Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated’s Epsilon Rho Lambda Chapter and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated’s Gamma Upsilon Zeta Chapter present the 3rd Annual Race At Your Pace 5K Run/Walk June 3 at 8 a.m. at Methodist University.

“The purpose of this event is to bring awareness of premature babies, raise funds for the March of Dimes March for Babies and to impact the communities that we live in,” said Anthony Henderson, Alpha Phi Alpha

Fraternity member and marketing committee member for the event.

“For the last two years we have raised $10,000 so our goal to raise this year is $15,000.”

Henderson added that the funds will be donated to the March of Dimes March for Babies and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.

“Premature births are very high and prevalent in people of color,” said Henderson. “As we planned for the race, we found out that many members of both organizations had premature births in their family or they knew someone with a premature baby.”

He added, “For the longest time the March of Dimes March for Babies had a walk in Fayetteville, but they closed the Fayetteville office so we decided to bring it back to impact this area.”
In 2022, the March of Dimes reported that premature births are at an all-time high in the United States. People of color or those who live in impoverished areas are most at risk for premature birth.

Babies born ahead of 37 weeks gestation are at a greater risk of asthma, blindness, deafness and intellectual disabilities.

“The 5K course is a little over three miles and you can normally do it within 25 minutes to one hour depending on your pace because you can walk or run it,” said Henderson. “We also have the one-mile walk and people normally do it in 10 minutes depending on how fast their walking speed is.”

The cost of the event is $40 and participants will receive a T-shirt. Participants are asked to register as soon as possible. Food trucks and a medical health fair will be on site. Virtual runners can register for $45.

“We want to make sure that we are spreading health positivity in our communities,” said Henderson. “Come out and enjoy the event and all of the money goes to the March of Dimes in supporting healthy mothers and healthy babies.”

For more information visit www.19aaa06.org/a2z-fun-run.

The sunnier days and warmer temperatures always have a way of enticing us to go outside and spend time with friends, enjoying wonderful food, drinks and music. Thanks to the Gates Four Summer Concert Series, citizens of Fayetteville and surrounding areas have the chance to enjoy a stellar performance and the wonderful summer weather!

The Concert Series has become more well-known as the local music scene in Fayetteville has grown. This year’s Concert Series consists of five different events and each of them is headlined by a phenomenal band. The series was postponed numerous times due to bad weather last year which resulted in the Concert Series ending in October, 2022. However, if everything runs smoothly this year, the event will end in September.

“The whole concept of the concert series is to create a quality entertainment venue on that side of the county, the Hope Mills area,” said Bill Bowman, publisher, Up & Coming Weekly. Bowman is also one of the people responsible for organizing the concert series.

Are you prepared to travel back in time? Kids in America is a high-energy, power-packed six-piece band that pays homage to the totally tubular 1980s. All genres from this amazing decade are represented on the set list.

Kids in America has been bringing back the groovy vibe of the 80’s since 2017. The tribute band consists of male and female vocals that sing their very own renditions of classics from artists such as Prince, Bon Jovi and Phil Collins.

On June 2, the 1980’s tribute band will perform at Gates Four Golf & Country Club. The event is free to the public. Guests are asked to bring a chair unless they would like to purchase VIP seats and tables which can be bought at www.fayettevilledinnertheatre.com or onsite the day of the event.

“There are so many really good bands going out there this year; it’s just phenomenal,” said Greg Adair, who helps organize the Gates Four Concert Series.

“To be able to have a quality concert in a classy environment like Gates Four is wonderful,” he added. “The bands appreciate the atmosphere
as well.”

Gates Four Golf & Country Club requests that no one brings animals. Food, drinks, water and adult drinks provided by Healy Wholesale will be available for purchase. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner and fellowship starts at 6 p.m., and the band will hit the stage around 7 p.m.

“The whole evening is centered around fun, good music, contributing to the community and giving young artists a chance to be seen,” said Bowman.

Gates Four Golf & Country Club is located at 6775 Irongate Drive in Fayetteville. For more information, visit www.fayettevilledinnertheatre.com/.

Mariel Kunz pulls colorful crochet hats out of a bag. She shows one and then, without much hesitation, reaches in for another followed by another. Much like a magician, she continues to pull more and more hats that unfold in her hands to display bright and intricate patterns. Each one is a little different from the next.

Kunz bends down to grab another hat from the zippered plastic bag. This time she pulls out a pink hat covered in white spots and framed by braided tassels that hang down from the ears.

“This is the hat that started it,” Kunz says. The original hat was one she made for her sister, then more people started asking her for hats.

Kunz’s hair is pulled back tight in a bun. She is admittedly tired but still extremely animated when she speaks about her hobby turned business. She laughs a lot in between pulling more hats. For her, yarn has become a constant companion. She says she gathers little bits of time in-between errands, being a mom or working to make another hat or other crocheted projects.

“I hate going to the movies now without a ball of yarn and a hook,” she laughs.

And thankfully for Kunz, she doesn’t need much more than a hook and some yarn. When asked about how she gets so many patterns, she simply replies, “I don’t follow any patterns, I write them.”

Kunz and about 20 other vendors will adorn Hay, Person and Anderson Streets on Friday, May 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. for the Cool Spring District’s annual Nerd Market. The event will be incorporated into the monthly Fourth Friday with its regular gathering of artisans and entertainment. This month it will also host Kawaii Trolley — a karaoke trolley — throughout downtown Fayetteville where residents can ride and sing to their heart’s content.

“I love the anime and comic book community,” says Lauren Falls, Marketing and Events Director for the Cool Spring District. “They have been wonderful and generous.”
Kunz says she is excited for the upcoming event.

“Is wearing a nerdy hat ever out of season?” She laughs, spinning a hat on her hand.

As a vendor, she’ll bring crocheted game-themed hats and gigantic crochet-beaded lizards that customers can make on the spot with her. She holds up bags of crocheted beads the size of golf balls. All of them are bright colored separated into groups.

These beads take about 5-6 minutes each for her, but each lizard will require dozens of beads. She turns her attention back to the hats.

“It’s fun to make wearable art,” she says holding up another hat, this one a long green, pointed hat. “You get to see people enjoying what you make.”

The event will also include food from Scotty’s All American Food truck, a cosplay contest broken up by age groups and the MM Digging site that allows kids to play with toy construction vehicles.

In 2021, the Nerd Market hosted about 600 guests. Falls and others are hoping for the same turnout or more. And if event-goers are looking to take a little throwback to the 90s, they can stop and see Made By Mariel and make a giant crochet-beaded lizard.

A guitar played by the Army Special Forces medic who wrote the iconic song “The Ballad of the Green Beret” is on display at the U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum in downtown Fayetteville.

Barry Allen Sadler was an American soldier, singer, songwriter and author. He learned to play and compose music on the 1949 Gretsch acoustic guitar during his teenage years, according to a museum news release. Over time, he began to work out the chord progression of his hit song. Sadler served as a medic with 7th Special Forces Group in Vietnam from December 1964 to May 1965. During his tour, Sadler was asked to perform at an event that was recorded and broadcast in the U.S.

The performance of the early version of the song immediately garnered the attention of the American public.

In December 1965, Sadler met Robin Moore, who helped complete the lyrics and give the song its iconic name, the release said. Their album hit U.S. record stores in January 1966. Moore was the author of “The Green Berets.” The book, originally published in 1965, inspired the 1968 John Wayne movie. Sadler played “The Ballad of the Green Beret” on the guitar that is on display during the 1985 Static Line Awards Banquet.

The guitar was auctioned off at the end of the banquet, the news release said. The guitar will be on display in the museum’s lobby through June 6. To hear Barry Sadler sing "The Ballad of the Green Beret" visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kj9qv6rmG8

The Fayetteville Urban Ministry's 27th annual Charity Golf Classic Honoring Mr. Wade Hardin is presented by Cargill, on June 3 at Gates Four Golf and Country Club.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the shotgun start is at 9 a.m. It's a competitive and fun golf tournament open to the entire community. It aims to support the Fayetteville Urban Ministry during the challenging summer months when donations traditionally decrease.

Individual players can participate for $65, which includes breakfast and lunch, a team photo, and a goodie bag. If you'd like to form a foursome team, the cost is $275, including breakfast and lunch, a team photo, and a goodie bag. The first 32 teams to register will compete.

The Fayetteville Urban Ministry is a nonprofit dedicated to serving the community in Fayetteville for almost five decades. Fayetteville Urban Ministry was founded in 1974, and its goal is to alleviate poverty and suffering in the area by providing a range of services and programs to individuals and families in need.

Their mission is "To show God's compassion for our neighbors in need, and thus build our community together." The Fayetteville Urban Ministry is about spreading love, hope and faith throughout their community.

They achieve this goal by offering a range of programs and services that are changing lives and making a real difference. Their Find-A-Friend youth program, for example. This remarkable initiative is all about inspiring young people to believe in themselves and a brighter future. By instilling faith in their hearts and minds, they're helping to create a generation of confident, capable, and compassionate individuals who will positively impact the world.

The Adult Literacy & Education Center is another shining example of the Fayetteville Urban Ministry's commitment to transforming lives. By providing education and job preparation to those in need, they're helping people establish a sense of hope for a better future and giving them the gift of reading to open up a world of opportunities.

Their Emergency Assistance program helps with meeting the basic needs of the community. From providing food via their food pantry and clothing to those in need to offering crisis support, they're showing love and support to their neighbors.

Their Nehemiah Project is another program that's making a real impact in the community. By offering free home repairs to low-income homeowners, they're building security and stability and helping to create safe and comfortable living spaces for those who need it most.

All of these services are provided free of charge. Plus, for every dollar donated, the Fayetteville Urban Ministry sends $0.95 directly back into the community through their programs and projects.

Overall, the Fayetteville Urban Ministry is a vital organization dedicated to serving the community's needs. Their programs address community members' basic needs while providing education, job preparation, and home repair services.

The organization's commitment to improving the lives of those in need is evident in its mission statement, and its annual Golf Classic is a fun way for the community to get involved and support their efforts.
You can volunteer or donate if you're interested in getting involved with Fayetteville Urban Ministry 's programs and services.

There are various sponsorship options available for the Golf Classic, ranging in price from $300 to $7,500. All sponsorships include breakfast and lunch, a team photo, a goodie bag, and recognition in the tournament program.

The sponsorship deadline is May 26, and the team entry deadline is May 29. For more information about Fayetteville Urban Ministry and its initiatives, visit their website at www.fayurbmin.org/. Their office hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more details about the Golf Classic event, visit www.fayurbmin.org/27thannualgolfclassic.

Legends Pub will be hosting its Annual Spring Fling the weekend of June 2 through June 4. Their annual benefit event has been hosted at Legends Pub since owner Holly Whitley purchased it about 27 years ago.
Spring Fling began before Whitley owned the pub. She and a group of friends would host parties at Whitley’s house and called it the Gypsy Women Spring Fling. It used to be a get-together and then she turned it into a benefit after a friend had a motorcycle accident. It is now their largest benefit of the year.

“We’ve done this every single year since I bought the place on December 6th of ‘96, and it’s been our largest benefit. Every single year we raise the most money off of this one, takes a lot of work but everybody jumps in and helps,” Whitley told Up & Coming Weekly.

“People donate items for auction, bringing side dishes for food. It’s generally a very family affair. It’s like, you know, just everybody joining together.”

This year’s Spring Fling will benefit Marsha Bryant, who has been dealing with peritoneal cancer. Peritoneal cancer is a rare cancer of the peritoneum, a layer of tissue lining the abdomen.

“She has done very well with her treatment and we’re very happy she found it as soon as she did. She’s been fighting this battle since last October. Our process is to do this benefit for her and her husband,” Whitley said. “She’s been traveling all the way to Winston-Salem to specialists. All these things cost a lot of money when you get on the road like that.”

The 2023 Spring Fling will kick off on Friday, June 2 with a pool tournament.

Saturday will feature the Scott Sather Memorial Poker Run, a motorcycle ride where participants stop at designated locations to pick up cards and build the best poker hand. The cost is $10 per person. Extra hands are $5. The event will begin at noon. The Memorial Poker Run is in honor of Scott Sather, who was killed in Iraq in 2001. He was a part of the Legends family. There will be a big picnic and an auction as well that day. Finishing the night will be live music from J.D. and Bill, which starts at 7 p.m. On Sunday, June 4, there will be a bike show. There will be barbecue sandwiches and hot dogs available.

“There is no charge for the food. We do not charge for food because we want everybody to eat,” Whitley said.

The weekend-long event is open to all ages and everybody is welcome to come. This year’s Spring Fling will also be the first Spring Fling for Legends Pub’s new manager, Sandra.

“She’s been with us for a year. So we're very excited to have her on board. This is going to be her first Spring Fling with us, as far as working. So we’re very excited about that. She is, too. She’s done a great job over the last year,” Whitley said.

Overall, Whitley just wants to give back to the local community. Previous Spring Flings have supported nonprofits like Seth’s Wish and the North Carolina State Veterans Home. Other years, they have helped support those who are close to the Legends Pub community.

“We’ve done a lot for the community. We try to take care of our own. We like staying in our community rather than give it to large organizations because we feel as if people at our organizations in our own area are neglected by larger organizations,” Whitley said.

“In our own community, we need a large amount of support to take care of everybody here.”

The Spring Fling has raised a significant amount of money to help those in need.

“I would say... [about] a million dollars that we have raised at that little bar on the boulevard," Whitley said.

“It’s amazing what we have accomplished as a group and some people that have been there. I mean, it’s a larger amount of people than I can even fathom sometimes that have actually stayed with me for going on 27 years, and always supported our event.”

Legends Pub is located at 4624 Bragg Blvd. For more information, call 910-867-2364. You can follow their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/legendspub910.

YOKOSUKA, Japan — Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Cannon, a native of Fayetteville, serves in Japan aboard a forward-deployed U.S. Navy warship. Cannon joined the Navy 12 years ago. Today, Cannon serves as an information systems technician aboard USS Ralph Johnson.

“I joined the Navy mainly for my family,” said Cannon. “Both of my parents are prior service members, my sister and my two cousins are currently serving and I wanted to follow in their footsteps.”

Growing up in Fayetteville, Cannon attended Seventy-First High School and graduated in 2010. Today, Cannon relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Fayetteville to succeed in the military.

“One of the lessons I learned from my hometown was to set goals and stick to them,” said Cannon. “I also learned to treat the Navy like a career and not to look back.”

Modern U.S. Navy surface ships provide a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, surface and subsurface environments.

A Navy surface ship is capable of operating independently or as part of carrier strike groups, surface action groups or expeditionary strike groups. Jobs aboard a U.S. Navy ship are highly specialized, requiring both dedication and skill, according to Navy officials. The jobs range from maintaining engines to handling weaponry along with a multitude of other assignments that keep the ship mission-ready at all times.

As a member of the Navy, Cannon is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.

Cannon serves in Japan as part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces. These naval forces operate with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Service members in this region are part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, which has the largest area of responsibility in the world.

“As the largest force in our nation’s front line against revisionist actors, U.S. Pacific Fleet meets this great responsibility with strength, resolve and confidence,” said Adm. Samuel Paparo, U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander. “Together with our joint and combined partner operations, we are positioned to defend — across all domains — any attempts to threaten our nation, our allies and partner’s security, freedom and well-being.”

Cannon and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.

“I am most proud of my accomplishments at my last command,” said Cannon. “I witnessed all my junior sailors get promoted to second and first class petty officers.”

As Cannon and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

“Serving in the Navy means I have a family, when I’m away from my family,” said Cannon.

Cannon is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I want to thank my parents,” added Cannon. “They have given me the tools to be successful in the Navy.”

About 165 third-graders at Gallberry Farm Elementary School recently lined the halls waving banners and cheering on former students who are set to graduate from Gray's Creek High School on June 5.

GCHS seniors Tinley Davis, Alexandra Garcia, Gerald Mason, Julia Norman and Xavier Stephens donned their caps and gowns and proudly rushed through the halls giving elementary school students high-fives while cherishing the moment.

“This was bittersweet,” said Norman. “It seemed so far away when I was little, but now that I’m here, it’s like, wow, I really am here. And, this is the end of my journey... kind of sad. But, I’m so excited, though, for my future. I have so many things in place, and I can't wait to go to college and experience college life.”

Throughout their visit, Norman and her classmates helped inspire the younger students to graduate from high school and look toward attending college.

These teens also helped officially kick off Cumberland County Schools’ 2023 Graduation Season, which runs from May 25 through June 7. During this time, thousands of seniors have plans to walk across the stage of the Cumberland County Crown Coliseum to receive their diplomas.

However, these soon-to-be graduates realize that they didn’t take this educational journey alone. CCS educators were always there, cheering them along the way. "It [being a student] was a lot of hard work," said Norman.

“A lot of teachers were helping me and guiding me through... I’m glad I had that support here at Gallberry.”

That was also the case for Stephens, who was able to pay a special surprise visit to his kindergarten teacher, Karen Odell. When he walked into the room, the two embraced with warm smiles and open arms as Odell’s students, who were seated on the storytime carpet, looked on in amazement.

“This is great seeing him,” said Odell, as she beamed with pride and shook her head. “This is absolutely great!”

An observer could see the brief reunion as ‘a full-circle moment’ and as a stark reminder that Cumberland County Schools is capable of taking students from the kindergarten carpet to the college classroom and beyond.

For information about Cumberland County Schools’ 2023 Graduations, visit www.graduation.ccs.k12.nc.us.

Books can take kids on many adventures like a hobbit’s quest or going back in time by using a treehouse. Books even got a local principal to jump out of an airplane.

Latonya Leeks, the principal of Bowley Elementary School on Fort Bragg, challenged her students in March to read for 4,887 minutes as part of Read Across America. And, in case you were wondering, that’s a little more than 81 hours. Each grade level had to read a total of 4,887 minutes. The number was chosen because it is the number of miles across the United States from Hawaii to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Leeks said if the students met the reading goal, she would jump out of an airplane. She told Up & Coming Weekly that she has done parasailing before but has never jumped out of a plane.

The idea started back in January as the school was planning what to do for Read Across America. The idea at first was if students met the goal, Leeks would go indoor skydiving. But then one staff member brought up the idea of jumping out of a plane with the All Veteran Group.

Every child in the school knew what jumping out of a plane meant. Most of their parents were or are currently a part of the 82nd Airborne Division. Knowing their moms and dads jump out of a plane or helicopter is fun, but seeing their principal do it? That took it to another level.

So, from March 6 to April 10, students turned in weekly calendars logging the number of minutes they read. Most grade levels read more than the required minutes. The fifth grade level met their goal within three days. On April 3, the entire school met the goal.

One month later, Leeks was strapped to retired First Sergeant Sunnydale Hyde for a tandem jump. Hyde served in the U.S. Army as a linguist and was a Golden Knight in 2015. Hyde is part of the All Veteran Group which is a skydiving organization. The group organized for Leeks to do the jump onto the polo field, right in front of the Forces Command headquarters building.

Students walked from the school to the polo field, excited and jumping with anticipation. That morning, the All Veteran Group made a presentation to the students about what was going to happen with the jump.

“They did a wonderful presentation for my kids at 9:30 to show them about the parachutes and talk about the science behind it and to really show them what they do. That got the kids pumped up,” Leeks said.

While students waited around the bleachers, teachers provided bubble wands, and the school’s Parent-Teacher Association handed out popsicles. PTA Vice President, Jordyn Oshman, was one of the several parents out at the field with their kids. She said it was exciting for her son to watch his principal jump out of a plane.

“It’s really cool, because a lot of them hear about their dads doing it, but their principal? For them to come out and actually see it, it’s very different,” Oshman said.

Then the moment came where Leeks jumped out of the plane. Kids were yelling, pointing, teachers had signs that said “JUMP” on them.

“It was exhilarating. It was incredible,” Leeks said.

After she landed, several family members ran towards her and gave her hugs. She was then presented a certificate from the All Veteran Group, officiating her jump.
Leeks told Up & Coming Weekly that she believes this experience for her students will stay with them throughout their learning careers.

“I always believed that learning should be an experience. Even when I would put together lessons, I try to include my students in a way that they became the lesson so they would remember. So I’m big on providing those experiences,” Leeks said.

“This is also staff appreciation and teacher appreciation week. So I like to provide experiences for them because when they become a part of it, they won’t forget it.”

The Arts Council of Fayetteville|Cumberland County announced the continuation of its Artists In Schools initiative, thanks to a generous grant from the United Way of Cumberland County.

With $10,000 in funding received through the Youth Growth Stock Trust, the AIS program will continue to benefit students and teachers in Cumberland County throughout the 2023-2024 academic year.

The AIS program offers curriculum assistance to Cumberland County Schools by providing Teaching Artist engagements at a 50 to 100% subsidy of the program's expense. These engagements promote arts integration and are directly linked to North Carolina Essential Standards. For over two decades, AIS has partnered with Cumberland County Schools, benefiting more than a quarter-million students within the last decade alone.

“We value the deep appreciation for the expanding collaboration with Cumberland County Schools,” said Michael Houck, Director of Grants and Allocations. “Thanks to the crucial role of the United Way and the generosity of Mr. Short's legacy, over 18,000 students will be able to participate in the AIS program this academic year, benefiting over 75% of Title 1 schools.”

The AIS program offers Cumberland County Schools the expertise of skilled Teaching Artists who collaborate with students, teachers, and administrators to integrate the arts into core subject areas. With a focus on interactive arts education, the AIS program is designed to equip students with lifelong learning and the necessary skills and knowledge to face challenges and thrive in the upcoming decade.

About the Youth Growth Stock Trust

Robert H. Short established the Youth Growth Stock Trust in 1992 at the United Way of Cumberland County. During his life, Short was a philanthropist, donating millions to support educational initiatives and student scholarships. Each year, the United Way of Cumberland County awards dozens of grants to support youth programming via income from the trust, thus creating a legacy for Mr. Short and education in the county. For more information visit www.unitedway-cc.org/what-we-do/youth-growth-stock-trust/.

About the Arts Council

The Arts Council of Fayetteville|Cumberland County supports individual creativity, cultural preservation, economic development and lifelong learning through the arts. As a primary steward of public and private funding for arts, cultural, and historical activities in the Cape Fear Region, all affiliated programs of the Arts Council exemplify their five core values of excellence, accountability, transparency, collaboration and innovation. For more information visit theartscouncil.com

In the year 2021-22, the Arts Council distributed almost $1 million in grant funds and allocations to Cumberland County arts and culture non-profit organizations, artists, and municipalities.
Grants, programs, and services of the Arts Council are funded in part by contributions from community partners, and through grants from the city of Fayetteville, Cumberland County, and the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. For more information visit www.ncarts.org.

The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a concept design for the new Crown Event Center on May 15, completing another step toward the $131.7 million multipurpose center that will replace the Crown Theater and Arena.

The three-story center, which will be in downtown Fayetteville, includes a two-story lobby with a rooftop terrace facing Gillespie Street; an event hall that can accommodate 3,000 people; meeting and events space; and VIP spaces, according to the newly approved concept design.

The $131.7 million price tag is higher than the initial estimate in the early planning stages for the center, but the facility is now projected to be larger than originally planned — 131,500 square feet versus the original 89,000. Inflation has driven up the price as well, according to a news release from the county.

“When escalation is taken into account, the cost per square foot between the original and approved budgets is similar,” the release said.

County Commissioner Jimmy Keefe noted in an interview with CityView that the budget for the new center will not increase taxes for county residents.

“This is going to be funded through the local occupancy tax dollars and the food and beverage tax dollars. So, no bonds, no additional revenue sources, no tax increases that need to come out for all this. The funding model that we've stayed within throughout this entire process allows for food and beverage and local occupancy tax to take care of these projects,” Keefe said.

The new center will not be like the traditional performing arts center, Keefe said.

“It’s what we’re calling an entertainment center that has a lot of flex space in it,” he said.

Keefe said the larger space will allow the center to accommodate community events and not just touring acts that are typically seen in other cities across North Carolina, such as Durham Performing Arts Center.

“There’s not many events that the community can be involved in. With that facility, it’s usually national touring acts that come in. Well, this will truly be a community center. There’ll be opportunities for lots of folks to be able to use this center,” Keefe said.

And it’s not just the center itself for Keefe. The commissioner called the venue an “economic multiplier” for downtown businesses.

“The location should be able to enhance the existing businesses of downtown, but more importantly, should also be able to allow for expansion of new businesses and property around the center,” Keefe said.

“Whenever people come and decide to move here and move their family here, we can come in downtown, and we can show where we have a state-of-the-art baseball stadium. And now we’re going to have a state-of-the-art, very modern event center that will have a lot of different things going on for families,” Keefe continued. “We’re really pretty excited about it.”

Earlier this year, the county approved construction managers for the project, CityView reported.

Construction of the center is estimated to begin early next year, and the venue is set to open by November 2025.

Fayetteville Area System of Transit (FAST) will reinstate collection of fares for all fixed route and paratransit services on July 1 after suspending collecting fares in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.

“FAST was among many transit agencies in the nation to suspend fares in order to limit unnecessary interactions between riders and operators,” said FAST Director Tyffany Neal.

Over the past three years, FAST worked tirelessly to keep both employees and passengers safe by implementing new safety measures and procedures such as rear door boarding and sanitizing vehicles and facilities daily.

FAST will begin selling passes on June 1. Riders can purchase passes at the Transit Center located at 505 Franklin Street. Some Carlie C’s locations will also sell FAST passes, however, options are limited to 5-Day, 5-Day Discount, 30-Day, 30-Day Discount, 30-Day Youth and Summer Fun Passes. The four Carlie C’s locations are Eutaw, Bordeaux, Reilly Road and Cedar Creek.

Riders should have their fares prepared prior to boarding the bus and provide exact change as operators cannot handle cash and make change. City of Fayetteville employees can continue to ride fare free by displaying their City identification badge.

FAST is encouraging staff and customers to wear masks in FAST facilities and vehicles, however it is not mandatory.
Providing excellent service and maintaining the health and safety of our staff, operators and passengers continue to be our priorities as FAST strives to be a choice mode of transportation, Neal said.

Visit www.RideFAST.net for more information. Download the free TransLoc Rider app to see buses moving in real-time, see the location and heading of buses in their vicinity and get accurate arrival predictions.

Minor League Baseball recently announced plans for a fundraising campaign during the 2023 season in support of the American Cancer Society. The “Hope At Bat” program will consist of four “Donation Days” across the country, where on-field performance by players will generate donations to the ACS.

The “Hope At Bat” campaign’s donation days will be on Mother’s Day (May 14), Father’s Day (June 18), the Fourth of July, and September 3.

On Mother’s Day, every strikeout in a MiLB game was worth $10 to the ACS as part of “Strike Out Breast Cancer Day” across the 60 MiLB games.

On Father’s Day (June 18), each home run hit in the 60 MiLB games will be worth $100 to the ACS as part of “Knocking Cancer Out of the Park Day” to fight prostate and colorectal cancer.

On the Fourth of July, every double hit in the Minor Leagues will be worth $50 to the ACS as part of “Doubling Down on Sun Safety Day.”

On September 3, MiLB clubs will join Major League Baseball clubs in support of Childhood Cancer Awareness Day. For every run scored in the Minor Leagues that day, MiLB will donate $15 to the ACS as part of “Give Every Child a Chance to Run Day.”

Woodpeckers fans can look forward to the home game on June 18 to cheer on the team as they play to raise money for the ACS.

For more than 100 years, the American Cancer Society has been improving the lives of people with cancer and their families as the only organization combating cancer through advocacy, research, and patient support. To learn more, visit cancer.org.

For more information about the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, please visit www.fayettevillewoodpeckers.com.

Sex, violence and economics are in today’s column. Let’s begin by mangling the quote of our old friend Fred Nietzsche: “If you gaze into the debt default, the default gazes back at you.”

Fred was a cheery, upbeat kind of guy, life of the party, always looking on the sunny side of the street. When he wrote his original version about staring into the abyss, he was just having a bad day. The U.S. economy is currently staring into the abyss of defaulting on its debt. This is the national equivalent of someone deciding not to pay their accrued Mastercard bill to see what happens next.

Today’s blot on world literature will poke around about what may happen next if the U.S. defaults on its debt. Bored already because economics are boring? Stick around, we are going to introduce Cassandra of Greek mythology. Plenty of sex, violence and soothsaying will ensue.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says the U.S. is going to run out of cash in early June. The Republicans are holding the debt limit hostage to cutting the next budget. President Biden is holding out for a clean bill raising the debt limit so we can pay the national Mastercard bill. What could go wrong?

Here is what Secretary Yellen said could go wrong if the U.S. doesn’t make the payments on its $31.4 trillion Mastercard bill. She says we will get to enjoy an “economic calamity.” The U.S. will default on its Treasury bill payments, Social Security benefits, Medicare, VA benefits and other bills which the U.S. previously paid during its entire existence.

The parade of horribles includes a stock market crash, loss of millions of jobs, another Great Recession, and possible return of disco music. The Republican House of Representatives doesn’t believe in economic gravity and refuses to increase the debt limit without major cuts to next year’s budget. As Sir Isaac Newton pointed out “Gravity is not just a good idea, it’s the law.”

Janet Yellen reminds me of Cassandra of Greek mythology. Cassandra could accurately predict the future but was cursed that no one would believe her. Here comes the sex and violence previously promised. Not bad for a column about economics if I do say so.

Cassandra was the human daughter of the King and Queen of Troy. She was pretty as a picture. She caught the eye of the Greek god Apollo. Apollo wanted Cassandra to be his honey-bunny. As a present to lure her to be his Baby Mamma, Apollo gave her the ability to foretell the future. In return, she agreed to hook up with Apollo. Once she got the gift of prophecy from him, she changed her mind. This did not sit well with Apollo. There are no take backs on a gift from the gods, so he couldn’t cancel her ability to tell the future. However, he could and did add a poison pill to Cassandra’s fortune telling ability. He put a curse on her that no one would believe her prophecies even though they would all come true. Double Yikes.

Cassandra predicted all manner of things that came true which no one believed. She told Paris not to kidnap Helen of Troy. She told the Trojans not to bring the giant horse into Troy. She knew that the Greek’s famous Trojan horse was actually packed with Greek warriors. Cassandra ran with an ax and a torch to set fire to the Trojan horse, but the Trojans stopped her. She foresaw the murder of Agamemnon and her own murder.

After Troy fell, Ajax the Lesser (a Greek warrior who undoubtably had issues due to his nickname) came after Cassandra who was hiding in the temple of Athena. Ajax dragged her away from Athena’s statue knocking it down in the process. Ajax beat and raped Cassandra in the temple. Athena was not happy about Ajax defiling her temple and Cassandra who had sought refuge there. Ajax high tailed it out of Troy on a ship. Athena chunked a bolt of lighting destroying the ship. Ajax swam to a big rock believing he was safe. Then Poseidon, King of the Sea, destroyed the rock with his magic trident sending Ajax to a watery death in Davy Jones’ Locker.

Meanwhile, the Greek King Agamemnon took Cassandra as his mistress. In response, Aggy’s wife Clytemnestra took Aegisthus as her own lover. Cassandra had two children by Aggy. Aggy’s wife and lover then murdered Aggy, Cassandra, and their two kids. It was murders most foul.

Let us hope Janet Yellen is not a modern Cassandra, foreseeing an ugly financial future that no one believes. This column will come the last week of May. We will know quite soon if Ms. Yellen has repeated Cassandra’s ability to foretell a future that no one believes. Buckle your seat belts, it’s gonna be a bumpy flight.

Ill-conceived legislative disaster

Remember North Carolina House Bill # 2, the so-called bathroom bill in 2016? That ill-conceived legislative disaster regulating who could use which bathroom cost North Carolina $3.76 billion in lost revenue according to the Associated Press and made the Tar Heel state a national laughingstock and the favorite kicking post of late-night television comedians.

Well, the General Assembly is at it again, this time with a regressive reproductive rights bill conceived in darkness and rammed through both chambers that will both cost our state revenue and send medical professionals running for the hills — hills in other, less restrictive states.
Women’s rights to make our own decisions about our own bodies have been contentious for decades, and especially so since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade nearly a year ago.
Idaho recently enacted highly restrictive provisions regarding reproductive rights, and at least one Idaho hospital is shutting the door on labor and delivery services because of the “political climate.” This leaves expectant mothers no choice but to drive to outlying communities for these services and hope they can make it. Doctors and other medical providers are leaving the state for fear of felony prosecution for providing reproductive health care.

No matter how one feels about abortion, the Idaho legislature full of non-medical members has hijacked medical decision making. That political decision is harming women and children and will hurt Idaho both medically and economically.

We did not want that in North Carolina, but here it is. Some people never learn.

Timmons-Goodson appointed Law School Dean at NCCU

My heart jumped for joy when I learned that my dear friend, Patricia Timmons-Goodson, will be the next Dean of the School of Law at North Carolina Central University. NCCU could do no better.

The new Dean is a hometown girl who attended Pine Forest High School and holds degrees from UNC-CH and Duke University. She served Cumberland County as a prosecutor and a District Court Judge, and served North Carolina on both the state Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. She served our nation on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.

On top of all that, she is a devoted family woman, the oldest of a household full of children in an Army family, and a wife and mother of two adult sons. She is a wonderful friend and great company in all sorts of circumstances. She made her stage debut at Cape Fear Regional Theatre a decade ago in Bo Thorp’s “The Dames You Thought You Knew,” the life stories of five local women.

I can hardly wait to see what Dean Timmons-Goodson does next, and I suspect that the NCCU School of Law graduates now practicing in Cumberland County feel the same.

Cover model Martha Stewart shows age is just a number

Finally, hip, hip, hooray for Martha Stewart, another strong woman doing her thing.

The former teenage model, caterer, one-time federal prison inmate, and current homemaking entrepreneur and guru peddling everything from cookbooks to designer cat litter is a cover girl at 81-years-old. She adorns the cover of the current Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition wearing a low-cut white swim number, what appears to be a satin beach cover up, and looking terrific. Inside she swims, lolls on the beach, wears a gigantic straw hat and, again, looks terrific.

Martha credits her excellent looks to a “healthy lifestyle,” and even assuming some significant surgical intervention, I have to give her credit for being willing to be an octogenarian cover model. So many women “of a certain age” shirk their reality, while Martha is reveling in hers.

More power to her, even if I do not use her cat litter.

This year's Cumberland County Golf Championship, slated for Oct. 13-15 at Gates Four Country Club, will again focus on youth development and education. Undoubtedly, utilizing golf to develop young people's interest in education and sports offers numerous benefits. In this case, the biggest one is to ensure this 55-year-old Cumberland County Golf Championship tradition survives for future generations.

The CCGC is committed to maintaining the tradition while supporting countywide literacy and promoting golf at all the local golf courses, high schools, universities, and colleges. The annual CCGC is a prestigious golfing competition that recognizes and crowns the most outstanding golfer in Cumberland County.

In addition, the CCGC fosters character development, promotes physical fitness, enhances social skills, and provides local youth with multiple educational resources and opportunities. To this end, the 2022 CCGC, held at Kings Grant and Gates Four, donated $5,000 to the Kidsville News Literacy and Education Foundation to provide reading and educational resources to Cumberland County children.

Engaging young people in golf ensures the sustainability of the CCGC while preserving its integrity and popularity. Introducing young people to local sports traditions and values is essential. Golf courses, businesses, and organizations that sponsor the CCGC tournament invest in these young golfers knowing that early involvement will cultivate a lifelong passion for the game and the CCGC. It will also assure the future of the CCGC as the oldest and most continuous golf tournament in North Carolina. Teaching the rules, etiquette, and respect for the game ensures the sport's integrity is upheld. Our CCGC Champions, past and present, pass this knowledge down through generations, preserving tradition and heritage while embracing new trends and technologies. Nine-time CCGC Champion Billy West and eight-time champion Gary Robinson are two near-perfect examples of men motivating and inspiring young people.

Mac Healy, the owner of Healy Wholesale, Billy Richardson of the Richardson Law Firm, and Kevin Lavertu, General Manager of Gates Four Country Club, know the value of education and tradition as it pertains to the quality of life of the Fayetteville community.

These men continue to provide direction and financial support to the CCGC, ensuring its survival after The Fayetteville Observer newspaper dropped it as a sponsored event in 2016. And, with the CCGC focused on education and youth development, they have committed their support for the next three years. In addition, Ashley and Thomas Kelsey of Transworld Business Advisors have also joined the ranks as Title Sponsors.

To these great businesses and all the CCGC sponsors and supporters, we say thank you! Thank you for allowing us to be a vital part of this 55-year-old tradition, and thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

While physical health is vitally important, emotional health and self-esteem are also key areas of wellness. Too many women discount their value and undermine their self-worth using the world’s measuring stick instead of our Creator’s.

You are a masterpiece! An extraordinary work of art created by God. You are individually and intentionally designed with unique features, strengths, weaknesses, perspectives, abilities, disabilities, personalities, race, ethnicity and gifts. What a blessing to know that each of us was purposefully fashioned by God to bring Him glory.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well.” Psalms 139: 13-14 (New International Version).

David so eloquently penned Psalms 139 to express the infinite knowledge of God and to point out the intricate design of the human body before conception. Reflecting on God’s omnipresence, meaning God is everywhere simultaneously, and God’s omniscience, meaning God knows everything, Psalms 139 was also written as a personal prayer and song of praise to God.

You have DNA and fingerprints which cannot be replicated by anyone else. You are not a carbon copy of anyone, and not one person in this entire world was mass-produced like cars, computers and tires. Always keep in mind that you were individually designed on purpose for a purpose.

Our goal is to know God and to tell others about Him. We are to please God through a relationship with Him and to let our light shine daily in our hearts, minds and actions by living for Him. We are to love one another, care and encourage one another as we praise and worship Him.

Loving the Lord is more than attending a church on Sunday. What did you really hear as the message was delivered? Did you apply that message to your daily life? Loving God requires knowing Him, and that knowledge begins with His Word. This learning happens when you pray, read His word and meditate on it. The Lord wants us to love Him with our whole being and in every way. He wants us to serve Him with all our hearts and souls.

Some questions to ponder: What is my purpose? Am I walking in purpose? What can I do to let my light shine to others? Whom can I encourage this week?

Many women struggle with feelings, both outwardly and inwardly, of being inadequate and insignificant or needing to change to measure up to a standard that was never God’s plan for their lives. Some of these thoughts can filter into a person’s mind: I am too short or too tall. I am overweight or underweight. I am not pretty or smart, and the list goes on and on, affecting your mind. This process brings into play thoughts of comparison to others. It can also bring envy into our hearts. The root of envy is a discontented heart.

When those feelings of comparing or envying try to creep in, repeat Psalms 139:14 several times. “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” After repeating that verse, start meditating on the goodness of the Lord. Tell your mind, “Today, I will not allow you to compare and second guess who I am.” Start celebrating who you are and who made you: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version). He took time to make you special and in His Image. You are not in competition with anyone. You are uniquely YOU!

Many influences through the different forms of media such as magazines, newspapers, television, social media and celebrity portrayals of what is beautiful affect the perception of how to look, think and see oneself, which differs from God’s.

Always remember that you are not a carbon copy. You are precious cargo specifically made by the hands of our almighty God. You are fearfully and wonderfully made — a masterpiece!

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

Anyone thinking of selling their business needs to be prepared to negotiate. Why? Because your goals and the buyer’s goals may be the same — to get the best deal — but that doesn’t mean the same thing for both parties. It will take time, and some give and take on both sides to arrive at an optimal deal for everyone involved.

Ensuring that you are negotiating from a position of strength is vital, and the best way to create a favorable negotiation process is by understanding and following a few tips.

Price is not always everything.

You want the largest return on your investment possible when selling your company. But it is essential to understand your motivating interests in selling and the buyer’s interest for buying. Believe it or not, their number one reason for buying or your main reason for selling may not be money.

The truth is, there are many non-monetary ways to be compensated for selling your company. For instance, you may want to be retained as a consultant. You may want to ensure your employees’ positions are safeguarded. Or you may simply want to secure the legacy of your business. Spend some time thinking about your reason for selling and what you hope to accomplish for yourself and the company with the sale.

Other areas that may matter as much, or more, than your asking price are the payment terms. Will there be an earnout? How will the payout be structured? These are questions whose answers will factor into what you ask for your business and why you are asking that amount.

Be prepared with a walk-away number.

Negotiations are part of most if not all, business sales. Before you start selling your business, you need to have a target price range in mind that you want to hit, as well as a dollar amount that you won’t go below.
Once you have established your walk-away number, the next step is to verify the buyer’s financial wherewithal. Has a lender qualified them? Do they have the deposit money readily available? The answers to both these questions need to be yes before you proceed.

Be comfortable making concessions.

We mentioned negotiations above, and part of that process is being comfortable with making concessions to your buyer. It can help to see things from their point of view. For instance, why might someone be interested in buying your company? What could they be hoping to gain?

Additionally, you’ve devoted your time and energy to this business. Most likely, you have an emotional investment in it, as well as a financial one. If you don’t work to check your emotions, to limit how much personal feelings sway you, you will find the idea of concessions much more challenging.

Understand how to best leverage the buyer’s demands with your demands to achieve the best outcome for yourself and your company.

Understand who you are negotiating with.

Because you are so invested in your business, negotiating can be tricky. Prepare yourself in advance for the idea of negotiating by knowing your expectations. Think about what compromises you are willing to make. Imagine potential outcomes if you don’t reach your end goal. Being prepared ahead of time prevents potential pitfalls like negotiating for the sake of it or negotiating with yourself instead of the potential buyer.

That is where a business broker can provide invaluable assistance. A qualified advisor can help you map out concessions once they know what your sacred cows are, set expectations for the process once it begins, and help you keep emotions out of the equation.

Be ready to move the deal along.

Selling a business takes a bit of homework. You need to be ready to drive the deal at specific points. Start by gathering all the outside valuation information to determine a value for your business. Are there any liabilities or other issues connected to your business that you must address to ensure the deal can move smoothly?

Delays can cause a buyer’s interest to dampen or heighten their concerns. Be prepared to quickly answer any questions the buyer may have to keep the process moving along.

Realize it is okay to say no and move on.

Not every buyer is a good fit. Sometimes the timing is off. Negotiations breaking down is a part of the process. If your buyer isn’t moving or the process has stalled, it may be time to walk away.
If you determine this transaction isn’t happening, consider alternatives that will make it easier for you to move on when necessary. And should you have to walk away, take time to reflect on why things went south so you can avoid this result in the future.

Last but not least, it’s never dead enough.

People’s minds can change over time or after some reflection. You may find that the buyer who didn’t work out a few months ago returns after their circumstances change. Be open to the process and whatever it brings.

Negotiations can be tough. And not everyone has the skills to manage them. Working with business advisors can help. Trained business brokers protect you and your business throughout the sale process. The safest and quickest way to sell your business begins with a conversation with a broker.

Editor’s note: Ashley Kelsey is a Business Broker at Transworld Business Advisors of Eastern North Carolina. She can be reached at 910-302-6447.

Most people do not give much thought to the blood running through their veins. However, it may pay to learn more about your blood type, as it can affect your overall health in a variety of ways.

What is blood type? The American Red Cross says there are four main blood types, which are determined by the presence or absence of A and B antigens on the surface of red blood cells and the presence of antibodies in the blood plasma. Blood type is further affected by a protein called the Rh factor, which can be present (+) or absent (-).

Here’s a further breakdown.

• Type A: Only the A antigen on red cells (and B antibody in the plasma).
• Type B: Only the B antigen on red cells (and A antibody in the plasma).
• Type AB: Both A and B antigens on red cells (but neither A nor B antibodies in the plasma).
• Type O: Neither A nor B antigens on red cells (but both A and B antibodies in the plasma).

COVID-19 studies examining how blood type affects overall health are ongoing, and such research garnered extra attention from the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent research indicates that blood type can affect one’s risk of contracting COVID-19 as well as the severity of symptoms.

A key finding of the genetics company 23andme indicated that people with type O had lower incidences of COVID-19 positive tests. Evidence held even when researchers took into account age, sex, body mass index, and other factors.

In one study, researchers in China found that “blood group A was associated with a higher risk for acquiring COVID-19 compared with non-A blood groups.” Researchers at Columbia University reported similar risks associated with type A blood.

Heart disease

The protective nature of type O blood also applies to heart disease. WebMD reports that risk for coronary heart disease is lower among the O group as opposed to other types.

Stomach cancer

Individuals with A, B and AB blood types are more likely to get stomach cancer. The link may lie in the presence of H. pylori infection, which tends to be more common in people with type A blood, according to Northwestern Medicine.

Stress

Northwestern also reports that those with type A blood may have more trouble handling stress due to heightened levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

Kidney stones

More than five million people in Sweden were studied to determine the link between blood type and health risks. Those with type O and type B were more likely to get kidney stones.
Blood type can shed light on individuals’ risk for various conditions, and researchers continue to study the link between blood type and overall health.

Rock’n on the River will kick off the annual concert series May 19 in an effort to create a lively outdoor setting and make the most of the beauty of the Cape Fear River.

This annual series began when local musician Greg Adair of Rivermist wanted to make up for the lack of early summer concerts in Fayetteville. The first concert of this year's season will bring the Robbie Reid Band and ABACAB.

The Robbie Reid Band is a blues group whose music transports you to a serene scene. They are set to perform at 6 p.m. ABACAB is a tribute band who doesn’t disappoint when it comes to reciting the legendary music of Genesis and Phil Collins.

“It’s a family friendly event,” Adair said. You can bring chairs and blankets. There are no pets allowed unless it’s a service animal. Healy’s Beer and Wine is the sponsor for this event so there will be plenty of their products available.

Guests can start coming in at 5:30 p.m. Food will be available for purchase on site by Deep Creek Grill and they’ll have several options to choose from. Rock’n On The River takes place at Campbellton Landing, 1122 Person Street in Fayetteville.

For more info, visit https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100049990406810.

The Cumberland County Cooperative Extension June Better Living Series workshops will focus on herbs. The workshops “Herb Gardening” and “Cooking with Herbs” will be held at the Cooperative Extension office located at 301 E. Mountain Drive.

Registration for June 2023 workshops will be in person. Eventbrite registration is unavailable. Registration can be paid via check, correct cash or money order. For registration assistance, contact Susan Johnson at 910-321-6405.

Herb Gardening — June 7 from noon to 2 p.m. Learn how to grow fresh herbs in small spaces. You will also learn how to process, dry and store herbs to have for year-round cooking. Students will leave with materials to start their own herb garden. Registration and the $10 registration fee are due by June 2.

Lavender Lunch & Learn — June 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This tour will include a visit to Lavender Oaks Farm in Chapel Hill. Participants will receive instructions on growing lavender, the history of the farm and will visit the lavender fields for u-pick harvesting. A lavender-inspired lunch will be served. With nine varieties and 4,000 lavender plants, be prepared to be amazed. Registration and the $25 fee are due by June 12.

Cooking with Herbs — June 21 from noon to 2 p.m. Learn how to use herbs and spices in the cooking process in this hands-on workshop. Participants will use herbs to season and taste focaccia dough or bread. Registration and the $12 registration fee are due by June 16. Class size limited.

For accommodation for persons with disabilities, contact Lisa Childers at 910-321-6880, no later than 10 business days before the event.

Renovations can improve a home in many different ways. According to data from Realm, which analyzed the top 10 most popular projects from roughly 2.8 million listings and permit filings in the United States in 2022, certain projects are more popular than others.

Nationally, the most common home renovations include interior painting, exterior painting, finishing a basement, installing or replacing windows, and bathroom remodeling. Houzz polls have unveiled that renovating kitchens and bathrooms, porches, balcony and deck projects are also popular.

For homeowners considering renovation projects large or small, the North Carolina Spring Home Expo is the place to go for ideas. Whether you’re planning a DIY or need a reliable contractor to fix your leaking roof, the Home Expo is the spot to find experts says Sol Lee, the Chief Marketing Officer for Nationwide Group, which is presenting the Expo.

“At the Home Expo you'll save time and money finding all your local home improvement experts in one place, allowing you to get quotes from all and making those connections that are hard to make over the phone or internet,” Lee said.

The North Carolina Home Expo will host local and national exhibitors offering exclusive deals and discounts. There will be a wide variety of vendors in home, outdoor living, beauty, decor, DIY and more. The Home Expo will also be an opportunity to learn about the latest trends.

“You'll see new trends in home design, from outdoor landscaping to indoor kitchens or bathrooms. Coming to the Home Expo allows you to find examples of those trends and even plan out what might be the best fit for you,” Lee said.

Some demonstrations at the Home Expo may include new window technology and solar power. Lee said you may even find vendors offering cookware who will demonstrate the benefits of their premium cookware by cooking you a sample.

“The Home Expo also has many vendors offering products like Farm to Table food services, mattresses, cookware, skincare and much more,” Lee said.

The North Carolina Home Expo is free to attend. It will be held at the Crown Complex Expo Center May 19 noon to 6 p.m., May 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 21 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Crown is located at 1960 Coliseum Drive in Fayetteville. For more info on the event visit https://northcarolinahomeexpo.com/.

Signs it’s time to renovate

Homeowners renovate their homes for a variety of reasons. Renovations can increase the value of a property and make homes safer and more comfortable for their occupants.
Statista projects $510 billion will be spent on home improvements in 2024. Nearly a quarter of Americans opting to renovate will spend an average of $10,000 on their projects.

Every room and space in a home may need a renovation at some point, and the following are five signs it’s time to renovate.

• Age: The National Association of Home Builders says that 50% of U.S. homes are over the age of 40. That means that age alone could dictate a need to renovate, particularly if some materials are original to the home. For example, asphalt roofs typically last 25 to 30 years, while window frames can last 20 to 50 years, depending on how well they have been maintained.
• Outdated looks: A home can look dated even if it is a relatively recent build. That’s because trends change quickly. For example, dark, cherry cabinets that were popular just a little while ago have now been replaced by lighter color palettes. Homeowners whose homes do not match the looks emulated in design magazines may consider a change, particularly if they’re planning to sell soon.
• Deterioration: Signs of water, storm or structural damage should be addressed as soon as possible. Any deterioration should be a strong indicator that it’s time to renovate.
• Efficiency: Escalating utility bills could be indicative of an inefficient home. Homeowners can conduct energy audits and then improve the areas where energy loss may be occurring, such as windows, doors, siding and insulation. Improving windows, doors, weatherstripping and insulation in a home can offer visual appeal and help homeowners save money.

The initial investment may be significant, but those costs will pay off in energy savings. According to One Main Financial, space heating is the largest energy expense the average American homeowner has, accounting for around 45% of all energy costs.

Small renovations that can make a big impact

Some homeowners may employ the mantra “go big or go home” when they embark on home improvements, thinking that only the largest renovations produce noticeable change. But that’s not the case. Various smaller renovations can provide a lot of bang for homeowners’ bucks as well.

• Countertops (and hardware): A complete kitchen overhaul may stretch some homeowners’ budgets. However, changing an older countertop for a new material can provide the facelift a kitchen needs. And while changing the cabinets may be homeowners’ ultimate goal, swapping hardware in dated finishes for newer handles and pulls can provide low-cost appeal.
• Paint: Painting a space is an inexpensive improvement that adds maximum impact. Paint can transform dark and drab rooms into bright and airy oasis. Paint also can be used to create an accent wall or cozy nooks.
• Lighting: Homeowners should not underestimate what a change in lighting can do. When rooms or exterior spaces are illuminated, they take on entirely new looks. It’s worth it to invest in new lighting, whether it’s a dramatic hanging light over the dining room table or task lighting in dim spaces.
• Accent updates: Any space, whether it’s inside or outside a home, can get a fresh look with new decorative accents. Invest in new throw pillows and even slipcovers for living room sofas. Use new tile or paint the brick on a fireplace in a den, then update the mantel with decorative displays. Purchase wall art that can bring different colors into a room. Change the cushions on deck furniture and buy color-coordinated planters.

These subtle changes will not cost as much as full-scale renovations, but they can still help homeowners transform their homes.

A recent survey of home renovation industry professionals conducted by Fixr.com found that creating outdoor living spaces was homeowners’ biggest priority regarding renovations. The survey found that 62% of renovation-minded homeowners said outdoor dining areas are their most sought-after living space.

Certain features were especially popular, none more so than comfortable outdoor furniture. Firepits, outdoor fireplaces, swimming pools, hot tubs, and outdoor connectivity were some additional popular features among homeowners.

The role of nature in home design

Outdoor living spaces were prioritized during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when public gatherings were greatly limited and individuals were urged to stay home as much as possible. Such demands have had a ripple effect on various industries, including home design.

According to a survey conducted by the New Home Trends Institute in collaboration with Pro Builder, 58% of the more than 300 residential architects, designers and design-minded builders who participated, said connection to the outdoors/nature will be an important influence on their design choices in the years to come. About half of respondents indicated increased attention will be afforded to outdoor entertaining spaces.

So, what might the outdoor spaces of homes built in the not-so-distant future look like? Respondents to the survey anticipated a growing demand for various built-in outdoor features, including firepits or fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, gazebos or pergolas, pools, and spas or hot tubs.

Though trends and consumer demands are ever-shifting, architects and designers are anticipating that future homeowners will want more developed outdoor living spaces and greater access to nature, which is something current homeowners can keep in mind when renovating their properties.

Turn a backyard into your own relaxing respite

Backyards have long been places to unwind and enjoy some peace and quiet surrounded by nature. Thanks in part to financial instability brought on by rising inflation and measures to tame it, homeowners may decide to forgo traditional vacations in favor of staying home this summer.

There’s no better time to invest in a home, particularly outdoor spaces, to make them welcoming respites. The following are some ways to accomplish that goal.
Incorporate a water feature The sound of trickling or bubbling water can make surroundings more serene. A low-maintenance water feature can help to create a calming ambiance. A fountain that does not require a collection pond will reduce the chance it becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Locating the fountain out of the sun can keep algae growth at a minimum.

Add lights for ambiance

Outdoor lighting options include professionally installed, hardwired lights on the home itself or accent lighting that draws attention to trees or architectural structures on the property. It also may include twinkling lights, which some consider a must-have for any outdoor retreat. Lights come in all types and price points. Hang them on porches, pergolas or cement posts inside decorative planters and then string lights between the posts. This way the lighting can be moved around as desired.

Lounging spots

A comfortable outdoor loveseat or chairs may be a focal point of the yard, but build in some additional cozy spots specifically for lounging around. Nestle a hammock in a quiet corner of the yard, or enhance a chaise lounge with throw pillows and a large umbrella for napping poolside.

Add lushness with plants

Plants can transform any space. Use a combination of planted varieties around the yard, then enhance certain areas with potted plants as needed. Plants can make an area more warm and inviting, plus they give butterflies, bees and hummingbirds places to stop by and visit. Consider the help of a professional landscaper to bring a vision of a lush, plant-filled retreat to life.
Blend in the pool or spa

With some unique landscape architecture, the pool or hot tub can be built right into the landscape, making it a cohesive part of the design. This can make the yard seem even more like an oasis, especially when the pool is flanked by a waterfall or bubbling fountain.

Add some music

Thanks to wireless speakers that rely on Bluetooth technology, it’s easy to have music piped right into the backyard. Set up a wireless speaker in an inconspicuous spot, such as inside a planter or in the rafters of a gazebo.

Turning a backyard into an oasis can provide the respite many people look for on their properties.

Hannah Stevenson is a maker of lovely things and a creator of a beautiful life. She approaches life as something that is beautiful and has taken that belief into her work.

Stevenson is a fashion photographer, which has been a hobby for her in the past decade. She loved taking photos of people and helping them feel their best.

“I’ve had a lot of history with fashion, and it’s definitely my passion. Photography was something I picked up because I love taking photos of what I was making. And I also just love taking portraits of people,” Stevenson said.

However, she ideally wants to design her own clothes for women. The long-term goal is to one day own a clothing brand or create a fashion label. On her personal Instagram page, @happyinhandmades, Stevenson often practices her own photography and fashion using herself as the model.

“I love photography and I love fashion, so I want to combine my passion for things in some way. So I decided I was going to get into fashion photography, where hopefully, eventually, I’m going to make clothes for women to wear for photo shoots or at least design them.”

Stevenson says she would describe her style as a mix on vintage, feminine, delicate but not too frilly. “I’m also obsessed with embroidery. I have a machine and pointers, so I try to incorporate that in a lot of the things I make,” Stevenson said.

With her fashion photography starting to become more of a passion as she used herself as a model, she decided to start her own business, Rosette Visual Arts.
Stevenson presented Rosette Visual Arts to the #HERPitch competition in March. Her idea was to have glamor-style photos for women.

“So what I presented was that I wanted to highlight... glamor photography, kind of like in the nineties, kind of a similar concept. Women would dress up, and I would do these glamor-style photos for them, but not just like head shots,” Stevenson said. “I wanted them to be wearing pretty dresses for these photo shoots, and I was going to have like a pretty backdrop and props. I was going to set up a space to make it look fancy and luxurious. I wanted to offer that kind of service to girls and women.”

Stevenson says this project is so important to her because her mission is to help every woman feel beautiful and remind them that they are worthy to have these glamor photos taken. These photos aren’t just for fashion models, but for themselves.

“I truly believe that every person is beautiful. I could see something beautiful in every person I meet, and I try to let that shine through in my photos. I want them to see themselves through an artist,” Stevenson said.

Out of a dozen business owners, Stevenson was one of the four winners who received a grant for $2,500 from CEED Capital and the Women of Power Society of NC.
Stevenson will be using the grant money towards purchasing camera equipment and backdrops.

“I think what helped sell my idea was that a lot of women don’t really get to dress up and look pretty. And so I’m going to give them that opportunity to dress up and look pretty and have that ‘shining moment’ of looking beautiful, like taking photos that look like they could be in a magazine,” Stevenson said.

She hopes to launch her glamor photography around the beginning of fall. To learn more about Stevenson and her company, Rosette Visual Arts, visit her Instagram page, @rosettevisualarts.