This summer the Smith Lake Recreation Area has numerous outdoor activities to offer the whole family. It can provide a safe and entertaining environment that can offer a change of pace from days at home or in the office. One such activity is the Beach and Wake Zone Cable Park, which is open to the public for the season until September 5. The Beach is a relaxing place to enjoy some sun and sand without the hours spent in the car to get there. Concessions are available for purchase and the water is tested weekly to ensure a safe and pleasant beach experience. The Wake Zone Cable Park is a water skiing system that allows new and professional wakeboarders to glide across smooth waters without the need for a boat. It is a state-of-the-art system that makes water sports available for all skill levels. The general entry fee is $10.

Movie Night Under the Stars is a free way to bring the wonder of the outdoors into summer vacation. On June 11 the movie scheduled is Big Hero 6. On August 13, it is Hotel Transylvania 2.In addition to these family-friendly movies, there will be door prize giveaways and concessions available for purchase. The gates open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9 p.m. Audience members are invited to bring blankets and chairs to make the viewing experience more comfortable. This event is open to the public. 

For Department of Defense ID card holders and their guests, Smith Lake Recreation also offers an Outdoor Education Program. On June 11, Talon Tales features live birds that are native to the area. Experts explain what makes hawks and other birds of prey so incredible. July 9, the program is titled Snake Truths. Real live snakes will be available for audience members to meet and touch. August 6 is all about Skulls and Skins.  This focuses on native wildlife and the animals’ lifestyles. If you dare, check out the skulls and furs Smith Lake has on hand. There is no cost for this event and it begins at 11 a.m. These engaging and educational programs are thanks to a collaboration with the North Carolina State Parks. All of the animals presented are native to North Carolina.  

DoD ID Card Holders and guests are also invited to Paint Night.  June 16 is Adult Paint Night. Attendees 18 and up  are invited to create their rendition of a tulip. Concessions will be available for purchase. For those 21 and over there is also beer and wine for sale. June 23 is Children Paint Night. The subject is an owl. This event is intended for children 10 years and older. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Concessions will be available for purchase. The cost of participating is $35 per person. This fee includes a 16”x20” canvas, acrylic paints, brushes and a smock. Registration is required for this event. 

For more information on all the events and opportunities through the Smith Lake Recreation Area, visit the following website:  http://bragg.armymwr.com/us/bragg/ft-bragg-events/movie-night-under-stars?eID=466116. 

Let me be totally honest about this.

I have never met a potato chip, taco chip, corn chip or any such chip that I did not like. Wait! Full disclosure — that I did not actually love!! The crispiness! The saltiness! Perfection!

Now, I love a good chocolate chip cookie with nuts, too. If I could order it, my last meal would include chips of some sort — probably Ripples or Fritos — since salt and calories would not be issues at that point.

Most of us probably feel this way about something we should not consume, at least not often, and I guard against falling into the chip bag by not keeping them in the house. This works — most of the time.

Thank goodness, we have outside assistance to help save us from ourselves.

Bless its bureaucratic little heart, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has just issued new guidelines about salt consumption. The agency aims to cut Americans’ average salt consumption by a third with a goal of reducing heart attacks and strokes. This goal is particularly meaningful among mature folks like me, who — as one of my friend’s doctors told her — are
“less young.” 

If we prepare most of our food at home and keep the saltshaker in the cabinet, salt is not so much of a problem. But if we eat a lot of prepared foods, including both packaged items and restaurant meals, salt can be the elephant in the room that no one wants to see. This statistic shocked me a bit, but the FDA says that more than 70 percent of salt in the average American diet comes from packaged and prepared foods. 

Sadly, this includes my beloved chips, in all their glorious manifestations.

The good news is that along with heat and humidity, summer brings us its bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables — berries, melons, tomatoes, beans, peas, corn and so much more. All colorful, all easy to eat fresh or to enjoy with minimal preparation like spreading mayonnaise on bread for a tomato sandwich and all what we should be eating and serving those near and dear.

No need to get in a lather about this. There are not salt police peeping in our kitchen window. The FDA is simply working with the food industry to improve our health.  

It is trying to protect us from ourselves.

Closer to home, East Carolina and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have teamed up on a national study that has found strong support for raising the minimum legal age to buy tobacco products. This comes from the university system of the state where not so long ago, tobacco was the undisputed king of all agricultural products.

The study is expected to give legislators across the country political cover for raising the legal age from 18 to 21. “With these findings, policy makers and public health advocates can move forward knowing that people in their states support raising the minimum age for selling tobacco products,” says Adam Goldstein of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Shockingly, at least to me, the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids says that every day 2,500 children in the United States try their first cigarette and that another 580 of them become daily smokers.

Raising the minimum age may be a tougher sell in North Carolina than in some other states.

A Greeneville doctor and member of the North Carolina House of Representatives says, “I don’t know that North Carolina is necessarily ready to take it up, but it’s an issue that needs to be taken up. We are paying millions and millions in healthcare dollars because of the effects of tobacco use, and 90 percent of lifelong smokers start before the age of 18.”

Another stab at protecting us from us.

My favorite and probably a doomed recent protective effort comes from New Hanover County where the local school board is considering a policy regarding leggings and skinny jeans. Should they be worn only under a long shirt or a dress that covers the rear end?

It is not entirely clear who or what is being protected here? Teenagers from pants too tight to allow ventilation or which cut off blood flow? Those around them from the sight of pants so tight nothing is left to the imagination? 

No need to worry too much right now, though. 

Social media erupted when a school board committee even discussed the skinny pants matter, and it is off the table for the moment. It seems that teenagers — and probably some of their parents — are loath to have limitations on fashion choices for the school day.

My hunch, as I sit here at my computer fighting off a chip attack, is that we weak and frail human beings can always benefit from outside guidance about our various choices.

We just don’t want anyone to take away those choices.

During the summer, it is easy to get caught up in fun outdoor adventures, camps and other activities. However, all that summer fun often means that mental exercise is neglected. Reading is a fun and effective way to keep the mind working so that all the knowledge from the previous school year doesn’t vanish. Public libraries in the area focus on encouraging the entire family to keep reading during the summer with Summer Reading Programs. These programs have events, incentives and prizes to encourage the already rewarding activity. 

The Cumberland County Public Library invites students to challenge themselves to read just as the Olympic athletes are challenging themselves to be their very best. Readers from birth through grade five can receive prizes for turning in their reading charts, which are filled out at home. Teens in grades 6-12 are also invited to challenge themselves to read this summer. There are also minute-to-win-it events that feature fun games like a life-sized Hungry-Hungry Hippo. There are also learning-focused activities like yoga and chess and fun prizes to win for participating. The summer fun doesn’t have to stop there. Reading is important for all ages. “This year it’s all about fitness and excercise and being active. We have a series called ‘train like’  and it looks at  how to train like different things — an athlete,  a ninja,  a soldier. We have a lot of special guests coming in the teach kids about what it’s like to do their job,” said  Selena Beckman-Harned, administrative program officer of community relations at the Cumberland County Public Library and Information Center. “I think it is a great opportunity for everyone in our community to learn more about what the library has to offer than just books.”  

The library is also offering an adult summer reading program to “exercise your mind.” For more information, visit the following site: http://cumberland.lib.nc.libguides.com/src. 

 Fort Bragg also hosts a summer reading program at the Throckmorton Library. The staff wants to help children establish a lifelong habit of reading. This year’s theme is “Read for the Win.” It is a celebration of sports and achievement. Beginning June 1 readers can win prizes for the completion of reading logs. The program also includes some awesome events. On June 15, at 11 a.m., don’t miss Team Spirit: Read for the Win Extravaganza. Wear your favorite team’s shirt and enjoy an obstacle course and fun music. June 11 and 25 it’s the 64 Squares:  Learn to Play Chess from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. Ages 6 and up can learn to play chess. Scaly Survivors on June 22 at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. features live reptiles presented by the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Math Pirates takes place  on Mondays at 10 a.m. Space is limited to 20 students per session, but it helps kids remember and retain math skills in a fun and exciting way. June 13 is for first graders. June 20 is for second graders. June 27 is for third graders.   Young adults from ages 13 to 18 are also invited to come to School’s Out, Now What? on Friday, June 24 at 2 p.m. This program helps students learn how to get involved in the community and offers programs to build a successful summer and a successful future. All events are free and open to the public. For more information visit:  http://bragg.armymwr.com/us/bragg/ft-bragg-events/summer-reading-program?eID=499551.

Reading is a way to learn about any topic. It unlocks worlds of information and the libraries make it easy and affordable to find an interesting topic to explore. It is important not to let all the learning and hard work of the school year evaporate in the  summer heat. 

Gilbert Theater

Now in its third decade, Gilbert Theater offers a season filled with drama, tradition and history for 2016 and 2017. 

Artistic Director Robyne Parrish is looking forward to what the season holds. “I would say this is our best season yet! I tried to chose something for everyone, while still keeping with the Gilbert tradition and mission to bring plays that are innovative and out of the box to the Fayetteville community,” she said. “... As my fifth and final season, I look forward to this amazing line up and the directors and artists involved in making it a success.”

The season opens with Steel Magnolias on Sept. 23. This play showcases the friendships of a small group of women in a small Louisiana town. The story is based on author Robert Harling’s experience of his sister’s death. The play will be directed by Robert Harling.

Gilbert Theater changed up the traditional Christmas production last year. Instead of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, audiences turned out for It’s a Wonderful Lifeby James Rogers. This year, It’s a Wonderful Lifereturns Nov. 26-Dec. 18, directed by Robyne Parrish. 

This play tells the story of George Baily. Family obligations and civic duties weigh heavily on Bailey and as he seeks escape from what he considers a mundane existence, his guardian angel visits him on Christmas Eve, giving Bailey a peek at what the world would have been like without him.

Jan. 27- Feb. 12, August Osage County takes the stage. When the family patriarch goes missing, family converges on the homestead in Osage County, Oklahoma. Frustration and weaknesses bring the family’s disfunction bubbling to the surface as they wade through the crisis. Matt Bullock is set to direct the play.

Secret Garden opens on March 24 and runs through April 9. Eleven-year old Mary is orphaned. She is sent to live with relatives she’s never met on a lonely estate. With the help of a young gardener, Mary blossoms, bringing new life to the estate as well as the garden and her relationships with her relatives.

The Diary of Anne Frank closes the season. From May 26 - June 4, relive the World War II experiences of Anne Frank and her family as they struggle to escape the Nazis. The Franks and another family share tight living quarters in an attic. Constant fear of discovery and certain death make for tense living arrangements. Brian Kline is set to direct the play.

For more information about Gilbert Theater and the other programs it offers, visit www.gilberttheater.com or by calling 678-7186.

Cape Fear Regional Theatre

Earlier this year, Fayetteville’s Cape Fear Regional Theatre announced its 2016-2017 Season line-up. The season begins in September and runs through next May. This next season includes award winners and a classic up for its first run at CFRT. Theater-goers can also expect to see a mermaid, a hound and even the King and The Man In Black.

The season opens with Million Dollar Quartet, which runs from Sept. 15 – Oct. 2. The Tony Award-winning Broadway musical is inspired by the true story of the famed recording session where Sam Phillips, the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll” brought together icons Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley for one unforgettable night. 

“Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more,” is a familiar line from Shakespeare’s Henry V,which is scheduled to run Oct.  27 – Nov. 13. This legendary story takes center stage at CFRT for the very first time in a provocative production with contemporary resonances, said Tom Quaintance, CFRT Artistic Director. “This play has been set in many different times,” he said. “It explains why we go to war with themes of exploring the different elements of leadership and war.” In this drama, the young monarch is confronted by the ferocity of war and proves his worth as a man and king. He pursues the glories of his nation and his reign, but at a cost to his land, his subjects and his conscience. 

The serious drama is followed by something on a lighter note as a special event performance of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson will run at CFRT from Dec. 1-18. In the Christmas classic, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids, who are feared by children and parents alike. The Herdmans bring mayhem, and some fun, as they collide with the Christmas story head on! The CFRT production has been a staple to Fayetteville’s holiday season for more than 25 years. 

Disney’s The Little Mermaid will ring in 2017 with performances from Jan.  19 – Feb. 12.

In a magical kingdom beneath the sea, a young mermaid named Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. Based on the beloved Hans Christian Andersen story and the classic animated film, it is a love story for the ages. 

Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage’s Intimate Apparel is a moving and intimate story that confronts race and religion. It runs March 2–9. The play is the recipient of the American Theatre Critics and New York Drama Critics’ Circle Awards for Best Play. In this drama, set in turn-of-the-century New York, Esther, a black seamstress, lives in a boarding house for women. Esther sews intimate apparel for clients who range from wealthy white patrons to prostitutes. Her skills and discretion are in demand. Over the years, Esther has managed to stuff money into her quilt, which she plans to use to open a beauty parlor where black women will be treated as well as white women.

“It is one of the best scripts I’ve seen in the last 15 years,” said Quaintance. “In this story of a seamstress in New York City in 1905, the cut and color of one’s dress, not to mention color of your skin, could determine who you could marry.”

Next, get ready for a joyful, mischievous comedy thriller when Baskerville: A Sherlock Homes Mysteryruns April 6-23. Quaintance said Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s timeless classic will come to life in this comedy about everyone’s favorite detective solving his most notorious case. The play is from the acclaimed author of Lend Me A Tenorand The Three Musketeers.

To finish up the 2016-2017 season, CFRT takes us back to America in 1963, surrounded by the turmoil of the JFK assassination and the Civil Rights Movement for Caroline, Or Change, which runs May 11-28. In a Jewish household in Louisiana, a fragile but beautiful friendship develops between a divorced African-American maid and the family’s 8-year-old son.

Virtually sung-through, in styles ranging from Motown to Yiddish Klezmer, this story brings together the incredible talents of Kushner (Angels in America) and Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie) to create a multi-Tony-nomination show that is about both major issues of the nation and personal issues of the household, and how they interact. 

To purchase season tickets or individual tickets, call 910.323.4233 or buy online at www.cfrt.org. Discounts are available for seniors, military, students or groups of five or more.

Some municipalities provide seasonal curbside loose-leaf collection. Fayetteville does. Leaves not only pose a problem for the storm drainage system. They also harm the water quality of local rivers and streams. Decomposing leaves release nutrients that can cause harmful algae to grow and bloom, which lead to fish kills by robbing the water of oxygen.

Fayetteville is among the communities in North Carolina recognized as ‘tree cities’ by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The trees produce a lot of leaves and pine needles. Managing falling leaves is a year-round effort for the City of Fayetteville. “Most people bag or containerize their leaves, but during leaf season we expand our routes from 10 to 12,” said Environmental Services Director Jerry Dietzen. His agency picks up bagged leaves. Recreation and Parks, on the other hand, is responsible for loose-leaf collection in the fall and winter.  The actual leaf season depends on the weather and climate based on when the leaves fall, but typically it runs from late October through mid-February. The Parks Department operates five one-man vacuum trucks and assigns them to the 148-square mile city according to postal zip codes. Budget cuts have reduced the city’s ability to vacuum the leaves to only once during the season and that’s the way it’s going to remain. City Council has decided to add two more vacuum trucks and crews this year. The loose leaf collection season will likely be shorted by a few weeks, and apparently won’t begin until early December, ending in mid-February. 

Residents are asked to place leaves and pine straw on or behind the curb away from storm drains and out of the road. Leaves left in the street can cause storm water pollution and may obstruct the storm drainage system, resulting in flooding. Understanding the rules is more challenging for local residents than in some cities because Fayetteville is a transient community. Half the homes are rentals, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and tenants don’t always know the proper way to dispose of yard debris. 

“The transient turnover is always a problem,” said Dietzen. 

Except during leaf collection season, leaves and pine straw must be bagged or containerized for pickup. They’re picked up weekly. If loose leaves are left at the street out of season, offending residents will be notified and given 10 days to bag them. Then, they’ll be charged $75, and the city will gather up the leaves. “Free trash bags are made available year round at city fire stations and recreation centers” according to Recreations and Parks Director Michael Gibson. Brown roll-out carts designed for yard trash can be purchased from the city for $53. The carts become the property of the residents and have a 10-year warranty.

In Fayetteville, it’s illegal to rake or blow leaves into the street.     

Most communities have resigned themselves to professional panhandling as a way of life for some of their citizens. Ordinances governing panhandling are not always the answer to the problem. “Most researchers and practitioners seem to agree that the enforcement of laws prohibiting panhandling plays only a part in controlling the problem,” according to the Center for Problem-Oriented Policing. Fayetteville Police Chief Harold Medlock agrees with Brandt J. Goldstein’s (1993) study of panhandling in New Haven, Conn., that “public education to discourage people from giving money to panhandlers and adequate social services for panhandlers are the other essential components of an effective and comprehensive response.”

First and foremost, people must stop enabling beggars. “Panhandling is not the fault of the police or court system … it’s caused by people who give them money,” Medlock says. Fayetteville city ordinances ban panhandling after dark and near certain establishments. Panhandlers are not supposed to stand on roadway medians or shoulders. And the practice is banned altogether in the downtown area. Last year, the Downtown Alliance launched a drop=box program asking that people who are inclined to give money to the homeless do so by dropping their change in one of the boxes. The money is turned over to agencies which assist the homeless. Not all panhandlers are homeless. Some are professionals capable of earning “several hundred dollars a week,” according to Chief Medlock. 

Police must place dealing with panhandlers in perspective with all the other things cops do every day. Warning panhandlers and ordering them to “move along” are perhaps the most common police responses to panhandling. Again, according to the Center for Problem-Oriented Policing, “many police officers develop working relationships with regular panhandlers. They generally do not view panhandling as a serious matter, and are reluctant to devote the time necessary to arrest and book offenders. Moreover, most officers realize that panhandlers are unlikely to either appear in court or pay a fine. 

Prosecutors and judges are unlikely to view isolated panhandling cases as serious matters. 

“I do not recall seeing many of those cases in our District Courts, but we do see some. In cases where homeless people are arrested and are in jail, they will often plead guilty and be sentenced to time served by the Judge,” District Attorney Billy West told Up & Coming Weekly.  

 

Police body cameras “increase officer safety and reduce department liability,” according to Law & Order Magazine.The Fayetteville Police Department’s 300 uniformed patrol officers wear them, as do Hope Mills and Spring Lake officers. Cumberland County Sheriff Earl “Moose” Butler does not plan on equipping his patrol deputies with body cameras. The sheriff notes that body-worn cameras remove officers from the videos whereas car-mounted cameras do not. “No need for a body camera. It only shows one perspective,” said Butler’s spokesman Sgt. Sean Swain. “All of our marked cars have cameras and we are not looking to go to body cameras.” Body cameras have been embraced by some law enforcement agencies following controversial interactions between officers and suspects. Fayetteville police cruisers and State Highway Patrol cars are also equipped with dash cams. The Fayetteville Police Department has spent more than a million dollars on body cameras, most of it grant money. The cameras are worn on officers’ glasses or uniform collars. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Secretary of the Army              

Eric K. Fanning was appointed Secretary of the Army by President Obama on May 18, making him the highest-ranking openly gay official ever at the Pentagon. As Secretary of the Army, he has statutory responsibility for all matters relating to the United States Army: manpower, personnel, reserve affairs, installations, environmental issues, weapons systems and equipment acquisition, communications and financial management. President Obama designated Fanning Acting Secretary of the Army in November 2015. In the Senate, a voice vote ended a confirmation process that had been delayed for months by a Republican who wanted assurances that detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, would not be sent to his state. Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas said his concerns had been resolved. Fanning, 47, has held high-ranking posts across the armed services, including as Air Force under-secretary and deputy under-secretary of the Navy. He has also served as Chief of Staff to Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College.

 

 

 

 

 

Business School Educator Honored         

Methodist University has named its Reeves School of Business Professor of the Year. He is Bob Bruns, associate director of the Golf Management Program at Methodist. Dr. Kimberly Scruton, dean of the business school, made the announcement. All 26 faculty members are eligible for the award, which was established in 2015. It’s intended “to honor an outstanding professor who has demonstrated extraordinary dedication to teaching,” said Scruton. The award includes a plaque with the honoree’s name inscribed on a perpetual plaque housed in the business school. “His students are very supportive of his teaching; he’s one who requires a very high standard of all of his students,” according to those who nominated Bruns. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Multi-County Public Health Grant   

A collaborative partnership between the public health departments of Cumberland, Hoke, Montgomery and Richmond counties has been awarded a $1.5 million grant from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The grant will fund implementation of strategies to lower infant mortality and improve birth outcomes. The four-county partnership will receive $500,000 each year from June 2016 through May 2019. Cumberland County’s infant mortality rate of 9 per 1,000 births is well above the state average of 7.2 per 1,000 births. 

The health departments will use the Ten Steps for Successful Breastfeeding strategy to combat infant mortality.  Improved birth outcomes will see the expansion of the Long Active Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs) program, which is already in place at the health departments. Parental smoking cessation and reducing secondhand smoke exposure will be emphasized to improve the health of children ages one to five. 

“We are excited about this opportunity to collaborate with Hoke, Montgomery and Richmond to implement evidence-based strategies across our communities,” said Buck Wilson, Cumberland County Public Health Director. 

 

 

 

Cyber Sex and Children

Detectives pursuing a tip found that a juvenile had been duped into sending compromising photos with a hand held device to a person he believed to be a young woman. The youth traded pictures with the sender. Then, he was told to release his Instagram password or the photos would be sent to his classmates and parents. The sheriff’s office got the tip three months ago, and its Internet Crimes against Children Task Force began investigating.

“Forensic extraction of data on the victim’s device... led detectives to a classmate at Freedom Christian Academy,” said Sheriff’s Sgt. Sean Swain. Detectives executed a search warrant on May 20 at the suspect’s home on Chestnut Street off East Russell Street near downtown Fayetteville. Deputies seized a computer and other electronic devices believed to have been used by the suspect. They found other young people had also been victimized. Sixteen-year-old William Alan Buie was arrested and charged with 45 counts of sexual exploitation and extortion. His bond was set at $215,000. 

 

 

 

 

 

Sprint Voyager Refurbished                  

A Fayetteville cell phone tower, unique for its clever disguise, has gotten a makeover. The award-winning ‘Sprint Voyager’ tower has a new paint job for the first time in the structure’s 14 years of existence. The Voyager sculpture itself tops the tower which overlooks the Rowan Street bridge downtown. It will be even more prominent when a new overpass replaces the bridge in a couple of years. People new to our area have likely wondered about the unique aeronautical looking structure that tops the colorful pole. Art intersected with functionality when former Fayetteville artist Tom Grubb unveiled his sculpture. At the dedication, Grubb sky-walked to the tip of the 128-foot tower to affix his 1,000-pound rotating sculpture while suspended from a hoisting device. “It was the first tower with public art required as a condition” of its construction, said former City Manager Roger Stancil at the unveiling in October, 2002.    

Up & Coming Weeklylooked into the history of the tower and found that Sprint hasn’t owned it for many years which likely explains why it had been neglected. The new owners are Crown Castle of Houston, Texas. The company confirmed its obligation, and committed to paint the tower. Crown Castle owns more than 40,000 towers in the United States. It’s the leader in the shared wireless infrastructure industry.

 

 

 

CORRECTION

Last week’s News Digest article on the promotion of Captain Tandra Adams to Chief  Jailer in the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office should have read that she is “the first African-American woman to serve as Chief  Jailer.” 

Three summers ago in Fayetteville, the Special Operations Forces (SOF) K-9 Memorial Foundation unveiled a bronze life-sized likeness of a Belgian Malinois, dressed in full combat gear. The memorial is believed to be the only one of its kind dedicated to special operations K-9s in the world. It’s on the parade field of the Airborne and Special Operations Museum. Fifty-eight stone pavers created from North Carolina granite bear the names, countries of origin and years the dogs died. The Belgian Malinois, like the German shepherd, is a popular working dog in military and police service. It’s a bit smaller, has shorter hair and has greater endurance than shepherds. The Belgian Malinois exhibits energy levels that are among the highest of all dog breeds. “Like their human counter-parts, special operations multi-purpose canines are specially selected, trained and equipped to serve in roles not expected of the traditional military working dog,” said Chuck Yerry, President of the SOF K-9 Memorial Foundation. The Foundation honors the canines each year on Memorial Day. They share the same risks as the troops, suffering injuries and sometimes death on the battlefields. “They’ve given their lives for their country and we are grateful to be able to honor them,” said Paul Galloway, the Airborne and Special Operations Museum Foundation’s executive director. Crystal Blasjo and her son, Talon, attended this year’s Memorial Day ceremony. Blasjo’s husband, Aaron, and his dog, Hunter, were killed in action on May 29, 2011. She and her son placed flags for Aaron and Hunter. 

Throughout the course of the long wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, coalition troops relied on military working dogs to help keep them safe. The dogs are trained to detect explosives, to find illegal drugs, to search for missing comrades or target enemy combatants. Not only are they active on the front lines, but they also serve as therapy dogs and service dogs. Not much is known about the Navy SEALs who stormed Osama bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, but a few details are coming out about one of them. He has four legs and a highly trained nose. According to The New York Times, one member of the commando team that killed bin Laden was “what may be the nation’s most courageous dog.” Almost nothing is known about the animal, and even military sources weren’t clear about its breed, telling the Times it was probably either a German Shepherd or a Belgian Malinois. The Guardian reports that “the unidentified canine was lowered into the compound from a helicopter while strapped to a human member of the team.”  A dog would have been essential in the raid to protect soldiers from explosive devices. According to the Times, dogs “have proved far better than people or machines at quickly finding bombs,” including improvised explosive devices, which were responsible for two-thirds of all casualties in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. 

Everyone who knows me knows I love baseball and would like to see a professional minor league team and a brand new stadium in our community. But, do I think it will ever happen? Frankly, no. At least not any time soon. Why? Two words: history and money. Nobody knows baseball better than retired Fayetteville Observer sports writer Thad Mumau. As a baseball lover himself, he sent us the following letter that pretty much expresses our feelings about the subject. I want to share it with you. There is no doubt that we will both be there in the stands if the powers-that-be can make this a reality. What do you think? Our special thanks to Thad and thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

Bill, it is amusing to me that whenever the subject of minor league baseball in Fayetteville comes up folks’ memories go haywire. Of course, I realize that is always the way... we remember what/how we want to remember. There probably is not a more avid baseball fan in this area than I, but my memory is not warped when it comes to local support thereof. I was here in 1956 -- the last summer of the old Highlanders -- when Fayetteville won the Carolina League championship and fans were treated to the likes of Curt Flood, Leon Wagner and Willie McCovey (when High Point and Danville came to town). Yet, a paltry 200 or so fannies were in the seats at Pittman Stadium when the Highlanders were winning the playoffs.

My dad took me to every single home game out there (up until the last one when I missed after having my tonsils taken out).

When you talk to anyone about that era, they say, “Yeah, the crowds were great... ballpark was full of people.” Similar responses are evoked about the more recent Fayetteville Generals. Before anyone erects a girder out Murchison Road way, someone else had better sell some season and half-season tickets

The foundation necessary for success will not be the one at the proposed stadium site. It will be the one built at the box office. As I imagine you know -- but not many others think about this -- the selling point of a minor league baseball team is having the opportunity to watch players you may see on Saturday afternoon. To do that, a person needs to attend several games... not just the season opener or the July 4 fireworks game. Seeing a bunch of games gives a person the chance to see many players, including opposing ones, some of whose names will be recalled in a few years while sitting in front of the TV.

I feel the city’s approach is not a good one. Instead of flushing money down the toilet to make themselves feel like they are doing something, council or baseball committee members should round up some high school kids, order some snazzy FAY BASEBALL caps for them to wear and put them at prominent locations handing out fliers that encourage buying season and half-season tickets. Maybe even have folks sign a petition pledging their willingness to do so... means nothing, of course, but might promote some enthusiasm and future commitment to purchase those tickets.

I emailed these ideas to the Mayer months ago, and his reply was “Yeah, yeah great stuff,” and that was that.

I am not looking for attention or credit. At nearly 70 I’m past that. I just recall from personal experience that neither the Highlanders nor the Generals drew well (despite what people remember or say they do) and that all the rah-rahing today will mean nothing after a losing streak leaves that shiny new stadium practically empty on a weeknight in July.

Respectfully, Thad Mumau.

On Saturday, June 4, the hottest ticket in town returns to Festival  Park – wailing blues and ice cold libations as the Blues-N-Brews Festival kicks off summer.

The Blues-N-Brews Festival, now in its 13th year, is the major annual fundraiser for the Cape Fear Regional Theatre. The  CFRT’s dedicated volunteers and staff know how to put on a show, and this year’s Blues-N-Brews promises to be one for the books.

Co-chaired by Jenny deViere and Kelly Meyers, the event has grown again, adding some new things, but remaining true to what has made it such a success:  A commitment to bringing the best craft beers and hottest blues to the community.

More than 100 beers are on tap, with some old favorites and a few new ones mixed in.

“We are really excited about adding Fainting Goat Brewery out of Holly Springs,” said deViere. “They are brining a new beer called Bucked Up, which we think people are really going to like.”

She noted that there is a very good mix of beers on tap, with brewers coming from across the state, as well as traditional beers like Guinness and Yuengling.

“We are finding that a lot of craft beers are distributed by big name beer distributors, so we are able to bring a really good mix of beers to the party,” she explained. 

Brewers participating in the event include:  Abita Brewing Company, Anheuser Busch, Aviator Brewing Company, Blind Squirrel Brewery, Blue Moon Brewery, Blue Point Brewing Company, Bold Rock Hard Cider, Boulevard Brewing Company, Broken Barrel Brewery, Bull City Cider Works, Carolina Brewing Company, Constellation Brands, Crazy Mountain Brewing Company, Dirt Bag Ales, Empire Distributors of NC, Inc., Foothills Brewing Company, Goose Island Beer Company, Great Lakes Brewing, Green Man Brewery, Grupo Modelo Brewery, Hi Wire Brewing Company, Huske Hardware House, Left Coast Brewing & Lucky Buddha Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, MillerCoors Brewing Company, Natty Greene’s Brewing Company, , New Belgium Brewing Company, Oskar Blues Brewing Company, Railhouse Brewery, Resignation Brewery, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Sweetwater Brewery, Tenth and Blake Beer Company, The Mash House Brewing Company, Triangle Brewing Company, White Rabbit Brewing Company, White Street Brewing Company and Yuengling Brewing Company.

As always, you can expect some great food vendors to be on hand to satisfy your hunger throughout the event. This year’s vendors include:  Kinlaw’s Fried Chicken, Hot Diggidy Dog, The Honey Baked Ham Café and Papa John’s Pizza. Remember to bring cash with you, because while you can buy merchandise and your tickets with your plastic, you can only buy food with cash.

Speaking of merchandise, CFRT is offering a great variety of merchandise from event T-shirts and trucker hats. 

“The T-shirts are really nice and a lot of fun and the trucker hats are going to go fast,” said deViere.

Of course, the other big draw is the music. Main stage acts are Randy McAllister and the Scrappiest Band in the Mother Land and the Blues Doctors. 

Randy McAllister is one of the premier singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalists to emerge from Texas. Heartbreak, humor, high hair and tall Texas tales all play a part in his songwriting. His music has been hailed as original and innovative. While comparisons are not easy, it has been said that his music is a cross between Doug Sahm, John Hiatt and Delbert McClinton, with a blues man’s background and sensibilities thrown into the mix.

Adam Gussow and Alan Gross, better known as The Blues Doctors, are a Mississippi-based blues combo that plays a mix of down-home Delta standards and urban grooves from the Texas-to-Chicago axis with some New Orleans funk thrown in. They’re a two-man band with a full-on sound:  Gussow on harmonica and drumset, Gross on guitar, with both men sharing vocal duties. Roosters Happy Hour, their debut album, spent many weeks in the #1 position on Amazon’s “Hot New Releases in Acoustic Blues” chart and hit #10 on the Living Blues national radio airplay chart.

Gussow was dubbed “one of the world’s finest blues harmonica players” according to Philadelphia blues DJ Jonny Meister and is best known for his 25-year partnership with Mississippi-born guitarist and one-man-band Sterling “Mr. Satan” Magee as the duo Satan and Adam. Gross’s credits include a decade’s work with Mississippi bluesman Terry “Harmonica” Bean and stints with hill country performers R.L. Boyce, Kenny Kimbrough, Lightning Malcolm and Eric Deaton.

Gusso and Gross were recommended for the gig by a patron of last year’s Blues-N-Brews. According to deViere, one of the former attendees, who is a big blues fan, sent the organizers of the event a message on Facebook letting them know about Gussow and his great sound.

“We gave him a call and listened to his music and were blown away,” said deViere. 

The Blues Doctors are the opening act and will take the stage at 5 and play until 7 p.m., with McAllister and company playing until 9 p.m. when the event ends.

Attendees will also get a taste of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, the show currently playing at the theatre. When the festival ends at 9 p.m., attendees are invited to travel up the hill to watch the late-night showing of Hedwig at the CFRT.

“This is the only late night show, and we think it will be a lot of fun,” said deViere.

In addition to the music and the brews, there are also a number of games that will entertain throughout the afternoon. The games section was added to the event two years ago and has continued to grow. Expect the traditional corn hole, beer pong and relay races, but this year, you can also look forward to bucket ball and life-size Jenga. Who wouldn’t want to play that? Participants can win cool prize packs (including tickets to Hedwig) for winning at the games.

Anstead’s  Tobacco Company is returning as the premier sponsor of the event. In addition to a cigar bar, the company is bringing in cigar experts who can help people match their cigars to their brews and can provide education on cigars.

Those who want some extra perks can purchase VIP tickets, which include a private tasting, free eats provided by The Mash House, early entry at 4 p.m., judge the beer tasting contest, access  to a private game area, private lawn and covered seating, complimentary Blues-N-Brews merchandise and unlimited open-beer tasting.  VIP tickets are $75.

All attendees must purchase tickets. General admission is $35 in advance or $40 at the door. Non-drinking tickets are $15. While children are welcome, this is not a children’s event and there are no children’s activities. Those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent at all times. Tickets can be purchased at the gate, but attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets early as they sell fast. Tickets are available for purchase at the CFRT Box Office Tuesday – Friday from 1-6 p.m.  For more information, call 910.323.4233 or go by the CFRT at  1209 Hay Street.

The Vagina Monologuespremiered in 1996. It is an episodic play written by Eve Ensler. As the name suggests, this play focuses on women and their experiences.  

“Each monologue deals with an aspect of the feminine experience — so I relate to ALL of the monologues in some way or another as a woman,” Robyne Parrish the artistic director and co-education director of the Gilbert Theater said. “Frankly, because I have a vagina, I can empathize with all of the characters no matter what the subject matter or theme of the monologue. And of course, all of the themes are as important today as when the play was written in the ‘90s. One recurring theme in the play is that the vagina is a tool of empowerment for the female; the ultimate embodiment of individuality. I think we (women) can all agree that this will never change.” 

The play is set to open at Gilbert Theater on June 3.

Despite being written in the late ‘90s, these monologues have maintained relevance. The Gilbert Theater took a bold step and added an extra layer to the modern and local political relevance of the play. This production takes a stand for for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual Ally Community. 

“For one thing, we are featuring a transgender character in our Vagina Monologues. This is very important to us at the Gilbert Theater — clearly a major issue in our society today and particularly in North Carolina what with the HB2 bill screaming through our lives,” Parrish said. “Most transgender people face discrimination every day — before HB2 and once it is demolished. We embrace the trans community and will represent them in a way that is thoughtful and meaningful. Our trans character was born in the body of a man and identifies as a woman. She has fully transitioned as the play begins.”

The Vagina Monologues is not just for women, however. These stories are relevant for the entire community. And beyond being a powerful political statement, this is also an entertaining work of art. Parrish specifically says that men “Should absolutely see the play. They will laugh a lot and learn a lot. It is an important work to see if you never have. The cast is strong and powerful — some of our best local ladies. Bring your wife or girlfriend for a fun and powerful evening at the theater and listen.”

Ensler’s work is empowering, real and important but also entertaining and relatable.  When she first wrote The Vagina Monologuesshe was directly addressing a taboo subject, but it is through art that pushes the envelope and challenges the status quo that society and the community can progress. “Some of the ladies of my mothers generation and beyond don’t even like to SAY the word vagina,” Parrish explained. “It is considered a very private word and very private place. But of course, breaking out of this prison of silence is exactly Eve Ensler’s wish… I would say to the women of our community — be brave! Come out and support your local artists and just experience the words. You will identify. You will see yourself in the mix. Don’t be afraid of the vagina!”

The Vagina Monologues are at the Gilbert Theater from June 3-12. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.gilberttheater.com or call 678.7186. 

The Fayetteville Kiwanis Club’s Annual Talent Night is on June 11 at the Caper Fear Regional Theatre. While it is indeed a night of top-notch talent and entertainment, it is also a good time for the entertainers who work so hard to make the cut. This annual event is much anticipated throughout the year and offers something for the participants as well as the community. 

The Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville is a civic organization chartered in 1921, and has been working diligently to better the community ever since. The annual Talent Night is a local tradition that dates back over 60 years. 

“Talent at the Talent Showcase is absolutely amazing,” said Bill Bowman, chair of Talent Showcase and publisher of Up & Coming Weekly. “Talented students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade perform in several categories for the opportunity to win more than $2,000 in scholarship and prizes.” The first place winner in each division will receive a trophy and $100 cash; second place winner in each division will receive a trophy and $50 cash; third place winner in each division will receive a trophy and $25 cash. Four music scholarships will be awarded for voice, strings, piano and band instrument — a $150 value. The 2016 overall winner will receive a trophy and $200 cash. 

Even though Talent Night is a night full of fun and family entertainment, it also serves a greater purpose, which is the sponsorship of the Kiwanis Youth Service Projects. Proceeds from Talent Night are used to support local youth in Cumberland County. One such program is Terrific Kids, which is the largest in the country. In this program, members of the committee present more than 31,000 Terrific Kids awards each year. This program promotes self-esteem by encouraging and then rewarding good behavior with bumper stickers, pencils and bicycles. Kiwanians work closely with teachers, who select Terrific Kids twice a month. 

The Reading is Fun Program, which is geared towards 4- and 5-year-old preschoolers provides more than 4,000 books to students across the county. Books are distributed to children enrolled in Head Start and Chapter One programs. Kiwanis members read to the children as well as donate books to them. Also The Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville, in conjunction with the Fayetteville Department of Parks and Recreation, sponsors Youth League Baseball at Honeycutt Park and Recreation Center. Kiwanians coach many of the teams, are game announcers and sell, purchase and erect outfield advertising signs. 

Auditions for this year’s Talent Night are on Saturday, June 4 beginning at 9 a.m. at the Honeycutt Recreation Center. 

“Good things last,” said Bowman. “This is a great launching point and I’m glad to be able to help foster this type of enrichment. Some of the past winners have gone on to do some exceptional things and have performed on some the world’s biggest stages, like Broadway, St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra, Boston Pops and American Ballad.”

For more information about this event and others, check out The Fayetteville Kiwanis website at www.fayettevillekiwanis.org.

A panel of city and county elected officials wants to get a proposed consolidated emergency 911 service off dead center. The ill-defined plan has languished for many years mainly because of turf issues and cost. But now, it appears local governments want to get the plan off the shelf. “I’d like to get the ball rolling before I leave office,” said veteran County Commissioner Kenneth Edge. He is not seeking re-election and his term expires in December.

The City-County Liaison Committee is unanimously recommending that a joint subcommittee be established to work out details of merging local emergency 911 operations. The county’s call center is located in the law enforcement building. The city’s emergency dispatch center is located in city hall. They work closely together, but EMS calls in the city must be transferred to the county. They use separate, mostly incompatible two-way radio systems which would be expensive to replace. County Commissioner Jimmy Keefe pointed out that rapidly changing technologies will have to be dealt with. 

The three city representatives indicated there is a willingness among council members to move forward with consolidation. 

“Anytime we can share services that benefit the citizens, I think there’s going to be interest,” Committee Chairman Mitch Colvin said. He, Mayor Nat Robertson and Councilman Jim Arp are the city’s representatives on the liaison committee. County Commission Chairman Marshall Faircloth and Commissioner Glen Adams are also members along with Edge.

Other considerations for merging the systems include resolving wage differences for employees and city/county cost sharing, as well as site acquisition and construction of a building to house the equipment for an operations center of more than 100 employees. A hardened 40 thousand square-foot building that meets FEMA threat assessment standards would be needed to protect against natural and manmade forces, according to Schrader Group Architect Tom Forsberg. He is among the consultants hired by the county to research consolidation. The cost of such a building hasn’t been determined but three rural sites recommended for the facility could cost upwards of $30 million. State and federal grants are available through the Department of Homeland Security and other sources. But, local governments will likely have to share the cost which is something neither agency has discussed in detail.

It’s recommended that joint 911 operations be managed by an executive steering committee appointed by county commissioners and city council. There is no timetable for the subcommittee to be named and get to work. Commissioner Edge noted the project has been kicked around for years and isn’t likely to get off the ground soon.

    The City of Fayetteville’s dispute with its Public Works Commission may soon be a thing of the past. PWC filed  suit against the city asking the court for a declaratory judgment defining once and for all the operating relationship between the bodies. Superior Court Judge Allen Baddour, Jr. ruled that under current law PWC has the protections of a public authority. That means the city-owned utility enjoys nearly total autonomy, and its governing board does not answer to City Council. The judge’s 16-page order confirms the legislature’s intent in establishing the Public Works Commission more than a century ago. And Baddour found that “the general assembly, in consolidating and re-codifying the PWC Charter in 1979, intended for the PWC to continue to have the same authority…” 

The unusual dispute has lingered for two years, provoked initially by former City Manager Ted Voorhees. He and a 6-4 city council majority interpreted the city charter as giving council more day-to-day authority over PWC than had ever been exercised by the board. The utility commission decided to file the lawsuit to reconcile the disputed differences. Last year’s election changed the council majority and Voorhees was forced to resign following a closed council meeting. 

City Council met in closed session again last week but took no action afterward. Mayor Nat Robertson tells Up & Coming Weekly, however, that in the last minute of the hour-long meeting, Council made a decision not to appeal the judgment. The city has 30 days to decide whether to do that. Robertson says City Attorney Karen McDonald should have advised the council, in keeping with the Open Meetings law, that its decision should have been made public when the regular meeting resumed. Robertson appears to have succeeded in winning a council consensus, having said earlier that “I look forward to a renewed relationship with the PWC Board and know that we will be able to continue to work together even better since the courts have defined our roles. Council has decided to come together with PWC to find common ground we can agree on.” He says a starting point would be a review of House Bil 392, which included concessions not in the judge’s order. The bill was referred to the Senate and rests in committee pending further action which was put on hold during the judge’s deliberations. The mayor said the council vote to review and revise the house bill was “nearly unanimous.” He would not identify members who prefer appealing the decision. 

Public Works Commissioner Wade Fowler, a former City Council member, said “I believe the issue had to be settled by someone in authority. I was prepared to live with whatever the decision was,” Veteran Councilman Bill Crisp is among those who prefer appealing the judge’s decision to a higher court. The court order clarified that PWC is obligated to make annual transfers of funds to the city in keeping with an agreement that has been in effect since 2008.  Baddour declared that as a public authority, PWC is independent of city government even as it applies to budgeting. 

The North Carolina State Crime Laboratory operates full-service laboratories in Raleigh, Asheville and Greensboro. Typically, evidence from Cumberland County Law Enforcement Agencies was sent to Raleigh for analysis. Typically, the local agencies waited months to get the results of those analyses back. At one time, Cumberland County prosecutors were waiting for more than 1,300 drug samples to be analyzed. 

Two years ago, at the urging of District Attorney Billy West, city and county governments agreed to fund a local crime lab primarily to test illegal drugs. 

Two years before that, county officials broke ground on an expansion of the Cumberland County Detention Center because of severe overcrowding. The original jail was built to house 568 inmates; but regularly held more than 640 men and women. The $15 million expansion project added 316 beds to the jail, which had been overcrowded for many years. The new addition expands the jail to an inmate capacity of 884, making it one of the largest detention centers in the state with 187 sworn officers and a civilian staff of 79. On average, the daily inmate population is about 740, according to Sheriff Earl “Moose” Butler, well below capacity.

What does the crime lab have to do with easing jail overcrowding? 

“It’s one of three actions taken in recent years to manage the detention center population,” said West. 

A prosecutor was assigned to oversee jail operations and the Sheriff assigned a liaison officer to assist the D.A. The new Fayetteville forensic laboratory has provided test results in drug cases to the Sheriff and the Fayetteville Police Department in one to two weeks, explained West, who added, “Those cases represent up to 20 percent of our case load, and moving them through the courts rapidly results in a reduction of the detention center population.” 

Integrated Forensic Laboratories LLC, of Texas, was hired to operate the local lab in a downtown, county-owned building. The company says it has operated labs supporting law-enforcement work for more than 40 years. Local law enforcement is no longer dependent on the overwhelmed state laboratory for analysis of evidence in substance abuse cases. The Sheriff’s Office would like to see the local lab expanded to include DNA testing. 

“It’s expensive but needed,” said Sheriff’s Office Legal Counsel Ronnie Mitchell. The sheriff’s office budget request for Fiscal Year 17 includes $30,000 to begin DNA testing. The science of DNA analysis, he says, has become extremely sophisticated and requires the latest technology and trained personnel.       

A new Chief Jailer is taking charge of the Cumberland County Detention Center July 1. Captain Tandra Adams will assume the post from Major Larry Trotter, who is retiring. She is being promoted to major. Adams is the first woman and first African-American to serve as the Cumberland County Jail Administrator. She is a native of Fayetteville and has been employed with the Sheriff’s Office for 15 years, most of the time in the detention division. 

“She possesses substantial relevant experience, knowledge and skill and is highly qualified in the area of detention facility management and supervision,” said Sheriff Earl ‘Moose’ Butler. She became the first detention officer to operate in the capacity of data-section supervisor when she was promoted to sergeant. In 2014, she was selected to attend the Administrative Officer Management Program at North Carolina State University. Upon graduation, she was promoted to the rank of captain and became a certified general instructor and earned the position of School Director for the Detention Officer’s Certification Course through Fayetteville Technical Community College. 

 

 

Soldiers Adopt Local School                  

A Fort Bragg artillery unit is closing a gap at Fayetteville’s Walker-Spivey Elementary School. “According to our federal data card, we only have one military-connected family in our school,” said Principal Erica Fenner-McAdoo. In preparation for Armed Forces Day, the school reached out to its local partnership unit, the 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade (ADA). “The 108th ADA greatly values our relationship with the local community,” said the commander Col. Joseph McCallion Jr. 

The unit’s goal is to educationally enrich students’ lives by showing them how their education is the groundwork for a bright future. The 108th ADA tailors a unique message to each school in the Terry Sanford High School district. The connection with mathematics, science and physics can be made to students, even at an elementary age. 

“We have College Day every fourth Friday of the month and decided that our last observance should be focused on the Armed Forces,” said Fenner-McAdoo. Soldiers spoke with students about their own pathway to the military and their educational experiences. A highlight was videos and a brief demonstration on how air defense is conducted. The demonstration was student led which allowed them the opportunity to experience the application of mathematics and science used in the air defense artillery field. 

“The partnership between our school and the 108th ADA is very valuable,” said Fenner-McAdoo.

 

Museum Anniversary                     

The Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum is celebrating its 10th anniversary this week. The Museum opened on May 26, 2006, in the restored 1890 Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley Railroad Depot located downtown between Franklin and Russell Streets. The museum has two floors of artifact-filled exhibits. 

“The history of our area is told from pre-history through the early 20th century,” said Museum Director Bruce Daws. 

Located next door to the museum, the Transportation Annex portrays Fayetteville’s story with vintage automobiles and airplanes plus a recreated 1920s gas station. 

In the museum annex, a special presentation entitled “Fayetteville’s 10” highlights famous and not so famous people, places and facts about Fayetteville. 

“These 10 years have been made successful by dedicated staff and volunteers and supportive agencies and organizations,” said Daws. 

Over the years, dozens of exhibits, presentations and collaborations have made this local history museum an important educational and recreational resource for the area. Admission is free.

 

Fort Bragg Medical Clinic Renamed   

Womack Army Medical Center has renamed the troop and family medical clinic inside Womack Army Medical Center in honor of Pvt. Kelly W. Byars, a native of Salisbury, North Carolina. He was a World War II combat medic assigned to the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. Byars received the Silver Star Medal for his actions on Sept. 20, 1944, in Holland during Operation Market Garden. 

“When naming our medical facilities, we try to honor someone with ties to the military medical community, North Carolina, or Fort Bragg. Kelly Byars has ties to all three,” said Col. Lance Raney, Womack Army Medical Center commander. 

The newly named Byars Health Clinic serves soldiers, airmen and family members assigned to Forces Command, U.S. Army Reserve Command, the XVIII Airborne Corps and the Air Force, as well as TRICARE Prime retirees and their families. The 51,000 square foot facility has the latest amenities and technology. Byars joins Specialist Five Lawrence Joel, General Roscoe Robinson Jr., Colonel Mildred Clark and Private First Class Bryant Womack as honored Army heroes who are the namesakes for healthcare facilities at Fort Bragg.

 

The Best of North Carolina

Governor Pat McCrory and First Lady Ann McCrory hosted military families at the Executive Mansion in Raleigh to thank service members, veterans and their families for their service. The event is an annual tradition for Governor and First Lady McCrory. 

“Honoring and supporting our veterans, active duty military members and military families are among our most important priorities,” said McCrory. “These families are the best of North Carolina and understand better than anyone the sacrifices that accompany military service.” 

In attendance were military families from numerous branches and bases including Fort Bragg, the state’s largest installation; Seymour Johnson Air Force Base; Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point; Marine Corps Air Station New River; Camp Lejeune; Camp Johnson and the North Carolina National Guard. 

“We want to do everything we can to support our military families and thank them for their service and sacrifice,” said the First Lady. “Hosting these families at the Executive Mansion each year is a small way we can show our appreciation and support.”

 

An Environment of Very Limited Growth”  

“Cumberland County has not recovered from the 2008 recession,” said County Manager Amy Cannon in opening remarks before County Commissioners as she introduced her proposed FY17 operating budget. The budget reflects virtually no growth in tax revenues and in some cases, losses over the past year. Sales tax revenues are down statewide. Cannon referred to what she called a “new reality” in explaining the $430 million budget that reflects a general fund revenue gain of only 2 percent. “Cumberland County remains in a period of weak growth,” she said. But Cannon added, “This is not a message of doom and gloom.” The local economy shows a post-recession recurring average annual loss of $1.9 million. Cannon is recommending a general fund increase of $7.3 million in Fiscal 17, which begins July 1. There will be no tax increase. But there is no pay raise for county employees either. They will receive one-time $800 stipends to offset the higher cost of health care. County Commissioners are holding budget workshops over the next two weeks.

I knew I had had my fill of House Bill 2 and who is going to use which bathroom during a recent trip to New York.  

A friend and I spent an afternoon at the incomparable Frick Museum on 5th Avenue.  It is a mansion whose turn-of-the-20th -century industrial baron owner left it in trust so that the public could enjoy his fabulous art collection, and millions do.  On top of the Frick’s own  collection, there was also a special portrait exhibit, and my travelling buddy and I were enjoying ourselves immensely.  Even though we had informative headsets, we decided to take a docent-led tour—two, in fact--and headed through Frick rooms with a lovely New York lady, who heard us chatting.  

“Where are you from?” she asked.

“North Carolina,” we said.

“How embarrassing!” she blurted.

It was my most personal experience with how far North Carolina’s new reputation for intolerance and discrimination has traveled, and I was indeed embarrassed in front of the docent.  I am also embarrassed in the state where I have lived all my life, and I am far from alone.

We have all heard the TV comics making our state the butt of their clever jokes, the news stories about businesses not locating in North Carolina, conventions and family reunions choosing other states for their gatherings and superstar entertainers from Bruce “The Boss” Springstein to Itzhak Perlman staying home in protest of HB2.  A quick Google reveals spoofs on North Carolina’s new slogan, changing “NC-Nothing Compares” to “NC-Nobody Cares.”  Folks in Mississippi now are quoted as saying, “Thank goodness for North Carolina.”

What many of us do not know, though, is that HB2, now law, is not really about which bathrooms we use, even though that is the provision that has drawn the eyes of the world to North Carolina, and not favorably.

HB2 is actually about what most political issues are about—raw power and who is in going to wield it.  Bathroom privacy, something every human being holds dear, is a smokescreen for the heart of the legislation—OOPS!—the new law.  HB2 takes away the right of employees who feel wronged by their employers to sue in state courts. 

We may, of course, file our grievances in the federal system, a more expensive and more distant option.  It also limits the authority of local governments to enact ordinances that apply in their communities, regarding minimum wage, sick leave, plastic bag bans and other issues individual communities face.

It is a clear message to the people of North Carolina and to our elected local government officials about who is really in charge, and it ain’t us.

The majority in the North Carolina General Assembly wants you to know that it is firmly in charge.

Did the majority conceive of and draft HB2?

Probably not.

In the murky political background is a think tank devoted to crafting bills for legislatures throughout the nation. The American Legislative Exchange Council, which the New York Times dubs, a “stealth business lobbyist,” dreams up all sorts of legislative templates in hopes that some state will enact them, and many do. 

The North Carolina General Assembly has been an eager customer for what ALEC is selling.

In case you have any doubts about the legal heft of the bathroom bill and who goes where, remember this.

Even if we had enough bathroom monitors or law enforcement officers to make sure everyone uses the potty facility related to his or her birth certificate, which we decidedly do not, HB2 provides no direction.  If a bathroom monitor believes that there is a biological man in the ladies room or a biological woman in the men’s room, all the monitor can do is suggest the person go somewhere else.  

There is no crime and hence no penalty.

HB2 provides no guidance about what to do and no penalties for being in a bathroom for people of a different birth gender.  The best the monitor or officer can say, is “Could you move over to the bathroom next door, pretty please?”

Yes, the Frick Museum docent embarrassed me, and I am deeply saddened by the cumulative beating—however well deserved—North Carolina is taking in the national and international arena.  I hope we recover our formerly sterling reputation in my lifetime, but I am not holding my breath.

In the meantime, I pass along one of many bathroom designations floating around on the Internet.  Some have stick figures wearing both trousers and a dress.  One of those designs features a hand aiming a gun at his/her foot.

You probably have your own favorite of these visuals.

Mine is on this page.  

It has everything to do with the personal liberties of those of us fortunate enough to be Americans.

Well, for the most part, the controversy between the City of Fayetteville and PWC is over, and it looks like the 100-year plus utility charter has been deemed valid, defining PWC as an independent public authority. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Superior Court Judge Allen Baddour. The lawsuit is finally over, and most everyone I’ve talked with seems to think the City will not appeal the ruling. This is a good thing. Matter of fact, it is a very good thing.

 It is unfortunate that this entire two-year ordeal started when the City Council voted to renege on their commitment to pay for half of the sewer line construction from the “big bang” annexation in western Cumberland County. They wanted PWC to pay the entire cost. This idea was mostly championed and pursued by then City Manager Ted Voorhees and several unnamed sources who many feel exerted undue influence and pressure on the newly-elected, inexperienced and naive council members. I would have said unknown sources, however, as the ordeal matured and played out, it became pretty conspicuous who had Voorhees’ ear. So, they were not unknown, just unnamed. In the end, this proved to be the catalyst of Voorhees’ undoing, forcing him to resign his position in April after less than four years on the job.

What is really unfortunate is that when all of this ordeal is finally over, what will the price tag to the taxpaying residents of the City of Fayetteville? Some are estimating $300,000 while others say it will be much closer to $400,000. Really? What reckless irresponsible management. And to think we almost voted to extend the current city council terms to four years. Think about this: How many potholes could have been mended on city streets? How much could we have subsidized and facilitated new sewer line hook ups for city residents? How much of this money could have been spent addressing Fayetteville’s clean drinking water needs or initiating storm water improvements throughout the city? Perhaps this money could have been used for infrastructure or sewer services to facilitate bringing Shaw Heights within the city limits. You see my point - and most probably have felt the frustration.

Well, it’s over now. I applaud the PWC Commission and staff for their tenacity and dedication to their jobs, as well as the mayor and the level-headed members of our city council who really studied the issues and chose to do what was necessary to move this community forward. Hopefully, the excessive price tag of this venture has provided us with valuable lessons that will accelerate our growth and prosperity in the future. We can only hope. Time will tell.

 Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

The National Defense Authorization Act for 2017 includes a plan to overhaul and improve TRICARE for active duty service members, reservists, retirees and their family members. It incorporates several provisions proposed by Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC). Tillis originally offered the proposals to Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (R-AZ) and Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-RI) in February. He says the establishment of a high performance military-civilian integrated health delivery system is integral to the amendment. “Our service members make enormous sacrifices in defense of our freedom, and they deserve access to the timely and quality healthcare choices that work best for them and their families,” said Tillis. The TRICARE system will increase collaboration between the military and private sector, ultimately improving health outcomes for TRICARE beneficiaries,” he added. The Tillis proposals would improve healthcare and enhance the treatment of beneficiaries as local military treatment facilities create working relationships with private sector healthcare systems. A news release from Tillis’ office said formal relationships would foster innovation in military treatment facilities, enhance operational medical force readiness, improve access to specialized medical care and strengthen care coordination through integration of all activities of these new health delivery systems. 

 

Summer Means Storms               

As reported elsewhere in this edition, hurricane season is almost here. Cumberland County Emergency Services cautions that residents should be prepared by updating their emergency plans and supply kits. County Commissioners joined the governor in approving a proclamation declaring Hurricane Preparedness Week. The season officially begins June 1 and runs through November. Traditionally August through mid-October is the most active time for hurricanes in North Carolina. “It’s important to act now before storms strike,” said Emergency Services Director Randy Beeman. 

A disaster-preparedness kit should contain enough non-perishable food and a gallon of water per person, per day for at least three days, preferably up to a week. Other essentials include: a manual can opener, copies of insurance papers and ID in a sealed, watertight plastic bag; a basic first-aid kit; portable weather radio and extra batteries; prescription medicines; personal hygiene items and some cash in case electricity stays out for a while. If you have pets, don’t forget their needs. Stay informed during a storm by having a battery-powered radio for weather and evacuation information. Know evacuation routes and the location of public shelters. To sign up for the county’s severe weather CodeRED notification service, visit co.cumberland.nc.us or call 678-7641.

 

Citizen Commission Rules Changes     

A standing committee of Fayetteville City Council is unanimously recommending that Council modify the process by which citizens are named to local boards and commissions. Longtime Councilman Bobby Hurst has chaired the five-member appointments committee for more than eight years. He, plus Mayor Nat Robertson and Council members Bill Crisp and Chalmers McDougald voted unanimously to provide that applications for membership received after the administrative deadline not be considered. However, the proposed City Code revisions would allow nominations to be received from the floor when council considers nominations for vacancies on citizen advisory boards. Councilwoman Kathy Jensen did not attend. She told Hurst she forgot about the meeting. Other proposed changes in the City Code are that the mayor and four members of council will make up the committee. They would be appointed by the mayor. The recommendations will be considered by the full council at its work session June 6.

 

Playground Pooper Busted                        

Cumberland County school authorities decided they’d had enough after repeatedly finding human feces on the Rockfish Elementary School playground. Staff had to clean playground equipment frequently. After a few weeks, the Hope Mills school officials decided they had enough of the serial pooper. Cumberland County security coordinator Bruce Morrison had cameras installed around the playground. They caught the culprit on video and notified the sheriff’s office. Eighteen-year-old Robert Christopher Elliott and his younger brother were nabbed and arrested for defecating on public property, according to Sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Sean Swain. Both were charged with second-degree trespassing. The older brother also faces misdemeanor charges of injury to real property and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Hurricane season is upon us. Hurricane Fran was one of the most destructive storms to hit our state. It struck North Carolina 20 years ago this year, on a path similar to that of Hurricane Hazel 40 years earlier. Both occurred toward the end of the hurricane season and had remarkable similarities. Both storms glanced Fayetteville causing millions of dollars in damage. On October 14, 1954, the National Weather Bureau issued a warning for the Carolinas, with the caveat that the worst of Hurricane Hazel was expected to stay offshore. Instead, the storm took a northwest turn and headed toward land. It killed at least 400 people in Haiti before striking the North and South Carolina border as a Category 4 hurricane. On October 15, Hazel moved inland on a northerly trek through Eastern North Carolina into Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York. It brought gusts of 100 mph and caused $281 million (1954 USD) in damage. Ninety-five fatalities were attributed to Hazel in the U.S. She struck Canada as an extratropical storm, raising the death toll by 81 people, mostly in Toronto. Hazel is still regarded as the North Carolina storm by which all others are judged. Its name was retired from use for North Atlantic hurricanes. 

Hurricane Fran came ashore south of Wilmington on Thursday night, September 5, 1996. It developed as a tropical wave two weeks earlier. Fran peaked as a 120 mph Category 3 hurricane but weakened slightly as she made landfall near Cape Fear overnight. Then Fran moved into interior eastern North Carolina. The storm’s center took a path across the towns of Delco, White Lake, Roseboro, Dunn and Buies Creek. Although weakening, Fran still brought hurricane-force wind gusts and tremendous damage to trees and power lines across a broad swath of eastern North Carolina. Wind gusts were measured at 100 mph in Greenville, 81 mph in Goldsboro and 80 mph in both Fayetteville and Raleigh. 

The storm continued to weaken inland and was only a tropical depression the next day. Memories remain fresh for public safety crews and PWC linemen who went to work immediately after Fran had passed. Fayetteville firefighters had been told by their chief to remain in their stations if and when winds hit 60 mph. The New York Timeswrote on Sept. 6 that “As the storm moved inland, it maintained its strength as a hurricane, with its highest winds about 80 M.P.H. as it passed just east of Fayetteville, N.C., about 1 a.m. today. It continued to cause widespread damage and spin off tornadoes while moving north.” Five shelters were opened in Fayetteville, Hope Mills and Spring Lake. High winds took down trees and toppled them across power lines all over Fayetteville. Electrical power and cable TV was out for several days.

According to the Associated Press, of the 37 deaths caused by Fran, 21 occurred in North Carolina. Most of them were caused by accidents from fallen trees, including trees falling on houses and automobile crashes into fallen trees.  Total insured losses were estimated to be about $1.275 billion. Eventually, Hurricane Fran curved east-northeastward and transitioned into an extratropical cyclone as it continued up the Atlantic seaboard, again hitting Ontario, Canada, early on the morning of Sept. 9. 

Drive through any neighborhood in Fayetteville and you’ll be able to pick out the rentals because many of them stand out like sore thumbs. The grass this time of year is a foot high. Weeds have become small trees, and the shrubbery, if there is any, is overgrown. State and local governments have little authority to make rental occupants clean up their yards. The property owners can be held responsible, but it’s a daunting task for city code enforcement officers. Six officers are tasked with the chore of keeping up with Fayetteville’s estimated 90,000, according to Code Enforcement Director Scott Shuford. Rental housing, Shuford says, consumes 90 percent of their time. Three others look after commercial properties. 

According to the 2010 census of Fayetteville’s occupied housing units, almost half were rentals, which is far higher than the approximately one-third of units across the state. A census update indicated renter-occupied homes increased over the following two years by another 2 percent. That equates to nearly 47,000 homes in the city that are occupied by renters. Many of them are managed by professional property-management firms. There are dozens of companies specializing in rentals. Dozens more real-estate firms have rental management divisions. And there are private citizens who look after their rental houses.

A casual scan of prominent property management websites is revealing. Peachtree Properties, that “conducts routine inspections to ensure the tenants are keeping the home and lawn in an excellent state of repair.” Most others don’t even mention lawn care. Fayetteville businessman Ed Melvin owns and personally manages 52 rentals. “It’s the property owners’ responsibility to make sure their tenants know what is expected of them,” said Melvin. He says he wouldn’t be opposed to stricter city ordinance regulations requiring property owners to maintain higher appearance standards. “I introduce myself to the residents on both sides of my rental properties and give them my business card. I ask them to let me know if anything happens that I need to know about,” Melvin added.

Fayetteville Mayor Pro Tem Mitch Colvin would like to see the city’s Unified Development Ordinance beefed up, and he himself is a landlord. “I have six houses, one of them is a duplex,” Colvin told Up & Coming Weekly. As a City Council member he’s keenly aware of his responsibilities to keep his properties clean inside and out. The county health department can also enforce laws governing environmental and health issues that result from unkempt yards. Colvin is on a one-man crusade of sorts to get Fayetteville cleaned up. His business is on Murchison Road about midway between Bullock and Jasper Streets. He tells how he has approached vagrants who regularly seek handouts in the area. He’s gotten to know them, and has put them to work cleaning up roadside trash. “I’ve offered to pay them five dollars a week to simply pick stuff up,” he said. And, it’s working. He sees them patrolling along that section of Murchison Road gathering up what inconsiderate drivers toss out of their cars. The men go so far as to tell others to leave the stuff alone … that they’ll take care of it. Maybe Colvin’s hit on something!

Melvin has 53 rental house and apartments. He personally takes care of tenant needs if they’re unable to do for themselves. The vacancy rate grew as well, to 13.6 percent of the Fayetteville’s estimated 89,642 homes and 14.7 percent statewide.

As a real estate investor, Cyndi McKinney limits the amount of properties she manages, because she personally performs your move-in, move-outand routine inspections — an important factor when considering someone to manage what is likely to be one of your largest investments.

She selects tenants based on credit checks performed by Equifax, verification of income from pay vouchers and employment and previous landlord verifications

McKinney actively markets your home for rent in the Fayetteville Observer, the Fayetteville NC MLS Multiple Listing Service, Fort Bragg and Pope AFB housing offices and her company website. She also arranges repairs and estimates promptly- — with owners’ approval

With the past month’s dreary weather giving way to sunshine in the coming weeks, and the building excitement inside classrooms all across the county, it’s a sure sign that summer is almost here and that SwampDogs baseball is just around corner! In fact, the opening day is on Wednesday, June 1.

The 2016 season coincides with the Fayetteville SwampDogs 16th season playing in the Coastal Plain League. The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 20th season in 2016, the CPL features 16 teams playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL has had nearly 1,300 alumni drafted and 81 of those – including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander – make their Major League debut; while another notable alum – Russell Wilson – won Super Bowl XLVIII.The SwampDogs are one of the most successful franchises in the league’s history, making the Petitt Cup Playoffs eight times in the past 11 seasons, reaching the championship round three times. The SwampDogs boast 90 alumni taken in the draft and have produced six players who have gone on to play in Major League Baseball including slugger Mark Reynolds and David Aardsma. 

The SwampDogs have managed to make a name for themselves and have earned the right to host the 2016 Coast Plain League All-Star Game this season. This is the fourth time Fayetteville has hosted, and the first since 2011.The Coastal Plain League All-Star Game is a two-day extravaganza, starting with the Home Run Derby and Fan Fest, to be held on Sunday, July 10. The All-Star Game is on Monday, July 11, and will be followed by a Fireworks Extravaganza.

“We are extremely excited to be bringing the All-Star Game back to Fayetteville,” said SwampDogs General Manager Jeremy Aagard. “This is a tremendous opportunity for us to showcase all the great things Fayetteville has to offer to a huge audience.”

Players from each of the CPL’s 16 teams will compete in the All-Star Game, and representatives from each of the teams will be on hand for the experience. The two-day extravaganza will also bring fans, family members of players and hundreds of other visitors to Fayetteville including scouts from all 30 Major League teams.

“It is with great pleasure that we announce the Fayetteville SwampDogs as host to our 2016 Coastal Plain League All-Star Game,” said CPL COO/Commissioner Justin Sellers. “From Lew Handelsman to Jeremy Aagard and their entire staff, the SwampDogs are a staple not only in the All-American City of Fayetteville, but in the CPL. They have proven time and again to make a night at the ballpark a memorable experience for their fans and we look forward to seeing what ‘fun’ they have in store with our All-Star event! This will be a great couple of days to highlight the best players in the league and to showcase the SwampDogs, their loyal fans, and the City of Fayetteville!”  

This game features the cream of the crop of collegiate baseball players all coming together for one star-studded game.

“We want to put on a show like nobody has ever seen before,” said Aagard. “And because of the support of the community, we’re going to be able to make this All-Star Game an event nobody will ever forget.”

The Coastal Plain League All-Star Game will be broadcast regionally on Time Warner Cable Sports. Tickets are available for both nights of the extravaganza now, and can be reserved by contacting the SwampDogs at 426-5900.

The All-Star Game is only one of the many special events that are planned for this season. Highlighted by five firework extravaganzas the 2016 season at The Swamp will be one you don’t want to miss with memorable promotions each night throughout the entire summer.

The home opener kicks off the festivities on Wednesday, June 1 with the Magnet Schedule Giveaway presented by Freeman & Barrett, CPAs. 

The first firework night of the year is presented by Mountaire Farms on Saturday June 4. Healy Wholesale will also be giving away a gift that night to the first 500 fans over the age of 21. 

Military Appreciation Night presented by Lee Hyundai will be celebrated with fireworks on June 16. 

Hendrick Chrysler Jeep Fiat and Disaster One bring back the annual Honoring America Firework Show which is accessible to the entire public following the game on July 3, and is punctuated with the biggest firework spectacular in all of Fayetteville Independence Weekend. 

And the final fireworks spectacle of the season is on Fan Appreciation Night with fireworks on Aug. 5.

The fourth pyrotechnic display will coincide with The 2016 Coastal Plain League All-Star Game, Home-Run Derby and Fan Fest. The festivities conclude with a firework celebration after the game.

Some new and unique nights in 2016 include Star Wars Night, Leave it to Bieber Nigh, and a Super Sweet 16 Party celebrating the SwampDogs’ 16th season in Fayetteville.

The 10th Annual Striking Out Cancer night will return July 16 with one-of-a-kind pink game jerseys being auctioned off to benefit Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation’s Friends of the Cancer Center.

The SwampDogs are also partnering with A Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Aug. 4 for Bringing Memories Home Safe. A special purple jersey, worn by the SwampDogs, is set for auction after the game to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.

Weekly promotional nights are also planned at The Swamp:

Mondays: Kids Eat Free- Kids 12 and under get a voucher for a hot dog, chips, and a drink with purchase of a ticket every Monday home game, all-season long.

Tuesdays: Tuesday Mania Presented by Dogwood Reality- Hang out in the ballpark Tuesday nights with backyard games, prizes, and learn more about the potential home of your dreams.

Wednesdays: Winning Wednesdays- Win big on Wednesdays when prizes could be won wherever you look. Under your seat? You have a chance. On your hot dog wrapper? Could be! You never know how you’re going to win on Wednesdays at The Swamp!

Other returning fan favorites include Summertime St. Paddy’s Night and the 12th Annual Family Fun Night with the Fun-Go Bobblehead Giveaway presented by Bob 96.5 FM. The complete promotional schedule can be viewed at GoSwampDogs.com.

There are a lot of fun things planned for the season, but what is truly going to make it great is a summer of great baseball. To that end, the SwampDogs have signed some of the best baseball players in the country, including top hitters, fielders and pitchers. The SwampDogs 2016 season is going to be one for the books, so head down to the Swamp to cheer the team on.

For more information on the Fayetteville SwampDogs, visit their team website at www.goswampdogs.com and follow them on Twitter @GoSwampDogs and like them on Facebook at Fayetteville SwampDogs Baseball. Where baseball is fun!

For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com and follow them via Twitter @CPLBaseball.

Cumberland County’s Headquarters Library is turning 30. A celebration is set for Sunday, June 12, in the Pate Room of the library from 3-5 p.m. 

The downtown library was opened at 300 Maiden lane in 1986 and replaced the main library on Anderson Street, which opened in 1931. The County set a referendum in 1968 to build a new library but, it failed. In 1982, a second bond referendum also failed but the need was greater than ever. County government agreed that if a citizen committee could raise some money, the county would match it with the rest of what would be needed to build the library. In 1983, the citizen’s group raised $700,000 and County Commissioners authorized a bid for construction of the library of $4.667 million. Construction was started in September 1984, and the building opened on June 1, 1986. 

“A modern library has more open spaces. We depend more on technology and less on books than we used to,” said Branch Manager Jane Casto. But she added, “the World Book Encyclopedia is quite useful for many patrons.”  

The public is still checking out books and DVDs, and librarians help patrons in many other ways, including using data bases. Librarians can even be booked for one-on-one consultations for up to 45 minutes by appointment. In the information services department, there are five fulltime librarians and another five in the local and state history division. Several full-time paraprofessionals assist them. 

“We have a very well established online presence for folks working from home,” Casto said. 

For those who actually go to the library, there are 40 computer work stations in the adult lab, with another six computers in the children’s lab. Half a dozen laptops can be checked out for use in the building, according to Casto. WiFi is available for those with their own laptops and smart phones, and all services are free.  

Casto and Library Director Judy Risacher like to say “We welcome everyone on library property.” Street people have accepted the open invitation for several years now. 

“We encourage them to come in,” said Casto. “We have rules, but we want to maintain a welcoming environment,” she added. 

One reason the downtown library is popular among vagrants is the convenient access to wash rooms. They’re located in the vestibule outside the interior of the building. Two security guards are on duty at all times when the library is open. They enforce the rules, one of which is that groups of four people or more who are being loud or blocking the entrance are asked to disperse. 

The 30th Anniversary celebration is in the Pate Room of the Headquarters Library. Refreshments will be served and a video of an historic time line will be shown, according to Casto.