Blues and southern soul fans should mark their calendars for Nov.4, when the Crown Theatre will host The Ville City Blues Festival, where The Blues Is Alright Tour will make a stop.

When people think of blues and southern soul music, they might think of Mel Waiters, Johnnie Taylor or Marvin Sease. A new generation of artists is providing the musical storytelling synonymous with blues and southern soul, a genre of music known for turning heartache into music to feed the soul.
J-Wonn, slated to appear at the Crown Theatre, pronounces his name "Jay-One." He is from Jackson, Mississippi, and began creating blues and southern soul music in 2014. Since then, he has won awards, and his music is available for streaming on all music platforms.

J-Wonn has high praise for his blues and southern soul tour experience.

"The tour is amazing. I've had the privilege to watch the tour ever since I came into the game of blues and southern soul. Now that I'm a part of it, being one of the acts on the tour —it's an amazing experience," he said.

J-Wonn has only good things to say about the tour. He described the production as the best of the best — best sound, best lighting and best promoters to be working for the best fans.

"When we're talking about blues and southern soul, it doesn't get no bigger than the Blues is Alright Tour," he explained. "The thing about being on this tour — now I have higher expectations... because the Blues is Alright Tour set the bar so high," J-Wonn said.

J-Wonn began singing around the age of 10. He was a member of multiple choirs in his youth. As a teenager, he was the lead vocalist in a hip-hop group. This role led J-Wonn to Tracy Way, the father of Soulja Boy. Soulja Boy is a rap artist and record producer who gained recognition after releasing his debut album in 2007.

J-Wonn signed an artist development deal with Way in 2008. J-Wonn explains that this was significant because the music business was changing so much due to online resources like Myspace and YouTube.

"I was able to learn so much, being locked in with a guy who was the first artist to blow up from YouTube. I learned so much being around him," J-Wonn said.

He feels blues is still a relevant genre. Blues is the birth of a lot of music — like rap. A rap beat is where people can hear a blues bass line, explained J-Wonn.

When he first started in the blues and southern soul genre, mentors guided J-Wohnn. Tours were a learning experience; they all learned from one another. Being aware of other artists within the industry allows for teachable moments and growth.

"If you don't stay aware of the next person, you'll get scooted over," he said. "Stay up on your game because the sounds are changing. Change your producers. You have to be more creative nowadays."

One of the people J-Wonn looked up to when he first got into blues and southern soul was Mel Waiters, who coached J-Wonn on how to make effective deals in the industry. They even created music together.

"When I came in, there were no young faces. Just me," he said. Many musicians were at least a decade older than him. Now, more young artists, including King George and Jay Morris, have embraced the genre.

The Blues is Alright Tour will be at the Crown Theatre on Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. Performers will include King George, Tucka, Calvin Richardson, Pokey Bear, Theodis Ealey and J-Wonn.

One-Stop Early Voting for the Nov. 7 Municipal Elections in Cumberland County’s municipalities began Oct. 19 and runs through Nov. 4.

Voters will be required to show photo identification in order to vote in this election. Citizens who do not have a photo ID can get a free ID at the Board of Elections office.

One-Stop Early Voting for the Municipal Elections is available at the following locations:

•Cumberland County Board of Elections at E. Newton Smith Center, 227 Fountainhead Lane, from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

•Cliffdale Recreation Center at 6404 Cliffdale Road from Monday to Friday, 12 to 7 p.m.
Both locations will also be open on the last day of One-Stop Voting on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

More information about times and locations is available on the Cumberland County Board of Elections website at cumberlandcountync.gov/elections.

Citizens may register to vote and vote on the same day during the One-Stop Early Voting period.
To register to vote, you must be a citizen of the United States, 18 years of age or older and a legal resident of Cumberland County for 30 days before the date of the next election.

To be eligible to vote in a municipal election, you must be a resident of the municipality.
Go to the State Board of Elections website to use an interactive map to see municipal elections by location at ncsbe.gov/voting/upcoming-election.

Voter ID Requirements

All voters will be required to show photo identification in order to vote. Citizens who do not have a photo ID can get a free Voter ID issued by the Cumberland County Board of Elections. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Photo IDs can be issued at any time the Board of Elections is open, except during the time period between the end of early voting and the end of Election Day.
Acceptable forms of ID include:
•North Carolina driver’s license

•State ID from the NCDMV (also called non-operator ID)

•Driver’s license or non-driver’s license from another state, District of Columbia, or U.S. territory (only if voter registered in North Carolina within 90 days of the election)

•U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport card

•Voter ID card issued by the County Board of Elections

•College or university student ID approved by the State Board of Elections

•State or local government or charter school employee ID approved by the State Board of Elections
If a voter does not show an acceptable ID, the voter may proceed to vote in one of two ways:

•Complete an ID Exception Form and then vote with a provisional ballot period

•Vote with a provisional ballot and then return the ballot to their County Board of Elections Office with

their photo ID by the day before the County canvass.

To learn more about the photo ID requirement, acceptable forms of identification and how to get a free Voter ID, visit ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-id.

For more information, contact the Cumberland County Board of Elections at 910-678-7733 or visit cumberlandcountync.gov/elections.

The Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce recently announced the launch of its newest program, the Consumer Protection Division.

The program’s mission is to create a guide of ethical and honest businesses in the greater Fayetteville area, provide scam warnings, and curate consumer reports for Fayetteville residents.
“We’re excited to be a chamber of commerce leading the way with consumer protection,” said Nat Robertson, the organization’s CEO and president.

The program has been in the works for about 90 days and is one of only a handful of chamber-run consumer protection programs nationwide, according to Robertson. He cited a similar program operated by the Manatee Chamber of Commerce in Florida as an inspiration for the Fayetteville initiative.

Angela Selitto has been tasked to lead the Consumer Protection Division as its director. She has been an ambassador for the Greater Fayetteville Chamber — assisting with public relations and welcome committees — on and off for the past 15 years. When Robertson asked her to lead the new program, she knew it was the right opportunity for her.

“I wanted to do something that could help our businesses and our community,” she said.
Selitto will be in charge of verifying businesses for the program, as well as its day-to-day operations.
Businesses that want to participate in the program must be certified through the division. To become certified, businesses must adhere to a membership agreement, which outlines best practices that a business must follow. An application fee of $299 is also required for all businesses, and those with more than 20 employees will have an additional fee of $249. Businesses must also have been open for at least one year and have no active litigations. Chamber members get a $50 discount on the verification fee for their businesses. The certification is valid for one year.

Businesses making the cut will be listed in the division’s directory and will get an annual “blue checkmark” in the form of a window decal to display.

“When a consumer sees that certified sticker displayed in the businesses, they know they can shop with confidence,” Selitto said.

The first official membership directory of certified businesses will be posted in January; the directory will be an annual publication going forward.

On the scam protection side, Selitto said that CPD will send out alerts in email newsletters and post them on chamber social media accounts. Consumer losses to scams increased by 30% from 2021-22 for a total of $8.8 billion, according to a recent report from the Federal Trade Commission.

“Senior citizens lose about $3 billion a year to scams nationwide,” Cumberland County District Attorney Billy West said. “It’s a very serious problem.”

Beyond helping everyday consumers, the program may have an additional impact on the local justice system. CPD will offer a mediation platform for resolving disputes between consumers and businesses, with the goal of addressing grievances fairly and reducing the strain on local legal resources.

Chief District Court Judge Toni King said she hears about 200 cases every week dealing with breach-of-contract issues and other disputes. She hopes the new division will help lighten the load.

“When we can remove these types of cases or lower the amount in our court system, it allows us to focus on the more violent or the more important, in a sense, cases,” King said.

To find out more details about the program, sign up for scam alerts or to get verified, visit https://faycpd.com/

For 64 years, your insurance works one way, then suddenly, you turn 65, and everything you thought you knew goes out the window. You gaze into the labyrinth of Medicare and hope you get Theseus and not the Minotaur.

Allow me to make like Ariadne and spin a yarn to help navigate these corridors. For this purpose, the dollar amounts given apply to 2024 and can be confirmed at medicare.gov

The biggest takeaway that people need to understand with original Medicare is that, unlike employer-provided insurance or an individual policy, there is no Maximum Out-of-pocket.

Generally, Medicare charges a whole lot less than commercial for practically every procedure as the government sets the prices; however, there is no cap on annual charges. The Max OOP in under 65 insurance limits your loss. If the Max OOP is $6,500, then that means only $6,500 total can be charged in one year, not including premiums. Original Medicare does not have this limit.

Original Medicare has two parts: A and B. Part A is free-ish. If you or your spouse paid taxes for ten years, it is premium-free. Otherwise, it costs between $278 and $505 monthly. So, if you didn’t pay taxes, marry someone that did. Part B has a monthly premium beginning at $174.70. Part B is subject to income and can scale up to $594 monthly.

Part A is usually referred to as “hospital insurance,” but I prefer to think of it as “room and board” insurance. “Hospital insurance” confuses people because that implies that everything in the hospital is covered. It isn’t. Broadly, Part A covers the room, the bed, general nursing, meals and it also helps cover skilled nursing facilities and hospice — mostly places involving a room and a bed.

Part A has a resetting deductible of $1,632. The first 60 days in the hospital are covered by this deductible, then days 61-90 cost $408 dollars daily, 91–150 cost $816 a day while using the 60 lifetime reserve days, and afterward, it is all out of pocket.

After 60 days without hospital services, the deductible resets and must be paid again if used. Skilled nursing facilities have the first 20 days covered at no cost, then 80 days at $200 and afterward, everything is out of pocket.

Remember how I said Part A doesn’t cover everything in a hospital? Doctors are in hospitals, and Part B is what pays them, as well as anything considered to be “durable medical equipment.” If you don’t have Part B, then everything the doctor does is out of pocket, which is why it is often referred to as “Medical Insurance.” It has a one-time $240 deductible that resets annually like traditional insurance. In general, there is a 20% copay on most of the services covered by Part B.

So, how do we solve the problem of no Max OOP?
Medicare Advantage plans or Medicare Supplements both provide an answer. In the Nov. 1 issue, I’ll compare the two.

Has life seemed a little off-putting to you lately? Wars and rumors of wars abound. Israel and Hamas have pushed Ukraine out of the news. Will the United States government come to a screeching halt when the budget deal expires in November? The circular firing squad of Republicans and their saga of finding the perfect Speaker of the House, coupled with the increasingly grim international news, reminded me of our old storytelling buddies, the Brothers Grimm. Did the Brothers Grimm intend to soothe or scare the kinder when they were collecting folk tales? Buckle down and read the rest of the column to find out.
Some background: first, the Grimm Boys did not invent fairy tales. They collected folk tales that floated around Europe since the memory of man runneth not. Their bright idea was to write the stories down to print them in a book. The first book of Grimm’s Fairy Tales came out in 1812. Like recipes for shrimp and grits, there were many versions of the same basic stories. The Grimm’s version of the stories stuck for the most part until Disney got hold of them. Uncle Walt sweetened up the stories and added music. The original Grimm stories were grim. You say: “What? Fairy tales are sweet stories to soothe little children.” Gentle Reader, as Jules in “Pulp Fiction” said: “Allow me to retort.” Things were tough back in Medieval Times. It was not a place for sissies. Below is Cinderella, the original Brothers Grimm version.
Cinderella begins with Cindy’s dying mom telling her: “Be good as gold and meek as a lamb, and the blessed Lord will protect you.” This does not turn out to be the case. Cindy’s dad waits only six months to marry Wicked Stepmother, who has two unpleasant daughters.
Dad is oblivious to how Wicked Step Mom and Sisters treat Cindy. Cindy is reduced to a kitchen scullery maid who is the butt of the evil Step Sisters’ abuse. It is not enough that Cindy must sleep in ashes in the hearth. Lacking social media to drive Cindy to suicide, the Sisters make up names to bully her. They suggest nicknaming her Ashy-Face, Sooty Bottom and finally settle on Cinderella.
One day, Dad is heading to town. He asks the Step Sisters and Cindy what they want him to bring them. The Evil Sisters ask for fancy dresses and jewels. Cindy asks for the first tree branch that brushes Dad’s hat on the way back. Everyone gets what they ask for. Cindy plants the branch on Mom’s grave, watering it daily with her tears. It grows quickly into a hazel tree that becomes home to many birds. Alfred Hitchcock Spoiler Alert — don’t mess with “The Birds.”
Prince Charming announces a three-day
Batchelor in Paradise Royal Ball at which he will choose his bride. Cindy helps the step-sisters get gussied up. Step Mom won’t let Cindy go to the ball, so she sneaks out to the hazel tree and makes a wish for a fancy prom dress, which magically appears. Surprise! The Fairy Godmother is a tree in the original story. Cindy goes to the ball, wows the Prince, and sneaks out before he can find out who she is. This goes on for the next two nights. On the last night, Prince has his lackeys spread pitch so he can follow Cindy’s footsteps. The Prince finds her golden shoe stuck in the pitch and announces he will marry the Shoe Fittee.
The Step Sisters go to try on the golden shoe. Step Mom tells them if the shoe doesn’t fit, they should cut off part of their foot to make it fit. Step Sister One cuts off part of her heel. Step Sister Two cuts off her big toe. Cindy’s birds tell the Prince, who is apparently a bit slow, to check the shoe for blood. He examines the bloody shoe and disqualifies both Step Sisters. Cindy’s foot fits, and the wedding takes place. The Step Sisters decide to butter up to Cindy and walk on each side of her into the church. Cindy’s birds are not fooled and peck out the left eye of each Sister. On the way out of the church, the birds peck out the Sisters’ right eyes, leaving them blind. Cindy and Prince live happily ever after.
So, what have we learned today? Fairy tales are not all sweetness and light. Hazel trees watered by tears are as good as a fairy godmother. Do-it-yourself podiatric surgery is a bad idea. If your step-sibling is good with birds, you better wear a helmet if you want to see the food at the wedding reception.
Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo! Happy Halloween.

As Russia’s full-scale war against the independent country of Ukraine approaches its 20th month, the role of the United States in arming, training and funding the Ukrainians has become a point of contention between Joe Biden and some of his potential GOP opponents, as well as among Republicans on Capitol Hill.

Does the issue deserve debate? Sure, and I say that as an advocate of America’s support for Ukraine. But if your primary concern is its cost to taxpayers, many other issues should concern you more.

Take benefit fraud, for example. Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and other entitlements are the main drivers of deficits. In 1973, federal spending amounted to 18% of the gross domestic product. Discretionary programs such as defense, transportation, and education made up 53% of the federal budget, with mandatory spending (primarily entitlements) at 40% and interest payments at 7%.

Today, federal spending makes up a quarter of GDP. The breakdown is now 27% in discretionary programs, 63% mandatory, and 10% interest. By 2053, if present trends continue, spending will approach 30% of GDP. Interest payments will more than double as a share of spending, to 21%, while discretionary will continue to shrink in relative terms.

The math is merciless here. Balancing the budget will require structural changes to entitlement programs. But even getting serious about benefit fraud — about individuals and companies receiving taxpayer money to which they aren’t entitled — would do much more to repair America’s finances than cutting off aid to Ukraine would.

Consider the case of unemployment insurance. I’ve written often about the faulty design and management of the UI system, including here in North Carolina. During the COVID pandemic, state and federal officials made it easier to obtain benefits — and fraudsters took advantage of that to bilk employers and taxpayers.

This happened to me, in fact. I teach at Duke University every other semester. A couple of years ago, someone stole my identity, claimed to have been laid off, and filed for benefits. Despite my best efforts to stop it, the crook got paid.

According to the Government Accounting Office, as much as $135 billion in UI benefits were awarded fraudulently during the pandemic. That’s probably a low-ball estimate. Matt Weidinger, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, applied the GAO’s formula to a broader base and estimated that improper payments may total as much as $240 billion.

By comparison, the United States has, to date, sent about $75 billion to Ukraine in the form of military, economic, and technical assistance. If we expand the category to include not only spent but requested funds — and not just aid to Ukraine itself but also aid sent to our allies helping Ukraine — the total comes to $135 billion, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Now consider Medicare and Medicaid fraud. It costs the federal treasury a minimum of $100 billion a year and likely much more. Farm programs, energy subsidies, grant and loan programs, targeted tax breaks for favored industries — these and many other federal policies are plagued by waste, fraud, and abuse.

The GAO estimates that the federal government made $247 billion in improper payments in FY 2022 alone (and that figure didn’t even include some welfare programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). In other words, benefit fraud costs American taxpayers much more than the war in Ukraine has or will.

That’s not an argument against strict oversight of foreign and military aid. Nor is it an argument that all the White House and Congress need to do to balance federal budgets is to cut out improper payments. That won’t be nearly enough, as I’ve also written about many times.

My point is simply that the political attention paid to the fiscal impact of aid to Ukraine is far out of proportion to its contribution to federal deficits. In a rational world, our leaders would set their priorities accordingly. Alas, that’s not the world we inhabit.

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).

A breast cancer diagnosis affects every facet of a woman’s life.

While women and their families must prioritize treatment, a host of additional variables, including work, also merit consideration after a breast cancer diagnosis. Work is an important part of life, so it’s understandable if women are concerned about how a breast cancer diagnosis will affect their careers.

With that in mind, women can consider these tips as they share news of their diagnosis with their employers.

Prioritize your own comfort when speaking to an employer about your diagnosis. Breastcancer.org notes that a woman’s comfort level is the most important factor when sharing news of a breast cancer diagnosis with an employer.

Some women may want to inform only a few coworkers they’re close with, while others may find it easier to let everyone know. There’s no wrong or right way to share a diagnosis, so women should prioritize their own comfort when choosing which way to go.

To ensure things go smoothly and your wishes are honored, consider first breaking the news to a supervisor in a private face-to-face meeting or Zoom call.

Decide what you want to share. The Australia-based Cancer Council notes that individuals must decide what they want to share regarding their diagnosis. Women can speak to their physicians to determine how long they will continue working, if their ability to work full-time will be affected by treatment and the projected length of treatment.

Answers to these questions can help women decide how much to share with their employers. If treatment is lengthy and require time off to recover, then sharing such information can help employers arrange to cover your responsibilities.

Take additional measures to overcome side effects of treatment. Breastcancer.org notes that treatment can produce cognitive side effects such as memory loss or difficulty concentrating.

Successful professionals will undoubtedly want to maintain the standard they have established for themselves, and that can be done by taking a few simple steps to overcome any cognitive issues that may arise during treatment.

Record Zoom calls so you can go back and view them, if necessary. Take copious notes during strategizing sessions. Begin using a planner so you can stay on top of deadlines. These simple measures are easy to employ and can ensure women don’t miss a beat during treatment.

Take time off, if necessary. Time off should always be a consideration during cancer treatment. Breastcancer.org notes that various programs can help women meet their financial obligations if they’re no longer earning income.

Some employers may pay full salaries during treatment and not count time off as vacation or personal time, while others may grant short-term disability benefits that can provide some income during extended time off. Explore all your options with the human resources staff at your firm.

A breast cancer diagnosis may require women to alter their work habits and schedules.

Even the simplest tweaks can have a profound impact and allow women to direct much of their energy and focus on their treatment.

How did The Lost Colony fit in the founding of the English colonies in North America?

Virginia Dare was born at the Lost Colony on Roanoke Island, the first child of English parents in America, and that gives North Carolinians a strong claim to be a critical part of the English colonization effort. But since that colony disappeared without a trace, can we claim that this unsuccessful colonization effort was part of later permanent colonization efforts in Virginia and New England?

The answer: Absolutely, says John May, author of an upcoming book to be titled “English America: An Introduction to The Lost Colony and Jamestown.”

It is scheduled for publication next year by McFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books.

May argues that the “founding of the first enduring English American colony was one continuous effort interrupted by war with Spain. The Roanoke Island and Jamestown colonies constitute the selfsame history in all meaningful respects.

Think of Jamestown as the second act of the two-act play but under new direction and with it an all-new cast of characters.”

In October 1584, at the request of Sir Walter Raleigh’s supporters, a young scholar, Richard Hakluyt, prepared a prospectus outlining the “potential political advantages of a colony in the part of North America that had been named Virginia.” Hakluyt delivered a copy to Queen Elizabeth.

The queen offered only minimal support for Raleigh’s venture.

But May argues that the objectives outlined in the prospectus “remained unchanged for the next twenty-five years. But in all those years of trial and error— of one heartbreaking failure after another — the one constant and central presence in the effort was Richard Hakluyt.”

Raleigh, the most prominent supporter of the first colonization effort on Roanoke, had the most to gain.

With a successful permanent settlement within seven years of his grant in 1584, Raleigh would be granted title to most of the eastern part of North America. But Raleigh had stepped aside and become involved in other adventures.

Efforts to establish a colony on Roanoke Island continued, and May tells the stories of that colony in engaging detail, beginning with their biggest problem, the unsuitability of our coast, to support a colonization effort.

“The coast of North Carolina was an inauspicious choice for a first colony. From the seashore island for up to fifty miles, the land is swampy or so low-lying it often floods, and much of it in the sixteenth century was thickly forested wetlands that were all but impenetrable.

“English galleons had an average draft of twelve feet but inlets into the Pamlico Sound — through which Roanoke Island is accessed — were blocked to such ships by shallow sandbars that shift with every major storm.

“Dangerous offshore shallows — Wimble, Diamond, and Frying Pan Shoals — extend miles out into the Atlantic, and seas off the Outer Banks are subject to riptides and cross currents caused by the conflicts of the Gulf Stream and the Labrador Current.

These hazards have caused countless shipwrecks and given to this region of the North American coast the baleful epitaph’ Graveyard of the Atlantic.’”

In May’s detailed account of the Virginia Colony, his hero is John Smith, the rough-and-ready Daniel Boone character who also fought against the Native Americans and still gained their respect.

The story about the Native American emperor Powhatan’s daughter rescuing Smith from execution is based on Smith’s later written account. May says that, although this account is probably not completely accurate, Pocahontas had a real expectation that Smith would become a part of the Powhatan family. Smith’s failure to meet this expectation was a great disappointment to her.

May’s copious research, combined with his great storytelling gifts, make his story of the Lost Colony and Jamestown histories a reading pleasure.

The Lost Colony itself had disappeared without a trace, but there were others who were “eager to take up the baton and see what profits could be squeezed from the great unknown of North America about which Hakluyt promised so much.”

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

The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra presents Spooktacular. Families can enjoy the sounds of the spooky season, all dressed up, on Saturday, Oct. 28, at 7:30 p.m. at Seabrook Auditorium on the campus of Fayetteville State University.

The night will feature music by notable composers John Williams, Michael Jackson, and Hector Berlioz and more.

Attendees will “Experience spooky selections from nostalgic classics like Superman, Batman, Ghostbusters, the Incredibles, Hook, and more.” according to the FSO Facebook page. The night promises to be filled with fun and recognizable songs, a great addition to any Halloween plans,

”This year, attendees can look forward to an incredible program featuring the entire orchestra. Selections include Superman March, Batman Theme, Dead Elvis, Thriller and more,” said Meghan Woolbright, marketing and office manager, FSO. “In addition to the programming, we will be having a costume contest with giveaways from The Sweet Palette and Triangle Rock Club along with a spooky photo booth. Come early to the performance for a chance to meet select musicians and experience our instrument petting zoo.”

An exciting new addition to this year’s event is the costume contest with giveaways for the winners.
Woolbright is excited about the future of FSO events.

“By having a family-themed program to start off our season, we hope to see children and their families excited about symphonic music for future family concerts this upcoming season. Visit fayettevillesymphony.org to learn more about our exciting season filled with family and community concerts, season concerts, Symphony on Tap events, and more,” she said.

The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1956 with the mission to “educate, entertain, and inspire the citizens of the Fayetteville, North Carolina region as the leading musical resource,” a mission they keep through several programs.

Along with the Spooktacular event, the FSO puts on seven seasonal concerts, free community concerts and a free concert series called Symphony on Tap.

Young musicians can audition for the Fayetteville Symphony Youth Orchestra programs. The FSYO is a way for the FSO to educate the next generation of musicians. Made up of five ensembles, young musicians are encouraged to go beyond the four walls of the classroom to master their craft.

FSYO ensembles include Youth Orchestra, Concert Band, Chamber Strings, Cello Choir and Sting Sinfonietta. The FSYO “seeks to enhance music education for young musicians in the greater Fayetteville area by providing quality training, ensemble playing experience, and unique performance opportunities.”.

Fans of the orchestra can follow them on their social media platforms and check out their next performance in November of The Four Seasons at St. John’s Episcopal Church.

Ticket prices range from $5 to $32 and can be purchased online at https://www.fayettevillesymphony.org, at the door, or by calling 910-433-4690. Infants to children five years old are free.

No adult over the age of 35 doesn’t recognize the sweet melodic voice of Maxwell as soon as the first note is dropped. Maxwell Night: The Trilogy Show is coming to the Crown A on Oct. 20. The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $59 to $200 for premium front-row seats.

For those interested in a VIP experience, seats are still available. VIP ticket holders will be seated in the first 12 rows and receive a specially designed Maxwell tour shirt, an exclusive Maxwell merchandise item, a commemorative tour laminate and an on-site VIP host. Attendees will have a large selection of cocktails, wine and beer from multiple bars around the coliseum and hot, delicious food. Fans will be able to purchase exclusive Maxwell merchandise in the concourse during the concert.

Maxwell has been serenading music lovers for over two decades, continuously pumping out hit after hit. The perfect date night or girls’ night option, Maxwell will set the mood for an elevated evening of music and nostalgia.

For those who follow the artist on social media, he is fully prepared to put on a show for his faithful fans. The concert is set to be an R&B lover’s dream.

Opening for Maxwell, but not an afterthought, is the multitalented Alex Isley. Alex’s sound is smooth and sultry, entrancing listeners with her poetic lyrics and soulful voice. The daughter of famous singer Ernie Isley of the Isley Brothers, performing for an audience is in her genes. Maxwell is a big name for Fayetteville. There was also a substantial amount of work put in to make this concert and more events like it.

“Our General Manager, Seth Benalt, works all year to line up talented performers like Maxwell. This process involves building positive relationships with promoters and helping to educate them about the potential that exists in our market,” said Maddy Eversole, marketing director at the Crown.

“It isn’t just a one-person job though. A huge part of the equation when it comes to securing big acts at our facilities rests with our community. The support of our community coming out to these shows is what will help us continue to bring impressive shows to Fayetteville.”

The Crown Complex has more in store for area residents.

“This fall in the Crown Theatre we have a full lineup of shows including Gladys Knight and The Ville City Blues Festival featuring Tucka, King George, Calvin Richardson, Pokey Bear, Theodis Ealey and J-Wonn,” said Eversole.

“In the Coliseum, we have Jeezy & Friends taking place on Nov. 25. We are also starting to announce our Spring lineup, so guests should follow our Facebook page, facebook.com/crowncomplexnc, to get updates about all the exciting shows we’re bringing to the area.

Attendees can also visit our website to view our entire show calendar for all our facilities.”
Concertgoers are reminded of the clear bag policy at the Crown Coliseum. More information about that and other policies can be found at https://www.crowncomplexnc.com/visit/venue-policies.
For tickets and more information, call 910-438-4300 or visit https://www.crowncomplexnc.com/events/ticket-office.

The story of jazz has been the story of change. Originating in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the hybrid genre has evolved from blues, ragtime, hot jazz, swing, bebop, smooth jazz and the list goes on.

When I think of the “who’s who” of jazz giants Louis Armstrong, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane and my personal favorite, Miles Davis, come to mind, they were fearless musicians who showed the world where music came from and what music could be.

Jazz is coming back to Fayetteville. Up & Coming Weekly, Beasley Media Group and The Sandhills Jazz Society present the All-American City Jazz Festival on Saturday, Oct. 28, at 6 p.m. at Festival Park in downtown Fayetteville.

“The purpose of the jazz festival is to raise money for the Sandhills Jazz Society and our mission is to bring music back in schools,” said Tina Turner, event director of the All-American City Jazz Festival. “We want to start doing workshops for high school and middle school students.”

“Our first jazz festival was in 2019, but due to the pandemic this is the first year that we are able to bring it back. We really believe that jazz is one of the original art forms as far as music goes,” said Turner. “A lot of music has derived from jazz and many people do not realize there are so many types of jazz out there.”

The event features Brian Simpson, Lindsey Webster, Jeanette Harris and Terence Young. Up and Coming Weekly had the pleasure of speaking with Terence Young, smooth jazz guitarist and Brian Simpson, jazz pianist.

Born in Elko, South Carolina, with roots in quartet gospel music, Terence Young has been playing the guitar for 40 years.

His passion for music began at the tender age of 5, and he credits his uncles, who are musicians and influencers of his musical journey. Over the course of 40 years, 14 albums and scores of concert performances, fans travel from all over the world for the Terence Young Experience. His latest album, The Playlist, was released in April 2022.

“The Playlist is a collaboration of songs that people have been requesting me to play through my years of performing that include cover songs and original songs that people love to hear me play,” said Terence Young. “I like my music to feel good and I make it melodic so that people are able to process it in their mind and spirit.” He added, “My uncles taught me that if you don’t feel what you are playing, you can’t expect anyone else to feel it.”

And what can the audience expect from Young at the jazz festival?

“They should expect an experience that is a bit different from the norm,” said Young. “It is going to be real intense, funky and sensual,” he said.

For more information about Terence Young, visit https://www.terenceyoungmusic.com/.

With humble beginnings in Gurnee, Illinois, Brian Simpson had a love for music and the piano.

“Both of my parents loved jazz and my dad had a sizable record collection,” said Brian Simpson, jazz pianist and artist at the All American City Jazz Festival. “I grew up where we would have a weekend party and there would be a couple of jazz guitar players who were his friends in the yard jamming away.”

Simpson added that one of his dad’s musician friends would take him to music stores and on gigs where he would perform in the city, allowing him to see what it was like to be a working musician.
Simpson started taking piano lessons at the age of 10.

“Normally piano players learn classical music first, but I have a zero classical background in music,” said Simpson. “My early books were fake books with chord symbols and a melody and this is what jazz musicians would use to do a gig.”

“This was my early learning about jazz and I did not know if I was ever going to make a living out of it, but I certainly was going to try,” he said.

He graduated as a music major from Northern Illinois University and moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1986 to pursue a career in music. His latest album, Soul
Connection was released in June 2023.

“When it came out it was the number one jazz album on iTunes Jazz,” said Simpson. “The magic behind romantic songs is when you find these harmonies and I know that if it is making me feel something, then it is probably going to do that to other people.”

For more information about Brian Simpson, visit https://bsimpsonmusic.com/.

The Sandhills Jazz Society is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit arts/educational organization whose mission is to promote interest in jazz music across multiple generations, to actively engage a new generation in the efforts of the Society and to have fun producing a financially viable annual All-American City Jazz Festival.

“Three of us started the Sandhills Jazz Society in 2018 and we knew that we wanted to do something but we could not figure out what it was,” said Turner. “We knew there was a need for it so we started the nonprofit with a main focus in music education and appreciation.”

“The audience should expect to have a good time and it is going to be a lot of fun,” said Turner.

“We are getting a lot of calls from people in other states who have purchased their tickets and hopefully the community will embrace the out-of-town visitors that are coming to town for it.”

Gates open at 4 p.m. for this rain-or-shine event. General admission is $35 and VIP is $100. For tickets and information, call 910-987-2426 or visit www.SandhillsJazz.com.

This weekend, we witnessed a savage and unprecedented attack on our greatest Middle Eastern ally, Israel. The senseless violence in Israel is sickening, but we must be clear-eyed that this is an unprovoked act of war on a sovereign ally.

There should be no doubt that Israel has every right to defend itself, and the United States should stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our friend in this terrible time.

Reports that Americans are among the hundreds killed or taken hostage are worrying. I am also outraged by the possibility that the Biden administration’s eagerness to give legitimacy and over $6 billion to Iran, the largest state sponsor of terrorists, including Hamas, may have contributed to this attack. I will continue to monitor this situation and will always stand with Israel.

These have been a challenging few weeks in Washington. Our House Republican majority is the only firewall against the extreme agenda of Washington Democrats.

I am doing anything I can to remind my colleagues of this and find a way forward by electing a new Republican speaker. My focus remains on cutting spending, securing our Southern border, and working on behalf of you and your family.

As the crisis at the border rages, Senate Democrats refuse to take any action on the House-passed H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, the strongest border security bill in history.

This legislation restarts construction of the border wall, deploys technology to the Southern and Northern border, increases the number of Border Patrol agents, and provides them with bonus pay. The ongoing humanitarian and national security crisis at our Southern border continues to escalate as record numbers of illegal migrants cross into the United States. In August alone, there were 232,972 encounters at the Southern Border — a 27% increase from July and more than double the population of Moore County.

While Washington Democrats allow thousands of illegal immigrants into our country each day, they also refuse to acknowledge the ways their failed economic policies are impacting hardworking families.

Washington Democrats borrowed and spent at record levels under their one-party rule, fueling inflation and propelling our debt to an astronomical $33 trillion.

Because of this, new polling data shows only 28% of Americans are satisfied with the state of the economy.

These are serious issues facing our nation today — yet we have seen troubling times before. In the face of previous conflict and uncertainty, President Ronald Reagan believed that America’s best days were always ahead.

He also knew that uniting under conservative leadership was the only way to secure our freedoms for future generations. I believe in that, too, especially because House Republicans have solutions to each of the challenges we are once again facing today.

House Republicans are focused on cutting wasteful spending, fully-funding programs for seniors, military families and veterans, securing our border, and passing solutions that fulfill our commitment to the American people.

As your Congressman, I am committed to building a safer future for you and your family. As internal debates continue in Congress on how our majority can achieve those goals, know that I will always stay focused on the big picture and the issues that matter most to you.

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

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

As your Congressman, I will never stop working with my House colleagues to advance common sense solutions that grow our economy, keep us safe, and help you and every American family succeed.

Editor’s note: Rep. Richard Hudson represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District.

The undead are coming. For the 13th year, the Zombie Walk is taking over downtown Fayetteville. A free, family-friendly event, the Zombie Walk convenes the undead on Oct. 27 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Zombies of all ages are invited to come and enjoy the festivities.

For this year’s event, the Cool Springs Downtown District Zombie Walk is bringing back old favorites and adding some new, soon-to-be favorites: food, fun, music and a little of everything in between.
Returning this year is a performance stage on Person Street. Tan & Sober Gentlemen, Tumbao and Stone Dolls are set to entertain the undead. Each band will bring its own vibe and style of music, a sure win for the zombies set to attend.

According to their website, “The Tan & Sober Gentlemen aim to bring these traditions full circle.
They play Irish tunes, ballads and pub songs right next to the Appalachian fiddle tunes of their youth, melding the two into what they call “Irish-American hillbilly music.”

Bringing some Latin fusion is Tumbao. “¡Tumbao! offers a taste of Salsa, Funk, Cumbia, Latin rock, Reggae, and R&B, all loaded with brass - truly one of the best night parties around.” The all-female Stone Dolls will bring the best of the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and today.

This year, another new attraction will be introduced: wrestling. Catch a show by Ring Wars Carolina Pro Wrestling team on the corner of Ray Ave and Hay Street.

But the most anticipated new addition is the Rocky Horror Sing-A-Long Trolley. Riders will hop on for a Time Warp of a time, singing along to all their Rocky Horror Show favorites. The only experience that is not free, tickets are $30 per rider. There are two trolley rides to catch, 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.

The trolley picks up riders from the Bright Light Brewing Company at 444 W. Russell Street. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Cool Springs Downtown District’s office at 910- 223-1089.

Zombies will have more than brains to fill their tummies at the food truck rodeo and an opportunity to explore “Artist Alley” on Anderson Street and purchase new goodies from local vendors.

Zombies traveling by car can find spaces in the two downtown parking decks, Franklin Street Parking Deck, 208 Franklin Street, and Hay Street Parking Deck, 472 Hay Street.

Remember, it’s a takeover, so Hay, Anderson and Person Streets will be closed to traffic.

Don’t forget, wear your best costume for a chance to win a prize as the top undead of the night. Organizers ask that attendees refrain from bringing functioning or previously functioning weapons.

Lauren Falls, Marketing and Events Director for the Cool Springs Downtown District, is excited about this year’s event, recognizing all of the amazing sponsors who make this event possible and free.

“The Cool Spring Downtown District would like to thank BackARound Records, City of Fayetteville, Healy Wholesale, The Arts Council of Fayetteville and Cumberland County, Metronet and First National Bank for sponsoring the Zombie Walk,” Falls said.

While vendor spots are officially closed for this year, Falls encourages those interested in being a vendor for 4th Fridays in the 2024 season to send an email to info@coolspringfay.org.

Who is Antoinne Duane Jones? That is the question on everyone’s mind as his upcoming Arts Council exhibit takes place on Oct. 20.

A Fayetteville State University alumnus, father of three, culinary connoisseur, ex-teacher and award-winning photographer, Antoinne Duane Jones has spent nearly the last twenty years of his life capturing the essence of the people in front of his camera.

From the sets of television shows to the yearbooks of children, Antoinne Duane Jones has left his mark as a prolific photographer and entrepreneur.

He has written his own book, filled with the lessons and habits that have helped him grow his business and in his endeavors titled, “The Down Entrepreneur: A Blueprint to Business Rejuvenation.”

A jack-of-all trades in his own right, Antoinne was even a teacher at Jack Britt High School for five years before starting his career in Fayetteville when his wife and mother suggested he pursue his passion of photography.

“When I was little, I would always be buying those little, small three button cameras from Walmart and just be taking pictures of everywhere I went,” said Jones.

Since then, he’s gone on to grow his brand from Fayetteville to Atlanta, all while focusing on his favorite job of being a parent. Speaking on his passion, Antoinne noted how fulfilling it felt to be able to help support the growth of the next generation.

To this end, he has even helped create an amazing new opportunity for the future students at Fayetteville State University: a scholarship.

Jones is one part of a brand-new scholarship program for students at Fayetteville State University that is being announced at his exhibit and book signing event.

An astonishing 40% of the proceeds from his exhibition and book signing will also be going directly to the funding of tuition to scholarship awardees.

“To be able to come back, and give back, to the place I call home, it’s amazing,” he said.

Being an alum of the historically black college FSU, I asked Antoinne what his thoughts were on how his experiences there shaped and molded him as an artist.

“Being able to be around people who look like you, speak like you, and have had similar experiences to you, I think is so important. It allows us to be able to feel that sense of community and be able to go out into the work force and society and represent the positive impact those historically black colleges have had on our lives,” said Jones.

The exhibit, being aimed as a celebration of those who supported him coming up, is split into three parts.

With aspects of a potentially dark future of our own design, the advanced technologies of the Wakanda nation and superhero cosplays, Antoinne Duane Jones plans to show us photorealism, conscious consumption and a passion for photography two decades in the making.

“I wanted to still be able to express my creativity while also being able to tell people something about the direction we’re heading on our planet, you know, the ‘what if’ of if we keep treating our planet this way,” Jones said. “I asked myself, ‘what would prom look like for my great-granddaughter’.”

Nestled beside city staff buildings, where Lamon and Ann streets meet, is a local treasure trove of history. Cross Creek Cemetery #2 is a municipal cemetery owned and primarily maintained by the city since the 1870s.

It is the second oldest of the five sections of Cross Creek Cemetery. The plots are privately owned by the families whose loved ones call the cemetery home. Though flanked by modern roadways, the cemetery has a marked quintessential southern feel.

Trees draped in Spanish moss shade stones bearing the names of families also reflected through business names, buildings and street signs across Fayetteville.

Cross Creek Cemetery #2 captures a unique part of Fayetteville’s history. The cemetery comprises three prominent late 19th and early 20th-century communities. Brookside is representative of Fayetteville’s flourishing affluent African Americans.

The “old” Beth Israel cemetery was donated to the local Jewish community by the city and is the final resting place of merchants, among others, spanning the late 19th century to the 1970s.

The area of the cemetery abutting Ann Street is the burial site of prominent white Fayettevillians. While burial plots in this area of the municipal cemetery have long since been wholly purchased, empty spaces in those plots are still being filled by the occasional modern burial.

Each community is represented in the same broader cemetery, separated by choice or discrimination, reflecting societal norms in the late 19th to early 20th century.

Local historians from the Fayetteville History Museum invite the public to join them on Fridays, October 20 and 27, to travel through the cemetery and learn all about the individuals buried in Cross Creek #2’s storied plots.

Attendees can expect to join tour guides on a walk that spans the cemetery, meeting cabinet maker and undertaker Silas Sheetz, educator, leader and statesman E.E. Smith, and Jewish merchant Jacob Stein, to name a few.

In addition to meeting Fayetteville’s past citizens, tour-goers can expect to learn about the cemetery’s vast array of art and symbolism.

Mother nature and human activity have caused significant damage to the cemetery, and the Fayetteville History Museum staff see these tours as an opportunity to educate and engage the public on how the community can help protect and support this unique historic space.

“We are excited to offer the public an opportunity to appreciate these unique spaces and hope that through programs, like our cemetery tours, we will inspire people to help care for them and feel invested in their care,” Fayetteville Historic Properties Manager Heidi Bleazey said.

During the final tour on October 27, museum staff are encouraging attendees to join them dressed for the season in costume for a special seasonal fact-or-treat tour. Participants can fact-or-treat for Halloween goodies by answering historic true or false prompts.

The Fayetteville History Museum and the Cross Creek Cemetery #2 tours are open and free to the public. The tours are recommended for individuals ten years and older.

To attend a tour, participants need only meet at the corner of Ann and Lamon Street near the Cross Creek Cemetery #2 sign at noon on any remaining Friday in October. No registration is necessary for this event.

“With the noon start, we hope to capture the lunch crowd,” Bleazey explained.

The tours will run for approximately an hour and a half. Those attending are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the day’s weather forecast.

The Fayetteville History Museum is located at 325 Franklin Street and is open Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For any additional information, museum staff can be reached by calling 910-433-1457.

Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity is reaching out to the local community, calling for volunteers to join hands in their upcoming Veterans Build event.

The opening ceremony is set to take place on Nov. 3rd at 9 a.m. at 607 Link Street, and the organization is inviting residents to actively participate in this noble cause.

Veterans Build is more than just constructing houses; it’s about building bridges, creating opportunities, and showing gratitude to the brave men and women who have served our country.

By volunteering for this event, community members can contribute directly to providing affordable and comfortable housing solutions for our deserving veterans.

“We believe in the power of community. When we come together, amazing things can happen,” said Rick Callaway, veteran and chief operating officer of Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity.

“We are inviting the community to join us in this meaningful initiative. Your time and effort can make a significant impact on the lives of our veterans.”

Volunteer opportunities are available from Nov. 3rd through the 9th. No prior experience is necessary, as training and guidance will be provided on-site.

This is an excellent opportunity for individuals and groups to give back to the community, learn new skills, and forge connections with fellow volunteers who share a passion for making a difference.

The opening ceremony on Nov. 3rd will not only be a celebration of the progress made but also a launch pad for future endeavors. Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity encourages everyone, regardless of their background or expertise, to join the cause and be part of this transformative experience.

To volunteer for the Veterans Build event or to learn more about how you can get involved, please contact Kelly Rodriguez, Faith and Community Relations Director, Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity, at fcr@fayettevillenchabitat.org or by calling 910- 483 – 0952.

I always tell clients it doesn’t matter how good your insurance is on paper if you can’t use it.

In July, I attended a meeting at Cape Fear Valley Hospital where CEO Mike Nagowski and Vice President of Managed Care Bart Fiser announced that due to critical grievances in service, CFV was terminating the UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage network at the hospitals and in 2024, all their other providers as well.

Hospitals often have these disputes with insurance carriers. Last year, Duke Wake Med terminated their relationship with UHC for about six months.

This past February, Charlotte Ears, Nose and Throat also announced that they would be terminating UHC unless negotiations were made.

There are plenty of examples in North Carolina alone, but the situation at Cape Fear Valley has one major difference from what is typical in these situations: it isn’t about money.

Mr. Fiser painted a grim scene of doctor frustration and administrative nightmares, and he claimed that Cape Fear Valley patients were receiving around a 30 percent decline rate of services with UHC Medicare Advantage plans, including things like pacemakers.

Furthermore, prior approval was being downgraded months later. A diagnosis of sepsis being downgraded to pneumonia because it didn’t meet the carrier definition was an example I was provided with.

Mr. Fiser also explained that transmitting medical records to UHC was particularly vexing because the online portals often won’t accept files as large as necessary to transmit data.
Oftentimes, CFV must mail paper copies costing as much as $800 and increasing the turnaround time on decisions.

These high declination rates, administrative difficulties, and reneging on prior approval have been so detrimental to patient care that the executive team felt forced to cut ties.

“I didn’t ask for a single penny. We get higher rates with UHC. We were in partnership with them on shared savings. Denials just got so crazy.” said Fiser.

On October 5th, I met with Mr. Fiser again to see if there were updates that would provide me with insights I could use to better serve my clients. One of my questions centered around PPOs. I had spoken with agents and people in the community who had voiced that if they switched to a UHC PPO plan, they would be fine.

Mr. Fiser stated they “absolutely would not be fine.” While the hospital would accept the PPO plans, they would only do so at an out-of-network rate.

I inquired if any headway had been made to repair the relationship and was told there had been none but that “we would certainly listen if they addressed the issues because we want what’s best for the community.”

I point-blank asked Mr. Fiser if there was a carrier they did not have issues with, and he replied, “we don’t have issues with Blue Cross Blue Shield.” No others were specifically mentioned.

During this annual enrollment period, make an informed decision on your plan for 2024 because, to quote Mr. Fiser, “people don’t want to drive 75 miles for service.”

Honor is important in this military community that has trained and supported thousands of military personnel and their families for more than a century.

It is more than an intellectual concept. It is a living, breathing feature of everyday life here, shaping the conduct of our individual lives, how we treat each other, and how we raise our children. That is why what has happened to former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley, is so stunning, so sad, and so terrifying.

Milley retired voluntarily last month after a 44-year career that included command of the 82nd Airborne at what was then Fort Bragg. He ultimately held command and staff positions in 8 divisions and special forces.

His record of dedicated and stellar service to our nation led former President Donald Trump to appoint him to the highest-ranking and most senior position in the United States Armed Services. Milley served in that position for four years.

But Milley angered his boss, not because of his job performance, but because his honor required him to defend the US Constitution against capricious and vindictive rule by a strongman government.

Because Milley supports the rule of law over the rule of an individual, he has said he expects to be thrown into prison along with other like-minded Americans if the United States elects a would-be dictator.

It is worth reading Milley’s own words about the rule of law in our nation for almost 250 years. In his farewell address less than a month ago, Milley said this.

“Today is not about anyone up on this stage…. It’s about something much larger than all of us. It’s about our democracy. It’s about our republic…. It’s about the ideas and values that make up this great experiment in liberty.

“Those values and ideas are contained within the Constitution of the United States of America, which is the moral North Star of all of us who have the privilege of wearing the cloth of our nation….

“You see, we in uniform are unique…among the world’s armies. We are unique among the world’s militaries. We don’t take an oath to a country. We don’t take an oath to a king or a queen or a tyrant or a dictator. We don’t take an oath to an individual. We take an oath to the Constitution, and we take an oath to the idea that is America, and we’re willing to die to protect it.”

Earlier during his tenure as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs but after he apparently offended the then-President, Milley sounded the same theme in a message to the Joint Forces, reminding members of their oaths to the Constitution.

“This document is founded on the essential principle that all men and women are born free and equal and should be treated with respect and dignity.”

“It also gives Americans the rights to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly….As members of the Joint Force — comprised of all races, colors, and creeds — you embody the ideals of our Constitution.”

“We all committed our lives to the idea that is America. We all stay true to that oath and the American people.”

As the federal, state, and local elections of 2024 loom, we would all do well to remember Milley’s words born from long experience both in the Army and in life.

Last month, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a $30 billion state budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year. Gov. Roy Cooper, disappointed with many provisions but keen on the bill's expansion of Medicaid, allowed the $30 billion budget to become law without his signature.

That's how the event was widely described last month, not only by media outlets and affected institutions but also by many legislators. Alas, my initial paragraph contains a significant factual error.

The 2023-24 state budget spends way, way more than $30 billion.
For starters, this commonly reported number refers only to the appropriation of General Fund revenues, primarily income and sales taxes.

When the legislature enacts a budget, it doesn't just spend General Fund taxes and other revenues. It also spends federal grants, such as for Medicaid and public schools, and receipts from program beneficiaries, such as university students paying tuition.

Total spending on General Fund programs, from all revenue sources, will be $66 billion this year, not $30 billion. And if we add all transportation spending, regardless of source, the 2023-24 budget grows to more than $71 billion.

To describe only the net General Fund appropriation from state dollars as "the budget" is a standard convention — one that I've complained about ever since I began writing about the state legislature in the 1980s.

North Carolinians certainly deserve to know how much of the state taxes they pay are expended every year. But they also deserve to know how much their state government will spend in total. Otherwise, they have a distorted view of the size and scope of their budget — and of the extent to which their state government has become dependent on the fiscal irresponsibility of their federal government.

So far, I've discussed the ways in which the standard story of this year's state budget has been misreported within normal parameters. The problem can be rectified by encouraging lawmakers, other public officials, journalists, and interest groups to read and summarize the budget bill itself, which contains all the numbers I've mentioned, rather than just the committee report on the General Fund.

Unfortunately, in recent years lawmakers have increasingly moved major expenditures of public funds "off budget," to reserves that aren't always accounted for in the same way that General Fund appropriations are.

My John Locke Foundation colleague, Brian Balfour, has pointed out some $7.2 billion in such spending in the 2023-24 budget.

His figure includes items such as $2.4 billion for the State Capital and Infrastructure Fund (SCIF), $1 billion for clean-water projects, $1.25 billion for regional economic development, $450 million for information technology investment, and $250 million for a private entity, NCInnovation, that seeks to commercialize research conducted within public colleges and universities.

There's nothing wrong with setting money aside in reserves. In fact, there's much right with the practice! I've praised the SCIF in the past, for example, as a mechanism for guaranteeing a steady, reliable flow of funds to build and maintain public assets.

The problem is that, for at least some of these accounts, neither the transfer of revenues nor the subsequent expenditure of funds is accounted for as part of General Fund appropriations. That has the effect of understating how much money our state government is spending.

Opinions may differ about the wisdom of these expenditures. Moreover, while conservatives have long advocated a fixed cap on annual spending increases — a combination of inflation and population growth is the most common version — critics say North Carolina should not follow so formulaic a rule.

What we should all agree on, however, is that every dollar spent by our state government should be clearly reported. In the case of reserves, if revenue transfers into them aren't going to be counted as spending, then the money should be counted as part of the General Fund appropriation in whatever year it is withdrawn and spent.

I don't think that's too much to ask. Do you?

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)

The Remember My Name domestic violence vigil will be held Oct. 12 at 5:30 p.m. on the steps of Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse in downtown Fayetteville to raise awareness of domestic violence.

The keynote speaker will be Charnessa L. Ridley, who is the deputy director of the Council for Women and Youth Involvement.

Retired Chief District Court Judge Beth Keever will read aloud the names of the people who died as a result of domestic violence in North Carolina over the past year.

Other Remember My Name ceremony participants scheduled to appear include Chief District Court Judge Toni S. King, Fort Liberty Garrison Commander U.S. Army Col. John Wilcox and the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division All-American Chorus.

Remember My Name is organized by the Cumberland County District Court, the CARE Center Family Violence Program, Cumberland County Department of Social Services, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Fayetteville Police Department, Hope Mills Police Department, Army Community Services, Legal Aid of North Carolina and the Phoenix Center.

The vigil will also serve to highlight community resources for domestic violence victims, such as:

 • Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office: non-emergency 910-323-1500; Victim Assistance 910-677-5454 or ccsonc.org.

• Fayetteville Police Department: 910-433-1529; Victim Assistance 910-433-1849 or bethebadge.com

• Hope Mills Police 910-425-4103

• Spring Lake Police 910-436-0350

• Cumberland County Family Court: 910-475-3015 or nccourts.gov/locations/cumberland-county/family-court-administration.

• Clerk of Superior Court Lisa Scales, Safe-Link Domestic Violence Assistance Program 910-475-3000, Cumberland County Courthouse, Room 340

• Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office: 910-475-3010

• The CARE Center Family Violence Program: Crisis Line 910-677-2532 or office 910-677-2528

• Army Community Services: 910-396-8262 or myarmybenefits.us.army.mil.

• Legal Aid of North Carolina Fayetteville Chapter: 910-483-0400 or www.legalaidnc.org

• The Phoenix Center hotline: 910-485-7273

• U.S. Army Family Advocacy Program: 910-322-3148 or hotline 910-584-4267

For more information about Remember My Name, contact Court Manager Sanya Eller at 910-475-3222 or Sanya.T.Eller@nccourts.org.

“Hallowe’en Revels: Moonlight Mischief at the 1897 Poe House” spotlights live theater with a historical Halloween twist.

Hosted in partnership with the Gilbert Theater, the show runs Oct. 19 through the 21 and the 26 through the 27 from 6 to 10 p.m.

Proceeds from ticket sales directly fund this event and other programs at the 1897 Poe House.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at Eventbrite https://MoonlightMischief2023.eventbrite.com.
Come join the Museum of the Cape Fear for a spirited visit to the 1897 Poe House and witness spooky vignettes complete with a few ghosts.

This is not your traditional Poe House tour. Guests will be transported back in time, witnessing a series of short vignettes while becoming immersed in early 20th century cultural norms, music, and poetry through this scripted short play.

This is a unique opportunity to experience historical theater in an actual historic home. For a more detailed look at the Poe House and family history, attend a tour during regular museum hours.

Tickets must be purchased in advance and are only good for the time slot purchased. Ticket holders should arrive at least 15 minutes before show time; late arrivals cannot be admitted once the group enters the 1897 Poe House.

Due to tight space inside the house, shows are limited to 15 people per group. Ticket holders should be able to walk, stand, and navigate stairs for the duration of the 30 minute show. This is not a seated performance.

Trick or Treat at the Poe House

“Trick or Treat at the Poe House” will be held Oct. 28, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event features Halloween fun for kids 12 and under.

Over the past several years, attendance for the Trick or Treat program has annually increased, reaching more than 1,000 guests and cementing it as a family favorite Halloween event.

Children attending this event explore Victorian Halloween in the Poe House, play vintage carnival games, enjoy a Halloween dance party with a local DJ, and witness balloon twisting and magic tricks with Joy the Clown. Hayrides in Arsenal Park will round out the fun. Don’t forget the costumes.
Concessions include funnel cakes, hot dogs and more. This event is free, and each child takes home a Trick or Treat goody bag.

This project is supported by the Arts Council in part by contributions from businesses and individuals and through grants from the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County and the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Cultural Resources.

Matching funds are being provided by the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex Foundation, Inc.

Project Support Grants increase opportunities for access to arts, science, cultural and historical programming in Cumberland County. The grants are awarded to nonprofit agencies, universities, and government agencies in Cumberland County that demonstrate financial and administrative stability.

“I am not a dancer,” Marc De La Concha laughs.

He bends forward and throws his hands on his legs. His face, which is usually clean shaven, is adorned with a mustache.

It will go perfectly with a black pinstripe suit and a slick comb over. In just a week, he’ll be stepping on the stage as the passionate husband and father Gomez Addams.

“It’s a lot of tango stuff,” he says.

A few of the other actors sitting by him compliment him on his moves, and he lets out another laugh. De la Concha smirks.

“I’m a strong mover.”

De La Concha and the others are in Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s upcoming production of The Addams Family. At the table near De La Concha sits Tyce Diorio, the choreographer, Samantha Parada, who plays Morticia, and Alessandra Antonelli, who plays Wednesday.

In this production, Wednesday meets a young man and brings him home. She asks Gomez to keep the secret.

“He has never kept a secret from his wife ever,” De La Concha sweeps his hand in front of his face and laughs. “Chaos ensues.”

Parada and De La Concha are locals to the area. Antonelli lives in New York and requested to audition for the darkly braided teen. She says she is excited to play Wednesday and be here “in real life.”

Like De La Concha hinted at, the show will have a lot of musical numbers and dancing.

“This is such an ensemble show,” Parada says. “We will see an awesome, huge ensemble of creepy, kooky dancing. It’s a fun show for the Halloween season.”

The actors are currently rehearsing daily at the theatre, with each character bringing in their own quirky musical styles for the characters they are portraying.

The show’s director, Mary Katherine Burke, says while all The Addams Family plays are so different, the fact that each character has their own musical style is truly unique to this production.

She and the others are trying to find a balance between all the versions of The Addams Family, from the Wednesday series to all the movies, but still giving the production and the characters their all. One thing they can all agree on is that there’s a lot of fun in figuring this out.

“I am a huge fan of this show,” says Tyce Diorio. “I love the weirdness and the oddness. I can find my inner quirk and kookiness. And they are absorbing it so well. It’s a treat.”

A few of the actors give Diorio and his team compliments on how good they’ve been during rehearsals thus far and the way he makes moves “make sense” for them.

The Addams Family will start Oct. 19th and run through Nov. 5th. The theatre will host both a military and a teacher appreciation night, as well as a popcorn party on three other showings.

Tickets range between $19 to $37. The show is rated PG. When asked about the rating, Burke just said there’s some adult humor in the show and, of course, a hand that moves on its own.

“You should make your own decisions,” she says. “There’s dead people dancing. For everybody it’s different about what’s good … It is a dark musical comedy.”

For more information, visit www.cfrt.org.

Get ready for a mesmerizing blend of classical music and silent cinema as the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra presents a free symphony movie night featuring the iconic German silent film “Nosferatu” (1922).

This eerily captivating and enthralling experience is set to take place on Friday, Oct. 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the Iron Mike Conference Center on Fort Liberty and Saturday, Oct. 14, at 8 p.m. at Dirt Bag Ales.
Nosferatu, a masterpiece of silent cinema directed by F. W. Murnau, first graced the silver screen on June 3, 1929. This seminal horror film was an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker’s iconic novel, Dracula.

Despite facing legal battles and attempts to erase it from history, Nosferatu has stood the test of time and is now revered as a classic in the horror genre.

In this unique event, attendees will have the chance to witness the spine-chilling tale of Count Orlok, the monstrous vampire, as the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra performs a live musical arrangement arranged by the talented Peter B. Kay.

The orchestra’s enchanting melodies and evocative harmonies will heighten the suspense and drama of the film, providing a heightened sensory experience for the audience.

Both locations will transform into a cinematic and musical haven, where the flickering images of Nosferatu will come to life on the big screen. The venue will be adorned with an eerie ambiance, adding to the overall allure of the film and the live orchestral performance.

Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to secure their seats for this exceptional fusion of culture and entertainment.

The event promises an unforgettable night of chilling visuals, captivating music, and a shared experience that will stay with the audience long after the curtains close.

Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the convergence of history, art and music as Nosferatu graces Fayetteville with its timeless tale, enhanced by the evocative sounds of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra. Get ready for a symphonic journey into the heart of darkness.

The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1956 in Fayetteville and is a professional regional orchestra whose mission is to educate, entertain, and inspire the citizens of the Fayetteville region as the leading musical resource.

For more information about upcoming events, visit their website at https://www.fayettevillesymphony.orgFC6jFoYm3xs?si=vkSu8v6PuSCJVLaE.