No one — I repeat, no one, enjoys paying taxes. I can almost feel my blood pressure rise when income taxes come due. That said, we all want safe and accessible roads, high quality public education for our young people, and the same quality health care for Americans of all backgrounds and ages. The reality is that our taxes support those goals.

The ongoing American myth has been that we all pay our fair share, like it or not, and that wealthy individuals pay more.

ProPublica exploded that myth last week as part of its ongoing analysis of our tax system. The non-profit investigative journalism organization which exposes abuses of power and betrayals of the public trust released secretly obtained IRS documents confirming what millions of Americans have long suspected. The richest of the rich are not paying their fair share of income taxes at all, much less more than the rest of us. In fact, several of the 25 wealthiest Americans as defined by Forbes magazine managed to pay no income taxes at all! These include such household names as Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Elon Musk (Tesla), Bill Gates (Microsoft), and the grandfatherly Warren Buffet (all manner of investments), all of whom have more money than they could ever spend.

Moral considerations aside, there are no allegations that any of these people did anything illegal by paying a miniscule percentage of their wealth in income taxes or none at all. They simply took advantage of existing federal and state laws that treat “wealth” differently than “income.” Mere mortals earning a paycheck from which taxes are deducted cannot take advantage of these laws, which generally require the services of high-dollar attorneys and accountants to navigate.

Here is the situation. The average American has an income of roughly $70,000 and pays income taxes of about 14-percent, usually deducted by the employer. The wealthiest Americans do not earn much in salaries. Instead, they make money on their assets — dividends on stocks, for example, and their tax bills come due when they sell assets. They are also able to take offsetting losses on their investments, thereby lowering their earnings, in some cases, to zero. According to ProPublica, while Joe Blow pays 14-percent on his salaried income, the 25 richest Americans paid a true tax rate of only 3.4-percent on what they took in between 2014 and 2018.
Is this legal? Yes. Is it fair? Most Americans do not think so.

The wealth gap in our country, often referred to as wealth inequity, has grown significantly in recent decades. It has become not only a starkly divisive issue among Americans across the wealth spectrum but a political issue. Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren and other leftish political figures have raised the issue in public debate, and they are right to do so. Congress is beginning to talk about tax code reform, albeit tentatively, and President Biden is cheering on that conversation.

In a democratic republic, fairness is the underlying concept. Our system will work only as long as we believe it is fair. We all want to believe that we will be treated fairly by our legal system. We all want to believe that we have access to quality health care and that our children will be able to get educations that will make them productive adults. We all want to believe that we have a shot at upward mobility. It is sometimes hard to believe any of that.

Paying taxes is a necessary reality. Most of us recognize that and are willing to pay our fair share, but we want everyone else to do so as well. We do not want to feel like schmucks as asset-heavy folks zoom past us in their Teslas.

This week Publisher Bill Bowman yields his space to Fayetteville City Councilwoman Tisha Waddell who sets the record straight and combats the rumors and innuendo that have undermined her effectiveness as a public servant. Thank you, Councilwoman Waddell, for serving our community.

To my Fayetteville constituents:

I am not running for re-election, and I am also NOT running for Mayor. I appreciate all the support I have received and even the naysayers, as you have each helped me grow. I am also grateful to the handful of people I shared my decision with before submitting this article that completely understands why this is my choice.

There was a marked difference between the first two years I served as an elected official and what will be my last. I was fortunate to serve with councilmen like Ted Mohn, Bill Crisp and Jim Arp. These legislators weren't perfect, but they researched, were more consistent in policy application, and were not afraid to challenge the status quo. It was demanding but rewarding. I learned quickly and was complete in my decision-making. I earned a stable reputation as one who weighs the facts and makes decisions based on what's in the community's best interest, whether it was popular with the political bullies or not.

I regret that those new to their positions have not benefited from serving under different conditions and hope the tide shifts for them and all of us represented by them.

Had my first two years been anything like my last two, there wouldn't have been a second term. It is difficult to accept the amount of hypocrisy and fear in our local government and even more so that it is excused as expected. We should not expect our leaders, at any level, to be ego-driven or inconsistent in process and policy.

Disagreements should not be allowed to become flashpoints, and unstable agitators should not be permitted to pull focus away from our legislator's actual responsibilities. The abusive mishandling by members of the Council or members in the community of our leaders should not be tolerated. Whether we like them or not, they were elected by a majority of the people who voted and belong precisely where they are.

Initially, I only promised to do my part to communicate and make sound decisions. Focusing on sharing the tools needed to guide their elected's choices for this city and removing barriers to access between them and their representative has hopefully helped District Three understand their power.

When looking back, I hope the things people remember are that I supported legislation that seeks to increase transparency in how the Council makes decisions. I've called for undeviating policy practices in the hopes that we could level the playing field for future council members to be able to do their job.

I've helped the Council shift its focus from implementing fee increases to more meaningful investments into our neighborhoods through street resurfacing and stormwater investments. There have been measurable successes in some regards, and in others, the needle has barely moved.

I respect each of my peers on Council and recognize where we have worked well and where there is room for improvement. It was my great pleasure to work in this capacity, and I will always be fond of how God chose to use me in this season.

I have learned that it isn't one person's job to change leadership, directly or indirectly. That is the job of all the citizens in this city who are of voting age. So, as some celebrate the announcement of my departure from the Fayetteville City Council and others are saddened to lose me as one of their champions for common sense in governing, the takeaway for all should be to register to vote, VOTE, and then hold your elected accountable by staying involved. Your city is counting on YOU!

Appeals Court Judge John Tyson has been cleared of an assault allegation after a state prosecutor said there is no evidence of a crime.

“My client is pleased to hear of the rightful dismissal of the summons against him,” attorney David Courie said in a statement released today. “False allegations should be dismissed. It is bad enough to be falsely charged and to suffer a rush to judgment by some despite the evidence, but it need not be followed up by blind prosecution.”

In May, Myahtaeyarra Warren swore to a magistrate that Tyson committed assault with a deadly weapon by attempting to hit her with his SUV. Warren had been protesting in the vicinity of the Market House in downtown Fayetteville when Tyson drove his vehicle around the traffic circle on May 7.

At least two other protestors reported witnessing the incident, claiming people had to “jump back to not get hit by the vehicle” and “people standing on the mural section had to back up to the fence…”

The charge was referred to the independent Conference of District Attorneys after the local District Attorney’s office recused itself from handling the case, citing conflict of interest as Judge Tyson hears direct appeals of cases prosecuted in the county.

According to Cumberland County Court documents released June 11, “the State obtained, reviewed, and agreed to release six different city cameras that captured various aspects of the described event.”

The state reviewed the footage with Warren on June 10. “After this review, Ms. Warren and her mother acknowledged that Ms. Warren was standing on the sidewalk, leaned up against the fence before, during, and after Tyson’s car passed by them. Tyson’s car never moved towards Ms. Warren or any other protestor present.”

The Dismissal document goes on to state that “the State finds no credible evidence that a crime was committed … the video evidence clearly shows no interaction between Ms. Warren and Mr. Tyson and no evidence of an assault.”

The document further provides that “none of the three people on the circle side of the street reacted in any way to Mr. Tyson’s vehicle passing.”

After the summons was dismissed, Courie elaborated on Tyson’s service as a lawyer, judge, professor and local businessman. “He has spent his life taking responsibility, caring for his family and others, and investing and giving back to his hometown and state.”

“Our laws and criminal justice system cannot support the opportunistic use of the law and smearing of honest reputations earned over a lifetime of work and contributions to our state,” Courie said in a statement. “It can ruin lives and reputations, undermine the credibility of actual criminal acts, and result in the wasting of valuable local law enforcement and court resources in our community.”

Pictured: Judge John Tyson courtesy nccourts.gov

The Broadway musical “Urinetown” opened at the Gilbert Theater to sold-out shows, an indication that audiences are willing to overlook the odd title in exchange for an evening of hysterical entertainment.

Set in a dystopia where the masses are suffering from a drought, one giant corporation has monopolized bathroom usage. Citizens are forced into a pay-per-use urinal by law, with the ultimate punishment of being sent to Urinetown. The musical addresses important social issues and freedoms while keeping it fun with music.

The show is narrated by Officer Lockstock (played by Zech Williams) and Little Sally (played by Hannah Smith) who win the audience’s heart with their mesmerizing performances. Smith does a terrific job with her vocals and acting in her debut show at the Gilbert.

“Urinetown” is a satirical comedy written by Greg Kotis and directed at the Gilbert by Robyne Parrish. The show draws in the audience for a night filled with many laughs.

The first act reflects on the injustices done by the Urine Good Company and its president, Mr. Cladwell (played by Bill Saunders) — a shrewd, selfish man. The lead Bobby Strong (played by Tim Zimmerman) begins to light the fire of revolution and justice amongst the people after his father, Old Man Strong (played by Gabe Terry) breaks the law and uses the urine facility without paying and is sent to the ultimate mysterious bad place – Urinetown.

Hope Cladwell (played by Linda Flynn) is the naive, kind daughter of Mr. Cladwell, who falls in love with Bobby Strong, leading to a series of humorous interactions and drama.

“There is the star-crossed lover’s aspect,” said actor Jacquelyn Kessler (who plays McQueen).

While the lead urges the masses to uproot governmental control and tyranny, the urine facility’s supervisor Penelope Pennywise (played by Jennifer Newman), Lockstock, and rest of law enforcement and UGC’s employees resist their advances.

Newman, also in her debut at the Gilbert, deserves a special shoutout for her performance of Penelope Pennywise.

With musical delight, the show encompasses a classic class struggle between the rich and poor, the have and have nots and sends the audience for a spin to question different social constructs like the legal system, capitalism, corporations, corporate mismanagement and bureaucracy.

The latter half of the show focuses on the masses kidnapping Bobby Strong’s love interest and leading lady Hope, to get her father and villain to agree to their terms. The corrupt old man then refuses to save his daughter and has Strong arrested and sent to Urinetown.

What happens next reflects strongly on misuse of power and authority by the rich and law enforcement, as Urinetown is a violent death to anyone who disagrees with the authority. The production’s last bit shows Hope leading the masses against her father. The show, however, doesn’t necessarily end in happiness for all as many lose their lives or move away due to lack of water after their freedom led to overuse of the resources, as Lockstock narrates. Overall, the production delivers a fantastic time with great actors, band and a successful execution by the crew.

“It has all the things you want to see in the musical, it’s got love, heartbreak, death and fantastic characters, so any big Broadway musical lover is going to love this show,” Parrish said.

For tickets or more information call 910-678-7186 or visit www.gilberttheater.com

Above photo: The cast of "Urinetown" delivers an entertaining performance at the Gilbert Theater. (Photo by Tori Barker)

June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month, and while crime has gone down overall during the pandemic, homicides and other gun crimes have surged nationally, according to a recent report.

The city of Fayetteville’s 2021 murder rate will likely exceed the local record of 31 violent deaths set in 2016. There have been 21 homicides in Fayetteville so far this year, according to police spokesman Sgt. Jeremy Glass. That’s a 38% increase over the first half of last year. There were 13 homicides during the first six months of 2020 and 11 during the corresponding period in 2019. “There are too many victims of gun violence that could have been prevented,” Gov. Roy Cooper has said.

CBS News recently researched the 2019 murder rates of 65 U.S. cities with more than 100,000 residents. Fayetteville was ranked 55th. Charlotte was tied with Nashville, Tennessee, for 59th place. Winston-Salem was rated 56th, Durham 52nd, Greensboro 44th and High Point 34th. The lower the number, the higher the murder rate. CBS News’ calculations used the FBI's 2019 Crime in the United States data, as well as information culled directly from city police officials and the U.S. Census Bureau.

Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins says the record sale of guns in 2020 was a major factor for the increase in homicides so far this year. “Violent crime is increasing around the nation and we’re part of it,” she said.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation noted that 2020 was record-breaking in nearly every measurable metric. More than 8.4 million people purchased their first guns last year. The increase in homicide rates across the country is both historic and far-reaching, as were the social movements that touched every part of society in 2020.

"Those that are predisposed to commit violent crime are not likely to remain in their homes away from other people because there is a stay-at-home order," said Kansas City Police Sergeant Jacob Becchina. “I think the pandemic — COVID — has had a significant emotional impact on people across the country,” Detroit police chief James Craig said.

Chief Hawkins agrees with Craig. She told Up & Coming Weekly that individuals are not processing how they manage disputes. What used to be a fist fight has become a gun fight.

Hawkins said that it’s difficult for law enforcement agencies to prevent murders, most of which are inflicted as the result of domestic disputes, gang activity, violent conflicts and predatory violence.

“We absolutely are proactively on the forefront to eliminate crime,” Hawkins said. “The entire department works very hard to incorporate technology into solving crime.”

She said that most of the 100 downtown video cameras are operating. They are monitored during special events such as the Dogwood Festival and baseball games at Segra Stadium.

The National Council for Home Safety and Security has ranked North Carolina’s 50 safest cities. Fayetteville is not among them. Hope Mills is ranked 42nd. Pinehurst is North Carolina’s safest municipality. True to its image as an upper-crust resort community, Pinehurst recorded a low 0.93 per 1,000 violent crime rate along with the lowest property crime rate in the state.

Methodist University erased a four-shot deficit on the final day of the NCAA Division III Women's Golf National Championship in May and scored its 26th Championship.

“To say I am excited is an understatement,” said head women’s golf coach Tom Inczauskis as his team was greeted on campus by students, faculty and staff after the long trip from East Lansing, Mich.

“I am so proud of the players and all they’ve overcome during this COVID-impacted school year and athletic season.”

Combined with the success of the men’s golf team, which finished as the national runners-up, the MU women brought home the Monarch’s 38th national championship in golf.

The women’s team — consisting of Ingrid Steingrimsen, Jillian Drinkard, Paige Church, Maggie Williams and Abby Bloom, and led by Inczauskis and assistant coach Brock White — took over second place from George Fox University with Day 2’s tournament-low round of 300, inching to within one stroke of leader Carnegie Mellon University.

CMU extended that narrow margin to four strokes but was unable to hold off Methodist in the final round.

The deficit was down to a single stroke after three holes, was erased on No. 4 and tilted in Methodist’s favor on the par-4 sixth hole, when the Monarchs played the hole in even par while CMU played it in three over.

That three-stroke advantage grew to as many as six before Methodist settled for a five-stroke victory and its national title.

“I can’t thank the team enough for all their hard work, sacrifice and days on the road,” added Inczauskis. “They came together as a team. They played their best golf when they needed it most. They stayed upbeat and positive throughout the event. I hope they enjoy the moment with their families, friends and supporters. They had one of the greatest seasons in Methodist women’s golf history and I look forward to our future successes together.”

At Oglebay Golf Resort in Wheeling, W.Va., the MU men’s golf team took home second place in the national championship tournament. A pair of Methodist golfers — Cooper Hrabak and Andre Chi — finished in the Top 5 in individual scoring.

Hrabak ended in a two-way tie for second place. That is the highest finish by a Methodist golfer in the NCAA championships since Jeff Wells in 2015. Chi finished in a two-way tie for fourth place and just one stroke back of Hrabak.

Methodist secured its spot in second place early in Round 4, then finished 11 strokes ahead of third-place Guilford College, falling short of Illinois Wesleyan University for the title by 13 strokes. The MU men’s golf team’s most recent NCAA Championship was in 2018.

You can find additional information on the women’s and men’s championship matches at mumonarchs.com

The 2021 Fayetteville Dinner Theatre will present “Beyond Broadway: Music of Our Time” June 17-19 at the Gates Four Golf & Country Club. Tim Zimmerman and Linda Flynn will headline the show with special guest Tyler Tew.

Zimmerman and Flynn will perform popular Broadway musical hits for the audience.

“Tim used to work on cruise ships, and this is a show he did,” Flynn said.

“He included me in this and I helped him with the backstage stuff. It’s Broadway shows rockified cause that's Tim’s whole style, he makes Broadway rock ’n’ roll.”

The musical will focus on duets with mild banter in between by Flynn and Zimmerman, including mashups, medleys and hits from shows such as “Phantom of the Opera,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Les Miserables” and more.

Written by Zimmerman and directed by Up & Coming Weekly Publisher Bill Bowman, the dinner theatre will commence at 6 p.m. with a welcome reception and wine tasting followed by a dinner and the performance at 7 p.m.

“I think we have got something like 13 to 14 numbers in the show, the first act is 45 minutes long and the second act is 30 minutes long,” Zimmerman said.
“This is going to be a night of all your Broadway favorites, Broadway tunes from classic and modern as well.”

There will be three performances. The June 17 show will be a dessert preview which includes the welcome reception and dessert (no dinner). Tickets are $40 per person.
Tickets for performances on June 18 and 19 will be $75 for general admission or $95 for VIP seating. The dinner theatre offers senior (age 65 and up) and active duty military discount tickets for $65.

Although a wine tasting is part of the welcome reception, wine will also be available for purchase. All wine sales will be donated to The CARE Clinic, which provides free quality health care to eligible uninsured, low income adults who live in Cumberland County and surrounding areas. The CARE Clinic relies entirely on the generosity of donors, grants from foundations and fundraising events.

Tickets for all shows can be purchased at www.fayettevilledinnertheatre.com

“We are excited because COVID has restricted everything and not everyone can plan a trip to New York City, so we are bringing Broadway to them,” Bowman said.

“Beyond Broadway” will be a more refined version of the headliner show Zimmerman performed on cruise ships, Bowman said.
The dinner theatre will also showcase local musician Tyler Tew.

“I was trying to get some music out and when the opportunity came up with the Fayetteville Dinner Theatre for me to come out as a special guest and perform, I thought it was great,” Tew said. “It's strictly country music, growing up hunting, fishing, my family listened to country and that’s something I relate to.”

Tew, a singer-songwriter and guitar player, will perform a half-hour set. He said he is excited for people to hear his music.

“One of the things that the Fayetteville Dinner Theatre aims to do is showcase local talent and give young people a chance to perform while maintaining a quality performance for the audience,” Bowman said.

So far, audiences approve. The last Fayetteville Dinner Theatre show “A Sinister Cabaret” in April sold out both performances and prompted Bowman to offer a third performance this time around.

Bowman said he is expecting a similar response for “Beyond Broadway.”

“It's definitely a great dinner theatre show, and Gates Four is the perfect venue,” Bowman said. “We know that there is definitely demand for this kind of entertainment.”

“We’ve got good theatre here with Cape Fear and the Gilbert but we didn't have a dinner theatre,” said Bowman who resurrected the Fayetteville Dinner Theatre a few years ago.

“People had to go to Greensboro, Raleigh or Charlotte for dinner theatre," he said. "We really found the right niche to be able to pull all this talent together to perform. It has been very rewarding.”

Start your day with a misquote from Pete Seeger: “Where have all the Cicadas gone? Long time passing? Long time ago?” The rest of America is crawling with lovelorn Cicadas of Brood X. As of the delivering of this column to Up & Coming Weekly for deposit into the dust bin of literary history, eastern North Carolina seems to be a Cicada-free zone. Cicadas ignoring the Sandhills is yet another unwarranted indignity visited upon Fayetteville. One can only hope that when this column appears, we will be enjoying the return of the 17-year locusts. Perhaps if we face the rising sun, bend the knee to them, and address them by their official name Pharaoh Cicada they will grace us with their presence and sing us a happy tune.

Until the Cicadas return, let us ponder the world their parents left in 2004 and their grandparents left in 1987. Hop on board Mr. Peabody’s Way Back Machine. It’s time to see what the world looked like when the Cicada’s parents visited us by in 2004. George W. Bush was President. The first major infestation of the internet occurred in February when Mark Zuckerberg’s cyber version of “Rosemary’s Baby” was born as Facebook in his Harvard dorm room. Ever since Facebook’s birth, all has been sweetness and light as the polite and reasoned discussions on Facebook have brought Americans closer together. Facebook has his father’s eyes.

The last episode of the TV show “Friends” aired on NBC in 2004. The fact a reunion show of “Friends” is airing on HBO Max 17 years after the series finale leads me to believe that the stars of “Friends” are not human. They are very large Cicadas wearing human shells. Expect to see Jennifer Anniston shed her exoskeleton on national TV revealing a large but very attractive insect selling beauty products.

Ken Jennings won 74 straight Jeopardy games in 2004. His return as a possible host to replace Alex Trebek 17 years later means Ken also is a giant Cicada in human form.

In 2004, the Russian tanker Tropical Brilliance got stuck in the Suez Canal for 3 days. Seventeen years later in 2021, the tanker Ever Given got stuck in the Suez Canal. The Ever Given is yet another giant aquatic Mother Bug Cicada teeming with pupae.

The year 2004 saw Yasser Arafat fading out ultimately crossing the Great Divide into the land of 70 virgins. These virgins turned out to be Catholic Nuns armed with rulers. Yasser was condemned to fail to learn his multiplication tables resulting in his knuckles being rapped for eternity.

In an attempt to jump start a fading career, Janet Jackson experienced a half time wardrobe malfunction at the Super Bowl between New England and the Carolina Panthers.
From the 2004 Crime Desk, Martha Stewart was sentenced to 5 months in prison for lying to the Feds. Lance Armstrong won the Tour De France but was disqualified later for doping.

Edvard Munch’s most famous painting “The Scream” was stolen from an Oslo Museum. It was recovered and went on to appear on coffee cups, key chains, tee shirts and pillowcases to enlighten art lovers everywhere.

What did the grandparents of Brood X see when they were riding the “Love Boat” of insect ecstasy back in 1987? Let us count the ways. All kinds of colorful stuff was happening. President Ronald Reagan dared Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall. The Dow Jones average closed above 2000 for the first time. Michael Jordan scored a Chicago Bulls record of 58 points in a single game. Mike Tyson beat James “Bonecrusher” Smith in 12 rounds for the Heavyweight Championship. The Teflon Don John Gotti was found not guilty of racketeering. Jim Bakker resigned from PTL over accusations from his secretary Jessica Hahn.

Austrian Chancellor Kurt Waldheim forgot he was a Nazi. The U.S. Justice Department remembered and barred him from the U.S.

Gary Hart dropped out of the race for President after sailing on the good ship Monkey Business with Donna Rice. Michael Jackson tried unsuccessfully to buy the skeleton of the Elephant Man. The movie “Fatal Attraction” is released setting off a rush for boiled bunny recipes. Out west in Midland, Texas, Baby Jessica fell into a well and was rescued in a rare feel-good moment for America. Unwilling to allow the good feeling to last, 3 days later the Dow Jones average fell into a financial well, dropping 22% in one day.

Robert Bork’s nomination to the Supreme Court fell into a legal well never to be seen again. His replacement nominee Douglas Ginsburg admitted to smoking pot and withdrew his nomination. Third choice Anthony Kennedy got the consolation appointment to the Supreme Court.

Sonny & Cher performed with each other for the last time singing “I Got You Babe” on Letterman proving irony was dead. In December, Manson follower Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, who attempted to assassinate President Gerald Ford, escaped from prison and was captured 2 days later, proving it’s always something.

So Brood X, if you are out there, we need you. Make your parents and Grand Daddy Pharaoh Cicada proud of you.

Don’t leave us waiting at the Cicada Alter. All is forgiven. Please come home.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol has sworn in a new commanding officer. Colonel Freddy L. Johnson Jr. has been named the 28th commander of the S.H.P. He is a Cumberland County native and has been in public safety work all his life. After graduating from South View High School in 1989, Johnson was hired as a full-time firefighter and since 1996 has served as deputy chief of the Stoney Point Fire Department. Colonel Johnson attended Fayetteville State University and earned a criminal justice degree. He joined the North Carolina Highway Patrol as a State Trooper in 1995 and was assigned to Robeson County while maintaining his volunteer firefighter responsibilities. Johnson’s promotion ceremony on June 4 included remarks from Governor Roy Cooper, and N.C. Public Safety Secretary Erik Hooks.

Pictured Above : Col. Freddy L. Johnson Jr. 

Plenty of politicians, planners and business folks think they know what North Carolina’s post-pandemic economy will look like. But few seem entirely sure. They are noticeably hedging their predictions, which I consider to be a wise precaution. They ought to be hedging their bets, as well.

There are unanswered questions across multiple economic sectors and time frames. For many decisionmakers, however, perhaps the single most important questions involve the fate of hybrids.

I’m not talking about motor vehicles. I’m talking about work schedules. With so many North Carolinians having experienced months of doing their jobs from home, will they want to come back to the office full-time? If so, there won’t be meaningful changes in traffic patterns, consumer behavior, and the market for commercial and residential real estate.

However, if a significant share asks employers to stay remote indefinitely — or, more likely, to split their workweeks between office and home — the result could be disruptive. I don’t necessarily mean that in a bad way. But even net-positive innovations have transition and transaction costs.

The early signals are noisy. Some workers are clearly desperate to get back to the office. They found being at home distracting, even without school-aged children needing frequent attention, and embrace the rigid separation of worktime and personal time that a physical commute can reinforce. Others quite enjoyed doing their jobs remotely. It saved them the time and expense of commuting, and of dressing up. They embrace the intersection of work and home for its flexibility.

As for employers, some found remote work fairly easy to inspire, manage and evaluate. Others felt their teams, dispersed by geography and otherwise out of sync, became less productive. This sentiment appears to be widespread in occupations such as banking, finance and law. American Enterprise Institute analyst Brent Orrell calls it “a move that appears to be driven by a mix of tradition and a concern for new hires who need regular coaching on work practices and expectations.”

Of course the smart money will be wagered on some kind of midpoint. Many workers will resume a regular schedule. But not all. One recent academic paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research projects that home-based work will account for 20% of full workdays in the United States, up from 5% before the COVID crisis. Amanda Mull, a staff writer for The Atlantic, predicts that many professionals will ask for hybrid schedules: three days a week in the office, two at home.

Such developments would have major consequences. The NBER paper estimated that if a fifth of workdays happened at home, consumer spending in major city centers would decline by as much as 10%. Think fewer workers parking their cars in decks, eating out for lunch, or running errands on the way home. Think major employers shrinking their footprints the next time they renew their leases.

Now consider what’s happening with urban transit across the country. Ridership across all categories fell dramatically during the crisis, but declines in rail use were especially large, in part because the very professionals most likely to be able to do their jobs from home also make up a disproportionate share of rail users.

The only relevant case in North Carolina is Charlotte — and it’s a revealing one. Bus ridership in the Queen City is down by about 49% year-to-year. Light rail ridership is down 71%, and isn’t bouncing back as fast as bus usage is.

I confess that I’ve been a rail-transit skeptic for a long time. I already thought the Triangle area was wise not to pursue a long-proposed rail line. That decision looks even better in retrospect.

If more jobs move to hybrid schedules, many North Carolinians will likely move further away from central cities, to exurbs and low-density counties. They’ll consume public services, of course, but not the same ones, from the same jurisdictions. And they’ll likely vote differently than their rural neighbors do.

Hybrids could be the wave of the future.
Who knew?

The Cool Spring Downtown District has launched the District Summer Market at Festival Park. This combined farmers and makers market is scheduled to operate from 4-8 p.m. every Thursday through Aug. 26 (except July1). Market wares, food, beverages, free entertainment and other activities will be available. Vendors are selling a variety of wares and products at the market each week including locally grown produce, meat and seafood as well as locally made artwork and artisan goods. Food and beverage trucks are selling meals and drinks. Canned beer from Bright Light Brewing Company and Lake Gaston Brewing Company will be available at the Cool Spring Downtown District tent.

The Dogwood Festival’s mini-fest which was postponed earlier this year is being held June 11-12 at Festival Park off Ray Ave. Live music from the Throwback Collaboration Band and On The Border will be staged on day one. The second day features a car and motorcycle show, as well as scaled-down collections of arts and crafts. Food vendors will provide snacks. "We're all very excited for this opportunity," said Sarahgrace Snipes, who was recently named Dogwood Festival Executive Director. The scaled down mini-fest is among the first events being held at Festival Park since the COVID-19 pandemic began early last year. The festival runs from 5-11 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free. Donations are being accepted.

With more COVID-19 vaccinations across the country, many Americans are looking forward to resuming their lives and returning to normal. This June, during Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, the Alzheimer’s Association — Eastern North Carolina Chapter is encouraging residents to make brain health an important part of their return to normal.

“The past year has been extremely challenging for most Americans,” said Lisa Roberts, Executive Director, Alzheimer’s Association — Eastern North Carolina Chapter. “Chronic stress, like that experienced during the pandemic, can impact memory, mood and anxiety. As North Carolina residents begin to return to normal, we encourage them to make brain health a priority.”

The Alzheimer’s Association offers five suggestions to promote brain health and to help North Carolina residents restore their mental well-being.

Recommit to Brain-Healthy Basics

Evidence suggests that healthy behaviors took a backseat for many Americans during the pandemic. Gym memberships were put on hiatus, social engagement became more challenging and many Americans swapped out healthful eating for their favorite comfort foods, take-out meals and frequent snacking while working remotely. One study published recently found participants gained nearly 1.5 pounds per month over the past year, on average.

The Alzheimer’s Association — through its U.S. POINTER Study — is examining the role lifestyle interventions,including diet, may play in protecting cognitive function. Right now, many experts agree that people can improve their brain health and reduce the risk of cognitive decline by adopting healthy lifestyle habits, preferably in combination, including: exercising regularly, maintaining a heart-healthy diet, getting proper sleep, staying socially and mentally active.

Return to Normal at Your Own Pace

Many Americans are eager for a return to normal life following the pandemic, but others are anxious. In fact, one recent survey found that nearly half of adults (49%) report feeling uncomfortable about returning to in-person interactions when the pandemic ends. For those feeling anxious, the Alzheimer’s Association suggests taking small steps. It may also be important to set boundaries and communicate your preferences to others in your social circles.

Help Others

There is evidence to suggest that helping others during the pandemic may not only make you feel better, but it may be good for you as well. Research shows that helping others in a crisis can be an effective way to alleviate stress and anxiety. One study published during the pandemic found that adults over age 50 who volunteer for about two hours per week have a substantially reduced risk of dying, higher levels of physical activity and an improved sense of well-being. To help others and yourself during June and throughout the year, volunteer in your community,run errands or deliver meals to a home-bound senior or donate to a favorite cause, such as supporting participants in the Alzheimer’s Association’s The Longest Day event on June 20.

Unplug and Disconnect
Technology has dominated our daily lives during the pandemic like never before. While technology has kept us connected through COVID-19, it has also created fatigue for many Americans. Experts warn that excessive stimulation coming from our phones, computers, social media sources and news reports can add to our already heightened anxiety levels. To avoid technology overload, experts advise setting limits on your screen time, avoid carrying your phone everywhere, and disconnecting from digital devices at bedtime.

Control Your Stress Before it Controls You

In small doses, stress teaches the brain how to respond in healthy ways to the unexpected, inconvenient or unpleasant realities of daily life. Prolonged or repeated stress, however, can wear down and damage the brain, leading to serious health problems including depression, anxiety disorders, memory loss and increased risk for dementia. Reports indicate that Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers are especially vulnerable to physical and emotional stress. The Alzheimer’s Association offers tips to help manage caregiver stress. Meditation, exercise, listening to music or returning to a favorite activity you have missed during the pandemic are just some ways to manage stress. Do what works best for you.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has been an overwhelming time for all of us,” Roberts said. “It’s important for people to know there are steps we can take to lessen the stress and anxiety we might be feeling. It can be easy to take brain health for granted, but now more than ever, it’s a good idea to make it a priority.”
Currently, the Alzheimer’s Association and representatives from more than 40 countries are working together to study the short- and long-term consequences of COVID-19 on the brain and nervous system in people at different ages, and from different genetic backgrounds.

During Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month, the Alzheimer’s Association in North Carolina is hosting virtual events for participants to learn about research in the areas of diet and nutrition, cognitive activity and social engagement.

“Healthy Brain, Healthy Body, Healthy You Symposium” — will take place on June 7-11. Discover strategies and activities to incorporate into your plan for healthy aging in our seven-part series. Sponsored by Sharon Towers, this interactive virtual experience includes sessions such as a cooking demonstration and gentle yoga. Join all sessions or just those of interest.

Part 1: Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body Overview took place June 7
Part 2: Mindfulness Matters was scheduled for June 8
Part 3: Med Instead of Meds: Eating the Mediterranean Way for Better Health is scheduled for June 9
Part 4: Gentle Yoga (seated) is scheduled for June 9
Part 5: Engaging with Art is scheduled for June 10
Part 6: Mediterranean Cooking Demonstration is scheduled for June 10
Part 7: Gentle Yoga (Mat) is scheduled for June 11

“Taking PRIDE in Healthy Living” — will take place virtually on June 17 from 6-7:30 p.m. Science provides insights into how to make lifestyle choices that may help you keep your brain and body healthy as you age. Join us to learn about research in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement. Hear from panelists such as Dr. Rhett Brown, a top healthcare provider for LGBTQ+ individuals and others who provide services and social activities to the LGBTQ+ community across North Carolina.

“The Longest Day®” — leading up to and culminating on June 20, the summer solstice and the day with the most light – local residents will join advocates across North Carolina and the world to participate in The Longest Day to fight the darkness of Alzheimer’s through an activity of their choice. Together, they will use their creativity and passion to raise critical funds and awareness to advance Alzheimer’s Association® care, support and research programs. Participants can support the event at home, online or in-person – biking, hiking, playing bridge, knitting and more – to shine a light on the more than 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, and the more than 11 million family members and friends providing care and support.

Additional information on virtual educational programs and other care and support resources or how to get involved with the Association, can be found by visiting the Alzheimer’s Association, Eastern North Carolina Chapter at www.alz.org/nc or by calling our 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.

Cumberland County improved from a Substantial Spread of COVID-19 to a lesser tier on May 27,
according to the N.C. Department of Health of Human Services county alert system. This is based on the case rate, positive percentages and hospital impact scores. Cumberland County is one of 41 counties statewide that improved from Orange Tier (Substantial Spread) to Yellow Tier (Significant Spread). The County Alert System is updated biweekly.

The Cumberland County Department of Public Health is offering the COVID-19 vaccine to individuals ages 12 and up at locations throughout the county. According to the state, 309 Cumberland County residents have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. There have been 29,531 cases in Cumberland County reported since the onset of the pandemic.

It’s time to shed the gloom, the doom and the masks! Fayetteville is emerging from the restraints and restrictions of COVID and coming alive again with the traditional summer sights and sounds of our diverse All America City. Truly international in scope, Cumberland County is home to people and organizations dedicated to supporting and nurturing the local traditions that define and enhance our unique community. Spring and summer are when Fayetteville comes alive with activities and events to entertain and excite the entire family. There is something for everyone.

The Dogwood Festival is one familiar venue to bring the family outdoors to enjoy local music, food and artists. It’s finally back with a Mini Festival scheduled for June 11-12 at Festival Park. Smaller in scale this year, but just the beginning of returning our community back into the vibrant entertainment hub we’ve come to
appreciate.

What would summer be without music? Our local residents don’t have to answer that because there are multiple concert series already in full swing in our area. The Rock’n On The River series returns to Deep Creek on June 16 with Reflections II and Trial By Fire — two bands that are sure to have you singing along, dancing and enjoying time with friends.

The new music venue, the Pavilion at Gates Four Golf & Country Club, hosts Beatlemania on June 26. With concerts lined up through September, there’s sure to be something to please fans of all music genres.

The newest and most exciting outdoor family entertainment attraction developing in eastern North Carolina is right here in Fayetteville east of the river on Sapona Road — Sweet Valley Ranch.

If you haven't heard about it by now, you will in the near future. Sweet Valley Ranch opened last year to over 17 thousand visitors who came to view and enjoy their drive-thru Christmas light display, the Festival of Lights. Beginning today, June 9, Sweet Valley Ranch is opening Dinosaur World.

Dinosaur World is the latest attraction on the 300 acre working farm that takes visitors on an adventure through a nature trail inhabited by the prehistoric creatures. Visitors of all ages are in for a unique experience.

It is only the beginning of what we predict will become Fayetteville and Cumberland County’s #1 family fun, educational and entertainment destination. Up & Coming Weekly will be showcasing this multi-dimensional enterprise and it's entrepreneurial owners, Fred and Anita Surgeon, and the major economic impact it will have on our community.

Stay tuned and be careful: the Dinosaurs are coming!

Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

I was sitting at a stoplight on a calm Sunday morning near the end of May. It was 7:30 in the morning, and traffic was light because not much is open is that time of morning. As I waited for the light to turn, a couple pulled up next to me. I looked over, and they were both wearing masks. Suddenly all the craziness of the last 15-months came flooding back in. The shut downs, the lines, new terms like social distancing, essential worker, and North Carolina's own Wait, Wash and... whatever the other W was.

Then my mind casually wandered over to the social games of follow the leader we played. I think toilet paper was first. The object was to buy and store as much toilet paper as you could. Bonus points if you could balance a stack 4-feet higher than the top of your shopping cart on the way to the checkout.

It started to look like a late snow was predicted when bottled water came in as a close second in the game. Disinfecting wipes changed my mind. Those were not traditionally a weather-related buyout item. Nor were hand sanitizer, webcams or 2x4's.

As America settled into her 'new normal' though, a new series of shortages began to emerge: used cars. Then houses. Followed by jobs for blue collar and food service workers and recreational vehicles for remote-working urban couples.

I could have gone on, but the light turned green. As I drove, my gas gauge reading near-full, I was reminded of the actions of friends and neighbors during the recent and short-lived gas shortage. That's when it all came full circle. The shortages, the anger, the frustration and even desperation were all driven by the same things: greed and discontent.

I'm reminded of a Bible passage written by the Apostle Paul from 1 Timothy 6 which begins, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”

As we were clearing store shelves of one item and then the next, following the lead of neighbors, friends and family, we made even the most nonsensical items our top purchase priority and getting our share before it was gone.

The Bible passage continues at 1 Timothy 6:9 saying, “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.”

That brings me back around to today. And I wonder about our collective tomorrow. Many think the Bible is an archaic document filled with idealistic stories, but look around. There's an amazing wealth of knowledge and understanding of what drives people hundreds of generations and later. When the Bible is as close as it is on humans and their behavior, it makes it that much easier to believe when it talks about God.

And that's the story in a nutshell — the story of God and the human race. Open it. Read it. When you see yourself, look closer and you'll see the God who has been trying to reach us since the dawn of time.

Fayetteville Technical Community College held its 59th Annual Commencement exercises outdoors on its Fayetteville campus May 14. The event marked a return to in-person commencement exercises. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the College held a virtual graduation in 2020. The easing of constraints made it possible for FTCC to hold in-person ceremonies this year even as safety protocols were observed.

For the first time, the College held its commencement exercises on its Fayetteville campus, under large open-air tents. Three separate ceremonies were held simultaneously in three locations on campus to allow for social distancing. Graduates were under the tents. Family and friends watched from outside. The ceremonies were also streamed live and recorded for later viewing.

More than 600 graduates participated in the in-person ceremonies. All 1,970 of the College’s 2021 graduates were included in a virtual ceremony that premiered on May 15.

The keynote speakers at this year’s ceremonies included the Hon. Robert Wilkie, former Secretary of Veterans Affairs; Dr. Mark Sorrells, FTCC’s Senior Vice President of Academic and Student Services; and Dr. Murtis Worth, the College’s Dean of Nursing. Wilkie, a native of Fayetteville and a graduate of Reid Ross High School, was also the keynote speaker for the College’s virtual graduation ceremony.

Wilkie told graduates that he had watched FTCC grow from a small technical college into “a wonderful institution dedicated to the human spirit.” He said education is a gift that can transform a person’s life. He urged graduates to use that gift to find and pursue their passion.

“Remember what you’re passionate about, what will make you get up every day for the rest of your life,” he said. “Whatever you’re lacking in optimism, remember your special responsibility because of where you are, and what you’ve been granted. To hold up those who don’t fall to cynicism and to hold up those who see a world not as it is, but as it should be. So, be passionate.”

FTCC President Dr. J. Larry Keen visited each ceremony. At Tent B, taking place on the front lawn of the Tony Rand Student Center, Keen told graduates success is not a destination, but a journey.

“Please don’t stop here today, and say you made it,” he said. “But understand the real joy is in the journey. Take what you’ve learned, apply it and experience joy with every step that you take because it takes you to better fulfillment of life and the things you do. Every single person has purpose, has an opportunity, a series of opportunities to
do well.”

FTCC’s 2021 graduates earned a total 3,926 associate degrees, diplomas and certificates from 280 curriculum programs in these areas: Allied Health Technologies, Arts and Humanities, Business, Computer & Information Technology, Engineering and Applied Technology, Math and Sciences, Nursing, and Public Service.

In addition, 76 students graduated from the College’s Adult High School program and 43 students graduated from the High School Equivalency program.

Pictured Above: Keynote speakers encpuraged graduates to remain passionate about their goals. (Above Photo by Natasha Brown)

Gilbert Theater’s newest musical “Urinetown” is set to open June 4 and run through June 13, bringing some clean toilet humor to the public. Written by Greg Kotis, the musical originally premiered on Broadway in 2001, and it satirizes various social constructs.

“One big-wig has taken over everything in the story and is monitoring the water use and making huge amounts of money doing so,” said director Robyne Parrish. “People literally have to pay to pee under the threat that they will be sent away to this place called Urinetown, if they disobey.”

The storyline is set in a dystopia where a water shortage leads to governmental ban of private toilets and how one man, Bobby Strong, stands up against the unjust system.

“The question is, ‘what is Urinetown?’ Is it a jail, is it an island somewhere, is it a work camp, what is it and you find that out as the story progresses,” Parrish said.

The lead of the story rallies the town people to speak up and make change in the town, actor Quentin King said.

“The main character meets and falls in love with the villain’s daughter, Hope, so there is a little bit of the star-crossed lover’s element,” actor Jacquelyn Kessler said.

The musical puts a satirical spin on the legal system, and questions capitalism, corporations, corporate mismanagement and bureaucracy.

“It has all the things you want to see in the musical, it’s got love, heartbreak, death and fantastic characters, so any big Broadway musical lover is going to love this show,” Parrish said. “Huge built-in numbers and great dance numbers, sweet ballads, it just has a little bit of everything for everyone.”

Urinetown also mocks Broadway musical shows like “The Threepenny Opera” and “Les Misérables.”

“It’s going to talk about social constructs so it will be a lot of poor versus rich for a lot of the scenes so hopefully the clothes will reflect that. One group will be dressed posh and the other very raggedy Ann,” Kessler said.

Artistic Director of the Gilbert Lawrence Carlisle encourages potential audiences to not shy away from the production because of the title.

“People should not be turned down by it being called “Urinetown,’ it’s good family fun and there’s something for everyone,” Carlisle said. “The opening night is sold out already.”

For more information about the show and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.gilberttheater.com/index.php

Legends Pub will host their 24th annual Spring Fling the weekend of June 4-6. Known to many locals for its welcoming and altruistic nature, the pub, located at 4624 Bragg Blvd # 1, has hosted the event since owner Holly Whitley purchased it about 25 years ago.

“We take care of our own in our own community, we feel as though our own community needs this more than anything,” Whitley said. “It’s quite phenomenal for a little biker bar on the boulevard.”

Spring Fling began way 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 was just a get-together of friends and then when we bought the bar we thought of having it there and at that time one of our friends had had a motorcycle accident and they needed our help so we decided to turn the party into a benefit,” she said. “And that’s how we all started as a group and Spring Fling is now our largest benefit of the year.”

Whitley, in Fayetteville since 1979, bought the pub in the 90’s. Ever since, each year the Spring Fling has raised money for many different individuals and causes in Cumberland County.

“We’ve been around for 25 years and I have got a good, solid base of people that have been with me for many years, supported our benefits and each other, and they knew if hard times came, we would be there to support them as well,” she said.

This year's Spring Fling will benefit the local non-profit Seth’s Wish, a charity helping those affected by homelessness and food insecurity.

“We had a space in Fayetteville for three years and last year a drunk driver drove their car through our building, which is why Holly is doing the Spring Fling this year to help us get into a new building,” said Seth’s Wish Founder and Executive Director Lindsey Wofford.

The non-profit offered hot meals and a place for the homeless to relax during the day. At their old site they also had a clothes closet, food pantry, hygiene closet as well as hot showers for people to use.

“With COVID and the car hitting our building we are really depending on the Spring Fling to move towards our goal of getting into a new space, since all our funds are being constantly exhausted,” Wofford said. “We help house families as well, helping with electric bills, helping people with hotel rooms during winter nights, so it's constantly a game of keep up.”

Whitley said she has helped Seth’s Wish before and has since gotten to know Wofford and how she works.

The 2021 Spring Fling will be a free event for all with the kick off on Friday, June 4 with free pizza and a pool tournament starting at 8 p.m. People are encouraged to bring donation items for the raffle and auction, as well as gallon sized canned food items or small pop-top canned food and personal hygiene items.

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 event will begin at 1 p.m. and end by 4 p.m. before the auction.

“We do the Scott Sather Memorial Poker Run in honor of Scott Sather, a regular at our bar, he was killed in Iraq in 2001, and we always have a toast for him,” Whitley said. “He was a part of our family.”

Raffle tickets will be available for purchase for $20 each or $100 for 10 tickets.

“One of our bigger raffle prizes this year is a 70-inch TV among other things,” Whitley said.

The event will feature the live-band Bone Deep from Raleigh after the auction at the end of the night.

On the last day of the Spring Fling, there will be a Bike Show, from 1 to 4 p.m.

“After the show, we usually have a lunch of hotdogs and barbecue sandwiches,” Whitley said. “I don’t ask people to pay for the food because I love people to eat at the bar, just come on down and join us.”

The competitions will feature different awards and prizes, she said.

The 2020 Spring Fling was cancelled due to the pandemic but the pub reopened with a remodel and was revamped.

“My staff has been with me for a long time, they all stuck with me through the pandemic and came back, so I didn't have an employment issue coming back,” Whitley said. “I had a lot of support from the community in being able to pay my rent and
utilities.”

Over the last 25 years, Legends Pub has raised over $50,000 each year.

“The Spring Fling is our biggest event, but we do other events throughout the year as well,” Whitley said. “Over the last 25 years or so I would say we may have raised about a million dollars or so for our community. “We never know when someone has the need, so God forbid something happens.”

Wofford hopes with the help of the money raised with Spring Fling, Seth’s Wish can be back in a building space by this fall before the weather starts getting cold.

“I chose this community to be where I raised my children, and they’ve grown up and become successful here,” Whitley said tearing up. “I just feel like you have to build on your own community. As much strife as we've had in our community this last year, it’s been so hard on all of us, my daddy used to always say, we got to take care of our own, never forget our own.”

Pictured Above: The 2021 Legends Pub Spring Fling will benefit Sth's Wish, a local charity helping those affected by homelessness and food insecurity. (Photos by Christy Alphin)

In an effort to continue the discussion on social justice, Ellington-White Contemporary Gallery is exhibiting Art & Social Justice, a national juried exhibition until June 26. For gallery owners Dwight Smith and Calvin Mims, like many of the exhibits, it is a way “for people to see the world from a different perspective.”

Over 155 works of art were sent to be juried into the gallery or the online exhibit based on the prospectus: “We are living in a tumultuous time; the pandemic has illuminated many of the inequities in our country. How do we move towards equity? Why do we seem to be moving away from fairness? Make an impact with your visually representation of feelings and thoughts on social injustice today … we hope the exhibition will continue the discussion of our path to social justice.”

Although the dominant theme in the exhibition is Black Lives Matter, artists have submitted an unexpected range of themes, styles and mediums based on the principle of social justice: every individual in a society has the same rights and opportunities to be treated fairly and equitably by the society they live in.

An unexpected subject by Korean artist, Sueim Koo, from Ridgefield, New Jersey, is a good example of why visitors should come to the gallery or visit the exhibit online and take the time to read the artists’ statement. In her work titled “Marriage Life (I was Covering my Eyes, Ears and Mouth),” Koo mixes abstraction and realism, predominantly green and pastel colors, abstracted faces are covered by realistic hands and arms on a background of patterns.

Without knowing what the artist intended, “Marriage Life” immediately leads us to understand there is a hidden social justice theme taking place. Koo’s artist’s statement is specific: “I am covering my eyes, ears and mouth with my hands in reference to the principle ‘see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.’” It is also in direct reference to a Korean proverb about marriage. According to this proverb, a new bride should be blind for three years so she will not criticize anything she sees, dumb for three years so she won’t speak out and say something she may regret later, and deaf for three years so she won’t be upset by being scolded.”

Koo’s work is built on a basic social justice premise: the value of oneself in a culture (and to herself) is not greater or lesser than others. The artist speaks to this by stating, “the proverb of the bride can also be used to describe my life as an immigrant … I would sometimes avoid situations in which I would be seen as a foreigner … there were many times I had to pretend not to see or not to hear in order to overcome feelings of humiliation. We must avoid these hurts caused by unfair beliefs about people with different skin colors, different language, different cultures and different gender.”

In sharp contrast to “Marriage Life,” the digitally enhanced gouache titled “Circus Noir” by Robert Arbogast, from St. Augustine, Florida, stands out in the exhibit. Smaller than many of the works surrounding the print, the artist has said much with a minimal graphic design. Shapes and text in black, red, white and minimal green will speak to viewers from across the gallery to look closer — the artist mixes signals to create intent. Arbogast’s statement clears up the confusion: “’Circus Noir’ was inspired by circus posters. In that context, the image could be interpreted as a ‘trick shot,’ shooting a lit cigarette from a man’s mouth. The image can also be viewed as execution, the black man smoking a last cigarette before being shot. The ambiguity is intentional. But the hand holding the gun is white, an intentional reference to the epidemic of Black men being murdered by policemen.”

The above are only two of the thirty-six works hanging in the gallery. The styles range from realism to abstraction, textiles, mixed media to paintings. Just as diverse are the social justice themes artists addressed in their work. Black Live Matter is a prevalent theme, but other themes include, but are not limited to, #MeToo, sexual orientation and gender identity, immigration and poverty.

Curator- juror, Rose-Ann San Martino, must have had a difficult time selecting the award winners from such a varied range of work; but her experience as a professional artist, art advocate and being involved with Ellington-White Corporation since 2008 is a strong background of experience. San Martino studied drawing and painting at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, D.C. Her work has been exhibited locally and nationally in group and solo exhibitions and can be found in private collections throughout the United States.

San Martino worked from a valid system of assessment: “The work had to be well crafted, adhere to the theme of the exhibit, and the intent of the work needed to be immediately recognizable. Many excellent works were submitted, but the subject did not follow the theme of social justice.”

She continued, “How does one select between a textile wall hanging, a print, photograph or a painting for an award? It’s never a hierarchical decision based on a medium, the image needed to be instantly recognizable and reflect what the artists included in the artists’ statement. Being recognizable can fall into the cerebral or sublime. For example, the first-place winning entry, a black and white photograph by Richard Perry, from Chapel Hill is an example of the cerebral — a hand pressing against a chain link fence is an image which immediately symbolizes not just one theme, but many themes of social justice.”

As the curator and juror of Art & Social Justice, “I was not surprised but pleased that artists addressed so many different themes, and their approaches to the themes ranged from extremely serious to humorous and even quirky. For visitors to the gallery, or the online exhibit, should take the time to read the artist’s statement. We all bring our own meaning to a work but reading the artist’s statement may give someone a new way to look at a theme or an artist’s approach to a theme.”

Other awards by San Martino include Jeremy Wangler, “7,” photography (2nd), and Sueim Koo, “Marriage Life (I was Covering my Eyes, Ears and Mouth),” mixed media (3rd). Honorable Mentions were given to a textile wall hanging titled “Gaslighter” by Mel Dugosh and “Circus Noir” by Robert Arbogast.

You will have to visit the gallery (or go online) and see firsthand how artists have created works which intersect with political activism and social justice causes. The only artist from Fayetteville in the exhibit is Andrew Johnson.

The exhibit is a means for raising awareness about social issues and affecting positive change. For information and to view the online exhibit, visit www.ellington-white.com/art-social-justice-exhibition. The gallery is located at113 Gillespie St. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Wednesday – Saturday. For more information email ewp-arts@hotmail.com or call 910-483-1388.

Pacific Islanders make up 1.4 million and Asian Americans make up 22.9 million of the U.S. population. The AAPI population has doubled from 2000 to 2019 and is projected to surpass 46 million by 2060 according to the Pew Research Center. Asian Americans trace their roots to more than 20 countries in East and Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent.

“One of the biggest issues facing the community right now is how the Asian American community is viewed as a monolithic group, leading to issues facing a diversity of populations being overlooked, particularly highlighted over the past year are barriers to accessing services,” said Ricky Leung, co-founder and senior director of programs for North Carolina Asian Americans Together, or NCAAT.

Language needs and socioeconomic levels vary drastically for different Asian American populations which leads to decision making that would gloss over the very real needs of already underserved communities, Leung said.

The NCAAT is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan, nonprofit organization focused on bringing together the Asian American community in North Carolina through civic engagement and political participation. For more information on the NCAAT mission or volunteer opportunities, visit https://ncaatogether.org/

“Between the 2008 and 2012 elections, the Asian American eligible electorate in North Carolina grew by 27.8%, compared to overall statewide growth of 6.1%,” Leung said. “However, Asian American eligible voters are still behind in turnout and have the lowest voter participation rate of any racial minority in the state.” One reason behind this issue was that according to a 2016 study, over 70% of Asian Americans had never been contacted by a political party or candidate, he said.

“Even when they were contacted, the outreach was unlikely to have been culturally competent or to have taken into account the language needs of this diverse population,” Leung said

Founded in 2016, NCAAT’s goal was to fill this gap by focusing specifically on increasing civic engagement and political participation in the Asian American community. NCAAT was the state’s first and only pan-Asian social justice organization.

Since 1978, May is observed as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month in the U.S.

Master Sergeant Cathy Fisher of the U.S. Air Force is stationed at Fort Bragg and celebrates her Asian American Heritage year-round but is excited about the opportunity to introduce others to her heritage during the nationally recognized month of May. She identifies her heritage as Thai, and a mix of Thai, Laotian and Chinese ethnicities.

“Food is a big part of Thai culture, as well as Asian cultures in general,” she said. It was always fun for me to introduce my non-Asian friends to food they had never seen, smelled or tasted and I brought in spring rolls for my coworkers a few weeks ago in celebration of Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month.”

One of her favorite things about Thai culture is the Loi Krathong, a water festival. “The first year I attended, my mom explained to me that the tradition of Loi Krathong was to light the candle that was put inside of a lotus flower-shaped candle holder, make a wish and then send your lotus flower out on the water for your wish to be released and come true,” Fisher said. “It was such a beautiful sight.”

Fisher said she enjoys the diversity in the Department of Defense and has met many in the service with her cultural backgrounds and part of the AAPI community which has been great.

Many DoD installations celebrate AAPI Heritage Month by inviting speakers and veterans to share their experiences in overcoming challenges that face the AAPI community, and or celebrate the culture by hosting events where people can sample authentic cuisine as well as experience cultural elements like dance or music, she mentioned.

“As an Asian American woman, I was raised to be quiet and accommodating, the stereotype of being quiet, timid and subservient is a common one that is applied to Asian women,” Fisher said. “The Air Force taught me to speak up, it helped me find my voice to share new ideas, teach others what I had learned and to advocate for those who needed my help.”

With the COVID-19 pandemic, the country saw a rise in hate-crimes against Asian Americans. According to a study by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University hate crimes against Asian Americans rose by 149 percent between 2019 and 2020, in spite of overall hate crimes in the country declining.

The Anti-Asian sentiment has been deeply disheartening for her and has made her worry about her 70-year-old elderly mother, Fisher said.

“A lot of feelings of helplessness came up as I saw more violence towards the AAPI community,” she mentioned. “I try to choose compassion when I don’t understand a situation and I couldn’t understand why anyone would attack an elderly Asian woman or shoot people for going to an Asian massage parlor.”

Leung said some ways to spread awareness about issues affecting the AAPI community is to read more diverse authors and learn about the diversity of experiences of various communities.

“Be intentional in outreach, think about who all is directly impacted and what are the best ways to make services more accessible to those who need them the most,” he said. “Thinking through language, culture, technology, means various parts of accessibility.

FTCC Foundation received a grant of $250,000 from Cumberland Community Foundation for the expansion of the nursing program and renovation of the Nursing Education and Simulation Center. The grant is the second largest grant received by FTCC Foundation for the nursing expansion. The largest grant received for the project was from the Golden LEAF Foundation for $961,200.

“Cumberland Community Foundation makes a significant difference in improving the lives of the citizens of Cumberland County,” said FTCC President Dr. Larry Keen. “Our Nursing Education and Simulation Center has been enhanced significantly by their support and ongoing commitment to the students, faculty and our community members by their generosity and ongoing fulfillment of their vision and mission.”

The grant is in honor of Cumberland Community Foundation’s 40th anniversary. The lobby in the Nursing Education and Simulation Center will be named for Dr. Lucile West Hutaff, the founder of Cumberland Community Foundation.

Dr. Hutaff was the first full-time female faculty member at Bowman Gray School of Medicine where she served for 29 years. Her career was dedicated to helping others through preventative and community medicine. When she retired and moved back to Fayetteville, she created Cumberland Community Foundation with a donation of stock valued at $576,840. In 2020, Cumberland Community Foundation assets were valued at $115,419,715. CCF has paid $61 million in grants and scholarships since its inception.

A second room in the Nursing Education and Simulation Center will be named in memory of the founders of the first five community endowments at Cumberland Community Foundation. These endowments support the best opportunities and greatest needs in Cumberland County, NC, every year. The founders are: Rachel W. and J. S. Harper; Elizabeth E. and Thomas R. McLean; Mary Y. and Walter C. Moorman; Iris M. and James M. Thornton; Mary B. and Wilson F. Yarborough.

FTCC will renovate the building that formerly housed the childcare center to create a dedicated nursing education facility. This will add new simulation and skills labs, classrooms, meeting spaces and faculty offices for the nursing program. Three nursing programs will be housed in this facility – Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), and Certified Nurse Assistant I & II (CNA). These programs will be moved to the 33,500-square-foot, 2-story building from their current location in the Health Technologies Center, which will continue to house 13 other programs. The first floor of the nursing education facility will be completely renovated. The second floor includes 9 classrooms and 10 faculty offices and will not need renovation at this time. This renovation and expansion will allow FTCC to increase its capacity for nursing students and to provide much needed graduates to the medical community.

FTCC Foundation partners with donors to support Fayetteville Technical Community College by raising awareness and financial resources to provide college access for students to attain their educational and career goals. The mission of FTCC Foundation is to foster and promote the growth, progress and general welfare of FTCC, provide supplementary financial support to the College and its students, and advance and enrich the services provided for students, the community, alumni, faculty and staff. FTCC Foundation manages more than 200 scholarship endowments and other funds.

We Americans just marked a special day in our nation’s official calendar.

On Memorial Day we honor those who have sacrificed in military service to our country, particularly those who have given their lives to protect the rest of us. It is and should be a day of reflection and remembrance for those of us fortunate enough to live in our free nation.

While we are a great nation, we are not a perfect nation, and among our imperfections is that we seem to have lost the concept of service to others in many areas of our common lives. We talk the talk about service to our country, but we do not walk the walk with respect to members of our armed services. Some of them live in actual poverty as many in our Cumberland County community know well. I cringe when I see public service announcements begging for funding for various veterans’ projects, not because the projects are not worthy but because caring for our veterans is a public responsibility to be borne by their follow Americans, not only those who choose and are able to donate.

Public service workers, government employees and others who jobs are to serve the American public are routinely both overworked and underpaid at the same time they are denigrated as “bureaucrats” and people who feed at the public trough. Elected officials are considered impotent and incompetent, sometimes outright corrupt, and competent, capable and honest people decline to run for critical elective offices because of it. Important civil service jobs in both federal and state governments go unfilled because of low pay and low public esteem.

It is hard to know when public service became a negative, even dangerous, calling. Ronald Reagan, an icon to many, gave voice to the sentiment when he said in an August 1986, press conference, “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government and I’m here to help.” It would be an amusing remark if it were not so insulting. Yes, government is cumbersome, slow and frustrating, but it tackles problems, issues and emergencies that the private sector does not. The private sector does not fund the highway system, educate the vast majority of Americans, or provide health care for people who cannot afford our outstanding but wildly expensive medical system.

We all see where public service ranks on the career status ladder — almost the bottom rung. It has been camped out there for decades. What has also become apparent relatively recently is that public service is actually dangerous. Dr. Anthony Fauci, a medical doctor who has devoted his entire professional life to American public health has personal security. Members of Congress are escorted around the U.S. Capitol by armed National Guard troops and Capitol Police. Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords was shot in the head 10 years ago, and Reagan’s own press secretary James Brady was disabled for the rest of his life by a bullet intended for his boss, the President.

John Kennedy’s take on government service was the opposite of Reagan’s. In his inaugural address, Kennedy famously called for Americans to “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” We have come a long way since then but in the wrong direction.

In an autocratic government, one person or a small group is in charge, and the people have little or no input. In a democracy, we the people are the government.

It is time that we both respect and reward those among us who keep the wheels of government turning for all the rest of us. This includes all who serve from the highest to the lowest, and especially those who serve us in the U.S. military.