What is so rare as a fruitcake in December? Unfortunately, nothing. Hordes of fruitcakes annually distend American abdomens permeating our Christmas cheer with unidentifiable and forbidden fruits. Look up the word ubiquitous in the dictionary and you will see a picture of a fruitcake sitting on a December calendar. Every Yuletide, fruitcakes awaken from their year-long hibernation. Like zombies onThe Walking Dead, fruitcakes are unstoppable as they swarm from the mountains to the sea in all their mutant fruit cakedness. Unlike zombies, who want to eat you, fruitcakes want you to eat them. I choose neither zombies nor fruitcakes. I grew up with fruitcakes. They showed up at our house around Thanksgiving and never, ever left. They are one of my many childhood food traumas. 

My sainted mother Sally Dickey loved fruitcakes. She bought them for our home. She sent them to her sisters in California and Florida each year. Her love for fruitcakes was matched only by my fear and loathing of them. The fruitcake was a mystery to me. It was a dessert that only Edgar Allen Poe could love. I remain highly suspicious of those shiny green translucent objects infiltrating the fruit cake. Those green things never appeared in any other food product. As a child, I knew that during the rest of the year you never saw clear green things presented as edible objects unless the food was lime Jell-O. I realized these small green objects were not Jell-O. Jell-O melts. The green things in the fruitcake did not melt. They lasted for all eternity. 

I remember childhood trips to Washington D.C., to visit relatives before I-95 came into existence. We would stop at a Stuckey’s on US 301 somewhere in Virginia to buy a fruitcake to take to my grandparents on the annual Christmas trip. Back in those pre-I-95 days, it took 10 hours to get from Fayetteville to D.C. The stop at Stuckey’s was a welcome break. For kids and adults alike, Stuckey’s was a wonderland of road objets d’art. You could get pecan rolls, refrigerator magnets in the shape of states, ceramic chickens with a thermometer lodged in their hind parts, toy guns and mildly risqué post cards. My personal favorite Stuckey souvenir was the drinking bird made of glass tubes filled with a red liquid. The bird wore a red top hat. You put the bird in front of a cup of water and pushed its head into the water. This started perpetual motion wherein the bird would bob its head in and out of the water for hours. This was a mystery that for a 6-year-old boy was almost worth the price of sitting in a car for 10 hours asking if we were there yet. But I digress.

Let us return to pondering the myriad mysteries of the fruitcake. The curious thing about fruitcake is that it is as good in December when it oozes out of the Acme Fruit Cake Extruder as it is in late August after it evolved into the ghost of Christmas Past. The remnants of a once proud fruitcake lurked in the back of our refrigerator for months. It silently hardened into a solid block of gluten filled holiday joy. My father would eat some of the fruitcake in December to be polite. I would eat some because I was told to do so. In reality, no one really liked fruitcake but dear old Mom. She was always dieting, so even though she loved fruitcake she ate it sparingly which resulted in the fruitcake having an unnaturally long refrigerator life. 

The highest and best use of a fruitcake is to serve as a door stop. People of a certain age may recall the good old days when people still knitted. Someone would give you a lovingly knitted Christmas brick sock to put around a brick to hold open a door. You could put a fruitcake into a brick sock and no one would know the difference. The door would stay open for eternity. 

Like Iraq’s yellowcake uranium, fruitcake has a half-life of about 30,000 years. After the Rapture the only things left on Earth will be fruitcakes, roaches, Twinkies and politicians. Fruitcakes represent life eternal in the form of a sugary confection filled with unknowable objects. 

No fruitcakes were harmed during the writing of this column. Despite my desire not to eat any more fruitcakes, I love and respect the fruitcake. Fruitcake brings back memories of days and family members gone by. Thoughts of fruitcakes of Christmas Past warm the cockles of my gastrointestinal reflux. Go buy a fruitcake, if you can’t eat it, you can use it as a door stop. 

Merry Christmas!

The very idea of climate change — aka global warming — and fossil fuels’ role in that alleged process boil the blood of non-believers, scientific evidence be darned! 

It is hard to make a case against climate change, though, when we are all running around in shorts and sandals and painting our toenails summer red the week before Christmas. Even so, all I could think of when I read about the whoop-de-do surrounding tiny Woodland, North Carolina, over solar panels was “You really cannot make this stuff up!”

Woodland, a municipality of about 800 souls in Northampton County, an area North Carolinians refer to as “down East,” has just learned a brutal lesson in the realities of social media and the international reach of the Internet. Turns out it is not much fun to be the butt of jokes about country bumpkins, local yokels and Clampetts reincarnated. As best I can glean from news accounts, the situation is this.

Woodland, like many rural areas in our state, has embraced solar farming. The area remains rural poor and largely under educated. Solar farms are clean industries in an area that has few industries of any sort. 

Woodland has already approved three solar farms encircling the town, one of which is close to completion. A fourth solar company applied to the town council earlier this month for one more farm, and as Gomer Pyle might say, “all heck broke loose.” Local residents expressed opposition to yet another solar project with such memorable points of view as solar panels “suck up all the energy from the sun.” A retired science teacher shared her worry about local plants, asserting that solar panels take so much sunlight, plants do not get enough and turn brown. She also noted the high number of cancer deaths in the area and shared that no one could convince her that solar panels do not cause cancer. 

The Woodland Town Council voted not to rezone the property in question and imposed a moratorium on future solar projects, and the story went viral. A quick Google search confirms that lots of folks all over the world were having a good chuckle at Woodland’s expense.

Not so fast.

While members of the Flat Earth Society did speak, so did other local residents whose concerns seem more reasonable. They spoke of declining property values, young people with no job prospects since solar farming requires few employees and encroachment on residential areas. Such concerns are also heard beyond the confines of Woodland.

Interest in alternative energy sources including solar has been rising along with concern about the impact of fossil fuels on our environment. North Carolina has become a magnet for solar farms with our mostly sunny weather, flat rural areas with cheap farmland, especially when it is close to power grid connections. So popular are we that North Carolina is now fourth in the nation in solar output. Not everybody is happy about this development, as Woodland residents clearly expressed.

Objections in Woodland and elsewhere generally center on solar farms’ effects on property values and local economies and not so much on the safety of solar farming for both plants and animals, including human beings. Also concerning is the rapid transformation of North Carolina’s rural landscape from soybean and tobacco fields to acres of glowing blue solar panels wthat now dot our countryside. N.C. State University crop science professor Ron Heiniger was quoted in the News and Observer about the transformation of eastern North Carolina in particular. Says Heiniger, it “may well be one of the most important agricultural issues of our generation.” He goes on to say that solar farming could become so widespread that some traditionally agricultural land may never be farmed again.

There is a lot going on here.

Economic angst about land values and the morphing of traditional industries into who knows what. Agricultural lifestyles that no longer support and sustain generations of families. Rural and urban. Young people seeking a living and the people who want them to stay home. Quality education in the 21st century. Tradition and technology in a world that now moves with lightning speed. 

After the vote and the mocking of Woodland on social media, town officials scrambled to explain what had occurred. Mark Lane, a town council member, took pains to explain the town’s position. “We’re not opposed to the solar farm itself. We wanted to make sure they didn’t overtake the town.”

Lane’s statement rings true.

As for your columnist, I am pondering whether I will wear a gauzy cotton dress or a snugly wool sweater to Christmas dinner. Happy holidays to all, including the folks in Woodland!

I was a little girl when Jimmy Carter was president. While I would never classify him as one of my top 30 presidents, I do remember quite a few things about him.

I remember how his Southerness became fodder for late night TV hosts and other sophisticates who found his honesty and lack of sophistication humorous.

I remember his family. His beloved mother, Lillian, reminded me a lot of my own grandmother. His wife Rosalynn reminded me a lot of my aunts. Her quiet dignity was often taken for granted, but she never gave the nation cause to be embarrassed.

I remember Amy. Oh, how I did not like Amy. And it all stems from her galloping through the family’s walk following the inauguration. She hopped and jumped about. As we were the same age, I found it embarrassing. This was a moment in history and her actions did not reflect that. Looking back now, that was rather unfair. She was a little girl who was pushed into the national spotlight – and whose whole life became a target. I’m sorry Amy.

I remember Carter’s infamous quote about lusting in his heart and his total inability to crack the D.C. code – none of which impressed me much. Perhaps the best memory I have of his presidency is of a press conference he held as he was going out of office. It was around this time – Christmastime. He was talking about the hostages in Iran, and in that moment, even I, as a little girl, could see that he was a broken man. While talking about the hostages he turned to his faith, and to a Christmas carol, to explain how he felt.

It was in that moment that I found him to be the most presidential. And it was that moment that I remember more than anything else about him. In the spirit of Christmas, and because it is as fitting today as it was then, I would like to share that carol. But first a little bit about it.

It was written in 1863 as the Civil War raged in our country. It was written by a father whose son had been injured during war. I’m talking about “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” which was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. 

I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Their old, familiar carols play,

and wild and sweet

The words repeat

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along

The unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way,

The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime,

A chant sublime

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth

The cannon thundered in the South,

And with the sound

The carols drowned

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent

The hearthstones of a continent,

And made forlorn

The households born

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;

“There is no peace on earth,” I said;

“For hate is strong,

And mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The Wrong shall fail,

The Right prevail,

With peace on earth, good-will to men.”

May the spirit of this season of love fill your hearts with joy. 

 

According to the National Christmas Tree Association, there are about 25-30 million real Christmas trees sold in the U.S. every year. Unlike their artificial counterparts, which may contain non-biodegradable plastics and possible metal toxins, real trees are a renewable, recyclable resource. 

There are more than 4,000 local Christmas tree recycling programs throughout the U.S. and one of them is in Fayetteville.

The Grinding of the Greens is a local partnership between PWC, Duke Energy Progress, Fayetteville - Cumberland County Parks and Recreation and the Fayetteville Community Garden. Through the program, discarded trees are picked-up and turned into mulch used to beautify local parks.

City residents can place their discarded Christmas trees curb-side for pick-up by the morning of Jan. 4 to take advantage of the city-wide pick-up the first week of the new year. Anyone can take trees to the Fayetteville Community Garden, at the corner of Vanstory and Mann Streets, no later than Saturday, Jan. 9 by 8:30 a.m.

PWC spokesperson Carolyn Hinson said that without the recycling program, most of the trees would end up taking up space in the landfill.

“By recycling the trees and turning them into mulch, it’s a win-win for the environment. We save money for the city, save landfill space and a need is being met by Parks and Recreation by not having to buy mulch for parks,” Hinson said.

The program is not new. 

“This is the 22nd year,” Hinson said. “The general premise was to find a way to recycle live Christmas trees so they are not going into the landfill. It encourages recycling and is a nice end to the holiday season, a gift to the environment.”

The program could not be successful without the 40 to 50 annual volunteers who come out on the morning of the grinding and operate the grinders, she said.

The event has become a tradition, she said, with many volunteers returning year after year. Mayor Nat Robertson will again be on-hand to give the official “Gentlemen, start your chippers!” call that begins the grinding.

 “We don’t keep an exact count,” Hinson said, “But we have several thousand trees that are picked up each year.”

Residents who put their trees curb-side are encouraged to remove all lights and decorations, which can damage chippers.

“It’s always interesting to see what we’re going to find,” Hinson said. “Some trees have been fully decorated [and put on the curb], tree stands still attached.”

 “We always have some people who come by the morning of grinding,” Hinson said. “We usually get 10-20 trees that morning.”

 

Christmas tree Facts

• The N.C. Christmas tree industry is ranked second in the nation in number of trees harvested and cash receipts.

• The top Christmas tree producing states are Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Washington.

• N.C. produces more than 19 percent of the real Christmas trees in the U.S.

• The most common Christmas tree species are: balsam fir, Douglas-fir, Fraser fir, noble fir, Scotch pine, Virginia pine and white pine.

• N.C. has about 1,300 growers producing Fraser fir Christmas trees on an estimated 40,000 acres.

• Fraser fir represents more than 98 percent of all species grown in North Carolina.

• The N.C. Fraser fir has been judged the nation’s best in a contest sponsored by the National Christmas Tree Association and chosen for the official White House Christmas tree 12 times (more than any other species). The last N.C. tree in the White House was in 2012.

• The N.C. Fraser fir Christmas tree is the most popular Christmas tree in North America and is shipped into every state in the U.S. as well as the Caribbean Islands, Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, Japan and other points all over the world.

• For every real Christmas tree harvested, 1 to 3 seedlings are planted the following spring.

• It can take as many as 15 years to grow a tree of typical height (6 - 7 feet) or as little as 4 years, but the average growing time is 7 years.

Information provided by http://www.ncchristmastrees.com and http://www.realchristmastrees.org/dnn/Education/QuickTreeFacts.aspx  

 

“What form of advertising can be experienced throughout the day, every day of the week, not surrounded by editorial, programming or photographs, and can be targeted to reach specific audiences by geographic location? If you guessed outdoor, you’re right. Outdoor advertising is smart.” That’s the way the Fayetteville Area System of Transit’s advertising agency, Street Level Media, describes bus advertising.  

In the fall of this year, the Fayetteville City Council culminated a three-year effort by its Citizen Advisory Committee on Transit to authorize advertising on city buses for the first time in many years. As expected, there was some resistance to the idea. The city received a new fleet of buses and some worried ads were problematic. But the appeal of a new revenue stream of non-tax funds won the day, allowing private businesses to support FAST’s public budget.

By the time the city attorney’s office vetted content issues, the council decided to ban certain kinds of ads on FAST coaches and shuttle buses: No political or issue-oriented content, no alcoholic beverages or illegal products and nothing of a sexually suggestive nature are viable options. There are some other restrictions. FAST Assistant Director Kelly Blazey coordinates the approval process with the agency.

Street Level Media won a five-year contract to serve as transit’s ad agency by guaranteeing that FAST would receive a minimum, fixed percentage of monthly advertising receipts. For the City of Fayetteville, it’s the first significant public-private cash-generating agreement with local business to provide a dependable stream of non-tax revenue. It’s estimated to exceed $50,000 in the first year, with upwards of $100,000 within reach once the project is fully ramped up.

Since the first ads appeared on coaches in September, the city has taken in more than $10,000. 

“It’s better than I had expected,” said FAST Director Randy Hume. “I’m very pleased.” 

Street Level Media co-owner Weyher Dawson is also pleasantly surprised. 

“Advertisers have jumped all over this and have far exceeded our expectations,” he said. 

City officials always have economics on their collective mind, and they can take heart that transit advertising is already a big boost for the business community. 

“Fortunately the businesses are getting really positive feedback,”
said Dawson.

So far, nearly 20 local merchants and professionals are among the first to sign up, although Dawson said an out-of-town law firm is ready to contract a full bus wrap for a year. 

The Fayetteville Area System of Transit operates 27 coaches on 19 fixed bus routes and 16 FastTrac vans for medically disabled patrons. Ridership in the 2014-15 budget year reached 1,637,684, according to Hume. 

Dawson notes the firm has sold out streetside and rear bus ads. Emphasis, he says, will turn now to curbside ads and paratransit vans. Street Level Media also represents transit systems in Winston-Salem and Wilmington.

There’s an old saying that the wheels of government turn slowly. Nine months ago, a house at 4705 Belford Road at corner of Glensford Drive in Montclair was badly burned by fire. When the new Glensford Drive extension to Raeford Road was opened by the North Carolina Department of Transportation last month, motorists could see that house sitting on a hill overlooking the Belford Drive roundabout, creating an eyesore. 

When the home owner failed to make repairs, the City of Fayetteville stepped in to enforce the code. Fayetteville Code Enforcement Manager Bart Swanson searched the record for Up & Coming Weekly and found that Code Inspector James Rutherford spent a lot of time trying to resolve the issue and get the house torn down.  

Rutherford recorded “20 major steps that were taken,” said Swanson. 

Rutherford’s findings are that the fire occurred on March 27 of this year. Flames went through the roof before firefighters could respond, and the modest ranch-style house was a total loss. The process taken by the city to remove the house is exhausting to follow, but it’s all required by law. 

The file was opened within a week after the fire, on April 2. The inspector gave the home owner time to file insurance and receive a settlement. Eight weeks later on May 26, the house was formally inspected by the city and declared dangerous. On May 28, a title search was requested. And on June 6, the title search came back showing  the identity of the owner. 

A month or so later, the city held a hearing to address the dangerous building declaration. The record shows that the home owner failed to appear. The hearing notice had not been served on the owner, so another hearing date was set for July 15. Again, the owner failed to appear. The next day an order was issued advising the home owner to repair the house or have it razed. He was given 60 days to do so.

In mid-September, the property was inspected again. The owner had failed to comply with the order to take action. Less than two weeks later, a proposed demolition ordinance was taken before Fayetteville City Council. It passed, and Mayor Nat Robertson signed the document on Sept.  29. At the same time, funds were allocated for the demolition. According to Hometown Demolition Contractors of Fayetteville’s website, residential demolitions can cost upwards of $4 thousand to as much as $14 thousand depending on a number of variables. A lien is placed on the property to recover the cost.

On Oct. 9, the demolition ordinance was recorded in the owner’s property documents file at the Cumberland County Register of Deeds.  A couple of days later, a letter was sent to the owner advising him to remove personal property so that an asbestos inspection could be made. That inspection was done and a report was returned to the city four days later. Demolition bid requests were sent out on Nov.  20 and the code enforcement division received bids and issued a purchase order to the company with the lowest bid.

A demolition order was issued on Nov. 30. The contractor got a permit to proceed with the demolition, and  according to Fayetteville Planning and Code Enforcement Director Scott Shuford, the house should soon come down.

Fayetteville Regional Airport Director Brad Whited calls a construction project at the 47-year-old Fayetteville Regional Airport “a major makeover.” 

It’s the largest and most expensive undertaking since the airport’s construction in 1969. Construction of Concourse B and expansion of ticketing and baggage wings took place nearly 30 years ago. Smaller improvements were accomplished in subsequent years. Now, the time has come for a new Concourse A. 

Construction should be underway by this time next year, according to Whited. It will include removal of Concourse A which was part of the original airport building. The replacement concourse will be a modern two-level addition similar to the newer Concourse B. Three older jet ways will be replaced by six new jet bridges, eventually, to serve seven gates. A 20-foot addition to the front of the terminal will include “two new escalators, two new elevators and two new stairways to the second level,” said Whited. The passenger screening checkpoint will be modernized to provide for two lanes available to the TSA. 

Renovation of the airline ticket wing, moving TSA baggage screening to the back side of ticketing with a modern new system, plus new and additional rest rooms throughout the terminal are included. Upgraded electrical, water and HVAC systems will be installed along with a new sprinkler system. 

“It took us several years to get on this (federal funding) list, and when combined with our annual (FAA) entitlement, will provide $26 million dollars for the project,” added Whited. The entire cost is estimated at $34 million. Airport reserves and revenues will make up the difference. No local tax money is involved. 

Whited expects the construction project to take about two years. It will be done in nine phases. Day-to-day airport operations will continue during construction. American Airlines (formerly US Airways), Delta and United provide 17 daily flights from Fayetteville to Charlotte, North Carolina, Atlanta, Georgia and Washington, D.C.

The Fayetteville Regional Airport serves a 12-county area in Southeastern North Carolina along the I-95 corridor. The airport opens daily at 3:30 a.m. and closes briefly following the last flight of the day; airline ticket counters reopen at 4:30 a.m. 

A USO facility on the second level is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The passenger terminal offers Smarte Cartes, an ATM machine, wireless Internet access, a café, vending machines, rental car counters, video games and shoeshine service. Other services include rental cars and taxi cabs.

Road Deaths Down

The holiday season is not only one of the busiest travel times, but this year’s low gas prices mean many people are probably choosing to drive to holiday destinations. More cars on the road means a higher chance of fatal crashes, according to a University of Alabama study. So it’s important that drivers stay alert, and learn to spot and avoid hazards and to drive carefully. Fayetteville Police hope they can close out the year with no further fatal auto accidents. In the first 11 months of this year there were 16 highway fatalities, according to police records. Three of the victims were pedestrians. Both numbers are fewer than had been recorded during the corresponding period of 2014. Police Chief Harold Medlock made a reduction in traffic deaths a goal of his this year. Traffic enforcement officers have placed special emphasis on the Cross Creek Mall retail hub this holiday season. 

Resource Officers in Public Schools 

When a video of a South Carolina school resource officer forcefully removing a student from her desk went viral, a debate on the presence of law enforcement officers in schools lit up social media. The officer was fired. Many years ago, then-Fayetteville Police Chief Ron Hansen agreed to turn security at county schools over to the sheriff’s office. Up & Coming Weekly asked Cumberland County Sheriff Moose Butler’s spokesman about the changing role of school resource officers, but he declined to comment. Sgt. Sean Swain did tell us that the sheriff’s office provides 45 deputies for local high schools and middle schools. The National Association of School Resource Officers says “The goal of SRO programs is to provide safe learning environments in our nation’s schools, provide valuable resources to school staff, foster a positive relationship with our nation’s youth,and develop strategies to resolve problems affecting our youth with the goal of protecting every child so they can reach their fullest potential.” 

According to Education World, SROs not only help students feel safe but also give them someone in whom to confide, which was among the initial hallmarks of placing officers in schools. 

Child Death Baffling

The parents of a young child who died at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center early this month  have been jailed, but an investigation into the baby’s death is ongoing. It’s the second child the parents have lost in less than two years. Police say the three-year-old girl was found unresponsive on Dec. 1 at 520 Regency Drive in Fayetteville “due to injuries she suffered at the hands of her father, Jamarkus Smith,” said Police Lt. David McLaurin. The 26-year-old Smith and his wife Octavia Bennett-Smith, 27, face multiple charges. Despite the evidence McLaurin cites, neither of them has been charged with the death itself. The father faces two counts of first-degree statutory sex offense and two counts of taking indecent liberties with a child. Smith’s bond is $3 million. Bennett-Smith is charged with felony child abuse and she’s being held in lieu of $1 million bail. Youth Services Detectives are also reviewing a child death investigation from February 2014, at the same address. It too involved the Smiths, according to police. That death was initially ruled a case of sudden infant death syndrome. 

 

The week between Christmas and the New Year makes me feel increasingly fresh and clean.

Out with the golden glitz and Manheim Steamroller CDs.

Out with the droopy, shedding poinsettias and stale crumbling cookies and Hollandaise sauce.

Good riddance to the tree and all its weeping needles, even though I do love its lingering scent.

In with green plants, white dishes, simple green salads and peace and quiet.

The transition week also brings on mediations about the year that was and the year to be. Traditional media does a great job of news recaps — who did what to whom and who died, much of which seems amazingly long ago even though it has been less than a year. Other recaps are more offbeat, including one from the blog, Estately, which recounts what Americans are most interested in, as evidenced by what we Googled in 2015 state by state.

We Tar Heels were most interested in concealed carry permits, Blake-Miranda divorce (I had to Google that one to find out who these folks are —country music stars married to each other who announced in 2015 that they would divorce) and the meaning of the Confederate flag in that order.

Residents of other states were interested in these topics as well, but not everyone. Alabamans’ top Googles were same-sex marriage, Ken Stabler (I did not know him either — a football player who died in 2015), Ben Carson and Laverne Cox (another Google — an actress). Iowans must be serious video consumers as their top Googles were Elizabeth Banks (an actress) and two reality television shows, The Bacheloretteand The Bachelor.Michigan residents wanted to know more about transgender and marriage equality, while North Dakotans Googled the NFL draft. Our neighbors in Virginia apparently have an international outlook as they were interested in Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sis, terrorist organizations Islamic State and Boko Haram and the presidents of Turkey, Nigeria and India in that order. And briefly, South Carolinians wanted to know about the “Nae Nae” dance. Texans were interested in lion hunting and Jade Helm, which another Google reveals is a conspiracy theory that the annual U.S. military training exercise is actually a full-scale invasion of Texas. Californians’ top search was for Kim Kardashian but they also wanted to know about Ben Affleck’s nanny and Donald Trump’s hair.

I have no idea what any of this means except that it really must take all kinds.

As 2016 looms, I feel totally safe in predicting we will have elections for everyone from President of the United States to the Cumberland County Commission. Predicting who these people are is much trickier, so I will pass on that one. 

A troubling sign for 2016 and beyond is the recent finding that America’s middle class has shrunk and is now a minority in our nation. In other words, there are more rich and poor people than people in the middle. 

The non-partisan Pew Research Center announced its findings in December and said shrinkage of the middle class has come about in part because of the rise of high earners. In 1971, only 14 percent of Americans qualified as high earners, meaning those bringing in more than twice our nation’s median income. At the other end of the financial spectrum, more Americans are slipping backward. In 1971, about a quarter of us fell into the lowest earning tier, defined as less then two-thirds of the median income. Today, that percentage is 29 and climbing. The growing spread between those at the top and those at the bottom has become more pronounced since the turn of the 21st century, with the Great Recession causing serious and lingering damage for many. The percentage
of upper earns is now 21-percent, meaning households of three who make at least $126,000.

Should we be worried?

It is hard not to be, even though some economists say it’s no big deal.

The American middle class is where most of us believe we are, whether that is true or not, and it is the manifestation of the American Dream of security and better lives for succeeding generations. The American middle class is about optimism and the hope that things will get better, if not for us, then for our children.

It is true that things are better for some of us who are moving up the income chain, but it is also true that some of us are going in the other direction, shrinking the middle from both sides and making common ground as Americans harder to find.

Elected political leaders who make decisions for the rest of us used to speak often about “Middle America” and what was best for most of us. It seems to me that we hear less about those in the middle these days, and if there are fewer middle class folks around to vote, who do we think the decision makers are going to cater to — the rich or the poor?

Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy and prosperous 2016!

As many are planning and anticipating New Year’s celebrations, some of us are looking expectantly at the new year, and what a spectacular new year it will be – especially if our local leadership has the political will and fortitude to carry out the people’s bidding. 

We have so much opportunity for growth here in Fayetteville. But first, we need to define what we, the people, truly want and then, determine how to pay for it. This being the case, I’m hoping the New Year resolutions made by local residents are centered around a sincere effort to become more actively involved in local governance by becoming familiar with and educated about local initiatives and more actively involved in activities that will affect and enhance our quality of life in the 21st century. 

Up & Coming Weekly’s resolution for the new year is to continue to earn the community’s respect and support by promoting and featuring those people and places, businesses and organizations that currently define our community. This is a daunting task in an age where social media is homogenizing communications and minimalizing the brand and unique aspects of the local community. Social media and the lack of a local TV stations make it more challenging for Fayetteville to define itself. That is why we love being your local community newspaper. 

Expect only the best from us in the coming year and know we are here because of you. We will continue to tell Fayetteville’s story. What you read in the following pages cannot collectively be found on the Internet or social media. Nor can it define, brand or grow a business, organization or community. That’s what we do. 

So, the next time you hear someone say, “There is nothing to do in Fayetteville,” just hand him or her an Up & Coming Weekly newspaper. That’s a LIKE and you just FRIENDED us. Who says we can’t adapt? 

Thanks for reading Up & Coming Weekly (offline).

 

After the ball in Times Square has dropped and toasts and good wishes are offered, it happens. The holidays are officially over and it is time to put away the presents and decorations, sweep up the confetti and get the New Year started. Like so many local holiday traditions, the New Year’s Day Black-eyed Pea Dinner at the Crown is part of what makes Fayetteville special. For close to a quarter of a century, people have gathered to share a good luck meal, socialize and start the new year in the best of all possible ways – sharing a meal in the midst of great company. 

No one is exactly sure when the New Year’s Day Black-eyed Pea Dinner started, but it was in full swing in the 1970s and 80s with not just one, but two New Year’s Day Black-eyed Pea Dinners. Then Sherriff Otis Jones and his friend Willis Brown, who was a local attorney, each hosted their own dinner. Eventually, the two joined forces and moved the event to the Crown Coliseum. 

Otis Jones died in 1987 or 1988 and when he did, the event died with him. In 1993, Lee Warren was talking with his father and his friend Owen Spears, who was a member of the North Carolina General Assembly. Warren’s father suggested that they revive the Black-eyed Pea dinner. It didn’t take much convincing. Warren and Spears brought it back for the first time in 1993. In 1996, Spears had a career change and Ed Grannis, the District Attorney, joined the team. When Grannis retired, Billie West became the new District Attorney and stepped up to help each year as well. 

Grannis died this past October from complications of a heart procedure and will be sorely missed at the Black-eye Pea Dinner. Known as a man of integrity and for being a fair but compassionate public servant, his contribution to this event and to the community over the years is something to celebrate – and that is just what Warren intends to do at this year’s dinner. “Ed Grannis and his family were long-time partners and fellow hosts for this event,” said Warren. “This year’s dinner is dedicated to Ed Grannis. He was involved with the Black-eyed Pea Dinner since 1996. He was always hands on, but we’ve got a lot of good volunteers. His wife, Winnie, and their boys, Whitaker and Mcbride will be there helping. His best friend retired Gen. Dan McNeill will be there, too. We’ll all be there  - honoring the memory of Edward W. Grannis.”

Grannis was a U.S. Army veteran and a graduate of Wake Forrest University. He served as the District Attorney for 35 years. “Even after he retired, Ed served on the North Carolina Department of Transportation Commission,” said Warren. “He had a real heart for community service, as do his wife and sons.”

With months and weeks of planning that go into this event, Warren is always grateful for the hundreds of volunteers that come out to help with every aspect of the dinner. It is not unusual for 3,000 or more to attend the event and it is the helping hands that show up year after year that make the Black-eyed Pea Dinner possible. “From cooking to serving to making sure everyone has fun, we look forward to all of that and to seeing people that come back year after year,” said Warren. “And sometimes it may have been a year since you’ve seen them. It is a way to stay connected with community. It is not a political event – it is open to anyone in the community and is free. It is a time when we can all give thanks together and good wishes to one another.” The Black-eyed Pea Dinner starts at 11 a.m. at the Crown.

Stories behind the dishes

For many, New Year’s Day is filled with traditions and superstitions - especially for Southerners. With the new year comes fresh starts and new beginnings. Many people consider it important to do what they can to ensure that it will be a good one. One of the most common ways to do this is through the food served on New Year’s Day. The superstitious (and the hungry) are invited to enjoy a great meal (and cover all their bases) at the Black-eyed Pea Dinner. While the event is very much about tradition, friendship and service to the community, the “lucky” foods are delicious and offer a fun way to kick off the new year. 

The Black-Eyed Pea dinner includes much of the traditional Southern New Year’s fare. The menu includes collards, pork, corn bread and, of course, black-eyed peas. The food is saturated with flavor, but also with superstition and some interesting history about why people consider certain foods lucky. For example, pork symbolizes progress in a new year because pigs root forward as they eat. 

The tradition of eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day is nothing new in the south, but it may have originated in even older cultures. In Jewish culture, in Babylonia circa 500 A.D., black-eyed peas were commonly eaten as good luck symbols to celebrate Rosh Hashana, which is the Jewish New Year. This tradition likely made its way to the southern United States through the Sephardic Jews who came to Georgia in the 1730s. Black-eyed peas became especially popular in the south during the civil war. Pre-Civil War the legumes were used for food for cattle. As the Union armies came through and burned all of the other crops, the peas were eaten out of necessity. They are drought resistant, which made them that much more appealing during dry years. Traditionally these peas represent prosperity in the coming year. They are symbolic of coins and swell in size as they cook. There are even sayings that are associated with this belief in lucky peas. One common phrase is “Eat poor on New Year’s, and eat fat the rest of the year.” Black-eyed peas are usually prepared with pork. 

Collard greens are another Southern New Year’s tradition aimed at bringing luck and prosperity to those who eat them on New Year’s Day. Like the black-eyed pea, the popularity of collard greens came about during the Civil War. While the Union armies left collards untouched because they were considered food for animals, this plant is packed with valuable nutrients. As far as bringing prosperity on New Year’s, their leafy green appearance represents paper money. Green is also a color symbolic of hope and growth, both valuable traits for a new year.   

Social Security numbers are being removed from soldiers’ dog tags, the Army has announced. The change is the first update to the official identification tags in more than 40 years. What goes around, comes around! A soldier’s Social Security number will be replaced by a 10-digit, randomly-generated number. That’s the way identity tags used to identify their wearers. Historically, a tag would be emblazoned with either R.A. or U.S. followed by an eight-digit number. R.A. stood for Regular Army. U.S. identified draftees. 

Dog tag is an informal term for the identification tags worn by military personnel because of their resemblance to animal registration tags. While the tags are primarily used for the identification of dead and wounded soldiers; they have personal info about the soldiers and convey basic medical information, such as blood type and history of inoculations. The tags indicate religious preference as well. They’re usually fabricated from a corrosion-resistant metal and commonly come in identical pairs. According to Army tradition, this duplication allows one tag to be collected from a soldier’s body for notification. The other would remain with the fallen soldier. 

In the 1990s the Army stopped using the term dog tag, replacing it with ID tags. Information on the ID tags varies little from branch to branch of service. Only the Marine Corps includes a Marine’s gas mask size.
The updates will be implemented on an as-needed basis, Michael Klemowski, of the U.S. Army Human Resources Command, said in a statement released by the Army. 

“This change is not something where soldiers need to run out and get new tags made,” he said. “We are focusing first on personnel who are going to deploy.” 

They are the first ones who will have to have new ID tags made, he added. 

The change is in accordance with new Defense Department guidelines calling for less use of Social Security numbers. “Removing Social Security numbers from dog tags is one of the ways the Army is trying to safeguard personal information,” Klemowski said. 

The Fayetteville - Cumberland County Parks and Recreation presents Christmas in the Park again this year at Arnette Park from 6 – 9 p.m. daily Dec. 4 – 20.  

Christmas in the Park is a walk-through light show.  Guests pay the per vehicle entry fee, park and then  take a stroll through the half-mile paved walking trail while enjoying the sights and sounds of the Christmas season.  

During their visit, guests can enjoy entertainment provided by local artists, crafts, marshmallow roasting at a fire pit, train rides on the Christmas Express and holiday movies on the outdoor movie screen.  Santa will be available for pictures.

Admission is $10 per family vehicle, $30 for a commercial vehicle and $75 for buses. Only cash will be accepted. Marshmallows, crafts and train rides cost $1 extra.  Pictures with Santa are $5.

Only service animals are allowed at the park during Christmas in the Park.

In its sixth year, Christmas in the Park continues to grow said Erica Brady, Special Events Coordinator for Fayetteville - Cumberland County Parks and Recreation. 

“Not only has this event grown in participation, but each year we add more lights and displays to make it new and exciting for all visitors,” Brady said via e-mail.

More than 16,000 guests attended last year.

Return visitors will see additions in this year’s show, Brady said.

“We have added a lot of new displays that will easily be recognizable for anyone who has attended in the past as well as expanding our center Christmas tree display.”

Besides the festive lights, the family-friendly event offers other activities to keep visitors of all ages entertained.

“We have a wide variety of local performers,” Brady said.  “They include school groups, churches and participants from our recreation center programs.”

A Christmas themed crafts station offers simple crafts that can be done by a child with the help of an adult.  

“We provide the necessary supplies and the craft can be completed on site or taken home to make,” Brady said.

The outdoor movie screen will show a variety of licensed movies: How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Twas the Night Before Christmas, Frosty’s Winter Wonderland, Smurf’s Christmas Carol.

To make the most of the experience, Brady recommends dressing for the weather and be prepared to walk.  The event is set up so visitors can spend as little or as long as they like in the park.  

“Do everything at your own pace and enjoy the experience,” Brady said.

Arnette Park is home to 100 acres adjacent to the Cape Fear River with a combination of developed facilities and wooded areas.  It is located at 2165 Wilmington Highway, Exit 100 off Highway 87. 

During questionable weather conditions, guests are encouraged to call the inclement weather line at 306-7325 before they visit.  A recorded message will say if the park is open that evening. For more information call 433-1547 or visit http://www.fcpr.us/special_events.aspx.

Ho, ho, ho!  It’s Christmas time at the Poe House. The Museum of the Cape Fear has a myriad of events and exhibits planned for the holiday season. If you have ever wondered what Christmas was like in Fayetteville during the Victorian era, be sure to visit the Poe House. The decorations are historically accurate and offer a insight into the way local families lived and celebrated Christmas in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Take a tour and learn about the customs and traditions of the time.

“By Thanksgiving, we  have the Poe House decorated for Christmas so people who go downtown and enjoy Dickens’ holiday can come and see the Poe House,” said Leisa Greathouse, curator of education at Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex. “The decorations will be up until Jan. 10 which is after the Epiphany Christian Observation.” 

The 1897 Poe House was home to the Poe family which consisted of Edgar Poe, his wife and eight children. Poe was an affluent businessman who was born in Fayetteville and owned and operated a brick factory. He had two brick yards. “He delved into other things such as building materials and hired potters to make jugs and bowls and it became known as Poe Pottery,” said Greathouse. “It makes it sound like he was a potter but he wasn’t.” Greathouse added that Poe and his wife, Josephine, had eight children that they reared in the house, which were six girls and a set of twin boys. Mrs. Poe’s job was like most women of her socioeconomic class, which was to stay home and be a good wife, mother and provide a good home for her family.  

“We talk about early technology in the Poe House like the first indoor plumbing that they would have gotten here in Fayetteville,” said Greathouse. “Also electricity was one of those inventions that made our life much simpler … that they were witnessing for the first time back then.”        

The museum has an exhibit called “Stagville: Black and White.” It is a black and white photographic exhibit of Stagville State Historic Site which is located in Durham.  “At the time of the Civil War it was the largest slaveholding plantation in North Carolina,” said Greathouse.  “The plantation owner, Paul Cameron, was the richest man in North Carolina at the time.” Greathouse added that these are photos of what remains of the slave cabins, big house, the great barn and the grounds.  Brenda Scott met descendants of the slaves that lived on the property and photographed them and conducted historic interviews.    

The events are free and open to the public. For more information call 486-1330. 

Sometimes the best way to honor someone you’ve loved and lost is with a celebration. At least that is what Roberta Humphries chooses to do. She lost her son Ryan Patrick Kishbaugh to Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when he was 18. And every year since,  she invites the public to commemorate Ryan and rejoice in all that is fun and good and true about living a healthy life. She does this by putting on a 5K run — Ryan’s Reindeer Run. This run is about more than pounding out some steps in the name of a good cause. It is about having fun, cherishing loved ones and making memories. This year, Ryan’s Reindeer Run falls on Dec. 19.  

For Humphries it just makes sense to have a road race in honor of Ryan. He loved running and learning and volunteering. In his short life, Ryan worked hard to be the best person he knew how to be and to make the world a better place. He wrote a book called Run Because You Can: My Personal Race with Cancer. It chronicles his experience during his 15-month fight. 

The race is a lot of fun and gets bigger and better every year with more than 1,000 runners registering for the event. Not only does this race celebrate Ryan’s life, the proceeds go to the Ryan P. Kishbaugh Memorial Foundation to help others. The foundation has donated more than $131,000 to local nonprofits since2013.

“This is such a rewarding event because the money from the race goes to other nonprofits that provide services to children and people with cancer. It all goes back into the community,” said Humphries. “I do make a donation to Duke Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Center and Support Program so families who have needs while their child receives a transplant can have those needs met. We always give to Make a Wish Foundation to help provide a trip for a terminally ill child from Cumberland County. The Friends of the Cancer Center, the Child Advocacy Center, Better Health, the Care Clinic and other organizations also receive funds. It is nice to be able to give back as much as we do. It is very rewarding to help others.”

Humphries noted that the reason the Ryan P. Kishbaugh Foundation can be so generous is that once expenses are covered, every bit goes to charitable organizations. There is also a small amount that is saved to pay for the next year’s race.

 “Nobody makes money on the run,” said Humphries. “None of the volunteers gets paid and I don’t take a salary or anything like that.”

This is a family friendly 5K and Humphries does her best every year to make it fun for everyone. Santa will be on hand for anyone who wants to take pictures with him. 

“We also hope to have an antique car or fire engine there for pictures, too,” said Humphries. “We have contests for the best decorated strollers, we have holiday sweater contests. It really is a fun, family-friendly get together.”

It takes about six months to put the race together, and just when everyone else is getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving things kick into high gear. They stay at a frantic pace until race day is over. But it is worth it. 

“When it all comes together and I see everyone take off at the start, it is a big relief for me,” said Humphries. “And then when it all comes together and you see everyone having fun it is the best feeling.”

Registration includes both single and team categories. Prizes are awarded to the top overall male and female finishers in the under 13, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 and over categories. Participants younger than 13, receive a finisher’s award. Prizes also go to the first three pet finishers and their owners, the three fastest family finishers, the best costumed runners and the three fastest strollers and runners and the best decorated strollers.

Team trophies are given to the school, club or organization with the largest number of participants. A team must have a minimum of 10 participants to qualify as a team. Groups must register by Dec. 18.

Those who register as part of a family are not eligible for individual prizes but can compete for family prizes. A family entry must have between three and six runners who are part of the same family.

While dogs are welcome, they must be on a leash at all times and owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs. Walkers, noncompetitive runners with dogs and/or strollers should start in the back of the group.

Registration for individuals is $30; individuals under 13 is $20; family entries are $90 and include four T-shirts, two additional family members can register for $20 each.

This year is the 10th anniversary; with that in mind, there are some changes to the medals. 

“I used to design and make the medals myself,” said Humphries. “The race is too big for me to do that now, so the medals are made for us. This year’s has the Ryan’s Reindeer Run logo on it and notes that it is the 10th anniversary. We are giving them out to the first 700 registrants.”

The race starts and ends at the Medical Arts Building in downtown Fayetteville at the corner of Robeson and Hay Streets. It’s a nice course but requires some effort — that is by design. 

“Because life is challenging,” said Humphries.

To register for the race, or to find out more about Ryan’s Reindeer Run, visit www.ryansreindeerrun.com.

 

While most people look forward to the annual Christmas pageant at their local church, Cumberland County residents look forward to the worst Christmas pageant, which in reality is really The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Cape Fear Regional Theatre proudly brought the BCPE to its stage again this year, but, they have added a little twist. 

On Monday, Dec. 21, a special performance of the show will take folks back 25 years to the very first BCPE, as an alumni cast performs in the anniversary show.

This bit of fun and mischief is taking place under the direction of Bo Thorp and many of the actors who have made the play — and the theatre — such a success over the past 25 years. The cast is full of the Christmas spirit and ready to put on a great show, all to benefit the children’s programs at the theatre. 

One Fayetteville family that will have a big impact on the show is the Beaver family. Twenty-five years ago, Laura Beaver and Jenny Beaver deViere made their stage debuts in the BCPE. Laura was the first Fayetteville resident to bring to life the mischevous, yet loveable, Gladys, while Jenny was the sweet Beth, who was one of the first to understand that the rowdy Herdmans were not ruining the show, but rather making it better. In the alumni play, their dad, Jerry Beaver, will play the role of Rev. Hopkins. It truly is a family affair.

Several other family pairings are also on tap. KenGriggs and his daughter, Laura, are also jumping into the fun. Laura will play the goody two shoes, Alice, while Ken will be the oldest Herdman Ralph.

Nicki Hart, a long-time CFRT performer, will reprise her role as Mrs. Slocum, while her daughter, Ava, will play Naomi. Hart’s son javin will play a shepherd.

The mother/son duo of Nannette and Tommy Walsh will also join the cast. Nannette will play Mrs. Clark and Tommy will play LeRoy Herdman.

Up & Coming Weekly’s Bill Bowman is also getting into the act, as he plays the role of Ollie Herdman.

Many other CFRT and BCPE alum are also performing, which will leave the audience in stitches, but also in awe of the talented performers who have called the CFRT home. 

Tickets for the event are $5; you must make reserversations. Plan on making them early, because this show is sure to be a hot commodity. At the show, donations will be taken to benefit the theatre’s children’s programs.

The curtain rises at 7 p.m. This is one show you won’t want to miss! For more information, visit the website at www.cfrt.org.

The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects the right of law abiding citizens to bear arms. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled people may possess handguns for self-defense in their homes. But just this month the high court refused to hear a Second Amendment challenge to a local ordinance that banned semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity magazines.

While federal law governs the sale and possession of some weapons, handgun regulations for the most part are regulated by the states. Unlike most southern states, North Carolina takes a firm stance toward gun laws, which are perhaps the strictest in the southeastern United States.

The most significant difference between North Carolina and its neighbors is what some say should be a national requirement. North Carolina requires permits for purchasing handguns.  Applications for permits to buy pistols are made at the local sheriff’s office, which then conducts background checks. North Carolina firearms laws are outlined in a publication by the State Department of Justice updated just this month.

Permits will not be issued to drug addicts, former convicts, persons who are mentally incompetent or under a restraining order. Military veterans will be denied permits if they cannot verify that they were honorably discharged. If the sheriff’s office is satisfied with its findings, a permit is issued. 

The state legislature recently considered changing gun laws because of some ambiguity in local applications for purchase permits. Sheriffs in each of the state’s 100 counties have some discretionary powers, so there are slight variations in the procedures. Some sheriffs require witnesses to vouch for an individual’s character, while others may require longer waiting periods. 

North Carolina gun possession laws are unique because they vary based on county. Registration of handguns is not required by state law, but can be found in some counties such as Durham. Cumberland County does not require gun registration. Concealed possession of any firearm is unlawful except on one’s own property, or if the individual has a concealed carry gun permit. 

Like the permit to purchase, a license to carry a concealed weapon is administered by the local sheriff. Basic requirements for a concealed carry permit under state include: residence in the state for at least 30 days, 21 years of age, successful completion of an approved firearms and safety training course, the completion of a shooting test, mental competence, a background check and a physical exam. The application itself will include a full set of fingerprints, a statement under oath and a fee of $100.

Openly carrying firearms also varies based on town and jurisdiction. “Open carry” refers to displaying firearms in public. State policy regards it as legal, but towns like Cary and Chapel Hill have adopted ordinances that restrict it depending on the size of the weapon. There’s also a state law that grew out of the 1968 Federal Omnibus Crime Control Act. It applies to folks who “go around armed to the terror of the public” like carrying a shotgun on courthouse grounds.

Gun shows are very popular in the state, and it’s nearly impossible to regulate such a popular industry. Gun shows create an opportunity for anyone to buy a gun without a background check. 

“That alone creates an underlying problem of people who are not lawfully allowed to have a firearm, to include some violent criminals,” says Earl Woodham, spokesman for the Charlotte office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Fayetteville/Cumberland County government relationships may get worse before they get better, according to Fayetteville Mayor Nat Robertson, who has said improving relationships has been a major goal of his since taking office in 2013, although his stance on the future distribution of local sales tax proceeds could further strain relationships. Robertson wants to change the method by which local governments have been dividing millions of dollars in revenue over the last 12 years.

“County commissioners are proposing that the current arrangement be extended for another 10 years,” says Chairman Marshall Faircloth. Commissioners and governing boards of the nine local municipalities have agreed to continuing the existing distribution formula — except the City of Fayetteville. Some city council members want to stop sharing sales tax money in areas annexed by the city over the last 20 years. 

The city and county agreed in 2003 to split sales tax revenue taken in annexed areas 50/50, if the county continued to use a territorial population calculation method. They’ve done that ever since, but the agreement expires next year and the county has given the city until January 31 to sign off on an extension. Thus far, Robertson has resisted. He wants the county to agree to a five-year plan under which the city would phase out the agreement so Fayetteville would retain all sales tax revenues. 

“It’s the city’s money under the law,” he says. 

The eight smaller towns would also be affected by whatever decision commissioners make. And legally, the ball’s in their court.

The old saying that “with every loss there’s a gain” and vice versa, comes into play. If the current agreement is not extended, County Manager Amy Cannon estimates the county would lose nearly $8 million in the coming fiscal year. The City of Fayetteville would gain just under $6 million. 

Commissioners have an ace up their sleeve, Faircloth noted. State law gives county government the upper hand. The county government have the sole authority to change the method by which sales tax receipts are divided. They could decide to impose what’s known as an ad valorem or tax district formula. The various taxing authorities would receive sales tax proceeds in accordance with their districts. Commissioners tax the entire county, including Fayetteville. Using that method, the county would gain $6 million while Fayetteville would lose nearly $5 million. 

 “We will start discussing what we’ll do,” Faircloth said, if the city hasn’t reached an agreement by January 31. The county has until April 30 to decide which way to go. Turf aside “This is a community issue,” Cannon says. “This agreement directly impacts all residents regardless of where they reside within the county.”

If You See Something

Fayetteville Police are asking residents to report any suspicious activity to 911 immediately, as part of the Department of Homeland Security’s “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign. The department says it has not received notification of any local threats, but in light of recent events across the country and around the world, police ask citizens to be vigilant.

We can all help keep our communities safe by paying attention to our surroundings and reporting suspicious activity to local law enforcement. In cities, on farms and in the suburbs, we share everyday moments with our neighbors, colleagues, families and friends. It’s easy to take for granted the routine moments in our every day — going to work or school, the grocery store or the gas station.   

“Informed, alert communities play a critical role in keeping our nation safe,” said Police Lt. David McLaurin. “If You See Something, Say Something” engages the public in protecting our homeland through awareness, building, partnerships and other outreach. To report suspicious activity, contact your local law enforcement agency. Describe specifically what you observed, including who or what you saw, when you saw it and where it occurred. 

Suspicious activity is any observed behavior that could indicate terrorism or terrorism-related crime. This might include:

• Unusual items or situations: A vehicle is parked in an odd location, a package/luggage left unattended, a window/door is open that is usually closed. 

• Eliciting information: A person asks questions at a level beyond curiosity about a building’s purpose, operations, security procedures and/or personnel, shift changes, etc. 

• Observation/surveillance: Someone seen paying unusual attention to facilities or buildings beyond a casual or professional interest. This includes extended loitering without explanation. 

Factors such as race, ethnicity or religious affiliation should not be
considered suspicious. 

Cape Fear River Park

One of the items many folks are unfamiliar with on the proposed March Parks & Recreation Bond referendum is a Cape Fear River Park. It’s a $6.3 million-dollar proposal with no exact plan. The city says the goal is to make the riverfront a special place for Fayetteville. The park could include an aquarium but it is not likely to be part of the bond issue

There apparently are half a dozen conceptual ideas for developing a park somewhere on the river, near the Person Street bridge. One of the ideas is to develop it off Dunn Road, north of Person Street. Developers point out an upper middle class residential neighborhood has been built nearby. Naysayers contend the older area of East Fayetteville would not be a natural attraction for locals or visitors. 

South King Street is another area with potential. It runs parallel to the river, south of Person Street and is home to several manufacturing plants including Union Corrugating Company. It has grown since its inception in 1946 to become a large manufacturing and distribution center of metal roofing and siding products. A railroad spur is nearby. Some city officials say it would be difficult at best to incorporate a large park into the area.

The Fayetteville City Council may get recommendations by late spring, according to City Planning Director Scott Shuford. But that would be after the election is held. So, specific recommendations won’t be known when residents are asked to vote on it. Mayor Nat Robertson and Councilman Mitch Colvin contend the vote ought to be put off until November…that it’s premature to hold the referendum in March.  

 

 

The above-the-fold headline screamed from the front page of Raleigh’s News and Observer: “Wake County School System Seeing Fewer New Students
Than Expected.”

In Wake County’s case, this means about 1,000 fewer new students than the system had anticipated for the last two school years. It is not that new school-aged people are not arriving in the Raleigh area. It is that their parents have far more educational choices for their children than they once did, and many of them are opting for charters and independent schools, both secular and faith-based. Home schooling is growing as well, and combined, these options added more students than did the giant Wake County Public School System, now North Carolina’s largest with more than 157,000 students. Just more than 80 percent of school-aged children now attend traditional Wake County public schools. That is by far the majority, but still less than it once was.

While Wake County’s changes are the most dramatic because of its size and the number and diversity of it non-system options, it is not alone. Other school systems, including Cumberland County’s, are experiencing lower growth projections, in part because parents are opting for non-system educations for their children. Parental options have grown since the North Carolina General Assembly raised the cap on charter schools, a less regulated, but still publicly funded education. The legislature also established a publicly funded voucher program for certain students to attend non-public programs.

You might be thinking, so what? 

So what if parents take their children out of traditional public schools and put them in charter or independent schools? And, so what if parents decide to home school, often at significant sacrifice to themselves? All conscientious parents want quality educations for their children. The differences come in how best to deliver that education, and decisions about what to do with which students are complicated and highly personal. We are talking, after all, about what is dearest to our hearts, the futures our children.

Full disclosure here. The Dickson Precious Jewels attended both traditional public and independent schools throughout their K-12 years and into college and graduate schools. Homeschooling was never on the table.

Americans decided during the 19th century that public education is a worthy endeavor, that it makes for a stronger and more productive society. Public education became more inclusive over time, expanding to take in both boys and girls from all backgrounds, religions and cultures. It also became more comprehensive, expanding from reading, writing and arithmetic up to 8th grade or so to the comprehensive high school curricula we have today.

Somewhere along the line, some Americans, including many North Carolinians, decided our public schools are failing at least some children and that there should be other options. It is hard to argue with that notion, both because it is so deeply personal and because all institutions fail in some ways. It is also complex because what constitutes failure in one person’s view is success for another.

What keeps your columnist awake at night is in part the state of our public schools but is it also the state and cohesiveness of us, we Americans.

Ours is and always has been, a diverse culture. Except for those of us descended from Native Americans, we all came here from somewhere else, bringing with us different experiences, languages, religions and cultures. Over time, these differences fade, of course, but the one, uniquely American experience most of us have shared is public education. As other common experiences like compulsory military service have fallen away this one has become more important.

The American school experience, be it in a rural or urban setting, has been a glue that binds us all together. We all recognize the stellar elementary school teacher who inspires young children to want to learn, the kindly high school coach who teaches not only sports but instills character, the music teacher who dresses us in construction paper costumes and puts on a holiday choral performance. We all know the class genius, the class clown and the class bully. Students have had, and are having, these experiences in North Carolina and California and everywhere in between. They are almost universal and provide a common bond we share and understand.

I can think of no other experience in American culture that provides such a connection in the midst of our great and growing diversity.

Nothing in life is static, and certainly not education as human knowledge expands every moment. My concern for students and communities in North Carolina as educational options expand is that we remember and value what public education continues to provide beyond book learning. I want us to both embrace our many educational options and to cherish and nurture the glue of common experience that ties us together.

A diverse nation without some glue is simply unimaginable.

 

The above-the-fold headline screamed from the front page of Raleigh’s News and Observer: “Wake County School System Seeing Fewer New Students
Than Expected.”

In Wake County’s case, this means about 1,000 fewer new students than the system had anticipated for the last two school years. It is not that new school-aged people are not arriving in the Raleigh area. It is that their parents have far more educational choices for their children than they once did, and many of them are opting for charters and independent schools, both secular and faith-based. Home schooling is growing as well, and combined, these options added more students than did the giant Wake County Public School System, now North Carolina’s largest with more than 157,000 students. Just more than 80 percent of school-aged children now attend traditional Wake County public schools. That is by far the majority, but still less than it once was.

While Wake County’s changes are the most dramatic because of its size and the number and diversity of it non-system options, it is not alone. Other school systems, including Cumberland County’s, are experiencing lower growth projections, in part because parents are opting for non-system educations for their children. Parental options have grown since the North Carolina General Assembly raised the cap on charter schools, a less regulated, but still publicly funded education. The legislature also established a publicly funded voucher program for certain students to attend non-public programs.

You might be thinking, so what? 

So what if parents take their children out of traditional public schools and put them in charter or independent schools? And, so what if parents decide to home school, often at significant sacrifice to themselves? All conscientious parents want quality educations for their children. The differences come in how best to deliver that education, and decisions about what to do with which students are complicated and highly personal. We are talking, after all, about what is dearest to our hearts, the futures our children.

Full disclosure here. The Dickson Precious Jewels attended both traditional public and independent schools throughout their K-12 years and into college and graduate schools. Homeschooling was never on the table.

Americans decided during the 19th century that public education is a worthy endeavor, that it makes for a stronger and more productive society. Public education became more inclusive over time, expanding to take in both boys and girls from all backgrounds, religions and cultures. It also became more comprehensive, expanding from reading, writing and arithmetic up to 8th grade or so to the comprehensive high school curricula we have today.

Somewhere along the line, some Americans, including many North Carolinians, decided our public schools are failing at least some children and that there should be other options. It is hard to argue with that notion, both because it is so deeply personal and because all institutions fail in some ways. It is also complex because what constitutes failure in one person’s view is success for another.

What keeps your columnist awake at night is in part the state of our public schools but is it also the state and cohesiveness of us, we Americans.

Ours is and always has been, a diverse culture. Except for those of us descended from Native Americans, we all came here from somewhere else, bringing with us different experiences, languages, religions and cultures. Over time, these differences fade, of course, but the one, uniquely American experience most of us have shared is public education. As other common experiences like compulsory military service have fallen away this one has become more important.

The American school experience, be it in a rural or urban setting, has been a glue that binds us all together. We all recognize the stellar elementary school teacher who inspires young children to want to learn, the kindly high school coach who teaches not only sports but instills character, the music teacher who dresses us in construction paper costumes and puts on a holiday choral performance. We all know the class genius, the class clown and the class bully. Students have had, and are having, these experiences in North Carolina and California and everywhere in between. They are almost universal and provide a common bond we share and understand.

I can think of no other experience in American culture that provides such a connection in the midst of our great and growing diversity.

Nothing in life is static, and certainly not education as human knowledge expands every moment. My concern for students and communities in North Carolina as educational options expand is that we remember and value what public education continues to provide beyond book learning. I want us to both embrace our many educational options and to cherish and nurture the glue of common experience that ties us together.

A diverse nation without some glue is simply unimaginable.

This past Monday  Fayetteville Mayor Nat Robertson and the City Council bestowed on our newspaper one of the greatest honors to date. They recognized Up & Coming Weekly with an official proclamation observing our 20th anniversary and the achievements,  contributions and impact Up & Coming Weekly has had on the Fayetteville/Fort Bragg community. 

Surrounded by friends, staff and family, I must admit it was overwhelming. Two decades. Believe me, no company  succeeds without a steadfast mission and a passionate, loyal, dedicated and hardworking staff that consistently produces  a quality and relevant product. I am extremely grateful to have all of these components at my disposal.But, truth be known, our undaunted success comes from focusing on, promoting, accentuating and illuminating the quality of life we experience here in Fayetteville. I’m talking about the news, views, art and entertainment and everything else that affects our residents and defines the quality of life in our community. We have stayed true to our mission  by supporting and investing in Cumberland County education, healthcare, the cultural arts and local businesses and organizations that also want to elevate our community to the outside world. 

As daily newspapers continue to decline in readership and relevance, community newspapers like Up & Coming Weeklycontinue to grow and prosper.  Actually, we are an effective local print media essential for advertising, marketing and branding local businesses and services. We are Fayetteville, Fort Bragg and Cumberland County’s first social media. Really!  “Nothing to do in Fayetteville,” really? 

We will put our weekly newspaper up against any smartphone, iPad, computer or electronic social media out there for the latest and greatest information on what is going on in this community. This is what we do. 

So, on behalf of  our staff, contributing writers, advertisers and community partners, all of whom contribute to our newspaper to define our personality, I say, thank you. 

Thank you for allowing us to be not only an integral part of the community, but also for allowing us to grow and prosper doing what we love... promoting and showcasing the Fayetteville community.  

Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

For many, the holiday season just isn’t complete without a performance of Peter Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker ballet. There is still time. The North Carolina State Ballet, under the direction of Fayetteville’s own Charlotte Blume, will perform this holiday classic at the Crown Dec. 12 and 13.

The cast consists of 60 dancers as well as guest artists. This marks the 39th consecutive year that the North Carolina State Ballet has performed The Nutcracker in Fayetteville. The performers start preparing for this production in late summer. The standards set by the Charlotte Blume School of Dance are rigorous and that reflects in the performance. While things stay busy at the studio year-round, this is an especially busy time of year and one that the dancers look forward to with great anticipation. “There is always an exciting cast for The Nutcracker. We have four guest artists this year as well as a sterling local cast that have been doing this for several years,” said Blume. “That makes it an especially exciting program.”

The classic story remains unchanged, however, two new backdrops will grace the stage, bringing an updated look to this favorite. Local artist Cindy Slappey and her former student Caroline Geiger designed the backdrop for Act II. Featuring the Land of Sweets and the Castle of the Sugar Plum Fairy, the backdrop brings a fresh perspective to the performance. Jennifer O’Kelly of O’Kelly Designs created the Act I backdrop. A graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts, O’Kelly’s backdrops have been featured in the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival, Public Broadcasting Service’s “Great Performances” and the Toronto International Ballet. 

The Nutcracker is set in the 1800s. A young girl named Clara receives an enchanted Nutcracker from Herr Drosslemeyer, her godfather. As she drifts off to sleep snuggling the nutcracker, Clara’s adventures are just beginning. She faces the Mouse King and his army. The brave nutcracker conquers the Mouse King in a duel. 

Now, transformed into a prince, the nutcracker and Clara meet the Snow King and Queen. Amid the falling snow and dancing snowflakes, Clara and the nutcracker prince are off to their next adventure.

Act II takes them to the Crystal Palace, which is filled with dancing insects and butterflies. Here, the Sugar Plum Fairy listens to their adventures and hosts a festival for her guests. The Sugar Plum Fairy joins in a waltz with her court of flowers. Clara and the prince are delighted and impressed. As the event winds down, the Sugar Plum Fairy and Uncle Drosselmeyer grant Clara a Christmas wish and transform her into a beautiful woman so she can dance in the arms of the prince. Then Clara awakes. It is Christmas morning and the nutcracker is nestled safe in her arms.

Guest artists perform the roles of Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier. On Dec. 6, Alicia Fabry took the role of Sugar Plum Fairy. Fabry grew up in France and studied at the English National Ballet School in London. This is Fabry’s sixth season dancing with the North Carolina State Ballet. Marcelo Martinez was her Cavalier. Martinez hails from Paraguay and is returning for his second season with the North Carolina State Ballet. Previously, he trained at companhia Jovem do Teatro Mumicipal do Rio de Janerio and the Washington Ballet.

Fabry returns as the Sugar Plum Fairy for the Dec. 12 and 13 performances and Adam Shiffer plays Cavalier. Shiffer is from Budapest, Hungary and graduated from the Hungarian Dance Academy. He has toured and performed in Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Austria, Czech Republic, Italy and France. This is his second appearance with the North Carolina State Ballet.

Daniel Moore performs Drosselmeyer. “Little Clara” is alternated by Emily Rogers and Katherine Sullivan. “Clara Grown Up” is danced by Tiffany Alexander with Daniel Rivera as the “Nutcracker Prince”. The “Pas de Duex” highlights Act I and takes “Clara” and the “Prince” to the “Land of Snow” and then to the “Land of Sweets.”

The role of the “Snow Queen” is alternated by Deprecia Simpson and Sarah Middleton. The “Jewel” in “Waltz of the Flowers” is danced by April Glasper or Deprecia Simpson. The Arabian Dancer in “Coffee” is danced by Andrea Flores. 

When Russian composer Peter Tchaikovsky debuted this work at the Mayinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1892, it was not well received. Even though he was commissioned by Marius Petipa, a well-known and much-loved choreographer, to compose a score adapted to E.T.A. Hoffman’s “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” the critics and the audience were not impressed. Despite their work together on the classic ballet Sleeping Beauty, Czar Alexander III seemed to be the only fan of The Nutcracker.

Other artists saw the potential though, and in 1944, The Nutcracker opened at the San Francisco Ballet. Later, choreographer George Balanchine tweaked a few of the characters for the 1954 production when it premiered at the New York City Ballet. It was a smashing hit and claimed its place in America’s heart as a holiday tradition.

The Nutcracker is on stage at the Crown Theatre Dec. 12-13. Performances begin at 3 p.m. All performances are directed by Charlotte Blume. General admission is $20; military rates are $18 and children’s tickets cost $7. Tickets are available at the Crown Complex Box Office, Capefeartix.com and by calling 888.257.6208. Find out more at http://crowncomplexnc.com.

Fayetteville is a town steeped in tradition, especially during the holidays. From festivals to decorated outdoor spaces to shows and concerts, there is no shortage of things to do and ways to celebrate. The Cumberland Oratorio Singers has a special place in the community, especially during the Christmas season. The Hallelujah Chorus – Messiah Sing brings a sense of celebration and worship that, for many, is reserved for this special time of year. On Saturday, Dec. 12, join the Cumberland Oratorio Singers at Berean Baptist Church for this year’s rendition of the Christmas classic.

Dr. Michael Martin is the director of this choral group. This is an event that he looks forward to each year. “The concert will open with five pieces of the December season, and then we will perform the first part of Messiah, along with ‘Hallelujah!’ from the second part,” he said. “For the people who want to be entertained and not sing along, there is much to enjoy, along with four professional soloists: Anne Rogers and Brenda Vandervort (both from Fayetteville), Melvin Ezzel from Wilmington and Joshua Conyers, from Winston-Salem.” 

The public often joins the performance of the “Hallelujah Chorus.” To do so, the person must have their own copy of Messiah, and have it in a black cover or folder. Walk-ons the night of the performance can still participate. People who walk-in wanting to sing sit in a designated area. That way, they do not end up standing in front of people who wish to simply watch and listen, Martin noted.

With so many activities to choose from, this event stands out for Martin as an important part of what makes Fayetteville such a great community. “I don’t know about you, but the idea of community needs to be preserved. Fayetteville, for as large as it is, actually feels more like a small town settled in a very big area. Our choir is Fayetteville’s community chorus and we want to preserve that as a basic premise of our mission,” he said. “We also want to preserve that basic aspect of this event: the concert/community sing. However, this event is not unique to Fayetteville. It happens all over the country! Our version of this event is much less formal than other organizations. In some of those events, people arrive in period dress to sing the piece. We do not, so I guess that we are a bit more casual about it. It’s fun and is a standard event throughout America.”

Even so, like everything else about this city, it is the eclectic mix of people that show up for the event that make it special. “I really enjoy getting to meet the soloists and work with an orchestra. Don’t get me wrong, I feel like I have the best seat in the house at every one of our concerts, but in this case, we probably utilize more people from every walk of life that want to be in the mix of our event. From professional singer/performer, to the new singer/performer, we have it all. I guess I will channel my Forrest Gump and refer to the box of chocolates; I never know what I’m going to get. But that’s part of the fun,” said Martin.

The performance starts at 7:30 p.m. Berean Baptist Church is located at 517 Glensford Dr. in Fayetteville. Find out more at www.singwithcos.org

Are you tired of your current career? Is getting up and going to work every day getting old? Is the daily grind grinding your dreams of pay without working into sawdust? Wouldn’t it be great to get paid for drinking white wine, working one night a week attending art shows and pontificating about what someone else has poured their heart and soul into? Sounds too good to be true? Au contraire, mon frere. There is a job that allows you to do all these things and get paid for it. Consider becoming an art critic. Right now, you are probably asking yourself, “How can I be an art critic?” Let us reverse that question, how can you not become an art critic? The hours are great, you get to torture struggling artists with critical reviews, and you get to wear a beret.

 To be an art critic you just need to master certain phrases. You don’t have to make sense. Frankly, it helps your professional standing if you write gibberish. You just have to sound classy. Remember to hold your pinkies up while you are banging away at the old word processor. There are certain stock phrases in the Acme Art Criticism for Dummies book that will guarantee to make you sound knowledgeable even if you don’t know anything about art. 

For example, let us use Acme’s art criticism phrases to review Donald Trump’s hair as if his hair was a painting in an art gallery. Shall we begin? The afterimage of the Donald’s hair reflects the collective struggle of follicles yearning to breathe free and the communal failure of comb-overs throughout the collective Zeitgeist. (For extra credit, throw in the word Zeitgeist as often as possible.) His hair reflects his positions on illegal immigration that are devastating in their simplicity resulting in an objective removed from reality into an oeuvre of a visual mediation on the need for a really big wall on the Mexican border.

 Consider the impermanent durational aspect of the Donald’s coif being caught in the wind. This danger necessitates the wearing of a red hat to keep his strands from unstranding. It reminds us of the imperfect evidence of man’s duality of baldness and hattedness. The visceral connection between his hair and his supporters illuminates the solid and foundational levels of simplistic political answers to complex political problems. The amount of actual hair on the Donald’s head raises the dialectic between the presence and absence of hairness. The ephemeral nature of hair, here today and gone tomorrow, is fraught with the eternal indexical reference between light and shadow, reason and imagination. As George Costanza would say, Donald’s hair is not a toupee if his supporters believe it is real. 

The other Republican candidates privately question the Paleolithic versus industrial nature of the Donald’s hair. Their criticisms are fraught with a mimetic sense of anguish as the Donald pulls away from them in the polls on his way to the presidential nomination. The mutual, albeit transient, dislike of all things Donald by his current Republican opponents will integrate and redistribute into a fusion of support for Donald once he is the nominee against the Hillary. 

The ontology of subjectivity of whether the Donald’s hair is real or not has produced a carnal bond between the Donald and his quotidian supporters across the political spectrum. They have cleaved to the Donald’s hair as a barnacle is umbilically linked to the bottom of a fishing boat. Trumpites will not be separated from the icon of the Donald’s hair that has entrapped them in a crisp iconicity which ignores any wild nonfactual statement that the Donald makes about anything. On the Democratic side, the same liberation from the need for truth from statements made by Hillary resonates and transforms her supporters. Truth like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Neither Donald’s hair nor Hillary’s email server matter a whit to their supporters. 

See how easy it is to write art reviews? Use the Acme Art Word Salad generator. Soon you will be swilling down white wine, chomping shrimp and be well on your way to becoming a famous art critic.