Blindness and visual impairment are conditions that can take away the independence of an individual that has otherwise led a life of self-reliance. The National Federation of the Blind has stated that there are more than 1 million people in the United States that are blind or visually impaired. The statistics break down to show that around 50 percent of the blind or visually impaired are over the age of 65 with around 10 percent being school-aged children.

On Friday, June 6, Cape Fear Eye Associates will host the 3rd Annual Out of Sight Dining Event at the Metropolitan Room in downtown Fayetteville to benefit the programs offered by The Vision Resource Center. “We have hosted the event every year … It is one of the things we do to give back to the center” according to Cory Worrell, who is also the Marketing Director for Cape Fear Eye in addition to her Volunteer Youth Director role.

The Vision Resource Center is an organization working to address the needs of those who have lost their sight. They trace their origins back to 1936 when the organization was founded as the Cumberland County Association of the Blind. The organization also holds the distinction of being one of the first four organizations in the United Way of Cumberland County.

Terri Thomas is the Executive Director of the center. When asked to describe the work they do, she said, “We work with adults and kids from age 4 to our oldest member, who is 86, who are visually impaired or blind. We provide programming to help them socially, to live independently, and with individual wellness.”

Thomas also described services they provide that can also benefit caregivers and the family as a whole, “For children, siblings of those that are blind or visually impaired are encouraged to come in and volunteer to gain experience with those that are visually impaired. They can see what it is like for others and gain perspective. We also have a support group that we don’t really refer to as a support group. Anything Is Possibleis a rap session about what it is like to be visually impaired; they talk and just let us know what their needs are and how we can help. “

According to Thomas, the center currently serves 150 people but is fully capable of helping many more, “The biggest thing is letting people know we are here. We need to get the awareness out about what the Vision Resource Center is, why we are here, and that it is a safe place to come to. We receive referrals from other agencies or by word of mouth … but we have a problem with getting them in. If we can get the funding, we can get them in. We have the programming to meet the needs.”

A challenge for the visually impaired that Thomas feels is the most limiting is in transportation. It is also an area she feels the center can grow into, “We would like to be able to do shopping trips and medical trips. A lot of them can’t get to Duke or Chapel Hill where most of the specialists are.”

Another challenge that Thomas has found lies in the individuals in need themselves, “People who are visually impaired become comfortable in their own surroundings and don’t want to get out of their homes. Once we get them in and they try, they like it. We can open a window to activities that they thought they would never be able to do again. You will be surprised at what you can accomplish when you set aside fear and try it anyway. “

Worrell was inspired to take on the role of Youth Program Director for the center after her interaction with a young boy named Michael Macias, “When I met him, he was so soft spoken.” She said that after his participation in the programs offered by the center “he gained confidence in himself and inspired me to get involved.”

When speaking with Worrell about the youth programs, it is clear that they are her pride and joy. “We started by taking kids out of their comfort zone, we take them surfing, deep sea fishing, rock climbing, horseback riding, flying... they just excelled. It’s crazy to see the confidence they have gotten… half the time I forget they are visually impaired; they are just normal kids.” When asked how the responses to the programs by the youth compare to the responses of their adult counterparts Worrell said, “The kids adapt so well, they learn instantaneously. They have each other for their support group. I have never had a kid say they wouldn’t try something.”

Despite the confidence that the young people gain from the programs, Worrell still has concerns about their long-term needs, “I would like for them to have jobs available, college and other resources available.” One more immediate area of need that she identified resides in the public school system, “I would love to see them have the resources they need in their schools, so they don’t have to be labeled as special needs or anything like that.”

The Out of Sight Dining Event is a night of dining, dancing and entertainment. While dinner is served, the guests will all wear blindfolds as a simulation of blindness. Thomas said that, “We would like for you to wear the blindfold for as long as you can whether it is for one second, two minutes or whatever.” She described the true purpose of the event as, “not only a way to raise money but to drive awareness of what it is like for this population. “

The musical entertainment for the night will be provided by the blind young man that originally inspired Worrell, Michael Macias. At 15 years old, Macias is already an accomplished pianist and composer having composed 22 original works. He returns once again to the Out of Sight Dining Event to provide the crowd with a sample of his amazing talent. Additional musical entertainment is provided by the band, 80s Unplugged.

Dan Nelson, who is billed as “The Largest Plein Aire Painter in the World” will be in attendance performing his skill in live art entertainment. He plans to paint a portrait of the event as it occurs. Nelson said, “My parents did a good job of exposing me to people with various disabilities … I learned at a very young age to accept and relate to the visually impaired as normal people.” Nelson has been known to take the visually impaired on tours of his artwork by guiding them through the piece by touch and description, “I have done that type of thing more than once to try to bring them into the world of visual arts; it is always appreciated.”

Thomas asks that the community, “come out and be a vision for someone with visual impairment. Anytime you do something to help someone with a visual impairment you are helping them visualize a world they cannot see. If you help by volunteering or by donating money you are helping to build that vision. We want to raise $25,000 from this event, that will put us in a very good position to do some of the things we have never been able to do, but the main thing is to get the awareness out.”

Tickets for the event are $75 for individuals and $125 for couples. More information is available at www.visionresourcecentercc.org.

Photos: The Visions Resource Center’s Out of Sight Dining Event offers an evening of dining, dancing and entertainment, including a performance by 15-year-old Michael Macias (pictured at right).

Executive Editor Upholds Ideals of the Fourth Estate

I read with great interest and remorse the Fayetteville Observer’s Executive Editor Michael Adams’ “admission of omission” (Fayetteville Observer, Sunday, May 11) as it pertained to his brother’s unfortunate situation in Durham County. I admire his forthrightness but, then again, we are three weeks out on this story. Even though the Associated Press might not have picked it up, the WRAL TV offices are located in the Observer’s offices on Whitfield Street. Nonetheless, as painful as it must have been for Adams to share his story, he did it with sincerity and with style.

I also found it very interesting and relevant that he made reference in his article to the way newspapers are doing, or, in many cases, not doing their jobs. His observations are absolutely correct. Having dependable access to news and information is the bedrock of democracy. And, from where I sit, that is a much bigger and looming issue undermining the effectiveness, trust and integrity of our beloved Fourth Estate.

For those of you who are not familiar with the term Fourth Estate it refers basically to the media creating “checks and balances” on government. Thus, being the “fourth branch” of government. Sir Edmund Burke, while addressing the English Parliament, originally coined the term in 1787. At the time, Burke is reported to have said that, “There are Three Estates in Parliament, but in the Reporters’ Gallery yonder, there sits a Fourth Estate more important far than they all.”

Yes, it is the media that are supposedly safeguarding our democracy; making sure ill intended politicians don’t abuse or game the system. We the media, the Fourth Estate, are supposed to be the watchdogs, reporting the news, stating the facts and uncovering wrongdoing. Instead, we are now tending to mold the news, report selectively, omit the facts or just blatantly refuse to tell the story. Sometimes people forget that news reporting is supposed to be objective. Well, here’s some news, no one expects the Fayetteville Observer to be perfect. Yes, we all make mistakes and no reporter to my knowledge has ever lost their job over making an “honest” mistake. But, more and more we see reporting becoming politically or racially biased omitting obvious facts and generating slanted stories.

It’s almost at a point where the politicians have manipulated the media to a point where they have become their pawns with the determination to render the Fourth Estate impotent. Adams reminds us all that it’s hard to reflect fairness and build a public trust in the absence of integrity and transparency. I admire him for coming forward about the Durham story. It gives us hope and confidence knowing that our daily newspaper, which is the oldest in North Carolina, still has a conscience as well as journalistic integrity and strives to reflect the values, traditions and ideals of the Fourth Estate.

Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

Photo: The term Fourth Estate refers to the media creating “checks and balances” on government. Thus, being the “fourth branch” of government.

On Thursday, May 22, Mayor Robertson and the Fayetteville City Council will host a reception for Miss North Carolina U.S.A., Olivia Olvera as she prepares to compete in the 63rd Miss U.S.A. Pageant on June 8 in Baton Rouge, La. A strong community advocate and selfless volunteer, Olvera hopes to continue to make a difference in whatever capacity she can.

Olvera’s journey to winning the Miss North Carolina, U.S.A. title was unconventional to say the least. A self-described tomboy, Olvera is a South View High School graduate, an Army brat and the former Operations Manager at Bell’s Seed Store. She never considered herself the glamorous type but a $100 bet with her mom changed that. “My mom bet me $100 that if I entered a pageant at school I would win,” said Olvera. “I didn’t believe her, but I took the bet … and I won. It was fun.”

After high school, Olvera attended Methodist University for a year before moving to South Carolina to attend the University of South Carolina. She didn’t expect to be entering any more pageants at this point. “I went to USC and some of my girlfriends were entering pageants, but I didn’t think much about it,” said Olvera. “But then I got stopped in Belk and was asked to compete for Miss South Carolina. I laughed. The person who stopped me was the (pageant) director and owner of four states. I said ‘yes’ and ended up in the top five for three out of four pageants.”

According to her webpage, Olvera held the Miss Sun Fun 2011 title and won third-runner-up at Miss South Carolina U.S.A. 2011. The following year, she won the Miss Charleston U.S.A. 2012 title and claimed first-runner-up at Miss South Carolina U.S.A. 2012. Before moving back to North Carolina, Olvera competed one more time at the Miss South Carolina USA pageant as Miss Summerville USA and was again named third-runner-up. She was crowned Miss North Carolina USA 2014 on November 9, in High Point, N.C.

While the pageant scene is rigorous, the hard work really begins after the winner is crowned. As Miss North Carolina U.S.A., Olvera has the freedom to make the most of her time in the position. She spends countless hours volunteering all over the state. “My agenda is not about fame or having a modeling career,” said Olvera. “My agenda is to help small businesses, promote charity organizations and events in the state and to be a voice for those with no voice.”

Mayor Nat Robertson sees Olvera’s reign as a boon to the greater Fayetteville area and another thing for people to appreciate about the community. “I think Olivia is just one example of the many beautiful things that Fayetteville has to offer,” said Robertson. “She does a great job representing our city and she is a wonderful person, as well. This is especially good for Fayetteville to be so well represented on a national level.”

During her reign, Olvera chose to spend a lot of her time in support of wounded warriors and children’s literacy. One of the causes she partners with is Helping a Hero, an organization that builds specially adapted homes for severely injured military personnel and their families. Helping a Hero adapts these homes for the specific injuries and challenges of wounded heroes. Locally, McKee Homes is building such a home for a wounded warrior. The home will be in Legacy Lakes in Aberdeen.

As the daughter of a soldier, Olvera understands the hardships that come with military service. She knows first hand the effects of the long separations that military families endure and feels a connection to the wounded warrior cause. “My dad is retired now and recently we went on a fishing trip. I was excited to spend some time with him. He was gone a lot when I was younger and this seemed like the perfect way to reconnect,” said Olvera. “At some point he asked me to grab a drink for him and so I went to get it and I grabbed a Coke. Then my brother said, ‘No. He likes Dr. Pepper.’ That really hit home. That’s my dad and I didn’t even know what he likes to drink.”

Olvera said her dad has been supportive of her reign as Miss North Carolina U.S.A. “Once dad said ‘do it,’ there was no way I couldn’t run,” said Olvera.

At the pageant on June 8, if Olvera wins the crown, she will have just ten minutes to say goodbye to her friends and family and then will be whisked away to start her new life in New York. The newly crowned Miss U.S.A. will spend her time raising awareness for breast and ovarian cancer and supporting the U.S.O. and Best Buddies, a nonprofit organization that is “dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”

The Miss U.S.A. Pageant airs live on NBC at 8 p.m. The reception for Olvera is set for 3:30-5 p.m. at City Hall. The public is invited to attend. Find out more about Miss North Carolina U.S.A. at http://www.missnorthcarolinausa.com.

Photo: Olivia Olvera, Miss North Carolina U.S.A. and Fayetteville native is set to compete in the Miss U.S.A. tournament on June 8 in Baton Rouge, LA.

In the minds of many people, there is no more noble a gesture than caring for the needs of the children in our community. There are so many children and so many needs that people feel should be addressed. If an individual can make a sustained effort to make a difference, some of those needs can be filled. If a group of individuals comes together to take up the cause, the effect of the individual can be multiplied several times over. If that group can sustain the effort for an extended length of time, it is possible to make a substantial difference.

The Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville is an organization of individuals from our community that have taken the gesture of caring for the needs of children and embraced it as a mission. Bill Bowman, publisher of Up & Coming Weekly, is a member of the club who describes it as, “dedicated to the community and improving the lives of youth.” Since its formation in 1921, the Fayetteville Kiwanis Club has worked to better the community and serve children, preschool to high school, by offering and supporting many programs in varying areas of interest.

For the Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville, one program has become particularly endearing to the community, the annual Talent Night Showcase. The showcase has returned for its 63rd year and will be held at its traditional home at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre on June 13. The event is a showcase for talented young people from pre-school age though high school that serves as a fundraiser to support other Kiwanis programs like; Reading is Fun, Little League Baseball, and Key Clubs.

Bowman credited the community for the longevity and enduring success of the event, “When you have an event like this that draws the crowds it draws and serves the community it serves, it perpetuates itself. It’s not us that keep it alive; it’s the fact that it is a successful and prestigious event and this community that keeps it alive.”

Youth from all corners of the area will descend on the Honeycutt Recreation Center on May 31 for auditions. If they are selected as finalists, they will perform on the stage at Cape Fear Regional Theatre on June 13. The competition for those spots in the main show will be intense according Bowman, “We will audition hundreds of children who will vie for five or six spots in each category. We have them broken down by grade level but only five or six, depending on the competition, will be chosen. This is not just a talent show; this is the best of the best.”

In speaking about the type of talent that is selected, Bowman elaborated, “It is some amazing talent. We have had winners from the Kiwanis Talent Night go on to hold positions in the Boston Pops, go on to Broadway, and even become Miss North Carolina. We have a long tradition of turning out some of the best talent the county has to offer... For $7 you should not pass up the opportunity to see these young performers. “

For more information about attending or performing, please visit the Kiwanis Talent Night Showcase website at www.fayettevillekiwanis.org/talent.

Photo: Local students are invited to compete in the 63rd Annual Talent Night Showcase.

Presented by R.A. Jefferies, a local distributer of Budweiser products, and organized by the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival, the Fayetteville After 5 concert series is a huge hit throughout the community. “This has become like a tradition for families. They come to the concert every month. We have two sisters who go to every single event and always give us feedback. It is a tradition for our community,” Carrie King, executive director of the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival explained. Every third Friday during the summer season, Festival Park is full of talented musicians performing for the community — and it is absolutely free to attend. It is a great family-friendly event that is perfect for sitting back in the grass and relaxing or dancing with friends.

For this next season, the event will keep the changes made the previous season. The concerts are on Friday and there is a variety of music scheduled. These changes were made to the concert series in order to make it more accessible to the community. Friday evenings is often easier to go to a concert — and now there is some music for everyone. These changes have been met with great success. “We feel that the community has really embraced these changes. It was a change in format as well as a change from the type of music, beach music. Now there is something for everyone regardless of preferred genre,” said King.

Fayetteville After 5 brings a lot to the community. It provides a free place to spend a fun evening with family and friends. It also brings talented and skilled performers into the area. According to King, even though the concert is free, it still brings business into the downtown area, which stimulates the local economy. Dinner and then a concert is the recipe for an incredible evening. There are also refreshments sold at the concert and the proceeds are used to help support the nonprofit Fayetteville Dogwood Festival organization.

This summer’s concert season offers several musical genres and styles. To kick off the season, the May 16 concert begins with Josh Thompson and the Erin Nenni Band. Both of these performers are country musicians. The theme for the June concert this year is Funk. The concert is on June 20 and will feature Liquid Pleasure and Big Rick and the Bombers. July 18 hosts Captain & the Keels, a BeeGee’s tribute band, and Heart Brigade, a Heart tribute band. August 15 brings the Eagles tribute band On the Border and the Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band Tuesday’s Gone.

The gates of Festival Park open at 5 p.m. for Fayetteville After 5 events and the first acts begin between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. The concert closes at 10:30 p.m. No outside food or beverages are allowed. Bring chairs or a blanket to relax on. For more information visit www.faydogwoodfestival.com/p/Events/211 or call 323-1934. Festival Park is located at 225 Ray Ave.

Photo: top left; Josh Thompson, bottom right; Erin Nenni.

 

Captain Ivan Castro is an officer in the United States Army Special Forces. Capt. Castro is also blind having lost his vision in 2006 while serving in Iraq. Despite his injuries, he has remained on active duty with the Army. After his injuries, he leveraged his background in athletics to heal and motivate himself, “I needed to get back in shape; physically and mentally.” Castro also felt the need to give back and honor the soldiers that he had served with that gave their lives, “The same mortar round that took my sight killed two guys … I am grateful for what I have and do not dwell on what I have lost. I have been given a second chance. I lived. I have to pay it forward.”

With that attitude of positivity and gratitude in mind, Castro founded the Special Operators Challenge. He said the idea for the event came to him from, “love of athletics, love of fitness, love of trying to help the community” and his goal for the challenge is to “do something to honor our men and women in uniform: military, fire fighters, law enforcement. “

On Saturday, May 31, at the Carolina Horse Park in Raeford, Castro will host the Special Operators Challenge. He describes it as something “where the community can come out and enjoy an event together … an athletic event where parents and kids come out and participate together.”

The challenge will have three events for participants to join and compete in: The Little Muddy in lengths for kids ages 5-17, an adults only fun run called The Boomerang, and the 10k main event called The Muddy Nick. The 10 a.m. wave of the Muddy Nick will consist of 15 two-person teams with the fastest team winning a matching pair of shotguns.

Completing any of the races entitles participants to a moisture-wicking race T-shirt, a race medal, and a raffle entry for the chance to win prizes that include a shotgun, sunglasses, a parachute jump experience, massage certificates, art work, bicycles and others.

The event will also be an opportunity for participants and spectators to give back. A portion of the registration fee will be donated to a nonprofit organization that the participant chooses. The various charities will be on-site to provide information. There will also be a drive to collect food, clothing and toys to donate to needy families in the area.

In addition to all of the competitive events and opportunities to give, participants and spectators have access to free eye exams, an opportunity to become American Heart Association CPR certified, and presentations from the FBI about making an identification kit for children.

Also appearing at the event will be fire trucks from the Pine Hill Volunteer Fire Department and the All Veterans Parachute Team, which will also be jumping in with the flag at the start of the event.

Castro invites local businesses out for the day as well, “If they want to put up a tent and promote their business, they are welcome.” He also expressed a need for volunteers to step forward to help pass out T-shirts and medals, to help with the course and to pass out water.

If you are interested in volunteering, the team-run of the Muddy Nick, the CPR certification or in securing a table and tent for your business, email SpecialOperatorsChallenge@gmail.com for more information.

Registration for the various races is conducted through www.Active.com; search for Special Operators Challenge.

Local high school students in the Fayetteville area have a unique opportunity at their fingertips for earning free college credit. Fayetteville Technical Community College is one of 58 community colleges in North Carolina that offers free dual-enrollment credit to high school juniors and seniors. This feat is achieved through state legislation known as Career & College Promise. Locally, this program is known as High School Connections, and over 650 high school students have enrolled in free college classes during the current spring 2014 semester.

Many students can benefit from High School Connections (HSC). Some students are looking to get a jump-start on their two- or four-year degree options by taking general education courses. For 2014-2015, High School Connections will offer a wealth of options for these students, including English, mathematics, history, science, psychology, sociology, philosophy, political science, public speaking, and art and music courses. Students wishing to enroll in these courses must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and meet testing requirements based on their PSAT, PLAN, SAT, or ACT scores.

Other students in the HSC program might be looking to accomplish early career training. To that end, FTCC offers 27 different Career & Technical Education (CTE) courses. Courses range from accounting to welding and everything in between. Students who successfully complete one of these CTE programs are invited to attend FTCC’s graduation ceremony held in May of each year. For this year’s graduation, over 150 students are qualified to “graduate” from FTCC before they even complete their high school education!.

FTCC is a very affordable option for a college education, especially when compared to the cost of a four-year degree, whether public or private. HSC can help cut this cost even further; for each individual course taken in the high school years, a family is saving over two hundred dollars. High school students typically take two or three courses each semester at FTCC, which can really add up to savings over the course of their junior and senior years. To be financially savvy, students can start their college education through High School Connections and then enroll in FTCC full-time after they complete their high school education. Then, for completing a four-year degree, FTCC offers several transferrable associate’s degrees for students who wish to continue their education beyond FTCC.

Students and parents who would like to learn more about what the High School Connections program can offer are invited to visit our website. At this site, students can get more information about the specific requirements and how to enroll, and they can also view all of the programs we offer to see what might pique their interest. In most cases, students can start the enrollment paperwork in their high school’s guidance office, but FTCC is always available and willing to help answer any questions. Check our Website for information about High School Connections as well as summer and fall 2014 registration.

www.faytechcc.edu/highschool_connections/index.aspx.

Photo: Local high school students have an opportu-nity to earn college credits at FTCC.

As the plants and animals are waking up so is downtown. For this month’s 4th Friday, May 23, the theme of 4th Friday is Spring Fling.

One of the best places downtown to explore on 4th Friday is Fascinate-U Children’s Museum. This museum is intended to make learning a fun and interactive experience for kids. The exhibits are hands-on and include an entire miniature city. For 4th Friday the museum has free admission and extended hours. It is open from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. Children are invited to make a fun craft to take home with them. This month the craft focuses on celebrating spring by creating a little bird from paper rolls and feathers. Additionally, this month is Military Family Month. The entire month there is half price admission for the museum for all military families and free admission for families of deployed soldiers. Fascinate-U is located at 116 Green St.

Another exciting place to visit is the multitude of art housed in various exhibits. Cape Fear Studios located a 148 Maxwell St. Admission is free and this 4th Friday coincides the opening of The Art of Those Who Serve. This exhibit features art created by active duty U.S. military personnel. Cape Fear Studios is open from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.

The Fayetteville Arts Council has an exhibit opening on 4th Friday, too. This exhibit is entitled Public Works 2014. This is an annual exhibit that focuses on the artistic talents of artists in Cumberland and surrounding counties. More than 100 pieces will be on display. There is not specific subject or style requirement for the entries. All ages and abilities were invited to submit pieces and all gallery visitors are invited to vote on their favorite pieces. The Arts Council is open from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. and is located at 301 Hay St. As an added bonus the Arts Council will host the Army Ground Forces Band’s Loose Cannons. They will perform outside the building. This performance is free and open to the public as is the exhibit.

Live music adds an exciting aspect of 4th Friday. This month, the Cumberland County Public Library hosts a band called Second Time Around. It is a 15-piece band that plays a wide variety of classics. They play everything from Aretha Franklin to Santana. The live music is free and is available from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. The library is located at 300 Maiden Ln.

Downtown Fayetteville is also full of amazing history showcases in multiple exhibits. The Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum has a model train room and artifacts dealing with the history of transportation. For 4th Fridaythere is also a City Market with crafts and local produce for sale. The rotating exhibit features North Carolina pottery and is entitled Utility to Unique. It is focused on the evolution of North Carolina pottery. The museum is located at 325 Franklin street and will be open from 8p.m. until 10 p.m.

Find out more about 4th Friday at www.theartscouncil.com or www.faydta.org.

The first Upsilon Kappa Omega of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority An Evening of Jazz took place in 1999 at the Prince Charles Hotel. The event has grown over the years and sold out last year, raising more than $12,000 for the sorority’s many causes. This year, An Evening of Jazz is set for May 17 at the Crown Expo enter.

An Evening of Jazz offers a chance to have an elegant night out. It includes appetizers, a cash bar, door prizes and raffles. The Raleigh-based jazz band Something for the People will provide entertainment. A DJ will be there to keep things lively between sets. Guests can expect the red carpet treatment –literally. Entering the Crown on a red carpet sets the tone for the glamour and upscale entertainment that will follow.

“Last year we had a great time and a really good turn out,” said Tracy Allen, event coordinator and Upsilon Kappa Omega of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority member. “We are hoping for the same number or even more people. It is going to be a great night. The event is not just for us, it is for the community and we want to include everyone.”

An Evening of Jazz has a solid history of showing guests a good time and Allen hopes this will be one of the best years for the event so far, not only because she wants everyone to have a great time but also because the proceeds go right back in to making the community a better place. The Upsilon Kappa Omega of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is serious about making a difference.

With 91 members in the Upsilon Kappa Omega of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, this group is a huge asset to the community. Last year the sorority collectively donated more than 22,000 volunteer hours to the community. “We have a very active membership,” said Allen. “We support many causes in the community and are always looking for new ways to give back and to make a difference.”

Some of the initiatives that the sorority supports include he Back pack Buddies program, asthma awareness programs, human trafficking awareness and prevention, financial literacy and counseling, lupus awareness, the Heart Walk, breast cancer awareness programs and events, mentoring programs for young girls, the bicycle man initiative and Habitat for Humanity. The sorority also holds yard sales to raise funds for the needy and adopts families during the holidays.

Allen loves that a portion of the proceeds is also used to give scholarships to local kids. For many years the chapter has proudly awarded thousands of dollars to students in an effort to prepare our next generation of leaders with higher education. Several corporate sponsors help fund the scholarships, too. “The scholarships give high school students in Cumberland County, Harnett, Hoke and/or Sampson County and on Fort Bragg a chance to pursue that degree, to pursue that dream that will lead them to success and put them in a position to help someone else later down the road,” said Allen. “A lot of times it is something small that we give that can make a big, big difference to someone else and that is a lot of what we do. We try tolead by example and help influence the next generation. People need to know that you don’t have to let your past determine your destiny.”

Tickets cost $35 per person. The event starts at 8 p.m. Call 988-7880 to purchase tickets. Visit www.ukoaka1908.com to learn more about the sorority and how you can support its work in the community.

Photo: middle left; With 91 members in the Upsilon Kappa Omega of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, this group is a huge asset to the community. Last year the sorority collectively donated more than 22,000 volunteer hours to the community.  Bottom right;  psilon Kappa Omega of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority members can be found all over town most any time there is work to be done or people to help. From food pantries to mentoring, UKO plays a big part in helping local youth.

 Somebody’s Got Some Explaining to Do

Last week, a Fayetteville apartment complex added two more to its body count, as police responded to a call at Barrington Place (Cambridge Arms) apartment complex — the site of a couple of other murders. This time police found the bodies of Jacoy Mahorn and his 18-year-old girlfriend, Shaniqua Shane Simmons, both of whom had been shot.

At first glance, this looked like yet another senseless murder in our city, but as the investigation into their deaths began, we learned that this was not a random act of violence. There was a lot more to this story than what met the eye.

Yes, it is another sad, sad event in our community, but what precipitated this double homicide will probably play out for months in the national media — because these deaths could possibly have been avoided.

As the Fayetteville City Council is making crime reduction its number one priority, and as candidates for Cumberland County Sheriff campaign on the same priority, it is inconceivable that the turn of events that led to the murder of Mahorn and Simmons took place. Mahorn, no stranger to law enforcement, has a pretty extensive rap sheet ranging from drugs to, yes, murder. This is not the case with Simmons. But it is Mahorn’s activities and their repercussions that are generating news and will probably continue to do so.

On the morning police found Mahorn and Simmons, Mahorn was scheduled to be in court to offer testimony in the November shooting outside of Mickey’s Bar & Grill that left two dead. Mahorn was charged with murdere in that shootout, although authorities say he never fired a weapon. Under most circumstances, Mahorn would have been sitting in jail awaiting trial, but he agreed to provide evidence against the shooter and he was released on a $2 million bond.

This is where things get dicey. Mahorn, who was under house arrest, was ordered to wear monitoring bracelets, which were monitored by Pretrial Services. During this time, he requested to move across town to the crime-ridden apartment complex. The request was approved by Pretrial Services.

Are you starting to see where some explanations are in order?

Why would Fayetteville investigators and prosecutors from the district attorney’s office release a man like Mahorn? Why not hold him in county lock-up until he had testified and then cut a deal with him? Didn’t anyone in the police department, DA’s office or Pretrial Services think that releasing Mahorn was the same as putting a target on his head? And, even if they didn’t think that, didn’t the idea of moving him into Cambridge Arms seem a little crazy? The apartment Mahorn was living in wasn’t in his name? Who was paying the rent and whose name is on the lease?

And if everything in this case was above board, why didn’t Fayetteville Police Chief Harold Medlock not know that his investigators made a deal with Mahorn?

There seems to have been a lot of bad decisions made over the past six months, and added together, those decisions resulted in the death of Mahorn, a career criminal, but worst of all in Simmons, who appears to be an innocent victim. Somebody has some explaining to do and it’s not going to be pretty.

Photo: Jacoy Mahorn

A few days ago, we observed May Day, a celebration of spring. And, after a long and hard winter in many parts of the country, most of us are ready for sunshine, warmer temperatures and the hopefulness that spring always symbolizes. But as winter gives way to spring, we are also reminded that our lives have “seasons,” too — and it pays to be prepared for all of them. So, as you move into the “retirement season,” you’ll need to prepare for several possible challenges, including the following:

Outliving your resources — The idea of outliving one’s financial resources is certainly not one we want to face. In fact, in a poll of people ages 44 to 75 sponsored by Allianz Life Insurance, 61 percent said they fear depleting their assets more than they fear dying. The best way you can overcome anxiety about running out of money is to invest and plan. Contribute as much as you can afford to your IRA and 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan — and when your salary goes up over time, increase your contributions. As for the “plan” part, try to envision the type of lifestyle you want during retirement, and then estimate how much this lifestyle will cost. Once you reach retirement, you will also need to do some planning — specifically, you will need to calculate how much money you can afford to withdraw from your investments each year.

Becoming disabled — One-third of all people between the ages of 30 and 64 will become disabled at some point, according to the Health Insurance Association of America. If you became disabled, even temporarily, the loss of income could prove devastating to your financial security, and that of your family’s. To avoid this worrisome scenario, you may want to consider disability insurance. If your employer offers this coverage as an employee benefit, take it — but don’t assume it will be sufficient. Many times, an employer-sponsored disability policy will only cover a short-term disability and may have a long waiting period for benefits to kick in. Consequently you may need to purchase your own disability insurance policy to supplement your employer’s coverage.

Requiring long-term care — Unfortunately, many people eventually require some type of long-term care, whether that involves a stay in a nursing home or the assistance of a home health care aid. This type of care is expensive, and Medicare only covers part of it. Just how costly is long-term care? The national average for home health aide services is nearly $45,000 per year, and a private room in a nursing home is nearly $84,000 per year, according to a recent survey by Genworth, a financial security company. To meet long-term care costs, you could self-insure, but that might be prohibitively expensive. But failing to do anything about meeting long-term care costs could result in the need for your grown children or other family members to get involved in some fashion — and that is something you no doubt wish to avoid. Fortunately, you can find solutions. To learn about appropriate protection vehicles, consult with your financial advisor.

With some thoughtful planning, constant vigilance and timely action, you can meet all these challenges — and enjoy all the seasons of life in which you find yourself.

Photo: Planning for retirement can make unexpected changes much more manageable

When was the last time you discussed hot flashes in public? What about night sweats and mood swings? Well, grab your girlfriends, ladies. Menopause the Musicalis coming for one day only to the Crown Center on May 18. It’s a Chick Flick, live on stage!

The entire musical is set in a department store, where four women with seemingly nothing in common meet by chance over a black lace bra. From there, a friendship is formed that gives way to conversations about hot flashes, chocolate cravings, wrinkles and mood swings. The show is staged to classic tunes from the 60s, 70s and 80s and promises to have you dancing in the aisles.

It is estimated that nearly 11 million women have attended a performance since the 2001 opening in Orlando, Florida. Inspired by a hot flash and a bottle of wine, writer and producer Jeanie Linders created the show as a celebration of women who are on the brink of, in the middle of or have survived “The Change.”

Although the show’s message may seem a little “senior,” Ingrid Cole, one of the leading ladies of the show and winner of the 2012 Suzi Bass Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her portrayal as Rose in Gypsy with The Atlanta Lyrics Theatre, promises that people of all ages will love it- men, too. “Men love the show! This is why the show is so popular. It applies to everyone,” Cole says.

As an original show cast member, Cole was a bit surprised at first at how popular the show is, but not anymore. “We are all a little amazed at how this little show has exploded. But, it’s no surprise anymore that people have at least heard of it.”

Cole says she and her cast mates are having the best time touring with Menopause. “We get along really well and respect each other. You can see it on stage, too.”

The show is produced by GFour Productions, which has won more than 40 Tony Awards. Notable productions include The Book of Mormonand I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.

The show begins at 3 p.m. and runs for 90 minutes. Tickets range from $30 - $65 and are available online at Ticketmaster.com, in person at the Crown Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets or by phone at 1.800.745.3000. Group discounts of 10+ are available by calling 888-686-8587 x 2. Additional service charges and fees may apply.

Menopause the Musicalhas entertained audiences in more than 450 U.S. cities, in a total of 15 countries and more than 300 international cities. Internationally, the show has been performed in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea and the United Kingdom.

Cole says, “You get in the room with a bunch of women who are celebrating the change and a magical thing happens. We feel like rock stars! Be prepared to laugh and have a good time! And, don’t we all need that?”For more information about the show, please visit www.menopausethemusical.com.

For more information about Ingrid Cole, please visit www.Ingridcole.com.

Heart disease is no laughing matter. It is the number one killer of women causing 1 in 3 deaths each year. That’s approximately one woman dying every minute. So, to support awareness of heart disease in women, The American Heart Association presents its Go Red for Women expo and luncheon on Tuesday, May 13, at the Highland Country Club from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. The Expo will take place from 9 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. and the luncheon will follow from 11:45 a.m.- 2 p.m. Support the cause and wear red attire for the event.

The keynote speaker is Maribeth Kuzmeski, MBA, author of seven books on entrepreneurial business growth, including The Connectors and And the Clients Went Wild!She is the president of the consulting and training firm, Red Zone Marketing. The title of her presentation is “Uniquely You! Standing Up and Standing Out!” Cardiologist Dr. Debbie Thomasson will also speak and will present a segment sponsored by FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital-Hoke Campus.

“Back in 2004, The American Heart Association noticed that heart disease claimed the lives of 500,000 American women every year and most of the research focused on the men,” said Debbie Thomasson, cardiologist and presenter at the event. “Women are caretakers and have a tendency to not take care of themselves and there is no one to take care of them.” Thomasson added that a campaign was launched and she has been involved with it since it launched.

The typical risk factors of heart disease are age, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, high cholesterol, and inactivity. “We are noticing that our children and teenagers are becoming less fit and have less cardiovascular fitness,” said Thomasson. “There is more childhood obesity and we know that obesity changes the way the heart functions.” Thomasson added that the American diet consists mainly of fast food which is low on vegetables. There is a guideline: eat five fruits and vegetables daily, walk 10 minutes a day, and sleep eight hours.

“I’m passionate about educating women locally because in our region, we have counties with some of the highest heart disease death rates in the state,” said Patty Collie, Vice-President and Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley, and 2014 Chair of Sandhills Go Red For Women Campaign.

The Heart Health Expo will include vendor booths featuring health related products and services. Two breakout information sessions will be offered: “Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way — Adding Power to all Aspects of Your Life” hosted by Morgan Stanley and “Heart Healing through the Yogic Perspective” hosted by North State Bank Mortgage. A “Red PURSEonality” silent auction featuring original art pieces will add to the day’s fun and excitement.

“I am hoping to broaden the spectrum to include some things geared toward the younger women and some more innovative things we have to offer,” said Thomasson. “I hope it will be fun for everyone to listen.”

Local artist David McCune has made and donated 50 metal red dresses that will be on display around town to spark interest and the desire to learn more about heart health. Look for them around town. The dresses will be available for purchase at the luncheon.

Ticket cost is $75 and can be purchased online at www.goredforwomen-fayettevillenc.org. Tables of eight are available. Highland Country Club is located at 2381 Raeford Road.

Photo: The Go Red For Women Sandhills Region committee is excited about educating the public about heart health.

In 1956 Fayetteville became a home to an art form that dates back not only years, but centuries. It was in 1956 that the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra was formed. Since then, the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra has pursued the mission, “to entertain, educate, and inspire, by serving as a musical resource for all citizens of Fayetteville, N.C.”

Exposure to, and education about, symphonic music as well as assisting developing musicians are central parts of the commitment to the community by the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra. Julia Atkins, Orchestra Personnel and Marketing Manager for the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, says that “we like to educate… you are always going to learn something, we believe in always continuing the educational flow.”

The orchestra furthers that effort with events like youth concerts for elementary aged students, Instrument Petting Zoos, and the Music Makers youth program. The orchestra also provides scholarships for music students through the Duenow Concerto Competition. The orchestra has also partnered with Cape Fear Regional Theatre and Cape Fear Botanical Garden on occasion as well.

The orchestra is led by conductor Dr. Fouad Fakhouri who has held the baton since 2004. Prior to joining the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, Fakhouri conducted orchestras internationally for over 20 years. He has also served in academia with terms at Methodist University, Pennsylvania State, and the University of North Texas as conductor and/or professor. He holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Composition as well as Masters Degrees in Orchestral Conducting and Music for Composition/Theory.

Each of the 70+ plus musicians that make up the four families of the orchestra; woodwinds, brass, strings, and percussion, has dedicated portions of their lives to the instruments they have chosen. Most all have received formal education in their respective instruments, some to Doctoral levels. According to Atkins, “all of the musicians are true professionals.”

On Thursday, May 8, at 7:30 p.m., the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra will perform the last concert of their Salon Series. St. John’s Episcopal Church, on Green Street, will play host to a night of Baroque music; a style of music that rose in popularity during the 1600s and 1700s and includes notable composers such as Bach, Vivaldi and Pachelbel. The show is billed as a “Brass Spectacular” and will feature two trumpets, strings, and harpsichord. Tickets are still available for the night of music that Atkins says will be “a very laid back atmosphere where anyone is welcome to come out and see what music was like back in the 1600s and 1700s.”

Memorial Day weekend the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra will partner with the Army Ground Forces Band from Fort Bragg for a “Symphonic Salute to the U.S. Armed Forces” featuring a variety of patriotic pieces of music. The concert is a return of the event that began last year and will be held at Festival Park on Sunday, May 25 at 7:30 p.m. Atkins describes the event as “a little more of an upbeat concert… it is outdoors, it’s free… bring your lawn chairs and your blankets. Round up your families and come in your patriotic gear.”

Find out more about the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra at www.fayettevillesymphony.org.

Photo: The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra has several concerts in the coming weeks, including one at Festival Park on May 25.

The Dogwood Festival: Fayetteville’s

Best Kept Secret

The Dogwood Festival is Fayetteville’s best kept secret, But it shouldn’t be. Congratulations are in order to Carrie King and the Dogwood Festival Committee under the direction of 2014 Chairman Brian Moore, who pulled off another successful event on a beautiful and near perfect weekend.

Tens of thousands of residents and visitors came to Fayetteville and enjoyed the entertainment and festive sights and sounds of Spring in Cumberland County. As good as it is, this award-winning event still has much untapped potential and King and her committee should not stop seeking par excellence.

One area of improvement that they should cultivate next year is marketing, branding and community awareness. We have an award-winning festival, so why not flaunt it? Especially, within the confines of our own county. The Dogwood Festival should lobby the city to allow city and countywide installation of banners, signs and flags promoting and celebrating the event. Honestly, this is no time for us to be shy. Besides, with everyone quick to point out Fayetteville’s flaws, crime statistics and social blemishes, we should take every opportunity to positively market and promote the Fayetteville community, its residents and quality of life.

The entertainment this year was again excellent and activities for the young and old abundant. My personal favorites were:

The 2014 Miss Fayetteville Dogwood Festival, where local youth compete to represent ourcommunity throughout the state and region.

The Hogs & Rags Motorcycle Rally. Now in its ninth year, Fayetteville’s Mayor Nat Robertson, and his wife Kim, led 325 vehicles in this year’s 225 mile rally that raised more than $15,000 for local community charities. It is the most fun a person can have on two wheels.

Last, and certainly not least, the near perfect finale to a wonderful Dogwood Festival weekend was The Festival of Keyboards presented by the Snyder Memorial Baptist Church Concert Series. This free concert showcased some of the most remarkable local talent as eight pianists under the direction of Snyder Music Academy director, Joy Cogswell, performed flawless arrangementsfeaturing spiritual, patriotic and ragtime numbers. The visual of four grand pianos played in unison added to the experience. The Keyboard Festival played to a full house of diverse and grateful residents. Grateful for the Dogwood Festival, grateful for our local leadership and grateful for our community. Does it get any better than this? It can, and it should.

In the meantime, let’s bang the drums loudly, promoting the positive aspects about our hometown. Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

When Michael Martin, the director of Cumberland Oratorio Singers, chose John Rutter’s Mass of the Children to close out this choral season, he had several reasons for doing so. He claims some of it was selfishness but it’s not likely that everyone would see his desire for Fayetteville to have a youth choir as selfish. Martin has been an advocate for choral music and music in general since he arrived in Fayetteville in 2008. Under his direction, the group has grown in membership and has partnered with several musical groups throughout the community, including the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra and the Fayetteville Symphonic Band. The Cumberland Oratorio Singers’ May 3 concert featuring John Rutter’s Mass of the Children is another example of musical collaboration and looks to be a good time for kids and grown ups alike.

“I heard this piece quite a few times. Rutter writes so well for the voice and it fits well for the local choir,” said Martin. “Combine that with the fact that I had never conducted it before and it just seemed like a good fit.”Martin knew that the Cumberland Oratorio Singers could carry their weight and invited the Cross Creek Chorale to join in the effort. From there, it was a matter of finding talented youth to perform. He reached out to several local schools, both public and private, in the community. Several responded bringing more than 50 youthful voices to the project. “Part of the reason for doing this is that I wanted to impress on people that a youth chorus is something this city needs,” said Martin. ”Charlotte has a good one, as do many other cities. I would like to see a community chorus for youth for the City of Fayetteville, too. I think Fayetteville needs one and I have impressed on the teachers that I think it is wonderful to watch students come together and sing something they otherwise would not be able to sing with adult professionals. I would be very happy if this causes someone to have the idea to start a youth chorus here.”

Martin pointed out that many times people enjoy singing in choirs as children but once they are out of school they move on to other things. “I really think that people should not think of music as something they did when they were a child,” said Martin. “I support technology and we need good consumers of music but that is not all we need to be. I try to bring the community together with events like this. You can’t buy this kind of experience and feel this kind of intergenerational experience from something you bought online. Those are things you can only get through experiences. This is not difficult. If you did it in your youth and it was a great experience, keep doing it.”

In bringing several age groups together for the event, Martin finds himself working with six schools that bring more than 50 voices to the production and the adults add more than 60. They range in age from 9 years old to 80 something. “We have every age accounted for from third and fourth grade to someone basking in their late retirement years,” said Martin. “It is truly intergenerational. It makes the music almost secondary.”

There are several parent/child partners participating in the concert. For many of the children it is just as muchfun to be doing something with their parents as it is to sing and perform on stage. Martin says this has been a positive experience for the performers so far, including his son, who will participate in the Mass of the Children. “He does well in the Fayetteville Academy Chorus and his teacher does a great job,” said Martin. “Part of it is that he is excited to be able to do something with me and I am enjoying that aspect of it, too.”

For Martin as well as many members of the Cumberland Oratorio Singers, the group is indeed about music, but that is just a piece of it. The music is what brings them together to share their passion, it is what they love to share with the community. That is what makes Fayetteville better — people sharing their passion and investing in their community. The Mass of the Children is on May 3 at 7:30 p.m. at Methodist University’s Reeves Auditorium. Visit http://www.singwithcos.org/ to find out more about the Cumberland Oratorio Singers and the Mass of the Children.

Photo: Several parent/child pairs are set to perform in the May 3 Cumberland Oratorio Singers’ production. Above, from left to right are Arline Porter with daughter Linda good, Dr. Michael Martin with son David, Donna Jo Mangus with daughter Jenna Jo, Jeanne Ennis with son Luke Ennis.

Fayetteville has always been a city of heroes, but what sets apart those who do and those who veg out on Taco Bell and Hulu Plus? Fitness. Come and join Fort Bragg’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation along with Generation UCAN as they host the inaugural All-American Marathon. Answering the call for an official marathon, Fort Bragg and the City of Fayetteville have teamed up to bring this event to the All-American City. This fitness-based initiative aims to help active-duty military and citizens alike maintain a healthy lifestyle and inspire them with this annual event. Happening on May 4 at 6:30 a.m., the event consists of three separate races.

The full marathon, which will be 26.2 miles, runs from Festival Park in beautiful downtown Fayetteville, past the Iron Mike statue at the Airborne Special Operations Museum, up to Morganton Road, onto the All-American Freeway, through Fort Bragg and ends in the heart of the post at the Main Post Parade Field. The half marathon is known as the “Mike-to-Mike” and is 13.1 miles. It runs part of the same course that the full marathon runners take. However, after entering Fort Bragg, the full marathon runners will split off into a course that will lead them past the “Iron Mike” statue before reaching the Parade Field as well. Finally, the 5K is a 3.1, family-friendly run that welcomes strollers and walkers who just want to be a part of this event. Beginning and ending on the Parade Field, the 5K will remain on Fort Bragg.

After this event, all of the runners and volunteers will converge onto the Main Post Parade Field for a post-race celebration. All involved will enjoy food, drinks and live entertainment from the 82nd Airborne’s rock band. The U.S. Army Special Operations Parachute Demonstration Team, The Black Daggers, will perform a jump for the audience. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this amazing event.

The response from the community has been outstanding. Having advertised nationally as well as locally, MWR has registered more than 2,000 runners thus far. Brittney Vandermoere, assistant race director for MWR, said “We’re very excited with the turnout for the inaugural race. We have a lot of people signed up and need 1,200 volunteers.” The organization hopes to enlist the help of several people who can help facilitate the event by keeping runners hydrated and various other duties. The night before the race, as is customary, the Holiday Inn Bordeaux will host a pre-race pasta party with Olympian Meb Keflezighi for those about to race.

The cost to attend is only $11.95. The MWR hopes to have many people sign up to race and volunteer. The cost to register per person is only $25 for the 5k, $75 for the half marathon and $90 for the full marathon. Prices include entrance into the party, t-shirts and custom race medals for those who finish the full marathon in seven hours or the half marathon in four hours. Come join the MWR as they host the inaugural All-American Marathon. For more information or to register, visit www.mwr/allamericanmarathon.com.

Photo: Don’t miss Fayetteville’s first All-American Marathon

I like calling Fayetteville home. There’s nothing like walking the streets of Fayetteville and enjoying the beautiful ̀owers, landscape, people and lovely sights,until you look down to see trash and litter. On Saturday, May 3 at 9 a.m., Bobby Hurst and Fayetteville Beautiful will conduct its annual citywide cleanup beginning at the entrance to the MLK Freeway on Ramsey Street.

“Fayetteville Beautiful is an organized group of citizens who care about their environment and the physical appearance of their community,” said Hurst, chairman of Fayetteville Beautiful. “We were in the top five trashiest cities in the state of North Carolina, and our goal was to get as many citizens as possible to make a beautiful difference in our community.” Hurst added that they did a litter index of the city of Fayetteville to assess the litter in our city and we were a 2.98 on a scale of 1-4 which is pretty trashy.

Fayetteville Beautiful and Keep North Carolina Beautiful engage and support individuals and organizations to keep North Carolina beautiful. This project addresses three core issues: litter prevention, beautification and waste reduction. The nonprofit organization’s mission is to encourage citizens to create and maintain a cleaner and more beautiful Fayetteville. The results from the nine citywide cleanups include 9,444 volunteers who picked up 111 tons of litter along 216 miles of roadside in less than 3 hours. “Each cleanup we cover anywhere from 212 to 248 miles of roadside during that morning,” said Hurst. “Everybody is usually done within an hour to an hour and a half and that is pretty quick.” Hurst added that it does not take that long to pick up litter and the Parks and Recreation Crew pick up the orange bags that same day.

The organization has many projects that it has been a part of. It helped Cumberland County Schools when Ben Martin Elementary School was hit by the tornado. “We teamed up with the school system and purchased trees and bushes after the tornado hit,” said Hurst. “Some of our volunteers went out along with Parks and Recreation and planted them with the elementary students.” Hurst added that they have planted centipede at the North Carolina Veteran’s Park and at Cross Creek Park.

Some of the ways that you can keep Fayetteville beautiful include the following: use reusable containers, recycle bottles, cans, plastics, and paper, use trash containers with tightly fitted lids, adopt a street/site and keep it clean, discourage family and friends from littering, report litter violations, encourage public officials to enforce the litter laws, provide adequate trash and recycling containers and empty them often, support Fayetteville Beautiful with your donations, or volunteer for one of their many projects.

For more information, to make a donation, or if you would like to volunteer visit www.fayettevillebeautiful.com or call 433-1587.

Photo: Fayetteville Beautiful addresses three core issues: litter prevention, beautification, and waste reduction.

Political Correctness: Ruining America, Part 2

Warning! Notice to Readers: This article was conceived and written in good faith and, within the guidelines and framework of the U.S. Constitution as adopted by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. It officially became the law of the land on March 4, 1789. More specifically, I refer to the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights. That being said, the reader must be cognizant and confident that it was thoughtfully and respectfully composed without regard to race, religion or political affiliation. Any attempt to misdirect or misconstrue the intent of this editorial will be viewed as un-American and as a provoked and unwarranted attack on me personally as a domestic terrorist. The penalties could ultimately be severe for all Americans.

enate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada has produced a near perfect example of how people are using political correctness, threats and personal condemnations to suppress the views, rights and free speech of ordinary hard working Americans. It matters not what political party you support, this is a First Amendment threat and this kind of blatant, intolerant, illogical, venomous and disrespectful behavior on the part of our government should be a major concern of all American citizens.

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states: 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.

In this specific case, Senator Reid berates Nevada rancher, Cliven Bundy and those who rallied to support him domestic terrorists.Unbelievable. Terrorist? Are you kidding me? Our government didn’t even call Nidal Hasan a terrorist after he shot and killed 16 people and injured 30 at Fort Hood in 2009. That horrific ordeal was merely politically correct workplace violence.

Fast forward to last month when yet another uniformed soldier, Ivan Lopez, murdered three people and injured more than a dozen people again at Fort Hood. Neither of these psychos were terrorist. Oh yeah, we didn’t even have terrorist in Benghazi, yet, a capitalist cattle farmer with a century old family business of attending and herding cows in Nevada’s basic wilderness is labeled a threat to America and a domestic terrorist? Really?

What danger is the United States in? How unfortunate that Bundy must defend decades of family tradition from out-of-control government regulations and overreach. And, when literally hundreds of Americans came to Bundy’s support and confronted the officers of the Bureau of Land Management who had been harassing Bundy and his family to the point they actually confiscated his cattle and killed several valuable bulls out of spite. Hmmmmm? Well, do you think Bundy’s supporters were motivated? Yes. Were they fighting mad? Yes. Were that armed? You bet. Were they willing to shoot it out with the BLM and perhaps die in a range war over grazing rights. I honestly believe so. Luckily, BLM backed down and shortly thereafter released his cattle. No doubt from Reid’s comments, he was disappointed.

This incident could very well serve as a warning that our national government is pushing the American people too far and in the wrong direction. As I stated earlier, it makes no difference what color your are, what your religion is or what political convictions you have, the threat is real and the perception that government is becoming evil and our tangible rights as Americans are gradually dwindling away is widespread. This incident reflects the severity of the situation. It could also serve as a warning.

Currently, our government, 535 voting members of Congress has an approval rating of 9 percent. And, according to Gallup Polling that’s the lowest rating in 39 years. Why? Because of corruption, misplaced priorities and irresponsible leadership in a time when our nation is struggling with some major concerns and situations like: Russia, Syria, Edward Snowden, Benghazi, the IRS and NSA scandals, a failed immigration policy, the ongoing controversy over the disruptive Obamacare rollout and, last, but not least, $14 trillion in public debt.

Knowing this, how do you justify sending out armed government agents to suppress an American cattle farmer, steal his cows and then accuse those who resist and speak out of being domestic terrorists. How un-American. Shame, shame, shame on Harry Reid and the people in Nevada who elected him. It is out of control. This being the case, Congress should be lucky they have 9 percent.

Our lives will only improve when life in America improves. Poor, leadership affects us all. We need heroes. We need people of character, compassion and common sense running for office. As Americans, we get what we vote for, and, this is what we got! Will Clive Bundy’s Battle for the Cattle escalate in Nevada? We’ll see; however, one thing we do know, this incident has demonstrated that our fellow Americans are willing to take a stand and even lock and load against a governmnet that has forgotten it gets its power from the people.

As spring continues to tempt our region, Fayetteville is pulling out all of the stops to welcome the season with its annual celebration of spring that we all know as the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival. Held in the historic downtown and Festival Park, the three-day festival welcomes more than 200,000 visitors to the city center all with one thing in mind — having a good time.

The festival, which kicks off on Friday, April 26, features live music, a street fair, food, friendly competitions and a midway. As in year’s past, the festival has brought some of the top names in entertainment to the area, as well as giving local performers a chance to share their talent with visitors to the festival. This year is no exception.

On Friday, the festival opens with the Bloom and Boom Kick-off Party featuring southern rockers, The Marshall Tucker Band. The Marshall Tucker Band is a tried and true Southern rock band that meshes rock, blues, country and jazz.

From their first album in 1973, to their powerful stage presence today, The Marshall Tucker Band has played countless concert venues around the world, performing classics like “I Heard It In a Love Song,” “Can’t You See,” and “Fire on the Mountain.” A recent edition of GRAMMY magazine named The Marshall Tucker Band as one of the top 10 bands that “need no introduction.” After The Marshall Tucker Band takes the crowd on a trip down memory lane, the skies over Fayetteville will bloom with one of the best fireworks shows of the year. The Bloom & Boom Kickoff Party begins at 6 and ends at 10 p.m.

The festival remains true to its southern roots on Saturday night, when country icon John Michael Montgomery takes over the Festival Park stage.

Montgomery’s career caught fire in the ‘90s, when his romantic ballads owned the air waves, country dance clubs and weddings. Montgomery’s debut album Life’s a Dance, set the stage for his climb to the start. Montgomery’s string of successful hits include: “I Love the Way You Love Me,” “I Swear,” “Be My Baby tonight” and “Grundy County Auction.” The concert begins at 9 p.m.

On Sunday, the Festival Park stage will be filled from 1-4 p.m. and will feature a mini-beach music festival with music from Classic Soul, The Entertainers and Liquid Pleasure. Grab your partner and head down for an afternoon of dancing and fun.

The weekend is filled with other entertainment and events on various stages and entertainment areas. Check out the Street Fair Stage in the parking lot between Hay Street Church and the Cumberland County Library.

Saturday

Noon - 1:30 p.m. - Cape Fear Music Center Student Showcase

1:30-2:30 p.m. Seal the Deal

2:30-4:30 p.m. Cape Fear Music Center Student Showcase

4:30 - 6 p.m. Big Daddy DriveSunday

12:30-3:30 p.m. Cape Fear Music Center Student Showcase

3:30 - 6 p.m. Fayetteville Jazz Orchestra The CenturyLink Performance Area, located in the 100 block of Hay Street at the Market House, will also offer great entertainment.

Saturday

12:30-1 p.m. Shadows of the Fire Belly Dance

1-1:30 p.m. Musha Dojo

1:30-2 p.m. Shadows of the Fire Belly Dance

2 -2:30 p.m. Musha Dojo

2:30- 3 p.m. Kidsville Kids

3-3:30 p.m. Shadows of the Fire Belly Dance

3:30-4 p.m. Musha Dojo

4-4:30 p.m. Kidsville Kids

4:30-5 p.m. Yvette’s Dance

Sunday

12:30-1 p.m. Shadows of the Fire Belly Dance

1-1:30 p.m. Musha Dojo

1:30-2:30 p.m. Roland’s Dance

2:30 -3 p.m. Shadows of the Fire Belly Dance

2:30- 3 p.m. Musha Dojo

3:30 - 4 p.m. All American Fencing

4 - 4:30 p.m. Shadows of the Fire Belly Dance

4:30 - 5 p.m. Musha Dojo

5 - 5:30 p.m. Roland’s Dance

Disabled parking is designated in the Hay Street United Methodist Church parking lot and the Bank of America on Ray Avenue. Dowtown parking is available. Suggested areas include: Franklin Street Parking Deck, which is free weeknights and weekends, Cumberland County Courthouse, city lots on Person and Olde streets, Paid parking in the Masonic Lodge, Systel Parking lot and at the Up & Coming Weekly office at 208 Rowan Street.

No coolers, pets, weapons, bikes, roller blades or skateboards are allowed in Festival Park. The Dogwood Festival Committee has a zero tolerance for bad behavior.

Find out more about the Dogwood Festival at ww.faydogwoodfestival.com.

Photo: John Michael Montgomery headlines on Saturday night.

The Fayetteville Police and Fire Departments have taken up the mission to keep the residents of the City ofFayetteville as safe and secure as possible. They are always no farther away than a call to 9-1-1 and can be counted on to come to our aid at any time, day or night. The men and women that make up these departments put their lives on the line every day in an effort to protect us.

In the line of duty, situations often arise where the two, usually separate, departments have to work together to properly serve the public. As a result of this, the two departments have developed a camaraderie and bond between them; almost like siblings. As with any other pair of siblings, a rivalry can also form out of that closeness.

On April 26 from 12 to 4 p.m., Festival Park and The Dogwood Festival will play host to a competition between the two departments that has been dubbed The Battle of the Badges. Teams from each department compete in a series of challenges that test both squads physically, mentally and emotionally. Plates of chicken wings will be devoured, an obstacle course be conquered and the teams will go toe-to-toe in a match-up of strength and endurance that is the tug-of-war.

The event last year saw the Police Department escape with victory by the narrowest of margins. This year, the Fire Department will try to even the score with the Police Department. In the end, the team that is left standing will be named champion and have bragging rights for 2014.

Assistant Chief Richard Bradshaw of the Fayetteville Fire Department said that he expects the Battle of the Badges to, “showcase a lot of what we have to offer our community. We hope that the community recognizes what fine public safety organizations they have.”

When asked about a prediction for the event, Bradshaw was clear about his expectations, “The Fire Department is going to win. I have a group of very dedicated individuals that take pride in, and feel the pressure of, this competition… We want to walk away from the park that afternoon being the victor. I want their chief to have to cater to my chief. There is a lot of pride on the line. I want our guys to be able to say we won. We lost by one point last year due to a piece of equipment breaking; we feel like we owe them one.”

In addition to the competition, each department will have some of their best equipment on display for the community to see and interact with; Ladder trucks, SWAT gear and much more will all be onsite. Bradshaw said that the city will have on display, “some of the finest equipment in the state of North Carolina.”

The Fayetteville Police Department band, The Rollerz, will also perform for those in attendance.

Bradshaw summed up the event by saying, “We are both two very professional organizations. We hope the community sees that in us by our actions in this charity event. We all get along very well, it is all for fun and a good cause.”

The Givens Performing Arts Center, as part of its annual season will host The 4th Annual River People Music and Culture Fest.This is a gathering of both nationally-renowned and local artists that showcase American Indian music and culture. The performance will feature The Ulali Project known for its contributions to the soundtrack of the film Smoke Signals and their musical appearance on the Tonight Show. Charly Lowry, who is a member of Dark Water Rising, Layla Locklear, a member of Lakota John and Kin are local performers who will also perform.

One of the most exciting new performers this year is Star Nayea who has won multiple awards for her powerful and moving music. Nayea began her music career at an early age. It was born from struggle, but is incredibly positive. “When I was 5, I started with music because it made me feel uplifted, happy and, in a way, untouchable. When I was young I suffered abuse but the music saved me and enabled me to latch on to who I was truly supposed to be. I was adopted by a family of non-natives and they were abusive. The music removed me and healed me. I loved the way music made me feel and I knew that the rest of the world must have probably caught on,” she says.

Nayea uses her music as far more than entertainment. She uses it as a tool to reach out and help heal struggling Native people, children in particular. She brings the healing and uplifting power of music to the communities through music camps. She explains her approach by saying, “Not every native child will have my life, but sadly many native children who live on reservations have things that they are battling. Some have trouble at home, bullying at school, depression or families that are not functioning correctly. These problems are heavy on a child. Also in Indian Country we have a high rate of suicides, so I try to concentrate on communities that are reeling from suicide. Some of the communities are traditional and some are very religious, but despite differences, music is one thing that connects us all. It heals all and brings joy to all.”

During her performance, Nayea will be joined by a group of local Lumbee youth.

“I am coming to the community one week before the festival and working with the Lumbee youth. We will have a daily music camp where I will work with them on writing and recording.

“We will work together to craft one song. I wish we could do more, but we have limited time and I think it would be better for us all to join together to create one beautiful song that embodies who they are and what they want to say. Then they will get on stage and sing this song with me,” she said.

The festival is on April 26 at 6 p.m. at the Givens Performing Arts Center. The center is located at 1 University Drive in Pembroke. Children under five are free and tickets are $10 for adults or $5 for students with a valid ID. For more information visit www.unc.edu/gpac of call 910-521-6634.

Photo: Star Nayea, who has won multiple awards for her powerful and moving music, is set to perform at the event.

In a report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Jan. 10, Lung Cancer Incidence Trends Among Men and Women — United States, 2005–2009, it was stated that, “lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death and the second most commonly diagnosed cancer (excluding skin cancer) among men and women in the United States.” The report also stated that, “80–90 percent of lung cancers are attributed to cigarette smoking and secondhand smoke.”

It was through years of investigation that researchers were able to find the links between smoking and this particularly deadly form of cancer. Once those links were discovered and properly interpreted, educational programs were established, government regulations on tobacco products were instituted and society was able to reap the benefits of that new found knowledge.

According to CDC data published last year, from 2001-2010, the incidence and mortality rates of Lung Cancer patients steadily decreased year after year. Prevention programs can be credited with much of that success. Even though lung cancer continues to trend at the top of the charts as being a truly deadly form of cancer, victories like the one seen in the declines in diagnosis and death are to be celebrated.

Despite the positives seen in the statistics, lung cancer is still a very serious threat. The American Lung Association states on its online Lung Cancer Fact Sheet that, “approximately 399,431 Americans are living with lung cancer. During 2014, an estimated 224,210 new cases of lung cancer are expected to be diagnosed.” To put that into perspective, that would be equivalent to every single person in Cumberland County already having lung cancer with every single person in Harnett and Robeson Counties soon to be diagnosed. The American Lung Association website states that once a patient is diagnosed, that “over half of the people with lung cancer die within one year of being diagnosed.”

The National Institutes for Health currently lists 5,014 ongoing clinical studies regarding lung cancer. Those trials carry the hope for a cure and more effective treatments within them. The hope that those trials can provide requires large amounts of financial support and resources in order to be successful.

The NIH currently lists lung cancer research funding as coming in fifth behind Breast, Prostate, Colo-Rectal and Brain cancer research. This funding disparity is in spite of lung cancer being responsible for more deaths, from 2001-2010, than breast and prostate cancer combined.

To help raise awareness of the needs of those who are battling lung cancer, either as a patient or researcher, the Lung Cancer Initiative of North Carolina will hold its second annual Evening of Hope Gala at the Hope Mills Shrine Club on Saturday, May 3. The semi-formal event will consist of drinks, food, music, a silent auction and a Chinese raffle. The proceeds from the event will benefit the Lung Cancer Initiative of North Carolina and its mission, “to decrease deaths and provide support to those affected by lung cancer through research, awareness, education and access programs across North Carolina.”

More information is available online at www.LungCancerInitiativeNC.org.

Funnel cakes, carnival rides and the children’s jump tower can only mean one thing; it’s time for the 22nd Annual Children’s Fest! The fest will open at the Fort Bragg Fairgrounds on April 26. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission is $8 for access to carnival rides and prize drawings; adults and children under 36” are free. The event is open to the public.

The first 500 children to attend will receive a free T-shirt.

The Fort Bragg Fairgrounds are located off Bragg Boulevard across from Stryker Golf Course. Admission through a checkpoint is not required.

Attendees will enjoy children’s carnival rides, a children’s jump tower, climbing wall, face painting, as well as Pallabar the Clown and the Fort Bragg Fire Engine. Activities are planned throughout the day for children of all ages.

A large tented area with various toddler-friendly activities appropriately named, Toddlerville, will also be available for the young festival attendees. “Activities in the Toddlerville tent will give parents a unique opportunity to get involved in their children’s world for a day and experience some of the activities the children do while attending their Child Development Center during the week. Children will have the chance to show their parents how to play and have fun,” said Dorene Jenkins, Fort Bragg Child Youth and School Services outreach director.

Food vendors will be on hand with everything from hot dogs to funnel cakes. Drawings for prizes will take place throughout the day.

The Month of the Military Child was created in 1986 by former Defense Secretary Casper Weinberger to highlight the importance children play in the Armed Forces community. From deployments to new schools, military children face unique challenges that civilian children their age do not. The recognition of this month is meant to celebrate the resilience and strength of military children in dealing with these difficult aspects of military life.

Event Coordinator Gudrun Blackmon says, “For the past 21 years, Fort Bragg Child, Youth and School Services (has culminated April’s activities with the Children’s Fest. Historically, 3,000-3,500 people attend. In addition to age-appropriate carnival rides, the most popular activities have been the Kiddie Jump Tower and military static displays.”

On Tuesday, April 15,people were asked to wear purple in support and appreciation of military children. Purple is the color that represents all branches of the military, as it is the combination of Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue and Marine red and navy blue.

Blackmon says, “The event would not be as successful as it always is without the unselfish support and assistance of the Fort Bragg Special Events Team, the Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation Marketing Team, the outstanding sponsors in the Fort Bragg and Fayetteville area and most of all, the outstanding support from our Soldiers.

For more information about Children’s Fest, please call 910-396-8110 or 910-396-5128.

North Carolina is rich in history. A visit to the Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum orNorth Carolina Veterans Park will convince you of that in just a matter of minutes. North Carolina also boasts of some well-known personalities like Andy Griffith, Elizabeth Dole and Michael Jordan. Another personality familiar to North Carolina is Jason Michael Carroll who performed at Festival Park this past summer.

Carroll, the son of a preacher, grew up in Youngsville, N.C., in Franklin County — not far from Raleigh. He is probably best known for his debut single, “Alyssa Lies.” “Alyssa Lies” is a song about abuse. In an interview, Carroll said he felt led to write the song but it still took almost three years to craft it to his satisfaction. He understood it was an important message and wanted to perfect it as best he could. Unfortunately, it is difficult to perfect something that is far from perfect itself. Carroll said the song was so emotionally painful that he got migraines while writing.

“Alyssa Lies” is based on a true story of a little girl that wasn’t saved in time. As the song evolves, the listener realizes the narrator’s daughter met a friend at school named Alyssa, who is suffering from abuse. To explain her injuries, Alyssa lies to the teachers and classmates, so as not to implicate her abuser. As the narrator’s daughter explains all this, she then asks why Alyssa lies about her situation.

Eventually, the father (narrator) of the little girl, after hearing her pray one night for Alyssa’s safety, decides to report the suspected abuse at school. However, when they get to school on Monday, it is too late.

This is too many times the case. Concerned people act too late.

Crime and behavioral studies have long cited child abuse for its devastating impact on society. Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) statistics are startling as well. According to the Fourth National Incidence Study of Child Abuse & Neglect:

• 95 percent of abuse is by someone the child knows and trusts.

• 73 percent of children don’t tell anyone until well after the abuse has occurred, if they tell at all.

• Statistically, approximately 500,000 babies born in the U.S. each year will be sexually abused before they reach age 18.

For those reasons and many more, Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation (FCPR) joined hands with the Child Advocacy Center of Fayetteville to protect children and stop abuse.

The partnership provides many benefits to both organizations and the Fayetteville-Cumberland community. One benefit of the partnership is training. The Child Advocacy Center’s training curriculum points out that CSA is pervasive in a society where it is repressed and not discussed. Thousands of organizations across the U.S. and Canada are now seeking out a dialogue for prevention and they are sending this message to parents and their communities.

When a parent leaves their child in FCPR’s care, they are entrusting to us their most prized and cherished possession. We take that responsibility very seriously. So seriously, that FCPR has sought after and achieved “Partner in Prevention” status; a nationally-recognized public standard to end child sexual abuse.

The designation was awarded for FCPR’s commitment to protecting children by training 100-percent of its full-time recreation staff on how to prevent, recognize the signs and react responsibly to CSA.

By partnering with the Child Advocacy Center, FCPR hopes to heighten community awareness of CSA. Please accept this as your personal invitation to join the fight as well. Our children need us. Youth can be empowered with awareness and choice, but the real responsibility for protecting children must be shouldered by the adults.

Don’t wait. You can receive the same training as the staff at FCPR. To learn more about CSA prevention and training, please contact our friends at the Child Advocacy Center of Fayetteville. With your help, we can make North Carolina well-known for yet another reason; protecting our most cherished resource — our children.