The WIDU anniversary is a week of fun-filled events open to anyone interested in the Christian experience. Event organizers hope to deliver a dose of positivity and uplifting of spirituality to the greater Fayetteville area.

WIDU 1600 AM, also known as the “Wake Up” or “What’s Going On,” radio station is owned by Wes and Sandy Cookman and is located in Fayetteville. The station has been around since 1958 and is continuing on with its 56th annual celebration. The week of events runs from on Oct. 4 through Oct. 11.

“We continue to be humbled that the lord continues to entrust us with the responsibility of presenting this inspiring community event,” said the Cookmans.

The events scheduled throughout the week include: Oct. 4 at 5 p.m., Jesus Rocks Youth Empowerment Event and Concert; Oct. 6 at 7 p.m., A Woman’s Gotta do What A Woman’s Gotta Do play; Oct. 7 at 7 p.m., Carolina’s Best Competition; Oct. 10 at 6 p.m., Quartet Night; Oct. 10 at 9 a.m., Prayer Breakfast and the Anniversary Celebration Concert is on Oct. 11 at 4 p.m.

The Anniversary Celebration Concert will be held in the Crown Coliseum. The performers will include the famous Mary Mary and Tye Tribbett with guest speakers Pastor Tim Rogers, The Fellas and Pastor Brian Thompson. General admission is $20 and on the day of the event tickets will be $30.

The Carolinas Best competition is a big part of the celebration because it gives musicians a chance to battle for a place in the anniversary events. The contest is at Kingdom Impact Global Ministries. There are 18 contestants competing in four categories youth, solo, choir and quartet. Each winner from the four categories will win $250 and will perform in selected events. The guest judges are Peggy Tatum, Ted Winn, Tim Rogers and Kim Burrell.

The Jesus Rocks Youth Empowerment Event and Concert encourages youth to express themselves and their relationship with God. Both youth and local youth leaders are encouraged to join in on the worship session.

WIDU programming includes news, talk radio, church services and of course gospel music.

The WIDU staff works diligently to give local people a voice. The radio station provides different guest speakers who care about the community and want to see a change in the community. Topics of discussion are public education, crime and punishment, religion, government and social justice. They speakers give options and advice on how these things can be improved.

Recently the station has turned its focus on the upcoming elections and the candidates who are running for public office. Find out more about the WIDU Anniversary celebration at www.widuradio.com.

Photo:  Mary Mary headlines the WIDU Anniversary Celebration Concert on Oct. 11.

Have you ever wondered what Halloween was like in Fayetteville a hundred or so years ago? Come and find out. The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex will give you a peek with Halloween Revels: Night Tours of the 1897 Poe House on October 17, 18, 24 and 25 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. at The Poe House.

The 1897 Poe House is one of Fayetteville’s great educational resources. It is a part of the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex and is the former home of Fayetteville businessman, Edgar Allen Poe (no relation to the author of the same name.) The home was built in 1897. Visitors to the Poe House can learn about life in Fayetteville during the early 1900s.

“We have partnered with the Gilbert Theater so we have actors from the Gilbert who portray members of the Poe Family,” said Megan Maxwell, 1897 Poe House education coordinator. “Those members are the father, mother, eight children and a few of the servants.”

Maxwell added that the actors portray a typical All Hallows’ Eve Night back in the early 1900s in the Poe House.

The fun event showcases the Poe House and takes visitors on a little trip back in time.

“It is something different than your typical scary, gory, haunted house,” said Maxwell. “This one is totally family-friendly that takes about 20 minutes to go through the house and see each of the vignettes that the actors perform.”

Maxwell added that the vignettes are ad lib and the actors were given a scenario and had to create their own scenes. There is a different scene in every room and the actors move throughout the house.

The Poe House was built in 1897 and it was the home of the Poe family. Poe owned a brick company in town and was very active in the community.

He and his wife, Josephine, had eight children. They had a cook named Nancy and a nurse named Jenny. They were a typical upper middle class family in Fayetteville during this time period. The house includes East Lake Victorian architecture and has been preserved throughout the years. It is a good depiction of life during the time period 1897-1917.

“It really feels like the house has been brought back to life as you move through it,” said Maxwell.

“We look forward to everyone coming to this event.”

The cost is $3 for ages 7 and up and is free for ages 6 and under. The tours will run every 20 minutes beginning at 6 p.m. with the last tour ending at 9 p.m.. For more information, call 486-1330.

The event promises to be a lot of fun — and interesting, too.

Chicken Plant: Not Dead Yet

The proposed Sanderson Farms plant in Cumberland County was pronounced dead before arrival last week, but, thanks to the City of Fayetteville, it’s not quite dead yet.

We’ll see. The whole Sanderson Farms issue has dragged on so long and the arguments, both pro and con, have become so tiresome, illogical and redundant, it sounds like a police officer shooing away rubberneckers at a crime scene.

“Ok. Keep moving. Move on. Nothing to see here.”

Well, it would be interesting to find out just what Sanderson Farms thinks about all this local hubbub. Me? I haven’t changed my opinion on the entire circumstance since last week.

If you missed my comments in last week’s edition several segments of that article are reprinted below. Like I said, nothing much has changed.

“Well, it is the observation and opinion of many well-versed, educated and respected members of the community that these aspects of a fine-tuned and expertly executed offensive campaign in favor of Sanderson Farms has been nonexistent. Hey, don’t shoot the messenger.

“These are the comments and questions that are coming up far too frequently from local residents who are not in the N.I.M.B.Y. (Not In My Backyard) category.

However, they cannot be easily dismissed. They are residents who want to see our community seize the opportunity to grow inclusively and economically with the potential of lifting thousands of Cumberland County residents out of poverty and into a more enjoyable quality of life.

“What’s not to like about that? This is why the question continues to come up: How a few hundred people affect the lives, future and well-being of several thousand county residents? This is extremely confusing, disappointing and puzzling. Unless, that is, you understand the dual concepts of the “haves and have-not’s” and “money talks and bull walks!”

“So, where is the leadership? Is it true that the majority of our locally elected public officials and the wannabes are more focused and concerned in securing their future campaign support and donations rather than prioritizing the growth and development of our community along with the well being of their 327,000 constituents?”

Now that you have caught up on last week’s notes, let me say that if I were a betting man, I would surmise that the “destiny” of this project will lie with those remaining Cumberland County Commissioners who have not already stated their positions.

Dr. Jeannette Council and Jimmy Keefe are IN. Ed Melvin is OUT. Four to go. So, this being the case, who will be willing to “man up” and take a firm stand without worrying about the loss of future political support, influence or further intimidation that may come with the threat of losing a small, loyal and dedicated voting block of county residents and the campaign contributions associated with such a block?

On the other hand, county commissioners like Billy R. King and Charles Evans may face an additional challenge. Both have a large following of black constituents. Many of which would welcome and benefit from this economic development employment opportunity. Evans, who has done a stellar job building his political career and reputation on being a crusader for the working class and the lone voice of the downtrodden, may find it a little more difficult and uncomfortable trying to convince his local constituents that their best interest has been served by turning their backs on 1,000 jobs at $11.71 an hour with health benefits. Oh, my!

What a moral dilemma for Evans.

Oh, well, one thing for sure, it will not make any difference whether Sanderson Farms comes to Cumberland County or not. Once the county commissioners vote on this one single issue, the result will serve as an affirmation to the level of empathy our leadership has to the other 324,049 residents of Cumberland County.

Remember, “Weebles wobble but they don’t fall down.” Do you know how to keep a Weeble from wobbling? Don’t elect them! Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

Though the weather may be cooling off, the fun-filled events at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden are showing no sign of slowing down. This fall, the garden is hosting a concert series that melds the magic of music with the gorgeous environment of the gardens. Sept. 26, brings a traditional jazz combo with the “Dave Brubeck Tribute.” Oct. 3, a brass quintet will perform show tunes in the concert “Pops in the Garden.” The final concert of the series is “Swing for the Stars” a jazz, swing, and big band music combination on Oct. 10.

The Cape Fear Botanical Garden is a non-profit organization driven by a vision for excellence in both their gardens and their programs. They strive to provide a beautiful and engaging place for the community to come learn, enjoy, and grow. The Fall Concert Series is just one way that they achieve this. “By hosting the concert series we are opening doors to our community members, as the Garden and music both have the power to transform lives, as well as to inspire and entertain,” Meg Suraci, the Garden’s Director of Marketing said.

This concert series is also unique in that it combines two cultural institutions from the community: The Cape Fear Botanical Gardens and the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra. “The Fall Concert Series in the Garden featuring select musicians of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra encores for a 3rd annual season, offering four nights of outdoor ‘mini’ concerts. The natural beauty of Cape Fear Botanical Garden boasts unrivaled ambience and the Symphony is praised for its artistic excellence. Blending these two experiences is a collaborative effort and both organizations are committed to the cooperative success of this series,” Suraci said.

In addition to the great atmosphere and music, there will also be delicious refreshments available at each concert, heightening the overall excellence of the event. “Pierro’s Catering will be on-site with tempting food and beverage selections available for purchase and guests will have the opportunity to dine outdoors surrounded by beautiful views. A cash bar will be open for wine and beer,” Suraci says.

The intimacy with nature provided by the Cape Fear Botanical gardens for these concerts is unique and creates for an engaging and magical experience for a myriad of senses. That being said, seating will not be provided. Suraci explained that, “Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or a blanket – or both depending on the forecast, as we head into fall with shorter evening hours and cool temperatures. The Garden will have chairs available for rent, also.”

The concerts are a rain or shine event. In case of inclement weather, they will be moved to the beautiful 6,685 square foot Orangery. No outside food, beverages, coolers, smoking, or pets are allowed in the garden. Admission is free for members. For non-members tickets are $10, $9 with military I.D., $5 for children from 6-12, and children under 5 are free. For more information call 486-0221 or visit www.capefearbg.org. The garden is located at 536 N Eastern Blvd. For all of the concerts the gates open at 6p.m. and performances begin at 7 p.m.

Photo: CFBG pays tribute to Dave Brubek on Sept. 26.

I was introduced to Monty Python in college. It wasn’t really the kind of humor my family would have found funny. But I did. Ridiculously so. I can quote a lot of lines and often, when the ridiculous pops up, find myself thinking them. So, I was excited to see Spamalot announced as part of CFRT’s season.

I had not seen the musical before, and wondered if it would truly get the spirit and creative genius of the Monty Python sketches. Knowing Tom Quaintaince, the artistic director of the CFRT, I should not have been worried. But the proof is in... well the seeing of the thing.

I have what most would consider an average (to me superior) 14-year-old son. I thought he might appreciate the humor in the show. Minutes into the show, he was laughing uncontrollably, and I heard him singing the “Not Dead Yet” song in his room. So, I knew Quaintance and crew captured not only the hilarity of Monty Python but also the spirit.

The musical takes bits and pieces of classice Monty Python skits and weaves them together into a tongue-in-cheek poke at Broadway. Broadway loved it, and so did I. I think you will, too.

The show appears to have a really large cast. But it doesn’t. There are simply a few extremely talented folks who tackle a lot of roles and they do it brilliantly. From the ensemble to the main characters, the cast gets into the spirit of things delivering the subtle and sometimes ridiculous humor that is an earmark of Monty Python with perfec-tion precision. Throw in the singing and the dancing and you have a show that is well worth seeing — more than once!

Staying in the spirit of things, the Cape Fear Regional Theatre staff found a way to shamelessly promote their upcoming production of The Three Muskateers throughout the show. It was classic.

If it would not be weird, and people would not think I was a stalker, I would wear an “I Heart Ken Griggs” T-shirt. But somehow, I think it would be weird and people would think I was a stalker.

Griggs, a veteran of the CFRT, simply rules the stage thoughout the performance. Playing King Arthur, Griggs is hysterical. There are some actors you see who always act the same in every show they are in. There is the aging, but perky debutante, the world-weary matron, the sauve, but tired gentlemen, etc. No matter what show the actors are in, they play that same type — even if it isn’t what the character is supposed to be.. Griggs takes a type, blows it apart, reinvents it and makes it brand new every time. He breathes life into the character he is playing and makes it his own.

As King Arthur, he is a sensation. Of course, long-time CFRT patrons know that Griggs has a marvelous voice — even while singing the ridiculous.

Come to think of it, I might get that T-shirt after all!

Lisa Jolley, a newcomer to the CFRT stage, plays the Lady of the Lake. In a recent interview, Jolley noted that she never gets to be “the girl.” In the case of Spamalot, Jolley not only is the girl, she rocks it. Her range is incredible and the way she puts sarcasm into each note is well, unbelievable. I par-ticularly loved her rendition of “What Happened to My Part?”

Together, Jolley and Griggs have great chemistry. I would love to see more of them both on the stage.

Michael Thrash, as Patsy, King Arthur’s ever present sidekick, is a master of subtle comedy. His deadpan delivery of one-liners and his mastery of physical comedy are divine. And, his prowess at playing the coconut, well, it is not to be missed.

The Knights of the Round Table, com-prised of Jeremy Fiebig, Matt Lamb and Jacob Barton, skillfully add humor to the show and leave you in stitches as they break every stereotype anyone has ever had about the noble knights of long ago.

A shout out to the ensemble is in order. They moved the show forward quickly, and, quite honestly, had some of the funniest parts.

Spamalot was all I hoped it would be and more. If you want a good laugh and want to enjoy theatre at its finest, it’s a don’t miss.

The show runs through Oct. 18, so you have plenty of time to check it out. For tickets, visit the CFRT website at www.cfrt.org.

Cumberland County Leadership Turns Chicken

Wow! What a turn-a-round. How disappointing. They say silence is golden. Well, in the case of bringing Sanderson Farms’ $113 million chicken plant and its 1000+ jobs to Cumberland County, the silence (and the advocacy) has been deafening.

Where is the political and economic-development leadership? Where are the advocates and voices for the local poor and unemployed? Where are the voices of the pro economic/industrial development majority? Where is their offensive “ground game?” Where are the pro-chicken plant development yard signs? Where are the pro-economic development sound bites? Where are the pro Sanderson Farms editorials and letters to the editor?

Well, it is the observation and opinion of many well-versed, educated and respected members of the community that these aspects of a fine-tuned and expertly executed offensive campaign in favor of Sanderson Farms has been nonexistent. Hey, don’t shoot the messenger.

These are the comments and questions that are coming up far too frequently from local residents who are not in the N.I.M.B.Y. (Not In My Backyard) category.

This vocal majority obviously can be ignored; however, they cannot be easily dismissed. They are residents who want to see our community seize the opportunity to grow inclusively and economically with the potential of lifting thousands of Cumberland County residents out of poverty and into a more enjoyable quality of life.

What’s not to like about that? This is why the question continues to come up: How can a few hundred people affect the lives, future and well being of several thousand county residents? This is extremely confusing, disappointing and puzzling. Unless, that is, you understand the dual concepts of the “haves and have-not’s” and “money talks and bull walks!”

So, where is the leadership? Is it true that the majority of our locally elected public officials and the wannabes are more focused and concerned in securing their future campaign support and donations rather than prioritizing the growth and development of our community along with the well being of their 327,000 constituents?

For many, this is the most talked about theory and suspicion on how and why the majority of our Cumberland County Commissioners have turned their backs on their own initial judgments and the sentiments of the majority of local residents, many of whom would appreciate the opportunity to get off the welfare roles and secure a decent job, with a good company, that pays a fair wage and provides health benefits. Many are already saying “shame on them” for yielding to several hundred loud, wealthy, liberal/conservative and politically connected residents at the expense of the nearly 25 percent of Cumberland County households that are currently living (surviving) at or below the poverty level.

Where is the logic? Shame on the pro-Sanderson Farms contingency for their defensive stance and for lack of aggressively making their case or their findings known. Double shame, on those leaders who have been M.I.A. during the entire process. Believe me, your absence and silence has been conspicuous so the community knows who you are.

Finally, I want to say that as an American, I have no earthly idea when attacks and criticism became so harsh and venomous toward people who are simply exercising their First Amendment right of free speech. Having an opposing or dissenting opinion on any issue seems to come with a wrath that is ugly and personal. Whatever happened to stating your platform, standing by your word and, if need be, having a free spirited open debate on issues? Now, dissenting opinions are met with hostile personal attacks, attacks on your family and business and, in some cases, references to who your daddy was. Unacceptable.

This is local politics at its very worst. Believe it or not, I’m not an advocate of the chicken plant. However, I am an advocate for the 1,000 jobs that can raise countless numbers of Fayetteville and Cumberland County families out of poverty. I advocate due diligence in comparing what is good for 327,000 Cumberland County residents vs. the demands of several hundred privileged residents.

I am an advocate of expecting all our elected officials to do their jobs with honor and integrity and stop acting like a bunch of Weebles. They need to take a stand and make decisions that they can defend and articulate regardless of what side of the issue they are on. That is what the people elected them to do and that is the only way our community will grow and prosper. Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly. Oh, yeah, “Weebles Wobble but They Don’t Fall Down.”

The weekend of Sept. 26-28 marks the 36th Annual Folk Festival. That’s nearly four decades of celebrating the cultural diversity that makes the greater Fayetteville area so special.

The festivities include a sampling from many different aspects of the more than 30 cultures that participate in the event. Visi-tors can taste and smell the flavor of other lands in the foods that are available; hear the rhythms and songs of different nations in the music and dances; and see the colors and heritage of the world displayed in the costumes and dances that are part of the majesty of the International Folk Festival.

“Friday, September 26 is the kick-off,” said Mary Kinney, mar-keting director of the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County Mary Kinney. “There will be cultural performances all through downtown.”

The Downtown Alliance has “4th Friday International Pass-ports” available. Stop by the Downtown Alliance office or the Arts Council and get one. Then visit stores, galleries and res-taurants to collect stamps for the passport and register to win a grand prize.

On Saturday, the Parade of Nations kicks things off at 10:30 a.m. More than 1,000 participants have signed up to participate. Come and enjoy the pageantry and customs of the different nationalities in the community. Each nationality in the parade will carry their nation’s flag. There will be dancers wearing native costumes, music and good cheer. The Army Ground Forces Band is set to lead the parade and perform on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

“In an effort to make the parade information more accessible, the Arts Council will provide an interpreter on the stage at the corner of Hay Street and Ray Avenue to interpret the parade announcements through sign language for those with hearing chal-lenges,” said Kinney.

Festival Park opens at noon and closes at 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 27-28. That is plenty of time to get out and sample the delicious fare and enjoy the many entertainment stages, arts and crafts, vendors and other activities scheduled throughout the weekend.

“We are excited to partner with Fayetteville State Univer-sity this year to bring Malaysiansinger/songwriter Yuna to the main stage on Saturday,” said Kinney.

Yuna blends contemporary pop, acoustic folk and R&B. She is recognized internationally as a talented performer and is gaining popularity in the United States. The concert starts at 5:15 p.m. on Saturday. Prior to the Yuna concert, the Army Ground Forces Band will perform. Hawaiian dancers, Aloha Kanaka Ohula Halau and Russian performers Moscow Nights are also set to grace the Main Stage on Saturday.

On Sunday, The Army Ground Forces Band returns. Belly dancers from Shadows of Fire will perform, too. Check out the Miami-based Spam Allstars at 2:45 p.m. and 5 p.m. This group was so popular when they visited in 2011 that the Arts Council teamed up with South Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts to bring them back to Fayetteville. “The artists are widely known for their use of improvisational electronic elements and turntables with Latin, funk, hip hop and dub to create what they call an ‘electronic descarga,’” said Kinney.

Not only is this group entertaining, they are sticking around to offer work-shops on Monday. The workshops are for the visually impaired participants of the Vision Resource Center.

While these main-stage events are sure to be a blast, there is plenty to see and do all over Festival Park throughout the weekend. Linear Park will host members of the Lumbee Tribe’s Native American Cultural Showcase. Here, visitors can learn the elements of pow-wow.

Saturday, on the International Stage, Carolina Klezmer will perform. Their musical repertoire includes music that is a mix of Russian, Czech, Polish, Turkish, Middle Eastern, German, Greek, French, Spanish, Italian and music of the Americas. Also on the International stage, the Belfast Boys will perform a traditional Irish set of jigs, reels, polkas and songs.

Look for cultural performances by local community members and groups on the International stage throughout the day on Sunday.The Children’s Area Stage has some real treats lined up for the weekend. Performers include Sean Gaskell, The Healing Force, Mountain Marionettes and Criss Cross Mangosauce. What makes these performers even more fun is the extras before and after the shows.

“We have three artists performing on kids stage,” said Kinney. “They are also doing interactive workshops when they are not on stage. Shawn Gaskill and The Healing Force are going to have interactive workshops throughout the week-end. He plays traditional music of Africa and the songs tell the stories of war and hardship as well as accomplishments and joy. Some of the songs are 800 years old. I think that is going to be fun for kids and adults alike.”

Last year, the Kindness Corner in the Children’s Area was a big hit. This year the activities are just as fun and kind-hearted. “There will be several maps where people can indicate where they have lived or visited and what they love about that destination. Then there will be an art project where people can paint on a small canvas to make art that will be abandoned in the park. You make something and leave it for someone else to find and then it is theirs to keep. There will be a tag on the abandoned art that explains what it is. These pieces of art will be in the park for people to find and keep.”

The International Folk Festival is an event that the community looks forward to all year long. It’s a chance to celebrate the community and its diversity. “We are excited about getting people to bring their friends and neighbors,” said Kinney. “We want everyone to experience the entire world this weekend — we expect to see 100,000 people or more at Festival Park.”

Find out more about the 36th Annual International Folk Festival at www.theartscouncil.com.

The Givens Performing Arts Center is a theatre located at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. It brings incredible shows from around the world both to the students at Pembroke and the surrounding communities. Every year the season is not only star studded, but incredibly varied. There is something here for everyone. This October the Givens Performing Arts Center will host two very different, but equally entertaining shows.

The first show of the month is The National Acrobats of The Peoples Republic of China. This show promises to be breathtaking. Hailing from Berlin, the traveling troupe is composed of the best 500 acrobatic students and 150 acrobatic resident performers from the Institution for Acrobatic Schooling, Training and Repertoire, which the company owns. The group was founded in 1951, and since then has developed a reputation for its dazzling costumes and daring acrobatics. They are the premier acrobatic troupe from China, and since their inception has continued to evolve in their performance. Some of their most notable acts include “Aerial Bungee Tumbling” and “Diving Through Moving Hoops.” The group has received awards both as a troupe and for individual members. Since it’s inception 200 of the company’s members have won either gold or silver awards from various acrobatic and circus festivals both nationally and internationally. The show will be held on Oct. 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the Givens Performing Arts Center. Tickets range from $16 to $36.

The second show of the month is the musical based on the classic Robert Louis novel, and is called Jekyll and Hyde. It begins in Victorian London. A doctor, Dr. Henry Jekyll, desperately struggles to find a way to cure the medical problems that plague mankind. He is passionate and romantic, but after testing his chemical concoctions on himself he releases something terrible. Mr. Hyde, the alter ego and embodiment of Jekyll’s inner demons, is released by these medical experiments. He is a vicious madman that wreaks havoc across London creating an epic battle between good and evil, all within one man. To further complicate things, two beautiful women both fall in love with this man and are unaware of the dark secret that he harbors, his alter ego. This epic struggle between the forces of good and evil is set to pop rock music from Grammy and Tony nominated composer Frank Wildhorn and two time Oscar and Grammy-winning artist Leslie Bricusse, including the ever popular hit “This Is The Moment.” The lively music serves to capture the passionate and enthralling nature of the classic story. Audiences all over the world have delighted in this evocative and ever relevant story exploring the duality of man. Tickets range from$16 to $41. The show will be held In the Givens Performing Arts Center on Oct. 20, at 7:30 p.m.

The Givens Performing Arts Center is located at 1 University Dr. in Pembroke. For more information visit http://www.uncp.edu/student-life/involvement-opportunities/givens-performing-arts-center/broadway-and-more-series or call 910-521-6287. For tickets, the box office is open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and for one hour prior to performance. The box office can be contacted at 910-521-6361.

Photo: The National Acrobats of The Peoples Republic of China is set to perform at Givens on Oct. 13.

Best of Fayetteville: The Tradition

Continues 

No doubt about it, starting today it’s a yearlong celebration of Fayetteville’s Best of the Best. Good things last and Up & Coming Weekly’sBest of Fayetteville readership survey is a 17-year-old tradition recognizing and honoring the best people, businesses and organizations that have greatly contributed to defining the quality of life and personality of our community.

They are the ones who continue to impact our community by leaving a positive and indelible impression of pride and success on this and future generations of residents, visitors and guests. Yes, the Up & Coming Weekly Best of Fayetteville edition you are holding in your hands today will serve you well throughout the entire year as a valuable newcomers guide, service directory or cultural and event resource. Every page touting the best of the best of what the Fayetteville community has to offer.

And, why not?

The rules, format and guidelines of this sanctioned, time-tested survey have been designed, tested, monitored and audited to provide residents, local businesses and organizations the recognition and tribute they deserve for their pride, dedication and perseverance in their quest for excellence. Every category winner has achieved the highest level of excellence in what they do. For 17 years, we have successfully told their stories and revealed their secrets without a single regret.

No ballot stuffing here, no popularity contest or dubious chance to sway the end result.

Each winner is distinguished in its own way. There is no faking it when the community consensus selects you as the best in your field. This means that you are preforming at the highest level of excellence as recognized by your peers. This being the case, why not declare the business or organization the best? After all, in a competitive world and tight economy, only the best survive.

In building a better community, leaders know that success must be built on a sound foundation. In this case, that foundation is the community’s best people, businesses and organizations all striving for extreme excellence.

So, please join me, the staff of Up & Coming Weekly and our Best of Fayetteville event sponsors and local leaders as we begin this year-long celebration. Pick up a copy of this special edition of Up & Coming Weekly at any one of our 500 countywide locations or stop by our corporate offices at 208 Rowan Street. For 24/7, 365 access to The Best of Fayetteville winners go to www.upandcomingweekly.com and click on the Best of Fayetteville. This is year round celebration!

Speaking of celebrations, Up & Coming Weekly celebrates its 20th anniversary next year. Wow! Now, that will really be a party! Stay tuned for the details. In the meantime, thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

In the 1950s, autism was so rare that most people had never heard of it. Now 1 in every 50 American children has some form of autism, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Autistic symptoms vary but most often impact a child’s social communication skills

— leaving him or her perpetually withdrawn, silent or physically difficult to control.

Is the increase simply a matter of improved diagnostics? Not likely. Parents, teachers and physicians would not have missed such a clear behavioral disorder. Doctors have theorized about various causes, but parental, fetal and infant exposures to toxins (not just mercury) do seem related to risk.

One bright spot: Nutritional therapies often reduce symptoms in autistic children. “Some supplements can improve brain chemistry, and vitamin B6 in particular may possibly reduce seizures,” said Stephen Edelson, Ph.D., executive director of the Autism Research Institute (ARI) in San Diego. Here are some promising approaches.

Diet. A just-published study found a strong link between prenatal pesticide exposure and subsequent development of autism. So if you’re planning to have children, go organic to drastically reduce toxin intake and focus on healthy eating habits long before you or your spouse become pregnant. If you have a child with autism, a gluten- and casein-free diet often mitigates symptoms, according to an extensive parental survey in 2009 and a 2013 summary of more than 150 published studies. A candida-elimination (sugar-free) diet and the Feingold (additive-free) diet can also help, as does avoiding wheat, refined sugars and carbs, chocolate and eggs.

Dose. To address general nutrient deficiencies, give your child a daily multivitamin—and take one yourself.

Detox. According to ARI, liver detox regimens and medically supervised chelation therapy (which removes mercury and lead from the body) can also dramatically lessen autism symptoms. Lipoic acid, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and silymarin boost the liver’s ability to break down toxins.

Dose. For small children, try one or two of these: 100 mg lipoic acid, 100 mg NAC, or 100 mg silymarin daily. For teens, double or triple the dose.

B6, magnesium, DMG, zinc. Several studies by the late Bernard Rimland, PhD, who founded ARI, discovered that a combination of vitamin B6 and magnesium supplements led to significant improvements in autistic children’s behavior. More than 20 studies have since found these nutrients helpful. Edelson adds that dimethylglycine (DMG) and zinc might further reduce symptoms and improve learning. Take these supplements under the guidance of a nutritionally oriented doctor.

Dose. 250–1,000 mg B6, 200–400 mg magnesium citrate, 125–250 mg DMG, and 15 mg zinc gluconate daily.

Vitamin D. Low vitamin D levels during fetal development and infancy might predispose a child to autism, according to a growing body of research. Researchers at the Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute in California suggest that vitamin D supplements might prevent and lessen symptoms.

Dose. 400 IU daily for infants, 600 IU for toddlers, and up to 2,000 IU daily for teens.

Omega-3s. These nutrients, specifically docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), are essential for brain development and studies show that supplements improve children’s behavior and learning. In a new study, omega-3s led to significant neurological improvements in 8- to 12-year-old children.

Dose. About 300–400 mg DHA and 100–200 mg EPA daily. You can safely double the dose.

Probiotics. Studies have found that autistic children have a gut bacteria imbalance — and a more serious imbalance is related to more severe autism. Constipation or diarrhea plague up to 50 percent of children with autism.

Dose. Look for a supplement containing 1 billion to 5 billion CFU of lactobacillus and bifidobacteria.

Remember: It’s a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider before starting a new supplement.

Math and sciences are invaluable for explaining the world in terms of facts, but it is only the arts that can attempt to explain the human experience. Music and theatre explore emotions and express what it means to be human. Part of being a whole community and a whole person is having access to the arts. The Givens Performing Arts Center at the University of North Carolina-Pembroke provides that sense of community for many in the region.

“The center attracts world-class talent from around the world. From the Celtic sounds of master fiddlers, Natalie MacMaster and Donell Leahy, to the Chinese National Acrobats, this season will bring engaging acts to our community,” Chad Locklear the director of marketing said.

The GPAC is one of the “premier destinations for arts, culture and entertainment” in the area and it provides a staggering number of opportunities for the community to come and experience.

“We host more than 125 events a year, including UNCP student productions and community events,” Locklear noted.

These opportunities still remain one of the most economical choices for enjoying such high caliber artists.

“For the price of a single ticket on Broadway, you can enjoy an entire season of exciting productions here at GPAC,” said Locklear.

Having this stellar reputation, it comes as no surprise that this year they are again offering the community a star-studded season.

“We’re offering more shows this season than last, so audiences can expect a greater variety of entertainment, like the popular musical Mamma Mia and the standup comedian, Michael Ian Black. We’re also bringing back some favorites: the North Carolina Symphony and the National Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China have been well-received here in the past and will return with all new shows.

“Donnell Leahy of the Canadian folk group, Leahy, will return with his wife, Natalie MacMaster and their children in a Celtic concert called Visions from Great Breton,” he continued.

“We’ve also got a few holiday shows this year: an all-new production of the musical, Jekyll & Hyde comes to GPAC right before Halloween and American Big Band: Home for the Holidays is our Christmas-themed show,.”

Local talent also has a place in the season at Givens Performing Arts Center. Threefifty performed at GPAC on Sept 12. The band is usually a duo, but for the first time they performed with a total of eight other musicians just for the show at the GPAC. Band member, Brad Parnell, is from the area.

Givens offers a variety of special programs including the Broadway and More and the Distinguished Speaker Series.

This year’s Broadway and More Series will feature: Broadway Rox! on Saturday, Sept. 20; The National Acrobats From the People’s Republic of China on Monday, Oct. 13; Jekyll and Hyde on Monday, Oct. 20;Home for the Holidays on Friday, Nov. 21; Million Dollar Quartet, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015; North Carolina Symphony on March 21, 2015; Natalie MacMaster and Donell Leahy on March 24, 2015 and The Great Gatsby on Saturday, April 25, 2015.

The GPAC Annual Fundraiser, a golf tournament, is slated for Tuesday, Oct. 7 at Pinecrest Country Club. To register, call 910-521-6634. The Annual Casino Night and Silent Auction is on Friday, Feb. 13, 2015 at the University Center Annex.

Tickets for the entire season are on sale now. Another incredible option to even further enhance the experience at a performance is the Diners Club, which is $30 per person and includes a wine and cheese reception beginning at 6 p.m. and dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are required and dinner tickets are available throughout the season. For more information visit www.uncp.edu/gpac or call 521-6361.

Last year a fewer than 7,000 infants were born at Cape Fear Valley Health and close to 10 percent of those infants were premature so that is why the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation presents the 19th Annual Friends of Children Golf Classic on Thursday, Oct. 2 at 7:30 a.m. at Highland Country Club.

“The purpose of this signature event is to help our Friends of Children which is one of our Friends’ groups under the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation,” said Tara Hinton, events development coordinator of Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation. “That group provides car seats, gas vouchers, toys, blankets, teddy bears, clothing and all types of programs and services for children and families in need while they are receiving care at our facility.”

Hinton added that the golf tournament plays an integral role in providing the funds for these programs and services and in the past, the golf tournament has helped purchase the first state of the art giraffe bed for the hospital. The giraffe bed mimics the womb of the mother for premature infants. They have since purchased 17 or 18 more giraffe.

“The past few years the golf classic has chosen a project for funding,” said Rachel Richardson, programming development coordinator of Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation. “This year one of the projects for funding is a neonatal transporter for our level three Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.”

Richardson added that Cape Fear Valley’s NICU currently has two transporters but there is great value in providing an additional transporter because if one transporter has any maintenance issue, their NICU team will still have two operating machines. It is also a great benefit when there are prematurely born triplets born at Cape Fear Valley and more often than not, sets of twins and triplets have a higher risk of being born prematurely. The transporter is mobile life support for premature infants and is how the babies are transported from labor and delivery to the NICU. The NICU serves 13 counties in the state of North Carolina.

“With the current state of healthcare reform and the decreasing reimbursements, the foundation and this particular Friends of Golf Classic is able to provide to the children’s areas at Cape Fear Valley Health, which really helps bridge the gap for our hospital as far as needs for patients,” said Richardson.

More than 60,000 children are seen as inpatients and outpatients a year at the Pediatric Emergency Department and the Children’s Center at Cape Fear Valley Health. The remaining portion of the proceeds is going to the Children’s Center renovations at the hospital. If your baby has been born at Cape Fear Valley Health, whether they have gone to the NICU or not, prior to discharge, and if they ever have to go back to the hospital again before they turn 18, they will receive care in the Children’s Center.

“We just want to make sure that we are enhancing the patient environment for children so that they are not lost in the medical world while they are receiving treatment,” said Hinton.

Sponsorship levels for the golf tournament range from $250 to $25,000. For more information and details, call Tara Hinton at 615-1434.

In 1998, Up & Coming Weekly Publisher Bill Bowman came to his young editorial staff with a great idea.

“We are going to celebrate the best that this community has to offer,” he explained.

For those of us on staff, we were a little bewildered. We thought that was what we did every week. But Bill had a bigger plan, and over the next several weeks, planning for the first Best of Fayetteville Reader’s Poll went into overdrive.

To say that we were a little daunted is an understatement, particularly when Bill pulled out the original ballot. Compared to this year’s ballot, that one was pretty small; to us, it seemed mammoth. So we toiled for hours on end to produce that issue. Was it the best we have ever done? No, but it was a beginning.

Since that first issue, we have become more enamored with celebrating the people, organizations, locations and businesses that represent the best of the place we all call home.

I would like to say it has become a little less daunting, but that would be a lie. Remember, the ballot has grown exponentially, and the competition has become fierce. The number of ballots grows by leaps and bounds every year, and with last year’s addition of online voting, the growth has been even more phenomenal.

So while, we, as an editorial staff, have a sort of dread at this time of the year, it is overcome by our excitement. The Best of Fayetteville is truly an opportunity to recognize and recommend those people, places, organizations and businesses that make our community so unique. That makes the work worthwhile.

So enjoy this year’s edition. Peruse it. Save it.

Remember the folks who won and then pay them a visit. Let them know that you appreciate their commitment to making our community better. Let them know you saw it here. And keep your eyes open so you know who to vote for next year! Thanks for reading, thanks for voting and thanks for being part of what makes our community the best of the best.

Renaissance reenactment is an excit-ing way to involve friends and family in the history and culture of the past. The Fourth Annual Fort Bragg Renaissance Fairee will be held on Sept. 20 and 21 starting at 10 a.m.

Renaissaince Faires include a number of activities that engage performers and audiences to interact with one another. Activities will include: Paragon Jousting, which actually pits warriors against each other on horse-back. If the joust gets your blood stirring, you can participate in swordsmanship classes. If, on the other hand, fighting isn’t your thing, you can stroll through the Marketplace, where you will find handcrafted clothing, candles and jewelry, hand-forged medieval cloak pins, ladles, cutlery sets, chainmail and fire pokers.

The Faire runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. At 4:30 p.m., there is a masquerade ball, followed by a Pub Sing. On Sunday, activities will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 5 p.m. There is an “Are you smarter than a royal?” competition at 4 p.m., also followed by a Pub Sing.

During the Faire, attendees are asked to refrain from using cell phones on site and encouraged to dress the part if able. This creates a more realis-tic environment and adds to the fun.

The absence of technology gives everyone a chance to experience life as an everyday person during the time period. This also is an educational opportunity for children to learn about history and to delve into the event without distraction.

The Faire will offer roasted turkey legs, beverages and treats while magi-cians, musicians and dancers entertain the public. To reenact this age, the Medieval Fantasies Company travels statewide so everyone can experience and be involved in rebirth.

Chris and Mia Pugh founded the company in 2003 where they conduct a number of medieval and renaissance themed services.

“We are dedicated to offering family-friendly events filled with appropriate entertainment and educational opportunities. While our Faires are not strictly living history, we strive to offer performers that provide high quality historical demonstrations,” said Chris Pugh.

After doing some digging into his family tree, Pugh found that his family was actually a part of the Renaissance and the Middle Ages.

“We are shaped by those who have come before us — our values, talents and faults are as much a part of us as they are of our ancestors. It is our responsibility to pass on this history to those who follow us. Not only for our children, but those who we meet everyday,” he said.

Renaissance Faires are outdoor events held to enlighten the commu-nity about the rebirth stage, which occurred roughly from the 14th to the 17th century. The Dark Ages were an era of war and disease before the re-birth period. Before the people where given the rebirth of their freedoms they suffered through times of oppres-sion. The Renaissance period brought forth more freedom and access to art, religion, science and music.

“I am a United States Air Force veteran, and as such, I know how important programs such as the Faire are for our service members and their families,” he said. “It is an honor and a privilege…to provide a place for them to set aside their cares and respon-sibilities for a short while. To enter a world where they can relax, have fun and truly enjoy their time at Fairee is our ultimate goal.”

The Renaissance Faire is at the Smith Lake Recreation Area, 1200 Honeycutt Road. Entrance to Smith Lake Recreation Area is accessible off of Honeycutt Road onto Smith Lake Road. The access road off of Murchi-son Road is now permanently closed. Admission is $ 5 per carload. For more information, visit the Fort Bragg MWR website at www.fortbraggmwr.com or www.medievalfanta-siesco.com.

In 1920, a group of “20-odd young vital businessmen” gathered to listen to a representative of Kiwanis International. A week later, that num-ber grew to more than 75 as the men gathered to charter their club and hand out membership applications. Since that time, the Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville has gone about the business of improving the community one child at a time, living up to the Kiwanis International motto, “Serving the Children of the World.”

On Sept. 18, the club will take another step toward helping Cumberland County’s children by sponsoring the Kiwanis Club’s Annual Care for Kids Golf Tourna-ment to benefit the Child Advocacy Center. The tourna-ment, held at Cypress Lakes Golf Course, in the Gray’s Creek Community, is one of many fundraising events the club holds throughout the year. In 2013, the tour-nament raised more than $25,000 and organizers hope to meet or exceed that amount this year.

The Child Advocacy Center is a 501C-3 nonprofit whose purpose is to alleviate the trauma children experience once a disclosure of sexual abuse or seri-ous physical abuse occurs by creating a community of collaborating advocates.

They do this through a number of programs that stress education and prevention to change the community, but also include therapy and other help for children who have been abused. The work of the center is truly a community activity, as a multidisciplinary team from across the community works together on the various programs and to meet the needs of abused children.

The center, located on Ray Avenue, is a safe and child friendly facility that supports the prevention, investigation and prosecution of child abuse.

None of this would happen without the generous support of individual donors, grants and work by organizations like the Kiwanis who give self-lessly to support the mission of the organization.

The donations given to the center will not only help the children and families that suffer from abuse, but also assist in keeping the center in operation.

“The center uses the donations to help the families in any way possible. We buy food, clothes, school supplies and provide psychological care. The center also helps the families figure out the next steps for their children,” said Roberta Humphries, the executive director of the CAC.

“The donations collected from July 2013 to June 2014 aided 616 children. In the past year the CAC has seen a 37 percent increase in t services provided to children,” continued Humphries. “Law enforcement and the Department of Social Services refer the majority of the families that benefit from CAC services.”

Donations also help inform the public about pre-venting, noticing and protecting children from abuse. Abuse can be defined as emotional, physical, sexual and neglect.

The Darkness to Light (D2L) Stewards of Children is a class held by the CAC to teach adults how to prevent child sexual abuse. Adults are the fundamental part to counteracting child abuse because kids are in the attention of adults. The program is also helpful for organizations that monitor or care for children.

In addition to the Caring for Kids Golf Tournament, the club also hosts many other events throughout the year such as: Reading is Fun, Kiwanis Talent Night, Terrific Kids program and Salvation Army Bell Ringing.

Check in for the tournament is at 11:30 a.m. at Cypress Lakes. Registra-tion is $100 for individuals and $400 for teams of four. Entry fee includes: golf cart and green’s fees with an amenities bag and dinner after the tournament. There is a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. For registration forms or more information, visit www.fayettevillekiwanis.org.

Photo: The Kiwanis Care for Kids Golf Tournament rais-es funds to support the Child Advocacy Center.

It’s a Party and You Are Invited

In just a few days one of the biggest parties of the year is going to happen — and, you are invited. Yes, that’s right. We want you to help us celebrate. So grab your party clothes, bring your horns and confetti. On Tuesday, Sept. 16, Up & Coming will unveil the winners of the Best of Fayetteville. You aren’t going to want to miss it!

Celebrating one of Up & Coming Weekly’s biggest and most celebrated editions and events of the year — The 17th Annual Best of Fayetteville Awards — has become a tradition in Fayetteville. Each year it gets a little bit bigger and better and this year is no exception. So mark your calendars and plan to be our guests at It’z Entertainment City from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. as we celebrate the people, businesses, services and organizations that have been recognized by our readers and the Fayetteville community as being the “Best of the Best”.

Join us for the music, food, fun, prizes and surprises as we honor those who have helped shape and define our community. Join special guests Fayetteville Mayor Nat Robertson, Doug Peters of the Fayetteville Regional Chamber of Commerce, Cumberland County officials, and, of course, our winners, as we come together in recognition of these local assets that impact our everyday lives.

This very special edition of Up & Coming Weekly is our biggest, most popular and most read edition of the year. From a credibility and reliability point of view, we describe the “Best of” edition as a local Fayetteville resource that combines the attributes and characteristics of JC Powers, the Better Business Bureau and Angie’s List. This is why we post the Best of Fayetteville edition online and use it year round to showcase Fayetteville and Cumberland County to our guests and visitors.

If you can’t attend the party make sure you pick up a copy at any one of our 500 locations across Cumberland County. Make sure you get it early, because these issues don’t stay in the stands long. In fact, they fly off them. Once you’ve read the issue and found out what businesses have earned the trust and respect of your neighbors, take time to pay them a visit. Look for the colorful window decals or the prestigious gold and white plaques that designate a business or organization as the “best of the best” and congratulate them on the accomplishment. The party celebration is not just to recognize and celebrate the winners of the 17th Annual Best of Fayetteville reader survey. It is to also thank our readers and community leaders for their commitment to enhancing our community and our quality of life.

This survey and the event itself is always a huge undertaking with lots of moving parts. It would be impossible to execute it without the help and assistance of many people who practically guarantee its success. This includes our sponsors, our staff of talented and dedicated writers, editor’s, designers, marketing consultants, distribution drivers and administration. To get out the Best of Fayetteville, it truly takes a village.

This is a very exciting time of the year for us. Please note that Up & Coming Weekly is extremely proud to be Fayetteville’s community newspaper. We cherish every moment we are allowed to bring to the forefront those people, places, businesses, services and organizations that make this community a great place to live, work and raise a family. Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly. We look forward to seeing you and celebrating with you on Sept. 16.

If the phrases, “I’m not dead yet,” “It’s a flesh wound” and “I fart in your general direction. Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries,” leave you laughing and speaking in your worst English accent, then you are probably a pretty big fan of Monty Python’s Holy Grail.

That being the case, you are definitely going to buy a ticket to the upcoming show at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre: Spamlot.

Spamalot is a musical adaptation of the Holy Grail, which has left audiences in stitches all across the world. During the 2004-2005 Broad-way season, Spamalot had more than 1,500 performances during its initial run and was seen by more than 2 million people. The show garnered three Tony Awards, include Best Musical. All of which affirmed what Eric idle, one of the shows creator’s, said, “I like the title Spamlot, a lot. We tested it with audiences on my recent U.S. tour and they liked it as much as I did, which is gratifying. After all, they are the ones who will be paying Broadway prices to see the show. It comes from a line in the movie which goes: “We eat ham, we eat jam and Spam a lot.”

The outtake from the movie for the title, is really what the show is comprised of — some of the funniest bits from the movie. But in the case of Spamalot, the outtakes are brilliantly woven together to not only tell a story, but also to end in a big Broadway finish, one that CFRT Artistic Director Tom Quaintance will not only leave his audience laughing, but keep them coming back for more.

Quaintance recalls his first introduction to the show. “Someone gave me tickets to the show, and I went with-out any real expectations,” he recalled. “I just didn’t really think the show would be for me. I was wrong. I laughed so long and so hard. It really stuck with me because it is as broad as it can be. There’s great music, dancing and it is as funny as it can be.”

With that in mind, Quaintance, along with the season selection board at the CFRT, decided to bring it to the stage.

“This is a show that fits really well in this season and it fits really well with out community of actors,” said Quaintance. “In this show, all of the performers are regional, with all of them coming from within an hour of the Fayetteville. To bring a Tony Award play to stage with regional actors is something that we really want to do at the CFRT.

When adding the show to the season lineup, Quaintance also weighed it against the other shows in the line up. The next show coming to the stage is The Bluest Eye, which is a pretty intense show. Adding a huge musical comedy like Spamalot to the lineup rounds out the season nicely.

“This show is not heavy,” he said. “It is fun, fun, fun. There is something really important about bringing a community of people together to share a laugh.”

While the entire cast of Spamalot is exceptional in Quaintance’s opinion, King Arthur played by veteran CFRT actor Ken Griggs and The Lady of the Lake, played by Raleigh actor Lisa Jolley, will leave the audi-ence in stitches.

“Although these two have only worked together once before, they are a little like an old married couple, up on the stage” noted Quaintance. “They play very well off of each other.”

As Quaintance makes his point, the two break into a side conversation on who is the better dancer and Griggs laughingly makes fun of Jolley’s phobias.

“This show is curing all of my phobias,” confirmed Jolley. “I am afraid of heights, drops and movement. If they could add a roller coaster to the set I would be cured. This is good therapy for me.”

“I was 10-years-old when I saw my first Monty Python sketch,” said Griggs. We didn’t have cable and all that stuf, so I had to wait for public TV to show it. The Holy Grail is wonderfully, hilariously, unrelentingly funny. I memorized every of every scene of every sketch. The chance to do this show is awesome.”

For Jolley, the show is a bit of a change. “I’m not used to playing the girl,” she said. “I’m usually the old lady, the best friend, the table, the dog. So being the Lady of the Lake is a really different role for me. But I like it a lot.”

In Spamalot, the Lady of the Knight sends King Arthur on his quest to find the Lady Grail. Throughout the performance, she makes ap-pearances with her Laker Girls to keep the quest on its way.

And of course, big production numbers help keep the show moving.

“It seems like there is a cast of thousands, but there are really only 18 people in the cast,” added Quaintance. “There’s a really big finish over and over again.

“The hardest working people in the show are the ensemble,” he continued. “They have a 100 different parts and when they are not on stage, they are just off stage doing very quick costume changes.”

In the ensemble, you will also see some familiar faces. Of particular note are the Knights of the Round Table played by Jeremy Fiebig, Jacob Barton, Matt Lamb and Bill Saunders.

Griggs cautions that people shouldn’t come to the show expecting to see a remake of the movie.

“We aren’t doing the movie or the Broadway show,” he explained. “We are doing our version, and I think we are making some pretty smart choices.”

Previews for Spamalot are Thursday, Sept. 18 and Friday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the preview are $15. The show opens on Saturday, Sept. 20 and runs through Sunday, Oct. 12. All shows, with the exception of the Saturday and Sunday matinees start at 7:30 p.m. Matinees are at 2 p.m.

For tickets and information, visit the CFRT website at ww.cfrt.org or call 323-4233 to buy tickets..

The 9th Annual Ribbon Walk & Ride will take place in downtown Fayetteville on Sept. 20. Proceeds from the event benefit the Friends of the Cancer Center and will directly benefit local patients who are fighting cancer. The Friends of the Cancer Center helps to provide hundreds of cancer patients and their families with emotional support, information resources, food supplements, assistance with wigs and turbans and emergency needs funding.

Tara Brisson Hinton, development coordinator for the Cape Fear Valley Foundation explained, “Our event keeps the funds in our community helping local cancer patients right now as they go through treatment at Cape Fear Valley Cancer Center. This is our ninth year with the 5K walk and motorcycle ride that continues to grow, as our patients needs continue to grow.

“Our mission is to support our patients right here at home through Friends of the Cancer Center by helping them through a profoundly emotional time and to improve the quality of our patients’ lives,” she continued. “This event plays an integral role in helping us provide financial assistance, wig vouchers, transportation assistance, our Oasis Complimentary Medicine program, resource centers, free mammograms and many support programs. This event allows us to help people right now in our community at the same time walking or riding in honor and in memory of our loved ones who have had to fight the battle of cancer.”

New, at this year’s race, is an honorarium and memorial wall for people to purchase a frame from the Cape Fear Valley Foundation office for a $15 donation. The frames can be decorated and turned back in by Sept. 8 for display at the respective wall during the event.

The team that raises the most money will take ownership of The Crystal Ribbon Trophy until next year’s event. In addition, the top three teams raising the most money will receive recognition at the Foundation Board of Directors Annual Meeting, a certificate of appreciation and a thank you letter from the Board of Directors of the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation.

The Survivor Reception is Sept. 19 at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church from 7-9 p.m. for survivors and a guest. Registration is $25, $30 the day of and survivor registration is only $15. Survivors will receive a special T-shirt. Register early because shirts are limited. You can register at www.ribbonwalkforcancer.org or call 615-1434 or stop by the foundation office at 101 Robeson St. The reception is a fun night of celebration to honor survivors and those who survive within our hearts.

Hinton continued, “Without our volunteers, participants and community support we would not be able to help as many cancer patients as we do through the annual Ribbon Walk & Ride for Friends of the Cancer Center,… you never know who you may be helping.”

The event is presented by Stanley Steamer, PDQ and Community Home Care & Hospice. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Late registration will open at 7:30 a.m. Opening ceremonies, hosted by Don Chase of WKML and Nicole Carr of ABC 11 News, begin at 8:30 a.m. The bike ride begins at 8:45 a.m. and the walk begins at 9 a.m. Due to the popularity of the event, this year’s race is returning to Festival Park from the Medical Arts Building. For more information, or to register for the race, please visit http://www.ribbonwalkforcancer.org.

If you had your choice of sitting at home and watching TV or dancing and laughing and learning about one of the oldest cultures in the world, which would you choose? If you’re smart, you’ll choose the first option and head out to the 24th Annual Greek Fest at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, which organizers promises will be big-ger and better than before. So grab your keys and kin and be Greek For a weekend!

The Greek Fest, a much awaited and loved event in Fayetteville, will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday Sept. 5 and will run through 6 p.m. on Sun-day, Sept. 7. For three fabulous day, you can soak yourself in the traditions and history of our Greek neighbors, and in case we haven’t mentioned it, you can all fill yourself to the brim with some of the best Greek food in town.

For the Greek Community, the Greek Festival serves a two-fold purpose. First, it allow the com-munity to share the culture, history and heritage of their people through food, music and dancing, as well as their Greek Orthodox faith. Second, it raises funds to help numerous charities within the community. The Greek Community looks at it like being good neighbors.

Not only are they good neighbors, they are also great hosts! John Batzolas, a mem-ber of the Greek Fest Committee, explained, “We are going to have Greek food, Greek dancing, a live Greek Band and a Greek marketplace.”

He noted that the food, all lovingly made by the members of Sts. Constantine and Helen, is one of the biggest draws. Community residents flock to the church in droves to taste the succulent dishes, and of course, to get their hands on the fresh-baked pastries.

Batzolas noted that the annual baking of the pastries is a community affair.

“Most of the ladies from the church come together and pitch in to bake the goods before the event,” he said.

The love and care they put into their baking is greatly appreciated by the people who line up to not only sample while they are there, but also to take it home.

This year, as in year’s past, there are two food lines; one line offers a full, traditional Greek meal, while the other offers typical Greek snack food like gyros or pitas. (The baked goods are sold separately. ) Batzolas cautioned that Friday lunch will offer a limited menu; however, come Friday night, the festival is in full swing.

In addition to the food, visitors will also have the opportunity to visit a Greek Marketplace, where they can find the typical things found in a Greek store. After you’ve shopped there, you can step over to the Greek grocery store, where you can purchase products found in Greece from olive oil to ouzo and from Greek wine to nuts, as well as water and soft drinks and Greek wine to comple-ment your food..

And while you are there, you can listen to the great Greek music provided by the Nick Trivelas Band, and, if the spirit moves you, join the Greek dancers for a dance or two.

Batzolas added, “If you like to dance, join us!”And before you leave, make sure you by a Greek Fest Raffle ticket for only $5. You have a chance at winning at winning the grand prize of either $2,000 cash or two round trip airfares to Athens, Greece, a large screen televi-sion or some cold, hard cash.

It’s important to note, as Batzolas explained, that the money raised by the festival and the raffle stays in the community, with some money stay in the church and the remainder going into the community to support various non-profit organizations like the Autism Society and the American Red Cross.

Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church is located at 614 Oakridge Ave., in Haymount. Admission and parking are free. The festival runs Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon until 6 p.m. For more information, call 910 484-2010, or visit the website at www.stsch.nc.goarch.org.

The Fury in Ferguson: Quest and Question of Justice

Sometimes events happen in faraway places that impact how we live and how we feel in our very own hometowns. All eyes have been focused on Ferguson, Mo., as millions of Americans try to figure out what the 21st century definition of “justice” really is. To this point, I yield my space this week to someone who can speak to that subject.

Ferguson, Mo., erupted onto the American conscience on Aug. 9, when an unarmed 18-year-old, Michael Brown, was shot and killed by Darren Wilson, a police officer with the Ferguson Police Department. That Brown was black and Wilson is white, arguably, is no less important to the narrative than the facts leading up to Brown’s killing. That is true in part because of the existing poor relations between the black public and their police department at the time of Brown’s death, and made worse after white police officers let Brown’s dead, blood-soaked body remain on full display, in the middle of the street, for several hours, while concealing for a week the identity of the white officer who had killed the teen after shooting him six times, twice in the head. The racial flames were further fanned by the account of several eye witnesses who said the unarmed teen had raised his hands in the universal symbol of surrender, while pleading with Officer Wilson not to shoot. And notwithstanding the relevance and importance of those accounts, inexplicably, the Ferguson Police Department chose not to interview the alleged witnesses regarding their statements.

Understandably, not unlike the citizens of Ferguson, every other reasonable, rational person on the planet would be hard-pressed to reconcile why investigators would not, well, investigate, which, by definition, would have to include speaking with every person who may have seen or heard anything concerning the cause and circumstances that resulted in Brown’s death. That no such reasonably hoped-for investigation occurred only solidified in the minds and hearts of Ferguson’s already disaffected black citizenry that there would be no justice. And, correctly, the Ferguson Police Department reasonably anticipated there would be no peace, but, as a precaution, incorrectly made containment a priority rather than transparency and due process

.What followed were the unconstrained emotions that can and often do flow from the feeling of being yet again violated, devalued and victimized by a long-term foe, in this case, the police. Blacks and their historical relationship to police brutality necessarily conjures up the painful 1960s images of Birmingham’s so-called Commissioner of Public Safety, Eugene “Bull” Connor, police attack dogs, night sticks and powerful fire hoses that conspired, with impunity, to terrorize black men, women and children. The anticipation of perennial impunity for perceived police misconduct is the fuel that precipitates — though it does not excuse — the violence and property damage that often occurs during these tragic times.

Ferguson’s blacks and whites comprise 63 percent and 33 percent of the population, respectively. And yet, there are only three black officers out of the 53 commissioned officers on the Ferguson Police Department. That blacks account for 86 percent (12percent for whites) of all traffic stops, and 92 percent of all arrests (7 percent for whites) creates more than enough suspicious fodder that white police officers target black drivers (and in Brown’s case, pedestrians) and reserve for them a special brand of policing, which almost a 100 percent of the time leads to their arrest (and in Brown’s case, death).

While not a failsafe, diversity in such important entities as police departments can indicate the presence of equality and justice, or at least, the potential for it. And such diversity can, as amongst the police and those they pledge to protect and serve, boost morale, trust and a willingness to work collaboratively to solve common community concerns. Conversely, where, as here, the disaffected black community does not perceive even an appearance of equality and justice, common to all, and where, as here, there is not even enough of a diverse police workforce to achieve plausible deniability around the question of unequal treatment under the law, each inevitable citizen and cop conflict will only be aggravated and inflamed by the understandable lack of confidence those citizens will have in law enforcement’s capacity and willingness to resolve conflicts transparently and fairly.

Finally, whether or not the fury in Ferguson will reside or rage on, or whether or not the intense quest for, and question of justice will be realized, remains to be seen. But whatever the revelation, it will be “social-vized” on Facebook and Twitter. As such, the world will know the truth, but the truth will make no one free, unless, good men and women affirmatively refuse to allow evil to further triumph.

Photo: Michael Brown

On a hectic Friday afternoon, the Cape Fear Regional Theatre is a bee-hive of activity. On the main stage, the stage crew is occupied with building the set for the upcoming production of Spamalot! In the lobby, everyone from the serious buyer to the looky-loos are perusing the wide array of props and costumes that are on sale during the theatre’s yard sale to clean out its costume and prop room. Volunteers are busy planning the upcoming fundraiser in the Cape Fear Botanical Garden and measur-ing actors for costumes. Orchestrat-ing all of this controlled madness is Tom Quaintance, the artistic director of the theatre.

Quaintance, who is in his third year at the theatre, takes it all in stride. He has earned a few more gray hairs since his arrival in Fayetteville, but the wisdom he has gained in those three years not only about the theatre, but also about the community makes them well worth-while.

“I’m as busy as I have ever been,” said Quaintance, who took a break from rehearsals for Spamalot! to sit down with Up & Coming Weekly. “I am better at the job now, but it’s still a lot.”

Quaintance, who moved to Fayetteville from the West Coast, tackled two big jobs when he arrived in Fayetteville. The first, of course, was take the reigns of a successful and growing the theatre. The second was becoming a dad.

“I look at those two as being a lot alike,” he said. “The responsibility of running a theatre and the respon-sibility of being a father are both extremely rewarding and exciting.”

They are both also both the hard-est jobs Quaintance has ever had to tackle — and the most rewarding.

Quaintance said the responsibility required for each is overwhelming.

“But at the end of the day, when it all comes down, I’d rather be the guy responsible,” he noted.

About two months into his job at the CFRT, Quaintance had his first “we’re not in Kansas” anymore mo-ment while sitting in a meeting at the Arts Council of Fayetteville-Cumber-land County.

“I was in a meeting with local and state leaders. They were talk-ing about the role of the arts in the state, and it hit me that I had to pay attention to what was being said, to what was going on. It was up to me to engage and be a part of this very important conversation,” he recalled. “I had come up with a way for the theatre to partner with these agen-cies. In the past, when I was teach-ing, I would go to a faculty meeting and kind of blank out because it wasn’t about me, but all of this is.

Quaintance is taking that role seri-ously and is working closely with local and state leaders to position the CFRT as a leader in not only the region, but the state and the nation.

His efforts are not going without notice, as the theatre has received two National Endowment of the Arts grants (the first for the staging of The Parchman Hour) and the most recent, an unsolicited grant to use to engage the local audience. The theatre also receive a national grant to stage the upcoming Voices from the Homefront.

The engagement piece is what Quaintance has being struggling with since coming to Fayetteville. His first observance was that the theatre served a limited part of the commu-nity, and over the past three years, through not only play selection, but also outreach programs to engage the community, he has tried to broaden the reach of the theatre by making it appealing to all members of the community.

“We have been working very hard to reach into parts of the commu-nity that we have not served,” he said. “And that will continue to be our focus, as well as bringing well produced, designed and acted plays to the stage.”

The theatre and its board is in the beginning stages of creating a strategic plan for the growth and success of the theatre. Quaintance is excited about the possibilities, and is encouraged by the increase in atten-dance to shows. All of which he at-tributes to the hard work of the staff, who he says has thrown themselves wholeheartedly into the changes he has made and who have worked tire-lessly to improve the theatre.

“This theatre will live up to its name, we will take some risks with play selections and we will tackle some tough issues, but we will continue to produce quality theatre,” he said. “And I believe, we will be a leader for the arts in our community, the state and the nation."

Photo: Tom Quaintance

Honey is one of those amazing things that nature and bees provide. The golden sweet-smelling stuff doesn’t just taste great, it also contains a wealth of health-promoting properties. Its minerals, vitamins and antioxidants make honey a wonderful topical treatment for healthy skin and hair. Check out some of these uses below. Whenever possible, purchase locally produced honey that is raw, meaning it hasn’t been heated, which can kill its active ingredients. Most farmers’ markets offer local, raw honey.

Pimples and acne. The naturally occurring antibacterial benefits of honey can help kill bacteria and work to quell inflammation. Apply raw honey to freshly washed pimples and leave on overnight.

Intense pimple treatment. The UK Honey Association offers this treatment for pimples: Blend 2 teaspoons honey, ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt and 1 teaspoon turmeric to a thick paste. Apply only to the pimple and leave overnight. Wash your face as usual.

Minor wounds. Honey actually emits bacteria-killing hydrogen peroxide and has other wound-healing properties. Try applying honey to clean cuts and scrapes and cover with a bandage.

Shiny hair. Mix ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar and 2 tablespoons of honey with 2 cups of water. Apply to clean hair and leave on for at least 5 minutes. Rinse. You can follow with conditioner if necessary.

Simple honey mask. Honey’s moisturizing and antioxidant properties make it a wonderful beauty mask. It also gently exfoliates. Apply a generous layer of raw honey to clean skin; relax for 30 minutes and rinse.

Honey bath. This is a luxurious treat that requires 1 cup of honey. Add the honey to bath water and enjoy the light scent while it gently moisturizes your skin. Take a shower first so that you don’t need to use soap.

Honey scrub. Mix a small amount of honey with ground almonds for a body and face scrub that exfoliates and moisturizes.

Lip moisturizing. Simply apply honey to your lips and the skin around them for a moisturizing effect that also tastes good. Leave on for 15 minutes or so and apply moisturizer after.

The Apple Crate offers a wide variety of honey options from regional honey to honey from as far away as New Zealand. Each one offers their own unique benefits, tastes and textures. The Apple Crate staff will be happy to help you choose the right honey for any beauty emergency.

Photo: There are many practical uses for honey that can make you look and feel better. Raw local honey is usually the best bet when it comes to choosing which type of honey to purchase.

Fayetteville and its nearby neighbors are rich with talent. The local music scene thrives with local artists gracing stages, music halls and cof-fee shops pretty much every night of the week. But how do those artists aspiring to enter a full-time music career get from being “in” Fayetteville to being “from” Fayetteville? Unfortunately, the formula for success is not as easy as the myriad of 10-step books lining the shelves of every book store, or they would all be on their way.

The truth of the matter is this: Success for any artist is found only in the eye of the beholder. Period. That’s why WCLN decided to host a regional talent search we called Take the Stage. Putting the call out to musicians and their mothers from Raleigh to Lumberton, we received dozens of entries. We had to work our way through everything from slick, semi-professional videos to recordings made on living room couches, to pare the submissions down to 16 hopefuls we invited to appear on four stages in Fayetteville, Lumberton, Dunn and Clinton.

Show after show, the result was an astounded audience. The profession-alism and musicianship of the bands and artists that entered each venue simply blew each audience away. While there were no losers in the com-petition, we still had to address the challenge of choosing the best. Using a panel of music professionals, we combined their scores with the votes of the crowd to determine a winner for each of the four shows to appear at a final event being staged as part of the Cumberland County Fair on September 7.

Of course, there is a point to all of this. There is an annual event staged by Temple Baptist Church known as NextFest. The free-to-attend event features national acts and has always incorporated regional talent. As the church booked a major tour for 2014, they found themselves relegated to a single local act with some stiff parameters on how they could even stage them. Enter WCLN. Our job is to be part of the bridge between artist and audience. We didn’t see one slot, we saw one opportunity. One chance for a local artist to be exposed to an eager crowd on the same stage as several Top 10 artists.

Now we’re inviting you. We’ve eliminated the judges, and will turn it over to the crowd on September 7th. Four artists will Take the Stage beginning at 6 p.m., at the Crown Complex Theater, and one will walk away with the promise of climbing on the NextFest stage along with Family Force 5, 7eventh Time Down, and the Newsboys in October.

And then we’ll wave goodbye. For together, we will have accomplished the goal: Helping someone go from being “in” Fayetteville, to being “from” Fayetteville.

 Downtown Small Plate Crawl Serves Up Hot Dish

Finally, Historic Downtown Fayetteville is beginning to “get it” when it comes to building excitement and inviting Cumberland County residents and visitors to experience and enjoy the uniqueness of Fayetteville’s downtown community. Build it and they will come. Well, they will also come if you invite them. And, marketing, advertising and promoting Downtown Fayetteville as a fun family destination is the best and most effective way to keep Downtown as a vibrant, must–visit option.

The newly formed Downtown Fayetteville Restaurant Association, in collaboration with the Downtown Alliance and Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, presented a very impressive 4th Friday this past weekend. Yes, there was fun and excitement in the air – mostly from seeing new faces enjoying many new places. This very cool scene made the warm August night stimulating and enjoyable. This was Downtown Fayetteville at its best. There was music, food, fun, art and entertainment. What more could you ask for?

Well, maybe one or two things…

It is puzzling that with so much time, effort and money going into this event, why so many businesses were closed and not participating. Go figure. Hundreds of invited guests walking past your storefront from 5 to 9 p.m.... and you’re CLOSED! Not necessarily the way to go about promoting and developing a successful business – or showcasing a vibrant downtown. The fact is, there are still too many vacant buildings, empty storefronts and closed businesses that present a telltale contradiction to the vibrant image we want to project.

Also, as it appears now, the Downtown Fayetteville experience is hard to explain or define. The Downtown Alliance and the newly formed Downtown Fayetteville Restaurant Association’s inaugural event, the Small Plate Crawl, added fun and purpose to this 4th Friday experience. However, the overall event seemed to lack an identity or theme. People were wondering … “Is this an arts event? Music event? Food event?” There needs to be a cohesive theme, group, organization or purpose to pull all the venues and elements together to create a definable and marketable Downtown/4th Friday brand.

This would address my third observation – that we are losing our attractive side street venues. Hay Street is getting all the traffic and action while there is little to draw people to the unique shops and businesses along Maxwell, Donaldson and Franklin Streets, where these establishments also have much to contribute.

To me, this last 4th Friday event in Historic Downtown Fayetteville marked a new beginning of creating and branding downtown Fayetteville as a fun family destination where we can consistently and proudly showcase our city, not just on special occasions, but every night of the week. This was an excellent start. Congratulations!

Thanks for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

Photo: The Small Plate Crawl added extra fun and excitement to 4th Friday.

It probably doesn’t happen as much as you’d like, but from time to time, you have some extra disposable income. When this happens, how should you use the funds? Assuming you have adequate emergency savings — typically, three to six months’ worth of living expenses — should you pay off debts, or fund your IRA or another investment account?

There’s no one “correct” answer — and the priority of these options may change, depending on your financial goals. However, your first step may be to consider what type of debt you’re thinking of paying down with your extra money. For example, if you have a consumer loan that charges a high rate of interest — and you can’t deduct the interest payments from your taxes — you might conclude that it’s a good idea to get rid of this loan as quickly as possible.

Still, if the loan is relatively small, and the payments aren’t really impinging on your monthly cash flow that much, you might want to consider putting any extra money you have into an investment that has the potential to offer longer-term benefits. For instance, you might decide to fully fund your IRA for the year before tackling minor debts. (In 2014, you can contribute up to $5,500 to a traditional or Roth IRA, or $6,500 if you’re 50 or older.)

When it comes to making extra mortgage payments, however, the picture is more complicated. In the first place, mortgage interest is typically tax deductible, which makes your loan less “expensive.” Even beyond the issue of deductibility, you may instinctively feel that it’s best to whittle away your mortgage and build as much equity as possible in your home. But is that always a smart move?

Increasing your home equity is a goal of many homeowners — after all, the more equity you have in your home, the more cash you’ll get when you sell it. Yet, if your home’s value rises — which, admittedly, doesn’t always happen — you will still, in effect, be building equity without having to divert funds that could be placed elsewhere, such as in an investment. In this situation, it’s important to weigh your options. Do you want to lower your mortgage debts and possibly save on cumulative interest expenses? Or would you be better served to invest that money for potential growth or interest payments?

Here’s an additional consideration: If you tied up most of your money in home equity, you may well lose some flexibility and liquidity. If you were to fall ill or lose your job, could you get money out of your home if your emergency savings fund fell short? Possibly, in the form of a home equity line of credit or a second mortgage, but if you were not bringing in any income, a bank might not even approve such a loan — no matter how much equity you have in your house. You may more easily be able to sell stocks, bonds or other investment vehicles to gain access to needed cash.

Getting some extra money once in a while is a nice problem to have. Still, you won’t want to waste the opportunity — so, when choosing to pay down debts or put the money into investments, think carefully.