Really?

Did our newly-elected North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance actually say that?

Did a two-term state Senator really say what was reported?

Indeed they did.

In fact, they did not just say it, they posted it on social media for all the world to see and where it will never, ever go away.

And what exactly did they say?

Following the recent women’s marches across our nation and the world involving millions, Commissioner Mike Causey posted this on Facebook. “In one day, Trump got more fat women out marching than Michelle Obama did in 8 years.” The Commissioner compounded his insult by linking it to his Twitter account to distribute even more broadly. Shortly thereafter Senator Joyce Krawiec of Forsyth County tweeted, “Message to crazies @ Women’s March — If brains were lard, you couldn’t grease a small skillet. You know who you are.”

Really?

In fairness, both offenders have apologized, repeatedly and profusely in Krawiec’s case. Said Causey about his comment on people exercising their Constitutional rights, it “was a momentary lapse in judgment for which I am truly sorry.” Then he deleted the offending comment, from social media but not from people’s minds.

Krawiec seems even sorrier. Tweeted she within a brief 45-minute window, “BTW I was speaking only of those DC protesters dressed inappropriately and spewing foul language. Disrespecting women. Not representing women.” Within a minute came this. “I applaud those women who were there for the cause and were respectful. They know who they are.” Thirty minutes later came this. “I apologize to those women who marched for the right reasons. I was only talking about those I described. They didn’t speak for all women.” Six minutes later came a final wail. “I apologize. I apologize. I was only talking to those who acted inappropriately. Forgive me. Please. Twitter Lesson learned.”

Recovering a shred of dignity, Krawiec issued a statement later the same day, saying, “Like many other Americans, I was deeply offended by vulgar language and graphic imagery used by some protesters. I have apologized for the words I used to express those frustrations, which were unfair to the many women who advocated for their beliefs in a respectful way.”

Thanks, Commissioner and Senator, but that toothpaste is out of the tube forever.

How on God’s green Earth did we get to the point of our highest elected officials charged with making decisions that affect all of us feeling free to insult us? Whatever happened to respecting the constitutional rights of others, even when we disagree with what they are saying? Is civility in our culture dead, buried and forgotten?

Truth be told, I, too, was offended by some of the signage and language at some of the marches. I am of a generation taught to “watch our language,” another concept that seems to be going by the wayside. But it never occurred to me to call protesters fat or stupid, even though I was uncomfortable with the ways some chose to express their constitutionally guaranteed opinions.
Part of this is surely the advent of social media. Unlike sitting down to write a letter — or a newspaper column, for that matter — typing a few words into a cell phone and hitting “send” can happen in a flash and with little thought, as Causey and Krawiec and zillions of other have learned the hard way. The painful truth is that while apologies can take away some of the sting, once words have been uttered, they will never really go away.

Steve Shallenberger, author of the bestseller, Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders, addressed incivility in our politics, business, and ordinary life this way. “Replacing rudeness and impatience with the Golden Rule may not change the world, but it will change your world and your relationships.” Shallenberger is telling us exactly what our mothers and grandmothers told us. Courtesy and kindness are never the wrong positions to take.

Some might argue and it is certainly true that rude people enjoy the same constitutional protections the rest of us do. My mother and grandmother told me something else that is also true. Rudeness, incivility, and unkindness say more about the people dishing them out than the people on the receiving end.

That message is not flattering.

Dreams. We all have them. Sometimes they get put on the back burner or are forgotten because, well, life happens. That doesn’t have to be the end of the story, though. It’s never too late to change your path, to chase your dream, to push yourself in a new direction. Sometimes it’s hard. And scary. Those aren’t reasons to shy away from forging your own destiny. Military spouses often face additional challenges when it comes to building careers, owning businesses and pursuing higher education. On Feb. 10.

American Dream U and the Fort Bragg have put together an event designed to inspire and motivate military spouses to chase their dreams. The Fort Bragg Military Spouse Business & Career Dream Conference runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The conference is not a vendor show or trade conference. It is an interactive, inspirational experience showcasing 19 – 20 (many of them local) military spouses who have started and are running successful businesses, who have successful careers, who pursued or are pursuing educational degrees and certifications. They’ve weathered the deployments, PCS moves and crazy training schedules that every military family faces and still made their dream work. And they are sharing their stories, lessons learned and advice at this conference.

Speakers include Candy Sugarman, founder of Gun Powder Girls; Melissa Swire, CEO of Can Cuddlers; Tammy Tuttle, founder of T. Tuttle Cakes and participant on Food Network’s Cake Wars; Elizabeth Boardman, founder of the Milspo Project; Crystal Wambeke, founder of Crystal Wambeke Accounting; Dianna Potts, consultant; Ashley Thompson, founder of Pressed: A Creative Space; Hana Ehrenrich, ED Sustainable Sandhills; Cameron Cruse, co-founder of R. Riveter and competitor on ABC’s Shark Tank; Robin Matthews of A Bit of Carolina in addition to other presenters.

“It will be a conference that is free-flowing,” said ACS Training Specialist Dee Ann Rader. “We will have two rooms with speakers. So participants can take a look at the schedule, and even if they want to hear more than one speaker at the same time, they will still have access to both of them. After the speakers are done there will be an opportunity for one-on-one questions. Or possibly time in a smaller group setting.”

Rader stressed that this is not about services or products, it is about successful military spouses sharing their stories and experiences on their paths to success. “There are so many military spouses who have talents,” said Rader. “There are times where spouses are not working or can’t find work. This is a way for them to see that they can do something and make their dream or goals work.”

Inspiration is just part of the formula, though. Putting a dream into action takes planning, resources and tools. And there will be plenty of those at the conference, too. Army Community Services is bringing a wealth of information and representatives who can talk to participants about everything from finances to stress management. Fort Bragg’s Ready and Resilient program will be in attendance, too. The Education Center will be there representing local higher education institutions. The N.C. Center for Economic Empowerment and Development will also have representatives on site.

Registration runs through Feb. 7. This event is exclusively for military spouses. Register online at http://bit.ly/ADU_DreamConference, or call (910) 908-4459.

The newest body of work being exhibited by photographer Gray Lyons in Rosenthal Gallery on the campus of Fayetteville State University is simultaneously physical and ethereal. Before reflecting on the meaning or reading the artist’s statement, I was compelled to “just be” with the work. The persistence of its material and immateriality evokes a state of transcendence.

The exhibit, titled Wavelength, includes nine cyanotypes (a process that dates back to the 1800s). Working in units, Lyon has created large-scale images of a female in states of an activity. We sense the graceful movement of the figure within the depth of an indigo blue space by the layering and effects of light. The scale of the work, measuring approximately 88”x 30,” contributes to the overall meaning.

In viewing Wavelength I was mindful of the variety of approaches a photographer can undertake in the medium. Yet Lyons selected this process and this subject. Are both a metaphor for something that is beyond the subject being captured, using the visible to reveal something invisible?

The artist stated the following: “My work addresses themes of memory, history and sexuality and self … images are narrative-based self-portraits, focusing on issues of identity. The photographs in this exhibit are an examination of the female body and the self. It is my intention to unify the functioning and experiential body and the remnants of the body’s story. Through investigating its surface and boundaries, I interrogate desire, compulsion, imagination, gender and ritual. These enactments are a way to understand an experience through the use of the body rather than the use of the mind — a physical resolution rather than an intellectual one … I seek to interpret and reframe these narratives, in an effort to expand the dialogue that surrounds the female body.”

In that the materiality of the process equally lends itself to meaning, Lyons was asked to explain the process. She stated: “The body is used as a photographic negative and is exposed directly onto the paper. The cyanotype is created by hand-coating a surface (in this case, paper) with a light-sensitive solution, then exposing the coated surface to the sun. An object resting on the coated surface blocks portions of the light, which creates an impression of the object. After the exposure, the image is washed with water, which makes it safe to be viewed in daylight conditions. This is an antique photographic process (circa 1840).”

The artist continued, “For this exhibition, I was interested in making images using primarily things that leave a visible trace on the paper, but do not have a clearly defined physical presence. To achieve this, I began exploring what effects a sudden rise in humidity, or a differently-timed water wash, or a change in temperature partway through an exposure would have on the resulting tones of the image. As someone who tends toward precision whenever possible, it was both terrifying and exhilarating to disrupt the tightly controlled, carefully timed and measured conditions under which I normally proceed, in order to achieve results that I could not predict or replicate.”

Wavelength is free and the public is invited to see the exhibition at Rosenthal Gallery until it closes on Feb. 18. In viewing Wavelength, visitors will be seeing a body of work by an artist who has earned degrees from Bard College at Simon’s Rock, Savannah College of Art and Design and Towson University. Her work has been exhibited and published nationally and internationally and can be found in the collections of the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction, the Siena Art Institute Library, the Art Institute of Atlanta-Decatur and the Brauer Museum of Art. Ms. Lyons has been a visiting artist at the Art Institute of Atlanta-Decatur, Georgetown College, Goucher College and other venues. Her studio is in South Bend, Indiana.

Rosenthal Gallery is open Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on the campus of Fayetteville State University. The public is also invited to attend a Skype session with the artist and FSU art students on Feb. 8 at 11 a.m. in the gallery. Please check the FSU Area of Art Website for information: http://www.uncfsu.edu/arts/visual-arts-home.

Inspiring. Educating. Empowering. Celebrating. These are all good things. Things we all need. Fayetteville has an organization that was created just for that. It’s the Fayetteville Ladies Power Lunch, a quarterly event designed for just for women.

The 2017 lunches are scheduled for Feb. 9, May 11, August 10 and Nov. 9. Each event opens at 10 a.m. with a shopportunity and wine tasting featuring a variety of vendors. The lunch portion starts at 11:45 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m. and includes a keynote speaker along with prizes and networking opportunities. The shopportunity ends at 3 p.m.

The Fayetteville Ladies Power Lunch is run by an advisory board that collectively works to make each power lunch interesting and purposeful — and fun. The board consists of local businesswomen Keri Dickson, Peggy Manning, Chi Chi Okoroafor, Jill Merrill, Cely Graham, Belinda Wilkerson, Dr. Mary Kansora and Joan Richter. “We want everyone who comes to the Fayetteville Ladies Power Lunch to leave feeling empowered and inspired. We try to bring in speakers from different backgrounds and professions to share their insights with the group.”

Dr. Sandhya Thomas-Montilus M.D. is the first speaker of the year. She’s lived in North Carolina since 1997 and practices internal medicine in Lumberton and Fayetteville. Montilus practices integrated medicine, which treats the cause of an illness not just the symptoms. She also practices pain management and addiction medicine.

On May 1, Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s founding Artistic Director, Bo Thorp, is scheduled to speak. In 1962, Thorp along with a small group of local thespians, performed two shows: A Christmas Carol and The Night of January 16. From this modest first season the Fayetteville Little Theater was born. Later, the group changed its name to Cape Fear Regional Theatre. Thorp has been honored for her work with several awards including the North Carolina Award, which is the highest honor the governor can bestow on a civilian.

Fayetteville native Melody Chalmers has come full circle in her career. She is scheduled to speak at the August luncheon. Chalmers graduated from E.E. Smith High School and was a North Carolina Fellows Scholarship recipient. She received a degree in English Education from North Carolina A&T State University. Chalmers returned to E.E. Smith as an English teacher in 1998. She earned a master’s degree, served as principal of Cross Creek Early College High School and is now the principal of E.E. High School, In 2016, Chalmers was named the Wells Fargo N.C. Principal of the Year.

Colonel Marsha Lundt will speak at the November Power Lunch. She served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps for 30 years before transitioning to serve as the Emergency Manager for Womack Army Medical Center for 15 years. Since she joined the military, she has succeeded in the high pressure, high profile, male-dominated profession accomplishing many “firsts.” Although this is admirable, her role as a mentor to other women in the military is one she finds the most rewarding.

Tickets to the Fayetteville Ladies Power Lunch cost $35. Register at www.fayettevilleladiespowerlunch.com.

The Better Business Bureau of Coastal Carolina announced last week that Mr. Carl Mitchell, a Fayetteville resident and longtime BBB board member, has been named the Chairman of its Board of Directors. Mitchell has served in various leadership positions with the BBB over the year, including Secretary and Chair-Elect. Mitchell is employed at Fayetteville Technical Community College where he serves as the college’s Vice President of Human Resources and Institutional Effectiveness. He is very active in the Fayetteville community also serving as the Chairman of the Fayetteville Personnel Review Board, Board Secretary for the Bragg Mutual Federal Credit Union and former Chairman of the Cumberland-Fayetteville Human Relations Commission. Mitchell is also a member of the Fayetteville Kiwanis Club.

“Carl Mitchell’s commitment to the BBB’s mission of creating a community of trustworthy businesses and setting standards for marketplace trust, along with educating consumers and businesses, noting and celebrating marketplace role models has been a hallmark of his previous positions of trust on the BBB Board. The BBB staff and the Board of Directors were honored to have him accept his new role as our Chairman,” said BBB President Dr. John D’Ambrosio. He added, “Carl is the type of leader that calmly listens to others and has the unique ability to openly welcome suggestions, recommendations and counsel from others. He uses that information to make reasoned decisions. The BBB Board has long relied on his professional talents, calm demeanor and superb professional expertise. We are fortunate to have someone of his caliber and talents accept this leadership role as we continue our mission of marketplace trust. We look forward to supporting him as the new Board Chairman as we sustain a community of trustworthy businesses and organizations operating in our service region.”

Former Cumberland County Commissioner and founder of Ed’s Tire, Ed Melvin, has spent over two decades serving on the BBB board of directors. His position was also elevated last week when they named him Chair-Elect for 2017. Melvin and Mitchell are long-time friends and business associates. “Carl Mitchell has our full support and dedication in assisting him with the great work of the BBB. This is the first time in the 30 year history of the Coastal Carolina BBB organization that they have elected both a Chairman and a Vice-Chairman from the Fayetteville/Cumberland County region. This is a great honor for me and for our community and one that is long overdue” said Melvin. “Carl Mitchell has the full respect, commitment and loyalty of his fellow Board members, and we look forward to working with him as our Chair. He will do great things for the businesses, organizations and consumers residing in the 15 counties served by the BBB.” He concluded.

“It is an honor and privilege to serve my fellow BBB Board Members who represent the thousands of businesses and consumers across Coastal Carolina’s service area. I appreciate their trust and confidence in me. I will work to the best of my ability to provide the excellent and expected service honoring the long BBB history and tradition of building trust. It is my personal goal to encourage BBB accredited businesses, which serve consumers across our 15-county region, to professionally share their best practices with other businesses operating in our region. With a goal of continued improvement, we can all learn from one another. It will be the businesses and consumers who will be the recipients of those shared best practices. I feel privileged to work with such a great group of professionals who faithfully serve the businesses, organizations and consumers of the Coastal Carolina region. I look forward to the future and to the continued great work of the BBB” said Mitchell.

The Coastal Carolina BBB is headquartered in Conway, S.C., and covers a region of 15 NC and SC counties to include: Cumberland, New Hanover, Pender, Robeson and Sampson, Counties Horry, Georgetown, Williamsburg, Dillion, Darlington, Florence and Marion Counties in South Carolina and Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus. Seventy-five percent of the BBB directors represent the private sector while the other twenty-five percent represent the public sector. Dr. John D’Ambrosio is the President and CEO of the Coastal Carolina BBB. Contact him at drjohn@coastalcarolina.bbb.org, or visit him at the BBB central office located at 1121 Third Ave., Conway, S.C.

The BBB will hold its mid-year meeting Board in Fayetteville on May 25. The 2017 annual meeting for all accredited BBB member businesses in the Coastal Carolina Region will be held in November or early December in Conway/Myrtle Beach area (date TBA).

Fayetteville saw a dramatic 30 percent increase in violent crime last year while property crimes declined for the fourth year in a row. Increases in murders and aggravated assaults in Fayetteville mirror a national trend, said Interim Police Chief Anthony Kelly. The city recorded an all-time high in annual homicides in 2016, 31. In 2015 there were 19 murders. All the cases have been cleared with arrests. “We struggle with the violence every day,” the chief said. Homicides in the African American community are personal for Kelly. He attributes black-on-black crime to “risky lifestyles and societal issues such as poverty and unemployment.”

Kelly’s annual report included demographic data showing that 85 percent of the perpetrators in the city’s 31 violent deaths were black. They were not random killings for the most part. Twenty-seven of the 29 murder cases were crimes among acquaintances. There were two double homicides in 2016. Rape cases were up 42 percent and aggravated assaults increased by 53 percent last year. Kelly pointed out that throwing a pencil at someone is categorized as an aggravated assault. “Law enforcement shoulders more than its share of responsibility for coping with a society of broken homes and lack of jobs” that the greater community should play a role in fixing, Kelly added.

Robberies went down 15 percent and virtually all property crimes also saw decreases. Burglaries and larcenies have been on the decline since 2013. Six hundred thirty-five motor vehicles were stolen in 2013. Last year, that number was reduced to 392. The FPD has engaged in a public awareness campaign in recent years, encouraging residents not to leave their cars unlocked. The chief reassured officials that there’s an upside to the war on crime locally. “There’s no leadership structure and no organized gang activity,” which is often the case in large urban areas.

Kelly also reported on vehicle crashes: There were 109 auto accidents last year, which included 21 fatalities. Five young people were killed in a single crash, making it the worst motor vehicle accident in Fayetteville in recent memory. In the last few years the FPD has kept close track of citizen complaints and compliments. Complaints have been on the decline while compliments have increased. The department’s internal affairs unit took 28 complaints last year compared with 56 in 2015 and 62 the year before that. Officers received 87 compliments in 2016 compared with 65 in 2015, the first year records were kept.

Chief Kelly is a career lawman having served with the Fayetteville Police Department for 22 years. He has not said whether he will seek the chief’s position on a permanent basis. City Manager Doug Hewett just last week told city council he intends to launch a nationwide search for a successor to recently retired Chief Harold Medlock. In Fayetteville, the police chief is hired by the city manager. Following Kelly’s presentation to city council, he received praise and support from most members of the body.

A Max Abbott Middle School teacher collapsed while attending a faculty meeting at school January 24. James Pietrowski, 27, died after arriving at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. The cause of death was not disclosed. Pietrowski was a sixth-grade math and science teacher, said Cumberland County Schools spokeswoman Renarta Moyd. “Mr. Pietrowski was … loved and respected by the faculty and students alike,” Superintendent Frank Till said. The school system informed students and parents of his passing via an automated telephone message later in the day.

Another Con Game Is Circulating
Fayetteville Police are warning about the latest scam targeting local residents. Fraud detectives have received reports that a subject calls people informing them that he is a lieutenant with the Fayetteville Police Department. He tells those he calls that police have a warrant for their arrest and that they must pay fines. The caller then asks for personal information and payments. The caller may sound professional and very courteous as he asks for names, dates of birth and social security numbers. The FPD reminds citizens that the police will not call you to request personal information over the phone or solicit money. This is the latest version of a reoccurring scam, said a police news release.

An Evening with Myrna Colley-Lee
From original artwork by acclaimed visual artists to smooth jazz by Reggie Codrington to an exclusive costume showcase by Myrna Colley-Lee, a pioneer in the black theatre movement, this event promises a multi-disciplinary sensory experience. Tickets are $50 per person ($45 for Arts Council members). Proceeds help keep Arts Council exhibits free and open to the public. Seating is limited for this event. To purchase tickets by phone, call (910) 323-1776.

Annual Cumberland County Job Fair
Local employers are invited to participate in an upcoming Cumberland County Department of Social Services March to Work Job Fair. It will be held on March 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Crown Expo Center. The annual job fair traditionally attracts over 2,000 qualified job seekers and approximately 100 employers. The job fair provides companies to sign new employees. Job readiness experts will be available to review resumes for job seekers. Services will also include resume writing assistance, job interview tips as well as information about job opportunities for youth, older adults, veterans and people with disabilities.

As your community paper, it is an honor to share the many good things in the community and to also speak frankly about the serious issues our community faces. In the coming weeks, we will be sharing news about exciting changes coming to Up & Coming Weekly. This week, though, Dr. Shanessa Fenner weighs in on an important topic: suicide prevention. It’s a serious issue, one that our publisher, Bill Bowman considers worthy of this space.
Stephanie Crider, Associate Publisher

The struggle is real. I remember it like it was yesterday. My phone rang and a good friend was on the other end. She told me she wanted to kill herself. I immediately began talking to her and praying at the same time. It was scary but the right words came out of my mouth at the right time. I am so glad I answered the phone. Nearly 43,000 Americans die by suicide every year.
Feb. 5 – 11 is Cumberland County Schools’ Suicide Prevention Week.

“We want to raise awareness to a topic that is considered taboo and a lot of people do not like to talk about it, but the irony of that is the easiest way to save someone’s life is to ask and show that you care,” said Dr. Natasha Scott, executive director of student services for Cumberland County Schools. “It is okay to ask someone who is thinking about killing themselves if they are okay. And if you are thinking about suicide yourself, it is okay to ask for help.” Scott added this is one of the best interventions for helping someone who may be suicidal.

“Feb. 8 has been designated as Suicide Awareness Day and we are asking everyone to wear the colors purple and turquoise,” said Scott. “Those are the national colors for suicide prevention, so we are asking people to wear these colors and take a selfie holding a sign saying, 'It is okay to ask for help.'” Scott added that they are going to use all of the photos to create a photo gallery.

This is another way to share valuable information on CCS’ webpage in a neat way and continue to promote the theme. Business leaders, community leaders, educators, parents and students are asked to participate in this initiative.

Cumberland County’s district office has planned training for all of the principals and central service staff on how to recognize the signs of suicide and to know when and how to get help. Some of the signs that may indicate a person is considering suicide include giving away important possessions, doing poorly in school, not wanting to do things they used to love to do, having an unusual interest in death or violence, a change in friendships, being bullied, mood swings or a change in personality, a change in eating and sleeping habits and a struggle with gender identity. “There is a myth that if you talk about suicide it will put the idea in someone’s head and that someone who was not thinking about suicide may become suicidal because you asked,” said Scott. “This is a myth and always pay attention to the people that are around you because you never know what is going on with them and it is okay to ask.”

For more information call 678-2433. If you know someone or if you are contemplating suicide please call 1 (800) 273-8255.

August: Osage County can be an intimidating story. It is an intense drama about a dysfunctional family, and it is playing onstage at the Gilbert Theater through Feb. 12.

Anyone familiar with the story will recognize that the subject matter is intense and uncomfortable because it is so relatable. However, these uncomfortably intense stories are some of the most important ones to tell.

“A huge part of the Gilbert mission is to present work that is thought provoking and out of the box. This play is the kind of play the company was built on,” Robyne Parrish, artistic director and co-education director for Gilbert Theater said, “I am excited by this play because it is a truthful look at family dynamics. Families can be crazy! We all know that! There is a lot of love and a lot of laughs in this play, and everyone will be able to identify with one or many of the characters.”

For the show’s director, Greg Fiebig, the uncomfortable realism of the show is important but balanced. “The play is in the manner of realism. Realism is not always nice and neat with an upbeat resolution at the end. So in that sense, August: Osage County is dark. But honestly, Tracy Letts, the playwright, has unique ability to find humor in the most unlikely places,” he says, “As dark as the show may be, the audience will be entertained and for those who are engaged in the story, there is hope!”

Just as the heavy material in the show can affect the audience, it can pose a challenge to the cast of the show as well. They spend hours upon hours working with these characters’ stories and emotions. “Truth be told, I prefer plays to musicals, and drama to comedy. So, the show is not that difficult for me. I was initially concerned about the cast playing such emotional roles, but the cast is great and understands the concept of aesthetic distance. While aesthetic distance often refers to an audience’s ability to separate reality from make-believe, I think it applies to actors as well. The stories we are telling are someone else’s, not ours. As long as we approach the acting and storytelling from that perspective, the emotions are understood to be make-believe,” Fiebig said.

Fiebig also has some advice for audience members unfamiliar with the story before they come to the show. “Do a little research before coming to see the show,” he says, “You might even watch the movie version, starring Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts, although I promise you will enjoy our live theatre production as much, or even more. There is something about the immediacy of live theater that gets lost in film. Themes of the show include: stereotyping, mother and daughter relationships, interpersonal and family conflict, addictions, etc. The main takeaway from the show is essentially that we reap what we sow. The characters are believable, the dialogue intriguing, and the action compelling.”

This season at the Gilbert Theater marks the fifth and final season for Parrish, who is headed to Pittburgh to pursue other opportunities. “It’s been an honor to steward The Gilbert for these many years,” Parrish said in her departing announcement. “This will be an exciting final season. I have worked vigorously with the board over the last six months to find what we feel is the best replacement moving forward. Matthew Overturf has been a wonderful addition to our company in both talent and administrative skill and after much deliberation, the search committee and the board feel that Mr. Overturf is the perfect fit as the Gilbert moves forward and continues to grow. The addition of Meghann Redding as Executive Director will create a power team for the future of the Gilbert!”

The search committee conducted a nationwide search before choosing Overturf as Parrish’s replacement, interviewing several applicants in the hiring process.

Overturf came to Fayetteville from Arkansas in 2014 where he worked as a successful theatre educator, actor and director working both at the high school, community and regional levels. His educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre from Southwest Baptist University (2007) and a Master’s degree in Communication Studies from Arkansas State University (2014). His theatrical training also includes work through the Theatre Squared, a professional development program in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit ww.gilberttheater.com.

Very soon, future medical residents will benefit from a local collaboration that’s been years in the making.

Over six years ago, an issue was brought to light within the Cape Fear Valley Hospital System. It needed more residents. Local politicians, civic leaders and those with a vision for our community worked hard to establish a viable solution through the residency program within Campbell University’s medical school.

It was a no-brainer for Cape Fear Valley Health System’s CEO Michael Nagowski. The hospital wanted to develop residencies and Campbell University wanted to develop medical students. The partnership benefits many in our surrounding community from the underserved patients needing care in the region to medical students to the University and to our community.

With former experience as the president of Buffalo General Hospital, Nagowski was no stranger to drawing in over 400 residents in the successful residency training facility in collaboration with the University of Buffalo. He was the man to bring the local vision to fruition.

The University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute produces health outcome rankings by county across the United States. As expected, Orange, Durham and Wake counties with the state’s largest academic medical centers rank near the top for health outcomes. Cumberland County is ranked 73 out of 100 counties. Robeson and Bladen counties drop even lower.

“All of the counties around us that feed into CFVHS are underserved,” said Representative John Szoka, a key executor on the collaboration. “There aren’t enough doctors for the people in Bladen, Robeson and Sampson counties.”

Given the fine academic medical centers in North Carolina, it was shocking to learn that even though schools are producing a large number of physicians in our state, generally around 25 percent of our counties do not have an obstetrician, a general surgeon, a pediatrician or psychiatrist. “A quarter of our counties don’t have core services,” said Nagowski. “Some of the most basic kinds of physicians that you need.”

The economic impact that will benefit these underserved regions in our community is huge during a time when there is a recognizable physician shortage in southeastern North Carolina. “The data in studies show that the majority of residents stay within a 50-mile radius of their residency location,” said Nagowski. “When you are somewhere for 10 years, that’s home.”

We’ve already seen this happen successfully in our city and state with graduates of Campbell University’s law program. Data shows that 90 percent of graduating lawyers from Campbell practice in rural areas.

“Campbell has a strong commitment to excellence and they have built a superb law school that attracts great students and professors. The result has been an enormous impact on the legal profession in Cumberland County and throughout North Carolina,” said Representative Billy Richardson.

“Campbell University has the same commitment to excellence with this program. The result of which will be highly skilled doctors and medical professionals for Cumberland County and the region.”

Economic Impact
The residents’ average starting salary is around $50,000 a year upon graduation, plus benefits. “We are chasing 350 new, well-paying, benefitted jobs,” explained Nagowski. “We believe this is at least $30 million a year of graduate education funding.”

The groundwork is laid; 157 positions are already approved. To put it in perspective, for a general surgeon, it is a five-year program that will produce 20 residents. Each year, there will be four students in that year group’s pipeline. Although the residency program is in the nascent stages, program organizers are actively working on the next wave. As far as timelines, state funding was received and the residency infrastructure development is happening now.

“These new jobs will be, quality, high-paying jobs, not to mention the support jobs and medical devices and tests they will attract along with the countless professors and mentors,” said Rep. Richardson. “This will bring numerous professionals who will be there to support the students ranging from nurses to x-ray technicians to professors.”

Program organizers have conducted over 200 interviews with fourth-year medical students from around the country from which the first class will be selected. This February, ‘the match’ occurs for the residents where they rank CFVHS in their order of desire in a national databank. Then the outcomes are released for the next week’s phase, ‘the scramble’ where the students and hospitals finalize decisions. “By the end of March, we’ll know who our first class is,” said Nagowski. “The great news for us is that we are only interviewing medical students in the top 50 percent of their class, we are going to set the standards very high.” The residencies begin in July.

Health care and reimbursements can be confusing. For Medicare and Medicaid, Cape Fear Valley was categorized as an urban hospital that brings in higher reimbursements, but the issue is that a new residency program cannot be stood up while CFVHS operates under the urban designation. By choosing to go to a rural status, the classification was changed.

Since CFVHS falls into a rural regional referral center, meaning it takes care of a rural area, it met the exception to policy and could launch this new residency program after being reclassified as a rural health system.

Look for legislative relief through Rep. Szoka and Senator Wesley Meredith, they let the federal government know the designation was changed along with securing a $7 million appropriation for the program. Not an easy task. Over the past six years, the state has agreed to fund the $7.7 million and Campbell University funded $3 million.

“The benefit to the state is huge,” said Rep. Szoka. How they sold it is that CFVHS is filling an unmet need. There are 350 doctors in the program in specialties where there are shortages in North Carolina.

CFVHS worked with Campbell University to get the funding through the legislature, Rep. Szoka took the House, and Sen. Meredith took the Senate, convincing them of the fact that the economic impact doesn’t just benefit Fayetteville, but the entire region of southeastern North Carolina.

“The economic impact of this is tens of millions of dollars every year,” said Rep. Szoka. “Not just in direct salaries, but every time you spend a dollar, 70 percent of it stays in the local area, and you get the velocity of money going around. All of a sudden, it’s worth a $60 million a year benefit.”

Not only is Fayetteville a desirable place to live, work and play, collaborations like this make both the hospital system and universities more marketable.
“It will be very much a symbiotic relationship with the residents benefiting from the City of Fayetteville as much as our city will benefit from them. The unique demographics of Fayetteville and Cumberland County will enhance the residents’ encounters as they gain experience in treating a broad range of health issues and emergencies,” said Sen. Meredith. “The citizens of Fayetteville will benefit from the infusion of high-quality health care providers. And, of course, Fayetteville’s history, heroes, and a hometown feeling will encourage these doctors to remain in our community, making Fayetteville their permanent home.”

There are many facets to this story and how this successful program is going to impact local health care and the quality of life in our community. This is cooperation, collaboration and leadership at its best. Next month, we’ll keep you informed in this three-part series featuring more updates, interviews and insights provided by CFVHS staff and management. And finally, in March, we’ll provide a snapshot of the Campbell University students selected from the first residency class.

On Feb. 4, at 6 p.m., the Crown Theater’s stage will be full of some unique performers. The circus star Gregory Popovich has turned regular house pets that he adopted from shelters all over the country into a cast of Las Vegas stars. The show combines the talents of humans and more than 30 animals to create a hilarious and fun variety show for audiences of all ages.

For Popovich, performing and animals have always been part of his life. “I am a fourth-generation Russian circus performer,” he explained. “I was born in the Soviet Union. My mom and dad were in the circus and worked with trained dogs. I grew up backstage around the trained dogs of my mom.”
Despite his early connection with animals, his own career began with a different act. He was a world-renowned juggler. In fact, he was named the world’s best juggler twice. He came to the United States in 1990 when the circus giants Barnum and Bailey invited him to be part of their circus. It wasn’t until after this experience that he started thinking about performing with animals again. “I started to think about building my own show and doing a comedy routine. A friend of mine took me to visit an animal shelter. I was very surprised that so many good-looking kitties and dogs needed owners,” Popovich said.

He describes his experience at the shelter as kind of like falling in love. “I came to the shelter with an open mind. I didn’t have any breed or anything in mind. You just see the eyes and how they act and it’s a natural chemistry. You fall in love. I can’t explain how it happens, but it happens,” he said.

Right now the show features over 30 animals. There are 14 cats, 12 dogs, white pigeons, a parrot and some geese. There is also a special guest star: Diamond the miniature horse. Working with each animal is unique. Unsurprisingly, Popovich says that dogs are the easiest to train. They are eager to obey and have abundant energy. Cats however, pose a challenge. “Cats are the opposite. With cats, it is not about techniques. I find a natural habit. They show me what they like to do. They do it in my living room. As soon as I find a natural habit I create a trick around it. It isn’t training, it is intuitive,” Popovich explained, “The most difficult step is moving it from the living room to the stage. It is all in steps. I have my family clap whenever they do the trick at home so they learn that applause will not destroy them. Or I will play some music so that they learn that music won’t hurt them.”
While the show is entertaining, Popovich also wants to highlight a serious issue in the country. There millions of animals in shelters around the country that need happy homes. Often shelter animals can be overlooked, but every animal in this show is a rescue. “Look at these ordinary pets. They are so talented and smart. If people want pets in their lives they should go visit a shelter,” Popovich said.

While the animals are a significant part of the show, they are not the entire show. It is a variety show so there are a fun mix of acts. The show also features some humans performing incredible feats like acrobatics, juggling and European-style physical comedy. The audience is also an important feature of the show because the animal and human performers are competing against each other. The audience determines the winners by applause. For tickets and information, visit http://www.community-concerts.com.

Many readers may already be familiar with The Little Mermaid either from the animated Disney movie or the original story by Hans Christian Andersen. Mermaid princess Ariel longs to be human and goes to the surface to observe them. During a storm, she rescues Prince Eric and falls in love. When her father, King Triton, forbids here from returning to the surface, she makes a deal with sea witch Ursula to get back to Eric.

Cape Fear Regional Theatre took the classic story, added stunning costumes from the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, threw in circus performers from 2 Ring Circus, flavored it with an amazing set and topped it off with a tremendous cast. Voila, you’ve got the makings of a fabulous show for all ages. It runs through Feb.12.

It is difficult to choose what I liked best about seeing Disney’s The Little Mermaid at the CFRT. Hearing the songs and being part of the audience singing along was fun. Seeing the aerialists performing a ballet in the air was terrific. By the end of the show, what I enjoyed most was seeing this musical locally produced here in Fayetteville in top-notch fashion while showcasing some CFRT regulars.

Director Melissa Rain Anderson is to be commended for pulling it all together. Lani Corson did a great job as Ariel. Her performance as the main character delivered everything we want in a lead. She’s very talented on several counts. Helen Regula was so good as Ursula, the sea witch, I found myself rooting for her. I almost wanted it to become an octopus story so I could see and hear more of her on stage. Regula portrays the big baddie under the sea with a deliciously evil passion.

The costumes by Rafael Colon Castanera make the show a spectacular sight. I could write a thousand words about how great they are and how much dimension they add to the musical. I wanted to sneak backstage afterward just to see how the costumes were put together and what they are made of (but I didn’t CFRT, I didn’t).

The way CFRT blended visiting talent with regular CFRT contributors really made it an over-the-top production. Scenic Designer Kimberly Powers and Scenic Artist David Rawlins deliver an unbelievable set that puts you under the sea and in a palace with equal attention to detail and flair.

Locals rounding out the cast were fabulous, bringing favorite characters to life. Deon Releford-Lee as Sebastian, the courtly crab, steals every scene he is in. His performances of “Under the Sea” and “Kiss the Girl” brought the house down. I enjoyed watching him in last season’s The Wiz, but now, with the accent and the dance moves — I may be in love with a Jamaican crustacean who sings and dances calypso.

Also a veteran of The Wiz, Jeremiah Packer delivers an adorable performance as Flounder, Ariel’s best friend. He perfectly captures the innocence of the character and some almost-human emotions while fluttering about with Ariel on her adventures.

It is a story featuring a little mermaid, to be sure, but the supporting cast really took the production to another level. It was a pleasant surprise to see Taylor Kraft as Aquata, one of the mersisters and part of the female ensemble. Last seen at the CFRT in Million Dollar Quartet, Kraft also appeared in Ring of Fire — two of my favorite CFRT shows to date. Kudos to Christian Donnelly as Scuttle and the Gulls whose tap routine during “Positoovity” was a show highlight.

Perhaps no other moment in the show really delivered for me the reason CFRT is such an asset to our community than seeing Ken Griggs on stage as Chef Louis. I last saw him performing as the lead in It’s a Wonderful Life in December. To see that serious, powerful performance followed by his fun and silly rendition of “Les Poisson” really demonstrates the goldmine of talent we have in the local area. His turn serenading fish and chasing crabs was something else, not to mention that wig!

Don’t miss this show. Disney’s The Little Mermaid runs through Feb. 12. Visit www.cfrt.org or call 910.323.4233 for more information.

Local governments have endorsed and committed funding for the North Carolina Civil War History Center proposed for Fayetteville. Cumberland County Commissioners joined Fayetteville City Council in adopting formal resolutions in support of the proposed $65 million branch of the state Museum of History. The city and county agreed to provide $7.5 million each if the state legislature and Governor Roy Cooper approve an appropriation of $30 million from the state. Rep. Billy Richardson (D-Cumberland) is optimistic the funds will be included in the governor’s budget. State Sen. Wesley Meredith (R-Cumberland) says he believes the Senate will favorably consider funding the history center. The History Center Foundation budget asks the state for $30 million. The rest of the money would be raised statewide in private contributions. Foundation President Mac Healy says $6.5 million has already been pledged locally. The facility would be built on the site of the historic Fayetteville Arsenal in Old Haymount.

City Council endorsed the project late last year. Commissioners were asked by the foundation to make a commitment in September. They had not publicly discussed the matter since then, but adopted their resolution of support and funding last week without comment. Their vote was unanimous. Once built, the center would become a state-owned branch of the North Carolina Division of History. Neither city nor county taxpayers will pay to operate it. Healy notes the history center will be the first of its kind in the nation. It will examine the antebellum period, the impact of the Civil War and reconstruction. He describes the center as an education facility, not a museum. “It will deal honestly and factually with the entire period and will examine the events and impacts of this tragic time in our history on all who lived through it,” Healy said. City Councilman Chalmers McDougald says that can’t be emphasized too much to allay concerns of African Americans. Here’s one of the stories from the Civil War Center Foundation’s historic research:
Henry Lawson Wright was only 19 when he left his home in Tarboro to go off to war with the Edgecombe Guards. Henry was one of 88 privates in the Edgecombe unit. It had nine noncoms and four commissioned officers. This group became Company A of the First Regiment of North Carolina Volunteers. On June 10, 1861, the First North Carolina was in Virginia near a place called Big Bethel Church, not far from Hampton. That’s where the war began for Henry. His unit got into a skirmish with a group of Massachusetts troops. On the battlefield was a house. Inside were some of those Massachusetts soldiers. An officer decided it would be a good idea to burn them out. So, on that Monday morning in 1861, Private Henry Lawson Wyatt and four comrades crossed a field to burn the house.

It isn’t known how far Henry advanced or what his thoughts were as he and his comrades undertook their mission. None of it really matters anymore. What matters is that shots were fired from somewhere along the Federal line. What matters more is that one of those shots slammed into the head of Henry Lawson Wyatt. The Battle of Bethel Church ended after about two hours, and the Federals retreated. Henry never opened his eyes again. He died that night. He was the battle’s only Confederate fatality and was the first soldier from North Carolina who died in combat. Thirty-five thousand North Carolinians followed over the next four years.

“We need to send a clear message to the county that we won’t be caught flat-footed again,” said Mayor Pro Tem Mitch Colvin. That was a year ago when City Council begrudgingly agreed to a temporary sales tax revenue distribution method. In North Carolina, county governments have the authority to divvy up sales tax money to cities and towns. They must use one of two methods stipulated by the state; per capita population or ad valorem property basis. The population method currently in use tends to favor the City of Fayetteville and towns.

But there’s a caveat that Mayor Nat Robertson wants done away with. The city agreed in 2004 to rebate 50 percent of new city sales taxes collected in the big bang annexation area. About 46,000 residents on the west side of the county were taken into the city, significantly increasing sales tax collections for the city. Over time, the city has refunded about $65 million, mostly to county government, with smaller amounts going to the towns. Robertson wants to phase out the rebates over the next 14 years. Under his plan, if county commissioners were to agree to it, the 50 percent revenue refund would be reduced by 10 percent a year over 14 years, after which the city would no longer rebate any tax receipts. “We just want them to do the right thing,” Robertson said.

In January of last year, county commissioners began talking about possibly changing the formula. The county threatened to adopt the other distribution method, which doles out revenue by tax district. That would benefit the county and financially hurt the city and towns. “It would be political suicide” for commissioners to make any changes,” Colvin said, noting that most of the county’s voters live in Fayetteville and the small towns. Commissioners and City Council members agreed to a truce for three years, with the condition that the boards begin new negotiations this month.

County Commission Chairman Glenn Adams is suggesting that a joint committee of local government officials meet to hash out a new deal. It would go into effect in July, 2019. His idea is that a small group of six elected officials, including two from Fayetteville, one each from Hope Mills and Spring Lake and two members representing the county’s small towns come together to begin negotiations. Adams hasn’t said how many commissioners would join in the discussions, but he hinted at three. Fayetteville decided instead to place four of its councilmen on the committee. “The problem is they would have more members on the committee than we would,” Adams said. “Clearly four is not going to work. It’s just a working committee, and it’s only about coming up with proposals,” he added.

“It’s a great opportunity for compromise,” Councilwoman Kathy Jensen said. “If they don’t want to compromise, we’ll figure it out,” she added.

The Cumberland County Tax Administration Office reminds residents that the deadline for the 2017 annual property tax listing period is Tuesday, Jan. 31. Listing forms must be updated, signed, returned and postmarked no later than Jan. 31 to avoid the 10 percent late listing penalty. Listing forms may be obtained online at co.cumberland.nc.us/tax.aspx or in person at the Tax Administration Office on the 5th floor of the Courthouse, 117 Dick St. Listing forms should be mailed or hand delivered to Tax Administration, P.O. Box 449, Fayetteville, NC 28302.

FTCC Wins Again
Fayetteville Technical Community College has been named a Top Ten Gold Military Friendly School for 2017, (https://militaryfriendly.com). For more than a decade, military friendly ratings have set the standard for companies and colleges that demonstrate positive employment and education outcomes for veterans and their families. This year, 154 employers and 541 schools have been recognized for excellence in different categories, highlighting not only “Are you military friendly?” but “How military friendly are you?” Institutions earning the Military Friendly School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from the company’s proprietary survey. “All of our Military Friendly award recipients set the standard for excellence,” said Daniel Nichols, chief product officer of Military Friendly development. “They offer exceptional examples of what it means not just to build a program that meets federal requirements, but one that serves the military and veteran community from classrooms to careers.”

PWC Hires New Executive
Jon Rynne has been named Chief Operating Officer of Electric Systems for the Fayetteville Public Works Commission. Rynne served as director of utilities in New Bern for five years. He replaces Reggie Wallace who retired December 30, after a 22-year career at PWC. In New Bern, Rynne managed the city’s electric, water and sewer utilities, which served 21,500 electric customers and 15,000 water and sewer customers. Rynne is a licensed professional engineer. He earned his electrical engineering degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Radon Test Kits Available
Radon is an odorless, colorless radioactive gas caused by the decay of naturally-occurring radium in the earth. It’s the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The Cumberland County Health Department is giving away free short-term radon test kits while the supply lasts. This is National Radon Action Month. The kits are designed to test homes for radon gas and show residents how to lower radon levels. The kits are available at the Public Health Center at 1235 Ramsey St. during regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p. m. weekdays. The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services is providing the kits to local health departments.

If Democrat leaders continue on their current course, I expect Donald Trump will serve eight years as president, with Mike Pence as vice-president, followed by eight years of Pence as president. What follows is a look at some components of the perilous course being pursued by Democrat leaders.
Start with their effort to preserve the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) in spite of serious problems with the program. President Obama acknowledges program problems as reported by Robert Pearoct in his article, “Ailing Obama Health Care Act May Have to Change to Survive:”
“Mr. Obama himself, while boasting that 20 million people had gained coverage because of the law, acknowledged in July that ‘more work to reform the health care system is necessary.’

‘Too many Americans still strain to pay for their physician visits and prescriptions, cover their deductibles or pay their monthly insurance bills; struggle to navigate a complex, sometimes bewildering system; and remain uninsured,’ Mr. Obama wrote in The Journal of the American Medical Association.”

In an attempt to preserve Obamacare, Democrat leaders take three primary actions that are indicative of their perilous course. Chuck Schumer, Minority Leader (Democrat) in the Senate, in spite of program problems even recognized by President Obama, goes on the attack against Republicans instead of espousing steps to put in place a health care program that works. The article, “Schumer: Trump, Republicans Will ‘Make America Sick Again,’” by Ian Schwartz, quotes Senator Schumer:

“They can’t keep all the things that Americans like about the ACA (Affordable Care Act) and get rid of the rest without throwing away the entire health care system, not just those on ACA, but those with private insurance into chaos...”

Then there is the use of fear in protecting Obamacare. Schumer repeatedly says repealing the program will “make America sick again.” This should be coupled with a comment by Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader (Democrat) in the House of Representatives: “You want grandma living in the guest room? Repeal Obamacare.” These statements reflect efforts to instill fear in people while doing absolutely nothing by way of informing the public and moving toward solutions that work.

As though attacking Republican efforts to address the problems of Obamacare and working to instill fear in the public were not enough, Barack Obama met with Congressional Democrats in early January and, I contend, confirmed the perilous Democrat course. The article, “GOP launches long-promised repeal of Obamacare with no full plan to replace it” by Juliet Eilperin, Amy Goldstein and Kelsey Snell reports regarding the president’s meeting: “He urged members of his party not to help the GOP devise a new health-care law.”

The president, who was accompanied by Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Rep. Frederica S. Wilson (D-Fla.) as he entered the Capitol, took no questions from reporters before or after the nearly two-hour meeting. But participants said he told members of his party that they did not have to ‘rescue’ Republicans and that they should ‘stay strong’ as the GOP strives to replace the law.”

This treatment of the Affordable Care Act problems by Democrats, including the president, sends all the wrong signals. That is especially true in America’s current political climate.

The next indicator is the Democrats’ plan for addressing confirmation of Supreme Court justices nominated by President Donald Trump. The following appears in an article published by Robert Laurie titled, “Chuck Schumer threatens Trump over SCOTUS nominee — endless filibuster for any nominee?”:
“If Chuck Schumer is right, the Dems are about to go full-on obstructionist over one of the 2016 campaign’s most central issues - the next Supreme Court Justice.

He made his stance clear last night on the Rachel Maddow show, as NBC News reports: Suggesting that turnabout is fair play, the Senate’s new top Democrat said Tuesday night ‘it’s hard for me to imagine’ Democratic senators supporting a Supreme Court nomination submitted by President-elect Donald Trump.

‘The consequences are going to be down the road,’ Schumer said. ‘If they don’t appoint somebody good, we’re going to oppose them tooth and nail.’”
By any analysis, it is clear a major factor in the election of Donald Trump was his intentions as to the kind of individuals he would nominate as Supreme Court justices. Those intentions, and his promise were opposite of what Hillary Clinton clearly indicated she would do in this regard. When Schumer says “somebody good,” he means as defined by Hillary Clinton during her campaign. Donald Trump won. Consequently, it seems clear to me opposing his Supreme Court nominees would not be a wise move for Democrats. This is especially true since the lack of reasonable foundation for their opposition would quickly become apparent.

Democrats are taking a similar position regarding Trump’s cabinet nominees. Burgess Everett explains their plan by writing, in part, in an article titled, “Democrats aim to launch comeback with Cabinet showdown”:“Senate Democrats want to force Trump’s picks to lay down markers on specific policies that can be used to build a case against the incumbent as his administration unfolds and the next election approaches, insiders said. More immediately, they want to begin to make the case to Trump voters that what they voted for is a far cry from what they’ll be getting with the next president.”

This Democrat plan absolutely does not aim to be about positively addressing the pressing issues of our time. I need not list those because most people across the length and breadth of America know those issues and are negatively impacted by them daily. In this condition, Democrats choose to intentionally impede the process of dealing with these issues that desperately require attention for the sake of people … not plants, not model airplanes, not lifeless objects that feel no pain and do not suffer. No, they are messing with human beings.

They do this at great peril to the continued existence of their party and their ideas. Their assumption must be that they are acting in accordance with the wishes of Democrat citizens. I contend that this is not the case. I recently had a conversation with a life-long friend with whom I agreed to stop discussing politics well before the 2016 election. That agreement came about because he is, and for all of his life, has been a committed Democrat. He could not deal with my conservative views and later support of Donald Trump. We had a phone conversation shortly after Trump’s victory. I did not mention politics or the election. Out of nowhere, he said to me, “You all have it all and I expect results.” When he went on to explain he was talking about Republicans having the presidency and majorities in the House and Senate, I laughed and said, “That’s sarcasm.” He said, “No, I am serious. I want to see cooperation and progress. In fact, I am upset that Democrats did not put in new congressional leadership. I wanted Nancy Pelosi replaced.”

That friend is not alone in his expectations. All of what is presented here, and even more that space does not allow for, says Democrat leadership is dangerously out of touch with the reasonable desires and expectations of most Americans. If they pursue the course described above, Trump and Pence … 8 and 16 will be the result. However, Democrat obstruction could still take America to a level of destruction from which Trump and Pence cannot lead us back. This is a pivotal time for America.

As a woman of the vast Baby Boom generation, a survivor of the turbulent 1960s and 70s and the mother of a Millennial daughter, I look forward to the day that the United States is led by a woman President. But, as Gail Collins wrote in the New York Times just after the election, “The Glass Ceiling Holds.” While 2016 was not the year of shattering glass, there has been much progress.

One area of change that stands out to me is education. We women apparently either like to learn or are highly ambitious or both. We are outdistancing our male brethren in almost all educational sectors, save science, design and engineering.

The year I finished college, only 8.5 percent of American women held college degrees, compared to almost 15 percent of men. In 1979, women became the majority of students enrolled in college and today women represent 57 percent of college student bodies nationwide. Today, the U.S. Census Bureau says more American women, 30 percent, hold college degrees than men, 29 percent, and that the percentage of women college grads is growing.

In addition, women are beating down the doors of professional schools.

The American Bar Association says that 2017 is the year women’s enrollment will pass men’s in our nation’s law schools, and the rosters of both the Cumberland County Bar Association and of local judges reflect these changes.

The story is much the same in our nation’s medical schools. The Association of American Medical Colleges reports that nearly 48 percent of graduates in 2013-14 were women, compared to less than 7 percent in 1965-66. What’s more, a study of 1.5 million hospital visits published last year in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that women are better doctors for elderly patients. The study estimates that 32,000 medicare patients could be saved each year if male docs did as well as women docs. That is about the same number of vehicle crash fatalities annually across our nation.

However dramatic, these numbers remain statistics, open to as many interpretations and implications as there are readers. The one that keeps me up at night is wondering why women are surging ahead of men in these areas and what, if anything, that means in the long run for all aspects of American life from business to child rearing.
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America mourned in the final days of 2016 for two of our celebrity sweethearts, actresses Carrie Fisher and her mother Debbie Reynolds who died within 24 hours of each other. The daughter died of unexpected cardiac arrest and the mother of a heart apparently broken by the loss of her daughter.
There is a real phenomenon of people who love each other deeply dying within a short period of time, especially long-married couples.

Remember the wonderful story of Bernard Jordan, the 90-year-old escapee from a British retirement facility who received worldwide attention after he bolted and crossed the English Channel to attend the 70th anniversary commemorations of D-Day? He and his escape–abetting wife died less than a week apart shortly thereafter.

Scientists say there is a reason for this called, not so scientifically, Broken Heart Syndrome. It is an impermanent heart condition brought on by acute stress, such as death of a loved one. Blessedly, most people who experience a sudden surge of stress hormones causing chest pain do not die of it, but we should all know that Broken Heart Syndrome exists and is a real condition with science behind it.
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Public policies aside, we Americans have plenty of reasons to miss the Obamas.

The former president was dubbed “no drama Obama” early in his White House days for his cool, intellectual and controlled demeanor and his articulate voice. But “no drama” went beyond the president himself. He and his wife, Michelle, were role models for a collaborative marital partnership, and they showed America what a grownup and affectionate marriage and attentive and loving parents look like. Their daughters, Malia and Sasha, passed through their childhoods and adolescences without mishap, or at least no publicly embarrassing ones. And, Obama administration staffers made it through eight years of intense public exposure without significant scandal.

The Obamas had fun being together in the White House and on various trips, both public and private. They sang and danced, played sports, marveled at other parts of the world. They valued, promoted and lived healthy habits and helped us understand we could as well. And, they looked good doing it all, especially Michelle Obama, who gave a huge boost to young American fashion designers.

As the Obamas, still a relatively young family, begin their next chapters — whatever they may be — America wishes them Godspeed.

Sometimes, just sometimes, there is so much going on in this community it’s hard to decide what to write about. So, here are a few thoughts and comments on some hits and misses I found most interesting the past several weeks. I will start with the most exciting.

Hit: On Friday, Jan. 20, Donald J. Trump was sworn in as America’s 45th president. Making America great should be every American’s highest priority.

Miss: All those people who refuse to acknowledge him as the truly-elected Commander-in-Chief are disrespecting the office of the presidency. This is deplorable, un-American behavior regardless of sexual orientation, political affiliation or race.

Hit: Cumberland County follows the City’s lead and steps up with a $7.5 million unanimous decision to support the Civil War History Education Center. All we need to do now is get started on a new downtown Performing Arts Center.

Miss: Cary and Raleigh’s attempt to “drain the river” by taking nine million gallons of water a day from the Cape Fear River, regardless of the long-term effect it will have on everyone down river in the southeast region of North Carolina.

Hit: A gracious farewell by Artistic Director of the Gilbert Theatre Robyne Parrish as she addressed about 75 friends and well-wishers, bidding them goodbye. Parrish is relocating to Pittsburgh, with her husband Matt, after a successful five-year stint at the Gilbert.

Miss: Shame on the naysayers who have no vision for the future of Fayetteville. They need to lead, follow or get out of the way.

Miss: The excessive amount of litter on Fayetteville and Cumberland County streets and roadways. Fayetteville needs an anti-litter campaign and an official beautification program. This is not being critical of efforts currently being taken by the city and county to address the litter problem. Only education, awareness and action will be effective in addressing the problem. Trash is everywhere!

Hit: City Manager Doug Hewett has initiated a search for a new Fayetteville police chief to replace Chief Harold Medlock, who retired last year. Many think our interim chief Anthony Kelly is qualified for the job. We’ll find out soon.

Miss: Gun violence and homicides in Fayetteville during 2016 have reached a concerning all-time high. Should we be concerned? Yes!

Hit: The new downtown baseball stadium and the $60 million of economic development that will ensue.

Miss: Our community’s continued insistence on listening to outsider experts and paid boilerplate consultants on how to create economic development in Cumberland County. We continue to pay them to come here and state the obvious to us as if it was new found wisdom. Recently, a professor at the UNC School of Government shared these nuggets of wisdom with our local government officials: Local leaders must work together and get along with each other. Duh! And, we should encourage more local investment and more investment would mean more jobs and more jobs would mean higher wages and that would mean a better quality of life. Really? At this stage of the game do Fayetteville and Cumberland County think we really need consultants and university professors stating the obvious to us?

Hit: The prospect of our local Fayetteville General Assembly delegation advocating for “local preference” legislation that would give local businesses an edge in gaining local contracts. Keeping commerce local is important and so is shopping locally.

All these things are thought-worthy and all affect our quality of life here in Fayetteville and Cumberland County. And, you didn’t need to hire a consultant to find them out.

I love this job! Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly

Sylvester Stallone and Adam Driver have committed to star in a planned feature film on the life of retired 82nd Airborne Division Paratrooper Staff Sgt. Travis Mills. He lost his legs and arms to an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan. He’s already authored a best-selling book and is the subject of a film documentary which chronicled his 2012 combat injuries and nearly two years of recovery and rehabilitation. SSgt. Mills is one of only five quadruple amputees from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to survive his injuries. The movie will reportedly share its title with Mills’ memoir entitled As Tough as They Come” Driver, best known for his role as the villain Kylo Ren in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, is a Marine veteran. The Army Times says he reportedly will play the part of Mills, while Stallone will direct and play Mills’ father-in-law. Twentieth Century Fox has reportedly been approached per a report in Deadline.com. IMDb.com lists the film as a 2018 release. Since leaving service, Mills started a charitable foundation, has given motivational speeches and parachuted with the Army Golden Knights.

Property Revaluation Results Delayed
Cumberland County Manager Amy Cannon says the schedule for announcing the 2017 property revaluation results has been delayed until next month. Tax values were to have been made public on January 17, said spokeswoman Sally Shutt. “Tax Administrator Joe Utley will present the information at the County Commissioners’ Finance Committee meeting on Feb. 2,” said Chairman Glen Adams. Property owners should begin receiving revaluation notices beginning that day, Adams added. Hurricane Matthew prompted the delay. Tax appraisers had the added task of damage assessment of affected properties caused by the hurricane

Police Colleagues Cross Paths
Former Assistant Fayetteville Police Chief Charles Kimble has succeeded Troy McDuffie as Spring Lake Chief of Police. Kimble, 47, has been in law enforcement for more than 20 years. He spent most of that time with Fayetteville Police Department. Kimble ran unsuccessfully for sheriff, and most recently headed up police and security services at Fayetteville State University. Chief Kimble is a native of Milwaukee where he first got involved in police work. He takes over a police force comprised of 34 sworn officers. Kimble’s hope is that relationships he has developed will benefit his new command. “It’s easier to call for help from other agencies when you know the people involved,” he said. McDuffie, 53, retired at the end of last year. He spent 30 years in law enforcement, much of that time with the Fayetteville Police Department. He’d been with Spring Lake Police for the last seven years.

Soldier’s Death Probed
An 82nd Airborne Division Paratrooper died at his home in Fayetteville, Jan. 6. City police are investigating the death of Private First Class Andrew C. Berg, 27, of Waterford, Mich. He was a combat medic assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. “There does not appear to be any sign of foul play regarding the death, and the body was sent to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Raleigh for an autopsy,” said Police Lt. Todd Joyce. “There is evidence that points in the direction that the death may be an overdose,” Joyce added. Officers responded to the soldier’s apartment for a well-being check after his sergeant was unable to establish contact. Berg had been in the Army about a year and a half.

Bragg Mutual’s New Office
Bragg Mutual Federal Credit Union has opened a full-service branch in Spring Lake. Bragg Mutual was founded in Fayetteville in 1952, originally to serve the civilian workforce at Fort Bragg. It also provides credit union services for employees of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., Cape Fear Valley Health System and Fayetteville’s Public Works Commission among others, said President Eileen Donovan. The new branch is located next to the Spring Lake Post Office at 219 N. Main Street.

On Jan. 26, Givens Performing Arts Center brings 42nd Street to the stage. The show c is about the American dream and it centers around the character Peggy Sawyer. She is a young dancer who leaves her quiet town to take her chances in New York. She auditions for the Broadway musical, Pretty Lady. Peggy starts off as the traditional underdog character. The lead in the show goes to an already legendary starlet. However, Peggy gets her lucky break when the leading lady breaks her ankle and Peggy gets to take over the lead role. The show has been described as a “tap dance extravaganza” and offers an entertaining peak into Broadway’s backstage drama.

Gerriane Genga plays Dorothy Brock, the leading lady who breaks her ankle. “This show is filled with all the magic and sparkle of Broadway,” she said. “The music is incredible. Some of the numbers include “We’re In The Money,” “Lullaby of Broadway,” “Shuffle Off To Buffalo,” “Dames,” “I Only Have Eyes For You” and of course “42nd Street.”

For Genga, the story is a classic, but the scenery and choreography make it that much better. “The set designers create a beautiful stage for telling this story,” she said. “And the costumes are just as impressive. The choreography is so energetic. You will definitely leave with a smile on your face.”

Genga added that the cast is filled with energy on and off stage. “They bring such intensity to every performance and every town we visit. This is quite an energetic cast.”

This story has long roots stretching back to 1933 when Hollywood adapted Bradford Rope’s novel into a film. In 1980 Gower Champion directed the show on Broadway and in 1981, it won the Tony Award for Best Musical. It went on to play 3,486 performances on Broadway. In 2001 the show made another appearance on Broadway. It played for 1,524 performances and won the Tony for Best Revival. This traveling performance of the show is direction by Mark Bramble and choreography by Randy Skinner. This is the same dynamic duo that brought Broadway the 2001 award-winning revival.

“A lot of people don’t know that this show almost didn’t open when it debuted,” said Genga. “The original director, Gower Champion, died hours before the curtain rose. But none of the performers knew it until after the show was over.”

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at www.uncp.edu/gpactickets , by visiting the box office in person or by calling 910.521.6361. Tickets cost between $10 and $14.

Some things never go out of style: good friends, good food and good music are some of them. It’s been 50 years since The Beach Boys came together to produce the iconic music so many people know and love. On Jan. 30, Community Concerts brings The Beach Boys to the Crown for the second concert of the 2016-17 season.
“Fifty years ago, we started something very big,” says Brian Wilson on the band’s website. “So now we’re celebrating together in a very big way.”
“It’s pretty miraculous that we can start out as a bunch of guys who didn’t know anything about fame or money, or anything like that,” band member Mike Love agreed. “All we knew was we liked to sing and make harmonies together. So, to have it become part of American musical culture is pretty amazing.”
In 1961, the Wilson brothers: Brian, Carl and Dennis, their cousin Mike Love, and school friend Al Jardine were teenagers living in Hawthorne, Calif. They loved music and writing and singing songs together. By the summer of 1962, their neighbor David Marks had joined the group and they released their first album with Capitol Records, Surfin’ Safari. Marks left the band in 1963. In 1965 Brian Wilson stopped performing to write and produce for the band. That’s when Bruce Johnston joined the group. Surfin’ Safari spent 37 weeks on the charts, launching The Beach Boys’ careers and bringing their harmonic musical style and California beach boy attitude to the forefront of the music scene.
It was not long before The Beach Boys were topping music charts around the world. On June 5, they are set to release their 29th studio album, That’s Why God Made the Radio. The album features all the band’s original surviving members. “We’ve come full circle,” says Al Jardine. “Sharing our memories and our present in the studio has been really remarkable. I can especially feel it when we’re all singing around the mic together because we all hear each other and we really lock in.”
The album has 11 tracks that reach back to the band’s sound established decades ago. Song titles from That’s Why God Made the Radio include “Think About the Days,” “Isn’t It Time,” “Spring Vacation,” “Private Life of Bill and Sue,” “Shelter,” “Daybreak Over the Ocean,” “Beaches in Mind,” “Strange World,” “My Life Suite,” and “Summer’s Gone.”
What makes this concert so special is that not only is Brian Wilson back on the stage with the rest of the band after two decades, the titles cover the group’s more than 50-year history. The playlist includes early classics as well as masterpieces like “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and “God Only Knows” from perhaps the band’s most popular album, Pet Sounds. They will perform hits from the 1970s and 80s including songs like “Kokomo” as well as brand new songs recently recorded for That’s Why God Made the Radio. The performance also includes a nod to the contributions of the original band members, the late Carl and Dennis Wilson.
As Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees and recipients of The Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement GRAMMY Award, the Beach Boys’ sound is as fresh today as it was in 1962.
With four more concerts left in the season, the remaining Community Concerts performances bring a variety of entertainment to the stage. On Feb. 4, Popovich Pet Comedy, which was voted the “Best Family Show in Las Vegas” brings Popovich, a fifth-generation Russian circus performer, and his comedy pet theater to the Crown. More than 30 dogs, cats, mice, geese, and parrots – all rescued from shelters – bring hijinks and comedy to the stage.
Hits like “Juke Box Hero,” “Feels Like the First Time,” “Urgent,” “Head Games,” “Hot Blooded,” “Cold as Ice,” “Dirty White Boy,” “Waiting for A Girl Like You,” and the worldwide #1 hit, “I Want to Know What Love Is,” were all over the airwaves in the 1970s and 80s as Foreigner climbed the charts to claim its place as rock and roll royalty. To date, the band has sold more than 75 million albums. With 16 top 30 hits and 10 multi-platinum albums, it is no wonder the band continues to play to sold-out venues. On Feb. 25 Community Concerts bring Foreigner to the Crown.
Hailing from Australia, The Ten Tenors take the stage on March 18. The group’s repertoire includes both classics and contemporary numbers. They’ve put out six platinum and gold records and have sold more than 3.5 million concert tickets.
While audiences crave more than arias from groups like this, The Ten Tenors have 20 years in the music industry and have helped redefine their genre. Long-serving member of The TEN, Paul Gelsumini says “The best part of being in this group is being able to sing whatever we want to sing from all music genres, be it classical, rock or even diva pop, and seeing the delight and surprise on audience members faces in that split moment when they realize what we are singing next; it’s such a buzz and so much fun when seemingly conservative audience members get up and dance in their seats.”
The season closes on April 11 with Rain, a live multi-media tribute to the Beatles. This is not like other Beatles tributes. Rain is a note-by-note reenactment of Beatles hits including classics like “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “Hard Day’s Night,” “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” “Let It Be,” “Come Together” and “Hey Jude.”
To find out more about Community Concerts or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.community-concerts.com.