As 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.

Better 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.

Public 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.

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.

If 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

Cumberland 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.

Childcare 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.

In 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.”

With 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.

After 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.

City 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.

The 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.

“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.

Today 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.”

I 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).

Money 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/

Do 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.

In 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.

Children 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.

All 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.

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.

Cape 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.

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.

The 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.

There’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 a 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.

When 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/

“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.

“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.

As 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

Aug. 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.

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.”