The Shot Heard Round City Hall

In the Oct. 22 issue of Up & Coming Weekly, Publisher Bill Bowman wrote an editorial that ricocheted throughout Fayetteville City Hall. The editorial, titled “Voorhees Vigilantes: Lemmings in Pursuit of the Golden Goose,” discussed the law suit pending between the City of Fayetteville and PWC. More specifically, it discussed the money grab for PWC funds by City Manager Ted Voorhees.

Bowman has never been shy about expressing his opinions, which often cause a great deal of debate within the community. People either love them or hate them, which usually results in spirited discussion between the local citizenry and their elected leaders. That kind of discussion makes for an involved and informed community. In this case, Manager Voorhees was not amused and acted quickly to try and silence Bowman and Up & Coming Weekly in a move that flies in face of the 1st Amendment and its establishment of a free press that is not controlled or stifled by the government.

Voorhees’ retaliation for Bowman’s editorial was swift, and came in the form of a letter from the city’s Corporate Communications Director Tracie Davis. The letter was short and to the point:

“This letter is to inform you that as of October 29, 2014, the City of Fayetteville will be suspending its participation in Up & Coming Weekly for the foreseeable future. We will also cease publication of our bi-weekly FOCUS On Fayetteville section. Please remove any ads or sponsorships dealing with the City of Fayetteville from future editions of Up & Coming Weekly, beginning with the Nov. 5 issue.”

No discussion. No warning. In the matter of a week, Up & Coming Weekly went from a valued city partner to persona non grata. And all of this was done by one man with no input or consent by the Fayetteville City Council. They, in fact, were blind sided by the move, and were unaware of it until Monday, Nov. 10, when I filed a public information request with the City of Fayetteville for all communications concerning Up & Coming Weekly. (A request that to date has not been fulfilled.)

When Voorhees was questioned about this action by Mayor Nat Robertson during the city’s working meeting that night, Voorhees stumbled over his words. Trying to explain his actions by first saying the city was reviewing all media partnerships, but eventually getting to the point, noting “Recently, it’s come to our attention again whether this is a vehicle (UCW) that is providing value. It’s clearly got an editorial bias that doesn’t seem to be supportive of the city — I don’t know if we need to be participating in that.”

Did you catch that? If the newspaper doesn’t agree with the city, then the city should not “participate” in the newspaper. Mr. Voorhees, do you realize what you said? We do. The community does. You basically said, “If we can’t control the paper, we will lock it out.”

That, Mr. Voorhees, is the definition of the government trying to control the press. I am not alone in that belief. The North Carolina Press Association believes that, as does their legal staff. All freedom-loving citizens of Fayetteville will see your play for what it is: an attempt to silence the media and violate the First Amendment.

Voorhees is now changing his talking point, questioning whether Up & Coming Weekly is a legitimate means of communicating with the community. He noted in the same meeting that while his staff hasn’t done any research on it, that they will. They just feel it isn’t a good partner.

We can save the city staff time and money. The research has already been done by legitimate media review sources like the Circulation Verification Council, which is an independent, third-party reporting audit company that audits thousands of newspapers nationwide to give an accurate picture of a publication’s reach and market penetration. Up & Coming Weekly has top numbers throughout our community for its reach. It has been done by the Convention and Visitors Bureau awhile back, when its community survey found that Up & Coming Weekly was one of the most read publications in the community and source for news — beating out the daily newspaper. The research has been done by the myriad of community partners we have maintained throughout our 20 -year history.

Mr. Voorhees, if you want to come at us, come at us with more than “feelings” and with something more than questioning our legitimacy. We are a legitimate newspaper. We have been proud members of the North Carolina Press Association for many years, with Publisher Bill Bowman sitting on its board, alongside Charles Broadwell, the publisher of The Fayetteville Observer.

We have the numbers. We have the facts, and we’ve got your number, too. If you want to come at us, don’t do it by treading on the 1st Amendment. While you might not appreciate it, you are living in a community that is built on the backs of men and women who have fought, bled and died to defend our Constitution — and the freedom of the press.

We are quickly approaching the most magical time of the year: Christmas!

While the majority of us wait until Thanksgiving to start decking the halls and trimming our trees, many are already moving full speed ahead. Fayetteville musician Laura Stevens is one of them.

Stevens, the mastermind behind The Heart of Christmas Show, prepares for Christmas all year long. It’s her mission. Stevens, along with her talented ensemble, kicks-off the Christmas season in Fayetteville. It’s not just entertainment, it’s their passion.
In its 17th year, The Heart of Christmas Show brings a Broadway-style musical to the community each Christmas replete with great costumes, big dance numbers and even bigger singing numbers. The show, which is on stage for the public just one weekend, impacts the community all year long in big and small ways that most people will never realize.

The cast of the show is comprised of 36 talented young people between the ages of 5 and 18. And while their talent brings humor and spirit to the season, their passion for the community brings something much more important. The show was born from a need in the community to give talented young people an outlet to grow their talent. The Heart of Christmas Show provides a whistles and bells, full production, professional environment for child performers to develop and gives them a memorable experience. It also give the audience memorable experiences as well. The audience is enthralled by the show’s level of professionalism, talent and entertainment value.
Stevens, the founder and director of the show, noted that the best compliment she gets from audience members is that they forget they are watching young people perform until a “5-year-old comes out, steals your heart and gets a standing ovation because he was so good.”  

That doesn’t happen without a lot of hard work. The cast starts rehearsals about three to four months out. But Stevens’ work starts immediately after the curtain closes on the last performance. It is a tremendous effort with a lot of moving pieces. She first has to assess what worked and didn’t work in the production. Then she has to look for ways to make it fresh and to up the entertainment value. For an artist like Stevens, that is the fun part. But she also has to tackle the business end of the show.

When the show was first conceived, it was meant to be a one-time experience. But its success within the community was overwhelming, causing Stevens to explore the idea of making it an annual event, which has morphed into a Fayetteville tradition that is one of the biggest annual events at the Crown and in the community. To make the show work, Stevens needs talent, but she also needs commitment from the community, which comes from ticket sales, but more importantly from the support of local businesses. Without the sponsorship of the show by local businesses, many of whom have been with Stevens since the first show, The Heart of Christmas Show would not be possible.  

“Thesponsor support has been a lifeline to continue the show and to improve the show,” she said. “We pay for all the expenses of the show with the sponsor support so that we can give all the ticket money back to the community through the charities we pick each year.”

And that’s what is truly at the heart of The Heart Of Christmas Show. The first show was designed specifically to help children in need in Cumberland County. Each year, The Heart of Christmas Show has kept its promise to give away 100 percent of the ticket sales from the weekend shows to local children’s agencies that work to help sick and abused children.

Additionally, the show is performed for school children throughout the community, with proceeds going back into the schools. Throughout its run, The Heart of Christmas Show has raised more than $170,000 for local schools. With the weekend shows and the school shows, it has raised more than $575,000 to help children in our community.

With that kind of giving power, Stevens and her cast of talented performers have lived up to their motto, “Children helping children.”

“We have and will continue to help the children of this community because we believe it is a privilege to help others,” explained Stevens. “It teaches our performers to look outward instead of inward. ”

Stevens said the philosophy she instills in her cast is simple. “Want to know the secret to happiness in life? Helping others. We were created to do that. Ephesians 2:10 says, ‘For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to do.’”

“We can make a difference. One life at a time; one community at a time,” she concluded. And the cast has shown that for 16 years, making the community better one show at a time.

The Heart of Christmas Show is on stage at the Crown Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 29 at 1 and 7 p.m. and on Sunday, Nov. 30 at 3 p.m. For tickets and more information, visit the website at www.heartofchristmasshow.com

 

“Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God.”
                    - Bob Pierce’s

The most famous quote by Bob Pierce has opened eyes of many around the world.

Samaritan’s Purse is an international relief organization driven to help those who cannot help themselves. Bob Pierce founded the organization in 1970 after visiting suffering children in Korea. In 1973, he met the man who would eventually become his successor, Franklin Graham, the son of evangelist Billy Graham. Following Pierce’s death, Graham took the reins of Samaritan’s Purse and grew it into an international charity that helps people all over the globe who are in need.

Operation Christmas Child is one of the many programs the organization undertakes each year and one that has come to mean Christmas to many all around the world. Operation Christmas Child sends thousands of shoe boxes to children in need. The boxes contain items that are big or small enough to fit in an average size shoebox.

Green Springs Baptist Church in Fayetteville has been packing boxes for many years. On Dec. 11, church members will make their annual trek to the distribution center in Charlotte, N.C., to volunteer with countless others from across the state to prepare the boxes for their final shipment overseas. Each year, the members of the church rise to the challenge to pack one box per person in each household.

“My family has packed boxes for 20 years,” said Pastor Jeff Broadwell. “We make it a family thing by going shopping and picking out different toys. We get things that require no upkeep and no batteries.

“We throw away a lot of things in America and we also take a lot of things for granted. This is an opportunity to share what we have been blessed with, but most importantly the gospel,” he continued.

National collection week is Nov. 17 to 24. Operation Christmas Child will collect boxes from more than 4,000 drop-off sites in all 50 states, including Puerto Rico. The gifts, packed carefully in the colorful red and green shoe boxes will be delivered to children in more than 100 countries, touching six continents.

“Operation Christmas Child has brought our church home closer together spiritually. This has enabled us to operate as one body and share the things we have been given from God”, said Broadwell. “The letters we receive from the families thanking us for what we have sent in the boxes has made packing all the more enjoyable”, he said.

Green Springs Baptist Church has taken the first of many steps to promote and encourage this program. The surrounding communities of Fayetteville can do their part by donating on the Operation Christmas Child website or having a packing party. Donations on the website are just as important for this program because each box costs $7 to ship.

Packing parties can be a way for families to come together and experience the gift of giving during the holidays.

To pack a shoe box there are a few simple steps:
• Decide if you are packing your box for a boy or girl from ages 2 to 14.
• Fill the box with gifts, which can include toys (nothing to do with war or guns), candy (nothing that will melt), hygiene items like toothbrushes or combs or small items of clothing like socks and gloves. Be sure to include $7 to cover the shipping.
• Say a prayer for the child who will receive your box and write them a letter if you choose.
• Drop the box off to one of the designated donation locations.
There are numerous drop-off locations in Cumberland County, to find the one closest to you, visit the Samaritan’s Purse website at www.samaritanspurse.org. You will also find gift suggestions for the box online as well.

By and large, any time I walk out of the doors of the Cape Fear Regional Theatre after seeing a play, I know how I feel about it. That was not the case with The Bluest Eye, the currently staged production.

I can say, with no problem, that the show was masterfully staged and the acting was superb. It was the content that left me — well, to be honest —disturbed. That was the intent.

The Bluest Eye explores the idea of beauty. And while, in this instance, the story is told from the perspective of an African-American girl, the theme is universal. What is beauty? Who defines it? And, how do we define it
for ourselves?

I went to the play knowing those were the questions that would be tackled but there was so much more in the subtext — and that is probably what left me the most disturbed.

I am southern by birth, but I grew up in a military family, which means we moved a lot and we were exposed to a lot of different people, different ideas and different cultures. I see myself blessed for having those opportunities that broadened my perspective. But maybe that perspective is naïve.
That is the uncomfortable truth that I took away from The Bluest Eye.

As I mentioned, the play’s core discusses the idea of beauty in America. But its subtext also deals with the simmering anger that lies just beneath the surface in all relations — not just racial relations. The fact that that aspect was told through the eyes and the voice of a child makes it so much more impactful. When the idea of hating Shirley Temple for her curls and whiteness was expressed, it quite literally took my breath away. When one of the daughters talked about mutilating her blonde baby doll, it was a revelation. It reminded me all too clearly that until you live in someone else’s skin, you can’t truly see life from their perspective.

CFRT Artistic Director Tom Quaintance noted during his pre-performance welcome that the great thing about this production was the community conversations it is generating. I think an even greater impact is the personal reflection it will generate.

I could spend a lot of space and type telling you how great the actors were — and they were. I could tell you about the brilliant staging or lighting, but that isn’t what matters. The Bluest Eye may well be one of the most important plays staged this year because of its content— not it’s window dressing.

I’m still processing my feelings about the play. I’m still working my way through it. But there is one thing I know without a doubt. This is a play that can’t be missed.

Whether people realize it or not, the founding fathers of this great nation (and yes, with all of its faults and failures, it is still a great nation) were inspired by a spark of genius in setting up this great republic. Founded by the principles of democracy (see how I put the root words for Republican and Democrat in this sentence?), they realized that for this great experiment in freedom to work, certain things had to be protected and certain things had to have checks and balances. For the most part, I think they got it right.

Following last Tuesday’s election, a lot of people were talking. Some were happy, some were sad, a lot of people were mad. (And some, like the commentators on MSNBC, were just stupid.) Some friends of mine on social media were lamenting the fact that even though the power in Congress had shifted, the president was probably going to force his policies down the throats of the country by using executive power. I pointed out to them that with the shift in Congress, the legislative branch has the power to override any veto the president may sign and to counteract any executive legislation that the people (ie, registered voters) are opposed to. They didn’t get it.

But our founding fathers did. They realized that power in its rawest form really needs to have some form of checks and balances (Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely). They knew that no matter who is in power, it could become too seductive or too easy to do what that individual wants rather than what the people want. So they built in those checks and balances and then they clarified their intent through the Bill of Rights. Over the years, the ensuing amendments protected more rights that are sacrosanct.

That is the genius that I celebrate, that I defend, that I, as a journalist, will fight for.

My sophomore year in college, seeing a wrong that infringed on freedom of speech is what prompted me to join the newspaper staff at my school. It was what prompted me to pursue a career in journalism. When someone — anyone — infringes on those rights that we as Americans hold so dear, it gets my blood boiling and my computer hot.

Over the next few weeks, you are going to hear me, and a lot of other people, talking about freedom of the press. Besides freedom of religion, that is one of our most sacred of rights, in my opinion. So, just to make sure we are all on the same page, here is what the first amendment says:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

If Congress cannot make a law “abridging the freedom of the press,” then surely a local government or a paid administrator in local government can’t either. The 4th Estate, which is the ultimate check and balance, has been sorely abused over the past couple of years through partisan politics; however, the defense of a free press makes for strange bed fellows, wherein the enemy of my enemy becomes my friend.

At Up & Coming Weekly, we have fought the giants in city politics in defense of the first amendment since our inception; we haven’t lost a fight yet. Those who would seek to abuse the rights we, as Americans hold dear, need to remember that.

We North Carolinians have had our share of political bad boys.

Think former House Speaker Jim Black who went to federal prison for taking special interest campaign cash in a restaurant men’s room. Think former state Representative Michael Decker who sold his vote for Speaker for $50,000. Think former Senator John Edwards whose notorious behavior will not be recounted on the pages of a family-friendly community newspaper. Think former state Agriculture Commissioner Meg Scott Phipps — OK, she is a girl but you see where this is heading — who took campaign cash from would-be State Fair concessioners. And, just last week disgraced former Charlotte Mayor Patrick Cannon, a convicted felon, voted in the General Election.

But our political bad boys pale in comparison to bad boys from other states whose behavior has dropped jaws across the country and beyond. Here are a few of the most recent bad boys seeking political redemption, most of whom actually got it.

Remember former South Carolina Congressman and Governor Mark Sanford? He is the fellow who told his wife and his staff that he was hiking the Appalachian Trail and would be out of touch for a few days. He then hopped aboard a commercial airliner with his American passport and jetted off to visit his Argentinian mistress. He clearly thought he was invisible despite having spent millions to make his name and face known to South Carolina’s voters. And where is Sanford now? He was elected to his onetime Congressional seat in a special election last year and was re-elected last week, running unopposed.

CNN reported on two Congressional bad boys who also cruised to re-election despite widely publicized and unbelievable conduct. Tennessee Congressman Scott Desjarlais, a physician who is publicly pro-life, found himself in the embarrassing position of having a pregnant wife and a pregnant girlfriend at the same time. To make matters worse, the girlfriend was his patient, one of multiple patients with whom he has slept. Piling on his bad boy tendencies, pro-life Desjarlais demanded that both women terminate their pregnancies.

Stunningly, the doc was re-elected by nearly 60 percent of the voters.

Then there is New York Congressman Michael Grimm who could benefit from an anger management class. Grimm, a former Marine turned FBI agent, was overheard on a live microphone threatening to toss a reporter over a balcony in the rotunda of the United State Capitol. Said Grimm to the unfortunate journalist, “I will break you in half, like a boy.” He is also facing a 20-count federal indictment on charges of tax fraud related to his management of a Manhattan health food restaurant.

Grimm was re-elected last week by more than 55 percent of his voters.

One notable exception to bad boy redemption is former Louisiana Congressman Vance McAllister who was caught on a security camera — how should I describe this? — “smooching” with his Congressional scheduler. Incredibly, his recent campaign featured a TV spot with his wife at his side, saying something about being blessed to have a husband to owns up to his mistakes. I wonder whether she has some new jewelry.
McAllister’s constituents were not buying that one, however. He came in fourth in his race.

How do we explain the reality that despite behavior that is obviously disgusting and in some instances criminal, we continue to elect these bad boys?

Do we think these people are merely characters on a reality show instead of elected officials making decisions affecting all of us? Do we think they are good looking? Do we have thirty-second memories? Are we demented?

My take is that we have become so polarized by party in our nation that we will overlook even the most egregious behavior, character flaws, immorality and simple boorishness to vote for someone of our particular political persuasion. Television talking heads are using sports metaphors to describe this unfortunate phenomenon, saying we will vote for anyone who wears our uniform. And, this is not just a Congressional practice.

Cumberland County residents on both sides of the aisle are grumbling about this very thing in last week’s local elections as well.
“Yellow dog Democrat” is a term dating from the 19th century referring to a person who would vote for a yellow dog before he voted for a Republican, but it seems a bit out of date today. Apparently we are now voting for red and blue dogs when what we really need are purple ones.

Such strident and rigid partisanship says a lot more about us voters than it does about bad boy candidates. It says something unflattering, damaging both to our elective process and to good government.
  

North Carolina is steeped in tradition from blue grass music to BBQ and craft beer. That being the case, visitors can sample a great many of the state’s finer traditions at When Pigs Fly on Nov. 15 at Festival Park.

Anyone with a bone to pick in the battle between tomato-based and vinegar-based sauces won’t want to miss this event because the festival showcases the very best when it comes to the finer points of North Carolina BBQ.

Cindy Kowal, event organizer and director of Communities in Schools is excited about a distinction to the festival earned this year. When Pigs Fly is now sanctioned by the North Carolina BBQ Association. That is significant for several reasons. One of the primary reasons is that it guarantees attendees can sample fare that is prepared in accordance with age-old North Carolina traditions.

Traditional N.C. BBQ is slow cooked with only wood or charcoal fueling the fire versus cooking with gas, which lets the meat cook slower and absorb the flavor of the wood or gives it the smoky taste derived from cooking over charcoal. While the rules for cooking are strict, there is plenty of room for discussion in the tomato versus vinegar sauce debate, which festival-goers can weigh in on while sampling plenty of both.

“We are really excited to be a sanctioned event. That adds a lot of credibility to the competition and will draw more big competitors, which can only be good for the people who come out on that day,” said Kowal. “Last year some of our competitors mentioned that it would be nice if we were a sanctioned competition. We decided to look into it. A lot of them were affiliated with Kansas City BBQ. But North Carolina BBQ is not like Memphis BBQ or Kansas City BBQ or Texas BBQ and we wanted to stick to standards that make sense for who we are and embrace our traditions. So we decided to go with a relatively young sanctioning organization: The North Carolina BBQ Association.”

Competitors from all across the state have signed up to compete for cash, prizes and bragging rights. The categories are whole hog, pork shoulder or chicken. Contestants can compete in one category or all three.

“Last year we had teams from all over the state,” said Kowal. “We are giving $7,500 in cash prizes to the BBQ teams overall winners — the grand champ is the team that receives the highest score. They will win $3,500, Reserve champ is $2,500 and the first through third place in each category receive prizes, too. In addition there is a really big trophy and a cutting board.”

Wash down all that BBQ with one of the dozen craft beers that are on tap. From IPAs to porters, there is something for everyone.

“I’m really excited about this new craft beer Great Lakes. I doubt many folks have seen this one yet and I am also excited about having our new local brewery — Dirtbag — on hand. For non-BBQ lovers, R Burger will offer a BBQ alternative,” said Kowal.

In addition to great food and drink, four bands are set to play throughout the day. Big Daddy Love is from Charleston, South Carolina.

“Our State Magazine put together a scenic mountain play list and Big Daddy Love is on that list,” said Kowal.

Supatight Funk started in Durham and moved to the Asheville area.

“They can do anything — funk, groove, country, rock. They have a lot of great original music, too,,” said Kowal.

Doc Aquatic started in Fayetteville before moving on to Asheville. “When we mentioned the bands to the under 35 crowd, the response was great. It is going to be a lot of fun,” Kowal added. “The final band is the Oak Grove String Band, a traditional blue grass band. We had some incredible blue grass bands last year and people asked for more variety. You will see that this year.”

If you are worried about calories, burn a few at the 5K that is run in conjunction with When Pigs Fly. The course is somewhat challenging and is sure to build an appetite. It hits Haymount Hill pretty early in the race and then the hills in Haymount keep things interesting. It’s definitely not a flat course.

“This year we have great prizes for the overall male and female winner; each will win a Dell tablet, donated by Dell Military. Because our pig noses were so popular last year — we’re also giving a prize for the best 5K costume. So, although it’s a challenge, it’ll be a fun race, too. And, the smell of BBQ is a pretty good motivator,” said Kowal.

VIP tickets are available and include a private concert on Friday night. The gates open at 7:30 p.m. Teams will be in Festival Park throughout the night grilling goodness, with Saturday’s events beginning at 11 a.m. and going to 6 p.m.

Proceeds support Communities in Schools, which advocates for students in Cumberland County Schools. Communities in Schools leverages resources, which allows teachers to teach and kids to learn.

“We touched more than 20,000 kids last year,” said Kowal. “And there are still many that need our help.”

Find out more about When Pigs Fly at www.cisofcumberland.org/when-pigs-fly.

Photo: Communities in Schools is bringing some great North Carolina traditions to Festival Park: BBQ, craft beers and Blue Grass. Join the fun on Nov. 15 and help bring much needed resources to Cumberland County Schools and students.

Diabetes, often referred to as “sugar” in the South, is a serious condition that affects nearly 26million children and adults in the United States. In Cumberland County, one agency that takes diabetes seriously is Better Health of Cumberland County. In an effort to raise awareness of the potentially deadly disease, Better Health is sponsoring the 2nd Annual Red Apple Run for Diabetes on Nov. 22.

The run, which begins at the Medical Arts Building, commemorates American Diabetes Month, which takes place throughout the month of November. The 10K run starts at 8:15 a.m.; the 5K run/walk starts at 8:30 a.m.; and the 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk starts at 9:15 a.m.

“We want to welcome people and remind them that they can walk and do not have to run,” said Judge Laura Devan, board president of Better Health and co-chair of the run. “We hope to have a big turnout to bring attention to our mission at Better Health.”

The event includes a 5K run/walk, a 1-mile fun run/walk, and a 10K run for elite runners. The categories for the prizes are first place with a stroller, first place running with a dog, an award for the largest team that participates together, super hero for fitness and more. Trophies for the top three male and female finishers are awarded for the 5K and 10K. Medals are given to the top three finishers in each age group for the 5K and 10K. Teams are encouraged to walk or run in honor or memory of a loved one with diabetes.

“This is a family fun event and many runners love to run with their children, strollers and dogs,” said Devan.

Better Health of Cumberland County is a nonprofit, charitable organization that relies upon local foundations, community members and business donors for funding. The organization provides diabetes awareness, education and self-management programs, childhood obesity prevention and education, loans of medical equipment and financial assistance for emergency medical needs.

There will be a fitness fair with health conscious vendors such as Breathing Space Yoga, fitness instructors and more at the starting line for runners to peruse as they are waiting for the race to begin.

“Our certified race routes are new this year. This is the second year for the 5K and the first year for the 10K,” said Judy Klinck, executive director of Better Health. “We welcome sponsors and in order for their names to appear on the T-shirts and various literature we will need the donation by Nov. 7.”

Fees for the 5K and 10K are $15 for ages 10 and under and $25 for ages 11 and over if you are registered by Nov. 12. After November 12 the fee is $30 for all ages. The fun run registration fee is $10. Registration is available online at www.Active.com and www.FSSeries.com or you can download the form at www.BetterHealthcc.org.

Individuals registered by Nov. 12 are guaranteed a T-shirt. The Medical Arts Building is located at 101 Robeson Street.

For more information about the race or Better Health programs, call 483-7534.

Photo;  The Red Apple Run on Saturday, Nov. 22, sponsored by Better Health, commemorates Diabetes Month and invites the community to get active in the fight against the disease.

This November the Givens Performing Arts Center brings the ninth longest running show in Broadway history to the community. It was also the most successful movie musical of all time and the international tour has visited more than 35 countries. For one night only, Mamma Mia!, the musical phenomenon that has been sweeping the world, is on stage.

The music for this performance features the songs of ABBA. The infectious and lively nature of the songs are clearly reflected by the exciting musical performance. It is impossible to sit in the audience and not sing along.

“The music is what captivates audiences along with the story,” said Chad Locklear, GPAC’s director of marketing. “Fans of ABBA are going to enjoy it for sure because it features all of their greatest hits. Even those who aren’t ABBA fans will still recognize some of the songs.”

Inspired by the ABBA songs, the story of Mamma Mia!is that of a single day of chaos, love and hope on a lovely Greek island. Sophia, raised by her single and independent mother, is about to get married and all she wants is for her absent father to walk her down the aisle. She invites three men from her mother’s past in an effort to discover the truth about her father and in the process discovers much about love and herself. Sophia’s mother, surprised by the arrival of these men, struggles with understanding but also finds new love. Though Sophia and her mother face some large challenges in their adventure, the overall tone is cheery and energetic making for a consistently high-energy performance.

“It makes for a really fun and entertaining evening at the theatre. Lots of singing, dancing and a fun story. There’s a reason why it’s been on Broadway now for more than 10 years. It’s a great show that people love. It’s a feel good musical, “ said Locklear.

Though Mamma Mia! is only showing for one night, the GPAC season is full of many different incredible shows. There is a show for everyone in this star-studded and varied season. GPAC is where the community can come to enjoy Broadway-quality shows without the price tag that typically accompanies them.

“GPAC brings a variety of quality cultural arts events to the community at a very affordable price. The center recently received national attention as one of the 25 best university performing arts centers in the country,” Locklear said.

Another great addition to GPAC is its Act 1 Diner Club. Prior to every performance, the club is open for dinner in the Chancellor’s Dining Room. Dinner includes a wine and cheese reception at 6 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person and reservations are required. For Mamma Mia! the menu includes a chopped fall vegetable salad, beef tenderloin Bolognese, wild rice, fresh cut green beans and tiramisu.

Tickets range from $21 to $46 and are available online at www.uncp.edu/gpactickets or by calling 910-521-6361. Act 1 Diner tickets can also be purchased online. Mamma Mia! is on stage Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. GPAC is located at 1 University Dr. in Pembroke. For more information visit www.uncp.edu/student-life/involvement-opportunities/givens-performing-arts-center.

Photo: Mamma Mia! is on stage at the GPAC for one night only, Nov. 13.

Methodist University’s Center for Entrepreneurship is hosting the 41st Annual Economic Outlook and Stock Market Symposium on Thursday, Nov. 13 at 6:30 p.m., at the Embassy Suites in Fayetteville.

“This is a continuation of a program that has been in existence for many years where we give out four prestigious awards,” said Marty Cayton, director for the Center for Entrepreneurship at Methodist University. “Dr. Robert Genetski is speaking that evening about our local economy, national economy and the stock market.”

Cayton added that the purpose of the event is to educate the community with well-informed speakers on the subject of our economy and to raise awareness of the Center for Entrepreneurship’s programs.

Genetski, the keynote speaker, is an economist who is a longtime advocate of classical economic principles. His experience in the world of economics involves a unique combination of business and academic expertise. He has headed asset management, investment and economic research departments for several financial institutions. He taught economics at NYU and the University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business. His latest book, Classical Economic Principles & the Wealth of Nations, is used in colleges and high schools across the country.

For four consecutive years he has been recognized as one of the top-five speakers in the fields of economics and finance and has made numerous appearances on Fox News and CNN. After receiving his Ph.D. in economics from New York University, Genetski worked in the financial industry and subsequently founded his own economic and financial consulting service. He has served on the board of directors for a number of public companies and provides insights on his website: classicalprinciples.com.

The four awards that will be presented include the 2014 Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Business Person of the Year Award, Greater Good Award and Alumni Business Person of the Year.

The mission of the Center for Entrepreneurship is to create wealth producers and job creators by training students of all ages to start new businesses and be prepared for business ownership. The center encourages students to take advantage of Methodist University’s newly created major in entrepreneurship that is also offered as a minor. Each year the Economic Outlook and Stock Market Symposium is held in the fall and the Entrepreneurial Leadership Summit is held in the spring.

All of the net proceeds from the event help raise money for the Center for Entrepreneurship’s endowed scholarships for all of the student majors in entrepreneurship. The scholarship, only one-year-old, was first endowed by the late Robert Dunn, a Charlotte, N.C., businessman.

The scholarship honors the Methodist Center for Entrepreneurship founder Dr. Sid Gautam whose business acumen and more than 40 years of engaged service enabled local entrepreneurs and small businesses to flourish. Two entrepreneurial students were awarded the scholarship this school year.

“We look forward to a good turnout that evening and we have a good number of sponsors,” said Cayton.

Tickets for the dinner are $75 per person or $700 for a 10-seat table and can be purchased at www.methodist.edu/cfe. For more information about the event, call 630-7616.

Photo: Dr. Robert Genetski is the keynote speaker at the 41st Annual Economic Outlook and Stock Maket Symposium.

To follow up the recent Scotty McCreery show, Community Concerts will bring another nationally known show to the area with the Broadway Touring show, Sister Act. On stage at the Crown Theatre on Nov. 14, the performance of Sister Act is based on the 1992 film of the same name starring Whoopi Goldberg as a lounge singer sent to a convent as part of the witness protection program. The original stage show of Sister Actdebuted on Broadway in 2011 after a successful run on London’s West End.

Making her national tour debut, actress Kerissa Arrington was quick to express her love for the overall story of Sister Act.

“The musical is very similar to the movie and it tells such an amazing story…the crowds always enjoy it so much. In the end, it is a story about God and what He can do to change someone’s life around,” she explained.

Arrington performs in the central role of Delores Van Cartier that was made famous on the big screen by Goldberg. Arrington describes the central character Delores as a “wannabe diva, aspiring singer... who influences all the nuns to find their voice and in doing so finds her own.” Arrington said her time in the role has been, “One of the biggest learning experiences of my life; it is one of the biggest roles that I have ever played… It has been the most amazing experience.”

Arrington was very passionate in her plea to get the community to come and see this show.

“You are going to be able to get everything in one: acting, singing and dancing. It is all live and live theatre is the best experience of talent that you can get. Sister Act is a fun-loving, family oriented, all ages show. You can’t go wrong with Sister Act.”

Also a part of the touring cast of Sister Act is actor Patrick Clanton. Like Arrington, Clanton is also making his national tour debut with the show. Prior to joining the tour, Clanton, a native of Garner, N.C., graduated from Elon University. He expressed a nervous excitement at the prospect of performing in front of a hometown audience.

“I am excited to come back home and for all of my friends and family to see the show… To know that there are people out there who are rooting for you, to cheer you on and support you is a wonderful feeling that you don’t get too often,” he said. “To be honest, I might shed a tear or two with that added emotion.”

According to Clanton, the show will be very similar to the one that garnered great reviews in New York,

“The tour is very faithful to what was on Broadway; you are getting the Broadway experience in Fayetteville… Every audience has reacted with such joy,” he said. “I have never been in a show where the audience just leapt to their feet as soon as the show was done and I have never heard an audience cheer and laugh as much and as often as they do in this show.”

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are still available at Ticketmaster.com and the Crown Complex Box office. For more information, please go to www.community-concerts.com.

Photo: top left, Sister Act on stage at the Crown Theatre Nov. 14; middle right, Clanton; bottom left, Arrington.

Fayetteville Woman Inducted to Blood Donor Hall of

Fame

Nancy Umstead was inducted into a national blood donor hall of fame for her unfailing blood donations over the years.

The induction ceremony was held Monday, Nov. 3 on the front lawn of Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. For more than a decade, The Fenwall Donation Hall of Fame has recognized individuals nationwide who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to blood donation.

Umstead is one of 12 donors across the country selected for the 2014 Donation Hall of Fame. She has been donating blood at Cape Fear Valley’s Blood Donor Center since 2009.

“It’s my way of paying it forward,” Umstead said of her blood donations.

April Maroschak is the Director of Blood Services at Cape Fear Valley Health. She says Umstead is one of the center’s most dedicated donors.

“She’s a hero in our community,” Maroschak said, “She has selfishly given the gift of life to patients in need by donating whole blood and platelets. This is a fitting tribute to one of our most dedicated donors.”

Blood centers across the country submit nominations for the Donation Hall of Fame every year. Winners are chosen based on their demonstrated commitment and passion to donating blood and/or encouraging blood donation.

Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center is the community’s blood center resource, providing vital blood donations to every patient at Cape Fear Valley Health who needs it.

Fenwall is a global blood technology company, dedicated to supporting transfusion medicine and cell therapies. It’s owned by Fresenius Kabi, a global healthcare company that specializes in lifesaving medicine and technology used for infusion, transfusion and clinical nutrition.

FTCC Presents 1 Million Cups: Weekly Gatherings Cultivating Entrepreneurship

Fayetteville Technical Community College is pleased to announce the launch of the 1 Million Cups weekly gatherings to cultivate entrepreneurship. 1 Million Cups is an educational program that engages entrepreneurs in the community by weekly inviting one or two founders to present his/her startup to a diverse audience of mentors, advisors and entrepreneurs. Through their presentations, founders gain insight into possible ways they can improve their business, gather real-time feedback, and connect with a community who truly cares about their progress.

1 Million Cups began in 2012 by the Ewing Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City as a way to provide an educational experience to presenting entrepreneurs and for the audience engaging in the program. While the Kauffman Foundation provides support for 1 Million Cups, a team of local entrepreneurs volunteer to run the program at FTCC.

The kickoff event was Wednesday, Nov. 5, on the Fayetteville Campus. These gatherings are planned to occur weekly each Wednesday to provide founders and entrepreneurs networking opportunities and to learn more about new business startups in our area.

The inaugural presenters were Matrix Knowledgement, LLC and Next Generation Biomedical, LLC. For current weekly presenters and additional information, please visit http://fayetteville.sites.1millioncups.com.

Fayetteville Technical Community College was established in 1961 and serves more than 42,000 students annually by providing more than 190 occupational, technical, general education, college transfer and continuing education programs to meet student needs and desires as well as those of the community.

Visit FTCC’s website at www.faytechcc.edu for more information and follow the instituion on Twitter @faytechcc.

Bruised, Bloodied and Battered Citizens Emerge From

the Horror of the 2014 Mid-Term Elections

Thank God, the election is over. Now, maybe, just maybe, the human race can try to return to some semblance of civility. Ugly, mean and with malice this no-holds barred assault on civility disguised as an election has bombarded, infuriated, depressed and turned off all Americans who dared turn to the media for news and information.

After months and months, this horrific behavior has solidified itself as the norm when participating in America’s free democracy. Did I say “free”? How free can it really be if running for any public office costs hundreds of thousands of dollars as well as your reputation and dignity?

My concern here is the effect this negative campaigning is having on our young people. Politics is not just an adult sport. Our children see the ads on television. They see the mailers sitting on kitchen tables before they are thrown into the garbage where they rightfully belong. What message are we sending them? At a time when we are trying to teach them about honesty, pride, charity and good character, we demonstrate and condone the opposite behavior.

When did we become such an intolerant “search-and-destroy” society? Unfortunately, more and more, this kind of behavior is permeating and consuming our Fayetteville and Cumberland County community. It has to stop!

When did exercising our constitutionally protected rights to free speech and opinion become the catalyst for assault and character assassination? Words have power. The way we wield them says a lot about who we are. The malicious attacks seen in this year’s election not based on ideology or issues, but rather about a candidate’s character, their families and their businesses have gone far beyond the pale. There are no innocent parties in this year’s election debacle. There are no good guys.

As long as we allow this negativity and character assassination to prevail in our community, all of the mentoring programs, community organizations and anti-bullying programs will be for naught. Life lessons are most effectively learned by example, and the example set during this year’s campaign taught our children that it’s okay to lie, to bully and to harass those who don’t agree with you.

I will leave you with this thought: In North Carolina, the slander campaigns on behalf of Kay Hagen and Thom Tillis exceeded $100,000,000. Can you imagine what kind of impact that kind of money would have if spent on developing North Carolina’s young people?

Ask yourself these questions: Do we have the best government money can buy? And, who are the only people who can change it?

Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

Photos: Over the past decade, the tone of campaigning has taken a nasty turn. That was seen clearly in the Senate campaigns of Kay Hagan and Thom Tillis, which  cost more than $100,000,000. As Americans, we have to ask ourselves: Are these the people we really want making decisions for us?

It’s time to break out the holiday shopping lists — the 48th Annual Holly Day Fair is right around the corner. Nov. 6-9 shoppers are invited to check out the many unique and varied treasures at Eastern North Carolina’s largest holiday gift and craft show. With more than 200 vendors offering a wide range of items, shoppers are sure to find something fun and different for everyone on their Christmas list.

The Holly Day Fair offers holiday decorations, handmade crafts, stylish jewelry and clothes, children’s toys, specialty food items and much more.

For the better part of 50 years, the Junior League of Fayetteville has helped the area usher in the holiday season with this fun-filled event. On average, the Holly Day Fair draws about 21,000 shoppers over the course of the weekend. This year, the Junior League hopes to make it bigger and better than ever.

“The Holly Day Fair is an exciting event that kicks-off the holiday season! It’s great to see returning shoppers and vendors year after year and meeting newcomers as well,” said Sarah Marie Stewart, 2014 Holly Day Fair Chair. “This year we have expanded our publicity efforts by reaching markets, not only to those counties and cities that surround Fayetteville, but also to several neighboring states. We hope you join us at our 48th Annual Holly Day Fairentitled, ‘A Classic Christmas!’”

Since its inception the Holly Day Fair has served to bring holiday cheer to the community while fostering a culture of volunteerism and community service. Junior League of Fayetteville’s President, Shannon Geoly, says of the event, “The Junior League of Fayetteville is fortunate to host an amazing fundraising event. Last year was monetarily our most successful year, raising in excess of $300,000. This year, our 48th Holly Day Fair, we hope to surpass that amount. These funds make it possible for the Junior League of Fayetteville to continue to promote volunteerism, develop the potential of women and support programs and projects in our community that offer children services and opportunities that support their overall well-being. We live in a great community of amazing people who generously support one another, and we are pleased and proud to be a part of it.”

The Holly Day Fair offers great shopping in a festive environment and the proceeds are all used locally to benefit the community. The event is the Junior League’s biggest fundraiser. The Junior League makes a big impact by choosing to focus on child mental health. Specifically, it partners with Cumberland County Boys & Girls Club and Operation Inasmuch’s Transitional Home Restoration.

Through the Smart Girl Program, girls 8–17-years-old receive guidance that helps them strive for healthy attitudes and lifestyles. The program offers encouragement, development and training to help the girls prepare for the responsibilities of adulthood and to encourage them to reach their full potential.

The Operation Inasmuch Transitional Home Program offers meals to the homeless Monday through Friday. The organization has several programs that include skills training and home repair and housing assistance.

Super shopper hours are Nov. 6 from 9 a.m. to noon. These special event tickets can be purchased for $14 and are limited. Strollers and any type of rolling carts are strictly prohibited during Super Shopper hours. General admission tickets for the event are $9. All tickets include free parking. Children 5 and under are free.

Hours for the event are: Thursday, Super Shopper hours from 9 a.m. to noon; general admission hours from noon to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets for the 2014 Holly Day Fair are on sale now through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the following ticket outlets: The Junior League of Fayetteville office, Bumbledoo, Mellow Mango located on Raeford Road, Ramsey Street and Hope Mills, The Pilgrim Gifts, Vibra’s in Dunn, Biggs Park Mall in Lumberton and Southern Pines Diagnostic Imaging.

The Crown Expo Center is located at 131 East Mountain Drive, off Hwy, 301 in Fayetteville. For more information, please visit www.hollydayfair.com or the Junior League of Fayetteville’s website at www.jlfay.org.

Photos: Shoppers enjoy the holiday spirit while shopping at the Holly Day Fair right.)

The Junior League Holly Day Fair Committee (bottom left) 

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”    –Benjamin Franklin

While staying healthy is not always easy, it is always the right thing to do. On Nov. 5 and 6, Fayetteville Technical Community College will host Harvest Your Health, a health fair dedicated to preventive health care. It is not just for FTCC students. The entire community is invited to attend.

Susan Ellis, FTCC dean of health programs is one of the event organizers and she is excited about bringing the community together for such a good cause. “This is the third time we have done this, at least in recent years,” she said. In fact, the turnout is nothing to sneeze at. “We had several hundred people come through last year.”

A new feature this year is the drunk driving simulator that is sponsored by the FTCC Student Government Association. “It is a great tool. People can sit in the simulator and see what it is like to drive while impaired. It is to prevent unsafe driving practices and tell people about their choices,” said Ellis.

Some of the free health services available are: blood pressure screening, blood sugar screening, cholesterol screening and counseling, dental health education, family planning, fitness assessments, flu shots, healthy eating (free samples), HIV testing, know your number counseling, mental health screening, resources for the uninsured, smoking cessation and substance abuse.

Participants will receive a card when they come in to the health fair and as they visit each booth they can record their information. Many of the booths have giveaways as well as useful information for the public. One of the biggest benefits said Ellis, is that there are resources for people who get screened and find that they may need follow-up care. “People are always surprised and appreciative of the affordable resource here. I suspect one of the most surprising things people find is that there are affordable and often free resources to help them with health-related issues. Finding out you have high blood pressure or blood sugar can be surprising because there aren’t really any symptoms. A lot of people think ‘If I don’t check it, it is not happening.’ This is an opportunity for people to find out what their numbers are and do something about them.”

Some of the organizations that are participating are FTCC, Southern Regional Area Health Education Center, Better Health, Walgreen’s, Cumberland County Health Department, Cumberland Health Net and Alliance Behavior Health.

This is also a great experience for FTCC students not just as visitors, but as resources, too. There are many students from the different health-related programs doing their part to help with screenings and passing out information.

Look for representatives from the respiratory therapy, smoking cessation, dental health and nursing programs.

“This gives students an opportunity to learn about the value of community involvement,” said Ellis. “It also gives them a chance to work on things like communication skills.”

Harvest Your Health runs Nov. 5, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Nov. 6, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Horace Sisk Gymnasium on the FTCC campus. For more information, call 678-8372 or email elliss@faytechcc.edu.

Photo: Preventive healthcare can help save money and lives. Don’t miss the free screenings at FTCC on Nov. 5-6.

Veterans Day traces its origins back to the ending of World War 1, “The War to end all Wars.” The actual hostilities of World War I ended on Nov. 11, 1918, the day was then declared Armistice Day by President Wilson. Since then, every Nov. 11 has been set aside to honor the great feats of courage and heroism of the men and women who serve this nation.

An annual tradition in Fayetteville that shows gratitude towards these veterans is the Veterans Day Parade. This year it is specifically focused on honoring the veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan.

“Over the past few years we have honored veterans from the Vietnam War, the Iraq War, the Korean War and this year is the Afghanistan War. We have a theme each year,” said George Breece parade co-chair.

This year the parade is bigger than ever with more than 2,000 participants marching through Historic Downtown Fayetteville the morning of Nov. 8. For first time attendees, Breece explains, “They should expect an opportunity to be a part of honoring our Afghanistan War veterans past present and future. We are going to have 90 units in the parade. Some are military. We will have people from the XVIII Airborne Corps, the 82nd Airborne Division, the United States Army Special Operation Command, some Air Force personnel from Pope Army Airfield and from the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command. These units will have military equipment with them, as well.

“We also have some military bands in the parade, and five high school bands. All ROTC units from Cumberland County are going to march together. There are representatives from the American Legion, The Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans. It is also wonderful that the parade is broadcast live on WRAL and again on UNC T.V.,” he concluded.

This year the theme of honoring the veterans of the Afghanistan war extends to the official Grand Marshalls of the parade. “Our Grand Marshalls this year are Gen. (Ret) Dan K. McNeill and Command Sgt. Maj. (Ret) Steven R. England. They were both among the first to go into Afghanistan. Our Honorary Parade Chairs for the parade are Lt. Gen. Joe Anderson and Command Sgt. Maj. Isaia Vimoto. They are both currently serving in Afghanistan,” Breece said.

Though there are many challenges in organizing more than 2,000 participants into a cohesive event, the dedication of those involved in the Veterans Day Parade guarantees an amazing event every year.

“This is a labor of love and the challenges are just things that you work through,” Breece said. “Seeing the veterans that have served in all these conflicts take part in this and seeing their excitement … being able to honor those who serve in all branches is very rewarding. There are lots of moving parts to this. It’s something that you have to stay on top of, but when it all comes together, it is worth every second, every hour, every day that you put into it. “

The Veterans Day Parade is on Saturday, Nov. 8, beginning at 10 a.m. along Hay Street. It is free for the public. For more information, visit www.ccveteranscouncil.org or call 910-920-0045.

Photo: The Veteran’s Day Parade is set for Nov. 8 at 10 a.m.

Road races are compatible with the mission of soldiers. If you visit Fort Bragg, you will always find people running — a lot of them. It is not surprising that the Fort Bragg Family and Morale Welfare & Recreation, home of the airborne and special operations, is hosting the 18th Annual Fort Bragg 10-Miler. The event is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 7, at 6:30 a.m. on Longstreet Road, which is adjacent to Hedrick Stadium. The event is open to the general public.

“Historically we conduct the race on a weekday in order to honor soldiers and oftentimes if the soldier participates in the event their command will give them the rest of the day off,” said Steve Johnson, intramural sports director. “We normally get about 2,000 people to take part in the event.”

Johnson added that the goal is to honor soldiers and to provide a challenging event for them.

This event was first initiated in 1996 by the command group as a way to identify the top runners on the installation so they could send teams to the Army 10-Miler in Washington, DC. Since then it has gained a strong following and is a much anticipated event locally in its own right. Most of the race course is relatively level but there is a significant climb just beyond the 1-mile mark and at the 9.6 mile mark for about .3 of a mile.

After the race, awards are presented to the men’s overall champion, women’s overall champion and the top three finishers in each classification. Team competitions are conducted exclusively for active-duty personnel in men’s, women’s and mixed divisions. Pets, bicycles, headphones and rollerblades are not permitted on the course. Participants should report to Hedrick Stadium by 6 a.m. on race day. The 9th Annual Fort Bragg 4-mile Walk for Fun is conducted in conjunction with the Fort Bragg 10-Miler. This is a non-competitive event.

“Fitness and soldiering are interrelated so we do try to do events which challenge their fitness,” said Johnson. “This has been a popular event and we are looking forward to a huge turnout for the race.”

Registration is open now. Entries will be accepted until Nov. 6, for the first 2,500 runners. The entry fee for the week of Nov. 3-6 is $35. Cost for online entry is $25 plus a service charge and the deadline is Oct. 31. Race packets are available for pickup from Nov. 3-5 by 6 p.m. Non-military/government ID card holders must apply for a visitor’s pass to participate. Volunteers are needed to assist with water points and the finish area administration. For more information call 396-1218.

Photo:  The Fort Bragg 10-Miler is a great way to prepare for the Fort Bragg Marathon scheduled later this spring.

Tom Quaintance, the artistic director at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre, has made his mark on the community in a very short time by telling stories that matter on the theatre’s stage. With the 2014-2015 season, Quaintance is taking it a step further. He not only wants to bring those important stories to the stage, he wants to take them out in the community in order to start conversations that will not only engage the community, but maybe even change it.

With the opening of The Bluest Eye, a play based on a novel by Toni Morrison and adapted for the stage by Lydia R. Diamond, the conversations have started before the curtain has even come up.

“I saw a production of The Bluest Eye seven years ago and was moved by it. It’s simply a stunning piece of work,” said Quaintance. “When I first saw the play, I didn’t know how often the book had been banned. It is a very serious work. It is a very deep book.”

For Quaintance, it is a story that must be told. The Bluest Eye deals with the question of beauty in the African-American community. It tackles the issue of how African-American girls and women see themselves in the face of the media’s standard of beauty, which is typically centered on white women, and the issues of beauty within the African-American community, which is often based on lightness and darkness of skin.

All of these issues are told through the life of the main character, Pecola, played by Kenya Alexander, who is raised not only in a verbally abusive family, but also a sexually abusive family. Pecola is made to believe that she is ugly because of her color, which leaves her dreaming of having her ideal of beauty, which is blue eyes.

Quaintance said it is very important that the theatre articulates to the community why it is an appropriate play for high school students to see this production. He is trying to do that by hosting a series of conversations in the community, and has already seen there is some resistance to the play’s staging.

“This play was adapted to be accessible for high school students,” said Quaintance. “It speaks to their self image and how American culture can devalue young African-American women.”

To help him tell this story, Quaintance enlisted director Khanisha Foster whom he believes can handle these issues with grace and elegance and who has already made an impact through her conversations with members of the African-American community.

At the first community meeting the theatre created a panel, Foster, Alexander and two professors from Fayetteville State University. Their conversation not only excited those in the audience, but also won some of them over.

“There was one lady who was very against the play, but she became so excited that she and her husband bought all of the tickets for the first Wednesday show, which they are donating to students at FSU. They want to get the students to dig into these issues,” said Quaintance, adding that there will be pre-show discussions with the audience before each show with the audience.

Foster was anxious to direct the show. She noted that the play is an example of how great tragedy can still create joy and beauty.

“You can’t process tragedy without joy,” she explained. “You can’t take it out into the world and do something with it.”

Foster hopes that through the production of the play the cast will be able to experience the tragedy and joy and then reveal the truth and experience it very honestly. If that happens, Foster expects that “parking lot conversations” will occur, where people leave the theatre and openly discuss not only the issues of beauty and body image, but also the cruelty and shame that happens with abuse.

While the story is centered on the issue of beauty in the African-American community, it actually transcends color and addresses the issue of beauty in all women. “This isn’t a book or play about black people,” said Foster. “It’s about things happening to people who happen to be black."

Sponsored through a grant by the Junior League, the play opens Oct. 30 and runs through Nov. 16. For tickets and more information, visit the CFRT website at www.cfrt.org.

PWC’s Court Filing: Clarifying Our Responsibilities

You may have heard about a recent court filing involving PWC and the City of Fayetteville. As Chairman of the PWC Board of Commissioners, I’d like to explain what it is all about:

The Fayetteville City Council has taken actions during the last year that have caused confusion about the authority of PWC’s Commissioners regarding who has the ultimate responsibility for our utility services. We are concerned that this uncertainty may interfere with our normal operations and our ability to effectively serve our customers.

That’s why we have asked the court, whose purpose is to interpret the law, to clearly define who has what roles and responsibilities regarding PWC.

What actions have the city council taken that have caused the commission concerns? Here is one example: The council recently announced it would not honor its agreement with PWC to pay its share ($70 million) to help fund new sewer lines that are necessary because of the city’s Phase 5 annexation program. We had relied on that agreement and a change would hurt our ability to effectively plan ahead — and it could hurt our customers, too. Without the city’s contributions, rates will most likely increase.

For more than a century, PWC has operated independently and free from political influence, in accordance with the charter established by the North Carolina General Assembly. That model has worked well — PWC is consistently recognized for its financial stability, low rates, reliability and outstanding customer service.

With new questions being raised about the commission’s authority, we have asked the court to settle this issue. In addition, we have asked the city to participate in mediation in the hope that we can resolve these concerns without going to court.

For information and updates related to this, please visit www.faypwc.com.

Election 2014: You Decide

“The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.” — John F. Kennedy

President John F. Kennedy’s brief words on voting really define why Up & Coming Weekly creates its election guide. There is no greater responsibility or privilege of being an American citizen than that of voting. It is the basis for this great experiment we call a democracy.

But with great privilege and responsibility there comes a price and that price is knowledge. You cannot go the polls unless you are armed with knowledge; knowledge to make informed decisions and not vote based on the party line or on personality. You must know what people stand for. You must know their background and you must know their record. Without this basic information, you are going to the polls unarmed and uniformed. An uninformed voter is like an unattended loaded gun — dangerous!

So, for the past 19 years, we have worked to give our community a snapshot of the candidates who are running for office. We do it by letting the candidate’s speak for themselves. Our process is simple.

We send out a request to every candidate on the ballot asking them to either respond to a series of questions, or in the case of this year, we gave every candidate 500 words to let you, the voter, know why you should vote for them.

This year we emailed the request to every candidate and followed it up with a phone call. The candidates whose answers are found inside the guide are the ones who took the time to respond. If a candidate is not in the guide, it is not because they were not afforded the opportunity to speak directly to you, but rather they chose not to take it. That speaks volumes.

If you are like me, your mailboxes have been inundated with mailers that tell you little about the candidate but a lot of bad things about their opponent. That is not the kind of information any of us need to go to the polls. Instead we need to go to the polls armed with the facts, armed with the truth. And you can’t find that on negative mailers or through political action committee-sponsored 60 second commercials on your television.

The truth about candidates can be found in what they have to say about themselves and in what their past actions, whether in office or in the community, say about them. And you can only know that by questioning and by studying the candidates.

Some of you may have already gone to the polls. If you have, I hope you took the time to educate and inform yourselves. If you have not voted yet, then use this guide as a stepping off point. Read about the candidates and then research them. Look at their voting records. Look at where they spend their money and who spends money on them. Look at their experience and see if they have the experience that will allow them to make good decisions for you. It’s your future. It’s your children’s future.

Voting may be one of the most important things you will do in the coming weeks. Don’t take it lightly. Don’t do it as a matter of habit, and definitely don’t do it based on party lines. Do it because the candidate in question deserves your vote, because they have earned it. Do it because you want this great experiment in freedom to succeed. It’s your privilege, but it’s also your responsibility. Do not take it lightly.

Thanks you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

Unique, energetic, heart-pounding, amazing, these are all words that have been used to describe a show that is coming to Fayetteville on Nov. 6, as the Crown Theatre welcomes the world famous Blue Man Group.

The Blue Man Group is currently on a 50-city tour that began at the end of September and runs through April. The show is part of Fayetteville Live, a three-show series at the Crown that also includes Stomp on Jan. 11, 2015 and Celtic Woman on April 8.

The Blue Man Group was originally formed back in 1987 by three men, Chris Wink, Matt Goldman and Phil Stanton. The show they created was a blend of powerful percussion and unique visuals and featured a set of characters that are special, to say the least. The three men donned black jumpsuits, blue face paint and blue bald caps to become the enigmatic Blue Men.

Since those original three men started the phenomena that has spanned the globe, more than 150 more men have donned the blue paint to call themselves a Blue Man. Currently, there are between 80 and 100 men working in teams of three performing worldwide. The group has permanent shows in Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, New York City, Orlando and Berlin to go along with the touring team that is coming to Fayetteville.

One of the Blue Men who will be appearing in Fayetteville is Mike Brown, who first saw the group back in 1997, when he said he, “fell in love with them and dreamed of working with them.” A few months later, his dream came true when he was hired to work on the backstage crew. Brown was classically trained in theater and also played the drums in a series of bands with friends. So, with the urging of friends and family, he answered an open casting call for new Blue Men. He won a spot and has spent the past 11 years touring from city to city as a part of the group.

Brown is excited to play before the local fans. He said that in preparing for the show, he learned of the city’s connection to Fort Bragg. Brown said that the prospect of playing before a large military audience is exciting. It is something he has done before and wants to do again.

“We performed at West Point last year and that was amazing. When we got there, we looked out over a sea of cadets all in their uniforms. That was kind of a change because everyone was wearing the exact same thing and our show likes to magnify people’s individuality. We had fun using our imaginations with that … it is always exciting for us to be able to give back to those who are serving.”

Brown added that The Blue Man Group show is centered on percussive music that is, “very tribal, you are going to feel it inside your body, inside your heart. Hopefully, inside your soul and who you are as a person. Drums are perfect for that because it drives right into a part of your body and your being that you can feel and understand. This energy can build up inside of you. It really is beautifully scored music that will give you goose bumps. You can really expect the music to move through you and, hopefully, elicit a change.”

One of the trademarks of a Blue Man Group show is the feeling of spontaneity that the show carries. Brown described the group’s preparation and attitude towards their shows, “We want everything about being a Blue Man to represent the ‘in the moment’ feeling of our show. You want it to feel like a show is happening for the first time and the first time only. In terms of character preparation, when you become a Blue Man you learn the regular things like the blocking and how to play the music and doing certain artistic things.

“But there is another element that you can’t really plan for, that is just being in the moment and responding with your instincts and your impulses to play from the audience. That is something that you can’t really prepare for, but it is very conducive to Blue Men.” He continued, “It’s all happening for the first time so it is a trial by fire type of thing.”

He went on to say that part of being a Blue Man is, “being comfortable with yourself and what is going on around you to just have fun. To let your inner child come out and say, this might be crazy and dangerous but that is the fun of it!”

According to Brown, audiences that attend a Blue Man show are at a loss for words when leaving a show, “Often afterwards, you are not really able to describe it. That’s because it causes feelings inside of you that are tangible. It makes you speechless. As we grow up we start to shy away from the types of things that might cause us to get embarrassed, maybe because we don’t want to get in trouble. The Blue Men urge you and welcome you to move past that and get to that place where you are like, ‘this is natural home-grown fun’. Not only do the Blue Men share that with the audience, but the audience shares that with each other. I have seen people that, by the end of the show, who were strangers, dancing with each other and high-fiving having a great time together. That is the spirit of the show, connecting people in that way. ”

Brown encourages everyone to come out and enjoy the show, “Everybody has a Blue Man in them. It doesn’t matter if you are short or tall, male or female. We like to use the show to help people find that. Really, there are 6 billion Blue Men in the world … If you want to have the time of your life, come see Blue Man Group!”

Tickets for the show are still available through Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 1-800-745-3000 and in person at the Crown Complex Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets. To purchase a package of tickets that covers all three shows offered by Fayetteville Live call 888.512.BWAY (2929) and online at www.fayettevilleliveshows.com.

Photo:  The Blue Man Group has been entertaining audiences since the late ‘80s. Fayetteville will get a chance to enjoy their unique sound on Nov. 6.

There’s nothing like wanting food from your favorite restaurant on a Friday evening after a long day of work knowing you don’t want to go and pick it up. Guess what? There is a new franchise in town, OrderUp, that will deliver your favorite restaurant food to your doorstep with a click of your mouse.

“OrderUp is a marketplace where you can go to view restaurants’ full menus and have delivery options,” said Joshua Hepburn, owner of OrderUp. “Most people only know of one or two pizza places and maybe one or two Chinese places that deliver and that’s pretty much it.”

But there is so much more just waiting to be delivered to your door.

OrderUp is a national franchise that Hepburn decided to open after he got out of the military. He came across it in a magazine and decided to do research on it. Hepburn chose Fayetteville because his wife is a native of the city and it is a great opportunity to serve the military population and the local community.

“I instantly fell in love with the business and brought it to Fayetteville,” said Hepburn. “Every single week we are doing better than the last.”

The website started with 12 restaurants, now there are more than 20. Some of the restaurants include Hot Diggity Dog, II Brothers, Cupcake Gallery, New China King, Quizno’s and many others.

“More restaurants are getting on board and it is moving along,” said Hepburn. “The restaurants that I am currently working with love the service and it is really convenient for them.”

Now what sets OrderUp apart from the other competition?

“It is the marketing engine that we provide and the convenience of ordering at a one-stop shop,” said Hepburn. “The convenience for the restaurant is that we provide a huge marketing engine that restaurants would have to pay thousands of dollars for if they were trying to do it themselves.”

The restaurants are willing to work special promos exclusive only through OrderUp. For example, Hepburn is working with Twisters Pizza & Subs to offer a medium pepperoni pizza for just 99 cents.

How do you place an order? The process is an easy one:

• Go to www.orderup.com and put in your address.

• Then click the “find restaurants” button. The restaurants that will deliver to your address will appear.

• Place your order and it will arrive in 45 minutes.

“The benefit of our website is that people can go to it and browse as many as 20 restaurants and order delivery in the comfort of their home,” said Hepburn. “To work with the mom and pop restaurants that are over by the hospital, down Ramsey Street or Raeford Road that people don’t know about is a huge opportunity for the customer and the restaurants.”

Hepburn’s future plans include having more 40 participating restaurants by next year.

“We will continue to grow and bring new content and new opportunities for the user,” he said.

For more information about Orderup, visit www.orderup.com.

Photo: Joshua Hepburn, an Army veteran, wants to bring dinner to your front door.

The inaugural Pinwheel Masquerade Ball, the fall fundraiser benefiting the Child Advocacy Center, will take place at the Metropolitan Room on Nov. 1, at 7 p.m.

The event features a wide variety of culinary sponsors that will be on-hand showcasing their fabulous foods. Culinary sponsors that will be in attendance include Sherefé, Sammios, Newk’s Eatery, Dorothy’s Catering 2, Evan’s Catering, Dairy Queen, R Burger and Sweet Surprise Candy Buffet. In addition, Latitude 35 will create a signature drink only available for purchase at the event.

Five Star Entertainment is set to play your favorite music and will also provide a photo booth to capture great memories from the evening. In addition, there is a mask contest and prizes for the best masked male, female, couple and group.

Event attire is semi-formal, with your mask.

Always a favorite at any event, both a live and silent auction will take place. There are many great items for attendees to bid on, including a week stay in a Myrtle Beach Condo, a week of overnight camp at Camp Rockfish, a birthday bash at The Little Gym, six entries to Wine, Paint and Canvas and a gift certificate for Blessed Oasis Pet Resort for dog boarding or training.

“We’re really excited about this event! It’s something new that no one else is doing. We’re hoping that people will make this their go-to Halloween event. There are lots of things for kids to do for Halloween; we wanted to help provide something for the adults, while helping to raise money for a great organization. The Metropolitan Room is a great venue for this type of event. The old bank vault really adds a great ambiance to our theme,” said event co-chair Krista Kessler. 

The Child Advocacy Center serves child victims of abuse in Cumberland County, including Fort Bragg. The center brings together representatives from the Cumberland County Department of Social Service’s Child Protective Services; Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office; Fayetteville Police Department; Hope Mills Police Department; Spring Lake Police Department; the medical community via Southern Regional Area Health Education Center, Cape Fear Valley Health Systems and Womack Army Medical Center; Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office; Guardian ad Litem; and Rape Crisis Volunteers of Cumberland County. Working with community partners the Child Advocacy Center provides a safe and child friendly place that supports the prevention, investigation and prosecution of child abuse. The center is a place where children and families receive comprehensive services to help them heal from abuse.

The Pinwheel Masquerade Ball will kickoff the 19 Days of Prevention, which the Child Advocacy Center celebrates annually. The 19 days are meant to serve as an awareness to prevent abuse and violence against children. The pinwheel, which is featured in the event’s logo and decorations, represents the bright future that every child deserves.

Tickets are on sale now through the center’s website, www.childadvocacycenter.com, or by calling 486-9700. The event is expected to be a sell-out, so organizers are advising you to purchase tickets early.

Auction items are still being collected, so if you’re interested in donating, please call the Child Advocacy Center.

Photo: The Innaugural Pinwheel Masquerade Ball is slated for Nov. 1. The ball benefits the Child Advocacy Center.

Dr. Michael Martin, director of choral activities and music education at Methodist University andartistic director and conductor of the Cumberland Oratorio Singers, takes his work seriously. That’s a win for the community and for local musicians as well. The Cumberland Oratorio Singers’ 2014-2015 season opens on Oct. 24, and it’s a performance that chamber music fans won’t want to miss.

The performance, titled There Is Sweet Music Here, features two local musicians along with the talented singers of the Cross Creek Chorale.

“We are featuring two guest artists — Deanne Renshaw on oboe and Brian Adamski on French horn,” said Martin. “Deanne is going to be featured in the title piece of the concert and it is quite beautiful. Adam will be featured in one of our other pieces.”

J. Michael Hayden, Morton Louridsen and Andre Thomas are just a few of the composers that are showcased in this first performance of the season.

The second concert of the season is the Hallelujah Chorus, a local holiday tradition. The community is invited to join the Cumberland Oratorio Singers in a performance of “The Messiah.” This performance is on Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Ann Catholic Church. Those who don’t care to join in are welcome to come and enjoy the performance as part of the audience.

On March 21, don’t miss Maurice Duruffle’s “Requiem” and “Quatre Motets.” Popular in the world of chorale music, Duruffle’s pieces represent comfort, hope and faith. The Methodist University Chorale is set to join the Cumberland Oratorio Singers for this concert. It is at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.

During the month of April, the Beth Israel Synagogue hosts The Cumberland Oratorio Singers for Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms.” In 1965, Rev. Walter Hussey of Chichester Cathedral in Sussex, England asked Bernstein to write a piece. It was to be used for the 1965 music festival that included Winchester and Salisbury Cathedrals. Bernstein delivered a piece that seemed to mix theatre music with Judaic liturgy.

The season closes with a performance of Francis Poulenc’s “Gloria” and Leonard Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms” at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m. The Terry Sanford High School Varsity Choir, under the direction of Sean Closz, will join in the performance.

Such a well thought-out season is not only a joy to the performers. Martin searched for pieces that would challenge the performers as well as delight the audiences.

“Last spring, I was thinking about chorale music and what people like about it,” said Martin. “We listen to it and sing it because we like the sound of it. For people who like chorale music, hearing a rich choir piece is ear candy. I was drawn to ‘Sweet Music’ because it has choir and oboe. I called Deanne right away and asked her to join us for this performance. I am driven to make sure this idea of a select choir drawn from Cumberland Oratorio Singers succeeds, so I picked some more difficult pieces for the chorale. There are pieces with eight and even 10-part harmony.”

While There Is Sweet Music Here is sure to entertain the audience and push the chorale to deliver a top-notch performance, Martin admits that there is something in it for him, too.

“This is all the kind of stuff we like to sing. I wanted to challenge the choir and expand their lexicon. The president of Methodist University always says ‘I have the best job in America.’ Well, when I conduct, I have the best seat in the house; I want music that will wash over me like a nice warm shower — and so I chose the kind of music that I think will do that.”

The performance is at Highland Presbyterian Church at 7:30 p.m. Find out more about the Cumberland Oratorio Singers at www.singwithcos.org.

Downtown Fayetteville is a destination for shopping and entertainment, and on Oct. 24, it willcontinue late into the evening with this month’s 4th Friday, a family-friendly event that celebrates the incredible and varied talents and venues that Fayetteville has to offer. It is impossible to come to 4th Friday and leave without discovering something new.

For children, Fascinate-U is an amazing experience. The museum has interactive exhibits that are intended for children to explore in order to learn about the world. The exhibits include the Gro-Right Grocery and Deli and a Weather Forecast Center. Admission is free on 4th Friday from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. Kids will enjoy the special event’s Spooky Music with the Blue Violin. Kia Walker, a singer and music teacher, and her students will play spooky music. As part of the event, the kids can also make a mask to take home for free. Fascinate-U is located at 116 Green St. For more information about Fascinate-U, call 829-9171 or visit www.fascinate-u.com.

Fayetteville Technical Community College is a valuable institution dedicated to education in the Fayetteville community. This dedication can be clearly seen in its continuous efforts to expand and improve. In The Capitol Room at 134 Person St., beginning at 7 p.m., Sigma Kappa Delta, the English Honor Society, will host a release party for Unbound, a literary arts journal, which is a testament to the dedication FTCC has to higher learning.

The Arts Council opens a new exhibit called Colorblind: Artwork in Black and White this 4th Friday. This is an invitational show that focuses on contrast in 2- and 3-dimensional art works crafted in black and white. The exhibit is free to the public and is open from 7 to 9 p.m. at 301 Hay St. For more information about the exhibit, call 323-1776 or visit www.theartscouncil.com. Live entertainment provided by the Armed Forces Band’s Loose Cannons is on tap in front of the Arts Council building, as well.

Another great art venue in downtown Fayetteville is Cape Fear Studios. Located at 148 Maxwell St., the studio is a space for local artists to display their creativity and skill. On Oct. 24, The Annual Nellie Allen Smith National Pottery Competition will open. Potters from all over the state submit their works into the juried competition. The gallery is open from 6 to 9 p.m. and is free to the public.

Embracing the Halloween spirit, the official Downtown Alliance theme for October is Zombie Walk. The zombie hoard will gather in front of the Headquarters Library, 300 Maiden Lane, for free zombie makeup application, a costume contest and photo booth before the walk through downtown Fayetteville. Providing free entertainment for the ghastly group from 6 to 8 p.m. is the Street Ratz Breakdance Crew, Shadows of Fire and Thriller Dance Troupe on the Outdoor Zombie Pre-Party Stage.

City Center Gallery and Books, located at 112 Hay St., will remain open from 6 to 8 p.m. so you can peruse the books and art and enjoy live local entertainment. Market Square Coffee House located at 106 Hay St. will also feature local musicians beginning at 7 p.m.

Don’t miss the Dogwood Fall Festival events in Festival Park. The Fall Festival runs Oct. 23-25 and includes Boo and Brew, the Lafayette Insane Asylum and Historic Hauntings. Find out more at http://www.faydogwoodfestival.com/events/dogeood-fall-festival.

For more information about 4th Friday visit www.theartscouncil.com or call 323-1776.