Every year, Fayetteville State University’s Theatre Department puts on a children’s production for the surrounding Fayetteville communities and institutions. This year — its headlining performance is The Velveteen Rabbit. Based on Elise Kauzlaric’s adaptation, The Velveteen Rabbit is a retelling of the original story written by Margery Williams and published in 1922; in which toys come to life the minute humans leave the room.

“It’s like the Pinocchio story,” said Dr. Ernest Lamb, chair, department of performing and fine arts. “You have this old toy — this velveteen rabbit that nobody plays with because of these newer toys, but because this velveteen rabbit has such great love for children, the nursery fairy grants him a wish so that he can become a real rabbit. It’s almost like Toy Story.”

Performances for The Velveteen Rabbit will run in the Seabrook Auditorium from Feb. 13-15 at 9:30-11 a.m. on Thursday and Friday and 2 p.m. on Saturday. “We also have a fine arts series from the Imago Theatre called Frogz, where the performances are like the ones in Cirque du Soleil, but with these huge puppets,” said Lamb. Performances for Frogz will also run in the Seabrook Auditorium on Feb. 10 with a 10 a.m. show for children, and a 7 p.m. show for the general public.

“We do the children’s show every year, and we’ve done shows from Aladdin to Pinocchio,” said Lamb. “We do it as a community outreach, for the fine arts series in general, and the tagline for the department in general is ‘building community through the arts,’ so we always try to have programming that’s attractive to the different segments of our community. These two events happen to be dealing with children.

“We want to expose young people to theatre. Often times we find that at that age, they’ve never gone to a play. They may go to the movies, but to go to an actual play and see a live production of something with actors, and sets, and props; kids haven’t really seen all that, so we do this really to expose them to the arts.

“In all reality, we look to target children of all ages, but usually our shows attract elementary and junior high school students, and it’s the same thing for the Imago Theatre: ages four on up, so it should be something interesting for families and children of all ages.”

For ticket information, call the FSU Box Office at 910-672-1724. Tickets for The Velveteen Rabbit are $3. General admission tickets for Frogz are $10.

Photo: The Velveteen Rabbit is a tale in which toys come to life. It opens at Fayetteville State University’s Seabrook Auditorium on Feb. 13.

If you ever encounter Earl Gardner, you will be struck by two things: the first is the depth of his knowledge about the world around him and the second is the serenity that surrounds him.

The first comes from the fact that he is a well-read man, the second is the fact he does what he loves and loves what he does. Between the two, it’s hard not to find serenity in this crazy world.

Gardner, a self-proclaimed Army brat, spent his childhood like a modern-day gypsy picking up stakes, moving every three years with his family from Fort Benning, Ga., where he was born, to foreign locales like Germany and Texas, which he jokingly refers to as one more foreign country.

“Have you ever been to Texas?” he asks, with a smile on his face.

One of those moves brought his family to Fort Bragg, and Gardner, to the place he has called home most of his adult life.

“When we moved to Fort Bragg, my family bought this place,” he said, referencing the grey farm house in Parkton, N.C., where he and his wife, Janice (a school teacher), raised their family.

It was there, that Gardner began a life-long study of art.

“I was that kid who sat in the back of the room and was supposed to be learning, but instead was drawing,” he said.

“When he was supposed to be learning to spell, he learned about art,” added Janice.

In high school, he took advantage of the limited art classes offered and learned what he could, but after graduation, he started to work at a series of factories, spending 27 years of his life at Kelly Springfield making tires. Painting definitely was not in his job description, but while there, he painted a couple of murals in the factory’s front office and created a 3-D model of the plant.

During that time, he would take continuing education art classes at Fayetteville Technical Community College and picked up ideas for painting and techniques from the copious amount of books he read and from television.

“I’m not a big fan of Bob Ross, but don’t tell anyone,” he said. “But I learned from anyone and everyone I could.”

A massive heart attack took Gardner out of the factory and gave him the opportunity to indulge his passion.

“If you have a passion for something, don’t waste your time doing something else,” he said. “When you work in a production environment, there is no end in sight. You put out a paper and when it is finished, it’s done. You can put your name on it and move on. In a factory, 1,400 people work on a tire, and when it goes out the door, there’s another tire to make and nobody puts their name on it.”

That pride in ownership is something that shines through in the landscapes Gardner produces. He paints what he sees, and while it is usually the simple things around him, he makes them unique. His work is in oils, because he believes they are the most forgiving.

“Water colors do not allow mistakes,” he said. “Everybody has a streak of creativity in them; it’s part of the Creator.”

For Gardner, that creativity is fed by the things he sees every day. The joy he takes in making the mundane art is easy to see in the serenity of his paintings.

“If you don’t love something, don’t do it,” he continued. “For me, I always look for the light. I look for the way light hits objects. I have tried to paint battlefields and war scenes, but that’s not me. I only want to paint things that are meaningful to me. I look for peaceful things.”

Janice laughingly explains that nothing and no one is safe when Gardner begins looking for a new subject.

“If we are out on the boat, and he sees something that interests him on another boat, he starts taking pictures,” she said. “I always tell him that not everyone wants to be a subject for his painting.”

But painting is his passion.

“God doesn’t charge you for the time you spend creating,” said Gardner. “When I’m painting, I totally get immersed in it.”

While there are some people in his paintings, his focus is really the world around them. His art falls mainly into two categories: landscapes and seascapes. While his name may not be familiar in Fayetteville art circles, his work is. One of his landscapes hangs in Cape Fear Valley Hospital. The piece, originally painted for his wife, caught the eye of a hospital administrator, who bought the painting. Gardner quickly went about creating a similar painting for his wife.

“I lose a lot of paintings that way,” she said.

For Gardner, seeing is creating. “I need to see what I am painting. I don’t have much imagination. I leave that to the Creator. I look at what he has made and that’s my inspiration. I look at life as more than just a glance out of a window. I believe there is a God-spark in all of us and my paintings come from that spark, which the Creator gifted me with.”

He says he paints in the impressionist style. “They did not paint exactly what they saw, they painted their impression of it. That’s why I do,” he continued. “I love that golden hour when the light is hitting just right and the entire world looks alive.”

He takes that moment to capture what is around him, from an old tobacco barn to a seascape from his boat as he indulges in his other passion — fishing.

“We spend a lot of time at Oak Island,” he said. “The movement of the ocean and the light is so different there. Usually, we are there on vacation, and when you are on vacation, you take the time to really look at things. The ocean is constantly in motion and the light is always different. Everything is moving, and capturing that movement is magical.”

Gardner recently did a 20-foot mural of the waters off of Oak Island, which traces the island all the way up to Fort Caswell. That mural is on display at Parkton Elementary School. That painting came quickly for him. “Sometimes you may spend 14 hours on a project, and others come so quickly. That was one of them,” he said.

Gardner is excited to have his work on display at Gallery 208.

“This is really a first for me,” he said. “I’ve had works at 4th Friday events, even won some money. But this is the first time I am going to share my works in such a large collection. I’m a little nervous.”

To see Gardner’s works, come to the opening at Gallery 208, located in the corporate offices of Up & Coming Weekly at 208 Rowan St. The opening is on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call 484-6200.

Photo: Earl Gardner has always loved painting. His work falls mainly into two catego-ries: seascapes and landscapes.

There is a reason that Fiddler on the Roof is one of the longest running Broadway plays in history. “The words, the music, the script are all great,” said actress Patti Cucco. “It’s concise, funny and beautifully written.” Cucco is set to play Yente the matchmaker in Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s upcoming rendition of the play, which opens Jan. 23.

The cast is excited about the performance for a variety of reasons. This production is not a spin-off or a reinterpretation. It sticks to the original script in telling the story of a Jewish family in 1905 Tzarist Russia. Yente, the matchmaker, arranges a marriage for Tzeital, the oldest daughter of Reb Tevye, the milkman. Tzeital is in love with Motel, the poor tailor. Going against tradition, the youngsters go to Reb and ask permission to get married. As each daughter comes to her father and asks to marry outside tradition, Reb struggles to hold his family together and honor the Jewish customs he holds so dear all the while doing his best to keep them safe in an anti-Jewish environment.

Mallory Cunnigham plays Tzeitel and is drawn to the character because “... it is such a powerful story about family, about life, about love. It will make you want to go home and call your family, whoever you love most, and reconnect with them.”

“It’s about your village, whoever that village is,” said Leslie Flom, Cape Fear Regional Theatre marketing director. “Whether that is the family you were born into, your best friends that are your family, your theater family. It is about the people you are closest to.”

Model, played by Sean Powell, is at the bottom of the social ladder when he falls in love with Tzeital. She is the first person to encourage Model and tell him that he can be successful. This is Powell’s third time performing in Fiddler on the Roof, but the first time he has played Model. “On eof the great things about getting to play different characters in this play is getting to know each of them as people and how they deal with problems,” said Powell. “The time they lived in is so different and their problems are so far removed from what we deal with. We get upset when our phone battery dies. It makes you think about things like ‘What would I do if I had to leave my home and family and could only take with me what I could carry on my back?’”

The play first debuted on Broadway in 1964 and even those who are not familiar with the story will likely recognize the tunes.

“People will know the score,” said Cucco. There are so many layers and components that work together here. Everyone is likely to take away something different. “People come away thinking, feeling, even humming. I think they will feel good about the hopefullness in Fiddler on the Roof.”

The play runs through February 16 and will have matinee showings on Feb. 1 and 15. Visit www.cfrt.org to learn more or call the box office at 323-4233.

Photo: CFRT welcomes Bill Nolte as Tevye. Fiddler is Mr. Nolte’s CFRT debut. His Broadway credits include: La Cage Aux Folles, The Producers, Amour, Jane Eyre, 1776, King David and A Christmas Carol.

Old-world charm and an award-winning orchestra grace the Givens Performing Arts Center Stage at UNC Pembroke on Tuesday, Jan. 28. This American debut performance will feature the Vienna Concert-Verein Orchestra beginning at 8 p.m.

The Vienna Concert-Verein Orchestra has achieved international stature performing a subscription concert series at Vienna’s Musikverein for more than 20 years. Members of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra founded the Vienna Concert-Verein in 1987. Its repertoire ranges from orchestral works of the Viennese classical composers to contemporary Austrian music. The Vienna Concert-Verein Orchestra’s collaboration with contemporary composers is unique in Austria. Since its inception, the Vienna Concert-Verein Orchestra has given successful world-premiere performances of more than 65 works by contemporary Austrian composers in a high-profile concert series that has been running since 1993. The Vienna Concert-Verein Orchestra’s CD releases are a tangible result of this duality in its programming.

In 2005, the Vienna Concert-Verein Orchestra’s Michael Haydn’s recording was nominated for the Amadeus Classic Award, category “Orchestra and Large Ensemble,” competing with recordings by the Vienna and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestras. This CD features music by Michael Haydn (Johann Michael Haydn was an Austrian composer of the Classical period, the younger brother of Joseph Haydn), Leopold Mozart, Reinhard Süss and Jean Francais.

The orchestra has toured in Asia and Europe and is a welcome guest orchestra at music festivals and concert halls such as the Mozart Festival Würzburg, the Oldenburger Promenade Concerts, the Mozart Festival Augsburg, the Prague Autumn, the Vienna Klangbogen, the Haydn Festival Eisenstadt, the Santorini International Music Festival, the European Festival Weeks in Passau, at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and with the Berlin Philharmonie.

“This will be the first time the Vienna Concert-Verein Orchestra will perform on the Givens Performing Arts Center stage and we’re excited to host such a talented and prestigious ensemble during their American debut. The orchestra features Grammy-nominated pianist, Sebastian Knauer, led by renowned conductor, Philippe Entremont,” said Chad Locklear, marketing director, GPAC.

Upcoming events at the performing arts center include: Peter Nero in Concert, Friday, Feb. 21, featuring the quintessential jazz artist in a once-in-a-lifetime concert appearance marking the 50th anniversary of the birth of Peter Nero’s recording career and the Russian National Ballet theatre presenting Giselle on Tuesday, April 1.

Make the evening complete by joining GPAC for an exquisite dinner prior to each of these performances. Prepared by Sodexo, the dinners are served in the Chancellor’s Dining Room in the James B. Chavis University Center. Tickets cost $30 per person, which includes a wine and cheese reception prior to dinner at 6 p.m. Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available through the GPAC office at 910-521-6287 or email: gpac@uncp.edu. Prices are $30, $25, $20 and $15 child or student /$5 UNCP Student / $15 Faculty or Staff/ $25 Alumni.

Photo: The Vienna Concert-Verein Orchestra is set to perform at Givens Performing Arts Center on Jan. 28

What does Cumberland County look like? This age-old question has been the centerpiece of major philosophical debate for centuries. From the time of the prophets, scripture has tackled this mystery with verses stating, “Yea, I say unto thee that no man shall know the true nature of Cumberland, for this land is great with Army and the stores of pawn.” (II Opinions 8:2).

Great minds including Socrates, Voltaire and Friedrich Nietzsche have even devoted exhaustive study to this quandary to no avail. Fortunately, this brain buster has finally been answered with a zip line and ceramic eagle head.

In the Fall of 2013, students from Fayetteville State University’s Art 452-01 Ceramics IV class were asked to create a work of art for the stairwell of the Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. This project resulted in a fascinating mural by talented students giving their interpretation of exactly what Cumberland County looks like. The final pieces of art depict the zip line experience, a parachutist, Marquis de LaFayette and, as promised, a couple of eagle heads with one representing the Great Seal of the United States. This mural is currently on display at the bureau and patrons are encouraged to visit.

The eight students who worked on the mural are: Frankie Freeman, Monica Griffin, Yavaughn Jackson, Su Kim, Damien Mathis, Sylvester “PJ” Purdie, Dayshaun Tate and Jasmine Williams.

FACVB President and CEO John Meroski said, “We’re honored to showcase the student’s depiction of the question we posed — ‘What does Cumberland County look like?’” He went on to give thanks to FSU Service Learning and the students for their hard work on the mural and called it Freedom of Expression in Action.

Class instructor and Associate Professor in Visual Arts Socorro Hernandez-Hinek said, “This was an opportunity for young students to apply their training, skills and creative talent through a partnership with the real world,”

Dr. Ernest Lamb, chair of the Department of Performing and Fine Arts said, “I’m so grateful for the leadership and guidance Socorro Hernandez-Hinek provided our art students during the course of this service learning project. The tag line for the Department of Performing and Fine Arts is ‘Building community through the arts.’ I can think of no better way to demonstrate our commitment to this ideal than through public art projects like this.”

Fayetteville State University itself is an important part of Cumberland County history. Founded in 1867, FSU is the second-oldest public institution in North Carolina. It offers nearly 60 degrees in the arts, sciences, business and education at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. As for where the mural is on display. The Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is a private, not-for-profit organization responsible for positioning Fort Bragg and Cumberland County as a destination for conventions, sporting events and individual travel. For additional information on the mural, visit ww.VisitFayettevilleNC.com or call 1-800-255-8217.

Photo: Fayetteville State University students answered the question “What does Cumberland County look like?” Their answers were expressed in ceramic and are posted as a mural at the Fayetteville Area Conven-tion and Visitors Bureau.

Thank a Soldier

While many in the United States were watching the football play-offs, I was watching Lone Survivor. Yes, that’s right, I was watching a movie while the rest of the United States was watching the real-world drama of who would play in the Super Bowl. Yep, they were watching a game.

I have to say that no matter how painful it was to watch the 49’ers/Seahawk game, it doesn’t begin to compare to the pain I felt watching the movie. Of course, I am biased. I spend my days surrounded by special-operations forces. (If you want to know what a hero is, find one of them.) I know them by name. I hear stories about their families. I joke with them. I listen to their frustrations. Oh wait, I live with a former one of them. So, of course, a story about them losing their lives would be more important than a football game.

I know, I have just broken a cardinal rule; football, basketball, baseball, celebrity, they are all more important than the sacrifices made by our military. At least, that’s what the world tells us and that’s what our Congress reinforces, when military benefits, which are something earned, vs. an entitlement like welfare, which is something mandated by Congress, are taken away without a moment’s hesitation..

A veteran of multiple deployments by my husband, I don’t consider myself an easy sell. I am, after all, the mother who was watching We Were Soldiers, (call me a glutton for punishment) when my 4-year-old son crawled out of bed, and started smacking the TV, yelling at the Vietnamese to leave his father alone. It doesn’t really matter that he wasn’t in Vietnam, but that my 4-year-old knew what war was. Yes, at 4, he knew what war was — never mind the girl at the gaming store who thought when he was 12 that I was a bad mother for letting him play a game with the word war in the title.

Of course, I had lived the life my son has lived. My father, at 30, was called pappy in Vietnam. I didn’t know that. I was only 3. What I knew, was that my daddy (now approaching his 80th birthday) was gone. I was the one who laid by the front door, waiting for him to come home. I was the one whom my grandfather and mother put to bed; only to find me in the morning, laying in front of the same front door, waiting for my father to come home.

Knowing my history, you can maybe understand my thoughts reference this movie — or not. I really couldn’t care less. Yep, I just said that. You see, like many of you who are reading this, while I do not know the men in this movie, I know men just like them. I know the men who fought up the mountain and back down again in the Shok Valley of Afghanistan (Google it. It’s just as compelling). While I do not know their names, I have heard the stories of the villagers who climbed up the mountain in Afghanistan, and vowed to protect my husband who was setting up communications during the beginning of the war. They knew and understood the meaning of Pashtunwali, which is described at the end of the movie. It’s a concept of hospitality. Once someone offers you their protection, they will die to make sure you are safe. I know the name of the Iraqi woman, who asked me to be her friend because my son sent Christmas presents to her children in hopes that her husband wouldn’t want to kill his daddy who was deployed there. By the way, she asked me to be her friend. I count myself lucky.

As a member of the 4th estate, I read the news (all sources) and have read the reviews of the movie, including the one where the reviewer said it was far-fetched and over blown. Really?

Climb a mountain in Afghanistan. HALO into the wilds of Africa. Then tell the world what our soldiers do is overblown. Let me know if you will fight your way through an Afghan town, walking in front of a HUMVEE, keeping villagers away from the vehicle so your men will be safe. To the critics, who are trumpeting that the film rings false, let me know if you will go into a remote village in Africa with limited food and medical supplies and spend months doing a mission — eating whatever the villagers can provide you — even if you don’t know what it is.

If you want to criticize our soldiers, stand by a grave of someone you love, and hear “Taps” played and watch their children’s world fall apart — when you can do that, write your letters and your ignorant Facebook posts. Until then, say thank you and say a prayer every night, because they are the ones who keep harm from your door and their spouses and children are the ones who have helped pay the price.

Overblown, not true to life? We can’t even begin to imagine. Thank a soldier that you don’t have to.

Country music fans are in for a treat on Jan. 23 when Jason Aldean and guests Florida Georgia Line and Tyler Farr roll into the Crown for the Jason Aldean: 2014 Night Train Tour. The tour has rated 5-star reviews across the country and promises to be a night to remember.

“We are more than excited to have both Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line coming to the complex,” said Jim Grafstrom, general manager of the Crown. “It is a show that essentially has two headliners. Both acts are highly acclaimed and are doing fantastic business. We are fortunate to have them on the same bill. It is going to be a great show.”

A native of Macon, Ga., Aldean learned to play the guitar from his dad. He would visit his dad in the summertime and practiced all day while his father was at work. Inspired by George Strait, Hank William’s Jr. and Alabama, Aldean knew he wanted to be a performer when he was just 14 years old. After he graduated high school he continued to perform locally, and with bandmate Justin Weaver, began writing songs.

When he was 21, Aldean moved to Nashville. In 2004 he signed with Broken Bow records and released the album Jason Aldean in 2005. “Hicktown,” “Why” and “Amarillo Sky” became big hits and in 2006, the Academy of Country Music Awards named him Top New Vocalist of the Year. In 2007, he released his next album: Relentless, which raced to the top of the charts with “Laughed until We Cry” and “Johnny Cash.” The album Wide Open followed in 2009 and was also a chart topper with “She’s Country.” The singles “Big Green Tractor” and “The Truth” followed, netting Aldean three nominations at the CMT Music Awards that year. My Kinda Party was released and Aldean’s duet “Don’t You Wanna Stay” with Kelly Clarkson went double platinum. The album also won him two CMA awards including the Album of the Year. His latest album, Night Train debuted at the top of the US Billboard 200 chart.

Indeed, it has been a good year for the entertainer as the Night Train tour has sold out stadiums across the U.S., and fans have posted rave reviews about the high-energy shows.Florida Georgia Line, known for hits like “Cruise” and “Get Your Shine On,” bring additional star power to the show. Composed of Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelly, Florida Georgia Line hit it big in 2012 with “Cruise” and continue to pump out fan-friendly tracks.

Hubbard and Kelly met at Belmont University in Nashville. The two attended the university and between classes they would write songs together. It wasn’t long before they were playing in local clubs and before they knew it, the duo signed on with Big Loud Mountain record label.

Born and raised in Garden City, Mo., Tyler Farr is no stranger to the music stage. He’s a songwriter, authoring “Hey Ya’ll,” for Colt Ford. He’s been playing the guitar since he was 16 and is known for his hit single “Redneck Crazy.”

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are between $29.75 and $59.75 and are available at www.jasonaldean.com, www.ticketmaster.com or www.livenation.com.

Photo top right: Jason Aldean, pictured above, is set to perform at the Crown on Jan. 23.  Photo bottom left: Florida Georgia Line, pictured above, is scheduled to perform with Jason Aldean as part of the Night Train Tour. 

Every year the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County and the Friends of African and African-American Art team up to put together a top-notch exhibit for the area. Dont miss “A Celebration of African-American Art” at the Arts Council from Jan. 24-March 1.

“In recognition and celebration of Black History Month, the free exhibition will feature a wonderful private collection from a prominent local collector of African-American art,” said Mary Kinney, marketing director of the Arts Council. “It will be open six days a week from 7-9 p.m.”

The exhibition opens in conjunction with the Arts Council’s 4th Friday celebration: a downtown tradition where people of all ages enjoy the art and entertainment that Fayetteville has to offer. Featured artists, exhibits, refreshments and entertainment are all combined to bring everyone the art of Fayetteville free of charge. Bistro’s, bookstores, galleries and shops in the four and a half blocks of historic downtown Fayetteville become artistic venues and feature the arts in all forms.

A special membership category devoted to the endeavor of the FAAA has been developed by the Arts Council, in which members benefit from invitations to Friends meetings and social events, as well as invitations to special lectures that pertain to African-American art by local, national and international prominent artists and scholars. Through this membership category, the FAAA is also afforded the opportunity to raise public awareness and appreciation for African-American art by way of exhibits, educational programs and social events. Anyone interested in becoming a member must either be a current Arts Council member or join at the $35 level or higher to be eligible for the FAAA membership category.

While the mission is to raise public awareness and appreciation for the artistic legacy of indigenous Africans and people of African displacement, the primary focus of this membership category is to fund an annual exhibit for Black History Month and develop a schedule of informative events and activities to occur during the month, as well as throughout the year.

Every fourth Friday of the month, starting at 6 p.m., the Downtown Alliance office has free fanatics cards that show the latest deals and a full list of 4th Fridayevents when the QR code on the back is scanned. One of these events featured on the card includes the exhibit at Cape Fear Studios, where works by Barton Hatcher will be on display, as well as works by special visiting pottery artists Charles and Linda Riggs. For more information, visit www.theartscouncil.com. For Cape Fear Studios, visit www.capefearstudios.com. For the Downtown Alliance, call 910-222-3382, or visit www.faydta.org.

Although the Headquarters Library has no special events scheduled on Jan. 24, many of its branches in the surrounding area plan to host events for children and young adults.

Fascinate-U Children’s Museum makes 4th Friday fun for the whole family with fun activities for the kids and free admission from 7-9 p.m. This month, the featured craft is “Mix and Match Sports Time,” where kids can make a sports-related puzzle. Find out more about Fascinate-U at www.fascinate-u.com.

The Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum features unique exhibit year round that tell the story of Fayetteville through different lenses. The museum is open during 4th Friday. Call 433-1457 for more information.

Sometimes a good idea or a solution to a problem never makes it to the right person. It’s not because anyone intends it to be this way, but because the person with the idea or solution doesn’t know who to contact or how to get in touch with them. This month, the community has a chance to be involved in a forum to change that. On Monday, Jan. 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Ministerial Council and the City of Fayetteville, in partnership with local organizations and institutions, will host Community Conversations Kickoff.

Volunteer and Chairperson for the Fayetteville Cumberland Human Relations Commission, Cathy Waddell believes this is an opportunity the community will not want to miss. The commission has put a lot of thought in to when and where to hold the event to make it easier for anyone who would like to attend. “Because Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day on rather than a day off we thought it would be an ideal time to do some things that make a difference,” said Waddell. “We felt it was a great time to schedule this because people will be there (at the prayer breakfast) so people who want to participate can stay after.”

The facilitators will ask attendees:

• What is being done to improve ways that citizen and resident input are included in the City’s decisions and plans for bettering Fayetteville?

• How can we make sure that the community’s needs are listened to and addressed appropriately?

• In what ways can residents, city leadership and local organizations and institutions work together to help our city become a healthier, more vibrant, inclusive and sustainable major North Carolina city?

• What is your vision of Fayetteville in 15 years?

“This is the initial community conversation,” said Waddell. “The information we get will generate the other conversations. The information will be given to the mayor and other members of City Council and we hope they will take it to help make decisions about things in the community."

The format and process used in the Community Conversations is a continuation of previous Study Circles and will continue throughout the year.

Space is limited for the Jan. 20 kickoff, so pre-registration is required by contacting the Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Department during normal business hours at (910) 433-1696. Citizens can also engage in the Community Conversations Online by visiting FayettevilleOutFront.com.

Turmoil Over Tenure

Personally, I think teaching is the most noble of professions. There’s not a person out there who cannot recollect that special teacher who personally transformed their life.

Here in Cumberland County I think our teachers are the best. Administratively, we have conscientious, competent, empathetic leadership. This is reflected in test scores, low drop-out rates and high graduation rates. So, why are teachers not making more money? Should our teachers earn higher salaries? Absolutely. It’s a mystery to me why our statewide teacher salaries are so low — 46th in the nation. There are a lot of excuses and finger pointing by the current Republican administration in Raleigh, but, in their defense, the records show a 2008 salary freeze for educators.

To many North Carolinians, this indicates the education of our children is a low priority. In view of the abundance of waste, fraud and abuse at all levels of state government, you would think finding money for the people who are responsible for the development of future generations would be a no-brainer. Well, it’s time to give our teaching profession the respect and priority it deserves in North Carolina.

The first step in doing that is to make sure that our teachers are respected and paid a decent salary. Having said this, it doesn’t mean paying all teachers the same salary, giving them the same amount of raise or harboring the incompetent. In other words, there is no place in secondary education for tenure. How would a business or organization survive if they could not fire incompetent employees? How would a professional sports team compete if they were forced to play unskilled team members? This is not the way it works in real life.

Hard work, success and competency are rewarded in real life. In real life, there are no guarantees. Hence, tenure has no place in secondary education. Actually, the concept of tenure was created in the early 1900s designed to protect the jobs of college professors to assure them academic freedom to teach and pursue extraordinary ideas and theories that college and university administrators may find objectionable. Prior to that time, only federal judges had such protections. Tenure was never meant to serve has an automatic safe port for the protection of lazy and incompetent educators.

Perhaps the perception that children cannot get a good education in North Carolina is at the heart of low morale, lagging academic achievement and the growth of charter schools. Bonuses for the best teachers is a must. Raises for the best teachers is a must. No to tenure and to the subsidies to mediocrity.

Good teaching professionals do not care about tenure and job security. They care about the children. They care about their profession and take pride in their talents and craft. To them, this is their job security. Again, tenure has no place in secondary public education. It protects the incompetent. It fosters mediocrity. It destroys intellectual treasures. States now spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in hearings, litigation and appeals just trying to remove teachers from their positions. It’s a costly process to maintain and the money spent on defending tenure could very well be reallocated to teachers’ salaries.

It is my hope that as the months go by the residents of Cumberland County and the State of North Carolina realize that public education is vitally important to the growth of our state. Educating our children in the public school system should reflect total commitment to our future generations. If we were doing this adequately, there would be little need for charter and private schools. Their proliferation is an indication that we need to do a better job.

If education and higher teacher salaries are truly high priorities in North Carolina, then we should find the money to fund them adequately. Tenure distracts from the very best. The longer the debate over tenure goes on, the longer we will have to wait on paying the professional, successful teachers in our school systems.One final note on the matter: Raleigh should initiate a statewide top-down assessment of education in North Carolina. I think what they will find is an abundant excess of resources and enough “waste and abuse” of taxpayer money that, if reallocated, would make our teachers the highest paid in the nation. And why not? We entrust them with the futures of our children.

Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

Photo: It’s time to make teacher tenure a thing of the past. 

It was summer 1988. Nat Robertson was in Gainsville, Fla., on a visit. While on a blind date, he met the perfect girl. Unfortunately, she wasn’t his date.

She was his best friend’s date. “At the end of the evening, he told his friend that if he didn’t marry me and take me back to North Carolina, he was a fool,” recalled Kim Robertson, during an interview in the Robertsons’ Haymount home.

Fortunately for Robertson, his friend didn’t take him up on the suggestion, and, with his friend’s blessing, he began calling and later visiting Kim. Following a courtship that saw Robertson driving up and down I-95 every other weekend, the couple married and Kim made the move to Fayetteville.

That was 25 years ago, and over the ensuing years, the couple has worked hard to fulfill their dreams and goals. For Robertson, that meant a partnership with his father in the family jewelry store and ownership of his own businesses, as well as a life of public service, which led him to run for Fayetteville’s top office — mayor.

The campaign, which resulted in his election, was grueling. But it wasn’t anything new. The first year the couple was married, and while Kim was pursuing her teaching degree at Fayetteville State University, Robertson ran for, and was elected to, the Fayetteville City Council. At the age of 26, he was the youngest person ever elected to the council.

“We’ve been on this journey for quite some time,” said Robertson. “I don’t know at the time that I had any goal to be mayor. I was just happy to be on the team.”

For three terms, he served on the council under the leadership of J.L. Dawkins. Twice he was elected to the at-large seat, and served one term on the district seat now held by Bobby Hurst.

“My interest has always been local,” he explained. “I want to make sure that my home folks are taken care of.”

When he left the council in 2001, he remained active in the community serving on a number of boards and commissions. His most recent service prior to his election was on the Civic Center Commission, a post that he was appointed to by the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners. He said his time on the commission has been great, noting that the commission was not willing to accept the “same-old, same-old.”

“There were a lot of fresh ideas, which can go a long way,” he noted.

Those ideas led to the privatization of the Crown under the management of Global Spectrum last year, which over time, should result in significant cost savings for the county and allow monies used to fund the Crown through hospitality taxes to be moved to other areas.

Having watched her husband serve over the years, Kim was not surprised by his desire to run for mayor.

“When we began talking about it, I said, ‘Let’s go.’ Service to the community is in his heart and it always has been,” she said. “He has always supported my endeavors without hesitation — always. We make a good team and complement each other. We both see our roles as servant leaders.”

Those who know Kim see that every day as she serves in the county school system. Her passion for the children of the community is evident in everything she does and says. It is a palpable thing. That being the case, her service as Fayetteville’s first lady may revolve around the city’s children.

“I have a very good measure of what I can do,” she explained. “I am the principal of a very large elementary school with 720 students.”

As the principal of Elizabeth Cashwell Elementary, Kim is confronted with many of the problems that Roberts will confront as mayor. About 70 percent of her students are on free or reduced lunch. Their families are impacted by the poor economy. Their community has a high crime rate. Finding ways of meeting the needs of her students is more than a full a time job, but it is one she relishes.

“It is important that my students feel welcomed and that they are at a place where they are going to be taken care of. It’s important that we meet their needs so that they can be successful,” she explained. “These kids who don’t have a lot, have such hope. They are smart and as long as they know we have their best interests at heart, they will work hard and come to school with a positive attitude.”

At the end of hectic days, Robertson has been a sounding board for Kim.

“He is a listener. He doesn’t try to give me advice or fix the problems. He just listens. That, in and of itself, is extremely helpful,” she noted.

She sees that skill serving him well in his role as mayor.

“If folks are active and concerned with the city, then Nat is going to listen to them and their concerns,” she said. “He will truly hear them.”

“That’s really my job,” said Robertson. “I need to understand where they are coming from, because their problems are very real. And if someone comes to the city engaged and looking to solve a problem, then we are going to work on it.”

That being said, the new mayor is going into his new role with a few key things at the top of his list.

“Do you want to hear my Top 10 priorities for this year?” he asked. “Here it is: Crime and Economic Development. Until we take care of those issues, everything else is going to have to wait. The 2014 and 2015 budget is going to revolve around those two issues. If we resolve some of the issues associated with those two priorities, we will solve other problems in the city.”

In the area of economic development, he noted that the community has done a great job of sending business away.

“We have done a real good job of running businesses to Hoke County or Spring Lake. Fayetteville has made it very hard for people to do business here, and that has to stop,” he said.

During his campaign, he made making the city operate like a business with its citizens being its customers a priority.

“When someone walks into city hall, they should know their issue is important. We have to empower our city employees to take ownership of citizen issues and walk them through the system,” he said. “No one should get lost in the process.”

Once the city makes doing business easier, Robertson believes the community can go after and successfully get more business.

“Traditionally we have gone after the low hanging fruit, which is commercial/shopping businesses,” he said. “Those businesses will come to the community whether we recruit them or not because of the disposable income available in the community, which can be seen by the number of great businesses that are already here, but we have to become more focused on industry and manufacturing. We have to bring jobs here.”

Economic developers will quickly point out key things that industries look at before considering a community. One key factor is the availability of a trained work force. Robertson believes we have that with the number of soldiers who leave the Army each year, but choose to remain in the city. Industries also look at education facilities and the ability of the populace to access it. With a public education system that is improving exponentially, and the presence of higher education facilities like Fayetteville Technical Community College, Methodist and Fayetteville State University, the city should be regarded positively. Add in quality of life, which includes great parks and community organizations, and Fayetteville should be a shoe-in for business relocation.

But a major detractor is the city’s crime rate, which is why Robertson has put it at the top of his list.

To combat crime and to actively seek economic development, Robertson has already begun building consensus throughout the county.

“There are a lot of walls in place that impede the community from working together,” he said. “I want to tear those walls down. I want to bring everyone to the table to tackle these important issues from the state to PWC to the schools to the county commissioners.”

He explained that crime cannot be looked at in a vacuum. It must be addressed from every angle and by every agency/body that can help address it. To that end, he is working to put together a Crime Summit to tackle the issue. That will be followed in June by an Economic Summit.

By opening lines of communication, he believes the community can begin to move in the same direction.

“I am a communicator. I want to bring people in and let’s talk it out,” said Robertson. “Together, let’s come up with the best way forward. When people who have a heart for this community come together, then there is plenty that we can do to make the community better.”

Photo: Fayetteville’s new mayor, Nat Robertson, and his wife Kim. Photo Credit: KCC Photography

Reassured: Fayetteville Police Are Competent

“Reassure us.” That was the below-the-fold headline found on the op-ed page of the Fayetteville Observer on Friday, Jan. 3rd. How disappointing. What a terrible way to start the new year.

The fact that our local, daily newspaper has a very hard time finding the positive side to even the most simple situations should be of great concern to our community’s residents. That short, but emphatic, editorial spoke volumes about the newspaper’s ongoing reluctance to provide our community balanced news and worse still, questions the integrity of the men and women who daily put their lives on the line in protection of our city.

The subtitle of this bogus editorial was “Our View: OfFIcer Cleared. But Shootings Leave Tension.” The editorial referenced an incident involving Fayetteville Police OfFIcer, Denton Heath Little, who, in the line of duty, fatally shot and killed Lawrence Graham III. Graham displayed a gun during a routine trafFIc stop. This was a very heartbreaking incident.

Any time you have a situation involving the loss of life, the community is going to “struggle” with questions. We all get that. It’s a part of life. Grieving families and friends want to know why. We all want to feel safe on our city streets. We want to know that those who enforce the rules are following the rules. And that’s really what the editorial should have been about.

But instead of using editorial space to let the community know that proper procedures were followed and that a thorough internal investigation conducted by state and local law enforcement officials found Officer Little’s actions prudent and lawful, the editorial questioned whether or not the investigation results were correct. Really?

Based on the results of the investigation, which had input from the State Bureau of Investigation, District Attorney Billy West decided not to take criminal action against Little. The investigation found that this well-trained Fayetteville police officer acted, and reacted, properly in the line of duty. Little’s actions saved his life and perhaps the lives of others.

Why isn’t that newsworthy? Why wasn’t it reported as an indication that our police department is competent, well trained, diligent and capable of responding to Fayetteville’s major concern: Crime. Isn’t this news? Why lose a great opportunity to assure our community, that we are in good hands?

Instead, the local newspaper chose to plant unsavory seeds of doubt and suspicion not only in regards to our police force but to our entire system. This undermines the goal of creating and maintaining safe Fayetteville communities. What is the motive here?

Is the newspaper trying to foster unrest and disharmony in the community? I hope not. But what is the purpose of questioning the FIndings and why suggest that this would be a good time for the Fayetteville Police Department to “redouble its efforts to ensure officers are well-trained and conditioned to make the best split-second decision when faced with similar situations, so future incidents have a better chance of turning out differently.”

Turning out differently? How? I hope by “differently” they mean that nobody gets killed and not that the police officer gets killed instead or that the bad guy gets away with a crime.

The newspaper’s position is that this would be an appropriate time to reassure our community that our police department is competent and can hold itself accountable when doubts arise. Well, guess what? That’s exactly what happened, and the newspaper failed to acknowledge it, but instead chose to sensationalize the incident.

One Final note: At this point, the family of Lawrence Graham III and their local attorneys Allen Rogers and Coy Brewer are considering a civil suit against the city. For what? The police department doing its job?

Until all of the players in our community get on the same page and realize that fostering discontent will only tear the city down, we will have a difficult time moving forward.

Photo: A recent editorial in the Fayetteville Observer casts doubt on the results of an investigation involving a Fayetteville Police Officer. 

With a full year stretched out before you, January is the perfect time to jump-start healthy eating, the foundation for overall wellness. Like most goals, nutritional upgrades have endless variations; in fact, you could probably come up with one new, improved dietary habit for every day of the year. Instead of letting the possibilities overwhelm you, focus on these top five dietary changes most likely to create a healthy and vibrant body while reducing your risk for serious disease.

Emphasize good fats-in particular, plant, fish and grass-fed animal fat sources, which contain profoundly anti-inflammatory omega-3s. Mounting research shows that chronic inflammation underlies most, if not all , chronic disease, including dementia, cancer, heart disease, diabetes and arthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids down-regulate inflammatory genes, reduce production of inflammatory chemicals (cytokines) and increase inflammation resistance. People who regularly eat omega-3 laden foods also have healthier skin, more comfortable joints, less depression and sharper minds.

Add flaxseeds, chia, hempseed and nuts —especially walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts and Brazil nuts — to your morning cereal or shake. Enjoy sardines or hard-cooked, omega-3 enriched eggs for a snack. Choose fish or grass-fed meat.

Color your plate. Plant foods contain more than 4,000 anti-inflammatory antioxidant flavonoids, pigmented compounds responsible for beets’ red, kale’s green, squashes’ yellow and blueberries’ blue. They stimulate immunity reduce cancer and heart disease risk, and support healthy joints and digestion.

Aim for at least five different colors of fruit and vegetables every day, comprising half of your total food intake. Top cereal with berries; snack on celery, carrots and bell peppers; feature colorful salads, steamed greens, broccoli or green beans, seasoned tomatoes and pureed sweet potato at lunch and dinner; indulge with dark chocolate-covered cherries or pomegranate seeds.

Opt for organic. Organics offer at least one undisputed advantage: significantly fewer harmful pesticides and herbicides, minimizing your exposure to cell-damaging toxic chemicals. Reducing pesticide load can increase immunity and decrease allergies and may support weight loss and fertility. Start by buying organic for the worst pesticide offenders (ewg.org/foodnews). Also consider swapping out conventional dairy products, in which pesticides concentrate.

Fast Overnight. Portion control is an obvious way to cut calories; add in nightly fasting and you’ll also change your metabolism to contribute to weight loss.

Even a relatively short time period without food can protect you against diabetes by causing stomach and intestinal cells to release the hormone ghrelin, which reduces insulin, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and insulin resistance. It also combats cancer by inhibiting silent information regulator (SIRT1) gene activity, which in turn slows accelerated cell growth. By eating your last meal or snack in the early evening and not eating anything until breakfast , at least 12 hours later, you’ll have fasted for half the day — long enough to trigger these metabolic changes. The result: Chronic disease prevention from better cell-regulation and tighter control of sugar and insulin levels.

Eat to nourish. Food is not just a mix of nutrients; food is also pleasure, appreciation, even love. This year when you eat, make it a point to sit down, put away your cell, turn off the TV and relax. When you’re relaxed, you activate your parasympathetic nervous system, which in turn innervates your digestive tract so you digest food better. Increased parasympathetic nerve activity also encourages healthy blood pressure and heart function, promotes a balanced immune response and reduces chronic inflammation.

This year, take the time to pursue the gift of health that will give not only to you, but your family, community and nation.

A new semester has started at Methodist University, and there are many events the local community is welcome to attend and enjoy in the coming months. All of the events are free, unless otherwise noted.

Along with the Museum of the Cape Fear, MU will host the 13th Annual Civil War Quiz Bowl on Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m. in Yarborough Auditorium. Anyone can participate and registration will be accepted until 20 spaces are filled.

February starts with Spring Convocation on Feb. 3 at 11 a.m. in Huff Concert Hall, followed by the Miss Methodist University Pageant on Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. in Huff Concert Hall. On Feb 13, the much anticipated exhibit, Pablo Picasso: 25 Years of Edition Ceramics opens in the David McCune International Art Gallery. The exhibit’s opening gala will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. that evening, and the show will run through April 13. The gallery will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturdays.

At the end of February, writers should plan to attend the 24th Southern Writers Symposium (registration and consultation fees vary) from Feb. 21-22, while the MU Department of Theatre will put on “W.I.P. @ MU: The Production” from Feb. 20-23. The shows will start at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Music

Music lovers have a lot to look forward to this semester at Methodist. Friends of Music will present a guitar recital by John Holt Jan. 24 and a flute recital by Sarah Busman March 28. Both recitals start at 7:30 p.m. in Hensdale Chapel. There will also be a faculty music recital Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in Hensdale Chapel. MU’s Concert Band and Jazz Monarchs will hold two joint concerts this semester, on Feb. 25 and April 24, both of which will start at 7:30 p.m. in Huff Concert Hall. Later in the semester, there will be performances by the Fayetteville Symphony Youth, the Fayetteville Symphonic Band, the North Carolina Symphony, One Voice gospel choir, the Fayetteville Symphony and the Cumberland Oratorio Singers. Perennial favorite Easter Jam will be back, as well as the Cape Fear New Music Festival, MU’s All-Choirs concert and MU Jazz Festival.

Community Engagement

Methodist University’s Center for Community Engagement has several projects scheduled for the New Year. In collaboration with students from FSU and FTCC, students will participate in a Day of Service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Day on Jan. 20. On Jan. 25, students will participate in a roadside clean-up. Because of the support from Cumberland Community Foundation and many other community partners, more than 600 students have played an active role in the community by engaging with the professional and volunteer community through service and internship opportunities.

For more information on Methodist University events and programs, please visit methodist.edu or call 910.630.7000.

Eons ago people told stories to pass on family history, to entertain, to retell adventures and toexplain the origins of man. Storytelling is a way to share, entertain and bond. The most entertaining stories; however, need not be completely true. Great storytellers can take even the dullest tale and remake it into a masterpiece. The Bold-Faced Liars’ competition hosted by The Storytelling and Arts Center of the Southeast puts local storytellers skills to the test. Competitors, bring your best “there I was...” story and come ready to embellish like never before. The Bold-Faced Liars’ competition is planned for Jan. 11 and promises to be great fun

.Executive Director Jennifer Hansen McRae said the competition is “A great time with lots of laughs! The competition portion of the day will have 18-20 tellers telling three minute or less tall tales — the more extravagant the lie the better. Just make the judges believe it. Storyteller Tim Lowry is our head judge and he has great experience on both sides. He was a liar in the very first liar’s showdown. The evening’s events will feature Tim telling rodeo tales and the top three liars from the morning event.”

According to McRae, stories range from fishing, to western and much more. The competitors have free range in their topics. The goal is just to be entertaining and as convincing as possible. For the audience members, the goal is just to enjoy the outrageous stories, and try to spot the lies. According to McRae, the best part of the day is, “Hearing the laughter and feeling the appreciation for the art of storytelling.”

The day is all about leaving behind all concerns and indulging in a day of laughter and fun.

Competitors must be 16 years old or older and come from the Southeast. Registration is required to participate and tickets are required to attend the event. Applications are available online. Tickets for either the afternoon or evening are $10. Tickets for both are $15. The competition takes place at 2 p.m. and at 7 p.m. Tim Lowry, the featured storyteller, will perform. Lowry is expected to put on quite a show regaling the crowd with whoppers about the rodeo.

“There are no fees to participate — most of the spots are full for this year. The top three liars win cash prizes as well as trophies,” McRae said. In addition to the top three receiving prizes, there is also a People’s Choice Award and a Special Trophy. Lowry is the chief judge for this competition, but in total, there are three judges trying to uncover the lies in every extravagant story. All of the judges are from the Southeast, specifically North Carolina and the surrounding states.

The competition is at The Storytelling & Arts Center of the Southeast. The building is located at 131 South Main St., Laurinburg. Tickets are available for purchase at www.storyartscenter.org. To register to participate, email Brenda Gilbert at bgilbert@sfoc.info or call 277-3599, or find an application at www.storyartscenter.org.

Photo: Renowned storyteller Tim Lowry is set to perform and judge The Bold-Faced Liars’ competition at The Storytelling and Arts Center of the Southeast on Jan 11.

While politics is definitely not for everyone, when concerned citizens step up and invest in making the community better, it is to the benegit of the community. For outgoing Cumberland County Commissioner Chairman of the Board Jimmy Keefe, serving comes naturally.

“For years I was on the city council. There was a lot happening on Ramsey Street (where I grew up) at the time and I wanted to help be a part of the planning that went on,” said Keefe. “I found that public service is a good fit for me. A natural progression after the city was to move to county level. It is a good board to work with; we were able to come together and work as a group to get positive changes going. It was a good, busy year.”

Keefe listed some of the highlights of the past year including the Mental Health merger with The Alliance Health Care of Durham. The state legislature directed counties to become a part of a Managed Care Organization instead of at individual county levels. After much research and negotiation, Cumberland County merged with Alliance Health Care along with Wake, Durham and Johnston counties. This is one of the largest and most professionally run MCOs in the state. Since the merger, Cumberland County has received a higher level of service, oversight and savings. Cumberland County Commissioner Kenneth Edge serves as a member on The Alliance board.

In conjunction with the merger, the board of commissioners instituted a First Crisis Intervention Team drop-off center. This allows specially trained law enforcement and EMS personnel to deliver non-violent mental-health patients to this center for treatment instead of the previous alternative of the detention center or the emergency room. Not only will this save money, it gets these citizens the assistance they require.

The Crown Coliseum Board and the commissioners took a bold step in initiating a shift to a private-management company to manage the operations and promotion of The Crown Coliseum. For many years, the Crown Coliseum’s expenses were exceeding its income. The board of commissioners worked with the Crown Board to move forward with a smooth transition. All indications are that the level of service, promotion and the events at the Crown Coliseum are enhanced by the move.

The Detention Center is near completion and should be open in the next 30 days. Each level of government has a responsibility to make a commitment to solving the crime issue in the community. The current detention center is not adequate and constantly over capacity. The board of commissioners made a financial commitment to build the expanded detention center to help make the community a safer place.

Last year, the county suffered greatly from the financial storm of sequestration and the shutdown of federal government programs on which so many county citizens rely. Early preparation for this crisis, enabled the county to continue services to clients without any delay during the shutdown.

The board of commissioners and all nine of the municipalities were able to agree on a sales-taxdistribution formula for the next 10 years; allowing the county and each of the municipalities to plan long-term.

The county opened the new Veterans Services Office, which gives veterans a place to get services with ample parking and more accessibility for disabled vets.

Hiring new County Finance Officer, Melissa Cardinali, and a new assistant County Manager, Quinton McPhatter, added stability to the management staff.

For the first time in its history, the county now has a countywide animal control ordinance that applies to the municipalities and the unincorporated areas. According to Keefe, the Animal Control Office and its leadership have done an incredible job at increasing the adoption rate and reducing euthanasia of animals in Cumberland County.

Most importantly,while many N.C. counties reduced their funding to the local schools systems, Cumberland County was able to fund the school system at its previous budget without any loss in revenue.

Photo: Outgoing Cumberland County Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Jimmy Keefe.

In Fayetteville, Two events will take place in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Jan. 20: The 21st Annual Prayer Breakfast and the 2014 MLK Challenge Day of Service. This year’s prayer breakfast is hosted by The New Life Bible Church and as in years past, is slated at the Crown Exposition Center. The Honorable Judge, Ed Pone (Fayetteville-Cumberland County) is the keynote speaker.

“Every year, the night before the actual prayer breakfast, the churches of the Fayetteville/Cumberland County Ministerial Council get together in a local church and have a worship service to worship the Lord,” said Dr. Allen McLauchlin, pastor of The New Life Bible Church. “Last year, it was held at Northwood Temple. This year, it is at The New Life Bible Church Center.”

McLauchlin said that a good turn out includes anywhere between 800 to 1,000 people.

“The prayer breakfast itself is to highlight Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday,” said McLauchlin. “It is open to the community whether they are people of many different faiths or people of no faith.”

Local and national recording artists, Pastor Rodney Raines and Emmanuel, will provide entertainment at the event.

“We do this in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. because he’s an icon,” said McLauchlin. “He sacrificed his life and he represents a struggle. You normally tend to pick out people who are trailblazers, and he definitely was that. He left a trail for us to follow and blazed a trail for us to get through. He was a visionary who believed that all people are created equal and his message is timeless.”

Immediately following the breakfast, the public is invited to attend a citywide conversation on working together for Fayetteville’s success.

“After the breakfast, we will have a public-policy forum where we will sit down and speak to teenagers with the hope of inspiring them to do something for the public,” said McLauchlin. “One of thfind alternatives to violence. If a person is thinking about their future, wanting to become somebody and leaving their mark on society, when violence comes their way, they’re going to stray away from it, and so we need to give these kids something to look forward to.”

The 2014 MLK Challenge Day of service is a day in which the faculty, staff and students of Fayetteville State University, Methodist University and Fayetteville Technical Community College invite the residents of Fayetteville and Cumberland County to come out and help serve the community in celebration and honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by making this annual day of service “a day on, not a day off.” Initiated by Congress in 1994, it is a nationwide effort to transform the federal holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. into a day of community service and continued elaboration on his teachings that help solve problems. An adult must accompany anyone under the age of 18

.Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the opening ceremony commences at 9:15 a.m. The event takes place at Fayetteville State University’s Lilly Gymnasium. For pre-registration, visit www.2014MLKDay.Eventbrite.com. Everyone is encouraged to bring nonperishable foods for the Second Harvest Food Bank.

The 21st Annual Prayer Breakfast is sponsored by The Fayetteville/Cumberland County Ministerial Council, Inc.. The prayer breakfast will last from 7:30 to 10 a.m. with a donation of $18 or $20 at the door.

For more information, contact Reverend Mary Owens: 910-670-5662, Dr. Maxie Dobson: 910-624-7785, or Dr. Allen McLauchlin: 910-818-1228 or visit the website at www.ministerscouncil.net.

Photo: The community is set to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a breakfast and day of service.

Eons ago people told stories to pass on family history, to entertain, to retell adventures and to explain the origins of man. Storytelling is a way to share, entertain and bond. The most entertaining stories; however, need not be completely true. Great storytellers can take even the dullest tale and remake it into a masterpiece. The Bold-Faced Liars’ competition hosted by The Storytelling and Arts Center of the Southeast puts local storytellers skills to the test. Competitors, bring your best “there I was...” story and come ready to embellish like never before. The Bold-Faced Liars’ competition is planned for Jan. 11 and promises to be great fun.

Executive Director Jennifer Hansen McRae said the competition is “A great time with lots of laughs! The competition portion of the day will have 18-20 tellers telling three minute or less tall tales — the more extravagant the lie the better. Just make the judges believe it. Storyteller Tim Lowry is our head judge and he has great experience on both sides. He was a liar in the very first liar’s showdown. The evening’s events will feature Tim telling rodeo tales and the top three liars from the morning event.”

According to McRae, stories range from fishing, to western and much more. The competitors have free range in their topics. The goal is just to be entertaining and as convincing as possible. For the audience members, the goal is just to enjoy the outrageous stories, and try to spot the lies. According to McRae, the best part of the day is, “Hearing the laughter and feeling the appreciation for the art of storytelling.”

The day is all about leaving behind all concerns and indulging in a day of laughter and fun.

Competitors must be 16 years old or older and come from the Southeast. Registration is required to participate and tickets are required to attend the event. Applications are available online. Tickets for either the afternoon or evening are $10. Tickets for both are $15. The competition takes place at 2 p.m. and at 7 p.m. Tim Lowry, the featured storyteller, will perform. Lowry is expected to put on quite a show regaling the crowd with whoppers about the rodeo.

“There are no fees to participate — most of the spots are full for this year. The top three liars win cash prizes as well as trophies,” McRae said. In addition to the top three receiving prizes, there is also a People’s Choice Award and a Special Trophy. Lowry is the chief judge for this competition, but in total, there are three judges trying to uncover the lies in every extravagant story. All of the judges are from the Southeast, specifically North Carolina and the surrounding states.

The competition is at The Storytelling & Arts Center of the Southeast. The building is located at 131 South Main St., Laurinburg. Tickets are available for purchase at www.storyartscenter.org. To register to participate, email Brenda Gilbert at bgilbert@sfoc.info or call 277-3599, or find an application at www.storyartscenter.org.

Photo: Renowned storyteller Tim Lowry is set to perform and judge The Bold-Faced Liars’ competition at The Storytelling and Arts Center of the Southeast on Jan 11.

After the holidays, take a break and spend some time relaxing from the stress that many times accompanies the hustle and bustle of the season. Fayetteville Technical Community College has an affordable option for you to consider for some de-stressing. The FTCC Cosmetology Department invites you to visit and receive new and exciting nail and skin care services! Hours of operation have been extended to include nights and weekends.

The Nail/Technology clinic now offers many services including basic manicures and pedicures as well as advanced nail applications, such as gel nails, acrylic nails and nail art.

FTCC’s state-of-the-art Esthetics clinic offers basic or European facials, all waxing services, chemical peels, and make-up application. We invite you to visit the Esthetics clinic for a quiet, peaceful spa setting and ultimate relaxation.

FTCC advanced-level cosmetology department students perform the services under the careful direction of well-qualified instructors. The addition of Natural Nail Care is a new service that is coming soon to the Cosmetology Department.

The Salon & Spa Services Educational Center’s growth has surpassed all expectations! Fayetteville Tech’s Salon & Spa Services Educational Center offers a 1,500-hour Cosmetology program, a 600-hour Esthetics Program and a 300-hour Nail Technology Program. All programs prepare graduates to take the North Carolina State Board Licensing Examination.

The Salon Spa Service Educational Center offers both day and evening classes and is open to the public for client services.

Don’t delay! Visit FTCC’s beautiful Salon & Spa Services facility located at 2817 Fort Bragg Rd. or call (910) 678-0158 for more information.

Photo: FTCC’s state-of-the-art Esthetics clinic offers basic or European facials, all waxing services, chemical peels, and make-up application.

2013 was a banner year for the Cumberland County Schools system. Not only was the Cumberland County Schools system a Ԁnalist for the 2013 Broad Prize for Urban Education, the system received full accreditation and student test results are rising rapidly. Keeping pace in a technology-driven world, CCS introduced its new app and rolled out the Home Base Parent Portal.

The 2013 Broad Prize for Urban Education comes with a $1 million prize and “honors a district that demonstrates the greatest overall performance and improvement in student achievement while reducing achievement gaps among ethnic groups and between social economic groups.” There is no nomination or application process. An institution’s performance is what decides which schools are considered for this prize.

Being a Broad prize Ԁnalist marks CCS as a leader among our nation’s school systems, and acknowledges all the hard work that staff and teachers do in educating students every day. One of the impressive things about being considered for the Broad award is that there is no nomination or application process. An institution’s performance is what decides which schools are considered for this prize. The committee considered 73 items from CCS during the review. Cumberland County Schools were selected because 92 percent of the system’s schools achieved “at least expected growth and 67 percent of the schools achieved high growth. Except for one test in one grade level, CCS “made at least expected growth on every End-of- Course and End-of Grade test administered by the state. The county and all our high schools exceeded 80 percent and surpassed the state average,” according to the CCS website.

The school system is accredited by the AdvancED Accreditation Commission. This commission confers the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI) accreditation seal. The accreditation is an indicator that CCS is a quality school system. During the accreditation process the commission considered the following standards: purpose and direction, governance and leadership, teaching and assessing, resources and supports systems and using results for continuous improvement. The accreditation is good for Ԁve years.CCS serves a diverse student population (44 counties and 70 different native languages) and continues to close the achievement gap among all the racial groups. In 2009, the End of Course gap between black and white students was 23.8 percent. In 2012, it was 15.6 percent. The state average is 20.4 percent. The school system is on a high growth track and based on information from the 2011-2012 school year, CCS has no priority or low-performing schools and 11 schools were named N.C. Schools of Excellence and 27 were named Schools of Distinction.

The graduation rate for Cumberland County exceeded the state graduation rate in 2011/2012, and CCS students were awarded more than $40 million in scholarships for the same school year. This year, more than 80 percent of local high school students graduated and they were collectively offered more than $48 million in scholarships.

Results like this don’t just happen. There are committed teachers and administrators spending countless hours working to help prepare student students to be competitive in a fast-paced and technology driven world. While offering students every opportunity to succeed, the hectic world that we live in makes it challenging for parents and guardians to keep up with the details of busy schedules. That is why CCS has developed a mobile phone app that will let busy parents stay up to date with CCS announcements and activities as well as follow their student’s progress.

Find out more about the Cumberland County Schools system and the many programs it offers to help students succeed at ccs.k12.nc.us/departments.STEPHANIE CRIDER, Editor COM-MENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly.com.

Dr. Huxtable, played by Bill Cosby on The Cosby Show, was seldom seen without a sweater. In conjunction with an evening with Bill Cosby on Jan. 17, the Crown Center kicks off a sweater drive to benefit the Salvation Army.

The Crown Center invites residents of Fayetteville and surrounding areas to donate new or gently used sweaters of all sizes in conjunction with the Jan. 17 appearance of comedian Bill Cosby at the Crown Theatre. Each person who donates a sweater will have the opportunity to win two tickets and a meet-and-greet with Bill Cosby on the night of the show. At the conclusion of the drive, the sweaters will be given to the Salvation Army of Fayetteville.

Sweaters can be dropped off at the north entrance lobby of the Crown Coliseum through Monday, Jan. 13. A winner will be drawn at random by Crown Center staff and notified no later than Tuesday, Jan. 14.

ABOUT THE SALVATION ARMY OF FAYETTEVILLE

The Salvation Army provides a variety of services to our local communities. With facilities throughout Cumberland, Robeson, Hoke and Moore counties, we are able to meet the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of those in need. From housing and feeding programs to disaster services we are committed to meeting human needs in the diverse communities we serve.

ABOUT GLOBAL SPECTRUM CHARITIES

Global Spectrum Charities was established by Global Spectrum to improve the quality of life for people living in regions throughout the US and Canada where the public assembly facility management company operates a stadium, arena, convention center or theatre. Global Spectrum Charities gives back to the community through contributions, donations, celebrity and star appearances, and random gifts of kindness on behalf of the company’s employees, customers and visitors. Global Spectrum Charities is a division of the Comcast-Spectacor Charities, the charitable arm of Comcast-Spectacor, the Philadelphia-based sports and entertainment firm that is also the parent company of Global Spectrum.

ABOUT GLOBAL SPECTRUM

Global Spectrum (global-spectrum.com) manages the Crown Center as well as more than 115 other public assembly facilities around the world. Nearly 23-million people attended more than 15,000 events in Global Spectrum venues last year. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Global Spectrum is part of Comcast-Spectacor, one of the world’s largest sports and entertainment companies. Comcast-Spectacor also owns the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League, Ovations Food Services, a food and beverage services provider, New Era Tickets, a full-service ticketing and marketing product for public assembly facilities, Paciolan, the leading provider of venue establishment ticketing, fundraising and marketing technology solutions, Front Row Marketing Services, a commercial rights sales company, and Flyers SkateZone, a series of community ice skating rinks.

For more information, call 910-438-4117.

Photo: The Crown Center is accepting sweater donations to benefit the Salvation Army.

When you think of Bill Cosby, you probably get a smile on your face, The Cos, as he is affectionately referred to by his friends, is known for his colorful sweaters, quick humor, quirky dancing and to some — Jello pudding. Mostly, he is known for his comedy, which has kept people laughing for more than five decades. On Thursday Jan. 17, he will bring his style and humor to the Crown Theatre for a night of comedy and storytelling.

Born William H. Cosby Jr., on July 12, 1937, he is a native of Philadelphia, Pa. While known for his educational and thought-provoking television shows, Cosby quit school following his sophomore year to join the U.S. Navy. While in the Navy, he completed high school via correspondence courses. Upon completion of his military service, he was awarded an athletic scholarship to Temple University. At Temple, he worked as a bartender to help pay his expenses. He was known for his quick wit, and following the suggestion of his customers, he tried stand-up comedy and was discovered by Carl Reiner.

In ensuing years, he tackled a variety of mediums to share his quick wit, including stand-up comedy, television, cinema, books and albums. It was through the making of his comedy albums in the early ‘60s that he earned national acclaim. His award-winning albums introduced the country to his voice, but it was his role in I Spy that made him a household name and earned him three Emmy Awards.

During this same time, Cosby continued pursuing his education, earning a doctorate in education, which helped form the social commentary that was at the heart of much of his work. In the early ‘70s, he was one of the founding creators of The Electric Company, an educational children’s program that operated under the auspices of PBS. Kids raised in the ‘70s will remember the show, which used sketch comedy to develop grammar and reading skills. Cosby was joined on the show by Morgan Freeman and Rita Moreno.

Perhaps Cosby’s greatest claim to fame occurred during this time, when he introduced the world to many of his high school friends: Weird Harold, Dumb Donald, Mushmouth and, of course, Fat Albert. The highly successful Filmation cartoon was a staple of Saturday morning television from 1972 to 1984. Through Fat Albert, Cosby taught a generation about tolerance, how to say no to bullies and acceptance of those who are a little different from you.

When Fat Albert wrapped in 1984, Cosby tackled his next big thing, which was the creation of the iconic The Cosby Show, which told the story of Heathcliff Huxtable, his wife Clair, and their children. The Cosby Show was an instant success, which stayed at the top of the ratings throughout its run. It spun off A Different World, which was to be a showcase for Lisa Bonet. Set on the campus of an historical African-American university, the show concentrated on education and young people. The show reflected the social consciousness that imbues Cosby’s art.

Over the years he has appeared in many films, but has not gained the acclaim on the big screen that he did on television. A respected author, Cosby is at his best on the stage, which is where Fayetteville residents will have a chance to watch him shine during his Far From Finishedtour. Tickets range in price from $40 to $70 and are available via Ticketmaster and at the Crown Box Office. The show begins at 8 p.m. For ticket information, visit www.atthecrown.com.

Photo: Funny man Bill Cosby is set to perform at the Crown on Jan. 17

Jeremy Fiebig has a strong history in theatre. He is the Assistant Professor of Theatre at Fayetteville State University and Managing Director at the Gilbert Theater. He is also the founder of Sweet Tea Shakespeare. Sweet Tea Shakespeare is a two-year-old theatre group that until now has performed outdoors during the summer at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden. This January the troupe will perform Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night; Or What You Will.

This growth in Sweet Tea Shakespeare is exciting, but it does not come without challenges. “This is our first winter production after two years of performing exclusively at Cape Fear Botanical Garden,” said Fiebig. “This is our first indoor performance and the first that is not in the summer. It is a challenge because we think differently between the indoors and outdoors. “

This show is about the twins Viola and Sebastian and their misadventures trying to reunite after a shipwreck separates them. “The show refers to the 12 nights of the Christmas season, the end of the Christmas season. That’s why we scheduled the play for the end of January, when people are beginning new things,” said Fiebig.

For this performance Sweet Tea Shakespeare will be doing different things, too. There will be two performances at each indoor venue — the Cape Fear Botanical Garden and the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. There will be some differences but Sweet Tea Shakespeare will continue to provide a laid back atmosphere. There is music, fellowship and a play. People are welcome to come early. There will be carols, music, actors talking with people and holiday treats. “It will have the same picnic/ family reunion feel. It will be like a winter gathering over at a friend’s house on a cold night. It feels laid back.” Fiebig says.

Despite being a Shakespeare play, Twelfth Night is still incredibly relevant. Fiebig explained, “The common misconception about Shakespeare is that the way he wrote was old fashioned and old English. Actually, he was inventing some of the language that we use today. This speaks to the connection that many people have to Christmas. It is a bittersweet take on what it means to hang out with friends on a holiday. There is death, comedy and issues of mistaken identity, love and fun. The streak of death and the dark tone really rounds it out. It really speaks to those whose holidays aren’t always happy.”

Sweet Tea Shakespeare will perform Twelfth Night; Or What You Will at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden Jan. 10 -12. The shows begin at 7 p.m. at 536 N. Eastern Blvd. Performances at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church will be held Jan. 17-19. Shows begin at 7 p.m. at 1601 Raeford Rd. Tickets for garden members are $10, non-member tickets cost $12, student tickets cost $7.50, children tickets (5-12 years old) cost $5, children under 5 are free, and FSU students will be charged $5. To purchase tickets online or for more information visit: www.sweetteashakespeare.com. To purchase tickets by phone from the FSU box office call 910-672-1724.

Photo: It takes hours of preparation and rehearsals to bring a production to the stage.

Embracing the New Year

As 2013 draws to a close, we know that many are taking inventory of the things that have happened over the past year – good and bad. Some of us have already started planning for the new year, while others are busy trying to make the most of the waning days of 2013. At Up & Coming Weekly, we are doing a little of both.

2013 brought many challenges to our community, but it also brought many opportunities. We have been privileged to be right beside you, chronicling the changes and the opportunities. We have watched as our community has tackled some pressing social issues; those of crime and race. We have celebrated the steps forward and, with the community, have been saddened by those who have chosen not to move forward.

We believe that 2014 will be a time of forward movement. We believe the time has come for our community to embrace the challenge of becoming not just a good community, but a great one. We believe that we have the citizenry, organization and leadership to make that leap. The question that remains to be answered is whether we have the spirit of cooperation and the strength of commitment needed to make the leap.

Being your community newspaper, we know that there is a willingness in our community to make that leap. We know that the people of this community are ready to put questions of race behind us. We are more than the color of our skin. Fayetteville and its surrounding communities can be one. We can be a community that is judged not by the color of our skin, but the content of our character. As your community newspaper that is what we have embraced over the past 16 years — and what we will continue to embrace in 2014.

2013 was a tough financial year for many in our community. Lack of jobs, government cut backs and furloughs all had an impact on our community. But we have weathered it together. Throughout the great recession, newspapers have been closing, but your support has allowed us to continue to tell the story of this community … to celebrate its diversity … and to trumpet the things which make it great — the arts, our heroes and our everyday people.

Going in to 2014, we see change on the horizon. We are excited to be a part of it and look forward to a growing role as your community newspaper. 2013 has not been all that we, as a community, could have hoped for, but it has been a lot better than what most have endured. 2014 is looming, we are ready. We know you are, too!

Thank you for celebrating our community. Thank you for being a community of people who are worthy of respect. Thank you for being a part of the Up & Coming Weekly family. 2013 is gone, but 2014 is beckoning.

Happy New Year from your community newspaper and its staff!

Bill Bowman and Janice Burton

Hellas, in Hope Mills, is hosting a New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball. The event, hosted by former NFL Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Billy McMullen, offers two levels of excitement, and, as an added bonus, partygoers will have the opportunity to meet cast members from the movie Joyful Noise and some other NFL greats including Chris Warren, a former Seattle Seahawk and NFL Pro Bowler, as well as several members of the Atlanta Falcons who will be on hand to celebrate Jason Snelling’s birthday. The dress code for the event is black tie for men and cocktail dresses for the women. A jazz band will play downstairs in Hellas Restaurant & Sports Bar at 7 p.m., and the party gets rocking at 10 p.m., upstairs in the club. Tickets to the event are $20 per person or $35 per couple, which includes a masquerade mask, hors d’ouevres and a champagne toast at midnight. For more information, call 426-4040.

Club Barcelona, located at 1501 Skibo Rd., is sponsoring a New Year’s Eve Bash. Doors open at 9 p.m. You must be 18 to enter and 21 to drink. Drink specials include $5 Jager, $5 Goose, $2 domestics and free champagne for a midnight toast. Reservations are now being taken for the party via www.clubbarcelonanc.com. It is suggested that those wanting to celebrate come early, as the club is expected to reach capacity before 11 p.m. For more information, 483-2671.

Huske Hardware is the anchor to downtown’s New Year’s Eve activities. Huske will host a New Year’s Eve Club Night, featuring a champagne toast at midnight. Dance the night way with your favorite people to music provided by one of Fayetteville’s favorite DJs, Tommy King. One cover charge gets you in the party and includes the midnight toast. Remember to dress your best; Huske New Year’s Eve parties are always great photo ops. There will be party favors, drink specials, a balloon drop at midnight and live photos from Times Square on the big screen. There is also a dinner special for two, which includes salad, your choice of two 10 oz. N.Y. strip steaks or 8 oz. salmon filets, sides and dessert with a bottle of wine or a growler of beer. Meals without alcohol are $59.99. For more information, call 437-9905.

The Tap House at Huske Sports Bar and Grill will host its first ever New Year’s Celebration with live music, food specials and drink specials. And of course, there will be a midnight toast! Live music, party favors, champagne toast at midnight, drink specials and a live feed from Times Square. For more information, call 426-5650.

Circa 1800 will host a more reserved party. For those looking for a great place to eat dinner before beginning your New Year’s Eve festivities drop by Circa 1800 on Person Street. Circa is hosting a full-course dinner, which will feature your choice of a red meat, chicken or seafood. Dinner seating begins at 5 p.m., with the last seating starting at 9:30 p.m. Dinner is served by reservation only, and is $85 per couple. For more information, call 568-4725.

IT’Z Entertainment City is hosting a Black, Silver and Gold Party to ring in the new year. Patrons are asked to dress to impress to ring in 2014. A champagne toast at midnight will signal the beginning of the new year, but the party will keep going as patrons dance to the sounds of DJ SERG Sniper. Reserve your VIP party pass now by calling 826-2300. IT’Z is located at 4118 Legend Ave. in Fayetteville. For pre-party dinner or drinks, you can stop in at the Sports Bar. The Hilltop House is not usually considered a party destination, but if you would like to spend quality time with close friends and family as the old year fades away, the restaurant is now taking reservations for a New Year’s Eve Dinner. Dinner seating begins at 5 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m., which gives you ample time to get home and countdown the new year in your PJs. For reservations and more information, call 484-6699.

If you choose to travel a short distance from home, The Pinehurst Resort is known for the elegance of its New Year’s Eve celebrations. After you grab your party favors, you can dance the night away to The Band of Oz and make a toast at midnight with a glass of champagne. The New Year’s Eve package includes your room, dinner in the Carolina Dining Room, the party, a midnight breakfast buffet followed by a Southern-style breakfast buffet in the morning and late check out. Cost is $244 per person. You can make reservations online at www.pinehurst.com/offers/package/new-years-eve.If you elect not to stay the night, you can partake in the party and the midnight buffet. Tickets are $90 per person and can be purchased via www.shoppinehurst.com.

A little further from home, Broadway at the Beach offers an all-inclusive party that is hard to beat. The following events will all take place at the shopping complex:

Celebrations Nitelife’s New Year’s Eve Celebration tickets are $25 each and include entry into Malibu’s Surf Bar, Club Boca, Froggy Bottomz and Broadway Louie’s. Doors open at 7 p.m. There will be confetti canons, a complimentary champagne toast when the clock strikes midnight, live music inside Froggy Bottomz with Diversity, DJ BZ inside Malibu’s, DJ Joey inside Club Boca and Broadway Jake hosting a karaoke show inside Broadway Louie’s. For more information, VIP packages and/or to purchase tickets call 843-444-3500 or stop at Broadway Louie’s.

New Year’s Eve Party in the Square A DJ will perform live in Celebrity Square from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets are $25 each and include admission to the clubs of Revolutions, Crocodile Rocks, Rodeo Bar & Grill and Senor Frogs, where each venue will host their own midnight celebration! For more information or to purchase tickets, call 843-444-8032 or 843-315-0120.

Carlos ‘n Charlie’s Old School New Year’s Eve 80’s Party tickets are $10 per person for 21 years of age and older and $20 per person for 18 to 20 years old. Live 80’s style music provided by DJ Lui Diamante.

Hard Rock Cafe New Year’s Eve Concert & Party Doors open at 9:30 p.m. with live music from Black Glass. Tickets are $25 per person plus tax in advance or $30 per person plus tax day of. VIP Tickets are also available for $75 per person plus tax and include a three-course dinner (pre-set menu with five options, salad and dessert) and a reserved table. Event is a concert style event with limited seating. Dinner served at 8:30 p.m. for VIP ticket holders. Doors open at 9:30 p.m. for all general admission ticket holders. VIP tickets will not be available that evening. For more information or to purchase tickets please call 843-946-0007.For more information about Broadway at the Beach, visit www.BroadwayattheBeach.com, call 1-800-386-4662, “like” on Facebook or follow the complex on Twitter.