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  • Margaret Dickson OpinionAll parents worry about their children, and back in 1492 when I was the mother of school age children, my husband and I worried about their schools, teachers, and all that accompanies the years-long process of formal learning. We called it “adventures in education,” and it was different with each child and with each school year.

    If I were a parent of school age children in 2023, I would be both confused and terrified. Under the banners of “school choice” and “parental rights,” North Carolina legislators are systematically dismantling public education as we have known it.

    The assault began relatively modestly in 2011 when the General Assembly lifted the 100-school cap on what had been an experiment in less-regulated public schools dubbed charter schools. Today we have more than 200 of them, whose educational quality varies wildly, though many parents may not understand that reality.

    The dismantling effort has continued with a program to channel North Carolina taxpayer dollars to non-public schools, specifically private, often religiously affiliated operations with almost no accountability for the use of our tax dollars. This transfer of public funds into private hands is called a “voucher” program.

    Charter schools are a national phenomenon in response to perceived failures of public schools and a sense that “one size fits all” does not work for many students. Charter schools are likely here to stay, but the ageless caveat of “buyer beware” applies, because the quality of individual charter schools varies significantly. North Carolina has some excellent ones, notably in and around urban areas.

    Charters do administer state-required tests, but they are not required to follow state curricula. Only 50% of their teachers are required to be licensed, and there are no required teacher workdays or professional development programs. Transportation is not required, and if a charter school offers it, it does not have to meet the safety standards of traditional public schools transportation.

    A deeply concerning reality to me is that many charter schools are increasingly operated by private, for-profit companies, a transfer of public funds into private companies that make little investment and face little risk or responsibility.

    North Carolina’s newer school voucher program, appealingly called “Opportunity Scholarships,” is even more problematic. Hard data is difficult to come by since there is little regulation of the program, but a report by the North Carolina Justice Center found allegations of religious and other discrimination and the teaching of factually inaccurate information.

    There have also been instances of private schools receiving more state financed vouchers than they had students and schools receiving tax paid vouchers after they have closed their doors. In addition, these voucher tax dollars may soon be available not only to lower-income families but to even the wealthiest among us.

    Parental desire for choices for their children is understandable and laudable. My family wished for that as well. With choice, though, comes responsibility to research the options as well as possible before diving into them.

    The General Assembly has enormous responsibility as well. It should require more accountability from both charter schools and private schools that take vouchers so that parents can make informed choices for the children and so that taxpayers can see how much and where our hard-earned tax dollars are going.

    Failure to do so is the worst form of dereliction of legislative responsibility to the North Carolinians who sent them to Raleigh.

    Producing ill-educated does no one any good — not individual students and not the state as a whole. Ignorance is the answer to nothing.

  • Hudson Flags"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
     
    Since our nation's founding 247 years ago, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness have defined the American dream. In the Declaration of Independence, our Founding Fathers set the goal of building a land where all could live freely and peacefully.
     
    As your Congressman, I will always defend your rights from those who seek to destroy life, threaten our liberties, or endanger your pursuit of happiness as an American citizen.
     
    That’s why throughout my time in Congress, I have been a leading proponent of protecting your Second Amendment rights. In recent weeks, I have led multiple pieces of legislation that reverse government overreach into your home and on your right to keep and bear arms.
     
    Earlier this year, President Biden’s ATF established a new pistol brace ban which turned many combat wounded veterans and law-abiding citizens into felons overnight. 
     
    These braces were first designed to help wounded veterans continue to exercise their Second Amendment rights. Following the Biden administration’s latest regulation, I took to the House floor to sponsor the legislation to block it and am proud my bill passed the House with bipartisan support.
     
    Although our resolution was just a few votes short of passage in the Senate, I will always defend your Second Amendment rights and will never stop fighting for our nation's heroes who have sacrificed for our country.
    The ATF’s brace rule illustrates the dangers of an unchecked federal agency that is willing to go around Congress and the millions of constituents we represent. 
     
    As Congress’ leading defender of the Second Amendment, I will continue to focus on solutions that protect our rights.
     
    President Ronald Reagan once said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where people 
    were free.”
     
    While there are many things that can divide us, being American unites us all and it's up to us to preserve our nation for the next generation.
     
    This month we celebrated Independence Day — one of the most important holidays in our country, and I am, and always will be, proud to be an American. 
     
    I am especially grateful to the millions of patriots who have served our nation in uniform and sacrificed along with their families, many of whom call our region home, for our freedoms.
     
    As we commemorate the founding of our nation, I hope you were able to enjoy time with family and friends to celebrate the rights we enjoy as Americans and all the things that make our country the greatest on Earth.
  • Pitt after life dead ahead fullDid you ever wonder what happens once you cross the Great Divide? Fortunately, you are about to find out without first breaking on through to the Other Side.

    As another fine leisure service of this column, we have invited Mr. Natural to explain this mystery in only 850 words. Mr. Natural is a world famous philosopher invented by Robert Crumb. Mr. Natural knows even more than Carnac the Magnificent who used to appear on Johnny Carson several decades ago. This is no small feat, as Carnac knew the answers before the question was even asked. 
     
    For those of us in the fourth quarter of life, the issue of what’s next looms up like an ice berg on a frosty April night in front of the Titanic. You can hope for double overtime, but eventually the refs will blow the whistle and the clock stops. 
     
    Now what?
     
    Mr. Natural was watching a zombie movie on Netflix recently which brought up the question of death. He explained: “As a practical matter, do you know what happens the day after you die?” Drum roll, please. 
     
    The answer is everything happens. People go to lunch, pay bills, watch ads on teevee. Flights leave Atlanta. Squirrels chase birds off bird feeders. Weeds grow. Politicians tell lies. If you are lucky, you get a funeral where people say or think nice things about you for about an hour. Then life goes on without you as if you had never been there. Once your estate has gone through probate, your stuff has been distributed to your heirs and the various government agencies who collect a piece of the pie, that’s it. Typically, the only real personal items of the dead person left after a couple of years are their wallets. Emptied of cash, your wallet remains with expired credit cards, an old driver’s license, perhaps a social security card, library card, and a couple of coupons for stores that went out of business years ago. Seems kind of bleak doesn’t it?
     
    However, humanity has come up with various religious theories to make the prospect of your post-death situation more palatable. Let’s take a look at some of the oldest theories. You can choose which one you like best. Any discrepancy in the following summaries and the actual beliefs of the religions are purely my fault in misunderstanding what Mr. Natural told me. 
     
    The ancient Egyptians believed their spirit would get by with a little help from their friends in the After Life. Small funeral statues called Shabtis were buried with guest of honor. Magically, the Shabtis would come to life in the After Life. The Shabtis would work the plot of land assigned to the dead Egyptian in the Underworld. This allowed the dead rich Egyptians to kick back and relax while someone else had to do the work. Pretty sweet deal if you were a wealthy dead guy.
     
    Ancient Zoroastrians figured that the burying the bodies of the dead was a sacrilege because the four elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water should not be contaminated by the bodies of the dead. The deceased was put into the Tower of Silence to be left in the sun where his earthly remains would be eaten by birds. Four days after death, the soul would go to the Bridge of the Requiter where it would be determined if the deceased’s good deeds in life outweighed his bad deeds. Good souls went to heaven and bad souls went to Hell. Ultimately, there was a chance for the bad guys to get out of Hell when the Wise Lord would finally beat the Demon Lord freeing everyone from Hell. Hope springs eternal.
     
    Ancient Babylonians did not hold out much hope for the dead. They believed once you were dead that was pretty much it. You stayed dead. Their best hope was for a long life, old age and descendants who would live long after you were gone. King Nebuchadnezzar is quoted saying: “Make my years to endure like the bricks of Ibarra, prolong them into eternity.” It is unclear if the bricks of  Ibarra are still around. It is certain Nebuchadnezzar has checked out.
     
    Buddhists believe that what goes around comes around. Like John Lennon once sang, “Instant Karma gonna get you.” After you die, your spirit is transferred into one of six levels; three are fortunate and three are unfortunate. If you have been bad, you might come back as a giant bug like Gregor in Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis.” If your Karma is good, you might be reincarnated as a an angel. If your Karma reaches the highest level of Nirvana, the cycle of reincarnation stops; otherwise you keep going through reincarnations. Back in the 60s there was a bumper sticker that said “Your Karma ran over my dogma.” No one knew what that meant. 
     
    So there you have it. If you are not Christian, Muslim or Jewish, you could choose one of these theories if it helps you get through the night. Unfortunately, there is no NFL two minute warning in life about when the game is going to end. Govern yourself accordingly.
  • AgricultureThe demand for food is directly related to population growth. By 2050, food needs are expected to double, according to a study published in the journal Agricultural Economics. That puts increasing pressure on the agricultural sector to meet growing demand.

    However, many experts think the industry will fall short. In addition to increased food demand, consumer habits, technology and policies continue to force the agricultural industry to evolve. Indeed, the agricultural sector may look very different in the future.

    Bigger digital footprint
    Social media has transformed many industries, and it can do the same for agriculture. Farming supply chains can communicate with one another by getting feedback from customers in real time through social media. However, agricultural operations will have to devote teams to manage social media presence, especially since misinformation is so widespread on social media.

    Apart from social media, local farmers may increase their efforts to use mobile apps and direct-to-consumer purchasing options. The global pandemic helped businesses reimagine takeout and curb-side shopping.

    Local farms may want to market to the home-shopping community, providing ways to deliver produce, fresh meat and poultry and other items direct to customers’ homes.

    Regenerative agriculture
    The future may feature a significant shift in the way farms source their ingredients. Regeneration International says that regenerative agriculture can be the future. This describes farming and grazing practices that may help reverse climate change by rebuilding soil organic matter and restoring degraded soil biodiversity.

    Some insist that farmers who utilize regenerative agriculture produce food that is more sustainable and healthy. This is something eco- and health-conscious consumers can stand behind.

    Technological advancement
    There’s a good chance that technology will continue to play important and growing roles in farming operations. New agricultural technologies can collect data on soil and plant health and produce results in real time.

    Precision farming technology can be developed to deliver integrated solutions no matter the size of the operation.

    Shift in what’s grown
    Farmers may give more thought to sustainable products. Crops like hemp and cannabis are being utilized in new and innovative ways, and they’re only the start as consumers have expanded their views on plant-based foods and products.

    While there’s no way to see into the future, individuals can anticipate changes that could be in store for the agricultural sector in the decades ahead.

  • Sunset SeriesAn all-female country and “new” grass band, moonshine, cocktails and a unique NASCAR exhibit are a few of the many options to experience at Cape Fear Botanical Garden’s Sunset Series event on July 21.

    According to Beth Hess, Marketing and Sponsorship Consultant at Cape Fear Botanical Garden, the Sunset Series allows attendees to enjoy the long stretches of daylight during the summer. It even invites people to experience the garden during hours when they are usually closed.

    The Sunset Series has been a part of summers at Cape Fear Botanical Garden since late 2020.

    “We have one featured night in June, July and August. At times it has included murder mystery events, performing arts and concerts,” Hess said.

    The July 21 event is bee-themed and is from 6 to 9 p.m. It’s for more than just nature lovers.

    Attendees of the event will be able to purchase from different food trucks on site, Bees & Boards Charcuterie Co., cocktails and moonshine.

    “Bees & Boards will be there because of the bee theme and because charcuterie is yummy and great to share with your ‘honey,’” Hess said.

    Admission for CFBG members and children age 5 and under is free.

    For non-members, children ages 6 to 12 entry is $5; 13+ entry is $10; military with ID is $9; adults 65 and older is $9.

    Riggsbee Road
    The concert for July 21 will be performed by Riggsbee Road, a music group from Raleigh.

    Hess said that Riggsbee Road was chosen for more than its talent and because of its ties to North Carolina.

    “They have their big banjo sound and harmonies reminiscent of early roots of our region's music. They also continue to perform songs with strong storytelling — from all time periods and genres — that bring back that feeling of rocking on a porch at sunset listening to great stories from neighbors and friends,” Hess said.

    The band was created in 2020 amid the COVID pandemic. They started as a band of five and grew to seven.

    Riggsbee Road got its name because of a walk in the cemetery and a romance story almost a century old.

    Shelley Kelly, lead vocalist in the group, described how it happened.

    “A few months into the project, we needed a name, so we all started brainstorming. We had a long list of ideas, but nothing that really stuck,” Kelly said.

    She and her husband walked through the Oakwood Cemetery in downtown Raleigh — an old, historic landmark in the historic Oakwood neighborhood.

    “As we walked, we looked at the names on tombstones for inspiration. We saw Riggsbee and we both thought it sounded like a bluegrass band,” she said. She added it to the list and presented it to the band and they were warm to it.

    A few weeks later, it was Valentine’s Day 2021, and an article popped up in her newsfeed about a woman who met and fell in love with her husband at a soda shop on the first floor of the Hudson Belk Building in downtown Raleigh.

    Kelly thought it was interesting because she met her husband in the same building on the first floor.

    “The building is called the Hudson today, converted to condos, and is where I lived when I met my husband in 2016,” she said. “The article listed her last name as Riggsbee and continued to tell the story of how the couple married, built a house in 1928, had a family and were buried at Oakwood Cemetery!”

    As coincidences go, dots connected for Kelly.

    “My husband and I got married and bought a house near downtown that was built in 1928! My husband is also the person who encouraged me to start the dream project,” she said.

    Kelly said the women in the band said Riggsbee had to be the name of the group and they just added “Road” to the end.

    Riggsbee Road covers pop, country and classic tunes. As Kelly said, “We cover from Dolly Parton, Chris Stapleton, Bon Jovi to The Judds. From Harry Styles to Meghan Trainor.”

    She said that Bluegrass music is one of the first styles of music played in North Carolina.

    She said it has an earthy, rooted, wholesome feel — especially because she and the other members have gospel and Christian roots.

    “Our audience tells us they can’t guess what’s coming next when we perform,” Kelly said. “We keep them on their toes.”

    Horticulture, Hooch & Outlaws
    “For 2023, we themed the Sunset Series events to coordinate with our Special Exhibit: Horticulture, Hooch & Outlaws in Fast Cars,” Hess said.

    The tour is self-guided with informational panels, memorabilia and more looks at the botanical roots of racing in the south.

    “From the grains used to make the moonshine all the way to the ways NASCAR is looking at biofuels today,” she said.

    The exhibit is on loan from Hortication, a horticulturally based education company that develops traveling exhibits for gardens. For more information, visit https://hortication.com/exhibits/horticulture-hooch-and-outlaws-in-fast-cars/.

    The exhibit at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden runs through Aug. 20.

    The final Sunset of the season is scheduled for Aug. 18. The theme includes lines, such as race-inspired games with finish lines, country music line dancing and more.

    Cape Fear Botanical Garden
    “We are located two miles from downtown Fayetteville,” Hess said. “Right in the middle of business, we are peace, beauty, relaxation and education.”

    Cape Fear Botanical Garden was founded in 1989. It sits on 80 acres of land and is open 360 days a year.

    For more information, visit https://www.capefearbg.org/.

  • PrivacyAn inviting backyard can serve as a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life. After a long day at the office or an exhausting day spent transporting kids to and fro, it’s hard to resist the allure of a peaceful outdoor space in which to unwind.

    Privacy is a key component of any backyard oasis. Some homes may be so remote that privacy isn’t an issue. But many suburban homeowners recognize they might need to tweak their landscapes if they hope to create a private oasis outside

    Fencing or planting? Most homeowners looking to create more privacy on their property will have to choose between fencing and planting. Fencing provides immediate privacy because, once it’s installed, no one can see into the yard. Fencing also doesn’t require watering or other immediate upkeep, which will be necessary when planting to ensure tree roots can establish themselves.

    But planting has its benefits as well. Planting for privacy is essentially creating a living fence that can grow over time and provide even more privacy as trees reach maturity. Plants also tend to be less costly than fencing.
    The home renovation experts at BobVila.com estimate that fencing projects typically cost between $1,667 and $4,075. However, fencing projects can cost considerably more than $4,000, especially for homeowners with large properties they want to enclose. Large, mature trees can be expensive, though it’s unlikely they will cost as much as fencing.

    In addition, fencing requires more maintenance and will potentially need to be replaced, while native trees won’t require much upkeep and can last for generations.

    Planting: Homeowners who choose to plant for privacy will next have to decide which type of plants to add to their properties. Evergreens provide year-round privacy because they don’t shed their leaves, so these are the ones most often chosen when creating a living fence.

    A number of varieties of evergreen trees can do the job, but it’s important that homeowners consult with a landscape architect prior to choosing trees so they can ensure the trees will thrive when faced with the growing conditions on their properties.

    During such a consultation, homeowners may discuss the following popular privacy trees.

    Leyland cypress:  The Arbor Day Foundation notes that the Leyland cypress is popular for hedges and boundaries, likely because a typical tree reaches a mature height of 60 to 70 feet and can spread as wide as 25 feet. The Leyland cypress grows fast, which may appeal to homeowners who don’t want to wait to establish privacy.

    Green Giant Arborvitae:  There are different varieties of the arborvitae, but the Green Giant tends to be the go-to option for privacy. The ADF notes that Green Giants will grow up to three feet per year until they reach maturity, providing a fast-growing option for privacy planters.

    The Green Giant can spread as wide as 20 feet at maturity, which is another attribute that makes it so popular among homeowners desiring privacy.

    Eastern White Pine: The ADF notes that the eastern white pine, which can reach heights as high as 80 feet, is favored in spacious yards. That’s likely due to its height and its potential spread, which can reach 40 feet.

    Homeowners who choose the eastern white pine might like it for its resemblance to a Christmas tree, and in fact it is widely used for that purpose. The privacy provided by the eastern white pine is significant, but it might be best suited to especially large properties.

    Whether it’s fencing or planting, homeowners have many options to consider as they seek to create more privacy on their properties.

  • ANime club old picThe Fayetteville, NC Anime Club is a local club for anime and manga fans, a hidden gem tucked away in Fayetteville's community.

    The local Anime Club provides a welcoming space for anime and manga enthusiasts to connect with others, indulge in their shared passion, and forge lasting friendships while having a great time.

    Anime Club is an excellent place to meet fellow anime fans, make new friendships, watch and talk about anime together, and have fun.

    Jessica Bundy, one of the founders of the Fayetteville, NC Anime Club, spoke with Up & Coming Weekly about the club's origins.

    Fayetteville’s local libraries had anime clubs for high school students. It was a wonderful place for teens to socialize and share their passion for anime, she said.

    Unfortunately, there was no place for the teens to go once they aged out of the group. Then the librarian suggested they start their own anime club, and the Fayetteville, NC Anime Club was born.

    The Anime Club meets twice a month on the second and fourth Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. The meetings are held at Beans and Things Coffee shop located at 5554 Yadkin Road, where food and drinks are available for purchase.

    There will be meetings on July 22 and Aug. 12. Future meetings will be on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/FayettevilleNCAnimeClub

    During certain months, they may only meet once a month because of holidays or special events. Any upcoming cancellations of future meetings will be on their Facebook page.

    An Anime Club meeting usually involves showing a few episodes of either the latest anime show or an older one. There is a wide range of interests among the members. For instance, some people play Magic the Gathering while anime plays in the background.

    Anime is a Japanese word for animation and means any animated film, unlike Manga which is printed cartoons. Anime also refers to Japanese animation. Anime-influenced animation refers to anime-inspired animation produced outside Japan.

    Anime is popular globally and is a billion-dollar business. Famous anime shows that might sound familiar are Dragon Ball Z, One Piece, One Punch Man, Pokémon, Sailor Moon, Attack on Titan, My Hero Academia. According to Netflix, over half of their 200 million-plus global subscribers watched anime in 2021.

    To one of the Fayetteville Anime Club founders, the club represents more than a shared interest.

    Jessica Bundy says, “It’s making friends... hanging out with people who are just as excited about these things as I am. It’s a lot about friendship and community.”

    For local anime enthusiasts, the Fayetteville, NC Anime Club is a hidden gem. It offers a community where stories are shared and friendships are created. Whether you are an anime enthusiast, or curious about anime, consider stepping into the world of the Fayetteville, NC Anime Club, where the sense of community and the shared passion for anime create an experience unlike any other.

  • FTCC ConstructionAs the department chairperson for the Building Construction Technology and Carpentry programs at Fayetteville Technical Community College, I have enjoyed serving in this role at FTCC for several years. This experience has provided me opportunities to work side by side with some amazing people including faculty, staff, administration and especially students.

    I have also been rewarded in seeing many of our graduates become extremely successful entrepreneurs or work in high-level management positions with various construction businesses throughout our county and state.

    Many people may not realize this, but some of the wealthiest businesses in North Carolina are in the building trades area. The demand is constant because people will always need new homes or renovations to their existing homes. Our objective within the Building Construction Department is to train individuals who can meet that need and help them develop successful careers.

    The Building Construction Technology Program is a two-year associate of applied science degree program. Emphasis in the program is placed on building and carpentry, but students can also learn plumbing, electrical and HVAC skills through program electives.

    Some students work in construction while completing their degrees. FTCC’s work-based learning program helps students establish credits toward the program degree. After graduation, students can easily find jobs.

    Some of these jobs may involve working with a construction firm as a project manager, working as a NC building inspector, or as a Cumberland County construction employee. Students can pursue becoming a NC Licensed General Contractor. Whatever the desire, the Building Construction Technology Program can get you there.

    Another great experience available through FTCC’s Building Construction Technology program is hands-on learning. Students in the program will apply what they have learned in the classroom by working on actual building projects. We are proud to partner with Fayetteville Habitat for Humanity, Kingdom Development, Veterans Empowering Veterans, and many other nonprofit organizations in building homes, additions, or in renovating existing structures.

    This service not only promotes a great educational learning experience for our students but also helps these agencies continue to serve the great people of Cumberland County in a positive way.

    Every student feels a sense of pride and a great self-worth when taking a moment to stand back to admire a completed house and recognize that a deserving person or family will soon receive a dream home thought to be unattainable.

    What a great honor it has been for me to experience the many great accomplishments taking place through the work at FTCC.

    Qualifying students can receive financial aid and veteran benefits, and scholarships are also available. Learn more about FTCC and the Building Construction Technology and Carpentry programs.

    Email me at carterk@faytechcc.edu or call 910-678-8475 for more information. The dream career leading to better pay starts with better skills. Join us at FTCC to explore your many options.

  • Midsummer Magic coverUp & Coming Weekly received six North Carolina Press Association awards and two Association of Community Publisher awards in recent competitions.

    “Having Up & Coming Weekly's writers, designers and editors recognized and honored for excellence by our peers in the newspaper and media industry speaks volumes to the talent, dedication, professionalism, passion and commitment they have to the mission of a community newspaper,” Publisher Bill Bowman said.

    Up & Coming Weekly continues to focus on the people, businesses, organizations and issues that define the purpose, value and effectiveness of a genuine ‘community’ newspaper,” Bowman said. “This kind of passion and pride cannot be taught or manufactured. It comes from the heart and pours into the community through relevant news stories, fantastic art and artistry, thought-provoking insights, and sometimes even funny and whimsical tales. Together it’s a near-perfect repertoire for an effective and successful community newspaper.”

    North Carolina Press Association
    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.

    Intern Writer R. Elgin Zeiber took home first place for Arts and Entertainment Reporting for his article “Local duo makes impact through music, service to others locally and around the world.” The article details the start of Cabin Fever Studio, a professional recording studio that sits nestled inside a log cabin one block south of eastern Raeford Road.

    The story can be found online at https://www.upandcomingweekly.com/entertainment/9409-local-duo-makes-impact-through-music-service-to-others-locally-and-around-the-world.

    Columnist Pitt Dickey took home second place for Lighter Columns for a series of his articles. Dickey's columns appear biweekly.“Going goblin mode, with a side of gaslighting” was one of the articles submitted for the award. It can be found online at https://www.upandcomingweekly.com/local-news-briefs/9339-going-goblin-mode-with-a-side-of-gaslighting

    Kathleen Ramsey took home third place for Business Writing for her article, “Curate Essentials: An herbal apothecary and boutique in the heart of Haymount Hill.” The story can be found online at https://www.upandcomingweekly.com/entertainment/8882-curate-essentials-an-herbal-apothecary-and-boutique-in-the-heart-of-haymount-hill.

    Contributing writer Rabbi Dov Goldberg received third place for Religion & Faith Reporting for his article, “Dreidel offers a new spin on Hanukkah, cultural sharing.” The story can be found online at https://www.upandcomingweekly.com/views/9369-dreidel-offers-a-new-spin-on-hanukkah-cultural-sharing.

    Graphics Designer Isaiah Jones received two awards in advertising. He received two first-place wins in Food Ads and Entertainment Ads. Those awards were the “Pates Farm Market” ad and the “New Years Eve Party 80s Style” ad.

    Association of Community Publishers
    The Association of Community Publishers represents community publications from coast to coast, reaching millions of homes on a weekly, biweekly or monthly basis. These publications are united in providing the best advertising coverage to their clients and valuable advertising information to their strong and loyal readership base.

    Columnist Margaret Dickson received first place for Best Opinion Article. “Ostriches put their heads in the sand out of fear,” was one of the articles submitted for the award. The story can be found online at https://www.upandcomingweekly.com/views/8969-ostriches-put-their-heads-in-the-sand-out-of-fear.

    Up & Coming Weekly also received second place for best Front Page Cover for Newsprint. The cover with the honorable award was the July 19 issue featuring the 7th Annual Midsummer Magic event, designed by Arts Director Courtney Sapp-Scott. The cover can be seen at http://www.epageflip.net/i/1473705-july-19-2022/1.

    “Recognition by our peers in the industry is encouraging,” said Managing Editor April Olsen. “It is a source of pride for our team and reminds us to continue our focus on providing articles that inspire, inform and help promote people and organizations in Fayetteville and Cumberland County.”

  • vote standsThe city has been at a crossroads for years in regards to tackling critical issues. A strong case can be made that a high percentage of the current rise in crime and other societal issues is related to a decrease in ethical decision-making. That ethical decision-making is not mirrored or modeled by the elected positions of this city.

    With the city council and mayor continually downvoting independent third-party investigations, it is no shock to any educated individual as to how the population of the city can consider questionable choices as being okay.

    And when a society questions which laws are important or which decisions can be avoided from an ethical standpoint, it has lost its way. That is where the pillars of the community and the fabric of the city collide.

    Below are excerpts from an email that I sent to the elected representation of the city, to include the appointed position of city manager, regarding the unofficial city manager’s State of the City report. From January to June, 26 homicides were recorded by FPD Public Information Officer. If this trend remains constant, Fayetteville will surpass the 50 mark this year.

    This city has a violent crime issue. For the elected body that will have a debate on a way forward, try to do so without inserting identity politics. That will be difficult to do based upon the current data that paints the city as having a violent crime issue with a disproportionate number of citizens from the Black community.

    For most of you identity-politics-elected officials, this will be followed with silence. And closed-door meetings. The current “Can Do” approach does not put the city on a path of transparency or civic debate for critical issues like this.

    Policies of the city and the enforcement within the framework of identity politics, or lack of, has made it easy for some residents to make a bad choice. The set of parameters within that decision-making cycle is what has contributed greatly to the increase in crime throughout the city.

    A series of bad choices tends to end up on this list, which then become a larger issue for residents to overcome. If this was an issue of “Americans” in the city, then everyone that was elected would be discussing it. Instead, the city council’s main objective is identity politics. This is a hyphenated issue. The city has seen your discussions on violence which always end with systemic racism. How about double standards and standards that continually change to where residents understand that laws can be ignored?

    The previous five years have greatly contributed to the current status and state of the city. If you can, one standard... one standard for every American in this city. Your current identity politics hypocrisy of current standards makes this a hyphenated issue. The lack of standards has ruined too many young lives in this city. That is clearly on your shoulders.

    That makes it not an issue the entire city is looking at. But this is Fayetteville, and without a change of character, which generally means most of you should resign, it’s not going to change.

    The difference is that decent Americans who want a better future for their children are going to look at the data and see that the city is failing. That you are failing.

    Where are the pillars of the community?

    Your lack of action on critical issues related to ethics and morality in the city have illustrated the requirement to use your identity politics language in order to get the point across.

    The ethical and moral fabric of this city is degrading. No amount of social justice BS that you currently put forth is going to fix that. If the city doesn’t get back to the basics and establish parameters where ethics and morality take the forefront, you will continue to see violence perpetrated.

    The city has too many pastors in name only. Too many elected and appointed positions that push forth identity politics versus one standard. Too many politicians versus citizens elected to serve. Welcome to the secondary and tertiary effects of those actions.

    —Rob Walls, Fayetteville

    Editor's note: This submission was edited for space.

  • GOV Roy CooperGovernor Roy Cooper announced appointments to boards and commissions last week, including four from Fayetteville.

    Gov. Cooper appointed Chanavia A. Haddock as a member-at-large to the North Carolina Arts Council. Haddock is a volunteer with the Fayetteville Arts Council and has served on the City of Fayetteville Arts Commission. She is the second self-published author to be invited to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art for her book, “Miracle.”

    Gov. Cooper appointed Jennifer Jones as a Workforce Development Commission representative to the North Carolina Commission for the Blind. Jones is an Accountability Manager for the North Carolina Department of Commerce Division of Workforce Solutions.

    Gov. Cooper appointed Valencia A. Applewhite as a member of the General Assembly to the North Carolina Courts Commission. Senator Applewhite is in her first term in the North Carolina State Senate. She previously served three terms on the Fayetteville City Council.

    Gov. Cooper appointed Caroline Cowan Gregory as a member-at-large to the Fayetteville Technical Community College Board of Trustees. Gregory is an attorney who practices law at Rand and Gregory Attorneys at law in Fayetteville.

    For a full list of State Boards and Commissions appointments, visit https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2023/07/03/governor-cooper-announces-state-boards-and-commissions-appointments.

  • vitamins HW237073The human body is a marvel. When working correctly, the body automatically performs scores of metabolic functions.

    Individuals can facilitate the performance of those functions in various ways. Careful consideration of what they put into their bodies is one way individuals can make things easier on their bodies. It is vital to supply the body with the nutrients it needs. This includes the essentials: A, C, D, E, K, and the eight B vitamins.

    Vitamin A: This vitamin helps ensure the health of the skin, corneas, lining of the urinary tract, lungs, and intestines. Vitamin A also helps protect against infection. It also is important for vision, as it improves vision in dim light.

    Vitamin C: Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, plays a vital role in immune system function, helping to protect cells from free radicals. Since the body cannot store vitamin C, it needs to be consumed daily.

    Vitamin D: Vitamin D assists in calcium and phosphorous absorption, which helps to keep bones and teeth strong. The body can produce vitamin D naturally by spending time in sunlight. That is why it’s often called “the sunshine vitamin.”

    Vitamin E: This vitamin maintains muscles and red blood cells. It also protects fatty acids.

    Vitamin K: Vitamin K is necessary for blood to clot and helps to keep bones and other tissues in the body healthy.

    Thiamine (B1): B1 is needed for metabolism and for nerve and heart function.

    Riboflavin (B2): Another important nutrient for metabolizing foods, B2 helps maintain healthy mucus membranes, such as those in the mouth and nose.

    Niacin (B3): This vitamin helps to release energy from food and keeps the nervous system healthy.

    Pantothenic Acid (B5): B5 is another vitamin that aids energy metabolism. It also plays a role in normalizing blood sugar levels.

    Pyridoxine (B6): People rely on B6 to metabolize food energy. It also has a role in proper nerve function and helps in the creation of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen around through red blood cells.

    Biotin (B7): This is only needed in small amounts to make fatty acids.

    Folate (B9): Folate is very important for healthy red blood cells. Folate also helps to prevent birth defects, which is why it is recommended as a prenatal vitamin. The manufactured form of folate is called folic acid.

    Cobalamin (B12): B12 is needed to make red blood cells, DNA, RNA, and myelin for nerve fibers. It is preferable to obtain vitamins through healthy foods. If and when foods are inadequate, supplementation might be recommended.

    Certain vitamins are fat-soluble, which means they are stored in the body’s fat and used slowly over time, according to WebMD.

    Others are water-soluble, so they are not stored and need to be replenished frequently.

    Individuals should speak to their doctors and nutritionists about any vitamin deficiencies they may have and how to combat them safely.

  • Fire DepartmentThe Fayetteville Fire Department is equipping firefighters with four new medications expanding and enhancing lifesaving services designed to keep the community safe.

    Firefighters added these four new medicines to their treatment protocol on July 1: albuterol, oral glucose, diphenhydramine (Benadryl), and acetaminophen (Tylenol).

    The addition of these medications will positively impact those suffering from breathing difficulties, diabetic emergencies, allergic reactions, high fevers and related illnesses.

    Nearly 70% of calls for service are medical in nature, so FFD continually focuses on opportunities to enhance patient care and increase survivability during medical emergencies. These new medications will help to improve the quality of care and outcomes for the citizens and visitors of Fayetteville by facilitating early access to life-saving therapy.

    All Fayetteville firefighters are certified Emergency Medical Technicians or EMTs credentialed through the State of North Carolina, and each firefighter received education and training leading up to the implementation of the new medicines.

    This will be an efficient and low-cost service improvement due to the partnership with Cape Fear Valley Health and close working relationship with Cumberland County EMS.

  • Separation of PowerHas there even been a point of time in which so many public controversies rest on a single, abstract principle of constitutional government? I can’t think of one.

    The principle in question is the separation of powers. Here are only some of its recent political manifestations:

    • The U.S. Supreme Court has just blocked President Joe Biden’s attempt to transfer hundreds of billions of dollars in debt from student borrowers to federal taxpayers. The federal constitution gives Congress the power of the purse, not the president, and the statute Biden cited as giving him sweeping authority to transfer debt did no such thing.

    • The Supreme Court also struck down the racial preferences used by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and other highly selective institutions to discriminate against white and Asian students.
      In her dissent, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson argued that if her colleagues believe “preventing consideration of race will end racism,” their intention will “be in vain.” But as Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the majority decision, the judiciary isn’t authorized to pursue policy intentions of any kind. Its job is to decide whether specific acts are lawful. Racial discrimination isn’t. If you think there should be exceptions, your proper course is to rewrite the relevant federal statutes and constitutional provisions. Courts can do neither.

    • In yet another decision with North Carolina connections, Moore v. Harper, the Supreme Court ruled that the constitutional language giving “state legislatures” the power to determine the time, place, and manner of federal elections does not exclude such legislative decisions from review by state courts. As you may recall, the North Carolina Supreme Court intervened before the 2022 elections to strike down a congressional map drawn by the General Assembly. The state court, then composed mostly of Democrats, drew from general language in the state constitution about “free elections” and “equal protection” to invent a new rule against partisan gerrymandering. Then it authorized non-lawmakers to draw congressional districts for 2022. After the midterm elections, which produced a 5-2 GOP majority on the N.C. Supreme Court, this abuse of the separation of powers was (properly) reversed.
      In the meantime, however, Speaker Tim Moore had appealed the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that under the federal constitution, state courts may exercise no legitimate oversight of congressional redistricting. Chief Justice Roberts disagreed, writing in this majority decision that Moore’s argument “does not account for the Framers’ understanding that when legislatures make laws, they are bound by the provisions of the very documents that give them life.” There is ample precedent for Roberts’ interpretation, such as a 1932 decision upholding the power of governors to veto congressional districts if that’s what their state constitutions permit. When the U.S. constitution refers to state legislatures, the court ruled, it does so in full knowledge that legislatures must act “in accordance with the method which the state has prescribed for legislative enactments.”

    • Finally, on several occasions this session the North Carolina General Assembly has sought to strip the executive branch of significant influence over the enforcement of state laws and the administration of state agencies. As I’ve previously argued, you can be sympathetic to the legislature’s concerns without endorsing an unconstitutional remedy for them. Like the federal one, our state constitution specifically requires that the “legislative, executive, and supreme judicial powers of the state government shall be forever separate and distinct from each other.” Why? Because checks and balances are essential to freedom and effective governance. The English philosopher John Locke argued in 1689 that in any “well-formed government,” the “legislative and executive powers are in distinct hands.” The man who coined the phrase “separation of powers,” Charles de Montesquieu, wrote in 1748 that “when the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person, or in the same body of magistrates, there can be no liberty.”

    Process matters. That’s what we can learn from all of these disputes. Few lessons are more important.

    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).

  • ROTR logoOn the outskirts of downtown Fayetteville, just off Person Street, is Deep Creek Outfitters. The large brick building has a massive wooden front porch area with a tin roof. Behind it, not too far, is the roaring of the water from the Cape Fear River.

    The brownish-colored river twirls in and out of thick foliage and trees, intertwining with all that surrounds it. The sound of the river can be heard from just the parking lot on certain days.

    On the backside of the outfitters is a large grass space, with the Person Street bridge and the Cape Fear River creating a picturesque backdrop for it.

    With an appropriate location and even more appropriate name, Rock’n On the River concert series will host Rivermist and Reflections II in just a little more than a week, on July 21 from 6 to 10 p.m.

    Greg Adair, the coordinator for Rock’n On the River and drummer and vocalist for Rivermist, is a hard man to nail down. Between gigs and coordinating, he can often be reached on the road, either coming from or going to an event.

    “Dos Equis and a lime please,” he says to his waitress. He and his bandmates then have a little laugh about this as it's exactly a line from one of the band’s original songs, “Right Place Right Time,” written by Allen Pier. The line isn’t always appropriate, Adair chuckles. At certain family events or venues, they change up the lyrics slightly.

    “We’ve changed it to Pepsi and a lime.”

    Today the five members of Rivermist are on their way to another gig. The bandmates include Adair, Allen Pier, lead and backup vocals and keyboard, Tony Harrison, Bass Guitar, Cliff Bender, Lead Guitar and Rick Starling, Vocals and Percussion/keyboard.

    “We are all over the place,” Adair says about their music. Rivermist is a variety band, playing songs from Bruno Mars to Eagles to Lynard Skynard. Some of which they fit into medleys.

    “‘All Summer Long’ segs with ‘Sweet Home Alabama,’” Adair says. The band chats among themselves. They seem to share a lot of laughs.

    One thing Adair promises is the energy that he and the bandmates bring to each and every show. For many people, he says, they have to see it to understand it.

    “If you get to [one of our] shows, you are going to say, ‘that’s good’ and I’m not saying this to sound cocky.” Adair speaks about the energy on the stage.
    “There’s a lot going on.”

    Adair, Pier, Harrison, Bender and Starling have been playing together since 2016. Adair got his start in music at the age of 6, playing at church and drumming on lunchboxes, cardboard boxes, really anything he could get his hands on.

    He and all the members of the band, he says, are still active in their various churches.

    “God has blessed us in that,” Adair says of the band’s success. So naturally, he concludes, the members must give back as well.

    For Adair, he grew up as a pretty strict Christian with a lot of rules. As a kid, he wasn’t allowed to swim with someone of the opposite sex.

    As far as music, he was supposed to play church music. But that really didn’t stop Adair or any of his friends.

    “We all did,” he laughs about playing other types of music. Some of his favorite bands growing up are now bands he covers in Rivermist, like The Eagles, Journey, Earth, Wind and Fire.

    Joining Rivermist for Rock’n on the River on the 21st is another variety or cover band, Reflections II. While two variety bands seem like they wouldn’t complement each other, Adair says the feel of Reflections II, with just as much energy as Rivermist, goes well together since they play different set lists and types of music. Reflections plays classic rock to modern country, and even dance music.

    The show will begin at 6 p.m. on July 21 with Reflections II as the opener and Rivermist, the headliner, will take the stage somewhere around 8 p.m.

    Adair encourages concertgoers to bring chairs. While the event is free to go, parking at the venue is a flat $10 fee. The event is outdoors and family-friendly.

    No outside food is allowed but there will be food and drinks for sale. The event water and beer sales will go to the Karen Chandler Fund, a local nonprofit for cancer patients.

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

    The series goes throughout the year and has published all upcoming events online.

  • National ParkThe National Park Foundation reports that the National Park System spans more than 84 million acres and encompasses 424 sites and units in the United States.

    National parks do their part to foster conservation of natural resources and reserve wild land for the scores of animals that call these places home. They’re also enticing places to visit, with their vast vistas and interesting wildlife. Planning ahead can make any trip to a national park even better.

    Know when to go. Research the best times of year to visit certain parks. All may not be open year-round. Think about the kind of experience you want to have. Most parks are busiest during the summer. Therefore, if you want to skip the crowds, perhaps visit in a slower season.

    Research environments. With so many parks, it can be challenging to decide where to go. Take into consideration your interests as well as your limitations.

    Find out which amenities and features each park offers, including shuttles, stores for gear, animal life, terrain, and potential hazards.

    The more you know about each potential park, the better you can narrow down the place to visit first.

    Know the rules and regulations. Most parks have regulations in place to keep visitors safe. Some parks require reservations to enter or access certain areas of the park. Some may need you to reserve space in advance.

    Permits may be needed for certain activities, such as fishing. Check the park’s website to learn about permits or restrictions that may affect your trip.

    Choose your accommodations. With their expanse of land and things to see, you’ll likely want to spend more than one day exploring a park. Figure out if the park has accommodations on the property. If not, you’ll need to locate lodging nearby.

    Camping on the grounds can be a way to enjoy the park more intimately. Look into campsite rentals or whether recreational vehicles can be parked on a campsite in or near the national park.

    Yellowstone and Yosemite are two national parks that tend to book campsites well in advance, so visitors should plan accordingly.

    Pick your priorities. National parks tend to be massive, so make a list of the must-see attractions this time around (you can always visit again). While you can have an itinerary, you likely will enjoy the trip more if you’re relaxed and get to meander around rather than sticking to a strict schedule.

    Consult the rangers. Make friends with the park rangers. They are experts on the park and can let you know which places to visit or if there are any shortcuts to certain attractions. Use their experience and guidance.

    National parks are located across the United States. The parks are wonderful vacation spots, and visitors can plan now for their trips to see these natural wonders.

  • family fishing workshopFishing education workshops and summer day camps are available in July at the John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center on Raeford Road.

    All of the workshops and summer day camps mentioned are free. The Family Fishing Workshop will take place on July 15 from 9 a.m. to noon.

    The Family Fishing Workshop is designed for the entire family and teaches the basics of fishing. Children aged 15 and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

    All tackle and bait are provided, and no outside tackle or bait is allowed.

    The workshop includes fishing in the center's stocked ponds. The families will learn but are not limited to: How to set up and cast a fishing rod; how to tie a basic fishing knot; how to catch a fish; catch and releasing fishing methods; and how to properly handle a fish.

    The Camp Largemouth summer day camp will take place on July 19 to 21, from 9 a.m. to noon.

    Camp Largemouth is a three-day summer day camp for teens aged 14 to 17. This camp focuses on bass. Campers will learn about bass fish and various bass fishing techniques.

    The Fly-fishing Summer Camp will take place from July 26 to 28, from 9 a.m. to noon.

    The Fly-fishing Summer Camp is a three-day summer day camp for ages 14 to 17. Day 1 includes an introduction to fly-fishing and beginning fly-tying. Day 2 offers fly-casting instruction. Day 3 will be fly-fishing for panfish and catfish.

    It is recommended participants wear sunscreen and weather-appropriate clothing, such as closed-toe shoes and no sweatpants.

    You can view a schedule of classes and register by visiting their website.

    The Pechmann Fishing Education Center is the only fishing education center in North Carolina. Built in 2007, it was founded and is operated by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.

    The center's instructors teach a variety of programs to anglers of all ages and abilities.

    The center is named after John E. Pechmann, a criminal attorney from Fayetteville, who was the chairman of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. He also sponsored various youth fishing programs.

    For more information, please contact the John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center via their website at https://www.ncwildlife.org/Learning/John-E-Pechmann-Fishing-Education-Center, or via phone at 910-868-5003.

    The Pechmann Center is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on weekends during events only.

    The Pechmann Fishing Education Center is located at 7489 Raeford Road in Fayetteville. For those familiar with the Pechmann Center, it is no longer accessible by traveling South Reilly Road due to construction of Fayetteville’s I-295 loop. Access is available by continuing on Raeford Road, then by turning north onto Rim Road, then right on Old Raeford Road.

  • PickleballA court sport is sweeping the nation, and it isn’t tennis or basketball. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, 4.8 million people played pickleball in 2021, marking a nearly 15% growth in the total number of players from the year prior.

    Data from the SFIA suggests pickleball is popular among people of all ages. Total participation among players between ages six and 17 (21%), 18 and 34 (29 %) and 35 and 54 (20%) is significant, and players 65 and older also are well represented (18%).

    As the popularity of pickleball grows, now is a great time to explore the basics of this game that’s become a go-to pastime for so many people.

    What is pickleball?
    USA PickleballTM notes that pickleball combines many elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. That game is played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes and can be played both indoors and outdoors on a badminton-sized court with a slightly modified tennis net.

    Much like tennis, pickleball can be played in a singles (one-on-one) or doubles (two-on-two) format.

    How long has pickleball been played?
    Despite a recent and meteoric spike in popularity, pickleball has been around since 1965. The brainchild of three fathers from Bainbridge Island (which is just a brief ferry ride away from Seattle), the game was invented as a means of entertaining bored children. It has since evolved from those roots and become a wildly popular game across both the United States and Canada, and the game has even begun to spread into Europe and Asia.

    How is pickleball played?
    An extensive list of the rules of pickleball can be found at https://usapickleball.org/what-is-pickleball/official-rules/rules-summary/. A game is typically played to 11 points, and a team must win by two. Tournament games may be played to 15 or 21, and a team must win by two.

    Does pickleball use referees?
    Recreational games of pickleball can rely on the honor system much like pick-up games of other sports do. However, USA PickleballTM notes that referees and line judges are important components of tournament play. More information about becoming a pickleball referee can be found at https://usapickleball.org/get-involved/pickleball-officiating/

    Why should I play pickleball?
    Players enjoy the game of pickleball for a multitude of reasons, including the thrill of competition, the chance to socialize and the opportunity to exercise outside of a gym or home fitness center. But many play the game because they find it fun.

    Pickleball has experienced a notable spike in popularity in recent years. More information about the game and how to get involved is available at https://usapickleball.org.

  • Suicide AwarenessMany people commit suicide under the impression that they no longer want to be a burden on those around them. What they do not realize is those who love them are left in a devastating condition grasping for reason and purpose to the loss.

    The rate of suicide for veterans was 57.3% higher than that of non-veteran adults in 2020, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that law enforcement officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty.

    Furthermore, EMS providers are 1.39 times more likely to die by suicide than the public.

    Enrique “Rick” Murillo understands this more than he would want to. He started the Man 22 Suicide Awareness Run eight years ago in honor of someone he knew personally who took their own life.

    “For the history of the run, which started eight years ago, May 1st, 2016, and it was because of a friend, one of my best friends, who committed suicide,” Murillo told Up & Coming Weekly.

    “I wanted to do something for him, and everybody was doing 22 push-ups a day. [That’s] based off of the 22 veterans that were committing suicide a day. So I said I wanted to do something more challenging. So I said, ‘Hey, let’s run 2.22 miles... and do the 22 push-ups at the end. And we do this run with body armor and wear the name tapes of those that are following a suicide at the time, eight years ago.’”

    For that first run, 55 people showed up on a rainy Sunday morning. Now, Murillo says they have averaged 800 to 1,000 people for the last four years.

    The run is also not just about the run. Murillo’s organization also places an emphasis on respecting and honoring Gold Star families. There will be an event Friday, July 21, for the families. There will be a private dinner with sponsors from 5 to 6 p.m. Then, after 6 p.m., the meet and greet will be open to the public. There will be raffles, auctions, food, drinks and entertainment. This will take place at The Kraken-Skulls at 822 Shannon Drive. Ideally, this is when the community comes out and meets the sponsors, volunteers and learns more about the organization.

    “They don’t get to experience what community is when they go back home, or, once again, it’s a stigma of suicide, and people don’t recognize that as an honorable death. So [it is important] to have them here, have them see what we do and how we try to combat it,” Murillo said.

    The 8th Annual MAN22 Suicide Awareness Run will take place on Saturday, July 22. This year, the run will take place in downtown Fayetteville, starting at Festival Park.

    The event will kick off with the Gold Star Escort at 9 a.m. The escort will start at Hendrick Jeep, at 543 N. McPherson Church Road, and end at Festival Park.

    The event will officially kick off at 11 a.m. with a demonstration from the All Veteran Group.

    Following the demonstration, an invocation and ceremony will feature guest speakers from the community.

    Fayetteville City Councilmember Kathy Jensen is the guest speaker for the city; Fayetteville Police Chief Kemberle Braden will be the guest speaker for first responders; and retired Master Sgt. Chris Corbin will be the guest speaker for veterans.

    As with each Man22SAR event, there will be 22 push-ups and a 2.22-mile run. The run will start at Festival Park, go into Segra Stadium, onto Hay Street, and back again.

    Following the event, Festival Park will have food trucks and 10 vendors. Nonprofit organizations will be available to talk and provide resources for those who need them.

    Unlike most other runs, registration is not required. You can just show up to the run and participate free of charge.

    The event is not about money, according to Murillo. The event is about showing up, being a community and providing resources to those who need it.

    “In our sixth year, I had five people reach out and say thank you because they went to therapy, they went to inpatient therapy, and then they’re more active in the community. If I’m able to reach one person at this run, then I feel like I’ve accomplished something. If I could save one life,” Murillo said.

    “That year, five people reached out and said ‘thank you.’ And so here we were, 500% accomplished.”

    Murillo shared with Up & Coming Weekly that he lost a good friend last month to suicide. He believes more can be done because we are still losing people.

    This year, Murillo is going to be running with 10 nametags attached to him; all are people he knew personally.

    “I believe we’re not doing enough, and there’s more that could be done. But together, we need to come together as a community and be stronger for each other and care for each other,” Murillo said.

    While the event is primarily organized for veterans and first responders, Murillo wants the entire community to come out, show support, and participate because suicide has a major rippling effect on everyone.

    “We are open up to everybody because suicide is affecting everybody, especially our young kids at a very young age. So I want as many people to come out and just see what we do, see what we do as a community. I always tell people if you want to understand what community means, come to Fayetteville, North Carolina, and you will see.”

    For more information about the run, go to https://www.facebook.com/events/544556577655990.

    For more information about Through Tragedy Comes Light, the nonprofit whose CEO is Murillo, visit https://throughtragedycomeslight.org/.

  • Whos BuyingAs the financial recovery from the pandemic continues, Transworld’s Main Street Market Report found that business acquisitions were up more than 32% from 2021 to 2022. This rebound is great news for buyers, but to fully understand the uptick, let’s drill down into who is currently looking to sell their businesses and which demographics are primed to make a purchase.

    Who’s Selling
    The primary sellers are baby boomers. Born between 1946 and 1964, the later end of this demographic is approaching retirement and looking to plan for their third act. The last of the boomers will reach full retirement age in 2031, less than 10 years down the road. Additionally, recession concerns, labor shortages and general burnout are propelling some to consider selling their businesses sooner rather than later.

    However, not all boomers are ready to cash out and leave the workforce. In fact, 49% of baby boomers expect to, or already have, extended their working lives past 70 or do not plan to retire, according to the nonprofit Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies in collaboration with the Transamerica Institute.

    Finally, the other top category of sellers is those interested in capitalizing on the buoyant business sales market we are currently experiencing. These sellers may be looking to step back from entrepreneurship or simply feel it’s the right time to shift their focus to a new and different business.

    Who’s Buying
    If the sellers are boomers and those looking to cash in on the hot sales market, who are the individuals buying at the moment? The two main groups are people looking to leave corporate America and be their own bosses and strategic buyers.

    The pandemic changed how many people looked at work/life balance. The first group of people buying took a hard look at how their jobs were aligning with their personal lives during the pandemic and came away thinking there had to be a better way. They are interested in entrepreneurship so they can be the ones making the rules and deciding when they need to clock in and out. As a result, this group is looking for businesses that are considered the most recession-proof. Among that group, service-based opportunities are the most popular.

    That leaves strategic buyers, i.e., people interested in acquiring a business for strategic reasons. They have most likely never owned the type of business they are purchasing and are interested in the business to enhance their competitive position.

    For instance, this type of buyer may be looking to gain complementary products, technologies, customer bases, or distribution channels that will help them with cost savings, revenue growth, market expansion, or other strategic objectives.

    Strategic buyers can be larger companies looking to buy a smaller business to expand their offerings or consolidate their industry position. They could be buying a company to enter a new market or eliminating a competitor. The focus is on the long-term benefits the business gives them, not financial returns alone.

    Even with some economic conditions changing in 2023 — interest rate increase and concerns about inflation — the data on sales speed, price and deal volume continue to trend upwards, as they did in 2022. These are all good signs for anyone looking to sell their quality business in the months ahead.

    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.

  • New Fury OwnerThe Fayetteville Fury has a new owner: Phillip Lin aims to cultivate community and a love for soccer in Fayetteville

    Fayetteville’s newest professional sports team, the Fayetteville Fury soccer team, has played two full seasons, and is now preparing for its third.

    The Fayetteville Fury was officially announced on June 7, 2021, as the second franchise in the National Indoor Soccer League.

    When Lin joined as a minority owner in June 2021, the Fayetteville Fury team had four owners. In March 2023, Lin decided to buy out the remaining owners’ shares, thus making him the primary shareholder of the soccer team.

    When asked, “Why Fayetteville?,” Phillip responded, “At the time I was looking to get into sports ownership and picked Fayetteville because I felt connected to this city and its strong ties to the military community. As a successful serial entrepreneur, I felt it was time for me to give back to the community. I believed Fayetteville had a need for community and to have more sports entertainment. I really felt a warmness from the community, and they have embraced me and the entire team.”

    It was Lin’s passion for sports and community that motivated him to continue building and investing in Fayetteville sports entertainment.

    “I feel people get connected through sports. Since COVID, people have lost human connection and I feel sports brings communities together with a common goal and interest.”

    “My favorite thing about attending the games is the energy of the fans, seeing how happy they are, and how they don’t take their eyes away from the game. They are engaged the entire time and it’s a bond for the community as they are cheering together.”

    As a self-identified serial entrepreneur, Lin owns multiple businesses, The Howdy Triangle in Cary, Catering by Design in Raleigh, and three sports teams: Fayetteville Chutes, Oak City Gliders, and now Fayetteville Fury.

    Lin is also a published author of “One Bad Asian,” an autobiography detailing his life as an immigrant whose Taiwanese family moves to the United States to achieve the American dream. He details his struggles as an immigrant, working three jobs, his journey through entrepreneurship, and how he navigated obstacles in life.

    Not only has Lin continued to grow and invest into the Fayetteville team, but he has reorganized the leadership and structure.

    The new organizational structure for the Fury includes Owner Phillip Lin; General Manager and Men's Head Coach Al Florez; Assistant General Manager Dustin Lee; Community Relations Director Ashley Blake; Merchandise Director Terri Sue Maynor-Guevara; Marketing Partners 219 Group; Account Exec Brandon Rodriguez; Women’s Head Coach is to be announced at a later date; Assistant Coach Miguel Sanchez; Fan Engagement & Inclusion Director Ali Arostegui; and the Operations Director will be announced soon.

    The team will host 12 regular season home games at the Crown Center when the season starts in January 2024. Each game-night will feature a Men’s and Women’s Doubleheader.

    During the off-season the Fury soccer team is busy with community outreach, hosting tryouts, youth soccer camps, and soccer tournaments. The team even added their very own dragon mascot, Furyous, who loves engaging with fans.

    The Fayetteville Fury is a professional indoor soccer team dedicated to the community, personal development of the players, and to the growth of soccer among the youth by providing them with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in the sport. For more information visit www.fayettevillefury.com/

  • CucumbersCucumbers are a summer favorite for me, and I love them so much that I think I could eat my weight in this low-calorie fruit!

    Cucumber (Cucumus sativus) is a family of fruit, not vegetables, including watermelon, pumpkin, muskmelon and squash. They are native to India and are one of four ancient fruits that have been grown as a food source for over 3,000 years.

    Early cucumbers may have been bitter because of compounds that were natural defenses to repel insects and other pests. Over the centuries, great strides have been taken to eliminate the bitterness with cultivation, but we occasionally can bite into one with a bitter taste.

    Cucumbers were eaten in ancient Egypt, but the Egyptians made weak liquor out of them by cutting a hole in the ripened fruit and stirring with a stick on the inside to liquefy it. After it was liquefied, they plugged the hole and buried it for several days. The result was said to be a weak form of liquor, but I suggest that you do not try this!

    They were also grown in Italy in the 8th and 9th centuries and later spread to western Europe. During the reign of King Henry VIII, his first wife (Catherine of Aragon) often demanded cucumbers for her Spanish salads.

    Columbus is credited for bringing them to the New World with other vegetables and fruits. He introduced them to Haiti in 1494 and by 1806 eight varieties of cucumbers could be found growing in America’s colonial gardens.

    There are about 100 varieties of cucumbers. Many are found in supermarkets, and farmer’s markets, including English, Persian, Kirby and pickling. There are rare white cucumbers, some are “burpless” and others require a little flavoring in vinegar with salt and pepper.

    There are eight common varieties:

    English cucumbers are seedless, burpless cucumbers that are long with sweet firm flesh, thin and dark green. They are often preferred for cucumber sandwiches, salads and even infused with water and cocktails.

    White cucumbers have a culinary interest because of the white skins. They are served much as English cucumbers.

    Persian cucumbers are small and burpless, easily digestible, have very few seeds.

    Garden cucumbers have thicker skin and are best when they are peeled because the skin may contain some bitterness and they have larger seeds.

    Lemon cucumbers are the size of a small tennis ball. They are mild and sweet with a cool crispy texture and are ideal for salads.

    Kirby cucumbers, my favorite, are small in size with bumpy skins and firm flesh and are a favorite for pickling.

    Gherkins are pickled baby cucumbers that have been allowed to ferment. Pickled in brine or vinegar, they are a favorite for charcuterie boards and cheese trays.

    Armenian cucumbers are long, also known as yard-long cucumber and snake melon. They are not cucumbers but fall into the category of musk melons.

    The health benefits of cucumbers are many. They are about 97% water and great for hydration. The term “cool as a cucumber” is common because a cucumber can be considerably cooler on the inside. They are aids in battling immense heat and they are known for aiding with sunburn by mixing up a puree and applying it to the skin.

    Cucumbers help with flushing toxins and the ability to battle kidney stones. They are also loaded with vitamins and help with weight loss with one cup having sixteen calories.

    Live, love life and stay cool as a cucumber.

  • Stuck in a RutSummer vacations invite exploration, and who doesn’t love to explore? According to Webster’s dictionary, “explore” is defined as traveling in or through an unfamiliar place in order to learn more about it. Whether it’s the excitement of the unknown or the thrill of learning something new, from young to old, we all enjoy taking a risk now and then.

    Such was the case years ago when our young family ventured to the Cayman Islands. Renting a Jeep for the week we decided to go off the beaten path with our two young boys.

    At some point we chose to ignore the road signs (those warnings meant for our safety) and found our paved road turning into a dirt road. It was then that it happened. Our Jeep got stuck in a rut quickly ending our explorations. Thank goodness God got us out of that rut — that deep track made by the repeated passage of those who had made the same wrong choice as us. But what about the ruts in life that get us stuck spiritually?

    I remember once reading a road sign that said, “Be careful the rut you choose, because you will remain in that rut for the next 25 miles.” In other words, be careful with your chioces.

    It’s one thing to get stuck with the people you love on a hot afternoon in the Caymans. It’s another thing to get stuck spiritually — to form a habit or pattern of thinking that is incorrect, especially in your walk with God.
    Romans 12 says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is.”

    In a world full of blurred lines, it’s easy to get stuck in thinking the way the world does, and once we get in that rut, it’s difficult to get out. But the Bible teaches us not to become so comfortable with our culture, which is usually self-centered, that we fit in without even thinking. We are challenged to let God’s Word teach us to think differently. Not an easy task considering everywhere we turn we are influenced by others defining truth for us.

    It takes a deliberate, hard turn to align our thinking with God’s truth. But when we do so, we discover that God loves us so much, He will never leave us circling in deeply rutted paths of untruth.

    Making the commitment to study the Bible is not a task to be taken lightly. But attempting to navigate through life with no direction, no signs, no moral or spiritual boundaries to ensure we stay on the right path — well, that will land you in a pothole. When we study the Bible, we get to know the character of God — how He thinks, His nature, His attributes, His desires for our life and for mankind.

    We learn that God will go to any length to have a relationship with people, even as far as sacrificing His son, Jesus.

    We learn the history of how God has reached down to mankind through the ages revealing Himself.

    We learn of man’s rebellious nature, wanting to ignore the road signs and go his own selfish way.

    We lament over the inescapable consequences of man’s sin, yet we are reminded that with Jesus, there is always hope for restoration.

    Through studying the Bible we get to know God, and knowing God changes the way we think. God transforms us into a new person by renewing our minds with His unchangeable truth. After all, nothing is different until you think differently.

    Looking at life through the lens of the Bible changes the way we look at everything in this life. Understanding what God loves and what God hates, grasping His holiness, believing in His sovereignty over all peoples and nations throughout all time — well, that invites a new perspective.

    When we trust in God as the ultimate authority in our lives, His thoughts gradually become ours. We may still be in the rut of unmovable circumstances, but our wrong thinking does not have to remain in that rut. God invites us into a way of right thinking. We begin to see and understand His good and perfect will throughout the ages and how He brings good out of the worst of situations. And once we align our will (our thinking) with God’s will, when we prove by the way we live that He can be trusted, we are changed from the inside out. In the biblical paraphrase of Eugene Patterson, “God brings the best out” in us.

    What well-worn path of your own making are you spinning your wheels in today? After all, we never arrive anywhere in this life by accident. Knowing who or what to trust nowadays seems harder than ever.

    Rather than trusting your own limited, faulty wisdom, consider exploring the Bible this summer. The Bible does not gloss over hard truths, and that’s a good thing — because God knows your name and the rut you are in.

    The good news is you don’t have to occupy that same rut you are existing in the rest of your life. God loves to seek and rescue all, even from the ruts of our own making.

    What are you waiting for? Open the Bible and find the solid ground you have been searching for.

    Editor’s note: A version of this article appears in the June issue of Women’s View Magazine.

  • Pubic Work CalendarThe Public Works Exhibition, powered by the Fayetteville Public Works Commission, is on display through July 22 at The Arts Center on 301 Hay Street in historic downtown Fayetteville. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

    “PWC is thrilled to continue supporting this community event, which has become a cherished tradition,” says Lamont Hinson, Communications & Community Relations Associate of the Fayetteville Public Works Commission. “Through the arts, we aim to foster a stronger sense of connection within our community and bring vibrancy to our downtown areas. Come and see the amazing creativity of our talented local neighbors.”

    Curated by the Ellington-White Community Development Corporation, Public Works welcomed individuals of any age or background, regardless of their artistic experience, to submit their unique, culturally enriched visual artwork. The collection of artwork on display in a professional gallery setting is diverse in nature, featuring various techniques such as 2D and 3D paintings, drawings, printmaking, photography, sculpture, ceramics, and more. Each artist had the creative freedom to select their subject matter.

    Residents living in Cumberland, Hoke, Robeson, Sampson and Scotland Counties, and those in Fort Liberty and Pope Army Airfield were encouraged to participate in the exhibit.

    “This exhibit offers a fair opportunity for individuals of all ages and backgrounds to publicly express their artistic talents,” says Bob Pinson, President|CEO of the Arts Council. “Art has the power to convey powerful messages and promote dialogue, making it a universal language that can help bring people together and build our community. Whether you're a highly trained artist or a self-taught beginner, there’s an artist inside each of us waiting to be discovered.”

    Artwork from the exhibition is also available for purchase.

    People’s Choice Honor
    Visitors to the art exhibition before June 24 were able to vote for their favorite artwork in the “People’s Choice” selection. The pieces with the highest number of votes will be declared as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners, along with Honorable Mentions. The winners will receive a gift basket containing distinctive items from downtown businesses, and their work will be featured in the e-ARTSletter, digital and social media platforms, an artist interview, and an Up & Coming Weekly print ad.

    The Arts Center gallery hours vary. Visit https://www.wearethearts.com/pwc for more details.

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