Before I wrote columns for Up & Coming Weekly, I wrote editorials for our family broadcasting business, one of the few broadcasting companies in the country to share its opinions regularly. Another is Capital Broadcasting in Raleigh, parent of WRAL.  I have also spent decades exchanging political opinions in public and in private with all sorts of people, those who agree with me and those who do not.

This is a long way of saying the First Amendment is not theoretical to me.  It is incorporated into my daily life and has been since I first remember talking politics with my contemporaries, other junior high school students at the old Teen Club on Rowan Street.  The First Amendment was woven into my soul in 9th grade civics, a course that although I did not know at the time, would shape my adult life to this very moment.  The First Amendment is as fundamental to me as food, clothing and shelter. 

It is also why the story of Lee Francis, a teacher at Massey Hill Classical High School, snagged my attention immediately.

Francis is a history teacher at a rigorous school with many accelerated students who applied to be there and who are college bound and beyond.  In teaching a lesson involving a First Amendment case, Texas v. Johnson, Francis illustrated the point that free expression is not necessarily just verbal or written by putting his foot on an American flag.  He apparently tapped his foot on the flag more than once, at which point at least one student left the classroom.

A public firestorm ensued with some saying Francis was not only making a First Amendment point to his students but also exercising his own rights as an American citizen.  Others said he desecrated our American flag and did so in front of a classroom of impressionable high school students.  The Cumberland County School System initially suspended Francis, with pay, and later added a 10-day non-paid suspension.  In the meantime, Cumberland County District Attorney Billy West said his office would not prosecute Francis because he was acting within the protection of the First Amendment.

Talk about a teachable moment in a year when campaign ugliness and name calling have reached heights even long-time political observers have trouble stomaching, First Amendment rights not withstanding.

My own first reaction to this local brouhaha was “thank goodness we have teachers like Lee Francis.”  

No need to dwell on what we all know about North Carolina teachers.  Our state has gone from the national average in teacher pay to the bottom of the national barrel, and our teachers are fleeing in droves north, south and west to states that pay them better.  Then there is the reality that most teachers are and have traditionally been women.  A man standing before a classroom is a statistical oddity, and we need more of them not only to teach but to model for our children.  Whatever your feelings about the Massey Hill flag incident, it is hard not to be thankful that teachers like Lee Francis are in our classrooms helping our children understand what it means to be an American.

That being said, could Francis have made his point in a way that did not offend others and in a way that did not involve his foot on the American flag?

Certainly he could have.

But would his point made as powerful an impression as did his foot did?

We cannot know for sure, of course, but I doubt it.  Our mothers told us that actions speak louder than words, and our mothers were right.  The point Francis was attempting to make — and did make in my opinion, is that our Constitution and specifically the First Amendment allow us to share our thoughts and opinions whether those on the receiving end like or agree with them or not.  This was a novel concept when our forebears adopted it in the late 18th century, and it has served our nation so well for more than 200 years that other nations have modeled their Constitutions on ours.  Our right of free expression is ours no matter what our government, the Cumberland County School system or you and I think about what is being expressed.

What happened in a Massey Hill Classical High School history class earlier this month was indeed a teachable moment for everyone — Lee Francis, his students and the rest of us.  I am grateful that from time to time we have such moments to remind us of what a great nation we all call home.

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Being a journalist, the 1st Amendment to our Constitution is mighty important to me. I have often found myself having to bite my tongue when I see or hear something that goes far beyond the pale, but do so because I know that it is that individual’s right to express themselves in ways that do not make sense to me, that do not make me comfortable.

As a journalist, I very much buy into the idea that “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” Although, sometimes, that is not easy. Such was the case this past week in Cumberland County. By now, everyone has heard that  Lee Francis, the Massey Hill teacher who attempted to teach his students about the 1st Amendment by stepping on the flag, has been suspended  for 10 days for his object lesson. So that’s old news. But maybe, there is something that we all have missed.

Francis, who has been very vocal with the media — local and national — over the past week, has made no bones of the fact that he believes what he was doing was right and that the students, parents and community are the ones who are out of step. I disagree. I believe that Francis is the one out of the step.

There is no doubt that Francis has the right to disrespect our flag. Our Supreme Court ensured that. There is also no doubt that Francis, as the teacher, has the right to set the rules of his classroom. But what Francis cannot demand, but what he must earn, is the respect of his students, their parents and our community. 

This is where, I believe, he has failed miserably.

Before one moves into a community, they should learn about the community. They should learn the social mores, the beliefs, the attitude of the community. If what they believe is at great odds with that community, then perhaps it is not the place for them to be. 

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to recognize the type of community that exists in Cumberland County. Cumberland County is a military community. There are more heroes in this community than you can shake a stick at because we are, after all, the Home of the 82nd Airborne and the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. There are probably more kids in our schools with dads and moms deployed than there are with them at home. There are also many families who have lost loved ones in the wars over the past 16 years — families who have lost friends and neighbors during the wars. So calling our community The All-American Community is a pretty good indicator about how people feel about their country and its symbols.

This is something that Francis, who chose to move to this community, should have understood when he began teaching the community’s students. Francis should have learned about his students. He should have known how many of them have family members serving. He should have considered that there may be kids in his school whose parents came back home covered in an American Flag. If he understood all of those things, he would have understood that his action, was much like the person yelling fire in a movie theater. His action was inflammatory. He has acknowledged that. He was trying to make a point. When you go out of your way to make a point through inflammatory activities, then you can’t be surprised that you get burned. It’s called using sound judgement, something that I think was missing from his object lesson and definitely from his actions following the event.

If Francis, in fact, was trying to teach an object lesson, than he should not have been surprised by some of  his students reactions or the community’s. You see, another great tenet of democracy is civil disobedience, which is a refusal to obey governmental demands or commands, especially in a nonviolent and usually collective means of forcing concessions from the government. That’s what the two students who walked out of class and took the flag with them did. They exercised their right to challenge their leader (teacher) who had demanded something from them that they simply could not stomach. Those students and parents who made their voice heard could not stomach a teacher, someone who is supposed to act wisely, doing the contrary. Yes, he had the right to do what he did — and they had the right to let him know they did not agree.

Superintendent Till also had the right to look at the kind of judgement Francis used in the classroom, and, like many in the community, he found it lacking. So Francis earned a 10-day suspension. His first cry was for the student who sent out the picture to be punished. That student was exercising their right of free speech to say they did not agree. 

Francis has had his 15 minutes of fame. Now maybe he can get serious about teaching.

Sean Kenney used to work in an office on Park Avenue. He worked as cartoonist, a graphic artist and a web designer. And every night when he got off work, he’d let his inner child out to play, and often still in his suit, Kenney would build and create the things hidden in his imagination during the day. Now, Kenney uses LEGOS to create sculptures of high-profile clients, businesses and other venues around the world. On Sept. 30, his latest work, Nature Connects Art with Lego Bricks opens at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden for what will be a three-month exhibit.

Using more than 500,000 LEGOS, “there will be more than 27 sculptures arranged in 24 or 25 displays,” said Meg Suraci, Cape Fear Botanical Garden director of marketing. “As an example, there is a bison and her calf and a bird. The bird is sitting on the bison’s back that is three sculptures, but one display. The garden’s board of directors and staff are all excited to bring this exhibit to Fayetteville. Some of us have seen it firsthand already and are familiar with how amazing these sculptures are and we are excited to blend the art and nature and education in the garden. It will be a fantastic experience.”

The colorful sculptures spaced thoughtfully throughout the garden are not only intriguing to look at, each also has a related interpretive panel that makes a connection between exhibit and the natural world. The exhibit also includes activities for kids as well as grown up kids, hand-on building stations and design competitions, too. “I am excited to see the sculptures in our garden and that there will be other activities throughout the term of the exhibit,” said Suraci. “On opening weekend we will have LEGO mania in the Orangery. Also during the exhibit, we will have community building competitions. We will have a military-themed building competition as well as a nature-themed building competition. That will be fun for people to bring their work in. There will also be user groups coming and teaching some of the tricks of the trade.” 

It’s been more than 10 years since Kenney stood up from his desk in a 40-story New York City skyscraper, took off his tie and walked out of the office in the middle of the day to go home and build with LEGOS. And he hasn’t looked back once. 

Sure, LEGOS are fun. The bright colors and many interlocking shapes make just about anything possible. But there for Kenney, it is more than that. “I love that whether a 2-year-old child or a professional master builder snaps two LEGO pieces together, the end result is exactly the same... The final product is visually identical. I think this lowers the bar for entry and makes it more accessible, but also shows people that mastering the medium is more about using your brain and having creative ideas than about eons of honing a physical technique.

“I also love the whimsical nature of the results. The bright fun colors, the cartoonish nature of the final piece. There’s just something about LEGO that makes people smile.”

With structures list a hummingbird that hovers eight-feet in the air, a giant monarch butterfly with and eight-foot wingspan, a five-foot tall bumble bee and a seven-foot rose the sculptures invite visitors to used their imaginations make connections. “Fundamentally the show is about connections. Much as LEGO pieces connect, everything in nature is connected in an intricate balance. It is important to me that each individual sculpture attempt to illustrate some of these ‘connections’ found in nature, whether it’s a fox hunting a rabbit, a hummingbird feeding on a trumpet flower, baby ducklings following their parents on a walk, or squirrels raiding a bird feeder as the birds stand by helpless to stop them. Others showcase the beauty of nature … like a five-foot praying mantis. There’s also a life-sized lawn mower that visitors often mistake for the real thing... which is good for a laugh, but also shows humankind’s connection to nature.”

Like many artists, Kenney finds inspiration in all kinds of places and each piece is unique from inception to creation. He noted that the hummingbird sculpture popped into his head when he heard someone mention a hummingbird during a conversation. “I immediately had this vision of something that you could actually walk under, suspended as if by magic. Creating a spindly little nose and paper thin wings built out of chunky LEGO pieces seemed like a wonderful challenge and, if done right, something that would look amazing,” said Kenney. 

He spent four weeks designing and planning the piece, researching images of hummingbirds in nature choosing the perfect colors and designing the internal steel reinforcements, then about five or more weeks building it. Kenney is proud of the fact that his sculptures are not computer generated. “When I’m designing a model, I gather as many photographs or drawings of the subject as I can, and then use graph paper or a computer model to plan out the basic shape and size,” said Kenney.

After that, he starts building a prototype with LEGO pieces, using his plans as a guide. He noted that there’s a lot of visualization required, and he often has to step back and examine the model from all sides as it’s coming together. Sometimes that means taking sections apart and re-building them. “Once I have a prototype that I like, I’ll rebuild it, glued, using the prototype as a template,” send Kenney. “Depending on the size of the sculpture, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. And if the model is something that needs to be uniquely recognized, I spend a lot more time making sure it’s perfect,” Kenney added. 

The exhibit runs through Jan. 8. Suraci noted that “It is free with regular garden admission,” said Suraci. “Anyone who is a member gets free admission. A membership, if you plan to come once or more, will pay for itself pretty quickly.”

Find out more at www.capefearbg.org or call 486.0221 for more information.

Sometimes life gets overwhelming and you just need a hand. That might mean access to information or a resource that can provide services to fill in a gap during a rough patch. Patriot Outreach is in the business of connecting people, specifically veterans and first responders, and resources. Its mission is to provide private and confidential access to simple and effective resources to those troubled or suffering as a result of stressful or traumatic experiences while in the service of our nation. And to provide a forum whereby concerned and experienced professionals can share their expertise and experience. To promote better understanding of the needs of our noble warriors among our military, health professionals and government leadership …to improve mission readiness and to provide hope to the guardians of our nation. On Oct. 1, the organization is set to host Patriot Outreach Day at Fayetteville Technical Community College’s Tony Rand Center. 

Mike Baker is the event organizer, and he takes giving back seriously. He’s been there. “Being a vet myself if it wasn’t for a nonprofit giving me support I needed, I would not be where I am today,” said Baker. “That is important to me. I was in the weird transition place in my life. It was actually at the opening of the N.C. Veterans Park that a fellow marine pulled me aside.” 

The day’s events include, an information fair, a concert, a car show and an appearance by NASCAR’s Christi Edelbrock. Mayor Nat Robertson will be in attendance and local survivalist celebrity E. J. Snyder will speak.

Baker says there are about 35 vendors scheduled that include organizations like the USO, the Fisher House, Gold Star Mothers and the American Legion as well as smaller organizations. 

“This is a way for all of these organizations to be in one location where they know there will be vets. It is a way to get their services recognized by the vets in the community,” Baker said. “Only about 10 percent of vets and first responders get the help they need. We are trying to reach the other 90 percent. We do it by having events that people can come and have fun.”

And that means making it fun as well as informative, which is what the Warrior Jam is about. “We have three music acts,” said Baker. “Jamie Pridgen is a country music singer from the Rocky Mount area. Gil Charles is a military wife and singer who does pop and country music. And Ryan Daniel is our national spokesperson and headliner. CMT just picked a video for one of his songs. He is an Air Force vet and is a good singer.” 

NASCAR fans can chat with Christie Edelbrock, who will be on site promoting her Rev’ved Up 4 Kids program. “The program offers and opportunity for kids to get hands on training with an actual engine and tear it apart and rebuild it,” said Baker. “She comes to support us and we appreciate it.” 

While all the activities are a lot of fun, what makes the event worthwhile for him is helping people. “We’ve helped 38 people this year. That’s 38 people that needed a hand and someone else didn’t reach,” said Baker.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is at the Toney Rand Student Center. Call 705.6093 for more information.

The Cape Fear Regional Theatre opens its 2016-2017 season with Million Dollar Quartet, a co-production with Theatre Raleigh, of the Tony award-winning Broadway hit. The story recounts a true event from December 4, 1956, when four future iconic music-makers (Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis) gathered at Sun Records in Memphis. The result was an impromptu jam session.

Fayetteville audiences are in for a treat. Million Dollar Quartetis a rompin’, stomping, clapping, snapping good time! If you thought CFRT’s Ring of Fire was good last season (and I do), be prepared for the cast and crew to take the musical party to the next level. CFRT and director Tim Seib are to be commended. The show is fantastic. The performers are top-notch. The music is excellent. 

The show offers a sampling of music from all four performers and ranges from rock ‘n’ roll, rockabilly and blues to gospel. It kicks off with “Blue Suede Shoes” and ends with “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” with a great mix in between. The cast sings all the music and plays all
the instruments.

It is hard to choose just one or two favorite songs from the show. While the individual performances highlight the actors’ talent, the ensembles highlight their range and the festive atmosphere of the show. Joe Boover as Elvis was terrific on Dean Martin’s “Memories Are Made Of This.” As Cash, Ted Bushman killed it on “Sixteen Tons.” Despite the rousing audience appeal and participation in the ensembles “See You Later Alligator” and the closer “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” my favorite of the night was “Down by the Riverside.” For me at least, the soulful performance reflected the professional and personal trials of the real-life men, who despite fame and fortune, seemed to always be searching for the internal peace the performers sing about. 

While the crowd always did and seems to still go crazy for Elvis and Cash, Ian Fairlee and Michael Kennedy gave noteworthy turns as Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. Quite frankly, Fairlee stole the show with his energy. Kennedy’s solid portrayal of Perkins and his musical chops on the guitar were the backbone of the show. 

Those who only associate the jam session with the four legends are in for a surprise. Fayetteville-based actress Taylor Kraft portrays Dyanne, Elvis’ gal-pal who was with him that evening at Sun Records. Kraft heated up the entire audience with her rendition of “Fever.” Her last turn on the CFRT stage was in last season’s Ring of Fire.

Kudos to Jon Rossi and Jason William Steffen. Steffen played the double bass. Rossi served as the music director for the production and played the drums. Both were able to showcase their musical talent and give a nod to often overlooked studio musicians.

Throughout the show, we get a glimpse inside the music business during that era from Sam Phillips, played by David McClutchey, a regular at Theatre Raleigh. Phillips gave each of the quartet their starts in the business by encouraging and showcasing their individual styles. Through McClutchey’s portrayal, we see that success is sometimes due not only to talent, but also business acumen.

There are no weak links in Million Dollar Quartet.It is a first-class show all the way around. Don’t miss it.

The show runs through Oct. 2. For tickets and information, visit www.cfrt.org or call the box office at 323-4233.

A celebration of pop culture — specifically all things cool and geeky. That’s what Michael Chaudhuri set out to bring to Fayetteville last year with the inaugural Fayetteville Comiccon. And did he ever. More than 8,000 people showed up. This year, the family-friendly event is poised to eclipse last year’s stellar showing. Comiccon takes place at the Crown on Oct. 15 and 16.

“Fayetteville deserves a first rate Comiccon,” said Chaudhuri. “We are longtime geeks and we felt the demand and interest was there. We thought it was one of the best place that didn’t have a Comiccon yet and wanted to bring that to the community.”

While many Comiccon’s are themed for specific audiences, this one touches on most every genre. “Our con features a little bit of everything,” said Chaudhuri. “If it’s geek, we’ve got it. We do more than most conventions in the country.”

Fans of comics, cosplay, gaming, collectible toys, anime, cool TV or movies, Star Wars, Star Trek, Doctor Who, The Walking Dead and/or horror won’t want to miss it.

Guests include Sam Jones of Flash Gordon fame, Power Rangers Steve Cardenas and Jason Faunt, Scott Tepperman from Ghost Hunters International, horror movie actor Jim O’Rear, voice actors Veronica Taylor, Barbara Goodson and Kerrigan Mahan. Comic book creators in attendance include Michael Golden of The Hulk, Arthur Suydam cover artist for Marvel Zombies, Kelly Yates of Doctor Whocomics, Wayne Van Sant of Nam comics, Kirk Lindo of Vampress Luxura, Richard Case from The Doom Patrol, Russian comic bood artist Konstantin Komardin, Back Issue editor Michael Eury, Vampirella artist Louis Small, Jr., Marvel colorist and editor Renee Witterstaetter, Herc & Thor author Dan Johnson, artist Rodney Bennett, and Al Bigley ofThe Power Rangers. The Walking Dead Reunion Part Two features The Walking Dead actors Ben Bladon, Santiago Cirilo, Melissa Cowan, Gregory French, Adam Minarovich, Michael Mundy, Kent Wagner, and Veronica Wagner. 

Chaudhuri noted that the impressive guest list will yield two days of panels on a wide array of topics. “The panels are always a good time and cover a little bit of everything,” said Chaudhuri. “In addition to the guest panels, we have Cosplay 101; Using Fabric in Cosplay; Cosplay and Disabilities; Comic Book History; Supernatural discussion; Military SF; Indie Film Making; How to Get your Comic Book or Novel Published; a NerdSlam and even SCIFI Speed Dating.”

For cosplay fans, there are two competitions on the main stage. The junior level competition (for ages 15 and under) is on Saturday. The grand prize is a Dell laptop. The senior level competition takes place on Sunday. The grand prize is a Dell laptop.

Gamers, the gaming alley that was so popular last year has been expanded and will have tournaments galore. Cardz-n-things is set to host Magic the Gathering, and Yu-Gi-Oh tournaments. Video game competitions include Super Smash Brothers. HeroClix and the Pathfinder Society and the World Beyblade Organization are all a part of gaming alley. 

“We say this is a geek event — and it is — but families and non gamers will have a great time, too,” said Chaudhuri. “This really is for everyone. We have a kids zone, aerialists, live tattooing, martial arts demonstrations, sword play demonstrations, live magic demonstrations, show cars, door prizes … we even have a nerd harp.”

If the entertainment and panels aren’t enough, come for the vendors. “We’ll have all kinds of collectible toys, cosplay accessories and accoutrements, anime, jewelry, Star Wars and Doctor Who collectibles, DVDs, vintage video games, and, well, who knows what else you might find,” said Chadhouri. “We also have a large Artist Alley, with some of the best artists from Cumberland County and across the Carolinas.”

Advance tickets are $15, but weekend passes are $25. No discounts at the door. Active duty military get a $2 discount on all advance ticket purchases. Tickets at the door are $18 or $30 for a weekend pass. Tickets are available at http://www.crowncomplexnc.com. Doors open at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

Sustainable Sandhills does a lot of things. One of them is educate people. But learning doesn’t have to be boring. And that is what the organization proves time and again with its Sustainable Saturday’s series. Once a month, Sustainable Sandhills presents movies that focus on sustainability and environmental issues. These films are free to the public and take place at the Cameo Art House Theatre. The events always start at 11 a.m. Usually, experts in fields that relate to the movies come and host discussions following the films. Some of these may directly affect the community; some may focus on a larger scale. Last month, River Run: Down the Cape Fear hit close to home, while previous showings like More Than Honeyand Black Gold dealt with bigger picture issues.

The next Sustainable Saturday is on Sept. 24 and features the film Farmland.The movie focuses on the huge disconnect between the majority of the American people and the people that produce the food they eat. The documentary follows six young farmers and ranchers in their twenties and illustrates the high-risk/high-reward lifestyles they lead. It is a story about passion and about evolution. Farming is in many cases, tradition, but these new young farmers bring a fresh new perspective to their work. They are driving change and this film is a first hand look at their work. It grapples with controversial issues like genetic modification, animal welfare and antibiotics in animal feed. It comes from award winning director James Moll. As a point of awareness, it was funded by the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance

However these once a month screenings are not the only time that environmentally concerned films are available. Sustainable Sandhillls has a significant library of green films. Volunteers are invited to host their own screening for friends and family with at-home screening. Those wanting to experience these films with friends need only contact Sustainable Sandhillls to arrange a rental. For those looking for even more reach there is also the option of volunteering for a living room social Sustainable Sandhills will supply the film and registration and hosts provide the living room and the popcorn. These socials are generally planned three weeks in advance based on dates chosen by the host. Businesses are also invited to sponsor films and host green film socials.

Sustainable Sandhills is a local non-profit that traces its roots to the sustainability initiative that Fort Bragg leadership started in 2000. In 2002 the Sustainable Fort Bragg program was formed and its success in work like identifying its environmental footprint has inspired leaders to continue the progress beyond the Fort Bragg boundaries. In partnership with Fort Bragg and the NC Department of Environment local community leaders and stakeholders created the Sustainable Sandhills Initiative in 2003. The steering committee defined success as not relying on nonrenewable resources, not systematically increasing non biodegradable synthetic products, not degrading natures services and meeting all basic needs. Since 2005 the initiatives include eight counties: Cumberland, Hoke, Harnett, Moore, Richmond, Scotland, Lee and Montgomery. 

Sustainable Sandhills has translated the initial goal of the organization set out by the steering committee into four core program areas: clean air, clean water, green schools and green business. Their efforts to achieve these goals focus on youth empowerment, combating climate change, documenting the environment and demanding stronger protection for it. Their tools are education, demonstration and collaboration. Find out more about Sustainable Sandhills at http://www.sustainablesandhills.org/

Politics can be a touchy subject, particularly when it is as heated as this election process has been. Unelectable You faces the election process head on. The 90-minute show is a combination of sketch, improv, music and multi-media. The Second City utilizes these multiple performance styles to approach the same complicated and incredibly relevant topic: The American election process. On Sept. 29, the show stops at Givens Performing Arts Center for a night of laughs.

Ian Owens performs in the show “It is partnered with Slate Magazine … coupled with Second City. You are getting a lot of policy wonks — people who are really in the know — helping to shape the show,” he said. “We couldn’t make base jokes about candidates, which would have been easy. They wante us to make a smarter show. We could just talk about Hilary’s emails or Trump’s outrageous comments, but we try to make it more nuanced. We make it appealing to a more informed audience,”

The central theme of the discussion is frustration, a feeling that many Americans share. For many this election is not about choosing the best possible president or the best candidate. Instead, it has devolved into voting against the worst candidate. This creative performance takes an unbiased look at all aspects of this ridiculous election. This includes discussing the candidates at length, exploring the media’s role in the election, considering the role of the public at large in the debacle and in total defining what it means to be electable. 

While current politics are divisive, Owens promises this is not what the show is about. “Early on in the show people realize we aren’t there to change minds or reinforce opinions. We are just trying to come up with something smart and funny to say that hasnt’ been said before,” He added that “We are going to say terrible things about both sides … if you think we are harping on your candidate, just wait. We will do same to the other, too. There is nothing to fear here. You are in a safe place. We are going to laugh. A lot. You won’t leave any smarter, but mabe there will be more nuance to your political views.”

The show is born from collaboration between The Second City and Slate. The Second City is a Chicago theater that opened in 1959. It is one of the world’s most popular and well-known comedy clubs. It was founded by Bernard Sahlins, Howard Alk and Paul Sills. It also functions as a theater and a school of improvisation. They use techniques developed and originally taught by the Sill’s father Viola Spolin. The school of improvisation has taught some of the funniest and most talented performers in the world. The list of notable alumni is incredibly long, but here are just a few of the most recognizable: Stephen Colbert, Joan Rivers, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Mike Myers, Steve Carell and Tina Fey. Many of the performers and the creative minds behind the creation of Unelectable You are deeply involved with or have been through The Second City. 

The other group involved with the show is Slate. This is a daily magazine founded in 1996 that is published specifically on the Internet that can be accessed by the public at no charge. The goal is to offer a smart and funny interpretation of serious and relevant current events. Topics covered include politics, news, business, technology and culture. The magazine has earned awards for their work such as the National Magazine Award for General Excellence Online.

Everyone involved with this production; both performers and the creative team have long resumes beyond their work with either Slate or The Second City. It is impossible to list all of the accomplishments that each artist has earned, but it is important to recognize that each member of this team is already recognized as an incredible performer. Their months of hard work and talent are what makes this show such a hilarious, engaging and electric show every single performance. 

Unelectable You is on Thursday Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m. The show takes place in the Givens Performing Arts Center located at 1 University Dr. in Pembroke. The fast-paced show is recommended for viewers 16 and older. 

Tickets range from $31 to $35. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 910.521.6361. For more information, visit http://www.uncp.edu/giving/advancement/givens-performing-arts-center/broadway-and-more-series. 

If Fayetteville is anything it is diverse and that is something to celebrate. And celebrating is something the Arts Council Fayetteville/Cumberland County knows how to do. It’s hosted the International Folk Festival for 37 years now. This year, the 38th International Folk Festival runs Sept. 23-25.

The event starts with 4th Friday in Downtown Fayetteville. Galleries and stores stay open late and there are activities throughout downtown. Enjoy international music in front of the Arts Council and then head inside to take in the Contemporary Art Forms by America’s First People. This exhibit features graphic art, paintings, pottery and photography by North Carolina artists with Native American roots. From there “travel” through Downtown with a Downtown Alliance “International Passport” and collect stamps from the many restaurants and businesses. Register your passport to win a prize. Passports are available at the Downtown Alliance at 222 Hay St. from 7-9 p.m. on 4th Friday.

On Saturday, Sept. 24, the festivities kick off with the Parade of Nations. The parade features representatives from the many cultural groups in Fayetteville. You’ll see a variety of traditional cultural costumes and revel in the customs of the many different nations represented there. More than 1,000 participants march in the parade showcasing their heritage and national pride. The Army Ground Forces Band leads the parade and will perform in Festival Park on the main stage throughout the weekend. Festival Park opens at noon and closes at 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. 

The stages stay busy all weekend with performances by local groups as well as international performers. Nano Stern is a Chilean singer/songwriter. He’s toured with Joan Baez among other well-known artists. Stern takes the stage on Saturday. Easy Playboys brings Cajun, blues and rock to the stage as well. The New Orleans-based group brings a distinct sound to the stage. This returning New Orleans-based band performs both days.

While the Arts Council is careful to keep all the festival favorites like the international food, the demonstrations, the dancing and music, there are a few features that festival goers likely have not experienced yet

“There are some different things this year. One of them is that the stage is moving to the Festival Park lawn. It allows us to expand programming on the stage,” said Mary Kinney, Arts Council Director. “There are groups that are usually there on Sunday only, but now they can start on Saturday. It gives them more time and it is a way that more cultures can be represented. This is giving groups more time and more opportunities to showcase international performances early in the day on Saturday.”

Food and music are wonderful ways to connect with each other, but they are not the only ways. Technology plays a big part in daily life and this year the festival gives a nod to the role technology plays in today’s world. Stop by a “Selfie Station” for a photo with recognizable images from around the world.  Or visit the Global Tech Café and use tools from the Cumberland County Schools’ ESL Program to break down language barriers. Get a taste of There will be virtual reality and visit different locations around the world using live feeds with Google Cardboard. Take advantage of phone charging stations while you are there.

This year the Arts Council is proud to partner with Compare Foods for the International Folk Festival. “Compare Foods is a grocery chain with several stores in Fayetteville. This is an international grocery store that has foods representing so many countries,” said Kinney. “It is an excellent source for ingredients for making dishes from all over the world.” 

Find out more about the International Folk Festival at http://www.theartscouncil.com/

Beginning Sept. 23 and running through Oct. 9, the stage at the Gilbert Theater will transform into northwester Louisiana for a production of Steel Magnolias. The hardship and triumphs of six women are on display here as they live their lives in small town southern America. “I think this story is 100 percent about women. STEEL Magnolias. Strong women who suffer and come through the other side of things by walking THROUGH the pain, “ artistic director Robyne Parrish explained. 

For many, this is a familiar story. It made its stage debut in 1987 and was later adapted into a movie in 1989. For any other theater these previous performances may be intimidating. The Gilbert Theater excels in creating unique and fresh interpretations of classic stories. 

“It is certainly iconic and is attached to an award winning movie with major actresses at the helm. The actresses must make the work their own and we hope to bring something new to the production,” Parrish says, “The play takes place in Truvy’s salon. There is only one set. There are also no male characters in the show. The script remains fairly intact. People familiar with the film and not the play will recognize many, many lines. “

The success of this story in many ways lies in its often-painful realism. The problems that these characters face are not fantastical, they are real and the characters are powerfully relatable. Because these characters are so relatable as people the gendered aspect of the show does not serve as a limitation. Male and female audiences can connect to the story. “I just played M’Lynn at Theatre Raleigh this summer and so I relate the most to M’Lynn. But I think I can identify with almost every character in the show and I think our audiences will too — both male and female,” Parrish said. 

While the cast and the focus of the show is entirely on women, the story here is really universal. This is a show about humanity and about over coming adversity. Everyone faces challenges. “Bring the whole family. And all the guys. This is a brilliant script and a wonderful story of family, love and loss. Everyone can get something amazing out of it,” Parrish said. “Our cast is brilliant and we know the whole community will enjoy what they have to offer!” Tickets can be purchased and more information can be found at www.gilberttheater.com. 

Just as Steel Magnolias focused on transitions, this season is also a transition for the Gilbert Theater. This season is the final season for the Parrish as the Gilbert Theater’s artistic director. 

“I am excited about this season. it is an incredible line - up. Of course I will be leaving midway through and Matthew Overturf will be taking over as Artistic Director with Meghann Redding coming on as Executive Director. I just know my final season is going to be a wonderful one and I am so excited about the team that will be taking over after my departure in February,” she says. 

 Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette was educated at the Collège du Plessis and the Versailles Academy. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Musketeers of the Guard on April 9, 1771. At age 19, the young Marquis was an adventurer at heart. He believed the American Revolution needed the advantage of direct French support. The impetuous nobleman defied the king and decided to visit America. Benjamin Franklin dispatched a letter to General George Washington asking him to accept the young Frenchman as an aide-de-camp. Lafayette purchased a ship and headed for America on April 20, 1777. He landed near Charleston, S.C., on June 13, and proceeded to Philadelphia where he offered to serve without pay. 

Lafayette first saw action at the Battle of Brandywine where he was wounded in the leg. It was his first of several engagements with British Lord General Charles Cornwallis. Lafayette did not seek treatment until an orderly retreat was organized. For his actions, Washington cited him for bravery and recommended him for divisional command.

 He rejoined Washington at Valley Forge. Lafayette was promoted to Major General and was assigned to Major General Nathaniel Green. Washington ordered the army from Valley Forge to pursue the British across New Jersey. In the Battle of Monmouth, June 28, 1778, Green and Lafayette met the enemy in a hard struggle in which Greene was cited for conspicuous service. During the night the British retired and eventually reached New York. In July, Greene and Lafayette were dispatched to Rhode Island to expel the British from the colony. 

Lafayette was given leave to briefly return to France where he was granted 6,000 men under General Jean-Baptiste de Rochambeau. He returned to America and conducted operations against the traitor Benedict Arnold. In March, 1781, A 2,100-man British force commanded by Cornwallis confronted Green’s 4,500 Americans at Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina. The victory went to Cornwallis, but the British Army lost a considerable number of men during the battle with estimates as high as 27 percent. Such heavy British casualties resulted in a strategic advantage for the Americans. It was the largest and most hotly contested battle of the American Revolution’s southern campaign. Lafayette shadowed Cornwallis’s army as it moved north from North Carolina. They next met in Virginia at the Siege and Battle of Yorktown. Lafayette was with Washington on October 19, 1781, when Cornwallis surrendered his 8,000 troops to end the war.

Sailing home to France in December, the marquis was promoted to field marshal. Again, Lafayette returned to America, and in 1824 began a lengthy tour of the country. The tour was one of the greatest American public events of the 19th century. From August 1824 to September 1825, Lafayette visited all 24 states of the Union. He came to Fayetteville on March 4 and 5, 1825. It was the first city to be named in his honor in the United States, and was the only namesake city he visited. Lafayette died in 1834.

Every year Fayetteville’s Lafayette Society celebrates Lafayette’s birthday with various events in downtown Fayetteville.

What began three years ago as a cooperative transportation relationship between the Fayetteville Area System of Transit and Fort Bragg’s Transportation office has all but fizzled out. The City of Fayetteville had been approached by former Fort Bragg Garrison Commander Col. Jeff Sanborn to evaluate the on-post bus service. An idea that grew out of that evaluation, according to Deputy Fayetteville City Manager Kristoff Bauer, was for FAST to operate the Army’s shuttle service. “We could have provided a much higher level of service,” said Bauer. “Garrison commanders have been very supportive of improving transportation on post,” he added. But the Installation Transportation Office apparently wasn’t as enthusiastic. There is a public perception that the Garrison Command is responsible for installation housekeeping and internal operations at Fort Bragg. But, there apparently are exceptions to the rule. When asked about resistance to change by transportation officials, Sanborn declined to comment. The current Deputy Garrison Commander, Justin Mitchell, agreed to answer questions but then withdrew the offer. The problem at Fort Bragg “is that change is real hard for them,” said Bauer. “It’s very disappointing that my expectations were too high,” he added.

In 2013, an agreement had been reached allowing FAST buses on post. A Fort Bragg news release boasted at the time that “the connection is part of the continuing process of improvements to create a more sustainable community, a plan researched and orchestrated by Timothy Shea, transportation chief, Directorate of Logistics.”  Shea called the agreement historic, saying “the last time a commercial bus was on Fort Bragg was in 1986, 27 years ago; it’s kind of amazing to think about that.” FAST Director Randy Hume met recently with Shea and Mitchell only to find that times have changed. “The meeting did not go well,” Hume said. He had proposed an improved circulation plan on the reservation so city buses could sync up with post shuttles. Shea did not agree to the suggested FAST circulation plan. As a result, city buses and Army shuttles still do not coordinate scheduling, sometimes resulting in long wait times. Shea felt any change would violate the Army’s agreement with the post bus contractor, Hume said. 

In addition, shuttle buses which used to begin operations early in the morning no longer do so. FAST provided an express coach from downtown Fayetteville to deliver soldiers and civilian employees in time for work. But about six weeks ago Hume learned that installation shuttle bus hours of operation had been changed. The city wasn’t notified. Now, the entire shuttle system doesn’t begin daily operations until 10 a.m., which effectively eliminated the need for an early morning FAST connection. The city consequently discontinued the innovative route. The change wasn’t because of a lack of interest on Fort Bragg’s part, officials said. The early morning shuttles had been funded with money designated for the wounded warriors program, according to Fort Bragg Garrison spokesman Thomas McCollum. “The shuttles’ early runs were initially intended to get our wounded warriors around post to meet their appointments and conduct daily military activities. Others were allowed to ride the shuttles.” said McCollum. Completion of Fort Bragg’s Wounded Warrior Complex consolidated most of the transportation needs for early medical appointments, McCollum added, and a “side effect of this caused us to lose funding for our early shuttle runs.” Without the special exemption, the installation reverted to army regulations that only allow the post transit system to operate between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Assistant Fayetteville Chief of Police Anthony Kelly has been named Acting Chief upon the Sept. 30 retirement of Chief Harold Medlock. Kelly is one of three assistant chiefs. He headed the Fayetteville Police Department’s patrol bureau since January of last year. Kelly has been with the department for 22 years. “Interim Chief Kelly has shown exceptional leadership as an Assistant Chief,” said Interim City
Manager Doug Hewett. “I am confident that he will do an excellent job of leading the Fayetteville Police Department during this transitional period,” he added. His staff has analyzed crime trends and developed structured goals to reduce crime with a holistic approach. Kelly holds a bachelor of science degree from Fayetteville State University and attended the West Point Leadership program at Methodist University and the FBI National Academy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A New Brand for the FPD

Fayetteville Police have introduced a new website (FayPD.com), which Chief Harold Medlock says better represents the agency in its relationship with the community. “The website is much more user-friendly,” said Medlock. It provides real-time information in six basic categories: community policing, police reports, crime information, recruiting, social media and an open data portal for other city sites. The department no longer depends on a single web manager. “Division managers can input information from their desks,” added Medlock. The new site provides “breaking news” which is also made immediately available on social media. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Need Benefits? Make a Call

The system hasn’t been tested yet, but military veterans can apply for VA health benefits over the phone. The Department of Veterans Affairs now allows former service members to complete health care applications by calling 877-222-8387. The phone line is manned by VA employees who provide callers with information on co-payments and third-party insurance. Until now, veterans had to apply in person at a VA medical center or submit an application to the department. After the VA inspector general disclosed a backlog of nearly 900,000 applications that stretched back 15 years, the department removed a provision that required applicants to physically sign the necessary paperwork, meaning they had to apply in person. If they prefer, veterans can continue to apply for benefits in person as well, according to the department. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Treatment Rather than Jail 

This month the Fayetteville Police Department, in partnership with the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office and other agencies, is launching a program designed to divert low-level drug offenders into treatment rather than jail. It’s seen as a partial solution to what’s been described as an opioid epidemic in Fayetteville. Last year alone more than 500 people were arrested for drug possession in the city. Under the new Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program (LEAD), police officers are able to divert drug offenders arrested with less than four grams of drugs to treatment providers and social services. “Over the years I have made my share of arrests for drug-related charges,” says Fayetteville Police Chief Harold Medlock. “My decision to start LEAD came down to recognizing the futility of the way law enforcement has been doing business for decades.” 

District Attorney Billy West notes that the project “allows our office to focus on prosecuting dealers and concentrating our resources where they are best utilized.” Alliance Behavioral Health and Coastal Horizon’s Treatment Accountability for Safer Communities are providing participants with crisis stabilization services, drug detox, employment support services, short-term rental assistance, short-term emergency housing and a range of substance use and mental health services. 

 

 

 

Teacher of the Year

“I want all the children I teach to become productive members of society,” said Cumberland County Schools 2017 Teacher of the Year Todd McCabe, an 8th-grade social studies teacher at John Griffin Middle School. 

He was named during an annual dinner at the Embassy Suites Hotel. McCabe was chosen from among more than 80 candidates. He credits a former teacher of his for instilling in him a desire to turn his life around from what included “numerous poor choices.” McCabe is a military veteran.

 “An advantage of teaching social studies is that the topics we discuss from the past resonate into the future as well,” he said. 

The veteran educator said he makes a point of developing a rapport with his students. McCabe received his undergraduate degree in history from Fayetteville State University. As the 2017 Teacher of the Year, McCabe received $300 and flowers from the Cumberland County Schools, $300 from the Communities in Schools of Cumberland County, a one-year lease of a 2016 Chevy Cruze from Reed-Lallier Chevrolet, a commemorative custom-designed CCS’ Teacher of the Year ring from Jostens, an engraved wrist watch from Herff Jones, a plaque from the Board of Education and a celebratory weekend in the Presidential Suite of the Embassy Suites Hotel. 

 

 

Emergency Call Center 

Urgency is the byword as Cumberland County Commissioners and Fayetteville City Council decide when and where to build a joint 911 Emergency Call Center. They’ve agreed to consolidate operations, and are being advised to build a facility outside the urban area to make it less vulnerable to terrorist attack. Two likely sites have been identified; a city-owned tract on Fields Road and the county-owned business park on Cedar Creek Road. Consultants have told both boards the current grant cycle ends in April 2017, for awards made in August. The estimated cost of a 40,000 sq. ft. hardened facility is $30 million. Commissioners and council members met last week to hear updates on the project and agreed to meet again the first of the year. Current 911 operations centers are located in the county courthouse and city hall. 

 

I recently read a column by Myron B. Pitts, Fayetteville Observernewspaper columnist, which added to my already tremendous mental and emotional pain regarding the condition of black Americans. The title is “Myron B. Pitts: Donald Trump is ‘birther’-in-chief.” Pitts makes the case that because Donald Trump persisted in questioning whether Barack Obama was born in America, he will get very few black votes. Pitts is right and, therein, is the source of my pain. What I say here is not about supporting Trump. It is about the implication made in the thought process of far too many blacks, reflected in the truth of what Pitts writes. What shows here is described well by the saying, “cutting off your nose to spite your face.”

The meaning of that saying from grammarist.com: “The idiom to cut off your nose to spite your face means you shouldn’t do something out of spite or revenge that will end up causing more harm to you than to the person with which you are angry. In other words, do not let your overreaction lead to self-harm.” 

I remember a situation in which I almost did what this idiom advises against. I was being treated by a doctor whose bedside manner bothered me. He was very much to the point, all business, and seemed distant at times. I considered changing doctors but made the effort to assess this man and the quality of the medical care he was providing. I kept him as my doctor. Over the years, he identified a serious illness in me and successfully treated it. At some point, he and I recognized a career experience we had in common. From that day forward, his approach shifted to one of continued outstanding medical care, but in a much more pleasant atmosphere. I benefited greatly by avoiding “cutting off my nose to spite my face.”

What Pitts presents in his column is a solid manifestation of this error on the part of many black Americans. Trump paints a clear picture of the dire condition of a substantial number of black Americans. The next three paragraphs give a feel for some components of that picture. 

An article by Aaron Bandler titled, “7 Statistics You Need to Know About Black-on-Black Crime” states in part:

1. “Blacks committed 52 percent of homicides between 1980 and 2008, despite composing just 13 percent of the population. Across the same timeframe, whites committed 45 percent of homicides while composing 77percent of the population, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics.”

2. “Blacks are 10 percent of the population in Los Angeles, California, but commit 42 percent of its robberies and 34 percent of its felonies. Whites make up 29 percent of the city’s population, and commit 5 percent of its robberies and 13 percent of its felonies.”

3. “There were almost 6,000 blacks killed by other blacks in 2015.”

Then comes unemployment among blacks. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ “The Employment Situation — July 2016” includes this summary statement: “Among the major worker groups, unemployment rates in July were little changed for adult men (4.6 percent), adult women (4.3 percent), teenagers (15.6 percent), Whites, (4.3 percent), Blacks (8.4 percent), Asians (3.8 percent), and Hispanics (5.4 percent).”  With the exception of teenagers, black unemployment was substantially higher than every other group. What is presented in this summary does not speak to the number of people who are not counted as unemployed because they have given up looking for work. Add to this the even higher unemployment rates for blacks in large cities and the picture is grim.

Blacks in poverty are another piece of the picture. An article titled, “Poverty in Black America” at blackdemographics.com says:

“According to the 2014 U.S. Census Bureau ACS study 27 percent of all African American men, women and children live below the poverty level compared to just 11 percent of all Americans. An even higher percentage (38 percent) of black children live in poverty compared to 22 percent of all children in America. The poverty rate for working-age black women (26 percent) which consists of women ages 18 to 64 is higher than that of working-age black men (21 percent).”

“Poverty rates for black families vary based on the family type. While 23 percent of all black families live below the poverty level only 8 percent of black married couple families live in poverty which is considerably lower than the 37 percent of black families headed by single women who live below the poverty line. The highest poverty rates (46 percent) are for black families with children that are headed by single black women. This is significant considering more than half (55 percent) of all black families with children are headed by single women.”

The picture painted by these minimal facts regarding crime, unemployment and poverty among black Americans make it clear there are serious issues demanding attention. These horrible conditions have not been given real attention across decades. However, blacks have remained faithful to the Democrat Party at a rate over 90 percent for 50-plus years. That loyalty has been rewarded with devastating financial hand-outs and good-sounding promises not kept.

I recently spent a couple of days in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. While having lunch one day, I got into a conversation with a black man sitting near me. We talked about where we grew up and similar non-controversial topics. Out of nowhere, he said something that indicated he favors Hillary Clinton. In response, I asked him if he realized Clinton supports allowing illegal immigrants to stay in the country, even though illegal immigration adversely affects black employment. Without even acknowledging my question, he went back to the safe topics. No matter the facts challenging his doing so, this man is controlled by a Democrat-only attitude. 

Along comes Donald Trump, painting this picture of the black circumstance with facts and figures, while asking black Americans to allow him a chance to take on correcting the situation. For the kind of reason Myron Pitts explains, far too many blacks are like that man in Winston-Salem and will not even hear what Trump has to say. Given this general response, I find it a bit baffling that Pitts and others complain that Trump started his outreach to blacks while speaking to basically all-white audiences. I attended a Trump rally in Fayetteville a few weeks ago. I am black. Nobody stopped me from attending. There might have been five blacks in the crowd. A basic truth of successful living is to go where information for wise decision-making can be gathered. 

The masses of blacks do not want to hear the Republican message, but then complain when Republican candidates do not give us special attention. Add to this what happened when Donald Trump did, on Sept. 3, which is go to the heart of a black section in Detroit. From an article titled, “Trump Tells Black Churchgoers in Detroit Visit Is ‘to Learn’” by Jill Colvin and Corey Williams, this is Detroit: 

“Detroit is about 80 percent black, and many are struggling. Nearly 40 percent of residents are impoverished, compared with about 15 percent of Americans overall. Detroit’s median household income is just over $26,000 — not even half the median for the nation, according to the Census.”

Instead of creating an atmosphere that might foster understanding and progress, protesters were at the church. Not only were they protesting Trump’s visit, but they tried to rush past barricades being manned by police and church security personnel. They also yelled “sellout”, referring to Bishop Wayne T. Jackson, pastor of Great Faith Ministries International, who hosted Donald Trump. The good news is that there was a sizable audience that received Trump with respect and apparent appreciation.

Black Americans would do well to consider the thought process of Dwayne Wade, a standout professional basketball player with the Chicago Bulls. His cousin, Nykea Alridge, was recently killed in a Chicago crossfire shooting while pushing her child in a stroller. Given his attention to crime against and among blacks, Trump tweeted: “Dwayne Wade’s cousin was just shot and killed walking her baby in Chicago. Just what I have been saying. African-Americans will VOTE TRUMP!” Trump was roundly criticized. During an interview, Wade was asked by George Stephanopoulos about Trump’s tweet. His response:

“On one hand, your cousin’s death is used as a ploy for political gain. I was grateful that it started a conversation, but on the other hand, it just [left] a bad taste in my mouth because of what my family is dealing with.”

With justification, Dwayne Wade has a “bad taste” in his mouth but does not because of Trump’s seeming politically-motivated tweet reject the truth of crime among black Americans urgently needing attention. It is past time for many black Americans to rethink their approach to political decision-making. Be careful of “cutting off our nose to spite our face.” If you seek to punish Donald Trump, he loses the election but goes on being a billionaire and living the good life. Very likely, many black Americans go on suffering as pictured above…or worse.

Recently I ran into an old friend who was widowed about six years ago and who has struggled to rebuild her life with a move to a new home and new activities. She looks wonderful, and I told her so at which time she introduced me to her “best friend,” a charming man of appropriate age and circumstance.  My friend said she and he have been friends since high school and have dinner together every Saturday night.  

Our chance meeting was on a Monday evening, and they were very much together.

Several days later, I stumbled across a study done at the University of Wisconsin, asking the age old question:  Is it really possible for men and women to be “just friends?”  

Hmmmm…?

The study findings sound to me like somewhere along the lines of  “sort of,” “well, maybe” and “probably not.”

It seems that for most of our time on earth, being friends with members of the opposite gender has not been much of a problem. Men were busy out with each other slaying dinner and more recently bringing home the bacon from jobs in offices and factories. Women were at home in caves and then houses tending children, cooking the bacon, and generally keeping the home fires burning. In other words, we led pretty different lives with little opportunity for friendships with anyone but those in our own orbits and our significant others.

Then came the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century when women, and unfortunately, some children found themselves in the workplace, at first just with each other but later in mixed company. Women also began seeking more and more education, again breaking traditional barriers, and the question of actual friendships between men and women arose. It is still lurking large today in our world of few gender restrictions, North Carolina’s HB2 notwithstanding.  

Think of what goes on in our own workplaces, and you get the picture.

So what do the researchers at the University of Wisconsin say?

In research speak, platonic male-female friendships are referred to as “cross-sex” friendships, a term that sounds a tad unsettling to me. 

Researchers found that — surprise! — men in cross-sex friendships are generally speaking more attracted to their female friends than vice versa. In other words, women generally think we can have cross-sex relationships while our male buddies are hoping for something more romantic even though the women had no such thoughts. As usual, Venus and Mars are on different wavelengths, or to quote Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally, “men and women can’t be friends because the sex part always gets in the way.”

It is really more complicated, though.

Children have no problem with cross-sex friendships, and that seems pretty well true through high school and into college, although we all know exceptions to that rule. Things get trickier in young adulthood as couples form, un-form and form again. And, once we couple with someone, friendships with the opposite sex are tricky indeed. Chances are the other partner in our couple will not be particularly interested in our hanging out, however platonically, with our cross-sex friend. And, once we are married, most couples would say, “forget that.”  Expressions like “playing with fire” come to mind.

Cross-sex friendships are possible, though.  I know a man and woman, both married to other people, who declare each other their best friend and who spend time together and with their respective spouses. It is worth noting that one of them is gay.  I also know many men and women who are clearly good friends, though most of these relationships are work-related and do not involve spending time together outside that context. These relationships seem a positive to me.  They teach us how the other half looks at the world and can make us more perceptive and understanding in our own relationships. Additionally, many a solid friendship has led to a solid long-term partnership, even marriage. Friendship, after all, is probably a stronger foundation than physical attraction.

The bottom line seems to me to be that — yes — some women and some men can be friends and can keep it on that level to the benefit of both. Some cannot, and trouble may ensue when they cannot keep it on the friendship level even when another sort of relationship may be wildly inappropriate. Like all human interactions, friendships can be complicated and fraught, and we should proceed with caution and deliberation but still knowing that friendships are among our most meaningful relationships.

That being said, I am not going to keel over if I receive an engagement announcement from my old buddy and her “best friend.”

The 48th Annual Cumberland County Golf Championship Classic is over for this year and Fayetteville resident Thomas Owen finished the weekend with a 210 to become the 2016 Cumberland County Champion. Congratulations!  

It was a beautiful weekend at Cypress Lakes Golf Course  -  the host of the the 54-hole event. Other winners included: Larry Robertson, Super Senior Division; Rick Goforth, Senior Division; and Andy Palma who took first place honors in the Open Division. Owen received the 1st Place Cumberland County Golf Classic crystal trophy and a $300 gift certificate. He designated his home course,  Highland Country Club, to house and showcase the CCGC  Legacy Trophy throughout the year. Depending on who wins next year, the trophy could stay at Highland or could move to one of the county’s other golf courses.  The Cumberland County Golf Classic has been a Cumberland County golfing tradition since 1969. 

This is the biggest community undertaking Up & Coming Weekly has taken on in its 21 years of publishing. It seems fitting that the county’s only locally owned newspaper is now the sponsor of this homegrown tournament. It is also one of the most rewarding projects we have collaborated with the community on – and there have been many!

 In just nine short weeks, people, businesses and community organizations stepped up to preserve this Cumberland County tradition. Many new dimensions were added to this year’s tournament like the Opening Ceremony & Pairings Party and the on-course food and beverages; however, the three biggest changes were:

Fort Bragg’s Stryker Golf Course has been added to the Cumberland County Golf Classic rotation and will, in the coming years, host the tournament at its facility. The tournament is supporting literacy through a donation made to Cumberland County’s Kidsville News! Literacy and Education Foundation (501c3 nonprofit). And, the really big news: The Cumberland County Golf Classic is going to incorporate a Women’s Division and name a Cumberland County Women’s Champion in 2017. Dee Dee Jarman, the senior athletic director and basketball coach at Methodist University will head up this endeavor. Pretty exciting, huh? 

Again, I want thank Robert Wilson, PGA Pro at Cypress Lakes and Mac Healy of Healy Wholesale for being such gracious hosts and to this awesome and generous community who know how to party and to keep a good thing going.

See you again next year on Sept. 15-17 of 2017!  Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

( Please sing along to the tune of the theme song of The Beverly Hillbillies) “Come listen to a story about a gal named Heather/A poor CEO barely kept her company fed/And then one day she was looking for corporate honey/ And up from the EpiPen came some bubbling money/Epinephrine/Medication gold/Loathsome lucre/Well, first thing you know ol’ Heather’s a multimillionaire/Wall Street said, “Mylan move away from there”/Said that the United Kingdom is the place you ought to be/So she loaded up the company and tax inverted to Carnaby/Street that is/Bobbies on bicycles/Less taxes/More profit.”

Unless you have been boycotting television to avoid The Donald and Hillary show, by now you are familiar with how Heather Bresch, CEO of Mylan jacked up the price of EpiPens from about $57 a shot to $300 a shot. EpiPens are used to inject children and adults who have severe life-threatening reactions to bee stings or food allergies. EpiPens were not invented by Mylan. The price was stable for years until 2007 when Mylan bought the EpiPen injector from Merck. Then the proverbial adrenalin hit the fan and the price went up, up and away.

Right now you might be asking yourself, what kind of person jacks up the price of a life saving drug by 500 percent. Consider if you will, the curious story of Heather Bresch, the CEO of Mylan. Heather is a real sweetheart. She claimed she earned a master’s from West Virginia University while her daddy was governor of West Virginia. An investigation revealed some high-level funny business took place at WVU because Heather was well connected. Her fake MBA was rescinded by WVU. Heather had not earned an MBA. The President, Provost and the Business School Dean of West Virginia University all resigned in the wake of Heathergate.

Undeterred by a sense of shame or human decency, Heather raised the price of EpiPens multiple times and scored herself a salary of over $18,000,000 a year for her good works for Mylan. A dose of Epinephrine costs about $1 to make. The injector is extra. Parents of children dependent on EpiPens are not happy by the price gouging Heather hath brought.

Heather displays sensitivity that would make a block of granite blush. Heather complains she is a victim. When questioned about the price leaps, after blaming insurance companies, she whined that “No one’s more frustrated than me.” Despite Heather’s sense of self pity, the parents of children with life threatening allergies are a bit more frustrated than Heather. She went on to justify the price increases by telling the press that: “The price has changed over time to better reflect the value of the product provided.” 

This is an interesting theory. Let us apply it to other products.

If Mylan and Heather got their teeth into America’s water systems, what price would Heather charge for a gallon of water? The value that water provides is that it is necessary for life. Under Heathernomics theory of pricing that should justify charging $300 a gallon for water for starters. What do you think Heather could charge if she was able to buy chemotherapy medications? What if Heather got control of chocolate? French fries? Air? The mind boggles.

How do you solve a problem like Heather? How do you gouge masses of allergic children and pin them down? How do you hold an overpriced EpiPen in your hand? Some people say she should be put on one of those exploding Tesla Space X rockets. She could be sent to this week’s newest Exoplanet Proxima Centauri which NASA says may support life. The Proxima Centaurians undoubtably will need EpiPens which she can take with her to create a new profit center of allergic aliens. Proxima Centauri is only 4.2 light years from Earth. Sitting alone like Spaceman Spiff on her way to Proxima Centauri should give Heather a chance to rethink her value system of pricing. As our fastest rockets only travel 25,000 miles per hour at best, Heather will be away from the Earth for quite a while.

Once she gets to Proxima Centauri may she live long and prosper. Or to modify Tevye’s prayer for the Czar in Fiddler on the Roof, “ May the Lord bless and keep Heather, far, far from here. “Well, now it’s time to say good-bye to Heather and all her EpiPens/And they would like to thank you folks for kindly buying their pens/You’re all invited back next week to this locality/To have a heapin’ helpin’ of their gouging hospitality/Wall Street that is. Set a spell. Take your shoes off/Inject yourselves./Ya’ll come back now, y’hear?”