case maybe that the UFC released you, it was almost impossible for you to get back in because no one wanted to fight you. After dealing with this for some years now, I felt that it was time to create my own promotion to fill that need. Titan was a regional promotion out of Kansas City… I bought them and we did our first show in Kansas City, then one in Oklahoma and the next one is in Fayetteville.”

    When asked why he chose to bring his fight card to Fayetteville when so many others had overlooked the area Aronson said, “I love the Fayetteville area, I love that Fort Bragg is right there. My longtime business partner is a retired Marine, we are also8-13-14-titanfccage.gifpartners with the A HERO Foundation… we are very military oriented. So, with Fort Bragg being right there and with no major fights being in that part of the country for so long, we looked at it and said this is a natural, how can we not do this?”

    Aronson also offered up the surprise, “Should this event go off like I think it is going to go off… I would like to make Fayetteville one of our primaries. Every six months or every year or something we do a show there.”

    Aronson described what fans can expect from him and Titan, “I’m doing this for them (the fans). I’m putting on a card that is so stacked from top to bottom. Even if you are not a MMA fan and you are curious and you want to see a show live and you want to see an incredible sporting event live, this is something you should go see. This truly is for the fans and I hope that everybody comes out and supports us. I think it is going to be a blockbuster event. We are going to be doing giveaways and all kinds of fun stuff leading up to the fights. I hope that everybody comes out in support so we can do shows in Fayetteville all of the time.”

    Welterweight title contender and main event fighter Ben “Killa B” Saunders sums up why fans should come out in saying, “If you have never seen a live MMA show, this is definitely one to go to. The entire card is stacked with studs; UFC veterans, Bellator veterans… It is a very high quality show that Titan is putting on. If you need an introduction to MMA, this is definitely the show to go to.”

    Tickets for the event are available through Ticketmaster and at the Crown Complex Box Office.

    Photo: The Titan FC 29 is set to bring a smack down to the Crown. It’s an event MMA fans won’t want to miss.

  • 8-13-14-dodge diabetes.gifBeing active is important to being healthy. Having fun and helping a great cause is a plus! Better Health of Fayetteville is hosting its first ever, Diabetes…Dodge It! For Better Health Dodgeball Tournament. The tournament will take place Saturday, Aug. 23 at 9 a.m. at Freedom Courts Sportsplex on Gillespie St. in Fayetteville.

    Founded in 1958, Better Health is a nonprofit, charitable organization and relies upon local foundation, community and donor generosity for its funding. Better Health is dedicated to bridging gaps in healthcare services for Cumberland County residents by providing: diabetes awareness, education and self-management programs, childhood obesity prevention and education, loans of medical equipment and financial assistance for emergency medical needs.

    Judy Klinck, Better Health executive director, said that she has had many verbal confirmations of participants, and if everyone saying they’ll be there comes, there will be a huge turn out. If it is successful, Better Health will continue to plan this event annually.

    “This event fits our mission very well. We want people to know that exercise and fitness can be fun with the added bonus of improving their health and lessening their chances of developing Type 2 diabetes. No experience is necessary; we want people of all skill levels to come out and play,” said Klinck.

    The proceeds from the tournament will go specifically to diabetes awareness programs within Better Health. There are two divisions: middle school students and adult/open. The team registration fee is $100 for six players with up to three substitutes. Individuals who are not involved with a team but would like to participate can register for $25 and will be placed on a team. Pre-registration is suggested and those who registered before August 8 are guaranteed a tournament T-shirt(6 per team, 1 per individual). The winning team in the adult/open division will take home $500 in prize money, while the top middle school team will receive $250.

    Here’s a quick primer on the rules if you aren’t read up on them:

    The Game

    The object of the game is to eliminate all opposing players by getting them “OUT”. This may be done by:

    1. Hitting an opposing player with a LIVE thrown ball below the shoulders.

    2. Catching a LIVE ball thrown by your opponent before it touches the ground. Definition: LIVE: A ball that has been thrown and has not touched anything, including the floor/ground, another ball, another player, official or other item outside of the playing field (wall, ceiling, etc)

    Boundaries

    During play, all players must remain within the boundary lines. Players may leave the boundaries through their end-line only to retrieve stray balls. They must also return through their end-line.

    The Opening Rush

    Game begins by placing the dodgeballs along the center line – three (3) on one side of the center hash and three (3) on the other. Players then take a position behind their end line. Following a signal by the official, teams may APPROACH the centerline to retrieve the balls. This signal officially starts the contest. Teams may only retrieve the three (3) balls to their right of the center hash. Once a ball is retrieved it must be taken behind the attack-line before it can be legally thrown.

    Timing and Winning a Game

    The first team to legally eliminate all opposing players will be declared the winner. A 3-minute time limit has been established for each contest. If neither team has been eliminated at the end of the 3 minutes, the team with the greater number of players remaining will be declared the winner. Details on overtime can be found in the NADA Rule Book.

    Get your friends together, create the dream team and do something different to make a difference. For more information, please visit betterhealthcc.org or call (910)-964-3069.

  • 08_06_14margaret.gifSince the Precious Jewels and their raging appetites — not to mention the equally voracious hungers of their 20-something chums — have left the nest, I have had to adjust. Some days I open the fridge to find not much more than limp greens, half and half for my coffee and shelves of condiments, some of which might be old enough to vote.

    In other words, less is actually less.

    So what do I do on those occasions? I do what you likely do as well. I jump in Station Wagon #7 and head for the neighborhood grocery store. If I am really organized, I take a list of items that would make my fridge and my cabinets more appealing to all concerned, including me.
    This is easy for most of us because we have convenient transportation and do not live in food deserts.

    Say what?

    Food desert is a relatively new term, apparently coined in a 1995 British nutritional task force report and referring to “populated areas with little or no food retail provision,” meaning areas where people live but have little access to fresh food. There may be convenience stores and fast food outlets but no real groceries, supermarkets or famers markets. Quality food access becomes even more of an issue if you are a young child, disabled or elderly or if you have no transportation, which makes even getting to what food is available a problem.

    The result is that even when people understand healthy eating and want to do that, there is little opportunity, and their diets and overall health suffer for that lack.

    There are basically two kinds of food deserts — urban and rural. Urban food deserts are defined as no retail supermarket within a mile of one’s home, and rural food deserts have none within 10 miles of one’s home.

     From my house in the Haymount section of Fayetteville, that would mean no grocery store between home and downtown or home and Raeford Road and Purdue Drive. Blessedly, there is one, and I am there several times a week but it would be a definite hike if I had to walk it and then carry my groceries home. If we pretend for a moment that my house were in a rural food desert, that would mean no supermarket between my house and almost Hoke County. There is no way I could get there without my car, much less get the goodies home.

    So why do we have food deserts?

    There are many reasons, and they are largely economic. Groceries and supermarkets, as wonderful and healthy as they may be, are at their core businesses, which must be profitable to survive. They need to be in areas with enough people to buy their food and in areas where people can afford their food. The cold, hard and unfortunate truth is that fresh healthy food is more expensive than processed, packaged food. Hence, supermarkets tend to be in suburban neighborhoods. In addition, there are sometimes issues of cultural differences, crime rates and others that discourage supermarkets from locating in certain neighborhoods, which contributes to the creation of food deserts.

    The Internet is loaded with sites showing food deserts all over the nation, including in North Carolina. While I have lived in urban or suburban locales all my life, this is certainly something I would look at before I decamped to a rural area or an urban center with which I was not familiar. The U.S.

    Department of Agriculture is a good place to start.

    Food deserts are one of the reasons I have followed the long-running saga of farmers markets in Fayetteville and Cumberland County. With no permanent home identified, different markets are popping up in various parts of our community — Murchison Road, Ramsey Street and elsewhere, along with the more established one in downtown. While they are small and seasonal, they are also opportunities for local residents to buy locally grown and produced fruits, vegetables and occasionally meats. There is also at least one home delivery service available in our community. The additional products offered in these venues, including homemade baked and canned goods as well as crafts, are bonuses.
    No one has come up with a solution to food deserts, but it is clear that the answer lies in being able to distribute quality foods at affordable prices to people who live in rural areas and to those who are not particularly mobile or who lack transportation.

    So, why should people who do have transportation and who do live in proximity to groceries and supermarkets with fresh, high-quality food worry about food deserts? Why should people like you and me care about this? It should matter to us because poor health affects all of us in higher medical costs and in a less productive and prosperous community.

    If fresh, high-quality food is available, I believe that most people will try to do the right thing for themselves and their families.

  • 08_06_14womack.gifOver the past several months, good news about military healthcare has been hard to find. That is particularly true here in Fayetteville, where not only the Fayetteville VA but also Womack Army Medical Center has come under harsh scrutiny for patient care and wellness.


    That has left many in the community skeptical. I have friends who are literally afraid of getting sick because they don’t want to go to Womack. One of my friends thinks she has a gall bladder problem, but she won’t get it treated because she is afraid of being treated at the hospital.
    We joke about it, but somewhere, deep down inside, there is a grain of truth in our jokes. So, let me share a personal story with you that may aleviate some fears.

    Last Saturday was a good day. The sun was shining. My boy was playing baseball. It was the kind of Saturday you put in a memory book. We ate cheeseburgers for dinner and watched television as a family. For once, we all went to bed early. Sounds peaceful, right? Around 11 p.m., I was roused from sleep by terrible pain — ungodly pain — quickly followed by extreme gastric distress. I spent the majority of the night throwing up and alternately praying for death. Somewhere in the midst of that, I jumped on webmd and diagnosed myself with an appendicitis. Around 7 a.m., I told my husband we had to go to the hospital.

    “Do you want me to just take you to Cape Fear?” he asked.

    “No,” I said. “Take me to Womack.”

    On the drive, which was extremely painful, thoughts of Womack’s woes ran through my head. But then all of the excellent care I have personally been given at the hospital quickly chased my doubts away. I may be the only person to say this, but I have never had less than excellent care at the hospital — getting to it may be frustrating — but once I’ve seen a doctor, I have been satisfied.

    We got to the Emergency Department, which is under renovation, and made a circuitous route to the door. There are no signs telling you what to do and we were barked at by the man at the front desk to stand along the side wall. A customer service class could be in order. Once I was registered and triaged, I was taken directly to the back. The inital staff interaction was awesome. I was given meds to alleviate my nauseousnous and pain meds to take care of the pain. A care plan was quickly devised.

    And then everything stopped. We were in the ER for eight hours. Part of the time was waiting on testing and I’m not sure what the other part was because no one was talking to us. I saw a friend who was working on another pod and got her to check on my status because the three nurses assigned to me were not communicating with me. At one point I told one of the orderlies I felt like they had forgotten me. And that’s the worst thing that happened to me while I was there.

    I was moved to 2 North, where I was treated with great care and respect by the staff. They answered my every call and even did their best to make me not afraid. They were caring, dedicated healthcare providers. I have nothing but good to say about them and the care they provided me during the night and morning leading up to surgery and the night after surgery before my release.

    My surgeon, Dr. Perkins, was a consummate professional who informed me at every turn where we were and what was going on. I had no fear knowing that she would be operating on me.

    So here’s your good news story. I’m here. I’m writing this one week to the day I entered the hospital. Let’s be honest. Womack’s rates are better than most civilian hospitals. It is unfortunate that the hospital has been dragged under the microscope by the VA’s woes, thus making anything that happens there a big deal. So here’s the big deal, there are caring, professionals at work there every day. They will take care of you. Don’t be afraid.

  • 08-28-13-janice-story.gifIf know any of the women who are appearing in The Dames You Thought You Knew at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre, then you probably consider yourself lucky. These women — Suzanne Pennick, Terri Union, Rollin Shaw, Patricia Timmons-Goodson and Margaret Dickson — all successful in their own right as professionals, are more than their bank balances. They are known for their community involvement, for their caring and we would be remiss if we didn’t say for their style.

    Being in a room with one of them is a delight, sitting down with all of them is a treat not to be missed. And you are invited to do just that as The Dames You Thought You Knew hits the stage Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 31 - Sept. 1 and again on Saturday, Sept. 7 and Sunday, Sept. 8.

    The show, conceived by Bo Thorp, is a journey through the lives of five successful Fayetteville women told in their own words, by them. It is held together with music performed by The Singing Dames under the direction of Brian Whitted and Sharon McNair. The music, which spans the pivotal decades in the lives of these women, ties the show together, but it is the wit, wisdom and kindness of the women that tells the story.

    Thorp has been toying with the idea of doing a project like this for some time, she says it has been on her bucket list for quite a while.

    “I’ve been thinking about this for a long, long time, but it wasn’t something I was ready to pursue. But now it’s at the top of my list,” said Thorp. “I think it became more important to me at this point in my life as I have begun to think ‘How did I get here?’ This isn’t where I started, but as I look back, I can see it has been a crooked road, and I was interested to see how the road looked for these women.”

    Thorp looked around the community and came up with 10 women whom she thought were leaders; women who made the community better. She then approached the top five women on her list, and to her amazement, they all agreed.

    “The amazing thing to me is that they said yes, before they even knew what the project was,” she said. “That overwhelmed me that they trusted that I know what I am doing, and I do know what I am doing, to see this project through. I am stunned by that.”

    The ladies, though, had no hesitation in joining Thorp in the project.

    “If Bo said do it, we had to do it — and have fun,” said Shaw.

    With a full endorsement from her cast, Thorp brought the ladies together and what a wild ride it has been. The cast started meeting in January and began telling their stories.

    For Timmons-Goodson, Thorp’s outline of periods of their lives they should concentrate on was key.

    “If you were asked to tell your life story, what experiences would you pick? Bo organized it in such a way that was very helpful. She gave us an outline, so to speak. She said we must select one aspect and one incident. This was fascinating to me, looking at what it is I selected to discuss.”

    The stories the women share are funny and they are sad. They are the fabric of the lives of the women who are telling them. They bring with them humor and kindness, romance and heartbreak, but the common thread of love and a sisterhood runs between the women. It is tangible. As they sit going through the process, some sipping iced tea or diet coke, you can see the ease with which they share their heart.

    As Dickson noted, the ladies were friends before, having been neighbors with children the same ages, but the process has brought them closer, it has made them sisters.

    If you would like to share their incredible journey, visit the CFRT Box Office or call 323-4233. Tickets range from $15 to $30. For more information, visit www.cfrt.org.

    Photo: The show, conceived by Bo Thorp, is a journey through the lives of five successful Fayetteville women told in their own words, by them. 

  • 08-28-13-methodist-welcomes.gifWhen hardship descends on a country it is leadership that often decides the fate of the people. One noticeable leader who helped lead a fledgling country from the bloody fields of war into democracy was the Marquis de Lafayette; and it is in his honor that another great leader of our nation is coming to Fayetteville to speak.

    To kick off the Lafayette Birthday Celebration Gen. Russell Honorè will be lecturing on “Leadership in the New Normal” as part of the Lafayette Leadership Speaker Series.

    The lecture is sponsored by Methodist University in celebration of Lafayette’s Birthday.

    “Methodist University feels that part of its mission and purpose is to bring high-quality speakers in routinely. It is exciting to see the university do this and be part of bringing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet and hear General Honorè. He took charge and became a hero. It is an opportunity to see, meet and hear someone of this stature,” Dr. Andrew Ziegler, the director of The Lura S. Tally Center of Leadership Development, explains.

    Gen. Honorè first came into the public eye when he was put in charge of managing the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina. Dealing with the overwhelming devastation was a daunting task, but with a great leader at the helm, the situation was resolved quickly.

    Ziegler recalls the devastation by saying, “Two-thousand people died as a result of the storm, there was $100 million in property damage, and more than 1 million people were displaced or lost their homes. New Orleans was not the only place affected, it was the entire gulf coast. In the aftermath, civil authority broke down and there were riots, looting and violence: total tragedy. Gen. Honorè came and put it all back in order. He brought thousands of troops, took command of the National Guard and hundreds of boats. It was a massive operation. The first phase was search and rescue, second was restoring order and finally recovery. He handled it superbly. Perhaps this lecture will help people to remember how fragile civil society is.”

    There is more to Gen. Honorè than the ability to handle massive devastation in a short period of time. For years he has been a sought after speaker for emergency preparedness and leadership required for the modern world; but he has pushed for change to better the country in other ways as well.

    “He has a passion for the country and for leadership. He wrote a book called Leadership in the New Normal, and he will be talking about that during his lecture. He is very concerned about bread and butter issues for the country such as education and family,” says Ziegler.

    The lecture will take place on Sept. 6 from 11 until 11:50 a.m. in the Reeves Auditorium at Methodist University. It is completely free and open to the public. Reeves Auditorium is located at 5400 Ramsey St. For more information, visit the website www.methodist.edu/pub_media/releases/honore.pdf or email questions to aziegler@methodist.edu.

    Other events associated with the Lafayette Birthday celebration include the Lafayette Trail tour, which costs $30, a sidewalk sale in downtown Fayetteville and more. There will be a 3K Dog Jog and a 5K Road Race on Sept. 7. Call 644-0137 for more information.

    Wine and Design will offer a paint your own Eiffel Tower class on Sept. 7. Call 483-0433 for more information.

    Photo : Gen. Russell Honoré will speak at Methodist University in honor of Lafayette’s Birthday Celebration.

  • Teacher, Teacher! Where Would We be Now?

    08-28-13-pub-notes.gifCurrently there is much controversy in North Carolina over the recent voting rights and education legislation signed into law by Governor Pat McCrory and our republican-leaning general assembly. Yes, North Carolina is getting a lot of air time on national TV and radio; though I’m not sure it’s the complimentary kind. Even high-pro관le Republican personalities like former Secretary of State Colin Powell is weighing in on McCrory’s voter ID position and labeling it a bad move for Republicans, noting that he considers it to be ineffective strategic planning. Wow! And that coming from a republican?

    For me, honestly, I have no idea what’s going on up there in Raleigh. I just can’t figure out the strategy of either party.

    Unfortunately, and like many Americans, I just don’t understand why our state and federal governments are so adept at finding, identifying, uncovering and exposing government waste, abuse, fraud and duplication yet they are totally powerless, or unwilling, to do anything about it. Go 관gure.

    Both Republicans and Democrats continue throwing barbs at one another while continuing doing “business as usual” by ignoring horrendous circumstances that every American recognizes regardless of their social status, religion or race. Frustrating. So, now that we know the lay of the land, let’s talk about education in North Carolina and Cumberland County.

    First of all, I will state the obvious: “Every politician we have elected are where they are today because of a dedicated teacher, professor or educational mentor. And, if asked, each and every one of them could recount fond and grateful memories of how those educators affected their lives and molded them into mature, responsible adults.

    This being the case, why then are North Carolina teachers’ pay ranked as one of the lowest in the nation? That is a simple question, which lacks a simple answer.

    However, I will say with some certainty that it is not because our current Republican administration does not value or appreciate the noble profession. Recently, an educator was quoted as “not having a raise in seven years.” Seven years? The McCrory administration is less than a year old. What were previous administrations doing about this? Educating young children has always been a valuable avocation. It is not a business where revenue and pro관ts drive corporate direction. Our entire economy is based on the simple concept of supply and demand. As more parents, high school and college counselors direct and push students into teaching professions, the glut of available qualified teachers will continue to grow keeping both the demand and the salaries down.

    For sure, this is not to say we do not appreciate the people who we entrust with educating our children on a daily basis. And, if this is not enough justification there is an even bigger deterrent to higher teacher salaries: That is the passion, dedication and overwhelming desire professional teachers have to participate in developing, influencing and nurturing humanity. The truth be known, yes, teachers and teacher assistants deserve higher salaries, but the majority (silent) of dedicated educators are hard-working professionals and not doing it just for the money. Back to what I said earlier, there would be plenty of money for increased teacher salaries if local and state governments would focus on detecting and eliminating government waste, fraud, duplication of services and abuse of tax payers’ money.

    North Carolina educators should stay focused and strive for not only higher salaries but also for higher measurable standards in education. If children are truly our future, then they should not be pawns used by individuals, organizations or political parties intent only on trying to further their cause.

    Here in Cumberland County, I am extremely proud of our educational achievements and applaud the efforts of Superintendent Dr. Frank Till and his staff of administrators, principals, teachers and teacher assistants. All of whom, despite salaries that should be more reflective of their talents and achievements, succeeded in getting every school in Cumberland County accredited — feat that eluded Mecklenburg and Wake Counties.

    In addition, the Cumberland County School District was recognized as one of the top four educational systems in the country and has become a finalist for the Broad Foundation Scholarship Award. The Broad Prize ($550,000) recognizes large urban school districts that show significant improvements over a four-year period. Cumberland County did not apply for this consideration; it was independently chosen out of the country’s 75 largest urban school districts serving a large percentage of low-income and minority students. We were one of four districts that had notable gains in overall student achievement and in reducing achievement gaps for low-income Hispanic and African-American children. Proof positive that we have a system that works.

    A system dedicated to the profession of educating young children. A system full of educational professionals, staffers, principals, teachers and teacher assistants and all doing more with less. Why? Because they care. What price can be put on this? So, I guess if you are reading this, thank a teacher. They are priceless!

    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly. Don’t forget you can go to our website at www.upandcomingweekly.com and subscribe free and receive our VIP edition directly to your computer Tuesday afternoon. Also, listen in to my show with Goldy and Jim on WFNC’s 640AM Good Morning Fayetteville every Wednesday.

  • Good food, culture, music, dancing and great company — what’s not to like? It’s time for the 23rd Annual Greek Festival and all the fun that comes with it. Sept. 6-8 the congregation of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church will host the much anticipated and much loved Greek Festival.

    The entire congregation pulls together every year to host this event, and every year the community takes them up on their offer of hospitality. The festival is centered on outreach and sharing, and every year the entire Greek community pulls together to give the locals an opportunity to get to know our neighbors and their culture a little bit better.

    “One of my favorite things about the Greek Festival is the fellowship and learning more about our religion and sharing these things with the community,” said John Poulos, a member of the Greek FestivalPlanning Committee. “I like sharing the positive things that the Greek culture and the Orthodox Church does for the community and sharing our culture and our heritage.”

    Many friendships are formed and memories made when people break bread together. A favorite aspect of Greek culture for many who attend the event, is the food. The Greek Festival features everything from gyros to souvlaki to spanikopita. For those who love Greek food this is a great opportunity to taste the many lovely flavors of the Greek Isles. Lamb, beef and chicken prepared with olive oil and spices make up a portion of typical Greek fare, along with the greens and veggies that are used in a refreshing Greek salad. Stuffed grape leaves, or dolmades are another popular dish. While parents can enjoy authentic Greek cuisine, there is always something for the kids to eat, too. Greek beer and wine, which pair nicely with the authentic cuisine are also available at the event.

    Not much finishes off a great meal like an amazing dessert, and local Greek pastries can’t be beat. This is one of few occasions throughout the year when the congregation offers such delicacies in great supply. Filled with honey, nuts and butter, baklava is always a hit, but the pastry table is always covered with a variety of delectable treats like finikia, almond cookies and more.

    This year there will be a limited lunch all day Friday, with a full dinner serving beginning at 5 p.m.

    Decked in traditional garb of the Greek Isles, various folk dance troupes perform each year, showcasing the native dances and dress of their homeland. The troupes typically perform at various times throughout the weekend and often invite the audience to join in the fun and try a few of the simpler dances.

    “We are going to show visitors to the festival how to Greek dance, but we will also give them a geography lecture and show slides of citi08-28-13-greekfest-1.gifes, villages and monuments in Greece,” explained Poulos.

    Traditional Greek music will be provided by the Nick Trivelas Band, right down to the bouzouki, a mandolin-like instrument that is a staple in this genre of music. His playlist includes not only traditional Greek songs, but songs that can be heard in Greek taverns today. He’s released a CD of Greek Dance Festivalival music and one of Mediterranean love songs as well and both have met with great success across the country.

    No culture can be truly understood without examining its faith. Take a guided tour of the church and learn more about Greek history and the Greek Orthodox beliefs. It is a great time to ask questions and delve deeper into the beliefs that inspire so many people in the community.

    Books about the Greek Orthodox faith are sold at the market each year. Visitors will find everything from paintings, to clothes to jewelry. 08-28-13-greek-fest-2.gif

    The Greek grocery store offers things like olive oil, cooking wines, coffee and other items that are commonly found in Greek pantries. It is a fun way to experiment with new ingredients, or even to pick up some hard to find items that will perk up meal time.

    Also on display will be a traditional Greek home. Take a peek into the simple décor and serene atmosphere of a typical homestead that one might find on a Greek island.

    The raffle each year includes two round trip tickets to Greece (or $2,000). The tickets cost just $5 each.

    An addition to this year’s Festival is a community health fair. Working in partnership with Cape Fear Valley, the Festival will offer CPR classes as well as screenings for blood pressure and cholesterol. Attendees will have a chance to give back during a blood drive.

    “We are hoping this will have a positive impact on the health of Cumberland County,” said Poulos.

    Gracious hosts each year, the generosity of the congregation extends beyond the Festival weekend. Several nonprofits in the community benefit from donations that the Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church bestows upon them. This year is no different, as the church plans to share part of the proceeds from this event with the community. Agencies who will receive funding include the American Red Cross, the Boy Scouts of America, the United Way and the Autism Society. “If you haven’t been you should give it a try,” said Poulos.

    “If you have been before, we can’t wait to see you again!”

    The Festival runs Sept 6-8 and is open from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Friday; Saturday from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.; and Sunday from noon until 6 p.m. Entrance to the event and parking are free, but come prepared to shop and eat! Find out more about the Festivalival at www.stsch.nc.goarch.org or by calling 484-2010.

    Photos:  A celebration of culture, faith and food, the Greek Festival runs Sept. 6-8.

  • Finding Money for College

    How many times have you thought about going to college, only to have your dreams put on hold08-28-13-fttc.gifbecause you could not figure out how to pay for it? The information below will explain how you can turn those educational dreams into reality and offers solutions that you might explore for paying for college.

    First of all, let’s compare the costs of education. Per 12 credit hours of education Fayetteville Technical Community College tuition and fees cost $903; state universities cost $3165.38; and private institutions cost $5102.

    FTCC offers several college transfer options. If you graduate from FTCC with a two-year college transfer degree and have met the requirements of our statewide agreement with the university system, you will enter the university as a first-semester junior. As you can see, FTCC is your affordable alternative for your first two years of college.

    With that said, how do you pay for classes at FTCC? Take a moment to consider your options below.

    Grants: Grant funds are generally given based on financial need. Students do not have to pay back any grant funds received.

    Scholarships: Scholarship funding is given to students based on different criteria, such as need, merit, or other specific requirements. Students do not have to pay back scholarship funds.

    William D. Ford Loans: Loans disbursed through the William D. Ford Loan Program help provide students with financial funding for education, but students must pay back the loan money which incurs interest.

    Payment Plan: FTCC offers a payment plan that breaks up the cost of college into a series of four payments.

    Short-term loans: FTCC offers to students who are applying for financial aid but have not yet completed the entire financial aid process a short-term loan, which must be paid back.

    Employer Grants: Inquire with your employer about employer help with funding for your education. Many employers consider helping their employees with education expenses a worthwhile expense because employees’ job skills will become enhanced or upgraded through education.

    Private loans: Students can easily access a listing of providers of private educational loans through an Internet search. Remember, loans are monies that must be paid back, and loans incur interest.

    Workforce Development: The Workforce Development Center is a service provided through the state of North Carolina that will pay tuition for individuals who are trying to upgrade their workforce skills. http://www.faytechcc.edu/institutional_effectiveness/wfdfrequentlyaskedquestions.aspx

    Centralized Tuition Military Assistance:Many active duty soldiers qualify for tuition assistance. Check with your educational officer to see how you qualify.

    Veteran’s Benefits: If you are a veteran or the dependent of a veteran, you may qualify for certain benefits to include the payment of tuition and fees. For more information, visit the FTCC veteran’s website at: http://www.faytechcc.edu/veterans_services.

    Clubs, Organizations and Churches: Many clubs, organizations, and churches offer scholarship programs.

    Would you like to know more about the options above? Visit the FTCC Financial Aid Website at www.faytechcc.edu/financial_aid/types_of_aid.aspx. Act now to ensure that you have completed the necessary steps to pay for college. FTCC is pleased to serve and be your school of choice!

    Photo: Finding money for college might be easier than you think.

  • 08-28-13-take-your-yard-back.gifAnyone who has spent a season in North Carolina knows that mosquitoes are hardly scarce in the region. It is not an unfamiliar situation that as the sun starts to set and the sky erupts with colors, the beauty of the night may be corrupted by the eruption of mosquitoes. It doesn’t have to be that way, however. There is a company dedicated to helping families reclaim their yards from the bloodsucking pests, The Mosquito Squad.

    Paul Reinhardt, the owner of Mosquito Squad in Fayetteville, has a passion for getting rid of mosquitoes. He says that it is important to control these pests.

    “There is a rampant outbreak and the mosquitoes are one of the deadliest predators on earth. Their bites result in more than 2 million deaths a year,” he said.

    Female mosquitoes bite humans in order to get the blood they need for their reproductive cycle. Unfortunately, besides leaving itchy annoying bumps, these attacks can also lead to the spread of diseases such as the West Nile Virus and Malaria.

    On the Mosquito Squad website there are many do-it-yourself tips such as removing standing water and planting catnip, citronella or a few other plants that mosquitoes naturally hate. If that is not enough to protect a yard, calling a mosquito elimination expert is the next best thing to do.

    There are several options for yard treatments such as barrier sprays which last for an average of 21 days, misting systems, which periodically mist foliage with bug repellent and even all-natural options that can be applied every 14 days. For special events like weddings, the Mosquito squad can also apply a 24-48 hour barrier spray with added repellents for stinging insects before guests arrive to ensure a pest free day.

    “When we come out to spray a yard, 90 percent of mosquitoes will be eliminated and families will be able to enjoy their yard again,” Reinhardt said.

    There are many advantages to having an entire yard protected as opposed to layering on bug spray before every outing.

    “It is healthier than applying chemicals directly to the body. The spray is put on the surrounding foliage and it is healthier and more effective. It allows people to use the outdoors again and it greatly reduces the chance of disease.” Reinhardt explains.

    Though it is especially designed to kill mosquitoes, the bug spray applied to gardens and yards gets rid of many other pests as well. Ticks are another major disease-spreading pest that can be eliminated from homes. Known to cause Lyme Disease and other diseases, ticks causes serious health issues in tens of thousands of people each year. These parasitic arachnids are common in any wooded or grassy area, but can be eliminated with the use of a barrier spray or misting system. The Mosquito Squad has more tips on how to get rid of mosquitoes and ticks on the website.

    For more information or to schedule a visit from the mosquito squad visit http://fayetteville.mosquitoesquad.com or call 910-779-2656.

    Photo: The Mosquito Squad is a local company that can get rid of what bugs you.

  • uac082113001.gif The fifth season of Huske Unplugged starts on Sept. 4, and if the past four seasons are any indication of the talent that is likely to participate, Fayetteville is in for a treat. While there are several venues for musicians to perform locally, Huske Unplugged is a platform for songwriters (many of whom also happen to be performers). Last season ended with a bang as both local and national sponsors awarded prizes worth more than $20,000.


    Huske Hardware House owner Josh Collins has been a strong supporter of the event since its inception when he offered $2,000 of his own money as the prize. Last season, PCG Nashville, an agency that helps professionally develop artists of all genres awarded a $15,000 scholarship to their program, Reed Lallier Chevrolet offered $3,000 or a one-year car lease and Manifold Recording offered free recording time. Through the entire season the audience was treated to a variety of music by songwriters with varying levels of experience and expertise. In the end, Autumn Nicholas won the scholarship category and Ethan Hanson won the cash award category - and truly the biggest winners were the people who came out week after week to encourage and listen to the songwriters.

    Sponsors are stepping up to support the participants. Mike Tiemann of Manifold Recording has confirmed that they will once again be a sponsor for Huske Unplugged Singer/Songwriter Night. The songwriter awarded best overall performance will receive a day of free recording at the state-of-the-art facility in Pittsboro. There will also be cash prizes each week and at the conclusion of the season.

    As in previous seasons, there are eight weeks of preliminaries. Wednesday nights at 7 p.m., the sign-up sheet goes out. Performances start at 8 p.m. There are 12 available slots each week. The winner walks away with a cash prize and a spot in the semi-finals. Songwriters should come prepared to perform two to three songs, one of which can be a cover song.

    "Songwriters come to this with different levels of experience," said Greg Biltz, cohost and cofounder of the event. "Sometimes one song is all they've written, and we still want to give them a chance to be heard."
    There are two weeks of semi-finals leading up to the big night on Nov. 20. Throughout the competition Biltz has made sure that the event remains focused on the songwriters and the work they put into their compositions.

    "This is not American Idol Fayetteville," said Biltz. "This showcase is about songwriters. Not every songwriter is a natural performer, and we want to keep this about content. We've had some amazing talent come out in the past four seasons and I hope to see some familiar faces, along with plenty of new faces, this time around."

    In the past four seasons combined, 96 songwriters have participated. Only one, Nicholas, has won both the cash prize category and the scholarship category. That means there is a chance that the audience will get to see some of their favorites come out again since winners are only able to win each category once, at the current time.

    An advocate for local musicians, Biltz is impressed with the talent in the area and has been blown away time and again with the many musical acts and what they have to offer.

    "Our very fist winner, Nathan Fair, opened for Lynyrd Skynyrd at Sturgis this year," said Biltz. "He said they asked him to come back next year, too."
    Nicholas has been to Nashville as part of winning the scholarship category last season. "I went to Nashville to watch Autumn. It was her first appearance as a PCG Nashville client," said Biltz. "She blew everyone away."

    While Ethan Hanson won last season in the cash award category, the execs from PCG Nashville were reaching out to him, too, on the night of the finals. While there were several top-notch performers at the finals in April, Biltz called Hanson's victory a well-deserved win. "There were some people that I thought had a good chance, but then Ethan came in and just ate everybody's lunch," he said.

    Casey Cotton competed last season and has put together a group that is building quite a following around town.

    "Casey is the best keyboard player I have seen in 30 years. He is a showman," said Biltz. "He puts on a good show and he knows how to connect with the audience. His music is  upbeat and hard to describe. They do some fairly well-known pieces, but the way they put it together is different and fresh."

    Mitch Clark is another crowd-pleaser that Biltz hopes to see at Huske Unplugged. "He has been a finalist in all four events and he is coming along phenomenally as well," said Biltz. "He is really developing as a songwriter. In 2011, he had never written a song before and he came in third place."

    With so many talented writers and performers it's hard to tell who may or may not show, but Biltz is excited to see what this season brings.

    "I've said from the beginning, and I tell everybody who shows up to play that this isn't about the money or winning a prize," said Biltz. "It's about an opportunity to have your original work heard. It is a chance to play your own songs in front of people who are interested in hearing them. Shoot, if I weren't hosting I'd be up there every week just to get my material heard."

    Huske Hardware House owners Josh and Tonia Collins have been supporters of local musicians for years. In fact, their daughter, Summer Collins, has graced the stage at Huske Hardware, Festival Park and other local venues since she was in middle school. Thanks to her family's support and her talent and hard work, Summer is yet another success story in the Fayetteville music scene.


    "I am finally heading west to Nashville, Tenn., to attend Belmont University as a commercial music major," she said. "I will be working with masters of the industry and surrounded by inspiration. I am anxious to dive into the Music City culture and driven to make Fayetteville proud."


    Season five of Huske Unplugged starts, Wednesday, Sept. 4 at Huske Hardware House. Check the Huske Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HuskeHardware for more information.

  • 08_21_13lafayette-society.gifDuring the Revolutionary War, the French played a huge part in securing victory for the United States. One man more than any other stands out as a hero and a leader, our town's namesake, the Marquis de Lafayette. In honor of this hero of the American Revolution, and our namesake, starting Sept. 6, the Lafayette Birthday Celebration ensues.


    To kick-off the celebration, Lieutenant General Russel L. Honorè will speak as part of the Lafayette Leaderhip Speaker Series. General Honorè is famous for his management of the Hurricane Katrina aftermath. He is now a public speaker about emergency preparedness and leadership in modern day America. The lecture is free to the public and is on Sept. 6 at 11 a.m. until 11:50 a.m. in the Reeves Auditorium at Methodist University, 5400 Ramsey St.

    There are a number of events over the weekend for people to enjoy. They are family friendly, and the majority are completely free to the public.

    "There is the Lafayette Trail tour where people retrace the steps of Lafayette's visit in 1825. Kids can go with their parents to Wine, Paint and Canvas and paint an Eiffel Tower. For people who like sports there is a 3K pooch run and fencing - an open fencing tournament at the All American Fencing Academy. There is something for everyone. There will be sidewalk sales and entertainment in the streets," Hank Parfitt, the event organizer said.

    Wine, Paint and Canvas will offer the paint your own Eiffel Tower from 1:30-3:30 p.m. on Sept. 8. It costs $30 for adults and $20 for children. For more information, call 483-0433. Wine and Canvas is located at 3350 Footbridge Ln.

    The sidewalk sale is also on Sept. 8 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., all throughout downtown Fayetteville. For more information, visit www.lafayettesociety.org/sidewalk-sale.php.

    The 3K Dog Jog and a 5K Road Race will begin behind the Medical Arts Building at Hay Street and Bragg Boulevard. The race starts at 9 a.m. on Sept. 8. The Lafayette Open Fencing Tournament is the fourth annual tournament. It begins at 10 a.m. and will last until 3 p.m. at the All American Fencing Academy, 201 Donaldson St. For more information, call 644-0137.

    The Marquis de Lafayette is a huge part of American History, and though cities all over the United States bear his name, Fayetteville, N.C., is the only one ever visited by the man himself. One of the most popular events of the birthday celebration each year is the guided tour of the Lafayette trail. "Bruce Daws, the city historian and commander of the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry, which is the second oldest private militia in the nation, will guide people through the route Lafayette took when he visited Fayetteville. He will be wearing the uniform that the militia would have been wearing in 1825, when Lafayette visited." Parfitt said. Before the tour there will be coffee and croissants and afterwards there will be a great lunch catered by Circa 1800. A new addition to the tour this year is the local landmark The Cool Springs Tavern. Tickets are $3 and are available by calling 678-8899 or at City Center Gallery & Books at 112 Hay St.

    For more information, visit www.lafayettesociety.org/events.php. 

  • 08_21_13soldiershow.gifGet set to be entertained by "Ready and Resilient," the 2013 U.S. Army Soldier Show as it comes to the Crown Theatre Sept. 3-4.


    The 75-minute song-and-dance production by active duty, Army Reserve and Army National Guard Soldiers uses music to put an entertaining spin on how Soldiers and their families maintain readiness and resiliency.
    "We had to take a good look at what the Army says makes troops and their families ready and resilient and what mechanisms the country and the world in general are offering to help with resilience," said Soldier Show Artistic Director Victor Hurtado. "And helping with readiness because you know there's a good chance that you're going back out again, so you better be ready.

    "The show is very much about illustrating not only ways to get away and be resilient, but also illustrating overarching solutions to certain issues that are facing the military today, like [the Army's Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program], Gold Star, Blue Star and Survivor Outreach Services," Hurtado said.

    The show's troops are focused on accomplishing the mission and providing quality entertainment at the same time.

    "The material makes sense with the messaging, and it also makes sense to them," Hurtado said of the 15 Soldier-performers and seven Soldier-technicians who comprise the cast and crew. "We're also going to be entertaining. We're going to be singing songs just because they are on the radio."

    Hurtado promises there is something for everyone who watches the show. Tributes are paid to the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, the 75th anniversary of "God Bless America," the 60th anniversary of the Armistice of the Korean War, and the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Vietnam War. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the modern era of the U.S. Army Soldier Show.

    "Every American, military-affiliated or not, will be able to see themselves in the show," Hurtado said. "The fact that the show is entertaining someone is already taking them away [from their mindset], but the messaging is going to inspire. We know they are coming to be entertained, but further, the content in the show is designed to hopefully be a time-released pool of inspiration."

    From the opening song, "Let's Go" by Calvin Harris, the direction of the show is set.

    "There's a lyric in there that we've taken almost all of our cues from, and it says it's not about where you've been, it's about where you're going," Hurtado said.
    "To me, as the artistic director and the writer of the show, that's where I'm taking my cues from," Hurtado said. "Resilience is about the now. And readiness is about getting ready for the future. Not much you can do about the past. We're not painting a rosy picture, but resilience, again, is about moving on."
    Hurtado does not want to reveal too much about the show, insisting this is one not to miss.

    "The mechanism is really brilliant, so if we give too much of it away, they are going to be expecting it," Hurtado said. "Arguably and humbly, I will say this is going to probably go down as one of the more well thought-out shows, and there are a lot of reasons for it."

    The shows are free, and start at 7 p.m.

  • 08_21_13city-of-fayetteville-seal.gifThis past Saturday I attended the first of what will hopefully be many more candidate forums for the office of mayor of our fine city. This forum was hosted by the Cumberland County Citizens United organization in western Fayetteville, which originally formed to fight Fayetteville's "Big Bang" annexation a few years ago.


    Needless to say, that was a failed endeavor.

    The overall turnout was disappointing. Some estimate about 100 people showed up to hear the candidates; when you take out the five mayoral candidates, their families and the media, I'm not sure the turnout was all that impressive. Maybe about 60 people.

    However, I was pleased to see two Cumberland County Commissioners there, Billy R. King and Ed Melvin. I have always felt that Fayetteville would benefit from a closer relationship with Cumberland County officials.
    In any case, all five mayoral candidates did show up present and accounted for. That, in the end, was the real problem for me. In attendance were the three serious mayoral candidates: Val Applewhite, current city council member, Air Force veteran, businesswoman and mother of two; Kirk deViere local business owner, business man, community volunteer and past chair of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerc; and Nat Robertson, lifetime resident, local businessman and former two-term city council member.

    The other not-so-serious candidates present were CCCU founder Charles Regan and past city council member Paul Williams. Both of these gentlemen will be on the ballot for mayor but by their own volition only serve as posers* (*short for impostors, i.e. posing as something you are not) since neither are serious mayoral candidates.

    Combined, their responses, statements, postures and positions on issues facing the City of Fayetteville would have been comical and even laughable if the circumstances were not so serious. Their performance on Saturday begged the question: What were they doing there?

    Honestly, both these candidates have come out and declared that they are NOT serious candidates for the office of  Mayor of Fayetteville.  Neither has any intention of actively campaigning or soliciting for the position.
    So why are they taking up space at a citizen forum dealing with serious issues concerning the future of the City of Fayetteville? After all, just because they can scrape up $24 in sofa change to pay the filing fee does not entitle them to make a mockery of this democratically protected American right - or to create a distraction to the process that many feel is vitally important to our city's future at this very moment.

    This mayoral race (or any electoral race) should not be used as a buffoon's personal platform to draw attention to themselves by creating a continuous eight-week rant just to get their name in the newspaper or an invitation to a radio talk show to promote a business or for creating their own personal public forum for whining, complaining, criticizing and pontificating over circumstances and situations for which they have no remedy or intention of solution. Sad.  

    In any case, it is my opinion that these types of shenanigans are not needed or wanted in this race where loyalty, honesty and ability will come together to define the type of person capable of providing the residents of the City of Fayetteville a mayor who can effectively lead our city. There is no place for Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello or Dumb and Dumber. We all can look elsewhere for our comic relief.


    With that being said, what is the solution? Easy. Don't invite them! That's right. If, through their very own words and deeds they have admitted they are not serious candidates then they should not be invited to participate in the forums. The hosts of these forums should invite only the serious candidates (Applewhite, deViere, Robertson) and let the time and efforts be wisely spent educating the public on how they plan to lead and improve our city. People who attend these forums want to hear what they have to say about crime, jobs, taxes, roads, transportation, PWC, storm water and the other important issues facing our community, all of which I deem serious.

    A $24 filing fee does not give these irreverent posers the right to waste the valuable time of our voters by distracting and confusing the issues when we have so much of importance to talk about. For what it is worth, here are a few other comments and recommendations about future forums:


    1. Have closing comments. Each candidate should have a chance to make a final statement.

    2. Ditch fluff questions. Pose hard, fair but relevant questions on serious, relevant subjects that demand specific answers.

     3. Let the audience ask questions to specific candidates then give other candidates an opportunity to comment.

    4. With a moderator, let the candidates pose questions to each other. Hey, this could be where the real fun is.

    I'll close by thanking you for reading Up & Coming Weekly and by congratulating and saying "thank you" to Val Applewhite, Kirk deViere and Nat Robertson for taking up the challenge to serve and improve our city. Vote!

  • 08_21_13shampoo.gifA smart, but frustrated, chum rang up recently with an unusual complaint that resonated with me. We Americans simply have too many choices. We have so many choices, she suggests, that choosing among our myriad options has become actual work.


    All of us research our major purchases. No one ever buys a car without researching it in some way. We do not go to a car dealership and say, for example, "I want to buy a blue car." Even writing that sounds absurd, much less doing it. Instead we decide what sort of vehicle we want - sedan, station wagon (moi!), SUV, pick-up truck - how much we want to spend on whatever we have chosen and perhaps what brand we prefer. We read and talk to other people. Then we go out to find the vehicle we want and haggle with the sales staff until we cut a deal.


    Not so with lesser consumer items. Take shampoo. Have you cruised what is generally called the "Hair Care" aisle lately? It is smorgasbord of colors and sizes, products for normal hair, oily hair, damaged hair, colored hair, aging hair, thinning hair, curly hair and on and on. Products at eye level - how they got that cherished spot is anyone's guess - may sell more because they are the obvious and easy grab, but if you actually look around, confusion reigns. How can a shopper know what is the right product for his/her young or old, curly or straight, dry or oily, flowing or skimpy tresses? If you survive the great shampoo hunt, you may feel the need for a hair conditioner. And about a styling product? Gel or spray? Mousse, perhaps? Do you go for the same brand in all these products or do you mix and match? If so, how do you choose which shampoo goes with which conditioner, much less which styling goo?


    You are getting the idea. The whole thing is a lot of work not because hair products are unique in and of themselves, but because there are so darn many of them.


    Ditto for face cream, hand cream, toothpaste, shaving cream and just about every other "personal care" item you can imagine. We are drowning in choices.

    And, my friend insisted, do not even get her started on wine options! In the olden days before Americans took up wine quaffing with an enthusiasm unmatched even in Europe, most of us thought we had two choices - red or white, and the occasional pink one, which, if we were feeling sophisticated, we referred to as a rosé.

    My, how times have changed! My neighborhood grocery has an entire wine section, bigger even than the beer display, which must be a shock for some of the good-old-boys. There are chardonnays from California and France, champagnes from France, proseccos from Italy, malbecs from Argentina and Chile, merlots, pinot grigios, pinot noirs, sauvignon blancs, cabernet sauvingnons, bordeauxs - all from many different regions of the world, along with traditional chiantis and chabillis. It is all a bit much for a shopper who simply wants to find a wine to serve dinner guests Saturday night. He or she is going to have to work hard to avoid making an embarrassing vino faux pas.

    The choice problem is certainly not a problem on the scale of, say, world peace, but it is frustrating and confusing. I know that specialty stores maintain knowledgeable staffs who can help us decide what suits our needs and our pocketbooks, and they can indeed be instructive. The cold hard reality for many shoppers, though, is that many of us are busy, doing all this on the fly as we juggle our other responsibilities and obligations. Devoting significant chunks of time to what our hair may be hankering for or finding the perfect after-dinner sherry just is not in the cards for most of us on a regular basis.

    So what are we to do? For personal care items, wines and lots of other things, this consumer takes to the Internet to read reviews posted by other people who have tried whatever it might be. This is not a foolproof system, as we all have different needs and different tastes. I find the practice helpful, though, as fellow consumers can be brutally honest as in "this blouse is made of really cheap fabric and makes you look fat." or "this cream smells like motor oil," realities advertising faithfully overlooks.

    Happy shopping!

  • 081413truman-ucw-with-magic-hat.gifMagic has tantalized the public for generations, providing entertainment and wonder for millions across the globe. One thing that magic is not commonly related to however, is education. As most people know, “a good magician never reveals his secrets.” Kidsville News! is changing that though, with a new take on magic shows.


    Kidsville News! and the Kidsville News Literacy & Education Foundation are partnering with the Crown to present Truman’s Mystical Magical Adventure, featuring The Amazing Vandoren. This show promises to be not only fun, but also educational and beneficial to the community. Kristy Sykes, the event marketing consultant says “Net proceeds from this event will go to the Kidsville News Literacy and Educational Foundation to continue providing educational community programs for our youth.”

    The magic show is an event that the whole family can enjoy. The Amazing Vandoren has been performing for years, and just as his name suggests, he will amaze the crowd. Truman will also attend the magic show.
    “He will greet everyone as they walk into the show and he will actually be on stage assisting The Amazing Vandoren,” Sykes said.

    For schools, shows will take place Oct. 3-4. There are two shows each day at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Each school that attends will receive a donation of $1 per attending student. Tickets cost $8 per student.

    Principals, teachers, chaperones and bus drivers get in free. The school with the most students attending will also win a Truman’s Magic show, starring The Amazing Vandoren, for their entire school. Each student who attends the show will also receive an autographed photo of Truman and The Amazing Vandoren. Schools can book shows by having a school representative call 484-6200. The show is open for schools in Cumberland, Hoke, Harnett, Lee, Sampson and Robeson counties.


    There are also public performances, with an evening show on Oct. 4, at 7 p.m., and an afternoon show on Oct. 5, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for children 12 and under. There are also special group rates and military discounts offered. It is requested that large groups make reservations. All tickets for family shows can be purchased by calling 484-6200 or through ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com/Crown-Center-tickets-Fayetteville/venue/115005. Tickets can also be purchased at the Crown Box Office. All shows will be held in the Crown, at 1960 Coliseum Drive.


    The Kidsville News Literacy & Education Foundation’s mission is to “improve literacy, education and character development among America’s young children by providing support for various early literacy and learning-based initiatives nationwide.” Since 1998, one way the foundation has done that is through Kidsville News! This child-focused publication is a free resource for grades kindergarten to fifth grade that is distributed to schools across the nation. Currently, 1.4 million people are reached by Kidsville News! every month.


    To sponsor or donate to Truman’s Mystical Magical Adventure contact Kristy Sykes at 484-6200 or kristy@upandcomingweekly.com.
    “Donations will help cover the cost for underprivileged students who otherwise would not be able to come,” Sykes said.

  • 081413pub-notes.gifThis past week, a lot of talk and a lot of newsprint has been dedicated to talking about the need to revitalize the Bragg Boulevard and Murchison Road corridor, particularly where it intersects with Fayetteville State University. Additionally, Fayetteville State University Chancellor James Anderson called for a closer tie between the university and the city. None of this is new news.


    When I moved to Fayetteville in 1997, people were talking about the same things. Everyone agreed that it was important work. It was work that needed to be done. And we all went about our business doing other necessary work. At that time, the city's attention was focused on downtown. People gathered to watch the old strip clubs on Hay Street fall to the wrecking ball and newer edifices like city hall, the police department and later, the Airborne and Special Operations Museum take their place. This was revitalization at its finest.


    Residents gawked as brave investors began pumping money into downtown. The brave among us attended the first of the 4th Friday events, happy when we got back in our cars with no mishaps. And slowly, downtown became a reality. It was work, hard work. Those involved in the lion's share of that work, people like Robin Kelly-Legg, endured the cynicism and the rebuffs from established business owners, but kept pushing to make it a reality.


    In 1998, WRAL ran a story about the revitalization of downtown: Years of planning, fundraising and taking risks is paying off, as downtown Fayetteville makes a comeback. You may not be able to see it from the street yet, but inside many downtown Fayetteville buildings, there is quite a bit of restoration going on. And, it doesn't come cheaply.


    "Mike Pinkston owns the Climbing Place. One year ago, he invested his life savings in the indoor-climbing business. His hope was that if he built it, they would come - even if customers would have to come to a decaying downtown Fayetteville. Luckily, private cash has resulted in an uptick for the heart of the city.

    "Since the spring of 1996, more than $24 million has been invested here by the private sector. The Fayetteville Partnership's Robin Kelly-Legg says that those investors are seeing healthy returns.
    "Pinkston is so pleased, he is expanding his business. And, others have big plans as well.

    "The investor of the Huske Hardware House brew pub will have spent more than $4.5 million dollars, once the floors above the restaurant are turned into apartments (That still hasn't happened). The Radisson Prince Charles is also spending about $4 million for a new nine-story tower. (That also didn't happen, although development plans are underway.) "Officials with the Fayetteville Partnership believe the money is coming, because people believe its Vision Plan is going to work."

    There are some key things in this 15-year-old story about downtown that are missing when it comes to revitalizing Bragg Boulevard and Murchison Road.


    First, there was a key entity - The Fayetteville Partnership was tagged with pushing revitalization efforts in downtown. And, there was a point person - Kelly-Legg. Her office lived and breathed downtown. More importantly, she had a passion for it and put her heart and soul into it. There is no lightning rod, no one-source that can be tagged for the revitalization of Bragg and Murchison. Certainly Chancellor Anderson cannot be that person and no one in the city is stepping up to the plate.

    Secondly, there was a vast investment of private money going into the downtown area, as noted in the story, more than $24 million in private funding. We can't even get anyone to open a restaurant or hotel adjacent to a college campus. That should be easy. Students eat. Their families who come to visit need a place to stay near the campus. Why won't investors bite? Take a look at the crime rate and take a look at the surrounding neighborhoods. (Which again, scream revitalization.)

    Finally, what's missing in the call for revitalization of these blighted areas is belief. People do not believe that Bragg Boulevard or the Murchison Road corridor can change, and where there is no belief, there is no action.

    For these areas to change, we need at least one true believer who will spearhead the effort and put in the work necessary to make it happen. Who will step into that role?

  • 081413cover.gif Those already familiar with Cape Fear Regional Theatre's top-notch productions anticipate the new theater season much the same way kids look forward to summer vacation each year. From the theatre's earliest days, founding director Bo Thorpe made careful selections for each season, inspired performers to give their all and delivered well-produced, award-winning plays to the community. As the organization has grown and transitioned through the years, it has continued to provide some of the best theatre productions in the region. When Tom Quaintance joined the team in 2011, stepping into Thorpe's role as artistic director, the theatre continued to flourish.


    At the official announcement of the 2013-2014 theatre season, Quaintance reminded the audience that CFRT's motto and guiding principle is "Great stories told here." He added that "Great stories bring us together, bridge gaps between generations and cultures, inspire us, excite our imaginations and give us the opportunity to share what is important in our lives."

    The season opens on Sept. 19 with an adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince. The story was first published in French in 1943. "It is truly a tale for all ages - a fantastic journey through the stars for kids and a path for adults to remember what is important. As the wise fox said to the little prince ‘It is only with the heart that one can see wisely what is essential is invisible to the eye.'"

    The CRFT crew is already hard at work prepping for this gem. In fact, they have a few new tricks up their sleeve for the audience. "There are so many cool things about this play," said Quaintance. "We are working on a lift that will raise the Little Prince's planet so that it grows out of the stage. There are several very talented musicians in this. There will be live music and original compositions."

    Quaintance sees this as a story for adults in a kid-friendly format, noting that this play will bring out the child in everyone. "This really is a family show and something that parents can enjoy with their children," Quaintance said.

    Next in the line up is Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. This Tony Award-winning masterpiece is set in London and features dark humor and wit. Drama and horror mingle with beautiful songs with humorous lyrics. Quaintance called the piece Shakespearean in scope, ambition and execution. The piece runs through Nov. 17 and will be directed by Quaintance.
    "I was lucky enough to work on this piece in Chapel Hill over the summer, so it is fresh in my mind and will be much bigger than I first envisioned when we decided to do this play," said Quaintance.

    A long time favorite, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever returns to the stage Dec. 5-15 for school performances and Dec. 3-13 for public performances. This show has been a part of the CFRT holiday repertoire for more than 20 years and includes local and regional actors in rotating casts.

    "One thing that really strikes me about this play is that every year when we have a couple hundred kids come out to audition, if you ask them why they want to be in The Best Christmas Pagaent Ever they always say that Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without BCPE," said Quaintance.

    There is plenty to do around the holidays in Fayetteville, but not too many adult-centric activities. That all changes this holiday season. The SantaLand Diaries by David Sedaris, runs Dec. 6, 7, 13 and 14. This is a holiday treat for grown-ups and will play during the weekend evenings of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, only later. The play is a comedic look at Sedaris's tenure working as a Macy's SantaLand elf. Local actor, Michael Thrash carries this one man show.

    "This is a really funny show that is a little racy, but definitely something worth seeing," said Quaintance. "We are running it later in the evening after the BCPE performances are over and the kids have all gone home."
    Fiddler on the Roof won nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical. A production that covers a wide range of emotions, this production will include the efforts of award-winning director and choreographer Gary John LaRosa. With more than 25 years in the theatre, La Rosa has more than 200 productions under his belt, including performances in the 25th and 30th anniversary productions of Fiddler on the Roof on Broadway and national tour. He's been a part of more than two dozen productions of the play around the world.

    "One of the things I really like about LaRosa is that he has a lot of experience with Fiddler on the Roof, but he is interested in producing it for the community we are in. This is one of the greatest musicals of all time and it has not been on the stage here since 1971. It's time," said Quaintance. "Sometimes people forget how deep and meaningful the story is, how change can be difficult, tradition is important and how hard it is to face the pressures to abandon deeply-held beliefs."

    This classic musical based on Joseph Steins book and Sholem Aleichem's stories by special permission of Arnold Perl, opens on Jan. 23 and runs through Feb. 16.
    August Wilson's The Piano Lesson opens March 6 and runs through March 23. This drama will be the main stage production of CFRT's 18th Annual Classic Theatre Series. More than 1,500 students from Cumberland County Schools will receive free tickets to see this show. This production is an important component in the CFRT's goal to bring stories that the entire community can appreciate to the stage.

    In the past, this production was performed off site for students, but this year the CFRT has made it a part of the regular season as well. "As a nonprofit we have a responsibility to do good in the community and this show is the most important work we do all year," said Quaintance.

    The CFRT staff met with the Cumberland County School System and coordinated this show with the 11th grade reading curriculum. All the 11th graders in CCS will read The Piano Lesson this year and will have a chance to see the play.

    "We added it to the regular season not only because it is a great play written by one of the great African-American playwrights," said Quaintance, "but also because we hope that the students will see it and their parents will come see it too, and that they will  be able to have an ongoing conversation at home."

    April 17-May 4 don't miss John Buchanan's The 39 Steps. An Olivier Award Winner: Best Comedy and Drama Desk Award Winner: Unique Theatrical Experience, The 39 Steps mixes the suspense of a Hitchcock masterpiece with the quirky humor of Monty Python for a fast-paced who-dun-it that is sure to please, according to Quaintance. The script includes more than 150 characters and will be played by a cast of four performers. Nick Minas will direct.

    The season comes to a close with the Rivershow - Return to the Forbidden Planet. The website describes this production as take one plot (Shakespeare's The Tempest), one B movie (Forbidden Planet) and for added flavor plunder the entire Shakespearean cannon for dialogue (the more pungent the plagiarism, the more piquant the final effect). Filled with favorites like "Wipeout," "Young Girl" and "Monster Mash," the show runs from May 15-25.

    This is Quaintance's second full season as the Artistic Director at CFRT. Since his arrival in Fayetteville, ticket sales are up 40 percent and the theatre is in the enviable position of selling out shows on a regular basis.
    "Some people tend to wait till the last minute to purchase their tickets and they have found themselves unable to attend," said Leslie Flom, of the theatre staff.
    The best way to counter that situation is to purchase season tickets, which are also cheaper than box office prices.

    "One of the things that consistently surprises people is how varied our program is," said Quaintance. "A lot of people think we just do musicals, but we are more than that... we do dramas, comedies, you name it. Our goal is for the entire community to feel welcome and excited about what they will find here. Fayetteville is a diverse community and there are not too many places for everyone to come together. We want this to be one of the places where everyone can come together."

    Find out more about CFRT and the upcoming season at www.cfrt.org.

  • 081413margaret.gif

    ...And the Pursuit of Happiness

    Okay, I know I did not come up with those iconic and much-loved words.


    Thomas Jefferson did. He penned them into our nation’s Declaration of Independence, giving form to the yearnings of people who would ban together to create a new nation and signaling hope to others all around the world — even today. As a schoolgirl first learning about our Declaration of Independence, I wondered why, if happiness were an “inalienable right”— as Jefferson put it, why was I not always happy? Why was I happy some days, unhappy at other times and just blah in between the highs and the lows?

    What young Margaret was overlooking are the key words, “the pursuit of.” Jefferson was not saying that all people have a right to be happy. He articulated that we have a right to try to be happy.

    Splitting hairs? Not really.

    But what is happiness and is it good for us?

    Happiness is certainly different for all of us, but for me it often involves spending time with family and friends, knowing that the people I love are safe, well and seemingly happy themselves. I experience what I feel as happiness, for example, around the dining table with people I care for as we share ideas, stories and each other’s lives. Good food, often prepared together, enhances the experience. I suspect most people have similar definitions of happiness — not so much winning the lottery as enjoying ordinary life with those we most care about.

    That may not be the ultimate happiness, though.

    Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and University of California, Los Angeles released results of a study earlier this month indicating that all happiness is not created equal — that some kinds of happiness are better for us than others. It sounds like if we want to be both happy and healthy, we need to focus less on our own happiness and more on that of others.

    The researchers found that while we cannot measure our emotions, including happiness, the way we measure height and weight, they do have physical components. Happiness can improve our health in various ways, reducing our risk of heart disease, stroke, maybe even cancer. But, they say, the kind of happiness I find being in the company of loved ones is really a self-centered form of happiness that makes my immune system act as if it were under stress, which is not usually a good thing. Long-term stress is known to weaken our immune systems, leaving them more vulnerable to all sorts of diseases. We cannot see all of this, of course, because it is a swirling chemical mix that affects our bodies for good or for ill, but science tells us it is real, nonetheless.

    Happiness focused on others or on one’s own purpose in life, however, causes a positive reaction in our immune systems.

    Most of us have experienced such happiness although we might not have realized what a positive force it is in our bodies. I think about a third grader I once tutored whose reading improved as I helped him. I think about a single mother and her children whom my family “adopted” one Christmas, and a horse my daughter and I found running loose on a rural road. She caught him and we returned him safely to his own barn.
    I did not love that 3rd grader or the single mother the way I love my family and friends, and I was actually a bit nervous around the horse who was much, much bigger than my daughter and me. But I did feel good about helping in each instance, and that is the kind of happiness the researchers say is positive for our health.

    UNC psychology professor Barb Fredrickson, the primary author of the study, says there are many ways to find happiness, all of which are important to our well-being. She has found meaning in her own life by writing books using her scientific expertise but meant to help a broad audience. “This is my way to make a positive contribution to society,” Fredrickson says. “And it makes me feel good, too.”

    Fredrickson adds that much is left to be learned about happiness and that the key to good health over the long haul may be balancing different kinds of happiness.

    This sounds like another example of what everyone’s mother told us growing up — that moderation in all things is the secret
    of life.


    And it may be confirmation, yet again, of why we should do unto others as we would have them do unto us.

  • Common Sense and Civility, Please

    From my early childhood, I have been a political junkie. Yes, I will admit it, I am probably one of the only third graders who watched both party’s national conventions — not because we didn’t have cable and there was nothing on — but because I thought they were cool.

    And yes, when I was in college, I spent one weekend every month participating in the North Carolina Student Legislature debating issues that were of importance to our state and country. And yes, while in high school, I was on the parliamentary procedures team and know Robert’s Rules forward and backwards. So you can guess that with the political season getting underway in our fair city and state, I am avidly watching and listening to what candidates have to say.

    08-07-13-pub-notes.gifAnd I am somewhat saddened.

    We have only just begun the season and already the claws are out and the nastiness has started. I don’t want you to tell me what’s wrong with your opponent, I want you to tell me what’s right about you. I can figure out what’s wrong with both of you. I want to see campaigns that offer real solutions, not campaigns that simply slam their opponent’s ideas. That’s easy. Showing me how you will fix a problem is the hard part.

    I also want candidates who know the left and right limits of what they can and cannot do in the office to which they aspire. I do not want a candidate running for the school board to tell me they will decrease the size of my child’s class. That’s just not possible. I also don’t want candidates running for mayor to tell me they will lower the national debt, bring world peace and solve global warming. I want them to tell me how they will 관ght crime in our city, bring jobs to our community and run our city like a business. Anything else and you are just blowing smoke. I know it. The other voters know it, and hopefully so do you.

    I also want candidates to be educated — primarily on the jobs they are hoping to take on — but also on how other factors impact that job. I would be lying if I didn’t add that I also want you to know how to put together a cogent, well-thought-out plan for what you hope to achieve while in office.

    And, while I am at it, I want you to serve the term you are elected for to the best of your ability and not spend that time in office campaigning for another term or for another office. If I’ve wasted my precious vote on you, you better make it worth my while.

    I also expect you to act in a civil manner not only to those who support you, but also to those who do not. Denigrating someone because they don’t share your opinion is a mark of true ignorance. I listen to those who are so far removed from what I believe and try to take something away from what they say, because they might just have something worth hearing.

    I beg of you to let common sense reign in all that you say and do. Don’t make big promises and write checks that your office and position can’t cash. That does nothing but muddy the waters and confuse people who really are just searching for answers.As noted in the movie The American President, if you are running for office, then be prepared to lead. We as a community are thirsty for leadership — and while you may be able to confuse some people into believing what you are offering is just that — some of us will see past that if you don’t know what leadership really is.

    In the coming months, you will see a lot about campaigns in the pages of this paper — just look to the next page. We will allow all candidates to express their views. So don’t hammer us because you think we are too liberal or too conservative. We aren’t. We are simply members of the Fourth Estate who want our community to see all sides of the issue.

    My love for politics has not dimmed with age, but I no longer view it through the eyes of a child. I see it for what it is — a sometimes dirty necessity that is one of the greatest freedoms that we have.

    This political season, inform yourselves. Educate yourselves and, yes, this is my 30-second sound bite, vote. It’s not a right, it’s a privilege.

  • 08-07-13-artist.gifMichael Solovey is not your average artist. He does not sit, excluded from the rest of society, in a personal studio constructing his next Michelangelo-esque masterpiece to be auctioned off at some wealthy estate. No, Solovey is a member of the military who has served throughout the world in areas like Bosnia and Afghanistan. He uses his experiences to inspire creativity and form a powerful work ethic that can be inspirational for us all. Residents will be given the opportunity to view his work at Gallery 208 anytime during the business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Up & Coming Weekly office.

    Whether it be a commission by an Army unit or a personal project he creates for himself, he explains his way of approaching artwork on his website www.soloveyart.com.

    “Success equals fulfillment. And to me, fulfilment is the combination of three very specific ideals that must be constantly pursued,” Solovey says. “Probably the most rewarding concept for me is to ‘build something from nothing’ — whether that be a business, to composing a piece of artwork, to designing, engineering and then building an automobile from the ground-up. All the while, pouring every ounce of your energy, talent and heart into that specific initiative or ideal.”

    The Solovey Art Collection’s vision is clear: Give back to the community and create artwork with passion and attention to detail.

    Solovey continues to describe his experience as a writer.Solovey continues by describing what it means to share his work. “Then there is the process of taking that end product(s) and sharing it. And then hopefully, others will feed from it and find inspiration that carries over into their respective pursuits. Then take it a step further - and mentor those junior to you — especially, in my case, younger artists.”

    There’s no doubt that younger artists have a reason to look up to Solovey’s work and philosophy. He defines the American dream and success through his artwork.

    One might categorize Solovey’s work as military art but there is so much more. Solovey caters to a wide variety of art subjects whether it be old automobiles to paintings of people and locations. Solovey is also known for his sculpture, architectural renderings, landscapes and fine-art commissions.

    Do not miss the opportunity to see Solovey’s work yourself. Bring along any art lover and you’ll be sure to find something to appreciate in this tribute of hard work and dedication. The exhibit is free.

    Call 484-6200 for more information.

    Photo: Jingle Truck is a depiction of the vehicles that are commonly seen in Afghanistan.

  • 08-07-13-mudbog.gifBig trucks, small trucks, old trucks, new trucks and mud trucks. No, this isn’t a Dr. Seuss story, but the scene of Aug. 10 at the Outback Motorsports Complex in Laurinburg. The Mud Bog Run will raise money in support of the local Spring Hill Fire Department so that the firefighters can better equip themselves to save lives and homes. Additionally, some of the money will be donated to Relay For Life.

    The Mud Bog Run is what one might expect. ATVs, dirt bikes and trucks are welcomed to tear up the mud track for an evening of unadulterated, mud-slinging fun. Mudding became popular in the ‘70s throughout the United States and Canada and still remains immensely popular today.

    “It’s cool to see the guys go through mud bogs. It’s pretty popular to a lot of people. We’ll have a three-acre pond in the back, too. We’ll have a little bit of mud wrestling and a little bit of everything,” said Mike Evock, owner of Outback Motorsports Complex.

    “It’s a good, family-oriented event and park,” Evock said. “It’s an event for people to get together, have some food, have a good time and have fun.”

    While enjoying the mud bog, pick up some concessions and enjoy the DJ at the event as well. Also, there will be a bouncy house for the kids to enjoy.

    This is the first Mud Bog Run in support of the Spring Hill Fire Department. The money raised will help the department buy more firefighting equipment as well as aid their construction efforts in adding to the department’s new building. The Mud Bog Run is the perfect social event to have a great time and support a good cause. If this is your first mud bog run and you’d like to participate directly, Evock has some advice.

    “Just have good tires on your truck and go right ahead,” Evock said. “Go out there and go for it. Give it a shot.”

    Relay For Life is the charity of the American Cancer Society. Since 1985, Relay For Life has donated more than $4 billion to cancer research. Participants in the relay jog different laps to bring awareness to the harm cancer does to society. The organization began in May of 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt ran around a track in Tacoma, Wash., for 24 hours, ultimately raising $27,000 for the American Cancer Society. A year later, hundreds of supporters joined the event and it has since grown into a worldwide phenomenon.

    Do not miss out on the chance to help save lives in two different ways. The gates to the event will open at 9 a.m. And the mudding will begin at 3 p.m. For more information about this event, call 916 0284.

  • 08-07-13-armyground.gifThanks to its strong connection to Fort Bragg, the citizens of Fayetteville have a unique level of access to the military. One way that this benefits the community is the many events that the military sponsors and that local citizens get to enjoy. One such event is the concerts presented by the Army Ground Forces Band, the Summer Salute.

    The Army Ground Forces Band has a rich history. Originally the Fourth Infantry Regiment Band, it was formed on July 21, 1845. The Armed Forces Band is the only military band that has received a combat distinction, which it earned by fighting in the Mexican War. The band now serves by performing all around the country for events ranging from local festivals to inaugurations. Local performances are particularly special for the band, however.

    “The Army Ground Forces Band arrived at Fort Bragg in the summer of 2011. Since that time, the band has endeavored to find ways to serve the area’s citizens and strengthen the ties between the Army and the surrounding communities. To further those goals, the band worked closely with the City of Fayetteville, Parks and Recreation and the Arts Council to plan this year’s inaugural outdoor concert series. The band’s first performance on June 20, was attended by several hundred people and honored firefighters, paramedics, first responders and members of the Red Cross for their service to the community. The biggest reward is being able to play for the members of our host community; the biggest challenge is getting Mother Nature to cooperate,” said Carol Eubanks, the public affairs specialist with the U.S. Army Forces Command Public Affairs Office.

    This summer, the band will offer free concerts in Festival Park. While many may be skeptical about concerts presented by soldiers, these fears are wholly unfounded. These soldiers auditioned for the band, and many of them have trained at the nation’s leading music schools. A prime example of the skill level required for this band is the current commander and conductor, Captain Daniel Toven. He has a masters of music in conducting from Eastman School of Music, and numerous other accolades such as attending the Pierre Monteux School for Orchestra and Conductors.

    One of the most incredible things about The Army Ground Forces Band is its mastery of multiple genres of music. With the Summer Salute the band is highlighting its flexibility by performing many different styles.

    “Each concert promises to be a highly entertaining evening of music by some of the Army’s most talented soldier-musicians. The remaining concerts will feature the Loose Cannons rock band (Aug. 9), the Jazz Guardians (Aug 16) and the Concert Band (Aug. 30),” said Eubanks.

    It is fun for the whole family, and has something for everyone to enjoy.

    Festival Park is located in downtown Fayetteville at 225 Ray Ave. The concerts are free to the public and it is recommended that those attending bring a blanket or a lawn chair. The concerts begin at 7 p.m. and are scheduled on Aug 9, 16 and 30. For more information, visit the website www.forscom.army.mil/band or call 570-7223.

    Photo: The Army Ground Forces Band is set to perform several concerts for the community with its Summer Salute Series.

  • uac080713001.gif When many people see an empty plastic bottle, they see garbage. Artist David Edgar sees potential. A retired Associate Professor of Art at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Edgar has more than 25 years experience in the art world, including contributions as a production artist on Epcot Center and Tokyo Disneyland. His most recent exhibit, Transformation: Artful Recycling, is on display at the Arts Council through Aug. 17.

    His work is colorful and playful, and consists mostly of plastic bottles that he transforms into brilliantly colored sea creatures and masks. Several local artists contributed to this exhibit as well. While using found and/or discarded objects in art is not a new idea, this exhibit offers an insightful and thought-provoking look at recycling and waste while offering whimsical and colorful creations.

    “We have done a recycled art exhibit for the past several years in partnership with the city environmental resources department,” said Mary Kinney. “Our sponsors are on behalf of the City of Fayetteville. This exhibit brings attention to the importance of recycling and turning trash into something wonderful, useful and enjoyable instead of putting it into landfills.”

    According to environmentalistseveryday.org, garbage has a huge impact on our lives and our planet.

    “The average American discards 4.43 pounds of garbage every day. (EPA facts and figures). The total volume of solid waste produced in the U.S. each year is equal to the weight of more than 5,600 Nimitz Class aircraft carriers, 247,000 space shuttles or 2.3 million Boeing 747 jumbo jets (Beck).”

    Dosomething.org further notes that more than 75 percent of waste is recyclable, but we only recycle about 30 percent of it and Americans throw away 25,000,000 plastic bottles every hour.

    This year the exhibit was an invitational. It includes some local favorites as well as a visiting artist.

    A professionally trained sculptor, Edgar spent more than three decades welding steel sculptures. Even then, his work included found objects. His first foray into recycled art involved a football game.

    “We were new in Charlotte nine and a half years ago,” said Edgar. “The day the Panthers played the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl we were invited to a party. I didn’t have a hat or T-shirt, but I had a plastic bottle that was the right color blue. So I used that and part of a rotisserie chicken tray and some other scraps to make a mascot mask to take to the party. That was the beginning.”

    Maybe it’s the whimsical nature of his pieces, or perhaps it is the “focus group approved colors” as Edgar calls them. Either way his pieces were well received from the beginning. So much so that now plastic is the only medium Edgar shows.

    “When I first started working with plastic I thought I was in denial about my steel work and that I was not confronting my serious calling,” said Edgar.

    Then he entered a juried exhibit called Trashformation. “The curator was a guy named Lloyd Herman. He was the founding director of the Renwick Gallery at the Smithsonian, which is America’s craft museum. He really liked the work. That was within the first 90 days of me trying something new,” said Edgar.

    Marcela Casals is a staple in the local arts scene and has contributed significantly to the culture of the area. In fact, she worked on the N.C. Veterans Park project making moldings of the hands of North Carolina veterans. Her pieces in this exhibit include “Expansion” and “Woodforestdream.”

    “Woodforestdream is a great addition to this exhibit,” said Kinney. “We spend so much time thinking in flat planes. The words on a page are flat and we read from left to right. Looking out over the ocean we see a horizontal plane. This piece challenges us to think more vertically and to look at the world in a new way.”

    Phil Atwood created three pieces using found objects. One is called “Birdfeeder,” and the other two are both titled “Elegant Birdfeeder.”

    Megan Dietzen made a stunning American flag using a wooden pallet and acrylic paint.

    Greg Hathaway used found metal to create a piece called “Still a Rose.” Other pieces contributed by Hathaway include wood and found objects titled “Small Fish,” “Vessel:Nuclear Artifact,” “Santee Cooper River Bouquet” as well as a series of junk owls.

    Regina Lloyd-Dodd used magazines to create collages with titles like “Raeford Old Gin Mill,” “Water is Life,” “Country Window” and “Take Me There.”

    Brian Tyler submitted “Order,” “Flower I and Political Arena,” “3x#,” “Flower II,” “The Lottery,” “Garden Ball I,” “Garden Ball II,” “Grape Table” and “Garden Table.” The pieces are made of found objects and include drawers and mosaics.

    Some of the things that Edgar especially appreciates about this exhibit is that the pieces address a serious topic in a fun and original way.

    “I like that the work makes people smile. It is fun to watch people walk by and do double takes when they see my work. I think that it is good that artwork can have intellectual accessibility, that it ca08-07-13-coverstory.gifn be about something that is serious but it doesn’t have to be heavy and intense. You can have fun with it, This is not over the top art that you can only appreciate it if you have a graduate degree. It resonates with people.”

    Transformation: Artful Recycling runs through Aug. 17, at the Arts Council, at 301 Hay St. Find out about this and other exhibits, events and opportunities at www.theartscouncil.com or by calling 323-1776.

    Photo: Transformation: Artful recycling is a celebration of recycled art. 

  • Life Unfolds in the Grocery Store

    Mr. David B. Dillon
    Chairman and CEO
    The Kroger Corporation08-07-13-margaret.gif
    Cincinnati, Ohio

    Dear Mr. Dillon:

    Congratulations to the Kroger Corporation on its recent purchase of Harris Teeter, North Carolina’s home-grown chain of more than 200 regional grocery stores in which many of us have lived out our lives. I have read with great interest several news accounts of Kroger’s recent acquisition and breathed heartfelt sighs of relief when you and other Kroger brass promised not to change a thing. I and countless other devoted VIC card customers are taking you at your word but keeping our fingers crossed anyway. We have, after all, seen corporate buyouts before.

    I was a Harris Teeter shopper before it was Harris Teeter. I packed up my newly minted North Carolina Driver’s License to scoot to the Big M, Harris Teeter’s predecessor, to pick up some item my mother needed for dinner, and it has just continued from there. During the saddest Christmas season our family ever had, my sister and I went to Harris Teeter on Christmas eve and bought one of the few remaining Christmas trees for $2, a tree so big we struggled to get it home and even more to get it in the house. It was so big we had to wire it to a window frame and it fell over anyway. One of the few laughs that dismal holiday season was that we were the only people stupid enough to buy a tree that big, no matter what a bargain it was.

    Then came my own family, children who twisted around in their cart seats to take items off shelves when I was not looking and later zoomed along the aisles despite my pleas for calm. Harris Teeter wisely dealt with the loose children issue by providing carts with steering wheels for them to “drive” and “shopper in training” carts for them to push. There are also snacks to sample for both children and more mature shoppers, a hit with everyone.

    Over the years in the grocery, one of my cousins refers to as “store to the stars,” I have shared the happy news of engagements, pregnancies, college acceptances with friends and grieved with them over terrifying medical diagnoses, deaths of loved ones, all manner of family heartbreaks. I have talked politics, recipes, exercise classes, budding romances and every other conceivable topic and managed — most of the time — to bring home what the Dicksons were having for dinner.

    Back in the go-go days before the Great Recession descended, my VIC card number was awarded a Caribbean cruise, which my husband and brother-in-law enjoyed tremendously since I was unable to go. I know that VIC cards are marketing and tracking tools, but I still love checking my Harris Teeter receipt to see how much I save each visit and how much so far each year.

    I admit to straying from time to time. There have been forays into various Food Lions and even Krogers when we had them, both the one on McPherson Church and the one on Hope Mills Road. But my car always finds its way back to the Harris Teeter parking lot, and not just because it is the most convenient grocery store to chez Dickson. It is also the grocery whose employees wear name tags with their year of employment on them, many of whom have been there so long, name tags are no longer necessary. I love it that Harris Teeter hires people with obvious physical and/or mental disabilities, a blessing for them, their families and those of us who come to know them.

    Then, of course, there are the groceries themselves. Harris Teeter, also known in some circles as simply The Teeter, boasts a glorious produce section offering us both staple veggies like potatoes, spinach, apples and oranges and the sorts of exotic goodies this native North Carolinian never imagined when I first crossed the Big M’s threshold — bok choy, for example. And, my goodness — the seafood! It comes from North Carolina’s long coast and from every other corner of the world. Harris Teeter thoughtfully tells shoppers exactly what country, whether it is farm-raised or wild-caught and offers recipes for how to cook it.

    I have never considered writing a fan letter to a grocery store, but that seems to be what I am doing. Harris Teeter is almost as woven into my life (and those of many other North Carolinians) as our jobs and our families. Most of us are perfectly happy with the status quo.

    So, dear Mr. Dillon, as you and your colleagues cope with that pesky lawsuit from disgruntled Harris Teeter shareholders and attempt to absorb all the Harris Teeter stores into the largest grocery chain in our nation, please remember those of us down here in the Southeast. We know Kroger execs in Ohio might find us a tad quirky in our devotion to the grocery store we grew up with, but please ease us into the change we know is inevitable.

    Yours very sincerely,
    Margaret H. Dickson
    VIC # 26XXXX NC

    Photo: For many, Harris Teeter is more than a grocery store. It is a place where lives unfold.

  • New Albums Released08-07-13-the-buzz.gif

    This week in The Buzz we will feature several recent happenings in contemporary Christian music.

    Stellar Kart frontman Adam Agee tells us about their new lineup and new sound.

    According to Adam Agee, lead singer for Stellar Kart, the band has undergone some major changes over the past couple of years.

    New guitartist Nick Baumhardt, former touring player with Thousand Foot Crutch, brings producing skills along with his “killer” guitar playing. Adam’s longtime friend Jeremi Hough has been the drummer for the band over the last several years.

    The newest member of the band is actually Nick’s sister Allie. Reluctant at first, she is now thriving on bass and brings complementary vocals as well. Allie’s voice is featured significantly on the new Stellar Kart record All In. Adam describes it as having a new dynamic and being super-fresh.

    The album releases on Aug. 27.

    Veteran artists still have plenty to sing about.

    More than 30 years ago I, along with thousands of Christian music fans, was introduced to Amy Grant through her song “Father’s Eyes.” Much has changed in the world of music over the last three decades, but the key to producing great songs is the same; sing relate-able lyrics, from your heart and direct attention back to the giver of the song. Amy’s first studio release in ten years, How Mercy Looks From Here follows that formula to a tee. She is as transparent as ever as she shares this ‘labor of love’ with the world. How Mercy Looks From Here by Amy Grant is available now.

    Fresh off a successful project he did exclusively for Cracker Barrel, Steven Curtis Chapman has another full studio album ready to release; The Glorious Unfolding. The first single, currently available for download, is the upbeat and infectious “Love Take Me Over.” It has a very familiar sound, not unlike what we have heard from Steven in the past, yet at the same time it is new and fresh. The Glorious Unfolding by Steven Curtis Chapman will release on October 1st.

    A baby has been born but for this one London is his name, not his birthplace.

    Group 1 Crew is made up of three individuals: singers Blanca & Manuel along with drummer Ben Callahan. Well Ben and Blanca are married and they recently welcomed their first child into the world!

    London Rey Callahan was born at 12:55 a.m. on Thursday, July 25. Everyone is happy and healthy. And when the touring season starts up in the fall, life on the bus is sure to be much more exciting.

  • 08-07-13-roundtable.gifFrom 1919 to 1929, a group of artists, writers, wits and actors met in New York City’s Algonquin Hotel for lunch. This celebrated group became known as the Algonquin Round Table.

    Members included writers Dorothy Parker, Harold Ross (founder of The New Yorker) and Robert Benchley; columnists Franklin Pierce Adams and Heywood Broun, and Broun’s wife Ruth Hale; critic Alexander Woollcott; comedian Harpo Marx and playwrights George S. Kaufman, Marc Connelly, Edna Ferber and Robert Sherwood. They became famous for satire, witticisms, wisecracks, and artistic creativity.

    Fayetteville’s own Lynn Pryer hosts our city’s version of the Algonquin Round Table. Lynn is the creative genius and founder of Fayetteville’s innovative community playhouse — the Gilbert Theater. As a patron of the arts, he brings together an eclectic mix of artists, musicians, writers, poets, actors and bon vivant philosophers every Sunday for brunch.

    Pryer started this salon movement to promote interaction among Fayetteville’s arts community. No venue existed for the arts crowd to meet socially and exchange ideas — in an informal setting.

    Why?

    In his lifetime, Pryer observed the gradual isolation of modern man. People would rather text than talk face-to-face. He saw how quickly “we are caught up in life; disconnected from one another in a highly modular society”.

    “People today are victims of the technology of isolation,” said Pryer.

    The weekly roundtable breaks barriers, builds bridges and connects individuals.

    The “group with no name” meets at the Marquis Market on Hay Street. Every Sunday Pryer invites a new group of 14 epicurean arts-lovers. A different group each week brings together many creative people over time. The literati have been meeting since February 2013.

    Pryer carefully prepares his invitation list. I call him Maestro because he orchestrates the selection of guests to insure compatibility and creativity.

    At every brunch he circulates a sketch pad for everyone to doodle.

    Upon arrival participants meet and greet over coffee then adjourn to a theme-decorated dining table. Every week Pryer has different decor. Past themes include Easter; famous writers; famous painters; dance; the African veldt; music; the Fourth of July; movies; vintage cars; great actors and actresses.

    Interspersed with the dinner conversations are amusements. Pryer holds an auction for a coffee-table-type book. The book is related to the theme of the day. This is not an auction where money is the coin of the realm. Participants bid acts of kindness. I bid 17 acts of kindness to win the book The Art of Edward Hopper. Successful bidders must keep a journal and give a full report to the group after four weeks.

    Dinner conversation is fresh and sparkling. Discourse covers a colorful spectrum from fashion to philosophy; to music, art, plays, writing and “wuz up” in town. This is a cornucopia of laughter, good cheer and frivolity.

    The atmosphere is upbeat, warm and inviting. A vintage jazz combo usually provides cool music in the background. The atmosphere is reminiscent of a 1950s Greenwich Village coffee house.

    A fresh venue … stimulating our vibrant arts community.

    This is Fayetteville’s own Algonquin Round Table.

    Photo: The Algonquin Round Table: (l-r) Art Samuels, Charles MacArthur, Harpo Marx, Dorothy Parker and Alexander Woollcott (circa 1919-1929)

  • I08-07-13-not-another-t-shirt.giff you’re like me, you have one or more drawers full of promotional T-shirts. And you probably have them in many different colors and with many different graphics, logos and phrases. Some say things that you are afraid to wear outside the house. Some are worn and faded.

    “That one needs to go,” my new wife often says to me. I just chuckle and go on wearing it. That’s what I want to talk about this week — the difference between giving away a favorite T-shirt that people cling to beyond all reason and just another T-shirt.

    T-shirts can be a powerful walking billboard. A good T-shirt does double duty as it is a constant reminder to the wearer of you, the giver, and they show your message to dozens or possibly hundreds of people every day that they are worn. That’s marketing power. So what makes for a good T-shirt?

    T-shirts are made special in three ways: they commemorate an event like a concert, sporting event or visit to a tourist location: the print (graphic, logo or phrase) is one you like being seen wearing: and the fabric feels good against your skin or fits particularly well.

    Commemorative T-shirts are generally created for retailers by professional designers. Most of you who are reading this are neither of those. However, some family and company events do deserve commemoration. Should you find yourself involved in such an event, then apply the rules we will be discussing later and you will be happier with the end product. If you are lucky enough to be using a nationally branded logo that is considered cool to wear, then you don’t need much more than that to get your T-shirt worn often. The rest of us, who have logos that are less well known, may need to add graphics, catchy phrases or effects around or behind it in order to create desire to wear it.

    Often as not, it is a creative use of colors and shapes in the print that makes a T-shirt special. If your screen-printer has a full-time professional artist, he can take a mundane logo or design idea and make it a work of art. The really good ones can make an eye-catching print with just one or two colors, which saves you a lot of money. Using a professional artist might seem expensive but most work for between $30 and $50 per hour and can complete most designs in one or two hours. This is a small percentage of the overall cost of most T-shirt orders and can make the difference between a T-shirt that is worn a hundred times and one that is tossed in the garbage.

    Sometimes, a catchy, funny or provocative phrase can be enough to increase the wear of your T-shirt. Think “Just Do It!” or “Life Is Good.” Use phrases that reflect an attitude (positive is almost always better when marketing a business) that has broad appeal. If you use one that appeals to a narrow demographic, then expect a majority to ignore it when choosing what to wear.

    Most of my customers are surprised to learn that there are many ways to decorate a shirt besides standard vinyl inks. There are water-based inks that are soft after one washing (The most comfortable print for hot weather). Fashion inks that are somewhere in between. Laser engraving that burns the surface of the shirt but adds no pigment. Heat press debossing/embossing where the message is pressed into or raised in the fabric. There are many more and new ones are being invented all the time. Sometimes just decorating a T-shirt in a new and different way can be enough to make users want to wear them.

    Lastly, let’s talk fabrics — the most overlooked aspect of the T-shirt buying process. You have this great graphic in mind and when it comes to choosing the fabric you ask, ‘What’s the least expensive?” Well, if a generic heavy cotton costs $5 and a fashion weight ring-spun ultra soft 4 oz. cotton costs $7, then the heavy cotton is the better deal right? Wrong. The fashion weight ring-spun is incredibly soft and light and most people prefer it hands down over the base model. Therefore, the fashion weight is worn many times more often and is a far better buy dollar for dollar than the heavy cotton. That is not to say you have to increase your budget for the better fabric. You are just as well off buying fewer of a better shirt than having more just end up in the landfill.

    T-shirts are an excellent promotional medium but it takes thought and knowledge to make them truly effective. Take the time to choose the right fabric, decoration method, and image then watch your walking billboards do their job.

    Photo: T-shirts are great ways to advertise, but there are a few things to think about first.

  • uac082912001.gif It’s about family, faith and culture. It’s about food, dancing and community. It’s about celebrating. It’s Greekfest 2012.

    Every September for the past 22 years the Greek community has spent an entire weekend celebrating and sharing all things Greek with the community. This year, the festival falls on the weekend of Sept. 7-9, and it promises to be even bigger and better than before. And it’s free.

    A cornerstone of the Greek culture is its faith. The congregation of Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church are passionate about their faith — so much so that church tours are offered throughout the Greek Fest. Visitors who take the tour get a peek at sanctuary and the many religious icons that are a part of the worship services. Father Alexander Papagikos leads the tours and explains the faith, taking questions from visitors along the way.

    A new event this year, is Faith and Family Sunday, which is scheduled for Sept. 9. All clergy and church families are invited to participate in the Greek Orthodox Divine Liturgy Sunday morning, and if that is inconvenient, to attend, they are invited to lunch. On this day, in honor of faith, family and worship, a donation to Fayetteville Urban Ministry will be made. The donation will come directly from a portion of the Sunday lunch proceeds at the Greek Fest.

    “Each year we choose an organization to support and this year it is Fayetteville Urban Ministry,” said Kelly Papagikos, event spokesperson. “Sunday we are having Faith and Family Day. After other congregations have f nished their services, they are invited to come and join us for lunch and tour of the church. If anyone wants to worship with us that day they are more than welcome.”

    The food at the Greek Fest is reason enough to come for a meal or two throughout the weekend, but supporting the Fayetteville Urban Ministry makes it that much more enjoyable. The tables in the food tent stay full during the Greek Fest as gyros, souvlaki, spanikopita and other delicacies are served to eager customers. The food offered to the crowds comes from the same recipes used for generations in the old country.

    For dessert, don’t forget the ever-popular Greek pastries that are available for sale. Baklava, Finikia and Kataifi are just a few of the many confections usually sold at the fest. Members of the Greek community spend days preparing for the fest and serve only the best to the guests that come to the celebration.

    “The women in the Greek community work for weeks to prepare for this. Everything is freshly hand-made. There is no store-bought baklava for sale at this festival,” said Papagikos. “The women pass the torch from generation to generation in hopes that the younger women will be then next generation to make the pastries. The pastries are always the first to sell out — no matter how much the church makes.”

    Each year the dance troupes perform dances from Greece for the visitors to the festival. This year they will perform in new costumes from various regions of their native land. The Nick Trivelas Band is scheduled to perform this year. Trivelas performs regularly at festival and events in the southeast and has been08-29-12-cover-story.gifperforming for more than 35 years.

    While Greek and American beer and wine imports are popular, a new addition for adults this year is the uozo blue shots. Uozo is black-licorice flavored liquor popular with the Greeks and it packs a wallop.

    “It will knock your socks off,” said Papagikos. “…and give you a taste of Greece.”

    The Greek Festival is a popular event that grows each year. What started in the fellowship hall has overfl owed into the lawn and church property. There will be a larger playground for the children this year, as well as more vendors at the Greek Market. Take a little bit of Greece home from the fest. Pick up a few items at the Greek grocery market or the ever-expanding Grecian Marketplace.

    “The markets are so popular, we are always looking for ways to add new vendors,” said Papagikos.

    Looking for Greek god-like skin?

    “We have added a new line of soaps this year that are made with things like goat’s milk and olive oil,” she added.

    The raffle, a staple at Greek Fest every year, costs $5 per ticket. Tickets are drawn hourly for prizes and the grand prize is either $2,000 or two round-trip tickets to Athens, Greece.

    On Friday , Sept. 6, local schools are invited to come and enjoy a meal and learn about the Greek culture.

    “Last year more than 400 students from surrounding schools came to learn about the culture,” said Papagikos. “This way we are able to give back education-wise once a year. We love having them — we give them lunch, teach them to dance and enjoy sharing our culture with them. The Greeks are known for their fellowship and warmth. It is called filoxenia — fellowship, warmth and love — and that is definately something Greeks are known for.”

    Not only does the Greek Fest open the hearts of the Greek community during the weekend of the festival, it builds a sense of purpose and community in the weeks and months leading up to the event — and it’s not just for the Greeks.

    “It is amazing how many people from outside the church come to help with the fest,”” said Papagikos. “With all the different cultures blending in Fayetteville everyone longs to come to the Greek Fest. It is a place where everyone feels welcome and accepted. It is always a good time with lots of good food …you can’t help but walk away with a new Greek friend.”

    The festival is held at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church at 615 Oakridge Dr. The festival starts on Friday around lunch time and runs through 10 p.m. Saturday the hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Call the church at 484-2010 for more information.

    Photo: Fayetteville’s Greek population comes from all over Greece, according to Kelly Papagikos, wife of Father Alexander Papagikos at Sts. Helen and Constantine Greek Orthodox Church.

  • Memories are precious. Families spend substantial amounts of money to create memories. Powerful memories can elicit emotions years after the event occurred and some philosophers even hypothesize that memories are what make people individuals. Alzheimer’s, the incurable and unfortunately common disease, robs people of their memories and ability to function.

    Alzheimer’s is the nation’s sixth leading cause of death, but communities across this nation have banded together in support of research, care, support and pursuing the end of Alzheimer’s. The largest organization in the nation that supports this fight against Alzheimer’s is The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s, and on Sept. 8 local residents will join the fight as they walk to raise money for the cause.08-29-12-alzheimers.gif

    Since 1989, this organization has been walking and has grown from the first 1,249 walkers to last year’s astounding 39,000 participating teams nationwide. Susan Thomas, the walk coordinator, says that this year, “Fayetteville hopes to have 40 teams walking on Sept. 8 and plans to raise $25,000. All monies raised support the Alzheimer’s Association mission to advance research, enhance care and support and advocate for Alzheimer’s disease on both local and national levels.”

    However the knowledge of the money raised pales in comparison to knowing how this association is helping individuals. Thomas comments that the most rewarding part of this fundraiser is “Meeting all the people that Alzheimer’s has affected. Hearing every individual and unique story about some amazing and inspiring people … caregivers, family members, friends and meeting those people who have recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.”

    Alzheimer’s has a wide reach; it is not even regulated by age. It could affect anyone in the community. That is why it is so pertinent that the entire community band together and contribute to finding a cure for all of its members. Thomas says that the most important way for the community to support this great initiative is to “come out on Sept. 8 and either walk or volunteer.”

    The Walk to End Alzheimer’s will take place on Sept. 8, with a starting point at The Cottages at North Ramsey, 120 Nandia Court. The walk starts at 9 a.m. Registration is both online at www.alz.org/walk and at the walk itself. Registration opens and 9 a.m. and the walk and the opening ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m. Fo more information, Susan Thomas can be contacted at 703-2390 or Susan. Thomas@Century-Care.com. The website www.alz.org can provide more information.

  • 08-29-12-ftcc.gifThe Department of Defense continues to support the popular Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts program,which provides up to $4,000 (over 2 years) of financial assistance for military spouses who are pursuing degree programs, licenses, or credentials leading to employment in portable career fields, with several key changes in eligibility and dollar amounts. Here is a summary of the changes:

    • Be available to spouses of active-duty service members in pay grades E1-E5, W1-W2 and O1-O2 including the spouses of activated Guard and teserve members within those ranks. Spouses of Guard and reserve members must be able to start and complete their courses while their sponsor is on Title 10 orders.

    • Offer a maximum financial benefit of $4,000 with a fiscal year cap of $2,000. Waivers will be available for spouses pursuing licensure or certification up to the total maximum assistance of $4,000.

    • Require military spouses to finish their program of study within three years from the start date of the first course.

    • Be limited to associate degrees, certification and licensures.

    The MyCAA program does not include Coast Guard spouses.

    MyCAA Financial Assistance pays tuition for education and training courses and licensing/credentialing fees. This includes state certifications for teachers, medical professionals and other occupations requiring recognized certifications; licensing exams and related prep courses; Continuing Education Unit classes including those offered through professional associations; and degree programs leading to employment in Portable Career Fields. MyCAA also pays for high-school completion courses, GED tests and English as a Second Language classes.

    • MyCAA does not pay for education and training programs that include computers; application, graduation or membership fees; student activity cards; childcare; parking; transportation; or medical services.

    • If a spouse enrolls in a course without an approved MyCAA Financial Assistance document, the spouse will be responsible for paying course costs.

    • MyCAA does not provide reimbursements of any kind to spouses for any reason.

    • MyCAA FA payments are made directly to schools using MyCAA’s electronic invoicing system. Eligible spouses can establish a MyCAA Account by visiting the MyCAA website at https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/mycaa. Once spouse profile information is provided, MyCAA will verify spouse DEERS benefit eligibility.

    Eligible spouses will be allowed to create the Career and Training Plan and request FA when within 30 days of course start dates. Additionally, spouses are responsible for applying to their selected school or program and enrolling in each course included in their approved MyCAA Career and Training Plan.

    Military spouses can help themselves by:

    •Visiting www.careeronestop.org to explore Portable Career Fields and find schools that have programs of study leading to licenses, certificates and degrees

    .• Finding their school in the MyCAA website using the School Search function. If the desired school is not listed, follow the directions shown at the end of the School Search.

    • Establishing and managing their MyCAA Account at https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/mycaa, use MyCAA resources to create a Career and Training.

  • During Colonial times, the social event of visiting one’s neighbors provided not only entertainment, but also the opportunity to share news of the day. How guests were received and welcomed in the home was an important aspect of society.

    The concept of warm hospitality is extended today to visitors to and residents to Fayetteville through the efforts of the Fayetteville Area Hospitality Association, a group of hoteliers, restaurants and service-oriented businesses and organizations who work together “to promote hospitality and community awareness and involvement.”

    “We are a nonprofit organization of committed businesses promoting tourism, social welfare and quality of life by improving the quality and variety of food, lodging and recreational areas for travelers and local residents,” said Ramona Moore, president of the group. “The organization stays up on matters that may affect our industry or our community, such as the recent possibility of decreasing the per diem rate for our area.”08-29-12-faha.gif

    Moore, who has been with the organization for more than 20 years, explained that the nonprofit has been around since the ‘70s.

    “It was the Hotel-Motel Association originally. We have expanded our qualifications for membership, and we changed the name to the Fayetteville Area Hospitality Association.”

    The three different categories of membership include fi rms that provide hosting, like restaurants and lodging facilities; companies that provide a service, such as an exterminating company or rental car company, and entertainment, including recreation and sport, which would comprise groups like FireAntz Hockey and Fayetteville SwampDogs teams or the Crown Coliseum that might seek membership.“

    We meet at 12:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month,” Moore said, “and we have an educational program at each meeting that the host that particular month provides, something of interest to our industry. It’s a luncheon meeting. We network with each other. We share any news having to do with our industry, and we always have a guest speaker.”

    The meetings are hosted at a different place each month, depending on who hosts it; for example, a full-service hotel may host it at its facilities, or a CVB or other group might hold it at a restaurant that has a private meeting room.

    In addition to supporting tourism, FAHA works to improve the quality of life in the community. The organization hosts an annual charity golf tournament, held the last two years in September. Groups that have benefi ted from the tournament include the Fayetteville Police Foundation, The Cancer Center, the Stanton House, the Boys and Girls Club, Make a Wish Foundation, the Wounded Warrior Project and for the past few years, the Falcon Children’s Home and Kidsville News! Foundation. Funding comes from membership dues.

    “If the CVB has a special group coming to Fayetteville and they may need some extra funding to provide some portion of the visit, they may come to FAHA and ask us to make a donation,” said Moore. “We don’t have anything set except for our annual golf tournament that we do every year. Everything else is as it comes along. We just made a large contribution to Mark Wilderman, operations manager/sales of the Fayetteville SwampDogs, who suffered burns [as a result of an explosion in the concession building of J.P. Riddle Stadium in May]. He’s a good friend of our industry. We made a contribution to him of $1,000 for the special clothing that he’s going to need for a while.”

    Other charitable contributions include a $1,000 to the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival Scholarship Pageant, quarterly contributions to the USO and several others throughout the years. Monies raised from the golf tournament helped pay off the mortgage on the first Stanton Hospitality House of the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation, which provides accommodations to family members while loved ones receive treatment at area hospitals. The organization also works the Salvation Army Angel Tree at Cross Creek Mall as a group.

    Moore noted that many of the things it does do not receive a lot of publicity.“A lot of people don’t know about our organization or what we’re about.”

    For more information about FAHA, contact the organization at fay.area.hosp@gmail.com.

  • When a patient is having a heart attack, nearly 85 percent of the damage occurs within the first two hours. That’s why hospitals work so hard to get patients to the cath lab as quickly as possible.

    Recently Cape Fear Valley Health added special equipment to its ambulances that can cut this time dramatically. The LIFENET system, purchased with a $76,640 grant from the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation, allows paramedics to transmit EKGs to emergency department physicians in real time. The goal is to reduce time to treatment, known as door-to-balloon time, for patients who experience a dangerous type of heart attack known as STEMI (ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction).

    D2B time refers to the interval from patient arrival at the hospital to infl ation of the balloon catheter within the patient’s blocked artery — the shorter the D2B time, the greater the chance of survival.08-29-12-friends-of-the-heart.gif

    This equipment made a real difference for 80-year-old Phillip Outterbridge, who lives in western Cumberland County. Outterbridge’s D2B time was an incredible 12 minutes. A 90-minute D2B time has become a core quality measure for hospitals nationwide.

    It all started when Outterbridge suddenly became weak, started sweating and became short of breath. The pain in this chest was unrelenting. A widower who lives alone, he called his neighbor, Marion White, to drive him to the hospital. “Phillip called me and told me he wasn’t feeling good,” said White. “He was sweating and couldn’t breathe. I knew the right thing to do was to call 911. I’m not a doctor or nurse, but I knew from my first-aid training in the military that it could be a heart attack.”

    First responders from Fayetteville Fire Department’s Station 8 arrived first. Shortly thereafter, EMS arrived and paramedics hooked Outterbridge up to the 12-lead EKG at 1:22 p.m. The Emergency Department physician could see the EKG in real time, and a code STEMI was called at 1:23 p.m. The paramedics began treatment en route to the hospital.

    Once the ambulance arrived at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center’s ambulance garage, paramedics took the patient directly up the express elevator to the cath lab where Dr. Ginn, an interventional cardiologist, and the cath team were waiting.

    Dr. Ginn already knew what to expect. He was able to read the patient’s EKG sent from the fi eld to his smart phone, so he knew the blockage was located in the right coronary artery, the vessel that supplies blood to the bottom part of the heart. That advance knowledge led to the incredible 12-minute D2B time.

    Thanks to Cape Fear Valley’s electronic medical record, Dr. Ginn was also able to pull up Outterbridge ’s previous medical records before the patient even arrived at the hospital. That gave Dr. Ginn additional information he could use in planning Outterbridge’s treatment.

    White’s decision to call 911 probably saved Outterbridge’s life. Too many people take a “wait-and-see” approach when faced with warning signs of a heart attack — and that can be a fatal mistake.

    Outterbridge says, “Dr. Ginn told me I got there in the nick of time. He told me I should go home and hug my neighbor.” And Outterbridge did just that.

    If you would like to be a part of saving lives, Friends of the Heart Center invites you to our fi rst In Step with the Beat Dance. This dance features beach music by the Entertainers. This event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 22, from 8-11p.m. at SkyView on Hay in downtown Fayetteville. Tickets for the event are $50 per person and include the entertainment, heart-healthy hors d’oeuvres and beverages. For more information, tickets or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Rachel Richardson at (910) 615-1449 or rrich2@capefearvalley.com. Come get your Shag on and help save more lives!

    Photo: Paramedics can now transmit life-saving EKGs to the emergency department in real time.

  • 08-29-12-chamber-logo.gifFour years ago I was asked to take the helm of an organization then known as the Cumberland County Business Council. In doing so, I was given a charge — solidify the organization’s economic-development role and return it to profi tability. In July 2008, the CCBC became known as the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce. With that name change came a renewed focus on leveraging the build-up that came with BRAC and the arrival of the U.S. Forces Command and the U.S. Army Reserve Command. Our community has fared well despite the struggles of our national economy. Currently, the chamber is in its third consecutive year of profi tability. Our financial struggles were plenty, and the challenge of cutting expenses a mighty task. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of staff and volunteer leadership alike, we’re rebuilding our reserves and have stopped spending money anywhere but where necessary.

    Our work won’t stop there. Last year, on the heels of BRAC completion, we engaged the nationally renowned firm of Garner Economics to conduct a comprehensive review of our economic-development strategy, our organizational structure and many other attributes that make up our unified chamber/economic development brand. Thanks to an engaged board and a thoughtful vision, our economic-development effort has become its own autonomous entity, surrounded by a well-trained, experienced, professional development staff and — for the first time in years — a dedicated board.

    We learned a lot from the Garner Report. We learned that we can’t be all things to all people. We came to understand that we can do better. We confirmed that there’s a bigger role for the chamber than solely being the community’s “industry recruiter.”

    We had not served our membership as well as we we could have, as our focus had been on shoring up finances and building relationships with local government. We sold value-added benefit as the primary value of membership, rather than serving our members by being their collective voice on business-related legislative issues.

    We also learned about perception, finding that a surprising number of people were confused about the chamber and its relationship with local government. Some thought that, because the city and county funded the economic-development effort, they were funding the chamber and its operations. Government does not fund the Chamber of Commerce. Government funds the marketing of our community and the economic-development effort that strives to retain the jobs we already have and attract new jobs and investment to the area. In reality, the chamber’s financial woes were brought by the organization subsidizing economic development, and overspending revenue caused by shuttering the former Fayetteville Area Economic Development Corporation and the stream of private revenue it contributed to the economic-development effort.

    Your chamber is not an arm of local government. We are not a franchise of the U.S. Chamber or the North Carolina Chamber. We are as unique and local as our community itself, and we’re driven by the leadership of our investors. The chamber’s name has suffered because of attacks on the economic-development effort. We must rebuild both brands.

    So where are we today? We are poised to emerge as the region’s chief business advocacy organization, and will stand tall on regulatory issues that impede the area’s ability to grow, add jobs, investment and create a higher quality of life. We’re stepping into the corner of businesses who are fighting the daily battle to make payroll, deal with government bureaucracy and understand complex, burdensome regulations.

    In addition, your chamber will strengthen our foundation as a champion for small business. Coming will be new and improved management-assistance programs and seminars, an academy to assist those interested in serving in public offi ce and countless other programs all deisnged to promote small-business development, survival and growth. Further, we will expand our current offerings, including exclusive, member-only discounts; a cost-saving health insurance program; expanded networking opportunities to connect people and businesses.

    Among the discussions currently taking place is the creation of a business incubator to help strengthen emerging businesses by sharing overhead costs, support and expertise. We are also identifying opportunities to better engage our members to ensure we’re meeting their expectations. We understand that small businesses have limited resources and are often left weighing the value of membership versus increasing fuel prices for their delivery vehicle. We get it. As a wise man recently told me, when times are tough, small businesses need their chamber more than ever before. We’re stepping up to the plate. Expect great things.

  • uac082212001.gif When someone has cancer, getting the right support can make all the difference. It might be what gives a person the strength to power through one more treatment or what gives them the boost of confidence and peace of mind they need to endure another day. The staff and volunteers at the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation’s Friends of the Cancer Center understand this and are about the business of saving and changing lives. In fact, many of the volunteers are cancer survivors and they truly understand what the patients they serve are going through. On Saturday, Sept. 15, join the fight and make a difference at the Ribbon Walk & Ride. If participating in the event is not an option, register and make a donation or come out and cheer on the participants.

    Since its inception six years ago, the Ribbon Walk has grown from 140 walkers that raised $3,000 at the inaugural event, to 750 walkers last year that raised $88,000. This has enabled the Friends of Cancer Center to provide more services and programs that help local cancer patients.

    Tara Brisson Hinton is the Friends of Cancer Center coordinator, and she is serious about making a difference for cancer patients and their families because for her, this is personal. “My grandfather and other family members had treatments at the cancer center and all three have since passed away,” Hinton explained.

    So it makes sense that one of the things Hinton loves best about this event is that every bit of the money raised stays in the community. The money is used to support all of the programs that the Friends of the Cancer Center provides: emergency funding for patients in need; medications; help with utilities; dietary supplements and more. “We are able to meet patients’ needs but we are looking to add new programs and services,” said Hinton. “The Friends of the Cancer Center also provides a resource center, assistance with transportation to and from treatment, wigs, turbans, hats and scarves, cancer screenings, spiritual support and the Oasis Program.” Under the umbrella of the Oasis Program, cancer patients have access to massage therapy, healing touch, reflexology and artful reflections. Hinton said that she hopes to add research programs and services as well in the near future. The Friends of Cancer Center is supported 100 percent by gifts and donations.

    While supporting cancer patients is the primary goal of the Friends of Cancer Center, the Ribbon Walk and Ride is a wonderful time to honor survivors. There will be a Survivors’ Reception on Sept. 14 at SkyView on Hay from 7-9 p.m. “We want to celebrate with them for a few hours the night before the walk,” said Hinton. “Every survivor who registers for the walk will receive two tickets to the reception and will be able to come to the event. A lot of survivors are unable to walk the 5k, but you can still register and you will receive two tickets to the reception.”

    So far, the response has been impressive. The venue holds 650 people “… but we are having many survivors sign up each day,” said Hinton. “We are excited to see such a great response. I think after this — our first year — it will grow just like the walk.

    ”The survivors’ event will be catered by Elite Catering. Attendees will enjoy a live jazz and blues band, a silent auction, door prizes and a photo booth. The attire for the evening is dressy casual. “We just want them to come and relax and have fun,” said Hinton.

    Registration deadline to guarantee the survivors’ reception and t-shirt size is August 31. Find out more about the walk at www.RibbonWalkForCancer.org.

    The walk starts at the Medical Arts Center in downtown Fayetteville and includes small hills. Volunteers will be available along the route to help anyone who needs assistance. There are three water stations along the route. Registration is at 9 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m.

    There will be prizes for teams that raise the most money and the names of the winners will be on the event website and in the spring issue of Making Rounds, the Cape Fear Valley Health System magazine.

    Dogs must be on a leash at all times and owners are asked to clean up a08-22-12-cover-story.giffter their dogs. Strollers are welcome but children on bikes, scooters and skateboards create a dangerous situation andinsurance liability.

    The motorcycle ride also starts at the Medical Arts Center in downtown Fayetteville, and departs at 9:45 a.m. for the 40-mile round-trip drive.

    It is easy to register early. Before Sept. 3, mail the registration form and $25 payment to Ribbon Walk and Ride, Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation, PO Box 87526, Fayetteville, NC 28304. Please make checks payable to Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation. Please do not mail cash. After Sept. 3, registration forms may be dropped off at the Foundation office, located in the Medical Arts Building, 101 Robeson Street, Suite 106, during normal business hours Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

    Find out more about the Friends of Cancer Center and how you can make a difference at 615-1434 or visit www.capefearvalley.com.

    Don’t miss another opportunity to make a difference later in the month … if you would like to be a part of saving lives, Friends of the Heart Center invites you to the first In Step with the Beat Dance. This dance features beach music by the Entertainers. This event will be held on Saturday, September 22, from 8pm to 11pm at SkyView on Hay in downtown Fayetteville. Tickets for the event are $50 per person and include the entertainment, heart healthy hors d’ oeuvres and beverages. For more information, tickets or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Rachel Richardson at 615-1449 or rrich2@capefearvalley.com. Come get your Shag on and help save more lives!

    Photo: Friends of the Cancer Center provides: emergency funding for patients in need; medications; help with utilities; dietary supplements and more. The walk/ride on September 15 raises funds to support the Friends of the Cancer Center.

  • If you are new in town, or just haven’t made it to 4th Friday lately, this month there is a lot to see and do downtown.

    The Visual Arts Alliance has coordinated a collaborative exhibit that includes several organizations. The focus of the city-wide exhibit is the human form.

    At the Arts Council the exhibit features the works of four artists: Cameron Johnson, Dustan Elliott, Jovian Turnball and Mima McMillan. The exhibit is titled “The Human Figure: Likeness and Presence.”

    “The focus of the VAA collaboration of the human form at the Arts Council is to highlight the works by four artists whose approach to representing the fi ure is diverse,” said Arts Council Fayetteville/Cumberland County Gallery Manager Soni Martin. “The likeness of the figure in each work is self evident; but the way in which each artist interfaces the figure in a pictorial environment results in a type of ‘presence.’ For each artist, all the elements of composition or design are there, but the depth and meaning of the works, the ‘presence’ reflects each artist’s personal views about social constructions — a type of reality by each artist is being presented.”

    Cape Fear Studios hosts “The Human Form” featuring the works of Alexandra Bloch (painting, drawing), Holly Fischer (sculpture), Sarah Fredericks (painting, drawing) and Robert H. Way (painting).Find out more at www.capefearstudios.com or by calling 433-2986.

    At Gallery One13, the Fayetteville Art Guild offers Original 2-D and 3-D works of art in all mediums, including oils, acrylics, photography, jewelry, fabric, graphic, pottery, sculpture and follows VAA theme of the human form. An opening reception is scheduled from 6-9 p.m. during 4th Friday celebrations. The exhibition “celebrates the human form — realistically or abstractly — in portrait, figure, hands, feet, etc. in moments of motion or stillness in all visual mediums. The exhibition theme at Gallery ONE13 is in conjunction with all the art venues in Fayetteville.” The public is invited to the opening reception from 6-9 p.m. on 4th Friday Call 484-6849 for more information.

    Also relating to the human form, Fascinate-U explores the different character traits that make up the human race. Kids can make a pony-bead bracelet that represents their hair color, eye color and other physical traits. Admission is free. 7-9 p.m. Learn more at www.fascinate-u.com or by calling 829-9171.

    08-22-12-4th-friday.gifThe Downtown Alliance celebrates health and wellness with free yoga, zumba and salsa classes. There will also be fencing and crossfit demonstrations. Pick up a 4th Friday Fanatics card at the Downtown Alliance at 222 Hay Street (they are free) and cash in on all the great deals and discounts offered by downtown merchants. Find out more about what the downtown alliance has to offer at www.faydta.org.

    Enjoy a night at the museum at the Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum. The museum is open from 6-10 p.m. during 4th Friday events. Patrons are invited to check out the exhibits. In the parking lot, crafts and local produce are available for sale. Check out the vintage car exhibit and listen to live music, too.

    At the Headquarters Library, the Cape Fear Mineral and Gem Society showcases fossils and minerals. Come and see jewelry artists at work, as they turn ordinary-looking slabs of rock into beautiful jewelry-quality stones. This exhibit takes place from 7 to 8:45 p.m. in the Pate Room.

    Find out more at www.cumberland.lib.nc.us.Find out more about 4th Friday at www.theartscouncil.com.

    Photo: Relief print by Cameron Johnson.

  • 08-22-12-liberty-point.gifWalk or drive down the streets of Fayetteville during the busy workweek (or during one of the city’s many special events in the evenings and on the weekends) and one can’t help but notice the revitalizing effects of the city’s renaissance over the past few years. The changes are impressive. The renovation of older buildings and new construction have brought a variety of new businesses and dining and entertainment venues, as well as elegant living spaces to a place with a history that dates to pre-Revolutionary War times, before the merging of the settlements of Campbellton and Cross Creek to create the city of Fayetteville in 1783.

    On Sunday, Sept. 9, history buffs, teachers and anyone interested in Downtown, architecture, historic planning or historic preservation can take a walk through time as they stroll Fayetteville’s historic Downtown District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, for a tour of the area’s architectural styles. The tour, free and open to the public, begins at 3 p.m. at the Cumberland County Library, 300 Maiden Lane. Tour members should wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes.

    Bruce Daws, City Historian and Historic Properties Manager, will lead the tour, as participants explore Downtown Fayetteville’s collection of commercial, public, residential and religious buildings dating from the late eighteenth century to the mid-twentieth century.

    In addition to examining how Fayetteville was designed, its layout and historic landscape features that helped define how early Fayetteville was developed, participants will visually examine the various layers of development, as well as learn about the form and function of the Market House, the only National Landmark in Cumberland County.

    “The Downtown Historic District has statewide significance as a remarkably intact town center,” said Daws. “Government, commercial and residential buildings from 1788 to the 1950s stand along the picturesque meanders of Cross Creek and the elegant classical avenues of the 1783 town plan. And Fayetteville is the only town in North Carolina to retain its antebellum town hall (Market House) in the center of market square.”

    The tour also includes the opportunity to examine the character-defining architectural details found in the Historic District, to include Federal, Greek revival, Second Empire, Italianate, Romanesque, Colonial, Art Deco and Moderne. Participants will receive educational handouts and review new construction in the Historic District and the requirements for these projects.

    “Fayetteville’s historic built environment provides a tangible link with our past and defines the character of our city,” Daws said.

    For more information, please call (910) 433-1457, 433-1458 or 433-1944.

    Photo: Liberty Point played a significant role in Fayetteville’s history.

  • Form is defi ned by dictionary.com as an external appearance of a clearly defi ned area, as distinguished from color or material; configuration; the shape of a thing or person. There are many forms that catch our attention daily; the form of butterfly wings in flight, or the form of shadows on the wall at night. We can think of the beauty and rarity of a butterfly. The metamorphosis that it goes through captures our attention and presents a sense of awe and wonder. In the darkness of night we can take our hands and form the shadows of bunnies, dogs and ducks; however, there is one form that captures our attention each and every day — the form of the human body. No two are alike. They are all exceptionally unique, priceless masterpieces. From the full and robust to the slender and sleek, there is an appeal to each form we pass and meet; the human form how wonderful indeed.08-22-12-visual-arts.gif

    Artists are known for seeing with the eye and creating with the heart and the mind. Their work is manifested in many mediums — pictures, sculptures and interpretations of different forms. The Visual Arts Alliance has come together to present just that in their exhibition “The Human Form.” In this exhibition “artists will investigate all aspects of the human body,” says Dwight Smith, curator of the exhibit. Videos of the human body, and much more will be displayed as each artist takes the theme and interprets what it means to them.

    “The Human Form” is a celebration of the human body. It speaks to the core of humankind displayed throughout time. It speaks to us. What form do we know better than our own? From the hands that touch and feel to the silhouette of a torso and wrinkles that line our faces revealing time’s passing, the human form captures it all.

    “The Human Form” is the first group exhibition by the Visual Arts Alliance which includes: Fayetteville Sate University, Rose Gallery, Fayetteville Technical Community College, Cape Fear Studios, Methodist University, Old Town Gallery, The Arts Council Fayetteville/Cumberland County and the Fayetteville Art Guild. The alliance presents high-quality visual artwork and uses an idea and theme to further art education. Work from artists ages 18 years and older will be on display. The exhibit is formally set to open on Aug. 24, and will run until Sept. 22, at Gallery One13, which is located at 113 Gillespie Street. The gallery hours are: Friday and Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. An opening reception is scheduled for the fi rst night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

    When you awake in the morning and face the mirror you see a form which has changed over time; maybe you like what you see, maybe you don’t. Nevertheless, the image that stares back at you is a rare one-of-a-kind treasure. What’s seen on the outside does not compare to the greatness that lies within — systems and functions that consistently work together to support life. It’s amazing, and so is “The Human Form.”

    Rekindle your relationship with wonderful you. Go to the exhibit and be inspired and reminded of the beauty of the human form. For all of our body’s frailties and fl aws there are numerous strengths and successes — and that is worth celebrating. For additional information on “The Human Form” exhibit call 223-2787.

    Photo: “Backside” by Alexandra Bloch.

  • A Problem Without Solution

    I have been unable to get the story out of my mind since I read it earlier this month.

    A 66-year-old former welder in Ohio took a taxi to the hospital where his wife lay in an intensive care bed, unable to speak following a stroke the week before. Hospital staff heard a pop and rushed to the woman’s bedside to fi nd that John Wise had just shot his wife of 45 years in the head.

    “Please tell me she is dead,” he said to a doctor. The next day, she was.

    Blessedly, this is not a common story.

    Sadly, it is not a rare one either. Mr. and Mrs. Wise fit a documented pattern of an older man using a firearm to end the life of an older woman close to him, usually a relative, whose health he perceives as failing. There are many other human configurations as well.

    Such actions are sometimes referred to as “mercy killings.” They arise from profoundly painful situations and spark controversy wherever they occur. Widespread public debate has been underway in Great Britain for several years, and the Wise case may trigger similar debate in our country.

    Wise has been charged with aggravated murder, although the charges in and outcomes of such cases vary widely. Many are not prosecuted at all, sometimes because the person who causes the death is depressed or otherwise ill. Wise hi08-22-12-medical.gifmself is a cancer survivor, a diabetic, and suffers from nerve damage. Sometimes the person doing the killing is overcome physically and mentally by the unrelenting stress of caregiving. When such cases are prosecuted, juries are often sympathetic. Millions of families have coped with and understand the toll illness and incapacitation take not only on the sufferers but on those who love them as well.

    Earlier this year, a New York man received a six-month jail sentence after killing his 98-year-old mother and attempting suicide himself. Authorities said the man had been diagnosed with cancer and was afraid there would be no one to care for his disabled mother. A Washington state man is awaiting his fate after shooting his terminally ill wife to death. He said she begged him to do so.

    Donna Cohen, who directs the Violence and Injury Prevention Program at the University of South Florida, studies such cases and is at work on a book, Caregivers Who Kill. Cohen fears an increase in so-called mercy killings as millions of Baby Boomers age with longer life expectancies and spotty mental health services and respite opportunities throughout the nation. Watching a loved one suffer with nowhere to turn can be the trigger that sends an otherwise loving caregiver over the edge, she says. Difficult situations are complicated as well by a medical system that has the technology to keep people alive regardless of the quality of the life they are enduring.

    Excruciating as some mercy killing situations are, American law has no provisions for the legal killing of another human being, no matter how much that person may be suffering.

    Nor should it.

    Physician-assisted suicide is legal under strictly limited circumstances in three states — Montana, Oregon and Washington. Any other killing is a crime everywhere, and with good reasons. Every religious faith I know of is clear that no person has the right to take another person’s life. In addition, people outside faith communities agree — because of the potential for abuse. Who has the right to make the ultimate decision for another? Who has the right to implement such a decision? How should such a decision be executed — literally?

    The reality of mercy killing is as old as mankind. It has been practiced by health-care workers and on battlefi elds since before recorded history. I even read a British commentator who alleges that a gravely ill King George the V, Queen Elizabeth’s grandfather, was administered a lethal shot by his physician just before the doctor announced that the “King’s life is moving peaceably towards its close.”

    We are now a very public culture, though, and there are few secrets and even less discretion. Pair current culture with longer life spans, fragmented families and communities, medical technology, and uneven medical access and we are here. John Wise and others have faced situations no one wants and cracked. Others will as well.

    The answer is not changing long-held legal and moral concepts.

    The best approach — for there is no real answer to this most agonizing human dilemma — is more thorough palliative care, more accessible respite opportunities and doing for others as we would want them to do for us.

    In the end, we are all human beings and we all want to be treated that way.

    Photo: American law has no provisions for the legal killing of another human being, no matter how much that person may be suffering.

  • uac081512001.jpg If there is one thing that Sonny Kelly, operations director of Fayetteville Urban Ministries understands, it’s that crisis is not a respecter of persons. Anyone can fall on hard times, and Kelly believes they should be able to get back up again, with their dignity intact. That’s where Fayetteville Urban Ministry comes in. The focus is on transforming lives through faith, hope, love and security, and this is done through a four-pronged approach. Services offered include the Find-AFriend program, emergency assistance, the Adult Literacy Program and the Nehemiah Project.

     

    Like many non-profits these days, the organization has the same mission but less money than in previous years. That hasn’t slowed down progress though. In fact, on Aug. 24 and 25, Kelly invites you to join in celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Find-A-Friend Program. “We’re inviting everyone to come to725 W. Rowan St. on Aug. 24 and join us for an open house,” said Kelly. “There will be food and games and you can hang out in the park. This is really a chance to tell people about what we do.” It’s also an opportunity to plug into the local organization and meet some of the volunteers and community resources that support the program. The event is free and lasts from 4-8 p.m.

    On Aug. 25, celebrate in style with the Fayetteville Celebrity Idol at the Marquis Market. It’s the last weekend before Labor Day, so take advantage of it and join the fun at the All White Affair. “This is going to be a good time with people singing karaoke and competing,” said Kelly. “We have a great list of people who are going to perform to support our cause.”

    Stick around after the performance and enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar and coffee shop. The event is open to patrons 21 and older. The fun starts at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by calling 483-4661 or 483-5944 or at www.fayurbinmin.org.

    Find-A-Friend is about making a difference in the lives of young people. The program includes free tutoring, mentoring, afterschool leadership and life skills workshops and a 6-week Summer Achievement Camp for approximately 200 at-risk youth each year.

    Brandon Price is the community liaison at Fayetteville Urban Ministry. He’s thrilled to be a part of an organization that has an impact in the community. The Find-A-Friend program serves 200 kids a year, which is up from 30 kids ten years ago when they started. “One of our goals is to help keep kids out of juvenile detention centers. In the state of North Carolina it costs more than $125,000 to pay to send a kid to a juvenile detention center for a year. It costs $1,500 to send a young person through Find-A-Friend. When you talk about the fact that this program saves our community and our state more than $1 million each year, I think that is astronomical.”

    For number crunchers and donors, it is good to know that the program is making a difference. For the kids in the program, there is no way to put a price on what they get out of Find-A-Friend — for some it is self-esteem, for others it is encouragement and refi ned coping skills, for everyone it is a sense of belonging and a source of support.

    “What makes us unique is that each of us as staff can relate to these kids in some form or fashion,” said Price. “It is a place where kids can go for behavior modification services, but it’s also a place to call home — where they can be themselves. We can’t take them out of the homes they live in but we can give them tools to survive.”

    On the 30th Anniversary of the Find-A-Friend program, Fayetteville Urban Ministry is launching its 30/30 campaign to raise funds to continue making a difference in the community. “Our goal is to raise $30,000,” said Kelly. “We are asking people to team up with friends and organizations, or if they are able to give as individual supporters to do that. We are asking for 30 contributions of $1,000 each from the community.”

    “We strive to be transparent with the work we do with these kids,” said Price. “We want to continue to grow and to help more kids. Our organization is based on being good servants and we have seen that this attitude makes a difference in changing lives.”

    While youth are the focus of Find- A-Friend, Fayetteville Urban Ministry has other programs that meet different kinds of needs in the community. Emergency Assistance is provided in the form of food, clothing and financial help. According to Fayetteville Urban Ministry, in the 2010-2011 fiscal year, this program helped more than 5,000 family members and more than 300 people in the homeless community.

    The Nehemiah Project repairs the homes of low-income homeowners at no cost to the resident. The program partners with contractors, volunteers and other programs and serves between 170 and 200 elderly and/or low income home owners every year.

    The Adult Literacy Program serves between 150-185 adult students each year. It costs about $320 to put an adult student through the program, but the difference it makes to the individual is priceless. Find out more about Fayetteville Urban Ministry and how you can make a difference at wwwfayurbmin.org. 

  • 08-15-12rw2011-2.jpg

    Saturday, Sept. 15, will be a day to celebrate, honor and support our family and friends; our children and siblings; our co-workers — maybe even you.

    Chances are, you know someone with cancer. Many people who receive the news that they have cancer feel as if their lives have been turned upside down. Even when they come to accept the reality of cancer, they may feel their life is changed, for cancer can affect you emotionally, physically and fi nancially.

    For Mary Acker, Saturday, Sept. 15, will be personal. She’s a survivor. In June 2011, Acker was diagnosed with Stage I breast cancer and began treatment at Cape Fear Valley Cancer Treatment and CyberKnife Center.

    After putting off her annual mammogram for years, Acker decided to fi nally get one at the urging of her physician. Her initial mammogram showed she needed more scans. An eventual biopsy confi rmed that she did in fact have breast cancer. While the initial diagnosis scared Acker, she felt confi dent in the physicians at Cape Fear Valley Cancer Center.

    “The thing that impressed me the most about Cape Fear Valley Cancer Center is how the system is so interdisciplinary,” she said. “My doctors met and reviewed my case at every stage to determine the best methods of treatment for me. I did not feel like a number or a nameless medical record. It was personal.”

    She underwent two surgeries and radiation treatment at Cape Fear Valley over the course of a few months. Treatments left her anxious and depressed, but she found help in the Cancer Center’s free Complementary Medicine program.

    “I was naturally anxious and sometimes depressed over my situation, but massage therapy and other programs helped me relax and re-focus on the blessings in my life,” explained Acker. “I felt my mind, body and spirit were in good hands.”

    The Cancer Center’s Complementary Medicine program offers individual sessions in massage therapy, refl exology and healing touch. Art therapy, nutrition classes and “Look Good... Feel Better®” sessions are offered for small groups. Most of the services are free, and all are relaxing, fun or informative. Some services may even help manage the symptoms experienced during traditional cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

    Patients who are currently undergoing cancer treatment or have undergone treatment within the past year may use the oasis’ services at either of the Cancer Center’s two locations: Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and Health Pavilion North.

    Cape Fear Valley’s Complementary Medicine services are offered free or at minimal cost due to the generosity of donors and fundraising events like the Friends of the Cancer Center’s annual Ribbon Walk & Ride. Proceeds raised through the Ribbon Walk & Ride go directly to the Friends of the Cancer Center, which provides hundreds of cancer patients and their families with emotional support, information resources, food supplements, free wigs and turbans and emergency needs funding. In addition, each year, Friends of the Cancer Center sponsors Camp Rockfi sh, a camp to celebrate life for cancer patients and their families.

    Lucky for Acker, her cancer responded quickly to the treatment and she is back on the path to good health. She is a survivor, and this year she is joining hundreds of others to walk downtown in the 7th Annual Ribbon Walk & Ride for Cancer.

    Proceeds from the event will benefi t Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation’s Friends of the Cancer Center. The support you give will make a difference in the lives of hundreds of cancer patients and their families. For more information or to register, please visit www.ribbonwalkforcancer. org or call (910) 615-1434.

  • Submitted for your consideration is my annual “What I Did On My Summer Vacation” column. We spent some time in the Blue Ridge Mountains where I encountered a fascinating canine Zen Master. I refer to the Most Exalted Spike 7, a three-legged philosopher dog who lives in the back country near the Blue Ridge Parkway.

    Spike 

    08-15-12-pitt.jpg

    can impart much wisdom if you will carefully listen to his bark. He has a profound grasp of what is important and what is merely passing like the wind through the willows. Consider if you will, the parable of Spike to explain the mysteries of life in the waning days of the Summer of 2012.

    The answers from Spike came blowing in the wind. As you may recall, in late June, Fayetteville had its brush with a giant hail storm powered by an ill wind called a Derecho. Derecho is Spanish for “I’ll blow your house down.” The same set of Derecho winds blew through Walnut Knob which is a mountain in Virginia where my wife’s family owns a cabin. The wind did not knock down the cabin, but it uprooted the bridge to a very small island in the pond in front of the cabin. According to a neighbor’s wind gauge, about 85 mph of Derecho blew through Walnut Knob. The wind picked up the bridge and twisted it into a wooden mountain pretzel. 

    No man is an island. And what good is an island if you can’t walk across a bridge to drink coffee on it in the morning? The engineering feat of repairing the bridge is far above my pay grade. After asking around for a Mr. Fixit, we located Ike the Cattle Farmer who can do anything. Ike came over to survey the damaged bridge and brought his dog Spike 7. 

    Turns out Ike has had seven dogs, all of whom were named Spike. Like the lady in the old Herman’s Hermits song “I’m Henry the Eighth” who only married guys named Henry, Ike only has dogs named Spike. The mountains, although beautiful, are unforgiving as the law of nature ain’t a bean bag. After a run in with an angry Momma Cow, Spike now has only three legs. Ike explained that coyotes have infi ltrated the mountains and are killing calves. The killing of her calf enraged Mamma Cow.

    The coyotes murdered her calf and left Spike to take the blame.

    Cows have memories but are not particularly sophisticated when it comes to telling dogs from coyotes. Mamma Cow spotted Spike after the killing and decided that he was the Dingo who took her baby. She kicked him so hard that his left front leg had to be amputated. Ike got a $1,400 veterinary bill. Spike lost his front leg. Mamma Cow got sweet, if mistaken, revenge.

    Spike had to wear a T-shirt for a few days to keep him from chewing at his new stump but has now recovered famously. Spike is a very happy guy despite now being a three-legged dog. He sat on the front porch smiling, except when he went happily hobbling through the yard looking for something interesting to eat. Spike’s only problem is that when he lifts his leg to pee, he falls over. He gets up, grinning despite this issue. Through everything he grins.

    The message is to strive to be like Spike. Keep grinning and don’t worry if you pee on your leg. It was suggested to Spike that he use the lady-dog method to relieve himself. No way, Jose. Spike is a manly dog. He is macho and refuses to squat. If he pees on his leg, he pees on his leg. Imagine that, a male doing something stubborn.

    Spike does not care about who eats Chick-fi l-A sandwiches. He doesn’t care about the Presidential slime-fest going on all around him. He doesn’t even care that porn star Jenna Jameson has endorsed Mitt Romney for President. He is abundantly unconcerned that NASA’s space ship Curiosity landed on Mars. He just likes being outside and smiling at the world.

    He does not even bear a grudge against cows, although Ike says he is now cautious around them. Spike told me he really isn’t mad at the coyotes because the coyotes were just doing what coyotes do.

    Spike is all Zen, all the time.If we could all be like Spike, the world would be a better place despite an increase in wet trouser legs.

  • 08-15-12 pubnotes.jpg

    Okay, so it might seem that I’m on a social-media kick — but there is a method to my madness.

    I am on Facebook a lot. Not during work hours — one because government computers don’t allow it, but more importantly because I have better things to do then talk about what the fashionchallenged wear to work. And believe me — I could talk a lot about that.

    But that’s not the point.

    Like many people, I use Facebook to keep in touch with friends and family who are far away. Being a military spouse, that’s the majority of the people who are my friends. Not to say that I don’t have a number of people who are near and dear who live in Fayetteville.

    But that being said, I use Facebook as a means of being social. I don’t use it as a means of proselytizing, or making political statements. I make my political statements at the polls where they count — not where they just annoy people.

    If I want to make a political statement, then I will write a letter to the editor. And, you can bet before I do that, I will have researched what I am talking about thoroughly and my thoughts won’t be from some political machine, but rather from my convictions.

    Unfortunately, that isn’t the case with the majority of people. Before you post something, make sure it is true. And most importantly, know your audience.

    I, for one, am not a big fan of all the posts by folks who think they shouldn’t have to pay their student loans back. I’m the girl who worked from 4 in the morning until 11 at night every day of my summer break to pay for school. I’m also the girl who couldn’t have cable and drove a rickety car for years to pay back my student loans. I don’t want to hear why you shouldn’t have to pay yours back because I’m still too tired from paying mine back.

    I also don’t want to read the statements that begin with “Know the truth” only to get to the end and fi nd out the truth you are pushing is paid for by some special interest group whose truth is obviously not a truth but rather their interpretation of the truth.

    If I want that kind of truth shoved in my face, I will stand in line at the grocery store and read it on the pages of the tabloids.

    As the political season heats up, I may borrow a page from my husband’s play book. He doesn’t like to receive game requests and political statements. If one of his friends begins to inundate him with those kinds of things, he simply blocks their posts from appearing on his page and they are none the wiser. Smart man.

  • 08-08-12-cfvh.gifEach of us can’t be there to directly tend to the needs of our loved ones. That’s where the Foundation at Cape Fear Valley Health can step in. The donations to the Foundation go directly to support cancer patients right here in Fayetteville and Cumberland County.

    The Ribbon Walk (and Ride), as well as golf tournaments and charity drives at companies and schools in the area, all help support Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation. Each help fund both major acquisitions and seemingly small comforts for patients of Cape Fear Valley Health.

    The work of the Foundation helps make Cape Fear Valley Health a “magical place”, according to Brad Loase, a cancer survivor. “It’s the little things they do, not just for patients, but for families as well, to make things easier for them. I always felt wanted, that people were happy to see me. I remember all their faces.”

    Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation’s Friends of the Cancer Center provide assistance with transportation to and from appointments. They can help with emergency funding for medications and utilities, mammograms, and a range of personal needs. And sometimes they just sit and wait with you, providing emotional support and a smile. Brad says “They are the most amazing people.” Friends of the Cancer Center is a community of dedicated volunteers who nurture, support and guide cancer patients and their families through a profoundly emotional time to improve the quality of our patient’s lives. FOCC provides many support programs such as Artful Reflections (painting every Friday), Coming Together (kids and parents group), Man Talk, and the Oasis Complementary Medicine Program.

    With your help we will continue to work to make a difference for each of our patients, each of our starfish. You can make a difference by participating in the 7th Annual Ribbon Walk & Ride for Cancer. This year’s event will be held on Sept. 15 downtown at the Medical Arts building. The 5K (3 miles) walk will take participants through downtown Fayetteville, Linear Park and back. The motorcycle ride will be on a separate route.

    Registration is $25, but only $15 for survivors and t-shirts will be provided. Registration will open at 9 a.m., ride begins at 9:45 a.m. and walk at 10 a.m. All survivors registered by Aug. 15, will be invited to join us for the 1st Annual Survivor Reception on September 14 at SkyView on Hay. Join our community as an individual walker/rider or team in honor and memory of your loved ones while helping our patient’s right here at home. To register, and for more information, please visit www.ribbonwalkforcancer.org, or call 615-1434.

    In last week’s issue, the author of the Ribbon Walk Article was Ginny Deffendall.

    Photo: The Friends of the Cancer Center plays an important role in helping families of patients.

  • uac080812001.gif When Fascinate-U Children’s Museum opened its doors on Green Street in 1999, Susan Daniels, the executive director used to get calls from nervous parents asking where it was safe to park so they could bring their kids to see the exhibits. Fascinate-U had 10,000 visitors that year. Things are different now.

    More than 48,000 visitors came to the museum last year. The building also houses the local model train blub and Gilbert Theater, which is known throughout the community for it’s stellar performances.

    Progress like this is nothing to sneeze at, but Daniels, along with supporters of the museum and local organizations see no reason to stop now. In fact, there are some pretty exciting things in the works.

    At the top of the list is a new exhibit — a farm. “We had a scouting badge workshop in here recently and the kids brainstormed eggs as a dairy product … it is in the dairy section at the store,” said Daniels. “There is such a disconnect these days. Many people how no idea where their food comes from or how it gets from where ever it is grown/made/processed to the dinner table.”

    A visitor to the museum also noticed the absence of the food chain in the museum exhibits. Daniels and the Board of the museum took note and started looking for ways to add this information to their exhibits.

    Thanks to some very generous local nonprofits, industry, and personal contributions from donors, Fascinate-U is looking to open the new exhibit in the near future. “There is so much potential here, “ said Daniels. The exhibit will include root vegetables in plexi glass under a grow light so kids can actually see what the food looks like when it is in the ground and farm animals like hens, pigs and a cow. “The cow is going to be great. It’s a milking cow with a pump inside so the kids will actually be able see what it is like to milk a cow,” Daniels added.

    The exhibit also includes an orchard. “We will be able to Velcro the fruit to the wall and give the kids the opportunity to “pick” the fruit and make the connection that our fruit grows on trees,” said Daniels.

    That is just the beginning. Daniels plans to use the exhibit as a platform to talk about nutrition and healthy meal planning and food preparation, to engage local farmers and possibly include them in educational programs, to explore the process of how food gets from the farm to the table and the carbon footprint that process leaves. “There is a lot we can build on here,” she said.

    In addition to the new exhibit, the museum is set to get a few upgrades, too. Having 48,000 visitors a year is a wonderful thing, but it can involve some wear and tear, so new paint on the walls and new flooring are in the works. That may take a bit longer, but it’s something that Daniels knows will make a difference for people who come through.

    “The flooring may take a little longer because we also hope to redo some of the mini-city exhibit,” said Daniels. 08-08-12-fascinate-u-.gif

    Bringing almost 50,000 people a year is not small feat and it doesn’t happen over night, but the strong programming and community outreach has built a strong following that many in the community hope to build on.

    The museum works with both the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of America on badge workshops and other educational and community service projects.

    Super Science Saturday and Make It Take It Saturdays provide hands-on learning experiences and include some creativity for patrons. There are three snakes, a tarantula and several rats that are a part of the programming at various time through out the year. Every 4th Friday there is a kid-friendly project for children to enjoy and admission to the museum is free. The Cape Fear Railroaders invite visitors (as well as the general public) to the museum to an open house on the first and third Saturday of each month, too.

    During the summer, science and art camps fill the calendar at Fascinate-U. Kids can choose between art and science or stay all day and enjoy them both — once mom and dad sign them up. If camp is out of the question, Daniels suggests holding a birthday party there or hosting a group event for the kids at Fascinate-U.

    During the school year, local schools benefit from the outreach efforts of Daniels. The museum has been in the classrooms in local schools for the past three years. “Last year we were in four local elementary schools 14 times during the year,” said Daniels. “We reached 5,000 kids last year through our science programs, and we’ve shared our “Simply Science” program in Bladen County, too.”

    In order to continue to grow the programming, the inaugural Fascinate-U Children’s Open is scheduled for Sept. 14-15. “We were looking for something fun and different to do — something wholesome and family friendly,” said Daniels.

    It’s a miniature golf tournament that will include nine holes, made by sponsors, so each hole will be a one-of-a-kind. “We really hope that the sponsors will make their holes distinctive and unique — something that reflects who they are and their place in the community,” said Daniels.

    There will be other fun activities during the event, too. Look for bounce houses, face painting, games, food, a silent auction and local mascots from area teams and businesses. “We hope to see hundreds of people come out for this. It is family friendly and something everyone can enjoy,” said Daniels. “Our goal is to raise $10,000 this year.”

    Find out more about Fascinate-U and how you can help at www.fascinate_u.com or by calling 829-9171.

    Photo: An artists rendering of the new Fascinating Farm exhibit that is coming to Fascinate-U.

  • For many the idea of leaping from an aircraft is absurd, leaping from a mechanically sound aircraft seems downright crazy. None the less, 72 years ago some brave souls took the plunge at Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia, and changed warfare and recreation drastically. Fayetteville in particular has been affected by airborne operation, being the home of the 82nd Airborne Division, and so it comes as no surprise that the history is celebrated here. 08-08-12-airborne.gif

    This holiday honoring airborne troops was established in 2002 by President George W. Bush, and recognized by the Senate in 2009. It is however, the 72nd Anniversary of the first parachute jumps taken in Ft. Benning, Georgia that is being celebrated — as well as the museums 10th anniversary. Paul Galloway the executive director of the Airborne Special Operations Museum explained this by saying, “It’s in honor of all the paratroopers and special operations soldiers that have come before us. It came about because of the 40 soldiers that first jumped out of the airplane for the army, and it’s important not to forget those guys.”

    Airborne Operations were integral in the Allied victories in WWII, (like D-day) and there is a tremendous sense of pride amongst all airborne soldiers. To honor these soldiers, and those who have fallen in these operations, there will be a ceremonial wreath laid at the feet of the iconic Iron Mike statue. That is not the only memorial to paratroopers as ASOM has a memorial to the original 40 jumpers. “We have a monument on site, outside of the museum, that has all their names on it,” Galloway says. The day’s festivities include free-fall parachute demonstrations for the public to enjoy, executed by the Golden Knights, the U.S. Army Parachute Team, the Black Daggers of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, and the 82nd Airborne Division’s All American Freefall Team. This demonstration will give spectators a taste of the excitement and joy felt by those who opened the doors to these possibilities by taking the very first plunge from an aircraft.

    Fort Bragg will also provide soldiers to set up both modern and WW II equipment for visitors toexplore and learn about how much technology has changed over the years. Further highlighting the changes the Army has experienced, re-enactors will be walking around amongst the current soldiers wearing uniforms from WWII. Galloway acknowledges the Army’s role in this celebrations by saying, “It’s an Army event, not a (Airborne Special Operations Museum) Foundation event, and they always lay a wreath in honor of all the army paratroopers and special operations soldiers that have died from today to the past.” 

    The event will be taking place on Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum located at 100 Bragg Boulevard. For more information visit the museum’s website www.asomf.org or call 910-643-2766.

    Photo: Airborne Operations were integral in the Allied victories in WWII, (like D-day) and there is a tremendous sense of pride amongst all airborne soldiers. 

  • How can two people walk together unless they agree? They can’t. Have you ever done the three legged race? One of your legs is tied to another person, in order to get to the finish line you must work as a team. During the race there is no time to discuss08-08-12-umoja.gif strategy or to go through a long discussion about a teammate’s weaknesses or strengths. You just get together and work with what you have to successfully complete the race. It’s not about the individual but about the group, it’s about Umoja! Umoja is a Swahili word that means unity. The focusis on building communities that stand together with mutual respect and cooperation.

    On Aug. 18, 2012 the Umoja Festival will be held at Seabrook Park at 1520 Slater Ave. in Fayetteville. The Umoja Festival is an African-American cultural, family and community festival. The event is from noon until 7 p.m. It is free and open to the public. The festival is sponsored by Umoja Group, Inc. of Fayetteville, a nonprofit organization whose mission initiates and supports African, African-American and Caribbean positive history, art and culture.

    The event is truly festive and includes: storytellers, cultural displays, music, ethnic food, a fish fry and vendors. The Fayetteville State University and E.E. Smith bands will be present along with the Delta Steppers. Radio station107.7 Jamz, 3rd World Soundz, Fayetteville/Cumberland Parks & Recreation, the African-American Education & Research Organization, as well as Cape Fear Valley Health will also be participating in the festival. According to the project director, Isabella Effon, you don’t want to miss the good food. “If you are on a diet that day, take a day off and enjoy the food.”

    Although the crowds will be delighted with the food Effon states that the festival is really about bringing families together. “The festival is more family oriented; the elders of the African-American community come out in great numbers. They look forward to it,” says Effon. Many of the elderly come out to talk about their history. Some of them have been interviewed by the Umoja groups’ presidential director Dorothy Fielder. During the festival you will have an opportunity to converse with these “treasures of heritage.” They are walking books of culture and heritage.

    This festival has been held since the inception of the Umoja group. This year marks the 22nd year of Umoja Festival. The Umoja group has hosted other events in the past twenty years as well including Kwanza, the Malcolm X Forum, and it’s first Women’s Conference, which was held February of this year.

    The group also holds international exhibits. In the coming year they will hold a music exhibit from the West Africa Department of Performing and Fine Arts, so mark the calendar and plan to attend. And while celebrating Umoja, take some time to look at the Fayetteville State University mural on Seabrook Dr. This mural is painted and cared for by the Umoja group, partners in both the community and education.

    As a partner in the community the group is offering free health screenings. The health screenings are sponsored by Cape fear Valley Health and the African Physicians Association of Fayetteville. These spectacular screenings are the highlight of the festival. The screenings provide many on site services, such as glucose & blood pressure screenings, rapid HIV testing, one on one doctor consultations, EKGs, BMI ( body mass index ) screenings and the opportunity to sign up for a mammogram. So while you are there be sure to go by and get a free health screening, just do some dancing before the screenings and eat after your BMI check.

    It’s a family affair. It’s about coming together. It’s about linking up. It’s about sharing and moving forward as a unit, as a community; mutual respect, mutual effort, mutual support and lots of fun.

    In case of rain the Umoja festival will be held on Aug. 25 instead of Aug. 18. For more information call 910-483-6152. Vendors please call 910-488-7130.

  • 08-08-12-ceed.gifRunning a small business is difficult and time consuming, but often rewarding. Many times, the biggest challenges are unnecessary, but unavoidable for those who lack experience and information. This is not death sentence however, and help is available for small business owners, and it’s called the Center of Economic Empowerment and Development (CEED). CEED, which is an organization designed to help support local small business owners, kicks off the Partners in Progress. Laura Solano, the CEED business consultant described the program’s purpose by saying, “It’s not only a networking meeting, it’s a mentoring group … and also we offer information, something of interest for small business owners. It’s an opportunity to network with other business owners and to get your information about what’s going on out there and what resources are available for small business owners.”

    In this time of economic hardship, it is undeniable and unavoidable that businesses have suffered all over the country, particularly small businesses. This does not mean however that growth must stop. It is the entrepreneurs who charge ahead with their brilliant ideas and business confidence that revitalize economies. “We want to bring information to our small-business owners. There are programs out there that might not be promoted as much as we wanted to so we try to put together three great speakers and offer the programs that the community is looking for, especially small business owners,” Solano explains.

    The Partners in Progress program meets once a month, and for the kick off — Mentoring Roundtable — three speakers that will provide valuable information for small business owners searching for success. “I have a representative from work force development. She will be speaking about the Adult Experience Program. Jess Hunt is the Family Chamber President and CEO, and he’s going to be talking about how to go from a home-based business to brick and mortar, and the regional representative for the Small Business Association is coming to talk on the 504 Loan Program,” says Solano. The 504 Loan Program, has $7.5 billion in financing available from the Small Business Association.

    Perhaps the most valuable resource these meetings provide is the networking opportunities. Deals and partnerships can propel businesses into new success and open doors for opportunity, but they cannot be made without relationships. Solano expresses the importance of networking further by saying, “Networking is a very essential part of business. It must be a constant activity, trying to establish that it is an everyday thing just like a marketing strategy, and everyday taking care of your business.”

    The meeting will be held at the Marquis Market in downtown Fayetteville. There is a $30 fee for those who attend, but it is reduced to $20 for non-members as an introductory price if they join CEED on that day, but free for members. To register or for more information contact Laura Solano at lsolano@ncceed.org or call 323-3377. The meeting is on Aug. 16, at 116 Person St. at the Marquis Market.

    Photo: Small business owners find support as well as educational and networking opportunities.

  • The Dark Knight Rises(Rated PG-13) 4 Stars

    Where to begin? First off, don’t get me wrong. I am not saying that The Dark Knight Rises (164 minutes) isn’t an entertaining film. It is. This baby is going to make millions, fulfill the expectations of many fans and sell a lot of popcorn. What I am saying is that for the final film in a groundbreaking series it wasn’t that good and I was rather underwhelmed. And I say that speaking as someone who really likes Batman. When it comes to the eternal question of whether Batman or Superman would win a mano-e-mano, I always pick Batman. But to put it frankly, I was bored.

    It’s been eight years since the events depicted in The Dark Knight. Gotham i08-08-12-movie.gifs fairly peaceful, and Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman) is questioning his decision to hide the truth about Batman (Christian Bale) from the public. Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne is a recluse, and Alfred the Butler (Michael Caine) is pretty fed up with tending to him. But being a recluse doesn’t mean you can’t throw a party! And despite the common sense practice of running background checks on the people you allow within a hundred miles of your secret lair, somehow a cat burglar (Anne Hathaway) manages to make her way onto the kitchen staff. During the party she infiltrates the inner sanctum of Bruce Wayne and sets the second half of the film into motion.

    Through a series of inconvenient coincidences, the details of the Batman/Harvey Dent cover-up are revealed to the main villain, Bane (Tom Hardy). He hangs out in the sewer to ponder this information whilst mumbling to himself. This leaves the burden of advancing the plot to the rest of the characters. For instance, Miranda Tate (Marion Cotillard) hosts a charity ball so Batman and Catwoman have a place to meet and exchange banter. Deputy Dumba … I mean, Deputy Blake (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) draws some astonishing conclusions based on a logical leap coupled with a lucky guess, thus winning over both Commissioner Gordon and Batman.

    The plot moves forward at a snail’s pace, so this is probably a good place to mention the flaws inherent in the MPAA rating system. With all the people getting shot, and the implied rapes taking place in the background, it seems a bit odd that this film would end up with a PG-13 rating. The series of comics the movie is based on was meant for a more mature audience, and while I am not advocating for censorship (the MPAA is biased in a number of ways), it seems like this is at least as disturbing as the documentary Bully — and the filmmakers behind that had to engage in some hardcore lobbying to get its rating changed from R to PG-13.

    Overall, the main problem with the film was the pacing. The first half was positively sluggish, and the timeline of the last third was all kinds of screwed up. Seriously. Watch the movie and try to figure out the timeline of events. It just doesn’t make any sense without some major suspension of disbelief. The grand climax doesn’t seem scientifically accurate. Finally, if Gotham City does indeed have more than 3,000 police, why do I only see the one chick in the background police shots? I will admit that the twist is worth waiting for, and the very end of the film includes a nice emotional touchstone. The average viewer will like it — just don’t overthink it (I did. See how that worked out for me?).

    Now showing at Wynnsong 7, Carmike 12 and Carmike Market Fair 15.

  • I had planned on August being my favorite month this year. How could it not be — the month started with seven-days at the beach, the middle of the month brought the youngest Burton’s birthday and we were to end the month with a roadtrip to Baltimore to watch our beloved New York Yankees in a double header against the Orioles.08-31-11-publishers\'-notes.jpg

    Unfortunately, things don’t always turn out as planned.

    Oh, I went to the beach, and the fi rst four days were all that I had hoped for. I spent most of those days with my toes in the sand or in the water; not a telephone or computer in sight. I did plow through a number of books — about 10 — and basked in the joy of doing nothing but being with my family.

    Day five altered things dramatically. I decided to spend the day on the water with my husband and son on the boat — they had been fi shing most of the week on the Intracoastal Waterway. The morning was beautiful — not a cloud in the sky. It was shaping up to be a perfect day until a big yacht with an irresponsible driver put a dent into it.

    Suffice it to say, we ended the day in an urgent care, and for about eight weeks, I am sporting a hot-pink cast as a result of a broken right wrist.

    I’ve learned a lot about how the body adapts when you lose the use of a limb. I am now a pretty quick one-hand typist. I can write with my left hand. It’s not pretty, but it gets the job done.I’ve also learned to depend a little more on other people — something I’m not very good at. In leaning a little on others, I’ve been blessed to see the remarkable kindness in those I know — and complete strangers, too.

    And while this break is causing me some challenges, it is only temporary. That is not the case with many in our society who have lost limbs in war. Their challenges are immense and they are long-lasting. Thinking of them helps me put my frustrations in perspective.

    The week of the youngest Burtons’ birthday was challenging. I spent the week at Camp Mackall watching the immense organization of the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School optimize to run efficiently. The whole command was charged with finding ways to do things more efficiently and to put people and resources where they would provide the most bang for the buck. This was led from the bottom up. The staff got together and found ways to do things better.

    Wouldn’t it be great if they did that in Washington? Let’s just say they brought in common sense people like you and me and actually listened to what we said. I’m pretty sure I could fi nd several trillon in savings, and no one would even feel the loss.

    Couldn’t you?

    Earlier this week, quite a few of us got our first taste of an earthquake. Most of us didn’t like it. I watched as west coast citizens mocked the response to the earthquake by their east coast neighbors. What is commonplace to them isn’t quite so common here. Let’s see them stand up to a Carolina summer and then see who complains.

    As school began on Thursday, I wonder if our county’s teachers saw the earthquake and the approaching storms as omens of the year to come. I wish them smooth sailing.

    As I write this column, I should be packing for my roadtrip. Instead, I’m watching the news like countless others along the east coast wondering what damage Irene will really bring.

    In the interest of safety, we have elected not to go to Baltimore for the ballgame. Even though we are diehard Yankee fans, it’s just not worth putting ourselves in harm’s way.

    We will lose some money by not going, but it’s a pittance compared to what the overall loss will be once Irene stomps up the coast. Experts are expecting great losses to property and are expecting losses in lives as well. Hopefully, people will take the warnings to heart and seek shelter in a safe place. But as we have seen in past storms, there will be those who don’t listen, and who will pay the price.

    As for the Burtons, we plan to ride out this rainy, windy weekend in the comfort of our home.

    It’s been a wild, wild month — September is looking pretty good.

  • uac083111001.jpg As much a part of our country’s history and quest for freedom as our founding fathers, Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette, fought as a major-general in the Continental Army under George Washington. So significant was his contribution to the revolution, that in 1783, our fair city took his name, becoming Fayetteville. On Saturday, Sept. 10, the Lafayette Society of Fayetteville is honoring our city’s namesake with the fourth annual Lafayette Celebration. The day is packed with fun-filled events and activities that offer something for everyone.

    “Lafayette played a very signifi cant part in American history,” said Hank Parfi tt, president of the Lafayette Society. “Without his help, America may not have won the Revolutionary War. He was very open minded and willing to consider that perhaps the best way to fight in America is not the same as the best way to win a war in Europe. That helped signifi cantly.”

    Start the day off right at the Lafayette French Toast Breakfast Fundraiser for the Child Advocacy Center at Horne’s Café. The breakfast includes coffee, bacon or sausage and, of course, French toast. The cost is $7, and for every plate sold, Horne’s Cafe´ will donate $2 to the Child Advocacy Center. Advance tickets are available at Horne’s Café as well as the Child Advocacy Center on Ray Avenue. Tickets will also be available at the door the day of the event.

    At 9 a.m., there is a guided tour of the Lafayette Trail, which is one of the Cultural Heritage Driving Trails sponsored by the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. 

    The trail begins at the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Headquarters and Museum on Burgess Street. It covers the route that Lafayette travelled through Fayetteville when he visited the city in 1825. The tour also includes coffee, a screening of Vivé Lafayette and ends with a luncheon at the Market House. Tickets are $30 a person and registration is required. Call 678-8899 to find out more

    .If the tour does not interest you, the Lafayette Rotary Club is having a 10K, 5K and one-mile, fun run/walk. Registration starts at 8 a.m. at Fayetteville Technical Community College at the corner of Hull Road and FTCC Access Road. Pre-register before Sept. 4 and pay just $20. Funds raised will be used to buy dictionaries for Cumberland County school children. Register at www.active.com or by calling 850-8813.

    The All American Fencing Academy is hosting the Lafayette Open Fencing Tournament from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at their fencing studio at 207 B Donaldson St. The Lafayette Open is sanctioned by the North Carolina division of the United States Fencing Association. The public is invited to come and watch. It’s free.

    At 9:30 a.m., don’t miss the Lafayette Parade of Pooches. Bring your favorite French breed canine friend to the corner of Anderson and Hay Streets for a fashion show. Be sure they are wearing a French or Revolutionary War costume so Fido can compete for prizes. Register in advance by calling the Dogwood Festival at 323-1934, or pick up a registration form at the Child Advocacy Center or Horne’s Café. On-site registration will also be available on the day of the event. The cost is $5 to participate and the proceeds will benefi t the Child Advocacy Center.

    Downtown Alliance merchants are celebrating with a sidewalk sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Shoppers will find great deals on a variety of items08-31-11-lafayette_logo.jpg

    Also from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Museum of the Cape Fear is having Festival of Yesteryear. The festival celebrates Colonial and Revolutionary War history. It features military re-enactors, and several child-friendly activities, like interactive toys and games, a doll-making project, a tricorner hat project and more. There will be professional story tellers telling tales centered around colonial North Carolina. Find out more at www.museumofthecapefear.gov or by calling 437-2603.

    At noon, head to Cross Creek Park for a Party in the Park hosted by the Lafayette Society, the Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum and Morgan Stanley-Smith Barney. There will be barbecue, cake, ice cream, music and good fun. Look for games, face painting, bounce houses and more. The party lasts until 5 p.m. Admission is free, but the barbecue will cost you $7 a plate. Barbecue tickets may be purchased at City Center Gallery & Books or by calling 678-8899 or on site the day of the event. Proceeds from the sale of the barbecue will be used to help purchase historical markers for Fayetteville’s first Revolutionary War Park.

    “Something we are excited to add this year is the trolley service we will have running between the Museum of the Cape Fear and Cross Creek Park,” said Parfi tt. “People can go to the Festival of Yesteryear and then ride down to the party in the park and enjoy a late lunch or an early dinner.”

    End the day with a French wine and cheese tasting at the Fresh Café on Hay Street. The event will feature regional wines and cheeses from France. Tickets cost $15 a piece. The wine and cheese tasting runs from 3 to 9 p.m.

    Find out more about this fun-filled day at www.lafayette250.com

  • 08-31-11-herbal-wreaths.jpgDid you know that Charlemagne, a.k.a. Charles the Great, was not only ruler of the Roman Empire for 47 years, but he was also an avid gardener? So much so, that included in his royal edicts is the Capitulare des Villes, a list of plants to be grown on his royal estates. It included floral plants like lilies and roses, which are both beautiful and have medicinal purposes. Plants like savory, dill, fennel, rosemary, mint, lemon balm, thyme, lavender, rue, borage, basil, costmary and chervil were also on the list. One can only imagine the pleasure with which he anticipated the harvest season.

    From fresh fruits and veggies to aromatic flowers and herbs, it is harvest time. On Saturday, Sept. 10, the Cape Fear Botanical Garden is offering a class on herbal kitchen wreaths. From 10 a.m. to noon, come and enjoy the creative process, learn a thing or two and leave with your own, custom designed wreath.

    Herbs from the Heritage Garden, on the Cape Fear Botanical Garden property will be harvested and used to make the wreaths. Once the herbs dry, the wreaths provide an aromatic decoration as well as delicious seasonings for your meals.

    If this workshop sparks an interest for you, check out Katherine K. Schlosser’s book The Herb Society of America’s Essential Guide to Growing and Cooking With Herbs in the gift shop. It covers everything from growing herbs to how to use them and cook with them, and includes plenty of delicious recipes that you can use with your new wreath.

    There are also some fun facts in the book as well, things like “the classic definition of an herb is any plant used for flavoring, food, fragrance or medicine that is without a woody stem and that dies to the ground after flowering. This seemingly neat and tidy definition does not take into account some plants that are quite commonly known and used as herbs yet have woody stems and do not die back — for instance, rosemary, sage and lavender as well as some trees.”

    According to Schlosser, “At the National Herb Garden, the definition offered by Henry Beston in Herbs and Earth (1935) governs plant selections: ‘In its essential spirit, in its proper garden meaning an herb is a garden plant which has been cherished for itself and for a use and has not come down to us as a purely decorative thing.’”

    The workshop costs $25 for nonmembers and $20 for members. The price includes garden admission. In fact attendees are encouraged to stay and enjoy the garden after class. Preregistration is required before Sept. 6. Call 486-0221 to find out more.

    Photo: On Tuesday, Sept. 6, Cape Fear Botanical Gardens will host a workshop on how to make herbal kitchen wreaths.

  • The best thing about a charity golf tournament is that you can still be a community hero even if you hit a shank from every hole. If you’ve evolved out of the shank, the 1st Annual Chipping for Charity Golf Tournament may turn you into a community hero with a million dollars or a new BMW.

    Chipping for Charity benefits the Team Daniel Foundation and the Karen Chandler Trust. The tournament begins at 9:30 a.m. with a shotgun start on Friday, Sept. 16 at the Gates Four Golf and Country Club. Entry fees are $75 per player and $300 per four-man team. Fees include an 18-hole round of golf, cart fees, event T-shirt and lunch. Sammio’s Italian Restaurant and The Wine Café are sponsoring the 19th hole.

    Golfers may register at Sammio’s Italian Restaurant at 3057 North Main St., in Hope Mills, starting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 15. In addition to registration, golfers can bid in the silent auction.

    “We’re auctioning off a cruise, four spots for a shot at a million dollars for a hole in one, three slots for a $2,500 putting contest and four spots for a hole in one for the BMW car,” said Dr. John Tinsley, Chipping for Charity organizer. Bids will be open through the end of the tournament. Golfers may also register at 8:30 a.m. the day of the tournament or by mailing in the registration form found on the Chipping for Charity Facebook event page.08-31-11-chipping-for-charity.jpg

    The Karen Chandler Trust is named for a local musician who lost her battle with breast cancer in 1999. Before her death, fellow musicians held a benefit to help Chandler meet her fi nancial needs. The trust was established after Chandler’s death to help others in our community deal with the financial burden of living with cancer.

    “For example, if a person needs chemotherapy and they have to go out of town for treatment, the trust will help supplement the family so they can go with their family member. They fill a lot of gaps where families can fall through the cracks when insurance doesn’t pay for everything,” said Tinsley.

    Team Daniel Foundation was established in 2008 to educate families and the community about resources and services available to individuals with developmental disabilities.

    Tinsley explains, “Not all families are aware, exactly, of what the government helps pay for and Team Daniel helps families fi nd those funds and budget for their needs.”

    John and Denise Mercado, founders of Team Daniel Foundation, have personal experience navigating the maze within which support services can be hidden. Their son, Danny, contracted spinal meningitis as an infant, which caused multiple developmental disabilities. The Mercados use their experience and knowledge to advocate for families across North Carolina.

    For more information on Chipping for Charity, please contact Team Daniel Foundation at golf@teamdaniel.info or 800.991.6421.

    Photo: Chipping for Charity benefits the Team Daniel Foundation and the Karen Chandler Trust.

  • 08-31-11-festival-.jpgTake a journey back in time to the colonial period on Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m, with the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex as it hosts this year’s Festival of Yesteryear.

    “Museums educate and preserve the past. This means making sure it’s been handed down so that each new generation learns about the colonial period and the beginnings of this country,” says Leisa Greathouse, the museum’s curator of education.

    This is precisely what the Festival of Yesteryear accomplishes with its 18th century impersonators; colonial past times and live shows that represent the lifestyle of this era.

    “There are a variety of things going on,” said Greathouse. “The re-enactors will consist of people representing Scottish Highlanders, who fought mostly on the side of the loyalist, and people who dress up and represent the Patriots. There will also be some British employed Hessians.”

    The impersonators will entertain with small-arms demonstrations, and will talk about the signifi cance of their flintlock muskets and their uniforms.

    Aside from the re-enactors, there will be a variety of hands-on activities for children in what is called “Apprentice Alley.” These activities will consist of making tri-corner and mop caps, coloring Betsy Ross flags, doll making and creating rebus puzzles.

    “These were typical past-times for Colonial men and women,” explained Greathouse.

    As visitors participate in these hands-on activities they will be given Colonial script that can be spent at the Museum Mercantile for a souvenir.

    “It’s kind of like Monopoly money because it’s pretend,” said the curator, “but it’s just to get an idea of thinking about how 200 years ago people had shillings and pounds when we were still an English colony.”

    While the Colonial script and admission to the festival are free, there will be food vendors on site that will have drinks and snacks available for purchase.

    At 12 p.m. there will be a live Punch and Judy puppet show performed by local puppeteer, Frank Byrne, and the stage event will be storytelling by Ron and Brooks Gulledge. The festival will also feature stocks, which served as a form of punishment. This will not only demonstrate what it felt like to go through this at the time, but it will also serve as a great photo-op for visitors.

    While the Festival of Yesteryear takes place on the grounds of Arsenal Park, the Lafayette Celebration will also be held on the same day at Festival Park. The two committees have gone in together to provide visitors with a trolley that will take them back and forth from one park to the next throughout the day.

    “We hope people will take advantage of that,” said Greathouse, “and come prepared to spend a whole day in the greater downtown area and enjoy these Colonial themed programs.”

    For more information, call the museum at (910) 486-1330 or visit the website at www.museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov.

    Photo; Visitors to the Museum of the Cape Fear will be asked to step back to a simpler time and enjoy entertainment like a puppet show during the Festival of Yesteryear.

  • I grew up in East Tennessee. It is a beautiful place and a draw for motorcyclists. It has recently become famous for the Snake. The Snake’s heart is located in Shady Valley in the northeast portion of the state. It is where US 421 and Highway 61 cross. There is only a, intersection there, and no red light. There are three stores there with one that is dominantly marketing to motorcyclists. It will be easy to find because it has a sign and just about any given time motorcyclists can be found taking a break on the property.08-31-11-snake.jpg

    The Snake consist of the 489 curves in 12 miles. Highway 61 goes east and west from Elizabethton, Tenn. to Damascus, Va. US 421 goes from Boone, N.C. through Mountain City, Tenn. towards Bristol, Tenn. Everyone seems to find some part of the road they enjoy for their riding style.

    The road itself is a well maintained surface. There is some loose gravel from unpaved roads that connect to the highway. This is a commercial-vehicle road so it is possible to go around a corner and find an 18-wheeler hogging the entire road. There is little room for error. You will have mountain on one side and a drop on the other. There are guard rails in some parts, but to a motorcyclist they only serve to be a vegamatic. Keep focused because the drops can be straight down, some 150 feet.

    The highway is heavily patrolled by the Tennessee Highway Patrol. I was there this weekend and counted three in a very short time.

    The road from Mountain City to Shady Valley is the curviest. The average posted speed is 20 mph. To me this is the best part of the ride because I like sharp curves going uphill. The most scenic part is the ride from Shady Valley to Damascas. Along the way is Back Bone Rock, a beautiful area in the Cherokee National Forest and a good place to stop and enjoy the mystic peacefulness on a hot summer day. In the town of Damascas you will find a lot of little shops, restaurants and coffee shops. You will see many hiker shops there because the Appalachian Trail passes through.

    From Shady Valley north towards Bristol is South Holston Lake. Not far after the lake the road turns into a four lane highway without much scenery.

    However, it is beautiful if you cut off and go over to the South Holston Dam.

    Built in 1950, you will find a spectacular view as you drive across the 1,600 foot top and look down 285 feet into the South Fork Holston River.

    From Shady Valley west towards Elizabethton is a nice curvy road over Iron Mountain.

    If you are looking for a quick hike you can visit the Appalachian Trail or Blue Hole, a very nice little swimming hole with water falls. To find it, just come off the Snake until you see the brown sign on the road which will have you turn up towards Holston Mountain. About a mile up you will find a gravel parking lot. It is less than a mile to the beautiful waterfall and nice swimming hole.

    If you are traveling on a Saturday night then visit downtown Elizabethton. There you will find four blocks of classic cars. You will not be disappointed.

    There is plenty of nice riding in this area, so go out there and ride!

    If there is a topic that you would like to discuss, please send your comments and suggestions to motorcycle4fun@aol.com. RIDE SAFE!

    Photo: The Snake consist of the 489 curves in 12 miles. Highway 61 goes east and west from Elizabethton, Tenn. to Damascus Va. US 421 goes from Boone N.C. through Mountain City Tenn. towards Bristol Tenn.

  • 30 Minutes or Less  (Rated R) Two Stars

    In or out of 30 Minutes or Less, (83 minutes) Jesse Eisenberg really is just a complete and utter waste of space. I am well aware that he08-31-11-movie.jpgwas in Zombieland (the first collaboration between this actor and director). He gets absolutely no geek credit for that one. It was not cool because he was in it, it was cool in spite of the fact that he was in it. He is obnoxious, arrogant and pathetic in even his smallest of roles. In fact, whatever small success he enjoyed in The Social Network was primarily due to the fact that it did not require him to act much at all. He only had to act smart. Because he is not smart. He is stupid.

    Speaking of stupid people being stupid, whose bright idea was it to write a movie based on an incident in which an actual person actually died in a pretty horrifying way and then claim that the movie, which was obviously based on this event, was not, in fact, based on this event? I’d call that a Jesse Eisenberg level of stupid.

    Nick (Eisenberg) is a pointless character. Even though most pizza places have long since discontinued their 30 minutes or less policy due to legal liability issues from all the school children who were run over, he is still following the 30 minutes or less policy. Because he can’t find a better job, and the high point of his day is speeding through intersections and missing his delivery deadlines. That may not sound like much, but it does allow him the satisfaction of tricking pre-teens into paying for pizza they should be getting for free.

    Other than that, he doesn’t do a whole lot. He hangs out with his good buddy Chet (Aziz Ansari), at least until he finds out that Chet caused his parents’ di-vorce and Chet finds out about Nick’s secret crush on Chet’s twin sister (Dilshad Vadsaria). The timing of their big friendship-ending fight seems a little off, and it is never really clarified how two guys who seem to pretty much hate each other have managed to stay friends for so long. Not that either one of them really sells the hating. And as much as I enjoy Ansari in his nicely delimited role on Parks and Rec, he is not the break-out star that everyone wants him to be. He always plays the same character, and while he might be a bright spot in this film, that’s mostly because this film isn’t all that great.

    Toss into this mix Dwayne (Danny McBride) and Travis (Nick Swardson! Someone I actually like!). Dwayne is an amalgamation of several kinds of entitled jerk — the kind that is always unwilling to work an actual job, but totally willing to whine about how the people he is sponging off of won’t let him spread his wings and fly. Danny McBride seems to be under the impression that this is a totally original character. He also seems to think he is really, really, funny. He is wrong on both counts.

    Dwayne sees his father (Fred Ward) as the engineer of all his troubles, so he plots with a stripper (Bianca Kajlich) to hire an assassin (Michael Pena). The two halves of the movie finally meet in the middle. Dwayne needs money to pay the assassin, and Travis is an explosives expert (Of course. Of course he is.). So they plan to get a pizza delivery guy, strap a bomb to him, and threaten him with a fiery death so he will rob a bank to get them the assassin’s fee.

    Poor dumb Nick is that pizza delivery boy. He manages to make up with Chet, and they embark on a crime spree. Things get steadily more complicated, and ev-eryone on the screen ends up yelling at everyone else. Note to the Director: People yelling at me is not funny and does not make me laugh. Also, Jesse Eisenberg is stupid and you should stop putting him in your movies.

    Now showing at Wynnsong 7, Carmike 12 and Carmike Market Fair 15.

  • Two of five seniors who live alone (44 percent) have at least four warning signs of poor nutritional health such as eating alone, taking multiple medications and illness, according to research conducted for the Home Instead Senior Care® network.

    The following, from the Home Instead Senor Care network and Sandy Markwood, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a), are warning indicators that a senior could be in trouble.

    • The loneliness. More than three-fourths (76 per-cent) of seniors who live alone eat alone most of the time, according to Home Instead Senior Care network research. Suggestion: Try to make sure your older loved one has companionship at home or in a congre-gate meal site.

    • The multiple meds. Nearly three-fourths (71 percent) of seniors take three or more different medications a day, according to research. Suggestion: Talk to your senior’s health care team about how medications might be impacting your older adult’s appetite and discuss with them what to do about it.

    • The lack of healthy staples. For a number of reasons, important staples for a good diet are not always found in a senior’s kitchen. Suggestion: Talk with your older loved one about their favorite recipes — or yours — that incorporate healthy products.

    • The illness. Many older adults are struggling with health conditions that impact eating. Suggestion: Discovering favorite recipes from the recipe box and making mealtime a social event may help

    .• The physical problems. A fourth of seniors who live alone (25 percent) can’t always get to the grocery store any more, nor can they shop or cook for themselves. Suggestion: Tap into neighbors and compassionate friends. Call your local Area Agency on Aging Office or Home Instead Senior Care.

    • That smelly fridge. Check out expiration dates of food in the refrigerator when you’re visiting a loved one. Have you noticed an increase in spoiled food? Suggestion: Package food in small portions and label in big letters with the date.

    • The suspicious grocery list. If you go to the store for Mom, and the list is mostly sweets, then she may be headed in the wrong direction with her diet. Suggestion: Help her put together a grocery list, reminding her of all the wonderful foods she used to cook for you.

    • Those important details. When you’re visiting a senior, check out things like skin08-31-11-senior-corner.jpg tone — it should be healthy looking and well-hydrated — as well as any weight fluctuations. Suggestion: A visit to the doctor can help ensure your senior is healthy

    .• The empty cupboard. An emergency could trap a loved one home for days. Suggestion: Prepare by stocking back-up food, water and high-nutrition products such as Ensure® in case a trip to the store isn’t possible.

    • The support. Isolation is one of the biggest threats to an older adult. Suggestion: Encourage your loved one to invite friends to dinner. If you can’t be there, develop a schedule of friends and neighbors who can stop by for lunch or dinner. Or call your local Home Instead Senior Care office for assistance.

    For more information about the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, go to www.n4a.org. Learn about the Home Instead Senior Care network’s Craving Companionship program at www.mealsandcompanionship.com or contact your local office at (910) 484-7200 or visit their website at: www.homeinstead.com/647.

    Photo: Two of five seniors who live alone (44 percent) have at least four warning signs of poor nutritional health.

  • 08-31-11-nurse.jpgSome call it a Bridge Program; others call it an Advanced Placement Option. Whatever the name, here’s a great opportunity for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) to continue their nursing educa-tion to become Registered Nurses with an associ-ate’s degree. Why would LPNs want to continue their nursing education? There are a number of reasons. With many changes in the health care industry, today’s nurses are caring for patients in a more complex, technologically advanced medi-cal environment. The job market for LPNs and the opportunity for advancement are limited. Nursing homes, doctor’s offices, clinics and limited hospital opportunities are available for the LPN entering the nursing profession today. An LPN can advance to the next level of nursing professionalism by be-coming a registered nurse.

    FTCC has had an advanced placement option for many years. However, the program has been revamped with the implementation of the new curriculum implemented by all North Carolina community colleges. FTCC implemented its new curriculum in the fall of 2010. The revamped Advanced Placement Option will be offered for the first time in the summer semester of 2012. The program will continue to be three semesters in length. Students entering the new program, however, will be a separate cohort from the students already in the program. They will enroll in three nursing courses: Nursing 214 Transition Concepts, Nursing 221 LPN to ADN Concepts I and Nursing 223 LPN to ADN Concepts II. The unique feature of the new program is that it is mostly online with evening clinical options. The online offering will make the program more conveniently accessible for the LPN who works while enrolled in the program.

    Applicants wanting to apply to the program must have at least 3,600 hours of work experience as an LPN. Applicants must also have completed all the prerequisites for the nursing program including chemistry, biology and Algebra I and take the TEAS test V. The applicant must also meet all college admission requirements. Applicants should apply by the Jan. 30 deadline for all health programs and must have completed all co-requisites up to the point of entry into the nursing program. This would include ACA, English 111, Psychology 150 and 241, and Biology 168 and 169. The student may be enrolled in the computer course required for the program during the summer starting the program. It is anticipated that there will be many applicants seeking admission during the first ad-mission cycle, so applicants will do well to position themselves competitively prior to the admissions process by completing all co-requisites. Applicants will be ranked according to grade point average and number of courses completed. The Biology 168 and 169 courses must be completed within the past five years and the computer class must be completed within the past seven years. Seating for the first class is limited to 20 students. The nursing faculty members at FTCC are excited about the opportunity to make this goal more achievable for LPNs who are in-terested in advancing their careers in nursing to the next level. Let us help you make that important career advancement!

    Find out more at www.faytechcc.edu.

    Photo: With many changes in the health care industry, today’s nurses are caring for patients in a more complex, technologically advanced medical environment. 

  • Bears, Dogs and Peta, Oh My!

    Cumberland County may need a wizard of sorts to help them out of this Jambbas Ranch situation. Make no mistake about it, this publication is all about supporting our gentle giant friend, Ben the Bear. Unfortunately, for many people out-of-sight is out-of-mind when it comes to Ben and we haven’t heard much about the plight of our furry friend until recently.

    With the recent run of record-breaking temperatures, Ben has been front and center in the minds of those of us who sympathize with his plight. Imagine the sweltering heat Ben must be enduring in his cramped and confi ned quarters at Jambbas Ranch as the wheels of justice slowly turn.

    At least Ben is a loner and not running amuck in our community being hunted down by bounty hunters like the dozens of wild dogs we have in the county. Their antics are creating chaos, frightening residents and posing the health risk of possible rabies exposure. For this problem, the city and county have acted and reacted responsibly. No doubt, wild dogs running in packs pose a threat to the health and safety of our residents. I would dispute anyone who thought or spoke otherwise.

    Even the PETA people.08-24-11-bill-article.jpg

    However, Ben the Bear poses no such threats. He is just trying to live out his life with a little dignity and humanity. Even innocent young children who visit Jambbas Ranch can sense the hint of animal cruelty and inhumanity. I’m not an attorney, but I do know this: “Where there is smoke, there is fi re.”

    It doesn’t make any difference whether you like PETA or not, they are going all the way in defense of Ben the Bear. Except now it will be with a twist. You see, overshadowing Ben the Bear’s horrid and cramped living conditions at Jambbas Ranch, are the allegations by PETA that Cumberland County Attorney Rick Moorefield intentionally failed to enforce the county’s ban on captive exotic animals. And, they plan to fi le a complaint with North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper’s office asking for investigation and enforcement — including the removal of Cumberland County Attorney Rick Moorefi eld.

    According to the charges, in addition to Ben the Bear, Jambbas Ranch allegedly incarcerates many other wild and exotic animals like foxes, raccoons and alligators. However, the other charges we feel are more disturbing: Moorefi eld’s failure to comply with North Carolina Public Records Law and a charge that he lied and misled Cumberland County Commissioners, offi cials and even the media. Jambbas Ranch, and its owner James Bass, could skirt liability of the charges that were already pending against him.

    Who would have thought that changing a law “after the fact” would have been objectionable or inappropriate? Perhaps our legal system will sort it all out for us. However, I do know this: For this situation to have happened at all, poor judgment was exercised by many. Unfortunately, this wink-wink, nod-nod policy adjustment is going to cost Cumberland County taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars, win or lose.

    So, at this point, what difference will it make?

    Can you imagine what the county could have done with that kind of money? Worse, is the thought that the hard cost to Cumberland County taxpayers to defend the allegations against Moorefield (which is actually an indictment against our county leadership) will pale in comparison to the loss and cost in terms of our damaged reputation and community standing in the eyes of other North Carolina communities and the nation. And, again, I have to ask, for what? Principle. Principle? Really? Oh, what a shame.

    We have allowed one person, James Bass, with one business, Jambbas Ranch, to put our county in this lose-lose position where we have to defend ourselves for doing something that may have been technically legal but inappropriate. We should be smarter than this. If not in the past then surely, and hopefully, in the future.

    Thanks for reading Up & Coming Weekly. Go Ben!

  • Tweets from the Past

    My grandmother died many years ago, and as is the usual course of such things, it fell to my father and his sister to clean out her large, rambling Greek revival house on Green Street in downtown Fayetteville. The house was complete with a barn behind it — yes, a dilapidated but very real barn. Both buildings were chock-a-block full of furniture, generations of other belongings and rife with memories for Daddy and Aunt Mimi who grew up there.

    I was 15 at the time and have very little recollection of their shared task except that some of my grandmother’s possessions were duly absorbed into our household. Two of those were large, battered steamer trucks which landed in a storage room behind our garage. They resided there until the day, years later, when my sister and I got curious enough to wonder what was inside them since we never heard of our grandmother steaming anywhere.

    Postcards.

    Thousands upon thousands of postcards.

    Each bore a stamp that had been hand-cancelled. Each was hand-addressed to someone, most often my grandmother or her sister, and each had a short handwritten message. “Best to Uncle Charles.” “Fine weather for the last three days.” “Love to all.” “Cousin Lucy’s baby arrived Monday — a lovely daughter.” Some came from people we had heard of, some from others we had not, and some were simply unsigned. Apparently my grandmother knew who sent them anyway.

    The flip side of the postcards had photographs or drawings of the places from which they came and, occasionally, just some image that must have seemed appealing at the time. They came from all over, places far away and, remarkably, very near

    .It seemed to my sister and me that if someone “motored,” as they said in those days, from here to Raeford, he sent a postcard to commemoratethe trip.

    We spent happy hours going through our grandmother’s mail, which she had obviously treasured enough to save, and trying to fi gure out who had generated all these postcards.

    You can imagine, then, my recent delight when I literally happened upon a little paperback entitled Fayetteville and Fort Bragg in Vintage Postcards on the discount shelf at Sam’s Club, of all places. It was published a decade ago by the Cumberland County Historical Society with an introduction by local historian Roy Parker, whose own collected postcards grace many of the pages.

    The book is a look back at our community in days past and it is a treasure.

    In postcards, we see the Cape Fear River in the various and damaging floods we no longer have to endure. We see some local buildings that looked much the same a century ago as they do today — the Market House, downtown churches, and a bit later, the Veteran’s Hospital. Other images are startling — a group of local citizens lounging and socializing on Hay Street on a parade day in 1911. The men wear white suits and the women are protected by parasols, and not the little ones that come in fruity drinks. The wheels of a car are decorated to look like clock faces, an early version of rims, I suppose.

    There are pictures of Highsmith and Pittman Hospitals, where many local Baby Boomers arrived on the scene. We see soldiers and their barracks during World War II and Jeeps being readied for air drops into Korea. We see restaurants like Steve’s Place, established by Greek immigrants who made Fayetteville their home, and lodging establishments like the Prince Charles before the stucco fell off. We see the sports teams from the long-gone Donaldson Military Academy and the still with us Orange Street School which will celebrate its centennial anniversary in 2015.

    For anyone who has been in our community for a while, this little book is a veritable blast from the past.

    It got me to pondering as well that we human beings have always wanted to communicate with each other, and that postcards were once a popular way to do just that.

    Before we had mail, though, we wrote and drew on the walls of our cave abodes. We yodeled. We sent smoke signals and dispatched carrier pigeons. We left twigs as directions for those coming behind. In short, we have always found ways to keep in touch.

    My grandmother’s postcard collection was certainly evidence of that but it was more as well. It gives us a glimpse of life in one southern family in the early days of the 20th century, and the Historical Society’s postcard book shows us our own unique community in earlier moments of time.08-24-11-margaret.jpg

    Postcards were to my grandmother’s generation what Facebook postings, texts, and the like are to many of us today.

    Just think of them as Tweets from the mists of history.

    Photo: It seemed to my sister and me that if someone “motored,” as they said in those days, from here to Raeford, he sent a postcard to commemorate the trip.

  • Over the past 60 years, the role of women in our society has changed dramatically. Many women have traded in their ironing boards for seats in the board room. With that shift, women have taken on a new role in the global community.08-24-11-janice-article.jpg

    According to an article in Forbes, women now control more than half of the private wealth in the U.S. and make 80 percent of all purchases. Boston College’s Center on Wealth and Philanthropy has found that women will inherit 70 percent of the $41 trillion in intergenerational wealth transfer expected over the next 40 years. In addition to controlling wealth and consumer activity, women tend to donate more of their wealth than men do. A Barclay’s Wealth study titled Tomorrow’s Philanthropist, released in July 2009, showed that women in the U.S. give an average of 3.5 percent of their wealth to charity, while men give an average of 1.8 percent.

    But before you get excited and start thinking these women have the money to give away, it’s important to note that who is giving is also changing.

    Private foundations and public charities dedicated to fundraising by and for women and girls have grown at a faster rate than giving by the overall foundation community. A report conducted by the Foundation Center and Women’s Funding Network found that from 2004-2006, giving by women’s funds grew 24 percent. The study found that charitable giving by women, directly or through women’s funds, focuses on improving the quality of life and opportunity for girls and women. It also suggests a growing interest in philanthropic models that allowdonors to leverage and pool their charitable dollars in order to achieve maximum impact.

    That idea has been firmly embraced in Cumberland County by the women who make up the Women’s Giving Circle of Cumberland County. Operating as a contibuting agency of the Cumberland Community Foundation, the organization seeks to:

    • Empower women givers of all ages and backgrounds.

    • Educate donors on women’s issues in our community.

    • Impact substantial, positive change for women and children throughout Cumberland County by pooling fi nancial resources.

    The circle is “committed to educating its members on pressing social issues affecting women and children in Cumberland County.”

    This is how it works: Each member of the circle contributes a $550 annual gift; $400 is immediately placed in the grant-making fund; $100 is placed in the endowment; and $50 is added to the program and operating expense fund. To ensure the continuity of the circle, members are asked to pledge an annual commitment of $550 for three years.

    Additionally, the circle also hosts some fundraising events. On Thursday, Sept. 8, the circle will host a Power of the Purse Luncheon featuring University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Head Basketball Coach Roy Williams. Tickets to the event, which will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the Snyder Memorial Baptist Church Fellowship Hall are $75. To reserve a seat for the luncheon, please send a check to WGCCC, P. O. Box 2345, Fayetteville, N.C. 28302, payable to the Women’s Giving Circle of Cumberland County. Reservations will be accepted through Aug. 31 or until sold out. For questions about reservations, please call 910-818-3840.

  • 08-24-11-cape-fear-river.jpgAs our hot, hot summer is winding down to a close, everyone is looking for a way to capture some final quality summer time with friends and family. Luckily, we have, right here in Cumberland County, one of the finest black-water rivers with plenty of opportunities for every age.The Cape Fear River is the only river in North Carolina that flows directly into the ocean. Running from just past Greensboro, its 202 miles flow to the Atlantic Ocean at Cape Fear, from which it draws its name.

    The Cape Fear River is a black-water river, a deep slow moving channel that moves through swamps and wetlands. The decaying vegetation stains the water, giving it a color that resembles tea. While the river is acidic in nature, it is safe for fishing and boating.

    There are many ways to enjoy the Cape Fear River by boat. If you have your own equipment, you can access the river at the N.C. Wildlife Ramp at the junction of U.S. 301 & Old N.C. 87, or at the ramp at Riverside Sports Center for a $5 fee. For more information, call 910-483-1649.

    If you need to rent equipment, Cape Fear River Adventures out of Lillington has a variety of packages from a leisurely paddle for a few hours to Two Day Extreme Adventure excursions. Located on the banks of the Hwy. 421/401 bridge, Cape Fear River Adventures can help you plan a canoeing or kayaking package that will meet the skill level of all your participants. Visit www.capefearadventures.com for more information or call 910-891-9348.

    Would you rather hike or stroll? The Cape Fear River Trail adjacent to the river in Fayetteville is a 10-foot wide path that winds through beautiful wildlife for 4.2 miles. It offers spectacular views of the river with several bridges, including one covered bridge, and is open to walkers, joggers and bicyclists. The trail is open 365 days a year from 8 a.m. to dusk. The trail is not a loop, however, so a plan should be made to have transportation wherever you plan to finish your trip. Parking lots are available at Jordan Soccer Complex on one end and Clark Park at the other end. Visit the Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Rec website at www.fcpr.us for more information.

    Seniors don’t need to be left out of action. At Clark Park, interpretive golf carts tours are available for individuals or groups of up to fi ve people for seniors and persons of limited physical ability. While reservations are required, the tours are free. Call 910-433-1579 for more information.

    Looking for more of an educational opportunity? Located adjacent to the Cape Fear River at 631 Sherman Drive in Fayetteville, Clark Park offers an amazing variety of programs for just about every age and interest. Visit www.fcpr.us and click on Parks, then J. Bayard Clark Park for the complete list of opportunities available.

    Is fishing more your thing? The Cape Fear River provides good fishing for largemouth bass, sunfish, catfish and American and hickory shad. Caution should be exercised consuming fish caught, however, due to high levels of mercury.

    Not really interested in breaking a sweat? Freddie Mims with Cape Fear River Boat Cruises offers river cruises from two-hour day cruises to overnight excursions to Wilmington. Mims operates out of Fayetteville at Campbellton Landing. Find Cape Fear River Boat Cruises on Facebook for pricing and contact information.

    If you’d just like to sit and enjoy a good meal overlooking the river, Campbellton Landing offers restaurants and shopping with a variety of venues. Named after the first settlement to the Fayetteville area, Campbellton Landing is located at 1130 Person Street on the east bank of the Cape Fear River.

    Whatever your interest or skill, there are plenty of opportunities to capture the last few opportunities for summer fun on the Cape Fear River before we bid this season a final adieu.

    Photo: The Cape Fear River is the only river in North Carolina that fl ows directly into the ocean. 

  • Long before supermarkets and grocery stores, people had to identify food by more than the price tag above them. Medicine was a similar story; there was no pharmacy or hospital, only the products of a clever forager.08-24-11-lake-rim-plants.jpg

    If you’ve ever wanted to explore old-fashioned cures handed down over generations, you can join a hike at Lake Rim Park on Aug. 30, which will teach you how to identify and collect the many medicinal and edible plants native to North Carolina.

    This class is not a directory on what plants you should go out into your backyard and chew on, but rather an informative class on the history of the past medical uses of different plants in North Carolina.

    “I don’t want people to go out and say ‘Ranger Mike told me to use this for this, I’m going to try it,’” Mike Moralise, the Park Ranger who is leading the expedition explained. It is purely for the sake of knowledge not practicality.

    The hike will take place along the mile-long border trail that winds through typical North Carolina wetlands all the way to Bones Creek. It is located in Lake Rim Park where all facilities are generally open to the public.

    “It’s an outdoor program, a hike that takes us about a mile down our border trail. It is to teach people about the uses for plants people have had mainly in the past, Native American, colonial and some modern medicinal uses,” said Moralise.

    “We have more than 230 plants I’ve identifi ed in the park and a lot of them have had uses prescribed to them at some point in the past. I wouldn’t recommend people to try these things or use them, it’s just an educational class to teach people how they’ve been used in the past,” he continued.

    “People used to chew dogwood branches as a precursor to modern tooth brushes. They chewed the ends of the branches and used it to clean their teeth especially in the 1800s and the Civil War era,” he noted.

    “Some of them are being researched by doctors and physicians now, but a lot of them, its older historical uses during Native American and Colonial times, and a lot of the reason for that is that they’ve been disproven,” he said. “Before the advent of medical centers and hospitals, people had to rely on the plants and animals around them to get their food and medicines. Some were based on trial and error and some did show to be useful, but a lot of it was just folklore and beliefs. Perhaps someone took it at sometime and they got better, so people just assumed that it was the plant when they may have been getting better on their own,” he concluded.

    This is a free activity and registration deadline is Aug. 29. The hike begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 10 a.m., and will follow the Border Trail. All ages are welcome, but it is geared more for adults. Lake Rim Park is located at 2214 Tar Kiln Dr. For more information, call the Lake Rim Park center at 424-6134.

    Photo: If you’ve ever wanted to explore old-fashioned cures handed down over generations, you can join a hike at Lake Rim Park on Aug. 30.

  • With the year-round schools already in full swing and the traditional 10-month schools about to start, back to school season is here. There are lunches to pack, homework to check, scads of paperwork to fi ll out and the school buses are back on the road.

    While the students are hard at work getting back into the groove, the Cumberland County School System has some interesting things in the works that are aimed at making life better for everyone. With everything from a new early-college program to improved technology and getting ready for a new curriculum next year, there is a lot going into making sure Cumberland County students are well prepared for the future.

    Dr. Theresa Perry, assistant superintendent for communications of Cumberland County Schools, is excited about what this school year holds, for both students and teachers.

    Cumberland County Schools Superintendant Dr. Frank Till is wasting no time in fostering camaraderie and making sure that this year’s faculty and staff are on the same page. He spent time this summer speaking with each principal to determine their plan for success this coming year, and now he is reaching out to the entire system to bring them together as the school year gets rolling. It starts with a big event at the Crown covering a variety of topics that will affect the school system this year, according to Perry.

    One of the many things that parents and students (and teachers too) can look forward to this year is the new wireless capabilities in the buildings.

    “The Race to the Top grant has allowed us an opportunity to initiate wireless capabilities in our buildings and provide access to laptops for teachers and students,” said Perry. “It will give teachers an opportunity to expand teaching tools for students and give students hands-on opportunities with technology. It is going to be fantastic for both teachers and students.”

    While Cumberland County has gotten pretty creative in reaching out to meet the needs of its older students with things like the Schools of Choice programs, the Fuller Performance Learning Center and Cross Creek Early College High School, it is adding yet another program. The Cumberland International Early College High School opened this year. Currently housed at E.E. Smith High School, it is slated to move to Fayetteville State University Campus next year, according to Perry.

    “The focus for this particular college was an initiative of Lt. Gov. (Walter)Dalton. It has a focus on international diplomacy, culture and language,” said Perry. “It is a very different focus in terms of preparing students internationally.”

    Arabic, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese are being offered as language choices.

    Next year, North Carolina joins the Common Core Standards Initiative, along with all but five states in the lower 48. The curriculum will be changing for the better.

    At www.corestandards.org/about-the-standards, the program is described as a state-led effort coordinated by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Offi cers (CCSSO). The standards were developed in collaboration with teachers, school administrators, and experts, to provide a clear and consistent framework to prepare our children for college and the workforce.

    “We will implement that curriculum next school year, so we will spend this school year really training teachers,” said Perry. “The beauty of it is that it very much streamlines the curriculum and allows teachers to go deeper with fewer goals and objectives there instead of having numerous goals and objectives. It really streamlines it so teachers can go deeper but in fewer areas. I think it will be a very08-24-11-back-to-school.jpggood opportunity for teachers to really make students have a deep understanding of the content area, particularly for students in our community who are transient and often move to other states during their educational careers that there can be some continuity as they do. That is very exciting.”

    To find out more about what is going on in Cumberland County Schools visit www.ccs.k12.nc.us.

    Photo: With everything from a new early-college program to improved technology and getting ready for a new curriculum next year, there is a lot going into making sure Cumberland County students are well prepared for the future.

  • uac082411001.jpg In the words of Pearl S. Buck, child advocate and founder of Pearl S. Buck International, “If our American way of life fails the child, it fails us all.”

    Yet there always seem to be children and families falling through one crack or another. On Friday, Sept. 30, Fayetteville Area Hospitality Association and Up & Coming Weekly are hosting the 10th Annual Charity Golf Tournament at Kings Grant Golf and Country Club, benefitting, you guessed it, our community’s greatest asset, its children.

    In the past, the Fayetteville Area Hospitality Association has sponsored this event, but this year, Up & Coming Weekly has joined the team.

    “It was suggested that we partner up and put our two forces together and make it an even bigger and better tournament than ever,” said FAHA Vice President Ramona Moore. “Putting two groups together, we are looking for it to be twice as successful.”08-24-11-faha-logo.jpg

    In prior years, this tournament has raised between $5,000 and $13,000 dollars. This year organizers are hoping to raise even more.

    The proceeds will be split between Falcon Children’s Home and Kidsville News! of Cumberland County

    .Falcon Children’s Home is located just a few exits up I-95 heading toward Raleigh. They’ve been in the business of caring for children for more than 100 years, and they don’t take their responsibilities to the youths who come into their care lightly.

    As a ministry of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, Falcon Children’s Home builds their programs on biblical principles and seeks to provide for the mind, body, spirit and soul of their charges. The institution is unashamedly a Christian organization and seeks to instill Godly values in children, but also to set a good expample in leading an upright life.

    Thelegacy can be found on its Facebook page, where former residents reconnect and share their memories of being at Falcon Children’s Home.

    Some of the programs that are offered at Falcon Children’s Home include, pathways to independent living, preparation for independent living, on campus individual and family counseling, a campus chaplain, recreation and activities, several resource programs and after school academic enrichment.

    Find out more about the Falcon Children’s Home and the many ways to help and support them at www.falconchildrenshome.com.

    08-24-11-kings-grant-gc.jpgKidsville News! of Cumberland County has a totally different, but equally important mission in shaping the lives of the next generation: instilling a love of reading. If you have a student or know a student in the Cumberland County School system that is in fifth grade or below, you may have seen the colorful publication come home in your student’s back pack. The newspapers can also be found at your local Cumberland County Library. Kidsville News! of Cumberland County is a monthly publication with fun, relevant and educational articles for children, teachers and parents.

    Of course, it is colorful, interesting and engaging on every level, so that children stay interested and motivated to learn. Some of the features every month include Kidsville Connections which covers history topics, Wildville which highlights a different animal every month, What it’s Like to Be, which highlights a different career each month, while All about Art talks about art, music and theater. There are also sections about sports, cooking, local events, safety and more. The puzzles and games are a great together-time activity to promote critical thinking skills and bonding time, too

    .Truman the dragon is the Kidsville News! mascot. He’s a great example of working hard and living a healthy, honest life.

    Kidsville News! is excited to be a part of the FAHA Golf Tournament this year. Their support will help us continue to provide Kidsville News! to every elementary-aged child in Cumberland County, free of charge,” said Joy Crowe, editor of Kidsville News! “It is a valuable resource for teachers and elementary students in our community, offering a fun, informative, educational resource.”

    Find out more about Kidsville News! of Cumberland County and Truman and what they are up to at www.kidsvillenews.com/cumberland.E

    ven though the golf tournament is still a few weeks a way, that leaves plenty of time to build a team, or become a sponsor. Four-some entries are $275 and single entries are $75. Hole sponsorships are $100, and a beverage cart sponsorship can be had for $300. There will be prizes for the fi rst, second and third place teams as well as for the longest drive, closest to the pin and a hole-in-one prize.

    Call Ramona Moore at 487-1400 to find out more.

    Photo: On Friday, Sept. 30, Fayetteville Hospitality Association and Up & Coming Weekly are hosting the 10th Annual Charity Golf Tournament at Kings Grant Golf and Country Club, benefi tting, you guessed it, our community’s greatest asset, its children. 

  • Rise of the Planet of the Apes(Rated PG-13)  5 Stars

    08-24-11-planet-of-apes.jpgThere was a real risk for the Rise of the Planet of the Apes (105 minutes) to become a cheesy knock-off worse than the ill-conceived 2001 Tim Burton remake of Planet of the Apes. Luckily, Director Rupert Wyatt and writing team Amanda Silver and Rick Jaffa do an utterly superb job of cre-ating a legitimate prequel that simply begs to become a tril-ogy. The best part? The way people in the audience clap and shout at all the good bits and callbacks to the original film!

    The worst part? Well, it’s hard to notice because every-thing happening is so awesome. But take a minute to think about the basic plot. A scientist working with potentially bil-lion dollar formulas takes home an ape in California WHERE THEY ARE BANNED AS PETS and nobody blinks an eye? Not even the jerky neighbor who clearly has a problem with the Chimpanzee? Not the smoking-hot ape refuge veterinarian who clearly understands how dangerous apes can get? And when the authorities are called in, he doesn’t get arrested or worry about paying a fine? I guess James Franco gave Hot Vet and Animal Control the puppy dog eyes and grin, and they let him walk.

    This may have been an editorial choice, since bringing in that sort of subplot would distract from the main action, while taking too much time to explore the ramifications of the law would kill the pace. Like Mulder and Scully’s relationship, just assume it’s all happening off-screen … it’s happening, it’s distracting and so the audience doesn’t need to see it. Now we can all look forward to the deleted scenes on the super-mega DVD/Blu-Ray.

    Will Rodman (Franco) is trying to cure Alzheimer’s by playing God with Chimpanzee’s and his father (John Lithgow). The chimp in question, Bright-Eyes (after Heston’s character in the original) goes a little nuts and wreaks havoc all over the expensive testing facility. This shuts down the testing, and results in a baby chimp heading home with Rodman. His father names the chimp Caesar (Andy Serkis).

    It is interesting to contrast the handler’s at the testing facility with the handlers who appear later in the primate refuge; while the former are clearly professional and view the apes as worthy of decent treatment, they do tend to treat them like unreasoning animals. This is, of course, much better than the latter handlers, who treat the apes as undeserving of even a modicum of compassion. I suspect that both are fairly accurate depictions of the day to day life of the average laboratory animal. Humans are jerks sometimes.

    With the addition of an adorably brilliant ape to the household, Rodman has a convenient way to pick up chicks. He meets Caroline Aranha (Frieda Pinto) when Caesar is injured by jerky neighbor, and in between helpful time advances they apparently move in together despite her opinions about his attempt to domesticate a chimpanzee, and without him explaining to her his life’s work and how it changed the chimp. Like, way to warn your new girlfriend about the way you play God, Will Rodman! And way to hold on to those vaguely formed ideas about how dangerous apes can be, Hot Vet!

    Inevitably, jerky neighbor gets into a fight with Caesar, who is then shipped to the aforementioned primate refuge run by John and Dodge Landon (Brian Cox and Tom Felton. Perhaps Brian can explain to Tom the dangers of typecasting?).

    Reacting in a fairly reasonably fashion, Caesar becomes depressed, stages a coup d’cage, and then foments revolution against his human masters. Really amazing film, letter perfect CGI, and competing with Source Code and Insidious for the best movie I have seen all summer.

    Now showing at Wynnsong 7, Carmike 12 and Carmike Market Fair 15.

  • Driving south on Lake Logan Road, in the Pigeon River Valley and the shadow of Cold Mountain, headed towards Inman’s Chapel the other day, I could not help wondering whether or not the Inman in Charles Frazier’s Cold Mountain was a real person.

    The dedication of a highway marker at Inman’s Chapel that day gave me some idea that somebody named Inman was impor-tant enough to have a chapel named after him.

    As I neared the chapel, I passed Inman Branch Road and then Frazier Road. Good evidence that Inmans and Fraziers lived close by — and that they were real.

    Other Cold Mountain readers and moviegoers may also wonder about the lead character, W.P. Inman, that strong-willed, determined, and principled North Carolina Civil War soldier and his odyssey from battlefield, to a hospital, and a long walk across the state towards his mountain home.

    But was he a real person?08-24-11-martin.jpg

    Charles Frazier insists that his Inman was a fictional char-acter. But he concedes that family stories about his great-great-grandfather and his ancestor’s brothers inspired the novel.

    At the highway marker ceremony, I met two Inman family historians, Cheryl Inman Haney and Phyllis Inman Barnett. Both have written books about the Inman family. I learned from their books that W.P. Inman was indeed a real per-son. Like the fictional Inman, he fought in the “Battle of the Crater,” was wound-ed, deserted from a hospital in Raleigh, and made his way back to his mountains.

    According to the family historians, in December 1864, the real William Pinkney Inman went to Tennessee, where he signed an oath of allegiance to the United States. On his way back home, he was killed by the Home Guard at a place called Big Stomp.

    Someone complained to Charles Frazier that the title of his book should have been Big Stomp, not Cold Mountain.

    The family histories report that a few months before his death, W.P. Inman and Margaret Henson had a daughter, Willie Ida Inman. She grew up, married, and had five children and a host of descen-dants. Thus, the real W.P. Inman’s descendants are scatted across North Carolina and the rest of the world.

    W.P. Inman and five of his brothers went to war. Only two survived.

    Although W.P. Inman is, thanks to Charles Frazier’s book, by far the best known of the brothers, the attention at the dedica-tion of the historic marker at the chapel was focused on his oldest brother,

    James Anderson Inman.James Anderson and two other Inman brothers were cap-tured early in the war and sent to a prison at Camp Douglas in Chicago. Conditions were harsh. Although James Anderson sur-vived, the other brothers died in prison.

    When he returned to the Pigeon River Valley, James Anderson became a minister in the Universalist church. Universalism was a form of Christianity that emphasized a God of mercy, rejecting the idea that God would condemn any soul to an eternity of suffering in Hell. This and other liberal Universalist beliefs were foreign to the fire and brimstone image of the Bible Belt and conservative mountain religion.

    Like Cold Mountain’s fictional Inman, James Anderson Inman was ready to stand up against cultural norms if he did not think they were right. Over time he built a loyal congregation, had the chapel constructed, and won the respect of the people of the valley. His successor in the pulpit, a woman named Hannah Powell, carried on and expanded programs of education and social service that people in the valley still remember.

    Inman’s Chapel no longer hosts an active congregation, but it can still inspire and remind us that there was indeed a very real Inman.

    In fact, more than one.

  • Who Knew?

    It is fair to say that I am a significant consumer of media output, not all of which is actually news.

    Two newspapers land in my driveway every morning, and I subscribe to more magazines than I can actually read cover to cover. Then there is television, although I find that increasingly unsatisfying, and the Internet which allows me to read yet more newspapers and other publications,08-17-11-margaret.jpgactual and virtual. It also lets me research topics that catch my interest and to follow the latest breaking news as well as stories with less rigor. I am not even going to address all the video info that is now available, winging in from the ether.

    In other words, I read most everything I can find, including labels.

    I believe that information is a good thing, a blessing in fact, but that does not mean we do not have to evaluate it all for ourselves. Some is accurate and valuable, some is entertaining, some is suspect, and some is just plain incorrect.

    Here is just a bit that has come my way in recent days, all of which falls under the general category of “Who Knew?”

    Who knew, for example, that this would be the summer the Congress of the United States of America literally shut down because of partisan gridlock?

    Not that they were not physically “on the job,” but literally nothing was happening except for name-calling and finger-pointing. A poll taken after the debt-ceiling crisis was resolved, to no one’s satisfaction as far as I can tell, found that an astounding 82 percent of Americans of all political persuasions disagree with Congress’ handling of this matter — the highest disapproval rating ever recorded. Who knew, indeed, but who is surprised?

    Who knew America’s playgrounds may now be too safe?

    According to a recent story by John Tierney in the New York Times, our efforts to keep little ones from toppling off slides and dropping from monkey bars and experiencing the resulting bumps, bruises and occasional fractures have deprived them from learning how to take appropriate risks and how to overcome fear.

    Parental safety concerns have resulted in federal guidelines, new safety standards set by manufacturers and a wildly litigious culture have turned our playgrounds into places for little Mr. and Ms. Milquetoast. To this day, I remember the absolute exhilaration of zooming down our family church’s sun-hot, 10-foot-high metal slide with no side rails, a sheet of wax paper beneath my burning bottom to grease the ride and my heart pounding in my throat. The thrill of doing it was surpassed only by the thrill of having survived it. Later, I fell off the monkey bars at Haymount Elementary School and knocked every molecule of breath out of my school girl chest. I remember gasping to get some back, and I am happy that I am here to tell you about it.

    Who knew that my generation, the storied Baby Boomers, would be the most obese in American history?

    We like to think we invented, or at least popularized, jogging, surfing, aerobic jumping around to pounding music and a host of other physical activities. So, too, have we become the queens and kings of yoga in our later years. Maybe so, but two-thirds of us are either overweight or obese. Some of us are trying to deal with this through diet and exercise, but plenty of us are just going along our merry and chubby ways. Jeff Levi of the non-profi t Trust for America’s Health goes right to the bottom line when he points out that an obese senior costs Medicare — that is American taxpayers — 34 percent more than non-obese seniors. Says Levi, “They are going to be expensive if they don’t get their act together.”

    Who knew that average citizens used to drop by the White House to say “hello” to the President and actually did so?

    Barack Obama his family and their immediate predecessors live their days behind a protective barrier of highly-trained and highly armed Secret Service agents, for reasons we know all too well. It was not always that way, though. Thomas Jefferson, our second President and the fi rst to live in the White House, wanted it accessible to the public which it historically has been. Until World War II, the gates were open to the public from morning until night, and Edith Roosevelt, the second Mrs. Teddy, said living in the White House was like living above the store. In contrast, I requested tickets for a White House tour for visiting family members and was turned down because my request was inside the 21 day waiting period for necessary background checks.

    My favorite “Who Knew” in recent days arrived in an email from a friend detailing messages posted on church marquees. It is hard to argue with this one:

    “Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.”

    I think we all knew that.

    Photo: Who knew today’s playgrounds would become so safe, our children would lose their daring?

  • Yes Virginia, there is a place where it is not over 100 degrees. If you read it in the Up & Coming Weekly it must be true. This is the annual “What I Did on My Summer Vacation Column.” In odd numbered years, the Pittman Cousins take a trip to a semi-exotic location. We rent a house for a week to get together at an occasion other than a funeral. This year, nine of us went to Yellowstone National Park to see the bears, geysers and French tourists. We stayed outside of West Yellowstone, which is a T-shirt selling town at the edge of the park. Montana is the Shoshone word for Land of Bat Sized Vampire Mosquitos.08-17-11-pit-dickey.jpg

    Despite becoming gradually calendar impaired, our group maintained a very vigorous physical schedule. Mountain climbing, horse back riding and zip lining jammed the agenda. It was like being on vacation with the Kennedys except without the excessive drinking, loose women and impaired driving. Being on Eastern Daylight Time, which is the King James version of time, I would wake up fi rst each morning. One morning I scraped frost off the car’s windshield. That’s right, real frost. The weather in Yellowstone is just like in North Carolina, except that it is entirely different. No heat, no humidity. While Fayetteville was on full broil, Yellowstone was frosty. The mosquitos must sleep in North Face parkas at night to keep from freezing.

    There are lots of wild critters in Yellowstone. Bison, elk and bears abound. It was easy to spot the animals. You drive along until you see a bunch of rental cars stopped on the road and look for the tourists pointing cameras. Like Pavlov’s dogs, we would also pull off the road to photograph the local fauna. I was so good at finding bears that once I was the fi rst one to spot a bear before the other tourists stopped. We got out and started taking pictures of the bear who thoughtfully remained still for us. Soon other tourists stopped and jammed the road behind our car. It was a bear festival. Eventually we realized that the bear was not moving because he was a stump. A bear shaped stump, but a stump nonetheless. I returned to the car filled with shame and heaped with abuse from my relatives.

    Not being crazy about heights, I declined to participate in our zip-line outing. Montana zip lining consists of being hooked to a wire by a 20-something slacker and sliding in mid air between recycled telephone poles of questionable stability. My own personal wife, Lani, went on this adventure. All was well until the zip between the last two stations. Lani was the last zippee. Not being a person of significant heaviness, she didn’t quite make it to the last station. She slipped back and hung out above a river. This sort of thing happens. The preferred procedure is for the zip guide in front to slide back out and pull the stranded zippee back to the stand. As she likes heights, Lani was happily hanging over the river pending rescue. She was waiting to be hauled in like a kite to the relative safety of a rickety telephone pole when trouble arrived.

    As Paul Newman once said in Cool Hand Luke, “What we have here is a failure to communicate.” The guide behind her somehow failed to notice that she was dangling in a position of helpless peril over the river. Perhaps his mind was focused on the raising of the U.S. debt limit instead of his job. Who knows? In any event he launched himself out on the zip line, realizing too late that a customer was hanging out in front of him like a pinata. Much to Lani’s surprise, without warning he whammed into her back. Miraculously, he did not knock her into the river or break any significant bones or organs.

    She was shaken but not stirred as a result of the collision. Fortunately no permanent damage was done. She is small but wiry. We celebrated her near-death experience at Bugaboo’s saloon at the edge of a Montana lake with some Guinness stout.

    The next day we went horseback riding. I admit to being the world’s worst cowboy. My hand was glued to the pommel the entire time to keep from falling off. Our trail guide was a cheerful psychotic named Stephanie who spent most of the ride turned around backwards explaining the scenery to us. At best, I was totally miserable during the four hours of the ride. Horses are large. They can make you sore where you would prefer not to be sore. The tour ended with a Dead Man’s Curve ride along a ledge that stretched hundreds of feet above a canyon promising death and destruction to anyone who fell in. I relied on my horse, Demon Seed, to know what he was doing and thus survived the ledge. I swore a mighty oath this was my last horse back ride..

  • 08-17-11-arsenal-erinn.jpgFayetteville is a town steeped in history, and wars have always been a major part of that history. For years, the Museum of the Cape Fear has been interacting with the public on the matters of history, one of the ways that they manage this is with the Arsenal Round Table program.

    Leisa Greathouse, the associate curator of education, describes the growth of the program from just an idea to a success.

    “It started out trying to do things interactively with the public and history. We’ve done things like the popular Civil War Quiz Bowl, which started out as like the Arsenal Round Table, as a simple competition. Asking trivia questions to contestants. That program grew so big it’s now its own program,”

    The museum offers a variety of programs, but the programs usually focus on the Civil War.

    On Aug. 25 at the Museum of the Cape Fear complex, located at 801 Arsenal Ave., Fayetteville residents will once again have the opportunity to celebrate its wartime history, but oddly enough it will not be about the Civil War. In preparation for the bicentennial, the museum will be focusing on the North Carolina Naval War of 1812.

    “The bicentennial of the war of 1812 begins next year with 2012. So it’s a good way to come and start and get familiar with the War of 1812,” Greathouse explains.

    The War of 1812 is never really thought of as a turning point in American history, but Greathouse explains that it does in fact have a major impact on our history.

    “It is pretty much a war people forget about but it’s actually Americas second fi ght for independence. Even though we won the Revolution, we weren’t being taken very seriously as a new nation. So our actions in the war showed the mother country that we were serious about governing ourselves. It’s the war where we got our National Anthem. We sing it all the time hear it all the time, but we never think about ‘Oh yeah, that came about in the War of 1812’,” she said.

    “We hope to provide a lot insight and ‘Oh wow! This is kind of neat information’ kind of experiences,” Greathouse said when talking about the goals of the program. “We really try to get the people involved. It’s a particular venue for Civil War buffs that may not have a venue of forum for talking to others and getting into discussions of things and increasing their knowledge. I’m sure a lot of Civil War history buffs visit sights and museums and read a lot on their own, but this forum is an outlet to express what they know about things.”

    The Arsenal Round Tablewill take place at 7 p.m. For more information, contact 486-1330.

  • uac081711001.jpg When Fayetteville and Cumberland County merged Parks and Recreation Departments to become Fayetteville/Cumberland Parks and Rec in 2004, the newly combined staff immediately began the work of planning to meet the needs of the community. Surveys were conducted and needs were assessed. By 2006, a master plan was in the works showing both the city and county government what the citizens wanted the department to look like in the coming years and decades.

    It’s taken some time and effort, but that plan on how to meet the needs of Fayetteville/Cumberland County citizens is getting a close look from community leaders.

    According to Michael Gibson of the Fayetteville/Cumberland County Parks and Recreation, the time for action has come.

    “We decided to come up with a bond package. That is mostly the way parks and rec items are funded. In that package, are 15 items or projects that are based on the executive summary of the master plan from 2006,” explained Gibson.

    Although the plan is ambitious, it is based on community feedback and needs in the community that were expressed when the two departments first merged.

    “Here you have the fourth largest school district in the state of North Carolina and there is only one outdoor pool,” said Gibson. “We can see that we have glaring defi ciencies.”

    While the bond package is not a done deal yet, Gibson is seeking to educate the community about what they will be paying for. To get the word out, there has been a series of informational community meetings detailing the plan to the public.

    “We’ve heard positive comments on the big things. One thing we are trying to make sure that people understand about these packages is that these are revenue generators. We are not asking the citizens to build more facilities that they will have to put more capital into and pay expenses for,” said Gibson. “We are, technically, asking for capital funding only to build them. The revenue generated from having tennis tournaments and swim meets and track and fi eld meets would generate revenue to operate these facilities.”

    Broken down, the bond measure is asking citizens for roughly three cents on every $100. For example, if a person’s house is $100,000 they would have to pay roughly $30 a year in taxes to contribute to this plan.

    In a nutshell, the projects include a multi-purpose aquatic center with a senior center. The facility would be 120,000 to 130,000 square feet with approximately 18,000 square feet dedicated to the seniors. There would be an aquatics facility of about 35,000 to 38,000 square feet with field houses, an indoor running track, a wellness center with fitness rooms, a common space and a commercial kitchen. A skateboard park is on the list too, in addition to a 50-acre sports complex with soccer fields, softball fields and baseball fields. Splash pads, neighborhood pools and one big community pool are included along with some building upgrades, two new rec centers and a green waste plant.

    That is a lot of information to process, but Gibson is confident that if the public is informed, they will be able to make informed choices when it is time to vote.

    “I think we need to give enough information in our community meetings, and do a better job making sure that the people understand what they are buying,” said Gibson. “We want to give them enough information so that they can say ‘Yes, this thing looks like a viable option.’ And that will enable us to do some great things and create a better lifestyle for the people who live in the city.”

    The plan can be viewed in its entirety at the Parks and Rec. website www.fcpr.us/ as can the master plan that inspired the projects.

    The current system

    With 18 rec centers, three sports complexes, nine special use parks, 13 neighborhood/school parks, nine neighborhood parks, a community/school park, three community parks, four regional parks and four specialty parks throughout Cumberland County, Parks and Rec has plenty to offer.

    Whether it is a place to relax and catch your breath (at Cross Creek Park), a place to grow your own food (at the Fayetteville Community Garden) a place to listen to a concert, have a festival or hold a special event (at Festival Park) or a place to take your dog for socialization (at Riverside Dog Park) the specialty parks add plenty to the quality of life here in Cumberland County.

    The regional parks are each a treasure unto themselves. With Arnette Park comes baseball fields, sand volleyball courts, a horseshoe pit, tennis courts and nature trails. At Hallo08-17-11-parks-and-rec.jpgween there is a haunted trail and during the holiday season a beautiful outdoor light display. Clark Park is the community’s second largest regional park. With beautiful walking/biking/running trails along the Cape Fear River and an education nature center, Clark Park is the perfect place to spend a day outdoors without having to leave the city. The park also has a put-in point on the Cape Fear River for canoes and offers a variety of nature-related classes for people of all ages.

    Lake Rim has something for everyone, and a great location to boot. With walking trails, tennis courts, playgrounds, picnic shelters and a lake, there is always something to do at the park. Because it is in such a great spot, Lake Rim offers fishing classes and holds events several times a year that take advantage of being on the water. Some of the other classes include star-gazing and archery and the summer camps can’t be beat.

    Mazarick Park is a a multi-purpose park featuring fishing, boat rentals, a Frisbee-golf course, picnic shelters and trails. A tennis court and a baseball fi eld are available for a quick game. Picnic areas are open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis unless they are reserved.

    The community parks are each unique to the areas they serve. It’s where you’ll find athletes, fans and parents during the various sports seasons. The baseball fields, soccer fields, outdoor basketball courts are all part of what make up the community park network.

    Like the community parks, the neighborhood parks are a unique part of the county landscape and offer different things at each location. Whether it is a field or court for a pick up game of basketball or baseball, a playground, walking trail, a picnic pavilion for large gatherings or green space, the neighborhood parks are user friendly and provide wholesome fun and entertainment.

    The local special use parks are quite an addition to the park system and include Martin Luther King Jr. Park, Freedom Memorial Park, JP Riddle Stadium, Arsenal Park, Cape Fear Botanical Garden, Rowan Park and the Senior Citizens Center. Whether it is a chance to contemplate sacrifices and freedom at Freedom Memorial Park, or catching a SwampDogs game at JP Riddle Stadium or strolling through the botanical garden, the area’s special use parks seek to round out the offerings of the Parks and Rec system.

    In addition to the facilities, there are seasonal sports like basketball, baseball, football and cheerleading each year. Seasonal camps and sports clinics are also a part of Parks and Rec offerings as are classes like karate, yoga, zumba, cooking classes, dance classes and even music lessons. Each facility has its own offerings to best meet the needs of their customers, but look around, the prices can’t be beat and there is sure to be something of interest near you. Quite often if a rec center doesn’t have what you are looking for they can point you in the right direction.

    Find out more about Fayetteville/Cumberland Parks and Recreation at www.fcpr.us or call 433-1547.

  • 08-17-11-youve-come-along-way.jpgIt’s almost the end of summer, but things aren’t slowing down for 4th Friday in Downtown Fayetteville. On Aug. 26, 4th Friday’s theme Women’s Night Out in celebration of the 91st anniversary of the ratifi cation of the 19th Amendment, a defi ning moment in women’s history, and praise all things lost and found. It’s a night, says Sheri Collins, 4th Friday coordinator for the Fayetteville Downtown Alliance, “all about ladies, from the right to vote to the need to be pampered.”

    Festivities will start earlier than usual with a 6 p.m. presentation at the Rainbow Room featuring Mary Walton, author of A Woman’s Crusade: Alice Paul and the Battle for the Ballot. Walton will follow-up at City Center Gallery & Books to sign copies of her book. At 8 p.m., Fayetteville’s National Organization for Women (NOW) will reenact the 1913 march on Washington, D.C., demanding women’s voting rights. A woman on a white horse will lead a procession of marchers dressed in vintage suffragist white gowns from the Market House to Ray Avenue. Along the way, actors are planted in the crowd to heckle the demonstrators. NOW will wrap up the event with a showing of Generation M: Misogyny in Media and Culture at Cameo Art House Theater at 9:30 p.m. The admission charge is donated to the Rape Crisis Volunteers of Cumberland County.

    While history is reenacted outside, objects with a history are being reinvented inside for the Recycle! It’s Second Natureexhibit at the Arts Council. Sponsored by the City of Fayetteville’s Environmental Services Department, Waste Management and Pratt Industries, the show features pieces created with recycled materials. “The first recycled art show was such a success that we wanted to do it again. We were pleasantly surprised at the quality, as well as the quantity, of the pieces that were entered three years ago. It was such a wide range in the types of materials and end results. It offered a lot of talk and the opportunity for people to look at recyclables in a fun way,” says Jackie Tuckey, public relations directot for Environmental Services.

    At Cape Fear Studios, the jewelry artists are doing a little reinventing of their own. Lee McMillan, a local jewelry artist, wanted to challenge herself and other artists to use items not typical in jewelry production.

    “I have always worked in recycled items, particularly old jewelry, making them into things people would wear today,” says McMillan, but the purpose of the challenge is to think in broad concepts.

    Called objet trouvé, a natural or dicarded object found by chance and held to have aesthetic value the challenge features local artists Connie Bennett, Linda Sue Barnes, Stephanie Crider, Kathy Moore and Erica Stanckwytch Bailey along with McMillan. In the main gallery is an exhibit featuring potter Gay Smith. Ellen Olson Brooks of Cape Fear Studios describes Smith’s work as “unique in the use of color and style. Not your typical pottery.”

    Meanwhile, artists are demonstrating their work for Arts Aliveat their new location in the parking lot of the Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum on Franklin Street.

    As you move from each event, check in with the Downtown merchants. Joely, A Color Studio and Hair Salon is hosting a wine and cheese event with the chance to win a free makeover. At So Chic Bebe, Jill Charles, a singer who is making a name for herself in Fayetteville, is performing. An evening of art, wine, music, history and jewelry, what more could a Fayetteville woman ask for?

    For more information about these events, visit the Downtown Alliance Website at www.fayettevillealliance.com.

  • 08-17-11-senior-corner.jpgWhen today’s seniors were raising families, meals were often a special time to catch up on the day’s events and share family triumphs. Mealtimes are still im-portant to older adults. But circumstances have changed. Many find themselves home alone, with no living spouse and families too busy to enjoy even their own meals at home.

    CareGivers from Home Instead Senior Care® network understand the importance of mealtime companionship for seniors be-cause much of their work each day revolves around meal planning and preparation.

    Warm and Comfortable

    “Mealtime is the highlight of many seniors’ days,” said CareGiver Carolyne Kramme-Burkett, who joins her clients for table-side conversation after she has prepared their meal. “We have a lot of laughter from the news items, and family issues do come up. It makes them feel warm and comfortable. There was a time years ago when mealtime was the center of the day. Everyone got together to share laughter and humor. Fast food has changed that for many families.”

    Kramme-Burkett takes pride in making mealtime an event by planning the menu with her clients and adding special touches such as table center-pieces. She helps clients shop by looking for fresh and affordable produce at local farmers’ markets. Family members occasionally drop by to share her gourmet meals and favorite memories with their loves ones.

    A Welcome Distraction

    CareGiver Donna Kumar said mealtimes are an important distrac-tion for an 84 year old man suffering from ailments of aging. “Mealtime is a huge thing for him,” said Kumar, who often takes her client to lunch. “He’s told me he doesn’t focus on the pain for the three or four hours of the day when I am there. It’s his best meal of the day. He eats a good lunch and it gets him through the day. By dinner he is often in too much pain to eat.”

    “It’s so difficult for seniors to lose their independence,” Kumar said. “They can’t do what they used to do. Mealtime becomes the focus and highlight of their day. So it’s nice to have someone they can sit and talk with. That’s the time they can share their story.”

    Reliving the Cooking Days

    CareGiver Sharon Cornman said mealtimes can help older adults relive their own cooking days even if they can no longer cook in the kitchen. “My client loved to cook so she’ll give me some of her old recipes and I modify them for her current dietary needs. Sometimes we’ll get crazy with new dishes. We’ve tried tilapia with mango and banana chutney made with fresh herbs, cilan-tro and mint,” she added.“

    I often engage her in conversation about what her family liked to eat. She’ll say, ‘George and the kids used to love when I made this dish.’ It takes her back and lets her reminisce and share that experience with someone else,” she said.“

    I don’t think seniors eat as well if they’re left alone to make a cold sandwich,” Cornman explained. “Having someone around at mealtime is very important to them.”

    For more information about the Craving Companionshipprogram, including family recipes and Caring Cards™ that can help facilitate mealtime conversation, go to www.mealsandcompanionship.com.

    Photo: Mealtime is the highlight of many seniors’ days.

  • Cowboys and Aliens(Rated PG-13) Three Stars08-17-11-cowboys-&-aliens.jpg

    Well, I feel rather foolish. I (and I keep my ear pretty close to the ground on this stuff) had no idea that Cowboys and Aliens (118 minutes) was based on a comic book. Here I was, planning to criticize it for being a screenplay by committee, when it turns out that the SEVEN guys with writing credits included the comic book author. You know what? I am still going to criticize it for being a screenplay by committee, because as fun as it is, there are a couple of subtle issues with it.

    First of all, really dudes? Six guys working on it and nobody thought, hey, we’ve got a chick in this thing, maybe we oughta get a female co-writer? Apparently not, which is why, aside from Ella (Olivia Wilde), girls are strictly background in this one. There is one other slightly developed female character, but she gets taken out of the game pretty quick. And, in the grand tradition of action movies, the male characters tolerate but do not welcome her, and save her a few times since she cannot save herself. But she does a pretty good job of maternally protecting the young’un on several occasions. Because that’s what women are good for. Sigh.

    And don’t get all up in my face about how her role at the end of the movie redeems the character, because up until that point her character is not only dead-weight, she is also irritating, what with the wandering around saying “I know something you don’t know!” Of course, I admit that may be due in part to the fact that Olivia Wilde is extremely irritating, and that she is Hollywood Attractive rather than Real World attractive. At least she looks super-pretty in firelight!

    Second of all, the ending is more than a little bit unsatisfying on an emotional level. The writers set up this great father/son (Harrison Ford and Paul Dano) con-flict. Then they establish that the father is a sadist and the son is an idiot. Then, at the halfway point they proceed to ignore the sadism of the father, and by the end of the movie the audience is expected to completely forget that the son was an idiot. Maybe it’s that Harrison Ford isn’t selling his character? And he just wants to play the role like Indiana Jones as a cowboy? And when he tries to be murderous and evil (see What Lies Beneath) he still projects anti-hero type goodness?

    Third, sure, set your science fiction film in the old west. But if you’re going to do that, train your actors to sell the idea that what a modern audience calls alien is perceived by western stereotypes as demons. Seriously, whenever Doc (Sam Rockwell) calls them demons, you can tell he is mentally rolling his eyes … and that goes for most of the main cast.

    But that’s not to say it isn’t a decent action western science fiction movie. Grab that box of popcorn and settle in because it is mostly pretty fun.

    Set in 1873, the hero of the piece (Daniel Craig) plays a great western character. In fact, age him up a few years and I could total-ly see him playing the Gunslinger from Stephen King’s Dark Tower series. Is he bad? Is he good? It’s super hard to tell since he can’t remember anything from his past. Once he ends up in the defunct gold mining town of Absolution, the character is summed up nicely by the local preacher (Clancy Brown! Good to see you!) … good people do bad things, bad people do good things, etc.

    Too bad he is being singled out more for the bad things he has done. Not too long after he gets into town, he is arrested by Sheriff Taggert (Keith Carradine! Good to see you too!). Naturally, this is when the aliens show up.

    The effects are decent, the aliens are pretty cool looking, and there are enough twists to keep you guessing (if you haven’t read the comic book or seen the trailers, which give away all the twists).

    Now showing at Wynnsong 7, Carmike 12 and Carmike Market Fair 15.

  • If Hell is as hot as July and August has been then I guess I need to go to church more often. Honestly, I don’t know if I can take much more of this. As one lady told me “everything sweats”.

    As we all know, it has been hot, hot, hot! There is something hateful about these hot days. It has a burn to it. It has a taste to it, while not tast-ing like anything. It makes every mile longer. It makes every breath harder. It makes every red light longer.

    All joking aside, the heat is very dangerous — and deadly. Keeping your bike in good working order is the best way to keep you from over-heating. Your bike may not keep you cooler but if you break down on the side of the road you could cook while waiting for help. Even if you get help, it is still a struggle to get it going or to get it towed out of there.

    Check your oil and check your tire pressure. The engine is working harder in the summer and those temperatures will expand and countract your air pressure.

    During this heat, rain storms just seems to pop up so be sure to keep your rain suit handy.

    In the book 98.6 Degrees: The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive, Cody Lundin (the co-star of Dual Survivor) does a great job of explaining that the first rule of survival is keeping your core body temperature at 98.6 degrees. That is certainly the case while on a motorcycle. Depending on where you are riding, a motorcy-clist can change extremes within minutes. For example, while riding on the Blue Ridge Parkway, a rider can go from a couple of thousand feet to five or six thou-sand feet elevation in a matter of miles.

    While climbing up a mountain a good rule of thumb for figuring temparture is that for every thousand feet subtract 3 degrees. That will help you figure out how to dress as you go.

    I know we are not in the mountains and we are dealing with the painful heat. So here are a few things that will help you ride and survive in the heat:

    • Hydrate with H2O

    • Don’t drink alcohol

    • Carry water or take a Camelback

    08-17-11-jim-jones.jpg• Always have spare water with you on your bike.

    • If you have a passenger carry spare water for them (just in case of breakdown)

    • Early to bed, early to rise — and ride early

    • Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink water, hydrate

    • Force water even if you are not thirsty

    • Wear eye protection

    • Have a well vented helmet

    • Wear cotton shirts

    • Soak your shirt in water (poor man’s air conditioner)

    • Don’t use a dew rag (they trap heat)

    • At stops find shade if possible

    • Take breaks often• Purchase vented safety gear

    • Wear quick-drying nylon/spandex fabric, (disperses moisture)

    • Don’t sacrifice safety for comforts sake•Wear sunscreen

    • Hydrate with H2O!

    One of the less noted dangers of the heat is that people are just irritable. I don’t know what it is but when people are hot they don’t pay at-tention while driving. People seem to drive more erratic. Be very careful out there.

    Stay Cool!

    Photo: In the book 98.6 Degrees: The Art of Keeping our Ass Alive, Cody Lundin (the co-star of Dual Survivor) does a great job of explaining that the first rule of survival is keeping your core body temperature at 98.6 degrees.

  • Need a break and some time to relax from the day-to-day stress of life? Fayetteville Technical Community College invites you to visit the Cosmetology Department to receive new and exciting nail and skin care services Hours of operation have been extended to include nights and weekends.

    The Nail/Technology clinic now offers many services including basic manicures and pedicures as well as advanced nail applica-tions, such as gel nails, acrylic nails, and nail art.

    FTCC’s state-of-the-art esthetics clinicoffers basic or European facials, all waxing services, chemical peels, and make-up ap-plication. We invite you to visit the esthetics clinic for a quiet, peaceful spa setting and ultimate relaxation.

    FTCC advanced-level cosmetology de-partment students perform the services under the careful direction of well-qualified instructors. The addition of natural nail care will be coming soon to the Cosmetology Department. 

    The newly expanded hours of operation are: Tuesday - Thursday 8:15 a.m. - 8 p.m., Friday 8:15 a.m. - 12 noon and Saturday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.08-17-11-visit-ftcc.jpg

    The Salon & Spa Services Educational Center opened in January 2009, and its growth has surpassed all expectations! Fayetteville Tech’s Salon & Spa Services Educational Center offers a 1,500-hour Cosmetology program, a 600-hour Esthetics Program, and a 300-hour Nail Technology Program. All programs prepare graduatesto take the North Carolina State Board Licensing Examination.

    The Salon Spa Service Educational Center offers both day and evening classes and is open to the public for client services.

    Don’t delay! Visit FTCC’s beautiful Salon & SpaServices facility located at 2817 Fort Bragg Rd or call (910) 678-0158 for more information.

    Photo: The Nail/Technology clinic now offers many services including basic manicures and pedicures. 

  • 08-10-11-poe-house-era-etiquette-image-for-u-&-c-story.jpg

    On Monday, Aug. 16, theMuseum of the Cape Fear givesyou the chance for a lunch datewith history in the fourthinstallment of their monthlyseries, Munch on History:A Lunchtime Lecture at theMuseum of the Cape Fear.

    Heidi Bleazey, 1897 PoeHouse education coordinator,will present on Victorianetiquette and 1897 Poe Househistory. The lecture is in thefirst-floor conference room andstarts promptly at 12:15 p.m.

    The 1897 Poe House,home of E. A. and JosephinePoe, is on Arsenal Avenue inthe Museum of the Cape FearHistorical Complex. E. A.Poe, not to be confused with the Edgar Allan Poe of The Raven fame, was aFayetteville brickyard owner and politician at the turn of the 20th century.

    The house is a glimpse of the Poes’ life as an upper-middle-class family inVictorian times. E. A. and Josephine raised eight children in the home, gavedinner parties in the large dining room and welcomed society ladies bearingcalling cards. The 1897 Poe House is unique in that the exhibits are not tiedoff from the public. Visitors may step up and examine artifacts while keeping arespectful distance by not touching. Though not specifically part of the lectureseries, guided tours are available during the afternoons on weekdays and allday on Saturday. 

    The Poes, like other society families of the time, were expected to follow astrict set of social rules.While some etiquette, likethe curtsey, is currentlyout of favor, other rulesof Victorian etiquetteare still relevant today.Lessons from your motherlike sit up straight inyour chair, don’t put yourelbows on the table anddon’t reach across the table for a serving dish were standards inthe early 1900s. The difference in execution is that today you mayget a disapproving glare from your mother. In the Victorian era,you would have been socially banished from polite society.

    The Munch on History series is designed as a short,entertaining lunch break to connect museum visitors withFayetteville’s past. The purpose, says Leisa Greathouse, Curatorof Education, is “to raise awareness about Fayetteville’s place inAmerican history.” Greathouse explains that the series is notintended to make lecture goers experts on a topic, but “to provokethought and examine how history relates to present day.” Past topics includedthe history of the flag in honor of Flag Day and five Fayetteville eventstied to U.S. history.

    Located at 801 Arsenal Ave., near downtown Fayetteville, the Museum ofthe Cape Fear is approximately 15 minutes from any destination in the city.According to Greathouse, “You can leave work at noon, arrive by 12:15 p.m.,eat your lunch during the 20 minute lecture and still be back at work by theend of your lunch hour.” Bring a brown baglunch. Beverages are provided by the museum.Just don’t put your elbows on the table.

  • 08-10-11-backtoschool.jpg

    An estimated 56 million students will be enrolled in elementary, junior high andhigh schools across the nation this fall. While retailers eagerly embrace the back-toschoolseason, many parents cringe as the costs add up for school supplies, sportingequipment, electronics and new clothes.

    Today’s tough economy makes it challenging to invest in our children’s educationand future, and purchasing school supplies can be especially expensive. Stretch yourfamily’s back-to-school budget with these smart saving tips:

    Assess Wants vs.Needs. Before youleave the house, makea list of items you’llneed and be realisticabout prioritizingneeds and wants. Doa complete inventoryof what supplies youalready have at home.Sure, it’s fun to buyall new, but if you justbought a new set ofmarkers or a packageof folders last spring,you can probablyhold off a few monthsbefore restocking.

    Remember, too, that prime shopping season is before school starts. Delayingnon-essential purchases on items such as clothing until after school is in session (suchas during or after the Labor Day holiday, when items are marked down) can net bigsavings.

    Budget, Budget, Budget.Once your prioritized list is complete, determine whatyou can afford to spend on each category – school supplies, electronics, clothing andother. Use free online budgeting tools to help you stick to that budget. Comparisonshop, check out online deals and watch store circulars for sales. Subscribe to receiveemails, text or Twitter alerts from your favorite stores for special sales. Some storeseven reward shoppers who “check-in” through social sites with more discounts.

    Many states, like North Carolina, also offer a tax-free holiday for back-to-schoolshopping. Our tax-free weekend was August 5-7, so if you didn’t take advantage of it,you missed it til next year. Buying in bulk can save money, too. Look for multi-packs ofitems like scissors, pencils and markers.

    Don’t forget that the annual back-to-school shopping excursion can be a greatmoney management learning exercise for older kids. Share your budget with them, andhelp them make selections to keep your checkbook on target.

    Check for Student Discounts. By having a student living in your home, you maybe eligible for savings and not even know it. Many manufacturers, especially softwarepublishers, offer education eligibility discounts, and some stores offer price breaks forstudents, too.

    For example, check out Academic Superstore (www.academicsuperstore.com),an online store that works with leading brands to sell deeply discounted products. Thewebsite’s catalog of more than 20,000 education-focused products includes schoolsupplies, full-version software titles and consumer electronics at prices up to 80 percentoff retail value. Some items are at such deep discounts that you will be asked to provideproof of academic eligibility – which for some products is as simple as providing an.edu domain email address or school ID.

    Also, if you are military, be sure to ask if the store offers a military discount. Youjust may save 10 percent, or more.

    Surf the Net for Deals.The Internet is a great place to fi nd bargains. And manyoffi ce supply and retail websites offer free shipping. Use online tools that let youcompare prices of multiple websites to fi nd the best deals. Don’t forget to search foronline coupon codes that can help stretch your dollar.

    You can also save money by checking out the many online auction and trade sites.Bid on larger bundles that include several items on your list. You can further savemoney by trading gently used clothing and supplies with other area families. Lookthrough the online forums of local freecycle and swap sites to fi nd “new to you” items.

    With a little pre-planning and discipline, you can manage through the financialstress and focus instead on setting a positive tone to send your kids back into theclassroom.Photo courtesy of Getty Images. Source: Family Features.

  • 08-10-11-golffeet.jpg

    hos· pi·tal·i·ty [hos-pi-tal-i-tee] –noun, plural -ties.The friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers.

    If Southerners are anything, it’s hospitable. Fayettevilleeven has its own Hospitality Association — the Fayetteville AreaHospitality Association. It’s a nonprofi t organization of businesseswho promote tourism, social welfare and quality of life byimproving the quality and variety of food, lodging and recreationalareas for travelers and local residents.

    Their reach is far, and their impact on the community is great.Every person who stays in a hotel, eats at a restaurant or rents acar in Fayetteville is operating within the world of hospitality andquite possibly interacting with FAHA members.

    For FAHA, hospitality means not only treating visitors well,but also taking care of the community, and for the past 10 years,they’ve done just that, and had a good time doing so, and this yearthey’ve added a new sponsor — Up & Coming Weekly to theirannual fundraising event.

    On Sept. 30, FAHA and Up & Coming Weekly are hosting the Annual GolfTournament at Kings Grant. Proceeds will benefi t Falcon Children’s Home andKidsville News! of Cumberland County.“This is our 10th annual tournament,” said FAHA vice president RamonaMoore.

    “This is our third year donating to Falcon Children’s Home. Last year,we made a commitment to sponsor them for fi ve years.”

    Historically, the tournament has raised between $5,000 and $13,000 forvarious charities. Moore hopes that by teaming up with another sponsor, thetournament will be able to increase their proceeds signifi cantly and be able tohelp that many more children.

    Kidsville News! is an educational resource in the form of a full-colorchildren’s monthly newspaper with fun, relevant and educational articles forchildren, parents and teachers. While KidsvilleNews! content is educational, it is also funand interactive, keeping children engaged andmotivated to learn! The primary mission ofKidsville News! is to encourage learning andliteracy by helping kids have fun reading.

    According to its website, “Falcon Children’sHome began its ministry of caring for childrenin 1909. For more than 100 years, with the helpof our supporters, they have served childrenand families in the Southeastern United Stateswho needed out-of-home placement forvarious reasons. A ministry of the InternationalPentecostal Holiness Church, we have alwaystried to demonstrate Christ-likeness in ourapproach and in the cultivation of our careprograms. We are unashamedly a Christianministry. We believe that to serve the wholechild — mind, body, spirit, and soul — we must foster an atmosphere thatalways asks, “What is best for the child?” and make every effort to answer thisquestion with our resources, assets and best efforts.

    “Falcon Children’s Home offers goal-oriented and goal-directed care aimedprimarily at family reunification and is staffed to meet the needs of students inour care.”It’s easy to support these two great causes. Sponsorships areavailable, teams are being formed and door prize donations arebeing accepted. Call RamonaMoore at 487-1400 to findout more.

  • 08-10-11-suicidebl.jpg

    It’s time to put on your parachute pants, spike up your hair and headback to the ‘80s! On August 18, Fayetteville After Five presents another freeconcert for some more “Third Thursday” entertainment. Suicide Blonde willbe playing the concert in Festival Park. The gate opens at 5 p.m., and housemusic plays until 6 p.m. There will be an ongoing corn hole tournament andsponsor giveaways. An opening act will play until 8 p.m. Then, the main act,Suicide Blonde takes thestage.

    Suicide Blonde, an ‘80scover band is no strangerto Fayetteville After Five.They have played for thisevent in the past, and areexcited to be back. “With awealth of experience in manygenres of music, SuicideBlonde brings the requiredprofessionalism, musicianshipand unmistakable love of the‘80s to transport any clubor private function back tothis unforgettable time of funand excess,” the band says ofitself.

    The band’s repertoirespans more than a singlegenre so that there issomething for everyone. Theirsong list includes hits such asthe classic AC/DC’s “Backin Black,” “Video Killed theRadio Star” by The Buggles,“Sweet Caroline” by NeilDiamond, “Hungry Like theWolf” by Duran Duran, and “JustLike Heaven” by The Cure. Theyplay everything from AC/DC toZZ Top.

    The band consists of fivemembers. Dave Adams, thebands front man and keyboardist,has experience in the musicindustry both in the states andabroad in the United Kingdom.Dustin Askew is the band’sguitarist, and has been involvedin music since he was 17. The drummer for Suicide Blonde is Lane Moss,who has been involved in music since a very early age. He started playing thedrums at the age of eight. Bassist Warren Summer has played in other groupssuch as Bottom Line and Sugar Daddy, but the 80’s is his favorite musicaldecade. Keyboardist Greg Uselman is Suicide Blonde’s newest member.Uselman has been playing music in the Southeast for 21 years but is happy tobe a member of Suicide Blonde now.

    There will be a 50/50 raffl e and kids events at the park. This eventserves as a fundraiser for the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival. Sponsors includeWeekenderNOW.com, The Fayetteville Observer, Up & Coming Weekly, Chick-Fil-A, WTVD ABC11, Magic 106.9, Rock 103, Q98 fm, and WFNC 640 am

    Admission is free, but bring money for food and beverages, as there willbe stands located in the park. No outside food or drink is permitted intoFestival Park. Please don’t bring any coolers, pets or bicycles to the parkeither. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged, however.The gates open at 5p.m. Festival Park is located at thecorner of Ray and Rowan Street. For further informationcall 323-1934.

  • 08-10-11-uac081011001.jpg While the first official Army parachute jumpedtook place on Aug. 16, 1940, it was in Augustof 2002 that then President George W. Bushproclaimed Aug. 16, as National Airborne Day.

     

    Since then, the Airborne & Special OperationsMuseum (ASOM) has celebrated the event withgusto each year. This year, National AirborneDay will be celebrated on Saturday, Aug. 13. Preceremonymusic will start at 9:30 a.m., followedby a parachute demonstration at 10 a.m., andthen the opening ceremony, which will include aperformance by the 82nd Airborne Chorus, willbegin.

     

    If you can’t make it to the ceremony, don’tworry; the chorus will perform again at 11:30a.m., and 12:15 p.m.

     

    The freefall exhibition just happens once,though, and it is definitely a must-see event. In thespirit of Airborne brotherhood and camaraderie,the jump team represents several airborne entities.

     

    “It is a combined team,” said Paul Galloway,Executive Director for the Airborne SpecialOperations Museum Foundation. “We have theGolden Knights representing the U.S. Army; the82nd Airborne Division All-AmericanFreefallTeam, which represents the airborne paratroopers,and the Black Daggers from USASOCrepresenting special ops.”

     

    Some of the day’s activities include a specialforces ODA Team. “That stands for OperationalDetachmentA-team, which isa Special Forcesteam — it is theGreen Berets,” saidGalloway. “Theywill have their ‘toys’with them. Thatdisplay will be inthe lobby.”

     

    Meet thefolks who packthe parachutesthat bring theparatroopers tosafety. They willbe doing packingdemos throughoutthe day.

     

    Anotherfavorite to keep an eye out for is the 82nd AirborneDivision static display. The military police will havea display, too, which usually includes some armoredhumvees. Galloway noted that there are usuallyasurgical hospital tent and a 155 howitzer at theevent, too.

     

    World War II re-enactors are usually a big hit atNational Airborne Day as well. 

     

    It’s usually warm out, so plan to visit the MWRtent, where they will have snacks and refreshmentsfor sale.

     

    08-10-11-airborneday.jpgIn years past, about 2,000 to 2,500 peoplewould attend. Last year though, attendance reachednearly 4,000, an occurrence that Galloway attributesto two things; “The change from last year — andthis is ongoing — is that the 18th Airborne CorpsCommander AND the Mayor invite you to the event.Now, it is a joint event with the Army and the city ofFayetteville. We also dedicated Iron Mike last year.”

     

    Iron Mike’s relocation from Fort Bragg toASOM was a big deal indeed, and this year there isyet another great reason to draw big crowds — theN.C. Veterans Park that opened on July 4. “What Ihope for, is that those who come down for NationalAirborne Day will see it and will stop and enjoy it,and that they will take that experience home andshare it so more people will come,” said Galloway.“The Veteran’s Park is seeing a lot of visitors sinceit opened. What we are seeing is that a lot of peoplewho are visiting them are visiting us and vice versa,which is exactly what we want.”

     

    Although the day’s events end at 3 p.m., themuseum will be open until 5 p.m. ASOM has many fine exhibits,but Galloway pointed out that some of the best exhibits are living,breathing and walking around among the museum visitors. “We’vegot great volunteers who have amazing stories,” said Galloway.“And the main thing the volunteers are asked to do is to share astory and listen to a story. Our tag line is ‘The Legend Continues.’We are an educational platform, and we want to share the exploitsof the airborne and special operations soldiers and pass along theethics and basically the characteristics of today’s military that arevery positive and very important for the young people of America toknow.”

     

    Celebrate America’s heroes and our community’s paratrooperheritage everyday, but especially on Saturday Aug. 13,National Airborne Day, at ASOM. Find out more athttp://www.asomf.org/pages/news_pr_detail.php.

     

  • 08-10-11-ravenrock1.jpg

    With gas prices and unemployment at record highs, many are feelingthe pinch come summer. The dream of the ideal vacation some place remoteevaporates with a hard look at budget and savings. Sometimes, however, the“ideal” summer has more to do with quality time and a change in scenery thanfancy theme parks.

    Nestled in the heart of Harnett County, just 40 miles from Fayetteville is agem waiting to be discovered. Raven Rock State Park offers hiking trails, picnicareas, campsites and amazing views. Located between Sanford and Lillington,off U.S. Hwy 421, this state park is a great way to spend a few hours or even afew days. Famous for its 150-foot-tall rock outcropping stretching more than amile along the Cape Fear River, Raven Rock has been fascinating visitors sincebefore European settlers arrived in the mid-1700s.

    According to Park Ranger David Brown, Raven Rock boasts 11 miles ofhiking trails, nine in all, on the south side of the park. The longest trail is theCampbell Creek Loop, which is 5 miles long, or 6 miles if you opt to take thespur as well.

    Says Kelly Fisher, Harnett County teacher and mother of three, “ I like thewalking trail behind the Welcome Center. It is stroller friendly, and you can stillexperience the wonder of God’s creation.”

    Brown cautions that most of the trails require a jogging or bike wheelstroller due to the natural rock and gravel bars. The trails also have timbers atintervals to aid hikers with slopes. “From the parking lot to the overlook, thetrails are fairly even though,” says Brown.

    If your goal is to hike to Raven Rock itself, you will have to navigate 100stairs to get all the way down to the river area.

    Accessible from the separate entrance off Hwy 401 N, there are two horsetrails on the north side of the river. While hikers are welcome, the trails aremaintained for horse riding and hikers are urged to leave room in the smallparking lot for horse trailers.

    The park also has a number of “primitive” camping sites at a nominaldaily fee. A primitive or backpack campsite consists of a fi re pit and either acomposting or vault toilet nearby. “We get a fair amount of campers in thespring and early summer,” says Brown. This year the park has seen an increasein the number of campers due to the early good weather. Brown says that thenumber of campers usually drop off as the weather gets hot.

    Fishing is also a popular sport at Raven Rock. Visitors are limited to fi shingduring operating hours, but campers are welcome to fi sh at any time. Allfi shermen are required to hold the appropriate fi shing license.

    For more information, or to sign up for Raven Rock’s free mobile app, besure to visit the Raven Rock State Park website: www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/raro/main.php.

  • The first things many Americans did after members of Congress heldtheir noses and passed a rise in the United States’ debt ceiling was heave asigh of massive relief. The next sound in our nation was a collective snortof disgust. After months of posturing, name-calling, grandstanding withthe eyes of the world upon us which ultimately culminated in a literal fi nalhours compromise that no one likes, the dirty deed was done.

    The financial repercussions of this ugly chapter in our history remaincloudy, but what is clear is that, as my father would say, the rich are indeedgetting richer and the poor are getting poorer, relatively speaking.

    His is a sentiment we have all heard before, and we may well putmore stock in it during these days of our troubled economy in which newsstories tell us about both bankers and corporate CEOs with bonuses in themillions and other Americans who are struggling to keep their homes outof foreclosure and food on their tables. It just does not seem, to use a wordevery child utters to parents at some point, “fair.”

    Fair or not, it appears to be true.

    What we are talking about here is wealth, not income. Winning thelottery will skew one’s income for at least a year and perhaps longer, butwealth is a more basic measure than income. It is the value of what youown, your assets, less the value of what you owe, your liabilities. The moreassets and fewer liabilities you have, the higher your wealth. Conversely,fewer assets and more liabilities translate into less wealth, and sometimes,no wealth at all.

    There is enough data out there about wealth distribution in the UnitedStates and the rest of the world to send most of us running for the juiciestsummer novel we can find. Truth be told, it is dry reading, and it all goessomething like this. Ten years ago, ten percent of the US populationowned more than 70 percent of the wealth, and the top one percent of thewealthiest folks held almost 40 percent of that wealth. On the other end ofthe spectrum, the bottom 40 percent of people owned only one percent ofthe country’s wealth.

    Dry, indeed, unless you are in the bottom heap trying to pull yourselfinto a higher category. Then it becomes personal.

    The data gets more concerning as you drill down on it as well. U.S.Census data in the news last month shows that wherever one is on thewealth continuum, racial wealth gaps are as wide as they have been in aquarter of a century. The translation of that is that our shaky economyhas erased many of the economic gains made my minority members of oursociety, leaving white citizens with an average of 20 times the wealth ofAfrican Americans and 18 times that of Hispanics.

    None of this is a pretty picture to me.

    My family and I are products of free enterprise going back generations,and I am convinced that hard work and entrepreneurship is what hasmade our country what we are. I know, too, that while our position inthe world may be shifting a bit, our economy and our culture remain thegold standard. We know that millions of people around our globe wouldgive their eye teeth to be here with us. Various schemes have been triedsince recorded history by everyone from the Romans to the Communists,and none have been successful over the long haul. Very few Americans,including this one, would support public policies aimed at suchre-distribution.

    That being said, I cannot see how growing gaps in wealth can be goodfor our nation.

    Minds far brighter than mine have advocated the importance of athriving middle class to our economic health, and that makes sense tome. Our American middle class began emerging during the IndustrialRevolution of the 19th century and came to fruition in the years followingWorld War II when veterans came home, got themselves educated on the GIBill, and built the economy that made us the wealthiest and strongest nationin history. Not to support and nurture our middle class and to allow thewealth gap to grow and divide the haves and the have nots even more canonly be dangerous folly, not just for those individuals and families, but forall Americans.

    I fear that what we have just seen during our national ordeal overraising the debt ceiling is but a warm up for the 2012 election rhetoricthat is getting underway. As you think about choosing those who want togovern, ponder for yourself the importance of the American middle classand what we need to do to keep it.

    This is one instance in which I hope my Daddy willbe wrong.

  • uac080311001.jpg “Gnarly,” “munchin’ on some grindage” and “looking for some Betty’s” are all classic phrases coined by Paul Shore in early ‘90s. Shore, who has made his mark as a stand-up comedian in television and in the movies, will bring his unique vocabulary and style to Fayetteville on Wednesday, Aug. 10 at It’z Comedy Zone.

    Born and raised in Hollywood, which he considers “kind of weird because most people are from small towns and come to Hollywood,” Shore’s childhood revolved around celebrites such as Elvis Presley, Sammie Davis Jr. and Tony Bennet.

    His parents, Sammy and Mitzi Shore, were in the business, and operated one of Hollywood’s biggest comedy clubs, The Comedy Store on Sunset Boulevard. It was there, while hanging around backstage, that Shore began to develop his own style while watching some of the greats — Robin Williams, David Letterman and the late Sam Kinison.

    Like many young Hollywood teens, Shore attended Beverly Hills High School — the school made famous by Beverly Hills 90210 — but probably more so by its alumni including Angelina Jolie, Lennie Kravitz, Nicholas Cage, and of course, Shore.

    At the age of 17, he began to write and perform his own comedy, introducing the character of The Weizel, a laid-back, Valley-talking dude who coins his own phrases and looks at the world in a totally different way than most.

    Shore says that comedy is in his blood.

    “I was destined to do this,” he says on his Website. “I feel almost like I’m the Frankenstein of comedy. My mom developed me in the comedy club and my dad had the gene. Then they put them together and then there’s Pauly.”

    While his parents may have put him in the environment, it was his own hard work that got him his shot on the national scene.

    His comedy connected with a whole generation, and MTV was anxious to entertain that generation, so they brought Shore on board with his own show — Totally Pauly, which had a four-year run. In 1993, he performed his first televised stand-up comedy show on HBO call Pauly Does Dallas.

    The success of that show led to a three movie deal with Disney, which spawned Encino Man, Son-In-Law, In the Army Now, Jury Dutyand Bio-Dome. In 1997, FOX cast him as the freeloading son of a wealthy businessman in the short-running sitcom Pauly.

    Shore’s career  atlined briefly, and in 2003 he produced, wrote, directed and starred in the critically acclaimed, Pauly Shore Is Dead, a semi-autobiographical mockumentary in which he satirizes the perils of Hollywood. In the fi lm, Pauly loses everything and decides to fake his death in a quest for post-mortem adulation. Ironically, one of the many celebrities who perform cameos on the show is Charlie Sheen, who is shown giving Shore career advice.08-03-11-pauly-shore.jpg

    Most recently, Shore performed in the sketch comedy movie Natural Born Komics, for which he received the 2008 Entertainer of the Year Award from the Entertainment Merchants Association. With several projects in the works, Shore is taking some time to hit comedy clubs all over the United States

    .“I’m single, I don’t have a girlfriend. My girlfriend is my mom and work; that’s where my love is,” he said. “I’m obsessed with my work. I love to come up with stuff. That’s kind of the beauty of the business, you don’t need anything but your mind and my mind is always going, going, going.”

    When Shore hits the stage at It’z Comedy Zone, be prepared for side-splitting laughter and a raucous good time. Tickets are now on sale for $25. The show starts at 8p.m. To purchase tickets, visit www.itzentertainmentcity.com/comedyzone.htm or call (910) 826-2300.

    It’z Entertainment City is located at 4118 Legend Ave.

  • Summer’s Winding Down, But the Beach Is Still Calling08-03-11-beach-baby.jpg

    If you’ve been to a store lately that sells swimwear, you’ve probably noticed that they’re already on sale for more than half off. That’s usually the case sometime after the passing of Independence Day. What’s really cool is that there’s still plenty of time to have fun in the sun, so why not buy a new suit and head east!

    Ask locals about their favorite local strip of coastline and you’ll probably hear a wide variety of answers. No matter what your favorite beach activity may be, you’re sure to fi nd a setting that will suit (pun intended) your individual tastes.

    Take Ocean Isle Beach, for instance. It’s located south, just minutes from the South Carolina border. Wilmington resident, Gina Locklear, owner of Gypsy Gina’s Art, Antiques & Jazzy Junk grew up spending summers at Ocean Isle Beach. When asked about her fondness for OIB (now you know what those oval bumper stickers stand for) she says it’s a “family beach that’s quiet and one of N.C.’s best kept secrets because it’s clean and affordable. There aren’t all the distractions that you fi nd in Myrtle Beach.”

    Locklear, who now spends most of her time in her shop located on Castle Street in Wilmington’s art & antiques district, says these days she often ventures to Carolina Beach.

    “Carolina Beach,” explains Locklear, “offers a bit more. There’s the boardwalk, summer carnival, and it’s close to Wilmington which provides even more entertainment, as well as shopping and dining options.”

    The Fort Fisher Aquarium is also a great stop neat Carolina Beach.

    If you’re on a budget and perhaps have kids in tow, Topsail Island is just a couple of hours from Fayetteville. If you’re into scenic routes, take Hwy 210 and stop to picnic at Moore’s Creek National Battleground in Currie along the way. You won’t find roller coasters or boardwalks, but, according to Sandie Blanton, Property Manager at Topsail Sound RV Park, what you will fi nd is a “family-friendly atmosphere, and pristine beaches without the over-crowding often found at some of the other beaches.”

    Travel northward and you’ll find Emerald Isle and Atlantic Beaches, both near Morehead City. While Emerald Isle is the tamer of the two, Atlantic Beach offers a boardwalk reminiscent of a by-gone era. You’ll fi nd amusement rides, miniature golf, and of course, those mega-gift shops that sell everything from sand crabs to shell necklaces.

    A trip to this part of the Bogue Banks Barrier Islands isn’t complete without stopping for a quick bite at the Sanitary Restaurant & Fish Market which has been a local staple of Morehead City since 1938.

    Probably the most famous stretch of beach in our state is the Outer Banks, part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. This is where you can visit the Wright Brothers Memorial where aviation history was made. The Outer Banks is also home to five lighthouses, the oldest of which is Ocracoke Lighthouse, first erected in 1798. Another popular attraction is the outdoor drama, The Lost Colony, which is performed six nights a week during the summer on Roanoke Island.

    So, what are you waiting for? Pack up the kids, the dogs and the cooler, fi ll the tank up with gas and find a beach that suits your style. The waves are crashing, the salt-air is blowing and it just won’t be summer without at least one trip to the North Carolina coast!

  • It’s no secret that Extreme Makeover: Home Edition has been to town, working on a project for a very lucky Fayetteville family. But did you know that there is another design makeover in the works at The Salvation Army Shelter? Much like the home-makeover show, The Salvation Army is seeking to improve lives, and they understand that things, like being treated with dignity, make a difference in helping to turn lives around.08-03-11-salvation_army_logo_red.jpg

    On Saturday Sept. 10, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. decorators, crafters and home-improvement gurus are invited to join the Shelter Design Challenge. It is a fun and creative way to not only let your design skills shine, but to make a difference in the community and help your fellow man.

    Competitors in the design challenge will work in teams of up to six and on the day of the event each team will be put to the ultimate challenge.

    This project has been a long time in the making and is something that is near and dear to Jackie Golbold’s heart. She sees thousands of people come through the shelter every year, and wants nothing but success for each and every one of them.

    “We are hoping we will get design people who have a knack for it in their own lives who would want to come and take charge of a room here at the shelter,” said Godbold. “Not only is it a challenge, it will be a fundraiser, too. So it is going to be a really fun event. We are hoping to make the shelter more homey for the people who stay here.”

    There are several rooms slated for the makeover at the facility, so only a limited number of teams will be able to compete in the day-long event. The areas to be made over include dorm rooms, multipurpose rooms, family rooms and patio and courtyard space.

    Teams choose their room (first come, first served) and have until Aug. 10 to submit a room design plan. Make an appointment to stop by the shelter and take photos/measurements of the room that you choose to help as you make plans.

    Goldbold also encourages competitors to reuse and repurpose whatever they can in the competition.

    “We are the Salvation Army,” she said. “We have a thrift store and we encourage people to reuse things.”

    Room design plans should be emailed to: jackie.godbold@uss.salvationarmy.org by Aug. 10 and should include a basic plan for the room, for example, painting walls, any large pieces to be brought into the room and basic colors for the room. Room designs will be approved via email by Aug. 15. If there are questions or concerns while planning, please call Godbold (910) 644-5261 or Mary Webster (910) 485-8026.

    While the shelter is eager to grant creative license to the designers, there are a few limitations: no permanent structure changes, no drilling into walls, no outrageous wall colors and no expensive electronics or appliances should be placed in rooms. If you’re not sure, please ask.

    Not only will competitors have a chance to wow the residents, they are also invited to join them for a cookout at 5 p.m.

    The public has a chance to get in on the fun, too, and will be able to tour the building from 6 – 8 p.m., and vote on their favorite room makeover. Votes can be purchased for $1 per vote and the winning team will receive a trophy and a prize.

    According to the Salvation Army Website, The Salvation Army’s Shelter in Fayetteville can assist up to 100 people per night, giving temporary shelter and counseling to destitute people. The facility provides shelter, necessities, strict discipline and spiritual guidance while encouraging individuals to find a job. They are taught budgeting along with other essential life skills in an atmosphere of love and concern.

    Through the shelter, The Salvation Army is reaching out to people like Arthur, a shelter resident: “I prayed for God to take my life because of my addiction, but instead he guided me to The Salvation Army. The Army helped put God back into my life and taught me how to develop relationships with people I didn’t think I could be close with.”

  • 08-03-10-shfb-logo-color.jpgIt only takes a few minutes with Second Harvest Food Bank (SHFB) Director David Griffi n and Operations Manager Gideon Adams to understand that they are passionate about their work, and perhaps more importantly, they are practical about it,too.

    In their business, they have to be.

    In an organization that feeds more than 90,000 people every month, practicality is key to surviving. Citizens of Bladen, Cumberland, Duplin, Harnett, Hoke, Robeson and Sampson counties count on the donations of individuals and organizations to stave off hunger every day. Like many non-profi ts, things can be tough even during the best of times. With things the way they are now, the staff of the SHFB fi nds itself in the position of facing a growing need and a declining base from which to draw donations.

    From Aug. 1 to Sept. 30, they are pulling out all the stops to raise awareness, have a little fun and reach out to the community to educate it about practical ways to help feed our neighbors.

    “The face of hunger is changing,” said Griffi n. “It used to be mostly homeless people, and this is still an issue for them, but now we are seeing more and more working-class and middle-class people who are struggling.”Griffi n explained that often a person will get laid off but they still have the same nice car, live in the same house and wear the nice clothes that are already in their closet. The problem isn’t about those things, rather it’s now about making hard choices. They often have to choose between paying the rent or light bill and buying groceries.

    Having children in the family adds to the burden. The same is true for many elderly. Costs continue to rise but their income doesn’t. Griffi n noted that many of these people were used to paying their own way and taking care of their own needs, but now they are struggling and they don’t always know where to go or how to ask for help.

    “When someone is hungry it affects so much about the way they function,” said Adams. “It affects how well they can think and concentrate, which can be devastating for students, as well as the kind of risky behaviors they may choose to become involved in. We do what we can to make a difference, but it is diffi cult to reach everyone. The need is so great.”08-03-11-tackle-hunger.jpg

    There are four events remaining in the Hunger Days Campaign, and of course, contributions and donations are appreciated anytime. On Saturday, Aug. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., check out the SHFB Open House at 406 Deep Creek Rd. Learn how the food bank operates and enjoy food, games, activities and entertainment. Member agencies, elected offi cials and individuals are all invited.

    On Thursday, Aug. 18, there will be a Strike Out Hunger Bowl-A-Thon at B&B Lanes from 2-9 p.m. It’s not too late to register or sponsor a team. There will be a 50/50 raffl e and prizes will be awarded for different categories of entries. Sign up with your four-person team, enjoy an afternoon bowling with your friends or colleagues, and help SHFB raise money to fi ght hunger in our community.

    The Strike-Out Hunger Bowl-A-Thon will consist of teams of four bowlers who will have the opportunity to bowl for 1 hour and 45 minutes. There will be a maximum of 69 teams for this event, so make sure you register today! The cost per team is $150.

    On Friday, Sept. 16, the 3rd Annual Driving Out Hunger Invitational Golf Tournament will be played at Baywood Golf Club. Registration starts at 8 a.m. followed by a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Registration is $300 per team or $75 for individual entries and includes transportation, round of golf, cart and lunch. For information or to download registration forms, visit www.drivingouthunger.net/tournament.htm.

    The Tackle Hunger Video Game Tournament will take place on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 2–6 p.m. at the SHFB parking lot. Registered participants will play Madden 2012 for a chance to win prizes and claim the Tackle Hunger Champion title.

    Sponsorships are available for all of the events above. To register for any of these events, find out how you can help volunteer, or to find out more about these events, visit www.hungerdays.org or call 485-6923.

    Second Harvest Food Bank Has Far Reach In the Community

    The Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina is a program of Cumberland Community Action Program, Inc. CCAP is a private, non-profit corporation whose express purpose is to “improve the education and economic opportunities, living environment and general welfare of the people.”

    The food bank was established in 1982, and became an affiliate of Feeding America in 1994. It is one of seven certifi ed affliates of Feeding America located in North Carolina, covering all 100 counties.

    The food bank provides nutritious food to those at risk of hunger through a network of over 200 non-profit members. There are over 200,000 individuals, or 18 percent, at risk of hunger within the seven counties the partner agencies call home.

    The Mission

    • Feed the hungry by retrieving unmarketable, yet wholesome, surplus food from major industries.

    • Solicit public and private donations. Eliminate food waste by acting as a clearinghouse for all foods received through Feeding America food industries or food drives.

    • Judiciously distribute food and grocery products to service our network of member non-profi t agencies; these agencies provide on-site and emergency feeding to those in need.

    • Formulate a bond between local food industry, other non-profi ts and the Food Bank.

    • Develop and follow plans which advocate resolutions to ending hunger.

    The Programs

    The Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina works to eliminate the cycle of hunger through a wide range of programs and services. They are achieved through our member agencies and local, state, and national partners.

    • Back Pack Program - provides wholesome and nutritious food to elementary school students. Each Friday, selected students receive enough food for the weekend to supplement meals otherwise not available.

    • Emergency Food Assistance Program – distributes surplus food from the N.C. Dept. of Agriculture to low-income families and individuals.

    • State Nutritional Assistance Program – Allows the food bank to purchase products that are normally not found in regular donations.

    • Nonfood Program – the food bank receives donations such as bikes, furniture, clothing and other nonfood items from Target/WalMart Distribution Center.

    • Volunteer Program – Partnerships with local and state agencies provide volunteer and community opportunities to individuals and families.

    • Grocery Retail Program – This program rescues edible foods such as meat, deli and produce from grocery stores.

    • Salvage Program – The Food Bank receives and distributes donations from retail stores and reclamation centers. The products are inspected to ensure they are edible and safe for consumption. 

  • 08-03-11-fccc-logo.jpgIt’s been an interesting couple of weeks at the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce. Most have read an article that appeared in the Sunday, June 24, edition of the Fayetteville Observer that criticizes the work of the Chamber’s Economic Development team and the business leaders who make up our volunteer leadership, as well as recent hirings that have taken place.

    In the midst of all of this, it’s easy to get distracted from what the Chamber of Commerce does in our community. I’d like to take this opportunity to explain some of the recent complaints and to let you know what your Chamber actually does.

    The Chamber essentially operates as two entities in one. Our Economic Development team is tasked with helping grow current businesses in the community, and also with helping attract new ones to the area. The Observer article focused mainly on what this team does, and what some officials feel they haven’t been doing.

    Our other “entity” is the Chamber of Commerce itself. That team is tasked with helping cultivate a thriving business climate within our area, through advocacy, development, networking and a variety of other tasks. It’s not a simple explanation when answering the “What does the Chamber do?” question, as we do whatever it takes to help grow the environment in which our businesses succeed.

    The Chamber staff (but, importantly, not the Economic Development staff) has been reduced in recent years, as part of belt-tightening and efficient business practice measures. You may have read about a handful of recent additions to the Chamber team and it’s understandable that you’d question how we could rationalize hiring several new people when we are saying times are tough. But in actuality, those six people really just replaced six others who have left the organization since April. Two of the six vacancies were brought by relocation to other communities. Three moved on to advance their careers. One position was eliminated in order to redirect our resources in support of our Program of Work.

    None of these staff additions were frivolous, all are supported by the Chamber’s current operating budget, and none are reflected on the Economic Development side of the Chamber’s unifi ed effort. In short, the Chamber has learned to do more with less, just as many companies and not-for-profi ts have been forced to do.

    Our Economic Development team is tasked with a huge effort. In fi nancially diffi cult times, this crew has been asked to help recruit businesses into our area. Each and every one of you has been impacted by the fi nancial downturn of the past several years, and it’s easy to understand how diffi cult Economic Development as a whole can be in that climate. In spite of these challenges, we’ve helped in efforts that have seen over 5,000 new jobs created in the last year.

    And no, we can’t take all the credit for that by any stretch of the imagination. It’s the collective efforts of many groups coming together that make these situations possible. We didn’t have a direct hand in getting every new job in the area, but that’s not what our task at hand is. We’re tasked with helping to create an environment that makes it easier for any business to thrive here. Whether they’ve been drawn here by the Chamber of Commerce, military growth, or any other reason isn’t relevant. Our organization is thrilled any time we see job growth here, no matter who was responsible for it.

    Without question, the Chamber can always do more. We know that, and we’re committed to it. Consider the state of the national and world economy – both factors far beyond our local control. Given the absolute bleeding of jobs in other communities, our economic climate is trending forward and in today’s environment, even holding your ground is pretty good. Our economy is actually growing.

    If you get nothing else from this, know that your Chamber of Commerce is here for the businesses in our community. Our mission statement sums this up well. “We strive to improve quality of life by creating wealth, jobs and investment in our community.” We are committed to that mission
    wholeheartedly and look forward to continued success ahead.

  • Indescribable! That was the feeling I had while gliding around the Raleigh Beltway. Underneath me was the new BMW K1600 GTL. The GTL (Grand Touring Luxury) is BMW’s newest at-tempt at taking on the world with its ma-chines. Riding the GTL’s 1649cc, 160hp, in-line six-cylinder engine was like being on top of my own little rocket.

    I did not plan on riding that day, but I was at Capitol BMW and the bike was sitting there on the showroom floor. After sitting on the bike a few minutes, I wanted to feel it move. Capitol BMW is one of the few bike dealerships that lets you go for test rides. So I asked Greg, the sales man-ager, if I could take it out. He kindly pulled it out of the showroom while I grabbed my helmet from my car.

    It was only a few months ago that I sold my BMW K1200 LT (Luxury Touring). I thought I was going to be riding an LT replacement, but once I sat on the GTL I realized it was not a replacement but something new and exciting. Ergonomically this bike is a perfect fit for me. The bike is lower, slicker, 100 pounds lighter and smarter.

    As Greg explained some of the new features, controls and technologies to me I found it easy to understand. It only took a few minutes to figure out the logic of this machine.

    Once the engine started the sound was unlike any engine I have ever heard. It may have had something to do with the six-hole exhaust. The sound was as unique as the bike itself. As the dashboard lit up, it reminded me of something you would see on the bridge of Star Trek. Wow!

    As I twisted the throttle, I had to tell myself to go easy! Once I was on the road and I got the feel of the bike, the first thing I did was adjust the electronic wind-shield to get some air flowing. As I rotated the multi-controller instrument wheel with my thumb, the dash board displayed a menu of selections. I quickly found a radio station I liked; I cranked up the volume and set off to find a groove.

    The multi-controller is the first of a kind controller on a bike. It is a wheel — much like a joy stick, except it’s a wheel. It is positioned on the inside of the left hand grip. It rotates with a flick of the thumb and you can push side to side to navi-gate the menus. This controls everything from the Sirius radio, radio or iPod to the suspension and traction settings, temperature, oil, navigation and more menus and information than I have room for here.

    The GTL has DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) which adjusts the engine torque and is designed to reduce the risk of wheel spin on various pavements. The DTC modes include “rain”, “road” and “dynamic” controls. The ESA II (Electronic Suspension Adjustments II) allows you to quickly adjust the bike for a passenger or luggage. With the multi-controller I was able to switch between “comfort”, “nor-mal” and “sport” suspension on the fly.

    The new audio system is very easy and sweet to use. Fortunately for me I had brought my helmet that has built in Bluetooth. Within less than a minute my headset was paired up with the bike. I was extremely surprised by the quality of music com-ing through my headset. The bike has a lower compartment which houses connec-tions for USB, iPod or MP3 devices. Unfortunately, BMW does not offer a wired helmet option.

    BMW offers an optional in-dash Motorrad Navigator IV GPS system. This GPS is removable and secured by a clever mounting system for which the wind-shield doubles as a guard against theft.

    There are no mountain twisty roads in Raleigh but I was able to loop around a few on and off ramps. The bike was tight and fast, much like that of a sports bike while in the “dynamic” mode. On the highway it was almost effortless to pass cars. At higher speeds I could not feel any vibration or any wind buffeting.

    08-03-11-jim-jones.jpgBMW is offering this bike in two different flavors; the K1600 GTL and K1600 GT model. As BMW is going after the Gold Wing market with the GTL, they are also going after the sports-touring market with the K1600 GT. The GT has a firmer rear suspension for more rebound dampening. The GT’s seating position is more aggressive. The foot pegs are an inch back and an inch higher for a more sporting riding position.

    The GTL is designed for a passenger, speed, control, long-dis-tance riding and comfort. The only bad thing I could think of is that with a bike like this I would have to move west to one of those states with no speed limits and wide open roads.Ride Safe!

    Photo: The GTL has DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) which adjusts the engine torque and is designed to re-duce the risk of wheel spin on various pavements.

  • Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 208-03-11-harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-2.jpg

    (Rated PG-13) 5 STARS

    I loved it even though it made me cry. In retrospect, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (130 minutes) is better than Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. That could be because with this caliber of acting, di-recting, and writing there was no way the final movie was going to be like other franchises that ran out of steam (Godfather 3, need I say more?) or because the second half of the source material isn’t just the climax of one great book, but of seven.

    After the burial of Dobby, the major players (Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, as if I needed to remind anyone) head back into Shell Cottage to speak with Griphook the Goblin (Warwick Davis, who also reprises the role of Professor Flitwick) and Ollivander the wandmaker (John Hurt). Ollivander tells them some relatively plot-important information about wands, and then they decide to make a deal with Griphook to break into Bellatrix Lestrange’s (Helena Bonham Carter) vault at Gringotts, which goes about as well as you would expect.

    Since Dumbledore did most of the heavy lifting in discovering the hard to identify Horcruxes and setting Harry on their trail, the track now leads from one to the next with relative simplicity … too bad destroying them gets harder. In any case, having escaped from Gringotts with no time to consider that all their obvious hiding places have been booby-trapped, they apparate into Hogsmeade. To the surprise of no one except Ron and Harry, an alarm brings a ton of Death Eaters instantly to their location. Aberforth Dumbeldore (Ciaran Hinds) rescues them, and Neville Longbottom (Mathew Lewis) leads them into Hogwarts. Everyone seems really happy to see them, until they figure out that the legendary Harry Potter is actually pretty clueless when it comes to telling them what they need to do next.

    Severus Snape (Alan Rickman), now the headmaster of Hogwarts, calls all the students into the main hall. After a few moments of Snape drawing out his moment in the sun (or maybe Rickman just took a Xanax before filming this scene?), Harry confronts him, and Professor McGonagall (Maggie Smith) finally grows a pair and sends Snape packing. Meanwhile, Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) lays down a psychic whammy, which leads to the imprisonment of Slytherin House. Way to reinforce the division of students into good and bad categories! Of course, this happens in the book, too — even though it is dem-onstrated numerous times throughout the series that many Hogwarts students of all houses turn on Harry when it is convenient only to suck up to him when he saves the day. But I digress.

    Ron and Hermione run off to make out while Harry heads to the room of requirement in search of another Horcrux. Malfoy (Tom Felton), Goyle (Josh Herdman), and Not Crabbe (See kids? Drugs are bad and will get you kicked out of a movie franchise worth billions) interrupt his search and try to burn him alive. Luckily for Harry, whose luck has almost always outweighed his magical skill, Ron and Hermione have figured out where he went, and come to rescue him.

    Meanwhile, in a battle scene that is way, way better than that last Lord of the Rings movie battle, Voldemort’s forces are attacking the castle. This scene is why the death of Dumbledore from the sixth book was re-written … and in terms of the series, saving the final violent attack on Hogwarts does make for a greater impact. Those of you who have read the book know that the death tolls increases steadily towards the end of the book, so much so that is hard to register an impact for the in-dividual casualties. But yes, the epilogue is intact, and the end-ing is fantastic.

  • 08-03-11-fyp-logo.jpgMy friend, Michele Macumber isn’t from Fayetteville. She didn’t attend high school here. She didn’t attend college here. In fact she attended “University” as she calls it, in Canada. She stumbled in to Fayetteville in 2000 by chance, although she’ll tell you it was by luck because she has grown to love Fayetteville as her home. Michele began her teaching career with several other Canadian teachers as a part of the Visiting International Faculty (VIF) program that still continues to strongly rep-resent a good deal of our international teachers in the region. She has come and gone, and come and gone, more times than I can name, from our lovely city because she has an adventurous soul. She’s always looking for something exciting and fun but unlike many people who fit that same description, Michele is rock solid. She is no flake. In fact, I feel pretty safe to say, if you know her, you can count on her.

    Why She Spells Her name with one “L”

    When you began this article, if you’re a good proofreader, you probably assumed we misspelled her name “Michele.” Where is the second “L”, right? I recently asked her (now that we’ve been friends for a few years I felt com-fortable enough) why she spells her name with only one “L”? Her answer: “When I was 13 years old, my ‘Nan’ let it slip that she had liked my name spelled with one “L.” She had mentioned it to my parents when they were contemplating names. In the end, my parents went with the name but with two “L’s.” So...at 13 when I heard this, I thought one “L” seemed cooler, so I changed the spelling of my name.

    Michele is full of all kinds of quirky, entertaining stories. She tells of her three years teaching in Paraguay and how she must have gained 25 pounds eating all the Dulce de Leche she could muster. “It’s like eating caramel in Heaven,” she exclaims.

    And she’s quick to tell you sweet and touching stories about her “little munch-kins” (how she lovingly refers to the children in her classroom at Gray’s Creek Elementary where she won “Cultural Educator of the Year” in 2010.)

    Michele may lack an “L,” but she doesn’t lack in anything else!

    Why YOU Should Join FYP

    In April of 2009, I received an email from a girl who wanted to get involved with Fayetteville Young Professionals. I was used to receiving these emails, but usually I received them right before a big party because people wanted a discounted member ticket price. So I was surprised to open an e-mail on this particular day because we had no big social event coming up. Instead, the girl said she would love to start vol-unteering in the community and also wanted to meet new friends. She explained that she had lived here on and off for several years and that she had some great friends. But then she followed with, “We’re all just in different places in our lives right now so I figure it’s high time I meet some new friends too.” I responded to the email that FYP was volunteering as a team as part of the Fayetteville Beautiful citywide cleanup that upcoming weekend. She responded, “Count me in.” And that next Saturday morning Michele and I became friends.

    Since joining FYP, Michele has been introduced to all kinds of organizations throughout our community and has served on several non-profit committees including the A Garden Party committee with the Boys & Girls Clubs, which raised more than $30,000 for the clubs this past April; As a member of The Junior League of Fayetteville’s Provisional Class; and is cur-rently serving as chair the Child Advocacy Center’s Blue Jean Ball in October 2011.

    That’s why you should join Fayetteville Young Professionals!

    We will get you involved.

    FYP isn’t a group of strangers. I’m not saying you’ll become best friends with 450 people but I am saying that this is an organization that has fun together, learns new business and life strategies together and puts interesting people who are in the “same place” in our lives together.

    FYP is what you make of it. If you want a way to get involved in this community and meet some outstanding people your age (between the ages of 21 and 40), then this is the organization for you!

    And maybe you’ll even get to befriend Michele Macumber. She’ll be the one welcoming you with open arms! Visit us on face-book to find out more, www.facebook.com/fayyp.

  • Scholarships are defined as “money that does not have to be repaid — and is sometimes referred to as free money.” Aren’t scholarships wonderful resources for higher education expens-es? Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC), businesses, religious and civic organiza-tions, employers, philanthropic associations and individuals, colleges and universities, community agencies, and foundations offer free money in the forms of scholarships, stipends or grants. Many students and would-be students assume that scholarships are unavailable to them because they don’t have a 4.0 grade point average (GPA). This thought process is not only a fallacy but also deters numerous students from researching and applying for scholarships.

    The four-program divisions at FTCC (Business, College Transfer/General Education, Engineering/Public Service/Applied Technology, and Health) offer numerous scholarships in each division. Many scholarships may require no more than maintaining a “C” (2.0) GPA or enrollment into one of the programs. Yet, all educational scholarships, stipends or grants require that the student take the initiative to find scholarships, to complete the application process and to exercise astuteness in meeting scholar-ship deadlines. Imagine the feeling of success (master student equals master employee) when a potential employer is informed that you were successful in financing your education through scholarships, stipends or grants.

    The Financial Aid Office, FTCC Foundation, Inc. and the Career Center at FTCC, along with the College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC.org), Google searches and sundry Websites (plug-in information that is unique to you, such as gender, ethnic background, academic achievement, demographi-cal information, achievements, major, etc.), are valuable resources to locate scholarships, grants, stipends and mentoring programs that will assist with higher educational goals. The researcher can uncover scholarships for allied health professionals; vocational, career and technical studies; careers in teaching, accounting, business and fashion designing; recent high school graduates; first-generation college students; cre-ative writers; working moms and/or women over 50 years old; moms going back to college; single mothers, and the list goes on with scholarship availabilities!

    Many students are not willing to research and expend the time and effort to apply for scholar-ships: “…there are hundreds of millions of dollars in scholarship monies available in the United States, and many — if not most — of these scholarships are attainable by regular students with regular accomplishments.”

    The processes of working diligently toward academic progression, willingly conducting research, following directions when completing forms/assignments and meeting required deadlines in the pursuit of excellence are all opportunities that “master students” embrace. Students who go beyond what is expected to experience successful educational goals are usually students who receive awards and/or free money (scholarships) to pursue higher educational goals.

    Earning scholarships and other educational awards demonstrates transfer08-03-11-money.jpg-able skills for which Fortune 500 business enterprises willingly pay megabucks. Students who receive scholarships are the individuals who usually enroll into four-year bachelor degree and graduate-level programs and/or get the megabucks in the world of work.

    Photo: Many students are not willing to research and expend the time and effort to apply for scholarships.

  • Craving Companionship08-03-11-senior-corner.jpg

    What does an older adult want most for dinner? The answer might surprise you. According to re-search conducted for the Home Instead Senior Care network, an overwhelming majority of seniors (85 percent) say that having someone to share their meals makes those times more satisfying for them.

    Those same seniors revealed that the biggest mealtime challenge for older people who live alone is lack of the shared family experience — including companionship. It’s a message that resonates with both family caregivers and senior care professionals throughout North America.

    “Family caregivers and those who work with seniors may agree that older adults often need help planning and preparing nutritious meals,” said Jeff Huber, president and chief operating officer of Home Instead, Inc., franchisor of the Home Instead Senior Care network. “But that’s only part of the story. So many older adults are lacking mealtime companion-ship. They want to relive a time around the dinner table where they can share their lives with the people they love most.”

    Bringing mealtimes back to older adults often revives treasured memories, which can contribute to their well-being. That’s the idea behind Home Instead Senior Care network’s Craving Companionship program at www.mealsandcompanionship.com. The program offers tips and practical advice for family caregivers to encourage companionship and easy healthy meals.

    Family Support

    Craving Companionship is geared to helping families support a nutritiously vulnerable population — older adults who live alone. In the United States, approximately 40 percent of the population age 75 and older — 6.7 million people — live alone, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

    Sadly, these seniors who are alone say that several factors can get in the way of their mealtime compan-ionship. The most common obstacle that prevents seniors from sharing more meals are family/friends don’t have enough time (28 percent) or they live too far away (20 percent), according to Home Instead Senior Care network research.

    The Craving Companionship program is an incen-tive for families to find more time to help their loved ones prepare the foods they’ve always loved and enjoy those dishes with them. “Who likes to eat alone? Nobody,” said Sandy Markwood, chief executive offi-cer of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging.

    “Meals are not just a matter of sustenance, but a social outlet. It’s how we come together as a family or a community. When a senior is isolated, it’s indicative of bigger challenges that person could be facing,” Markwood said.

    For more information call 910-484-7200 or search www.ho-meinstead.com/647.

    Photo: The biggest mealtime challenge for older people who live alone is lack of the shared family experience — including companionship.

  • Loving PC

    I have no memory of when or where I first encountered it.08-03-11-margaret.jpg

    Maybe I found it by chance in our family fridge or maybe my mother or someone else’s smeared it between white squishy bread slices on one of the Sunday evening occasions we called “nicnacs” and everyone else we knew called picnics. These communal meals were attended and consumed by several young families growing up together in what was then a new and growing Haymount neighborhood.

    Our nicnacs were held at dusk near Lake Rim under a picnic shed, and the various daddies competed with each other to see who could avoid feeding spare change into the light meters to keep all of us from plunging into pitch black darkness.

    All I know for sure is that I have adored pimento cheese since the moment it first crossed my lips.

    It was a staple in my family of origin, as the sociologists say, and remains so in my family of now. When there is nothing else with which to create a sandwich, nothing else to put on a cracker, nothing else to eat out of the container, there is always pimento cheese.

    It is eaten on sandwiches dressed up with tomatoes and other vegetables, as a grilled cheese treat, on burgers with dill pickles and other condiments and on egg sandwiches. I do buy PC in the grocery store, but the best is always homemade, especially if you make your own mayonnaise — easy using a food processor.

    Basic PC is shredded cheddar cheese and pimentos held together with mayonnaise and salt and pepper in whatever proportions one likes, but there are many variations.

    The version I took to a Precious Jewel’s birthday party earlier this year included two kinds of cheese, lots of garlic, and dill pickles — I think I see a trend emerging here. There are also unwritten rules of what not to include —anything really crunchy, anything that is not really mayonnaise, and — heaven forbid! — processed cheese or “cheese food.”

    Another Precious Jewel attended college in New York City where most students were, well, “not from here.” Occasionally some of Big Apple friends would visit us in Fayetteville, and I delighted in serving them PC, homemade and otherwise. Not a one of them had ever heard of it, much less eaten it and every one of them fell immediately in love. To be fair, they loved other things about the South as well, “bless your heart” being a particular favorite, but PC was defi nitely high on the list. I even gave out recipes.

    Apparently, these young people were in the avant garde of an emerging trend, because my old favorite, pimento cheese, is white hot in the food world right now.

    My first inkling of this trend was a story on National Public Radio extolling its virtues followed several years later by an issue of Our State magazine featuring a scrumptious-looking grilled PC sandwich on the cover. Various “gourmet” versions are popping up in groceries as well.

    A quick Google search shows the food press is now all over PC as a yummy regional dish taking on the luster of sophistication like a hometown girl made good in the big city. And just last month a spate of wide-circulation newspaper pieces, including one reprinted locally, has focused the spotlight on our once humble favorite, including photographs mouth-watering enough to send me running to the fridge for a PC fix.

    Imagine my delight when I learned that one of the pimento cheese gurus featured, Emily Wallace, is a good friend of a good friend. My guess is that she is the world’s reigning expert on pimento cheese, having written a 100+ page master’s thesis on that delicious topic at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I emailed Emily pronto, and she was kind enough to share a copy with me, and I look forward to devouring it soon — not literally, of course.

    Emily’s academic takes on PC include that it is one of the rare foods which spans the economic spectrum. Since its inception in the late 19th-early 20th centuries, it has managed to show up regularly at both the tea parties of ladies who lunch and in the lunch bags of workers in textile, tobacco and furniture factories.

    Southerners who find ourselves living “somewhere else” miss PC and talk about it with each other the way ex-pats around the world talk about their home countries. PC launched and sustained profi table businesses, several commanded by women who created their products in their home kitchens for sale in groceries and from lunch and snack carts in various workplaces.

    People are protective of their PC recipes, especially those handed down from Mama and Grandma, and we all like it “our way,” whatever that might be.

    Most of Precious Jewel’s Big Apple chums are still way above the Mason-Dixon Line, and it amuses me to think of them now ordering the latest in pimento cheese cuisine from the menus of city restaurants.

    Wonder if it is served on flax seed bread with assorted organic greens for a modest $15 plus tax and tip?

    Photo: Pimento Cheese, long a Southern favorite is beginning to turn heads in the culinary world. Made from shredded cheese and pimento, it is the ideal snack when nothing else will do.

  • 09-01-10-paul-papadeas.gifWho doesn’t love it when a local citizen hits it big? Whether it is a sports legend, a music star, an academic/scientifi c discovery — you name it, it just feels good to to see or hear about that person and be happy for them and know that you have something in common even if it is only the fact that you’ve both fi lled up your car at the same gas station in town at some point in time.

    Paul Papadeas is a Fayetteville native on the verge of huge success in the entertainment world. He’s a Terry Sanford graduate and an alumnus of Campbell University and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Papadeas spends his time writing and producing films for a living.

    His current production, Yeardley, which was a collaborative effort with his former classmates from the School of the Arts, opened at the Santa Fe Film Festival in 2009 and was nominated Best Feature. It went on to win Best Feature 1st Runner Up at the Myrtle Beach 2009 Film Festival, the Platinum Reel Award at the Nevada Film Festival in 2009 and most recently was named Best Feature at the Malibu International Film Festival 2010. Papadeas and the cast and crew of Yeardley have their eyes set on a much bigger prize though.

    “We are doing quite well with the film but because of budget cuts Hollywood is not sending many critics to these fi lm festivals,” said Papadeas. “It is difficult to get over the radar. So we decided to do a screening and try to raise money to establish a marketing budget so that we can show the f lm in New York and L.A. and other big markets. Then we can get into art house theaters where we can garner a New York Times or an L.A. Times review.”

    Once that happens the hope is that the critics will recognize the value in the movie that the judges at the fi lm festivals saw and Yeardley will get picked up for national (or international) distribution.

    Far from light hearted, Yeardley is a dark drama about a married narcissist who becomes unhinged during the economic downturn.

    “It is pretty much the embodiment of the 21st century American male who doesn’t want to take responsibility for their actions,” said Papadeas. “We have the environmental damage of BP. We have the financial shenanigans of 2007 leading to the problems we have today. Everybody loves to blame everyone else but there have been no investigations. We have kind of a sociopathic, highly individualized culture but there is no collective responsibility at all.

    “This character takes no responsibility at all for the decisions in his life but he fails to accept what he has done,” he continued. “He falls deeper and deeper into a dark hole where the state has to take over and there are tragic circumstances. It is a very dark character drama very much reminiscent of the fi lms from the 70s. It is a hard movie about adult situations. It is an art fi lm so it is not a gratuitous exploitive genre movie.”

    There will be a screening of the movie in Fayetteville on Sept. 18. Currently the event is invitation only, however, there is a possibility of a second screening at a later date. To fi nd out more about Yeardley visit http:// yeardleymovie.com/welcome.php, or to fi nd out more about the screening or tax free donation opportunities email papadeas13@yahoo.com.

  • Fayetteville is having a birthday party for Lafayette! There will be a Party in the Park from 5 to 8 p.m., on Saturday, Sept. 11, to celebrate his birthday, as well as a full day of events — a French Toast Breakfast, a 10K Run, a Parade of Pooches, Cultural Heritage Trail Tour, the Festival of Yesteryear and a Fencing Tournament. Wow! Sounds like a great day of celebrating. But, why are we celebrating the Frenchman’s birthday here in Fayetteville, N.C.?

    In 1825, the Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette visited Fayetteville, North Carolina during his “Grand Tour” of the United States. Of all the cities named for him, Fayetteville was the only one that he actually visited. It was in 1783 that Fayetteville became the very first city named for this French nobleman, who came to America’s aid during its fi ght for freedom from England.

    The Lafayette Society of Fayetteville began an annual celebration in 2007, the 250th anniversary of Lafayette’s birth. Because of that event and because of Fayetteville’s unique connection to Lafayette, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives proclaimed, “Fayetteville is the place where North Carolina celebrates Lafayette’s birthday.” Although the actual birthday is Sept. 6, the weekend after Labor Day has been designated for the public observance.

    First up on the day’s agenda is a guided tour of the Lafayette Trail beginning at 9 a.m. The Lafayette Trail is one of the Cultural Heritage Driving Trails, a new program of the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. It starts at the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Headquarters and Museum on Burgess Street in historic09-01-10-lafayette-logo.gifdowntown Fayetteville. Space is limited and tickets are $25. For a sneak preview, go to the website for the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, www.visitfayettevillenc.com.

    You can also start your day, from 7 to 11 a.m., with a French Toast Breakfast Fundraiser for the Child Advocacy Center. It comes with bacon or sausage and coffee for only $7 and you may substitute pancakes for French toast. For every plate sold, Horne’s Café will donate $2 to the Child Advocacy Center, a nonprofi t agency dedicated to stopping child abuse in Cumberland County. Horne’s Café is located at 124 Hay St., and tickets may be purchased in advance there or in the front lobby of the CAC at 336 Ray Ave. Tickets will also be available at Horne’s on the day of the event.

    The Child Advocacy Center will also benefi t from your participation in the Parade of Pooches. Bring your canine pal downtown for an informal gathering and parade in honor of the marquis de Lafayette. Dogs of French descent, from poodles to bijons, will be the stars of the show but anyone can join in the fun! All breeds are welcome if they wear a costume with a French or Revolutionary War theme (think berets and bikinis!) Dogs (or owners) in costume will have the chance to compete for prizes in several categories. Come meet some of the Child Advocacy Center’s “welcome dogs,” part of a new program at the CAC that uses therapy dogs for some of their young clients. Gather at 9:30 a.m. with your dog (on a leash please) at the corner of Anderson and Hay Streets. The good folks from the Dogwood Festival are helping organize this event with the Child Advocacy Center. You can call them to register ahead of time at 910-323-1934. Registration for dog and owner is just $5.

    For the more athletic among us, there is a Lafayette Rotary Club 10K, 5K, and 1-mile Fun Run or Walk covering a 10K or 5K course over gently rolling hills through some of Fayetteville’s prettiest neighborhoods. These races are sanctioned using the Champion Chip System. There is also a 1-mile fun run or walk for those who just want to enjoy the great outdoors. All participants will enjoy a valuable goodie bag, sharp T-shirts, and the friendliness and helpfulness of the host Rotarians! Registration starts at 8 a.m. at Fayetteville Technical Community College at the corner of Hull Road and FTCC Access Road. Proceeds will be used to buy dictionaries for Cumberland County school children. Go to www.active. com to register or call 910-964-3996 for more information.

    The day continues downtown with a Sidewalk Sale in downtown Fayetteville and the Festival of Yesteryear at the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex. This festival highlights the state’s Colonial and Revolutionary War history and is an amazing historical experience for all ages. For more info, visit the museum’s website www.museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov or call (910) 437-2603.

    The celebration will conclude with a French Wine and Cheese Tasting at the Fresh Cafe on Hay Street and the Party in the Park at Cross Creek Park from 5-8 p.m., featuring, food music, games for kids and much,much more! For more info on the celebration visit www.lafayettesociety.org.

  • The world renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) and The Imani Winds are the highlight attractions for the 2010-2011 Performing and Fine Arts Season at Fayetteville State University (FSU).

    The Department of Performing and Fine Arts is pleased to welcome the Imani Winds as its artistin- residence for the academic year. The Imani Winds has redefi ned the classic woodwind quintet by commissioning new works and reaching out to diverse audiences of all ages. During their residency, members of the group will be available for master classes, private lessons, group lessons, clinics, and workshops both on the FSU campus and throughout the community.

    09-01-10-fsu-performing-art.gifImani Winds Residency dates are September 27-29, November 15-17, February 14-16 and April 18-20. They will culminate their residency with a concert featuring the ensembles they coached during their tenure. The concert will be held April 19 in Seabrook Auditorium at 7 p.m. Highlighting the evening will be a composition for the FSU Concert Choir and Jazz Ensemble by Imani Winds flautist Valerie Coleman. The performance is free and open to the public.

    Imani Winds has established itself as more than a wind quintet. Since 1997, the Grammy nominated ensemble has taken a unique path, carving out a distinct presence in the classical music world with its dynamic playing, culturally poignant programming, genre-blurring collaborations, and inspirational outreach programs. With two member composers and a deep commitment to commissioning new work, the group is enriching the traditional wind quintet repertoire while meaningfully bridging European, American, African, and Latin American traditions.

    DTH will perform an evening of traditional and classical ballet on April 3, 2011 at 6 p.m. in the J.W. Seabrook Auditorium. Admission cost will be determined at a later date. Proceeds will benefi t the FSU Department of Performing and Fine Arts as it seeks to raise needed scholarship dollars for students in music, dance, theater, and visual arts. An interactive performance for students will be held April 4 at 11 a.m. It is free and open to the public. A workshop for FSU dance students will be held at 1 p.m.

    DTH will enchant and enthrall with a new production called the “Interactive Performance.” Central to the “Interactive Performance” is a ballet performance that opens audiences to see the world in a whole different light. It features live piano music, a narrator to serve as a guide “to take you along the journey,” and classic DTH repertoire by choreographers Arthur Mitchell, Robert Garland, and John Taras, as well as repertoire specially created for the DTH Ensemble (by choreographers Keith Saunders and Lowell Smith). The variety of the high quality artistic content gives the presentation a fast pace. Proceeds from this event will provide scholarships for students in music, dance, theater, and the visual arts.

    Dance Theatre of Harlem is a leading dance institution of unparalleled global acclaim, encompassing a “Classically American” dance company, a leading arts education center and “Dancing Through Barriers,” a national and international education and community outreach program. Each component of Dance Theatre of Harlem carries a solid commitment towards enriching the lives of young people and adults around the world through the arts.

    This is just a small taste of the exciting season that FSU has in store. Look for Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Lalo Davila and Friends Salsa Band, the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, The Diviner’s, and “Framless: New Mexico Printmakers among other exhibits and performances.

    To find out more call 672-1006 for info on the Butler Theater Series, 672- 1309 Rosenthal Gallery Series, or 672-2143 for the Harmony Series.

    Photo at top:  Imani Woods

  • uac090110001.gif Now in it’s 20th year, the Fayetteville Greek Festival is right around the corner. On Sept. 10-12, the congregation of Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church is opening wide the doors of their church and inviting the community to share, once more, in a celebration of their culture, their faith and the friendship they have with the people of Fayetteville.

    What better way to catch a glimpse of the collective spirit of a people than to break bread with them and sample the food and beverages of their homeland, dance to their native music and hear of the faith that binds them as a community?

    “We are in an economy where you can’t get to the islands, you can’t get to Greece quite so easily,” said advertising chairman and pastor’s wife, Kelly Papagikos. “Of course, our military is in a rare position to get to these places that we can only see in pictures — we bring a part of that to you here. We bring the ethnicity, we bring the religion, the feeling that you are in Greece, right here to the Greek Festival.”

    For Father Alex Papagikos, there are several things that he would like to see the event showcase. At the top of the list is the church, which is such a huge part of the community, its traditions and culture.

    “They remind us of our or roots and where we come from,” said Father Papagikos, of Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, of the church members who resettled here from Greece. “Many of them brought their faith with them from overseas, and we are always grateful for that. That is why it (the Greek Festival) is an all encompassing kind of experience. We highlight the food, the dancing, but the religious as well.”

    The religious portion of the event will include church tours led by Father Papagikos and an open door policy that encourages everyone to come into the sanctuary and learn what the Greek Orthodox Church is all about. He will explain the Greek Orthodox faith, its associated iconography as well as answer any questions people may have. Religious literature will also be available for purchase.

    “First and foremost, it is our religious background we are the proudest of in reaching out to the community,” said Papagikos. “We welcome anyone to come and worship with us. We always include both the religious and the cultural since they are so intimately connected.”

    Kelly added that tradition plays a huge role in the local Greek culture, keeping alive memories and culture from the090110-greek-fest-2.gif old country that they can then share with the local community.

    “I think that here in America we hold our traditions so much more dear than they do in other places. I know that the families here are like that — tradition is a huge thing. They never forget their roots. The members of the Greek community are truly so friendly and they are people that want to share their traditions — not because ‘I am Greek’ but because of their warm personalities.”

    With that in mind, there will be a new exhibit this year showcasing what a typical Greek home might look like.

    “We are going to show what a traditional Greek house looks like in the village,” said Kelly. “The linens they use, the foods that they might have in the pantry, the way that they live today. We’ll have the dried flowers, and put some figs out since figs are synonymous with Greece. Homes in Greece, because of the weather, are just so floral, so beautiful! So, we are going to bring all the aesthetics of Greece to everyone this year.”

    Of course there will be all of the favorites that festival-goers have come to anticipate with great relish each year, too. Traditional fare will be available for purchase — everything from snacks to dinners of gyros, souvlaki, spanikopita and Greek salads, as well as beverages.

    The coffee shop will serve Greek and American coffee. There will be a Greek grocery store with items for sale, and even a cooking class.

    Fayetteville residents wait in mouthwatering anticipation for the Greek Festival to get their fill of the pastries — fresh, homemade, handmade, delicious pastries. While Baklava, phyllo dough layered with butter, nuts, honey and spices, is a definite favorite, look for other yummy treats like Kourambiedes — the traditional wedding cookie rolled in powdered sugar; Kataife — a shredded wheat phyllo dough with nuts and syrup; and Galaktoboureko — custard pie wrapped in phyllo dough.

    The music and dancing are another favorite. This year there will be four troupes from the church demonstrating the dances of the isles dressed in native costumes. Before the music ends it is not unusual for the audience to join in the fun, clapping and dancing hand-in-hand with the congregation. Zyphoros, a Greek band from Baltimore, will provide the music throughout the weekend.

    Vendors carrying cultural items as well as jewelry and art will be on site, offering various items for purchase.

    Once you are at the festival and have absorbed every last ounce of the culture, sampled the food and drink, danced with the congregation and had a great time in the process, don’t forget to buy a raffle ticket or two on your way out. You may just win a chance to visit the Greek Isles, as the grand prize is two plane tickets from the Raleigh-Durham Airport to Greece.

    This year the weekend kicks off at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church at 614 Oakridge Ave. at 5 p.m. on Friday and festivities run until 10 p.m. Saturday the hours are 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., and Sunday 12 - 6 p.m. For more information, visit the website at www.stsch. nc.goarch.org/GreekFestival or call the church at 484-8925 or 484- 2010.

  • 08-25-10-joyful-patterns-by-aja-smith.gif4th Friday celebration in downtown Fayetteville is once again changing. What began years ago to focus on the arts with a gallery walk along Hay Street, then Maxwell Street, became less and less about the arts and more and more about, well, I’m not sure!

    Six months ago the Arts Alive initiative welcomed artists back to Maxwell Street, this time artists are not only in the galleries but also on Maxwell Street to show and demonstrate their art and their craft under individual canopies. Lights illuminate the artists and their work when night falls.

    Visiting Maxwell Street you see artists showing you first hand what they can do as they demonstrate their art — from glass blowing and metalsmithing, to a relatively new group called the Feral Arts Collective. All of the artists are ready and willing to talk about the process and answer any questions.

    Gallery One13, run by the Fayetteville Art Guild, has rented the space to a young group of artists known as S.T.U.N. Art. The S.T.U.N artists hope their juried exhibition, Exposed, will produce evidence of their mission to “provide a venue for local underground artists to exhibit their work and network with other artists.”

    S.T.U.N. also strives to “source art from the genres of post modernism, electronic art, pop surrealism, low brow, installation, new-media art, performance art, outsider art, street art, graffiti and other less traditional genres.”

    Angela Williams, the daughter of a military family who retired in Fayetteville, and Shantel Scott, from Las Vegas, Nev., came up with the idea for S.T.U.N. While art students at Fayetteville State University, the young artists became close friends, and after graduating they assessed the arts in Fayetteville and wanted to find ways to exhibit their works of art and include others in their pursuit.

    Always ready to talk about S.T.U.N., and welcome people into the fold, Williams was eager to share her opinion and experiences as a young artist: “Fayetteville has a pretty established arts scene and it can be pretty intimidating when you are a young artist fresh out of college.”

    Williams noted how she, Scott and their other classmates felt there was a void in the arts for them, so they decided to organize their own organization. Williams noted, “When we had our senior art exhibit, my introduction gave the first hint of S.T.U.N. It’s an acronym that stands for Social Therapy Un-Noticed. If you don’t understand, just read S.T.U.N. backwards.”

    Scott declared the sentiments of both young women: “Exposed presents work from artists who have never before exhibited in Fayetteville and a wider variety of genres. Through word of mouth and social networking sites such as Facebook we have obtained a substantial following of artists and art enthusiasts and have received quite a few inquiries about the second show and expect to see a lot of foot traffic on 4th Friday. Bottom line — we provide the venue, you bring the creative vibe.”

    Both artists predicted Exposed will be even better than their first attempt at an exhibition at Gallery One13 in March 2010, in a exhibit titled Indie Visual. Scott was enthusiastic when she reported Indie Visual consisted of a variety of genres including, work from tattoo artists, assemblage, ceramics, relief sculpture, found-object sculpture, digital art, photography, Afro futurism, geometric abstraction, figurative abstraction, pop surrealism, and mixed-media pieces.

    Scott made this remark about Indie Visual exhibition: “More than150 people attended the opening. I’d say that’s a pretty hefty accomplishment for two neophyte art school graduates.”

    Congratulations to the Fayetteville Art Guild for sharing their exhibition venue to support and encourage young artists in the area who are trying to make a difference in the art community. Making a difference includes people taking the time to visit Gallery One13 each 4th Friday and buying artwork helps keep artists in Fayetteville.

    There is plenty of time to stop by Gallery One13 and see Exposed since the exhibit will remain up until September 19. Visiting the gallery is the best way to support S.T.U.N.’s mission to “bring underground artists together, bring exposure to their work — and network with other artists. Visit their online site: www. stunart.org

    If you start real early for 4th Friday, before 4 p.m., there is still time for you to see Discovering Art 2010 at Rosenthal Gallery on the campus of Fayetteville State University.

    Highlighted on the Arts Council’s website, Discovering Art 2010 is an exhibit with more than 200 works from three different student art programs — fall and winter 2009, spring 2010 — and summer 2010 art programs provided by the Fayetteville Art Guild at Fayetteville State University. The art classes included: art history and introduction to artists, ceramics, paper-bowl making, making a sketchbook, wet on wet painting, printmaking, pencil drawing, graphic computer art, personal image collages, portraits in acrylic, watercolors, masks, tessellations, making stencils and spray painting, making paper airplanes, perspective drawing, monoprints, free drawing, jewelry making and abstract acrylics.

    What is particularly important is more than one hundred atrisk young people had an opportunity to create, explore different art mediums, think in new ways, and have fun. The program was made possible by the funding and support of the Cumberland Community Foundation with its Summertime Kids Program, The Junior League of Fayetteville, CommuniCare, Inc., Cardinal Clinic, FSU Department of Fine and Performing Arts and Fayetteville/Cumberland County Arts Council with its Project Support Grant.

    Rose-Ann Bryda, one of the programs coordinators was eager to talk about a program that is going into its fourth year. Bryda explained how they “began with just a fall program and one collaborating treatment partner with classes in the meeting room of the CommuniCare building. After collaborating with Dwight Smith at Fayetteville State University, we began to hold classes at FSU. Later, Dr. Rollinda Thomas at FSU joined the team. It is just great for the children. For some of the children it is their first interaction with a college campus.”

    Bryda continued, “We have carefully grown the program over the years and now it encompasses fall, spring and summer community-art programming with classes at FSU. We collaborate with two treatment programs, one at Cardinal Clinic and Cumberland County CommuniCare and a program at the detention center. We get funding from The Arts Council, Cumberland Community Foundation, and The Florence Roger Charitable Trust.”

    In the Discovering Art programs there is much to celebrate. Bryda also commented on how they have documented growth evidenced in pre and post tests as well as in their work product.

    Bryda stated: “We have collected anecdotal evidence that the program is making a difference in the lives of young people. For example, at the detention center there was a decrease in displays of negative behaviors because kids wanted to take part in art class, parents of participants look at their child and their work with pride sometimes for the first time, relatives get invited to an art opening instead of being regaled with stories of probation and suspension, former participants are seen enjoying 4th Friday downtown, counselors learn a new way to interact with those they serve, kids learn new ways to solve problems and learn new ways to interact.”

    All the coordinators in the Discovering Art programs and the art teachers believe the purpose of the program is to be a gang prevention initiative and to improve life out comes for at risk and incarcerated youth.

    Bryda said all the instructors and teachers feel “art is a level playing field. Look at what we offer young people: an opportunity to view themselves as artists instead of their various labels such as delinquent, and at risk. We provide positive role models and an alternate way to look at life. As well, we provide a positive environment for young people to express themselves and new tools with which to do so. Best of all, we bring the arts to an otherwise unserved population.”

    Discovering Art 2010 will remain up until September 3. To participate in the various Discovering Art programs as a paid art instructor, interested art teachers or recent art graduates are encouraged to send a resume to mailto:ra.bryda@ earthlink.net. For information call Dwight Smith at 901-672-1795 or Rose-Ann Bryda 910-425-6670.

    Although this article has focused on S.T.U.N and Discovering Art 2010, everyone should stop by all the galleries along Maxwell Street and visit the Arts Council on Hay Street — even after 4th Friday.

    The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County is hosting two small exhibits, The Parade of Homes competition and this year’s winners in the annual competition by the Fayetteville Art Guild titled Visual Pleasures. For information call the Arts Council at 910-323-1776.

    The Cape Fear Studios on Maxwell Street is hosting the reception and exhibition of the ceramics of Takuro and Hitomi Shibata. Both artists represent the studio of Touya Wood Fired Pottery. For information on this exhibit and future exhibitions call the Cape Fear Studios at 910-433-2986

    As I began the close of this article, I realized the Fayetteville Art Guild has, in some way, been involved in three of the five exhibitions listed. For a 40-year-old art organization, with many established artists, I’m thinking the Fayetteville Art Guild is doing their part to make the arts viable in Fayetteville. For information about the Guild call 9910-223-2787.

  • 08-25-10-dr.-megan-1.gifMegan Traficante is fairly new to Fayetteville. She has been here about two months working with Dr. Karen Goldsmith at Atlas Chiropractic, and she is excited about what the future holds for her here.

    Coming from a family of chiropractors, Traficante knew from a young age that she would spend her life helping others.

    “I grew up with chiropractic all my life. My uncle and my brother are chiropractors,” said Traficante. “In under-grad school, I did the whole pre-med background curriculum but I wasn’t sure if I was going to go to chiropractic school or medical school. I knew I wanted to do something in the healthcare field. I never was into taking any drugs and growing up with chiropractic I knew that that is what I preferred to do rather than push drugs. I couldn’t push drugs — that is why I chose chiropractic over medical school.”

    With her degree in hand and high hopes for what she can bring to the community, she’s joined Atlas Chiropractic with every intention of making a difference in the lives of her patients. She’s heard the stories all her life about how this particular form of medicine changes lives and has even witnessed first hand the benefi ts of chiropractic when she was in college.

    “When I was in school, I had a patient who came into the clinic in a wheel chair. He was a Vietnam vet and he was on so much medication that when you asked him questions he would just repeat himself,” she explained. “We worked with him, and after a few adjustments, he was walking into the clinic which was a amazing! He told us that for the fIrst time in I forget how many years it was, he could walk to his mail box and take his dog out to walk. That was a pretty good story/testimonial.”

    A native of Pennsylvania, Traffi cante sees Fayetteville as a happy medium between Florida, where she attended chiropractic school and her family up north. “I was kind of nervous when I moved to Fayetteville. I always had school and you are forced to meet people there, so I wasn’t sure how I was going to meet people in Fayetteville,” said Trafficante.

    Turns out, that hasn’t been a problem.

    “The people here are so friendly. I really love it down here. My first weekend I met people. It was July 4th weekend and I went to the symphony concert at Festival Park. I met people there and ended up going to a pig roast. People are very welcoming here. I really can’t name just one thing that I like best here. I love going downtown and just sitting outside and going out to eat down there or for a drink I really like that area of town.”

    Atlas Chiropractic is located at 4542 Raeford Rd. 426-2272.

  • uac082510001.gif Up & Coming Weekly had a chance to talk with Lt. Gen. Stultz, the commander of the U.S. Army Reserve Command about their transition to Fort Bragg. Stultz, a South Carolina native, is excited about the move, and how his command can integrate into the community.

    UCW: Most of the attention for the BRAC move has been focused on U.S. Army Forces Command. Tell us a little about your command.

    Stultz: The US Army Reserve Command is composed of more than 206,000 Soldiers permanently stationed in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Saipan, Guam, Germany and Italy. On average the Army Reserve has approximately 30,000 soldiers mobilized everyday serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Kenya, Ethiopia, Ugandas primarily Combat Service and Combat Service Support units such as Engineers, Military Police, Transportation, Medical, Civil Affairs, Military Intelligence, Signal, Logistics, Aviation and a number of other key enablers for the combat forces. In my role I am dual-hatted as the Chief Army Reserve with an office in the Pentagon where I am an advisor to the Chief of Staff of the Army for Army Reserve matters. I am also the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Reserve Command serving as the commander for all Army Reserve Forces around the world. The U.S. Army Reserve Command is currently located at Fort McPherson in Atlanta and will be relocating to Fort Bragg next year.

     UCW: How many people/jobs will your command bring to the area?

    Stultz: The Army Reserve Command is comprised of approximately 1,500 personnel with full-time military, civil service and contractors comprising the headquarters. While the full-time military positions will be filled by soldiers who will PCS to Fort Bragg, a number of the civil service and contractor positions will need to be fi lled because the personnel currently occupying the positions do not desire to relocate from the Atlanta area. We have already started recruiting and hiring personnel to fill some of the positions. One of our newest hires as a Senior Executive Service Employee is Mr. Addison “Tad” Davis. You may remember him as Col. Tad Davis, Fort Bragg Garrison Commander, from 2000 to 2003. As we begin to migrate functions from Fort McPherson to Fort Bragg beginning early next year, we will accelerate the process of filling positions at Fort Bragg. Between Forces Command and the U.S. Army Reserve Command, there should be some exciting opportunities for people in the Fort Bragg area.

    UCW: Many of your jobs are fi lled by reservists. Tell us about the training that is ongoing with these citizen soldiers to integrate them into the work force.

    08-25-10-gen-stoltz-speaking.gifStultz: Over the past three years we have developed the Employer Partnership Initiative where we have established formal relationships with businesses across America to identify and help fill their critical needs with skilled Army Reserve soldiers. W first started with the medical community who identified critical shortages in the medical technology field, radiology, respiratory, surgical etc. We signed partnerships with several major medical organizations where the Army Reserve will either identify existing soldiers who are already qualified or recruit new soldiers, train them and certify them and then make them available for employment. It’s a true win-win-win situation because we get a qualifi ed medical technologist for our Army Reserve hospital units, the medical community gets a drug free, physically fit, battle tested, leader to fill their needs and the individual has a career in both the civilian and military establishment. We quickly expanded to the trucking industry with our military truck drivers, law enforcement with our military police force and on and on. Today we have more than 1,000 employers across America including such big names as Wal Mart, General Electric, Schneider and Conway Trucking, Washington, D.C., Police Department, and many others who are employer partners with the Army Reserve. We have now taken our program and expanded it to include all Reserve-components and the Federal Government Employment Offi ces. We can truly tell an individual “Join the Army Reserve and get a career.” I am certain that we will bring a high-level quality workforce to Fayetteville that will enhance the local business community.

    UCW: What are your thoughts on the move, and how do you plan to integrate your command and your staff into the community?

    Stultz: We are excited to be coming to Fort Bragg. I was born in North Carolina, grew up in Dillon, S.C., just 50 miles south on I-95, went to Davidson College in North Carolina and married the love of my life, Laura, 35 years ago in her hometown of North Wilkesboro. This is a homecoming for me. The key to the Reserve component is the community. We are part of the community. Our soldiers work and live in the community. They serve as your policemen, firemen, school teachers, coaches, etc. As we relocate to Fort Bragg, one of our number one priorities will be to establish our relationship with Fayetteville and surrounding communities. The Army Reserve is composed of citizen-soldiers. We want to excel as soldiers and as citizens in our communities. We depend on the community support for our soldiers and families and must ensure that we give back to the community in service and support with every opportunity. In closing, let me say a personal thank you to everyone in the Fort Bragg area for the support, love and care that you have continued to give to our soldiers and families. Our men and women in uniform are a true national treasure. They raise their hands and take an oath voluntarily to serve their country knowing that they are most likely going to be asked to go in harms way. They do so because they love their country and they know their country loves them. God Bless them all and God Bless America.

  • 08-25-10-ncdba_logo2_nc_2c.gifAbout 15 months ago, the North Carolina Business Association embarked on a mission to increase the number of Department of Defense (DoD) contracts that are won in North Carolina.

    “We do that by providing networking opportunities for folks in that industry, or who want to be in that industry or want to work with folks in that industry,” said Joy Thrash, executive director of the North Carolina Defense Business Association (NCDBA). “We provide networking events for them to come together and build relationships so that they can team up for contracts or be vendors for someone going after a contract and provide a service for them.”

    With several military installations in the state, the NCDBA is focused on more than just the impact that BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) will have in Fayetteville. The organization’s focus is on reaching out to businesses throughout North Carolina. So far, the growth has been steady.

    “Out of 100 counties, 98 had a business in them in 2009 that won a DoD contract,” said Thrash. “Our focus is around bases, but a company doesn’t have to be at one of those locations to win a contract. We have more than 250 members — we just recently reached our 250 mark, so we have gone from 0 to 250 members in about 15 months.”

    An example of their stellar success includes a recent event in Fuquay-Varina, N.C., called breakfast with a prime.

    “That is where we have a prime contractor come and present information, and we allow other companies to present information on their company,” said Thrash. “Then we invite about 50-60 attendees. We limit it because we want it to be a good networking event and not one that the room is so full you can’t move around and circulate in the room.”

    That particular event was a shining example of networking at its best. In Thrash’s 10 plus years of networking experience she says that she is constantly amazed at the synergy created at NCDBA events.

    “It was a spectacular event — it was networking at its best because you just never know how you are going to make a contact,” said Thrash.

    “There was a gentleman from Wrightstville Beach, N.C., who joined after the meeting because he said that he had made two contacts for his business in Wrightsville Beach at an event in Fuquay held by an association headquartered in Fayetteville,” she continued.

    By working with local Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development Associations, the NCDBA has been able to increase opportunities for businesses throughout the state and help make connections between companies and people that will have an impact on local economies for decades to come.

    For more information or to contact the NCDBA, visit www. ncdba.com

  • 08-18-10-upside-of-irrationality-the-unexpected-benefits-of-defying-logic-at-work-and-at-home.gifThis November a lot of good elected public officials — along with, it must be said, some sorry ones, too — are going to lose their jobs.

    When times are bad, or when voters are angry for any reason, there are few options for them to register their discontent other than voting against whoever happens to be in office.

    Maybe you heard the story of the older blind woman who was assisted in the voting booth by a younger friend. “Do you want to vote for John Brown or Bob White?” the young friend could be heard asking. The older woman’s voice boomed through the hall, “Which one is ‘in’?”

    “Mr. Brown.”

    “Then vote for the other one.”

    Down the ballot, the older woman directed “the other one,” after finding out which candidate was ”in.”

    Does irrational behavior like the older woman’s voting choices pay off? Does it accomplish things that perfectly rational conduct just cannot achieve?

    These are the kind of questions that Duke professor Dan Ariely deals with in his new book, The Upside of Irrationality: The Unexpected Benefits of Defying Logic at Work and at Home.

    Ariely’s new book follows up his best selling Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions. That book’s main point was that many important decisions we make every day are not based on a rational determination of what is best for us from an economic viewpoint.

    The new book’s title indicates that there might be a considerable “upside” to all the irrational decisions that we make. Actually, Ariely mostly continues to point out the downsides of our irrational choices and make suggestions about how to make better choices. But he does give some interesting exceptions.

    For instance, he shows how there may be some “upside” to the normally irrational response of revenge when we are done wrong. He describes why a donkey thief might pass by the opportunity to steal an animal from someone who “is not always rational and … in fact … the dark-souled, vengeful type who would chase you to the ends of the earth, take back not only my donkey but all of your goats, and leave you a bloody mess to boot.”

    Would you steal this man’s donkey? Ariely: “My guess is that you would not.”

    Even when there is no social utility to it, the compulsion for revenge is powerful.

    Ariel measured the compulsion in a “trust games” experiment. Each of two people were given $10. One person is given the option to keep his $10 or give it to the second person. If he gives it to the second person, that person gets an additional $30 so that he has a total of $50. He then has the option to keep the $50 or to give $25 back to the first person.

    In the game, some gave and some kept it all.

    Ariely added a twist. For the people who got nothing back, he gave a chance to get revenge. They could put up their own money to punish the ones who had failed to share with them. For every $2 the first person put up, $4 would be taken away from the second person. So, if he put up $25, the second person would lose all his winnings.

    Many players took the full revenge. Most interestingly, says Ariely, he measured the brain activity of the revengers. Their brain activity indicated they took great pleasure with their actions — those who punished the most taking the greatest pleasure.

    The revenge that some voters take this fall may not be in their long-term best interests. But if we could measure the pleasure their acts of electoral revenge give them, we might understand better why democracy does not always deliver the most rational result.

  • 08-18-10-fayettevillehastalentlogo.gifFrom deep within the Sandhills of Fayetteville, the talented folk emerge from their homes, and throw off the drab covers of ordinary life to don the sequined leotards of the stage and reveal to the world their talents in the local competition, Fayetteville Has Talent.

    This is the second annual talent competition put on by Cape Fear Regional Theater. It was began as just a way to see the different talent in Fayetteville according to Leslie Flom, the marketing director for Cape Fear Regional Theater.

    “Sometimes people just feel more comfortable auditioning for something like this rather than an actual play,” says Flom.

    Fayetteville Has Talent is open to people of all ages — open to everyone age eight and up — and according to Flom that’s part of what sets this talent show apart from other shows in the area. Iits contestants are multigenerational and multi-talented.

    “There’s no telling what you’ll see with such different performers, said Flom. “Everyone from eight to 55, 56. Well, actually I don’t know how old the oldest adult is.”

    For those not actually in the talent show there is still a way for you to come and support your favorite act. This year08-18-10-childwinner.2009.fht.erisgoodson.gifyou can vote for your favorite in the semi-finals as well as the finals, where as last year you could only vote in the finals. Votes count for 40 percent of each competitors score in this competition. Your vote does matter. In fact, it matters a lot.

    Tickets for the semifinal eliminations are $10, and votes are $2 each or you can cast three votes for $5. The youth semifi nals will be held on Thursday, Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. and the adults will be on Friday Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. Voting starts at 1 p.m. the day of the competition and you can call (910) 323-4233, which is the number for the Cape Fear Regional Theater Box Office, or you can actually go down to Cape Fear Regional Theater which is located at 1209 Hay St. To pay for votes you can use either credit cards, debit cards or cash.

    Finals will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday Aug. 21. Tickets cost $15, and voting will begin at 11 a.m. that day. Votes are $5 per vote or 5 votes for $20. You can call (910) 323-4234 or visit Cape Fear Regional Theater at 1209 Hay St. to vote for your favorite act.

    So even if no one you know is in the show, come on down and observe as the hidden treasures of Fayetteville emerge. According to Flom it’s a fun thing to do, and no one wants to miss a good time.

    Remember to bring a few bucks because your votes do matter!

  • Umoja is the Swahilli word for unity, and at the Umoja festival that is what they strive for. A unity in interest, education,08-18-10-umoja-unity.gifand just general acceptance. The history of African Americans is rife with hardship and trouble, but that’s what makes it such an interesting and rich culture. There is so much that can be learned from their stories and the hardships that they have overcome, and the Umoja festival is about presenting those points of view to every one open to learning.

    On August 28 from noon-7 p.m. at Seabrook Park, the 19th Annual Umoja Festival is being held. The Umoja Festival is the annual African American family festival. This is a place where all people are welcome to come and celebrate and learn about African American history and culture.

    At the festival there will be a variety of fun things like the Health Fair, Storytellers, FSU and E.E. Smith bands, and the FSU Retirees Fish Fry. There will also be assorted vendors and from 10-11:30 a.m. “Rescue Men” the story of an all-black life saving crew on Pea Island which will be presented inside the Smith Center. Also a special attraction is the appearance of Conversations with Treasures of Our Heritage: Charles and Gerdine Stevens, from noon until 1:30 p.m. Seabrook park is at 1520 Slater Avenue in Fayetteville.

  • uac081810001.gif Karen Chandler was the namesake of the Karen Chandler Trust. She was also its fi rst beneficiary, a single mother and local musician, struggling to conquer breast cancer. That was in 1999. Unfortunately Chandler succumbed to the cancer shortly after the first benefit, but her family and friends continue to champion this cause in her memory.

    Each year the trust holds a benefit to raise money that is used to help cancer patients and their families with the fi nancial burdens that often come with this dreadful and long-term illness.

    The Team Daniel Foundation is a much younger organization. It was started in 2008 by John and Denise Mercado after their son Danny died from complications of H.Flu Meningitis, which he contracted as an infant. He was a 24 year survivor of H.Flu Meningitis. The mission of the Team Daniel Foundation is to provide resource information to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

    This year, the Karen Chandler Trust and the Team Daniel Foundation are teaming up to bring A Little Help From My Friends Music Festival to Fayetteville, featuring a Beatles Tribute Band, BritishMania.On Saturday, Aug. 21, there will be fun, food and music for two great causes at the J.P. Riddle Stadium.

    Local musicians Chris Hurst and Atlantic Groove, will also perform. There will be a Carolina Idol karaoke competition, a car show, kids zone and a pig pickin’.

    Paulette Reinhardt is an administrator with the Karen Chandler Trust, and she’s dedicated to helping as many folks as possible.

    “We’re really hoping that our line up this year will bring in some nice traffic and that we’ll be able to raise about $30,000 this year,” said Reinhardt. “There is no overhead in our organization. We are completely volunteer run, and we use the funds to assist local cancer patients with everyday expenses while they are going through cancer treatment. We are in a position where we can be a transitional kind of service.”

    Since most people live just within their means, according to Reinhardt, a serious illness can send them reeling fi nancially so that they end up having problems dealing with utility bills, rent or mortgage, car payments, auto insurance and the like. 

    Team Daniel has a similar mission. They provide resource information to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

    “We are very passionate about Team Daniel because their cause is not unlike ours,” said Reinhardt. “We are dealing with people who are battling a disease — they are helping people who have become disabled.

    They have the same problems. They still have issues with income because a disabled person requires so much attention and they still have the same kinds of issues that our families are dealing with, so it seemed like a good fit to partner with them.”

    So why a music concert? This is all started because of a musical fundraiser done for Chandler before she passed away, so it only seems right for the event to include music.

    “We have some local musicians playing,” said Reinhardt. “Chris Hurst is playing as well as the Several Devils Band. They are a country/rock/rock-a-billly group. They have a really unique sound. In addition to these two local groups we have the Atlanta Groove Band coming in from Salisbury, N.C. They do a variety of music that everybody will know and enjoy singing to and dancing to — they are a party band.”

    The headliner this year is a band from New Jersey cal08-18-10-britishmania2.gifled BritishMania. They are a Beatles tribute band.

    “When I say tribute I mean a fullblown tribute,” Reinhardt said. “These folks are going to do two acts to include four costume changes. They are going to start out the show with the Ed Sullivan-era with the Beatles in the black suits and white shirts and go all the way through their last performances together in their hippie-ish attire. It is just going to be a wonderful show, and for $15 I just don’t think you can beat it. To see four outstanding groups it is going to be fabulous.”

    Folks seeking the limelight will also have a chance to show off their talent at the Your Voice, Our Choice competition. Reinhardt sees this as a way to highlight some of the local, unknown talent

    “There are a lot of folks who go out and do karaoke. I have been sitting in some of these clubs and hearing some of the most wonderful voices and wonderful talent out there,” said Reinhardt. “It left me wondering what these people do for a living. I thought ‘They must be singers!’ and then I found out that no, they are nurses or waitresses or guys who works on power lines, and they have such fantastic voices. There are younger people out there with wonderful voices, too, who don’t have a clue about how to get started so we thought ‘Hmm, let’s high light these voices.”

    Some of these folks may have a career ahead of them, and it only seems right to give them a chance to shoot for the stars. Digital Wave Recording has jumped in and for part of the prize package, they are going to record a three song master CD in their studio. The winners will have to provide their own soundtracks as far as the music back up though.

    So whether you are looking to entertain or to be entertained, there will be plenty going on at the A Little Help From My Friends Music Festival.

    Don’t forget the food, the Kids Zone filled with activities and bounce houses and the car show that will feature classic muscle cars and antique vehicles too. The fun starts at 1 p.m. and lasts until 9 p.m. For tickets or more info., call 487-8755.

  • 08-18-10-zip-falls.gifFor the past 50 years or so Carver Falls has remained a personal treasure of the Bryan family. Occasionally the family would open the property up to the Boy Scouts for projects and the like, but otherwise it went pretty much unnoticed and unused by the citizens of Fayetteville. That has all changed.

    On July 25, Zipquest Waterfall & Treetop Adventure opened, which has allowed the Bryans to make the most of the beautiful landscape and natural resources that have been tucked away, right off Ramsey Street for decades.

    “We have really tried to make this course as eco-friendly, and exciting as possible,” said Phil Kroll, director of operations for S.T.E.P.S., Inc., the company that custom designed and built the course. “We wanted it to be challenging but still offer a chance to make the most of the great views and natural resources that you have here.”

    The new entertainment venue is located on 55 acres of pristine forest in the heart of Cumberland County. Carver’s Falls is named for Samuel Carver who received it along with 640 acres from King George II of England in 1735.

    There is little known about the use of Carver’s Falls, however a Mill House that was used to mill grain was erected on the property. The mill was powered by the waters fl owing through a canal diverted from Carver’s Creek. The Old Mill House still stands today and can be seen from several zipline runs.

    Carver’s Falls is located on the west side of the Cape Fear river in North Fayetteville. It occurs at the intersection of Carver’s Creek and McPherson Creek creating a waterfall that is over 150 feet wide and two stories tall. The stone-like formation is known as the “Cape Fear Formation”. The two combined creeks are known as Carvers Creek which empties into the Cape Fear River.

    Great care was taken in preserving the natural fl ora and fauna that abound along the course. The Bryans’ goal was to create an exciting venue while preserving the beauty and timelessness of the natural habitat.

    Zipquest is a thrill a minute. A fast paced and intense zip-line tour, the course includes 16 tree platforms, eight zip lines, three sky bridges, three spiral staircases and two highly trained canopy guides. It is designed so that once adventurers are geared up and hooked to the line, their feet don’t touch the ground until the tour is over — which can be up to three hours give or take.

    It costs $79 per person and zippers must be 10-years-old and weigh 70 lbs. to try the course. Zipquest offers group excursions and discounts are offered for active duty military and there are also group discounts available. The park is open seven days a week with the fi rst tour starting at 8 a.m. Book online at www.zipquest. com or give them a call at 488-8787.

      Photo top left: A birds eye view of Carver Falls.

     

     A Thrill Every Heart-Pounding, Breathtaking Minute

     

    When I opened the press release for Zipquest, I was slightly intrigued, and then I didn’t think about it anymore — mostly because I am the biggest non-adventuring scaredy cat ever, — and never expected to fi nd myself anywhere near an adventure course.

    The eight zip lines, each seemingly higher and longer than the next, the three bridges (one of which is the longest in the state), the amazing treetop canopy, the beautiful waterfall, the eco-friendly way the course was constructed and the top-notch safety procedures they follow on the course didn’t cross my mind again until my boss emailed me an invitation to join her at media day. I (very) reluctantly agreed to go — but not to participate.

    When all of the information gathering, interviewing and picture taking (from the ground) was over, I thought I was going to escape unscathed; however, Tiny, the course manager, threw down the gauntlet: “Stephanie, if you will trust me, I know that I can get you through this course.”

    I knew I could not do it in front of my peers in the media, but I agreed to return the next day, when there would be no peers there to see me fall apart, no one in line behind me angry and appalled at the multi-phobic mess of a woman hyperventilating, shaking and covered in tears keeping them from enjoying their adventure.

    The second I heard myself say “Okay, two o’clock tomorrow then,” I started praying for whatever combination of natural disaster and horrible illness it would take to get me out of my commitment to try the zip line because I am petrifi ed of heights, falling and being strapped to things.

    My prayers went unanswered. The weather was beautiful the next day and apparently, Tiny was feeling fi ne, judging from the big smile on his face when I got there. (I think he was surprised that I actually showed up, and honestly, so was I.)

    Since I had killed and maimed myself 10,000 times over in my mind since agreeing to this lunacy, signing the release form was a piece of cake. I signed, dated, crossed my heart and handed it back to Tiny with shaking, sweaty hands.

    Shea and Tiny (my two ever encouraging and patient guides) escorted me to ground school — the 10 minute course where you learn all the safety rules and intricacies of how not to spin out of control and slam yourself into trees as a method of stopping. Eventually, I was pronounced competent and ready to zip.

    The next two and a half hours are a blur. I came off the fi rst zip line severely frazzled, but physically unharmed — and was very disappointed to have to tell Tiny that no, in fact, it was NOT awesome.

    And so it went, from line to line. I forced myself into position, each time thinking that surely, by the time I got to the next tree, I would have conquered my fears, felt the rush of exhilaration and joy that all the other riders I’d seen the day before had so obviously felt.

    Instead, I grabbed onto Tiny at every platform like a drowning person latching on to a life preserver, and as quickly as he could peel me off I would glom onto the nearest tree, near tears, sweating and panting like I had just run a marathon. I gave a whole new meaning to the phrase “tree hugger” that day.

    I was so scared that I never actually stepped off any of the platforms. I would get into position, Shea would hold the cable and I would close my eyes and say “Okay.” Then she would let go. I would scream, tense up, bump my helmet on the cable a few times which resulted in a loud GZZZT and get right into the braking position and start frantically looking for Tiny to give me the signal that I could stop.

    I knew there were three bridges when we started, so I don’t know why it was shocking to see the first one emerge from the canopy.

    I nearly sprung a leak as I reached (with some insistent guidance from Tiny pulling me onto the bridge and Shea nudging me from behind) toward the cable railing. My feet became cement cinder blocks and my fi ngers turned into sausages as I gripped that cable for dear life and scooched my feet a centimeter at a time towards the other end.

    Tiny kept reminding me to keep my eyes on him, but whenever I did that I only saw the platform we were trying to get to which seemed to be getting further and further away. Then my eyes would fi ll with tears, which made it hard to see, which scared me even more so I would stop, making the next step even harder.

    When we got to the other side, Tiny congratulated me and reminded me that we only had two more bridges to go.08-18-10-zip-steph.gif

    I guess being at such a high altitude (they say it is only 125 feet or so, but I don’t believe them) I had lost my ability to count. I just knew for a fact that there was only one more! I am telling you, I was devastated when I realized there really were two more bridges to cross — and I’m not talking about “no dessert after dinner” devastated, I’m talking left at the altar or fi nding out you are one credit shy of graduationdevastated. 

    I did finish the course with some of the fi nest coaxing, cajoling and encouraging I have ever witnessed.

    While I did not conquer my fears of height and speed that day, with Shea and Tiny’s help I was able to accomplish something I never thought I would even have the nerve to try. I walked away from Zipquest a better person for the experience, determined not to be defi ned by my insecurities and inspired to push myself to try new things... and a little jealous of all the folks out there who don’t have my phobias who will be having remarkable adventures and making great memories on this course — like my 11 year-old daughter who experienced it with her dad and loved every minute!

    Stephanie Crider 

     Photo right: A thrill a minute, Zipquest was not only an adventure for me, but a confidence building course too.

     

    The Other Side of the Bridge

    While my coworker Stephanie was not so excited about the Zipquest adventure, I was ready and willing to jump in with both feet! Although I am not a huge fan of heights or roller-coasters and the like, I am finding that, as I get older, I am more and more willing, even eager, to try something new. I’m starting a new adventure next month as I get married and head off to Costa Rica for our honeymoon. I saw Fayetteville’s new Zipquest as a chance to try out zip lining before I am thousands of miles from home soaring above a jungle accompanied by howler monkeys. And, I admit, I also thought “This is relatively fl at Fayetteville, how scary (or amazing and adventurous) can it be?” And I was intrigued — I’ve lived here my whole life, and went to Methodist College — and have never heard of any waterfalls back in the woods!

    08-18-10-zip-bridge.gifAs I was strapped in to harnesses and shown the ropes by the guides, I told them of my plans to visit Costa Rica and zip line there. Many of the staff and bystanders commented that they had been to Costa Rica, Belize and the like and that Fayetteville’s zip line was better. I was a little skeptical at those glowing reviews, but off I headed on my adventure. As I went up to the fi rst platform, my heart beat a little faster and the adrenaline started pumping. I mentally went over the instructions on hand position and stopping to make sure I would get it right. As I stepped off the platform and whished along to the other side, I thought “Wow, this IS fun!” Unlike my dear coworker, I was never scared on the course. The guides took every safety precaution, always making sure that they and each zipliner were hooked in to the cables. As the tour progressed, I was extremely impressed with the design of the course. The timing of the tour was just about perfect. At a little over two hours, I felt like I received a great experience without feeling like “can this be over already.”

    Our guides were friendly and knowledgeable about the construction aspects of the course, as well as the property itself.

    I’m looking forward to the zip line in Costa Rica now, if nothing else, just to compare the construction and the safety features (I sure hope it is as good!). I can’t wait to go back in the fall, when my son turns 10, and experience Zipquest in autumn with him and my husband. A year-round adventure, it will also be spectacular in the spring when the wild dogwoods are in bloom. I think I could return time and again to experience Fayetteville’s seasons (yes, we have seasons!) from the treetops.

    Joy G. Kirkpatrick 

  • 08-11-2010fries.jpgA primary concern for seniors is proper nutrition. “Proper” may include not eating enough healthy food or possibly eating too much food. Both areas can cause problems for the senior, but today we will focus on “too much food.”

    For those overeaters, an interesting idea to consider is a diet plate with markers to show how big portions should be. A study in a recent issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, showed that the cereal bowl and plate helped older obese patients with diabetes lose weight and decrease their use of glucose-controlling medications.

    Restricting calories has been shown to improve blood sugar control in diabetics by helping them lose weight. “The increasing prevalence of obesity is paralleled by increasing portion sizes in the marketplace,” the authors write. “Portion sizes are an important determinant of energy intake; the number of calories ingested by subjects at a meal has been directly correlated with the serving size offered.”

    Sue D. Pedersen, M. D.,F.R.C.P.C. and colleagues at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, conducted a six-month controlled trial of commercially available portion control plates and bowls. The plates were divided into sections for carbohydrates, proteins, cheese and sauce, with the rest left open for vegetables.

    At the end of the six-month follow-up, individuals using the portion-control dishes lost an average of 1.8 percent of their body weight, while those receiving usual care lost an average of 0.1 percent. A significantly larger proportion of those using the dishes — 16.9 percent vs. 4.6 percent — lost at least five percent of their body weight.

    Also if the senior is overeating due to being bored, having a companion might be a benefit. Consider whether eating with friends would help place the focus on the friendship instead of the food.

    If companionship is needed, a senior could contact an agency such as Home Instead Senior Care to get a caregiver to help with meal assistance as well as nonmedical services.

    For more information you may contact Susan Guy and Martha Owen, local owners of the Home Instead Senior Care, @ 910-484-7200 or visit www.homeinstead.com.

  • 08-11-10-craig-woolard-band.gifOn Thursday, Aug. 19, the Fayetteville Museum of Art is sponsoring a concert free to the public. It is part of the Fayetteville After 5 series, and the “ambassador of Beach Music,” Craig Woolard and his band, are going to play.

    The band consists of seven people. Keith Stone who plays the trumpet, Donald Jordan on the guitar, Andy Swindell playing the keyboard and acoustic guitar, Grey Watson on the bass and vocals, Alan Wentz as the sound man, Russ Whitman on drums, and of course Craig Woolard as the front man.

    The front man, Craig Woolard, has been in music since he was 14, and had been with his previous band the Embers for more than 27 years. When they parted in 2004, he created the Craig Woolard Band (CWB). He has also won many awards including the 2004 Carolina Beach Music Awards (CBMA). He won Entertainer of the Year, 2004 Male Vocalist of the Year, and Best Duo for “Cruisin’” with Marsha Handcock.

    Craig Woolard is most known for beach music, but he has an extensive variety of music in his repertoire.

    “Craig’s catalog of music is well diversified. Included, of course, are all the standard songs you would expect to hear from a legend in Beach Music, but with Craig you get so much more. If you were to hear him sing “Georgia on My Mind” you would swear Ray Charles was in the house. His version of “Hot Legs” and “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You” might even fool Rod Stewart,” his website claims.

    When describing Craig Woolard, the most common words that come up are charismatic and showman. “Craig is committed to giving the audience more than their moneys worth. When you attend a function with Craig as the featured performer, you will be caught up in the fun. More than just an artist, Craig relates to the crowd, and insists that they have a good a time as he has, Many people can sing, but Craig has a special gift that is light-years above the rest — he is a showman, and that’s the difference,” proclaims the official Craig Woolard Band website, and since Fayetteville after 5 is free there is simply no going wrong there.

    On Aug.19 you can come on down to Festival Park at the corner of Ray Avenue and Rowan Street, downtown, across from Headquarters library, and watch the “Soulman of Beach” perform free of charge.

    Bring a chair or blanket to relax on the grass, and a couple of bucks for the vendors around the park. Leave pets and outside foods and beverages at home. At 5 p.m. the gates open and at 5:30-6 p.m. the opening acts start. CWB will come on at about 7-7:30 p.m. and will last until about 10 p.m. It is a family friendly event, but adult beverages will be available from a vendor in the park.

    Just remember, according to the CWB website, “If you want a band with high energy, charisma, a variety of music, and unsurpassed showmanship, then it is simple — you want the Craig Woolard Band.”

  • 08-04-10-woman-with-gun.gifBuying a handgun is a big decision to make. It’s not as easy as going down to your local gun store and picking your favorite. There are legal steps that you must complete, and there are safety steps that you should take before you take a weapon into your home.

    First and foremost, in order to purchase a handgun in the State of North Carolina, you must apply for a gun permit. The permit request must be placed at the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office in the Special Services Office. Pistol permits are $5. You can download the application at www.ccsonc.org/specialservices.htm.

    The permit requires you answer personal question such as your address, height, weight, Social Security number and distinguishing marks. The second section of the permit serves as a background check. Those who have been convicted of a felony, dishonorably discharged from the military, renounced their citizenship, or convicted of domestic violence charges will not be able to receive a gun permit.

    After the permit is filed at the Special Services Office, the staff will run a background check, which will include a criminal history check. If it can be established that you are of good moral character and that you desire the gun for the “protection of the home, business, person, family or property, target shooting, collecting or hunting” your permit will be issued.

    Your permit may be denied for good cause, and if it is denied, you should receive a written statement of the reason of denial within seven days. The license must be approved or disapproved within 30 days.

    After your permit is approved, you should go to a licensed gun shop and try several fi rearms before you purchase one. If the sales staff does not seem knowledgeable about the types and selections of guns on hand, you should try another store. Once you determine the type of weapon you like, you should try it on a range before you purchase it. Guns, even of the same caliber, handle differently. You should find a gun that you feel comfortable with, and that you can handle with a degree of skill.

    If you are not familiar with guns, you should take a basic gun course. Many types of these classes are offered in the community. A Google search will give you a wide number to choose from. Ensure that the instructor is a certified firearm’s instructor and ask about the content of instruction.

    North Carolina is an open carry state, so you can carry your weapon in public as long as it is in the open. There are some places, like schools, parks and bars, where weapons of any kind are not permitted. Know the law. Carrying your gun in your purse or in the console of your car does not meet the law. It must be visible.

    If you do not want to open carry, then you must apply for a Concealed Carry Permit. Concealed Carry Permits may also be obtained at the Special Services Office. The application is also on the website. There is a $90 fee. You must complete a Concealed Carry class in order to obtain the permit.

    Once you get your permit, there are some things you should know:

    1. Your permit to carry a concealed handgun must be carried along with valid identification whenever the handgun is being carried concealed.

    2. When approached or addressed by any officer, you must disclose the fact that you have a valid concealed handgun permit and inform the officer that you are in possession of a concealed handgun. You should not attempt to draw or display either your weapon or your permit to the officer unless and until he directs you to do so. Your hands are to be kept in plain view and you are not to make any sudden movements.

    3. At the request of any law enforcement officer, you must display both the permit and valid identification.

    4. You may not, with or without a permit, carry a concealed weapon while consuming alcohol or while alcohol or any controlled substances are in your blood, unless the controlled substance was obtained legally and taken in therapeutically appropriate amounts.

    5. You must notify the sheriff who issued the permit of any address change within thirty (30) days of the change of address.

    6. If a permit is lost or destroyed, you must notify the sheriff who issued the permit and you may receive a duplicate permit by submitting a notarized statement to that effect along with the required fee. Do not carry a handgun without it.

    7. Even with a permit, you may not carry a concealed handgun in the following areas:

    a. Any law enforcement or correctional facility

    b. Any space occupied by state or federal employees

    c. A financial institution

    d. Any premise where the carrying of a concealed handgun is prohibited by the posting of a statement by the controller of the premise

    e. Educational property

    f. Areas of assemblies, parades, funerals, or demonstrations

    g. Places where alcoholic beverages are sold and consumed

    h. State occupied property

    i. Any state or federal courthouse

    j. In any area prohibited by federal law

    k. Any local government building if the local government had adopted an ordinance and posted signs prohibiting the carrying of concealed weapons

    8. If you are in a vehicle and stopped by a law enforcement officer, you should put both hands on the steering wheel, announce you are in possession of a concealed handgun and state where you have it concealed, and that you are in possession of a permit. Do not remove your hands from the wheel until instructed to do so by the officer.

    If you meet all of the legal requirements, there are still some things you need to know. North Carolina is a Castle Doctrine state and has a stand-your-ground law. In short, this law permits the use of deadly physical force against an intruder in your home. The law, N.C. General Statute 14-51.1 reads: Use of deadly physical force against an intruder. (a) A lawful occupant within a home or other place of residence is justified in using any degree of force that the occupant reasonably believes is necessary, including deadly force, against an intruder to prevent a forcible entry into the home or residence or to terminate the intruder’s unlawful entry (i) if the occupant reasonably apprehends that the intruder may kill or inflict serious bodily harm to the occupant or others in the home or residence, or (ii) if the occupant reasonably believes that the intruder intends to commit a felony in the home or residence. (b) A lawful occupant within a home or other place of residence does not have a duty to retreat from an intruder in the circumstances described in this section. (c) This section is not intended to repeal, expand, or limit any other defense that may exist under the common law.

    It is important that you understand what is considered deadly force. This type of information can be gained in your gun classes.

  • uac081110001.gif The Fayetteville City Council meeting this past Monday night was indeed not its finest hour. Rather, it was an indicator of how far our elected city government has not come. The council voted on a controversial issue along strict racial lines, supporting an appeal by a black entrepreneur for a city-backed loan to build an entertainment center in the former Capitol Department Store building, to be called Docks.

    Whether the planned use for the to-be-recycled building has sufficient merit to justify the city-backed loan is one issue; how the approval was reached is another. It would appear that each councilperson’s vote was consistent with the views of the voters in their respective districts, as they perceived them. If that was the case, then so be it, but it does not deny the fact that the vote was along racial lines. Mel Henderson who is developing the project is black, as are the five council persons who voted on the project.

    Councilman Johnny Dawkins is quoted as saying the vote was not on racial lines. Sorry Johnny, if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck it, you guessed it, it is a duck. Lois Kirby, a white council member, did not vote because she was out of town. The city manager’s office was alerted to her absence well ahead of the time this past Monday’s agenda was set and therefore — hmm.

    So the vote on this matter was both a victory and defeat for our mayor who would have this diverse community be racially unifi ed — if that is possible.

    For Dr. Henderson, the vote was a solid victory after years of struggle to obtain public financial support for his private enterprise. Independent business people are intrinsically risk takers, but as Dr. Henderson is quoted as saying, “This is speculative and you’re either a fool to do this project or you have to have incentives.”

    Or maybe, Dr. Henderson, both. 08-11-10-docks-logo.gif

    But who is fooling who? Let us trot out our trusty calculators and legal pads and run the numbers, as they have been provided to us by local media. First we all want publicly backed projects to have some “greater good” spin. In this opportunity, jobs seem to be in the forefront, 110 of them. So, if this number is representing full-time equivalent employees, as it should, and if they all earn something near minimum wage, the payroll, including appropriate taxes, should be about $2,000,000. This will be a nice shot in the arm to the local economy. Let us vote for it.

    But wait, isn’t the enterprise to deliver about $75,000 in sales taxes to the city? On a two percent sales tax return rate basis, that means Dock’s should realize gross revenues of about $3,750,000 annually. But payroll alone is going to be $2,000,000 — more than half of gross revenues. This does look risky. Better vote against it.

    Well, what about property taxes of $110,000? That’s good isn’t it? Yes, but we have to forgive half of that for five years. Gee, not so good, maybe vote against it. Well, what about 178,000 people annually coming downtown to patronize this facility? Won’t that be good? Sure, assuming the business is open 360 days a year, to about 500 people per day. On a nine hours-per-business-day basis, that works out to one person a minute every day, day in and day out, throughout the year.But wait, to gross $3,750,000 per year, each of these 178,000 only have to spend $20 per visit. That is an awful lot of video games per person every minute.

    In all seriousness, a business that would attract that much traffic would be up and running somewhere in this community and it would not have required nine years of wrangling to get it off the ground. So the offered numbers are suspect and the taxpayer’s money is very much at risk.

    Perhaps the coldest wind this council decision blows is toward those community members that are currently ensconced in the downtown area, and particularly those in the historic district. They took risks with their own money (and do not get a 50 percent property tax relief consideration) and have not had an easy time getting their respective businesses to a successful point. Now comes Docks, which, if it works, will exacerbate an already serious parking problem.

    How does the city address this? Something akin to, “Tough bananas you Downtown Alliance members. Your parking, precious little as it is, is to be given to the new guy.” And finally, what about appropriateness? Are antique stores truly second class? Is a facility for bowling and war games the right direction for our downtown historic district? Whenever the last chapter is written on this situation, the then-sitting city council members may look back and say, “How could we have made such a decision?

    What We Say in 2010

    The now public demise of Docks should have surprised no one. The Hay Street entertainment and dining facility was established with business plan criteria fraught with cooked and created financial expectations. A modicum of business sense applied to the numbers presented to the Fayetteville City Council in March 2005 would have revealed that Dr. Mel Henderson was pursuing an impossible ambition.08-11-10-docks rally 1.gif

    If we give the then sitting Fayetteville City Council credit, at least for the most part, for being in possession of such business understanding, why then was the loan request approved? And why were the banks so easily duped by a whining Dr. Henderson and slick talking Marshall Isner, then president of the Downtown Development Corporation?

    It might be helpful to recall that this same city council voted to forcibly annex 43,000 citizens and 27 square miles without any idea as to how to pay for the infrastructure that the city was by law required to install in the newly annexed areas. So lack of reasoning ability should not be absolutely ruled out as an explanation for the council’s strange decision in favor of Dr. Henderson’s loan request. Another quite plausible explanation could have been the question of where the money was to be sourced. Federal Community Block Grant funds covered 40 percent of the city’s participation, so the money wasn’t altogether the local taxpayer’s money. That made a reckless decision okay it would seem.

    Another explanation could have been Isner’s presentation to the council. His really absurd projected financials must have been compelling to a naïve city council. Then city manager Roger Stancil, true to form, never said a word about Henderson’s pie-in-the-sky plan even though he had to have known the project was destined to be a financial disaster. Isner brokered the deal for Henderson, insisting that the plan was a slam dunk. Later, when it was obvious that Docks was a failure he maintained that he had always been skeptical. You can’t have it both ways, Marshall, and the record is clear.

    The council’s inexplicable majority vote on the project could be rationalized from a race perspective. All of the votes for Dr. Henderson, who is black, and his scheme were by black council members. All opposed votes were by white council members. The city was considering the 300 block project proposed by white businessmen so fair is fair. Then Mayor Pro Tem, Lois Kirby, who is white, was not in attendance at the council meeting when the vote to fund the project was taken.

    So now the question as to why Docks was a financial debacle is being considered, or at least it should be. The North American Savings Bank may not care why. They would just like to recover some of their non-performing asset, i.e. a $4.3 million loan to Henderson and Docks. The City of Fayetteville loaned Henderson $750,000 of which $450,000 came from city taxpayers. The Cumberland County Business Council (now the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce) loaned Henderson $178,000 to be paid back after five years or December 2010. Since payment of that loan is not yet due it is not in arrears. But it absolutely will be due and the chamber can kiss that money goodbye.

    Docks was a project that was to be completed in six to nine months but required two and one half years to open for business. It was to cost $7 million for renovations and new construction, including furnishings and equipment. The final tally is about $11 million. Slippage of $4 million or 57 percent is suspicious and reeks of an intentional low cost estimate and poor management of the work. Even Isner’s grossly inflated guesses regarding patronage of 178,000 annually would not have supported that much indebtedness.

    Now Docks is closed and probably will never reopen, despite Dr. Henderson’s ridiculous insistence that “he is arranging new financing.” The city and county have never collected a penny of property taxes from Docks and never will. Dr. Henderson may have taken himself and others into bankruptcy. The community is left to wonder how so many, including dozens of Docks employees, could have been duped by so few.

    Dr. Henderson also may have to answer to a judge and jury about his failure to pay sales taxes on his equipment and revenues. He certainly owes his former employees a sincere dose of honesty regarding the condition of his now defunct business. Henderson also must face serious charges for his failure to forward to the state and federal government payroll taxes taken from his employee’s earnings. Those guilty of such transgressions often go to prison.

  • Inception (Rated PG-13) 4 STARS

    You know what movie really reeked? Insomnia, Christopher Nolan’s follow-up to the amazing Memento. You know08-04-10-inception-poster1.gifwhat else reeked? The Prestige, Christopher Nolan’s follow-up to Batman Begins. You know what movie didn’t reek? Inception (148 minutes), which Nolan wrote and directed. His lead actor is completely overrated and his two female leads are underutilized, but on overall thrills and head-scratchiness, Nolan delivers. If we could just get him to jumpstart a new X-Men franchise, Imight finally be able to put my Singer vendetta to rest.

    The film opens on a beach, with Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) face down in the sand. He is detained by armed guards and taken inside a building. Puzzling dialogue takes us into the next scene so as to confuse the audience as early in the film as possible.

    The film’s focus is the creation and manipulation of dreams, and in a wonderfully crafted introduction to this central idea Cobb and his partner Arthur (Joseph Gorden- Levitt) submit a business proposal to Saito (Ken Watanabe). During their meeting with Saito, Cobb’s wife Mal (Marion Cotillard) appears and throws a wrench into their plans.

    This leads into the main plot. Cobb and his team are hired to target a man named Robert Fischer (Cillian Murphy). They are supposed to assist Saito in an act of industrial espionage, planting an idea to influence Fischer to break up his near monopoly in order to protect Saito’s business interests. Even though Cobb is experienced with stealing ideas, the rest of his team is convinced that planting an idea (inception) is impossible. At least they are until Cobb tells them a bedtime story about a dream within a dream.

    The only problem with “inception” is the potential damage to the subject and danger to the dreamer. Once the existing team (and the audience) understands the risks involved, Cobb meets with his father-in-law and teacher, Miles (Michael Caine). Miles offers his most brilliant student, Ariadne (Ellen Page) to work with the team. Despite her stupidly dramatic name she seems like a pretty good egg. Cobb and Company manage to recruit her as the dream’s architect and then set about filling out the rest of the team.

    A series of classic team building subplots follow. First Cobb hunts down expert forger Eames (Tom Hardy) to impersonate a key character inside the dream. Then he goes after Yusef (Dileep Rao) to prepare the carefully crafted chemicals necessary to induce the proper dream state.

    Back in the “A” plot, Ariadne and her stupidly dramatic name begin to discover some of Cobb’s better kept secrets, which reveal an even greater element of risk to the group. It is here that the concept of Limbo is explained, and those of you in the slow seats will probably want to take some notes, because it all gets a little hard to follow at this point.

    It is a major strength of the film that reality and the various levels of dreaming are so interchangeable, since the audience can keep guessing til the cows come home without ever really knowing for sure where the characters are. While there are various ambigious clues offered throughout the movie, each viewer is allowed to decide at what point the dream ends and reality begins (if it ever does).

  • It was one year ago a group of representatives from local art agencies sat with Bill Bowman, Editor of Up & ComingWeekly, to talk about the possibility of forming an alliance of the galleries in Fayetteville, galleries who have an exhibition calendar of at least sic months ahead of schedule.

    From the beginning, the alliance’s main focus w08-04-10-vaa-logo.gifould be to run bi-monthly ads about gallery openings for the general public, promote member organization events and pursue collaborative programming and marketing in the visual arts.

    The alliance’s name became VAA, the Visual Art Alliance; its slogan, “buy original, buy local,” is one that celebrates its member’s position all year round. By late August 2009, a grant was submitted to the Arts Council of Fayetteville and Cumberland County for seed money to support the organization.

    After receiving the grant, Gallery 208 became VAA’s official gallery — every third month one of VAA’s members coordinated a regional artist exhibit for Gallery 208 and a local artist in McLeod Gallery, both at Up & Coming Weekly. During its first year, VAA hosted excellent exhibitions in their space. The opening receptions, hosted by Up & Coming Weekly, as always, were special — lots of food and beverage, artists and art patrons participated as well as art lovers to the receptions.

    In an effort to promote Fayetteville as an art-buying destination and to reshape the perception of the visual arts in Fayetteville, VAA presented two lectures at the Arts Council about buying art and how to pursue a gallery in a major city. Both lectures were well attended.

    In addition to the lectures and exhibitions by member agencies, VAA had a special art sale during a particularly hot day in the Transportation Museum parking lot on June 5. The One Day Art Market was a huge success as a way to generate funds.

    Although ceramics and jewelry were available, people came to find good deals on prints, drawings, watercolors and paintings. And they did! As a fundraiser many professional artists donated personal works they regularly sell between the amounts of $300 to $1,200 and marked those works as little as $25 and never more than $150.

    Within the first three hours of the art market, the raffle for two professional works took place and the work was picked over. VAA members noted there were a significant number of people who were from out of town that visited the sale.

    From July of last year to the present the Visual Art Alliance has been dedicated to building an enduring visual arts community in Fayetteville. Members last year included the Fayetteville Museum of Art and its present members: Cape Fear Studios, the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, Rosenthal Gallery at Fayetteville State University, the Fayetteville Art Guild, the art gallery at Fayetteville Technical Community College and Old Towne Gallery.

    The organization made it though a successful first year with the help of its sponsors and a membership dedicated to the arts locally. So, thank you big sponsors: Arts Council, Up & Coming Weekly, and its newest sponsor, The Fayetteville Feed. VAA could not have done it without your support!

    Special thanks to the small dollars from individuals who attended the lectures and made purchases at the one day market. Every dollar helps and adds up! But it takes people, too.

    It’s a year old organization that I think has helped to make a difference this past year in the art landscape in Fayetteville; but it’s a year round effort by everyone who wants to strengthen the arts in Fayetteville to support the Visual Arts in Fayetteville by attending the openings and buying local. You don’t have to purchase to go to a reception or an exhibition at a gallery. All of the galleries are happy to see visitors enjoy the works of art, too.

    Each art agency is a valued sister organization in the community, all are interrelated to support the success of the arts. Yet participation at openings and events is just as important to support reputable art galleries and exhibit spaces for all levels of artists to show their work — including the novice.

    I know how important art patrons are to the arts, but as cited in an earlier exposé Chris Kastner stated, “It’s important for artists to be at openings. In general, the public likes to meet the artist whose work is hanging on the wall and ask the artist questions — its good business for artists to attend openings to meet other artists.”

    VAA hopes the next year will bring more artists and art patrons and new-comers out to galleries. The agency hopes younger emerging artists will take the time to attend openings and events, mix with established artists.

    The alliance will continue to do its part, to work as a collective, seeking to promote events and increase the number of individuals who attend openings and art events all over the city. I just hope artists understand how important they are to an artistic community that celebrates all creative people and process; that values the exploration of new ideas, new ways to exhibit, and new art business ventures.

    There are many exciting exhibitions planned in VAA’s second year. When you’re in its member’s galleries, look for the newly published post card maps which geographically locates VAA’s member galleries. And in the months ahead, look for the VAA canopy on Maxwell Street during 4th Fridays.

    Individual artists can’t joint VAA, but if you are seeking information about VAA or would like to contact VAA, contact its President, Sean McDaniel at Fayetteville Technical Community College (910) 678-0042, or Secretary Chris Kastner, Executive Director of the Cape Fear Studios (910) 433-2986.

  • 08-04-10-crimepreventionlogo.gifConnie King and Kathleen Ruppert want people to be smart about protecting their property. The two crime prevention specialists at the City of Fayetteville make it their mission to teach people how to be street smart, informed and unappealing targets to criminals.

    “We’ve really made the push of making people become more aware that it (their safety) is their responsibility,” said Ruppert. “A lot of that is the push with our crime mapping — our e-mails to citizens. We have really been hitting civic groups, Fort Bragg and any group that we can on safety tips — things that citizens can do to make themselves not become a victim.”

    Taking advantage of the techno-savvy population, the Fayetteville Police Department uses a program called Nixle to keep folks informed about everything from crimes that are being committed locally to traffic problems to public service announcements.

    “If people want to know what is going on in Fayetteville, who the bad guys are, what is going on with the police department, any crime trend, anything that is happening, our public information offi cer has been awesome with getting Nixle started in Fayetteville,” said Ruppert. “The information is there, people just have to be receptive and open to getting that info. Nixle is a great tool whether it be through an e-mail or a text alert to your phone.”

    You can find out more at Nixle.com, and you don’t have to register to get a preview of how the Web site works. Type in your zip code and get local and relevant information, then decide if you want to have updates sent to your e-mail or phone and go from there.

    Another way to stay informed is to call one of the Crime Prevention Specialists and get on their mailing list.

    “We send out what we call ‘The Hot Spots’ every week,” said Ruppert. “That is also a way that we try to get people to be aware of what is going on, not just where they live, but in the entire city. We also give them safety tips, try to connect them with their neighborhood watch. They can always contact us — we are always able to prepare statistics for them, especially if they are getting ready to move into a new community. We can let them know what the stats are in a community before they move in.”

    Once a person has moved in, or even if you have lived in your home for years, give the Crime Prevention Unit a call08-04-10-robbers.gifand they will come to your house and perform a security assessment.

    “We offer a free home survey to citizens in Fayetteville,” said King “We will come out and give you different ideas of better ways that you can secure your home. Just call us. It is a free service to community.”

    So while the police department can’t provide a policeman in every neighborhood, they are very serious about providing solid information and educating the public on how to better protect themselves and their property. For help with any of the programs above, call one of the local Crime Prevention Specialists at 433-1033 or 433-1034.

    Here are some easy, common sense things that Ruppert and King think are important to remember when is comes to keeping your home secure.

    • An easy target home is any home that has the no one home appearance ... newspapers in the yard and that kind of stuff.

    • Use automatic light timers in your home while you are gone.

    • If you have an alarm system USE IT! Even when you are at home.

    • Lock the doors — even when you are home.

    • Don’t be afraid to call 911. You can be anonymous, but make the call if you see something suspicious.

    • Porch lights and outdoor lighting allow your neighbors to see anything suspicious going on at your house. Leave the lights on!

    • Don’t leave valuables in your car. Criminals can break in, steal the garage door opener, or gps system, get your address from your registration (or gps) and know right where to come for the rest of your valuables.

    • Get to know your neighbors.

    “You need to speak to them and let them know that you are there for them because they are your first line of defense if something happens,” said King.

    “If you are at home, make sure that you acknowledge someone that is at your door. There was a crime trend where people were knocking on doors and if you don’t answer they were going around back and kicking the door in,” said King. “We recommend at least saying ‘Hello. What do you want? Go away! I am calling 911!’ Something just to let them know that you are at home. If you think about it a criminal really doesn’t want to be seen. If they know you are home they will go somewhere else.”

    • Break down boxes and burn them inside out after making a big purchase. Throwing away an empty box for a big screen TV or gaming system is like advertising to criminals the contents of your home.

  • 08-04-10-run-for-the-red.gifIt’s August, and while it may feel more like Hades outside than the Middle South, that little detail won’t deter dedicated runners and walkers from participating in the largest road race in Fayetteville, the American Red Cross “Run for the Red” 10K, 5K and 1-mile fun run on Saturday, August 14.

    Billed as “The Hottest Race in the South” –– literally and figuratively this year–– the annual event kicks off at 7 a.m. at 101 Robeson Street, giving runners a head start on the heat.

    “This is the fourth year of the race,” said Tracey Kohut, Program Assistant for the Highlands Chapter of the American Red Cross (ARC), which serves Bladen, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke and Sampson Counties. “The 5K is the North Carolina State Championship race for the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA). It is something that is done across the United States with the ARC. It is a major fundraiser for the ARC, and the neatest thing is that not only does it include a state championship race, but there’s also a cash purse for the top three males and females in the 5K and 10K races.”

    And those who wish to participate in the event, but don’t want to run in the 5K and 10K races, won’t feel left out in the…heat.

    “A lot of people don’t necessarily do the running thing,” Kohut said, “so we incorporated it so that it can be a family-fun event, and we’ve got that one-mile walk. That’s pretty awesome.”

    Strollers, kids’ wagons and dogs on leashes are also welcome.

    Money raised from the race will help ensure the ARC is able to support members of the community served by the Highlands Chapter in times of need. And the community is an important contributing factor to the success of the race.

    “The community has jumped in. Our sponsors are making this possible,” said Kohut. “They’re supplying water for the runners. They’re supplying snacks for the runners. It’s a community-wide event where everybody gets involved.

    “I have to tell you what a lot of people don’t know. Everybody thinks that the ARC is a government agency, so therefore everybody thinks that the ARC has a lot of money. What folks don’t realize is that we are able to do what we do only because of donations from individuals, corporations and businesses. And all of the money that we raise from this race is going to stay in our local community to fund our disaster services, to fund our health and safety services –– we taught over 10,000 people CPR last year –– and our Services to Armed Forces (SAF). Here in Fayetteville, this chapter actually initiates emergency messaging to give to service members when there is something going on in the family. We actually start that messaging so that families and service members can be reunited in a time of need. That’s what our donations actually pay for.”

    Participation in the race has steadily climbed each year, and Kohut hopes to see it reach a new benchmark.

    “The first year it started out, it was just several hundred people, and of course, last year was year number three, and it was at 1200, and I’m thinking well, come on, we can get 1500!”

    Participants may register online, by mail or by dropping off a completed form at the Highlands ARC offi ce. Online registration ends on Wednesday, August 11. On-site registration may be available if the event is not full, but runners and walkers are encouraged to register online. Registration fees for individuals for the 10K, 5K and 1-Mile fun run are $35, $30 and $5, respectively.

    “The runners for the 5K and 10K will receive a tee shirt with the sponsors listed on the back,” Kohut said. “If they are going to walk, they have the opportunity to purchase a T-shirt.”

    The races also feature staggered start times. The 10K begins at 7 a.m., the 5K at 8:30 a.m. and the 1-Mile at 9 a.m. For those who come out, yes, it will probably be hot, and yes, you will sweat, but you will also be making a difference for our community.

    “It’s a morning run,” said Kohut. “Awards will be scheduled at 10 a.m., so hopefully by the heat of the day, everybody’s going to be basking in their glory of what a great job they did. Everybody come on out. Please come out and make a difference.”

    For more information or to volunteer, visit www.highlandsarc.org/ or call 910-867-8151.

  • uac080410001.gif Taking Their Safety Into Their Own Hands

    In a military community, the idea of seeing guns is not as shocking as in many communities. But what may shock some people is who’s carrying the weapons. According to Debbie Tanna, spokesperson for the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department, there has been a big increase in the number of women seeking to buy handguns and applying for concealed carry permits.

    But Cumberland County is not alone in that trend. Across the nation, there has been a dramatic upswing in the number of women who are buying and carrying weapons to protect themselves and their homes. The trend started shortly after 9/11 and has continued to grow, particularly during the weakened economy.

    Locally, Tanna contributes that increase to a couple of things.

    “There has defnitely been an increase in the number of women requesting gun permits and applying for the concealed carry permits,” said Tanna. “A lot of it has to do with the fact that we are in a military community and women are alone and feel vulnerable. Another aspect is the report of rapes in the area. These two factors have caused a lot of women to become more responsible for their personal safety, and that of their families.”

    Tanna said that in order to drive the idea of taking responsibility for your own personal safety home, Sheriff Moose Butler added a program to extend the idea to personal property, as well as personal safety.

    “Earlier this year, Sheriff Butler implemented the Help Us Help You program designed to increase awareness of personal responsibility for securing your belongings and yourself,” explained Tanna. “The program encourages people to be more diligent when it comes to these areas. A key factor is keeping an eye on your surroundings, including your neighborhood and your neighbors, safeguarding your property by making sure your home is secured and your children are safe. Another aspect is taking property out of your vehicle, such as GPS, radios, purses, etc., which are likely to be stolen. Since we started the program, we have defi nitely seen a decrease in property crimes.”

    That was confirmed by the release of crime rates by the state in July. According to the report, the number of crimes in Cumberland County dropped in 2009, following a statewide trend that put North Carolina’s crime rate at the lowest level since 1984. That was the good news. The bad news is that the county had the secondhighest crime rate in North Carolina last year. Only Robeson County had a higher rate of crimes per 100,000 residents, according to fi gures released by the state’s Attorney General’s Offi ce. The crime rate for Cumberland County — including Fayetteville, smaller towns and unincorporated areas — was 7,154 crimes per 100,000 people. That’s about 5 percent lower than the crime rate in 2008. Broken down by crime types, Cumberland ranked No. 2 in North Carolina for highest rate of property crimes, which includes burglaries and thefts. Cumberland ranked sixth for violent crimes.

    Taking Responsibility 08-04-10-woman-with-gun.gif

    And it is those figures that have women looking to secure their own safety. Jennifer Martin, the wife of a Soldier, believes that women should be able to defend themselves. Martin, a former member of the North Carolina National Guard and a federal employee, takes her personal safety very seriously. She has guns. She has been trained to use the guns, and she has a concealed carry permit.

    “For a lot of women, the idea of having a gun is like a security blanket,” said Martin. “I feel more comfortable knowing I have a weapon, but most people don’t think they will ever have to pull it. You can’t let the idea of having a weapon let you let your guard down. You have to be very active in your self-defense, and to do that, you have to educate yourself.”

    Martin is a strong advocate for tactical training, but also for knowing the law. “You need to know what is going to happen if you pull your weapon, as much as you need to know how to use it,” she said.

    It is that lack of knowledge that many local firearms experts work diligently to share with the community.

    “If you have a gun, and you don’t know how to use it then you are putting yourself in danger, because it is going to be taken from you and turned against you,” said Frankie McRae, the operator of Range 37 outside of Lillington.

    McRae, a former Special Forces Soldier, believes that the two biggest problems confronting women who own guns is their lack of knowledge about the gun, which puts them in harm’s way, and the lack of knowledge about how to respond to a threat, which may cause them to unintentionally hurt someone they care about.

    To combat those tragic incidents, McRae and the staff at Range 37 offer three women-only classes designed to educate and train women in the use of guns and improvised weapons. The basic class taught at the range walks students through the mechanics of the gun, the moving parts, the ammunition, shooting stances and other fundamentals.

    The Concealed Carry Class is tied to a Women’s Self Defense Class, wherein you have the mandatory 8-hour Concealed Carry Class, followed by two to three hours of self-defense, which teaches you how to respond to a threat with improvised weapons other than a gun.

    McRae demonstrated the idea by taking a lipstick tube and using it as a weapon. “There are a lot of ways you can defend yourself,” he said. “But you have to learn them, and practice them.”

    The range also offers an advanced class that teaches tactical shooting. “This advanced class is scenario driven,” he said. “It will take you through the act of defending your home. Targets will pop-up and you have less than a second to determine if it’s the intruder or a member of your family.”

    It is that kind of split-second decision making that is lacking in many gun owners, including men. McRae said that if you intend to have weapons in your home for personal safety or to carry them with you, then you need to have the training to make those kinds of decisions. He noted that there are many people who offer similar training, noting that before you take any training you should look for a certifi ed instructor on a certifi ed range, and should look at the course content.

    “Do they only offer the minimum training or do they go beyond that?” he said.

    The women-only training classes are held the third Saturday of every other month, with the next class scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 18. For more information about Range 37 and its classes, visit the website at www.range37.com.

    When You Are a Victim

    Jessica Taylor is a vivacious, well-liked woman in the community. The realtor, associated with Remax West Allstars, is involved in the arts community. Also a military wife, Taylor is familiar with weapons, but until recently didn’t see a need to own one for herself. That all changed several weeks ago.

    “I’m being stalked,” explained Taylor to Geary Chlebus, a firearms expert who is affiliated with Jim’s Pawn Shop.

    08-04-10-gun-permit.gifChlebus, who teaches the Concealed Carry Course at Jim’s, as well as the Firearms for Females classes, has heard similar stories over his career in law enforcement. For 11 years, Chlebus ran a police academy, where he focused on fi rearms, interrogation and criminal investigation.

    “Women have a responsibility to prevent violence against themselves and others who they are responsible for,” he said. “To survive, a woman needs to keep the tactics simple along with being vicious against the attacker.”

    On a recent Sunday afternoon, he and the management of Jim’s Pawn Shop, opened the range, which is normally closed, in order to allow Taylor, Martin and myself to come to the range and learn more about guns and personal safety.

    As we entered the store, Chlebus made a quick assessment. Martin fell squarelyin the realm of not a victim. I was an unknown, while Taylor fell into the box of victim.

    “It’s about how you present yourself,” said Chlebus. “If you walk with your head down or are digging in your purse, or talking on your cell phone, then you fall into the victim category. If you walk with your head up and show awareness of your surroundings, you are not as likely to be a victim.”

    He listened intently as Taylor told her story.

    “It started a few weeks ago,” she said. “This man has started calling my phone. Sometimes he is telling me what I’m wearing, and what he wants to do to me. So I know he has to be close.”

    Chlebus concurred. “What have you noticed? Have you seen someone in the same place a lot?” he asked.

    “I’m not really sure, I’m on the phone a lot or working in my planner,” she confessed. “So I haven’t noticed. I am very aware of safety when I am meeting new clients or entering empty houses. In fact, I think a lot more about those things than do my clients.”

    With the phone calls, Taylor decided she needed to purchase a gun. Chlebus, upon inspection of the small, very feminine gun, explained that the gun wouldn’t do much to protect her.

    He explained that many women are not familiar enough with guns to make a decision about what kind of gun to buy, so they listen to other people. “If you go to a Ford dealership, what do they tell you is the best car?08-04-10-woman-with-gun2.gif” he asked. “A Ford! You have to go to someone who is knowledgeable about guns, and who can help you fi nd a gun that works for you. You need to try several guns to determine what you are comfortable with.”

    He said that the size of gun and ammunition a woman uses has to do with how much control she has over the weapons. This can be determined by hand size, length of trigger fi nger and thumbs, muscle mass and strength.

    “There’s no one right gun,” he said. “You have to find the one that fits you.”

    And the best way to do that is to go to a range and work with a certifi ed firearms instructor. Chlebus, as well as McRae, discourage the idea of a spouse or signifi cant other teaching a woman to shoot.

    “That usually results in arguments, or the husband expects the wife to be able to handle a really big gun,” said Chlebus. “It doesn’t work.”

    After going through and teaching important safety techniques, such as how to ensure the gun is not loaded, the proper way to hold a weapon and different shooting stances, Chlebus took the group onto the range.

    For Taylor and me, Chlebus explained the basics of shooting, and then allowed us to shoot a number of differentweapons until we found one that was comfortable for us. Taylor was undecided, but knows she needs to look at getting a bigger gun. I am torn between a 38 and a 9 mm. Martin learned more advanced skills, and each of us were taught to move toward and away from the aggressor while fi ring.

    “What you learn on most ranges is to stand still and shoot,” said Chlebus. “That isn’t reality. If someone kicks in the door of your house, you aren’t going to be in a fi ring position. You may be laying in bed or watching TV. You have to learn to shoot from a variety of positions,” he said. “Most women are victimized at their cars. You have to know how to protect yourself if you are strapped in your seat belt or if you are trying to get your child out of harm’s way. You can only do that through training.”

    Chlebus noted that Jim’s feels a special responsibility for the safety of the community, and goes the extra mile by offering free range time to women on Wednesdays and by offering a number of free classes.

    “If you have been a victim, you can take these classes free,” he said. “There are a number of other classes we offer that will help you protect yourself, and if you can’t come to us, we will bring the class to you, but you have to do your shooting on the range here.” For more information about the classes, contact Jim’s at 910-864-2270. See next week’s issue for more information about guns and the law.

    (Photo top) Fayetteville resident Jennifer Martin steps up to the
    firing lane at Jim’s Pawn Shop.

    (Photo bottom right) Jessica Taylor, a local realtor, takes the first steps
    to protect herself.

  •     Martha Padgett gave birth to quadruplets in Riverside, Calif., in July, but she only did half the work. The other two babies were born to her partner, Karen Wesolowski, using Padgett’s eggs and the same sperm donor, and whose two came along 22 hours after Padgett’s two. The women carried two fertilized eggs each only because they had failed five times before with in-vitro fertilization and just wanted to improve the odds of having at least one child between them. 

    LATEST RELIGIOUS MESSAGE
        “Someone’s getting a new spinal cord tonight!” yelled Canadian tent-revival preacher Todd Bentley in July during his crusade in Lakeland, Fla. (also telecast on GodTV and the Internet), according to an Associated Press observer. Miracles are “popping like popcorn,” he promised, punctuating each hands-on salvation with an Emeril-type “Bam!” His unorthodoxy extends to sometimes roughing up the afflicted, he admits, because that’s what God tells him to do, e.g., kneeing a “cancer patient” in the stomach, banging a crippled woman’s leg on a platform. Anyone in need of healing should, Bentley shouts often, “come and get some!” 

    SCENES OF THE SURREAL
        The president of Japan’s Osakana Planning Co. told attendees of the Japanese Seafood Show in July that his tuna makes superior sushi because his company administers acupuncture to each fish prior to its death, in order to reduce stress.
        A Welsh oil painting, “Newport Nudes,” which was mothballed 60 years ago for being too brazen for public display because the model is naked, drew fresh criticism when reintroduced in July at a public gallery in Wales but this time only because the naked model is holding a cigarette.
     
    INCOMPETENT CRIMINAL
        In June, police in Spokane, Wash., arrested Calvin Robinson, 19, who had set up inside the lockable family restroom at a mall because he needed an electrical outlet to run the color printer he had just bought for $100 (in real money) in order to make counterfeit $10 bills. Police recovered a sheet of uncut, poorly made copies, which Robinson said he had intended to use to buy “90 dollars” worth of marijuana.

  • LAW & ARDOR
        I read about a free criminal records search, criminalsearches.com. Just for fun, I put in my girlfriend’s name, and out popped a misdemeanor larceny charge from several years ago. We’re in our mid-20s, dating seriously for two years, and have discussed marriage. I don’t think this is THAT big of a deal, but it hurts and disappoints me because I’ve been totally honest about everything in my life. How do I bring this up? Or should I?
                              —Unlucky Strike
                                      
        {mosimage}Since you’ve been “totally honest” about everything in your life, don’t stop now: “You know, Honey, one afternoon, there was nothing on TV, so I thought I’d look into your criminal past. You know...just for fun.” At the moment, you have no idea whether she’s a career shoplifter or whether she and her sorority sisters got pinched “stealing” the moose head out of the frat house next door. Yet, you don’t think it’s “THAT big of a deal” — maybe because she’s shown herself to have such sterling character, or maybe because it would be a real drag if it turned out she didn’t. Love isn’t ignoring somebody’s faults; it’s facing them and deciding you can stomach them. Once you learn the real deal on hers,  you’re sure to have a question or two — either “Will you marry me?” or “What’s in your wallet (and did you happen to take it out of my wallet)?”

    ROCKY MOUNTAIN 2-STEP
        I’ve been dating my boyfriend for two years, and I’m miserable. I want to break it off, but he moved to Colorado to be with me while I finish college, and has no friends here. The last thing I want to do is hurt him. I was thinking about moving back home and finishing college there. 
                                           —Stuck

        How could you ditch him in that barren wasteland where he toils in the biting cold breaking rocks on the work gang and eating only stale crusts of bread and watery soup? All because he moved to Siberia to be with you. Oh, sorry — Colorado. No, breaking up isn’t a laugh riot, but if a guy’s going to get dumped somewhere, a mountain paradise with hordes of hot ski bunnies isn’t exactly the Gulag annex. And besides, he chose to move there. As for your idea of moving home to finish school, if it’s for educational reasons, have at it. When the U-Haul pulls up, he’s sure to figure it out.

        Got a problem? Write Amy Alkon, 171 Pier Ave, #280, Santa Monica, CA  90405, or e-mail AdviceAmy@aol.com (www.advicegoddess.com)

        (c)2008, Amy Alkon, all rights reserved.

  •     Summer is going by quickly and fall will be coming soon. This is prime time to enjoy the state by riding and camping. To help you prepare for a camping trip I’ll give you some tips on your packing list. First, you need to make sure you have bags for your bike or some way to transport the camping equipment. It does not take long to fill up a bike. Space quickly becomes prime real estate. Next, create a packing list. Write it out and make additions and deletions as needed. Here is a list of items you will want to take:
        {mosimage}Air mattress, camp saw, candles, collapsible chair, compass, cord, ground cloth, hatchet, Swiss Army knife or Leatherman, lantern, matches/lighter, sacks and/or bags, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, stakes/rope, tent and toilet paper.
        For cooking: camp stove and fuel, can opener, coffee making stuff, condiments, cooking pots/pans, corkscrew, cup(s), dish soap and pad, dish towel, drinks, food, garbage/trash bags, knife/fork/spoons, water bottle(s), coffee, salt and pepper and sugar and creamer.
        Bike items: bike cover, saddlebags, boots and socks, scarf, bungee cords, spare bulbs, cargo net, spare fuses, chain oil/wax, spare key(s), earplugs, tank bag, gloves, tire-patch kit, helmet, toolkit, jackets, totes, windshield cleaner, Leatherman tool, lock/security stuff, oil, rain gear and rain gloves.
        Personal stuff: Medications, brush, shampoo, casual clothes, shaving kit, Chapstick, soap, comb, sunglasses, contact lenses and cleaner, toothbrush and toothpaste, dental floss, towel, waterless hand cleaner, wet ones, deodorant, towel/wash cloth, fanny pack, backpack, Kotex/tampons and reading glasses.
        Clothing items: sports bras, sweatshirt(s), cycling shorts, swim suit, hat/sun visor, T-shirts, jeans, tennis shoes/sandals, polypro underwear, underwear, shirts, shorts, socks, sweater(s).
    Information items:
        Binoculars, palmtop computer, book(s), paper and pencil/pen, camera and accessories, passport/ID, cell phone and charger, phone list, cellular modem, radar detector, diary, registration papers, driver’s, license, MP3 player, GPS, tickets/passes, insurance, travel guide(s), intercom, laptop computer, maps, membership cards.
        Remember to take hard copies of your itinerary in the event you can’t get computer connections or something happens to your electronic equipment.
        Miscellaneous items: ear plugs, travel pillow, bug repellent, sewing kit, cable ties, snake bite kit, cash/travelers check/ATM card, credit card(s), quarters, space blanket, stamps for post cards, duct tape, sunscreen, extra batteries, Superglue, first aid kit, flashlight, freezer bags (for packing/waterproofing), ibuprophen/Tylenol, rubber bands and poncho to cover your equipment.
        Once you make your list, start setting items out. Sort and pack the items in a way that you will remember where to find them. Last trip I spent a lot of time looking for items throughout my bike, because I didn’t have them grouped in a logical fashion. Don’t check them off of your list until you actually pack them on your bike. Make the list work for you and your needs. Add as needed. If you don’t have room on the bike, you can always prioritize your needs and buy what you need when you get to your destination. Scrub your list to the absolutely essential, can’t live without, make the trip more comfortable items.
        If there is a topic that you would like to discuss, please send your comments and suggestions to motorcycle4fun@aol.com. RIDE SAFE!

  •     Similar to Grindhouse, Tropic Thunder (107 minutes) teases the audience with a series of trailers for movies that will never actually be made. The rest of the movie is a downhill ride compared to the satirical sophistication offered by the fakes, including a hilarious send up of Brokeback Mountain called Satan’s Alley and a spoof of Eddie Murphy’s Nutty Professor franchise, called The Fatties: Fart Two. Given the long gestation of the project (Stiller began the project in 1987), the material wears surprisingly well. Anyone who has enjoyed a big budget war movie will find something to laugh at, not the least of which was the spot on division of the leads into the archetypal war movie soldiers (the intellectual, the angry guy, the incompetent leader). Fans of Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr. will especially enjoy seeing their favorites reveal some possible real-life insecurity in the way they translate the characters from script to screen.
        {mosimage}Following the opening trailer parodies and commercials for Booty Sweat (real product), the film opens on location in Vietnam, where first-time director Damien Cockburn (Alfred Molina look-alike Steve Coogan) is trying desperately to corral his prima donna cast. That cast includes the action guy, Tugg Speedman (Stiller), the award winner Kirk Lazarus (Downey Jr.), and the comedian Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black). Supporting actors include Jay Baruchel playing Kevin Sandusky (he was in Undeclared!), Brandon Jackson playing Alpa Chino, and Nick Nolte playing handless Vietnam Veteran Tayback. And that’s not all! Keep your eyes peeled for Tom Cruise in a role that is not nearly as funny or controversial as he thinks it is, and for Mathew McConaughy out-acting Tom Cruise in every scene they share.
        As shown in the trailers, the director decides he can make a better movie if he takes his cast out into the jungle and lets them act out the book upon which the movie is based. Naturally, things go horribly, horribly wrong. Speedman is taken captive when he inadvertently gets too close to the heroin producing Flaming Dragon gang. Lazarus and Sandusky concoct a plan to rescue Tuggman … whether he is ready to be saved or not.  The film’s climax involves a satisfactory level of explosions, an adequate amount of clown make-up and everyone’s hero — TIVO.
        The movie is not particularly memorable, but it is good for a laugh. As far as some of the more controversial moments, it seems like a lot of oversensitive people got riled up about legitimate parody. Downey Jr. in blackface is a deliberate joke on the kind of actor who goes overboard in becoming the character they’re playing. Stiller’s movie-within-a-movie, a parody of movies such as Rain Man and Forrest Gump, with developmentally disabled characters is a joke made in surprisingly good taste. In fact, Stiller comes off as positively enlightened when this parody is compared to, for example, the treatment of the disabled in Something About Mary. This one was pleasant and well-paced, but its certainly not going to break any box office records … it did manage to topple Dark Knight from its top spot at the box office this past weekend
  •     On it’s 10th studio album, Superhero Brother, Philadelphia’s brightest musical sons, G. Love and Special Sauce, want to save the planet — one shaken-not-stirred booty at a time. 
        G. Love (aka Garrett Dutton) and his band of merry hipsters know that the true power of music has nothing to do with brokering a peace accord between Russia and Georgia or solving the Palestinian problem; no,  while G. Love may want to shine a klieg light on what’s going on in this mixed up, shook-down world, he mainly wants you to boogie down as the whole geopolitical outhouse burns down to the ground — invoking change and changing attitudes in 3/4 time.
        Never a political band in the vein of those oh-so-serious rockers from Ireland, U2, nor documentarians of the brutality and horrors of the ‘hood like the late, great NWA, G. Love and Special Sauce have always been content to stir up a musical stew of rock, folk, pop, hip hop and blues to feed the mind, not guilt you into breaking the piggy bank to feed the starving bellies of a million Ethiopians.
        {mosimage}This we-know-the-world-sucks-but-what-can-we-do attitude is reflected perfectly in the title track, in which G. Love sardonically references the glut of comic book heroes that have recently ruled the cinemas like leotard-clad saviors of society: “Well, if they called on my name don’t you know I’d do it/shine my signal over Gotham, I’ll be true/ It’s my distinct pleasure to come down from my grass/get off my front porch and save all your asses.”
        Yeah, I’ll do my part, raps G. Love over the beat of a bluesy acoustic guitar and wailing harmonica, promising to “solve the economy, the homeless problems, save what’s left of the environment/create jobs for everybody doin’ somethin’ that they wanna’ be doin’”; but in the end, G. Love knows he’s got about as much chance to save the world as Christian Bale’s Batman or Toby Maguire’s Spiderman as he sings “Well, it seems kinda’ hard but it really ain’t nothin’/all you gotta’ do is get bit by a spider or somethin.’’
        Every song on Superhero Brother percolates with this message of partying on while the ship goes down, especially on the impossibly upbeat “City Livin’”, which should jump to the top of the charts... should and would if there was any justice in a Top 40 landscape ruled by silicon- and collagen-injected pop princesses with mental problems and wannabe gangstas who grew up in comfortable middle class homes playing Grand Theft Auto instead of actually living the game.
        Another feel-good standout on Superhero Brother is “Peace, Love and Happiness.” As backing band Special Sauce simmers, harmonizing and styling with steady beats and bongos, G. Love whips out hot guitar leads and sings about surviving and striving and somehow keeping a smile on your face. It’s such an infectiously happy song that you almost don’t notice that G. Love is telling you that while you need to party like it’s 1999, you also need to keep your mind wrapped around what’s going on around you, reminding the listener “how can we eat this daily bread/when so many people starving?”
        More subliminal messages can be found in the reggae-imbued “Woncha’ Come Home Now,” which, though ostensibly written for a lover on the lam, could very well be rededicated to our soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan with lyrics like “Darlin’ I’ve been waiting while you gone and done your changin’/but you know I don’t got much time/still everywhere I go I see people waiting just like me/waiting for you to come on home.”
        Like the very best champagne, Superhero Brother bubbles along merrily while imparting a kick you really don’t notice until you stop dancing long enough to notice the room’s spinning faster than a speeding bullet, stronger than a locomotive.

    Tim Wilkins, Associate Editor
    COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 105 or
    tim@upandcomingweekly.com

  •     Dear EarthTalk: My body doesn’t tolerate cheese well. Are there dairy-free cheeses that will be easier on my constitution and better for the environment, too?   
                     — Steve Sullivan, Seattle, Wash.
     
        With some 30 to 50 million Americans suffering from various degrees of lactose intolerance, and an estimated 3 million of us now eating animal-free (vegan) diets for humane, environmental and/or health reasons, the production of alternatives to dairy products has started to become big business.
        But while substitutes for milks and ice creams abound, mostly soy- or rice-based blends that have come a long way since they first appeared on grocery shelves, finding satisfactory alternatives to the many varieties of cheese can be a challenge. But the choices are expanding rapidly.
        The first place to look might just be your regular supermarket’s produce section — that’s often where you’ll find Galaxy Foods’ veggie line of non-dairy cheeses. After all, they are made from soy, a crop. Galaxy’s offerings come shredded, grated, in slices and in hunks. Fans swear they taste just like the real thing. And they are all excellent sources of calcium without cholesterol, saturated/trans-fats or lactose.
        {mosimage}Galaxy also offers cheeses made from rice. And while some of both the rice brand and veggie line contain small amounts of cultured milk salt, dried skim milk protein and trace amounts of lactose, Galaxy also make two purely vegan varieties, usually found in the dairy sections of grocery or health food stores.
        A few other popular brands made with rice include Rice Slices and Lifetime Low Fat Jalapeno Jack Rice Cheese. Check the shelves of your local organic or natural food market to find one or more to sample.
        Another leading producer of dairy-free cheeses is Scotland’s Bute Island Foods. The company began making its own vegan hard cheese alternatives (sold under the Sheese brand name) in 1988, and has since expanded into cream cheese alternatives (Creamy Sheese) as well. From pizzas to sauces to sandwiches to spreads, Bute Island has vegan and lactose-intolerant cheese lovers covered.
        Some other soy-based choices that get good reviews include Good Slice Cheddar Style Cheese Alternative (great for sandwiches), vegan-friendly Tofutti Soy Cheese Slices, Follow Your Heart’s Vegan Gourmet (pizza, anyone?), and Teese (it melts with the best of them), among others.
        Do-it-yourselfers might want to experiment with making their own non-dairy cheese using ingredients such as tofu and yeast. A quick Web search will yield many recipes for making cheese and for using non-dairy cheeses in favorite dishes. Many of the best are collected in Joanne Stepaniak’s The Ultimate Uncheese Cookbook, available in some bookstores as well as from Amazon.com and other online vendors.
        With so many good choices, not to mention recipes for home cooked varieties, many a vegetarian may just make the leap into full-fledged vegan eating. And existing vegans can rejoice: French Onion Soup (dairy-free, of course) is back on the menu.
  •     Most us need a second chance from time to time. Maybe it was at swinging a baseball bat, riding a bike, taking a test or falling in love. As we look back over life, we can all recall a time when we wish we could say, “Do over!” That is exactly the point of forgiveness.
        The Bible is filled with story after story about forgiveness. And though you would agree there are times when you need forgiveness, you would have to admit that giving forgiveness is hard to do. When a friend betrays our confidence, a coworker slanders our reputation or someone physically or emotionally abuses us, forgiveness is hard. But the exciting truth is that forgiveness can be learned; and as with all learning, forgiveness takes time and much practice.
        {mosimage}One key to learning to forgive is learning to handle your anger. The apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:26, “be angry and do not sin.” Being angry is not in itself a sin. The sin comes in how we manage that anger, what we do with it. Our words can often be very damaging. Our actions and responses can also be damaging. Instead of being hurtful and harmful, seek to restore the relationship. In the same passage, Paul says to “speak the truth.” A final lesson on managing anger is learning to deal with it swiftly. Paul closes out verse 26 saying, “Don’t let the sun go down on your anger.” In other words, deal quickly with the issue so that anger does not brew and make you bitter.
        A second key to learning to forgive is learning to build up instead of tear down. Forgiveness is an active response. When we forgive someone, we are seeking to not only restore them, but to build them up. In Ephesians 4:29, Paul says, “no rotten talk should come from your mouth, but only what is good for the building up of someone in need, in order to give grace to those who hear.” Words can tear down, but words can also build up. This is not referring to puffing up someone’s low self-esteem. Rather, encourage them with your words. Tell them they are forgiven. Affirm their intentions although their actions may have been premature.
        And the final key to learning to forgive, which really is the first key, is to remember that God has forgiven you.         There are times when you will be hurt by someone who does not deserve your forgiveness. Perhaps their offense to you has never been paid for, restituted, or even acknowledged … forgive them anyway. Why? Remember Paul’s words in Ephesians 4:32, “forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, our offenses toward him had never been paid for, restituted, or even acknowledged by us…but he died to forgive us anyway.
        Go and do likewise this week. Find someone who needs your forgiveness, and give them a second chance. Aren’t you glad God gave you one?
        The Rev. Chris Dickerson is the pastor at Green Springs Baptist Church.
  •     There is an increasing momentum, a movement in this community, to embrace the arts in new ways. What was once potential and vision is now becoming a reality. From the skateboard tree to the relocation of the museum to the downtown area, people are starting to understand that art plays many roles in a community.
        For decades, a large core of artists, art patrons, art organizations and art agencies have devotedly supported the idea of creating a more inclusive approach to integrating the arts into our community. The momentum of the art core underpinning has been augmented with a slow migration of creative people to the area.
        Artist Dwight Smith is one of many who have relocated to Fayetteville. Smith brought with him his love of art and sharing the arts with others. Smith and Calvin Sims both relocated to Fayetteville with the idea of retiring and moving from their long standing home — Detroit, Mich. Both had founded the Ellington White Project in Detroit, a nonprofit foundation to teach arts and healthy living to inner city youth.
        Retirement was short-lived as the Ellington White Project moved south. Sims has been recently employed by the Fayetteville Arts Council’s as the artist services liaison. Smith, although recently hired by Fayetteville State University, had already started coordinating the Ellington White Project in Fayetteville last year.
        {mosimage}The result was collaboration with other agencies to make it possible for over thirty children and adolescents to discover the world of visual art and participate in an exhibit at the sfL&a Architects Gallery on Burgess Street.
    A project of that magnitude takes leadership, planning and support. This year the project included grant writing, funding from agencies and volunteers from the community.
        The Department of Performing and Fine Arts at Fayetteville State University participated in the program by loaning one of their studio spaces during the summer as a place for the participants to work — a working academic studio.
    Funding was received from the Junior League of Fayetteville, a Summertime Kids Grant from the Cumberland Community Foundation, Inc., as well as funding and staff from Cumberland County CommuniCare. (Anthony Summerville from CommuniCare was there to drive the students to Fayetteville State and assist when needed.)
    Rose-Ann Bryda, a volunteer for the program, explained how “three classes of about a dozen students each met twice a week. Classes were separated by students’ ages. The teen class met on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, including at-risk adolescents from CommuniCare’s MAJORS and Prevention programs.”
        Bryda continued: “Nine to 12 year olds meet on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and older youth meet on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. These particular classes are made up of young people from the community and participants in CommuniCare’s Juvenile Assessment Center’s Summer Program.”Volunteer Noreda Hess (photographer) and Fayetteville State University visual art majors (Mike Romagano, Shantel Scott, and Kim Anderson) were there when it was time in July to give each student a Ziplock bag of art supplies (watercolor, drawing pencils, easers, scissors, glue, and osil pastels). The volunteers helped Dwight Smith throughout the summer to interface with the students and share their personal experiences about being an artist and assisting in the classroom.
        Besides the bag of supplies, Bryda noted “the participants were given a simple pre-test to gauge their art knowledge and had fun exploring a three-dimensional assembly project “Genius Kits” from Detroit’s Arts and Scraps. One field trip for one of the classes included a trip to the Fayetteville Museum of Art to see the exhibit Forsaken: Edifice and Landscape.”
        I visited the classes several times and witnessed many of the students quietly exploring the world of color and design. On one of my visits I asked students — whose ages varied between 14 to 15 years old to comment about their experiences in the program.
        Nikki said, “I am learning more about art as a profession;” while Qwon commented, “It was a program I could participate in during the summer months; I will be able to take new techniques back into the classroom when I return to school.”
        Joya said this was her first art class and she was now thinking about attending art school. Monique quickly pointed out that she would like to participate in the program next summer and she had learned new drawing techniques.
        Lauren was happy to inform me that her mother had told her about the program. “I have learned so much about shading and creating depth and also about the tints of an object and color techniques.” 
    Lastly, Valerie commented that she had learned many new techniques that added to her art experience since she didn’t take art classes at school.
        When I asked the students how to improve the program, two telling comments were shared with me” Invite more artists into the class to explain their work and find transportation for students who wanted to participate but couldn’t get there.
        I noticed FSU student volunteer Mike Romagano was there regularly to assist. Romagano commented, “It was nice to see artists at such an early stage. I was able to share my ideas with them, and they had ideas to share with me.”
        The program ended in early August.
        I could see lots of colorful work was completed during the program.
        Mediums included — but were not limited to — paper making, painting and drawing. Students took the majority of their work home, while some of their work was part of an exhibit during the August 4th Friday event at sfL&a Architects Gallery.
        Anyone interested in seeing the work completed during the program can visit the exhibit at the sfL&a Architects Gallery on Burgess Street until the third week in September. Gallery hours are regular business hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
        For further information about the success of the project and future projects, contact Rose-Ann Bryda at (910) 425-6670.

  •     The United Way of Cumberland County kicked off its annual fundraising campaign Aug. 19. More than 250 community leaders gathered for the luncheon at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church to show their support for United Way and enthusiasm for this year’s campaign.
        For its annual fundraising campaign, United Way works with more than 100 companies and organizations in Cumberland County.
        “What’s so unique about United Way,” said Roberta Humphries, director of resource development, “is that people can donate through payroll deductions.”
        Humphries added, “It’s incredible to see how seemingly small amounts of money add up to make such a great difference for the people of Cumberland County.”
        {mosimage}Speakers at the kickoff included United Way’s 2008 campaign chair, Stuart Walters; board chair, Mac Edwards; and volunteers George Quigley, Patty Pittman, and Brian Morrison.
        The three volunteers spoke about the importance of advocacy, philanthropy and volunteerism. Patty Pittman, who received aid from a United Way agency when her house caught fire in 2001, told the kickoff audience, “If you were a contributor to the United Way back in the year 2000, you helped us that day. And the best part is, you didn’t even know us!”
        A phrase from the United Way’s 2008 campaign video, created by Time Warner Cable and Media Sales, Jeff Hylland, another United Way volunteer, echoes Pittman’s sentiment: “You can feel good about (your) money going to something bigger than what you could do on your own.”
        The United Way of Cumberland County was started in 1939, as a nonprofit organization working to improve the overall quality of lives in our community by addressing critical human needs, including education, income and health. Annually, the United Way supports numerous organizations in Cumberland County including the YMCA, the American Red Cross, Better Health, The Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, CommuniCare, Boy Scouts, Fayetteville Urban Ministries and the Rape Crisis Center. In the 2006-2007 fiscal year, the United Way of Cumberland County gave more than $110 million in funding to community programs.
  •     {mosimage}In 2007, the Lafayette 250 Committee of Arrangements and the Lafayette Society staged a celebration of the Marquis de Lafayette’s 250th birthday. Fayetteville, the first city to be named after Lafayette, was recognized last year by proclamations in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives as the place “where North Carolina celebrates Lafayette’s birthday.” 
    In 2008, the Lafayette Society will sponsor Fayetteville’s annual Lafayette birthday celebration Sept. 4-6. Numerous fun and educational activities are planned and many downtown merchants will feature Lafayette Birthday Specials.
        •On Thursday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m., the Headquarters Library will host Boston historian Alan R. Hoffman, who translated Lafayette In America: 1824-1825. This is a journal of Lafayette’s triumphal return visit to America. The free program will start off with a short documentary film on the 250th celebration in Fayetteville. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
        • On Friday, Sept. 5, there will be a bus tour of the Lafayette Trail. Participants may retrace Lafayette’s visit to Fayetteville in 1825 with live narration by city historian Bruce Daws. The tour begins at 9:30 a.m. with coffee and pastries at the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry museum on Burgess Street and ends with lunch at McDuff’s Tea Room. The tour and lunch are $20. Space is limited. Reservations may be made by calling 678-8899.
        •That evening at 6 p.m., an illustrated history of Lafayette’s life and contributions will be unveiled at City Center Gallery & Books. Illustrated by graphic arts students at Fayetteville State University, Hero of Two Worlds uses a comic book format to tell the story of Lafayette and his contributions to mankind.
         • On Saturday, Sept. 6, there will be a block party for Lafayette’s birthday around the Market House downtown. The Fayetteville Animal Protection Society will stage the Lafayette Dog Parade in front of Horne’s Café at 9 a.m. Poodles and other French breeds will be featured, but others are welcome to participate if they or their owners come in costume with a French or colonial theme. Horne’s will host a pancake breakfast for $6 to benefit FAPS, and the doors will open at 7 a.m.
        •The All-American Fencing Academy will have hourly fencing demonstrations under the Market House starting at 10 a.m. Between the matches, academy students and instructors will discuss sword techniques and the history of fencing.
        •Also at the Market House, the Sons of the American Revolution will host a display of Revolutionary War military equipment and uniforms. Methodist University will display items from its Lafayette collection, and the Fayetteville Transportation Museum will display educational panels on Lafayette’s visit to Fayetteville in 1825.
        •The Museum of the Cape Fear will offer colonial era games for children and a coloring contest in front of Dock’s. The first 100 children to color in the contest will receive a free ice cream cone from Rita’s and a chance to display their artwork that day. The museum will also host a Colonial-themed “Saturday History Special” on the museum grounds at 2 p.m.
        •There will also be a dedication ceremony at 10 a.m. for a time capsule to be placed inside the base of the Lafayette statue in Cross Creek Park by the Sons of the American Revolution and the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry. The statue was erected in 1983 with funds raised by the Lafayette Society. Items from 1983 will be on display along with items from the 200th birthday celebration in 1957.
        In addition to the activities downtown, the Lafayette Rotary Club will host The Lafayette Run to benefit the ABC Dictionary Project at 9 a.m. at Fayetteville Technical Community College. The Lafayette Run includes a 10k and a 5k race, as well as a 1-mile fun run/walk. It is a USATF sanctioned event.
        Additional information may be found in the timeline below, at  HYPERLINK “http://www.lafayettesociety.org” www.lafayettesociety.org or by contacting Hank Parfitt at 286-3979 or  hankparfitt@embarqmail.com.
  •     The controversy surrounding the construction of the Fayetteville Museum of Art on the grounds of Festival Park is heating up, following the delivery of a letter signed by the president of the FMA’s board, Menno Pinnink, to Fayetteville City Manager Dale Iman on Aug. 21.
        The letter accuses the city of a breach of contract in its agreement to deed land in Festival Park to the museum for its new building, and it further requests the city “cease the conduct that breaches the agreement and that the city abide by its obligations under the agreement.”
        At issue is the proposal by freshman councilman, Ted Mohn, to appoint a task force to study the issue of locating the museum in Festival Park. Earlier this month, Mohn brought the issue back before the city council, noting that there were too many unanswered questions concerning the museum’s presence in the park, and whether or not it was a good place to build the $15 million facility.
        Mohn was not on the council in August 2007, when the city council held a special meeting and agreed to donate two acres of land inside the park for the construction of the facility. That arrangement had been made after the museum’s first choice, on the promenade at the park, was taken away by then City Manger Roger Stancil. The building that currently sits in that location, which was designed for commercial/retail space is mostly vacant.
        During its work session on Aug. 4, the council, with the museum’s agreement, elected to appoint a task force comprised of individuals from the arts community and other members of the community to discuss the location of the facility, and the ability of the museum to keep up the facility.
        The museum had initially agreed to take part in the task force and had forwarded the names of its task force members to the city prior to sending the letter to the city. The director of the museum, Tom Grubb, is on vacation and unavailable for comment; however, in an earlier interview with the Fayetteville Observer, Grubb said he thought the task force would be “too confrontational.”
        In the letter the museum argues that the city, “acting by and through persons who include elected officials, has engaged in conduct with the purpose and effect of undermining the agreement and injuring the museum’s rights under the agreement.”
        The letter further states: “The city has never offered an alternative site to the museum for its board to consider, but instead has engaged in this conduct. The museum alleges that the city has delayed the conveyance of the property; opposed the building of the new museum in the location designated in the agreement after the city determined that location is appropriate; encouraged others to oppose the agreed-upon location of the new museum; formed a task force to find a different location for the new museum and to address issues that were already settled by the agreement; and demanded that the museum take actions that are not required by the agreement.”
        Mohn, who has been the most vocal of the council, is adamant in the fact that he is not opposed to the construction of the new museum downtown. “We just want some questions answered,” said Mohn. “No one is stopping them from raising money. But if the museum is not in the right place and people don’t want to contribute money to it, then we won’t have a museum downtown.”
        Mohn pointed to the recent Fayetteville After Five event as another source of questions. Members of the Save Festival Park Committee were at the park’s entrance to try and gain signatures on their petition against the museum’s location in Festival Park. Museum officials had Fayetteville police officers make them leave the grounds of the park. The museum had, in fact, rented the park for the evening, but Mohn and others question how they will act when they have ownership of half of the park.
        {mosimage}Mohn said the idea behind the task force was to allow for full public discussion of the issues surrounding the park and the museum. He added that the museum was initially very receptive of the idea of the task force. “Now, they are saying it should be handled in a more private environment,” he noted. “It needs to be in the open rather than behind closed doors.”
       The city responded to the letter via the city attorney, Karen McDonald, who noted that the “city categorically denies that it has breached its agreement with the museum.”
        Rather than backing down from the issue, the city prepared to move ahead, appointing the members of the task force during its Aug. 25 meeting.
        “We are going to continue to try and find a way for everyone to come together and have a discussion, answer some questions and get a museum downtown,” said Mayor Tony Chavonne. “We are continuing on our track with the task force. We do not believe there has been a breach of contract.  It is in everyone’s best interest for this to be done out in the open and to have involvement from all parties.”
  •     First some good news, then some bad.
        Since the federal government forced all 50 states to change their legal drinking ages to 21 by threatening to withhold highway funding, fatalities related to drunken driving among that age group have indeed gone down. Other negative behaviors, however, have skyrocketed.
        The number of college-age people who literally drank themselves to death almost doubled between 1999 and 2005, most of them on Saturdays and Sundays. That sad reality speaks to the binge drinking that college administrators confess is rampant on many of our nation’s campuses. The Associated Press says that research indicates nearly half of college students report at least one symptom of alcohol abuse or dependence. In addition, many of our students, perhaps as many as half a million according to the AP, are injured each year in accidents related to alcohol consumption, and about 1,700 die in such accidents. We have all read news accounts of drunken college students falling off balconies and other such senseless injuries and deaths.
        Two more young women were added to those grim statistics earlier this month when they were struck by a student athlete driving an SUV which ran off a Chapel Hill street. The women were hospitalized with broken bones and other serious injuries, but they are — blessedly — expected to recover. The tennis star faces DWI charges and a vastly changed educational — perhaps even professional — future.
        The 2006 allegations of rape against Duke lacrosse players were fueled by alcohol use among all parties involved. The rape allegations turned out to be false, but no one disputed the drinking.
        Bad news all the way around.
        As the mother of three young adults, each now over 21, I have seen a number of young people struggle with such issues, which is why I welcome news about the Amethyst Initiative. Under that banner, almost 100 college presidents from all across our country are calling for “an informed and dispassionate debate” on the issue of underage drinking. These educators come from some of our most respected institutions — Duke, Dartmouth, Syracuse, Tufts, Colgate, Kenyon, Morehouse and Ohio State among them, and they are on the front lines of this issue and see the situation first hand.
        The Amethyst Initiative makes a number of thought-provoking points. It says our current laws actually encourage binge drinking by pushing the issue into hiding. A widespread practice among underage students called “pre-gaming” encourages them to drink as much as possible before they go out since once they are out, they do not want to be caught with alcohol in public. John McCardell, a former president of Middlebury College in Vermont started the initiative. He says that our drinking age is “a law that is routinely evaded. It is a law that the people at whom it is directed believe it is unjust and unfair and discriminatory.” The statement released by the group addressed the lawbreaking aspect of the problem this way: By choosing to use alcohol illegally and “by choosing to use fake IDs, students make ethical compromises that erode respect for the law.” What does that say about their future respect for the law or about our tolerance for their lawbreaking behavior?
        {mosimage}Duke President Richard Brodhead writes that the 21-year-old drinking age “pushes drinking into hiding, heightening its risks.” It also prevents school officials “from addressing drinking with students as an issue of responsible choice” for fear of appearing to condone illegal activity.
        The statement also addresses an issue we see in our own community. Our laws allow our citizens who are at least 18-years-old to make all adult decisions except one. They can sign legal documents, take out loans, get married, vote, join the military and put themselves in harm’s way in defense of our nation, but they “are told they are not mature enough to have a beer.”
        Not everyone agrees with the Amethyst Initiative’s call for a national conversation.
        Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or MADD, reacted strongly. A spokesman says changing our nation’s drinking laws will lead to more highway fatalities. Other opponents accuse the presidents of wanting to avoid the problem by “defining it out of existence,” according to Henry Wechsler of the Harvard School of Public Health.
        I wish I had the wisdom to solve this painful social issue which both sides of the debate agree is a huge problem on our nation’s campuses. Prohibition did not work in the 1920s, and our current drinking age is not doing all we want it to do either. Would more stringent penalties for drunken driving — say, loss of driving privileges for five years or more — be enough to keep younger drinkers off our roads?
        Speaking like a true academician, William Trout, the president of Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn., puts it this way. “I’m not sure where the dialogue will lead, but it’s an important topic to American families and it deserves a straightforward dialogue.”
        It is hard to argue with that.
        How can we address a problem if we are unwilling to discuss it?

  •     If downtown Fayetteville is the golden-haired child of Cumberland County, then the streets right on the outskirts of the historic downtown district are its red-haired stepchildren.
        You have only to drive down the back streets to see that the love and care lavished on Hay Street doesn’t extend very far past its borders. You won’t find business thriving on those side streets, nor will you find manicured Hurley pots or plantings. They are in fact in great need of revitalization and attention.
        The same can be said of Rowan Street. As many of you know, the Up & Coming Weekly’s offices are located on Rowan Street. Being outside of the historic district, Rowan Street does not get the attention that Hay Street does, yet tens of thousands of cars drive down this road every day.
        It is almost impossible to pump gas, stop for a bottle of water or walk down the sidewalk without being accosted by a panhandler. In fact, one of the sights I see daily is a panhandler standing in the center median at Rowan and Bragg Boulevard — his cardboard sign proclaiming his desire to work for food. Oddly enough, just a block over he would be ticketed for doing the very same thing. But, since he is a block over, Fayetteville Police officers simply drive by, ignoring the situation. I’m pretty sure it’s just as dangerous for him to stand there as it is for him to stand on the sidewalks on Hay Street; in fact, it’s probably more dangerous because of the sheer volume of cars that pass by.
        It is that volume of cars that has drawn the Fayetteville Museum of Art to Festival Park and the corner of Rowan Street and Ray Avenue. The museum sees the occupants of those cars as potential visitors and members, which begs the question: Does the city see the importance of those people?
        Because it seems to me if the city did understand the importance of those people and the impact the appearance of Rowan makes on them, they would put a little more effort into policing and maintaining the area. This became very apparent to me as I walked down the Ray Avenue sidewalk to Fayetteville After Five last Thursday.
        {mosimage}The sidewalk was littered with little brown paper bags; you know, the kind people sip beer or wine out of. The vine-covered wall that borders Ray Avenue was littered with used soft drink containers and broken wine bottles representing Mad Dog, Boones Farm and Wild Irish Rose, just to name a few. The wrappers of snack papers also littered the area. Keep in mind; this is the sidewalk directly across from the proposed Fayetteville Museum of Art location.
        It seems to me if the city did understand the importance of those people and the impact the appearance of Rowan Street makes on them, they would put a little effort into policing and maintaining the area.
        We know that litter is a big problem in Fayetteville and Cumberland County. However, this particular litter wasn’t thrown out by a passing motorist. This was litter caused by people sitting on the wall eating and drinking alcoholic beverages on a public street. And that’s a huge problem.
        I first commented on this situation following last year’s symphony in the park. My family and I, along with two other families, spent a beautiful afternoon in the park, only to be confronted by two or three drunken panhandlers as we walked back to our cars. It definitely took the shine off an otherwise enjoyable evening.
        We know the problem, but why does it persist? We’ve gotten it right on other streets, now let’s spread it out. Let’s make Fayetteville the city it should be — even if it’s one street at a time.
        PS: Out of courtesy to our readers, I did not mention an array of other debris and items found on the Ray Avenue wall. Use your imagination.
  •     Television personality Dave Mordell is best known for his appearances on the reality show Last Comic Standing. On Sept. 6, Mordell will be able to add “Last Cowboy Standing” to his resume as he participates in a professional bull riding event at the Shady Acres Ranch in Gray’s Creek.
        The event will be recorded for a nationally known reality television show, though Tim Fowler — the man who runs Shady Acres — says he can’t say what network. And as everybody knows, no cowboy wants to be “branded” as a tattletale.
    “I wish I could tell you the name of the show and what network is filming it,” said Fowler, “but I promised not to. I can say it will be a show something like Dirty Jobs. Mordell is training in Montana but he’s going to come to Shady Acres for the filming in which he gets in the ring for a professional bull riding competition.”
        {mosimage}Mordell has been learning the ropes as a freestyle bullfighter at Sankey Rodeo Company in Joliet, Mont. in preparation for a reality show. And by bullfighter, I don’t mean a Spanish matador clothed in his suit of light; I’m talking about a freelance, Americanized bullfighter akin to a rodeo clown who jumps into the ring after a rider is thrown from a bucking bull during competition; it’s the job of the minder to step in and shoo the bull away so the cowboy doesn’t get crumpled — sort of rodeo clowns without the makeup.
        Fowler adds that he will have at least one genuine rodeo clown tricked out in all his face-painted glory at the event. Plus, there’s the added bonus of television cameras set on record.
    “The folks who come out to the show on Sept. 6 will not only see some great bull riding, but will also get a chance to be on TV,” said Fowler.
        The show is sanctioned by the Southern Extreme Bull Riders Association and will feature at least 30 bull riders. Fowler says there will also be a calf scramble in which a ribbon is tied to the tail of a calf that will run around the ring like an Olympic sprinter gone bovine — the kid who captures the ribbon from the little dogie wins.
        Shady Acres has been hosting these bull riding events since 1996 and is looking forward to showing off its facility and its bulls to a national viewing audience. In addition to being the center of bull riding competition in Cumberland County, Shady Acres hosts various horse and bull events such as barrel racing and bull riding every Sunday night at 6. Fowler also offers bull riding lessons for your inner cowboy; and unlike most other bull-riding schools, Shady Acres has bulls that are suitable for every skill level.
        “We have bulls for all levels of riders, from beginner to the most experienced,” said Fowler. “Most places that teach bull riding don’t do that; they say ‘here’s a bull, ride him.’ They have that old school way of thinking that bull riding is a tough sport and you start out riding whatever bull they give you.
        “We’re not like that here at Shady Acres,” said Fowler. “If you’ve never ridden a bull before you shouldn’t have to ride the same bull that professionals ride. We have women who want to learn and even children. We’ve had an 11-year-old girl and an 84-year-old man come here.”
        Fowler said he was a little concerned about the fragility of the 84-year-old; however, after you’ve allowed a blind man to ride a bull, there aren’t many other barriers to break.
    “A friend of mine was blinded when a bull kicked him in the eye,” said Fowler. “He still wanted to ride and no other place would let him do it. But we did and he was just fine.”
        Unlike the bulls Fowler will put out for novice riders, the bulls that will be in the dirt ring Sept. 6 will be of the nose-snorting, paw-the-ground, hold-on-and-pray variety — the kind of bulls that make the sport one of the most dangerous and physically demanding in the world.
        “I won’t say that bull riders are the best conditioned athletes, but I do think they are the toughest,” said Fowler, “especially the professional riders in the upper echelon. I saw in the Olympics that a Chinese athlete didn’t compete because of a fairly minor injury. I’m not knocking those athletes, but a bull rider breaks a bone and he still gets back on the bull. I saw a guy get his head split open with blood pouring down and the medics said he had to go to a hospital. He just looked at them and said ‘8 more seconds’ (the amount of time you have to stay on a bull in competition).”
        There will be plenty of toughness on display Sept. 6 — from both the cowboys and the bulls — and if you show up you just might see yourself on the TV. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the gate; tickets for children 11 and under are $8 in advance, $10 at the gate; children 3 and under get in free. Tickets can be purchased at Seasons Micro Spa and Salon and Dee’s Feed and Things. For information and tickets, call 551-8936.


  •     Have you ever eaten dried, salted horse meat? Neither have I, but it’s on the menu in Florence, Italy. You can also see Italian tractor racing on TV there. The roar of a racing tractor in Italian or English sounds the same. When we weren’t watching speeding Tuscan tractors, we went to art museums and cathedrals. Italy has more culture than you can shake a VISA card at. Even our hotel bathroom had culture, featuring a sign which implored us to “Help the Nature” by reusing our towels. {mosimage}
        It’s hard work having fun. You have to walk 12 hours a day to see the culture in Italy. Italians store much culture in their museums and cathedrals. Your lower extremities develop a condition called Museum Feet, which is indistinguishable from Cathedral Feet. Tired feet in Italy feel like tired feet in America. After three days in Florence, we had consumed about as much culture as can be absorbed by the human body. Culture was oozing out of every pore. I felt like a National Public Radio station.
        Italy is the saint capitol of the universe. There are more pictures of saints in Italy than the Internal Revenue Service has received excuses from people who haven’t paid their taxes. After a while, all the art becomes a holy blur. To maintain my equilibrium by keeping myself at the low level of culture to which I am accustomed, I started taking pictures of coffee cups across Italy. For some reason I found this entertaining. There are many different types of coffee cups in Italy, most of them fairly small but filled with liquid gold. Each cup of coffee went for about $4 if you sat down to drink it.
        Florence is the Museum/Cathedral feet center of Italy. There is so much art there you feel horribly guilty if you don’t walk yourself into bilateral peripheral neuropathy. Dr. Scholl must make a lot of money in Italy. The podiatrist is king, or at least doge there. How can you pass up the chance to see two more Michelangelo statues after you’ve only walked for eight hours? It’s on to the next museum or wear the Philistine badge. Quitters never attain cultural Nirvana. It’s culture versus feet in a 24-hour Texas death match in Florence.
        Italy was our first tour experience. I was resistant to the idea of a tour as I feared it meant I was no longer young. Turns out that fear is accurate. Turns out the transition from backpacks to tour buses ain’t so bad. I didn’t have to drive in strange cities looking for a hotel. Our luggage would magically appear in our rooms. We got to know the folks on the bus. A dinner was included in each new city. Each tour dinner had a bottle of wine per table. I quickly learned to sit with Louise and Donna who did not drink wine. My wife would drink only one glass of wine, leaving the rest of the bottle for my personal edification. Italy became so much more entertaining. Louise regaled us with exciting tales of her dog Cletus at dinner as I studied the wine.
        Culture in Italy is not confined to museums. Street vendors in Florence’s town square were selling groovy, glowing frisbee flying saucers that launched from a stick. We took a day trip to Sienna where Crayola invented Burnt Sienna crayons. Sienna is a nice brown medieval town. Sienna has the Basilica of Saint Catherine where you can see her preserved head and one of her fingers. I couldn’t see the finger but Catherine looked great.
        On the way back to Florence, our bus stopped at a vineyard for a wine tasting featuring excellent grape products and the most olive oil-soaked piece of bread I have ever eaten. We were instructed on the proper method of tasting wine as a bizarre chicken with a pompadour wandered among the tourists. Our table mates were Jake the undertaker from Minnesota and his lovely bride, who were on their honeymoon.
        As a tip for future Italian tourists, never, ever use your credit card to call home from an Italian pay phone. If you think the cost of the Iraq war is impressive, wait until you see the charges for four phone calls from Italy to North Carolina. Send a post card instead.
  •     I grew up witnessing my sister and close friends being chased after by many guys, some even claiming to be in love. Then there’s me, 23, never in a relationship, and barely ever sought after. I’m not unattractive, but I’ve just begun to get it together with the clothes, the hair and what not. I lost my virginity last year in a hookup on vacation. I’m now dating somebody I don’t see as relationship material, but who goes MIA, calls randomly and makes me initiate us hanging out. I’m literally STARVED for attention, tired of coming in last place, and meeting men who act interested, but turn out to be distant, sex-crazed maniacs. I feel sick to my stomach when I see how late in the game I am compared to my friends. Am I doing something wrong?
                              —Late Bloomer

                                      

        Your problem isn’t that you don’t have the perfect boyfriend right here, right now, but that you’re in a panic about it, probably making you about as seductive as a mountain lion that hasn’t eaten for weeks: “Shall I pounce on you from above, claw your heart out and eat it raw, or do you feel you need a glass of wine first?”
        You appear to be confusing your love life with The Amazing Race. Your sister, your friends and all their men are licking fondue off each other’s fingers on a plane to the Swiss Alps, while you’re in the dressing room of some dusty sporting goods store, waiting for the manager to come back from lunch and unstick the zipper of your snowsuit. And why aren’t you doing exactly what your sister and friends are doing, exactly when they’re doing it? Um...because you are not them? Sadly, there’s a good chance some of them are also better at long division, and have much shinier hair. 
    Yeah, it’s harsh out there, particularly at 23. Guys are distant because they’re 23 and not that comfortable with themselves. They’re also vats of hormones with shoes and maybe a mustache for a disguise. In other words, it’s not exactly the ideal time to find lasting love. It is, however, a great time to figure out what you want in a lasting love by trying on a lot of fleeting “love.” To do that, you’ll have to stop living like you’ll turn into a cleaning lady and your car will turn into a corn dog if you don’t land the romance of the century by midnight.
        While you’re at it, you might relax some in the “grass is greener” department. Judge the value of what you’re doing by whether it makes you happy, not by whether your friends did it by age 12. Try to remember that things aren’t always as they seem from the outside.

    Got a problem? Write Amy Alkon, 171 Pier Ave, #280, Santa Monica, CA  90405, or e-mail AdviceAmy@aol.com (www.advicegoddess.com)

  •     Brother Cesare Bonizzi, 62, of a Capuchin Friars monastery near Milan, Italy, is the lead singer in a heavy-metal band that recently released its second album, “Misteri” (“Mysteries”), following a successful performance at Italy’s “Gods of Metal” festival (headlined by Iron Maiden and, ironically, Judas Priest). On stage, the white-flowing-bearded Brother Cesare booms out gritty but non-proselytizing lyrics while wearing his traditional brown robe. He told BBC News in July that his superiors have never interfered with his sideline and that he plans to send a copy of the new album to the pope. “He’s a music lover, and metal is music.”

    ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT
        High Point University (just south of Greensboro) is not quite Club Med (“Club Ed,” it was called by the Chronicle of Higher Education) but provides free ice cream for students, a hot tub in the middle of campus, wake-up calls and a concierge service, all run by a campus “director of WOW,” whose job it is to thrill the “clients” and attract new ones. This is the strategy of President Nido Qubein, a motivational speaker and “customer comes first” businessman, and so far, enrollment is way up (even at higher tuition), new construction is transforming the campus, and $100 million is in the bank. 

    LEADING ECONOMIC INDICATORS
        The U.S. government’s $100 billion stimulus distributed to taxpayers this spring achieved mixed results, according to economists, but at least the Internet pornography industry flourished (according to a July trade association spokesman). Adult Internet Market Research Co. reported that “20 to 30 percent” of “adult” Web sites reported that sales rose during the time checks were being issued. However, Nevada brothels were suffering, even though Hof’s Bunny Ranch ran a stimulus-check special: Hand over your $600 check and get the usual $1,200 “party” (“three girls and a bottle of champagne”).
     
    ROARING DEAFNESS
        After complaints by neighbors, police went to an apartment in Framingham, Mass., in July to quell a raucous screaming match between two women who, it turns out, are deaf.
        In Crawley, England, in July, police were called to a supermarket to break up a fight between two grandmothers, who were ramming each other in their mobility scooters.
  •     The majority of motorcycle accidents are caused by collision. The second most frequent is the motorcyclist losing it on curves. Negotiating a curve is something that takes practice and more practice. Once you are in a curve it is very easy to misjudge it. {mosimage}
        The process of going through a curve consists of the following factors: the approach, entering, braking, the line, drifting wide, straddling the center line, throttling and exiting.  All these factors happen in a matter of seconds.
        Going through curves at a racer’s pace makes for a very risky day. Although it looks cool to see a racer on TV with his leg down on the pavement, the racer does not have to worry about a dirty road, deer, gravel or other obstacles that may be waiting on him. The racer also does not have to worry about oncoming traffic, shoulders or guard rails.
        So let’s break it down. Many riding schools and drivers’ manuals will tell you to SLOW, LOOK, LEAN and ROLL. As you approach the curve you will want to SLOW down by decreasing your speed to get you through the curve. Roll off the throttle and brake slightly before you get into the curve at a safe speed. You will want to do this while still in an upright position.
        LOOK. Before getting into the curve you need to pay attention to the landscape and signs. If you see a 20 mph sign you are in a tight curve. I use my GPS in mountainous areas because I can zoom in and see oncoming curves in detail. This gives me a good reference of what is ahead. Be sure to look through the curve and see any hazard ahead that may be in your way. Do not look at the road where your tires are — look at where you want to go.
        LEAN and ROLL. Once you are in the curve, ROLL on the throttle and keep your speed nice and steady. With a smooth speed established LEAN. There are many techniques to get a good lean. Try the different ways to find a way that is comfortable for you and your bike. You can push pressure on the foot peg; shift your weight over the seat, apply pressure on the hand grips, knees against the tank or forcing your shoulder to the opposite hand grip. Once you find your technique, practice and prefect it. If you find yourself going too wide then lean harder.
        If you have to brake while in the curve, be mindful of your balance and do not allow your bike to spin out or drift in or out of your lane. As you come out of the curve and you have a clear view of the road ahead you can increase your speed again.
        There are four things you can do to improve your riding technique: Be mentally prepared for the curve. Learn everything you can about driving through curves. Know the landscape; know your limits. Never drive beyond 80 percent of your ability; practice, practice and more practice. And finally, keep your space.
        If there is a topic that you would like to discuss, please send your comments and suggestions to motorcycle4fun@aol.com.
    RIDE SAFE!
     
  •    Pineapple Express (Rated R) Four Stars

        {mosimage}With Pineapple Express (111 minutes), you get what is promised, a sort of Harold and Kumar go to White Castle mixed with Reservoir Dogs. While there is nothing new here, neither is the film impossible to enjoy. Apatow productions consistently delivers in the R-rated comedy department, and writers Judd Apatow, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg provide some clever dialogue in between the near constant physical comedy (and, for you trivia buffs, the script was actually inspired by the character of Floyd from True  Romance). David Gordon Green (who is rumored to be tackling the Suspiria remake next) seems an odd choice for director here, but even so he lives up to the material. The only glaring misstep is the inexplicable casting of Rosie Perez as the “sexy” corrupt cop, Carol Brazier.     You know who would have been a much better choice in this role? Pam Grier. You know who has far too much self-respect to agree to such a  pathetic role? Pam Grier. 
        We open in 1937 in a secret underground government laboratory, where Pfc. Miller (Bill Hader) is participating in tests to help the government make a decision on the legal status of marijuana. In the present, a process server named Dale Denton connects with his new dealer, Saul Silver (James Franco). Dale buys a rare strain of cannabis from Saul, heads off to visit his girlfriend Angie (Amber Heard), and then goes to serve a subpoena to Ted Jones (Gary Cole).       Dale witnesses something he shouldn’t, and runs to Saul’s apartment while Ted dispatches his henchmen Matheson (Craig Robinson from The Office) and Budlofsky (Kevin Corrigan). Dale and Saul find their way to Red (Danny McBride), Saul’s middleman, and thence to a series of violent misadventures in which Dale and Saul affirm, again and again, that “bromance” never dies. The film’s climax takes place at the underground bunker introduced in the beginning of the film, now turned into a grow house for the wacky tobaccy sold by Ted.
        Does the film glorify drug use, specifically the use of marijuana? While the film focuses on the comic aspects of smoking dope, as the characters evolve they do seem to develop some self awareness regarding the negative side-effects of pot. For an action comedy, there is actually a certain amount of depth to the discussions regarding the pros and cons of illegal marijuana use. Will the average viewer pick up on the fact that by the end of the move Dale has become disenchanted with his lifestyle, having pointed out several times that if it weren’t for the drugs he might have avoided much of the trouble Saul and he faced, as well as identifying specific instances in which being high worsened their situations? It is hard to say, but even though this is a hyper violent action/stoner comedy, there are certainly several levels on which to enjoy this. 
        But before the credits roll, Pineapple Express does have several more lessons to teach us. One, James Franco makes perfect sad puppy dog eyes. Two, putting your foot through a car windshield to improve highway vision does not work. Three, shaved armpits actually improve your fighting ability. Four, Ed Begley Jr. with a shotgun is actually less scary than Ed Begley Jr. preaching an environmental message. Five, and most important, even though the excellent song “Paper Planes” is in the trailer, the song does not find its way into the actual movie or the soundtrack.  

  • Reporter Helen Thomas Makes a President’s Life Miserable

        Helen Thomas, the dean of the White House press corps, specializes in asking uncomfortable questions.     Thank You, Mr. President: Helen Thomas at the White House (Thursday, 9 p.m.; and Sunday, 10:30 am, HBO) begins with one such question she asked President George W. Bush: “Your decision to invade Iraq has caused the deaths of thousands of Americans and Iraqis, and every reason given has turned out not to be true. My question is, why did you really want to go to war?” Bush offered his spin, but Thomas wouldn’t drop it. So he dropped her, shutting her out in future press conferences.{mosimage}
        It’s all in a day’s work for this dogged reporter, who’s been covering the presidency since John F. Kennedy. Thomas was the peculiarly inquisitive daughter of illiterate Syrian immigrants, and she became a pioneering female White House correspondent for UPI. The documentary itself is journalistically suspect, using Thomas as its only source. But it’s still fascinating to get her idealistic take on the press: “You can’t have a democracy without an informed people. If we don’t ask the questions, they don’t get asked.”
        Thomas isn’t even afraid of asking uncomfortable questions of herself. She wonders why she didn’t uncover Richard Nixon’s Watergate scandal rather than reporters from outside the White House press corps. She wonders if she went easy on any of the presidents after being charmed or flattered by them.
        I live in fear that Thomas will ask uncomfortable questions about this blurb.

    ON THE OTHER HAND, DEATH: A DONALD STRACHEY MYSTERY
    here! (On Demand)
        The gay network here! is available On Demand, and this program is well worth demanding. It’s as good as any other mystery series on TV, but it has one thing they don’t: a gay private investigator. The roguish Donald Strachey (Chad Allen) helps out a lesbian guidance counselor (Margot Kidder) who suffers harassment in a small town. He attends a school board meeting overrun with homophobic protesters, who brandish signs reading “Adam and Eve, Not Adam and Steve.”
        After watching this refreshing mystery, I feel like making a sign that reads “Adam and Steve, Not Adam and Eve.”

    CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK
    Wednesday, 10 p.m. (A&E)
        Criss Angel is the magician known for controlling matter with his mind: levitating, making robots come to life, etc. His series usually opts for a portentous tone, but this week the producers attempt to lighten things up by throwing Criss a surprise birthday party. Let’s hope he’s not so surprised that he accidentally changes the guests into donkeys.

    TABATHA’S SALON TAKEOVER
    Thursday, 10 p.m. (A&E)
        There’s a serious problem in our country that’s been underreported in the press. Hair salons are not operating up to snuff. Thank heavens Bravo is on the case, premiering a reality series with a mean British star named Tabatha. As ominous music hums on the soundtrack, Tabatha sends spies into American salons for haircuts. One spy asks for an inch taken off and winds up with — I kid you not — three inches.
    Tabatha gravely shakes her head. “The stakes on this are really high,” she sighs.
        Are you as disgusted as I am that, after nearly eight years in office, the Bush administration has done next to nothing on this issue?

    OLYMPICS FINALE
    Sunday, 7 p.m. (NBC)
        It’s time for the grand finale of the Beijing Olympics. The Chinese hosts honor two weeks’ worth of international cooperation, raise a toast to high ideals, and round up the last batch of protesters.

    DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION
    Monday through Thursday
        The media have been doing saturation coverage of the 2008 presidential race since, like, 2002. I know I should be excited that the conventions are starting, but my brain melted down somewhere between the flag-pin debate and the fist-bump debacle.
        My official position is that I’m watching the start of convention coverage on Sunday, and I urge you to do the right thing and join me. I wouldn’t even think about switching over to Colossal Squid on the Discovery Channel. Not in a million years.

    AMERICA’S TOUGHEST JOBS
    Monday, 9 p.m. (NBC)
        This reality series invites contestants to leave behind their comfortable jobs for dangerous blue-collar work on Alaskan crab boats or Texas oil rigs. They’re judged by their new coworkers, with one employee eliminated every week. The winner walks home with $250,000.
        I know you read that paragraph and thought, “I’m not watching this crap.” Well, I don’t have that luxury. I not only have to watch it, but also to think about its contribution to the decline of American culture.
    Oil rigger? Give me a break. America’s Toughest Job is TV critic.

  •     Local musician Kenny Huffman was born and raised in the coal country of Pennsylvania. This seems only natural, as the Quaker State transplant will light up the stage with his combustible rock ‘n’ roll energy at Huske Hardware in downtown Fayetteville on Friday, Aug. 25, as part of the city’s monthly 4th Friday celebration.
        Huffman, who has made Fayetteville his home for the past nine years, will play alongside backing  band Workhorse.
    Huffman plays a brand of diamond-sharp folk-rock that recalls Bruce Springsteen, John Cougar-Mellencamp and Buffalo Springfield; however, his own personal music tastes run a wide and eclectic gamut.
        “I love rock bands, such as Boston and Steely Dan,” said Huffman. “But I have a variety of influences, like Robert Earle Keen.
        “I like to think of my form of music as ‘Americana,’ or ‘roots’ music,” added Huffman.
    Despite his breadth of musical influences and the perceptions of others, Huffman has a style all his own. And to hone that style, Huffman has branched out with a multimedia packaging of his music that includes not only several CDs, but music videos. In fact, come Friday night at Huske Hardware, Huffman will debut a brand new video for the song “Pirate Days.”
       {mosimage} “It’s a collage of performances from Fayetteville and Sanford.” said Huffman. “And there are some clips from previous 4th Fridays, including the belly dancing troupe Shadows of the Fire.”
        Huffman says he’s excited about playing during the 4th Friday celebration. He says the event is indicative of a revived music scene taking root in Fayetteville.
        “I really like the Fayetteville music scene,” said Huffman. “I think the scene is really growing. I’ve talked to some of the older guys who tell me what it used to be like when the scene was hopping; I think we’re getting back to that and I think it’s related to how the downtown is blossoming.”
        And as the Fayetteville music scene blossoms, so does Huffman’s core of fans, which he says skews to the “over 30” demographic, though his music is timeless rock ‘n’ roll designed to appeal to all ages.
    “It’s hard to build a huge following if you’re only playing weekends like we do,” said Huffman, who has a “day job” at Cross Creek Early College High School. He has worked as an educator for 15 years. “I want to appeal to as many people as possible when I play.”
        While his workdays are filled with the molding of young minds, his weekends are filled with helping mold his collaborative partners, Workhorse, into a well-lubed rock ‘n’ roll machine.
        “They’re great guys,” said Huffman. “And they’re not just great musicians — they’re really great human beings.”
    Huffman has released two CDs with Workhorse, and says it was a “blast” to make the “Pirate Days” video. In fact, he enjoyed the filming process so much that he hopes to make another. And while he has embraced this new visual medium to get his musical messages to the masses, he has also seen the electronic scribbling on the wall when it comes to the intertwined future of music and the Internet — there are original song downloads at www.kennyhuffman.net.
        “We try to direct people toward our Web site rather than attempting to sell a lot of CDs at our shows,” said Huffman.
    Jut like the Internet, Huffman and Workhorse will be “wired” and ready to go on Aug. 25 at Huske Hardware, with the music starting at around 10 p.m.
        For more information about Huffman, Workhorse, or the 4th Friday show, you can check out the Web site or e-mail Huffman at huffmani@hotmail.com.
  •     These guys have been around the block. They don’t kid themselves about their music, but they play it straightforward. Their music may not be visionary or present a new formula to invigorate the current lackluster rock scene, but you know what, it does R-O-C-K . {mosimage}
        New Machine was originally created as Downfall in 2004 and had a good start locally. Like most bands, all four members struggle with a “day job.” Three of the four members live the military life, and have been called to active duty numerous times. Still, the group’s passion and zeal for music has kept them playing local gigs as often as possible under the reformed name New Machine.
        The working parts of the band are Dave Marshall (vocals, guitar), Scott Hawkins (lead guitar, vocals), Mitch Dennis (bass), and David Miller (drums).
        I was able to sit down and ask the boys a few questions about the band’s future, their opinions on the Rock Band craze, and just exactly what grinds the gears on New Machine’s machine.
        What makes you stand out from other bands?
        Hawkins: We don’t sound like anyone else. We’re a bit older than most bands at this stage of the game, so there is a bit more maturity — though you wouldn’t know it hanging out with us.
    Miller: Versatility! We are as versatile a band as you’re gonna’ find. We can play everything from Zeppelin and Tool to Skynyrd.
        Marshall: You certainly won’t read about crazy nights in the tabloids. Our tone has a lot to do with that. When I write, I try to tell a story that people can follow. The ‘70s had some great tales to tell. We still do today, and our band adds a harder feel to those stories.
        Dennis: Our broad range of inspirations allows anything we write to morph into something completely different sounding.
        What do you think about Rock Band?
        Hawkins: I’ve tried Guitar Hero and my 14-year-old son kills me at it every time. Despite this, I think there are more musicians out there with more integrity than most politicians today. The creation of a video game to commemorate such artists is a testament to this.
        Miller: Those games don’t interest me — I never even think of the bands on them, just the music played.
        Marshall: No game will ever substitute the hours of practice, collaboration, pain, boredom and satisfaction of learning an instrument. I’m just glad to see the game pays respects to greats like Aerosmith over the Miley Cyrus’s of the world. Still, it’s a quick fix for people too lazy to actually take the time to appreciate the feel and sound of the real thing.
        Dennis: Eh, I think Rock Band is fun, but there isn’t anything better than playing a good show and meeting the REAL people who enjoyed your music.
        What about music inspires you?
        Hawkins: A good guitar tone, an awesome drum beat, a low-down-fat-bottom bass line, inspiring lyrics...You know,     New Machine.
        Miller: I get going by the way a song feels and builds.
        Marshall: Music to me is therapeutic. A good song can put you in a good mood and keep you there. Playing for other people inspires me because if a song makes someone not worry about their day for just a few moments, then that song is powerful.
        Dennis: Intricate music. I want to be able to play faster and heavier than anyone else.
    When asked why anyone should check out the band, bassist Dennis replied with a simple “Because we have pizzazz.”
        Any man who uses that word in all seriousness and to indicate worthiness gets my vote. So, go check ‘em out. Their heavy rock sound finishes with clean vocals creating a new machine for a tired rock vehicle. For their next show, check out dates on their Myspace: www.myspace.com/fayettevillesnewmachine.
  •     {mosimage}Dear EarthTalk: What is “community-based tourism” and how does it purport to safeguard pristine places?                           
                      — Erin O’Neill, Tukwila, Wash.


        Community-based tourism refers to situations in which local people — usually those that are poor or economically marginalized in very rural parts of the world — open up their homes and communities to visitors seeking sustainably achieved cultural, educational or recreational travel experiences.
        Under a community-based tourism arrangement, unique benefits accrue to both the traveler and the hosts: Travelers usually accustomed to chain hotels and beachfront resorts discover local habitats and wildlife and learn about traditional cultures and the economic realities of life in developing countries. And the host communities are able to generate lucrative revenues that can replace income previously earned from destructive resource extraction operations or other unsustainable forms of economic support.
        Locals earn income as land managers, entrepreneurs or food and service providers — and at least part of the tourist income is set aside for projects which provide benefits to the community as a whole. And just as important, says ResponsibleTravel.com, which promotes community-based tourism in a partnership with Conservation International, the communities become “aware of the commercial and social value placed on their natural and cultural heritage through tourism,” thus fostering a commitment to resource conservation.
        Travelers indulging in a community-based tourism trip might follow a local guide deep into his tribe’s forest to spot otherworldly wildlife, eat exotic regional delicacies around rough-hewn tables, watch and even take part in celebrations of local culture, and sleep on straw mats at the homes of local families.
        In many cases, local communities partner with private companies and nonprofits that provide money, marketing, clients, tourist accommodations and expertise for opening up lands to visitors. In 1997, eco-travel operator Rainforest Expeditions wanted international visitors to learn about threats to the rainforest. Natives in Peru’s Esé-eja community of Infierno wanted to generate income without destroying their rainforest home, central to their subsistence lifestyle. So the two joined forces and the resulting Posada Amazonas lodge to this day offers visitors an exotic way to learn about rainforest ecology directly from English-speaking Esé-eja staff, who in-turn earn a living sharing their local knowledge and traditions.
        Another example is the partnerships that the nonprofit Projeto Bagagem (Project Baggage) has forged with several Brazilian communities to bring in tourist dollars to support sustainable choices. A third of the cost of every Projeto Bagagem trip goes to the villagers and another third to a local nonprofit. Last year the group won a Seed Award from the United Nations and the non-profit World Conservation Union for its efforts to translate “the ideals of sustainable development into action on the ground.”
        Extreme poverty coupled with abundant natural resources makes the Amazon basin an ideal place for such programs to thrive, but community-based tourism can be experienced anywhere. To find qualifying, pre-vetted trips that contribute to local economies all over the world, visit ResponsibleTravel.com.

        CONTACTS: ResponsibleTravel.com, www.responsibletravel.com; Rainforest Expeditions, www.perunature.com; Projeto Bagagem, www.projetobagagem.org.

        GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? Send it to: EarthTalk, c/o E/The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; submit it at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/thisweek/, or e-mail: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Read past columns at: www.emagazine.com/
  •     {mosimage}Q: How much water do I need to drink in a day? I constantly hear different standards from different nutritionists, trainers, dietitians etc. I have been seeing some saying one should have half the amount of one’s weight. Right now I have lost some weight since working out with you guys and I am down to 240 pounds. That would mean I would have to drink 120 ounces or 15 cups of water.
                                      — Kevin, Fayetteville

        A: Kevin, while that’s a valid question, what we look at is how much water are you consuming in a day and how can we make that as easy as possible. So the easiest “formula” to follow is to answer these questions, “is your urine clear or dark?” Does it have a strong smell? “Does the flow ‘feel’ slow or ‘thick’?” These are some of the questions I’ll ask someone regarding their water consumption.
        The problem is that there are so many theories and ideas that can be “scientifically” proven — good or bad; however, the best gauge is to use common sense. The body is comprised of protein and water, so doesn’t it make sense to refuel it with what it needs to rebuild? Let me know if this helps.

        Q: I had a baby two months ago and my doctor told me I need to start exercising to lose weight. What do you suggest?
                                   — Shirley F., Fayetteville

        A: Start slowly — start moving around again and stretching your body. Once you’re used to moving around, you need to add in weight training. One of the reasons we recommend weight training, even over traditional cardio, is that with an effective program you’ll not only strengthen your heart like you would with cardio, but also condition and strengthen your muscles which is going to help you in your day-to-day activities. Additionally, if you pair your cardio with weight training like we do with our training, you’ll see huge positive results stemming from your body having to constantly adapt to ever changing challenges.
        Starting out, we normally recommend two days a week — no more than three — of exercise …You don’t need another job! We believe functional, compound movements to be the best for your body. These are full body movements like squats, lunges, overhead pressing, and pull-ups. These are going to use more muscles and energy than the fluffy exercises you typically see – inner thigh machines and the like! Think of it this way, the more muscles you use, the more “tone” you will get and the more calories you will burn. Yes, that is an overly simplified view of it, but you get the picture.

        Q. I am getting ready to join the military and need to lose 20 pounds to enter — what do you think I should eat? My recruiter keeps telling me to do these seaweed wraps and eat once a day. That doesn’t sound healthy
        A: Your recruiter is going to hurt someone! You need to be eating frequent, small meals throughout the day to rev up your metabolism and exercise on a regular basis. While not a dietitian, we have seen our clients succeed by eating meals or snacks balanced out with protein, vegetables, fruit and good healthy fats while cutting out sugar like sodas, breads and pasta.
        Seriously, the recommendation to only eat once a day is setting you up to lose muscle and actually gain more fat — regardless of what weight you might lose. What that means to you is that you’re going to be weaker than before and fail your pt test.
        The seaweed wraps will help you lose subcutaneous water (below the surface) and dehydrate you. Whatever inches you “lose” will come right back as you rehydrate yourself. In the end, the advice given — while possibly well intended — will not help you. If you are serious about getting into the military, do it right and set yourself up to succeed in this adventure.
        E-mail your questions to John Velandra at: john@designsinfitness.net or call him at (910) 306-3142. John is a certified personal trainer and the owner of CrossFit Cape Fear and Designs In Fitness Personal Training Services in Fayetteville.
  •     {mosimage}There are many sensible goals in state tax reform. But if anyone is unsure where to start, I suggest that they zero in on places where the tax code isn’t just inefficient or unfair, but blatantly nonsensical.                                                            The General Assembly just acted in one such area: gift taxation. In the 2008 budget bill, lawmakers agreed to repeal the tax as of Jan. 1, 2009. Budget officials estimate that North Carolina’s tax, one of only four state gift taxes left in the country, nets the treasury about $18 million a year. In fact, it’s not even clear there is a net revenue gain for the state, given the economic distortions that gift taxation creates.
        It’s related to the larger debate about estate and inheritance taxes. The logic behind gift taxes is that if the government taxes transfers of wealth at death, individuals with substantial assets will attempt to evade taxation by giving away assets to family members before passing away. So the government should tax those gifts. But asserting logical relationships among flawed premises will always yield flawed conclusions.
        For one thing, this case for gift taxation assumes that the tax system should be used to punish thrift or redistribute wealth. These are Keynesian and Marxist sentiments, respectively.
        Keynes taught that saving was bad for the economy because it reduced aggregate demand for goods and services. Because higher-income individuals tend to save more of their income than lower-income individuals, the government ought to use the tax system to discourage saving and put more money into the hands of lower-income folks who’ll spend it — and thus prop up the consumer economy. Or so the Keynesian argument goes.
        Keynes was, to put it charitably, off his rocker. Savings would only have the economic effects he theorized about if it consisted of greenbacks and bullion residing in someone’s mattress. In reality, people now save by depositing funds in banks, plowing money into their own businesses, or purchasing stocks, bonds, real estate and other assets. These actions shift the demand for economic production, rather than reducing it. Instead of consumers using the money to buy finished goods, the companies receiving the investment may purchase new machinery or develop new distribution channels, which must themselves be produced using labor and other resources.
        As for the appeal of wealth-redistribution socialism, it’s really pretty limited when spelled out in plain English. That’s why most Americans oppose wealth taxes at death even though most of them don’t have enough assets to reach the taxation threshold. The idea just doesn’t seem just to them. Death-tax proponents have learned to change the subject by arguing that it’s unfair for heirs to gain “unearned” income — but that does not explain why it’s fair to dictate to those who earned the income that they must leave it to strangers rather than family.
        Even if you buy the principle that the tax code ought to try to confiscate wealth, that doesn’t mean it will succeed. What the entire thicket of estate, inheritance, and gift taxes really does is sustain an industry of accountants, financial planners and lawyers who help wealthy people structure their assets to minimize their tax burden.
        With regard to North Carolina’s gift tax, the pros have been telling individuals for years to establish a domicile in another state with no tax and then structure their gifts, trusts, and insurance to avoid triggering a taxable event in our state. That’s why it’s not even clear the repeal of a state gift tax generating $18 million a year will actually cost the treasury that much, because North Carolinians will now have less of a financial incentive to game the state’s tax code, resulting in higher property and income-tax receipts.
  •     Most North Carolinians, whatever their political persuasion, would argue that our state is very progressive, particularly when compared to other states in the South. {mosimage}
        About 60 years ago, in his book Southern Politics in State and Nation, V.O. Key gave substantial support to North Carolina’s progressive self-image. He wrote that our state was “progressive plutocracy,” and that it was more progressive than other southern states in industrial development, public education and race relations.
        Duke professor William Chafe refers to North Carolina’s “progressive mystique.” Some others talk about a “progressive myth,” asserting that the “progressive” aspects of our state have usually been in service to the interests of the powerful “elites.”
        However, North Carolina’s partisans proudly affirm that our state’s sharp progress in business, education, expanding opportunity, racial justice and quality of life justify the state’s progressive reputation. “If we are not progressive,” they say, “why are so many people from other states moving here?”
        A new book, The New Politics of North Carolina, edited by Western Carolina professors Christopher Cooper and H. Gibbs Knotts, asks if North Carolina deserves this “progressive” designation. The editors’ conclusion, after a long survey of North Carolina politics and government, is  “…North Carolina is no longer the regional leader, losing ground to peripheral South states such as Florida, Texas, and Virginia. Georgia, North Carolina’s Deep South neighbor, can also legitimately claim to have surpassed North Carolina in terms of progressivism.”
        How do Cooper and Knotts support this “heresy?” They recruited a number of their academic colleagues to examine various topics in North Carolina political and governmental life, compared with that of other Southern states and the rest of the county. The essays collected in the new book summarize their findings in the areas of partisan politics, public opinion, public and private interest groups, media, state and local government operations and two specific public policy areas, the environment and education.
        The contributors use various methodologies to compare North Carolina’s “progressivism” with those in other states. So, readers are free to challenge both the selection of information to describe North Carolina’s situation and the basis for comparison with other states.
        Putting aside for a moment the book’s conclusion about our state’s “progressive” status, the in-depth discussion of various aspects of North Carolina’s government operations makes a real contribution to anyone who wants to know how things get done in North Carolina government.
        The essays on electoral politics and public opinion in the early chapters should be helpful to new students of North Carolina political history, although the repetitive summaries of that history could slow down serious readers who are searching for the authors’ “new” insights.
        At the core of the book are excellent and useful descriptions of the three branches of governments — their powers, the limits to those powers, and the role of individuals in office in determining how the various institutions work.
        Especially helpful to me was the essay by Sean Hildebrand and James Svara about the complex interrelationships in North Carolina between state and local governments. Read this part of the book if you wonder why North Carolina cities can annex adjoining areas without state approval (or majority vote) but cannot issue bonds without approval of a state agency.
        Dennis Grady and Jonathan Kanipe’s essay on the state’s environmental politics is a wonderful introduction to the hard conflicts of interests that have to be managed by a host of federal, state and local governmental agencies, all of whom are being pressured by an even larger group of public and private interest groups.
        Such essays introduce readers to a “new” kind of politics and a new way of doing public business that would be unbelievable to North Carolinians of 60 years ago. Now, after reading the book, do I think our state is still a progressive leader? My opinion, bottom line, North Carolina still leads the pack.

  •     Enrico Glover and Lezzit Duren met about four months ago through an online dating service. They are still together — not as a couple, but as business partners.
        “We met for the first time and we began to talk about our horror stories of meeting (other singles) and being single,” said Glover. “The frustration of going out and getting all prepared only to have the photo they emailed you turn out to be 10 or 15 years old, and things just going downhill from there. Then we just thought about it and said ‘Hey, what about speed dating?’ We both had heard about speed dating before and thought it was a great idea.”   {mosimage}
        Instead of one date, you actually have the opportunity to meet six or seven folks at one event. “With that amount of numbers you are at least a lot closer to connecting with some one,” said Glover.
        Some research, a few phone calls and three months later, Glover and Duren are area representatives for Cupid.com and set to host their first speed dating event. This is the first of several speed-dating socials that they have committed to. The venue is Big Apple Restaurant and Sports Club at 5900 Yadkin Rd., on Aug. 26. Singles 27-39 are invited to register at www.Cupid.com/PreDating.
        Glover noted that speed dating is fun and can be sometimes misunderstood. “People, when they think of speed dating, they think of these folks who can’t find a date or anything of that nature — which is completely opposite of what we’ve found,” said Glover.
        In reality, many young professionals are so busy with their careers that they don’t have a lot of time to go to bars and clubs. “So when we can find an atmosphere where we can find a like-minded individual that is not just looking for dating but possibly more, we thought this would be a great opportunity,” said Glover.
        In fact, one of the things that Glover and Duren really like about Cupid.com is how they follow up with the participants after the event. They don’t just leave you out there on your own. “What happens is, you may go there and you may like somebody, but you have no idea if they like you. With this system, you can actually find out that such and such found some interest and it leaves it wide open instead of going to an event and just mingling or going to a club and you see somebody you like, but don’t know if they are interested in dating,” said Glover. 
        So far the response has been enthusiastic according to Duren. “People are really excited and keep asking ‘When is the speed-dating party? Are you still doing it?’”
        “We don’t provide background checks on people who are coming. We just wanted to provide an avenue for like-minded people who are interested in an icebreaker event. We will provide that format and they may meet new people but they should take the same precautions that they would if they met someone in a different venue. We are just providing that atmosphere. This is not a dating service,” said Duren. “This will provide them not only with other people who are single and are looking to meet, and date (because people go out all the time but that doesn’t mean they are ready to date). This atmosphere they know, they don’t have to wonder if it is a good move to go over and talk to someone.”
        With the hope of speed dating becoming a regular part of the Fayetteville singles scene in mind, Glover and Duren are already planning events for other demographics. “We are doing the first one dealing with the age population in Fayetteville (which is mainly military) which is 27-39,” said Glover.
        “But then the next one we may do a little higher scale may be the Hilltop restaurant...A little smaller a little classier, or a wine tasting or something of that nature. So it is not just going to be for the young single professional but I can see something like maybe going to folks who are retired but still looking for that significant other.”
        The party starts at 7 p.m. Check out www.cupid.com/PreDating for the details and to register. You don’t have to join Cupid.com to be a part of this event. 
  •     Southern Soul Blues Music is a style of popular music developed by Black Americans combining elements of gospel, blues and R&B and is derived or pertains to the South. It is music filled with emotion, sensuality and passionate romanticism. This music warms your home and touches deep down into your heart and soul.
        The first annual Southern Soul Blues Festival will be held on Friday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. in the Crown Arena. The artists scheduled to perform include Lacee, Shirley Brown, Clarence Carter, Theodis Ealey, Willie Hill, Sir Charles Jones, K-Ci from Jodeci, Lebrado and Fayetteville’s own Reggie Codrington.  {mosimage}
        “I want the crowd to enjoy themselves and send the couples home with a romantic nightcap,” said  Codrington, a smooth jazz saxophonist and performer of the Southern Soul Blues Festival. “I want the audience to take their minds off of the issues and problems going on in the world and enjoy some soothing and mellow music.” 
        Codrington was born with a mild case of Cerebral Palsy. After a total of nine operations, intensive physical therapy and fierce determination, he has been playing saxophone for 28 years and been making a living out of it for 18 years.     Codrington has experienced some bumps and bruises along the way but has learned a wealth of information regarding the entertainment business. His latest CD, Sunny Days, includes the single “Special Treasure” and can be purchased at www.cdbaby.com. His next CD will be released in December 2008.                         
        Southern Soul songstress, Lacee, will perform her hit, “The Twist,” for the audience. She is from Memphis, Tenn., and has done extensive work with the Bar-Kays, Howard Hewitt and Glenn Jones. “I want the audience to be energetic and feel what I feel,” said Lacee. “Before I get on the stage I pray because I want to minister to others.” 
    Lacee added that she puts emphasis on her music because she wants to inspire others. Her next album will be released in September 2008.                  
        “This is going to be a spectacular event,” said Codrington.   
        {mosimage}Tickets are $39 in advance, $46 the day of the show and are on sale now. Military and group discounts are available. Tickets may be purchased at the Crown Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com or by calling 223-2900. The Crown Center Box Office is located at the Crown Coliseum and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information call 438-4100. 
  •     You can tell a lot about a person by taking a look at their home. What’s hanging on their walls or tucked away on their shelves shines a light on their personality: Is it whimsical, traditional or off the wall?
    Fayetteville residents will get a chance to learn a little more about members of its art community during 4th Friday. The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County is hosting Off the Wall, an exhibit of art works literally taken off the walls of its staff and board members.
        “It’s a fun show for staff and board members,” explained Calvin Mims, the arts services coordinator at the council. “People will bring something in from their personal collection. It can be from a very serious collection or piece from a child’s collection or a whimsical piece. We want something with an interesting story, background or history. We think this will give our community some insight into our staff and board members.”
        As of this writing, pieces were still coming in, but a pretty eclectic bunch of art work has already made its way into the exhibit.
        “We have a couple of pieces from C.J. Malson, the former owner of Art and Soul Gallery,” said Mims. “She is bringing in a couple of pieces — one a work by Roseanne Brida who did the façade of Art and Soul and a  pencil drawing by her late grandmother which absolutely has tremendous sentimental value, but is not marketable. So we’re getting things like that.”
        William Brooks, a board member, brought in four works of art by his two sons, who take art instruction from Becky Lee, a Fayetteville artist and art teacher. “They have done some very interesting drawings, and he has submitted those,” said Mims, who added that many board members are bringing in collectible pieces by a Fayetteville artist.
        Among that group is Deb Mintz, the director of the Arts Council. Mintz has an eclectic collection of works by area artists. Some of the works she is sharing are from some very prominent local artists, while others are from artists who are just making their way in the art community.
        Mims, an acclaimed artist in his own right, is also contributing art to the show. “I’m bringing in a very special piece by Elizabeth Catelett,” he explained. “It’s a linoleum block print called Two Generations. Elizabeth Catelett is one of our African-American masters who is internationally renowned for her paintings, sculptures and drawings.
        “I purchased this piece about 20 to 22 years ago when I had an opportunity to meet her,” he continued.  “It’s one of the few collectible pieces I have where I’ve met and engaged the artist.”
        In addition to the great art, music lovers will also be in for a treat at the Arts Council, as the cool music of the Roy Roach Orchestra takes them on a sentimental journey with the big band sounds of Glenn Miller, Count Bassie, Woody Harman and Benny Goodman.
        The event kicks off at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22 at the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County located at 301 Hay St.
        “This is going to be pure fun,” concluded Mims. “The exhibit is going to be an interesting insight into the hearts and minds of all our art lovers.”
        The fun doesn’t stop there. Be sure to wind your way through downtown and take a peak at the other venues in the 4th Friday lineup.
        Just down the street from the Arts Council, Cape Fear Studios will be featuring The Collective Works of Lawrence Favorite, a wood turner from Mebane.
        Favorite notes of his works, “I derive my greatest satisfaction as an artist from the sheer joy of doing — of being at one with the wood and releasing the beauty that is within. I love the challenge of looking at it and listening to a piece of wood and letting it reveal to me what it should become,” he said in an artist statement.
        {mosimage}Favorite knows a lot about listening. In the early ‘70s, he was working as a mechanical engineer with a manufacturing firm in Arizona. His work was leaving him empty, and after a period of reflection, he dropped it and decided to pursue his growing interesting in art.
        In looking for a way to express himself, he began a period of work with desert ironwood, a species of wood that is only found in the Sonora Desert. That love affair continues today, .
        Additional 4th Friday Venues:
        •CJ Designs – Local Impressionistic Artist, Leigh Ann Withrow.
        •Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum Annex: Special Exhibition of SCCA Formula race cars.
        •Hay Street United Methodist Church: In One Accord, a local Christian vocal group, performing a wide variety of musical selections, ranging from the traditional to the contemporary and from hymn tunes to gospel numbers. 
        •City Center Gallery & Books: Winners of the Field of Honor photography contest.
        •Cotton Exchange: Spontaneous Combustion jazz ensemble, refreshments.
        •Fascinate-U: Children will be creating buses with art supplies. Free admission and refreshments.
        •Market House: Exhibition of artifacts, period weapons and uniforms from the Spanish-American War and the role our region played in it.
        •Headquarters Library - Big Medicine, string band music of the rural South: Old-time melodies, mountain harmonies, ancient ballads and archaic fiddle tunes, heart songs, hollers, hymns, and a touch of early bluegrass. Refreshments.
        •Olde Town Gallery will host its 2nd Food Show Art Competition.
        •Rude Awakening will host photographer Jennifer Seaman and her work.
        •SfL+a Architects Gallery: Art by the Communicare Kids, music by Tad Dreis.
        •White Trash will feature hand scrimshawed bangle bracelets by Jessica Kagan Cushman.
  •     Years ago when the Dicksons were still ferrying junior family members to and fro for summer camps, we found ourselves at a large table in a loud and busy pizza parlor with two other young families one night before the opening of a sports camp the following morning.
        Those in our own boisterous crowd included the five Dicksons, my favorite Raleigh cousin, her husband and their four sons, and a family we had not met before but who turned out to be a successful Raleigh attorney and his wife and their two children: A daughter and a son who would be attending the sports camp.
    A fine evening and lots of pizza were had by all.
        The whole world now knows the third family as John and Elizabeth Edwards and their children, Cate and Wade, who died several summers later in a car accident on I-40. In the curious way of the world, I bumped into them again the following weekend at a camp for girls where we were both dropping off our daughters.
        Our camp trips seem now, just as they did then, normal summer activities for families with active young children. No one had any inkling that John Edwards would become first a United States senator and later a candidate for president, or that Elizabeth would remain a private citizen and still become one of the most admired women in America.
        {mosimage}We had absolutely no idea that John Edwards would go on to become yet another poster boy for excruciatingly bad behavior by a well-known politician. 
        I am reading and hearing all the same outrage toward Edwards that everyone in this nation is absorbing these days. There is speculation about when the affair between Edwards and a hired videographer began and how long it lasted. Who knew about it? Edwards has said he told his family but when? Was it before or after his wife of more than three decades and four children, Elizabeth, was diagnosed with a recurrence of cancer, which is now incurable. Is Edwards still in contact with his mistress, and, above all, is he the father of her infant daughter whose birth certificate lists only the mother’s name?
        What about the married Edwards’ staffer who seems to be taking the fall on the paternity issue?
        Some, if not most, of these questions will probably never be answered publicly, and perhaps they should not be since Edwards is no longer an elected official charged with the public trust. Perhaps this entire affair is no more our business than if the situation involved a perfectly ordinary private family down the street.
    Do women elected to high office behave this way? Maybe so, but I have never heard about it.
        Some men in high office, however, have made astoundingly bad decisions. 
        Think former Colorado senator and one-time 1988 Presidential frontrunner in Gary Hart. With rumors of womanizing circulating, Hart challenged the national media. “Follow me around. I don’t care. If anybody wants to put a tail on me, go ahead. They’ll be very bored.” 
        They did and they were not.
        An attractive young model was spotted leaving the senator’s apartment, and the two were later photographed aboard a yacht named — of all things, Monkey Business. The frontrunner dropped out of the presidential race. 
        Think President Bill Clinton.
        In a historic second term, with a strong economy and a balanced budget, he took up with a White House intern only slightly older than his own daughter. In a particularly creepy twist on degrees of separation, my favorite Raleigh cousin’s brother had somehow arranged a special tour of the White House for his family during that time. They were viewing the Oval Room one quiet Saturday afternoon when the Secret Service suddenly hustled them out, saying the president had an unexpected meeting. Much later, the investigative Starr report published the White House visitors’ log for that day.
        The only meeting participants that afternoon were the President and the intern.
        Think Elliot Spitzer, New York’s crusading and seemingly fearless prosecutor turned governor, who lost his job and his credibility in Washington’s elegant Mayflower Hotel with a high-dollar call girl.
        And now we have our own John Edwards whose story of betrayal and deception is still unfolding and whose family and loyal political supporters feel angry, disappointed, and deeply betrayed.
        What were these men thinking? 
        Each of them is clearly talented and each clearly wanted to use his intellectual gifts and political skills for the betterment of our nation.
        Was what brought them down arrogance, a feeling that they were so special they could behave in ways the rest of us cannot? Did they believe they were so vastly different from the people they served? Was it what we call in our family, “high self esteem?”
        Countless lessons wait in all of these sad and tawdry tales, but one stands out to me. 
        None of us — wife or husband, mother or father, daughter or son, colleague or confidante - can ever truly know another’s heart.
  •     I teach College Freshman Composition, also known as English 111, at Fayetteville Technical Community College. It is the course that is required for most degrees, and is important instruction for students who need to learn to write for college. Each semester I am dismayed by the fact that many, if not most of my students are completely unprepared to write a cohesive unified essay in the third person. And although we at FTCC do teach individuals from all over the United States, many of my students have graduated from schools here in Cumberland County. It is appalling to know that an incoming freshman who has graduated from one of our high schools and who has taken and passed all required English courses, is still not prepared to write in the approved manner. Why is this?
        {mosimage}The North Carolina Standard Course of Study may shoulder part of the blame. An analysis of this document shows that it is reading and not writing that is emphasized in the competency goals. There are six such goals listed for high school students, and they read about American, British and World Literature. They analyze literature, identify story elements, and respond to issues in literature — according to this course of study — but it is not until “Competency Goal 6” is reached in all four years, that conventions of writing are even addressed. This must change.
        The reluctance of high school teachers to read and respond to student writing may be another part of the problem. I understand this because it is not easy to slog through the muck and muddle of student writing. It takes time to read two and three page essays — time that teachers are not compensated for by the way. However, if students write and are not corrected, what is the point of their writing? Is it just to say that they did indeed write? High school is the time to correct sentence fragments, run-on sentences and yes, improve spelling and vocabulary. When they get to college, students should not still be making these mistakes. As a college instructor, I should not have to teach these basic skills — but each year, I spend time doing this. I take home stacks of essays to grade, and sometimes it seems as if I am writing more than the student did. If high school English teachers are not also taking time to read and correct papers, it is no wonder that the level of writing skill is deficient. This too needs change.
        It almost goes without saying that television and gaming have had a deleterious effect on most students’ ability to write clearly and concisely. Reading good books and magazines does help students to write better by exposing them to a variety of writing styles. When did reading become a dreaded chore?
        Lastly, students must claim their share of responsibility. It is just too easy to go to the Internet and Google the topic the teacher may have assigned, and then copy and paste. Voila! Complete essay with little or no effort. And all the student had to do was access the Internet. Where are the parents while this theft of intellectual property is occurring?  Where is the alert teacher who recognizes that the student who “wrote” this, was not capable of producing such sophisticated writing, and called the student on it?
        School will begin very shortly. I implore all teachers — not just English teachers — to take time and have students write. Look for badly structured sentences and ask the student to correct them. Find ways to expand vocabulary and improve spelling. Take home papers and grade them. The NC Standard Course of Study does allow for the teaching of writing. Teachers, principals and the state of North Carolina just need to make it, rather than reading literature, a priority.

  •     Declining circulation, revenues and profits have not stopped the Fayetteville Observer from selectively rejecting good business and advertising revenues. Last week, in an unprecedented move, they invoked a policy selectively rejecting employment opportunity ads from our company F & B Publications. Since 1996 we have published a community weekly newspaper in Fayetteville/Cumberland County. We also publish PrimeLife Magazine for area seniors and, in 1998, we created and introduced Kidsville News!, a children’s newspaper and educational resource to Cumberland County. It is unconceivable and unbelievable that after a 13-year history of doing business with the Fayetteville Observer and with a journalistic mission to promote local “quality of life” venues for the Fayetteville/Cumberland County community, we are shocked and disappointed that our only daily newspaper would intentionally obstruct and curtail the potential employment opportunities of local residents.
        Over the years we have created media sales & marketing, advertising, graphic design, delivery and administrative jobs and career opportunities for hundreds of people over a last decade. So, what gives here? Making this situation even more ironic, last week they (Fayetteville Publishing Co.) offered its employees voluntary buyouts in an effort to reduce operating costs and adjust for declining revenues.
        So, what message is the Fayetteville Observer trying to get out? “You can’t work here…… but you can’t work anywhere else (either).” If this is true, how sad. Sad, but not surprising.
        This policy was engineered and implemented by Jeff Green, chief marketing officer and Fred Benson, sales and marketing director. Benson did not return my phone call. Their new policy was supported and endorsed by Publisher Charles Broadwell (who did take my phone call). He said, without explanation, that he was going to support the new policy decision of Green and Benson. Hmmmmmm. Go figure? Just a few months ago Broadwell told me personally that there never has been a policy at the FO to bar or exclude “other media” from advertising for local employment. That same day, I received a personal phone call from Mr. Benson himself apologizing for the rejection and “misunderstanding.” He gladly accepted my employment advertisement and my money. We have continued to do business. That is, until last week, when this issue again conveniently resurfaced.
        It just doesn’t seem conscionable, responsible or respectable that Broadwell, Green and Benson would block employment opportunities and reject advertising revenues while asking their employees to voluntarily take early retirement. In a letter to their employees they also acknowledged that layoffs may be looming in the very near future. Again, how creepy, “you can’t work here……but you can’t work anywhere else (either)”.
        This is only one example of why newspaper monopolies all over the country have always been a very bad thing for the public in general. Monopolies lack a conscious. Sure, they talk local but strive to focus and invest in their own long-term well being. And, at what cost? I am not faulting the daily newspaper for trying to survive in these trying times. That’s business. But, to keep job and career opportunities out of the reach of qualified local professionals just because they can is beyond shameful behavior.
        Here at the Up & Coming Weekly we believe in daily and community newspapers. We also believe that good, honest business and journalist practices by the media is what keeps our economy vibrant and our residents informed. These days every business organization and industry is faced with rising costs and tough economic conditions. The FO needs to deal with its own demons. We are dealing with ours. In the meantime, they should let everyone one else evaluate whatever marketplace opportunities are available.
    Notice: We are hiring. Sales managers, classified managers and sales and marketing professionals. We provide benefits, health care and 401k and we are a great place to work. Send your resume with a cover letter to Publisher, F&B Publications, PO Box 53461 Fayetteville, NC 28305 E-mail bbowman@upandcomingweekly.com
        There, I just saved $300.
        Thanks for reading Up & Coming Weekly.
  •    {mosimage} It’s no bull — the Syndicate is coming to town.
        Bull City Syndicate, a nine-piece band featuring a four-piece horn section will bring the funk to Festival Park on Thursday, Aug. 21, as part of the Fayetteville After Five concert series.
        The Raleigh-based band has been together in one form or another for eight years. Trumpet player Steve Baker says the band’s horn section makes it unique.                                                                                            “We’re a horn band, not a band that uses horns,” said Baker. “And there is a a difference. There are a lot of beach music bands in North Carolina that implement horns but don’t play music centered around the horn.
        “Songs based around a horn section have pretty much disappeared,” said Baker. “So there aren’t a whole lot of bands playing the old songs like we do.”
        The Syndicate’s music includes original songs as well as covers by such famous horn bands as Earth, Wind and Fire, the Tower of Power and Chicago.
        Included on the band’s set list are such classics as “Spinning Wheel” by Blood, Sweat and Tears, Chicago’s “Saturday in the Park,” and “September” by Earth, Wind and Fire.
        Lest you think they are just a golden oldies band, the Syndicate also covers more modern tunes, such as Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer,” Beyonce’s “Crazy in Love,” and “Hey Ya’” by Outkast.
        “Our biggest demographic is the 35-50 crowd,” said Baker, “mainly because that generation grew up listening to the classic horn-based songs. But we do perform a lot of songs for the younger generation.”
        Baker said the band plays about 100 gigs a year, mostly weddings and corporate events, though the band does enjoy playing the clubs and other venues; he said the Syndicate has gigged in Fayetteville, but only at private functions.
        “We would love to play in some of the Fayetteville clubs, but most clubs don’t want to pay for a nine-piece band when they can get a three- or four-piece band cheaper. Plus, we’re such a large band that there aren’t many venues where they can fit us all on the stage.
        “We are looking forward to playing Festival Park, though,” said Baker. “I’ve heard it’s a good venue.”
    While Baker said the band is performing as many gigs this year as in the past, he says the state of the economy and high gas prices have affected the group economically.
        “Because gas prices have gone up so much, our operating costs have increased,” said Baker. “However, we’ve had to actually lower our asking price to get gigs. Corporations aren’t having as many parties because of the economy and people having weddings have cut back on what they will pay for a live band.”
        Despite the downturn in the economy, Baker said the Syndicate will definitely lift the spirits of everyone attending the show. Also, Baker said that so far, Bull City Syndicate is the only band on the bill, which means the group will play three one-hour sets.
        However many sets the band plays, the concert series has been a huge success, especially, for the Fayetteville Museum of Art, which sponsors the free shows and uses the proceeds as a fundraiser.
        “It’s been extremely successful,” said Michelle Horn, the museum’s assistant director. “The series has been met with more success than it had last year. It continues to grow, which means as a fundraiser it is more and more successful.”
        Horn added that the series has been extended through October; traditionally, the series only runs through September.
        The fun starts at 5:30 p.m. and wraps up at around 9:30.
  •     {mosimage}With gas prices soaring, you might not want to take a drive down to the beach, but you can take a short ride to J. Wesley Vineyards where the sounds of the beach will come to you as the Tams perform on the lawn at the vineyard on Saturday, Aug. 16 from 7 -10 p.m. 
        “Our goal is to entertain the people and do the best show we can do,” said Dianne Cottle-Pope, manager of the Tams. “We have performed at a lot of vineyards in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.”
    Cottle-Pope added that the Tams also perform at the Fayetteville After Five series and the group loves to interact with the crowd.    
        So get out of your chair and bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy the rhythmic sounds of the Tams. The Tams were formed in Atlanta, Ga., in 1962. Its members were Joseph Pope and Charles Pope (founders), Horace Key, Floyd Ashton and Robert Lee Smith. The current members include Charles Pope, his son Li’l Redd — better known as the fastest feet in the South — Joe Jones, Robert Arnold and Reginald Preston. Despite the unfortunate passing of the legendary Joe Pope, the Tams have continued to be as popular as ever. 
         accolades include being inducted into the Georgia Hall of Fame, Atlanta Hall of Fame and the Beach Music Hall of Fame. The Tams were given the title Beach Band of the Decade. Their recently released singles “My Main Squeeze” and “This Love Will Last” are from the latest CD The Tams Comin’ At Cha’. They have released more than 15 albums and have been honored with one platinum and several gold records. The group has toured and recorded with Jimmy Buffet and performed with Gladys Knight, Jackie Wilson and many more.                   
         “Lil Redd loves to dance and get the crowd involved,” said Pope. “We are going to have a great time.”         
           J. Wesley Vineyards has brought the spirit of winemaking back to Cumberland County. The family is growing three different varieties of muscadines on 8 acres of the vineyard. Their goal is to host good company, good food and fine wine.          
         “We are looking forward to bringing some fun, family entertainment to Fayetteville,” said Alan Egerton, manager of J. Wesley Vineyards.  
       Food, wine, beer and drinks will be available for purchase. J. Wesley Vineyards is located at 9340 Chickapee Drive in north Fayetteville. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the
  •     Brotherhood will be the word of the day on Saturday, Aug. 16, as members of the Fayetteville/Fort Bragg/Pope Air Force Base Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity hold an “Achievement Luncheon” to honor five local African-American men and women of distinction.
        The luncheon will start at noon and be held at the Fort Bragg Officers’ Club.
        Those recognized at the luncheon include: North Carolina State Supreme Court Associate Justice Patricia Timmons-Goodson; Billy R. King, Cumberland County Board of Commissioners; C. Mason Quick, M.D. (posthumous); Charles W. Cookman, president/owner-WIDU Radio; and Dr. Allen S. McLauchlin, president of the Fayetteville-Cumberland Ministerial Council.
        According to Floyd Shorter, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, as well as director of the Fayetteville Business Center, “all of the honorees have distinguished themselves as community leaders and exhibited outstanding achievement in the respective award categories of service, business and economic development, leadership, civic involvement and spiritual empowerment.”
        Kappa Alpha Psi is a collegiate fraternity with a predominantly African-American membership. The fraternity was founded on Jan. 5, 1911, at Indiana University-Bloomington and has more than 150,000 members with 700 undergraduate and alumni chapters in every state of the Union, and international chapters in the United Kingdom, Germany, Korea, Japan, the Caribbean and South Africa.
        The local chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi has about 150 members said Shorter, and is active in providing mentoring and leadership to young African-American males in Cumberland County.
    “We teach them etiquette and how to prepare themselves for collegiate life as well as fitting into society,” said Shorter. “The kids are very enthusiastic and excited to be networking with other kids. It helps boost their confidence.”
        {mosimage}Shorter said Kappa Alpha Psi also provides food for the needy.
        The fraternity was the first predominantly African-American Greek-letter society founded west of the Appalachian Mountains still in existence, and is known for its “cane stepping” in NPHC organized step shows.
        The president of the national fraternity is known as the Grand Polemarch; Dwayne M. Murray, an attorney and the 31st Grand Polemarch of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., will be the guest speaker for the luncheon.
    Murray, an experienced bankruptcy attorney, was the first African-American lawyer appointed to the Chapter 7 Panel of Trustees for the United States Middle District Bankruptcy Court.
        “It’s a huge honor to have Grand Polemarch Murray at our luncheon,” said Shorter. “And it’s an honor to recognize the achievement of five African Americans so involved with and so important to our community.”
        The cost of the luncheon is $35 per person. Proceeds will support scholarships for high school young men upon graduation who are involved in the Kappa League program, an ongoing program of the fraternity that focuses on the mentoring and personal growth of young males.
        “We’re looking forward to seeing many members of the public at our luncheon,” said Shorter, who added that non-active members of Kappa Alpha Psi are encouraged to get back on board with the local chapter.
        For ticket requests, contact Lee Beavers, chairman of the Achievement Awards Luncheon by calling (910) 527-3707, or inquire via e-mail to lbeavers141@embarqmail.com.


  •     In July, the Obama Grassroots Committee rocked Fayetteville; and now, the Democratic Party’s Party will rock Festival Park on Friday, Aug. 15.
        The event designed to keep the excitement level high during the doldrums of the summer, will feature great music, food and fun, as well as provide information about the upcoming elections and give unregistered voters a chance to register to vote. “It’s about keeping people informed, involved and excited,” said Grainger Barrett.
        {mosimage}The event will mirror the Obama Jam in some ways, with Rahmeka Cox, Miss North Carolina Junior Teen, singing the National Anthem. Cox wowed the crowd during that event and is sure to entertain again. Also joining Cox for a repeat performance are Dan Speller and His Bluespell, which headlined the Obama Jam. Speller has long been a Fayetteville favorite and the mellow sounds of his blues will definitely get the audience excited. Speller, a retired Army noncommissioned officer, plays all around the region and the local area.
        A native of Flushing, N.Y., Speller has been playing music all of his life; he maintains it all started with the “beat of his mother’s heart.” He developed an interest in music while listening to his older brothers’ records and attempting to sing and play along with them in the ‘60s and ‘70s. He moved to the mountains of North Carolina at the age of 13, where he developed his musical craft, learning to play guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and the harp.
        In 1975, he joined the Army and spent some time seeing the world. That time was put to good use, acquiring musical inspiration from different countries and cultures. Upon retirement from the military in 1996, he committed all his time and energy to his music. His musical taste is as varied as his background — he likes blues, rock, jazz, country, beach, reggae, funk and classical. He is currently recording, composing and producing his own CD on his Bluespell record label. You’re definitely not going to want to miss his set at the jam. Joining Speller in the lineup is the gospel group Unbridled Praise and the rock group D.L. Token.
        In addition to the music, attendees will also have the opportunity to meet Democratic and independent candidates for office. That’s part of the informed portion of the show. The candidates will be on hand to discuss issues and to hand out information about their campaigns. For the involved portion, attendees will have the opportunity to volunteer to work in various campaigns or register to vote if they are not registered already.
        The Party’s Party will begin at 6 p.m. and run through 8:30 p.m. Don’t worry about what you’ll have for dinner, as food vendors will be on hand throughout the evening. The event is free and open to the public. So come out and get informed, involved and excited at the Democratic Party’s Party.

  •     {mosimage}Serious runners will tell you it takes blood, sweat and tears to excel at their sport.
        The local chapter of the Red Cross will tell you it takes blood... lots of it... for the organization to excel at its mission of saving lives.
        On Saturday, Aug. 16, at 101 Robeson St., in downtown Fayetteville, there’s a collision of sorts between these philosophies when the American Red Cross Highlands Chapter sponsors its 2nd Annual Road Event and Family Fun Walk. Though copious sweat is expected, the only blood the Red Cross wants to see is the donated variety, and the only tears are those of joy as contestants cross the finish line.
        Last year’s inaugural event drew more than 400 participants for the Red Cross fundraiser.
        Marlita Suggs, media spokesperson for the Highlands Chapter, said this year’s event is looking even bigger with more than 500 folks already registered to participate.
        “It’s shaping up to be a tremendous event,” said Suggs. “The people who participated last year had nothing but positive reviews of the run and family walk. We have not just locals registering, but runners from across the state.”
        The Road Event and Family Fun Walk is one of several fundraisers sponsored by the Highlands Chapter of the Red Cross. It is the largest road race in Fayetteville. There will be three events: the 2008 RRCA North Carolina 10K State Championship, the 5K Road Event and the 1Mile Family Fun Walk.
        The starting point is across from the Airborne & Special Operations Museum; a detailed route is a available on the ARC Web site, www.highlandsarc.com.
        Starting times are 7:30 a.m. for the 5K, 7:50 a.m. for the 10K, and 8 a.m. for the Family Fun Walk.
        There will be awards for the top three overall male and female runners in the 5K and 10K and in the following age groups: 9-12, 13-15, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 and over.
        Prizes will be awarded to the top three wheelchair entrants and to the youngest and oldest walker. Awards will also be given to the school/club with the largest participation in the 5K and 10K category.
        Race day registration will start at 5 a.m. at the race location and end at 7 a.m. Race packets will be available for pick up onsite at 5 a.m. on race day and end at 7 a.m.
        There is a $20 race day adult advance registration fee for all age groups; $15 advance registration for ages 3-18; $20 late registration for all age groups; free for ages 12 & under. All registration fees are nonrefundable.
        Should rain be predicted for race morning, all three events (5K, 10K, and Fun Walk) will nevertheless go forward as planned.
        Strollers, kids’ wagons and dogs on leashes are allowed. All participants will receive a T-shirt and goodie bag. Additional T-shirts may be purchased for $8 online or at the event on race day.
        Register online at www.highlandsarc.com. For more information, call Marilyn Martinez at (910) 867-8151.

    Tim Wilkins, Associate Editor
    COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 105 or tim@upandcomingweekly.com


  • {mosimage}    Fayetteville’s new household pick-up recycling program, which began July 7, has been a smashing  success, with a tremendous 75-80 percent participation rate by residents. In the very first week of the program, more than 275 tons of recyclable goods were collected by Waste Management trucks.
        However, as successful as the program has been, Fayetteville owes a huge debt of gratitude to Cumberland County’s Solid Waste Management Department, which has been serving as a “holding pen” or transfer station for the recyclable materials, while the company contracted to transport and convert the recyclables — Pratt Industries — continues construction of its new transfer station.
        Janice Albert, the county’s recycling coordinator, works out of the Ann Street Landfill — one of 17 recycling sites in the county. She says the facility is sending out approximately 25-30 tons of recyclable goods a day that Pratt  picks up and transfers to Charlotte for recycling.
      And she says that for the most part, Fayetteville’s residents have been very vigilant in sorting their recyclables.
    “Recyclables have been very clean. There’s always going to be examples of people throwing trash in the wrong can or putting in items that can’t be recycled, but overall, it looks like it’s been a pretty positive thing... Better than was expected, I’m sure,” said Albert. “Even without counting the city’s material, we get quite a bit here. A lot of it comes from people who don’t live in the city. And we get businesses and such that come out here with their cardboard.”
        Albert says the 17 landfills help fill in the gaps that Fayetteville’s recycling program misses, such as the recyclables generated by multifamily units, including apartment complexes.
    So far, the landfills — all of which were purposely built to be located within seven miles of any home in Cumberland County — have easily handled Fayetteville’s recyclables; and Albert says it will be a long time coming before the Ann Street landfill runs out of room.
        “Depending on how we expand, we can probably make it last for up to 20-25 years,” said Albert of the landfill, which covers more than 300 acres.
        The county’s recycling sites accept a long list of recyclable material, including:
        •Aluminum/Aluminum Cans
        •Batteries (automotive)
        •Cardboard (corrugated and food boxes)
        •Metals (must be able to put in container box)
        •Newspaper (no plastic wrap or string)
        •Magazines
        •Yard Waste (grass, leaves, pine straw, brush & limb clippings — may not exceed 4 cubic yards per week; limbs larger than 3 inches in diameter and 3 feet long must be taken to Wilkes Road)
        •Computers
        •Plastic (bottles, jugs and jars)
        •Glass (brown, clear, green separated)
        •Office Paper (accepted at Ann Street only)
        Of course there are some items that can’t be recycled, such as Styrofoam, acids, compressed gas cyclers, commercial or industrial waste, dead animals, hot ashes, liquids (other than waste oil) and furniture.
        Despite the restrictions, Albert says hazardous waste does sometime slip through, often with unpleasant consequences.
        “We get those (hazardous chemicals) quite a bit,” said Albert,  “and a lot of times if we don’t see them we’ll have stuff blow up and start fires. We also get some compressed gas cyclers... We’ve had people gassed out here.”
    In addition to the regular services, one landfill is helping out the environment both organically and cosmetics wise.
        “Wood that’s not treated or painted is loaded in boxes and taken to the Wilkes Road site where it’s ground up and dyed red to sell for landscaping mulch,” said Albert.
        While a set price has not yet been decided on, Albert says it will probably sell for about about $10 a truck load.
  •     Remember the opening monologue on the old television show The Six Million Dollar Man, where, as scientists turn the severely injured Steve Austin (Lee Majors) into a bionic man, Richard Anderson recites, “Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability.” ?
        {mosimage}Fayetteville has an opportunity to rebuild its transportation system, to make it “better, faster, stronger.” However, such improvement has nothing to do with bionics or Farrah Fawcett-Majors’ ex-husband; the city’s powers-that-be could dramatically change how people travel from point A to point B by installing a light rail transportation system that some say could boost Fayetteville’s economy and reduce traffic gridlock.
        Light rail is a type of urban rail transportation that generally has a lower occupancy rate and lower speed than typical heavy rail trains and subway systems found in larger cities. It is also usually powered by electricity, sometimes utilizing overhead power lines in the same manner as a trolley car.
        There are many question marks surrounding the implementation of a light rail system in Fayetteville, such as: Do we have the technology? Do we have the infrastructure? Do we have the need? What are  the benefits? Do we have the money?
        The answer to the first two questions is an unqualified yes.
        Many cities across the nation have turned to some form of light rail system, including Charlotte, which operates light rail under the umbrella of its citywide transportation service, Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS).
        Charlotte’s light rail began operation of its 9.6 -mile route in November 2007. It uses the abandoned Norfolk Southern Railroad right of way, part of which runs alongside NS tracks that remain in freight service.
         1999 study undertaken by the city of Fayetteville and the consulting firm Kimley-Horn and Associates investigated the feasibility of a light rail system. Under the aegis of the Fayetteville Metropolitan Planning Organization, it was determined that the best place for a light rail system would be an approximately 10 plus-mile route along the Cape Fear Railway and Aberdeen & Rockfish railroads that travels, for the most part, parallel to Bragg Boulevard and Skibo Road. Light and heavy rail systems use the same gauge track.
        However, the study alsofound that such a route was not yet economically feasible for Fayetteville, though it did recommend the city preserve the right-of-way on that route for future consideration.
        Don Stewart, chairman of the Citizens Advisory Committee on the project, said he wasn’t surprised that the study found Fayetteville wasn’t ready for light rail; however, he does agree with the study’s recommendation that the city take steps to be prepared for a rail system down the road.
        “What you do is undertake a study to tell us how to prepare for light rail,” said Stewart. “You need to make sure you have the right of way that might get sold to a private entity; you have to purchase and preserve that right of way to prepare for the future. When you get the density of population where you can do this, then that’s why it’s so expensive because you’re having to buy up expensive real estate and you can’t put it where you want it.”
        As an alternative to that light rail system, the study also recommended a trolley system for downtown Fayetteville — comparable to systems found in Portland, Ore., and Seattle, Wash. — that would be “strategically planned and tied to the economic revitalization of the central business district.” A trolley would be much smaller and much less expensive than a light rail system.
        The study does conclude that either system could eventually provide an economic shot in the arm through real estate investment along the light rail corridor, as well as increased tourism in downtown Fayetteville.
        Of course, this increased investment and tourism comes at a cost. Stewart says that typically, light rail costs about $10 million per mile — a figure which includes everything: passenger cars, new track, signals, utilities, maintenance, etc. That number is considerably less than a previous figure given to town officials which left them with a severe case of sticker shock.
        “When consultants said it would cost $23 million per mile a couple of guys from Fayetteville just about jumped out the window,” said Stewart. “But that figure was based on the system in St. Louis that is much, much more grandiose than what we were considering at at that time.
        “Would it cost $10 million a mile? I don’t know,” said Stewart. “But when you go and look at what a highway costs compared to light rail, it’s almost dimes to the dollars.”
        Stewart estimates a downtown trolley system would cost about  $20 million, though such an investment would be greatly offset by various real estate investments.
        “I’d be willing to bet that if you put a trolley line like we proposed that it would drive a business investment of $200 million worth of private investment,” said Stewart.
        Stewart says you also need to consider the other benefits of light rail and/or a trolley system, such as decreased air pollution, decreased traffic, the revitalization of downtown and cheaper gas bills for both the city and individuals.
        Also, a light rail system would not mean that the city buses would or could be retired. Stewart says the bus system will still be needed to distribute the passengers when they get off the trolley or rail, and he realizes that a rail or trolley would not serve the transportation needs of all.
        That was good news for a group of Fayetteville bus patrons waiting at a bus stop on Ramsey Street.
        “I’ve been riding a bus to work for a couple of years,” said Anastasia McLean of Fayetteville. “I don’t want to have to learn a new route.”
        Linda Hunt, also of Fayetteville, said she thinks a street trolley would be a nice thing for the downtown, but she’s not as optimistic about a light rail system.
        “I’ve been to San Francisco and I loved the trolleys,” said Hunt. “But I don’t think we can afford a new train system when we can barely afford to keep our buses running.”
        Hunt isn’t alone in questioning the viability of light rail. A study commissioned by Reasonmagazine makes numerous points against light rail:
        Air Quality: Light rail would not take enough cars off the road to make any real contribution to air quality improvement. For example, the Charlotte system expects to reduce regional auto travel by only 1/10 of 1 percent;
        Economic Development: North Carolina’s population density and high rates of auto use make rail’s ability to generate economic gains all the more unlikely. Those who would provide revitalization — homeowners and business leaders — favor more straightforward approaches to greater economic development. For example, improving schools and keeping business taxes at a reasonable level;
        Cost-effectiveness: Hefty cost overruns have plagued urban rail for decades. Both the Charlotte and Triangle proposals have exceeded initial cost projections. In Charlotte, a proposal that once cost just over $200 million ended up costing more than $400 million, while in the Triangle, a proposal that was long thought to cost $250 million now stands at well over $800 million;
        Mobility improvement: Even though the Triangle rail proposal would cost nine times more than the next most expensive alternative, it would decrease congestion by less than 1 percent. Moreover, the annual cost per new rail passenger would be very high: $6,747 for Charlotte and $10,358 for the Triangle.
        Despite such objections, Stewart remains positive about the future of light rail in Fayetteville.
    “People don’t understand what light rail could do for Fayetteville,” said Stewart. “Some folks think the only people riding the rail would be from a lower economic demographic. If you catered to just that demographic you’d never make any money with a light rail system.
        “And what’s not understood is that a lot of those people will be riding to work, which puts more money into the pockets of the fat cats,” said Stewart. “If we want to grow as a city, we’ve got to think about the future and have a vision — a vision that includes, I believe, some sort of light rail.”
  •     Among the enduring memories of my childhood is finally being allowed to ride my bike to Haymount Elementary School from our neighborhood, maybe a mile away.
        I was in the fourth grade and extremely proud of my new bike, which I had received for Christmas that year. Every other child in our neighborhood had also received a bike. All the girls’ models were identical, as were the boys’. We all thought that Santa had directed the elves to make them all the same as a special treat just for us. I later learned that the coincidence stemmed from the fact that one of the fathers in the neighborhood had an importing business and bought them all at the same time and that all the daddies had stayed up together on Christmas Eve putting all those bikes together.
        We rode to school as a group, but I still remember the exhilaration of that freedom of being on my own, or at least thinking I was. I remember the wind blowing against my face and the sense that I could ride anywhere in the whole world, if my parents would only let me.
        {mosimage}I still love to ride a bike and have actually taken a couple of cycling vacations, which is probably why the high price of gasoline tempts me to use a bike more and more often. The problem is biking in an urban, even in a suburban, setting can be dangerous. Our community, like thousands of others throughout our nation, is not biking-friendly, not intentionally, but because we have never planned for it. We have precious few biking trails, nor do we have wide outside lanes to accommodate bikes. Our major arteries are crowded, especially during rush hours, and our paved surfaces can be a bit bumpy for bicycles.
       All of this adds up to some scary rides for bikers brave enough to try to pedal to work or to go about their daily routines. 
        Some cities, however, are really trying to welcome cyclists. Portland, Ore., comes to mind as a haven for bikes with a 260-mile network of biking trails. In Boulder, Colo., 95 percent of the streets have special bike lanes or bike trails, and in Davis, Calif., about 17 percent of the workforce pedals to the job.
        We are a long way from any of that, of course, but as we plan for future area transportation I hope we will keep cycling in mind as one option. This is a long term issue, but so is our energy problem and the high prices which come with it. Cycling is not for everyone, but for those who enjoy it, it is quiet, healthy, low cost and efficient.
    And, oh my word! That wonderful sense of freedom and possibilities that carry us back to childhood.
           
        More on Matrimony
        The Dicksons have been to another wedding. 
        The latest was a decidedly casual affair on one of North Carolina’s lovely ocean beaches. Unlike more formal occasions, these guests were comfortable in shorts and sun dresses. The bride wore a wedding gown over bare and sandy feet, and the groom was in his shirt sleeves. After the ceremony, we all retired to a beach club for refreshments, dancing and good cheer, and to wish the young couple well before he departed for the additional military training that may very well land him on foreign soil in coming months, while she remains at home for a few more weeks.
        As we have attended the various weddings this spring and summer — large ones and small ones, formal ones and barefoot on the beach ones, ones with chardonnay and shrimp and ones with barbecue and coleslaw — I have been struck by the common thread in all of them. Each of these young couples is committed to building a life together and excited about the prospect of doing so. Each of them has eyes only for the other, and I hope each of them stays side by side until death do them part, although I know that for some that will not be the case. But for now, each of them is just as married as all the rest of us old married folks.
        The Dicksons next wedding is in September, and the invitation looks like there might be some shrimp on the menu.

        A Service I Hope You Never Need
    S    everal weeks ago in a column about domestic violence, I mentioned the Rape Crisis Volunteers of Cumberland County where I volunteered for many years. My old chum, Sharon Hux, who continues to be active with RCVCC, reminded me that there is a new office location at 109 Hay St. downtown. The phone number is (910) 485 7273. I hope neither you nor anyone you care for will ever need its services, but RCVCC has been a blessing for many people who have needed their counseling and care.


  •     It seems to be a new day in Fayetteville. The people have spoken and community leaders are being responsive. Or at least it appears they are being responsive. That’s the feeling we get from the decision by the Fayetteville City Council and the Fayetteville Museum of Art to open dialogue about the placement of the museum in Festival Park.
      That word came after freshman Fayetteville City Councilman Ted Mohn put the subject on the table at a recent city meeting. Mohn, who was not on the council when the land was given to the museum, took to heart the questions and concerns of local residents. He did readership and asked for input. He looked for options and ways to compromise. That’s good government. Then he went a step further and made other city leaders listen. Mohn pushed the issue even though no one else really wanted to listen. He made an argument that couldn’t be ignored. That’s better government.
       The city may have gotten more than it reckoned for in this past election. The freshmen members of the council care more about doing the right thing and serving their constituents than making sure they have a seat on the council. And that’s good government.
        The new members of the council have chosen not to sit back and follow the lead of the older council members. Instead they’ve taken the lead in bringing up important issues for the city and for the council. They come to meetings prepared, having spent a lot of time researching the issues, listening to their constituents and consulting with city staff on issues they may not understand.
       {mosimage} It says a lot when more experienced members ask them what they should look out for in the upcoming meeting. In a recent conversation with Val Applewhite, she explained the process she undertakes to prepare for a meeting: First, she reads everything sent out in the agenda packet. Then she goes back and makes questions about the things she’s unsure of, which results in calls to city staff and the city manager. It takes hours, but she puts in the time, because it was what she was elected for.
        She isn’t alone. Many members of the city council invest more than just the hours in council — they spend time at community meetings, at events and replying to countless emails and phone calls.
    These members are breathing a new life into the city council. In fact, it’s a breath of fresh air.


  •     What would you think if your boyfriend asked you about a particular woman at a barbecue after you both left? He claimed he was just curious — he’d seen her at my son’s barbecue, and wondered how she knew the family — but, of course, she’s young, beautiful and half my age (I’m 53). In our four years together, he’s gotten better about not visibly showing interest in other women, but I know he admires women, especially tall blondes. He’s a big, sweet, good-looking guy, but doesn’t have a house or much money, although he’s a hard worker. I doubt he has the confidence to pursue hot women, but I can’t help feeling worried.
                                       —Bothered
     

        What would I think if my boyfriend asked me about a particular woman at a barbecue? I’d just know he wanted to have a torrid affair with her. I’d think back to when he excused himself to use the bathroom, and decide he really went to call and reserve a motel room. I’d wait till we hit my driveway, pitch a screaming fit, claw off all his clothes, throw them on the lawn, light them on fire, bolt the door, make him sleep naked in the bushes, and then stay up all night praying he’d be gnawed to death by a family of hungry wolverines. You?
        Of course, should I have an attack of sanity and rationality, I’d probably assume he noticed the girl because he’s male, heterosexual and not in a coma or dead. Chances are, your boyfriend is attracted to this chickie — as he is to dozens of hot young things and a few still-warm middle-aged things he sees throughout his day. There are ways to prevent this sort of unauthorized lust: 1. Chain him to your living room media center for the rest of his natural life. 2. Only date men who are legally blind.
        The truth is, beauty is eyeball-grabbing. I’m as straight as plate glass, and I ogle beautiful women. Straight guys sneak glances at Jude Law. Purty is purty. Meanwhile, on a Crimes Against The Relationship scale, your boyfriend merely asked you about this girl.”
        With every passing year, more and more women will be younger and hotter than you. If your boyfriend wants to run off with one of them, there’s nothing you can do. All you can do is keep up your “curb appeal,” be confident about what you have to offer, and make your relationship someplace you both want to be. He seems to be making an effort, at least to look like he isn’t looking. Let him have his secrets and you can have yours — like, that the catalog of Victoria’s doesn’t actually come in the mail looking like a classified document: blacked-out pictures with only sizes and descriptions, an errant manicured hand or toe, and the return policy.

    Got a problem? Write Amy Alkon, 171 Pier Ave, #280, Santa Monica, CA  90405, or e-mail AdviceAmy@aol.com (www.advicegoddess.com)
  •     Among President Sarkozy’s recent moves to trim the size of the French government was the layoff of half of the 165 physiotherapists at the taxpayer-funded National Baths of Aix-les-Bains. The pink-slipped masseurs warn that the country’s health will be at risk if people are unable to get the mud wraps, thermal baths and deep-tissue massages covered by national health insurance (along with subsidized transportation and lodging for the visits). In fact, 27 of the physiotherapists immediately went on sick leave for depression. Among Sarkozy’s other targets of government bloat, according to a July Wall Street Journal dispatch: figuring out why France employs 271 diplomats in India but more than 700 in Senegal.

    COMPELLING EXPLANATIONS
        Edward Defreitas, 36, was arrested in Toms River, N.J., in June and accused of causing a three-vehicle collision that injured two men in a car and sent two others (paramedics riding in an ambulance) to the hospital. Defreitas told police that he had been drinking and had decided to drive around until he sobered up: “He (said he) was afraid to go home and his mother finding alcohol on his breath.”

    COMPELLING EXPLANATIONS
        School custodian Anthony Gower-Smith, 73, was awarded the equivalent of about $75,000 in June in London’s High Court after suing Britain’s Hampshire County government when he hurt himself falling off a 6-foot stepladder. Gower-Smith claimed that he had not been properly “trained” on how to use it, despite his long-time experience with such ladders, and despite his signed acknowledgment that he had indeed received training, and despite his having blamed himself just after he fell. (He disavowed the self-blame by saying that, at the time, he was woozy and didn’t remember what he said.)
     
    COMPELLING EXPLANATIONS
        People would hardly expect a brawl at the Guilford (Maine) Historical Society, but in May, member Al Hunt, who was irate that rare photographs of the town had been loaned to a local restaurant, might have bumped against the society’s secretary, Zarvin Shaffer. According to witnesses, Shaffer then punched Hunt in the face, Hunt’s wife grabbed a chair, and Shaffer’s son yanked Mrs. Hunt away by her hair.
        In April, the Sycamore (Ill.) City Council voted to quadruple the fine for overstaying a parking meter (from 25 cents to $1). The city’s 360 meters themselves will remain at a penny for 12 minutes, a nickel for an hour and a dime for two hours.
  •     It’s clearly no secret. Gas prices are increasing the sales of motorcycles and scooters across the nation. And while simply making the purchase and moving to a two-wheeled transportation vehicle will change the amount of change in your pocket after leaving the fuel pumps, you can get even more. {mosimage}
    Employing a few of these tips and tricks will enable you to extract even more fuel mileage from your already great fuel mileage machine. This is all with the goal of leaving more money for you and less money for the oil companies.
        •The way you ride . Yes, the way you ride will affect your fuel mileage perhaps more than anything else. The less gears you shift, the less jerking back and forth you do.
        • Try to keep your RPMs within the power band. In different makes and different models this will be slightly different — experiment a bit to find that sweet RPM spot where your bike operates optimally.
        •Cut down on the revving. Yeah, I know, it sounds great. It’s sweet to hear and makes your heart pump a bit faster. This is one of the best ways to save on gas consumption.
        •A clean air filter. It doesn’t take that much extra effort to keep your air filter clean. •Tire pressure. When was the last time you checked the air in your tires? Believe it or not, many people over look this — particularly those who do their own maintenance. Not only is a properly inflated tired a more safe tire, but it also boosts your MPG. So, get out the gauge  and check your tire pressure.
        •Make your bike lighter. How many unneeded accessories do you have on your bike at the moment? Take ‘em off. If they’re something you use on a regular basis, OK — keep ‘em on. But if they’re not essential to the use of your bike or where your going or what you’re doing, take ‘em off and only put them on when they’re needed. The lighter your bike, the less the engine needs to work to propel you and the less fuel you’ll burn.
        •Tighten up. Zip your jacket and if your helmet has a face mask pull it down. Clothes flapping in the wind, or anything for that matter, will increase your air friction and decrease your fuel mileage.
        •Plan your rides. Do your best to avoid traveling when the highways are going to be packed and filled with other traffic. The more obstructions on the road, the less you’ll be able to adhere to other fuel saving tips and the more fuel you’ll be burning.

  • The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (Rated PG-13) 1 Star   

    {mosimage}Godfather 3. Alien 3. Batman Forever. Did Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (112 minutes) manage to equal these famously horrendous missteps? No, primarily because the former three franchises started out totally punk rock. Tomb of the Dragon Emperor is the lackluster final entry in a franchise that wasn’t all that interesting to begin with. What is especially painful about this particular series is all the wasted potential. The mummy is a great villain, and everyone loves a nice Indiana-style adventure. Sadly, director Rob Cohen and the writers manage to hack out even the marginal charm offered in the first two movies. This may be called The Mummy, but the protagonist is actually, (eyeroll) a terra cotta warrior.
        The film begins by ripping off a few Ang Lee movies — and it is very pretty to look at, especially when Zi Juan (Michelle Yeoh) appears. Zi Juan is a witch and the villainous Emperor Han (Jet Li) wants her to make him immortal. He instructs his loyal general, Ming (Russell Wong) that no one is to touch her. The two fall in love (duh) and the Emperor Han takes his revenge just before Zi Juan reveals that she has not made him immortal, she has cursed him and his army.
        Is it over yet? Sadly, no. The film skips ahead to 1947, where retired phallocentric explorer Rick O’Connell (Brendan Fraser) and his vapid eyed, poorly characterized wife Evelyn (Maria Bello) are bored with civilian life, while their son Alex (Luke Ford) is digging up tombs in China. Alex successfully unearths the tomb of the Dragon Emperor, and the British government calls his parents out of retirement to escort a valuable jewel from Britain back to China. After the elder O’Connell’s arrive at the Shanghai nightclub owned by Evelyn’s avaricious brother Jonathan (John Hannah), the family O’Connell head to the museum housing Alex’s finds. There, they discover a General Yang (Anthony Wong Chau-Sang) with his second command Choi (Jessey Meng) engaged in a plot to raise the evil Emperor Han.
        As the insipid, lifeless dreck called a movie enters the third act I am tempted to leave, but I stay despite the growing agony I experience as my brain tries to find sense amidst the jumble of different mythologies thrown together on the screen. And what is that smell? Oh, it’s the climax of the film! Despite the conveniently numerous powers displayed by the Emperor (shape-shifting, elemental control, flight, super strength, regeneration), he is unable to kill the O’Connells. If I had the power to control ice and water, it would take me about five seconds to freeze the blood in their bodies — which would have shaved a good hour off this padded beyond belief movie.
        This joyless (and pointless) exercise in mediocrity cannot even be enjoyed on an ironic so-bad-its-good level. The plot holes are big enough to drive a truck through, the dialogue is moronic, the acting is sophomoric and the plot is convoluted. Bottom line: waste of their time to make it, waste of my time to see it. Where’s the Scorpion King when we need him?

  • Myths and Legends Combines Oprah with The King
       

        On the anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death, TV Land’s Myths and Legends (Saturday, 8 p.m.) delves into the mysteries surrounding his life. But it doesn’t do so with what you’d call journalistic rigor. What of the idea that Elvis and Oprah Winfrey are distant cousins? After suggesting that Oprah’s people “may have been” owned by Elvis’ people pre-Civil War, a reputed authority observes that plantation owners “often” fathered children by their slaves. It’s not exactly an airtight case, but that doesn’t stop TV Land from hauling a former Elvis girlfriend in front of the camera to observe, “Elvis would have been thrilled and honored to be tied to Oprah in any way.” Never mind that he hadn’t heard of Oprah before he died in 1977.
        {mosimage}Then there’s the perennial question of Elvis’ death. Did it really happen? “I still don’t feel him gone,” says a former backup singer. That doesn’t really prove anything, but then author Gail Giorgio drops the bombshell: Elvis’ corpse was really a wax dummy. The famous National Enquirer coffin photograph appeared to show beads of sweat, and Giorgio notes that “wax will bead up in the hot sun.”

    SCARE TACTICS
    Wednesday, 10 p.m. (Sci Fi)
        Sci Fi’s sadistic candid-camera series used to be funny every once in a while. Folks would give the producers permission to scare their unwitting friends with horror-movie scenarios. An alien would appear at a car window, the friend would scream, and everybody would laugh, including the relieved friend.
        But this season, I haven’t been laughing. The setups have crossed the line from cruelly amusing to just plain cruel. A female college student cowers as a homicidal stalker breaks into an office and advances on her. Who thinks up sick stuff like that?
        Wait a minute — what’s that behind you, Scare Tactics? Oh my God, it’s the president of the Sci Fi network, and he’s going to cancel the series! Run! Run!

    OLYMPICS
    Through Aug. 24 (NBC)
        I’ll be waving a little American flag during this week’s basketball, gymnastics and boxing competitions. Let’s hope our steroids are stronger than their steroids.

    10 MOST SHOCKING MENTAL DISORDERS
    Friday, 9 p.m. (E!)
        E! takes a break from counting down the hottest bodies and the hottest billionaire’s daughters to get serious for a minute. “10 Most Shocking Mental Disorders” counts down the hottest celebrity breakdowns, from Mary-Kate Olsen’s eating disorder to Katharine McPhee’s bulimia to Kirsten Dunst’s depression.
        Did you know that the American Psychological Association now recognizes Being Driven Mad by E! Countdowns as an authentic mental disorder?

  •     Transplanted Maine recording artist Sarah Hockridge, along with bassist Daniel Coffin, make up local acoustic rock act Ophir Drive.
        Actually, that’s not quite right. According to Hockridge — who works at the Airborne & Special Operations Museum — she performs “rockoustic,” a mixture of rock and acoustic with just a little bit of her own unique style. {mosimage}
        And while the 24-year-old native of Maine has music that’s much more than simply the sum of its acoustic rock parts, she is also much more than just a singer/songwriter who plays the local coffee house scene, performing original songs mixed with covers: She is a classically trained opera singer who excels on the piano and earned her chops in New York’s music clubs, including the legendary CBGBs, the birthing ground for such iconic bands as Blondie, the Talking Heads and the Ramones.
        However, she’s a long, long way from the Big Apple and its big, diverse music scene.
        “Fayetteville’s definitely different from New York,” said Hockridge. “But the people who have come to my shows have been very, very supportive. The tough thing is finding venues that are open to original music.”
    Indeed, Fayetteville’s clubs — long known as bastions of heavy rock and cover bands — can be a tough nut to crack for a female act playing original songs on an acoustic guitar. Hockridge has resorted to performing in intimate settings that suit her style, especially coffee houses such as The Java Bean and The Coffee Scene, though her influences include bands not known as standard bearers of sensitivity.
        “My favorite bands and musicians include Led Zeppelin, Ben Harper, Pink Floyd, Shakira and Sarah McLachlan,” said Hockridge. “I like a pretty eclectic mix of music, though it’s hard to hear those influences in my music.”
        And that’s not to say Hockridge’s music is the stare-at-the-floor-while-you-cry-into-your-beer type of stuff; she says as the word spreads about her shows she’s seeing more of our local hard-as-tacks soldiers at her shows tapping their feet and cheering her rhythmic brand of rockoustic.
        And she’s not strictly acoustic; the self-taught guitarist owns a Gibson ES-175 — an ax used by past and present jazz greats, as well as rockers such as Steve Howe of Yes.
        And like all things worthwhile, finding her dream guitar came at quite a cost.
        “I was in a vintage guitar shop in New York and walked up some stairs and there it was,” said Hockridge. “It was like angels were singing and halos were everywhere and I knew it was mine. It cost so much that I had to eat Ramen noodles for three months afterwards.”
        While Hockridge hasn’t yet shifted her gastric gears from noodles to caviar, she has found critical success with her work. Her song “Write Me Off” made it into Billboard Magazine’s year-end top 10 list, while her newest CD, Harmonic Half Life, is taking off and is available for purchase at the Airborne & Special Operations Museum gift shop.
        As for her long-term goals, Hockridge harbors bigger hopes for the future.
        “I would like to eventually perform for the USO,” said Hockridge. “One of my dreams is to surprise my husband by showing up at place he’s stationed and play. That would be awesome.
        “Of course, ultimately, it would be nice to not have to work and be able to write songs all day,” added Hockridge.
        If you want to catch Hockridge before she begins climbing the charts or boarding a jet for faraway locales such as Iraq and Afghanistan, she is playing a free show at The Coffee Scene on Saturday, Aug. 23, at 9 p.m.
        In addition to original music, she performs such covers as Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower,” Jeff Buckley’s version of “Hallelujah,” and 4 Non Blondes’ “What’s Up.”
        “I play about a 60/40 mix of originals to covers,: said Hockridge. “And if I make just one person at a live show feel something, then I’ve done my job.”
  •     Dear EarthTalk: How does congestion toll pricing, used in some cities around the world, cut down on vehicle traffic and promote green-friendly public transit?       
                                    — Bill Higley, via e-mail {mosimage}


        Despite increasing green awareness and steadily rising gasoline prices, Americans and other denizens of the developed world — not to mention millions of new Chinese and Indian drivers hitting the road every week — are loath to give up the freedom and privacy of their personal automobiles. But snarled traffic, longer commute times and rising pollution levels have given city transportation planners new ammunition in their efforts to encourage the use of clean, energy-efficient public transit. One of the newest tools in their arsenal is so-called congestion pricing (also called variable toll pricing), whereby cars and trucks are hit with higher tolls if they access central urban areas at traditionally congested times.
        Singapore was the world’s first major city to employ congestion pricing in 1975 when it began charging drivers $3 to bring their vehicles into the city’s central business district. The system has since expanded citywide, with toll rates at several locations changing over the course of a day. Funds generated by the program have allowed Singapore to expand and improve public transit and keep traffic at an optimal flow. Some of the tangible benefits of the program, according to Environmental Defense, include a 45 percent traffic reduction, a 10 miles-per-hour increase in average driving speed, 25 percent fewer accidents, 176,000 fewer pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted, and a 20 percent increase in public transit usage.
        London implemented a similar plan in 2003 that was so successful it was extended to some outlying parts of the city in 2007. Today, drivers pay $13 to bring their vehicles into certain sections of London during peak traffic hours. According to the Victoria Transport Policy Institute, London’s plan has significantly reduced traffic, improved bus service and generated substantial revenues. Environmental Defense says the plan reduced congestion by 30 percent, increased traffic speed by 37 percent, removed 12 percent of pollutants from the air and cut fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 20 percent.
        A 2006 congestion pricing experiment in Stockholm produced similar results, shrinking commute times significantly, reducing pollution noticeably and increasing public transit use during a seven-month test. The day after the trial ended, traffic jams reappeared, so Stockholm voters passed a referendum to reinstate the plan. Today the city has one of the most extensive congestion pricing systems in the world.
        Perhaps the next major city to implement congestion pricing will be New York, if Mayor Michael Bloomberg gets his way. In July 2007, the state legislature rejected Bloomberg’s first such proposal — which would have used funds collected to pay for expansions and improvements to the regional public transit system — but ever-increasing congestion and pollution might force lawmakers’ hand in the future.
        “A congestion pricing plan is the most cost-effective way to jump-start transit improvements and reduce traffic congestion,” says Wiley Norvell of Transportation Alternatives, one of a handful of groups working with Bloomberg to craft a version of the plan that will fly with state lawmakers. With two-thirds of New Yorkers opposed, it looks like an uphill battle for now, but advocates say passing such rules is inevitable.

        CONTACTS: Environmental Defense, www.environmentaldefense.org; Transportation Alternatives, www.transalt.org.

        GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? Send it to: EarthTalk, c/o E/The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; submit it at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/thisweek/, or e-mail: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Read past columns at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/archives.php.
  •     In the game of North Carolina politics Democrats have some young star players who are, right now, just sitting on the bench.
        My son got me thinking about how strong that “bench” is when he sent me a link to the blog of Calvin Cunningham, a former state senator, who is now serving as an Army officer in Iraq. ( http://thefocalpoints.blogspot.com/” ).
        {mosimage}Cunningham, who will be 35 in a few days, was on a fast track to statewide and perhaps national office when he won election to the state senate shortly after he graduated from law school. But his career in the state senate ended when his district was “adjusted” to make it almost impossible for a Democrat to win.
    After his first round of elective politics, Cunningham focused on his law practice, his growing family, and service in the Army Reserve. That reserve duty has resulted in multiple tours of duty in Iraq.
        If the time comes again for him to run for public office, his political and military experience would make him a serious contender.
        There are others in my son’s and Cunningham’s generation whose initial forays in elective politics have not been successful. But in gaining the rare experience of running statewide campaigns, each of them showed strong character, attractive talents, and resilience.
        In 2000, a very young lawyer from Rockingham County ran against Beverly Perdue in the Democratic primary for Lt. Governor. Although, Perdue beat him soundly, Ed Wilson gained lots of friends and admirers. Today he is serving as a superior court judge and is also active in the Army Reserve. Perhaps, the judiciary will be his lifetime career. But should he feel the call to run for statewide office again, I would expect to see a very strong candidate.
        J.B. Buxton is another young unsuccessful statewide candidate who would make a strong candidate if he should try again. Buxton finished a strong third in the 2004 Democratic primary for Superintendent of Public Instruction, behind ultimate winner June Atkinson. Buxton remains active in state political and educational matters.
        More recently, Hampton Dellinger lost a hard-fought race to Walter Dalton in the 2008 Democratic primary for Lt. Governor. It might be too soon for him to think about another statewide race. But his campaign this year against a tough opponent proved that he has what it takes to be a winning candidate. Dellinger’s experience working in the offices of the attorney general and the governor give him assets that many aspiring candidate would covet.
        All these current “bench warmers” are about 40 years old.
        In the meantime, we should be thankful that such good people, these and many more, are “in reserve.”
    If they think that one political defeat puts an end to their political potential, they should remember the example of our current governor, Mike Easley. His first statewide run, a race against Harvey Gantt in the 2000 Democratic primary, ended in a loss. But he gained experience, supporters, and respect.
        Sometimes the lessons of defeat are better in the long run than those learned in winning. Dr. Charles Hamner, former president of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, told me that, when searching for business executives to lead start up biotech businesses, the best candidates were often those whose prior businesses had failed. Why? Because in dealing with the challenges of a struggling, ultimately failing, business, they had shown they could handle they worst situations without breaking or losing their spirits.
  •     The proposed Employee Free Choice Act would deprive millions of American workers of their freedom of choice — proving, in case anyone ever doubted it, that there is no truth-in-labeling rule in politics.{mosimage}
        The federal legislation, pushed heavily by labor unions in Washington and the states, has been making waves in North Carolina politics, with state and federal lawmakers choosing up sides, mostly along predicable lines (Democrats in favor, Republicans opposed). The bill would among other things institute a system for union organizing that is innocuously referred to as “card check.” Rather than holding workplace elections by secret ballot, as is the current law, card check would require union organizers simply to collect enough signed cards to establish union representation in a given workplace.
        The unions want to change the rules of American labor law because they’re frustrated. Union membership in the private sector has been declining for decades. To union leaders, the trend proves that the rules must be rewritten.
    If you have young children or have spent much time around them at the playground, you’ve seen this behavior before. While they’re playing a given game, everything’s fine. But then a child loses, gets disappointed, and turns sullen. “That’s not fair!” he’ll scream out petulantly. You can explain that fair rules are meant to ensure that everyone gets a chance, not to ensure a particular result, but you’ll waste your time. Most kids just outgrow the phase.
    Unless, that is, they go to work for a labor union.
        Most Americans have no interest in joining a union, much less in being compelled to pay dues into a union whether they join or not. There’s no corporate conspiracy at work here — public-opinion surveys about unionization pretty much comport with the results of workplace elections, so the latter aren’t systemically flawed.
        Many of the politicians who advocate the card-check bill would be the first to complain if a state or foreign country got rid of secret ballots. They’d properly recognize the move as a precursor to ostracism, intimidation, or corruption. But when it comes to labor elections, they appear to believe that the end justifies the means. What they’ll really get is a voting system reminiscent of Zimbabwe or Turkmenistan.
        As it happens, I think the best policy for the federal government would be utter neutrality about the hows and wheres of labor organizing. Unions would be free to organize themselves in any way they wish, workers would be free to join or not to join them according to the unions’ rules, and employers would be free to recognize a union or disregard it altogether, without any governmental involvement. Workers would be free to withhold their labor if they wish, and employers would be free to terminate them and hire other workers if they wish.
        Unfortunately, that’s not the system we have, nor are we likely to get it anytime soon. Under decades-old labor law, unions can use the power of government to enforce their dictates and supervise their negotiations with employers. So it becomes necessary for policymakers to have a say in setting the rules for workplace elections.
        In North Carolina, Sen. Elizabeth Dole and other Republican lawmakers will speak out against the card-check legislation next month at an event in Hickory. The stakes are significant in our state, which has one of the lowest rates of unionization in the country. According to an analysis earlier this year by the Heritage Foundation, some 3.1 million North Carolina workers could lose their freedom of choice if the so-called Employee Free Choice Act were enacted into law.
        And all to satisfy the personal and political interest of a few.
  •     African dance has a unique beauty in its rhythmic action and is a form of communication that demonstrates emotion, sentiments and beliefs through movements. It can vary from the slowest movement to a movement so rapid that the eye cannot register what is happening. During the days of slavery the African slaves entertained themselves and others with musical and dance forms that contained elements they brought with them from Africa.       
        “My theory is if we understand different cultures we will not have a tendency to fear or be biased,” said Shea-Ra Nichi, instructor of African dance. “It would benefit everyone to have better clarity of other cultures and who they are.”                  
        {mosimage}Nichi is passionate about African dance culture and is launching her own dance technique. She teaches the movements and traditional music found in Haiti, Brazil, Cuba and the Congo, Africa, with live drumming. “It started in 2002 when I went away to Europe, France, Spain and Germany with a Haitian dance company,” said Nichi. “During this tour I learned more about Haitian dance.”
        Nichi added that when she returned people were interested in her teaching a class about different forms of African dance. This led to the development of her company.                       
    Niche’s dance classes will be held on Aug. 16 and Aug. 30 from 1:30-3 p.m. at the   Cumberland Dance Academy. “We will be doing ongoing classes in September,” said Nichi. “The maximum number of students I can have in one class is 32.”                    
        Nichi is an accomplished dancer, director and choreographer who has been performing professionally since age 8. She studied professional theater in New York City and has traveled to Haiti, Europe and Brazil researching and learning all forms of African cultural dance. Nichi has mastered these dance techniques for more than 15 years. Bennett Estaphane, dance partner, plays the drums and is the rhythm to Nichi’s dance technique. “He’s been with me since the very beginning,” said Nichi. 
        Future plans for Nichi include teaching classes at Elite Marshall Arts School located in downtown Fayetteville. She will teach a Brazilian Marshall Arts class and a Pilate’s class.      
        “I have a very strong influence in my natural movement,” said Nichi. “I have been doing it for a while and it is a very natural way for me to move now.”        
        The cost is $15 per class.  People of all ages and levels are invited. Cumberland Dance Academy is located in Hope Mills at 5470 Trade St. For more information call 862-5378 or 474-1134.
  •     Year after year the Arts Council of Fayetteville and Cumberland County has looked for ways to help artists flourish and to build a community enhanced by the arts. {mosimage}
        If you’re not personally involved in the local arts community, you may think the council’s exhibit at the 4th Friday gallery crawl is the pinnacle of its interaction with local artists and the community. Not true. Advocacy for artists and an artistic culture in the community is an ongoing process. Creation: the Acquisition Exhibition is a remarkable example of how the Arts Council and a local corporation lead the way in partnerships.
        In short, Creation was a result of a call for art by the Cape Fear Valley Health System to purchase original works for its new patient tower. In partnership with the Arts Council, CFVHS decided to host a competition and an exhibit which resulted in 34 works of original art being purchased by the hospital. The purchase of that many works of art at one time by a corporation is unprecedented in the area and demonstrates the positive changes taking place in our community.
        The action by CFVHS to purchase such a large body of work by artists reflects its commitment to support the diverse and extensive talent we have in our area. They singlehandedly have lead the way as an example of a substantial partnership between business and the arts.
        Something this large in scale does not just happen. First and foremost, a group or an individual has to believe in the talent of local artists and want to support local artistic commerce. William Avenel, vice president and chief information officer for the Cape Fear Valley Health System, was the individual who had the vision to support local artistic commerce. He approached the Arts Council looking at ways to buy work from area artists for the new building.
        Several key elements factor into the equation. Avenel has a background in the arts (a bachelor’s degree in art from the University of New Orleans and a master’s of fine art from the University of Alabama) and understood the importance of purchasing original works. He and CFVHS were ready and committed to monetarily supporting the local artistic community.
        In addition, the Arts Council was poised and prepared to undertake the partnership. Margo Jarvis, director of marketing and development for the Arts Council, said, “They had a budget and architectural plans in hand almost two years ago. After brainstorming ways to create a pool of original works to select from, a call for art and an exhibition was planned.”
        Jarvis also commented on how much the Arts Council “applauds the leadership of CFVHS and hopes other businesses will consider partnering with the Arts Council.”
        She added, “Although it may not seem like it at the time, purchasing just one original work from local and area artists means you are investing in the economic development of your community.”
        Avenal, the CFVHS, and Arts Council now lead the way in a win-win situation. Local artists were supported and the hospital has purchased some excellent work. Not only can the hospital pride itself on its support of the community which supports it, but many of those works will appreciate in value.
        To get the process started, the Arts Council issued a call for art for inclusion in Creation. As a result, nearly 250 pieces of artwork were submitted by 76 artists from 29 cities in North Carolina, with 44 juried into the show. Thirty-four pieces of artwork were selected for purchase and placement in the Valley Pavilion.
    Although representationalism dominated the exhibit, I was still very pleased to see some variety in style. For example, two abstract mixed-media works by Dwight Smith and two abstract paintings by Fayetteville State University art student Michael Romagano were purchased. In addition, a beautiful fabric wall hanging by Martha Sisk was purchased.
        Upon visiting the exhibit, visitors and artists will recognize many of the local artists whose work was selected for purchase.
        Already it seems as if more businesses have finally realized it is good business to support the local arts.     While in the process of reviewing the exhibit, I noticed Calvin Mims (art services coordinator for the arts council) showing the remaining works which were still available for purchase to Dr. Eric Roman and Dr. Clifton Cameron, dentists who are opening a practice in Fayetteville.
        Stephanie Robinson, an arts council board member, had mentioned the CFVHS initiative to the doctors. Both felt purchasing local art was an opportunity to support local artists. They hope to open Dental Works across from the Cross Creek Mall in early August with original local art work on the walls.
        Cameron said he was from Fayetteville and that Roman and he were “open to selecting different styles and media for their new office.” He further commented, “What is important for us as a business is to continue to support the arts and forge a long lasting relationship with the Arts Council.”
        Awareness for local talent doesn’t end with this exhibit. Mims informed me of a newly formed program he is coordinating at the Arts Council called “Art in the Workplace.” Mims stated, “The Creation competition has become a template for the Arts Council. At this time I am creating a library of images and information of local artists for businesses and individuals to view. The image library will be a way for visual artists to show their work on the Art Council’s Web site and sell work, or someone interested in their work can contact the artist directly.”
        {mosimage}For artists in the area, I personally hope you will continue or start to take advantage of the opportunities being made available to you by visiting the Arts Councils Web site, www.theartscouncil.com. The only way for more diversity in the arts to become a reality is for diverse artists to do their part in exhibiting and participating in the opportunities as they present themselves.
        Creation: The Acquisition Exhibition opened during the Fourth Friday activities, July 25 at the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County; and will remain open to the public through Aug. 16. As always, the exhibit is free, for more information, visit or call (910) 323-1776.
  •     There are many cities across the nation that are known for the blues. Memphis may be king, but Fayetteville musicians also know a lot about the blues, and on Saturday, Aug. 9, they’ll let the smokey notes and soulful blues tunes tell their story at the 4th Annual Local Artist Blues Showcase.
        Held at the Pate Room in the Headquarters Library downtown, the event will dedicate five hours to some of the hottest licks and soulful sounds around. Featuring more than 13 different artist, the show is definitely something you don’t want to miss.
        Organized by Claudia Swartz, the idea for the show first came up in 2005 over Swartz’s morning coffee. Swartz, a musician herself, came to Fayetteville from Germany as a military spouse. She quickly found her niche in the thriving blues community. What she found was the talent, but unfortunately not many venues to showcase it. “After noticing a total disregard for local musicians in the hiring process for the city’s large festivals I made hundreds of trips downtown and talked to everybody including the mayor,” she recalled. “Since no one gave me any viable solutions for this dilemma, I decided to organize the Blues Showcase.”
        {mosimage}The first event came together on Aug. 16, 2005. The library facility was almost overwhelmed as more than 400 people came together to celebrate the blues. “It was filled to overflowing with people from all walks of life, nationalities, age or race,” she said. “They were treated to the finest blues bands in Fayetteville and the showcase tradition was born.”
        This year’s event stays true to its roots spotlighting only local talent. The headliners will include some of Fayetteville’s music veterans Bob Steele, Robbie Reid and Corky Jones, but it will also shine the light on some up and coming acts such as In that Tone, Mighty Blue, Cape Fear River Blues, Dave Brown, John Lyman, Mandy Barnes, Ray King and Cool Hand.
        “Each of these artists will lend their unique talent to this show,” she said. “We love our music passionately and were it taken away it would probably devastate us more than any other tragedy could. Our music is an expression of soul and mind that slumbers within the human psyche. Creativity at its best is the motto.”
        The event begins at 1 p.m. and runs through 6 p.m. It is free and open to the public.
  •     Ashley, 15, says she was angry all the time.
        She got into fights at school.
        She was a discipline problem.
        She battled her temper like an angel wrestling with the devil.
        The good news is that in the fight for her soul and future, you can chalk one up for the seraphims. With the help of CommuniCare — a nonprofit agency under the auspices of the United Way of Cumberland County that counsels and mentors at-risk youth —  and the dedicated men and women in its employ, Ashley (her last name withheld by request) is now positively angelic.
        {mosimage}“I’ve been here since February and I feel it’s really helped me handle my emotions in a better way rather than just getting angry,” said Ashley, who parked her halo at the CommuniCare office long enough to talk about the help she’s received at the agency, “like just writing it down or expressing it in a different way.
    “I’ve stayed out of a lot of trouble that I could have gotten into if I wasn’t in this program,” said Ashley. “It gives me something to do with my time.”
        CommuniCare is getting ready to celebrate its 10th anniversary of providing troubled children and their families with guidance and help navigating the stormy years of adolescence. Among it’s many programs, CommuniCare helps the youth of Cumberland County battle the demons of substance abuse, gang activity and behavioral problems.
        John Bain, who works with the agency’s substance abuse program, says his job is bringing the diamond out of the lump of troubled coal that society often unceremoniously dumps at CommuniCare’s doorstep. And he knows he’s dealing with more than just angels with dirty faces.
        “By the time a kid comes to us they weren’t out of Bible study,” said Bain. “They’ve been pretty much run through the wringer. But I believe that 95 percent of our kids are salvageable.
        “And I’m not going to hype it,” added Bain. “I’ll say we have anywhere from a 25 to 40 percent success rate. But the wins make it worthwhile. It can be very rewarding, but you have to have the right frame of mind. If I’ve got seven kids and one of them makes it, that’s a success story. If you look at it any other way than this you’re not going to make it.”
        Formed a decade ago with the help of various county agencies and local political figures and businesses, CommuniCare helps children who might otherwise fall through the cracks of the social-support network, taking up where Smart Start leaves off, said Dr. Robin Jenkins, the non-governmental agency’s executive director.
        “Smart Start cuts off at age 5 — we start at age 6, on up to age 18,” said Jenkins. “A number of kids in middle and junior high school didn’t have a lot of services and didn’t have ways to coordinate those services. I get a feeling that the community really values us. The staff doesn’t turn over much, they seem very happy here. I equate that with us showing measurable differences in the lives of those children.”
    One of those children is Darryl, 16, who says the CommuniCare staff plucked him from a life on the mean streets that had him heading for a dead end.
        “I’ve been here since April,” said Darryl. “I was sent here because of my past. Things I did got me in trouble. Mr. Antonio (Antonio Gardner, the organization’s intensive services network care manager) brought me into the program. It’s helped me with anger and dealing with my peers and certain other things in life, like if I’m in the wrong place I know I can call him.”
        The case managers and employees at the agency become surrogate parents for many of the kids who come through the doors of CommuniCare, providing family support for those most in dire need, said Sarah Hemingway, the community programs director for Communicare.
        “I think one thing Robin has done is create a family atmosphere here,” said Hemingway. “That’s the way we work. We accept that these are kids and they may not always be nice and polite when they first get here, but they’re not going to be if we don’t provide that family-friendly atmosphere.
        “We have some youths that come through here in various programs that they become dependent upon,” said Hemingway. “Some of the kids call him (Robin) daddy. He is that role model with them. He holds them accountable and is pretty firm on those kinds of things but he is also very comforting, and kids really like to talk to adults about what they feel is important.”
        Of course, that closeness to the kids comes at a price.
        “You become attached to them,” said Hemingway. “It’s hard not to. You lose your heart to a lot of them.”
    CommuniCare doesn’t just work with the child, it pulls in the family and prescribes a treatment program involving the entire family unit. Unfortunately, unless court-ordered to do so, family members don’t have to be involved in the treatment of their children — it is a voluntary program.
        According to Richard Allingood, the program manager for the juvenile assessment center, when a youngster comes to or is referred to Communicare, an initial assessment is performed and the parents are also assessed regarding the child’s behavior.
        CommuniCare gets waivers to work with the at-risk children in the schools and once assessments have been scored, someone on the staff is assigned to work with that child. There is a sit-down with the parent(s) and a plan is devised as to where to plug that child in for services. A parent who is worried about a child having a drug problem is automatically assigned as a substance abuse education case. Children with anger management or behavioral problems are assigned to a different part of the agency.
        Allingood says that discipline problems seem to be on the rise.
        “Some of the kids today just fly off the handle so easily,” said Allingood,” so you have to determine if there’s a need for anger management.”
        In its 10-year existence, CommuniCare’s budget has grown from $250,000 to about $1.5 million, receiving funding from Cumberland County Community Development, the United Way, the Governor’s Crime Commission, the Juvenile Crime Prevention Program, the General Assembly, fundraising and grant writing.
    Jenkins says CommuniCare  — which serves about 1,000 families a year — faces constant funding challenges with a budget that always seems stretched thin; however, he says society can pay now for a pre-emptive strike, or pay more later — much more, when untreated children wind up in the already overcrowded prison system.
        “It should not be so hard to do the right thing,” said Jenkins.”It’s hard fundraising. I’m very, very thankful for the money we get; we have extraordinarily good relationships with state government, juvenile justice, county government and the United Way — I’m very thankful for all that and am very appreciative.
        “Money’s tight and sometimes it’s so hard to convince people that if you put money on the front end of the system and you do it comprehensively, you save a whole, whole lot of money on the back end, plus you raise healthier children. What a lot of people see is these are bad kids... you need to give them accountability and if they’ve done something you need to put them in a training camp or a training school. As long as that thinking succeeds, then it’s an uphill battle.”
        CommuniCare will celebrate its 10th anniversary with an open house from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 17. For more information about the open house, call 829-9017.

  • I believe that water is the only drink for a wise man. 
                                   — Henry David Thoreau


        {mosimage}Slaking your thirst in Cumberland County can be an expensive proposition when you consider well drilling costs that run into the thousands of dollars, a Cumberland County well permit that sets you back $120, and a new state law that went into effect July 1 requiring an inspection for 20 contaminants and which is expected to bump up the cost by several hundred dollars
        Such costs, as well as recently publicized problems concerning contaminated water here in Cumberland, have led many residents to call for a countywide water system — something found in neighboring counties Robeson, Hoke, Bladen and Harnett. However, if these folks are worried about the rising costs of digging a well, they “ain’t seen nothing yet “— cost estimates for a countywide water/sewer system run in excess of $120 million. And that’s based on a 1990 update of a 1969 study.
        “Any solution to the need for clean water throughout the county is going to be expensive,” said Cumberland County Manager James Martin, “and will require the support of citizens.”
        In 1994, voters defeated a bond referendum designed to fund a plan to provide countywide water and sewer. Of course, a bond referendum means higher taxes — something that doesn’t sit well with Andy Sellers, who lives on Chicken Foot Road.
    “I’ve already got a well and a septic tank and my water tastes better than anything that would come out of a county system,” said Sellers as he pumped gas into his Chevy pick-up at a Kangaroo convenience store on the outskirts of Hope Mills. “My taxes are high enough without one for water I don’t need.”
    But then there are folks like Janice Stolt, who lives outside Stedman and is scared not of the monetary costs of well water, but the health costs.
        “You just don’t know what you’re drinking anymore,” said Stolt. “I’ve got grandchildren that drink well water and I worry about what kind of chemicals are going into their bodies.”
        Cumberland County has a long history of water and well contamination issues. For example, in September 2006, water fountains and sinks at J.W. Seabrook Elementary School were turned off after coliform bacteria was found in the school’s well water. The cafeteria was forced to hand out bag lunches and the whole problem ended up costing $350,000 when the Fayetteville Public Works Commission extended a public water line  to the school.
        The contamination conundrum was once again placed on the front burner following a February meeting of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners in which two county residents, Debra Stewart and James Creager, expressed concerns about well water contaminated with chemicals such as benzene, arsenic and nitrates.
        Contaminated wells have been verified in recent months on Rim Road and Chicken Foot Road.
        Dr. Jeannette Council, vice chairman of the board of commissioners, said she knew there was a problem with contaminated wells, but the Feb. 19 meeting really drove the point home.
        “We have a tremendous challenge in finding what we can do to ensure that our citizens have potable water,” said Council. “I don’t think we realized how many contaminated wells there are in the county.”
        There are more than 100,000 wells in Cumberland County, with approximately 400 new well permits issued each year.
    Martin said he has no idea how many contaiminated wells there are in the county; however, he emphasized there are procedures property owners need to follow to ensure they have potable water.
        “Property owners of new wells should get the required permits, construct the wells to current standards, and have the water sampled,” said Martin. “Existing well owners should be sure the wells are properly constructed to include grout and appropriate well-head protection and that proper setbacks from potential pollutants are maintained. Bacteriological sampling and inorganic chemical sampling are suggested. Water testing can be done by a private lab or by applying for and paying a user’s fee at the county health department’s location at the courthouse.”
        In addition to going through all the official channels to ensure well water is safe to drink, county officials formed a task force on Feb. 27 to identify sites in the county where groundwater has been contaminated, as well as to examine the feasibility of a countywide water/sewer service. The 10-member Safe Water Task Force is made up of public health officials, utilities employees and state officials. 
        The Safe Water Task Force will eventually make recommendations to the board of commissioners, though it will not suggest ways to pay for a water system.
        Surrounding counties, all much poorer than Cumberland County, have utilized state and federal grants to implement a countywide water system — something County Commissioner Diane Wheatley says the county must explore.
    “We need to get grants to help pay for this,” said Wheatley. “It’s a big issue, perhaps the biggest one facing the county.”
    The county has set aside approximately $3 million for the Safe Water Fund.
        County Commissioner Kenneth Edge affirmed that figure is not nearly enough and that the onus of funding a water/sewer system will probably fall into the laps of the county’s taxpayers, saying that Cumberland County’s population density makes it more difficult to get the grants surrounding counties have received.
        Still, he says a new water/sewer system is vital for the growth of the area.
        “This should have been done 20 years ago,” said Edge. “But you can’t look in the rear view... you’ve got to look through the front windshield.
        “A bond referendum would be the quickest way to get it done,” said Edge. “But that would require an increase in taxes.”


  •     It’s time for the annual back-to-school essay. This summer we went to Italy to study the effects of the devaluation of the dollar against the Euro. I am distressed to report that the dollar is worth about as much in Italy as a Dennis Kucinich for president button. Paying $4 for a small cup of coffee will wake you up. Excellent table wine is cheaper than Cokes, which run about seven bucks. Italy is even more expensive than Starbucks.
        We began in Venice which is the Blanche DuBois of Italian cities, dependent upon the kindness of strangers to keep her afloat. Venice is floating in dollars supplied by kindly American tourists. Wall-to-wall tourists as far as the eye can see. {mosimage}
        Italy invented the cool hat. Venice used to be run by leaders called doges who wore a hat that looks like Beldar Conehead had mashed his head backwards when entering a low door. I would like to be a doge. It was a pretty sweet gig. In addition to the neat hat, you got a really fancy crib with high gold ceilings and paintings of saints everywhere. As doge, they paint your picture on the walls so that tourists can see you 700 years after you have departed this mortal coil.
        There are no SUVs or pick-up trucks in Venice. In fact, there are no cars in Venice. Everyone has to walk. As a result there appears to be no fat Italians in Venice. Italians are a good looking bunch of people as a result of diet, exercise and lack of constant exposure to Paris Hilton. Not that I would notice, but Italian women tended to wear low-cut tops with short belly shirts exposing flat stomachs. American tourists tended to have large overhanging bellies and carried ice cream cones in their hands.
        In one of life’s mysteries, there are no toilet seats in men’s or women’s public restrooms in Italy. As Elvis would say, “There’s a whole lot o’ hovering going on.” The lack of toilet seats raises a number of existential questions. Where have all the toilet seats gone? Were they at an Italian toilet seat convention in Vegas during the time we were there? Had they been grabbed as a result of extraordinary rendition and sent to Gitmo for further questioning? Experienced American tourists were easily recognizable because they were the ones wearing the Wal-Mart toilet seats around their necks.
        We took a boat out to Murano Island where they make very expensive glass to sell to tourists. Murano resembles what Key West would look like after an apocalypse on the U.S. mainland. The buildings are a bit tired, probably from being hundreds of years old and the tourists are gone. We managed to miss the last direct boat back to Venice and accordingly took the local vaporetto ferry.
        The winding return route took us by San Michele Island which is the cemetery where Venetians finished with their earthly duties go to be buried in above ground crypts like in New Orleans. Famous deceased dudes Igor Stravinsky and Ezra Pound are spending eternity in the Cimitero. Having an island of the dead floating just offshore from the lively teeming streets of Venice is a bit jarring and not necessarily reassuring. As an example of Italian dark humor, there is a sculpture of two large green figures in a gondola floating in the water near the Cimitero. The lead figure is standing up and pointing toward the Cimitero as if telling Venice and its visitors that is where they will all end up. I think the seated figure in the rear of the boat is telling the pointing guy to sit down and return to Venice for a final glass of wine. As Hemingway once said, “It must have been pretty to think so.”
        Next, on to Florence, and not Florence, S.C.
  •     {mosimage}Have you noticed on the Web sites of the big-box retailers there is a link entitled “What’s In The Box?” One click and you get a list of all the items you will get in the box when delivered or purchased at the store. The question is “What’s Not In The Box?” The answer is simple — service.
        After you have selected your item and proceeded to the “checkout,” you then get the service option, at a cost in addition to the purchase price of the item and “What’s In The Box?” A recent check on the Web sites of four different electronics retailers (all in Fayetteville) had service plans for the same item but a different cost on each site. The range was from $22 a year to $50 a year. Some have in-store service departments and others in which you have to call a toll-free number and then it’s “Pay attention as our menu options have changed recently….”
        I recently went to one of these retailers to purchase an item that was in a box about 3’ x 3’ in size, and weighed about 25 lb.. At the checkout counter the clerk asked if I wanted the service plan. As I deliberated, she mentioned “If you don’t buy it, then you will have to return the item to the manufacturer for service.”
    Notice the “you will have to return” part. Better save the box, just in case.
        On another occasion, a TV that I purchased came with a relatively inexpensive service plan (less than those above). When it stopped working properly, I called the toll-free number on the service plan agreement (I actually found it!) and I was told it would be repaired locally at a company I did not know. After two weeks I called to check on the status only to find out, after several attempts, that the repair company had lost their contract with the retailer because of, you guessed, it, poor service.
        Before the advent of the big-box folks, you bought your electronics and appliances from a local merchant who in most cases had grown up in the area, knew you, and if it broke, you took it to them or a repair facility with the same type of ownership and local connections. They either came to your house or made it right in the store, and didn’t extract from you a multi-year service plan for that SERVICE. They knew how to keep customers. When you called, they answered the phone, you were not put on hold, and they called you by name. Some of these folks are still in business and still give that same service because THEY come in the box. When your product doesn’t work, you give them a call and usually within 24 hours someone you know is at your door.
        Granted that the smaller retailers now have a service charge to come to your house, but you don’t pay it until you need it. With the big-box folks, you pay it regardless, and whether it’s on the phone or at the counter, how may times does the first person you talk to know how to resolve your problem? It’s always “You will need to speak to my supervisor.... He/she will be back in a few minutes.”
        The key is what comes in the box — toll-free numbers and long lines or someone you know.
  •     Since the spring of this year, the Dicksons have been attending weddings.                                                                        We have been to one almost every weekend since June, some in Fayetteville and some out of town, some in churches and some in lovely outdoor settings. I even have an outfit I have come to think of as my “wedding dress.” All the brides and bridesmaids are beautiful and all the grooms and groomsmen handsome. Sitting in various pews and folding chairs, I have been pondering this nuptial surge and have realized, yet again, the cyclical nature of life.
        {mosimage}Three decades or so ago, we were doing exactly the same thing.
        Then the brides and grooms were our friends and contemporaries. Now they are the friends and contemporaries of our children, young people we have watched grow up and, in some instances, loved as our own. A lot has occurred in between.
        Shortly after we attended our first round of weddings three decades or so ago, we began receiving fewer of those invitations and more to a different sort of social event — the baby shower. It has been a while, but I remember these occasions as fairly staid and fairly scripted, with the mother-to-be opening presents and exclaiming over various baby items. These tiny things were usually pale yellow or pale green since knowing one’s baby’s gender before she announced herself was unusual. Most of the time, the dads were not present, but if they were, they were generally in another room watching a sporting event. Small green and yellow items were not of much interest.        
        Next came the ubiquitous birthday parties.
        These, of course, were far more energetic affairs, and I remember many of them vividly. We marked such happy occasions at bowling alleys, miniature golf courses, skating rinks and in backyards all over Fayetteville. There were cakes, candles and party-favor bags of candy, pencils and other goodies appealing to young children. The first mobile phone I ever saw arrived at one of these parties. The chatting mother had come to pick up her child, and, much to my amazement, she talked into what seems now like an enormous phone the entire time as she located her son and walked him out the door with a friendly wave but nary a word to me as they departed. Sometimes the birthday boy or girl was simply overwhelmed by the long-awaited occasion and was unable to contain his or her emotions or behavior. My most vivid memory of this occurred in our own yard when our just-turned-5-year-old was overcome by the excitement of having a Fayetteville Police Department K-9 unit visit that he lost it altogether and had to be excused to his room. I can still see a little nose pressed to the window as he watched his guests watching the dog as they ate ice cream cones.
        Think the Berenstain Bears book Too Much Birthday.
        The dreaded sleepover birthday deserves a column by itself.
        Then came graduations of all sorts.
        The first graduation I remember was from a Fayetteville Parks and Recreation summer program in Mazarick Park, and the young grads wore paper plate mortar boards held on by colored yarn on their heads. There were other graduations from pre-school and special programs of all sorts, but the big ones were high school and then college, with one of our precious jewels still working on that one. These are occasions guaranteed to bring tears to a mother’s eyes, along with many laments about how our little ones who once wore little yellow and green things and paper plates on their noggins became so grown up.
    The real question, of course, is how they grew from our arms into independent human beings when nothing happened to us.
        And now we have come full circle.
        The brides and grooms I see now will always, in some ways, be children to me. I changed some of their diapers. I dried some of their tears. I put bandages on some of their scrapes. I drove them in carpools and cooked pancakes for them on Saturday mornings. I knew when they made A’s on their report cards, and I knew when they were in trouble at school or at home. I miss their regular presence in our house, dirty socks on the floor and all.
        Mostly, though, I am shocked and awed at the people they have become.
        These brides and grooms have prepared for and are now executing their life plans. They have had bumps in the road with schools which did not accept them and jobs they did not get, but they are moving on, just as we did. The trappings of their world, mostly in the form of technology and communication, are faster and easier than ours, but the core values of family and community are solidly in place.
        I check my mailbox every day and look forward to an invitation to a baby shower.
  • County’s Safe Water Task Force Makes Progress

    (Editor’s Note: James Martin is the county manager for Cumberland County.)
        The Fayetteville Observer, in recent editorial columns, has charged Cumberland County staff with being both “secretive” and “barely adequate” in their response to the challenge of providing potable water throughout the county, especially those areas with contaminated wells. These charges are inaccurate and perhaps even mean-spirited. The Observer fails to acknowledge the ongoing and unrelenting work being devoted to solving this problem. Public servants are often fairly and unfairly maligned, but the newspaper should not demean the very good beginning that has been made.  {mosimage}
        The Safe Water Task Force was formed immediately after the problem of well-water contamination became known at a public hearing on a zoning matter on Feb. 19. The task force brought together professionals with expertise and responsibility about water issues, and set to work right away on defining the challenge, determining the tasks needing to be accomplished to move forward, and in building a record of the task force’s findings. (The Fayetteville Observer has been provided minutes of the task force meetings, a public record, when they have requested them.) To date, the task force has met four times and made an initial and a subsequent interim report at public, televised meetings of the board of commissioners. To say the task force is “secretive” is unfair — these were legal meetings of state and county staff members. The task force meetings are no more “secretive” than the Observer’s internal consideration of how to deal with the letter from a possible murder suspect in the tragic Touma case.
        The board of commissioners has appropriated $2.25 million this fiscal year to address critical water contamination issues and begin preparing engineering design requirements to extend water in the county. Also, the county has signed a contract with an engineer to design a water line to the Southpoint neighborhood.
        The county has met with the Town of Hope Mills and PWC staff to begin a project to bring a water line to the Brooklyn Circle neighborhood.
        Preliminary engineering design work is under way to bring sewer to the Overhills Park community for which federal grant funding has been authorized, though not yet appropriated.
        In a parallel effort, the Eastover Sanitary District is undertaking a project to extend its water lines east to the Sampson County line.
        County staff has begun creating a countywide integrated digital database for water lines and water contamination problems. 
        County staff has held productive discussions with water providers in the region including PWC, Eastover Sanitary District, Harnett County, Robeson County and Bladen County, about potential cooperative efforts to extend water lines.
    Communication between state and local agencies is being addressed and has improved.
        The board of commissioners adopted a policy requiring testing of wells in new subdivisions that are within 1,000 feet of contaminated ground water sites.
        In short, there is a lot going on. A fair-minded view of all this activity shows that the board of commissioners and county staff are giving water issues their top priority and utmost efforts.
        But the Observer has chosen to focus not on progress but on maligning the county for not inviting a reporter to a task force meeting of staff members. It is both legal and the customary practice of local governments in North Carolina to exclude the media from internal staff meetings. The newspaper even goes so far as to suggest that there should have been a reporter present at my recent meeting with the public health director about communication between the health department and state agencies, even though I had released to a reporter prior to this meeting both my memorandum to the public health director on this topic and the public health director’s response.
        {mosimage}The challenge of providing clean water will take time and money — and citizen support — as every commissioner has publicly recognized. It will be an expensive challenge, one that voters must support in a future bond vote in order to pay for clean water. We all remember that voters rejected a water and sewer bond referendum in 1994. The Observer has recently reported that there are still homeowners in Cumberland County who do not want to pay for having clean water piped into their neighborhoods.
        The county’s staff is wrestling with ways to address this priority for the county’s citizens. Private meetings are not necessarily “secret” meetings, and works in progress are not necessarily “bungled efforts.” Our progress will not be accelerated by mean-spirited criticism from our local newspaper. The first, necessary steps toward solutions are well underway.


  •     When you think about the world’s most important resource your mind obviously jumps to oil. Wrong answer. Scientists tell us the world’s most important resource is water — clean, potable drinking water.
        For those of us living in the United States, that seems like an absurd idea. Everybody has water — but does everybody have clean water? The answer in Cumberland County is a resounding “NO.”
        Contamination of ground water is an issue that our county is going to have to face sooner, rather than later. Already, contaminated wells are cropping up throughout the county. For those affected, there are no easy answers. And for those who live in the vicinity, I would think that sleep would not come easy either.
        Like cancer, contaminated ground water tends to seep. It doesn’t remain in just one place, it moves, and the contamination grows. So, while today there may only be a handful of wells that are affected, what will that count be in six weeks, six months or six years? {mosimage}
        Cumberland County leaders do not have time to sit and wait to find out that answer. In fact, the county as a whole has waited too long. The county first began kicking around the idea of a countywide water system in 1969. Almost 40 years later, we’re back at the drawing board — kicking around the idea.
        Cumberland County’s biggest failure over the past century has been its inability to plan for the future. Instead, we sit back and wait for it to happen, and when a problem rears its head, like the issue of clean water, we’re left standing with our pants down. It doesn’t have to be this way.
        The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners exercised responsible government when they formed the Safe Water Task Force in February. The task force will, at some point in the near future, report back to the board on what it is has found and make recommendations for the best way Cumberland County can ensure that all of its citizens have clean water.
        At that point, the board must show their political will to do the right thing for the citizens of the county, but to a grea extent it falls into the laps of the citizens of Cumberland County. The commissioners can pursue grants and they can put a bond referendum forward to help fund the estimated $120 million it will take to pay for a countywide water system. But that’s all they can do.
        Then it will be in the hands of the voters who will have to decide what is more important — is it money or their very health? Each individual is going to have to answer some hard questions. What is it worth to you to know that the water you’re drinking is clean? What is it worth to you to know that you are not unknowingly poisoning your children? What is your neighbor’s life worth?
    Think about it.
  •     I last wrote you upon learning my wife had three previous husbands, not two. After enduring her lies and spending issues, plus having her deny me sex for seven years (starting with a sharp elbow in my chest when I tried to spoon), I’m out. I’m thrilled it’s over, but terrified to start a relationship and possibly repeat the horror.
           —Some Encouragement, Please


        On seven separate occasions, Bank of America’s tellers handed out a total of $12,000 of my money to thieves, including a woman with missing teeth and a fake driver’s license in my name with the wrong expiration date. Meanwhile, their spokeslady, Betty Riess, brags to the media that they have “multiple layers of security.” Uh, such as...asking a thief whether she’d like my money in $10s, $20s or $100s? You probably have a similar method for vetting women — pretty much just hoping they are who they claim to be.     The good news is, finding an honest woman isn’t a crap shoot. Just be vigilant. Listen, observe, analyze. Take your time. Most people can’t entirely hide who they are unless you help by closing your eyes and crossing your fingers — behavior that can lead to dangerous unprotected sex; in your case, spooning without a hockey goalie chest guard.

    The Course of True Love
        I work at a big supermarket. I’m 21, and have a hot co-worker who’s 42. (I love older women!) I want to tell her I’m looking for a little bit of a girlfriend and sex, and see if she’s into it. I know I should show confidence without being cocky, and be direct, but what else?
                                —Very Interested


        By all means, be direct: Perhaps mention that she’s getting on in years, but you’re kinda into the older meat. And then, just get to it: “I’m looking for a little bit of a girlfriend and sex.” Surely, she’ll take it in stride: “Oh, that’s in aisle four, next to the hot cereals.” Of course, there’s another direct approach -- ask her out for a beer. Even if she senses what you’re after, as long as it isn’t spoken, you can both pretend you’re just thirsty and wondering whether she is, too. Depending on how drinks go, either give her a friendly hug goodnight or try to kiss her in the parking lot. Whatever happens, make it your policy never to blurt out exactly what you want from a woman -- that is, unless you’re trying to see whether you can afford her services.

    Got a problem? Write Amy Alkon, 171 Pier Ave, #280, Santa Monica, CA  90405, or e-mail AdviceAmy@aol.com (www.advicegoddess.com)
  •     The European Union allows fruits and vegetables to be sold only in prescribed sizes and colors (such as its 35 pages of regulations governing 250 varieties of the apple, or rules that cucumbers must be straight and bananas curved). In June, British marketer Tim Down complained that he was forced to discard 5,000 kiwi fruit because they were 1 millimeter in diameter too small and one-fourth ounce too light. (It is illegal even to give them away, as that would undermine the market price.) “Improvements” in the EU system continue, according to a July Washington Post dispatch from Brussels: Despite 10 pages of standards on the onion and 19 amendments, the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture recently issued a report urging further refinements, using 29 pages and 43 photographs.

    GREAT ART!
        Artist Michael Fernandes’ exhibit in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in June caused a commotion because it was merely a banana on a gallery’s window sill, and Fernandes had it priced at $2,500 (Cdn) (down from his original thought, $15,000). Actually, Fernandes changed bananas every day (eating the old one), placing progressively greener ones out to demonstrate the banana’s transitoriness. “We (humans) are also temporal, but we live as if we are not,” he wrote. Despite the steep price, two collectors placed holds on the “work,” requiring the gallery’s co-owner, Victoria Page, to get assurance from callers. “It’s a banana; you understand that it’s a banana?”

    GOVERNMENT IN ACTION
        In May, the school board in Barrie, Ontario, notified Children’s Aid Society to intervene with mother Colleen Leduc and her daughter Victoria, 11, because of suspected sexual abuse, angering the conscientious Leduc, who until that point had taken extraordinary measures to protect the girl, who is autistic. Upon investigation, it was revealed that the suspicion came from a teaching assistant who said her psychic had told her that a girl with a “V” in her name was being abused by a man aged 23 to 26. Leduc now refuses to trust Victoria to public schools because “they might want to take out a Ouija board or hold a seance.”


    PRISONER POWER
        The June transfer of a prisoner from lockup to Britain’s Northampton Crown Court, just across the street, required summoning the closest prison van (57 miles away) to come give him a ride. The prisoner (accused thief Mark Bailey) could not simply be walked across the street because officials feared that public, custodial exposure (a “perp walk”) would embarrass him, in violation of his “human rights.”
  •     Summer is going by quickly and fall will be coming soon. This is prime time to enjoy the state by riding and camping. To help you prepare for a camping trip I’ll give you some tips on your packing list.{mosimage}
    First, you need to make sure you have bags for your bike or some way to transport the camping equipment. It does not take long to fill up a bike. Space quickly becomes prime real estate. Next, create a packing list. Write it out and make additions and deletions as needed. Here is a list of items you will want to take:  air mattress, camp saw, candles, collapsible chair, compass, cord, ground cloth, hatchet, Swiss Army knife or Leatherman, lantern, matches/lighter, sacks and/or bags, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, stakes/rope, tent and toilet paper.
        For cooking: camp stove and fuel, can opener, coffee making stuff, condiments, cooking pots/pans, corkscrew, cup(s), dish soap and pad, dish towel, drinks, food, garbage/trash bags, knife/fork/spoons, water bottle(s), coffee, salt and pepper and sugar and creamer.
        Bike items: bike cover, saddlebags, boots and socks, scarf, bungee cords, spare bulbs, cargo net, spare fuses, chain oil/wax, spare key(s), earplugs, tank bag, gloves, tire patch kit, helmet, tool kit, jackets, totes, windshield cleaner, Leatherman tool, lock/security stuff, oil, rain gear and rain gloves.
    Personal stuff: medications, brush, shampoo, casual clothes, shaving kit, chapstick, soap, comb, sunglasses, contact lenses and cleaner, toothbrush and toothpaste, dental floss, towel, waterless hand cleaner, Wet Ones, deodorant, towel/washcloth, fanny pack, backpack, Kotex/tampons and reading glasses.
        Clothing items: sports bras, sweatshirt(s), cycling shorts, swimsuit, hat/sun visor, T-shirts, jeans, tennis shoes/sandals, polypro underwear, underwear, shirts, shorts, socks, sweater(s).
        Information items: binoculars, palmtop computer, book(s), paper & pencil/pen, camera & accessories, passport/ID, cell phone & charger, phone list, cellular modem, radar detector, diary, registrations papers, drivers, license, mp3 player, GPS, tickets/passes, Insurance, travel guide(s), Intercom, laptop computer, maps, membership cards. Remember to take hard copies of your itinerary in the event you can’t get computer connections or something happens to your electronic equipment.
        Miscellaneous items: ear plugs, travel pillow, bug repellent, sewing kit, cable ties, snake-bite kit, cash/travelers check/ATM card, credit card(s), quarters, space blanket, stamps for postcards, duct tape, sunscreen, extra batteries, Super Glue, first aid kit, flashlight, freezer bags (for packing/waterproofing), Ibuprofen/Tylenol, rubber bands and poncho to cover your equipment.
        If there is a topic that you would like to discuss please send your comments and suggestions to motorcycle4fun@aol.com. RIDE SAFE!

  • X-Files: I Want To Believe (Rated PG-13)

        Chris Carter made a bad choice. I Want to Believe (100 minutes) might have worked as a one-hour episode in the middle of a season. It does not work as a stand alone feature-length film released the weekend after Dark Knight. It is truly painful only because all the elements of the beloved series are present…. Scully’s (Gillian Anderson) hardcore skepticism mixed in with her strong religious faith, Mulder’s (David Duchovny) brilliant intuitive leaps combined with an openness to extra-normal explanations, the creepy camera work and spot on musical cues are just as they should be. The chemistry between the two leads is marvelous to behold, and rediscovering the characters is worth watching the film. Worth watching, that is, until the last 20 minutes or so, when the passable up until that point plot disintegrates into the kind of absurdity normally reserved for low budget B-movies.
        {mosimage}Six years after Mulder (Duchovny) and Scully (Anderson) left the FBI, she is working at a Catholic hospital and he clips newspaper stories about strange events. While wrestling with the moral issues inherent to treating a terminally ill child with an unproved and painful remedy, Scully is contacted by an FBI agent who wants Mulder’s assistance on an abduction case involving Father Joseph Crissman (Billy Connolly), a psychic with an unexplained connection to the case. At first, Mulder is reluctant to work with Agent Whitney (Amanda Peet) and Agent Drummy (Xzibit), but he soon becomes obsessed with the mystery and is drawn deeper and deeper into the case while Scully tries to distance herself from the violent case and focus on her medical career. As tempting as it is to offer more plot detail, if only to mock the disappointing finale, there is a substantial amount of suspense generated from the film’s early promise. If you are able to refrain from leaving the theater in disgust as soon as the credits role, than there is a post-credit scene to look forward to (which I missed).
        There are some nice secondary roles, including Battlestar Galactica’s Callum Keith Rennie and, reprising his role as Walter Skinner, Mitch Pileggi.
        References to the original series are sprinkled throughout the film, including a reference to William, Mulder and Scully’s little boy, pencils in the ceiling, and a heaping dish of sunflower seeds. Some of the less successful elements of the series are left out (i.e. alien conspiracy and Agent Moronica); even so, Scully manages to name check Mulder’s long lost sister early in the film.
        The characters have aged, no doubt about it. Mulder seems a shadow of his former self, and bits of his Californication persona show through the seams. Luckily, he is still hot, as is Gillian Anderson, who, impossible as it seems, has actually grown even more attractive since the series end.
        I Want to Believe is not an example of bad film, and in fact, it almost works despite the somewhat ridiculous premise. However, perhaps because it is based on a series with a strong mythology and truly memorable characters, it is a film that fails to distinguish itself.

  • Inspector Lynley crumbles on his way out the door

        Mystery! just ended Foyle’s War with a yawn. The Inspector Lynley series also ends this summer, but what a difference. This week’s episode, the second-to-last (Sunday, 9 p.m., PBS), is almost unbearably tense and tragic.
        When Inspector Lynley began in 2001, Detective Thomas Lynley (Nathaniel Parker) was a cool customer. Handsome, reserved, upper-crust — he was born on top of the world and seemed destined to stay there. But cracks slowly appeared in his façade, and by now it has completely crumbled. Lynley’s wife was murdered right in front of him, and he starts this season a wreck. He’s on leave from the force, drinking himself to death and seeing a psychologist. “She asked me to draw my grief,” he tells his loyal partner, Detective Havers (Sharon Small).
        Clearly, it will take more than drawing to pull Lynley out of his pit. It will take the discovery of a corpse — that of a little boy who disappeared 12 years ago. Lynley is a friend of the boy’s parents, and he throws himself into this cold case. It soon heats up again, spectacularly so, and Lynley himself gets burned. Before he knows it, a woman mysteriously dies and he’s accused of her murder.
        No, our hero will not be allowed to make a graceful exit. Fasten your seatbelts; the series finale is Aug. 17.

    CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK{mosimage}
    Wednesday, 10 p.m. (A&E)
        Magician Criss Angel places an ad seeking people who are skeptical of his supposed supernatural abilities. He invites the skeptics to lead him to four elevator doors. Behind three of them are regular elevators, while the other one hides an empty shaft. Blindfolded, Criss must decide which of the three elevators are safe to enter.
        If he chooses wrong, he dies. If he chooses right, the skeptics must admit that he has magical powers. And that Santa Claus is real, too.

    OLYMPICS OPENING CEREMONY
    Friday, 8 p.m. (NBC)
        Once again, the Olympics sets up shop in a repressive country. The choice of China for the summer games has sparked worldwide outrage, and the touchy Chinese authorities may not be able to keep a lid on dissent as the international community floods into Beijing. Some of the fastest times all week may be clocked by protesters fleeing government goons.

    TRUE CONFESSIONS OF A HOLLYWOOD MADAM
    Saturday, 9 p.m. (Lifetime)
        Joanne “JoJo” Levesque walks, talks and acts like Lindsay Lohan in a TV movie about a teen actress who parties till she drops — literally, face first on the red carpet. Morgan is rushed to rehab, then to Indiana to live incognito with her regular-gal aunt (Valerie Bertinelli). You can connect the dots from there. Morgan begins her Midwestern adventure snobby and cynical, but slowly warms to normal life. The Indiana dreamboat arrives right on cue.
       

  •     The Crown Coliseum has had very few sold-out shows in recent years. Coliseum officials can always count on wrestling to fill seats, and last fall they learned that country music can also pack the stands. {mosimage}
    I happened to be at both of those packed country shows last year — the CMT Tour featuring Sugarland, and again, when Reba and Kelly brought the house down. Both shows were great, but I have to say the Sugarland concert was my favorite.
        Sugarland, the Atlanta duo formed by Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush, put on one heck of a show. Their energy level was through the roof and their connection to the audience was genuine. That probably comes from the years they were playing in small bars and honky tonks throughout the South. On top of all that, they were just plain fun — everything from Nettles’ over-the-top southern drawl to Bush’s crazed guitar. So, with that in mind, I was only too happy to check out their latest offering Love On the Inside. Released July 22, the new CD comes in two forms — a regular release and a deluxe fan edition. I opted for the fan edition, which has five extra songs (some of which were recorded during last year’s tour.)
        So before I give you my spin, let me be straight up and tell you that the CD has already hit the number two spot on Billboard’s Top Current Album list and has become the number one debut country album of the year. So that tells you about sales.
        Let me tell you about the album.
        Love On the Inside is a compilation of songs written by Bush and Nettles along with some of their friends. It’s a hard album to peg because the songs are so different — you have everything from the opening number “All I Want To Do,” which is really a pretty rollicking pop song, to the dyed-in-the-wool traditional country of “The Last Country Song,” to the romantic “Fall Into Me.” Having said that, I have to say that there will be songs on this offering that you will either love or hate. If you are a hardcore country fan, you’re going to think the band has sold-out with “All I Want to Do.” If you are more of a crossover country fan, then you aren’t going to like some of the mandolin-laced tunes. But you are going to find something you like.
        If I had not seen the band in action, I would probably have been turned off by “All I Want to Do.” But,  having seen their quirky, funny side, it comes across as the two just having a little fun. So I’m okay with it. I do not like it at 4 a.m. It’s way too perky.
        “The Very Last Country Song” pays tribute to the idea that if life were perfect, we wouldn’t need country music. It talks about change, loss and love – things that are pretty constant in our world. That’s probably why country music has been a constant.
        “Take Me as I Am,” a song about a hotel maid who wants to be loved just for who she is, allows Nettles’ voice to soar. Nettles’ voice is an instrument all by itself. She can hit some smokey low notes, but when she opens it up it truly fills an arena — or in my case, my Honda as I’m driving down the road. There’s a purity to her voice. It speaks of home, heartbreak and salvation.
        My favorite track on the record is “Fall Into Me.” The song is a love song, but it’s about the kind of love that makes you want to crawl into your lover’s skin and stay there until you know them from the inside out. (Not the crazy kind of take their skin off and wear it, but become so close you feel like you’re inside each other.) It talks about wanting to be the person to fill the void in the other, to be the person who you reach for first. It talks about forever and that can’t be too long.
        The other really cool part of the fan pack is the inclusion of albums recorded during last year’s tour. One song in particular (a remake of an ‘80s hit)  “Life in a Northern Town,” features all of the performers at the concert — Sugarland, Little Big Town and the new country heartthrob, Jake Owen. This track is totally out of keeping with the rest of the CD, but it’s a really, really good track. Check it out.

  • {mosimage}Dear EarthTalk: What’s going on in the music industry with all the CDs and plastic CD holders undoubtedly generating a lot of plastic waste?       
                                       — John S., via e-mail


        According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), CDs and DVDs are typically manufactured by combining various mined metals (aluminum, gold, silver and nickel) with petroleum-derived plastics, lacquers and dyes. Given what complicated beasts CDs and DVDs are — products with thin layers of different materials mixed together are nearly impossible to recycle — most municipal recycling programs won’t accept them, leaving consumers to fend for themselves in figuring out how to dispose of them. As a result, most discarded discs end up in the trash.
        These difficult-to-recycle materials can pollute groundwater and, in turn, contribute to a whole host of human health problems. But the low cost of producing such top-selling consumer items means that replacing them with something greener is not likely anytime soon.
        Research has shown that polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable plastic-substitute derived from corn and other agricultural wastes, could replace plastic polycarbonate as a disc’s main substrate, but the present high cost of using such a material makes it unlikely to catch on any time soon with those paying to produce mass volumes of CDs and DVDs.
        As for jewel cases, most are made out of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), an inexpensive petrochemical-based plastic that is notoriously difficult to recycle and has been linked to elevated cancer rates among workers and neighbors where it’s manufactured. Furthermore, when PVC is thrown in with regular recyclables it can contaminate entire batches, ruin equipment and cause human health problems. While cardboard and paper jewel cases may be all the rage among a few record labels — Warner Music Group’s U.S. division, for example, has been using 30 percent post-recycled paper for the packaging in all of its CDs and DVDs since 2005 — the high cost and low durability of such alternatives have kept them largely out of the mainstream.
    So what’s a conscientious consumer to do? Those willing to pay a small processing fee can send old CDs and DVDs to one of a handful of private companies (such as Washington-based GreenDisk) set up to recycle them into high-quality plastics used in auto parts, office equipment, alarm panels, street lights, electrical cable insulation, jewel cases and other specialized items.
        A shift in consumer preferences already underway may be just the thing that will make everyone’s personal collections of music and movies greener. Consumers are already able to download some six million individual digital songs via the 500 or so legal online music services now up and running on the Internet. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, digital sales now account for some 30 percent of all U.S. music sales and 15 percent globally. And most consumer analysts expect these percentages to grow steadily in the coming years, which is good news for the environment.
        CONTACTS: EPA’s “Lifecycle of a CD or DVD,” www.epa.gov/osw/students/finalposter.pdf; GreenDisk, www.greendisk.com; International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, www.ifpi.org.
        GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? Send it to: EarthTalk, c/o E/The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; submit it at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/thisweek/, or e-mail: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Read past columns at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/archives.php.
  •     I’ve been asked how to fit a healthy fitness lifestyle into an already busy and hectic schedule. Especially now that kids are running to camps and we’re on vacation. Remember, an active lifestyle is more than visiting the gym for an hour or jumping around in the living room to an aerobics tape. If you get creative, you will find ways to incorporate movement into almost everything you do. Here are some suggestions to get you started and help you boost your activity level. If you make a conscious effort to add more activity into your daily life, it will become second nature. Give some of these suggestions a try:
        Walk as much as possible by parking the car a few blocks away from where you’re headed or walk to an appointment from your office instead of driving. Whenever you’re walking try to focus on long PURPOSEFUL strides that are quicker than normal pace. This gets the heart rate going a bit faster than just meandering along.
        {mosimage}Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk up the stairs as quickly as you can. For a little variation, try slowing down and taking two stairs at a time to further strengthen your legs.
        During breaks at work, walk the stairs, walk around the building or walk down the halls. Find any type of activity that keeps you moving during your break — you can sit at your desk and relax after the break!
    Whenever you’re walking somewhere, take the “long way around.” Use this technique to get anywhere you’re going from shopping at the mall to getting a drink at the water cooler.
        At the supermarket, if you don’t have too many bags, carry your own groceries out to the car without the shopping cart. And remember, park the car in a spot furthest from the store entrance but at night make sure it is in a well lit area.
        Work in a garden or the yard during the summer. Gardening will take your body through a whole range of movements.
        If you have children, or grandchildren, spend some quality time playing with them. Few things can jump-start your heart as quickly as trying to keep up with a child. Play catch, jump rope, play on the monkey bars, push them on the swing or have a foot race.
        Take lessons to learn how to play tennis, racquetball, golf or any other activity you think you might enjoy.
    Designate an area of your vehicle as “the locker room.” In that area (or box) put a pair of tennis shoes, clean socks, clean towel, Frisbee, tennis rackets, softball and gloves or any other items that strike your fancy. Whenever you’re out and about with a little extra time you can spontaneously stop off at a park to play catch, a tennis court for a game of tennis, or a walking path that’s calling you to explore it.
    Now stop reading this article and get out there and PLAY!
  •     I recently attended a special political-discussion panel at North Carolina’s annual 4-H Congress in Raleigh. It included four stellar young panelists from the 4-H ranks and attracted the attention of hundreds of the state’s most-impressive and accomplished youth. {mosimage}
        There was a disquieting moment, however. The moderator asked the audience to identify themselves by a show of hands as Democrats, Republicans or something else. The party allegiances were roughly equal. Then, the host asked for supporters of Barack Obama to raise their hands. They did so with enthusiasm. Finally, he asked for supporters of John McCain to raise their hands. Almost as many did so, but they were jeered loudly by some of the Obama supporters. Several sitting close to me said they couldn’t believe anyone disagreed with Obama.
        I don’t relate the story to impugn anyone’s motives or preferences. Rather, I fear that many political partisans — and not just those youth who lack life experience — are letting their expectations get away from them. I know some Democrats who, like the young people I met Tuesday, will be bewildered and crushed if Obama is not elected the next president of the United States this fall.
        It’s great to believe passionately in a political cause or candidate. It’s not healthy, however, to discount or misunderstand one’s opposition and to draw unrealistic conclusions about the capacity of any one political leader to engineer radical change, for good or ill.
        With regard to the Obama-McCain contest itself, partisans ought to be cautious about assuming victory. There’s no question that the odds favor the Democrat, given President Bush’s low approval rating and general public angst. But it is entirely possible that McCain will end up winning a close November vote. A fair-minded observer would have to grant that Obama has little experience in Washington, in foreign and defense policy, or in running any large organization. His record is also one of the most left-leaning in the U.S. Senate. Swing voters could conceivably conclude that while they like the man, and would welcome the prospect of electing a non-white president, they should give McCain the edge based on experience or relative moderation.
        Similarly, while some conservatives and Republican partisans might believe that the 2006 Democratic surge was a fleeting response to bad luck and Bush administration incompetence, it would be foolish not to recognize what the available data and historical experience reveal. Political parties shouldn’t count on winning three back-to-back presidential elections in any event. Add in concern about gas prices, the economy, international tensions and other factors, and you can explain the current odds in Obama’s favor pointed, inherently. But each side ought at least to prepare itself against the possibility of shock.
        Although both men differ from Bush in important ways, neither will be capable of waving a magic wand to dispel economic turmoil or reduce energy prices. They may possess more knowledge or diplomatic skill, but neither is capable of dispelling most of today’s international tensions (Obama is personally popular abroad, for example, but some of his stated policies, particularly on free trade and Pakistan, will not be).
        The American constitutional system is dissimilar from parliamentary government in fundamental ways. Presidents aren’t guaranteed to have their legislation pass Congress intact, even when it is controlled by the same party. Elections are frequent and can be unpredictable, as the 1992-94 and 2004-06 periods demonstrate.
        It should be possible to care about politics without allowing political disagreements to become personal, or political expectations to soar so far into the stratosphere that they can only be brought back down to Earth with a devastating crash.

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