As the New Year begins, we have much to reflect on and look forward to. Fayetteville and Cumberland County have much potential and many opportunities, but only if our civic and political leaders relent and start communicating and cooperating. Until that happens, Fayetteville's image, reputation and potential growth will suffer under the burden of stubborn, belligerent and failed local leadership. One of the biggest obstacles our community faces is a lack of local media coverage. We are the fifth-largest municipality in North Carolina, yet we are without a viable daily newspaper and void of a local television station. The absence of media coverage puts our community at an insurmountable disadvantage. Truth and knowledge are power; lacking news and information makes our citizens and community vulnerable. The media, free speech and a free press, support American freedoms by keeping our leaders honest and accountable. We appreciate people, businesses and organizations that understand and respect these tenants. Through their and our actions, we have rallied to support our community's free and honest flow of information. Notably, we applaud the efforts of Tony Chavonne of City View Magazine and Marty Cayton of the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal for stepping up to fill the media void left by the decline of our daily newspaper. Likewise, here at Up & Coming Weekly, we utilize all our available resources to provide hyper-local news, views and insights. Our goal is to support the residents, businesses and organizations that endorse and embrace these constitutional tenets of democracy. We are committed and will continue to reach out to all nine Cumberland County municipalities to promote their communities, businesses, activities, events and achievements.

Thanks to the encouragement and support of our readers, and the confidence of our local advertisers, we have begun an expansion of newsroom operations to provide much-requested and much-needed transparency into local government. To this end, we have invested in a professional, young, talented and energetic editorial and production staff. They strive to focus on Fayetteville and Cumberland County's future and quality of life. These gifted reporters and writers are committed to accuracy, fairness and transparency and will be engaging in more in-depth investigative reporting on local government officials, issues and policies. They will report on and explain the policies and procedures of significant matters in city and county government and the relationships of those involved. In other words, we want to help our readers "connect the dots." Help them understand the details of the policies that impact their families and businesses. Up & Coming Weekly will ask the hard questions that are now conveniently ignored.

There will be no change in our newspaper's mission or mandates. We will continue nearly three decades of policy that includes supporting Fort Bragg and showcasing the people businesses and organizations of Fayetteville and Cumberland County. Those that make our community distinctively unique. Our local charm, southern hospitality and cultural character defined by our music, art, and theater assets are too often overshadowed and minimalized by the unsavory parts of our community. Local newspapers and news media can provide the defining balance. Local is the keyword here.

In 2022, you can expect the best from us. We are committed to Fayetteville, Cumberland County and Fort Bragg. Up & Coming Weekly will continue to offer a free, unbiased and open public forum for local citizens regardless of race, religion or political affiliation. We want these voices heard. Nationally, local community newspapers thrive while the daily papers struggle with relevance. We are Fayetteville's local media resource, and local is what we do best. You can depend on it.

Happy New Year, and thank you for reading the Up & Coming Weekly community newspaper.

Human trafficking is one of the fastest-growing criminal industries in the world. During 2021, the Child Advocacy Center received 959 cases of reported child abuse which is a 9.5% increase from the previous year. 514 forensic interviews were conducted at the center which is a 4% increase from the previous year. 568 families received victim family advocate services providing direct aid as well as assisting them in accessing much-needed resources.

“Every year January is known as Human Trafficking Awareness Month and every year we do something around the topic,” said Faith Boehmer, prevention and volunteer coordinator of the Child Advocacy Center. “We have designed two community cafes that will take place in January where we will have individuals come in, have some dialogue around the tables to discuss the issue, and talk about what is going on in our community.”

Boehmer added they are also doing a Speaker Series focusing on the impact of human trafficking. One speaker is Dr. Dean Duncan, UNC Chapel Hill Research Professor and his topic is “Demand Reduction.” Courtney Dunkerton from the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault will speak about “What You Need To Know About Human Trafficking In North Carolina.”

This year the Child Advocacy Center had an 11-year-old female come to the center twice. The child was communicating with a male stranger through messaging on a social media app. The stranger paid for a lift to take her to a motel. The girl was reported missing. Law enforcement found her in the motel with the older male stranger. Children do not divulge information so it is hard to prove human trafficking because children will not talk about it for a variety of reasons.

“Most tweens and teenagers who have been seen at the Child Advocacy Center are in the age range of 11-years-old to 16-years-old,” said Boehmer. “They are meeting older men online through social media messaging apps as well as dating apps such as Badoo, Instagram, Tik-Tok, and Snapchat.”

She added, “They connect online, arrange to meet, and the older man provides the transportation for them to meet at the hotel.”

This writer asks, Parents, please talk to your children about the dangers of talking to strangers in person and online using social media apps. I am an elementary principal and my Friday afternoon announcements entail telling my elementary babies to be aware of “Stranger Danger.” I tell them they should not talk to strangers or take any money, food, candy, or help strangers look for their pets. They are taught that if a stranger approaches them online, they are to run and tell their parents immediately. We have got to protect our babies and young teens from the dangers of human trafficking. Sit down tonight and have that conversation with your child.

“We have created a prayer guide that we are going to be sending out to the faith community that will bring more awareness about human trafficking,” said Boehmer.

For more information visit www.CACFayNC.org or call (910) 486-9700.

The New Year celebration is a time-honored tradition that brings resolutions at each annual reset. New Year's resolutions are usually made with good intentions but fade as time passes. About 60% of us make resolutions, but only about 8% follow them through. The top New Year's resolutions include weight loss, exercise, saving money, learning a new skill, quitting smoking, reading more, finding another job, drinking less, drinking more water, getting organized and spending more time with family and friends. Nothing on the list mentions anything about personal me time and pampering yourself.

As a fitness trainer, I advocate for healthy eating, exercise and lifestyle. Lifestyle, however, also has to do with taking time for ourselves and personal indulgence. The holidays especially are a go, go, go, do, do, do. The holiday season is satisfying with the grand celebrations, charitable events, parties, family gatherings, fabulous meals and decorating. Still, the time spent on all of this may have left you feeling tired. Me-time is an essential part of well-being, and there is nothing wrong with feeling the need to crank it down a bit and do something for yourself without feeling guilty. Mental health is just as important as physical. A friend of mine has a one-liner; she often says, "Everyone has the same twenty-four hours in a day, and you cannot add to that period." It took a long time for me not to feel guilty about doing something for myself and to say no. It is usual for us to volunteer, be on committees, spend time with friends and it is easy for schedules to fill. It can be hard to say no to an increasingly busy schedule and find time to squeeze in one more thing. Saying no is better with a straightforward approach; don't make excuses. It can seem that one more thing will lead to an avalanche of responsibility to the point that you feel overwhelmed. It is unfair to you and those involved because quality is better than quantity when you overextend yourself. How often have you said, I do not know why I am doing this because I do not have the time. This year take your time to think about the commitment involved and ask questions.

We all need time for ourselves, and while what everyone likes to do varies, everyone's preferences are equally important. Your me-time may be a hobby, activity, going to lunch or shopping with friends. My indulgences are occasional spa visits. For me, there is nothing like a great facial, massage or pedicure. The personal time, relaxation, music and attentive pampering throw me in the ultimate state of relaxation with no thoughts of the outside world for an hour.

Make your resolutions — create a healthier you. Set small attainable goals and reward yourself when you reach them. Be involved with organizations, committees, fundraisers but don't feel you have to be involved in all of them. Remember to take me-time and make sure you set that time aside. It helps to have a schedule in front of you when making your decisions. Good decisions create less stress for you. Learn the art of saying no without feeling bad about it. You are not letting someone down if something is not a good fit, and you do not have to make excuses.

Live, love life, keep moving and remember you cannot squeeze more than twenty-four hours into a day.

Let’s be honest—2021 was a long and dreadful year with COVID-19 in its various iterations and toxic political divisions that separate family and friends and threaten our very democracy. We continue to face uncertainty at every turn, and we feel beleaguered. So, while we may have celebrated, at least sort of, the arrival of 2022, nothing has changed.

Shortly before the New Year arrived, the quintessentially American author and journalist, Joan Didion, died at 87. Her long and storied career taught us about ourselves in stressful periods of American history. She also knew a thing or two about loss and killing sadness and wrote about that as well, work that earned her a National Book Award. Before deep personal trials beset her early in her career, Didion wrote a 1961 essay for VOGUE entitled “Self-Respect: Its Source, Its Power.” Her essay has been widely referenced and reprinted since her death, and it seems newly powerful as we slide into a new year saddled with the angst of the unknown.

Here is some of what Didion, then 27, says about those with self-respect and the strength that comes with it, you can find the full essay at www.vogue.com/article/joan-didion-self-respect-essay-1961

“… people with self-respect have the courage of their mistakes. They know the price of things. If they choose to commit adultery, they do not then go running, in an access of bad consciences, to receive absolution from the wronged parties; nor do they complain of the unfairness, the undeserved embarrassment, of being named correspondent….

“In brief, people with self-respect exhibit a certain toughness, a kind of moral nerve; they display what was once called character, a quality which, although approved in the abstract, sometimes loses ground to other, more instantly negotiable virtues. The measure of its slipping prestige is that one tends to think of it only in connection with homely children and with United States senators who have been defeated, preferably in the primary, for re-election. Nonetheless, character—the willingness to accept responsibility for one’s own life—is the source from which self-respect springs.

“Self-respect is something that our grandparents, whether or not they had it, knew all about. They had instilled in them, young, a certain discipline, the sense that one lives by doing things one does not particularly want to do, by putting fears and doubts to one side, by weighing immediate comforts against the possibility of larger, even intangible, comforts….

“That kind of self-respect is a discipline, a habit of mind that can never be faked but can be developed, trained, coaxed forth….

“To have that sense of one’s intrinsic worth which, for better or for worse, constitutes self-respect, is potentially to have everything: the ability to discriminate, to love and to remain indifferent. To lack it is to be locked within oneself, paradoxically incapable of either love or indifference.

“…to free us from the expectations of others, to give us back to ourselves—there lies the great, singular power of self-respect. Without it, one eventually discovers the final turn of the screw: one runs away to find oneself, and finds no one at home.”

Didion’s words from six decades ago do not address COVID-19 or our endangered nation, but they do guide us. She tells us to know ourselves and be responsible for ourselves, not to be led blindly by others—social media come to mind here with politics and pandemics. She suggests not to take the immediate comfort—think no mask or social distancing, but to head for the longer-term goal of a healthy community.

None of us knows what 2022 will bring, but going with the flow in both politics and healthy living is rarely the answer.

Wishing you and those you love a healthy and happy 2022.

When Kiara Hines speaks of Dorothy Gale, she practically glows. She bounces in her seat, her hands elegantly floating about and collapsing to her chest as she talks almost reverently of the little girl from Kansas — the hero who defeated the Wicked Witch of the West, exposed the major corruption happening in the Emerald City and who so desperately wanted to return home. Hines's infectious energy is apparent even before she steps into her blue and white gingham dress and ruby red slippers. And for Hines, Dorothy has returned her home.

Hines grew up in the area and now lives in New York City. But in one week, she will step onto the stage at Cape Fear Regional Theatre, as Dorothy, Toto in hand and alongside her three lovable companions — the Lion, the Scarecrow and the Tin Man — in search of home, truth and of course a heart, brains and courage. Hines's parents, who still live in the area, will be eagerly watching in the audience. For her, playing this iconic character from one of her favorite movies growing up is an honor. When she speaks of Dorothy, it's as if she is real.

"Dorothy is someone who is not afraid to say what she wants, and she is not afraid to tell the adults that you need to love me better. She's not afraid to tell the people in her life you've got to do better 'cause I'm a kid here, and I'm going with what you are giving me. There is so much bravery and courage in that … to say what you feel. It means so much to me. I'm learning so much from Dorothy," she said.

Hines auditioned for this same role many years ago, here, in Hope Mills as a teenager attending Jack Britt High School. Back then, things didn't go exactly according to plan.

"I did not get Dorothy because I was a shy girl back then," Hines laughs.

Her statement also sparks a laugh from her courage-seeking companion, Nick Pearson, who will play the Lion in this production. Pearson's personality is robust and seems to lack any timidness, a far cry from his character's humble beginnings. He sits confidently and dawns a hefty beard that Pearson says he has been growing since the summer when he heard he'd be playing the Lion. Pearson previously starred in a touring production of "The Wizard of Oz."

"For the first year of the tour, I was a munchkin. I took over as the Lion during the second year of the tour," Pearson said.

This time, Pearson read lines for the Tin Man, explaining the character has a clean slate and can evolve in many ways. But as luck would have it, he was given the role of the Lion.

"The lion will always have my heart," he said.

This "The Wizard of Oz" production was initially slated for the 2020-2021 CFRT season, just before COVID-19 shut the country down. For the administrative workers at Cape Fear Regional Theatre, this has been two years in the making.

"We always knew we wanted to do it," said Ashley Owen, marketing director at CFRT. "It'll be our first main stage show since March of 2020. Really, it's our first big musical since 'Shrek.'"

Hines, Pearson and their director Tiffany Green were all members of the "Shrek" production in January 2020. The three live in New York City and seem like the oldest of friends, a kinship that must have developed during that first production.

The friendship, kindness and laughter shared between them are fitting for the story they are telling — that of Dorothy Gale and her journey with the oddest of characters who become the dearest of friends.

"For us, this is like getting the gang back together in a way. These are incredible humans, incredible talents," said Green.

Green knew the performers she needed once she was named director. She wanted to bring back Hines to play Dorothy.

Hines played Gingy in "Shrek," and Green notes the "light and energy" she brings to a production. Playing the role was also a no-brainer for Hines, having auditioned for it during high school and Dorothy being a character she idolized.

Hines grew up memorizing the lines to The Wizard of Oz.

This time not only was she Dorothy, but she was Dorothy in a way she had never seen growing up.

"I'm a Black girl and being able to play a character who is iconically white. It's a dream come true, and it's going to brighten the hearts of so many Brown and Black girls. I'm really excited to represent them," Hines said.

The production will have 32 actors performing at each show, pyrotechnics, tons of technology and LED lighting systems and their very own Toto. Rolo, an energetic Morkie, will be playing the role of Toto. The "pint-sized" dog is full of personality. For the actors, this has brought a lot of joy, laughs and challenges, in the best way they say.

Pearson laughs as he demonstrates and recounts his favorite portion of the play, where the Lion has to explain Scarecrow's plan to Toto. Pearson's thick beard protrudes from his profile as he pretends to hold up a dog to his face. He laughs again and then returns back to his seated position.

"You just never know what a dog is going to do on stage. I cannot wait to get him in the scenes. It's going to be the cutest thing ever," he said.

On the other hand, Hines says her favorite part of the production is one of the last lines of the play. She will be saying goodbye to all the friends she made along her journey, and then she comes to the Scarecrow.

"I think I'll miss you most of all," Hines recites her line and then pulls her arms into her chest. "I know the final performance we'll all be boohoo-ing."

This sentiment is the real heart of the show according to the actors. It is the story and the message that lies underneath it all.

The lines that are "so beautifully written," as Hines recounts several times, — that people make a place a home.

"That last line — there's no place like home. I think home is where you put your heart. Within this show, there is a lot of heart. I think having that message in a time like this is so pertinent and important. I couldn't be happier to be one little element of it all," Pearson said.

When they interact, the performers also know that the real home is each other, and there's just no place quite like it.

The Cumberland County Board of Education met Tuesday morning to discuss possible virtual instruction for students this week, however, after looking over the numbers of staff and teachers who can work, they decided that school should resume as normal.

District officials considered one of three options in the meeting. Transition to virtual instruction, make a change to the calendar or move forward with in-person instruction. A survey went out to staff on Monday and Tuesday asking them if they were unable to work due to currently experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, being diagnosed with COVID-19, quarantine due to close contact, or needing to be home with a child who has been diagnosed or exposed to COVID-19. Out of 4,959 respondents, 406 said they would not be able to work this week. That is 8 percent. 280 of those respondents were teachers or teacher assistants.

Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr. recommended moving forward with in-person learning on Jan. 5 through Jan. 7, as planned. However, due to the increase of COVID-19 cases in the county and the state, the school district will implement new COVID protocols, including temporarily limiting visitors at school facilities, reducing capacity at athletic events to 50 percent and expanding COVID-19 testing options to students and staff.

“In light of the COVID-19 metrics in our county and understanding that many of our staff, students, and their families may have been exposed to COVID-19 over the break, we felt obligated to explore all possible options upon our return from winter break,” said Connelly said in a press release. “We also wanted to ensure we had adequate staff to move forward with in-person learning, since some staff may miss work because of COVID protocols.”

The School Board did not vote or take any action since the recommendation was to move forward with in-person learning as planned. Chairman Greg West closed the meeting shortly after the recommendation was made and no public comment was allowed.

Holly Autry, a mother of a senior at Cape Fear High School, said she was happy with the decision the school district made.

"Speaking on my daughter's behalf, she has pretty much all honors classes, and although she is a good student and could get her work done virtually, face-to-face learning and being able to raise her hand and a teacher actually being able to walk to her desk and explain something if she has a question is so much better than sending an email and waiting for lord knows how long to get a response," Autry told Up & Coming Weekly.

Autry wasn't the only one happy with the decision. Work-from-home mom Susan Brown said that if the school district went virtual, it would have been stressful for her whole family. Her 7-year-old son is autistic and in IEP classes. She says that special education students are some of the most negatively impacted by many of the COVID policies.

"In honesty, I would have attempted my son to do what they asked but I have two other children and I work from home," Brown said. "It would have been a stressful mess and he would surely lose learning time. I’d have to log him on and off twice during the school day to drop off and pick up my other kids."

Althea Thompkins, a mother of a kindergartener, said that she was hoping the school district would offer a virtual option, however, the Board of Education did not consider virtual for those who may want to opt-in for it.

"I became furious because I’m immune-compromised and 30 weeks pregnant. We as a household just got over COVID and I don’t plan to catch it again," Thompkins said. "Also, I am appalled that some parents are saying they would rather their children catch COVID than to prevent it. Just because some parents are healthy and can afford to not be so precautious does not mean others are. I am strongly leaning towards doing homeschooling or virtual for the rest of the year because some of these parents I can not trust."

Thompkins said that the new protocols the district will implement are a must along with face masks.

"People who demand continuing to live our lives like there’s not a virus still out, need to realize that there are just as many immune-compromised and vulnerable people and children in this city," Thompkins said.

Autry on the other hand said she had mixed feelings about the new protocols.

"Being a frontline healthcare worker in a Primary Care office we see it all from minor symptoms to major concerning symptoms, from Covid vaccinated to non-vaccinated," Autry said. "My honest opinion in athletic games - what is the point in limiting the amount of people allowed to watch the game or match when the athletes playing are constantly coming in contact with each other while sweating and breathing heavy, there’s just no way around it! As for the testing in school I’m definitely against. I can’t speak for everybody else but I’m not letting my daughter get tested at school."

The Cumberland County Board of Education is holding a special meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 4, to consider a delay in in-person learning. Students were initially scheduled to return to school on Wednesday, Jan. 5. However, the school board will soon decide if Jan. 5 through Jan. 7 will be entirely virtual for students and staff.

If the board decides to vote for virtual learning, principals at each school will share information with families about device pick-up opportunities for those students who did not bring their school-issued laptops and devices home over winter break.

Teachers and staff have been instructed to work from home on Monday, Jan. 3, and Tuesday, Jan. 4.

The meeting will be open to the public via live-streaming on their YouTube channel. There will also be capacity-limited seating available to members of the public, who will be required to maintain masking and observe all COVID-19 related protocols. There will be no public comment period during the special meeting.

Editor's Note: If you have a letter to the editor about the decision the board will make on Tuesday, send it to editor@upandcomingweekly.com.

Cumberland County Board of Elections Director Terri Robertson is retiring at the end of December after serving as director since 2001. Robertson, who first joined the department in 1994, has worked through 48 total elections — five being presidential elections.

“It was only going to be a couple of weeks, but I’m still here,” Robertson said. “I’ve just enjoyed working for Cumberland County Government.”

The Board of Elections appointed Administrative Coordinator Angie Amaro as the interim director effective Jan. 1, 2022.

The director position is open and people can apply. The position is posted under the Jobs tab on the County’s website at cumberlandcountync.gov.

The Town of Hope Mills has established a partnership with the YMCA of the Sandhills for an indoor aquatic center in the town. The board of commissioners voted unanimously Dec. 20 in favor of the facility following an address by YMCA CEO Rick Houp.

The town board also received good news from architect Scott Garner on the development of the John Hodges Public Safety Center. Garner said the facility is about 60% completed. He said construction is on schedule and within the budget. The public safety center will house Hope Mills fire and police departments. It is named for the town’s longtime police chief John Hodges who served as chief for 23 years. He died last year at the age of 84.

A new police chief will soon step up in Hope Mills. Stephen Dollinger, Chief of the St. Pauls Police Department, will succeed Joel Acciardo. The Hope Mills Police Department has 42 sworn officers, more than twice the size of the agency Dollinger is leaving.

A new 24,000-square-foot building at Fayetteville Technical Community College is closer to being finished. The new state-of-the-art FTCC-Cumberland County Regional Fire and Rescue Training Center will house classrooms, offices and simulation labs which will serve as a state-of-the-art training for local and regional firefighters.

The North Carolina General Assembly recognized the project’s significance in its most recent session, allocating $20 million over two years for its next phase.

Besides the classroom and office building, the project’s first phase will include a four-story training tower and a three-story burn building where live burning exercises can be conducted. State and county officials and other dignitaries signed their names to a steel beam, then watched as the beam was hoisted and installed in a building that will anchor the FTCC-Cumberland County Regional Fire & Rescue Training Center.

The steel beam that was signed as part of a traditional “Topping Out” ceremony earlier this month was the last beam to be installed in this building. Several local and state officials came to sign the beam. Those officials included N.C. Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey, N.C. Sen. Kirk deViere, N.C. Rep. John Szoka, Cumberland County Commissioners Glenn Adams, Jimmy Keefe and Michael Boose, and N.C. Community College System President Thomas Stith, as well as fire chiefs from several local departments.

“This center will provide hands-on specialized training in a wide variety of emergency situations,” FTCC President Dr. Larry Keen said. “Firefighters and first responders will be able to do their jobs more effectively and safely and their training will pay dividends to the people they are able to help.”

Editor's Note: This article was updated on Dec. 31 to reflect the new face mask guidance of the event.

"The circus arrives without warning," writes Erin Morgenstern in her New York Times bestselling book, "The Night Circus."

At dusk, on Dec. 31st, on the lawn of Festival Park, just a stone's throw from downtown Fayetteville, the circus is coming to town. This circus will not be the regular circus with striped tents, clowns or elephants but rather a night circus. With it comes fire breathers, jugglers, stilt walkers and an assortment of food and spirits — enough entertainment to keep curiosity peaked and crowds amped.

This New Year's Eve, the Night Circus will be open, but it will open for one night only.

The saying goes, nothing good happens after 10 p.m. However, in this case, for this one night, Bianca Shoneman, President and CEO of Cool Spring Downtown District, promises this won't be the case. The Cool Spring Downtown District and the City of Fayetteville are throwing a New Year's Eve party to remember.

Night Circus: A District New Year's Eve Spectacular is set to be a night full of fantastical artists, food and throwback tunes for all the '90s music lovers out there.

Shoneman says a New Year's Eve event of this magnitude has not happened in more than a decade. This event will include a '90s dance party that starts around 10 p.m. with headliners Coolio, Rob Base, C + C Music Factory and All-4-One.

"We felt like we could all use some good cheer," Shoneman said. "I think the goal of the city council is to create a new tradition … We were looking to do something different than the standard festival you might see."

And, according to Shoneman, it takes a lot of money to pull off an event like this — $165,000, to be exact. Part of allocating those funds includes commissioning a long-term asset, an 18-foot star, that will be raised to the sky on New Year's Eve.

"Since we represent the Can-Do City, instead of dropping something like many communities do, we are going to lift the star because we have an up-and-coming spirit."

The plan this New Year's Eve is to lift the star 110 feet into the air at the stroke of midnight, and simultaneously, fireworks will ignite, and a sign that reads America's Can-Do City will light up.

The star was constructed by local sign makers, Blashfield Sign Company. Owner, Matt Blashfield, noted that the star is an odd one-of-a-kind item, very precise in design and construction and at times, production was arduous.

The star itself took 45 days and $45,000 to construct and is exactly 18-feet tall from each point on the star.

"It was a challenge with all the material and shipping delays the world is experiencing … We did this thing together. It was the epitome of teamwork," Blashfield said.

The City officials hope this event will foster a sense of community and ignite a new annual tradition for Cumberland County.

Tammy Thurman, Senior Community and Local Government Manager for Piedmont Natural Gas, a sponsor of the event, explained that in contrast, community members are used to traveling and watching other cities and states celebrate the new year; the community can now celebrate it in their own city.

This addition to Fayetteville's livability is just the sort of thing Shoneman said she and others who work for the city aim to achieve.

"People are starting to believe in the life, work, play, shop here … this notion of creating a great place to live that we've been working on for years. The city is creating a more livable community," Shoneman said.

They have also planned a smaller; no fireworks included, star lift around 9 p.m. for those families with little ones they want to tuck safely into bed before midnight.

This portion of the night will incorporate music from local DJs, including Fayetteville's only female turntablist, DJ Miracle. At 10 p.m., the other musicians will take over, and the music will change. Shoneman and others are hoping the event will be well-attended. If it is, she says they are looking to use the Night Circus in years to come.

"At this point, we hope the theme sticks. It's such a good theme. I hope it's well-received," she said.

The event will include carnival games, LED jugglers, fire breathers, magicians, aerialists, a Ferris Wheel and a carousel. There will be 11 food providers, and three beer tents and champagne bottles will be available for purchase. Food trucks and wine and beer vendors will take both cards and cash.

Night Circus will start at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 31 and run until 12:30 a.m. January 1, 2022. The event is free to all. Mechanical rides and carnival games will also be available for a fee. Attendees can find parking in service lots around downtown Fayetteville for $5.

There will also be a free shuttle running from Fort Bragg to the event from 6:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. For additional information on the event call 910-223-1089.

Face masks will be required upon entry to the event. 22,000 face masks will be available to attendees who do not bring their own. The face masks were donated to the event by an anonymous donor and the Cape Fear Valley Regional Hospital. Non-vaccinated attendees are encouraged to take a COVID test within 24 hours of the event. Vaccinated attendees are encouraged to provide proof of vaccination.

Bright Light Brewing Company will be saying farewell to 2021 with a retro 1970s inspired New Year's Eve party.

Tickets for the '70s New Year's Eve event are limited; only 75 are available, and they are going fast. The cost is $45 for individual tickets and $80 for couples.

The ticket includes a commemorative glass, a full catered meal, the first drink, a champagne toast and the chance to dance under the disco ball.

Because of COVID-19, BLBC did not have a New Years' Eve party last year. BLBC welcomed 2020 in with a roaring '20s theme.

Trisha Grieve, a bartender who attended the party, said, "There were tons of fancy outfits, poker games, shining jewelry – everyone went all out. Like this year, the Belmont catered the food."

This year the dress code is cocktail attire but with a retro '70's twist. Guests can break out bell-bottoms, go-go boots, halter tops and mini dresses, and a DJ will be providing funky music all night.

Grieve has worked at BLBC for just under four and a half years. She describes the brewery as a relaxed environment and a good local spot to visit, even if you're just passing through.

Grieve explained that it is family-friendly, and the people who come here often will just become your family.

She was most excited about having a DJ for the event.

"I am looking forward to the DJ We had one on Halloween, and people just danced for hours. I love the live music, but it's nice to switch it up," Grieve said

The music isn't the only thing she is looking forward to, "I am also looking forward to the disco ball because who doesn't love a good disco ball?"

The Belmont House is catering the event and will offer a menu of chicken, green beans, black-eyed peas and mashed potatoes, and a vegetarian option and a small dessert.

BLBC will have 15 beers on offer and guest ciders and wine, along with a complimentary champagne toast.

"It's also great to see individuals buy tickets who have come to our previous New Years' parties buy tickets, something special about making friends and continuing a fun tradition; it's also wonderful to have newcomers just looking for something to enjoy," Grieve said.

BLBC is a startup nano-brewery in downtown Fayetteville in craft beer and wine.

Located at 444 West Russell St., Suite 102, BLBC remodeled a gym turning it into a taproom in November of 2016.

They opened the doors to the brewery on April 21, 2017.

The company had grown so much by 2019 they decided to open a brewhouse two blocks away. They began brewing on a three-barrel, and now they are at a ten-barrel.

BLBC hosts private parties, mug club member events, Hail and Farewells at their brewhouse. The party will take place on December 31 at 7 p.m., and folks can boogie on down all night until 1 a.m.

The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a murder of a 38-year-old woman that has led to one arrest, but still no answers.

On Friday, Dec. 17, detectives located a body in the Grays Creek Area after receiving a tip.

The remains of Jessi Marie Lindsley were found on Butler Nursery Road near Blossom Road.

The next day detectives arrested Javeeno Jeno Antonio Resimo, 18, of Hope Mills. He was charged with being an accessory to murder and is being held in the Cumberland County Detention Center on a $1,000,000 bond.

No one has been accused of the homicide itself. Resimo will appear in court again on January 6, 2022.

Lindsley was reported missing in early November. According to a GoFundMe page, she had four sons and one grandchild.

The fundraiser for her sons has raised $585 at the time of publication.

Anyone with information to the murder is asked to call the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office at 910-323-1500, 911, or Crimestoppers at (910-483-8477.

Hi there, calendar fans. Once again, it's the most wonderful time of the year, the blur between Christmas and New Year's Day. Time for the annual column wishing a happy 100th birthday to the year that reaches the century mark. Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise, 1922 will be celebrating its 100th birthday during all of 2022. 1922 was a year chock full o' nuts and surprises, some of which still resonate today. For example, Betty White, America's sweetheart, was born on January 17, 1922. She hits the big triple digits in 2022.

In January 1922, Fred Banting celebrated the first successful use of insulin for diabetes. One hundred years later, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi have over 90% of the insulin market. They have been jacking up the price ever since. Old Fred would turn over in his grave if he knew what had happened to his invention. January 1922 wasn't all bad news as the first patent for Eskimo Pie was issued.

In February, James Joyce published "Ulysses," a literary masterpiece, that no one reads. Zillions more people have eaten Eskimo Pies than have read "Ulysses." Fun fact, in 2021, Eskimo Pie changed its name to Edy's Pie in a fit of wokeness. It tastes the same, but the name has changed to protect the sensitive. March brought the silent horror film "Nosferatu" to the silver screen, spawning a gusher of vampire movies that continues to this day. April brought the Tea Pot Dome scandal to the administration of President Warren G. Harding, possibly leading to the phrase "a tempest in a teapot." May saw the beginning of construction at Yankee Stadium, which became the home of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, culminating in George Steinbrenner hiring George Costanza as Assistant to the Traveling Secretary of the Yankees. World events took most of the summer of 1922 off, resuming with some exciting happenings in November when the Ottoman Empire was defeated, ending over 600 years of rule by a kingdom based on footstools. In November, Howard Carter and his archeologists discovered the tomb of King Tut, which had lain undisturbed for more than 3000 years. Desecration of Tut's tomb led to the unleashing of the Curse of King Tut, causing many of the Carter party to die mysteriously shortly after waking the dead. These deaths spawned numerous horror movies involving mummies and Boris Karloff. Steve Martin performed a musical tribute to Tut, singing and dancing his way into your heart doing the "King Tut Strut." Ponder some of Mr. Martin's elegant lines eulogizing King Tut:

Buried with a donkey
He's my favorite honkey
Born in Arizona
Moved to Babylonia
Dancing' by the Nile
The ladies love his style
Rockin' for a mile
He ate a crocodile.

Archeology doesn't get any funkier than this. Thanks, Steve, for keeping King Tut real.

1922 brought several famous people into the world. It also brought more non-famous into creation; the non-famous ones are too numerous to name, but rest assured they were out there. America's most famous bald detective Telly Savalas came into the world in January. Audrey Meadows, who became famous as Ralph Kramden's wife Alice on "The Honeymooners," arrived in February. Ralph's constant threats to knock Alice to the moon jangle in light of today's standards, but in the 1950s, everybody laughed. March was a big month for famous babies: William Gaines, who became the publisher of Mad Magazine and spiritual father of Alfred E. Newman of What Me Worry fame, first drew breath in March. Yitzhak Rabin, the Prime Minister of Israel and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, arrived in March. Jack Kerouac, the author of "On the Road" and proto-type beatnik, showed up in March. Another March baby was Russ Meyer, who produced classic adult movies like "Faster Pussy Cat! Kill, Kill," "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls," "Mudhoney," "MotorPsycho," "Amazon Women on the Moon" and "The Immoral Mr. Teas." They don't write titles like that anymore. April brought us Doris Day, on-screen girlfriend of Rock Hudson. Other April babies included Gale Storm, Barbara Hale, Perry Mason's paralegal, and Jack Klugman, the sloppy half of "The Odd Couple." May produced Nancy Walker, AKA Jane Hathaway, on "The Beverly Hillbillies." Judy Garland from the "Wizard of Oz" appeared in June.

George McGovern appeared in July just in time to cause Richard Nixon to order the Watergate burglary. Yvonne DeCarlo, who played Mrs. Herman Munster, was a September baby. Charles Schultz of "Peanuts" fame emerged in November.

Saving the best for last, Redd Foxx of "Sanford and Son" came along in December. When things would go wrong, Redd would fake having a heart attack, clutch his chest, look heavenward, and announce: "Elizabeth, I'm coming to join you. It's the big one!"

So, there you have it. 1922 was a swell year. It has a lot of candles on its birthday cake.

If you consume an adult beverage on New Year's Eve, kindly raise a glass to 1922.

The Fayetteville City Council adopted new designs for the City flag and seal that align with the Can Do Carolina regional brand. The flag and seal are the latest changes in a phased approach to follow the Can Do brand. Recent new City Hall signage and new Fayetteville Area System of Transit buses have undergone a new look as well.

"The new look of the City and branding partners provide a collective vision for driving Fayetteville’s identity into the future," the city's press release stated.

Cape Fear Botanical Garden is located just two miles from downtown Fayetteville and opened its doors in 1989. Situated between the Cape Fear River and Cross Creek. The Cape Fear Botanical Garden offers educational opportunities for kids and adults, including day camps for kids. Camps are not just a summer happening. Three winter camps are being offered this January.

The Cape Fear Botanical Garden describes them as follows:

Trail Blazers
Trail Blazers takes place on January 3rd, 2022, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. This day camp is for children ages 8-12. Children will enjoy a treasure hunt and utilize their Trail Blazing skills. These skills include using a compass and reading a map. The children will also hike the River Trail.

Oddball Animals
There are all kinds of children with all sorts of interests. Oddball Animals is designed to expose children ages 5-10 years old to a range of wild and wonderful critters. This winter day camp takes place on January 4th, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Some of the oddball animals include salamanders, millipedes and more. In addition to meeting live animals and looking for animals in the garden, participants will create their own wacky creatures.

Tooth and Claw
Ever wonder about how the largest predators hunt and where they live? On January 17th, 2022, this winter break camp from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. explores this and more. Created for kids ages 8-12, children learn to tell a predator by its teeth. Campers will explore adaptations of predatory birds and will make bear and wolf track molds to take home with them.

Barbara Goldentyer has worked at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden for two and a half years. She's the environmental education manager.

"The Day Camps are fun because we have so many engaging activities like science experiments, live animals and outdoor games," said Goldentyer.
Camps are currently closing registration at 15 campers for each camp, and there are always at least two staff members supervising the camps.

"I would encourage kids to come to a day camp to find out how fun science can be and to explore amazing unique activities," Goldentyer said. "We add new camp themes and activities all the time, so there's always something new and something for every kid's interests. We also have almost 80 acres out in the garden to explore, so campers get to walk through a bamboo tunnel, plant things in the vegetable garden, feed the fish and look for animal tracks."

The cost for winter camps is $20 for members and $30 for non-members. Themed snacks are provided, but campers need to bring a lunch. Preregistration is required for these events.

Camps fill quickly, so sign up at your earliest convenience on the Cape Fear Botanical Garden website calendar at this link: www.capefearbg.org/event/. For Additional information call 910-486-0221.

An ethics complaint against Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins has been filed and is currently being heard by the Ethics Commission.

Up & Coming Weekly requested the ethics complaint at the beginning of December. The City indicated that the records were not yet publicly available. Raleigh Attorney Mikael Gross, who filed the complaint against Hawkins, forwarded Up & Coming Weekly a copy of the complaint.

Gross initially filed 14 allegations against Hawkins. However, the commission will be looking at eight of those allegations. Hawkins responded to the commission regarding these eight allegations via email in October. That email was also sent to Up & Coming Weekly by Gross.

Charge 1: Hawkins allegedly used city property for personal use while also terminating employees for doing the same. An example cited in the complaint states Hawkins has used her police car as a personal car since her employment with the city.
Response: Hawkins told the commission that this was false.

Charge 2: Hawkins allegedly benefited from contracts issued through the City of Fayetteville by having her dog trained by the K-9 trainers hired by the Fayetteville Police Department. According to allegations, the misuse of the contract resulted in Hawkins' gain at taxpayers' expense.
Response: Hawkins stated that this accusation has previously been anonymously submitted to the City of Fayetteville Internal Audit Department and investigated. She said she would explain more to the commission in a closed session as it involves employees of FPD. She did not disclose in the email the results of the previous investigation.

Charge 3: Hawkins allegedly allowed a K-9 trainer to place choke collars on Fayetteville canine officers and place them on the ground like dogs to "teach them what it feels like to be a dog on a leash and collar."
Response: Hawkins told the commission that this was false, and she did not know this happened.

Charge 4: Hawkins allegedly hired a K-9 trainer as an officer with the police department. However, the handler has had problems with Training and Standards and cannot attend Basic Law Enforcement Training, meaning that by working as an officer while not fully trained, they could violate several laws.
Response: Hawkins told the commission that she never hired him as an officer, and he has never submitted any documentation to become an officer with the City of Fayetteville.
"My knowledge and expectations of the trainer riding with K-9 police officers to assist with Field Training is a part of real-world training just like officers have Field Training Officers with them after they get out of the academy," Hawkins said. "If there were any stops being made in the City, it was by the City of Fayetteville Police Officers. I would never condone anyone who is not certified to conduct illegal stops."

Charge 5: Hawkins allegedly misused departmental resources by having on-duty officers divert from their patrol duties to help her locate her dog, which escaped from her residence on October 18, 2020. The allegation states that this call was removed from the system.
Response: Hawkins wrote the commission a lengthy response saying that this is false. She states she never requested assistance or asked for officers to respond. Explaining the only calls made were to the communications supervisor alerting them where she would be. Hawkins says that she asked the communications manager to investigate it when this allegation popped up.
"The investigation revealed the supervisor had entered the call to be dispatched, the dispatcher sent the call out to an officer and had a phone conversation about looking for my dog," Hawkins explained. "The dispatcher had made some unprofessional statement[s] during the conversations. The supervisor submitted a statement regarding her actions and what I requested that day, and the dispatcher submitted a statement regarding her action."
Hawkins said in her statement to the commission, "Once again, I never requested for an officer to respond to assist me with finding my dog, BUT if a citizen would call 911 asking for our assistance, I would expect us to respond, because I know we prioritize calls and if we are available to assist the public and there are no calls pending, then I would expect us to respond and help as we have done on many occasions. This was a Sunday around 10:00 a.m. when calls for service are extremely low."

Charge 6: Hawkins allegedly hired an active gang member and was alerted to the employee's gang history by the gang unit division at FPD. However, the individual was still hired, and the entire gang unit allegedly was placed under investigation at the direction of Hawkins.
Response: Hawkins told the commission that this did not happen, and the internal investigation is still open and cannot be publicly discussed.

Charge 7: Hawkins allegedly initiated investigations into employees, managed the investigations and then did not allow herself to be questioned or have an independent party investigate.
Response: Hawkins told the commission that she is responsible for ensuring all investigations of employees are thorough and all facts and statements are included in an investigation. Hawkins explained that employees who received discipline have been afforded rights within the policy and have been through all appeals, including the final appeals to the city manager.

Charge 8: Hawkins allegedly reached out to the Fayetteville Police Benevolent Fund to have an employee removed from the board before the initiation of an internal investigation. Fayetteville Police Benevolent Fund never removed the employee from the board, but the allegation explains that this shows she is willing to intimidate staff.
Response: Hawkins told the commission that this is false.

Gross has also filed a lawsuit against Hawkins for a previous employee. That lawsuit is currently being adjudicated in court.

When Up & Coming Weekly reached out to Hawkins, her lawyer released the following statement:

"The so-called 'Ethics Complaint' is meritless and is knowingly compiled of false allegations. Chief Hawkins is limited, for now, in her public response to those allegations as some pertain to FPD personnel/privacy matters. I am sure the so-called 'Petitioner' is aware of that fact as he released Chief Hawkins' responses to the media, knowing the legal position she is in as Chief. At this juncture, we are befuddled that a hearing would actually take place based upon the complete dearth of any evidence to support the allegations. We look forward to vigorously and aggressively addressing this 'Ethics Complaint' at the appropriate time."

The Ethics Commission has five members — lawyer, Tracey Henderson, CPA, Dale Knowles, lawyer, Dymond Spain, Dr. Stephen Rochman and Thomas Donnelly Jr.

The next commission meeting will be in January, but no set date has been released at this time.

The city of Fayetteville’s Economic & Community Development Department administers the federal government’s Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership Grant. The Department primarily focuses on small business assistance, affordable housing development, and strategic real estate development.

In December of 2020, the City of Fayetteville, in partnership with the Fayetteville Metropolitan Housing Authority, was awarded a HUD Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant for the Murchison Road neighborhood. The City and FMHA are working with residents and a variety of community stakeholders including nonprofits, faith-based organizations and businesses to create a transformation plan. City councilman D.J. Haire grew up in the neighborhood.

“I always felt that Murchison Road was playing catch up to some of the major corridors that we have within the city," Haire said. "We can do all the work we're doing but if we're not supporting and enhancing the communities that surround the corridor...then we're really not doing the full job.”

The plan is centered on replacing FMHA’s Murchison Townhouses, which include 60 units of public housing.

The development is over 50 years old with many buildings in poor condition. The Murchison Road corridor has several physical structures that do not meet local building code standards. Businesses along Murchison Road have also suffered in recent decades as the neighborhood has declined. The planning process kicked off in early 2021 and will be completed in late 2022.

This conversation happens during most elections in North Carolina since members of the General Assembly run every two years. Perhaps the 170 elected legislators who fund North Carolina’s governmental operations, enact laws that require us to take some actions and not to take others, and — increasingly, steer public policy — should get a raise.

North Carolinians have long prided ourselves on our “citizen legislature,” a body to which most anyone at least 25 years old could, at least theoretically, get themselves elected. This belief stems from the days when the General Assembly met in odd-numbered years in what was called the “long session” and in which most of the body’s work was done, and a “short session” in the even-numbered years which mostly cleaned up work from the prior session. Legislating was, again, at least theoretically, a part-time job.

If that were ever true, it certainly is not now.

The General Assembly meets almost year-round at the direction — some would say whim — of legislative leadership. Such a schedule makes it difficult, if not impossible, for members to hold down regular jobs and wreaks havoc on their personal lives. And, for this, they are paid $13,952 annually, one of the lowest legislative salaries in the nation and which has not been raised since 1995. Think for a moment how you and your family would be doing if your pay had not budged in nearly three decades. And your reimbursement for daily food and lodging in an expensive city, like Raleigh, is a miserly $104 per day when the General Assembly is in session. Legislators have been known to sleep in their offices and cars and camp out at the state fairgrounds. As Western Carolina University political science professor Chris Cooper puts it, the situation “selects for certain kinds of people, and those are people with money and flexibility.”

The result of this unaddressed situation is that even though we like to think of our legislature as a citizen legislature, it is a myth.

Ordinary folks cannot afford to run for these positions, much less serve in them. That means that the North Carolina General Assembly is composed of independently wealthy individuals who are not dependent on a regular paycheck. Individuals who have spouses who support them or employers willing to work with their erratic legislative schedules, not always for all the right reasons. Only a handful of current sitting legislators have regular jobs, children in public schools and shared family responsibilities.
In short, they are not average North Carolinians.

The reason for this ongoing craziness is that legislators do not want to be on record voting to give themselves a raise. They have nightmares about the mailers and TV ads political opponents would run against them in the next election if they did so. This means the General Assembly continues to skew older, wealthier and less representative.

The U.S. Congress took care of this issue for its members years ago by initiating cost of living raises linked to thousands of other high-ranking federal positions. These raises do not have to be voted on, although they can be stopped if Congress chooses, which it has done occasionally. This means that people of relatively ordinary means can and do serve in our U.S. Congress.

Until the North Carolina General Assembly discovers its collective courage and addresses its salary issue in some form — an actual raise, a raise tied to a cost of living index, or a commission to set its salary perhaps, North Carolinians will continue to get the representation we pay for, or in this instance, do not pay for.

With luck and a healthy dose of legislative fortitude, this could happen in 2022.

During the winter months in NC, exercising outdoors can bring a roller coaster of temperatures from one day to the next. Sunny and sixty can quickly turn into cold and forty in twenty-four hours. Colder months can bring an invigorating workout for those that like to hike, walk, run or enjoy winter activities such as skiing, cross country skiing and snowboarding. Even though the temperature may drop, it does not mean that you must bring your workouts indoors. The falling temperatures in the thirties and forties or less should not stop your outdoor activities. There are benefits from winter exercise that are different than the summer. In colder weather, you sweat less, spend less energy, and your heart doesn’t have to work as hard, which is beneficial for a more efficient workout.

It can also be a mood booster and help replenish vitamin D levels in the skin. Wintry weather can also help max out that caloric burn. When your body is working hard to stay warm, your metabolism is kicked up into burning more calories. However, frigid air can irritate the lungs and is more difficult for those that have asthma. Cold air entering the airways can induce asthma flare-ups. Breathing in through the nose rather than the mouth warms the air before it reaches your lungs. Consult with your physician if you have health questions. Winter activities can be beneficial for almost everyone, and with a bit of planning, outdoor workouts can be refreshing and invigorating. The approach to winter activities is a little different than summer in the way we should dress and warm up.

A warmup is essential for your muscles and tissues to avoid strains and injuries. Your warmup should begin indoors, including arm circles, arm swings, stepping in place and lunges.

Think what it would be like for your muscles if you jumped into freezing water and how your body would react.

While not quite as extreme as jumping out into the cold for an activity, your body needs blood flow for joints and muscles. Dressing for the cold is essential for body warmth, windburn or frostbite. Dressing in layers is the best way to begin and end your activity, which allows you to remove and put back on clothing as needed. Your first layer should be a synthetic material avoiding cotton that absorbs sweat and makes you colder. The next layer should be a breathable, wind-resistant, water-resistant outer layer. Your hands and feet are vulnerable to the cold and the quickest areas for frostbite.

Wear insulated gloves and glove liners in case you remove your gloves.

Wool socks and caps are essential to prevent the loss of body heat, and dark glasses help with wind and glare. Wear sunscreen and use lip balm to avoid chapping.

Our area does not usually see extreme drops in temperatures, but hypothermia can occur if your body begins to lose too much heat. Lengthy exposures without adequate clothing can result in your body losing heat faster than it can be produced. It is most likely at colder temperatures but can occur at cool temperatures above 40 degrees if a person becomes chilled from the rain. Shivering can be the first sign of hypothermia.

Getting warm slowly, changing any wet clothes and drinking warm liquids are essential to warm the body. Enjoy the winter and treat yourself to hot cider or hot chocolate after that outdoor activity! Live, love life and stay hydrated. Baby, its cold outside.