Cumberland County Government will reopen the application period for its Small Business Economic Assistance Program from July 1 to July 31 to allow for additional small businesses to apply for assistance.

The announcement comes along with the Board of Commissioners’ approval on June 19 of a revised Small Business Economic Assistance Policy in light of the U.S. Treasury’s Final Rule on the American Rescue Plan, which was released in April 2022.

The revised policy includes modifications with implications for the county’s Small Business Economic Assistance Program, including revised eligibility criteria, updated funding allocation guidelines, and revised reporting requirements.

The Cumberland County Small Business Economic Assistance Program allows small for-profit businesses that faced economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic to apply for up to $50,000 in financial assistance.

For the purpose of this program, small businesses are defined as having no more than 250 employees (including the owner) at the time of application submission.

Assistance may be provided to reimburse the small business for qualifying expenses related to:

• Payroll, which includes wages and associated payroll taxes; and
• Occupancy, which includes rental lease payments, mortgage (for business property) as well as utilities.

The application and revised policy is available on the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners’ American Rescue Plan website at cumberlandcountync.gov/arp-small-business

The website also includes a link to a virtual information session with county staff, which will provide more information about the program, including a question-and-answer period.

Anyone with questions should contact the county’s American Rescue Plan team at arpsmb@cumberlandcountync.gov. For more information on the ARP Committee and Cumberland County’s ARP programs, visit cumberlandcountync.gov/arp.

Today we are going to learn how the universe is arranged. It is too complicated to explain the goings-on between Putin and Prigozhin in Mother Russia. Russia’s current situation is, to quote Winston Churchill, “a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.”

Instead we will review how the Cosmos is organized. There are a number of colorful theories about the origin and structure of the universe and Earth’s place therein. You are invited to choose the theory you like best.

The Big Bang Theory is the one that Mr. Science chooses to believe. Under this concept, once upon a time 13.8 billion years ago there was an original atom who we will call Miss Kitty. She is not to be confused with Marshal Matt Dillon’s friend who ran the Long Branch Saloon in Gunsmoke. For reasons, even Mr. Science does not understand, one day the cosmic Ms. Kitty blew up and spewed out the entire universe, planets, stars, dark matter and the Dook basketball team.

There are two versions of the Big Bang Theory, neither of which is particularly encouraging. Under the Inflationary Big Bang theory the universe will keep expanding forever until every star and planet is alone in a vast dark void. Not even the Federal Reserve raising interest rates will be able to stop the cosmic inflationary spiral into nothingness.

The other version is the Big Crunch theory which holds that at some point after the Big Bang, the universe will stop expanding like a rubber band being pulled by a three year old kid. Then, like a rubber band, the universe will snap back into its original location. This will squash everything in the universe into a Mega Black Hole which will once again explode into a new Big Bang. Nothing will be left from our universe after the Big Crunch but Twinkies, cockroaches, and Keith Richards.

There are a number of other scientific theories about the universe worth mentioning in passing. The Geocentric theory held that the Earth is the center of the universe with the stars rotating around us. Our old buddy Ptolemy came up with this theory in 2nd century AD. It was pretty much the standard theory until an astronomer named Copernicus came up with his heliocentric theory which said the Earth revolved around the sun. Galileo sided with this theory and got into big trouble with the Pope’s Inquisition in 1615.

The Earth got downgraded again in 1785 when a smart aleck astronomer named William Herschel came up with the Galactocentric theory that our very own sun was the center of the Milky Way galaxy. Not only was the Earth not the center of the universe, it wasn’t even the center of its own solar system, much less its galaxy. Now we know how Pluto felt when it got downgraded from being a planet in 2006.

The ancient Egyptians’ theory was that in the beginning, the universe was just a big wet puddle of nothing with the Sun God, a dude named Atum sleeping in it while floating around. One day Atum woke up and created an island because he could. Atum stood on the island and began creating the universe by inventing gods and goddesses. When he got tired of creating theological beings, he created humans to amuse himself. The rest is history.

One of my favorite theories is the Turtles all the way down proposition. A western traveler we will call Fred was in Asia. Fred met an Asian philosopher there. Fred asked what is the nature of the world?

The philosopher told him that the Earth is “A great ball resting on the flat back of the world turtle.” Fred asked “What is the world turtle standing on?” The philosopher explained that it is “Turtles all the way down.” That is a lot of turtles. It is unclear what the bottom turtle is standing upon. Like in 1950’s horror movies, “There are some things man should not know.”

I have saved the best cosmic possibility for last. Welcome the Flat Earth Theory. Flat Earthers believe the Earth is flat like a big Frisbee. No globalism for them. A poll in 2017 found that 1% of Americans believe the Earth is flat. While that does not sound like much, America’s population is about 332 million. That means over 300,000 Americans believe the Earth is flat.

The most popular Flat Earth theory holds that the Artic Circle is in the middle of the Earth. Antarctica is a circular ring around the outside of the Flat Earth Disk with a wall of ice about 150 feet tall.

Employees of NASA are stationed all along the outer ring of the ice wall to keep civilians from finding out the Earth is flat and to keep them from falling off to where the turtles holding up the Earth might eat them.

You are now free to pick out the cosmic theory that suits you, just as you are able to pick out the news silo that suits your political leanings. Have a celestial day.

Happy birthday to us!

Birthdays can be wonderful celebrations for families and friends, and lots of us are having lots of them! In fact, we the American people are having so many birthdays, we are now older than we have ever been.

Our median age in 2022 was a record-breaking 38.9 years old, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released last month. And while the graying of nations is an international phenomenon, we remain younger than many European nations that have a median age of 44.

Japan is the oldest industrialized nation with a median age of nearly 49 years, while tiny Monaco has the world’s oldest population at a median age of 55.4.

Many Americans, including this writer, look at 39 as relatively young, but in demographic terms, we have become much older relatively quickly.

Our median age in 1980 was 30, in 2000 it was 35, and now it is almost 39. Cumberland County is a bit of an outlier with a much younger median age of 31.4 years, in part because of the young people and young families stationed here in military service.

Compare that to our neighbors in Bladen and Sampson Counties, with median ages above the national average at 44.8 and 40.3 respectively.

So what does this graying of America mean? Firstly, it is all about numbers and trends. And once trends have begun, they play themselves out, meaning that because our birth rate has fallen 20% since the Great Recession of the late 2000s, there are simply fewer babies to bring down the median age.

American millennials, as well as those in other industrialized nations, have put education and career before starting families. Some research also suggests that many of them will not have children for various reasons, including fear of the future, environmental concerns, toxic politics, and fertility issues.

In other words, another trend can emerge if our birth rate increases, but the current one will continue.

In addition, as the United States continues to gray, we are also becoming a more diverse nation. So far this decade, our Asian population has grown the most, followed by our Hispanic population, followed by Blacks, then whites. Southern and Western states are growing rapidly through both births and migration from other states and nations.

The scary part is that many — soon to be most — older Americans are no longer working and paying taxes on their wages, shifting that burden to younger and fewer Americans who are building careers. Will they be willing and able to pay for the social programs, primarily Social Security and Medicare, needed and expected by the millions of Baby Boomers now retiring in droves and even as their life spans continue to increase?

Economists have been pondering this situation for decades, and the rubber is now hitting the road. The United States confronts questions about the allocation of precious public resources among generations.

Other nations, some with much more robust social programs, face similar dilemmas. The World Bank suggests several strategies to address the consequences of an aging population. These include improving educational quality at all levels to generate a more productive workforce, encouraging women and seniors to remain in the workforce, increasing savings at all levels — federal, state, local and personal, and supporting innovation and emerging technology.

And, lest you think the aging of America is not a pressing issue, ponder this. The U.S. Census Bureau says people 65 and over will outnumber Americans under 18 by 2034.

That is a mere 11 years away.

Six months ago, our community was attacked.

Two substations in Moore County were intentionally attacked on the evening of Dec. 3, leaving my house and 45,000 of our neighbors without power for up to 10 days.

In the aftermath of the attack, hospitals were impacted threatening medical treatments, schools were shut down, businesses were affected, stop lights were dark, gas stations were closed, cell signals were impacted, and water couldn’t be heated.

An attack like this could have devastated our community and we didn’t go without our struggles. But overall, I am so proud of our resilient response. In the days that followed, residents truly showed the best of Moore County and the best of America.

Throughout our region, churches, small businesses, restaurants, police and fire departments, local governments, and individuals stepped up to help their neighbors and showed the true strength of the community. It was inspiring to see everyone come together in our time of need.

I also thank Sheriff Ronnie Fields and our local law enforcement for their quick response during those dark days and for their ongoing investigations to determine who is responsible for December’s attack.

We must hold those responsible for this act accountable and I will continue to support law enforcement as they conduct their investigation.

Since the attack occurred, I have been in listening mode. I have heard from constituents, grid operators, community developers, the FBI and law enforcement, and business owners who have concerns with our grid’s security and resilience — all against the backdrop of historic energy costs.

As your neighbor, I share these concerns with you. And a similar, yet thankfully unsuccessful, attack in Randolph County several months ago underscores the need to address this issue.

That’s why I brought my colleagues from Congress to Moore County for a House Energy and Commerce Committee field hearing. I took my colleagues to the site of one of the attacks so they could understand the substation involved.

I introduced them to the community and people who were impacted by the attack. Just as I promised back in December, I brought Washington here and put real faces to the issues that rocked our community.

Before the hearing, we stopped at the Duke Energy West End substation, one of the two substations in Moore County that was intentionally attacked. At the field hearing, experts from Duke Energy, NC Emergency Management, NC State University, and energy security shared their testimony on the current state of our grid security and resilience and how we move forward from these attacks.

There are 45,000 stories of why Moore County — and our nation — needs greater grid resilience, and my colleagues and I welcome these testimonies and your feedback in order to help do our jobs effectively.

This field hearing was the first of many our committee will hold in our efforts to improve the security and resiliency of our nation’s energy grid. It was important to me that the first hearing be where the attack happened, and this is only the beginning of our investigations.

Being your voice in Congress is a responsibility I take extremely seriously and I will continue to make sure Washington pays attention to the concerns and needs of you and your family.

It is an honor to represent you and the best of our community — which always shines bright, even in the dark.

The newly installed president of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, Nat Robertson, is wasting no time setting the course to make the “New” Fayetteville Chamber a tour de force advocacy for business in the Fayetteville/Cumberland County community.

Hitting the ground running, Robertson is revamping and overhauling Chamber programs to create more value for its members. He is developing new policies, streamlining operating procedures, and hiring competent staff who embrace the organization’s mission and have the skill sets and work ethic to create, implement and execute effective value-added programs for Chamber members.

In just weeks, the Chamber will relocate its Ray Avenue office to Bronco Square at 1047 Murchison Road, Suite 120, across from Fayetteville State University, putting Robertson on the fast track to turning the Chamber of Commerce into a relevant organization that supports local businesses by taking an active role in their success.

Vibrant businesses and healthy economic growth foster a vibrant city. Being the former Mayor of Fayetteville, Robertson knows the importance of competent and trustworthy leadership. He also understands that the Chamber of Commerce must actively recognize and nurture such leadership. This is why Robertson’s latest innovative program exemplifies its high priority on well-informed leadership.

That program is the Greater Fayetteville Chamber’s first Candidates Academy on July 29. For one day, the Chamber invites everyone seeking an elected office in Fayetteville to attend a free pre-election program to get “up close and personal” insights into the city’s operation, making them better-informed candidates.

Robertson has assembled an impressive and diverse faculty of a dozen local business, political and community leaders who will share their experience and knowledge of city government concepts and inner workings, including the realities of policymaking.

The topics being covered are as diverse as the facility itself. They include The Downtown District, City Wants vs. Needs, Economic Development, Public Utilities, Arts & Culture, Crime and Safety, and other topics that are vitally important to enhancing our quality of life and assuring that Fayetteville lives up to its reputation as an All America City.

According to Robertson, “I believe by educating the candidates before taking office, we have a better opportunity of them understanding exactly what we do, and why. Often after taking office, the candidate’s perspective changes … if we can have an honest exchange prior to that time, it may be beneficial for all the residents of Fayetteville.”

The Chamber will invite all the candidates filing for a municipal office in Fayetteville. Based on attendance, they may open it up to other Cumberland County municipalities if room allows.

The Chamber of Commerce will later host the Fayetteville Candidates Forum on Oct. 17. Many topics covered during the Academy will be presented as questions during the Forum.

Up & Coming Weekly supports and applauds Robertson’s efforts and the Chamber’s new, refreshing, long-overdue outlook on Fayetteville.

We desperately need competent leadership to move Fayetteville forward. For nearly a decade, our city has suffered from a deficit of municipal leadership plagued with ignorance, incompetence and many suspicious allegations of corruption.

Robertson’s commitment to the community and innovative programs like the Candidates Academy is what Fayetteville needs to attract and develop competent leadership, new businesses, and organizations to the Chamber of Commerce.

Keep your eye on Robertson and the “New” Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce. Fayetteville and Cumberland County need a strong Chamber and competent leadership for a prosperous future. No doubt, we are moving in the right direction.

Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect date changes.

Due to the continued threat of excessive heat into next week, Cumberland County, in partnership with the City of Fayetteville, will extend the availability of several facilities as cooling stations through July 18 for residents who do not have access to air conditioning and need a place to get out of the heat.

The National Weather Service in Raleigh is forecasting high temperatures and heat indices above 100 degrees today through next Wednesday. Cooling stations will be available in the following locations during normal business hours today through Wednesday. Additional days may be added depending on the forecast for next week.

The Cumberland County Department of Social Services, located at 1225 Ramsey Street, will open the auxiliary lobby as a cooling station. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. All public lobbies will be available to citizens. Masks or face coverings are encouraged for those with preexisting conditions. 

The first-floor lobby of the Cumberland County Department of Public Health, located at 1235 Ramsey Street, is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Masks or face coverings are required in some areas and for those immediately following a COVID-19 infection or had close contact with someone who has had the infection. Citizens with preexisting conditions are encouraged to wear a mask or face covering. 

All eight Cumberland County Public Library locations will be open as cooling stations. Libraries are open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Headquarters Library at 300 Maiden Lane, Fayetteville, along with Cliffdale, North Regional, and Hope Mills branches are also open Sundays from 2 to 6 p.m. To find your local library, go to cumberlandcountync.gov/departments/library-group/library.

The lobbies of Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation Centers are open to the public year-round, during normal operating hours and can be used by residents as respite from the heat. Recreation center locations, hours, contact information and programming schedules are posted at fcpr.us/facilities/recreation-centers/. 

The lobby of the Fayetteville Area System of Transit (FAST), located at 505 Franklin Street, is also open to the public during normal operating hours. Operating hours for FAST are posted at fayettevillenc.gov/city-services/transit/about-fast/operating-hours-schedules. .

Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those working outdoors. Cumberland County Emergency Services reminds residents to take precautions during the hot weather. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms, stay out of the sun, avoid strenuous work, check on relatives and neighbors, and never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles.

Stay informed by visiting the County’s website at cumberlandcountync.gov or County social media pages at facebook.com/CumberlandNC, facebook.com/CumberlandCountyNC911 and twitter.com/CumberlandNC.

Photo by Pixabay

Twenty-four teachers from across North Carolina have been selected as finalists for the 2023 North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year Award.
The NCCAT recognizes their dedication, innovation and ability to inspire students to achieve.

Cumberland County Schools announced that Ashley Long McCullen, the agriculture teacher at Gray's Creek High School, is one of the finalists for the NCCAT honor.

From this impressive group of finalists, one educator will be chosen as the NCCAT 2023 NC CTE Teacher of the Year.

The finalists will gather at the NCCAT campus in Cullowhee for a week of professional development in October. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on Oct. 19 at the Bardo Center on the Western Carolina University campus.

“Each day in schools, Career and Technical Education teachers inspire and guide students to important future careers and roles in society,” NCCAT Executive Director M. Brock Womble said.

“Taking time to honor excellent Career and Technical Education educators across our state through the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching 2023 NC CTE Teacher of the Year program is important, as we are continually striving to elevate the teaching profession and emphasize the significance of the work educators do every day. Congratulations to these finalists and the school districts they represent. We look forward to having them with us for a week of professional development and a special night to honor the teaching profession.”

While defending our country, veterans faced countless dangers, from permanent hearing loss to traumatic brain injuries.
Still, a more obscure risk serving in the military entails is toxic exposure, which is responsible for crippling diseases among veterans. As a consequence of negligence, the vast majority of military bases nationwide are now contaminated with toxic substances.

The city of Fayetteville is home to over 25,600 veterans, some of whom have been stationed at polluted military bases during active duty.

Established in 1918, the installation is the largest in the country by population, with 43,414 active-duty military personnel training and living there. Today, the military base is known as Fort Liberty, as it had originally been named after a Confederate.

Unfortunately, the environment of the military base is contaminated with perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS or “forever chemicals.” Out of this group of over 9,000 toxic chemicals, PFOA and PFOS are the most harmful, as they have a strong association with cancer.

According to the new safe exposure limits proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the concentration of PFOA and PFOS in the environment of Fort Liberty is very high. Specifically, the PFOA level exceeds the maximum limit by 6,400 times, while the PFOS level eclipses the proposed limits by 1,135 times.

These chemicals are emerging contaminants, being able to persist in the environment for over a thousand years. They are challenging to remove from groundwater and soil, even with the most innovative technologies.

A military base with a significantly worse legacy of toxic contamination is Camp Lejeune, located in Jacksonville. For 34 years during the last century, two of the eight water distribution plants at the facility were heavily contaminated with solvents, including trichloroethylene and vinyl chloride.

As many as one million people lived there while the drinking water was unsafe to consume. PFAS were also lurking in Camp Lejeune’s water in a concentration exceeding the current safe exposure limit by over 2,500 times.

In the past, veterans affected by toxic exposure on military bases had a difficult time obtaining the VA benefits they were entitled to. Today, by virtue of the Honoring Our PACT Act, they have easier access to the healthcare and compensation they deserve.

This bill was signed into law on Aug. 10, 2022. According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, the PACT Act is one of the largest health care and benefit expansions in VA history. The full name of the law is The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.

The Honoring Our PACT Act extends the VA healthcare eligibility criteria for veterans injured by toxic exposure; adds over 20 new presumptive conditions; and requires the VA to offer a toxic exposure screening to each veteran enrolled in the system.

Under this new law, Fayetteville veterans struggling with diseases caused by toxic exposure on military bases can file for VA disability compensation and receive free healthcare with considerably more ease than in the past.

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act is also part of the Honoring Our PACT Act, under which everyone who spent time at the military base when the drinking water was contaminated can obtain compensation from the U.S. government.

To learn more about the Honoring Our PACT Act visit https://www.va.gov/

Editor’s note: Jonathan Sharp is Chief Financial Officer at Environmental Litigation Group, P.C. The law firm offers assistance to veterans and family members injured by toxic exposure on military installations.

The Defense Department is prioritizing ethical considerations and collaboration in its approach to developing and fielding military applications of artificial intelligence, a top Pentagon technology official said June 15.
Michael C. Horowitz, the director of the emerging capabilities policy office in the office of the undersecretary of defense for policy, underscored the U.S. commitment to leading the international conversation surrounding artificial intelligence during a panel discussion in Washington on setting rules and expectations for emerging technologies in national security.

Underpinning this commitment, Horowitz said, is a comprehensive set of policy decisions within DOD that governs the development and fielding of autonomous weapon systems, ethical artificial intelligence strategy, and the development of responsible artificial intelligence strategy and pathways.

He said U.S. leadership, in codifying these principles, is now driving responsible artificial intelligence policy formulation among international partners.

“If you look at NATO’s ethical AI principles, for example, they’re very similar to the Defense Department’s ethical AI principles and that’s not an accident,” Horowitz said. “It reflects in many ways the sort of common values and perspective on how we’re thinking about... when we would want to use AI and how.”

He said U.S. also led on the international stage by issuing its Political Declaration of Responsible Military use of Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy in February.

“That’s a set of strong norms that lay out principles of what responsible use looks like that we’re now working to bring other countries on board to endorse since we think that bringing the international community together on this issue, that there is a lot of possibility for cooperation and we want to encourage the rest of the world to take these issues as seriously as the department has,” Horowitz said. “And in looking at our allies and partners, we’re really encouraged by that.”

That commitment to the responsible development of artificial intelligence, and its transparency concerning the development of policy surrounding emerging technologies, is also how the U.S. has distinguished itself from its global competitors, he said.

He said all DOD policy surrounding artificial intelligence and emerging technology is publicly available.

“That’s in contrast to some of the competitors of the United States who are a lot less transparent in what their policies are concerning the development and use of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, including autonomous weapons systems,” Horowitz said. “And we think that there’s a real distinction there.”

At the same time, the U.S. has remained committed to being at the leading edge of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, Horowitz said.

He said the rapid advance of the technology has opened up a wide array of use cases for artificial intelligence beyond defense. The U.S. continues to be “an engine of innovation when it comes to AI.”

“The Defense Department does lots and lots of different experimentation with emerging technologies,” Horowitz said. “And we both want to do them in a safe and responsible way, but also want to do them in a way that can push forward the cutting edge and ensure the department has access to the emerging technologies that it needs to stay ahead.”

Start off Independence Week with a bang and a parade in Hope Mills. The city is hosting a day-long event on Saturday, July 1, filled with music and activities that will keep the whole family happy and occupied.

This will be the 41st Annual Town of Hope Mills Independence Day Celebration.

Festivities will begin at 4 p.m. with a parade. The parade route will begin at Hope Mills Middle School and will conclude at Rockfish Elementary. The parade will have floats, cars and local businesses and organizations.

Directly following the parade, Independence Celebration in the Park will begin at Hope Mills Municipal Park. There will be fun for people of all ages and special musical performances.

This year, entertainment includes two live musical guests, Krispee Biscuits and Paige King Johnson. Krispee Biscuits is an eclectic electronic duo fresh out of Wilmington, who are equipped with a classically trained violinist and a Future Funk-bred DJ maestro.

“Paige King Johnson is a four-time Carolina Country Music Award winner from Angier. She has shared the stage with many great artists over the years, such as Kane Brown, Joe Nichols, Kylie Morgan, Jimmie Allen, Diamond Rio, Scotty McCreery, Neal McCoy and more,” said Meghan Freeman, Assistant Director Programs and Events for Hope Mills Parks and Recreation.

“The 2023 Independence Day Celebration is much like that of last year’s celebration. Patrons can look forward to an evening filled with food from over 15 food trucks, three local breweries, one local winery, and stilt walkers from Imagine Circus,” Freeman told Up & Coming Weekly.

The Celebration will conclude at 9 p.m. with the annual fireworks display provided by Pyro Shows East Coast.

For those who want to celebrate a little earlier, Hope Mills Parks and Recreation is hosting an Independence Luncheon for those ages 55 and older. The luncheon is on Thursday, June 29 at 11 a.m.

The luncheon will be a fully catered meal with music and dancing. Come and celebrate independence with food, fellowship and fun. There will be door prizes and maybe an extra surprise or two. Tickets are $15 and must be bought beforehand at https://secure.rec1.com/NC/hope-mills-nc/catalog.

For more information about the Independence Day Luncheon or the Independence Celebration on July 1, go to www.townofhopemills.com.

Cape Fear Studios is a nonprofit fine arts organization providing opportunities for visual artists and art patrons to work together in promoting and learning visual arts. It’s mission is to involve, educate and enrich Cumberland County and surrounding communities with the opportunity to create and freely view art.

Cape Fear Studios provides art studios for rent, a gallery for exhibitions of work by member and visiting artists, and classroom space for private lessons, workshops or classes. There is also retail space for visitors to purchase paintings, photographs, sculptures, pottery, wood and glass art, and fine jewelry.

Up & Coming Weekly asked two member artists to discuss the latest exhibit which displays work submitted for the Annual 2D Art Competition.
Annette Szcezktek and Rose Kennedy have been members of Cape Fear Studios for over 10 years each and have seen the show grow over time.

When asked what makes this show special Szcezktek says, “All of the artists that are part of the show have to be jurored in. Meaning they have to go through a judged selection process, competing with hundreds of other applicants from all over the country.”

The 2D Competition displays 39 works of art from artists in eight states from California to New York. The exhibit features 2D art in many techniques and styles. The exhibit was judged by North Carolina watercolorist Russell Jewell, an internationally acclaimed watercolor artist.

Visiting the 2D Competition exhibit is a chance to explore the facility. If you’ve never been to Cape Fear Studios, you’re in for a treat. The studio space is covered with art from several mediums. The work is custom-made and local.

“We are the only place I know of locally where you can find everything in here is original art. It's unique, one of a kind,” Kennedy said.
The Annual 2D Competition exhibit will be on display through July 25. Cape Fear Studios is located at 148 Maxwell Street. The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information about Cape Fear Studios or the 2D Art Competition exhibit, visit www.capefearstudios.com or call 910-433-2896.

North Carolinians are by now accustomed to seeing our state score well on national rankings of economic performance, cost of living, quality of life and other measures. But a new study from the foundation arm of the National Taxpayers Union ranks North Carolina a dismal 42nd.

No, there was no overnight tax increase while you were sleeping. The study in question examines how state tax codes treat traveling professionals and remote workers. Ours treats them poorly.
Unless you make speeches, play professional sports, or consult for a living, you may not be aware that state governments routinely tax non-residents for even small amounts of income earned within their jurisdictions.

If you live in Raleigh but conduct a week-long seminar in Charleston for some of your South Carolina clients, you are obligated to pay South Carolina taxes on your seminar income.

Ditto if you live in Norfolk but do a short job in Elizabeth City. You’re supposed to pay North Carolina taxes on what you’re paid for that job.
The concern here isn’t so much about double taxation — the U.S. Supreme Court held years ago that multiple states aren’t supposed to tax the same stream of income — as it is about administrative complexity and simple fairness.

If you only perform work in a state for a short time, you impose few burdens on that state’s infrastructure and other public services. And unless you command a very high wage, the amount of tax collected from you is too small to justify the paperwork burden on you and your employer.

Naturally, if you regularly commute across state lines for work, say from Rock Hill to your job in Charlotte, these arguments don’t really apply. It is reasonable to require you to pay taxes to North Carolina, and for your employer to withhold those taxes on your behalf.

But it turns out that most states, including our own, do little to distinguish between these very different cases.

Maine is one exemption. Unless you work at least 12 days there, earning at least $3,000, you aren’t required to pay income taxes in Maine. Our neighboring state of Georgia is another. It uses a wage threshold of $5,000 or 5% of your total income, whichever is lower.

Another way to reduce the administrative burden on employers and employees is for states to negotiate tax-reciprocity agreements in which each agrees to tax only the incomes of residents.

North Carolina offers no such relief. That’s why we rank so poorly on the National Taxpayer Union’s Remote Obligations and Mobility (ROAM) Index.

All other things being equal, we make it unnecessarily cumbersome for companies to do business here if they hire out-of-state workers for short periods.
The tax treatment of cross-border income was always a thorny issue. The post-COVID explosion in telecommuting has dramatically increased its salience, however. Millions more Americans now work from home much or all the time, sometimes deriving income from multiple employers or jurisdictions.

“States cannot keep their heads in the sand and pretend that the economy is not changing,” says Andrew Wilford, who developed the ROAM Index. “Rules that once affected small subsets of mobile workers are increasingly becoming relevant to broader swaths of workers across many industries.”

Wilford recommends that North Carolina establish a fixed threshold for filing and withholding — 30 days is his “gold standard” — and that we negotiate reciprocal agreements with neighboring states.
These steps would elevate us to the top tier of states on the index. That’s where North Carolina belongs.

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).

Studies have shown that men have historically been less likely to report mental health issues than women.

Lower rates of self-reporting among men may be attributable to a number of factors, including the stigma that’s still attached to the issue of mental health. Mental health issues can affect all aspects of a person’s life, and if left untreated, these issues can have grave consequences.

Men are not immune to those consequences. In fact, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates age-adjusted suicide rates are substantially higher among men than women. Among men, that rate is 14 per 100,000, which is more than twice as high as the rate among women (6.1 per 100,000).

There’s no formula to identify which men will develop a mental health issue or which condition they might experience. But it’s worth noting some of the more common mental health issues, and equally important that all men recognize these issues can affect any man at any time.

Anxiety: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notes that anxiety disorders affect roughly 20% of the adult population in the United States each year.

Anxiety is an umbrella term that alludes to a number of issues that each produce their own symptoms and side effects, but the DHHS notes that anxiety disorders are marked by feelings of fear and uncertainty that interfere with everyday activities. These feelings persist for six months or more and can increase a person’s risk for heart disease, diabetes, substance abuse and depression.

Depression: The World Health Organization reports that roughly 5% of the global adult population suffers from depression.

Depression is more than the feelings of sadness that everyone experiences from time to time. The National Institute of Mental Health notes that depression produces persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety or an “empty” mood. Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism are some additional characteristics of depression.

It’s important to recognize that these symptoms must be persistent. Symptoms that persist for at least two weeks and interfere with a person’s ability to work, sleep, study,and eat may indicate major depression, while less severe symptoms that last for at least two years suggest the presence of persistent depressive disorder.

Substance Use Disorder: The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics has identified substance use disorder as a public health emergency. Statistics support that assertion, as data from the National Center for Health Statistics indicates more than 20 million Americans ages 12 and over are affected by a substance use disorder.

Though anyone, including children, can develop substance use disorder, a 2016 report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration indicated that men have higher rates of use or dependence on illicit drugs and alcohol than women.

The National Institutes of Health notes that substance use disorder affects a person’s brain and behavior, which makes them incapable of controlling their use of substances, including medication and alcohol.

Men are no less vulnerable to mental health issues than women. The NIMH urges individuals in crisis or people who suspect someone is in crisis to call 911 or to call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
More information about mental health can be found at nimh.nih.gov.

Oscar Solis, Jr. is a retired U.S. Marine who doesn’t like celebrating the Fourth of July.

“I’m very honored by the intent, but it’s the celebration behind it — the fireworks, the large crowds — that’s a bit much for me,” the Afghanistan and Iraq War veteran explained.

Solis is not alone. Every year the nation celebrates its independence with fireworks. What some don’t realize is that these colorful celebrations of American freedom can seriously impact the veterans who defended it.

“As beautiful as they are, the sounds, smells and shock waves of fireworks can be triggering for veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD,” said Annie Tang, staff psychologist at Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital in Illinois.

“These can bring up emotional and physiological reactions, and bring up trauma memories from the past, which can bring up intense anxiety and fear.”

Tang explained that the brain is very good at pairing things, especially threat. Combat veterans and those who worked in combat zones can pair threat with whatever was in that environment, including things they saw, heard or smelled.

These pairings can continue after returning to civilian life. So, when fireworks or other loud noises occur, a veteran’s brain can feel in danger.

“That’s absolutely me,” said Solis. “It’s like an animalistic brain. It’s a lot of negative things you associate with that makes you hesitant to do everything.”

Although time and treatment have helped with coping, Solis still prefers to stick to his regular schedule during the holiday.

“I really struggled for a long time. I took a bad turn initially when I first got out. Over the past few years or so, it’s gotten better. Now I can manage,” he explained. “But I stay in; my routine is everything. I stick to my routine.”

According to Tang, avoiding the holiday is a common way of coping with the stress Independence Day can bring but may not benefit someone long-term.

“In our society and military culture, veterans are taught to avoid,” Tang explained. “How many times has a veteran heard ‘suck it up?’ In an immediate threat, [avoidance] can help, but in civilian life, it can really affect many veterans.”

Tang has treated veterans at Hines VA since 2013 and recommends five things to help veterans cope with triggers.

• 1. Avoid avoidance. Avoidance can be a short-term fix, but it tends to worsen the problem over time. It’s helpful to confront safe triggers you’ve wanted to avoid gradually. Some Veterans may need help from a mental health professional.
• 2. Remind yourself where you are and what is happening around you. Repeating simple reminders, like ‘this is not a combat zone,’ and ‘these are only fireworks’ can help reset the brain during a PTSD trigger.
• 3. Change the body’s temperature. Safely lowering body temperatures can quickly remind someone where they are and help quell PTSD triggers. Veterans can take a cold shower, or use an ice pack, ice cubes, frozen vegetable packs or splash cold water.
• 4. Schedule meaningful activities you enjoy. Planning self-care can boost your mood, which can offset the overall impact of stress triggers.
• 5. Prioritize your mental health and seek treatment. VA offers support and care through evidence-based treatments for PTSD, stress and anxiety. VA also offers the PTSD Coach Mobile App that provides information and coping skills to help manage anxiety or distress. To schedule an appointment with Hines VA Trauma Services, call 708-202-4668.

“It’s not always easy, but I cannot emphasize enough that help is out there, and it can help people regain their lives,” said Tang.

This year will be the 11th Independence Day since Solis returned from his last combat deployment in Afghanistan. Like most Independence Days since returning, he plans to spend it away from celebrations and large gatherings.

“The fear, the pain — it hurts, but you have to accept it and work through it,” said Solis “It’s the only way I can keep growing.”

Editor’s note: Matthew Moeller is a Public Affairs Officer at Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital in Illinois This article is a reprint from www.va.gov/

Child Nutrition Service’s Summer Meals Program is providing free meals to children 18 years and younger at elementary schools and recreational centers throughout the county through July 27.

The program is free for children and no sign-up is needed. The meals are served on a first come first served basis and must be eaten on-site.

Families are encouraged to stop by designated locations Monday through Thursday.

Participating elementary schools serve lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Serving times vary at recreation centers around the county.

For a detailed list of locations and times, visit https://www.ccs.k12.nc.us/Page/8195

Shane Wilson has been a full-time resident in Fayetteville since moving to the city in 2014. After almost a decade here, he calls the Can-Do City his home. Wilson is a professor in the English department at Fayetteville Technical Community College and is active in the local arts scene.

“It’s nice that there’s a space here for artists where artists and artists of all varieties like visual arts, poets, all that. It’s been, I think, really nice to be able to be a part of a community like that,” Wilson said.

Wilson has published two novels so far, “A Year Since the Rain” and “The Smoke in His Eyes.” The novels are part of Wilson’s “World of Muses.” They aren’t sequels to each other, they are stand alone novels, but they both take place in the same world.

“The world feels pretty much like our world. It’s not set in sort of like middle earth, fantastical ideas. There are no elves and things like that. It’s mostly just regular people and regular places. But there are these magical people in the world. It’s like a reimagining of Greek muses, is how I’m explaining it. It’s called The World of Muses. These people are brought up in a school where they’re taught how to inspire people to change or grow, and all of the users have their different focuses,” Wilson said while describing his series of novels.

His book, “The Smoke in His Eyes,” won two awards at the Spring 2022 edition of The BookFest’s Book Awards. It received second place for Contemporary Fantasy, and third place for Coming-of-Age Literary Fiction .

He suggests people read his second novel, “The Smoke in His Eyes,” before “A Year Since the Rain,” in order to fully immerse in the world, but they can be read in any order.

His upcoming novel, “The Woman with a Thousand Faces,” is the final post-apocalyptic chapter of this world.

The novel follows newspaper reporter Sean Forrester, who was convinced that Troy Gideon, the CEO of Pure Elemental, had nefarious plans for the top-secret Project Skylight. He needed only to find proof. But that was before a globally cataclysmic event, and Forrester lost everyone he ever loved in an instant. He is alive, emotionally traumatized, and questioning everything he can remember.
He ends up staying with a woman he doesn’t know. She’s a muse and is able to access Sean’s past if he wants. That’s where the bulk of the story takes place.

“It’s a post-apocalyptic, dystopian kind of world that the novel opens up into a sort of on the other side of some globally cataclysmic event. Even though it’s post-apocalyptic and dystopian, it breaks that tradition from a lot of those kinds of stories because it’s not exploring the entire world. It really is just focused in on these two characters that are locked inside of this house to try to stay safe because they don’t really know what’s going on,” Wilson told Up & Coming Weekly.

The inspiration for the story came from a memorable night of talking and drinking with a close friend from college.

“I had one of those nights where you get a couple of bottles of wine, and you just like hash out your entire life story with somebody,” Wilson said.

Despite the book sounding like it was written during or after the COVID pandemic with its theme of locking down and being stuck in a house with someone, Wilson wrote this well before mandates and masks.

However, Wilson did say that during COVID, he started to write more short-form escapist stories.

The book, “The Woman with a Thousand Faces,” is expected to be published on July 20.

There are no scheduled events at this time, but Wilson expects to do local signings and readings, as well as digital conversations when the book is released. Wilson’s books are available on Amazon. For more information about Wilson and his previous works, go to https://www.shanewilsonauthor.com/

Golf courses are serene settings that allow people to enjoy the great outdoors while simultaneously engaging in the thrill of competition. Those factors undoubtedly motivate people to hit the links and play a round of golf, which remains a wildly popular sport.

In fact, a recent report from the National Golf Foundation found that roughly 119 million people followed golf on television or online, read about the game, or listened to a golf-related podcast in 2022.

Golf can certainly be a fun sport to follow, but it’s just as fun to play. Golf is a challenging sport, and it can be especially difficult for newcomers. Patience is paramount when learning to play golf, and the following are some additional strategies beginners can keep in mind as they learn to golf.

Work with a pro. Golf pros at local courses or even private coaches typically have extensive experience teaching the game. That experience is invaluable.

Beginners can learn the basics from a seasoned pro, who can instruct students on fundamentals such as stance, grip and swing so they enjoy their first round that much more.

Purchase a good set of clubs. The right clubs can make the game that much easier. Adults who are not sure if they want to fully commit to playing can get by with secondhand clubs, while parents can do the same as they try to teach their children the game. Once a commitment has been made, a new set of custom fitted clubs can be a worthy investment that lets golfers take their game to the next level.

Using clubs that are too small or too large can affect performance, as can other factors like grip size. Custom fitted clubs can be expensive, so beginners may want to wait until they catch the golfing bug before they make such an investment on the sport.

Golf with a friend. The buddy system makes numerous recreational activities more fun, and golf is no exception. Beginners can ask a friend who already plays to tag along, but it also can be fun to learn the sport alongside another novice.

Friends with experience may be willing to offer some tips to becoming a better player. Two beginners can share a few laughs as they navigate their way through rounds that might end up well over par.

Choose the right courses. Certain courses are more challenging than others. Par-3 courses can be perfect for beginners because they include only par 3 holes, which feature shorter distances from tee to cup and tend to be flatter and easier for novices. Par-3 courses also tend to be just nine holes, which can be ideal for beginners.

When playing a traditional course, beginners can look for one with a reputation for being less challenging so they are not discouraged by their final scores.

Millions of people enjoy playing the game of golf. As beginners introduce themselves to the game, they can keep various strategies in mind to ensure their day on the links is fun and fruitful.

There are plenty of things to do in and around Fayetteville on the 4th of July. The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra presents the annual Independence Concert & Fireworks at Festival Park. Special guests include the Fayetteville Symphonic Band and the 82nd Airborne Division All-American Band. This patriotic event is free.

Gates open at 6 p.m. and the concert begins at 7:15p.m. There will be food and drink vendors and a children’s play area. Personal tents, pets, bicycles and scooters are prohibited.

For those looking for a relaxing spot as the sun starts going down, head on over to the Cool Spring Downtown District’s block party taking place on Maxwell Street.

The July 4th FAYcation celebration runs from 7 to 10 p.m. and will have a little something for everyone. There will be local DJs, a beer garden, BBQ from local vendors, yard games, water fun and much more.

The FAYcation block party will feature DJ Kool.

The event is free to attend, but guests can register at www.eventbrite.com/e/july-4th-faycation-tickets-638893817607

This Cool Spring Downtown District block party comes on the heels of their successful Juneteenth Jubilee, which saw an estimated 28,000 visitors during the weekend.

Director of Special Projects Ashanti Bennett says these events benefit the city by attracting visitors and new business.

“It’s the economic growth that’s making downtown stronger,” Bennett said. “We’re working hard to get rid of vacancies so that... there’s something to do all the time in downtown, which is something we’re pretty proud of. These days... You gotta plan your nights out in advance because there is a lot going on all of the time.”

Most people know that routine exercise does a body good. While it may not require a degree from medical school to know that exercise can be a great way to lose weight and reduce risk for various illnesses, there’s even more beneficial side effects of regular exercise that might surprise even the most ardent fitness enthusiasts.

Exercise produces positive psychological benefits. WebMD notes that there are several psychological benefits of routine exercise. Those benefits occur because exercise triggers the release of endorphins, which are hormones that interact with receptors in the brain that reduce a person’s perception of pain. Some additional psychological benefits of exercise include stress reduction and prevention of anxiety and depression.

Exercise can improve your social life. WebMD also notes that routine exercise can improve self-esteem, which can make it easier for people to connect with others. A 2017 study published in the Journal of Sports

Economics concluded that participation in sports activities can induce prosocial behaviors.

Though participation in sports is often promoted as a great way for kids to make new friends, the social aspect of exercise and sports participation is no less beneficial for adults.

Regular exercise can benefit your career. A 2012 study published in the Journal of Labor Research linked regular exercise with an annual wage increase between six and 10%. Researchers found that moderate exercise yields a positive earnings effect, but individuals who exercised frequently had even higher wage increases.

Exercise can benefit long-term cognitive health. Though the reasons remain unclear, there seems to be a link between regular physical activity and long-term cognitive health. A 2017 study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that regular exercise can positively influence cognitive ability, reduce the rate of cognitive aging and lower the risk for certain dementias, including Alzheimer’s disease.

Many people feel a significant sense of accomplishment by the end of a vigorous workout. Such feelings could grow even more profound when individuals recognize the many lesser known benefits of breaking a sweat.

Greg Adair, event coordinator for the Gates Four Summer Concert Series, has one rule for booking talent. He won’t take a look at press kits. He needs to see what he is really going to experience.

“I go find them on Youtube from someone’s iPhone. If they are good there, that’s when I will start booking them.”

This is exactly how Adair found Stephen Freeman. Freeman is all over Youtube. Freeman is a touring Elvis tribute artist and musician and has been for more than 20 years. “He favors him. He has the moves of him. He sings like him,” Adair said.

Freeman will be the upcoming headliner of the Gates Four Summer Concert Series show on July 7 called “Cash and The King.”

His dark locks fall across his forehead as he struts onto the stage. In each video, you can see the different open-chested, bell-bottomed suits with all the embellishments. The King is back, even if only for a night.

Freeman’s performance is as much focused on showmanship as it is his vocal talents. His long pointed chops angle across his face as he takes the center stage in a white, embellished suit with a large gold adorned belt.

There’s little introduction from Freeman. Instead, he jumps straight into the vocals of “Burning Love.” His legs start shaking with the beat as he moves his hands about, displaying large golden rings typical of the King at this era.

“He is absolutely phenomenal,” said Bill Bowman, the event organizer and publisher of Up & Coming Weekly.

Opening for Freeman at Gates Four will be Mark Gagnon who performs as Johnny Cash. According to Freeman, Gagnon too, sounds and looks a lot like his idol, Johnny Cash. Bowman says these kind of shows with “high” level talent brings a different level of entertainment to the Hope Mills community.

“This is going to be a Las Vegas type show — we have a full band, backup singers and lights... The format itself lends itself to a unique theatrical experience,” Bowman said.

As for Freeman, his start did not include touring as Elvis and proudly displaying his chest in open studded suits in Las Vegas style shows. In fact, he began a career as a police officer in 1993 and did a small event at a friend’s wedding in 1998. By 2002, Freeman left the force and was focusing full time on Elvis.

Elvis was always his favorite musician. He says he spent his years growing up watching his performances and the changes in Elvis that happened from the 1950s to 1970s.
Freeman has been swinging with the King so long, he doesn’t have to do as much practicing anymore to keep the moves down. As far as nerves, they’ve left the building, too.

“I love performing with my band and look forward to working to make the fans happy and doing our small part to keep his memory and legacy alive for future generations,” Freeman said.

He plans to do just that. Gagnon and Freeman have performed together many times and say the duo goes really well together.

“We like to keep the show light and fun with humor and commitment to paying tribute to these legends to the best of our ability,” Freeman said. “Forget your troubles and pains for a couple of hours and just simply enjoy the fellowship of others who enjoy the incredible music.”

The doors for the show will open at 5:30 p.m. on July 7 with the show beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Gates Four Country Club Ballroom. This event will be ticketed with tickets priced from $75-95 including food and wine tasting for the event.

There is a discount available for seniors and military both active duty and retired.

Tickets may go fast as Bowman says they expect to sell out.

For more information about the show visit www.fayettevilledinnertheatre.comor call Bowman at 910-391-3859.

“It’s a really great time for the music business post COVID,” said Adair, “And that is going to be a really great show.”

Many adults nearing retirement age count down the days until they can bid adieu to the daily tasks of commuting and working so they can enjoy much more time for recreation, travel or whatever they aspire to do.
As enticing as unending free time may seem, some retirees find it is not ideal to be entirely free from the responsibility of working.

As current seniors can attest, inflation can drive up the costs of living. Seniors who were once able to afford a certain retirement lifestyle may no longer enjoy that hard-earned luxury.

Others may miss the daily opportunities to socialize that working provides, or the way problem-solving on the job stimulates the brain.

But even retirees who miss working may not be ready to return to the workforce full-time. That can make part-time employment an ideal fit for mature workers.
Here’s a look at some part-time positions that could be a good fit for older adults reentering the workforce.

Retail sales associate

Working in retail opens seniors up to a wide array of responsibilities and scenarios. Jobs may include greeting customers, making sales, putting out inventory, and helping customers select merchandise.
Being personable and having good customer service skills are necessary traits to have when working in retail. Many stores offer part-time employees flexible hours so schedules can be customized.

Consultant

Retirees who loved their job but wanted to spend less time doing it can return as consultants. According to The Balance: Money, individuals often find they earn more per hour working as consultants than they did as full-time staff members. Consulting is a way to share expertise and experience without making a full-time
commitment.

Customer service representative

A customer service representative is tasked with helping customers solve problems and ensuring customer satisfaction.
He or she may work at a traditional office or store location, or answer calls and resolve issues from home.

School positions

Retirees may want to consider jobs working in schools or in related capacities. Driving a school bus is an option if people are willing to undergo the proper training and licensing to operate this type of vehicle.
Seniors also may consider working as lunchroom aides or lunch service providers, crossing guards, substitute teachers, and paraprofessionals in the classroom.
School employees will only work a few hours during the day. They’ll also enjoy many holidays off as well as summer vacations.

Receptionist

Receptionists greet patients or customers in office settings. According to AARP, they are the welcoming faces of organizations. Answering phones and light clerical work also may be required of receptionists.
Those who want to work off-peak hours can think about working nights and weekends in hospitals or skilled nursing facilities.
Seniors have many different options if they decide they want to return to the workforce in a part-time capacity.

Many people are eager for Independence Day celebrations. Festivities often begin in the afternoon with barbecues and pool parties, and continue late at night after fireworks shows that light up the night sky. Still, not everyone enjoys the extra noise and busy nature of July 4th parties, including furry members of the family.

Animal control services often report an increase in lost animals between July 4th and July 6th. That’s because the excitement of the holiday puts pets out of their comfort zones.
Pet owners should take heed of the many ways to keep their pets safe during the festivities.

Update identification. Be sure prior to any July 4th events that pets are wearing collars with current identification information. If an address or phone number has changed since the last time you updated microchip records, be sure to check the account is current.

Be careful with alcoholic drinks. Party hosts typically serve beer, wine and cocktails. Alcoholic beverages have the potential to poison pets, says the ASPCA. Animals can become very intoxicated, severely depressed or go into comas if they drink alcohol. Keep spirited drinks well out of reach.

Check with the vet. Many pets are prone to anxiety from loud noises, such as thunderstorms and fireworks, and lots of commotion — something that occurs in spades come July 4th. Some veterinarians recommend a small course of anti-anxiety medication or a sedative to help pets cope with the stimuli.

Create a quiet space. Allow pets to ride out the day in their comfortable, quiet and cozy retreats. If necessary, create a space in an interior room. Cover the pet crate with a blanket and offer favorite toys or bedding to create a soothing environment.

Place notes on doors and gates. While it’s best to keep pets in a locked room away from the fray, some pets like to socialize with guests and are not bothered by noises. However, alert guests with notes posted on doors and fence gates to check to make sure pets are not trying to escape behind them. All doors should be closed firmly when entering or exiting.

Pick up debris. Firework debris can rain down on properties even if you were not shooting off the fireworks. Curious pets may pick it up or eat it, which runs the risk of an upset stomach or even an intestinal blockage. Check your yard before letting pets out to play.

Keep an eye on the grill. Pets can be opportunists, and those burgers and chicken drumsticks smell delicious to pets. Pets that get too close to the grill can become injured. And if pets eat leftovers, they may end up with digestive distress or even be poisoned by foods that are toxic to cats and dogs.

Pets need to be protected during summertime parties like Independence Day celebrations.

Few summertime holidays elicit as much excitement as the Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day. Each year, family, friends and revelers anticipate the arrival of the holiday so they can host barbecues, enjoy the sun, listen to their favorite summertime tunes, and commemorate the freedoms afforded by the monumental events that led to the holiday’s establishment.

Independence Day became a federal holiday in 1941, but July 4th has stood as the birth of American independence for much longer. July 4th marks a pivotal moment in the American Revolution. The colonies were forced to pay taxes to England’s King George III despite having no representation in the British Parliament. “Taxation without representation” became a battle cry and was one of several grievances the colonists had with Great Britain.

Conflict between the colonies had been going on for at least a year before the colonies convened in Philadelphia in June of 1776, says Military.com.
On July 1, 1776, delegates from the original 13 colonies, making up the Second Continental Congress, met to vote on Richard Henry Lee’s motion for independence.

After some deliberation, on July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted 12 to 1 in favor of independence from England. Two days later, on July 4, 1776, delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence.

The Declaration of Independence was drafted by Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was considered the strongest and most eloquent writer of the declaration writing committee charged with putting the colonies’ sentiments into words.

Richard Henry Lee of Virginia was one of the first people to present a resolution for American independence, and his commentary was the impetus for the formal Declaration of Independence. A total of 86 changes were made to Jefferson’s original draft until the final version was adopted. The signing of the document helped to solidify independence, and eventually lead to the formation of the United States of America.

A total of 56 delegates signed the document. Although John Hancock’s signature is the largest, it did not hold more weight than the other signatures. Rather, rumor has it, Hancock signed it so large so that the “fat, old King could read it without his spectacles.” However, the National Archives says it was also customary that, since Hancock was the president of the Continental Congress, he be the first person to sign the document centered below the text.

The Pennsylvania Evening Post was the first newspaper to print the Declaration of Independence on July 6, 1776. The first public readings of the Declaration were held in Philadelphia’s Independence Square on July 8, 1776.

Getting to know the Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence is the formal document that served as the signatory colonies’ statement that they were now “free and independent States.” It also indicates the founding principles of the United States of America and is a vital document in American history.

In recognition of the original 13 colonies, here are 13 details regarding the Declaration of Independence.

• 1. The drafted document was officially adopted on July 4, 1776, two days after freedom from Britain was approved. However, most delegates signed the document on August 2, 1776, while others signed on a later date. John Dickinson and Robert R. Livingston never signed the Declaration of Independence.
• 2. While Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, it was carefully reviewed and modified by other members of the Continental Congress, notably John Adams and Benjamin Franklin.
• 3. John Dunlap was the official printer of Congress at the time. He worked all night and into the morning of July 5 to produce the large, single-sided sheet, known as a broadside. About 200 copies of Dunlap’s broadside were made.
• 4. The University of Virginia owns two copies of a rare early printing of the Declaration. It is on display in the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library. It is believed the copy once belonged to George Washington.
• 5. The original rough draft of the Declaration of Independence has been lost.
• 6. Benjamin Franklin, George Read, Roger Sherman, Robert Morris, George Clymer, and James Wilson signed both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
• 7. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were hidden at Fort Knox during World War II, two weeks after Pearl Harbor was attacked.
• 8. Despite what the movie “National Treasure” will have one believe, the message on the back of the document is visible and reads “Original Declaration of Independence dated 4th July 1776.”
• 9. Richard Stockton, a lawyer from New Jersey, was a signer of the Declaration who later recanted his support of the American revolution. He subsequently swore his allegiance to King George III after being captured by the British.
• 10. In 1989, an original Dunlap Broadside was found hidden behind a picture a Philadelphia man bought at a flea market for $4. It later sold for $8.1 million. Ultimately, 26 copies of the original prints have been found.
• 11. The United States celebrates Independence Day on July 4th, even though independence was accepted on July 2nd. The one-year anniversary of Independence Day and the celebration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence slipped the minds of Congress in 1777. When they remembered it was July 3rd, they planned a last-minute celebration on July 4th, and each year thereafter.
• 12. Early on, not everyone in America was supportive of the Declaration of Independence. Partisan politics led to discord. Federalist John Adams was feuding with Republicans and Thomas Jefferson. The anniversary date of the signing was not widely celebrated until the Federalists were no longer involved in politics.
• 13. John Trumbull’s painting “Declaration of Independence,” which was made into a lithograph replica by Ralph Trembly, hangs in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. It is a fictional depiction of the five-man drafting committee presenting their draft to Congress, and not the signing. The painting shows 42 of the 56 signees, since Trumbull couldn’t get likenesses of all involved. The men featured in the painting were never all in the room at the same time during the Declaration’s debate and signing.

The Declaration of Independence is a key document in American history, and its words and spirit are celebrated each Independence Day.

Looking for a fun local activity for your young athlete this summer?

The professional Fayetteville Fury Soccer team is partnering with Hope Mills Parks and Recreation to host Summer Youth Soccer Camps. The camps are for girls and boys ages 5 to 11 and take place June 26 to 30 and July 24 to 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The Summer Youth Soccer Camps will be held at Gary Dove Memorial Building at Brower Park, located at 5763 Rockfish Road in Hope Mills. Registration is required for camp participation.

The Youth Soccer Camps will provide a holistic learning experience complete with skill building, structured training and fun activities based on a curriculum by Fayetteville Fury. The Professional Head Coach and General Manager, Al Florez, of the Fury’s soccer team will be coaching each session.

Each camper will receive a personalized assessment and valuable training from professional players and the head coach. The overall goal of the camp curriculum is to improve each player’s soccer proficiency in the key areas of dribbling, passing, shooting, defending and goal keeping.

The camp hosts request each player bring soccer cleats, shin guards, a refillable water bottle, and a light snack. For drop-off and pick-up, enter the Rockfish Elementary parking lot. The building is to the far left of the parking lot next to the ball fields.

The camp costs $100 per participant, and parents can register players today at https://www.townofhopemills.com/1579/Youth-Soccer-Camp-by-Fayetteville-Fury. There are limited spots with each camp hosting only 40 participants.

For more information, call 910- 426-4109 or visit the Town of Hope Mills website. Hope Mills Parks and Recreation is a city department providing public places and activities for health and well-being to people of all ages in Hope Mills and Cumberland County.

The Fayetteville Fury is a professional indoor soccer team dedicated to the personal development of the players and to the growth of soccer among the youth.