“There’s a sucker born every minute,” or at least that’s what P.T. Barnum believed. The self-titled “Prince of Humbug” wasn’t satisfied with just putting on a show, he had to be put on a great show. That’s something the Cape Fear Regional Theatre seems to have in common with Barnum. The CFRT, in its production of Barnum, has pulled out all of the stops to pay homage to the greatest showman on earth.
    Since the CFRT announced its season, I have been looking forward to the opportunity to see this production. My excitement was, in part, sparked by that of Bo Thorp, the artistic director of the theatre. Thorp spoke with great animation of the show, and the gleam in her eye promised the show would be something not to miss. Thorp was right.
    {mosimage}The musical, which tells the story of the life of P.T. Barnum, is really a play within a circus. In each scene we get an inside look at the man, and then we get an up-close look at the spectacle he created, but more importantly, loved. And from the start of the show until the last bow of the cast, it’s a rollicking good time.
    Broadway and CFRT veteran Dirk Lumbard shines as the man himself. Lumbard, who played the role on Broadway, not only performs the lead role, he also directs the play. To say he’s breathless by the end of the show would be an understatement but he never slows down, and he never misses a beat. In this musical, he shines.
I’ve seen Lumbard in a couple of productions, and I have to say that to date, Barnum is his shining moment on the CFRT stage. Not that Lumbard wasn’t good in the other productions; they simply didn’t let his joy come through. I saw this from the opening notes of the production. He simply radiated joy, even in the more somber moments of the play. He captured the spark that drove Barnum to greater heights. Lumbard gave a dynamic performance in last year’s 12 Angry Men, but it didn’t truly highlight the true range of his talents. And, to my way of thinking really didn’t let us see his genius. Barnum is a horse of another color.
    Susan Cella, another Broadway performer, plays the perfect foil to Barnum, as she brings to life his straight-laced wife Chary Barnum. Cella’s resume is long, having played numerous roles on Broadway, traveled extensively with touring companies and having several television credits to her name. Chary Barnum was her husband’s conscience; you might say his north star. Cella does a fantastic job of fulfilling that role.
    Keri Burman, an Oklahoma native, played the role of Jenny Lind, an opera singer who caught Barnum’s eye for a while and brought a degree of respectability to Barnum’s shows, which were rife with bearded women, fat ladies and others more commonly referred to as sideshow freaks. Lind’s time on the stage was brief, but she added a lot of humor to the show. Her heavy accent and comedic delivery were spot on.
    Fayetteville resident Ken Griggs, serving as the ringmaster/narrator, also put in a solid performance. Griggs has been in numerous shows at the CFRT, and his presence on stage was nothing short of great. And, kudos to Ken, he spent weeks learning the numerous tricks of the trade including how to ride a unicycle, and after weeks of bumps and spills, he made it across the stage, reciting his lines without a fall.
    The tricks of the trade are also part of what made the show such a spectacle. The CFRT performers spent weeks learning circus skills like juggling, stilt-walking, tumbling and acrobatics in the Spanish webs. Their dedication to their craft resulted in a lot of bumps and bruises, but their hard work paid off in the performance.
    The talented cast danced, sang and tumbled their way right into the audience’s heart. So grab your family, grab your friends and head over to the circus. You’re going to love it.

Contact Janice Burton at editor@upandcomingweekly.com 
 
 
 
 
 

     {mosimage}With cooler weather forecast for our region, more people are going to start looking for outside activities. How does a relaxing evening down by the river — complete with great food and smooth jazz — sound? If it sounds tempting, you don’t have to look far, as WFSS 91.9 FM will host its third annual Jazz on the River event at Campbellton Landing on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 6:30 p.m.  Gates will open at 5 p.m., rain or shine. 
    “This event is part of our fall fundraising effort,” said Janet Wright, program director of WFSS 91.9 FM. “The station used to only do on-air fund drives and we felt that we should do something a little more creative.” 
      The performers for the event are jazz keyboardist Alex Bugnon from Montreaux, Switzerland; jazz guitarist Nick Colionne from the south side of Chicago; and electric violinist Ken Ford from Atlanta, Ga.      
      “We have people coming from Atlanta and Maryland to see the show,” said Wright.
“There has been a request from fans to do this event more than once a year.” 
      Wright said that it feels good to see the event grow yearly and know that people enjoy it.
    WFSS is owned by Fayetteville State University and has been on the air for 31 years. It started out as a 10-watt station and currently has 100,000 watts serving 13 counties in southeastern North Carolina. The station streams its signal on the Internet so deployed soldiers and other listeners can follow the programming online.
“We mainly feature news and jazz music,” said Wright. “On the weekends we play blues, bluegrass, gospel, African, Latin and folk music.”  
      WFSS airs several radio shows, including: Chat with the Chamber, Community Health and The Arts Connection.  
      The purpose of Chat with the Chamber is to keep the community aware of businesses, economic developments and opportunities. Community Health talks to local physicians regarding the latest developments in medicine and informs local citizens about health services that are provided in the Fayetteville community.
      The Arts Connection focuses on events that are taking place in the world of the arts. The program guide can be viewed at www.wfss.org.    
    Proceeds will be used for operating expenses for WFSS. An on-air fundraising drive is scheduled for this October. 
“We are public radio and we do not air commercials,” said Wright. “Therefore we have to raise our money in different ways.” 
     Food vendors will be onsite for the concert event. WFSS will sell alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. Coolers are not permitted. 
     “People are invited and encouraged to bring a lawn chair,” said Wright. “It is going to be a fun and successful event with great music.”   
     Campbellton Landing is located at 1122 Person St. on the banks of the Cape Fear River. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the gate. For more information or to purchase tickets call 672-2650 or 672-1381. Tickets can also be purchased at Fort Bragg MWR Tickets & Tours at 396-8747.

Contact Shanessa Fenner at editor@upandcomingweekly.com





 
 
 
 
 
 

    The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra (FSO) is pleased to announce the new addition to the family, bassoonist Marvin P. Feinsmith. 
    “I am extremely proud that the FSO is attracting such experienced talent from all over North Carolina and beyond,” said Fouad Fakhouri, conductor and director of the FSO. 
    Feinsmith is a native of New York City and attended Julliard and the Manhattan School of Music as a scholarship student of Simon Kovar, graduating with a bachelor’s and master’s degree. He was first bassoonist at both institutions. The musician has done additional graduate study at New York University and the University of Colorado.         
    {mosimage}Feinsmith has extensive performing experience including playing the bassoon in an Army band in San Francisco, principle bassoonist with the Indianapolis Symphony, the Mozarteum of Salzburg and the Brooklyn Philharmonic; bassoon with Symphony of the Air and the Little Orchestra Society of New York; assistant bassoonist with the Denver Symphony Orchestra; and co-principle bassoon with the Israel Philharmonic.
    The bassoonist is also a composer whose music is influenced by his Jewish heritage.
    His Hebraic music includes two symphonies: Peerkay Avot-Ethics of the Fathers and Isaiah.
 “Isaiah is an homage to my father and mother, Samuel and Rachel,” said Feinsmith. “He played with the New York Philharmonic and was my greatest teacher.” 
    The composer added that the dedication is very important to him because they both have passed and he likes to keep their memory alive. Feinsmith has also written several film scores. 
    “I’m playing in several movie films and orchestras in New York,” said Feinsmith. “I did the soundtrack for Age of Innocence with Michelle Pfeiffer.”
    Feinsmith added that the other soundtracks include Carlito’s Way with Al Pacino and Mad Dog and Glorywith Bill Murray and Robert De Niro.
    The FSO serves the community in various ways. It performs free concerts,
provides music for small ensembles, donates free concert tickets, serves as a resource for local music teachers and donates music stands to Cumberland County Schools.   
 “I look forward to playing with the FSO this season with a very fine conductor,” said Feinsmith. “My wife and I like North Carolina and we are very impressed with the people.” 
    For more information, call 433-4690 or visit www.fayettevillesymphony.org

Contact Shanessa Fenner at editor@upandcomingweekly.com





 
 
 
 
 
 

    As Fourth Friday approaches, the Arts Council of Fayetteville-Cumberland County is planning an exhibit that is sure to inspire. Unity in Our Community is a juried photo competition that, according to Arts Services Coordinator Calvin Mims, has been remarkable in its popularity and scope. 
    “We initially threw the call out for photo shots of unity in our community and we left it up to each individual photographer to make the interpretation of what unity is to them,” said Mims. “The response really resulted in some unexpected surprises with some just incredible shots that are very, very emotional.”
    The artists submitted works ranging from soldiers departing/returning home to pictures of young people playing together and adults dancing together at Fayetteville After Five.
    “There are incredible shots of people enjoying themselves across this entire community,” said Mims. “It will be a fun show to come and identify landmarks from around town and the outskirts of town as well as to sort of identify with some of the fun events that happen in and around town.”
    {mosimage}Once the word got out about the show, the Arts Council started receiving requests from some of the schools and young people wanting to make sure they could get in.
    “We got such a great response and terrific work that we thought we would go ahead and extend (the contest) so we could get some of our students to participate,” Mims noted. “It is wonderful, beautiful work. There is an awful lot of talent here in our area.”
    Speaking of a lot of talent, just around the corner and a few steps down the street at 124 Maxwell St., Olde Town Gallery had such a yummy response to its Second Annual Food Show last month that the gallery is holding it over for anyone who may have missed it. Artists and co-owners Allana Goodyear, Sandy McFarlane and Sherry Young work out of their studios at the gallery, but the front room also houses a new show.
    “Most of the time it is every month,” said Young. “Occasionally we will keep a really good show for two months, which is the case with our food show.”
    Pieces include watercolors, acrylic, oils, glass, wire sculpture and colored pencil renderings.
“We have a wide variety,” said Young. Everything from pancakes to fruit and still life... vegetables... oranges. We’ve got a beautiful box of Godiva chocolate.”
    The works will be on display until Oct. 22, and are available for sale.
    Besides the food exhibit, Olde Town Gallery is also hosting jeweler Wanda Croteau, a custom jewelry designer and creator of Wanda’s Wonders.
    “She does a lot of beading and custom work,” said Young.
    There will be samples of Croteau’s works available and possibly the opportunity to place an order.
    “You can say I want a blue with pink and make it very simple or make it very elaborate and she will put it together according to what your choice is,” said Young. 
    Olde Town Gallery is on Maxwell Street next to Gregg’s Pottery Shop. The fun starts at 7 p.m. Check out the Arts Council’s Web site at www.theartscouncil.com for a complete listing of all Fourth Friday activities

Contact Stephanie Crider at editor@upandcomingweekly.com 

    The essence of the International Folk Festival in Fayetteville is the celebration of diversity in customs, foods and artistic expression. Gallery 208, on Rowan Street, heralds in the festival weekend with the opening of an exhibit by Japanese artist Etsuko Komori on Thursday, Sept. 25.
    Arriving in Fayetteville several days before the opening, Komori’s first trip to the United States will open with an exhibit of her pressed flowers and foliage fine art constructions. From a representational spin to the abstract, Komori’s constructions give us examples of a highly popular art form in Japan.
    We all know the collecting of flowers and leaves as a keepsake takes many forms. A forget-me-not flower is sealed in clear epoxy and hangs as a delicate charm on a bracelet or necklace. Maybe it was an elementary school assignment — identify and collect the different leaves that fall in autumn, and then iron them between wax paper in the process of making a reference book for science class. Perhaps it was a rose from a loved one, pressed between the pages of a book as a keepsake.
    From the simple pressing of a rose as a keepsake, the techniques of pressing nature has evolved into finished works which maintain their color and form for many years. With new techniques, the pressed flower as simply a botanical specimen emerged into a new form of decorative arts in Japan and abroad.
   {mosimage} The pressing of nature has become a very marketable and sophisticated way to celebrate nature and art at the same time. Evolving from a culture which traditionally views nature in a very different way than Western aesthetics and lifestyle, the pressing of flowers is an art form which expresses the harmony of human creativity and nature that has been distinctly Japanese.
    It was Etusko Martin’s annual trips back to Japan which resulted in the high art of pressed flowers being exhibited in Fayetteville. It began with Martin bringing an example of Komori’s work back from one of her trips to share with the museum. During the past several years Martin has coordinated with the Fayetteville Museum of Art to bring the exhibit here. The museum decided the approaching opening would be perfect timing for the celebration of the international festival. 
    Martin, a local artist herself, shared with me her thoughts about the constructions visitors to Gallery 208 will be seeing and how Komori found her way to Fayetteville.
“I always go to galleries when I go back home to Japan and noticed the art of pressed flowers was very popular,” said Martin. “In the galleries, Komori’s work was particularly distinctive — highly complicated, some constructions appear representational, while others are abstract. All are framed and held in place by the pressing of the material against the glass. Change the frame and you change the design. Her work was much more complicated than others, and very different.”
    Etsuko Martin translated Etusko Komori’s artist statement: “My works of art started simply with a love for flowers. Freshly colored flowers give a strong impression but still the flower humbly blooms by the edge of the path. I then started collecting different plants and flowers. I feel very special because I often feel as though the flowers and plants are speaking to me, as if to say, ‘Look at me, I am here.’ In that moment, I see the most beautiful things on this Earth.”
    Komori’s work involves only using elements she collected from nature. Any color in her work, even the watercolor effect, is from the stain of a plant. She stated: “I think the most important fact in my artwork is that I am using these flowers when they are still alive and fresh, recalling the moment of joy when I met them. However, this makes finding the right material for my art difficult. No two plants, no two flowers, though of the same kind, are the same. Perhaps the sap color of one flower is different to the other. When I combine these natural elements in my art material the beauty of nature is complimented and flourishes.”
    In a similar way, Komori responds to nature, “The surrounding attraction of nature’s beauty, it pulls me into a world of creation, transfixes me in it.”
Visitors to the exhibit will find joy in her works. Seeing the work of Komori reminds us of the continued potential of nature as a work of art, the possibilities of material and style.
    The exhibit is a refreshing relief from the drama of local and national politics and news; it does what art has the potential of doing — transporting us aesthetically to a different place. In this case, it is a place of harmony and beauty.
    Not only will visitors to the opening meet the artist, but Komori will be doing a demonstration during the opening. Etusko Martin will be there to translate in English the answers to questions and the explanation of the process. The opening reception is at Gallery 208, which is located in the offices of Up and Coming Weekly at 208 Rowan St., Thursday, Sept. 25, 5:30-7 p.m.
    The exhibit will remain up for several months. If you aren’t able to attend the opening, then you can visit the gallery during regular business hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information on the exhibit call Up and Coming Weekly at 484-6200.

Soni Martin can be reached at editor@upandcomingweekly.com

    While some would argue that Fayetteville is still battling race issues, the city certainly has no problem in celebrating its diversity. For 30 years, one of the biggest parties in town has been the International Folk Festival, an event designed specifically to share the myriad of cultures that have assimilated into our community and to celebrate the unique aspect each brings to our community.
    This year, the 30th anniversary of the festival, promises to be one of the biggest and best events ever. And that’s saying a lot, as the three-day festival has been recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as a Top 20 Festival for the past three years.
    {mosimage}“When I think back 30 years ago — back to the ‘70s — it was a time of turmoil, the war was going on, but our community recognized that people from all over the world lived here. They were all proud of where they came from, but they were also proud of where they were and how they functioned in our community,” said Debra Mintz, of the Arts Council.
That dedication and pride has enabled the festival to last 30 years. “It’s really quite extraordinary,” said Mintz. “They are always fussing at the United Nations, but folks from these 30 or 40 countries come together year after year to work hard for the community.”
    In years past, a nation has been designated as the host nation; but this year, in celebration of the 30th anniversary, the committee elected not to have a host nation, but rather to celebrate all of the nations, with a theme of “Unity.”
The party will kick off on Friday, Sept. 26, as part of the community’s annual Fourth Friday event. Ground zero for this portion of the festival will be at 301 Hay St., or the building we all know as the Arts Council. The council is hosting a special juried photo competition designed to showcase “unity in our community.” Photographers were asked to take their cameras to the streets and bring in their best photos of the diverse, but unified nature of our community. After you take a look at the art, spend some time outside listening to the traditional sounds of the Heritage Bluegrass Band. The band will be set up on Hay Street, so you can continue to hear their dulcet sounds as you stroll the rest of downtown visiting other participating businesses. Mintz said Hay Street will be closed off, and the band will feature “good old mountain music — a music that is based in our nation’s roots.”
    Now that you have a picture (sorry, we couldn’t help ourselves) of the diversity of our city, come on out and take a walk on the wild side on Saturday, Sept. 27, when Fayetteville hosts its own version of carnivale on Hay Street. The annual parade of nations will begin at 2 p.m., and if past celebrations are any indication, there will be dancing in the street. Of course, that’s really the point of the whole celebration.
    The Arts Council keeps as one of its mantras for this festival a quote from a Trinidad poet: “When we dance in the streets, we dance together, regardless of color, race, status, enjoying ourselves and sharing a love for great music, food and fun!”
So, with that in mind, even if you aren’t in the parade, let the music get into your soul and if the urge takes you — dance!
“The parade is going to pretty spectacular to see,” said Mintz. “People from all over world in native costumes will proudly go down the street in their native costumes.”
    Mintz said over 1,000 people participate in the parade every year.
The parade will be followed by a free concert in Festival Park at 5:30 p.m. the concert will feature the local band B.I.G. and then go international with the Spam All Stars. B.I.G is a Funk and Rhythm and Blues Band, while the Spam All Stars, will put the rhythm in you when they bring their Latin sounds to the park. If the mood to salsa or mambo hits you, don’t hold back.
Mintz explained that the Spam All Stars performed during one slot last year, but that they received such a warm welcome that the Arts Council immediately booked them to headline the Saturday concert.
    {mosimage}Sunday, Sept. 28 is the big festival day. Running from noon-6 p.m., the festival will offer food, art, fine crafts and entertainment on multiple stages  in Festival Park and its surrounding area. Mintz explained that Ray Avenue will, in fact, become a second promenade into the park. There will be entertainment stages set up down the avenue, as well as vendors. “We found last year, that having only the bridge access into the park caused a bottleneck,” she said. “So this year, you can go to the left or to the right and find fun and entertainment.”
    The event is huge, so you may want to come early and stake out your place. The event will carry the flavor of all of the various cultural communities that make up our community. There will be art from Africa, next to food from the Caribbean, next to German beer. You see where we’re going with this. This is a one-day, all-out cultural palooza designed to highlight the very best of our community. Don’t miss it.
    For more information, visit the Arts Council Web site at www.theartscouncil.com/International_Folk_Festival.html.

Janice Burton can be reached at editor@upandcomingweekly.com

    A new day may be dawning for Shaw Heights.
    A dawn that, for the residents of that community, follows a decades-long night of urban decay and neglect.
    At last week’s meeting of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, the board unanimously agreed to follow the recommendations of the county’s planning staff and bring renewal and restoration to Shaw Heights in the form of a park, recreation facilities, sewer and water lines and other improvements to the oft-flooded area that depends on the vagaries of ancient septic tanks — plus a plan to relocate Shaw Road to help pump life back into the stagnant neighborhood.{mosimage}
    Several residents, including Joseph Tolley, who has lived inside the community for 48 years, said it’s about time someone did something before the old neighborhood becomes just another faceless subdivision inside the city limits of Fayetteville.
    “We need this sewer,” said Tolley. “I have been told we have been neglected because we have no tax base. You have got to help us get some sewer out there before the city takes it.”
    Tolley also said that requests for upgrades to the community, which is home to about 1,300 people, fell on deaf ears when past commissioners were asked to do something.
    “Twenty years ago none of us were sitting here,” objected Cumberland County Commissioners Chairman Breeden Blackwell. “But we understand your frustration.”
    The area addressed by the Shaw Heights Land Use Plan is on the edge of the Fayetteville city limits and is bordered by Fort Bragg on three sides. Shaw Heights contains about 340 acres and is a quilt of 100 individual properties — each parcel with an individual owner. Seventy-two percent of the parcels are residential, while 8 percent are commercial and 21 percent are unoccupied; 89 percent of the structures in Shaw Heights were built before 1969. According to statistics compiled by the county, the community is a predominantly lower-income neighborhood with an older population that is shrinking — from 1990 through 2000, Shaw Heights’ population decreased 42 percent and the total number of houses decreased 17 percent. More than half of the properties are rentals and 65 percent of the community’s residents are ages 20-64.
    In a survey conducted by the county, residents of Shaw Heights said these are some of the areas  they would like addressed:
•No more manufactured homes
•Attractive permanent housing
•Sewer
•County funded garbage collection
•A recreational park for children
•No old trailer parks or houses
•Improved lighting
•Litter free streets
•A community watch
•Sidewalks
    In one positive aside, it was pointed out that the crime rate has declined 87 percent in the community. However, Tolley gave a not quite so rosy rebuttal to that statistic.
    “The crime has gone down because there are 200 fewer families living there,” said Tolley.
    There is no time line set for implementing the changes, especially when it comes to needed sewer lines; in a catch-22 of sorts, the plan calls for the construction of sewer lines to upgrade the community — but sewer lines can’t be built until upgrades are made, because it’s not known how the upgrades will affect the layout of the properties. Caught in this same umbrella of uncertainty is the future of Shaw Road. The land use plan calls for straightening the road in order to compensate for an especially dangerous curve running through Shaw Heights. However, the North Carolina Department of Transportation has not funded the project, and it will not be considered for funding until after 2015.
    Sherry Osteen, who has lived on that dangerous curve for years, says she’s seen too many die there.
“Recently, I had one young fellow drive through that curve and tear down my retaining wall,” said Osteen. “If it hadn’t been for a tree, he would’ve come right into my bedroom with his car.”
    Osteen said she has asked for a signal light to be put there for years, but to no avail.
    “I know it was his fault, but nobody deserves to die,” said Osteen. “I’ve seen too many die there.”
    Blackwell said the county would look into immediately placing reflectors on the dangerous curve to warn drivers.

AIRPORT REQUEST
    In other action, the county also unanimously approved the demolition of the Town & Country Motel, which burned about a year ago. According to Cumberland County Inspector George Hatcher, the motel — located at 935 Hollywood Blvd. — would have required about $300,000 in repairs to make it suitable for human habitation.
    The motel’s owner, Manoj Patel, voluntarily agreed to the demolition, as she doesn’t have the money to restore the building.
    The first motion by the commissioners was to have the motel demolished in 60 days, but County Commissioner Vice Chair Jennette Council asked if it could be done sooner, since the property, located off Hwy. 301, is a “gateway” to Fayetteville.
    After Hatcher told the board he had a demolition crew ready to start “tomorrow,” the commissioners unanimously agreed to the demolition beginning within 15 days.

Tim Wilkins can be reached at tim@upandcomingweekly.com

It all started with a garden.
Former Fayetteville resident Dr. Kenneth Hill was recognized last week as Cumberland County’s top volunteer, winning the N.C. Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service and the Medallion Award — the latter presented to the person whose volunteer service most enhances the quality of life for North Carolinians.
Hill — the former pastor at Fayetteville’s Harvest Temple Church, now living and working just outside Washington, D.C., — gave the credit for his recognition to his grandparents... and that garden.
“I was raised by my grandparents down in St. Mary’s, Ga., from the time I was 6-weeks-old,” said Hill. “My grandfather was a pastor and both my grandparents taught me the importance of giving to and helping out other people. It’s all about the spirit of giving back to the community.
“That message was driven home when I planted a vegetable garden,” added Hill, “and we gave away all the produce I grew to the needy.”
{mosimage}In addition to his former work as a pastor in Fayetteville, Hill belonged to numerous charitable and community service organization is Cumberland County, including the Partnership for Children in Cumberland County, where he served as president for the 2007/2008 fiscal year. Before gaining the presidency of that organization, Hill was the Evaluation Committee chair, as well as serving as board secretary. Hill led the committee and board through strategic planning sessions that resulted in “more focused and strategic planning assumptions and priorities,” according to a press release issued by the partnership.
“I wish we could clone him,” said Maureen McKeon, communications director for PFC. “He is just so valuable and such a wonderful man. He’s continued to work with us even though he no longer lives here... I just can’t say enough about him.”
Under Hill’s leadership, PFC began the Early Childhood System Report Card which critiques the early care and education system in Cumberland County, keeping residents apprised of the system’s strengths and weaknesses.
Hill has also contributed his own money to the PFC, as well as contacting faith-based child development centers around the county to educate them on the More at Four Program and the need for additional classrooms.
Bri Kay, the PFC events/volunteer coordinator, lauded Hill’s contributions to the organization.
“It is an honor to have Bishop Hill volunteer for our organization,” said Kay. “His influence has changed daily practices, motivated change and inspired others to help move early care and education needs to the front line. He has done and will continue to do, great things for Cumberland County and North Carolina.”
Each county may submit five nominees for the award. The nomination process is conducted at the  county level and then submitted to the state commission for approval. Selection is based upon the nominee’s volunteer efforts, accomplishments and impact. A statewide panel, under the direction of the N.C. Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, evaluates the nominations for the Medallion Award. 
Hill is now eligible to be named the top volunteer in the state.
“That would be wonderful... to win that award,” said Hill. “I was surprised to win anything. I am honored and humbled to be considered.
“If I win I have to give credit for it to the Lord,” added Hill.

Tim Wilkins can be reached at tim@upandcomingweekly.com

    The Fayetteville City Council’s Museum Task Force held its first meeting last week, electing a chairman, determining the scope of its mission and deciding what type of information it needs to begin its task.
    The task force, appointed by the city council, was tasked with identifying the scope of the building project to be considered, in size and cost, by reviewing the fiscal capacity and sustainability of the Fayetteville Museum of Art; reviewing all potential building sites in the Municipal Service District of the downtown area; and identifying the best option that meets sustainability requirements; and reporting back to the city council by Dec. 15.
That charter was questioned at the outset of the meeting by Meredith Stiehl, one of the museum’s appointees to the task force and a member of its board. Fayetteville Mayor Tony Chavonne was on hand to help launch the task force and responded to Stiehl’s queries on the scope of the group’s work by noting that the scope of the task force was spelled out in the council’s motion to appoint it.
    Stiehl countered that 90 days was a short time to try and work through all of the issues surrounding the proposed construction of the museum in Festival Park, noting that the charter seemed a bit “ambiguous.”
She added that the committee would be asked to “change the scope/size of the building project,” something she said was “clearly the job of the museum’s board of directors. Other members of the task force concurred that ultimately, it is the museum board’s decision on how they proceed with the project, but noted that the charge from the city was clear.
    Dave Wilson, a city appointee to the council, noted that the museum board can either listen to the task force’s recommendations and if they see wisdom in it, use those recommendations in determining how they proceed — or not. “We can’t fit our actions into the board’s decisions or we will be stifled before we begin,” he said.
Stiehl countered that the task force was treading on dangerous ground as it had “no right to dictate” to the museum.
Linda Devore, another city appointee, added that the task force would only make recommendations, but she added if there were not problems with the project, the task force wouldn’t be in existence.
    Wayne Riggins, an appointee from the Arts Council, said the task force’s mission was not difficult. He said the task force must first take a look at the current fiscal management of the museum to see if it adequate; then they must take a look at the project and see if it is doable; determine whether or not it is appropriate to put the project on public land; and if so, where do you put it.
    {mosimage}Stiehl again questioned whether or not the task force had the expertise to make those decisions, noting the museum had been exploring the project with professionals for more than five years.
    Riggins responded that there were people on the task force – a banker, a member of the N.C. Arts Council, and other business people who could look at the information, noting that the project had to “pass the smell test.”
Scott Baker, the newly-elected chairman of the task force, said, “Let’s not limit the scope. Let’s work through the initial steps.”
    For Baker, that’s a lot of ground to cover. Baker moved to the community in June of this year, and has little or no knowledge of the museum or the project. He thinks that might give him an edge on the task force because he “doesn’t have any baggage.”
    The group also tackled the question of what information they needed to move forward. The initial request for information includes: the past four years of audited financial records; the feasibility report for building in Festival Park; the contracts between the city and the museum; correspondence between the Arts Council of Fayetteville-Cumberland County concerning audit problems; complete plans for the proposed museum; and the museum’s sustainability report.
    Ralph Huff, a local builder, and an appointee to the task force by the museum, noted that no matter what happens throughout the process the task force needed to come to a consensus. He said that if a consensus is not reached, the community will not accept the finding of the task force. He also noted that many people on the task force already have an opinion on what should happen, but they must put those opinions aside.
    One other issue addressed by the task force was the issue of information the task force put out to the public. Several members of the task force are frequent contributors to local publications on community issues, while Devore has her own blog, where she frequently discusses the museum. The board voted that no members of the task force would speak publicly about the work of the task force unless it was in the confines of the public meetings. Devore was the only member of the task force who voted against the motion, noting that the public had a right to know. Three media outlets, The Fayetteville Observer, WFNC and Up & Coming Weekly, were on hand to cover the meeting.

Janice Burton can be reached at editor@upandcomingweekly.com
       

   Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Rated R) - 3 stars

    {mosimage}If you are willing to approach The Clone Wars (98 minutes) as a movie primarily for kids, you will have a lot more fun with it. Politely ignore all the plot holes, visual mistakes and narrative inconsistencies because the entire movie is a set-up for the television series debuting in October. This film, the first animated theatrical release in the Star Wars series, is set between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, so Anakin isn’t Darth Vader yet, the Jedi are still friendly with the Boba-clones and Count Dooku is still leading the Droid army against the Republic. While George Lucas did produce the movie, he neither wrote nor directed. Directing credit goes to Dave Filoni, who along with first credited screenwriter Henry Gilroy will work on the series.
    In a move clearly designed to be kid-friendly, the usual opening text crawl is replaced by a voiceover explaining the events so far. The Separatists (led by the evil Count Dooku, voiced by Christopher Lee) have cut communication and blocked travel, stranding Republican forces in the Outer Rim. Rotta, the son of Jabba the Hut (Kevin Michael Richardson) has been kidnapped by the Separatists in a slightly confusing plot to manipulate the Hutts (powerful gangsters) into rejecting the Republic and working with Count Dooku. 
    Meanwhile, Obi-Wan Kenobi (James Arnold Taylor) and Anakin Skywalker (Matt Lanter) battle a droid army and wait for reinforcements, which arrive in the form of young Padawan, Ahsoka Tano (Ashley Eckstein). Master Yoda (Tom Kane) has decided that Anakin needs a disciple, but she is so determined to prove herself that she sometimes acts before she thinks. Though at first Anakin is reluctant to take on the responsibility, eventually he decides to accept the inevitable and is sent with his new Padawan to rescue Jabba’s son from Count Dooku and his assassin, Asajj Ventress (Nika Futterman).
    In the “B” plot, Senator Padme Amidala (Catherine Taber) is determined to assist the Jedi in their negotiations with the Hutts. Though she is captured soon after she discovers the details of a plot against Jabba, she manages to signal C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) for assistance.
    The animation is heavily influenced by video game graphics, which work on the sweeping space shots. Unfortunately, the facial features and close-up details shots suffer from lack of attention, and seem rushed. George Lucas is not renowned for his stellar dialogue, but he is worlds above Henry Gilroy whose screenwriting in this instance is utterly clichéd and stale. The light sabers look fantastic, which is good because there are about hundred extended battles between Jedi and droids. The pacing seems off, with the film lasting about 20 minutes more than it needed to. Of course, in a film designed to introduce audiences to a new television series, a film that reads like a really long TV episode should not be a surprise. 

   The Mentalist Badgers a Bad Man

    In The Mentalist (Tuesday, 9 p.m., CBS), Simon Baker stars as Patrick, a psychic who helps the police solve crimes. Patrick isn’t a real psychic, but a showbiz type who’s good at faking it. The key to his act — and his crime-solving ability — is his keen sense of observation. He picks up on cues to figure out when someone is lying. Then he makes a smug accusation and sends the perp into a paroxysm of defensive lying. “I didn’t kill my daughter!” a man screams at Patrick during one such confrontation. “NOW GET THE HELL OUT OF MY HOUSE!”
    {mosimage}I love The Mentalist. It’s the best new series of the fall season. NOW GET THE HELL OUT OF MY HOUSE!

TOP DESIGN
Sunday, 8 p.m. (ABC)
    This new sitcom may as well have been called Horny Hotel. It’s set at an inn where the employees have only one thing on their minds, and it’s not complimentary shampoo. That’s not necessarily a bad premise, but Do Not Disturb does nothing with it. The writers seem to think that using crude sexual slang is enough to get a laugh.
    If the series is a hit, we’ll know they’re right. And then all of us can be the life of any party simply by repeating the words “laid” and “nailed.”

GOD VS. SATAN
Sunday, 8 p.m. (History Channel)
    The History Channel previews Armageddon: the battle between good and evil as described by Judaism, Christianity and Islam. One can only assume that World Wrestling Entertainment is working to secure the television rights to this ultimate smackdown.

VALENTINE
Sunday, 8 p.m. (CW)
    The Valentines are a family of Greek gods living in contemporary Los Angeles. Poseidon is a movie mogul and Dionysus a barkeep, with Aphrodite and Eros helping foolish mortals fall in love.
Speaking of foolish mortals, how low will the CW stoop for a series concept? Later in the season, Valentine won’t be canceled so much as turned into a laurel tree.

DANCING WITH THE STARS
Monday, 8 p.m. (ABC)
    Dancing with the B-List Stars returns with 82-year-old actress Cloris Leachman, boy-band has-been Lance Bass and reality-show exhibitionist Kim Kardashian. Olympic beach volleyball champ Misty May-Treanor participates as well, but she infuriates her partner by slapping his palm after every dip and twirl.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
Tuesday, 8 p.m. (ABC)
    Warning: A game show has broken out of a Burbank studio to roam the countryside, looking for unsuspecting victims. Opportunity Knocks brings its production right to American neighborhoods and sets up shop on a family’s lawn. The host knocks on the door, informs the residents that they are contestants, and drags them outside to play a family-trivia game with all their neighbors watching.
    Now that TV shows are attacking us in our very homes, no one is safe. Note to self: Buy a deadbolt lock.

   CD Review: The Kings of Leon / Only By The Night

    Don’t bring Don McLean’s “American Pie” with its ode to Buddy Holly ‘round here.
    Every son and daughter of the South knows that Oct. 20, 1977, was the true day the music died. That’s when the plane carrying Lynyrd Skynyrd crashed and burned on the hard, red clay of a Mississippi glade, effectively ending the greatest Southern boogie band of its generation. (My apologies to the current, reformed version of Skynyrd, but it’s really nothing more than a ghost of the group, a tribute band performing “Free Bird” five nights a week to middle-aged guys in faded Confederate flag T-shirts and graying ladies in too-tight tube tops.){mosimage}
    Yes, the kings of the South are dead and gone. Long live the new kings... the Kings of Leon.
On its fourth studio album, Only by the Night, the quartet from Tennessee shows why they’re the heir apparent to the Southern rock crown.
    The Kings — made up of the three Followill brothers: Caleb (guitar), Nathan (drums), and Jared (bass), as well as first cousin Matthew Followill (guitar) — pound out their rhythms with an abandon and a Southern-fried swagger that conjures a Dixiefied version of the Sex Pistols... except these guys can actually play their instruments.
    The Kings had a lot to live up to coming off the beautifully ragged 2007 release Because of the Times, which marked these sons of a Pentecostal preacher as the true evangelists of Southern rock ‘n’ roll. And while Only by the Nightdoesn’t quite match the raw beauty of Because of the Times, it still paints an aural portrait of all the Kings’ usual props: lust and love and sin, soaked with a tumbler of Southern Comfort and a smidgen of axle grease from  a jacked-up ‘69 Camaro.
    Fans of the Kings may be put off by the album’s opening track, “Closer,” which sounds a little like U2 on the skids (the band did tour with U2 in 2005, hence the Celtic rockers’ influence), but the music quickly gets back to its Reconstruction roots on “Crawl,” with its fuzzed-out guitar and “hell yeah” lyrics that I interpreted as a sly swipe at Islamic terrorists and other bad actors who have burned the flag and killed our countrymen — fanatics who “never went to Sunday mass,” who vilify the “crucified USA.” Your interpretation may vary, perhaps wildly.
    The train keeps a rollin’ on the album’s obvious first single, “Sex on Fire,” which smolders slowly, like that first great summer kiss in the parking lot of the Winn-Dixie — young lust that explodes with the inevitable “Hot as a fever / Rattling bones / I could just taste it, taste it.”
    Things get plaintive on “Be Somebody,” a song about loneliness — a shy guy or girl aching to win the homecoming king or queen’s favor for at least one moment: “Given a chance, I’m gonna be somebody / If for one dance, I’m gonna be somebody / Open the door, it’s gonna make you love me / Facing the floor, I’m gonna be somebody.”
    If you’ve never listened to the Kings of Leon and want a condensed, Cliff’s Notes version of what the band is all about, check out the album’s fifth track, “Manhattan,” which rings with the Kings’ trademark greasily glorious guitar work and the Southern singsong drawl of vocalist Caleb Followill, who has perhaps the most unique set of pipes since Rod Stewart. It’s a song about a hedonistic hillbilly gone to the big city, a fish out of water, but still living it up in the big pond — a transplanted King of New York in full rebel yell, proclaiming “These avenues and these reservoirs / We gonna show this town / How to kiss these stars.”
    The whole album percolates with a brew of the obvious old school influences — Skynyrd, the Allman Brothers, the Faces — as well as some fresh takes on the genre that make the Kings of Leon a sort of Southern version of the Strokes — only more sensual, more  introspective, just... more.
    If you are the type who needs to know what theme runs through an album, I’d say that when you get down to the bones, Only by the Night is about seizing the moment, grabbing lust and love by the throat and holding tight like a drunk grasping his last glass of scotch... because you never know if you’ll ever have a grip on it again.
    Long live the Kings.